Two Victories Over the Philistines

17

When the P'lishtim heard that David had been anointed king over Isra'el, all the P'lishtim went up in search of David. On learning of it, David went down to the stronghold.

18

The P'lishtim came and deployed in the Refa'im Valley.

19

David consulted ADONAI, asking, "Should I attack the P'lishtim? Will you hand them over to me?"ADONAI answered David, "Attack; I will certainly hand the P'lishtim over to you."

20

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].

21

The P'lishtim had left their idols there, so David and his men took them away.

22

The P'lishtim came up again and deployed in the Refa'im Valley.

23

When David consulted ADONAI, he said, "Don't attack! Circle behind them, and engage them opposite the balsam trees.

24

When you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, advance; because then ADONAI has gone out ahead of you to defeat the army of the P'lishtim."

25

David did exactly as ADONAI had ordered him to do and pursued his attack on the P'lishtim from Geva all the way to Gezer.

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