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2 Samuel 5:24

Guidance and decisionsObedienceWaiting on God

22 Once again the Philistines came up and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim.

23 So David inquired of the LORD, who answered, “Do not march straight up, but circle around behind 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 quickly, because this will mean that the LORD has marched out before you to strike the camp of the Philistines.”

25 So David did as the LORD had commanded him, and he struck down the Philistines all the way from Gibeon to Gezer.

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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 quickly, because this will mean that the LORD has marched out before you to strike the camp of the Philistines.”
KJV
And let it be, when thou hearest the sound of a going in the tops of the mulberry trees, that then thou shalt bestir thyself: for then shall the LORD go out 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 stir yourself up; for then the LORD 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 bestir thyself; for then is Jehovah gone out before thee to smite the host of the Philistines.
DARBY
And it shall be, when thou hearest a sound of marching in the tops of the mulberry-trees, that then thou shalt bestir thyself; for then will Jehovah have gone forth before thee, to smite the army of the Philistines.
BLB
And it shall come to pass when you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, then you shall advance quickly. For then YHWH will go out before you to strike the camp of the Philistines.”
ÅB
og når du hører lyden av skritt i baka-trærnes topper, da skynd deg! For da har Herren draget ut foran deg for å slå filistrenes hær.
OTB
Og det skal være, når du hører lyden av marsjering i toppen av balsamtrærne, da skal du handle raskt, for Herren vil ha gått ut foran deg for å slå filisternes hær."
B1930
og når du hører lyden av skritt i baka-trærnes topper, da skynd dig! For da har Herren draget ut foran dig for å slå filistrenes hær.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • 2 Kings 7:6

    For the Lord had caused the Arameans to hear the sound of chariots, horses, and a great army, so that they said to one another, “Look, the king of Israel must have hired the kings of the Hittites and Egyptians to attack us.”

    Read in context

  • Judges 4:14

    Then Deborah said to Barak, “Arise, for this is the day that the LORD has delivered Sisera into your hand. Has not the LORD gone before you?” So Barak came down from Mount Tabor with ten thousand men following him.

    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

  • 1 Samuel 14:9–12

    If they say, ‘Wait until we come to you,’ then we will stay where we are and will not go up to them.

    Read in context

  • 1 Chronicles 14:15

    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.”

    Read in context

  • Philippians 2:11–12

    and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

    Read in context