Introduction to the Prayers of Second Samuel

Context

The next prayer begins our study of the second in a four-book storyline that consists of First and Second Samuel and First and Second Kings. First and Second Samuel consists of three “cycles”: Samuel, Saul, and David. The stories are some of the most beloved in the Bible, and some of the most poignant. It is a rich area for learning about prayer.

Content

Second Samuel is a continuation of the story in 1 Samuel, and picks up where it left off. Saul and his son Jonathan are dead, and David is the anointed king. But Saul had another son who still lived (Ish-Bosheth), and he was declared king by many of the tribes. This resulted in a war between the tribes. The Philistines see an opportunity to attack David with Israel divided, and do so repeatedly. Second Samuel is a rich story, with a number of themes and storylines and intrigues. David is a man after God’s own heart, and a man who cannot control his family or court. He is an effective leader and military man, but still must submit himself to God.
David turns to making Jerusalem the capital city, and the resting place of the ark. This, and the events before and after, make David and the city the center of all political, social, military, and religious power. That will not last, however, for it is not an earthly king who empowers these things, but God. Along the way, David and the kingdom face various trials, both domestic and foreign. Second Samuel is the story of David’s ascension to the throne through his reliance on God, the transformation of Israel, and God’s will working itself out in these events. This varied story of King David is a story full of prayers of all types.

Prayers

There are fourteen prayer passages in 2 Samuel, some including more than one prayer. Most are petitions, but there is a good assortment of others, as well: blessings, confession and repentance prayers, curses, vows, and praise-prayers. Three are mixed types, though one is a vow and curse prayer, a common combination (in 3.35–29), offered by David as he eats bread during a vow). The other vow is offered by David’s son Absalom (15.7).

Six of the prayers are petitions. Four are by David inquiring of God, just as we saw him seeking God’s directions in 1 Samuel (2.1, 5.19, 5.23, 21.1). Another petition by David asks for the counsel given to Absalom to be made foolish (15.31).

The last petition is also David, and comes at the end of a lengthy praise prayer about all God has done for Israel and for him (7.19-29). There are two other praise prayers as well: one by Ahimaaz blessing God after a crisis is ended, and another long one by David after God delivered him from battle (18.28, 22.2-51).
There are five blessings in 1 Samuel: one by David upon the people who buried Saul, one by a woman pretending to be a sage, one by Joab upon the people, and one by Araunah upon David (2.5–7, 14.17, 24.3, 24.23).

Other than the curse in 3.39 by David mentioned above, there are two more. One is another by david, pronounced upon Joab after killing Abner in defiance of the king (3.29), another is by Abner, cursing himself (3.9).

Finally, there is one prayer of confession and repentance. It is offered by David in 24.10 and 17.