adultery involving Bathsheba and the
murder of Uriah—were all the more
conspicuous because they were committed
at the height of his reign.
David was never the same again. As long
as he lived, troubles kept arising to plague
him.
(13:1—20:26)
David’s sins against Bathsheba and Uriah
were forgiven by God when he confessed in
repentance, but the bitter fruits of his sins
were inevitable. Read these chapters with
this brief outline in view:
D. DAVID’S TROUBLES

1.
2.
3.
4.

Family Troubles (chaps. 13-14)
Absalom’s Rebellion (15:1—19:8)
David’s Restoration (19:9-40)
Further Strife and Rebellion (19:41—
20:26)


X. KEY WORDS AND VERSES OF 2 SAMUEL
Read 5:4 and 7:25-26 as key verses of 2
Samuel. Choose others from the Bible text.
The phrase “before the LORD” is a key phrase

of the book. Consult an exhaustive
concordance to see its uses.
XI. APPLICATIONS OF 2 SAMUEL
1. What does the book teach about the
following:
a) sin and its workings, punishment,
confession, and pardon
b) God and His relationship to the believer
c) the believer’s dependence on God (see
2:1; 5:3; 6:16,21: 7:18; 8:6,14: 12:16;
22:1).
d) the will of God
e) rewards of God
2. Read Galatians 6:7. Apply its teaching


to the life of David.
3. How important is the ministry of the
Holy Spirit in the daily walk of the believer?
What are His ministries?
4. Study the contrasts (page 184) about
control in David’s life, as J. Barton Payne has
observed these in the books of Samuel.8
XII. FURTHER STUDY OF 2 SAMUEL
1. Make a biographical study of David.
The Bible passages about him are 1 Samuel
16:1—1 Kings 2:11; 1 Chronicles 11-29; and
many psalms. (Consult William Day
Crockett’s harmony of these books.)9



WHEN GOD’S SPIRIT WAS IN

WHEN SELFISH DESIRES WERE IN

CONTROL

CONTROL

David had men’s devotion (1 Chron

David failed to restrain Joab (2 Sam 3:39) and

12:18) and women’s (1 Sam 19:12-13)

his own family (2 Sam 13:21)

He cared for the helpless (2 Sam 9:1)

He was brutal with captives (2 Sam 8:2)

He confessed his own sins (Psalm 51)

He would not admit error (2 Sam 19:29) and

and his enemies’ nobility (2 Sam 1:23)

repudiated former pardons (1 Kings 2:8-9)

His piety was shameless (2 Sam 6:21)


He practiced deception (1 Sam 21:2)

His faith was radiant (Psalm 23)

His sin was heinous (2 Sam 11)