2 Samuel

First and 2 Samuel were originally one book in the Hebrew Canon, but were divided by the translators of the Septuagint. Originally, 2 Samuel was called 2 Kings, as it is in the Latin Vulgate. The book now bears the name of the first principal character to appear in 1 Samuel. The content of 2 Samuel deals with the life and reign of King David and could have been entitled the Book of David. Second Samuel serves as a transition from the reign of Saul to the reign of David, as it picks up the narration where 1 Samuel left off. The Davidic covenant is clearly set forth, and includes God's promise to perpetuate the line of David until the coming of the Messiah, as it bears record of God's providential protection of the dynasty and His covenant people, Israel.