Hebrew Bible: 2 Samuel

2 Samuel

10/12/11

Contents

• chap 1-5:  Rise of David continued from 1 Samuel (chap 5--annexation of Jerusalem, capital)
• 6:  Tabernacle brought to Jerusalem (some congruency with 1 Samuel 4-7)
• 7:  Divine Mandate for Kingship
• 8-2 Kings:  Court Narratives
• 8-10:  David verses Canaan
• 11-12:  Bathsheba
• 13-20:  Revolt of Absalom (kills brother for his rape, wants to be king)
• 21-24:  Appendices   

Monarchy perceptions notes

• Saul dies in battle by falling on his sword to avoid humiliation
• David kills the man who reports to have killed Saul (chap 1)
• Saul's sons slowly die off
• Ishbaal, Saul's son, shows by his name ("son of baal") that Davidic dynasty was surpreme

Davidic Dynasty

David wants to build a house (dwelling place) for the Lord.

The prophet Nathan gives an oracle in chapter 7, laying out blessings of kingship:

• verse 8:  God made David king
• 9:  God's presence, victory, great name
• 10:  land permanent for descendants to live
• 11:  rest from enemies, house (dynasty--reversal of request)
• 12:  kingdom (again, dynasty)
• 13:  next king will build temple (Solomon)
• 14:  next king will be a son of God--adoptive relationship, discipline--kingdom in tact
• 15:  steadfast love to family line will remain; dynasty stays
• 16:  FOREVER

(D) probably used older documents to write this above passage, because:  God gave a major promise, not a covenant; this promise was more like Abraham's than the covenant given to Moses; king more divinely exalted as "God's son"; "forever" = pre-exilic era.

Psalms!

110:  David in the line of "Melchezidek"--Abraham paid tithe to the king-priest of Salem (Jerusalem).  Melchezidek was respected as a holy man; this psalm was probably older, reflecting a more Canaanite-centered culture.

45:  King is considered "god" or at least divine.  Opinion was that the king was related to God.  King praised forever.

Exile:  Quest for a Mashiach (Messiah)

• many people claimed to be a/the Messiah
• how does the dynasty continue with no king?
• the Messiah must bring the kingdom back to power.