2 Samuel 5:17-21

The first battle 5:17-21

The battle described in these verses appears to be the one retold in 2 Samuel 23:13-17. It could have taken place between David’s anointing as king over all Israel (2 Samuel 5:17; cf. 2 Samuel 5:3) and his capture of Jerusalem (2 Samuel 5:6-9), [Note: Keil and Delitzsch, p. 323; and Merrill, Kingdom of . . ., pp. 237-38.] or perhaps shortly after he had conquered Jerusalem. [Note: J. Carl Laney, First and Second Samuel, p. 95.] The stronghold (2 Samuel 5:17) in the first case may have been the cave of Adullam (2 Samuel 23:13) northwest of Hebron (2 Samuel 5:3) about 11 miles. [Note: Gordon, p. 229; Payne, p. 180; and Anderson, p. 95.] If this battle took place after the capture of Jerusalem, the stronghold probably refers to Zion (2 Samuel 5:7). The valley of Rephaim (2 Samuel 5:18; 2 Samuel 23:13) was just southwest of Jerusalem where the Philistines massed for battle. Bethlehem, which was the site of the Philistine garrison (2 Samuel 23:14), stood beside this valley. The Philistines probably wanted to defeat David at once before he could take the offensive and begin to establish himself and expand his kingdom.

God granted David’s request for his sovereign’s strategy, and victory followed for Israel. Baal-perazim (lit. lord of breakthroughs) memorialized the Lord’s victory (2 Samuel 5:20). Notice how David acknowledged Yahweh’s ultimate authority over Israel, in contrast to how Saul did not. The Philistines’ idols that they carried into battle to secure victory (blessing) proved useless, so the Philistines abandoned them (2 Samuel 5:21). The Israelites then burned them (1 Chronicles 14:12).