In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He [Jesus Christ -Yeshua] was in the beginning with God.

SECOND SAMUEL

The Second Book of Samuel (1011-971 BC) is the fifth of the twelve books of history. It covers a period of forty years during the reign of King David. David was a man after God’s own heart. Because of his faithfulness, God established a covenant with David. The Davidic Covenant promised an eternal dynasty of rule over the Promised Land of the Palestinian Covenant. This eternal dynasty would be established by Jesus Christ, the Messiah, from the seed of David. Even though David’s family tree of Kings would end with the childless Jehoiachin because of faithlessness and rebellion, David’s non-royal seed would lead to the birth of the King of Kings, Jesus of Nazareth.

David was a close portrayal of Christ in that he was born in Bethlehem, was a shepherd and was King of all Israel. Unlike Christ, however, David committed sin. The story of David is as much about the consequences of his sin as it is about God’s blessings for his obedience to God. Through his lust for Bathsheba, David committed adultery and murder. David repented and God forgave him; but the consequences of his sin remained. Later, David committed a sin of self-reliance by taking a census of Israel. Again, David repented and offered himself to God for judgment in exchange for sparing Israel. God forgave David and accepted his burnt offerings on an altar, which David purchased at a great price.

In part, the story of David parallels that of Christ. Unlike David, however, Christ was sinless. The King of Kings offered Himself as the final, ultimate sacrifice. He paid an enormous price so that we might be spared the judgment for our sins for which we cannot afford to pay. If we remain faithful to Christ, He will forgive us our sins although we may suffer its consequences here on earth.

Second Samuel 1-10: The successes and blessings through David’s obedience; The Davidic Covenant

Second Samuel 11: David’s grave sins of adultery and murder; the discovery of his sins

Second Samuel 12-24: David’s repentance and forgiveness; the consequences of David’s sins