Rise and Fall of the King: #1

June 2, 2024                   Rev. Thomas M. Cox

• OVERVIEW OF THE BOOK

1. PURPOSE: To point God’s people to the One True King! (And also to show that God’s people should look to the line of David for the messianic king.)

1. KEY PEOPLE: David, Bathsheba, Absalom

1. TIMEFRAME: c. 1000 BC

1. SUMMARY: In The Rise of the King (our study of 1 Samuel), we focused on the prophet Samuel, a deeply flawed king named Saul, and a Christ-like figure in brave David. Now, in 2 Samuel we will see David ascend to the throne. His reign will very much be a mixed bag, with many great victories but also checkered with personal failings, for he too is flawed (and in need of forgiveness!)
   

2) TODAY’S PASSAGES- 2 Sam. 1:17-27, 2:1-4 & 3:1, 18, 36 * HOW THE MIGHTY HAVE FALLEN

• Ch. 1: (Don’t) Kill the messenger! David M____________ both Saul and Jonathan.
• Ch. 2: David is anointed king of the South (Judah). Civil War v. Abner and the North (Israel).
• Ch. 3: Gen. Abner defects to David but is killed by General Joab. David M______ Abner. 
• Ch. 4: Ish-bosheth (Saul’s son) murdered against David’s wishes.

3) TAKEAWAYS:

• Learn the purpose of the Book of 2 Samuel in God’s R_______________ plan. Read Chapter 5.
• Questions for Consideration–
• Who are the good guys and the bad guys in this story? 
• What is the point of all this bloodshed and civil war?
• How do these cross-references help to inform us:
•  Ezekiel 18:23-32, Psalm 147:11

•  Matthew 11:12, Philippians 2:5-6ff, and 1 Timothy 2:1-6

• Make Modern Day Applications: How can the message of Samuel lead us to Christ?

2 SAMUEL 1:17-27, 2:1-4 & 3:1, 18, 36 (ESV, emphases mine)

And David lamented with this lamentation over Saul and Jonathan his son, and he said it should be taught to the people of Judah; behold, it is written in the Book of Jashar. He said:

19 “Your glory, O Israel, is slain on your high places! How the mighty have fallen! 20 Tell it not in Gath, publish it not in the streets of Ashkelon, lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice, lest the daughters of the uncircumcised exult. 21 “You mountains of Gilboa, let there be no dew or rain upon you, nor fields of offerings!For there the shield of the mighty was defiled, the shield of Saul, not anointed with oil. 22 “From the blood of the slain, from the fat of the mighty, the bow of Jonathan turned not back, and the sword of Saul returned not empty. 23 “Saul and Jonathan, beloved and lovely! In life and in death they were not divided; they were swifter than eagles; they were stronger than lions. 24 “You daughters of Israel, weep over Saul, who clothed you luxuriously in scarlet, who put ornaments of gold on your apparel. 

25 “How the mighty have fallen in the midst of the battle! “Jonathan lies slain on your high places. 26 I am distressed for you, my brother Jonathan; very pleasant have you been to me; your love to me was extraordinary, surpassing the love of women. 27 “How the mighty have fallen, and the weapons of war perished!”

2 After this David inquired of the Lord, “Shall I go up into any of the cities of Judah?” And the Lord said to him, “Go up.” David said, “To which shall I go up?” And he said, “To Hebron.” 2 So David went up there, and his two wives also, Ahinoam of Jezreel and Abigail the widow of Nabal of Carmel. 3 And David brought up his men who were with him, everyone with his household, and they lived in the towns of Hebron. 4 And the men of Judah came, and there they anointed David king over the house of Judah.

3 There was a long war between the house of Saul and the house of David. And David grew stronger and stronger, while the house of Saul became weaker and weaker.

18 Now then bring it about, for the Lord has promised David, saying, ‘By the hand of my servant David I will save my people Israel from the hand of the Philistines, and from the hand of all their enemies.’”

36 And all the people took notice of it, and it pleased them, as everything that the king did pleased all the people.