Translations
Interlinear
Notes
The final chapters of 2 Samuel form a coda (a concluding section). This section brings together and summarizes the main themes from earlier chapters.
These chapters are thematic, not chronological (arranged by topic, not by time). Because of this, not all the events happened at the end of David’s reign (for example, 2 Samuel 22:1).
The material is arranged using a common Hebrew literary pattern called a chiasm (a mirror-like structure). In a chiasm, the first and last sections match, and the middle section is the focus.
The structure of this chiasm is as follows:
A: Saul’s sin against the Gibeonites and the punishment that affected the whole community (2 Samuel 21:1–14)
B: David’s warriors and their heroic deeds (2 Samuel 21:15–22)
C: David’s Psalm (2 Samuel 22:1–51)
C′: David’s Psalm (2 Samuel 23:1–7)
B′: David’s warriors and their heroic deeds (2 Samuel 23:8–39)
A′: David’s sin involving the census and the punishment that affected the whole community (2 Samuel 24:1–25)
A chiasm draws attention to the center section. Here, the center is David’s hymns. These hymns do not focus on David himself. Instead, they focus on David’s God.
Events
- Reign of Davidc. 1055 BC
People
Israel: Patriarch, son of Isaac, father of twelve tribes Saul: First king of Israel, anointed by Samuel
Places
Gibeon: Hivite city that tricked Joshua into a peace treaty
Glossary
Adriel Amorites Armoni Avenger of Blood Barzillai Criminal Law and Punishment Gibeon, Gibeonites Rephaim Samuel, Books of First and Second
Topics
Covenant of Men with Men: Breach of, Punished David: Consigns Seven Sons of Saul to the Gibeonites to be Killed to Atone for Saul's Persecution of the Gibeonites David: King of Israel: Death and Burial of Saul and his Sons Gibeon: A City of the Hivites: Seven Sons of Saul Killed At, to Avenge the Inhabitants of Gibeonites: Effected the Destruction of the Remnant of Saul's House Saul: King of Israel: Kills the Gibeonites; Crime Avenged by the Death of Seven of his Sons