II Samuel 5:9

II. The Government of David Over All Israel in the Time of Its Strength And Glory - 2 Samuel 5 After the death of Ishbosheth, David was anointed in Hebron by all the tribes as king over the whole of Israel (Sa2 5:1-5). He then proceeded to attack the Jebusites in Jerusalem, conquered their fortress Zion, and made Jerusalem the capital of his kingdom; fortifying it still further, and building a palace in it (Sa2 5:6-16), after he had twice inflicted a defeat upon the Philistines (Sa2 5:17-25). But in order that the chief city of his kingdom and the seat of his own palace might also be made the religious centre of the whole nation as a congregation of Jehovah, he first of all brought the ark of the covenant out of its place of concealment, and had it conveyed in a festal procession to Zion, and deposited there in a tent which had been specially prepared for it, as a place of worship for the whole congregation (2 Samuel 6). He then resolved to erect for the Lord in Jerusalem a temple fitted for His name; and the Lord gave him in return the promise of the eternal perpetuity of his throne (2 Samuel 7). To this there is appended a cursory account of David's wars with the neighbouring nations, by which not only his own sovereignty, but the Israelitish kingdom of God, was raised into a commanding power among the nations and kingdoms of the world. In connection with all this, David still maintained his affection and fidelity towards the fallen royal family of Saul, and showed compassion towards the last remaining descendant of that family (Sa2 9:1-13). This account of the unfolding of the power and glory of the kingdom of Israel, through the instrumentality of David and during his reign, is so far arranged chronologically, that all the events and all the enterprises of David men…

How far Abner's deserting the house of Saul, his murder, and the murder of Ish-bosheth, might contribute to the perfecting of the revolution, and the establishing of David as king over all Israel, does not appear; but, it should seem, that happy change followed presently thereupon, which in this chapter we have an account of. Here is, I. David anointed king by all the tribes (Sa2 5:1-5). II. Making himself master of the strong-hold of Zion (Sa2 5:6-10). III. Building himself a house and strengthening himself in his kingdom (Sa2 5:11, Sa2 5:12). IV. His children that were born after this (Sa2 5:13-16). V. His victories over the Philistines (Sa2 5:17-25).

5:9 made the fortress his home: Jerusalem was a practical place from which David could effectively administer the extended kingdom. It was a centrally located neutral city on the border between Judah and the northern territories, and its natural fortifications and water tunnel were useful in case of siege. • the supporting terraces: See study note on 1 Kgs 9:15.