2 Samuel 5:1-12 - Frederick Brotherton Meyer's Commentary

Bible Comments

David King in Jerusalem

2 Samuel 5:1-12

David was anointed thrice: by Samuel in his home, by the men of Judah, and here. So our Lord has been crowned in the Father's purpose and by his Church. There awaits another day, when he will be recognized as King by the entire universe, Revelation 11:15, etc. The reasons for David's coronation apply equally to our Lord: (1) kinship; (2) power to lead; (3) God's eternal purpose.

Because of its impregnable position, it was wise policy to secure Jerusalem as the site of the capital. Here was the beginning of new prosperity for Israel, and for Jerusalem as well, which was now to become “the joy of the whole earth.” See 1 Chronicles 12:23, etc. David's influence increased by leaps and bounds, 2 Samuel 5:10. There broke on his mind a perception of the divine purpose, 2 Samuel 5:12. Often we are unable to descry this in the earlier stages of our life. We see no meaning, no purpose. But as year is added to year, God's great scheme begins to unfold. Only be sure that any position or opportunity is intended, not for us alone, but for his people's sake.

2 Samuel 5:1-12

1 Then came all the tribes of Israel to David unto Hebron, and spake, saying, Behold, we are thy bone and thy flesh.

2 Also in time past, when Saul was king over us, thou wast he that leddest out and broughtest in Israel: and the LORD said to thee, Thou shalt feed my people Israel, and thou shalt be a captain over Israel.

3 So all the elders of Israel came to the king to Hebron; and king David made a league with them in Hebron before the LORD: and they anointed David king over Israel.

4 David was thirty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned forty years.

5 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.

6 And the king and his men went to Jerusalem unto the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land: which spake unto David, saying, Except thou take away the blind and the lame, thou shalt not come in hither: thinking,a David cannot come in hither.

7 Nevertheless David took the strong hold of Zion: the same is the city of David.

8 And David said on that day, Whosoever getteth up to the gutter, and smiteth the Jebusites, and the lame and the blind, that are hated of David's soul, he shall be chief and captain. Wherefore they said, The blind and the lame shall not come into the house.

9 So David dwelt in the fort, and called it the city of David. And David built round about from Millo and inward.

10 And David wentb on, and grew great, and the LORD God of hosts was with him.

11 And Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, and cedar trees, and carpenters, and masons:c and they built David an house.

12 And David perceived that the LORD had established him king over Israel, and that he had exalted his kingdom for his people Israel's sake.