2 Samuel 5:23

And when David went for directions to the Lord, he said, You are not to go up against them in front; but make a circle round them from the back and come on them opposite the spice-trees.

Bible in Basic English

In The King James Version

And when David enquired of the LORD, he said, Thou shalt not go up; but fetch a compass behind them, and come upon them over against the mulberry trees.

In Context

22And the Philistines came up again, and went in every direction in the valley of Rephaim.

24Then at the sound of footsteps in the tops of the trees, go forward quickly, for the Lord has gone out before you to overcome the army of the Philistines.

Read all of 2 Samuel 5

Cross References

Joshua 8:2And you are to do to Ai and its king as you did to Jericho and its king: but their goods and their cattle you may take for yourselves: let a secret force be stationed to make a surprise attack on the town from the back.

2 Samuel 2:1Now after this, David, questioning the Lord, said, Am I to go up into any of the towns of Judah? And the Lord said to him, Go up. And David said, Where am I to go? And he said, To Hebron.

Matthew 8:23And when he had got into a boat, his disciples went after him.

John 9:6Having said these words, he put earth, mixed with water from his mouth, on the man's eyes,

Matthew Henry on 2 Samuel 5:18-25

David Defeats the Philistines. ( b. c. 1046.) 17 But when the Philistines heard that they had anointed David king over Israel, all the Philistines came up to seek David; and David heard of it, and went down to the hold. 18 The Philistines also came and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim. 19 And David enquired of the Lord , saying, Shall I go up to the Philistines? wilt thou deliver them into mine hand? And the Lord said unto David, Go up: for I will doubtless deliver the Philistines into thine hand. 20 And… Read the whole commentary →

This Verse In Other Editions

Study 2 Samuel 5:23