1 Chronicles 14:15

¹³ Once again the Philistines raided the valley.

¹⁴ So David again inquired of God, who answered him, “Do not march up after them, but circle around them and attack them in front of the balsam trees.

As soon as you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, move out to battle, because this will mean that God has marched out before you to strike the camp of the Philistines.”

¹⁶ So David did as God had commanded him, and they struck down the army of the Philistines all the way from Gibeon to Gezer.

¹⁷ And David’s fame went out into every land, and the LORD caused all nations to fear him.

Here the Bible tells a story about someone else. Ask yourself what it can say to us today. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB: As soon as you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, move out to battle, because this will mean that God has marched out before you to strike the camp of the Philistines.”
KJV: And it shall be, when thou shalt hear a sound of going in the tops of the mulberry trees, that then thou shalt go out to battle: for God is gone forth before thee to smite the host of the Philistines.
WEB: When you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the mulberry trees, then go out to battle; for God has gone out before you to strike the army of the Philistines.”
ASV: And it shall be, when thou hearest the sound of marching in the tops of the mulberry-trees, that then thou shalt go out to battle; for God is gone out before thee to smite the host of the Philistines.
DARBY: And it shall be, when thou hearest the sound of marching in the tops of the mulberry-trees, that then thou shalt go out to battle; for God will have gone forth before thee to smite the army of the Philistines.
BLB: And it shall be, when you hear the sound of a marching in the tops of the balsam trees, then you shall go out to battle, for God has gone out before you to strike the camp of the Philistines.”

ÅB: og når du hører lyden av skritt i bakatrærnes topper, da skal du dra ut i striden; for Gud har draget ut foran deg for å slå filistrenes hær.
OTB: Og det skal være, når du hører lyden av marsjering i toppen av baka-buskene,
da skal du gå ut til kamp,
for Gud vil ha gått ut foran deg for å slå filisternes hær.”
B1930: og når du hører lyden av skritt i bakatrærnes topper, da skal du dra ut i striden; for Gud har draget ut foran dig for å slå filistrenes hær.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

Isaiah 13:4
Listen, a tumult on the mountains, like that of a great multitude! Listen, an uproar among the kingdoms, like nations gathered together! The LORD of Hosts is mobilizing an army for war.
Read in context
Acts 2:2
Suddenly a sound like a mighty rushing wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting.
Read in context
2 Kings 19:7
Behold, I will put a spirit in him so that he will hear a rumor and return to his own land, where I will cause him to fall by the sword.’”
Read in context
Isaiah 45:1–2
This is what the LORD says to Cyrus His anointed, whose right hand I have grasped to subdue nations before him, to disarm kings, to open the doors before him, so that the gates will not be shut:
Read in context
Philippians 2:12–13
Therefore, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not only in my presence, but now even more in my absence, continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling.
Read in context
Micah 2:12–13
I will surely gather all of you, O Jacob; I will collect the remnant of Israel. I will bring them together like sheep in a pen, like a flock in the midst of its pasture— a noisy throng.
Read in context
Judges 7:9
That night the LORD said to Gideon, “Get up and go down against the camp, for I have delivered it into your hand.
Read in context
Judges 7:15
When Gideon heard the dream and its interpretation, he bowed in worship. He returned to the camp of Israel and said, “Get up, for the LORD has delivered the camp of Midian into your hand.”
Read in context