2 Samuel 1-5 Summary
David's Lament for Saul and Jonathan (1 Samuel 1)
The book of 2 Samuel opens with David's lament for Saul and Jonathan, who died in battle against the Philistines. David received the news of their deaths from a messenger who had escaped from the battle. In response, David composed a lament, a funeral dirge, to mourn the loss of his friends and enemies.
The lament is a poignant expression of David's grief and regret. He praises Saul and Jonathan, despite their past conflicts, and acknowledges their bravery and heroism. David's words are filled with emotion and sincerity, revealing a deep sense of loss and sorrow.
David Becomes King of Judah (2 Samuel 2:1-7)
After the death of Saul, David inquired of the Lord whether he should go to Hebron, a city in Judah. The Lord instructed him to do so, and David went there with his men. The men of Judah anointed David as their king, and he reigned over Judah for seven years and six months.
Civil War Between Judah and Israel (2 Samuel 2:8-3:1)
However, David's reign was not without opposition. Abner, Saul's military commander, had taken Ish-bosheth, one of Saul's sons, and made him king over Israel. This led to a civil war between Judah and Israel, with David's men fighting against Abner's men.
Abner's Defection and Death (2 Samuel 3:2-39)
Abner eventually defected to David's side, but was killed by Joab, David's military commander, in revenge for the death of his brother Asahel. Despite this, David's power continued to grow, and he eventually became king over all Israel.
The Ark of the Covenant (2 Samuel 4-5)
In chapters 4-5, the focus shifts to the Ark of the Covenant, which had been captured by the Philistines. David decided to bring the Ark back to Jerusalem, but he did so improperly, leading to the death of Uzzah, one of the men carrying the Ark.
David's Victory Over the Philistines (2 Samuel 5:17-25)
Finally, the Philistines, who had been a thorn in Israel's side for centuries, attacked David. However, David inquired of the Lord and received a strategy for defeating them. He attacked the Philistines and drove them back, establishing a great victory for Israel.
Conclusion
In these five chapters, we see David's rise to power as king over all Israel. Despite opposition and setbacks, David remained faithful to the Lord and trusted in His guidance and protection. The story sets the stage for the rest of 2 Samuel, which will explore the ups and downs of David's reign in greater detail.
