Matthew Henry Commentary 2 Samuel 5
Matthew Henry Commentary
2 Samuel 5
Matthew Henry Commentary
2 Samuel 5
"Then came all the tribes of Israel to David unto Hebron, and spake, saying, Behold, we are thy bone and thy flesh. In times past, when Saul was king over us, it was thou that leddest out and broughtest in Israel: and Jehovah said to thee, Thou shalt be shepherd of my people Israel, and thou shalt be prince over Israel. So all the elders of Israel came to the king to Hebron; and king David made a covenant with them in Hebron before Jehovah: and they anointed David king over Israel. David was thirty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned forty years. In Hebron he reigned over Judah seven years and six months; and in Jerusalem he reigned thirty and three years over all Israel and Judah." — 2 Samuel 5:1-5 (ASV)
David was anointed king a third time. His advances were gradual, that his faith might be tried, and that he might gain experience. Thus his kingdom typified that of the Messiah, which was to come to its height by degrees. Thus Jesus became our Brother, took upon himself our nature, and dwelt in it that he might become our Prince and Savior: thus the humbled sinner takes encouragement from this endearing relationship, applies for his salvation, submits to his authority, and craves his protection.
"And the king and his men went to Jerusalem against the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land, who spake unto David, saying, Except thou take away the blind and the lame, thou shalt not come in hither; thinking, David cannot come in hither. Nevertheless David took the stronghold of Zion; the same is the city of David. And David said on that day, Whosoever smiteth the Jebusites, let him get up to the watercourse, and [smite] the lame and the blind, that are hated of David`s soul. Wherefore they say, There are the blind and the lame; he cannot come into the house. And David dwelt in the stronghold, and called it the city of David. And David built round about from Millo and inward. And David waxed greater and greater; for Jehovah, the God of hosts, was with him." — 2 Samuel 5:6-10 (ASV)
The enemies of God's people are often very confident of their own strength, and most secure when their day to fall draws near. But the pride and insolence of the Jebusites animated David, and the Lord God of hosts was with him. Thus in the day of God's power, Satan's stronghold, the human heart, is changed into a habitation of God through the Spirit, and into a throne on which the Son of David rules, and brings every thought into obedience to himself. May He thus come, and claim, and cleanse each of our hearts; and, destroying every idol, may He reign there forever!
"And Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, and cedar-trees, and carpenters, and masons; and they built David a house. And David perceived that Jehovah had established him king over Israel, and that he had exalted his kingdom for his people Israel`s sake. 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. And these are the names of those that were born unto him in Jerusalem: Shammua, and Shobab, and Nathan, and Solomon, and Ibhar, and Elishua, and Nepheg, and Japhia, and Elishama, and Eliada, and Eliphelet." — 2 Samuel 5:11-16 (ASV)
David's house was not worse, nor less fit to be dedicated to God, for being built by the sons of the stranger. It is prophesied of the gospel church, The sons of strangers shall build up thy walls, and their kings shall minister unto thee (Isaiah 60:10).
David's government was rooted and built up. David was established king; so is the Son of David, and all who, through him, are made to our God kings and priests. Never had the nation of Israel appeared so great as it then began to be.
Many have the favor and love of God, yet do not perceive it, and so lack the comfort of it; but to be exalted to that, and to perceive it, is happiness. David acknowledged it was for his people's sake God had done great things for him; that he might be a blessing to them, and that they might be happy under him.
"And when the Philistines heard that they had anointed David king over Israel, all the Philistines went up to seek David; and David heard of it, and went down to the stronghold. Now the Philistines had come and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim. And David inquired of Jehovah, saying, Shall I go up against the Philistines? wilt thou deliver them into my hand? And Jehovah said unto David, Go up; for I will certainly deliver the Philistines into thy hand. And David came to Baal-perazim, and David smote them there; and he said, Jehovah hath broken mine enemies before me, like the breach of waters. Therefore he called the name of that place Baal-perazim. And they left their images there; and David and his men took them away. And the Philistines came up yet again, and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim. And when David inquired of Jehovah, he said, Thou shalt not go up: make a circuit behind them, and come upon them over against the mulberry-trees. And it shall be, when thou hearest the sound of marching in the tops of the mulberry-trees, that then thou shalt bestir thyself; for then is Jehovah gone out before thee to smite the host of the Philistines. And David did so, as Jehovah commanded him, and smote the Philistines from Geba until thou come to Gezer." — 2 Samuel 5:17-25 (ASV)
The Philistines did not consider that David had the presence of God with him, which Saul had forfeited and lost. The kingdom of the Messiah, as soon as it was set up in the world, was thus attacked by the powers of darkness. The heathen raged, and the kings of the earth set themselves to oppose it; but all in vain (Psalms 2:1 and following).
The destruction will turn, as this did, upon Satan's own kingdom. David acknowledges his dependence on God for victory and commits himself to God's good pleasure: Will you do it? The assurance God has given us of victory over our spiritual enemies should encourage us in our spiritual conflicts. David waited until God moved; then he stirred, but not until then.
He was trained in dependence on God and his providence. God performed his promise, and David did not fail to improve his advantages. When the kingdom of the Messiah was to be set up, the apostles, who were to beat down the devil's kingdom, were not to attempt anything until they received the promise of the Spirit, who came with a sound from heaven, as of a rushing, mighty wind (Acts 2:2).
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