2 Samuel 5:3

_SO ALL THE ELDERS OF ISRAEL CAME TO THE KING TO HEBRON; AND KING DAVID MADE A LEAGUE WITH THEM IN HEBRON BEFORE THE LORD: AND THEY ANOINTED DAVID KING OVER ISRAEL._ And they anointed David king over Israel - (see the notes at 1 Samuel 10:1.) KING DAVID MADE A LEAGUE WITH THEM - (see the notes at 1 Samuel 10:25.) This formal declaration of the constitution, as well as defining the limitations of the royal power and prerogative, was chiefly made at the commencement of a new dynasty, or at the restoration of the royal family after a usurpation (2 Kings 11:17), though circumstances sometimes led to its being renewed on the accession of any new sovereign ...

1-5 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 him our nature, dwelt in it that he might become our Prince and Saviour: thus the humbled sinner takes encouragement from the endearing relation, applies for his salvation, submits to his authority, and craves his protection....

Verse 2 Samuel 5:3. _THEY ANOINTED DAVID KING_] This was the third time that David was anointed, having now taken possession of the whole kingdom....

BEFORE THE LORD - Abiathar and Zadok the priests were both with David, and the tabernacle and altar may have been at Hebron, though the ark was at Kirjath-jearim....

EXPOSITION 2 SAMUEL 5:1 THEN CAME ALL THE TRIBES OF ISRAEL. As Ishbosheth reigned only two years, and David's reign at Hebron lasted for seven years and a half, there is an interval of more than five years to be accounted for; and we have given reason for believing (see note on 2 Samuel 2:10) that it must be placed after the death of Ishbosheth. The treacherous murder of Abner, and the tragic fate of Ishbosheth following upon it so rapidly, must have filled all Israel with horror, and made them look upon David as "a bloody man" (2 Samuel 16:8). But gradually his innocence became clear to all except inveterate partisans, and as the prejudice against him passed away, th

SO ALL THE ELDERS OF ISRAEL CAME TO THE KING TO HEBRON,.... Which either explains what is meant by the tribes coming to him, 2 Samuel 5:1; namely, coming by their elders as their representatives; or else the meaning is, that the messengers the tribes sent, when they returned and reported the favourable reception they had met with from David; the elders of the several tribes, the princes or principal men met, and came together to David in Hebron: AND KING DAVID MADE A LEAGUE WITH THEM BEFORE THE LORD; the states of the nation; he entered into a covenant with them; he on his part promising to rule them in justice and judgment according to the laws, and they promising to yield a cheerful obedience to him in all things just and lawful: and this was done "before the Lord"; either before the ark of the Lord, as Abarbinel; but that was in Kirjathjearim, from whence it was after th

II. DAVID KING OVER ALL ISRAEL AND THE EVENTS OF HIS REIGN 1. David Anointed King over all Israel CHAPTER 5:1-5 _ 1. David anointed king over all Israel (2 Samuel 5:1)_ 2. Duration of his reign (2 Samuel 5:4) The events of the reign of David over Judah had a beneficial effect upon all Israel. After Ish-bosheth's death all the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron. It is a blessed scene when they appear to anoint him King over all Israel. 1 Chronicles 12 should here be consulted. In that chapter the names of those are given who stood by David. In verse 38 we read: “All these men of war, that could keep rank, came with a perfect heart to Hebron, to make David king over all Israel; an

DAVID BECOMES KING OF UNITED ISRAEL AND JUDAH. HE CAPTURES JERUSALEM (J). (_Cf._ p. 282.) Two notes have been added to this section (2 Samuel 5:4 f. and 2 Samuel 5:13), of the same character as 2 Samuel 2:10_ a_, 11, 2 Samuel 3:1, and probably by the same hand. 2 SAMUEL 5:1. On the basis of terms, a covenant, agreed upon between him and the elders, or Sheikhs, of Israel, David is anointed king over Israel, thus becoming king of both Israel and Judah. This act brought Judah into organic union with the other tribes, for the first

MADE. LEAGUE. solemnised. covenant. anointed David. See note on 1 Samuel 16:13....

_all the elders of Israel_ From 2 Samuel 5:1 and 1 Chronicles 12:23-40 it is evident that a general assembly of the nation, and not merely a few delegates, met at Hebron: here the _elders_are particularly specified because they acted as the representatives of the people in negotiating with David. See note on 1 Samuel 8:4, and cp. ch. 2 Samuel 3:17. _made a league with them_ Cp. ch. 2 Samuel 3:21. This -league" was probably a solemn contract in which the king on the one hand engaged to rule according to the laws, and the pe