Font Size
2 Samuel 5:23-24
New English Translation
2 Samuel 5:23-24
New English Translation
23 So David asked the Lord what he should do.[a] This time[b] the Lord[c] said to him, “Don’t march straight up. Instead, circle around behind them and come against them opposite the trees.[d] 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[e] of the Philistines.”
Read full chapterFootnotes
- 2 Samuel 5:23 tn The words “what to do” are not in the Hebrew text.
- 2 Samuel 5:23 tn The words “this time” are not in the Hebrew text.
- 2 Samuel 5:23 tn Heb “he”; the referent (the Lord) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
- 2 Samuel 5:23 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.
- 2 Samuel 5:24 tn Heb “camp” (so NAB).
2 Samuel 5:23-24
New International Version
2 Samuel 5:23-24
New International Version
23 so David inquired of the Lord, and he answered, “Do not go straight up, but circle around behind them and attack them in front of the poplar trees. 24 As soon as you hear the sound(A) of marching in the tops of the poplar trees, move quickly, because that will mean the Lord has gone out in front(B) of you to strike the Philistine army.”
New English Translation (NET)
NET Bible® copyright ©1996-2017 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. http://netbible.com All rights reserved.
New International Version (NIV) 
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. Copyright © 2019 by Zondervan.