2 Samuel 5

King James Version

Full text for 2 Samuel Chapter 5

1¶ Then 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.

6¶ 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.

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.

11¶ And 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.

17¶ 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.

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.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

All the tribes of Israel came to Hebron and anointed David king over all Israel, recognizing him as their leader and the one chosen by the Lord. David then conquered the Jebusite stronghold of Zion, establishing Jerusalem as his capital and the City of David. The Lord was with David, causing him to grow great and establishing his kingdom. David also achieved two significant victories over the Philistines, each time after inquiring of the Lord for divine guidance.

Medium Summary

The chapter opens with all the tribes of Israel acknowledging David as their kinsman and former military leader, anointing him king over all Israel in Hebron. David, thirty years old, began his forty-year reign, first seven and a half years over Judah in Hebron, then thirty-three years over all Israel from Jerusalem. He then led his men to conquer the Jebusite stronghold of Zion, which became known as the City of David and his new capital. Hiram, king of Tyre, sent materials and craftsmen to build David a house, signifying his established rule. David understood that the Lord had exalted his kingdom for Israel's sake. The Philistines twice attacked, but David, after inquiring of the Lord, decisively defeated them in both encounters, first at Baalperazim and then by a strategic flank near the mulberry trees, demonstrating divine favor and guidance.

Long Summary

The chapter begins with all the tribes of Israel approaching David in Hebron, acknowledging their kinship and recalling his past leadership under Saul, confirming the Lord's promise that he would feed and captain Israel. Consequently, the elders of Israel made a league with David and anointed him king over all Israel. David was thirty years old when he began his reign, which lasted forty years in total: seven years and six months over Judah in Hebron, and thirty-three years over all Israel and Judah in Jerusalem. David then led his forces to Jerusalem, conquering the Jebusite stronghold of Zion despite their taunts, and established it as the City of David, building around it from Millo inwards. David's power and influence grew, as the Lord God of hosts was with him. Hiram, king of Tyre, sent cedar trees, carpenters, and masons to build David a royal house, signifying his established authority. David perceived that the Lord had firmly established him as king and exalted his kingdom for the benefit of his people, Israel. He also took more concubines and wives in Jerusalem, and several sons and daughters were born to him there, including Shammua, Nathan, and Solomon. When the Philistines heard of David's anointing over all Israel, they came up to seek him. David inquired of the Lord before the first battle, receiving assurance of victory, and smote them at Baalperazim, naming the place for the Lord's breakthrough. The Philistines attacked again, spreading themselves in the valley of Rephaim. David again sought the Lord's counsel, who this time commanded a different strategy: to flank them from behind the mulberry trees. David obeyed, and the Lord went before him, leading to a complete rout of the Philistines from Geba to Gazer.

Core Concepts

  • Unification of IsraelAll the tribes of Israel came to David in Hebron, acknowledging him as their kinsman and chosen leader, and anointed him king over the entire nation, fulfilling the Lord's promise.
  • Conquest of JerusalemDavid captured the Jebusite stronghold of Zion, a seemingly impregnable fortress, and established it as his capital, renaming it the City of David.
  • Divine Establishment of KingshipDavid recognized that the Lord had not only established him as king over Israel but also exalted his kingdom for the sake of His people, demonstrating God's active hand in his reign.
  • Strategic Divine GuidanceDavid consistently inquired of the Lord before engaging in battle, receiving specific and distinct instructions for defeating the Philistines in two separate encounters, highlighting God's direct involvement in his military campaigns.
  • Philistine DefeatDavid achieved two decisive victories over the Philistines, first at Baalperazim and then through a flanking maneuver near the mulberry trees, securing Israel's borders and demonstrating David's military prowess under divine direction.
  • International RecognitionHiram, King of Tyre, sent materials and skilled craftsmen to build David a house, signifying the growing international recognition and stability of David's kingdom.