Name - This book is a continuation of the First Book of Samuel, which accounts for the fact that
it is called Samuel, although it does not relate to the priest and prophet by this name. The
traditional view is that Samuel wrote the first 24 chapters of First Samuel, and the remaining part
of that book and the records of the Second Book were written by the prophets Nathan and
Gad.
Theme - This book records the events of David's reign, and it marks the restoration of order and
prosperity in Israel through the enthroning of God's anointed king, chosen, as God had ordained,
from the royal tribe of Judah. Saul who had failed and had been rejected by God was of the tribe
of Benjamin. In the choice of David, God set up the royal family through whom the Messiah
should be given to the world (2Samuel 7:8-17; Acts 13:22,23). The book is a record of notable
achievements by the great kind; of sins by both king and people; of God's judgments; of
repentance, forgiveness, and restoration; of triumphant faith and righteousness. Among the
important events was the establishment of Israel's political centre in Jerusalem and her religious
centre in Zion (2Samuel 5:6-12; 6:1-17).
Outline - Historically, the book may be divided into four chief sections: I. From the Death of
Saul to the Anointing of David as King of Judah (1:1-1:27) II. From the Setting up of David's
Reign in Hebron to His Establishment as King over All Israel (2:1-5:25) III. From the
Establishment of the Capital at Jerusalem to the Rebellion of Absalom (6:1-14:33) IV. From the
Restoration of David after the Rebellion of Absalom to the Purchase of the Temple Site (15:1-24:25)
According to Ussher, the events of the Second Book of Samuel cover a period of 38 years.
