The Histories · Old Testament
2 Samuel
2 Samuel is book 10 of 66 and belongs to the Histories in the Old Testament. It has 24 chapters, each with source-checked General, Historical and Literary context. 174 people are indexed in its passages.
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Chapters
- 2 Samuel 1: David mourns Saul and Jonathan
An Amalekite brings Saul's crown and armlet to David and claims that he killed the king at Saul's request. David and his men mourn Saul, Jonathan and… - 2 Samuel 2: David at Hebron and a divided kingdom
David inquires of the Lord and moves to Hebron, where Judah anoints him as king. He commends the men of Jabesh-gilead for burying Saul. Meanwhile… - 2 Samuel 3: Abner seeks agreement and Joab kills him
As David's house grows stronger, Abner breaks with Ish-bosheth after an accusation concerning Saul's concubine Rizpah. He offers to bring Israel to… - 2 Samuel 4: Ish-bosheth's killers face David's judgment
Abner's death weakens Ish-bosheth and unsettles Israel. Two of his captains, Rechab and Baanah, enter his house while he rests, kill him and carry… - 2 Samuel 5: David rules all Israel and takes Jerusalem
Israel's elders come to Hebron, make a covenant with David and anoint him king over all Israel. David captures the Jebusite stronghold of Zion and… - 2 Samuel 6: The ark comes to Jerusalem
David sets out to bring the ark to Jerusalem, but the Lord strikes Uzzah dead after he reaches out to steady it. Afraid, David leaves the ark at… - 2 Samuel 7: The Lord promises David a house
David tells Nathan that he lives in a cedar house while the ark remains in a tent. Nathan initially approves his intention, but the Lord gives the… - 2 Samuel 8: David's victories and royal administration
The chapter summarizes David's victories over surrounding peoples, the tribute that follows and the goods he dedicates to the Lord. It includes the… - 2 Samuel 9: David shows kindness to Mephibosheth
David asks whether anyone remains from Saul's house to whom he can show kindness for Jonathan's sake. Ziba tells him about Jonathan's son… - 2 Samuel 10: A condolence mission becomes war
David sends servants to console Hanun after Nahash's death, recalling kindness Nahash had shown him. Ammonite advisers call the visitors spies, and… - 2 Samuel 11: David takes Bathsheba and arranges Uriah's death
While Joab's army besieges Rabbah, David remains in Jerusalem. He sees Bathsheba bathing, learns that she is Uriah's wife, sends for her and lies… - 2 Samuel 12: A king confronted by his own judgment
Nathan tells David about a rich man who takes a poor man's cherished lamb, then turns David's angry judgment toward the king himself. The accusation… - 2 Samuel 13: Tamar is assaulted and Absalom takes revenge
Following Jonadab's advice, Amnon pretends to be ill and asks David to send Tamar to prepare food. Once he has her alone, he ignores her refusal and… - 2 Samuel 14: Absalom returns but remains apart from David
Joab arranges for a wise woman from Tekoa to bring David a constructed plea about two sons, one killed by the other. Her appeal turns toward the… - 2 Samuel 15: Absalom gains support and David leaves Jerusalem
Absalom cultivates the people who come seeking judgment, presenting himself as the justice they need. Under the stated purpose of fulfilling a vow at… - 2 Samuel 16: Accusations on the road and Absalom in Jerusalem
Ziba meets the fleeing David with provisions and accuses Mephibosheth of seeking Saul's kingdom. David gives Ziba his master's property without… - 2 Samuel 17: Hushai's counsel buys David time to escape
Ahithophel advises an immediate attack on the weary David, but Hushai urges Absalom to gather a much larger army and lead it himself. Absalom accepts… - 2 Samuel 18: Absalom dies and David grieves
David sends his army under Joab, Abishai and Ittai, instructing them to deal gently with Absalom. Absalom's forces are defeated in the forest… - 2 Samuel 19: David returns amid divided loyalties
Joab challenges David's withdrawal into grief, and the king appears before the men who fought for him. Negotiations begin for his return, including a… - 2 Samuel 20: Sheba's revolt and the siege of Abel
Sheba rejects David's rule and draws Israel away, while Judah remains with the king. David orders Amasa to muster Judah, but when he is late sends… - 2 Samuel 21: Famine, the deaths of Saul's descendants and later battles
During a three-year famine, the Lord identifies Saul's attack on the Gibeonites as its cause. The Gibeonites ask David for seven of Saul's… - 2 Samuel 22: David's song of deliverance
David sings to the Lord after deliverance from his enemies and Saul. He calls God his rock, fortress and refuge, then describes mortal danger and an… - 2 Samuel 23: David's final oracle and the mighty men
The chapter introduces an oracle as David's last words, speaking of the Lord's Spirit, just rule and an everlasting covenant. It then remembers the… - 2 Samuel 24: David's census, judgment and an altar
The narrator says that the Lord, angry with Israel, moves David to number the people. Joab objects, but the king's command prevails. After the count…
