2 Samuel 5:24

_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._ The sound of a going in the tops of the mulberry trees х_ HABªKAA'IYM_ (H1057)] - now generally thought not to be mulberry trees, but the aspen or trembling poplar, which delights in moist situations, and the leaves of which are rustled by the slightest movement of the zephyr. It abounds in the ravines of southern Palestine, and in the neighbourhood of Jerusalem, where, according to tradition, a solitary mulberry in the valley of Jehoshaphat still marks the spot of Isaiah's martyrdom. "Hearest the sound of a going" - namely, of God (cf. 1 Chronicles 14:15) - "in the tops of the mulberry trees" х bªraa

17-25 The Philistines considered not that David had the presence of God with him, which Saul had forfeited and lost. The kingdom of the Messiah, as soon as it was set up in the world, was thus attacked by the powers of darkness. The heathen raged, and the kings of the earth set themselves to oppose it; but all in vain, Psalms 2:1. The destruction will turn, as this did, upon Satan's own kingdom. David owns dependence on God for victory and refers himself to the good pleasure of God, Wilt thou do it? The assurance God has given us of victory over our spiritual enemies, should encourage us in our spiritual conflicts. David waited till God moved; he stirred then, but not till then. He was trained up in dependence on God and his providence. God performed his promise, and David failed not to improve his advantages. When the kingdom of the Messiah was to be set up, the apostles, who were to b...

Verse 2 Samuel 5:24. _WHEN THOU HEAREST THE SOUND OF A GOING_] If there had not been an evident _supernatural interference_, David might have thought that the _sleight_ or _ruse de guerre_ which he had used was the cause of his victory. By the _going in the tops of the mulberry_ _trees_ probably only a _rustling among the leaves_ is intended. The Targum says, _a noise_; the Arabic has it, _the noise of horses'_ _hoofs_....

EXPOSITION 2 SAMUEL 5:1 THEN CAME ALL THE TRIBES OF ISRAEL. As Ishbosheth reigned only two years, and David's reign at Hebron lasted for seven years and a half, there is an interval of more than five years to be accounted for; and we have given reason for believing (see note on 2 Samuel 2:10) that it must be placed after the death of Ishbosheth. The treacherous murder of Abner, and the tragic fate of Ishbosheth following upon it so rapidly, must have filled all Israel with horror, and made them look upon David as "a bloody man" (2 Samuel 16:8). But gradually his innocence became clear to all except inveterate partisans, and as the prejudice against him passed away, th

AND LET IT BE, WHEN THOU HEAREST THE SOUND OF A GOING IN THE TOPS OF THE MULBERRY TREES,.... Of a going of the wind on the tops of these trees, making a rustling upon them, and that in such a manner as to resemble the going of men, or march of armies, as if they were moving in the air over the tops of the mulberry trees; which Jarchi and R. Isaiah interpret of angels being sent of God, and moving at that time to help David, and destroy the Philistines; so the Targum on 1 Chronicles 14:15. These trees being in Judea account for silk there, Ezekiel 16:10; though some think time was not known so early; others suppose it was, and to be the Hebrew byssus mentioned by Pausanias a, as being of a yellow colour: THAT THEN THOU SHALL BESTIR THYSELF; or move towards the c

2. DAVID'S CONQUEST OF ZION AND VICTORY OVER THE PHILISTINES CHAPTER 5:6-25 _ 1. David's conquest of Zion (2 Samuel 5:6)_ 2. Hiram King of Tyre (2 Samuel 5:11) 3. David's additional concubines and wives (2 Samuel 5:13) 4. The victory over the Philistines (2 Samuel 5:17) Zion is closely linked with David's anointing as king over all Israel. Here 1 Chronicles 11 must be read for a more complete account of what took place. Jerusalem is now to become the capital of the great kingdom. The oldest name

VICTORIES OVER THE PHILISTINES (J). (_Cf._ p. 67.) David twice defeats the Philistines in the Valley of Rephaim (p. 31, Isaiah 17:5 *). The growing strength of David had roused the apprehensions of his suzerains. These incidents seem prior to the capture of Jerusalem, and are sometimes supposed to have been inserted from another document; they may, however, be from (J), having been transposed by the editor. The hold is perhaps Adullam. The fact that we are told that David named the place Baal-perazim, Baal of Breaches, shows that the author saw nothing wrong in the use of Baal as a title of Yahweh (1 S. 4:49*.) The victors took. away the gods (so LXX and 1 Chronicles 14:12) of the Philistines. The Chronicler, anxious that his readers should not suppose that David intended to worship them, chan

Two victories over the Philistines =1 Chronicles 14:8-16 17. _But when the Philistines heard_ This Philistine invasion probably followed soon after the capture of Jebus. The Philistines were alarmed by the union of the Israelites under a king of proved vigour, who had inaugurated his reign by a brilliant military achievement. They therefore mustered their whole force (cp. 1 Samuel 29:1), for a strenuous effort to crush him. _came up_ From the plains of Philistia to the highlands of Judah. _went down to the hold_ The word translated "hold" is the same as that translated "stronghold" in 2 Samuel 5:7, and "fort" in...

THE SOUND OF A GOING IN THE TOPS OF THE MULBERRY-TREES— "This may be rendered, _among the first of the mulberry-trees; i.e._ among the trees which were the first in order, and by which they entered into the grove; so that God gives David for a sign, the sound of many men's feet, walking on the ground amidst the trees, though nobody should be seen among those trees, which were before the eyes of all David's army." Houb. The Hebrew might be rendered, _when thou hearest the sound of a moving in the tops,_ &c. Which implies nothing more than a ruling and extraordinary sound among the trees, which was to be the signal for David's attack. REFLECTIONS.—1st, The Philistines, alarmed at David's success, the union of the kingdoms under him, and the friendship of Hiram, thought it high time to fall upon him before he was thoroughly settled in his throne, lest afterwards they should attempt it too l...

_David Against the Philistines_ 2 Samuel 5:17-25 17 But when the Philistines heard that they had anointed David king over Israel, all the Philistines came up to seek David; and David heard _of it,_ and went down to the hold. 18 The Philistines also came and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim. 19 And David inquired of the Lord, saying, Shall I go up to the Philistines? wilt thou deliver them into mine hand? And the Lord said unto David, Go up: for I will doubtless deliver the Philistines into thine hand. 20 And David came to Baal-perazim, and David smote them there, and said, The Lord hath broken forth upon mine enemies before me, as the breach of waters. Therefore he called the name of that place Baal-perazim. 21 And there they left their images, and David and his men burned them. 22 And the Philistines came up yet again, and spread themselves in