2 Samuel 5:17-25

Revised Standard Version

Philistine Attack Repulsed

¹⁷ When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over Israel, all the Philistines went up in search of David; but David heard of it and went down to the stronghold. ¹⁸ Now the Philistines had come and spread out in the valley of Reph′aim. ¹⁹ And David inquired of the Lord, “Shall I go up against the Philistines? Wilt thou 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 Ba′al-pera′zim, and David defeated them there; and he said, “The Lord has broken through^[a] my enemies before me, like a bursting flood.” Therefore the name of that place is called Ba′al-pera′zim.^{[b] 21} And the Philistines left their idols there, and David and his men carried them away.

²² And the Philistines came up yet again, and spread out in the valley of Reph′aim. ²³ And when David inquired of the Lord, he said, “You shall not go up; go around to their rear, and come upon them opposite the balsam trees. ²⁴ And when you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, then bestir yourself; for then the Lord has gone out before you to smite the army of the Philistines.” ²⁵ And David did as the Lord commanded him, and smote the Philistines from Geba to Gezer.