2 Samuel 5:23

So David inquired of the LORD, who answered, “Do not march straight up, but circle around behind them and attack them in front of the balsam trees.

Majority Standard Bible

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

22Once again the Philistines came up and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim.

24As soon as you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, move quickly, because this will mean that the LORD has gone out before you to strike the camp of the Philistines.”

Read all of 2 Samuel 5

Cross References

Joshua 8:2And you shall do to Ai and its king as you did to Jericho and its king, except that you may carry off their plunder and livestock for yourselves. Set up an ambush behind the city.”

2 Samuel 2:1Some time later, David inquired of the LORD, “Should I go up to one of the towns of Judah?” “Go up,” the LORD answered. Then David asked, “Where should I go?” “To Hebron,” replied the LORD.

Matthew 8:23When He got into the boat, His disciples followed Him.

John 9:6When Jesus had said this, He spit on the ground, made some mud, and applied it to the eyes of the blind man.

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