King James Version
What Does 2 Samuel 5:25 Mean?
“And David did so, as the LORD had commanded him; and smote the Philistines from Geba until thou come to Gazer.”
Context
23
And when David enquired of the LORD, he said, Thou shalt not go up; but fetch a compass behind them, and come upon them over against the mulberry trees.
24
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.
25
And David did so, as the LORD had commanded him; and smote the Philistines from Geba until thou come to Gazer.
Commentary
Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers(25) **From Geba . . . to Gazer.**—In the parallel passage (1Chronicles 14:16) it is “from Gibeon to Gazer.” One or the other is a slip of the scribe, and there can be little question that Gibeon is the true reading, since it lies about five and a half miles northwest of Jerusalem, while Geba (Gibeah) is about seven and a half miles north-east. The site of Gazer (or Gezer) has not been exactly identified, but it was certainly just on the edge of the Philistine plain. The distance of the pursuit from Gibeon was about twelve miles, and six miles more must already have been passed over before reaching Gibeon from the valley of Rephaim. The flight of the Philistines was determined in this north-westerly direction at first, from the fact that David had “fetched a compass,” and attacked them from the south. In 1Chronicles 14:8-17, these battles are placed between the unsuccessful (2Samuel 13:5-14) and the successful (2 Samuel 15) attempts to bring up the ark to Jerusalem. It is impossible now to determine the exact details of the chronology.
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers
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Charles John Ellicott (1819–1905). Public Domain.
Historical Context
This verse is found in the book of 2 Samuel. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.
Theological Significance
2 Samuel 5:25 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.
Cross-References
Verses related to 2 Samuel 5:25
Cross-references from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge