📖 2 Samuel — Chapter 5 (KJV)
Read the complete King James Version chapter below, then explore the passage sections, check what you remember, and keep your private study notes.
Scripture source: Project Gutenberg KJV, ebook 10.
2 Samuel 5:1 Then Rcame all the tribes of Israel to David unto Hebron, and spake, saying, Behold, we are thy bone and thy flesh.
2 Samuel 5:2 Also in time past, when Saul was king over us, thou wast he that Rleddest 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.
2 Samuel 5:3 RSo 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.
2 Samuel 5:4 David was Rthirty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned forty years.
2 Samuel 5:5 In Hebron he reigned over Judah Rseven years and six months: and in Jerusalem he reigned thirty and three years over all Israel and Judah.
2 Samuel 5:6 And the king and his men went to RJerusalem 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: Tthinking, David cannot come in hither.
2 Samuel 5:7 Nevertheless David took the strong hold of RZion: the same is the city of David.
2 Samuel 5:8 And David said on that day, RWhosoever 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. TWherefore they said, The blind and the lame shall not come into the house.
2 Samuel 5:9 So David dwelt in the fort, and called it the city of David. And David built round about from RMillo and inward.
2 Samuel 5:10 And David RTwent on, and grew great, and the LORD God of hosts was with him.
2 Samuel 5:11 And RHiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, and cedar trees, and carpenters, and Tmasons: and they built David an house.
2 Samuel 5:12 And RDavid perceived that the LORD had established him king over Israel, and that he had exalted his kingdom for his people Israel’s sake.
2 Samuel 5:13 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.
2 Samuel 5:14 And these be Rthe names of those that were born unto him in Jerusalem; Shammuah, and Shobab, and Nathan, and Solomon,
2 Samuel 5:15 Ibhar also, and RElishua, and Nepheg, and Japhia,
2 Samuel 5:16 And Elishama, and REliada, and Eliphalet.
2 Samuel 5:17 RBut 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.
2 Samuel 5:18 The Philistines also came and spread themselves in Rthe valley of Rephaim.
2 Samuel 5:19 And David Renquired 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.
2 Samuel 5:20 And David came to Baalperazim, 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 TBaalperazim.
2 Samuel 5:21 And there they left their images, and RDavid and his men Tburned them.
2 Samuel 5:22 And the Philistines Rcame up yet again, and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim.
2 Samuel 5:23 And when David enquired of the LORD, he said, Thou shalt not go up; but Rfetch a compass behind them, and come upon them over against the mulberry trees.
2 Samuel 5:24 And let it be, when thou hearest the Rsound 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.
2 Samuel 5:25 And David did so, as the LORD had commanded him; and smote the Philistines from RTGeba until thou come to Gazer.
📚 Study This Chapter
📖 What We’re Reading
2 Samuel 5:1–5 — David becomes king over all Israel
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Israel’s tribes recognize David’s kinship, past leadership, and the LORD’s calling. David makes a league with the elders before the LORD and is anointed over Israel. His reign is presented in two stages: Judah at Hebron, then all Israel and Judah at Jerusalem.
Key Truth: Leadership is a responsibility toward the people entrusted to it.
Check What You Remember
1. Where did Israel’s elders meet David? (2 Samuel 5:3)
Find it in 2 Samuel 5:3 (KJV).
2. How old was David when he began to reign? (2 Samuel 5:4)
Find it in 2 Samuel 5:4 (KJV).
3. How many years did David reign altogether? (2 Samuel 5:4)
Find it in 2 Samuel 5:4 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
2 Samuel 5:6–16 — Jerusalem and an established kingdom
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
David takes Zion and establishes his residence there. Hiram supplies materials and workers for David’s house. David recognizes that the LORD has established him for Israel’s sake. The account also records additional wives, concubines, and children. Recording royal customs does not itself commend them. The Jebusites’ taunt about the blind and lame must not become a reason to demean disabled people.
Key Truth: Power should serve people rather than enlarge a ruler’s pride.
Check What You Remember
1. Which stronghold did David take? (2 Samuel 5:7)
Find it in 2 Samuel 5:7 (KJV).
2. Who was the king of Tyre? (2 Samuel 5:11)
Find it in 2 Samuel 5:11 (KJV).
3. For whose sake had God exalted David’s kingdom? (2 Samuel 5:12)
Find it in 2 Samuel 5:12 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
2 Samuel 5:17–25 — David seeks direction in two battles
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
When the Philistines attack, David asks the LORD for guidance. A second attack brings a different instruction, including a signal in the mulberry trees. David obeys rather than assuming that yesterday’s method is always the right one. These are particular instructions within Israel’s history, not a formula promising victory in every modern conflict.
Key Truth: Past success does not remove the need for present obedience.
Check What You Remember
1. Who attacked after David was anointed? (2 Samuel 5:17)
Find it in 2 Samuel 5:17 (KJV).
2. In which valley did they spread themselves? (2 Samuel 5:18)
Find it in 2 Samuel 5:18 (KJV).
3. In which trees was David to hear the signal? (2 Samuel 5:24)
Find it in 2 Samuel 5:24 (KJV).
Related Scripture (KJV)
Proverbs 3:6 — This passage directs readers to acknowledge God in all their ways.
This related passage is selected for its connection with this chapter. It is separate from the chapter text.
Reflect and Apply
Where might confidence from a past success make you careless today? Consider how you can seek God’s direction while serving the people affected by your decisions.
Advanced Questions and Answers
Study this chapter’s wording, patterns, contrasts, and meaning in greater depth.
1. What past service do the tribes recall before anointing David?
2. How does the account divide David’s reign between places?
3. What explanation accompanies David’s growing greatness?
4. How does David understand the purpose of his established kingdom?
5. How does the second battle instruction differ from the first?
Notes
Write what you want to remember, questions to explore, or Scriptures to look up later. Your saved notes are private to your account.
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