Bible Study

Summit Views: 2 Samuel

Purpose:

To highlight the Lord’s faithfulness through the life and reign of King David over Israel as well as the progression of redemption by means of a Davidic King on the throne forever.

Gospel Connection:

The LORD’s covenant with David shows that God’s promises to Abraham and his descendants will be mediated through one of David’s sons as king over Israel. Unlike Solomon and other kings in Israel’s history who disobeyed, Jesus is the promised Messiah from the line of David that perfectly fulfills this covenant, bringing worldwide blessing in his redemption, reign, and restoration.

Summary Outline:

(1) David Laments Saul and Jonathan
(2-6) David’s Reign Expands
(7) The LORD’s Covenant with David
(8-10) David’s Victories
(11-12) David’s Downfall and Restoration
(13-14) Family Sin and David’s passivity
(15-19) Absalom’s Conspiracy and David’s flight
(20-23) The LORD’s Deliverance of David
(24) Sinful Census, Judgment and Building an Altar

Summary message:

David, though anointed as the next King but living as an outcast, receives news that Saul and Jonathan have died. After lamenting, David expands his reign over all Israel and then receives great promises from the LORD of an eternal dynasty with one of his descendants. After leading Israel faithfully to great victories over surrounding enemies, David sins against God and others bringing death and suffering. By God’s grace, He is forgiven and ultimately restored before God. However, David’s lack of leadership within his family leads to greater chaos as He is forced to flee from one of his sons who conspires against him. The Lord remains faithful however and delivers David and secures his kingdom. The book concludes with the LORD judging Israel in a devastating plague that is eventually averted with David purchasing a field and building an altar to the LORD.

Date:

Events take place from the 11th to 10th century BC. The book may have been completed around 960 BC[1]

Author:

Though the author is not mentioned, many have attributed the book to Samuel and possibly Gad the seer and Nathan the prophet (1 Chronicles 29:29-30). It was originally composed as one work along with 2 Samuel.

Historical context:

Israel’s conflicts with Edom, Moab, Ammonites, Philistines, Amalek, Zobah, Syrians, etc. United Kingdom:
– Reign of Saul (1051-1011)
– Reign of David (1011-971)

Key People/places/passages:

People: Abner, Mephibosheth, David, Bathsheba, Uriah the Hittite, Nathan, Amnon, Tamar, Absalom, Joab, Hushai, Ahithophel, Zadok, Abiathar, David’s mighty men, Gad, Araunah the Jebusite

Places: Hebron, Gibeon, Jerusalem, Geshur, the Mount of Olives

Passages: Psalm 3, 18, 51, 60, 63, 89; Luke 1:32; Acts 2:30-31

Maps:

(coming soon)

Detailed Outline:

David Laments Saul and Jonathan (1)
David Receives Bad News (1:1-16) David Laments (1:17-27)

David’s Reign Expands (2-6)
David Anointed King (2:1-7)
War Between House of David and House of Saul (2:8 – 4:12) David Anointed King Over Israel and Takes Jerusalem (5:1-16) David Defeats Philistines (5:17-25)
The Ark Arrives in Jerusalem (6:1-23)

The LORD’s Covenant with David (7)
The LORD Makes a Covenant with David (7:1-29) David’s Prayer of Thanksgiving (7:18-29)

David’s Victories (8-10)
The LORD Gives Victories to David (8:1-14)
David’s Officials Part I (8:15-18)
David Shows Kindness to Mephibosheth (9:1-13)
David’s Men Humiliated and the Ammonite and Syrian Defeat (10:1-19)

David’s Downfall and Restoration (11-12)
David and Bathsheba (11:1-27)
Nathan Confronts David (12:1-15) David’s Son Dies (12:15-23)
Birth of Solomon (12:24-25)
David Defeats the Ammonites (12:26-31)

Family Sin and David’s Passivity (13-14)
Amnon’s Sin Against Tamar (13:1-22)
Amsalom’s Revenge on Amnon (13:23-39) Amsalom’s Eventual Return to Jerusalem (14:1-23) Absalom Steals the Hearts of the People (15:1-12)

Absalom’s Conspiracy and David’s Flight (15-19)
David Flees Jerusalem (15:13-16:14)
Absalom Enters Jerusalem and Receives Conflicting Counsel (16:15-17:14)
David is Notified of Absalom’s plan (17:15-29)
Absalom Defeated and Killed (18:1-18)
The Race to Bring David News (18:19-32)
David Grieves, Reunites the People and Begins Return to Jerusalem (18:33 – 19:15) Former Enemies Transition Back Together (19:16-43)

The LORD’s Deliverance of David (20-23)
Sheba’s Revolt and David’s Arrival in Jerusalem (20:1-22) David’s Officials Part II (20:23-25)
Famine and Gibeonite Avengement (21:1-14)
War with the Philistines and their Giants (21:15-22)
The Last Words of David (23:1-7) David’s Mighty Men (23:8-39)

Sinful Census, Judgment and Building an Altar (24)
David’s Sinful Census (24:1-9)
David’s Conviction and Consequence (24:10-17)
David Buys Threshing Floor and Builds an Alter (24:18-25)

_____________________________________

[1] Charles Dyer and Eugene Merrill. Nelson’s Old Testament Survey. Ed. Charles R. Swindoll & Roy B. Zuck. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, Inc., 2001, p. 204.

< Return to listing of Online Books

Bible Study Publications to Download