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. So David inquired of the LORDThis phrase highlights David's consistent reliance on divine guidance. The Hebrew root for "inquired" is "שָׁאַל" (sha'al), which means to ask or consult. This reflects David's humility and recognition of God's sovereignty. In a historical context, David's inquiry signifies his dependence on God rather than his own military prowess, setting a precedent for leaders to seek divine wisdom in decision-making. and He answered
The phrase underscores the responsiveness of God to those who earnestly seek Him. The Hebrew root "עָנָה" (anah) means to respond or reply. This interaction between David and God illustrates a personal relationship, emphasizing that God is not distant but actively involved in the lives of His people. It reassures believers that God listens and provides guidance when approached with a sincere heart. Do not march up
Here, God provides specific military strategy, indicating His intimate involvement in the affairs of His people. The directive "do not march up" suggests a deviation from conventional tactics, highlighting the importance of obedience to God's instructions over human wisdom. This phrase serves as a reminder that God's ways are higher than our ways (Isaiah 55:8-9). but circle around behind them
This strategy reflects God's wisdom and understanding of the situation beyond human perception. The Hebrew word for "circle" is "סָבַב" (sabab), meaning to go around or surround. This maneuver not only demonstrates God's tactical brilliance but also His desire to ensure victory for His people. It teaches believers the value of trusting God's unconventional methods. and attack them in front of the balsam trees
The mention of "balsam trees" provides a geographical and botanical context, indicating a specific location known for its strategic advantage. The Hebrew word "בָּכָא" (baca) refers to a type of tree that was common in the region. This detail underscores the precision of God's guidance, showing that He is aware of every detail in our lives. It encourages believers to trust in God's perfect timing and placement in their own battles. Persons / Places / Events 1. DavidThe anointed king of Israel, known for his heart after God and his military prowess. In this passage, he seeks God's guidance for battle. 2. The LORDThe God of Israel, who provides guidance and direction to David, demonstrating His sovereignty and involvement in the affairs of His people. 3. Balsam TreesA specific location mentioned in God's strategy for David's battle, indicating a tactical maneuver that relies on divine wisdom rather than human understanding. 4. PhilistinesThe enemy of Israel at this time, representing opposition to God's people and His plans. 5. Battle StrategyThe event of God providing a unique strategy for victory, emphasizing reliance on divine guidance rather than conventional military tactics. Teaching Points Seeking Divine GuidanceDavid's inquiry of the Lord before battle teaches us the importance of seeking God's will in our decisions. We should prioritize prayer and discernment in our daily lives. Obedience to God's InstructionsDavid's adherence to God's specific battle plan demonstrates the importance of obedience. We are called to follow God's guidance, even when it defies conventional wisdom. God's Sovereignty in Our BattlesThe passage reminds us that God is actively involved in our struggles and has a plan for victory. We can trust His sovereignty and timing in our personal battles. Strategic Wisdom from GodGod's strategy for David shows that divine wisdom often surpasses human logic. We should be open to God's unique solutions in our challenges. Bible Study Questions 1. How does David's approach to seeking God's guidance before battle challenge or inspire your own decision-making process? 2. In what ways can you apply the principle of obedience to God's instructions in your current life situation? 3. Reflect on a time when God's guidance led you to a solution that was unconventional. How did this experience strengthen your faith? 4. How can the account of David's victory over the Philistines encourage you in facing your own "battles" today? 5. What other biblical examples can you think of where God provided a unique strategy or solution? How do these accounts reinforce the importance of seeking God's wisdom? Connections to Other Scriptures 1 Chronicles 14:14-15This parallel account provides additional details about the same event, reinforcing the importance of seeking God's guidance. Proverbs 3:5-6These verses emphasize trusting in the Lord and not relying on one's own understanding, which aligns with David's approach in seeking God's direction. Isaiah 55:8-9These verses highlight that God's ways and thoughts are higher than ours, which is evident in the unconventional strategy given to David. People David, Eliada, Eliphalet, Eliphelet, Elishama, Elishua, Gibeon, Hiram, Ibhar, Japhia, Jebusites, Nathan, Nepheg, Saul, Shammua, Shammuah, Shobab, SolomonPlaces Baal-perazim, Geba, Gezer, Hebron, Jerusalem, Millo, Tyre, Valley of Rephaim, ZionTopics Asketh, Attack, Balsam, Behind, Circle, Circuit, Compass, David, Directions, Directly, Fetch, Front, Hast, Inquired, Mulberries, Mulberry, Mulberry-trees, Opposite, Over-against, Rear, Round, Spice-trees, Straight, Trees, TurnDictionary of Bible Themes 2 Samuel 5:23 8648 enquiring of God 2 Samuel 5:17-25 5087 David, reign of
5290 defeat 2 Samuel 5:22-25 4528 trees
5608 warfare, strategies 2 Samuel 5:23-24 1449 signs, purposes Library One Fold and one Shepherd
'Then came all the tribes of Israel to David unto Hebron, and spake, saying, Behold, we are thy bone and thy flesh. 2. Also in time past, when Saul was king over us, thou wast he that leddest out and broughtest in Israel: and the Lord said to thee, Thou shalt feed My people Israel, and thou shalt be a captain over Israel. 3. So all the elders of Israel came to the king to Hebron; and king David made a league with them in Hebron before the Lord: and they anointed David king over Israel. 4. David was …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureThe Sound in the Mulberry Trees
My brethren, let us learn from David to take no steps without God. The last time you moved, or went into another business, or changed your situation in life, you asked God's help, and then did it, and you were blessed in the doing of it. You have been up to this time a successful man, you have always sought God, but do not think that the stream of providence necessarily runs in a continuous current; remember, you may to-morrow without seeking God's advice venture upon a step which you will regret …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 3: 1857 Early Days
The life of David is naturally divided into epochs, of which we may avail ourselves for the more ready arrangement of our material. These are--his early years up to his escape from the court of Saul, his exile, the prosperous beginning of his reign, his sin and penitence, his flight before Absalom's rebellion, and the darkened end. We have but faint incidental traces of his life up to his anointing by Samuel, with which the narrative in the historical books opens. But perhaps the fact that the story …
Alexander Maclaren—The Life of David God's Strange Work
'That He may do His work, His strange work; and bring to pass His act, His strange act.'--ISAIAH xxviii. 21. How the great events of one generation fall dead to another! There is something very pathetic in the oblivion that swallows up world- resounding deeds. Here the prophet selects two instances which to him are solemn and singular examples of divine judgment, and we have difficulty in finding out to what he refers. To him they seemed the most luminous illustrations he could find of the principle …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture The King.
We have now to turn and see the sudden change of fortune which lifted the exile to a throne. The heavy cloud which had brooded so long over the doomed king broke in lightning crash on the disastrous field of Gilboa. Where is there a sadder and more solemn story of the fate of a soul which makes shipwreck "of faith and of a good conscience," than that awful page which tells how, godless, wretched, mad with despair and measureless pride, he flung himself on his bloody sword, and died a suicide's death, …
Alexander Maclaren—The Life of David The Quotation in Matt. Ii. 6.
Several interpreters, Paulus especially, have asserted that the interpretation of Micah which is here given, was that of the Sanhedrim only, and not of the Evangelist, who merely recorded what happened and was said. But this assertion is at once refuted when we consider the object which Matthew has in view in his entire representation of the early life of Jesus. His object in recording the early life of Jesus is not like that of Luke, viz., to communicate historical information to his readers. …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament A Cloud of Witnesses.
"By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau, even concerning things to come. By faith Jacob, when he was a-dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff. By faith Joseph, when his end was nigh, made mention of the departure of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones.... By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they had been compassed about for seven days. By faith Rahab the harlot perished not with them that were disobedient, …
Thomas Charles Edwards—The Expositor's Bible: The Epistle to the Hebrews The Blessing of Jacob Upon Judah. (Gen. Xlix. 8-10. )
Ver. 8. "Judah, thou, thy brethren shall praise thee; thy hand shall be on the neck of thine enemies; before thee shall bow down the sons of thy father. Ver. 9. A lion's whelp is Judah; from the prey, my son, thou goest up; he stoopeth down, he coucheth as a lion, and as a full-grown lion, who shall rouse him up? Ver. 10. The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come, and unto Him the people shall adhere." Thus does dying Jacob, in announcing …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament Samuel
Alike from the literary and the historical point of view, the book[1] of Samuel stands midway between the book of Judges and the book of Kings. As we have already seen, the Deuteronomic book of Judges in all probability ran into Samuel and ended in ch. xii.; while the story of David, begun in Samuel, embraces the first two chapters of the first book of Kings. The book of Samuel is not very happily named, as much of it is devoted to Saul and the greater part to David; yet it is not altogether inappropriate, …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links 2 Samuel 5:23 NIV2 Samuel 5:23 NLT2 Samuel 5:23 ESV2 Samuel 5:23 NASB2 Samuel 5:23 KJV
2 Samuel 5:23 Commentaries
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