2 Samuel

The history of David, which started in 1 Samuel, continues in this book. Yet it is also a new beginning. The first book ended with the death of Saul, the king after the heart of man. This book is about David. From 1 Samuel 16 onward it also is about him. There he becomes the rejected king. Now it is about him as the crowned king.

The second book of Samuel describes the history of the kingdom of David according to the main moments of its development. We find here:
1. The beginning of the reign of David as king of Judah in Hebron, while the other tribes of Israel still adhere to the house of Saul (2 Samuel 1-4).
2. His exaltation to king over all Israel and the blessed establishment of his kingship (2 Samuel 5-9).
3. The time of the humiliation of his kingship as a result of his adultery (2 Samuel 10-20).
4. The end of his government (2 Samuel 21-24).

In 1 Chronicles 11-29 we find the same history described, also with additions to it, but more seen from the aspect of the development of the Old Testament kingdom of God. There we see a detailed description of David’s efforts in the design and regulation of public service to God and the organization and affirmation of his kingdom and its administration.