Scofield Reference Bible Notes/2 Kings (2 Samuel)

by Cyrus Ingerson Scofield

Book Introduction - 2 Samuel

Read first chapter of 2 Samuel
As First Samuel marks the failure of man in Eli, Saul, and even Samuel, so Second Samuel marks the restoration of order through the enthroning of God's king, David. This book also records the establishment of Israel's political centre in Jerusalem (2 Samuel 5:6-12), and her religious centre in Zion (2 Samuel 5:7; 6:1-17). When all was thus ordered, Jehovah established the great Davidic Covenant (2 Samuel 27:8-17) out of which all kingdom truth is henceforth developed. David, in his "last words" (2 Samuel 23:1-7), describes the millennial kingdom yet to be.
The book is in four parts:

• From the death of Saul to the anointing of David over Judah, in Hebron, 1:1-27.
• From the anointing in Hebron to the establishment of David over united Israel, 2:1-5:25.
• From the conquest of Jerusalem to the rebellion of Absalom, 6:1-14:33.
• From the rebellion of Absalom to the purchase of the temple-site, 15:1-24:25.

The events recorded in 2 Samuel cover a period of 38 years (Ussher).

CHAPTER 1

Verse 10

stood
Cf. (See Scofield "1 Samuel 31:3").

CHAPTER 2

Verse 8

Abner
(See Scofield "Judges 8:1")

Verse 16

Helkathhazzurim
i.e. Field of Swords.

CHAPTER 3

Verse 36

pleased
was good in their eyes.

CHAPTER 4

Verse 9

redeemed
(See Scofield "Isaiah 59:20") See Scofield "Exodus 14:30".

CHAPTER 6

Verse 3

new cart
The story of David's new cart and its results is a striking illustration of the spiritual truth that blessing does not follow even the best intentions in the service of God except as that service is rendered in God's way. It is a constant point of failure. God had given explicit directions how the ark should be borne. Numbers 4:1-15 but David adopted a Philistine expedient.
1 Samuel 6:7,8. The church is full of Philistine ways of doing service to Christ. Cf. ; 1 Corinthians 1:17-31; 2 Corinthians 10:4,5. See, also, 1 Chronicles 15:2.

CHAPTER 7

Verse 15

mercy
Verses 14 and 15 state the principle of judgment within the family of God. (See Scofield "1 Corinthians 11:31"). It is always remedial, not penal Hebrews 12:5-11.
Judgment of the wicked is penal, not remedial.

Verse 16

The Davidic Covenant
The Davidic Covenant 2 Samuel 7:8-17.
This covenant, upon which the glorious kingdom of Christ "of the seed of David according to the flesh" is to be founded, secures:

• (1) A Davidic "house"; i.e. posterity, family
• (2) A "throne"; i.e. royal authority
• (3) A kingdom; i.e. sphere of rule
• (4) In perpetuity; "for ever"
• (5) And this fourfold covenant has but one condition: disobedience in the Davidic family is to be visited with chastisement; but not to the abrogation of the covenant 2 Samuel 7:15; Psalms 89:20-37; Isaiah 24:5; 54:3.

The chastisement fell; first in the division of the kingdom under Rehoboam, and, finally, in the captivities. 2 Kings 25:1-7. Since that time but one King of the Davidic family has been crowned at Jerusalem and He was crowned with thorns. But the Davidic Covenant confirmed to David by the oath of Jehovah, and renewed to Mary by the angel Gabriel, is immutable Psalms 89:30-37 and the Lord God will yet give to that thorn-crowned One "the throne of his father David." ; Luke 1:31-33; Acts 2:29-32; 15:14-17.
See, for the other seven covenants:
EDENIC, (See Scofield "Genesis 1:28") ADAMIC, See Scofield "Genesis 3:15" NOAHIC, See Scofield "Genesis 9:1" ABRAHAMIC, See Scofield "Genesis 15:18" MOSAIC, See Scofield "Exodus 19:25" PALESTINIAN, See Scofield "Deuteronomy 30:3" NEW, See Scofield "Hebrews 8:8"

Verse 23

redeem
(See Scofield "Exodus 14:30")

CHAPTER 9

Verse 1

kindness
A lovely picture of salvation by grace.

• (1) What grace is -- kindness to a helpless one for another's sake, 2 Samuel 1:1-3; 1 John 2:12.
• (2) Grace gives the highest place, 2 Samuel 1:11. Ephesians 1:1-6.
• (3) Grace keeps the saved one, 2 Samuel 1:13; John 10:28,29.

CHAPTER 12

Verse 13

sinned
Here read Psalms 51:1-19.

CHAPTER 13

Verse 37

But Absalom fled, and went to Talmai 1 Samuel 27:8. David, in the years of his wanderings, made a savage raid upon Geshur, and evidently bore away Maacah, daughter of the king of Geshur. Of her was born Absalom, and in him was her wild Bedouin blood, and the blood of a father who had been the reckless chief of a handful of desperate men. ; 2 Samuel 3:3; 23:8-39 and whom only the divine love could tame. 2 Samuel 22:36. In Absalom David reaped from his own sowing.

CHAPTER 14

Verse 11

revengers Heb. goel, Redemp. (Kinsman type). (See Scofield "Isaiah 59:20").

Verse 20

angel (See Scofield "Hebrews 1:4").

Verse 24

saw not the king's face
Not so had God taught David to forgive. Legalists have thought Absalom's wilfulness to have been due to over-indulgence on the part of David. There is no such intimation in Scripture. Rather it would seem that had David at this time taken Absalom into intimacy, the rebellion might have been averted.

Verse 27

sons
(See Scofield "2 Samuel 18:18").

CHAPTER 15

Verse 7

forty
Some authorities read "four."

CHAPTER 18

Verse 18

I have no son
The pillar mentioned must have been reared before the birth of sons to Absalom. Cf. 2 Samuel 14:27. Another view is that his sons died in youth. They are not mentioned in the genealogies.

CHAPTER 19

Verse 27

angel
(See Scofield "Hebrews 1:4").

CHAPTER 21

Verse 3

atonement
(See Scofield "Exodus 29:33").

Verse 8

sons
CF. 2 Samuel 6:23. The "five sons" were children of Michal's sister Merab, wife of Adriel, "whom she brought up for Adriel". 1 Samuel 18:19.

Verse 12

Philistines
Cf. 1 Samuel 31:3-5 (See Scofield "1 Samuel 31:3")

CHAPTER 22

Verse 3

trust
(See Scofield "Psalms 2:12").

Verse 31

trust
(See Scofield "Psalms 2:12").

CHAPTER 23

Verse 3

fear
(See Scofield "Psalms 19:9").

Verse 8

Eznite
i.e. one belonging to Etsen.

CHAPTER 24

Verse 9

in Israel
Cf. 1 Chronicles 21:5. The total military strength of Israel (the northern kingdom) was 1,100,000, and of Judah 500,000. The numbers actually set in array were, of Israel, 800,000; of Judah, 470,000.

Verse 13

famine
Scofield "Genesis 12:10".

Verse 16

angel (See Scofield "Hebrews 1:4").
repent (See Scofield "Zechariah 8:14").

Verse 20

saw
Here read 1 Chronicles 21:20.

Verse 24

offer (See Scofield "2 Corinthians 8:1").
threshingfloor Cf. 1 Chronicles 21:25. (See Scofield "1 Chronicles 21:25").