Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
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2 Samuel
Book: 2 Samuel
Chapter: 5
Overview:
David King over all
Israel.
(1-5) He takes the strong-
Hold of
Zion.
(6-10) David's kingdom established.
(11-16) He defeats the
Philistines.
(17-25)
1-5 David was anointed
King a third time. His advances were
gradual, that his
Faith might be tried, and that he might gain
experience. Thus his kingdom typified that of the
Messiah, which
was to come to its height
By Degrees. Thus
Jesus became our
Brother, took upon him our nature, dwelt in it that he might
become our
Prince and
Saviour: thus the humbled sinner takes
encouragement from the endearing relation, applies for his
Salvation, submits to his authority, and craves his protection.
6-10 The enemies of
God's people are often very confident of
their own strength, and most secure when their
Day to fall draws
nigh. But the pride and insolence of the
Jebusites animated
David, and the
Lord God of hosts was with him. Thus in the
Day
of
God's power,
Satan's strong-
Hold, the human
Heart, is changed
into a
Habitation of
God through the
Spirit, and into a
Throne
On which the Son of
David rules, and brings every thought into
obedience to himself. May He thus come, and claim, and cleanse,
each of our hearts; and, destroying every
Idol, may he reign
there for ever!
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, Isa 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.
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, Ps 2:1, &c. The
Destruction will turn, as this did,
upon
Satan's own kingdom.
David owns dependence
On God for
victory; and refers himself to the good pleasure of
God, Wilt
thou do it? The
Assurance God has given us of victory over our
spiritual enemies, should encourage us in our spiritual
conflicts.
David waited till
God moved; he stirred then, but not
till then. He was trained up in dependence
On God and his
Providence.
God performed his promise, and
David failed not to
improve his advantages. When the kingdom of the
Messiah was to
be set up, the apostles, who were to beat down the
Devil's
kingdom, must not attempt any thing till they received the
promise of the
Spirit; who came with a sound from
Heaven, as of
a rushing, mighty wind, Ac 2:2.