דברי הימים א, פרק י״א, פסוק ג׳

The final coronation of David over the entire nation marks a powerful climax where a divine decision transforms into a broad national consensus. At this moment, a personal destiny becomes a public and official reality.

The elders of the nation approached David, already recognizing him as their leader. In fact, he held the status of a monarch even before they finalized their agreement or anointed him. This early recognition stemmed from his initial anointing by the prophet Samuel; from that very first moment, he was already considered the king [חומת אנך]. The gathering specifically required the presence of all the nation's elders, as they were the ones who held the practical power and authority to officially place him on the throne [מצודת דוד].

During this gathering, a formal agreement was established. This pact reflected a mutual understanding: the people accepted the responsibilities of his rule, while David accepted the burden of leadership [ביאור שטיינזלץ]. The agreement was a complex, three-way commitment. On a religious level, both the king and the people pledged together to serve God. On a civil level, the people committed to serving the king according to the laws of the monarchy, while the king promised to govern them justly and lead them in battle [רש״י].

This vital agreement was made in the presence of God. Because the Tabernacle was not located in Hebron at the time, there are different understandings of how this presence was established. One approach suggests that the Ark of the Covenant was temporarily brought to Hebron specifically to honor the event, allowing the agreement to take place physically in front of it [מצודת דוד]. Another perspective offers a more conceptual view, explaining that a physical Ark or Tabernacle was unnecessary. According to this view, wherever people gather to make a formal agreement, God's presence naturally rests upon them [רש״י].

Finally, the elders anointed David. Although he had already been anointed by Samuel years prior, that first event was a private action with limited immediate impact. The new anointing in Hebron served as a formal, public, and national declaration, officially cementing his role as the leader over the entire nation [ביאור שטיינזלץ].