2 Samuel 5:6-10

6 The king and his men marched to Jerusalem against the Jebusites^[a] who inhabited the land. The Jebusites had said to David: "You will never get in here. Even the blind and lame can repel you," thinking, "David can't get in here."

7 Yet David did capture the stronghold of Zion, the city of David.

8 He said that day, "Whoever attacks the Jebusites must go through the water shaft to reach the lame and the blind who are despised by David."^[b] For this reason it is said, "The blind and the lame will never enter the house."^[c]

9 David took up residence in the stronghold, which he named the city of David.^[d] He built it up all the way around from the supporting terraces inward.^[e]

10 David became more and more powerful,^[f] and the Lord God of Hosts was with him.^[g]

2 Samuel 5:6-10 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.

Footnotes

• [a] Jos 15:63; Jdg 1:21
• [b] Alt Hb tradition, LXX, Tg, Syr read who despise David
• [c] Or temple, or palace
• [d] Nm 32:41-42
• [e] 1 Ch 11:4-8
• [f] 2 Sm 3:1
• [g] 1 Ch 11:9