April 3, 2025
All About Absalom
2 Samuel 14-17
Lauren Fricke
Big Book Idea
From David's line will come a ruler who will sit on the throne forever!
Key Verse | 2 Samuel 15:4
Then Absalom would say, "Oh that I were judge in the land! Then every man with a dispute or cause might come to me, and I would give him justice."
2 Samuel 14-17
Chapter 14
Absalom Returns to Jerusalem
1 Now Joab the son of Zeruiah knew that the king's heart went out to Absalom. 2 And Joab sent to Tekoa and brought from there a wise woman and said to her, “Pretend to be a mourner and put on mourning garments. Do not anoint yourself with oil, but behave like a woman who has been mourning many days for the dead. 3 Go to the king and speak thus to him.” So Joab put the words in her mouth.
4 When the woman of Tekoa came to the king, she fell on her face to the ground and paid homage and said, “Save me, O king.” 5 And the king said to her, “What is your trouble?” She answered, “Alas, I am a widow; my husband is dead. 6 And your servant had two sons, and they quarreled with one another in the field. There was no one to separate them, and one struck the other and killed him. 7 And now the whole clan has risen against your servant, and they say, ‘Give up the man who struck his brother, that we may put him to death for the life of his brother whom he killed.’ And so they would destroy the heir also. Thus they would quench my coal that is left and leave to my husband neither name nor remnant on the face of the earth.”
8 Then the king said to the woman, “Go to your house, and I will give orders concerning you.” 9 And the woman of Tekoa said to the king, “On me be the guilt, my lord the king, and on my father's house; let the king and his throne be guiltless.” 10 The king said, “If anyone says anything to you, bring him to me, and he shall never touch you again.” 11 Then she said, “Please let the king invoke the LORD your God, that the avenger of blood kill no more, and my son be not destroyed.” He said, “As the LORD lives, not one hair of your son shall fall to the ground.”
12 Then the woman said, “Please let your servant speak a word to my lord the king.” He said, “Speak.” 13 And the woman said, “Why then have you planned such a thing against the people of God? For in giving this decision the king convicts himself, inasmuch as the king does not bring his banished one home again. 14 We must all die; we are like water spilled on the ground, which cannot be gathered up again. But God will not take away life, and he devises means so that the banished one will not remain an outcast. 15 Now I have come to say this to my lord the king because the people have made me afraid, and your servant thought, ‘I will speak to the king; it may be that the king will perform the request of his servant. 16 For the king will hear and deliver his servant from the hand of the man who would destroy me and my son together from the heritage of God.’ 17 And your servant thought, ‘The word of my lord the king will set me at rest,’ for my lord the king is like the angel of God to discern good and evil. The LORD your God be with you!”
18 Then the king answered the woman, “Do not hide from me anything I ask you.” And the woman said, “Let my lord the king speak.” 19 The king said, “Is the hand of Joab with you in all this?” The woman answered and said, “As surely as you live, my lord the king, one cannot turn to the right hand or to the left from anything that my lord the king has said. It was your servant Joab who commanded me; it was he who put all these words in the mouth of your servant. 20 In order to change the course of things your servant Joab did this. But my lord has wisdom like the wisdom of the angel of God to know all things that are on the earth.”
21 Then the king said to Joab, “Behold now, I grant this; go, bring back the young man Absalom.” 22 And Joab fell on his face to the ground and paid homage and blessed the king. And Joab said, “Today your servant knows that I have found favor in your sight, my lord the king, in that the king has granted the request of his servant.” 23 So Joab arose and went to Geshur and brought Absalom to Jerusalem. 24 And the king said, “Let him dwell apart in his own house; he is not to come into my presence.” So Absalom lived apart in his own house and did not come into the king's presence.
25 Now in all Israel there was no one so much to be praised for his handsome appearance as Absalom. From the sole of his foot to the crown of his head there was no blemish in him. 26 And when he cut the hair of his head (for at the end of every year he used to cut it; when it was heavy on him, he cut it), he weighed the hair of his head, two hundred shekels 1 14:26 A shekel was about 2/5 ounce or 11 grams by the king's weight. 27 There were born to Absalom three sons, and one daughter whose name was Tamar. She was a beautiful woman.
28 So Absalom lived two full years in Jerusalem, without coming into the king's presence. 29 Then Absalom sent for Joab, to send him to the king, but Joab would not come to him. And he sent a second time, but Joab would not come. 30 Then he said to his servants, “See, Joab's field is next to mine, and he has barley there; go and set it on fire.” So Absalom's servants set the field on fire. 2 14:30 Septuagint, Dead Sea Scroll add So Joab's servants came to him with their clothes torn, and they said to him, The servants of Absalom have set your field on fire. 31 Then Joab arose and went to Absalom at his house and said to him, “Why have your servants set my field on fire?” 32 Absalom answered Joab, “Behold, I sent word to you, ‘Come here, that I may send you to the king, to ask, “Why have I come from Geshur? It would be better for me to be there still.” Now therefore let me go into the presence of the king, and if there is guilt in me, let him put me to death.’” 33 Then Joab went to the king and told him, and he summoned Absalom. So he came to the king and bowed himself on his face to the ground before the king, and the king kissed Absalom.
Chapter 15
Absalom's Conspiracy
1 After this Absalom got himself a chariot and horses, and fifty men to run before him. 2 And Absalom used to rise early and stand beside the way of the gate. And when any man had a dispute to come before the king for judgment, Absalom would call to him and say, “From what city are you?” And when he said, “Your servant is of such and such a tribe in Israel,” 3 Absalom would say to him, “See, your claims are good and right, but there is no man designated by the king to hear you.” 4 Then Absalom would say, “Oh that I were judge in the land! Then every man with a dispute or cause might come to me, and I would give him justice.” 5 And whenever a man came near to pay homage to him, he would put out his hand and take hold of him and kiss him. 6 Thus Absalom did to all of Israel who came to the king for judgment. So Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel.
7 And at the end of four 3 15:7 Septuagint, Syriac; Hebrew forty years Absalom said to the king, “Please let me go and pay my vow, which I have vowed to the LORD, in Hebron. 8 For your servant vowed a vow while I lived at Geshur in Aram, saying, ‘If the LORD will indeed bring me back to Jerusalem, then I will offer worship to 4 15:8 Or will serve the LORD.’” 9 The king said to him, “Go in peace.” So he arose and went to Hebron. 10 But Absalom sent secret messengers throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, “As soon as you hear the sound of the trumpet, then say, ‘Absalom is king at Hebron!’” 11 With Absalom went two hundred men from Jerusalem who were invited guests, and they went in their innocence and knew nothing. 12 And while Absalom was offering the sacrifices, he sent for 5 15:12 Or sent Ahithophel the Gilonite, David's counselor, from his city Giloh. And the conspiracy grew strong, and the people with Absalom kept increasing.
David Flees Jerusalem
13 And a messenger came to David, saying, “The hearts of the men of Israel have gone after Absalom.” 14 Then David said to all his servants who were with him at Jerusalem, “Arise, and let us flee, or else there will be no escape for us from Absalom. Go quickly, lest he overtake us quickly and bring down ruin on us and strike the city with the edge of the sword.” 15 And the king's servants said to the king, “Behold, your servants are ready to do whatever my lord the king decides.” 16 So the king went out, and all his household after him. And the king left ten concubines to keep the house. 17 And the king went out, and all the people after him. And they halted at the last house.
18 And all his servants passed by him, and all the Cherethites, and all the Pelethites, and all the six hundred Gittites who had followed him from Gath, passed on before the king. 19 Then the king said to Ittai the Gittite, “Why do you also go with us? Go back and stay with the king, for you are a foreigner and also an exile from your home. 20 You came only yesterday, and shall I today make you wander about with us, since I go I know not where? Go back and take your brothers with you, and may the LORD show 6 15:20 Septuagint; Hebrew lacks may the LORD show steadfast love and faithfulness to you.” 21 But Ittai answered the king, “As the LORD lives, and as my lord the king lives, wherever my lord the king shall be, whether for death or for life, there also will your servant be.” 22 And David said to Ittai, “Go then, pass on.” So Ittai the Gittite passed on with all his men and all the little ones who were with him. 23 And all the land wept aloud as all the people passed by, and the king crossed the brook Kidron, and all the people passed on toward the wilderness.
24 And Abiathar came up, and behold, Zadok came also with all the Levites, bearing the ark of the covenant of God. And they set down the ark of God until the people had all passed out of the city. 25 Then the king said to Zadok, “Carry the ark of God back into the city. If I find favor in the eyes of the LORD, he will bring me back and let me see both it and his dwelling place. 26 But if he says, ‘I have no pleasure in you,’ behold, here I am, let him do to me what seems good to him.” 27 The king also said to Zadok the priest, “Are you not a seer? Go back 7 15:27 Septuagint The king also said to Zadok the priest, Look, go back to the city in peace, with your two sons, Ahimaaz your son, and Jonathan the son of Abiathar. 28 See, I will wait at the fords of the wilderness until word comes from you to inform me.” 29 So Zadok and Abiathar carried the ark of God back to Jerusalem, and they remained there.
30 But David went up the ascent of the Mount of Olives, weeping as he went, barefoot and with his head covered. And all the people who were with him covered their heads, and they went up, weeping as they went. 31 And it was told David, “Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom.” And David said, “O LORD, please turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness.”
32 While David was coming to the summit, where God was worshiped, behold, Hushai the Archite came to meet him with his coat torn and dirt on his head. 33 David said to him, “If you go on with me, you will be a burden to me. 34 But if you return to the city and say to Absalom, ‘I will be your servant, O king; as I have been your father's servant in time past, so now I will be your servant,’ then you will defeat for me the counsel of Ahithophel. 35 Are not Zadok and Abiathar the priests with you there? So whatever you hear from the king's house, tell it to Zadok and Abiathar the priests. 36 Behold, their two sons are with them there, Ahimaaz, Zadok's son, and Jonathan, Abiathar's son, and by them you shall send to me everything you hear.” 37 So Hushai, David's friend, came into the city, just as Absalom was entering Jerusalem.
Chapter 16
David and Ziba
1 When David had passed a little beyond the summit, Ziba the servant of Mephibosheth met him, with a couple of donkeys saddled, bearing two hundred loaves of bread, a hundred bunches of raisins, a hundred of summer fruits, and a skin of wine. 2 And the king said to Ziba, “Why have you brought these?” Ziba answered, “The donkeys are for the king's household to ride on, the bread and summer fruit for the young men to eat, and the wine for those who faint in the wilderness to drink.” 3 And the king said, “And where is your master's son?” Ziba said to the king, “Behold, he remains in Jerusalem, for he said, ‘Today the house of Israel will give me back the kingdom of my father.’” 4 Then the king said to Ziba, “Behold, all that belonged to Mephibosheth is now yours.” And Ziba said, “I pay homage; let me ever find favor in your sight, my lord the king.”
Shimei Curses David
5 When King David came to Bahurim, there came out a man of the family of the house of Saul, whose name was Shimei, the son of Gera, and as he came he cursed continually. 6 And he threw stones at David and at all the servants of King David, and all the people and all the mighty men were on his right hand and on his left. 7 And Shimei said as he cursed, “Get out, get out, you man of blood, you worthless man! 8 The LORD has avenged on you all the blood of the house of Saul, in whose place you have reigned, and the LORD has given the kingdom into the hand of your son Absalom. See, your evil is on you, for you are a man of blood.”
9 Then Abishai the son of Zeruiah said to the king, “Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? Let me go over and take off his head.” 10 But the king said, “What have I to do with you, you sons of Zeruiah? If he is cursing because the LORD has said to him, ‘Curse David,’ who then shall say, ‘Why have you done so?’” 11 And David said to Abishai and to all his servants, “Behold, my own son seeks my life; how much more now may this Benjaminite! Leave him alone, and let him curse, for the LORD has told him to. 12 It may be that the LORD will look on the wrong done to me, 8 16:12 Septuagint, Vulgate will look upon my affliction and that the LORD will repay me with good for his cursing today.” 13 So David and his men went on the road, while Shimei went along on the hillside opposite him and cursed as he went and threw stones at him and flung dust. 14 And the king, and all the people who were with him, arrived weary at the Jordan. 9 16:14 Septuagint; Hebrew lacks at the Jordan And there he refreshed himself.
Absalom Enters Jerusalem
15 Now Absalom and all the people, the men of Israel, came to Jerusalem, and Ahithophel with him. 16 And when Hushai the Archite, David's friend, came to Absalom, Hushai said to Absalom, “Long live the king! Long live the king!” 17 And Absalom said to Hushai, “Is this your loyalty to your friend? Why did you not go with your friend?” 18 And Hushai said to Absalom, “No, for whom the LORD and this people and all the men of Israel have chosen, his I will be, and with him I will remain. 19 And again, whom should I serve? Should it not be his son? As I have served your father, so I will serve you.”
20 Then Absalom said to Ahithophel, “Give your counsel. What shall we do?” 21 Ahithophel said to Absalom, “Go in to your father's concubines, whom he has left to keep the house, and all Israel will hear that you have made yourself a stench to your father, and the hands of all who are with you will be strengthened.” 22 So they pitched a tent for Absalom on the roof. And Absalom went in to his father's concubines in the sight of all Israel. 23 Now in those days the counsel that Ahithophel gave was as if one consulted the word of God; so was all the counsel of Ahithophel esteemed, both by David and by Absalom.
Chapter 17
Hushai Saves David
1 Moreover, Ahithophel said to Absalom, “Let me choose twelve thousand men, and I will arise and pursue David tonight. 2 I will come upon him while he is weary and discouraged and throw him into a panic, and all the people who are with him will flee. I will strike down only the king, 3 and I will bring all the people back to you as a bride comes home to her husband. You seek the life of only one man, 10 17:3 Septuagint; Hebrew back to you. Like the return of the whole is the man whom you seek and all the people will be at peace.” 4 And the advice seemed right in the eyes of Absalom and all the elders of Israel.
5 Then Absalom said, “Call Hushai the Archite also, and let us hear what he has to say.” 6 And when Hushai came to Absalom, Absalom said to him, “Thus has Ahithophel spoken; shall we do as he says? If not, you speak.” 7 Then Hushai said to Absalom, “This time the counsel that Ahithophel has given is not good.” 8 Hushai said, “You know that your father and his men are mighty men, and that they are enraged, 11 17:8 Hebrew bitter of soul like a bear robbed of her cubs in the field. Besides, your father is expert in war; he will not spend the night with the people. 9 Behold, even now he has hidden himself in one of the pits or in some other place. And as soon as some of the people fall 12 17:9 Or And as he falls on them at the first attack, whoever hears it will say, ‘There has been a slaughter among the people who follow Absalom.’ 10 Then even the valiant man, whose heart is like the heart of a lion, will utterly melt with fear, for all Israel knows that your father is a mighty man, and that those who are with him are valiant men. 11 But my counsel is that all Israel be gathered to you, from Dan to Beersheba, as the sand by the sea for multitude, and that you go to battle in person. 12 So we shall come upon him in some place where he is to be found, and we shall light upon him as the dew falls on the ground, and of him and all the men with him not one will be left. 13 If he withdraws into a city, then all Israel will bring ropes to that city, and we shall drag it into the valley, until not even a pebble is to be found there.” 14 And Absalom and all the men of Israel said, “The counsel of Hushai the Archite is better than the counsel of Ahithophel.” For the LORD had ordained 13 17:14 Hebrew commanded to defeat the good counsel of Ahithophel, so that the LORD might bring harm upon Absalom.
15 Then Hushai said to Zadok and Abiathar the priests, “Thus and so did Ahithophel counsel Absalom and the elders of Israel, and thus and so have I counseled. 16 Now therefore send quickly and tell David, ‘Do not stay tonight at the fords of the wilderness, but by all means pass over, lest the king and all the people who are with him be swallowed up.’” 17 Now Jonathan and Ahimaaz were waiting at En-rogel. A female servant was to go and tell them, and they were to go and tell King David, for they were not to be seen entering the city. 18 But a young man saw them and told Absalom. So both of them went away quickly and came to the house of a man at Bahurim, who had a well in his courtyard. And they went down into it. 19 And the woman took and spread a covering over the well's mouth and scattered grain on it, and nothing was known of it. 20 When Absalom's servants came to the woman at the house, they said, “Where are Ahimaaz and Jonathan?” And the woman said to them, “They have gone over the brook 14 17:20 The meaning of the Hebrew word is uncertain of water.” And when they had sought and could not find them, they returned to Jerusalem.
21 After they had gone, the men came up out of the well, and went and told King David. They said to David, “Arise, and go quickly over the water, for thus and so has Ahithophel counseled against you.” 22 Then David arose, and all the people who were with him, and they crossed the Jordan. By daybreak not one was left who had not crossed the Jordan.
23 When Ahithophel saw that his counsel was not followed, he saddled his donkey and went off home to his own city. He set his house in order and hanged himself, and he died and was buried in the tomb of his father.
24 Then David came to Mahanaim. And Absalom crossed the Jordan with all the men of Israel. 25 Now Absalom had set Amasa over the army instead of Joab. Amasa was the son of a man named Ithra the Ishmaelite, 15 17:25 Compare 1 Chronicles 2:17; Hebrew Israelite who had married Abigal the daughter of Nahash, sister of Zeruiah, Joab's mother. 26 And Israel and Absalom encamped in the land of Gilead.
27 When David came to Mahanaim, Shobi the son of Nahash from Rabbah of the Ammonites, and Machir the son of Ammiel from Lo-debar, and Barzillai the Gileadite from Rogelim, 28 brought beds, basins, and earthen vessels, wheat, barley, flour, parched grain, beans and lentils, 16 17:28 Hebrew adds and parched grain 29 honey and curds and sheep and cheese from the herd, for David and the people with him to eat, for they said, “The people are hungry and weary and thirsty in the wilderness.”
Footnotes
[1] 14:26 A shekel was about 2/5 ounce or 11 grams[2] 14:30 Septuagint, Dead Sea Scroll add So Joab's servants came to him with their clothes torn, and they said to him, “The servants of Absalom have set your field on fire.”
[3] 15:7 Septuagint, Syriac; Hebrew forty
[4] 15:8 Or will serve
[5] 15:12 Or sent
[6] 15:20 Septuagint; Hebrew lacks may the LORD show
[7] 15:27 Septuagint The king also said to Zadok the priest, “Look, go back
[8] 16:12 Septuagint, Vulgate will look upon my affliction
[9] 16:14 Septuagint; Hebrew lacks at the Jordan
[10] 17:3 Septuagint; Hebrew back to you. Like the return of the whole is the man whom you seek
[11] 17:8 Hebrew bitter of soul
[12] 17:9 Or And as he falls on them
[13] 17:14 Hebrew commanded
[14] 17:20 The meaning of the Hebrew word is uncertain
[15] 17:25 Compare 1 Chronicles 2:17; Hebrew Israelite
[16] 17:28 Hebrew adds and parched grain
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: Geshur
Geshur was a border town between the nation of Israel and Aram to the north. David’s wife and Absalom’s mother, Maacah, was from this city, which may explain why Absalom fled there.
Fact: Regicide
Regicide is the act of murdering a king. In most cases, a person who killed a king was trying to place himself on the throne.
Fact: A stiff penalty
A stiff penalty. The punishment for cursing God (Lev. 24:10–23), the king (Ex. 22:28), or one’s parents (Lev. 20:9) was death. Shimei cursed King David (2 Sam. 16:5–14), but later begged David’s forgiveness, and David forgave him (19:16–23).
Fact: Ropes with grappling hooks
When attacking a city, ropes with grappling hooks were often used to bring down its walls (17:13). Since most cities were built on hills, the attackers could simply pull the walls away and down the slopes of the hill.
Fact: Anointed with oil
Kings, priests, and prophets were sometimes anointed with oil as a sign that God had set them apart for a special purpose (see 1 Sam. 15:1; Lev. 8:30). More commonly, oil was used in cooking and to clean and moisturize the body (see Deut. 28:40; 2 Sam. 14:2).
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.
The Journey of the Ark of the Covenant
in 1–2 Samuel
| 1 Sam. 3:3 | The Lord calls to Samuel who is sleeping in the tent of meeting, “where the ark of God was” |
| 1 Samuel 4 | Philistines capture the ark (for seven months: 1 Sam. 6:1) |
| 1 Sam. 5:1–7 | Philistines bring the ark to Ashdod, setting it up next to the idol Dagon |
| 1 Sam. 5:8–9 | Philistines bring the ark to Gath |
| 1 Sam. 5:10–12 | Philistines send the ark to Ekron |
| 1 Sam. 6:10–15 | Philistines return the ark with guilt offering to Beth-shemesh |
| 1 Sam. 6:19–21 | The Lord strikes 70 men for looking into the ark |
| 1 Sam. 7:1–2 | Men of Kiriath-jearim take the ark to the house of Abinadab (where it stays for 20 years) |
| 1 Sam. 14:18 | Saul commands Ahijah to bring the ark to the war camp |
| 2 Sam. 6:2–5 | David begins to move the ark to Jerusalem on a cart |
| 2 Sam. 6:6–7 | The Lord strikes Uzzah dead for holding on to the ark |
| 2 Sam. 6:10–11 | David takes the ark to the house of Obed-edom, where it stays for three months |
| 2 Sam. 6:12–17 | David brings the ark to Jerusalem, and places it inside the tent he pitched for it |
| 2 Sam. 15:24–25 | Zadok brings the ark to David, who commands him to carry it back to Jerusalem |
| 2 Sam. 15:29 | Zadok and Abiathar carry the ark back 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 |
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)
Fact: Anointed with oil
Kings, priests, and prophets were sometimes anointed with oil as a sign that God had set them apart for a special purpose (see 1 Sam. 15:1; Lev. 8:30). More commonly, oil was used in cooking and to clean and moisturize the body (see Deut. 28:40; 2 Sam. 14:2).
2 Sam 14:1–3 The king’s heart went out to Absalom does not necessarily imply that his thoughts were positive, just that he kept thinking about the matter. Tekoa is in the Judean hills about 10 miles (16 km) south of Jerusalem, near Bethlehem.
2 Sam 14:4–7 A woman uses a parable to appeal to David, for the good of his family, to set aside the ordinary laws demanding the death of a murderer (e.g., Num. 35:31). Now that Amnon is dead, apparently Absalom is considered the heir.
2 Sam 14:8–17 Perhaps David already suspects that Joab is involved in the woman’s coming to him, so he deliberately uses the vague word anyone in v. 10. The woman, however, sticks to her own story by referring to my son, while she uses a very sensitive term, avenger of blood (v. 11), which would apply to David himself. David indirectly expresses his determination to bring back his own lost son (v. 11). The woman says what Joab has sent her to say (vv. 13–14) and then goes back to her made-up story (vv. 15–17). This in v. 15 would refer both to her real message in vv. 13–14 and to her “family problem” in vv. 5–7.
2 Sam 14:24 he is not to come into my presence. David’s forgiveness is incomplete, as Absalom complains in v. 32. David is unwilling to punish, but he is also unwilling to forgive fully. The situation remains unresolved.
2 Sam 14:26 The reference to Absalom’s long hair gives a detail that will be important later (18:9). The king’s weight indicates that Israel had a royal standard of measurement.
2 Sam 14:27 Since the three sons are unnamed and Absalom says he had no sons (18:18), these sons probably died young. His daughter, Tamar, was probably named for his sister.
2 Sam 14:28–32 Absalom is dissatisfied with being kept away by David. He wants to be either executed or restored to the royal household (v. 32).
2 Sam 14:33 the king kissed Absalom. The kiss points to Absalom’s restoration.
2 Sam 15:1 a chariot and horses, and fifty men to run before him. Absalom’s pride stands in contrast to David’s humility (1 Sam. 26:9–11; 2 Sam. 7:18; 15:25–26). Later Adonijah behaves similarly, “saying ‘I will be king’ ” (1 Kings 1:5). See also 1 Sam. 8:11.
2 Sam 15:3 there is no man designated by the king to hear you. Absalom’s statement was surely an exaggeration. The widow of Tekoa got a hearing. And if it had been known that there was no chance of a hearing, people would not have come to Jerusalem in hopes of having their cases heard.
2 Sam 15:4 Oh that I were judge in the land! Absalom is essentially saying that he wants to be king. For the judging role of kings, see 1 Sam. 8:5; Prov. 31:9.
2 Sam 15:7 Hebron was where David had ruled when he was king only of Judah (2:4). It was Absalom’s birthplace (3:2–3).
2 Sam 15:10 The phrase the tribes of Israel sometimes refers to all of Israel, and at other times refers to Israel as opposed to Judah. Here, it refers to all of Israel, including Judah. It is clear that Judah participated in the rebellion. In chs. 15–18, “Israel” usually means “Absalom’s side,” while David’s side is referred to as “David’s servants” or “the army.”
2 Sam 15:12 These sacrifices were apparently part of a coronation ceremony (see 1 Sam. 11:14–15; 1 Kings 1:9–11) formally declaring Absalom’s kingship (2 Sam. 15:10; 16:16).
2 Sam 15:18–20 The Cherethites and the Pelethites are David’s bodyguard (8:18). The Gittites (that is, men from Gath) had come yesterday (15:20), that is, recently, and could go back to their homes. This group is probably not David’s own 600 men who had gone with him from Israel to Ziklag (1 Sam. 27:2).
2 Sam 15:23 The brook Kidron runs just east of Jerusalem. The Mount of Olives (v. 30) is to the east of the brook.
2 Sam 15:25–26 Carry the ark of God back into the city. David does not try to use the ark as some sort of good luck charm. Perhaps he realizes that Absalom’s rebellion is partly the result of David’s own sins (12:10), and he does not know how far the Lord intends to punish him (let him do to me what seems good to him).
2 Sam 15:27 Are you not a seer? Perhaps David is implying that Zadok does not know precisely what God will do about David (see note on vv. 25–26). Maybe he is indicating that Zadok, because the people hold him in honor as a seer, will be allowed to pass safely into the city, where he will be most useful to David.
2 Sam 15:28 The fords of the wilderness were at the west bank of the Jordan River.
The Journey of the Ark of the Covenant
in 1–2 Samuel
| 1 Sam. 3:3 | The Lord calls to Samuel who is sleeping in the tent of meeting, “where the ark of God was” |
| 1 Samuel 4 | Philistines capture the ark (for seven months: 1 Sam. 6:1) |
| 1 Sam. 5:1–7 | Philistines bring the ark to Ashdod, setting it up next to the idol Dagon |
| 1 Sam. 5:8–9 | Philistines bring the ark to Gath |
| 1 Sam. 5:10–12 | Philistines send the ark to Ekron |
| 1 Sam. 6:10–15 | Philistines return the ark with guilt offering to Beth-shemesh |
| 1 Sam. 6:19–21 | The Lord strikes 70 men for looking into the ark |
| 1 Sam. 7:1–2 | Men of Kiriath-jearim take the ark to the house of Abinadab (where it stays for 20 years) |
| 1 Sam. 14:18 | Saul commands Ahijah to bring the ark to the war camp |
| 2 Sam. 6:2–5 | David begins to move the ark to Jerusalem on a cart |
| 2 Sam. 6:6–7 | The Lord strikes Uzzah dead for holding on to the ark |
| 2 Sam. 6:10–11 | David takes the ark to the house of Obed-edom, where it stays for three months |
| 2 Sam. 6:12–17 | David brings the ark to Jerusalem, and places it inside the tent he pitched for it |
| 2 Sam. 15:24–25 | Zadok brings the ark to David, who commands him to carry it back to Jerusalem |
| 2 Sam. 15:29 | Zadok and Abiathar carry the ark back to Jerusalem |
2 Sam 15:30 Going barefoot and with his head covered were signs of mourning. weeping as he went. David had many reasons to weep: his own misfortunes and the dangers he now faced, as well as the troubles now facing Israel and his own family, for which he was partly responsible.
2 Sam 15:31–32 Ahithophel had been David’s trusted counselor (v. 12; see 16:23), but now he was among the conspirators.
2 Sam 15:33–36 whatever you hear . . . tell. Although earlier David may have questioned Zadok’s “seeing” (v. 27), it is clear that what Zadok and Abiathar “hear” from the undercover work of Hushai in Jerusalem (v. 34) will benefit David and his followers (vv. 35–36; see 17:15–16, 22).
2 Sam 15:24–37 Though David leaves the city, by the providence of God he is able to set up a messenger system: from Hushai, to Zadok and Abiathar, to their sons (via a maid, 17:17), to David (15:36).
Fact: Regicide
Regicide is the act of murdering a king. In most cases, a person who killed a king was trying to place himself on the throne.
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 16:1–4 Ziba, the servant of Mephibosheth (the disabled grandson of Saul, whom David had taken into his care; see ch. 9), arrives with provisions for David and his people. Ziba implies that the gifts are entirely his idea, and that Mephibosheth himself sees David’s difficulty as an opportunity to reclaim the kingdom (Today the house of Israel will give me back the kingdom of my father). Mephibosheth will later present a different version of the situation (19:24–29). Behold, all that belonged to Mephibosheth is now yours. David judged too quickly, without opportunity to hear a defense from the accused Mephibosheth.
2 Sam 16:5 Shimei is apparently a prominent man (19:16). Bahurim is a Benjaminite town on the north side of the Mount of Olives; some of its inhabitants supported David (17:18).
2 Sam 16:9 As always, Abishai is ready to act (compare 1 Sam. 26:8). Cursing a ruler is forbidden in Ex. 22:28.
2 Sam 16:10–11 What have I to do with you? David’s point is that he and Abishai do not see things the same way, and it would be disastrous for him to take Abishai’s advice. let him curse, for the LORD has told him to. David expresses his trust in God’s providence (compare 15:25–26; 16:12). He still wonders whether all this opposition is the Lord’s just punishment for his sin, and he humbly endures the abuse.
2 Sam 15:13–16:14 David flees Jerusalem so that the city will not be destroyed.
2 Sam 16:14 arrived weary. The journey from Jerusalem to the Jordan was 21 miles (36 km).
Fact: A stiff penalty
A stiff penalty. The punishment for cursing God (Lev. 24:10–23), the king (Ex. 22:28), or one’s parents (Lev. 20:9) was death. Shimei cursed King David (2 Sam. 16:5–14), but later begged David’s forgiveness, and David forgave him (19:16–23).
2 Sam 16:21–22 Absalom’s public sexual relations with several of David’s concubines would indeed have strengthened . . . the hands of Absalom’s followers, as he made it clear that he was claiming the throne. Nathan had prophesied such an event (see 12:11).
2 Sam 16:23 Ahithophel’s advice was highly valued. It seems he has chosen to help Absalom.
2 Sam 17:1 Ahithophel suggests that he himself lead the force against David.
2 Sam 17:7–13 my counsel is that all Israel be gathered to you . . . and that you go to battle in person (v. 11). Hushai appeals to Absalom’s pride and suggests that Absalom, not Ahithophel, should gather even more support and then personally lead the forces against David (v. 11). His proposal will let David choose his own time and place of battle with his experienced, trained force. Cities were often attacked by pulling down the walls with ropes attached to grappling hooks. Since cities were usually built on high places, they were hard to rebuild once the stones of their walls had been dragged into the valley.
Fact: Ropes with grappling hooks
When attacking a city, ropes with grappling hooks were often used to bring down its walls (17:13). Since most cities were built on hills, the attackers could simply pull the walls away and down the slopes of the hill.
2 Sam 17:17–18 Jonathan and Ahimaaz were known to be allied with David, so rather than be seen in Jerusalem they waited at En-rogel, a spring near the city, for a female servant to deliver word from Hushai for David. The servant’s normal duties probably included trips to the spring.
2 Sam 16:15–17:23 The writer resumes his account from 15:37. For “Israel,” see note on 15:10.
2 Sam 17:1–23 This chapter presents the crucial contest between Ahithophel (Absalom’s ally) and Hushai (David’s ally) before Absalom and the elders of Israel (vv. 4, 14). Ahithophel offers the good advice to attack and kill David immediately. With no one else to turn to, he says, the whole country would embrace Absalom. If this advice had been followed, it is likely that David would have been defeated. But Absalom decides to also hear advice from Hushai. Hushai gives a time-consuming speech that flatters Absalom, giving David enough time to regroup and prepare for battle. Hushai knows that if Ahithophel’s advice is accepted, there will be no time to lose. So even before he hears the council’s response he sends word to David that he should at least cross the Jordan River (vv. 15–16). The council rejects Ahithophel’s good advice in favor of Hushai’s misleading advice. The poor decision leads to Absalom’s defeat. When Absalom finally gathers his army and goes after David (v. 24), David is already in Mahanaim in Gilead, with the forest of Ephraim (18:6) between him and Absalom.
2 Sam 17:23 Realizing that the rejection of his advice meant Absalom’s defeat and his own ruin, Ahithophel set his house in order and hanged himself.
2 Sam 17:25 Amasa is David’s nephew (1 Chron. 2:16–17).
2 Sam 17:24–29 From the place where he crossed the Jordan River (see 16:14), David had traveled another 37 miles (59 km) north.
2 Sam 17:27–29 Mahanaim, a city in the deep canyon of the Jabbok River, is where Saul’s son Ish-bosheth had set up his capital before David became king (2:8). Shobi the son of Nahash from Rabbah of the Ammonites apparently was the brother of Hanun, the king of Ammon (10:2). David had probably set him on the throne in place of his brother (12:30). Machir had sheltered Mephibosheth in his childhood (9:4). Barzillai later accompanies David on his trip back to Jerusalem (19:31–39). The fact that these people came from a distance to help him suggests that David had real support in the area of Gilead.
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 |
How are Christians to think about suicide?
Listen NowDive Deeper | 2 Samuel 14-17
In this passage, we see David going through a rough time in his life. In a few short chapters, we see him betrayed by his son, his most respected counselor, and most of Israel. All of David's problems start in 2 Samuel 15:4 when Absalom challenges David's ability to give justice to the people of Israel in an effort to get the people on his side. Everything goes downhill from there. Over the course of a few weeks, everything is stripped from David. All these calamities would have made it very easy for David to give up or even blame God for the evil happening to him.
Instead, in Psalm 3:3—a psalm written as he flees from Absalom—David writes, "But you, O LORD, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head." Even when David faces one of the darkest times of his life, he turns to the Lord. He knows that God is there with him, protecting and lifting him up. In all honesty, having this perspective does not always come naturally. But this passage is an encouragement because, even though we do not see the story's ending yet, God is actively working behind the scenes to protect David. He steers Absalom away from immediately attacking David using Hushai's advice and removes one of the most respected people in the land standing against David.
Events like this one give us a glimpse into what Christ did for us. When it seemed like all hope was lost, in the days before Christ's first advent and in the three dark days while Christ lay in the tomb, God was still working. He used some of the bleakest moments in history to bring forth our salvation. Reflecting on who God is and what He has done inspires us to say, along with David in Psalm 3:6, 8, "I will not be afraid of many thousands of people who have set themselves against me all around. . . . Salvation belongs to the Lord; your blessing be on your people!"
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. On a scale of one to 10, how natural is it for you to trust God? What might be holding you back from being confident in Him? How can you grow in your trust of God starting today?
2. What do you think about God when you go through suffering and bleak areas of your life? How can stories from Scripture remind you of who God is and what He has done? Do stories from Scripture inspire and challenge you when you suffer?
3. Currently, how do you respond when things do not go your way? How did David react to his problems? What would you like to keep doing, start doing, or stop doing to align yourself with God's desires for you? One verse I think about when I suffer is James 1:2-3, "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness." Are there any verses you can cling to in order to remind you of God's plan for your suffering?