2 Samuel

Your throne shall be established forever.

The Books of the Bible

Previous Book: Ruth

Language

Hebrew

People

David

Saul

Jonathan

Nathan

Bathsheba

Uriah

Solomon

Mephibosheth

Chapters

Chapter 1	David Mourns for Saul and Jonathan
Chapter 2	David Anointed King of Judah Ish-bosheth King of Israel The Battle of Gibeon
Chapter 3	Abner Defects to David Abner Is Killed by Joab
Chapter 4	Ish-bosheth Assassinated
Chapter 5	David Anointed King of All Israel Jerusalem Made Capital of the United Kingdom Philistine Attack Repulsed
Chapter 6	David Brings the Ark to Jerusalem
Chapter 7	God’s Covenant with David David’s Prayer
Chapter 8	David’s Wars David’s Officers
Chapter 9	David’s Kindness to Mephibosheth
Chapter 10	The Ammonites and Arameans Are Defeated
Chapter 11	David Commits Adultery with Bathsheba David Has Uriah Killed
Chapter 12	Nathan Condemns David Bathsheba’s Child Dies Solomon Is Born The Ammonites Crushed
Chapter 13	Amnon and Tamar Absalom Avenges the Violation of His Sister
Chapter 14	Absalom Returns to Jerusalem David Forgives Absalom
Chapter 15	Absalom Usurps the Throne David Flees from Jerusalem Hushai Becomes David’s Spy
Chapter 16	David’s Adversaries Shimei Curses David The Counsel of Ahithophel
Chapter 17	The Counsel of Hushai Hushai Warns David to Escape
Chapter 18	The Defeat and Death of Absalom David Hears of Absalom’s Death David Mourns for Absalom
Chapter 19	David Recalled to Jerusalem David’s Mercy to Shimei David and Mephibosheth Meet David’s Kindness to Barzillai
Chapter 20	The Rebellion of Sheba
Chapter 21	David Avenges the Gibeonites Exploits of David’s Men
Chapter 22	David’s Song of Thanksgiving
Chapter 23	The Last Words of David David’s Mighty Men
Chapter 24	David’s Census of Israel and Judah Judgment on David’s Sin David’s Altar on the Threshing Floor

Highlights

David Anointed King of Judah

2 Samuel 2:1-7

1 After this David inquired of the LORD, “Shall I go up into any of the cities of Judah?” The LORD said to him, “Go up.” David said, “To which shall I go up?” He said, “To Hebron.” 2 So David went up there, along with his two wives, Ahinoam of Jezreel, and Abigail the widow of Nabal of Carmel. 3 David brought up the men who were with him, every one with his household; and they settled in the towns of Hebron. 4 Then the people of Judah came, and there they anointed David king over the house of Judah.

When they told David, “It was the people of Jabesh-gilead who buried Saul,” 5 David sent messengers to the people of Jabesh-gilead, and said to them, “May you be blessed by the LORD, because you showed this loyalty to Saul your lord, and buried him! 6 Now may the LORD show steadfast love and faithfulness to you! And I too will reward you because you have done this thing. 7 Therefore let your hands be strong, and be valiant; for Saul your lord is dead, and the house of Judah has anointed me king over them.”

David Anointed King of All Israel

2 Samuel 5:1-5

1 Then all the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron, and said, “Look, we are your bone and flesh. 2 For some time, while Saul was king over us, it was you who led out Israel and brought it in. The LORD said to you: It is you who shall be shepherd of my people Israel, you who shall be ruler over Israel.” 3 So all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron; and King David made a covenant with them at Hebron before the LORD, and they anointed David king over Israel. 4 David was thirty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned forty years. 5 At Hebron he reigned over Judah seven years and six months; and at Jerusalem he reigned over all Israel and Judah thirty-three years.

Jerusalem Made Capital of the United Kingdom

2 Samuel 5:6

6 The king and his men marched to Jerusalem against the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land, who said to David, “You will not come in here, even the blind and the lame will turn you back”—thinking, “David cannot come in here.” 7 Nevertheless David took the stronghold of Zion, which is now the city of David. 8 David had said on that day, “Whoever would strike down the Jebusites, let him get up the water shaft to attack the lame and the blind, those whom David hates.”a Therefore it is said, “The blind and the lame shall not come into the house.” 9 David occupied the stronghold, and named it the city of David. David built the city all around from the Millo inward. 10 And David became greater and greater, for the LORD, the God of hosts, was with him.

11 King Hiram of Tyre sent messengers to David, along with cedar trees, and carpenters and masons who built David a house. 12 David then perceived that the LORD had established him king over Israel, and that he had exalted his kingdom for the sake of his people Israel.

13 In Jerusalem, after he came from Hebron, David took more concubines and wives; and more sons and daughters were born to David. 14 These are the names of those who were born to him in Jerusalem: Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon, 15 Ibhar, Elishua, Nepheg, Japhia, 16 Elishama, Eliada, and Eliphelet.

God’s Covenant with David

2 Samuel 7:1

1 Now when the king was settled in his house, and the LORD had given him rest from all his enemies around him, 2 the king said to the prophet Nathan, “See now, I am living in a house of cedar, but the ark of God stays in a tent.” 3 Nathan said to the king, “Go, do all that you have in mind; for the LORD is with you.”

4 But that same night the word of the LORD came to Nathan: 5 Go and tell my servant David: Thus says the LORD: Are you the one to build me a house to live in? 6 I have not lived in a house since the day I brought up the people of Israel from Egypt to this day, but I have been moving about in a tent and a tabernacle. 7 Wherever I have moved about among all the people of Israel, did I ever speak a word with any of the tribal leaders of Israel, whom I commanded to shepherd my people Israel, saying, “Why have you not built me a house of cedar?” 8 Now therefore thus you shall say to my servant David: Thus says the LORD of hosts: I took you from the pasture, from following the sheep to be prince over my people Israel; 9 and I have been with you wherever you went, and have cut off all your enemies from before you; and I will make for you a great name, like the name of the great ones of the earth. 10 And I will appoint a place for my people Israel and will plant them, so that they may live in their own place, and be disturbed no more; and evildoers shall afflict them no more, as formerly, 11 from the time that I appointed judges over my people Israel; and I will give you rest from all your enemies. Moreover the LORD declares to you that the LORD will make you a house. 12 When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your ancestors, I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come forth from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. 13 He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. 14 I will be a father to him, and he shall be a son to me. When he commits iniquity, I will punish him with a rod such as mortals use, with blows inflicted by human beings. 15 But I will not take my steadfast love from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away from before you. 16 Your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me; your throne shall be established forever. 17 In accordance with all these words and with all this vision, Nathan spoke to David.

Next Book: 1 Kings

Liveology Yoga Studios creates uplifting content for your whole life. Join us on the journey of seeking God, self-study, healing, and awakening as we draw from spiritual traditions across the world. Subscribe for access to our exclusive library of articles and videos and the magazine. Make sure to follow us on Instagram and YouTube! Thank you for your continued and growing support.

Peace & Pineapples!