2 samuel 5:3 - So all the elders of Israel came to the king to Hebron, and king David made a covenant with them in Hebron before Yahweh; and they anointed David king over Israel.

Generated Verse: 2 samuel 5:3

What does "2 samuel 5:3" mean?


This verse from 2 Samuel 5:3 is a pivotal moment in David's rise to power. Let's break it down:

"So all the elders of Israel came to the king to Hebron..." - The "elders of Israel" represent the leaders and representatives of all the tribes of Israel. Their presence signifies the consent and agreement of the people. Hebron was significant because David had previously been anointed king over Judah only (the southern kingdom). This indicates that representatives of all the tribes of Israel (including those in the north) are coming to David. They are coming to David as "king" (already acknowledging his authority in some sense).

"...and king David made a covenant with them in Hebron before Yahweh..." - This is the core of the verse.
Covenant: A covenant is a binding agreement, often with oaths and promises. In this case, it represents a mutual agreement between David and the people. David likely promised to rule justly and protect them, while the people pledged their loyalty and obedience.
Before Yahweh: This emphasizes the sacredness of the covenant. Yahweh (God) is a witness to the agreement, and breaking it would have serious spiritual consequences. This adds a layer of divine sanction to the arrangement.

"...and they anointed David king over Israel." - This is the formal act of declaring David the king of the entire nation of Israel. This anointing is separate from his earlier anointing as king over Judah (2 Samuel 2:4). It signifies his acceptance by all the tribes and his legitimacy as their ruler.

In Summary:

This verse describes the moment when David is formally recognized and accepted as the king of all Israel. The elders of Israel willingly come to him, enter into a covenant with him before God, and officially anoint him as their king. This signifies unity, agreement, and divine approval of David's reign over a unified Israel. It represents a significant step in the fulfillment of God's promise to David to establish his kingdom. This verse is important because it means David is now the undisputed and divinely sanctioned leader of all twelve tribes of Israel.

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