Study Desk

Now when the Philistines heard that they had anointed David king over Israel, ^(C1)all the Philistines went up to seek out David; and when David heard about it, he went down to the ^(C2)stronghold.

Now the Philistines came and overran ^(C1)the Valley of Rephaim.

So ^(C1)David inquired of the LORD, saying, "Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will You hand them over to me?" And ^(C2)the LORD said to David, "Go up, for I will certainly hand the Philistines over to you."

Then David came to ^(C1)Baal-perazim and ^(F1)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 ^(F2)Baal-perazim.

And the Philistines abandoned their idols there, so ^(C1)David and his men carried them away.

Now ^(C1)the Philistines came up once again and overran the Valley of Rephaim.

So ^(C1)David inquired of the LORD, but He said, "You shall not go directly up; circle around behind them and come at them in front of the baka-shrubs.

"And it shall be, when ^(C1)you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the baka-shrubs, then you shall ^(F1)act promptly, for then ^(C2)the LORD will have gone out before you to strike the army of the Philistines."

Then David did so, just as the LORD had commanded him; he struck and killed the Philistines from ^(F1)(C1)Geba ^(F2)as far as ^(C2)Gezer.