2 Samuel 5 24

2 Samuel 5:24 kjv

And let it be, when thou hearest the sound of a going in the tops of the mulberry trees, that then thou shalt bestir thyself: for then shall the LORD go out before thee, to smite the host of the Philistines.

2 Samuel 5:24 nkjv

And it shall be, when you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the mulberry trees, then you shall advance quickly. For then the LORD will go out before you to strike the camp of the Philistines."

2 Samuel 5:24 niv

As soon as you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the poplar trees, move quickly, because that will mean the LORD has gone out in front of you to strike the Philistine army."

2 Samuel 5:24 esv

And when you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, then rouse yourself, for then the LORD has gone out before you to strike down the army of the Philistines."

2 Samuel 5:24 nlt

When you hear a sound like marching feet in the tops of the poplar trees, be on the alert! That will be the signal that the LORD is moving ahead of you to strike down the Philistine army."

2 Samuel 5 verses

2 Samuel 5 24 Meaning

This verse reveals God's direct, precise instruction to King David regarding a crucial battle against the Philistines. It signifies that divine intervention and victory are contingent upon discerning and obeying a specific, supernatural sign. The "sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees" would be the clear signal from God, indicating that the Lord Himself had gone before David's army to ensure their triumph, eliminating the need for human strategy apart from divine leading.

2 Samuel 5 24 Context

2 Samuel chapter 5 marks a significant turning point in David's life and the history of Israel. David is formally anointed king over all Israel in Hebron (2 Sam 5:1-5), finally uniting the tribes. He then conquers the Jebusite stronghold of Jerusalem, making it his capital (2 Sam 5:6-10), solidifying his rule. Following this, the Philistines, a long-standing enemy who had previously defeated Israel (1 Sam 4:1-11) and killed Saul, view David's consolidated power as a threat and attack (2 Sam 5:17).In the first encounter (2 Sam 5:18-21), David inquires of the Lord, receives a direct command to go up, and God grants a decisive victory. This battle is known as "Baal-perazim," meaning "the Lord of breaking through." However, the Philistines return, scattering themselves in the Valley of Rephaim (2 Sam 5:22). It is in response to this second Philistine incursion that David again consults God (2 Sam 5:23). God's instruction in 2 Samuel 5:24 is distinct from the first, providing a unique sign rather than an immediate command to attack, highlighting God's dynamic and context-specific guidance for His people.

2 Samuel 5 24 Word analysis

• And it shall be (וְהָיָה ve·ha·yah): From the root היה (hayah), meaning "to be," "to become." This future tense with the vav (וְ) emphasizes a definite divine declaration. It implies certainty and the coming-to-pass of an event according to God's decree, establishing His sovereign initiative.
• when you hear (בְּשָׁמְעֲךָ be·sho·me·'a·kha): From the root שָׁמַע (shama'), meaning "to hear," "to listen," "to obey." This highlights the importance of attentiveness and discerning God's communication. It places the burden of listening correctly upon David, connecting divine instruction to human action and implicit obedience. It emphasizes reliance not on visible cues or traditional signals but on an audibly perceived divine phenomenon.
• the sound of marching (ק֥וֹל צְעָדָ֖ה kol tze'a·dah):
  • קול (kol): "voice," "sound," "noise." Here, it denotes an audible phenomenon.
  • צעדה (tze'adah): "marching," "treading," "step." Combined, it refers to the sound of rhythmic, purposeful movement, like an army on the march. The extraordinary nature is that it comes from the tree tops, indicating a supernatural source rather than human soldiers. This sound is a direct manifestation of God's presence.
• in the tops of the balsam trees (הַבְּכָאִ֑ים hab·be·kha·'im):
  • הבכאים (habbeḵa'îm): Usually rendered "balsam trees," though some versions render "mulberry trees." The root בכה (bakah) means "to weep," leading to a possible metaphorical interpretation of 'trees of weeping' or a location specific to crying or a certain tree. The precise identity is debated, but its significance lies in its specific, localized, and unusual nature as the source of the divine sound. The "tops" suggest the sound isn't from ground level human activity.
• then you shall go out to battle (אָ֣ז תֶּחְרַ֔ץ az teḥ·ratz):
  • אז (az): "then," "at that time." This adverb specifies precise timing.
  • תחרץ (teḥratz): "you shall bestir yourself," "you shall cut off," "you shall decide quickly." It conveys the imperative to act decisively and without delay once the signal is given. The action is entirely dependent on and timed by the divine cue.
• for then the Lord has gone out before you (כִּ֣י אָז יָצָ֥א יְהוָ֖ה לְפָנֶ֔יךָ ki az ya·tza Yah·weh le·fa·ne·kha):
  • כי (ki): "for," "because." Explains the reason for immediate action.
  • אז (az): Reinforces precise timing.
  • יצא (yatza): "gone out." Refers to Yahweh initiating movement, demonstrating His active participation.
  • יהוה (Yahweh): The covenant name of God, emphasizing His personal commitment and unique identity as the active deity fighting for Israel. This name underscores His promise-keeping nature and mighty power.
  • לפניך (lefaneikha): "before you." Signifies leading the way, taking the vanguard, and removing obstacles, guaranteeing victory for David. It confirms God as the primary warrior.
• to strike (לְהַכּ֖וֹת le·hak·kot): From the root נכה (nakah), "to strike," "to smite," "to kill." It indicates a decisive, destructive action against the enemy, ensuring a complete defeat.
• the army of the Philistines (מַחֲנֵ֣ה פְלִשְׁתִּֽים ma·cha·neh pe·li·shim):
  • מחנה (maḥaneh): "camp," "army."
  • פלשתים (pelishtim): The Philistines, the long-standing enemies of Israel. Their destruction is ordained by God.

Words-group Analysis:

• "when you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees": This phrase details the specific, audible, and localized divine sign. It is unusual, supernatural, and non-human in origin, requiring keen spiritual discernment from David. It signals a divinely orchestrated movement, likely indicating the unseen angelic host or divine forces of Yahweh marching ahead of Israel. This differentiates God's guidance from human intuition or common military signals.
• "then you shall go out to battle, for then the Lord has gone out before you": This links David's immediate obedient action to God's prior initiative. The victory is not David's by his own might, but God's. It emphasizes divine timing (אז), the sovereignty of God's strategy, and the assurance of victory because Yahweh Himself is leading the charge, acting as Israel's warrior-God (יהוה לפעניך). The success of the battle is already guaranteed by God's action.
• "to strike the army of the Philistines": This describes the specific purpose and target of God's action – the complete and decisive defeat of Israel's prominent enemies, solidifying God's dominion and David's throne. It shows God's commitment to delivering His people from oppression.

2 Samuel 5 24 Bonus section

The uniqueness of the "sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees" distinguishes this divine guidance from previous instances. It may imply a mysterious, perhaps invisible, celestial army of God moving ahead, creating the sound. The concept of "God fighting for Israel" is a recurrent biblical theme (Deut 20:4, Josh 10:14). Here, it is personified and demonstrated in a tangible way. David’s patient waiting for this sign, despite the urgency of the Philistine threat, reveals a matured dependence on God compared to some of his earlier actions before he became king. This battle against the Philistines, particularly after this specific sign and victory, significantly diminished their power against Israel for a long period, securing David’s reign and affirming God’s favor. The narrative serves as a model of seeking and responding to divine guidance even when it seems unusual or counter-intuitive.

2 Samuel 5 24 Commentary

2 Samuel 5:24 serves as a powerful testament to God's active, personal involvement in the affairs of His people, especially in the context of warfare. It demonstrates that genuine success for God's chosen leaders stems not from human ingenuity or overwhelming force, but from hearing and obeying His precise instructions and relying entirely on His strength and presence. The unusual sign of "marching in the tops of the balsam trees" highlights that God's methods may be unconventional and demand deep spiritual discernment and faith. This was not a general command, but a very specific, unique sign for this particular engagement, indicating that God customizes His guidance. For David, it removed any doubt about victory, knowing Yahweh Himself had "gone out before" him to defeat the enemy. This account underscores God's sovereignty over natural phenomena and His ability to supernaturally orchestrate events to accomplish His will and deliver His people from their adversaries. The principle extends beyond physical warfare to spiritual battles, urging believers to seek divine direction and rely on God's lead.