Verse/Verse Bible Podcast

The loose end comes back to whip in this continuation of the Tamar story. Absalom revolts against the king by winning over the hearts of the people and by force takes his father's throne and concubines. This collection of chapters reads like a spy thriller, with intrigue, betrayal, and deceit. In the end, several thousands are left dead including some of David's irreplaceable.

In the season when kings go out to battle, David stays home and so begins the degradation of this great man. David's sin with Bathsheba seems to set in motion a series of death, violence, and sexual perversion. Still, David is met with the grace and mercy of God.

One of the first orders of David's reign is to bring the Ark of the Covenant into Jerusalem, the new national capitol. The book carries on to outline the various military conquests of David and the spread of his fame throughout the nations. We also see how David reaches out to the sons of his fallen allies to extend his kindness to them.

These early chapters in 2 Samuel, we see the dynamics of the transition of power from the dynasty of Saul to David's. We see over a slew of intrigue, double-crossing, and assassination, that David remains meek and blameless. Despite a long history of people telling David that God has given him some sort of treacherous opportunity, it is only when when David has received unsolicited grace, that David knows personally that God has given him the throne.

The final chapter of Saul's life is a sad one. It is also full of tension, as David is working for the Philistines. Will Saul die at his hand after all? Once again we encounter God's sovereign plan as He leads David to the throne.

David's life on the lam continues. His path crosses with several colorful characters along the way. He saves the people of Keilah, but they give him over to Saul. David spares Saul's once, meets and marries Abigail the wife of Nabal, and spares Saul's life a second time. At the end of this passage, Saul goes back to his throne and David leaves the borders of Israel.

Jonathan and David consort to determine whether or not Saul is actually trying to kill David. When certainty is assured, David flees Saul's house. On his way, David cross paths with the priests in Nob, acquires Goliath's sword, and builds up an army.

God directs Samuel to the household of Jesse, the Ephrathite. There, God selects everyone's last choice as His next king. David is anointed in secret, but fame begins gathering around him from his defeat of the Philistine Champion, Goliath, through David's continued military prowess. Meanwhile, an intense jealousy brews within Saul against his new right hand man

Saul's reign continues and his character begins to show patterns of self-centeredness and the fear of man. Meanwhile, Saul's son Jonathan fears no man and even risks his life in the hands of God. By the end of this passage, God will decree the ending of Saul's dynasty much to the sorrow of Samuel.

Samuel is frustrated when the Israelites ask for a king like the other nations. Despite his frustrations, Samuel heeds God and appoints Saul as the first king over Israel. Though Saul is initially reluctant to be crowned king, he rises to the occasion to rescue the city of Jabesh Gilead.