2 Samuel 5:21-25

5:21 The Philistines ¹  abandoned their idols ²  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. ³  This time ⁴  the Lord ⁵  said to him, “Don’t march straight up. Instead, circle around behind them and come against them opposite the trees. ⁶  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 ⁷  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. ⁸ 

[5:21]  ¹ tn Heb “they”; the referent (the Philistines) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

[5:21]  ² tc For “idols” the LXX and Vulgate have “gods.”

[5:23]  ³ tn The words “what to do” are not in the Hebrew text.

[5:23]  ⁴ tn The words “this time” are not in the Hebrew text.

[5:23]  ⁵ tn Heb “he”; the referent (the Lord) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

[5:23]  ⁶ 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.

[5:24]  ⁵ tn Heb “camp” (so NAB).

[5:25]  ⁷ tn Heb “from Gibeon until you enter Gezer.”