Names of the Book
| English: | 2 Samuel |
| Hebrew: | שׁמוּאל בּ |
| Transliterated: | Shemuel Bet |
| Other names: |
Who
| Wrote the book: | Unknown (some have suggested Nathan's son Zabud- 1 Kings 4:5). The book may also include some writings of Nathan and Gad (see 1 Chronicles 29:29). |
| Are the key people: | David, Abigail, Bathsheba, Abner, Nathan |
| Is it written to: | The people of Israel |
What
| David's successes as conquering king (2 Samuel 1:1-10:19) |
| David's struggles as a husband and father (2 Samuel 11:1-24:25) |
When
| Was it written: | 930 BCE |
| Did the events occur: | c 1050-970 BCE |
| Was it canonized: | c 499-100 BCE |
| (see the Timeline of the Tanakh) | |
Where
| Was it written: | unknown location in Israel |
| Did the events occur: | The land of Israel: Hebron, Jerusalem, Gath, Moab, Edom, Rabbah, Mahanaim, Forest of Ephraim, Abel Beth Maacah |
Why
| 2 Samuel was written to inform us that: |
| G-d grows His kingdom. |
| G-d desires justice. |
| G-d punishes sin. |
| There is sin even the greatest among men, King David. |
Introduction
Second Samuel is a historical narrative that begins at the conclusion of First Samuel. Originally, the two were a single tome called "The book of Samuel". Second Samuel records David's reign as king over Israel. During David's reign, Israel's borders grew to extend roughly from Egypt to the Euphrates: almost the full area that G-d had promised to Abraham. Although David has many successes, he sins against G-d by having Uriah killed in battle so he can marry Uriah's wife, Bathsheba. Subsequently both David's kingdom and his own family fall into chaos with his son Absalom leading a violent rebellion against him. Even in the midst of David's sin and failures, he was a man after God's own heart who modeled deep, heartfelt prayer and repentance. Consequently, G-d makes a covenant with David that establishes the eternal rule of David's descendants over Israel.
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