2 Samuel 5:24

Translations

Modern

As soon as you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, move quickly, because this will mean that the LORD has gone out before you to strike the camp of the Philistines.”

Traditional

And let it be, when thou hearest the sound of a going in the tops of the mulberry trees, that then thou shalt bestir thyself: for then shall the Lord go out before thee, to smite the host of the Philistines.

Literal

And it shall come to pass when you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, then you shall advance quickly. For then YHWH will go out before you to strike the camp of the Philistines.”

Latin

Et cum audieris sonitum gradientis in cacumine pyrorum, tunc inibis prælium: quia tunc egredietur Dominus ante faciem tuam, ut percutiat castra Philisthiim.

Original

Hebrew

English

As soon as you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, move quickly, because this will mean that the LORD has gone out before you to strike the camp of the Philistines.”

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 Kings 7:6
For the Lord had caused the Arameans to hear the sound of chariots, horses, and a great army, so that they said to one another, “Look, the king of Israel must have hired the kings of the Hittites and Egyptians to attack us.”
Judges 4:14
Then Deborah said to Barak, “Arise, for this is the day that the LORD has delivered Sisera into your hand. Has not the LORD gone before you?” So Barak came down from Mount Tabor with ten thousand men following him.
Judges 7:15
When Gideon heard the dream and its interpretation, he bowed in worship. He returned to the camp of Israel and said, “Get up, for the LORD has delivered the camp of Midian into your hand.”
1 Chronicles 14:15
As soon as you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, move out to battle, because this will mean that God has gone out before you to strike the camp of the Philistines.”
1 Samuel 14:9–12
If they say, ‘Wait until we come to you,’ then we will stay where we are and will not go up to them.
Philippians 2:11–12
…and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Parallels

1 Chronicles 14:8–17

Places

Philistia: An ancient people and region in Canaan

Glossary

Baca, Valley of David Head Holy War Holy War Philistia, Philistines Poplar Samuel, Books of First and Second

Topics

Armies: March in Ranks: David's Attack Upon the Philistines God: Saving David's Army Mulberry Tree: General Scriptures Concerning Philistines: Defeated by David Prayer: Answered: David, Asking Whether he should Go to War Against the Philistines Trees: Mulberry War: God In

2 Samuel 5:24

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Original?

Notes?

Events?

Related verses?

Parallels?