John Gill Commentary 2 Samuel 5:21

"And they left their images there; and David and his men took them away." — 2 Samuel 5:21 (ASV)

And they left their images
Their idol gods, which they brought with them to protect and defend them, and give them success; perhaps in imitation of the Israelites, who formerly brought the ark of God into their camp against the Philistines, (1 Samuel 4:3–6) ; and it appears to have been the custom of other countries, in later times, to bring their gods with them to battle ^F24 :

and David and his men burnt them :
that is, his men burnt them at his command, (1 Chronicles 14:12) ; agreeably to the law of God, that so no profit might be made of them, (Deuteronomy 7:5) ; the Septuagint and Vulgate Latin versions, and others, render it, "and took them", or "carried them away" ^F25 ; as they might do, and, after they had exposed them in triumph, then burnt them.

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FOOTNOTES:

• F24: "Omnigenumque Deum" Virgil. Aeneid. l. 8.
• F25: (Mavyw) (kai elabosan autouv) , Sept. "tulit", V. L. Tigurine version, Montanus; "sustulit", Junius & Tremellius, Piscator.