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The Book
of 2 Samuel

summaries and outlines

David_and_Goliath

Book Summary

Second Samuel chronicles the reign of David. It starts with word reaching him of Saul’s death, and it ends near the end of David’s life. By and large, David’s reign is good and he is faithful to God. But he does make a few bad choices that haunt him for the remainder of his life and cause some turmoil in his reign..

The Bible - Numbers

Title

The title “Samuel” refers to the prophet Samuel as the pivotal figure in the books of 1–2 Samuel. As Israel’s final judge, Samuel is the transitional figure from a tribal confederacy in the period of the judges to a united monarchy; Samuel anointed Saul and then David as the first kings of Israel. .

[Source: NIV Theology Study Bible, Copyright © 2010 by Zondervan.]

hebrew_writing

Author and Date of Writing

The authorship of 1–2 Samuel is unknown. Jewish tradition believed the prophet Samuel to be the author.
First Samuel begins with the birth and call of the prophet Samuel, which occurred in the eleventh century bc. 2 Samuel ends near the close of David’s reign (ca. 1010–970 bc).

[Source:NIV Theology Study Bible, Copyright © 2010 by Zondervan.]

2 Samuel Outline

XI. David’s Early Success (2 Sam 1:1—10:19)

  1. David Hears of Saul’s Death (2 Samuel 1:1–16)
  2. David’s Lament for Saul and Jonathan (2 Samuel 1:17–27)
  3. David Anointed King Over Judah (2 Samuel 2:1–7)
  4. War Between the Houses of David and Saul (2 Samuel 2:8—3:5)
  5. Abner Goes Over to David (2 Samuel 3:6–21)
  6. Joab Murders Abner (2 Samuel 3:22–39)
  7. Ish-Bosheth Murdered (2 Samuel 4:1–12)
  8. David Becomes King Over Israel (2 Samuel 5:1–5)
  9. David Conquers Jerusalem (2 Samuel 5:6–16)
  10. David Defeats the Philistines (2 Samuel 5:17–25)
  11. The Ark Brought to Jerusalem (2 Samuel 6:1–23)
  12. God’s Promise to David (2 Samuel 7:1–17)
  13. David’s Prayer (2 Samuel 7:18–29)
  14. David’s Victories (2 Samuel 8:1–14)
  15. David’s Officials (2 Samuel 8:15–18)
  16. David and Mephibosheth (2 Samuel 9:1–13)
  17. David Defeats the Ammonites (2 Samuel 10:1–19)

XII. David’s Grievous Sins (11:1—12:31)

  1. David and Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11:1–27)
  2. Nathan Rebukes David (2 Samuel 12:1–31)

XIII. Later Years of David’s Rule (13:1—24:25)

  1. Amnon and Tamar (2 Samuel 13:1–22)
  2. Absalom Kills Amnon (2 Samuel 13:23–39)
  3. Absalom Returns to Jerusalem (2 Samuel 14:1–33)
  4. Absalom’s Conspiracy (2 Samuel 15:1–12)
  5. David Flees (2 Samuel 15:13–37)
  6. David and Ziba (2 Samuel 16:1–4)
  7. Shimei Curses David (2 Samuel 16:5–14)
  8. The Advice of Ahithophel and Hushai (2 Samuel 16:15–23)
  9. Hushai’s Advice Is Accepted (2 Samuel 17:1–23)
  10. Absalom’s Death (2 Samuel 17:24—18:18)
  11. David Mourns (2 Samuel 18:19-33 and 2 Samuel 19:1-8)
  12. David Returns to Jerusalem (2 Samuel 19:9–43)
  13. Sheba Rebels Against David (2 Samuel 20:1–22)
  14. David’s Officials (2 Samuel 20:23–26)
  15. The Gibeonites Avenged (2 Samuel 21:1–14)
  16. Wars Against the Philistines (2 Samuel 21:15–22)
  17. David’s Song of Praise (2 Samuel 22:1–51)
  18. David’s Last Words (2 Samuel 23:1–7)
  19. David’s Mighty Warriors (2 Samuel 23:8–39)
  20. David Enrolls the Fighting Men (2 Samuel 24:1–17)
  21. David Builds an Altar (2 Samuel 24:18–25)
Adapted from: NIV Biblical Theology Study Bible, Copyright © 2019 by Zondervan.

References and Sources:

David and Goliath Painting  

By attributed to Charles Errard the Younger – Necspenecmetu.tumblr.com, Public Domain, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=42567222