This chapter "follows David’s ascent to full kingship. Ever since we met David, he was
singled out to rule, but so far he has been on the way to that destiny. Now he reaches it, and we can’t help but wonder what sort of ruler he will turn out to be. This text will begin to answer that question, and along the way we get the remarkable and instructive story of Uzzah’s death." Ozark Christian College
Peril in Moving the Ark (HEBREWS 9:4 STATES IT HAD "a golden [a]altar of incense and the ark of the covenant covered on all sides with gold, in which was a golden jar holding the manna, and Aaron’s rod which budded, and the tables of the covenant".
DAVID MAKES WAY FOR GOD'S PRESENCE. DO WE?
6 Now David again gathered all the chosen men of Israel, thirty thousand. 2 And David arose and went with all the people who were with him to [a]Baale-judah, to bring up from there the ark of God which is called by the Name, the very name of the Lord of hosts who is [b]enthroned above the cherubim. (They can be defined as
an angelic being, as guardians of Eden, as flanking God's throne, as an image form hovering over the Ark of the Covenant, as the chariot of Jehovah (fig.) (https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/h3742/nasb95/wlc/0-1/)
3 They [c]placed the ark of God on a new cart that they might bring it from the house of Abinadab which was on the hill; and Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, were leading the new cart. 4 So they brought it with the ark of God from the house of Abinadab, which was on the hill; and Ahio was walking ahead of the ark. 5 Meanwhile, David and all the house of Israel were celebrating before the Lord with all kinds of instruments made of [d]fir wood, and with lyres, harps, tambourines, castanets and cymbals. 6 But when they came to the threshing floor of Nacon, Uzzah reached out toward the ark of God and took hold of it, for the oxen nearly upset it. 7 And the anger of the Lord burned against Uzzah, and God struck him down there for [e]his irreverence; and he died there by the ark of God. WE HAVE TO BE CAREFUL TO NOT MAKE GOD ANGRY.
8 David became angry because [f]of the Lord’s outburst against Uzzah, and that place is called [g]Perez-uzzah to this day. 9 So David was afraid of the Lord that day; and he said, “How can the ark of the Lord come to me?” IT'S OK TO SHARE OUR EMOTIONS WITH GOD, ANGER, FEAR, SADNESS, JOY, ETC. THAT'S WHAT HAPPENS IN THE PSALMS.
10 And David was unwilling to move the ark of the Lord into the city of David with him; but David took it aside to the house of Obed-edom the Gittite. 11 Thus the ark of the Lord remained in the house of Obed-edom the Gittite three months, and the Lord blessed Obed-edom and all his household.
The Ark Is Brought to Jerusalem
12 Now it was told King David, saying, “The Lord has blessed the house of Obed-edom and all that belongs to him, on account of the ark of God.” David went and brought up the ark of God from the house of Obed-edom into the city of David with gladness. I PRAY THE LORD BLESSES OUR HOMES.
13 And so it was, that when the bearers of the ark of the Lord had gone six paces, he sacrificed an ox and a fatling. 14 And David was dancing before the Lord with all his might, and David was [h]wearing a linen ephod. THIS IS LIKE THIS SONG: https://genius.com/Matt-redman-undignified-lyrics
15 So David and all the house of Israel were bringing up the ark of the Lord with shouting and the sound of the trumpet. 16 Then it happened as the ark of the Lord came into the city of David that Michal the daughter of Saul looked out of the window and saw King David leaping and dancing before the Lord; and she despised him in her heart. SOME DON'T APPROVE OF OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH THE LORD.
17 So they brought in the ark of the Lord and set it in its place inside the tent which David had pitched for it; and David offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the Lord. 18 When David had finished offering the burnt offering and the peace offering, he blessed the people in the name of the Lord of hosts. 19 Further, he distribued to all the people, to all the multitude of Israel, both to men and women, a cake of bread and one of dates and one of raisins to each one. Then all the people departed each to his house. 20 But when David returned to bless his household, Michal the daughter of Saul came out to meet David and said, “How the king of Israel distinguished himself today! He uncovered himself today in the eyes of his servants’ maids as one of the foolish ones shamelessly uncovers himself!” 21 So David said to Michal, “It was before the Lord, who chose me above your father and above all his house, to appoint me ruler over the people of the Lord, over Israel; therefore I will celebrate before the Lord. 22 I will be more lightly esteemed than this and will be humble in my own eyes, but with the maids of whom you have spoken, with them I will be distinguished.” 23 Michal the daughter of Saul had no child to the day of her death. WHAT DO WE OFFER TO THE LORD?
Footnotes
2 Samuel 6:2 I.e. Kiriath-jearim
2 Samuel 6:2 Lit sitting
2 Samuel 6:3 Lit caused to ride
2 Samuel 6:5 Or cypress
2 Samuel 6:7 Lit the
2 Samuel 6:8 Lit the Lord broke through a breakthrough
2 Samuel 6:8 I.e. the breakthrough of Uzzah
2 Samuel 6:14 Lit girded with
"1. Thinking about “rise to reign” as a metaphor for growing into what God has for us, where
are you on this journey?
2. What can you learn from the various tasks David accomplished upon taking the throne?
3. Think about the first time you read the Uzzah story. What did you think of what God did?
4. Do you better understand why Uzzah was disciplined? How does this help put the story in a
new light?
5. In the past, have you ever disobeyed God for a season and told yourself things would work
out fine? How did that go?
6. Are you in such a season right now?"
This chapter covers what may be the single most important chapter of 2 Samuel with
respect to the overall storyline of Scripture. Here God establishes a covenant with David that will forever mark God’s dealings with Israel and humanity as a whole. We will learn about the
covenantal structure of God’s mission, noting characteristics of God’s covenant(s), what is
uniquely emphasized in this one, and how it all points forward to Jesus.
The Old Testament is ordered by a series of covenants. Characteristics of God’s Covenant(s):
Promised blessing…
Providential purpose…
Personal presence…
Priority of grace
1. Would you say you have a relationship with God? What does that mean (since, unlike
everyone else with whom you “have a relationship,” God cannot be seen or literally
heard)?
2. What teaching have you received about the concept of God making covenants with
people? How does what you have learned compare to what we see in 2 Samuel 7?
3. How is David’s covenant similar to others in Scripture? How is it different?
4. Which of the “Characteristics of God’s Covenant” are most personally encouraging to you
today? Why?
5. How well do you intentionally sit and receive from God what only he can give?"c/o Ozark Christian College
David Plans to Build a Temple
7 Now it came about when the king lived in his house, and the Lord had given him rest on every side from all his enemies, 2 that the king said to Nathan the prophet, “See now, I dwell in a house of cedar, but the ark of God dwells within tent curtains.” 3 Nathan said to the king, “Go, do all that is in your mind, for the Lord is with you.”
4 But in the same night the word of the Lord came to Nathan, saying, 5 “Go and say to My servant David, ‘Thus says the Lord, “Are you the one who should build Me a house to dwell in? 6 For I have not dwelt in a house since the day I brought up the sons of Israel from Egypt, even to this day; but I have been moving about in a tent, even in a [a]tabernacle. 7 Wherever I have gone with all the sons of Israel, did I speak a word with one of the tribes of Israel, which I commanded to shepherd My people Israel, saying, ‘Why have you not built Me a house of cedar?’”’ GOD WANTED A NICE PLACE FOR HIS PRESENCE, NOT A TENT.
"2 Samuel 8-10 . . .is basically a series of victories for David and his men. We first see David faithfully leading Israel in battle and then we see his willingness to act with mercy and kindness toward potential enemies. We will learn from David’s faithfulness, but we will also notice a deeper and even more important faithfulness revealed in these accounts . . .
Celebrating God’s Faithfulness; Promises to David and Abraham
Where do you find yourself in this story?
Questions for Reflection and Discussion:
1. How do you engage God differently during seasons of failure and seasons of success?
2. Which story in these chapters do you find most personally meaningful? Why?
3. Which of the lessons that we learn from David are most relevant to you in this season of
life? What can you do to put into practice what the Spirit is drawing to your attention?
4. When you first read these chapters, did you most closely identify with Mephibosheth?
Why or why not? Do you now see how he can serve as a symbol for you and me?
5. Why is it important that we don’t just read Scripture to find “moral lessons”? Who in your
life needs to be reminded of the truth of God’s faithfulness? How will you remind them?" c/o Ozark Christian College
God’s Covenant with David
8 “Now therefore, thus you shall say to My servant David, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts, “I took you from the pasture, from following the sheep, to be ruler over My people Israel. 9 I have been with you wherever you have gone and have cut off all your enemies from before you; and I will make you a great name, like the names of the great men who are on the earth. 10 I will also appoint a place for My people Israel and will plant them, that they may live in their own place and not be disturbed again, nor will the [b]wicked afflict them any more as formerly, 11 even from the day that I commanded judges to be over My people Israel; and I will give you rest from all your enemies. The Lord also declares to you that the Lord will make a house for you. 12 When your days are complete and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your [c]descendant after you, who will come forth from [d]you, and I will establish his kingdom. 13 He shall build a house for My name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. 14 I will be a father to him and he will be a son to Me; when he commits iniquity, I will correct him with the rod of men and the strokes of the sons of men, GOD CORRECTS US THROUGH OTHERS.
15 but My lovingkindness shall not depart from him, as I took it away from Saul, whom I removed from before you. 16 Your house and your kingdom shall endure before [e]Me forever; your throne shall be established forever.”’” 17 In accordance with all these words and all this vision, so Nathan spoke to David.
David's prayer
18 Then David the king went in and sat before the Lord, and he said, “Who am I, O Lord [f]God, and what is my house, that You have brought me this far? THIS SONG IS LIKE THIS: https://genius.com/David-ruis-whom-have-i-but-you-lyrics
19 And yet this was insignificant in Your eyes, O Lord God, for You have spoken also of the house of Your servant concerning the distant future. And this is the [g]custom of man, O Lord God. 20 Again what more can David say to You? For You know Your servant, O Lord God! 21 For the sake of Your word, and according to Your own heart, You have done all this greatness to let Your servant know. 22 For this reason You are great, O Lord God; for there is none like You, and there is no God besides You, according to all that we have heard with our ears. 23 And what one nation on the earth is like Your people Israel, whom God went to redeem for Himself as a people and to make a name for Himself, and to do a great thing for You and awesome things for Your land, before Your people whom You have redeemed for Yourself from Egypt, from nations and their gods? 24 For You have established for Yourself Your people Israel as Your own people forever, and You, O Lord, have become their God. I PRAY THIS FOR THE WORLD.
25 Now therefore, O Lord God, the word that You have spoken concerning Your servant and his house, confirm it forever, and do as You have spoken, 26 that Your name may be magnified forever, by saying, ‘The Lord of hosts is God over Israel’; and may the house of Your servant David be established before You. 27 For You, O Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, have [h]made a revelation to Your servant, saying, ‘I will build you a house’; therefore Your servant has found [i]courage to pray this prayer to You. 28 Now, O Lord God, You are God, and Your words are truth, and You have [j]promised this good thing to Your servant. 29 Now therefore, may it please You to bless the house of Your servant, that it may continue forever before You. For You, O Lord God, have spoken; and with Your blessing may the house of Your servant be blessed forever.”
Footnotes
2 Samuel 7:6 Lit dwelling place
2 Samuel 7:10 Lit sons of wickedness
2 Samuel 7:12 Lit seed
2 Samuel 7:12 Lit your bowels
2 Samuel 7:16 So with Gr and some ancient mss; M.T. you
2 Samuel 7:18 Heb YHWH, usually rendered Lord, and so through out the ch
2 Samuel 7:19 Or law
2 Samuel 7:27 Lit uncovered the ear of
2 Samuel 7:27 Lit his heart
2 Samuel 7:28 Or spoken
David’s Triumphs
8 Now after this it came about that David [a]defeated the Philistines THINK PALESTINE / GAZA and subdued them; and David took [b]control of the chief city from the hand of the Philistines. 2 He [c]defeated Moab, and measured them with the line, making them lie down on the ground; and he measured two lines to put to death and one full line to keep alive. And the Moabites became servants to David, bringing tribute. 3 Then David [d]defeated Hadadezer, the son of Rehob king of Zobah, as he went to restore his [e]rule at the [f]River. 4 David captured from him 1,700 horsemen and 20,000 foot soldiers; and David hamstrung the chariot horses, but reserved enough of them for 100 chariots. 5 When the Arameans of Damascus SYRIA came to help Hadadezer, king of Zobah, David [g]killed 22,000 Arameans. 6 Then David put garrisons among the Arameans of Damascus, and the Arameans became servants to David, bringing tribute. And the Lord helped David wherever he went. 7 David took the shields of gold which were [h]carried by the servants of Hadadezer and brought them to Jerusalem. 8 From [i]Betah and from Berothai, cities of Hadadezer, King David took a very large amount of bronze. 9 Now when Toi king of Hamath heard that David had [j]defeated all the army of Hadadezer, 10 Toi sent [k]Joram his son to King David to [l]greet him and bless him, because he had fought against Hadadezer and [m]defeated him; for Hadadezer [n]had been at war with Toi. And [o]Joram brought with him articles of silver, of gold and of bronze. 11 King David also dedicated these to the Lord, with the silver and gold that he had dedicated from all the nations which he had subdued: 12 from [p]Aram and Moab and the sons of Ammon and the Philistines and Amalek, and from the spoil of Hadadezer, son of Rehob, king of Zobah. 13 So David made a name for himself when he returned from [q]killing 18,000 [r]Arameans in the Valley of Salt. 14 He put garrisons in Edom. In all Edom he put garrisons, and all the Edomites became servants to David. And the Lord helped David wherever he went. 15 So David reigned over all Israel; and David [s]administered justice and righteousness for all his people. 16 Joab the son of Zeruiah was over the army, and Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was recorder. 17 Zadok the son of Ahitub and Ahimelech the son of Abiathar were priests, and Seraiah was secretary. 18 Benaiah the son of Jehoiada [t]was over the Cherethites and the Pelethites; and David’s sons were [u]chief ministers.
Footnotes
2 Samuel 8:1 Lit smote
2 Samuel 8:1 Lit the bridle of the mother city
2 Samuel 8:2 Lit smote
2 Samuel 8:3 Lit smote
2 Samuel 8:3 Lit hand
2 Samuel 8:3 I.e. Euphrates
2 Samuel 8:5 Lit smote
2 Samuel 8:7 Lit on
2 Samuel 8:8 In 1 Chr 18:8, Tibhath
2 Samuel 8:9 Lit smitten
2 Samuel 8:10 In 1 Chr 18:10, Hadoram
2 Samuel 8:10 Lit ask him of his welfare
2 Samuel 8:10 Lit smitten
2 Samuel 8:10 Lit was a man of wars
2 Samuel 8:10 Lit there were in his hand
2 Samuel 8:12 Some mss read Edom
2 Samuel 8:13 Lit smiting
2 Samuel 8:13 Some mss read Edom
2 Samuel 8:15 Lit was doing
2 Samuel 8:18 Lit and the Cherethites
2 Samuel 8:18 Lit priests
David’s Kindness to Mephibosheth
9 Then David said, “Is there yet [a]anyone left of the house of Saul, that I may show him kindness for Jonathan’s sake?” 2 Now there was a servant of the house of Saul whose name was Ziba, and they called him to David; and the king said to him, “Are you Ziba?” And he said, “I am your servant.” 3 The king said, “Is there not yet anyone of the house of Saul to whom I may show the kindness of God?” And Ziba said to the king, “There is still a son of Jonathan who is crippled in both feet.” 4 So the king said to him, “Where is he?” And Ziba said to the king, “Behold, he is in the house of Machir the son of Ammiel in Lo-debar.” 5 Then King David sent and brought him from the house of Machir the son of Ammiel, from Lo-debar. 6 Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan the son of Saul, came to David and fell on his face and prostrated himself. And David said, “Mephibosheth.” And he said, “Here is your servant!” 7 David said to him, “Do not fear, for I will surely show kindness to you for the sake of your father Jonathan, and will restore to you all the [b]land of your [c]grandfather Saul; and you shall [d]eat at my table regularly.” 8 Again he prostrated himself and said, “What is your servant, that you should regard a dead dog like me?” 9 Then the king called Saul’s servant Ziba and said to him, “All that belonged to Saul and to all his house I have given to your master’s [e]grandson. 10 You and your sons and your servants shall cultivate the land for him, and you shall bring in the produce so that your master’s grandson may have food; nevertheless Mephibosheth your master’s grandson shall [f]eat at my table regularly.” Now Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants. 11 Then Ziba said to the king, “According to all that my lord the king commands his servant so your servant will do.” So Mephibosheth ate at [g]David’s table as one of the king’s sons. 12 Mephibosheth had a young son whose name was Mica. And all who lived in the house of Ziba were servants to Mephibosheth. 13 So Mephibosheth lived in Jerusalem, for he ate at the king’s table regularly. Now he was lame in both feet.
Footnotes
2 Samuel 9:1 Lit he who is
2 Samuel 9:7 Lit field
2 Samuel 9:7 Lit father
2 Samuel 9:7 Lit eat bread
2 Samuel 9:9 Lit son
2 Samuel 9:10 Lit eat bread
2 Samuel 9:11 Lit my
Ammon and Aram Defeated
10 Now it happened afterwards that the king of the Ammonites died, and Hanun his son became king in his place. 2 Then David said, “I will show kindness to Hanun the son of Nahash, just as his father showed kindness to me.” So David sent [a]some of his servants to console him concerning his father. But when David’s servants came to the land of the Ammonites, 3 the princes of the Ammonites said to Hanun their lord, “[b]Do you think that David is honoring your father because he has sent consolers to you? Has David not sent his servants to you in order to search the city, to spy it out and overthrow it?” 4 So Hanun took David’s servants and shaved off half of their beards, and cut off their garments in the middle as far as their hips, and sent them away. 5 When they told it to David, he sent to meet them, for the men were greatly humiliated. And the king said, “[c]Stay at Jericho until your beards grow, and then return.” 6 Now when the sons of Ammon saw that they had become odious to David, the sons of Ammon sent and hired the Arameans of Beth-rehob and the Arameans of Zobah, 20,000 foot soldiers, and the king of Maacah with 1,000 men, and the men of Tob with 12,000 men. 7 When David heard of it, he sent Joab and all the army, the mighty men. 8 The sons of Ammon came out and drew up in battle array at the entrance of the [d]city, while the Arameans of Zobah and of Rehob and the men of Tob and Maacah were by themselves in the field. 9 Now when Joab saw that [e]the battle was set against him in front and in the rear, he selected from all the choice men of Israel, and arrayed them against the Arameans. 10 But the remainder of the people he placed in the hand of Abishai his brother, and he arrayed them against the sons of Ammon. 11 He said, “If the Arameans are too strong for me, then you shall help me, but if the sons of Ammon are too strong for you, then I will come to help you. 12 Be strong, and let us show ourselves courageous for the sake of our people and for the cities of our God; and may the Lord do what is good in His sight.” THIS IS LIKE JOSHUA.
'13 So Joab and the people who were with him drew near to the battle against the Arameans, and they fled before him. 14 When the sons of Ammon saw that the Arameans fled, they also fled before Abishai and entered the city. Then Joab returned from fighting against the sons of Ammon and came to Jerusalem. 15 When the Arameans saw that they had been [f]defeated by Israel, they gathered themselves together. 16 And Hadadezer sent and brought out the Arameans who were beyond the [g]River, and they came to Helam; and Shobach the commander of the army of Hadadezer [h]led them. 17 Now when it was told David, he gathered all Israel together and crossed the Jordan, and came to Helam. And the Arameans arrayed themselves to meet David and fought against him. 18 But the Arameans fled before Israel, and David killed 700 charioteers of the Arameans and 40,000 horsemen and struck down Shobach the commander of their army, and he died there. 19 When all the kings, servants of Hadadezer, saw that they were [i]defeated by Israel, they made peace with Israel and served them. So the Arameans feared to help the sons of Ammon anymore.
Footnotes
2 Samuel 10:2 Lit by the hand of
2 Samuel 10:3 Lit In your eyes is David honoring
2 Samuel 10:5 Lit Return to
2 Samuel 10:8 Lit gate
2 Samuel 10:9 Lit the faces of the battle were against
2 Samuel 10:15 Lit smitten before
2 Samuel 10:16 I.e. Euphrates
2 Samuel 10:16 Lit before
2 Samuel 10:19 Lit smitten before
