Introduction to 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.

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.

Structure

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)

Themes

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.

Further Reading

The Historical Books

David Mourning in the Samuel Narratives

Samuel, First and Second Books of LBD:I