War with the Philistines

17 When the Philistines heard that they had anointed David king over Israel, aall the Philistines went up to seek out David; and when David heard of it, he went down to the bstronghold.

18 Now the Philistines came and spread themselves out in athe valley of Rephaim.

19 Then aDavid inquired of the Lord, saying, “Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will You give them into my hand?” And bthe Lord said to David, “Go up, for I will certainly give the Philistines into your hand.”

20 So David came to aBaal-perazim and 1defeated them there; and he said, “The Lord has broken through my enemies before me like the breakthrough of waters.” Therefore he named that place 2Baal-perazim.

21 They abandoned their idols there, so aDavid and his men carried them away.

22 Now athe Philistines came up once again and spread themselves out in the valley of Rephaim.

23 When aDavid inquired of the Lord, He said, “You shall not go directly up; circle around behind them and come at them in front of the 1balsam trees.

24 “It shall be, when ayou hear the sound of marching in the tops of the 1balsam trees, then you shall act promptly, for then bthe Lord will have gone out before you to strike the army of the Philistines.”

25 Then David did so, just as the Lord had commanded him, and struck down the Philistines from 1aGeba 2as far as bGezer.