II Samuel 5
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Commentaries
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Then came all the tribes of Israel - Ish-bosheth the king, and Abner the general, being dead, they had no hope of maintaining a separate kingdom, and therefore thought it better to submit to David's authority. And they founded their resolution on three good arguments: 1. David was their own countryman; We are thy bone and thy flesh. 2. Even in Saul's time David had been their general, and had always led them to victory; Thou wast he that leddest out and broughtest in Israel. 3. God had appointed him to the kingdom, to govern and protect the people; The Lord said to thee, Thou shalt feed my people and be a captain over Israel.
Open source ↗THE TRIBES ANOINT DAVID KING OVER ISRAEL. (Sa2 5:1-5) Then came all the tribes of Israel--a combined deputation of the leading authorities in every tribe. [See on Ch1 11:1.] David possessed the first and indispensable qualification for the throne; namely, that of being an Israelite (Deu 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 (Sa1 16:11-13).
Open source ↗Then came all the tribes of Israel to David unto Hebron,.... All the rest of the tribes, save the tribe of Judah, who had made him king over them in Hebron seven years ago. These were ambassadors sent in the name of the several tribes to him, quickly after the deaths of Abner and Ishbosheth; from having any hand in which David had sufficiently cleared himself, and which had tended to reconcile the minds of the people of Israel to him: and spake, saying, we are thy bone and thy flesh; for though he was of the tribe of Judah, yet as all the tribes sprung from one man, they were all one bone, flesh, and blood; all nearly related to each other, all of the same general family of which David was; and so, according to their law, a fit person to be their king, Deu 16:18; and from whom they might expect clemency and tenderness, being so near akin to them.
Open source ↗Sa2 5:1-2 David Anointed King over all Israel. - Sa2 5:1-3 (compare with this the parallel passages in Ch1 11:1-3). After the death of Ishbosheth, all the tribes of Israel (except Judah) came to Hebron in the persons of their representatives the elders (vid., Sa2 5:3), in response to the summons of Abner (Sa2 3:17-19), to do homage to David as their king. They assigned three reasons for their coming: (1.) "Behold, we are thy bone and thy flesh," i.e., thy blood-relations, inasmuch as all the tribes of Israel were lineal descendants of Jacob (vid., Gen 29:14; Jdg 9:2). (2.) "In time past, when Saul was king over us, thou wast the leader of Israel (thou leddest out and broughtest in Israel)," i.e., thou didst superintend the affairs of Israel (see at Num 27:17; and for the fact itself, Sa1 18:5). מוציא הייתה is an error in writing for המּוציא היית, and מבי for מביא, with the א dropped, as in Kg1 21:21, etc. (vid., Olshausen, Gr. p. 69). (3.) They ended by asserting that Jehovah had called him to be the shepherd and prince over His people. The remarks which we have already made at Sa2 3:18 respecting Abner's appeal to a similar utterance on the part of Jehovah, are equally applicable to the words of Jehovah to David which are quoted here: "Thou shalt feed my people Israel," etc. On the Piska, see the note to Jos 4:1. Sa2 5:3 "All the elders of Israel came" is a repetition of Sa2 5:1, except that the expression "all the tribes of Israel" is more distinctly defined as meaning "all the elders of Israel." "So all the elders came; ... and king David made a covenant with them in Hebron before the Lord (see at Sa2 3:21): and they anointed David king over (all) Israel." The writer of the Chronicles adds, "according to the word of the Lord through Samuel," i.e., so that the command…
Open source ↗Here is, I. The humble address of all the tribes to David, beseeching him to take upon him the government (for they were now as sheep having no shepherd), and owning him for their king. Though David might by no means approve the murder of Ish-bosheth, yet he might improve the advantages he gained thereby, and accept the applications made to him thereupon. Judah had submitted to David as their king above seven years ago, and their ease and happiness, under his administration, encouraged the rest of the tribes to make their court to him. What numbers came from each tribe, with what zeal and sincerity they came, and how they were entertained for three days at Hebron, when they were all of one heart to make David king, we have a full account, 1 Chr. 12:23-40. Here we have only the heads of their address, containing the grounds they went upon in making David king. 1. Their relation to him was some inducement: "We are thy bone and thy flesh (Sa2 5:1), not only thou art our bone and our flesh, not a stranger, unqualified by the law to be king (Deu 17:15), but we are thine," that is, "we know that thou considerest us as thy bone and thy flesh, and hast as tender a concern for us as a man has for his own body, which Saul and his house had not. We are thy bone and thy flesh, and therefore thou wilt be as glad as we shall be to put an end to this long civil war; and thou wilt take pity on us, protect us, and do thy utmost for our welfare." Those who take Christ for their king may thus plead with him: "We are thy bone and thy flesh, thou hast made thyself in all things like unto thy brethren (Heb 2:17); therefore be thou our ruler, and let this ruin be under thy hand," Isa 3:6. 2. His former good services to the public were a further inducement (Sa2 5:2): "When Saul was king he was…
Open source ↗5:1-25 After the murder of Abner and Ishbosheth, the elders of the northern tribes accepted David as their king. David thus obtained an extended empire (5:1-5), a new capital city (5:6-10), a new palace (5:11), a new family (5:13-16), and renewed confidence (5:17-25). 5:1 your own flesh and blood: Years of civil war had set brother against brother, resulting in much bloodshed (see 3:1).
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) שֵׁבֶט (shêbeṭ, H7626) — a scion, i.e. (literally) a stick (for punishing, writing, fighting, ruling, walking,… יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity דָּוִד (Dâvid, H1732) — David, the youngest son of Jesse חֶבְרוֹן (Chebrôwn, H2275) — Chebron, a place in Palestine, also the name of two Israelites אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) עֶצֶם (ʻetsem, H6106) — a bone (as strong); by extension, the body; figuratively, the substance, i.e. (as pron.)… בָּשָׂר (bâsâr, H1320) — flesh (from its freshness); by extension, body, person; also (by euphemistically) the…
Open source ↗אֶתְמוֹל (ʼethmôwl, H865) — heretofore; definitely yesterday שִׁלְשׁוֹם (shilshôwm, H8032) — trebly, i.e. (in time) day before yesterday שָׁאוּל (Shâʼûwl, H7586) — Shaul, the name of an Edomite and two Israelites מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king יָצָא (yâtsâʼ, H3318) — to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and… בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) רָעָה (râʻâh, H7462) — to tend a flock; i.e. pasture it; intransitively, to graze (literally or figuratively);… עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… נָגִיד (nâgîyd, H5057) — a commander (as occupying the front), civil, military or religious; generally…
Open source ↗זָקֵן (zâqên, H2205) — old יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king חֶבְרוֹן (Chebrôwn, H2275) — Chebron, a place in Palestine, also the name of two Israelites דָּוִד (Dâvid, H1732) — David, the youngest son of Jesse כָּרַת (kârath, H3772) — to cut (off, down or asunder); by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to… בְּרִית (bᵉrîyth, H1285) — a compact (because made by passing between pieces of flesh) פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God מָשַׁח (mâshach, H4886) — to rub with oil, i.e. to anoint; by implication, to consecrate; also to paint
Open source ↗דָּוִד (Dâvid, H1732) — David, the youngest son of Jesse שְׁלוֹשִׁים (shᵉlôwshîym, H7970) — thirty; or (ordinal) thirtieth שָׁנֶה (shâneh, H8141) — a year (as a revolution of time) בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… מָלַךְ (mâlak, H4427) — to reign; inceptively, to ascend the throne; causatively, to induct into royalty; hence… אַרְבָּעִים (ʼarbâʻîym, H705) — forty
Open source ↗חֶבְרוֹן (Chebrôwn, H2275) — Chebron, a place in Palestine, also the name of two Israelites מָלַךְ (mâlak, H4427) — to reign; inceptively, to ascend the throne; causatively, to induct into royalty; hence… יְהוּדָה (Yᵉhûwdâh, H3063) — Jehudah (or Judah), the name of five Israelites; also of the tribe descended from the… שֶׁבַע (shebaʻ, H7651) — seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week;… שָׁנֶה (shâneh, H8141) — a year (as a revolution of time) שֵׁשׁ (shêsh, H8337) — six (as an overplus beyond five or the fingers of the hand); as ord. sixth חֹדֶשׁ (chôdesh, H2320) — the new moon; by implication, a month יְרוּשָׁלַ͏ִם (Yᵉrûwshâlaim, H3389) — Jerushalaim or Jerushalem, the capital city of Palestine שְׁלוֹשִׁים (shᵉlôwshîym, H7970) — thirty; or (ordinal) thirtieth שָׁלוֹשׁ (shâlôwsh, H7969) — three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
Open source ↗מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king אֱנוֹשׁ (ʼĕnôwsh, H582) — a man in general (singly or collectively) יָלַךְ (yâlak, H3212) — to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses) יְרוּשָׁלַ͏ִם (Yᵉrûwshâlaim, H3389) — Jerushalaim or Jerushalem, the capital city of Palestine יְבוּסִי (Yᵉbûwçîy, H2983) — a Jebusite or inhabitant of Jebus יָשַׁב (yâshab, H3427) — properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to… אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) דָּוִד (Dâvid, H1732) — David, the youngest son of Jesse סוּר (çûwr, H5493) — to turn off (literal or figurative) עִוֵּר (ʻivvêr, H5787) — blind (literally or figuratively) פִּסֵּחַ (piççêach, H6455) — lame בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
Open source ↗דָּוִד (Dâvid, H1732) — David, the youngest son of Jesse לָכַד (lâkad, H3920) — to catch (in a net, trap or pit); generally, to capture or occupy; also to choose (by… מָצוּד (mâtsûwd, H4686) — a net, or (abstractly) capture; also a fastness צִיּוֹן (Tsîyôwn, H6726) — Tsijon (as a permanent capital), a mountain of Jerusalem עִיר (ʻîyr, H5892) — a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere…
Open source ↗דָּוִד (Dâvid, H1732) — David, the youngest son of Jesse אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to… נָגַע (nâgaʻ, H5060) — properly, to touch, i.e. lay the hand upon (for any purpose; euphemistically, to lie with… צִנּוּר (tsinnûwr, H6794) — a culvert נָכָה (nâkâh, H5221) — to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively) יְבוּסִי (Yᵉbûwçîy, H2983) — a Jebusite or inhabitant of Jebus פִּסֵּחַ (piççêach, H6455) — lame עִוֵּר (ʻivvêr, H5787) — blind (literally or figuratively) שָׂנֵא (sânêʼ, H8130) — to hate (personally) נֶפֶשׁ (nephesh, H5315) — properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in… בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
Open source ↗דָּוִד (Dâvid, H1732) — David, the youngest son of Jesse יָשַׁב (yâshab, H3427) — properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to… מָצוּד (mâtsûwd, H4686) — a net, or (abstractly) capture; also a fastness קָרָא (qârâʼ, H7121) — to call out to (i.e. properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of… עִיר (ʻîyr, H5892) — a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere… בָּנָה (bânâh, H1129) — to build (literally and figuratively) סָבִיב (çâbîyb, H5439) — (as noun) a circle, neighbour, or environs; but chiefly (as adverb, with or without… מִלּוֹא (millôwʼ, H4407) — a rampart (as filled in), i.e. the citadel בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
Open source ↗דָּוִד (Dâvid, H1732) — David, the youngest son of Jesse יָלַךְ (yâlak, H3212) — to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses) הָלַךְ (hâlak, H1980) — to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively) גָּדוֹל (gâdôwl, H1419) — great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… צָבָא (tsâbâʼ, H6635) — a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized forwar (an army);…
Open source ↗חִירָם (Chîyrâm, H2438) — Chiram or Chirom, the name of two Tyrians מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king צֹר (Tsôr, H6865) — Tsor, a place in Palestine שָׁלַח (shâlach, H7971) — to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications) מֲלְאָךְ (mălʼâk, H4397) — a messenger; specifically, of God, i.e. an angel (also a prophet, priest or teacher) דָּוִד (Dâvid, H1732) — David, the youngest son of Jesse אֶרֶז (ʼerez, H730) — a cedar tree (from the tenacity of its roots) עֵץ (ʻêts, H6086) — a tree (from its firmness); hence, wood (plural sticks) חָרָשׁ (chârâsh, H2796) — a fabricator or any material קִיר (qîyr, H7023) — a wall (as built in a trench) אֶבֶן (ʼeben, H68) — a stone בָּנָה (bânâh, H1129) — to build (literally and figuratively) בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
Open source ↗דָּוִד (Dâvid, H1732) — David, the youngest son of Jesse יָדַע (yâdaʻ, H3045) — to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses,… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God כּוּן (kûwn, H3559) — properly, to be erect (i.e. stand perpendicular); hence (causatively) to set up, in a… מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity נָשָׂא (nâsâʼ, H5375) — to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative מַמְלָכָה (mamlâkâh, H4467) — dominion, i.e. (abstractly) the estate (rule) or (concretely) the country (realm) עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence…
Open source ↗דָּוִד (Dâvid, H1732) — David, the youngest son of Jesse לָקַח (lâqach, H3947) — to take (in the widest variety of applications) פִּילֶגֶשׁ (pîylegesh, H6370) — a concubine; also (masculine) a paramour אִשָּׁה (ʼishshâh, H802) — a woman יְרוּשָׁלַ͏ִם (Yᵉrûwshâlaim, H3389) — Jerushalaim or Jerushalem, the capital city of Palestine אַחַר (ʼachar, H310) — properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various… בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) חֶבְרוֹן (Chebrôwn, H2275) — Chebron, a place in Palestine, also the name of two Israelites בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… בַּת (bath, H1323) — a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and… יָלַד (yâlad, H3205) — to bear young; causatively, to beget; medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show…
Open source ↗שֵׁם (shêm, H8034) — an appellation, as amark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority,… יִלּוֹד (yillôwd, H3209) — born יְרוּשָׁלַ͏ִם (Yᵉrûwshâlaim, H3389) — Jerushalaim or Jerushalem, the capital city of Palestine שַׁמּוּעַ (Shammûwaʻ, H8051) — Shammua, the name of four Israelites שׁוֹבָב (Shôwbâb, H7727) — Shobab, the name of two Israelites נָתָן (Nâthân, H5416) — Nathan, the name of five Israelites שְׁלֹמֹה (Shᵉlômôh, H8010) — Shelomah, David's successor
Open source ↗Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
Then Laban declared, “You are indeed my own flesh and blood.” After Jacob had stayed with him a month,
And say to Amasa, ‘Aren’t you my flesh and blood? May God punish me, and ever so severely, if from this time you are not the commander of my army in place of Joab!’”
For we are members of His body.
Now since the children have flesh and blood, He too shared in their humanity, so that by His death He might destroy him who holds the power of death, that is, the devil,
“Please ask all the leaders of Shechem, ‘Is it better for you that seventy men, all the sons of Jerubbaal, rule over you, or just one man?’ Remember that I am your own flesh and blood.”
you are to appoint over yourselves the king whom the LORD your God shall choose. Appoint a king from among your brothers; you are not to set over yourselves a foreigner who is not one of your brothers.