THE TUMULTUOUS REIGN OF KING DAVID – COMMENTARY ON THE BOOK OF 2 SAMUEL by Paul G. Apple, June 2006 (rev 2/23/08) GOD’ POWER AND PROVIDENCE SUSTAIN HIS KINGDOM PROGRAM AMIDST THE CHALLENGES OF DAVID’S REIGN "And your house and your kingdom shall endure before Me forever; your throne shall be established forever.” (2 Samuel 7:16) For each section in the Book of 2 Samuel: - Thesis statement … to focus on the big idea - Analytical outline … to guide the understanding - Devotional questions … to encourage life application - Representative quotations … to stimulate deeper insight This data file is the sole property of the author Paul Apple. However, permission is granted for others to use and distribute these materials for the edification of others under two simple conditions: 1) The contents must be faithfully represented including credit to the author where appropriate. 2) The material must be distributed freely without any financial remuneration. This data file may not be copied for resale or incorporated in any commercial publications, recordings, broadcasts, performances, displays or other products offered for sale, without the written permission of Paul Apple. Requests for permission should be made in writing and addressed to: Paul Apple, 304 N. Beechwood Ave., Baltimore MD 21228. [email protected] ABOUT THE AUTHOR Paul majored in English at Princeton University and graduated in 1979 with a Master of Divinity degree from Grace Theological Seminary in Winona Lake, IN. He lives in the Baltimore area with his wife Karen. He has worked in management roles for several local companies while engaging in pastoring and preaching responsibilities at Solid Rock Community Church. His four children (and one daughter in law) enjoy a wide range of educational and professional pursuits while sharing in common a love for the Lord Jesus. BACKGROUND OF 2 SAMUEL Mittelstaedt: The two books of Samuel really belong together as one. They appear that way in the original Hebrew Bible where they were copied onto a single scroll. But when the translators prepared the Septuagint, the Greek translation of the Old Testament, they had to use two scrolls. The two scrolls came to be known as the first and second books of the Kingdom. The two books of Kings were then known as the third and fourth books of the Kingdom. Davis: The book of II Samuel divides itself naturally in two sections: (1) David’s rule over Judah (1:1 – 4:12) and (2) David’s rule over all Israel (5:1 – 24:25). Some commentators have found it advantageous to divide the book on its spiritual content rather than historical. In this case the book would be divided as follows: (1) David’s triumphs (1:1 – 12:31) and (2) David’s troubles (13:1 – 24:25). David had enjoyed moments of great success and yet, in spite of his wisdom and political genius, as a father he failed within his own household. The results of David’s reign, however, were not all negative. It is very clear from a military and political point of view that David had fully established the kingdom of Israel. He had given its borders recognition and protection. He had achieved international respect and recognition for Israel in a very brief period of time. This great kingdom soon was to pass into the hands of Solomon, a young man with equal capabilities and gifts Wiersbe: One of the major themes of 2 Samuel is restoration – the restoration of national unity, the restoration of David after he sinned, and the restoration of the throne after Absalom’s rebellion. Intertwined with this theme is the emphasis on power, showing how God empowered David and his people to accomplish His will. Saul tore things apart, but God used David to start putting things back together again. But alas, the events recorded here weren’t always honoring to the Lord or beneficial to His people. Until the nation was united under David, political ambition and civil war led to the tragic deaths of too many people. As a consequence of David’s sin with Bathsheba and his subsequent deception, David’s own family was torn apart and the nation plunged into a second civil war. David didn’t always have an easy time wearing the crown or wielding the sword, but the Lord was with His servant and ready to forgive when the king repented and confessed his sins. Then things began to heal up again. Blackwood: Today we all feel concerned about the rebuilding of nations after World War II. As long as any present-day clergyman lives he will have to content with the aftereffects of that global strife. Without harping on “this war-torn world” or other outworn words, the parish interpreter must deal with the aftermath of blood and tears as it affects his friend in the pew. From this point of view, which is pastoral, to which part of the Bible shall the minister turn? The twin books of Samuel lend themselves admirably to such use. No other portion of Holy Writ contains such a wealth and variety of preaching materials for days of reconstruction. Laney: I. The Triumphs of David (1-10) - David’s Lament for Saul and Jonathan (1:1-27) - David’s Reign Over Judah at Hebron (2:1-4:12) - David’s Reign over All Israel at Jerusalem (5:1-10:19) II. The Troubles of David (11-20) - David’s Great Sin (11:1-12:31) - Absalom’s Murder of Amnon (13:1-14:33) - Absalom’s Rebellion (15:1-18:33) - David’s Reinstatement as King (19:1-20:26) III. The Appendix to David’s Career (21-24) - The Gibeonites Avenged for the Broken Treaty (21:1-14) - The Exploits of David and His Men (21:15-22) - The Psalm of Declarative Praise for Deliverance (22:1-51) - The Last Words of David (23:1-7) - The Roster of David’s Mighty Men (23:8-39) - The Numbering of the People and the Pestilence (24:1-25) Jensen: David, son of Jesse, was a man after God’s heart, and in a life-span of some seventy years “served his own generation by the will of God” (Acts 13:36). David “stood out as a bright and shining light for the God of Israel. His accomplishments were many and varied; man of action, poet, tender lover, generous foe, stern dispenser of justice, loyal friend, he was all that men find wholesome and admirable in man, and this by the will of God, who made him and shaped him for his destiny.” (J. D. Douglas) David was not perfect, and the recording of his sins in the Bible should serve as warning to us to guard against the subtle temptations of Satan. Included is a comparative study of the two controls in David’s life. (J. Barton Payne) When God’s Spirit was in control: - He had men’s devotion (1 Chron. 12:18) and women’s (1 Sam. 19:12-13). - He cared for the helpless (II Sam. 9:1). - He confessed his own sins (Ps. 51) and his enemies’ nobility (II Sam. 1:23). - His piety was shameless (II Sam. 6:21). - His faith was radiant (Ps. 23). When selfish desires were in control: - He failed to restrain Joab (II Sam. 3:39) and his own family (II Sam. 13:21). - He was brutal with captives (II Sam. 8:2). - He would not admit error (II Sam. 19:29) and repudiated former pardons (I Kings 2:8). - He practiced deception (I Sam. 21:2). - His sin was heinous (II Sam. 11). Simpson: At last David comes, God’s true king. And the story of his rejection, exile, and final triumph vividly foreshadows the conflicts and victories that are to usher in the reign of our Lord, and “make Jesus King.” Kaynor: David became the standard for all future kings. Forty years from the date of our text, he would leave a strong, efficient government. He did not inherit such a government from Saul. In fact, he was handed a difficult set of circumstances when he took over . David had seen the loose government – the narrow, sectional approach of Saul – and he wanted no part of that. He carried into his government an elite six hundred (1 Sam. 27:2; 30:9) that never lost a battle. The worst they suffered was one strategic withdrawal. David would reorganize the priesthood, and it would flourish in his era. So many priests would serve that they would have to be organized into “courses.” . The priesthood became respected under David, whereas a whole priestly community had been annihilated by Saul. David also upgraded the levitical choir to a level of high honor. In short, David was a great king, to be exceeded only by the King of Kings, the Lord Jesus Christ. David inherited a war-torn, feudal collection of people and left his son a strong, cultured, godly empire. This was the golden age of Israel. Things would never be better for the average Israelite citizen. Malick: THE LORD'S ESTABLISHMENT, UPHEAVAL, AND CONTINUANCE OF THE UNITED KINGDOM UNDER DAVID IS WORKED OUT IN CORRESPONDENCE WITH DAVID'S EXPRESSIONS OF COVENANT LOYALTY AND HIS (AND OTHERS') EXPRESSIONS OF COVENANT DISLOYALTY, AS WELL AS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LORD'S GRACIOUS PROVISION http://www.bible.org/page.asp?page_id=954 J. Sidlow Baxter: TRIUMPHS TURNED TO TROUBLES THROUGH SIN I. DAVID’S TRIUMPHS (i.-xii.). i.-iv. – King over Judah only, at Hebron (Civil War Period – 7 years) v.-xii. – King of All Israel at Jerusalem (Conquest Period – 13 Years) II.