2 Samuel

About 2 Samuel

Second Samuel is the story of David's reign—his triumphs uniting Israel, God's stunning promise of an everlasting throne, and his devastating fall with Bathsheba and its bitter aftermath. It was written to show both the greatness God gives and the wreckage sin leaves, even in a man after God's own heart. At its center stands God's covenant with David, the promise the rest of the Bible traces all the way to Jesus.

Written by

The book is anonymous; with First Samuel it once formed a single work, and 1 Chronicles mentions records of Samuel, Nathan, and Gad that may stand behind it.

When

It covers David's reign, about 1010 to 970 BC; the book was compiled sometime afterward, and scholars differ on how long the process took.

Themes

• God's covenant with David
• The weight of sin and grace of forgiveness
• An everlasting kingdom
• Power and its temptations
• God as refuge

Key verses

• 2 Samuel 7:12-13¶ And when thy days be fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, I will set up thy seed after thee, which shall proceed out of thy bowels, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build an house for my name, and I will stablish the throne of his kingdom for ever.
• 2 Samuel 7:16And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before thee: thy throne shall be established for ever.
• 2 Samuel 22:31As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all them that trust in him.