2 Samuel 5:5-9

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 5:6

The king and his men went to Jerusalem. This expedition took place immediately after David's coronation, and probably he was moved to it by the presence of so large a number of the warriors of Israel. He had long foreseen the arrival of the time when he would be king of all the tribes, and must have debated in his mind the problem of his future capital. He could not remain in Hebron, as it was too far to the south, nor would haughty tribes such as Ephraim have consented to be merged into... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 5:6-9

( 1 Chronicles 11:4-9 ) Jerusalem. David's first act after his anointing amidst the assembled tribes ( 1 Chronicles 12:38-40 ) was to place himself at the head of his army, and march against Jebus, the capital of the Jebusites. With this place he was familiar from his boyhood, and often, perhaps, wondered why it was suffered to remain so long unsubdued ( Joshua 1:3 , Joshua 1:4 ). He perceived its advantages as a site for the capital of his kingdom, and the necessity of its... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 5:7

The stronghold of Zion: the same is the city of David. Zion was the hill on the southwestern side of the city; but we learn from 2 Samuel 5:9 that the Jebusites had not occupied the whole of it, but a part only, which was their stronghold, round which there would be scattered dwellings, as the whole tribe dwelt there. The total area of the hill top was about sixty acres, and it was now quickly covered with houses, and called "the city of David," after its captor. The view of Dr. Birch... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 5:8

Whosoever getteth up to the gutter. The word rendered "gutter" occurs elsewhere only in Psalms 42:7 , where it is translated "waterspout." Josephus thinks that it was an underground passage or drain. Ewald argues that it was a precipice, and others that it was a dent or hollow in the rocky face of the ravine, which David had noticed and thought practicable. The view of Josephus, suggested to him probably by his knowledge of the way in which the site of Jerusalem is honeycombed by tunnels,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 5:9

David dwelt in the fort. It was the stronghold or citadel of Zion which David took for his abode; but as he needed space for the dwellings of his mighty men, and for those who would soon flock for trade and security to the capital, David proceeded to fortify the whole of the summit. His works began from "the Millo," rendered "the citadel" by the LXX . Many, deriving the name from a Hebrew root signifying to fill, think that it was a mound, but Nature had herself supplied fit heights for... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 2 Samuel 5:6

David immediately after being anointed king of Israel, probably wished to signalize his accession by an exploit which would be popular with all Israel, and especially with Saul’s tribe, Benjamin. He discerned the importance of having Jerusalem for his capital both because it belonged as much to Benjamin as to Judah, and on account of its strong position.Except thou take away the blind ... - Rather, “and (the Jebusite) spake to David, saying, Thou shalt not come hither, but the blind and the... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 2 Samuel 5:7

The stronghold of Zion - Or castle 1 Chronicles 11:5, 1 Chronicles 11:7. The ancient Zion was the hill on which the temple stood, and the castle seems to have been immediately to the north of the temple. The modern Zion lies to the southwest of the temple.The same is the city of David - The name afterward given to it 2 Samuel 5:9, and by which it was known in the writer’s time. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 2 Samuel 5:8

i. e. “Whosoever will smite the Jebusites, let him reach both the lame and the blind, who are the hated of David’s soul, by the gutter or water-course, and he shall be chief.” The only access to the citadel was where the water had worn a channel (some understand a subterranean channel), and where there was, in consequence, some vegetation in the rock. Joab (see the marginal reference) took the hint, and with all the activity that had distinguished his brother Anabel 2 Samuel 2:18, climbed up... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 2 Samuel 5:9

David dwelt in the fort - or stronghold, (as in 2 Samuel 5:7) i. e. eventually, when the buildings were completed, which may not have been for two or three years. Millo appears to have been a fortress of some kind, the northern defense of the city of David, and to have been a part of the original Canaanite defenses of Zion, as appears probable also from there having been a fortress called the house of Millo in the Canaanite city of Shechem. (Judges 9:6 note, and 2 Samuel 9:1-13:20.) Millo may... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 2 Samuel 5:4-5

2 Samuel 5:4-5. David was thirty years old when he began to reign At this age the Levites were at first appointed to begin their ministrations, Numbers 4:3. About this age the Son of David entered upon his public ministry, Luke 3:23. And it is the age when men come to their full maturity of strength and judgment. In Jerusalem he reigned thirty and three years By this it appears it was immediately after his third unction that he made the attempt upon Jerusalem, mentioned in the next verse,... read more

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