“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.”
My Notes
What Does 2 Samuel 5:23 Mean?
"Thou shalt not go up; but fetch a compass behind them, and come upon them over against the mulberry trees." David inquires of God before a second battle with the Philistines — and God gives a completely different strategy than the first time (verse 19: the first time, God said go straight up). This time: don't go up directly. Circle around behind. Attack from the mulberry trees. Wait for the sound of marching in the treetops (verse 24). Then strike.
The different strategy for the same enemy means God doesn't use the same approach twice just because it worked once. What succeeded in battle one won't succeed in battle two. The strategy is situation-specific, not formula-based. You can't repeat last time's obedience and expect this time's victory. You have to ask again.
The mulberry-tree detail — "when thou hearest the sound of a going in the tops of the mulberry trees" (verse 24) — means God will signal the attack through a supernatural sound in the treetops. The signal is natural in form (rustling in trees) and supernatural in origin (God's armies marching). David must wait for the sound before striking.
Reflection Questions
- 1.What previous strategy are you repeating without asking God for fresh instructions?
- 2.Why does God give different approaches for the same enemy?
- 3.What does waiting for 'the sound in the mulberry trees' teach about divine timing?
- 4.How do you know when to repeat and when to ask again?
Devotional
Don't go up this time. Circle around. Wait by the mulberry trees. Listen for marching in the treetops. Then move. God gives David a completely different strategy for the same enemy — because the same approach doesn't work twice.
The first battle (verse 19): go straight up. God delivers. The second battle (verse 23): don't go up. Circle behind. Wait for the sound. The same enemy. The same commander. The same God. Completely different instructions. What worked last time won't work this time. You have to ask again.
The asking-again is the verse's central lesson: David could have replicated the first battle's strategy. It worked perfectly. The temptation to repeat what succeeded is enormous. But David inquires of God again — and God says: different approach this time. The obedience that worked before is the disobedience that fails now if you don't get fresh instructions.
The mulberry-tree signal — supernatural marching sounds in the treetops — means David must wait for God's timing, not just follow God's strategy. The plan includes a pause: get in position and wait. Don't move until you hear the sound. The waiting is part of the strategy. The timing is as important as the tactics.
What strategy from a previous victory are you trying to repeat without asking God for fresh instructions? The enemy might be the same. The approach might need to change completely. The God who said 'go straight up' last time might say 'circle behind' this time.
Ask again. Every time.
Commentary
Trusted original commentary from respected historical Bible scholars and theologians.
And David did so as the Lord commanded him,.... In all things he was obedient to the command of God; Saul was not: he…
The mulberry trees - Rather, the Bacah-tree, and found abundantly near Mecca. It is very like the balsam-tree, and…
Fetch a compass behind them - When they may be had, God will not work without using human means. By this he taught David…
The particular service for which David was raised up was to save Israel out of the hand of the Philistines, Sa2 3:18.…
Thou shalt not go up The addition of the Sept. "to meet them" is needed to complete the sense. This answer implies the…
Cross References
Related passages throughout Scripture