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22 Some time later, the Philistines came back into the hill country and camped in Rephaim Valley. 23 David asked the Lord what he should do, and the Lord answered:

Don't attack them from the front. Circle around behind and attack from among the balsam[a] trees. 24 Wait until you hear a sound in the treetops like marching troops. Then attack quickly! That sound will mean I have marched out ahead of you to fight the Philistine army.

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Footnotes

  1. 5.23 balsam: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.

22 Once more the Philistines came up and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim; 23 so David inquired of the Lord, and he answered, “Do not go straight up, but circle around behind them and attack them in front of the poplar trees. 24 As soon as you hear the sound(A) of marching in the tops of the poplar trees, move quickly, because that will mean the Lord has gone out in front(B) of you to strike the Philistine army.”

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