outline of 2 Samuel

1.  God Enthrones David over Judah and Israel (1:1-5:5)

1. David Becomes King over Judah (1:1-2:7)

1.  David Avenges and Laments the Deaths of Saul and Jonathan (ch. 1)
2.  David Anointed King over Judah (2:1-7)

2. David Becomes King over Israel (2:8-5:5)

   1.  Abner Makes Ish-bosheth King over Israel, and There is War Between the Houses of Saul and David
    (2:8-32)
   2.  Abner Goes over to David and Is Murdered by Joab (ch. 3)
   3.  Ish-bosheth Is Assassinated, and David Becomes King Over Israel (4:1-5:5)

2.  David Gains a City and a Promise of an Everlasting Dynasty (5:6-10:19)

1. David Establishes His Capital in Jerusalem (5:6-6:23)

   1.  David Captures Jerusalem and Defeats the Philistines (5:6-25)
   2.  David Brings the Ark of God to Jerusalem (ch. 6)
    

2. God Promises David an Everlasting Dynasty (ch. 7)
3. David Achievements as King (chs. 8-10)

   1.  David's Victories and Officers (ch. 8)
   2.  David's Kindness to Mephibosheth (ch. 9)
   3.  David's Kindness to Hanun Is Rebuffed, and War with Ammon Ensues (ch. 10)

3.  David Sins and Suffers the Consequences (chs. 11-20)

1. David Sins and Finds Reconciliation (chs. 11; 12)
   1.  Bathsheba and Uriah (ch. 11)
   2.  David Repents, but His Sin Carries Consequences (ch. 12)
    
2. David's Sons Sin, but Reconciliation is Incomplete (chs. 13; 14)
   1.  Amnon Commits Sexual Sin, and Absalom Commits Murder (ch. 13)
   2.  Absalom Returns to Jerusalem but Is Not Fully Reconciled to David (ch. 14)
    
3. Absalom Rebels and Dies (chs. 15-18)
   1.  Absalom Rebels Against David and David Flees Jerusalem (ch. 15)
   2.  Shimei Curses David (ch. 16)
   3.  Hushai Confuses the War Council of Absalom (ch. 17)
   4.  Absalom is Killed by Joab and Mourned by David (ch. 18)
    
4. God Restores David's Reign (chs. 19; 20)
   1.  David Returns to Jerusalem (ch. 19)
   2.  Sheba's Attempts to Secede (ch. 20)

4.  Epilogue:  Last Words About David's Reign (chs. 21-24)

1. A Famine Resulting from Saul's Sin Is Stopped (21:1-14)
2. Human Agents of David's Success (21:15-22)
3. David Sings the Praises of God (ch. 22)
4. David's "Last Words" (23:1-7)
5. More Human Agents of David's Success (23:8-39)
6. A Plague Resulting from David's Sin Is Stopped (ch. 24)