Nevertheless, David captured the fortress of Zion (that is, the City of David). NeverthelessThis word serves as a pivotal transition, indicating a shift from the previous narrative. In the context of 2 Samuel 5, it marks a turning point where David overcomes the Jebusites' taunts and their perceived invincibility. The use of "nevertheless" underscores God's providence and the fulfillment of His promises despite human obstacles. It reminds us that divine plans are not thwarted by earthly challenges. David
David, the anointed king of Israel, is central to this narrative. His name in Hebrew, "דָּוִד" (Dawid), means "beloved." David's life is a testament to God's favor and the fulfillment of His covenant. As a man after God's own heart, David's actions in capturing Jerusalem signify the establishment of a unified kingdom under God's chosen leader. His leadership foreshadows the coming of the Messiah, who would also be called the Son of David. Captured
The act of capturing, in Hebrew "לָכַד" (lakad), implies a strategic and decisive victory. This word highlights David's military prowess and God's guidance in granting him success. The capture of Jerusalem was not just a military conquest but a spiritual victory, symbolizing the establishment of God's chosen city. It serves as a reminder that with God's help, believers can overcome seemingly insurmountable challenges. The fortress of Zion
"Zion" in Hebrew is "צִיּוֹן" (Tziyon), often associated with a place of refuge and God's holy mountain. The fortress represents strength and security, and its capture signifies the establishment of a divine stronghold. Zion becomes synonymous with Jerusalem, the spiritual center of Israel. This phrase invites believers to reflect on the spiritual significance of Zion as a symbol of God's presence and His eternal kingdom. That is, the City of David
This phrase establishes Jerusalem as the political and spiritual capital of Israel under David's rule. The designation "City of David" signifies the fulfillment of God's promise to David and his descendants. It marks the beginning of a new era in Israel's history, where Jerusalem becomes the focal point of worship and governance. For Christians, it also points to the future reign of Christ, the ultimate fulfillment of the Davidic covenant. Persons / Places / Events 1. DavidThe anointed king of Israel, known for his heart after God and his military prowess. In this passage, he captures Jerusalem, establishing it as the political and spiritual center of Israel. 2. Fortress of ZionA stronghold in Jerusalem, symbolizing strength and protection. It becomes synonymous with the City of David after its capture. 3. City of DavidThe name given to Jerusalem after David's conquest, marking it as the capital of his kingdom and a central location for Israelite worship and governance. 4. JebusitesThe original inhabitants of Jerusalem, who were defeated by David and his men, allowing the city to become the capital of Israel. 5. JerusalemA city of great significance in biblical history, serving as the political and spiritual heart of Israel and later, a central location in the life of Jesus Christ. Teaching Points God's Sovereignty in LeadershipDavid's capture of Jerusalem demonstrates God's hand in establishing leaders according to His purpose. Believers can trust in God's sovereignty over their lives and leadership roles. Spiritual StrongholdsJust as David captured a physical stronghold, Christians are called to overcome spiritual strongholds through faith and reliance on God's power. Significance of JerusalemUnderstanding the historical and spiritual significance of Jerusalem helps believers appreciate its role in biblical prophecy and its future importance in God's plan. Faith and ActionDavid's success was a result of both his faith in God and his decisive action. Believers are encouraged to combine faith with action in their spiritual journeys. Identity in ChristJust as Jerusalem became the City of David, believers are given a new identity in Christ, called to live as citizens of God's kingdom. Bible Study Questions 1. How does David's capture of Jerusalem reflect God's promises to him earlier in his life? Consider how God's promises are fulfilled in your own life. 2. What are some "strongholds" in your life that need to be conquered with God's help, and how can you apply David's example to these challenges? 3. How does the significance of Jerusalem in David's time relate to its importance in biblical prophecy and the New Testament? 4. In what ways can you demonstrate both faith and action in your current circumstances, following David's example? 5. How does understanding your identity in Christ as a "citizen of God's kingdom" influence your daily life and decisions? Connections to Other Scriptures 1 Chronicles 11:4-9This passage parallels 2 Samuel 5:7, providing additional details about David's conquest of Jerusalem and the establishment of his reign there. Psalm 48:1-2Celebrates Zion as the city of God, highlighting its beauty and significance as a place of divine presence and protection. Hebrews 12:22Refers to the heavenly Jerusalem, drawing a spiritual parallel to the earthly city captured by David, symbolizing the ultimate gathering place for God's people. People David, Eliada, Eliphalet, Eliphelet, Elishama, Elishua, Gibeon, Hiram, Ibhar, Japhia, Jebusites, Nathan, Nepheg, Saul, Shammua, Shammuah, Shobab, SolomonPlaces Baal-perazim, Geba, Gezer, Hebron, Jerusalem, Millo, Tyre, Valley of Rephaim, ZionTopics Captured, Captureth, David, Fortress, Hold, Nevertheless, Strong, Stronghold, Town, ZionDictionary of Bible Themes 2 Samuel 5:7 5256 city 2 Samuel 5:3-10 5087 David, reign of 2 Samuel 5:4-10 7240 Jerusalem, history 2 Samuel 5:6-7 4207 land, divine gift
5214 attack
5316 fortress 2 Samuel 5:6-8 5162 lameness 2 Samuel 5:6-9 7270 Zion, as a place 2 Samuel 5:6-10 5088 David, character
7236 Israel, united kingdom 2 Samuel 5:6-11 5437 palaces Library One Fold and one Shepherd
'Then came all the tribes of Israel to David unto Hebron, and spake, saying, Behold, we are thy bone and thy flesh. 2. Also in time past, when Saul was king over us, thou wast he that leddest out and broughtest in Israel: and the Lord said to thee, Thou shalt feed My people Israel, and thou shalt be a captain over Israel. 3. So all the elders of Israel came to the king to Hebron; and king David made a league with them in Hebron before the Lord: and they anointed David king over Israel. 4. David was …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureThe Sound in the Mulberry Trees
My brethren, let us learn from David to take no steps without God. The last time you moved, or went into another business, or changed your situation in life, you asked God's help, and then did it, and you were blessed in the doing of it. You have been up to this time a successful man, you have always sought God, but do not think that the stream of providence necessarily runs in a continuous current; remember, you may to-morrow without seeking God's advice venture upon a step which you will regret …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 3: 1857 Early Days
The life of David is naturally divided into epochs, of which we may avail ourselves for the more ready arrangement of our material. These are--his early years up to his escape from the court of Saul, his exile, the prosperous beginning of his reign, his sin and penitence, his flight before Absalom's rebellion, and the darkened end. We have but faint incidental traces of his life up to his anointing by Samuel, with which the narrative in the historical books opens. But perhaps the fact that the story …
Alexander Maclaren—The Life of David God's Strange Work
'That He may do His work, His strange work; and bring to pass His act, His strange act.'--ISAIAH xxviii. 21. How the great events of one generation fall dead to another! There is something very pathetic in the oblivion that swallows up world- resounding deeds. Here the prophet selects two instances which to him are solemn and singular examples of divine judgment, and we have difficulty in finding out to what he refers. To him they seemed the most luminous illustrations he could find of the principle …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture The King.
We have now to turn and see the sudden change of fortune which lifted the exile to a throne. The heavy cloud which had brooded so long over the doomed king broke in lightning crash on the disastrous field of Gilboa. Where is there a sadder and more solemn story of the fate of a soul which makes shipwreck "of faith and of a good conscience," than that awful page which tells how, godless, wretched, mad with despair and measureless pride, he flung himself on his bloody sword, and died a suicide's death, …
Alexander Maclaren—The Life of David The Quotation in Matt. Ii. 6.
Several interpreters, Paulus especially, have asserted that the interpretation of Micah which is here given, was that of the Sanhedrim only, and not of the Evangelist, who merely recorded what happened and was said. But this assertion is at once refuted when we consider the object which Matthew has in view in his entire representation of the early life of Jesus. His object in recording the early life of Jesus is not like that of Luke, viz., to communicate historical information to his readers. …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament A Cloud of Witnesses.
"By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau, even concerning things to come. By faith Jacob, when he was a-dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff. By faith Joseph, when his end was nigh, made mention of the departure of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones.... By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they had been compassed about for seven days. By faith Rahab the harlot perished not with them that were disobedient, …
Thomas Charles Edwards—The Expositor's Bible: The Epistle to the Hebrews The Blessing of Jacob Upon Judah. (Gen. Xlix. 8-10. )
Ver. 8. "Judah, thou, thy brethren shall praise thee; thy hand shall be on the neck of thine enemies; before thee shall bow down the sons of thy father. Ver. 9. A lion's whelp is Judah; from the prey, my son, thou goest up; he stoopeth down, he coucheth as a lion, and as a full-grown lion, who shall rouse him up? Ver. 10. The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come, and unto Him the people shall adhere." Thus does dying Jacob, in announcing …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament Samuel
Alike from the literary and the historical point of view, the book[1] of Samuel stands midway between the book of Judges and the book of Kings. As we have already seen, the Deuteronomic book of Judges in all probability ran into Samuel and ended in ch. xii.; while the story of David, begun in Samuel, embraces the first two chapters of the first book of Kings. The book of Samuel is not very happily named, as much of it is devoted to Saul and the greater part to David; yet it is not altogether inappropriate, …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links 2 Samuel 5:7 NIV2 Samuel 5:7 NLT2 Samuel 5:7 ESV2 Samuel 5:7 NASB2 Samuel 5:7 KJV
2 Samuel 5:7 Commentaries
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