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2Samuel 5:1–25 |
David Rules Over all Israel |
vv. 1–5 David is Made King over all Israel
vv. 6–10 David Takes Jerusalem as his new Capital City
vv. 11–12 Hiram King of Tyre Builds David a Palace
vv. 13–16 The Line of David in Jerusalem
vv. 17–21 The First Israel-Philistine War under David
vv. 22–25 The Second Israel-Philistine War under David
Charts, Maps and Short Doctrines:
Introduction Clarke and Henry’s Outline of 2Sam. 5
Introduction 2Samuel 5 Synopsis
Introduction The Events of 2Sam. 2–6 as found in 1Chronicles
v. 2 Jesus Christ, the Great Shepherd
v. 2 Jehovah God, the Rock of Israel: Shepherd of Israel
v. 2 Why Northern Israel Chose David as their King
v. 2 Prophesies About David Becoming King
v. 2 Those who Acknowledge that God Chose David to be King over All Israel
v. 3 The 3 Anointings of David
v. 3 How Many Groups from the North Came to Visit with David?
v. 4 The Time Frame of David’s Life Before Becoming King over Judah
v. 6 The Doctrine of the Jebusites
v. 6 Why it is Okay for David to Make Jerusalem his Capital City
v. 7 Commentary on the Stronghold of Zion
v. 8 Picture of David’s Tunnel under the Jerusalem Walls
v. 8 The Different Views of 2Sam. 5:6–8
v. 8 Undeniable Conclusions Drawn from 2Samuel 5:6–8
v. 8 Probable Conclusions Drawn from 2Samuel 5:6–8
v. 8 What Does 2Samuel 5:6–8 Say to Me?
v. 9 What is Millo? The Opinions of Commentators
v. 9 The History of Jerusalem up until the Time of David
v. 12 Whose Kingdom? Whose People?
v. 13 David’s Sons and Daughters
v. 14 The Parallel Genealogies—David’s Children by Bathsheba
v. 16 The Parallel Genealogies—David’s 2nd Set of Children
v. 17 Why Do the Philistines Continually War Against Israel?
v. 17 The Philistines War Against David
v. 17 The Timing of this First Philistine Invasion
v. 17 Location of the Stronghold—Various Opinions
v. 18 Map of the Valley of Rephaim
v. 18 Where is David when the Philistines Spread out in the Valley of Rephaim?
v. 19 When God Guides David Directly
v. 19 Why David Needs to Ask for God’s Guidance Here
v. 20 Personal Application of David’s War with the Philistines
v. 23 What Kind of Trees are These?
v. 24 The Rustling of the Trees in the Second Philistine Battle
v. 25 A Map of Geba to Gezer
Addendum A Complete Translation of 2Samuel 5
Doctrines Covered |
Doctrines Alluded To |
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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. |
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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.
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They assemble once more in the valley of
Rephaim, and David smites them from Geba to
Gazer (2Sam. 5:22-25).
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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. |
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. |
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Verses |
Section |
Time Frame |
Brief Synopsis |
1–5 |
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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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6–12 |
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 |
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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. |
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13–16 |
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 |
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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. |
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17–21 |
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 |
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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. |
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22–25 |
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. |
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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. |
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. |
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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. |
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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 |
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David is made king over all Israel |
1Chron. 11:1–3 |
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Israelites from all over come to Hebron to show their support for David. It is not clear if these came up to Hebron to celebrate David becoming king over all Israel, or if they initiated David’s popular support. The former seems the most logical. However, I think this occurs informally first with the people of Israel, and then officially by the elders of Israel. |
1Chron. 12:22–40 |
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David takes Jerusalem as his capital city. |
1Chron. 11:4–9 |
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The Philistines hear about David being made king over all Israel and they were probably even more concerned about the gathering of the men of war to David (1Chron. 12:22–40). So they deploy against David and are defeated in two battles by David’s army. |
1Chron. 14:8–17 18:1 |
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David and the Ark of God |
2Sam. 6:1–19 |
1Chron. 13:1–14 15:1–17:27 |
The children born to David while in Jerusalem. |
1Chron. 3:5–9 14:3–7 |
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David’s length of reign. |
1Chron. 29:26–27 |
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I made every attempt to place the historical events in chronological order; you will note that even though Samuel and Chronicles are in some sort of order, and that it is often chronological, it is not consistently so. |
Note that Chronicles ignores the political intrigue which went down during the time of David. |
Other commentators have also written that the book of Samuel is not altogether chronological.
Edersheim writes: What we have just related must, of course, not be taken as indicating a strict
chronological succession of events. The building of these walls no doubt occupied some time, and
many things occurred in the interval, which are related afterwards. Apparently the intention of the
sacred historian was to complete his sketch of all connected with David's conquest of Zion and his
making it the royal residence, not to write in chronological order. Hence we have also here notices of
the palace which David built on Mount Zion, and of the help which Hiram, king of Tyre, gave him both
in men and materials, and even of David's fresh alliances and of their issues, although the children
were born at a much later period than this. As we understand it, soon after his accession, probably
after the capture of Jerusalem and the final defeat of the Philistines, Hiram sent an embassy of
congratulation to David, which led to an interchange of courtesies and to the aid which the king of Tyre
gave in David's architectural undertakings.
Because we have information in this chapter which takes us to David’s death (i.e., the length of his entire reign over Israel), it should be clear that either a later editor pieced David’s kingship together or that David wrote an account of his kingship, and that a later editor added a few pertinent facts (e.g., the length of David’s reign). Given all that Solomon wrote, and given his spiritual state, both at the beginning and at the end of his life, it is logical to assume that he assembled and/or edited 2Samuel. Although I would assume that David recorded the events of his life, I would not rule out them being recorded by the hand of Nathan the prophet or even by the young priest, Abiathar, who joined up with David after Saul killed his entire family in Nob.
Originally, there appear to be 3 historical documents: The Chronicles of Samuel the Seer, The Chronicles of Nathan the Prophet, and the Chronicles of Gad the Seer (1Chron. 29:29–30). It is reasonable that the book we have in our hands is properly known as the Chronicles of Samuel the Seer. These are historical events which Samuel recorded, possibly beginning at a very early age (after being called by God into service). It is clear that Samuel did not record all of the events found in this book—we spoke of authorship throughout the book of 1Samuel, making a number of observations as to the likely authors. Whether there are some events from Nathan and Gad’s books added into the book of Samuel, we do not know. It is clear that the book of Samuel (our book of Samuel) had a later editor, or that information was added in by a later editor (or editors). This is why we have the length of David’s reign found in 1Sam. 5. Word processing software was fairly rare when David was made king over all Israel, so for the period of time of David’s reign to be found as early in 2Samuel as chapter 5 indicates that there was an editor at work after David’s death (or at David’s retirement; he did actually retire before dying; he did not die in office).
For the same reason, we know the book of Chronicles had to have been composed hundreds of years after some of the events found in the book of Chronicles. The chronologies found in the first few chapters, which appear to extend over hundreds of years, suggests a late authorship. The details found in this book suggest that the author-editor probably took from at least 3 sources: the books of Samuel, Nathan and Gad. I would suppose that there were extensive genealogical records to which he referred as well. Again, the location of the genealogies at the beginning of the book and the extensive time frame of this book suggest late authorship, which is in agreement with most scholarship on this point.
It is possible, and actually, quite reasonable, that much of this chapter (up until the invasion of the Philistines), is an overview of David’s reign from Jerusalem. That is, there is no reason to assume that all which follows occurred within the first few years of his living in Jerusalem. Obviously, the wives which David took and the children he sired would be the result of several years; and his children by Bathsheba, named in this chapter, will not come on the scene for perhaps a decade or more. The reason I mention this is, we have Hiram, king of Tyre, building a palace for David. There is no reason to assume that this occurred immediately upon David’s taking the crown. This might have been done later on in David’s kingship.
David is Made King over all Israel
1Chronicles 11:1–3 (12:22–40) 29:26–27
Slavishly literal: |
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Moderately literal: |
And so come all tribes of Israel unto David Hebron-ward; and so they say to say, “Behold us! Your bone and your flesh [are] we. |
2Samuel 5:1 |
Then, all the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron, and said, “Observe us; we [are] your bone and your flesh. |
Then all the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron and they said, “Listen, we are your flesh and blood;... |
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Here is how others have translated this verse:
Ancient texts:
Masoretic Text And so come all tribes of Israel unto David Hebron-ward; and so they say to say, “Behold us! Your bone and your flesh [are] we.
Septuagint And all the tribes of Israel come to David to Chebron, and they said to him, “Behold, we are your bone and your flesh.
Significant differences: None, except that to say is repeated in the Hebrew.
Thought-for-thought translations; paraphrases:
CEV Israel's leaders met with David at Hebron and said, "We are your relatives.
The Message Before long all the tribes of Israel approached David in Hebron and said, "Look at us—your own flesh and blood!.
NAB All the tribes of Israel came to David in Hebron and said: “Here we are, your bone and your flesh.
Mostly literal renderings (with some occasional paraphrasing):
HCSB All the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron and said, "Here we are, your own flesh and blood.
Literal, almost word-for-word, renderings:
WEB Then came all the tribes of Israel to David to Hebron, and spoke, saying, Behold, we are your bone and your flesh.
Young’s Updated LT And all the tribes of Israel come unto David, to Hebron, and speak, saying, “Lo, we are your bone and your flesh.
What is the gist of this verse? The men from the northern tribes of Israel came down to David in Hebron and begin by tell him they are his flesh and blood (they use the terms bone and flesh).
2Samuel 5:1a |
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Hebrew/Pronunciation |
Common English Meanings |
Notes/Morphology |
BDB and Strong’s Numbers |
wa (or va) (ַו) [pronounced wah] |
and so, and then, then, and; so, that, yet, therefore |
wâw consecutive |
No Strong’s # BDB #253 |
bôw (א) [pronounced boh] |
to come in, to come, to go in, to go, to enter |
3rd person masculine plural, Qal imperfect |
Strong’s #935 BDB #97 |
kôl (לֹ) [pronounced kohl] |
every, each, all of, all; any of, any |
masculine singular construct not followed by a definite article |
Strong’s #3605 BDB #481 |
shêbeţ (ט ∵ב ֵש) [pronounced SHAYB-vet] |
rod, staff, club, scepter and figuratively for a tribe, subdivision of a tribe or family |
masculine plural construct |
Strong’s #7626 BDB #986 |
Yiserâêl (לֵאָר ׃̣י) [pronounced yis-raw-ALE] |
transliterated Israel |
masculine proper noun |
Strong’s #3478 BDB #975 |
el (ל∵א) [pronounced el] |
unto; into, among, in; toward, to; against; concerning, regarding; besides, together with; as to |
directional preposition (respect or deference may be implied) |
Strong's #413 BDB #39 |
Dâvid (ד̣וָ); also Dâvîyd (די.וָ) [pronounced daw-VEED] |
beloved and is transliterated David |
masculine proper noun |
Strong’s #1732 BDB #187 |
Cheberôwn (ןר׃ב∵ח) [pronounced khebv-ROHN] |
association, league, joined; transliterated Hebron |
proper noun; location; with a directional hê |
Strong’s #2275 BDB #289 |
Translation: Then, all the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron,... In the previous chapter, we found David in Hebron while some political intrigue went on all around him. When David realized what was going on, he had the guilty parties executed.
This reads all the tribes of Israel; that does not mean that every single person from up north, or every single male from up north came down to speak with David; these are representatives from every single tribe. There are enough of them and they have enough popular support to speak for all northern Israel.
What I believe took place here is, there was an almost spontaneous gathering of the armies of northern and eastern Israel to David. A huge number of men gathered to him in Hebron in 1Chron. 12:22–40, and I believe that is what is referenced to by this verse (this verse is equivalent to 1Chron. 11:1). I think that this gathering occurs first, and then the elders of Israel decide that they should officially recognize David as king over United Israel. There are other options and variations of this, which I will cover in greater detail when we complete v. 3.
Hebron is David’s first headquarters as king over Judah (and soon to be king over all Israel).
2Samuel 5:1b |
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Hebrew/Pronunciation |
Common English Meanings |
Notes/Morphology |
BDB and Strong’s Numbers |
wa (or va) (ַו) [pronounced wah] |
and so, and then, then, and; so, that, yet, therefore; because |
wâw consecutive |
No Strong’s # BDB #253 |
âmar (ר ַמ ָא) [pronounced aw-MAHR] |
to say, to speak, to utter; to say [to oneself], to think |
3rd person plural, Qal imperfect |
Strong’s #559 BDB #55 |
lâmed (ל) (pronounced le) |
to, for, towards, in regards to |
directional/relational preposition |
No Strong’s # BDB #510 |
âmar (ר ַמ ָא) [pronounced aw-MAHR] |
to say, to speak, to utter; to say [to oneself], to think |
Qal infinitive construct |
Strong’s #559 BDB #55 |
hinnêh (הֵ ̣ה) [pronounced hin-NAY] |
lo, behold, or more freely, observe, look here, look, listen, note, take note; pay attention, get this, check this out |
interjection, demonstrative particle; with the 1st person plural suffix |
Strong’s #2009 (and #518, 2006) BDB #243 |
׳etsem (ם∵צ∵ע) [pronounced ģeh-TSEM] |
bone, substance, self; self-same; corporeality, duration, existence, and therefore identity |
feminine singular substantive; with the 2nd person masculine singular suffix |
Strong’s #6106 BDB #782 |
we (or ve) (ו) [pronounced weh] |
and, even, then; namely; when; since, that, so that; though |
simple wâw conjunction |
No Strong’s # BDB #251 |
bâsâr (ר ָ ָ) [pronounced baw-SAWR] |
flesh; body; animal meat |
masculine singular noun with a 2nd person masculine singular suffix |
Strong's #1320 BDB #142 |
ănachenûw (נח-נֲא) [pronounced uh-NAHKH-noo] |
we; (sometimes a verb is implied) |
1st person plural pronoun |
Strong’s #587 BDB #59 |
Translation: ...and said, “Observe us; we [are] your bone and your flesh. The first of 3 reasons this delegation will give David is that they are related to David. Similar phrasing is found in Gen. 29:14 Judges 9:2 2Sam. 19:13 Heb. 2:14 (the latter verse testifies as to the humanity of Jesus Christ). If and when Israel appointed a king over them, this king must be of Israel (Deut. 17:15).
What had been occurring may have seemed confusing to some. Joab, David’s nephew, had murdered Abner, Saul’s previous top general, and who had aligned himself with David. In fact, because of this murder, we read and all Israel was disturbed (2Sam. 4:1b). Also, two generals, apparently hoping to get into David’s good graces, executed Ishbosheth, Saul’s son, and the king of Israel (2Sam. 4), originally put into power by Abner. So, the northern kingdom must have become quite concerned over all of this. Abner had lobbied strongly for Northern Israel to follow after Ishbosheth, and then Abner changed sides, and was murdered; and then Ishbosheth was murdered by his own top generals. The north was without a clear leader. Therefore, they sent a delegation to speak to David, to try to make certain everything was okay, and to ally themselves with David. Or, in the alternative, once all of this intrigue played out, huge armies from all the tribes showed up to ask David to be their king.
Also yesterday, also 3 days ago in was Saul king over us, you [even] you were leading out and bringing in Israel. And so says Yehowah to you, ‘You [even] you will shepherd My people Israel and you [even] you will be for a prince over Israel.’ ” |
2Samuel 5:2 |
In the past, when Saul was king over us, you [even] you led out and brought in Israel. [Even] then, Yehowah said to you, ‘You [even] you will shepherd My people; [you will shepherd] Israel; and you will be a prince over Israel.’ ” |
In the past, even when Saul was king over us, it was you who led Israel’s army out and brought them back in; and even then, Jehovah said to you, ‘You specifically will shepherd my people, you will shepherd Israel, and you will be a prince over Israel.’ ” |
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Here is how others have translated this verse:
Ancient texts:
Masoretic Text Also yesterday, also 3 days ago in was Saul king over us, you [even] you were leading out and bringing in Israel. And so says Yehowah to you, ‘You [even] you will shepherd My people Israel and you [even] you will be for a prince over Israel.’ ”
Septuagint And yesterday and the third day, Saul being king over us, you were he that led out and bring in Israel: and the Lord said to you, ‘You will feed my people Israel, and you will be for a leader to my people Israel.’ ”
Significant differences: Although it appears as there is a difference of verbs (to feed in the Greek; to shepherd in the Hebrew), the Hebrew verb may be translated in both ways.
Thought-for-thought translations; paraphrases:
CEV Even when Saul was king, you led our nation in battle. And the LORD promised that someday you would rule Israel and take care of us like a shepherd."
The Message In time past when Saul was our king, you're the one who really ran the country. Even then GOD said to you, 'You will shepherd my people Israel and you'll be the prince.' "
NLT For a long time, even while Saul was our king, you were the one who really led Israel. And the Lord has told you, “You will be the shepherd of my people Israel. You will be their leader.’ ”
REB In the past, when Saul was still king over us, it was you that led the forces of Israel on their campaigns. To you the Lord said, “You are to be shepherd of my people Israel; you are to be their prince.” ’
Mostly literal renderings (with some occasional paraphrasing):
God’s Word™ "Even in the past when Saul ruled us, you were the one who led Israel in battle. The LORD has said to you, 'You will be shepherd of my people Israel, the leader of Israel.'"
HCSB Even while Saul was king over us, you were the one who led us out to battle and brought us back. The LORD also said to you, 'You will shepherd My people Israel and be ruler over Israel.'"
JPS (Tanakh) Long before now, when Saul was king over us, it was you who led Israel in war [lit., “lead Israel out and in”] and the Lord said to you: You shall shepherd My people Israel; you shall be ruler of Israel.”
Literal, almost word-for-word, renderings:
LTHB Both yesterday and the day before, when Saul was king over us, you were he who led out and brought in Israel. And Jehovah said to you, You shall shepherd My people Israel, and you shall be for a leader over Israel.
Young’s Updated LT Also heretofore, in Saul’s being king over us, you have been he who is bringing out and bringing in Israel, and Jehovah says to you, You will feed My people Israel, and you are for leader over Israel.”
What is the gist of this verse? These representatives tell David that, even when Saul was in power, it was David who led the army out to battle and brought them back in. Furthermore, Jehovah told David that he would shepherd Israel and be a ruler over Israel.
2Samuel 5:2a |
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Hebrew/Pronunciation |
Common English Meanings |
Notes/Morphology |
BDB and Strong’s Numbers |
gam (ם ַ) [pronounced gahm] |
also, furthermore, in addition to, even, moreover |
adverb |
Strong’s #1571 BDB #168 |
ethemôwl (למ ׃∵א) [pronounced ethe-MOHL] |
yesterday; and is used figuratively for recently, formerly |
adverb |
Strong’s #865 (and #8543) BDB #1069 |
There are apparently different spellings of this adverb, a slightly different spelling used in the same essential phrase is found in 2Sam. 3:17. |
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gam (ם ַ) [pronounced gahm] |
also, furthermore, in addition to, even, moreover |
adverb |
Strong’s #1571 BDB #168 |
shileshôwm (םש ׃ל ̣ש) [pronounced shil-SHOHM] |
three days ago, the day before yesterday |
adverb |
Strong’s #8032 BDB #1026 |
Literally, these adverbs read also yesterday, even three days ago or both yesterday and three days ago. The lexicons give the meaning as formerly, so formerly, so more recently. The more literal translators in our passage render this in times past (HNV, MKJV, NASB, NKJV, the Tanakh—1917, WEB); in the past (HCSB); before now (LTHB); for some time now (God’s Word™); for some time past (ESV); all along (the Tanakh—1985); heretofore (Young). I think the idea is recently and persistently (or, continuously). Let me add the translation, for awhile now. |
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be (׃) [pronounced beh] |
in, into, at, by, near, on, with, before, against, by means of, among, within |
a preposition of proximity |
No Strong’s # BDB #88 |
hâyâh (ה ָי ָה) [pronounced haw-YAW] |
to be, is, was, are; to become, to come into being; to come to pass |
Qal infinitive construct |
Strong's #1961 BDB #224 |
The infinitive construct, when combined with the bêyth preposition, can often take on a temporal meaning and may be rendered when [such and such happens]. It can serve as a temporal marker that denotes an event which occurs simultaneously with the action of the main verb. |
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Shâûwl (לאָש) [pronounced shaw-OOL] |
which is transliterated Saul; it means asked for |
masculine proper noun |
Strong’s #7586 BDB #982 |
meleke ( ∵ל ∵מ) [pronounced MEH-lek] |
king, ruler, prince |
masculine singular noun with the definite article |
Strong’s #4428 BDB #572 |
׳al (ל ַע) [pronounced ģahl ] |
upon, beyond, on, against, above, over, by, beside |
preposition of proximity; with the 1st person plural suffix |
Strong’s #5921 BDB #752 |
Translation: In the past, when Saul was king over us,... The phrase here refers to something which has occurred in the past. Saul was killed in battle; however, these representatives are speaking about back when Saul was king over Israel. They are going to make a point, and they are going to recognize who and what David was, even when Saul ruled over Israel.
2Samuel 5:2b |
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Hebrew/Pronunciation |
Common English Meanings |
Notes/Morphology |
BDB and Strong’s Numbers |
attâh (הָ-א) [pronounced aht-TAW] |
you (often, the verb to be is implied) |
2nd person masculine singular, personal pronoun |
Strong’s #859 BDB #61 |
hâyâh (ה ָי ָה) [pronounced haw-YAW] |
to be, is, was, are; to become, to come into being; to come to pass |
2nd person masculine singular, Qal perfect |
Strong's #1961 BDB #224 |
yâtsâ (אָצָי) [pronounced yaw-TZAWH] |
to cause to go out, to lead out, to bring out, to carry out, to draw out, to take out; [of money:] to put forth, to lay out, to exact; to promulgate; to produce |
Hiphil participle |
Strong's #3318 BDB #422 |
we (or ve) (ו) [pronounced weh] |
and, even, then; namely; when; since, that, so that; though |
simple wâw conjunction |
No Strong’s # BDB #251 |
bôw (א) [pronounced boh] |
to take in, to bring, to come in with, to carry |
Hiphil participle with the definite article |
Strong’s #935 BDB #97 |
êth (ת ֵא) [pronounced ayth] |
generally untranslated; occasionally to, toward |
indicates that the following substantive is a direct object |
Strong's #853 BDB #84 |
Yiserâêl (לֵאָר ׃̣י) [pronounced yis-raw-ALE] |
transliterated Israel |
masculine proper noun |
Strong’s #3478 BDB #975 |
Translation: ...you [even] you led out and brought in Israel. Although we do not know the time frame here, for awhile, David was second or third in command under Saul. He apparently led Saul’s primary army and did so for a reasonably long period of time (say, 5–15 years). When it says that David used to lead Israel out and bring Israel back in, the idea is, David led their army out to battle and brought them back (the latter phrase indicates that David was consistently successful in battle). We find very similar wording way back in 1Sam. 18:13–16: So Saul removed him from his presence and made him a commander of a thousand. And he went out and came in before the people. And David had success in all his undertakings, for the LORD was with him. And when Saul saw that he had great success, he stood in fearful awe of him. But all Israel and Judah loved David, for he went out and came in before them.
2Samuel 5:2c |
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Hebrew/Pronunciation |
Common English Meanings |
Notes/Morphology |
BDB and Strong’s Numbers |
wa (or va) (ַו) [pronounced wah] |
and so, and then, then, and; so, that, yet, therefore; because |
wâw consecutive |
No Strong’s # BDB #253 |
âmar (ר ַמ ָא) [pronounced aw-MAHR] |
to say, to speak, to utter; to say [to oneself], to think |
3rd person masculine singular, Qal imperfect |
Strong’s #559 BDB #55 |
YHWH (הוהי) [pronunciation is possibly yhoh-WAH] |
transliterated variously as Jehovah, Yahweh, Yehowah |
proper noun |
Strong’s #3068 BDB #217 |
lâmed (ל) (pronounced le) |
to, for, towards, in regards to |
directional/relational preposition; with the 2nd person masculine singular suffix |
No Strong’s # BDB #510 |
attâh (הָ-א) [pronounced aht-TAW] |
you (often, the verb to be is implied) |
2nd person masculine singular, personal pronoun |
Strong’s #859 BDB #61 |
râ׳âh (ה ָעָר) [pronounced raw-ĢAWH] |
to shepherd, to pasture, to tend to graze, to feed; to rule? |
2nd person masculine singular, Qal imperfect |
Strong’s #7462 BDB #944 |
êth (ת ֵא) [pronounced ayth] |
generally untranslated; occasionally to, toward |
indicates that the following substantive is a direct object |
Strong's #853 BDB #84 |
׳am (ם ַע) [pronounced ģahm] |
people; race, tribe; family, relatives; citizens, common people; companions, servants; entire human race; herd [of animals] |
masculine singular collective noun with the 1st person singular suffix |
Strong’s #5971 BDB #766 |
êth (ת ֵא) [pronounced ayth] |
generally untranslated; occasionally to, toward |
indicates that the following substantive is a direct object |
Strong's #853 BDB #84 |
Yiserâêl (לֵאָר ׃̣י) [pronounced yis-raw-ALE] |
transliterated Israel |
masculine proper noun |
Strong’s #3478 BDB #975 |
Translation:[Even] then, Yehowah said to you, ‘You [even] you will shepherd My people; [you will shepherd] Israel;... These representatives point out that even back then, Jehovah told David that he would shepherd Israel. The sign of the direct object is repeated, which indicates that we would repeat the subject and verb, as the sign of the direct object takes this right back to the original verb (rather than back to My people). Therefore, it is proper to insert the phrase you will shepherd before Israel.
David is a type of Christ, so he is a picture of the Great Shepherd, the One Who will shepherd His people Israel. |
|
Scripture |
Point of Doctrine |
Matt. 9:36 Mark 6:34 |
Israel needed a shepherd: When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. |
Matt. 25:32 |
Jesus, as the Great Shepherd, will separate the believers from the unbelievers: Before Him will be gathered all the nations, and He will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. |
Matt. 26:31 Mark 14:27 (Zech. 13:7) |
Jesus Christ, the Great Shepherd, would be crucified, and His sheep will scatter: Then Jesus said to them, "You will all fall away because of me this night. For it is written, 'I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.' ” |
John 10:1–16 |
Jesus clearly indicates to His disciples that He is the Good Shepherd: "Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber. But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers." This figure of speech Jesus used with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them. So Jesus again said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd. |
Heb. 13:20–21 |
The writer of Hebrews identifies Jesus Christ as the Great Shepherd in the doxology for that book: Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen. |
1Peter 2:25 |
Peter tells the Jews that they had been straying from Jesus Christ as their Shepherd: For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls. |
1Peter 5:4 |
Pastor-teachers will receive a great reward as shepherds of their flocks at the appearing of the Great Shepherd: And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. |
Rev. 7:17 |
Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, would also be the Shepherd to the other sheep: For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes." |
2Sam. 5:2b |
David is a picture of Jesus Christ; and he will shepherd God’s people: “And the LORD said to you, 'You shall be shepherd of my people Israel, and you shall be prince over Israel.' " |
It is interesting that Luke, of all the gospel authors, does not mention Jesus as the Great Shepherd. However, Luke presents Jesus as the Son of Man, as fully man, as equal to man; and therefore, not in a position of superiority. |
Let’s take a moment and see the Great Shepherd in the Old Testament: |
|
Scripture |
Point of Doctrine and Scripture Citation |
Gen. 48:15–16 |
Jacob, when he blessed Joseph’s sons, spoke of God as his Shepherd: And he blessed Joseph and said, "The God before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac walked, the God who has been my shepherd all my life long to this day, the angel who has redeemed me from all evil, bless the boys; and in them let my name be carried on, and the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac; and let them grow into a multitude in the midst of the earth." |
Gen. 49:24 |
Jacob, when blessing his son Joseph, makes mention of the Shepherd, the Rock of Israel, who would be from the seed of Joseph’s father (Jacob): “...his [Joseph’s] arms were made agile by the hands of the Mighty One of Jacob (from there [Jacob] is the Shepherd, the Rock of Israel),... |
Psalm 23 |
David clearly identifies the Lord as the Great Shepherd: The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever. |
Psalm 28:8–9 |
In another psalm, David calls upon Jehovah to shepherd His people: The LORD is the strength of his people; he is the saving refuge of his anointed. Oh, save your people and bless your heritage! Be their shepherd and carry them forever. |
Psalm 80:1–4 |
Asaph calls upon God to deliver Israel, calling Him the Shepherd of Israel: Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, You who lead Joseph like a flock! You who are enthroned upon the cherubim, shine forth. Before Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh, stir up Your might and come to save us! Restore us, O God; let Your face shine, that we may be saved! O LORD God of hosts, how long will You be angry with Your people's prayers? |
Eccles. 12:11 |
The Great Shepherd is also the source of Scripture: The words of the wise are like goads, and like nails firmly fixed are the collected sayings; they are given by one Shepherd. |
Isa. 40:10–11 |
Isaiah also speaks of God as the Great Shepherd: Behold, the Lord GOD comes with might, and His arm rules for Him; behold, His reward is with Him, and His recompense before Him. He will tend his flock like a shepherd; He will gather the lambs in his arms; He will carry them in His bosom, and gently lead those that are with young. |
Jer. 31:10 |
Jeremiah presents God is the Shepherd of Israel: "Hear the word of the LORD, O nations, and declare it in the coastlands far away; say, 'He who scattered Israel will gather him, and will keep him as a shepherd keeps his flock.' ” |
Ezek. 34:15–17 |
Ezekiel presents God as the true Shepherd of Israel: “I myself will be the shepherd of My sheep, and I Myself will make them lie down,” declares the Lord GOD. “I will seek the lost, and I will bring back the strayed, and I will bind up the injured, and I will strengthen the weak, and the fat and the strong I will destroy. I will feed them in justice. As for you, My flock, thus says the Lord GOD: Behold, I judge between sheep and sheep, between rams and male goats.” |
Ezek. 34:22–24 |
Ezekiel also presents David (actually, Jesus Christ) as the Shepherd over His Sheep. The idea here is, David is a type of Christ. I will rescue My flock; they shall no longer be a prey. And I will judge between sheep and sheep. And I will set up over them one shepherd, My servant David, and He shall feed them: He shall feed them and be their shepherd. And I, the LORD, will be Their God, and My servant David shall be prince among them. I am the LORD; I have spoken. |
Ezek. 37:24–28 |
This same theme is found again in Ezek. 37: "My servant David shall be king over them, and they shall all have One Shepherd. They shall walk in My rules and be careful to obey My statutes. They shall dwell in the land that I gave to My servant Jacob, where your fathers lived. They and their children and their children's children shall dwell there forever, and David My servant shall be their prince forever. I will make a covenant of peace with them. It shall be an everlasting covenant with them. And I will set them in their land and multiply them, and will set My sanctuary in their midst forevermore. My dwelling place shall be with them, and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. Then the nations will know that I am the LORD Who sanctifies Israel, when My sanctuary is in their midst forevermore." This will be the Millennial rule of Jesus Christ. |
Micah 5:2–4 |
From Bethlehem, the Shepherd of Israel will come: But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for Me One who is to be ruler in Israel, whose origin is from of old, from ancient days. Therefore He shall give them up until the time when she who is in labor has given birth; then the rest of His brothers shall return to the people of Israel. And He shall stand and shepherd His flock in the strength of the LORD, in the majesty of the name of the LORD His God. And they shall dwell secure, for now He shall be great to the ends of the earth. |
Zech. 13:7–9 |
Jesus Christ, the Shepherd of God, would be struck down [at the cross], and His sheep would be scattered. "Awake, O sword, against My Shepherd, against the Man who stands next to Me," declares the Lord of hosts. "Strike the Shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered; I will turn my hand against the little ones. In the whole land, declares the Lord, two thirds shall be cut off and perish, and one third shall be left alive. And I will put this third into the fire, and refine them as one refines silver, and test them as gold is tested. They will call upon My name, and I will answer them. I will say, 'They are My people'; and they will say, 'The Lord is My God.' " This is also a wonderful example of intercalation, where the Church Age is left out, and Scripture jumps from the first advent to the second. |
Clearly, David, as the shepherd of Israel, is a picture of Jesus Christ, the Great Shepherd of Israel. |
On occasion, an Israelite king is also called a shepherd: Psalm 78:71 (for David) and Jer. 23:1–4. |
Interestingly enough, according to Gnana Robinson, Sumerian kings were known as shepherds. He
has personally observed a shepherd in Palestine walking in front of his flock, and the sheep in single
file walking behind him, with a dog at the rear. He suggests that there is a parallel here, and that the
king is the shepherd, the nagid (prince), which means the one who walks in front.
2Samuel 5:2d |
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Hebrew/Pronunciation |
Common English Meanings |
Notes/Morphology |
BDB and Strong’s Numbers |
we (or ve) (ו) [pronounced weh] |
and, even, then; namely; when; since, that, so that; though |
simple wâw conjunction |
No Strong’s # BDB #251 |
attâh (הָ-א) [pronounced aht-TAW] |
you (often, the verb to be is implied) |
2nd person masculine singular, personal pronoun |
Strong’s #859 BDB #61 |
hâyâh (ה ָי ָה) [pronounced haw-YAW] |
to be, is, was, are; to become, to come into being; to come to pass |
2nd person masculine singular, Qal imperfect |
Strong's #1961 BDB #224 |
lâmed (ל) (pronounced le) |
to, for, towards, in regards to |
directional/relational preposition |
No Strong’s # BDB #510 |
nâgîyd (די̣גָנ) [pronounced naw-GEED] |
prince, crown-prince, leader, ruler, noble |
masculine singular noun |
Strong's #5057 BDB #617 |
׳al (ל ַע) [pronounced ģahl ] |
upon, beyond, on, against, above, over, by, beside |
preposition of proximity |
Strong’s #5921 BDB #752 |
Yiserâêl (לֵאָר ׃̣י) [pronounced yis-raw-ALE] |
transliterated Israel |
masculine proper noun |
Strong’s #3478 BDB #975 |
Translation: ...and you will be a prince over Israel.’ ” David was crowned as king over Israel; but he did not assume that position immediately. Therefore, we have the term prince used here. God actually made David the crown-prince of Israel, and that he would become king when God was ready for him to become king.
This is interesting that God the Holy Spirit would use this phrasing. I think back to 1Sam. 16, when Samuel chose David out from Jesse’s sons, I believe the word which was used was anointed. That David had been anointed to become king over Israel became fairly well-known; even Saul knew it. The information which we have in 1Sam. 16 seems somewhat limited—either that we did not get the full story there, or that God made His wishes known at other times which are not recorded.
This delegation gives David 3 reasons why he should be their king: |
1. They are related to David (“We are your bone and your flesh”). 2. Even when Saul was king, David was their true military leader (“You led Israel in and out”). 3. Jehovah appointed David to be king over all Israel. |
This was more or less taken from Adam Clarke, Commentary on the Bible; from e-Sword, 2Sam. 5:1. Besides, its pretty obvious. |
It would be an interesting study to see the references to David becoming king and to compare them with the only historic account of Samuel anointing David. . |
|
Scripture |
Prophecy |
1Sam. 13:13–14 |
Samuel tells Saul that God will take the kingdom from him: And Samuel said to Saul, "You have done foolishly. You have not kept the command of the LORD your God, with which he commanded you. For then the LORD would have established your kingdom over Israel forever. But now your kingdom shall not continue. The LORD has sought out a man after his own heart, and the LORD has commanded him to be prince over his people, because you have not kept what the LORD commanded you." |
1Sam. 15:22–23 |
Once again, Samuel tells Saul that God has chosen another to take his place: And Samuel said, "Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of divination, and presumption is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, he has also rejected you from being king." |
1Sam. 16:11–13 |
The original prophecy was made when Samuel first met David: Then Samuel said to Jesse, "Are all your sons here?" And he said, "There remains yet the youngest, but behold, he is keeping the sheep." And Samuel said to Jesse, "Send and get him, for we will not sit down till he comes here." And he sent and brought him in. Now he was ruddy and had beautiful eyes and was handsome. And the LORD said, "Arise, anoint him, for this is he." Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers. And the Spirit of the LORD rushed upon David from that day forward. |
These seem to be rather threadbare insofar as prophecies go with respect to David becoming king over all Israel; and that there must be more, given that so many people know that David will be made king over all Israel. Let me suggest several options: (1) Samuel could have said more than what we find recorded when he anointed David king over all Israel. David’s brothers later may have spoke of these things, albeit with an ill temper, as in, “Can you believe what that old prophet Samuel said about my jerk-weed little brother David?” (2) Samuel prophesied at other times about David (e.g., at his school for prophets; particularly when Saul and David showed up), which information was freely shared throughout the kingdom of Israel. (3) Other prophets spoke of David becoming king over Israel, and such pronouncements were never recorded in Scripture. |
That God had chosen David to rule over Israel was well-known throughout all Israel. |
And so come all elders of Israel unto the king Hebron-ward; and so he cuts to them the King David a covenant in Hebron to faces of Yehowah. And so they anoint David to king over Israel. |
2Samuel 5:3 |
So all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron, and he made a covenant with them in Hebron before Yehowah. Therefore, they anointed David as the king over [all] Israel. |
So, all the elders of northern Israel came to King David at Hebron and he made a covenant [or, treaty] with them. So they anointed David as king over all Israel. |
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Here is how others have translated this verse:
Ancient texts:
Masoretic Text And so come all elders of Israel unto the king Hebron-ward; and so cuts to them the king David a covenant in Hebron to faces of Yehowah. And so they anoint David to king over Israel.
Septuagint And all the elders of Israel come to the king to Chebron; and king David made a covenant with them in Chebron before the Lord; and they anoint David king over all Israel.
Significant differences: The Greek adds the modifier all at the end of this verse, just as I did in the more relaxed translation. We may properly speak of the northern kingdom as Israel; however, since it was united with Judah under Saul and given the name Israel, the casual reader may miss the import here.
Thought-for-thought translations; paraphrases:
CEV During the meeting, David made an agreement with the leaders and asked the LORD to be their witness. Then the leaders poured olive oil on David's head to show that he was now the king of Israel.
NAB When all the elders of Israel came to David in Hebron, King David made an agreement with them there before the Lord, and they anointed him king of Israel.
NJB So all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron, and King David made a pact with them in Yahweh’s presence in Hebron, and they anointed David as king of Israel.
Mostly literal renderings (with some occasional paraphrasing):
God’s Word™ All the leaders of Israel had come to Hebron. King David made an agreement with them at Hebron in front of the LORD. So they anointed David king of Israel.
HCSB So all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron. King David made a covenant with them at Hebron in the LORD's presence, and they anointed David king over Israel.
JPS (Tanakh) All the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron, and King David made a pact with them in Hebron before the Lord. David and they anointed king over Israel.
Literal, almost word-for-word, renderings:
MKJV And all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron. And King David made a covenant with them in Hebron before Jehovah. And they anointed David king over Israel.
Young’s Updated LT And all the elders of Israel come unto the king, to Hebron, and king David makes with them a covenant in Hebron before Jehovah, and they anoint David for king over Israel.
What is the gist of this verse? A delegation of elders (possibly different than those spoken of in the previous two verses), come to David and make a covenant with him, making him king over all Israel.
2Samuel 5:3a |
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Hebrew/Pronunciation |
Common English Meanings |
Notes/Morphology |
BDB and Strong’s Numbers |
wa (or va) (ַו) [pronounced wah] |
and so, and then, then, and; so, that, yet, therefore |
wâw consecutive |
No Strong’s # BDB #253 |
bôw (א) [pronounced boh] |
to come in, to come, to go in, to go, to enter |
3rd person masculine plural, Qal imperfect |
Strong’s #935 BDB #97 |
kôl (לֹ) [pronounced kohl] |
every, each, all of, all; any of, any |
masculine singular construct not followed by a definite article |
Strong’s #3605 BDB #481 |
zâkên (ן ֵקָז) [pronounced zaw-KANE] |
elders |
masculine plural construct |
Strong’s #2205 BDB #278 |
Owen lists this as an adjective. |
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Yiserâêl (לֵאָר ׃̣י) [pronounced yis-raw-ALE] |
transliterated Israel |
masculine proper noun |
Strong’s #3478 BDB #975 |
el (ל∵א) [pronounced el] |
unto; into, among, in; toward, to; against; concerning, regarding; besides, together with; as to |
directional preposition (respect or deference may be implied) |
Strong's #413 BDB #39 |
meleke ( ∵ל ∵מ) [pronounced MEH-lek] |
king, ruler, prince |
masculine singular noun with the definite article |
Strong’s #4428 BDB #572 |
Cheberôwn (ןר׃ב∵ח) [pronounced khebv-ROHN] |
association, league, joined; transliterated Hebron |
proper noun; location; with a directional hê |
Strong’s #2275 BDB #289 |
Translation: So all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron,... At first, I thought this was the same group of men, but as I exegete and re-read this, I suspect that a more formal group of representatives came down to Hebron after an agreement was reached. That is, the initial group determined where David’s thinking was with respect to the northern tribes; and then a group which could represent this tribes and sign for them also showed up. The first group determined David’s thinking about the northern kingdom, and the second group came down a ratified a proper covenant.
That there is but one group is also a reasonable interpretation. They came down, discussed with David how they saw the matter (that God anointed David as king over all Israel), and then agreed to a treaty with him.
I should mention that, there is a third group of Israelites as well—a huge number of soldiers who will come to celebrate David becoming king over Israel. We will discuss them at the end of this verse.
2Samuel 5:3b |
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Hebrew/Pronunciation |
Common English Meanings |
Notes/Morphology |
BDB and Strong’s Numbers |
wa (or va) (ַו) [pronounced wah] |
and so, and then, then, and; so, that, yet, therefore; because |
wâw consecutive |
No Strong’s # BDB #253 |
kârath (תַרָ) [pronounced kaw-RAHTH] |
to cut off, to cut down; to kill, to destroy; to make a covenant |
3rd person masculine singular, Qal imperfect |
Strong's #3772 BDB #503 |
lâmed (ל) (pronounced le) |
to, for, towards, in regards to |
directional/relational preposition; with the 3rd person masculine plural suffix |
No Strong’s # BDB #510 |
meleke ( ∵ל ∵מ) [pronounced MEH-lek] |
king, ruler, prince |
masculine singular noun with the definite article |
Strong’s #4428 BDB #572 |
Dâvid (ד ̣וָ); also Dâvîyd (די.וָ) [pronounced daw-VEED] |
beloved and is transliterated David |
masculine proper noun |
Strong’s #1732 BDB #187 |
berîyth (תי .ר) [pronounced bereeth] |
pact, alliance, treaty, alliance, covenant |
feminine singular noun |
Strong’s #1285 BDB #136 |
be (׃) [pronounced beh] |
in, into, at, by, near, on, with, before, against, by means of, among, within |
a preposition of proximity |
No Strong’s # BDB #88 |
Cheberôwn (ןר׃ב∵ח) [pronounced khebv-ROHN] |
association, league, joined; transliterated Hebron |
proper noun; location |
Strong’s #2275 BDB #289 |
lâmed (ל) (pronounced le) |
to, for, towards, in regards to |
directional/relational preposition |
No Strong’s # BDB #510 |
pânîym (םי̣נָ) [pronounced paw-NEEM] |
face, faces, countenance; presence |
masculine plural construct (plural acts like English singular) |
Strong’s #6440 BDB #815 |
Together, they mean upon the face of, before, before the face of, in the presence of, in the sight of, in front of. When used with God, it can take on the more figurative meaning in the judgment of. This can also mean forwards; the front part [or, the edge of a sword]. Lepânîym (םי.נָפל) can take on a temporal sense as well: before, of old, formerly, in the past, in past times. |
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YHWH (הוהי) [pronunciation is possibly yhoh-WAH] |
transliterated variously as Jehovah, Yahweh, Yehowah |
proper noun |
Strong’s #3068 BDB #217 |
Translation: ...and he made a covenant with them in Hebron before Yehowah. Since David is king, he is the one who determines the content of the treaty and he signs it first (or puts his mark to it) as he is the authority. They agree to the terms as well.
All of this was done before God, Who had anointed David as king over all Israel in the first place. That this was done before Jehovah is not completely clear—is this a general statement, indicating that, God chose David to be king over Israel, God brought this to pass on His Own timetable, and now that the northern kingdom has recognized David as king, God is over all, approving these events? Another view is, the priests are closely involved at this point and there are sacrifices and rituals occurring along side these elders making David their king. It is possible that there are 4000 Levites in attendance here (1Chron. 12:26). Is the Tabernacle here? Are there functions being performed by Nathan the prophet or by Abiathar the young priest? Although I lean toward the latter, that there are some sacrifices occurring here as well, we do not have any evidence of this apart from the phrase before Jehovah. However, we do have precedent, so I want you to recall Saul’s coronation: So all the people went to Gilgal, and there they made Saul king before the LORD in Gilgal. There they sacrificed peace offerings before the LORD, and there Saul and all the men of Israel rejoiced greatly (1Sam. 11:15). Given David’s level of spiritual growth, I think we can reasonably conclude that there were sacrifices occurring during this celebration.
2Samuel 5:3c |
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Hebrew/Pronunciation |
Common English Meanings |
Notes/Morphology |
BDB and Strong’s Numbers |
wa (or va) (ַו) [pronounced wah] |
and so, and then, then, and; so, that, yet, therefore; because |
wâw consecutive |
No Strong’s # BDB #253 |
mâshach (ח -ש ָמ) [pronounced maw-SHAHKH] |
to smear, to anoint |
3rd person masculine plural, Qal imperfect |
Strong’s #4886 BDB #602 |
êth (ת ֵא) [pronounced ayth] |
generally untranslated; occasionally to, toward |
indicates that the following substantive is a direct object |
Strong's #853 BDB #84 |
Dâvid (ד ̣וָ); also Dâvîyd (די.וָ) [pronounced daw-VEED] |
beloved and is transliterated David |
masculine proper noun |
Strong’s #1732 BDB #187 |
lâmed (ל) (pronounced le) |
to, for, towards, in regards to |
directional/relational preposition |
No Strong’s # BDB #510 |
The meanings of the lâmed preposition broken down into groups: ➊ to, towards, unto; it is used both to turn one’s heart toward someone as well as to sin against someone; ➋ to, even to; in this sense, it can be used with a number to indicate the upper limit which a multitude might approach (nearly). ➌ Lâmed can be equivalent to the Greek preposition eis (εἰς), meaning into, as in transforming into something else, changing into something else (Gen. 2:7). This use of lâmed after the verb hâyâh (ה ָי ָה) [pronounced haw-YAW] (Strong’s #1961 BDB #224) is one thing becoming another (Gen. 2:7). ➍ Its fourth use is the mark of a dative, after verbs of giving, granting, delivering, pardoning, consulting, sending, etc. This type of dative is broken down into several categories, but one includes the translation by, which would be apropos here. ➎ With regards to, as to. Similar to the Greek preposition eis (εἰς) plus the dative. [Numbering from Gesenius]. ➏ On account of, because, propter, used of cause and reason (propter means because; Gesenius used it). ➐ Concerning, about, used of a person or thing made the object of discourse, after verbs of saying. ➑ On behalf of anyone, for anyone. ➒ As applied to a rule or standard, according to, according as, as though, as if. ➓ When associated with time, it refers to the point of time at which or in which anything is done; or it can refer to the space of time during which something is done (or occurs); at the time of. |
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meleke ( ∵ל ∵מ) [pronounced MEH-lek] |
king, ruler, prince |
masculine singular noun |
Strong’s #4428 BDB #572 |
׳al (ל ַע) [pronounced ģahl ] |
upon, beyond, on, against, above, over, by, beside |
preposition of proximity |
Strong’s #5921 BDB #752 |
Yiserâêl (לֵאָר ׃̣י) [pronounced yis-raw-ALE] |
transliterated Israel |
masculine proper noun |
Strong’s #3478 BDB #975 |
Translation: Therefore, they anointed David as the king over [all] Israel. After a treaty was ratified by the parties, these men—or the priests Abiathar and Zadok—anoint David as their king, which completes God’s choice of David as king over all Israel. Samuel first anointed David as the next king back in 1Sam. 16, and here, representatives of northern Israel anoint David as their personal king, which would have been a ceremony which involved (probably) anointing David’s head with oil. Since Samuel did the anointing originally, we would expect that a priest would have done the anointing at this point, even though they are not so identified. Although we know that the Ark is in Kiriath-jearim at this point in time, we do not know where the Tabernacle is located. It may very well be found in Hebron. It surprises me that these details are left out—but, on the other hand, perhaps the elders of the northern kingdom are the ones to anoint David as their king. To help us make this determination, please see the table below:
Let’s quickly view the 3 anointings of David: |
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Anointed by... |
Anointed as... |
Commentary |
Samuel |
David is anointed as God’s anointing, implying that David is God’s man to rule over Israel, as Saul had failed (1Sam. 16:2–7, 12–13). |
God seemed to guide Samuel throughout this procedure, identifying who His anointed was. |
Men of Judah |
David is anointed as king over the house of Judah (2Sam. 2:4). |
It seems to be pretty clear that the men of Judah performed this anointing. |
Elders of Israel |
David is anointed as king over [northern] Israel (2Sam. 5:3). |
It seems most likely that the elders of Israel anointed David as their king. |
Because it appears as though David was anointed by the men of Judah back in 2Sam. 2, this suggests that he is anointed here by the elders of Israel. |
The Greek adds the adjective all, which is quite reasonable. Most of us still view Israel as a whole country which was split temporarily. When it divided permanently, the northern portion was called Israel (and later Samaria) and the southern portion was called Judah. David was already king over Judah, crowned back in 2Sam. 1. However, these representatives now made him king over northern Israel, and so, he is therefore king over all Israel.
It is interesting to find the verbiage as we find here. For David to be called king over Israel (a reference to northern Israel), indicates that, either this division and the name for the northern kingdom occurred much earlier than we realize (that is, even though they were unified under Saul, they still went by the name Israel; or, the other possibility is that this history was completed and edited after the rule of Solomon, after the kingdom split. To determine which possibility it is, we will need more evidence one way or the other.
Anywhere between 1 and 3 groups from northern and eastern Israel showed up to Hebron. We read in 1Chron. 12:22–40: For from day to day men came to David to help him, until there was a great army, like an army of God. These are the numbers of the divisions of the armed troops who came to David in Hebron to turn the kingdom of Saul over to him, according to the word of the LORD. The men of Judah bearing shield and spear were 6,800 armed troops. Of the Simeonites, mighty men of valor for war, 7,100. Of the Levites 4,600. The prince Jehoiada, of the house of Aaron, and with him 3,700. Zadok, a young man mighty in valor, and twenty-two commanders from his own fathers' house. Of the Benjaminites, the kinsmen of Saul, 3,000, of whom the majority had to that point kept their allegiance to the house of Saul. Of the Ephraimites 20,800, mighty men of valor, famous men in their fathers' houses. Of the half-tribe of Manasseh 18,000, who were expressly named to come and make David king. Of Issachar, men who had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do, 200 chiefs, and all their kinsmen under their command. Of Zebulun 50,000 seasoned troops, equipped for battle with all the weapons of war, to help David with singleness of purpose. Of Naphtali 1,000 commanders with whom were 37,000 men armed with shield and spear. Of the Danites 28,600 men equipped for battle. Of Asher 40,000 seasoned troops ready for battle. Of the Reubenites and Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh from beyond the Jordan, 120,000 men armed with all the weapons of war. All these, men of war, arrayed in battle order, came to Hebron with full intent to make David king over all Israel. Likewise, all the rest of Israel were of a single mind to make David king. And they were there with David for three days, eating and drinking, for their brothers had made preparation for them. And also their relatives, from as far as Issachar and Zebulun and Naphtali, came bringing food on donkeys and on camels and on mules and on oxen, abundant provisions of flour, cakes of figs, clusters of raisins, and wine and oil, oxen and sheep, for there was joy in Israel. I have exegeted this passage and you may find it instructive to examine the exegesis of it. |
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2Sam. 5:1–2: 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.'" |
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2Sam. 5:2: 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. |
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From these verses, there are as many as 3 different groups from northern and eastern Israel who have come to David while he is in Hebron, in relation to making him king over all Israel. |
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Scripture |
Incident |
3 Meetings with David |
After all of the political intrigue of 2Sam. 3–4 runs its course, a delegation from the north arrives and speaks with David (1Chron. 11:1–2); when David agrees to be their king, the elders of the tribes show up and come to an official agreement with David (1Chron. 11:3); afterwards, men from all over Israel show up to Hebron and celebrate (1Chron. 12:22–40). If there are 3 separate meetings, the armies could have shown up at any time—before the two meetings of 1Chron. 11:1–3, in the middle or after. |
2 Meetings with David |
Armies of men spontaneously show up to Hebron to show popular support for David (1Chron. 11:1–2 12:22–40). Afterwards, a delegation of elders from the north show up and make the reunification official (1Chron. 11:3). This could occur in the reverse order. |
2 Meetings with David |
A delegation of elders arrive to speak with David and make him king over all Israel (1Chron. 11:1–3); armies of men from all over northern, eastern and southern Israel then show up and celebrate (1Chron. 12:22–40). This could occur in the reverse order. |
1 Meeting with David |
The tribes who come to David at Hebron are the armies who show up at the end of 1Chron. 12; among them are elders who make a treaty with David. |
In my opinion, there are 3 distinct groups, but two of them show up at the same time. There is first a delegation from northern Israel, possibly not perfectly representative of the northern and eastern tribes, which comes down simply to speak with David and indicate that they would like for him to be king over them. When they return and submit his response to the elders of Israel, the elders come down to make it official. Simultaneously, news of this breaks out over all northern Israel, and the armies of Israel come down to proclaim David their Commander-in-Chief, and to celebrate. The armies and the elders all arrive at approximately the same time. Armies from Judah and Simeon also come to celebrate this reunification. The elders, who form a representative form of government, will sign treaties to make David king; simultaneously, the armies show their whole-hearted support for David by showing up to celebrate. |
All of this movement—particularly the armies from all over, will cause the Philistines no little concern, and they will attempt (unsuccessfully) to reinforce their control over Israel. |
Part of the reason that I go into this kind of detail is, there is always the cynic who says, The Bible contradicts itself; in one place, we have several armies coming to David; in another, it is elders; in another, we don’t really know who it is. My point is, we cannot necessarily definitively state who comes when, or even how many groups there are (although I believe I am correct in my personal assessment), but I have shown that there is no contradiction, no set of different accounts which contradict one another. You can have different people who observe a similar occurrence over a period of a few weeks, and, even if their recollection is perfectly accurate, they will not sound the same. Some will tell you about this, others about that. Some will emphasize one thing over another. A good example of this is, those who went to the tomb of Jesus after the crucifixion; each gospel gives a slightly different account, listing different people who went at different times. These are not contradictory accounts, but complimentary accounts. In fact, I once put together a complete listing of who went to the tomb and in which order, which is completely consistent with the 4 gospel accounts. |
Concerning The public and solemn inauguration of David, Henry writes: A convention of the states
was called; all the elders of Israel came to him; the contract was settled, the pacta conventa –
covenants, sworn to, and subscribed on both sides. He obliged himself to protect them as their judge
in peace and captain in war; and they obliged themselves to obey him. He made a league with them
to which God was a witness: it was before the Lord. Hereupon he was, for the third time, anointed
king. His advances were gradual, that his faith might be tried and that he might gain experience. And
thus his kingdom typified that of the Messiah, which was to come to its height by degrees; for we see
not yet all things put under him (Heb. 2:8), but we shall see it (1Cor. 15:25).
Application: What I want to emphasize is, this was all done in God’s time; God did not anoint David one day and
make him king the next. Too often, when a person is saved, especially when it is all emotional, in a week or two,
he is out there giving his testimony, telling everyone what it is all about. God has a timetable and most of us
require some spiritual growth before we begin producing. A huge contingent of believers today do not even know
rebound!
That means, their Christian service is meaningless. One thing which David teaches us is, patience.
Allow God to work at His Own pace. There are steps a pastor-teacher much take: after he identifies his spiritual
gift, which may take several years, then he needs concentrated spiritual training at a seminary. You just don’t start
teaching because you have the want to or you found a group of desperate believers who want you as their pastor.
You need to know the Scriptures, you need to know theology, you need to know the Greek and the Hebrew, and
you need to know the history (and geography) of that time period. That doesn’t happen overnight. It is God’s
timing, and He often is willing to take more time than we are. Even in our secular lives, we get out of school and
we want the wife, the family, the new car, the big house and then all of the goodies to fill the house. It does not
happen like that. This all takes time. I have been very blessed in many areas; and, believe it or not, I can come
up with more areas in which God can bless me. However, I have learned a long time ago that I do not need to
spend all of my energies chasing after additional blessings. God is much better at this than I am. When it is time,
He will provide. You do not need to be antsy or impatient.
As always, there are going to be some details left out. When Israel placed themselves under David, and later under Solomon, realize that there were going to be some conditions. We don’t know who laid down these conditions, if they were understood, written down, or whatever, but there is some kind of a covenant between any king and his country. We will see the importance of this when we come to 1Kings 12, and Israel splits from Judah because Rehoboam (Solomon’s son) would not back off on the excessive taxation which Solomon had placed upon northern Israel (as leader, Solomon had a lot of building projects, and this required money and manpower). When Rehoboam refuses to negociate, northern Israel separates once again, and permanently.
A son of thirty year David in his reigning; forty year he reigned. |
2Samuel |
David [was] 30 years old when he [began to] reign; [and] he reigned [for] 40 years. |
David was 30 years old when he began to reign and he reigned for 40 years. |
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Here is how others have translated this verse:
Ancient texts:
Masoretic Text A son of thirty year David in his reigning; forty year he reigned.
Septuagint David was a son of thirty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned forty years.
Significant differences: In the Hebrew, it makes sense to refer to year as a singular noun; it does not make sense to do this in the Greek or in the English, which is why it is plural in both places.
Thought-for-thought translations; paraphrases:
CEV David was thirty years old when he became king, and he ruled for forty years.
Mostly literal renderings (with some occasional paraphrasing):
God’s Word™ David was 30 years old when he became king, and he ruled for 40 years.
Literal, almost word-for-word, renderings:
The Amplified Bible David was thirty years old when he began his forty years’ reign.
WEB David was thirty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned forty years.
Young's Updated LT A son of thirty years is David in his being king; forty years he reigned:....
What is the gist of this verse? David was 30 when he began to reign over Israel and he reigned for 40 years total.
2Samuel 5:4a |
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Hebrew/Pronunciation |
Common English Meanings |
Notes/Morphology |
BDB and Strong’s Numbers |
bên (ן ֵ) [pronounced bane] |
son, descendant |
masculine singular construct |
Strong’s #1121 BDB #119 |
shelôshîym (םי.שֹלש) [pronounced shelow-SHEEM] |
thirty |
plural numeral |
Strong’s #7970 BDB #1026 |
shânâh (הָנָש) [pronounced shaw-NAW] |
year |
feminine singular noun |
Strong’s #8141 BDB #1040 |
Dâvid (ד ̣וָ); also Dâvîyd (די.וָ) [pronounced daw-VEED] |
beloved and is transliterated David |
masculine proper noun |
Strong’s #1732 BDB #187 |
be (׃) [pronounced beh] |
in, into, at, by, near, on, with, before, against, by means of, among, within |
a preposition of proximity |
No Strong’s # BDB #88 |
mâlake ( ַל ָמ) [pronounced maw-LAHKe] |
to reign, to become king or queen |
Qal infinitive construct with the 3rd person masculine singular suffix |
Strong’s #4427 BDB #573 |
The infinitive construct, when combined with the bêyth preposition, can often take on a temporal meaning and may be rendered when [such and such happens]. It can serve as a temporal marker that denotes an event which occurs simultaneously with the action of the main verb. |
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Translation: David [was] 30 years old when he [began to] reign;... Given the context, that David is herein made king over all Israel, I would assume that he is 30 when he begins to rule over all Israel; however, this notion will be corrected in the next verse, where it will become clear that David begins to rule over Judah at age 30, and, 7 years later, assumes control over all Israel.
This also gives us some ideas about David and Saul and their relative ages. David was possibly anointed by Samuel while he was very young—even as young as 10 or 11 (which helps to explain, to some degree, why his father did not think to bring him out before Samuel).
David would have begun work in the palace of Saul as early as age 11 or 12. I am assuming that he is first anointed and then goes to work at the palace (which seems to make sense).
When David fights Goliath, he would still be very, very young—as young a s 12 or 13 in fact (probably no older than 15). Not only is David small for his age, but he looks very young, and his appearance before Goliath would have been almost humorous. Men could be warriors as early as age 15 or 16; this was not unusual; therefore, a 16 year old warrior would not have seemed so unusual before Goliath. A small, 13 year old, on the other hand, would have caused Goliath to question out loud the wisdom of Saul to send out such a boy.
After that, David earned a place of respect in Saul’s army and became a very young general—perhaps as young as 16 or 17; and he spent a considerable period of time under Saul, gaining recognition and respect from his peers, but eventually pissing Saul off because of his successes. For David to have spent about 10 years as one of Saul’s generals in about enough time for him to have earned an almost permanent reputation (which was alluded to in the previous verse).
Furthermore, we require this youth of David in order for him to begin reigning over Israel at age 30. We need for him to spend several years on the run from Saul, and then 1.5 years in Philistia as an ex-pat.
I must admit to being surprised that few exegetes made any estimations at this point. |
We don’t know any of these ages or time frames for certain; we just read the Scripture and make reasonable guesses based upon the information we are given. |
Note that David begins his proper function as a king about the same age as Jesus when He began His public ministry (Luke 3:23). |
Barnes estimations come from Albert Barnes, Barnes’ Notes on the Old Testament; from e-Sword, 1Sam. 5:4. |
2Samuel 5:4b |
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Hebrew/Pronunciation |
Common English Meanings |
Notes/Morphology |
BDB and Strong’s Numbers |
arebâ׳îym (םי.עָר-א) [pronounced are-BAW-ĢEEM] |
forty |
undeclined plural noun |
Strong’s #705 BDB #917 |
shânâh (הָנָש) [pronounced shaw-NAW] |
year |
feminine singular noun |
Strong’s #8141 BDB #1040 |
mâlake ( ַל ָמ) [pronounced maw-LAHKe] |
to reign, to become king or queen |
3rd person masculine singular, Qal perfect; pausal form |
Strong’s #4427 BDB #573 |
Translation:...[and] he reigned [for] 40 years. David’s entire reign over Judah and both kingdoms, totaled 40 years. This will be split up properly in the next verse.
It’s interesting that God seems to see 40 years as being the ideal time for a ministry or job. The ministry of Moses lasted 40 years; David’s reign is for 40 years (although he functioned under Saul for several years and he functioned as a leader for several years); Saul apparently was king for 40 years. Although this is certainly not written in stone, it does appear to be a reasonable time for a man to work.
In Hebron he reigned over Judah seven years and six months; and in Jerusalem he reigned thirty and three year over all Israel and Judah. |
2Samuel 5:5 |
He ruled over Judah from Hebron seven years and six months; and in Jerusalem he ruled for 33 years over both [lit., all] Israel and Judah. |
He ruled over Judah from Hebron for 7½ years; and he ruled over Israel and Judah for 33 years with Jerusalem as his capital city. |
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Here is how others have translated this verse:
Ancient texts:
Peshitta In Hebron he reigned over Judah seven years and six months; and in Jerusalem he reigned thirty and three year over all Israel and Judah.
Septuagint Seven years and six months he reigned in Chebron over Juda, and thirty–three years he reigned over all Israel and Juda in Jerusalem.
Significant differences: No significant differences.
Thought-for-thought translations; paraphrases:
CEV He lived in Hebron for the first seven and a half years and ruled only Judah. Then he moved to Jerusalem, where he ruled both Israel and Judah for thirty-three years.
TEV He ruled in Hebron over Judah for seven and a half years, and in Jerusalem over all Israel and Judah for thirty-three years.
Mostly literal renderings (with some occasional paraphrasing):
God’s Word™ In Hebron he ruled Judah for seven years and six months. In Jerusalem he ruled for 33 years over all Israel and Juda.
Literal, almost word-for-word, renderings:
ESV At Hebron he reigned over Judah seven years and six months, and at Jerusalem he reigned over all Israel and Judah thirty-three years.
Young's Literal Translation ...in Hebron he reigned over Judah seven years and six months, and in Jerusalem he reigned thirty and three years, over all Israel and Judah.
What is the gist of this verse? David’s reign is broken down: he reigned for 7½ in Hebron over Judah and for 33 years in Jerusalem over Judah and Israel.
In the previous verse, I mentioned how we needed more information in order to determine when this was written; since we have David’s entire reign mapped out here from the beginning, this means that at least a portion of this manuscript was completed after his death. Either the final recording of the historical events surrounding his life was done after he died; or an editor added in pertinent information.
2Samuel 5:5a |
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Hebrew/Pronunciation |
Common English Meanings |
Notes/Morphology |
BDB and Strong’s Numbers |
be (׃) [pronounced beh] |
in, into, at, by, near, on, with, before, against, by means of, among, within |
a preposition of proximity |
No Strong’s # BDB #88 |
Cheberôwn (ןר׃ב∵ח) [pronounced khebv-ROHN] |
association, league, joined; transliterated Hebron |
proper noun; location |
Strong’s #2275 BDB #289 |
mâlake ( ַל ָמ) [pronounced maw-LAHKe] |
to reign, to become king or queen |
3rd person masculine singular, Qal perfect |
Strong’s #4427 BDB #573 |
׳al (ל ַע) [pronounced ģahl ] |
upon, beyond, on, against, above, over, by, beside |
preposition of proximity |
Strong’s #5921 BDB #752 |
Yehûwdâh (הָדהי) [pronounced yehoo-DAW] |
possibly means to praise, to be praised; and is transliterated Judah |
masculine proper noun/location |
Strong’s #3063 BDB #397 |
sheba׳ (ע ַב ∵ש) [pronounced sheb-VAHĢ] |
seven |
numeral masculine noun |
Strong's #7651 BDB #987 |
shânâh (הָנָש) [pronounced shaw-NAW] |
year |
feminine plural noun |
Strong’s #8141 BDB #1040 |
we (or ve) (ו) [pronounced weh] |
and, even, then; namely; when; since, that; though |
simple wâw conjunction |
No Strong’s # BDB #251 |
shishshâh (הָ̣ש) [pronounced shish-SHAW] |
six |
feminine form of numeral |
Strong’s #8337 BDB #995 |
chôdesh (ש∵דֹח) [pronounced KHOH-desh] |
new moon, month |
masculine plural noun |
Strong’s #2320 BDB #294 |
Translation: He ruled over Judah from Hebron seven years and six months;... David began ruling over Judah and his capital city was Hebron. For about 7½ years he reigned from Hebron. He reigns there until these representatives from northern Israel come to speak with him.
2Samuel 5:5b |
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Hebrew/Pronunciation |
Common English Meanings |
Notes/Morphology |
BDB and Strong’s Numbers |
we (or ve) (ו) [pronounced weh] |
and, even, then; namely; when; since, that, so that; though |
simple wâw conjunction |
No Strong’s # BDB #251 |
be (׃) [pronounced beh] |
in, into, at, by, near, on, with, before, against, by means of, among, within |
a preposition of proximity |
No Strong’s # BDB #88 |
Yerûwshâlayim (ם̣יַלָשר׃י) [pronounced yroo-shaw-LAH-yim] |
possibly means founded upon peace or city of the Jebusites (or both); it is transliterated Jerusalem |
Proper singular noun, location |
Strong’s #3389 BDB #436 |
mâlake ( ַל ָמ) [pronounced maw-LAHKe] |
to reign, to become king or queen |
3rd person masculine singular, Qal perfect |
Strong’s #4427 BDB #573 |
shelôshîym (םי.שֹלש) [pronounced shelow-SHEEM] |
thirty |
plural numeral |
Strong’s #7970 BDB #1026 |
we (or ve) (ו) [pronounced weh] |
and, even, then; namely; when; since, that, so that; though |
simple wâw conjunction |
No Strong’s # BDB #251 |
shâlôsh (שֹלָש) [pronounced shaw-LOHSH] |
a three, a trio, a triad, a threesome |
numeral; masculine singular noun |
Strong’s #7969 BDB #1025 |
shânâh (הָנָש) [pronounced shaw-NAW] |
year |
feminine singular noun |
Strong’s #8141 BDB #1040 |
׳al (ל ַע) [pronounced ģahl ] |
upon, beyond, on, against, above, over, by, beside |
preposition of proximity |
Strong’s #5921 BDB #752 |
kôl (לֹ) [pronounced kohl] |
every, each, all of, all; any of, any |
masculine singular construct not followed by a definite article |
Strong’s #3605 BDB #481 |
Yiserâêl (לֵאָר ׃̣י) [pronounced yis-raw-ALE] |
transliterated Israel |
masculine proper noun |
Strong’s #3478 BDB #975 |
we (or ve) (ו) [pronounced weh] |
and, even, then; namely; when; since, that, so that; though |
simple wâw conjunction |
No Strong’s # BDB #251 |
Yehûwdâh (הָדהי) [pronounced yehoo-DAW] |
possibly means to praise, to be praised; and is transliterated Judah |
masculine proper noun/location |
Strong’s #3063 BDB #397 |
Translation: ...and in Jerusalem he ruled for 33 years over both lit., all] Israel and Judah. This does not mean that, the very moment when David took power over all Israel, that he moved his palace to Jerusalem. The idea is, these things occurred around the same time. One reason for him ruling from Jerusalem is that it is further north and on the border of Judah and Benjamin. Given that Saul was a Benjamite, it makes sense for David to rule from Saul’s home territory. Logically and chronologically, this takes us to David’s capture of Jerusalem.
David Takes Jerusalem as his new Capital City
1Chronicles 11:4–9
And so goes the king and his men [to] Jerusalem unto the Jebusite inhabiting the land. And so he says to David to say, “You will not come in here for if cause to depart the blind and the lame, to say, ‘Cannot come in David here.’ ” |
2Samuel 5:6 |
And the king and his men went to Jerusalem to the Jebusites who inhabited the land. One said to David, “You will not come in here, for even [lit., if] the blind and the lame can turn you away, saying [to themselves], ‘David cannot come in here.’ ” |
Later the king and his men went to Jerusalem to the Jebusites who then inhabited that area. One of their spokesmen approached David and said, “You will not come into this city. Even an army of our blind and lame men could turn you back.” |
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Here is how others have translated this verse:
Ancient texts:
Masoretic Text And so goes the king and his men [to] Jerusalem unto the Jebusite inhabiting the land. And so he says to David to say, “You will not come in here for if cause to depart the blind and the lame, to say, ‘Cannot come in David here.’ ”
Septuagint And David and his men, departed to Jerusalem, to the Jebusite that inhabited the land: and it was said to David, You will not come in here: for the blind and the lame withstood him, saying, David shall not come in here.
Significant differences: The Hebrew begins by referring to David as the king; he is simply called David in the Greek. That is the only significant difference in the texts.
Thought-for-thought translations; paraphrases:
CEV The Jebusites lived in Jerusalem, and David led his army there to attack them. The Jebusites did not think he could get in, so they told him, "You can't get in here! We could run you off, even if we couldn't see or walk!"
The Message David and his men immediately set out for Jerusalem to take on the Jebusites, who lived in that country. But they said, "You might as well go home! Even the blind and the lame could keep you out. You can't get in here!" They had convinced themselves that David couldn't break through.
NAB Then the king and his men set out for Jerusalem against the Jebusites who inhabited the region. David was told, “You cannot enter here: the blind and the lame will drive you away!” which was their way of saying, “David cannot enter here.”
NLT David then led his troops to jer to fight against the Jebusites. “You’ll never get in here,” the Jebusites taunted. “Even the blind and lame could keep you out!” For the Jebusites thought they were safe.
REB The king and his men went to Jerusalem to attack the Jebusites, the inhabitants of that region. The Jebusites said to David, ‘You will never come NIV Study Bible here, not till you have disposed of the blind and the lame,’ stressing that David would never come in.
Mostly literal renderings (with some occasional paraphrasing):
God’s Word™ The king and his men went to Jerusalem to attack the Jebusites, who lived in that region. The Jebusites told David, "You will never get in here. Even the blind and the lame could turn you away" (meaning that David could never get in there).
HCSB The king and his men marched to Jerusalem against the Jebusites who inhabited the land. The Jebusites had said to David: "You will never get in here. Even the blind and lame can repel you," thinking, "David can't get in here."
JPS (Tanakh) The king and his men set out for Jerusalem against the Jebusites who inhabited the region. David was told, “You will never get in here! Even the blind and the lame will turn you back.” (They meant: David will never enter here.) [Much of the meaning of this verse is uncertain].
Literal, almost word-for-word, renderings:
Bullinger (updated) And the king and his men went to Jerusalem, to the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land, who spoke to David, saying, “You will not come in here, for the blind and the lame will drive you away by saying, ‘David will not come in here.’ ”
ESV 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."
Dr. Kennicott (updated) And the king and his men went to Jerusalem unto the Jebusites, the inhabitants of
the land; who spoke unto David, saying; you will not come in here; for the blind and
the lame shall drive you away by saying,“David will not come in here.”
MKJV And the king and his men went to Jerusalem to the Jebusites, the people of the land. And one spoke to David saying, You shall not come in here, except the blind and the lame will turn you away; also saying, David cannot come in here.
Young’s Updated LT And the king goes, and his men, to Jerusalem, unto the Jebusite, the inhabitant of the land, and they speak to David, saying, “You will not come in here, except you turn aside the blind and the lame;” saying, “David does not come in hither.”
What is the gist of this verse? David takes some men to Jerusalem to possibly take it as his royal city. He is met by a delegation of Jebusites, one of whom tells him that, even a blind and lame man could turn him away. David is clearly told that he will not enter into Jerusalem.
2Samuel 5:6a |
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Hebrew/Pronunciation |
Common English Meanings |
Notes/Morphology |
BDB and Strong’s Numbers |
wa (or va) (ַו) [pronounced wah] |
and so, and then, then, and; so, that, yet, therefore |
wâw consecutive |
No Strong’s # BDB #253 |
hâlake ( ַל ָה) [pronounced haw-LAHKe] |
to go, to come, to depart, to walk; to advance |
3rd person masculine plural, Qal imperfect |
Strong’s #1980 (and #3212) BDB #229 |
meleke ( ∵ל ∵מ) [pronounced MEH-lek] |
king, ruler, prince |
masculine singular noun with the definite article |
Strong’s #4428 BDB #572 |
we (or ve) (ו) [pronounced weh] |
and, even, then; namely; when; since, that; though |
simple wâw conjunction |
No Strong’s # BDB #251 |
ănâsîym (םי.שָנֲא) [pronounced uh-NAW-seem]; also spelled îyshîym (םי.שי ̣א) [pronounced ee-SHEEM] |
men; inhabitants, citizens; companions; soldiers, followers |
masculine plural noun |
Strong's #376 BDB #35 |
Yerûwshâlayim (ם̣יַלָשר׃י) [pronounced yroo-shaw-LAH-yim] |
possibly means founded upon peace or city of the Jebusites (or both); it is transliterated Jerusalem |
Proper singular noun, location |
Strong’s #3389 BDB #436 |
el (ל∵א) [pronounced el] |
unto; into, among, in; toward, to; against; concerning, regarding; besides, together with; as to |
directional preposition (respect or deference may be implied) |
Strong's #413 BDB #39 |
Yebûçîy (י ̣סֻב׃י) [pronounced yevoo-SEE] |
an inhabitant or descendant of Jebus; transliterated Jebusite |
adjective gentilis with the definite article |
Strong’s #2983 BDB #101 |
yâshab (בַשָי) [pronounced yaw-SHAHBV] |
inhabiting, staying, remaining, dwelling, sitting |
Qal active participle |
Strong's #3427 BDB #442 |
erets (ץ ∵ר ∵א) [pronounced EH-rets] |
earth (all or a portion thereof), land, ground, soil |
feminine singular noun; with the definite article |
Strong's #776 BDB #75 |
Translation: And the king and his men went to Jerusalem to the Jebusites who inhabited the land. David, after having been made king over all Israel, decides to choose a city which is slightly more centrally located. Jerusalem is on the border of Judah and Benjamin. Bear in mind as you read this, that God had given all the land to the Jews; it was theirs for the taking.
The Jebusites are a people about whom we know very little. Therefore, we ought to examine... |
1. The Jebusites are a Canaanite people, most of whom lived in the Land of Promise. Gen. 10:15–19 1Chron. 1:13–14 2. God promised to give Abraham “...the land of the Kenites, the Kenizzites, the Kadmonites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Rephaim, the Amorites, the Canaanites, the Girgashites and the Jebusites.” (Gen. 15:18–21). 3. God spoke to Moses in the desert, and promised to give him and God’s people “...a land flowing with milk and honey, to the place of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites” (Ex. 3:7–8), which promise Moses conveyed to elders of the enslaved Jews (Ex. 3:14–22). 4. When the plagues against Egypt had been completed, Moses confirmed God’s promise to bring His people to “...the land of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites, which He swore to your fathers to give you, a land flowing with milk and honey.” Ex. 13:3–5 5. God, through Moses, demanded the obedience of the Jewish people, that they not worship the gods of the heathen, and then He would send His angel before them to blot out “...Amorites and the Hittites and the Perizzites and the Canaanites, the Hivites and the Jebusites.” Ex. 23:22–24 6. The LORD said to Moses, "Depart; go up from here, you and the people whom you have brought up out of the land of Egypt, to the land of which I swore to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, saying, 'To your offspring I will give it.' I will send an angel before you, and I will drive out the Canaanites, the Amorites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites. Go up to a land flowing with milk and honey; but I will not go up among you, lest I consume you on the way, for you are a stiff-necked people." Ex. 33:1–3 (see also Ex. 34:11–15). Interestingly enough, although I don’t pretend to understand any significance by it, the Jebusites are always listed last on these grocery lists of people whom God will allow the Jews to conquer. 7. When Moses sent spies into the Land of Promise, they returned with the following report: And they told him, "We came to the land to which you sent us. It flows with milk and honey, and this is its fruit. However, the people who dwell in the land are strong, and the cities are fortified and very large. And besides, we saw the descendants of Anak there. The Amalekites dwell in the land of the Negeb. The Hittites, the Jebusites, and the Amorites dwell in the hill country. And the Canaanites dwell by the sea, and along the Jordan." (Num. 13:27–29). Unlike what has come before, this is not a grocery list, but their report identifies the locations of these various people. 8. Moses, in one of his last messages to Israel, says the following: "When the LORD your God brings you into the land that you are entering to take possession of it, and clears away many nations before you, the Hittites, the Girgashites, the Amorites, the Canaanites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites, seven nations more numerous and mightier than yourselves, and when the LORD your God gives them over to you, and you defeat them, then you must devote them to complete destruction. You shall make no covenant with them and show no mercy to them. You shall not intermarry with them, giving your daughters to their sons or taking their daughters for your sons, for they would turn away your sons from following me, to serve other gods. Then the anger of the LORD would be kindled against you, and he would destroy you quickly. But thus shall you deal with them: you shall break down their altars and dash in pieces their pillars and chop down their Asherim and burn their carved images with fire.” Deut. 7:1–5 9. The approach that Israel was to take was as follows (as per the instructions of Moses): "When you draw near to a city to fight against it, offer terms of peace to it. And if it responds to you peaceably and it opens to you, then all the people who are found in it shall do forced labor for you and shall serve you. But if it makes no peace with you, but makes war against you, then you shall besiege it. And when the LORD your God gives it into your hand, you shall put all its males to the sword, but the women and the little ones, the livestock, and everything else in the city, all its spoil, you shall take as plunder for yourselves. And you shall enjoy the spoil of your enemies, which the LORD your God has given you. Thus you shall do to all the cities that are very far from you, which are not cities of the nations here. But in the cities of these peoples that the LORD your God is giving you for an inheritance, you shall save alive nothing that breathes, but you shall devote them to complete destruction, the Hittites and the Amorites, the Canaanites and the Perizzites, the Hivites and the Jebusites, as the LORD your God has commanded, that they may not teach you to do according to all their abominable practices that they have done for their gods, and so you sin against the LORD your God.” Deut. 20:10–18 10. Joshua, in Joshua 3:10, tells the people: “Here is how you shall know that the living God is among you and that he will without fail drive out from before you the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Hivites, the Perizzites, the Girgashites, the Amorites, and the Jebusites.” 11. When Israel began to conquer the land, there were two very different reactions: some of the people banded together to oppose Israel and others submitted to them. As soon as all the kings who were beyond the Jordan in the hill country and in the lowland all along the coast of the Great Sea toward Lebanon, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Canaanites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites, heard of this, they gathered together as one to fight against Joshua and Israel. But when the inhabitants of Gibeon heard what Joshua had done to Jericho and to Ai, they on their part acted with cunning and went and made ready provisions and took worn-out sacks for their donkeys, and wineskins, worn-out and torn and mended, with worn-out, patched sandals on their feet, and worn-out clothes. And all their provisions |