David's Victories over the Philistines
2 Samuel 5:17-25
2 S.5.17 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וישמעו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- פלשתים: NOUN,m,pl,cstr
- כי: CONJ
- משחו: VERB,qal,perf,3,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- דוד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- למלך: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- על: PREP
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ויעלו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- כל: DET
- פלשתים: NOUN,m,pl,cstr
- לבקש: PREP+VERB,qal,inf
- את: PRT,acc
- דוד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וישמע: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- דוד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וירד: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- אל: NEG
- המצודה: NOUN,f,sg,def
Parallels
- 2 Samuel 5:22 (verbal): Repeats the same report of the Philistines coming against David after he is king; a near-duplicate episode in the same narrative cycle (Philistines 'coming up' to fight David).
- 1 Samuel 16:13 (allusion): David's earlier anointing by Samuel; provides the background for the statement in 2 Sam 5:17 that David 'had been anointed' as king, linking his divine election to subsequent enemy reactions.
- 1 Samuel 11:14-15 (thematic): After Saul is inaugurated as king the people are gathered and the nation is consolidated; thematically parallels the political effect of a ruler's anointing and the mobilization/responses that follow.
- 1 Samuel 17:11-16 (thematic): Depicts the Philistines assembling against Israel and the national crisis that results; parallels the motif of Philistine threat and Israelite leaders' response to that threat.
- 1 Samuel 30:8 (structural): Shows the recurring pattern in David's career of receiving enemy news and then consulting the LORD before action; structurally parallels David's receipt of the Philistine threat and his subsequent response in 2 Sam 5:17–18.
Alternative generated candidates
- And the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over Israel, and all the Philistines went up to seek David. David heard of it and went down to the stronghold.
- And when the Philistines heard that they had anointed David king over Israel, all the Philistines went up to seek David. David heard of it, and he went down to the stronghold.
2 S.5.18 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ופלשתים: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- באו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- וינטשו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- בעמק: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- רפאים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
Parallels
- 2 Samuel 5:22 (verbal): Repeats the same report of the Philistines encamping in the Valley of Rephaim later in the narrative, preparing for the second engagement with David.
- 1 Chronicles 14:8 (verbal): Chronicles' retelling of David's reign uses nearly identical wording about the Philistines spreading themselves in the Valley of Rephaim.
- 1 Chronicles 14:9-11 (structural): Parallel sequence to 2 Sam 5:18–25: David inquires of the Lord and defeats the Philistines after they camp in the Valley of Rephaim.
- Joshua 15:8 (thematic): Mentions the Valley of Rephaim as a geographic boundary near Jerusalem, providing background on the location where the Philistine encounters occur.
Alternative generated candidates
- The Philistines came and encamped in the Valley of Rephaim.
- And the Philistines came and pitched camp in the Valley of Rephaim.
2 S.5.19 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וישאל: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- דוד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ביהוה: PREP+PN,sg
- לאמר: INF,qal,infc
- האעלה: VERB,qal,imperfect,1,m,sg
- אל: NEG
- פלשתים: NOUN,m,pl,cstr
- התתנם: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- בידי: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,suff1s
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- דוד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עלה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- כי: CONJ
- נתן: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אתן: VERB,qal,impf,1,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- הפלשתים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- בידך: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,suff,2,m,sg
Parallels
- 1Chron.14.10 (quotation): Direct parallel/quotation of 2 Samuel 5:19—Chronicles repeats that David inquired of the LORD and God answered that He would give the Philistines into David’s hand.
- Judges 4.14 (verbal): Deborah’s proclamation that the LORD has delivered Sisera into Barak’s hand echoes the language of God giving enemies into the hero’s hand.
- 1Samuel 30.8 (allusion): David again inquires of the LORD about pursuing enemies (the Amalekites) and seeks divine direction—similar pattern of consulting God before battle.
- 1Samuel 23.2 (verbal): An instance where David inquires of the LORD about attacking enemies and receives authorization—parallels the formula of seeking God’s will and being told to go.
- 1Samuel 17.47 (thematic): David’s declaration that the battle belongs to the LORD and that God gives victory thematically parallels the idea that God delivers foes into His servant’s hand.
Alternative generated candidates
- David inquired of the LORD, saying, "Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will you give them into my hand?" The LORD said to David, "Go up; for I will give the Philistines into your hand."
- And David inquired of the LORD, saying, “Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will you give them into my hand?” And the LORD said to David, “Go up; for I will give the Philistines into your hand.”
2 S.5.20 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויבא: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- דוד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בבעל: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- פרצים: NOUN,m,pl,cs
- ויכם: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- שם: ADV
- דוד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- פרץ: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- את: PRT,acc
- איבי: NOUN,m,pl,abs,poss:1s
- לפני: PREP
- כפרץ: PREP
- מים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- על: PREP
- כן: ADV
- קרא: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- שם: ADV
- המקום: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ההוא: DEM,ms,sg
- בעל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- פרצים: NOUN,m,pl,cs
Parallels
- 1 Chronicles 14:11 (verbal): Direct retelling of the same episode; Chronicles repeats the language that Yahweh 'broke through my enemies before me like a breaking of waters' and records the naming of Baal‑Perazim.
- 2 Samuel 5:23-25 (structural): Immediate narrative context: David inquires of the LORD and receives the sign/instruction that leads to the sudden victory recorded at Baal‑Perazim, explaining how the breakthrough occurred.
- Joshua 6:20 (thematic): Both passages depict a divinely caused, decisive breakthrough of the enemy (the walls fall at Jericho; enemies are overthrown at Baal‑Perazim), using the motif of a sudden collapse/breach enacted by God.
- Exodus 15:10 (thematic): The Song of Moses describes God overthrowing Pharaoh's forces with water imagery ('You blew with your wind; the sea covered them'), paralleling the metaphor of enemies being overwhelmed like breaking waters in 2 Sam 5:20.
- Psalm 18:16-17 (allusion): Davidic poetic language of being rescued 'out of many waters' and God's intervention against enemies echoes the image in 2 Sam 5:20 of Yahweh bursting through enemies 'like a breaking of waters.'
Alternative generated candidates
- David came to Baal-perazim and there struck them. David said, "The LORD has burst through my enemies before me, like a bursting of waters." Therefore he called the name of that place Baal-perazim.
- And David came to Baal‑Perazim, and there David struck them. And he said, “The LORD has burst through my enemies before me like the breaking of waters.” Therefore he called the name of that place Baal‑Perazim.
2 S.5.21 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויעזבו: VERB,qal,wayq,3,m,pl
- שם: ADV
- את: PRT,acc
- עצביהם: NOUN,f,pl,abs,3,m,pl
- וישאם: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,pl,suff=3,m,pl
- דוד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ואנשיו: NOUN,m,pl,abs,3ms
Parallels
- 1 Chronicles 14:12-17 (structural): Chronicles retells the same sequence of David's victories over the Philistines (parallel to 2 Sam 5:17–25) and functions as a direct structural parallel to the episode in which the Philistines abandon their images and David's men take them.
- 2 Samuel 8:11 (thematic): Records David's seizure of valuable items (golden shields) from defeated foes and bringing them to Jerusalem—a related motif of victors appropriating enemy cultic/valuable objects as spoil.
- 1 Samuel 30:18-19 (thematic): Describes David recovering all the spoil taken by the Amalekites and distributing it among his men—parallels the theme of David and his men taking possession of enemy booty after victory.
- Judges 8:24-27 (thematic): Gideon collects gold from the defeated Midianites and fashions an ephod that becomes an object in Israel—a comparable instance of Israelites taking enemy/war booty and transforming or retaining cultic/precious objects.
Alternative generated candidates
- They left their idols there, and David and his men carried them away.
- And they left their idols there; and David and his men carried them away.
2 S.5.22 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויספו: VERB,qal,perf,3,pl
- עוד: ADV
- פלשתים: NOUN,m,pl,cstr
- לעלות: VERB,qal,inf
- וינטשו: VERB,niphal,impf,3,m,pl
- בעמק: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- רפאים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
Parallels
- 2 Samuel 5:17 (verbal): Earlier report of the same Philistine incursion—same verb and location: the Philistines 'spread themselves in the Valley of Rephaim.'
- 1 Chronicles 14:8 (verbal): Parallel account to 2 Samuel 5:17 describing the Philistines' gathering in the Valley of Rephaim prior to battle.
- 1 Chronicles 14:9 (verbal): Direct parallel to 2 Samuel 5:22 in the Chronicler's retelling of the second Philistine advance into the Valley of Rephaim.
- Joshua 15:8 (structural): Geographical reference that locates the Valley of Rephaim in the territory/boundaries of Judah, providing background for the setting of the Philistine encounters.
Alternative generated candidates
- Again the Philistines came up and encamped in the Valley of Rephaim.
- And the Philistines came up again and pitched camp in the Valley of Rephaim.
2 S.5.23 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וישאל: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- דוד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ביהוה: PREP+PN,sg
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- לא: PART_NEG
- תעלה: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- הסב: VERB,qal,impv,2,m,sg
- אל: NEG
- אחריהם: PREP,3,m,pl
- ובאת: CONJ+VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- להם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- ממול: ADV
- בכאים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
Parallels
- 1 Chronicles 14:10 (verbal): Direct parallel/retelling of the same episode: David enquires of the LORD about attacking the Philistines and receives a divine reply to go up—Chronicles repeats the report found in 2 Samuel.
- 1 Samuel 23:2 (verbal): Earlier instance where David 'inquired of the LORD' about engaging enemies (whether to go and strike the Philistines/host)—shows a recurrent pattern of David seeking divine guidance before battle.
- 1 Samuel 30:8 (verbal): Another close parallel in David's career: after the Amalekite raid at Ziklag David 'enquired of the LORD' about pursuing the raiders—illustrates the same practice of seeking the LORD's direction for military action.
- Judges 7:9-15 (thematic): Gideon's episode of seeking and receiving a sign from the LORD before battle (the dream and confirmation) parallels the theme of commanders consulting God for decisive guidance and assurance in warfare.
Alternative generated candidates
- David inquired of the LORD, and the LORD said, "Do not go up; circle around behind them, and come upon them opposite the mulberry trees."
- And David inquired of the LORD, and the LORD said, “You shall not go up; circle around behind them and come upon them in front of the mulberry trees.”
2 S.5.24 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויהי: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- כשמעך: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- קול: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- צעדה: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- בראשי: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs,1cs
- הבכאים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- אז: ADV
- תחרץ: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- כי: CONJ
- אז: ADV
- יצא: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- לפניך: PREP+PRON,2,m,sg
- להכות: VERB,qal,inf
- במחנה: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- פלשתים: NOUN,m,pl,cstr
Parallels
- 1 Chronicles 14:14-15 (verbal): Near-verbatim parallel of the same episode: hearing the sound in the tops of the trees and then the LORD goes out before David to strike the Philistines.
- Deuteronomy 20:4 (thematic): States the theological principle that the LORD goes with/ before Israel to fight their battles—same idea of divine agency enabling victory.
- Judges 7:13-15 (allusion): In Gideon's story a report/dream from the enemy camp signals imminent defeat and prompts attack—parallel pattern of a sign in the enemy camp announcing divine action.
- Judges 4:14 (thematic): Deborah's command to Barak to rise because the LORD has given the enemy into his hand echoes the motif of acting when God has gone out before Israel to deliver them.
Alternative generated candidates
- "And when you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the mulberry trees, then you shall strike, for then the LORD will go out before you to strike the Philistine host."
- And when you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the mulberry trees, then advance—for then the LORD will have gone out before you to strike the Philistine host.
2 S.5.25 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויעש: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- דוד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- כן: ADV
- כאשר: CONJ
- צוהו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg,+PRON,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- ויך: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- פלשתים: NOUN,m,pl,cstr
- מגבע: PREP+NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- עד: PREP
- באך: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- גזר: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- 1Chron.14.11-16 (structural): Chronicles retells the same episode (David inquires of the LORD, attacks the Philistines and defeats them); it parallels the sequence and language of David’s victory over the Philistines (corresponding to 2 Sam 5:17–25).
- 2Sam.5.20-21 (structural): Immediate narrative context: earlier verses record David’s inquiry of the LORD, the battle at Baal‑perazim, and the spoil left by the Philistines — together they form the fuller account of the victory summarized in v.25.
- 1Sam.17.45-47 (thematic): David’s declaration that the LORD gives victory (in the Goliath episode) echoes the theme that success in battle comes from obeying/being aided by Yahweh, the same theological point behind ‘as the LORD commanded him.’
- Judges.7.7-15 (thematic): Gideon’s victory after following the LORD’s instructions exemplifies the recurring motif that obedience to Yahweh’s command results in unexpected military deliverance, paralleling David’s divine‑directed success.
Alternative generated candidates
- David did as the LORD commanded him, and struck the Philistines from Gibeon to Gezer.
- And David did as the LORD commanded him, and he struck the Philistines from Geba as far as Gezer.
And the Philistines heard that they had anointed David king over Israel, and all the Philistines went up to seek David. David heard and went down to the stronghold. And the Philistines came and encamped in the Valley of Rephaim.
David inquired of the LORD, saying, “Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will you deliver them into my hand?” And the LORD said to David, “Go up, for I will certainly give the Philistines into your hand.”
David came to Baal‑Perazim, and there David struck them. David said, “The LORD has burst through my enemies before me, like the bursting forth of waters.” Therefore he named that place Baal‑Perazim.
They left their images there, and David and his men carried them away.
Again the Philistines came up and encamped in the Valley of Rephaim.
David inquired of the LORD, and He said, “You shall not go up; circle around behind them and come upon them in front of the mulberry trees.” And it shall be, when you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the mulberry trees, that you shall act—then you shall strike; for then the LORD will have gone out before you to strike the host of the Philistines.”
David did as the LORD commanded him, and struck the Philistines from Gibeon to Gezer.