Guide to 2 Samuel
Summary
The book of 2 Samuel offers a conclusion to the narrative first begun in 1 Samuel. Beginning with the conclusion to David’s dramatic rise to power from 2 Samuel 1:1 to 2 Samuel 5:10, some scholars have identified two main narratives specific to 2 Samuel that conclude the three narratives in 1 Samuel: (1) the rise of David to kingship and the beginning of his downfall in 2 Samuel 5:11–12:31 and (2) the failed revolt of David’s son Absalom in 2 Samuel 13:1–20:22. The book of 2 Samuel ends with various psalms and other narratives related to David in 2 Samuel 20:23–24:25 following his reinstatement to Jerusalem.
Videos
Watch selected videos on this book of the Bible to enhance your study. Note: Not all videos included come from a Latter-day Saint perspective. Inclusion on this list should not imply endorsement for all content.
Historical Settings
Time
*All Dates Are Approximate, according to the narrative of the Bible. These dates may reflect literary significance as opposed to the precise dates of history.
See Biblical Chronology- 1010–970 B.C.*
Further Reading
Norman J. Barlow, “David, King,” in Encyclopedia of Mormonism, 4 vols., ed. Daniel H. Ludlow (New York: MacMillan Publishing, 1992), 1:359–360.
Richard Neitzel Holzapfel, Dana M. Pike, and David Rolph Seely, Jehovah and the World of the Old Testament: An Illustrated Reference for Latter-day Saints (Salt Lake City, UT: Deseret Book, 2009), 190–227.
Ann N. Madsen, “David, The King of Israel (2 Samuel),” in Studies in Scripture, vol. 3: Genesis to 2 Samuel, ed. Kent P. Jackson and Robert L. Millet (Salt Lake City, UT: Deseret Book, 1989), 293–314.
David R. Seely, “An Introduction to 1 and 2 Samuel,” in Studies in Scripture, vol. 3: Genesis to 2 Samuel, ed. Kent P. Jackson and Robert L. Millet (Salt Lake City, UT: Deseret Book, 1989), 259–270.