Introduction to the book of 2 samuel

Therefore, samuel was probably written before kings, which is dated between 561 and 538 b. The poignancy of the book of 2 samuel is that davids story is our own story. Hittite document called apology of hattusili has many similarities with samuel. David was initially acclaimed king at hebron by the tribe of judah chs. As we noted in the previous chapter, 1 and 2 samuel form one book in the hebrew bible. The author has the knack of making the books and her thoughts accessible but still offering fine insight. The hebrew bible regarded 1 and 2 samuel as two volumes of a single book. The translators of the septuagint divided the books due to their length when the vowels were added and. In any event, samuel could not have written all or even most of these two books, as the book of 1 samuel begins before his birth and his death.

Intro to 1 samuel biblica the international bible society. It records the rise of david from lowly shepherd boy to king over all israel. The stories of samuel, saul and david are among the most memorable in the old testament. The books of 1 and 2 samuel were originally one book of scripture. We had in the foregoing book an account of his designation to the government, and his struggles with saul, which ended at length in the death of his persecutor. It is a vivid account of how david, in order to extend his kingdom and consolidate his position, had to struggle with enemies within the nation as well as with foreign powers. Recipient of a 1990 christianity today critics choice award. He turns against david, his loyal servant and friend. Matthew henry introduction to 2 samuel introduction to the book of 2 samuel why study this book. The date and authorship of this book are not preciselyknown. Hcsbs introduction adds, many bible students think samuel along with nathan and gad had major input, pointing to 1 ch 29. While jewish rabbis today reject the septuagint, they are unaware or in blind denial that with out the lxx the jews would not have a book of samuel.

This is a great book, one well worth our serious study. In despair, we realize we cannot save ourselves through our futile attempts at perfect obedience. It explains the narrative and unpacks some of the issues surrounding the establishment of the monarchy and the beginning of the empire. There is more written in the scriptures about david than about any other bible character except jesus christ. The book of 2 samuel begins by narrating davids rise and reign as king of israel, illustrating the lords generosity and kindness to. He becomes paranoid, seeking to kill david as though he were a traitor.

The translators of the septuagint divided the books due to their length when the vowels were added and renamed them 1 and 2 kingdoms. Many moons ago, in a time of great darkness, madonna said that she was a material girl in a material worldand, many moons before that, king david was a deuteronomistic guy in a deutoronomistic world. Moreover, the book of kings appears to pick up the history of israels throne where samuel left off see 2 sam. The masoretic postscript is at the end of 2 samuel. Now it came to pass after the death of saul, when david had returned from the slaughter of the amalekites, and david had stayed two days in ziklag, on the third day, behold, it happened that a man came from sauls camp with his clothes torn and dust on his head. Book of second samuel overview insight for living ministries. The central theme of the books of samuel is how the lord 1 established a dynasty house in israel for david rather than saul and 2 how he chose jerusalem. The pentateuch, the name by which the first five books of thebible. Samuel could have written parts of 1 samuel, but he could not have written any part of 2 samuel, as his death is recorded in 1 samuel 25. It is certain, however, that it preceded the second book of samuel compare judges 9.

Introduction to 2 samuel the book of 2 samuel records the rise, fall, and restoration of king david. Within this book occur the inspiring story of hannah, the battle of david and goliath, the friendship of david and jonathan, and. The central theme of the books of samuel is how the lord 1 established a dynasty house in israel for david rather than saul and 2 how he chose jerusalem as the place where davids successor would establish the temple house for the worship of the divine king yahweh. According to the babylonian talmud, samuel wrote the book that bears his name baba. This is not because man demonstrates love toward god. However, in recounting the sins of david and his sons amnon and absalom, this book also shows the sorrow and tragedy that accompany violations of the lords commandments. Pictured above is 4q51 samuel a, 4qsamuel a, 4qsam a. The book of 2 samuel begins by narrating davids rise and reign as king of israel, illustrating the lords generosity and kindness to those who are faithful to him. First and second samuel were originally one book in the hebrew canon but were divided by the translators of the septuagint.

However, because these scrolls were so massive and cumbersome, the books were later separated into two books. The second book of samuel, the sequel to 1 samuel, is the history of davids reign as king, first over judah in the south chapters 14, and then over the whole nation, including israel in the north chapters 524. See the introduction to samuel in the notes on first samuel. The book of samuel, or 1 samuel and 2 samuel, form part of the narrative history of israel in. The old testament book of 1 samuel is a record of triumph and tragedy.

If there is to be a king who will dwell forever on the throne of david 2 samuel 7. Introduction to 2 samuel by matthew henry blue letter bible. The introduction sets the samuel books nicely into the broader history of the biblical history of israel. We had in the foregoing book an account of his designation to the government. This book contains the history of davids reign, arranged according to its leading features. This, like guziks commentary on 1 samuel, is an informative overview of the book of samuel part 2. Therefore, it seems best to place the writing of samuel sometime after the divided monarchy 9 b. During his time on the run from sauls pursuing troops, david had built up strong support among the southern clans and cities in judah.

The main themes of the book are introduced in the opening poem the song of hannah. In the companion book, 2 samuel, we see a further unfolding of this theme. An exposition, with practical observations, of the second book of samuel. Introduction to 2 samuel for more see the introduction to 1 samuel. The explanation of the deuteronomistic history was very useful. Esdras and josephus refer to samuel as a single work. It is preferable, however, to see the book as presenting a balanced perspective of the human kingship. This book is the history of the reign of king david. It must be admitted that with the current evidence one cannot. Samuels role as gods representative in this period of israels history is close to that of moses see ps 99. Watch our overview video on the book of 2 samuel, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. Introduction united states conference of catholic bishops.

David expanded israels borders from sauls smaller territory. The book of samuel, or 1 samuel and 2 samuel, form part of the narrative history of israel in the neviim or prophets section of the hebrew bibleold testament, called the deuteronomistic history, a series of books joshua, judges, samuel and kings that constitute a theological history of the israelites and aim to explain gods law for israel under the guidance of the prophets. David was initially acclaimed king at hebron by the tribe of judah, and subsequently was accepted by the remaining tribes after the murder of ishbosheth, one of sauls surviving sons. Introduction to second samuel, theme, david, outline, summary. The book of 1 samuel recounts the ministry of the prophet samuel, who restored law and order and regular religious worship in the land bible dictionary, samuel after the israelites had forgotten the lord and worshipped idols many times throughout the reign of the judges. Originally, 2 samuel was called 2 kings, as it is in the latin vulgate. The book of 2samuel begins by narrating davids rise and reign as king of israel, illustrating the lords generosity and kindness to those who are faithful to him.

Yet the lives of these individuals are wound up in the larger story of gods purpose for his people. It must be admitted that with the current evidence one cannot affirm without reservation who wrote the book. The closing chapter of 1 samuel is the account of his death, at the hands of the. Introduction to the pentateuch and historical books by robert jamieson. Intro to 2 samuel biblica the international bible society. David was great because he had such deep faith in god 2. This summary of the book of 2 samuel provides information about the title, authors, date of writing, chronology, theme, theology, outline, a brief overview, and the chapters of the book of 2 samuel. The original hebrew bible contained 1 and 2 samuel as one booknot two. If david is the best king who ever ruled over israel, then god will have to provide, himself, a better king. Introduction to book of 1 samuel themes, characters, verses, and summary. The two books that are now joined in i and ii samuel were originally only one book called the book of samuel.

He fails to obey gods word, and so brings about his own downfall and demise. The wealth of near eastern literature now available to scholars through modern archaeology has provided a possible insight into the genre of samuel, particularly 1 samuel 15 2 samuel 8. The theme of second samuel is the great reign of king david 2 samuel 5. Introduction to book of 1 samuel, israels first king. The contents of the books of samuel may be divided as follows.

Its three main characters, samuel the prophet, saul, and david are among the most powerful people in the bible, yet their lives were scarred by farreaching mistakes. We all desire to love god and obey his commandments, but we fall into sin, over and over. Introduction to the book of 2 samuel why study this book. Introduction to the book of 1 samuel why study this book.