II. — DAVID’S TWO VICTORIES OVER THE PHILIS TINES
(1 Chronicles 14:8-16; 2 Samuel 5:17-25).
Although placed here after the account of the palace building, this invasion must have occurred earlier in the reign of David, and probably soon after the storming of Jerusalem, a proof of capacity, which would rouse the Philistines to combined action against the new sovereign of Israel. (Comp. 1 Samuel 13)
(8) David was anointed. — Samuel, “they had anointed David.” The verb in each case is mashah, from which is derived Mashȋah=Messiah.
Over all Israel. — The word “all,” omitted in Samuel, contrasts David’s second election with his first as king of Judah only.
To seek David. — With hostile intent. The verb is so used in 1 Samuel 26:2.
Went out against them. — Literally, before them (1 Chronicles 12:17). Samuel has, “went down to the stronghold.” The term “stronghold” (měçûdâh) designates the “castle of Zion” (1 Chronicles 11:5; 1 Chronicles 11:7), and also David’s old refuge, the rock and cave of Adullam, in the valley of Elah. The latter is probably intended here. As on former occasions, the Philistine forces were likely to choose the route through the valley of Elah (coınp. 1 Samuel 18:1-2), and David “went down” from Zion “to meet them” there.