2 Samuel 5:19
New International Version
so David inquired of the LORD, “Shall I go and attack the Philistines? Will you deliver them into my hands?” The LORD answered him, “Go, for I will surely deliver the Philistines into your hands.”

New Living Translation
So David asked the LORD, “Should I go out to fight the Philistines? Will you hand them over to me?” The LORD replied to David, “Yes, go ahead. I will certainly hand them over to you.”

English Standard Version
And David inquired of the LORD, “Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will you give them into my hand?” And the LORD said to David, “Go up, for I will certainly give the Philistines into your hand.”

Berean Standard Bible
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.”

King James Bible
And David inquired 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.

New King James Version
So David inquired of the LORD, saying, “Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will You deliver them into my hand?” And the LORD said to David, “Go up, for I will doubtless deliver the Philistines into your hand.”

New American Standard Bible
So David inquired of the LORD, saying, “Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will You hand them over to me?” And the LORD said to David, “Go up, for I will certainly hand the Philistines over to you.”

NASB 1995
Then David inquired of the LORD, saying, “Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will You give them into my hand?” And the LORD said to David, “Go up, for I will certainly give the Philistines into your hand.”

NASB 1977
Then David inquired of the LORD, saying, “Shall I go up against the Philistines? Wilt Thou give them into my hand?” And the LORD said to David, “Go up, for I will certainly give the Philistines into your hand.”

Legacy Standard Bible
Then David asked of Yahweh, saying, “Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will You give them into my hand?” And Yahweh said to David, “Go up, for I will certainly give the Philistines into your hand.”

Amplified Bible
David inquired of the LORD, saying, “Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will You hand them over to me?” And the LORD said to David, “Go up, for I will certainly hand them over to you.”

Christian Standard Bible
Then David inquired of the LORD: “Should I attack the Philistines? Will you hand them over to me? ” The LORD replied to David, “Attack, for I will certainly hand the Philistines over to you.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Then David inquired of the LORD: “Should I go to war against the Philistines? Will you hand them over to me?” The LORD replied to David, “Go, for I will certainly hand the Philistines over to you.”

American Standard Version
And David inquired of Jehovah, saying, Shall I go up against the Philistines? wilt thou deliver them into my hand? And Jehovah said unto David, Go up; for I will certainly deliver the Philistines into thy hand.

Contemporary English Version
David asked the LORD, "Should I attack the Philistines? Will you let me win?" The LORD told David, "Attack! I will let you win."

English Revised Version
And David inquired of the LORD, saying, Shall I go up against the Philistines? wilt thou deliver them into mine hand? And the LORD said unto David, Go up: for I will certainly deliver the Philistines into thine hand.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
David asked the LORD, "Should I attack the Philistines? Will you hand them over to me?" The LORD answered David, "Attack! I will certainly hand the Philistines over to you."

Good News Translation
David asked the LORD, "Shall I attack the Philistines? Will you give me the victory?" "Yes, attack!" the LORD answered. "I will give you the victory!"

International Standard Version
so David asked the LORD, "Am I to go attack the Philistines? Will you give me victory over them?" "Go get them," the LORD replied to David, "because I'm going to put the Philistines right into your hand!"

Majority Standard Bible
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.?

NET Bible
So David asked the LORD, "Should I march up against the Philistines? Will you hand them over to me?" The LORD said to David, "March up, for I will indeed hand the Philistines over to you."

New Heart English Bible
So David inquired of the LORD, asking, "Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will you deliver them into my hand?" Then the LORD answered David, "Go up, for I will certainly deliver them into your hand."

Webster's Bible Translation
And David inquired of the LORD, saying, Shall I go up to the Philistines? wilt thou deliver them into my hand? And the LORD said to David, Go up: for I will doubtless deliver the Philistines into thy hand.

World English Bible
David inquired of Yahweh, saying, “Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will you deliver them into my hand?” Yahweh said to David, “Go up; for I will certainly deliver the Philistines into your hand.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And David asks of YHWH, saying, “Do I go up to the Philistines? Do You give them into my hand?” And YHWH says to David, “Go up, for I certainly give the Philistines into your hand.”

Young's Literal Translation
And David asketh of Jehovah, saying, 'Do I go up unto the Philistines? dost Thou give them into my hand?' And Jehovah saith unto David, 'Go up, for I certainly give the Philistines into thy hand.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And David will ask in Jehovah, saying, Shall I go up against the rovers? wilt thou give them into my hand? and Jehovah will say to David, Go up: for giving, I will give the rovers into thy hand.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And David consulted the Lord, saying: Shall I go up to the Philistines? and wilt thou deliver them into my hand? And the Lord said to David: Go up, for I will surely deliver the Philistines into thy hand.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And David consulted the Lord, saying: “Shall I ascend to the Philistines? And will you give them into my hand?” And the Lord said to David: “Ascend. For I will certainly give the Philistines into your hand.”

New American Bible
David inquired of the LORD, “Shall I attack the Philistines, and will you deliver them into my power?” The LORD answered David: Attack, for I will surely deliver the Philistines into your power.

New Revised Standard Version
David inquired of the LORD, “Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will you give them into my hand?” The LORD said to David, “Go up; for I will certainly give the Philistines into your hand.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And David inquired of the LORD, saying, Shall I go up against the Philistines? Wilt thou deliver them into my hands? And the LORD said to David, Go up; for I will deliver them into your hands.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And David inquired with LORD JEHOVAH and said: “Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will you deliver them into my hands?” And LORD JEHOVAH said to him: “Go up, because I shall deliver them into your hands”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And David inquired of the LORD, saying: 'Shall I go up against the Philistines? wilt Thou deliver them into my hand?' And the LORD said unto David: 'Go up; for I will certainly deliver the Philistines into thy hand.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And David enquired of the Lord, saying, Shall I go up against the Philistines? and wilt thou deliver them into my hands? and the Lord said to David, Go up, for I will surely deliver the Philistines into thine hands.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Two Victories over the Philistines
18Now the Philistines had come and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim. 19So David inquired of the LORD, “Should I go up against the Philistines? Will You deliver them into my hand?” “Go,” replied the LORD, “for I will surely deliver the Philistines into your hand.” 20So David went to Baal-perazim, where he defeated the Philistines and said, “Like a bursting flood, the LORD has burst out against my enemies before me.” So he called that place Baal-perazim.…

Cross References
1 Chronicles 14:10
So David inquired of God, “Should I go up against the Philistines? Will You deliver them into my hand?” “Go,” replied the LORD, “for I will deliver them into your hand.”

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.”

1 Samuel 30:8
and David inquired of the LORD: “Should I pursue these raiders? Will I overtake them?” “Pursue them,” the LORD replied, “for you will surely overtake them and rescue the captives.”

Judges 20:18
The Israelites set out, went up to Bethel, and inquired of God, “Who of us shall go up first to fight against the Benjamites?” “Judah will be first,” the LORD replied.

Judges 20:23
They went up and wept before the LORD until evening, inquiring of Him, “Should we again draw near for battle against our brothers the Benjamites?” And the LORD answered, “Go up against them.”

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.”

1 Samuel 28:6
He inquired of the LORD, but the LORD did not answer him by dreams or Urim or prophets.

1 Samuel 14:37
So Saul inquired of God, “Shall I go down after the Philistines? Will You give them into the hand of Israel?” But God did not answer him that day.

1 Samuel 10:22
So again they inquired of the LORD, “Has the man come here yet?” And the LORD replied, “Behold, he has hidden himself among the baggage.”

1 Kings 22:5-6
But Jehoshaphat also said to the king of Israel, “Please inquire first for the word of the LORD.” / 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.”

2 Kings 3:11
But Jehoshaphat asked, “Is there no prophet of the LORD here? Let us inquire of the LORD through him.” And one of the servants of the king of Israel answered, “Elisha son of Shaphat is here. He used to pour water on the hands of Elijah.”

Isaiah 30:1-2
“Woe to the rebellious children,” declares the LORD, “to those who carry out a plan that is not Mine, who form an alliance, but against My will, heaping up sin upon sin. / They set out to go down to Egypt without asking My advice, to seek shelter under Pharaoh’s protection and take refuge in Egypt’s shade.

Jeremiah 42:2-3
Jeremiah the prophet and said, “May our petition come before you; pray to the LORD your God on behalf of this entire remnant. For few of us remain of the many, as you can see with your own eyes. / Pray that the LORD your God will tell us the way we should walk and the thing we should do.”

Psalm 32:8
I will instruct you and teach you the way you should go; I will give you counsel and watch over you.

Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; / in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.


Treasury of Scripture

And David inquired of the LORD, saying, Shall I go up to the Philistines? will you deliver them into my hand? And the LORD said to David, Go up: for I will doubtless deliver the Philistines into your hand.

enquired

2 Samuel 2:1
And it came to pass after this, that David inquired of the LORD, saying, Shall I go up into any of the cities of Judah? And the LORD said unto him, Go up. And David said, Whither shall I go up? And he said, Unto Hebron.

1 Samuel 23:2,4
Therefore David inquired of the LORD, saying, Shall I go and smite these Philistines? And the LORD said unto David, Go, and smite the Philistines, and save Keilah…

1 Samuel 30:7,8
And David said to Abiathar the priest, Ahimelech's son, I pray thee, bring me hither the ephod. And Abiathar brought thither the ephod to David…

And the Lord

2 Samuel 5:23
And when David inquired of the LORD, he said, Thou shalt not go up; but fetch a compass behind them, and come upon them over against the mulberry trees.

Judges 20:28
And Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron, stood before it in those days,) saying, Shall I yet again go out to battle against the children of Benjamin my brother, or shall I cease? And the LORD said, Go up; for to morrow I will deliver them into thine hand.

1 Samuel 28:6
And when Saul inquired of the LORD, the LORD answered him not, neither by dreams, nor by Urim, nor by prophets.

Jump to Previous
Attack David Deliver Desiring Directions Doubtless Hand Hands Inquired Philistines Surely Wilt
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Attack David Deliver Desiring Directions Doubtless Hand Hands Inquired Philistines Surely Wilt
2 Samuel 5
1. The tribes come to Hebron and anoint David over Israel,
4. David's age
6. Taking Zion from the Jebusites, he dwells in it
11. Hiram sends to David,
13. Eleven sons are born to him in Jerusalem
17. David, directed by God, smites the Philistines at Baal-perazim
22. And again at the mulberry trees














So David inquired of the LORD
David's practice of seeking God's guidance is a hallmark of his leadership, contrasting with Saul's failure to do so. This inquiry reflects a dependence on divine wisdom, aligning with Proverbs 3:5-6, which emphasizes trusting in the Lord rather than one's understanding. It also highlights the importance of prayer and seeking God's will before making decisions, a principle seen throughout Scripture.

“Should I go up against the Philistines?
The Philistines were a persistent enemy of Israel, often representing opposition to God's people. This question shows David's strategic and spiritual approach to warfare, seeking divine approval before engaging in battle. The Philistines' presence in the land is a recurring theme, with their origins traced back to Genesis 10:14, and their conflicts with Israel are documented throughout the books of Judges and Samuel.

Will You deliver them into my hand?”
David's question reveals his faith in God's power to grant victory. The phrase "deliver them into my hand" is a common biblical expression indicating divine intervention in battle, as seen in Joshua 10:8. This reflects the belief that success in battle is ultimately determined by God's will, not merely human strength or strategy.

“Go up,” replied the LORD,
God's response is direct and affirmative, providing David with the assurance needed to proceed. This divine communication underscores the personal relationship between God and David, a theme that is central to David's life and reign. It also illustrates the concept of God as a warrior who fights for His people, as seen in Exodus 15:3.

“for I will surely deliver the Philistines into your hand.”
The certainty of God's promise here is emphasized by the word "surely," indicating an assured victory. This assurance is reminiscent of God's promises to the patriarchs and leaders of Israel, such as His covenant with Abraham in Genesis 15 and His assurances to Joshua in Joshua 1:5. It also foreshadows the ultimate victory of Christ over sin and death, as prophesied in passages like Isaiah 53 and fulfilled in the New Testament.

Persons / Places / Events
1. David
The anointed king of Israel, known for his heart after God and his leadership in uniting the tribes of Israel.

2. The LORD (Yahweh)
The covenant God of Israel, who guides and delivers His people.

3. Philistines
A perennial enemy of Israel, representing opposition to God's people.

4. Inquiry of the LORD
David's practice of seeking God's guidance before making decisions, especially in battle.

5. Battle against the Philistines
A significant event where God assures David of victory, demonstrating His faithfulness and power.
Teaching Points
Dependence on God
David's inquiry of the LORD highlights the importance of seeking God's guidance in all decisions, big or small.

God's Faithfulness
The assurance of victory over the Philistines demonstrates God's faithfulness to His promises and His people.

Spiritual Warfare
Just as David faced physical battles, believers face spiritual battles and must rely on God's strength and direction.

Prayer as a First Response
David's example teaches us to make prayer our first response, not a last resort, in times of decision and crisis.

Trust in God's Timing
David waited for God's instruction before acting, reminding us to trust in God's perfect timing and plan.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
So David
דָּוִ֤ד (dā·wiḏ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1732: David -- perhaps 'beloved one', a son of Jesse

inquired
וַיִּשְׁאַ֨ל (way·yiš·’al)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7592: To inquire, to request, to demand

of the LORD,
בַּֽיהוָה֙ (Yah·weh)
Preposition-b | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

“Should I go up
הַאֶֽעֱלֶה֙ (ha·’e·‘ĕ·leh)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 5927: To ascend, in, actively

against
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

the Philistines?
פְּלִשְׁתִּ֔ים (pə·liš·tîm)
Noun - proper - masculine plural
Strong's 6430: Philistines -- inhabitants of Philistia

Will You deliver them
הֲתִתְּנֵ֖ם (hă·ṯit·tə·nêm)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular | third person masculine plural
Strong's 5414: To give, put, set

into my hand?”
בְּיָדִ֑י (bə·yā·ḏî)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 3027: A hand

“Go,”
עֲלֵ֔ה (‘ă·lêh)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 5927: To ascend, in, actively

replied
לֵאמֹ֔ר (lê·mōr)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 559: To utter, say

the LORD,
יְהוָ֤ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

“for
כִּֽי־ (kî-)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

I will surely deliver
נָתֹ֥ן (nā·ṯōn)
Verb - Qal - Infinitive absolute
Strong's 5414: To give, put, set

the Philistines
הַפְּלִשְׁתִּ֖ים (hap·pə·liš·tîm)
Article | Noun - proper - masculine plural
Strong's 6430: Philistines -- inhabitants of Philistia

into your hand.”
בְּיָדֶֽךָ׃ (bə·yā·ḏe·ḵā)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 3027: A hand


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OT History: 2 Samuel 5:19 David inquired of Yahweh saying Shall (2Sa iiSam 2 Sam ii sam)
2 Samuel 5:18
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