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.

David Anointed King Over All Israel

Then all the tribes of Isra'el came to David in Hevron and said, "Here, we are your own flesh and bone.

In the past, when Sha'ul was king over us, it was you who led Isra'el's military campaigns; and ADONAI said to you, 'You will shepherd my people Isra'el, and you will be chief over Isra'el.'"

So all the leaders of Isra'el came to the king in Hevron, and King David made a covenant with them in Hevron in the presence of ADONAI. Then they anointed David king over Isra'el.

David was thirty years old when he began his rule, and he ruled forty years.

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.

The Capture of Jerusalem

The king and his men went to Yerushalayim to attack the Y'vusi, the inhabitants of that region. They taunted David, "You won't get in here! Even the blind and the lame could fend you off!"- in other words, they were thinking, "David will never get in here."

Nevertheless, David captured the stronghold of Tziyon, also known [now] as the City of David.

What David said on that day was, "In order to attack the Y'vusi, you have to climb up [from the spring outside the city] through the water tunnel. Then you can do away with those [so-called] 'lame and blind'" (whom David despises - hence the expression, "The 'blind and lame' keep him from entering the house").

David lived in the stronghold and called it the City of David. Then David built up the city around it, starting at the Millo [earth rampart] and working inward.

David grew greater and greater, because ADONAI the God of Armies was with him.

Hiram’s Alliance and David’s Household

Hiram king of Tzor sent envoys to David with cedar logs, and with them were carpenters and stonemasons; and they built David a palace.

David then knew that ADONAI had set him up as king over Isra'el and increased his royal power for the sake of his people.

David took for himself more concubines and wives in Yerushalayim after coming from Hevron, so that still more sons and daughters were born to David.

Here are the names of those born to him in Yerushalayim: Shamua, Shovav, Natan, Shlomo,

Yivchar, Elishua, Nefeg, Yafia,

Elishama, Elyada and Elifelet.

Two Victories Over the Philistines

When the P'lishtim heard that David had been anointed king over Isra'el, all the P'lishtim went up in search of David. On learning of it, David went down to the stronghold.

The P'lishtim came and deployed in the Refa'im Valley.

David consulted ADONAI, asking, "Should I attack the P'lishtim? Will you hand them over to me?"ADONAI answered David, "Attack; I will certainly hand the P'lishtim over to you."

So David went to Ba'al-P'ratzim and defeated them there. He said, "ADONAI has broken through my enemies for me like a river breaking through its banks." This is why he called the place Ba'al-P'ratzim [Lord of breaking through].

The P'lishtim had left their idols there, so David and his men took them away.

The P'lishtim came up again and deployed in the Refa'im Valley.

When David consulted ADONAI, he said, "Don't attack! Circle behind them, and engage them opposite the balsam trees.

When you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, advance; because then ADONAI has gone out ahead of you to defeat the army of the P'lishtim."

David did exactly as ADONAI had ordered him to do and pursued his attack on the P'lishtim from Geva all the way to Gezer.

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.

Use ← → arrow keys to navigate

2 Samuel5

David Anointed King Over All Israel

The Capture of Jerusalem

Hiram’s Alliance and David’s Household

Two Victories Over the Philistines

Reading Style

Typeface

Font Size 19px

Reading Width 45 chars

Options