17 When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over Israel,(A) they all went in search of David, but he heard about it and went down to the stronghold.(B) 18 So the Philistines came and spread out in Rephaim Valley.

19 Then David inquired of the Lord:(C) “Should I attack the Philistines? Will you hand them over to me?”

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

20 So David went to Baal-perazim and defeated them there and said, “Like a bursting flood, the Lord has burst out against my enemies before me.”(D) Therefore, he named that place The Lord Bursts Out.[a] 21 The Philistines abandoned their idols there, and David and his men carried them off.

22 The Philistines came up again and spread out in Rephaim Valley. 23 So David inquired of the Lord, and he answered, “Do not attack directly, but circle around behind them and come at them opposite the balsam trees. 24 When you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, act decisively, for then the Lord will have gone out ahead of you to strike down the army of the Philistines.”(E) 25 So David did exactly as the Lord commanded him, and he struck down the Philistines all the way from Geba to Gezer.

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Footnotes

  1. 5:20 Or Baal-perazim; 2Sm 6:8; 1Ch 13:11

Conflict with the Philistines

17 When the Philistines heard that David had been designated[a] king over Israel, they all[b] went up to search for David. When David heard about it, he went down to the fortress. 18 Now the Philistines had arrived and spread out in the valley of Rephaim. 19 So David asked the Lord, “Should I march up against the Philistines? Will you hand them over to me?” The Lord said to David, “March up, for I will indeed[c] hand the Philistines over to you.”

20 So David marched against Baal Perazim and defeated them there. Then he said, “The Lord has burst out against my enemies like water bursts out.” So he called the name of that place Baal Perazim.[d] 21 The Philistines[e] abandoned their idols[f] there, and David and his men picked them up.

22 The Philistines again came up and spread out in the valley of Rephaim. 23 So David asked the Lord what he should do.[g] This time[h] the Lord[i] said to him, “Don’t march straight up. Instead, circle around behind them and come against them opposite the trees.[j] 24 When you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the trees, act decisively. For at that moment the Lord is going before you to strike down the army[k] of the Philistines.” 25 David did just as the Lord commanded him, and he struck down the Philistines from Gibeon all the way to Gezer.[l]

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Footnotes

  1. 2 Samuel 5:17 tn Heb “anointed.”
  2. 2 Samuel 5:17 tn Heb “all the Philistines.”
  3. 2 Samuel 5:19 tn The infinitive absolute lends emphasis to the following verb.
  4. 2 Samuel 5:20 tn The name means “Lord of the outbursts.”
  5. 2 Samuel 5:21 tn Heb “they”; the referent (the Philistines) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
  6. 2 Samuel 5:21 tc For “idols” the LXX and Vulgate have “gods.”
  7. 2 Samuel 5:23 tn The words “what to do” are not in the Hebrew text.
  8. 2 Samuel 5:23 tn The words “this time” are not in the Hebrew text.
  9. 2 Samuel 5:23 tn Heb “he”; the referent (the Lord) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
  10. 2 Samuel 5:23 tn Some translate as “balsam trees” (cf. NASB, NIV, NRSV, NJB, NLT); cf. KJV, NKJV, ASV “mulberry trees”; NAB “mastic trees”; NEB, REB “aspens.” The exact identification of the type of tree or plant is uncertain.
  11. 2 Samuel 5:24 tn Heb “camp” (so NAB).
  12. 2 Samuel 5:25 tn Heb “from Gibeon until you enter Gezer.”