Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible - 2 Samuel 5:3
King David made a league with them; whereby he obliged himself to rule them according to God’s laws; and the people promised fidelity and obedience to him. Before the Lord; either, 1. Before the ark, which might be here, though that be not mentioned in this place. Or, 2. Before the priest clothed with the ephod; whereby he was in a manner put into God’s presence. Or rather, 3. In the congregation of the mighty, or magistrates, where God used to be present, Psalms 82:1; in the public assembly... read more
Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible - 2 Samuel 5:2
Thou wast our chief commander in our expeditions against the Philistines, and therefore art most fit to be king over us. The Lord said to thee, to wit, by Samuel, 1 Samuel 16:11-13; for though the words vary, yet the sense is the same. Thou shalt feed my people Israel i.e. rule them, and take care of them, as a shepherd doth of his sheep, Psalms 78:70,Psalms 78:71. This expression he useth to admonish David, that he was not made a king to advance his own glory and interest, but for the good and... read more