TRV
Translation
See on the biblical-era map
In the KJVVerse 8,148 of 31,102
Study This Verse
Commentary on 2 Samuel 5 verses 11–16
11 ¶ And Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, and cedar trees, and carpenters, and masons: and they built David an house.
12 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.
13 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.
14 And these be the names of those that were born unto him in Jerusalem; Shammua, and Shobab, and Nathan, and Solomon,
15 Ibhar also, and Elishua, and Nepheg, and Japhia,
16 And Elishama, and Eliada, and Eliphalet.
Here is, I. David's house built, a royal palace, fit for the reception of the court he kept and the homage that was paid to him, Sa2 5:11. The Jews were husbandmen and shepherds, and did not much addict themselves either to merchandise or manufactures; and therefore Hiram, king of Tyre, a wealthy prince, when he sent to congratulate David on his accession to the throne, offered him workmen to build him a house. David thankfully accepted the offer, and Hiram's workmen built David a house to his mind. Many have excelled in arts and sciences who were strangers to the covenants of promise. Yet David's house was never the worse, nor the less fit to be dedicated to God, for being built by the sons of the stranger. It is prophesied of the gospel church, The sons of the strangers shall build up thy walls, and their kings shall minister unto thee, Isa 60:10.
II. David's government settled and built up, Sa2 5:12. 1. His kingdom was established, there was nothing to shake it, none to disturb his possession or question his title. He that made him king established him, because he was to be a type of Christ, with whom God's hand should be established, and his covenant stand fast, Psa 89:21-28. Saul was made king, but not established; so Adam in innocency. David was established king, so is the Son of David, with all who through him are made to our God kings and priests. 2. It was exalted in the eyes both of its friends and enemies. Never had the nation of Israel looked so great or made such a figure as it began now to do. Thus it is promised of Christ that he shall be higher than the kings of the earth, Psa 89:27. God has highly exalted him, Phi 2:9. 3. David perceived, by the wonderful concurrence of providences to his establishment and advancement, that God was with him. By this I know that thou favourest me, Psa 41:11. Many have the favour of God and do not perceive it, and so want the comfort of it: but to be exalted to that and established in it, and to perceive it, is happiness enough. 4. He owned that it was for his people Israel's sake that God had done great things for him, that he might be a blessing to them and they might be happy under his administration. God did not make Israel his subjects for his sake, that he might be great, and rich, and absolute: but he made him their king for their sake, that he might lead, and guide, and protect them. Kings are ministers of God to their people for good, Rom 13:4.
III. David's family multiplied and increased. All the sons that were born to him after he came to Jerusalem are here mentioned together, eleven in all, besides the six that were born to him before in Hebron, Sa2 3:2, Sa2 3:5. There the mothers are mentioned, not here; only, in general, it is said that he took more concubines and wives, Sa2 5:13. Shall we praise him for this? We praise him not; we justify him not; nor can we scarcely excuse him. The bad example of the patriarchs might make him think there was no harm in it, and he might hope it would strengthen his interest, by multiplying his alliances, and increasing the royal family. Happy is the man that has his quiver full of these arrows. But one vine by the side of the house, with the blessing of God, may send boughs to the sea and branches to the rivers. Adam, by one wife, peopled the world, and Noah re-peopled it. David had many wives, and yet that did not keep him from coveting his neighbour's wife and defiling her; for men that have once broken the fence will wander endlessly. Of David's concubines, see Sa2 15:16; Sa2 16:22; Sa2 19:5. Of his sons, see Ch1 3:1-9.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 11–16. Public domain.
Copy as
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
Copy as
Continue studying 2 Samuel 5:15 across the web’s major study libraries — every link below opens this exact verse, chapter, or book on the destination site.
Read & Compare
BibleGatewayThis verse in more than 200 translations and 70 languages.
Bible.comThe YouVersion reader — hundreds of translations, reading plans, and highlights.
ESV.orgCrossway's official English Standard Version reader.
NET BibleThe NET translation with 60,000+ translators' notes on every rendering decision.
STEP BibleTyndale House's free study tool — original text, vocabulary, and scholarly resources.
BibliaLogos Bible Software's free web reader.
USCCBThe New American Bible (Revised Edition) with the U.S. bishops' study notes.
Commentaries
BibleHub CommentariesDozens of classic commentaries on this verse, gathered on one page.
StudyLightMore than 100 commentary sets — the largest collection on the web.
BibleRefPlain-English commentary on what this verse means, verse by verse.
Enduring WordDavid Guzik's free commentary on this chapter, widely used by Bible teachers.
Bible Study ToolsVerse commentary alongside Greek and Hebrew study aids.
Original Language & Research
- BibleHub InterlinearThe verse word by word — original language, transliteration, and English.
- BibleHub LexiconEvery word's original-language definition and Strong's entry.
Blue Letter BibleDeep-study tools — Strong's numbers, concordance, and word studies.
SefariaThe Hebrew text with Rashi and centuries of Jewish commentary.
Sermons, Hymns & Audio
TrulyRandomVerse is not affiliated with these sites and doesn’t control their content. They’re linked because they’re genuinely useful.
SUMMARY
2 Samuel 5:15 meticulously lists four of King David's sons—Ibhar, Elishua, Nepheg, and Japhia—who were born to him in Jerusalem. This verse is part of a broader genealogical record that chronicles David's expanding family and the secure establishment of his kingdom in the newly conquered capital. It subtly yet powerfully underscores the divine blessing upon David's reign, the burgeoning strength and stability of his dynasty, and the meticulous nature of biblical history in tracing the lineage through which God's redemptive promises would ultimately be fulfilled.
CONTEXT
Literary Context: This verse is strategically placed within a pivotal narrative in 2 Samuel that details the consolidation of David's power and the establishment of his kingdom. It immediately follows David's anointing as king over all Israel by the elders, a momentous event marking the unification of the tribes under his leadership, as described in 2 Samuel 5:1-5. The subsequent capture of Jerusalem from the Jebusites and its transformation into David's capital, detailed in 2 Samuel 5:6-10, sets the stage for the stability and prosperity that follow. The narrative then highlights Hiram of Tyre's recognition of David and his assistance in building David's royal palace in 2 Samuel 5:11-12. The enumeration of David's sons born in Jerusalem, spanning 2 Samuel 5:13-16, serves as a tangible testament to God's favor and the secure foundation of David's dynasty, preceding the significant Philistine conflicts that challenge his newfound authority in 2 Samuel 5:17-25. This genealogical interlude firmly establishes the dynastic theme before the narrative shifts to external threats.
Historical & Cultural Context: In the ancient Near East, the vitality and longevity of a monarch's reign were profoundly linked to the size and strength of his family, particularly the number of his sons. A numerous progeny was universally perceived as a clear sign of divine favor, ensuring dynastic continuity and stability. David's practice of polygamy, while a complex issue by modern standards, was a common and accepted custom for kings of that era, often employed to secure succession, forge political alliances, and demonstrate royal power. The birth of these sons in Jerusalem, a city newly conquered and strategically transformed into the political and religious heart of Israel, carried immense symbolic weight. It underscored the legitimacy, permanence, and central authority of David's kingdom, signifying a transition from a decentralized tribal confederacy to a unified, centralized monarchy. Jerusalem, as a neutral capital, played a crucial role in uniting both the northern and southern tribes under David's rule.
Key Themes: The meticulous recording of David's sons in this chapter significantly contributes to several overarching theological and narrative themes. Foremost among these is the theme of the Davidic Dynasty and Succession. The detailed lineage underscores the importance of a clear and divinely sanctioned line for the continuation of the monarchy, which is foundational to the promise of an eternal kingdom that would ultimately lead to the Messiah. This directly relates to the profound Davidic Covenant articulated in 2 Samuel 7, where God pledges to establish an enduring house and kingdom for David. Secondly, the abundance of sons born to David signifies Divine Blessing and Fruitfulness. This reflects God's tangible favor upon David and the prosperity granted to his newly established kingdom, echoing a common biblical motif where a large and thriving family symbolizes God's faithfulness and blessing, as seen in the command to "be fruitful and multiply" in Genesis 1:28. Lastly, the inclusion of such precise genealogical details highlights the Veracity and Meticulousness of Biblical Record-Keeping, affirming the historical reality of God's work through specific individuals and families in the unfolding of salvation history, a characteristic evident in other extensive genealogies like those found in 1 Chronicles 1-9.
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
The primary literary device employed in 2 Samuel 5:15 is Enumeration, specifically functioning as a Genealogy. The verse presents a straightforward, unadorned listing of names, forming part of a larger catalog of David's sons born in Jerusalem. This Enumeration serves a critical historical and theological purpose: it provides a concrete record of the burgeoning royal lineage, underscoring the growth and secure establishment of David's household. While seemingly a simple list, this Genealogy is far from a mere dry record; it is imbued with profound Symbolism. The very existence of numerous sons born to David in his newly conquered and established capital symbolizes divine blessing, dynastic stability, and the assured future continuity of his kingdom. It underscores the tangible fulfillment of God's promise to make David's name great and to establish his house. The repetitive use of the conjunction "and" (implied by the Hebrew structure) creates a sense of steady progression, expansion, and flourishing, reinforcing the idea of a divinely blessed and continually growing dynasty.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
2 Samuel 5:15, despite being a concise list of names, is deeply integrated into the overarching theological narrative of God's covenant faithfulness and the progressive establishment of His kingdom on earth. The meticulous recording of David's lineage, including these seemingly minor figures, underscores the divine intention to build an enduring dynasty through him, a plan that culminates in the promise of an eternal throne as articulated in the foundational Davidic Covenant of 2 Samuel 7:12-16. This verse, therefore, transcends a mere record of David's personal family growth; it speaks to the precise and sovereign unfolding of God's redemptive plan, ensuring the continuity of the royal line from which the Messiah would ultimately emerge. It highlights God's profound attention to detail and His sovereign control over human history, even in the seemingly mundane aspects of genealogical record-keeping, all for the grand purpose of bringing about salvation for His people.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The inclusion of seemingly minor details, such as a simple list of names in Scripture, serves as a profound reminder of God's meticulous attention to every aspect of His creation and His overarching redemptive plan. Just as each son in David's lineage, whether prominent or obscure, played an integral part in the unfolding of God's salvation history, so too does every individual have a unique and vital role in God's grand narrative. This verse invites us to contemplate our own place within the ongoing story of God's people. It encourages us to deeply appreciate the heritage of faith passed down through generations and to recognize that even in our seemingly ordinary lives, we contribute to a larger, divine purpose. Our lives, our families, and the legacies we build are not insignificant in the eyes of a God who meticulously records every detail for His glory and the advancement of His eternal kingdom.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why are these specific sons listed in 2 Samuel 5:15, and what is their broader significance within the biblical narrative?
Answer: These sons—Ibhar, Elishua, Nepheg, and Japhia—are listed as part of a comprehensive and divinely inspired record of David's children born in Jerusalem, following his anointing as king over all Israel and the establishment of Jerusalem as his capital. Their primary significance lies in their contribution to the royal lineage of David, which was divinely chosen to ensure the continuity of the dynasty from which the Messiah would ultimately emerge. While these four individuals do not feature prominently in later biblical narratives, their inclusion underscores the tangible divine blessing on David's house and the meticulous nature of the biblical record. This record carefully traces the unfolding of God's promises through specific historical figures and their descendants. This list is crucial for understanding the historical and dynastic context of the Davidic kingdom, as further evidenced by parallel accounts found in 1 Chronicles 3:5-8 and 1 Chronicles 14:4-7.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
2 Samuel 5:15, with its seemingly straightforward enumeration of David's sons, finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and redemptive work of Jesus of Nazareth. The meticulous recording of David's progeny, including these four sons, serves as an indispensable link in the divinely orchestrated genealogical chain that ultimately leads to the promised Messiah. God's unwavering covenant with David, articulated in 2 Samuel 7:12-16, promised an enduring house and kingdom, a promise that necessitated a continuous, legitimate lineage. Every name in David's family tree, no matter how obscure in the broader narrative, contributes to the historical authenticity and divine orchestration of this messianic lineage. Jesus, consistently identified throughout the New Testament as the "Son of David" (e.g., Matthew 9:27 and Luke 18:38), is the ultimate and rightful heir to David's eternal throne, the one through whom God's eternal kingdom is fully established. Intriguingly, the very names listed in this verse—such as "Elishua" (My God is salvation) and "Japhia" (He will shine)—subtly echo the salvific and glorious nature of the Messiah, who is indeed God's ultimate salvation for humanity and the radiant light of the world (John 8:12). Thus, this historical record is a powerful testament to God's faithful preservation of the messianic line, culminating in the eternal reign of Christ, the true King of Israel and the Lord of all.