2 Samuel 5:15 - Printer Friendly

This list continues to name the children of David born while he lived and ruled as Israel's king in Jerusalem. It now adds Abhor, Elisha, Nepheg, and Japhia. None of these are mentioned again in any meaningful way in Israel's history.

The list is not apparently meant to be exhaustive. David's oldest sons are listed in 2 Samuel 3:2–5. First Chronicles 14:4–7 is the companion passage, and 1 Chronicles 3:5–8 is the official genealogy. The genealogy specifically states that the sons of David's concubines are not given, and it only mentions one of his daughters, Tamar, perhaps because she will become an important part of the story of David's relationship with his children (1 Chronicles 3:9).

"Ibhar" means God chooses or whom God elects.

"Elishua" means God of affluence. First Chronicles 3:6 gives his name as Elishama which can mean God the hearer. David has a second son named Elishama (2 Samuel 5:16). Other men named Elishama include the leader of Ephraim when Israel entered the Promised Land (Numbers 2:18), a priest (2 Chronicles 17:8), the grandfather of one of Governor Gedaliah's murderers (2 Kings 25:25), and a secretary (Jeremiah 36:12). The last two may be the same person.

"Nepheg" means offshoot or sprout. He is not the brother of Korah (Exodus 6:21).

"Japhia" means illustrious, splendid, shining, that which enlightens. One of the kings of Lachish is also named Japhia (Joshua 10:3).

The parallel passage to 2 Samuel 5:15, 1 Chronicles 14:5–6, includes Elpelet and Nogah. First Chronicles 3:6–7 refers to Elpelet using the spelling Eliphelet. These two sons may have died young. Another Eliphelet is mentioned in 2 Samuel 5:16.

Second Samuel 5:11–16 gives more examples of God's blessings on David. He and his men have taken Jebus and renamed it Jerusalem: a place established in peace (1 Chronicles 11:9—12:40). The king of Tyre sends the materials and tradesmen necessary to build a house. David takes more wives and concubines and has several more sons. First Chronicles 14:1 also records Hiram's contributions, and 1 Chronicles 3:1–9 and 14:3–7 repeat the list of David's expanding family. Next, David furthers his domination over the armies of the Philistines (2 Samuel 5:17–25).

Second Samuel 5 is a series of vignettes describing how God blesses David after his inauguration as king over the nation. David took Jerusalem from the Jebusites and made the city the nation's capital (2 Samuel 5:6–9). His first international ally, Hiram, king of Tyre, built his palace (2 Samuel 5:11). His family grew: exponentially (2 Samuel 5:13–16)! And he soundly beat his enemies (2 Samuel 5:17–25). David did all this because of God's favor, to bless the nation, not through his own skill or because of any good in him (2 Samuel 5:10, 12). First Chronicles 11:1–9 and 14:1–17 also record these events.

Second Samuel 5 is a pivot point for all of Israel's history. After Saul's son Ish-bosheth is killed, no opposition remains to David's kingship (2 Samuel 4:5–6). Convinced by Abner before his death to follow David (2 Samuel 3:17–19), the elders of Israel gather at Hebron to anoint David king over the entire nation. David moves his capital to Jerusalem and defends the nation against the Philistines. Now, he has enough security to bring the ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem (2 Samuel 6:1–15). The following chapters seem to collectively describe David's accomplishments (2 Samuel 5:9—10:19) and his mistakes (2 Samuel 11—20).

Second Samuel continues the story of David, who will become king over Judah. The other tribes of Israel are resistant, eventually sparking a civil war. David wins and makes Jerusalem his capital. Early success is followed by moral failure and controversy in David's house. The book of 1 Kings will begin by detailing David's decline and death.