2 Samuel 5:1-5

David Anointed King over all Israel

v. 1. Then, after the death of both Abner and Ishbosheth, came all the tribes of Israel to David unto Hebron, and spake, saying, Behold, we are thy bone and thy flesh, they were all kinsmen of blood by descent from a common ancestor, David not being a foreign usurper, a stranger coming into the country from elsewhere.

v. 2. Also in time past, when Saul was king over us, thou wast he that leddest out and broughtest in Israel, 1 Samuel 18:13-Nehemiah :, he had been the most trusted leader in their military campaigns; and the Lord said to thee, Thou shalt feed My people Israel, like a shepherd taking the most tender care of the sheep entrusted to him, and thou shalt be a captain over Israel, their prince in defending them from their enemies. This was the last and strongest ground for their proposal, the Lord's immediate call, as based upon the word of God to Samuel, 1 Samuel 15:28; for the prophets of Naioth in Ramah undoubtedly made this fact known. Note that the king's function as shepherd of the people is mentioned first, a hint for the rulers of all times.

v. 3. So all the elders of Israel came to the king to Hebron, as the representatives of the tribes; and King David made a league with them in Hebron before the Lord, a covenant in the presence of God, David accepting their promise of obedience and assuring them of a just and merciful reign. And they anointed David king over Israel, the anointing by Samuel, 1 Samuel 16, l. 12, being now confirmed by that of the entire people.

v. 4. David was thirty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned forty years.

v. 5. In Hebron he reigned over Judah seven years and six months; and in Jerusalem he reigned thirty and three years over all Israel and Judah. Cf 1 Chronicles 29:27. After the long years of suffering, privations, and persecutions, David now enjoyed the fulfillment of God's promise to him. In the midst of all tribulations and afflictions the believers still look up to God, knowing that they mill yet bless Him who is the help of their countenance and their God.