Covenant Archives - Uncovered Joy

This post takes a look at the book of 2 Samuel and gives you all of the pertinent information so you can read and study it with confidence.

This post contains affiliate links, which means I make a small commission at no extra cost to you. See my full disclosure here.

Introduction to 2 Samuel

The book of 2 Samuel follows the life of David as he progresses from triumphs to transgressions to trials. In the beginning of the book, David is walking with God and experiencing many triumphs, both in his career as a soldier and also in his personal life. However, after reaching the pinnacle of fame and success, David takes his sight from God and doing what was right to satisfying his own desires. In perhaps one of the most well known Biblical stories, David sees Bathsheba on the roof and takes her as his own. Then, in an attempt to cover his mistakes, he has her husband murdered.

These transgressions proceed the fall of David, where he has many struggles within his own family, including one of his sons taking advantage of his daughter, resulting in another son committing murder. Throughout all of the sins of his family, David remains silent. Although he was a great leader of a nation, he was unwilling and unable to lead his own family.

In spite David’s pitfalls, God kept His promise that the messiah would come from the line of David. We can see proof of this in the account given in Matthew 1:1-17 and Luke 3:23-38. God remained faithful to David, and David remained “a man after God’s heart” by confessing and repenting of his sins.

Important themes in 2 Samuel

The themes of 2 Samuel mirror those of 1 Samuel, and especially highlight the Davidic covenant.

Related Post: 1 Samuel – A Brief Introduction

The Davidic covenant is the second of three covenants in the Bible (Abrahamic, Davidic, and New Covenant), and is found in 2 Samuel 7:4-16. It is through David’s line that God promises a king will emerge who will save the Israelites. It is this covenant that sets the messianic hope woven throughout the Old Testament, and the anticipation for a king who will free the Israelites from their oppression.

The 5 W’s of 2 Samuel

The books of 1 and 2 Samuel were originally just one book in the early Hebrew manuscripts, but were divided into two books in later Hebrew texts. They are known by the title “Samuel” because of Samuel’s importance in establishing kingship in Israel.

Who wrote 2 Samuel

Just like 1 Samuel, the authorship of 2 Samuel is unknown, although many agree that Nathan or Gad wrote it as both were prophets and ministered to David during his lifetime.

What it’s about

The book follows the kingship of David, showing how his life was a foreshadow of the kingship of Jesus. It shows how the seed of David would bring the messiah to Israel and the world.

When it was written

Just as the authorship is unclear, so is the date it was written. Some believe it was written shortly after the recorded events occurred, placing the date around 970 B.C. However, it was likely written after the kingdom divided in 931 B.C., since there are many references to Israel and Judah as separate entities.

When the story takes place

The book covers David’s kingship, which was from about 1010-970 B.C.

Where the Story takes place

The story starts in Hebron, which was David’s capital when he rulled over Judah for the first seven and a half years of his reign. He then moved to Jerusalem, known as the ultimate “city of David” during the last 33 years of David’s reign.

A few other places mentioned in 2 Samuel include: Kiriath Jearim (where the Ark was), Lo-debar (home of Mephibosheth) and Kidron Brook (crossed by David as he fled during Absalom’s revolt).

Why 2 Samuel is important to study today

The book of second Samuel is important for two reasons. First, it demonstrates the blessings that come from walking with God and the consequences that follow when we rely on our own wisdom, refusing to confess and repent our sin. Through David’s life, we see God’s faithfulness alongside human weakness, reminding us of our continual need for grace. Additionally, 2 Samuel lays an essential foundation for understanding the rest of Scripture, as many events in David’s life point forward to Jesus and help us better grasp God’s redemptive plan.

How God demonstrates His character in 2 Samuel

God’s ways are not our ways, neither are His thoughts our thoughts (Isaiah 55:8-9). God’s character is revealed in His covenant to David, reinstating that He will be with Israel and finish what He promised. Although Israel desired a king to be like the world, God gave them a king from who’s line the eternal king would come. God made a way for salvation to come to His people despite their sin and rebellion.

Key verses in 2 Samuel

2 Samuel 5:12 tells of Davids call to kingship. “Then David knew that the Lord had established him as king over Israel and had exalted his kingdom for the sake of his people Israel.”

2 Samuel 7:16 reveals God’s covenant to David. “Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me; your throne will be established forever.”

2 Samuel 18:33 shows David’s deep paternal love and suffering at the death of his son. “The king was shaken. He went up to the room over the gateway and wept. As he went, he said: ‘O my son Absalom! My son, my son Absalom! If only I had died instead of you—O Absalom, my son, my son!'”

2 Samuel 22:2-4 declares David’s praise to God. “He said: ‘The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation.
He is my stronghold, my refuge and my savior— from violent people you save me. I called to the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and have been saved from my enemies.'”

2 Samuel 24:24 tells of David’s rebuke against a cheap religion. “But the king replied to Araunah, ‘No, I insist on paying you for it. I will not sacrifice to the Lord my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing.’ So David bought the threshing floor and the oxen and paid fifty shekels of silver for them.”

In 2 Samuel you will find {reading plan}

Kingdom transfer from Saul to David {Chapters 1-4}
David becoming a man after God’s heart {Chapters 5-7}
David’s victories and kindnesses {Chapters 8-10}
David’s two great sins and repentance {Chapters 11-12}
The results of David’s sin {Chapters 13-17}
Return to the kingdom {Chapters 18-20}
Summary of David’s reign {Chapters 21-24}

Additional resources

Some of my favorite resources for researching Bible book introductions include: The Israel Bible, which gives Hebrew context to Old Testament Scripture, Old Testament Survey, which provides scholarly insight into the Old Testament books, and How to Read the Bible For All It’s Worth, which gives insight to reading different genres in the Bible.

My two favorite video series are: Bible Project’s animated overview, and The Bible from 30,000 Feet.

I also love utilizing BlueLetterBible’s Bible book introductions.

Final thoughts

The Bible talks more about David than any other man except Jesus. Although David sinned greatly, he was still known as a man after God’s own heart (Acts 13:22). This was because as soon as he recognized his sin, he repented. Psalm 51 records Davids repentance after his sin, and 2 Samuel 22 records the praise that David offered to God when their relationship was restored.

Is there sin in your life that you need to repent of to be made right with God? If so, take some time to acknowledge and repent of it before God and ask for forgiveness. If there is no sin that you know of, ask God to reveal anything in you that is not from Him. In either case, sing songs of praise to God for His faithfulness in every season.

This post is all about how God’s commands are rooted in love and what our response to them should be because of who God is.

Deuteronomy is known as the “second law” because Moses expounds on the law already given to the Israelites. In these chapters, Moses reminds the Israelites that God made the covenant with them and rescued them from the land of Slavery. He makes it plain that all of God’s commands are rooted in love. It is the Israelite’s job to not only know the commands but follow them wholeheartedly because of the God they serve.

This post contains affiliate links, which means I make a small commission at no extra cost to you. See my full disclosure here.

Read all about how God’s commands are rooted in love, before reflecting on it below.

Deuteronomy 5-7

Your part in the covenant

Before Moses reminds the Israelites of the Ten Commandments given at Mount Sinai, he begins by affirming a crucial truth: the covenant God made was not only with their ancestors who stood at Sinai, but with every subsequent generation. This includes us today. Each generation, and each individual, must personally embrace their place in God’s covenant to experience its full blessings.

Do you recognize your part in the bigger covenantal picture of God (Jeremiah 31:31-34)?

Why keep the commands?

The foundation for following God’s commands is laid out plainly in Deuteronomy 5:6: “I am the Lord your God.” The only reason needed for following the commandments is based on who God is and what He has already done for us. Obedience isn’t rooted in a fear of consequences or a desire for reward, but in who God is and what He has done. For the Israelites, God delivered them from slavery in Egypt and preserved them through the wilderness. For us, His grace is evident in countless ways, from answered prayers to undeserved blessings. We don’t follow because of our own merit, but because of His faithfulness. And we don’t keep God’s commands because we are trying to earn His favor. We obey because we are already recipients of His grace and want to live in response to His goodness.

How have you seen the faithfulness of God in your own life? Is His demonstration of faithfulness enough for you to remain faithful to Him (1 Samuel 12:24)?

all of God’s commands are rooted in love

After the Israelites heard the commands given by the voice of God at Mount Sinai, they were afraid that they would be consumed by His great fire and die. They were correct that the commands reminded them that they were unworthy to approach God. He is holy, and they are not. However, God’s commands were not meant to push them away, but to draw them near. They missed the key detail that all of God’s commands are rooted in love. The commands were not given merely to make them afraid in their unworthiness. Instead, it was given to help them draw closer to God while showing them thier need for a savior.

Do you follow God’s commands out of fear of not being good enough? Or do you follow His commands because you see them as an expression of His love (1 John 1:1-5)?

The Lord is One

An important truth is found in Deuteronomy 6:4, which says, “The Lord is One.” This is a case where knowing the original Hebrew is helpful in understanding the scripture. Although the Hebrew word, אֶחָד (‘eḥāḏ), does mean “one” it is often used to refer to multiple parts of the same thing. Other places in the Old Testament that use this word include Genesis 1:5, where there was evening and morning (two parts) on the first (one) day. Genesis 2:24 also used it in saying the two shall become one flesh. God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, is One God. As a response to who God is, we must love Him with our heart, soul, and strength.

The trinity of God is seen throughout the Old and New Testament, even though the word “trinity” is never mentioned. How much do you know and understand about this important theological characteristic of God (2 Corinthians 13:14)?

all of God's commands are rooted in love — Why do you follow God’s commands?

reaping what you did not sow

Moses reminds the Israelites that when they enter the Promised Land, they will live in cities they did not build. They will drink from wells they did not dig and eat from which they did not plant. They would be very blessed in the Promised Land, and they would have to be careful that in their prosperity, they did not forget where they came from and how they got there. It is only by the grace of God that they can partake in His blessings.

In the same way, how many things do you have that are gifts from God, yet you fail to thank Him for them (Psalm 100:4)?

tell your children your testimony {How God’s commands are rooted in Love}

Living in the blessings of the Promised Land comes with a responsibility: ensuring that the next generation knows the faithfulness of God. Children won’t know of His past goodness unless parents are intentional about sharing their testimonies. That is why, when the Israelite children ask “what is the meaning of the Law?” the parents are to answer that they were slaves but God brought them out to bring them into something better. The more the younger generation hears the testimony of God’s faithfulness to the older generation, the less likely they will be to forget God and walk away from Him.

Do you tell your children your testimony – How God rescued you from death and brought you to life and freedom in Him? Do you live out your testimony for all to see (Revelation 12:11)?

Working for the promises of God

Although God was going to give the Canaanites over to the Israelites, the battle would not be quick and painless. The Israelites would have to work in order to defeat the Canaanites. And they would have to completely destroy them and their idols before they could live in the Promised land. If they did not, the Canaanites and their gods would turn the Israelites away from the One true God and lead them into false and foreign worship. In the same way, we need to destroy anything that would lead us away from God.

Is there something in your life that you need to completely destroy and turn over to God so that it does not lead you away from Him (Galatians 4:8-9)?

Deuteronomy 6 — I love using tiny letter stamps in my Bible, although this “tell your children” came out super faint because of the ink I used.

Little by little

When the Israelites entered the Promised Land, God would not hand over all of the surrounding nations immediately. Instead, the Israelites would need to rely on God. They would have to trust His timing and listen to His voice for when they would fight the nations. Often, we want immediate victory over the battles we are facing. We don’t want to struggle against an enemy for years on end. Yet, there is often more that can be learned in the waiting than could be if God handed us the solution when we want it.

Related Post: 7 Things to Do While Waiting on God

It can be frustrating to wait on God. However, you can see the wisdom in His timing once the battle has been won. Are you waiting for God to bring you through something right now? How can you stay faithful while waiting (Isaiah 40:31)?

Reflect on God’s commands being rooted in love

Have you seen the evidence of God’s love in His commands before? After reading these chapters, how has your perception of God’s love changed?

This Bible study was all about how God’s love is evident in His commands to His people.

2 Samuel – A Brief Introduction