diff --git a/2sa/front/intro.md b/2sa/front/intro.md index d1f7d178b0..e91b7154cf 100644 --- a/2sa/front/intro.md +++ b/2sa/front/intro.md @@ -4,59 +4,59 @@ #### Outline of 2 Samuel #### -1. The first years of David's reign (1:1–8:18) - - Saul's death, and David's kindness to Ish Bosheth (1:1–4:12) +1. The first years of David's reign (1:1–7:29) + - Saul is killed; David is kind to Ishbosheth (1:1–4:12) - David defeats the Philistines (5:1–25) - Victories, the ark, the house of God (6:1–7:29) 1. David extends his rule to all the Promised Land (8:1–10:19) 1. David's sin with Bathsheba (11:1–12:31) -1. Ammon's crime and Absalom's retribution (13:1–14:33) +1. Amnon and Tamar; Absalom kills Amnon (13:1–14:33) 1. The later years of David's reign (15:1–24:25) - - Absalom's rebellion and his death (15:1–18:33) + - Absalom rebels and is killed (15:1–18:33) - David's kingdom restored (19:1–20:26) - Famine and warfare (21:1–14) - David's song of praise (22:1–23:7) - David's mighty men (23:8–39) - - David's sin of numbering the people, and the plague at the temple (24:1–25) + - Yahweh judges David's sin of numbering the people; the plague stopped (24:1–25) #### What is the Book of 2 Samuel about? #### -This book is about David's rule as king over Israel. At first he ruled over the tribe of Judah for seven years. Then the other eleven tribes agreed to have him become their king as well. He ruled over all Israel for thirty-three years. +This book is about David ruling as king over Israel. He first ruled over the tribe of Judah for seven years. Then the other eleven tribes agreed to have him become their king. He ruled over all Israel for thirty-three years. -Throughout this time, David led his army to fight foreign enemies who attacked Israel. His most difficult struggle, however, was against someone in his own family. Absalom, his son, rebelled and fought against him (See: [2 Samuel 13-19](../13/01.md)). +Throughout this time, David led his army to fight foreign enemies who attacked Israel. However, he struggled the most against someone in his own family. Absalom, his son, rebelled and fought against him (See: [2 Samuel 13-19](../13/01.md)). -The Book of 2 Samuel also tells about when David committed adultery. He slept with Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah the Hittite. When she became pregnant, David arranged for her husband to be killed in battle. David's moral failure led to great suffering for himself and all Israel. - -However, the writer also presents the divine grace and love that David repeatedly experienced when he turned to God in repentance. +The Book of 2 Samuel also tells about when David sinned greatly. He slept with Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah the Hittite. When she became pregnant, David arranged for Uriah to be killed in battle. David and all Israel suffered much because of David's sin. However, the writer also tells of Yahweh repeatedly showing David grace and love after David repented of his sin. #### How should the title of this book be translated? #### -Translators can use the traditional title "2 Samuel," or "Second Samuel." But, translators may consider a clearer title such as "The Second Book about Samuel, Saul, and David." (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) +Translators can use the traditional title "2 Samuel," or "Second Samuel." Or translators may consider a clearer title such as "The Second Book about Samuel, Saul, and David." (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) #### What was the purpose of the Book of 2 Samuel? #### -The Book of 2 Samuel is a continuation of 1 Samuel. The writer continues to show how the tribes of Israel became unified under the first kings of Israel. +The Book of 2 Samuel begins where 1 Samuel ended. The writer continues to show how the tribes of Israel unite under the first kings of Israel. The Book of 2 Samuel centers around David as the king Yahweh chose to lead Israel. -It is uncertain who wrote 2 Samuel. It may have been someone alive soon after king Solomon died. When Solomon died, the kingdom of Israel split into two kingdoms. The author probably lived in the southern kingdom of Judah. A descendant of David continued to rule over the southern kingdom. The author may have written 2 Samuel to defend David's right to be king. This would prove that David's descendant was the rightful king of God's people and the northern kingdom had no right to rebel against him. +#### Who wrote the Book of 2 Samuel? + +It is uncertain who wrote 2 Samuel. It may have been someone alive soon after King Solomon died. When Solomon died, the kingdom of Israel split into two kingdoms. The author probably lived in the southern kingdom of Judah. A descendant of David continued to rule over the southern kingdom. The author may have written 2 Samuel to defend David's right to be king. This would prove that David's descendant was the rightful king of God's people. ## Part 2: Important Religious and Cultural Concepts ## -#### What covenant has its beginning in the Book of 2 Samuel? #### +#### What covenant had its beginning in the Book of 2 Samuel? #### -In 2 Samuel 7 Yahweh made a covenant with David. God promised to make descendants of David rule forever over Israel. Christians believe that Jesus Christ fulfilled this covenant. Jesus was a descendant of David. Jesus is the true "anointed one," the person God chose to be king forever. (See: [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/covenant]]) +In 2 Samuel 7, Yahweh made a covenant with David. God promised to make a descendant of David rule forever over Israel. Christians believe that Jesus Christ fulfilled this covenant. Jesus was a descendant of David. Jesus is the true "anointed one," the person God chose to be king forever. (See: [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/covenant]]) ## Part 3: Important Translation Issues ## #### Why does the book refer to someone being addressed indirectly? #### -David frequently refers to himself as "your servant" when he speaks to King Saul. He also calls Saul "my master." This type of indirect reference can be difficult to translate. It is intended to show that the speaker submits to the one being addressed. English sometimes uses the address "sir" or "ma'am" in this way. +David frequently refers to himself as "your servant" when he speaks to King Saul. He also calls Saul "my master." Indirectly addressing a person in this way can be difficult to translate. It is intended to show that the speaker submits to the one being addressed. English sometimes uses the address "sir" or "ma'am" in this way. #### Can I translate this book before 1 Samuel? #### -1 Samuel should be translated before 2 Samuel, since it is a continuation of that book. +The Book of 1 Samuel should be translated before 2 Samuel, since 2 Samuel continues from where 1 Samuel ended. #### How is the name "Israel" used in the Bible? #### -The name "Israel" is used in many different ways in the Bible. There was a man named Jacob. God changed his name to Israel. The descendants of Jacob became a nation also called Israel. Eventually, the nation of Israel split into two kingdoms. The northern kingdom was named Israel. The southern kingdom was named Judah. (See: [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/israel]]) +The name "Israel" is used in many different ways in the Bible. Jacob was the son of Isaac. God changed his name to Israel. The descendants of Jacob became a nation also called Israel. Eventually, the nation of Israel split into two kingdoms. The northern kingdom was named Israel. The southern kingdom was named Judah. (See: [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/israel]]) -2 Samuel speaks of both the northern kingdom of Israel and the whole nation of Israel as "Israel." However, these references appear in the narrative long before the split between the two kingdoms occurred. It seems clear that the references to Israel and Judah indicate that the author wrote at a time after the kingdoms split. (See: [2 Samuel 2:10](../02/10.md); [2 Samuel 3:10](../03/09.md); [2 Samuel 5:5](../05/03.md); [2 Samuel 11:11](../11/09.md); [2 Samuel 12:8](../12/07.md); [2 Samuel 19:42-43](../19/42.md); [2 Samuel 21:2](../21/02.md); [2 Samuel 24:1](../24/01.md)). \ No newline at end of file +2 Samuel speaks of both the northern kingdom of Israel and the whole nation of Israel as "Israel." However, these references appear in the narrative long before the two kingdoms split apart. It seems clear that the references to Israel and Judah indicate that the author wrote 2 Samuel at a time after the kingdoms split. (See: [2 Samuel 2:10](../02/10.md); [2 Samuel 3:10](../03/09.md); [2 Samuel 5:5](../05/03.md); [2 Samuel 11:11](../11/09.md); [2 Samuel 12:8](../12/07.md); [2 Samuel 19:42-43](../19/42.md); [2 Samuel 21:2](../21/02.md); [2 Samuel 24:1](../24/01.md)). \ No newline at end of file