Hiram's Recognition of David

11 And Hiram, king of Tyre, sent men to David, with cedar-trees and woodworkers and stoneworkers: and they made David a house. 12 And David saw that the Lord had made his position safe as king over Israel, and that he had made his kingdom great because of his people Israel.

David's Children Born at Jerusalem

13 And David took more women and wives in Jerusalem, after he had come from Hebron: and he had more sons and daughters. 14 These are the names of those whose birth took place 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 And when the Philistines had news that David had been made king over Israel, they all went up in search of David; and David, hearing of it, went down to the strong place. 18 And when the Philistines came, they went in every direction in the valley of Rephaim. 19 And David, desiring directions from the Lord, said, Am I to go up against the Philistines? will you give them up into my hands? And the Lord said, Go up, for I will certainly give up the Philistines into your hands. 20 And David went to Baal-perazim, and overcame them there; and he said, The Lord has let the forces fighting against me be broken before me as a wall is broken by rushing waters. So that place was named Baal-perazim. 21 And the Philistines, when they went in flight, did not take their images with them, and David and his men took them away. 22 And the Philistines came up again, and went in every direction in the valley of Rephaim. 23 And when David went for directions to the Lord, he said, You are not to go up against them in front; but make a circle round them from the back and come on them opposite the spice-trees. 24 Then at the sound of footsteps in the tops of the trees, go forward quickly, for the Lord has gone out before you to overcome the army of the Philistines. 25 And David did as the Lord had said; and he overcame the Philistines, attacking them from Gibeon to near Gezer.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on 2 Samuel 5:11-25

Commentary on 2 Samuel 5:11-16

(Read 2 Samuel 5:11-16)

David's house was not the worse, nor the less fit to be dedicated to God, for being built by the sons of the stranger. It is prophesied of the gospel church, The sons of strangers shall build up thy walls, and their kings shall minister unto thee, Isaiah 60:10. David's government was rooted and built up. David was established king; so is the Son of David, and all who, through him, are made to our God kings and priests. Never had the nation of Israel appeared so great as it began now to be. Many have the favour and love of God, yet do not perceive it, and so want the comfort of it; but to be exalted to that, and to perceive it, is happiness. David owned it was for his people's sake God had done great things for him; that he might be a blessing to them, and that they might be happy under him.

Commentary on 2 Samuel 5:17-25

(Read 2 Samuel 5:17-25)

The Philistines considered not that David had the presence of God with him, which Saul had forfeited and lost. The kingdom of the Messiah, as soon as it was set up in the world, was thus attacked by the powers of darkness. The heathen raged, and the kings of the earth set themselves to oppose it; but all in vain, Acts 2:2.