So David inquired of the LORD, "Should I go up against the Philistines? Will You deliver them into my hand?" "Go," replied the LORD, "for I will surely deliver the Philistines into your hand." So David inquired of the LORDDavid's practice of seeking God's guidance is a hallmark of his leadership, contrasting with Saul's failure to do so. This inquiry reflects a dependence on divine wisdom, aligning with Proverbs 3:5-6, which emphasizes trusting in the Lord rather than one's understanding. It also highlights the importance of prayer and seeking God's will before making decisions, a principle seen throughout Scripture. “Should I go up against the Philistines?
The Philistines were a persistent enemy of Israel, often representing opposition to God's people. This question shows David's strategic and spiritual approach to warfare, seeking divine approval before engaging in battle. The Philistines' presence in the land is a recurring theme, with their origins traced back to Genesis 10:14, and their conflicts with Israel are documented throughout the books of Judges and Samuel. Will You deliver them into my hand?”
David's question reveals his faith in God's power to grant victory. The phrase "deliver them into my hand" is a common biblical expression indicating divine intervention in battle, as seen in Joshua 10:8. This reflects the belief that success in battle is ultimately determined by God's will, not merely human strength or strategy. “Go up,” replied the LORD,
God's response is direct and affirmative, providing David with the assurance needed to proceed. This divine communication underscores the personal relationship between God and David, a theme that is central to David's life and reign. It also illustrates the concept of God as a warrior who fights for His people, as seen in Exodus 15:3. “for I will surely deliver the Philistines into your hand.”
The certainty of God's promise here is emphasized by the word "surely," indicating an assured victory. This assurance is reminiscent of God's promises to the patriarchs and leaders of Israel, such as His covenant with Abraham in Genesis 15 and His assurances to Joshua in Joshua 1:5. It also foreshadows the ultimate victory of Christ over sin and death, as prophesied in passages like Isaiah 53 and fulfilled in the New Testament. Persons / Places / Events 1. DavidThe anointed king of Israel, known for his heart after God and his leadership in uniting the tribes of Israel. 2. The LORD (Yahweh)The covenant God of Israel, who guides and delivers His people. 3. PhilistinesA perennial enemy of Israel, representing opposition to God's people. 4. Inquiry of the LORDDavid's practice of seeking God's guidance before making decisions, especially in battle. 5. Battle against the PhilistinesA significant event where God assures David of victory, demonstrating His faithfulness and power. Teaching Points Dependence on GodDavid's inquiry of the LORD highlights the importance of seeking God's guidance in all decisions, big or small. God's FaithfulnessThe assurance of victory over the Philistines demonstrates God's faithfulness to His promises and His people. Spiritual WarfareJust as David faced physical battles, believers face spiritual battles and must rely on God's strength and direction. Prayer as a First ResponseDavid's example teaches us to make prayer our first response, not a last resort, in times of decision and crisis. Trust in God's TimingDavid waited for God's instruction before acting, reminding us to trust in God's perfect timing and plan. Bible Study Questions 1. How does David's practice of inquiring of the LORD challenge or inspire your own approach to decision-making? 2. In what ways can you apply the principle of seeking God's guidance in your daily life, especially in areas of uncertainty? 3. How does the assurance of God's deliverance in this passage encourage you in facing your own "Philistines" or challenges? 4. What other biblical examples can you find where individuals sought God's guidance before taking action, and what were the outcomes? 5. How can you cultivate a habit of making prayer your first response in times of need or decision-making? Connections to Other Scriptures 1 Samuel 23:2-4David's consistent practice of inquiring of the LORD before taking action, showing his dependence on God. Psalm 18:2David's acknowledgment of God as his rock and deliverer, reflecting his trust in God's promises. Proverbs 3:5-6The call to trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding, which David exemplifies. James 1:5Encouragement to seek wisdom from God, who gives generously to those who ask. People David, Eliada, Eliphalet, Eliphelet, Elishama, Elishua, Gibeon, Hiram, Ibhar, Japhia, Jebusites, Nathan, Nepheg, Saul, Shammua, Shammuah, Shobab, SolomonPlaces Baal-perazim, Geba, Gezer, Hebron, Jerusalem, Millo, Tyre, Valley of Rephaim, ZionTopics Asketh, Attack, Certainly, David, Deliver, Desiring, Directions, Doubtless, Hands, Inquired, Philistines, Saying, Surely, WiltDictionary of Bible Themes 2 Samuel 5:19 8648 enquiring of God 2 Samuel 5:17-20 8131 guidance, results 2 Samuel 5:17-25 5087 David, reign of
5290 defeat 2 Samuel 5:18-19 5608 warfare, strategies Library One Fold and one Shepherd
'Then came all the tribes of Israel to David unto Hebron, and spake, saying, Behold, we are thy bone and thy flesh. 2. Also in time past, when Saul was king over us, thou wast he that leddest out and broughtest in Israel: and the Lord said to thee, Thou shalt feed My people Israel, and thou shalt be a captain over Israel. 3. So all the elders of Israel came to the king to Hebron; and king David made a league with them in Hebron before the Lord: and they anointed David king over Israel. 4. David was …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureThe Sound in the Mulberry Trees
My brethren, let us learn from David to take no steps without God. The last time you moved, or went into another business, or changed your situation in life, you asked God's help, and then did it, and you were blessed in the doing of it. You have been up to this time a successful man, you have always sought God, but do not think that the stream of providence necessarily runs in a continuous current; remember, you may to-morrow without seeking God's advice venture upon a step which you will regret …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 3: 1857 Early Days
The life of David is naturally divided into epochs, of which we may avail ourselves for the more ready arrangement of our material. These are--his early years up to his escape from the court of Saul, his exile, the prosperous beginning of his reign, his sin and penitence, his flight before Absalom's rebellion, and the darkened end. We have but faint incidental traces of his life up to his anointing by Samuel, with which the narrative in the historical books opens. But perhaps the fact that the story …
Alexander Maclaren—The Life of David God's Strange Work
'That He may do His work, His strange work; and bring to pass His act, His strange act.'--ISAIAH xxviii. 21. How the great events of one generation fall dead to another! There is something very pathetic in the oblivion that swallows up world- resounding deeds. Here the prophet selects two instances which to him are solemn and singular examples of divine judgment, and we have difficulty in finding out to what he refers. To him they seemed the most luminous illustrations he could find of the principle …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture The King.
We have now to turn and see the sudden change of fortune which lifted the exile to a throne. The heavy cloud which had brooded so long over the doomed king broke in lightning crash on the disastrous field of Gilboa. Where is there a sadder and more solemn story of the fate of a soul which makes shipwreck "of faith and of a good conscience," than that awful page which tells how, godless, wretched, mad with despair and measureless pride, he flung himself on his bloody sword, and died a suicide's death, …
Alexander Maclaren—The Life of David The Quotation in Matt. Ii. 6.
Several interpreters, Paulus especially, have asserted that the interpretation of Micah which is here given, was that of the Sanhedrim only, and not of the Evangelist, who merely recorded what happened and was said. But this assertion is at once refuted when we consider the object which Matthew has in view in his entire representation of the early life of Jesus. His object in recording the early life of Jesus is not like that of Luke, viz., to communicate historical information to his readers. …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament A Cloud of Witnesses.
"By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau, even concerning things to come. By faith Jacob, when he was a-dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff. By faith Joseph, when his end was nigh, made mention of the departure of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones.... By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they had been compassed about for seven days. By faith Rahab the harlot perished not with them that were disobedient, …
Thomas Charles Edwards—The Expositor's Bible: The Epistle to the Hebrews The Blessing of Jacob Upon Judah. (Gen. Xlix. 8-10. )
Ver. 8. "Judah, thou, thy brethren shall praise thee; thy hand shall be on the neck of thine enemies; before thee shall bow down the sons of thy father. Ver. 9. A lion's whelp is Judah; from the prey, my son, thou goest up; he stoopeth down, he coucheth as a lion, and as a full-grown lion, who shall rouse him up? Ver. 10. The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come, and unto Him the people shall adhere." Thus does dying Jacob, in announcing …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament Samuel
Alike from the literary and the historical point of view, the book[1] of Samuel stands midway between the book of Judges and the book of Kings. As we have already seen, the Deuteronomic book of Judges in all probability ran into Samuel and ended in ch. xii.; while the story of David, begun in Samuel, embraces the first two chapters of the first book of Kings. The book of Samuel is not very happily named, as much of it is devoted to Saul and the greater part to David; yet it is not altogether inappropriate, …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links 2 Samuel 5:19 NIV2 Samuel 5:19 NLT2 Samuel 5:19 ESV2 Samuel 5:19 NASB2 Samuel 5:19 KJV
2 Samuel 5:19 Commentaries
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