2 Samuel Chapter 5
2 Samuel 5:1-3 — The elders of Israel recognize David as king over Israel
“Then all the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron and spoke, saying, ‘Indeed we are your bone and your flesh. Also, 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.”’ 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.”
After years of division and civil war, all the tribes of Israel came to David in Hebron to unite under his rule. Until this moment, only Judah had recognized David as king, while the other tribes had followed Saul’s son, Ishbosheth. With Ishbosheth’s death, the way was open for the entire nation to finally submit to the man whom God had chosen. The unity did not come through human politics but through divine providence. It was the Lord who had decreed that David would shepherd His people Israel, and the time had now come for that promise to be fulfilled.
The statement, “Indeed we are your bone and your flesh,” signifies the recognition of kinship and shared identity. The elders were affirming that David was not a foreign ruler but one of their own, bound to them by blood and covenant. This was particularly meaningful since David had spent time living among the Philistines, and his return marked a restoration of trust and unity among God’s people. They were acknowledging that despite David’s time away, he was still an Israelite in both heritage and heart.
The elders further recognized that David had already functioned as Israel’s true leader even during Saul’s reign, saying, “You were the one who led Israel out and brought them in.” This refers to his leadership in battle and his success as a commander who had brought deliverance to Israel time and again. David’s track record of faithfulness, courage, and wisdom had already proven him capable long before he ever wore the crown. In contrast, Saul’s leadership had been marked by insecurity, disobedience, and spiritual decline.
Most importantly, they acknowledged that David’s kingship was not merely a human appointment but a divine calling. The elders quoted the word of the Lord: “You shall shepherd My people Israel, and be ruler over Israel.” The imagery of a shepherd emphasizes David’s role as a caretaker, protector, and guide. The term “ruler” points to his God-given authority to govern with justice and righteousness. A true leader in God’s sight must possess three essential qualities: he must belong to God’s people in both heritage and heart, he must demonstrate the ability to lead effectively, and he must have an evident calling from God Himself. David embodied all three.
When the elders saw these qualities in David, they received his leadership willingly and joyfully. The text says, “King David made a covenant with them at Hebron before the LORD,” showing that this union between king and nation was solemnized before God. It was not merely a political arrangement but a spiritual covenant, binding both the ruler and the people to mutual faithfulness under the authority of the Lord. Afterward, “they anointed David king over Israel,” marking the third and final anointing in David’s life — first by Samuel in secret (1 Samuel 16), then by Judah (2 Samuel 2), and now by all Israel. This triple anointing symbolized divine confirmation, popular acceptance, and the fulfillment of God’s purpose.
The parallel account in 1 Chronicles 12:23-40 gives additional insight into this great moment. Over 340,000 soldiers gathered in Hebron to honor David and confirm his reign, a visible testimony of Israel’s unity under God’s chosen king. The Chronicler writes, “All these men of war, who could keep ranks, came to Hebron with a loyal heart, to make David king over all Israel; and all the rest of Israel were of one mind to make David king. And they were there with David three days, eating and drinking, for their brethren had prepared for them… for there was joy in Israel.” The phrase “of one mind” reveals that the Spirit of God had brought harmony and purpose among the tribes. What had once been a divided nation was now united under a single, God-appointed leader.
This event prefigures the future Messianic reign of Jesus Christ, the greater Son of David. Just as Israel’s tribes came to David to recognize him as their rightful king, so one day all nations will acknowledge Christ as the King of kings and Lord of lords. The unity of Israel under David’s shepherd-kingship points to the coming kingdom when Christ will rule in righteousness and peace. For now, it reminds believers to willingly submit to God’s chosen King, not only when all other options have failed, but because He alone is worthy of our allegiance and obedience.
2 Samuel 5:4–5 — The duration of David’s reign
“David was thirty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned forty years. In Hebron he reigned over Judah seven years and six months, and in Jerusalem he reigned thirty-three years over all Israel and Judah.”
David ascended to the throne at the age of thirty, marking the culmination of a long season of testing, preparation, and endurance. From the time Samuel anointed him as a young shepherd boy, approximately fifteen years had passed. Those years were not wasted, for God was shaping David through hardship, rejection, and warfare to become a man after His own heart and a king who would rule according to divine wisdom. The Lord often prepares His servants through years of discipline and dependence before granting them the position or authority to which He has called them. Just as Moses spent forty years in the wilderness before leading Israel, and just as Joseph endured thirteen years of slavery and imprisonment before ruling in Egypt, David’s time of waiting produced humility, courage, and faith.
David’s reign lasted a total of forty years, divided between Hebron and Jerusalem. He ruled over Judah alone for seven years and six months in Hebron, and then over all Israel and Judah for thirty-three years in Jerusalem. The number forty often symbolizes a period of testing or divine fulfillment in Scripture. Israel wandered forty years in the wilderness, Moses spent forty days on Mount Sinai, and Jesus fasted forty days in the wilderness. Thus, David’s forty-year reign stands as a full, complete season of God’s purpose being accomplished in Israel’s monarchy. His leadership united the divided tribes, established Jerusalem as the political and spiritual capital, and foreshadowed the coming reign of the Messiah, the greater Son of David.
The span of David’s reign reminds us that long preparation for a divine task is never wasted. God molds character before He entrusts responsibility. The fifteen years of obscurity and exile produced a king who would depend upon the Lord, not upon himself. In the same way, believers must understand that spiritual maturity takes time, and that every season of waiting, hardship, or endurance serves to refine the heart for God’s greater purpose.
2 Samuel 5:6–8 — The capture of Jerusalem
“And 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.’ Nevertheless David took the stronghold of Zion (that is, the City of David). Now David said on that day, ‘Whoever climbs up by way of the water shaft and defeats the Jebusites (the lame and the blind, who are hated by David’s soul), he shall be chief and captain.’ Therefore they say, ‘The blind and the lame shall not come into the house.’”
After uniting all Israel under his rule, David immediately sought to establish a new capital that would symbolize both unity and divine sovereignty. He set his eyes upon Jerusalem, a stronghold that had remained under Jebusite control for nearly four centuries since the conquest under Joshua. Despite being located in the very heart of Israel, Jerusalem had never been fully possessed by God’s people, standing as a symbol of unfinished obedience. David, guided by the Spirit, determined to claim it for the Lord and for His kingdom.
The Jebusites mocked David’s attempt, saying, “You shall not come in here; but the blind and the lame will repel you.” This was an arrogant boast implying that the city was so secure that even its weakest defenders could hold it against any attack. Jerusalem’s position on high, with steep valleys surrounding much of it, made it naturally fortified. Yet their overconfidence became their downfall. Scripture says, “Nevertheless David took the stronghold of Zion.” What man deems unconquerable, God can easily overthrow.
The passage mentions a “water shaft,” suggesting the tactical ingenuity by which David’s men entered the city. Many scholars identify this as “Warren’s Shaft,” a vertical tunnel connected to the Gihon Spring, allowing access from inside the city. It is possible that David’s men scaled this shaft and surprised the Jebusite defenders. Regardless of the exact method, the victory demonstrated both courage and divine favor. David renamed the conquered fortress “Zion,” and it became known thereafter as “the City of David.”
Spiritually, this conquest holds deep significance. The Jebusites’ mockery symbolizes the arrogance of the flesh, the strongholds of sin that defy God’s rule in the human heart. When Christ becomes King in a person’s life, He lays claim to every fortress that resists Him. Old habits, sins, and patterns that once seemed impossible to overcome fall before the power of His Spirit. As Alan Redpath wrote, “There is no habit that has gone so deep but that the power of the blood of Jesus can go deeper, and there is no entrenchment of sin that has gone so far but the power of the risen Lord, by His Holy Spirit, can go further.”
Thus, just as David captured Zion and made it his dwelling place, so Christ seeks to rule from the very center of our hearts. The stronghold that once resisted becomes His throne. From that place of victory, He governs the whole of our lives, uniting every divided part under His lordship.
2 Samuel 5:9–10 — Jerusalem is David’s new capital city
“Then David dwelt in the stronghold, and called it the City of David. And David built all around from the Millo and inward. So David went on and became great, and the LORD God of hosts was with him.”
After conquering Jerusalem, David established his residence within the stronghold and named it the City of David. This act marked the official transition of Jerusalem into the political and spiritual capital of Israel. The choice of Jerusalem was both wise and inspired. Geographically, the city was ideally located on a high ridge surrounded by valleys, making it naturally defensible against invaders. It also occupied a neutral position among the tribes of Israel, without prior association to any single tribe. This neutrality made it the perfect center for uniting the entire nation under one monarchy. By choosing Jerusalem, David displayed strategic foresight as both a military commander and a statesman.
David also began fortifying and expanding the city, “building all around from the Millo and inward.” The term “Millo” likely refers to terraces or ramparts constructed for reinforcement, forming part of the fortifications of ancient Jerusalem. Through this effort, David transformed the once small Jebusite fortress into a powerful capital. His construction projects and defensive works would later pave the way for the magnificent temple and city built by his son Solomon.
The text then states, “So David went on and became great, and the LORD God of hosts was with him.” David’s rise to greatness was not the result of human power or worldly ambition, but of divine presence and favor. The title “LORD God of hosts” underscores God’s sovereign command over all angelic and earthly armies. David’s strength and prosperity flowed from his relationship with the Almighty, not from his own abilities. This statement encapsulates a profound spiritual truth: true greatness is never self-made, but God-made.
David’s greatness came through years of testing, humility, and dependence upon God. His earlier trials — exile, rejection, and persecution — had refined him for this moment. God’s process of shaping His servants often includes deep valleys of affliction before the mountain of success. The believer who desires to be used greatly by God must be prepared to endure the hidden price of greatness. David’s greatness was therefore not instant or effortless; it was the result of faithfulness under fire, and of walking closely with the Lord through every season.
2 Samuel 5:11–12 — David’s palace and greatness
“Then Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, and cedar trees, and carpenters and masons. And they built David a house. So 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.”
The next stage in David’s reign was marked by peace and prosperity. Hiram, the king of Tyre, a wealthy Phoenician port city to the north, sent materials and craftsmen to build David a house. The use of “cedar trees” from Lebanon was significant — cedar was considered a luxury material known for its strength, fragrance, and durability. This alliance with Hiram not only demonstrated David’s growing influence among foreign nations but also reflected his skill in diplomacy and statecraft. David was not merely a warrior; he was a builder, a unifier, and a king whose reign inspired honor and cooperation even from Gentile nations.
The construction of a royal palace in Jerusalem symbolized the stability of David’s throne. For years, David had lived in caves, tents, and wilderness refuges. Now, as God’s chosen king, he dwelt in a house built through the resources and recognition of surrounding nations. This represented the transition from struggle to establishment — from promise to fulfillment.
The text then reveals David’s spiritual understanding of his success: “So David knew that the LORD had established him as king over Israel.” David recognized that his position was not self-earned but divinely appointed. Unlike Saul, who had grown proud and self-reliant, David understood that his kingship rested entirely upon the will and favor of God.
He also knew that “He had exalted His kingdom.” The kingdom was not David’s possession; it was God’s kingdom entrusted to his stewardship. This awareness kept David humble, reminding him that every triumph belonged to the Lord. In addition, David grasped that God’s exaltation of his throne was “for the sake of His people Israel.” David’s calling was not for personal comfort or self-promotion, but for the blessing of the nation. His reign was to serve as a channel through which God’s purposes would be accomplished among His people.
Every godly leader should understand these same three truths that anchored David’s heart:
God’s calling establishes leadership. A man’s authority is valid only if it originates from God’s will.
God’s kingdom is supreme. The leader governs not for personal power but as a steward of what belongs to the Lord.
God’s people are the purpose. Leadership exists for service — to bless, guide, and protect those entrusted to one’s care.
David’s recognition of these truths preserved him from the pride and corruption that destroyed Saul. His reign, founded upon humility and obedience, foreshadowed the perfect kingship of Christ, the Son of David, who reigns not for His own glory but for the redemption and blessing of His people.
2 Samuel 5:13–16 — David’s many wives
“And David took more concubines and wives from Jerusalem, after he had come from Hebron. Also more sons and daughters were born to David. Now these are the names of those who were born to him in Jerusalem: Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon, Ibhar, Elishua, Nepheg, Japhia, Elishama, Eliada, and Eliphelet.”
After establishing his throne in Jerusalem, David’s power and wealth increased, and with it came compromise. The text records that David “took more concubines and wives from Jerusalem.” Though such behavior was common among kings in the ancient Near East, it was a direct violation of God’s command in Deuteronomy 17:17, which declares, “Neither shall he multiply wives for himself, lest his heart turn away.” God’s standard for kingship was clear: Israel’s ruler was to lead in righteousness and obedience, not in imitation of the pagan nations.
David’s decision to take multiple wives was not an act of moral weakness in isolation; it represented a spiritual compromise that would sow seeds of discord and tragedy in his household. What appeared to the world as royal success was in truth the beginning of a slow spiritual erosion. Scripture often reminds us that sin’s consequences may not be immediate but are always inevitable. The many wives and children that seemed to testify of divine favor would later bring bitter sorrow — including the rebellion of Absalom, the rape of Tamar, and the death of Amnon. David’s divided household reflected the divided affections of his heart.
The mention of the sons born to David in Jerusalem — Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon, Ibhar, Elishua, Nepheg, Japhia, Elishama, Eliada, and Eliphelet — includes two names of great significance. Nathan would later be an ancestor of Mary through whom Christ’s human lineage would come (Luke 3:31), while Solomon would continue the royal line through which the Messiah’s legal descent came (Matthew 1:6). Even amidst David’s disobedience, God’s sovereign grace was at work, bringing forth the lineage through which the Redeemer would be born. This is a striking testimony of God’s mercy — that He can bring eternal good even out of human failure.
Yet the moral lesson stands firm: success and prosperity often present a greater spiritual danger than hardship. David handled persecution and adversity with faith, but success brought complacency and compromise. This pattern warns every believer that the greatest tests of faith often come not in the valley of affliction but on the mountain of blessing. When everything seems secure, the heart must be guarded most carefully.
2 Samuel 5:17–19 — David defeats Israel’s old enemies
“Now 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. The Philistines also went and deployed themselves in the Valley of Rephaim. So David inquired of the LORD, saying, ‘Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will You deliver them into my hand?’ And the LORD said to David, ‘Go up, for I will doubtless deliver the Philistines into your hand.’”
When word spread that David had been anointed king over all Israel, the Philistines immediately moved to attack. For years, they had sought to suppress Israel’s rise, and David’s unification of the tribes posed a serious threat to their dominance. David’s exaltation by God invited renewed opposition from Israel’s long-standing enemies. This illustrates a timeless truth: whenever God raises a man or woman to new levels of spiritual influence or blessing, the adversary intensifies his attacks. Spiritual advancement brings spiritual warfare.
The Philistines deployed their forces in the Valley of Rephaim, a broad plain southwest of Jerusalem. Their goal was to strike swiftly before David could consolidate his new power. Yet David did not rely on his military experience or his recent success. Instead, he “inquired of the LORD.” This phrase is key to David’s character. Unlike Saul, who often acted impulsively without divine counsel, David sought the Lord’s guidance in battle. His humility and dependence upon God distinguished him as a man after God’s own heart.
David’s inquiry was direct and reverent: “Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will You deliver them into my hand?” He did not presume upon victory, though he was a seasoned warrior. He sought God’s will before taking action. The Lord answered clearly, “Go up, for I will doubtless deliver the Philistines into your hand.” With this divine assurance, David was reminded that success in battle depended not on his strength or strategy but on the power and presence of God.
This encounter provides a valuable principle for believers: every victory must begin with submission to God’s direction. Many fail in spiritual battles because they act before they ask. David’s habit of seeking the Lord in prayer and trusting His promises became the foundation of his victories. His example demonstrates that reliance upon God, even in familiar situations, is the mark of true wisdom.
Spiritually, the Philistines represent the persistent enemies of the believer — the flesh, the world, and the devil — that always seek to rise again when the heart is set on following Christ. The only path to victory is continual dependence upon the Lord. Just as David sought God’s will before drawing his sword, so the Christian must seek God’s wisdom before engaging in any battle, knowing that it is “not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.” (Zechariah 4:6)
2 Samuel 5:20–21 — David defeats the Philistines at Baal Perazim
“So 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. And they left their images there, and David and his men carried them away.”
After seeking the Lord’s counsel and receiving His assurance of victory, David marched against the Philistines at Baal Perazim, which means “Lord of Breakthroughs.” The name commemorates the mighty deliverance of God, who “broke through” the Philistine ranks as a flood of unstoppable power. David acknowledged that it was not his own strategy or military strength that brought success but the direct intervention of the Lord. He said, “The LORD has broken through my enemies before me, like a breakthrough of water.” The simile conveys the image of a surging torrent bursting through barriers, symbolizing how decisively and powerfully God overwhelmed the opposition.
The victory at Baal Perazim demonstrated David’s humility and dependence upon God even in triumph. Many leaders, after success, are tempted to exalt themselves; David exalted the Lord instead. He knew that God’s power was the true cause of every victory, and he gave Him the glory due His name.
The Philistines, believing their idols would grant them victory, had brought their images to the battlefield. Their defeat proved the futility of trusting in false gods. The text records, “They left their images there, and David and his men carried them away.” According to 1 Chronicles 14:12, David later burned these idols, showing his zeal for the purity of Israel’s worship. The defeat of the Philistine gods by the living God was a visible testimony that the Lord alone is sovereign. When David obeyed and honored God, the Lord demonstrated His supremacy over every rival power.
Spiritually, the “breakthrough of water” mirrors the work of God in the believer’s life. When the Lord moves in power, He can break through the hardest resistance — whether sin, fear, or opposition — and sweep away every obstacle before Him. What the enemy fortifies, God can dissolve in an instant. As Isaiah declares, “When the enemy comes in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD will lift up a standard against him.” (Isaiah 59:19)
2 Samuel 5:22–25 — David defeats the Philistines at the Valley of Rephaim
“Then the Philistines went up once again and deployed themselves in the Valley of Rephaim. Therefore 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. And 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.’ And David did so, as the LORD commanded him; and he drove back the Philistines from Geba as far as Gezer.”
Following their defeat at Baal Perazim, the Philistines regrouped and returned to the Valley of Rephaim, determined to strike again. The repetition of the attack serves as a reminder that spiritual enemies rarely give up after one defeat. Just as Satan departed from Jesus “for a season” (Luke 4:13), so too does the adversary often return to test the steadfastness of God’s people.
David’s response to this renewed threat revealed the wisdom of a man after God’s heart: “Therefore David inquired of the LORD.” He did not presume that the previous strategy would work again. Many would have said, “We’ve fought this battle before, and we know what to do,” but David understood that every battle, even against the same enemy, requires fresh dependence upon divine guidance. God’s methods are never mechanical, and victory is never guaranteed apart from His direction.
The Lord’s instruction was unexpected: “You shall not go up; circle around behind them, and come upon them in front of the mulberry trees.” The strategy was one of patience and stealth rather than immediate confrontation. God was teaching David to wait for His signal, emphasizing that victory comes not through human initiative but through divine timing.
Then God gave David a remarkable sign: “And 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.” The “sound of marching” symbolized the invisible movement of the heavenly host — the armies of God going forth to battle. The rabbis suggested that the rustling of the leaves was caused by angelic footsteps. Charles Spurgeon beautifully reflected on this image, saying that the rustling of the mulberry trees was like “the footsteps of angels walking along the tops of the trees,” a heavenly indication that the Lord Himself was leading the charge.
David’s obedience was immediate: “And David did so, as the LORD commanded him.” He waited for the divine signal, then advanced swiftly in faith. The result was complete victory: “He drove back the Philistines from Geba as far as Gezer.” This battle confirmed once again that the key to triumph was not human strength but prompt obedience to the revealed will of God.
This passage provides profound spiritual application. Just as David waited for the sound in the mulberry trees before acting, believers must learn to discern the movement of God’s Spirit and act in step with Him. When God stirs, the proper response is to bestir ourselves — to awaken to prayer, to action, and to faith. The King James Version renders it, “When thou hearest the sound of a going in the tops of the mulberry trees, that then thou shalt bestir thyself.” Spurgeon noted the significance of this phrase, saying, “It does not say, stir others, but bestir thyself.” The work of God should first awaken us personally to renewed devotion and spiritual zeal.
The rustling in the trees also symbolizes those divine stirrings that come through conviction, revival, or crisis. When God begins to move — in our hearts, our churches, or our circumstances — it is time to act, pray, repent, and serve with renewed energy. To delay when the Spirit moves is to miss the moment of blessing.
Thus, David’s double victory over the Philistines — first at Baal Perazim and then at Rephaim — reveals two essential principles of godly warfare: first, that triumph belongs to those who give God the glory for every breakthrough, and second, that true wisdom lies in continual dependence upon divine guidance. God may change His methods, but His faithfulness never changes. When the Lord “goes out before” His people, no enemy can stand against them.
