Author: Unknown
Audience: God’s people, the Israelites
Date: Sometime after Israel was divided into the northern and southern kingdoms in about 930 bc
Theme: God exalts the weak and humbles the proud, as evidenced by accounts of events during the reign of King David.
Introduction
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.
Summary of Contents
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 united kingdom to prosper, to defeat its enemies and, in fulfillment of his promise (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 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). The NT makes it clear that this future Davidic king is Jesus Christ (see Mt 1:17; Lk 3:23–31; Jn 7:42; Ac 13:32–34; Ro 1:1–3; 2Ti 2:8; Rev 5:5; 22:16; see also note on 2Sa 7:11). He will complete the redemption of God’s people (Isa 9:6–7; 11:1–16; Jer 23:5–6; 30:8–9; 33:14–16; Eze 34:23–24; 37:24–25).
After the description of David’s rule in its glory and success (chs. 1–8), chs. 9–20 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 with regard both to the wickedness of his sons (13:12–39; 14:1,33; 19:4–6) and to 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 (1Ki 15:3–5; 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 people in righteousness” (23:3–5). These poems 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.
David wanted to build a temple for the Lord, but the prophet Nathan told David that the Lord would build David a house (dynasty), promising that this Davidic dynasty would endure forever. The NT makes it clear that this future Davidic king is Jesus Christ.
Outline
Below is an outline for 2 Samuel, as a continuation of 1 Samuel (see Introduction to 1 Samuel: Outline).
7. David’s reaction to and lament over Saul’s death (2Sa 1)
C. David Becomes King Over Judah (2:1—3:5)
D. David Becomes King Over All Israel (3:6—5:5)
1. Abner defects to David’s side (3:6–21)
2. Joab kills Abner (3:22–39)
3. Ish-bosheth killed (ch. 4)
4. David crowned king (5:1–5)
VII. David’s Reign Characterized Illustratively (5:6—8:18)
A. David’s Conquest of Jerusalem and His Recognition by the King of Tyre (5:6–16)
B. David’s Crushing of the Philistine Threat (5:17–25)
C. David’s Bringing the Ark Into His Royal City (ch. 6)
D. God’s Covenant With David (ch. 7)
E. David’s Victories That Secure the Boundaries of His Kingdom (ch. 8)
VIII. Threats to David’s Reign Overcome (chs. 9–20)
A. David’s Kindness to Saul’s Remaining Heir (ch. 9)
B. Defeat of the Ammonite-Aramean Challenge to David’s Reign (10:1–19; 12:26–31)
C. David’s Shameful Abuse of His Royal Power in the Matter of Bathsheba and Uriah (11:1—12:25)
D. Absalom’s Challenge to David’s Rule (chs. 13–20)
1. Amnon’s abuse of power and Absalom’s revenge (ch. 13)
2. Absalom’s revolt crushed (chs. 14–19)
a. Absalom brought back to Jerusalem (ch. 14)
b. Absalom conspires and David flees (15:1—16:14)
c. Absalom’s advisers disagree (16:15—17:23)
d. Absalom dies and David mourns (17:24—19:8)
e. David brought back to Jerusalem (19:9–43)
3. Absalom’s attempt sparks another unsuccessful revolt (ch. 20)
IX. Sidebars to the David Story (Chiastically Arranged) (chs. 21–24)
A. God’s Wrath Against Israel Because of Something Saul Had Done (21:1–14)
B. Exploits of David’s Mighty Men in Wars Against Philistines (21:15–22)
C. David’s Song in Praise of the Lord for Victories Granted (ch. 22)
C’. David’s “Last Words” that Speak of God’s Ways With Him and His House (23:1–7)
B’. David’s Mighty Men and Their Exploits, Especially Against Philistines (23:8–39)
A’. God’s Wrath Against Israel Because of Something David Did (ch. 24)
