Book 10 · History

2 Samuel

2 Samuel follows David from grief at Saul’s death to the height and fracture of his reign. The book gathers Israel under his kingship, centers the kingdom in Jerusalem, and binds David’s house to God's promise, yet it also lingers over his sin, the violence within his family, and the unrest that follows. Its movement holds royal glory and royal failure together under the steady weight of covenant and judgment.

2 Samuel gives the Old Testament its defining royal figure and the covenant that shapes later hopes for a lasting king. In the larger canon, it stands where kingdom promise becomes both more concrete and more troubled, joining Israel’s political story to its long expectation of faithful rule.

Chapters

Pick a chapter.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24

Outline

Every section, in order.

Chapter 1 Saul’s Death Reported to David and David’s Song for Saul and Jonathan
1. Saul’s Death Reported to Davidvv. 1-16
2. David’s Song for Saul and Jonathanvv. 17-27
Chapter 2
1. David Anointed King of Judahvv. 1-7
2. Ish-bosheth Made King of Israelvv. 8-11
3. The Battle of Gibeonvv. 12-32
Chapter 3
1. The House of David Strengthenedvv. 1-5
2. Abner Joins Davidvv. 6-21
3. Joab Murders Abnervv. 22-30
4. David Mourns for Abnervv. 31-39
Chapter 4 The Murder of Ish-bosheth and The Execution of Rechab and Baanah
1. The Murder of Ish-boshethvv. 1-8
2. The Execution of Rechab and Baanahvv. 9-12
Chapter 5
1. David Anointed King of All Israelvv. 1-5
2. David Conquers Jerusalemvv. 6-11
3. David’s Family Growsvv. 12-16
4. Two Victories over the Philistinesvv. 17-25
Chapter 6
1. David Fetches the Arkvv. 1-4
2. Uzzah Touches the Arkvv. 5-11
3. The Ark Brought to Jerusalemvv. 12-15
4. Michal’s Contempt for Davidvv. 16-23
Chapter 7 God’s Covenant with David and David’s Prayer of Thanksgiving
1. God’s Covenant with Davidvv. 1-17
2. David’s Prayer of Thanksgivingvv. 18-29
Chapter 8 David’s Triumphs and David’s Officers
1. David’s Triumphsvv. 1-14
2. David’s Officersvv. 15-18
Chapter 9 David and Mephibosheth
1. David and Mephiboshethvv. 1-13
Chapter 10 David’s Messengers Disgraced and David Defeats Ammon and Aram
1. David’s Messengers Disgracedvv. 1-8
2. David Defeats Ammon and Aramvv. 9-19
Chapter 11
1. David and Bathshebavv. 1-13
2. David Arranges Uriah’s Deathvv. 14-25
3. David Marries Bathshebavv. 26-27
Chapter 12
1. Nathan Rebukes Davidvv. 1-12
2. David’s Loss and Repentancevv. 13-23
3. Solomon’s Birthvv. 24-25
4. The Capture of Rabbahvv. 26-31
Chapter 13
1. Amnon and Tamarvv. 1-22
2. Absalom’s Revenge on Amnonvv. 23-33
3. Absalom Flees to Geshurvv. 34-39
Chapter 14 Absalom’s Return to Jerusalem and Absalom Reconciled to David
1. Absalom’s Return to Jerusalemvv. 1-27
2. Absalom Reconciled to Davidvv. 28-33
Chapter 15
1. Absalom’s Conspiracyvv. 1-12
2. David Flees Jerusalemvv. 13-29
3. David Weeps at the Mount of Olivesvv. 30-37
Chapter 16
1. David and Zibavv. 1-4
2. Shimei Curses Davidvv. 5-14
3. The Counsel of Ahithophel and Hushaivv. 15-23
Chapter 17 Hushai Counters Ahithophel’s Advice and Hushai’s Warning Saves David
1. Hushai Counters Ahithophel’s Advicevv. 1-14
2. Hushai’s Warning Saves Davidvv. 15-29
Chapter 18 Absalom Killed and David Mourns for Absalom
1. Absalom Killedvv. 1-18
2. David Mourns for Absalomvv. 19-33
Chapter 19
1. Joab Reproves Davidvv. 1-7
2. David Restored as Kingvv. 8-15
3. Shimei Pardonedvv. 16-23
4. Mephibosheth Excusedvv. 24-30
5. David’s Kindness to Barzillaivv. 31-40
6. Contention over the Kingvv. 41-43
Chapter 20 Sheba’s Rebellion
1. Sheba’s Rebellionvv. 1-26
Chapter 21 David Avenges the Gibeonites and Four Battles against the Philistines
1. David Avenges the Gibeonitesvv. 1-14
2. Four Battles against the Philistinesvv. 15-22
Chapter 22 David’s Song of Deliverance
1. David’s Song of Deliverancevv. 1-51
Chapter 23 David’s Last Song and David’s Mighty Men
1. David’s Last Songvv. 1-7
2. David’s Mighty Menvv. 8-39
Chapter 24
1. David’s Military Censusvv. 1-9
2. Judgment for David’s Sinvv. 10-14
3. A Plague on Israelvv. 15-17
4. David Builds an Altarvv. 18-25