Verse-by-Verse Bible Commentary

John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible

The Philistines also came and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim. Or "of the giants", as Joshua 15:8; which lay to the west of Jerusalem; of which; see Gill on Joshua 15:8; the Philistines spreading themselves in it, shows that they were very numerous.

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

valley of Rephaim — that is, “of giants,” a broad and fertile plain, which descends gradually from the central mountains towards the northwest. It was the route by which they marched against Jerusalem. The “hold” to which David went down “was some fortified place where he might oppose the progress of the invaders,” and where he signally defeated them.

John Trapp Complete Commentary

2 Samuel 5:18 The Philistines also came and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim.

Ver. 18. In the valley of Rephaim.] Of the Titans or giants, as the Septuagint rendereth it; or, "Of the dead." [Psalms 7:13] God had against these Philistine Theomachi; was "preparing for them the instruments of death," and would ere long lay them in that slimy valley where were many already like them. and more should come after them. [Job 21:31-32]

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible

Or, of the giants; which lay westward from Jerusalem, and so was the ready way to Jerusalem, which it seems they designed to take.

Whedon's Commentary on the Bible

18.Valley of Rephaim — An upland plain a little southwest of Jerusalem, hemmed in on all sides by low hills, so that it is properly called a valley.

See on Joshua 15:18, where it is translated “valley of the giants.”

George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary

Raphaim. Septuagint, "of Titans," (Calmet) or giants who had dwelt there. (Menochius) --- It lay to the west (Menochius) or south of Jerusalem, and extended as far as Bethlehem. David was still more to the south, (Calmet) so that he seemed to be cut off from his capital. But it was secure enough. (Haydock) --- On this occasion, three of his brave men went through the midst of the enemies' ranks, to fetch water from the spring of Bethlehem, chap. xxiii. 16.

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes

Rephaim. The descendants of the Nephilim through one "Rapha". See App-23and App-25. Compare 1 Chronicles 11:15.

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Unabridged

The Philistines also came and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim.

Valley of Rephaim - i:e., of giants (2 Samuel 5:18; 2 Samuel 5:22; 1 Samuel 23:13; 1 Chronicles 11:5; 1 Chronicles 14:9; 1 Chronicles 14:13); of the giants (see the notes at Joshua 15:8; Joshua 18:16 [Septuagint, eis teen koilado toon Titanoon, into the valley of the Titans]; a broad and fertile plain, about a mile in length, which descends gradually from the central mountains toward the northwest. It was the southern entrance into Jerusalem, extending northward until a narrow ridge of rocks, which breaks abruptly into the deep ravine of the Hinnom, intercepted further progress (Robinson, 'Biblical Researches,' 1:, p. 323; 2:, p. 156; Porter's 'Handbook,' pp. 75, 104). The "hold" to which David went down 'was some fortified place, where he might oppose the progress of the invaders,' and where he signally defeated them [Septuagint, eis teen periocheen, to the enclosure]. But there is no mention of "the hold" in the parallel passage (cf. 1 Chronicles 14:8). The time chosen for this invasion was harvest, when the broad, fertile fields would present a great temptation to the cupidity of the restless marauders.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(18) Rephaim.—Translated in Joshua 15:8, the valley of the giants. It was a fruitful valley, stretching some three miles S. and S.W. from Jerusalem, and only separated from the valley of Hinnom by a narrow ridge. It gave ample room for a large encampment, and its situation is an additional proof that the capture of Jerusalem had already been made, since the Philistines came here “to seek David.” They had, however, encamped in the same place at earlier times also (see 2 Samuel 23:13).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

the valley

23:13; Genesis 14:5; Joshua 15:8; 1 Chronicles 11:15; Isaiah 17:5