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2 Samuel 5:17

King James Version (KJV)

“In our prayers we talk to God, in our Bible study God talks to us, and we had better let God do most of the talking.”
— D.L. Moody

Scripture focus

But when the Philistines heard that they had anointed David king over Israel, all the Philistines came up to seek David; and David heard [of it], and went down to the hold.

2 Samuel 5:17 — KJV

Commentary

Commentary on 2 Samuel 5:17

Theological / Devotional

When the Philistines heard. During the early years of his reign David had had no difficulty with the Philistines. In the time of his exile from Saul the Philistines had befriended him, and when David became king of Judah they hoped for friendship from him in opposition to Saul’s house. They felt confident that they could retain their power over a divided Hebrew nation. But when David became king over all Israel, and succeeded in capturing Jebus and effected an alliance with Hiram of Tyre, the Philistines, fearing David’s growing strength, determined to make war against Israel and curb the power of its new king.

Hold. Heb. meṣudah, “the stronghold.” The same Hebrew word is used in v. 7, and evidently the same fortification is meant.

By SdaBc