And these be the names of those that were born unto him in Jerusalem ,.... The names of his sons, for his daughters are not mentioned, and these seem to be such only that were born of his wives, see 1 Chronicles 3:9 , Shammua, and Shobab, and Nathan, and Solomon ; these four were by Bathsheba; the first of these is called Shimea, 1 Chronicles 3:5 . read more
Ibhar also, and Elishua, and Nepheg, and Japhia. Elishua is called Elishama, 1 Chronicles 3:6 . read more
And Elishama, and Eliada, and Eliphalet. Seven more by some other wife or wives; nine are mentioned in 1 Chronicles 3:6 ; there being in that account two Eliphalets, and another called Nogah; which two, one of the Eliphalets, and Nogah, might die without sons, as Kimchi thinks, and so are not mentioned here. read more
But when the Philistines heard that they had anointed David king over Israel ,.... That the civil war in the nation was now at an end, which they hoped would have issued in their destruction, and therefore lay still and quiet; but now being united under the government of David, and he hereby greatly strengthened and become powerful; and hearing also of his success against Jerusalem, and the friendship he had contracted with Hiram king of Tyre, they thought it was high time to bestir... read more
The Philistines also came and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim. Or "of the giants", as Joshua 15:8 ; which lay to the west of Jerusalem; of which; see Gill on Joshua 15:8 ; the Philistines spreading themselves in it, shows that they were very numerous. read more
And David inquired of the Lord ,.... By Abiathar, and the Urim and Thummim, in the ephod he had on: saying, shall I go up to the Philistines ? who by this time were gone from the valley to an higher place, to Mount Perazim, as in Isaiah 28:21 , wilt thou deliver them into my hand ? here two questions are put together, and an answer returned to both, contrary to a notion of the Jews; see Gill on 1 Samuel 23:11 , and the Lord said to David, go up, for I will doubtless deliver... read more
And David came to Baalperazim ,.... As it was after called, for here it has its name by anticipation, and whither the Philistines were come from the valley of Rephaim; see 1 Chronicles 14:11 ; which was at no great distance, the one being the hill, to which the other was the valley, computed to be about three miles from Jerusalem, in the way to Bethlehem F21 Bunting's Travels, &c.; p. 138. , between which places were two hours' travels F23 Maundrell's Journey from Aleppo,... read more
The king and his men went to Jerusalem - This city was now in the hands of the Jebusites; but how they got possession of it is not known, probably they took it during the wars between Ish-bosheth and David. After Joshua's death, what is called the lower city was taken by the Israelites; and it is evident that the whole city was in their possession in the time of Saul, for David brought the head of Goliath thither, 1 Samuel 17:54 . It appears to have been a very strong... read more
Hiram king of Tyre - He was a very friendly man, and no doubt a believer in the true God. He was not only a friend to David, but also of his son Solomon, to whom, in building the temple, he afforded the most important assistance. read more
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John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 5:13
And David took him more concubines and wives out of Jerusalem, after he was come from Hebron ,.... He had six when he was at Hebron, 2 Samuel 3:2 , and now he took more, which was not to his honour, and contrary to the law of God, Deuteronomy 17:17 ; the concubines were a sort of half wives, as the word may signify, or secondary ones, and under the others: and there were yet sons and daughters born to David ; besides those in Hebron mentioned in 2 Samuel 3:2 . read more