2 Samuel 5

7 Nevertheless, in spite of Jerusalem’s fortifications, David was able to capture it. Here Jerusalem is called the fortress of Zion.¹⁶ The “fortress” was the walled portion of the city. When David took up residence in Jerusalem he called it the City of David, a name still used in New Testament times (Luke 2:11).

8 In this verse, the writer describes the actual capture of the city. David’s men got inside the city by walking up through a water shaft, a secret tunnel that connected the city to a spring of water outside the walls. In the event the city was besieged, the tunnel enabled the residents to obtain water without being seen by their enemies. But David learned of the existence of this tunnel and used it to his own advantage. David returned the Jebusites’ taunt about the lame and the blind being able to defend their city, and the Jebusites thenceforth were derisively referred to as the blind and lame. Since the Jebusites were enemies of David, they were never allowed into David’s palace after it was built. They were, however, allowed to live in other parts of the city, even after it came under David’s control.

According to 1 Chronicles 11:6, just before attacking Jerusalem David told his men, “Whoever leads the attack . . . will become commander-in-chief.” Joab led the attack and thus officially became the commander of David’s army.

9–10 Along the steep slopes outside the city, supporting terraces had been constructed; David further built these up. And he became more and more powerful, because the Lord was with him (see 1 Samuel 16:13; 18:14; 2 Samuel 3:1). The Lord was the source of David’s growing power. But even as David’s power increased, he never forgot that it was the Lord who had established him as king (verse 12).

11–12 Hiram king of Tyre became a close ally of both David and his son Solomon. Tyre was an island seaport just off the Mediterranean coast north of Israel. Tyre depended on Israel for food, and Israel depended on Tyre for building materials and skilled craftsmen. These craftsmen built a palace for David¹⁷ and would later help build the temple in Jerusalem during Solomon’s reign.

13–16 These verses list eleven sons of David born to him after he began living in Jerusalem.¹⁸ These were in addition to the sons born to him in Hebron (2 Samuel 3:2–5). The first four sons listed here (verse 14) were born to David’s wife Bathsheba (1 Chronicles 3:5), whom we shall learn more about in 2 Samuel Chapter 11. Also, in 1 Chronicles 3:9, a daughter Tamar is mentioned (see 2 Samuel 13:122). In addition, David had concubines who bore him other children whose names we do not know. Certainly David was not pleasing God by taking so many wives and concubines (Deuteronomy 17:17).

David Defeats the Philistines (5:17–25)
(1 Chronicles 14:8–17)

17–21 During the seven years David ruled in Hebron, the Philistines had not worried about him; their interests were mainly in the northern part of Israel. But once David became king over all Israel, the Philistines realized that he would become a threat to them. So they came out to search for David. This probably happened before David captured Jerusalem, because when David heard about it, he went down to the desert stronghold where he had stayed during Saul’s time (1 Samuel 22:4).

David, as was his custom, inquired of the Lord before taking action (see 1 Samuel 23:1–6 and comment). The Lord said, “Go,” and promised David that He would hand the Philistines over to him (verse 19)—which He did. The site of the battle was called Baal Perazim, because there the (verses 22–23). This time the Lord gave Lord had broken out against David’s enemies¹⁹ (verse 20). As always, David attributed his victory to the Lord. The Philistines were in such a panic that they left their idols on the battlefield—idols they had brought with them to ensure their victory! The Israelites carried them off, and David gave orders to burn them (1 Chronicles 14:12).

22–25 Once again the Philistines gathered to attack David and his men, and once again David inquired of the LORD (verses 22–23). This time the Lord gave David a special plan of attack. The Lord doesn’t always give us exact copies of His previous plans; like David, we must always be ready for something new. This time the Lord told David to wait for the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees,²⁰ which would be the signal for him to attack. David followed the Lord’s instructions and defeated the Philistines, and the Philistines never threatened Israel again.