Hiram's Recognition of David

11 Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, and cedar trees, and carpenters, and masons; and they built David a house. 12 David perceived that Yahweh had established him king over Israel, and that he had exalted his kingdom for his people Israel’s sake.

David's Children Born at Jerusalem

13 David took him more concubines and wives out of Jerusalem, after he was come from Hebron; and there were yet sons and daughters born to David. 14 These are the names of those who were born to him in Jerusalem: Shammua, and Shobab, and Nathan, and Solomon, 15 and Ibhar, and Elishua, and Nepheg, and Japhia, 16 and Elishama, and Eliada, and Eliphelet.

David Defeats the Philistines

17 When the Philistines heard that they had anointed David king over Israel, all the Philistines went up to seek David; and David heard of it, and went down to the stronghold. 18 Now the Philistines had come and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim. 19 David inquired of Yahweh, saying, “Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will you deliver them into my hand?”

Yahweh said to David, “Go up; for I will certainly deliver the Philistines into your hand.” 20 David came to Baal Perazim, and David struck them there; and he said, “Yahweh has broken my enemies before me, like the breach of waters.” Therefore he called the name of that place Baal Perazim. 21 They left their images there; and David and his men took them away. 22 The Philistines came up yet again, and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim. 23 When David inquired of Yahweh, he said, “You shall not go up. Circle around behind them, and attack them over against the mulberry trees. 24 It shall be, when you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the mulberry trees, that then you shall stir yourself up; for then Yahweh has gone out before you to strike the army of the Philistines.” 25 David did so, as Yahweh commanded him, and struck the Philistines from Geba until you come to Gezer.

David Goes to Bring the Ark

61 David again gathered together all the chosen men of Israel, thirty thousand. 2 David arose, and went with all the people who were with him, from Baale Judah, to bring up from there the ark of God, which is called by the Name, even the name of Yahweh of Armies who sits above the cherubim. 3 They set the ark of God on a new cart, and brought it out of the house of Abinadab that was in the hill: and Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, drove the new cart. 4 They brought it out of the house of Abinadab, which was in the hill, with the ark of God: and Ahio went before the ark. 5 David and all the house of Israel played before Yahweh with all manner of instruments made of fir wood, and with harps, and with stringed instruments, and with tambourines, and with castanets, and with cymbals.

6 When they came to the threshing floor of Nacon, Uzzah put forth his hand to the ark of God, and took hold of it; for the cattle stumbled. 7 The anger of Yahweh was kindled against Uzzah; and God struck him there for his error; and there he died by the ark of God. 8 David was displeased, because Yahweh had broken forth on Uzzah; and he called that place Perez Uzzah, to this day. 9 David was afraid of Yahweh that day; and he said, “How shall the ark of Yahweh come to me?” 10 So David would not move the ark of Yahweh to be with him in the city of David; but David carried it aside into the house of Obed-Edom the Gittite. 11 The ark of Yahweh remained in the house of Obed-Edom the Gittite three months: and Yahweh blessed Obed-Edom, and all his house.

The Ark Brought to Jerusalem

12 It was told king David, saying, “Yahweh has blessed the house of Obed-Edom, and all that pertains to him, because of the ark of God.”

David went and brought up the ark of God from the house of Obed-Edom into the city of David with joy. 13 It was so, that, when those who bore the ark of Yahweh had gone six paces, he sacrificed an ox and a fattened calf. 14 David danced before Yahweh with all his might; and David was girded with a linen ephod. 15 So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of Yahweh with shouting, and with the sound of the trumpet. 16 It was so, as the ark of Yahweh came into the city of David, that Michal the daughter of Saul looked out at the window, and saw king David leaping and dancing before Yahweh; and she despised him in her heart. 17 They brought in the ark of Yahweh, and set it in its place, in the midst of the tent that David had pitched for it; and David offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before Yahweh. 18 When David had made an end of offering the burnt offering and the peace offerings, he blessed the people in the name of Yahweh of Armies. 19 He dealt among all the people, even among the whole multitude of Israel, both to men and women, to everyone a cake of bread, and a portion of flesh, and a cake of raisins. So all the people departed everyone to his house.

20 Then David returned to bless his household. Michal the daughter of Saul came out to meet David, and said, “How glorious the king of Israel was today, who uncovered himself today in the eyes of the handmaids of his servants, as one of the vain fellows shamelessly uncovers himself!” 21 David said to Michal, “It was before Yahweh, who chose me above your father, and above all his house, to appoint me prince over the people of Yahweh, over Israel. Therefore will I celebrate before Yahweh. 22 I will be yet more vile than this, and will be base in my own sight. But of the handmaids of whom you have spoken, they shall honor me.” 23 Michal the daughter of Saul had no child to the day of her death.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on 2 Samuel 1:0

Complete     Concise

Chapter Contents

Tidings brought to David of the death of Saul. (1-10) The Amalekite is put to death. (11-16) David's lamentation for Saul and Jonathan. (17-27)

Commentary on 2 Samuel 1:1-10

(Read 2 Samuel 1:1-10)

The blow which opened David's way to the throne was given about the time he had been sorely distressed. Those who commit their concerns to the Lord, will quietly abide his will. It shows that he desired not Saul's death, and he was not impatient to come to the throne.

Commentary on 2 Samuel 1:11-16

(Read 2 Samuel 1:11-16)

David was sincere in his mourning for Saul; and all with him humbled themselves under the hand of God, laid so heavily upon Israel by this defeat. The man who brought the tidings, David put to death, as a murderer of his prince. David herein did not do unjustly; the Amalekite confessed the crime. If he did as he said, he deserved to die for treason; and his lying to David, if indeed it were a lie, proved, as sooner or later that sin will prove, lying against himself. Hereby David showed himself zealous for public justice, without regard to his own private interest.

Commentary on 2 Samuel 1:17-27

(Read 2 Samuel 1:17-27)

Kasheth, or "the bow," probably was the title of this mournful, funeral song. David does not commend Saul for what he was not; and says nothing of his piety or goodness. Jonathan was a dutiful son, Saul an affectionate father, therefore dear to each other. David had reason to say, that Jonathan's love to him was wonderful. Next to the love between Christ and his people, that affection which springs form it, produces the strongest friendship. The trouble of the Lord's people, and triumphs of his enemies, will always grieve true believers, whatever advantages they may obtain by them.

David Proposes to Bring the Ark to Jerusalem

131 David consulted with the captains of thousands and of hundreds, even with every leader. 2 David said to all the assembly of Israel, “If it seems good to you, and if it is of Yahweh our God, let us send abroad everywhere to our brothers who are left in all the land of Israel, with whom the priests and Levites are in their cities that have suburbs, that they may gather themselves to us; 3 and let us bring again the ark of our God to us. For we didn’t seek it in the days of Saul.” 4 All the assembly said that they would do so; for the thing was right in the eyes of all the people.

David Goes to Get the Ark

5 So David assembled all Israel together, from the Shihor the brook of Egypt even to the entrance of Hamath, to bring the ark of God from Kiriath Jearim. 6 David went up, and all Israel, to Baalah, that is, to Kiriath Jearim, which belonged to Judah, to bring up from there the ark of God Yahweh that sits above the cherubim, that is called by the Name. 7 They carried the ark of God on a new cart, and brought it out of the house of Abinadab: and Uzza and Ahio drove the cart. 8 David and all Israel played before God with all their might, even with songs, and with harps, and with stringed instruments, and with tambourines, and with cymbals, and with trumpets.

9 When they came to the threshing floor of Chidon, Uzza put forth his hand to hold the ark; for the oxen stumbled. 10 The anger of Yahweh was kindled against Uzza, and he struck him, because he put forth his hand to the ark; and there he died before God. 11 David was displeased, because Yahweh had broken forth on Uzza; and he called that place Perez Uzza, to this day. 12 David was afraid of God that day, saying, “How shall I bring the ark of God home to me?” 13 So David didn’t move the ark to him into the city of David, but carried it aside into the house of Obed-Edom the Gittite. 14 The ark of God remained with the family of Obed-Edom in his house three months: and Yahweh blessed the house of Obed-Edom, and all that he had.

Hiram's Recognition of David

141 Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, and cedar trees, and masons, and carpenters, to build him a house. 2 David perceived that Yahweh had established him king over Israel; for his kingdom was exalted on high, for his people Israel’s sake.

David's Children Born at Jerusalem

3 David took more wives at Jerusalem; and David became the father of more sons and daughters. 4 These are the names of the children whom he had in Jerusalem: Shammua, and Shobab, Nathan, and Solomon, 5 and Ibhar, and Elishua, and Elpelet, 6 and Nogah, and Nepheg, and Japhia, 7 and Elishama, and Beeliada, and Eliphelet.

David Defeats the Philistines

8 When the Philistines heard that David was anointed king over all Israel, all the Philistines went up to seek David: and David heard of it, and went out against them. 9 Now the Philistines had come and made a raid in the valley of Rephaim. 10 David inquired of God, saying, “Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will you deliver them into my hand?”

Yahweh said to him, “Go up; for I will deliver them into your hand.” 11 So they came up to Baal Perazim, and David struck them there; and David said, God has broken my enemies by my hand, like the breach of waters. Therefore they called the name of that place Baal Perazim. 12 They left their gods there; and David gave commandment, and they were burned with fire. 13 The Philistines yet again made a raid in the valley. 14 David inquired again of God; and God said to him, “You shall not go up after them. Turn away from them, and come on them over against the mulberry trees. 15 It shall be, when you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the mulberry trees, that then you shall go out to battle; for God has gone out before you to strike the army of the Philistines.” 16 David did as God commanded him: and they struck the army of the Philistines from Gibeon even to Gezer. 17 The fame of David went out into all lands; and Yahweh brought the fear of him on all nations.

The Ark Brought to Jerusalem

151 David made him houses in the city of David; and he prepared a place for the ark of God, and pitched for it a tent. 2 Then David said, “No one ought to carry the ark of God but the Levites. For Yahweh has chosen them to carry the ark of God, and to minister to him forever.” 3 David assembled all Israel at Jerusalem, to bring up the ark of Yahweh to its place, which he had prepared for it. 4 David gathered together the sons of Aaron, and the Levites: 5 of the sons of Kohath, Uriel the chief, and his brothers one hundred twenty; 6 of the sons of Merari, Asaiah the chief, and his brothers two hundred twenty; 7 of the sons of Gershom, Joel the chief, and his brothers one hundred thirty; 8 of the sons of Elizaphan, Shemaiah the chief, and his brothers two hundred; 9 of the sons of Hebron, Eliel the chief, and his brothers eighty; 10 of the sons of Uzziel, Amminadab the chief, and his brothers one hundred twelve. 11 David called for Zadok and Abiathar the priests, and for the Levites, for Uriel, Asaiah, and Joel, Shemaiah, and Eliel, and Amminadab, 12 and said to them, “You are the heads of the fathers’ houses of the Levites. Sanctify yourselves, both you and your brothers, that you may bring up the ark of Yahweh, the God of Israel, to the place that I have prepared for it. 13 For because you didn’t carry it at first, Yahweh our God made broke out against us, because we didn’t seek him according to the ordinance.” 14 So the priests and the Levites sanctified themselves to bring up the ark of Yahweh, the God of Israel. 15 The children of the Levites bore the ark of God on their shoulders with the poles thereon, as Moses commanded according to the word of Yahweh. 16 David spoke to the chief of the Levites to appoint their brothers the singers, with instruments of music, stringed instruments and harps and cymbals, sounding aloud and lifting up the voice with joy. 17 So the Levites appointed Heman the son of Joel; and of his brothers, Asaph the son of Berechiah; and of the sons of Merari their brothers, Ethan the son of Kushaiah; 18 and with them their brothers of the second degree, Zechariah, Ben, and Jaaziel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehiel, and Unni, Eliab, and Benaiah, and Maaseiah, and Mattithiah, and Eliphelehu, and Mikneiah, and Obed-Edom, and Jeiel, the doorkeepers. 19 So the singers, Heman, Asaph, and Ethan, were appointed with cymbals of brass to sound aloud; 20 and Zechariah, and Aziel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehiel, and Unni, and Eliab, and Maaseiah, and Benaiah, with stringed instruments set to Alamoth; 21 and Mattithiah, and Eliphelehu, and Mikneiah, and Obed-Edom, and Jeiel, and Azaziah, with harps tuned to the eight-stringed lyre, to lead. 22 Chenaniah, chief of the Levites, was over the song: he instructed about the song, because he was skillful. 23 Berechiah and Elkanah were doorkeepers for the ark. 24 Shebaniah, and Joshaphat, and Nethanel, and Amasai, and Zechariah, and Benaiah, and Eliezer, the priests, did blow the trumpets before the ark of God: and Obed-Edom and Jehiah were doorkeepers for the ark.

25 So David, and the elders of Israel, and the captains over thousands, went to bring up the ark of the covenant of Yahweh out of the house of Obed-Edom with joy. 26 It happened, when God helped the Levites who bore the ark of the covenant of Yahweh, that they sacrificed seven bulls and seven rams. 27 David was clothed with a robe of fine linen, and all the Levites who bore the ark, and the singers, and Chenaniah the master of the song with the singers: and David had on him an ephod of linen. 28 Thus all Israel brought up the ark of the covenant of Yahweh with shouting, and with sound of the cornet, and with trumpets, and with cymbals, sounding aloud with stringed instruments and harps. 29 It happened, as the ark of the covenant of Yahweh came to the city of David, that Michal the daughter of Saul looked out at the window, and saw king David dancing and playing; and she despised him in her heart.

161 They brought in the ark of God, and set it in the midst of the tent that David had pitched for it: and they offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before God. 2 When David had made an end of offering the burnt offering and the peace offerings, he blessed the people in the name of Yahweh. 3 He dealt to everyone of Israel, both man and woman, to every one a loaf of bread, and a portion of flesh, and a cake of raisins. 4 He appointed certain of the Levites to minister before the ark of Yahweh, and to celebrate and to thank and praise Yahweh, the God of Israel: 5 Asaph the chief, and second to him Zechariah, Jeiel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehiel, and Mattithiah, and Eliab, and Benaiah, and Obed-Edom, and Jeiel, with stringed instruments and with harps; and Asaph with cymbals, sounding aloud; 6 and Benaiah and Jahaziel the priests with trumpets continually, before the ark of the covenant of God.

David's Psalm of Thanksgiving

7 Then on that day David first ordained to give thanks to Yahweh, by the hand of Asaph and his brothers. 8 Oh give thanks to Yahweh.
Call on his name.
Make his doings known among the peoples. 9 Sing to him.
Sing praises to him.
Tell of all his marvelous works. 10 Glory in his holy name.
Let the heart of those who seek Yahweh rejoice. 11 Seek Yahweh and his strength.
Seek his face forever more. 12 Remember his marvelous works that he has done,
his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth, 13 you seed of Israel his servant,
you children of Jacob, his chosen ones. 14 He is Yahweh our God.
His judgments are in all the earth. 15 Remember his covenant forever,
the word which he commanded to a thousand generations, 16 the covenant which he made with Abraham,
his oath to Isaac. 17 He confirmed the same to Jacob for a statute,
and to Israel for an everlasting covenant, 18 saying, “I will give you the land of Canaan,
The lot of your inheritance,” 19 when you were but a few men in number,
yes, very few, and foreigners were in it. 20 They went about from nation to nation,
from one kingdom to another people. 21 He allowed no man to do them wrong.
Yes, he reproved kings for their sakes, 22 “Don’t touch my anointed ones!
Do my prophets no harm!” 23 Sing to Yahweh, all the earth!
Display his salvation from day to day. 24 Declare his glory among the nations,
and his marvelous works among all the peoples. 25 For great is Yahweh, and greatly to be praised.
He also is to be feared above all gods. 26 For all the gods of the peoples are idols,
but Yahweh made the heavens. 27 Honor and majesty are before him.
Strength and gladness are in his place. 28 Ascribe to Yahweh, you relatives of the peoples,
ascribe to Yahweh glory and strength! 29 Ascribe to Yahweh the glory due to his name.
Bring an offering, and come before him.
Worship Yahweh in holy array. 30 Tremble before him, all the earth.
The world also is established that it can’t be moved. 31 Let the heavens be glad,
and let the earth rejoice!
Let them say among the nations, “Yahweh reigns!” 32 Let the sea roar, and its fullness!
Let the field exult, and all that is therein! 33 Then the trees of the forest will sing for joy before Yahweh,
for he comes to judge the earth. 34 Oh give thanks to Yahweh, for he is good,
for his loving kindness endures forever. 35 Say, “Save us, God of our salvation!
Gather us together and deliver us from the nations,
to give thanks to your holy name,
to triumph in your praise.” 36 Blessed be Yahweh, the God of Israel,
from everlasting even to everlasting.

All the people said, “Amen,” and praised Yahweh.

The Levites Appointed for the Ark

37 So he left there, before the ark of the covenant of Yahweh, Asaph and his brothers, to minister before the ark continually, as every day’s work required; 38 and Obed-Edom with their brothers, sixty-eight; Obed-Edom also the son of Jeduthun and Hosah to be doorkeepers; 39 and Zadok the priest, and his brothers the priests, before the tabernacle of Yahweh in the high place that was at Gibeon, 40 to offer burnt offerings to Yahweh on the altar of burnt offering continually morning and evening, even according to all that is written in the law of Yahweh, which he commanded to Israel; 41 and with them Heman and Jeduthun, and the rest who were chosen, who were mentioned by name, to give thanks to Yahweh, because his loving kindness endures forever; 42 and with them Heman and Jeduthun with trumpets and cymbals for those that should sound aloud, and with instruments for the songs of God; and the sons of Jeduthun to be at the gate. 43 All the people departed every man to his house: and David returned to bless his house.