KingdomofRighteousness&Grace:Introto2Samuel
WhyRead2Samuel?
1. WhatistheOTabout?
2. HowdowereadtheOT?
3.
WhatisthePoweroftheOTstories?
Whatis2Samuelabout?
4.
TheBackgroundto2Samuel
InBiblicalTheology
TheMainTheme/Summaryof1-2Samuel
TheMessageof2SamuelinaNutshell:
TheStructureof2Samuel
2Sam1-9
2Sam1-6
2Sam7-9
2Sam10-20
2Sam10-12
2Sam13-20
2Sam21-24
TheKeyThemes&Chaptersof2Samuel
2Sam4-6
2Sam7
2Sam8-9
2Sam11
2Sam22:1-23:7
HowDoes2SamuelPointtoJesus?
1. ItGivesUsaShadowofGod’sKing&HisKingdom
2. ItShowsUsthatGodIstheTrueKingoftheWorld
3.
ItPreparesUstoRecognisetheComingKingWeNeed
Tipsforreading&preparing2Samuel
Readeachindividualepisodeinlightofthewholestoryof1&2Samuel
ReaditfromaGod’seyeperspective
o Weigh up what happes in the episode against what we know of God’s
characterfromthewholeBible
o Agoodcommentarycanreallyhelp(esp.JohnWoodhouse’s)
ReaditasawayofilluminatingwhyweneedJesus
o Positivetastes&hintsofhisgoodruleinrighteousness&grace
o Negativeexamplesoffailureinrighteousness&grace
Asyouread:
o Try to ground it historically (names, places, specific events are often
connected&verysignificant:seeJohnWoodhouse’scommentary)
o Askthequestions:
! What’shappenedleadinguptothispassage?
! What’shappeninghere?
! WhatdoesittellmeaboutGod’scharacter&plans?
! Whatdoesittellmeabouthumancharacter&plans?
! HowdoesthisstorypointtoJesus&ourneedforhim?
! What concrete changes do I need to make to my life as a
memberofGod’skingdominJesus?
Asyoupreparetoteach:
o RememberthatthetaskofGod’sleadersistoknowGodandmakehim
knowntoothers
o Yourmainaimsforeachstudyisthatyourmembers:
! Getthemainpoint/bigideaofthepassage(whatit’saboutina
sentence)
! See how the details support the big idea (so you know that
yourbigideareallyisthebigidea)
! GettoknowGodbetterthroughthepassage(hischaracter&
plans)
! Are challenged to entrust themselves to God through the
passage(inwhateveraspectsoflifethepassageraises)
! Understand how Jesus fulfils the passage (both for us, in his
deathonthecross,andinus,byhisSpiritinourlives)
SomeHelpfulCharts&Diagrams
TheStructureof1-2Samuelin(Slightly)MoreDetail
1 Samuel 1-7: The Ministry of Samuel
1 Sam 1-3
God hears Israel’s cry of need for a leader (Samuel = ‘God Hears’)
1 Sam 4-6
Israel’s dire predicament: The Glory of God has departed from Israel
1 Sam 7
Summary of Samuel’s Ministry: The last of the Judges & first of the Prophets
1 Samuel 8-15: The Kingship of Saul
1 Sam 8-11
Saul: The king chosen according to human choice & power
1 Sam 12-15
Saul: The human-chosen king who fails to bring in the kingdom
1 Samuel 16-27: The Anointing of David
1 Sam 16-17
David: The king chosen according to God’s choice & power
1 Sam 18-23
David: The suffering and persecuted Messiah
1 Sam 24-27
Saul acknowledges David’s kingship
1 Sam 28-2 Sam 1: The Fall of Saul, The Rise of David
1 Sam 28-30
In the face of pressure, Saul forsakes God, David relies on God
1 Sam 31-2 Sam 1
Saul is killed in battle, David begins to assume leadership
2 Sam 2-9: David’s Kingship Established
2 Sam 2-4
The house of David at war with the house of Saul
2 Sam 5-6
David accepted as king over all Israel, the Glory of God returns to Israel (Jerusalem)
2 Sam 7-9
God’s promise of an eternal kingdom to David’s son, David’s kingdom one of righteousness & grace
2 Sam 10-12: The Failure of David
2 Sam 9-10
David commits adultery & murder
2 Sam 11
David repents & finds grace, but consequences remain
2 Sam 13-20: The Fragility of David’s Kingdom
2 Sam 13-14
David’s family divided by sin (Amnon, Tamar & Absalom)
2 Sam 15-18
The rebellion and fall of Absalom
2 Sam 19-20
David’s kingdom restored, but unstable
2 Sam 21-24: Summary of David’s Kingdom
2 Sam 21
Summary of David’s rule
2 Sam 22-23
David’s songs: God is the true king, human kings are flawed and frail
2 Sam 24
God’s wrath remains, but mercy comes through the atoning sacrifice
Some good resources for studying 2 Samuel:
Davis,DaleR.2Samuel:OutofEveryAdversity(FocusontheBible;Ross-Shire:ChristianFocus,1999)
Woodhouse,JohnW.2Samuel:YourKingdomCome(PreachingtheWord;Wheaton:Crossway,2015)