What is happening when all the tribes of Israel come to David at Hebron?

All the tribes of Israel come to David at Hebron after years of division and struggle. Saul is dead, and the brief rule of Saul’s house has collapsed. The people now admit that David is their own “bone and flesh,” meaning he is one of them, not a stranger. They remember how he already led Israel in battle while Saul was king. They also recall that the Lord had said David would shepherd Israel. So the elders make a covenant with him before God and anoint him king over all Israel, bringing unity under one ruler.

Why is it important that David makes a covenant with the elders before the Lord?

David does not take the throne by force alone. He makes a covenant with the elders “before the Lord,” which shows that his rule is not just a political move but a sacred agreement. The people promise loyalty, and David is expected to rule with care, like a shepherd, and with justice. Doing this before God reminds everyone that God is the true king over Israel. David’s authority is a trust given by God, to be used for the good of God’s people, not for selfish gain.

Why did David capture Jerusalem and call it the city of David?

Jerusalem was held by the Jebusites, who felt so safe in their stronghold that they mocked David, thinking he could never get in. By taking this city, David removes a foreign stronghold from Israel’s land and chooses a central, neutral place for his capital, not tied to any one tribe. He captures the fortress of Zion and makes it his home, so it becomes known as the city of David. From there he strengthens the walls and builds around from Millo inward, showing his settled, growing rule.

What does it mean that the Lord was with David and he grew great?

When the passage says David “went on, and grew great,” it quickly adds that the Lord God of hosts was with him. David’s success is not explained by his skill alone, though he is brave and wise. It comes from God’s presence and help. This is seen in his victories, in the help from Hiram of Tyre, and in the way his kingdom becomes firmly established. David understands this himself. He realizes that the Lord has made him king and lifted up his kingdom for the sake of Israel, not simply for his own honor.

Why does the passage mention Hiram of Tyre sending cedar, carpenters, and masons to David?

Hiram, the king of Tyre, sends messengers, cedar wood, carpenters, and masons to build David a house. This shows that other nations now recognize David as a strong and stable king. It also shows God’s blessing, because David can see from this help that the Lord has firmly established him as king. The fine materials and skilled workers give David a royal house in Jerusalem, marking a new stage where his rule is settled, not just moving from place to place in hardship and war.

Why did David take more wives and concubines in Jerusalem, and what does this show?

The passage notes that David takes more wives and concubines in Jerusalem and that many sons and daughters are born to him there. In that time, kings often had large households, which could display wealth and strength and create ties with different families. This shows David’s growing power and the spreading of his family line. At the same time, knowing the larger story, this habit also points toward future problems in his house. Even though God blesses David, his choices here are not without later pain and trouble.

What is the meaning of David asking God before fighting the Philistines?

When the Philistines come up against David, he does not rush into battle on his own. He asks the Lord, “Shall I go up? Will you deliver them into my hand?” God answers him clearly each time, but not always in the same way. The first time God tells him to go straight up. The second time God tells him to circle around and wait for a sound in the mulberry trees. This shows David’s dependence on God and teaches that God’s guidance can be specific, and that victory comes from obeying God, not just from brave effort.

What is Baal-perazim and why does David call the place that name?

After the first battle with the Philistines, David defeats them and says, “The Lord has broken forth upon mine enemies before me, as the breach of waters.” Because of this, he calls the place Baal-perazim, which means something like “Lord of breaking through” or “place of breakthroughs.” The picture is of a sudden flood bursting through a dam. David wants to mark that victory as God’s work, not his own. He also burns the idols the Philistines left behind, showing that their gods are nothing beside the Lord who gave the win.

Why does God tell David to wait for the sound in the tops of the mulberry trees?

In the second clash with the Philistines in the valley of Rephaim, God tells David not to attack in the same way as before. Instead, he is to circle behind them and wait until he hears “the sound of a going” in the tops of the mulberry trees. That sound is the sign that the Lord has gone out before him to strike the Philistine army. This teaches patience and trust. David must move only when God moves. It reminds readers that God leads the battle, and real success comes from following his timing and direction.

What does this passage teach about God’s leadership and human kingship?

This passage shows a human king being set up, but God’s rule stands above it all. David is chosen to “feed” God’s people like a shepherd, not to crush them. His throne is confirmed by God, his city is taken with God’s help, and his battles are won only when he asks God and obeys. Even his honor among other nations comes as part of God’s plan. So human leaders are meant to serve under God’s authority, for the sake of the people, and to seek God’s guidance instead of trusting in their own strength.

2Sam.5.1

2 Samuel 5:1

KJV

Then came all the tribes of Israel to David unto Hebron, and spake, saying, Behold, we are thy bone and thy flesh.

David Anointed King of All Israel

1 Then came all the tribes of Israel to David unto Hebron, and spake, saying, Behold, we are thy bone and thy flesh.

Also in time past, when Saul was king over us, thou wast he that leddest out and broughtest in Israel: and the Lord said to thee, Thou shalt feed my people Israel, and thou shalt be a captain over Israel.

So all the elders of Israel came to the king to Hebron; and king David made a league with them in Hebron before the Lord: and they anointed David king over Israel.

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

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.

David Conquers Jerusalem

¶ And the king and his men went to Jerusalem unto the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land: which spake unto David, saying, Except thou take away the blind and the lame, thou shalt not come in hither: thinking, David cannot come in hither.

Nevertheless David took the strong hold of Zion: the same is the city of David.

And David said on that day, Whosoever getteth up to the gutter, and smiteth the Jebusites, and the lame and the blind, that are hated of David’s soul, he shall be chief and captain. Wherefore they said, The blind and the lame shall not come into the house.

So David dwelt in the fort, and called it the city of David. And David built round about from Millo and inward.

And David went on, and grew great, and the Lord God of hosts was with him.

¶ And Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, and cedar trees, and carpenters, and masons: and they built David an house.

David’s Family Grows

And David perceived that the Lord had established him king over Israel, and that he had exalted his kingdom for his people Israel’s sake.

¶ And David took him more concubines and wives out of Jerusalem, after he was come from Hebron: and there were yet sons and daughters born to David.

And these be the names of those that were born unto him in Jerusalem; Shammua, and Shobab, and Nathan, and Solomon,

Ibhar also, and Elishua, and Nepheg, and Japhia,

And Elishama, and Eliada, and Eliphalet.

Two Victories over the Philistines

¶ But when the Philistines heard that they had anointed David king over Israel, all the Philistines came up to seek David; and David heard of it, and went down to the hold.

The Philistines also came and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim.

And David enquired of the Lord, saying, Shall I go up to the Philistines? wilt thou deliver them into mine hand? And the Lord said unto David, Go up: for I will doubtless deliver the Philistines into thine hand.

And David came to Baal-perazim, and David smote them there, and said, The Lord hath broken forth upon mine enemies before me, as the breach of waters. Therefore he called the name of that place Baal-perazim.

And there they left their images, and David and his men burned them.

¶ And the Philistines came up yet again, and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim.

And when David enquired of the Lord, he said, Thou shalt not go up; but fetch a compass behind them, and come upon them over against the mulberry trees.

And let it be, when thou hearest the sound of a going in the tops of the mulberry trees, that then thou shalt bestir thyself: for then shall the Lord go out before thee, to smite the host of the Philistines.

And David did so, as the Lord had commanded him; and smote the Philistines from Geba until thou come to Gazer.

Cross References

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