19 And David H1732 enquired H7592 of the LORD, H3068 saying, H559 Shall I go up H5927 to the Philistines? H6430 wilt thou deliver H5414 them into mine hand? H3027 And the LORD H3068 said H559 unto David, H1732 Go up: H5927 for I will doubtless H5414 deliver H5414 the Philistines H6430 into thine hand. H3027
And David H1732 said H559 to Abiathar H54 the priest, H3548 Ahimelech's H288 son, H1121 I pray thee, bring me hither H5066 the ephod. H646 And Abiathar H54 brought H5066 thither the ephod H646 to David. H1732 And David H1732 enquired H7592 at the LORD, H3068 saying, H559 Shall I pursue H7291 after H310 this troop? H1416 shall I overtake H5381 them? And he answered H559 him, Pursue: H7291 for thou shalt surely H5381 overtake H5381 them, and without fail H5337 recover H5337 all.
So he came H935 to the king. H4428 And the king H4428 said H559 unto him, Micaiah, H4321 shall we go H3212 against Ramothgilead H7433 H1568 to battle, H4421 or shall we forbear? H2308 And he answered H559 him, Go, H5927 and prosper: H6743 for the LORD H3068 shall deliver H5414 it into the hand H3027 of the king. H4428 And the king H4428 said H559 unto him, How many times H6471 shall I adjure H7650 thee that thou tell H1696 me nothing but that which is true H571 in the name H8034 of the LORD? H3068 And he said, H559 I saw H7200 all Israel H3478 scattered H6327 upon the hills, H2022 as sheep H6629 that have not a shepherd: H7462 and the LORD H3068 said, H559 These have no master: H113 let them return H7725 every man H376 to his house H1004 in peace. H7965 And the king H4428 of Israel H3478 said H559 unto Jehoshaphat, H3092 Did I not tell H559 thee that he would prophesy H5012 no good H2896 concerning me, but evil? H7451 And he said, H559 Hear H8085 thou therefore the word H1697 of the LORD: H3068 I saw H7200 the LORD H3068 sitting H3427 on his throne, H3678 and all the host H6635 of heaven H8064 standing H5975 by him on his right hand H3225 and on his left. H8040 And the LORD H3068 said, H559 Who shall persuade H6601 Ahab, H256 that he may go up H5927 and fall H5307 at Ramothgilead? H7433 H1568 And one said H559 on this manner, H3541 and another said H559 on that manner. H3541 And there came forth H3318 a spirit, H7307 and stood H5975 before H6440 the LORD, H3068 and said, H559 I will persuade H6601 him. And the LORD H3068 said H559 unto him, Wherewith? And he said, H559 I will go forth, H3318 and I will be a lying H8267 spirit H7307 in the mouth H6310 of all his prophets. H5030 And he said, H559 Thou shalt persuade H6601 him, and prevail H3201 also: go forth, H3318 and do H6213 so. Now therefore, behold, the LORD H3068 hath put H5414 a lying H8267 spirit H7307 in the mouth H6310 of all these thy prophets, H5030 and the LORD H3068 hath spoken H1696 evil H7451 concerning thee.
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on 2 Samuel 5
Commentary on 2 Samuel 5 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
CHAPTER 5
2Sa 5:1-5. The Tribes Anoint David King over Israel.
1, 2. Then came all the tribes of Israel—a combined deputation of the leading authorities in every tribe. [See on 1Ch 11:1.] David possessed the first and indispensable qualification for the throne; namely, that of being an Israelite (De 17:15). Of his military talent he had furnished ample proof. And the people's desire for his assumption of the government of Israel was further increased by their knowledge of the will and purpose of God, as declared by Samuel (1Sa 16:11-13).
3. King David made a league with them in Hebron before the Lord—(see on 1Sa 10:17). This formal declaration of the constitution was chiefly made at the commencement of a new dynasty, or at the restoration of the royal family after a usurpation (2Ki 11:17), though circumstances sometimes led to its being renewed on the accession of any new sovereign (1Ki 12:4). It seems to have been accompanied by religious solemnities.
2Sa 5:6-12. He Takes Zion from the Jebusites.
6. the king and his men went to Jerusalem unto the Jebusites—The first expedition of David, as king of the whole country, was directed against this place, which had hitherto remained in the hands of the natives. It was strongly fortified and deemed so impregnable that the blind and lame were sent to man the battlements, in derisive mockery of the Hebrew king's attack, and to shout, "David cannot come in hither." To understand the full meaning and force of this insulting taunt, it is necessary to bear in mind the depth and steepness of the valley of Gihon, and the lofty walls of the ancient Canaanitish fortress.
7. the stronghold of Zion—Whether Zion be the southwestern hill commonly so-called, or the peak now level on the north of the temple mount, it is the towering height which catches the eye from every quarter—"the hill fort," "the rocky hold" of Jerusalem.
8. Whosoever getteth up to the gutter—This is thought by some to mean a subterranean passage; by others a spout through which water was poured upon the fire which the besiegers often applied to the woodwork at the gateways, and by the projections of which a skilful climber might make his ascent good; a third class render the words, "whosoever dasheth them against the precipice" (1Ch 11:6).
9. David dwelt in the fort, &c.—Having taken it by storm, he changed its name to "the city of David," to signify the importance of the conquest, and to perpetuate the memory of the event.
David built round about from Millo and inward—probably a row of stone bastions placed on the northern side of Mount Zion, and built by David to secure himself on that side from the Jebusites, who still lived in the lower part of the city. The house of Millo was perhaps the principal corner tower of that fortified wall.
11, 12. Hiram … sent carpenters, and masons—The influx of Tyrian architects and mechanics affords a clear evidence of the low state to which, through the disorders of long-continued war, the better class of artisans had declined in Israel.
2Sa 5:13-16. Eleven Sons Born to Him.
13. David took him more concubines and wives—In this conduct David transgressed an express law, which forbade the king of Israel to multiply wives unto himself (De 17:17).
2Sa 5:17-25. He Smites the Philistines.
17. when the Philistines heard that they had anointed David king over Israel—During the civil war between the house of Saul and David, those restless neighbors had remained quiet spectators of the contest. But now, jealous of David, they resolved to attack him before his government was fully established.
18. valley of Rephaim—that is, "of giants," a broad and fertile plain, which descends gradually from the central mountains towards the northwest. It was the route by which they marched against Jerusalem. The "hold" to which David went down "was some fortified place where he might oppose the progress of the invaders," and where he signally defeated them.
21. there they left their images—probably their "lares" or household deities, which they had brought into the field to fight for them. They were burnt as ordained by law (De 7:5).
22. the Philistines came up yet again—The next year they renewed their hostile attempt with a larger force, but God manifestly interposed in David's favor.
24. the sound of a going in the tops of the mulberry trees—now generally thought not to be mulberry trees, but some other tree, most probably the poplar, which delights in moist situations, and the leaves of which are rustled by the slightest movement of the air [Royle].