2 Samuel 1
2 Samuel picks up where 1 Samuel left off with the death of Saul and his sons. David is informed by a man who is an Amalekite 1,8. He claims to have put Saul to death. (Probably thinking he would be rewarded for this) 1-10. David reacts with mourning, weeping, and fasting 11-12. The Amalekite is questioned by David and then sentenced to death because he struck down 'the Lord's anointed' 13-16. Note: It is a serious matter to set one's self against the leader God has anointed and put in a place of authority. To rebel is to invite judgment. The Amalekite received his reward, death. He lied and faced the consequence (Romans 6:23a)
David laments the death of Saul and Jonathan. He teaches this lament to the people of Judah. Notice that David speaks highly of Saul and the role he was given in Israel, even though he was rejected as king by the Lord. 'How the mighty have fallen in battle !' is repeated 3 times 19,25,27. God did use Saul to defeat the enemies of the Lord. I think this is behind the words David spoke and taught the people. Note: God can even use a pagan king to do His bidding but that does not mean that the individual is saved. Cyrus was a pagan king whom God used and even called him his servant (Isaiah 44:28) and his anointed (Isaiah 45:1).  David also lamented Saul because of his tragic end. It really is a sad day when anyone leaves this world and is not right with God. He also mourned his friend, Jonathan whom he loved 26. Note: Grieving for loved ones is proper, holy, and right. For the believer there is hope beyond the grave (see: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18).

2 Samuel 2
By the Lord's direction, David goes to Hebron where he is anointed and made king over Judah 1-4. His first act, as king, is to thank the men of Jabesh Gilead for their bravery and commitment to Saul in recovering his body. David blesses them in the name of the Lord 5-7. Note: We see in David a man after God's own heart. While he was not perfect, yet his actions  reflect and teach us something of the way the Lord would act in these given situations. (Keep that in mind as you read of the various events recorded in his life.) Meanwhile, Abner makes Ish-Bosheth (son of Saul) king of over Israel 8-9. This is in defiance of the Lord's will. David reigns for seven and one half years over Judah in Hebron 11. Abner and his men meet with Joab and David's men12-13. Select men fight each other 15-16. This causes further fighting and Abner is pursued by Asahel, brother of Joab. 17-19. Abner kills Asahel, who is unarmed 20-23. Abner, surrounded by Benjamites calls for a truce 24-27. Joab agrees and the fighting stops 28. They each return to their lands 29. David's men killed more that they lost 31. Note: I do not know the mean of these accounts. One thought is that when God's will is rejected (David is to be king) and God's Law is ignored (kill an as choose) you can expect that conflict will result, either in war, or the battle of words. In either case there are causalities.

2 Samuel 3
War between the house of Saul and the house of David lasts a long time 1. David has six sons by six different women 2-5. (Hum mm. I can see trouble coming in this). Abner is a self-focused man who does as he pleases. This is seen in his actions and attitudes towards the king 6-9 even though he speaks the truth 10. Ish-Bosheth is afraid of him 11. Abner comes to David and offers to help him secure the entire kingdom (rule over Israel as a whole). David agrees but wants his wife Michal back 13. (You mean the six women he had was not enough ?) Ish-Bosheth gets her and gives her to David 14-16. Abner encourages the elders of Israel and the Benjamites  to make David king in keeping with the Lord's words 17-19. David is informed and sends Abner away in peace 20-21. Joab hears of this and pursues Abner and kills him to avenge the blood of his brother 22-27,30. Note: He took matters into his own hands and not following the law of the Lord. When David hears of this he declares his innocence in this matter and pronounces a curse on Joab for doing this 28-29. Note: Even when a good king is ruling, individuals still act corruptly. The leader is not always accountable for the actions of those who are under his command. David responds with great sorrow and laments the death of Abner 31-34. 'King David' walked behind the bier 31b. David weeps, laments, and fasts 32-35.This shows his humility and is an example to the people 36. David did this not for show or to gain political points to be assure his innocence in the death of Abner 37. Note: How many today do things, even shedding a tear, just for a 'photo op'. David was not that kind of man or leader. David sees himself as weak compared to Joab, yet he commits the matter of justice and judgment to the Lord 38-39. Note: If justice appears to be alluded, remember to commit all matters to the Lord. He will call all individuals to account before Him and true justice will be served.

1 Samuel 4
Ish-Bosheth looses courage when he hears of Abner's death 1. Maybe that is why Baanah and Recab take it on themselves to kill Ish-Bosheth 2-3,5-7 They come to David with the 'good news' to which David responds with the death sentence for them 8-12. They are wicked men because they took matters into their own hands and murdered a man. Capital punishment has a place and rids the earth of individuals who have no regard for law or life 11. In this record is the notation of Jonathan's son Mephibosheth. He because crippled due to a fall 4. He is introduced here and will appear later in the Biblical text. Note: It must be remembered that many of the Israelites were still living according to what was right in their own eyes. God's law was not being readily followed. As king, David exercised judgment and was right to put these men to death.

1 Samuel 5
All Israel comes to Hebron and they make David king over all of Israel. They submit to the will of the Lord in this 1-3. David was thirty years old when he became king and reigned for a total of 40 years (33 of which were over all Israel from Jerusalem) 4. The record of Jerusalem's take over is found in 6-9. Jerusalem became the capital and was also known as Zion 7 and the City of David 9. David built the city up and became strong because the Lord was with him 10. Hiram, king of Tyre builds David a palace 11. David knew the Lord had established him for the sake of his people 12. Note: David understood that all these blessings and benefits were granted by the Lord not just for his own sake but for the greater good of God's people. David also took more wives and concubines. He had eleven more children in Jerusalem 13-16. This was no doubt written many years after the fact since Solomon is named. Note: I wonder of David had a weakness in this area since he had so many women ? Not every detail of David's reign is recorded and much time passes in just a few verses. In 17-24 we read of two major victories that the Lord gave him over the Philistines. Both times David inquires of the Lord before taking action 19, 23. Both times the Lord directs and gives him the victory 20, 25. Obedience is seen in David during theses days 25. Note: What did David's men do with the idols they carried off 21b ? I do not know. Also, the Lord told David to 'move quickly' when he heard the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees 24. This was his 'signal' and it was supernatural. Are you and I listening for God to 'signal' us when it is time to move out and do what he has commanded ? All believers today have the Holy Spirit dwelling within and Jesus promised us that He would guide us into all the truth. This He does, but it is always in connection with the Word of God (which is the final authority and revelation of God's will to us).

2 Samuel 6
David desires to have the Ark of the Lord near him in Jerusalem. The Lord is said to be enthroned between  the cherubim that are on the ark 2b. Note: Did the Lord put this thought in David's heart to have the ark in Jerusalem ? (remember the Lord would choose a place as a 'dwelling for His Name' where the men were to appear and celebrate the Lord's feasts - Deuteronomy 16: 2,6,11,15,16). The first attempt in bringing the Ark to Jerusalem ended in tragedy when Uzzah touched the Ark and was struck down by the Lord and he died 3-7. Part of the problem was the improper transportation of the Ark. The Ark was to be carried by the Levites and not touched (Numbers 4:15, Deuteronomy 31:9,25). At this David was angry, then afraid of the Lord 8-9. Note: When we do wrong and suffer as a consequence (having broken God's Law) our first reaction may be anger. How could you do this God ? But then, when we stop to consider the Lord and His holiness we fear because He is to be feared being holy ! David was not willing to bring the Ark to Jerusalem 9. In the meantime the house of Obed-Edom was blessed because of the Ark remained with them 10-11. Note: The Ark was not a charm that brought good luck or blessings; it was in fact that which represented the very presence of the Lord. (dare I say it represented the throne of God ?). Where the Lord the chooses to dwell, there His blessings come with Him. I suggest that the house of Obed-Edom rightly cared for the Ark in their midst. (God's presence makes a  place or a person sacred, sanctified, and blessed when He is rightly related to and worshiped) When David heard of the blessing of God that had come upon the house of Obed-Edom he again attempts to bring the Ark to Jerusalem 12. This time with rejoicing and sacrifice, the Ark being properly carried 13. David, in celebration, joy, and worship dances before the Lord 14-15. He is despised by Michal  daughter of Saul 16. The Ark is placed in a tent David had set up for it 17. Great joy and offerings are part of this celebration. David gives gifts to all the people 18-19. From the joy of worship David returns home to bless his family and encounters the unjust and cutting words of Michal 20. David declares that his expressions of worship were to the Lord. Though appearing undignified, he would not stop and even be more humiliated in his own eyes if need be 22. Michal never has children, which may suggest that David no longer had relations with her again. (To be childless in that culture was considered to be under the Lord's curse). Note: This text has been used to justify all sorts of expressions of worship. This forum does not permit the many things that could be considered in relation to this topic. I make one observation though, am I as desirous as David to have the Lord near me and willing to have Him so energize and animate my life that I will abandon myself to Him ? Even to the degree that others may consider me to have 'gone over board' or be a fool ? (1 Corinthians 4:10a)

2 Samuel 7
David desires to build a house for the Lord (for the Ark) 1-3. The Lord reveals to Nathan, the prophet the Lord's plan to build David a house and an enduring kingdom 4-16. A son of David, Solomon ( and then Jesus Christ, Matthew 1:1) would be a house for the Lord. God promises to establish David's house, kingdom, and throne forever 16. This looks far beyond David's immediate day to the Lord Jesus Christ, the son (descendant) of  David, who will be given David's throne (in Jerusalem) and will reign over the house of Jacob forever according to Luke 1:30-33. This is not 'spiritually' fulfilled in the church, but will come to pass when the Lord Jesus comes the second time to this earth and assumes the throne of David as King of kings ! David in amazement, prays and praises the Lord for such grace to him and his people18-29. David asks the Lord to keep His word in all these promises  so that His Name would be made known 25. These promises make up what is called the Davidic Covenant. It is unconditional, meaning that the Lord Himself will fulfill the terms and promises of this covenant apart from anything David would do or not do. This indicates God's sovereign will and grace in this promise. David in humility calls upon the Sovereign Lord  declaring His greatness and unquiness as God in bringing these things to pass 18,19,22,28-29. Note: David's response of 'who am I...' could be said by all of us who have received Christ by faith and are saved by His grace. Like David we also trust the Lord to fulfill all His good promises, not only for our benefit and blessing, but that others may come to know Him and trust in His Name 25-26, 28-29.

2 Samuel 8
This chapter is a record of all the victories that the Lord gave David 6b,14b. He won great victories in battle and got gold 7, bronze 8, and much plunder. He was also given articles of silver, gold, and bronze from Joram 9-10. All these things David dedicated to the Lord 11-12. Note: Do I dedicate all of the increase the Lord gives me, back to Him ? This means it is used in a way that would please Him. David also spared many and made them pay tribute to him 6,14. Note: Could this have been a blessing for them, having been spared, to come to know the true and living God in Israel ? Also, we must look to the Lord alone to have victory (over sin and the evil we battle) because He is the One who gives the victory 6,14. David's reign is characterized by what was just and right for all the people 15. His leadership team is listed 16-18. Note: Not all that these men did was just and right.