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David Defeats the Philistines(A)

17 When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king of Israel, all of them came to attack David. But David heard about it and went to the fortress. 18 The Philistines had come and overrun the valley of Rephaim.

19 David asked the Lord, “Should I attack the Philistines? Will you hand them over to me?”

The Lord answered David, “Attack! I will certainly hand the Philistines over to you.”

20 So David went to Baal Perazim and defeated the Philistines there. He said, “The Lord has overwhelmed my enemies in front of me like an overwhelming flood.” That is why that place is called Baal Perazim [The Lord Overwhelms]. 21 The Philistines left their idols there, so David and his men carried the idols away.

22 The Philistines again attacked and overran the valley of Rephaim. 23 David asked the Lord, and he answered, “Don’t attack now, but circle around behind them, and come at them in front of the balsam trees. 24 When you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, act immediately because the Lord has gone ahead of you to defeat the Philistine army.” 25 David did as the Lord ordered him and defeated the Philistines from Geba to Gezer.

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David Defeats the Philistines(A)

17 When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over Israel, they went up in full force to search for him, but David heard about it and went down to the stronghold.(B) 18 Now the Philistines had come and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim;(C) 19 so David inquired(D) of the Lord, “Shall I go and attack the Philistines? Will you deliver them into my hands?”

The Lord answered him, “Go, for I will surely deliver the Philistines into your hands.”

20 So David went to Baal Perazim, and there he defeated them. He said, “As waters break out, the Lord has broken out against my enemies before me.” So that place was called Baal Perazim.[a](E) 21 The Philistines abandoned their idols there, and David and his men carried them off.(F)

22 Once more the Philistines came up and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim; 23 so David inquired of the Lord, and he answered, “Do not go straight up, but circle around behind them and attack them in front of the poplar trees. 24 As soon as you hear the sound(G) of marching in the tops of the poplar trees, move quickly, because that will mean the Lord has gone out in front(H) of you to strike the Philistine army.” 25 So David did as the Lord commanded him, and he struck down the Philistines(I) all the way from Gibeon[b](J) to Gezer.(K)

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Footnotes

  1. 2 Samuel 5:20 Baal Perazim means the lord who breaks out.
  2. 2 Samuel 5:25 Septuagint (see also 1 Chron. 14:16); Hebrew Geba