THE CHILD enters the room with long gown flowing, trailing well behind her high-heeled shoes. The wide-brimmed hat rests precariously atop her head, tilted to the right, and the long necklace swings like a pendulum as she walks. Following close is the "man." His fingernails peek out of the coat sleeves that are already pushed upward six inches. With feet shuffling in the double-sized boots, his unsteady steps belie his confident smile. Children at play, dressing up-they copy Mom and Dad, having watched them dress and walk. Models . . . everyone has them . . . people we emulate, people who are our ideals. Unconsciously, perhaps, we copy their actions and adopt their ideas.
Among all the godly role models mentioned in the Bible, there is probably no one who stands out more than King David. Born halfway between Abraham and Jesus, he became God's leader for all of Israel and the ancestor of the Messiah. David was "a man after [God's] own heart" (1 Samuel 13:14). What are the personal qualities that David possessed that pleased God?
The book of 2 Samuel tells David's story. As you read, you will be filled with excitement as he is crowned king over Judah and then king over all of Israel (5:1-5), praising God as he brings the Ark of the Covenant back to the Tabernacle (6:1-23) and exulting as he leads his armies to victory over all their enemies and completes the conquest of the Promised Land begun by Joshua (8:10). David was a man who accomplished much.
But David was human, and there were those dark times when he stumbled and fell into sin. The record of lust, adultery, and murder is not easy to read (11-13) and reveals that even great people who try to follow God are susceptible to temptation and sin.
Godliness does not guarantee an easy and carefree life. David had family problemsÐhis own son incited the entire nation to rebellion and crowned himself king (14:1-18:33). And greatness can cause pride, as we see in DavidÕs sinful act of taking a census in order to glory in the strength of his nation (24:1-25). But the story of this fallen hero does not end in tragedy. Through repentance, his fellowship and peace with God were restored, but he had to face the consequences of the sins he committed (12-20). These consequences stayed with him the rest of his life as a reminder of his sinful deeds and his need for God.
As you read 2 Samuel, look for David's godlike characteristics-his faithfulness, patience, courage, generosity, commitment, honesty-as well as other God-honoring characteristics, such as modesty and penitence. Valuable lessons can be learned from his sins and from his repentance. You, like David, can become a person after God's own heart.
(1) to record the history of David's reign; (2) to demonstrate effective leadership under God; (3) to reveal that one person can make a difference; (4) to show the personal qualities that please God; (5) to depict David as an ideal leader of an imperfect kingdom, and to foreshadow Christ, who will be the ideal leader of a new and perfect kingdom
AUTHOR
Unknown. Some have suggested that Nathan's son Zabud may have been the author (1 Kings 4:5). The book also includes the writings of Nathan and God. (1 Chronicles 29:29).
DATE WRITTEN
930 B.C.; written soon after David's reign, 1050-970 B.C.
SETTING
The land of Israel under David's rule
KEY VERSE
"And David realized that the LORD had made him king over Israel and had made kingdom great for the sake of his people Israel" (5:12).
2 SAMUEL, video clip by Pastor Dr.Mesfin Kassaye
መጽሓፈ ሳሙኤል ካልዕ
ዳዊት - የእግዚአብሔር ሰው
Address:Elimkyrkan,
Storgatan 26,114 54 Stockholm, T-Östermalmstorg
