2 Kings 5

2 Kings 5 (NIV)✞: Naaman Healed of Leprosy

2 Kings 4

2 Kings 4 (NIV)✞: The Widow’s Olive Oil, The Shunammite’s Son Restored to Life, Death in the Pot, Feeding of a Hundred

2 Kings 3

2 Kings 3 (NIV)✞: Moab Revolts

2 Kings 2

2 Kings 2 (NIV)✞: Elijah Taken Up to Heaven, Healing of the Water, Elisha Is Jeered

2 Kings 1

2 Kings 1 (NIV)✞: The LORD‘s Judgement on Ahaziah

2 Kings

My blogging schedule has me going back and forth between Old and New Testaments, and in the next post it’s time to pivot back to the Old Testament and get into 2 Kings.

Given the fact that 1 Kings and 2 Kings were originally one book (or rather, scroll), I’m treating them that way in the blog: I’m just continuing on into 2 Kings as if it’s a continuation of the story of Kings, as it was originally written.

That also means there won’t be separate “summary” posts for 1 Kings and 2 Kings, it’ll just be one post for 1&2 Kings. Or 1/2 Kings. Or 1–2 Kings. Or however I end up deciding to title that, since I don’t think I’ve been consistent so far…

Acts 21:37-22:21

Acts 21:37—22:21 (ESV)✞: Paul Speaks to the People

Acts 21:27-36

Acts 21:27–36 (ESV)✞: Paul Arrested in the Temple

Acts 21:1-26

Acts 21:1–26 (ESV)✞: Paul Goes to Jerusalem, Paul Visits James

Acts 20:13-38

Acts 20:13–38 (ESV)✞: Eutychus Raised from the Dead, Paul Speaks to the Ephesian Elders

Acts 20:7-12

Acts 20:7–12 (ESV)✞: Eutychus Raised from the Dead

Acts 19:21-20:6

Acts 19:21—20:6 (ESV)✞: A Riot at Ephesus, Paul in Macedonia and Greece

Acts 19:11-20

Acts 19:11–20 (ESV)✞: The Sons of Sceva

Acts 18:18-19:10

Acts 18:18—19:10 (ESV)✞: Paul Returns to Antioch, Apollos Speaks Boldly in Ephesus, Paul in Ephesus

Acts 18:1-17

Acts 18:1–17 (ESV)✞: Paul in Corinth

Acts 17:16-34

Acts 17:16–34 (ESV)✞: Paul in Athens, Paul Addresses the Areopagus

Acts 17:1-15

Acts 17:1–15 (ESV)✞: Paul and Silas in Thessalonica, Paul and Silas in Berea

Acts 16:16-40

Acts 16:16–40 (ESV)✞: Paul and Silas in Prison, The Philippian Jailer Converted

Acts 16:6-15

Acts 16:6–15 (ESV)✞: The Macedonian Call, The Conversion of Lydia

Acts 16:1-5

Acts 16:1–5 (ESV)✞: Timothy Joins Paul and Silas

Acts 15

Acts 15 (ESV)✞: The Council at Jerusalem, The Council’s Letter to Gentile Believers, Disagreement Between Paul and Barnabas

1 Kings 22:41-53

1 Kings 22:41–53 (NIV)✞: Jehoshaphat King of Judah, Ahaziah King of Israel

1 Kings 22:1-40

1 Kings 22:1–40 (NIV)✞: Micaiah Prophesies Against Ahab, Ahab Killed at Ramoth Gilead

1 Kings 21

1 Kings 21 (NIV)✞: Naboth’s Vineyard

1 Kings 20

1 Kings 20 (NIV)✞: Ben-Hadad Attacks Samaria, Ahab Defeats Ben-Hadad, A Prophet Condemns Ahab

1 Kings 19:19-21

1 Kings 19:19–21 (NIV)✞: The Call of Elisha

1 Kings 19:9-18

1 Kings 19:9–18 (NIV)✞: The LORD Appears to Elijah

1 Kings 19:1-9

1 Kings 19:1–9 (NIV)✞: Elijah Flees to Horeb

1 Kings 18:16-46

1 Kings 18:16–46 (NIV)✞: Elijah on Mount Carmel

1 Kings 18:1-15

1 Kings 18:1–15 (NIV)✞: Elijah and Obadiah

1 Kings 17

1 Kings 17 (NIV)✞: Elijah Predicts a Drought, the Widow of Zarephath, Elijah Raises the Widow’s Son

1 Kings 16:21-34

1 Kings 16:21–34 (NIV)✞: Omri king of Israel, Ahab Becomes King of Israel

1 Kings 15:25-16:14

1 Kings 15:25—16:14 (NIV)✞: Nadab King of Israel, Baasha King of Israel, Elah King of Israel

1 Kings 15:9-24

1 Kings 15:9–24 (NIV)✞: Asa King of Judah

1 Kings 15:1-8

1 Kings 15:1–8 (NIV)✞: Adijah King of Judah

1 Kings 14:21-31

1 Kings 14:21–31 (NIV)✞: Rehoboam King of Judah

1 Kings 14:1-20

1 Kings 14:1–20 (NIV)✞: Ahijah’s Prophecy Against Jeroboam

1 Kings 13

1 Kings 13 (NIV)✞: A Man of God Confronts Jeroboam, The Prophet’s Disobedience

1 Kings 12:25-33

1 Kings 12:25–33 (NIV)✞: Golden Calves at Bethel and Dan

1 Kings 12:1-24

1 Kings 12:1–24 (NIV)✞: Rehoboam’s Folly

Acts 14:19-28

Acts 14:19–28 (ESV)✞: Paul Stoned at Lystra, Paul and Barnabas Return to Antioch in Syria

Acts 14:8-18

Acts 14:8–18 (ESV)✞: Paul and Barnabas at Lystra

Acts 14:1-7

Acts 14:1–7: Paul and Barnabas at Iconium

Acts 13:13-52

Acts 13:13–52: Paul and Barnabas at Antioch in Pisidia

Acts 13:4-12

Acts 13:4–12: Barnabas and Saul on Cyprus

Acts 13:1-3

Acts 13:1–3: Barnabas and Saul Sent Off

Acts 12:20-25

Acts 12:20–25: The Death of Herod

Acts 12:1-19

Acts 12:1–19: James Killed and Peter Imprisoned, Peter Is Rescued

Acts 11

Acts 11: Peter Explains His Actions, The Church in Antioch

Acts 10

Acts 10: Peter and Cornelius, Peter’s Vision, Gentiles Hear the Good News, The Holy Spirit Falls on the Gentiles

Acts 9:32-43

Acts 9:32–43: The Healing of Aeneas, Dorcas Restored to Life

Acts 9:1-31

Acts 9:1–31: The Conversion of Saul, Saul Proclaims Jesus in Synagogues, Saul Escapes from Damascus, Saul in Jerusalem

Acts 8:26-40

Acts 8:26–40: Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch

Acts 8:9-25

Acts 8:9–25: Simon the Magician Believes

Acts 8:4-8

Acts 8:4–8: Philip Proclaims Christ in Samaria

Acts 8:1-3

Acts 8:1–3: Saul Ravages the Church

1 Kings 11:26-43

1 Kings 11:26–43: Jeroboam Rebels Against Solomon, Solomon’s Death

1 Kings 11:14-25

1 Kings 11:14–25: Solomon’s Adversaries

1 Kings 11:1-13

1 Kings 11:1–13: Solomon’s Wives

1 Kings 10

1 Kings 10: The Queen of Sheba, Solomon’s Great Wealth

1 Kings 9:10-28

1 Kings 9:10–28: Solomon’s Other Activities

1 Kings 8:1-9:9

1 Kings 8:1–9:9: The Ark Brought to the Temple, Solomon’s Prayer of Dedication, The Dedication of the Temple, The LORD Appears to Solomon

1 Kings 7

1 Kings 7: Solomon Builds His Palace, The Temple’s Furnishings

1 Kings 6

1 Kings 6: Solomon Builds the Temple

1 Kings 5

1 Kings 5: Preparations for Building the Temple

1 Kings 4

1 Kings 4: Solomon’s Officials and Governors, Solomon’s Daily Provisions, Solomon’s Wisdom

1 Kings 3

1 Kings 3: Solomon Asks for Wisdom, A Wise Ruling

1 Kings 2:13-46

1 Kings 2:13–46: Solomon’s Throne Established

1 Kings:2-1-12

1 Kings 2:1–12: David’s Charge to Solomon

1 Kings 1

1 Kings 1: Adonijah Sets Himself Up as King, David Makes Solomon King

Acts 7

Acts 7: Stephen’s Speech, The Stoning of Stephen

Acts 6

Acts 6: Seven Chosen to Serve, Stephen is Seized

Acts 5:17-42

Acts 5:17–42: The Apostles Arrested and Freed

Acts 5:12-16

Acts 5:12–16: Many Signs and Wonders Done

Acts 5:1-11

Acts 5:1–11: Ananias and Sapphira

Acts 4:32-37

Acts 4:32–37: The Believers Share Their Possessions

Acts 4:23-31

Acts 4:23–31: The Believers Pray for Boldness

Psalm 2

Psalm 2: The Reign of the LORD’s Anointed

Acts 4:1-22

Acts 4:1–22: Peter and John Before the Council

Acts 3

Acts 3: The Lame Beggar Healed, Peter Speaks in Solomon’s Portico

Acts 2:14-47

Acts 2:14–47: Peter’s Sermon at Pentecost, The Fellowship of the Believers

Acts 2:1-13

Acts 2:1–13: The Coming of the Holy Spirit

Acts 1

Acts 1: The Promise of the Holy Spirit, The Ascension, Matthias Chosen to Replace Judas

2 Samuel Summary

The modern books of 1 Samuel and 2 Samuel were originally just one book, Samuel, but the first Greek translation of the Old Testament Scriptures (called the Septuagint) divided it into the books of 1&2 Samuel that modern-day Christians see in their Bibles. (One site I read said that the reason it was divided was that the scrolls being used at the time weren’t big enough to accommodate the entire book of Samuel, so it was purely a logistical thing.)

Overall, the book of Samuel is focused on King David, where:

• 1 Samuel is focused on the lead up to David’s kingship, with Saul becoming king and then David going on the run when Saul begins to persecute him, and
• 2 Samuel (this book) focusing on David as king

When modern-day Christians think of King David we often think of the stories from his youth (such as his defeat of Goliath) that are captured in 1 Samuel, or we think of the phrase a man after God’s own heart. And this is valid: that phrase “a man after God’s own heart” comes from the Scriptures. (See 1 Samuel 13:14, where Samuel tells Saul that he’ll be replaced as king by a man after God’s own heart, as well as Acts 13:22 where Paul quotes the same passage.) In addition to these quotes we have quite a number of the Psalms that were written by David throughout his life; it seems that David was always seeking his God, whether he was in trouble or in good times.

The Bible is also quite clear, however, that David had his flaws, and makes no attempt to hide them from us. When the modern Christian thinks of David’s flaws we usually think of his adultery with Bathsheba and murder of her husband Uriah. As I went through 2 Samuel, however, I was struck by how much of the book is driven by David’s flaws! Yes, there was the incident with Bathsheba—and David’s repentance after that act is another good example of why he’s a man after God’s own heart—but he was also a terrible father, and the effects of that ring through much of the book.

When I say terrible father, I’m referring to things like:

• One of David’s sons, Amnon, rapes one of David’s daughters, Tamar, but David doesn’t do anything about it
• Another of David’s sons, Absalom, kills Amnon in revenge for Tamar, but David doesn’t do anything about that, either
• Absalom later decides to rebel against his father and set himself up as king, and I can’t help but think that he feels entitled to do it because he knows his father won’t properly put down the rebellion
• If that is what Absalom thinks he’s right, because David doesn’t. David’s men eventually defeat Absalom’s men, and Joab (the commander of David’s army, off and on) puts Absalom to death, but David is more worried about mourning his son than being grateful to his men for preserving his kingdom

Speaking of Joab, this is another theme that keeps recurring throughout 2 Samuel: David does not like Joab, and would really like to replace him as commander of the army, but Joab is so good as commander of the army that David feels that he can’t do it. To me, this also feels like a sign of weakness: if he really should be getting rid of Joab—and it’s true that Joab flat-out disobeys David’s orders on multiple occasions—but is afraid to do it because Joab is so effective, then isn’t this lack of faith on David’s part? If Joab needed to be replaced, shouldn’t David have done it and trusted in the LORD? Or was there no need to replace Joab, and David simply had some weird bad blood with him that he should have gotten over?

My point in all of this is not to disagree with the notion that David is a man after God’s own heart. He is. But we can sometimes fall into the trap of reading stories about David’s life as object lessons: David beat the giant, and that shows that you can do anything you put your mind to! (Which is the opposite of what that passage teaches us.) And there is validity in looking at the good aspects of David’s life and trying to emulate them; I hope I never do anything as horrible as what David did in committing adultery with Bathsheba and murdering her husband, but if I ever do, I hope I repent the way that David did! (And when I commit lesser sins, I hope I do the same!) As mentioned, David wrote many Psalms, and those should also serve as a model for me. But when we read the Bible as a whole, the message isn’t, “be like King David,” the messages is, “even the best of us, even a man revered for having a heart for God, is sinful and needs to be redeemed—and that’s what Jesus came to do.”

1:1–16: David Hears of Saul’s Death 1:17–27: David’s Lament for Saul and Jonathan 2:1–3:5: David Anointed King Over Judah, War Between the Houses of David and Saul 3:6–21: Abner Goes Over to David 3:22–39: Joab Murders Abner Chapter 4: Ish-Bosheth Murdered Chapter 5: David Becomes King Over Israel, David Conquers Jerusalem, David Defeats the Philistines Chapter 6: The Ark Brought to Jerusalem Chapter 7: God’s Promise to David, David’s Prayer Chapter 8: David’s Victories, David’s Officials Chapter 9: David and Mephibosheth Chapter 10: David Defeats the Ammonites Chapter 11: David and Bathsheba Chapter 12: Nathan Rebukes David 13:1–22: Amnon and Tamar 13:23–39: Absalom Kills Amnon Chapter 14: Absalom Returns to Jerusalem 15:1–12: Absalom’s Conspiracy

15:13-37: David Flees 16:1–14: David and the house of Saul 16:15–17:23: The Advice of Ahithophel and Hushai 17:24–18:18: Absalom’s Death 18:19–19:8: David Mourns 19:9–43: David Returns to Jerusalem Chapter 20: Sheba Rebels Against David, David’s Officials Chapter 21: The Gibeonites Avenged, Wars Against the Philistines Chapter 22: David’s Song of Praise 23:1–7: David’s Last Words 23:8–39: David’s Mighty Warriors 24:1-17: David Enrolls the Fighting Men 24:18–25: David Builds an Altar

2 Samuel 24:18-25

2 Samuel 24:18–25: David Builds an Altar

2 Samuel 24:1-17

2 Samuel 24:1–17: David Enrolls the Fighting Men

2 Samuel 23:8-39

2 Samuel 23:8–39: David’s Mighty Warriors

2 Samuel 23:1-7

2 Samuel 23:1–7: David’s Last Words

2 Samuel 22

2 Samuel 22: David’s Song of Praise

Psalm 18

Psalm 18: The LORD is My Rock and My Fortress

2 Samuel 21

2 Samuel 21: The Gibeonites Avenged, Wars Against the Philistines

2 Samuel 20

2 Samuel 20: Sheba Rebels Against David, David’s Officials

2 Samuel 19:9-43

2 Samuel 19:9–43: David Returns to Jerusalem

2 Samuel 18:19-19:8

2 Samuel 18:19–19:8: David Mourns

2 Samuel 17:24-18:18

2 Samuel 17:24–18:18: Absalom’s Death

2 Samuel 16:15-17:23

2 Samuel 16:15–17:23: The Advice of Ahithophel and Hushai

2 Samuel 16:1-14

2 Samuel 16:1–14: David and the house of Saul

2 Samuel 15:13-37

2 Samuel 15:13–37: David Flees

2 Samuel 15:1-12

2 Samuel 15:1–12: Absalom’s Conspiracy

2 Samuel 14

2 Samuel 14: Absalom Returns to Jerusalem

2 Samuel 13:23-39

2 Samuel 13:23–39: Absalom Kills Amnon

2 Samuel 13:1-22

2 Samuel 13:1–22: Amnon and Tamar

2 Samuel 12

2 Samuel 12: Nathan Rebukes David

2 Samuel 11

2 Samuel 11: David and Bathsheba

2 Samuel 10

2 Samuel 10: David Defeats the Ammonites

2 Samuel 9

2 Samuel 9: David and Mephibosheth