[1][2] The book is compiled from older sources by an unknown person or group, designated by modern scholars as "the Chronicler", and had the final shape established in late fifth or fourth century BCE.

[3] This chapter records the account of David's wars against the neighboring nations, especially the Ammonites and the Arameans.

[5] There is also a translation into Koine Greek known as the Septuagint, made in the last few centuries BCE, which extant ancient manuscripts include Codex Vaticanus (B;

[4] The death of a king, such as Nahash, the Ammonite, could signal then end of international arrangements with other kingdoms, so David wanted to confirm a good relationship with Nahash's successor, Hanun, but David's successive victories against the Philistines, Moabites, Edomites, and Arameans, made Hanun's counselors suspicious (verse 3).

The victory of David's army against the Arameans (Syrians) left the Ammonites isolated from their allies.