2 Samuel 5:20

Baal-perazim: David used the word Baal here to honor the Lord for the victory he gave Israel. At that time, baal could mean “lord” or “master,” and it could be used as a title for the Lord.

The name Baal-perazim means “the lord of breakthroughs” or “the lord who breaks through.” It likely refers to God breaking through enemy lines, like water breaking through a barrier. This title later became unacceptable because the worship of the Canaanite god Baal became a serious problem in Israel.

Every time David fought the Philistines in 2 Samuel (2 Samuel 5:17–25; 8:1; 21:15–22; 23:13–17), he won without losing a single soldier. This was very different from Saul, who could not defeat the Philistines.

• 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.

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).