8 When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed as king over all Yisrael, the entire Philistine army went up into the hill country to eliminate him. David got this news and took his army out to meet them. 9 Meanwhile, the Philistines went and raided the Refaim valley, 10 and David asked God, “Should I take on the Philistines, and will you give me victory over them?”

“Go ahead,” Yahweh answered, “and I’ll enable you to defeat them.”

11 Then they[fn] went up to what’s now called Baal-Peratsim, and David defeated them down there. David said, “God has used me to break through my enemies like a flooded river breaking a dam.” Therefore they named that place Baal-Peratsim (which means ‘the master bursts through’). 12 The Philistines abandoned their idols as they fled, and David ordered them to be burnt.

13 But soon the Philistines raided the valley again, 14 and David asked God’s advice again. “Don’t go uphill after them,” God said, “but circle around them and confront them in front of the balsam trees. 15 When you hear the sound of the marching in the tops of the balsam trees, that’s when you should attack, because God will have gone out ahead of you to strike down the Philistine army.” 16 So David did just as God had told him, and he attacked the Philistines from Giveon all the way to Gezer. 17 So David’s reputation spread everywhere, and Yahweh caused the other nations to be afraid of him.

17 When the Philistines heard that David had been proclaimed as king over all Yisrael, their army set off to capture him, but David heard and retreated[fn] to the stronghold. 18 The Philistines moved in and took over the Rafa valley, 19 and David inquired from Yahweh, “Should I attack the Philistines? Will you help me defeat them?”

“Yes, attack them,” Yahweh replied, “because I’ll certainly help you to defeat them.”

20 So David attacked and defeated them, and said, “Yahweh broke through my enemies in front of me like breaking a dam.” So he called the place ‘Baal-Peratsim’ (which means ‘Master of breaking through’). 21 The Philistines left their idols there, and David and his men took them away.

22 Then the Philistines returned to the Rafa valley and took over it again. 23 Again David inquired from Yahweh who replied, “No, don’t go straight in. Move around behind them and then attack them from opposite the trees. 24 Then when you hear a sound in the tops of the trees that sounds like marching, then you’ll know that Yahweh has gone ahead to strike the Philistines’ camp.” 25 So David followed Yahweh’s instructions they attacked the Philistines from Geva all the way to Gezer.