This has been a challenging time for David as he has left Jerusalem behind and he is now sending his few faithful warriors to battle for their lives. But the Lord was with them and in 2 Samuel 18:7–8 The army of Israel was defeated there before the servants of David, and the defeat there was great on that day … and the forest devoured more among the army than the sword did on that day”. This was also a very emotional time for David because Absalom his son was killed. Davids grief turned every heart to sorrow until Joab said in 2 Samuel 19:5–7 “Today you have humiliated the faces of all of your servants who have saved your life … get up and go out and speak kindly to your servants”. David did get up and began the work of reconciling all of Israel. 

The Defeat There Was Great on That Day

2 Samuel 18:1–10
David and his group fled to the land of the Ammonites and in

2 Samuel 17:27-29 Just as David had arrived in Mahanaim, Shobi the son of Nahash from Rabbah of the Ammonites and Makir the son of Ammiel from Lo Debar and Barzillai the Gileadite from Rogelim brought …

David was well received and the local leaders brought “supplies to the king’s tired and famished troops … Shobi’s older brother was Hanun, who had succeeded his father, Nahash, to the throne. He had fought unsuccessfully with David (2 Samuel 10–12), and David probably replaced him with his younger brother as the king of the Ammonites.¹

David immediately prepares his troops but does not wait for Absalom and the army of Israel to come to him in

2 Samuel 18:1–2 Then David mustered the people who were with him, and he appointed over them commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds. 2 David sent forth a third of the troops under the command of Joab, and a third under the command of Abishai, the brother of Joab, the son of Zeruiah, and the remaining third under the command of Ittai the Gittite”.

But his men refuse to let David go with them because he is the one that Absalom and his men need to kill so that Absalom can be the king.

David had subdued enemies all around Israel and he chose this as the place of refuge, also knowing that there would be a battle here so in

2 Samuel 18:6 The army went out to the field to meet Israel, and the battle was fought in the forest of Ephraim.

where “This rugged terrain provides a strategic advantage for David and his men because they are accustomed to hiding in the dense environment provided by forests (e.g., 1 Sam 22:5).”.²

David’s men had great success against Absalom and the army of Israel, but it was the forest that was their greatest ally in

2 Samuel 18:7–8 The army of Israel was defeated there before the servants of David, and the defeat there was great on that day: twenty thousand. 8 The battle there was spreading over the surface of all the land, and the forest devoured more among the army than the sword did on that day.

Today You Will Not be Bringing Good News

2 Samuel 18:11–21

Yahweh has Vindicated You Today

2 Samuel 18:22–33 

Go Out and Speak Kindly to Your Servants

2 Samuel 19:1–8
David grieves openly about the death of his son Absalom in 2 Samuel 19:1-2 and it was a very natural response even though Absalom had rebelled against David.

Davids grief was so strong, so public, that the victory of David’s few men was turned also to sorrow in

2 Samuel 19:3–4 The army came secretly into the city on that day because the army was disgraced when they fled in the battle, 4 and because the king had covered his face and cried with a loud voice, “My son, Absalom, Absalom, my son, my son.”

But David was the king. David was a leader of men. David was the anointed of God and the Lord had given him a great victory where hundreds had completely defeated thousands. So, Joab, David’s nephew, the commander of David’s army and David’s close confidant for many years comes to David and rebukes him in

2 Samuel 19:5–7 “Today you have humiliated the faces of all of your servants who have saved your life … 6 by loving those who hate you and hating those who love you … you have made clear … that were Absalom alive, and all of us were dead, then that would have been right in your eyes! 7 So then, get up and go out and speak kindly to your servants”

There are times when we cannot allow our emotions to control our actions. These people had followed David and fought at the risk of their own lives to preserve David’s place as king. Joab was right, this was a time to celebrate their great victory. This was a day for David to recognize all of his valiant men and in

2 Samuel 19:8 So the king got up and he sat in the gate, and they told all the army, “Look, the king is sitting in the gate.” Then all the army came before the king; whereas all of Israel had fled, each to his tent.

David was their king and the Lord had delivered them. 

Your Servant Knows That I Have Sinned

2 Samuel 19:9–20
There was a great deal of disputing across the land because of Absalom trying to become king in 2 Samuel 19:9 but Absalom “has died in the battle” in 2 Samuel 19:10. So in

2 Samuel 19:11 Then King David sent to Zadok and to Abiathar the priests, saying, “Speak to the elders of Judah: ‘Why are you last to bring back the king to his house? The talk of all Israel has come to the king in his house.

David offers forgiveness to those that had supported the rebellion by giving amnesty to Amasa, who “had been Absalom’s army commander (see 17:25)”.³

But David goes even farther and offers Amasa the position of commander of the army, the post that Joab has long held in

2 Samuel 19:13 To Amasa you shall say: ‘Are you not my bones and my flesh? May God punish me if you are not the commander of my army before me forever, in place of Joab.’ ”

Now, David has the support of the men of Judah in 2 Samuel 19:14 and David began the journey back to Jerusalem. But something unexpected happens, Shimei, the “relative of Saul who had cursed David. See 2 Sam 16:5–14”⁴

rushes to great David on his return and says in

2 Samuel 19:19 “May not my lord hold me guilty, and may you not remember how your servant did wrong on the day that my lord the king went out from Jerusalem”.

He then becomes one of the first to acknowledge his error and seek not only David’s forgiveness, but he offers his support to David as Israel’s rightful king in

2 Samuel 19:20 For your servant knows that I have sinned; look, I have come this day as the first of all the house of Joseph to come down to meet my lord the king.”

Why Should You Speak Any More About the Matter

2 Samuel 19:21–32

All the Men of Israel Were Coming to the King

2 Samuel 19:33–43

Study Verses

• 2 Samuel 18:1–10 The Defeat There Was Great on That Day
• 2 Samuel 19:1–8 Go Out and Speak Kindly to Your Servants
• 2 Samuel 19:9-20 Your Servant Knows That I Have Sinned

Today’s Reading

• 2 Samuel 18:1-33
• 2 Samuel 19:1-43

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References

• 1. Dempster, S. G. (1992). Shobi (Person). In D. N. Freedman (Ed.), The Anchor Yale Bible Dictionary (Vol. 5, p. 1224). New York: Doubleday.
• 2. Barry, J. D., Mangum, D., Brown, D. R., Heiser, M. S., Custis, M., Ritzema, E., … Bomar, D. (2012, 2016). Faithlife Study Bible (2 Sa 18:6). Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.
• 3. Barry, J. D., Mangum, D., Brown, D. R., Heiser, M. S., Custis, M., Ritzema, E., … Bomar, D. (2012, 2016). Faithlife Study Bible (2 Sa 19:13). Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.
• 4. Barry, J. D., Mangum, D., Brown, D. R., Heiser, M. S., Custis, M., Ritzema, E., … Bomar, D. (2012, 2016). Faithlife Study Bible (2 Sa 19:16). Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.

David hears that Absalom has won the hearts of the people of Israel and they are coming to make Absalom king. David gathers his family and children and the men that are loyal to him and they flee the city to avoid a confrontation. The priests meet him at the gate with the ark of God, but in 2 Samuel 15:25–26 The king said to Zadok, “Let the ark of God return to the city. If I find favor in the eyes of Yawheh, he will let me return and let me see him in his dwelling place”. David knows that Jerusalem is the place the Lord has chosen so David leaves everything behind, his possessions, his position, and the ark placing his entire trust in the will of the Lord. As they come to the Mount of Olives, they are met with provisions for their journey. And as they continue, they are met with opposition as one man is shouting and cursing in 2 Samuel 16:7 “Go out, go out, you man of bloodshed, you man of wickedness”. David does not react but responds with great grace and says in 2 Samuel 16:12 Perhaps Yahweh will look in my eye and repay good for me in place of his curse this day. 

If I Find Favor in the Eyes of Yawheh

2 Samuel 15:24–29
David is fleeing Jerusalem with his wives and children and some faithful men of Judah, some six hundred in number. As they are passing through the gate of the city, David finds the priests are there with the ark in

2 Samuel 15:24 Suddenly Zadok was there, and all of the Levites with him, carrying the ark of the covenant of God. They set the ark of God down, and Abiathar offered sacrifices until all the people passed out of the city.

David is the anointed king and the priests intend to follow him with the ark. But David puts God first. The Lord has established Jerusalem as the place of his throne and the ark now rest there. David sends the priest back and is willing even to be separated from the presence of God if that is God’s will in

2 Samuel 15:25–26 The king said to Zadok, “Let the ark of God return to the city. If I find favor in the eyes of Yawheh, he will let me return and let me see him in his dwelling place. 26 But if he says, ‘I take no pleasure in you,’ then I am ready. Let him do to me that which is good in his eyes.

How many leaders are there that would leave their position and power and everything they have and trust God to restore them?

Frustrate the Counsel

2 Samuel 15:30–37
David prayed, simply speaking out these words in 2 Samuel 15:31 “Please frustrate the counsel of Ahithophel, O Yahweh.” and in 2 Samuel 15:32 “suddenly Hushai the Arkite was there to meet him”. David knew what needed to happen and he sends Hushai to stand with Ahithophel and report back to David. 

May I Find Favor in Your Eyes

2 Samuel 16:1–4
Ziba is servant, slave to Mephibosheth and sees an opportunity to ingratiate himself to David the king. In David’s time of need, Ziba brings provisions for David and all of his people. And this would be a great act of kindness toward David except that, Ziba lies to David saying Mephibosheth is against David in

2 Samuel 16:3 Then the king said, “Where is the son of your lord?” And Ziba said to the king, “He is living in Jerusalem for he said, ‘Today the house of Israel shall return the kingdom of my father to me.’ ”

Then comes the response Ziba wanted. David gives everything that belonged to Mephibosheth to Ziba in

2 Samuel 16:4 The king said to Ziba, “Look, all that was Mephibosheth’s is yours.” Ziba said, “I hereby do obeisance; may I find favor in your eyes, my lord the king.”

David doesn’t learn about this deception until he returns to Jerusalem and finds Mephibosheth waiting faithfully for David’s return. 

Perhaps Yahweh Will Look in My Eye and Repay Good

2 Samuel 16:5–14
As David and his people fleeing Jerusalem, they passed the Mount of Olives and came to the next town in

2 Samuel 16:5 “King David came up to Bahurim and suddenly a man from there was coming out from the family of the house of Saul, and his name was Shimei the son of Gera. He was cursing as he came out”.

Shimei continued boldly proclaiming with great agitation in

2 Samuel 16:6–8 And he threw stones at David and at all the servants of King David and at all the people and at all the mighty warriors on his right and on his left. 7 Shimei said while cursing him, “Go out, go out, you man of bloodshed, you man of wickedness. 8 Yahweh has returned on you all the blood of the household of Saul whom you have supplanted as king, and Yahweh has given the kingship into the hand of Absalom your son. Look, you are in disaster for you are a man of blood.”

David or any of his men could easily have silenced this man and much of what he was saying was untrue. David had not supplanted Saul as king, it was Saul that held his position as king long after the Lord removed him. But David responds with grace, David doesn’t judge this man, in fact he says in 2 Samuel 16:11 “the Lord has spoken to him”. David knows he has made mistakes and there is only one thing for him to do and that is in

2 Samuel 16:12 Perhaps Yahweh will look in my eye and repay good for me in place of his curse this day.

Has anyone ever spoken evil words over your life? Has anyone spoken a curse over you as this man did over David? Take a moment and forgive them. Let God be their judge and walk away from any self-defense or retribution. Pray and seek the Lord as David did and “ Perhaps Yahweh will look in your eye and repay good for you in place of that curse.

All the Counsel of Ahithophel Was Esteemed

2 Samuel 16:15–23

Yahweh Had Ordained to Frustrate the Good Counsel

2 Samuel 17:1–14

They Searched But Could Not Find Them

2 Samuel 17:15–29

Study Verses

• 2 Samuel 15:24–29 If I Find Favor in the Eyes of Yawheh
• 2 Samuel 16:1–4 May I Find Favor in Your Eyes
• 2 Samuel 16:5–14 Perhaps Yahweh Will Look in My Eye and Repay Good

Today’s Reading

• 2 Samuel 15:24-37
• 2 Samuel 16:1-23
• 2 Samuel 17:1-29

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Absalom flees as David and his sons mourn the death of Amnon. But eventually, in 2 Samuel 13:39 “King David longed to go out to Absalom, for he was consoled that Amnon had died”. Joab knows that David cannot resolve this dilemma, David loves Absalom but Absalom committed murder, so Joab sends a woman before David who says in 2 Samuel 14:15–16 ‘I will speak to the king, perhaps the king will grant the request of his servant. 16 For the king will listen, to deliver his servant’. David understands and Absalom is finally back in Jerusalem, restored and reconciled by the King, his father. But Absalom is still angry at David and begins a campaign to undermine David’s position and over four years, in 2 Samuel 15:6 “Absalom stole the hearts of the people of Israel”. When he is ready, Absalom sends messengers to signal his takeover as king. But first, in 2 Samuel 15:11 “Two hundred men from Jerusalem went with Absalom as invited guests, going in their innocence as they did not know anything” so it appeared to the people that Absalom had the support of these leaders and the conspiracy grew. 

The Sons of the King Have Come

2 Samuel 13:34–39
Absalom had killed his brother Amnon for the rape of his sister Tamar and in 2 Samuel 13:34 “So Absalom fled”. All of the other sons of David gathered themselves to their father and in

2 Samuel 13:36 When he finished speaking, look, the sons of the king came and they lifted up their voice and wept. Also, the king and all his servants wept a very great weeping.

None of the reasons matter when you face the loss o a close family member. It is a loss you feel, and grieve as they all did, except for Absalom in

2 Samuel 13:38–39 But Absalom had fled and went to Geshur, and he was there three years.

It takes time to grieve, and while David felt the loss of Amnon, he also loved his son Absalom and in

2 Samuel 13:39 King David longed to go out to Absalom, for he was consoled that Amnon had died.

Go to the King and Speak to Him

2 Samuel 14:1–11
Some things are very difficult for us to face directly. Joab was a close confidant of David’s as the longtime head of his army. Joab knows David longs to bring Absalom home so in 2 Samuel 14:2 “took a wise woman” and sent her saying in 2 Samuel 14:3 “go to the king and speak to him according to this word”.

As the woman speaks to David, and he answers her with grace and assures forgiveness in 2 Samuel 14:11 “As Yahweh lives, surely not one hair shall fall from your son to the ground.” 

Perhaps the King Will Grant the Request

2 Samuel 14:12–22
This woman continues to speak before David as Joab has instructed her and says in

2 Samuel 14:15–16 ‘I will speak to the king, perhaps the king will grant the request of his servant. 16 For the king will listen, to deliver his servant from the hand of the man who seeks to destroy me and my son together from the inheritance of God.’

These are almost the same words David used in his pleading with the Lord for the life of his son in 2 Samuel 12:22. Now, David recognizes the hand of his friend Joab and asks her in

2 Samuel 14:19–21 The king asked, “Was the hand of Joab with you in all of this?” The woman answered and said … Yes, your servant Joab himself commanded … In order to change the situation … Then the king said to Joab, “Look, please, I will grant this thing. Go and bring back the young man Absalom.”

By seeing the plight in someone else’s life, David was not caught up in his own emotions and knew what to do for this woman. And that was what he needed to do for his own family.

Let Me See the Face of the King

2 Samuel 14:23–33 

Going in Their Innocence They Did Not Know

2 Samuel 15:1–12
After Absalom’s three year exile, it is two more years in Jerusalem before he is allowed to see the king, David, his father, even though Absalom has repeatedly asked. Now that his position is restored with the king, we find that he is again, as he did with Amnon, waiting and planning and he begins his political campaign to win the people in

2 Samuel 15:1 It happened afterward that Absalom made himself a chariot with horses and fifty men running before him.

Absalom makes a show everywhere he goes and stands at the gate of the city where he begins to undermine the people’s trust in David in

2 Samuel 15:4 Then Absalom would say, “Oh, that someone would appoint me as judge in the land, that anyone might come to me who had a legal dispute or a case, and I would give him justice.”

Which is the same as saying that people cannot get justice with David as king. So, in 2 Samuel 15:6 “Absalom stole the hearts of the people of Israel” and he is ready to overthrow his father as king. But he doesn’t do this openly, he first gets the kings permission to go the Hebron in 2 Samuel 15:7-9. Then he sends messengers in

2 Samuel 15:10 Then Absalom sent scouts throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, “When you hear the sound of the trumpet, you shall shout ‘Absalom has become king in Hebron!’ ”

Then comes the masterfully underhanded deception to manipulate the people of Israel. Absalom invited many leaders that had no idea what Absalom was planning in

2 Samuel 15:11 Two hundred men from Jerusalem went with Absalom as invited guests, going in their innocence as they did not know anything.

And Absalom continued to invite key leaders so that as the people saw them come, the people were drawn in to this conspiracy in

2 Samuel 15:12 Absalom sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, the advisor of David, from his city Giloh, while he offered the sacrifices. The conspiracy grew in strength, and the people were going and increasing with Absalom.

Get Up and Let Us Flee

2 Samuel 15:13–23

Study Verses

• 2 Samuel 13:34–39 The Sons of the King Have Come
• 2 Samuel 14:12–22 Perhaps the King Will Grant the Request
• 2 Samuel 15:1–12 Going in Their Innocence They Did Not Know

Today’s Reading

• 2 Samuel 13:34-39
• 2 Samuel 14:1-33
• 2 Samuel 15:1-23

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The kingdom has been restored to David and he has nearly subdued all of the surrounding enemies. The Ammonites have refused peace so Joab takes the army to the Ammonites and David stays in Jerusalem. He was in the wrong place and he sinned by taking Bathsheba, another man’s wife. David is confronted by Nathan the prophet and confesses his sin. The Lord forgives him but there is damage to his family in 2 Samuel 12:14 “But because you have utterly scorned Yahweh in this matter”. His son with Bathsheba dies. David takes the kingdom of the Ammonites and seems to be prospering, then his son Amnon rapes his half-sister, Tamar. David is angry but doesn’t take any action. After two years, Absalom, Tamar’s brother, calls all of the king’s sons to a feast and in front of them, kills Amnon. It was for David to deal with the offense done to Tamar. His failure to act let anger turn to rage and rage to murder. As a result, the sword of division entered his family and eventually, the whole nation was divided.

Some of the Servants of the King Died

2 Samuel 11:19-27

The Man Who has Done This Deserves to Die!

2 Samuel 12:1-12 

Who Knows? Yahweh May Have Mercy on Me

2 Samuel 12:13–25
David has sinned not only by taking Bathsheba as his wife, and to do it, he sent her husband Uriah into battle so he would be killed. What was even worse though, is David didn’t have any sense of wrongdoing until Nathan the prophet came to him in 2 Samuel 12:5 when David pronounces a death sentence for the man that could have done such a thing.

David confesses his sin in 2 Samuel 12:13 and Nathan replies the Lord has forgiven your sin. Then goes on to say in

2 Samuel 12:14 “But because you have utterly scorned Yahweh in this matter, the son born for you will certainly die.”

It was not like David to do something without inquiring of the Lord, so Nathan’s statement, “you have utterly scorned Yahweh in this matter” is certainly true.

But David pleaded in

2 Samuel 12:16 David pleaded with God on behalf of the boy and David fasted. He went to spend the night and lay upon the ground.

because David knew the Lord and his great compassion and the Lord does say, in

Isaiah 1:18 “Come now, and let us argue,” says Yahweh. “Even though your sins are like scarlet, they will be white like snow; even though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.

So David pleaded and fasted until the boy died, then got up and went on with his life. 

He Took the Crown of Their King From His Head

2 Samuel 12:26–31
From the time of the Exodus, the children of Israel were to leave the Ammonites alone because they were “the descendants of Ammon, the son of Lot (Gen. 19:38). From the very beginning (Deut. 2:16–20) of their history till they are lost sight of (Judg. 5:2), this tribe is closely associated with the Moabites (Judg. 10:11; 2 Chr. 20:1; Zeph. 2:8).¹

Then the Ammonites stood against the children of Israel and the Lord set a separation prohibiting the Ammonites because “Both of these tribes hired Balaam to curse Israel (Deut. 23:4) … (and) They showed no kindness to the Israelites when passing through their territory, and therefore they were prohibited from “entering the congregation of the Lord to the tenth generation” (Deut. 23:3). They afterwards became hostile to Israel (Judg. 3:13)”.¹

Now David takes their capital city and their king in

2 Samuel 12:29 So David gathered all of the army, and he went to Rabbah and fought against it and captured it.

But more than that, he puts the Ammonites to work “David enslaves the inhabitants of Ammon because of their rebellion (see 2 Sam 10:1–19 and note).²

This only happened because the Ammonites had not only rejected David’s offer to them but they hired others to ally with them against Israel. David’s intent when Nahash the king of the Ammonites died, was in

2 Samuel 10:2 David said, “I will show loyal love with Hanun, the son of Nahash, as his father showed loyal love with me.”

Tamar Went to the House of Amnon Her Brother

2 Samuel 13:1–10

Do Not Force Me

2 Samuel 13:11–20 

All of the Sons of the King

2 Samuel 13:21–33
David has a household of many wives, sons and daughters, half brothers and sisters. Amnon had schemed and gotten his sister alone and forced her, then threw her out in the street and now in

2 Samuel 13:21 Now King David heard all these things, and he became very angry.

but David didn’t take any action. David wasn’t the only one that was angry, in

2 Samuel 13:22 Absalom did not speak with Amnon either bad or good, for Absalom hated Amnon over the matter when he raped Tamar his sister.

After two years (2 Samuel 13:23) Absalom puts together a plan to punish Amnon who is living freely while Absalom’s sister Tamar is living in shame in Absalom’s house.

The time of shearing was a time of great work but also a time for a great feast when they were finished so Absalom invites all of the kings sons in 2 Samuel 13:23-27 and they all came. But this was only so Absalom could kill Amnon in front of all of the kings sons. He wanted retribution for his sister, but he also wanted them all to witness it. so, in

2 Samuel 13:29 So Absalom’s servants did to Amnon just as Absalom commanded, and all the sons of the king got up, and each mounted his mule and fled.

The first message to the king was that all of his sons were dead, but then, some had heard of the plan of Absalom and that is was only Amnon in

2 Samuel 13:32-33 Then Jonadab the son of Shimeah, the brother of David, responded and said, “My lord should not think that all the young men, the sons of the king, are dead, because only Amnon is dead. Absalom was talking about it, as it was being determined from the day he raped Tamar his sister … for only Amnon alone is dead”.

Study Verses

• 2 Samuel 12:13–25 Who Knows? Yahweh May Have Mercy on Me
• 2 Samuel 12:26–31 He Took the Crown of Their King From His Head
• 2 Samuel 13:21–33 All of the Sons of the King

Today’s Reading

• 2 Samuel 11:19-27
• 2 Samuel 12:1-31
• 2 Samuel 13:1-33

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References

• 1. Easton, M. G. (1893). In Easton’s Bible dictionary. New York: Harper & Brothers.
• 2. Barry, J. D., Mangum, D., Brown, D. R., Heiser, M. S., Custis, M., Ritzema, E., … Bomar, D. (2012, 2016). Faithlife Study Bible (2 Sa 12:31). Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.

The Lord has established David as king and in 2 Samuel 8:15 “David reigned over all of Israel, and he was administering justice and righteousness for all his people”. But he also brings peace and righteousness to the kingdoms around Israel. Now, David remembers his covenant and in 2 Samuel 9:1 Then David said, “Is there still anyone who is left for the house of Saul that I may show loyal love to him for the sake of Jonathan?” and there is one. David restores all of Saul’s lands to Mephibosheth, the crippled son of Jonathan, who had been living by the kindness of, in 2 Samuel 9:4 “Makir the son of Ammiel”. David reaches out in peace to the son of the king of the Ammonites when he takes the throne at his father’s death, but they are caught up in their suspicions and rise up against David. Instead of peace, David must subdue them and their allies again.

Administering Justice and Righteousness

2 Samuel 8:8–18
David subdued all of Israel’s enemies as the Lord said to him in

2 Samuel 7:9 and I have been with you everywhere you went. I have cut off all of your enemies from in front of you, and I will make a great name for you, as the name of the great ones who are on the earth.

and as David defeated Hadadezer and his alliance with Aram they then served him and in

2 Samuel 8:6 David placed garrisons in Aram of Damascus, so Aram became servants of David, bringing tribute. Yahweh protected David everywhere he went.

this brought peace to Israel, but also to others nearby who also brought tribute, not because they were forced to, but because David had freed them from their constant enemy in

2 Samuel 8:10 Toi sent Joram his son to King David to greet him and to congratulate him because he had fought against Hadadezer and defeated him; for Hadadezer had often been at war with Toi. He brought with him objects of silver and objects of gold and objects of bronze.

David not only subdued these foreign enemies but in

2 Samuel 8:15 David reigned over all of Israel, and he was administering justice and righteousness for all his people.

That I May Show the Loyal Love of God

2 Samuel 9:1–13
The hand of the Lord lifts David as a leader of his own people, the children of Israel and as a leader among the nations around him. But now, David remembers his covenant with Jonathan, Saul’s son and he asks in

2 Samuel 9:1 Then David said, “Is there still anyone who is left for the house of Saul that I may show loyal love to him for the sake of Jonathan?”

There was one descendant who had been crippled as a child in 2 Samuel 4:4 but all of his inheritance had been lost and in

2 Samuel 9:4 The king said to him, “Where is he?” And Ziba said to the king, “He is here in the house of Makir the son of Ammiel in Lo Debar.”

Mephibosheth “had been living in relative obscurity in Lo-debar, usually identified with Debir in Gad’s territory (Josh. 13:26), east of Jordan, but close to the southern end of the Sea of Chinnereth (Josh. 13:27) … Machir the son of Ammiel, who had provided a home for the prince of the deposed house of Saul”.¹

David calls Mephibosheth to him and restores everything back to him in

2 Samuel 9:7 Then David said to him, “Don’t be afraid, for I will certainly show loyal love to you for the sake of Jonathan your father, and I will restore to you all the lands of Saul your father. And you shall always eat food at my table.”

And David not only restores the land, he also commands Ziba to serve him in

2 Samuel 9:10 You shall till the land for him, you and your sons and your servants; you shall bring in the produce and it shall be food for the son of your master that he may eat. But Mephibosheth the son of your master may always eat food at my table.” (Now Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty slaves.)

To Spy it Out and to Overthrow

2 Samuel 10:1–5
This became a self-fulfilling word. They got what they were looking for. If they had acted with any trust, or even tested to see Davids intent, they could have avoided this trouble.

They Drew Up a Battle Formation

2 Samuel 10:6–14
When the Ammonites saw that David reacted badly to what they had done to his messengers, they hired soldiers from armies all around in

2 Samuel 10:6 When the Ammonites saw that they had become odious to David, the Ammonites sent word and hired Aram Beth-Rehob and Aram-Zobah, twenty thousand infantry; and they also hired the king of Maacah, a thousand men, and the men of Tob, twelve thousand men.

Aram had been subdued by David earlier in

2 Samuel 8:6 David placed garrisons in Aram of Damascus, so Aram became servants of David, bringing tribute. Yahweh protected David everywhere he went.

So these from Aram were happy to find an ally that would hire them and also might free them from their tribute to David. But these hired soldiers from Aram fled from Joab and the army of Israel in

2 Samuel 10:13 Joab and all the people who were with him moved forward into the battle against Aram, and they fled from before him.

They Were Defeated Before Israel

2 Samuel 10:15–19
After the hired Aramean soldiers fled, in

2 Samuel 10:15 When the Arameans saw that they were defeated before Israel, they gathered themselves together.

Now, they all came to fight against David in

2 Samuel 10:16 Then Hadadezer sent and brought out the Arameans who were beyond the Euphrates, and they came to Helam. Now Shobach, the commander of the army of Hadadezer, was at their head.

But they were all defeated. Again in 2 Samuel 10:18 “Aram fled before Israel” and in

2 Samuel 10:19 When all the kings, the servants of Hadadezer, saw that he had been defeated before Israel, they made peace with Israel and served them, and Aram was afraid to help the Ammonites any longer.

He Saw a Woman

2 Samuel 11:1–9

I Surely Will Not Do This Thing

2 Samuel 11:10–18

Study Verses

• 2 Samuel 8:8–18 Administering Justice and Righteousness
• 2 Samuel 9:1–13 That I May Show the Loyal Love of God
• 2 Samuel 10:6–14 They Drew Up a Battle Formation

Today’s Reading

• 2 Samuel 8:8-18
• 2 Samuel 9:1-13
• 2 Samuel 10:1-19
• 2 Samuel 11:1-18

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References

• 1. Baldwin, J. G. (1988). 1 and 2 Samuel: An Introduction and Commentary (Vol. 8, p. 242). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.

David is king over all Israel and they are united as the people of God. Now, the Lord subdues all of their enemies and raises them as a nation to a place of prominence in the world. The Lord had made a promise to Abraham, now he promises David a throne forever. This same outpouring of God’s great love for David that caused him to say in 2 Samuel 7:18 “Who am I, my lord Yahweh, and what is my house that you have brought me up to this place?” is the same great love that God has poured out to us through Jesus Christ. Yahweh of hosts is still God over Israel, and also to, as it says in Romans 10:13 “everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord”. 

Will You Give Them Into My Hands?

2 Samuel 5:17-25
David has united all of Israel and now the Philistines, who he had once found refuge with in 1 Sam 27:1–28:2 and 1 Samuel 29:1–10¹, “went up to seek David” in 2 Samuel 5:17. Prior to this, the Philistines had defeated Saul and his army and taken towns in the valley of Jezreel to the North of the City of David in

1 Samuel 31:7 And when the men of Israel who were on the other side of the valley and those who were beyond the Jordan saw that the men of Israel had fled and that Saul and his sons were dead, they abandoned the towns and fled. Thus the Philistines came and lived in them.

Now, the Philistines approach to the South of Jerusalem in

2 Samuel 5:18 Now the Philistines had come, and they spread out in the Valley of Rephaim.

So, David inquires of the Lord as he always has done and the Lord says “Go up, for I will certainly give the Philistines into your hand.” in 2 Samuel 5:19 and it says “David came to Baal Perazim and defeated them there” in 2 Samuel 5:20. But the Philistines don’t quit and, likely the next year, in

2 Samuel 5:22 Once again the Philistines came up and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim.

So David inquires of the Lord again but here, the Lord doesn’t just say “Go”, David gets specific instructions in

2 Samuel 5:23–24 So David inquired of Yahweh, but he said, “You shall not go up. Rather, go around to their rear and come to them from opposite the balsam trees. 24 And it shall be that when you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, then pay attention, for then Yahweh has gone out before you to strike down the army of the Philistines.”

The Lord uses the leaves of the trees to signal his attack against the Philistines and they were pushed back into their own territory.

Because of the Indiscretion He Died

2 Samuel 6:1-11

Brought the Ark of God to the City of David

2 Samuel 6:12-23

Rest From All His Enemies All Around

2 Samuel 7:1-7 

Yahweh Will Build a House For You

2 Samuel 7:8-16
The Lord has subdued all of the enemies of Israel and the ark of God has been brought to the City of David in 2 Samuel 6:17. David had spoken to Nathan the prophet with intent to build a permanent dwelling place for the ark in

2 Samuel 7:2 And the king said to Nathan the prophet, “Look, please, I am living in a house of cedar, but the ark of God is staying in the middle of the tent.”

The Lord responds, reminding David of the great work He has done in bringing David to be “a leader over my people, over Israel” in 2 Samuel 7:8. And the lord says, in 2 Samuel 7:7 “did I speak a word with one of the tribes of Israel … saying, ‘Why did you not build me a cedar house?’ ” and the answer is clearly no. Then the Lord lays out His promises to David and the nation in 2 Samuel 7:8-16

• I will make a great name for you
• I will make a place for my people Israel
• Yahweh will build a house for you
• I will raise up your offspring after you
• I will establish his kingdom
• He will build a house for my name
• I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever
• I will be a father to him
• he will be a son for me
• my loyal love shall not depart from him
• Your house and your kingdom shall endure forever
• your throne shall be established forever

 

Yahweh of Hosts is God Over Israel

2 Samuel 7:17-29
David is stunned by the magnitude of these promises and says in

2 Samuel 7:18 Then King David went and sat before Yahweh and said, “Who am I, my lord Yahweh, and what is my house that you have brought me up to this place?

Here the heart of God is revealed, as David says in

2 Samuel 7:21 Because of your word and according to your heart, you have done all of this great thing, in order to let your servant know.

Then he goes on to say the Lord led them to make a name for himself by redeeming a people “from the nations and their gods” in 2 Samuel 7:23. This is the very nature of God, to give, to redeem, and these promises to David were steps opening the way for Jesus Christ in Hebrews 2:5–18 “What is man, that you remember him, or the son of man, that you care for him?” but now not just to redeem a people out of Egypt, but to redeem them out of every nation as in

Revelation 5:9–10 And they were singing a new song, saying, “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slaughtered, and bought people for God by your blood from every tribe and language and people and nation, 10 and made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they will reign on the earth.”

Yahweh Protected David Everywhere He Went

2 Samuel 8:1-8

Study Verses

• 2 Samuel 5:17-25 Will You Give Them Into My Hands?
• 2 Samuel 7:8-16 Yahweh Will Build a House For You
• 2 Samuel 7:17-29 Yahweh of Hosts is God Over Israel

Today’s Reading

• 2 Samuel 5:17-25
• 2 Samuel 6:1-23
• 2 Samuel 7:1-29
• 2 Samuel 8:1-8

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References

• 1. Barry, J. D., Mangum, D., Brown, D. R., Heiser, M. S., Custis, M., Ritzema, E., … Bomar, D. (2012, 2016). Faithlife Study Bible (2 Sa 5:17). Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.