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.
Scripture- Book Selection