LESSON 11
THE BOOK OF II SAMUEL
1. THE BOOK:
A. The Book of II Samuel is the "Book of David's Reign." It traces the admission of David to the throne, his
climactic sins of adultery and murder, and the shattering consequences of those sins upon his family
and the Nation.
B. The authorship of II Samuel is far from certain, but most likely compiled by one man. One suggestion is
that Abiathar wrote this book. Abiathar was intimately associated with the great king in his exile. Also, he
came from a priestly family and had access to the art of writing.
C. David reigned 40 years and this book covers that time. The story of David's life begins in I Samuel 16 and
ends in I Kings Chapter 2. II Samuel highlights the major events of David's 40 year reign. His reign in
Hebron begins in 1011 B.C. and ends in 1004 B.C.
5:5___________________________________________________

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Leaving 33 years that he reigned over the United Judah and Israel, lasting from 1004 B.C. to 971 B.C.
NOTE: This book review the key events in the 40 year reign of the man who is the halfway point between
Abraham and Christ.
D. In I Samuel we mentioned how David is one of the most important types of Christ in the Old Testament. Of
course David's life as recorded in Chapters 1-10 is a far better portrayal of the future Messiah than is his
life as it is seen in Chapters 11-14. The closest way in which we foreshadows the coming King can be seen in
the important covenant God makes with him 7:4-17.
Compare St. Luke 1:32-33______________________________
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E. Our key word for II Samuel is "David". He is the central character and around whom the entire book is
written.
Survey of II Samuel
Here again we see the never ending theme introduced in Deuteronomy illustrated: Obedience brings blessings,
disobedience brings judgment. It can be surveyed in the three divisions:

David's Triumphs Chapters 1 - 10
David's Transgressions Chapter 11
David's Troubles Chapters 12 - 24

Part One
The Triumphs of David 1 - 10
1. The Political Triumphs of David Chapter 1 - The events leading to King Saul's death are
reviewed. Chapter 2 - David is anointed King over Judah in Hebron, but Ishbosheth, Saul's son reigned over Israel (all the
other tribes) in his fathers stead. This brought about a Civil was period. David and Ishbosheth fight and David
is victorious. 3:1________________________________________
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After Ishbosheth and Abner are murdered (chapters 3-4 David is anointed to reign over Israel (Chapter 5)

2. The Spiritual Triumphs of David
Chapter 6 - David attempts to move the Ark from the house of Abinadab to his own home. When Uzzah put forth his
hand to steady it, the Lord smote him there, bringing about a three month delay. When the Ark was finally brought to the City of David he
became very emotional 6:14_______________________________
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Verse 16__________________________________________________
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Under David's rule the Nation prospers politically, spiritually and militarily.
Chapter 7 - The Institution of the Davidic Covenant.
After bringing the Ark to Jerusalem, David seeks to build a house for God, but is forbidden of God 7:8-16. This is
one of the supremely great passages of the Bible. That the Messiah should be from David's line was affirmed later
by the prophets in such passages:
Isaiah 11:11______________________________________________
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Ezekiel 37:25_____________________________________________
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Luke 1:32-33 The Angel of Gabriel announced to Mary_______
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NOTE: There are three things made sure to David:
"House" or posterity Verse 11 & 13
"Throne" or royal authority Verse 13
"Kingdom" or sphere of rule Verse 13
And then in verse 16 all three are secured to him forever.
Psalm 89 is a confirmation and exposition of this Davidic Covenant. Read especially Verses 3-4 & 20-37_____________
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Fulfilled in the Messiah - Acts 2:29-31___________________
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Acts 15:14-17_____________________________________________
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It is a sure prophecy of Christ. The first sure prophecy was made to Adam:
The second to Abraham in Gen.22:18_______________________
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The third to Jacob in Gen. 49:10__________________________
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The fourth is now made to David in this Chapter. Notice how the words of the prophecy developed:
1st to Adam, the promises to a race in general.
2nd to Abraham, to a Nation in the race, Israel.
3rd to Jacob, to one tribe in that Nation.
4th to David, to one family in that tribe, that of David.
3. The Military Triumphs of David Chapters 8 - 10 - This is the height of David's reign for
he is victorious on every hand over his enemies. Not only did he defeat the Philistia, Moab Zobath Syria and Ammon,
but he ruled the Nation in righteousness. 8:14-15_________
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Part Two
The Transgressions of David
Chapter 11 - The Sin of Adultery v. 3-4___________________
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NOTE: This marks the pivotal point of the book. The change from victories and success to trouble.
The first sin led to an even worse sin, murder. v.15________________________________________________________________

Part Three
The Troubles of David
The rest of the Book is not of triumph, but of chastisement and troubles in his family and Nation.
1. The Trouble of David's House
Chapter 12 - Nathan is sent to David to prophesy of the consequences of his sins. V. 13___________________________
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V. 14_____________________________________________________
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God takes away the son of adultery, but gives David another son, Solomon. V. 24_______________________________
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Chapter 13 - We read of more family trouble. The act of incest and murder. V. 36_______________________
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The troubles in David's Kingdom.
Chapters 13 - 24
Chapters 13 - 18 are concerning Absalom, the son of David and his rebellion. This was part of the bitter fruit of
David's sin according to Chapter 12:11-12. The only way Absalom could secure the throne was by defeating his
father in battle. He tried but Joab, David's captain, showed no mercy and killed Absalom. 18:33_______________
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Chapters 19 & 20 David is restored as King. In the last four Chapters we read of famine, war with Philistia
(Chapter 21), the Psalms of Thanksgiving (Chapter 22), the deeds of David's mighty men (Chapter 23), and the census
that resulted in a plague (Chapter 24). The Book closes with David's purchase of the threshing floor on Mt. Moriah
which became the site of the Temple. It was here, hundreds of years earlier that Abraham offered Issac.
QUESTIONS
1. What is the central message?

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2. How long did David reign?

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3. What are the three divisions?

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4. What type of family problems did David experience and why?

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5. Is the Davidic Covenant a Prophecy?

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If so, what is it's fulfillment?

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NEXT WEEK:
Read I Kings