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2 Samuel 5

2 Samuel book home•Chapter 5 of 24•25 verses

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REVIEWED OVERVIEW

2 Samuel 5 Overview

All the tribes of Israel come to Hebron and anoint David king over Israel, recognizing both their kinship and the LORD’s earlier word that David would shepherd the nation. David captures the stronghold of Zion from the Jebusites and establishes Jerusalem as the City of David. His kingdom grows, Hiram of Tyre sends materials and craftsmen, and David twice defeats Philistine armies after inquiring of the LORD.

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Before you read 2 Samuel 5

Coming from

Chapter 4 ended with Ish-bosheth dead and David refusing to reward the men who murdered him.

In this chapter

The divided monarchy is reunited under David, Jerusalem becomes the political center, and military victories confirm the strengthening of the kingdom.

Leads into

Chapter 6 turns from political consolidation to worship as David attempts to bring the ark of God into Jerusalem, with both tragedy and celebration along the way.

Key understandingExplore deeper

David is now publicly anointed for the third major time in the narrative: first privately by Samuel, then by Judah, and now by all Israel. Jerusalem is strategically useful because it lies between northern and southern tribal regions and had remained a Jebusite stronghold. The two Philistine battles are also instructive because David does not assume that yesterday’s guidance automatically determines today’s strategy; he inquires again and receives a different tactical direction the second time.

Major truths in this chapterExplore deeper

Truth 1

God’s earlier promise reaches public fulfillment as all Israel recognizes David’s kingship.

Truth 2

The king is described as a shepherd of Israel, emphasizing responsibility for the people rather than merely possession of power.

Truth 3

David’s capture of Jerusalem gives the reunited kingdom a new center not previously controlled by a dominant Israelite tribe.

Truth 4

Past victory does not make David independent of God; he continues to inquire before facing the Philistines.

Connections to the rest of ScriptureExplore deeper

Connection 1

1 Samuel 16 records David’s private anointing, and 2 Samuel 2 records Judah’s anointing; chapter 5 completes the widening public recognition of his kingship.

Connection 2

Psalm 78:68–72 connects God’s choice of David and Zion and describes David shepherding Israel with integrity and skill.

Connection 3

Matthew 2:6 applies shepherd language to the Messiah who rules God’s people, while the Davidic royal pattern ultimately reaches its fullest expression in Christ.

What is clear, and where care is neededExplore deeper

Keep this clear 1

David’s military success and political consolidation belong to Israel’s historical monarchy; they are not a pattern promising territorial conquest to the church.

Keep this clear 2

The chapter records David taking additional wives and concubines. Royal success does not make polygamy God’s creation ideal, and later family turmoil will expose its costs.

Keep this clear 3

Do not turn David’s different battle instructions into a method of seeking new private revelation for every repeated task. The narrative shows direct guidance to Israel’s anointed king in this historical period.

Read 2 Samuel 5 watching for…

The reasons Israel’s tribes give for recognizing David.

The shepherd language used for kingship.

Why Jerusalem matters politically and geographically.

Signs that David’s kingdom is becoming established.

What David does before each Philistine battle.

How the second battle strategy differs from the first.

Chapter outline4 sections

1-5All Israel anoints David king 6-10David takes Jerusalem and grows great 11-16Hiram helps David build a house, and more children are born 17-25David defeats the Philistines twice

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

Also 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.

So 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.

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

In Hebron he reigned over Judah seven years and six months: and in Jerusalem he reigned thirty and three years over all Israel and Judah.

And 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.

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

And 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.

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

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

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

And David perceived that the LORD had established him king over Israel, and that he had exalted his kingdom for his people Israel's sake.

And 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.

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

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

And Elishama, and Eliada, and Eliphalet.

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 down to the hold.

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

And David inquired 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.

And 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.

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

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

And when David inquired 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.

And 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.

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

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2 Samuel 5:4

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