David Captures Jerusalem and Establishes His House
2 Samuel 5:6-16
2 S.5.6 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וילך: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- המלך: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ואנשיו: NOUN,m,pl,abs,3ms
- ירושלם: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- היבסי: NOUN,m,sg,def
- יושב: VERB,qal,ptcp,1,m,sg
- הארץ: NOUN,f,sg,def
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- לדוד: PREP+NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- לאמר: INF,qal,infc
- לא: PART_NEG
- תבוא: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- הנה: PART
- כי: CONJ
- אם: CONJ
- הסירך: VERB,hifil,perf,3,m,sg,pss2ms
- העורים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- והפסחים: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,def
- לאמר: INF,qal,infc
- לא: PART_NEG
- יבוא: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- דוד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הנה: PART
Parallels
- 1 Chronicles 11:4-6 (verbal): A near-verbatim parallel retelling of the Jebusite taunt to David that only the blind and the lame would repel him; the same incident narrated in Chronicles.
- 2 Samuel 5:7-8 (structural): Immediate narrative continuation in the same book: David nevertheless captures Zion/the stronghold (Joab's exploit), answering the Jebusite taunt.
- 1 Chronicles 11:5-9 (verbal): Chronicles expands the episode, including Joab's climbing the water shaft and the elevation of the man who first struck the Jebusites—paralleling and amplifying 2 Sam 5:6–8.
- Isaiah 35:5-6 (thematic): Uses the paired imagery of the blind and the lame in a context of restoration and vindication—contrast and theological reversal of the Jebusite mockery.
- Matthew 21:14 (thematic): In the New Testament the blind and the lame come to Jesus in the Jerusalem temple and are healed—another reversal motif where Jerusalem becomes a place for the disabled rather than a refuge for them alone.
Alternative generated candidates
- And the king and his men went to Jerusalem to the Jebusites who dwelt in the land. They spoke to David, saying, "You shall not come here; even the blind and the lame will repel you," and they said, "David shall not come in here."
- And the king and his men went to Jerusalem to the Jebusites who were dwelling in the land; and they spoke to David, saying, 'You shall not come in here—surely the blind and the lame will ward you off,' saying, 'David shall not come in here.'
2 S.5.7 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וילכד: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- דוד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- את: PRT,acc
- מצדת: NOUN,f,sg,const
- ציון: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- היא: PRON,dem,3,f,sg
- עיר: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- דוד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- 1 Chronicles 11:5 (quotation): Direct repetition of the event: Chronicles retells that David seized the stronghold of Zion, identifying it as the City of David.
- 2 Samuel 5:9 (structural): Immediate narrative continuation: after taking Zion David settled in the fortress and called it the City of David, expanding on the consequence of v.7.
- 1 Kings 8:1 (allusion): Solomon brings the ark 'from the City of David (Zion)' to the temple—reflects the established identification of Zion with the City of David and its emerging religious centrality.
- Psalm 48:2 (thematic): Describes Zion in fortress and city imagery ('beautiful in elevation... the city of the Great King'), thematically linking Zion as both a stronghold and the sacred city associated with Davidic rule.
Alternative generated candidates
- David captured the stronghold of Zion; that is the City of David.
- But David captured the stronghold of Zion; that is the City of David.
2 S.5.8 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- דוד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ביום: PREP
- ההוא: DEM,ms,sg
- כל: DET
- מכה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- יבסי: ADJ,m,sg
- ויגע: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- בצנור: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ואת: CONJ
- הפסחים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- ואת: CONJ
- העורים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- שנאי: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- נפש: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- דוד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- על: PREP
- כן: ADV
- יאמרו: VERB,qal,imprf,3,m,pl
- עור: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ופסח: CONJ+ADJ,m,sg
- לא: PART_NEG
- יבוא: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- אל: NEG
- הבית: NOUN,m,sg,def
Parallels
- Leviticus 21:17-23 (verbal): Lists physical defects (including the blind and the lame) that disqualify a priest from approaching the altar—language and the idea of excluding the blind/lame from cultic/holy service closely echo David’s statement that the blind and lame shall not enter the house.
- Deuteronomy 23:1 (thematic): Regulates exclusion from the assembly of the LORD for those with certain bodily defects (e.g., emasculation). The verse parallels 2 Sam 5:8 thematically in denying access to sacred/communal space on physical grounds.
- Isaiah 35:5-6 (thematic): Prophetic promise that 'the eyes of the blind shall be opened' and 'the lame shall leap,' offering a theological contrast/reversal to texts that exclude the blind and lame (such as 2 Sam 5:8) by envisioning their restoration in the messianic age.
- Psalm 146:8 (thematic): Affirms God’s care for the blind and those bowed down ('the LORD gives sight to the blind'), presenting a moral-theological counterpoint to human practices of excluding the blind and lame from community or sacred space.
Alternative generated candidates
- And David said on that day, "Whoever strikes the Jebusites first and reaches the water shaft—both the lame and the blind" (for David despised them); therefore the saying arose, "The blind and the lame shall not enter the house."
- And David said on that day, 'Whoever strikes the Jebusites and reaches the tsinnor (the water shaft), and the lame and the blind—those despised by David—shall be chief and commander.' Therefore it is said, 'The blind and the lame shall not come into the house.'
2 S.5.9 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וישב: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- דוד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- במצדה: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ויקרא: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- לה: PREP+PRON,3,f,sg
- עיר: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- דוד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ויבן: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- דוד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- סביב: ADV
- מן: PREP
- המלוא: NOUN,m,sg,def
- וביתה: CONJ+NOUN,f,sg,abs+PRON,3,f,sg
Parallels
- 1 Chronicles 11:5 (quotation): Narrates David's capture of Zion and identifies it as the city of David—background and parallel to David's dwelling in the fortress.
- 1 Chronicles 11:7 (verbal): Almost identical wording: 'David dwelt in the fortress and called it the city of David'—direct verbal parallel to 2 Samuel 5:9.
- 1 Chronicles 11:8 (verbal): Repeats the building/fortifying details ('from the Mill to the water gate...') corresponding closely to the construction language of 2 Samuel 5:9.
- Psalm 48:2 (thematic): Portrays Zion as 'the city of the great King'—thematic parallel emphasizing Zion/ Jerusalem as David's royal stronghold and God's city.
Alternative generated candidates
- David dwelt in the stronghold and called it the City of David. David built all around, from the Millo inward, and he made houses for himself.
- And David dwelt in the stronghold; therefore it was called the City of David. David built all around, from the Millo and inward, and he built its houses.
2 S.5.10 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וילך: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- דוד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הלוך: VERB,qal,part,3,m,sg
- וגדול: ADJ,m,sg,abs
- ויהוה: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אלהי: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- צבאות: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- עמו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
Parallels
- 1 Chronicles 14:17 (structural): Direct parallel/retelling of 2 Sam 5:10 in the Chronicler's history: David grows greater because the LORD (God of hosts) is with him.
- 1 Samuel 18:14 (verbal): Earlier summary of David's success: David 'behaved himself wisely... and the LORD was with him'—a verbal/thematic echo linking divine presence to David's rise.
- Genesis 39:2-3 (thematic): Joseph is described as prospering because 'the LORD was with him'—same motif of God's presence producing success and advancement.
- 2 Samuel 7:9 (thematic): God's promise to make David 'a great name' and establish him—theological parallel emphasizing divine support for David's increasing greatness.
Alternative generated candidates
- David continued to grow greater and greater, for the LORD God of hosts was with him.
- And David grew greater and greater, and the LORD, the God of hosts, was with him.
2 S.5.11 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וישלח: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- חירם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מלך: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- צר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מלאכים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- אל: NEG
- דוד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ועצי: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ארזים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- וחרשי: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,construct
- עץ: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וחרשי: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,construct
- אבן: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- קיר: NOUN,m,sg,cstr
- ויבנו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- בית: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לדוד: PREP+NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- 1 Chronicles 14:1 (verbal): Almost word-for-word parallel: Hiram king of Tyre sends messengers, cedar, carpenters and masons to build a house for David (direct retelling of 2 Sam 5:11).
- 1 Kings 5:1–12 (thematic): Hiram’s provision of cedar and skilled workers for Israelite royal/temple construction—here applied to Solomon’s building projects—echoes the David–Hiram cooperation introduced in 2 Sam 5:11.
- 2 Samuel 7:1–2 (structural): Follows the narrative consequence of 2 Sam 5:11: after a house is built for David, David expresses the desire to build a ‘house’ for YHWH, prompting God’s covenantal response (contrast and theological development).
- 1 Chronicles 22:2–5 (allusion): David’s later gathering of cedar, stone and skilled labor for the temple (and his dealings with Tyre/Sidon) recalls the earlier acquisition of cedar and craftsmen from Hiram in 2 Sam 5:11 and frames preparations for Solomon’s work.
Alternative generated candidates
- Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, cedar logs and carpenters and stonecutters; they built a house for David.
- And Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, cedar trees and carpenters and stonemasons; and they built David a house.
2 S.5.12 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וידע: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- דוד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- כי: CONJ
- הכינו: VERB,hif,perf,3,pl
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- למלך: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- על: PREP
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וכי: CONJ
- נשא: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- ממלכתו: NOUN,f,sg,cons+3,m
- בעבור: PREP
- עמו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- 1 Chronicles 11:13 (verbal): Nearly identical wording — Chronicles repeats 2 Samuel’s statement that David knew the LORD had established him as king and exalted his kingdom for the sake of Israel.
- 2 Samuel 7:8-16 (thematic): God’s covenant promise to establish David’s house and throne provides the theological background: Yahweh has ordained and will secure David’s kingship.
- Psalm 89:20-37 (verbal): Speaks of God finding and anointing David and establishing his throne/kingdom — echoes the theme of divine establishment and exaltation of David’s rule.
- Psalm 78:70-72 (thematic): Describes God’s choice of David from the sheepfolds and God’s shepherding of Israel through him — underscores that David’s kingship is God‑appointed for Israel’s sake.
- 1 Samuel 16:13 (allusion): Samuel anoints David as Yahweh’s chosen king; this anointing and divine selection are the prior act by which God establishes David as ruler over Israel.
Alternative generated candidates
- And David perceived that the LORD had established him king over Israel, and that he had exalted his kingdom for the sake of his people Israel.
- And David knew that the LORD had established him king over Israel, and that he had exalted his kingdom for the sake of his people Israel.
2 S.5.13 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויקח: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- דוד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עוד: ADV
- פלגשים: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- ונשים: CONJ+NOUN,f,pl,abs
- מירושלם: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- אחרי: PREP
- באו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- מחברון: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ויולדו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- עוד: ADV
- לדוד: PREP+NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- בנים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ובנות: CONJ+NOUN,f,pl,cons
Parallels
- 1 Chron.14.3-4 (structural): Parallel account: Chronicles records that David took more wives and concubines in Jerusalem and that they bore him sons and daughters (near-duplicate of 2 Sam 5:13).
- 1 Chron.3.5 (structural): Genealogical parallel: lists sons of David born in Jerusalem, corresponding to the children mentioned after David's move to Jerusalem.
- 2 Sam.3.2-5 (structural): Earlier Samuel passage listing sons born to David in Hebron—serves as a contrast to the sons and daughters born to him after he relocated to Jerusalem.
- 2 Sam.12.8 (thematic): Thematic connection: Nathan's oracle that God gave David his predecessor's house and wives links the idea of David's possession of wives/household to divine grant and to the wider narrative about David's polygynous household.
Alternative generated candidates
- After he had come from Hebron, David took more wives and concubines in Jerusalem, and more sons and daughters were born to him.
- And David took more concubines and wives from Jerusalem, after he had come from Hebron; and more sons and daughters were born to David.
2 S.5.14 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ואלה: CONJ+DEM,pl,abs
- שמות: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- הילדים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- לו: PRON,3,m,sg
- בירושלם: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- שמוע: VERB,qal,infc
- ושובב: CONJ+NOUN,prop,m,sg
- ונתן: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- ושלמה: CONJ+NOUN,prop,m,sg
Parallels
- 1 Chronicles 3:5 (verbal): Direct parallel list of the sons born to David in Jerusalem—Shimea (Shammua), Shobab, Nathan, and Solomon—used in the genealogical record.
- 2 Samuel 3:2-5 (structural): Lists the sons born to David in Hebron (Amnon, Chileab, Absalom, Adonijah, Shephatiah, Ithream), providing a structural parallel (sons born in Hebron vs. sons born in Jerusalem) and situating 5:14 within David’s wider family lists.
- Luke 3:31 (allusion): In Luke’s genealogy of Jesus the line from David runs through Nathan (one of the sons named in 2 Sam 5:14), reflecting an alternative dynastic line traced through Nathan rather than Solomon.
- Matthew 1:6 (thematic): Matthew’s genealogy traces Jesus’ descent from David through Solomon (also named in 2 Sam 5:14) and explicitly notes Solomon as David’s son by Bathsheba, connecting the royal line recorded in Samuel to the Matthean genealogy.
- 1 Chronicles 14:4 (thematic): States that David took additional wives and had more sons and daughters in Jerusalem after Hebron; thematically parallels 2 Sam 5:14 which enumerates the sons born to David in Jerusalem.
Alternative generated candidates
- These are the names of the children born to him in Jerusalem: Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, and Solomon,
- And these are the names of the children born to him in Jerusalem: Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon,
2 S.5.15 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויבחר: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- ואלישוע: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- ונפג: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- ויפיע: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- 1Chr.3.5 (verbal): Direct parallel list of sons born to David in Jerusalem (includes Ibhar, Elishua, Nepheg, Japhia), essentially the same genealogical material as 2 Sam 5:15–16.
- 1Chr.14.3 (thematic): Narrative parallel: reports that David took additional wives and concubines after coming to Jerusalem and that more sons and daughters were born to him—same event summarized in 2 Sam 5:13–16.
- 2Sam.5.13–16 (structural): Immediate literary context; 2 Sam 5:15 is part of this passage enumerating the wives and children David fathered after taking Jerusalem.
- 2Sam.3.2–5 (thematic): Parallel genealogical passage listing sons born to David at Hebron (e.g., Amnon, Chileab, Absalom, Adonijah), offering a structural contrast between the sons born at Hebron and those born later in Jerusalem.
Alternative generated candidates
- Ibhar, Elishua, Nepheg, and Japhia,
- Ibhar, Elishua, Nepheg, Japhia,
2 S.5.16 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ואלישמע: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ואלידע: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ואליפלט: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- 1 Chron.14:4-7 (verbal): Direct parallel list of the sons born to David in Jerusalem; contains the same names (including Elishama, Eliada, Eliphelet) and corresponds closely to 2 Samuel 5:16.
- 1 Chron.3:5 (verbal): Genealogical listing of David’s sons (by Bathsheba) with substantial overlap in names (Nathan, Solomon, Elishua/Elishama, Eliada, Eliphelet), echoing the roster found in 2 Samuel 5:16.
- 2 Sam.5:14-15 (structural): The immediate context in 2 Samuel that lists the other sons born to David in Jerusalem; 5:16 is the closing portion of this contiguous roster.
- 2 Sam.3:2-5 (thematic): Lists the sons born to David in Hebron (e.g., Amnon, Chileab, Absalom, Adonijah), providing a thematic and chronological contrast to the later Jerusalem-born sons enumerated in 2 Samuel 5:16.
Alternative generated candidates
- Elishama, Eliada, and Eliphelet.
- Elishama, Eliada, Eliphelet.
And the king and his men went to Jerusalem to the Jebusites who dwelt in the land; and they said to David, "You shall not come in here; only if you remove the blind and the lame shall you come in"—they said, "David shall not come in here." And David captured the stronghold of Zion—this is the City of David. And David said on that day, "Whoever strikes the Jebusites and reaches the water shaft and the lame and the blind—those whom David despises—" therefore they say, "The blind and the lame shall not come into the house."
David lived in the stronghold and called it the City of David. He built all around, from the Millo inward. And David went on growing greater, for the LORD, the God of hosts, was with him. And Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, cedar timber and carpenters and masons; they built a house for David. And David knew that the LORD had established him king over Israel, and that he had exalted his kingly rule for the sake of his people Israel.
David took more concubines and wives in Jerusalem, after he had come from Hebron; and more sons and daughters were born to David.
These are the names of the sons born to him in Jerusalem: Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, and Solomon.
Ibhar, Elishua, Nepheg, and Japhia.
Elishama, Eliada, and Eliphelet.