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Sheba’s revolt in chapter 20 marks the end of what can be considered the sequential chronology of 2 Samuel.  The remaining chapters recount events that fit the author’s thematic purposes for the end of the book, but don’t tie to a strict timeline. 

This is evident from at least three factors.  First, the author in chapter 21 tells us that this story happened “in the days of David,” which would be a peculiar thing to say since we’ve been reading about David all along.  Second, the song of deliverance in chapter 22 is a poem spoken by David on the day when the LORD delivered him from the hand of all his enemies, and from the hand of Saul.  And third, the events of chapters 21 and 24 show a younger, more virile David than was reflected in the last few chapters.

As with the flashback stories at the end of Judges, let’s approach these chapters as though the authors knew what they were doing, and try to better understand the purpose they serve here at the end of the Books of Samuel. 

Our first story is launched against the backdrop of a three-year famine, which David discovers is the LORD’s judgment for a crime perpetrated by Saul.  The event referenced doesn’t appear in scripture, but the author reveals it as a breach of the promise Gibeon had exacted – albeit under false pretenses – from Joshua.  David’s solution, though perhaps disturbing to us, appears to satisfy the LORD’s call for justice. 

After recounting a few earlier battles with the Philistines, the author’s recounts a song David spoke to the LORD in thanks for His deliverance.  Before we dive in, I’m reminded of Nathan’s rebuke in chapter 12: “I gave you…the house of Israel and of Judah. And if this were too little, I would add to you as much more.  Why have you despised the word of the LORD, to do what is evil in his sight?”

Consider what might have been when the younger, more innocent David who authored this song celebrates that “The LORD dealt with me according to my righteousness… For I have kept the ways of the LORD, and have not wickedly departed from my God.” 

Pay attention also to how David envisions the LORD in action.  “Smoke went out from His nostrils… He rode on a cherub and flew… He sent arrows and scattered them…  The foundations of the world were laid bare at the rebuke of the LORD.” 

Our verse for this week is Ephesians 2:8-9: For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

2 Samuel 21 and 22.  Now let’s read it!

The primary character in today’s stories, as much as David, is Joab, the commander of his army. Joab is furious as David’s grief forces the victors to return as people steal in who are ashamed when they flee in battle.  Chapter 19 opens with Joab fiercely rebuking David for his grief: “You have today covered with shame the faces of all your servants… for today I know that if Absalom were alive and all of us were dead today, then you would be pleased.” 

It’s interesting to look back on Joab’s story.  Remember that Joab had taken revenge on Abner for his brother’s death, and that the king lamented for Abner – the commander of Saul’s army – but did not lament for Joab’s brother – one of David’s soldiers.  Joab was faithful to David in the Uriah affair, but also knew he was ending an innocent man’s life on David’s behalf.  And again, out of loyalty to David’s throne but not obedience to his command, Joab would not “waste time” debating whether to kill Absalom. 

Today Joab unleashes his fury at the king in a public and humiliating way – if others could hear David mourning, you can be sure they heard Joab’s rebuke.  While it initially seems that he gets away with treating the king this way, David soon replaces him with Amasa – who later suffers the same fate as others who have stood in Joab’s way. 

David could not, or would not, see what Absalom was about.  Then he exerts greater effort to mourn his son than to thank the thousands who defended him.  But this is only symptomatic of something bigger going on with him.  Remember that he chose to abandon the capital, rather than defend it.  Today he is unable to discern when there might be another side to the Mephibosheth story.  He still steadfastly refuses to take any action against Joab, who has thoroughly revealed his character and even killed the king’s son in known violation of a direct order.  And today he will face a second civil conflict from one “who will do more harm than Absalom.”

There is one other literary detail to note.  At the end of chapter 19 the author notes discord between “the men of Judah” and “the men of Israel.”  You’ll hear in this a condition that has been hinted at for some time – a division between the Judahite loyalty to David’s throne and the other tribes – consolidated as “Israel,” challenging David’s authority.  This is the first glimpse of a cleft that will threaten the nation’s existence in years to come.  

Our verse for this week is Ephesians 2:8-9: For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

2 Samuel 19 and 20.  Now let’s read it!

Yesterday, we learned of Hushai, who remained loyal to David, and Ahithophel, who defected to Absalom, whose counsel was esteemed as if one consulted the word of God.  In chapter 17 these counselors play a defining role as Hushai and Ahithophel jockey for Absalom’s ear. 

At the outset, Ahithophel recommends that he himself command a force to overtake and destroy David while he is on the run.  This idea seemed great to Absalom but Hushai, whom David had instructed to play the spy, counters.  “Wait,” he tells Absalom, until all Israel has rallied to you, then go out yourself and strike a decisive blow. 

Pay attention to the author’s observation that the LORD had ordained to defeat the good counsel of Ahithophel, so that the LORD might bring harm upon Absalom.  Once again we see deception – one intended to bring destruction – not just engineered by men but being used as an instrument by the LORD.  The LORD has, in this instance, revealed His preference of David over Absalom, and He’s willing to manipulate Absalom’s heart – just as He manipulated Pharaoh – to fulfill His purposes. 

This advice – along with his advance warning to David – gives David’s forces crucial time to escape across the Jordan and regroup.  The coup ‘d’état explodes into civil war, as forces loyal to Absalom engage David’s army, and the loss was great on that day.  And though David had ordered his commanders to “deal gently for my sake with the young man Absalom,” the king’s son faces a humiliating, violent end.

It’s always important to pay attention to where the author focuses his time.  Nearly half of chapter 18 is committed to describing how David learned of Absalom’s death.  The detail here is tenfold greater than that used to describe the battle where thousands died.  It might be appropriate to slowly grasp that image of David, sitting between the two gates, earnestly wondering “Is it well with the young man Absalom?” 

Our verse for this week is John 14:6: “Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

2 Samuel chapters 17 and 18.  Now let’s read it!

David’s declining strength is evident from the outset today as Absalom begins mounting an insurgency right under his nose.  For four years, Absalom aligns himself with the disgruntled and disenchanted in the land, then recruits them to Hebron to anoint him king.  David is warned of the conspiracy, and he commands his family and court to flee Jerusalem. 

Much of these chapters is devoted to David’s flight, so there might be something significant or emblematic going on here.  The author recounts the people who came to greet him, to pledge their allegiance to him, and even to heap scorn on him.  There is Hushai, the loyal adviser who has yet a part to play.  Ziba, who bears ill news of his master, Mephibosheth.  Six hundred Gittites, who had followed David from Gath decades before.  Abiathar, and Zadok, bearing the Ark of God. 

Listen also for the emotional toll of this moment on the king.  He weeps when summitting the Mount of Olives, barefoot and with his head covered.  He tells Abiathar to return the Ark to Jerusalem, for if the LORD says, “’I have no pleasure in you,’ behold, here I am, let Him do to me what seems good to Him.”   And when Shimei, a man of the family of the house of Saul heaps abuse on him, David does not respond except to hope “that the LORD will look on the wrong done to me, and that the LORD will repay me with good for his cursing today.”

Yesterday’s reading ended with Absalom entering Jerusalem as a distrustful fugitive; today he enters as king.  Not content simply to possess his father’s throne, he aims to show that he has “made himself a stench to his father,” pitching a tent on the palace roof for he and David’s concubines in the sight of all Israel. 

Now think back to when this descent for David’s family started, in chapter 11 – on this very same roof. 

Our verse for this week is John 14:6: “Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

2 Samuel chapters 15 and 16.  Now let’s read it!

“… I anointed you king over Israel, and I delivered you out of the hand of Saul.  And I gave you your master's house and your master's wives into your arms and gave you the house of Israel and of Judah.  And if this were too little, I would add to you as much more…Now therefore the sword shall never depart from your house…”

The capture of the Ammonite capital following the death of David’s son might lead us to believe that all is now well with David’s kingdom.  But turning to chapter 13 reveals this success was only a momentary respite, and Nathan’s prophecy that the LORD “will raise up evil against you out of your own house” today is filled full. 

The author introduces us to David’s son Absalom through his sister, Tamar, and the treachery committed against her by his half-brother, Amnon.  The account in chapter 13 is physically and emotionally brutal, and Absalom’s vengeance matches its ferocity.   David receives conflicting messages, Absalom fears for his own neck and flees Jerusalem, leaving a father to grieve the loss of two sons. 

After three years, Joab seeks reconciliation by calling on a wise woman from Tekoa to persuade the king to recall his son.  Her technique is reminiscent of other times wisdom was put before David: she tells him a story.  David heeds her (and Joab’s) counsel, but Absalom spends two more years in Jerusalem without receiving an audience with the king.  Absalom lets his displeasure be known, and his resentment toward his father will fuel the rest of his life’s story.   

A thread to pay attention to is David’s declining discernment and courage.  Amnon’s violation of Tamar made him “very angry,” yet he did nothing.  The spirit of the king longed to go out to Absalom, yet for three years he did not.  And two more years go by without David recognizing the powder keg he was filling in Absalom – more obviously grieving the loss of Amnon than anything else that had happened.  Watch and see if this theme threads its way through the coming chapters. 

Our verse for this week is John 14:6: “Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

2 Samuel chapters 13 and 14.  Now let’s read it!