For the first time as king, David fought the Philistines in battle.
Up to this point in 2 Samuel, David’s life follows a clear and repeated pattern:
He was crowned king in Hebron (2 Samuel 2:4).
He won a battle (2 Samuel 2:12–17).
He grew stronger (2 Samuel 3:1).
He started a large family (2 Samuel 3:2–5).
A similar pattern appears again later:
David was crowned king in Jerusalem (2 Samuel 5:3).
He grew stronger again (2 Samuel 5:10).
He expanded his family (2 Samuel 5:13–14).
He won another battle (2 Samuel 5:17–25).
This repeated pattern emphasizes both of David’s coronations. Each one is marked by signs of God’s blessing and success.