Chapter Note Matthew Henry Commentary (Complete)
S E C O N D S A M U E L
CHAP. XII.
The foregoing chapter gave us the account of David's sin; this gives us the account of his repentance. Though he fell, he was not utterly cast down, but, by the grace of God, recovered himself, and found mercy with God. Here is, I. His conviction, by a message Nathan brought him from God, which was a parable that obliged him to condemn himself 2 Samuel 12:1 - 6 ), and the application of the parable, in which Nathan charged him with the sin 2 Samuel 12:7 - 9 ) and pronounced sentence upon him,, 2 Samuel 12:10 - 12 . II. His repentance and remission, with a proviso, 2 Samuel 12:13 ; 2 Samuel 12:14 . III. The sickness and death of the child, and his behaviour while it was sick and when it was dead 2 Samuel 12:15 - 23 ), in both which David gave evidence of his repentance. IV. The birth of Solomon, and God's gracious message concerning him, in which God gave an evidence of his reconciliation to David, 2 Samuel 12:24 ; 2 Samuel 12:25 . V. The taking of Rabbah 2 Samuel 12:26 - 31 ), which is mentioned as a further instance that God did not deal with David according to his sins.
Book Note Matthew Henry Commentary (Complete)
AN
EXPOSITION,
W I T H P R A C T I C A L O B S E R V A T I O N S,
OF THE SECOND BOOK OF
S A M U E L.
This book is the history of the reign of king David. We had in the foregoing book an account of his designation to the government, and his struggles with Saul, which ended at length in the death of his persecutor. This book begins with his accession to the throne, and is entirely taken up with the affairs of the government during the forty years he reigned, and therefore is entitled by the LXX. The Third Book of the Kings. It gives us an account of David's triumphs and his troubles. I. His triumphs over the house of Saul 2 Samuel 1:1 - 42 Samuel 1:1 - 4 ), over the Jebusites and Philistines 2 Samuel 5:1 - 252 Samuel 5:1 - 25 ), at the bringing up of the ark 2 Samuel 6:1 - 72 Samuel 6:1 - 7 ), over the neighbouring nations that opposed him 2 Samuel 8:1 - 102 Samuel 8:1 - 10 ); and so far the history is agreeable to what we might expect from David's character and the choice made of him. But his cloud has a dark side. II. We have his troubles, the causes of them, his sin in the matter of Uriah 2 Samuel 11:1 - 122 Samuel 11:1 - 12 ), the troubles themselves from the sin of Amnon 2 Samuel 13:1 - 392 Samuel 13:1 - 39 ), the rebellion of Absalom 2 Samuel 14:1 - 432 Samuel 14:1 - 43 ) and of Sheba 2 Samuel 20:1 - 262 Samuel 20:1 - 26 ), and the plague in Israel for his numbering the people 2 Samuel 24:1 - 252 Samuel 24:1 - 25 ), besides the famine of the Gibeonites, 2 Samuel 21:1 - 222 Samuel 21:1 - 22 . His son we have 2 Samuel 22:1 - 512 Samuel 22:1 - 51 ), and his words and worthies, 2 Samuel 23:1 - 392 Samuel 23:1 - 39 . Many things in his history are very instructive; but for the hero who is the subject of it, though in many instances he appears here very great, and very good, and very much the favourite of heaven, yet it must be confessed that his honour shines brighter in his Psalms than in his Annals.
