2 Samuel 5:6-25

6 1And the king and his men went to Jerusalem 2against 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."
7 Nevertheless, David took the stronghold of Zion, 3that is, the city of David.
8 And 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."
9 And David lived in the stronghold and called it 4the city of David. And David built the city all around from the 5Millo inward.
10 And David became greater and greater, for the LORD, the God of hosts, was with him.
11 6And 7Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, and cedar trees, also carpenters and masons who built David a house.
12 And 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.
13 And David took more 8concubines and wives from Jerusalem, after he came from Hebron, and more sons and daughters were born to David.
14 9And these are the names of those who were born to him in Jerusalem: Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon,
15 Ibhar, Elishua, Nepheg, Japhia,
16 Elishama, Eliada, and Eliphelet.

David Defeats the Philistines

17 When 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 10to the stronghold.
18 Now the Philistines had come and spread out in 11the Valley of Rephaim.
19 And David 12inquired 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."
20 And David came to Baal-perazim, and David defeated them there. And he said, "The LORD has burst through my enemies before me like a bursting flood."13Therefore the name of that place is called Baal-perazim.[a]
21 And the Philistines left their idols there, and David and his men carried them away.
22 And the Philistines came up yet again 14and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim.
23 15And 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.
24 And 16when you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, then rouse yourself, 17for then the LORD has gone out before you to strike down the army of the Philistines."
25 And David did as the LORD commanded him, and struck down the Philistines from Geba 18to Gezer.

2 Samuel 5:6-25 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO SECOND SAMUEL 5

In this chapter we have an account of all the tribes of Israel coming to Hebron, and anointing David king over them, 2Sa 5:1-5; of his expedition against the Jebusites in Jerusalem, and taking from them the strong hold of Zion, 2Sa 5:6-10; of his building an house for himself, and of his building up his family, by taking more wives and concubines, and having more children, whose names are given, 2Sa 5:11-16; and of an invasion of the land by the Philistines, and David's victory over them, 2Sa 5:17-25.

Cross References 18

  • 1. For ver. 6-10, see 1 Chronicles 11:4-9
  • 2. Judges 19:11; [Joshua 15:63; Judges 1:21]
  • 3. 2 Samuel 6:12, 16
  • 4. [See ver. 7 above]
  • 5. 1 Kings 9:15, 24; 1 Kings 11:27; 2 Kings 12:20; 2 Chronicles 32:5
  • 6. For ver. 11-25, see 1 Chronicles 14:1-16
  • 7. 1 Kings 5; 1 Kings 6
  • 8. [1 Chronicles 3:9]
  • 9. [1 Chronicles 3:5-8]
  • 10. 2 Samuel 23:14; 1 Samuel 22:4, 5
  • 11. ver. 22; 2 Samuel 23:13; Joshua 15:8; Joshua 18:16; [Joshua 17:15]
  • 12. See 2 Samuel 2:1
  • 13. Isaiah 28:21
  • 14. ver. 18
  • 15. See 1 Samuel 22:10
  • 16. [2 Kings 7:6]
  • 17. [Judges 4:14]
  • 18. Joshua 10:33

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. Baal-perazim means lord of bursting through
The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.