2 Sam. 5 The tribes come to Hebron to anoint David king over all Israel: the years of his reign at Hebron and Jerusalem: his age, 2 Sam. 5:1–5. He taketh the strong hold of Zion from the Jebusites, and dwelleth there, 2 Sam. 5:6–10.

To wit, by their ambassadors, Ish-bosheth and Abner being now dead, and that without David’s concurrence. Thy bone and thy flesh, i.e. thy brethren, or kinsmen, of the same nation and parentage, though not of the same tribe; and therefore, as God’s law, Deut.

Thou wast our chief commander in our expeditions against the Philistines, and therefore art most fit to be king over us. The Lord said to thee, to wit, by Samuel, 1 Sam. 16:11–13; for though the words vary, yet the sense is the same. Thou shalt feed my people Israel i.e.

King David made a league with them; whereby he obliged himself to rule them according to God’s laws; and the people promised fidelity and obedience to him. Before the Lord; either, 1. Before the ark, which might be here, though that be not mentioned in this place. Or, 2.

And some odd months, as it follows.

Having the advantage of so great a confluence of his people to make him king, he thought fit to begin his reign with some eminent action, and to lead them forth in this expedition; wherein doubtless he asked advice from God, and the consent of the elders now present.

The strong hold of Zion; either, 1. A very strong fort which fitly had built upon Mount Zion; which being taken, the city quickly yielded. Or, 2. The city of Zion, which was very strongly fortified.

Whosoever getteth up to the gutter, i.e. whosoever scaleth the fort, or getteth up to the top of it, where the gutter was. And the lame and the blind, or even, or especially (for the Hebrew particle vau signifies both ways) the lame and the blind; i.e.

Millo seems to have been some large and well fortified building, Judg. 9:6, 2 Chron. 32:5, adjoining or near to the wall of the city of Zion.

Grew great in reputation and power.

For Lebanon, which was famous for its cedars, was a great part of it in his dominion. For the Tyrians were excellent artists and workmen, as both sacred and profane writers agree.

By reflecting upon the promises which God had made. him, and the constant course of God’s providence favouring him.

This may well be reckoned amongst David’s miscarriages, the multiplication of wives being expressly forbidden to the king, Deut. 17:17. The use of it seems to have been his policy, that hereby he might enlarge his family, and strengthen his interest by alliances with so many considerable families.

Whilst the civil war lasted between the houses of Saul and David, they wisely forbore all hostilities, and left them to tear out one another’s bowels, that afterwards they might make a more easy conquest of both; but that being ended, and all united under David, they bestir themselves.

Or, of the giants; which lay westward from Jerusalem, and so was the ready way to Jerusalem, which it seems they designed to take.

Baal-perazim; whither the Philistines were come from the valley of Rephaim, 1 Chron. 14:11. As the breach of waters; as floods or rivers of waters, which break the banks, and overflow a land, and overturn all that stands in their way.

Their images they seem to have brought into the field to fight for them, as the Israelites had formerly done the ark. David burned them, as God had commanded, Deut. 7:5.

The Philistines came up again, doubtless with greater force, as those that saw their all lay at stake.

Thou shalt not go up, to wit, directly against them, as the following words explain it. Over against the mulberry trees, where they least expect thee. God’s purposes and promises do not exclude men’s just endeavours, but require them.

The sound of a going; a noise as it were of persons walking upon the tops of them, which I shall cause; and by this sign, both thou shalt be assured that I am coming to help thee, and the Philistines shall be affrighted and amused, and not perceive the noise of thy army until thou art upon them.

They followed their victory, and pursued them to their own borders, in which Gazer was, as Josephus relates.