Teaching Notes
II SAMUEL
If you remember from our previous studies, Absalom has lead a revolt against his father David and has been anointed king over Israel in Hebron. As David gets word that Absalom is heading back to Jerusalem with his troops to take the throne from David, David leaves the city and heads towards Mahanaim on the east side of the Jordan River, for he does not want the city he loves to turn into a war zone. As Absalom begins his reign in Jerusalem, he gets counsel to kill David and thus crush any resistance to his authority. And Absalom gathers his forces together, from Dan to Beersheba, and heads to the east side of the Jordan River to destroy David. As both armies battle it out, Absalom's men are defeated and as Absalom tries to escape on a mule, his hair gets caught in the branches of a tree, suspending him in the air. As Joab finds this out, he goes and ruthlessly kills Absalom. Word now comes back to David informing him that his warriors were victorious in battle, and his son Absalom was killed, destroying the rebellion. As David hears these words we read "Then the king was deeply moved, and went up to the chamber over the gate, and wept. And as he went, he said thus: `O my son Absalom - my son, my son Absalom - if only I had died in your place! O Absalom my son, my son!'" II Samuel 18:33.
This is where we will pick up the story tonight as we continue in II Samuel, beginning in chapter 19, with David mourning over the death of his son Absalom on the heels of victory over Absalom's troops.
II SAMUEL 19
VERSES 1-3
1. As David's army returns home from victory, home after they risked their lives for David against an army that outnumbered them, the king was not around to welcome them home. And so this victorious army returned to Mahanaim as if they were defeated. They felt ashamed and sort of snuck back into the city.
VERSES 4-6
1. Joab makes a good point and even though his statement is harsh, he is trying to get David to do a reality check on his actions. And Joab's point David could not miss, David would have rejoiced over the death of his own, faithful men, if is own rebellious son could have lived. David was turning his back on those that saved his life and he needed to realize that his actions were wrong.
2. And yes, maybe David felt responsible for Absalom's behavior. Maybe he felt guilty but the reality is, no matter how bad David was as a father, Absalom was still responsible for his actions.
3. As leaders, the way you respond will affect others. David needed to deal with those issues within his own heart, and as he came before the people, they would see the joy of the Lord. David was leading them down the wrong path and it could lead to more disaster if it was not dealt with. We must be careful not to allow our personal sorrows in our own families to overtake us to the point of carrying around clouds of gloom and doom wherever we go. We end up affecting those around us with those same feelings and you make yourself no help to those around you. Yes we do grieve but that many times grows into self pity and before you know it, you are having a pity party instead of casting those cares and anxieties upon the Lord and letting His peace fill your life.
VERSE 7
1. David needed to dry his tears and welcome home his men from battle, or else he was going to lose them. Just because Absalom is dead, the spirit of rebellion was still around and David needed to deal with it before it had a chance to grow.
VERSE 8
1. David takes Joab's advice and sits at the gate of the city, the place he should have been when his troops came home. Now they were in their tents, but they get word of what David is doing and they are encouraged by his actions.
VERSES 9-10
1. Talk about the fickleness of man. These people had sided with Absalom, even though they recognized that it was David that spared them from their enemies. They were saying "Now that Absalom is dead, why hasn't there been a move to bring David back to Jerusalem as king?"
VERSES 11-13
1. All the tribes were now ready to back David except for Judah. Why, we don't know, for David was from the tribe of Judah and you would think they would be the first to speak up about bringing David back.
2. David was a good politician and he sends Zadok and Abiather the priests to speak to the men of Judah. And David wants Amasa, who was Absalom's military leader, to come and lead his army. David was going to demote Joab for his inability to follow orders, or to only follow those orders that he wanted to do. And the last straw was when Joab killed David's son Absalom, when David specifically told him to spare his son. But don't think that Joab is going to take this demotion lying down, for we will see this lose canon fire his deadly shot once again.
VERSES 14-15
1. Judah accepted David back and went to Gilgal to escort him across the Jordan River and back home to Jerusalem.
2. If you remember, Gilgal was the first camp site for the children of Israel as they crossed over the Jordan River into the land of Canaan. It was their base of operations located by the Dead Sea, close to the city of Jericho and Ai. It was also one of the places where Samuel ministered to as he traveled on his yearly circuit from city to city. ( I Samuel 7:16). And it is the place where Saul was confirmed as the first king in Israel. (I Samuel 15:11).
VERSES 16-17
1. Remember this character Shimei? He was the one who greeted David as he left the city of Jerusalem, heading towards Mahanaim, as Absalom was coming. His greeting consisted of cursings and throwing stones down upon David and his men. And he was telling David that he is getting what he deserves because he took the kingdom by force from his relative Saul. We said before that this was nothing more than lies from this self-appointed prophet. Now he is the first to rush and greet David on his return to the city of Jerusalem. But Shimei's words are empty here for his true feelings were already exposed. He is only being loyal to David to spare his own life!
VERSES 18-19
1. After all the humiliation that he poured out upon David, he now has the nerve to say to David, "Don't take what I said to seriously!"
VERSES 20-21
1. When Shimei first cursed David, Abishai wanted to go and take this guys head off, but David restrained him. Again, he wants to kill this guy for his actions. It seems that both Joab and Abishai had no self-control. They were both cut from the same cloth you might say, and their actions reflected their warrior hearts. You surly did not want to rock the boat with these guys in it or you would not be in that boat to long.
VERSES 22-23
1. David saw this time as a time to rejoice, and he refuses to have Shimei put to death. But David did not truly forgive Shimei, for he is going to instruct his son Solomon to put him to death. David never forgot what Shimei did to him and thus was not true forgiveness.
2. We see many times those that forgive us until we make a mistake and then they bring up all our past shortcomings and failures. True forgiveness forgets what has been done to us. When God forgives us that is true forgiveness. In Psalm 103:12 we read "As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us." Isaiah 38:17 says "...But You have lovingly delivered my soul from the pit of corruption, for You have cast all my sins behind Your back." And Isaiah 43:25 says "I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions for My own sake, and I will not remember your sins."
VERSE 24
1. This was not Saul's son, but his grandson, but there is no Hebrew word for grandson. He was the son of Jonathan. And for as long as David was removed from the throne, Mephibosheth did not care for himself. It was a sign of perpetual mourning for David.
VERSES 25-27
1. David is questioning Mephibosheth's faithfulness to him. If you remember as David was leaving Jerusalem, that Ziba met him and told David that Mephibosheth has turned against David and is waiting for the kingdom to be returned to him. That was a lie. Now Mephibosheth tells David that as he prepared to come with David, Ziba stole his donkey and he was thus unable to go with David for he was lame in his feet.
VERSE 28
1. Mephibosheth feels totally unworthy to even approach the king, after he has received all the blessings from David.
VERSES 29-30
1. It is because of Mephibosheth's words here that I believe he is telling the truth. He was not interested in the land, but only in David. He just wants to be with David.
2. Many Christians today are like Ziba, they are only interested in the gifts instead of the gift giver. Mephibosheth saw the greatest treasure being next to David. We too must not forget that. Yes God blesses us with many gifts, but lets not put the gifts ahead of the gift giver. Would you still love the Lord if all the gifts were taken away and all that was left was Him? I hope so!
VERSE 31
1. Barzillai was one of the three men that came to David and assisted him in the wilderness, as he fled from Absalom. He provided food and bedding for David and his men.
VERSES 32-35
1. David wants Barzillai to accompany him home to Jerusalem and to enjoy the comforts of the palace. But Barzillai tells David that he is an old man and all those blessings of living in the palace would be wasted on him. VERSES 36-39 1. Barzillai tells David he would rather remain in his own city and die there. His only request was that his son Chimham be allowed to go with David and that he would receive all the blessings that were meant for him.
VERSES 40-43
1. The other 10 tribes of Israel are upset with Judah for escorting David back to Jerusalem. And we are seeing the birth of internal strife once again between the nations. This should have been a time of healing and restoration, but instead we are going to see division. Paul tells us in Galatians 5:13-15 that if we allow disputes and quarrels to grow they will only lead to divisions and they will consume our lives. The remedy is to love each other and to walk and be lead by the Spirit of God. The divisions are a result of walking in the flesh, not the spirit!
II SAMUEL 20
VERSES 1-2
1. Sheba was a self-appointed leader that took advantage of this situation. He was leading a revolt against David and these tribes that once said they were for David, quickly turn against him. That is a very familiar action that comes from the heart of man. Remember what they said of Jesus, on Palm Sunday they shouted "HOSANNA, HOSANNA!" Then only a few short days latter they were crying out "CRUCIFY HIM, CRUCIFY HIM!" God was right in calling us sheep, for we will follow anyone that is leading, even if we are being lead astray. That is what Sheba was doing.
VERSE 3
1. These 10 women, David's concubines, were left in Jerusalem when David fled from Absalom. And as Absalom took over the kingdom, he also had sexual relations with these women, he defiled them. Thus, as David returns home, he provides for them, but does not have sexual relations with them. They, in a sense, are in a state of widowhood until they die.
VERSES 4-6
1. Joab has been demoted and Amasa, who once was in charge of Absalom's army, is now commander of David's troops. And David gives Amasa three days to get his troops together and present them before David. But for some reason there is a delay in Amasa gathering these men together. So David calls Abishai to go and get Sheba before he is able to establish himself. And as we shall see, Joab goes along with them, but not as their commander.
VERSE 7
1. The Cherethites and Pelethites seem to be an elite group of fighting men, like the Navy Seals or the Green Berates, and also served as David's bodyguards.
VERSES 8-10
1. As Joab goes to bow down before Amasa, a sign of respect, his sword falls from his sheath to the ground. As Amasa is focused on that Joab pulls him to himself to kiss him, another sign of respect, and in all the distractions he did not see the dagger in Joab's hand, and he plunges it into the abdomen of Amasa, killing him on the spot. As I said, Joab was not going to let anyone remove him from leadership in David's army. So he and his brother Abishai go after Sheba.
2. Understand that Joab and Amasa were cousins, sons of 2 of David's half-sisters (I Chronicles 2:10-17). Joab was the son of Zeruiah and Amasa the son of Abigail.
VERSE 11
1. Look at this verse very carefully because we as Christians do this all the time. We have heard the phrase "Guilt by association," well this might be called "Good by association." They are saying that if you follow after David, that is good, then you also must follow Joab. Today we say "Whoever is for Christ is for the Republican party," or "Whoever is for Christ is for gun control," and the list goes on. That is not true, but by linking it to Christ, we make it sound good!
VERSES 12-13
1. As the soldiers passed by they stopped in horror as they saw the body of Amasa laying there. It prevented them from pursuing Sheba. So a man moves the body and covers it, and these soldiers then follow after Joab in pursuit of Sheba.
VERSES 14-15
1. Sheba had hid himself behind the walls of the city of Abel of Beth Maachah, which was in the northern part of the land. And Joab builds a siege mound to attack the city. And these cities were many times built on a hill, with a valley below. That made it very difficult to attack the city. So the troops built a siege mound, or piled up mounds of dirt, making a ramp up to the city gate and then they could ram the gates down.
VERSES 16-19
1. This woman knows the city is in for trouble and she seeks peace in this situation. She tells Joab that this is a historical city, in that many come to hear the counsel of the wise men of the city. And if that was not enough, then spare the destruction of this city for the sake of the mothers of Israel.
VERSES 20-22
1. Joab tells this woman who he wants and she tells him that it won't be a problem. You will have this man's head if that is what you want. Thus, she prevented this city from being destroyed.
2. A good principle from this, if you want to get ahead through selfish and vain ambition, you will only lose your head, just like Sheba did! VERSES 23-26 1. Joab came back as the self-appointed commander of David's army, even over his brother Abishai. And David is silent about this now, but on his death bed, as he ties up the lose ends of his administration, he tells his son Solomon to kill Joab. As we have said before, Joab did what he wanted. He was a great warrior but he disobeyed David's commands if they did not agree with his. And Joab killed two righteous men, at least more righteous than him, during peace time, Abner and Amasa, and he also killed David's son Absalom. Thus, he should have been put to death for these actions, but David allowed him to live for now.
2. Here we see part of the administration of David's kingdom and as we get into chapter 23, we will see David's mighty men spoken of.
Now the last 4 chapters of II Samuel are not in chronological order but are an overview of some of the events that transpired during the reign of David. It is like the last 5 chapters in the book of Judges, just an appendix to events that happened during this time.
II SAMUEL 21
VERSES 1-2
1. Here we see a famine in the land and David recognizes that something is wrong, that this famine is from the Lord. And David goes before the Lord and asks counsel of Him. And the Lord tells David it is because of what Saul did to the Gibeonites. He tried to destroy them even though a covenant was made with them to protect them by the children of Israel. This covenant was made 400 years earlier, during the time of Joshua, and God still held them accountable for keeping it.
2. The story went like this. Joshua was defeating the enemies of Israel as they entered the land of Canaan and no one could stand up against them. And so the Gibeonites came up with a plan to trick Joshua. They pretended to come from a distant land to seek out the people who God was fighting for. And by all outward appearances, it looked like they traveled a long distance. But in reality they were neighbors. And so the children of Israel walked by sight and did not ask counsel of the Lord and they made a peace treaty with them. And only three days later they found out the truth, but God still held them responsible for keeping the covenant. God wants us to be men and women of our word, and even if we have been deceived by others, He wants us to keep our word.
VERSE 3
1. David is asking them how he could make this up to them, to correct the sin of Saul and stop this judgment upon them.
VERSES 4-6
1. The Gibeonites wanted no money nor did they want anyone to die except the descendants of the man who tried to destroy them. Thus, seven of Saul's descendants would be brought to the city of Gibeah, the city of Saul, and they would be hung there.
VERSES 7-8
1. David agrees to the terms set forth but he spares the son of Jonathan, Mephibosheth, because of the oath he had made to Jonathan years earlier.
2. Rizpah was on of Saul's concubines who had two sons, Mephibosheth, not Jonathan's son, and Armoni, who were going to be put to death.
3. Adriel had five sons by his wife Merab, even though she was promised to David for killing Goliath by king Saul. And something must have happened to Merab for Michal ends up raising her five sons. Remember that Michal was barren because of her actions towards David as he was bringing the ark home. She was disgusted the way he acted, singing and dancing like the common people. See II Samuel 6:22-23. VERSE 9 1. All seven of them were hung in the city of Saul, Gibeah. This occurred at the time of barley harvest, which came before the wheat harvest. Barley harvest was around March/April.
VERSE 10
1. For several months Rizpah is watching over these bodies, day and night, not allowing any birds or animals to destroy them.
VERSES 11-14
1. David see's what this woman had done and seeks to end her grief. He goes and retrieves the bones of Saul and Jonathan from Jabesh Gilead and also takes the bones of these seven men and buries them in the area of Benjamin.
2. And God stops the famine, He puts an end to the judgment and once again the rain is falling upon the land.
VERSE 15
1. Remember when David went up against Goliath, he went to the brook and took 5 stones out for his sling shot. David only needed one for Goliath, the other 4 were for Goliath's four sons, just in case they came after him after he killed their father.
VERSES 16-17
1. David is up there in age and almost dies in battle against this giant. If he died so would the light of Israel, so they encourage David to remain at home, and not fight anymore.
2. Abishai kills one of the giants sons, Ishbi-benob.
VERSE 18
1. Sibbechai kills another son of Goliath, Saph.
VERSE 19
1. Elhanan kills another of Goliath's sons.
VERSES 20-22
1. And the forth son of the giant was killed by Jonathan.