College Press Bible Study Textbook Series
2 Samuel 1 - Introduction
PART ONE
DAVID MADE KING OF ISRAEL
A DIGEST OF CHAPTER 1
The Amalekite's account of Saul's death. David was in Ziklag when he heard of Saul's death. An Amalekite came to him saying that he had fled from the field of battle. He told David that he had seen Saul lying mortally wounded and that Saul had asked him to kill him. The Amakelite said that he had actually slain Saul.
David's punishment of the Amalekite. David was not willing himself to lay a hand on God's anointed. He had no respect for anyone else who would destroy God's chosen servant. He ordered one of his men to fall upon the Amalekite and kill him.
The Song of the Bow. David mourned greatly over the deaths of Saul and Jonathan. He wrote a lamentation that came to be known as the Song of the Bow. He taught it to the people of Israel, and they used this in their lamentation over Saul.
LESSONS FOR LEARNING
1.
Abstain from all appearance of evil (1 Thessalonians 5:22). God's men must be honorable. David's hands were entirely clean of the blood of Saul. He had much to gain by taking Saul's life, but on a number of occasions he had refused to lift up his hand against this king. He came to the throne in God's own good providence. It was in God's good time and was accomplished as the will of God had decreed. It is necessary for Christians to live in such a way that they cannot be accused of evil deeds. They must be men and women of good report among all.
2.
There is some good in all men. Someone has said that there is enough good in the worst of us and enough bad in the best of us that none of us can condemn the rest of us. Saul had been a very wicked man, but there were good things about him. These were the things that David praised in his Song of the Bow. We should shun the evil in others, but we should also praise and copy the good we see in them.
CHAPTER 1 IN REVIEW
1.
How long was it after the battle when David heard of Saul's death?
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2.
Where was David when he heard the news?
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3.
Of what nationality was the bearer of the news?
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4.
What possessions of Saul's did the man have?
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5.
How did David punish the bearer of the news?
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6.
What was the name of the song with which David lamented Saul's death?
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7.
In what other book was it recorded?
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8.
What Philistine cities are mentioned in the song?
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9.
What weapons of Saul and Jonathan did David mention?
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10.
What mountain did David curse in the song?
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