Book Outline - 2 Samuel - True Words Baptist Church

The Book of 2 Samuel: The Reign of David and the Rise of Israel’s Kingship 👑

Introduction

The Book of 2 Samuel details the reign of David, the shepherd boy who became the king of Israel, God’s chosen leader for His people. The book chronicles David’s rise to power, his military victories, his deep personal struggles, and the complex relationships with his family, friends, and enemies. From the triumph of establishing Jerusalem as the capital, to the tragic fall of his family and kingdom, 2 Samuel serves as a rich narrative of divine justice, grace, and redemption. It underscores God’s sovereignty over Israel and highlights how even great leaders like David face consequences for their actions, ultimately pointing to God’s mercy and faithfulness in the midst of human failure.

SECTION OUTLINE ONE (2 Samuel 1-2) 🌿

David’s Mourning for Saul, his coronation as king, and the beginning of conflict with Saul’s house.

I. The Tears of David (1:1-27) 😢

A. The Foreigner (1:1-16)

A young Amalekite claims to have killed Saul at Saul’s request. David orders his death for daring to kill God’s anointed king.

B. The Funeral Song (1:17-27)

David writes a heartfelt song to mourn the deaths of Saul and Jonathan, extolling their courage and character.
- Grief: David expresses profound sorrow, calling all of Israel to mourn.
- Glory: David praises the strength and valor of Saul and Jonathan.

II. The Triumph of David (2:1-32) 👑

A. The Ceremony (2:1-7)

David is crowned king over Judah in Hebron, and he honors those who buried Saul.

B. The Competition (2:8-11)

Ishbosheth, Saul’s son, is made king of the rest of Israel by Abner, Saul’s military commander.

C. The Contest (2:12-17)

Joab and Abner battle for control, leading to a deadly conflict.

D. The Chase (2:18-23)

Asahel, Joab’s brother, chases Abner despite warnings, and Abner kills him in self-defense.

E. The Compromise (2:24-32)

Both sides agree to cease fighting temporarily, with the death toll mounting.

SECTION OUTLINE TWO (2 Samuel 3-4) ⚔️

The war with Ishbosheth continues, Abner’s defection to David, and the assassination of Ishbosheth.

I. The Betrayal of Abner (3:1-39) 🕊️

A. The Details (3:1-27)

David’s Fortune (3:1-5): David’s power grows as he gains strength in Judah.
Ishbosheth’s Fall (3:6-27):
- Abner defects to David after a dispute with Ishbosheth.
- Joab murders Abner to avenge the death of his brother.

B. The Denunciation (3:28-30)

David condemns Joab’s actions, grieving Abner’s death.

C. The Dejection (3:31-39)

David mourns publicly for Abner, rejecting Joab’s actions and grieving the loss of an ally.

II. The Betrayal of Ishbosheth (4:1-12) 💔

A. The Accident (4:4)

Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan, is tragically crippled.

B. The Assassination (4:1-3, 5-7)

Ishbosheth is murdered by two men from Benjamin.

C. The Avenging (4:8-12)

The assassins are executed by David for their treachery.

SECTION OUTLINE THREE (2 Samuel 5-6) 🏙️

David’s Anointing as King over all Israel, his capture of Jerusalem, and bringing the Ark to the city.

I. The Anointed of God (5:1-25) 👑

A. David’s Crowning (5:1-5)

David is crowned king of all Israel after the elders of Israel pledge their allegiance.

B. David’s City (5:6-12)

David captures Jerusalem from the Jebusites and establishes it as the new capital.

C. David’s Children (5:13-16)

David fathers eleven sons in Jerusalem, including Solomon.

D. David’s Conquests (5:17-25)

David defeats the Philistines twice.

II. The Ark of God (6:1-23) 🕊️

A. The Mission (6:1-2)

David moves the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem with great fanfare.

B. The Method (6:3-4)

The Ark is placed on a new cart.

C. The Music (6:5)

As the Ark is moved, the people celebrate with music and singing.

D. The Mistake (6:6-8)

Uzzah reaches out to steady the Ark and is struck dead by God.

E. The Months (6:9-11)

The Ark stays at Obed-edom’s house, and he is greatly blessed.

F. The Mad Wife (6:12-23)

Michal, David’s wife, criticizes him for dancing before the Lord, and she remains childless.

SECTION OUTLINE FOUR (2 Samuel 7-8) 💪

God’s unconditional covenant with David, establishing his eternal dynasty, and David’s military successes.

I. The Covenant (7:1-29) 🏛️

A. The Promise (7:1-17)

David’s Request (7:1-7): David wants to build a permanent house for God.
God’s Response (7:8-17): God promises to build David’s house and establish his dynasty forever.

B. The Prayer (7:18-29)

David prays in awe, praising God for His promise and faithfulness.

II. The Conquests (8:1-18) ⚔️

A. David’s Campaigns (8:1-14)

David expands his kingdom through successful military campaigns, defeating the Philistines, Moabites, Arameans, and Edomites.

B. David’s Court (8:15-18)

David’s leadership is noted for its fairness, as military, political, and religious leaders are listed.

SECTION OUTLINE FIVE (2 Samuel 9-10) 🌺

David’s kindness to Mephibosheth and victory over the Ammonites.

I. David’s Compassion (9:1-13) 🤝

A. The Man (9:1-4)

David seeks out Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan, to show kindness for his friend’s sake.

B. The Meeting (9:5-6)

Mephibosheth comes before David in fear, but David assures him of his safety.

C. The Mercy (9:7-13)

David restores all of Saul’s lands to Mephibosheth and invites him to eat at the king’s table.

II. David’s Clenched Fist (10:1-19) ⚔️

A. The Respect (10:1-2)

David sends ambassadors to Hanun, king of the Ammonites, to express sympathy for his father’s death.

B. The Ridicule (10:3-5)

Hanun’s advisers insult David’s ambassadors, leading to war.

C. The Retaliation (10:6-19)

David defeats the Ammonites and their allies, killing thousands.

SECTION OUTLINE SIX (2 Samuel 11-12) 💔

David’s sin with Bathsheba, the death of Uriah, and the consequences.

I. David the Sinner (11:1-27) 🚫

A. His Sin of Adultery (11:1-5)

David commits adultery with Bathsheba, who becomes pregnant.

B. His Sin of Deceit (11:6-13)

David tries to cover up his sin by arranging for Uriah to return home.

C. His Sin of Murder (11:14-27)

David arranges for Uriah to be killed in battle so that he can marry Bathsheba.

II. David the Sorrowful (12:1-13) 😢

A. The Confrontation (12:1-12)

Nathan confronts David about his sin using a parable.
- David’s anger leads him to condemn the rich man in the parable, only for Nathan to reveal that David is the man.

B. The Confession (12:13)

David confesses his sin, and Nathan assures him of God’s forgiveness.

III. David the Submissive (12:14-25) 🙏

A. The Bitter Event (12:15-23)

Bathsheba’s first son dies as a consequence of David’s sin.

B. The Blessed Event (12:24-25)

Solomon, David’s son with Bathsheba, is born and named Jedidiah, meaning “beloved of the Lord.”

SECTION OUTLINE SEVEN (2 Samuel 13-14) ⚔️

Amnon rapes Tamar, Absalom’s revenge, and David’s reconciliation with Absalom.

I. The Rape (13:1-19) 🚨

A. Amnon Desires Tamar (13:1-10)

Amnon, David’s son, falls in love with his half-sister Tamar.

B. Amnon Defiles Tamar (13:11-19)

Amnon rapes Tamar, and his lust turns into hatred immediately after.

II. The Revenge (13:20-39) ⚔️

A. Absalom’s Hatred (13:20-22)

Absalom, Tamar’s full brother, seeks revenge on Amnon.

B. Absalom’s Revenge (13:23-33)

Absalom kills Amnon and flees to his maternal grandfather’s home.

C. David’s Sorrow (13:34-39)

David mourns for his son Absalom, though he desires his return.

III. The Return (14:1-33) 💔

A. Joab’s Strategy (14:1-20)

Joab devises a plan to bring Absalom back to Jerusalem.

B. The Summons by David (14:21-33)

David agrees to see Absalom after two years, and they are reconciled.

SECTION OUTLINE EIGHT (2 Samuel 15-16) 💣

Absalom’s rebellion against David, David’s exile, and Hushai’s role as an infiltrator in Absalom’s court.

I. The Plot Executed (15:1-12) 🎯

A. The Politics of the Plot (15:1-6)

Absalom steals the hearts of Israel, organizing a rebellion.

B. The Place of the Plot (15:7-12)

The rebellion begins in Hebron, spreading throughout Israel.

II. The People Enjoined (15:13-29) 👥

A. Ittai’s Loyalty (15:17-22)

Ittai, a foreign soldier, pledges allegiance to David.

B. Zadok and Abiathar (15:23-29)

David sends the Ark back to Jerusalem with Zadok.

III. The People Encountered (15:30-16:19) 💔

A. Hushai’s Role (15:30-37; 16:15-19)

Hushai returns to Jerusalem as a spy in Absalom’s court, giving him bad advice.

B. Shimei’s Reviling (16:5-14)

Shimei, from Saul’s family, curses David, but David chooses mercy.

SECTION OUTLINE NINE (2 Samuel 17-18) ⚔️

The final battle with Absalom, and his tragic death.

I. The Ruse (17:1-14, 23) 💡

A. Ahithophel’s Advice (17:1-4)

Ahithophel urges immediate action, but Hushai delays the attack.

II. The Report (18:19-32) 📨

A. David’s Grief (18:33)

David mourns Absalom’s death deeply.

III. The Remorse (18:33) 💔

David expresses his sorrow, wishing that he had died instead of Absalom.

SECTION OUTLINE TEN (2 Samuel 19) 👑

David’s return to Jerusalem, his reconciliation with Shimei and Mephibosheth, and his interactions with the people.

I. The Tears of David (19:1-7) 😢

A. David’s Anguish (19:1-4)

David is deeply saddened over Absalom’s death.

II. The Travels of David (19:8-43) 🛤️

A. The Return (19:15-43)

David returns to Jerusalem, but the tribes of Israel bicker over his support.

SECTION OUTLINE ELEVEN (2 Samuel 20-21) ⚔️

Sheba’s rebellion, David’s military victories, and the atonement for Saul’s sin.

I. The Troublemaking of Sheba (20:1-22) 💥

A. Sheba’s Uprising (20:1-13)

Sheba leads a rebellion, but is killed when the people of Abel throw his head over the wall.

SECTION OUTLINE TWELVE (2 Samuel 22) 🎶

David’s song of thanksgiving and celebration of God’s deliverance.

I. Thanksgiving for Being Saved from His Enemies (22:1-32) 🙏

David praises God for delivering him from his enemies, acknowledging His power and provision.

II. Thanksgiving for Being Set Over His Enemies (22:33-51) 🏆

David rejoices in God’s faithfulness and the victory He gave him over his enemies.

SECTION OUTLINE THIRTEEN (2 Samuel 23-24) 📝

David’s final words, the deeds of his mighty men, and the punishment for David’s census.

I. The Song of David (23:1-7) 🎵

A. God and the Godly (23:1-5)

David’s last words reflect his dependence on God.

II. The Soldiers of David (23:8-39) 🛡️

A list of David’s mighty men and their heroic deeds.

III. The Sin of David (24:1-25) 🚨

A. The Census (24:1-2)

David orders a census, resulting in severe consequences for Israel.

B. The Punishment (24:11-15)

David faces the consequences of his sin, leading to 70,000 deaths due to a plague.

C. The Pardon (24:16-17)

David seeks forgiveness, and the plague is stopped.

D. The Purchase (24:18-25)

David buys Araunah’s threshing floor, offering a sacrifice that ends the plague.

Conclusion: A King’s Legacy 👑

The Book of 2 Samuel underscores the complexities of leadership and the eternal promise of God’s covenant with David. It portrays the triumphs and failures of a king, offering lessons in faithfulness, repentance, and the profound consequences of sin. David’s legacy—marked by both glorious victories and tragic failures—points us to the hope of an eternal kingdom fulfilled in Jesus Christ, the Son of David, who reigns forever in righteousness.

Book Outline – 2 Samuel