2 Samuel

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… Read More »Song of Deliverance

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… 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… Read More »The forest of Ephraim

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… Read More »Ropes with grappling hooks

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… Read More »A stiff penalty

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,… Read More »Geshur

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… 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… 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… Read More »Sexual activity while on 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… Read More »Hamstringing horses