About the Book of 2 Samuel
The book of 2 Samuel is centered around David, the Great King of Israel.
The author of 1 and 2 Samuel wrote about the main events in the lives of Samuel, Saul, David, and the history of the Israelites at that time.
The books of 1 and 2 Samuel used to be one book. The writer wrote the book in the Hebrew language. The name of the book comes from the first important person in 1 Samuel. He was Samuel the prophet. Samuel did not write the book. He died before the end of the book.
We do not know who wrote the book. After Saul died, the country of Israel divided into two countries. These two countries were Israel and Judah. The country of Judah included the tribes of Judah and Benjamin. In 1 and 2 Samuel the author often refers to Judah as a country.
In those days, the kings and leaders employed writers to write accounts of events in their country. The prophets also wrote accounts of events. Second Samuel 1:18; 1 Kings 11:41; 14:19, 29; 1 Chronicles 27:24; 29:29 all refer to these writers and their books. The writer of 1 and 2 Samuel probably got most of his information from these accounts.
Don't be surprised if you see information you have already read and studied in 1 Samuel. The author uses a lot of the same information as a reminder of what had already happened. While some information is new, some of it is a retelling.
What to Expect in 2 Samuel
Remember the main characters of 1 Samuel died. That included Samuel, Saul, Jonathan, and two of Saul's other sons.
--- David dominates 2 Samuel
--- David laments Saul and his sons' death
--- David fight over the throne with Ish-Bosheth, Saul's surviving son
----David's dysfunctional family
--- David adulterous affair with Bathsheba
----David's murder of Bathsheba's husband Uriah
----Nathan approaches David
----David and Jonathan's promise fulfilled through Mephibosheth
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