DAVID DEFEATS THE PHILISTINES
Key verse: 19
NIV
David Defeats the Philistines(A)
17 When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over Israel, they went up in full force to search for him, but David heard about it and went down to the stronghold.(B) 18 Now the Philistines had come and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim;(C) 19 so David inquired(D) of the Lord, “Shall I go and attack the Philistines? Will you deliver them into my hands?”
The Lord answered him, “Go, for I will surely deliver the Philistines into your hands.”
20 So David went to Baal Perazim, and there he defeated them. He said, “As waters break out, the Lord has broken out against my enemies before me.” So that place was called Baal Perazim.[a](E) 21 The Philistines abandoned their idols there, and David and his men carried them off.(F)
22 Once more the Philistines came up and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim; 23 so David inquired of the Lord, and he answered, “Do not go straight up, but circle around behind them and attack them in front of the poplar trees. 24 As soon as you hear the sound(G) of marching in the tops of the poplar trees, move quickly, because that will mean the Lord has gone out in front(H) of you to strike the Philistine army.” 25 So David did as the Lord commanded him, and he struck down the Philistines(I) all the way from Gibeon[b](J) to Gezer.(K)
Footnotes
- 2 Samuel 5:20 Baal Perazim means the lord who breaks out.
- 2 Samuel 5:25 Septuagint (see also 1 Chron. 14:16); Hebrew Geba
Cross references
- 2 Samuel 5:17 : 5:17-25pp — 1Ch 14:8-17
- 2 Samuel 5:17 : 2Sa 23:14; 1Ch 11:16
- 2 Samuel 5:18 : S Jos 15:8; S 17:15
- 2 Samuel 5:19 : S Jdg 18:5; S 1Sa 23:2
- 2 Samuel 5:20 : S Ge 38:29
- 2 Samuel 5:21 : Dt 7:5; Isa 46:2
- 2 Samuel 5:24 : S Ex 14:24
- 2 Samuel 5:24 : Jdg 4:14
- 2 Samuel 5:25 : 2Sa 8:12; 21:15
- 2 Samuel 5:25 : Isa 28:21
- 2 Samuel 5:25 : S Jos 10:33
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway
ESV
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 (A)to the stronghold. 18 Now the Philistines had come and spread out in (B)the Valley of Rephaim. 19 And David (C)inquired 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.” (D)Therefore 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 (E)and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim. 23 (F)And 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 (G)when you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, then rouse yourself, (H)for 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 (I)to Gezer.
Read full chapterFootnotes
- 2 Samuel 5:20 Baal-perazim means Lord of breaking through
Cross references
- 2 Samuel 5:17 : ch. 23:14; 1 Sam. 22:4, 5
- 2 Samuel 5:18 : ver. 22; ch. 23:13; Josh. 15:8; 18:16; [Josh. 17:15]
- 2 Samuel 5:19 : See ch. 2:1
- 2 Samuel 5:20 : Isa. 28:21
- 2 Samuel 5:22 : ver. 18
- 2 Samuel 5:23 : See 1 Sam. 22:10
- 2 Samuel 5:24 : [2 Kgs. 7:6]
- 2 Samuel 5:24 : [Judg. 4:14]
- 2 Samuel 5:25 : Josh. 10:33
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway
King David was the mortal enemy of the Philistines. The last thing in the world they wanted was for David to be king over all Israel! So, they came in full force against David in the Valley of Rephaim. Then David inquired of the Lord as to whether he should go up against them. The Lord said yes, and he gave David victory over the Philistines. David recognized the Lord’s work and that his victory was only because “the Lord has broken out against his enemies before me.”
The Philistine army made one more attempt to defeat David in the Valley of Rephaim. Again, David sought the Lord and followed the Lord’s instruction. Because he did this, the Lord gave him victory once again. David defeated the Philistines from Gibeon all the way to Gezer. When we humble ourselves to the Lord and follow his words, he gives us victory.
Prayer: Father, help us that we may depend, not on ourselves, but on you alone, for victory over our enemies, no matter who or what those enemies are.
One Word: The victory belongs to the Lord.
