2 David sent out his troops, a third under the command of Joab, a third under Joab’s brother Abishai son of Zeruiah, and a third under Ittai the Gittite. The king told the troops, “I myself will surely march out with you.” 3 But the men said, “You must not go out; if we are forced to flee, they won’t care about us. Even if half of us die, they won’t care; but you are worth ten thousand of us. It would... Read more

27 When David came to Mahanaim, Shobi son of Nahash from Rabbah of the Ammonites, and Makir son of Ammiel from Lo Debar, and Barzillai the Gileadite from Rogelim 28 brought bedding and bowls and articles of pottery. They also brought wheat and barley, flour and roasted grain, beans and lentils, 29 honey and curds, sheep, and cheese from cows’ milk for David and his people to eat. For they said, “The people have become exhausted and hungry and thirsty in the wilderness.”... Read more

11 David then said to Abishai and all his officials, “My son, my own flesh and blood, is trying to kill me. How much more, then, this Benjamite! Leave him alone; let him curse, for the Lord has told him to. 12 It may be that the Lord will look upon my misery and restore to me his covenant blessing instead of his curse today.” -2 Samuel 16:11-12 As David fled Jerusalem, Shimei treated him with vulgarities and disrespect. David’s protectors wanted... Read more

But Ittai replied to the king, “As surely as the Lord lives, and as my lord the king lives, wherever my lord the king may be, whether it means life or death, there will your servant be.” -2 Samuel 15:21 Ittai lived with loyalty. David was on the run, seeking to save his life as Absalom sought to become king and take the throne. Ittai remained faithful to King David, responding, “As surely as the Lord lives, and as my... Read more

Then the king summoned Absalom, and he came in and bowed down with his face to the ground before the king. And the king kissed Absalom. -2 Samuel 14:33 Broken relationships break families. In David’s case, Absalom’s absence had not improved their relationship; it had weakened it. Absalom had killed his brother in revenge for the rape of Tamar. Now, Absalom lived in exile while the king lived with only the memory of his son. Joab attempted to reunite David... Read more

38 After Absalom fled and went to Geshur, he stayed there three years. 39 And King David longed to go to Absalom, for he was consoled concerning Amnon’s death. -2 Samuel 13:38-39 First, David committed adultery. Then he attempted a cover up, setting up Uriah to be killed. He later confessed his sins once confronted, but the consequences would continue for some time. In this chapter, we discover his daughter Tamar was raped by her half-brother Amnon. Amnon was not punished, but... Read more

Then David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.” -2 Samuel 12:13 David first attempted to cover his sin. God later sent the prophet Nathan to confront David. When he did, David confessed, “I have sinned against the Lord.” In truth, David also sinned against Bathsheba, Uriah, and many others. Yet David’s confession cut to the bottom line: David had offended God. Our sins do impact others, but it is ultimately the Lord to whom we answer. He... Read more

“But the thing David had done displeased the Lord.” -2 Samuel 11:27 The glory of David’s life is forever tarnished by the actions and aftermath of one day. Many have dissected and commentated on the aspects involved in David’s affair and coverup with Bathsheba, but the summary given in Scripture is this: “But the thing David had done displeased the Lord.” Simply put, sin displeases God. God later forgave David, yet consequences remained. David continued to be “a man after... Read more

Be strong, and let us fight bravely for our people and the cities of our God. The Lord will do what is good in his sight. -2 Samuel 10:12 Even the military commander Joab knew God held sovereign control over his victory. Rather than depend on only his own strength, he acknowledge the Lord’s supernatural power over his situation. On the other hand, Joab also didn’t tell his soldiers to lay down their weapons and pray. He challenged them to... Read more

David asked, “Is there anyone still left of the house of Saul to whom I can show kindness for Jonathan’s sake?” -2 Samuel 9:1 After David came to power as king, he sensed the need to honor the memory of his friend Jonathan. Those who read 2 Samuel 9 often focus on his treatment of Jonathan’s disabled son as a model for today’s follower of God, and rightly so. However, we often miss the foundational motivation that led to this... Read more