Degree of difficulty: 2 out of 10 (Explanation:) This week's reading is only 23 chapters long! we'll get to read about the tragic end to the reign of Saul, the surprisingly difficult ascension of David to the throne, and the successes and failures of David's reign. You may be surprised to read of David's condition/predicament when this week's reading ends - it’s not very good.

So far this year, we have been tearing through the historical account of the Old Testament, and we have only had 1-week's reprieve from narrative to read the laws given on Mt. Sinai to Moses. I think the stories that we are reading are fascinating, but they may not be what you expect or want most from your Bible reading. When we're reading the stories of the Old Testament, the text doesn't seem to be addressing you personally with God's truth - there are extra steps involved to read of these characters and translate that story into something meaningful to us. Don't lose heart! As soon as next week, we'll be reading some of the poetic literature of the Old Testament, and the next several weeks will feature works of prophecy. the storyline of the Old Testament is so crucial to understanding who Jesus is and what he came here to do, that we need to read it first so that we can let the Bible set the table for us to be fed by the Gospel of Christ.

About the Book

1st & 2nd Samuel

Date of Authorship: The books of 1st and 2nd Samuel are really one, continuous, historical volume. Textual indicators tell us that they were likely written after the divided monarchy in 931 BC, and before the exile of Israel in 721 BC

Author: The Bible gives us no real clues about who wrote the accounts of 1st and 2nd Samuel.

Purpose: The books of Samuel explain to their Israelite audience how it is that they came to have a king. Furthermore, it shows them the qualities possessed by a bad king (Saul) and the qualities possessed by a good king (David). This document would serve as a narratival validation of the Davidic monarchy for its readers in the kingdom of Judah.

As you read Notes

1st Samuel 18 - The Witch of Endor

1st Samuel 28 contains a fascinating story about Saul consulting a witch. Saul becomes so desperate to be delivered from the Philistine threat that he asks a witch to consult Samuel - who has been dead for three chapters now. the most fascinating part - is that it works.

God's word tells us that this witch is successful in 'bringing up' the prophet Samuel. Saul did not get what he expected from Samuel. Instead, the prophet reaffirms his condemnation of Saul and tells him that he will face his demise tomorrow.

here and elsewhere we see the Israelites of the Old Testament conceiving of the afterlife in a way that would have been familiar to the people that they lived near in the Ancient Near East; as described here in the IVP Bible Backgrounds Commentary:

"The spirits of the dead were believed to descend to the underworld known as Sheol. This was a nebulous region of continued existences, but is not distinguished as a place of reward or punishment."

And the following from E.F Sutcliffe's The Old Testament and the Future Life (57-59)

Those in Sheol were viewed as separated from God (Pss. 6:6; 88:3, 10-12; Isa. 38:18), though as previously mentioned, God has access to Sheol.
Sheol is never referred to as the abode of the wicked alone.
While Sheol is never identified as the place where all go, the burden of proof rests on those who suggest that there was an alternative.
Sheol is a place of negation: no possessions, memory, knowledge, joy
It is not viewed as a place where judgment or punishment takes place, though it is considered an act of God's judgment to be sent there rather than remaining alive. Thus, it is inaccurate to translate sheol as “hell,” as the latter is by definition a place of punishment.
There is no reference suggesting varying compartments in Sheol. “Deepest” Sheol (e.g., Deut. 32:22) refers to its location (“beneath”) rather than a lower compartment

These ancient peoples' understanding of the afterlife was incorrect - or at least incomplete (depending on how you read 1st Peter 3:18-20). We know this because of what God's word will later tell us about heaven and hell, judgment day, and the resurrection of the dead. However, being familiar or conversant in the ancient understanding of Sheol will help us better understand both this story of the Witch of Endor, and other Old Testament passages. There are some passages in the Old Testament where it appears that some of the authors understand the afterlife as it has now been fully revealed through God's word; there is a good article about those passages here

https://www.biblestudytools.com/bible-study/topical-studies/is-there-an-expectation-of-eternal-life-in-the-old-testament.html

2nd Samuel 2 - King Ish-Bosheth

Admittedly, the story of Ish-Bosheth's 2-year reign is one that usually escapes my memory soon after i read it. After Saul’s death, David was declared king over the tribe of Judah (which included Simeon) in the south. but the northern tribes made Saul's son Ish-Bosheth king. This division between the northern ten tribes of Israel and the southern two is a dynamic that will return after the reign of David's son Solomon and remain for centuries.

An interesting part of Ish-Bosheth's reign is that he does not really seem to be in charge. Abner, the commander of Saul's army seems to be the one making the decisions while Ish-Bosheth serves as a figurehead. While David's and Saul's houses are said to be at war (2nd Samuel 3:1), Abner and Ish-Bosheth are not portrayed as evil characters. the perpetrators of each of their deaths are cursed or executed.

2nd Samuel 5-10: David's Kingdom - Early Victories

David's reign kicks off with a bang. during this period he enjoyed military success greater than has been seen yet in the history of Israel which resulted in a much more complete occupation of the promised land than at any time thus far. His exploits begin with the conquest of the all-important city of Jerusalem. His second feat is to twice defeat the Philistines. This victory is particularly important because it rids the Israelite people of a nuisance that has plagued them for as long ago as the days of Shamgar son of Anath in Judges 3. You'll remember that it was the Philistines who killed Saul after an incursion that reached all the way to up to Mt. Gilboa, not far from the Sea of Galilee. While the Philistines are not eradicated, their territory is greatly reduced.

He continues to defeat the Moabites to the east, and the Arameans far to the north-east, and we are told in 8:3 that he also subdued Edom, the Ammonites, and Amalek (the Philistine’s neighbor to the south)

David's Many Wives

in last week's reading, we met David's first three wives. Michal was given as a wife to David by Saul, her father, but when David fled from Saul she was given in marriage to Paltiel son of Laish, as we learn in 1st Samuel 25. second was Ahinoam of Jezreel who we also learn of in 1st Samuel 25. The third was Abigail, the widow of Nabal.

In 2nd Samuel 3 we learn of 4 more; Maakah daugter of Tamai, Haggith, Abital, Eglah. These four bore sons to him during the 7.5 years when his capital was in Hebron of Judah. In 2nd Samuel 5:13, we are told that "After he left Hebron, David took more concubines and wives in Jerusalem, and more sons and daughters were born to him." we know that he took at least ten concubines because of their interaction with Absalom in 2nd Samuel 16. The last wife that David takes is Bathsheba, the widow of Uriah the Hittite, more on her below.

2nd Samuel 11: David's Sin Against Uriah the Hittite.

The exploits of the Israelite army in 2nd Samuel 10 are hard for me to keep straight because I'm always getting the Ammonites and the Arameans mixed up. you need to know that the Arameans were badly defeated and their ally the Ammonites had been chased back into the city of Rabbah (spelled Rabbath in the map to the left. this is important because a man named Uriah the Hittite. was a part of the army who, in chapter 11 is sent to lay siege to the city of Rabbah.

Uriah was a Hittite, and the Hittites were among the peoples the Israelites were told to completely drive out from the Promised Land. However, many of them were not. Some like Uriah were conscripted into the Israelite army. Uriah was no ordinary soldier. In next week's reading, we will hear him named as one of David's 37 elite fighting men (2nd Sam 23:39). His elevated status is made more clear by his wife. Bathsheba was the daughter of Eliam another one of David's 37 mighty men, and he was the son of Ahithophel, an important adviser to the king who would later be loyal to Absalom. David would have known his family and the fact that their roof was so near the royal palace indicates that these people were very familiar to the king. Knowing these things, it becomes clear that David knew exactly whose house he was looking at and exactly whose wife he coveted.

After you read the account of David’s sin and sorrow in chapters 11 & 12, flip to read Psalm 51 to read David's response to his transgression.

2nd Samuel 9 and 16: Mephibosheth and Ziba

How is that for a pair of names? Mephibosheth is the son of Johnathan, the grandson of Saul. he was lame in both feet because of an injury suffered as a child as his nurse fled following Saul and Johnathan's demise at the hands of the Philistines. David had promised Johnathan that he would show kindness to his house in 1st Samuel 20:15. When he settles in his new capitol of Jerusalem he asks "is there anyone still left of the house of Saul to whom I can show kindness for Johnathan's sake?" Mephibosheth is the lone survivor.

It would be normal or customary for a new king to eradicate the family members of a previous regime when they come to power in the Ancient Near East, however, David does the opposite. Mephibosheth is given all of the land that belonged to Saul and is given a seat at the king's table for the rest of his days. While he remains at the king’s table, a servant of Saul's household, Ziba, will manage and run his estate. This display of kindness is a remarkable part of David's story.

We meet both Ziba and Mephibosheth seven chapters later. As David flees Jerusalem with those loyal to him, seeking to avoid conflict with his son Absalom, Ziba meets David's group and supplies them with donkeys and supplies. By doing so, Ziba puts himself and his family in great danger from Absalom who might punish him for supporting David. Mephibosheth is not with Ziba. Mephibosheth remained in Jerusalem because he selfishly and foolishly believed that he would be made king of Israel. Mephibosheth treats David's kindness and generosity with scorn and proves to be a conniving rat. David gives Ziba and his family ownership of all that belonged to Mephibosheth

I dare you to say 2nd Samuel 17:27 three times fast...

Study Questions:

In 1st Samuel 26 , David again spares Saul's life. what does David know that is more important than coincidence or convenience (hint: 26:23) ?
In 1st Samuel 31, the book of 1st Samuel concludes with Saul and Johnathan dead and the Israelite people being overrun by the Philistines. this is the second-straight book that has ended in doom for the Israelite people. Why are God's people suffering such troubles? Why are they having such a hard time in the promised land?
In 2nd Samuel 1, David composes a lament for Saul and Johnathan. Their deaths were prophesied by Samuel as a punishment from God for Saul, but David mourns their passing. What is sad about the death of Saul and Johnathan. why does David lament their passing?
In 2nd Samuel 6:14-15, David dances before the Lord with all his might as the Ark is brought into the new capitol of Jerusalem. Why does his wife Michal criticize him? how does David respond? is there anything in your life worth dancing before the Lord over?
In 2nd Samuel 11, David sins by sleeping with Bathsheba and having her husband (among others) murdered in battle. why do you think David did this? can you identify any elements of David's temptation to sin?
In 2nd Samuel 12:7, the prophet Nathan tells David, "You are the man!" but it is not in the context you would want to hear those words spoken. David has been convicted of a sin and he has to face his guilt. Have you faced a moment like this in your life? how did you respond? Did you trust God to restore you like he did David?
In 2nd Samuel 16:5-14, David endures the insults of Shimei. He refuses to silence him. Why does David allow this man to criticize him (hint 16:11-12)? how can we learn from David's example here?

Week 8 Study Page - 1st Samuel 26-31, 2nd Samuel 1-17

Week #8 Study Page

1st Samuel 26-31, 2nd Samuel 1-17

About the Book

As you read Notes