2 Samuel 5
1 Samuel 5 begins with the scene in which David is anointed as king over all Israel. Having been king only over the tribe of Judah, David now ascends to the throne, recognized by all the tribes of Israel (verses 1-5). Next, he conquers Jerusalem (Jebus) to establish it as the political center of Israel, makes it his own stronghold, and calls it the “City of David” (verses 6-10). This becomes a historic turning point in which the kingdom of Israel is newly united, and it is a process of strengthening the foundations of his rule.
1verseThen all the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron and spoke, saying, “Behold, we are your bone and your flesh.
2verseIn times past, when Saul was king over us, it was you who led Israel out and in. The LORD said to you, ‘You will be shepherd of my people Israel, and you will be prince over Israel.’”
3verseSo all the elders of Israel came to the king to Hebron, and King David made a covenant with them in Hebron before the LORD; and they anointed David king over Israel.
4verseDavid was thirty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned forty years.
5verseIn Hebron he reigned over Judah seven years and six months, and in Jerusalem he reigned thirty-three years over all Israel and Judah.
6verseThe king and his men went to Jerusalem against the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land, who spoke to David, saying, “The blind and the lame will keep you out of here,” thinking, “David can’t come in here.”
7verseNevertheless David took the stronghold of Zion. This is David’s city.
8verseDavid said on that day, “Whoever strikes the Jebusites, let him go up to the watercourse and strike those lame and blind, who are hated by David’s soul.” Therefore they say, “The blind and the lame can’t come into the house.”
9verseDavid lived in the stronghold, and called it David’s city. David built around from Millo and inward.
10verseDavid grew greater and greater, for the LORD, the God of Armies, was with him.
11verseHiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, with cedar trees, carpenters, and masons; and they built David a house.
12verseDavid perceived that the LORD had established him king over Israel, and that he had exalted his kingdom for his people Israel’s sake.
13verseDavid took more concubines and wives for himself out of Jerusalem, after he had come from Hebron; and more sons and daughters were born to David.
14verseThese are the names of those who were born to him in Jerusalem: Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon,
15verseIbhar, Elishua, Nepheg, Japhia,
16verseElishama, Eliada, and Eliphelet.
17verseWhen the Philistines heard that they had anointed David king over Israel, all the Philistines went up to seek David, but David heard about it and went down to the stronghold.
18verseNow the Philistines had come and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim.
19verseDavid inquired of the LORD, saying, “Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will you deliver them into my hand?” The LORD said to David, “Go up; for I will certainly deliver the Philistines into your hand.”
20verseDavid came to Baal Perazim, and David struck them there. Then he said, “The LORD has broken my enemies before me, like the breach of waters.” Therefore he called the name of that place Baal Perazim.
21verseThey left their images there, and David and his men took them away.
22verseThe Philistines came up yet again and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim.
23verseWhen David inquired of the LORD, he said, “You shall not go up. Circle around behind them, and attack them in front of the mulberry trees.
24verseWhen you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the mulberry trees, then stir yourself up; for then the LORD has gone out before you to strike the army of the Philistines.”
25verseDavid did so, as the LORD commanded him, and struck the Philistines all the way from Geba to Gezer.
David’s Political and Spiritual Growth
While living in Jerusalem, David builds a palace and expands his kingdom further through alliances with the Philistines (verses 11-16). As God is with David, his reputation grows steadily. The author of Scripture repeatedly mentions the expansion of David’s authority and emphasizes that it is not due to David’s personal ability, but because of God’s guidance
Battles with the Philistine Army
The Philistines pose a threatening challenge to David, who has unified Israel (verses 17-25). David asks God about the war twice, and on both occasions he acts according to God’s instructions. In the first battle (the battle of Baal-perazim), he fights directly, and in the second battle, God tells him to treat “the sound of footsteps on the tops of the mulberry trees” as the signal. In this way, David puts God’s guidance ahead of his own wishes, and ultimately wins both battles decisively.
Meditation Points
- True leadership: In the process of David being established as king over all Israel, his humility and reliance on God show an example of leadership.
- God’s guidance: From David’s attitude of asking God’s will first, ahead of his own plans, when facing battle, we can consider the importance of faith that follows God’s guidance.
Try Applying This to Yourself
- When my assigned role or the position of my workplace changes, am I asking for God’s will first, like David?
- Instead of relying on my own strength in the face of problems, check whether I am putting into practice the habit of seeking God’s guidance.
