2 Samuel — Introduction & Outline

The two books of "Samuel", originally one in the Hebrew Bible, were artificially divided in the LXX under the title "Books of the Kingdoms", which included 1 and 2 Kings. Anonymous, the books of Samuel were attributed to Samuel, Nathan, and Gad by the Hebrew Talmud according to the words of 1 Chronicles 29:29. Samuel is the most likely author of 1 Samuel 1-24 (cf. 10:25), but since his death is recorded in 25:1, others wrote the rest of the material.

Samuel was the judge over Israel after Samson. He was born about 1105 B.C. and, assuming he was thirty years old at the start of his ministry, served from about 1075 B.C. to 1015 B.C., the time of his death. He was used of God to lead Israel and appoint the first two kings, Saul and David.

1 Samuel 1-24 was clearly written before Samuel's death in about 1015 B.C. 2 Samuel ends in the last days of David so it and the last part of 1 Samuel were compiled after about 970 B.C., the time of David's death. Further, 1 Samuel 27:6 indicates the kingdom was divided at the time of writing which dates the origination after Solomon's death in about 931

B.C. Silence about the Assyrian captivity in 722 B.C. indicates the latest possible date of writing.

The books of Samuel cover about 135 years from the birth of Samuel in about 1105

B.C. to near the death of David in about 970 B.C. Of this, 94 years, or the period ending with the death of Saul (c. 1011), are covered by 1 Samuel.

These books serve as a link to the times of the judges. The last judge, Samson, had failed to completely relieve Israel from the oppression of the Philistines, the chief enemy seen in 1 and 2 Samuel, and thus they become a burden Samuel assumes. The Philistines inhabited the coastal plains and the hill country of Palestine. Like the times of the judges, 1 Samuel begins with no central leadership for Israel, but the books record the beginning of the monarchy and the reigns of Saul and David. Under the reigns of these kings the nation resolves its internal problems and its external oppression.

Religiously, Israel was idolatrous and immoral (1 Sam. 7:3). As priest, Eli reflected this moral laxity in his failure to discipline his sons who corrupted the priesthood (2:22-34). As an act of divine discipline, the ark was stolen by the Philistines at Eli's death and not returned until David's reign, a period of about 75 years.

The books of Samuel are first a history of the development of Israel from anarchy to a theocratic monarchy. Theologically, however, the purpose is to show how God sovereignly rules in the monarchy. God had promised Israel a king as part of His redemptive plan (Gen. 49:10; Num. 24:17; Deut. 17:14-20), but the people impatiently insisted on an immediate king. In granting their desire, God establishes the Davidic dynasty through which He rules Israel and will rule Israel in the eternal kingdom of a promised Davidic "son" (2 Sam. 7:12-16). Thus the books show how God continues to bring about His sovereign rule through man, specifically the Davidic dynasty and the Heir it will produce.

The second book of Samuel is a record of David's reign. The first major section records the triumphs and glory of his reign, then follows a section describing his transgression, and after that, a section on the troubles which his sin caused during his reign. The book ends with a commentary on his reign.

The book continues 1 Samuel in that it begins with the death of Saul (1:1-27), an event which represents the beginning of the consolidation of David's political power (1:1-5:25). David is first anointed king over Judah (2:1-7), but after the civil war with the house of Saul (2:8-4:12) he is anointed king over all Israel (5:1-5) giving him full control. The transfer of power is viewed as a fulfillment of the promise God made to David concerning the kingship (3:9-10). With full control, David is able to rule from Jerusalem (5:6-25) after taking the city from the Jebusites. The construction of his house, growth of his family, and the defeat of the Philistines cement his rule and assure him of God's establishment of his kingdom (5:11-25).

The consolidation of David's religious power comes through two events (6:1-7:29).

First the ark is triumphantly brought into Jerusalem to centralize Israel's worship with the political power (6:1-23). Second, God institutes the Davidic covenant (7:1-29). In response to David's proposal to build God a house, God promises to establish David's house forever. The key promises of the covenant involve this house, or royal dynasty, the reign of David's seed, and the establishment of the seed's throne forever (7:11-16). The promise speaks of his son, Solomon, but also a distant descendant who would fulfill the covenant promises to the patriarchs (Gen. 17:6,16; 35:11; 49:10).

The consolidation of David's power is completed with a sweep of military victories which expand and secure the borders of Israel (8:1-10:19). The account of the victories over Israel's enemies portray a reign of peace and prosperity under the blessing of God (cf. 8:15).

David has reached his pinnacle of power, but the narrative abruptly dampens the climactic effect of these triumphs.

The second major section focuses on the one tragic occasion of David's transgression which introduces failure and defeat to the story (11:1-12:31). The account of David's sin of adultery and murder is related in detail to give the full force of its atrociousness (11:1-27). The immediate consequences of his sin is the first tragedy of David's reign (12:1-25). The death of his son does not prevent the fulfillment of God's promise because Solomon is born soon afterward. God is faithful to His covenant with David, in spite of sin.

The third section of the book describes the decline of David's success as king which results from his sin (13:1-20:26; cf. 12:10-11). The troubles illustrate the fact that the enjoyment of God's blessings come through obedience. The first tragedy is the incident of incest with Amnon and Tamar (13:1-22) and Amnon's subsequent murder by Absalom (13:23-39). The grievous separation of Absalom from David is another dark blot on David's record (14:1-33).

David's political troubles climax with the rebellion of Absalom and the temporary loss of his kingdom (15:1-18:33). This leads to David's greatest personal tragedy which is the death of his son, Absalom (18:1-33).

The restoration of David as king also pictures his troubles, because it does not happen smoothly (19:1-20:26). He experiences a rebuke from Joab (19:1-8), hesitation from the elders of Judah to restore him (19:9-15), and a dispute between Judah and Israel (19:40-43). Moreover, Sheba the Benjamite incites Israel to desert David until Sheba is killed (20:1-22). The ledger of David's chief officials indicates that the kingdom was finally restored to him (20:23-26), though not without trouble.

The final section of 2 Samuel comprises a mixed narrative commentary on David's reign (21:1-24:25). His latter reign is also troublesome. To avert a famine sent by God, David must see the death of more of Saul's family to avenge the Gibeonites (21:1-14). There is also a war with Philistia (21:15-22). Two songs of David represent a positive break in the narrative. The first song praises God for deliverance from enemies (22:1-51) and the second praises God for His eternal covenant with David (23:1-7). These last words of David declare the necessity for God's ruler to be "just, ruling in the fear of God" (23:3-4), an apt theological summary for both books of Samuel.

After this, there is a long list of David's "mighty men" who were responsible for notable military exploits and courageous deeds (23:8-39). They find their way into the record because of their faithfulness and loyalty to the theocratic ruler, David. The book concludes with the sin of David in ordering a census (24:1-25). Reasons are not stated for God's anger with Israel (24:1) or why the order to take a census was wrong. Perhaps David, in a moment of weakness, wanted to gloat in his power or ascertain his military strength at the expense of full trust in God. In any case, the sin is punished by a destructive plague that is finally withdrawn when David builds an altar and offers offerings. This account depicts a less than glorious finish to the rule of David.

The reign of David described in 2 Samuel illustrates the importance of faith and righteousness in God's earthly kings. The book also proves that God will use the monarchy, particularly the Davidic dynasty, to bring about His blessings in spite of the imperfections of the human king.

1. The Triumphs of David's Reign 1:1-10:19

   1. David's consolidation of political power 1:1-5:25

      1. The rule over Judah in Hebron 1:1-5:5

         1. The death of Saul 1:1-27

            1. The report of Saul's death 1:1-10
            2. The execution of the messenger 1:11-16
            3. The song of lament by David 1:17-27
         2. The anointing of David as king over Judah 2:1-7

            1. The anointing in Hebron 2:1-4
            2. The message to Jabesh Gilead 2:5-7
         3. The conflict with the house of Saul 2:8-4:12

            1. Ishbosheth made king of Israel 2:8-11
            2. The civil war between Israel and Judah 2:12-4:12

               1. The battle between Joab and Abner 2:12-32
               2. The growth of David's house 3:1-5
               3. The defection of Abner 3:6-21
               4. The murder of Abner 3:6-39
               5. The murder of Ishbosheth 4:1-12
         4. The anointing of David as king over Israel 5:1-5
      2. The rule over Israel from Jerusalem 5:6-25

         1. The conquest of Jerusalem 5:6-10
         2. The prosperity in Jerusalem 5:11-16
         3. The conquest of the Philistines 5:17-25

            1. The first battle with the Philistines 5:17-21
            2. The second battle with the Philistines 5:22-25
   2. David's consolidation of religious power 6:1-7:2

      1. The return of the ark to Jerusalem 6:1-23

         1. The trip to the house of Obed-Edom 6:1-11
         2. The trip to Jerusalem 6:12-19
         3. The criticism of Michal 6:20-23
      2. The institution of the Davidic Covenant 7:1-29

         1. David's proposal to build God a house 7:1-3
         2. God's promise to establish David's house 7:4-17
         3. David's praise to God 7:18-29
   3. David's consolidation of military power 8:1-10:19

      1. His conquests over enemies 8:1-14

         1. The defeat of Philistia, Moab, Zobah, and Syria 8:1-8
         2. The dedication of spoils from the nations 8:9-14
      2. His administration of justice over Israel 8:15-18
      3. His kindness to Mephibosheth 9:1-13

         1. The promise to Mephibosheth 9:1-8
         2. The instructions to Ziba 9:9-13
      4. His conquest of Ammon and Syria 10:1-19

         1. The defiance of Ammon 10:1-8
         2. The defeat of Ammon 10:9-14
         3. The defeat of Syria 10:15-19
2. The Transgression of David's Reign 11:1-12:31

   1. The account of David's sin 11:1-27

      1. His sin of adultery with Bathsheba 11:1-5
      2. His sin of murder with Uriah 11:6-27

         1. Uriah's refusal to sleep with Bathsheba 11:6-13
         2. David's planned murder of Uriah 11:14-25
         3. David's marriage to Bathsheba 11:26-27
   2. The immediate consequences of David's sin 12:1-25

      1. The confrontation by Nathan 12:1-14

         1. Nathan's parable 12:1-6
         2. Nathan's prophecy 12:7-14
      2. The death of David's son 12:15-23
      3. The birth of Solomon 12:24-25
   3. The capture of Rabbah by Joab 12:26-31
3. The Troubles of David's Reign 13:1-20:26

   1. The incest of Amnon with Tamar 13:1-39

      1. The rape of Tamar by Amnon 13:1-22

         1. The planning of the rape 13:1-6
         2. The rape 13:7-14
         3. The reactions to the rape 13:15-22
      2. The murder of Amnon by Absalom 13:23-39

         1. The planning of the murder 13:23-27
         2. The murder 13:28-29
         3. The reactions to the murder 13:30-33
         4. The flight of Absalom 13:34-39
   2. The restoration of Absalom 14:1-33

      1. The story of the woman of Tekoa 14:1-11
      2. The appeal of the woman of Tekoa 14:12-17
      3. The decision of David 14:18-24
      4. The forgiveness by David 14:25-33
   3. The rebellion of Absalom 15:1-18:33

      1. The conspiracy of Absalom 15:1-12

         1. The subversion through passing judgment 15:1-6
         2. The subversion through recruitment 15:7-12
      2. The flight of David 15:13-16:14

         1. The escape from Jerusalem 15:13-16:4

            1. The loyalty of David's men 15:13-29
            2. The disloyalty of Ahithophel 15:30-31
            3. The assignment of Hushai the Archite 15:32-37
            4. The deception of Ziba 16:1-4
         2. The curses of Shimei in Bahurim 16:5-14
      3. The counsel of Ahithophel and Hushai 16:15-17:23

         1. The return of Hushai to Absalom 16:15-19
         2. The counsel of Ahithophel to Absalom 6:20-17:4
         3. The counsel of Hushai to Absalom 17:5-14
         4. The warning of Hushai to David 17:15-23
      4. The refreshment of David in Mahanaim 17:24-29
      5. The final defeat of Absalom 18:1-33

         1. The defeat of Absalom's forces 18:1-8
         2. The death of Absalom 18:9-18
         3. The message of Absalom's death 18:19-33
   4. The restoration of David as king 19:1-20:26

      1. The rebuke by Joab 19:1-8
      2. The return to Jerusalem 19:9-43

         1. The message to Judah 19:9-15
         2. The mercy to Shimei 19:16-23
         3. The explanation of Mephibosheth 19:24-30
         4. The kindness to Barzillai 19:31-39
         5. The quarrel between Judah and Israel 19:40-43
      3. The rebellion of Sheba 20:1-22

         1. The desertion of Israel under Sheba 20:1-7
         2. The murder of Amasa by Joab 20:8-13
         3. The defeat and death of Sheba 20:14-22
      4. The restoration of David's officials 20:23-26
4. The Commentary on David's Reign 21:1-24:25

   1. The avenging of the Gibeonites 21:1-14

      1. The request of the Gibeonites 21:1-6
      2. The execution of Saul's sons 21:7-9
      3. The burial of Saul's and Jonathan's bones 21:10-14
   2. The war with the Philistines 21:15-22

      1. David's near death by a Philistine 21:15-17
      2. The defeat of the Philistine giants 21:18-22
   3. The songs of David 22:1-23:7

      1. The song of praise for deliverance from enemies 22:1-51

         1. The deliverance of the Lord 22:1-20
         2. The justice of the Lord 22:21-28
         3. The confidence in the Lord 22:29-46
         4. The praise to the Lord 22:47-51
      2. The song of David's last words 23:1-7
   4. The deeds of David's mighty men 23:8-39

      1. The deeds of the first three men 23:8-12
      2. The deeds of three of the thirty chief men 23:13-23
      3. The names of the thirty chief men 23:24-39
   5. The sinful census and the plague 24:1-25

      1. The sin of the census 24:1-9
      2. The judgment of the plague 24:10-17
      3. The withdrawal of the plague 24:18-25