(3) Made a league with them.—It would be an anachronism to understand this of the establishment of a constitutional monarchy, but the “league” may have had reference to certain special matters, such as leading them against their enemies, not destroying the remnant of the house of Saul or its late adherents, and not showing partiality (as Saul had done) to the members of his own tribe. read more
(4) Thirty years old.—This statement of the age and of the length of the reign of David (which is repeated in 1 Chronicles 29:26-27, at the end of the history of David’s life) shows us approximately the length of time since the combat with Goliath as some ten or twelve years. It also proves that the greater part of Saul’s reign is treated very briefly in 1 Samuel, and further shows that David was seventy years old at his death. read more
(5) Seven years and six months.—The six months is also mentioned in 2 Samuel 2:11; 1 Chronicles 3:4, but, as being only the fraction of a year, is generally omitted in the summary of the length of his reign, as in 2 Samuel 5:4; 1 Chronicles 29:27. It was the habit of the sacred historians either to omit such fractions or else to count them as whole years, thus introducing a certain element of indefiniteness into the chronology, which is very marked in the parallel narratives of the kings of... read more
(6) Went to Jerusalem.—The king of Jerusalem had been defeated and slain by Joshua (Joshua 10:23-26; Joshua 12:10), and the city had been subsequently taken and destroyed by Judah (Judges 1:7-8). It was, however, only partially occupied by the tribes of Judah and Benjamin (Judges 1:21; Judges 15:63), and at a later time fell again entirely into the hands of the Jebusites (Judges 19:11-12). That Jebus and Jerusalem were two names of the same city is stated in 1 Chronicles 11:4. This expedition... read more
CHAPTER VI.DAVID KING OF ALL ISRAEL.2 Samuel 5:1-9.AFTER seven and a half years of opposition,* David was now left without a rival, and the representatives of the whole tribes came to Hebron to anoint him king. They gave three reasons for their act, nearly all of which; however, would have been as valid at the death of Saul as they were at this time. (*There is difficulty in adjusting all the dates. In chap. 2:10 (2 Samuel 2:10), it is said that Ishbosheth reigned two years. The usual... read more
II. DAVID KING OVER ALL ISRAEL AND THE EVENTS OF HIS REIGN 1. David Anointed King over all Israel CHAPTER 5:1-5 1. David anointed king over all Israel (2 Samuel 5:1-3 ) 2. Duration of his reign (2 Samuel 5:4-5 ) The events of the reign of David over Judah had a beneficial effect upon all Israel. After Ish-bosheth’s death all the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron. It is a blessed scene when they appear to anoint him King over all Israel. 1 Chronicles 12:0 should here be consulted.... read more
2. David’s Conquest of Zion and Victory over the Philistines CHAPTER 5:6-25 1. David’s conquest of Zion (2 Samuel 5:6-10 ) 2. Hiram King of Tyre (2 Samuel 5:11-12 ) 3. David’s additional concubines and wives (2 Samuel 5:13-15 ) 4. The victory over the Philistines (2 Samuel 5:17-25 ) Zion is closely linked with David’s anointing as king over all Israel. Here 1 Chronicles 11:0 must be read for a more complete account of what took place. Jerusalem is now to become the capital of the... read more
5:1 Then came all the tribes of Israel to David unto Hebron, and spake, saying, Behold, we [are] thy {a} bone and thy flesh.(a) We are of your kindred and closely related to you. read more
5:3 So all the elders of Israel came to the king to Hebron; and king David made a league with them in Hebron {b} before the LORD: and they anointed David king over Israel.(b) That is, taking the Lord to witness: for the ark was still in Abinadab’s house. read more
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Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - 2 Samuel 5:1
(1) All the tribes.—Not only as represented by their elders (2 Samuel 5:3), but by the large bodies of their warriors enumerated in 1 Chronicles 12:23-40. It is to be noticed, then, that the “children of Judah” (1 Chronicles 12:24), over whom David was already king, joined in the assembly, and that there were 4,600 Levites with Jehoiada as the leader of the priestly family of Aaron, while Zadok appears only as a conspicuous member of that family (1 Chronicles 12:27-28).Thy bone and thy... read more