[5:17] The Philistines were told that David had been made king of Israel, so their army set out to capture him. When David heard of it, he went down to a fortified place.
[5:18] The Philistines arrived at Rephaim Valley and occupied it.
[5:19] David asked the Lord, “Shall I attack the Philistines? Will you give me the victory?” “Yes, attack!” the Lord answered. “I will give you the victory!”
[5:20] So David went to Baal Perazim and there he defeated the Philistines. He said, “The Lord has broken through my enemies like a flood.” And so that place is called Baal Perazim.
[5:21] When the Philistines fled, they left their idols behind, and David and his men carried them away.
[5:22] Then the Philistines went back to Rephaim Valley and occupied it again.
[5:23] Once more David consulted the Lord, who answered, “Don't attack them from here, but go around and get ready to attack them from the other side, near the balsam trees.
[5:24] When you hear the sound of marching in the treetops, then attack because I will be marching ahead of you to defeat the Philistine army.”
[5:25] David did what the Lord had commanded, and was able to drive the Philistines back from Geba all the way to Gezer.