2 Samuel: Chapter 5 | New to His Word

The big picture

David, already king over the tribe of Judah, now receives the other tribes of Israel, God's people. They come to Hebron, his royal city, and accept him as their ruler. He takes Jerusalem, a city held by the Jebusites, its existing people, and makes it his home. His family grows, and another king helps build his house. The Philistines, a people hostile to Israel, attack twice. David asks God for direction both times and wins by following two different sets of instructions.

In this chapter

All the Tribes Accept David 2 Samuel 5:1-5
Israel's tribes come to David and call him their own flesh and blood.
Jerusalem Becomes David’s City 2 Samuel 5:6-10
The Jebusites mock David as he comes against Jerusalem.
A Palace and a Growing Household 2 Samuel 5:11-16
Hiram, king of Tyre, sends cedar wood and skilled builders to David.
David Asks Before the First Attack 2 Samuel 5:17-21
The Philistines hear that David is king over all Israel and come against him.
The Second Battle Needs Fresh Direction 2 Samuel 5:22-25
The Philistines return to the same valley, and David asks God again.

Central truth

David becomes king over all Israel, gains a royal city, and defeats attacking enemies by seeking and following God's direction.

Scripture beside the summary

2 Samuel · King James Version · 25

2 Samuel 5:1-5

All the Tribes Accept David

Israel's tribes come to David and call him their own flesh and blood. They recall that he led them even when Saul was king. They also recall God's words appointing him to care for Israel as its leader. The elders make an agreement with him before God and anoint him king. David began to reign at thirty and rules for forty years. His time at Hebron leads into a much longer reign at Jerusalem. One ruler now stands over the previously divided people.

In everyday life

A dairy farmer gathers the co-operative's members beside the milking stalls to choose a manager. They name the woman who kept the herds fed through a hard winter. Their signed agreement gives authority to someone whose work they know. David's anointing also answers God's stated choice of a shepherd for the people of Israel.

Notice

2 Samuel 5:2 The tribes recall David's leadership while Saul still held the throne. Their choice draws on both his past service and God's command concerning him.

2 Samuel 5:1-5

King James Version

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

2Also 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.

3So 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.

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.

2 Samuel 5:6-10

Jerusalem Becomes David’s City

The Jebusites mock David as he comes against Jerusalem. They speak as if even blind and disabled defenders would keep him out. David takes Zion's stronghold despite their boast. His answer uses the same cruel language about blind and lame people. He makes the fort his home, calls it the city of David, and builds around it. The account credits his growing strength to God's presence. The capture gives the king a new base, while the words used in the conflict remain harsh.

In everyday life

A city archivist reads a sporting club's old pamphlets that mock disabled members. She records the words without treating the cruelty as acceptable. Later trophies do not erase the insult from the club's record. Success and harsh speech sit beside each other in the files. Jerusalem's capture is an armed victory credited to God's presence.

Notice

2 Samuel 5:10 David's growth is linked to God being with him. The account names that source of strength after describing the capture and building of his city.

2 Samuel 5:6-10

King James Version

6And 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.

7Nevertheless David took the strong hold of Zion: the same is the city of David.

8And 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.

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

10And David went on, and grew great, and the LORD God of hosts was with him.

2 Samuel 5:11-16

A Palace and a Growing Household

Hiram, king of Tyre, sends cedar wood and skilled builders to David. They build him a house. David sees that God has made his rule secure for Israel's sake. His new standing serves the people, not only his private name. He also takes more wives and lesser wives at Jerusalem. More sons and daughters are born, and several sons are listed. The palace and growing household show a king settling into power. The stated purpose of that power remains the good of Israel.

In everyday life

A university rector watches builders finish a house supplied through a partner institution. The gift reflects new trust in her office. She tells staff that the honour belongs with her duty to the students. Her private comfort is not the whole point. David understands his kingdom's strength as God's gift for the people of Israel.

Notice

2 Samuel 5:12 David sees the kingdom's rise as being for Israel's sake. The royal house is placed within a larger purpose than the king's personal comfort.

2 Samuel 5:11-16

King James Version

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

12And David perceived that the LORD 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 be the names of those that were born unto him in Jerusalem; Shammua, and Shobab, and Nathan, and Solomon,

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

16And Elishama, and Eliada, and Eliphalet.

2 Samuel 5:17-21

David Asks Before the First Attack

The Philistines hear that David is king over all Israel and come against him. Their forces spread through the valley of Rephaim. David asks God whether to attack and whether he will win. God tells him to go and promises victory. David defeats them and compares God's action to water breaking through a barrier. He names the place Baal-perazim. The enemy leaves its images behind, and David's men burn them. His words credit the breakthrough to God rather than to his own strength.

In everyday life

A harbour master asks for expert direction before moving trapped boats through a blocked channel. When the barrier gives way, she credits the team that planned the release. The sudden movement of water matches the scale of the change she sees. David receives God's promise of victory over an attacking army.

Notice

2 Samuel 5:20 David describes the victory through the force of breaking water. His name for the place preserves his claim that God broke through the enemy.

2 Samuel 5:17-21

King James Version

17But 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.

18The Philistines also came and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim.

19And 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.

20And David came to Baal-perazim, 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 Baal-perazim.

21And there they left their images, and David and his men burned them.

2 Samuel 5:22-25

The Second Battle Needs Fresh Direction

The Philistines return to the same valley, and David asks God again. This time he must not attack straight ahead. He is to circle behind them and approach near the mulberry trees. A sound of movement in the treetops will mark the time to act. God will go ahead of him against the enemy. David follows these instructions and defeats them from Geba to Gazer. A repeated threat receives a different answer. The earlier success does not make another request for direction needless.

In everyday life

A fire captain studies a new wind report before entering the same stretch of woodland again. She changes the approach and waits for the agreed cue. Yesterday's successful route does not govern today's work. Her crew moves only when the conditions match the plan. David's cue is God's promised movement before him in battle.

Notice

2 Samuel 5:23 The second answer forbids the direct attack used before. David must listen again even though the enemy and valley are familiar from the earlier fight.

2 Samuel 5:22-25

King James Version

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

23And 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.

24And 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.

25And David did so, as the LORD had commanded him; and smote the Philistines from Geba until thou come to Gazer.

Details worth noticing

25verses in this reading

5major movements

8verses with speech

1questions in the KJV text

The opening image

2 Samuel 5:1 begins with “Then came all the tribes of Israel to David unto Hebron, and spake, saying, Behold, we are thy bone and thy flesh.”

Where the chapter turns

2 Samuel 5:17 forms a natural hinge: “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…”

The final note

2 Samuel 5:25 leaves the reader with “And David did so, as the LORD had commanded him; and smote the Philistines from Geba until thou come to Gazer.”

A word trail through the chapter

The words David, LORD, Israel, king, Philistines, Hebron help reveal the chapter’s repeated concerns.

KJV words made clear

behold: look, or pay close attention
unto: to
thee: you
thou: you
thy: your

Music and video connected to the passage

Related media appears when its Scripture reference overlaps this study. Music and video can illuminate a theme while the biblical text remains the foundation.