David claims Jerusalem with bold faith and divine backing.
“Now the king and his men went to Jerusalem against the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land, and they said to David, ‘You shall not come in here, but the blind and lame will turn you away’; thinking, ‘David cannot enter here.’” (2 Samuel 5:6) When this verse begins, we see King David (who ruled from around 1010 BC to 970 BC) leading his warriors toward Jerusalem. The city, located in the heart of the Promised Land, was inhabited by the Jebusites at the time. This defensive statement from the Jebusites—“the blind and lame will turn you away”—carries a tone of mockery, suggesting that even their weakest could fend off David. Historically, Jerusalem was a stronghold with formidable walls and a strategic position in the Judean hills, making it naturally defensive and confident against intruders.
By calling him “the king” at this stage, the text clarifies David is no longer a mere shepherd or a war hero—he is the anointed leader over all Israel (2 Samuel 5:3). The mention of his men indicates that he was not alone but backed by a united Israelite force. From a spiritual perspective, David’s approach to Jerusalem foreshadows the establishment of the city as a central place of worship for God’s people, which will later be the location of the Temple. This same city also becomes significant in the lineage of Jesus (reference Matthew 1:1), connecting David’s kingship to the messianic promise.
The Jebusites’ taunt that “David cannot enter here” highlights the world’s mindset of underestimating God’s chosen king. Yet, David’s faith and strategy will overcome these seemingly insurmountable obstacles, as will be revealed in the subsequent verses. It provides an important lesson that when God ordains leadership, no external show of force or ridicule can hinder His plans. Jerusalem, impregnable as it seemed, was destined to become the City of David, shaping Israel’s history and setting the stage for Christ centuries later.
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2 Samuel 5:6 meaning
“Now the king and his men went to Jerusalem against the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land, and they said to David, ‘You shall not come in here, but the blind and lame will turn you away’; thinking, ‘David cannot enter here.’” (2 Samuel 5:6) When this verse begins, we see King David (who ruled from around 1010 BC to 970 BC) leading his warriors toward Jerusalem. The city, located in the heart of the Promised Land, was inhabited by the Jebusites at the time. This defensive statement from the Jebusites—“the blind and lame will turn you away”—carries a tone of mockery, suggesting that even their weakest could fend off David. Historically, Jerusalem was a stronghold with formidable walls and a strategic position in the Judean hills, making it naturally defensive and confident against intruders.
By calling him “the king” at this stage, the text clarifies David is no longer a mere shepherd or a war hero—he is the anointed leader over all Israel (2 Samuel 5:3). The mention of his men indicates that he was not alone but backed by a united Israelite force. From a spiritual perspective, David’s approach to Jerusalem foreshadows the establishment of the city as a central place of worship for God’s people, which will later be the location of the Temple. This same city also becomes significant in the lineage of Jesus (reference Matthew 1:1), connecting David’s kingship to the messianic promise.
The Jebusites’ taunt that “David cannot enter here” highlights the world’s mindset of underestimating God’s chosen king. Yet, David’s faith and strategy will overcome these seemingly insurmountable obstacles, as will be revealed in the subsequent verses. It provides an important lesson that when God ordains leadership, no external show of force or ridicule can hinder His plans. Jerusalem, impregnable as it seemed, was destined to become the City of David, shaping Israel’s history and setting the stage for Christ centuries later.