2 Samuel

Introduction

Second Samuel is a book about David. At the outset of the book, after receiving news of the deaths of Saul and Jonathan, David issues a genuinely moving elegy. David is immediately proclaimed as king by the tribes of Judah, his own tribe, and Simeon. With the support of General Abner, Saul’s son Ishbosheth tried to continue to rule over the northern ten tribes, so there were two kingdoms until Abner and Ishbosheth died seven years later. At that point, David was acclaimed as king over the entire nation of Israel. David led the people in the capture of Jerusalem and the clearing of Jebusites out of the city. Because Jerusalem had been an enclave of the enemy, it effectively divided the southern tribes from the northern; therefore its capture allowed the political consolidation of the nation. When David brought the ark to the city, religious unity was achieved. David immediately desired to build a Temple for God, but was not allowed to do so. In His Covenant with David, God said, in effect, “You cannot build a house for me, but I will build a house (a dynasty) for you.” David was successful in establishing a militarily and politically stable country.

Unfortunately, the Book of Second Samuel is also a record of David’s failures. His sin with Bathsheba is described, and then the resulting family strife and sin when Amnon raped Tamar and Absalom avenged his sister by murdering Amnon. In his hurt and anger, David refused to speak to Absalom; subsequently Absalom led the revolt that caused David to escape from Jerusalem posthaste. After the revolt was quelled, and Absalom was killed, David was restored to power. Later, David sinned in conducting a census of the people, and God sent a plague. God ended the plague when David repented. David then purchased the threshing floor of Ornan for the site for the future Temple.

In the original Hebrew the Book of Second Samuel was joined with First Samuel, but it was divided by the translators of the Septuagint as a matter of mechanical convenience; in 1516 A.D., the Hebrew text was also divided. A division seems appropriate because Second Samuel is a biographical study, while First Samuel is given more to historical matters.

English translations follow the Vulgate, which followed the Septuagint in considering Second Samuel as part of the historical books; the Hebrew considers it as part of the Prophets. As a prophetical book, it highlights God’s will in the life of David and in the events portrayed therein. The enormity of sin is emphasized, and the fact that even when sin is forgiven there are still consequences.

The book nowhere names its author. The early Rabbis claimed that Nathan and Gad wrote Second Samuel after they completed First Samuel. Even though their writings were undoubtedly used by the inspired author, the books are so uniform that it seems unlikely that the Books of Samuel were written by a committee.

Since II Samuel 5:5 defines David’s entire reign, it is assumed that the book was written after his death, and since I Samuel 27:6 speaks of the kings of Judah, the Books of Samuel may have been written after the Division of the Kingdom. Although the date of the writing of Second Samuel is probably later than 931 B.C., the events recounted in the book begin with David’s accession as king over Judah at Hebron and continue until shortly before his death, so the dates of the events would be from 1010 B.C. until 970 B.C. This was the period when the Davidic Psalms were composed and the Book of Psalms began to be collected.

Outline

Comments of David about Saul’s Death, 1:1-27

Crowning at Hebron until David Became King over All Israel, 2:1—5:5

Picking of David as King at Hebron; the War with Abner, 2:1-32
Political Infidelity of Abner and His Murder by Joab, 3:1-39
Putting to Death of Ishbosheth, 4:1-12
Proclamation of David as King over All Israel, 5:1-5

Conquest of Jerusalem until David Forgives Absalom, 5:6—14:33

Procuring of Jerusalem Allows National and Spiritual Unity, 5:6—6:23
Promises of God in the Davidic Covenant, 7:1-29
Profile of David’s Conquests, 8:1—10:19
Perfidy of David with Bathsheba and His Repentance, 11:1—12:31
Problems of Amnon and Absalom’s Revenge, 13:1—14:33

Controversy with Absalom until Purchase of Temple Site, 15:1—24:25

Palace Seized by Absalom and His Consequent Defeat, 15:1—18:33
Power Restored to David, 19:1—20:26
Punishment by Famine upon Saul’s Descendants, 21:1-14
Philistine Wars, 21:15-22
Psalm of Praise and Final Testimony of David, 22:1—23:7
Prowess of David’s Mighty Men, 23:8-39
Plague Caused by Israel’s Census Stopped at Future Temple Site, 24:1-25

Reading 2 Samuel

1. 1-4, David’s political triumphs
2. 5-7, David’s spiritual triumphs
3. 8-10, David’s military triumphs
4. 11-14, David’s sins and God’s judgment
5. 15-18, Trouble in David’s house
6. 19-20, David’s restoration to the throne
7. 21-24, David’s final works and words