King James Bible Study – [And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. – Mark 8:34]
Date: Monday, April 21, 2025
Chapters: II Samuel 1-3, Psalm 18
Message: II Samuel: David Becomes King in Hebron
Hello My Friend,
As we begin the reading of II Samuel we learn that those who falsify the truth or attempt to get ahead deceitfully will only lead to their own consequence, [Galatians 6:7-8 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. 8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.]. Also, while all saved, born again Christians are granted salvation solely by the grace of God through their faith in Christ they can be a bit naive, which is why Jesus said this, [Luke 10:19-20 Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. 20 Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.]
The Book of II Samuel contains twenty-four chapters, it is probable that David wrote it because it only contains his life, and it was first addressed to Israel. The timeline for these events took place approximately 1056 BC to 1017 BC. The purpose of the book was to record David’s forty year reign as king and how God dealt with him and all His people during that time. What we are to learn from the book is that God carries out His plan through those who are obedient to Him despite their occasional mishaps, [2 Samuel 22:7 In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried to my God: and he did hear my voice out of his temple, and my cry did enter into his ears.]
Behind the strength of any nation is a group of God fearing saved souls willing to stand up for their faith and the true freedoms that come from their leading it under the direction that God gives them. Those freedoms that we enjoy often come with the price of others who gave their lives for them, but there is always some willing to take advantage of those freedoms for their own advances, 2 Samuel begins right after 1 Samuel ends, as we recall the tragic death of Saul and three of his sons.
[1 Samuel 31:2-5 And the Philistines followed hard upon Saul and upon his sons; and the Philistines slew Jonathan, and Abinadab, and Malchi-shua, Saul’s sons. 3 And the battle went sore against Saul, and the archers hit him; and he was sore wounded of the archers. 4 Then said Saul unto his armourbearer, Draw thy sword, and thrust me through therewith; lest these uncircumcised come and thrust me through, and abuse me. But his armourbearer would not; for he was sore afraid. Therefore Saul took a sword, and fell upon it. 5 And when his armourbearer saw that Saul was dead, he fell likewise upon his sword, and died with him.]
It had now been three days since Israel battled the Philistines, during the battle between the Philistines and Israel, David was in Ziklag celebrating their own victory over the Amalekites. It was no secret that the entire nation knew of Saul’s hatred for David and that he and Johnathan were good friends. Well, someone who had witnessed what happened to Saul pays David a visit with the grim news of their death.
[2 Samuel 1:1-4 Now it came to pass after the death of Saul, when David was returned from the slaughter of the Amalekites, and David had abode two days in Ziklag; 2 It came even to pass on the third day, that, behold, a man came out of the camp from Saul with his clothes rent, and earth upon his head: and so it was, when he came to David, that he fell to the earth, and did obeisance. 3 And David said unto him, From whence comest thou? And he said unto him, Out of the camp of Israel am I escaped. 4 And David said unto him, How went the matter? I pray thee, tell me. And he answered, That the people are fled from the battle, and many of the people also are fallen and dead; and Saul and Jonathan his son are dead also.]
So, here is this young man, his clothes tattered and worn out as though he had been fighting in the battle, and it was probable that he was hiding out. Why do you think that he specifically mentions Saul and Jonathan? As we continue in the reading we learn that he may had an agenda when David asks him how he knew they were dead, he not only tells a lie he hands him Saul’s crown and a bracelet that he had on.
[2 Samuel 1:6-10 And the young man that told him said, As I happened by chance upon mount Gilboa, behold, Saul leaned upon his spear; and, lo, the chariots and horsemen followed hard after him. 7 And when he looked behind him, he saw me, and called unto me. And I answered, Here am I. 8 And he said unto me, Who art thou? And I answered him, I am an Amalekite. 9 He said unto me again, Stand, I pray thee, upon me, and slay me: for anguish is come upon me, because my life is yet whole in me. 10 So I stood upon him, and slew him, because I was sure that he could not live after that he was fallen: and I took the crown that was upon his head, and the bracelet that was on his arm, and have brought them hither unto my lord.]
Given the fact that his story was not entirely accurate he only added to the hole he dug himself into by taking the crown and bracelet, which indicated that he not only killed Saul, but stripped his body as well. Now, had this actually been a true story he would have been guilty of treason and therefore he would have been rightfully executed, which is why David, even before he was a king ordered for him to be executed.
[2 Samuel 1:14-18,26-27 And David said unto him, How wast thou not afraid to stretch forth thine hand to destroy the LORD’S anointed? 15 And David called one of the young men, and said, Go near, and fall upon him. And he smote him that he died. 16 And David said unto him, Thy blood be upon thy head; for thy mouth hath testified against thee, saying, I have slain the LORD’S anointed. 17 And David lamented with this lamentation over Saul and over Jonathan his son: 18 (Also he bade them teach the children of Judah the use of the bow: behold, it is written in the book of Jasher.) 26 I am distressed for thee, my brother Jonathan: very pleasant hast thou been unto me: thy love to me was wonderful, passing the love of women. 27 How are the mighty fallen, and the weapons of war perished!]
This man was such a fool, it would have been better had he just told the truth, at least, he would not have lost his own life. And just what did he think to gain by lying in the first place? Lies, whether they be down right false or half truths will never prosper, if anything it will lead to their own destruction. This is the same as all these false religions teaching half truths, believing the lie will save no one, [Acts 17:30-31 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: 31 Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.]
Think about what David said in regards to his love for Jonathan surpassing the love that he would have for women, this is not a physical love, this is known as agape. Agape does surpass any love that we have for our spouses, children, parents, or any loved ones, that is because agape is eternal, [2 Corinthians 5:14-15 For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: 15 And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.]
Now, David and other believers before him may not have even known the name of Christ, but what they did know is that God is the LORD and that salvation came solely through their faith in Him. As David contemplates what happened with the death of Saul and Jonathan, he recalls how God had delivered him from his enemies.
[Psalms 18:1-6 To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David, the servant of the LORD, who spake unto the LORD the words of this song in the day that the LORD delivered him from the hand of all his enemies, and from the hand of Saul: And he said, I will love thee, O LORD, my strength. 2 The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower. 3 I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies. 4 The sorrows of death compassed me, and the floods of ungodly men made me afraid. 5 The sorrows of hell compassed me about: the snares of death prevented me. 6 In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, even into his ears.]
There is a similar version of this song written in 2 Samuel, suggesting that David had written it near the end of his life, but I believe it is a song that he sang quite often and was reminded of it when he knew that his life was about over. What is most interesting about the song is that David describes the power of Christ well before He was even a thought of in the minds of the people.
[Psalms 18:7-13 Then the earth shook and trembled; the foundations also of the hills moved and were shaken, because he was wroth. 8 There went up a smoke out of his nostrils, and fire out of his mouth devoured: coals were kindled by it. 9 He bowed the heavens also, and came down: and darkness was under his feet. 10 And he rode upon a cherub, and did fly: yea, he did fly upon the wings of the wind. 11 He made darkness his secret place; his pavilion round about him were dark waters and thick clouds of the skies. 12 At the brightness that was before him his thick clouds passed, hail stones and coals of fire. 13 The LORD also thundered in the heavens, and the Highest gave his voice; hail stones and coals of fire.]
Many people will say that was David wrote here was a metaphor, but I believe that it to be God’s hand over him, making intercession for him, and in a sense He does the same for us. Think about it, with all the pain and sorrow we face as it is right now, just imagine what we would be facing if we did not have Christ in our lives? While I know I have had my share of pain and sorrow caused by my own foolish decisions, I have witnessed God’s sparing me of other things and He does the same for all saved, born again Christians.
[Psalms 18:17-22 He delivered me from my strong enemy, and from them which hated me: for they were too strong for me. 18 They prevented me in the day of my calamity: but the LORD was my stay. 19 He brought me forth also into a large place; he delivered me, because he delighted in me. 20 The LORD rewarded me according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness of my hands hath he recompensed me. 21 For I have kept the ways of the LORD, and have not wickedly departed from my God. 22 For all his judgments were before me, and I did not put away his statutes from me.]
Well, now that Saul out of the picture, David could rightfully become king of all Israel and since everyone already knew he was going to be king, it would have been easy to take the throne. However, there were two obstacles, one; Saul had a son that was still alive and two, David was still living among the Philistines. Instead of just showing up and taking the throne, he asked God what he ought to do.
[2 Samuel 2:1-4 And it came to pass after this, that David enquired of the LORD, saying, Shall I go up into any of the cities of Judah? And the LORD said unto him, Go up. And David said, Whither shall I go up? And he said, Unto Hebron. 2 So David went up thither, and his two wives also, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail Nabal’s wife the Carmelite. 3 And his men that were with him did David bring up, every man with his household: and they dwelt in the cities of Hebron. 4 And the men of Judah came, and there they anointed David king over the house of Judah. And they told David, saying, That the men of Jabesh-gilead were they that buried Saul.]
It was not uncommon back then to have kings or leaders of a specific town, much like we governors and mayors today. It was not time for David to become king of all of Israel yet so to win the people’s trust in David, he first had to establish his kingdom in the land that was given to Judah. So, while he reigned in Hebron, Saul’s last living son Ishbosheth reigned over the rest of Israel. David’s very first act as king was giving honor to the people of Jabeshgilead for the way they handled the bodies of the dead.
[2 Samuel 2:5-9 And David sent messengers unto the men of Jabesh-gilead, and said unto them, Blessed be ye of the LORD, that ye have shewed this kindness unto your lord, even unto Saul, and have buried him. 6 And now the LORD shew kindness and truth unto you: and I also will requite you this kindness, because ye have done this thing. 7 Therefore now let your hands be strengthened, and be ye valiant: for your master Saul is dead, and also the house of Judah have anointed me king over them. 8 But Abner the son of Ner, captain of Saul’s host, took Ish-bosheth the son of Saul, and brought him over to Mahanaim; 9 And made him king over Gilead, and over the Ashurites, and over Jezreel, and over Ephraim, and over Benjamin, and over all Israel.]
We may not like our leaders in office, but we do need to respect them, and by paying respects to them we are not only showing the world that we care about them, we also show them Christ. Psalm 18, has so many valuable reminders that we cannot ignore them.
[Psalms 18:25-32 With the merciful thou wilt shew thyself merciful; with an upright man thou wilt shew thyself upright; 26 With the pure thou wilt shew thyself pure; and with the froward thou wilt shew thyself froward. 27 For thou wilt save the afflicted people; but wilt bring down high looks. 28 For thou wilt light my candle: the LORD my God will enlighten my darkness. 29 For by thee I have run through a troop; and by my God have I leaped over a wall. 30 As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him. 31 For who is God save the LORD? or who is a rock save our God? 32 It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect.]
Jesus said it this way, [Matthew 5:46-48 For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? 47 And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so? 48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.] We are by far perfect, and never will be until we get to heaven, but we can be perfected as we walk with Christ, or I should say Christ perfects us as we walk with Him, [Hebrews 13:20-21 Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, 21 Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.]
Abner was another person seeking his own advances when making Ishbosheth king, he did not want him to be king because he was rightfully the only son left to reign, he intended to go as high as he could go next to the king. During the two years that Ishbosheth was king there was constant fighting between Saul’s men and David’s, and it was all orchestrated by Abner.
[2 Samuel 2:12-15,17 And Abner the son of Ner, and the servants of Ish-bosheth the son of Saul, went out from Mahanaim to Gibeon. 13 And Joab the son of Zeruiah, and the servants of David, went out, and met together by the pool of Gibeon: and they sat down, the one on the one side of the pool, and the other on the other side of the pool. 14 And Abner said to Joab, Let the young men now arise, and play before us. And Joab said, Let them arise. 15 Then there arose and went over by number twelve of Benjamin, which pertained to Ish-bosheth the son of Saul, and twelve of the servants of David. 17 And there was a very sore battle that day; and Abner was beaten, and the men of Israel, before the servants of David.]
Abner was Saul’s cousin, while Joab was David’s cousin, also a captain of his army, so you can tell that there is a lot of rivalry between the two families. And this was no friendly play, this was a down right brawl, each one had their own agenda for being on the side of the king. In an attempt to find out Abner’s plan, Asahel, a brother of Joab and promising young man in David’s army, was killed by Abner.
[2 Samuel 2:20-23 Then Abner looked behind him, and said, Art thou Asahel? And he answered, I am. 21 And Abner said to him, Turn thee aside to thy right hand or to thy left, and lay thee hold on one of the young men, and take thee his armour. But Asahel would not turn aside from following of him. 22 And Abner said again to Asahel, Turn thee aside from following me: wherefore should I smite thee to the ground? how then should I hold up my face to Joab thy brother? 23 Howbeit he refused to turn aside: wherefore Abner with the hinder end of the spear smote him under the fifth rib, that the spear came out behind him; and he fell down there, and died in the same place: and it came to pass, that as many as came to the place where Asahel fell down and died stood still.]
Asahel was proud of his relation to David and Joab, and sadly, he naively pursued Abner to his dying death. Asahel’s fall was not only Abner’s security from him, it put a full stop to his pursuit and gave him time get all the Benjamites on his side before going any further with his plan.
[2 Samuel 2:25-28 And the children of Benjamin gathered themselves together after Abner, and became one troop, and stood on the top of an hill. 26 Then Abner called to Joab, and said, Shall the sword devour for ever? knowest thou not that it will be bitterness in the latter end? how long shall it be then, ere thou bid the people return from following their brethren? 27 And Joab said, As God liveth, unless thou hadst spoken, surely then in the morning the people had gone up every one from following his brother. 28 So Joab blew a trumpet, and all the people stood still, and pursued after Israel no more, neither fought they any more.]
For now Abner’s plan worked, they did not fight that day, but there was a long standing war between Judah and Benjamin for two years, all the while David was establishing his kingdom, and family as well, he not had children with his two wives, he also married four more women, having children with all of them.
[2 Samuel 3:1-5 Now there was long war between the house of Saul and the house of David: but David waxed stronger and stronger, and the house of Saul waxed weaker and weaker. 2 And unto David were sons born in Hebron: and his firstborn was Amnon, of Ahinoam the Jezreelitess; 3 And his second, Chileab, of Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite; and the third, Absalom the son of Maacah the daughter of Talmai king of Geshur; 4 And the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith; and the fifth, Shephatiah the son of Abital; 5 And the sixth, Ithream, by Eglah David’s wife. These were born to David in Hebron.]
Even though there was a long standing war between these two tribes, the house of David was becoming stronger while Saul’s getting weaker, which is what happens when the leaders are actually the puppets as Abner was the one who was doing most of the work. However, Abner would soon get called out by Ishbosheth when he decided to have an affair with one of Saul’s concubines.
[2 Samuel 3:7-11 And Saul had a concubine, whose name was Rizpah, the daughter of Aiah: and Ish-bosheth said to Abner, Wherefore hast thou gone in unto my father’s concubine? 8 Then was Abner very wroth for the words of Ish-bosheth, and said, Am I a dog’s head, which against Judah do shew kindness this day unto the house of Saul thy father, to his brethren, and to his friends, and have not delivered thee into the hand of David, that thou chargest me to day with a fault concerning this woman? 9 So do God to Abner, and more also, except, as the LORD hath sworn to David, even so I do to him; 10 To translate the kingdom from the house of Saul, and to set up the throne of David over Israel and over Judah, from Dan even to Beer-sheba. 11 And he could not answer Abner a word again, because he feared him.]
Abner goes on to suggest that Ishbosheth is comparing him to a leader of a pack of dogs, and a dead one at that, he neither confirms nor denies this accusation, but kind of suggests that he is justified since he did so much for his family, including making him king of Israel. Ishbosheth was not buying his excuse so out of fear he runs to David, and wants to make a deal with him so that he could be king of all of Israel.
[2 Samuel 3:12-15 And Abner sent messengers to David on his behalf, saying, Whose is the land? saying also, Make thy league with me, and, behold, my hand shall be with thee, to bring about all Israel unto thee. 13 And he said, Well; I will make a league with thee: but one thing I require of thee, that is, Thou shalt not see my face, except thou first bring Michal Saul’s daughter, when thou comest to see my face. 14 And David sent messengers to Ish-bosheth Saul’s son, saying, Deliver me my wife Michal, which I espoused to me for an hundred foreskins of the Philistines. 15 And Ish-bosheth sent, and took her from her husband, even from Phaltiel the son of Laish.]
As if David did not have enough wives, yet he actually had a great deal of love and respect for Michal, although at this point the feelings were not mutual since doing this she would come to despise David. So, why did he even want her back since she has been with another man for several years now? By his statement it is probable that he did it for pride or political reasons as his union with Israel’s princess may gain him the favor of the northern tribes. Nevertheless, Abner and David did to come to an agreement, all of this was done without David knowing that he killed Asahel.
[2 Samuel 3:17-18,20-21 And Abner had communication with the elders of Israel, saying, Ye sought for David in times past to be king over you: 18 Now then do it: for the LORD hath spoken of David, saying, By the hand of my servant David I will save my people Israel out of the hand of the Philistines, and out of the hand of all their enemies. 20 So Abner came to David to Hebron, and twenty men with him. And David made Abner and the men that were with him a feast. 21 And Abner said unto David, I will arise and go, and will gather all Israel unto my lord the king, that they may make a league with thee, and that thou mayest reign over all that thine heart desireth. And David sent Abner away; and he went in peace.]
Is that not just like the wicked when their plans are not working out, and people start catching on to them?This would have been a very wrong move on David’s part, even though he did not know what happened. We must be careful not to be too quick to accept partnerships with anyone, we must always take the time to look into everything, so that we will not be fooled by the wicked. When Joab got word that David had let Abner go, he was angry with him.
[2 Samuel 3:24-28 Then Joab came to the king, and said, What hast thou done? behold, Abner came unto thee; why is it that thou hast sent him away, and he is quite gone? 25 Thou knowest Abner the son of Ner, that he came to deceive thee, and to know thy going out and thy coming in, and to know all that thou doest. 26 And when Joab was come out from David, he sent messengers after Abner, which brought him again from the well of Sirah: but David knew it not. 27 And when Abner was returned to Hebron, Joab took him aside in the gate to speak with him quietly, and smote him there under the fifth rib, that he died, for the blood of Asahel his brother. 28 And afterward when David heard it, he said, I and my kingdom are guiltless before the LORD for ever from the blood of Abner the son of Ner:]
When Abner’s death was brought to David’s attention, he had the same response as he did when it was told of Saul’s death. In fact, he even ordered a day of mourning and fasting, [2 Samuel 3:31-34 And David said to Joab, and to all the people that were with him, Rend your clothes, and gird you with sackcloth, and mourn before Abner. And king David himself followed the bier. 32 And they buried Abner in Hebron: and the king lifted up his voice, and wept at the grave of Abner; and all the people wept. 33 And the king lamented over Abner, and said, Died Abner as a fool dieth? 34 Thy hands were not bound, nor thy feet put into fetters: as a man falleth before wicked men, so fellest thou. And all the people wept again over him.]
David did not condone what the Abner did, but knew that it is God who gives and takes life. You know, as much as we mess up trying to be faithful Christians, there is something we often forget, God’s wonderful and amazing grace. It is more than God saving us from what we deserve, it is the source of all the benefits received from God, our Rock and our Fortress, [Psalms 18:46-50 The LORD liveth; and blessed be my rock; and let the God of my salvation be exalted. 47 It is God that avengeth me, and subdueth the people under me. 48 He delivereth me from mine enemies: yea, thou liftest me up above those that rise up against me: thou hast delivered me from the violent man. 49 Therefore will I give thanks unto thee, O LORD, among the heathen, and sing praises unto thy name. 50 Great deliverance giveth he to his king; and sheweth mercy to his anointed, to David, and to his seed for evermore.]
Jesus Christ Revealed/Magnified: [2 Samuel 3:31-32 And David said to Joab, and to all the people that were with him, Rend your clothes, and gird you with sackcloth, and mourn before Abner. And king David himself followed the bier. 32 And they buried Abner in Hebron: and the king lifted up his voice, and wept at the grave of Abner; and all the people wept. Psalms 18:30-31 As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him. 31 For who is God save the LORD? or who is a rock save our God?]
Today’s Prayer: God, You are the giver and taker of life, and no matter how wicked someone is, You will deal with them Your way, and in Your time. You have proven time and time again that lying, cheating, stealing, or deception of any kind will not get us anywhere, but killed, ourselves. However, with a little bit of patience, some perseverance, and faith, we will prevail. Thank You for giving us Your Son so that we might be saved from the punishment of eternal death and hell through our faith in Him alone. You truly are our KING, and we can rejoice in knowing that our salvation is in You alone, and not of our own works. I pray this in Your name, Jesus. Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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