2 Samuel 5:17When the Philistines heard that they had anointed David king over Israel, all the Philistines went up to seek David; and David heard of it, and went down to the stronghold.
The setting
Hebron, Israel, ~1003 BC. David has just been crowned king of all Israel when scouts bring urgent news: the Philistine army is mobilizing against him.
The emotion here: urgent concern while recording historical events
The original word
māʿôz (מָעוֹז) — fortress or stronghold, a place of refuge and defense
Why it matters
The stronghold was likely Adullam, the same cave complex where David hid from Saul
Read with care
What most readers miss in 2 Samuel 5:17
David WENT DOWN to the stronghold — he didn't flee upward but strategically descended to familiar territory
Common misconceptionPeople think David ran away in fear, but he made a strategic military withdrawal to a fortified position where he had advantage.
The thread continues
Verses that echo 2 Samuel 5:17
Bible Genome reading
2 Samuel 5:17 — Bible Genome reading
Emotional genome
2 Samuel 5:17 comes from the book of 2 Samuel, written during the United Kingdom period. These words are attributed to Narrator. The dominant emotion in this verse is anxious, with a comfort power of 20% and a tone that is urgent. It belongs to the narrative genre of biblical literature. Key themes include opposition, conflict. Notable phrases: Philistines heard; went up to seek David.
Emotionally similar
Verses that meet the same anxious
“And no wonder, for even Satan masquerades as an angel of light.”
— 2 Corinthians 11:14
“Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.”
— 2 Timothy 3:12
“The evil spirit answered, "Jesus I know, and Paul I know, but who are you?"”
— Acts 19:15
“I fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to me, 'Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?'”
— Acts 22:7
“When we had all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice saying to me in the Hebrew language, 'Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It is har…”
— Acts 26:14
Your reflection
What does 2 Samuel 5:17 mean to you, today?
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