ESV Global Study Bible :: Footnotes for 2 Samuel 5

2 Sam 5:1 we are your bone and flesh. Even though there is a distinct division between Judah and the rest of Israel, they still recognize each other as family (compare “brothers,” 2:26–27).

2 Sam 5:6–13 The account of David’s kingship over all of Israel starts with his capture of the Jebusite city of Jerusalem, on the boundary between Judah and Benjamin. Jerusalem had not been controlled by any one tribe, and thus it was both symbolically and geographically better suited to be the capital of all Israel than Hebron, which was in central Judah. Jerusalem was the “Salem” of which Melchizedek was king (Gen. 14:18). It had been too strong to be conquered when the Israelites first entered Canaan (Josh. 15:63). The stronghold of Zion was on the western slope of the Kidron Valley above the city’s water source, the spring of Gihon. According to 1 Chron. 11:6, Joab led the attack by entering through the water shaft and was made David’s chief commander because of his success.

2 Sam 5:6–8 the blind and the lame will ward you off. The Jebusites probably meant that the fortifications were so strong that the city needed no able-bodied defenders. The blind and the lame shall not come into the house may mean that the Jebusites were not allowed at David’s court.

2 Sam 5:8 water shaft. See note on vv. 6–13.

2 Sam 5:9 The Millo (see 1 Kings 9:15; 1 Chron. 11:8) was a series of terrace walls, built on a steep slope, that supported the fill dirt behind it to create level areas. Houses were built on these artificial platforms and connected by narrow staircases. During heavy rains, the fill became heavy and increased the pressure on the terrace walls. These required regular maintenance, lest the houses fall down the steep slope and the city disintegrate.

2 Sam 5:11 Hiram king of Tyre provides David with cedars to build his house. Tyre was a trading empire. It was important to them to keep the inland trade route from Israel to Egypt open to their merchants.

2 Sam 5:13–14 This is a summary statement about David’s kingship in Jerusalem (compare 3:2–5). It does not mean that these sons were all born before 5:17.

2 Sam 5:17–21 Until now the Philistines may have considered David to be a paid soldier fighting for them (1 Samuel 27). But when David becomes king over Israel (that is, both Israel and Judah) and even captures Jerusalem, they realize he is a threat. went down to the stronghold. This is probably toward the Philistine country. The Valley of Rephaim is the valley leading toward Jerusalem from the southwest. “Baal” in Baal-perazim is here a common noun meaning “lord.” The Philistines left their idols there (2 Sam. 5:21) is a reversal of 1 Samuel 4, where the Philistines carried off the ark of the covenant. According to 1 Chron. 14:12, David had these idols burned.

2 Sam 5:22–25 It may be that the sound of marching was a distinct sound caused by the Lord that frightened the Philistines (as in 2 Kings 7:6). Another possibility is that the Philistines knew the sound was of trees, so David used it as cover for his attack. He drove the Philistines out of the central hill country.