2 Samuel 5:24

And let it be, when thou hearest the sound of a going in the tops of the mulberry trees, that then thou shalt bestir thyself: for then shall the LORD go out before thee, to smite the host of the Philistines.

And let it be, when thou hearest {H8085} the sound {H6963} of a going {H6807} in the tops {H7218} of the mulberry trees {H1057}, that then thou shalt bestir {H2782} thyself: for then shall the LORD {H3068} go out {H3318} before {H6440} thee, to smite {H5221} the host {H4264} of the Philistines {H6430}.

When you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, advance; because then ADONAI has gone out ahead of you to defeat the army of the P'lishtim."

As soon as you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, move quickly, because this will mean that the LORD has marched out before you to strike the camp of the Philistines.”

And it shall be, when thou hearest the sound of marching in the tops of the mulberry-trees, that then thou shalt bestir thyself; for then is Jehovah gone out before thee to smite the host of the Philistines.

Commentary

2 Samuel 5:24 is a pivotal verse detailing God's specific instructions to King David for defeating the Philistines in a critical battle. After David had established his reign in Jerusalem, the Philistines, long-standing adversaries of Israel, came to confront him. David, unlike King Saul, consistently sought the Lord's guidance before engaging in battle, demonstrating his reliance on divine strategy.

Context of 2 Samuel 5:24

This verse comes from the second encounter between David's forces and the Philistines after David was anointed king over all Israel and had captured Jerusalem. In the first engagement, recorded in 2 Samuel 5:19, David asked the Lord if he should attack, and God gave a direct "Go up." David won a decisive victory at Baal-perazim. However, for the second battle, the Lord gave a different, more nuanced strategy. Instead of a direct assault, David was told to circle around and wait for a specific sign—the sound in the tops of the mulberry trees—before launching his attack. This highlights God's sovereignty and His ability to provide unique plans for different circumstances.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Guidance and Strategy: The verse underscores the importance of waiting for and heeding God's precise instructions. David didn't rely on past successes but sought fresh counsel for each new challenge. God's strategies are often unexpected but always perfect.
  • God's Active Presence: The "sound of a going" (or "marching") in the trees signifies a supernatural event, indicating the Lord Himself, or His angelic host, was moving to fight on Israel's behalf. It was a clear sign of God's direct intervention in the battle. This concept echoes the Lord's promise to fight for His people.
  • Obedience and Timing: David was commanded to "bestir thyself" (act decisively) only after hearing the specific sound. This emphasizes the critical role of patience, discernment, and immediate obedience to God's timing. Rushing ahead or delaying would have jeopardized the victory.
  • Assured Victory: The promise, "for then shall the LORD go out before thee, to smite the host of the Philistines," guarantees success when God's plan is followed. It wasn't David's might alone, but the Lord's power, that would secure the triumph.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "mulberry trees" translates the Hebrew word bâkâ (בָּכָא), which some scholars identify as balsam trees, known for their sap that can appear like tears, or perhaps for a rustling sound in the wind. However, the "sound of a going" (or "sound of marching") is not a natural phenomenon but a supernatural indication—a divine signal that the Lord was moving into position. This was not the sound of wind, but the audible manifestation of God's presence or His heavenly army preparing to engage the enemy.

Practical Application

For believers today, 2 Samuel 5:24 offers profound lessons in spiritual warfare and daily living. Just as David waited for a clear sign, we are called to seek God's specific guidance through prayer and His Word, rather than relying on human wisdom or past methods. It teaches us to discern God's timing and signals, exercising patience until He moves, and then acting with swift obedience when His direction becomes clear. This verse reminds us that when we align ourselves with God's will and timing, He goes before us, fighting our battles and ensuring victory over the challenges we face. Listening for God's voice and responding promptly are key to experiencing His power in our lives.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 2 Kings 7:6

    For the Lord had made the host of the Syrians to hear a noise of chariots, and a noise of horses, [even] the noise of a great host: and they said one to another, Lo, the king of Israel hath hired against us the kings of the Hittites, and the kings of the Egyptians, to come upon us.

  • Judges 4:14

    And Deborah said unto Barak, Up; for this [is] the day in which the LORD hath delivered Sisera into thine hand: is not the LORD gone out before thee? So Barak went down from mount Tabor, and ten thousand men after him.

  • Judges 7:15

    And it was [so], when Gideon heard the telling of the dream, and the interpretation thereof, that he worshipped, and returned into the host of Israel, and said, Arise; for the LORD hath delivered into your hand the host of Midian.

  • 1 Samuel 14:9

    If they say thus unto us, Tarry until we come to you; then we will stand still in our place, and will not go up unto them.

  • 1 Samuel 14:12

    And the men of the garrison answered Jonathan and his armourbearer, and said, Come up to us, and we will shew you a thing. And Jonathan said unto his armourbearer, Come up after me: for the LORD hath delivered them into the hand of Israel.

  • 1 Chronicles 14:15

    And it shall be, when thou shalt hear a sound of going in the tops of the mulberry trees, [that] then thou shalt go out to battle: for God is gone forth before thee to smite the host of the Philistines.

  • Philippians 2:11

    And [that] every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ [is] Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
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