2 Samuel

The second book of Samuel consists of twenty-four chapters, beginning with David's lament over the death of Saul, and tracing the career of Israel's greatest king down to the period of his old age, leaving his death for the Book of Kings which follows.

It is with the material of 2 Samuel that the detailed portion of First Chronicles also begins; and from there to the period of Judah's captivity, we have a double narrative. The history recounted in Chronicles duplicates much of that in 2 Samuel, sometimes repeating the exact words. Chronicles however, deals chiefly with religious or priestly events, while 2 Samuel regards the worldly or kingly side of the same story.

Consequently, in 2 Samuel we are shown David as a mighty conqueror and as a deeply human man. We are told first of his sorrow over the breaking of old associations with the deaths of Saul and Jonathan and then of his politic moves and his establishment in Hebron as King of Judah. Next comes the downfall of Saul's last adherents and David's establishment as king over all Israel. He conquesrs peace at home, and then triumphs abroad and becomes ruler of an empire. This he organizes, consolidates, and makes secure. Then the book tells of his private life, his sin, repentance, and punishment. After that comes his old age, with the tragic rebellion of his beloved son.

The final chapters form a sort of appendix deserting the chronological order of the remainder of the book. They are probably a later addition or insertion into the body of the work. Their religious worth and literary beauty have made them very famous.

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