2 SAMUEL OUTLINE- Background!
This outline of 2nd Samuel begins where we learn that Samuel died (1 Sam. 25:1). His work for the Lord was finished. As we left the book of 1 Samuel David had just lead his men to attack & destroy the Amalekites, who had raided David’s home and took David’s wife’s Ahinoam and Abigail and all of the rest of the people and possessions. David immediately turned to God for strength and direction. David was lead to an Egyptian slave who had been abandoned by the Amalekites and was eager to pay them back. So the slave helped them surprise the Amalekites who were celebrating in a field. David and his men defeated them and recovered everyone and everything. In the meantime the Philistines attacked Israel and killed 3 of Saul’s sons, including Jonathan. Saul was so severely wounded that he finally fell on his own sword. So as 1 Samuel ended, the stage was set for David to soon become king over Judah.
Overall the book of 2 Samuel tells the story of David as King- first as king of Judah and then in 2 Sam. 5:1-5 over all of Israel. These two kingdoms would remain unified through David and Solomon’s reign. Then in 1 Kings 12 the northern tribes of Israel would revolt and remain divided. In Isaiah, Israel is devastated except for the City of Jerusalem because of God’s promise to David.
In 2 Sam 1:4 it tells that David learns of Saul and Jonathan’s death and David composes a funeral song for both 2 Sam 1:17-27. David is anointed king of Judah (2:3). However, one of Saul’s surviving sons, Ishbosheth, was named king of Israel (2:9). Then a war between Judah & Israel developed (2:12-16) and in 2:17 we are told David & his men defeated Abner, Ishbosheth’s army commander. It did not end the war but signaled the start of a very long war between the two nations (3:1). During this time 3:2-5 gives an account of the birth of 6 sons to David. The turning point in the was is told in 4:7-8 when Ishbosheth is murdered. The tribes of Israel came to David (5:1-2) and wanted him to be king of Israel. This occurred in 2 Sam 5:3. With God’s direction David captures Jerusalem from the Jebusites and made it the City of David 5:6-7. Now the Philistines became concerned about David strength and combined all of their forces to attack David 5:17-18. In 5:19 David went to the Lord for direction and was given the go ahead to take on the Philistines and given assurance of victory. 5:20-25 tells of the two battles with the Philistines. Between these battles David went to the Lord again and was given the direction to circle them and wait for the Lord’s signal. This is our lesson for waiting on the Lord (Isaiah 40:31). This brings us to the heart of today’s lesson.
BASIC THOUGHTS
Chapter 6 begins by moving the Ark of God to Jerusalem. Saul had virtually ignored the Ark- another of Saul’s many failures.
Read 2 Samuel 6:1-5 Honor God in God’s Way
David would reign for 33 years over all of Israel and Judah. David was determined to bring the Ark of the Covenant home. All seemed Good! However David was human and he failed to follow God’s instructions and law for the Ark. David had the Ark placed on a cart- which was exactly the way the Philistines had moved the Ark from the Israelites (1 Sam 6:7). In Numbers 3:30-31, 4:15, & 7:9 it tells how the Ark should be carried by the sons of Kohath- using poles and leather base described in Ex. 25:12-15. However not even the Kohath were permitted to actually touch the Ark. David used 2 of Abinadab’s sons to guide the cart. So David was dishonoring God even though his motives were sincere.
Read 2 Samuel 6:6-11 Respect What is Holy
We learn when the oxen pulling the cart stumbles, Uzzah, Abinadab’s son, grabs the Ark to prevent it from falling. Uzzah thought he was doing the right thing but was outside of God’s will. Uzzah was struck dead. This is a clear message to all of us. This could have been avoided if the move had been handled according to God’s instructions. We are not to become complacent about God’s Holiness. David became angry over the death and then his anger turned to fear. This renewed his respect for God. Essentially David put the Ark in storage after this and waited to see if and when the Lord would permit the Ark to be moved to Jerusalem.
Read 2 Samuel 6:12-15, 17 Worship With Enthusiastic Reverence
Upon hearing about the 3 month blessings that the family had received while Ark was in their care, realized it was time to move the Ark to the City of David. So this time the Ark was handled exactly as the Lord had commanded to show the proper reverence. David became exuberant, put on a priest’s ephod, and began dancing in public. David prepared a special tent to place the Ark to honor God. David also made several offerings to the Lord. So we are to worship God joyfully and enthusiastically to praise Him and obey Him. This is to respond to His infinite Holiness and Mercy! Finally- we find our highest good in relating to Him through faith in Jesus and reverently doing His will in the power of the Holy Spirit.
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