• Title Page
• Pentateuch
• History
  • Lesson 10: Joshua
  • Lesson 11: Judges and Ruth
  • Lesson 12: I Samuel
  • Lesson 13: II Samuel
    • The Exaltation of David, 2 Samuel 1–5
    • The Messianic Covenant, 2 Samuel 6–7
    • The Prophecy of Christ
    • Did David Foresee Christ?
    • The Great Downfall, 2 Samuel 11–12
    • The Rebellion of Absalom, 2 Samuel 15–20
    • The Conclusion of David’s Life, 2 Samuel 22–23
  • Lesson 14: I Kings
  • Lesson 15: II Kings
  • Lesson 16: I and II Chronicles and Esther
• Poetry
• Prophets
• Post Captivity Prophets
• Gospels, Acts
• Pauline Epistles
• General Epistles

II Samuel

In the Jewish canon, First and Second Samuel were regarded as one book; but it is obvious that Samuel was not its author beyond I Samuel 25. The remainder has been ascribed to different authors, but common consent, I believe, has fastened on Nathan or Gad (I Chronicles 29:29). Do not leave the consideration of Samuel altogether, without engaging in a character study of that wonderful man. One of the greatest in the Bible is he. See how God Himself estimated him in Jeremiah 15:1.

The book now under contemplation is chiefly concerned, as you have discovered, with the history of David, the facts of whose life need to be gotten well in mind for two reasons. (1) Because of the large place he occupies in sacred story as the great ancestor and type of Christ, and (2) in order to understand and utilize the Psalms. One-half of the book of Psalms at least, was written by David; and written with reference to various occasions and experiences in his life. To understand many of their allusions, therefore, how needful to understand the circumstances giving rise to them? Moreover, unless we understand those allusions how can we extract the real comfort from the Psalms either for our selves or others? The titles of some of the Psalms tell us when they were written, and this, of course, is a great aid; but in many cases the origin or connection only can be grasped by carefully reading the Psalm in the light of the whole story of David’s life. As a single illustration of the latter circumstance, read over again the story of David’s connection with the city of Keilah in I Samuel, and then compare Psalm 31 for a possible likeness.

For the above reasons, it would be advisable to review I Samuel, especially I Samuel 16-26, which treat so largely of David’s early history. For example, become familiar with his genealogy and connected topics. What was his father’s name? The name of his tribe? His birth-place? What were the facts or incidents of his anointing? Go over again the larger events under the head of his persecution. Recall Goliath, Jonathan, Ahimelech, Adullam, Keilah, Saul’s deliverances at his hands, Ziklag, etc.

The Exaltation of David, II Samuel 1-5

The persecutions of David at the hands of Saul are over, and now what follows? What shall we call the first great fact in book two? Over which tribe is David first anointed as king? How