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2SAMUEL
CHAPTER 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 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.

((Note -- Acts 13:21 tells us Saul reigned "by the space of forty years."))
David was probably about 18 or 19 when he was anointed to be the second king of Israel (2Samuel 16:11-13).
He was probably 20 or maybe 21 when he killed Goliath.
Now he is 30 (verse 4), and has had to run from Saul's jealousy over 9 years - perhaps as many as 10.
Just because God calls us to a mission, we may not start that mission for several years. I felt God call me to be a pastor when I was only 16. But I was 38 before God made that call certain.
All of Israel's elders now recognized David to be the rightful king of the nation (verses 1-3).
He had reigned in Hebron as king over Judah for seven and one-half years (verse 5). And he would now reign over the nation as a whole for 33 more years.
It had taken over 10 years for David to acquire what God had promised him.
Sometimes God must "work all things together for good" (Romans 8:28) before we can be put in the position where He wants us.
After all, it took Noah 10 months to find a parking place!!

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 David'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.

David determined to take Jerusalem (Jebus) as the nation's capitol. Since the time of the judges, this city had not been totally conquered. It was such a natural fortress, sitting atop the hills, and the Jebusites were such a strong people, that the Israelites had never fully captured the city.
In fact, when David brought his troops there, the Jebusites taunted him saying that even the blind and the lame could defend their city (verse 6).
But David told them they were ALL lame and blind (verse 8), and his forces did take the city.
Then David built "Millo" - a fortress (verse 9).
Take note of verse 10. The reason for David's success was not his cunning ability, nor the power of his forces. His success was determined by the fact that "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 Israel's sake.

David was recognized as a formidable king by Hiram who was king of Tyre. He sent David carpenters and supplies, and they built David a house.

13 And David took him more concubines and wives out of Jerusalem, after he was come from Hebron: and there were yet sons and daughters born to David. 14 And these be the names of those that were born unto him in Jerusalem; Shammuah, and Shobab, and Nathan, and Solomon, 15 Ibhar also, and Elishua, and Nepheg, and Japhia, 16 And Elishama, and Eliada, and Eliphalet.

It is odd that David would folow the words of Deuteronomy 7:18-19 in slaying those who killed their "..neighbor secretly;" but, he did not follow the words of Deuteronomy 17:17. For the Bible says in that verse (concerning the king Israel would have), "Neither shall he multiply wives to himself, that his heart turn not away..."
Our text here (verse 13) declares David took more wives and concubines. From these were born:
Shammuah, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon, Ibhar, Elishua, Nepheg, Japhia, Elishama, Eliada, and Eliphalet.

17 But when the Philistines heard that they had anointed David king over Israel, all the Philistines came up to seek David; and David heard of it, and went down to the hold. 18 The Philistines also came and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim. 19 And David inquired of the LORD, saying, Shall I go up to the Philistines? wilt thou deliver them into mine hand? And the LORD said unto David, Go up: for I will doubtless deliver the Philistines into thine hand. 20 And David came to Baalperazim, and David smote them there, and said, The LORD hath broken forth upon mine enemies before me, as the breach of waters. Therefore he called the name of that place Baalperazim. 21 And there they left their images, and David and his men burned them. 22 And the Philistines came up yet again, and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim. 23 And when David inquired of the LORD, he said, Thou shalt not go up; but fetch a compass behind them, and come upon them over against the mulberry trees. 24 And let it be, when thou hearest the sound of a going in the tops of the mulberry trees, that then thou shalt bestir thyself: for then shall the LORD go out before thee, to smite the host of the Philistines. 25 And David did so, as the LORD had commanded him; and smote the Philistines from Geba until thou come to Gazer.

When the Philistines heard about David becoming king, they did not recognize him as the king of Tyre had done. Instead, they determined to conquer him.
The first time they sent an army, David retreated to the "hold" (cellar?), and prayed, seeking God's wisdom and direction. God told him to go and fight, and assured him of victory. David went with his army and they defeated the Philistines so badly that they ran and left their idols!
David and his men did the right thing and "burned" the idols so they would not become a snare to Israel.
The second time the Philistines came, David again sought the Lord's wisdom and direction. God told him this time to come around behind the enemy. He was to watch and listen for a "sound" of a great wind in the mulberry trees. At this sound, David was to attack.
Now I can't imagine how that sounded, but it must have been awful nerve-wracking, because David and his men routed the Philistines and chased them about 40 miles.

Let me refer to verse 10 again. God was WITH David, and David SOUGHT God for guidance and direction. And God enabled him to win victory after victory.
Let us also be people who seek after God's wisdom, guidance and direction.
When we seek Him, He shall be found - and He shall help us .

"Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.(Isaiah 55:6-7)