2 Samuel 5:21 Meaning and Explanation
“And there they left their images, and David and his men burned them.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The fleeing Philistines abandon their idols, and David and his men burn them.
What Does 2 Samuel 5:21 Mean?
In their panic the Philistines flee the field and leave behind the images of their gods, which they had likely carried to battle for protection. David and his men gather these idols and burn them.
The carved gods that could not save their worshipers are reduced to ashes, a vivid proof of their emptiness against the living LORD. David obeys the command to destroy such things rather than keep them as plunder. The scene declares a truth the whole of Scripture proclaims: idols are powerless, and every false thing in which people place their trust will perish, while the God who truly delivers endures forever.
2 Samuel 5:21 in the Original Language
atsav (עָצָב), 'images' -- carved idols; lifeless figures that could not save those who made them.
Frequently Asked Questions About 2 Samuel 5:21
What does 2 Samuel 5:21 mean?
The fleeing Philistines abandon their idols, and David and his men burn them.