2 Samuel 5:23

What does 2 Samuel 5:23 mean?

A plain-English look at 2 Samuel 5:23 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

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.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

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,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

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.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

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.

Context

v.22And the Philistines came up yet again, and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim.

v.23This passage

v.24And 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.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • 1 Chronicles 14:14

    And David inquired again of God; and God said unto him, Thou shalt not go up after them: turn away from them, and come upon them over against the mulberry-trees.

  • Joshua 8:7

    and ye shall rise up from the ambush, and take possession of the city: for Jehovah your God will deliver it into your hand.

  • Joshua 8:2

    and thou shalt do to Ai and her king as thou didst unto Jericho and her king: only the spoil thereof, and the cattle thereof, shall ye take for a prey unto yourselves: set thee an ambush for the city behind it.

  • Matthew 8:23

    And when he was entered into a boat, his disciples followed him.

  • John 9:6

    When he had thus spoken, he spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and anointed his eyes with the clay,

  • Matthew 9:29

    Then touched he their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it done unto you.

Related questions readers ask