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2 Samuel 5:21

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does 2 Samuel 5:21 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And they left their images there; and David and his men took them away.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And they left their images there; and David and his men took them away.
2 Samuel 5:21 — American Standard Version

Context — 2 Samuel 5

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
18Now the Philistines had come and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim.
19And David inquired of Jehovah, saying, Shall I go up against the Philistines? wilt thou deliver them into my hand? And Jehovah said unto David, Go up; for I will certainly deliver the Philistines into thy hand.
20And David came to Baal-perazim, and David smote them there; and he said, Jehovah hath broken mine enemies before me, like the breach of waters. Therefore he called the name of that place Baal-perazim.
21And they left their images there; and David and his men took them away.
22And the Philistines came up yet again, and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim.
23And when David inquired of Jehovah, he said, Thou shalt not go up: make a circuit behind them, and come upon them over against the mulberry-trees.
24And it shall be, when thou hearest the sound of marching in the tops of the mulberry-trees, that then thou shalt bestir thyself; for then is Jehovah gone out before thee to smite the host of the Philistines.
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And they left their images, etc.] 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, (<090403>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 f99: and David and his men burnt them: that is, his men burnt them at his command, (<131412>1 Chronicles 14:12); agreeably to the law of God, that so no profit might be made of them, (<050705>Deuteronomy 7:5); the Septuagint and Vulgate Latin versions, and others, render it, “and took them”, or “carried them…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“there they left their images--probably their "lares" or household deities, which they had brought into the field to fight for them. They were burnt as ordained by law (Deu 7:5).”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“And there they left their images - An indication of the precipitancy of their flight, and the suddenness with which the Israelites burst upon them like a “breach of waters.” The King James Version rendering “Burned them,” does not give a translation (compare the margin), but a gloss, warranted by the explanation given in marginal references return to 'Top of Page'”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Images - When the ark fell into the hand of the Philistines, it consumed them: but when these images fell into the hands of Israel, they could not save themselves from being consumed. 2 Kings (2 Samuel) 5:22”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“5:21 David . . . confiscated them: David’s confiscation of the Philistines’ idols was payback for their capture of the Ark during Eli’s time (1 Sam 4:1b-11). David burned the idols rather than carrying them off as trophies (1 Chr 14:12).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“David: Deu 7:5, Deu 7:25; Sa1 5:2-6; Ch1 14:11, Ch1 14:12; Isa 37:19 burned them: or, took them away, Isa 46:1, Isa 46:2; Jer 43:12 2 Kings (2 Samuel) 5:22”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification