The Philistines Again

But when the Philistines heard that they had anointed David king over Israel, all the Philistines came up to seek David; and David heard of it, and went down to the hold. —2 Samuel 5:17

During the early years of his reign David had had no difficulty with the Philistines.

In the time of his exile from Saul the Philistines had befriended him, and when David became king of Judah they hoped for friendship from him in opposition to Saul’s house.

They felt confident that they could retain their power over a divided Hebrew nation. But when David became king over all Israel, and succeeded in capturing Jebus and effected an alliance with Hiram of Tyre, the Philistines, fearing David’s growing strength, determined to make war against Israel and curb the power of its new king.” The alliance with Hiram of Tyre was beneficial to both kings. Trade was enhanced, and having an ally on Israel’s northwestern border provided security from that quarter. This exchange did not go unnoticed by the Philistines.

They were now confronted with armed forces to their north and east, with their backs to the Mediterranean Sea in the west.

Approaching Jerusalem from the southwest, they set up camp in the Valley of Rephaim—“the valley of the giants” (Joshua 15:8).

David marshaled his forces within the city of Jerusalem and sought guidance from the Lord. “And David enquired of the LORD, saying, Shall I go up to the Philistines? wilt thou deliver them into mine hand? And the LORD said unto David, Go up: for I will doubtless deliver the Philistines into thine hand” (2 Samuel 5:19). David’s forces broke through the Philistine line of battle and overwhelmed the invaders. The victory happened so quickly that the Philistines abandoned their idols on the field and fled. They expected their wooden idols would guarantee a victory. Now the images were dumped as useless baggage.

And David said, “The LORD hath broken forth upon mine enemies before me, as the breach of waters. Therefore he called the name of that place Baalperazim” (v. 20).

Literally, Baal-perazim means “ ‘lord of the breaking through’ or ‘possessor of the burstings.’” “The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water: therefore leave off contention, before it be meddled with” (Proverbs 17:14).