Category: 2 Samuel

In chapter 14 we saw the return of Absalom from exile, and the return of Absalom into official public approval (whatever David may have personally thought about his son murdering son). The passage also pointed out to us that Absalom was an appealing and attractive man with an attractive family, who appealed to the ladies…

In the second half of chapter 14 of 2 Samuel we see the continued “putting right” of relations between King David and his brother-murderer son, Absalom. Except it seems to be part of a scheme. And while the hand of providence appears to hover, making Absalom look like a man who dodged a bullet (or…

There is nothing new about being swayed by worldly wisdom. Often it calls to us with its call on our feelings over the call of our conscience. David came into contact with worldly wisdom in 2 Samuel 14, over Joab’s desire to bring Absalom back into the fold. While David saw that it was Joab’s…

Sin begets sin, because we are all “like father, like son” as this passage shows. Thank God that we are forgiven through Jesus, his perfect son, who was also “like father, like son” and so accomplished our salvation.

There are some parts of Scripture that when you read it, it reminds you that this is not written as a feel-good manual. David’s affair with Bathsheba was one of those chapters. The account of Tamar’s violation at the hands of her half-brother Amnon is another.

But for believers in Christ, God’s People, there is hope beyond the grave. A hope that comes from grace. A comfort for us in this life, as we trudge our way through, of better things to come. God’s blessing which comes from his goodness and mercy to us, despite our sin. And the knowledge of…

David thought he had got away with his sin. Swept it under the rug. Tidied things up nicely. No public harm, no public foul. Boy was he wrong. God saw. And in 2 Samuel 12:1-15, God convicted David of his sin. But God also extended grace and forgiveness for David’s sin, even though the implications…

The story of 2 Samuel plays a little like that piano with a broken key. We have seen things largely go from strength to strength, and God working through David to secure the place of his people, until suddenly it goes terribly wrong.

There are lots of sayings and idioms which are wise to live by. Do to others as you wish done to you. Those who do not learn from the past are doomed to repeat it. A stitch in time saves nine. Penny wise, pound foolish. Here is another one – “Kiss the Son, lest he…

David’s house may have triumphed over Saul’s, but that didn’t mean that every descendant of Saul had to be erased from history. David also made a covenant with Jonathan, and he intended to keep it. In this passage, David shows the depths of covenant loyalty, that looks past dynastic conflict and the physical frailty of…