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David Anointed King of Israel
5 Then all the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron and said, “Behold, we are your bone and flesh. In times past, when Saul was king over us, it was you who led out and brought in Israel. And the LORD said to you, ‘You shall be shepherd of my people Israel, and you shall be prince over Israel.’” So all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron, and King David made a covenant with them at 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. At Hebron he reigned over Judah seven years and six months, and at Jerusalem he reigned over all Israel and Judah thirty-three years.
And the king and his men went to Jerusalem against the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land, who said to David, “You will not come in here, but the blind and the lame will ward you off”—thinking, “David cannot come in here.” Nevertheless, David took the stronghold of Zion, that is, the city of David. And David said on that day, “Whoever would strike the Jebusites, let him get up the water shaft to attack ‘the lame and the blind,’ who are hated by David’s soul.” Therefore it is said, “The blind and the lame shall not come into the house.” And David lived in the stronghold and called it the city of David. And David built the city all around from the Millo inward. And David became greater and greater, for the LORD, the God of hosts, was with him.
And Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, and cedar trees, also carpenters and masons who built David a house. And David knew that the LORD had established him king over Israel, and that he had exalted his kingdom for the sake of his people Israel.
And David took more concubines and wives from Jerusalem, after he came from Hebron, and more sons and daughters were born to David. And these are the names of those who were born to him in Jerusalem: Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon, Ibhar, Elishua, Nepheg, Japhia, Elishama, Eliada, and Eliphelet.
David Defeats the Philistines
When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over Israel, all the Philistines went up to search for David. But David heard of it and went down to the stronghold. Now the Philistines had come and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim. And David inquired of the LORD, “Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will you give them into my hand?” And the LORD said to David, “Go up, for I will certainly give the Philistines into your hand.” And David came to Baal-perazim, and David defeated them there. And he said, “The LORD has broken through my enemies before me like a breaking flood.” Therefore the name of that place is called Baal-perazim. And the Philistines left their idols there, and David and his men carried them away.
And the Philistines came up yet again and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim. And when David inquired of the LORD, he said, “You shall not go up; go around to their rear, and come against them opposite the balsam trees. And when you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, then rouse yourself, for then the LORD has gone out before you to strike down the army of the Philistines.” And David did as the LORD commanded him, and struck down the Philistines from Geba to Gezer.
(ESV)
2 Samuel 5 Commentary
by Brad Boyles
Every sports fan knows the term “bulletin board material.” It occurs days or weeks before a big game when your opponent makes some kind of degrading or insulting comment against you. It’s basically just mockery. But that taunt becomes bulletin board material when the coach or team decides to use the negative comment as motivation. A coach may post the degrading quote all over the locker room, reminding his team how the opponent has slandered them. It provides extra motivation to go out and prove them wrong.
In 2 Samuel 5, David had some bulletin board material.
The time came when King David and his men set out to attack Jerusalem. The Jebusites, who lived there, thought that David would not be able to conquer the city, and so they said to him, “You will never get in here; even the blind and the crippled could keep you out.”
2 Samuel 5:6 GNB
The Jebusites were Caananites living in Jerusalem. Hundreds of years prior, God had commanded His people to take the land.
But the people of Judah were not able to drive out the Jebusites, who lived in Jerusalem. The Jebusites still live there with the people of Judah.
Joshua 15:63 GNB
When we study deeper, we find that it was actually the tribe of Benjamin who failed to drive the Jebusites completely from the land. The tribe of Benjamin would have been King Saul’s tribe. It will now be through David that the Lord’s will is accomplished and the Canaanites are driven from Jerusalem. It would not be an easy task.
Jerusalem was prime real estate for military leaders. The city was strategically positioned between natural walls (such as Mt. Moriah where Abraham had prepared to sacrifice Isaac). But David had a strategy. He would infiltrate the city utilizing the water tunnel.
“The water shaft extended about 230 feet up from the Gihon spring to the top of the hill where the Jebusite fortress was situated (2Ch 32:30). The tunnel gave the city a secure water supply in the event of a siege. The phrase the lame and the blind became something of a taunt, which David turned first into a challenge, and then into a victory song.”
-Nelson’s Commentary
David used the taunts as bulletin board material to accomplish God’s will and secure Israel’s land. It was a combination of God’s hand of blessing as well as David’s attitude and ingenuity. King David could have easily been struck with fear knowing this land had been controlled by the Jebusites for around 400 years. He could have given up after they taunted and intimidated him. But he knew the Lord had already promised victory, so he led his people with trust and obedience.