2 Samuel Overview + Outline
Since 1 and 2 Samuel was initially written as one cohesive book, some of the answers for this blog will be similar to our 1 Samuel Overview + Outline. However, this book dramatically differs from 1 Samuel, focusing on King David's reign over Israel.
As you read, you'll notice a massive difference between King Saul and King David. One is wholly submitted to the Lord, while the other remains obstinate in his flesh. Although 2 Samuel records David's transgressions, so is the ever-faithful God who keeps His promises to His people.
So look no further than 2 Samuel to see God's covenant with David!
WHAT TYPE OF BOOK IS THIS? (LAW, HISTORY, POETRY, WISDOM, GOSPEL, EPISTLE, OR PROPHECY)?
2 Samuel falls into the historical narrative genre. It picks up after King Saul dies in the battle on Mount Gilboa.
WHO WROTE THIS BOOK? WHAT DO WE KNOW ABOUT THE AUTHOR?
Our earliest Hebrew manuscripts include 1 and 2 Samuel as one book! This massive historical book received its name from Samuel, who led Israel through the last judges to their first established king.
Jewish tradition names Samuel as the sole writer. Other scholars believe Samuel, Nathan, and Gad co-wrote the manuscript. (1 Chronicles 29:29 tells us that Nathan and Gad recorded chronicle history.) However, Samuel dies in 1 Samuel 25:1, leaving a portion of 1 Samuel and the entirety of 2 Samuel unable to be written by him! Additionally, Nathan and Gad were alive during David's lifetime, so they would not have been alive to recount earlier parts of 1 Samuel. Ultimately, we don't know *exactly* who wrote this book of the Bible. Yet, we can still trust that it is the inspired Word of God!
WHO IS THE AUDIENCE OF 2 SAMUEL? WHEN IS IT WRITTEN?
2 Samuel reminded God's people of His faithfulness despite their unfaithfulness to the Lord. While the precise date is unknown, context clues date it after Israel and Judah split in 931 BC because many texts reference Judah separated from Israel. Still, there's little to go off of!
WHAT IS THE SETTING AND LOCATION OF THIS BOOK?
Most of 1 Samuel occurred in places within Israel like Shiloh, Ramah, Bethlehem, and more. However, 2 Samuel focuses on events within or near Hebron, David's chosen capital, once being anointed King of Judah. After defeating the Israelites, the Ark of the Covenant returned to Jerusalem, the City of David. Eventually, David would reign over Israel and the tribes he conquered, such as the Philistines, Moabites, Ammonites, Amalekites, Syrians, Edomites, and Zobah.
WHAT'S THE GENERAL OUTLINE AND STRUCTURE OF THE BOOK AS A WHOLE?
I. David Reigns as King over Israel (1:1–20:26)
David's Accession to Kingship over Judah (1:1–3:5)
David heard about Saul and Jonathan's death (1:1–27)
David anointed King of Judah (2:1–7)
David defeated Saul's House (2:8–3:1)
David's wives/sons in Hebron (3:2–5)
David's Accession to Rule over Israel (3:6–5:16)
Abner and Ishbosheth died (3:6–4:12)
All of Israel anointed David as king(5:1–5)
David raided Jerusalem (5:6–12)
David's wives/sons in Jerusalem (5:13–16)
David's Triumphal Reign (5:17–8:18)
David defeated the Philistines (5:17–25)
David brought back the Ark to Jerusalem (6:1–16)
God made a covenant with David (7:1-29)
David's defeated the Philistines, Moabites, Arameans, and Edomites (8:1–18)
David's Troubled Reign (9:1–20:26)
David showed kindness to Mephibosheth (9:1–13)
David's committed adultery and murder (10:1–12:31)
David's family walked through troubles (13:1–14:33)
The rape of Tamar (13:1–22)
The murder of Amnon (13:23–39)
The recall and return of Absalom (14:1–33)
The rebellions against David (15:1–20:26)
Absalom rebelled (15:1–19:43)
Sheba rebelled (20:1–26)
II. Conclusion (21:1–24:25)
The Lord Judges Israel (21:1–14)
David's Heroes (21:15–22)
David's Song of Praise (22:1–51)
David's Last Words (23:1–7)
David's Mighty Men (23:8–39)
The Lord's Judgment against David (24:1–25)
HOW DOES THIS BOOK FIT INTO THE TIMELINE OF SCRIPTURE? WHAT HAPPENS BEFORE IT? WHAT HAPPENS AFTER IT?
The beginning of 1 Samuel starts with Israel in a poor spiritual state. Generation after generation chose to do what was right in their own eyes, leading them down a spiral of rebellion. Ultimately, their rejection of God as king led Israel to have their first king, Saul, reign over them. Throughout his reign, Saul disobeyed God, leading to his rejection from the throne. Twists and turns ensue before King David finally reigns over Judah.
2 Samuel chronicles David's great successes as he conquered other territories. However, his sin of adultery with Bathsheba ensnared him and produced severe family consequences until the day he died. In 1 Kings, Solomon takes over his father's throne and builds the temple as a dwelling place for God's presence among His people. Though Solomon was the wisest and richest man to live, his lust and adultery eventually overshadowed his wisdom.
HOW DID CHRIST FULFILL THE TRUTH FOUND IN 2 SAMUEL?
The Lord told David, "Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me; your throne will be established forever" (2 Samuel 7:16). Christ Jesus would eventually come to earth through this lineage, fulfilling this covenant the Lord made with David!
Additionally, David sang a hymn of praise to God before his death. It foreshadowed Christ as our rock, deliver of Israel, fortress, and Savior. Glory be that Christ is all of the things for believers today!
KEY VERSES IN 2 SAMUEL
"Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me; your throne will be established forever" (2 Samuel 7:16).
"David said to Nathan, 'I have sinned against the Lord.' And Nathan said to David, 'The Lord also has put away your sin; you shall not die.'" (2 Samuel 12:13)
""The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation. He is my stronghold, my refuge and my savior—from violent men you save me. I call to the LORD, who is worthy of praise, and I am saved from my enemies" (2 Samuel 22:2-4).
KEY THEMES IN 2 SAMUEL: MAN'S PRIDE AND HUMILITY + GOD'S PROMISES
Oh, how the mighty have fallen! King David sins against Bathsheba and then ultimately against her husband, Uriah. When confronted with his sin, David humbly admitted his transgressions, saying: "David said to Nathan, 'I have sinned against the Lord.' And Nathan said to David, 'The Lord also has put away your sin; you shall not die.'" (2 Samuel 12:13) Saul, on the other hand, denied it. The favor of God resting upon His chosen servant, David, leads the king to repentance and humility.
In the backdrop of this sin, 2 Samuel, more importantly, highlights a perfect God keeping His Word to His servant.
WHERE DOES THE NEW TESTAMENT QUOTE OR REFER TO 2 SAMUEL?
Luke 1:31-33 depicts the angel Gabriel telling Mary about Jesus. He said, "And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end." Here Gabriel referenced God's exact promise to David in 2 Samuel 7:16. Likewise, Christ's genealogy found in Matthew 3 confirms that Christ came through the line of David (Matt. 3:6).
WHERE DOES THE OLD TESTAMENT QUOTE OR REFER TO 2 SAMUEL?
Another unique thing about the life of David is that the events within 1 and 2 Samuel correspond to other portions of the Old Testament. For instance, 1 Chronicles 10:1-14 tells of Saul and his sons dying before King David took the throne (2 Sam. 1:16). 1 Chronicles 11 also speaks of David ruling over Judah and Israel, conquesting Jerusalem, and David's mighty men. (See 2 Samuel 5:1-10 and 23:8-39 for corresponding references.) Uzzah and the mishap with the Ark of the Covenant appear in 2 Samuel 6:1-11 and 1 Chronicles 13:1-14. (The journey of the Ark delivered to Jerusalem is found in 2 Kings 6:12-19 and 1 Chronicles 15:25-16:6.) Many more 2 Samuel passages, such as David's temple, covenant, victories, and wars, are chronicled throughout 1 Chronicles.
But wait, there's more! Many of the events within 2 Samuel also correspond with the psalms David wrote. One of the most well-known ones, Psalm 51, addresses David's adultery with Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11-12). Psalm 60 addresses the victory given to Joab in the Valley of Salt (2 Sam. 8:1-14). Absalom's revolts in 2 Samuel 15-17 inform David's cries in Psalm 3. Psalm 18 quotes part of David's song of victory over his enemies in 2 Samuel 22.