DAVID BECOMES “GREATER AND GREATER”

(2 Samuel 1:1–10:19)

David’s response to the news of the death of Saul and Jonathan reveals his feelings for them and for Jehovah. In Hebron, David is appointed king over the tribe of Judah. Saul’s son Ish-bosheth is made king over the rest of Israel. David goes on “getting greater and greater,” and some seven and a half years later, he is made king over all Israel.​—2 Samuel 5:10.

David captures Jerusalem from the Jebusites and makes it the capital of his kingdom. His first attempt to transfer the ark of the covenant to Jerusalem results in disaster. However, the second attempt succeeds, and David dances for joy. Jehovah makes a covenant with David for a kingdom. David subdues his enemies as God continues to be with him.

JEHOVAH RAISES UP CALAMITY AGAINST HIS ANOINTED

(2 Samuel 11:1–20:26)

“Here I am raising up against you calamity out of your own house,” Jehovah says to David, “and I will take your wives under your own eyes and give them to your fellowman, and he will certainly lie down with your wives under the eyes of this sun.” (2 Samuel 12:11) What is the reason for this pronouncement? It is David’s sin with Bath-sheba. Though repentant David is forgiven, he is not spared the consequences of his sin.

First the child that Bath-sheba gives birth to dies. Then David’s virgin daughter Tamar is raped by her half brother Amnon. Her full brother Absalom murders Amnon in revenge. Absalom conspires against his own father and proclaims himself king in Hebron. David is forced to flee Jerusalem. Absalom has relations with ten of his father’s concubines left behind to take care of the house. David returns to his kingship only after Absalom is killed. A revolt by the Benjaminite Sheba ends in Sheba’s death.

LET US FALL “INTO THE HAND OF JEHOVAH”

(2 Samuel 21:1–24:25)

There is a famine for three years because of the bloodguilt that Saul incurred by putting the Gibeonites to death. (Joshua 9:15) In order to avenge that bloodguilt, the Gibeonites ask for seven sons of Saul for execution. David gives them into the Gibeonites’ hands, and the drought ends with a downpour of rain. Four Philistine giants come to “fall by the hand of David and by the hand of his servants.”​—2 Samuel 21:22.

David commits a serious sin by ordering an illegal census. He repents and chooses to fall “into the hand of Jehovah.” (2 Samuel 24:14) As a result, 70,000 die from pestilence. David follows Jehovah’s command, and the scourge is halted.