Definition

1. Proper noun:
   • A book of the Old Testament: "2 Samuel" is the second of two historical books in the Old Testament of the Christian Bible, continuing the narrative from 1 Samuel. It primarily details the reign of King David, including his triumphs, personal failings, and the political struggles within his kingdom.

Usage Examples

• Proper noun:
  • The story of David and Bathsheba is found in 2 Samuel.
  • For our Bible study, we are reading chapters from 2 Samuel.
  • The prophet Nathan's confrontation with King David is a key passage in 2 Samuel.

Advanced Usage

• As a canonical reference: The title is used to cite specific passages within the book.
  • The account of David's census is recorded in 2 Samuel 24.

Variants and Related Words

• 1 Samuel (Proper noun): The preceding book in the Old Testament, which tells of the prophet Samuel and the rise of King Saul.
• Samuel (Proper noun): The name of the prophet who anointed both Saul and David; also the collective name for the two books (1 & 2 Samuel) in some traditions.
• Kings (Proper noun): The subsequent books in the Old Testament (1 & 2 Kings), which continue the history of the Israelite monarchy after David.

Synonyms

• The Second Book of Samuel: The full formal title.
• II Samuel: An alternative written form using Roman numerals.

Notes on Meaning

• Historical and Theological Text: While "2 Samuel" is a single proper noun referring to a specific book, its content is historical narrative with significant theological themes concerning leadership, covenant, and repentance in the Judeo-Christian tradition.
• Part of a Larger Work: It is intrinsically linked to "1 Samuel"; the division into two books is a later convention, and they were originally a single scroll.

Noun

1. the second of two books of the Old Testament that tell of Saul and David