2 Samuel 5

David as a type of Christ

Then came all the tribes of Israel to David unto Hebron, and spake, saying, Behold, we are thy bone and thy flesh. 2 Samuel 5:1–3

The tribes claim David as their own kin, and Jehovah calls him to feed (shepherd) His people as their anointed king. Christ is the Son of David, one flesh with us, the Good Shepherd and the Governor who rules God's people.

• a type of what is in Ezekiel 34:23 — One shepherd, my servant David; he shall feed them.
• a type of what is in Matthew 2:6 — Out of Bethlehem comes a Governor that shall rule my people Israel.
• a type of what is in John 10:11 — Jesus: I am the good shepherd.

David as a type of Christ

David was thirty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned forty years. 2 Samuel 5:4

David began his reign at thirty, the same age Luke gives for Jesus when He began His ministry. A small but real echo between the king and the Son of David.

• a type of what is in Luke 3:23 — Jesus began to be about thirty years of age.

David as a type of Christ

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. 2 Samuel 5:8

A saying arose that the blind and the lame would not come into the house. When Jesus, hailed as the Son of David, came to the temple, the blind and lame came to Him and He healed them, reversing the old saying.

• alluded to by Matthew 21:14-15 — The blind and the lame come to Jesus in the temple while children cry Hosanna to the Son of David.

Lord of Hosts

Lord of Hosts — Jehovah, Lord of the armies of heaven and earth

And David went on, and grew great, and the LORD God of hosts was with him. 2 Samuel 5:10

David's greatness came because Jehovah, the LORD God of hosts, was with him. Latter-day Saints know this Lord of Hosts as the premortal Jesus Christ.

How we know: Jehovah is the premortal Christ (Abraham 1:16; D&C 110:3–4)

Jehovah

And David enquired 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. 2 Samuel 5:19–20

Jehovah speaks and promises victory, and David credits the breakthrough to Him, naming the place Baal-perazim, 'lord of breakings through.' The Lord is the One who breaks through for His people.

How we know: Jehovah is the premortal Christ (Abraham 1:16; D&C 110:3–4)

• alluded to by Isaiah 28:21 — The LORD shall rise up as in mount Perazim.

Jehovah

And when David enquired 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. 2 Samuel 5:23–24

Jehovah gives David a different plan the second time and promises to go out before him. The sound in the mulberry trees would be the sign that the Lord Himself was leading the battle.

How we know: Jehovah is the premortal Christ (Abraham 1:16; D&C 110:3–4)