David fights against the Philistines
17 The Philistines heard the news that David had now become king over Israel. So their whole army went to look for him to catch him. When David heard about this, he went out of the city to a strong, safe place.
18 The Philistine soldiers arrived at Rephaim valley. They covered all the ground there. 19 So David asked the Lord, ‘Should I go and attack the Philistines? Will you put them under my power?’
The Lord answered him, ‘Yes, go and attack the Philistines. I will certainly help you to win against them.’
20 So David went to Baal Perazim. He won the fight against the Philistines in that place. He said, ‘The Lord has swept away my enemy like a flood of water.’ So they called that place ‘Baal Perazim’.
5:20Baal Perazim means, ‘The Lord sweeps away’.
21 When the Philistines ran away from there, they did not take their idols with them. So David and his men took them away.
22 Once again, the Philistine soldiers came and they covered the ground in Rephaim valley. 23 So David again asked the Lord what he should do. This time the Lord said, ‘Do not march straight towards them. Instead, go round behind them. Then attack them from the other side, where the poplar trees are. 24 When you hear a noise in the tops of the trees like marching men, go quickly to attack them. Then you will know that the Lord has gone in front of you. He will knock down the Philistine army for you.’
25 So David did as the Lord had commanded him to do. His men chased the Philistines all the way from Gibeon to Gezer.
