After Saul’s death David was anointed king over all Israel. He and his men went to Jerusalem, and David dwelt just outside the city gates in the fort of the strong hold of Zion. He called it the city of David. 

David was 30 years old when he began to reign. He grew great and the Lord God of hosts was with him.

Hiram, king of Tyre, sent messengers to David. He sent cedar trees, and carpenters, and masons. A house was built for David. David took concubines and wives out of Jerusalem. Sons and daughters were born in addition to the children born to his wives Abigail and Ahinoam.

When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over Israel, they sought David.

David sought the Lord’s guidance. And the Lord said He would deliver the Philistines into David’s hands. David attacked the Philistines at Baalperazim. The Philistines left their images, and David and his men burned them.

The Philistines came again, and again David inquired of the Lord. The Lord told David he should not face the Philistines directly, but get behind them, against the mulberry trees. When David heard a sound in the tops of the mulberry trees, he should “bestir” himself, and the Lord would smite the Philistines.

David did as the Lord commanded. And the Lord did as the Lord promised.

 

The Return of the Ark of the Lord

David gathered the chosen men of Israel, all 30,000 of them, and they went with David to bring the Ark of the Lord from the house of Abinadab that was in Gibeah. They set the Ark of God upon a new cart. Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Adinadab, drove the cart. David and the Israelites played before the Lord. They had harps, psalteries, timbrels, cornets, and cymbals.

When they came to Nachon’s threshing floor, Uzzah took hold of the ark with his hand because the oxen had shaken it. The Lord smote Uzzah, and he died.

David was afraid of the Lord that day, and asked: How shall the Ark of the Lord come to me? David would not move the Ark of the Lord into the city of David. Instead, he carried it aside into the house of Obededom the Gittite. The Ark was there for three months, and the Lord blessed Obededom, and his household. Then David brought the Ark into the city of David. Oxen and fatlings were sacrificed, and David, girded with a linen ephod, danced before the Lord.

Saul’s daughter Michal, who had been returned to David as his wife, saw David leaping and dancing before the Lord. And she despised him in her heart.

When the Ark of the Lord was set in place, and David had made an end of burnt offerings and peace offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the Lord.

“And he dealt among all the people, even among the whole multitude of Israel, as well to the women as men, to every one a cake of bread, a good piece of flesh, and a flagon of wine. So all the people departed every one to his house.” — 2 Samuel 6:19

David returned to bless his household. Michal came to meet him, and mockingly said: “How glorious was the king of Israel today, who uncovered himself today in the eyes of the handmaids of his servants, as one of the vain fellows shamelessly uncovered himself.” –2 Samuel 6:20

“And David said unto Michal, It was before the Lord, which chose me before thy father, and before all his house, to appoint me ruler over the people of the Lord, over Israel: therefore will I play before the Lord. And I will yet be more vile than thus, and will be base in mine own sight: and of the maidservants which thou hast spoken of, of them shall I be had in honour.” –2 Samuel 6:21-22

And Michal the daughter of Saul had no child unto the day of her death.

God Says ‘No’ To David

David had rest from his enemies. He said to Nathan the prophet, “See now, I dwell in an house of cedar, but the Ark of God dwells within curtains.

That night the Lord told Nathan to tell David:

“Whereas I have not dwelt in any house since the time that I brought up the children of Israel out of Egypt, even to this day, but have walked in a tent and in a tabernacle. In all the places wherein I have walked with all the children of Israel spake I a word with any of the tribes of Israel, whom I commanded to feed my people Israel, saying, Why build ye not an house of cedar?” —2 Samuel 7:7

Nathan was to remind David that God took him from his task of tending sheep to being ruler over God’s people; that God cut off all his enemies, that God made him a great name among the great men of earth.

And God said, “Moreover I will appoint a place for my people Israel, and will plant them, that they may dwell in a place of their own, and move no more; neither shall the children of wickedness afflict them any more, as beforetime.” — 2 Samuel 7:10

The Lord also said that when David’s days were fulfilled, he would sleep with his fathers, and through his seed, his kingdom would be established. David’s son would build a house in the name of the Lord.

“I will be his father, and he shall be my son. If he commit iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men, and with the stripes of the children of men: But my mercy shall not depart away from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away before thee. And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established forever before thee; thy throne shall be established forever.” –2 Samuel 7:14-16

David said to God, “… thou art great, O Lord God: for there is none like thee, neither is there any God beside thee … .” —2 Samuel 7:22

David, king of Israel, warred against the Philistines, the Moabites. He battled against Hadadezer, the son of Rehab, king of Zobah. David took from Hadadezer a thousand chariots, seven hundred horsemen, and 20 thousand footmen. When the Syrians of Damascus came to Hadadezer’s aid, David slew 22,000 of them. He took Hadadezer’s shields of gold and brought them to Jerusalem. The king of Hamath sent vessels of silver, and gold, and brass. And David dedicated the treasures he received unto the Lord.

David reigned over all Israel, and executed judgment and justice to his people.

David sought out Saul’s remaining kin, and Jonathan’s son Mephibosheth, who was lame, was brought to David, who made Mephibosheth as one of his sons.

When the king of Ammon died, David showed kindness to his son and successor Hanun. He sent his servants to their land. But the princes of Ammon said David’s servants were spies. Hanun took David’s servants, shaved one-half of their beards, cut off their garments to their buttocks, and sent them away. The servants were greatly ashamed.

David had them remain at Jericho until their beards had regrown.

The children of Ammon hired 20,000 footmen from among the Syrians, and hired another 13,000 men from two other kingdoms.

David sent Joab and all the host of mighty men. Their enemies fled.

The Syrians then gathered more men to fight David. David slew more than 40,000, along with Shobach, captain of their host. Hadarezer made peace with Israel. 

David and Bathsheba

David was in Jerusalem, and one evening, he arose from his bed, walked upon the roof of his house, and from his roof, he saw a beautiful woman bathing herself. The woman was Bathsheba, daughter of Eliam, and wife of Uriah the Hittite. David had her brought to him, and he lay with her. Bathsheba conceived; she told David she was with child.

David had his troop commander Joab send Bathsheba’s husband Uriah to him. David asked Uriah how the war prospered? He then told Uriah to go to his house and wash his feet. David sought to give Uriah leave from the battlefield, and opportunity to sleep with his wife Bathsheba. But Uriah did not go to his house. He slept at the door of the king’s house. David asked Uriah why he had not gone to his house? Uriah replied that the Ark, and Israel, and Judah abode in tents; Joab and David’s servants were encamped in open fields; Uriah could not indulge himself with going into his house to eat and drink and lie with his wife.

David had Uriah remain in Jerusalem that day and the next. He made Uriah drunk, but Uriah did not go to his house.

In the morning David wrote a letter to Joab, and sent Uriah with the letter. The letter instructed Joab to set Uriah “in the forefront of the hottest battle, then leave him to be smitten and die.” In the battle, some of the servants of David also died.

When Bathsheba heard that Uriah was dead, she mourned for him. When the mourning was past, David made Bathsheba his wife and their son was born.

But the Lord was displeased with what David had done. And the Lord sent Nathan to David with a life-lesson story:

There were two men in one city;

the one rich, and the other poor.

The rich man had many flocks and herds:

But the poor man had nothing, save one little ewe lamb, which he had bought and nourished up: and it grew up together with him, and with his children; it did eat of his own meat, and drank of his own cup, and lay in his bosom, and was unto him as a daughter.

And there came a traveller unto the rich man, and he spared to take of his own flock and of his own herd, to dress for the wayfaring man that was come unto him; but took the poor man’s lamb, and dressed it for the man that was come to him. –2 Samuel 12:1-4

David’s anger was such that he said the man who had done such a thing should die: And he should restore the lamb fourfold.

Nathan said to David: That man is you!

Nathan then spoke God’s words: “I anointed thee king over Israel, and I delivered thee out of the hand of Saul; And I gave thee thy master’s house, and thy master’s wives into thy bosom, and gave thee the house of Israel and of Judah; and if that had been too little, I would moreover have given unto thee such and such things. 

“Wherefore hast thou despised the commandment of the Lord to do evil in his sight? thou hast killed Uriah the Hittite with the sword, and hast taken his wife to be thy wife, and hast slain him with the sword of the children of Ammon. Now therefore the sword shall never depart from thine house; because thou hast despised me, and hast taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be thy wife. 

“Thus saith the Lord, Behold, I will raise up evil against thee out of thine own house, and I will take thy wives before thine eyes, and give them unto thy neighbour, and he shall lie with thy wives in the sight of this sun. For thou didst it secretly: but I will do this thing before all Israel, and before the sun.” –2 Samuel 12:7-12

David acknowledged his sin. Nathan said God had put away his sin, and David would not die. Nonetheless, David’s sin gave God’s enemies great glee, and David’s child would die.

The baby born to Bathsheba and David became very sick. David sought God in behalf of the child. He fasted. He lay upon the earth through the night. On the seventh day, the child died. The servants feared to tell David the child was dead, but David saw his servants whispering, and asked, Is the child dead? And when his servants answered, He is dead, David arose, washed, anointed himself, changed his apparel, and came into the house of the Lord. He worshipped. Then he went into his own house, asked for bread, and he ate.

His servants said to him: “What thing is this that thou hast done? thou didst fast and weep for the child, while it was alive; but when the child was dead, thou didst rise and eat bread.

“And he said, While the child was yet alive, I fasted and wept: for I said, Who can tell whether God will be gracious to me, that the child may live? But now he is dead, wherefore should I fast? can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me.” –2 Samuel 12:21-23

David comforted Bathsheba, and Bathsheba delivered another son to David, and his name was Solomon. And the Lord loved the child. And through Nathan the prophet, God called the boy Jedidiah, meaning “beloved of God.

David Fights More Wars

Joab took Rabbah, the city of waters. The king’s crown of gold and precious stones was taken from him, and placed on David. Spoil in great abundance was taken, and the people of Rabbah and the other cities of the children of Ammon were put under saws, under harrows of iron, and made to pass through the brickkiln.

David and his people returned to Jerusalem.

(Note: For more information on punishments, see Ellicott’s Commentary.    https://biblehub.com/commentaries/2_samuel/12-31.htm)

Absalom and Tamar

David’s son Absalom, whose mother was Maacah daughter of Talmai, king of Geshur, had a fair sister whose name was Tamar. Tamar was a virgin. David’s son Amnon loved her, fell sick for her.

Amnon’s friend Jonadab, son of David’s brother Shimeah, told Amnon to take to his bed, make himself sick, and when his father David came to see him, Amnon was to request that his sister Tamar come and give him meat. When his father came to see him, Ammon asked that his sister Tamar come, make a couple of cakes in his sight, that he might eat. David sent for Tamar, told her of Amnon’s request. Tamar went to Amnon’s house and made cakes in his sight. She baked the cakes and placed them before Amnon, but he refused to eat. Amnon ordered all the men from the room. He told Tamar to bring the cakes into the chamber that he might eat from her hand. When Tamar brought the cakes into the chamber, Amnon took hold of her, asked her to lie with him. Tamar pleaded with her brother not to force her, that it would be wrong to do such a thing. Ammon raped his sister. After he raped her, he hated her more than he had ever loved her. He called his servant and had Tamar taken away. He ordered the servant to bolt the door after her.

Tamar wore a garment of divers colors as was the custom for the virgin daughters of the king. Tamar put ashes on her head, rent her garment of divers colors, and cried.

Her brother Absalom told her to hold her peace, and Tamar remained in her brother Absalom’s house.

When David heard what happened, he was angry. Absalom spoke neither good nor bad of Ammon, but Absalom hated Ammon because he had raped his sister Tamar.

Two years later Absalom invited all the king’s sons to Baalhazor, where Absalom had sheep shearers. Absalom went before his father, and requested that his father and servants go to the gathering. His father declined to go. Absalom then asked that Amnon go. David asked why Ammon should go? and Absalom pressed him that Amnon, and all the king’s sons go with him.

Absalom then instructed servants that when Amnon was merry with wine, and upon Absalom’s command, they were to “smite Ammon, then kill him.” 

The servants killed Amnon. The king’s other sons fled.

At first, David was told that Absalom had slain all his sons. He tore his garments.  Jonadab, the son of Shimeah David’s brother, then said that only Amnon was dead. Absalom had determined to kill Amnon from the day he raped his sister Tamar.

Absalom fled. He went to Talmai, the son of Ammihud, king of Geshur. He was there three years. King David longed to go to Absalom.

Joab perceived that David’s heart was toward Absalom, and he found a woman to go before the king as a woman in mourning. Her story for the king was that she had two sons who fought in the field. One son slew the other. Her family demanded the life of her other son. David asked the woman if she had come at the urging of Joab. The woman admitted that Joab had sent her.

David told Joab to bring Absalom home again. So Absalom was returned to Jerusalem.

In all Israel, Absalom was praised for his beauty. Absalom had three sons, and one daughter, whose name was Tamar. Absalom dwelt in Jerusalem for two years, and had not seen his father’s face. He sent for Joab, but Joab would not come. Absalom had his servants set Joab’s field on fire. Joab went to Absalom and asked why his field had been set afire.

Absalom answered that Joab had not come to him as requested; that Absalom desired to see the king’s face, and if iniquity be found in him, then “let him kill me.”

Joab went to the king, and the king called for Absalom. Absalom came before the king, bowed himself to the ground, and king David kissed Absalom.

Absalom Seeks His Father’s Throne

Absalom desired to be king. He stood by the gate and called to men who came to the king for judgment. He said:

“Oh that I were made judge in the land, that every man which hath any suit or cause might come unto me, and I would do him justice! And it was so, that when any man came nigh to him to do him obeisance, he put forth his hand, and took him, and kissed him. And on this manner did Absalom to all Israel that came to the king for judgment: so Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel.” —2 Samuel 15:4-6

Absalom went before the king and asked that he go to Hebron and pay a vow he had vowed unto the Lord. His father the king told him to go in peace, so Absalom went to Hebron. He sent spies throughout all the tribes of Israel. They were to say that Absalom reigned in Hebron. Absalom’s conspiracy against his father the king was strong, and people continually sided with Absalom.

A messenger came to David, saying the hearts of the men of Israel were with Absalom. So David and his household left Jerusalem for a place far off. David left 10 concubines “to keep the house.”

In Jerusalem, Absalom engaged openly in sex with his father David’s concubines. 

Ahithophel, King David’s counselor who betrayed him and aided Absalom, asked that Absalom let him choose 12,000 men, and with them he would pursue David while he was weary and weak.

Absalom sought the advice of Hushal the Archite, who said Ahithophel’s counsel was not wise. He said to Absalom: “Thou knowest thy father and his men, that they be mighty men, and they be chafed in their minds, as a bear robbed of her whelps in the field: and thy father is a man of war, and will not lodge with the people.” –2 Samuel 17:8

When Ahitophel saw his counsel was not followed, he saddled his ass, went to his house, put his household in order, and hanged himself. He was buried in the sepulcher of his father.

David and his men passed over Jordan and came to Mahanaim. Absalom and his men also passed over Jordan.

In Mahanaim, two men, Shobi and Machir, brought beds, masons, earthen vessels; they brought wheat, barley, flour, parched corn, beans, lentils, parched pulse, honey and butter, sheep, and cheese of kine, all for David and the people with him to eat. The people were hungry, and weary, and thirsty.

David set captains of thousands, and captains of hundreds over the people with him. He put a third part of the people under Joab, a third under Abishai the son of Zeruiah, Joab’s brother, and a third part under Ittai, the Gitite. David desired to go into battle with them, but the people said no, he should stay. David asked that Joab, Abishai and Ittai deal gently with Absalom.

The battle was in the wood of Ephraim. There was a great slaughter of 20,000 men. Absalom met the servants of David. Absalom rode upon a mule, and the mule went under the thick boughs of a great oak. Absalom’s head caught in the oak, and Absalom was between heaven and earth. The mule that had been under him went away. And Absalom was hanged in an oak.

Joab took three darts and thrust them through the heart of Absalom, who was yet alive. And the 10 young men who bore Joab’s armor smote Absalom, and slew him.

Cushi, a messenger, came to David, and the king asked if Absalom was safe. Cushi answered, “The enemies of my lord the king, and all that rise against thee to do thee hurt, be as that young man is.” –2 Samuel 18:32

And David went up to the chamber over the gate and wept: and as he went, he said, “O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! would God I had died for thee, O Absalom, my son, my son.” —2 Samuel 18:33

Victory turned into mourning. The king covered his face, and cried in a loud voice for Absalom. Joab came into the house of the king and said, “Thou hast shamed this day the faces of all thy servants, which this day have saved thy life, and the lives of thy sons and of thy daughters, and the lives of thy wives, and the lives of thy concubines; In that thou lovest thine enemies, and hatest thy friends. For thou hast declared this day, that thou regardest neither princes nor servants: for this day I perceive, that if Absalom had lived, and all we had died this day, then it had pleased thee well. Now therefore arise, go forth, and speak comfortably unto thy servants: for I swear by the Lord, if thou go not forth, there will not tarry one with thee this night: and that will be worse unto thee than all the evil that befell thee from thy youth until now.” –2 Samuel 19:5-7

David arose and sat in the gate.

A Time of Judgment

For a time there was unrest in the land. There was a three-year famine, and year after year, David inquired of the Lord. And the Lord answered it was because of Saul, because he slew the Gibeonites. So David called to the Gibeonites and asked what he could do for them.

The Gibeonites wanted neither silver nor gold of Saul. They asked that seven men of Saul’s sons be delivered to them, and they would hang them. David agreed, but he spared Mephilbosheth, Jonathan’s son.

The Philistines again warred with Israel. And David spoke to the Lord, saying:

The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; The God of my rock; in him will I trust: he is my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge, my saviour; thou savest me from violence.

“I will call on the Lord, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.

“When the waves of death compassed me, the floods of ungodly men made me afraid;

“The sorrows of hell compassed me about; the snares of death prevented me;

“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.

“Then the earth shook and trembled; the foundations of heaven moved and shook, because he was wroth.

“There went up a smoke out of his nostrils, and fire out of his mouth devoured: coals were kindled by it.

“He bowed the heavens also, and came down; and darkness was under his feet.

And he rode upon a cherub, and did fly: and he was seen upon the wings of the wind … .” — 2 Samuel 22:2-11

Numbering Brings Consequences

The Lord was angry with Israel. He moved David against them, and David ordered that both Israel and Judah be numbered. After nine months and 20 days, Joab gave the numbers: Israel had 800,000 men who drew the sword; Judah, 500,000.

David’s heart smote him after he had numbered the people. He asked God to take away his iniquity. The Lord gave David one of three choices: Seven years of famine; three months before David’s enemies who would pursue him; or three days pestilence in the land.

David chose pestilence.

So the Lord sent a pestilence upon Israel. Seventy thousand died, and when the angel stretched out his hand to destroy Jerusalem, the Lord stayed the angel’s hand. The angel was by the threshing place of Araunah the Jebusite. 

David said “I have done wickedly; but these sheep, what have they done? let thine hand, I pray thee, be against me, and against my father’s house.” –2 Samuel 24:17

Gad the prophet and David’s seer, told David to rear up an altar unto the Lord in the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite. David went to Araunah. He purchased both threshing floor and oxen from Araunah. He built an altar there and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings to the Lord. And the plague was stayed from Israel.

David’s Days Ending

When David was stricken in years, his servants covered him with clothes to keep him warm. They brought a young virgin named Abishag a Shunammite to David to lie with him and warm him. She cherished the king. There was no sex between them (1 Kings:1:4).

David’s son Adonijah, whose mother was Haggith, wished to be king. But Zadok the priest, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and Nathan the prophet, and Shimei, and Rei, and the mighty men loyal to David, were not with Adonijah.

Nathan spoke to Bathsheba the mother of Solomon, and counseled her to go to David the king, and say to him: “Didst not thou, my lord, O king, swear unto thine handmaid, saying, Assuredly Solomon thy son shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my throne? why then doth Adonijah reign?” –1 Kings 1:13

Nathan said he would confirm her words.

Bathsheba did as Nathan advised.

David had Bathsheba, the priest Zadok, the prophet Nathan and others come before him, and David decided that Solomon was to ride upon the king’s mule, and upon arrival to Gihon, Nathan would anoint Solomon king over Israel. The trumpet would blow, and Solomon would sit upon David’s throne and be ruler over Israel and Judah.

All David ordered was done. 

There was rejoicing, and David said, “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, which hath given one to sit on my throne this day, mine eyes even seeing it.” –1 Kings 1:48

David’s days were ending. He said to Solomon: “I go the way of all the earth: be thou strong therefore, and shew thyself a man; And keep the charge of the Lord thy God, to walk in his ways, to keep his statutes, and his commandments, and his judgments, and his testimonies, as it is written in the law of Moses, that thou mayest prosper in all that thou doest, and whithersoever thou turns thyself: That the Lord may continue his word which he spake concerning me, saying, If thy children take heed to their way, to walk before me in truth with all their heart and with all their soul, there shall not fail thee (said he) a man on the throne of Israel.” –1 Kings 2:2-4

David died and was buried in the city of David.