John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 3. So all the elders of Israel came to the king to Hebron , etc.] Which either explains what is meant by the tribes coming to him, ( 2 Samuel 5:1); namely, coming by their elders as their representatives; or else the meaning is, that the messengers the tribes sent, when they returned and reported the favourable reception they had met with from David; the elders of the several tribes, the princes or principal men met, and came together to David in Hebron: and King David made a league with them before the Lord ; the states of the nation; he entered into a covenant with them; he on his part promising to rule them in justice and judgment according to the laws, and they promising to yield a cheerful obedience to him in all things just and lawful: and this was done “before the Lord”; either before the ark of the Lord, as Abarbinel; but that was in Kirjathjearim, from whence it was after this brought by David to this city; rather, as Kimchi observes, wherever all Israel, or the greater part of them, were assembled, there the divine Shechinah or Majesty dwelt; so that what was done in a public assembly was reckoned as done before the Lord, and in his presence; or this covenant was made before the Lord, and each party appealed to him as witness of it, so that it was a very solemn one: and they anointed David king over Israel ; that is, over all Israel, which was the third time of his being anointed; the first was by Samuel, pointing out the person the Lord chose and appointed king; the second was by the tribe of Judah, when they invested him with the office of a king over them; and now by all the tribes, when he was inaugurated into the whole kingdom of Israel; and not only the elders came at this time, but great numbers of the people from the several tribes, and continued with David some days, eating, drinking and rejoicing, (see 1 Chronicles 12:1-40).
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-5 - David was anointed king a third time. His advances were gradual, tha 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 heigh 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, applie for his salvation, submits to his authority, and craves his protection.
Original Hebrew ויבאו935 כל3605 זקני2205 ישׂראל3478 אל413 המלך4428 חברונה2275 ויכרת3772 להם המלך4428 דוד1732 ברית1285 בחברון2275 לפני6440 יהוה3068 וימשׁחו4886 את853 דוד1732 למלך4428 על5921 ישׂראל׃3478
