2 Samuel: Out of Every Adversity

Focus on the Bible Commentaries

by Dale Ralph Davis

Davis brings cultural and historical colour to the task of interpreting one of the most studied parts of the Bible. The lessons in 2 Samuel from the life of Israel, and David in particular, have obvious modern parallels. Davis writes with a pastor’s heart AND the incisive brain of a respected theologian specialising in the Old Testament texts.

Genres: Theology, Biblical Studies, Christian, Old Testament, Christianity, Nonfiction, Reference

336 pages, Paperback

First published September 20, 1999

About the author

Dale Ralph Davis is Minister in Residence, First Presbyterian Church, Columbia, South Carolina. Prior to that he was pastor of Woodland Presbyterian Church, Hattiesburg, Mississippi and Professor of Old Testament at Reformed Theological Seminary, Jackson, Mississippi.

Reviews

[Matt Pitts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dale Ralph Davis is probably the best biblical commentator you’ve never heard of. He has the knowledge and expertise of a first-class exegete and the punch and pizzazz of an engaging preacher. To read one of his commentaries is to be exposed to the most significant exegetical issues and to have your heart exposed as well. He outlines the text, mentions text critical issues, argues for his interpretation, illustrates it, applies it, and connects it to Christ with passion and skill. While teaching through 1-2 Samuel his commentaries have been my first choice. I cannot recommend him highly enough.

*He also has commentaries on Joshua, Judges, and 1-2 Kings

[Josh Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dale Ralph Davis is gold! Of the many commentaries I consulted in my journey through 1 and 2 Samuel over the past couple of years, Davis's work sits near the top. Thorough analysis, submission to Scripture, & apropos illustrations are just a few of the aspects I found quite helpful.

In addition, I often found the author very clear to state what the text stated. In other words, when the text did not surmise, he didn't surmise and stated so. So often, commentators in their quest to have all the answers, inject what they think the text means instead of humbly stating that God's Word at times is a mystery and they don't know. Davis does not follow suit. Quite refreshing to me!

A helpful resource to anyone preaching through or studying the book of 2 Samuel!

[Michael Beck · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great little commentary with many helps on understanding the text. While one may not agree with every interpretation that Davis gives, he is always good at giving the different views and footnotes that contain more technical matters.

[Brian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding and edifying exposition!

[Autumn Beck · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very helpful for the average reader. Davis' commentary is pulled from his sermons so you get mostly cookies from the middle shelves but the footnotes give you those treats you have to reach for. 4 stars because his stories seem a stretch sometimes 😬

[Emilio Garofalo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Um excelente companheiro para quem vai pregar em 2 Samuel. O comentário ainda atinge um objetivo raro, é útil não somente para pregadores e outros comentaristas, mas é um livro recomendado a qualquer leitor.

[Daniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

The second reading of this commentary after many years. While Dale Ralph Davis's style of writing may not be to everyone's taste, once you get used to it, you see that his commentaries are very useful for the "ordinary" Christian. His reflections on the folly of human sin, which is fully on display in 2 Samuel, are often both funny and profound at the same time.

[David Zimmerman · Rating 5 out of 5]

My first Dale Ralph Davis commentary whet my appetite for more, and every volume after has raised my expectations of what to expect. 2 Samuel did not disappoint. Relative to the size of other commentaries on 2 Samuel, this volume is more compact. It is not a technical commentary, nor is it a devotional commentary. Davis tends to focus on the key truths of each pericope, commenting on the text itself, and then enlarging the truth with illustration and application. Having just finished preaching through 2 Samuel, and referencing several of the much better known commentaries, in my opinion, this one rises above them all. It is readable, the commentary is fresh, and Davis consistently demonstrates the timeless value of this 3,000 year old, inspired account of Israel's history. It is a treasure trove of insight, wit, and application for expository preachers, while putting every truth well within reach of Sunday School teachers, or anyone else who just wants to love God with his mind and better understand His Book. My recommendation? Get yourself a copy to have at hand anytime your study takes you into the kingdom years of the life of David.

[Zach Byrd · Rating 3 out of 5]

Over the course of 2024, five men and I read 1-2 Samuel with Dale Ralph Davis. Although it provoked many helpful discussions, one topic arose more than any other - how little of Christ was in the commentary. Davis appears to purposefully refrain from allowing the New Testament to speak into the Old Testament. For example, I do not recall his exposition of 2 Samuel 22 once mentioning the name of Jesus. To paraphrase an older pastor, this commentary would be welcome in a local synagogue.

The redeeming qualities of this commentary are its accessible style, insightful exegetical notes, and helpful illustrations. Davis excels in guiding the reader to see how one particular narrative fits within the larger framework of 1-2 Samuel.

Would I recommend this volume to others? Yes, but maybe paired with another commentary or with the Westminster Shorter Catechism in hand.

[Rob Sumrall · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am constantly on the hunt for solid commentaries - especially from the Old Testament. Like a lot of preachers, I can be guilty of focusing on the New Testament, a "sin" that my Hebrew professor called building a "canon within the canon."

I recently taught through 1 Samuel. In preparation, I read through 1 Samuel by Richard D. Phillips. I found that commentary, from the Reformed Expository series, to be extremely helpful. One of the more helpful authors he frequently quotes was Dale Ralph Davis. So I naturally ordered Davis' commentary on 2 Samuel.

I was not disappointed. Davis does an amazing job of giving historical context to the book, providing enough technical insight to equip the teacher without bogging down in superfluous details, and applying the text to contemporary life. I know little about Dale Ralph Davis. But I can vouch for this commentary. It is one that I will use frequently in the future and recommend heartily to those, like me, who are searching for solid OT resources.

[Kirk · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is rare that a commentary is worth reading start to finish. All of DRD's commentaries are, and this one is no different. Even where I went a different route than he when I preached the text, he was helpful and kept me exegetically grounded.

[Chris Risley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm so glad I found this author

[Will Dole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dale Ralph Davis is one of my favorite commentators, and this volume is one more reason why. The expositions are lively, crisp, and to the point. He’s one of the best illustrators I’ve ever read. And he gives you enough on technical issues to actually be of help, without allowing it to bog down the pace of exposition (with helpful footnotes if you need to track down more info). My number one recommendation for someone wanting a single commentary on 2 Samuel.

[Geoff Gobbett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant commentary that is highly recommended.

[Matthew Mitchell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Superb. Davis understands all of the issues but doesn't let himself get distracted by them. Pity, quotable, funny, insightful, and even practical. Highly recommended.

[Byron · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anything by Dale Ralph Davis is excellent ... this is no exception

[Brendan Conrad]

I'm a fan of Davis's approach. Despite the fact that the commentary felt, at times, a bit bloated for my taste with the stark turns into personal reflections or historical analogies, I do really appreciate Davis's ability to handle the story of 2 Samuel as a historical narrative. He helps to humanize characters who we can sometimes forget were actual humans. He guides you not only to focus on the things they did, but the reasons why they might have done so. He leads you to read the story more deeply and fully.

Some of the questions he provides for discussion may be a bit on the lame side, but I attribute that to the difficulty of providing good discussion questions to groups of people without knowing their makeup more than to Davis himself.

[Braden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like his commentary on 1 Samuel, this was a breathtakingly readable, thorough, and accessible commentary to 2 Samuel. What is so astonishing about this book is that Davis is able to take this biblical story and concisely comment on the themes and points of the passages, without losing out on quality. I’m not a scholar, so I don’t need an academic treatise. But I do want a quality, thorough commentary that helps me understand the book I’m studying without watering down the analysis. This was the perfect fit. I wish he had written commentaries for every book of the Bible!

[Ryan Linkous · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent commentary for preaching, teaching, or personal devotions. Dale Ralph Davis wrestles with the issues in the biblical text theologically and never does so dully. He provides excellent illustrations (although regularly pulls out odd obscure Civil War Confederate and Scottish Presbyterian Stories).

[Christian Hamaker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Familiarity with Davis' approach puts this second volume of his work on Samuel a hair below the first, but I'm pleased to see he's authored comnentaries on other books of the Bible as well. This won't be the last of his work that I read.

[Daniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Based on ch 1-10: Excellent. Practical commentary that deals well with the text, but ignores minor technical issues with little impact on the storyline and theology. Generally easy to read. Definitely among the most helpful commentaries I used.

[Josh Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love Davis' commentaries --- they make for lively reading, while at the same time addressing critical issues. He also manages to make plenty of contemporary applications from the OT to our lives today. Great stuff.

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another wonderful commentary from Dale Ralph Davis. No one makes the Old Testament come alive like Dr. Davis and this serves as an excellent book to read devotionally for anyone reading through the OT. Highly recommended!

[Jonah · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the better, more conservative commentaries. This would be a decent companion for anyone reading through the book of Samuel.

[Daniel E. Trevino · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fantastic commentary for devotional reading of 2 Samuel. I came to it again and again while our bible reading group went through Samuel.

[Chuck · Rating 5 out of 5]

Davis' commentaries are very helpful. He deals with textual issues without getting lost in the minutiae. He also applies the text, making the commentaries to have a devotional aspect.

[Josh Withrow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Much like his 1 Samuel book, Davis writes with wit and clarity. These two books are a must for anyone wanting to understand more about 1 and 2 Samuel.

[Scott Bielinski · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's Dale Ralph Davis. Always good. I was surprised at how much I disagreed with some of his interpretations. Cogently argued, though, and so warm-hearted and pastoral.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent commentary- easy to read and beautiful deep.

[Steve Linskens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent shorter, non-technical commentary on 2 Samuel. Excels in application.