2 samuel 5:17 - When the Philistines heard that they had anointed David king over Israel, all the Philistines went up to seek David, but David heard about it and went down to the stronghold.
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What does "2 samuel 5:17" mean?
This verse from 2 Samuel 5:17 describes a key moment of tension after David becomes king of Israel. Let's break down what it means:
"When the Philistines heard that they had anointed David king over Israel...": This establishes the context. The Philistines were traditional enemies of Israel. David's anointing as king unified the tribes of Israel, and this posed a threat to Philistine dominance in the region. The Philistines see this as a hostile development.
"...all the Philistines went up to seek David...": This indicates the Philistines were mobilizing for war. They viewed David as a threat to their regional power. "To seek David" implies they were looking to confront him, likely to kill him or undermine his rule before he could consolidate his power. This is a planned military action.
"...but David heard about it and went down to the stronghold.": This shows David's shrewdness and tactical awareness. Upon learning of the Philistine advance, he didn't wait to be attacked. Instead, he retreated to a "stronghold," a fortified place that was easier to defend. This was a strategic move to protect himself and his followers while assessing the situation.
Going to the stronghold could mean he withdrew from a more exposed position to a safer, more defensible location such as the cave of Adullam.
In essence, this verse sets the stage for conflict. David's anointing as king triggers a hostile response from the Philistines, who see him as a threat. David, aware of the danger, takes immediate defensive action by retreating to a stronghold. This highlights the ongoing power struggles between Israel and the Philistines and foreshadows future battles. It also shows that David was not just a charismatic leader, but also a pragmatic and cautious commander.
2 samuel 5:17 - When the Philistines heard that they had anointed David king over Israel, all the Philistines went up to seek David, but David heard about it and went down to the stronghold.
What does "2 samuel 5:17" mean?
This verse from 2 Samuel 5:17 describes a key moment of tension after David becomes king of Israel. Let's break down what it means:
"When the Philistines heard that they had anointed David king over Israel...": This establishes the context. The Philistines were traditional enemies of Israel. David's anointing as king unified the tribes of Israel, and this posed a threat to Philistine dominance in the region. The Philistines see this as a hostile development.
"...all the Philistines went up to seek David...": This indicates the Philistines were mobilizing for war. They viewed David as a threat to their regional power. "To seek David" implies they were looking to confront him, likely to kill him or undermine his rule before he could consolidate his power. This is a planned military action.
"...but David heard about it and went down to the stronghold.": This shows David's shrewdness and tactical awareness. Upon learning of the Philistine advance, he didn't wait to be attacked. Instead, he retreated to a "stronghold," a fortified place that was easier to defend. This was a strategic move to protect himself and his followers while assessing the situation.
Going to the stronghold could mean he withdrew from a more exposed position to a safer, more defensible location such as the cave of Adullam.
In essence, this verse sets the stage for conflict. David's anointing as king triggers a hostile response from the Philistines, who see him as a threat. David, aware of the danger, takes immediate defensive action by retreating to a stronghold. This highlights the ongoing power struggles between Israel and the Philistines and foreshadows future battles. It also shows that David was not just a charismatic leader, but also a pragmatic and cautious commander.