David builds an earthly kingdom.
The books of 1 and 2 Samuel were originally one continuous narrative, a single book detailing the transition between the period of the judges and the monarchy. The book was divided into two parts during the second century B.C. when the Hebrew Bible was translated into Greek. The portion we know as 1 Samuel narrates the Israelites’ longing for a king and the failure of their first ruler Saul to live up to the responsibilities of his position. It shows David’s long road to the throne, introducing him as a young shepherd boy with a mighty destiny along with his own set of struggles.
At the end of 1 Samuel, Saul and his sons have died, their bodies buried at Jabesh Gilead. David is now poised to become king after having survived Saul’s attempts to have him captured and killed. But the Book of 2 Samuel begins on an unexpected note. Rather than erupting into a victory song, David sings a funeral dirge for his enemy, the man who hunted him without mercy even after recognizing David’s righteousness and promising not to harm him (1 Sam. 24:16–22; 26:21). David also laments the death of Jonathan, Saul’s son and David’s closest and most loyal friend.
At first David was king only of Judah, which he ruled for seven and a half years from the city of Hebron; Saul’s son Ishbosheth took control of a large northern swath of the nation. During much of this period, David warred with Saul’s family until he finally gained control over all of Israel after Ishbosheth’s assassination (see “Civil War Between North and South” at 2 Sam. 2:9–20).
David was the Lord’s anointed choice of a king for His people, and the rest of 2 Samuel provides an account of David’s reign. David exerted control over the nation’s feuding tribes and built a strong centralized monarchy. His military power finally ended Philistine attacks, and his political muscle extended Israel’s territory. He founded a kingdom that would last for hundreds of years.
Throughout 2 Samuel, David stands out as a man who loves God. Nevertheless, Scripture does not turn a blind eye to his moral failures. David’s most notorious transgression is undoubtedly his affair with Bathsheba and the arranged murder of her husband (see “Scandal and Cover-Up” at 2 Sam. 11:4, 5). Yet it is the Bible’s unflinchingly true-to-life portrait of David that makes the story of his faith so valuable. Capable of greatness but sometimes sabotaged by his own imperfections, David stands out as one of the most relatable figures of the Old Testament (see “David: Praiseworthy but Not Perfect” at 2 Sam. 7:18–22).
As we read the accounts of 2 Samuel, we learn that even the celebrated heroes among God’s followers were sinful people like us—and that when we do wrong, the way we react to our sin matters deeply. Like David, we should bow before the Lord and come clean about our sins, humbling ourselves in prayerful repentance (see “I Have Sinned” at 2 Sam. 12:13).
No one is certain of the identity of the author of 1 and 2 Samuel. Some scholars argue that Abiathar the priest wrote some portions of 2 Samuel. The book begins with Saul’s death around 1007 B.C. and covers the span of David’s reign. The events of 1 and 2 Samuel take place in Israel and various adjoining territories (see the maps at “Mapping the Life of Samuel” at 1 Sam. 7:15; “Saul’s Military Campaigns” at 1 Sam. 15:3; and “Civil War Between North and South” at 2 Sam. 2:9–20).
Key People in 2 Samuel
• Ishbosheth, youngest son of Saul, who for two years after Saul’s death assumed kingship of Israel (2 Sam. 2:8).
• Joab, David’s general who seemed not to care what a fight was about as long as he was in it (2 Sam. 2:13).
• Mephibosheth, grandson of Saul shown kindness by David out of loyalty to Mephibosheth’s father Jonathan (2 Sam. 9:6).
• Nathan, prophet and advisor who confronted David about his sin with Bathsheba (2 Sam. 12:1).
• Absalom, David’s son who began his life with privilege and opportunity but ended it in moral and spiritual downfall (2 Sam. 13:1).
• Tamar, a young woman whose rape led to an assassination and a permanent rift in David’s family (2 Sam. 13:1).
• Shimei, a man mercifully spared after hurling unfounded accusations at King David (2 Sam. 16:5).
• Ahimaaz, renowned messenger who won a footrace to bring David news of Joab’s victory over Absalom (2 Sam. 18:23).
• Sheba, a Benjamite who exploited Absalom’s death to lead a rebellion against David and Judah (2 Sam. 20:1).
Key Events in 2 Samuel
• David moves the ark of the covenant to Jerusalem (2 Sam. 6).
• God makes a covenant with David (2 Sam. 7).
• David commits adultery with Bathsheba (2 Sam. 11).
• David admits his sins (2 Sam. 12).
• David’s son Absalom is killed (2 Sam. 18).
• David offends God by taking a census of Israel (2 Sam. 24).