2 Samuel 5 · Verse 1

2 Samuel 5:1

Then came all the tribes of Israel to David unto Hebron, and spake, saying, Behold, we are thy bone and thy flesh.

2 Samuel 5:1, King James Version

2 Samuel 5:1 in other translations

BSB	Then all the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron and said, “Here we are, your own flesh and blood.
WEB	Then all the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron and spoke, saying, “Behold, we are your bone and your flesh.
ASV	Then came all the tribes of Israel to David unto Hebron, and spake, saying, Behold, we are thy bone and thy flesh.
YLT	And all the tribes of Israel come unto David, to Hebron, and speak, saying, ‘Lo, we are thy bone and thy flesh;
DARBY	Then came all the tribes of Israel to David to Hebron, and spoke, saying, Behold, we are thy bone and thy flesh.
BBE	Then all the tribes of Israel came to David in Hebron and said, Truly, we are your bone and your flesh.
Webster	Then came all the tribes of Israel to David to Hebron, and spoke, saying, Behold, we are thy bone and thy flesh.

What does 2 Samuel 5:1 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 2 Samuel 5:1-2

2Sa 5:1-5. The Tribes Anoint David King over Israel. 1-2. Then came all the tribes of Israel--a combined deputation of the leading authorities in every tribe. [See on 1Ch 11:1.] David possessed the first and indispensable qualification for the throne; namely, that of being an Israelite (De 17:15). Of his military talent he had furnished ample proof. And the people's desire for his assumption of the government of Israel was further increased by their knowledge of the will and purpose of God, as declared by Samuel (1Sa 16:11-13).

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary

Introduction

The elders of all the tribes of Israel come and anoint David king over all Israel, 2Sam 5:1-5. He goes against the Jebusites, and takes the strong hold of Zion, and afterwards the city itself; which is called the city of David, 2Sam 5:6-9. David's prosperity, and friendship with Hiram, king of Tyre, 2Sam 5:10-12. He takes more concubines, and begets several sons and daughters, 2Sam 5:13-16. The Philistines gather together against him in the valley of Rephaim; he defeats them; they abandon their idols, and David and his men burn them, 2Sam 5:17-21. They assemble once more in the valley of Rephaim, and David smites them from Geba to Gazer, 2Sam 5:22-25. Verse 1 Then came all the tribes of Israel - Ish-bosheth the king, and Abner the general, being dead, they had no hope of maintaining a separate kingdom, and therefore thought it better to submit to David's authority. And they founded their resolution on three good arguments: 1. David was their own countryman; We are thy bone and thy flesh. 2. Even in Saul's time David had been their general, and had always led them to victory; Thou wast he that leddest out and broughtest in Israel. 3. God had appointed him to the kingdom, to govern and protect the people; The Lord said to thee, Thou shalt feed my people and be a captain over Israel.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on 2 Samuel 5:1-5

He takes the strong-hold of Zion. (6-10)

David's kingdom established. (11-16)

He defeats the Philistines. (17-25)

Verses 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.

Matthew Henry, 1706 · public domain

2 Samuel 5:1 in the original Hebrew

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

וַיָּבֹ֜אוּvai.ya.Vo.'uand they cameH935

כָּל\־kol-allH3605

שִׁבְטֵ֧יshiv.Tei[the] tribes ofH7626

יִשְׂרָאֵ֛לYis.ra.'ElIsraelH3478

אֶל\־'el-toH413

דָּוִ֖דda.VidDavidH1732

חֶבְר֑וֹנָהchev.Ro.nahHebron towardsH2275

וַיֹּאמְר֣וּvai.yo.me.Ruand they saidH559

לֵאמֹ֔רle.Mor<to> sayingH559

הִנְנ֛וּhi.Nuhere [are] weH2005

עַצְמְךָ֥'atz.me.Kha[are] bone yourH6106

וּֽבְשָׂרְךָ֖u.ve.sa.re.Khaand flesh yourH1320

אֲנָֽחְנוּ\׃'a.Na.che.nuweH587

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for 2 Samuel 5:1

1 Chronicles 11:1-3
Then all Israel gathered themselves to David unto Hebron, saying, Behold, we are thy bone and thy flesh. And moreover in time past, even when Saul was king, thou wast he that leddest out and broughtest in Israel: and the Lord thy God said unto thee, Thou shalt feed my people Israel, and thou shalt be ruler over my people Israel. Therefore came all the elders of Israel to the king to Hebron; and David made a covenant with them in Hebron before the Lord; and they anointed David king over Israel, according to the word of the Lord by Samuel.
Genesis 29:14
And Laban said to him, Surely thou art my bone and my flesh. And he abode with him the space of a month.
2 Samuel 19:13
And say ye to Amasa, Art thou not of my bone, and of my flesh? God do so to me, and more also, if thou be not captain of the host before me continually in the room of Joab.
Ephesians 5:30
For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.
1 Chronicles 12:23-40
And these are the numbers of the bands that were ready armed to the war, and came to David to Hebron, to turn the kingdom of Saul to him, according to the word of the Lord. The children of Judah that bare shield and spear were six thousand and eight hundred, ready armed to the war. Of the children of Simeon, mighty men of valour for the war, seven thousand and one hundred. Of the children of Levi four thousand and six hundred. …
Judges 9:2
Speak, I pray you, in the ears of all the men of Shechem, Whether is better for you, either that all the sons of Jerubbaal, which are threescore and ten persons, reign over you, or that one reign over you? remember also that I am your bone and your flesh.
Deuteronomy 17:15
Thou shalt in any wise set him king over thee, whom the Lord thy God shall choose: one from among thy brethren shalt thou set king over thee: thou mayest not set a stranger over thee, which is not thy brother.
Hebrews 2:14
Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

1 The tribes come to Hebron and anoint David over Israel.
4 David's age.
6 He taking Zion from the Jebusites, dwells in it.
11 Hiram sends to David.
13 Eleven sons are born to him in Jerusalem.
17 David, directed by God, smites the Philistines at Baal-perazim;
22 and again at the mulberry trees.

came.
1Ch 11:1-3; 12:23-40
we.
19:13; Ge 29:14; De 17:15; Jud 9:2; Eph 5:30; Heb 2:14

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

2 Samuel 5:1
Then came all the tribes of Israel to David unto Hebron, and spake, saying, Behold, we are thy bone and thy flesh.
2 Samuel 5:2
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.

Read all of 2 Samuel 5

2 Samuel 5:1 in other languages

Spanish Reina-Valera 1909	Y VINIERON todas las tribus de Israel á David en Hebrón, y hablaron, diciendo: He aquí nosotros somos tus huesos y tu carne.
French Bible J.N. Darby 1885	*Et toutes les tribus d’Israël vinrent vers David à Hébron, et parlèrent, disant: Voici, nous sommes ton os et ta chair.
German Elberfelder 1871	Und alle Stämme Israels kamen zu David nach Hebron, und sie sprachen und sagten: Siehe, wir sind dein Gebein und dein Fleisch.
Latin Clementine Vulgate	Et venerunt universæ tribus Israël ad David in Hebron, dicentes: Ecce nos os tuum et caro tua sumus.