2 Samuel 5:23

WEB

When David inquired of the Lord, he said, "You shall not go up. Circle around behind them, and attack them over against the mulberry trees.

KJV

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.

Commentary

And when David inquired of the Lord,.... For though he had success before, and got the victory, he would not engage again with them without having the mind and will of God, on whom he knew victory alone depended: he said, thou shalt not go up; that is, directly, and in a straight line: but fetch a compass behind them; and get to the rear of them, instead of falling upon them in the front: and come upon them over against the mulberry trees: which grew in the valley of Rephaim, and near where the Philistines had pitched.