There the Philistines abandoned their idols, and David and his men carried them away. There the Philistines abandoned their idolsThe Philistines, a seafaring people from the region of modern-day Gaza, were known for their worship of deities such as Dagon, Ashtoreth, and Baal-Zebub. The abandonment of their idols signifies a significant defeat and humiliation, as these idols represented their gods' presence and power. In ancient Near Eastern culture, the loss of idols in battle was seen as a sign of divine disfavor and a loss of spiritual protection. This event highlights the superiority of the God of Israel over the gods of the Philistines, echoing earlier biblical narratives such as the capture of the Ark of the Covenant in 1 Samuel 5, where the idol Dagon fell before the Ark. and David and his men carried them away
David, anointed as king over all Israel, leads his men in a victorious campaign against the Philistines. The act of carrying away the idols can be seen as a symbolic gesture of triumph and the subjugation of the Philistine gods under the God of Israel. This action also reflects the practice of taking spoils of war, which was common in ancient times. The removal of the idols could be seen as a fulfillment of the commandment against idolatry, as found in Exodus 20:3-5, and a demonstration of David's commitment to purging the land of foreign gods. This event foreshadows the ultimate victory of Christ over all spiritual powers and authorities, as described in Colossians 2:15, where He disarms the rulers and authorities, triumphing over them. Persons / Places / Events 1. DavidThe anointed king of Israel, known for his leadership and devotion to God. In this passage, he leads his men to victory over the Philistines. 2. PhilistinesA recurring enemy of Israel, known for their idol worship and opposition to the God of Israel. They abandoned their idols in the face of defeat. 3. IdolsObjects of worship for the Philistines, representing their gods. These were left behind during their retreat, signifying the powerlessness of their deities against the God of Israel. 4. David's MenThe loyal followers and warriors of David who participated in the battle and the subsequent removal of the Philistine idols. 5. BattlefieldThe location where the Philistines were defeated and their idols abandoned, symbolizing a spiritual victory for Israel. Teaching Points God's Supremacy Over IdolsThis passage illustrates the impotence of idols when confronted with the true God. Believers are reminded to place their trust in God alone, rejecting modern-day idols such as wealth, power, or status. Victory Through ObedienceDavid's success was rooted in his obedience to God. Christians are encouraged to seek God's guidance and follow His commands to experience spiritual victories in their lives. Spiritual WarfareThe physical battle against the Philistines represents the spiritual battles believers face. Ephesians 6:10-18 teaches about the armor of God, equipping Christians to stand firm against spiritual adversaries. The Consequences of IdolatryThe Philistines' defeat serves as a warning about the consequences of idolatry. Believers are called to examine their lives for anything that might take precedence over their relationship with God. Bible Study Questions 1. What does the abandonment of idols by the Philistines teach us about the power of God compared to false gods? 2. How can we identify and remove "idols" in our own lives that may hinder our relationship with God? 3. In what ways does David's leadership and reliance on God serve as a model for us in facing our own battles? 4. How does the concept of spiritual warfare in Ephesians 6 relate to the physical battle described in 2 Samuel 5:21? 5. What lessons can we learn from the Philistines' defeat about the consequences of not following the one true God? Connections to Other Scriptures 1 Samuel 17The account of David and Goliath, another significant victory over the Philistines, showcasing God's power through David. Exodus 20:3-5The Ten Commandments, where God commands against idol worship, highlighting the significance of the Philistines abandoning their idols. 1 Chronicles 14:12A parallel account of the same event, providing additional context and details about the aftermath of the battle. Isaiah 46:1-2A prophecy about the futility of idols, reinforcing the theme of God's supremacy over false gods. 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 Abandoned, Burned, Carried, David, Flight, Forsake, Idols, Images, Lift, PhilistinesDictionary of Bible Themes 2 Samuel 5:17-25 5087 David, reign of
5290 defeat 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 5:21 NIV2 Samuel 5:21 NLT2 Samuel 5:21 ESV2 Samuel 5:21 NASB2 Samuel 5:21 KJV
2 Samuel 5:21 Commentaries
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