2 Samuel 5:6-9
Summary for 2Sam 5:6-10: 5:6-10 a David acquired a new capital city, Jerusalem, for the newly extended kingdom. 5:6 b The Jebusites resided in Jerusalem prior to its conquest by David (see Exod 34:11 c; Deut 7:1-6 d; 20:17 e; Josh 15:63 f; Judg 1:21 g). Nothing is known of them outside the Bible. In archaeological discoveries from Mari in Syria, a similar name (Yabasi) appears as both a clan name and a geographic location.• Even the blind and lame: The Jebusites had a false notion of invincibility. Another possible translation is you won’t enter here unless you can get rid of the blind and lame, implying that David’s capture of Jerusalem was as likely as achieving a miraculous cure for blindness and lameness.
5:7 h the fortress of Zion: At this time Jerusalem was probably a small site of nine to twelve square acres. The Jebusites’ arrogance, and the fact that the city had not been conquered previously, suggests that it was well fortified.
5:8 i How David conquered Jerusalem is debated. Possibly he used a water tunnel as a conduit for his troops to enter the city, but not all interpreters agree. Another possibility is that David and his men conquered Jerusalem with the more traditional siege works and by scaling the walls. The term translated water tunnel occurs only here and in Ps 42:7 j (“raging seas”); the statement might be metaphorical, referring to the ferocity of the attack.
• The blind and the lame may not enter the house: House could refer either to the Temple, which had not yet been built, or to David’s palace. The proverb may explain why Mephibosheth, Saul’s descendant, was barred from the throne (see study note on 2 Sam 4:4).
• David also promised that those who undertook the siege of Jerusalem would become the commanders of his army (see 1 Chr 11:6 k).
5:9 l made the fortress his home: Jerusalem was a practical place from which David could effectively administer the extended kingdom. It was a centrally located neutral city on the border between Judah and the northern territories, and its natural fortifications and water tunnel were useful in case of siege.
• the supporting terraces: See study note on 1 Kgs 9:15.
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