2 Samuel 5:23

Then David consulted the Lord, “Shall I ascend against the Philistines, and will you deliver them into my hands?” And he responded: “You shall not ascend against them; instead, circle behind their back. And you shall come to them from the side opposite the balsam trees.

Catholic Public Domain Version

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 continued still, so that they ascended and spread themselves out in the Valley of Rephaim.

24And when you hear the sound of something going forth from the tops of the balsam trees, then you shall begin the battle. For then the Lord will go forth, before your face, so that he may strike the army of the Philistines.”

Read all of 2 Samuel 5

Cross References

Joshua 8:2And you shall do to the city of Ai, and to its king, just as you did to Jericho, and to its king. Yet truly, the spoils, and all the living things, you shall plunder for yourselves. Set an ambush against the city behind it.”

2 Samuel 2:1And so, after these things, David consulted the Lord, saying, “Shall I ascend to one of the cities of Judah?” And the Lord said to him, “Ascend.” And David said, “To where shall I ascend?” And he responded to him, “To Hebron.”

Matthew 8:23And climbing into a boat, his disciples followed him.

John 9:6When he had said these things, he spat on the ground, and he made clay from the spittle, and he smeared the clay over his 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 →

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Study 2 Samuel 5:23