2 Samuel 5 22

2 Samuel 5:22 kjv

And the Philistines came up yet again, and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim.

2 Samuel 5:22 nkjv

Then the Philistines went up once again and deployed themselves in the Valley of Rephaim.

2 Samuel 5:22 niv

Once more the Philistines came up and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim;

2 Samuel 5:22 esv

And the Philistines came up yet again and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim.

2 Samuel 5:22 nlt

But after a while the Philistines returned and again spread out across the valley of Rephaim.

2 Samuel 5 verses

2 Samuel 5 22 Meaning

This verse states that the Philistines returned to wage war against Israel for a second time, specifically advancing and deploying their forces in the strategic Valley of Rephaim. It highlights their persistent aggression and ongoing challenge to King David's unified reign, underscoring the continuous nature of conflict faced by God's chosen people.

2 Samuel 5 22 Context

2 Samuel chapter 5 marks a pivotal moment where David is finally crowned king over all twelve tribes of Israel in Hebron, unifying the nation. His first act as unified king is to conquer Jerusalem, establishing it as the capital and "City of David." This rapid rise and consolidation of power directly threatened the Philistines, who had long dominated the region and exploited Israel's disunity. Their immediate response (beginning in 2 Sam 5:17) was to launch an invasion, aiming to quash David's burgeoning kingdom. After suffering an initial defeat where David, guided by God, struck them down at Baal-perazim, this verse, 2 Samuel 5:22, depicts their persistent and renewed attack. They were not deterred but rather intensified their efforts, emphasizing the ongoing struggle Israel faced against a determined enemy and highlighting the Philistine intent to prevent David's kingdom from securing its future.

2 Samuel 5 22 Word analysis

• And the Philistines: (וְהַפְּלִשְׁתִּים, wəha-pĕlištîm) The article "the" indicates this refers to the specific, well-known enemy of Israel. The Philistines, originating from the Aegean Sea ("Sea Peoples"), were a formidable military and economic power inhabiting the southwestern coastal plain of Canaan. Their consistent aggression tested Israel's faith and leadership throughout the period of the Judges and early monarchy.
• came up: (וַיַּעֲלוּ, wayyaʿălū) From the verb alah, meaning "to go up" or "ascend." This often signifies a movement of military force, sometimes geographically uphill into the Judean highlands where Jerusalem lay, and also militarily "going up against" an enemy in battle.
• yet again: (עוֹד, ʿôd) This adverb powerfully conveys repetition, continuance, or persistence. It underscores that this was not a new enemy or a random skirmish, but a renewed, deliberate invasion by an enemy undeterred by their previous defeat. It signifies their tenacity and refusal to accept David's victory as final. Some translations reflect the Hebrew more literally with "returned" (e.g., KJV, NASB, YLT for the full verb "wayyashuvu" before "vayyaalu"), emphasizing they literally returned to the field of battle.
• and spread out: (וַיִּפְשְׁטוּ, wayyipšĕṭû) From the verb pashat, meaning "to stretch out," "spread abroad," "disperse," "raid," or "attack." In a military context, this refers to their deployment of forces, covering the ground as they prepared for battle or to pillage the land. It denotes an organized and widespread presence.
• in the Valley of Rephaim: (בְּעֵמֶק רְפָאִים, bə-ʿĒmeq Rəpāʾîm)
  • Valley: (emeq) A low plain or long depression between hills. Valleys were crucial for military movements and agriculture.
  • Rephaim: (rĕpāʾîm) This name is significant. It can refer to an ancient race of giants or mighty warriors, or to deceased spirits. Here, it denotes a specific, well-known geographical location southwest of Jerusalem, directly threatening the capital. This valley was a fertile agricultural region and a strategic pathway for approaching the Judean highlands. The name potentially evoked the idea of a formidable, powerful presence associated with the Philistines.
• Words-Group Analysis:
  • "The Philistines came up yet again": This phrase emphasizes the relentless nature of Israel's adversaries. It signifies that even after divine deliverance, the enemy's resolve can be immediate and tenacious. This cyclical pattern of attack and defense mirrors both historical conflicts and the ongoing spiritual battles faced by believers.
  • "and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim": This highlights the strategic acumen of the Philistines and the direct threat they posed. Their deployment in a fertile and easily accessible valley indicates a full-scale military occupation rather than a mere skirmish. The specific location signals their intent to directly confront the new unified kingdom near its newly established capital.

2 Samuel 5 22 Bonus section

• The Philistine strategy of re-engaging quickly and in a known strategic location like the Valley of Rephaim indicates their professional military organization and determination to suppress any rising power in Israel that might challenge their hegemony. This valley was a preferred route for their incursions into the Judean highlands.
• The immediate re-engagement of the Philistines after their defeat at Baal-Perazim demonstrates a key characteristic of spiritual warfare as well: victories over evil are often followed by renewed, and sometimes intensified, attacks, requiring continued vigilance and reliance on God.
• This verse sets up David's response in the subsequent verses (2 Sam 5:23-25), where he again seeks God's guidance, receiving a unique and specific strategy ("circle around behind them and come upon them opposite the balsam trees"). This highlights God's personalized direction for each challenge, even when circumstances seem similar.

2 Samuel 5 22 Commentary

2 Samuel 5:22 reveals the persistent and determined nature of Israel's primary adversary, the Philistines, following their initial defeat at David's hands. It's not a narrative of David resting on his laurels, but rather an immediate escalation of conflict. The Philistines, recognizing David's consolidation of power, refused to accept his triumph. Their returning "yet again" (or literally "they returned") signifies their unyielding resolve and strategic thinking, as they reappeared in the highly strategic and fertile Valley of Rephaim, directly threatening the new Israelite capital, Jerusalem. This recurrence of conflict underscores a biblical principle: even after a divine victory, trials and adversaries often re-emerge, testing faithfulness and requiring renewed reliance on God. David’s previous success (2 Sam 5:19-20) had been a direct result of seeking and obeying the Lord’s specific guidance. This renewed Philistine aggression sets the stage to see if David would once again prioritize divine instruction over human strategy or previous success, serving as a reminder that continuous warfare, both physical and spiritual, demands persistent seeking of the Lord.