April 2, 2025
David's Transgressions
2 Samuel 10-13
Matt Farlow
Big Book Idea
From David's line will come a ruler who will sit on the throne forever!
Key Verse | 2 Samuel 11:26-27
When the wife of Uriah heard that Uriah her husband was dead, she lamented over her husband. And when the mourning was over, David sent and brought her to his house, and she became his wife and bore him a son. But the thing that David had done displeased the LORD.
2 Samuel 10-13
Chapter 10
David Defeats Ammon and Syria
1 After this the king of the Ammonites died, and Hanun his son reigned in his place. 2 And David said, “I will deal loyally 1 10:2 Or kindly; twice in this verse with Hanun the son of Nahash, as his father dealt loyally with me.” So David sent by his servants to console him concerning his father. And David's servants came into the land of the Ammonites. 3 But the princes of the Ammonites said to Hanun their lord, “Do you think, because David has sent comforters to you, that he is honoring your father? Has not David sent his servants to you to search the city and to spy it out and to overthrow it?” 4 So Hanun took David's servants and shaved off half the beard of each and cut off their garments in the middle, at their hips, and sent them away. 5 When it was told David, he sent to meet them, for the men were greatly ashamed. And the king said, “Remain at Jericho until your beards have grown and then return.”
6 When the Ammonites saw that they had become a stench to David, the Ammonites sent and hired the Syrians of Beth-rehob, and the Syrians of Zobah, 20,000 foot soldiers, and the king of Maacah with 1,000 men, and the men of Tob, 12,000 men. 7 And when David heard of it, he sent Joab and all the host of the mighty men. 8 And the Ammonites came out and drew up in battle array at the entrance of the gate, and the Syrians of Zobah and of Rehob and the men of Tob and Maacah were by themselves in the open country.
9 When Joab saw that the battle was set against him both in front and in the rear, he chose some of the best men of Israel and arrayed them against the Syrians. 10 The rest of his men he put in the charge of Abishai his brother, and he arrayed them against the Ammonites. 11 And he said, “If the Syrians are too strong for me, then you shall help me, but if the Ammonites are too strong for you, then I will come and help you. 12 Be of good courage, and let us be courageous for our people, and for the cities of our God, and may the LORD do what seems good to him.” 13 So Joab and the people who were with him drew near to battle against the Syrians, and they fled before him. 14 And when the Ammonites saw that the Syrians fled, they likewise fled before Abishai and entered the city. Then Joab returned from fighting against the Ammonites and came to Jerusalem.
15 But when the Syrians saw that they had been defeated by Israel, they gathered themselves together. 16 And Hadadezer sent and brought out the Syrians who were beyond the Euphrates. 2 10:16 Hebrew the River They came to Helam, with Shobach the commander of the army of Hadadezer at their head. 17 And when it was told David, he gathered all Israel together and crossed the Jordan and came to Helam. The Syrians arrayed themselves against David and fought with him. 18 And the Syrians fled before Israel, and David killed of the Syrians the men of 700 chariots, and 40,000 horsemen, and wounded Shobach the commander of their army, so that he died there. 19 And when all the kings who were servants of Hadadezer saw that they had been defeated by Israel, they made peace with Israel and became subject to them. So the Syrians were afraid to save the Ammonites anymore.
Chapter 11
David and Bathsheba
1 In the spring of the year, the time when kings go out to battle, David sent Joab, and his servants with him, and all Israel. And they ravaged the Ammonites and besieged Rabbah. But David remained at Jerusalem.
2 It happened, late one afternoon, when David arose from his couch and was walking on the roof of the king's house, that he saw from the roof a woman bathing; and the woman was very beautiful. 3 And David sent and inquired about the woman. And one said, “Is not this Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?” 4 So David sent messengers and took her, and she came to him, and he lay with her. (Now she had been purifying herself from her uncleanness.) Then she returned to her house. 5 And the woman conceived, and she sent and told David, “I am pregnant.”
6 So David sent word to Joab, “Send me Uriah the Hittite.” And Joab sent Uriah to David. 7 When Uriah came to him, David asked how Joab was doing and how the people were doing and how the war was going. 8 Then David said to Uriah, “Go down to your house and wash your feet.” And Uriah went out of the king's house, and there followed him a present from the king. 9 But Uriah slept at the door of the king's house with all the servants of his lord, and did not go down to his house. 10 When they told David, “Uriah did not go down to his house,” David said to Uriah, “Have you not come from a journey? Why did you not go down to your house?” 11 Uriah said to David, “The ark and Israel and Judah dwell in booths, and my lord Joab and the servants of my lord are camping in the open field. Shall I then go to my house, to eat and to drink and to lie with my wife? As you live, and as your soul lives, I will not do this thing.” 12 Then David said to Uriah, “Remain here today also, and tomorrow I will send you back.” So Uriah remained in Jerusalem that day and the next. 13 And David invited him, and he ate in his presence and drank, so that he made him drunk. And in the evening he went out to lie on his couch with the servants of his lord, but he did not go down to his house.
14 In the morning David wrote a letter to Joab and sent it by the hand of Uriah. 15 In the letter he wrote, “Set Uriah in the forefront of the hardest fighting, and then draw back from him, that he may be struck down, and die.” 16 And as Joab was besieging the city, he assigned Uriah to the place where he knew there were valiant men. 17 And the men of the city came out and fought with Joab, and some of the servants of David among the people fell. Uriah the Hittite also died. 18 Then Joab sent and told David all the news about the fighting. 19 And he instructed the messenger, “When you have finished telling all the news about the fighting to the king, 20 then, if the king's anger rises, and if he says to you, ‘Why did you go so near the city to fight? Did you not know that they would shoot from the wall? 21 Who killed Abimelech the son of Jerubbesheth? Did not a woman cast an upper millstone on him from the wall, so that he died at Thebez? Why did you go so near the wall?’ then you shall say, ‘Your servant Uriah the Hittite is dead also.’”
22 So the messenger went and came and told David all that Joab had sent him to tell. 23 The messenger said to David, “The men gained an advantage over us and came out against us in the field, but we drove them back to the entrance of the gate. 24 Then the archers shot at your servants from the wall. Some of the king's servants are dead, and your servant Uriah the Hittite is dead also.” 25 David said to the messenger, “Thus shall you say to Joab, ‘Do not let this matter displease you, for the sword devours now one and now another. Strengthen your attack against the city and overthrow it.’ And encourage him.”
26 When the wife of Uriah heard that Uriah her husband was dead, she lamented over her husband. 27 And when the mourning was over, David sent and brought her to his house, and she became his wife and bore him a son. But the thing that David had done displeased the LORD.
Chapter 12
Nathan Rebukes David
1 And the LORD sent Nathan to David. He came to him and said to him, “There were two men in a certain city, the one rich and the other poor. 2 The rich man had very many flocks and herds, 3 but the poor man had nothing but one little ewe lamb, which he had bought. And he brought it up, and it grew up with him and with his children. It used to eat of his morsel and drink from his cup and lie in his arms, 3 12:3 Hebrew bosom; also verse 8 and it was like a daughter to him. 4 Now there came a traveler to the rich man, and he was unwilling to take one of his own flock or herd to prepare for the guest who had come to him, but he took the poor man's lamb and prepared it for the man who had come to him.” 5 Then David's anger was greatly kindled against the man, and he said to Nathan, “As the LORD lives, the man who has done this deserves to die, 6 and he shall restore the lamb fourfold, because he did this thing, and because he had no pity.”
7 Nathan said to David, “You are the man! Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, ‘I anointed you king over Israel, and I delivered you out of the hand of Saul. 8 And I gave you your master's house and your master's wives into your arms and gave you the house of Israel and of Judah. And if this were too little, I would add to you as much more. 9 Why have you despised the word of the LORD, to do what is evil in his sight? You have struck down Uriah the Hittite with the sword and have taken his wife to be your wife and have killed him with the sword of the Ammonites. 10 Now therefore the sword shall never depart from your house, because you have despised me and have taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your wife.’ 11 Thus says the LORD, ‘Behold, I will raise up evil against you out of your own house. And I will take your wives before your eyes and give them to your neighbor, and he shall lie with your wives in the sight of this sun. 12 For you did it secretly, but I will do this thing before all Israel and before the sun.’” 13 David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the LORD.” And Nathan said to David, “The LORD also has put away your sin; you shall not die. 14 Nevertheless, because by this deed you have utterly scorned the LORD, 4 12:14 Masoretic Text the enemies of the LORD; Dead Sea Scroll the word of the LORD the child who is born to you shall die.” 15 Then Nathan went to his house.
David's Child Dies
And the LORD afflicted the child that Uriah's wife bore to David, and he became sick. 16 David therefore sought God on behalf of the child. And David fasted and went in and lay all night on the ground. 17 And the elders of his house stood beside him, to raise him from the ground, but he would not, nor did he eat food with them. 18 On the seventh day the child died. And the servants of David were afraid to tell him that the child was dead, for they said, “Behold, while the child was yet alive, we spoke to him, and he did not listen to us. How then can we say to him the child is dead? He may do himself some harm.” 19 But when David saw that his servants were whispering together, David understood that the child was dead. And David said to his servants, “Is the child dead?” They said, “He is dead.” 20 Then David arose from the earth and washed and anointed himself and changed his clothes. And he went into the house of the LORD and worshiped. He then went to his own house. And when he asked, they set food before him, and he ate. 21 Then his servants said to him, “What is this thing that you have done? You fasted and wept for the child while he was alive; but when the child died, you arose and ate food.” 22 He said, “While the child was still alive, I fasted and wept, for I said, ‘Who knows whether the LORD will be gracious to me, that the child may live?’ 23 But now he is dead. Why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he will not return to me.”
Solomon's Birth
24 Then David comforted his wife, Bathsheba, and went in to her and lay with her, and she bore a son, and he called his name Solomon. And the LORD loved him 25 and sent a message by Nathan the prophet. So he called his name Jedidiah, 5 12:25 Jedidiah means beloved of the LORD because of the LORD.
Rabbah Is Captured
26 Now Joab fought against Rabbah of the Ammonites and took the royal city. 27 And Joab sent messengers to David and said, “I have fought against Rabbah; moreover, I have taken the city of waters. 28 Now then gather the rest of the people together and encamp against the city and take it, lest I take the city and it be called by my name.” 29 So David gathered all the people together and went to Rabbah and fought against it and took it. 30 And he took the crown of their king from his head. The weight of it was a talent 6 12:30 A talent was about 75 pounds or 34 kilograms of gold, and in it was a precious stone, and it was placed on David's head. And he brought out the spoil of the city, a very great amount. 31 And he brought out the people who were in it and set them to labor with saws and iron picks and iron axes and made them toil at 7 12:31 Hebrew pass through the brick kilns. And thus he did to all the cities of the Ammonites. Then David and all the people returned to Jerusalem.
Chapter 13
Amnon and Tamar
1 Now Absalom, David's son, had a beautiful sister, whose name was Tamar. And after a time Amnon, David's son, loved her. 2 And Amnon was so tormented that he made himself ill because of his sister Tamar, for she was a virgin, and it seemed impossible to Amnon to do anything to her. 3 But Amnon had a friend, whose name was Jonadab, the son of Shimeah, David's brother. And Jonadab was a very crafty man. 4 And he said to him, “O son of the king, why are you so haggard morning after morning? Will you not tell me?” Amnon said to him, “I love Tamar, my brother Absalom's sister.” 5 Jonadab said to him, “Lie down on your bed and pretend to be ill. And when your father comes to see you, say to him, ‘Let my sister Tamar come and give me bread to eat, and prepare the food in my sight, that I may see it and eat it from her hand.’” 6 So Amnon lay down and pretended to be ill. And when the king came to see him, Amnon said to the king, “Please let my sister Tamar come and make a couple of cakes in my sight, that I may eat from her hand.”
7 Then David sent home to Tamar, saying, “Go to your brother Amnon's house and prepare food for him.” 8 So Tamar went to her brother Amnon's house, where he was lying down. And she took dough and kneaded it and made cakes in his sight and baked the cakes. 9 And she took the pan and emptied it out before him, but he refused to eat. And Amnon said, “Send out everyone from me.” So everyone went out from him. 10 Then Amnon said to Tamar, “Bring the food into the chamber, that I may eat from your hand.” And Tamar took the cakes she had made and brought them into the chamber to Amnon her brother. 11 But when she brought them near him to eat, he took hold of her and said to her, “Come, lie with me, my sister.” 12 She answered him, “No, my brother, do not violate 8 13:12 Or humiliate; also verses 14, 22, 32 me, for such a thing is not done in Israel; do not do this outrageous thing. 13 As for me, where could I carry my shame? And as for you, you would be as one of the outrageous fools in Israel. Now therefore, please speak to the king, for he will not withhold me from you.” 14 But he would not listen to her, and being stronger than she, he violated her and lay with her.
15 Then Amnon hated her with very great hatred, so that the hatred with which he hated her was greater than the love with which he had loved her. And Amnon said to her, “Get up! Go!” 16 But she said to him, “No, my brother, for this wrong in sending me away is greater than the other that you did to me.” 9 13:16 Compare Septuagint, Vulgate; the meaning of the Hebrew is uncertain But he would not listen to her. 17 He called the young man who served him and said, “Put this woman out of my presence and bolt the door after her.” 18 Now she was wearing a long robe with sleeves, 10 13:18 Or a robe of many colors (compare Genesis 37:3); compare long robe, verse 19 for thus were the virgin daughters of the king dressed. So his servant put her out and bolted the door after her. 19 And Tamar put ashes on her head and tore the long robe that she wore. And she laid her hand on her head and went away, crying aloud as she went.
20 And her brother Absalom said to her, “Has Amnon your brother been with you? Now hold your peace, my sister. He is your brother; do not take this to heart.” So Tamar lived, a desolate woman, in her brother Absalom's house. 21 When King David heard of all these things, he was very angry. 11 13:21 Dead Sea Scroll, Septuagint add But he would not punish his son Amnon, because he loved him, since he was his firstborn 22 But Absalom spoke to Amnon neither good nor bad, for Absalom hated Amnon, because he had violated his sister Tamar.
Absalom Murders Amnon
23 After two full years Absalom had sheepshearers at Baal-hazor, which is near Ephraim, and Absalom invited all the king's sons. 24 And Absalom came to the king and said, “Behold, your servant has sheepshearers. Please let the king and his servants go with your servant.” 25 But the king said to Absalom, “No, my son, let us not all go, lest we be burdensome to you.” He pressed him, but he would not go but gave him his blessing. 26 Then Absalom said, “If not, please let my brother Amnon go with us.” And the king said to him, “Why should he go with you?” 27 But Absalom pressed him until he let Amnon and all the king's sons go with him. 28 Then Absalom commanded his servants, “Mark when Amnon's heart is merry with wine, and when I say to you, ‘Strike Amnon,’ then kill him. Do not fear; have I not commanded you? Be courageous and be valiant.” 29 So the servants of Absalom did to Amnon as Absalom had commanded. Then all the king's sons arose, and each mounted his mule and fled.
30 While they were on the way, news came to David, “Absalom has struck down all the king's sons, and not one of them is left.” 31 Then the king arose and tore his garments and lay on the earth. And all his servants who were standing by tore their garments. 32 But Jonadab the son of Shimeah, David's brother, said, “Let not my lord suppose that they have killed all the young men, the king's sons, for Amnon alone is dead. For by the command of Absalom this has been determined from the day he violated his sister Tamar. 33 Now therefore let not my lord the king so take it to heart as to suppose that all the king's sons are dead, for Amnon alone is dead.”
Absalom Flees to Geshur
34 But Absalom fled. And the young man who kept the watch lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, many people were coming from the road behind him 12 13:34 Septuagint the Horonaim Road by the side of the mountain. 35 And Jonadab said to the king, “Behold, the king's sons have come; as your servant said, so it has come about.” 36 And as soon as he had finished speaking, behold, the king's sons came and lifted up their voice and wept. And the king also and all his servants wept very bitterly.
37 But Absalom fled and went to Talmai the son of Ammihud, king of Geshur. And David mourned for his son day after day. 38 So Absalom fled and went to Geshur, and was there three years. 39 And the spirit of the king 13 13:39 Dead Sea Scroll, Septuagint; Hebrew David longed to go out 14 13:39 Compare Vulgate ceased to go out to Absalom, because he was comforted about Amnon, since he was dead.
Footnotes
[1] 10:2 Or kindly; twice in this verse[2] 10:16 Hebrew the River
[3] 12:3 Hebrew bosom; also verse 8
[4] 12:14 Masoretic Text the enemies of the LORD; Dead Sea Scroll the word of the LORD
[5] 12:25 Jedidiah means beloved of the LORD
[6] 12:30 A talent was about 75 pounds or 34 kilograms
[7] 12:31 Hebrew pass through
[8] 13:12 Or humiliate; also verses 14, 22, 32
[9] 13:16 Compare Septuagint, Vulgate; the meaning of the Hebrew is uncertain
[10] 13:18 Or a robe of many colors (compare Genesis 37:3); compare long robe, verse 19
[11] 13:21 Dead Sea Scroll, Septuagint add But he would not punish his son Amnon, because he loved him, since he was his firstborn
[12] 13:34 Septuagint the Horonaim Road
[13] 13:39 Dead Sea Scroll, Septuagint; Hebrew David
[14] 13:39 Compare Vulgate ceased to go out
Table of Contents
Introduction to 1–2 Samuel
Timeline
Author and Date
The author or authors of 1 and 2 Samuel are not known. These books recount the stories of Samuel, Saul, and David. Saul’s reign began between 1050–1030 B.C. and ended in 1010. David then reigned until 971. The books were probably written soon after the end of his reign.
Theme
The central theme of the books of Samuel is how the Lord (1) established a dynasty (“house”) in Israel for David rather than Saul and (2) how he chose Jerusalem as the place where David’s successor would establish the temple (“house”) for the worship of the divine King Yahweh.
Purpose
The purpose of 1 Samuel is to highlight two major events: the establishment of the monarchy in Israel (chs. 8–12); and the rise of David to be king after Saul (chs. 16–31). After ruling for a while, Saul was rejected by the Lord in favor of David (chs. 15–16), though Saul stayed on the throne until his death at Mount Gilboa (ch. 31). Later, in 2 Samuel 7, God promises David and his house an eternal dynasty. The book of 1 Samuel establishes the principle that obedience to the word of God is the necessary condition for a king to be acceptable to the God of Israel.
First and Second Samuel deal with a transitional period in the history of ancient Israel. There is a transition of leadership first from the priest Eli to the judge Samuel, then from the judge Samuel to the king Saul, and then from Saul to David. Samuel thus is the link between the judgeship and the kingship in Israel. He is the prophet God uses to anoint both Saul and David. The kingdom of Saul was also transitional. Under Saul, Israel was more than a loose confederation that gathered together whenever there was a common threat, but there was no strong central rule such as existed later. The story of the rise of David in the second half of 1 Samuel prepares for the full-scale kingship of David in 2 Samuel.
1 Samuel Key Themes
- God’s kingship. God is King of the universe and always has been. No human king can assume kingship except as a deputy of the divine King.
- God’s providential guidance. God providentially and individually guided the lives of chosen people such as Hannah, Samuel, and David. Even the life of Saul was in God’s providential care (see 1 Sam. 9:16). God’s timing is always perfect (see 1 Samuel 9 and the end of 1 Samuel 23), for he is the Lord of history.
- God’s sovereign will and power. God chooses or rejects people according to his absolute sovereign will and purpose. He may change his way of dealing with individuals according to his plan and purpose, but his decision is always just and right. At the same time, he is merciful and gracious.
Therefore, obedience to God’s word is of prime importance. Only God’s grace allows sinful human beings to be in relationship with the holy God. Only the God-given way of approaching him through sacrifice can prepare humans to come closer to God. Believers can only wait on God, who will do his will according to his own purpose. What is impossible for humans is possible for God. This should encourage believers to put their faith in the one who is sovereign over the entire creation.
2 Samuel Key Themes
The themes of 1 Samuel are related to the themes of 2 Samuel: the sovereign God, who has guided David’s life, chooses David as the ruler of God’s people. God pledges to David an eternal covenant. David thus becomes the prototype of the future Messiah, Jesus Christ.
- Davidic covenant. See 2 Samuel 7.
- Messianic promise. Second Samuel 7 is a turning point in the history of salvation. God chose David to be the beginning of an enduring dynasty, from which the ultimate Ruler, Jesus, would come. God used David to fulfill his eternal plan of salvation, not because he was perfect from a human viewpoint, but because the Lord was “with him” and showed grace to him.
1 Samuel Outline
- The Story of Samuel (1:1–7:17)
- Transition to the Monarchy (8:1–22)
- The Story of Saul (9:1–15:35)
- The Story of Saul and David (16:1–31:13)
2 Samuel Outline
- Story of King David (1:1–20:26)
- Epilogue (21:1–24:25)
The Setting of 1 Samuel
c. 1050 B.C.
The book of 1 Samuel is set in Israel during the transition between the period of the judges and the period of the monarchy. It opens with Samuel’s birth and then describes his role as judge over Israel. When the people ask for a king, the Lord instructs Samuel to anoint Saul as Israel’s first king.
The Setting of 2 Samuel
The Setting of 2 Samuel
c. 1000 B.C.
The book of 2 Samuel recounts David’s reign over Israel and his battles to establish Israel as the dominant power in Syria and Palestine. David expanded Israel’s borders from Saul’s smaller territory. By the end of his reign, David controlled all of Israel, Edom, Moab, Ammon, Syria, and Zobah. Other kingdoms, such as Tyre and Hamath, established treaties with him.
Fact: How does Chronicles differ from Samuel and Kings?
How does Chronicles differ from Samuel and Kings? The books of 1–2 Samuel and 1–2 Kings show that the Lord drove Israel and Judah from their land because of their sin. The books of 1–2 Chronicles agree that Israel sinned and suffered exile as a result. They also show that God still had a purpose for his people.
Fact: King David
King David is the main character in 1 Chronicles. The writer presents a very positive picture of him, leaving out many of the tragic details of his life that the writer of 2 Samuel describes.
Fact: David’s disobedience
David’s disobedience. David broke three of the Ten Commandments in his relationship with Bathsheba. He broke the tenth commandment by coveting another man’s wife, then the seventh commandment by committing adultery. He broke the sixth commandment by arranging the death of Bathsheba’s husband, Uriah.
Fact: Why was David sorry after he had cut Saul’s robe?
Why was David sorry after he had cut Saul’s robe? The cutting of another person’s clothes (24:5) was considered an act of humiliation and provocation. Thus, it could lead to war (2 Sam. 10:4–5). David realizes that doing this to the Lord’s anointed one is an offense against the Lord himself.
Fact: Sexual activity while on military duty
Sexual activity while on military duty was expressly forbidden by law in ancient Israel. It brought about ritual impurity and therefore forced a soldier to undergo purification rituals. This would prevent him from performing his military duty.
Fact: Why did Tamar not want to be sent away?
Why did Tamar not want to be sent away? Although Amnon raped her, Tamar knew that the Mosaic Law said he must now marry her or pay damages for what he had done. Though she told her father David what had happened, he did nothing to punish Amnon (13:20-22). Both Amnon and David ignored God’s standards in this sad episode.
The Setting of 2 Samuel
c. 1000 B.C.
The book of 2 Samuel recounts David’s reign over Israel and his battles to establish Israel as the dominant power in Syria and Palestine. David expanded Israel’s borders from Saul’s smaller territory. By the end of his reign, David controlled all of Israel, Edom, Moab, Ammon, Syria, and Zobah. Other kingdoms, such as Tyre and Hamath, established treaties with him.
David and Absalom
c. 985 B.C.
In retaliation for the incestuous rape of his sister, Absalom killed his brother Amnon at Baal-hazor and fled to Geshur. After three years, arrangements were made for Absalom to return to Jerusalem, and later he and David were reconciled. Soon after this, however, Absalom led a coup against David in Hebron, and David fled to Mahanaim. When Absalom attacked David’s forces in the forest of Ephraim, Absalom was defeated and killed, allowing David to return to Jerusalem.
Events of 1–2 Samuel Referenced in the Psalms
| 1 Samuel | Incident | Psalm |
|---|---|---|
| 19:11 | David’s house surrounded | 59 |
| 21:10–11 | David seized by Achish | 56 |
| 21:12–22:1 | David escapes from Achish (called Abimelech in Psalm 34 title) | 34 |
| 22:1 (possibly also 24:3) | David in cave | 57; 142 |
| 22:9–19 | Doeg the Edomite | 52 |
| 23:14–15 (possibly) | Desert of Judah | 63 |
| 23:19 | David betrayed by Ziphites | 54 |
| 2 Samuel | Incident | Psalm |
|---|---|---|
| 8:1–14 | Victory over Transjordan | 60 |
| chs. 11–12 | Against house of Uriah | 51 |
| chs. 15–17 | Absalom’s revolt | 3 |
| chs. 15–17 (possibly) | Desert of Judah | 63 |
| ch. 22 | Victory over all enemies | 18 |
The Rise and Failure of David in 1 and 2 Samuel
| David’s Rise (1 Samuel 16–2 Samuel 10) | David’s Failures (2 Samuel 11–20) |
|---|---|
| Eager holy warrior | Remains in palace |
| Marries honorably | Adultery with Bathsheba |
| Protects Saul’s life | Plots Uriah’s death |
| Decisive | Indecisive |
| Prayers effective | Prayers ineffective |
| Fearless when outnumbered | Fearfully takes census |
| Attracts thousands of followers | Loses thousands of followers |
Comparison of 1–2 Chronicles with 2 Samuel and 1–2 Kings
| 1 Chronicles | 2 Samuel | |
|---|---|---|
| Genealogies | 1:1–9:44 | |
| Death of Saul and sons | 10:1–14 | 1 Sam. 31:1–2 Sam. 1:16 |
| Lament for Saul | 1:17–27 | |
| David king of Judah | 2:1–7 | |
| War between house of Saul and David; Ish-bosheth made king | 2:8–3:1 | |
| David’s sons in Hebron | 3:2–5 | |
| Abner helps David | 3:6–21 | |
| Joab kills Abner | 3:22–39 | |
| Ish-bosheth killed | 4:1–12 | |
| David king of Judah and Israel | 11:1–3 | 5:1–5 |
| Conquest of Jerusalem | 11:4–9 | 5:6–10 |
| David’s mighty men | 11:10–47 | 23:8–39 |
| David’s men at Ziklag | 12:1–22 | |
| Celebration at Hebron | 12:23–40 | |
| Attempted return of ark; death of Uzzah | 13:1–14 | 6:1–11 |
| David’s house built | 14:1–2 | 5:11–12 |
| David’s children in Jerusalem | 14:3–7 | 5:13–16 |
| David defeats Philistines | 14:8–17 | 5:17–25 |
| Spiritual preparation for the ark’s return | 15:1–24 | |
| Ark brought to Jerusalem | 15:25–16:6 | 6:12–19 |
| David and Michal | 6:20–23 | |
| David’s psalm of praise | 16:7–43 | |
| David’s desire to build the temple | 17:1–2 | 7:1–3 |
| Davidic covenant | 17:3–15 | 7:4–17 |
| David’s prayer of praise | 17:16–27 | 7:18–29 |
| David’s victories | 18:1–13 | 8:1–14 |
| David’s officials | 18:14–17 | 8:15–18 |
| David helps Mephibosheth | 9:1–13 | |
| Ammonites defeated | 19:1–15 | 10:1–14 |
| Syrians defeated | 19:16–19 | 10:15–19 |
| Ammonites defeated | 20:1–3 | 11:1; 12:26–31 |
| David and Bathsheba | 11:2–12:25 | |
| Amnon, Tamar, and Absalom | 13:1–14:33 | |
| Absalom’s rebellion | 15:1–19:43 | |
| Sheba’s rebellion | 20:1–26 | |
| Famine; death of Saul’s sons | 21:1–14 | |
| War with Philistines; the Philistine giants | 20:4–8 | 21:15–22 |
| David’s psalm of deliverance | 22:1–51 | |
| David’s last words | 23:1–7 | |
| David’s census | 21:1–27 | 24:1–25 |
| David plans for the temple | 21:28–22:5 | |
| David’s charge to Solomon and the leaders | 22:6–19 | |
| David organizes temple personnel | 23:1–26:32 | |
| Israel’s military | 27:1–15 | |
| Israel’s leaders | 27:16–34 | |
| David’s charge to Israel; affirmation of Solomon | 28:1–10 | |
| Pattern for the temple | 28:11–21 | |
| Offerings for the temple | 29:1–9 | |
| David’s prayer of thanks for the temple | 29:10–19 | |
| 1 Kings | ||
| David and Abishag | 1:1–4 | |
| Adonijah claims the throne | 1:5–27 | |
| Solomon’s coronation | 29:20–25 | 1:28–40 |
| David instructs Solomon | 2:1–9 | |
| Death of David | 29:26–30 | 2:10–11 |
| Solomon establishes his kingdom | 2:12–46 | |
| 2 Chronicles | ||
| Solomon marries Pharaoh’s daughter | 3:1–3 | |
| Solomon at Gibeon | 1:1–6 | 3:4 |
| God gives Solomon wisdom | 1:7–12 | 3:5–14 |
| Solomon’s wise judgment | 3:16–28 | |
| Solomon’s prosperity | 1:14–17 | 4:20–34 |
| Preparations for the temple | 2:1–18 | 5:1–18 |
| Temple built | 3:1–5:1 | 6:1–38;7:13–51 |
| Solomon’s palace | 7:1–12 | |
| Ark brought to the temple | 5:2–12 | 8:1–9 |
| God’s glory fills the temple | 5:13–14 | 8:10–11 |
| Solomon blesses the people | 6:1–11 | 8:12–21 |
| Solomon consecrates the temple | 6:12–42 | 8:22–61 |
| Fire from the Lord consumes the sacrifices | 7:1–3 | |
| Solomon and the people offer sacrifices | 7:4–7 | 8:62–64 |
| Feast of Tabernacles | 7:8–10 | 8:65–66 |
| The covenant confirmed | 7:11–22 | 9:1–9 |
| Solomon’s territory increases | 8:1–6 | 9:10–19 |
| Solomon’s enemies defeated | 8:7–10 | 9:20–23 |
| Solomon’s religious practices | 8:11–16 | 9:24–25 |
| Solomon’s economic operations | 8:17–18 | 9:26–28 |
| Queen of Sheba visits | 9:1–12 | 10:1–13 |
| Solomon’s wealth | 9:13–28 | 10:14–29 |
| Solomon’s apostasy and adversaries | 11:1–40 | |
| Death of Solomon | 9:29–31 | 11:41–43 |
| Division of the kingdom | 10:1–11:23 | 12:1–33 |
| Man of God from Judah warns Jeroboam (Israel) | 13:1–34 | |
| Ahijah’s prophecy against Jeroboam | 14:1–18 | |
| Death of Jeroboam | 14:19–20 | |
| Shishak invades Judah | 12:1–12 | 14:25–28 |
| Reign of Rehoboam (Judah) | 12:13–16 | 14:21–24,29–31 |
| War between Judah and Israel | 13:1–22 | 15:1–8 |
| Evaluation of Asa (Judah) | 14:1–8 | 15:9–12 |
| Ethiopians defeated | 14:9–15 | |
| Azariah the prophet | 15:1–7 | |
| Asa’s reforms | 15:8–19 | 15:13–15 |
| Asa defeats Syria | 16:1–10 | 15:16–22 |
| Death of Asa | 16:11–14 | 15:23–24 |
| Reigns of Nadab, Baasha, Elah, Zimri, Omri (Israel) | 15:25–16:28 | |
| Ahab becomes king (Israel) | 16:29–34 | |
| Elijah | 17:1–19:18;21:17–29 | |
| Call of Elisha | 19:19–21 | |
| Ahab conquers Syria, acquires Naboth’s vineyard | 20:1–21:29 | |
| Evaluation of Jehoshaphat (Judah) | 17:1–9 | |
| Expansion of Judah | 17:10–19 | |
| Jehoshaphat’s alliance with Ahab; death of Ahab | 18:1–34 | 22:1–40 |
| Jehoshaphat’s reforms, crisis, and deliverance | 19:1–20:30 | |
| Reign of Jehoshaphat | 20:31–37 | 22:41–50 |
| Reign of Ahaziah (Israel) | 22:51–53 | |
| 2 Kings | ||
| Death of Ahaziah; Elijah’s prophecy | 1:1–18 | |
| Elijah and Elisha | 2:1–25 | |
| Evaluation of Jehoram (Israel) | 3:1–3 | |
| Moab rebels | 3:4–27 | |
| The widow’s oil | 4:1–7 | |
| The Shunammite woman | 4:8–37 | |
| Miracles for the prophets | 4:38–44 | |
| Naaman healed | 5:1–27 | |
| The axe head recovered | 6:1–7 | |
| Chariots of fire | 6:8–23 | |
| Siege of Samaria | 6:24–7:20 | |
| Shunammite’s land restored | 8:1–6 | |
| Hazael kills Ben-hadad | 8:7–15 | |
| Evaluation of Jehoram (Judah) | 21:1–7 | 8:16–19 |
| Edom and Libnah rebel | 21:8–11 | 8:20–22 |
| Warning of Elijah | 21:12–15 | |
| Invasion of Philistia and Arabia | 21:16–17 | |
| Death of Jehoram | 21:18–20 | 8:23–24 |
| Reign of Ahaziah (Judah) | 22:1–9 | 8:25–29; 9:15–16, 27–28; 10:12–14 |
| Reign of Jehu (Israel) | 22:7–9 | 9:1–10:36 |
| Reign of Athaliah (Judah) | 22:10–23:15 | 11:1–16 |
| Jehoiada’s reforms (Judah) | 23:16–21 | 11:17–20 |
| Evaluation of Joash (Judah) | 24:1–3 | 11:21–12:3 |
| Joash repairs the temple | 24:4–14 | 12:4–16 |
| Death of Jehoiada | 24:15–16 | |
| Jehoiada’s son killed | 24:17–22 | |
| Syria invades Judah | 24:23–24 | 12:17–18 |
| Death of Joash | 24:25–27 | 12:19–21 |
| Reign of Jehoahaz (Israel) | 13:1–9 | |
| Reign of Jehoash (Israel) | 13:10–13 | |
| Elisha’s final prophecy and death | 13:14–25 | |
| Reign of Amaziah (Judah) | 25:1–16 | 14:1–20 |
| Israel defeats Judah | 25:17–24 | 14:8–14 |
| Death of Amaziah | 25:25–28 | 14:17–20 |
| Evaluation of Uzziah (Judah) | 26:1–5 | 14:21–22; 15:1–5 |
| Reign of Jeroboam II (Israel) | 14:23–29 | |
| Victories of Uzziah | 26:6–15 | |
| Sinful offering of Uzziah | 26:16–21 | |
| Death of Uzziah | 26:22–23 | 15:6–7 |
| Reign of Zechariah (Israel) | 15:8–12 | |
| Reign of Shallum (Israel) | 15:13–16 | |
| Reign of Menahem (Israel) | 15:17–22 | |
| Reign of Pekahiah (Israel) | 15:23–26 | |
| Reign of Pekah (Israel) | 15:27–31 | |
| Reign of Jotham (Judah) | 27:1–9 | 15:32–38 |
| Evaluation of Ahaz (Judah) | 28:1–4 | 16:1–4 |
| Israel defeats Judah | 28:5–21 | 16:5–9 |
| Ahaz’s idolatry and death | 28:22–27 | 16:10–12 |
| Fall of Israel | 17:1–23 | |
| Resettlement of Israel | 17:24–41 | |
| Evaluation of Hezekiah (Judah) | 29:1–2 | 18:1–8 |
| Hezekiah cleanses the temple | 29:3–19 | |
| Hezekiah restores temple worship | 29:20–36 | |
| Hezekiah restores Passover | 30:1–27 | |
| Hezekiah destroys idols, organizes priests | 31:1–21 | |
| Fall of Israel (restated) | 18:9–12 | |
| Assyria invades Judah | 32:1–23 | 18:13–19:37 |
| Hezekiah’s illness and restoration | 32:24–26 | 20:1–11 |
| Hezekiah’s wealth and foolish pride | 32:27–31 | 20:12–19 |
| Death of Hezekiah | 32:32–33 | 20:20–21 |
| Reign of Manasseh (Judah) | 33:1–9 | 21:1–18 |
| Manasseh’s repentance | 33:10–20 | |
| Reign of Amon (Judah) | 33:21–25 | 21:19–26 |
| Evaluation of Josiah (Judah) | 34:1–2 | 22:1–2 |
| Josiah’s early reforms | 34:3–7 | |
| Josiah repairs the temple | 34:8–13 | 22:3–7 |
| Book of Law discovered; Josiah’s reforms | 34:14–33 | 22:8–23:20 |
| Passover celebrated | 35:1–19 | 23:21–27 |
| Death of Josiah | 35:20–27 | 23:28–30 |
| Reign of Jehoahaz (Judah) | 36:1–3 | 23:31–33 |
| Reign of Jehoiakim (Judah) | 36:4–8 | 23:34–24:7 |
| Reign of Jehoiachin (Judah); Babylonian captivity | 36:9–10 | 24:8–17 |
| Evaluation of Zedekiah (Judah) | 36:11–12 | 24:18–20 |
| Destruction of Jerusalem | 36:13–21 | 25:1–21 |
| Remnant flees to Egypt | 25:22–26 | |
| Jehoiachin released | 25:27–30 | |
| Proclamation by Cyrus | 36:22–23 |
Psalms Based on Incidents in David’s Life
| Psalm | Incident in David’s Life | References |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | David flees from and battles Absalom | 2 Samuel 15–17 |
| 7 | The words of Cush, a Benjaminite (persecution by Saul?) | Unknown |
| 18 | David delivered from enemies and from Saul | 2 Samuel 22 |
| 30 | Dedication of the temple | Nothing in David’s lifetime; see 1 Kings 8:63 |
| 34 | David delivered from danger by feigning madness in the presence of King Achish of Gath | 1 Sam. 21:12–22:1 |
| 51 | Nathan confronts David about his adultery with Bathsheba | 2 Samuel 11–12 |
| 52 | Doeg the Edomite tells Saul that David went to the house of Ahimelech | 1 Sam. 22:9–19 |
| 54 | The Ziphites tell Saul that David is hiding among them | 1 Sam. 23:19 |
| 56 | The Philistines seize David in Gath | 1 Sam. 21:10–11 |
| 57 | David flees from Saul into a cave | 1 Sam. 22:1 or 24:3 |
| 59 | Saul sends men to watch David’s house in order to kill him | 1 Sam. 19:11 |
| 60 | David’s victory over Transjordan | 2 Sam. 8:1–14 |
| 63 | David in the desert of Judah | 2 Samuel 15–17?; 1 Sam. 23:14–15? |
| 142 | David flees from Saul into a cave | Same as Psalm 57 |
Nathan
Nathan was a prophet during the reigns of David and Solomon. When David desired to build a temple, he asked for Nathan’s counsel. At first, Nathan told him to go ahead, with the Lord’s blessing. But then, after hearing directly from the Lord, Nathan told David that one of his sons, rather than David himself, would be the one to build the temple. Through Nathan God also promised to establish the house and the kingdom of David forever. After David sinned with Bathsheba, God sent Nathan to rebuke him. To show David how wrong it was for him to take another man’s wife, Nathan told a parable about a rich man who took the only lamb belonging to a poor man. It was a powerful story, and David repented of his sin. (2 Samuel 12:1–15)
Absalom
David’s son Absalom was a handsome man with the personality of a strong leader. When Absalom’s half brother Amnon raped Absalom’s sister Tamar, Absalom retaliated by killing Amnon. He then fled into exile. Three years later he returned to Jerusalem and was reconciled with David. But then he led a rebellion against David, and David himself was forced to flee the city. While battling David’s men, Absalom’s long hair became stuck in the branches of an oak tree, enabling David’s commander Joab to kill him. Absalom’s death allowed David to return to Jerusalem, but he mourned bitterly for his fallen son. Absalom’s betrayal of his father helped fulfill Nathan’s prophecy (12:10–12) that, because of his sin with Bathsheba, the “sword shall never depart” from David’s house. (2 Samuel 15:1–6)
2 Sam 10:1–5 David wants to deal loyally with Hanun because of his father Nahash (presumably the Nahash mentioned in 1 Samuel 11), who had dealt loyally with David. Also, David wants to keep the Ammonites as peaceful neighbors. It may be that the princes of the Ammonites are alarmed by the representatives of David, who had conquered Moab (2 Sam. 8:2), the country directly south of them. shaved off half the beard of each. This act of humiliation amounted to breaking off diplomatic relations. David allows his messengers to remain at Jericho so that they would not have to display their humiliation in the royal court.
Fact: Why was David sorry after he had cut Saul’s robe?
Why was David sorry after he had cut Saul’s robe? The cutting of another person’s clothes (24:5) was considered an act of humiliation and provocation. Thus, it could lead to war (2 Sam. 10:4–5). David realizes that doing this to the Lord’s anointed one is an offense against the Lord himself.
2 Sam 10:6–8 Beth-rehob, Zobah, Maacah, and Tob were Syrian kingdoms in the northern Transjordan and Lebanon Valley. Hiring armies was a common practice of the day (compare 2 Kings 7:6). The gate is that of the city of Rabbah (2 Sam. 11:1), the capital of Ammon, near present-day Amman, Jordan.
2 Sam 10:12 let us be courageous . . . and may the LORD do what seems good to him. Joab expresses both faith in God and a resolve to fight with all his strength. Faith and human effort rightly go together.
2 Sam 10:1–19 Israel’s war with Ammon began when the Ammonites disgraced David’s ambassadors; it did not result from any wrongdoing by David.
2 Sam 10:9–19 David’s army under Joab is trapped between the Syrians and the Ammonites, but they defeat the Syrians and force them to leave. Hadadezer of Zobah (see 8:5) attacks again at Helam, apparently a city in northern Transjordan, but is again defeated.
2 Sam 11:1 With the defeat of the Syrians, David can concentrate on besieging Rabbah (10:14). the time when kings go out to battle. . . . But David remained at Jerusalem. The connection of these two phrases hints that something is wrong: all Israel went out to battle, but Israel’s leader did not.
2 Sam 11:2 Archaeological discoveries suggest that the roof of the king’s house may have overlooked the entire city (see illustration). bathing. See note on v. 4.
Jerusalem In the Time of David (c. 1010–970 B.C.)
About four millennia ago, Melchizedek was king of Jerusalem, which was then called Salem (Gen. 14:18). This was an unwalled city, which was taken over in c. 1850 B.C. by the Jebusites, who built a city wall around it and called it Jebus (see 1 Chron. 11:4).
King David captured this city after having ruled for seven years in Hebron (2 Sam. 5:5). The city was strongly fortified, especially the area around the Gihon Spring, where massive towers dating from this period have been excavated. The Jebusites were so confident of their fortifications that they taunted David, saying that even the blind and the lame would prevent him from capturing their city (2 Sam. 5:6).
However, Joab, David’s commander-in-chief, managed to secretly enter the city through its water system and open the gates for David to take control (1 Chron. 11:6). The Jebusite Citadel was destroyed and replaced by the “stronghold of Zion, that is, the city of David” (2 Sam. 5:7).
Later on in his life, David built an altar on the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite, which stopped a plague sent by God upon Israel from reaching Jerusalem (2 Sam. 24:18–25).
2 Sam 11:3 Uriah the Hittite is listed among David’s top warriors, the “thirty,” in 23:39.
2 Sam 11:4 sent messengers and took her. Considering David’s elaborate attempt to cover up his act of adultery (vv. 6–13), it is hardly likely that he made his intention clear when he summoned Bathsheba. Since she had been purifying herself from her uncleanness (“bathing,” v. 2), probably after her menstrual period (see Lev. 15:19–24), it is clear that her husband, Uriah, was not the father of the child who was conceived (2 Sam. 11:5).
Jerusalem In the Time of David (c. 1010–970 B.C.)
About four millennia ago, Melchizedek was king of Jerusalem, which was then called Salem (Gen. 14:18). This was an unwalled city, which was taken over in c. 1850 B.C. by the Jebusites, who built a city wall around it and called it Jebus (see 1 Chron. 11:4).
King David captured this city after having ruled for seven years in Hebron (2 Sam. 5:5). The city was strongly fortified, especially the area around the Gihon Spring, where massive towers dating from this period have been excavated. The Jebusites were so confident of their fortifications that they taunted David, saying that even the blind and the lame would prevent him from capturing their city (2 Sam. 5:6).
However, Joab, David’s commander-in-chief, managed to secretly enter the city through its water system and open the gates for David to take control (1 Chron. 11:6). The Jebusite Citadel was destroyed and replaced by the “stronghold of Zion, that is, the city of David” (2 Sam. 5:7).
Later on in his life, David built an altar on the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite, which stopped a plague sent by God upon Israel from reaching Jerusalem (2 Sam. 24:18–25).
2 Sam 11:9 Sexual intercourse was a source of ritual impurity (Lev. 15:18), and so it was avoided during a military campaign, as is mentioned in 1 Sam. 21:5. Uriah considered himself still on duty, in contrast to David.
Fact: Sexual activity while on military duty
Sexual activity while on military duty was expressly forbidden by law in ancient Israel. It brought about ritual impurity and therefore forced a soldier to undergo purification rituals. This would prevent him from performing his military duty.
2 Sam 11:6–13 Instead of repenting and trying to settle the matter openly, David tries to cover up his adultery.
2 Sam 11:14–15 Uriah unknowingly takes with him the letter that orders him killed. David is so overwhelmed by the need to cover up his wrongdoings that he will take the life of his faithful soldier.
2 Sam 11:21 Jerubbesheth. See note on 4:4. cast an upper millstone on him from the wall. See Judg. 9:53.
2 Sam 11:26–27 The mourning period was probably seven days (Gen. 50:10; 1 Sam. 31:13).
2 Sam 12:4 The rich man in Nathan’s story took the poor man’s lamb, just as David “took” Bathsheba (see 11:4). The Lord’s special concern for the poor is a major theme in the Bible. As his representative, the king was supposed to protect the poor against abuse by the powerful (Ex. 23:6; Lev. 19:15).
2 Sam 12:5–6 David is truly concerned about justice, when not blinded by his own passion. fourfold. See Ex. 22:1.
2 Sam 12:8 gave you . . . your master’s wives. There is no other record of David marrying Saul’s wives, but he was certainly in a position to do so.
2 Sam 12:9 With the sword is a general term for causing violent death, as in 11:25.
2 Sam 12:10–11 the sword shall never depart from your house. David’s sons Amnon (13:29), Absalom (18:15), and Adonijah (1 Kings 2:25) all die by the sword. he shall lie with your wives in the sight of this sun. Absalom will rebel against David and publicly have sex with David’s concubines on a rooftop (2 Sam. 16:22).
Absalom
David’s son Absalom was a handsome man with the personality of a strong leader. When Absalom’s half brother Amnon raped Absalom’s sister Tamar, Absalom retaliated by killing Amnon. He then fled into exile. Three years later he returned to Jerusalem and was reconciled with David. But then he led a rebellion against David, and David himself was forced to flee the city. While battling David’s men, Absalom’s long hair became stuck in the branches of an oak tree, enabling David’s commander Joab to kill him. Absalom’s death allowed David to return to Jerusalem, but he mourned bitterly for his fallen son. Absalom’s betrayal of his father helped fulfill Nathan’s prophecy (12:10–12) that, because of his sin with Bathsheba, the “sword shall never depart” from David’s house. (2 Samuel 15:1–6)
2 Sam 12:7–13 David has despised the Lord and his word.
2 Sam 12:13–14 David confesses his sin with Bathsheba and appears to repent. Yet the results of his actions remain: the child . . . shall die.
2 Sam 12:20 The house is presumably the tent where the ark of the covenant was housed (6:17).
2 Sam 12:1–23 Through the prophet Nathan, God calls David to account for his sins of adultery and murder (ch. 11).
2 Sam 12:15–23 When the child falls ill, David hopes that the Lord might change his mind and let him live, so he petitions him with fasting. When the child died, David washed and anointed himself and ate, even though fasting and refraining from anointing were also part of ordinary mourning (1 Sam. 31:13; 2 Sam. 3:35; 14:2). He has accepted the Lord’s final verdict, knowing that the child will not return to me.
2 Sam 12:23 I shall go to him seems to indicate that David expects a future personal reunion with the child.
2 Sam 11:1–12:25 The story of the Ammonite war continues up through 11:1 and concludes in 12:26–31. In between comes the account of David and Bathsheba (11:2–12:25).
2 Sam 12:24–25 First Chronicles 3:5 suggests that Solomon was the fourth son of David by Bathsheba. The line promised to David will continue through this son, and from this line the Messiah will eventually come (Matt. 1:6).
2 Sam 10:1–12:31 The Ammonite war is the background for the events of chs. 10–12. The war led to David’s domination of the Syrian kingdoms (see 8:3–12; 10:15–19). Unfortunately, it was also the setting for his sin with Bathsheba (11:1–12:25).
2 Sam 12:26–31 The author returns to the siege of Rabbah, last mentioned in 11:25. The city of waters was probably that section of the city that controlled the water supply. With no water, the inhabitants would soon have to surrender. Therefore, Joab calls David to come to the front so that he can get credit for the victory.
Psalms Based on Incidents in David’s Life
| Psalm | Incident in David’s Life | References |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | David flees from and battles Absalom | 2 Samuel 15–17 |
| 7 | The words of Cush, a Benjaminite (persecution by Saul?) | Unknown |
| 18 | David delivered from enemies and from Saul | 2 Samuel 22 |
| 30 | Dedication of the temple | Nothing in David’s lifetime; see 1 Kings 8:63 |
| 34 | David delivered from danger by feigning madness in the presence of King Achish of Gath | 1 Sam. 21:12–22:1 |
| 51 | Nathan confronts David about his adultery with Bathsheba | 2 Samuel 11–12 |
| 52 | Doeg the Edomite tells Saul that David went to the house of Ahimelech | 1 Sam. 22:9–19 |
| 54 | The Ziphites tell Saul that David is hiding among them | 1 Sam. 23:19 |
| 56 | The Philistines seize David in Gath | 1 Sam. 21:10–11 |
| 57 | David flees from Saul into a cave | 1 Sam. 22:1 or 24:3 |
| 59 | Saul sends men to watch David’s house in order to kill him | 1 Sam. 19:11 |
| 60 | David’s victory over Transjordan | 2 Sam. 8:1–14 |
| 63 | David in the desert of Judah | 2 Samuel 15–17?; 1 Sam. 23:14–15? |
| 142 | David flees from Saul into a cave | Same as Psalm 57 |
Fact: David’s disobedience
David’s disobedience. David broke three of the Ten Commandments in his relationship with Bathsheba. He broke the tenth commandment by coveting another man’s wife, then the seventh commandment by committing adultery. He broke the sixth commandment by arranging the death of Bathsheba’s husband, Uriah.
Nathan
Nathan was a prophet during the reigns of David and Solomon. When David desired to build a temple, he asked for Nathan’s counsel. At first, Nathan told him to go ahead, with the Lord’s blessing. But then, after hearing directly from the Lord, Nathan told David that one of his sons, rather than David himself, would be the one to build the temple. Through Nathan God also promised to establish the house and the kingdom of David forever. After David sinned with Bathsheba, God sent Nathan to rebuke him. To show David how wrong it was for him to take another man’s wife, Nathan told a parable about a rich man who took the only lamb belonging to a poor man. It was a powerful story, and David repented of his sin. (2 Samuel 12:1–15)
2 Sam 13:1 After a time suggests that some time has passed since the end of ch. 12.
2 Sam 13:1–2 Tamar was Absalom’s full sister and the half sister of Amnon, David’s eldest son. he made himself ill. Amnon’s “love” could better be described as lust.
David and Absalom
c. 985 B.C.
In retaliation for the incestuous rape of his sister, Absalom killed his brother Amnon at Baal-hazor and fled to Geshur. After three years, arrangements were made for Absalom to return to Jerusalem, and later he and David were reconciled. Soon after this, however, Absalom led a coup against David in Hebron, and David fled to Mahanaim. When Absalom attacked David’s forces in the forest of Ephraim, Absalom was defeated and killed, allowing David to return to Jerusalem.
2 Sam 13:3 The term crafty is normally translated “wise” or “skillful.” Here, however, it is used in a negative sense.
2 Sam 13:6–8 cakes. Perhaps something considered helpful for the sick.
2 Sam 13:12–13 such a thing is not done in Israel. Intercourse between brother and sister, even half brother and half sister, was forbidden in Lev. 18:9. he will not withhold me from you. Perhaps Tamar is saying that David would be willing to bend the rules, or perhaps she is just trying to escape.
Fact: Why did Tamar not want to be sent away?
Why did Tamar not want to be sent away? Although Amnon raped her, Tamar knew that the Mosaic Law said he must now marry her or pay damages for what he had done. Though she told her father David what had happened, he did nothing to punish Amnon (13:20-22). Both Amnon and David ignored God’s standards in this sad episode.
2 Sam 13:15–17 Then Amnon hated her. Having succeeded in seducing Tamar, Amnon’s professed love for her quickly turned to hatred. this wrong . . . is greater than the other. If a man seduced an unmarried woman, he had to marry her unless her father refused (Ex. 22:16). Having harmed Tamar, Amnon had a responsibility toward her. Put this woman out. Amnon’s hatred and contempt of his sister is expressed by his final refusal to heed her wishes or even use her name.
2 Sam 13:19 Putting ashes (or dirt) on one’s head and tearing one’s clothes were expressions of grief or humiliation.
2 Sam 13:20 Following her rape by Amnon, Absalom advised Tamar to not take this to heart. But Absalom himself did take it to heart (vv. 23–29).
Fact: Why did Tamar not want to be sent away?
Why did Tamar not want to be sent away? Although Amnon raped her, Tamar knew that the Mosaic Law said he must now marry her or pay damages for what he had done. Though she told her father David what had happened, he did nothing to punish Amnon (13:20-22). Both Amnon and David ignored God’s standards in this sad episode.
2 Sam 13:21 David was very angry, but he did not do anything to punish Amnon. He showed favoritism toward his eldest son (3:2; see also ESV footnote), which caused many of the later problems in David’s family (see 1 Kings 1:6). Because of his sin with Bathsheba, David had lost his moral courage and wisdom.
2 Sam 13:23 As seen in 1 Samuel 25, sheepshearing was a time of feasting. Absalom invited David to the festivities, probably guessing that he would decline, in order to mask his true intentions. If he had started out by inviting Amnon, it could have seemed suspicious.
2 Sam 13:29 The king’s sons seem to have normally ridden mules. Absalom even rides one into battle (18:9).
2 Sam 13:37 Talmai was Absalom’s maternal grandfather (3:3).
How do we make sense of the consequences of David's sin and Bathsheba's baby dying?
Listen NowDive Deeper | 2 Samuel 10-13
Not many characters in the Scriptures have a higher reputation than David. After all, his relationship with God was such that he was called a man after God's own heart (1 Samuel 13:14). When someone who stood so tall is brought low as in today's passage, we should slow down and consider what we should learn.
First, we can learn to never underestimate the painful consequences of sin. It's striking that David, the valiant warrior-king, fell to temptation at a time when he was isolated and alone in his palace and should have been away at war. Living in healthy community with other believers doesn't make us immune to temptation and sin, but it does provide us accountability to stay on the path of purity.
Notice further the way David's sin with Bathsheba grew. What started small grew quickly to the point where David was scheming to take out her husband Uriah. This is why all of us should strive daily to "walk by the Spirit" and "not gratify the desires of the flesh" (Galatians 5:16). Sin often starts small, but it doesn't stay that way. Soon, we can find ourselves with many sins to deal with when it started with only one.
We also can learn never to underestimate God's grace. Through Nathan's rebuke, David's eyes are opened to the awfulness of his sin; and when David repents, God graciously forgives him. For us, no matter the sin, if we come to God as David did in humility and repentance, we will find God to be as gracious to us as He was with David. The old Puritan Richard Sibbes said it well: "There is more mercy in Christ than sin in us."
In a somewhat shocking twist, God included Solomon, a son born to David and Bathsheba, in the genealogy of Jesus (Matthew 1:6). This doesn't mean God excuses David's sin. Instead, it is yet another example of God glorifying Himself in spite of man's failures. We can draw comfort that God's good plans and purposes for His glory and our good will come to pass.
This month's memory verse
"God's way is perfect. All the Lord's promises prove true. He is a shield for all who look to him for protection. For who is God except the Lord? Who but our God is a solid rock?" (NLT)
– 2 Samuel 22:31-32
Discussion Questions
1. In what moments or areas of life are you most vulnerable to sin? What are some lessons you can draw from this passage to steer clear when temptation comes?
2. As you read through today's text, mark the various ways that God showed grace to David. How has God shown grace to you over the last week or two? How does this affect the way you follow Him?
3. Reading this sad story of David's sin makes it all the more surprising that Solomon, the son of David and Bathsheba, is included in the ancestry of Jesus Christ. What does this tell you about God and His character?