Verse-by-Verse Commentary
The Book of 2 Samuel
Second Samuel is the story of King David: his rise to the throne of a united Israel, God's everlasting covenant with his house, and then the tragedy of his sin with Bathsheba and the long shadow it cast over his family. It is a book about greatness and grace, failure and forgiveness. This commentary walks through it verse by verse.
About This Commentary
Second Samuel follows David from the death of Saul to the end of his reign. He is crowned over Judah and then all Israel, brings the ark to Jerusalem, and receives God's promise that his throne will endure forever. Then comes his fall with Bathsheba, the murder of Uriah, and the heartbreak that follows: Amnon, Absalom, and civil war. Through it all, David remains a man who returns to God in repentance.
This commentary covers 2 Samuel verse by verse, with the Hebrew words that sharpen the meaning, verified background, and an Apostolic reading. God's covenant to give David an everlasting throne (2 Samuel 7) reaches its fulfillment in Jesus, the Son of David whose kingdom has no end. References are given at the foot of each chapter.
This commentary on Second Samuel is complete, all twenty-four chapters covered verse by verse, from the death of Saul to the altar on Mount Moriah.
Author
Composite; drawn from prophetic records such as Nathan and Gad (1 Chronicles 29:29).
Setting
David's reign, from Saul's death to David's old age; Jerusalem.
Key Promise
God's covenant to establish David's throne forever (2 Samuel 7).
Theme
Greatness and grace: a flawed king, an everlasting promise, and repentance.
Translation
King James Version (KJV) throughout.
The Chapters
2 Samuel Commentary
The chapters below are available now. The rest are being written and will open here as they are finished and verified.
2 Samuel 1:1-27
How the Mighty Have Fallen
David hears of Saul and Jonathan's deaths, executes the man who claimed to kill the LORD's anointed, and pours out the Song of the Bow, refusing to gloat over his enemy.
Read Chapter 1 →2 Samuel 2:1-32
David Enquired of the LORD
David enquires of the LORD and is anointed king over Judah at Hebron, honoring the men who buried Saul. But Abner sets up a rival king over Israel, and a long war between the two houses begins at the pool of Gibeon.
Read Chapter 2 →2 Samuel 3:1-39
David Waxed Stronger and Stronger
David's house grows steadily stronger while Saul's fails. Abner defects to David and begins to bring all Israel over, but Joab treacherously murders him in revenge, and David mourns publicly, clearing himself of the innocent blood.
Read Chapter 3 →2 Samuel 4:1-12
Who Hath Redeemed My Soul
With Abner dead, two captains murder the helpless Ishbosheth and bring his head to David expecting reward. But David, trusting the God who redeemed his soul, refuses to profit from bloodshed and executes the assassins.
Read Chapter 4 →2 Samuel 5:1-25
The LORD God of Hosts Was With Him
All Israel anoints David king, and he captures the stronghold of Zion, the city of David, growing great because the LORD was with him. When the Philistines attack, David enquires of the LORD each time and wins the victory.
Read Chapter 5 →2 Samuel 6:1-23
David Danced Before the LORD
David brings the ark to Jerusalem, but a well-meant disobedience ends in Uzzah's death. Brought up God's way with sacrifice and song, the ark comes home, and David dances before the LORD with all his might, though Michal despises him.
Read Chapter 6 →2 Samuel 7:1-29
Thy Throne Shall Be Established For Ever
David longs to build God a house, but God will build David a house: an everlasting throne for his Seed, the covenant fulfilled in Jesus the Son of David. Overwhelmed, David prays a prayer of humble wonder and faith.
Read Chapter 7 →2 Samuel 8:1-18
The LORD Preserved David
David subdues the nations on every side and dedicates the spoil to the LORD, who preserves him wherever he goes. He reigns over all Israel, executing judgment and justice, a picture of the conquering, righteous King.
Read Chapter 8 →2 Samuel 9:1-13
The Kindness of God
David seeks out lame Mephibosheth to show him the kindness of God for Jonathan's sake, lifting him from Lodebar to eat at the king's table as one of the king's sons, a matchless picture of grace.
Read Chapter 9 →2 Samuel 10:1-19
Let Us Play the Men For Our People
David's kindness to Ammon is repaid with insult, and war follows. Facing enemies before and behind, Joab rallies Israel with faith and duty, and God gives complete victory over Ammon and Syria.
Read Chapter 10 →2 Samuel 11:1-27
The Thing That David Had Done Displeased the LORD
Idle at home when kings go to war, David falls: from a wandering glance to adultery with Bathsheba, then deceit, then the murder of loyal Uriah. He thinks it hidden, but the chapter ends, 'the thing that David had done displeased the LORD.'
Read Chapter 11 →2 Samuel 12:1-31
Thou Art the Man
Nathan's parable snares David's own judgment, and 'Thou art the man' brings him to confession, 'I have sinned against the LORD,' and mercy. The child dies, but grace returns: a son, Solomon, whom the LORD loved.
Read Chapter 12 →2 Samuel 13:1-39
The Sword in David's House
The sword foretold falls on David's family: Amnon's lust destroys his sister Tamar, Absalom's hatred smoulders two years and then murders Amnon, and the son flees into exile. David grieves but does nothing.
Read Chapter 13 →2 Samuel 14:1-33
That His Banished Be Not Expelled
Joab sends the wise woman of Tekoah, whose parable wrings from David the great truth that God devises means that His banished be not expelled from Him. Absalom is brought home, but kept from the king's face, and the unhealed breach festers.
Read Chapter 14 →2 Samuel 15:1-37
The King Went Forth, Weeping
Absalom steals the hearts of Israel and raises revolt, and David flees Jerusalem, weeping over the Kidron and up Olivet, betrayed by Ahithophel. Ittai the foreigner vows undying loyalty, and David submits, prays, and sends Hushai to counter the plot.
Read Chapter 15 →2 Samuel 16:1-23
Let Him Curse
On the road of humiliation David meets Ziba's deception and Shimei's cursing, which he bears in meekness, trusting God. In Jerusalem, Ahithophel's counsel drives Absalom to public shame, fulfilling Nathan's word.
Read Chapter 16 →2 Samuel 17:1-29
The LORD Had Appointed to Defeat the Counsel
Ahithophel's shrewd advice would have finished David, but God defeats it through Hushai to save His anointed. The warning reaches David through faithful helpers, Ahithophel hangs himself, and loyal friends provide for David at Mahanaim.
Read Chapter 17 →2 Samuel 18:1-33
Would God I Had Died For Thee
The rebellion ends in the wood of Ephraim. Absalom, caught by his head in an oak, is killed by Joab against the king's plea. When the news reaches David, his victory dissolves into the anguished cry, 'O my son Absalom... would God I had died for thee.'
Read Chapter 18 →2 Samuel 19:1-43
The Day of the King's Return
Joab shakes David from paralyzing grief back to duty, and the king returns in a day of mercy: Shimei the curser is spared, faithful Mephibosheth vindicated, aged Barzillai honored, while the tribes quarrel over their king.
Read Chapter 19 →2 Samuel 20:1-26
We Have No Part in David
Sheba raises a fresh revolt, and ruthless Joab murders Amasa to reclaim command. He pursues the rebel to Abel, where a wise woman saves her city by giving up the one troublemaker, and order is restored.
Read Chapter 20 →2 Samuel 21:1-22
God Was Intreated for the Land
A famine reveals bloodguilt for Saul's broken oath to the Gibeonites; atonement is made, Rizpah keeps a vigil, and David buries Saul and Jonathan. Then the aging king and his men fell the last of the Philistine giants.
Read Chapter 21 →2 Samuel 22:1-51
The LORD Is My Rock
David's song of deliverance (Psalm 18): the LORD his rock and deliverer, who came down in power to draw him out of many waters because He delighted in him, whose way is perfect, and who shews mercy to His anointed and his seed for evermore.
Read Chapter 22 →2 Samuel 23:1-39
An Everlasting Covenant, Ordered and Sure
David's last words foresee a just Ruler bright as morning and rest all his hope on God's everlasting covenant. The roll of his mighty men honors the faithful, from the three who fetched water from Bethlehem to Uriah the Hittite.
Read Chapter 23 →2 Samuel 24:1-25
Let Us Fall Into the Hand of the LORD
David's prideful census brings a plague, but he casts himself on God's great mercy and pleads for the sheep. On Araunah's threshingfloor, the future temple site, he builds an altar, refusing to offer what costs nothing, and the plague is stayed. The final chapter of Second Samuel.
Read Chapter 24 →