2 Samuel continues the story of King David. It narrates his consolidation of Israel’s kingdom, military victories, personal struggles and moral failures (notably the Bathsheba incident), and David’s preparations for building the Temple.

Author: Traditionally Samuel, Nathan, and Gad; like 1 Samuel, it likely draws on multiple sources.

Date Written: Likely compiled in the 7th–6th century BCE.

Context: 2 Samuel frames the theology of the Davidic covenant (God’s promise to establish David’s line), and may have been written to explain Israel’s monarchy and temple plans from a post-exilic perspective.