Study Notes bible.cod Ed Underwood

King David: Flawed, but loyal to God!

“Your house and your kingdom will stand before me permanently; your dynasty will be permanent” (God to David, 2 Samuel 7:16).

The third major unit within the seventeen Historical Books is referred to as the United Kingdom Period. . These four books—1 Samuel, 2 Samuel, 1 Kings 1-11, and 1 Chronicles—record the United Kingdom under three rulers, Saul, David, and Solomon. The events reported during this era cover a period of 170 years, from the birth of Samuel (1 Samuel 1:20) to the death of Solomon (1 Kings 11:43).

By the end of the chaotic period of the judges, God’s people are crying for a king. Samuel, the last judge and first great prophet in Israel, anoints the people’s choice for their first king—Saul. Though Saul’s political credentials are impressive, his indifferent heart attitude toward God causes him to lose his kingdom to the young king-elect—David. But David, whose heart is dedicated to God, must wait for his kingdom. Saul rebels against God’s will, becoming insanely jealous of the young king to be. David flees for his life and learns many lessons of faith. Finally, Saul and his sons meet death on Mount Gilboa, setting the stage for 2 Samuel and the prosperity of Israel under righteous King David.

The books of Samuel provide an account of Israel from the end of the 12 to the beginning of the 10 centuries before Christ. Picking up the story of Israel from Judges 16:31, they give a prophetically oriented history of Israel’s early monarchy. First Samuel traces the transition of leadership from judges to kings, from a theocracy to a monarchy. Samuel was the kingmaker who anointed the first two rulers. Saul quickly disobeyed God and became a tyrant. David became the first real theocratic king—he allowed God to rule through him.

Soon after the death of Saul, God’s choice David becomes king, first over Judah (where he reigns from Hebron for seven and one-half years) and finally over all Israel (where he makes Jerusalem his capital and reigns for thirty-three years. The first half of David’s reign is marked by success and victory. But following his sin with Bathsheba and murder of her husband, David’s life and his kingdom suffer due to the consequences of his sin. Still, David remains “a man after God’s own heart” (Acts 13:22) because of his repentant attitude and wholehearted devotion to God:

Second Samuel traces the ascension 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. The book follows the three phases of David’s life: his triumphs (1-10), his transgressions (11), and his troubles (12-24). The lesson for God’s people is at once encouraging and sobering: God is not hindered by our weaknesses, but He never ignores our sin. He will use us, but sin mars potential.

I. DAVID’S TRIUMPH’S: After mourning the deaths of Saul and Jonathan, David assumes the throne as king over Judah and then all of Israel. His successes bring the nation to the very zenith of its power. (1-10)

A. DAVID, KING OF JUDAH: David takes the throne of Judah, but Saul’s dynasty does not go down without a fight. Saul’s son claims the throne and civil war erupts. David wins. (1-4)

Messiah: David is one of the most important types of Christ in the Old Testament. A just, wise, courageous, and compassionate monarch, he reigns from Jerusalem and sits upon the throne of Melchizedek, the “righteous king.” He becomes the standard by which all subsequent kings will be measured.

B. DAVID, KING OF ISRAEL: David’s victory unites the nation under his righteous rule. He immediately relocates the capital of the nation from Hebron to Jerusalem. His lifelong dream to build a house for God will be left to his son, Solomon. But God will build a house for David: a throne, a family, and a kingdom that will stand forever. (5-7)

2 Samuel: God will use you in spite of your failures—

if your heart is wholly devoted to Him.

Messiah: The Davidic Covenant. David foreshadows the coming Messianic King in this significant covenant from God (7:4-17). God promises King David an eternal kingdom, a throne, and an everlasting seed. These same three promises are given to Christ (Luke 1:32-33).

C. DAVID’S GROWING KINGDOM: David’s devotion to God leads to great national blessing. “The Lord protected David wherever he campaigned. David reigned over all Israel; he guaranteed justice for all his people” (8:14-15). (8-10)

II. DAVID’S TRANSGRESSION: David’s crimes of adultery and murder mark the pivotal point of the book. His sin changes everything. Victories and successes are replaced by personal, family, and national turmoil. (11)

III. DAVID’S TROUBLES: The disobedience of the king produces chastisement and confusion at every level. David’s glory and fame fade, never to be the same again. (12-24)

1. DAVID’S DOWNFALL: Though David’s sin is great, his response to the uncovering of that sin is exemplary: “I have sinned against the Lord” (12:13). But his repentance cannot erase the consequences of his terrible sin. His own son Absalom rebels against the king. Though David wins the battle, he loses his son, leaving him a broken man. (12-18)

2. DAVID’S RETURN TO THE THRONE: Civil war and anguish persist. But David again defeats his enemies and consolidates his power. The closing chapters are a commentary on King David’s life. (19-24)

IV. 2 Samuel is one of the most practical books in Scripture. From this text we receive some of our most important insights into the spiritual life and how God uses frail humans to accomplish His purposes. It is also a fascinating study on leadership.

A. Failure does not mean it’s over—get on with your life!

1. WeallfailGod.It’snotaquestionofwhenwefailHimbuthowweovercomefailure.David,the man after God’s own heart is our example.

2. Three steps for failing saints:

a. Listen to God’s rebuke through community (12:1-14). b.Confess(disclose)yoursintoGodandothers(12:13;Psalm51;1John1:9). c. Repent, turn to God in abandoned trust (12:14-25).

B.Sin has consequences. It usually diminishes our borders and hurts those we love! 1. Though we all sin, we should never take sin lightly (Romans6:14). 2.But no sin is beyond God’s grace. Meditate on Jesus’ parable of the prodigal in Luke 15:11-32.