#3 What does returning the ark to Jerusalem show about David's understanding and relationship with God?

Why is David generally viewed in a favorable manner in light of the serious nature of his moral failures?

Why would Saul have been rejected when apparently his mistakes were no greater than those of David? (A partial answer takes into consideration Saul's tendency to justify his behavior rather than repent. )

Teachers Notes and Discussion Questions:

#4 This section is seen as the theological crux of I & 11 Samuel. What we refer to as the Davidic Covenant is established here. Using a discussion question format might be a good way to discuss the Davidic Covenant. (Hill & Walton have an excellent presentation on this topic on pages 197­199 in their A Survey of the Old Testament. Highlights from this work follows.)

1. What did the Lord promise David?

a. He promised to make his name great (7:9).

b. He promised a place for Israel (7:10).

c. He promised to make the place secure (7:10­11). (Note similarities between this and the covenant with Abraham in Genesis 12:2 ff.)

d. David descendent will be established on the throne after him (7:12).

e. David's successor would build the temple (7:13).

f. The relationship between his successors and God would involve parental discipline and not rejection (7:14).

g. The covenant relationship would be open ended (7:13,16) the word translated "forever" ("olam") was also used in regard to the covenant with Eli and his house in I Samuel 2:30. It is dear that the covenant could be cut off in the case of insubordination. The Lord had indeed done this in the past. This understanding of 'olam seems dear to David as indicated in his prayer in II Samuel 7:21.

2. Was the Covenant conditional or unconditional?

a. There were no conditions set with David himself. (He already met the conditions.)

b. Conditions are clear when it is discussed with Solomon (I Kings 2:4; 6:12; 9:4-5) "If you walk in uprightness and do as I command, then I will establish your royal throne forever".)

3. What impact did the covenant have on the rest of Israelite history?

Study in I Kings will show Solomon's failure and God's grace. (1 Kings 11:32­39) "The hope that someday a Davidic king would come who would meet the conditions and bring the restoration of the full Davidic Covenant was the foundation for the messianic theology as we see it in the prophets. Jeremiah 33:14-22 may be the clearest statement of this, presenting a renewal of the Davidic covenant through an ideal Davidic king. . . .The New Testament came to recognize Jesus as the one who would bring the renewal of the Davidic covenant. By meeting the conditions, the way was cleared for a truly eternal kingdom (Hill and Walton, A Survey of the Old Testament , 198­199).

#1 These chapters show the difficulty of uniting Israel, and David's skill in negotiating the unification through peaceful and military means.

Discussion Question -­ If David is God's anointed king, why was his kingship over all of Israel so difficult to establish?

#2 It should be noted that David was careful to seek God's leadership at this stage of his reign.

#5 David's affair with Bathsheba and the murder of her husband show how even the most dedicated servants of God can fail. Power does indeed tend to corrupt! This story serves a special role in the on­going narrative. It serves as the theological introduction to the Succession Narrative. (The story of how David's successor is chosen and then comes to power.)

The concept of Divine Retribution is also renewed by the narrator. Although David's repentance will allow him to have some more success as king (12:26­31), the long lasting seeds of destruction have been sown. Why the punishment for David's sin with Bathsheba falls on their child is a difficult theological issue. Note the development of understanding by the Israelites from Ex. 20:5­6 to Ezek. 18:1-4,20 on this concept (Philbeck "I and 11 Samuel," 113).

#6 Now that the author . . . has accounted for the approaching turmoil within David's house, . . . he turns to the basic question underling the work: Who will succeed David on the throne? All that follows must be read against a background of political intrigue in which each of the major characters is to be viewed as a potential king of Israel. Of the 17 sons of David already mentioned (3:2­5; 5:14-15), only four are to figure prominently in the ensuing narratives: Amon, Absalom, Adonijah, and Solomon. Each will be examined and rejected in turn until only God's own choice remains" (Philbeck "1 and 11 Samuel." 115).

#7 After a quick review of David's troubles an assessment of his life would be in order. Again see Hill and Walton's, A Survey of the Old Testament, pages 199­200. The material is highlighted below. "In contrast to Saul, there can be no doubt of David's heart for God, spiritual sensitivity, and theological sophistication." David's errors came not due to ignorance but from being impulsively driven by the need at hand. "His lies cost people their lives (I Sam 21); his temper jeopardized his royal destiny (I Sam 25); his duplicity led him to execute civilians (I Sam 27); his lust entangled him in a murderous plot (II Sam 11); his unwillingness to take firm disciplinary action contributed to the bloodshed within his family (II Sam 13­14); and his pride brought a pestilence that devastated the land (II Sam 24). . . . A balanced view of David recognizes his godliness, but realizes that, like any of us, he was not immune to lapses in judgment."