2 Samuel 5

David is anointed King over all Israel, vers.1,&c. The years of his reign at Hebron and Jerusalem, 4. He subdueth the strong hold of Zion, and dwelleth there, 6. Horam maketh a league with him, and sendeth him wood and work-men to build an house, 11. David taketh more wives, and getteth more children, 13. The Philistines march up against him, and are twice smitten by him, 17.]

1. Then all the tribes [Understand Ambassadours sent from all the tribes: see ver.3.] of Israel came to David to Hebron: and they spake, saying; Behold, we are thy bone, and thy flesh. [i.e. we are of one blood, both descended from the Patriarch Jacob, and consequently brethren: such a person God had commanded them to choose for their King, Deut.17.15. concerning the phrase, see Gen.29.on v.14.]

2. Besides, heretofore, [Heb. Yesterday, also ere yesterday,] when Saul was King over us, thou wast leading out, and bringing in Israel: [i.e. He that led the souldiers, and brought them off from the enemy, went every where before them, and had the chief command and managing of War, and in that respect, as an experienced Commander, is most for the Kingdom. See 1 Sam.18.5, 16. and compare Numb.27.on v.17.] Also the LORD said unto thee; [viz. At the time of thine anointing by Samuel, described 1 Sam.16. vers.11, 12, 13. Although these words be not there mentioned] thou shalt feet my people Israel, [i.e. govern them with such care, affection, and faithfulness, as a good shepheard (as thou art) leadeth, feedeth, governeth, taketh care of, and protecteth his sheep: see Psal.78.70, 71. and below chap.7.7.] and thou shalt be a Goer before [or, thou shalt be Leader, Duke, see above chap.6.21.] over Israel.

3. So all the Eldest of Israel [See Exod.3.16. and compare Lev.4.15.& 9.1.] came to the King to Hebron; and King David made league with them [whereby they were bound on both sides by oath to perform their duties to each other] at Hebron before the face of the LORD: [i.e. in the presence of the Priest clothed with the Ephod, or in a stately Assembly, and solemn meeting, with calling upon the Name of the Lord. Compare Juda.11.on ver.11.] and they anointed David King over Israel. [This was David’s third anointed. See above chap.2.on v.4.]

4. David was thirty years old, [Heb. A son of thirty year] when he was King: he reigned fourty year. [And six months, as appeareth from the following verse. Of such an use of a round and complete number, see Judg.11.on v.26. Others understand six months less then fourty years. But the verse following, and 1 King.2.11. (where the same years of David’s reign at Hebron are only mentioned without the six months) seem to import, that the six months of his reign at Hebron, are over and above the fourty years.]

5. At Hebron he reigned over Juda seven years, and six months; and at Jerusalem he reigned three and thirty years over all Israel and Juda.

6. And the King went [Without doubt by the advise and counsel of God, and with the consent and approbation of the Ambassadors and Eldest of Israel, that had been with him, vers.3.] with his men. [i.e. souldiers; as often in the former chapter is declared] to Jerusalem, [formerly called Jebus, Judg.19 10. and Salem, Gen.14.18. Psal.76.2, 3. being the place chosen by God, to set his Name there, and to erect the throne of the Kingdom over all Israel, belonging to Juda (David’s tribe) and Benjamin] against the Jebusites, [who hitherto had possession of Jerusalem, or at least of the greatest and strongest part thereof, to wit, of the strong hold, or castle. See Judg.1.on ver.8.and 19.on vers.12.] who dwelt in that land: and they spake unto David, saying; Thou shalt not come in hither, but the blind and cripple shall drive thee away, [to whose custody and protection (according to the opinion of some) they had committed the strong hold, to the spite and scorn or disgrace of David & had given the strong hold to keep, intimating thereby, that the place of it self was so firm and strong, that even cripple and blind persons were able to keep and defend it against David. Oth. Except thou take away, or, put away those blind and cripple ones: whereby some understand the idolatrous images of the Jabusites, whom they as Protectors entrusted with the keeping and guarding of the strong hold, calling them blind and cripple, according to the opinion of David and Israelites; but imagined, that they would find them otherwise then so Others understand by the blind and cripple the souldiers of David, whom they so upbraidingly reviled; as if they had said, They must be other kind of souldiers that must do it then thy men are] that is to say, David shall not come in hither.

7. But David took the strong hold of Zion, the same is the city of David. [See verse 9.& 1 King.2.on verse 10.]

8. For David said on that day; Whosoever smitteth the Jebusites, [Meaning, he that shall be the first and foremost in smiting the Jebusites: see 1 Chron.11.6.] and getteth up to that gutter, [or, channel, pipe, water-course, sluce; that is, within the strong hold, wherein this gutter, together with the blind add lame lay, or where the Idols were set up.] and (to) those cripple, and those blind (ones), that are hated of David’s soul, [Because of the scorn and contempt offered by the Jebusites, above verse 6. Or, it may be meant of the Idols of the Jebusites, whom David’s soul hated and abhorred. Oth. for the cripple and blind are hated of David’s soul. i.e. David loveth no lame and Blind people, but valiant and stout souldiers] (he shall be an head, and a Commander:) [These words are here inserted out of Chron.11 6. To fill up David’s speech or saying. Some conceive that it may be here so taken, as that the promise of reward may be concealed, as is most usual in swearing and otherwise] herefore its said: [i.e. in remembrance of this remarkable passage doth this Proverb remain] a blind and cripple (person) shall not come into the house. [Or, there is a blind and lame (one), i.e. there are blind and lame (ones) he shall not enter therein; That slout and jeer a careless person, or those who being proud and bragging of idle and vain help, find themselves deceived as the Jebusites did, in their boasting of the blind and cripple against David. Some are of opinion that it was concluded at that time for remembrance hereof, to suffer no blind and lame persons to come any more into the strong hold of Zion. Some conceive this to be the meaning, that they must be stout and valiant souldiers, that shall take or subdue a strong place.]

9. Thus David dwelt in the fort, and called that city, The City of David: And David built round about from Millo, [Of Millo, see 1 King.9.on verse 15.& Judg.9.on verse 6.] and inward. [And Joab built the rest, 1 Chron.11.8.]

10. Now David went on constantly, and became great: [Heb. Went going and growing great; i.e. grew from time to time the longer the stronger] For the LORD, the God of Host, [see 1 King.18.on verse 15.] was with him. [See Gen.21.on verse 22. And 26 on verse 24. Num.14.on vers.9.]

11. And Hiram [Heb. Chiram] the King of Tyrus Heb.Tsor: a very famous, mighty, royal, merchantable city, lying at and in the Sea by the Western borders of the tribe of Aser. See also Jos.19.on ver.19.] sent messengers to David, and cedar-wood, and carpenters, [Heb. masters, or, artificers of wood] and masons; [Heb. artificers, or, masters of stone of the wall, or, wall-stone] and they built David an house.

12. And David perceived, that the LORD had established him King over Israel: [i.e. He was by experience of Gods gracious blessing and assistance both in spiritual and corporal things, more and more strengthened, and assured to his calling to the Kingdom over Israel] and that he had exalted his Kingdom, for his people Israels sake. [i.e. for the good of his Church.]

13. And David took more concubines, [Of Concubines, see Gen.22.on verse 24.] and wives from Jerusalem, after that he was come from Hebron: and (there) were more sons and daughters born to David.

14. But these are the names of those that were born at Jerusalem; Schammua, [Called also Schima, 1 Chron.3.5.] and Schobab, and Nathan, and Salomo: [Heb. Schelomoh.]

15. And Ibchar, and Elischua, [Called also Elischuna, 1 Chron.3.6.] and Nepheg, and Japhia:

16. And Elischama, and Eljada, [Called also Beeliada, 1 Chron.14.7.] and Eliphelet.

17. Now when the Philistine heard, that they [viz. The Israelites] had anointed David King over Israel: then all the Philistines marched up to seek David: [i.e. To fall upon him betimes, as upon a dreadful and terrible enemy, and with united strength and power to smite him. Compare herewith the repetition of this passage, 1 Chron.14.8,&c.] and David hearing that, marched down, [viz. with his souldiers, forces] to the Fort. [To abide with his Camp by the fort, until he should have determined some certain thing upon a sure ground.]

18. And the Philistines came and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim. [Or, of the Giants. See Genes.14.on verse 5. This valley lay in Juda, Jos.15.8. or on the Northern borders of Juda, in Benjamin, Westward from Jerusalem.]

19. So David enquired of the LORD, [Compare 1 Sam.23.9. & 30.7. & 2 Sam.2. 1, &c.] Saying; shall I march up against the philistines? Wilt thou deliver them up into mine hand? and the LORD said unto David; March up, for I will surely deliver [Heb. giving give, or, delivering deliver] the Philistines into thine hand.

20. Then David came to Baal-Perasim; [Afterward so called by David, as in the following words is declared] and David smote them there, and said; The LORD hath rent mine enemies before my face, as a rent of water; [or, the LORD hath broken forth upon mine enemies, before my face, as a water-breach, or, incursion, breaking thorough of waters. The sense seemeth to be, that God by his power, and David’s service (1 Chron.14.11.) had fallen upon the Philistines, and overthrown them, as waters do with force and violence break thorough, and over-run all things, and cast them down: or as easily as water passeth away, or is divided and scattered, so easily hath God scattered the Philistines one from another] therefore he called the name of that place Baal-Perasim. [i.e. LORD, or, master, Possessour of rents, breaches, breakings thorough: i.e. the plain, or, even (ground) of rents, the place of rents]

21. And they [viz. The Philistines, who had taken their Idols along with them, imagining by their presence surely to get the victory] left their Idols [the Hebrew word signifieth pains, smarts, griefs, because these are the fruits of Idolatry, see 1 Sam.31.on ver.9.] there: And David and his men took them up, [to burn them with fire, according to David’s order, and Gods command, Deut.7.25. as expressly is mentioned, 1 Chron.14.12. Otherwise, burnt them, Let them ascend in the fire.]

22. After that the Philistines marched up again: [Heb. Added, or, went on again, or, more times to marched up.] and they spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim. [as before; see above v.18.]

23. And David enquired of the LORD, [See above on ver.19.] who said; Thou shalt not march up: (but) fetch a campass behind them, that thou mayest come upon them over against the Mulberry-trees.

24. And let it be, when thou hearest the sound of a going; [i.e. (as some understand it) a noise as it were of marching: whereby may be understood the presence of the holy Angels] in the tops of the Mulberry-trees, then bestir thyself: [get thee up with the souldiery, to fall upon the Philistines] for then is the LORD gone out: [see Judg 4.on ver.14.] before thy face, to smite the host of the Philistines.

25. And David did so, according as the LORD had commanded him: And he smote the Philitines from Geba, [Otherwise, ever called Gibea, Lying in Benjamin. See Judg.19.on verse 13. and 20.on verse 10. 1 Chron.14.16. Its called Gibeon] until thou come to Gezer. [Lying in Ephraim, in the West toward the sea: see Jos.16.10.]