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Read 2 Samuel Chapter 5

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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.

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.

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.

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 Baalperazim, 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 Baalperazim.

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.

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.

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Explanation

2 Samuel 5

In short

David becomes king over all Israel after the tribes acknowledge him, and he captures Jerusalem from the Jebusites to make it his capital. He defeats the Philistines twice in battle with God's help, becoming stronger and more established as Israel's ruler.

What the text says

Verses 1-3: The tribes of Israel come to David at Hebron. They tell him they are his relatives and remind him that even when Saul was king, David led Israel's battles. They make a covenant with David and anoint him king. Verse 4 states David was thirty years old when he began to reign and reigned forty years total. Verse 5 breaks this down: seven years and six months over Judah in Hebron, then thirty-three years over all Israel and Judah in Jerusalem.

Verses 6-9: David and his men attack Jerusalem. The Jebusites mock him, saying the blind and lame could defend it. David captures the stronghold of Zion and makes it the City of David. He builds fortifications around it.

Verse 10-12: David grows great and God is with him. He recognizes that the Lord has established him as king. Verse 11 notes that Hiram of Tyre sends cedar, carpenters, and masons to build David's house. Verses 13-16 list David's children born in Jerusalem.

Verses 17-25: When the Philistines hear David is king, they seek him out in the valley of Rephaim. David asks God if he should fight and receives permission. He defeats them at a place he calls Baalperazim. The Philistines return, and this time God tells David to circle behind them and attack when he hears a sound in the mulberry trees. David obeys and defeats them again.

Takeaways

  • All Israel unites under David as king, and he establishes Jerusalem as his capital city.
  • God repeatedly grants David victory over enemies and is described as being with him.
  • David seeks God's guidance before battle and follows specific instructions each time.

Explanation written with the help of AI. The Bible text above is not changed. Context and interpretation are flagged as such; always come back to the text itself.