2 Samuel 1 to 6 in the King James Bible highlights pivotal moments in the life of David as he transitions from mourning Saul’s death to becoming the king of all Israel. These chapters cover themes of leadership, grief, unity, and worship as David consolidates his reign and brings the Ark of the Covenant back to Jerusalem. David’s story is filled with both triumph and struggle as he navigates the complexities of ruling and his deep faith in God.
2 Samuel 1: David Mourns Saul and Jonathan
The first chapter of 2 Samuel opens with David learning of the deaths of Saul and Jonathan after a young Amalekite soldier brings him the news. The Amalekite claims to have found Saul mortally wounded on the battlefield and, at Saul’s own request, killed him to end his suffering. The soldier expects a reward from David, assuming David would be pleased by the death of his enemy. However, David is deeply grieved.
David immediately orders the Amalekite to be executed for killing “the Lord’s anointed.” This action highlights David’s respect for Saul’s kingship despite their troubled history. Following this, David composes a lamentation, famously known as “The Song of the Bow.” In this mournful song, David expresses his profound sorrow over the deaths of both Saul and Jonathan, celebrating their bravery and lamenting the loss of a great friendship with Jonathan. The chapter closes with a powerful display of David’s grief and respect for the fallen king and prince.
2 Samuel 2: David Anointed King of Judah
In 2 Samuel 2, after mourning Saul’s death, David inquires of the Lord and is instructed to go to Hebron. There, the men of Judah anoint David as king over their tribe. This marks the beginning of David’s reign, but it also sets the stage for conflict with Ishbosheth, Saul’s son, who is made king over the other tribes of Israel by Abner, Saul’s former military commander.
Conflict quickly arises between David’s forces, led by Joab, and the forces of Ishbosheth. The two armies meet at Gibeon, where a deadly competition ensues. Though initially a contest of individual warriors, it escalates into a full-scale battle, and David’s men emerge victorious. In the battle, Joab’s brother, Asahel, is killed by Abner, setting off a personal feud between Joab and Abner that will have consequences later in the story.
2 Samuel 3: Abner Defects to David
In 2 Samuel 3, the civil war between the house of Saul and the house of David continues, with David growing stronger and Ishbosheth’s reign weakening. A key turning point comes when Abner, the commander of Ishbosheth’s forces, defects to David’s side.
The split between Abner and Ishbosheth occurs when Ishbosheth accuses Abner of sleeping with one of Saul’s concubines, a move seen as an attempt to claim the throne. Offended by the accusation, Abner vows to deliver all of Israel into David’s hands.
Abner meets with David and promises to bring the tribes of Israel under David’s rule. David agrees, on the condition that Michal, Saul’s daughter and David’s first wife, be returned to him. Abner follows through, and Michal is brought back to David.
However, just as it seems the nation will be united under David’s reign, Joab, still seeking revenge for the death of his brother Asahel, secretly murders Abner. David mourns Abner’s death, publicly distancing himself from the act, and curses Joab’s household for the betrayal. This chapter illustrates the ongoing political intrigue and personal vendettas that threaten David’s rise to power.
2 Samuel 4: The Death of Ishbosheth
With Abner dead, Ishbosheth’s reign grows even weaker. In 2 Samuel 4, two of Ishbosheth’s captains, Rechab and Baanah, conspire to kill him. They sneak into his house during the heat of the day, while Ishbosheth is resting, and murder him in his sleep.
The two men bring Ishbosheth’s head to David, expecting to be rewarded. However, much like the Amalekite who claimed to have killed Saul, Rechab and Baanah are met with judgment instead of a reward. David condemns them for murdering a righteous man in his own house and orders their execution.
The death of Ishbosheth paves the way for David to become the undisputed king of Israel, ending the division between Judah and the rest of the tribes.
2 Samuel 5: David Becomes King of All Israel
2 Samuel 5 marks the fulfillment of God’s promise to David. The elders of Israel come to David at Hebron and anoint him as king over the entire nation, uniting the twelve tribes under his rule. David, now thirty years old, begins a reign that will last forty years—seven years over Judah in Hebron, and thirty-three years over all Israel from Jerusalem.
One of David’s first actions as king is to capture Jerusalem, which had been held by the Jebusites. The Jebusites mock David, claiming that even the blind and lame could defend the city, but David successfully conquers it. Jerusalem becomes known as the City of David, and it serves as the political and spiritual center of Israel for the rest of David’s reign.
David continues to establish his kingdom by defeating the Philistines in two significant battles. In both instances, David seeks the Lord’s guidance, and God delivers the Philistines into his hands. These victories further solidify David’s position as a powerful and divinely favored king.
2 Samuel 6: The Ark of the Covenant is Brought to Jerusalem
2 Samuel 6 highlights one of the most significant religious events of David’s reign: the return of the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem. David, desiring to establish Jerusalem as not only the political but also the spiritual capital of Israel, sets out to bring the Ark to the city.
Initially, the Ark is transported on a cart, but tragedy strikes when Uzzah, one of the men guiding the cart, touches the Ark to steady it and is struck dead by God for his irreverence. David, shaken by the event, halts the procession and leaves the Ark at the house of Obed-edom.
After three months, during which the household of Obed-edom is blessed, David tries again, this time ensuring that the Ark is carried by Levites as prescribed by the law. As the Ark is brought into Jerusalem, David leads the people in a joyous celebration, dancing before the Lord with all his might. However, his wife Michal, Saul’s daughter, despises him for what she considers undignified behavior.
David rebukes Michal, declaring that he will continue to humble himself before the Lord. Michal’s disdain for David’s worship leads to her being childless for the rest of her life.
Conclusion: David’s Rise to Power and the Centrality of Worship
The first six chapters of 2 Samuel present David’s journey from mourning Saul’s death to becoming the king of a united Israel. Through battles, political intrigue, and personal trials, David’s leadership is marked by his faith in God and his desire to honor the Lord.
David’s reverence for the Ark of the Covenant and his unashamed worship set the tone for his reign, emphasizing the centrality of God’s presence in the life of Israel. Even as he deals with internal conflict, David’s devotion to the Lord remains a defining feature of his kingship.
The capture of Jerusalem and the return of the Ark signal a new era for Israel, one in which David will lead the nation to greatness, grounded in his trust in God’s guidance and promises.