Bible Strands
2 Samuel 21:15
Once again the Philistines waged war against Israel, and David and his servants went down and fought against the Philistines. But David became exhausted.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The narrative voice describes a military campaign in the land of Israel immediately following the burial of Saul and Jonathan at Zela and the subsequent divine response for the territory.
The words — עוֹד (ʿōd) means "again," and מִלְחָמָה (milḥāmâ) means "war," framing the recurrence of Philistine aggression after a brief period of peace.
The thread — The repeated Philistine incursion pattern continues the campaigns detailed in 2 Samuel 5:17 and 2 Samuel 5:22, while the theme of sustained endurance under pressure parallels the longevity motif in Joshua 14:10.
Why it lands — The text records David's physical depletion as a factual pivot point, demonstrating that even a divinely anointed leader experiences human limitation before the next threat emerges.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
Moreover the Philistines had yet war again with Israel; and David went down, and his servants with him, and fought against the Philistines: and David waxed faint.
Cross-references
- Joshua 14:10 Now behold, as the LORD promised, He has kept me alive these forty-five years since He spoke this word to Moses, while Israel wandered in the wilderness. So here I am today, eighty-five years old,
- 2 Samuel 5:17 When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over Israel, they all went in search of him; but David learned of this and went down to the stronghold.
- 2 Samuel 5:22 Once again the Philistines came up and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim.
- 2 Samuel 5:25 So David did as the LORD had commanded him, and he struck down the Philistines all the way from Gibeon to Gezer.
- Psalms 71:9 Do not discard me in my old age; do not forsake me when my strength fails.
- Ecclesiastes 12:3 on the day the keepers of the house tremble and the strong men stoop, when those grinding cease because they are few and those watching through windows see dimly,
- 1 Chronicles 20:4 Some time later, war broke out with the Philistines at Gezer. At that time Sibbecai the Hushathite killed Sippai, a descendant of the Rephaim, and the Philistines were subdued.
- Psalms 71:18 Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, O God, until I proclaim Your power to the next generation, Your might to all who are to come.
- Psalms 73:26 My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
- Isaiah 40:28 Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary; His understanding is beyond searching out.