Bible Commentaries
2 Samuel 5

Verses 1-25

Chapter 5

Then all of the tribes came to David there in Hebron, and they said, Behold, we're of your bone, we're of your flesh. In times past, when Saul was king, you were the one that led us out to victories over our enemies: and you, the LORD said to you, You are to feed my people Israel, and thou shalt be a captain over Israel. So all ye elders of Israel came to the king in Hebron; and King David made a league with them in Hebron before the LORD: and they anointed David king over Israel. And David was thirty years old when he began to reign, he reigned for forty years. Seven of those years there in Hebron and thirty-three years there in Judah, or Jerusalem over all of Israel ( 2 Samuel 5:1-5 ).

Now notice David was called to feed God's people, and to be captain over them. God's people always need feeding. Jesus said to Peter, "Lovest thou Me? Feed My sheep"( John 21:16 ). Peter later wrote "feed the flock of God that is among you"( 1 Peter 5:2 ). In Jeremiah, God said, "I will give them shepherds who will feed them with the knowledge of God"( Jeremiah 23:4 ). God's people: the greatest need is that of feeding. David was a true shepherd called to feed God's people.

So David and his men came to Jerusalem where the Jebusites were still there in a stronghold ( 2 Samuel 5:6 ):

Now the Jebusites figured that their city was impregnable. The Israelites had never been able to take Jebus, it was the ancient site of Jerusalem, but it was a walled city. It had excellent defenses, and no one had been able to take this city of Jebus.

And when David came, they said to him, Unless you can defeat our blind and our lame, you're not gonna be able to take our city ( 2 Samuel 5:6 ):

In other words, they were saying to David, "Hey, we're just gonna put the blind and the lame in to fight you, you're not even able to overcome them." They felt that their defenses, their walls, and all were that strong that they could actually man them with just blind and lame men.

Nevertheless David took the strong hold of Zion: and the same became the city of David. And David said on that day, Whosoever getteth up to the gutter, and smites the Jebusites, and the lame and the blind, that are hated of David's soul, he shall be the chief and captain. Wherefore they said, The blind and the lame shall not come into the house. So David dwelt in the fort, and he called it the city of David. And David built round about from Millo and inward. And David went on, and he grew great, and the Lord God of hosts was with him. And Hiram the king of Tyre sent down cedars, and carpenters, and masons: and they built a palace for David. And David took more wives and concubines out of Jerusalem, when he was come from Hebron: and he had many more sons and daughters. [The list is some eleven more sons and daughters that were born to him there in Jerusalem.] Now when the Philistines heard that they anointed David the king over Israel, all of the Philistines came to seek David; and David heard of it, and he went down to the fortress. And the Philistines came and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim. And David inquired of the LORD, [Now again, David's seeking counsel of God.] And he said, Shall I go up against the Philistines? will you deliver them into my hand? And the LORD said to David, GO up: for I will doubtless deliver the Philistines into your hand. And David came to Baalperazim, and David smote them there, and he said, The LORD has broken forth upon my enemies before me, as the breach of waters. Therefore he called the name of the place Baalperazim. [Which means, "the plain of breaches".] And the Philistines left their images there, and David burned them with his men. And the Philistines came up the second time into the same valley. And David inquired of the LORD again, and the Lord said, Thou shalt not go up; but circle around behind them, and circle around and attack them from the rear. So wait over there until you hear the sound of the wind in the mulberry trees, and that's the time to attack ( 2 Samuel 5:7-24 ).

So David is receiving directions from God, inquiring of the Lord, and God is directing him, and thus he is very successful, as is any man who will seek guidance from God.

And so David did so; and they smote the Philistines from Geba even to Gazer ( 2 Samuel 5:25 ). "