David defeats the Philistines

⁸ 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. ⁹ 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.