2 Samuel 5:19

Translations

Modern

So David inquired of the LORD, “Should I go up against the Philistines? Will You deliver them into my hand?” “Go up,” replied the LORD, “for I will surely deliver the Philistines into your hand.”

Traditional

And David enquired of the Lord, saying, Shall I go up to the Philistines? wilt thou deliver them into mine hand? And the Lord said unto David, Go up: for I will doubtless deliver the Philistines into thine hand.

Literal

And David inquired of YHWH, saying, “Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will You give them into my hand?” And YHWH said to David, “Go up, for I will surely give the Philistines into your hand.”

Latin

Et consuluit David Dominum, dicens: Si ascendam ad Philisthiim? et si dabis eos in manu mea? Et dixit Dominus ad David: Ascende, quia tradens dabo Philisthiim in manu tua.

Original

Hebrew

English

So David inquired of the LORD, “Should I go up against the Philistines? Will You deliver them into my hand?” “Go up,” replied the LORD, “for I will surely deliver the Philistines into your hand.”

Notes

2 Samuel 5:17–25

For the first time as king, David fought the Philistines in battle.
Up to this point in 2 Samuel, David’s life follows a clear and repeated pattern:
- He was crowned king in Hebron (2 Samuel 2:4).
- He won a battle (2 Samuel 2:12–17).
- He grew stronger (2 Samuel 3:1).
- He started a large family (2 Samuel 3:2–5).
A similar pattern appears again later:
- David was crowned king in Jerusalem (2 Samuel 5:3).
- He grew stronger again (2 Samuel 5:10).
- He expanded his family (2 Samuel 5:13–14).
- He won another battle (2 Samuel 5:17–25).
This repeated pattern emphasizes both of David’s coronations. Each one is marked by signs of God’s blessing and success.

2 Samuel 5:1–25

After the murder of Abner and Ish-bosheth, the elders of the northern tribes accepted David as their king. So, David gained:

an extended empire (2 Samuel 5:1–5),
a new capital city (2 Samuel 5:6–10),
a new palace (2 Samuel 5:11),
a new family (2 Samuel 5:13–16), and
renewed confidence (2 Samuel 5:17–25).

Theme notes and profiles

David The Philistines

Events

Reign of David

Related verses

2 Samuel 2:1
Some time later, David inquired of the LORD, “Should I go up to one of the towns of Judah?” “Go up,” the LORD answered. Then David asked, “Where should I go?” “To Hebron,” replied the LORD.
1 Samuel 23:2
So David inquired of the LORD, “Should I go and attack these Philistines?” And the LORD said to David, “Go and attack the Philistines and save Keilah.”
Judges 20:28
…and Phinehas son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron, served before it.) The Israelites asked, “Should we again go out to battle against our brothers the Benjamites, or should we stop?” The LORD answered, “Fight, for tomorrow I will deliver them into your hand.”
2 Samuel 5:23
So David inquired of the LORD, who answered, “Do not march straight up, but circle around behind them and attack them in front of the balsam trees.
Proverbs 3:6
…in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.
1 Samuel 23:4
Once again, David inquired of the LORD, and the LORD answered him: “Go at once to Keilah, for I will deliver the Philistines into your hand.”
1 Kings 22:15–23
When Micaiah arrived, the king asked him, “Micaiah, should we go to war against Ramoth-gilead, or should we refrain?” “Go up and triumph,” Micaiah replied, “for the LORD will deliver it into the hand of the king.”
1 Samuel 30:7–8
Then David said to Abiathar the priest, the son of Ahimelech, “Bring me the ephod.” So Abiathar brought it to him,
1 Kings 22:6
So the king of Israel assembled the prophets, about four hundred men, and asked them, “Should I go to war against Ramoth-gilead, or should I refrain?” “Go up,” they replied, “and the Lord will deliver it into the hand of the king.”
James 4:15
Instead, you ought to say, “If the Lord is willing, we will live and do this or that.”
1 Samuel 28:6
He inquired of the LORD, but the LORD did not answer him by dreams or Urim or prophets.

Parallels

1 Chronicles 14:8–17

People

David: Anointed king of Israel, ancestor of Jesus Christ

Places

Philistia: An ancient people and region in Canaan

Glossary

David Holy War Holy War Philistia, Philistines Samuel, Books of First and Second Valley of Rephaim

Topics

Armies: March in Ranks: Seeking Counsel from God Before Battle Philistines: Defeated by David Prayer: Answered: David, Asking Whether he should Go to War Against the Philistines Rain: David Delivered By The Philistines: David: Often Defeated in the Course of his Reign

2 Samuel 5:19

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