2 Samuel
General
We have no certain knowledge of
the regularity of Tabernacle worship during the period from Joshua to this
time. Quite probably the services were maintained with more or less regularity.
Shortly after Israel entered Palestine Joshua located the Ark at Shiloh. That
it was still there at the close of the period of the Judges and while Samuel
lived with Eli is shown by 1 Sam. 1:3. The sons of Eli took the Ark with them
into battle against the Philistines ... the Lord permitted it to be captured.
However, while they possessed it a curse seemed to accompany it. The
Philistines loaded it upon a cart and started the oxen in the direction of the
Israelites. From the time of its return the Ark was in the custody of Abinadab.
R3252:2,3
David was in his thirtieth year at the time of Saul's death. During the
ten preceding years he had led a varied life ... banished from Saul's court,
hunted by the king as a wild beast, chased as a brigand and looked upon with
distrust by the majority of the people. R4234:3 David waited upon the Lord those
many years, fully confident that in the end he should be the king of Israel,
not hastening the event in any way but simply standing ready for the
responsibilities and the power of the office where the Lord should put him. It
was more than seven years after this before he became the king of all Israel.
R5674:2,3
2 Samuel 1
2 Samuel 1:1
When David -- Type of Christ. B255
Now in his 30th year. R4234:3
Of the Amalekites -- Typical of wilful sinners in the Millennial age. F174
2 Samuel 1:2
Came to David -- David and his men had been living in the country of the
Philistines and had been treated by them as allies. R3245:6
2 Samuel 1:9
Slay me -- Probably manufacturing this part of the story to bring
honor to himself. R5674:2
2 Samuel 1:15
Fall upon him -- Demonstrating David's patience in waiting for God's time
and way to give him the kingdom, and his unwillingness to sanction the death of
the king at the hands of another. R3245:3,6
2 Samuel 1:17
This lamentation -- The Dead March from Saul, based on this poem, is
identified with the funeral services of the great today. R5674:1
2 Samuel 1:18
The use of the bow -- Called the Song of the Bow. R5674:1, R4224:2
2 Samuel 1:23
Lovely and pleasant -- No suggestion of how Saul had persecuted him or sought
his life. R5674:1
2 Samuel 1:26
Passing the love -- Illustrating the still more wonderful "love of
Jesus." R4224:2
2 Samuel 2
2 Samuel 2:1
David -- Not wishing to choose his own course. R3246:1
He had a great appreciation of
justice and also a breadth of sympathy for his enemies. R5674:4
Of the LORD -- Probably through the High Priest, Abiathar. R3246:1
What a wonderful example we have
in David's course! How much Christians can learn of patient waiting for the
Lord's time in all their affairs. R5674:2
Hebron -- A central city of the tribe of Judah, where he and his
family were well known and safe. R3246:1
2 Samuel 2:4
Men of Judah came -- Thus falling in line not only with the divine anointing,
but also with their own preferences. R1996:5
Anointed David king -- As in the case of David, Jesus did not begin his reign
immediately after being anointed. He first needed various experiences. So with
the Church. R4210:5
2 Samuel 2:5
David sent messengers -- Illustrating greatness through gentleness. R1709:1*
Blessed be ye -- Wishing them to know that he did not regard their act as
an act of enmity, but rather one of decency and loyalty. R4235:3
How different was this from the
evil spirit that would triumph over the death of a powerful rival and
relentless enemy. R1996:6
2 Samuel 2:7
Anointed me king -- Hinting that the men of Jabesh might like him as king
also. R4235:4
2 Samuel 2:9
King over Gilead -- David made no attempt to coerce the other tribes.
R5674:3
2 Samuel 2:11
King In Hebron -- Patiently waiting for the Lord's time and way to make
him king over all Israel. R3245:3
So the Lord's people, having been
anointed kings and priests unto God, it is their part to wait patiently for the
Lord's time for their exaltation. R1996:5
2 Samuel 3
2 Samuel 3:1
Long war -- Brothers fought against brothers--one party of God's
favored people against another. This continued for two years. R4235:5
Pictures spiritual Israel, when
brother shall be against brother, which the Lord will permit just prior to the
establishment of the Kingdom. R4235:5
2 Samuel 3:3
Maacah -- The daughter of a heathen king. Absalom was brought up
under the influence of a heathen mother with little respect or reverence for
the true God. R2024:6, R3261:6, R5700:2
2 Samuel 3:38
Prince and a great man -- A courageous statement in the presence of his own ablest
soldier. R5674:4
2 Samuel 3:39
The LORD shall -- In the future (the Millennial age). R2613:6, R723:4
2 Samuel 4
2 Samuel 4:11
A righteous person -- David was broad-minded and generous toward his enemies.
R5674:4
2 Samuel 5
2 Samuel 5:3
A league with them -- Probably a kind of charter outlining the rights and
limitations of the people and the king. R2001:3, R4236:1
Anointed David -- The third time that anointing oil was put upon his head.
R5674:5
King over Israel -- David was 37 years old when made king over all Israel.
This was 7 1/2 years after the death of Saul and about 17 years after David had
been first anointed by Samuel. R5674:4
2 Samuel 5:5
And six months -- Thus David actually reigned more than 40 years. HG68:4
Jerusalem -- Chosen by David for the capital of the now united
kingdom; within Judah, but central to all Israel. R2001:3
2 Samuel 5:6
Jebusites -- Jerusalem was still inhabited by the Jebusites, a
remnant of the Canaanites, whom Israel was commissioned to destroy. R2001:6
Blind and the lame -- Boasting defiantly that even the blind and lame among
them would be able to defend the city. R2001:6
2 Samuel 5:7
Strong hold of Zion -- Tower of David, near the Jaffa gate. R1390:2
2 Samuel 5:8
Up to the gutter -- The water courses. R2001:6
2 Samuel 5:12
Established him -- The secret of David's success was not merely fixity of
purpose, but additionally that his purpose was kept fully in accord with the
divine will. R4255:3
2 Samuel 5:19
Shall I go up -- We should never engage in battle without the assurance
that the battle is the Lord's, nor forget that our weapons are not carnal.
R2015:3
2 Samuel 5:20
Baal-perazim -- Type of God's deliverance of regathered Israel. D555
Smote them -- Illustrating God's "strange act." (Isa.28:21)
R564:6
2 Samuel 5:21
David -- Type of Christ. B255
2 Samuel 6
2 Samuel 6:1
Gathered together -- To revive the religious sentiments of the people.
R3252:4
30,000 -- It is wiser, better every way, that all the Lord's
people participate in any prominent matter connected with the Lord's service,
according to ability. R3252:4
2 Samuel 6:2
Baale of Judah -- Or Kirjath-jearim (margin). The Ark was at
Kirjath-jearim a total of 70 years. R3252:3, R5679:3, R2003:1
To bring up -- David's spiritual nature began to assert itself in
respect to the government of Israel. R5679:3
Between the cherubims -- Between love and power and above a foundation of
justice, represented by the Mercy Seat. R3252:3; T123-125; R5680:1
2 Samuel 6:3
Upon a new cart -- After the example of the Philistines. R2003:1
Instead of upon the shoulders of
the Levites as instructed by the Lord. R3252:6, R2003:1
2 Samuel 6:7
Against Uzzah -- For his loss of respect of the Ark as representative of
God and for the bad example in the sight of all Israel. R3252:6
God smote him -- God had tolerated the ignorance of the Philistines, but
he slew Uzzah as a reminder of his displeasure with Israel for their
carelessness in complying with the requirements of the Law. R2003:2
Illustrating the importance of
types being kept in every minutiae. T12
For his error -- In handling the holy things of the divine Word and
service of the truth. Spiritual Israelites are not at liberty to do as they
please, merely assuring themselves that their motives are good. R4260:1
There he died -- No injury was done to Uzzah's eternal future. R3253:2
2 Samuel 6:8
Was displeased -- With his former determination to bring the Ark to
Jerusalem; and that through lack of care matters had gone astray. R3252:5
Divine providence gave him a great
lesson of reverence for the Almighty and carefulness in respect to his laws.
R5679:3,5
A breach upon Uzzah -- This was no injustice, because he was already under the
death sentence anyway. F174
It was necessary because
everything connected with the Tabernacle (Ark) typified something greater and
more important to come afterward. T12
2 Samuel 6:9
David was afraid -- The king and the people understood the smiting of Uzzah
as a rebuke for their disobedience, their lack of proper reverence for the
symbol of God's presence. R2003:2
2 Samuel 6:11
Blessed Obed-edom -- The Ark was in the house of Abinadab 70 years, but
without bringing him any special blessing. Similarly, the Bible in some
families brings no blessings from year to year; but in others it brings great
blessings in a few short months because of greater reverence for the Lord and
his Word. R3253:4
Obed-edom was a Levite who
doubtless reverently received the Ark. R2003:2
2 Samuel 6:12
Brought up the ark -- This time it was reverently borne according to divine
directions. (See 1 Chron. 15:1, 2, 13-15, 28) R2003:4
2 Samuel 6:13
Bare the ark -- By the divinely directed method. It is not for us to be
inventive in respect to divine services, but rather to be students of the
divine will. R5680:3
2 Samuel 6:14
David danced -- An expressive symbol of joy. R2003:5
The 24th Psalm is supposed to have
been sung as marching accompaniment on this occasion. R4260:4
2 Samuel 6:15
Brought up -- King David composed Psalm 24 for this very occasion.
R5680:4
The ark -- The Ark represented Christ. The bringing of it into the
city corresponds in a measure to our receiving of Christ. R5680:5
2 Samuel 7
2 Samuel 7:2
The ark of God -- A symbol of the divine presence. R2010:5
2 Samuel 7:5
Shalt thou build -- No justification for elegant church buildings and
furnishments. R2010:5
For me to dwell in -- We are not to conclude that, because our plans are
reverential and designed for the glory of God, therefore they must have the
divine approval. R3258:6
2 Samuel 7:6
In a tabernacle -- The Lord prefers that his representation in the world in
the present time shall be extremely simple and unostentatious. R3259:2
2 Samuel 7:8
Unto my servant -- To David and will evidently have a partially literal
fulfilment, although the substance is in Christ. R1364:2
From the sheepcote -- The low estate we occupied on the animal plane. R3259:4
Ruler over my people -- The Lord has advanced the Church step by step until now
we are joint-heirs with Jesus Christ. R3259:4
2 Samuel 7:9
All thine enemies -- David, as the man of war, represents the saints of God
in their present militant condition, warring with the world, the flesh and the
devil. R3259:2
2 Samuel 7:10
And move no more -- A prophecy of the Millennial age. R3259:4
2 Samuel 7:12
Thy days -- The reign of David prefigured the preparatory work of
this Gospel age. R2010:4
Thy seed after thee -- Partially to Solomon, ultimately to Christ. R2010:4,
R2372:6
A prophecy of the Lord's first
advent. R1673:6
Establish his kingdom -- The reign of Solomon represented the glorious reign of
Christ. R3259:3,6, R2010:4
2 Samuel 7:13
An house -- The construction of Solomon's Temple typified the
resurrection of the Church. R3259:3
A symbol of future spiritual
Israel. R2010:5
I will stablish -- The final confirmation of the Abrahamic covenant.
R2372:6, R3114:6
His kingdom for ever -- The Period from Zedekiah's reign to that of Christ being
merely an interregnum, a suspension of David's kingdom. R3259:5; PD47/59
2 Samuel 7:14
I will chasten him -- May be properly applied to the spirit-begotten sons of
God. "What son is he whom the father chasteneth not." (Heb. 12:7)
R3259:6
2 Samuel 7:16
Established for ever -- See comment on 2 Sam. 7:13.
2 Samuel 8
2 Samuel 8:7
Shields of gold -- The spoils, dedicated to the Lord, were reserved for the
Temple which Solomon was to build. R2015:5
2 Samuel 8:11
Did dedicate -- The mission of the Church in this present time is to
prepare the gold, silver and precious things (the saints) for the future
Temple. R3259:3
2 Samuel 9
2 Samuel 9:1
Is there yet any -- David's search for opportunities to do good reminds us
that such should be our attitude. R4269:1
For Jonathan's sake -- David had promised to show kindness to Jonathan's
posterity. (1 Sam. 20:14-17) R2010:5
There is no more worthy trait to
adorn a righteous character than that of gratitude, that returns filial
affection to God and encourages loyal devotion between friends. R2010:6
So the glorified Church will
remember its covenant to bless the Ancient Worthies first. R1908:5
2 Samuel 9:6
Fell on his face -- His fear that the king's words might be treacherous
caused him fear and trepidation. R4268:6
And did reverence -- Shaw-kaw,
worshipped. Worship of Christ is not displeasing to Jehovah. E73
2 Samuel 9:7
Restore thee -- This shows David's confidence that the kingdom should
not be taken from his posterity. R4268:6
Eat bread at my table -- With people of Oriental lands this implies a pledge of
friendship and fidelity; and to eat continually implies membership in the
family. R4268:6
2 Samuel 10
2 Samuel 10:12
Seemeth him good -- If the battle is the Lord's it is sure to be victorious.
R2015:5
2 Samuel 10:19
And served them -- Under David Abraham's seed first possessed the land from
the river of Egypt to the Euphrates. (Gen. 15:18) R2015:5
2 Samuel 11
2 Samuel 11:2
And it came to pass -- This narrative is given as a part of the genealogy of
King Solomon, son of Bath-Sheba. R1420:2
Roof of the king's house -- It is easier to live a consecrated life in poverty than
when surrounded by the wealth and liberties of court. R5681:1
Very beautiful -- It would be a great mistake to suppose that the
blindness of intoxication with the spirit of the world constitutes a proper
excuse for sins committed in that state. R2017:1
2 Samuel 11:3
Sent and enquired -- First, David coveted his neighbor's wife. R5681:2
2 Samuel 11:4
And David -- Possibly to some extent influenced by the prevailing
notions that whatever the king was pleased to do was proper because of his
exalted station. R3253:6
Took her -- He was awake to sin, asleep to righteousness. R5681:2
Lay with her -- Considering the higher interpretation of adultery and
murder in Matt. 5:22, 28 some Christians may find themselves near the plane of
David as respects sin. R3254:1
2 Samuel 11:15
Set ye Uriah -- Compared with other contemporary kings David's course
was moderate; not directly taking Uriah's life but merely conniving at his
death. R3254:5
2 Samuel 12
2 Samuel 12:1
Sent Nathan -- It required courage, but whoever has a message from the
Lord must needs have the courage to deliver it wisely and faithfully. R5681:3,
R2017:1
The prophet was sent directly to
the king. PD43/53; R4271:5
There were two men -- The prophet made a parable showing the injustice and
asked what would be a just decision. PD43/53; R5681:3, R4271:5
2 Samuel 12:5
Anger was greatly kindled -- King David asked the name of the unjust man that he
might be punished. PD43/53; R5681:3, R4271:5
Shall surely die -- David unconsciously condemned himself to death. R2017:3
2 Samuel 12:7
Thou art the man -- It was a critical moment for David. Would he proudly
resist the power of the truth, claiming that the customs of the world, instead
of the Law of God, were to him the standard of privilege? R2017:2,3
Blessed is he who is not condemned
by his own declarations in respect to the affairs of others. R3255:6
2 Samuel 12:11
Of thine own house -- Absalom's rebellion was the means employed for this
punishment. R1397:2
2 Samuel 12:13
I have sinned -- The king saw the horrible mistake and humbly confessed
the sin to the Lord. PD43/53; R5681:3, R4271:5
David saw his own conduct, not
from the standpoint of other kings and what they did, but from the standpoint
of the divine law of righteousness. R5681:3, R1396:6
The 51st Psalm is generally
recognized as his expression of contrition for the sin. R3254:2
Put away thy sin -- Justice would have been required in respect to the sins;
but to the repentant soul the Lord's favor would, nevertheless, still be
granted. R5681:4
God showed mercy on David (as to
all Jews under the Law's typical sacrifices) in that he made allowance for his
fallen condition. R1397:2
Realizing the Lord's forgiveness
for the penitent moves one toward repentance. R3254:2
For the Christian, involuntary
sins are cancelled; but wilfulness has a penalty attached. R1397:4
Sinful Christians find great
consolation in the Lord's compassion if they are exercised as was David by
their sins. R3254:2
Thou shalt not die -- Because he had confessed and repented. R5681:3, R2017:5
The penalty of David's sin was
death, under two indictments: Lev. 20:10 and Lev. 24:17. In view of his
repentance the Lord remitted the death penalty, inflicting only such punishment
as was necessary for the correction. R2017:4, R5681:3
If sin is fallen into, God does
everything to encourage the acceptance of forgiveness and reformation, though
the sinner is obliged to bear some severe penalty. R5681:4; Q281:3
2 Samuel 12:14
To blaspheme -- While David's sin has given occasion to blasphemers, his
repentance and forgiveness have given hope and encouragment to many who have
been overtaken in a fault. R3260:6
2 Samuel 12:18
The child died -- Though the Lord indicated his forgiveness, yet there
must be a punishment. R5106:4, R3255:5
2 Samuel 12:24
Solomon -- His name signifies "the peaceful," thus
commemorating God's promise concerning him. R2045:3
The LORD loved him -- God accepted David's penitence and restored him to his
favor. PD43/53
2 Samuel 12:25
His name Jedidiah -- Meaning "Beloved of Jehovah"; indicating
David's forgiveness and restoration to divine favor. R2045:3
2 Samuel 12:31
Put them under saws -- While we mark with pleasure the noble traits in David's
character, we must deplore the steps of his decline leading to unnecessary
cruelty, not only conquering, but triumphing ignobly over his foes. R2016:3
2 Samuel 13
2 Samuel 13:1
And it came to pass -- This narrative is given to account for Absalom's
estrangement from his father David. R1420:2
2 Samuel 13:23
After two full years -- For two years no punishment was inflicted because David
did not know what to do even though the matter (vs. 10-21) sorely vexed him.
R4275:5
2 Samuel 13:28
Kill him -- A modern method of assassination is slanderous words, by
insinuations, etc., often committed in the presence of the heavenly
brotherhood. R4275:6
2 Samuel 13:37
Absalom fled -- Fearing David's indignation. R2025:1
Went to Talmai -- Absalom's maternal grandfather. R2025:1
2 Samuel 13:38
To Geshur -- Surrounded with the influences of a heathen land.
R2025:4
2 Samuel 14
2 Samuel 14:4
And did obeisance -- See comments on 2 Sam. 9:6.
2 Samuel 14:28
Not the king's face -- As a continued showing of disfavor. R4276:1
This experience fastened upon the
mind of Absalom the conviction that his father no longer loved him. This
prepared him to set at defiance his kingly authority. R2025:1, R4278:1
2 Samuel 14:32
See the king's face -- Absalom realized that as an exiled prince his chances of
acceptance as king of Israel would be comparatively small in the event of his
father's death. R4276:1
2 Samuel 15
2 Samuel 15:1
Prepared him chariots -- A custom from his grandfather's court. R3262:1
2 Samuel 15:2
King for judgment -- The king acted as a superior court, so that cases not
satisfactorily adjudicated before the regular judges were appealed to him.
R3262:2, R5700:2
2 Samuel 15:4
I were made judge -- Would that I were king! It would be different! R5700:3
Do him justice -- Implying that his hearer had justice on his side and
would be pleased with the results. R3262:2
2 Samuel 15:6
Stole the hearts -- By feigning humility and zeal for justice, by careful
attention to his personal appearance and by attention to those in influential
positions. R4276.1
Many in our day are willing to
steal the affections of another and to misrepresent another to their own
advantage. R3262:3
2 Samuel 15:7
After 40 years -- After four years; the error of a transcriber. R2025:5,
R4276:2
Four years from his full
acceptance back to fellowship with his father. R3262:3
Let me go -- In order not to excite the suspicion of the king or
others he asked permission to go. R3262:4, R4276:2
2 Samuel 15:10
Absalom reigneth -- The people would gain the impression that the revolution
of the kingdom was complete and that David was thoroughly vanquished. R3262:4
Although the Lord restored David
to divine favor and communion, he punished him severely for his sin--Absalom's
rebellion being the means employed. R1397:2, R3262:5
2 Samuel 15:11
Knew not anything -- Were totally ignorant of the use that was being made of
them. R3262:4
2 Samuel 15:12
Sent for Ahithophel -- This would mean a tower of strength to Absalom's
position and ambition. R4276:4
The conspiracy -- Begun when Absalom returned from exile, or two years
later. R3262:3
So today: the Lord will permit
conspiracies against the truth, but to go only so far as they will work for his
glory. R3262:6
Increased continually -- Political intrigue stole the hearts of the people and
made the cause of Absalom temporarily very prosperous. R2024:3
2 Samuel 15:14
Let us flee -- David wished to avoid the horrors of civil war. He was
overwhelmed with grief that his enemy was his son and that his former friends
had become his enemies. R4277:1
2 Samuel 15:17
All the people -- His bodyguard consisted mostly of foreigners. (vs. 18)
R4277:2
2 Samuel 15:19
An exile -- It is supposed that the 4th Psalm and portions of the
3rd were written from the standpoint of David's experiences as an exile from
his capital. R4277:3
2 Samuel 16
2 Samuel 16:20
Then said Absalom -- This narrative is given to prove that the Lord's penalty
against David for his injustice toward Uriah was fulfilled. R1420:2
2 Samuel 17
2 Samuel 17:22
Then David -- Meaning "beloved," type of Christ. R3226:4
Passed over Jordan -- Meaning "Judged down," "Condemned."
R3086:4
2 Samuel 18
2 Samuel 18:1
David -- Now about 62 years of age. R4277:5
2 Samuel 18:5
Deal gently -- Mark the father's love, even under extreme, trying
circumstances. He charged the soldiers to do Absalom no harm. R2025:2, R3268:2,
R4277:5
2 Samuel 18:7
20,000 men -- Absalom's forces. R3268:1
2 Samuel 18:15
Slew him -- Absalom is a distinguished example of dishonor to a
father. R3262:1
How suddenly God brought to naught
the evil designs of this wicked young man. R2025:2
2 Samuel 18:16
Joab -- Chief of King David's generals. R3268:1, R4277:5
Blew the trumpet -- Of victory. The conspiracy had come to naught, the
usurper was dead. R2025:3
2 Samuel 18:21
To Cushi -- Literally, "To the Cushite," the negro.
R3268:4
2 Samuel 18:27
With good tidings -- A good man should always seek to carry a good message.
R3268:1, R4277:6
2 Samuel 18:29
Is ... Absalom safe? -- In harmony with David's parting words (vs. 5). R3268:2
It was far more pleasing to the
Lord that he should love his enemy too much rather than too little. R4277:6
God so loved us while we were
"yet sinners." (Rom. 5:8) R4277:6
But I knew not -- The Lord's people should be particular to discriminate
between knowledge and belief and hearsay. R3268:4, R4278:1
2 Samuel 18:33
O my son Absalom -- David's former attitude of neglect toward his son was a
great mistake, the realization of which doubtless deepened the grief. R2025:1
Parents should heed well this
lesson. If David had exercised more kindness, loving counsel and sympathy with
his son, he might have been spared this bitter lament. R2025:4, R3268:5,
R5700:5
I had died for thee -- David was more anxious for Absalom than for his throne
or for his own life. R3268:2
We have two parallels in
Scripture: Moses (Ex. 32:32) and Paul (Rom. 9:3). R4278:2,4
For five years David had allowed
the hard side of his nature to conceal his tender emotions. How often is the
mistake of David repeated by parents. R2025:2,4
There is not in all of the Old
Testament a passage of greater pathos than this. R4278:2
2 Samuel 19
2 Samuel 19:9
At strife -- Israel had been thrown into a state of confusion, threatening
anarchy, being left for a time without any official head or king. R1690:1
2 Samuel 19:11
Bring the king back -- This is an illustration of a very similar condition of
things in the world today. Earth's rightful king is not upon his throne, nor
has the world recognized his right to it nor desired his return. Men have tried
every experiment of self-government and all have ended in failure. R1690:2
2 Samuel 19:14
Return thou -- Practically the whole nation had given allegiance to
Absalom, so it was necessary for them to publicly request King David to return.
R3262:5
2 Samuel 21
2 Samuel 21:9
Days of harvest -- The reaping of the barley commenced the harvest, the
wheat following. R4127:1
2 Samuel 22
2 Samuel 22:1
David spake -- The entire chapter is one of David's songs of praise and
gratitude to God for his loving providence. R2031:1
A type of the Church in her
deliverance. R153:6, R264:6, R265:1, R287:6
2 Samuel 22:2
The LORD is my rock -- Upon which I safely build my hopes. R2032:4
And my fortress -- In which I may safely hide. R2032:4
And my deliverer -- In every time of trouble. R2032:4
2 Samuel 22:3
And the horn -- Horns are symbols of power. T42
2 Samuel 22:6
Sorrows of hell -- Sheol, oblivion, the state of death. E358
In the Revised Version, anglicized
as "sheol," as in all poetic passages. R828:5
A figure in which trouble is
represented as hastening one to the tomb. R2599:3
Compassed me -- Literally David; prophetically The Christ. E358
2 Samuel 22:8
Then -- The deliverance of the Body of Christ will be just
before a great time of trouble and manifestation of divine power and
indignation against wickedness. E358
Shook -- A great time of trouble. E358
Of heaven -- The powers of spiritual control. A318
2 Samuel 22:17
He took me -- See comment on 2 Sam. 22:8 from E358. Delivering his
Bride from her fleshly nature into the perfection of our new nature. R153:6,
R265:1
2 Samuel 22:18
My strong enemy -- Death. R153:6, R265:1
2 Samuel 22:31
His way is perfect -- He could not be holy in all his works if he were the
author of sin and crime. R1351:4, R849:1
Therefore we cannot conclude that
God made us sinners. HG650:2
2 Samuel 22:41
The necks of mine enemies -- Enemies of the Lord which David was commissioned to
conquer--prophetic of Christ's victories over the enemies of truth and
righteousness. R2032:1
2 Samuel 22:44
Head of the heathen -- Verses 44 to 46 are fully applicable only to the wider
dominion of Christ as earth's future king. R2032:4
2 Samuel 22:50
Therefore I will give thanks
-- "We love him because he first
loved us." (1 John 4:19) R2031:5
No one can be a true Christian and
be unthankful. R2460:2
This principal of gratitude and
praise is that which makes human fellowship possible. R2031:6
2 Samuel 23
2 Samuel 23:3
Must be just -- This is the meaning of the Lord's careful selection,
instruction, discipline, judging and proving his people whom he is now calling
to a ruling position in the Millennial Kingdom. R4198:6
But enforcement of justice is not
the Lord's rule for his people in the present time when they themselves are
weak and imperfect. "Judge no man before the time." (1 Cor. 4:5)
R4198:6
2 Samuel 23:5
Everlasting covenant -- The original grace, or Sarah, covenant. R4321:2
2 Samuel 23:15
Well of Bethlehem -- Now (1892) on the principal street of Bethlehem. R1401:5
2 Samuel 23:17
Would not drink it -- He considered it too costly to drink, so he made it an
offering to God. R2015:6
Few indeed among the kings of the
earth would consider any sacrifice of their fellow-men too costly to be
bestowed on them. R2015:6
2 Samuel 24
2 Samuel 24:1
He moved David -- Satan provoked David to number Israel, contrary to the
command of the Lord. R5106:4; Q281:4
2 Samuel 24:2
The king said -- As the Lord's representative, he was acting without
instructions and due authority. Q832:2
2 Samuel 24:14
I am in a great strait -- Realizing his own weakness; David, in humility, declined
to make a choice. R5106:4; Q281:4
2 Samuel 24:16
The angel stretched -- The word "angel" here does not necessarily
refer to a member of the angelic order, but signifies "messenger" or
agency which God used; in this case, a pestilence. R2382:2
The LORD repented -- Before the Lord's punishment reached David he had
received the Lord's forgiveness. R5106:4; Q281:4
2 Samuel 24:18
Rear an altar -- A remarkable spot. It was here that Abraham offered
Isaac and Solomon built the Temple. (2
Chron 3:1) R2510:6, R1395:6
2 Samuel 24:25
The LORD was intreated -- Only proper for Israel, because of God's special
covenant with that nation. R2029:2
Offered burnt offerings -- Recognizing God's chastisement, he prayed for divine
mercy. R2029:2