The books of 1 and 2 Samuel were originally one book, titled “The Book of Samuel.” Their authorship remains unknown and their date of writing is gleaned from the content the books contain. Due to 1 Samuel 27:6 and references to the kings of Judah and Ziklag, historians have placed the date of writing between 931 and 722 B.C. There is a possibility that Abiathar the Priest wrote the book, however, this is inconclusive, and both 1 and 2 Samuel are thought to be authored by an anonymous source. The Bible speaks about “The Book of Samuel” in 1 Chronicles 29:29, yet describes three books, giving reason to suppose that Samuel was written by at least three people: Samuel the Seer, Nathan the Prophet, and Gad the Seer. As 1 Samuel followed the rise and fall of Saul, Israel’s first king, 2 Samuel deals with David’s kingly rule. David ruled Israel as king for 40 years.

It is in 2 Samuel 7:16, where we see the Messianic prophecy that God will establish David’s kingdom line forever through the birth of Jesus Christ. First Samuel covers a greater time span than does 2 Samuel as the book solely features on King David’s rise to power and kingly rule. Second Samuel begins with the death of Saul and David’s close friend Jonathan.

In 2 Samuel chapters 1-10, we read about David’s great success and favor as king. He began as king of Judah and then became king over all Israel. Chapters 6-7 focus on David’s emphasis on spiritual matters and his desire to build God a temple. Chapters 8-10 discuss David’s military battles and successes and highlights victories at Philistia, Moab, Zobah, Syria, Edom, and Ammon. Though the first ten chapters highlight David’s great success, chapters 11 and 12 focus on David’s fall and sin. It is in 2 Samuel 11 that we learn about David’s adultery with Bathsheba, followed by the murder of her husband, Uriah.

In chapter 12, the prophet Nathan returns to David to pronounce judgment upon him for his sinful and wicked deeds. From 2 Samuel 12-20, we read about the consequences of David’s sinfulness and the punishment, family division, and strife that permeated the kingdom as a result. Some of the events that transpired in David’s life because of his sin include the death of his and Bathsheba’s son, the rape of Tamar, the murder of David’s son, Amnon by Absalom as justification for the sexual violence Tamar endured, and ultimate judgment on David’s kingdom.

Chapters 21-24 chronicle David’s final years as Israel’s king. It’s important to realize that though 2 Samuel is solely about King David, the Bible continues to chronicle and detail his life from 1 Samuel throughout 1 Kings 2:11. The bulk of 2 Samuel, however, is about David’s adultery with Bathsheba, the murder of her husband Uriah, and the consequences that plagued his kingdom.