2 Samuel
Book Type
Book of History; the tenth book of the Old Testament; the tenth book of the Bible.Introduction to the Book of 2 Samuel
Second Samuel continues where 1 Samuel left off. Although David is a significant figure in 1 Samuel, that book focuses on Israel’s last judge, Samuel, and Israel’s first king, Saul. In 2 Samuel, the attention is on David and his relationships with Yahweh and with other people. God establishes a covenant with David, promising that his throne will be established forever (2 Sam 7). Even when David commits horrendous sins, the covenant stands. Throughout 2 Samuel, as all others fail, Yahweh’s faithfulness is profoundly seen, as are the painful effects of sin on sinners, those around them, and those whom they lead.David’s ascension to power over all the tribes of Israel was anything but smooth. Violence, politics, and intrigue lined the way. David was far from a perfect king—2 Samuel records his murder of the noble Uriah to cover up his adultery with Bathsheba and the political chaos that followed. Yet God was eternally committed to David and his dynasty. He protected David during the many challenges to his authority and mercifully forgave and restored him when he sinned.Theme & Overview
Second Samuel presents the story of David's 40-year reign, beginning with his rise to become Israel's model king and ending with his subsequent decline caused by sin. The NIV Quest Study Bible says 2 Samuel continues telling the story of David, depicting him as a true (though imperfect) representative of the ideal theocratic king.. He knew struggle, sorrow, and sin, but he also experienced God’s persistent love. In his imperfection, repentance, and search for God, David was someone with whom we can identify. The book tells the story of Bathsheba, Nathan’s confrontation, and God’s promise that the Davidic dynasty would endure forever. In 1 and 2 Samuel we see that no matter how great David’s triumphs were, no matter how he failed, no matter how deep his despair, God’s love was always with him. A common thread through these two books is God’s unending faithfulness to his people.The fast-paced and often heartbreaking narrative of 2 Samuel shows how a person’s connection to Yahweh affects their ability to lead, as does each decision they make. After David becomes king over the united Israel, he has the ark of the covenant—which signified Yahweh’s presence—brought to Jerusalem, and the city becomes the central site for Israel’s worship (6:1–19). David intends to build a “house” (temple) for Yahweh, but Yahweh has other plans (2 Sam 7). He tells David not to build Him a house (temple), but that He will build a house (royal dynasty) for David instead.In his sin, David squanders this beautiful relationship. But Yahweh still shows unfailing love for David. At the end of the book, David seeks to restore his relationship with Yahweh by building an altar in Jerusalem at a threshing floor—the place where Yahweh stops the plague that is destroying Israel (24:16–25). It is David’s son, Solomon, who later builds Yahweh’s house, the temple, at this site (2 Chr 3:1)—fulfilling one part of Yahweh’s promise to David (2 Sam 7:12–13).The eternal nature of Yahweh’s promise to David is fulfilled in the birth of Jesus, who is from David’s line (Matt 1:1). Second Samuel shows that while people may sin and ruin their lives in the process, Yahweh is loyal—offering eternal relationship with Him via Jesus.Author
The book itself does not name its author, though tradition records Samuel as the primary writer. The books of 1 and 2 Samuel were originally composed as one combined text. Neither 1 Samuel nor 2 Samuel seem to be in absolutely chronological order. This Scripture was likely completed by Samuel and other godly leaders of Israel who served through the end of the recorded events.Recipients
First and Second Samuel were originally completed as one book, written to the Jewish people. This text records history, and demonstrates the importance of faithfully following God's commands. Starting in 1 Samuel, it explains the transition of Israel's leadership from judges to kings, beginning with the progression of leadership from Samuel to King Saul and then King David. Second Samuel reminds the Jewish people of David's triumphs and troubles. This illustrates the many lessons involved with obedience and disobedience to the Lord, as well as the Lord's mercy when David repents of his sin.Date
Unknown. It was clearly written after the division of Israel and Judah in 931 BC since these lands are often noted as separate kingdoms. Because its contents do not reflect the later events of the exile to Babylon, it was likely written prior to this time, sometime between 931 and 722 BC.Background
Samuel himself does not appear in 2 Samuel; the book is named after him because 1–2 Samuel are a single book in the Hebrew Bible. As such, 1–2 Samuel may be outlined and understood as one narrative reflecting the same perspective (see the “Introduction to 1 Samuel”).The events recorded in 2 Samuel date to the late 11th and early 10th centuries BC. During this period, life in Israel and neighboring regions became less rural and more urban. A stronger Israelite monarchy under David likely brought some regional stability, though not until later in his reign.The book of 2 Samuel is a key part of the history of Israel’s monarchy. It follows 1 Samuel as a unified composition that traces David’s life and reign. While Saul was still reigning, Samuel anointed David as Israel’s next king (1 Sam 16:1–13), but it was several years before David began to reign. Throughout most of this waiting period, David was the object of Saul’s wrath and jealousy. Saul tried many times to kill David, but David never reciprocated. David trusted in the Lord’s plan for him and in God’s timing.David’s reign brought significant changes to Israel, both internally and externally. Internally, the nation began to develop a new awareness of iteslf as a unified nation. During Saul’s reign and the early part of David’s reign, the monarchy was not completely unified as it would be during Solomon’s reign, and the twelve tribes still primarily found their identity at the tribal level rather than as a nation. By the end of David’s reign, a sense of national unity was in place that set the stage for the glory days of King Solomon.Externally, Israel’s relationship with a number of its neighbors changed significantly during David’s reign. Most notably, the constant threat posed by the Philistines, so obvious in the book of Judges and throughout Saul’s reign, largely vanished as the result of David’s skillful leadership (see, e.g., 5:17–25; 21:15–22; 23:9–17).The Purpose & Audience (Reasons for the letter)
The book of 2 Samuel reports how God brought the private anointing of David as king (1 Sam 16:1–13) to public fruition. Moreover, God solidified with a covenant his commitment to David’s dynasty.God’s covenant with David bears significant similarities to the covenant with Abraham. Both include promises of great fame (Gen 12:2; 2 Sam 7:9) and of rest from their enemies (Gen 15:18–21; 2 Sam 7:10). Both are binding forever (Gen 13:15; 2 Sam 7:16), and the land God promised to Abraham and his descendants (Gen 15:18) was acquired through David’s expansion of his empire (5:17–25; 8:1–14; 10:1–9).God’s commitment to David was crucial to David’s successes despite civil war, revolts, the murderous ambition of some loyal to him, and his personal failures. His shortcomings—particularly his adultery with Bathsheba and the murder of Uriah—lead readers to wonder if David would become like Saul, rejected by God and replaced by another. God certainly did punish David when he sinned (chs 12–20; 24). Yet God’s commitment to David and to his dynasty remained (see especially 7:14–16). God’s commitment rather than David’s merit explains his success.Kingship was central in God’s plan for his people and his creation. God’s commitment to David points beyond David and his immediate descendants to a distant son, Jesus Christ. The NT both begins (Matt 1:1) and ends (Rev 22:16) by focusing on Jesus, the Eternal King, as the descendant of David.Key Verses (ESV)
2 Samuel 7:16: "And your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me. Your throne shall be established forever." 2 Samuel 19:4: "The king covered his face, and the king cried with a loud voice, 'O my son Absalom, O Absalom, my son, my son!'"2 Samuel 22:2-4: "He said, 'The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold and my refuge, my savior; you save me from violence. I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies.'"Structure & Outline 1
First Samuel contains two cycles of stories about Samuel and Saul. Second Samuel presents a third cycle about David, beginning with his rise to kingship after Saul’s death. This third cycle, which takes up the entirety of 2 Samuel, can be divided into three sections.In the first section (2 Sam 1–10), things go well with David. He establishes his rule, first over the tribe of Judah (2 Sam 1–4) and then over all of Israel (2 Sam 5–10). He brings the ark of the covenant to Jerusalem (2 Sam 6). Yahweh then establishes his everlasting covenant with David (2 Sam 7). David shows kindness to Saul’s grandson Mephibosheth, and his army defeats various enemies (2 Sam 9–10).In the second section (2 Sam 11–20), David falls into sin, and things go drastically wrong. The problems start when David, who is home while his men are at war, commits adultery with Bathsheba. He then has her husband killed in battle so he can marry her (2 Sam 11). When the Prophet Nathan confronts David, he repents, but the effects of his sins are already at work (2 Sam 12). First, Bathsheba and David’s son dies (12:15–25). After this, violence overtakes David’s household (2 Sam 13–14). One son, Absalom, begins a revolt that drives David into hiding and ends with Absalom’s death (2 Sam 15–19). The section concludes by recounting the rebellion of Sheba (2 Sam 20).The third section (2 Sam 21–24) deals with the later part of David’s reign. It includes a song by David praising God for rescuing him (2 Sam 22) and a poem identified as David’s last words (23:1–7). In the final chapter, David conducts an unauthorized census, and Yahweh punishes Israel for this by sending a plague that kills 70,000 Israelites (2 Sam 24). David’s death and final decisions as king are recorded in 1 Kings 1:1–2:12; he hands his kingdom over to Bathsheba and his second son, Solomon.Outline • David reigns over Judah (2 Sam 1:1–4:12) • David reigns over the united Israel (5:1–10:19) • David’s sins and their consequences (11:1–20:26) • The conclusion of David’s reign (21:1–24:25)Outline 2
This book consists of 24 chapters and includes three main sections. The first section covers the period of David's emergence as king and his triumphs (2 Samuel 1—8). Following reports of the deaths of Saul and Jonathan (2 Samuel 1), David is anointed king over the tribe of Judah and continues to grow in power and success (2 Samuel 2—4). David later becomes king over all Israel (2 Samuel 5:1—5) and conquers Jerusalem as his new capital (2 Samuel 5:6–16). His reign extends to victories over the Philistines, Moabites, Arameans, and Edomites (2 Samuel 5:17—8:18). The second section chronicles the troubles of David's kingly reign (2 Samuel 9—20). David expresses compassion to Saul's grandson Mephibosheth (2 Samuel 9), but also commits adultery with Bathsheba and is responsible for the death of her husband (2 Samuel 10—12). David's family experiences rape (2 Samuel 13:1–22), the murder of his son Amnon (2 Samuel 13:23–39), problems with his son Absalom (2 Samuel 14), and the rebellions of Absalom and Sheba (2 Samuel 15—20).The third section provides information regarding the end of David's reign. This includes a judgment regarding Gibeon with Israel (2 Samuel 21:1–14), another war with the Philistines (2 Samuel 21:15–22), David's song of praise (2 Samuel 22), David's last words (2 Samuel 23:1–7), a record of his mighty men (23:8–39), and the Lord's judgment against David for participating in a census (2 Samuel 24).