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Introduction
to 2 Samuel
This summary of the book of 2 Samuel provides information about
the title, author(s), date of writing, chronology, theme, theology, outline, a
brief overview, and the chapters of the Book of 2 Samuel.
1 and 2 Samuel were originally one book (see
Introduction to 1 Samuel: Title).
See Introduction to 1 Samuel: Literary Features, Authorship
and Date.
2 Samuel depicts David as a true (though imperfect) representative
of the ideal theocratic king. David was initially acclaimed king at Hebron by
the tribe of Judah (chs. 1
- 4), and subsequently was accepted by the
remaining tribes after the murder of Ish-Bosheth, one of Saul's surviving sons
(5:1-5). David's leadership was decisive and
effective. He captured Jerusalem from the Jebusites and made it his royal city
and residence (5:6-13). Shortly afterward he brought the ark of the Lord from
the house of Abinadab to Jerusalem, publicly acknowledging the Lord's kingship
and rule over himself and the nation (ch. 6;
Ps 132:3-5).
Under David's rule the Lord caused the nation to prosper, to
defeat its enemies and, in fulfillment of his promise (see Ge 15:18), to extend its borders from Egypt to
the Euphrates (ch. 8). David wanted to build a temple for the Lord
-- as his royal house, as a place for his throne (the ark) and as a place for
Israel to worship him. But the prophet Nathan told David that he was not to
build the Lord a house (temple); rather, the Lord would build David a house
(dynasty). Ch. 7 announces the Lord's promise that this Davidic
dynasty would endure forever. This climactic chapter also describes the
establishment of the Davidic covenant (see notes on 7:1-29,11,16; Ps 89:30-37). Later the prophets make clear that
a descendant of David who sits on David's throne will perfectly fulfill the
role of the theocratic king. He will complete the redemption of God's people
(see Isa 9:6-7; 11:1-16; Jer 23:5-6; 30:8-9; 33:14-16; Eze 34:23-24; 37:24-25), thus enabling them to achieve the
promised victory with him (Ro 16:20).
After the description of David's rule in its glory and success,
chs. 10 - 20
depict the darker side of his reign and describe David's weaknesses and
failures. Even though David remained a king after God's own heart because he
was willing to acknowledge his sin and repent (12:13), he nevertheless fell far short of the
theocratic ideal and suffered the disciplinary results of his disobedience (12:10-12). His sin with Bathsheba (chs. 11
- 12) and his leniency both with the wickedness of
his sons (13:12-39; 21;
14:1,33; 19:4-6) and with the insubordination of Joab (3:28-39; 20:10,23) led to intrigue, violence and
bloodshed within his own family and the nation. It eventually drove him from
Jerusalem at the time of Absalom's rebellion. Nonetheless the Lord was gracious
to David, and his reign became a standard by which the reigns of later kings
were measured (see 2Ki 18:3; 22:2).
The book ends with David's own words of praise to God, who had
delivered him from all his enemies (22:31-51), and with words of expectation for the
fulfillment of God's promise that a king will come from the house of David and
rule "over men in righteousness" (23:3-5). These songs echo many of the themes of
Hannah's song (1Sa 2:1-10), and together they frame (and
interpret) the basic narrative.
See Introduction to 1 Samuel: Chronology.
Below is an outline for 2 Samuel. For an outline of both 1 and 2
Samuel see Introduction to 1 Samuel: Outline.
I.
(see Introduction to 1 Samuel: Outline)
V.
Final Reflections on David's Reign (2Sa 21-24)
──《New International Version》
Introduction to 2 Samuel
This book is the history of the reign of king
David. It relates his victories, the growth of the prosperity of Israel, and
his reformation of the state of religion. With these events are recorded the grievous
sins he committed, and the family as well as public troubles with which he was
punished. We here meet with many things worthy of imitation, and many that are
written for our warning. The history of king David is given in Scripture with
much faithfulness, and from it he appears, to those who fairly balance his many
virtues and excellent qualities against his faults, to have been a great and
good man.
── Matthew Henry《Concise Commentary on 2 Samuel》