The book of 2 Samuel in the Bible tells the story of King David’s reign over the united kingdom of Israel. Some key questions that arise from this book include:
Why did God reject Saul as king of Israel?
Saul was the first king of Israel, but he disobeyed God’s commands multiple times. For example, he offered sacrifices instead of waiting for Samuel to offer them (1 Samuel 13:8-14), and he spared King Agag and the best of the livestock from the Amalekites even though God had commanded everything to be destroyed (1 Samuel 15:1-23). Because of Saul’s disobedience, God rejected him as king.
How did David become king?
After rejecting Saul, God directed Samuel to anoint David, the youngest son of Jesse, as the next king of Israel (1 Samuel 16:1-13). David then entered Saul’s service as a musician and warrior. He killed Goliath and had military victories over the Philistines (1 Samuel 17-18). Saul became jealous of David’s popularity, and David had to flee and live as an outlaw for several years before Saul died in battle and David was able to take the throne over Judah, then later Israel (2 Samuel 1-5).
Why was David allowed to be king despite his sins?
Unlike Saul, when David sinned he repented and turned back to God. For example, after committing adultery with Bathsheba and arranging the death of her husband Uriah, David confessed and repented when confronted by the prophet Nathan (2 Samuel 12:1-13). David was a man after God’s own heart (1 Samuel 13:14) because he genuinely loved and sought after God, even though he still struggled with sin.
Why did God make a covenant with David about his throne?
After David desired to build a temple for God but was told that his son would build it instead, God made a covenant with David promising that his throne and kingdom would endure forever (2 Samuel 7:1-17). This is called the Davidic Covenant. Through this covenant, God was pointing forward to the ultimate fulfillment in Jesus, who would reign on David’s throne forever as the Messiah.
Why did David order a census of the people?
In 2 Samuel 24, David orders a census to be taken, which displeased God. It seems David’s motive in taking the census was pride and reliance on the size of his army instead of trusting in God. As a result, God punished Israel with a plague, but also showed mercy when David repented and offered sacrifice at the threshing floor of Araunah (2 Samuel 24:18-25), the future site of the temple.
Why did some support Saul’s son Ish-Bosheth as king?
After Saul’s death, David was anointed king over Judah, but Saul’s son Ish-Bosheth was made king over the northern tribes of Israel by Abner, the commander of Saul’s army (2 Samuel 2:8-10). This divided the kingdom for a time. Those loyal to Saul’s family supported Ish-Bosheth to rival David’s claim to the throne. But after Ish-Bosheth accused Abner of sleeping with one of Saul’s concubines (2 Samuel 3:7), Abner defected to David’s side and paved the way for David to rule over a united kingdom.
Why did David’s son Absalom rebel against him?
David’s son Absalom resented that David did not punish Amnon, Absalom’s half-brother, after Amnon raped Absalom’s sister Tamar (2 Samuel 13:1-22). This resentment led Absalom to eventually conspire against David and declare himself king over Israel (2 Samuel 15:1-12). Absalom temporarily forced David to flee Jerusalem. Although Absalom was later killed against David’s wishes, the rebellion demonstrated the divided loyalties within David’s own family.
Why is David considered such an important figure in Israel’s history?
As Israel’s model king, David united the 12 tribes of Israel, led the nation to military victory over the Philistines, established Jerusalem as the center of worship, and received the Davidic Covenant promising an unending dynasty. His reign marked the high point of Israel’s power and influence as a nation. As a skilled musician, poet, and songwriter, David contributed many of the psalms. Though imperfect, David was a man after God’s own heart who brought stability and prominence to Israel.
How did Joab help and hinder David?
Joab was the commander of David’s army. He was very loyal and helpful to David in military victories over the Jebusites (2 Samuel 5:6-10), Ammonites, and Absalom’s rebellion (2 Samuel 18:2-15). However, Joab also took matters into his own hands by killing Absalom against David’s wishes (2 Samuel 18:14-15). He killed David’s rival Abner, even though this went against David’s desires (2 Samuel 3:22-30). And he killed David’s son Amasa who replaced him (2 Samuel 20:8-10). So at times Joab was ruthlessly loyal in protecting David’s throne by any means.
What was the ark’s significance in Israel?
The ark of the covenant represented God’s presence with Israel ever since the wilderness wanderings. After being captured by the Philistines then returned, the ark resided many years at Kiriath Jearim during Saul’s reign (1 Samuel 7:1-2). When David became king, one of his first priorities was to bring the ark to Jerusalem, demonstrating his spiritual devotion and desire to make Jerusalem the center of Israel’s worship (2 Samuel 6). The ark’s presence in David’s new capital helped validate his rule.
Why was David forbidden to build the temple?
David desired to build a permanent temple in Jerusalem to house the ark and replace the tabernacle (2 Samuel 7:2). But God denied David this privilege, saying through the prophet Nathan that David had shed much blood as a warrior (1 Chronicles 22:8, 28:3). Instead, David’s son Solomon would rule over an undisturbed kingdom and build the temple, representing a shift to a time of peace (1 Kings 5:3-5). David willingly accepted this and began preparing for Solomon’s future building project.
How did God show mercy to David and Bathsheba?
After David committed adultery and arranged for Bathsheba’s husband Uriah to be killed (2 Samuel 11), the prophet Nathan confronted David, and David repented (2 Samuel 12:1-13). As punishment, David and Bathsheba’s first child died. But Solomon was later born to them (2 Samuel 12:24), and God loved Solomon (2 Samuel 12:24) and chose him as David’s successor. Despite the terrible sins, God showed mercy in the gift of another son through whom the Davidic Covenant would be fulfilled.
What weaknesses in David’s parenting contributed to family dysfunction?
David failed to properly discipline his son Amnon after Amnon raped his half-sister Tamar (2 Samuel 13:1-22). He did not punish Joab for killing Absalom against his wishes (2 Samuel 18:14-15). He showed favoritism to Absalom (2 Samuel 15:6). His kids saw his own bad example in committing adultery and murder. David’s failures as a father resulted in sibling rivalry, hatred, rebellion, and even death among his sons.
How was the David and Jonathan friendship significant?
The deep friendship between David and Jonathan, Saul’s son, is one of the most famous in the Bible. Jonathan loved David and protected him from Saul’s attempts to kill him (1 Samuel 18:1-4, 19:1-7, 20:1-42). Jonathan willingly gave up his right to be Saul’s heir and saw that David was God’s choice to be the next king. Their covenant friendship (1 Samuel 18:3-4) is an example of godly, loyal relationship that transcended position and politics.
How did David show restraint and trust during times of crisis?
David showed restraint by sparing Saul’s life when he had opportunities to kill his enemy (1 Samuel 24, 26). When Ziklag was captured and his own men talked of stoning David, he strengthened himself in the Lord (1 Samuel 30:6). When Shimei cursed and threw stones at David during Absalom’s rebellion, David bore it patiently (2 Samuel 16:5-13). He learned to wait for God’s timing and trust God during difficult trials.
These are some key questions that 2 Samuel raises. Studying this book provides insight into King David’s reign over Israel, including his strengths and flaws. It reveals God’s faithfulness in establishing David’s enduring dynasty and points ahead to the greater Son of David, Jesus Christ.