In the first book of Samuel we saw the rise of Israel as a kingdom. The first king Saul was established. However, due to his unfaithfulness, God rejected Saul and through the prophet Samuel proclaimed that a new royal line would rise. Thus, David is anointed by Samuel to be the future king. We see young David and in him all the qualities that make him a man after God’s own heart (1 Samuel 13:14, Acts 13:22). 

Second Samuel begins with the death of Saul (2 Samuel 1). Thus, 2 Samuel describes the exploits of David and his rise and fall. In it, we see both the best of David and his worst. The book, however, turns upon two critical moments: the promise and the fall.  

The Promise

The first critical moment occurs in 2 Samuel 7. Pleased by David, God sends the prophet Nathan to pronounce a series of blessings for David (2 Samuel 7:1-16). The blessings culminate with the following promise,

“Your house and your kingdom are firm forever before me; your throne shall be firmly established forever.”  (2 Samuel 7:16)

This is one of the most important promises in all human history. For in it, we find the promise of an enduring dynasty. One which can only be fulfilled by the everlasting king, Jesus Christ. In this regard, this promise is the hinge point of human history. It defines the messianic hope of Israel. It foretells the lineage of Christ and cements the foundation of the incarnation.  Hence, 2 Samuel 7 is one of the most important chapters in all of scripture. I encourage you to read the full text of 2 Samuel 7 to see the full depth God’s concern for David and the way it shapes our understanding of the Church as the Kingdom of God. 

The Fall

The second critical moment occurs in 2 Samuel 11. This is the famous story of David and Bathsheba. You are probably familiar with the story. David commits adultery with Bathsheba and then has her husband murdered to cover the adultery. I will not dwell on this aspect, although I encourage a thorough reading so that one can grapple with the real depths of Davids sin. The account is important for us to understand the real depravity within the human heart of even a great man and perhaps ourselves. 

Rather, I would like to turn to another aspect. That even in his fall, we see a man after God’s own heart. Perhaps, David’s best quality is his ability to repent.

2 Samuel 12 describes David’s encounter with Nathan the prophet who will convict David of his sin in an ingenious manner. 

The LORD sent Nathan to David, and when he came to him, he said: “Tell me how you judge this case: In a certain town there were two men, one rich, the other poor.

The rich man had flocks and herds in great numbers.

But the poor man had nothing at all except one little ewe lamb that he had bought. He nourished her, and she grew up with him and his children. Of what little he had she ate; from his own cup she drank; in his bosom she slept; she was like a daughter to him.

Now, a visitor came to the rich man, but he spared his own flocks and herds to prepare a meal for the traveler who had come to him: he took the poor man’s ewe lamb and prepared it for the one who had come to him.”

David grew very angry with that man and said to Nathan: “As the LORD lives, the man who has done this deserves death!

He shall make fourfold restitution for the lamb because he has done this and was unsparing.”

Then Nathan said to David: “You are the man!

(2 Samuel 12:1-7) 

That man is you! David the shepherd had stolen the ewe lamb. David’s response to Nathan is one of deep repentance. It is captured in Psalm 51 which David penned in response. 

Have mercy on me, God, in accord with your merciful love;

in your abundant compassion blot out my transgressions.

Thoroughly wash away my guilt;

and from my sin cleanse me.

For I know my transgressions;

my sin is always before me.

A clean heart create for me, God;

renew within me a steadfast spirit.

Do not drive me from before your face,

nor take from me your holy spirit.

Restore to me the gladness of your salvation;

uphold me with a willing spirit.

(Psalm 51:3-5, 12-14)

Again, we should see in David the capacity for our own sin. However, we should also see an example of repentance. We could all do well to foster a sense of remorse and repentance for our sin to match that of David.