17 When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over Israel, all the Philistines went up in search of David; but David heard of it and went down to the stronghold. 18 Now the Philistines had come and spread out in the valley of Reph'aim. 19 And David inquired of the Lord, "Shall I go up against the Philistines? Wilt thou give them into my hand?" And the Lord said to David, "Go up; for I will certainly give the Philistines into your hand." 20 And David came to Ba'al-pera'zim, and David defeated them there; and he said, "The Lord has broken through my enemies before me, like a bursting flood." Therefore the name of that place is called Ba'al-pera'zim. 21 And the Philistines left their idols there, and David and his men carried them away. 22 And the Philistines came up yet again, and spread out in the valley of Reph'aim. 23 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. 24 And when you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, then bestir yourself; for then the Lord has gone out before you to smite the army of the Philistines." 25 And David did as the Lord commanded him, and smote the Philistines from Geba to Gezer.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 2 Samuel 5:17-25
Commentary on 2 Samuel 5:17-25
(Read 2 Samuel 5:17-25)
The Philistines considered not that David had the presence of God with him, which Saul had forfeited and lost. The kingdom of the Messiah, as soon as it was set up in the world, was thus attacked by the powers of darkness. The heathen raged, and the kings of the earth set themselves to oppose it; but all in vain, Acts 2:2.