2 Samuel 5ASV
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2 Samuel5

American Standard Version · Public Domain

1Then came all the tribes of Israel to David unto Hebron, and spake, saying, Behold, we are thy bone and thy flesh.

2In times past, when Saul was king over us, it was thou that leddest out and broughtest in Israel: and Jehovah said to thee, Thou shalt be shepherd of my people Israel, and thou shalt be prince over Israel.

3So all the elders of Israel came to the king to Hebron; and king David made a covenant with them in Hebron before Jehovah: and they anointed David king over Israel.

4David was thirty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned forty years.

5In Hebron he reigned over Judah seven years and six months; and in Jerusalem he reigned thirty and three years over all Israel and Judah.

6And the king and his men went to Jerusalem against the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land, who 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.

7Nevertheless David took the stronghold of Zion; the same is the city of David.

8And David said on that day, Whosoever smiteth the Jebusites, let him get up to the watercourse, and smite the lame and the blind, that are hated of David’s soul. Wherefore they say, There are the blind and the lame; he cannot come into the house.

9And David dwelt in the stronghold, and called it the city of David. And David built round about from Millo and inward.

10And David waxed greater and greater; for Jehovah, the God of hosts, was with him.

11And Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, and cedar-trees, and carpenters, and masons; and they built David a house.

12And David perceived that Jehovah had established him king over Israel, and that he had exalted his kingdom for his people Israel’s sake.

13And 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.

14And these are the names of those that were born unto him in Jerusalem: Shammua, and Shobab, and Nathan, and Solomon,

15and Ibhar, and Elishua, and Nepheg, and Japhia,

16and Elishama, and Eliada, and Eliphelet.

17And when the Philistines heard that they had anointed David king over Israel, all the Philistines went up to seek David; and David heard of it, and went down to the stronghold.

18Now the Philistines had come and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim.

19And David inquired of Jehovah, saying, Shall I go up against the Philistines? wilt thou deliver them into my hand? And Jehovah said unto David, Go up; for I will certainly deliver the Philistines into thy hand.

20And David came to Baal-perazim, and David smote them there; and he said, Jehovah hath broken mine enemies before me, like the breach of waters. Therefore he called the name of that place Baal-perazim.

21And they left their images there; and David and his men took them away.

22And the Philistines came up yet again, and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim.

23And when David inquired of Jehovah, he said, Thou shalt not go up: make a circuit behind them, and come upon them over against the mulberry-trees.

24And it shall be, when thou hearest the sound of marching in the tops of the mulberry-trees, that then thou shalt bestir thyself; for then is Jehovah gone out before thee to smite the host of the Philistines.

25And David did so, as Jehovah commanded him, and smote the Philistines from Geba until thou come to Gezer.

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Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for 2 Samuel 5.

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Chapter Summary

In this chapter: David king over all Israel. (1–5). He takes the strong-hold of Zion. (6–10). David's kingdom established. (11–16). He defeats the Philistines. (17–25).

vv1-5

David was anointed king a third time. His advances were gradual, that his faith might be tried, and that he might gain experience. Thus his kingdom typified that of the Messiah, which was to come to its height by degrees. Thus Jesus became our Brother, took upon him our nature, dwelt in it that he might become our Prince and Saviour: thus the humbled sinner takes encouragement from the endearing relation, applies for his salvation, submits to his authority, and craves his protection.

vv6-10

The enemies of God's people are often very confident of their own strength, and most secure when their day to fall draws nigh. But the pride and insolence of the Jebusites animated David, and the Lord God of hosts was with him. Thus in the day of God's power, Satan's strong-hold, the human heart, is changed into a habitation of God through the Spirit, and into a throne on which the Son of David rules, and brings every thought into obedience to himself. May He thus come, and claim, and cleanse, each of our hearts; and, destroying every idol, may he reign there for ever!

vv11-16

David's house was not 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 strangers shall build up thy walls, and their kings shall minister unto thee, Isa 60:10. David's government was rooted and built up. David was established king; so is the Son of David, and all who, through him, are made to our God kings and priests. Never had the nation of Israel appeared so great as it began now to be. Many have the favour and love of God, yet do not perceive it, and so want the comfort of it; but to be exalted to that, and to perceive it, is happiness. David owned it was for his people's sake God had done great things for him; that he might be a blessing to them, and that they might be happy under him.

Cross References

2 Samuel 5

Parallel account of the tribes gathering to Hebron to make David king.

Supported by JFB

David fulfills the requirement of being a brother/Israelite chosen as king.

Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB

v2Psalms 78:70-72thematic

Celebrates God choosing David to feed/shepherd His people Israel.

Supported by Matthew Poole

David violates the law prohibiting the king from multiplying wives.

Supported by JFB

Parallel account of Hiram sending materials to build David's house.

Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, JFB

Parallel account of the Philistines attacking when they heard David was anointed.

Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, JFB

Parallel account of the battle of Baal-perazim, meaning "lord of breaches."

Supported by Matthew Poole

Parallel account confirming David commanded the abandoned images to be burned.

Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB

Parallel of the divine signal in the tops of the trees.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v6Joshua 15:63thematic

Historical context of Jebusites dwelling in Jerusalem, whom Judah/Benjamin could not expel.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v17Psalms 2:1-5allusion

Prophetic parallel of the heathen raging against the Lord's anointed King.

Supported by Matthew Henry

v3Judges 11:11thematic

Parallels making a covenant and league before the Lord at Hebron.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v20Isaiah 28:21thematic

Isaiah refers to the Lord rising up as in Mount Perazim.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v21Deuteronomy 7:5thematic

The law requiring Israel to burn the graven images of their enemies.

Supported by JFB

v14Luke 3:31thematic

Traces the genealogy of Christ through David's son Nathan.

Supported by Matthew Henry