David
[2Sam 1 - 1Kings 2:11]
David is anointed king over Judea; Conflict with the house of Saul
[2Sam 1-4]
An
Amalekite
comes
to
David
at
Ziklag
giving
an
account
of
Saul
and
Jonathan’s
death
which,
in
the
case
of
Saul,
he
said
he
was
party
to
at
his
request.
David
and
his
men
are
filled
with
grief
and
the
messenger
is
slain
for
his
claimed
involvement
in
Saul’s
death.
David
composes a lament for this occasion
.
After
seeking
God’s
guidance,
David
goes
to
live
in
Hebron,
taking
all
his
men,
and
is
there
anointed
king
of
Judah.
Hearing
of
the
kindness
of
the
men
of
Jaeshgilead
in
burying
Saul,
he
thanks
them
and
promises
to
remember
it,
while
taking
the
opportunity
to
inform
them
he
was
now
the
anointed
king
over
Judah.
Meanwhile,
Saul’s
son
Ishbosheth
is
made
king
over
the
rest
of
Israel
by
Abner,
once commander-in-chief of Saul’s army, and reigns for two years.
After
David
had
been
king
over
Judah
for
seven
and
a
half
years,
an
incident
between
twelve
of
Abner’s
men
and
twelve
of
David’s
men,
instigated
by
Abner,
leads
to
a
battle
in
which
Abner
is
defeated.
Asahel,
one
of
David’s
men
and
also
a
nephew,
is
killed
in
pursuit
of
Abner.
Joab,
another
a
nephew
of
David,
and
some
men
continue
the
pursuit
until
Abner
is
joined
by
some
Benjamites
and
argues
for
an
end
to
the
fighting.
Joab
sounds
a
retreat
and
Abner’s
party
returns
to
Mahanaim,
having
lost
three
hundred
and
sixty
men. After burying Asahel, Joab’s party returns to Hebron having lost just twenty men.
Wars
continue
between
the
house
of
Saul
and
the
house
of
David,
with
David
growing
ever
stronger
and
the
house
of
Saul
growing
ever weaker. During this time, David has six sons by six wives, the third son being Absalom.
Following
a
quarrel
between
Ishbosheth
and
Abner,
Abner
proposes
to
make
a
treaty
with
David
in
which
he
would
be
actively
involved
in
bringing
all
Israel
under
David’s
reign.
David
agrees
to
the
treaty,
but
only
if
his
first
wife
Michal,
Saul’s
daughter,
is
returned
to
him.
This
is
done
and
Abner
begins
to
make
representations
to
Israel
to
align
with
David,
reporting
this
to
David
and
promising to continue his endeavours.
When
Joab
returns
from
a
battle
with
great
spoil,
and
hears
that
Abner
has
been
to
see
David
and
left
in
peace,
he
rebukes
David
for
it,
then
secretly
sends
for
Abner
and
murders
him
in
vengeance
for
his
brother
Asahel’s
death.
David
declares
himself
and
his
kingdom guiltless of Abner’s death, then pronounces terrible consequences for Joab and his family.
David buries Abner in Hebron with great lamentation and expression of his high regard for him.
When
Ishbosheth
and
all
Israel
hears
of
Abner’s
death,
they
become
troubled
at
the
loss
of
their
leader,
not
quite
knowing
what
will
happen
next.
Two
of
Ishbosheth’s
captains
assassinate
Ishbosheth,
cut
off
his
head
and
take
it
to
David,
claiming
that
all
the
wrongs
done
to
David
by
the
house
of
Saul
are
now
avenged.
They
declare
this
act
to
be
of
God,
but
David,
understanding
their
motive,
knows
God
was
not
in
need
of
their
help
and
has
them
executed
for
their
wicked
deed.
Ishbosheth’s
head
is
then
taken
and
buried
in
Abner’s
sepulchre in Heron.
David becomes king over Israel
[2Sam 5:1-5]
All
the
tribes
of
Israel
now
come
to
Hebron,
accepting
David
as
their
leader
and
anoint
him
king
over
all
Israel.
David
was
thirty
years
old
when
he
first
became
king,
and
reigned
over
Judah
seven
years
and
six
months.
He
is
to
reign
over
all
Israel
and
Judah
for
a
further thirty three years.
David conquers Jerusalem and defeats the Philistines
[2Sam 5:6-25]
David
goes
to
Jerusalem,
but
is
yet
unable
to
take
the
city
from
the
Jebusites,
so
first
takes
the
stronghold
of
Zion.
Jerusalem
is
later
taken
by
Joab,
who
becomes
chief
commander
of
David’s
army
as
his
reward.
Here
David
builds
his
house,
takes
more
wives
and
concubines and increases his offspring.
The
Philistines,
hearing
David
is
now
king
over
all
Israel
and
all
the
more
of
a
threat
to
them,
come
to
fight
him
on
two
occasions.
Enquiring of God, David is directed to fight the Philistines and does so in the knowledge that God will deliver them into his hand.
The ark is brought to Jerusalem
[2Sam 6; 1Chr 15-16]
David
takes
thirty
thousand
men
and
fetches
the
ark
from
Baal
of
Judah,
intending
to
bring
it
to
his
own
city.
On
the
way,
Uzzah
touches
the
ark,
thinking
it’s
about
to
fall
from
the
cart,
and
is
struck
down
by
God,
as
direct
physical
contact
with
the
ark
is
forbidden.
At
this
point,
David
becomes
afraid
and
the
ark
is
left
at
Obededom’s
house.
Here
it
remains
for
three
months,
during
which
time
God
blesses
Obededom
and
all
his
house.
On
hearing
of
this,
David
then
brings
the
ark
from
Obededom
into
his
own
city
with
great
joy,
dancing
with
all
his
might
wearing
a
linen
ephod
rather
than
his
royal
clothes.
His
wife,
Michal,
expresses
displeasure
in
some
of
David’s
behaviour
whilst
he
was
bringing
the
ark
into
the
city,
but
her
criticism
brings
reproach
upon
herself,
and
she
has
no
children
from this time on.
The Davidic Covenant
[2Sam 7; 1Chr 17]
David
expresses
a
desire
to
Nathan
to
build
a
house
for
the
ark
of
God,
which
meets
with
Nathan’s
approval.
But
that
night
Nathan
receives
a
word
from
God;
he
is
to
tell
David
that
God
had
dwelt
in
a
tent
for
many
years,
and
never
gave
instruction
to
build
Him
a
house. Neither should David build Him one, but his son who will succeed him will.
A
promise
is
given
from
God,
through
the
prophet
Nathan,
that
Israel
will
live
forever
and
in
peace
in
the
land
promised
to
Abraham,
Isaac and Jacob, and that the establishment of David’s throne and kingdom will last forever. This is the Davidic Covenant.
David then prays to God expressing his own unworthiness, his recognition of God’s greatness, and faith in the promises made.
David’s victories
[2Sam 8; 1Chr 18]
After
having
had
some
rest
from
his
enemies,
David
again
has
to
deal
with
them.
He
is
victorious
over
the
Philistines,
Moabites,
Syrians,
Edomites
and
others.
During
these
victories
much
spoil
is
taken,
including
brass
and
gold
that
will
later
be
used
in
the
construction of the temple. Also, many gifts are brought to David.
With
all
his
enemies
subdued,
and
having
established
his
principal
officers
under
him,
David
now
reigns
peacefully
over
all
Israel
and
administers judgement and justice to all his people.
David’s faithfulness to his covenant with Jonathan
[2Sam 9]
For
the
sake
of
his
covenant
with
Jonathan,
David
enquires
whether
there
is
anyone
living
from
Saul’s
house.
He
is
told
of
Jonathan’s
son
Mephibosheth,
who
is
lame.
David
sends
for
him
and
restores
all
his
grandfather’s
land
due
to
him
that
was
lost
during
Ishbosheth’s
rebellion.
He
appoints
Ziba,
Saul’s
servant,
as
well
as
his
sons
and
his
servants,
to
look
after
Mephibosheth’s
land,
though
he was to always eat at David’s table as one of his own sons.
David commits adultery and murder
[2Sam 10-12; 1Chr 19]
Hearing
that
the
king
of
Ammon
had
died,
and
because
he
had
shown
him
kindness
when
he
was
persecuted
by
Saul,
David
sends
messengers
to
console
Hanun,
the
king’s
son,
but
the
messengers
were
ill-treated
and
humiliated
by
Hanun.
The
Ammonites,
perceiving
David’s
displeasure,
prepare
for
war
and
hire
the
Syrians
as
allies.
David
sends
Joab
and
Abishai
to
fight
them,
one
against
the
Ammonites
and
the
other
against
the
Syrians.
Both
enemies
are
defeated
and
they
return
to
Jerusalem.
The
Syrians
regroup
to
fight with David but are again defeated, and David makes servants of them.
At
the
end
of
the
year,
David
sends
Joab
with
all
his
army
to
fight
the
Ammonites
(who
are
defeated),
but
David
remains
in
Jerusalem.
From
his
rooftop
one
evening,
David
sees
Bathsheba
washing,
has
her
brought
to
his
house,
commits
adultery
with
her.
He
later
arranges
for
her
husband,
Uriah,
to
be
put
at
the
forefront
of
battle
so
that
he
would
be
killed.
The
plan
is
successful
and
when
Bathsheba finishes mourning for her husband, David sends for her. She becomes his wife and bears him a son.
This
displeases
God
and
Nathan
the
prophet
is
sent
to
David
to
charge
him
of
his
sins
by
way
of
a
parable.
Accepting
these
charges
and
recognising
the
gravity
of
his
sins,
David
repents.
Nathan
tells
David
he
is
forgiven
by
God,
but
will
suffer
penalties.
Although
David
is
told
he
will
lose
his
child
conceived
through
adultery,
when
the
child
falls
sick
he
still
fasts
and
prays
lest
God
should
show
him
grace.
The
child
nevertheless
dies
and
David
ceases
fasting,
returning
to
a
normal
life
of
worship
and
eating.
Bathsheba
conceives
again, bears David a son whom David names Solomon, and also calls him Jedidiah, which means ‘beloved of the Lord’.
Joab
now
goes
against
the
city
of
Rabbah,
then
David
takes
all
his
men
and
conquers
the
city.
He
takes
a
large
amount
of
spoil
and
puts all the people into servitude, as he does with all the cities of Ammon before returning to Jerusalem.
David loses his sons Amnon and Absalom
[2Sam 13-20]
David’s
son
Amnon
falls
in
love
with
his
brother
Absalom’s
sister
Tamar.
Encouraged
by
Jonadab,
a
nephew
and
friend
to
Amnon,
a
plot
is
schemed
whereby
Amnon
feigns
sickness
and
requests
that
Tamar
should
nurse
him,
which
will
then
give
him
the
opportunity
to
force
himself
on
her.
When
the
opportunity
arises,
her
unwillingness
to
yield
voluntarily
to
Amnon
gives
rise
to
a
hatred
for
her
that
exceeds
his
love,
and
causes
her
more
grief
than
would
the
indecent
act
itself.
Absalom,
observing
her
distress,
discovers
the
truth
but
tells her to keep the matter secret. David also gets to know of what has happened, but does not punish Amnon.
After
two
years,
Absalom
persuades
his
father
to
allow
all
his
brothers
to
go
with
him
to
his
sheep
shearing.
Absalom
had
commanded
his
servants
to
take
advantage
when
Amnon
was
merry
through
drink
and
kill
him.
David
hears
that
Amnon
has
had
all
his
brothers
slain
and
is
grieving
when
Jonadab
tells
him
that
only
Amnon
has
been
killed,
this
news
being
verified
when
his
sons
return
and
they
all
weep
over
Amnon’s
murder.
Having
contrived
Amnon’s
death,
Absalom
now
has
to
flee
and
goes
to
Geshur.
There
he
remains for three years, during which time David begins to long for his son, having been comforted over the death of Amnon.
Joab,
recognising
that
David
longs
to
have
Absalom
back
with
him,
employs
a
wise
woman
of
Tekoah
to
put
a
concocted
case
before
David
which
contrives
to
allow
David
to
have
his
son
return
home.
This
David
does,
but
decrees
that
Absalom
is
to
stay
at
his
own
house and the two are not to see each other.
Two
years
pass
without
Absalom
seeing
his
father,
during
which
time
his
handsome
appearance,
particularly
his
head
of
hair,
is
noticed
by
many.
Absalom
has
three
sons
and
a
daughter
he
names
Tamar,
who
is
also
recognised
for
her
beauty.
After
these
two
years,
Absalom
sends
for
Joab
intending
him
to
petition
his
father,
but
Joab
twice
refuses
to
see
him
until
Absalom
forces
a
meeting
by
having
his
servants
burn
his
field.
A
meeting
and
agreement
follows
and
Absalom
is
reunited
with
his
father,
who
kisses
his
son
while
he is on his knees before him.
In
time,
Absalom
intercepts
those
coming
to
David
for
judgement
of
any
controversy,
and
judges
their
situations
himself.
Through
this
means,
over
an
extended
period
of
forty
years,
Absalom
steals
the
hearts
of
the
people
of
Israel.
He
then
speaks
to
his
father,
pretends
he
had
made
a
vow
to
God
and
seeks
leave
to
go
to
Hebron
to
honour
it.
At
Hebron,
Absalom
forms
a
conspiracy
to
become
king.
David,
hearing
of
this,
and
knowing
of
Absalom’s
favour
with
the
people,
leaves
Jerusalem
with
his
household
and
servants
for
his
own
safety,
and
for
that
of
his
city,
leaving
ten
concubines
to
keep
house
in
his
absence.
As
David
and
the
people
go
up
to
the
mount
of
Olives,
weeping
along
the
way,
David
is
told
that
Ahithophel
is
involved
in
the
conspiracy,
and
so
he
prays
that
Ahithopel’s
counselling
will
amount
to
foolishness.
Hushai,
the
Archite,
comes
to
David
on
the
mount,
but
David
sends
him
back
to
Jerusalem
to
oppose
the
counsel of Ahithophel, and to send him word from time to time by the priests.
When
David
has
passed
a
little
way
beyond
the
top
of
the
mount,
Mephibosheth’s
servant
Ziba
comes
and
presents
David
with
many
gifts. He enquires after Mephibosheth, but is told he has returned to Jerusalem.
Later,
as
David
and
his
company
are
passing
Bahurim,
Shimei,
from
the
house
of
Saul,
comes
cursing
David,
but
David
chooses
not
to take offence and told his party to do likewise.
Absalom
is
now
in
Jerusalem
with
all
his
men
and
Ahithophel
is
there
with
him.
Hushai
offers
his
service
to
Absalom
and
is
admitted
to
his
privy
council.
Absalom
seeks
Ahithophel’s
counsel
and
is
told
by
him
to
have
intercourse
with
David’s
concubines,
for
which
he
will
be
abhorred
by
his
father,
but
will
demonstrate
to
all
Israel
that
the
two
will
not
be
reconciled,
and
that
the
people
are
safe
to
continue supporting him.
Absalom
again
seeks
Ahithophel’s
counsel
and
is
advised
to
march
with
twelve
thousand
men
to
kill
David.
But
Absalom
also
asks
for
Hushai’s
counsel,
which
is
to
gather
a
larger
army
from
all
Israel
(which
will
naturally
take
longer
to
achieve).
Absalom
favours
Hushai’s
counsel,
as
a
result
of
which
Ahithophel
later
hangs
himself.
Hushai
sends
a
message
to
David
through
the
priests
advising
him
to
pass
over
Jordan
immediately.
This
David
does
and
pitches
in
Gilead,
where
he
is
supplied
with
many
provisions
from
prominent
local people. Some time later, Absalom follows David to Gilead.
David
divides
his
army
into
three,
captained
by
Joab,
Joab’s
brother
Abishai,
and
Ittai,
and
commands
the
three
to
deal
gently
with
Absalom
for
his
sake.
There
follows
a
great
battle
where
many
of
the
followers
of
Absalom
are
slain.
Absalom’s
mule
runs
under
the
thick
boughs
of
an
oak
which
catches
Absalom’s
head
and
he
is
left
hanging.
He
is
then
killed
by
Joab
and
ten
of
his
men.
News
of
Absalom’s
death
is
delivered
to
David,
causing
him
considerable
grief.
David
indulges
in
too
much
grief
for
his
son
Absalom
and
is
rebuked
by
Joab,
warning
him
there
would
be
a
revolt
by
those
who
delivered
his
enemies
if
he
did
not
change
his
conduct,
which
he
then does. Consequently, Israel, followed by Judah, encourage David’s return to Jerusalem.
At
Jordan,
Shimei,
who
had
previously
cursed
David,
asks
for
his
pardon
and
is
forgiven
by
David.
When
David
returns
to
Jerusalem,
Mephibosheth,
providing
sufficient
excuse
for
not
going
with
David,
has
the
half
of
his
land
that
had
been
given
to
his
servant
restored
to
him.
Then
Barzillai,
who
had
generously
supplied
David,
is
allowed
to
return
to
his
own
city
and
his
son,
Chimham,
is
taken
into
the
king’s court.
Contention
arises
between
the
people
of
Israel
and
Judah
concerning
Judah’s
involvement
in
David’s
return
to
Jerusalem,
Israel
claiming a greater right to the king because of their numbers.
Sheba,
a
Benjamite,
starts
a
rebellion
against
David
with
all
the
men
of
Israel
following
him,
while
Judah
remains
faithful.
Amasa
is
ordered
by
David
to
assemble
the
men
of
Judah
to
crush
the
rebellion,
but
he
is
slow
in
carrying
out
the
order,
so
Abishai
is
sent
instead,
followed
by
Joab
who
later
executes
Amasa.
Sheba
is
pursued
to
Abel
where
he
takes
refuge,
but
is
beheaded
because
of
the
influence of a wise woman on the people of Abel, and his head delivered to Joab, putting an end to the rebellion.
Final conflicts in David’s reign
[2Sam 21-23; 1Chr 20]
Now
there
had
been
a
famine
for
three
years
when
David
enquires
of
God
and
is
told
the
famine
is
because
of
Saul’s
slaughter
of
the
Gibeonites,
for
Joshua
had
made
an
oath
with
the
Gibeonites
not
to
harm
them.
David
summons
the
Gibeonites
to
ask
what
atonement
might
be
made,
to
which
they
reply
they
only
desire
seven
of
Saul’s
sons
to
be
delivered
to
them
for
hanging.
This
is
granted,
after
which David buries their bones, along with Saul’s and Jonathan’s, in their father’s sepulchre.
The
Philistines
again
go
to
war
against
the
Israelites.
When
one
of
the
sons
of
a
giant
(of
the
nephilim)
seeks
to
kill
David,
David’s
age
is
against
him
and
he
lacks
the
strength
to
fight,
so
another
goes
to
David’s
aid
and
kills
the
giant.
There
are
three
more
occasions
when the Philistines war with Israel, and on each one a descendant of the giants is killed.
David
recites
a
psalm,
then
gives
account
of
his
great
men
and
their
exploits,
of
which
he
provides
detail
concerning
five,
and
another thirty are mentioned by name.
Adonijah’s plot
[1Kings 1]
As
David
is
being
comforted
in
his
old
age,
Adonijah,
his
eldest
son,
takes
it
on
himself
to
usurp
the
throne
with
the
support
of
Joab
and
the
priest
Abiathar.
Nathan
counsels
Bathsheba
to
bring
the
matter
to
David’s
attention,
with
his
support,
reminding
David
of
his
oath
that
Solomon
would
be
king.
David
confirms
the
succession
of
Solomon
and
orders
Nathan
the
prophet
and
Zadok
the
priest
to
anoint
him,
which
they
do
to
the
great
joy
of
all
the
people.
When
the
news
of
Solomon’s
anointing
reaches
Adonijah
and
his
friends,
all
his
friends
disperse
in
fear,
but
Adonijah
catches
hold
of
the
horns
on
the
altar
as
a
means
of
refuge.
He
is
pardoned
by
Solomon
on
the promise of good behaviour.
David counts the fighting men
[2Sam 24; 1Chr 21]
Provoked
by
ungodly
thoughts,
David
orders
a
census
of
all
Israel,
which
takes
some
nine
months
to
complete.
He
now
acknowledges
to
God
that
his
motives
were
sinful
and
asks
for
his
iniquity
to
be
taken
from
him.
God
sends
the
prophet
Gad
to
David,
proposing
three
things
of
which
David
is
to
choose
one
as
a
punishment.
All
three
were
grievous,
but
David
chooses
three
days
of
pestilence,
the
one
that
seems
not
to
involve
man
but
God
alone.
Nevertheless,
it
does
result
in
the
death
of
seventy
thousand
men.
Gad
instructs
David
to
build
an
altar
to
God
on
the
threshing
floor
of
Araunah
(also
translated
as
Ornan)
the
Jebusite,
on
which
he
makes
offerings
that brings his punishment to an end.
Solomon is charged with the building of the temple
[1Chr 22:2-19]
David
declares
the
site
of
the
threshing
floor
of
Ornan
(on
the
summit
of
Mount
Moriah)
as
being
the
place
where
the
temple
is
to
be
built,
and
makes
abundant
preparations
for
craftsmen
and
materials.
David
tells
Solomon
he
is
to
build
the
temple
and
that
God
will
be
with him in his task. David also commands the princes of Israel to assist Solomon in its building.
The Levites’ temple duties
[1Chr 23-26]
David
numbers
the
Levites
from
thirty
years
upwards
and
assigns
them
their
work:
24000
for
the
work
in
the
temple,
6000
offices
and
judges
throughout
Israel,
4000
porters
and
4000
musicians.
In
future
they
are
to
be
numbered
from
twenty
years
upwards
because
of
the
extra
burden
of
work
through
increased
numbers
of
Israelites.
The
priests
are
divided
into
twenty
four
courses
(or
groups),
each
with
its
own
head
man,
to
exercise
the
duties
of
priests
on
the
Sabbath
in
rotation.
Others
are
then
divided
into
twenty
four
courses
to
assist
the
priests
in
their
duties.
The
sons
of
Asaph,
Heman
and
Jeduthun
are
assigned
to
be
singers
and
musicians,
being
divided
into
twenty
four
courses
with
twelve
in
each
course.
There
are
further
divisions
for
porters
to
serve
at
the
temple
gates,
others
to
be
in
charge of the temple treasures and others to be judges to administer justice throughout Israel.
Civil government
[1Chr 27]
David
then
identifies
twelve
military
courses
and
their
captains
that
are
to
serve
him
for
a
month
in
turn
throughout
each
year.
He
also
names the princes over the tribes of Israel. He then names his economic rulers, counsellors and the general of his army.
The government passes to Solomon; plans and instructions for the temple
[1Kings 2:1-11; 1Chr 28-29]
David
convenes
the
leading
men
of
Israel
to
declare
Solomon
his
successor,
whom
God
had
chosen
to
be
both
king
and
builder
of
the
temple.
He
then
exhorts
them
to
serve
God
and
for
Solomon
to
be
strong
in
building
the
temple.
Solomon
is
given
the
design
for
the
temple,
exactly
as
David
had
received
it
in
the
spirit,
and
a
list
of
materials
prepared
for
it.
He
then
gives
him
encouragement
as
God
will be with him and an abundance of servants, skills and labour will be available to him.
David
now
addresses
all
the
people
telling
of
the
preparations
for
the
temple
to
be
built
by
Solomon,
of
his
material
contribution
towards
it,
and
of
the
contributions
willingly
offered
by
all
the
leaders
in
Israel,
to
which
news
they
all
greatly
rejoice.
He
then
gives
prayers
of
praise
and
thanksgiving,
and
sacrifices
are
offered
to
God.
Solomon
is
then
anointed
by
David
and
made
king
for
the
second
time, and all Israel submit themselves to Solomon.
David
now
speaks
to
Solomon,
charging
him
to
walk
in
the
ways
of
God,
and
gives
him
instructions
concerning
particular
persons
he
should show favour to, or execute justice on.
David passes away after reigning over Israel for forty years, seven years in Hebron and thirty three years in Jerusalem.
Hierarchical Précis