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2 Samuel 5:18-25
The Philistines also came and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim…

2 Samuel 8:1,2,13,14
And after this it came to pass, that David smote the Philistines, and subdued them: and David took Methegammah out of the hand of the Philistines…

2 Samuel 10:14
And when the children of Ammon saw that the Syrians were fled, then fled they also before Abishai, and entered into the city. So Joab returned from the children of Ammon, and came to Jerusalem.

I did not turn back until they were consumed.
This phrase emphasizes David's perseverance and complete victory over his adversaries. It highlights the thoroughness of his campaigns, ensuring that the threat was entirely eliminated. Historically, this reflects the ancient Near Eastern practice of total warfare, where victory was not just about winning battles but ensuring the enemy could not rise again. Spiritually, it can be seen as an encouragement for believers to persist in their faith and not retreat in the face of spiritual battles. The concept of not turning back is echoed in the New Testament, where believers are encouraged to press on toward the goal (Philippians 3:14) and to stand firm in the faith (1 Corinthians 16:13). This perseverance is ultimately fulfilled in Christ, who did not turn back from His mission to redeem humanity, culminating in His declaration on the cross, "It is finished" (John 19:30).

– David’s language is active, intentional, and personal. The king does not wait for opposition to fade; he goes after it.

– Cross references reinforce this God–given boldness:Joshua 10:19 “pursue your enemies and attack them from the rear,” and1 Samuel 17:48 where David “ran quickly toward the battle line to meet the Philistine.”

– The pursuit rests on God’s promise of victory (2 Samuel 22:2-3), not on self-reliance. David’s confidence flows from knowing the LORD “trains my hands for battle” (v. 35).

– “Destroyed” signals decisive triumph, not a partial win. The phrase echoesDeuteronomy 20:4, “the LORD your God… to give you victory.”

– David is describing military success granted by God, yet it foreshadows spiritual warfare for believers today (Ephesians 6:10-13). We fight with truth, righteousness, and faith until evil strongholds fall.

– Modern application: persistent obedience—under God’s authority—breaks chains of sin and falsehood.

– Perseverance marks true faith. David refuses to retreat mid-battle, mirroringJoshua 1:7 “Do not turn from it to the right or to the left.”

– The king’s endurance modelsHebrews 10:39, “we are not of those who shrink back.”

– Practical take-away: finish what God assigns—parenting, ministry, repentance—without quitting when resistance intensifies.

– “Consumed” communicates completion; there is nothing left of the threat.Psalm 18:37-38 (the parallel song) repeats the line, underscoring totality.

– God’s justice is thorough: evil cannot coexist indefinitely with His kingdom (Revelation 19:20-21).

– For the believer, Christ’s victory at the cross has already “disarmed the powers and authorities” (Colossians 2:15). We live out that finished work while awaiting its visible culmination.

David testifies that, by God’s empowering, he chased, struck down, persevered, and eradicated his foes. The verse illustrates courageous pursuit, decisive action, unwavering endurance, and complete victory—all grounded in the LORD’s faithfulness. It invites us to trust the same God for strength to confront sin and opposition until His triumph is fully displayed in our lives.

"I have pursued my enemies and destroyed them;
Neither did I turn again until I had consumed them.
And I have consumed them, and smitten them through, and they arose not;
Yea, they fell under my feet.
For thou hast girded me with strength unto the battle;
Thou hast made them that rose against me to bow under me." In the Psalms, fordestroyed we find "overtaken," and the second "I have consumed them" is omitted. This exultation of David at the result of his wars is in accordance with the harsh treatment inflicted by him upon the vanquished. His enemies were God's enemies, whom he must consume. The "new commandment" of Christianity forbids and condemns this delight in conquest. Vers. 41-43. -

"And mine enemies thou hast made to turn upon me their back,
Even those that hate me; and have utterly destroyed them.
They looked, but there was none to save,
Even to Jehovah, but he answered them not.
And I beat them small as the dust of the earth;
As the mire of the streets I stamped upon them, I trode them down."Those that hate me. The sentence is to be completed from the previous clause, "my haters" and "my enemies" being equivalent. There are several small variations between the text here and inPsalm 18, such as "they cried" for they looked; and "I emptied them out" for I stamped upon them, the difference in both cases consisting in a single letter.

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