NOTES ON II SAMUEL

II Samuel 2:1 Hebron was one of the cities of refuge.

II Samuel 5:6 The first possible confirmation of the existence of the Jebusites comes from one of the 

recently translated Mari cuneiform tablets which refers to the Jebusites as a clan of the Amorites.

II Samuel 6:6-7 Uzzah's problem-- He didn't want the ark to be defiled by touching the ground, but 

didn't realize that his own touch would defile it even more.” (E. Jones)

Ch. 6 The ark was left with a Gentile (a Philistine) Obed-Edom, who is blessed by God. This causes 

jealousy among the Jews who then move it to Jerusalem. Finally, Obed-Edom and his family are 

moved to Jerusalem where they minister in the temple (I Chronicles 16). Andrew Wilson (CT, Apr. 

2016) draws a parallel with Paul's teachings in Romans 11.

6:16 Michal's attitude was presaged by her possession of idols (I Samuel 19:13). Three times she is 

pointedly called Saul's daughter instead of David's wife.

II Samuel 9:9 The meaning in this case is “steward.”

II Samuel 11:4 An alternative reading is "when she had purified herself, she returned" --a religious 

ceremony.

11:11 Uriah's answer is an indirect rebuke of David (see II Samuel 11:1).

11:16 Joab is the first spiritual casualty of David's actions. (J. Rose)

II Samuel 12:8 See the note to II Sam. 16:22.

II Samuel 13:21 The Septuagint adds "But David would not say anything to provoke/restrain Amnon 

because he was his first son and David loved him."

II Samuel 16:22 David had earlier done the same thing with a  previous king's "wives." See II Samuel

12:8.

II Samuel 21:1-14 This is a type of Jesus' death by crucifixion. Note especially the similar situations 

in which a subjugated people request a death from their ruler since they are not allowed to carry it out 

themselves (John 18:31).

II Samuel 23:1-7 With different vowel markings on the text, the passage reads, as in JPS,  "David the 

favorite of the mighty One of Israel"

II Samuel 24:9 The apparent contradiction of this verse with I Chronicles 21:5 is explained by looking 

at I Chronicles 27:1.