2 Samuel 5
Bob Utley · You Can Understand the Bible
2 Samuel 5
NJB (MT versing) David King Over All Israel David Reigns Over All Israel David Becomes King of All Israel and Judah David Becomes King of Israel and Judah David Is Anointed King of Israel 5:1-5 5:1-5 5:1-5 5:1-5 5:1-5 The Conquest of Jerusalem David Captures Jerusalem and Makes It His Capital The Capture of Jerusalem 5:6-10 5:6-10 5:6-10 5:6-7 5:6-10 5:8 5:9-10 5:11-12 5:11-16 5:11-12 5:11-12 5:11-12 The Sons Born to David in Jerusalem 5:13-16 5:13-16 5:13-16 5:13-16 War with The Philistines The Philistines Defeated War with the Philistines Victory Over the Philistines Victory Over the Philistines 5:17-21 5:17-21 5:17-21 5:17-19 5:17-21 5:20-21 5:22-25 5:22-25 5:22-25 5:22-25 5:22-25 Etc.
2 Samuel 5:1-5
5:1 "all the tribes of Israel" Israel is the new name given to Jacob in Gen. 32:22-32. It came to be a collective title for his sons (i.e., tribes). Josephus, Antiq. 7.2.2, gives a list of the numbers of fighting men from each tribe that came to the coronation (cf. 1 Chr. 12:23-40). SPECIAL TOPIC: ISRAEL (THE NAME) 5:1-2 There are three reasons given why David should be king of the united tribes. He was their relative, v. 1 (for other uses of this idiom, see Gen. 2:23; 29:14; Jdgs. 9:2; 2 Sam. 19:12-13) He was a successful military leader under Saul (cf. 1 Samuel 18), v. 2 (lit. "lead out and in") He was the Lord's choice (cf. 1 Sam. 16:13; 2 Samuel 7), v. 2 5:2 "Previously" NKJV, Peshitta "in time past" "for some time" TEV, REB "in the past" "in days past" "long before now" "yesterday and the third day" The LXX follows the MT's idiom of "in times past" (cf. 2 Sam. 3:17; i.e., the recent history, not ancient history). ▣ "You will shepherd My people Israel" This is powerful imagery used of YHWH, Himself's, presence, care, and provision. Moses acted like a shepherd, Num. 27:17 David was a shepherd when Samuel called and anointed him (cf. 2 Sam. 7:8) YHWH is characterized as a shepherd in Psalm 23; 78:52; 80:1; Isa. 40:11 the Messiah is described by this imagery in John 10:1; 1 Pet. 2:25 (wounded in Zechariah 13) ▣ NASB, NKJV, NRSV, TEV, JPSOA, LXX, Peshitta "a ruler" "leader" "prince" This NOUN (BDB 617) is defined as "what is conspicuous," "in front." It has the connotation of a divinely "chosen leader." Saul ‒ 1 Sam. 9:16; 10:1 David ‒ 1 Sam. 13:14; 25:30; 2 Sam. 6:21 Solomon ‒ 1 Chr. 29:22 5:3 "the elders" See SPECIAL TOPIC: ELDERS. ▣ "covenant" The added phrase "before the Lord," shows the covenant involved YHWH, not just David. SPECIAL TOPIC: COVENANT ▣ "they anointed David" This was the third anointing. one by Samuel in Bethlehem before his family, 1 Sam. 16:13 one in Hebron before Judah by the men of Judah, 2 Sam. 2:4 finally in Hebron by all of Israel, 2 Sam. 5:3 SPECIAL TOPIC: "ANOINTING" IN THE BIBLE 5:4-5 This is a standard summary statement of a covenant king. It occurs many times in 1 and 2 Kings. 5:4 "forty" See SPECIAL TOPIC: SYMBOLIC NUMBERS IN SCRIPTURE, #7.
2 Samuel 5:6-10
5:6 "Jerusalem" Apparently the city was divided into two halves, a lower city probably on Mt. Moriah and an upper fortress on Mt. Zion. The lower city fell to Joshua and was burned although it was never occupied by the Hebrews, cf. Josh. 11:3; 15:63; Jdgs. 1:8,21. This city wa a natural fortress and was located between the borders of Ephraim and Benjamin, therefore, it made a perfect site for the capital of Israel. This city goes by several names in this chapter. Jerusalem the stronghold of Zion (for "Zion" see NIDOTTE, vol. 4, pp. 1314-1321) the city of David, vv. 7,9 SPECIAL TOPIC: MORIAH, SALEM, JEBUS, ZION, JERUSALEM ▣ "Jebusites" See SPECIAL TOPIC: PRE-ISRAELITE INHABITANTS OF PALESTINE. ▣ "the blind and lame" This may be an ANE curse idiom. See IVP Bible Background Commentary (OT), p. 327. 5:8 NASB, NKJV, LXX "who are hated by David's soul" "those whom David hates" "David hated them with his whole being" "David's bitter enemies" "who are hateful to David" "he is a hater of David's soul" The MT supports those "who hated the soul of David" (BDB 971, KB 1338, Qal PERFECT). However, the Masoretic scholars (and DSS) suggested a change to those "who are hated by David's soul" (Qere, Qal PASSIVE PARTICIPLE). The UBS Text Project, p. 218, gives the MT a "B" rating (some doubt). ▣ "through the water tunnel" David avoided a prolonged siege or frontal attack by moving his men through the water tunnel that supplied the city with water. However, it must be stated the word "water tunnel" is rare and the meaning uncertain. BDB suggests "pipe," "spout," "conduit." The parallel in 1 Chronicles does not have this word. ▣ "The blind or lame shall not come into the house" The JPSOA capitalizes "House," which makes it refer to the temple. This is an editorial addition to explain a later practice (i.e., Lev. 21:17-23). 5:9 David fortified the city by expanding and raising its walls. ▣ "Millo" This (BDB 571) may refer to the repair of the terraces by "filling in" the dirt (cf. 2 Sam.5:9; 1 Kgs. 9:15,24; 11:27; 2 Chr. 32:5). The Millo may have supported the foundations of David's palace on the hill called "Zion." 5:10 This is a theological statement like 2 Sam. 3:1. David's success was due to YHWH's presence and plan (i.e., "the Lord was with him," cf. 1 Sam. 16:18; 18:12,14). SPECIAL TOPIC: YHWH'S ETERNAL REDEMPTIVE PLAN ▣ "the Lord God of hosts" The LXX and DSS do not have "God" in this title. SPECIAL TOPIC: NAMES FOR DEITY, D. SPECIAL TOPIC: Lord OF HOSTS
2 Samuel 5:11-12
5:11 This is the first mention of Hiram, King of Tyre. Tyre was the coastal nation north of Israel (i.e., Phoenicia). The following is my note from 1 Chr. 14:1: 1 Chr. 14:1 "Hiram king of Tyre" This was the king of Phoenicia from 969-936 b.c. (Albright). He provided materials and artisans for David's palace ‒ here; 2 Sam. 5:11 Solomon's palace ‒ 1 Kgs. 9:1,10 Solomon's Temple ‒ 1 Kings 5; 9:10-14 Josephus also gives information about Hiram (cf. Antiq. 7.3.3; 7.12.4; 8.6.6,7,9). His name is spelled several different ways. Hiram ‒ 2 Sam. 5:11; 1 Kgs. 5:1ff; 9:11 Hirom ‒ 1 Kgs. 5:10,18; Josephus Huram ‒ 2 Chr. 2:3,11 Because most of Hiram's activities occur in Solomon's reign, some scholars put David's palace construction late in his reign (i.e., Expositor's Bible Commentary, vol. 4, p. 382). We must just admit we have no good extra-biblical, historical information about Hiram. The Chronicles obviously are not a chronologically based history but a theologically based reconstruction. ▣ "cedar" See NIDOTTE, vol. 1, pp. 510-511 and UBS, Fauna and Flora of the Bible, p. 108.
2 Samuel 5:13-16
5:13-16 David adds eleven more wives, which was a sign of wealth and success political alliances We are not given their mother's names or nationalities, like we were in 2 Sam. 3:2-5. These wives were visible evidence of the statement in 2 Sam. 5:10. 5:13 "concubines" Roland deVaux, Ancient Israel, gives the options for this term's usage. slaves, pp. 83,86 royal, pp. 115-117 inheritance, pp. 53-54 See NIDOTTE, vol. 3, pp. 618-619. 5:15 NASB, NKJV, NRSV, TEV, NJB, REV, JPSOA, Peshitta "Eliada" "Baalimath" The MT has "Eliada" (BDB 45) but the 1 Chr. 14:7 parallel has "Beeliada," while 1 Chr. 3:8 has "Eliada." The UBS Text Project, pp. 218-219, thinks the name originally had "Baal" at the beginning, like Ishbaal and Meribbaal, but it was changed by later Jewish scribes to Eliada (i.e., "Baal" to "El") for theological purposes. It seemed improper to later scribes for David's child to have Baal in his name. Originally Baal was used for YHWH.
2 Samuel 5:17-21
5:17 The problems with the Philistines continue (cf. v, 22). Another sign of YHWH's presence will be their defeat! ▣ "the stronghold" This NOUN (BDB 845 II) has the ARTICLE, which may make it refer to the fortress at Jerusalem. However, some scholars think it refers to a fortified position near Adullum (cf. 1 Sam. 22:1,4-5; 24:22; 2 Sam. 23:13-14), which was southwest of Jerusalem about 15 miles. It was close to the Philistine area. 5:18,22 "the valley of Rephaim" This valley is close to Jerusalem (cf. Josh. 15:8; 18:16), not the Baqa Valley, which was known by the same name but was far to the north on the east side of Jordan. 5:19 "David inquired of the Lord" This was a common practice of David. He wanted to follow YHWH's plan and desires (cf. 1 Sam. 23:2,4,6,9-12; 30:8; 2 Sam. 2:1; 5:19,23). This was done by means of the High Priest casting the Urim and Thummim. SPECIAL TOPIC: URIM AND THUMMIM ▣ "the Lord said to David" This was not verbal revelation but the use of the lots of the ephod of the High Priest. Qal IMPERATIVE, "go up" INFINITIVE ABSOLUTE and IMPERFECT VERB of the same root (BDB 678, KB 733, "I will certainly give the Philistines into your hand" SPECIAL TOPIC: URIM AND THUMMIM SPECIAL TOPIC: EPHOD 5:20 "he named that place Baal-perazim" The name (BDB 128) is explained in the parallel in 1 Chr. 14:11 (i.e., "God has broken through my enemies by my hand, like the break-through of waters"). YHWH is "the Lord of breaches" (which is the meaning of the name; note "baal" is used of YHWH). Notice that in early times the Israelites used names of the pagan gods for YHWH. Here, "Baal" (i.e., Lord, Master, owner) refers to YHWH. Later this word came to be used exclusively of the male Canaanite fertility god. Later Jewish scribes started changing the names of people of this period. 5:21 Apparently the Philistines took their idols (cf. 1 Sam. 31:9) into battle, like Israel sometimes took the ark (cf. 1 Sam. 4:3-4). This is a purposeful reversal of 1 Sam. 4:11. 1 Chronicles 14:12 says David burned the abandoned idols as commanded in Deut. 7:5,25; 12:3. SPECIAL TOPIC: ISRAEL'S MANDATED RESPONSE TO CANAANITE FERTILITY WORSHIP
2 Samuel 5:22-25
5:23-24 YHWH reveals to David a very specific plan about how to attack the second Philistine army. This implies David's answer came from a prophet, not the lots. YHWH could have defeated them easily but He wanted David's heart and obedience (cf. 1 Chr. 14:16)! 5:24 "when you hear the sound of marching" This implies a supernatural act of YHWH, similar to the events of the conquest (i.e., Holy War). Notice it is His victory. The "marching" (NOUN, BDB 857, used only here and the parallels in 1 Chr. 14:15) could be the Philistine army on the move the sound of the wind, sounding like a large army of Israelites I like #2! (YHWH as Divine Warrior, see NIDOTTE, vol. 4, pp. 545-549). 5:25 "David did so, just as the Lord had commanded him" David had a heart for YHWH. he respected Him he inquired of Him often he faithfully obeyed the revelation He was not sinless but he became a type of faithful follower! ▣ "Geba. . .to Gezer" Geba is north of Jerusalem and Gezer is a city in the Philistine coastal area to the west. These two defeats allowed David to control the Judean hill country. The Philistines remained in their five city-states but their influence and power did not continue.