Bible Survey: 2 Samuel

Second Samuel is the story of David's reign. First Samuel shows the failure of man in Eli, in Saul, and even in Samuel, who did not raise his sons well. Second Samuel shows order restored under God's king, with Jerusalem as the political and religious center of Israel. John Phillips divides it into the patient years, the prosperous years and the powerless years.

In the patient years David was anointed but not yet crowned, and still he mourned for Saul and Jonathan. When Joab murdered Abner, David wept at his grave: Died Abner as a fool dieth? (2 Samuel 3:33). It is a sober word to remember whenever someone dies without Christ.

In the prosperous years David took the stronghold of Zion, brought the ark to Jerusalem, and received God's covenant through Nathan: thy throne shall be established for ever (2 Samuel 7:16). Only the Lord Jesus can fulfil that. David also showed the kindness of God to Mephibosheth, the lame son of Jonathan, and gave him a place at the king's table.

Then came Bathsheba, and the death of her husband Uriah. David repented and God forgave him, but the troubles never stopped: Amnon and Tamar, Absalom's murder of his brother, and then Absalom's rebellion. David would not even go to see his son, and the bitterness grew. When Absalom was killed, David cried, O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! would God I had died for thee (2 Samuel 18:33).

There is an old story of a father who told his son to drive a nail into the barn door every time he sinned, and later to pull them out as he was forgiven. The nails came out, but the holes stayed. God forgives sin, and there are still consequences to live with.

Next in the series: 2 Kings.

Taught by Brother James Barker in Sunday School at Naples Independent Baptist Church, June 21, 2020. Watch the lesson.