Lesson 9

The King Restored

Chronology Summary

The Kingdom Restored (II Samuel 19)

David continued to mourn the death of Absalom. Joab rebuked David for what he felt was excessive mourning. Joab accused David of loving his enemies and hating his friends. (II Samuel 19:1-8)

David had some work to do in order to restore his kingdom. The hearts of many were turned to Absalom. Shimei, the man who had taunted David during his flight from Absalom, asked for and received a pardon from David. David made his way back to Jerusalem to re-establish himself as king of the whole land. (II Samuel 19:9-43)

Rebuilding (II Samuel 20-23)

Sheba, a worthless man from the tribe of Benjamin launched another rebellion and was put down. (II Samuel 20:1-26)

Israel experienced a famine because of Saul's bloodthirst against the Gibeonites. David attempted to appease the Gibeonites by offering them a peace settlement. The Gibeonites requested and received seven descendants of Saul to execute. However, David protected the life of Mephibosheth. (II Samuel 21:1-14)

The Philistines waged war against Israel. David took his army and battled the enemy. During the course of the battle, David and his men struck down the giants from Gath (from Goliath's family). David composed and presented a song of thanksgiving and praise to God. (II Samuel 21:15-22:51)

The Military Hall of Fame for David's military forces was presented. Uriah, the murdered husband of Bathsheba, rounded out this list. (II Samuel 23:1-39)

The Sinful Census (II Samuel 24)

David ordered a census of Israel. Joab was ordered to count the citizens of both Israel and Judah. Joab questioned why David asked for such a thing. David reserved his explanation and Joab did as ordered. Joab returned a count of 1.3 million fighting men. (II Samuel 24:1-9)

David realized that his order violated the law of God. He repented and asked for forgiveness. God responded through a seer named Gad. God offered David three consequences for his sin. The three consequences included: Seven years of famine, three months of oppression from the Israelite enemies, or a three-day plague-like pestilence throughout Israel. (II Samuel 24:10-14)

David chose the three-day pestilence. This was very costly in human life as 70,000 Israelites died. The angel controlling the pestilence prepared to destroy Jerusalem. God stopped the pestilence at the threshing floor belonging to Araunah. David courageously offered himself as payment for his sin. He knew the people were innocent. (II Samuel 24:15-17)

David was told to build an altar at the place where God stopped the death angel. David insisted that he purchase Araunah's threshing floor. There he constructed the altar and appeased the anger of God. (II Samuel 24:18-25; I Chronicles 21)