I. Political, Royal, and Military Terms:;xNLx;;xNLx;Anoint / Anointed (Hebrew: mashach / mashiach) (e.g., 2 Samuel 1:21; 2:4, 7; 3:39 [David referring to himself as "anointed king"]; 5:3, 17; 12:7; 19:10, 21; 22:51; 23:1): The ritual act of applying holy oil to a person, setting them apart for a special office, particularly kingship, signifying God's choice and empowerment. "The LORD's anointed" was a sacrosanct title for the king.;xNLx;King / Kingdom (Throughout 2 Samuel): The supreme ruler of a nation and the realm or sphere of his rule. 2 Samuel focuses on the establishment and consolidation of David's kingship over Israel.;xNLx;House (as in "House of Saul" or "House of David") (e.g., 2 Samuel 1:12; 2:10-11; 3:1, 6, 8; 7:11, 16, 18, 25-27, 29; 9:1; 12:8, 10; 16:3): Refers to a royal dynasty, family line, or lineage, including descendants and associated political faction.;xNLx;Covenant (Hebrew: berit) (e.g., 2 Samuel 3:9, 12-13, 21 [political covenants/treaties]; 5:3 [David with elders of Israel]; 7:1-29 [Davidic Covenant]; 15:24 [Ark of the Covenant]; 23:5 [Davidic Covenant]): A solemn, binding agreement. In 2 Samuel, this includes political treaties between leaders and, most significantly, the Davidic Covenant where God promises David an enduring dynasty and an eternal kingdom.;xNLx;Jerusalem / Zion / City of David (e.g., 2 Samuel 5:5-9 [capture of Jerusalem]; 5:7 ["Zion," "City of David"]; 6:10, 12, 16): The Jebusite stronghold captured by David, which he made the capital of Israel and its religious center by bringing the Ark of the Covenant there.;xNLx;Zion: Originally the name of the Jebusite fortress in Jerusalem, it later became synonymous with Jerusalem itself, especially as the dwelling place of God or the site of His temple.;xNLx;City of David: The specific area of Jerusalem captured and fortified by David, often referring to the southeastern hill.;xNLx;Millo (2 Samuel 5:9): A structural feature, possibly a stone-filled terrace, rampart, or citadel, that David built up when fortifying Jerusalem. Its exact nature is debated by archaeologists.;xNLx;Commander (of the army) (e.g., 2 Samuel 2:8 [Abner]; 8:16 [Joab]; 10:7, 16, 18; 17:25 [Amasa]; 18:2, 5, 12; 19:13; 20:4, 9, 23; 24:2): The chief military officer in charge of the king's forces. Joab held this position for most of David's reign.;xNLx;Mighty Men (David's Mighty Men) (e.g., 2 Samuel 10:7; 16:6; 20:7; 21:15-22; Chapter 23:8-39): A group of David's elite warriors, renowned for their valor, loyalty, and extraordinary feats in battle. Chapter 23 lists many of them.;xNLx;Cherethites and Pelethites (e.g., 2 Samuel 8:18; 15:18; 20:7, 23): Foreign mercenaries (likely Philistine or Cretan in origin) who served as David's personal bodyguard and an elite royal guard.;xNLx;Garrison (e.g., 2 Samuel 8:6, 14; 23:14): A military post or a body of troops stationed in a fortified place or conquered territory to maintain control.;xNLx;Tribute (e.g., 2 Samuel 8:2, 6; 10:19 [implied]): Payment (in goods, money, or service) exacted by a conquering power from a subject nation or people.;xNLx;Spoil / Plunder (e.g., 2 Samuel 3:22; 8:7-8, 11-12; 12:30): Valuables, goods, or livestock taken from a defeated enemy in war.;xNLx;Concubine (e.g., 2 Samuel 3:7; 5:13; 15:16; 16:21-22; 19:5; 20:3): A woman who was a recognized sexual partner of a man but had a lower social and legal status than a wife. David had several concubines. Absalom's public lying with David's concubines was a symbolic act of usurpation.;xNLx;Counselor (e.g., 2 Samuel 15:12 [Ahithophel]; 15:31, 34, 37; 16:15, 20, 23; 17:1, 5-7, 11, 14-15, 21, 23): A trusted advisor to the king, offering political and strategic advice. Ahithophel's counsel was highly regarded.;xNLx;Recorder (2 Samuel 8:16; 20:24): A high-ranking royal official, likely responsible for keeping official records, chronicles, or serving as a kind of court historian or remembrancer.;xNLx;Secretary / Scribe (2 Samuel 8:17; 20:25): A royal official responsible for writing documents, correspondence, and possibly managing administrative affairs.;xNLx;Levy / Forced Labor (Hebrew: mas) (e.g., 2 Samuel 20:24 [Adoram over the levy]): Compulsory labor or service exacted by the state from its populace for public works or other state projects.;xNLx;Census (2 Samuel 24:1-9): An official count of the people, in this case, specifically of the fighting men. David's census, taken without clear divine command and possibly out of pride or reliance on military numbers, brought God's judgment.;xNLx;II. Religious, Cultic, and Prophetic Terms:;xNLx;;xNLx;Ark of God / Ark of the Covenant (e.g., 2 Samuel 6:2-17; 7:2; 11:11; 15:24-25, 29): The sacred chest symbolizing God's presence. David's bringing the Ark to Jerusalem was a momentous religious and political event, establishing the city as the center of Israelite worship.;xNLx;Ephod (e.g., 2 Samuel 2:28 [LXX/ESV footnote, not ESV main text]; 6:14, 20; 21:9 [1 Sam.]; 23:6, 9 [1 Sam.]; 30:7 [1 Sam.]):;xNLx;Linen ephod (2 Samuel 6:14): A simple priestly garment worn by David when he danced before the Ark, indicating a priestly or worshipful role in that context.;xNLx;It's also mentioned in relation to Abiathar the priest (likely for inquiry, drawing on its use in 1 Samuel).;xNLx;Prophet (Hebrew: navi) (e.g., 2 Samuel 7:2 [Nathan]; 12:1, 25 [Nathan]; 24:11 [Gad]): An individual called by God to speak His messages, provide divine guidance, offer rebuke (as Nathan did to David), and interpret God's will to the king and people.;xNLx;Seer (Hebrew: chozeh) (e.g., 2 Samuel 24:11 [Gad, David's seer]): Another term for a prophet, emphasizing their role as one who "sees" or receives divine visions.;xNLx;Inquire of the LORD (e.g., 2 Samuel 2:1; 5:19, 23; 21:1): To seek divine guidance or direction from God, often concerning military or political decisions.;xNLx;Oracle / Word of the LORD (e.g., 2 Samuel 7:4-17 [Nathan's oracle regarding the Davidic covenant]; 23:2 [David's last words]; 24:11-13 [Gad's oracle]): A divine communication, message, or revelation, often delivered through a prophet.;xNLx;Sacrifice / Offering (e.g., 2 Samuel 1:21 [figurative]; 6:13, 17-18; 8:11-12 [dedicated things]; 15:7-9, 12 [Absalom's deceptive sacrifices]; 21:3, 6, 9 [to atone for Saul's sin]; 24:18-25): Ritual presentations to God. 2 Samuel records David offering sacrifices upon bringing the Ark to Jerusalem and to avert a plague.;xNLx;Burnt Offering: Wholly consumed on the altar.;xNLx;Peace Offering / Sacrifice of well-being: Signifying fellowship, part of which was eaten.;xNLx;High Places (Hebrew: bamot) (e.g., 2 Samuel 1:19 [figurative, places of death]; the practice of worshipping at high places, though not extensively detailed as a problem within Jerusalem yet, was a broader issue in Israelite religion before temple centralization): Localized places of worship, often on hilltops. While the Ark was brought to Jerusalem, the full centralization of worship at one sanctuary (the future Temple) was not yet complete.;xNLx;Teraphim (Household gods) (Mentioned in 1 Samuel 19:13, 16; contextually relevant for understanding private religious practices, though not a major term in 2 Samuel): Household idols or images. While not a prominent term in 2 Samuel, the broader religious environment included such practices which were contrary to Yahwistic worship.;xNLx;Uzzah (2 Samuel 6:3-8): The man who died after touching the Ark of the Covenant when it was being transported, an event that highlighted the holiness and danger associated with God's direct presence.;xNLx;Threshing floor (of Araunah/Ornan) (2 Samuel 24:16-25): The site David purchased to build an altar to the LORD to stop a plague. This location would later become the site of Solomon's Temple.;xNLx;III. Social Customs and General Terms:;xNLx;;xNLx;Lament / Dirge (e.g., 2 Samuel 1:17-27 [David's lament for Saul and Jonathan]; 3:31, 33-34 [David's lament for Abner]): A song or poem expressing grief, sorrow, or mourning, often for the dead.;xNLx;Bloodguilt / Blood (on one's head) (e.g., 2 Samuel 1:16; 3:28-29; 4:11; 16:7-8; 21:1): The guilt incurred for unlawfully shedding innocent blood, which was believed to cry out for vengeance or justice and could bring a curse upon the land or the perpetrator's family.;xNLx;Kinsman / Relative (The concept is important, though the specific term "kinsman-redeemer" [go'el] as in Ruth is less central to 2 Samuel's narratives. However, family loyalty, obligations, and blood feuds are present.): Family relationships and the obligations they entailed were critical in Israelite society.;xNLx;Famine (2 Samuel 21:1): A severe shortage of food, in this case, attributed to Saul's past actions against the Gibeonites, requiring atonement.;xNLx;Pestilence / Plague (2 Samuel 24:13-15): A widespread and deadly disease, sent as divine judgment after David's census.;xNLx;Refuge (Figurative, e.g., 2 Samuel 22:3, 31 [God as a refuge]): A place of safety or protection. David often speaks of God as his refuge.;xNLx;Abomination (While not as frequent as in the Pentateuch, the concept of acts displeasing or detestable to God is present, e.g., David's sin with Bathsheba and the murder of Uriah were great evils in God's sight.): An act or thing considered morally or ritually repugnant.;xNLx;This list provides definitions for key terms in 2 Samuel (ESV) that are essential for understanding David's reign, the challenges he faced, and the theological messages of the book concerning kingship, covenant, sin, and repentance.