David Becomes King

Illustration of David Becomes King
Era
United Kingdom
Date
c. 1010 BC โ‰ˆ Approximate
Reference
2 Samuel 5:1-12
After years of running, hiding, and waiting, the shepherd boy finally sat on the throne.

After the death of King Saul, the elders of Israel came to David at Hebron and anointed him king over all twelve tribes, ending a period of civil division and unifying the nation under a single ruler chosen by God. David subsequently captured the fortified Jebusite city of Jerusalem, which he established as his capital and developed into a central political hub for the united kingdom. This consolidation strengthened Israel's defenses and centralized governance, setting the stage for military successes and national stability. In Scripture, the event fulfills earlier promises of David's rise, initiates the Davidic covenant, and positions Jerusalem as the enduring spiritual and royal center from which the messianic line would emerge.

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Did You Know?

1

David subsequently captured the fortified Jebusite city of Jerusalem, which he established as his capital and developed into a central political hub for the united kingdom.

2

This consolidation strengthened Israel's defenses and centralized governance, setting the stage for military successes and national stability.

3

This event is dated to approximately c. 1010 BC in biblical chronology.

4

This took place at or near Jerusalem and Hebron.

Key Passage

David Becomes King

2 Samuel 5:1-12

T1hen 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 thirty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned forty years. 5 In Hebron he reigned over Judah seven years and six months: and in Jerusalem he reigned thirty and three years over all Israel and Judah. 6 And the king and his men went to Jerusalem unto the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land: which spake unto David, saying, Except thou take away the blind and the lame, thou shalt not come in hither: thinking, David cannot come in hither. 7 Nevertheless David took the strong hold of Zion: the same is the city of David. 8 And David said on that day, Whosoever getteth up to the gutter, and smiteth the Jebusites, and the lame and the blind, that are hated of Davidโ€™s soul, he shall be chief and captain. Wherefore they said, The blind and the lame shall not come into the house. 9 So David dwelt in the fort, and called it the city of David. And David built round about from Millo and inward. 10 And David went on, and grew great, and the LORD God of hosts was with him. 11 And Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, and cedar trees, and carpenters, and masons: and they built David an house. 12 And David perceived that the LORD had established him king over Israel, and that he had exalted his kingdom for his people Israelโ€™s sake.

Read full chapter: 2 Samuel 5 โ†’

Meanwhile in the World

Egypt is in decline (Third Intermediate Period). Phoenicia dominates Mediterranean trade. The Greek Dark Age continues. Assyria is rising in Mesopotamia. Homer may be composing the Iliad and Odyssey. This is the era of the great Phoenician alphabet spreading.

When: c. 1050 - 930 BC

Key Civilizations: Phoenicia, Early Assyria

Biblical Parallels: 1 Samuel 8-31 , 2 Samuel 1-24 , 1 Kings 1-11

Explore Related

Characters 1

David David began his life as a humble shepherd boy in Bethlehem before being anointed by the prophet Samuel toโ€ฆ

Places 2

Jerusalem Jerusalem stands as the ancient capital of Israel and holds profound religious importance as a holy cityโ€ฆ Hebron Hebron is renowned in the Bible as the site of the Cave of Machpelah, the burial place Abraham purchasedโ€ฆ