1The tribes come to Hebron, and anoint David king over Israel. 4His age and reign. 6He taketh Zion from the Jebusites, and, fixing his residence there, calleth it the city of David. 11Hiram sendeth him timber and workmen to build him a house. 13Eleven sons are born to him in Jerusalem. 17David directed by God smiteth the Philistines at Baal-perazim, 22and again at the mulberry trees.
1THEN camea all the 1tribes of Israel to David unto Hebron, and spake, saying, Behold, we are thy 2bone and thy flesh.
a 1 Chron. 11:1.
1 Understand, ambassadors sent from all the tribes. See verse 3.
2 We are of one blood; both descended from the patriarch Jacob, and consequently brethren. Such a person God had commanded them to choose for their king, Deut. 17:15. Concerning the phrase, see Gen. 29 on verse 14.
2Also in time 3past, when Saul was king over us, thou wast he 4that leddest out and broughtest in Israel: and the LORD 5said to thee, Thoub shalt 6feed my people Israel, and thou shalt be a 7captain over Israel.
3 Hebr. yesterday, also before yesterday.
4 That is, who conducted the soldiers to and away from the enemy, went everywhere before them, and had proper generalship, and is as such an experienced commander and most equipped for the kingdom. See 1 Sam. 18:5, 16, and compare Num. 27 on verse 17.
5 At the time of thine anointing by Samuel, described in 1 Sam. 16:11, 12, 13, although these words are not mentioned there.
b 2 Sam. 7:7; Psalm 78:71.
6 That is, govern them with such care, affection and faithfulness, as a good shepherd (of which thou hast knowledge) leads, feeds, governs, takes care of, and protects his sheep. See 2 Sam. 7:7; Psalm 78:70, 71.
7 Or, leader, duke. See 2 Sam. 6:21.
3So all the 8elders of Israel came to the king to Hebron; and king David made a 9league with them in Hebron before 10the LORD: and they 11anointed David king over Israel.
8 See Exod. 3:16, and compare Lev. 4:15; 9:1.
9 Whereby they were bound on both sides by oath to perform their duties to each other.
10 That is, in the presence of the priest clothed with the ephod, or in a stately assembly and solemn meeting, with calling upon the Name of the Lord. Compare Judges 11 on verse 11.
11 This was David's third anointing. See 2 Sam. 2 on verse 4.
4¶David was thirty years 12old when he began to reign, and he reigned 13forty years.
12 Hebr. a son of thirty year.
13 And six months, as appears from the following verse. Of such an use of a round and complete number, see Judges 11 on verse 26. Others understand six months among the forty years. But the verse which follows, and 1 Kings 2:11 (where the same years of David's reign at Hebron are only mentioned, without the six months) seem to import that the six months of his reign at Hebron, are over and above the forty years.
5Inc Hebron he reigned over Judah seven years and six months: and in Jerusalem he reigned thirty and three years over all Israel and Judah.
c 2 Sam. 2:11; 1 Kings 2:11; 1 Chron. 3:4.
6¶And the king and 14his men 15went to 16Jerusalem unto the 17Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land: which spake unto David, saying, Except thou take away the 18blind and the lame, thou shalt not come in hither: thinking, David cannot come in hither.
14 That is, soldiers, as are often mentioned in the previous chapters.
15 Without doubt, by the advice and counsel of God, and with the consent and approbation of the ambassadors and elders of Israel, who had been with him, verse 3.
16 Previously called Jebus, Judges 19:10, and Salem, Gen. 14:18; Psalm 76:1, 2, being the place chosen by God to set His Name there, and to erect the throne of the kingdom over all Israel, belonging to Judah (David’s tribe) and Benjamin.
17 Who hitherto had had possession of Jerusalem, or at least the greatest and strongest part thereof, namely, the stronghold. See Judges 1 on verse 8; Judges 19 on verse 12.
18 To whom they (according to the opinion of some) had given in custody the stronghold, unto David’s spite and ridicule, willing to show therewith that the place was so strong by itself that also the blind and the lame would be able to defend it against David. Other, except thou take away, or, put away those blind and crippled ones; whereby some understand the idolatrous images of the Jebusites whom they, as protectors, entrusted with the keeping and guarding of the stronghold, calling them blind and cripple, according to the opinion of David and the Israelites, but imagined that they would find them otherwise differently. Others understand by the blind and cripple the soldiers of David, whom they so scornfully reviled; as if they had said: They must be of another kind of soldiers who must do it, rather than your men.
7Nevertheless David took the strong hold of Zion: the same is the 19city of David.
19 See verse 9, and 1 Kings 2 on verse 10.
8And David said on that day, Whosoeverd getteth up to the 20gutter,e and 21smiteth the Jebusites, and the lame and the blind, that are 22hated of David's soul, he 23shall be chief and captain. 24Wherefore they said, 25The blind and the lame shall not come into the house.
d 1 Chron. 11:6.
20 Or, channel, pipe, waterline, sluice; that is, within the stronghold, wherein this gutter, together with the blind and lame, lay, or where the idols were set up.
e channel, shaft, tunnel*
21 Meaning, he who shall be the first and foremost in smiting the Jebusites. See 1 Chron. 11:6.
22 Because of the scorn and contempt by the Jebusites, verse 6. Or, it may be meant of the idols of the Jebusites, whom David’s soul hated and abhorred. Other, (for the cripple and blind are hated of David’s soul), that is, David loves no lame and blind people, but valiant and stout soldiers.
23 These words are inserted out of 1 Chron. 11:6 to fill up David’s speech or saying. Some perceive that it may be here so taken, as that the promise of reward may be concealed, as is most usual in making an oath and otherwise.
24 That is, this proverb has remained in remembrance of this remarkable passage.
25 Or, because they had said even the blind and the lame, he shall not come into the house; thus to deride a careless person or those who, being proud and bragging of idle and vain help, find themselves deceived as the Jebusites did, in their boasting of the blind and cripple against David. Some are of opinion that it was concluded at that time for remembrance hereof, to permit no blind and lame persons to come anymore into the stronghold of Zion. Some perceive this to be the meaning, that they must be stout and valiant soldiers who shall take or subdue a strong place.
9So David dwelt in the fort, and called it the city of David. And 26David built round about from 27Millo and inward.
26 And Joab built the rest, 1 Chron. 11:8.
27 Of Millo see Judges 9 on verse 6; 1 Kings 9 on verse 15.
10And David 28went on, and grew great, and the LORD God of 29hosts 30was with him.
28 Hebr. went going and growing great, that is, became from time to time bigger and stronger.
29 See 1 Kings 18 on verse 15.
30 See Gen. 21 on verse 22; Gen. 26 on verse 24; Num. 14 on verse 9.
11¶And 31Hiramf king of 32Tyre sent messengers to David, and cedar trees, and 33carpenters, and 34masons: and they built David an house.
31 Hebr. Chiram.
f 1 Chron. 14:1.
32 Hebr. Tsor. A very famous, mighty, royal commercial city, situated at and in the sea by the western borders of the tribe of Asher. See also Joshua 19 on verse 29.
33 Hebr. masters, or, artificers of wood.
34 Hebr. artificers, or, masters of stone of the wall, or, wall-stone.
12And David perceived that the LORD had 35established him king over Israel, and that he had exalted his kingdom 36for his people Israel's sake.
35 That is, he was by the experience of God’s gracious blessing and assistance, both in spiritual and corporal things, more and more strengthened, and assured in his calling to the kingdom over Israel.
36 That is, for the good of His church.
13¶Andg David took him more 37concubines and wives out of Jerusalem, after he was come from Hebron: and there were yet sons and daughters born to David.
g 1 Chron. 3:9; 14:3, etc.
37 Of concubines see Gen. 22 on verse 24.
14Andh these be the names of those that were born unto him in Jerusalem; 38Shammua, and Shobab, and Nathan, and 39Solomon,
h 1 Chron. 3:5; 14:4, etc.
38 Called also Shimea, 1 Chron. 3:5.
39 Hebr. Schelomoh.
15Ibhar also, and 40Elishua, and Nepheg, and Japhia,
40 Called also Elishama, 1 Chron. 3:6.
16And Elishama, and 41Eliada, and Eliphalet.
41 Also called Beeliada, 1 Chron. 14:7.
17 ¶ 42Buti when the Philistines heard that 43they had anointed David king over Israel, all the Philistines came up to 44seek David; and David heard of it, and 45went down to the 46hold.
42 Compare herewith the repetition of this history, done in 1 Chron. 14:8, etc.
i 1 Chron. 14:8, etc.
43 Namely, the Israelites.
44 To surprise him betimes and to smite altogether, as a dreadful enemy.
45 Namely, with his soldiers, forces.
46 To abide himself with his army by the fort, until he would have determined something more certain. See 1 Chron. 14:8.
18The Philistines also came and spread themselves in the valley of 47Rephaim.
47 Or, of the giants. See Gen. 14 on verse 5. This valley was situated in Judah, Joshua 15:8; or, on the northern borders of Judah, in Benjamin, westward from Jerusalem.
19And David 48enquired 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 49doubtless deliver the Philistines into thine hand.
48 Compare 1 Sam. 23:9; 30:7; 2 Sam. 2:1, etc.
49 Hebr. giving give.
20And David came to 50Baal-perazim,j and David smote them there, and said, 51The LORD hath broken forth upon mine enemies before me, as the breach of waters. Therefore he called the name of that place 52Baal-perazim.
50 Afterward so called by David, as is related in the following words.
j Isa. 28:21.
51 Or, The LORD hath rent mine enemies before my face, as a rent of waters or incursion, breaking through of waters. The sense seems to be that God, by His power and David’s service (1 Chron. 14:11), had fallen upon the Philistines and overthrown them as waters do break through with force and violence, and run over all things and cast them down; or, as easily as waters passes by or is divided and scattered so easily, God has scattered the Philistines one from another.
52 That is, lord or master, possessor of cracks, breaches, breakings through; that is, the plain or the level ground of cracks, the place of breaches.
21And there 53they left their 54images, andk David and his men 55burned them.
53 The Philistines, who had taken their idols along with them, were thinking to get surely the victory by their presence.
54 The Hebrew word signifies pains, smarts, grieves, because these are the fruits of idolatry. See 1 Sam. 31 on verse 9.
k 1 Chron. 14:12.
55 Or, took them up; to burn them with fire by David’s order and God’s command, Deut. 7:25, as is expressly mentioned 1 Chron. 14:12. Other, let them ascend in the fire.
22¶And the Philistines came up yet 56again, and spread themselves in the valley of 57Rephaim.
56 Hebr. added, or, went on again, or, again or once more to march up.
57 As before. See verse 18.
23And when David 58enquired of the LORD, he said, Thou shalt not go up; but fetch a compass behind them, and come upon them over against the mulberry trees.
58 See on verse 19.
24And let it be, when thou hearest the 59sound of a going in the tops of the mulberry trees, that then thou shalt 60bestir thyself: for then shall the LORD 61go out before thee, to smite the host of the Philistines.
59 That is, (as some understand it) a noise, as it were, of marching; whereby may be understood the presence of the holy angels.
60 That is, get thee up with the soldiers to fall upon the Philistines.
61 See Judges 4 on verse 14.
25And David did so, as the LORD had commanded him; and smote the Philistines from 62Geba until thou come 63to Gazer.
62 Otherwise usually called Gibeah, situated in Benjamin. See Judges 19 on verse 13; Judges 20 on verse 10. In 1 Chron. 14:16 it is called Gibeon.
63 Situated in Ephraim, in the west toward the sea. See Joshua 16:10.