Through The Bible 
10 II Samuel


April 2 - II Samuel 1 - 2

We have entered a new month, and we are in a new book, II Samuel.  I am thankful that the Lord helped me to write some of the devotions ahead, because I wasn't able to focus on them during my last chemo session.  I will have a break this week from the medication, and I hope to be back at my Bible and computer.  As always, thank you for the prayers.

The book of II Samuel begins where the book of I Samuel ends, with the death of King Saul and his three sons.  

"1  Now it came to pass after the death of Saul, when David was returned from the slaughter of the Amalekites, and David had abode two days in Ziklag;
2  It came even to pass on the third day, that, behold, a man came out of the camp from Saul with his clothes rent, and earth upon his head: and so it was, when he came to David, that he fell to the earth, and did obeisance.
3  And David said unto him, From whence comest thou? And he said unto him, Out of the camp of Israel am I escaped.
4  And David said unto him, How went the matter? I pray thee, tell me. And he answered, That the people are fled from the battle, and many of the people also are fallen and dead; and Saul and Jonathan his son are dead also."  (II Samuel 1:1-4)

The man told David that he was an Amalekite and he had come upon King Saul by chance and he had fallen on his spear, but was still alive.  Saul asked him to kill him because of his anguish.  So, he killed Saul and took the crown and bracelet to give to David.  David and his men rent their clothes and mourned and fasted until evening for Saul and Jonathan, and for the house of Israel.  He also had the Amalekite killed for killing King Saul.  David had them teach the men of Judah how to use a bow.  (King Saul had been hit by archers.)  He mourned the death of Saul and Jonathan with this lamentation.  Three times he proclaimed, "How are the mighty fallen!"

"19  The beauty of Israel is slain upon thy high places: how are the mighty fallen!
20  Tell it not in Gath, publish it not in the streets of Askelon; lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice, lest the daughters of the uncircumcised triumph...
23  Saul and Jonathan were lovely and pleasant in their lives, and in their death they were not divided: they were swifter than eagles, they were stronger than lions.
24  Ye daughters of Israel, weep over Saul, who clothed you in scarlet, with other delights, who put on ornaments of gold upon your apparel.
25  How are the mighty fallen in the midst of the battle! O Jonathan, thou wast slain in thine high places.
26  I am distressed for thee, my brother Jonathan: ...
27  How are the mighty fallen, and the weapons of war perished!"  (Portions of II Samuel 1:19-27)

In Chapter 2 David "enquired of the Lord."  This was a common practice of David, as seen in I Samuel 23:2 & 4 and he will continue to enquire of the Lord after he becomes king.  "And it came to pass after this, that David enquired of the LORD, saying, Shall I go up into any of the cities of Judah? And the LORD said unto him, Go up. And David said, Whither shall I go up? And he said, Unto Hebron."  (II Samuel 2:1)  David and his men and their families went up to Hebron and the men of Judah anointed David king over Judah.  When David was told that the men of Jabeshgilead had buried Saul, then he blessed them.  Abner the captain of Saul's host took Saul's son,  Ishbosheth and made him king over Israel, and he reigned two years.  David was king in Hebron over Judah seven years and six months.  The terrible account of civil war is told from verse 12 to verse 32 when Abner and the servants of Ishbosheth (the son of Saul) went against Joab (the son of Zeruiah, David's sister) and the servants of David.  "And there was a very sore battle that day; and Abner was beaten, and the men of Israel, before the servants of David.  And there were three sons of Zeruiah there, Joab, and Abishai, and Asahel: and Asahel was as light of foot as a wild roe."  (2:17-18)  Asahel chased after Abner and Abner killed him with the hinder end of his spear.  Joab and Abishai chased after Abner and the sun went down.  

"26  Then Abner called to Joab, and said, Shall the sword devour for ever? knowest thou not that it will be bitterness in the latter end? how long shall it be then, ere thou bid the people return from following their brethren?
27  And Joab said, As God liveth, unless thou hadst spoken, surely then in the morning the people had gone up every one from following his brother.
28  So Joab blew a trumpet, and all the people stood still, and pursued after Israel no more, neither fought they any more."  (2:26-28)

​April 3 - II Samuel 3 - 5

​"1  Now there was long war between the house of Saul and the house of David: but David waxed stronger and stronger, and the house of Saul waxed weaker and weaker.
2  And unto David were sons born in Hebron: and his firstborn was Amnon, of Ahinoam the Jezreelitess;
3  And his second, Chileab, of Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite; and the third, Absalom the son of Maacah the daughter of Talmai king of Geshur;
4  And the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith; and the fifth, Shephatiah the son of Abital;
5  And the sixth, Ithream, by Eglah David's wife. These were born to David in Hebron.
6  And it came to pass, while there was war between the house of Saul and the house of David, that Abner made himself strong for the house of Saul."  (II Samuel 3:1-6)

Abner took Saul's concubine and it made Ishbosheth mad, but he was afraid of Abner.  Abner sent messengers to David that he would persuade all Israel to make him king.  David said that he would only see him if he brought his wife Michal, the daughter of Saul.  They went to David and he made a feast for Abner and his men.  When Joab returned from pursuing a troop he was told that Abner had come and David sent him away in peace.  When Abner returned Joab killed him because he had killed his brother Asahel in battle.  David told all the people with him to rend their clothes and mourn for Abner so that they would know he had nothing to do with Abner's death.  "And the king said unto his servants, Know ye not that there is a prince and a great man fallen this day in Israel?  And I am this day weak, though anointed king; and these men the sons of Zeruiah be too hard for me: the LORD shall reward the doer of evil according to his wickedness."  (3:38-39)   (When we come to II Samuel 23 we will see that Asahel and Abishai were included in the list of David's mighty men, but their brother Joab, who was captain of his army was not included.) 

In Chapter 4 Ishbosheth heard that Abner was dead and all the Israelites were troubled.  He had two captains of bands, Baanah and Rechab.  They went to the house of Ishbosheth as he lay on a bed and killed him.  They went to David and told him that they had killed his enemy and David commanded his young men to kill them.  We also learn of Mephibosheth in this chapter and we will read more of him later.  "And Jonathan, Saul's son, had a son that was lame of his feet. He was five years old when the tidings came of Saul and Jonathan out of Jezreel, and his nurse took him up, and fled: and it came to pass, as she made haste to flee, that he fell, and became lame. And his name was Mephibosheth."  (4:4)  In Chapter 5 all the elders of Israel went to Hebron and anointed David king over Israel.  "David was thirty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned forty years.  In Hebron he reigned over Judah seven years and six months: and in Jerusalem he reigned thirty and three years over all Israel and Judah."  (5:4-5)  David was thirty when he became King, so think about all he had been through and all the battles he fought before he turned thirty years old.    In verse 7 David took the strong hold of Zion and it became the city of David.  

"10  And David went on, and grew great, and the LORD God of hosts was with him.
11  And Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, and cedar trees, and carpenters, and masons: and they built David an house.
12  And David perceived that the LORD had established him king over Israel, and that he had exalted his kingdom for his people Israel's sake.
13  And David took him more concubines and wives out of Jerusalem, after he was come from Hebron: and there were yet sons and daughters born to David.
14  And these be the names of those that were born unto him in Jerusalem; Shammua, and Shobab, and Nathan, and Solomon,
15  Ibhar also, and Elishua, and Nepheg, and Japhia,
16  And Elishama, and Eliada, and Eliphalet."  (5:10-16)

The Philistines heard that David was king and they spread out in the valley of Rephaim.  "And David enquired of the LORD, saying, Shall I go up to the Philistines? wilt thou deliver them into mine hand? And the LORD said unto David, Go up: for I will doubtless deliver the Philistines into thine hand."  (5:19)  David smote them there, but they came against him again.  

"23  And when David enquired of the LORD, he said, Thou shalt not go up; but fetch a compass behind them, and come upon them over against the mulberry trees.
24  And let it be, when thou hearest the sound of a going in the tops of the mulberry trees, that then thou shalt bestir thyself: for then shall the LORD go out before thee, to smite the host of the Philistines.
25  And David did so, as the LORD had commanded him; and smote the Philistines from Geba until thou come to Gazer."  (5:23-25)

April 4 - II Samuel 6 - 7

​Life Lesson... It is possible to do the right thing, in the wrong way.  It is great to see how David returns and follows the Lord's way!  It is also wonderful to see the heart of David as he asked the Lord, "Who am I? O Lord GOD? and what is my house, that thou hast brought me hitherto?"  (II Samuel 7:18)  Could we all not say the same thing?

In Chapter 6 King David gathered 30,000 chosen men of Israel to take that ark of the covenant back from the house of Abinadab.  They put it on a new cart as the Philistines had done.  They played before the Lord with all manner of musical instruments.  When they came to Nachon's threshingfloor the oxen shook the ark and Uzzah put his hand to hold it and the anger of the Lord smote him and he died.  David did not know how to bring it home so he took it aside to Obededom for three months and the Lord blessed his house.  The ark was to be carried by the priests.  "And thou shalt put the staves into the rings by the sides of the ark, that the ark may be borne with them."  (Exodus 25:14)  

"12  And it was told king David, saying, The LORD hath blessed the house of Obededom, and all that pertaineth unto him, because of the ark of God. So David went and brought up the ark of God from the house of Obededom into the city of David with gladness.
13  And it was so, that when they that bare the ark of the LORD had gone six paces, he sacrificed oxen and fatlings.
14  And David danced before the LORD with all his might; and David was girded with a linen ephod.
15  So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the LORD with shouting, and with the sound of the trumpet.
16  And as the ark of the LORD came into the city of David, Michal Saul's daughter looked through a window, and saw king David leaping and dancing before the LORD; and she despised him in her heart.
17  And they brought in the ark of the LORD, and set it in his place, in the midst of the tabernacle that David had pitched for it: and David offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the LORD.
18  And as soon as David had made an end of offering burnt offerings and peace offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the LORD of hosts.
19  And he dealt among all the people, even among the whole multitude of Israel, as well to the women as men, to every one a cake of bread, and a good piece of flesh, and a flagon of wine. So all the people departed every one to his house."  (II Samuel 6:12-19)

In Chapter 7 David looked around at his house and told Nathan the prophet that he wanted to build the Lord a house.  Nathan told him to do all that was in his heart for the Lord was with him.  That night the Lord gave him a message for David.

​"5  Go and tell my servant David, Thus saith the LORD, Shalt thou build me an house for me to dwell in?
6  Whereas I have not dwelt in any house since the time that I brought up the children of Israel out of Egypt, even to this day, but have walked in a tent and in a tabernacle.
7  In all the places wherein I have walked with all the children of Israel spake I a word with any of the tribes of Israel, whom I commanded to feed my people Israel, saying, Why build ye not me an house of cedar?
8  Now therefore so shalt thou say unto my servant David, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, I took thee from the sheepcote, from following the sheep, to be ruler over my people, over Israel:
9  And I was with thee whithersoever thou wentest, and have cut off all thine enemies out of thy sight, and have made thee a great name, like unto the name of the great men that are in the earth.
10  Moreover I will appoint a place for my people Israel, and will plant them, that they may dwell in a place of their own, and move no more; neither shall the children of wickedness afflict them any more, as beforetime,
11  And as since the time that I commanded judges to be over my people Israel, and have caused thee to rest from all thine enemies. Also the LORD telleth thee that he will make thee an house.
12  And when thy days be fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, I will set up thy seed after thee, which shall proceed out of thy bowels, and I will establish his kingdom.
13  He shall build an house for my name, and I will stablish the throne of his kingdom for ever."  (7:5-13)

We see the heart of David in the humbleness of his reply to the Lord.

"18  Then went king David in, and sat before the LORD, and he said, Who am I, O Lord GOD? and what is my house, that thou hast brought me hitherto?
19  And this was yet a small thing in thy sight, O Lord GOD; but thou hast spoken also of thy servant's house for a great while to come. And is this the manner of man, O Lord GOD?
20  And what can David say more unto thee? for thou, Lord GOD, knowest thy servant.
21  For thy word's sake, and according to thine own heart, hast thou done all these great things, to make thy servant know them.
22  Wherefore thou art great, O LORD God: for there is none like thee, neither is there any God beside thee, according to all that we have heard with our ears.
25  And now, O LORD God, the word that thou hast spoken concerning thy servant, and concerning his house, establish it for ever, and do as thou hast said.
26  And let thy name be magnified for ever, saying, The LORD of hosts is the God over Israel: and let the house of thy servant David be established before thee.
27  For thou, O LORD of hosts, God of Israel, hast revealed to thy servant, saying, I will build thee an house: therefore hath thy servant found in his heart to pray this prayer unto thee.
28  And now, O Lord GOD, thou art that God, and thy words be true, and thou hast promised this goodness unto thy servant:
29  Therefore now let it please thee to bless the house of thy servant, that it may continue for ever before thee: for thou, O Lord GOD, hast spoken it: and with thy blessing let the house of thy servant be blessed for ever."  (a portion of 7:18-29)

In verse 20 when David said, " And what can David say more unto thee? for thou, Lord GOD, knowest thy servant" I think of Psalm 139.  I will share a little of the Psalm, but it would be wonderful to take time to read it with this chapter.

"1  <<To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.>> O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me.
2  Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off.
3  Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways.
4  For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether.
14  I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.
15  My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.
16  Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.
17  How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!
18  If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee."  (Psalm 139:1-4 & 14-18)

April 5 - II Samuel 8 - 11

Chapter 8 gives the next battles that David fought and won.  The important part to see is the end of verse 6 and again in verse 14, "And the LORD preserved David whithersoever he went."  In Chapter 9 David asked if there was anyone left of the house of Saul so he could show him kindness for Jonathan's sake.  Ziba, one of Saul's servants said that Jonathan had a son, Mephibosheth, who was lame on his feet and dwelt in Lodebar. ("And Jonathan, Saul's son, had a son that was lame of his feet. He was five years old when the tidings came of Saul and Jonathan out of Jezreel, and his nurse took him up, and fled: and it came to pass, as she made haste to flee, that he fell, and became lame. And his name was Mephibosheth." II Samuel 4:4)  Mephibosheth was probably afraid of being called in by the king, and he fell on his face and did reverence.  David told him that he was giving him all that Saul had, and Ziba was to till the land and harvest the fruits.  David also told Mephibosheth that he would sit at the table of the king continually as one of his own sons.  This reminds me of how the Lord brought us in, spiritually lame and helpless, and we are children of the King and will sit at His table throughout eternity!  

Chapter 10 tells how the Ammonites went to war with Israel and hired 33,000 Syrians to go to war with them.  Joab called out the choice men of Israel and went against the Syrians.  His brother, Abishai, took his army and went against the Ammonites.  Then, David gathered all Israel together and passed over Jordan where more Syrians were and slew the men of 700 chariots and 40,000 horsemen.  The chapter ends, "So the Syrians feared to help the children of Ammon any more."  Chapter 11 is the sad story of David and Bethsheba

"1  And it came to pass, after the year was expired, at the time when kings go forth to battle, that David sent Joab, and his servants with him, and all Israel; and they destroyed the children of Ammon, and besieged Rabbah. But David tarried still at Jerusalem.
2  And it came to pass in an eveningtide, that David arose from off his bed, and walked upon the roof of the king's house: and from the roof he saw a woman washing herself; and the woman was very beautiful to look upon.
3  And David sent and enquired after the woman. And one said, Is not this Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?
4  And David sent messengers, and took her; and she came in unto him, and he lay with her; for she was purified from her uncleanness: and she returned unto her house.
5  And the woman conceived, and sent and told David, and said, I am with child."  (II Samuel 11:1-5)

​(Bathsheba was the daughter of Eliam, and Eliam was the son of Ahithophel the Gilonite, one of David's mighty men.  (23:34)  We will read more of Ahithophel when he joined Absolam, David's son, who went against David in his quest to take over the kingdom.  Ahithophel was Bethsheba's grandfather and wanted to kill David for Absalom. (17:1-2))  Back to the story at hand, so David tried to cover his sin by sending for Uriah the Hittite, demanding how Joab did, and how the people did, and how the war prospered.  Then he sent him home, but Uriah slept at the door of the king's house with the servants.  David asked Uriah why he did not go home.  "And Uriah said unto David, The ark, and Israel, and Judah, abide in tents; and my lord Joab, and the servants of my lord, are encamped in the open fields; shall I then go into mine house, to eat and to drink, and to lie with my wife? as thou livest, and as thy soul liveth, I will not do this thing."  (11:11)  After David told him to wait another day and he still did not go home to his wife, David wrote a letter to Joab and sent it by Uriah, to put Uriah in the forefront of the battle and then back away so he would be killed.  We remember in this story that Uriah was killed, but he was not the only one that died.  "And the men of the city went out, and fought with Joab: and there fell some of the people of the servants of David; and Uriah the Hittite died also."  (11:17)  Joab sent the message of how the war was going with a servant.  

"23  And the messenger said unto David, Surely the men prevailed against us, and came out unto us into the field, and we were upon them even unto the entering of the gate.
24  And the shooters shot from off the wall upon thy servants; and some of the king's servants be dead, and thy servant Uriah the Hittite is dead also.
25  Then David said unto the messenger, Thus shalt thou say unto Joab, Let not this thing displease thee, for the sword devoureth one as well as another: make thy battle more strong against the city, and overthrow it: and encourage thou him.
26  And when the wife of Uriah heard that Uriah her husband was dead, she mourned for her husband.
27  And when the mourning was past, David sent and fetched her to his house, and she became his wife, and bare him a son. But the thing that David had done displeased the LORD."  (11:23-27)

​April 6 - II Samuel 12 

In Chapter 12 the Lord sent the prophet Nathan to David to confront him with his sin.

"1  And the LORD sent Nathan unto David. And he came unto him, and said unto him, There were two men in one city; the one rich, and the other poor.
2  The rich man had exceeding many flocks and herds:
3  But the poor man had nothing, save one little ewe lamb, which he had bought and nourished up: and it grew up together with him, and with his children; it did eat of his own meat, and drank of his own cup, and lay in his bosom, and was unto him as a daughter.
4  And there came a traveller unto the rich man, and he spared to take of his own flock and of his own herd, to dress for the wayfaring man that was come unto him; but took the poor man's lamb, and dressed it for the man that was come to him.
5  And David's anger was greatly kindled against the man; and he said to Nathan, As the LORD liveth, the man that hath done this thing shall surely die:
6  And he shall restore the lamb fourfold, because he did this thing, and because he had no pity.
7  And Nathan said to David, Thou art the man. Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, I anointed thee king over Israel, and I delivered thee out of the hand of Saul;
8  And I gave thee thy master's house, and thy master's wives into thy bosom, and gave thee the house of Israel and of Judah; and if that had been too little, I would moreover have given unto thee such and such things.
9  Wherefore hast thou despised the commandment of the LORD, to do evil in his sight? thou hast killed Uriah the Hittite with the sword, and hast taken his wife to be thy wife, and hast slain him with the sword of the children of Ammon.
10  Now therefore the sword shall never depart from thine house; because thou hast despised me, and hast taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be thy wife.
11  Thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will raise up evil against thee out of thine own house, and I will take thy wives before thine eyes, and give them unto thy neighbour, and he shall lie with thy wives in the sight of this sun.
12  For thou didst it secretly: but I will do this thing before all Israel, and before the sun.
13  And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the LORD. And Nathan said unto David, The LORD also hath put away thy sin; thou shalt not die.
14  Howbeit, because by this deed thou hast given great occasion to the enemies of the LORD to blaspheme, the child also that is born unto thee shall surely die."  (II Samuel 12:1-14)

​The Lord struck the child and he was very sick and David fasted and lay all night on the earth.  His servants tried to get him to eat but he refused.  When the child died they were afraid to tell David.  But when David saw that his servants whispered, he asked if he had died and they told him it had.  

"20  Then David arose from the earth, and washed, and anointed himself, and changed his apparel, and came into the house of the LORD, and worshipped: then he came to his own house; and when he required, they set bread before him, and he did eat.
21  Then said his servants unto him, What thing is this that thou hast done? thou didst fast and weep for the child, while it was alive; but when the child was dead, thou didst rise and eat bread.
22  And he said, While the child was yet alive, I fasted and wept: for I said, Who can tell whether GOD will be gracious to me, that the child may live?
23  But now he is dead, wherefore should I fast? can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me.
24  And David comforted Bathsheba his wife, and went in unto her, and lay with her: and she bare a son, and he called his name Solomon: and the LORD loved him.
25  And he sent by the hand of Nathan the prophet; and he called his name Jedidiah, because of the LORD."  (12:20-25)

Joab fought against Rabbah, the royal city of Ammon, and sent messengers to tell David to come take the city or he would call it after his name.  So David went and took the king's crown and took a great abundance of spoil, and killed the people.  

April 7 - II Samuel 13 - 14

Chapter 13 tells of Amnon's crime. "And it came to pass after this, that Absalom the son of David had a fair sister, whose name was Tamar; and Amnon the son of David loved her."  (13:1)  Amnon was David's firstborn, and Absalom was born third.  (3:2-3)  Amnon's friend, Jonadab, the son of Shimeah David's brother, told Amnon to pretend he was sick and ask David to send Tamar to his room to fix him something to eat.  She made the cakes in his sight but he refused to eat.  Amnon sent everyone out of the room and he took her into his chamber and forced her to lie with him.  She told him to ask the king and they could be together, but he refused and took her by force.  

"15  Then Amnon hated her exceedingly; so that the hatred wherewith he hated her was greater than the love wherewith he had loved her. And Amnon said unto her, Arise, be gone.
16  And she said unto him, There is no cause: this evil in sending me away is greater than the other that thou didst unto me. But he would not hearken unto her.
17  Then he called his servant that ministered unto him, and said, Put now this woman out from me, and bolt the door after her.
18  And she had a garment of divers colours upon her: for with such robes were the king's daughters that were virgins apparelled. Then his servant brought her out, and bolted the door after her.
19  And Tamar put ashes on her head, and rent her garment of divers colours that was on her, and laid her hand on her head, and went on crying.
20  And Absalom her brother said unto her, Hath Amnon thy brother been with thee? but hold now thy peace, my sister: he is thy brother; regard not this thing. So Tamar remained desolate in her brother Absalom's house.
21  But when king David heard of all these things, he was very wroth."  (13:15-21)

Absalom hated Amnon and after 2 years he invited all the king's sons to his sheepshearing feast.  Absalom told his servants that when Amnon's heart was merry with wine to kill him.  The servants did so and all the king's sons arose and fled.  While they were in the way tidings came to David that Absalom had slain all the king's sons.  Jonadab, the son of Shimeah (who planned the scheme) told David that only Amnon was killed for what he did to Tamar. 

"36  And it came to pass, as soon as he had made an end of speaking, that, behold, the king's sons came, and lifted up their voice and wept: and the king also and all his servants wept very sore.
37  But Absalom fled, and went to Talmai, the son of Ammihud, king of Geshur. And David mourned for his son every day.
38  So Absalom fled, and went to Geshur, and was there three years.
39  And the soul of king David longed to go forth unto Absalom: for he was comforted concerning Amnon, seeing he was dead."  (13:37-39)

(He was the son of Maacah the daughter of Talmai king of Geshur. 3:3)  In Chapter 14 Joab sent for a wise woman to pretend that one of her sons had been killed by the other and now the whole family wanted to kill him for the crime, and leave her without an heir.  David said that he would protect the son. 

"17  Then thine handmaid said, The word of my lord the king shall now be comfortable: for as an angel of God, so is my lord the king to discern good and bad: therefore the LORD thy God will be with thee.
18  Then the king answered and said unto the woman, Hide not from me, I pray thee, the thing that I shall ask thee. And the woman said, Let my lord the king now speak.
19  And the king said, Is not the hand of Joab with thee in all this? And the woman answered and said, As thy soul liveth, my lord the king, none can turn to the right hand or to the left from ought that my lord the king hath spoken: for thy servant Joab, he bade me, and he put all these words in the mouth of thine handmaid:"  (14:17-19)

David told Joab that Absalom could come back to Jerusalem, to his own house, but he would not see his face.  "But in all Israel there was none to be so much praised as Absalom for his beauty: from the sole of his foot even to the crown of his head there was no blemish in him."  (14:25)  Absalom waited two years, and then sent to Joab to let him see the king.  After the second message to Joab was refused Absalom told his servants to set Joab's barley field on fire.  So Joab went to Absalom and he spoke on his behalf to David who let Absalom see him.  "So Joab came to the king, and told him: and when he had called for Absalom, he came to the king, and bowed himself on his face to the ground before the king: and the king kissed Absalom."  (14:33)

April 8 - II Samuel 15 - 16

In Chapter 15 King David's troubles grew worse, as "Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel."

"1  And it came to pass after this, that Absalom prepared him chariots and horses, and fifty men to run before him.
2  And Absalom rose up early, and stood beside the way of the gate: and it was so, that when any man that had a controversy came to the king for judgment, then Absalom called unto him, and said, Of what city art thou? And he said, Thy servant is of one of the tribes of Israel.
3  And Absalom said unto him, See, thy matters are good and right; but there is no man deputed of the king to hear thee.
4  Absalom said moreover, Oh that I were made judge in the land, that every man which hath any suit or cause might come unto me, and I would do him justice!
5  And it was so, that when any man came nigh to him to do him obeisance, he put forth his hand, and took him, and kissed him.
6  And on this manner did Absalom to all Israel that came to the king for judgment: so Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel."  (II Samuel 15:1-6)

Absalom told David that he had to go to Hebron to pay a vow that he had made.  

"10  But Absalom sent spies throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, As soon as ye hear the sound of the trumpet, then ye shall say, Absalom reigneth in Hebron.
11  And with Absalom went two hundred men out of Jerusalem, that were called; and they went in their simplicity, and they knew not any thing.
12  And Absalom sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David's counsellor, from his city, even from Giloh, while he offered sacrifices. And the conspiracy was strong; for the people increased continually with Absalom.
13  And there came a messenger to David, saying, The hearts of the men of Israel are after Absalom."  (15:10-13)

Remember that Ahithophel the Gilonite was Bathsheba's grandfather.  David and all his household fled from Absalom except for ten women, concubines, who were left to keep the house.  David kept his faith in the Lord, as we see in the third Psalm.

"1  <<A Psalm of David, when he fled from Absalom his son.>> LORD, how are they increased that trouble me! many are they that rise up against me.
2  Many there be which say of my soul, There is no help for him in God. Selah.
3  But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head."  (Psalm 3:1-3)

"23  And all the country wept with a loud voice, and all the people passed over: the king also himself passed over the brook Kidron, and all the people passed over, toward the way of the wilderness.
24  And lo Zadok also, and all the Levites were with him, bearing the ark of the covenant of God: and they set down the ark of God; and Abiathar went up, until all the people had done passing out of the city.
25  And the king said unto Zadok, Carry back the ark of God into the city: if I shall find favour in the eyes of the LORD, he will bring me again, and shew me both it, and his habitation:"  (II Samuel 15:23-25)

So, Zadok and Abiathar took the ark back to Jerusalem.  "And one told David, saying, Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom. And David said, O LORD, I pray thee, turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness.  And it came to pass, that when David was come to the top of the mount, where he worshipped God, behold, Hushai the Archite came to meet him with his coat rent, and earth upon his head:"  (15:31-32)  David told Hushai to go back and tell Absalom that he was joining him, because he wanted him to defeat the counsel of Ahithophel.  The two priests, Zadok and Abiathar, were to send messages to David by their sons, Ahimaaz and Jonathan.  In Chapter 16 Ziba the servant of Mephibosheth went to meet David with food for the people and a bottle of wine and a couple donkeys.  "And the king said, And where is thy master's son? And Ziba said unto the king, Behold, he abideth at Jerusalem: for he said, To day shall the house of Israel restore me the kingdom of my father.  Then said the king to Ziba, Behold, thine are all that pertained unto Mephibosheth. And Ziba said, I humbly beseech thee that I may find grace in thy sight, my lord, O king."  (16:3-4)  (Mephibosheth was lame and could not follow David, and in 19:24-30 we will see that Ziba lied to David.)  Shimei, who was of the house of Saul, cursed David and threw stones at him and Abishai wanted to kill him.  "And David said to Abishai, and to all his servants, Behold, my son, which came forth of my bowels, seeketh my life: how much more now may this Benjamite do it? let him alone, and let him curse; for the LORD hath bidden him.  It may be that the LORD will look on mine affliction, and that the LORD will requite me good for his cursing this day."  (16:11-12)  Absalom and Ahithophel and the people of the men of Israel went to Jerusalem.  Then Hushai, David's friend, went to Jerusalem, and told Absalom that he would serve him as he had served his father.  Ahithophel counseled Absalom to go in to his father's concubines and they spread a tent on the roof top in the sight of all Israel.  (12:11)  This sad chapter closes, "And the counsel of Ahithophel, which he counselled in those days, was as if a man had enquired at the oracle of God: so was all the counsel of Ahithophel both with David and with Absalom."  (16:23)

April 9 - II Samuel 17 - 20

​In Chapter 17 Ahithophel told Absalom that he would choose 12,000 men and pursue after David and kill him only, while he was weak and weary.  Absalom called in Hushai for his advice and he told Absalom that David was a mighty man and he needed to gather more of Israel to go after David.  He said that they should kill all the men that went with David.  "And Absalom and all the men of Israel said, The counsel of Hushai the Archite is better than the counsel of Ahithophel. For the LORD had appointed to defeat the good counsel of Ahithophel, to the intent that the LORD might bring evil upon Absalom."  (II Samuel 17:14)  Then Hushai told the priests to send and tell David and his men not to lodge in the wilderness, but keep on going and cross over Jordan.  When Ahithophel saw that his counsel was not followed he went home and put his household in order and hung himself.  Absalom made Amasa captain of the hosts instead of Joab and they passed over Jordan in pursuit of David and his followers.  

"27  And it came to pass, when David was come to Mahanaim, that Shobi the son of Nahash of Rabbah of the children of Ammon, and Machir the son of Ammiel of Lodebar, and Barzillai the Gileadite of Rogelim,
28  Brought beds, and basons, and earthen vessels, and wheat, and barley, and flour, and parched corn, and beans, and lentiles, and parched pulse,
29  And honey, and butter, and sheep, and cheese of kine, for David, and for the people that were with him, to eat: for they said, The people is hungry, and weary, and thirsty, in the wilderness."  (17:27-29)

Chapter 18.  David numbered his men and set captains of thousands and captains of hundreds over them under Joab, Abishai and Ittai.  David commanded them to be gentle with Absalom.  The people went to battle and 20,000 men of Israel with Absalom were killed, "and the wood devoured more people that day than the sword devoured.  And Absalom met the servants of David. And Absalom rode upon a mule, and the mule went under the thick boughs of a great oak, and his head caught hold of the oak, and he was taken up between the heaven and the earth; and the mule that was under him went away."  (18:8-9)  Joab and the ten men that bare his armor killed Absalom and Joab blew the trumpet and stopped the battle.  Ahimaz and Cushi ran to give David the tidings of the war.  "And the king said unto Cushi, Is the young man Absalom safe? And Cushi answered, The enemies of my lord the king, and all that rise against thee to do thee hurt, be as that young man is.  And the king was much moved, and went up to the chamber over the gate, and wept: and as he went, thus he said, O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! would God I had died for thee, O Absalom, my son, my son!"  (18:32-33)  King David mourned so greatly for his son Absalom that Joab told him he shamed his servants that saved his life. He told him to speak comfortably unto the servants, so David arose and sat in the gate.  David returned to be king and told Amasa that he could be captain of host in the room of Joab.  Shimei bowed down before the king and apologized to David.  Abishai wanted to kill him, but the king would not let him.  Mephibosheth also went to meet David and told him that his servant had deceived him and not saddled a donkey for him to ride on.  Barzillai had provided the king with great substance and David invited him to go with him to Jerusalem.  But, he was 80 years old and wanted to go back to his own city.  Instead he offered to let his servant, Chimham go with David.  Chapter 19 ends with bitterness between Israel and Judah.  

"41  And, behold, all the men of Israel came to the king, and said unto the king, Why have our brethren the men of Judah stolen thee away, and have brought the king, and his household, and all David's men with him, over Jordan?
42  And all the men of Judah answered the men of Israel, Because the king is near of kin to us: wherefore then be ye angry for this matter? have we eaten at all of the king's cost? or hath he given us any gift?
43  And the men of Israel answered the men of Judah, and said, We have ten parts in the king, and we have also more right in David than ye: why then did ye despise us, that our advice should not be first had in bringing back our king? And the words of the men of Judah were fiercer than the words of the men of Israel."  (19:41-43)

The strife between Judah and Israel continued in Chapter 20.  "And there happened to be there a man of Belial, whose name was Sheba, the son of Bichri, a Benjamite: and he blew a trumpet, and said, We have no part in David, neither have we inheritance in the son of Jesse: every man to his tents, O Israel.  So every man of Israel went up from after David, and followed Sheba the son of Bichri: but the men of Judah clave unto their king, from Jordan even to Jerusalem."  (20:1-2)  David sent Abishai to pursue after Sheba.  Joab killed Amasa.  (Amasa was the captain of the host for Absalom, but David made peace with him and was letting him take Joab's place.  19:13)  They followed Sheba to Abel and were going to throw down the wall when a wise woman asked them why they were going to destroy the city.  Joab said that all they wanted was Sheba because he rose up against King David.  So the woman had the men to kill Sheba and Joab blew a trumpet to stop the battle.

​April 10 - II Samuel 21 - 24

Chapter 21 begins with a three year famine because Saul had killed the Gibeonites.  (The Gibeonites made peace with Israel in Joshua 9)  They wanted seven of Saul's sons to be killed, and they were, but David spared Mephibosheth.  The Philistines had war again with David and four giants were killed, Ishbibenob, Saph, the brother of Goliath, and another giant at Gath.  "These four were born to the giant in Gath, and fell by the hand of David, and by the hand of his servants."  (II Samuel 21:22)  Some believe that David chose five smooth stones when he killed Goliath so that he would be prepared for the four other giants.  Chapter 22 is David's song of deliverance, which is very similar to Psalm 18.  

"1  And David spake unto the LORD the words of this song in the day that the LORD had delivered him out of the hand of all his enemies, and out of the hand of Saul:
2  And he said, The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer;
3  The God of my rock; in him will I trust: he is my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge, my saviour; thou savest me from violence.
4  I will call on the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.
5  When the waves of death compassed me, the floods of ungodly men made me afraid;
6  The sorrows of hell compassed me about; the snares of death prevented me;
7  In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried to my God: and he did hear my voice out of his temple, and my cry did enter into his ears.
8  Then the earth shook and trembled; the foundations of heaven moved and shook, because he was wroth."  (22:1-8)

The song continues with praise to God.  I especially like verse 26, "With the merciful thou wilt shew thyself merciful, and with the upright man thou wilt shew thyself upright."  We can also find help in verse 37.  "Thou hast enlarged my steps under me; so that my feet did not slip."  Chapter 23 begins with the last words of David and ends with David's mighty men.  There is a beautiful story of David's response to three mighty men who put their lives in jeopardy for the David.

"13  And three of the thirty chief went down, and came to David in the harvest time unto the cave of Adullam: and the troop of the Philistines pitched in the valley of Rephaim.
14  And David was then in an hold, and the garrison of the Philistines was then in Bethlehem.
15  And David longed, and said, Oh that one would give me drink of the water of the well of Bethlehem, which is by the gate!
16  And the three mighty men brake through the host of the Philistines, and drew water out of the well of Bethlehem, that was by the gate, and took it, and brought it to David: nevertheless he would not drink thereof, but poured it out unto the LORD.
17  And he said, Be it far from me, O LORD, that I should do this: is not this the blood of the men that went in jeopardy of their lives? therefore he would not drink it. These things did these three mighty men."  (23:13-17)

We find, "...Eliam the son of Ahithophel the Gilonite."  (23:34)  Eliam was the father of Bathsheba and her husband, "Uriah the Hittite" was the last one named.  (23:39)  We have come to the last chapter of II Samuel.  I also want to share I Chronicles 21:1-3.  

"1  And again the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel, and he moved David against them to say, Go, number Israel and Judah.
2  For the king said to Joab the captain of the host, which was with him, Go now through all the tribes of Israel, from Dan even to Beersheba, and number ye the people, that I may know the number of the people.
3  And Joab said unto the king, Now the LORD thy God add unto the people, how many soever they be, an hundredfold, and that the eyes of my lord the king may see it: but why doth my lord the king delight in this thing?
4  Notwithstanding the king's word prevailed against Joab, and against the captains of the host. And Joab and the captains of the host went out from the presence of the king, to number the people of Israel."  (24:1-14)

"1  And Satan stood up against Israel, and provoked David to number Israel.
2  And David said to Joab and to the rulers of the people, Go, number Israel from Beersheba even to Dan; and bring the number of them to me, that I may know it.
3  And Joab answered, The LORD make his people an hundred times so many more as they be: but, my lord the king, are they not all my lord's servants? why then doth my lord require this thing? why will he be a cause of trespass to Israel?"  (I  Chronicles 21:1-3)

​"10  And David's heart smote him after that he had numbered the people. And David said unto the LORD, I have sinned greatly in that I have done: and now, I beseech thee, O LORD, take away the iniquity of thy servant; for I have done very foolishly.
11  For when David was up in the morning, the word of the LORD came unto the prophet Gad, David's seer, saying,
12  Go and say unto David, Thus saith the LORD, I offer thee three things; choose thee one of them, that I may do it unto thee.
13  So Gad came to David, and told him, and said unto him, Shall seven years of famine come unto thee in thy land? or wilt thou flee three months before thine enemies, while they pursue thee? or that there be three days' pestilence in thy land? now advise, and see what answer I shall return to him that sent me.
14  And David said unto Gad, I am in a great strait: let us fall now into the hand of the LORD; for his mercies are great: and let me not fall into the hand of man.
15  So the LORD sent a pestilence upon Israel from the morning even to the time appointed: and there died of the people from Dan even to Beersheba seventy thousand men.
16  And when the angel stretched out his hand upon Jerusalem to destroy it, the LORD repented him of the evil, and said to the angel that destroyed the people, It is enough: stay now thine hand. And the angel of the LORD was by the threshingplace of Araunah the Jebusite.
17  And David spake unto the LORD when he saw the angel that smote the people, and said, Lo, I have sinned, and I have done wickedly: but these sheep, what have they done? let thine hand, I pray thee, be against me, and against my father's house."  (24:10-17)

We can remember when David was a young shepherd boy and he was ridiculed by his brother.  "And David said, What have I now done? Is there not a cause?"  (I Samuel 17:29)  Now, he acknowledges his sin and says, "but these sheep, what have they done?"  Gad the seer told David to rear an altar to the Lord in the threshingfloor of Araunah the Jebusite, who offered to give it to the King.  "And the king said unto Araunah, Nay; but I will surely buy it of thee at a price: neither will I offer burnt offerings unto the LORD my God of that which doth cost me nothing. So David bought the threshingfloor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver.  And David built there an altar unto the LORD, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings. So the LORD was intreated for the land, and the plague was stayed from Israel."  (24:24-25)