A Study of II Samuel

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II Samuel 1

By: Jim Crews

 

Since Samuel was dead, the second book containing his name could not have been written by him. II Samuel was written by the prophets Nathan and Gad. 

 

II Samuel 1: 1 - 10

After 3 days, David heard about Saul’s death from an Amalekite who had escaped the slaughter. He said Saul had asked him to kill him. He did it because he saw how Saul had fallen on his spear but was still alive. He took the crown and other things to bring them to David. 

 

II Samuel 1: 11 - 16

David mourned, wept, and fasted until evening. David had the young Amalekite executed for killing Saul. 

 

II Samuel 1: 17 - 27

David spoke and wrote a lamentation for Saul and Jonathan. It was to be learned by all the people of Judah. 

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II Samuel 2

By: Jim Crews

 

II Samuel 2: 1 - 4

David asked God if he should go to Judah. God told him to go to Hebron. David went to Hebron with his men and was anointed as king there. He was also told who it was that had buried Saul. 

 

II Samuel 2: 5 - 7

David blessed the men of Jabesh-Gilead for their loyalty shown by burying Saul. 

 

II Samuel 2: 8 - 11

Abner tried to make Ish-bosheth, the son of Saul, king of Israel. Ish-bosheth reigned for 2 years over Israel, but Judah followed David. 

 

II Samuel 2: 12 - 17

Abner led the forces of Ish-bosheth. Joab was the leader of David’s forces. They met for a conference across a pool, one on each side. There was a fierce battle there at Gibeon. The forces of David won. 

 

II Samuel 2: 18 - 23

Joab’s brother Asahel pursued Abner. Abner tried to get him to drop his pursuit but Asahel would not. Abner killed him. 

 

II Samuel 2: 24 - 28

Joab and Abishai caught Abner at sundown. They decided to end the fighting there. 

 

II Samuel 2: 29 - 32

They returned home. David’s forces had lost 19 men, while Abner’s forces had lost 360. They buried Asahel in Bethlehem and rode on to Hebron. 

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II Samuel 3

By: Jim Crews

 

II Samuel 3: 1

There was a long civil war between the House of David and the House of Saul. David grew stronger while Saul’s people grew weaker. 

 

II Samuel 3: 2 - 5

David had 6 sons born to him at this time in Hebron.

 

II Samuel 3: 6 - 11

Abner was leading the forces of Saul’s house in this civil war. He had a falling out with Ish-bosheth the son of Saul over a woman. Abner left the House of Saul and went over to David’s forces. 

 

II Samuel 3: 12 - 16

Abner sent messengers informing David of his defection. David said that would be acceptable only if Michal were brought to him. He sent and Michal was brought to him. 

 

II Samuel 3: 17-19

Abner cemented the support of the elders of Israel for David. 

 

II Samuel 3: 20 - 21

Abner and David feasted at Hebron and sealed their treaty. 

II Samuel 3: 22 - 25

When Joab, David’s general, got to camp he was angry because David had allowed Abner to leave. He did not trust Abner and told David he was being deceived. 

 

II Samuel 3: 26 - 30

Joab lured Abner into a trap and murdered him because Abner had killed Joab’s brother. David proclaimed a curse on the descendants of Joab for his treachery. 

 

II Samuel 3: 31 - 39

David mourned over Abner at Hebron and had him buried there. The people saw David’s attitude and knew he had not told Joab to kill Abner. This built David up in their eyes and the whole land began to accept him as their king. 

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II Samuel 4

By: Jim Crews

 

II Samuel 4: 1 - 3

When Ish-bosheth heard that Abner had been killed, his courage failed him. Rimmon had two sons, Baana and Rechab, who will come into play later in this chapter. 

 

II Samuel 4: 4 

Jonathan had a son named Mephibosheth. Mephibosheth was 5 when Saul and Jonathan were killed. He was crippled when his nurse fell with him while fleeing from Saul’s enemies. 

 

II Samuel 4: 5 - 12

Rimmon’s sons caught Ish-bosheth during his noonday rest. They stabbed him in the stomach They escaped and brought his head to David at Hebron. David had them killed and their hands and feet cut off and nailed up beside them. He buried Ish-bosheth’s head in the tomb of Abner. 

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II Samuel 5

By: Jim Crews

 

II Samuel 5: 1 - 5

All of Israel recognized what David had done for them, and that God had chosen him to be their king. They met at Hebron and anointed David as king. David was 30 when he took the throne and he ruled for 40 years. He ruled from Hebron for 7 ½ years and from Jerusalem for 33 years. 

 

II Samuel 5: 6 - 10

David took Jerusalem from the Jebusites. The Jebusites taunted David, saying the blind and lame of their city would beat Israel. David took over the city and turned that taunt against them. He built Jerusalem from the stronghold it was into a great city. David became stronger and greater because God was with him. 

 

II Samuel 5: 11 - 12

Hiram the king of Tyre sent messengers to David, along with cedar and carpenters to build him a house. It was at this point that David knew God had established him as the king of the Israelites. 

 

II Samuel 5: 13 - 16

David took more women and had more sons and daughters. Eleven of his children, including Solomon, were born in Jerusalem. 

II Samuel 5: 17 - 21

When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king, they came looking for him. David heard about it and went to his stronghold. David asked God if he should attack the Philistines and God told him to do it. David defeated them so soundly that the Philistines ran off without their idols. David and his men carried away the idols. 

 

II Samuel 5: 22 - 25

The Philistines came again, and God told David to go around behind them and attack this time. God told him when they heard the sound of marching in the balsam trees they were to attack. They did what God told them to do and were victorious. 

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II Samuel 6

By: Jim Crews

 

II Samuel 6: 1 - 4

David took 30,000 chosen men and went to bring the Ark of the Covenant back to Jerusalem. Remember it had been taken during Eli’s rule as judge and returned by the Philistines to an outer city of Israel because God kept striking down their idols and had infected the people with a disease. Instead of carrying the Ark like God had commanded in the Law, they put it on a new cart. Uzzah and Ahio were driving the cart. 

 

II Samuel 6: 5 - 11

David and the Israelites were dancing, singing, playing tambourines and generally celebrating in front of the procession. The oxen stumbled and Uzzah put his hand on the Ark to stabilize it. He was struck dead immediately because of this violation of God’s Law. Though it was done in error and ignorance, it was still a violation. David was angry about this. He was also scared to bring the Ark any further. He should have read the Law and he would have known the proper way to transport the Ark. However, he did not, so he left the Ark in the house of Obed-edom for three months. Obed-edom and his family were blessed by God the entire three month period. 

 

II Samuel 6: 12-15

David was told that Obed-edom was being blessed by God because of the Ark. David sent and had the Ark brought to Jerusalem with much rejoicing, sacrificing, and dancing. 

 

II Samuel 6: 16 - 19

Michal, Saul’s daughter, saw David dancing and leaping and she despised him in her heart. They brought the Ark and set it inside a tent David had made for it. They offered burnt offerings and peace offerings to God. The people ate and left for their own homes. 

 

II Samuel 6: 20 - 23

When David got home, he was met by Michal, who had a sarcastic attitude about David’s celebration. David placed a curse on Michal and she was childless the rest of her life. 

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II Samuel 7

By: Jim Crews

 

II Samuel 7: 1 - 3

David was feeling guilty because he lived in a nice house, but the Ark of the Covenant was in a tent. He took this to Nathan the prophet, who told David to go ahead and build a house for the Ark. Nathan advised David to do this without having first asked God. 

 

II Samuel 7: 4 - 17

That night, God corrected Nathan. God asked if He had ever told Israel to build Him a house through all of their journeys from Egypt until that current day. He told Nathan to remind David from where he came, and that God would make David a great name and appoint for Israel a land of peace. God promised to David to make his descendants a great kingdom. In fact, God would establish the throne of David forever through the Messiah. David would be like a son to God, and God would discipline him when he sinned but His love would never leave David. Nathan told David all of this. 

 

II Samuel 7: 18 - 29

David then thanked God and praised God in prayer. 

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II Samuel 8

By: Jim Crews

 

II Samuel 8: 1

David defeated and subdued the Philistines. He took a city from them. 

 

II Samuel 8: 2 

David defeated Moab and made them lie on the ground. Two-thirds were killed and one-third were spared. The Moabites became servants to David and paid tribute to Israel. 

 

II Samuel 8: 3 - 8

David defeated the king of Zobah as he went to restore his power at the Euphrates. David captured 1700 horsemen and 20,000 infantrymen. He had all but 100 of the chariot horses hamstrung. When the Syrians came to help the king of Zobah, David struck down 22,000 of them. The Syrians then became servants to David and paid tribute to Israel. David took gold and bronze from them and brought it to Jerusalem. 

 

II Samuel 8: 9 - 12

When Toi king of Hamath heard that David had defeated Zobah, they sent an envoy named Joram to Israel with silver, gold, and bronze. This was because Hamath and Zobah had been enemies. David dedicated all that he received in battle, from tribute, and from Hamath to God. 

II Samuel 8: 13 - 14

David made a name for himself when he returned from striking down 18,000 Edomites in the Valley of Salt. He left garrisons in Edom and the Edomites became David’s servants. God gave David victory in all his battles. 

 

II Samuel 8: 15 - 18

David reigned over all of Israel. He administered justice equally to all. Joab was over the army. Jehoshaphat was the record keeper. Zadok and Ahimelech were priests. Seraiah was secretary. Benaiah was placed over the Cherethites and the Pelethites. 

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II Samuel 9

By: Jim Crews

 

II Samuel 9: 1 - 8

David asked whether anyone was left of Saul’s house. He wanted to do good for this person because of his friendship with Jonathan. Ziba told David about Mephibosheth, who was crippled. Mephibosheth was the son of Jonathan. He came to David and paid homage to him. David told him that he was going to restore Saul’s land to him because of Jonathan. 

 

II Samuel 9: 9 - 13

David called Ziba and told her he had given Mephibosheth all of Saul’s lands and that Ziba’s family was to work it for him. They would be able to take and eat from the harvest, but Mephibosheth would always eat at David’s table. Ziba had 15 sons and 20 servants. Mephibosheth had a son named Mica. 

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II Samuel 10

By: Jim Crews

 

II Samuel 10: 1 - 5

The King of the Ammonites died and David sent envoys of condolence to the new Ammonite King Hanun. Hanun’s advisors told him that David was spying out the land for conquest. Hanun dishonored the envoys and sent them back disgraced. 

 

II Samuel 10: 6 - 8

The Ammonites saw that they had angered Israel, so they hired some mercenaries. David heard this and sent Joab to confront them. 

 

II Samuel 10: 9 - 14

Joab saw that he was faced with forces in front and behind. He decided to attack both ways at the same time instead of retreating into the opening and reorganizing. When Joab attacked, the Syrians and Ammonites retreated. Joab then returned to Jerusalem. 

 

II Samuel 10: 15 - 19

When the Syrians saw that they had been defeated by Israel, they regrouped across the Euphrates and gathered some allies. When David heard this he met them in battle and defeated them. All the kings made peace with David and became his servants. The Syrians were afraid to help the Ammonites after this loss. 

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II Samuel 11

By: Jim Crews

 

II Samuel 11: 1

Spring rolled around and it was time for war. They didn’t fight in winter in those days because of the travel difficulties. David sent Joab out with troops and they ravaged the Ammonites and laid siege to Rabbah. David stayed in Jerusalem instead of going out on the campaign. 

 

II Samuel 11: 2 - 5

David was tempted by the lust of the eyes when he saw a beautiful woman bathing while he was walking on his roof. He asked who she was, and was told she was Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah the Hittite. David had her brought to him and he committed adultery with her. She conceived and told David she was pregnant. 

 

II Samuel 11: 6 - 13

David then sent immediately for Uriah, in hopes that Uriah would sleep with Bathsheba and the child’s parentage could be covered up. David was willingly committing a lie. Uriah would not do it while his men were out in the field of battle. David even got Uriah drunk, but he would not budge. 

 

II Samuel 11: 14 - 21

Since his plan to lie didn’t work, David then willingly set out to have Uriah murdered. He told Joab to place Uriah at the front lines of the worst part of the battle. Joab attacked the city in a dangerous manner, and Uriah was killed. When he sent a messenger to David about the battle, he instructed the messenger that when David was angry because of the tactics, he was to say that Uriah the Hittite was dead. 

 

II Samuel 11: 22 - 25

The messenger did all of this. David sent back to Joab, telling him all was well, and he was to now take the city. 

 

II Samuel 11: 26 - 27

Bathsheba mourned the death of Uriah, then married David. God was not pleased with any of this. 

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II Samuel 12

By: Jim Crews

 

II Samuel 12: 1 - 6

Nathan the prophet came to David and told him a story. He told David that a rich man who had everything had stolen a lamb from a poor man who had nothing. David was angry at the rich man and said that he should die. 

 

II Samuel 12: 7 - 15

Nathan told David that he was the man. He had committed adultery with Uriah the Hittite's wife and then had Uriah murdered. For this sin, God would make sure that David spent the rest of his life at war with the neighboring nations. His wives would be taken and given to others. David had done it in secret, but his shame would be public. David repented and God didn’t have him die. Instead, the child born from this adultery would die. 

 

II Samuel 12: 16 - 23

The child was born and suffering. David fasted for a week while the child suffered. The child died and David ended his fast. David then went and worshiped God. When asked why he was no longer fasting, David told them that while the child was alive, God may change His mind and spare him. However, after it had died, there was no coming back. 

 

II Samuel 12: 24 - 25

Bathsheba and David had another son and they named him Solomon. 

 

II Samuel 12: 26 - 31

Joab took Rabbah, the royal city of the Ammonites. The Israelites plundered the city and put the people to forced labor. They did this to all the Ammonite cities. 

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II Samuel 13

 

II Samuel 13: 1 - 6

The Scriptures don’t hide the evils that people commit. Here we are going to see a very evil act carried out. Absolom, one of David’s sons, had a beautiful sister named Tamar. Amnon, another of David’s sons loved her so much it made him ill. Amnon’s cousin Jonadab was a very crafty man. He saw that something was bothering Amnon and pressed him to tell him about it. Amnon told Jonadab what was bothering him. Jonadab told him to pretend to be ill. Then to say that he wanted Tamar to bring him food. Amnon did this and David fell for it. 

 

II Samuel 13: 7 - 14

David told Tamar about Amnon’s request and she prepared the cake and took it to him. When Tamar came into his room, Amnon raped her. 

 

II Samuel 13: 15 - 19

After his violation of her, Amnon hated Tamar. He had her kicked out of his chambers and the door bolted. She put ashes on and tore off her virginal robe. 

 

II Samuel 13: 20 - 22

Absalom and David found out. David was very angry, but Absalom hid his emotions and planned revenge. 

 

II Samuel 13: 23 - 29

After seething and planning for two years, Absalom finally sprung his plan for revenge. He had sheep shearers at Baal-Hazor, and he invited all the king's sons to come there. David at first balked at this, but Absalom eventually convinced him to allow it. Absalom told his servants that when Amnon was drunk, they would get the command to kill him. They should do this and not worry because Absalom had ordered it. His servants killed Amnon and the rest of the kings sons got out of there because they figured Absalom was going to have them all killed so that he could take over the kingdom. 

 

II Samuel 13: 30 - 33

David got the news and rent his clothes because he assumed all of his sons had been murdered by Absalom. Jonadab told David that only Amnon was dead. This, he told David, had been done to avenge the rape of Tamar. 

 

II Samuel 13: 34 - 36

Absalom went into hiding. The rest of the king's sons all returned to him. They all wept at what had occurred. 

 

II Samuel 13: 37 - 39

Absalom went to Geshur to seek refuge. David mourned him. Absalom stayed in Geshur for 3 years. David longed to go see Absalom, because he knew why he had killed Amnon. 

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II Samuel 14

By: Jim Crews

 

II Samuel 14: 1 - 3

Joab knew David’s heart about Absalom. He got a wise woman from Tekoa and told her to act and dress like she had been in mourning for the dead for many days. He then told her what to say.

 

II Samuel 14: 4 - 7

When she got to David, she told him what Joab had coached her to say. She told him her husband was dead. She told him both her sons had quarrelled in the field. There was no one to separate them, and one killed the other. Now her whole clan had risen against her demanding that she send them the murderer. She told him that both her sons would then be dead and she would have no heir. 

 

II Samuel 14: 8 - 11

She convinced David to take her side in the manufactured conflict. David said not one hair of her son’s head would be harmed. 

 

II Samuel 14: 12 - 17

She then convicts David by showing that his plans for Absalom were wrong.

 

II Samuel 14: 18 - 20

David then asked her if Joab was the one who sent her. She told him that Joab had sent her. 

 

II Samuel 14: 21 - 24

David sent Joab to bring Absalom back. Joab did, and Absalom lived in his own house and never came into the presence of David ever again. 

 

II Samuel 14: 25 - 27

Absalom was considered handsome. He cut his hair once a year. He had 3 sons and a daughter named Tamar. 

 

II Samuel 14: 28 - 33

Absalom wanted to see David to seek forgiveness. He sent twice to Joab, who ignored him. He then set fire to Joab’s field, which drew his attention. He told Joab he wanted to see David. When he went to see David, David forgave him. 

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II Samuel 15

By: Jim Crews

 

II Samuel 15: 1 - 6

Absalom began to steal the hearts of the Israelites by going behind David’s back and helping those who came from afar. He told them David had no one appointed to hear them, but he would listen and judge. 

 

II Samuel 15: 7 - 12

Absalom lied to David in order to get to Hebron. He told his people that when he signaled, they were to declare him king in Hebron. This conspiracy grew stronger as even David’s counselor Ahithophel was caught up in it. 

 

II Samuel 15: 13 - 17

David was told about the conspiracy and he led his people out of Jerusalem so that they wouldn’t be trapped there. 

 

II Samuel 15: 18 - 23

David led his people away from Jerusalem.

 

II Samuel 15: 24 - 29

The priests tried to bring the Ark of the Covenant with David. David sent them back and said if it were God’s will, he would be back. If it were not God’s will, he would not be back.

 

II Samuel 15: 30 - 31

David went up on the Mount of Olives with his head covered. The people followed. They informed him that Ahithophel had joined the rebels. David prayed for Ahithophel. 

 

II Samuel 15: 32 - 37

David sent Hushai to be a spy for him and an instigator in Absalom’s group. The priests were also serving as spies for David. 

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II Samuel 16

By: Jim Crews

 

II Samuel 16: 1 - 4

Ziba, who was Mephibosheth’s servant, brought David and his group supplies and donkeys. David asked where Mephibosheth was, and Ziba told David that he had joined the rebellion. Remember that Mephibosheth was Jonathan’s son, and David had dealt kindly with him. Now he stabbed David in the back. David told Ziba that all Mephibosheth’s possessions now belonged to him. 

 

II Samuel 16: 5 - 8

When David and his group came to Bahurim, a man named Shimei came out and cursed them all. This man was evidently a follower of Saul, and a supporter of Absalom’s rebellion. 

 

II Samuel 16: 9 - 14

Abashai wanted to kill Shimei. David said no, because Shimei may be cursing him because God told him to. He told Abashai that his own son was seeking to kill him, so why should Shimei be any different. He said maybe God would look kindly upon him for not doing anything to retaliate against Shimei. Shimei followed along cursing and throwing dirt. When David reached the Jordan, they were able to bathe and refresh themselves. 

 

II Samuel 16: 15 - 19

Absalom and his rebels entered Jerusalem. Hushai, who was David’s spy, got into a good relationship with Absalom. 

 

II Samuel 16: 20 - 23

Absalom was advised by Ahithophel to defile David’s concubines. He followed Ahithophel’s advice and all Israel knew it. The advice of Ahithophel was always heeded, as if he spoke for God. 

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II Samuel 17

By: Jim Crews

 

II Samuel 17: 1 - 4

Ahithophel requested 12,000 men to pursue David. He said it would throw David’s people into a panic and they would run. He said he would only kill David. He planned on bringing the rest of the people back to serve Absalom. To Absalom, this seemed like a good idea.

 

II Samuel 17: 5 - 14

Absalom sought a second opinion from Hushai. Hushai told him that this was not a good idea. This was because David’s troops were enraged and well trained. David would not even be in camp with the people. Hushai advised Absalom to gather the entire army on his side and lead them into battle. Absalom took Hushai’s advice. God had placed Hushai there to lead Absalom into bad decisions so that David would prevail. 

 

II Samuel 17: 15 - 20

Hushai then sent a message to David detailing what was planned by Absalom. The spies sent to David were seen by an Absalom supporter, who reported them. They were hidden in the well of one of David’s supporters, who told the soldiers who were sent to apprehend them that they had already gone. The soldiers returned to Jerusalem. 

 

II Samuel 17: 21 - 22

After the soldiers had left, the spies gave their message to David. David quickly led his people across the Jordan. 

 

II Samuel 17: 23 

Ahithophel was so distraught that his advice had not been followed that he committed suicide. 

 

II Samuel 17: 24 - 26

David came to Mahanaim. Absalom and his troops crossed the Jordan and camped at Gilead. Absalom put Amasa over the army in place of Joab. 

 

II Samuel 17: 27 - 29

When David got to Mahanaim, his people were fed and resupplied by people of Gilead. 

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II Samuel 18

By: Jim Crews

 

II Samuel 18: 1 - 5

David divided his army into thirds and sent them to battle. He was going to go with them, but his generals told him this was a bad idea. He stayed by the gates while the battle was fought, but he told his generals to be gentle with Absalom. This was heard by many witnesses. 

 

II Samuel 18: 6 - 8

The battle was fought in the forest of Ephraim. The battle was bloody, but David’s forces won. The forest took more people than the battle. 

 

II Samuel 18: 9 - 15

Absalom was riding his mule when his hair got caught in the limbs of an oak tree. The mule kept going but Absalom was hanging on the limb by his hair. A man saw this and told Joab. Joab asked why he hadn’t killed Absalom right there. The man said there was nothing that would make him kill the son of the king. This was because he had heard David say to be gentle with Absalom. Joab went and killed Absalom as he hung there by hitting him with three javelins. Ten of Joab’s men surrounded Absalom and made sure he was dead.

 

II Samuel 18: 16-18

Joab recalled his troops since they had routed the rebels. They threw Absalom’s body into a pit and covered it with stones. 

 

II Samuel 18: 19 - 23

Ahimaaz wanted to carry the news about Absalom to David right then, but was prevented from doing so by Joab. Joab sent the Cushite to tell the news. Ahimaaz beat him to David. 

 

II Samuel 18: 24 - 27

David was sitting between the two gates when he saw the runner. They saw Ahimaaz first, then the Cushite. David knew he could trust the news Ahimaaz brought to him. 

 

II Samuel 18: 28-30

Ahimaaz told of the victory. He was asked about Absalom, but he only knew that a great commotion had occurred in the camp.

 

II Samuel 18:: 31 - 33

The Cushite arrived and let David know that Absalom was dead. David mourned the loss of his son. 

 

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II Samuel 19

By: Jim Crews

 

II Samuel 19: 1 - 8

After the battle, David was openly mourning Absalom, his son who had led an armed rebellion against him. The people saw this and were mourning as well, instead of rejoicing for the victory over Absalom and his rebels. Joab took offense to this. He told David that the people who had fought for him were being disrespected by David’s mourning over a dead enemy. Joab told David that he would lose the support of the army if this continued. David then took his seat at the gate and ended his mourning. 

 

II Samuel 19: 9 - 10

Israel returned to their homes. The people were arguing about why David had not returned to Jerusalem now that Absalom was dead. 

 

II Samuel 19: 11 - 15

David told Abiathar and Zadok, his allies in Jerusalem, to inform the elders that he was returning to the city. David then crossed back over the Jordan and returned to Judah. 

 

II Samuel 19: 16 - 23

Showing the forgiveness that God wants all of His children to have, David pardoned all of the people who had rebelled against him. 

 

II Samuel 19: 24 - 30

Mephibosheth explained to David why he had not left Jerusalem to follow with them. Mephibosheth begged for mercy and David pardoned him and gave him land along with Ziba. 

 

II Samuel 19: 31 - 40

Barzillai, who had remained a loyal servant to David, was offered the opportunity to go to Jerusalem and live. He refused because he was so old. David blessed him and he returned to his native land. He sent his servant with David. 

 

II Samuel 19: 41 - 43

Judah and Israel argued over why David stayed in Judah. David informed them that the people of Judah were his relatives. 

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II Samuel 20

By: Jim Crews

 

II Samuel 20: 1 - 2

Sheba was a worthless man of the tribe of Benjamin. Now notice the Bible doesn’t mince words. It calls a worthless man exactly that. Sheba led another rebellion against David. The men of Israel followed Sheba, the men of Judah followed David. 

 

II Samuel 20: 3 

David returned to his house. He placed the ten concubines that had been assaulted by Absalom and gave them guards and a place to live. He provided for them but never went in to them again. 

 

II Samuel 20: 4 - 10

David sent Amasa to gather his forces and meet him in three days. Amasa did not return in the allotted time. David then sent Joab and the rest of his forces to chase down Sheba and put his rebellion down. Amasa met them in Gibeon. Evidently Joab thought Amasa was a traitor, because he assassinated him. 

 

II Samuel 20: 11 - 13

Joab continued his pursuit of Sheba. One of Joab’s soldiers stood over the dying body of Amasa and called for them to follow Joab in pursuit of Sheba, implying that if they didn’t, they would end up like Amasa. The people took notice of this threat and joined Joab in the pursuit. 

 

II Samuel 20: 14 - 22

Sheba fled to Abel beth Maacha, where he was besieged by Joab’s forces. A woman of the city made a deal with Joab. She didn’t want her city destroyed in a lengthy siege. She said she would throw Sheba’s head over the wall to him if he would not destroy the city. The people of Abel beth-Maacha found and killed Sheba, throwing his head over the wall to Joab. The city was spared and Joab returned to David. 

 

II Samuel 20: 23 - 26

David’s military command structure is shown here. 

 

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II Samuel 21

By: Jim Crews

 

II Samuel 21: 1 - 6

There was a drought for three years. David sought relief from God. God told David that there was bloodguilt on the family of Saul for having put the Gibeonites to death. The Gibeonites had made a treaty after tricking Joshua, and Saul had violated that treaty by having them killed. David asked the Gibeonites what retribution they wanted against Saul. They said money would not do. They asked for seven of Saul’s sons to be given to them so they could hang them. David agreed. 

 

II Samuel 21: 7 - 9

David spared Mephibosheth. David handed over seven of Saul’s sons, who were hanged by the Gibeonites on the mountain. They were executed on the first days of the barley harvest. 

 

II Samuel 21: 10 - 14

Rizpa, one of Saul’s concubines, publicly mourned the death of her son for many days. David finally had the bones of Saul and Jonathan brought back to Israel and buried them with the remains of the seven who had been executed by the Gibeonites. God then returned the rains to the land. 

 

II Samuel 21: 15 - 17

Another war broke out with the Philistines. Ishi-benob, one of the descendants of the giants like Goliath, set out to kill David in the battle. Abishai attacked the giant and killed him. David’s men then told him that he would no longer be allowed to go into battle with them. The risk was too great. 

 

II Samuel 21: 18 - 22

The war with the Philistines continued. Several of the descendants of the giants were killed in this one. Saph, another one of the giants was killed. Goliath II was struck down at Gob. Another descendant of the giants, with six fingers and six toes, was also killed. 

[RETIREDFAN1]

II Samuel 23

By: Jim Crews

 

II Samuel 23: 1 - 7

Here we have recorded for us the final words of David. David tells how God has spoken through him. He tells how God had given him great things. He tells how worthless men will be consumed with fire. 

 

II Samuel 23: 8 

Here begins a record of David’s mighty men. Josheb-basshebeth was chief of the three. He killed 800 at one time.

 

II Samuel 23: 9 - 10

Next is Eleazar the son of Dodo, who was with David when he rose against the Philistines and defeated them. 

 

II Samuel 23: 11 - 12

Next was Shammah the son of Agee. 

 

II Samuel 23: 13 - 17

Three more went by themselves into the camp of the Philistines to bring David water when he was thirsty. 

 

II Samuel 23: 18 - 19

Abishai was the most renowned of the thirty. He defeated 300 Philistines. 

 

II Samuel 23: 20 - 23

Benaiah was set as David’s bodyguard. He had taken a spear from an Egyptian and killed him with it. 

 

II Samuel 23: 24 - 39

Here are all the rest of David’s mighty men. 

[RETIREDFAN1]

II Samuel 24

By: Jim Crews

 

II Samuel 24: 1 - 9

God was angry with Israel. He told David to take a census of Israel and Judah. Instead of doing it himself, David delegated the job. Joab was placed in charge of taking the census, though he had reservations against it. When the census was finished, it was found that there were 800,000 men in Israel, and 500,000 in Judah for a total of 1,300,000.

 

II Samuel 24: 10 - 14

David repented of his sin and was given three choices from God delivered to him by Gad the prophet. David was given the choice of three years of famine for the land, to flee before his enemies for three months, or to have three days of pestilence in the land. David chose the pestilence and depended upon God’s mercy to keep it from getting too bad. 

 

II Samuel 24: 15 - 17

God sent the pestilence and 70,000 men died. The Angel of the Lord was about to destroy Jerusalem when His hand was held back by God. David repented again and asked God to take him and spare the people. 

 

II Samuel 24: 18 - 25

Gad told David to build an altar. David did this. David paid the owner for his land to build the altar on and the oxen to sacrifice. He built the altar and the sacrifices were offered. God then averted the plague from Israel.