2 Samuel 5:17-25

Modern English Version

David Defeats the Philistines^(A)

¹⁷ When the Philistines heard that they had anointed David king over Israel, all of the Philistines went up to search for David, but David heard about this and went down to the stronghold. ¹⁸ Now the Philistines had come and were spread out in the Valley of Rephaim. ¹⁹ So David asked the Lord, “Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will You give them into my hand?”

The Lord said to David, “Go up, because I will certainly give them into your hand.”

²⁰ So David came to Baal Perazim, and David defeated them there. He said, “The Lord has breached my enemies before me like bursting tides.” Therefore, he named that place Baal Perazim. ²¹ The Philistines abandoned their idols there, and David and his men carried them away.

²² Once again, the Philistines went up and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim. ²³ When David inquired of the Lord, He said, “You shall not go up. Circle around behind them and come against them opposite the trees. ²⁴ When you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the trees, pay attention, because at that point the Lord is going before you to defeat the army of the Philistines.” ²⁵ So David did just as the Lord commanded, and he defeated the Philistines from Geba as far as Gezer.