David's threefold anointing—first by Samuel, then by Judah, finally by all Israel—uniquely mirrors the divine Trinity's pattern of progressive revelation in kingship establishment.
2 Samuel 5
David Anointed King over All Israel
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.
David Conquers Jerusalem
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.
David Defeats the Philistines
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?” The LORD said to David, “Go up; for I will certainly deliver the Philistines into your 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.
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.
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Theme
David's reign reaches its zenith as all Israel unites under his kingship, establishing Jerusalem as his capital and securing decisive victories over the Philistines. The chapter chronicles three pivotal achievements: his anointing as king over all twelve tribes, his conquest of the Jebusite stronghold of Jerusalem which becomes the City of David, and his divinely-guided military triumphs that establish Israel's dominance. These events fulfill God's covenant promises and mark David's transformation from fugitive to Israel's greatest king.
Context
This chapter marks the culmination of David's rise to power following Saul's death and the civil war with Ish-bosheth, setting the stage for the golden age of his reign.
Key Themes
Outline
- 1-5 David Anointed King over All Israel The tribes unite to anoint David as king over all Israel, making a covenant at Hebron after recognizing his divine calling.
- 6-12 Conquest of Jerusalem David captures the Jebusite stronghold of Zion, establishes Jerusalem as his capital, and receives recognition from King Hiram of Tyre.
- 13-16 David's Family in Jerusalem David takes additional wives and concubines, and eleven sons are born to him in Jerusalem, including Solomon.
- 17-25 Victory over the Philistines David defeats the Philistines in two battles through divine guidance, demonstrating God's continued blessing on his reign.
David Anointed King over All Israel
5:1–5:5 narrative narration triumphant
All tribes of Israel unite to anoint David as king over the entire nation at Hebron. This marks the end of the civil war and David's rise to full sovereignty over Israel.
person_contrast
David's threefold anointing—first by Samuel, then by Judah, finally by all Israel—uniquely mirrors the divine Trinity's pattern of progressive revelation in kingship establishment.
David Conquers Jerusalem
5:6–5:16 narrative narration triumphant
David conquers Jerusalem from the Jebusites, establishes it as his capital city, and receives recognition from neighboring kings while his family grows. The LORD's blessing enables David's increasing power and influence as king over Israel.
person_contrast
David's conquest of Jerusalem uniquely combines his typical themes of authority and covenant with the rare addition of divine blessing and family expansion, appearing in only 3% of his biblical narratives.
David Defeats the Philistines
5:17–5:25 narrative narration triumphant
David defeats the Philistines in two battles by seeking the LORD's guidance and following divine military strategy. The LORD delivers Israel's enemies into David's hands, demonstrating divine support for his kingship.
person_contrast
David's repeated inquiries of the LORD before each battle (verses 19, 23) starkly contrast his typical portrayal as a decisive military commander, revealing a king who prioritizes divine consultation over personal strategic instincts.
Insights
David's conquest of Jerusalem uniquely combines his typical themes of authority and covenant with the rare addition of divine blessing and family expansion, appearing in only 3% of his biblical narratives.
David's repeated inquiries of the LORD before each battle (verses 19, 23) starkly contrast his typical portrayal as a decisive military commander, revealing a king who prioritizes divine consultation over personal strategic instincts.
Cross-References
Connected passages across Scripture
2 Samuel 5:1 2 references
2 Samuel 5:2 5 references
Lexicals 5
1 Chronicles 11:2 Lexical
In times past, even when Saul was king, it was you who led out and brought in Israel. The LORD your God said to you, ‘Yo…
1 Samuel 10:11 Lexical
When all who knew him before saw that, behold, he prophesied with the prophets, then the people said to one another, “Wh…
1 Samuel 14:21 Lexical
Now the Hebrews who were with the Philistines before and who went up with them into the camp from all around, even they…
1 Samuel 19:7 Lexical
Jonathan called David, and Jonathan showed him all those things. Then Jonathan brought David to Saul, and he was in his…
1 Samuel 4:7 Lexical
The Philistines were afraid, for they said, “God has come into the camp.” They said, “Woe to us! For there has not been…
2 Samuel 5:3 1 reference
2 Samuel 5:4 2 references
Lexicals 2
2 Samuel 5:5 5 references
Lexicals 5
1 Chronicles 3:4 Lexical
six were born to him in Hebron; and he reigned there seven years and six months. He reigned thirty-three years in Jerusa…
1 Chronicles 29:27 Lexical
The time that he reigned over Israel was forty years; he reigned seven years in Hebron, and he reigned thirty-three year…
1 Kings 2:11 Lexical
The days that David reigned over Israel were forty years; he reigned seven years in Hebron, and he reigned thirty-three…
2 Samuel 2:11 Lexical
The time that David was king in Hebron over the house of Judah was seven years and six months.
2 Kings 15:8 Lexical
In the thirty-eighth year of Azariah king of Judah, Zechariah the son of Jeroboam reigned over Israel in Samaria six mon…
2 Samuel 5:6 1 reference
2 Samuel 5:7 1 reference
2 Samuel 5:9 1 reference
2 Samuel 5:11 5 references
Lexicals 5
1 Chronicles 14:1 Lexical
Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David with cedar trees, masons, and carpenters, to build him a house.
1 Kings 9:11 Lexical
(now Hiram the king of Tyre had furnished Solomon with cedar trees and cypress trees, and with gold, according to all hi…
1 Kings 6:15 Lexical
He built the walls of the house within with boards of cedar; from the floor of the house to the walls of the ceiling, he…
2 Chronicles 34:11 Lexical
They gave it to the carpenters and to the builders to buy cut stone and timber for couplings, and to make beams for the…
2 Kings 22:6 Lexical
to the carpenters, and to the builders, and to the masons, and for buying timber and cut stone to repair the house.
2 Samuel 5:14 2 references
2 Samuel 5:15 3 references
2 Samuel 5:16 3 references
2 Samuel 5:17 1 reference
2 Samuel 5:18 3 references
Lexicals 3
2 Samuel 23:13 Lexical
Three of the thirty chief men went down, and came to David in the harvest time to the cave of Adullam; and the troop of…
1 Chronicles 14:9 Lexical
Now the Philistines had come and made a raid in the valley of Rephaim.
1 Chronicles 11:15 Lexical
Three of the thirty chief men went down to the rock to David, into the cave of Adullam; and the army of the Philistines…
2 Samuel 5:20 3 references
Lexicals 3
1 Chronicles 14:11 Lexical
So they came up to Baal Perazim, and David defeated them there. David said, God has broken my enemies by my hand, like w…
1 Chronicles 13:11 Lexical
David was displeased, because the LORD had broken out against Uzza. He called that place Perez Uzza, to this day.
2 Samuel 6:8 Lexical
David was displeased because the LORD had broken out against Uzzah; and he called that place Perez Uzzah to this day.
2 Samuel 5:22 4 references
Lexicals 4
2 Samuel 23:13 Lexical
Three of the thirty chief men went down, and came to David in the harvest time to the cave of Adullam; and the troop of…
1 Chronicles 11:15 Lexical
Three of the thirty chief men went down to the rock to David, into the cave of Adullam; and the army of the Philistines…
1 Chronicles 14:9 Lexical
Now the Philistines had come and made a raid in the valley of Rephaim.
1 Chronicles 14:13 Lexical
The Philistines made another raid in the valley.
2 Samuel 5:23 1 reference
2 Samuel 5:24 1 reference
Interlinear
Word-by-word original language
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v. 21
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v. 23
v. 24
v. 25
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