David’s census was most likely a military census. Its purpose would have been to find the age and location of potential new draftees for service in the army. It was either intended to give David pride in the number of… Read More »David’s census
David’s Song of Deliverance is nearly identical to Psalm 18. Perhaps 2 Samuel 22 was meant to be read aloud for instruction and Psalm 18 was meant to be sung or prayed as part of worship.
Barley was an essential grain for the Israelite people and their livestock (21:9). A failed barley crop could spell disaster for a whole community.
Kissing was a cultural means of showing respect, friendship, or reverence, as it is in many places today. A kiss was often given as a form of greeting or farewell (19:39). There are only three places in all of Scripture… Read More »Kissing
The forest of Ephraim was east of the Jordan River in Gilead. Gilead was known for its forests, and there David’s men would have a tactical advantage against a larger force.
When attacking a city, ropes with grappling hooks were often used to bring down its walls (17:13). Since most cities were built on hills, the attackers could simply pull the walls away and down the slopes of the hill.
A stiff penalty. The punishment for cursing God (Lev. 24:10–23), the king (Ex. 22:28), or one’s parents (Lev. 20:9) was death. Shimei cursed King David (2 Sam. 16:5–14), but later begged David’s forgiveness, and David forgave him (19:16–23).
Regicide is the act of murdering a king. In most cases, a person who killed a king was trying to place himself on the throne.
Geshur was a border town between the nation of Israel and Aram to the north. David’s wife and Absalom’s mother, Maacah, was from this city, which may explain why Absalom fled there.
Why did Tamar not want to be sent away? Although Amnon raped her, Tamar knew that the Mosaic Law said he must now marry her or pay damages for what he had done. Though she told her father David what… Read More »Why did Tamar not want to be sent away?
David’s disobedience. David broke three of the Ten Commandments in his relationship with Bathsheba. He broke the tenth commandment by coveting another man’s wife, then the seventh commandment by committing adultery. He broke the sixth commandment by arranging the death… Read More »David’s disobedience
Sexual activity while on military duty was expressly forbidden by law in ancient Israel. It brought about ritual impurity and therefore forced a soldier to undergo purification rituals. This would prevent him from performing his military duty.
Hamstringing horses (8:4) was a practice used by victorious armies to ensure that their enemy’s horses could not be used in battle again. It involved severing the leg tendon on the horse so that it could not gallop. Though it… Read More »Hamstringing horses
Building a house for gods was a common thing for a king or leader to do in the ancient Near East. David’s desire to build a temple for the Lord (7:6–7) may have been influenced by this tradition. Ultimately, however,… Read More »Building a house for gods
Dancing was a vital part of both worship and celebration (6:14). The Hebrew word for dance can mean to twist or whirl about in circular movements or to leap or skip. Performed by both males and females, it was quite… Read More »Dancing
Millo means “fill” in Hebrew. The Millo (5:9) was a series of terraces built so that houses and other structures could rest on flat areas of land. A retaining wall would first be built and then workers would “fill” dirt… Read More »Millo
Hanging by the neck was never used as a form of execution in ancient Israel. However, the hanging of a person’s body after execution was a common practice (4:12). This was done to cast shame on the criminal and to… Read More »Hanging
Dogs are mentioned 40 times in Scripture, and few of the references are positive. Dogs were viewed as unclean animals because they were scavengers, not pets. To compare someone to a dog was a great insult (3:8).
The pool of Gibeon (2:13) was probably a huge round cistern cut into limestone rock. Since the water was about 80 feet (24 m) below ground, nearly 30 feet (9 m) of stairs were carved into the side of the… Read More »The pool of Gibeon
Laments were a common way of showing grief and mourning for the dead. They could poetically capture a person’s feelings toward the departed.