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2 Samuel 5:10

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And David went on, and grew great, and the LORD God of hosts [was] with him.

And David {H1732} went {H3212} on {H1980}, and grew great {H1419}, and the LORD {H3068} God {H430} of hosts {H6635} was with him.

David grew greater and greater, because ADONAI the God of Armies was with him.

And David became greater and greater, for the LORD God of Hosts was with him.

And David waxed greater and greater; for Jehovah, the God of hosts, was with him.

Commentary

Context of 2 Samuel 5:10

This verse marks a pivotal moment in the reign of King David. It immediately follows David's successful capture of the Jebusite stronghold of Jerusalem, which he renamed the City of David and established as his capital. After years of civil war and being king only over Judah, David has now been anointed king over all Israel (2 Samuel 5:3). Verse 10 serves as a summary statement and divine affirmation of his burgeoning power and influence, directly attributing his success to God's presence.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Presence and Favor: The core message is encapsulated in the phrase, "the LORD God of hosts was with him." This highlights that David's rapid rise and consolidation of power were not merely due to his military prowess or political skill, but fundamentally because of God's active involvement and blessing. This divine backing is the ultimate source of his greatness.
  • Progressive Greatness: The phrase "David went on, and grew great" signifies a continuous, escalating increase in his influence, power, and renown. It suggests a steady, divinely orchestrated expansion of his kingdom and authority, building upon each success. This progressive growth is a testament to God's sustaining hand.
  • God of Hosts (Yahweh Sabaoth): The title "LORD God of hosts" (Hebrew: Yahweh Sabaoth) is highly significant. It portrays God as the commander of vast armies, whether celestial or earthly. This emphasizes His omnipotence, His sovereignty over all creation, and His ability to grant victory and secure His people. For David, it meant the invincible power of God was on his side.
  • Legitimacy of David's Reign: This verse underscores the divine legitimacy of David's kingship, contrasting it with the troubled and ultimately rejected reign of Saul. God's presence confirmed David as His chosen leader, fulfilling earlier promises and paving the way for the Davidic Covenant.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew phrase for "LORD God of hosts" is Yahweh Elohim Sabaoth. Yahweh is the personal, covenant name of God, emphasizing His faithfulness. Elohim is a general term for God, highlighting His power as Creator. Sabaoth (hosts/armies) refers to organized bodies, often celestial armies or earthly forces. When combined, "LORD God of hosts" proclaims God as the supreme, all-powerful Commander who controls all forces, both spiritual and physical. David's greatness was therefore not just human achievement but a direct result of partnering with this mighty God.

Practical Application

2 Samuel 5:10 offers profound encouragement for believers today. Just as God was with David, ensuring his success and establishing his kingdom, He promises His presence to those who trust and obey Him. True and lasting "greatness" or success, from a biblical perspective, is not merely about human achievement but about God's favor and partnership in our lives. This verse reminds us that:

  • Our progress and strength come from God's presence, not solely our own efforts.
  • Reliance on God's power (the "God of hosts") enables us to overcome challenges and fulfill our purpose.
  • When God is with us, our endeavors are blessed, and our influence can grow for His glory, much like the promise given to Joshua in Joshua 1:9.
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 (May 20, 2025) 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 Samuel 3:1 (8 votes)

    ¶ Now there was long war between the house of Saul and the house of David: but David waxed stronger and stronger, and the house of Saul waxed weaker and weaker.

  • Psalms 46:11 (5 votes)

    The LORD of hosts [is] with us; the God of Jacob [is] our refuge. Selah.

  • Romans 8:31 (5 votes)

    ¶ What shall we then say to these things? If God [be] for us, who [can be] against us?

  • Luke 2:52 (4 votes)

    And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.

  • Isaiah 9:7 (4 votes)

    Of the increase of [his] government and peace [there shall be] no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.

  • Daniel 2:44 (4 votes)

    And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, [but] it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.

  • Daniel 2:45 (4 votes)

    Forasmuch as thou sawest that the stone was cut out of the mountain without hands, and that it brake in pieces the iron, the brass, the clay, the silver, and the gold; the great God hath made known to the king what shall come to pass hereafter: and the dream [is] certain, and the interpretation thereof sure.