2 Samuel 5 Introduction

Structure and Formatting

This chapter concludes the story of how David became king of Israel, and it begins the story of what David did as the king of Israel. 5:1–3 The leaders of the Israelite tribes come and anoint David as their king 5:4–5 The author formally reintroduces David as a character in the story in his new role 5:6–10 David captures the fortress in Jerusalem and makes that city his capital 5:11–12 Hiram, the king of Tyre, builds a palace for David 5:13–16 The author lists the further sons David had in Jerusalem 5:17–25 David defeats the invading Philistines

If you chose to present the list of David’s sons in 3:2–5 the way a list would appear in your culture, you should present the list in 5:13–16 in the same way. For example, you might put the title on a separate line and the names of three or four sons on the following lines, like this: And these are the names of the ones born to him in Jerusalem: Shammua and Shobab and Nathan and Solomon and Ibhar and Elishua and Nepheg and Japhia and Elishama and Eliada and Eliphelet.