2 Samuel 10
David learned that the king of the Ammonites, Nahash, had died and he decided to show kindness to Nahash's son, Hanun, Nahash had been kind to David, so David sent a delegation of his men to express his sympathy to Hanun. However, the Ammonite nobles convinced Hanun that David was secretly sending his men to instead spy out the land so that he could overthrow them. Hanun seized David's men and humiliated them by shaving off half their beards and cut their garments, sending them back to David. The Ammonites hired twenty thousand soldiers from Beth Rehob and Zoba, twelve thousand from Tob, and a thousand men from Maacah, in order to defend themselves against David. When David learned about all this, he sent his commander Joab with his entire army. Joab said, let us "be strong and let us fight bravely for our people and the cities of God. The Lord will do what is good in His sight." After killing forty thousand of their men, all the armies against David made peace with David and became subject to him.

2 Samuel 9
King David inquires of whether there were any remaining relatives of Saul, so that he could show kindness towards them for the sake of his dear friend Jonathan, son of Saul. David discovers that a son of Jonathan , Mephiboseth, is the only survivor left from the house of Saul. David called for Mephiboseth and told him , "for I will surely show you kindness.. I will restore to you all the land that belonged to your grandfather (Saul) and you will always eat at my table.... like one of the king's sons".

2 Samuel 8
David fought and defeated the Philistines, the Moabites, and the Arameans, and "God gave victory to David wherever he marched". David plundered silver, gold, and bronze from his enemies and built a victory monument on his return. David ruled over all Israel, ruling "fair and even-handed in all his duties and relationships".

2 Samuel 7
King David regretfully realizes, "Here I am, living in a palace ... while the ark of God remains in a tent". But God says to him, "Are you the one to build me a house to dwell in? I have not dwelt in a house from the day I brought the Israelites up out of Egypt to this day. I have been moving from place to place with a tent as my dwelling. Wherever I have moved with all the Israelites, did I ever say to any of their rulers whom I commanded to shepherd my people Israel, 'Why have you not built me a house of cedar?' ... I have been with you wherever you have gone.. I will make your name like the names of the greatest men of the earth.. And I will provide a place for my people Israel and will plant them so that they can have a home of their own.. The Lord himself will establish a house for you. " It seems that God is making at least one thing clear here-- He reminds David that He is the source of protection and safety and is the provider and establisher of his home. David embraces God's message humbly, "O LORD Almighty, God of Israel, you have revealed this to your servant, saying, ‘I will build a house for you.’ So your servant has found courage to offer you this prayer. O Sovereign LORD, you are God! Your words are trustworthy, and you have promised these good things to your servant. Now be pleased to bless the house of your servant, that it may continue forever in your sight; for you, O Sovereign LORD, have spoken, and with your blessing the house of your servant will be blessed forever." This seems to be a prayer that we also can embrace and offer to our God in thanksgiving and praise for His faithfulness in providing for us each day.

2 Samuel 6
David and his men brought the ark of God from Judah with the whole house of Israel celebrating with songs, harps, lyres, tambourines, sistrums, and cymbals. They were taking it to Jerusalem, but on the way a man named Uzzah took hold of the ark and God struck him down and he died because of his irreverent act. After what had happened, David was afraid to now take the ark of the Lord to be with him in the City of David. So the ark was taken to the house of Obed-Edom for three months. When David saw that the Lord had blessed the household of Obed-Edom, he brought up the ark to the City of David with rejoicing and dancing. But David's wife "despised him (David) in her heart", disapproving of his manor of celebrating. David told her, "It was before the Lord, who chose me rather than your father or anyone... I will become even more undignified..." David was held in honor by his slaves and servants because of his humility before God.

2 Samuel 5
The elders of all the Israelite tribes gathered to anoint David as their king, remembering that the Lord had said of David, "You will shepherd my people and will become their ruler". David and his men conquered and took up residence in the fortress of Zion (the City of David). David "became more and more powerful because the Lord God Almighty was with him... and (God) established him as king over Israel and had exalted his kingdom for the sake of His people, Israel". When the Philistines heard that Dvid had been anointed king over all Israel, they gathered their full forces after him. David inquired of the Lord, "Shall I go and attack the Philistines? Will you deliver them into my hands?". The Lord answered, instructing David to proceed and that he would defeat them. "So David did as the Lord commanded him, and he struck down the PHhilistines all the way from Gibeon to Gezer".

2 Samuel 4
Saul's son, Ishbosheth was murdered by two captains in his own army. They proudly brought news of what they had done to David, but David was angered and ordered that they should be executed for wickedly murdering an innocent man. David wanted to unite Israel, not divide him from Ishbosheth's supporters.