17 When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over Israel,m they all went in search of David, but he heard about it and went down to the stronghold.n 18 So the Philistines came and spread out in Rephaim Valley.

19 Then David inquired of the Lord:o “Should I attack the Philistines? Will you hand them over to me?”

The Lord replied to David, “Attack, for I will certainly hand the Philistines over to you.”

20 So David went to Baal-perazim and defeated them there and said, “Like a bursting flood, the Lord has burst out against my enemies before me.”p Therefore, he named that place The Lord Bursts Out.* 21 The Philistines abandoned their idols there, and David and his men carried them off.

22 The Philistines came up again and spread out in Rephaim Valley. 23 So David inquired of the Lord, and he answered, “Do not attack directly, but circle around behind them and come at them opposite the balsam trees. 24 When you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, act decisively, for then the Lord will have gone out ahead of you to strike down the army of the Philistines.”q 25 So David did exactly as the Lord commanded him, and he struck down the Philistines all the way from Geba to Gezer.