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2 Samuel

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2 Samuel 5

Commentary · verses 1-25

This chapter covered David being made king over a unified Israel.

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.

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.

Commentary · verses 1-3

The elders of Israel recognized that even while Saul was king, David was a leader to them. David was anointed King of Israel.

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

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

Commentary · verse 4

If David was anointed king by Samuel at about 15-20 years old, it took him 10-15 years for that anointing to be official. Along the way, David never sought out the throne as a cause. David sought out God, and his faith in God was proven every time David waited on the Lord for this position of authority.

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.

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 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.

Commentary · verses 5-6

Jerusalem was still inhabited by Jebusites who were Canaanites. The Jebusites mocked David and his troops, essentially saying, "even the blind and the lame could defeat you."

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

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

Commentary · verse 7

"Zion" and "the city of David" were other names for Jerusalem.

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.

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.

Commentary · verse 8

David encouraged his men to defeat the Jebusites who David called "lame" and "blind."

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.

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.

Commentary · verses 9-10

The defeat of the Jebusites in Jerusalem was complete. So much so that David called the name of the city: the city of David.

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.

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.

Commentary · verses 11-12

David perceived that God had established him King of Israel because he grew greater and greater because God was with him. Notice, another king from another nation was sending gifts to David, trying to gain his favor.

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,

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,

Commentary · verses 13-14

David took even more concubines and wives. Notice, Solomon was mentioned. He was born in Jerusalem, but we have not covered the circumstances of his birth.

15and Ibhar, and Elishua, and Nepheg, and Japhia, 16and Elishama, and Eliada, and Eliphelet.

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

16And Elishama, and Eliada, and Eliphalet.

Commentary · verses 17-25

Verses 17-25: David has another conflict with the Philistines, this time as King of Israel.

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.

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.

Commentary · verse 19

Now that David was King of Israel, he would fight against the Philistines. He took counsel from God before doing this. The counsel was for the benefit of Israel.

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.

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.

Commentary · verse 20

"Baal-perazim" meant "lord of the breaks." The defeat was so overwhelming, it was like a breakthrough of water.

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.

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

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.

Commentary · verse 23

God is a master of strategy. This time, God directed David to go behind the Philistines.

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.

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.

Commentary · verse 24

God gave David a sign for when to attack: when David heard the Philistines marching on the mulberry-trees. "Mulberry-trees," also called balsam-trees, were a type of shrub which dripped sap when cut and would have been easy for soldiers to trample with their feet.

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

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

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