2 Samuel chapter 5
English Standard Version
1Then all the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron and said, "Behold, we are your bone and flesh. 2In 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.’" 3So 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. 4David was thirty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned forty years. 5At Hebron he reigned over Judah seven years and six months, and at Jerusalem he reigned over all Israel and Judah thirty-three years.
6And 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." 7Nevertheless, David took the stronghold of Zion, that is, the city of David. 8And David said on that day, "Whoever would strike the Jebusites, let him get up the water shaft to attack ‘the lame and the blind,’ who are hated by David 's soul." Therefore it is said, "The blind and the lame shall not come into the house." 9And David lived in the stronghold and called it the city of David. And David built the city all around from the Millo inward. 10And David became greater and greater, for the Lord, the God of hosts, was with him.
11And Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, and cedar trees, also carpenters and masons who built David a house. 12And David knew that the Lord had established him king over Israel, and that he had exalted his kingdom for the sake of his people Israel.
13And David took more concubines and wives from Jerusalem, after he came from Hebron, and more sons and daughters were born to David. 14And these are the names of those who were born to him in Jerusalem: Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon, 15Ibhar, Elishua, Nepheg, Japhia, 16Elishama, Eliada, and Eliphelet.
17When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over Israel, all the Philistines went up to search for David. But David heard of it and went down to the stronghold. 18Now the Philistines had come and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim. 19And David inquired of the Lord, "Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will you give them into my hand?" And the Lord said to David, "Go up, for I will certainly give the Philistines into your hand." 20And David came to Baal-perazim, and David defeated them there. And he said, "The Lord has broken through my enemies before me like a breaking flood." Therefore the name of that place is called Baal-perazim. 21And the Philistines left their idols there, and David and his men carried them away.
22And the Philistines came up yet again and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim. 23And when David inquired of the Lord, he said, "You shall not go up; go around to their rear, and come against them opposite the balsam trees. 24And when you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, then rouse yourself, for then the Lord has gone out before you to strike down the army of the Philistines." 25And David did as the Lord commanded him, and struck down the Philistines from Geba to Gezer.
New International Version
1All the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron and said, "We are your own flesh and blood. 2In the past, while Saul was king over us, you were the one who led Israel on their military campaigns. And the Lord said to you, ‘You will shepherd my people Israel, and you will become their ruler.’ "
4David was thirty years old when he became king, and he reigned forty years. 5In Hebron he reigned over Judah seven years and six months, and in Jerusalem he reigned over all Israel and Judah thirty-three years.
6The king and his men marched to Jerusalem to attack the Jebusites, who lived there. The Jebusites said to David, "You will not get in here; even the blind and the lame can ward you off." They thought, "David cannot get in here." 7Nevertheless, David captured the fortress of Zion—which is the City of David.
9David then took up residence in the fortress and called it the City of David. He built up the area around it, from the terraces inward. 10And he became more and more powerful, because the Lord God Almighty was with him.
11Now Hiram king of Tyre sent envoys to David, along with cedar logs and carpenters and stonemasons, and they built a palace for David. 12Then David knew that the Lord had established him as king over Israel and had exalted his kingdom for the sake of his people Israel.
13After he left Hebron, David took more concubines and wives in Jerusalem, and more sons and daughters were born to him. 14These are the names of the children born to him there: Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon, 15Ibhar, Elishua, Nepheg, Japhia, 16Elishama, Eliada and Eliphelet.
17When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over Israel, they went up in full force to search for him, but David heard about it and went down to the stronghold. 18Now the Philistines had come and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim;
20So David went to Baal Perazim, and there he defeated them. He said, "As waters break out, the Lord has broken out against my enemies before me." So that place was called Baal Perazim. 21The Philistines abandoned their idols there, and David and his men carried them off.
22Once more the Philistines came up and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim; 23so David inquired of the Lord, and he answered, "Do not go straight up, but circle around behind them and attack them in front of the poplar trees. 24As soon as you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the poplar trees, move quickly, because that will mean the Lord has gone out in front of you to strike the Philistine army." 25So David did as the Lord commanded him, and he struck down the Philistines all the way from Gibeon to Gezer.
New American Standard Bible
1Then all the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron and said, 'Behold, we are your bone and your flesh. 2Previously, when Saul was king over us, you were the one who led Israel out and in. And the Lord said to you, ‘You will shepherd My people Israel, and you will be a leader over Israel.’?' 3So 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. 4David was thirty years old when he became king, and he reigned for forty years. 5At Hebron he reigned over Judah for seven years and six months, and in Jerusalem he reigned for thirty-three years over all Israel and Judah.
6Now the king and his men went to Jerusalem against the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land; and they said to David, 'You shall not come in here, but even those who are blind and those who limp will turn you away,' thinking, 'David cannot enter here.' 7Nevertheless, David captured the stronghold of Zion, that is, the city of David. 8And David said on that day, 'Whoever strikes the Jebusites is to reach those who limp and those who are blind, who are hated by David’s soul, through the water tunnel.' For that reason they say, 'People who are blind and people who limp shall not come into the house.' 9So David lived in the stronghold, and called it the city of David. And David built all around from the Millo and inward. 10David became greater and greater, for the Lord God of armies was with him.
11Then Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David with cedar trees, carpenters, and stonemasons; and they built a house for David. 12And David realized that the Lord had appointed him as king over Israel, and that He had exalted his kingdom for the sake of His people Israel.
13Meanwhile David took more concubines and wives from Jerusalem, after he came from Hebron; and more sons and daughters were born to David. 14Now these are the names of those who were born to him in Jerusalem: Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon, 15Ibhar, Elishua, Nepheg, Japhia, 16Elishama, Eliada, and Eliphelet.
17Now when the Philistines heard that they had anointed David king over Israel, all the Philistines went up to seek out David; and when David heard about it, he went down to the stronghold. 18Now the Philistines came and overran the Valley of Rephaim. 19So David inquired of the Lord, saying, 'Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will You hand them over to me?' And the Lord said to David, 'Go up, for I will certainly hand the Philistines over to you.' 20Then David came to Baal-perazim and defeated them there; and he said, 'The Lord has broken through my enemies before me like the breakthrough of waters.' Therefore he named that place Baal-perazim. 21And the Philistines abandoned their idols there, so David and his men carried them away.
22Now the Philistines came up once again and overran the Valley of Rephaim. 23So David inquired of the Lord, but He said, 'You shall not go directly up; circle around behind them and come at them in front of the baka-shrubs. 24And it shall be, when you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the baka-shrubs, then you shall act promptly, for then the Lord will have gone out before you to strike the army of the Philistines.' 25Then David did so, just as the Lord had commanded him; he struck and killed the Philistines from Geba as far as Gezer.
Christian Standard Bible
1All the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron and said, "Here we are, your own flesh and blood. 2Even 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 you will be ruler over Israel.’"
4David was thirty years old when he began his reign; he reigned forty years. 5In Hebron he reigned over Judah seven years and six months, and in Jerusalem he reigned thirty-three years over all Israel and Judah.
7Yet David did capture the stronghold of Zion, that is, the city of David. 8He said that day, "Whoever attacks the Jebusites must go through the water shaft to reach the lame and the blind who are despised by David." For this reason it is said, "The blind and the lame will never enter the house."
9David took up residence in the stronghold, which he named the city of David. He built it up all the way around from the supporting terraces inward. 10David became more and more powerful, and the Lord God of Armies was with him. 11King Hiram of Tyre sent envoys to David; he also sent cedar logs, carpenters, and stonemasons, and they built a palace for David. 12Then David knew that the Lord had established him as king over Israel and had exalted his kingdom for the sake of his people Israel.
13After he arrived from Hebron, David took more concubines and wives from Jerusalem, and more sons and daughters were born to him. 14These are the names of those born to him in Jerusalem: Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon, 15Ibhar, Elishua, Nepheg, Japhia, 16Elishama, Eliada, and Eliphelet.
17When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over Israel, they all went in search of David, but he heard about it and went down to the stronghold. 18So the Philistines came and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim.
20So David went to Baal-perazim and defeated them there and said, "Like a bursting flood, the Lord has burst out against my enemies before me." Therefore, he named that place The Lord Bursts Out. 21The Philistines abandoned their idols there, and David and his men carried them off.
22The Philistines came up again and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim. 23So David inquired of the Lord, and he answered, "Do not attack directly, but circle around behind them and come at them opposite the balsam trees. 24When you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, act decisively, for then the Lord will have gone out ahead of you to strike down the army of the Philistines." 25So David did exactly as the Lord commanded him, and he struck down the Philistines all the way from Geba to Gezer.
New Living Translation
1Then all the tribes of Israel went to David at Hebron and told him, 'We are your own flesh and blood. 2In the past, when Saul was our king, you were the one who really led the forces of Israel. And the Lord told you, ‘You will be the shepherd of my people Israel. You will be Israel’s leader.’'
4David was thirty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned forty years in all. 5He had reigned over Judah from Hebron for seven years and six months, and from Jerusalem he reigned over all Israel and Judah for thirty-three years.
6David then led his men to Jerusalem to fight against the Jebusites, the original inhabitants of the land who were living there. The Jebusites taunted David, saying, 'You’ll never get in here! Even the blind and lame could keep you out!' For the Jebusites thought they were safe. 7But David captured the fortress of Zion, which is now called the City of David.
9So David made the fortress his home, and he called it the City of David. He extended the city, starting at the supporting terraces and working inward. 10And David became more and more powerful, because the Lord God of Heaven’s Armies was with him.
11Then King Hiram of Tyre sent messengers to David, along with cedar timber and carpenters and stonemasons, and they built David a palace. 12And David realized that the Lord had confirmed him as king over Israel and had blessed his kingdom for the sake of his people Israel.
13After moving from Hebron to Jerusalem, David married more concubines and wives, and they had more sons and daughters. 14These are the names of David’s sons who were born in Jerusalem: Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon, 15Ibhar, Elishua, Nepheg, Japhia, 16Elishama, Eliada, and Eliphelet.
17When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king of Israel, they mobilized all their forces to capture him. But David was told they were coming, so he went into the stronghold. 18The Philistines arrived and spread out across the valley of Rephaim.
20So David went to Baal-perazim and defeated the Philistines there. 'The Lord did it!' David exclaimed. 'He burst through my enemies like a raging flood!' So he named that place Baal-perazim (which means 'the Lord who bursts through'). 21The Philistines had abandoned their idols there, so David and his men confiscated them.
22But after a while the Philistines returned and again spread out across the valley of Rephaim. 23And again David asked the Lord what to do. 'Do not attack them straight on,' the Lord replied. 'Instead, circle around behind and attack them near the poplar trees. 24When you hear a sound like marching feet in the tops of the poplar trees, be on the alert! That will be the signal that the Lord is moving ahead of you to strike down the Philistine army.' 25So David did what the Lord commanded, and he struck down the Philistines all the way from Gibeon to Gezer.
King James Version
1Then came all the tribes of Israel to David unto Hebron, and spake, saying, Behold, we are thy bone and thy flesh. 2Also 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.
3So 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. 4David was thirty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned forty years. 5In Hebron he reigned over Judah seven years and six months: and in Jerusalem he reigned thirty and three years over all Israel and Judah. 6And 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, David cannot come in hither.
7Nevertheless David took the strong hold of Zion: the same is the city of David. 8And 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.
9So David dwelt in the fort, and called it the city of David. And David built round about from Millo and inward. 10And David went on, and grew great, and the Lord God of hosts was with him.
11And Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, and cedar trees, and carpenters, and masons: and they built David an house. 12And David perceived that the Lord had established him king over Israel, and that he had exalted his kingdom for his people Israel's sake. 13And David took him more concubines and wives out of Jerusalem, after he was come from Hebron: and there were yet sons and daughters born to David. 14And these be the names of those that were born unto him in Jerusalem; Shammua, and Shobab, and Nathan, and Solomon, 15Ibhar also, and Elishua, and Nepheg, and Japhia, 16And Elishama, and Eliada, and Eliphalet. 17But when the Philistines heard that they had anointed David king over Israel, all the Philistines came up to seek David; and David heard of it, and went down to the hold. 18The Philistines also came and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim. 19And David enquired of the Lord, saying, Shall I go up to the Philistines? wilt thou deliver them into mine hand? And the Lord said unto David, Go up: for I will doubtless deliver the Philistines into thine hand.
20And David came to Baalperazim, and David smote them there, and said, The Lord hath broken forth upon mine enemies before me, as the breach of waters. Therefore he called the name of that place Baalperazim. 21And there they left their images, and David and his men burned them.
22And the Philistines came up yet again, and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim. 23And when David enquired of the Lord, he said, Thou shalt not go up; but fetch a compass behind them, and come upon them over against the mulberry trees. 24And let it be, when thou hearest the sound of a going in the tops of the mulberry trees, that then thou shalt bestir thyself: for then shall the Lord go out before thee, to smite the host of the Philistines. 25And David did so, as the Lord had commanded him; and smote the Philistines from Geba until thou come to Gazer.
New King James Version
1Then all the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron and spoke, saying, “Indeed we are your bone and your flesh. 2Also, in time past, when Saul was king over us, you were the one who led Israel out and brought them in; and the Lord said to you, ‘You shall shepherd My people Israel, and be ruler over Israel.’ ” 3Therefore 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. 4David was thirty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned forty years. 5In Hebron he reigned over Judah seven years and six months, and in Jerusalem he reigned thirty-three years over all Israel and Judah.
6And the king and his men went to Jerusalem against the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land, who spoke to David, saying, “You shall not come in here; but the blind and the lame will repel you,” thinking, “David cannot come in here.” 7Nevertheless David took the stronghold of Zion (that is, the City of David).
9Then David dwelt in the stronghold, and called it the City of David. And David built all around from the Millo and inward. 10So David went on and became great, and the Lord God of hosts was with him.
11Then Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, and cedar trees, and carpenters and masons. And they built David a house. 12So David knew that the Lord had established him as king over Israel, and that He had exalted His kingdom for the sake of His people Israel.
13And David took more concubines and wives from Jerusalem, after he had come from Hebron. Also more sons and daughters were born to David. 14Now these are the names of those who were born to him in Jerusalem: Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon, 15Ibhar, Elishua, Nepheg, Japhia, 16Elishama, Eliada, and Eliphelet.
17Now when the Philistines heard that they had anointed David king over Israel, all the Philistines went up to search for David. And David heard of it and went down to the stronghold. 18The Philistines also went and deployed themselves in the Valley of Rephaim.
20So David went to Baal Perazim, and David defeated them there; and he said, “The Lord has broken through my enemies before me, like a breakthrough of water.” Therefore he called the name of that place Baal Perazim. 21And they left their images there, and David and his men carried them away.
22Then the Philistines went up once again and deployed themselves in the Valley of Rephaim. 23Therefore David inquired of the Lord, and He said, “You shall not go up; circle around behind them, and come upon them in front of the mulberry trees. 24And it shall be, when you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the mulberry trees, then you shall advance quickly. For then the Lord will go out before you to strike the camp of the Philistines.” 25And David did so, as the Lord commanded him; and he drove back the Philistines from Geba as far as Gezer.
What does 2 Samuel chapter 5 mean?
David has been king of Judah for seven years. Now, the elders of the northern and eastern tribes are ready to accept him as king. Apparently, they had wanted David as their king for a while, but Saul's general Abner appointed Saul's son Ish-bosheth instead. Right before Abner was killed, he changed his mind and convinced the tribes to follow David. Shortly after, Ish-bosheth was murdered. David condemned the murders and honored both Abner and Ish-bosheth, endearing himself to the other tribes even more (2 Samuel 3—4).The people give three reasons for welcoming David as king: They are all related as the descendants of Abraham. David has proved himself in battle on their behalf against the Philistines. The Lord has declared that David would be their shepherd and leader. The elders make a covenant with David and anoint him as king over all Israel. David was thirty years old when he became king of Judah in Hebron. He's thirty-seven or thirty-eight when he becomes king of all Israel. In total, he'll be king for forty years (2 Samuel 5:1–5).
David decides to move his capital from Hebron to a more central location in Jebus. The Jebusites who have occupied the city since the time of Joshua mock David, saying that even the lame and blind could defeat him. Although Jebus is naturally well defended, David sends his men up through the water shaft to attack and defeat the "blind and lame" Jebusites and take the stronghold. David renames Jebus as Jerusalem, or Yaruwshalaim, meaning "teaching of peace." This place will also be known as "Zion" and "the city of David" (2 Samuel 5:6–9).
Second Samuel 5:10 marks a transition. From this point in the text until David's decline, the stories may not be recorded in strict chronological order. Second Samuel 5:9—10:19 recounts David's great deeds. Starting in 2 Samuel 11 with David's sins against Uriah and Bathsheba and continuing through his death, David makes poor choices, and his power wanes. But we don't know for sure where the stories fit between each other. As an example, Solomon is mentioned in 2 Samuel 5:15, but he won't be born until chapter 12.
Once David has Jerusalem, he expands the city, makes an international ally, builds a palace, and acquires a larger family, all because God is with him and wants to bless Israel (2 Samuel 5:11–16).
As David settles into his new capital, the Philistines attack, twice. In both cases, David "inquires of the Lord" and wins decisively (2 Samuel 5:17–25).
David's next goal is to retrieve the ark of the Covenant and make Jerusalem both the religious and political capital. Once the ark arrives, David realizes that while he has a grand house, the ark sits in a tent. David asks Nathan the prophet if he should build a temple. God has other plans. He promises that David's sons will rule Israel forever, but David's heir, Solomon, will build the temple (2 Samuel 6:1–15; 7:1–17).
Parts of 2 Samuel 5 are also recorded in 1 Chronicles 11:1–9 and 14:1–17. Second Samuel 23:13–17 (1 Chronicles 11:15–19) may give details to the battle in 2 Samuel 5:17–21.
