Our study continues to follow more of David’s adventures, after he became king. However there is a great deal of sadness in this story, mainly as a result of the sin David committed with Basheba, the beautiful wife of Uriah the Hittite, one of David’s faithful soldiers.
"Why have you despised the commandment of the LORD? Now the sword shall never depart from your house" (2Sm 12:7-14)
Bathsheba gave birth to David’s son, but the baby died in spite of David’s pleading with God. From this point on, David suffered many trials at the hands of his enemies --including enemieswithin the kingdom.
David knew better, and was capable of better. In the mercy and love he shows various people in these stories, and in his psalms which are inserted into the narrative, we can perceive the good and godly heart of David.
However, sometimes David allowed himself to be tempted by the power he held, to be drawn away by his own lust, and to enter into what he knew was sin.
The Main Point
Behind this story is the weak side of David who allowed his lust to lead him into a despicable injustice, for which he suffered terrible consequences, even though his sin was forgiven. David’s sorrow is expressed in Psalm 51. The lesson is that even though our sins are forgiven, we may have to live with their nasty effects for many years afterward.
Bible Summary (2Samuel 11-24)
David’s adultery and treachery (11)
Nathan’s cunning rebuke and David’s abject sorrow (12)
Bathsheba gives birth to Solomon-Jedidiah (12)
Ammonites enslaved (12)
Amnon violates his sister Tamar (13)
Absalom murders Amnon, and flees to exile from David (13)
Joab devises a way for Absalom to return forgiven (14)
Absalom’s treason. He steals the hearts of the people (15)
King David flees Jerusalem with all his household (15)
David is met by Hushai who agrees to be a spy (15)
David is met by Ziba who informs on Mephibosheth (16)
David is met by Shimei who throws stones at him (16)
Meanwhile conspiracy continues in Jerusalem (16)
Ahithophel counsels Absalom to violate David’s women (16)
Ahithophel proposes a raid on David. Hushai counters (17)
A woman hides David’s spies in a well (17)
A terrible war between David and Absalom (17-18)
Absalom dies against David’s wishes. David grieves (18-19)
David returns to Jerusalem, shows mercy and kindness (19)
Jealousy: ten tribes of Israel quarrel with Judah (19)
Sheba tries to lead Israel in rebellion against David (20)
Joab murders Amasa and takes control (20)
A wise woman brings Sheba’s rebellion to a sharp end (20)
A famine because Saul’s house persecutes the Gibeonites (21)
David avenges the Gibeonites. Seven of Saul’s sons die (21)
The Philistines make war yet again. More giants too! (21)
A psalm of David. Praise for God’s deliverance (22)
Another psalm of David --his last words (23)
Honour roll of David’s mighty warriors (23)
David takes a census of Israel and Judah against God’s will (24)
A plague comes upon all Israel and Judah in punishment (24)
David buys the threshing floor of Araunah (24)
David offers sacrifice and makes peace with God (24)
Identical or similar accounts are given in 1Chronicles 20-21.
Who’s Who
In these stories, there is a confusing array of people. Here are some of the names and their connections.
Abiathar - another chief priest at David’s court
Abishai - Joab’s brother, a commander also
Absalom - a son of David by Maacah (2Sm 3:2-3)
Ahimaaz - one of David’s spies and news-runners
Ahithophel - David’s trusted advisor who was not trustworthy
Amasa - commander of Absalom’s army, killed by Joab
Amnon - a son of David by Ahinoam (2Sm 3:2-3)
Barzillai - An aged friend of David
Bathsheba - Wife of Uriah the Hittite, later David's wife
Chimham - Barzillai’s servant whom Barzillai gave to David
Hushai - a friend of David and his undercover agent
Ittai - a Philistine from Gath, a chief soldier of David’s
Joab - a nephew of David, commander of David’s army
Jonathan - Saul’s eldest son, a sworn friend of David
Mephibosheth - Crippled son of Jonathan, grandson of Saul
Nathan - the prophet who rebukes David by way of a parable
Ornan (Araunah) - David purchased his threshing floor
Rizpah - mother of the executed seven sons of Saul’s house
Saul - a Benjaminite, deceased first king of Israel before David
Sheba - a worthless Benjaminite who rebelled against David
Shimei - a Benjaminite who cursed and threw stones at David
Tamar - Absalom’s beautiful sister (2Sm 13:1)
Uriah - A soldier in David's army, husband of Bathsheba
Zadok - father of Ahimaaz and chief priest at David’s court