2 Samuel 5:5

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

In Hebron {H2275} he reigned {H4427} over Judah {H3063} seven {H7651} years {H8141} and six {H8337} months {H2320}: and in Jerusalem {H3389} he reigned {H4427} thirty {H7970} and three {H7969} years {H8141} over all Israel {H3478} and Judah {H3063}.

Complete Jewish Bible

In Hevron he ruled over Y'hudah seven years and six months; then in Yerushalayim he ruled thirty-three years over all Isra'el and Y'hudah.

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Second Samuel 5:5 serves as a pivotal summary statement, encapsulating the entirety of King David's reign. It precisely details the two distinct phases of his kingship: an initial period of seven years and six months spent ruling over the tribe of Judah from Hebron, followed by a much longer and comprehensive reign of thirty-three years from Jerusalem, during which he governed the entirety of both Israel and Judah. This concise verse marks the culmination of a long and challenging journey to the throne, signifying the establishment of a unified monarchy under David's leadership and the strategic shift of the nation's capital.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse appears at a crucial juncture in the book of 2 Samuel, immediately following the anointing of David as king over all Israel by the elders in Hebron, as detailed in [2 Samuel 5:1-3](/2_samuel/5-1-3 "2 Samuel 5:1-3 - David Anointed King Over All Israel"). It serves as a retrospective summary of his initial partial reign and a forward-looking statement about his unified kingship. The preceding chapters detail the protracted civil war between the house of Saul (under Ish-bosheth) and the house of David, a conflict that lasted for seven and a half years, as noted in [2 Samuel 3:1](/2_samuel/3-1 "2 Samuel 3:1 - The Long War Between the Houses of Saul and David"). The assassination of Ish-bosheth, recounted in [2 Samuel 4:5-7](/2_samuel/4-5-7 "2 Samuel 4:5-7 - Ish-bosheth's Assassination"), paved the way for the northern tribes to finally acknowledge David's legitimate claim to the throne. Following this summary verse, the narrative immediately shifts to David's strategic capture of the Jebusite stronghold of Jerusalem and its establishment as his new capital, the "City of David," in [2 Samuel 5:6-9](/2_samuel/5-6-9 "2 Samuel 5:6-9 - David Captures Jerusalem").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** David's initial reign in Hebron was a reflection of the tribal loyalties prevalent in ancient Israel. Hebron, an ancient city with deep ties to the patriarchs, served as the capital of Judah, highlighting David's strong base of support within his own tribe. The subsequent move to Jerusalem was a masterstroke of political and strategic genius. Jerusalem was a neutral city, not belonging to any of the twelve tribes, making it an ideal choice for a unified capital that would not favor one tribe over another. Its elevated, defensible position also offered significant military advantages. The establishment of a unified monarchy under David marked a significant transition from a loose tribal confederacy, often led by judges, to a centralized kingdom with a permanent capital, a standing army, and a burgeoning administrative structure. This period laid the groundwork for Israel's golden age.
* **Key Themes:** The verse powerfully underscores several key themes. Foremost is the **Unification of Israel**, as David's reign transitions from a tribal kingship in Hebron to a comprehensive rule over "all Israel and Judah" from Jerusalem. This represents the fulfillment of God's promise to establish David as king over His people, as seen in [1 Samuel 16:12-13](/1_samuel/16-12-13 "1 Samuel 16:12-13 - David Anointed by Samuel"). Another crucial theme is **Divine Sovereignty and Providence**. Despite years of exile, civil war, and political machinations, God's plan for David to rule was ultimately realized, demonstrating His faithfulness to His chosen one and His overarching purposes for Israel. The precise durations of David's reign, totaling forty years as confirmed in [1 Kings 2:11](/1_kings/2-11 "1 Kings 2:11 - David's Total Reign"), speak to a divinely ordered timeline. Finally, the **Significance of Jerusalem** emerges as a central theme. Its transformation into the capital was not merely a political move but also a spiritual one, as it would later become the site of the Temple and the spiritual heart of the nation, inextricably linked to the Davidic Covenant and the lineage of the Messiah, promised in [2 Samuel 7:13](/2_samuel/7-13 "2 Samuel 7:13 - God's Promise to Build David a House").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Hebron (Hebrew, _Chebrôwn'_):** From the root meaning "association" or "confederacy," Hebron was an ancient city in the Judean hills, deeply significant in Israel's history as a burial place for Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. For David, it was the initial seat of his power, symbolizing his tribal base and the limited scope of his early reign. It represented the first, foundational stage of his kingship, rooted in Judah's loyalty and the initial, partial fulfillment of God's promise.
* **Jerusalem (Hebrew, _Yᵉrûwshâlaim'_):** Likely meaning "founded peaceful" or "city of peace," Jerusalem was a Jebusite stronghold before David's capture. Its strategic neutrality and defensibility made it the ideal choice for a unified capital. Its establishment as the "City of David" marked a profound shift, transforming it from a foreign enclave into the political, administrative, and soon-to-be spiritual heart of the united kingdom, a place of national identity and divine presence.
* **Reigned (Hebrew, _mâlak'_):** This primitive root signifies the exercise of royal authority, sovereignty, and the legitimate establishment of a king's rule. The repetition of "reigned" in the verse emphasizes the continuity of David's kingship while highlighting the distinct phases and expanding scope of his dominion, from a regional leader to the sovereign of a unified nation. It underscores the divine appointment and the effective exercise of his God-given authority.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"In Hebron he reigned over Judah seven years and six months:"** This initial clause precisely details the first phase of David's kingship, characterized by its specific geographic location (Hebron), its limited political scope (over Judah only), and its exact duration (seven and a half years). It underscores the period of civil war and tribal division, where David's authority was recognized only by his own tribe, reflecting the political realities and challenges he faced before achieving national unity. This period was a time of consolidation and patient waiting.
* **"and in Jerusalem he reigned thirty and three years over all Israel and Judah."** This second clause describes the much longer and more comprehensive phase of David's rule. It highlights the strategic shift of the capital to Jerusalem, a neutral and centrally located city. Crucially, it emphasizes the expanded scope of his authority, now encompassing "all Israel and Judah," signifying the successful unification of the northern and southern tribes under his single kingship. This period represents the zenith of David's power, stability, and the flourishing of his divinely appointed reign.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several effective **literary devices** to convey its profound historical and theological significance. Its primary characteristic is **Conciseness**, providing a highly condensed summary of forty years of complex history in a single, impactful sentence. This brevity makes the statement memorable and emphasizes the definitive nature of David's reign. **Juxtaposition** is evident in the clear contrast between the two distinct phases of David's rule: the limited, shorter period in Hebron versus the expansive, longer period in Jerusalem. This contrast highlights the progression, growth, and ultimate success of David's kingship. The inclusion of **Numerical Precision** (seven years and six months; thirty and three years) lends a sense of historical accuracy and divine ordering to the account, emphasizing the factual basis and the providential orchestration of the narrative. Finally, the verse functions as a **Summary Statement** or a form of **Inclusio**, effectively framing David's entire reign by detailing its beginning and its duration, setting the stage for the subsequent narratives of his unified rule from Jerusalem.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse, though a simple chronological summary, carries profound theological weight, underscoring God's unwavering faithfulness to His promises. David's journey to the throne, marked by patient waiting and persistent trust in God's timing, demonstrates that divine plans unfold according to God's perfect schedule, often through challenging and circuitous paths. The unification of Israel under David's rule, moving from a fragmented collection of tribes to a cohesive kingdom with a central capital, is a testament to God's power to bring order out of chaos and unity out of division. This established monarchy, centered in Jerusalem, became the foundational human institution through which God would work out His redemptive purposes, ultimately leading to the Davidic Covenant, which promised an eternal dynasty and a perpetual kingdom.

* [1 Kings 2:11](/1_kings/2-11 "Summary of David's Reign")
* [2 Samuel 7:12-16](/2_samuel/7-12-16 "The Davidic Covenant")
* [Psalm 78:70-72](/psalms/78-70-72 "God's Choice of David")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
David's reign, as succinctly summarized in this verse, offers rich insights for contemporary believers. His patient endurance through years of civil strife and partial rule before fully ascending to the throne over all Israel serves as a powerful reminder of God's perfect timing and the importance of perseverance in our own lives. We are often called to faithfulness in limited spheres of influence, much like David in Hebron, before God expands our responsibilities or moves us into new seasons. This passage encourages us to trust God's process, even when the path is long or unclear, knowing that His ultimate purposes will prevail. Furthermore, David's strategic move to Jerusalem, uniting a divided nation, challenges us to be agents of reconciliation and unity in our own communities, churches, and families, seeking common ground and building bridges where divisions exist.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does David's patient waiting for the full realization of his kingship encourage us in seasons of delay or partial fulfillment of God's promises in our lives?**
* **In what ways can we, like David, seek to unify disparate groups or overcome divisions in our communities or churches, fostering a sense of shared identity and purpose?**
* **What "Jerusalem" is God calling us to move towards, signifying a new phase of expanded influence, responsibility, or spiritual growth in His kingdom?**

### FAQ
**Why did David reign in Hebron first, and not immediately over all Israel?**

Answer: David's initial reign in Hebron was a political and historical necessity. After Saul's death, Israel was divided. David was anointed king by his own tribe, Judah, in Hebron, as recorded in [2 Samuel 2:4](/2_samuel/2-4 "David Anointed King of Judah"). The northern tribes, however, initially remained loyal to Saul's house, installing Ish-bosheth, Saul's son, as their king. This led to a seven-and-a-half-year civil war, as described in [2 Samuel 3:1](/2_samuel/3-1 "The Long War Between the Houses of Saul and David"). It was only after Ish-bosheth's assassination and the subsequent appeal of all the elders of Israel that David was finally recognized and anointed king over the entire nation in Hebron, as seen in [2 Samuel 5:1-3](/2_samuel/5-1-3 "David Anointed King Over All Israel"), paving the way for his move to Jerusalem.

**What is the significance of Jerusalem becoming the capital?**

Answer: The establishment of Jerusalem as the capital was profoundly significant on multiple levels. Politically, it was a neutral city, not belonging to any single tribe, which helped to alleviate tribal jealousies and solidify the unity of the northern and southern kingdoms. Strategically, its elevated and defensible position offered security. Spiritually, it became known as the "City of David" and later, the site of the Temple. It evolved into the spiritual and religious center of Israel, intricately linked to God's presence and the unfolding of His covenant promises, particularly the Davidic Covenant detailed in [2 Samuel 7](/2_samuel/7 "The Davidic Covenant").

**Does this verse mean David reigned for only 40 years?**

Answer: Yes, the verse explicitly states the two durations of David's reign: "seven years and six months" in Hebron and "thirty and three years" in Jerusalem. When combined, these periods total exactly 40 years and six months. Biblical accounts often round durations for simplicity, and [1 Kings 2:11](/1_kings/2-11 "David's Total Reign") confirms David's total reign as 40 years. This rounding is a common biblical convention and does not contradict the precise figures given here, rather it summarizes them.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The reign of King David, as succinctly summarized in 2 Samuel 5:5, serves as a powerful type and shadow of the ultimate, eternal reign of Jesus Christ. David, the "man after God's own heart," was chosen by God to unite a fragmented Israel and establish a kingdom centered in Jerusalem. This earthly kingdom, however, was but a temporary and imperfect foreshadowing of the perfect and everlasting spiritual kingdom inaugurated by the true Son of David, Jesus Christ. Just as David moved from a limited, tribal reign to a unified kingship over all Israel, Jesus, though initially rejected by many of His own people, established a universal kingdom that transcends ethnic and national boundaries, reigning over all who believe, both Jew and Gentile, as profoundly articulated in [Ephesians 2:14-16](/ephesians/2-14-16 "Christ Our Peace"). The stability and longevity of David's reign pointed to the eternal nature of Christ's dominion, a kingdom that "will never be destroyed," as prophesied in [Daniel 2:44](/daniel/2-44 "God's Eternal Kingdom"). Moreover, the establishment of Jerusalem as David's capital prefigures the New Jerusalem, the heavenly city where Christ reigns supreme and where His people will dwell with Him forever, beautifully described in [Revelation 21:2-3](/revelation/21-2-3 "The New Jerusalem Coming Down"). Ultimately, David's reign was a preparatory stage for the coming of the Messiah, whose kingdom is not of this world, as Jesus Himself declared in [John 18:36](/john/18-36 "Jesus' Kingdom Not of This World"), but encompasses all authority in heaven and on earth, as proclaimed in [Matthew 28:18](/matthew/28-18 "All Authority Given to Jesus"), fulfilling all the promises made to David in a far grander and eternal scope.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

2 Samuel 2:11

And the time that David was king in Hebron over the house of Judah was seven years and six months.

1 Chronicles 3:4

[These] six were born unto him in Hebron; and there he reigned seven years and six months: and in Jerusalem he reigned thirty and three years.

1 Kings 2:11

And the days that David reigned over Israel [were] forty years: seven years reigned he in Hebron, and thirty and three years reigned he in Jerusalem.