2 Samuel 13

Amnon, son of David, was in love with his sister Tamar and one day forced her to come to bed with him. After he disgraced her, he sent her away. She was devastated and went away weeping and mourning until her brother Absalom found her and comforted her and took her to live in his house. Later, Absalom ordered his men to "strike Amnon down" and kill him. Absalon fled and went away to live in Geshur as David mourned for Amnon. Although David was upset about what had happened, he soon longed for Absalom, since "he was consoled now concerning Amnon's death".

2 Samuel 12
The prophet Nathan was sent by the Lord to rebuke David for his wicked behavior ( adultery and murder). Nathan told David a story about an evil rich man who stole from a poor man. When David became upset and suggested that the rich man should be put to death, Nathan told David that he had behaved just like the rich man in the story when he took the wife of Uriah to be his own and murdered Uriah. Then Nathan told David that the Lord has taken away his sin, but " because by doing this David has made the enemies of the Lord show utter contempt, the son born to David will die." David pleaded with God for the child's life, but on the seventh day his son died just as the Lord had said. Then David comforted his wife, Bathsheba, who later had another son and they named him Solomon.

2 Samuel 11
King David became aware of a beautiful woman named Bathsheba. Though she was married, David sent messengers to bring her to his palace. He slept with her and she became pregnant. When David learned that she was pregnant, he ordered her husband , Uriah, to return from the battle field and to "go home and relax" with his wife. Later, David discovered that Uriah had not gone home since he wanted to return to the battlefield. David then planned to have Uriah killed by sending him to the front lines of the war, where the battle was the fiercest. He instructed his army commander, Joab, of his plans and later learned that Uriah had indeed been killed. After Bethsheba had mourned for her husband, David sent for her and brought her to the palace, and she became one his wives. Bethsheba gave birth to David's son, but "the Lord was displeased with what David had done".

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.