2 SAMUEL 21

THE GIBEONITES KILL SAUL’S DESCENDANTS

When a longstanding famine occurs in Israel, God tells David that the famine is a consequence of Saul's attack on the Gibeonite people. The Israelites had previously sworn to spare the Gibeonites, but Saul ruthlessly killed them.

David asks the Gibeonites how he could reconcile the situation. The Gibeonites request to kill seven of Saul’s descendants. David spares Mephibosheth, but gives the Gibeonites seven other descendants of Saul. In response to Saul’s violence towards them, the Gibeonites publicly hanged the seven descendants of Saul.

Rizpah, one of Saul’s concubines and mother of two of the hanged men, mourns their death. After they are removed, she is given their bones.

David and his men battle the Philistines, including some giants with twelve fingers and twelve toes. David is getting older and starts to become weary in battle. After a near-death experience, David is told to no longer enter into battle.

2 SAMUEL 22

DAVID’S SONG OF PRAISE

David offers God a song of praise, thanking God for His protection and provision throughout his life. Because of God’s mercy and faithfulness, David is victorious over many challenges and enemies. In his song, David recalls times of distress and remembers the ways that God was his rock and his refuge.

David ends the psalm by referring to himself as God’s king and God’s anointed. David trusts in God’s great salvation and steadfast love. David views all of his accomplishments and his life itself as means to serve God and bring Him glory. David expresses similar themes in one of his many songs, recorded in Psalm 18.

2 SAMUEL 23

DAVID REFLECTS ON GOD’S PROVISION + RIGHTEOUSNESS

As he grows older in age, David shares a final speech with the people of Israel and reflects on God’s influence in his life. David emphasizes the importance of justice and righteousness among leaders. David remembers God’s everlasting covenant and that eternal king will come from his lineage.

David recalls some of the great acts of his mighty men and their victories in battle. David tells a brief story of his mighty men risking their lives to bring him water. This inclusion of his military leaders shows David’s humility and loyalty towards them. Despite challenges, David's rule is marked by divine favor, exemplifying his deep connection with God.

2 SAMUEL 24

DAVID TAKES A CENSUS + PURCHASES A THRESHING FLOOR

David organized a census to be taken in Israel, counting the number of men in his army. While David thinks this is a good idea, Joab did not agree. God is not pleased with David’s decision to take a census. Although taking a census itself is not sinful, David is acting out of his own volition over trusting God’s timing.

David realizes that he sinned and confessed. God is angry with David and allows him to choose between three years of famine, three months of persecution, or three days of plague and illness. David could not choose and allows God to choose for him. God chose three days of plague. Although God must deal with sin, He does not prolong Israel’s suffering.

During the three days, 70,000 men die, but Jerusalem is not destroyed. David cries out to God to stop the illness and God instructs him to make an offering at the threshing floor. David purchases the threshing floor from the man who owned it, even though he offered it for free. David did not want to sacrifice to God something that did not cost him anything. David offers a sacrifice at this new location and God accepts the sacrifice. Although David acted against God’s desires, God is ultimately still honored by David’s new place of sacrifice. This account is also recorded in 1 Chronicles 21.