TRV
See on the biblical-era map
Study This Verse
Public-domain commentary
Matthew Henry
From his Commentary on the Whole Bible. Henry comments on passages, not single verses — this entry covers 2 Samuel 5:17–25. His three-level outline is real structure in the source text, so it is rendered as structure.
The particular service for which David was raised up was to save Israel out of the hand of the Philistines, Sa2 3:18. This therefore divine Providence, in the first place, gives him an opportunity of accomplishing. Two great victories obtained over the Philistines we have here an account of, by which David not only balanced the disgrace and retrieved the loss Israel had sustained in the battle wherein Saul was slain, but went far towards the total subduing of those vexatious neighbours, the last remains of the devoted nations.
I.In both these actions the Philistines were the aggressors, stirred first towards their own destruction, and pulled it on their own heads.
1.In the former they came up to seek David (Sa2 5:17), because they heard that he was anointed king over Israel. He that under Saul had slain his ten thousands, what would he do when he himself came to be king! They therefore thought it was time to look about them, and try to crush his government in its infancy, before it was well settled. Their success against Saul, some years ago, perhaps encouraged them to make this attack upon David; but they considered not that David had that presence of God with him which Saul had forfeited and lost. The kingdom of the Messiah, as soon as ever it was set up in the world, was thus vigorously attacked by the powers of darkness, who, with the combined force both of Jews and Gentiles, made head against it. The heathen raged, and the kings of the earth set themselves to oppose it; but all in vain, Psa 2:1, etc. The destruction will turn, as this did, upon Satan's own kingdom. They took counsel together, but were broken in pieces, Isa 8:9, Isa 8:10.
2.In the latter they came up yet again, hoping to recover what they had lost in the former engagement, and their hearts being hardened to their destruction, Sa2 5:22.
3.In both they spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim, which lay very near Jerusalem. That city they hoped to make themselves masters of before David had completed the fortifications of it. Jerusalem, from its infancy, has been aimed at, and struck at, with a particular enmity. Their spreading themselves intimates that they were very numerous and that they made a very formidable appearance. We read of the church's enemies going up on the breadth of the earth (Rev 20:9), but the further they spread themselves the fairer mark they are to God's arrows.
II.In both, David, though forward enough to go forth against them (for as soon as he heard it he went down to the hold, to secure some important and advantageous post, Sa2 5:17), yet entered not upon action till he had enquired of the Lord by the breast-plate of judgment, Sa2 5:19, and again, Sa2 5:23. His enquiry was twofold: - 1. Concerning his duty: "Shall I go up? Shall I have a commission from heaven to engage them?" One would think he needed not doubt this; what was he made king for, but to fight the battles of the Lord and Israel? But a good man loves to see God going before him in every step he takes. "Shall I go up now?" It is to be done, but is it to be done at this time? In all thy ways acknowledge him. And besides, though the Philistines were public enemies, yet some of them had been his particular friends. Achish had been kind to him in his distress, and had protected him. "Now," says David, "ought not I, in remembrance of that, rather to make peace with them than to make war with them?" "No," says God, "they are Israel's enemies, and are doomed to destruction, and therefore scruple not, but go up." 2. Concerning his success. His conscience asked the former question, Shall I go up? His prudence asked this, Wilt thou deliver them into my hand? Hereby he owns his dependence on God for victory, that he could not conquer them unless God delivered them into his hand, and refers his cause to the good pleasure of God: Wilt thou do it? Yea, says God, I will doubtless do it. If God send us, he will bear us out and stand by us. The assurance God has given us of victory over our spiritual enemies, that he will tread Satan under our feet shortly, should animate us in our spiritual conflicts. We do not fight at uncertainty. David had now a great army at command and in good heart, yet he relied more on God's promise than his own force.
III.In the former of these engagements David routed the army of the Philistines by dint of sword (Sa2 5:20): He smote them; and when he had done,
1.He gave his God the glory; he said, "The Lord has broken forth upon my enemies before me. I could not have done it if he had not done it before me; he opened the breach like the breach of waters in a dam, which when once opened grows wider and wider." The principal part of the work was God's doing; nay, he did all; what David did was not worth speaking of; and therefore, Not unto us, but unto the Lord, give glory. He hoped likewise that this breach, like that of waters, was as the opening of the sluice, to let in a final desolation upon them; and, to perpetuate the remembrance of it, he called the place Baal-perazim, the master of the breaches, because, God having broken in upon their forces, he soon had the mastery of them. Let posterity take notice of it to God's honour.
2.He put their gods to shame. They brought the images of their gods into the field as their protectors, in imitation of the Israelites bringing the ark into their camp; but, being put to flight, they could not stay to carry off their images, for they were a burden to the weary beasts (Isa 46:1), and therefore they left them to fall with the rest of their baggage into the hands of the conqueror. Their images failed them, and gave them no assistance, and therefore they left their images to shift for themselves. God can make men weary of those things that they have been most fond of, and compel them to desert what they dote upon, and cast even the idols of silver and gold to the moles and the bats, Isa 2:20, Isa 2:21. David and his men converted to their own use the rest of the plunder, but the images they burnt, as God had appointed (Deu 7:5): "You shall burn their graven images with fire, in token of your detestation of idolatry, and lest they should be a snare." Bishop Patrick well observes here that when the ark fell into the Philistines' hands it consumed them, but, when these images fell into the hands of Israel, they could not save themselves from being consumed.
IV.In the latter of these engagements God gave David some sensible tokens of his presence with him, bade him not fall upon them directly, as he had done before, but fetch a compass behind them, Sa2 5:23.
1.God appoints him to draw back, as Israel stood still to see the salvation of the Lord.
2.He promised him to charge the enemy himself, by an invisible host of angels, Sa2 5:24. "Thou shalt hear the sound of a going, like the march of an army in the air, upon the tops of the mulberry trees." Angels tread light, and he that can walk upon the clouds can, when he pleases, walk on the tops of trees, or (as bishop Patrick understands it) at the head of the mulberry-trees, that is, of the wood, or hedge-row of those trees. "And, by that sign, thou shalt know that the Lord goes out before thee; though thou see him not, yet thou shalt hear him, and faith shall come and be confirmed by hearing. He goes forth to smite the host of the Philistines." When David had himself smitten them (Sa2 5:20), he ascribed it to God: The Lord has broken forth upon my enemies, to reward him for which thankful acknowledgment the next time God did it himself alone, without putting him to any toil or peril. Those that own God in what he has done for them will find him doing more. But observe, Though God promised to go before him and smite the Philistines, yet David, when he heard the sound of the going must bestir himself and be ready to pursue the victory. Note, God's grace must quicken our endeavours. If God work in us both to will and to do, it does not follow that we must sit still, as those that have nothing to do, but we must therefore, work out our own salvation with all possible care and diligence, Phi 2:12, Phi 2:13. The sound of the going was,
(1.)A signal to David when to move; it is comfortable going out when God goes before us. And,
(2.)Perhaps it was an alarm to the enemy, and put them into confusion. Hearing the march of an army against their front, they retreated with precipitation, and fell into David's army which lay behind them in their rear. Of those whom God fights against it is said (Lev 26:36), The sound of a shaken leaf shall chase them.
(3.)The success of this is briefly set down, Sa2 5:25. David observed his orders, waited till God moved, and stirred them, but not till then. Thus he was trained up in a dependence on God and his providence. God performed his promise, went before him, and routed all the enemies' force, and David failed not to improve his advantages; he smote the Philistines, even to the borders of their own country. When the kingdom of the Messiah was to be set up, the apostles that were to beat down the devil's kingdom must not attempt any thing till they received the promise of the Spirit, who came with a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind (Act 2:2), which was typified by this sound of the going on the tops of the mulberry trees; and, when they heard that, they must bestir themselves, and did so; they went forth conquering and to conquer.
Continue studying 2 Samuel 5:21 across the web’s major study libraries — every link below opens this exact verse, chapter, or book on the destination site.
Read & Compare
BibleGatewayThis verse in more than 200 translations and 70 languages.
Bible.comThe YouVersion reader — hundreds of translations, reading plans, and highlights.
ESV.orgCrossway's official English Standard Version reader.
NET BibleThe NET translation with 60,000+ translators' notes on every rendering decision.
STEP BibleTyndale House's free study tool — original text, vocabulary, and scholarly resources.
BibliaLogos Bible Software's free web reader.
USCCBThe New American Bible (Revised Edition) with the U.S. bishops' study notes.
Commentaries
BibleHub CommentariesDozens of classic commentaries on this verse, gathered on one page.
StudyLightMore than 100 commentary sets — the largest collection on the web.
BibleRefPlain-English commentary on what this verse means, verse by verse.
Enduring WordDavid Guzik's free commentary on this chapter, widely used by Bible teachers.
Bible Study ToolsVerse commentary alongside Greek and Hebrew study aids.
Original Language & Research
- BibleHub InterlinearThe verse word by word — original language, transliteration, and English.
- BibleHub LexiconEvery word's original-language definition and Strong's entry.
Blue Letter BibleDeep-study tools — Strong's numbers, concordance, and word studies.
SefariaThe Hebrew text with Rashi and centuries of Jewish commentary.
Sermons, Hymns & Audio
TrulyRandomVerse is not affiliated with these sites and doesn’t control their content. They’re linked because they’re genuinely useful.
Summary
This verse concludes the account of David's initial victory over the Philistines at Baal-perazim, highlighting the complete rout of Israel's enemies and the subsequent decisive action taken by King David. It underscores not only a military triumph but also a profound theological victory, as the Philistines abandoned their idols, which David and his men then destroyed by fire, symbolizing the utter futility of pagan worship in the face of the Lord's supreme power and David's unwavering commitment to God's covenant commands.
Context
Literary Context
This verse immediately follows the Lord's decisive intervention on behalf of David against the Philistines at Baal-perazim, where God "broke forth" upon David's enemies like "a breakthrough of waters," giving the place its name (2 Samuel 5:20). The narrative preceding this victory details David's anointing as king over all Israel by the elders (2 Samuel 5:1-5), his strategic capture of Jerusalem from the Jebusites, establishing it as his capital (2 Samuel 5:6-10), and the Philistine response to his ascendancy, viewing him as a significant threat (2 Samuel 5:17-18). David's consistent practice of inquiring of the Lord before battle (2 Samuel 5:19) is crucial, demonstrating his absolute reliance on divine guidance rather than human strategy alone. Verse 21, therefore, serves as the concluding act of this initial victory, emphasizing not just the military success but also the spiritual dimension of the triumph and David's immediate obedience to God's law regarding idolatry.
Historical & Cultural Context
The Philistines were a formidable, long-standing enemy of Israel, occupying the fertile coastal plain and frequently clashing with the Israelites, particularly during the periods of the Judges and King Saul's reign. Their religion involved the worship of various deities, including Dagon (mentioned in 1 Samuel 5:2-5) and Baal, often represented by physical idols or images. In ancient Near Eastern warfare, the gods of the defeated nation were often considered vanquished along with their armies. Leaving behind cultic objects was a profound sign of utter defeat and abandonment, as these items were believed to embody the power and presence of their deities. David's action of burning the idols was not merely an act of desecration but a direct fulfillment of Mosaic Law, which explicitly commanded the destruction of the idols and altars of pagan nations upon entering the promised land (Deuteronomy 7:5). This act solidified Israel's monotheistic identity and God's exclusive claim to worship, demonstrating David's commitment to covenant fidelity.
Key Themes
This verse powerfully contributes to several key themes within 2 Samuel and the broader Old Testament narrative. Foremost is the theme of God's Sovereignty and Victory over Idolatry. The Philistine idols, abandoned in their panicked flight, are dramatically revealed as utterly powerless before the Lord, who granted David the decisive "breakthrough" at Baal-perazim. This underscores the profound futility of worshipping created things rather than the omnipotent Creator, a theme echoed throughout the prophetic books (e.g., Isaiah 44:9-20). Another significant theme is David's Obedience and Faithfulness to the Covenant. His immediate and decisive action to burn the idols demonstrates his commitment to God's covenant commands and his role as a righteous king who purifies the land of pagan influence, setting a crucial precedent for his reign. Finally, the theme of Divine Vindication and the Establishment of God's Kingdom is powerfully evident. The destruction of the idols visually confirms the Lord's supremacy and His active involvement in establishing David's kingdom, signifying that this was not merely a human victory but a divinely orchestrated one, securing the spiritual purity of the land under God's chosen king.
Exposition and Analysis
Key Word Analysis
This plural noun (עֲצַבִּים, ‘ăṣabbîm) refers specifically to idols, cultic images, or carved figures used in pagan worship. According to H6091, it means "an (idolatrous) image." The root of this word, ‘āṣab, is often associated with concepts of pain, grief, sorrow, or labor, implying the burdensome, toilsome, and ultimately futile nature of idolatry. Their abandonment by the Philistines underscores their inherent powerlessness and worthlessness, especially when contrasted with the breakthrough granted by the living God. David's destruction of them further emphasizes their nullity and the complete rejection of their influence.
The verb (עָזַב, ʻâzab) means "to loosen, i.e., relinquish, permit, etc." (H5800). In this context, it describes the Philistines' desperate act of abandoning their idols. This act of "leaving" or "forsaking" their cultic objects underscores the haste and completeness of their rout. It signifies their utter defeat and the perceived failure of their gods to protect them, leading them to relinquish these sacred items in their flight. This abandonment highlights the impotence of the idols and the Philistines' desperation.
The verb (נָשָׂא, nâsâʼ) primarily means "to lift" or "to carry," but as the provided Strong's data (H5375) indicates, it has a wide variety of applications, including "burn" in certain contexts. In this specific instance, the KJV translates it as "burned," which aligns with the broader meaning of "carrying away" or "removing" something, here by means of fire. This act of burning signifies total destruction, rendering the objects completely unusable and demonstrating a complete and irreversible rejection of the pagan deities they represented. It was a public declaration of the Lord's absolute supremacy and David's obedience to the Mosaic Law regarding the destruction of idols.
Verse Breakdown
"And there they left their images"
This clause describes the immediate and desperate consequence of the Philistine defeat at Baal-perazim. In their hasty and panicked retreat from the battlefield, the Philistines abandoned their cultic objects, their "images." This act signifies their utter rout and desperation, as well as the perceived failure of their gods to protect them. In ancient warfare, deities were often carried into battle, and their abandonment was a profound symbol of their impotence and the defeat of their worshippers. It highlights the futility of relying on false gods when confronted by the power of the living God.
"and David and his men burned them"
This second clause details David's decisive and obedient response to the abandoned idols. Rather than taking them as spoils of war, leaving them, or attempting to integrate them, David and his men actively destroyed them by fire. This action was a direct fulfillment of God's command in the Mosaic Law to utterly destroy the idols of the nations (Deuteronomy 7:5, 1 Chronicles 14:12). It demonstrates David's unwavering commitment to the Lord and his role as a righteous king who purges the land of idolatry, ensuring that God alone is worshipped in Israel and preventing any future temptation.
Literary Devices
The verse employs several powerful literary devices to convey its profound theological message. Symbolism is prominent, as the "images" or idols symbolize the false gods and the pagan worldview of the Philistines. Their abandonment by the fleeing Philistines powerfully symbolizes the utter defeat and powerlessness of these deities in the face of the Lord God of Israel. David's subsequent act of burning them is also highly symbolic, representing the complete and irreversible rejection of idolatry and the purification of the land from pagan defilement. The stark contrast between the Philistines' reliance on their impotent gods and David's steadfast reliance on the living God, who grants the "breakthrough" at Baal-perazim (2 Samuel 5:20), creates a strong thematic contrast that highlights the supremacy of Yahweh. Furthermore, the swift, decisive action of David and his men provides a sense of resolution to the battle narrative, concluding the account of this initial victory with a clear theological statement about God's supremacy and David's faithfulness.
Theological and Thematic Connections
This verse profoundly illustrates the theological truth that the God of Israel is supreme over all other gods and idols. The Philistine images, abandoned in their flight, serve as tangible proof of the futility and powerlessness of pagan deities in the face of the living Lord, who actively intervenes on behalf of His people. David's immediate and obedient destruction of these idols underscores the covenantal demand for exclusive worship of Yahweh and the imperative for Israel to purge itself of all pagan defilement. This act is not merely a military clean-up but a theological declaration, affirming God's sovereignty and setting a precedent for David's reign as one committed to upholding God's law and establishing a kingdom where the Lord alone is glorified. It highlights the ongoing spiritual battle against idolatry, both external and internal, and the necessity of decisive action to remove anything that competes with God for ultimate allegiance, emphasizing that true victory is always God's victory, leading to His exclusive worship.
Reflection and Application
The scene of David and his men burning the Philistine idols offers a powerful and enduring lesson for believers today. While we may not encounter physical statues to burn, the principle remains profoundly relevant: true victory in our lives often requires a decisive and uncompromising rejection of anything that seeks to usurp God's rightful place. Modern "idols" can be subtle – the relentless pursuit of wealth, status, comfort, approval from others, or even relationships that become ultimate rather than cherished gifts from God. This verse calls us to a radical self-examination, to identify those things we cling to, those sources of security or identity that subtly or overtly compete with our devotion to Christ. The act of "burning" symbolizes a complete and irreversible severance, a commitment to purge our lives of anything that diminishes God's glory or hinders our spiritual walk. It reminds us that our spiritual breakthroughs, like David's at Baal-perazim, must be followed by acts of purification, ensuring that our hearts and lives are wholly devoted to the One who grants true victory and deserves our exclusive worship.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why did the Philistines leave their images behind?
The Philistines left their images behind because they were in a state of complete rout and desperate flight from the battlefield at Baal-perazim. In ancient warfare, it was common for armies to carry their gods or cultic objects into battle, believing they would grant victory and protection. To abandon these objects was a profound sign of utter defeat, humiliation, and the perceived failure of their deities to protect them. It meant they fled so quickly and in such disarray that they couldn't even retrieve what they considered sacred, underscoring the decisive nature of David's victory, which God granted as a "breakthrough of waters" (2 Samuel 5:20). This act of abandonment highlighted the impotence of their gods in the face of the Lord's power.
Why was it important for David to burn the idols, rather than just leaving them or taking them as spoils?
David's decision to burn the idols was crucial for several reasons, primarily rooted in the Mosaic Law and Israel's covenant with God. Deuteronomy 7:5 explicitly commanded the Israelites to "break down their altars, and dash in pieces their pillars, and burn their Asherim with fire, and hew down the graven images of their gods." This act was not merely about desecration but about preventing any temptation for Israel to adopt pagan practices or acknowledge the legitimacy of false gods. By burning them, David demonstrated his unwavering obedience to God's commands, purified the land of pagan defilement, and publicly affirmed the Lord's exclusive sovereignty over Israel. It was a clear statement that the God of Israel alone was worthy of worship, and that His power far surpassed that of any human-made deity or idol. This action is also recounted in 1 Chronicles 14:12, emphasizing its significance.
Christ-Centered Fulfillment
The decisive act of David burning the Philistine idols in 2 Samuel 5:21 powerfully foreshadows the ultimate and complete victory over all forms of idolatry and spiritual bondage achieved through Jesus Christ. Just as David, a king after God's own heart, purged the land of physical idols, Christ, the true and greater King, purges the hearts of His people from the spiritual idols that enslave them. The Philistine gods, revealed as powerless and abandoned, point to the profound futility of any power or allegiance apart from God. In the New Covenant, Christ's death on the cross and His glorious resurrection represent the ultimate "breakthrough" against the powers of sin, death, and the spiritual forces that hold humanity captive (Colossians 2:15). He disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities, making a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross. Through faith in Him, believers are freed from the worship of anything that takes God's rightful place—be it self, wealth, comfort, human approval, or any created thing. The Old Testament call to "burn" idols finds its profound fulfillment in the New Testament call to "put to death" the sinful desires and practices that constitute idolatry in our hearts (Colossians 3:5). Christ enables us, through the indwelling power of His Holy Spirit, to live lives of exclusive devotion to the one true God, proving the absolute supremacy of His kingdom over all false gods and worldly systems.