War with the Philistines

17 Now when the Philistines heard that they had anointed David king over Israel, (A)all the Philistines went up to seek out David; and when David heard about it, he went down to the (B)stronghold. 18 Now the Philistines came and overran (C)the Valley of Rephaim. 19 So (D)David inquired of the Lord, saying, “Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will You hand them over to me?” And (E)the Lord said to David, “Go up, for I will certainly hand the Philistines over to you.” 20 Then David came to (F)Baal-perazim and [a]defeated them there; and he said, “The Lord has broken through my enemies before me like the breakthrough of waters.” Therefore he named that place [b]Baal-perazim. 21 And the Philistines abandoned their idols there, so (G)David and his men carried them away.

22 Now (H)the Philistines came up once again and overran the Valley of Rephaim. 23 So (I)David inquired of the Lord, but He said, “You shall not go directly up; circle around behind them and come at them in front of the baka-shrubs. 24 And it shall be, when (J)you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the baka-shrubs, then you shall [c]act promptly, for then (K)the Lord will have gone out before you to strike the army of the Philistines.” 25 Then David did so, just as the Lord had commanded him; he struck and killed the Philistines from [d](L)Geba [e]as far as (M)Gezer.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 2 Samuel 5:20 Lit David struck
  2. 2 Samuel 5:20 I.e., the master of breakthroughs
  3. 2 Samuel 5:24 Or pay attention
  4. 2 Samuel 5:25 In 1 Chr 14:16, Gibeon
  5. 2 Samuel 5:25 Lit until you come to

Bible Gateway Recommends