David's reign over a united Israel, at its height and its cost.
Second Samuel follows David from the death of Saul through his capture of Jerusalem and the years of his rule, presenting his successes and his serious failures side by side.
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ReadDavid becomes king over all Israel and takes Jerusalem.
Learn MoreA king's abuse of power and the family crisis that follows.
Learn MoreDavid's son leads a rebellion that nearly ends his reign.
Learn MoreAfter Saul's death, David is first made king over Judah and later over all twelve tribes. He captures the fortress of Jerusalem and makes it his political and religious center, bringing the ark of the covenant there. The book presents this as the high point of the monarchy, with David extending Israel's influence over neighboring peoples.
David commits adultery with Bathsheba and arranges the death of her husband Uriah in battle. The prophet Nathan confronts him directly, and the rest of the book traces long-running consequences within David's own household, including the death of a child, the rape of Tamar, and violence among David's sons.
David's son Absalom builds a following and declares himself king, forcing David to flee Jerusalem. The rebellion ends with Absalom's death against David's orders, and David's grief is one of the book's best-known scenes. The closing chapters gather assorted episodes, lists, and a census that bring the reign to a sober conclusion.