2 Samuel 5 19

2 Samuel 5:19 kjv

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.

2 Samuel 5:19 nkjv

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."

2 Samuel 5:19 niv

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."

2 Samuel 5:19 esv

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."

2 Samuel 5:19 nlt

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."

2 Samuel 5 verses

2 Samuel 5 19 Meaning

2 Samuel 5:19 records a pivotal moment in David's kingship, immediately after he was established as king over all Israel. It reveals David's foundational principle of leadership: dependence on the Lord for military strategy and success. Faced with the Philistine threat, David consults God regarding whether to engage them and whether victory is assured. The Lord responds with a clear affirmation and a definitive promise of delivering the Philistines into David's hand, signaling divine approval and guaranteeing success in battle.

2 Samuel 5 19 Context

Chapter 5 of 2 Samuel marks the pivotal establishment of David's unified kingship over all Israel, seven years after his anointing over Judah. Having just captured Jerusalem and made it his capital, signifying a new era, David's authority grows. The Philistines, Israel's long-standing adversaries and a dominant regional power, perceived David's consolidated kingdom as a significant threat. Their coming up against David in the Valley of Rephaim (v. 18) was a direct challenge to his burgeoning authority. Verse 19 encapsulates David's immediate and strategic response, which was, remarkably, to seek divine counsel before engaging the enemy. This action sets the tone for his kingship, demonstrating his reliance on the Lord rather than merely on his military prowess or tactical wisdom.

2 Samuel 5 19 Word analysis

• And David inquired (וַיִּשְׁאַל דָּוִד, wa-yiš'al dāwiḏ): The verb sha'al means to ask, inquire, consult. It signifies David's consistent spiritual posture of dependence on God. This was not a perfunctory act but a genuine seeking of divine will, distinguishing David from pagan kings who consulted idols or relied solely on human strategy. This demonstrates David's principle of governance from his early days as king (e.g., 1 Sam 23:2).
• of the Lord (בַּֽיהוָה, ba-Yahweh): Explicitly names the recipient of the inquiry – Yahweh, the covenant God of Israel. This underlines the unique relationship David had with God and contrasts with the idolatrous practices of surrounding nations, emphasizing David's reliance on the true and living God.
• saying, Shall I go up (לֵאמֹר; הַאֶעְלֶה, lēʾmōr; ha-ʾeʿleh): "Go up" is a standard military term for advancing into battle or ascending to a fortified position. David's question is direct, showing a willingness to obey, but not presumption. He sought permission and direction for the military campaign.
• against the Philistines? (אֶל־פְּלִשְׁתִּ֑ים, ʾel-pelištim): Identifies the traditional, formidable enemies of Israel, underscoring the serious nature of the threat. This was a critical test for the new kingdom.
• Will you deliver them (הֲתִתְּנֵם, ha-titnēm): The verb natan means "to give" or "to deliver." This highlights David's understanding that ultimate victory did not lie in his strength or his army's but in God's sovereign act of delivering the enemy.
• into my hand? (בְּיָדִ֖י, bĕ-yādî): A common idiom signifying complete control, defeat, and capture. David is seeking not just an engagement, but decisive victory orchestrated by God.
• And the Lord said to David, (וַיֹּאמֶר יְהוָה אֶל־דָּוִד, wa-yōʾmer YHWH ʾel-dāwiḏ): Confirms direct divine communication. God Himself responds to David's humble inquiry, validating the importance of seeking His counsel.
• Go up, (עֲלֵה, ʿalēh): God's affirmative command directly answers David's strategic question, indicating divine approval for the immediate action.
• for I will doubtless deliver (כִּי־נָתֹן אֶתֵּן, kî-nāthōn ʾettēn): This is a strong Hebrew idiom, an infinitive absolute nāthōn ("to give" or "to deliver") followed by the finite verb ʾettēn ("I will give"). It expresses absolute certainty, emphasizing an unconditional divine guarantee. It translates to "I will surely deliver," "I will certainly give," or "I will doubtless deliver."
• the Philistines into your hand. (אֶת־הַפְּלִשְׁתִּים בְּיָדֶֽךָ, ʾet-hapelištim bĕ-yādeḵā): Echoes David's exact phrasing in his question, but changes "my hand" to "your hand," reinforcing that the promised victory will be through David as God's instrument. This provides full assurance and confirms the ultimate success of the mission.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "And David inquired of the Lord": This phrase encapsulates David's characteristic reliance on divine guidance in contrast to King Saul, who ultimately perished because he did not inquire of the Lord (1 Chr 10:13-14). It sets David apart as a "man after God's own heart."
• "Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will you deliver them into my hand?": David asks two distinct but related questions. The first is about the tactical step ("Shall I go?"). The second is about the divine outcome ("Will You ensure victory?"). This demonstrates a nuanced understanding that even if a course of action seems strategically sound, its success ultimately rests on God's blessing and power.
• "Go up, for I will doubtless deliver the Philistines into your hand.": This response from the Lord is immediate, direct, and overwhelmingly affirmative. The dual questions receive a combined, definitive answer. The certainty expressed through the infinitive absolute "doubtless deliver" is a divine assurance of absolute victory, not merely a likelihood.

2 Samuel 5 19 Bonus section

This divine counsel provided in 2 Samuel 5:19 wasn't a one-off event. The chronicler (1 Chr 14:10) highlights this as a pivotal pattern for David. Moreover, when the Philistines came up again (2 Sam 5:22), David did not assume the previous counsel applied but again inquired of the Lord (2 Sam 5:23). This demonstrates David's consistent posture of humility and total reliance, showing that past divine victories do not grant perpetual permission for action without fresh consultation. This highlights the importance of an ongoing, dependent relationship with the Lord rather than resting on past successes or presuming His will. This commitment to consulting God before battle set a benchmark for a "righteous king" in Israel, providing an example for future generations and distinguishing David from rulers who might seek omens or human advice. It implicitly criticizes relying solely on human strength or cunning, affirming that Yahweh is the true commander of Israel's armies.

2 Samuel 5 19 Commentary

2 Samuel 5:19 provides a profound insight into the character of King David and the nature of true leadership under God. Having just secured his unified kingship and captured Jerusalem, David, despite his past military successes and skilled leadership, immediately turned to the Lord when faced with a significant external threat. His inquiry demonstrates humility, dependence, and wisdom. He did not rush into battle based on presumption or past triumphs but sought explicit divine authorization and promise of victory. This act was not merely religious ritual; it was a foundational principle of his reign, contrasting sharply with the behavior of leaders who relied solely on their own strength or human counsel. The Lord's swift and unambiguous response, featuring the emphatic promise of "I will doubtless deliver," validates David's trust and confirms that true victory stems from divine enablement, not human might. This moment establishes David as God's chosen instrument, through whom God would defeat Israel's enemies and secure the land. For believers today, David's example serves as a potent reminder of the essential nature of seeking God's will and relying on His power in all undertakings, acknowledging that ultimate success is not by human might or power but by God's Spirit (Zech 4:6).