2 Samuel 5: David becomes king over all Israel and takes Jerusalem
A free study, verse by verse. Text: World English Bible. Notes come from the Hebrew. How to read a study
What happens?
All the tribes of Israel come to David at Hebron, and the elders anoint him king over Israel: he is thirty years old, and the text gives his reign as forty years. David takes the stronghold of Zion from the Jebusites, who had said that the blind and the lame would keep him out, and he names it the City of David. Hiram king of Tyre builds David a house, and more sons and daughters are born to him in Jerusalem. Twice the Philistines spread out in the valley of Rephaim; each time David asks Yahweh, does as Yahweh answers, and strikes them.
Who is speaking?
The narrator tells the story. God's own words are in 3 of the 25 verses: Yahweh's answers to David in verse 19 and in verses 23 and 24. David's question in verse 19 is his own. The tribes of Israel speak to David in verses 1 and 2; the words they say Yahweh spoke to David (verse 2) are their report, so they are not in gold. The Jebusites speak in verse 6. David speaks in verses 8 and 20, and verse 8 also gives a saying that people say. Verse 25, that David did as Yahweh commanded, is the narrator's words. God's own words are printed in gold, and those verses are marked God speaks
1Then all the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron and spoke, saying, “Behold, we are your bone and your flesh.
In plain English: Then all the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron and said, "Look, we are your bone and your flesh.
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
2In times past, when Saul was king over us, it was you who led Israel out and in. Yahweh said to you, ‘You will be shepherd of my people Israel, and you will be prince over Israel.’”
In plain English: In the past (literally: yesterday and the day before), when Saul was king over us, you were the one who led Israel out and brought them in. And Yahweh said to you, 'You will shepherd my people Israel, and you will be leader (this Bible: prince) over Israel.'"
Good to know: The words the tribes say Yahweh spoke ("You will be shepherd of my people Israel") are their report, so they are not in gold. The text has not given these words of Yahweh to David before this. In Abner tells the elders of Israel that "Yahweh has spoken of David", and in Abigail speaks of the day Yahweh will have "appointed you prince over Israel".
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
3So all the elders of Israel came to the king to Hebron, and King David made a covenant with them in Hebron before Yahweh; and they anointed David king over Israel.
In plain English: So all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron, and King David made a covenant with them at Hebron before Yahweh. They anointed David king over Israel.
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
4David was thirty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned forty years.
In plain English: David was thirty years old when he became king, and he reigned forty years.
Good to know: These are the text's own numbers. also gives seven years and six months in Hebron, and says David reigned forty years: "he reigned seven years in Hebron, and he reigned thirty-three years in Jerusalem".
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
5In Hebron he reigned over Judah seven years and six months, and in Jerusalem he reigned thirty-three years over all Israel and Judah.
In plain English: In Hebron he reigned over Judah seven years and six months, and in Jerusalem he reigned thirty-three years over all Israel and Judah.
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
6The king and his men went to Jerusalem against the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land, who spoke to David, saying, “The blind and the lame will keep you out of here,” thinking, “David can’t come in here.”
In plain English: The king and his men went to Jerusalem against the Jebusites, who lived in the land. They said to David, "You will not come in here. The blind and the lame will keep you out (literally: will turn you away)." They were thinking (literally: saying), "David cannot come in here."
The Hebrew words: "Will keep you out" is literally "will turn you away", from sur, which the dictionary gives as "to turn off". The old Greek translation in this collection (Brenton) has "for the blind and the lame withstood him".
What changes: The text does not say what the Jebusites meant. Read one way, they mock David: their city is so strong that even the blind and the lame could keep him out. Read the other way, as Brenton has it, blind and lame people really stood against him. Either way, verse 7 says David took the stronghold.
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
7Nevertheless David took the stronghold of Zion. This is David’s city.
In plain English: But David captured the stronghold of Zion. It is the City of David.
Good to know: This is the first verse in this Bible that names Zion. The dictionary gives tsiyon as "a mountain of Jerusalem". The text itself says the stronghold of Zion "is David's city", and verse 9 says David called it so. and say that the Jebusites had not been driven out of Jerusalem, but lived there "to this day".
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
8David said on that day, “Whoever strikes the Jebusites, let him go up to the watercourse and strike those lame and blind, who are hated by David’s soul.” Therefore they say, “The blind and the lame can’t come into the house.”
In plain English: That day David said, "Whoever strikes the Jebusites, let him go up by the water channel (this Bible: go up to the watercourse; see the note) and strike those lame and blind, who are hated by David (or: who hate David; literally: David's soul)." That is why people say, "The blind and the lame will not come into the house."
The Hebrew word: "Watercourse" is tsinnor, which the dictionary gives as "a culvert", a channel for water. It is in only 2 verses of the Bible: here and , where this Bible says "waterfalls". "Go up" is literally "reach" or "touch": naga, which the dictionary gives as "to touch ... by implication, to reach ... violently, to strike".
What changes: Read the way this Bible has it, David's men were to get into the city by a water channel. Read with "strike", they were to strike at the channel, and the text does not explain more. The old Greek translation in this collection (Brenton) reads it another way again: "let him attack with the dagger both the lame and the blind".
Good to know: In the Hebrew, "who are hated" is written here without its vowel marks, and the same letters can be read "who hate": so either "hated by David's soul" or "who hate David's soul". Brenton has "those that hate the soul of David". The text does not say which house the saying at the end means; Brenton has "the house of the Lord". gives David's words another way, "Whoever strikes the Jebusites first shall be chief and captain", and says Joab went up first.
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
9David lived in the stronghold, and called it David’s city. David built around from Millo and inward.
In plain English: David lived in the stronghold and called it the City of David. David built all around it, from the Millo (or: the rampart) inward.
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
10David grew greater and greater, for Yahweh, the God of Armies, was with him.
In plain English: David became greater and greater, because Yahweh, the God of Armies, was with him.
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
11Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, with cedar trees, carpenters, and masons; and they built David a house.
In plain English: Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, with cedar wood, carpenters and stonemasons (literally: craftsmen of the stone of the wall), and they built David a house.
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
12David perceived that Yahweh had established him king over Israel, and that he had exalted his kingdom for his people Israel’s sake.
In plain English: David knew that Yahweh had made him firm as king (this Bible: established him king) over Israel, and that he had lifted up his kingdom for the sake of his people Israel.
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
13David took more concubines and wives for himself out of Jerusalem, after he had come from Hebron; and more sons and daughters were born to David.
In plain English: After he came from Hebron, David took more concubines and wives from Jerusalem, and more sons and daughters were born to David.
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
14These are the names of those who were born to him in Jerusalem: Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon,
In plain English: These are the names of those born to him in Jerusalem: Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon,
Good to know: The Nathan of chapter 7 is "Nathan the prophet" (); this Nathan is one of David's sons. names "Nathan, the son of David" in the family line of Jesus. Solomon is the son who will be anointed king after David (); his birth is told in .
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
15Ibhar, Elishua, Nepheg, Japhia,
In plain English: Ibhar, Elishua, Nepheg, Japhia,
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
16Elishama, Eliada, and Eliphelet.
In plain English: Elishama, Eliada and Eliphelet.
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
17When the Philistines heard that they had anointed David king over Israel, all the Philistines went up to seek David, but David heard about it and went down to the stronghold.
In plain English: When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over Israel, all the Philistines went up to look for David. David heard about it and went down to the stronghold.
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
18Now the Philistines had come and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim.
In plain English: The Philistines had come and spread out in the valley of Rephaim (or: the valley of the giants).
Good to know: "Rephaim" is rapha, which the dictionary gives as "a giant", and the old Greek translation in this collection (Brenton) has "the valley of the giants". names the valley of Rephaim on the border of Judah, by Jerusalem.
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
19David inquired of Yahweh, saying, “Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will you deliver them into my hand?” Yahweh said to David, “Go up; for I will certainly deliver the Philistines into your hand.”God speaks
In plain English: David asked Yahweh, "Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will you give them into my hand?" Yahweh said to David, "Go up, for I will surely give the Philistines into your hand."
Good to know: Here the text gives Yahweh's own answer in words, so it is in gold; David's question is his own. The text does not say how David asked. The same words, "David inquired of Yahweh, saying", are in and .
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
20David came to Baal Perazim, and David struck them there. Then he said, “Yahweh has broken my enemies before me, like the breach of waters.” Therefore he called the name of that place Baal Perazim.
In plain English: David came to Baal Perazim and struck them there. He said, "Yahweh has broken through my enemies before me, like water breaking through." That is why he (or: people) called that place Baal Perazim (the name can mean: lord of breakings through; see the note).
The Hebrew words: "Baal Perazim" is ba'al peratsim. Ba'al is the common word the dictionary gives as "a master; hence, a husband, or (figuratively) owner", and it is also the name of the god Baal (see the note on ). Peratsim is from perets, "a break". In David's words, "has broken" is parats and "breach" is perets, so the name sounds like what he says.
What changes: The dictionary explains the name with the common word, as "possessor of breaches": read that way, it means "lord (or: master) of breakings through", and in David's words it is Yahweh who broke through. Read with the god's name, the same letters say "Baal of breakings through". Either way, the text gives David's words as the reason for the name. speaks of it: "Yahweh will rise up as on Mount Perazim".
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
21They left their images there, and David and his men took them away.
In plain English: The Philistines left their idols (this Bible: images) there, and David and his men carried them away.
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
22The Philistines came up yet again and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim.
In plain English: The Philistines came up yet again and spread out in the valley of Rephaim.
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
23When David inquired of Yahweh, he said, “You shall not go up. Circle around behind them, and attack them in front of the mulberry trees.God speaks
In plain English: When David asked Yahweh, he said, "Do not go up. Go around behind them, and come at them in front of the mulberry trees (or: balsam trees).
The Hebrew word: "Mulberry trees" is bakha, which the dictionary gives as "the weeping tree (some gum-distilling tree, perhaps the balsam)". It is in only 4 verses of the Bible: here, verse 24, and the same story in and . The old Greek translation in this collection (Brenton) reads it as "the place of weeping".
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
24When you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the mulberry trees, then stir yourself up; for then Yahweh has gone out before you to strike the army of the Philistines.”God speaks
In plain English: When you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the mulberry trees, then be alert (or: act decisively; this Bible: stir yourself up), because then Yahweh has gone out ahead of you to strike the army (literally: the camp) of the Philistines."
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
25David did so, as Yahweh commanded him, and struck the Philistines all the way from Geba to Gezer.
In plain English: David did so, as Yahweh had commanded him, and he struck the Philistines all the way from Geba to Gezer.
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.