The Book of 2 Samuel chronicles the life and kingship of David, the second king of the united Kingdom of Israel. It begins with David being anointed king over the tribe of Judah and ends with his death and succession by his son Solomon. The key events covered in 2 Samuel include David being anointed king over all Israel, his capture of Jerusalem and bringing the Ark of the Covenant there, his adultery with Bathsheba and murder of Uriah, the rebellion against David led by his son Absalom, David’s purchase of the threshing floor of Araunah which became the site of the future Temple, and finally David’s Last words and death.
The book can be divided into four sections:
David’s Rise as King over Judah and Israel (2 Samuel 1:1-5:25)
After the death of Saul, David was anointed king over the tribe of Judah. He reigned over Judah from Hebron for 7 and 1/2 years (2 Samuel 2:1-4). Meanwhile, Saul’s son Ish-Bosheth was anointed king over Israel and reigned for two years from Mahanaim (2 Samuel 2:8-10). War broke out between the house of David and the house of Saul, eventually leading to the deaths of Abner, the commander of Saul’s forces, and Ish-Bosheth (2 Samuel 3-4).
With the house of Saul defeated, the elders of Israel came to David at Hebron and anointed him king over a united Kingdom of Israel (2 Samuel 5:1-5). David was 30 years old at the time and reigned over Israel and Judah for 40 years (2 Samuel 5:4-5). His first act as king was to conquer Jerusalem from the Jebusites and make it his capital, renaming it the City of David (2 Samuel 5:6-9). David brought the Ark of the Covenant into Jerusalem and placed it in a tent, establishing regular worship (2 Samuel 6:1-23). God made a covenant with David, promising that his throne would be established forever through his descendants (2 Samuel 7:1-29). David defeated the Philistines, Moabites, Hadadezer king of Zobah, and the Edomites, extending his kingdom (2 Samuel 8:1-18).
David’s Successes and Failures (2 Samuel 9:1-20:26)
David showed kindness to Jonathan’s crippled son Mephibosheth by allowing him to eat at the king’s table (2 Samuel 9:1-13). David defeated the Ammonites and Arameans who had humiliated his ambassadors (2 Samuel 10:1-19). However, David committed adultery with Bathsheba and she became pregnant. He arranged for her husband Uriah to be killed in battle (2 Samuel 11:1-27). The prophet Nathan confronted David about his sin, causing David to repent (2 Samuel 12:1-25). But the child born to David and Bathsheba died (2 Samuel 12:15-23).
David’s son Amnon raped his half-sister Tamar, and David failed to punish him (2 Samuel 13:1-22). Two years later Tamar’s full brother Absalom took revenge by murdering Amnon and fleeing Jerusalem (2 Samuel 13:23-39). After three years in exile, Absalom was allowed to return to Jerusalem but he soon betrayed David and tried to seize his throne in a rebellion (2 Samuel 14:1-15:12). David was forced to flee but eventually Absalom’s forces were defeated and he was killed despite David’s order to spare his life (2 Samuel 15:13-18:33). David mourned deeply for Absalom (2 Samuel 19:1-8).
Later, the northern tribes complained that David favored his own tribe of Judah (2 Samuel 19:9-43). A man named Sheba led a revolt that was put down by David’s commander Joab (2 Samuel 20:1-26).
An Appendix Containing Miscellaneous Events (2 Samuel 21:1-24:25)
A three year famine came upon Israel which God explained was due to Saul’s unatoned slaughter of the Gibeonites. David had the Gibeonites kill seven of Saul’s sons as retribution (2 Samuel 21:1-14). Various battles against the Philistines are recounted, including David being nearly killed until rescued by Abishai (2 Samuel 21:15-17). The Philistines were subdued after the slaughter of Goliath and his family (2 Samuel 21:18-22). David composed a psalm of thanksgiving to God for delivering him (2 Samuel 22:1-51). David sang his last words prophesying the just ruler God would one day raise up from his line (2 Samuel 23:1-7). Two of David’s mighty men are mentioned along with a list of other warriors who helped establish his kingdom (2 Samuel 23:8-39).
God’s anger burned against Israel again, and David’s sin of taking a census is recounted. After judgment fell, David built an altar and offered sacrifices on the threshing floor of Araunah, which became the future site of the Temple (2 Samuel 24:1-25).
Key Figures in 2 Samuel
David
The central figure in the book, David was the youngest son of Jesse and was anointed king by Samuel to succeed Saul (1 Samuel 16:1-13). He reigned over Judah 7 and 1/2 years from Hebron, then united the northern and southern tribes and reigned over Israel another 33 years from Jerusalem. God made an everlasting covenant with David, promising that his descendant would rule forever (2 Samuel 7:12-16). But David was far from perfect, committing grievous sins like adultery and murder which brought turmoil into his own household. Yet he truly loved God and sought to lead Israel in faithfully following the Lord.
Joab
Joab was the commander of David’s army and one of his top advisors. Though loyal and devoted to David’s kingship, Joab could also be ruthless in defending the throne. He murdered Abner against David’s wishes (2 Samuel 3:26-27). He also killed Absalom against David’s command and later killed David’s rebellious commander Amasa (2 Samuel 18:9-15; 20:8-10).
Nathan
Nathan was a prophet of the Lord who confronted David about his sin with Bathsheba. His rebuke led to David’s repentance and obedience to God’s discipline (2 Samuel 12:1-15). Nathan later conspired with Bathsheba to ensure her son Solomon would succeed David as king (1 Kings 1:8-40).
Bathsheba
Bathsheba was the wife of Uriah the Hittite until David committed adultery with her while Uriah was away at war. After David had Uriah killed, Bathsheba became David’s wife and gave birth to Solomon who succeeded David as king (2 Samuel 11:1-12:24).
Absalom
Absalom was David’s third son whose sister Tamar was raped by their half-brother Amnon. Absalom later murdered Amnon in revenge and led a revolt against David’s rule. Absalom temporarily drove David from Jerusalem and had relations with David’s concubines to assert his claim to the throne. But he was killed against David’s wishes despite his father still loving him dearly (2 Samuel 13:1-18:33).
Mephibosheth
Jonathan’s young son who was crippled in both feet. David showed him kindness by allowing him to always dine at the king’s table in Jerusalem, restoring Saul’s land to him (2 Samuel 9:1-13).
Uriah
One of David’s mighty warriors, Uriah was betrayed by David who committed adultery with Uriah’s wife Bathsheba, then arranged for Uriah’s death in battle to cover up the scandal (2 Samuel 11:1-27).
Key Themes in 2 Samuel
The Davidic Covenant
God makes an unconditional covenant with David, promising that his offspring would rule forever over Israel in an everlasting kingdom (2 Samuel 7:8-16). Though David’s descendants proved mostly unfaithful, this covenant was ultimately fulfilled through Jesus Christ, the son of David, who reigns eternally over all who believe.
Sin’s Consequences
Though chosen by God, David proves fatally flawed by committing egregious sins like adultery and murder. The rest of his reign is marred by rape, rebellion, and revolt as the consequences of his sin spill out into his own household. Though forgiven, David still faced these temporal judgments.
God’s Sovereignty
Despite the failings of David and other human characters, God remains sovereign over Israel’s history as he works out his divine purposes. It is God who gives David victory and subdues his enemies. And it is God who directly intervenes at times through prophets and angels to guide the course of events.
Summary by Chapter
2 Samuel 1
David learns of the deaths of Saul and Jonathan (2 Samuel 1:1-16). David has the Amalekite executed who claimed to have killed Saul, then composes a lament over Saul and Jonathan (2 Samuel 1:17-27).
2 Samuel 2
David is anointed king over Judah while Ish-bosheth reigns over Israel (2 Samuel 2:1-11). War breaks out between them, culminating in the deaths of Asahel and Abner (2 Samuel 2:12-32).
2 Samuel 3
David’s house grows stronger as Saul’s grows weaker (2 Samuel 3:1-5). Abner defects to David but is murdered by Joab (2 Samuel 3:6-39).
2 Samuel 4
Ish-bosheth is murdered by the brothers Rechab and Baanah, who are then executed by David (2 Samuel 4:1-12).
2 Samuel 5
David becomes king over all Israel (2 Samuel 5:1-5). He conquers Jerusalem from the Jebusites (2 Samuel 5:6-12). David’s kingdom grows in strength as God is with him (2 Samuel 5:13-25).
2 Samuel 6
David tries unsuccessfully to bring the Ark to Jerusalem (2 Samuel 6:1-11). On the second attempt it succeeds, but Uzzah is struck dead for touching the Ark (2 Samuel 6:12-23).
2 Samuel 7
David desires to build God a temple, but God declines through Nathan the prophet (2 Samuel 7:1-17). Instead God makes an everlasting covenant with David (2 Samuel 7:18-29).
2 Samuel 8
David defeats and subdues the Philistines, Moabites, Hadadezer king of Zobah, and the Edomites, securing a kingdom for Israel (2 Samuel 8:1-18).
2 Samuel 9
David shows kindness to Jonathan’s crippled son Mephibosheth (2 Samuel 9:1-13).
2 Samuel 10
David defeats the Ammonites and Arameans after they humiliate his ambassadors (2 Samuel 10:1-19).
2 Samuel 11
David commits adultery with Bathsheba and arranges for Uriah’s death (2 Samuel 11:1-27).
2 Samuel 12
Nathan rebukes David, David repents, the child of David and Bathsheba dies (2 Samuel 12:1-31).
2 Samuel 13
Amnon rapes his half-sister Tamar (2 Samuel 13:1-22). Absalom murders Amnon then flees (2 Samuel 13:23-39).
2 Samuel 14
Absalom is allowed to return to Jerusalem through Joab’s efforts (2 Samuel 14:1-33).
2 Samuel 15
Absalom forms a conspiracy and forces David to flee Jerusalem (2 Samuel 15:1-37).
2 Samuel 16
David is cursed by Shimei and encounters Ziba (2 Samuel 16:1-14). Absalom enters Jerusalem and has relations with David’s concubines (2 Samuel 16:15-23).
2 Samuel 17
Ahithophel advises Absalom but his plan is thwarted through Hushai’s counsel to Absalom and David (2 Samuel 17:1-29).
2 Samuel 18
Absalom’s forces are defeated and he is killed against David’s wishes (2 Samuel 18:1-33).
2 Samuel 19
David returns to Jerusalem but is initially shunned (2 Samuel 19:1-15). Shimei apologizes and David spares his life (2 Samuel 19:16-23). Controversy erupts over the tribes (2 Samuel 19:24-43).
2 Samuel 20
Sheba leads a revolt but is defeated by Joab at Abel Beth Maakah (2 Samuel 20:1-26).
2 Samuel 21
To end a famine, David allows the Gibeonites to kill some of Saul’s descendants (2 Samuel 21:1-14). Various exploits against the Philistines are recounted (2 Samuel 21:15-22).
2 Samuel 22
David’s psalm of praise to God for delivering him from all his enemies (2 Samuel 22:1-51).
2 Samuel 23
David’s last words (2 Samuel 23:1-7). Exploits of David’s mighty men (2 Samuel 23:8-39).
2 Samuel 24
David’s census and the resulting judgment (2 Samuel 24:1-17). David builds an altar on Araunah’s threshing floor, the future site of the Temple (2 Samuel 24:18-25).