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Thursday, June 19th, 2025
the Week of Proper 6 / Ordinary 11
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THE MESSAGE

2 Samuel 5:20

"Go up," God replied. "Count on me. I'll help you beat them." David then went straight to Baal Perazim, and smashed them to pieces. Afterward David said, " God exploded on my enemies like a gush of water." That's why David named the place Baal Perazim (The-Master-Who-Explodes). The retreating Philistines dumped their idols, and David and his soldiers took them away.

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Baal-Perazim;   Philistines;   Prayer;   Rain;   Torrey's Topical Textbook - Philistines, the;  

Dictionaries:

- American Tract Society Bible Dictionary - Baal-Perazim;   Bridgeway Bible Dictionary - Baal;   Philistia, philistines;   Easton Bible Dictionary - Baal-Perazim;   Perazim, Mount;   Rephaim, Valley of;   Fausset Bible Dictionary - Ahijah;   Baal Perazim;   Perazim;   Philistia;   Saul;   Uzzah;   Holman Bible Dictionary - Baal-Perazim;   Philistines, the;   Samuel, Books of;   Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible - Baal-Perazim;   David;   Israel;   Samuel, Books of;   Morrish Bible Dictionary - Baalperazim ;   Perazim, Mount;   The Hawker's Poor Man's Concordance And Dictionary - Baal-perazim;   People's Dictionary of the Bible - Baal;   Rephaim;   Smith Bible Dictionary - Ba'al,;   Philis'tines;   Reph'a-Im, the Valley of,;  

Encyclopedias:

- Condensed Biblical Cyclopedia - Hebrew Monarchy, the;   International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Baal-Perazim;   Breach;   Perazim, Mount;   Samuel, Books of;   Waters;   Kitto Biblical Cyclopedia - Baal-perazim;   The Jewish Encyclopedia - Baal-Perazim;   Rephaim, Vale of;  

Parallel Translations

Christian Standard Bible®
So David went to Baal-perazim and defeated them there and said, “Like a bursting flood, the Lord has burst out against my enemies before me.” Therefore, he named that place The Lord Bursts Out.
Hebrew Names Version
David came to Ba`al-Peratzim, and David struck them there; and he said, the LORD has broken my enemies before me, like the breach of waters. Therefore he called the name of that place Ba`al-Peratzim.
King James Version
And David came to Baalperazim, and David smote them there, and said, The Lord hath broken forth upon mine enemies before me, as the breach of waters. Therefore he called the name of that place Baalperazim.
Lexham English Bible
So David came to Baal Perazim and defeated them there; and David said, "Yahweh has burst through my enemies before me like the bursting of water." Therefore he called the name of that place Baal Perazim.
English Standard Version
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." Therefore the name of that place is called Baal-perazim.
New Century Version
So David went to Baal Perazim and defeated the Philistines there. David said, "Like a flood of water, the Lord has broken through my enemies in front of me." So David named the place Baal Perazim.
New English Translation
So David marched against Baal Perazim and defeated them there. Then he said, "The Lord has burst out against my enemies like water bursts out." So he called the name of that place Baal Perazim.
Amplified Bible
So David came to Baal-perazim, and he defeated them there, and said, "The LORD has broken through my enemies before me, like a breakthrough of water." So he named that place Baal-perazim (master of breakthroughs).
New American Standard Bible
Then David came to Baal-perazim and defeated them there; and he said, "The LORD has broken through my enemies before me like the breakthrough of waters." Therefore he named that place Baal-perazim.
Geneva Bible (1587)
Then Dauid came to Baal-perazim, & smote them there, and sayde, The Lorde hath deuided mine enemies asunder before mee, as waters be deuided asunder: therefore he called the name of that place, Baal-perazim.
Legacy Standard Bible
So David came to Baal-perazim, and there David struck them down; and he said, "Yahweh has broken through my enemies before me, like the breakthrough of waters." Therefore he named that place Baal-perazim.
Contemporary English Version
David attacked the Philistines and defeated them. Then he said, "I watched the Lord break through my enemies like a mighty flood." So he named the place "The Lord Broke Through. "
Complete Jewish Bible
So David went to Ba‘al-P'ratzim and defeated them there. He said, " Adonai has broken through my enemies for me like a river breaking through its banks." This is why he called the place Ba‘al-P'ratzim [Lord of breaking through].
Darby Translation
And David came to Baal-perazim, and David smote them there; and he said, Jehovah has broken in upon mine enemies before me, as the breaking forth of waters. Therefore he called the name of that place Baal-perazim.
Easy-to-Read Version
Then David went to Baal Perazim and defeated the Philistines in that place. He said, "The Lord broke through my enemies like water breaking through a dam." That is why David named that place "Baal Perazim."
George Lamsa Translation
And David came to Baal-perazim, and David defeated them there, and David said, The LORD has made a breach through my enemies before me, like the breach of waters. Therefore he called the name of that place Baal-perazim.
Good News Translation
So David went to Baal Perazim and there he defeated the Philistines. He said, "The Lord has broken through my enemies like a flood." And so that place is called Baal Perazim.
Literal Translation
And David came to the Breaches of Baal. And David struck them there, and said, Jehovah has broken forth on my enemies before me as the breaking forth of waters. On account of this he called the name of that place The Breaches of Baal.
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
And Dauid came vnto Baal Prazim, and smote the there, and sayde: The LORDE hath deuyded myne enemies, euen as the waters parte asunder: therfore is the same place called Baal Prazim.
American Standard Version
And David came to Baal-perazim, and David smote them there; and he said, Jehovah hath broken mine enemies before me, like the breach of waters. Therefore he called the name of that place Baal-perazim.
Bible in Basic English
And David went to Baal-perazim, and overcame them there; and he said, The Lord has let the forces fighting against me be broken before me as a wall is broken by rushing waters. So that place was named Baal-perazim.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
And Dauid came to Baal Perazim, and smote them there, and sayde: The Lorde hath deuided myne enemies asunder before me, as waters be deuided asunder: And therefore he called the name of that place Baal Perazim.
JPS Old Testament (1917)
And David came to Baal-perazim, and David smote them there; and he said: 'The LORD hath broken mine enemies before me, like the breach of waters.' Therefore the name of that place was called Baal-perazim.
King James Version (1611)
And Dauid came to Baal-Perazim, and Dauid smote them there, and said, The Lord hath broken foorth vpon mine enemies before me, as the breach of waters. Therefore he called the name of that place, Baal-Perazim.
Brenton's Septuagint (LXX)
And David came from Upper Breaches, and smote the Philistines there: and David said, The Lord has destroyed the hostile Philistines before me, as water is dispersed; therefore the name of that place was called Over Breaches.
English Revised Version
And David came to Baal–perazim, and David smote them there; and he said, The LORD hath broken mine enemies before me, like the breach of waters. Therefore he called the name of that place Baal–perazim.
Berean Standard Bible
So David went to Baal-perazim, where he defeated the Philistines and said, "Like a bursting flood, the LORD has burst out against my enemies before me." So he called that place Baal-perazim.
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
Therfor Dauid cam in to Baal Farasym, and smoot hem there, and seide, The Lord departide myn enemyes bifor me, as watris ben departid. Therfor the name of that place was clepid Baal Farasym.
Young's Literal Translation
And David cometh in to Baal-Perazim, and David smiteth them there, and saith, `Jehovah hath broken forth [on] mine enemies before me, as the breaking forth of waters;' therefore he hath called the name of that place Baal-Perazim.
Update Bible Version
And David came to Baal-perazim, and David smote them there; and he said, Yahweh has broken my enemies before me, like the breach of waters. Therefore he called the name of that place Baal-perazim.
Webster's Bible Translation
And David came to Baal-perazim, and David smote them there, and said, The LORD hath broken forth upon my enemies before me, as the breach of waters. Therefore he called the name of that place Baal-perazim.
World English Bible
David came to Baal-perazim, and David struck them there; and he said, Yahweh has broken my enemies before me, like the breach of waters. Therefore he called the name of that place Baal-perazim.
New King James Version
So David went to Baal Perazim, and David defeated them there; and he said, "The Lord has broken through my enemies before me, like a breakthrough of water." Therefore he called the name of that place Baal Perazim. [fn]
New Living Translation
So David went to Baal-perazim and defeated the Philistines there. "The Lord did it!" David exclaimed. "He burst through my enemies like a raging flood!" So he named that place Baal-perazim (which means "the Lord who bursts through").
New Life Bible
So David came to Baal-perazim and beat them there in battle. He said, "The Lord has broken through those who hate me like the breaking through of a flood." So he gave that place the name Baal-perazim.
New Revised Standard
So David came to Baal-perazim, and David defeated them there. He said, "The Lord has burst forth against my enemies before me, like a bursting flood." Therefore that place is called Baal-perazim.
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
And David entered Baal-perazim, and David smote them there, and said - Yahweh hath broken forth upon mine enemies, before me, like a breaking forth of waters. For this cause, called he the name of that place, Baal-perazim.
Douay-Rheims Bible
And David came to Baal Pharisim: and defeated them there, and he said, The Lord hath divided my enemies before me, as waters are divided. Therefore the name of the place was called Baal Pharisim.
Revised Standard Version
And David came to Ba'al-pera'zim, and David defeated them there; and he said, "The LORD has broken through my enemies before me, like a bursting flood." Therefore the name of that place is called Ba'al-pera'zim.
New American Standard Bible (1995)
So David came to Baal-perazim and defeated them there; and he said, "The LORD has broken through my enemies before me like the breakthrough of waters." Therefore he named that place Baal-perazim.

Contextual Overview

17When the Philistines got word that David had been made king over all Israel, they came on the hunt for him. David heard of it and went down to the stronghold. When the Philistines arrived, they deployed their forces in Raphaim Valley. 19 Then David prayed to God : "Shall I go up and fight the Philistines? Will you help me beat them?" 20"Go up," God replied. "Count on me. I'll help you beat them." David then went straight to Baal Perazim, and smashed them to pieces. Afterward David said, " God exploded on my enemies like a gush of water." That's why David named the place Baal Perazim (The-Master-Who-Explodes). The retreating Philistines dumped their idols, and David and his soldiers took them away. 22Later there was a repeat performance. The Philistines came up again and deployed their troops in the Rephaim Valley. David again prayed to God . This time God said, "Don't attack them head-on. Instead, circle around behind them and ambush them from the grove of sacred trees. When you hear the sound of shuffling in the trees, get ready to move out. It's a signal that God is going ahead of you to smash the Philistine camp." David did exactly what God told him. He routed the Philistines all the way from Gibeon to Gezer. 24 Before long all the tribes of Israel approached David in Hebron and said, "Look at us—your own flesh and blood! In time past when Saul was our king, you were the one who really ran the country. Even then God said to you, ‘You will shepherd my people Israel and you'll be the prince.'" All the leaders of Israel met with King David at Hebron, and the king made a treaty with them in the presence of God . And so they anointed David king over Israel. David was thirty years old when he became king, and ruled for forty years. In Hebron he ruled Judah for seven and a half years. In Jerusalem he ruled all Israel and Judah for thirty-three years. David and his men immediately set out for Jerusalem to take on the Jebusites, who lived in that country. But they said, "You might as well go home! Even the blind and the lame could keep you out. You can't get in here!" They had convinced themselves that David couldn't break through. But David went right ahead and captured the fortress of Zion, known ever since as the City of David. That day David said, "To get the best of these Jebusites, one must target the water system, not to mention this so-called lame and blind bunch that David hates." (In fact, he was so sick and tired of it, people coined the expression, "No lame and blind allowed in the palace.") David made the fortress city his home and named it "City of David." He developed the city from the outside terraces inward. David proceeded with a longer stride, a larger embrace since the God -of-the-Angel-Armies was with him. It was at this time that Hiram, king of Tyre, sent messengers to David, along with timbers of cedar. He also sent carpenters and masons to build a house for David. David took this as a sign that God had confirmed him as king of Israel, giving his kingship world prominence for the sake of Israel, his people. David took on more concubines and wives from Jerusalem after he left Hebron. And more sons and daughters were born to him. These are the names of those born to him in Jerusalem: Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon, Ibhar, Elishua, Nepheg, Japhia, Elishama, Eliada, Eliphelet. When the Philistines got word that David had been made king over all Israel, they came on the hunt for him. David heard of it and went down to the stronghold. When the Philistines arrived, they deployed their forces in Raphaim Valley. Then David prayed to God : "Shall I go up and fight the Philistines? Will you help me beat them?" "Go up," God replied. "Count on me. I'll help you beat them." David then went straight to Baal Perazim, and smashed them to pieces. Afterward David said, " God exploded on my enemies like a gush of water." That's why David named the place Baal Perazim (The-Master-Who-Explodes). The retreating Philistines dumped their idols, and David and his soldiers took them away. Later there was a repeat performance. The Philistines came up again and deployed their troops in the Rephaim Valley. David again prayed to God . This time God said, "Don't attack them head-on. Instead, circle around behind them and ambush them from the grove of sacred trees. When you hear the sound of shuffling in the trees, get ready to move out. It's a signal that God is going ahead of you to smash the Philistine camp." 25 David did exactly what God told him. He routed the Philistines all the way from Gibeon to Gezer.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

Baalperazim: that is, The plain of breaches, Isaiah 28:21

Reciprocal: 1 Chronicles 14:11 - Baalperazim 1 Chronicles 22:18 - before the Lord Psalms 18:29 - by thee Lamentations 2:13 - for

Gill's Notes on the Bible

And David came to Baalperazim,.... As it was after called, for here it has its name by anticipation, and whither the Philistines were come from the valley of Rephaim; see 1 Chronicles 14:11; which was at no great distance, the one being the hill, to which the other was the valley, computed to be about three miles from Jerusalem, in the way to Bethlehem u, between which places were two hours' travels w:

and David smote them there; there a battle was fought, in which David had the victory assured him:

and said, the Lord hath broken forth upon mine enemies before me, as the breach of waters; as when waters, through their mighty force, break down the banks of rivers, and carry all before them; or as one breaks an earthen vessel full of water, so the Targum on 1 Chronicles 14:11.

therefore he called the name of the place Baalperazim; which signifies "the master of breaches", where the Philistines were broke in upon, and broken to pieces, of which God was the author, and which gave David the mastery over his enemies; the Targum renders it "the plain of breaches", and seems to take it to be the same with the valley of Rephaim; see 2 Samuel 5:22.

u Bunting's Travels, &c. p. 138. w Maundrell's Journey from Aleppo, &c. p. 87. ed. 7.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Baal-perazim - Master or possessor of breaches, equivalent to place of breaches. It was on a hill near Gibeon (see the marginal reference).

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse 2 Samuel 5:20. The Lord hath broken forth — He very properly attributes the victory of Jehovah, without whose strength and counsel he could have done nothing.

Baal-perazim — The plain or chief of breaches, because of the breach which God made in the Philistine army; and thus he commemorated the interference of the Lord.


 
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