2 Samuel (Shmuel 2)

Your throne shall be established forever.

The Books of the Tanakh (Hebrew Scriptures)

Photo by Angel Luciano

Previous Book: 1 Samuel  Next Book: 1 Kings

Original Language Hebrew Section of Tanakh Navi'im (Prophets)

People David Saul Jonathan Nathan Bathsheba Uriah Solomon Mephibosheth

Chapters

Chapter 1	David Mourns for Saul and Jonathan
​Chapter 2	David Anointed King of Judah Ish-bosheth King of Israel The Battle of Gibeon
Chapter 3	Abner Defects to David Abner Is Killed by Joab
Chapter 4	Ish-bosheth Assassinated
Chapter 5	David Anointed King of All Israel Jerusalem Made Capital of the United Kingdom Philistine Attack Repulsed
Chapter 6	David Brings the Ark to Jerusalem
Chapter 7	God’s Covenant with David David’s Prayer
Chapter 8	David’s Wars David’s Officers
Chapter 9	David’s Kindness to Mephibosheth
Chapter 10	The Ammonites and Arameans Are Defeated
Chapter 11	David Commits Adultery with Bathsheba David Has Uriah Killed
​Chapter 12	Nathan Condemns David Bathsheba’s Child Dies Solomon Is Born The Ammonites Crushed
​Chapter 13	Amnon and Tamar Absalom Avenges the Violation of His Sister
​Chapter 14	Absalom Returns to Jerusalem David Forgives Absalom
Chapter 15	Absalom Usurps the Throne David Flees from Jerusalem Hushai Becomes David’s Spy
​Chapter 16	David’s Adversaries Shimei Curses David The Counsel of Ahithophel
​Chapter 17	The Counsel of Hushai Hushai Warns David to Escape
​Chapter 18	The Defeat and Death of Absalom David Hears of Absalom’s Death David Mourns for Absalom
​Chapter 19	David Recalled to Jerusalem David’s Mercy to Shimei David and Mephibosheth Meet David’s Kindness to Barzillai
​Chapter 20	The Rebellion of Sheba
​Chapter 21	David Avenges the Gibeonites Exploits of David’s Men
​Chapter 22	David’s Song of Thanksgiving
​Chapter 23	The Last Words of David David’s Mighty Men
​Chapter 24	David’s Census of Israel and Judah Judgment on David’s Sin David’s Altar on the Threshing Floor

Summary

The book of 2 Samuel continues the story of Israel’s monarchy, focusing on the reign of King David, one of the most significant figures in the Bible. The book begins after the death of King Saul, Israel’s first king. David mourns Saul’s death, and soon after, he is anointed king—first over the tribe of Judah, then over all of Israel. Under David's leadership, Israel is united, and he establishes Jerusalem as the political and spiritual capital, bringing the Ark of the Covenant there and making it a center of worship.

David's reign is marked by military success, political expansion, and God's blessing. However, the turning point of the book comes with David’s sin involving Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah. David commits adultery with her and arranges for Uriah to be killed in battle. The prophet Nathan confronts David, and though David repents, God declares that consequences will follow. From this point on, David's household is plagued with turmoil—including the rape of his daughter Tamar by her half-brother Amnon, the murder of Amnon by Absalom (another of David’s sons), and a full-blown rebellion led by Absalom himself.

Despite these tragedies, David remains devoted to God and is remembered as a man after God's own heart. The book ends with David’s final victories, a psalm of praise, and preparations for the future leadership of his son Solomon. 2 Samuel shows both the greatness and the vulnerability of a leader who seeks God yet falls into sin. It highlights themes of repentance, justice, mercy, and the enduring promise of God's covenant with David—pointing forward to the coming of the Messianic King from David’s line.

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