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2 Samuel 5:24

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does 2 Samuel 5:24 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And 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.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And 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.
2 Samuel 5:24 — American Standard Version

Context — 2 Samuel 5

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
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.
25And David did so, as Jehovah commanded him, and smote the Philistines from Geba until thou come to Gezer.
← 2 Samuel 5:232 Samuel 5:25 →
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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 let it be, when thou hearest the sound of a going in the tops of the mulberry trees, etc.] 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 (<131415>1 Chronicles 14:15). These trees being in Judea account for silk there, (<261610>Ezekiel 16:10); though some think time was not known so early; others suppose it was, and to be the Hebrew byssus mentioned by…”
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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
“the sound of a going in the tops of the mulberry trees--now generally thought not to be mulberry trees, but some other tree, most probably the poplar, which delights in moist situations, and the leaves of which are rustled by the slightest movement of the air [ROYLE]. Next: 2 Samuel Chapter 6”
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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
“The sound - A noise as it were of persons walking upon the tops of them, which I shall cause; and by this sign, both thou shalt he assured that I am coming to help thee; and the Philistines shall be affrighted, and not perceive the noise of thy army, until thou art upon them. Bestir - Fall upon them. Next: 2 Kings (2 Samuel) Chapter 6”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“sound: Kg2 7:6 thou shalt bestir: Jdg 4:14, Jdg 7:15; Sa1 14:9-12; Ch1 14:15; Phi 2:11, Phi 2:12 2 Kings (2 Samuel) 5:25”
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Related study paths

Read 2 Samuel 5 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification