Hiram's Recognition of David

11 Then Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David with cedar trees and carpenters e and stonemasons e ; and they built a house for David . 12 And David realized that the Lord had established him as king over Israel , and that He had exalted his kingdom for the sake of His people Israel .

David's Children Born at Jerusalem

13 Meanwhile David took more concubines and wives from Jerusalem , after he came from Hebron ; and more sons and daughters were born to David . 14 Now these are the names of those who were born to him in Jerusalem : Shammua , Shobab , Nathan , Solomon , 15 Ibhar , Elishua , Nepheg , Japhia , 16 Elishama , 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 out David ; and when David heard of it, he went down to the stronghold . 18 Now the Philistines came and spread themselves out in the valley of Rephaim . 19 Then David inquired of the Lord , saying , "Shall I go up against the Philistines ? Will You give them into my hand ?" And the Lord said to David , "Go up, for I will certainly give the Philistines into your hand ." 20 So David came to Baal-perazim and defeated them there ; and he said , "The Lord has broken through my enemies before me like the breakthrough of waters ." Therefore e he named e that place Baal-perazim . 21 They abandoned their idols there , so David and his men carried them away. 22 Now the Philistines came up once e again and spread themselves out in the valley of Rephaim . 23 When David inquired of the Lord , He said , "You shall not go directly up; circle around behind them and come at them in front of the balsam trees . 24 "It shall be, when you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees , then you shall act promptly , for then the Lord will have gone out before you to strike the army of the Philistines ." 25 Then David did so , just as the Lord had commanded him, and struck down the Philistines from Geba as far as 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.