Community on Columbia

When King David takes a head count of the people without also collecting the half-shekel atonement offering, God sends a plague. David repents and the death angel sheaths his sword at the location of the future Temple at the threshing floor of Araunah on Mount Moriah. Then David’s “mighty men” are listed. Their characteristics might correspond to different aspects of believers’ spiritual warfare.

Notes on 2 Samuel 24:1-25

David’s humble psalm of thanksgiving contains a prophecy of the Messiah’s kingdom and victory over the “sons of Belial.” It is followed by a listing of his “mighty men” – who represent the tools and means for spiritually overcoming the enemy.

Notes on 2 Samuel 23:1-39

David looks back over his life and praises God for His faithfulness. The chapter is virtually the same as Psalm 18. As a type of Christ, David’s words about his own experiences anticipate the suffering and death of Christ, His resurrection and exaltation, His victory over enemies and final eternal kingdom.

Notes on 2 Samuel 22:1-51

During a famine, David asks God for its cause. God explains it is because Saul slaughtered a number of Gibeonites and broke a covenant with them. The famine actually happened earlier in David’s reign, and the explanation takes us all the way back to the Book of Judges, where the Gibeonites, a Canaanite tribe, deceive Israel into making a covenant with them: they would provide wood and water for the Tabernacle, and Israel would let them live. Now they want justice. The last section describes battles that wiped out the last of the giants.

Notes on 2 Samuel 21:1-22

Just as David is restoring his kingship in Jerusalem, another rebellion breaks out. Sheba, a Benjamite, convinces the 10 tribes to end their loyalty to David and go “back to your tents.” David sends troops in pursuit. Joab, his old general, takes the opportunity to murder the new general Amasa during the chase. Eventually the revolt is put down and Sheba loses his head. Joab is reinstated as general.

Notes on 2 Samuel 20:1-26

Because of David’s grief for his rebellious son Absalom, there was a cloud over his recent victory. Joab brings David to his senses, but more trouble is brewing as David tries to consolidate his support among the tribes.

Notes on 2 Samuel 19:1-43