2 Samuel 5:21

21 The Philistines left their idols behind at Baal Perazim, so David and his men carried them away.

2 Samuel 5:21 Meaning and Commentary

2 Samuel 5:21

And they left their images
Their idol gods, which they brought with them to protect and defend them, and give them success; perhaps in imitation of the Israelites, who formerly brought the ark of God into their camp against the Philistines, ( 1 Samuel 4:3-6 ) ; and it appears to have been the custom of other countries, in later times, to bring their gods with them to battle ^F24:

and David and his men burnt them:
that is, his men burnt them at his command, ( 1 Chronicles 14:12 ) ; agreeably to the law of God, that so no profit might be made of them, ( Deuteronomy 7:5 ) ; the Septuagint and Vulgate Latin versions, and others, render it, "and took them", or "carried them away" ^F25; as they might do, and, after they had exposed them in triumph, then burnt them.

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FOOTNOTES:

F24 "Omnigenumque Deum" Virgil. Aeneid. l. 8.
F25 (Mavyw) (kai elabosan autouv) , Sept. "tulit", V. L. Tigurine version, Montanus; "sustulit", Junius & Tremellius, Piscator.

2 Samuel 5:21 In-Context

19 David asked the Lord, "Should I attack the Philistines? Will you hand them over to me?" The Lord said to David, "Go! I will certainly hand them over to you."

20 So David went to Baal Perazim and defeated the Philistines there. David said, "Like a flood of water, the Lord has broken through my enemies in front of me." So David named the place Baal Perazim.

21 The Philistines left their idols behind at Baal Perazim, so David and his men carried them away.

22 Once again the Philistines came and camped at the Valley of Rephaim.

23 When David prayed to the Lord, he answered, "Don't attack the Philistines from the front. Instead, go around and attack them in front of the balsam trees.