Lectionary Calendar
Tuesday, April 29th, 2025
the Second Week after Easter
the Second Week after Easter
advertisement
advertisement
advertisement
Attention!
Tired of seeing ads while studying? Now you can enjoy an "Ads Free" version of the site for as little as 10¢ a day and support a great cause!
Click here to learn more!
Click here to learn more!
Read the Bible
Bible in Basic English
2 Samuel 5:23
And when David went for directions to the Lord, he said, You are not to go up against them in front; but make a circle round them from the back and come on them opposite the spice-trees.
Jump to:Bible Study Tools • Parallel Bible Verse • Bible Contextual Overview • Gill's Bible Notes • Clarke's Bible Notes • Barnes' Bible Notes
Bible Study Resources
Concordances:
- Nave'sDictionaries:
- AmericanEncyclopedias:
- CondensedParallel Translations
Christian Standard Bible®
So David inquired of the Lord, and he answered, “Do not attack directly, but circle around behind them and come at them opposite the balsam trees.
So David inquired of the Lord, and he answered, “Do not attack directly, but circle around behind them and come at them opposite the balsam trees.
Hebrew Names Version
When David inquired of the LORD, he said, You shall not go up: make a circuit behind them, and come on them over against the mulberry trees.
When David inquired of the LORD, he said, You shall not go up: make a circuit behind them, and come on them over against the mulberry trees.
King James Version
And when David enquired of the Lord , he said, Thou shalt not go up; but fetch a compass behind them, and come upon them over against the mulberry trees.
And when David enquired of the Lord , he said, Thou shalt not go up; but fetch a compass behind them, and come upon them over against the mulberry trees.
Lexham English Bible
So David inquired of Yahweh, but he said, "You shall not go up. Rather, go around to their rear and come to them from opposite the balsam trees.
So David inquired of Yahweh, but he said, "You shall not go up. Rather, go around to their rear and come to them from opposite the balsam trees.
English Standard Version
And when David inquired of the Lord , he said, "You shall not go up; go around to their rear, and come against them opposite the balsam trees.
And when David inquired of the Lord , he said, "You shall not go up; go around to their rear, and come against them opposite the balsam trees.
New Century Version
When David prayed to the Lord , he answered, "Don't attack the Philistines from the front. Instead, go around and attack them in front of the balsam trees.
When David prayed to the Lord , he answered, "Don't attack the Philistines from the front. Instead, go around and attack them in front of the balsam trees.
New English Translation
So David asked the Lord what he should do. This time the Lord said to him, "Don't march straight up. Instead, circle around behind them and come against them opposite the trees.
So David asked the Lord what he should do. This time the Lord said to him, "Don't march straight up. Instead, circle around behind them and come against them opposite the trees.
Amplified Bible
When David inquired of the LORD, He said, "You shall not go up, but circle around behind them and come at them in front of the balsam trees.
When David inquired of the LORD, He said, "You shall not go up, but circle around behind them and come at them in front of the balsam trees.
New American Standard Bible
So David inquired of the LORD, but He said, "You shall not go directly up; circle around behind them and come at them in front of the baka-shrubs.
So David inquired of the LORD, but He said, "You shall not go directly up; circle around behind them and come at them in front of the baka-shrubs.
Geneva Bible (1587)
And when Dauid asked counsell of the Lorde, hee answered, Thou shalt not goe vp, but turne about behinde them, and come vpon them ouer against the mulberie trees.
And when Dauid asked counsell of the Lorde, hee answered, Thou shalt not goe vp, but turne about behinde them, and come vpon them ouer against the mulberie trees.
Legacy Standard Bible
So David asked of Yahweh, and He said, "You shall not go directly up; circle around behind them and come at them in front of the balsam trees.
So David asked of Yahweh, and He said, "You shall not go directly up; circle around behind them and come at them in front of the balsam trees.
Contemporary English Version
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 trees.
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 trees.
Complete Jewish Bible
When David consulted Adonai , he said, "Don't attack! Circle behind them, and engage them opposite the balsam trees.
When David consulted Adonai , he said, "Don't attack! Circle behind them, and engage them opposite the balsam trees.
Darby Translation
And David inquired of Jehovah; and he said, Thou shalt not go up; turn round behind them and come upon them opposite the mulberry-trees.
And David inquired of Jehovah; and he said, Thou shalt not go up; turn round behind them and come upon them opposite the mulberry-trees.
Easy-to-Read Version
David prayed to the Lord again and got this answer: "Don't go up the valley. Go around them to the other side of their army. Attack them from the other side of the balsam trees.
David prayed to the Lord again and got this answer: "Don't go up the valley. Go around them to the other side of their army. Attack them from the other side of the balsam trees.
George Lamsa Translation
And when David inquired of the LORD, the LORD said to him, You shall not go up; but circle behind them, and come upon them opposite Bachim.
And when David inquired of the LORD, the LORD said to him, You shall not go up; but circle behind them, and come upon them opposite Bachim.
Good News Translation
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.
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.
Literal Translation
And David asked of Jehovah, and He said, You shall not go up. Turn around to their rear, and come to them in front of the weeping trees.
And David asked of Jehovah, and He said, You shall not go up. Turn around to their rear, and come to them in front of the weeping trees.
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
And Dauid axed at the LORDE. The LORDE sayde: Thou shalt go vp, but compase them behinde, that thou mayest be vpon them ouer agaynst the Peertrees:
And Dauid axed at the LORDE. The LORDE sayde: Thou shalt go vp, but compase them behinde, that thou mayest be vpon them ouer agaynst the Peertrees:
American Standard Version
And when David inquired of Jehovah, he said, Thou shalt not go up: make a circuit behind them, and come upon them over against the mulberry-trees.
And when David inquired of Jehovah, he said, Thou shalt not go up: make a circuit behind them, and come upon them over against the mulberry-trees.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
And when Dauid asked counsel of the Lorde, he aunswered, Thou shalt not go vp: but compasse them on the backsyde, and come vpon them ouer against the Mulbery trees.
And when Dauid asked counsel of the Lorde, he aunswered, Thou shalt not go vp: but compasse them on the backsyde, and come vpon them ouer against the Mulbery trees.
JPS Old Testament (1917)
And when David inquired of the LORD, He said: 'Thou shalt not go up; make a circuit behind them, and come upon them over against the mulberry-trees.
And when David inquired of the LORD, He said: 'Thou shalt not go up; make a circuit behind them, and come upon them over against the mulberry-trees.
King James Version (1611)
And when Dauid enquired of the Lord, he said, Thou shalt not goe vp: but fetch a compasse behinde them, and come vpon them ouer against the Mulbery trees.
And when Dauid enquired of the Lord, he said, Thou shalt not goe vp: but fetch a compasse behinde them, and come vpon them ouer against the Mulbery trees.
Brenton's Septuagint (LXX)
And David enquired of the Lord: and the Lord said, Thou shalt not go up to meet them: turn from them, and thou shalt meet them near the place of weeping.
And David enquired of the Lord: and the Lord said, Thou shalt not go up to meet them: turn from them, and thou shalt meet them near the place of weeping.
English Revised Version
And when David inquired of the LORD, he said, Thou shalt not go up: make a circuit behind them, and come upon them over against the mulberry trees.
And when David inquired of the LORD, he said, Thou shalt not go up: make a circuit behind them, and come upon them over against the mulberry trees.
Berean Standard Bible
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.
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.
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
Sotheli Dauid councelide the Lord, and seide, Whether Y schal stie agens Filisties, and whether thou schalt bitake hem in to myn hondis? Which answeride, Thou schalt not stie ayens hem, but cumpasse thou bihynde her bak, and thou schalt come to hem on the contrarie side of the pere trees.
Sotheli Dauid councelide the Lord, and seide, Whether Y schal stie agens Filisties, and whether thou schalt bitake hem in to myn hondis? Which answeride, Thou schalt not stie ayens hem, but cumpasse thou bihynde her bak, and thou schalt come to hem on the contrarie side of the pere trees.
Young's Literal Translation
and David asketh of Jehovah, and He saith, `Thou dost not go up, turn round unto their rear, and thou hast come to them over-against the mulberries,
and David asketh of Jehovah, and He saith, `Thou dost not go up, turn round unto their rear, and thou hast come to them over-against the mulberries,
Update Bible Version
And when David inquired of Yahweh, he said, You shall not go up: make a circuit behind them, and come on them across from the mulberry-trees.
And when David inquired of Yahweh, he said, You shall not go up: make a circuit behind them, and come on them across from the mulberry-trees.
Webster's Bible Translation
And when David inquired of the LORD, he said, Thou shalt not go up: [but] fetch a compass behind them, and come upon them over against the mulberry-trees.
And when David inquired of the LORD, he said, Thou shalt not go up: [but] fetch a compass behind them, and come upon them over against the mulberry-trees.
World English Bible
When David inquired of Yahweh, he said, You shall not go up: make a circuit behind them, and come on them over against the mulberry trees.
When David inquired of Yahweh, he said, You shall not go up: make a circuit behind them, and come on them over against the mulberry trees.
New King James Version
Therefore David inquired of the LORD, and He said, "You shall not go up; circle around behind them, and come upon them in front of the mulberry trees.
Therefore David inquired of the LORD, and He said, "You shall not go up; circle around behind them, and come upon them in front of the mulberry trees.
New Living Translation
And again David asked the Lord what to do. "Do not attack them straight on," the Lord replied. "Instead, circle around behind and attack them near the poplar trees.
And again David asked the Lord what to do. "Do not attack them straight on," the Lord replied. "Instead, circle around behind and attack them near the poplar trees.
New Life Bible
David asked the Lord what he should do. And the Lord said, "Do not go up, but go around behind them and come at them in front of the balsam trees.
David asked the Lord what he should do. And the Lord said, "Do not go up, but go around behind them and come at them in front of the balsam trees.
New Revised Standard
When David inquired of the Lord , he said, "You shall not go up; go around to their rear, and come upon them opposite the balsam trees.
When David inquired of the Lord , he said, "You shall not go up; go around to their rear, and come upon them opposite the balsam trees.
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
So David enquired of Yahweh, and he said - Thou shalt not go up, - Get round behind them, and come in upon them, over against the mulberry-trees.
So David enquired of Yahweh, and he said - Thou shalt not go up, - Get round behind them, and come in upon them, over against the mulberry-trees.
Douay-Rheims Bible
And David consulted the Lord: Shall I go up against the Philistines, and wilt thou deliver them into my hands? He answered: Go not up against them but fetch a compass behind them, and thou shalt come upon them over against the pear trees.
And David consulted the Lord: Shall I go up against the Philistines, and wilt thou deliver them into my hands? He answered: Go not up against them but fetch a compass behind them, and thou shalt come upon them over against the pear trees.
Revised Standard Version
And when David inquired of the LORD, he said, "You shall not go up; go around to their rear, and come upon them opposite the balsam trees.
And when David inquired of the LORD, he said, "You shall not go up; go around to their rear, and come upon them opposite the balsam trees.
New American Standard Bible (1995)
When David inquired of the LORD, He said, "You shall not go directly up; circle around behind them and come at them in front of the balsam trees.
When David inquired of the LORD, He said, "You shall not go directly up; circle around behind them and come at them in front of the balsam trees.
Contextual Overview
17 And when the Philistines had news that David had been made king over Israel, they all went up in search of David; and David, hearing of it, went down to the strong place. 18 And when the Philistines came, they went in every direction in the valley of Rephaim. 19 And David, desiring directions from the Lord, said, Am I to go up against the Philistines? will you give them up into my hands? And the Lord said, Go up, for I will certainly give up the Philistines into your hands. 20 And David went to Baal-perazim, and overcame them there; and he said, The Lord has let the forces fighting against me be broken before me as a wall is broken by rushing waters. So that place was named Baal-perazim. 21 And the Philistines, when they went in flight, did not take their images with them, and David and his men took them away. 22 And the Philistines came up again, and went in every direction in the valley of Rephaim. 23 And when David went for directions to the Lord, he said, You are not to go up against them in front; but make a circle round them from the back and come on them opposite the spice-trees. 24 Then at the sound of footsteps in the tops of the trees, go forward quickly, for the Lord has gone out before you to overcome the army of the Philistines. 25 And David did as the Lord had said; and he overcame the Philistines, attacking them from Gibeon to near Gezer.
Bible Verse Review
from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge
inquired: 2 Samuel 5:19
fetch: Joshua 8:2, Joshua 8:7, 1 Chronicles 14:14, Matthew 9:29, Matthew 9:30, Matthew 8:23-25, John 9:6, John 9:7
the mulberry trees: The word bechaim, rendered mulberry trees, is rendered by Aquila, ×× ×ש×, pear-trees, as the LXX also render in 1 Chronicles 14:14-15; and so the Vulgate in both places has pyrorum. The Rabbins, however, believe bacha signifies the mulberry-tree; with whom Ursinus agrees. It more probably denotes a large shrub which the Arabs still call baca, from its distilling an odoriferous gum, from bachah to distil, as tears. Of this opinion is Celsius, who quotes a passage from Abulfadi, who describes it as a balsam shrub, having longish leaves, and bearing a large fruit with an acrid taste. M. Forskal mentions a tree by the name of beca, with leaves rather ovated, smooth, entire. Its berries are poisonous to the sheep.
Reciprocal: Joshua 6:10 - until the day Judges 20:29 - liers 1 Samuel 14:37 - Shall I go 1 Samuel 23:2 - inquired 1 Samuel 30:8 - inquired 2 Samuel 2:1 - inquired 2 Samuel 14:20 - fetch 2 Samuel 21:1 - of the Lord 1 Kings 8:44 - whithersoever 1 Chronicles 14:10 - inquired 2 Chronicles 18:4 - Inquire Psalms 84:6 - Baca
Gill's Notes on the Bible
And when David inquired of the Lord,.... For though he had success before, and got the victory, he would not engage again with them without having the mind and will of God, on whom he knew victory alone depended:
he said, thou shalt not go up; that is, directly, and in a straight line:
[but] fetch a compass behind them; and get to the rear of them, instead of falling upon them in the front:
and come upon them over against the mulberry trees: which grew in the valley of Rephaim, and near where the Philistines had pitched.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible
The mulberry trees - Rather, the Bacah-tree, and found abundantly near Mecca. It is very like the balsam-tree, and probably derives its name from the exudation of the sap in drops like tears when a leaf is torn off. Some think the valley of Baca Psalms 84:6 was so called from this plant growing there.
Clarke's Notes on the Bible
Verse 2 Samuel 5:23. Fetch a compass behind them — When they may be had, God will not work without using human means. By this he taught David caution, prudence, and dependence on the Divine strength.
