• King David: 2 Samuel 1-12

    After the death of Saul, David returned to Judah and was established as king over Israel. At first, his capital was in the city of Hebron. The house of Saul was still fighting against David, but eventually it would die out, and David would be the undisputed king.

    David’s reign became the standard for all future kings of Israel. God was with him, and established his throne over the people. God told David, “I have been with you wherever you have gone and 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” (2 Sam. 7:9). While David reigned, the borders of Israel were enlarged, and Jerusalem itself was taken and made the capital city (after this it was known as the city of David).

    David was not without problems, however. Though he was a man after God’s heart, he still did wrong at times. He was responsible for the debaucle of trying to move the ark on a new cart (2 Sam. 6). But the most notable sin of David was his adultery with Bathsheba, and then trying to cover it up by having her husband killed in battle. Because of his sins in this matter, David was severely rebuked, then suffered terrible consequences in his family the rest of his life. He would come to know great sorrow as a result of all this.

    Yet the defining characteristic of David was that he always returned to God. He did not let his pride ruin him forever. He repented of his sins and still was a great king. Before the end of his life, he made arrangements for a temple to be built. He would not build it, but he paved the way for Solomon, his son, to complete it. David’s legacy would ultimately be complete in Jesus Christ.

    Discussion
    1. What was David’s attitude toward Saul? How did he react over Saul’s death? How did he treat Saul’s family?

    2. What did David accomplish for Israel while he was king?

    3. What were some of the sins David committed? How did this affect him through his reign? How did he respond to the sins?

    4. In what ways did David become a forerunner of Jesus? How would Jesus come to sit on David’s throne? When did this happen?