2 Samuel 5:19 Meaning and Explanation
“And David enquired 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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →David asks the LORD whether to attack, and receives the promise that the Philistines will be given into his hand.
What Does 2 Samuel 5:19 Mean?
Facing the massed Philistines, David does not trust his own judgment or his proven skill in war. He inquires of the LORD, asking plainly whether he should attack and whether God will grant the victory. The answer comes with certainty: go up, for the enemy will surely be delivered into his hand.
Here is the secret of David's strength. He seeks God's counsel before he draws his sword and acts only on the LORD's word. The promise is sure not because David is mighty but because God has spoken. To inquire of the Lord first, and to move forward on His assurance, is the pattern of a life that walks by faith rather than by sight.
2 Samuel 5:19 in the Original Language
sha'al (שָׁאַל), 'enquired' -- to ask, to seek counsel; David asked of the LORD before acting.
Frequently Asked Questions About 2 Samuel 5:19
What does 2 Samuel 5:19 mean?
David asks the LORD whether to attack, and receives the promise that the Philistines will be given into his hand.