2 Samuel 5:4
2 Samuel 5:4 in Multiple Translations
David was thirty years old when he became king, and he reigned forty years.
¶ David was thirty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned forty years.
David was thirty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned forty years.
David was thirty years old when he became king, and he was king for forty years,
David was thirty when he became king, and he reigned for forty years.
Dauid was thirtie yeere olde when he began to reigne: and hee reigned fortie yeere.
A son of thirty years [is] David in his being king; forty years he hath reigned;
David was thirty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned forty years.
David was thirty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned forty years.
David was thirty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned forty years.
David was 30 years old when he became their king. He ruled them for 40 years.
David was 30 years old when they picked him to be the big boss. And he was boss for a long time, for 40 years.
Berean Amplified Bible — 2 Samuel 5:4
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
2 Samuel 5:4 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
בֶּן
שְׁלֹשִׁ֥ים
שָׁנָ֛ה
דָּוִ֖ד
בְּ/מָלְכ֑/וֹ
אַרְבָּעִ֥ים
שָׁנָ֖ה
מָלָֽךְ
בֶּן
bên
H1121
son
N-ms
שְׁלֹשִׁ֥ים
shᵉlôwshîym
H7970
thirty
Adj
שָׁנָ֛ה
shâneh
H8141
year
N-fs
דָּוִ֖ד
Dâvid
H1732
David
N-proper
בְּ/מָלְכ֑/וֹ
mâlak
H4427
to reign
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a | Suff
אַרְבָּעִ֥ים
ʼarbâʻîym
H705
forty
Adj
שָׁנָ֖ה
shâneh
H8141
year
N-fs
מָלָֽךְ
mâlak
H4427
to reign
V-Qal-Perf-3ms
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
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Hebrew Word Reference — 2 Samuel 5:4
בֶּן
bên
H1121
"son"
N-ms
In the Bible, this word means a son or descendant, and can also refer to a grandson, nation, or quality. It appears in 1 Chronicles 24, describing a Levite named Beno. The word is used to show family relationships and inheritance.
Definition: : child/son
Usage: Occurs in 3653 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth. See also: Genesis 3:16; Genesis 23:3; Genesis 34:18.
שְׁלֹשִׁ֥ים
shᵉlôwshîym
H7970
"thirty"
Adj
Thirty is the meaning of this Hebrew word, which can also be used as an ordinal to describe something as thirtieth. It is used to count quantities in the Bible.
Definition: thirty, thirtieth Aramaic equivalent: te.la.tin (תְּלָתִין "thirty" H8533)
Usage: Occurs in 163 OT verses. KJV: thirty, thirtieth. Compare H7991 (שָׁלִישׁ). See also: Genesis 5:3; 1 Samuel 11:8; Jeremiah 38:10.
שָׁנָ֛ה
shâneh
H8141
"year"
N-fs
This word also means a year, like when Abraham was 100 years old in Genesis 21. It is used to describe a period of time, age, or a lifetime.
Definition: 1) year 1a) as division of time 1b) as measure of time 1c) as indication of age 1d) a lifetime (of years of life) Aramaic equivalent: she.nah (שְׁנָה "year" H8140)
Usage: Occurs in 647 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] whole age, [idiom] long, [phrase] old, year([idiom] -ly). See also: Genesis 1:14; Genesis 47:28; Numbers 7:35.
דָּוִ֖ד
Dâvid
H1732
"David"
N-proper
David was the youngest son of Jesse and a king of Judah, first mentioned in Ruth 4:17, and an ancestor of Jesus.
Definition: A king of the tribe of Judah living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at Rut.4.17; son of: Jesse (H3448) and Nahash (H5176I); brother of: Eliab (H0446I), Abinadab (H0041I), Shimeah (H8093), Zeruiah (H6870), Abigail (H0026H)(?), Nethanel (H5417H), Raddai (H7288), Ozem (H0684) and Elihu (H0453J); married to Michal (H4324), Abigail (H0026), Ahinoam (H0293H), Maacah (H4601I), Haggith (H2294), Abital (H0037), Eglah (H5698) and Bathsheba (H1339); father of: Amnon (H0550), Chileab (H3609), Absalom (H0053), Adonijah (H0138), Shephatiah (H8203), Ithream (H3507), Shammua (H8051H), Shobab (H7727), Nathan (H5416), Solomon (H8010), Ibhar (H2984), Elishua (H0474), Nepheg (H5298H), Japhia (H3309I), Elishama (H0476H), Eliada (H0450), Eliphelet (H0467), Tamar (H8559H), Elpelet (H0467I), Nogah (H5052) and Jerimoth (H3406N) Also named: Daueid, Dauid, Dabid (Δαυείδ, Δαυίδ, Δαβίδ "David" G1138) § David = "beloved" youngest son of Jesse and second king of Israel
Usage: Occurs in 912 OT verses. KJV: David. See also: Ruth 4:17; 1 Samuel 20:41; 1 Samuel 27:9.
בְּ/מָלְכ֑/וֹ
mâlak
H4427
"to reign"
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a | Suff
To advise or counsel is the meaning of this Hebrew word, which can also mean to reign or rule as a king. It is used in the Bible to describe the actions of leaders, like King Solomon, who sought wisdom to rule God's people. This word is found in the book of 1 Kings.
Definition: 1) to be or become king or queen, reign 1a) (Qal) to be or become king or queen, reign 1b) (Hiphil) to make one king or queen, cause to reign 1c) (Hophal) to be made king or queen
Usage: Occurs in 284 OT verses. KJV: consult, [idiom] indeed, be (make, set a, set up) king, be (make) queen, (begin to, make to) reign(-ing), rule, [idiom] surely. See also: Genesis 36:31; 2 Kings 8:15; 2 Chronicles 10:17.
אַרְבָּעִ֥ים
ʼarbâʻîym
H705
"forty"
Adj
The number forty is what this Hebrew word represents, often used in the Bible to mark significant periods of time, like the 40 days of rain in Genesis or the 40 years of Israel's wilderness journey.
Definition: forty
Usage: Occurs in 123 OT verses. KJV: -forty. See also: Genesis 5:13; Judges 13:1; Psalms 95:10.
שָׁנָ֖ה
shâneh
H8141
"year"
N-fs
This word also means a year, like when Abraham was 100 years old in Genesis 21. It is used to describe a period of time, age, or a lifetime.
Definition: 1) year 1a) as division of time 1b) as measure of time 1c) as indication of age 1d) a lifetime (of years of life) Aramaic equivalent: she.nah (שְׁנָה "year" H8140)
Usage: Occurs in 647 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] whole age, [idiom] long, [phrase] old, year([idiom] -ly). See also: Genesis 1:14; Genesis 47:28; Numbers 7:35.
מָלָֽךְ
mâlak
H4427
"to reign"
V-Qal-Perf-3ms
To advise or counsel is the meaning of this Hebrew word, which can also mean to reign or rule as a king. It is used in the Bible to describe the actions of leaders, like King Solomon, who sought wisdom to rule God's people. This word is found in the book of 1 Kings.
Definition: 1) to be or become king or queen, reign 1a) (Qal) to be or become king or queen, reign 1b) (Hiphil) to make one king or queen, cause to reign 1c) (Hophal) to be made king or queen
Usage: Occurs in 284 OT verses. KJV: consult, [idiom] indeed, be (make, set a, set up) king, be (make) queen, (begin to, make to) reign(-ing), rule, [idiom] surely. See also: Genesis 36:31; 2 Kings 8:15; 2 Chronicles 10:17.
Study Notes — 2 Samuel 5:4
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- 2 Samuel 5:4 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on 2 Samuel 5:4
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 2 Samuel 5:4
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on 2 Samuel 5:4
- Trapp's Commentary on 2 Samuel 5:4
- Ellicott's Commentary on 2 Samuel 5:4
- Cambridge Bible on 2 Samuel 5:4
- Barnes' Notes on 2 Samuel 5:4
- Whedon's Commentary on 2 Samuel 5:4
- Sermons on 2 Samuel 5:4
Context — David Anointed King of All Israel
2Even in times past, while Saul was king over us, you were the one who led Israel out and brought them back. And to you the LORD said, ‘You will shepherd My people Israel, and you will be ruler over them.’”
3So all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron, where King David made with them a covenant before the LORD. And they anointed him king over Israel.
4David was thirty years old when he became king, and he reigned forty years.
5In Hebron he reigned over Judah seven years and six months, and in Jerusalem he reigned thirty-three years over all Israel and Judah. 6Now the king and his men marched to Jerusalem against the Jebusites who inhabited the land. The Jebusites said to David: “You will never get in here. Even the blind and lame can repel you.” For they thought, “David cannot get in here.”Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 Chronicles 29:27 | The length of David’s reign over Israel was forty years—seven years in Hebron and thirty-three years in Jerusalem. |
| 2 | Luke 3:23 | Jesus Himself was about thirty years old when He began His ministry. He was regarded as the son of Joseph, the son of Heli, |
| 3 | 1 Kings 2:11 | The length of David’s reign over Israel was forty years—seven years in Hebron and thirty-three years in Jerusalem. |
| 4 | 1 Chronicles 26:31 | As for the Hebronites, Jerijah was the chief of the Hebronites, according to the genealogies of his ancestors. In the fortieth year of David’s reign the records were searched, and strong, capable men were found among the Hebronites at Jazer in Gilead. |
| 5 | 1 Chronicles 3:4 | These six sons were born to David in Hebron, where he reigned seven years and six months. And David reigned in Jerusalem thirty-three years, |
2 Samuel 5:4 Summary
[David was thirty years old when he became king, and he reigned for forty years. This shows that God had been preparing David for a long time before he became king, and that David was able to trust in God's plan and timing. As we read in Jeremiah 29:11, God has a plan to prosper us and give us hope for the future, and we can trust in His goodness and faithfulness, just like David did. By studying David's life and reign, we can learn valuable lessons about trusting in God and following His plan for our lives.]
Frequently Asked Questions
How old was David when he became king?
David was thirty years old when he became king, as stated in 2 Samuel 5:4. This is significant because it shows that David had already gained experience and maturity before taking on the role of king, much like Moses who was eighty years old when he led the Israelites out of Egypt, as seen in Exodus 3:10.
What can we learn from David's age when he became king?
David's age when he became king teaches us that God's timing is perfect, and He often prepares us for leadership roles through years of experience and training, as seen in 1 Samuel 16:13 where David was anointed by Samuel to be king, but did not become king until many years later.
How long did David reign as king?
David reigned as king for forty years, as stated in 2 Samuel 5:4. This is a significant amount of time, and during his reign, he was able to establish Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and bring peace and prosperity to the nation, as seen in 1 Chronicles 22:9.
What can we learn from the length of David's reign?
The length of David's reign teaches us that God is faithful to those who trust in Him, and He can use us to accomplish great things over a long period of time, as seen in Psalm 37:3-7 where it says that those who trust in God will be blessed and will inherit the land.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that God has been preparing me for my current role or future leadership positions?
- How can I trust in God's timing and plan for my life, even when it seems like things are not happening quickly enough?
- What are some lessons that I can learn from David's life and reign as king, and how can I apply them to my own life?
- In what ways can I seek to follow God's plan and purposes for my life, just like David did, as seen in Psalm 37:23-24?
Gill's Exposition on 2 Samuel 5:4
David [was] thirty years old when he began reign,.... Over Judah, which was the age of his antitype Christ, when he entered upon his public ministry, Lu 3:23; [and] he reigned forty years; and six
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 2 Samuel 5:4
David was thirty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned forty years. No JFB commentary on this verse.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on 2 Samuel 5:4
And some odd months, as it follows.
Trapp's Commentary on 2 Samuel 5:4
2 Samuel 5:4 David [was] thirty years old when he began to reign, [and] he reigned forty years.Ver. 4. David was thirty years old.] So was Christ when he entered upon his kingdom, which he hath twofold: 1. Patientiae; of patience. 2. Potentiae, of power. And he reigned forty years.] Which consisting of four tens, signifieth the fulness of times, and perfection of things, saith Angelomus: wherein also David was a type of Christ.
Ellicott's Commentary on 2 Samuel 5:4
(4) Thirty years old.—This statement of the age and of the length of the reign of David (which is repeated in 1 Chronicles 29:26-27, at the end of the history of David’s life) shows us approximately the length of time since the combat with Goliath as some ten or twelve years. It also proves that the greater part of Saul’s reign is treated very briefly in 1 Samuel, and further shows that David was seventy years old at his death.
Cambridge Bible on 2 Samuel 5:4
4, 5. The compiler of Chronicles omits these verses here, but inserts the substance of them in 1 Chronicles 29:27.
Barnes' Notes on 2 Samuel 5:4
The age of David is conclusive as to the fact that the earlier years of Saul’s reign (during which Jonathan grew up to be a man) are passed over in silence, and that the events narrated from 1 Sam.
Whedon's Commentary on 2 Samuel 5:4
4. Thirty years — Age of full maturity, at which priests were consecrated. Numbers 4:3; Luke 3:23.
Sermons on 2 Samuel 5:4
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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A Descendant of David and Abraham by Jim Cymbala | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the dual nature of Jesus as both fully man and fully divine. He highlights how Jesus, despite being the promised Messiah, did not fit the pre |
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(Exodus) Exodus 6:14-30 by J. Vernon McGee | In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the story of Moses and his call to deliver the children of Israel from Egypt. Moses initially hesitates and makes excuses, questioning his o |
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(Genesis) Genesis 46:26-28 by J. Vernon McGee | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the individual importance of each person to God, despite the vast population of the world. The speaker compares the attention and knowledge p |
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The Immense Significance of the Christian Life by T. Austin-Sparks | In this sermon, the speaker explores the profound truths found in the Bible about Jesus Christ and man. The sermon begins by emphasizing that everything is inseparably bound up wit |
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Jesus Encourages All Women by Zac Poonen | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of understanding the first part of Hebrews 4:15, which states that Jesus can sympathize with our needs and struggles. The spea |
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The Tabernacle - His Rightful Place in Our Hearts by Billy Strachan | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of living a life surrendered to God. They describe starting each day by acknowledging God's presence and allowing Him to work |
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The Curse on Canaan by Chuck Smith | Chuck Smith discusses 'The Curse on Canaan' as he explores the sinful nature of humanity, which persists even after the flood. He emphasizes that Noah's curse on Canaan was misinte |