Thoughts
Samuel 22 David’s Song
We are not sure when this song/psalm took place in David’s life. It is also the same as Psalm 18.
God Delivers
- David calls God his rock, fortress, shield, horn of salvation.
- He recalls crying out to God in distress and being rescued.
God Intervenes
- David uses cosmic imagery: earth shaking, smoke, thunder, lightning
- God drew David out of deep waters, saving him from powerful enemies.
God Rewards the Faithful
- David emphasizes that God deals with people according to their integrity and righteousness.
- He praises God’s word as flawless and His way as perfect.
God Gives Strength
- God helps David to defeat enemies, leap walls, bend bows of bronze, and conquer nations.
- David closes by praising God for his steadfast love to him and to his descendants forever.
Samuel 23 David Dies
David’s Last Words
- Called the “oracle of David, son of Jesse, the sweet psalmist of Israel.”
- A good king is one who rules justly and in the fear of God
- He affirms God’s everlasting covenant with him.
- The worthless are like thorns thrown away
David’s Mighty Men
A tribute to the men who stood by David
- “The Three”:
- Josheb-Basshebeth: killed 800 in one encounter.
- Eleazar: fought until his hand clung to the sword.
- Shammah: defended a field of lentils alone.
- The “Water Incident”: three men risked their lives to bring David water from Bethlehem but David poured it out to the Lord
- Abishai & Benaiah: valiant leaders, but not quite like the Three.
The “Thirty”: a broader group of valiant men – there are 37 listed but they could have been “The Thirty” at different times.
1. Josheb-basshebeth, a Tahchemonite
2. Eleazar, the son of Dodo
3. Shammah, the son of Agee the Hararite
4. Abishai
5. Benaiah
6. Asahel
7. Elhanan
8. Shammah of Harod
9. Elika of Harod
10. Helez the Paltite
11. Ira, the son of Ikkesh of Tekoa
12. Abiezer of Anthoth
13. Mebunnai the Hushathite
14. Zalmon the Ahohite
15. Maharai of Netophah
16. Heleb, the son of Baanah of Netophah
17. Ittai, the son of Ribai of Gibeah of the people of Benjamin
18. Benaiah of Pirathon
19. Hiddai of the brooks of Gaash
20. Abi-albon the Arbathite
21. Azmaveth of Bahurim
22. Eliahba the Shaalbonite
23. The sons of Jashen
24. Jonathan
25. Shammah the Hararite
26. Ahiam, the son of Sharar the Hararite
27. Eliphelet, the son of Ahasbai of Maacha
28. Eliam, the son of Ahithophel of Gilo
29. Hezro of Carmel
30. Paarai the Arbite
31. Igal, the son of Nathan of Zobah
32. Bani the Gadite
33. Zelek the Ammonite
34. Naharai of Beeroth
35. Ira the Ithrite
36. Gareb the Ithrite
37. Uriah the Hittite
Samuel 24
Guzik says: The translators of the New King James Version believe that “He” in this sentence applies to God, because they capitalize it. Yet 1 Chronicles 21:1 tells us, Now Satan stood up against Israel, and moved David to number Israel. The best explanation is that Satan prompted King David and is the “he” of 2 Samuel 24:1. Yet the LORD expressly allowed it as a chastisement against David. (from https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/2-samuel-24/)
This most likely did not happen after Chapter 23…
The text says God’s anger burned against Israel, and He made (???) David take a census. Joab resisted, probably sensing it was wrong, but David insisted.
The census results: 800,000 valiant men in Israel and 500,000 in Judah. After the census, David’s heart was struck. He confessed his sin to God.
God sent the prophet Gad to give David three choices for punishment:
- Three years of famine.
- Three months of fleeing enemies.
- Three days of plague in the land.
David chose the plague and it killed 70,000 people.
The angel of the Lord (from 1 Chronicles text) stretched his hand over Jerusalem, but God relented.
Gad told David to build an altar on the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite. Araunah offered to give David the land and oxen for free, but David refused and bought it for 50 shekels of silver.
He built an altar, offered sacrifices, and the plague stopped.
Questions
Why wouldn’t David drink the water?
Was it God or Satan in the first verse of Chapter 24?
Application
As we wrap up the life of David, we can look back and see a lot of application for our lives. We see how David is rescued again and again by God- who he calls his strength and fortress. He constantly reminds us that his victories come from God. David’s lived in the fear of God, but he also had flaws. From adultery to murder to causing plagues, David shows us that even God’s faithful leaders can easily fall. But once again, we see God holding fast to His covenant. As long as we remember to humbly confess (when is the last time you confessed your sins?), God will meet us with mercy.
Jo Reads The Bible 
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