Philistines Defeated

When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over all Israel, all the Philistines went up in search of David; and David heard about it and went out against them. Now the Philistines had come and (A)carried out a raid in the Valley of Rephaim. 10 David inquired of God, saying, “Shall I go up against the Philistines? And will You hand them over to me?” Then the Lord said to him, “Go up, for I will hand them over to you.” 11 So they came up to Baal-perazim, and David [a]defeated them there; and David said, “God has broken through my enemies by my hand, like the breakthrough of waters.” Therefore they named that place [b]Baal-perazim. 12 They abandoned their gods there; so David gave the order and they were burned with fire.

13 The Philistines carried out (B)yet another raid in the valley. 14 David inquired again of God, and God said to him, “You shall not go up after them; circle around [c]behind them and come at them in front of the baka-shrubs. 15 When you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the baka-shrubs, then you shall go out to battle, for God will have gone out before you to strike the army of the Philistines.” 16 David did just as God had commanded him, and they defeated the army of the Philistines from [d]Gibeon even as far as Gezer. 17 Then the fame of David spread in all the lands; and (C)the Lord brought the fear of him on all the nations.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 1 Chronicles 14:11 Lit struck
  2. 1 Chronicles 14:11 I.e., the master of breakthroughs
  3. 1 Chronicles 14:14 Lit from upon
  4. 1 Chronicles 14:16 In 2 Sam 5:25, Geba

David defeats the Philistines

When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over all Israel, they all marched up to find him. David heard this and went out to confront them. The Philistines had invaded and were plundering the Rephaim Valley. 10 David asked God for advice: “Should I attack the Philistines, and will you hand them over to me?”

The Lord answered, “Attack them, and I’ll definitely hand them over to you.”

11 So they marched up to Baal-perazim, and David defeated them there. “By my strength,” David exclaimed, “God has burst out against my enemies, the way water bursts out.” That’s why the place is called Baal-perazim.[a] 12 The Philistines left their divine images behind, and David ordered them burned.

13 When the Philistines plundered the valley a second time, 14 David again asked God’s advice, but God answered, “Don’t attack them directly. Circle around behind them and come at them from in front of the balsam trees. 15 As soon as you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the trees, then attack, for God has attacked in front of you to defeat the Philistine army.” 16 David followed God’s orders exactly, and they defeated the Philistine army from Gibeon all the way to Gezer. 17 David’s fame spread throughout all lands, and the Lord made all the nations fear him.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 1 Chronicles 14:11 Or master of outbursts