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 7:12-13And when your days are fulfilled and you rest with your fathers, I will raise up your descendant after you, who will come from your own body, and I will establish his kingdom. He will build a house for My Name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.
• 2 Samuel 7:16Your house and kingdom will endure forever before Me, and your throne will be established forever.”
• 2 Samuel 22:31As for God, His way is perfect; the word of the LORD is flawless. He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him.