David Established as King over Israel

2 Samuel 5:1-25

Key verse 12 

Then David knew that the LORD had established him as king

over Israel and had exalted his kingdom for the sake of his people Israel.

In this passage, mainly we think about three things.

(1) Spiritual Leader’s Qualifications. (v1-3) [based on this passage] 

(2) God’s Sovereignty (v10,12)

(3) Godly David (v12) vs. Worldly David (v13) 

May God bless us to trust him wholeheartedly! 

Map 1.                                                                               Map 2.

 HYPERLINK "http://www.jesuswalk.com/david/maps/philistine-defeat-2sam-5-1800x1170x300.jpg"       

1. Read verses 1-5. What do the tribes of Israel do to David at Hebron? (1a) Why do they accept David as their king (1b,2) What does David do with the tribes of Israel? (3) How old is David when he becomes king and how long does he reign over Israel? (4,5)

1-1) Read verses 1-5. 

1 All the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron and said, “We are your own flesh and blood. 2 In the past, while Saul was king over us, you were the one who led Israel on their military campaigns. And the Lord said to you, ‘You will shepherd my people Israel, and you will become their ruler.’” 3 When all the elders of Israel had come to King David at Hebron, the king made a covenant with them at Hebron before the Lord, and they anointed David king over Israel. 4 David was thirty years old when he became king, and he reigned forty years. 5 In Hebron he reigned over Judah seven years and six months, and in Jerusalem he reigned over all Israel and Judah thirty-three years.

1-2) What do the tribes of Israel do to David at Hebron? (1a) 

a) All the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron. (5:1a)

After the death of Ish-Bosheth and Abner, they turned to David. 

b) Why not surrender to God’s will earlier?

People of Israel did not turn to David [God’s will] until their king was dead. 

However, God’s will was done in God’s time despite people’s disobedience. 

c) The elders of Israel were slow to accept King David, but eventually they did it. 

God was patient with them so that they would submit to His will. 

People are slow to accept King Jesus, but eventually they would do it. It is a mystery that

God would do it without violating men’s free will. 

1-3) Why do they accept David as their king (1b,2) 

a) “We are your own flesh and blood.” (5:1b)

They accepted David as their own although David lived in the Philistine for a while.  

b) “Because you were the one who led Israel on their military campaigns.” (5:2) 

David had displayed his ability to lead. Elders acknowledged it.

c) “Because the LORD said so.” (5:2)

The elders of Israel finally accepted what God has said to David. 

d) “You will shepherd my people Israel, and you will become their ruler”: 

God/Jesus is the shepherd. Rulers are representatives of God. 

e) 3 characteristics of David/Jesus/ church leaders.

i) Calling from God: A leader must have an evident call from God.

ii) Proving themselves: A leader must demonstrate his capability to lead. 

iii) Accepted by people as loving, caring, and sacrificial leaders.

1-4) What does David do with the tribes of Israel? (3) 

a) The king made a covenant with them at Hebron before the Lord. 

The contents were probably similar to what Saul did. (1Sam 8:10-18, 10:25)

b) And they anointed David king over Israel. (1Chr 12:23-40) 

People of Israel were joyful when God’s will was done among them. (1Chr 12:38-40)

1-5) How old is David when he becomes king and how long does he reign over Israel? (4,5)

a) David was 30 years old when he became king. (v4)

He was anointed by Samuel when about 15yrs old. [Assumption]

He became the King of Judah at the age 30yrs. (v4)

He became the King of Israel at the age 37yrs. (v5)

b) Preparation time: David spent at least 15yrs [training time] to be the King.

Abraham: 25yrs, Moses: 40yrs in the palace, 40yrs in the wilderness. 

Spiritual preparation does not have a short cut.

2. Read verses 6-10. What do the king and his men do after his inauguration? (6a) What do the Jebusites say to David? (6b)  What does David do to the fortress of Zion? (7)  How does David conquer the Jebusites? (8) What does David do after conquering Jerusalem? (9) Why does David become more and more powerful? (10) 

2-1) Read verses 6-10. 

6 The king and his men marched to Jerusalem to attack the Jebusites, who lived there. The Jebusites said to David, “You will not get in here; even the blind and the lame can ward you off.” They thought, “David cannot get in here.” 7 Nevertheless, David captured the fortress of Zion—which is the City of David. 8 On that day David had said, “Anyone who conquers the Jebusites will have to use the water shaft to reach those ‘lame and blind’ who are David’s enemies.” That is why they say, “The ‘blind and lame’ will not enter the palace.” 9 David then took up residence in the fortress and called it the City of David. He built up the area around it, from the terraces inward. 10 And he became more and more powerful, because the Lord God Almighty was with him.

2-2) What do the king and his men do after his inauguration? (6a) 

a) The king and his men went to Jerusalem against the Jebusites.

b) Why did he attack the Jerusalem after inauguration? [Speculations]

i) David wanted to fulfill God’s commands as a man after God’s own heart.

To attack could mean taking the Promised Land and punishing the evil Canaanite 

accordingly.

ii) David wanted to take the strategic city as a man of political strategies. 

Jerusalem was a natural fortress (v7). 

c) God commanded Israel to take the whole land about over 400 years ago. 

But, up to this point, Jerusalem was still a Canaanite city in the middle of Israel. 

David was actively seeking to fulfill God’s commands in his generation. (Acts 13:36)

2-3) What do the Jebusites say to David? (6b)  

a) “You will not get in here, even the blind and the lame can ward [guard/protect] you off.”

b) Jerusalem was a natural fortress. It is difficult to attack since it was located higher than other area. 

Jebusites was overconfident and quick to mock David and his troops.

c) People who trust in something other than God will be perished. (Prov 11:28; 28:26; Isa 20:5)

2-4) What does David do to the fortress of Zion? (7)   

a) Nevertheless David captured the fortress of Zion. 

b) Despite the difficulty, David and his men took the city. 

He was an excellent warrior.

 

2-5) How does David conquer the Jebusites? (8) 

a) Possibly through water shaft. (see map 2)

b) David’s attitude: ‘Challenging the mission-impossible’ Attitude.

He had very specific logical tactics to attack. 

2-6) What does David do after conquering Jerusalem? (9) 

a) David took up residence in the fortress.

He decided to live in Jerusalem, which became the capital city of David's kingdom. 

b) He built up the area around it, from the terraces inward. 

c) The City of David.

Neutral area since no tribes lived here before. It is good for a unified Israel.

Natural fortress. It is good for defense against a hostile army.

2-7) Why does David become more and more powerful? (10)

a) The Lord God Almighty was with him.

David was an excellent military strategist and mighty warrior. 

But the source of his success was the Lord God Almighty, not his ability or power. 

 b) What does it mean “the Lord God Almighty was with him”?

i) God was actively with David such as Giving Direction, Protecting, and Empowering

David.

ii) David was actively walking with God such as Obeying, Trusting, Praying, and 

Worshiping God. 

3.  Read verses 11-15. What does Hiram, king of Tyre do for David? (11) What does David realize after his palace was built by Hiram, king of Tyre? (12) What does David do after leaving Hebron? (13) What are the names of David’s children born in Jerusalem? (14, 15) 

3-1) Read verses 11-15

11 Now Hiram king of Tyre sent envoys to David, along with cedar logs and carpenters and stonemasons, and they built a palace for David. 12 Then David knew that the Lord had established him as king over Israel and had exalted his kingdom for the sake of his people Israel. 13 After he left Hebron, David took more concubines and wives in Jerusalem, and more sons and daughters were born to him. 14 These are the names of the children born to him there: Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon, 15 Ibhar, Elishua, Nepheg, Japhia, 16 Elishama, Eliada and Eliphelet.

3-2) What does Hiram, king of Tyre do for David? (11) 

a) Hiram, king of Tyre, neighboring king, honored David.

He sent envoys, carpenters, and stonemasons and they built a palace for David. 

b) This showed David’s power and influence. 

What happened here was probably toward end of David’s reign, not the beginning of his

 Reign.  

3-3) What does David realize after his palace was built by Hiram, king of Tyre? (12) 

a) The Lord had established him as king over Israel.

David knew that God called him and established him over Israel.

b) It was for the sake of His people Israel. It was not for the sake of David.

David knew he was lifted up for the sake of His people Israel.

Ultimately For His Glory. God will be glorified through His people. (Isa 43:7)

3-4) What does David do after leaving Hebron? (13) 

a) David took more concubines and wives in Jerusalem.

i) David was in disobedience to God’s commandment. (Deut 17:17) 

ii) Taking more concubines as well as many wives is inexcusable: he was full of lust.  

b) David’s sins (v13) were written right after David’s spiritual enlightenment. (v12).

i) What a difference in just one verse:  Godly David and Worldly David. 

ii) Contrast between God and David. It reveals the amazing grace of God.

iii) David, a man after God’s own heart, disobeyed God’s commands. 

Then what does ‘being a man after God’s own heart’ really mean?

iv) What is the purpose of recording David’s sin problem?

Through this, author clearly reveals the grace of God. (Exo 34:6,7)  

Through this, David suffered a lot because of his sins. 

c) More sons and daughters were born to David.

i) In general, children and wives are God’s gifts and God’s blessings.

ii) David’s trials come from his relationship with women and his children. 

God’s blessing became the sources of David’s trials. What a paradox it is!

iii) Would it be fair to say that trials due to wives and children are the real blessing?

Trials make us pure, holy before God. It is mysteriously working for our good. 

iv) Future troubles were sown in times of great success.

How should we behave in times of our success? We should be humble before 

God/people.

3-5) What are the names of David’s children born in Jerusalem? (14, 15)

a) 11 more sons

Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon, Ibhar, Elishua, 

Nepheg, Japhia, Elishama, Eliada, Eliphelet.

b) Solomon’s name was introduced for the first time. 

He was a next King after David as we all know it

4.  Read verses 17-25. What do the Philistines do after hearing that David had been anointed king over Israel? (17-18) What does David ask the Lord? (19a) How does the Lord answer David? (19b) What happens at Baal Perazim? (20,21) How does David defeat the Philistines at the valley of Rephaim? (22-24)  What does David do? (25)

4-1) Read verses 17-25.

17 When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over Israel, they went up in full force to search for him, but David heard about it and went down to the stronghold. 18 Now the Philistines had come and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim; 19 so David inquired of the Lord, “Shall I go and attack the Philistines? Will you deliver them into my hands?” The Lord answered him, “Go, for I will surely deliver the Philistines into your hands.” 20 So David went to Baal Perazim, and there he defeated them. He said, “As waters break out, the Lord has broken out against my enemies before me.” So that place was called Baal Perazim. 21 The Philistines abandoned their idols there, and David and his men carried them off. 22 Once more the Philistines came up and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim; 23 so David inquired of the Lord, and he answered, “Do not go straight up, but circle around behind them and attack them in front of the poplar trees. 24 As soon as you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the poplar trees, move quickly, because that will mean the Lord has gone out in front of you to strike the Philistine army.” 25 So David did as the Lord commanded him, and he struck down the Philistines all the way from Gibeon to Gezer.

4-2) What do the Philistines do after hearing that David had been anointed king over Israel? (17-18) 

a) They went up in full force to search for him.

When? It is after David became king over Israel

Why? They considered David as their enemy.

b) David did not want to have any political alliance with the Philistine. 

David clearly knew who enemies of God are and who the allies are. 

David needed a victory over enemies to unite Israel into one nation under God. 

c) Outward Success  can bring new challenges from outside.

Challenges from outside are not easy. (2Sam chapter 6,8,10)

Challenges from inside us are the most difficult enemies. (2Sam 11)

Spiritual victories over inside enemies are impossible without God. 

d) Spiritual applications in NT Reader’s perspective.

As God works mightily in our lives so does the devil work hard against us.

Therefore, we should be alert, stand firm and be courageous and strong. (1Cor 16:13,14)

4-3) What does David ask the Lord? (19a) 

a) David went down to the stronghold. (v17b)

Stronghold: caves on a mountainside. (1Sam 22:4; 23:14,29; 24:3)

The king David was hiding himself from the enemy.

Why? Possibly, he needed time to seek God’s guidance in this important matter. 

b) David inquired of the LORD.

Asking God’s help in times of trouble defines David’s life. (Eph 6:18, 1The 5:17)

God gave him assurance for the victory. (v19)

He was a man of Prayer and a man of Faith.

4-4) How does the Lord answer David? (19b) 

a) God answered David’s prayer through revealing his plan. God always answers our prayer. 

b) God gave David the assurance We need God’s assurance. We need to hold God’s promises in 

prayers.  

c) How can we get the direct answer from God like David did?

We can hear the voice of God in the Scripture. The Bible is God’s voice.

We must trust/depend on the Holy Spirit and His written words. 

We must walk with the Spirit by reading the Bible and praying to God honestly. 

If you hear the voice from inside, [if not from the Scripture] you need to test the

spirit whether it is from God or from Satan. (1Jn 4:1)

 

4-5) What happens at Baal Perazim? (20,21) 

a) “The Lord has broken out against my enemies before me as waters break out”.

God’s power is described like a breakthrough power of water. 

b) The Philistines abandoned their idols there.

They brought idols because they thought idols would help defeat the Israelites.

c) OT Reader’s Perspective:

i) Between the power of God and idols. They experienced the power of living God

ii) Between worshiping God vs. idols. They realized the stupidity of worshiping Idols.

iii) Battle belongs to the Lord. They could fully trust the Lord. 

4-6) How does David defeat the Philistines at the valley of Rephaim? (22-24)  

a) David inquired of the Lord again. (5:23)

After the first victory, David was wise enough to seek and obey God. 

b) “Do not go straight up, but circle around behind them.” (5:23)

God gave different direction to David.

God wants us to depend on Him all the time instead of our previous experiences. 

c) “The sound of marching in the tops of the poplar trees.” (5:24)

It is as if the marching sound of the Spirit of God. 

It is as if armies of angels walk through the clouds and make the sounds of marching

4-7) What does David do? (25)

David did as the Lord commanded him. (5:25)

David’s obedience to God was displayed well

*Things to think about more 

1) Elders of Israel anointed David as king of Israel. 

Why are people slow to accept God, God’s promises?

What are the qualifications to be elders [leaders] in the church?

2) David became king of Israel 15years later after God anointed him as king.

How long should we wait or be patient for the will of God?

3) David was actively seeking to fulfill God’s commands in his generation. (Acts 13:36)

What should we actively seek to serve God in our generation?

4) Godly David and worldly David. What can we learn from it? 

5) David inquired of God before the battle. 

How should we fight the spiritual battle?