The Meaning of 2 Samuel 23:14 Explained

2 Samuel 23:14

KJV: And David was then in an hold, and the garrison of the Philistines was then in Bethlehem.

YLT: and David is then in a fortress, and the station of the Philistines is then in Beth-Lehem,

Darby: And David was then in the stronghold; and the Philistines' garrison was then at Bethlehem.

ASV: And David was then in the stronghold; and the garrison of the Philistines was then in Beth-lehem.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

And David  [was] then in an hold,  and the garrison  of the Philistines  [was] then [in] Bethlehem. 

What does 2 Samuel 23:14 Mean?

Context Summary

2 Samuel 23:8-17 - David's Mighty Men
David's yearning for the water of the well of Bethlehem was very natural. He could almost see the ancient well-head, where as a lad he had gone with his mother to draw water. In the scorching heat that beat down on the hillside that sultry afternoon, nothing seemed so desirable as a draught from those cool depths. So does the exile yearn for home, and the backslider for his early blessedness. But, thank God, we cannot wish for the Water of Life-if we wish with all our heart-without having it. To wish is to enjoy. Our Mighty Savior has broken through the Philistines, and has won for us access to the springs of eternal blessedness.
It was very noble of David to refuse to drink that which had been obtained at such cost. Self-control and thoughtfulness for others are graces that bind men's hearts to their leaders. Moreover, David's example suggests a quite different call which modern conditions make upon us for the exercise of similar self-control. Should we not refuse to make any use of wine and strong drink which have cost, and are costing, the lives of myriads? God forbid that any of us should enjoy, for our selfish pleasures, the deadliest foe of human happiness, purity and hope. [source]

Chapter Summary: 2 Samuel 23

1  David, in his last words, professes his faith in God's promises
6  The different state of the wicked
8  A catalogue of David's mighty men

What do the individual words in 2 Samuel 23:14 mean?

And David [was] then in the stronghold and the garrison of the Philistines [was] then [in] Bethlehem
וְדָוִ֖ד אָ֣ז בַּמְּצוּדָ֑ה וּמַצַּ֣ב פְּלִשְׁתִּ֔ים אָ֖ז בֵּ֥ית לָֽחֶם

וְדָוִ֖ד  And  David  [was] 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: דָּוִד  
Sense: youngest son of Jesse and second king of Israel.
בַּמְּצוּדָ֑ה  in  the  stronghold 
Parse: Preposition-b, Article, Noun, feminine singular
Root: מְצוּדָה 
Sense: net, prey, net prey.
וּמַצַּ֣ב  and  the  garrison 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: מַצָּב  
Sense: station, garrison, standing-place.
פְּלִשְׁתִּ֔ים  of  the  Philistines 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine plural
Root: פְּלִשְׁתִּי  
Sense: an inhabitant of Philistia; descendants of Mizraim who immigrated from Caphtor (Crete?) to the western seacoast of Canaan.
אָ֖ז  [was]  then 
Parse: Adverb
Root: אָז  
Sense: then, at that time.
לָֽחֶם  Bethlehem 
Parse: Proper Noun, feminine singular
Root: בֵּית לֶחֶם  
Sense: a city in Judah, birthplace of David.