2 Samuel 5:17-25

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 2 Samuel 5:9. But as David "went down" to it, and "went up" from it into the valley of Rephaim (2 Samuel 5:19), it cannot here mean the citadel of Zion. Most probably David wished to drive the Philistines back, and prevent them from plundering his country, and marched down with his forces to his old post at Adullam. The term "stronghold" is used of Adullam in ch. 2 Samuel 23:14, and the incident there related may have happened in this war. It was a strong position in the valley of Elah, one of the most likely routes for an invading army from Philistia to take. See notes on 1 Samuel 17:1; 1 Samuel 22:1. This view agrees with the general statement in 1 Chron. that "he went out against them."