2 Samuel

Overview – November 2014 – Grace & Truth Magazine

Second Samuel

“The God of Israel said, The Rock of Israel spoke to me: ‘He who rules over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God.’” —2 Samuel 23:3 NKJV

This book describes the kingdom of David. Raised only to the throne of Judah at first, he reigned in Hebron for 7

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years; then over all the tribes of Israel for 33 years. He is a type of Christ in gradually subduing by conquest all the nations surrounding Israel. This is seen particularly in the first ten chapters.

From chapter 11 onward we see a sad and startling contrast to this as the same King David utterly fails in representing Christ. We are faced with the painful lessons of his acting contrary to the blessed principles of the kingdom of the Lord Jesus Christ. The governmental consequences are shown in such a way as to impress us deeply with the faithfulness and truth of a God who cannot ignore the disobedience of His own.

David’s son Absalom, in callous hatred toward his father, became an unhappy type of Antichrist with an attractive appearance and personality, and words as smooth as butter (Ps. 55:21). God preserved David; and Absalom came to a humiliating end. Yet David’s kingdom never recovered its vigor of earlier days.

Thus David, though a true believer, beloved of God, teaches us clearly that man, even at his best, cannot be trusted with a place of prominence and authority over men. How pertinent a book to warn Christians against seeking a place of authority in government!

By Leslie M. Grant

This column is taken from the book: The Bible, Its 66 Books In Brief.
It is available from the publisher:Believer’s Bookshelf USA.