Bible in one year 5/30/2022 2 Samuel Introduction & chapter 1-3 Civil War By Rev. Katherine Liu Bruce

Bible in one year 5/30/2022 2 Samuel Introduction & chapter 1-3

By Rev. Katherine Liu Bruce

Christian Arts Ministries : Biblical precepts & Gospel music; Pastoral ministry & Counseling

2 Samuel Introduction to the second book of Samuel

Authors: Samuel and others    Date:930 B.C. and later

        Relation to 1 Samuel  --   In the Hebrew Bile, 1 and 2 Samuel form a single book. On matters of authorship, date, and background see the introduction to 1 Samuel.

        Contents   First Samuel closes with the death of Israel’s first king, Saul. Second Samuel records the history of King David’s reign, including his making Jerusalem the political and religious center of the nation, the establishing of the Davidic dynasty, David’s great military victories, his shameful sin with Bathsheba, and his mistake in numbering the people. Second Samuel 7:4-14 records the important (and still partly unfulfilled) covenant God made with David and his posterity.

2 Samuel Chapter 1  David’s coronation over the kingdom after Saul’s Death; The report of Saul’s death

The Amalekite’s story is at variance with the record of 1 Sam.31:3-6 and is clearly a fabrication. He apparently sought recognition or reward for claiming to have killed Saul (who in reality committed suicide).(vv.6-10).As a mercenary or looter, he came across Saul’s body and took the king’s crown and bracelet to substantiate his fabrication. David apparently believed the account and had the Amalekite executed on the basis of his own testimony of having slain the king.(vv.15-16). Book of Jashar(v.18). A history of Israel’s wars in which some important events and great men were commemorated poetically (Josh.10:13). Heights (v.19), Mt.Gilboa, where Saul died. No longer rubbed with oil (v.21), Saul’s shield was not cleansed and polished with oil, but was discarded. Weapons of war.(v.27). A figurative reference to the fallen warriors, Saul and Jonathan.

2 Samuel Chapter 2 The Extent of the Kingdom (over Judah); The civil war Abner vs. Joab

Chapter 2-4 record the conflict between two rivals: David, who took the throne of Judah, and Ish-Bosheth, Saul’s surviving son, who occupied the throne in Israel. The men of Judah came to Hebron and there they anointed David king over the house of Judah.(v.4). This was David’s second anointing (1Sam.16:13). David sent messengers to the men of Jabesh Gilead (v.5).This tacit invitation to the people of Jabesh Gilead to join his kingdom was also a shrewd play by David, since the people lived to the N. of Ish-Bosheth’s capital, Mahanaim (v.8, Gen.32:1-2). 

Ish-Bosheth (vv.8-9) (“man of shame”) was crowned king over the northern tribes and Transjordan (1Chron.8:34). Verses 10-11, the difference in lengths of reigns (Ish-Bosheth, two years; David, 71/2 years) may be because Ish-Bosheth did not take the throne immediately, but required five years to recover the northern territory from the Philistines.

Abner son of Ner, together with the men of Ish-Bosheth son of Saul and Joab son of Zeruiah and David’s men went out and met them at the pool of Gibeon. Fight hand to hand.,(v.14) between champions in behalf of the opposing armies. Abner thrust the butt of his spear into Asahel’s stomach. Asahel had fallen and died. But Joab and Abishai pursued Abner. Besides Asahel, nineteen of David’s men were found missing. But David’s men had killed three hundred and sixty Benjamites who were with Abner. (vv.30-31).

2 Samuel 3 Abner deserts Ish-Bosheth ; Abner conferred with elders to make David their king; Joab murders Abner.

            The war between the house of Saul and the house of David lasted a long time. David grew stronger and stronger, while the house of Saul grew weaker and weaker.(v.1). David’s sons were born in Hebron as follows, Amnon, Kileab Absalom, Adonijah, Shephatiah , Ithream. Ish-Bosheth said to Abner “ why did you sleep with my father’s concubine?” Abner was very angry because of what Ish-Bosheth said. (vv.7-8). Abner sent messengers on his behalf to say to David, “ Whose land is it? make an agreement with me, and I will help you bring all Israel over to you.”(v.12). Abner conferred with the elders of Israel and said, “ for some time you have wanted to make David your king. Now do it! For the Lord promised David, by my servant David I will rescue my people Israel from the hand of the Philistines and from the hand of all their enemies.”(v.17). Abner also spoke to the Benjamites in person. David sent Abner away, and he went in peace.(v.21)                                                                                     Joab and his brother Abishai murdered Abner because he had killed their brother Asahel in the battle at Gibeon. (v.30). The strong curse uttered by David indicates that he did not consider Joab’s actions in the least justified. Hebron, where Joab slew Abner, was a city of refuge (Josh.21:13), and in such a city not even a blood avenger could slay a murderer without a trial (Num.35:22-25).

 Bibliography,

 Ryrie, Charles C. The Ryrie study Bible (NIV).Chicago, IL: The Moody Bible Institute, 1986