2 Samuel 5:23

23 When David consulted ADONAI, he said, "Don't attack! Circle behind them, and engage them opposite the balsam trees.

2 Samuel 5:23 Meaning and Commentary

2 Samuel 5:23

And when David inquired of the Lord
For though he had success before, and got the victory, he would not engage again with them without having the mind and will of God, on whom he knew victory alone depended:

he said, thou shalt not go up;
that is, directly, and in a straight line:

[but] fetch a compass behind them;
and get to the rear of them, instead of falling upon them in the front:

and come upon them over against the mulberry trees:
which grew in the valley of Rephaim, and near where the Philistines had pitched.

2 Samuel 5:23 In-Context

21 The P'lishtim had left their idols there, so David and his men took them away.

22 The P'lishtim came up again and deployed in the Refa'im Valley.

23 When David consulted ADONAI, he said, "Don't attack! Circle behind them, and engage them opposite the balsam trees.

24 When you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, advance; because then ADONAI has gone out ahead of you to defeat the army of the P'lishtim."

25 David did exactly as ADONAI had ordered him to do and pursued his attack on the P'lishtim from Geva all the way to Gezer.