Old Testament
The Second Book of Samuel
The Second Book of Samuel is the tenth of the 46 books of the Old Testament: 24 chapters and 694 verses. The Douay-Rheims calls it 2 Kings.
About 2 Samuel
About 2 Samuel · Royal history
The second book of Samuel follows David's reign: the capture of Jerusalem, God's promise of an everlasting dynasty, and then the long ruin that flows from David's sin against Uriah and his wife. It is anonymous, continuous with the first book, and unsparing toward its hero — the king's crimes and their consequences are told at full length. It was written to record both the covenant with David's house, on which all messianic hope rests, and the truth that no king in Israel stood above the law of God.
| Testament | Old Testament — book 10 of 46, 10 of 73 in the Bible |
|---|---|
| Canon | Protocanonical (in every Christian canon) |
| Chapters | 24 |
| Verses | 694, as Bless numbers them |
| In the Douay-Rheims | 2 Kings |
| Latin | Clementine Vulgate, 23 of 24 chapters |
| Bp. Challoner | Summaries of all 24 chapters · 34 notes |
| Catechism | 6 paragraphs cite it |
Chapter by chapter
All 24 chapters, in brief.
Bishop Richard Challoner’s summary of each chapter, from his revision of the Douay-Rheims (1749–52). Open a chapter for the full text.
2 Samuel 1
27 versesDavid mourneth for the death of Saul and Jonathan: he ordereth the man to be slain who pretended he had killed Saul.
2 Samuel 2
32 versesDavid is received and anointed king of Juda. Isboseth the son of Saul reigneth over the rest of Israel. A battle between Abner and Joab.
2 Samuel 3
39 versesDavid groweth daily stronger. Abner cometh over to him: he is treacherously slain by Joab.
2 Samuel 4
12 versesIsboseth is murdered by two of his servants. David punisheth the murderers.
2 Samuel 5
25 versesDavid is anointed king of all Israel. He taketh Jerusalem, and dwelleth there. He defeateth the Philistines.
2 Samuel 6
23 versesDavid fetcheth the ark from Cariathiarim. Oza is struck dead for touching it. It is deposited in the house of Obededom: and from thence carried to David's house.
2 Samuel 7
29 versesDavid's purpose to build a temple is rewarded with the promise of great blessings in his seed: his prayer and thanksgiving.
2 Samuel 8
18 versesDavid's victories, and his chief officers.
2 Samuel 9
13 versesDavid's kindness to Miphiboseth for the sake of his father Jonathan.
2 Samuel 10
19 versesThe Ammonites shamefully abuse the ambassadors of David: they hire the Syrians to the their assistance: but are overthrown with their allies.
2 Samuel 11
27 versesDavid falleth into the crime of adultery with Bethsabee: and not finding other means to conceal it, causeth her husband Urias to be slain. Then marrieth her, who beareth him a son.
2 Samuel 12
31 versesNathan's parable. David confesseth his sin, and is forgiven: yet so as to be sentenced to most severe temporal punishments. The death of the child. The birth of Solomon. The taking of Rabbath.
2 Samuel 13
38 versesAmmon ravisheth Thamar. For which Absalom killeth him, and flieth to Gessur.
2 Samuel 14
33 versesJoab procureth Absalom's return, and his admittance to the king's presence.
2 Samuel 15
37 versesAbsalom's policy and conspiracy. David is obliged to flee.
2 Samuel 16
23 versesSiba bringeth provisions to David. Semei curseth him. Absalom defileth his father's wives.
2 Samuel 17
29 versesAchitophel's counsel is defeated by Chusai: who sendeth intelligence to David. Achitophel hangeth himself.
2 Samuel 18
33 versesAbsalom is defeated, and slain by Joab. David mourneth for him.
2 Samuel 19
43 versesDavid, at the remonstrances of Joab, ceaseth his mourning. He is invited back and met by Semei and Miphiboseth: a strife between the men of Juda and the men of Israel.
2 Samuel 20
26 versesSeba's rebellion. Amasa is slain by Joab. Abela is besieged, but upon the citizens casting over the wall the head of Seba, Joab departeth with all his army.
2 Samuel 21
22 versesA famine of three years, for the sin of Saul against the Gabaonites, at whose desire seven of Saul's race are crucified. War again with the Philistines.
2 Samuel 22
51 versesKing David's psalm of thanksgiving for his deliverance from all his enemies.
2 Samuel 23
39 versesThe last words of David. A catalogue of his valiant men.
2 Samuel 24
25 versesDavid numbereth the people: God sendeth a pestilence, which is stopt by David's prayer and sacrifice.
Bp. Richard Challoner · chapter summaries
Coming up
Read at Mass.
From October 29, 2026 to October 28, 2027, 2 Samuel is read at the principal Mass on 3 days in the US calendar. The next 8 readings:
| Date | Celebration | Reading | Citation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fourth Sunday of Advent | First Reading | 2 Samuel 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16 | |
| Thursday of the Fourth Week of Advent | First Reading | 2 Samuel 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16 | |
| St. Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary | First Reading | 2 Samuel 7:4-5a, 12-14a, 16 | |
| computed | Friday of the Fourth Week of Advent | First Reading | 2 Samuel 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16 |
| computed | Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children | First Reading | 2 Samuel 1:1-4, 11-12, 19, 23-27 |
| computed | St. Francis de Sales, Bishop and Doctor of the Church | First Reading | 2 Samuel 5:1-7, 10 |
| computed | Thursday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time | First Reading | 2 Samuel 7:18-19, 24-29 |
| computed | St. Thomas Aquinas, Priest and Doctor of the Church | First Reading | 2 Samuel 11:1-4a, 5-10a, 13-17 |
| computed | Saturday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time | First Reading | 2 Samuel 12:1-7a, 10-17 |
| computed | St. John Bosco, Priest | First Reading | 2 Samuel 15:13-14, 30; 16:5-13 |
| computed | Tuesday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time | First Reading | 2 Samuel 18:9-10, 14b, 24-25a, 30—19:3 |
| computed | St. Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary | First Reading | 2 Samuel 7:4-5a, 12-14a, 16 |
| computed | The Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe | First Reading | 2 Samuel 5:1-3 |
No more readings are listed here; the liturgical calendar has every date through December 31, 2028.
Citations as published in the USCCB liturgical calendar (principal Mass, first option). Dates after May 31, 2027 are computed by Bless from the US Lectionary cycle — confirm with your parish.