BIB202 Historical Books

BIB202 Historical Books
- 1:1-10:19 David's Positive Reign
  - 1:1-2:8 David rules over Judah
    - 1:1-16 David hears of Saul's death
      - returned to Ziklag from defeating the Amalekites
      - a man arrives from Saul's camp
        
        in mourning
        
        gives honor to David
      - he tells them that the Israelites were defeated and Saul and Jonathan were dead
      - The man brags about Saul's death thinking that David would be glad and reward him
      - Rather David and his men mourned for Saul and Jonathan and the army of the Lord and the house of Israel
      - David struck down the man because he claimed to have killed Saul
      - Showing that David was innocent in the death of Saul
        
        David was not behaving like a rival to Saul, trying to take him out
        
        rather David respected and served Saul (who tried to kill him), like a man after God's own heart
    - 1:17-27 David's song for Saul and Jonathan
      - mourning for Saul and Jonathan
      - commending Saul and Jonathan
      - Rebuking enemies of Israel
    - 2:1-4a David is anointed in Hebron
      - David inquired of the Lord where to go
      - answered Hebron in Judah
      - David, his family, his men and their families all went to Hebron
      - The men of Judah went to Hebron and anointed David king over Judah (just one of the 12 tribes)
    - 2:4b-7 David honors the men who had honored Saul's corpse
      - may the Lord bless you for the chesed you have done to Saul, your master
      - May the Lord do chesed and emeth (grace and truth, cf. Ex. 34:6) with you
      - I will also do the same good.
      - be strong and brave cf. Josh. 1
      - because your master is dead and Judah has anointed me king over them
  - 2:8-5:5 David becomes king over Israel
    - 2:8- 3:5 War between Saul's house and David
      - Abner (Saul's general) made Saul's son king
      - His army fought against David's army
      - First by representative combat (indecisive)
      - Then by open war (David's army under Joab's leadership won)
      - Joab's brother Asahel chased Abner
      - Abner killed him
      - Abner takes his stand, calls for an end to the bloodshed and Joab calls off the pursuit
      - Note about the casualties
      - Note about the ongoing war, how David's side grew stronger
      - Note about David's family
    - 3:6-21 Abner defects to David
      - Quarrel between Abner and Saul's son
      - Abner swears to transfer the Kingdom to David, fulfilling the Lord's promise
      - Abner sent messages to David to make and agreement to make him King
      - David responds positively with one requirement - his first wife Michal
      - Abner spoke to the elders of Israel, agreeing to make David king
        
        citing David's military record of leadership and success
        
        citing their own long standing desire to do so
        
        citing the Lord's promise
      - Abner went to Hebron to meet David
      - They agreed, feasted together and Abner went away in peace
    - 3:22-27 Joab murders Abner
      - Joab returns to Hebron, having just missed Abner
      - Joab rebukes the king for putting up with Abner as a spy
      - Joab sent messengers without David's knowledge to bring Abner back
      - Joab stabbed Abner to avenge his brother Asahel
    - 3:28-39 David shows his innocence
      - David cursed Joab with the guilt/responsibility
      - David make the whole people (including Joab) mourn and give Abner respected funeral
      - David lamented for Abner
      - The people noticed, were pleased, and confirmed David's innocence
      - David confesses his weakness/inability to punish Joab
    - 4:1-8 Ish-Boshesh murdered
      - Setting - Ish-Bosheth is weak and alarmed
      - Setting - Ish-Bosheth has two military leaders
      - Foreshadowing - introduces Mephibosheth
      - The two men went straight to Ish-Bosheth and murdered him in cold blood, cut off his head and got away
      - They travelled all night to Hebron
      - They presented the head to David, as if they were giving David his enemy and expected to be rewarded - similar situation earlier?
      - Confessed that the Lord was avenging David against Saul and his family
        
        both true and false
        
        murder is never God's will
        
        but God used this evil to accomplish what He had promised David
        
        David is righteous in not avenging himself but trusting God to do so
        
        The Lord is faithful in avenging David
        
        Evil human actions are not godly, but God can use them to fulfill His purpose - cf. the Cross
    - 4:9-12 David shows his innocence
      - David rebukes these men
      - Swears by "The Lord who has delivered my out of all trouble"
      - David is not like a pagan king, rejoicing in the downfall of his enemies, and rewarding those responsible
      - David is a godly king punishing injustice, even if done against his enemies
      - David executes the murderers
      - David gives a respectful burial to Ish-Bosheth
    - 5:1-5 David anointed King over Israel
      - All the tribes of Israel came to David in Hebron
      - Watch the language they use
        
        We are your own flesh and blood (lit bone and flesh)
        
        When Saul was king (melek)
        
        You brought the people out and in (military campaigns)
        
        The Lord said you will shepherd (ra'ah) my people Israel
        
        and you will become their ruler (nagiyd)
      - Watch the language the narrator uses
        
        When they came to the King (melek) at Hebron,
        
        King (melek) David made a covenant with them before the Lord
        
        and the anointed David King (melek) over Israel
      - Chronological notes
        
        David's age at coronation (30 yrs)
        
        length of his reign (40 yrs
        
        7 yrs, 6 mths over Judah in Hebron
        
        33 yrs over all Israel in Jerusalem (foreshadowing Jerusalem)
  - 5:6-6:23 David consolidates his rule
    - 5:6-12 David conquers Jerusalem
      - David went to Jerusalem purposely to capture it
      - Jerusalem was a fortress on a hill, so far had resisted conquest
      - The Jebusite inhabitants taunted David - "even the blind and lame could defend this fortress"
      - Nevertheless, David captured the fortress of Zion, the City of David
      - David used the water shaft to capture it
      - David took up residence there and called it the City of David
      - He built up and fortified the city
      - David became more and more powerful, because the LORD GOD ALMIGHTY was with him
      - David knew that the Lord had established him as king over Israel and had exalted his kingdom for the sake of his people Israel
    - 5:13-16 David builds a family/harem
      - more concubines and wives
      - more sons and daughters
    - 5:17-25 David defeats the Philistines
      - The Philistines respond to David's coronation by attacking
      - David went out to them
      - David inquired of the Lord -"should I attack?" "Will you give them to me?"
      - God answered, Go, I will surely give the Philistines into your hand - cf. same language in Joshua and Judges
      - David routed the Philistines at Baal Perazim
      - The Philistines abandoned their idols there and David's men captured them
      - The Philistines attacked again
      - David inquired of the Lord
      - God answered with a battle plan
      - "when you hear the sound, move quickly, because that will mean the Lord has gone out in front of you to strike the Philistine army."
      - David did as the Lord commanded him (contrast Saul) and defeated the Philistines.
    - 6:1-23 David brings the Ark to Jerusalem
      - 6:1-11 False start
        
        David set out to bring up the Ark
        
        the ark of God
        
        which is called by the NAME
        
        the Name of the LORD Almighty
        
        Who is enthroned between the Cherubim that are on the ark.
        
        They put the ark on a new cart
        
        not proper way to transport the ark according to Torah
        
        ark was to be carried by Levites on the poles for this purpose
        
        Abinadab's two sons were guiding the cart
        
        David and all of Israel were celebrating before the Lord with musical accompaniment
        
        The oxen stumbled and Uzzah reached out and took hold of the ark
        
        The Lord's anger burned against Uzzah because of his irreverent act and God struck him down and he died there on the spot
        
        David was angry because the Lord's wrath broke out
        
        angry at whom?
        
        David was afraid of the Lord that day
        
        we need safe intimacy with God
        
        we also need fear and respect for God - not on our level
        
        David was not willing to take the ark to Jerusalem
        
        took it aside to the house of Obed-Edom, where it stayed for three month
        
        The Lord blessed the house where the ark was staying
      - 6:12-23 Triumphal entry
        
        David saw that Obed-Edom's house was blessed
        
        Went down and brought the ark to Jerusalem with rejoicing
        
        Transported it in the right manner
        
        men were carrying the ark
        
        Sacrificed every six steps
        
        David was wearing a linen ephod
        
        David danced before the Lord with all his might
        
        They brought up the ark with shouts and the sound of trumpets - cf. Jericho, trumpets announce king is coming
        
        Michal, daughter of Saul watched from a window.
        
        She saw David leaping and dancing before the Lord and she despised him in her heart
        
        They set up the ark in the tent David had set up for it
        
        David sacrificed offerings, blessed the people, provided for the people and sent them home
        
        David returned to bless his household and was met by Michal, Daughter of Saul
        
        She said
        
        How the King of Israel has distinguished himself today - sarcastic
        
        disrobing in the sight of the slave girls of his servants
        
        as any vulgar fellow would
        
        David replied
        
        It was before the Lord
        
        who chose me rather than your father or anyone from his household
        
        who appointed me ruler (nagiyd) over the Lord's people Israel
        
        I will celebrate before the Lord
        
        I will become even more undignified than this
        
        I will be humiliated in my own eyes
        
        But these slave girls will hold me in honor
        
        Michal was barren until her death
        
        contrast Michal's (following Saul's) view of leadership, worship and image/reputation with David's
  - 7:1-29 Davidic Covenant
    - 7:1-3 David's plan
      - continuation of the ark story
      - Setting: King David had a palace
      - Setting: The Lord had given rest from all the enemies
      - David said to Nathan the prophet -
        
        seeking advise from Godly advisor, spokesperson for God
        
        David is under authority
        
        I am living in a luxurious palace, while the ark of God remains in a tent
        
        i.e. I am getting more honor/luxury than God, the hierarchy is not in proper place/order -
        
        i.e. God should get more honor than His underling
        
        i.e. this is not right, must do something about it
      - Nathan replied - go for it, for the Lord is with you
        
        cf. Saul in 1 Sam 10:7
    - 7:4-17 God's promise
      - 4 Word of the Lord via Nathan the prophet
        
        qualifying or overturning the previous green light
        
        Nathan probably gave a general evaluation of David's plan without inquiring of the Lord
        
        The Lord steps in and clarifies what He wants
        
        David's plan was a good, even great idea, with great motives, but not quite what God wanted.
        
        BTW don't worry about missing God's plan A -
        
        if you pursue godly things with godly motives, God will lead and guide you
        
        just guard against doing ungodly or unwise things, or doing things with ungodly motives - that is where trouble will come from
        
        don't ever second guess something Scriptural done for God's glory and the good of others with pure motives
        
        e.g. you don't need divine guidance before you can witness to Christ or feed the poor - you already have the great commission and God's command
      - 5-7 I don't need a (human built) house to dwell in
        
        - cf. Solomon's dedication and Paul's Athens speech
        
        you are not going to build me a house to dwell in
        
        I have not needed a permanent house before now -
        
        I have the tabernacle I commanded and designed
        
        This is an accommodation to human need, God is everywhere present and does not need a place to dwell, humans need a tangible place to experience and symbolize God's presence
        
        I have not been asking for a permanent house
        
        mentions the Exodus and Judges
        
        in both of these, it is mentioned that God took care of the people, but not vice/versa
        
        implied and made more explicit in Solomon's prayer: no house you could build would be worthy or grand enough to honor me, so don't worry about it - prevents any possibility of thinking that we could do God a favor or supply something He lacked - see Acts 17:24-25
      - 8-9 I will make your name great - cf. promise to Abraham
        
        Intro formula: now, say to my servant David, "thus says the Lord of Hosts":
        
        I, myself (emphatic pronoun) took you from following the flock to be ruler (nagiyd) over MY people Israel
        
        I have been with you whenever you have gone -cf. I Samuel, Josh ch. 1
        
        I have cut off all your enemies from before you. - cf. I Samuel, 2 Samuel thus far
        
        Now I will make your name great - like the names of the greatest men of the earth.
        
        cf. Abraham's call Gen 12:2 - "I will make your name great"
        
        only two people in the Bible God says this to
      - 10-11a I will complete the conquest
        
        I will provide a place for MY people Israel
        
        I will plant them so that they can have a home of their own and no longer be disturbed
        
        Wicked people will no longer oppress them, as they did earlier from the time I appointed Judges over MY people Israel
        
        I will also give you rest from all your enemies cf. v. 9
        
        i.e. God will complete the conquest and give them the rest desired, partially tasted and promised in Joshua, but not yet fully realized
      - 11b-16 I will establish a house for you
        
        Intro formula: Yahweh is declaring to you
        
        Yahweh Himself (emphatic) will make a house for you
        
        wordplay - David will not build God a house (temple) but God will build David a house (dynasty)
        
        At the end of your days, I will raise up one of your offspring - from your own body - to succeed you
        
        I will establish his kingdom
        
        He is the one to build a house for My Name
        
        I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever
        
        I will be his father, he will be my son
        
        connected with "I will be their God and they will be my people" in the Abrahamic covt Gen 17:7-8; 26:12
        
        I will punish him when he does wrong
        
        I will never take my cov't faithfulness from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I took away - wordplay
        
        Your house and Kingdom will endure forever before me
        
        Your throne will be established forever
        
        Comments
        
        both conditional and unconditional
        
        fulfilled partly by Solomon, partly by Christ
        
        the kings were punished for their unfaithfulness at the exile
        
        But the promise came to eternal fulfillment in Christ
      - 17 Nathan reported these words to David
    - 7:18-29 David's prayer
      - David went in and sat before the Lord and said:
      - 18-19 I am nobody and don't deserve this
        
        Who am I and my family that you have brought me this far?
        
        amazed at God's past grace,
        
        not taking it for granted, but still humbled and amazed
        
        As if this were not enough, you have made promises about your future grace
        
        Is this your usual way of dealing with man? O Sovereign Lord?
        
        amazed at God's gracious character
        
        not doubting that God is gracious, but in awe that God would lavish grace and love on the unlovable
        
        His amazement comes both from God's gracious character and human undeservedness
        
        we need to know both to truly grasp/understand grace
      - 20-21 I am in awe of what You have done
        
        I can't contribute anything to this
        
        What more could I say or do?
        
        You know me, my Lord Yahweh
        
        For the sake of Your Word
        
        You promised, now You will fulfill
        
        And according to Your will
        
        You have decided to do this and no one can stop You
        
        You have done this great thing
        
        And you have made it known to me
      - 22-24 You are a great God
        
        You are great
        
        Therefore, You are great My Lord Yahweh
        
        for there is none like You
        
        and there is no God except You
        
        in everything which we have heard with our own ears
        
        You have made Your people great
        
        Who is like Your people Israel?
        
        one nation in the land
        
        which God went to ransom to Himself as a people
        
        and to put a Name for Himself
        
        and to make great and awesome deeds to Your land before Your people
        
        which You ransomed for Yourself from the nation of Egypt and their gods
        
        You have connected Your people to Yourself forever
        
        and You established Israel Your people
        
        to Yourself
        
        to be Your people forever
        
        and You O Yahweh, You are their God
        
        cf. God and people
      - 25-26a Just Do it - for your own glory
        
        and now O Yahweh Elohiym
        
        the Word which you spoke to your servant and his house
        
        establish it forever
        
        and do just like You spoke
        
        and great is Your name forever
      - 26b-27a David's house will be established
        
        A- saying: You are Yahweh of Hosts, the God of Israel - (fully sovereign)
        
        B- and the house of Your servant David will be established before You
        
        A'- because You are Yahweh of Hosts, the God of Israel - (fully sovereign)
      - 27b-29 You have promised it, so Just Do it
        
        You have spoken into my ear saying "I will build a house for you"
        
        Therefore, Your servant has found his courage (lit. heart) to pray this prayer unto You
        
        pray bold prayers based on what God has clearly spoken and/or commanded
        
        And now, my Lord Yahweh
        
        You are God!
        
        and Your words are true/trustworthy
        
        and You spoke unto Your servant this good thing
        
        And now:
        
        be willing
        
        and bless the house of Your servant - to be forever before You
        
        because You spoke My Lord Yahweh
        
        and from Your blessing the house of Your servant will be blessed forever
      - comments
        
        notice the connections David makes
        
        because of God and His character
        
        If God promises, it will happen
        
        Be bold to pray and expect from God
        
        humility, but boldness, awe and wonder at God's grace
  - 8:1-10:19 David's victorious reign
    - 8:1- 14 David Completes the Conquest
      - And it was after this...
      - 1 Philistines
      - 2 Moabites
      - 3-6 Zobah and Aram
      - 7-12 plunder/tribute given to God
        
        foreshadowing - this (and other money) will be the precious metals used to build the temple
      - 13-14 Edom
    - 8:15-18 David ruled justly
      - Reigned over all Israel
      - Reigned justly and rightly - for all the people (not for himself, like the pagan kings)
      - David's officials
    - 9:1-13 David gives grace to Saul's family
      - David sought out any of Saul's descendants
        
        remember covenant btwn David and Jonathan to do good to one another
        
        this included David showing kindness (chesed) to Saul's family after becoming king
        
        see I Sam 20:14-17
      - called Ziba who told him about Mephibosheth son of Jonathan
        
        crippled in both feet
      - David sent for Mephibosheth
      - David said to him
        
        "Don't be afraid
        
        if David were like a pagan king he should be afraid for his life
        
        but David was NOT like a pagan king, but he was a godly king
        
        for I will surely show you kindness (chesed) for the sake of your father Jonathan.
        
        see I Sam 20:15
        
        I will restore to you all the land that belonged to your grandfather Saul
        
        David didn't have to, but did - grace
        
        and you will always eat at my table"
        
        providing for Mephibosheth
        
        making him part of David's extended family
        
        David didn't have to, but did- grace
      - Mephibosheth responded to David like David responded to God - humbled and amazed at grace
      - David provided Saul's servant Ziba to take care of Mephibosheth's property
        
        foreshadowing - Ziba and Mephibosheth will be seen later
    - 10:1-19 David Completes the Conquest
      - And it was after this...
      - David attempts to do grace to the Ammonites
      - The Ammonites reject the grace and humiliate David's messengers
      - The Ammonites hired a foreign army to fight David
      - David sent Joab out with the army
        
        David did not go? foreshadowing
      - Joab was in trouble but trusted the Lord
        
        "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"
      - Joab defeats them
      - The enemy regrouped
      - David went out with the whole army
      - David defeated them
      - All the nations were subject to Israel and were afraid of them
- 11:1-24:25 David's Troubled Reign
  - 11:1-12:31 David and Bathsheba
    - The Sin11:1-27a
      - Intro comments
        
        David Stopped fighting God’s battles - led to trouble
        
        Saul never grew
        
        David stopped growing
        
        Never stop growing
        
        David used power for his own gain - out of character, acting like a pagan king
        
        Don’t use power for your own gain
        
        David committed adultery and murder
        
        Don’t commit adultery or murder – in your heart
        
        Contrast faithfulness- David and Uriah
        
        Uriah was to David as David was to Saul
      - 11:1 David stopped fighting God's battles
        
        the framing of this episode with the battle for Rabbah is intentional
        
        Don't stop fighting God's battles
      - 11:2-5 David commits adultery with Bathsheba
        
        Saw, desired, took
        
        cf. Gen 3. temptation, cf. all temptations
        
        interrupt this temptation with discern and trust before took
        
        was clearly told that she was married to Uriah
        
        David sent and took her
        
        Narrative insertion that she was not already pregnant
        
        she went home pregnant by David
        
        she sent word that she was pregnant
      - 11:6-25 David has Uriah murdered
        
        sent for Uriah to return from battle
        
        tried to get him to sleep with his wife (to cover his tracks)
        
        Uriah did not go home out of respect/solidarity with the soldiers at battle
        
        Uriah refuses to stop fighting God's battles, even with legitimate reason not to do so
        
        David tried again
        
        Uriah is faithful again
        
        David sent a letter to Joab via Uriah to abandon Uriah to be killed in battle
        
        Joab did so and Uriah was killed
        
        Joab sent a report of the battle to David
        
        Joab manipulates David with the information that Uriah was dead
        
        David replies to continue the attack on the city
      - 11:26-27a David marries Bathsheba
        
        Bathsheba mourned for her dead husband
        
        David married her
        
        She bore him the son conceived in adultery
    - 11:27 Narrative insertion (transition): The thing David had done displeased the Lord
    - The Consequences 12:1-25
      - 12:1-14 Nathan rebukes David
        
        Nathan tells a story about a man who had much stealing from a man who had little - injustice
        
        David is angry with indignation and condemns the man who did this
        
        recognizes the injustice in others (but not in himself)
        
        cf. Rom. ch. 2 condemn sin in others while we do the same thing
        
        Nathan confronts him: "You are the man!"
        
        This is what the Lord, the God of Israel says:
        
        I anointed you King over Israel
        
        I delivered you from the hand of Saul
        
        I gave your master's house and wives to you
        
        I gave you the house of Israel and Judah
        
        If this had not been enough, I would have given you more
        
        God is good and gracious
        
        Often our sin comes out of our unbelief in God's goodness
        
        We settle for substitute, lesser pleasures because we don't trust God for better, eternal pleasures
        
        Why did you despise the Word of the Lord by doing what is evil in His eyes?
        
        This is the key, core of the issue:
        
        we want to be God and determine right and wrong for ourselves - cf. Gen 3
        
        You struck down Uriah the Hittite with the sword and took his wife to be your own. You killed him with the sword of the Ammonites.
        
        notice the implication, causing sin, even if you do not do the actual act makes you just as guilty
        
        accessory to sin is just as guilty
        
        Therefore, the sword will never depart from your house, because you despised me and took the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your own
        
        again, sin is despising God, de-Goding God, cosmic rebellion
        
        This is what the Lord says:
        
        I am going to bring calamity on you out of your own household
        
        I am going to take your wives and give them to one who is close to you, before your very eyes
        
        You did it in secret, I will punish you before all Israel
        
        David repented: "I have sinned against the Lord"
        
        notice that sin is primarily against the Lord
        
        stop making it just about ourselves and our human victims
        
        our guilt before God is the primary and worst consequence of sin
        
        Nathan replied:
        
        The Lord has taken away your sin.
        
        You are not going to die
        
        Because you have done this, you have made God's enemies show contempt for the Lord (or you showed contempt for the Lord before His enemies)
        
        The son born to you will die
        
        comments
        
        how can this be?
        
        only fully revealed in the NT, by cross, God is both just and gracious by taking the just penalty on himself
        
        conditional/unconditional
        
        forgiveness, but still consequences
      - 12:15-23 The child dies
        
        The Lord struck the child that Uriah's wife bore to David and he was sick
        
        David pleaded for the child's life - fasting and humbling himself
        
        The child died
        
        The servants were afraid to tell David
        
        David found out and stopped mourning and worshipped
        
        The servants asked David why he acted this way
        
        David replied that he pleaded with God while there was hope, but when the matter was settled, he resigned himself to God's will - fasting and pleading will do not good, and can be unbelief
        
        David will go to where the child is, the child will not return
      - 12:24-25 A replacement child - Solomon
        
        David comforted his wife
        
        David lay with his wife and she conceived
        
        She gave birth and they named him Solomon
        
        related to the Heb. word Shalom (peace)
        
        also related to the Heb. word for recompense, paying back for what was taken
        
        The Lord loved him
        
        The Lord (via Nathan) gave him the name Jedidiah
        
        meaning "loved by the Lord"
    - 12:26-31 David Completes the Conquest
      - Joab continues to fight Rabbah and captures the fort
      - sends word to David to complete the attack or Joab will take credit
      - David mustered the entire army and took the city
      - David took the crown and the plunder and made the people laborers
        
        ambiguous, should he have done cherem?
      - David and the army returned to Jerusalem
  - 13:1-19:43 Problems with David's family
    - 13:1-22 Amnon Rapes Tamar
      - intro
        
        David's sins bear fruit in his children's lives - forgiven, but consequences
        
        This whole section reads like a sick soap opera
        
        All of this is leading up to Absalom's rebellion, just establishing the backstory
      - and it was, after this...
      - Chiastic structure from Ridout:
      - A. Amnon's desire for Tamar 1-2
        
        Amnon had an illegitimate love for his sister
        
        cf. Lev. 18:9 "Do not have sexual relations with your sister, either your father's daughter or your mother's daughter, whether she was born int he same home or elsewhere
      - B. Amnon's predicament and Jonadab's advice 3-7
        
        elaborate scheming plot to get alone with her, even involving David's unwitting help
      - C. Tamar at Amnon's house 8-10
      - D. Amnon's advances and Tamar's pleading 11-13
        
        he grabbed her and propositioned her using the same words to Joseph in Gen 39:12
        
        She responded NO
        
        such a thing should not be done in Israel
        
        Don't do this disgraceful thing - same words in last section in Judges, where they acted like Sodom 19:23-24
        
        What about me? How could I get rid of my shame?
        
        And you would be like one of the foolish men (nabal) of Israel
        
        speak to the king, he will not withhold me from you
        
        He was unwilling to listen to her
      - E. Tamar's humiliation 14
        
        He overpowered and raped her
      - D'. Amnon's rejection of Tamar and her pleading 15-16
        
        Then Amnon hated her, he hated her more than he had loved her
        
        this proves that his "love" was not really love, but lust
        
        he told her to get up and get out
        
        She responded NO
        
        sending her away would be an even greater wrong than he had already done
        
        He was unwilling to listen to her
      - C'. Tamar's expulsion from Amnon's house 17-18
        
        He had his servant throw her out
      - B'. Tamar's predicament and Absalom's advice 19-20
        
        She went out mourning
        
        Absalom her brother met her
        
        he asked if Amnon had caused the state she was in
        
        before she mentioned?
        
        did he see it coming?
        
        he told her to keep it quiet because he was her brother - hiding sin
        
        ambiguous - did he comfort her or just tell her to not think about it
        
        Tamar lived as a recluse in Absalom's house
      - A'. Absalom's hatred of Amnon 21-22
        
        David was furious
        
        but apparently never did anything about it
        
        Amnon was his son and heir
        
        David lost much of his moral authority in the Bathsheba incident
        
        Absalom didn't do or say anything (yet), but he hated Amnon
    - 13:23-38 Absalom Kills Amnon
      - 23 Setting - two years later (revenge is a dish best served cold)
      - 23b-28 Absalom's plot to kill Amnon
        
        again David is unwittingly involved in the setup
        
        David seemed to smell a rat, but gave in to Absalom's urging
        
        Absalom ordered his men to kill Amnon - premeditated murder
        
        echoing language from Joshua -"Don't fear, Have I not commanded you, be strong and brave"
      - 29 Amnon is murdered
      - 30-36 David hears and mourns
        
        David first heard that all his sons were killed and mourned
        
        Jonadab (same guy from Tamar story) told his the plot that he had known all along - (what a sleaze)
        
        Connected with the rape of Tamar - revenge
        
        The rest of the kings sons came back to Jerusalem to the king
        
        They all wept and mourned together
      - 37-38 Absalom fled
        
        to Geshur (outside of Israel)
        
        David mourned for his son - ambiguous, which son?
    - 13:39-14:33 Absalom Forgiven
      - 39 Three years later, David longed to see Absalom
        
        was consoled concerning Amnon's death
        
        personally was satisfied, but not justice satisfied
        
        Acting as king making own laws, not king under law
      - 1-4 Joab's plan
        
        Joab acts to reunite David and Absalom - knowing David's heart
      - 5-17 The story and verdict
        
        Devises a sneaky story like Nathan's via a wise woman from Tekoa
        
        an impossible legal predicament
        
        Story pits justice vs. mercy and love - upholding God's perfect law vs. helping guilty people
        
        if he punishes the son - brings harm to mother and family and nation
        
        if he pardons the son - brings harm to justice and the offended and the avenger and the nation
        
        BTW this is the greatest problem God has, how to be both just and gracious
        
        David responds by ambiguously saying he will do something
        
        What will he do?
        
        parallel to his handling of Amnon and Absalom - does nothing
        
        The woman challenges him to act in such a way so that his throne will not be tainted by injustice
        
        feigns willingness to take guilt on herself rather than have the king be stained by the guild of injustice
        
        David responds by saying he will do it by his kingly power - acting like a pagan king
        
        if anyone says anything to you
        
        bring him to me
        
        and he will not touch you again
        
        woman asks him to remember the Lord to keep the avenger of blood from multiplying the destruction, so that her second son would also be destroyed
        
        David swears by the Lord that her son won't be killed
        
        The woman challenges him again
        
        Why have you devised a thing like this against the people of God?
        
        against justice?
        
        And the king is speaking like a guilty man lest the King brings back the one who was banished from him
        
        exposes his hypocrisy
        
        he gives mercy in the case of the story, but does not give mercy to his own son
        
        For we will certainly die
        
        punishment/justice does happen
        
        and it is like water poured out on the ground which cannot be gathered up again
        
        the sin is done, it cannot be undone and the consequences are there
        
        but what do we do from this point? should we add to or prevent further consequences?
        
        Not always easy
        
        and God will not take away a life
        
        Character of God - He will uphold justice, but takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked
        
        does not take away life needlessly or as soon and harsh as we deserve
        
        Adam and Eve did not immediately die (thought hey did die), but lived on so the race could live on and be redeemed
        
        and He plans plans lest the one banished from his would remain banished/estranged
        
        God makes a way to redeem
        
        revelation of God's character
        
        He never gives up His justice or holiness even a bit
        
        But He is wise enough to be perfectly just and find a way to be gracious and merciful as well
        
        fully revealed only in the NT how God can be just and the gracious justifier of those who have faith in Jesus Rom 3:26
        
        (She goes back to the story and her fake plea)
        
        the people who want to avenge my son made me afraid, so I came to the king for help
        
        perhaps the king will protect me from the one who wants to cut off both me and my son
        
        So please, bring me rest in this situation
      - 18-24 Absalom is brought back
        
        David sees through the story to Joab's hand
        
        David brings Absalom back, but does not allow Absalom to see him
        
        still in do nothing mode?
        
        did he bring him back, or just change the location of his banishment/estrangement?
      - 25-33 Absalom is fully restored to David
        
        Absalom is praised for his outward appearance - cf. Saul/foreshadowing
        
        his hair is specifically mentioned
        
        Absalom lived in Jerusalem, but still estranged from David
        
        Absalom forced the issue with Joab to get an audience with the king
        
        Absalom saw the king, bowed before him and the king kissed Absalom
    - 15:1-19:40 Absalom's Rebellion
      - 15:1-6 Absalom conspires
        
        And it was after this...
        
        Absalom stood in the public meeting place and said, "I would do a better job than David is doing"
        
        Total politician, not king after God's heart
        
        telling people what they want to hear
        
        telling people that he is on their side (even if he is not)
        
        telling people that their side is right (even if it is not)
        
        schmoozing people, kissing and shaking hands
        
        drumming up dissatisfaction with David's way of doing it
        
        he stole the hearts of the men of Israel
      - 15:7-12 Absalom Rebels
        
        secret, scheming open rebellion to his own father
        
        the kind of thing the pagan kings did all the time for lust for power - God is barely mentioned in all this story
      - 15:13-37 David flees Jerusalem
        
        notice Ittai the Gittite (a foreigner) shows faithfulness very similar to the Ruth story (vv. 19-21)
        
        The priests wanted to go with David and bring the ark of God
        
        David refused
        
        David trusted God to do what was best and did not treat the ark as a lucky charm
        
        prayed for God to frustrate the advice of Ahithophel the advisor of Absalom
        
        Also planted spies to counter that advice and help David
      - 16:1-4 David and Ziba
        
        Accuses Saul's grandson Mephibosheth of joining the rebellion
        
        David gives him all he had previously given to Mephibosheth (pt 1, which will be revisited)
      - 16:5-14 David and Shimei
        
        Relative of Saul curses David
        
        says this rebellion is payback for killing Saul's family (false claim)
        
        David's men want to kill him but David won't let them
        
        submits to this punishment as if from God, cf. Job
        
        trusts God to repay
      - 16:15-17:23 Absalom receives good and bad advice
        
        David's friend and spy went to Absalom and swears ambiguously his loyalty to "the king" and "the one chosen by the Lord"
        
        Ahithophel, a wise man, gives wise advice, but Absalom does not listen
        
        Rare reference to God in this story, very important narrative insertion: The Lord had determined to frustrate the good advice of Ahithophel in order to bring disaster on Absalom.
        
        therefore David escapes and can organize and defend himself
      - 17:24-18:18 Battle and Absalom's death
        
        David commanded them to spare Absalom (his own son who was trying to kill him)
        
        Absalom gets his hair (which was a source of pride [outward appearance]) caught in a tree and is left hanging there
        
        a soldier sees him, but refuses to kill him because he heard David's plea to spare him - cf. David sparing Saul
        
        Joab however broke the Kings command and killed Absalom, thus ending the war
        
        last thing mentioned about Absalom is that he erected a pillar to his own honor, similar to Saul in I Sam 15:12
      - 18:19-19:8a David mourns for Absalom
        
        David is told of Absalom's death
        
        two messengers go to David
        
        the first tells the good news of victory in battle, but refuses to tell that Absalom is dead
        
        the second tells the good news of victory and pridefully tells David that Absalom is dead, expecting him to be happy about it, cf. other messengers telling David of his enemies death
        
        but irony here, David hears good news that God has delivered him from those who rose up against him, and wants to hear that Absalom is safe - can't have both
        
        David mourned for Absalom
        
        David mourned for Absalom and wished that he had died instead
        
        David's soldiers were taken aback by this, they were almost ashamed that they had won the battle
        
        Joab rebuked David
        
        accuses him (rightly) of humiliating his own men
        
        accuses him (rightly) of caring more for his enemies
        
        tells him to encourage the army or they would not be on his side anymore
        
        David went to the men and behaved like a king should
      - 19:8b-40 David returns to Jerusalem
        
        The people come to their senses and recognize that David was God's man for the job and was a good king
        
        David won over the hearts of the people
        
        They invited him to return and he did
        
        he met Shimei who had cursed him
        
        he begged for mercy not to be killed for cursing David
        
        David's men wanted to kill him
        
        David swore that he would not die (an oath he broke via Solomon)
        
        He met Mephibosheth, Saul's grandson
        
        Mephibosheth showed proof that he had not sided against David and he was betrayed by Ziba
        
        Mephibosheth acknowledged that all David had given him was grace and he did not demand it back, but was only glad David was safe
        
        David divided the property between Ziba and Mephibosheth
        
        should have been as wise as Solomon and seen through
        
        He met Barzillai the man who helped him escape
        
        tried to bless him, but Barzillai had all he needed
        
        blessed his son instead
  - 19:41-21:14 Problems with Saul's family
    - 19:41-20:26 Sheba's Rebellion
      - strife between tribes over bringing back the king
      - unlike Gideon defusing the situation, it gets out of hand
      - A troublemaker named Sheba, a Benjamite (Saul's tribe) led the other tribes in rebellion
      - Judah stayed with David (started with one tribe, back to one tribe)
      - David sent the army out to deal with Sheba under the leadership of Amasa
      - Joab murders Amasa and takes leadership of the army back
      - Sheba fortifies himself in Abel Beth Maacah
      - Joab besieges the city
      - A wise woman asks Joab for the reason for the siege
      - Joab asks for the head of Sheba
      - They throw his head over the wall and there is peace - avoiding war and death
      - List of David's officials
    - 21:1-14 Gibeonites avenged
      - Famine for three successive years
      - David sought the face of the Lord
      - the Lord said it is because of Saul's blood stained house and that he killed the Gibeonites
        
        tried to annihilate them (implied, but not clearly stated that it was because they were not Israelite)
        
        in violation of treaty made with Israel
      - David asked the Gibeonites how to make it right
      - They asked that seven of his descendants be killed as recompense
      - David did not give them from Jonathan's family, because of the covenant,
      - but gave them men from Saul's more distant relatives
      - The Gibeonites put them to death
      - David took all their bones, as well as Saul and Jonathan's bones and buried them all together
      - God answered prayer for the land (famine) after this
  - 21:15-24:25 End of David's reign
    - 21:15-22 War with Philistines
      - Another war with Philistines
      - But this time, David was getting old and became exhausted
      - There was a descendant of Rapha - like Goliath, who tried to kill David
      - David's men rescued him
      - David's men would not let him go to battle anymore
      - More battles with Philistines - David's mighty men killing Philistine giants
      - Leader inspires others to be like him
    - 22:1-51 David's Song of Praise
      - Same as Psalm 18
        
        with a few minor variations
        
        confirming superscriptions
      - 1-7 Praises God as the One Who saved him and protected him
      - 8- 16 Poetically described God as a warrior going to battle
      - 17- 20 describes God as rescuing him
      - 21-25 Chiasm, David is faithful to the covenant and God is faithful to His Word
      - 26-30 God shows His faithfulness
      - 31-37 God's way and Word are perfect
      - 38-43 David crushed his enemies with God's help
      - 44-46 David was made King with God's help
      - 47-51 Praises God as the One Who has exalted Him as King
    - 23:1-7 David's last Words
      - intro: God speaks through His anointed singer
      - The one who rules in righteousness and fear of the Lord is a blessing to people
      - God has made an everlasting covenant with David's house - which will come to pass
      - Evil men will be destroyed like thorns
    - 23:8-39 David's mighty men
      - list of the men and description of the great deeds they did
      - The three
        
        all of them like the judges, doing great military deeds because God is with them
        
        David just dreamed out loud his wish for water and they risked life and did mighty deeds to bring him water
        
        David refused to drink it because it represented their blood risked, rather poured it out to the Lord
      - Abishai chief of the three, but not one of them
      - Benaiah, great man, but not one of the three - chief of David's bodyguard
      - List of the Thirty
        
        includes Uriah the Hittite, and Eliam son of Ahithophel (possibly Bathsheba’s father, see 11:3)
        
        - makes David's sin even worse
    - 24:1-17 David's census and the plague
      - The Lord started this episode (wrath for unnamed offense)
        
        The Lord was angry against Israel
        
        The Lord incited David against them to take a census of Israel and Judah
        
        that is to count the army
        
        that is to depend on the size of the army - opposite of Gideon
      - David made a census
        
        David commanded Joab to do so
        
        Joab couseled against it
        
        David's authority prevailed and Joab did it
        
        Reported the total
        
        800,000 in Israel
        
        500,000 in Judah
      - God punished the nation
        
        David was conscious-stricken and asked God how he could make it right
        
        God gave him 3 options
        
        3 years of famine
        
        3 months of defeat by human enemies
        
        3 days of plague
        
        David answered - anything but enemies
        
        not men
        
        but let the Lord Himself punish, because He is merciful
        
        The Lord sent a plague and 70,000 people died
      - The plague was stopped before destroying Jerusalem
        
        as the angel was about to destroy Jerusalem, the Lord had compassion/regret and told him to stop
        
        This happened at the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite (just NE of Jerusalem)
        
        David interceded for the people and asked the plague fall upon himself, not others, because he was the guilty one
    - 24:18-25 Preparation for the Temple
      - David is commanded to build and altar
        
        The prophet Gad told David to go build an altar on the threshing floor
        
        David went, as the Lord commanded
      - Araunah offers to give David the land and offering
        
        Araunah saw David coming and bowed down to him
        
        he asked why have you come?
        
        David asked to buy the threshing floor, to build an altar, to stop the plague
        
        Araunah offers to give it - possible ANE bargaining rhetoric
        
        adds "May the Lord your God accept you"
      - David buys the land and the offering
        
        David replied
        
        I will pay for it
        
        I will not sacrifice to the Lord my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing
        
        David bought the threshing floor and the oxen
      - David built an altar and sacrificed the offerings
      - The Lord answered prayer and the plague was stopped
      - Comments
        
        This place where the plague stopped was to be the site where the temple was built
        
        tradition has it that this is the same location where Abraham offered Isaac
        
        one possible site of the crucifixion is about 100 meters along the same ridge
- Theological Themes
  - 1. Deuteronomistic theology
    - demonstrated to be true
    - those who honor God are honored
    - those who sin are punished
  - 2. Character
    - Godly leadership
    - True obedience is better than show
    - you can fool people, but you can't fool God
    - a leader leads people into blessedness or punishment
    - when a leader sins, it impacts more than just the leader
    - Not many should aspire to be teachers - more strict judgment
  - 3. Kingship
    - King is under authority, never final authority
      - cf. Deut. 17 under the law
      - under the authority of the prophets
    - God is always the true king
    - Earthly king is just God's representative - "Deputy King", "Ambassador", "Manager", "Steward"
    - Earthly king is to demonstrate God's character - mercy in justice
    - Earthly king is to lead people into righteousness and the resulting blessing and victory
  - 4. Jerusalem/Temple
    - The place of God's presence is now becoming permanent
    - Deut. "the place that I will choose to put my Name"
    - partly fulfilled, but preparation for full fulfillment
    - Jerusalem is now the capital
    - The ark of the covenant has entered the city in triumphal procession
    - The real estate is purchased where the temple will be built
    - but the temple is not yet built
    - promise of David's son who will build a house for God
  - 5. Davidic Covenant
    - I will make your name great
    - I will complete the conquest and give the people rest
    - I will raise up your descendant
    - I will be like a Father and he will be my Son
    - He will build my house
    - I will make your kingdom eternal
    - Each king will be punished if disobedient
    - But I will never take away your kingdom like Saul's
  - 6. Forgiveness and consequences
    - David is forgiven for his sin
    - But it does not just go away
    - There are consequences that both hurt him and the people around him
    - Some of the consequences were poetic justice - David experiences the exact same pain that he had inflicted on others
    - God's mercy and justice are both true and both real
    - we cannot choose either mercy or justice, but should expect the perfect combination of both from God
    - we should strive to discern and give the perfect combination of both to others