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Chapters: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24
Theme: Under David's leadership Israel's kingdom grew rapidly. He regarded God's interests as more important than his own. His rule was grounded in his faith and knowledge of God. The mistake he made with Bath-Sheba weakened his kingdom and cause difficulties within his family and eventually his kingdom. But he remained a man of God. 2 Samuel 1 __6-9_The young man said that by chance he had been on Mount Gilboa and had seen Saul leaning on his spear. His life was being threatened by the enemy. He called to me and asked who I was? I told him I was an Amalekite. Then he asked me to kill him, for agony had seized him.
__10-12_So I killed him. I knew he could not live after he had fallen. I took the crown which was on his head and the bracelet on his arm and I have brought them to you. Then David tore his clothes and so did the other men with him. They mourned and wept until evening for Saul and Jonathan and the house of Israel fallen by the sword.
__13-16_Then David asked the young man where he was from. He said that he was an Amalekite. David asked him if he was not afraid to take the life of the LORD's anointed? Then he commanded one of his men to strike him down because he had killed the LORD's anointed.
__17-23_Then David chanted a lament of Saul and Jonathan that was later taught to the sons of Judah and written in the book of Jashar. Your beauty, O Israel, is slain in your high places. How have the mighty fallen. Saul and Jonathan, beloved in their life and in death not parted. Swifter than eagles, stronger than lions.
__24-27_O daughters of Israel, weep over Saul. I am distressed for you, my brother Jonathan. You have been very pleasant to me. Your love to me was more wonderful than the love of women. How have the mighty fallen.
2 Samuel 2 __5-7_David learned that the men of Jabesh-Gilead had buried Saul and he sent a message to them saying, may the LORD bless you for your kindness to Saul your king. As your hands were strong for Saul, may they now be strong for me. Judah has anointed me king over them.
__8-11_But Abner, the commander of Saul's army had taken Ishboseth, Saul's son, and made him king over Israel. He was forty years old and was king for two years. The house of Judah followed David and he was king over Judah for seven and one half years.
__12-17_Abner agreed to meet with Joab by the pool at Gibeon. Each sat on either side of the pool. Abner suggested that they let the young men hold a contest and Joab agreed. Each man seized his opponent by the head and each was killed by the other's sword. That day the battle was severe. Abner and his men were beaten.
__18-23_The three sons of Zeruiah were there. They were Joab, Abishai and Asahel, who was as swift as a gazelle. Asahel pursued Abner and would not turn aside. Abner repeatedly warned him not to keep following him or he would kill him. Finally Abner ran the butt of his spear into Asahel's belly and he died there.
__24-29_Then Joab and Abishai pursued Abner until evening when they came to the hill of Ammah in the wilderness of Gibeon. The sons of Benjamin had gathered behind Abner. Then Abner said, shall the sword devour forever? Tell the your people to stop following their brothers. So Joab blew the trumpet and Judah stopped pursing Israel.
__30-32_At the end of the battle, Judah had lost nineteen men besides Asahel. The servants of David had struck down three hundred and sixty men of Benjamin. They took Asahel and buried him in his father's tomb in Bethlehem. Then Joab and his men went all night in order to return to Hebron the next morning.
2 Samuel 3 __6-10_Abner was making himself stronger and stronger within the house of Saul. Ishbosheth questioned Abner for going in to Rizpah, Saul's concubine. This made Abner very angry. He thought he should have more respect because he had kept the kingdom of Israel for Ishbosheth. From this day he decided to transfer the house of Israel to David.
__11-16_Ishbosheth was afraid of him and said nothing more. Abner then sent messengers to David offering to make a covenant and unite Israel and Judah. David agreed on the condition that his first wife, Michal, be brought to him. Ishbosheth sent and took her from her husband, Paltiel, who followed her weeping until they sent him back.
__17-19_Abner consulted with the elders of Israel saying, in times past you wanted David for your king. So be it. The LORD has been with him whenever he fought the Philistines. Everything Abner said seemed good to Benjamin. Then he spoke in the hearing of David at Hebron. Everyone was in agreement.
__20-23_Abner brought twenty men with him to see David who made a feast for them. Abner restated his purpose to see David as king over all Israel and Judah. So David sent Abner away in peace. While this was happening Joab had been away on a raid. When he got back he learned that Abner had been sent away in peace.
__24-26_Joab came to the king and said what have you done? Abner came and you let him get away. You know he has come to deceive you, to scout out what you are doing and how you are situated. Then without David's knowledge, he sent messengers to Abner to bring him back.
__27-30_When Abner had returned, Joab took him aside to speak to him privately and then struck him in the belly so that he died. Joab did this on account of the blood of Asahel, his brother. Later when David heard about this he said that he and his kingdom were innocent of the blood of Abner. May it fall on Joab and his father's house forever.
__31-39_David told Joab to tear his clothes, put on sackcloth and lament for Abner. King David walked behind the bier and they buried Abner in Hebron. The king and all the people wept. David would not eat anything until the sun had gone down. The people noted this and it pleased them. David felt unable to control the sons of Zeruiah.
2 Samuel 4 __4_Jonathan, Saul's son, had a crippled son named Mephibosheth who had been dropped by his nurse when she was fleeing.
__5-8_The sons of Rimmon killed Ishbosheth in his house during his midday rest. They came to the middle of the house on the pretense of getting wheat and struck him down. They brought his head to David at Hebron thinking to win his favor, saying, here is the head of Ishbosheth, the son of Saul, your enemy, who sought your life.
__9-12_David told them that when someone had come with the news of Saul's death, thinking it was good news, he had had him killed. How much more these wicked men who had taken the life of a righteous man must surely die. Then he commanded his young men to take their lives. Then he buried the head of Ishbosheth in Saul's grave.
2 Samuel 5 __6-10_The king and his men went to Jerusalem against the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land, who were sure David could not win against them. But David did take the stronghold and it became the city of David. He built all around the city becoming greater and greater, for the LORD of Hosts was with him.
__11-12_Then Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David with cedar trees, carpenters and stonemasons, and they built a house for David. David then realized that the LORD had established him as king over Israel and He had exalted his kingdom for the sake of His people Israel.
__13-16_In the mean time David took more concubines and wives and more sons and daughters were born to him. Those born to him in Jerusalem were Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon, Ibhar, Elishua, Nepheg, Japhia, Elishama, Eliada and Eliphelet.
__17-21_When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over Israel, they came against him in the valley of Rephaim. David inquired of the LORD, shall I go up against the Philistines? Will You give them into my hand? And the LORD said, go up. I will certainly give you victory over them. And David defeated them at Baal-Perazim.
__22-25_The Philistines came up once more against Israel in the valley of Rephaim. Again David inquired of the LORD. This time the LORD told him to circle around behind them in front of the balsam trees. When he heard the wind in the leaves of the trees he should strike the Philistines decisively. Once more the LORD gave him victory.
2 Samuel 6 __6-9_When they came to the threshing floor of Nacon, the oxen nearly upset the cart and Uzzah took hold of the ark to steady it. The anger of the LORD burned against Uzzah and He struck him down for his irreverence. Uzzah died before the ark. David became angry and afraid of the LORD that day. He said, how can the ark come to me?
__10-12_David was not willing to move the ark any farther. Taking it aside, he placed it in the house of Obed-Edom the Gittite. It remained at his house for three months and the LORD blessed him and all his household. When David heard of this he decided to have the ark brought into the city of David with gladness.
__13-17_This was done with much sacrifice, trumpet sound and dancing. Michal, Saul's daughter, witnessed David leaping and dancing before the LORD. She despised him in her heart. They had pitched a tent for the ark. It was brought into this place and David offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the LORD.
__18-19_When David had finished offering the burnt offerings and peace offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the LORD and distributed to every person a cake of bread, another of dates and another of raisins. Then all the people departed for their own homes.
__20_But when David returned to bless his household, Michal, the daughter of Saul came out to meet David and said, how the king of Israel distinguished himself today! He uncovered himself in the eyes of his servants' maids as the foolish one who shamelessly uncovers himself!
__21-23_David said to Michal, I danced before the LORD, who chose me above your father and all of his house, to be ruler over Israel. So I celebrated before the LORD. I will be humbled more by other things than this, but I will still be distinguished in Israel. And Michal, the daughter of Saul, had no child to the day of her death.
2 Samuel 7 __4-7_However, that same night the word of the LORD came to Nathan saying, go to David My servant and say, are you the one who should build a house for me to live in? For I have not dwelt in a house since the day I brought Israel out of Egypt. I have never asked anyone to build a house for Me.
__8-13_Tell David that I took him from pasturing sheep to rule over My people. I have blessed him and cut off his enemies and I will make him as great as anyone on earth. When his days are complete his children will follow him and one of his descendants will build a house for Me. I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.
__14-20_I will be a father to him and he will be a son to Me. I will correct him as a father corrects his son. His house and his kingdom shall endure before Me forever. Thus Nathan spoke to David. Then David went in before the LORD and said, who am I that you have brought me this far? What more can I say? You know me, O Lord.
__21-29_For the sake of Thy word and according to Thine greatness you have spoken. You are great and there is none like You. Your special consideration to Israel is as to no other nation on earth. You have redeemed your people from Egypt and established them and become their God. Your words are true and Your promises sure.
2 Samuel 8 __3-6_Then David defeated Hadadezer, son of Rehob king of Zobah, capturing 1,700 horsemen and 20,000 foot soldiers. David hamstrung the chariot horses keeping only enough for 100 chariots. When the Arameans of Damascus came to help Hadadezer, David killed 22,000 of them and they became his servants and bringing him tribute.
__7-12_David took their gold shields to Jerusalem and from their cities he also took large amounts of bronze. When Toi, king of Hamath, heard that David had defeated Hadadezer he sent his son with articles of silver and gold, and of bronze. King David dedicated all of these articles and many others from other nations.
__13-15_So David made a name for himself killing 18,000 Arameans in the Valley of Salt. He put garrisons in Edom and the Edomites became his servants. The LORD helped David wherever he went. In his reign over Israel David administered justice and righteousness for all his people.
__16-18_Joab was over the army, Jehoshaphat was recorder. Zadok and Ahimelech were priests. Seraiah was secretary. Benaiah was over the Cherethites and the Pelethites. And David's sons were chief ministers.
2 Samuel 9 __5-8_David sent for him. His name was Mephibosheth. He prostrated himself before David. David said, do not fear. I will surely show kindness to you for the sake of your father, Jonathan. I will restore to you all the land of your grandfather, Saul. You shall eat at my table regularly. Again he prostrated himself before David.
__9-13_Then David assigned Ziba and his family to care for the land of Mephibosheth. Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants and he agreed to everything David had assigned him to do. Mephibosheth lived in Jerusalem and ate at David's table as one of his sons. He was lame in both feet.
2 Samuel 10 __5-12_When David heard of this he advised them to wait in Jericho until their beards grew out. The people of Ammon saw that David was unhappy with them and hired mercenary soldiers from Syria. David sent Joab and all the host of the mighty men. Joab divided his forces between himself and his brother, Abishai.
__13-18_Joab went out against the Syrians and they fled before him. When the soldiers of Ammon saw the Syrians fleeing, they also fled before Abishai. Joab returned to Jerusalem and Ammon, having suffered defeat, gathered reinforcements. David then gathered all Israel and fought them and won a deciding victory.
__19_When the Syrians saw that they had been soundly defeated by Israel, they made peace with Israel and served them. They were afraid to help Ammon after that.
2 Samuel 11 __3-6_David sent someone to find out who the woman was and learned that she was the wife of Uriah the Hittite. David sent for her and took her to his bed. Afterwards she returned to her house. When she knew that she was pregnant, she sent word to David. He then sent word to Joab to send Uriah back to Jerusalem.
__7-10_When Uriah arrived David asked for news of the war. Then he told Uriah to go home and wash his feet. Uriah left and David sent food from the kings table after him. But Uriah didn't go home. Instead he slept at the door of the king's house. When David learned of this he asked Uriah why he had not gone home.
__11-13_Uriah said to David, the ark, and Israel and Judah abide in tents. Joab and your servants are camped in an open field. Shall I go to my house to eat and drink and lie with my wife? I will not do this. So David made him wait a day, eat and drink until he was drunk. But he still would not go home to his wife.
__14-17_In the morning David wrote a letter to Joab and gave it to Uriah to deliver to take back to Joab. The letter instructed Joab to put Uriah in the front where the battle was heaviest and then withdraw leaving him to perish. Joab did as instructed and Uriah died along with some other soldiers.
__18-25_Joab sent word to David concerning how the battle was going. If David were to be unhappy with the loss of life, he was to tell David that Uriah the Hittite was dead. The messenger did just as instructed. David sent a message back to Joab saying, do not let the loss of these men displease you. Overthrow the city.
__26-27_When the wife of Uriah heard of his death, she mourned for her husband. When the time of mourning was past, David sent for her and she became his wife and bore him a son. But the thing David had done displeased the LORD.
2 Samuel 12 __7-12_Nathan said to David, you are the man. The LORD says He anointed you king and you have everything. Why have you struck down Uriah the Hittite and taken his wife? Behold, I will raise up evil against you from your own household. One of your companions will take your wives in broad daylight because of what you did in secret.
__13-15_David said, I have sinned against the LORD. And Nathan said, the LORD has forgiven your sin and you shall not die. But your sin has given occasion for the enemies of the LORD to blaspheme. The child that is born will surely die. The LORD struck the child so that he became very sick.
__16-21_David pleaded with the LORD for the child with fasting and prostrating himself on the ground all night. He would not be comforted by any of his household. On the seventh day the child died. When David perceived that the child had died he went to his house and ate. His servants could not understand his behavior.
__22-25_David said, while the child lived there was hope and I fasted and prayed for the LORD to let the child live. Now that he is dead, why should I fast? Then David comforted Bathsheba and she conceived and gave birth to another son. They named him Solomon. The LORD loved him. Nathan named him Jedidiah for the LORD's sake.
__26-29_Joab fought against Rabbah and was about to captured the city. He sent messengers to David saying he should come up and take credit for the capture. So David gathered all the people and went to Rabbah to finish capturing it.
__30-31_He took the crown from their king. It was a talent of gold and had precious stones in it. It was placed on David's head. He brought out much spoil from the city. Its people were made to operate saws and axes, work with iron and in the brick kiln. Thus he did to all the cities of the sons of Ammon. Then they returned to Jerusalem.
2 Samuel 13 __7-14_David told Tamar to prepare food for Amnon so she took dough and made cakes for him. When she brought them for him to eat, he took hold of her and made his real intentions known. She resisted but he forced her.
__15-19_Afterwards Amnon hated Tamar and would have nothing to do with her. He had her thrown out of his house. Virgin daughters of the king wore dresses with long sleeves. She tore these from her garment and put ashes on her head.
__20-22_Absalom asked her if Amnon had done this to her. Then Absalom told her not to do anything more. So she remained in his house. King David heard about all of this and was angry with Amnon. Absalom would not speak to Amnon.
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