2 Samuel 5
by Pastor David Groendyk

In preparation for this chapter, I encourage you to read Genesis 12:1–3 and Genesis 15:18–21 and notice the ways in which God is confirming and bringing to pass in 2 Samuel 5 the long-awaited promises for his people. These fulfillments also point forward to the even greater fulfillments that we have in the gospel. As you read, you’ll notice it’s a little hard to get into a rhythm. One commentator calls this chapter a “collage” of various stories. So while this doesn’t make for an easy read, we can see the author is trying to make a bigger theological point rather than recount the exact chronology of these events.

In verses 1–5, the throne of David is finally confirmed and established. The threat from within the nation of Israel from the house of Saul has been quenched, and the nation is united under God’s anointed one. The people of God have their king. It was a good thing for the nation finally to be united under this king, not because he was a great military leader or a mighty warrior, but because he was the king called and equipped by God to do the job. How sweet and pleasant it is when God’s people are united under their one true King, the one true offspring of Abraham, Jesus Christ (Gen. 15:18; cf. Gal. 3:16).

In verses 6–9, the royal city of David is won by the king. This is a momentous moment for the nation of Israel, because Jerusalem is where the king of Israel or Judah would reign forever. It’s where the temple and the palace were located. In this way, we can say that the nation of Israel itself is established in its government and unity. The land is finally given to the offspring. The people of God have their place. And yet, all these promises of a geographical location do not find their true end in Canaan. As the author of Hebrews tells us, even Abraham and his family were looking forward to a better, heavenly homeland (Heb. 11:16). There is still a Promised Land for all of God’s people to enter (Heb. 4:8). And even as the Israelites experienced rest, relief, and many material benefits of being in their own land, so we look forward to our own better rest and relief in heaven, knowing that this earth is not our final home.

In verses 11–12 and 17–25, the nations and the enemies of God are subjected to David, albeit in very different ways. King Hiram willingly recognizes David’s rule, brings him many good gifts, and confirms in David’s own mind what the Lord had done for him. On the other hand, the Philistines are soundly trounced in war as the Lord guides David’s hand in battle. The people of God have their peace. One way or another, all of the enemies of God will be subjected to him. Either they will willingly submit to the Lord who will bless them, or they will be cursed by God as they continue to oppose him and his people (Gen. 12:3). In the end, every single knee will bow down to Jesus, and every single mouth will confess that he is Lord (Phil. 2:10–11). Through Christ, although we might not experience it now, every single one of our enemies will be defeated.

You might’ve noticed that we haven’t quite covered all the verses yet. Verses 10 and 13–16 are a bit paradoxical, aren’t they? Verse 10 forcefully reminds us that the Lord and his power are causing David to have so much success. But verses 13–16 painfully show us a king who has compromised his morality and God’s law by taking multiple wives. Yet both of these sections remind us of the same truth: David is nothing but a man; it’s the God behind the man who is the true victor and hero. Throughout 2 Samuel, we’ll see the great heights of David’s reign as king, but we will also see the great depths of his sin. As godly of a king as David was, even he is not the end-all-be-all. Both in David’s triumphs and in his failures, we’re meant to look forward to our perfect king who is never marred by sin and never lets his people down. While human leaders will always let us down, King Jesus will never let us down, and he will always be with us and never forsake us.