Notes & Outlines

1&2
SAMUEL

J. Vernon McGee
 1 & 2 SAMUEL

I gave thee a king in mine anger, and took him away in my

wrath. (Hosea 13:11)

The Books of 1 and 2 Samuel give us the origin of the kingdom. The two
Books of Samuel were classified as one in the Jewish canon. They are the
first two of four Books of Kings in the Latin Vulgate.
WRITER: The name of Samuel is identified with these two historical
books, not because he was the writer primarily, but because his story occurs
first and is so prominent. He anointed as king both Saul and David. Samuel
is considered the author up to 1 Samuel 25 (his death). Nathan and Gad com-
pleted the writing (1 Chronicles 29:29 ASV).

FEATURES:
1. The rise of the kingdom.
2. The story of Hannah.
3. The story of little Samuel.
4. The story of David and Goliath.
5. The friendship of David and Jonathan.
6. King Saul’s visit to witch of Endor.
7. God’s covenant with David in 2 Samuel 7.
8. David’s great sin — Bathsheba.
9. David’s rebellious son — Absalom.

THEME:
Prayer — 1 Samuel opens with prayer; 2 Samuel closes with prayer.
Kingdom — The change of the government from a theocracy to a kingdom;
God’s covenant with David.
Prophet — The rise of the office of prophet, who became the messenger of
God in place of the priest.

KEY VERSE: 1 Samuel 10:25

COMMENT:
There is a striking contrast between the characters in the Book of Judges and
those in the two Books of Samuel. The men in Judges seem to be ordinary
and average, while here the characters are outstanding and above the aver-
age. There are 6 who stand out in 1 Samuel. They are Hannah, Eli, Samuel,
Saul, Jonathan, and David. First Samuel is a transitional book from the era
of the judges to the kingdom. The kingdom foreshadows the coming mil-
lennial kingdom in some respects. There are certain profound global lessons
for us in the setting up of the kingdom. The world needs:

1. A king with power who exercises his power righteously;

2. A king who will be in full dependence upon God and who can be trust-
ed with power; and
3. A king who is in full obedience to God.

CHAPTERS AND VERSES WORTH REMEMBERING:

1 Samuel 15:22 — Samuel’s word about obedience
1 Samuel 25:29 — Abigail’s word about David’s relationship to God
2 Samuel 3:33 — Abner’s epitaph
2 Samuel 7 — God’s covenant with David (note the 7 “I wills”)
2 Samuel 18:33 — David’s grief over Absalom
2 Samuel 22 — Song of David (Psalm 18)
2 Samuel 24:24 — David’s rebuke against a cheap religion
 1 SAMUEL

COMMENT:
I. SAMUEL: God’s prophet, priest, and judge, Chapters 1 — 8
Chapter 1 — This First Book of Samuel opens with a cry of a godly
woman. While the people cry for a king, Hannah cries for a child. God
builds the throne on a woman’s cry. When woman takes her exalted place,
God builds her a throne.
Eli, the high priest, thinks Hannah is drunk as she prays before the taber-
nacle in Shiloh. When he discovers her true anxiety is for a child, he bless-
es her. Samuel is born to Hannah and she brings him to Eli in fulfillment of
her vow.
Chapter 2 — Hannah’s prayer of thanksgiving is prophetic, as she
mentions the Messiah for the first time (v. 10).
Eli’s sons are evil and not fit for the priests’ office. An unnamed prophet
warns Eli that his line will be cut off as high priest and that God will raise up
a faithful priest (v. 35). Notice verse 26 — spoken only of Samuel and Jesus.
Chapter 3 — The story of the call of Samuel as a prophet-priest is
ordinarily reserved for children. It is not only for the junior, but for the
senior. Bring it out of the nursery and into the adult department, for it is not
only a beautiful story but marks one of the great transitional periods in
Scripture — the change from theocracy to monarchy, from priest to king.
God spoke to a king through prophets. Samuel was not a wee child.
Josephus says he was 12 years old (2:18 gives the wrong impression).
Solomon was a grown man when he prayed, “I am but a little child” (1 Kings
3:7). Jeremiah was called to prophetic office when he wrote, “I am a child”
(Jeremiah 1:6). There was a total of 4 calls to Samuel: first and second were
the call of God to salvation (v. 7); the last two calls were to service (v. 10).
Chapter 4 — Israel, without consulting Samuel, goes out to battle
against the Philistines — which leads to defeat. Then they bring the ark of
the covenant into battle, thinking its presence will bring victory. This
reveals the superstitious paganism of the people who thought there was
some merit in an object. The merit was in the presence and person of God.
Verse 5 reveals gross idolatry.
Verses 6 through 8 show that the Philistines were both superstitious and
ignorant.
Verse 10 tells Israel’s defeat again. The ark is captured.
Verse 18 — The capture of the ark causes Eli to collapse and fall back-
ward, breaking his neck (he was a fat man).
 Chapter 5 — The captured ark is placed in the house of Dagon, idol
of the Philistines. The idol falls over and breaks. In fear, they send the ark
to Gath where it is then transferred to Ekron.
Chapter 6 — Philistines return the ark to Israel, carried on a cart, to
the field of Joshua at Bethshemesh. The ark is transferred to Kirjath-jearim.
Chapter 7 — After 20 years Israel prepares to receive the ark. Israel
turns from Baalim and Ashtaroth to serve the Lord (v. 4).
After Israel’s victory over the Philistines, Samuel sets up a stone at
Ebenezer, which means “Hitherto hath the Lord helped us.”
Verses 15 through 17 give Samuel’s extensive ministry as prophet, priest,
and judge.
Chapter 8 — Hosea 13:11 can be written over the remainder of 1 Samuel:
I gave thee a king in mine anger, and took him away in my
wrath.
Samuel made the mistake of making his own sons judges to succeed him.
They were wholly unworthy and incompetent (v. 3). Samuel was a failure
as a father.
Israel demanded a king and rejected God and Samuel. Israel was influ-
enced by surrounding nations.
II. SAUL: Satan’s man, Chapters 9 — 15
Chapter 9 — The people chose Saul. He looked like a king (v. 2). He
was out looking for the asses of his father (v. 3), but the asses of Israel were
looking for him (v. 20). God granted their request but sent leanness to their
souls (v. 17). Is Saul (v. 21) genuinely humble?
Chapter 10 — Samuel anoints Saul king (v. 1). Was Saul (v. 6) con-
verted? This verse is not the final proof. The Spirit of God came upon Balaam
also, but he was not converted. Succeeding events in Saul’s life indicate that
he was not. Verse 9 does not mean he had a new heart, only another heart.
God equipped him for the office of king.
The reception of Saul as king was their rejection of God (v. 19). Saul’s
conduct (v. 22) is an evidence of a false modesty. Verse 25 gives the mes-
sage of 1 Samuel.
Chapter 11 — Saul began well, as he gained a victory over the
Ammonites at Jabesh-gilead. All Israel accepted Saul as king (v. 15).
Chapter 12 — Samuel transfers all authority to Saul and turns in his
report as judge over Israel. Verse 3 is Samuel’s autobiography — he was a
remarkable man. Although Saul was Israel’s choice (v. 13), God would still
bless if the people would obey (v. 14). The people begin to see and acknowl-
edge their mistake (v. 19). Verse 22 is the revelation of the marvelous grace
of God.
Chapter 13 — The real nature of Saul begins to show. His son
Jonathan got the victory at Michmash, but Saul blew the trumpet and took
credit for it (vs. 3, 4). In presumption Saul intrudes into the priest’s office
(vs. 8-10). Samuel rebukes and rejects Saul (vs. 13, 14). The disarmament
of Israel is revealed (vs. 19, 22).
Chapter 14 — Again Jonathan gains a victory but Saul takes credit for
it (vs. 14, 15). “Saul took credit for victory…modesty gone now” (Young).
Saul’s jealousy is revealed (vs. 37-45). He actually would destroy his son if
he stood in the way.
Chapter 15 — Saul’s glaring rebellion is revealed in his disobedience
regarding Agag. He wants to cover up his sin before the people (v. 30). Saul
is rejected now as king with no hope of recovery (v. 35). Samuel loved Saul
for he mourned for him. Was he Samuel’s choice? A great spiritual princi-
ple is enunciated by Samuel (vs. 22, 23).
God has given Saul an opportunity to make good after his first failure, but
he failed the second time. This is God’s method all the way through Scripture
(cf. Jacob, Jonah, Peter, Mark, etc.). God did not need to wait for the result
— He already knew. However, the individual needed to know, and we need
to know (Psalm 51:4; Romans 3:19; Revelation 15:3). We shall be tested, and
we need the help of the Holy Spirit (James 1:12).
Why the extreme surgery in slaying the Amalekites and Agag? Move
ahead about 500 years. Haman was an Agagite (Esther 3:1). God was pro-
tecting multitudes of the future, as He did at the Flood.
III. DAVID: God’s man, and SAUL: Satan’s man, Chapters 16 — 31
Chapter 16 — God chooses David as king to succeed Saul and sends
Samuel to Bethlehem to anoint him as king. Another great principle is enun-
ciated (v. 7). This is God’s method of choosing men for a particular office
and task. Because Saul is forsaken of God (v. 14), David is brought into
court to play upon his harp to soothe the evil spirit of Saul.
Chapter 17 — This chapter contains the familiar episode of David
slaying Goliath with a slingshot. Why did David take 5 smooth stones to
slay Goliath (v. 40)? Did he expect to miss? No, Goliath had four sons, and
David expected them to come out also. David did slay them (2 Samuel
21:22). David did not expect to miss (Judges 20:16).
Chapter 18 — David and Jonathan become fast friends, and they
make a covenant for life. Saul becomes jealous of David because of the peo-
ple’s applause (vs. 8, 9) and twice attempts to slay him. David becomes the
favorite of the people (v. 16). Saul gives his daughter Michal to David as
wife in order to trap David.
Chapter 19 — Saul openly attempts to have David slain; he personal-
ly attempts to slay him with a javelin as David plays upon his harp (vs. 9,
10). David escapes and becomes as a hunted animal.
Chapter 20 — Jonathan proves his love for David by protecting him
(vs. 16, 17). Jonathan communicates with David the intentions of Saul by
means of the shooting of arrows. Saul determines to kill David, and David
flees.
Chapter 21 — David flees to Ahimelech the priest and feeds his
young men with the showbread from the holy place. Then David flees to
Achish, king of Gath, in Philistine country.
Chapter 22 — David begins to gather his mighty men. Those who
came to him were in dire need — in distress, in debt, and discontented.
David is hunted as a criminal. Saul slays Ahimelech and the other priests for
helping David (vs. 16-23).
Chapter 23 — David continues to flee with 600 men (v. 13). Jonathan
contacts David and recognizes that David will be the next king (vs. 16, 17).
Jonathan is a great man, and his attitude and action remind us of John the
Baptist.
Chapter 24 — David spares Saul’s life at En-gedi because he honors
his office, not the man (v. 6).
Chapter 25 — Death of Samuel in his retirement. David encounters
Nabal and Abigail. David in anger is prevented from the rash act of murder-
ing Nabal and his servants by the presence and diplomacy of Abigail, Nabal’s
beautiful wife. Nabal dies after a night of drunkenness, and David takes
Abigail as wife. She was a good influence in the life of David (vs. 29, 32-34).
Chapter 26 — David again spares Saul in the wilderness of Ziph.
Note the contrast between Saul and David. Obviously, Saul knows that
David is God’s choice, but he seeks to slay him (v. 25). David recognizes
that Saul is the anointed king, and he spares him. God must deal with Saul
(vs. 9-11). Is David being sarcastic with Abner (v. 15)?
Chapter 27 — David in fear retreats to Philistia (v. 1). Achish of Gath
gives David and his men the city of Ziklag.
Chapter 28 — Saul’s interview with the witch of Endor poses and pro-
vokes many questions. The primary one relates to Samuel. Did she bring
Samuel back from the dead? If so, this is the only instance in Scripture.
Scripture positively condemns such practices of necromancy (Deuteronomy
18:9-14). The New Testament account of Lazarus and a rich man indicates
there can be no return (Luke 16:19-31). Paul was silenced about his experi-
ence of being caught up to the third heaven (2 Corinthians 12:2-4). Scripture
warns of these practices and predicts a future outbreak (Matthew 24:24; 2
Thessalonians 2:9; 1 Timothy 4:1-3; Revelation 16:13, 14).
Saul was abandoned of God (vs. 6, 15). Because heaven was silent, Saul
turned to hell. We maintain that Samuel did not appear. There are 2 possible
explanations: (1) It was a fraud, the witch was a ventriloquist (this is the posi-
tion of G. Campbell Morgan); (2) an overweening desire to communicate with
dead loved ones makes people victims of deceit. We believe a false spirit
appeared — not Samuel. Even the witch was deceived and frightened (vs. 12-
15). The false spirit communicated nothing that was not previously revealed.
Chapter 29 — The Philistines do not trust David to fight against Israel.
Chapter 30 — David fights against the Amalekites because of
destruction of Ziklag. Note David’s refuge (v. 6).
Chapter 31 — Saul, mortally wounded in battle, tries to commit sui-
cide. See 2 Samuel, chapter 1, for the answer to the question: “Who killed
King Saul?”
Saul failed in ruling God’s property.
The end is self-destruction.
God and His authority are rejected.
Saul spared the Amalekites; Saul was killed by Amalekites.
OUTLINE:
I. SAMUEL: God’s prophet, priest, and judge, Chapters 1 — 8
A. Birth of Samuel, Chapters 1, 2
1. Hannah’s prayer and answer, 1
2. Hannah’s prophetic prayer; boy Samuel in temple, 2
B. Call of Samuel, Chapter 3
C. Last judge and first prophet (prophetic office), Chapters 4 — 8
1. Ark captured by Philistines; Word of God to Samuel fulfilled;
Eli dies and his sons slain, 4
2. God judged Philistines because of the ark; ark returned to
Bethshemesh, 5, 6
3. Samuel leads in revival (put away idols and turn to Jehovah);
victory at Ebenezer, 7
4. Israel rejects God and demands a king; Samuel warns nation
but promises a king, 8
II. SAUL: Satan’s man, Chapters 9 — 15
A. Saul received, Chapters 9, 10
1. Saul chosen as king, 9
2. Saul anointed as king, 10
B. Saul reigning, Chapters 11, 12
1. Saul’s victory over Ammonites, 11
2. Transfer of authority from Samuel to Saul, 12
C. Saul rejected, Chapters 13 — 15
1. Saul’s rebellion against God, 13
2. Jonathan responsible for victory over Philistines; Saul took
credit, 14
3. Saul’s glaring rebellion and disobedience regarding Agag,
15
III. DAVID: God’s man, and SAUL: Satan’s man, Chapters 16 — 31
A. David anointed, Chapter 16
B. David trained, Chapters 17, 18
1. David slays Goliath, giant of Gath, 17
2. Jonathan and David make covenant; Saul gives daughter
Michal to David, 18
C. David disciplined, Chapters 19 — 30
1. Saul attempts to kill David again, 19
2. Jonathan helps David escape, 20
3. David escapes to Nob and Gath, 21
4. David gathers his men; Saul slays priests of God, 22
5. David fights Philistines; Saul pursues David; Jonathan and
David make covenant, 23
6. David spares Saul’s life at En-gedi, 24
7. Samuel dies; David and Abigail, 25
8. David again spares Saul’s life in wilderness of Ziph, 26
9. David retreats to land of Philistia (Ziklag), 27
10. Saul goes to witch of Endor, 28
11. Philistines do not trust David in battle, 29
12. David fights Amalekites because of destruction of Ziklag, 30
D. Saul, mortally wounded in battle, commits suicide,
Chapter 31
 2 SAMUEL
COMMENT:
The Book of 2 Samuel continues the message of 1 Samuel. It is given over
entirely to the reign of David. The life and times of David are important
because he is the ancestor of Jesus (Matthew 1:1). It shows that government
of this world in the hands of man is a failure.
Many new characters appear in this book with whom the student of the
Bible should familiarize himself.
I. TRIUMPHS of David, Chapters 1 — 10
David mourns the death of Saul and Jonathan.
Chapter 1 — The question of who killed King Saul may not be
answered in this chapter, but it adds another suspect. A young Amalekite,
escaping out of the camp of Israel, reports to David the death of Saul (v. 8).
He claims credit for slaying Saul (vs. 9, 10). David executes the young man
for the crime (vs. 14-16).
David’s grief over the deaths of Saul and Jonathan is touching, poetic and
dramatic. It is a striking lamentation (vs. 17-27).
Chapter 2 — David made king over Judah. Abner, captain of Saul,
made Ish-bosheth, Saul’s son, king over the remaining 11 tribes. Civil war
ensues. David defeats Abner and the army.
Chapter 3 — A long civil war weakens the nation, but David gradual-
ly gains in strength. David makes Hebron his home at this time. Abner, after
falling out with Ish-bosheth, deserts to David. Joab, David’s captain, sus-
pects him and, seeking revenge for his brother Asahel’s death, murders
Abner. Abner had brought Michal to David previously as a condition of
making peace with David. Note the epitaph of David to Abner (v. 33).
Abner had left the city of refuge where he was safe.
Chapter 4 — Ish-bosheth is murdered, as he lay on his bed, by his
own leaders. David executes the murderers.
Chapter 5 — After much bloodletting, David finally is made king
over all Israel and moves his capital to Jerusalem. Note the approach of the
11 tribes to David (v. 2).
David takes Jerusalem from the Jebusites. Hiram, king of Tyre, furnished
men and materials to build David a palace in Jerusalem.
Chapter 6 — David does a right thing in a wrong way. He tries to
bring up the ark on a cart, although God had given implicit directions for
moving it. The Kohathites of the tribe of Levi were to carry the ark on their
shoulders (Numbers 3 — 7). Uzzah was smitten dead because he should
have known better than to touch it. “Hands off” was made abundantly clear
in God’s instructions concerning it. David then brings up the ark in a right
way (v. 13). Michal rebukes David for his enthusiasm and devotion to God
in bringing up the ark.
Chapter 7 — God’s covenant with David makes this one of the great
chapters of the Bible. The message of the Bible from this point on rests
upon the promise God here makes to David. David desires deeply to build
the temple to house the ark of God, and Nathan the prophet concurs with
him in the plan. God appears to Nathan to correct him, for God will not let
David build the temple because he is a bloody man. God gives him credit
for his desire and promises in turn to build David a house. God promises a
king and a kingdom to come in the line of David (vs. 12, 13, 16). Verse 14
not only refers to Solomon, but to Christ — “Christ was made sin for us.”
Bishop Horsley translates this, “When guilt is laid upon him, I will chasten
him with the rod of men.”
God confirms this with an oath (Psalm 89:34-37). David understands
that a king is coming in his line who will be more than a man. Bishop
Horsley translates verse 19, “O Lord God, Thou hast spoken of Thy ser-
vant’s house for a great while to come, and hast regarded me in the arrange-
ment about the Man that is to be from above, O God Jehovah.” (See also 2
Samuel 7:25 and 23:5.)
The Old Testament prophets based the kingdom on this promise
(Jeremiah 23:5).
The New Testament opens at this point (Matthew 1:1).
This was the angel Gabriel’s message to Mary (Luke 1:32, 33).
Peter began here on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:25-31; 34-36).
Paul began here in Romans (Romans 1:3).
The New Testament closes here (Revelation 22:16).
(59 references to David in the New Testament)
Chapter 8 — David consolidates his kingdom, he gains victories over
the old enemies of Israel (v. 12) and enlarges his kingdom (v. 15).
Chapter 9 — David befriends Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan,
whose feet were lame. David brings him into his palace and gives him a
place at his table (vs. 7, 10, 13). This reveals the kindness of David.
Chapter 10 — David defeats both the Ammonites and Syrians to
avenge the insult to his messengers sent to Hanun, king of Ammon.
II. TROUBLES of David, Chapters 11 — 24
Chapter 11 — David’s two great sins were committed when David
remained in Jerusalem instead of being out with his army where he should
have been (v. 1). David first commits adultery with Bathsheba, then plots
the murder of her husband Uriah. David thought he had gotten by with it,
but he had not (v. 27).
Chapter 12 — Nathan faces David about his sins, and David repents.
Nathan applies the parable about the little ewe lamb to David’s sin (v. 7).
Nathan pronounces God’s judgment upon David (vs. 10-12), and David
acknowledges his sin (v. 13). David must learn that man reaps what he sows
(v. 14). Solomon is the second son born to Bathsheba.
Chapter 13 — David’s daughter Tamar, sister to Absalom, is raped by
Amnon, another son of David. David did nothing about it (v. 21). Absalom
kills Amnon and flees to his mother’s father, king of Geshur.
Chapter 14 — Joab plots the return of Absalom when he sees David’s
love for him (v. 1). Absalom is permitted to return, but David refuses to see
him (v. 24). Finally David receives him (v. 33).
Chapter 15 — Absalom heads a rebellion against David after winning
the affection of Israel (vs. 6, 10, 12). David is forced to flee from Jerusalem.
David refuses to take the ark with him as a superstitious or good-luck charm
(v. 25, 26). David leaves, perhaps to avert bloodshed and the slaying of
Absalom (v. 30).
Chapter 16 — Ziba, Mephibosheth’s servant, betrays his master and
deceives David. Shimei, of the house of Saul, curses David, yet David
refuses to let Abishai slay him. Absalom takes Jerusalem.
Chapter 17 — Absalom’s advisors, Ahithophel and Hushai, disagree
about the attack against David. Hushai argues that David and his men were
veterans in the field of battle and Absalom was no match for them (vs. 8, 10).
Chapter 18 — The people refuse to let David go into battle. David
reveals his tender love for Absalom by urging all his captains to protect the
life of his son (v. 5). Absalom is slain by Joab in battle. David’s deep grief
at the death of Absalom is a masterpiece of mourning (v. 33).
Chapter 19 — David returns to Jerusalem and is restored to his throne
after Joab rebukes him for his deep mourning for Absalom. Obviously,
Absalom was the favorite son of David and his choice for the throne. David
was a great king but a very poor father. David spares the life of Shimei.
Chapter 20 — Sheba, a Benjamite, leads a revolt against David. The
revolt is put down by Joab after he slays Amasa who showed no inclination
to put down the rebellion.
Chapter 21 — Three years of famine come as a judgment upon the
nation because of Saul’s zeal in slaying the Gibeonites with whom Joshua
had made a treaty of peace. David continues warring against the Philistines.
Chapter 22 — This is David’s song of deliverance after God delivered
him from all his enemies. This is the same as Psalm 18. It would seem a
reasonable probability that David wrote Psalm 23 about this time.
Chapter 23 — These are David’s final words. Verse 5 was David’s
hope. David’s mighty men are listed. These are the men who came to David
during the days of his rejection. They did exploits for God (vs. 13-17) and
performed courageous feats beyond the call of David (v. 20). There is one
blot on the escutcheon of David, as Uriah the Hittite was one of the mighty
men of David (v. 39).
Chapter 24 — David commits another sin in taking a census. By now he
should trust God instead of numbers (see 1 Chronicles 21:1-7). God again
punishes David but permits him to choose his punishment. David casts him-
self upon the mercy of God (v. 14). God sends a pestilence. David buys
Araunah’s threshing floor on which to rear an altar to God. David’s refusal
to accept it as a gift reveals his deep dedication and devotion to God (v. 24).
This spot became the place where Solomon erected the temple. Although the
Mosque of Omar stands there today, Israel again controls that area.
2 Samuel continues the message of 1 Samuel. Government of this world in
the hands of man is a failure.
I will overturn, overturn, overturn it, and it shall be no more,
until he comes whose right it is; and I will give it him. (Ezekiel
21:27)
Behold, a king shall reign in righteousness, and princes shall
rule in [judgment]. (Isaiah 32:1)
OUTLINE:
I. TRIUMPHS of David, Chapters 1 — 10
A. David mourns the death of Saul and Jonathan, Chapter 1
B. David made king over Judah, Chapter 2
C. Civil war — Abner joins with David but murdered by Joab,
Chapter 3
D. Ish-bosheth, son of Saul, killed, Chapter 4
E. David made king over all Israel; moves his capital to Jerusalem,
Chapter 5
F. David’s wrong and right attempts to bring the ark to Jerusalem,
Chapter 6
G. God’s covenant to build the house of David, Chapter 7
H. David consolidates his kingdom, Chapter 8
 I. David befriends Mephibosheth, Chapter 9
J. David wars against Ammon and Syria, Chapter 10
II. TROUBLES of David, Chapters 11 — 24
A. David’s two great sins, Chapter 11
B. Nathan faces David with his sins; David repents, Chapter 12
C. David’s daughter Tamar raped by Amnon, David’s son; Amnon
murdered by Absalom, David’s son, Chapter 13
D. David permits Absalom to return with half-hearted forgiveness,
Chapter 14
E. Absalom rebels against David, Chapter 15
F. Ziba, Mephibosheth’s servant, deceives David; Shimei curses
David, Chapter 16
G. Absalom’s advisers (Ahithophel and Hushai) disagree on attack
against David, Chapter 17
H. Absalom slain and David mourns, Chapter 18
I. David restored to throne, Chapter 19
J. Sheba revolts against David, Chapter 20
K. Three years of famine; Gibeonites take vengeance on house of
Saul; war with Philistines, Chapter 21
L. David’s song of deliverance (Psalm 18), Chapter 22
M. David’s last words; David’s mighty men, Chapter 23
N. David’s sin in taking census; chooses punishment and buys thresh-
ing floor of Araunah, Chapter 24
RECOMMENDED BOOKS
Crockett, William Day. A Harmony of the Books of Samuel, Kings and
Chronicles. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Book House, 1959.
Darby, J. N. Synopsis of the Books of the Bible. Oak Park, Illinois: Bible Truth
Publishers, n.d.
Davis, John J. and Witcomb, John C., Jr. A History of Israel. Grand Rapids,
Michigan: Baker Book House, 1970. (Excellent.)
Epp, Theodore H. David. Lincoln, Nebraska: Back to the Bible Broadcast,
1965.
Gaebelein, Arno C. Annotated Bible. Neptune, New Jersey: Loizeaux Brothers,
1917.
Gray, James M. Synthetic Bible Studies. Westwood, New Jersey: Fleming
H. Revell Co., 1906.
Jensen, Irving L. I and II Samuel. Chicago, Illinois: Moody Press, 1968.
(A self-study guide.)
Kelly, William. Lectures on the Earlier Historical Books of the Old Testa-
ment. Oak Park, Illinois: Bible Truth Publishers, 1874.
Knapp, Christopher. The Kings of Israel and Judah. Neptune, New Jersey:
Loizeaux Brothers, 1908. (Very fine.)
Meyer, F. B. David: Shepherd, Psalmist, King. Fort Washington, Pennsyl-
vania: Christian Literature Crusade, n.d. (Devotional.)
Meyer, F. B. Samuel the Prophet. Fort Washington, Pennsylvania: Chris-
tian Literature Crusade, n.d. (Devotional.)
Sauer, Erich. The Dawn of World Redemption. Grand Rapids, Michigan:
Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1951. (An excellent Old Testament
survey.)
Scroggie, W. Graham. The Unfolding Drama of Redemption. Grand Rapids,
Michigan: Zondervan Publishing House, 1970. (An excellent survey
and outline of the Old Testament.)
Unger, Merrill F. Unger’s Bible Commentary. Chicago, Illinois: Moody
Press, 1980. (Volume 1 covers Genesis through Song of S o l o m o n
with a fine summary of each paragraph by this outstanding Old Testa-
ment scholar.)
Wood, Leon, J. Israel’s United Monarchy. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker
Book House, n.d. (Excellent.)
Wood, Leon, J. The Prophets of Israel. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker
Book House, n.d. (Excellent.)
These notes, prepared by J. Vernon McGee, are for the purpose of giving
assistance to the listeners of the THRU THE BIBLE RADIO program.
They are to be used with the Bible and will be more meaningful as you
look up all the Scripture references. Due to the necessary brevity of both
notes and broadcasts, a list of recommended books is included for those
wanting a more detailed study. These books may be obtained from a
Christian library or bookstore or ordered from the publishers.

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