2 Samuel 5 10

2 Samuel 5:10 kjv

And David went on, and grew great, and the LORD God of hosts was with him.

2 Samuel 5:10 nkjv

So David went on and became great, and the LORD God of hosts was with him.

2 Samuel 5:10 niv

And he became more and more powerful, because the LORD God Almighty was with him.

2 Samuel 5:10 esv

And David became greater and greater, for the LORD, the God of hosts, was with him.

2 Samuel 5:10 nlt

And David became more and more powerful, because the LORD God of Heaven's Armies was with him.

2 Samuel 5 verses

2 Samuel 5 10 Meaning

2 Samuel 5:10 articulates the theological explanation for David's ascendant reign, stating that his continuous growth in power, influence, and reputation was directly consequent to the active and supportive presence of Yahweh, the God of Hosts. It conveys that David's prosperity and expansion were not merely due to his own capabilities or military strength but were a divinely ordained reality, flowing from God's personal fellowship and strategic backing of His anointed king.

2 Samuel 5 10 Context

2 Samuel 5 marks a pivotal turning point in David's life and the history of Israel. It opens with the tribes of Israel finally acknowledging David as king over all Israel after years of division and civil war with the house of Saul (2 Sam 5:1-3). He is anointed king in Hebron at the age of 30, beginning a 33-year reign over unified Israel from Jerusalem. Immediately following his anointing, David makes a strategic move to conquer Jerusalem from the Jebusites (2 Sam 5:6-9), a city that becomes known as the "City of David" and later the religious and political capital of Israel. Verse 10, "And David became greater and greater, for the LORD God of hosts was with him," serves as the divinely inspired summation of his early reign, explaining the theological reason behind his rapid ascendancy and consolidation of power, laying the groundwork for his further achievements, including the bringing of the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem and the Davidic covenant.

2 Samuel 5 10 Word analysis

• And David became greater and greater: The Hebrew phrase here is הָלַךְ וְגָדֵל (halakh we-gadel), literally "walked and grew great" or "went and magnified himself."

  • הָלַךְ (halakh): "walked," "went." In this construct, it often denotes a continuous or progressive action, implying a gradual, steady increase rather than a sudden event. It suggests momentum and direction.
  • וְגָדֵל (we-gadel): "and grew great," "and magnified himself." This verb signifies growth in size, importance, influence, or status. The repetition of the concept through the halakh construction emphasizes an accelerating, compounding increase in David's power, fame, and reign. It indicates that David's rise was not temporary but a sustained and developing reality, under divine supervision.
  • Significance: This progression indicates divine enablement and favor; it's not a static condition but an ongoing process of advancement.

• for: The Hebrew conjunction כי (ki) here functions causally, meaning "because" or "for." It explicitly introduces the reason or explanation for David's growing greatness, directing the reader's attention to the ultimate source.

• the LORD God of hosts: This is a powerful and significant divine title.

  • the LORD: Represented by the Hebrew יהוה (Yahweh), the personal, covenantal name of God. This name signifies His eternal, self-existent nature and His active presence and faithfulness in redemptive history, particularly in relation to His covenant people. It distinguishes Him as the true God of Israel from other deities.
  • God of hosts: The Hebrew אֱלֹהֵי צְבָאוֹת (Elohei Tsava'ot) or sometimes יהוה צְבָאוֹת (Yahweh Tsava'ot).
    • אֱלֹהֵי (Elohei): "God of," indicating ownership, authority, and control.
    • צְבָאוֹת (Tsava'ot): "hosts," "armies," "multitudes." This refers primarily to heavenly armies (angels) but also encompasses earthly armies, the stars, and the entire cosmic order.
    • Significance: This title portrays God as the supreme commander, the mighty warrior who leads cosmic and earthly forces. It emphasizes His omnipotence, His sovereignty over all creation, and His ability to grant victory and success to whomever He chooses. By calling Him "the God of hosts," the text underscores that David's triumphs were orchestrated and ensured by the Almighty Commander of all things. It implies that David's armies, though earthly, were backed by celestial power.

• was with him: The Hebrew הָיָה עִמּוֹ (hayah immo), "was with him."

  • הָיָה (hayah): "was," "came to pass," "existed."
  • עִמּוֹ (immo): "with him," indicating close presence, association, and active support.
  • Significance: This phrase is a profound theological statement indicating God's favor, presence, guidance, protection, and active backing. It means God was on David's side, empowering, advising, and securing his ventures. This "being with" signifies a covenantal relationship where God is actively working on behalf of His chosen one. It contrasts sharply with God having "departed" from Saul (1 Sam 16:14, 18:12), highlighting that David's success stemmed entirely from divine grace and intervention, not merely his own military genius or leadership skills.

2 Samuel 5 10 Bonus section

The theological statement in 2 Sam 5:10 establishes a foundational principle for understanding the Davidic monarchy: its legitimacy, success, and perpetuity are inherently tied to God's continuous presence and faithfulness to His chosen king. This principle finds its ultimate fulfillment in the Messianic promise of the everlasting throne and kingdom (2 Sam 7:16), which culminates in Jesus Christ, whose very name, Immanuel, means "God with us." The narrative contrasts David's dependence on God with Saul's increasing independence and rejection of God, providing a stark reminder that even a king's success hinges on divine favor and obedience, not just human charisma or military might. This theme of "God with him" (Deut 31:6-8; Josh 1:5; 1 Sam 18:12) becomes a crucial identifier of a truly righteous leader in Israelite thought, validating their actions and outcomes.

2 Samuel 5 10 Commentary

2 Samuel 5:10 encapsulates the divine rationale behind David's phenomenal success. It is not merely a statement of observation about David's increasing power, but a theological declaration attributing his ascendancy entirely to God's active involvement and favor. The phrase "became greater and greater" highlights a sustained, progressive growth, a testimony to a king divinely endorsed and empowered. This was no fleeting moment of triumph, but an unfolding destiny under divine orchestration.

The verse emphatically grounds David's greatness in the character and presence of "the LORD God of hosts." This divine title underscores God's sovereignty, omnipotence, and His absolute command over all creation, both visible and invisible. It implicitly dismisses any notion that David's achievements were due to chance, human strategy alone, or the favor of foreign gods. The explicit reason, "for the LORD God of hosts was with him," points to a personal, active, and beneficial divine relationship. God's "being with" David signifies His favor, protection, wisdom, and the enablement necessary for overcoming obstacles and securing dominion. This theological lens invites us to view David's earthly kingdom as an outworking of God's greater plan, reminding us that true authority and enduring success stem from humble reliance upon the Almighty.

Practical usage:

• Leaders seeking genuine influence and impact must acknowledge God as the ultimate source of authority and power.
• Believers can find confidence in God's promises of presence, knowing that when He is "with us," even in the face of daunting challenges, genuine spiritual growth and purpose can be fulfilled.
• This verse counters human pride, demonstrating that even the greatest human achievements are a gift of divine grace.