First and Second Samuel

I.1–7 Samuel was in a sense the last judge of Israel (besides his evil sons, 8.1) and the first of the prophets of that period (3.1). He was not a king but anointed both King Saul and King David.

I.8–15 Saul was the first king of Israel. He serves as a foil to David: wealthy and tall (9.1–2), whereas David was a shepherd and the least in his family (16.7, 11); Saul was disobedient to God, David obedient.

I.16.1–13 David was Israel's greatest king and first in a long dynasty which Jesus was heir to. David's story is long and intricate, recording a difficult struggle to unite the tribes of Israel under one king. See below for a list of characters.

I.16.14—19.17 David in Saul's house.

I.19.18—31.13 David hunted by Saul.

II.1–4 Struggle with Saul's son. David became king of Judah, his own tribe, before becoming king of all Israel. The union of the tribes was always a little shaky; it falters in 2 Sam 20 and fails in 1 Kings 12 after the death of Solomon.

II.5–12 David secure.

The Ark of the Covenant (II.6.11) has traditionally been considered a type (that is, a historical foreshadowing) of Mary. Notice the parallels between Lk 1.43 and 2 Sam 6.9; Lk 1.56 and 2 Sam 6.11; Lk 1.44 and 2 Sam 6.14.

God's covenant with David is found in chapter 7 (vv. 1–17). God promises to preserve David's royal line forever. It would seem that this promised failed with Jehoiachin and his uncle Zedekiah (2 Kings 24–25; Jer 22.30), but it was ultimately fulfilled in Christ.

II.13–20 David deposed by Absalom. Note 16.22, which connects this whole section with the previous one, in that Absalom's rebellion was punishment for David's adultery. See 12.11–12.

II.21–24 Episodes. The threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite (24.18) was the future site of the Temple (2 Chr 3.1). It is also the same mountain on which Abraham nearly sacrificed Isaac. Possibly 24.16 is an allusion to Gen 22.10–12.

List of characters

• Relatives of Saul
• Jonathan, Saul's son and close friend of David.
• Ishbosheth (Ishbaal), Saul's son, who claimed the throne after Saul's death (II.2).
• Mephibosheth (Meribbaal), Jonathan's son, who was taken into David's house (II.9).
• Abner, Saul's cousin and commander of Saul's army (I.14.50) and Ishbosheth's army (II.2.8). He defected to David's side but was assassinated by Joab to avenge his brother Asahel (II.3).
• Michal, Saul's daughter, who married David (I.18.27), was later given to another man (I.25.44), and then brought back to David by Abner (II.3.15).
• Children of David
• Absalom, who rebelled against David until he was killed by Joab.
• Amnon, who raped Tamar and was consequently killed by Absalom (II.13).
• Solomon, who was born to Bathsheba and succeeded David.
• Loyal to David
• The sons of Zeruiah (David's sister, 1 Chr 2.16)
• Joab, commander of David's army, whose violence eventually lost him his post.
• Abishai, no pacifist either.
• Asahel, who was killed by Abner (II.2).
• Zadok and Abiathar the priests. Abiathar later sided with Adonijah against Solomon.
• Hushai, one of Absalom's counselors but actually a spy for David (II.15–17).
• Barzillai, who gave supplies to David (II.17.27) and was rewarded (II.19.31–39).
• Loyal to Absalom:
• Ahithophel, one of Absalom's counselors (II.15–17).
• Amasa, commander of Absalom's army (II.17.25), later made commander of David's army to replace Joab (II.19.13), assassinated by Joab (II.20.10).
• Shimei, who cursed David (II.16.5–14).
• Sheba, who led the brief rebellion after Absalom's (II.20).