2 Samuel 5:3 - Printer Friendly

ESV: So all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron, and King David made a covenant with them at Hebron before the Lord, and they anointed David king over Israel.

NIV: When all the elders of Israel had come to King David at Hebron, the king made a covenant with them at Hebron before the Lord, and they anointed David king over Israel.

NASB: So all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron, and King David made a covenant with them before the Lord in Hebron; then they anointed David king over Israel.

CSB: So all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron. King David made a covenant with them at Hebron in the Lord’s presence, and they anointed David king over Israel.

NLT: So there at Hebron, King David made a covenant before the Lord with all the elders of Israel. And they anointed him king of Israel.

KJV: 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.

NKJV: Therefore all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron, and King David made a covenant with them at Hebron before the Lord. And they anointed David king over Israel.

About 480 years before the events of this passage, Jacob prophesied over his sons as he lay dying. He didn't bless his firstborn, Reuben, because Reuben had slept with Jacob's concubine (Genesis 35:22). Nor did he bless Simeon and Levi, who defended their sister's honor, but threatened the safety of their whole tribe (Genesis 34). But to his fourth-born, he said, "The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor the ruler's staff from between his feet, until tribute comes to him; and to him shall be the obedience of the peoples" (Genesis 49:10).

Now, this prophecy comes true. David of Judah reigned seven years over Judah. This day, all Israel chooses to make him king. The prophecy will be completely fulfilled when Jesus is king.

Elders, prominent civil leaders, from all the tribes come to David at the city of Hebron in Judah and make a covenant with him. The covenant is probably a Suzerain Vassal Treaty, like the covenant the Israelites made with Saul (1 Samuel 10:25) and God made with Israel (Leviticus 26; Deuteronomy 28). The people will promise to serve David and give him supplies, and he'll promise to rule justly and protect them from enemies.

The elders anoint David king as the final step in David's path to the crown and throne of united Israel. This is David's third anointing. Samuel first anointed him as Israel's future king in a secretive ceremony when David was just a boy (1 Samuel 16:12–13). David was also anointed as king over the tribe of Judah following the death of Saul (2 Samuel 2:4).

Second Samuel 5:1–5 records the moment when David finally becomes king of all Israel. Jacob had prophesied that the tribe of Judah would carry the scepter (Genesis 49:10). Samuel had first anointed David years earlier when he was still a shepherd (1 Samuel 16:12–13). David has been king of the tribe of Judah for seven years. As king of Israel, he will establish his capital, Jerusalem (2 Samuel 5:6–10). David's inauguration is also recorded in 1 Chronicles 11:1–3.

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.