2 Samuel is the Book of David

1:1-27, 7:12-13, 16 (Pastor Heo)

David Hears of Saul’s Death

1:4-12pp — 1Sa 31:1-13; 1Ch 10:1-12

1 After the death of Saul, David returned from defeating the Amalekites and stayed in Ziklag two days. 2 On the third day a man arrived from Saul’s camp, with his clothes torn and with dust on his head. When he came to David, he fell to the ground to pay him honor. 3 “Where have you come from?” David asked him. He answered, “I have escaped from the Israelite camp.” 4 “What happened?” David asked. “Tell me.” He said, “The men fled from the battle. Many of them fell and died. And Saul and his son Jonathan are dead.”

5 Then David said to the young man who brought him the report, “How do you know that Saul and his son Jonathan are dead?” 6 “I happened to be on Mount Gilboa,” the young man said, “and there was Saul, leaning on his spear, with the chariots and riders almost upon him. 7 When he turned around and saw me, he called out to me, and I said, ‘What can I do?’ 8 “He asked me, ‘Who are you?’ “ ‘An Amalekite,’ I answered. 9 “Then he said to me, ‘Stand over me and kill me! I am in the throes of death, but I’m still alive.’ 10 “So I stood over him and killed him, because I knew that after he had fallen he could not survive. And I took the crown that was on his head and the band on his arm and have brought them here to my lord.” 11 Then David and all the men with him took hold of their clothes and tore them. 12 They mourned and wept and fasted till evening for Saul and his son Jonathan, and for the army of the LORD and the house of Israel, because they had fallen by the sword. 13 David said to the young man who brought him the report, “Where are you from?” “I am the son of an alien, an Amalekite,” he answered. 14 David asked him, “Why were you not afraid to lift your hand to destroy the LORD’s anointed?” 15 Then David called one of his men and said, “Go, strike him down!” So he struck him down, and he died. 16 For David had said to him, “Your blood be on your own head. Your own mouth testified against you when you said, ‘I killed the LORD’s anointed.’ “

David’s Lament for Saul and Jonathan

17 David took up this lament concerning Saul and his son Jonathan, 18 and ordered that the men of Judah be taught this lament of the bow (it is written in the Book of Jashar): 19 “Your glory, O Israel, lies slain on your heights. How the mighty have fallen! 20 “Tell it not in Gath, proclaim it not in the streets of Ashkelon, lest the daughters of the Philistines be glad, lest the daughters of the uncircumcised rejoice. 21 “O mountains of Gilboa, may you have neither dew nor rain, nor fields that yield offerings [of grain]. For there the shield of the mighty was defiled, the shield of Saul–no longer rubbed with oil. 22 From the blood of the slain, from the flesh of the mighty, the bow of Jonathan did not turn back, the sword of Saul did not return unsatisfied. 23 “Saul and Jonathan– in life they were loved and gracious, and in death they were not parted. They were swifter than eagles, they were stronger than lions. 24 “O daughters of Israel, weep for Saul, who clothed you in scarlet and finery, who adorned your garments with ornaments of gold. 25 “How the mighty have fallen in battle! Jonathan lies slain on your heights. 26 I grieve for you, Jonathan my brother; you were very dear to me. Your love for me was wonderful, more wonderful than that of women. 27 “How the mighty have fallen! The weapons of war have perished!”

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7:12 “When your days are over and you rest with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, who will come from your own body, and I will establish his kingdom. 13 He is the one who will build a house for my Name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.”

…

7: 16 Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me; your throne will be established forever.’ ”

• 1 Samuel last week
• 2 Samuel this week

These two were originally ONE book in the Hebrew Bible – divided into 2 parts in the translated Greek Septusion, and Latin Bulgate Bibles.

• 1 Samuel = transition of leadership from judges to kings, priest Eli to last judge Samuel to first king Saul.
• 2 Samuel = continuation, sequel.
• 1 Samuel = 3 characters: Samuel, Saul, David
• 2 Samuel = David (Samuel died in chp 25 of previous book, Saul also died in previous book)
• 2 Samuel = begins and ends with David’s story – this is the “book of David” – focused on the life of David (24 chapters – covering 40 years + 6 months – this is the period of David’s reign as king)
• 1 Samuel 16 – David was anointed as king as a teenager, but had to wait MANY years to be recognized and enthroned as the true king – after Saul died.

2 Samuel’s David’s story = 3 parts (24 chps)

1. Chp 1-10 (GOOD story)
   David’s triumphs (success stories)
2. Chp 11 (BAD story)
   Bathsheba? David’s sin and transgressions
3. Chp 12-24 (SAD story)
   David’s troubles from his sin – and suffering

Part ONE (Triumphs = The Good)

Chp 1 – he heard the news of the death of Saul and Jonathan. Yes, last week, we saw how much Saul tried to kill David just because of his selfishness. Yet, at the news of the death of Saul, David wasn’t happy – he mourned for Saul and wrote a lament of sorrow (what a gentleman he is/was).

He was then ordained again as king. He began as king of the southern area first – 7 years, 6 months. At that same time, the northern area, Abnel (Saul’s man) made Saul’s son Eshibothes?? the king. During this time, there was a civil war between the house of David and the house of Saul. Saul’s house decreased and David’s increased. Finally, he was victorious and he became king over the ENTIRE land (age 30) – he reigned 33 years. Totally – 40 years, 6 months.

After he became king, the FIRST thing he did was march to Jerusalem and attack the soldiers who lived there and made it “officially” the capital of Israel – and he brought the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem (he danced publicly with joy) – this is why this is called the “City of David” – also bringing the box to the city showed God’s kingship over the nation. At this point, David wanted to establish God’s house (temple) in the city, but God said, “not yet.”

This is also where God made the Davidic Covenant and said, “I WILL make your kingdom endure forever” (3 times in chp 7).

Also, David defeated all the neighboring nations and they brought him tribute. Yes, David succeeded greatly in whatever he did – politically, spiritually, socially. He is a great poet, musician, king, etc.

This is his success story.

Part TWO (chp 11 – BAD story)

This is now David’s “Golden Time” in EVERY area of life – it was here, at the PEAK, that he fell down. This is a shameful story.

1 Cor 10:12 “If you think you are standing firm, be careful that you also do not fall down.”

When David thought he was at the highest point in his life, he fell down because of his pride (sins).

• David + Bathsheba + Uriah
• = adultery + murder + first baby’s death

After committing adultery with Bathsheba, he TRIED to hide his sin (he called Uriah home and told him to go sleep with his wife – sneaky, sneaky – he didn’t, he slept in the stables). Since that didn’t work, David had him placed at the FRONT of the battle lines and then all the army withdrew from him so he was killed.

Nathan the prophet came to David to confront him.

Because of this sin, his victories in the first part are changed to terrible sufferings and difficulties which are recorded in the rest of 2 Samuel.

Part THREE (SAD story – chp 12-24)

Because of this sin, God was very much displeased with David. (He later confessed in Psalm 51?)

Nathan came to David and told him a parable. “There were two men in the same place – one VERY rich with so many animals, one VERY poor with only one LITTLE lamb – like a daughter to him. One day, a visitor came to visit the rich man, who took the little lamb of the poor man and killed it to feed his visitor.”

David “As surely as the LORD lives, that man must DIE! He must repay 4 times this!”

Nathan “YOU! YOU are this man! You are more than this rich man!”

God (through Nathan) “I made you king over this nation. I gave you your master’s house, his wives, all victories, all you needed/wanted. If that had not been enough, I would have given you more! Why did you despise me by doing what is evil in my eyes? From now, the calamity and blood and sword will NEVER depart from your house!”

David “I’ve sinned!” (Psalm 51?)

He was forgiven, yet, he still must pay the price.

7 prices he paid for this sin:

(more than this nationally – but this is only in his household)

1. The first baby (of the adultery) died as a baby
2. His son (Amnon) committed incest with David’s daughter – raped his own sister Tamar (different mother). He hated her more than he’d loved her and kicked her out from his room.
3. Two years later, Tamar’s (real) brother Absolom killed Amnon in revenge.
4. Absolom stole the hearts of the men of Israel from David – he conspired to be king. It gradually gained strength and increased. David became weak as he became strong.
5. Because of that, David became a refugee – he fled his own house.
6. During his absence from Jerusalem, Absolom came to Jerusalem and raped his father’s second wive(s) and concubines – in the sight of all Israel – in broad daylight. David sinned secretly at nighttime, yet his son committed this terrible sin in the daytime in front of all Israel.
7. There was fighting between David’s men and Absolom’s men. David told his commander to “be gentle with Absolom for my sake” (i.e. don’t kill him) – yet, Joab the commander killed the son (as he was hanging from a tree by his hair after fleeing the battle).

Proverbs 16:32 “A patient man is better than a warrior. A man who controls his temper is better than a man who takes a city.”

1 Cor 13 “Love is patient…”

Yes, David was like the second man – he took many cities, he was a warrior, but he failed to control his temper/passion.

Yet, in spite of these sins and terrible things, David still now remains “a man after God’s own heart” – he is a very important type/foreshadowing of Christ.

He was faithful to the LORD and repented very publicly of his sin.

Life Lessons (2):

David = a type/foreshadowing of Christ

“David is a type of Jesus Christ” – he is one of the MOST IMPORTANT types of Jesus in the Old Testament.

2 Things:

1. Kingdom matter
2. Sin matter

#1: Kingdom matter

David is one who received a covenant from God – the Davidic Covenant – this is BEING fulfilled by Jesus Christ (as is the Abrahamic Covenant).

Thus Matthew 1:1, “The record of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, son of DAVID, son of ABRAHAM…”

• Abrahamic Covenant (Gen 12:1-3) “All nations on earth will be blessed through you.” – Yes, ALL can be saved and blessed through Jesus Christ.
• Davidic Covenant (2 Samuel 7:12-13, 16) “I will establish your kingdom FOREVER” – your house will be forever – this is being fulfilled right now through Jesus.

Covenant = absolute promise (promise between humans can be broken many times – but GOD’S is unbreakable)

GOD promised David “FOREVER” (3 times).

Look at the Middle East – Israel – is there the Kingdom of David now? NO.

So, how is this possible? Is God’s promise broken? NO.

The “King of Kings and Lord of Lords” (Rev 19:16) will be from the line of David and his kingdom will be established forever and ever.

Luke 1 in terms of the birth of Christ through the virgin Mary – one day the angel Gabriel visited Mary and said, “You will be with child and are to give him the name ‘Jesus’ – he will be great and will be called the ‘Son of the Most High’ – and GOD will give him the throne of his father David, and his kingdom will never end.”

Rev 20, Jesus says, “I am the root of David.”

The Old earth will one day pass away and the New earth and new kingdom will be established by Jesus.

ALL kingdoms will pass away soon – Korea, USA, China, UK, Russia, Philippines, etc – this is the message of Rev. 21.

#2: Sin message

David is a great king. He is always introduced and known as Israel’s “greatest” king. He is the standard and sample by which the following kings were all measured.

Yet, he was imperfect/a sinner. He had to be cleansed/purified by repenting his sin.

There is no one perfect, not one. Only Jesus, the sinless, stainless lamb of God is sinless. He came into this world to take away the sin of this world.

In the Bible, this truth is repeated MANY many times.

Hebrews 9:26 “Jesus Christ has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself.”

1 Peter 2:21 “He himself bore our sins on the tree so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness…”

1 Peter 3:18 “Jesus died once for all…”

1 John 3:5 “Jesus Christ appeared to take away our sins because in him there is no sin.”

Adultery, murder – these are terrible sins we must not commit. Do you agree? There are many murders – in Paris just a few days ago – over 130 killed and 350 injured. These are TERRIBLE sins we must not commit, but know this other truth.

What is the GREATEST sin?

To reject Jesus Christ as personal LORD and Savior. This is a greater sin than any other sin – this is the ONLY unforgivable sin.

Why? Only Christ is the forgiver and Savior from sin.

“because they do not believe in me…”

1 John 1:8-9 “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. But if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to cleanse us of our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”

Are you a true Christian?

As long as we live in this dirty earth, we must wash our hands, face, feet, bodies every day. We wash, cleanse ourselves every day. But nobody becomes dirty on purpose to wash again.

So, in the life of a true Christian, at least TWO things must be done continually:

1. 1. Do our best NOT to sin – do not seek getting “dirty”
2. 2. Repentance (“All a Christian’s life must be a life of repentance” – Martin Luther)

We must seek to be clean, purified, like Christ.

1 John 1:8-9 “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. But if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to cleanse us of our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”

May God bless all of us to become more and more like Jesus Christ, our King, our Lord, our example.

Let’s pray.