King James Version

What Does 2 Samuel 5:3 Mean?

2 Samuel 5:3 in the King James Version says “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... — study this verse from 2 Samuel chapter 5 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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.

2 Samuel 5:3 · 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.

5

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.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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.

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 · 21 words
וַ֠יָּבֹאוּ1 of 21

came

H935

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

כָּל2 of 21
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

זִקְנֵ֨י3 of 21

So all the elders

H2205

old

יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃4 of 21

of Israel

H3478

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

אֶל5 of 21
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

לְמֶ֖לֶךְ6 of 21

and king

H4428

a king

בְּחֶבְר֖וֹן7 of 21

to Hebron

H2275

chebron, the name of two israelites

וַיִּכְרֹ֣ת8 of 21

made

H3772

to cut (off, down or asunder); by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to covenant (i.e., make an alliance or bargain, originally by cutt

לָהֶם֩9 of 21
H0
לְמֶ֖לֶךְ10 of 21

and king

H4428

a king

דָּוִ֛ד11 of 21

David

H1732

david, the youngest son of jesse

בְּרִ֛ית12 of 21

a league

H1285

a compact (because made by passing between pieces of flesh)

בְּחֶבְר֖וֹן13 of 21

to Hebron

H2275

chebron, the name of two israelites

לִפְנֵ֣י14 of 21

before

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

יְהוָ֑ה15 of 21

the LORD

H3068

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

וַיִּמְשְׁח֧וּ16 of 21

and they anointed

H4886

to rub with oil, i.e., to anoint; by implication, to consecrate; also to paint

אֶת17 of 21
H853

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

דָּוִ֛ד18 of 21

David

H1732

david, the youngest son of jesse

לְמֶ֖לֶךְ19 of 21

and king

H4428

a king

עַל20 of 21
H5921

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

יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃21 of 21

of 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 5:3 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 5:3 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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