Questions about the book of 2 Samuel. The book chronicles much of David's reign over the united kingdom of Israel. It was originally the second half of 1 Samuel, but was split when the Septuagint was translated from Hebrew.
Questions tagged [2-samuel]
139 questions
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What's the significance of Absalom's heavy hair?
2 Samuel 14:25, 26
25 In all Israel there was not a man so highly praised for his handsome appearance as Absalom. From the top of his head to the sole of his foot there was no blemish in him. 26 Whenever he cut the hair of his head—he used to cut…
user35953
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Was Tamar's offer to marry Amnon sincere and plausible?
In 2 Sam 13, Tamar attempts to persuade Amnon not to rape her, entreating him (v. 12):
Now therefore, please speak to the king, for he will not withhold me from you.
My impression was that Tamar was Amnon's half-sister, assuming her parents are to…
Susan
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How do we reconcile 2 Samuel 5:6-8 with 2 Sam. 9:11-13? Did David really hate the blind and the lame?
In the Second Book of Samuel we read something very curious:
2 Samuel 5:6-8: "Now the king and his men went to Jerusalem against the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land, and they said to David, 'You shall not come in here, but the blind and lame…
Xeno
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How does a forest kill more people than a battle?
2 Samuel 18:8 The battle spread out over the whole countryside, and the forest swallowed up more men that day than the sword.
How does a forest kill people?
In particular, how could it kill more than the battle where at least 20,000 had died?
INONOTTING
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Did Abner take Saul's concubine?
In 2 Samuel 3:7-11, Ish-bosheth accuses Abner of taking one of Saul's concubines: Rizpah, daughter of Aiah. It seems that were this accusation true, it would be an affront to Ish-bosheth's throne. In the text, Abner bristles at the claim,…
Soldarnal
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What was the purpose of the competition between 12 of Abner's and Joab's men (2 Sam. 2:14-6)?
In the Book of Second Samuel we read of a curious competition between 12 young soldiers of both Abner and of Joab:
2 Samuel 2:14-16: "Then Abner said to Joab, 'Now let the young men arise and hold a contest before us.' And Joab said, 'Let them…
Xeno
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What is the job description of an armor bearer?
2 Samuel 23:37
Naharai the Beerothite, the armor-bearer of Joab son of Zeruiah,
What exactly does an armor-bearer do? How can he be a mighty man?
user35953
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When did the house of Joseph begin to be used to refer to other tribes or all Israel?
In 2 Samuel 19:16, Shimei is known as a Benjaminite. But later in verse 20, he says "I have been the first of all the house of Joseph to come down to meet my lord the king."
Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible for 2 Samuel Chapter 19…
agarza
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Did God use David in order to punish Israel?
In the story In 2 Samuel 24, David took a census in Israel and God punished Israel killing 70,000 thousand men.
At the first verse of the story it reads (NASB):
Now the anger of the Lord burned against Israel again(...) 2 Samuel 24:1
(first…
user35803
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2 answers
What does "with me" mean in 2 Samuel 23:5?
2 Samuel 23:5
"For does not my house stand so with God? For he has made with me an everlasting covenant, ordered in all things and secure. For will he not cause to prosper all my help and my desire?" ESV. My emphasis.
A] "with me". With me…
C. Stroud
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who anointed Absalom?
In 2 Samuel 19:10 We can read that Absalom was anointed (מָשַׁח H4886) over them i.e. as a king.
10 And Absalom, whom we anointed over us, is dead in battle. Now
therefore why speak ye not a word of bringing the king back? (2 Sam 19:10 AKJV)
When…
Daniel Dahlberg
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At what age did David really become king of Judah and/or Israel?
At first glance, reading 2 Samuel 5:4 can be contextually interpreted to mean that David became king of Israel at 30 years old because he was anointed king of Israel in the previous verse.
However, the next verse states that he “reigned” over Judah…
penguin108
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Did God stop the plague before or after David's offerings in 2 Samuel 24?
2 Samuel 24
15 So the LORD sent a plague upon Israel from that morning until the appointed time, and seventy thousand of the people from Dan to Beersheba died.
16But when the angel stretched out his hand to destroy Jerusalem, the LORD relented from…
user35953
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3 answers
Was David serious about dying himself instead of his son Absalom in 2 Samuel 18:33?
2 Samuel 18:33
The king was shaken. He went up to the room over the gateway and wept. As he went, he said: "O my son Absalom! My son, my son Absalom! If only I had died instead of you--O Absalom, my son, my son!"
Clearly, David was in deep…
user35953
2
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1 answer
What is the meaning of "dog’s head of Judah" in 2 Samuel 3:8?
2 Samuel 3:8
English Standard Version
Then Abner was very angry over the words of Ish-bosheth and said, “Am I a dog’s head of Judah? To this day I keep showing steadfast love to the house of Saul your father, to his brothers, and to his friends,…
user35953