15 Images of Jesus in 2 Samuel

in the Old Testament book of 2 Samuel tells the story of King David's reign, but woven throughout this historical narrative are beautiful pictures that point forward to Jesus, the ultimate King. As we read about David's triumphs and failures, God gives us glimpses of the perfect King who was to come. These foreshadowings of Jesus in the Old Testament remind us that God's plan of salvation was unfolding long before Jesus was born.

1. David's Anointing as King Over All Israel

• 2 Samuel 5:3 - Jesus is King, Devotional, YouTube

2. David's Conquest of Jerusalem

The Text: "The king and his men marched to Jerusalem to attack the Jebusites, who lived there... David captured the fortress of Zion—which is the City of David" (2 Samuel 5:6-7, NIV).

Christological Significance: David's capture of Jerusalem, which became the holy city, points to Jesus who would later enter Jerusalem as the true King. Jesus came to conquer not through military might, but through his sacrificial death, establishing his spiritual kingdom. The "City of David" becomes the place where the greater Son of David would accomplish salvation.

Comfort for Christians: Jesus has conquered the strongholds of sin and death that once held you captive. Just as David made Jerusalem his royal city, Jesus has established his kingdom in your heart and will one day establish his perfect kingdom on earth.

3. The Ark Brought to Jerusalem

The Text: "David again brought together all the able young men of Israel—thirty thousand. He and all his men went to Baalah in Judah to bring up from there the ark of God... So David went to bring up the ark of God from the house of Obed-Edom to the City of David with rejoicing" (2 Samuel 6:1-2, 12, NIV).

Christological Significance: David's passionate desire to bring the ark (representing God's presence) to Jerusalem foreshadows Jesus, who is Emmanuel—God with us. David's joy and worship while bringing the ark parallels Jesus' role as the one who brings God's presence permanently to his people through the incarnation.

Comfort for Christians: Through Jesus, you have direct access to God's presence. You don't need to travel to a temple or wait for special occasions—God dwells with you always through his Spirit, just as David brought God's presence to dwell among his people.

4. David's Humility Before the Ark

The Text: "Wearing a linen ephod, David was dancing before the Lord with all his might, while he and all Israel were bringing up the ark of the Lord with shouts and the sound of trumpets" (2 Samuel 6:14-15, NIV).

Christological Significance: David's humble worship, setting aside royal dignity to dance before the Lord, points to Jesus who "made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant" (Philippians 2:7). Both the earthly king and the heavenly King demonstrated that true greatness comes through humility before God.

Comfort for Christians: Jesus understands what it means to humble himself completely. He didn't consider his divine nature something to be grasped, but became human to serve you. This gives you confidence to approach him, knowing he identifies with your humanity.

5. The Davidic Covenant

The Text: "When your days are over and you rest with your ancestors, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, your own flesh and blood, and I will establish his kingdom. He is the one who will build a house for my Name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever" (2 Samuel 7:12-13, NIV).

Christological Significance: This covenant points directly to Jesus, David's greater Son, whose kingdom will never end. While Solomon initially fulfilled this promise, the eternal aspect points beyond him to Jesus. The "house for my Name" refers not only to the temple but to Jesus' body and the church (John 2:19-21, 1 Peter 2:5).

Comfort for Christians: God's promises are unshakeable. The same covenant faithfulness God showed to David extends to you through Jesus. You belong to an eternal kingdom that can never be destroyed, ruled by a King whose throne is established forever.

6. David's Prayer of Gratitude

The Text: "Who am I, Sovereign Lord, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far? And as if this were not enough in your sight, Sovereign Lord, you have also spoken about the future of the house of your servant—and this decree, Sovereign Lord, is for a mere human!" (2 Samuel 7:18-19, NIV).

Christological Significance: David's amazed humility at God's grace foreshadows Jesus' own humility and the wonder of the incarnation. The phrase "this decree... is for a mere human" points to the incredible reality that God would become human in Jesus to fulfill these promises.

Comfort for Christians: If God showed such amazing grace to David, how much more has he shown to you through Jesus! You can approach God with the same wonder and gratitude, knowing that his grace in Jesus far exceeds anything we could ask or imagine.

7. David's Victory Over His Enemies

The Text: "David defeated the Philistines and subdued them, and he took Metheg Ammah from the control of the Philistines. David also defeated the Moabites... David defeated Hadadezer son of Rehob, king of Zobah... The Lord gave David victory wherever he went" (2 Samuel 8:1-2, 3, 6, NIV).

Christological Significance: David's comprehensive victories over Israel's enemies point to Jesus' ultimate victory over sin, death, and Satan. Just as David expanded the kingdom's borders through conquest, Jesus expands his kingdom through the gospel, defeating spiritual enemies that held humanity captive.

Comfort for Christians: The same God who gave David victory gives you victory through Jesus. No enemy—whether sin, temptation, or spiritual darkness—can ultimately defeat you because Jesus has already won the decisive battle on your behalf.

8. David's Justice and Righteousness

The Text: "David reigned over all Israel, doing what was just and right for all his people" (2 Samuel 8:15, NIV).

Christological Significance: David's just and righteous rule foreshadows Jesus, who is perfectly just and righteous. While David aimed for justice but sometimes failed, Jesus embodies perfect justice and righteousness, ruling with complete fairness and moral perfection.

Comfort for Christians: You serve a King who never makes mistakes, never shows favoritism, and always acts with perfect justice. Even when life seems unfair, you can trust that Jesus sees all and will make all things right in his perfect timing.

9. David's Kindness to Mephibosheth

The Text: "David asked, 'Is there anyone still left of the house of Saul to whom I can show kindness for Jonathan's sake?'... 'Don't be afraid,' David said to him, 'for I will surely show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan. I will restore to you all the land that belonged to your grandfather Saul, and you will always eat at my table'" (2 Samuel 9:1, 7, NIV).

Christological Significance: David's undeserved kindness to Mephibosheth, who was lame and from the house of his enemy, beautifully pictures Jesus' grace to sinners. Just as David sought out someone to bless "for Jonathan's sake," God seeks us out to bless us for Jesus' sake, despite our spiritual lameness and rebellion.

Comfort for Christians: Like Mephibosheth, you were spiritually crippled and had nothing to offer, yet Jesus sought you out to show you kindness. You now have a permanent place at the King's table, not because of your merit, but because of his grace.

10. David's Confession After Sin with Bathsheba

The Text: "Then David said to Nathan, 'I have sinned against the Lord.' Nathan replied, 'The Lord has taken away your sin. You are not going to die'" (2 Samuel 12:13, NIV).

Christological Significance: David's confession and immediate forgiveness points to the complete forgiveness available through Jesus. While David faced earthly consequences for his sin, the removal of his guilt foreshadows how Jesus takes away sin completely for those who confess.

Comfort for Christians: When you confess your sin, you can have the same confidence David had—your sin is completely taken away through Jesus. Unlike David, who still faced consequences, you face no condemnation because Jesus bore all the punishment for your sin.

11. David's Son Dies for David's Sin

The Text: "After Nathan had gone home, the Lord struck the child that Uriah's wife had borne to David, and he became ill... On the seventh day the child died" (2 Samuel 12:15, 18, NIV).

Christological Significance: The tragic death of David's innocent son as a consequence of David's sin foreshadows how God's innocent Son would die for the sins of others. While this was judgment in David's case, Jesus' death was substitutionary love—he willingly took the punishment we deserved.

Comfort for Christians: The death that should have been yours was taken by another. Jesus, the innocent Son, died so that you might live. God's justice was satisfied not by your punishment, but by Jesus taking your place.

12. Absalom's Rebellion

The Text: "In the course of time, Absalom provided himself with chariots and horses and with fifty men to run ahead of him... Absalom said to him, 'Look, your claims are valid and proper, but there is no representative of the king to hear you'" (2 Samuel 15:1, 3, NIV).

Christological Significance: Absalom's false claims to be a better king than his father contrast sharply with Jesus, who is truly the better King. While Absalom deceived people with empty promises, Jesus is the King who truly hears our concerns and provides perfect justice and mercy.

Comfort for Christians: Unlike Absalom's false promises, Jesus' promises are completely reliable. He truly is the better King who hears your prayers, understands your needs, and has the power and willingness to help you.

13. David's Exile and Return

The Text: "But David continued up the Mount of Olives, weeping as he went; his head was covered and he was barefoot. All the people with him covered their heads too and were weeping as they went up" (2 Samuel 15:30, NIV).

Christological Significance: David's sorrowful journey up the Mount of Olives, rejected by his people, powerfully foreshadows Jesus' agony in the Garden of Gethsemane on the same mount. Both kings were rejected by those they came to save, yet both willingly endured suffering for the sake of others.

Comfort for Christians: Jesus understands rejection and sorrow because he experienced it himself. When you face rejection or betrayal, remember that your King walked this path before you and will give you strength to endure.

14. David's Prayer for His Son Absalom

The Text: "The king was shaken. He went up to the room over the gateway and wept. As he went, he said: 'O my son Absalom! My son, my son Absalom! If only I had died instead of you—O Absalom, my son, my son!'" (2 Samuel 18:33, NIV).

Christological Significance: David's anguished wish to die in place of his rebellious son reflects the heart of our heavenly Father, who actually did give his Son to die in place of his rebellious children. What David could only wish for, God accomplished through Jesus.

Comfort for Christians: God's love for you is even greater than David's love for Absalom. While David could only wish to take his son's place, God actually sent Jesus to take your place. This demonstrates the incredible depth of divine love for rebellious humanity.

15. David's Final Words About the Righteous Ruler

The Text: "When one rules over people in righteousness, when he rules in the fear of God, he is like the light of morning at sunrise on a cloudless day, like the brightness after rain that brings grass from the earth" (2 Samuel 23:3-4, NIV).

Christological Significance: David's description of the ideal ruler perfectly describes Jesus. While David aspired to this standard, Jesus perfectly embodies it. Jesus is the light of the world who brings life and growth wherever his rule extends, ruling in perfect righteousness and the fear of God.

Comfort for Christians: You live under the rule of the perfect King that David could only dream about. Jesus brings light to your darkness, life to your barrenness, and hope to your despair. His righteous rule ensures that justice and mercy will always prevail.

Summary

These 15 images from 2 Samuel collectively reveal how God was preparing his people to recognize Jesus when he came. From David's anointing as king to his final words about righteous rule, every aspect of David's life and reign points forward to the greater Son of David. These foreshadowings show us that Jesus is the perfect King who succeeds where David failed, the eternal Son who establishes an unshakeable kingdom, and the righteous ruler who brings light and life to all who trust in him.

These images should fill Christians with confidence and joy, knowing that the same God who faithfully fulfilled his promises to David has fulfilled his ultimate promise in Jesus. The kingdom we belong to is eternal, our King is perfect, and our future is secure because it rests not on human effort but on God's unchanging faithfulness demonstrated supremely in Jesus.