OUTLINE OF 2nd SAMUEL

By Gene McCarty

    In the Hebrew text the books of Samuel are considered as one book. This book is one of the more interesting books of the Bible as the name does not reflect authorship.
    Samuel's death was recorded in the last chapters of I Samuel, yet during this time in history Samuel was still of great influence. The authorship is not known, and it is obviously different than the books of Kings. In I Chronicles 29:29 Nathan, Gad and Samuel are listed as writers of history, and it may be that these are the writers of II Samuel. 
    This book is in fact the account of King David. David is 30 years old when he becomes King, and reigns for 40 years.  

1. We see David as he learns of the death of Saul and his son Jonathan. We read his song of mourning which gives great emphasis to the love that he still held for both Saul and Jonathan.
    

2. In chapter 2 we see David inquire of God in regard to the action that he should take now that Saul is dead. He knew that God had anointed him to be King, and now he is wanting to do everything as God would have him to. There is no wild ambition showing in David's life as he is about to become king. Latter in chapter 2 we see the wars between the house of David and the house of Saul. By chapter 3 Abner moves his allegiance to David and is then murdered by Joab. Chapter 4 is the account of the murder of Ish-Bosheth, the last healthy son of Saul.
    

3. The elders of Israel anoint David king of Israel in chapter 5. In a very short time David conquers Jerusalem and also defeats the Philistines who have attacked his kingdom in order to destroy his rule before he can get a foothold. He soon brings the ark of the covenant to Jerusalem (chapter 6), and begins to prepare to build the temple there (chapter 7).
    

4. In chapter 7 we see that David is a humble man and a Godly man. The strength seen in his rule is unmatched as he is victorious in all that he does (chapter 8). In chapter 9 we see the love of David displayed as he blessed Mephibosheth, the grandson of Saul and the son of Jonathan. 
    

5. In chapter 11 we find David looking upon a beautiful woman (Bathsheba), and becoming involved in sin. This event is to become a great sadness in his life. The Lord is not pleased. In chapter 12 David is rebuked by the prophet of God, and suffers his first heartache for this sin. 
    

6. Because of David’s sin a curse has been put on David’s house. We see the problems beginning as Amnon rapes his sister in chapter 13. Then in the same chapter he is killed by Absalom, another of David's sons. After a period of absence from the kingdom, Absalom returns to Jerusalem and begins a conspiracy that is soon to have David fleeing from his presence. By the end of chapter 16 Absalom is laying with David's concubine, and early in chapter 17 he organizes an army to pursue king David and kill him. By the end of chapter 19 Absalom is dead and we are impressed with the folly of raising a hand against the anointed of the Lord. One of the most impressive notes of this chapter is the love that David still holds for his rebellious son.
    

7. In the chapters that remain in this book of history we find stories of rebellion and heartache. The kingdom of David never reaches the glory that it had achieved in the early days of his reign. In chapter 31 we find one of the last songs of praise that David offers to Jehovah, and in chapter 24 we notice that one of the last acts of David's rule is the building of an altar to use in worship to God. It is important to remember that the sadness of the last years of king David's reign was caused by his intentional sin. Sin always has a price.