I ntroduction: 2Sam. 5 is an assortment of events, some which are clearly in the general chronological order of things (David being made king over all Israel; the first war again the Philistines under David); some which cover several decades (the children born to David in Jerusalem); and some events which may or many not chronologically fit right here (the second war against the Philistines under David). It gives us insight into how the Hebrew mind works, and even suggests that an editor came along, sometime after this history was recorded, and inserted the few verses which tell us who David’s children were.

This chapter includes two of the most historically significant events to occur in the time of David: the establishing of Jerusalem as the capital city of Israel and the sound defeat of the Philistine army. The former event has impact up until today; and the latter affected Israel for several hundred years.

Matthew Henry connects chapters 4 and 5: How far Abner's deserting the house of Saul, his murder, and the murder of Ish-bosheth, might contribute to the perfecting of the revolution, and the establishing of David as king over all Israel, does not appear; but, it should seem, that happy change followed presently thereupon, which in this chapter we have an account of.

Despite the idea that this seems to be a mishmash of narrative, each section is clearly defined and most commentators also divided this chapter up similarly.
Clarke and Henry’s Outline of 2Sam. 5
Verses	Clarke	Henry
2Sam. 5:1-5	The elders of all the tribes of Israel come and anoint David king over all Israel.	I. David anointed king by all the tribes.
2Sam. 5:6-10	He goes against the Jebusites, and takes the strong hold of Zion, and afterwards the city itself; which is called the city of David.	II. Making himself master of the strong-hold of Zion.
2Sam. 5:11–12	David’s prosperity, and friendship with Hiram, king of Tyre (2Sam. 5:10-12).	III. Building himself a house and strengthening himself in his kingdom.
2Sam. 5:13-16	He takes more concubines, and begets several sons and daughters.	IV. His children that were born after this.
2Sam. 5:17-25	The Philistines gather together against him in the valley of Rephaim; he defeats them; they abandon their idols, and David and his men burn them (2Sam. 5:17-21).	V. His victories over the Philistines.
2Sam. 5:17-25	They assemble once more in the valley of Rephaim, and David smites them from Geba to Gazer (2Sam. 5:22-25).	V. His victories over the Philistines.

As you can see, the differences in outlining this chapter are very few. I include David’s great prosperity with the taking of Jerusalem; these two exegetes present it as a different section. They differ as to where to put v. 10. Clarke and I separate out the two Israel-Philistine wars; Matthew Henry groups them together.

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Usually, at this point, I go through the chapter, almost verse by verse, and tell what is going to occur. This time, I think that I am going to give an expanded outline of the chapter, and explain what will happen in each section.
2Samuel 5 Synopsis
Verses	Section	Time Frame	Brief Synopsis
1–5	David is Made King over all Israel	Chronologically, the first 3 verses fit right here; after the intrigue of 2Sam. 4 and before the Ark is brought to Jerusalem. The last two verses of this section are a summary which had to be written after David’s death.	After the political intrigue of the previous chapter, representatives are sent to David from the northern tribes in order to make a pact and to recognize David as king over all Israel (vv. 1–3). There appear to be two meetings here (vv. 1–2 and v. 3). In vv. 4–5, the years that David ruled are summarized. This would have been added, more than likely, by an editor writing several years after David’s death.
Vv. 4–5 are logically tied to vv. 1–3; David is first made king over all Israel; therefore, it is logical to next tell the length of his reign.
Chronologically, v. 6 picks up where v. 3 leaves off. David is just made king over all Israel; therefore, his next order of business is a slightly more centralized capital city.
6–12	David Takes Jerusalem as his new Capital City	Chronologically fits right here.	Once David is made king over all Israel, he decides to go further north and set up a capital city in Jerusalem. The Jebusites opposed this move and told David that he would not be entering into their city—that even lame and blind men could keep him out. David’s men attacked Jerusalem through their underground water lines, and took the city. Vv. 6–12
Vv. 6–12 are logically tied to the next section. David takes the city of Jerusalem; the author then tells us about the children who are born to David in Jerusalem. This is also chronological, but coterminous with the incidents which follow, both in this chapter and in the next several chapters.
13–16	The Line of David in Jerusalem	These sons born to David would have been born over a period of perhaps a decade or so; so, topically this fits here.	In line with the summary of the years that David rules, and in line with his taking of Jerusalem, his children are listed here—those born to him in Jerusalem. We actually know very little about these children, apart from who the mother is for the first 4; and we find them in 2 other genealogies will precious little additional information. Vv. 13–16
Chronologically, v. 17 follows v. 12 (possibly even v. 3). When the Philistines hear that David is made king over all Israel, they advance against him. Since Jerusalem is not mentioned, it is not clear whether these wars occur before or after Jerusalem is made the capital city of (Re) United Israel.
17–21	The First Israel-Philistine War under David	The Philistines act as soon as they hear about David being made king over Israel; so this fits right here chronologically.	As soon as the Philistines hear that David is ruler over all Israel, they determine that something must be done (recall that they had soundly defeated Saul and, apparently, had some control over Israel since then). Vv. 17–21
We don’t know how close together these two wars (or battles) are. The second obviously followed the first; but we do not know if there are intervening events or not.
22–25	The Second Israel-Philistine War under David	We do not know when this second war occurred; this is definitely topically placed; possibly chronologically placed.	After David soundly defeats the Philistines, they return for another war, wherein, David uses strategy and tactics to defeat them.

Although it is reasonable to assume that most of 2Samuel is going to be chronological, this brief chart should make it clear that even one chapter can contain events or information from David’s entire reign. However, what should be clear is, this information is not simply thrown in here randomly, but there is a definite order and logic to it.

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I spoke of chronology in the previous table; and the chapter which follows this chapter will be about David bringing the Ark to Jerusalem after it has been kept for some time at the house of Abinadab. We ought to take a quick look at this particular era of 2Samuel and 1Chronicles side-by-side.
As you see these laid out side-by-side, bear in mind that we seem to be getting a human perspective in 2Samuel and the divine perspective in 1Chronicles.
The Events of 2Sam. 2–6 as found in 1Chronicles
Historical Events	2Samuel	1Chronicles
After David is made king in Hebron over Judah, there is a great deal of political intrigue which goes on.	2Sam. 2:1–4:12	–
David is made king over all Israel	2Sam. 5:1–3<