2 Samuel 5:17-25

17 When the Philistines heard that David had been made king over Israel, all the Philistines went to look for him. But when David heard the news, he went down to the stronghold.

18 The Philistines came and camped in the Valley of Rephaim.

19 David asked the Lord, "Should I attack the Philistines? Will you hand them over to me?" The Lord said to David, "Go! I will certainly hand them over to you."

20 So David went to Baal Perazim and defeated the Philistines there. David said, "Like a flood of water, the Lord has broken through my enemies in front of me." So David named the place Baal Perazim.

21 The Philistines left their idols behind at Baal Perazim, so David and his men carried them away.

22 Once again the Philistines came and camped at the Valley of Rephaim.

23 When David prayed to the Lord, he answered, "Don't attack the Philistines from the front. Instead, go around and attack them in front of the balsam trees.

24 When you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, act quickly. I, the Lord, will have gone ahead of you to defeat the Philistine army."

25 So David did what the Lord commanded. He defeated the Philistines and chased them all the way from Gibeon to Gezer.

2 Samuel 5:17-25 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO SECOND SAMUEL 5

In this chapter we have an account of all the tribes of Israel coming to Hebron, and anointing David king over them, 2Sa 5:1-5; of his expedition against the Jebusites in Jerusalem, and taking from them the strong hold of Zion, 2Sa 5:6-10; of his building an house for himself, and of his building up his family, by taking more wives and concubines, and having more children, whose names are given, 2Sa 5:11-16; and of an invasion of the land by the Philistines, and David's victory over them, 2Sa 5:17-25.