2 Samuel Chapter 5 — David Becomes King of All Israel
All the tribes of Israel unite under David's kingship at Hebron, followed by the capture of Jerusalem and two major victories over the Philistines.
1Then all the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron and spoke, saying, “Behold, we are your bone and your flesh.
2In times past, when Saul was king over us, it was you who led Israel out and in. The LORD said to you, ‘You will be shepherd of my people Israel, and you will 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 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-three years over all Israel and Judah.
6The king and his men went to Jerusalem against the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land, who spoke to David, saying, “The blind and the lame will keep you out of here,” thinking, “David can’t come in here.”
7Nevertheless David took the stronghold of Zion. This is David’s city.
8David said on that day, “Whoever strikes the Jebusites, let him go up to the watercourse and strike those lame and blind, who are hated by David’s soul.” Therefore they say, “The blind and the lame can’t come into the house.”
9David lived in the stronghold, and called it David’s city. David built around from Millo and inward.
10David grew greater and greater, for the LORD, the God of Armies, was with him.
11Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, with cedar trees, carpenters, and masons; and they built David a house.
12David perceived that the LORD had established him king over Israel, and that he had exalted his kingdom for his people Israel’s sake.
13David took more concubines and wives for himself out of Jerusalem, after he had come from Hebron; and more sons and daughters were born to David.
14These are the names of those who were born to him in Jerusalem: Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon,
15Ibhar, Elishua, Nepheg, Japhia,
16Elishama, Eliada, and Eliphelet.
17When the Philistines heard that they had anointed David king over Israel, all the Philistines went up to seek David, but David heard about it and went down to the stronghold.
18Now the Philistines had come and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim.
19David inquired of the LORD, saying, “Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will you deliver them into my hand?”
20David came to Baal Perazim, and David struck them there. Then he said, “The LORD has broken my enemies before me, like the breach of waters.” Therefore he called the name of that place Baal Perazim.*“Baal Perazim” means “Lord who breaks out”.
21They left their images there, and David and his men took them away.
22The Philistines came up yet again and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim.
23When David inquired of the LORD, he said, “You shall not go up. Circle around behind them, and attack them in front of the mulberry trees.
24When you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the mulberry trees, then stir yourself up; for then the LORD has gone out before you to strike the army of the Philistines.”
25David did so, as the LORD commanded him, and struck the Philistines all the way from Geba to Gezer.
WEB Translation
Notable Verses
2 Samuel 5:10
“David grew greater and greater, for the LORD, the God of Armies, was with him.”
This verse highlights the source of David's success and the steady growth of his influence as king.
2 Samuel 5:12
“David perceived that the LORD had established him king over Israel, and that he had exalted his kingdom for his people Israel’s sake.”
It shows David's recognition that his authority was granted by God for the benefit of the nation rather than personal glory.
Chapter Summary
In 2 Samuel 5, the tribes of Israel gather at Hebron to acknowledge David as their rightful ruler, citing his past leadership and God's promise that he would shepherd the nation. The elders make a covenant with David and anoint him king over all Israel. David, who began his reign at age thirty, moves his base from Hebron to Jerusalem after capturing the stronghold of Zion from the Jebusites. He establishes Jerusalem as his capital, builds a palace with materials from Hiram of Tyre, and recognizes that God has established his kingdom for Israel's sake. The chapter also details David's growing family and his successful military campaigns against the Philistines. By inquiring of the Lord before battle, David receives specific strategies—including listening for the sound of marching in the mulberry trees—to defeat the Philistine armies and secure the borders of his newly unified kingdom.
Frequently Asked Questions
The elders acknowledged David's previous leadership under Saul and recognized the Lord's promise that David would be the shepherd and prince over Israel. They formally made a covenant and anointed him at Hebron to unify the nation.
David and his men attacked the Jebusite inhabitants who believed their city's defenses were so strong that even 'the blind and the lame' could hold it. David took the stronghold of Zion, renamed it the City of David, and built up the area starting from the Millo.
After the Philistines attacked, David inquired of the Lord and was promised victory. He defeated them there and named the place Baal Perazim, meaning 'Lord who breaks out,' because the Lord broke through his enemies like a breach of waters.
Study Note
The reference to 'the blind and the lame' in the Jebusite taunt is a historical and linguistic puzzle, likely referring to the perceived invincibility of Jerusalem's natural fortifications.
Related Chapters
1 Samuel 16
This chapter records David's initial private anointing by the prophet Samuel as a youth.
1 Chronicles 11
This chapter provides a parallel historical account of David becoming king and the capture of Jerusalem.
2 Samuel 6
Following his establishment in Jerusalem, David moves the Ark of the Covenant to the new capital.
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