2 Samuel Resources

Websites

Bible Gateway – 2 Samuel

This website provides a ton of different translations of the Bible—in many other languages to boot.

The Brick Testament – "Absalom Overthrows David"

The Brick Testament is a hipster art project—an attempt to tell the whole Bible story in the form of Lego dioramas. This particular set of photos depicts Absalom's attempt to overthrow David.

"David," from the Jewish Encyclopedia

This online Jewish Encyclopedia is actually copied from a print edition from, like, 1906—but it still has interesting and up-to-date info on Talmudic and Rabbinic stories and ideas about David (those things have a tendency to stay the same).

David and 2 Samuel Articles and Videos from Chabad.com

This Hasidic Jewish super-organization provides a plethora of information all relating to King David.

Movie or TV Productions

David and Bathsheba (1951)

Before starring in the classic Biblically-inspired horror movie The Omen, Gregory Peck did this less scary movie about the David and Bathsheba love affair.

King David (1985)

Richard Gere stars as David in this biopic from the '80s. Hmm…he looks thoughtful. Or something…

Historical Documents

St. Augustine's The City of God

The Catholic Church Father and Biblical super-commenter (was Biblical Commentary sort of the Reddit of its day? Yeah… no.) included these ruminations on David in his classic The City of God. He gets pretty deep into allegory and hidden levels of meaning.

David and Bathsheba and the Talmud

These Talmudic passages shine a little light on the different Rabbinic traditions about David. For example, Satan comes in the form of a bird and gets him to see Bathsheba naked (Islamic tradition apparently picked up on this story.)

Matthew Henry's Bible Commentary on 2 Samuel

Protestant theologian Matthew Henry gives his take on the events in 2 Samuel. He likes to give practical moral advice—like Veggie Tales.

Video

Jonathan Kirsch on King David

This LA Times Book Reviewer talks about a recent non-fiction work he wrote on King David.

"King David/Ancient Lullaby" by Matisyahu

The Hasidic Reggae superstar raps a bit about Messianic hopes, alludes to the spiritual example of David… and more.

Audio

"Hallelujah" by Leonard Cohen (Performed by John Cale)

Here's the most famous version of Leonard Cohen's song—the one that really blew up thanks to being featured in Shrek (though they had to use the Rufus Wainwright version in the soundtrack).

"Hallelujah" (Performed by Jeff Buckley)

Accompanied by a single electric guitar, Buckley performs another classic, transcendent version of Cohen's song.

"Le Roi David" by Arthur Honegger

This 20th Century Swiss composer wrote this oratorio or "dramatic psalm", telling the whole story of David's life in twenty seven sections.

Images

"David" by Bernini

Bernini's David looks pretty miffed. Of course, this technically draws from 1 Samuel —since David's winding up to smack a stone into Goliath's skull. But, it's a famous enough depiction of a fairly adult looking David to include it here. (Oh, it's from the 17th Century, it's a sculpture, and Bernini was Italian).

"David" by Andrea del Verrocchio

This 15th Century Italian Renaissance sculpture portrays David as a youth (again with Goliath's head at his feet, but—hey, it's David in warrior mode, and therefore relevant).

"David" by Donatello

The Italian Renaissance artist, not the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle, did this classic sculpture. It's not quite as famous as that other Teen Turtle's David (meaning Michelangelo's)—but still in the pantheon of sculptural dopeness.

"The Death of Absalom" by Gustave Dore

The great French illustrator shows Absalom's death in a fairly eerie light. Joab rears up on his horse with three spears while Absalom remains a barely visible shadow hanging in a tree, the shadow of what seems to be a small deer below him.

"David" by Michelangelo

By common consent, one of the greatest sculptures ever to be sculpted since cavemen first chiseled on stones. David does his best blue steel. But seriously, this is one of the masterpieces of the Renaissance, people.

"Bathsheba" by Rembrandt

The Dutch genius portrays Bathsheba bathing in a somewhat shadowy space, a servant washing her feet.