Old Testament

II Samuel

Second Samuel, twenty-four chapters, doth tell
Of David's victories as King o'er Israel.
It notes God's promise, chapter sev'n, that from his life
A descendant will forev'er reign; fulfilled in Christ.
He sins with Bathsheba, who bears a soon-dead son,
And God lets family problems plague his kingdom:
One son, Absalom, sister Tamar seduces,
Kills a brother (Ammon), and 'gainst David rises!
The King leaves Jerusalem, fleeing Absalom
Till the latter's slain, then mourns, but keeps the Kingdom.
The book ends with events in King David's last days,
And includes Psalm 18, one of his psalms of praise.