Bible Strands
2 Samuel 23:14
At that time David was in the stronghold, and the garrison of the Philistines was at Bethlehem.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The text places David in a fortified stronghold while a Philistine military garrison occupies Bethlehem during the harvest season. This geographical and military positioning establishes the immediate physical context before the narrative shifts to David’s subsequent request.
The words — The Hebrew מְצוּדָה (meṣûḏâ) denotes a fortified stronghold or citadel, while מַצָּב (maṣṣāḇ) refers to a stationed military garrison. These terms define the opposing territorial control that frames the scene.
The thread — The narrative echoes earlier accounts of David’s refuge in a stronghold (1 Samuel 22:4) and recurring Philistine military outposts in the region (1 Samuel 10:5; 1 Samuel 13:4). The immediate context links this location to the Philistine encampment in the Valley of Rephaim and the nearby well of Bethlehem.
Why it lands — The passage requires the reader to acknowledge the concrete danger and enemy occupation that precede David’s longing for water. It establishes the physical reality that makes his subsequent request both logistically impossible and politically significant.
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
And David was then in an hold, and the garrison of the Philistines was then in Beth–lehem.
Cross-references
- 1 Samuel 22:4 So he left them in the care of the king of Moab, and they stayed with him the whole time David was in the stronghold.
- 1 Samuel 10:5 After that you will come to Gibeah of God, where the Philistines have an outpost. As you approach the city, you will meet a group of prophets coming down from the high place, preceded by harps, tambourines, flutes, and lyres, and they will be prophesying.
- 1 Samuel 13:4 And all Israel heard the news: “Saul has attacked an outpost of the Philistines, and now Israel has become a stench to the Philistines!” Then the people were summoned to join Saul at Gilgal.
- 1 Samuel 13:23 And a garrison of the Philistines had gone out to the pass at Michmash.
- 1 Samuel 14:6 Jonathan said to the young man bearing his armor, “Come, let us cross over to the outpost of these uncircumcised men. Perhaps the LORD will work on our behalf. Nothing can hinder the LORD from saving, whether by many or by few.”
- 1 Samuel 22:1 So David left Gath and took refuge in the cave of Adullam. When his brothers and the rest of his father’s household heard about it, they went down to him there.
- 1 Samuel 24:22 So David gave his oath to Saul. Then Saul returned home, but David and his men went up to the stronghold.
- 1 Chronicles 12:16 Other Benjamites and some men from Judah also came to David in his stronghold.