King James Version

What Does 2 Samuel 5:2 Mean?

2 Samuel 5:2 in the King James Version says “Also in time past , when Saul was king over us, thou wast he that leddest out and broughtest in Israel: and the LORD sai... — study this verse from 2 Samuel chapter 5 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Also in time past , when Saul was king over us, thou wast he that leddest out and broughtest in Israel: and the LORD said to thee, Thou shalt feed my people Israel, and thou shalt be a captain over Israel.

2 Samuel 5:2 · KJV


Context

1

Then came all the tribes of Israel to David unto Hebron, and spake, saying, Behold, we are thy bone and thy flesh.

2

Also in time past , when Saul was king over us, thou wast he that leddest out and broughtest in Israel: and the LORD said to thee, Thou shalt feed my people Israel, and thou shalt be a captain over Israel.

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.

4

David was thirty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned forty years.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Also in time past, when Saul was king over us, thou wast he that leddest out and broughtest in Israel: and the LORD said to thee, Thou shalt feed my people Israel, and thou shalt be a captain over Israel.

This verse contributes to the narrative of David Becomes King of Israel, emphasizing God establishing His chosen king. David's anointing as king over all Israel fulfills promises made years earlier (1 Samuel 16:13). The conquest of Jerusalem and establishment of it as capital demonstrates God's blessing. Military victories over Philistines show divine enablement. Theological themes include God's faithfulness to promises, the importance of proper locations for worship, and divine empowerment for tasks God assigns.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The historical setting of 2 Samuel 5 occurs during David's reign (circa 1010-970 BCE) over Israel's united monarchy. Archaeological discoveries, including the Tel Dan inscription mentioning the 'House of David,' corroborate biblical historicity. Ancient Near Eastern customs regarding God establishing His chosen king provide crucial background. The geopolitical situation involved regional powers—Philistines, Ammonites, Arameans, Moabites, Edomites—as David consolidated and expanded Israel's territory. Cultural practices concerning kingship, warfare, covenant relationships, family dynamics, and religious observance differed significantly from modern Western contexts, requiring careful attention to avoid anachronistic interpretation while extracting timeless theological principles applicable across cultures and eras.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this passage deepen your understanding of God establishing His chosen king?
  2. What does this verse reveal about God's character, and how should that shape your worship and obedience?
  3. In what specific ways can you apply this truth to your current circumstances and relationships this week?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 28 words
גַּם1 of 28
H1571

properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and

אֶתְמ֣וֹל2 of 28

Also in time past

H865

heretofore; definitely yesterday

גַּם3 of 28
H1571

properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and

שִׁלְשׁ֗וֹם4 of 28
H8032

trebly, i.e., (in time) day before yesterday

בִּֽהְי֨וֹת5 of 28
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

שָׁא֥וּל6 of 28

when Saul

H7586

shaul, the name of an edomite and two israelites

מֶ֙לֶךְ֙7 of 28

was king

H4428

a king

עָלֵ֔ינוּ8 of 28
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

אַתָּ֗ה9 of 28
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

הָיִ֛יתָה10 of 28
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

מּוֹצִ֥יא11 of 28

over us thou wast he that leddest out

H3318

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

וְהַמֵּבִ֖י12 of 28

and broughtest in

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

אֶת13 of 28
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃14 of 28

Israel

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

וַיֹּ֨אמֶר15 of 28

said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יְהוָ֜ה16 of 28

and the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

לְךָ֗17 of 28
H0
אַתָּ֨ה18 of 28
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

תִרְעֶ֤ה19 of 28

to thee Thou shalt feed

H7462

to tend a flock; i.e., pasture it; intransitively, to graze (literally or figuratively); generally to rule; by extension, to associate with (as a frie

אֶת20 of 28
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

עַמִּי֙21 of 28

my people

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

אֶת22 of 28
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃23 of 28

Israel

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

וְאַתָּ֛ה24 of 28
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

תִּֽהְיֶ֥ה25 of 28
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

לְנָגִ֖יד26 of 28

and thou shalt be a captain

H5057

a commander (as occupying the front), civil, military or religious; generally (abstractly, plural), honorable themes

עַל27 of 28
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃28 of 28

Israel

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 2 Samuel. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

2 Samuel 5:2 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 2 Samuel 5:2 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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