By Jason Hood with assistance from Generous Giving staff
The two books of Samuel tell the triumphant, tumultuous and tragic story of the rise of Israel’s monarchy. The drama builds as we learn through the twists and turns just what sort of king Israel will have. We see God present with his people in a variety of ways, leading his people to faithfulness through the prophets, his presence in the tabernacle, and the king. We learn ultimately that even the greatest human king or the prosperity and peace which come with human success in this life is always temporary, as we await the fullness of the kingdom of the Son of David, of whom God says, “I will be his father, and he will be my son,” and of whom God says, “I will establish the throne of your kingdom forever” (2 Samuel 7:12-16).
Our study of 2 Samuel consists of two parts. In the first section, readers will find our stewardship study notes. These notes analyze, in a passage-by-passage fashion, the implications of the book’s teaching for Christian generosity and related issues. The second section consists of short essays describing the book’s major stewardship themes. These notes and essays are not intended to be comprehensive explanations of the author’s goals in writing this book, nor do they exhaust the book’s possible applications in matters related to stewardship and generosity.
While Generous Giving’s Bible study material will aid anyone who is searching the Scriptures for guidance, they may prove especially useful as sermon helps for pastors and as a resource for teachers, advisors and lay leaders interested in obeying and teaching the message of Scripture in matters of generosity and stewardship. We readily acknowledge our fallibility in writing these study notes, for they are the work of humans, not God. Please search the Scriptures (Acts 17:11) as you read this material critically, carefully and prayerfully. May God bless you in your studies.
Passage-by-Passage Study Notes
2 Samuel 5:11-12; 6:18-19 (Key Passage) — Blessed to Be a Blessing: As David begins to grow in strength and power, he is blessed with gifts from King Hiram of Tyre (see Old Testament background essay Social and Political Gifts). The text carefully teaches us that David ultimately is blessed not from his own labor but from the Lord’s grace in his life. Furthermore, we see that David is not being elevated primarily for his own pleasure and glory and self-gratification; rather, his kingdom is being established for the sake of his people Israel. God calls us to use our gifts for his glory and for the benefit of his people, not for our own personal gain. (See also 1 Timothy 6:17-19 and Deuteronomy 17:14-17.) 2 Samuel 6 continues the theme of the people being blessed by what God has done for and through David. David’s worship and sacrifice were not merely vertical, between him and God; they were also horizontal—that is, he shared his blessings with God’s people, giving to others in celebration of God’s goodness. (See also Deuteronomy 14:23-26 and key passage Esther 9:17-22.) We see this horizontal sacrifice also in David’s greater son, Jesus, who was blessed by God so that he might be generous to others, even unto death. Likewise, we are called to use our blessings as an example (2 Corinthians 8:9) and to give generously in love, just as our Savior did.
2 Samuel 9 (Key Passage) — Hospitality of the King: This chapter continues the theme of hospitality from 1 Samuel. (See notes on 1 Samuel 25-30:17.) Rather than seeking vengeance on Saul’s house, his enemies, David shows kindness and mercy by generously placing the lone survivor of Saul’s house (Jonathan’s son) under his wing. This is all the more remarkable because of the low status of handicapped persons in the ancient world (see Mephibosheth’s self-description, “dead dog,” 2 Samuel 9:8), and it reflects the generosity Christians are required to display (see Luke 14:12-14, 16:19-31).
