THE SECOND BOOK of SAMUEL, OTHERWISE CALLED THE SECOND BOOK of the KINGS.
THIS book may properly be divided into three parts. In the first, the author describes the happy commencement and glorious success of the kingdom of David, chap. 1-10. In the second, he relates the unhappy fall, and the misfortunes which followed it, notwithstanding the repentance of this monarch, chap. 11-18. In the third, he celebrates the re-establishment of this prince; and gives an account of the event, which signalized his reign during its last period, chap. 19-24. The whole comprehends a space of something more than forty years; from the year of the world, 2949, to the year 2989. Mr. Locke remarks, that Abarbanel says, that the books of Samuel were most probably written by Jeremiah, from the memoirs of Samuel, Nathan, and Gad. See the introduction to the first book.