2 Samuel 5:13-16

4. David’s additional children 5:13-16

Again David sinned by multiplying wives (Deuteronomy 17:17). Nevertheless in spite of this sin, God continued to bless him with fertility because he was God’s elect, and for the most part, God’s obedient servant. Fortunately God does not cut off all His blessings because His servants are less than perfect.

"This is the first time that concubines are mentioned in connection with David (cf. also 1 [sic 2] Chron 2 Samuel 11:21)-and it is also the only time that the phrase ’concubines and wives’ occurs in the Bible (the usual order is ’wives and concubines’; cf. 2 Samuel 19:5; 1 Kings 11:3; 2 Chronicles 11:21; Daniel 5:2-3; Daniel 5:23). By placing the word ’concubines’ in emphatic position, the narrator is perhaps deploring David’s proclivity for the trappings of a typical Oriental monarch, including a harem." [Note: Youngblood, p. 859.]

Previously the writer listed six sons born to David in Hebron (2 Samuel 3:2-5). Now he listed 11 more born to him in Jerusalem (2 Samuel 5:14-16). Note that Solomon was tenth in the line of succession.

In all parts of this section (2 Samuel 3:6 to 2 Samuel 5:16) the writer placed emphasis on God’s blessing of David and the nation that came about as Judah and Israel united under David’s anointed leadership.