2 Samuel 5:3
ESV
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.
NIV
When all the elders of Israel had come to King David at Hebron, the king made a covenant with them at Hebron before the Lord, and they anointed David king over Israel.
NASB
So all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron, and King David made a covenant with them before the Lord in Hebron; then they anointed David king over Israel.
CSB
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.
NLT
So there at Hebron, King David made a covenant before the Lord with all the elders of Israel. And they anointed him king of Israel.
KJV
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.
NKJV
Therefore 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.
What does 2 Samuel 5:3 mean?
About 480 years before the events of this passage, Jacob prophesied over his sons as he lay dying. He didn't bless his firstborn, Reuben, because Reuben had slept with Jacob's concubine (Genesis 35:22). Nor did he bless Simeon and Levi, who defended their sister's honor, but threatened the safety of their whole tribe (Genesis 34). But to his fourth-born, he said, "The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor the ruler's staff from between his feet, until tribute comes to him; and to him shall be the obedience of the peoples" (Genesis 49:10).Now, this prophecy comes true. David of Judah reigned seven years over Judah. This day, all Israel chooses to make him king. The prophecy will be completely fulfilled when Jesus is king.
Elders, prominent civil leaders, from all the tribes come to David at the city of Hebron in Judah and make a covenant with him. The covenant is probably a Suzerain Vassal Treaty, like the covenant the Israelites made with Saul (1 Samuel 10:25) and God made with Israel (Leviticus 26; Deuteronomy 28). The people will promise to serve David and give him supplies, and he'll promise to rule justly and protect them from enemies.
The elders anoint David king as the final step in David's path to the crown and throne of united Israel. This is David's third anointing. Samuel first anointed him as Israel's future king in a secretive ceremony when David was just a boy (1 Samuel 16:12–13). David was also anointed as king over the tribe of Judah following the death of Saul (2 Samuel 2:4).
