2 Samuel 5 (Listen)
David Anointed King of Israel
5:1 Then all the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron and said, “Behold, we are your bone and flesh. 2 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 prince1 over Israel.’” 3 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. 4 David was thirty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned forty years. 5 At Hebron he reigned over Judah seven years and six months, and at Jerusalem he reigned over all Israel and Judah thirty-three years.2
6 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.” 7 Nevertheless, David took the stronghold of Zion, that is, the city of David. 8 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.” 9 And David lived in the stronghold and called it the city of David. And David built the city all around from the Millo inward. 10 And David became greater and greater, for the LORD, the God of hosts, was with him.
11 And Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, and cedar trees, also carpenters and masons who built David a house. 12 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.
13 And David took more concubines and wives from Jerusalem, after he came from Hebron, and more sons and daughters were born to David. 14 And these are the names of those who were born to him in Jerusalem: Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon, 15 Ibhar, Elishua, Nepheg, Japhia, 16 Elishama, Eliada, and Eliphelet.
David Defeats the Philistines
17 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. 18 Now the Philistines had come and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim. 19 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.” 20 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.3 21 And the Philistines left their idols there, and David and his men carried them away.
22 And the Philistines came up yet again and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim. 23 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. 24 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.” 25 And David did as the LORD commanded him, and struck down the Philistines from Geba to Gezer.
Footnotes
[1] 5:2
[2] 5:5
[3] 5:20
(ESV)
2 Samuel 5 Commentary
In 2 Samuel 5, all the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron, recognizing him as their kin and recalling his leadership even during Saul’s reign. They acknowledged the Lord’s declaration that David would shepherd and rule Israel (2 Samuel 5:1-2). The elders made a covenant with David before the Lord, and he was anointed king over all Israel (2 Samuel 5:3). David was 30 when he began to reign, serving 40 years total: 7.5 in Hebron over Judah, and 33 in Jerusalem over all Israel and Judah (2 Samuel 5:4–5).
David then captured Jerusalem from the Jebusites, taking the stronghold of Zion and calling it the city of David (2 Samuel 5:6-7). He established his residence there, building around it and growing stronger because the Lord was with him (2 Samuel 5:9-10). King Hiram of Tyre helped David build a palace. This confirmed that the Lord had established David’s kingship for Israel’s sake (2 Samuel 5:11-12). David also took more wives and concubines, and had several sons in Jerusalem, including Solomon and Nathan (2 Samuel 5:13-16).
When the Philistines learned of David’s anointing, they came to confront him in the Valley of Rephaim. David sought the Lord’s guidance, and God promised victory. David defeated them at Baal-perazim, naming it “The Lord Bursts Out” (2 Samuel 5:17-20). The Philistines abandoned their idols, which David’s men carried off (2 Samuel 5:21). When the Philistines returned, David again inquired of the Lord, who directed a different strategy. They used an ambush from behind, signaled by the sound of marching in the balsam trees. David obeyed, striking down the Philistines from Geba to Gezer (2 Samuel 5:22-25).
King Hiram: Friend Or Foe?
Who was King Hiram of Tyre? He ruled the Phoenician city of Tyre, a wealthy and influential port city. The Phoenicians were a Semitic people (Gentiles) who lived along the eastern Mediterranean coast (modern-day Lebanon). King Hiram sent cedar logs, carpenters, and stonemasons to help David build his palace in Jerusalem. This act showed not only political alliance but also goodwill and respect for David’s new position as king over all Israel. Later, in 1 Kings 5, Hiram continued his alliance with David’s son Solomon, supplying materials and craftsmen for building the temple.
Groundhog Day
Every year on February 2, Punxsutawney Phil emerges from his burrow to “predict” whether or not we will have an early spring or 6 more weeks of winter. Even though his predictions are a big deal in the small town of Punxsutawney, I wouldn’t put much stock in his accuracy. Historically, Phil has only predicted the coming of spring correctly about 40% of the time.
On many levels, the early life of King David was a “Groundhog Day” of sorts. Though he was prophesied to become Israel’s king (1 Sam 16:1, 12–13), he was forced to re-live the emotional rollercoaster of Saul’s schizophrenic rage and jealousy time and time again (1 Sam 18:8-11, 1 Sam 19:9-10, 1 Sam 24:1-2).
Each day was supposed to be one step closer to David becoming king, but it seemed that each day was a repeat of history – the cat and mouse game of fleeing for his life and wondering if God’s promises would ever come true (1 Sam 20:1, 1 Sam 23:14). David waited 15–20 years before God fulfilled the promise that was given through Samuel (2 Sam 5:3–4). That’s a long time to wait, but David learned how to depend on God throughout these hard years (Psa 18:1-6; Psa 34:1-7).
The first task at hand was to establish a headquarters, and David didn’t waste any time. He begins by conquering the Jebusites in the city of Jebus. This was an area of land that Joshua had not taken during the conquest of the Promised Land because the people of Judah could not drive them out.
This is a city that was formerly known as Salem, where the righteous King Melchizedek reigned (Gen 14:18, Psa 76:2). It was the same city where Abraham prepared to offer Isaac (Gen 22:2, 2 Ch 3:1). It was the same city where the temple would eventually be built (1 Ki 6:1–2, 2 Ch 3:1), and it was the same city where Jesus Christ would die and rise again (Luk 23:33, Luk 24:6).
David began his reign as king by overcoming the Canaanites who were living in Jebus and renaming it “the stronghold of Zion,” “the city of David,” Jerusalem.
Bulletin Board Material
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. However, 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
When we study deeper, we find that it was actually the tribe of Benjamin who failed to drive the Jebusites completely from the land (Jdg 1:21). The tribe of Benjamin would have been King Saul’s tribe (1 Sam 9:1-2). It will now be through David that the Lord’s will is accomplished and the Canaanites are driven from Jerusalem (2 Samuel 5:6-7). 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 – Gen 22:2, 2 Ch 3:1). But David had a strategy. He would infiltrate the city utilizing the water tunnel (2 Samuel 5:8, 1 Ch 11:6).
“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 New Illustrated 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 like his ancestors. 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.
The Pesky Philistines
After hearing of David’s reign, the Philistines immediately mobilized an army to crush this newly united kingdom. David, once a fugitive who even sought temporary refuge among the Philistines, now stands as God’s chosen leader.
As the Philistines approached, David didn’t react impulsively; instead, he retreated to a stronghold to seek God’s direction, asking whether to engage and whether victory would come. God answered affirmatively, and David won decisively at Baal-perazim, declaring, “The Lord did it!” It was a reminder that it was God’s power, not David’s, that secured the victory.
The abandoned idols left behind by the Philistines underscore that this was more than a military battle; it was a spiritual one. In our own lives, we face similar battles (whether for truth, relationships, or internal struggles) and this story challenges us to seek God’s timing, wisdom, and guidance. Just as David listened before acting, we too must rely on the Spirit rather than reacting from the flesh.
The Battle Is Not The Battle
So, even though they were utterly destroyed and their so-called gods humiliated, the Philistines understood that if David claimed victory now (early in his reign), they would be under him forever. So, not wanting to be outdone, they regroup for a second attack.
This is a familiar situation. How many of us in life have successfully navigated through a battle with the help of the Lord and immediately been hit with a counterattack of the same kind? Probably all of us can attest to this truth. Maybe it was someone who deeply hurt you, and with the Lord’s help, things were patched up and all was good – and then they did it again.
Maybe it was a mental health struggle that you found strength and hope to overcome through the Lord, and the next day, that struggle is right back at the forefront of your mind. Maybe it was an addiction or moral failure, and by the grace of God, you were able to get sober or experience healing. Then, almost immediately afterward, the same temptation comes to overwhelm you.
Temptation, sin, and evil – these all venture into our territory looking for a battle, and many times they come as repeat offenders. Just like the Philistines, they do not want to relinquish the ground they have gained over your mind, your heart, and your soul. They sense, just like the Philistines, that there is a new sheriff in town. Aslan is on the move. The King has taken up residence and poses a threat to the territory they have possessed for so long!
David had just defeated the Philistines. He faced them head-on and was victorious. He had the experience, the knowledge, and the strength… or so it appeared. But this is the lie we all begin to believe. The first battle with the Philistines was not won by David’s strength, intellect, or ability. The battle was won by David’s trust in the Lord. So, the battle is not the battle. In other words, the main struggle we have as believers is not necessarily the battle that is before us. The main struggle is remembering to turn to the Lord each time that battle rages against us!
Sometimes we remember the victory instead of remembering the One who provided the victory, and so when the enemy circles back, we think, “Oh yeah, I’ve got this one, I’ve done this before…” and we end up getting slaughtered. You know who did this? King Saul did this (1 Samuel 13), and it cost him the throne.
Pre-Battle Seeking And Post-Battle Thanking
The key was remembering the One who provided the victory (1 Ch 14:10-11). For David, it would be the same battle, the same enemy, but a different strategy. This time, God instructed him not to attack directly but to circle behind and wait for the sound of marching in the balsam trees (1 Ch 14:14-15). This was a sign that the Lord had gone ahead to strike the Philistine army. David obeyed, and Israel secured victory once again (1 Ch 14:16). The key was David’s dependence on God for a fresh strategy, not assuming yesterday’s method would work today. If David would not have gone to the Lord, he would not have had this insight.
There is one more thing we cannot miss. We see the same pattern with King David in his battles. It is pre-battle seeking and post-battle thanking (1 Sam 23:2; 2 Sam 5:19; 2 Sam 5:23; 2 Sam 22:1-4). David was a creative genius who succeeded in nearly everything he put his hand to (1 Sam 16:18). He was a musician, a poet, a military strategist, a king, and a charismatic leader. But all of these things were not the most important keys to his success. When we look over his life, most of David’s decisions were sandwiched between seeking God and thanking God (Psa 18:1-3; Psa 30:1-4; 2 Sam 7:18-22).
Do you face your battles by seeking the Lord? Do you remember to thank God for the victories?
