The Second Book of Samuel
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2 Samuel 24
David’s prideful decision to take a military census invites divine judgment in the form of a plague, which is halted only when David purchases the threshing floor of Araunah to offer a costly sacrifice, securing the site for the future Temple.
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2 Samuel 23
In his final poetic oracle, David celebrates the everlasting covenant and the ideal of righteous kingship, followed by a roster of his mighty warriors whose heroic exploits—from killing giants to defending fields—built the kingdom, concluding with the convicting mention of Uriah the Hittite.
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2 Samuel 22
Near the end of his life, David sings a majestic song of praise (parallel to Psalm 18), declaring the Lord as his Rock and Deliverer who dramatically rescued him from all his enemies because He delighted in him.
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2 Samuel 21
To end a three-year famine caused by Saul’s broken treaty, David hands over seven of Saul’s sons to the Gibeonites for execution—prompting Rizpah’s moving vigil—and later retires from battle after his Mighty Men defeat four Philistine giants.
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2 Samuel 20
The rebellion of Sheba threatens to fracture the kingdom again, but Joab violently reclaims control by murdering his rival Amasa and besieging the rebel at Abel Beth-maacah, where a wise woman negotiates peace by delivering Sheba’s head.
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2 Samuel 19
David sets aside his grief to secure his throne, navigating a complex return to Jerusalem by pardoning enemies, restoring friends, and appointing a new general, yet his return is marred by growing jealousy between the tribes of Israel and Judah.
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2 Samuel 18
In the Forest of Ephraim, David’s army crushes the rebellion, but victory turns to mourning when Joab disobeys David’s command and kills Absalom, leaving the King to weep uncontrollably, “O Absalom, my son, my son!”
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2 Samuel 17
Through God’s intervention, Absalom rejects Ahithophel’s lethal advice in favor of Hushai’s delaying tactic, allowing David to escape across the Jordan where he is sustained by loyal friends, while the spurned Ahithophel commits suicide.
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2 Samuel 16
As David flees, he is deceived by Ziba and cursed by Shimei—abuse he accepts as God’s discipline—while in Jerusalem, Absalom follows Ahithophel’s advice to publicly sleep with David’s concubines, sealing the rebellion.
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2 Samuel 15
Absalom conspires to steal the kingdom and declares himself king in Hebron, forcing David to flee Jerusalem in humility, sending the Ark back and planting Hushai as a spy while he ascends the Mount of Olives weeping.
Bible Characters
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Mark (John Mark)
John Mark was a young disciple who overcame early failure to become a trusted companion of Paul and Peter, ultimately authoring the dynamic Gospel that bears his name.
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Matthew
Matthew was a despised tax collector transformed by grace into a devoted apostle, whose Gospel bridges the Old and New Testaments by proclaiming Jesus as the promised Messiah and King.
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Nabal
Nabal was a wealthy but foolish landowner whose arrogance and refusal to show hospitality to David led to divine judgment and his sudden death.
Biblical Events
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Mark (John Mark)
John Mark was a young disciple who overcame early failure to become a trusted companion of Paul and Peter, ultimately authoring the dynamic Gospel that bears his name.
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Matthew
Matthew was a despised tax collector transformed by grace into a devoted apostle, whose Gospel bridges the Old and New Testaments by proclaiming Jesus as the promised Messiah and King.
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Nabal
Nabal was a wealthy but foolish landowner whose arrogance and refusal to show hospitality to David led to divine judgment and his sudden death.
Bible Locations
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The Brook Besor
The Brook Besor was the boundary line where David demonstrated that in God’s kingdom, those who support the mission by guarding the supplies are equal in honor and reward to those who fight on the front lines.
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Jezreel
Jezreel was the fertile royal seat of King Ahab and Queen Jezebel, famous for the murder of Naboth and the site where divine judgment eventually wiped out their entire dynasty.
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Aphek
Aphek was a strategic military stronghold and staging ground on the Sharon Plain where the Philistines gathered to capture the Ark and where David was providentially released from the Philistine army.
