Text -- 2 Samuel 5:21-25 (NET)

5:21 The Philistines abandoned their idols there, and David and his men picked them up. 5:22 The Philistines again came up and spread out in the valley of Rephaim. 5:23 So David asked the Lord what he should do. This time the Lord said to him, “Don’t march straight up. Instead, circle around behind them and come against them opposite the trees. 5:24 When you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the trees, act decisively. For at that moment the Lord is going before you to strike down the army of the Philistines.” 5:25 David did just as the Lord commanded him, and he struck down the Philistines from Gibeon all the way to Gezer.

Commentary -- Verse Notes / Footnotes

NET Notes: 2Sa 5:21

¹ tn Heb “they”; the referent (the Philistines) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

² tc For “idols” the LXX and Vulgate have “gods.”

NET Notes: 2Sa 5:23

¹ tn The words “what to do” are not in the Hebrew text.

² tn The words “this time” are not in the Hebrew text.

³ tn Heb “he”; the referent (the Lord) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

⁴ tn Some translate as “balsam trees” (cf. NASB, NIV, NRSV, NJB, NLT); cf. KJV, NKJV, ASV “mulberry trees”; NAB “mastic trees”; NEB, REB “aspens.” The exact identification of the type of tree or plant is uncertain.

NET Notes: 2Sa 5:24

¹ tn Heb “camp” (so NAB).

NET Notes: 2Sa 5:25

¹ tn Heb “from Gibeon until you enter Gezer.”