2 Samuel 
1:17–27 
David sang a song of sadness when Saul and Jonathan died. Saul had been David’s king. Jonathan had been his best friend. Their friendship was very deep and strong. David wrote this song because he wanted everyone in Israel to remember Saul and Jonathan.
5:1–5
At first, David wasn’t king of all the Israelites. Abner, the commander of Saul’s army, crowned Saul’s son, Ish Bosheth, king. For a while, many people in Israel wanted Ish Bosheth to be their king. There were fights between the two kings. But after Ish Bosheth was murdered, all the tribes accepted David as their king.
6:1–7, 12–13
David made a bad decision and so did Uzzah. It happened when David tried to bring the ark of the covenant back to Jerusalem. Both David and Uzzah had forgotten God’s laws about moving the ark. What had both David and Uzzah forgotten? What terrible thing happened? Read Numbers 4:4–6 and 15.
Thinky understands that David learned an important lesson. When he moved the ark again, he obeyed God’s commands. What did David do? Read 1 Chronicles 15:11–16 to find the answer. We all make bad decisions and mistakes. And it’s important to learn from them. But what’s most important is that we must follow what God asks us to do.
7
Israel was now at peace and David was living in his own house. The Lord gave Nathan, the prophet, a wonderful message for David. That message contained two very important promises from God. God first promised this: He would establish David and those in his family line as rulers in Israel forever. Then Israel would live peacefully in the land God had promised them. God then gave David a second and even more important promise. God promised David that a kingdom would come from his family line that would last forever. And the king of that kingdom would rule over God’s people forever and ever. The promise was fulfilled when Jesus came into this world as king. And Jesus established the new kingdom, which is God’s people everywhere.
Take a quick look at Matthew 1:6 and 1:16. Whose names do you read there?
7:18–29
After hearing God’s promises, David went to the holy tent. He sat completely humbled before the Lord and prayed. He prayed what was in his heart. David praised God for all he had done. David gave praise to God. That’s because he knew God can be trusted. And David knew that God is faithful and will keep his promises.
Inny wonders if you take time to pray as David did. Do you tell God how wonderful he is? Do you tell God there is no one like him? Do you tell God that you trust him and know that he’s faithful to you?
These prayer topics are important. And it’s important to take time to pray.
9:1–13
Mephibosheth couldn’t walk. This meant that he couldn’t work or be a soldier. What did Mephibosheth say about himself? Read verse 8. David didn’t agree. Mephibosheth was the son of David’s best friend, Jonathan’s. Mephibosheth was very important to David. And David wanted to take care of Mephibosheth and his family. What did David do to show Mephibosheth that he would take care of him?
Hearty wants you to remember this: God loves us and cares for us. He also wants us to show his loving care to others. David experienced God’s loving care daily. And David showed his love for God and others, when he took care of Mephibosheth.
You know that God loves you. How do you show God’s love to others?
10:1–5
The Ammonites chose not to accept David’s reasons for sending his men to them. They shaved off half of the messengers’ beards. Then they cut off their clothes from the waist down. That was a huge insult to the men and to King David. The nation of Israel was hurt and angry. If people want to insult a country, they will burn that country’s flag. Or they will publicly say false and shameful things about that country’s leader.
11–24
The rest of 2 Samuel continues and stories about David’s life. It tells us about the things that happened to his children. It’s a story that shows the result of sin in one family. It also tells about people who were angry and who did evil things. But remember God is always with you, no matter what.
12:13
Did David ever sin? Yes. Everyone on earth sins. David, for example, sinned with Bathsheba. Then he murdered her husband. You can read the story in chapter 11.
David confessed his sin. He admitted to the Lord that he had done something wrong. David asked for forgiveness. And the Lord forgave him. God forgives each person who truly confesses their sins. You can read about how David asked for forgiveness in Psalm 51.
21:1–6
God is always sad when people sin.
When Joshua and the Israelites conquered Canaan, God promised to spare the people of Gibeon. (Read about it again in Joshua 9.) However, King Saul broke that promise and fought against them. Now David wanted to make things right for the people of Gibeon. So he asked them what could be done for them.
He wanted to make up for the wrong Saul had done.
David was asked to do a very difficult thing. But he had to do it. In that way, David honoured God’s promise. And in doing this, God’s blessing was brought back to the land.
22:2–3
David tells us what the Lord is like:
- He is like a rock, a fort, and a shield.
- He is David’s place of safety.
- He helps David.
- He saves David.
Talky wonders how these words remind you of the Lord. Share your thoughts with a friend or your group. Talk about the different ways in which the Lord protects you.
Which of David’s comparisons is your favorite? Why is that so?
23
David’s mighty warriors were brave in battle. Each one of them was famous for his courage and heroic deeds. They helped David to defeat his enemies. Many of these warriors’ stories are told in this chapter.
24:10
Why was David wrong to count the Israelites?
The Bible doesn’t tell us. Some people think that it showed David’s pride in his army and its strength. Or that David relied more on his army and his military strength than on the Lord. Even Joab knew that David was wrong. He tried to stop David.
Once again, David repented of his sin before God.
Read to the end of the chapter. It tells us that there were consequences to David’s sin. Find out what David was required to do. But also think about God’s great mercy and forgiveness.
