2 Samuel5

All the tribes of Israel came to Hebron and anointed David king over all Israel, recognizing him as their leader and the one chosen by the Lord. David then conquered the Jebusite stronghold of Zion, establishing Jerusalem as his capital and the City of David. The Lord was with David, causing him to grow great and establishing his kingdom. David also achieved two significant victories over the Philistines, each time after inquiring of the Lord for divine guidance.

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David Anointed King Over All Israel

¶ Then came all the tribes of Israel to David unto Hebron, and spake, saying, Behold, we are thy bone and thy flesh.

Also in time past, when Saul was king over us, thou wast he that leddest out and broughtest in Israel: and the LORD said to thee, Thou shalt feed my people Israel, and thou shalt be a captain over Israel.

So all the elders of Israel came to the king to Hebron; and king David made a league with them in Hebron before the LORD: and they anointed David king over Israel.

David was thirty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned forty years.

In Hebron he reigned over Judah seven years and six months: and in Jerusalem he reigned thirty and three years over all Israel and Judah.

The Capture of Jerusalem

¶ And the king and his men went to Jerusalem unto the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land: which spake unto David, saying, Except thou take away the blind and the lame, thou shalt not come in hither: thinking, David cannot come in hither.

Nevertheless David took the strong hold of Zion: the same is the city of David.

And David said on that day, Whosoever getteth up to the gutter, and smiteth the Jebusites, and the lame and the blind, that are hated of David's soul, he shall be chief and captain. Wherefore they said, The blind and the lame shall not come into the house.

So David dwelt in the fort, and called it the city of David. And David built round about from Millo and inward.

And David went on, and grew great, and the LORD God of hosts was with him.

Hiram’s Alliance and David’s Household

¶ And Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, and cedar trees, and carpenters, and masons: and they built David an house.

And David perceived that the LORD had established him king over Israel, and that he had exalted his kingdom for his people Israel's sake.

And David took him more concubines and wives out of Jerusalem, after he was come from Hebron: and there were yet sons and daughters born to David.

And these be the names of those that were born unto him in Jerusalem; Shammua, and Shobab, and Nathan, and Solomon,

Ibhar also, and Elishua, and Nepheg, and Japhia,

And Elishama, and Eliada, and Eliphalet.

Two Victories Over the Philistines

¶ But when the Philistines heard that they had anointed David king over Israel, all the Philistines came up to seek David; and David heard of it, and went down to the hold.

The Philistines also came and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim.

And David enquired of the LORD, saying, Shall I go up to the Philistines? wilt thou deliver them into mine hand? And the LORD said unto David, Go up: for I will doubtless deliver the Philistines into thine hand.

And David came to Baalperazim, and David smote them there, and said, The LORD hath broken forth upon mine enemies before me, as the breach of waters. Therefore he called the name of that place Baalperazim.

And there they left their images, and David and his men burned them.

And the Philistines came up yet again, and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim.

And when David enquired of the LORD, he said, Thou shalt not go up; but fetch a compass behind them, and come upon them over against the mulberry trees.

And let it be, when thou hearest the sound of a going in the tops of the mulberry trees, that then thou shalt bestir thyself: for then shall the LORD go out before thee, to smite the host of the Philistines.

And David did so, as the LORD had commanded him; and smote the Philistines from Geba until thou come to Gazer.

Study Notes for 2 Samuel 5

Verse 1

After seven years ruling only Judah, the Northern tribes recognize David’s legitimacy based on kinship ('bone and thy flesh') and political necessity. This moment marks the true unification of the nation.

Verse 2

The elders cite David’s past military leadership under Saul and, crucially, God’s divine promise. The term 'feed my people' uses shepherd imagery, designating David as the divinely appointed ruler and caretaker of Israel.

Verse 3

The making of a 'league' (covenant) formalized the political agreement, binding the king and the people together with divine sanction. This third anointing establishes David as monarch over the combined kingdom.

Verse 4

David’s forty-year reign is a significant number in biblical chronology, often symbolizing a complete era or generation. He began ruling at the height of his physical strength.

Verse 6

Jerusalem (Jebus) was strategically located on the border between Judah and Benjamin, making it the ideal neutral capital. The taunt about the 'blind and the lame' suggests the Jebusites felt their city was impregnable.

Verse 7

The 'strong hold of Zion' refers to the citadel on the eastern ridge of the city. Its capture relocated the national center away from tribal lands, solidifying David’s universal rule.

Verse 8

The 'gutter' (*tsinnor*) is widely believed to be the water shaft (perhaps Warren’s Shaft, an underground tunnel) used to access the city’s water supply, providing a hidden entry point for David's forces, likely led by Joab (1 Chr 11:6).

Verse 9

The city of David became the common designation for the Jerusalem fortress. David's subsequent building efforts, including filling in the area of Millo (a defensive structure or earthwork), expanded and secured the new capital.

Verse 10

This verse summarizes David's success, attributing his growing power and status directly to the presence and favor of 'the LORD God of hosts' (Yahweh Sabaoth), emphasizing divine backing.

Verse 11

Hiram, King of Tyre, provided essential resources (cedar) and skilled workers. This alliance established David’s kingdom as a recognized international power, capable of undertaking major royal construction.

Verse 12

David understands that his exaltation is not for personal glory but is a divine act of covenant faithfulness 'for his people Israel’s sake.' His kingdom is established to bless the nation.

Verse 13

Expanding the royal harem was a common practice for ancient Near Eastern kings to demonstrate wealth, secure alliances, and ensure succession, though this eventually led to moral and familial strife for David.

Verse 14

This list includes Nathan and Solomon, two of the most significant sons. Nathan is the ancestor of the messianic line traced through Mary (Luke 3:31), while Solomon succeeded David as king.

Verse 17

The Philistines viewed David’s unification of Israel as an immediate threat to their regional dominance. Their aggressive mobilization forced David to respond quickly to secure his newly established kingdom.

Verse 19

David’s immediate action upon hearing of the threat is to 'enquire of the LORD,' establishing a pattern of seeking divine counsel before military action, contrasting with Saul’s later failures.

Verse 20

Baal-perazim means 'Lord of breakthroughs.' David attributes the massive victory entirely to Yahweh, who burst through the enemy lines like a sudden, unstoppable flood.

Verse 21

The enemy leaving their idols behind indicates the swiftness of the defeat and the impotence of their gods. The burning of the images symbolizes Yahweh’s decisive triumph over pagan deities.

Verse 23

When the Philistines attack again, David again seeks guidance. God commands a different, flanking strategy, teaching David that reliance on God requires fresh obedience and not simply repeating previous successful tactics.

Verse 24

The sound in the treetops signaled the movement of God’s invisible army (or angelic forces) going ahead of David’s troops. This was the cue for David to strike, ensuring the victory was clearly understood as God’s doing.

Verse 25

David's immediate obedience to the specific, unconventional command results in a complete victory, securing the western flank and cementing Israel's freedom from Philistine control.

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2 Samuel5

David Anointed King Over All Israel

The Capture of Jerusalem

Hiram’s Alliance and David’s Household

Two Victories Over the Philistines

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