II. His reign Over All Israel, Chs. 5-10.

III. His Great Sin and Its Results, Chs. 11-20.

IV. An Appendix, Chs. 21-34.

For Study and Discussion. (1) How David became king. (2) His victories
in war. (3) His great sin and some of its consequences. (4) His
kindness toward his enemies (see also his attitude toward Saul
recorded in First Samuel). (5) The kindness of God as illustrated by
the story of David's kindness to Mephibosheth, Ch. 9. (6) David's
psalm of praise, Chs. 22-23. (7) The different occasions when David
showed a penitent spirit (8) The great pestilence. Ch. 24.

* * * * *

Chapter IX.

First and Second Kings.

Name. The name is taken from the Kings whose deeds they narrate.

Contents. It takes up the history of Israel where Second Samuel left
off and gives the account of the death of David, the reign of Solomon,
the Divided Kingdom, and the captivity.

Purpose. The political changes of Israel are given in order to show
the religious condition. Everywhere there is a conflict between faith
and unbelief, between the worship of Jehovah and the worship of Baal.