2 Samuel 5

1. Then came all the tribes, etc. The following narratives should be compared throughout with those in 1 Chron. from ch. xi. A list of the tribes is given in 1 Chron. xii. 23-40.

3 a league. Or, “covenant” (R.V.). The kings of Israel were not absolute monarchs (see 1 Sam. x. 25; 1 Kings xii.); but whilst subject to the Divine laws, they were also bound by conditions agreed upon between them and the people.

they anointed David. For the third time: see on ii. 4. This anointing confirmed him as king of Israel as well as of Judah.

6. Except thou take away the blind and the lame. The whole passage (6-8) is very difficult, perhaps due to errors in copying. The words of the Jebusites appear to be a contemptuous boast that the most disabled part of the inhabitants were sufficient to repel David’s assault on the fortress. The lower city had been early captured, though probably not long retained (see Judges i. 8, 21; xix. 10); for the fort of Zion, which was the highest part, had defied all the power of Israel, and was reckoned almost impregnable.

9 (the) Millo. See Judges ix. 6. Millo was “the citadel,” or “keep,” built where the fortress most needed to be strengthened: cp. 1 Kings xi. 27 (“the stronghold,” R.V.).

11. And Hiram king of Tyre, etc. The Israelites appear to have made little progress, up to this time, in the constructive arts; but their Tyrian neighbours greatly excelled in all branches of commercial and manufacturing industry; and to them a friendly intercourse with the interior was at all times of great importance: see Acts xii. 20. Tyre was a great commercial city on the sea-coast north of Palestine, about one hundred miles from Jerusalem. Its inhabitants were not of the “devoted” nations, nor at enmity with the Israelites.

13 sons and daughters. David had in all nineteen sons; his daughters are not named (except Tamar), as they were not concerned in state affairs, nor were their names entered in the national records.

16. Eliada. Or, “Beeliada” (1 Chron. xiv. 7).

18. Rephaim. See note on Josh. xv. 8.

19. Shall I go up to the Philistines? David’s frequent inquiries of the Lord present a striking contrast to the conduct of his predecessor.

20 hath broken forth upon mine enemies. “Hath broken mine enemies” (R.V.).

21 they left their images. The small tutelary gods which the soldiers carried with them as protectors in battle.

burned. Heb., “took them away” (R.V.).

23 mulberry trees. A species of balsam or of pear. Heb., bâkd.

25. Gazer. Elsewhere spelt “Gezer.”