Introduction to 2 Samuel:
Title
1 and 2 Samuel were originally one book (see
Introduction to 1 Samuel: Title).
Literary Features, Authorship and Date
See Introduction to 1 Samuel: Literary Features,
Authorship and Date.
Contents and Theme: Kingship and Covenant
2 Samuel depicts David as a true (though imperfect)
representative of the ideal theocratic king. David was
initially acclaimed king at Hebron by the tribe of Judah
(chs. 1–4), and subsequently was accepted by the
remaining tribes after the murder of Ish-Bosheth, one of
Saul’s surviving sons (5:1–5). David’s leadership was
decisive and effective. He captured Jerusalem from the
Jebusites and made it his royal city and residence
(5:6–13). Shortly afterward he brought the ark of the
Lord from the house of Abinadab to Jerusalem, publicly
acknowledging the Lord’s kingship and rule over himself
and the nation (ch. 6; Ps 132:3–5).
Under David’s rule the Lord caused the nation to
prosper, to defeat its enemies and, in fulfillment of
his promise (see Ge 15:18), to extend its borders from
Egypt to the Euphrates (ch. 8). David wanted to build a
temple for the Lord—as his royal house, as a place for
his throne (the ark) and as a place for Israel to
worship him. But the prophet Nathan told David that he
was not to build the Lord a house (temple); rather, the
Lord would build David a house (dynasty). Ch. 7
announces the Lord’s promise that this Davidic dynasty
would endure forever. This climactic chapter also
describes the establishment of the Davidic covenant (see
notes on 7:1–29,11,16; Ps 89:30–37). Later the prophets
make clear that a descendant of David who sits on
David’s throne will perfectly fulfill the role of the
theocratic king. He will complete the redemption of
God’s people (see Isa 9:6–7; 11:1–16; Jer 23:5–6;
30:8–9; 33:14–16; Eze 34:23–24; 37:24–25), thus enabling
them to achieve the promised victory with him (Ro
16:20).
After the description of David’s rule in its glory and
success, chs. 10–20 depict the darker side of his reign
and describe David’s weaknesses and failures. Even
though David remained a king after God’s own heart
because he was willing to acknowledge his sin and repent
(12:13), he nevertheless fell far short of the
theocratic ideal and suffered the disciplinary results
of his disobedience (12:10–12). His sin with Bathsheba
(chs. 11–12) and his leniency both with the wickedness
of his sons (13:12–39; 21; 14:1,33; 19:4–6) and with the
insubordination of Joab (3:28–39; 20:10,23) led to
intrigue, violence and bloodshed within his own family
and the nation. It eventually drove him from Jerusalem
at the time of Absalom’s rebellion. Nonetheless the Lord
was gracious to David, and his reign became a standard
by which the reigns of later kings were measured (see
2Ki 18:3; 22:2).
The book ends with David’s own words of praise to God,
who had delivered him from all his enemies (22:31–51),
and with words of expectation for the fulfillment of
God’s promise that a king will come from the house of
David and rule “over men in righteousness” (23:3–5).
These songs echo many of the themes of Hannah’s song
(1Sa 2:1–10), and together they frame (and interpret)
the basic narrative.
Chronology
See Introduction to 1 Samuel: Chronology.
Outline
Below is an outline for 2 Samuel. For an outline of both
1 and 2 Samuel see Introduction to 1 Samuel: Outline.
(see Introduction to 1 Samuel: Outline)
(see Introduction to 1 Samuel: Outline)
(see Introduction to 1 Samuel: Outline)
The Consolidation of Kingship in Israel (2Sa 1–20)
David’s Lament over Saul and Jonathan (ch. 1)
David Becomes King over Judah (chs. 2–4)
David Becomes King over All Israel (5:1–5)
David Conquers Jerusalem (5:6–25)
David Brings the Ark to Jerusalem (ch. 6)
God Promises David an Everlasting Dynasty (ch. 7)
The Extension of David’s Kingdom (ch. 8)
David’s Faithfulness to His Covenant with Jonathan (ch.
9)
David Commits Adultery and Murder (chs. 10–12)
David Loses His Son Amnon (chs. 13–14)
David Loses His Son Absalom (chs. 15–20)
Final Reflections on David’s Reign (2Sa 21–24)
