2nd Samuel – God’s shepherd: King and mercy-bearer, David
David learns of king Saul and sons’ deaths 2 Samuel 1
In the books of 1st and 2nd Samuel (1 book in the Torah) the Holy Spirit records for us the end of the period of the great transition by the children of Israel as they have gone from the beginning of the conquest of the Promised Land in Joshua, and experienced the turmoil of the 450 years of the rule of various Judges, culminating in God’s rule through the prophet Samuel himself. 1 Samuel records the people rejecting God as their king via the judges and hungering for a king “like the other gentile nations around them”, God tells Samuel to accommodate their desire, but with a warning about what kings with fallen natures do. So Saul is selected by God via the anointing of Samuel, thus bringing an end to the rule of Israel’s judges in 1050BC. Saul rules for 40 years, starting well but quickly revealing the cracks in his character. 1 Samuel also records the rise of David under Saul’s rule, and ultimately Saul’s arrogance toward God’s specific commands and thus God’s rejection of his lineage and by way of anointing (mashiach - מָשִׁי חַ "anointed"-messiah, Christos in the NT) by Samuel, David is chosen to follow and replace Saul. What causes some confusion is that, though David is anointed to be king he is not enthroned immediately. Saul continues to rule for many years, and David is at times pursued to assassination by a jealous Saul. Yet Saul remains king for a full 4 decades, finally mortally wounded in battle against the Philistines on Mt. Gilboa, Saul falls on his own sword and dies with his sons in the Spring of 1010BC. Thus cutting off his line, per the LORD’s decree. 1 Samuel 31, the last chapter, records this event. It is important that we read that as it sets the stage for 2 Samuel and David’s righteous ascent, as the LORD’s anointed, to the throne of Judah, later in 1010BC.