2 Samuel 1-5: David Becomes King
INTRODUCTION.
A. In our previous study, we learned of the death of King Saul and his sons in their battle against the Philistines.
B. With this study, . . .
1. We will see David mourning the death of King Saul and his son, Jonathan.
2. We will learn of the conflict between David and Ishbosheth, the son of Saul.
3. We will see David anointed king over all of Israel as well as God giving David victory against the Philistines.
C. Let us begin with David learning of the death of Saul and Jonathan.
I. DAVID MOURNS THE DEATH OF KING SAUL AND HIS SONS. (1:1 - 1:27)
A. Chapter 1
1. After David had returned from defeating the Amalekites, he stayed in Ziklag. Three days after David’s return, a man, claiming to be an Amalekite, told David of the death of King Saul and his sons. (1:1-4)
2. When David questioned the man regarding how he knew of King Saul’s death, the man said that King Saul had told the man to kill Saul since Saul was near death. (1:5-10)
3. David and his men tore their clothes at the news of King Saul’s death. David and his men mourned, wept, and fasted until evening for the death of Saul, his sons and for the people of the Lord who had fallen in battle. (1:11-12)
4. Because the Amalekite admitted to killing King Saul, David gave orders for the man to be executed. (1:13-16)
5. David lamented over Saul and over Jonathan. David composed a lamentation called the Song of the Bow. David gave the command for the people of Judah to teach this song to their children. (1:17-27)
II. THE CONFLICT BETWEEN DAVID AND ISHBOSHETH.
A. Chapter 2
1. After mourning the death of King Saul, David asked the Lord if he should go to the cities of Judah. The Lord told David to go to Hebron. David took his wives and his men and their families and dwelt in Hebron. (2:1-4)
2. The men of Judah anointed David king over the house of Judah. The men of Judah told David how the men of Jabesh Gilead had buried King Saul. David blessed the men of Jabesh for their kindness towards King Saul. (2:5-7)
3. Abner, commander of King Saul’s army, appointed Ishbosheth, son of Saul, over all Israel. Ishbosheth reigned two years over Israel. David reigned seven years and six months over the house of Judah. (2:8-11)
4. Abner and the servants of Ishbosheth met Joab and the servants of David at the pool of Gibeon. The servants of David defeated Abner and the servants of Ishbosheth. (2:12-17)
5. As Abner fled, Asahel, the brother of Joab, pursued Abner. After several warnings issued by Abner for Asahel to turn aside, Abner killed Asahel. (2:18-23)
6. Joab and his brother Abishai also pursued Abner. The men of Benjamin gathered together behind Abner. Abner questioned Joab about how long the killing would continue. Joab and the men with him stopped and did not pursue Israel, neither did they fight. (2:24-29)
7. When Joab returned from pursuing Abner, he gathered all the people together. Joab realized that they were missing nineteen servants of David as well as Joab’s brother, Asahel. (The servants of David had killed three hundred and sixty men of Abner’s men and the tribe of Benjamin.) Joab and his brother buried Asahel in his father’s tomb. (2:30-32)
B. Chapter 3
1. The house of Saul continued to fight against the house of David. While the house of David grew stronger, the house of Saul grew weaker. (3:1)
2. David had six sons while living in Hebron. (3:2-5)
3. As Abner was strengthening his hold on the house of Saul, Ishbosheth accused Abner of taking one of Saul’s concubines, Rizpah. Abner denies the charge and then vows to help transfer the kingdom from the house of Saul to David. (3:6-11)
4. Abner sends a message to David, agreeing to deliver the kingdom of Israel to David. David agrees to a covenant as long as Abner returns Michal, Saul’s daughter to David. (Saul had betrothed Michal to David for one hundred foreskins of the Philistines. See 1 Samuel 18:25-27 and 25:44) Abner took Michal from her husband, Paltiel. After talking with the elders of Israel, Abner and twenty men went to David in Hebron. Abner told David that he, Abner, would bring the house of Israel to David. (3:12-21)
5. When Joab returned and learned that David had sent Abner away in peace, Joab was angry. Joab said to David that surely Abner was trying to deceive David. Without David’s knowledge, Joab sent for Abner and killed Abner for the death of Asahel, Joab’s brother. (3:22-27)
6. When David learned of Joab’s actions, David put the responsibility for Abner’s death upon Joab and his house. (3:28-30)
7. David led the people in mourning for Abner. To his servants, David said, “Do you not know that a prince and a great man has fallen this day in Israel?” (v 38, NKJV) (3:31-39)
C. Chapter 4
1. When Ishbosheth, Saul’s son, learned of the death of Abner, he lost heart and all Israel was troubled. (4:1-3)
2. Jonathan, Saul’s son, had a son who was five years old. When the nurse of the five year old learned of the deaths of Saul and Jonathan, she took him and fled. I her haste, the five year old fell and became lame. His name was Mephibosheth. (4:4)
3. Two men, Baanah and Rechab, captains of Ishbosheth’s troops, came to the house of Ishbosheth. Baanah and Rechab killed Ishbosheth and took his head to David. When David learned of their treachery against Ishbosheth, David ordered the execution of Baanah and Rechab. David had the head of Ishbosheth buried in the tomb of Abner. (4:5-12)
III. THE LORD GIVES DAVID VICTORY.
A. Chapter 5
1. All the tribes of Israel came to Hebron. The elders of Israel made a covenant with David and anointed David king over Israel. David was thirty years old when he began to reign. David reigned for forty years (six and a half years over Judah and thirty-three years over Israel). (5:1-5)
2. King David and his men went to Jerusalem and fought against the Jebusites. David took Jerusalem from the Jebusites and called it the City of David. David became great and the Lord God was with David. (5:6-10)
3. Hiram, king of Tyre, sent messengers to David along with cedar trees, carpenters, and masons. They built David a house. (5:11-12)
4. David took more concubines and wives from Jerusalem. More sons and daughters were born to David. (5:13-16)
5. When the Philistines heard that Israel had anointed David as king, the Philistines searched for David. The Philistines deployed themselves in the Valley of Rephaim. The Lord told David to go up against the Philistines. The Lord would deliver the Philistines into the hands of David. David went to Baal Perazim and defeated the Philistines. (5:17-21)
6. Again the Philistines deployed themselves in the valley of Rephaim. Again David asked the Lord about going up against the Philistines. The Lord told David not to go up, but to circle around behind them and to come upon them in front of the mulberry trees. The Lord would go before David and strike the camp of the Philistines. David did as the Lord commanded and he drove back to Philistines. (5:22-25)
IV. LESSONS LEARNED:
A. We can still love no matter how much we are hurt.
1. The lamentation written by David regarding the death of Saul and Jonathan shows his love for both Saul and Jonathan. (2 Samuel 1:17-27)
2. We can have the same love for those who have hurt us. This love is expressed in both our words and actions. (1 Corinthians 13:4-8; Romans 12: 9-10, 15-21)
B. We should be careful not to make false accusations.
1. Ishbosheth accused Abner of taking Saul’s concubine. This accusation, made in the face of Abner’s loyalty to the house of Saul, turned Abner against Ishbosheth. (2 Samuel 3:7-11)
2. We should make no false accusations. If we do not have facts to support the accusation, then we should hold our peace. (Romans 13:9-10; Proverbs 19:5)
C. We will reap what we sow.
1. Abner killed Joab’s brother, Asahel. Joab eventually took vengeance upon Abner. (2 Samuel 2:18-23; 3:24-27)
2. We should carefully consider all of our deeds. (Galatians 6:7-8; Romans 2:1-11) Some wrongful deeds will bring immediate consequences. Some will bring delayed consequences. Others will bring no consequences until eternity in hell.
CONCLUSION.
A. As we close this lesson, let us ask ourselves the following questions:
1. Like David, are we willing to love those who have hurt us?
2. Are we carefully not to make false accusations?
3. Do we fully appreciate the fact that we will reap what we sow?
B. Learn from the lessons of David, and set your life right with God today.
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2 Samuel 1-5 : David Becomes King -- April 4, 2004 -- File # 672 - 2 Samuel
by John M. Duvall – Lawton, OK