CHAPTER ONE

Contents: David mourns the death of Saul and Jonathan.

Characters: God, David, Saul, Jonathan, an Amalekite.

Conclusion: He that is deeply concerned for the honor of God cannot rejoice in the afflictions that come upon his enemies. In the disgrace that comes upon them, let us not forget their former successes and real service.

Key Word: Mourned, vv. 12, 17.

Strong Verses:   26, 27.

Striking Facts: v. 13. The killing of the Amalekite who brought the message was just. David made him own a second time that he was an Amalekite and in slaying him, David did what his predecessor should have done and was rejected for not doing.

CHAPTER TWO

Contents: David received as King of Judah. Abner makes Ish-bosheth king over eleven tribes. Civil war.

Characters: God, David, Abner, Ish-bosheth, Joab, Abishai, Asahel. Conclusion: We may expect, one upon another, trials of our faith in the promises of God and of our patience, whether we can wait God's time for the performances of the promises.

Key Word: Annointed, v. 4.

Strong Verses:   1.

Striking Facts: v. 4. Jesus first presented Himself to Judah. Thus, like David, His kingdom is set up by degrees. He is Lord of all by divine designation but we see not yet all things put under His feet.

CHAPTER THREE

Contents: Abner deserts to David. Joab's murder of Abner.

Characters: God, David, Joab, Abner, Ish-bosheth, Michal, Phaltiel, Rizpeh, Abishai, Asahel.

Conclusion: Evil pursues sinners and will overtake them at the last in one way or another. (Illustrated both in the case of Abner and that of Joab, v. 29).

Key Word: Great man fallen, v. 38.

Strong Verses:   39.

Striking Facts: v. 37. The servants of the King of Kings do many things thinking to further His Kingdom, that have not His sanction and will bring trouble upon the heads of those who do them in His name without His leading.

CHAPTER FOUR

Contents: Murder of Ish-bosheth.

Characters: David, Ish-bosheth, Mephibosheth, Baanahm, Rechab.

Conclusion: The guilt of blood brings a curse, and if men do not avenge it, God will.

Key Word: Murder, v. 11.

Strong Verses:   11.

Striking Facts: v. 9. God had hitherto helped him in his difficulties and in coming to the throne, David would therefore depend upon Him and not the devices of men to complete His purpose. Let this teach us that Jesus Christ is coming to the throne, not by man dragging in the millenium but by the hand of God Himself.

CHAPTER FIVE

Contents: David becomes king over Israel. War with Philistines.

Characters: God, David, Hiram.

Conclusion: Those who have the Lord of Hosts for them need have no fear what hosts of men or demons can do against them. If we grow great and win many victories, we can only ascribe our advancement to God's favor with us.

Key Word: Annointed, v. 3, (victory, v. 25).

Strong Verses:   10, 19.

Striking Facts: David was recognized as king on three counts. (1) Of their flesh, v. 1. Christ, Matt. 25:40. (2) Their leader in battle, v. 2. Christ, Josh. 5:13-15. (3) Designated by God, v. 2. So also Christ, Rom. 3:25. As David had three annointings; one by God, one by Judah and one by all tribes, so Christ was annointed at His baptism, will be received of the Jews and later of all nations.

CHAPTER SIX

Contents: David seeks to bring the ark to Jerusalem.

Characters: God, David, Michal, Uzzah, Obed-edom, Abinadab.

Conclusion: God will have His work done in His own way and cannot bless us if we carry it on under wrong principles. We need to seek His directions continually lest we do good things in a wrong way.

Key Word: Ark, v. 2.

Strong Verses:   11.

Striking Facts: Careful directions had been given how the ark must be borne. Num. 4:1-15. David adopted a Philistine method. 1 Sam. 6:7, 8. We cannot expect God's blessing if we employ heathen methods in doing the work of Christ's church.

CHAPTER SEVEN

Contents: David's desire to build the Lord's house. The Davidic covenant.

Characters: God, David, Nathan.

Conclusion: We need no more to make us happy than to have God for a Father to us. If He is our Father, we must be dutiful children, or expect His chastisements, which are an article of the covenant and which flow from His father-love.

Key Word: Established (kingdom), v. 16, (confirmed, v. 24).

Strong Verses: 14,22,25.

Striking Facts: The covenant confirmed to David by the oath of Jehovah and renewed to Mary by the angel Gabriel, is immutable, and God will yet give to the thorn-crowned King the throne of His Father David forever. Luke 1:31-33; Acts 2:29-33, 15:1-17.

CHAPTER EIGHT

Contents: Full establishment of David's kingdom.

Characters: God, David, Hadadezer, Joram, Toi.

Conclusion: After the long and frequent struggles which the Christian has with the powers of darkness, he shall at last be made more than conqueror and shall reign with Christ.

Key Word: Reigning, v. 15.

Strong Verses:   14.

Striking Facts: The Son of David shall at length put down all principality and power and take the throne. He has, as David had, a line to kill and a line to save. The Gospel is to some a savor of life unto life and to others a savor of death unto death.

CHAPTER NINE

Contents: David's kindness to Mephibosheth.

Characters: God, David, Mephibosheth, Ziba, Machir, Micha.

Conclusion: Kindness is one of the laws of Christianity and the Christian should seek opportunity of doing good. The most necessitous are generally the least clamorous and the best objects of our kindness and charity are such as will be discovered only through our inquiry.

Key Word: Kindness, v. 7.

Strong Verses:   7.

Striking Facts: The story gives us a picture of salvation by God's grace in Christ. Grace comes to the helpless, those "sold under sin;" invites us to the place of peace and satisfaction; feasts us at God's table; keeps our lame feet out of sight.

CHAPTER TEN

Contents: The Ammonite-Syrian war.

Characters: David, Joab, Abishai, Hanun, Hadarezer, Shobach.

Conclusion: False men are ready to think all others as false as themselves. There is nothing so well meant but that it may be misinterpreted, and is likely to be so by men who love nobody but themselves. ''Love thinketh no evil."

Key Word: Kindness misinterpreted, vv. 2, 3.

Strong Verses:   12.

Striking Facts: v. 5. The Christian may learn not to lay too much to heart the reproaches he receives for Christ's sake, for they will soon wear off and turn eventually to the shame of their authors. "God will bring forth thy righteousness as the light wait patiently for Him."

CHAPTER ELEVEN

Contents: David's great sin.

Characters: David, Uriah, Bathsheba, Joab.

Conclusion: A Christian with natural tendencies to sensuality may have cravings even when the general bent of his mind is to live in God's will. The devil finds work for idle hands to do (v. 1) and we should therefore be warned of the danger of having nothing in particular to do. Sin started leads to more sin to hide it. After all, the atmosphere of trial and difficulty is the occasion of highest strength.

Key Word: Adultery, v. 4, (murder, v. 15).

Strong Verses:   11, 27.

Striking Facts: We need to bear in mind that as the chosen seed through which Messiah was to come, David and others of the direct line had the combined forces of evil against them to accomplish, if possible their downfall. Of all men, they should have walked in hourly dependence on God.

CHAPTER TWELVE

Contents: David's rebuke and repentance. Birth of Solomon. Ammonite victory.

Characters: God, David, Nathan, Bathsheba, Joab.

Conclusion: If the believer, brought face to face with his sins sincerely confesses and repents of them, he may be restored to fellowship, although God will not interfere with the consequences in this life, v. 1.

Key Word: Confession and restoration, v. 13.

Strong Verses:   13, 22, 23.

Striking Facts: God always has His man for His work and while it may cost the man nights of pain and prayer to deliver the message of Christ he may be sure that if God sent him, his message will accomplish its purpose. A dogmatic message is truer and more tender than soft speeches that do not arouse conscience.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Contents: Ammon's crime. Absalom's vengeance for Tamar's wrong.

Characters: David, Absalom, Ammon, Tamar, Jonadab.

Conclusion: Fleshly lusts are their own punishment and not only war againstthe soul but against the body also, and are the rottenness of the bones. The sin of adultery makes awful mischief in families and the sinner serves a hard master.

Key Word: Shame, v. 13, (avenged, v. 32).

Strong Verses:   39.

Striking Facts: v. 1. Those who are peculiarly beautiful have no reason, on that account to be proud, but great reason to stand upon their guard.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Contents: The recall of Absalom and David's forgiveness.

Characters: God, David, Joab, Absalom, woman of Tekoah, Tamar.

Conclusion: If we let private affections stand in the way of public duty (See Gen. 9:6) we may justly expect that God will make the one whom our foolish pity spares, a scourge upon us.

Key Word: Forgiven, v. 33.

Strong Verses:   14.

Striking Facts: v. 33. If the compassion of a father prevails to reconcile him to an impenitent son, shall penitent sinners doubt the compassion of God, in His Son, when they truly come to Him?

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Contents: Absalom steals the love of ten tribes. David's flight.

Characters: God, David, Absalom, Ittai, Zadok, Abiathar, Hushai, Ahimaaz, Jonathan, Ahitophel.

Conclusion: He who steals one heart away from another by means of innuendos is the vilest of robbers, and especially when professed devotion to God is used as a pretext to carry out the design, (v. 7).

Key Word: Conspiracy, v. 12.

Strong Verses:   25, 26.

Striking Facts: The mother of this rebellious son was the daughter of a heathen king. David, in this unhappy issue of the marriage, has to smart for being unequally yoked with an unbeliever.

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

Contents: False servant of Mephibosheth. Shimea curses David. Absalom takes Jerusalem.

Characters: God, David, Abishai, Ziba, Shimei, Absalom, Hushai, Ahitophel.

Conclusion: A humble and tender spirit will turn reproaches into reproofs and so get good by them instead of being provoked at them. The world's smiles are more dangerous than its frowns.

Key Word: Cursed, v. 5.

Strong Verses:   11, 12.

Striking Facts: v. 9. David is herein a type of Christ who rebuked his disciples, who in zeal for His honor, would have used their miraculous powers on the heads of those who affronted Him. (Luke 9:55).

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

Contents: Conflicting counsel of Ahitophel and Hushai.

Characters: God, David, Absalom, Ahitophel, Hushai, Shobi, Machir, Bar-zillai, Ahimaaz, Jonathan, Amasa, Joab.

Conclusion: It is to the comfort of all who fear God that He has an overruling hand in all counsels and a negative voice in all resolves, and laughs at men's projects against His annointed ones.

Key Word: Counsel, v. 15.

Strong Verses:   27, 28, 29.

Striking Facts: Absalom is a type of the false Messiah, who will gather an army against Christ the Greater David (Rev. 19:19), meeting his defeat in the brightness of Christ's coming.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

Contents: Battle of Mount Ephriam. Slaying of Absalom.

Characters: God, David, Absalom, Joab, Abishai, Ittai, Ahimaaz, a Cushite.

Conclusion: Those who exalt themselves shall be abased. It never pays to take counsel against the Lord and His annointed.

Key Word: Avenged, v. 31.

Strong Verses:   31, 33.

Striking Facts: As the false king was cast into a pit, so anti-Christ will be thrown into the bottomless pit at the coming of Christ, and then every tongue shall confess that Christ is King of Kings.

CHAPTER NINETEEN

Contents: Joab reproaches David's return to the throne.

Characters: David, Joab, Zadok, Abiathar, Shimei, Ziba, Abishai, Mephibosheth, Barzillai, Chimham, Amasa.

Conclusion: A good man and a good cause will again recover their credit and interest, though, for a time, they may seem to have lost them. The good services done will still be remembered when men come to their right minds.

Key Word: Return, v. 14.

Strong Verses:   22, 23.

Striking Facts: vv. 14, 15. Our Lord Jesus will rule in those who invite Him to the throne of their hearts, and not until He is invited.

CHAPTER TWENTY

Contents: Joab murders Amasa. Suppression of Sheba's revolt.

Characters: David, Joab, Amasa, Sheba, Abishai.

Conclusion: We must not think it strange while in this world if the end of one trouble be the beginning of another, but God will bring us victoriously through them all, if we but trust in His wisdom.

Key Word: Traitor, v. 1.

Strong Verses:   20.

Striking Facts: vv. 12, 13. Wicked men think themselves safe if they can just conceal it from the eye of the world. The covering of blood with a cloth cannot stop its cry for vengeance in God's ears.

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

Contents: Three years famine. Saul's sons slain. War with Philistines.

Characters: God, David, Rizpah, Ishbi-benab, Abishai, Sebechai, Saph, Elhanan, Jonathan.

Conclusion: When we are under God's judgments, we should enquire the grounds of the controversy, and when the cause is revealed, should go to all lengths to make right the wrongs of the past, that God's full blessing may be renewed upon us.

Key Word: Recompense (atonement) v. 3.

Strong Verses:   3, 7.

Striking Facts: vv. 9, 13, 14. Through Christ who was hanged and made a curse for us to expiate our guilt, though He was Himself guiltless, God is entreated for us. In token of the completeness of the sacrifice they took Him down from the cross and laid Him in the sepulchre.

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

Contents: David's song of deliverance.

Characters: God, David.

Conclusion: No believer has so little from God but there is ground for praise, nor so much but that he has need to call upon God. Praise is the blossom of prayer.

Key Word: Praise, vv. 4, 50.

Strong Verses:   2, 3, 4, 31, 33, 48.

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

Contents: Last words of David. Deeds of his mighty men.

Characters: God, Holy Spirit, David, Joshebbasheth, Adino, Bleazar, Shammah, Abishai, Benaiah, other great men.

Conclusion: Those who have ventured themselves for the good of the public are worthy of double honor, both to be respected by their fellow citizensand to be remembered by their posterity. Though our deeds be not recorded by men, they are recorded in heaven.

Key Word: Mighty men, v. 8.

Strong Verses:   2.

Striking Facts: vv. 3, 5. The verses have a prophetic application to Christ who is to be the just ruler, ordering all things according to His Father's will, and who will be as the light of the morning.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

Contents: David's sin in numbering the people. His choice of punishment.

Characters: God, angel (Jesus), Joab, David, Gad, Araunah.

Conclusion: God does not judge of sin as we do. What appears to us to be but a small offense, may be a great sin in the eyes of God who knows men's principles, being a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. His judgments are according to the truth.

Key Word: Sinned, v. 10.

Strong Verses:   10, 24.

Striking Facts: v. 25. Christ is our altar and sacrifice. Through Him alone may we expect to get favor with God and to escape His wrath for our sins.