2 Samuel 5:17-25

David Defeats the Philistines

17 When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over Israel, all the Philistines went up to search for David. But David heard of it and went down ¹to the stronghold.

18 Now the Philistines had come and spread out in ²the Valley of Rephaim.

19 And David ³inquired of the Lord, “Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will you give them into my hand? ” And the Lord said to David, “Go up, for I will certainly give the Philistines into your hand. ”

20 And David came to Baal-perazim, and David defeated them there. And he said, “The Lord has broken through my enemies before me like a breaking flood. ” ⁴Therefore the name of that place is called Baal-perazim. ^[a]

21 And the Philistines left their idols there, and David and his men carried them away.

22 And the Philistines came up yet again ⁵and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim.

23 ⁶And when David inquired of the Lord, he said, “You shall not go up; go around to their rear, and come against them opposite the balsam trees.

24 And ⁷when you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, then rouse yourself, ⁸for then the Lord has gone out before you to strike down the army of the Philistines. ”

25 And David did as the Lord commanded him, and struck down the Philistines from Geba ⁹to 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.

Cross References

• 1. 5:17 ch. 23:14; 1 Sam. 22:4, 5
• 2. 5:18 ver. 22; ch. 23:13; Josh. 15:8; 18:16; [Josh. 17:15]
• 3. 5:19 See ch. 2:1
• 4. 5:20 Isa. 28:21
• 5. 5:22 ver. 18
• 6. 5:23 See 1 Sam. 22:10
• 7. 5:24 [2 Kgs. 7:6]
• 8. 5:24 [Judg. 4:14]
• 9. 5:25 Josh. 10:33

Footnotes

• [a] 5:20 'Baal-perazim' means 'lord of bursting through'