2 Samuel 5:21

21 They left their images there; and David and his men took 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 inquired of the LORD, saying, Shall I go up against the Pelishtim? will you deliver them into my hand? the LORD said to David, Go up; for I will certainly deliver the Pelishtim into your hand.

20 David came to Ba`al-Peratzim, and David struck them there; and he said, the LORD has broken my enemies before me, like the breach of waters. Therefore he called the name of that place Ba`al-Peratzim.

21 They left their images there; and David and his men took them away.

22 The Pelishtim came up yet again, and spread themselves in the valley of Refa'im.

23 When David inquired of the LORD, he said, You shall not go up: make a circuit behind them, and come on them over against the mulberry trees.