David is now king over all Israel and three things happen right away:

• David captures Jerusalem and makes it his headquarters, the new capital city of the nation:

David and his men immediately set out for Jerusalem to take on the Jebusites, who lived in that country. But they said, “You might as well go home! Even the blind and the lame could keep you out. You can’t get in here!”…But David went right ahead and captured the fortress of Zion, known ever since as the City of David…David made the fortress city his home and named it “City of David.” (2 Samuel 5.6 – 9, MSG)

• David builds a palace there with the help of Hiram, king of Tyre:

It was at this time that Hiram, king of Tyre, sent messengers to David, along with timbers of cedar. He also sent carpenters and masons to build a house for David. (2 Samuel 5.11, MSG)

• In the custom of the time, David takes on wives and concubines and has a plethora of children:

David took on more concubines and wives from Jerusalem after he left Hebron. And more sons and daughters were born to him. (2 Samuel 5.13, MSG)

But there’s no rest; remember the Philistines? They are always among us…even until today!

When the Philistines got word that David had been made king over all Israel, they came on the hunt for him. David heard of it and went down to the stronghold. When the Philistines arrived, they deployed their forces in Raphaim Valley. Then David prayed to GOD: “Shall I go up and fight the Philistines? Will you help me beat them?” “Go up,” GOD replied. “Count on me. I’ll help you beat them.” David then went straight to Baal Perazim, and smashed them to pieces. Afterwards David said, “GOD exploded on my enemies like a gush of water.” That’s why David named the place Baal Perazim (The-Master-Who-Explodes)…Later there was a repeat performance… (2 Samuel 5.17 – 22, MSG)

Chapter 5 documents two decisive victories over the Philistines. (I just checked. The Philistines don’t go away…there are more battles to come!)

Now war arose in heaven, Michael and his angels fighting against the dragon. And the dragon and his angels fought back, but he was defeated, and there was no longer any place for them in heaven. And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world—he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him…And when the dragon saw that he had been thrown down to the earth, he pursued the woman who had given birth to the male child…Then the dragon became furious with the woman and went off to make war on the rest of her offspring, on those who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus… (Revelation 12.7 – 9, 13, 17, ESV)