Bible Strands
2 Samuel 5:22
Once again the Philistines came up and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The narrator describes a military movement immediately after David captures Jerusalem and defeats the Philistines at Baal-perazim. The account occurs at the moment the Philistines launch a second invasion to reclaim their lost territory.
The words — The Hebrew וַ/יֹּסִ֥פוּ (va/i.yo.Si.fu) and ע֛וֹד (od) literally mean "and they repeated" and "again," marking a renewed campaign. The verb לַֽ/עֲל֑וֹת (la./'a.Lot) denotes the standard military phrase "to go up," indicating an ascent into the Judean highlands.
The thread — This repeated Philistine advance into the Valley of Rephaim parallels the initial invasion in 2 Samuel 5:18 and is recorded again in 1 Chronicles 14:13. The tactical response to this valley deployment also echoes later military warnings in 1 Kings 20:22.
Why it lands — The verse establishes that spiritual victory does not eliminate recurring earthly threats. It demands that readers expect repeated opposition and respond with disciplined inquiry rather than complacency.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
And the Philistines came up yet again, and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim.
Cross-references
- 2 Samuel 5:18 Now the Philistines had come and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim.
- 1 Kings 20:22 Afterward, the prophet approached the king of Israel and said, “Go and strengthen your position, and take note what you must do, for in the spring the king of Aram will come up against you.”
- 1 Chronicles 14:13 Once again the Philistines raided the valley.