5:22 The Philistines again came up and spread out in the valley of Rephaim. 5:23 So David asked the Lord what he should do. 1 This time 2 the Lord 3 said to him, “Don’t march straight up. Instead, circle around behind them and come against them opposite the trees. 4 5:24 When you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the trees, act decisively. For at that moment the Lord is going before you to strike down the army 5 of the Philistines.”
1 tn The words “what to do” are not in the Hebrew text.
2 tn The words “this time” are not in the Hebrew text.
3 tn Heb “he”; the referent (the
4 tn Some translate as “balsam trees” (cf. NASB, NIV, NRSV, NJB, NLT); cf. KJV, NKJV, ASV “mulberry trees”; NAB “mastic trees”; NEB, REB “aspens.” The exact identification of the type of tree or plant is uncertain.
5 tn Heb “camp” (so NAB).