Single lesson
David's Victories over the Philistines
2 Samuel 5:17–25; 1 Chronicles 14:8–17
Children will follow two Philistine attacks and see a repeated pattern in the passage: David asks God what to do, receives specific direction, and then acts.
Before you teach
When the Philistines heard David had been anointed king over Israel, they came against him in the valley of Rephaim. These verses describe two attacks, two times of inquiry, and two victories, with the second battle showing different instructions from the first.
Students will be able to retell the two attacks in order, name David’s choice to inquire of God each time, and describe one outcome from each battle.
Welcome: Spot the repeated pattern
4 minTell the class this passage has two Philistine attacks. Ask children to listen for the same pattern each time: the Philistines come, David asks God what to do, God answers, and David acts. This helps them listen for sequence instead of only one big victory.
2 Samuel 5:17, 2 Samuel 5:22, 1 Chronicles 14:8, 1 Chronicles 14:13
Read and explain: The first victory
7 minRead the first attack. The Philistines spread out in the valley of Rephaim. David inquired of Yahweh, asking whether he should go up. God answered, 'Go up'. David defeated them at Baal Perazim and said God had broken his enemies like waters breaking out.
2 Samuel 5:18, 2 Samuel 5:19, 2 Samuel 5:20, 1 Chronicles 14:9, 1 Chronicles 14:10, 1 Chronicles 14:11
Discuss: What followed the first battle
5 minAfter the first victory, the Philistines left their images or gods behind. In 2 Samuel, David and his men took them away. In 1 Chronicles, David gave a command and they were burned with fire. Keep these details with the first battle when retelling the account.
2 Samuel 5:21, 1 Chronicles 14:12
Make and respond: Sequence the second attack
8 minGive children paper slips to draw or label key moments in order: first attack, David asks, God says go up, victory, second attack, David asks again, different instructions, David obeys. Stress that the second battle was not handled by copying the first one.
2 Samuel 5:19, 2 Samuel 5:22, 2 Samuel 5:23, 2 Samuel 5:25, 1 Chronicles 14:10, 1 Chronicles 14:13, 1 Chronicles 14:14, 1 Chronicles 14:16
Closing: God’s directions were specific
6 minFinish with the second battle instructions. David was told not to go up directly, but to turn and wait for the sound of marching in the mulberry trees. David did as God commanded. Chronicles adds that David’s fame spread and Yahweh brought fear of him on all nations.
2 Samuel 5:23, 2 Samuel 5:24, 2 Samuel 5:25, 1 Chronicles 14:14, 1 Chronicles 14:15, 1 Chronicles 14:16, 1 Chronicles 14:17
Questions to explore
What did David do before each battle?
Look for the repeated action in both accounts: David inquired of Yahweh or of God before acting.
2 Samuel 5:19, 2 Samuel 5:23, 1 Chronicles 14:10, 1 Chronicles 14:14
What was different about the second set of instructions?
Compare the first answer, 'Go up', with the later instruction to turn around and wait for the sound of marching in the mulberry trees.
2 Samuel 5:19, 2 Samuel 5:23, 2 Samuel 5:24, 1 Chronicles 14:10, 1 Chronicles 14:14, 1 Chronicles 14:15
What details belong to the outcome of the first battle?
Notice both the place name Baal Perazim and what happened to the Philistine images or gods afterward.
2 Samuel 5:20, 2 Samuel 5:21, 1 Chronicles 14:11, 1 Chronicles 14:12
Make, think or respond
Two-Battle Sequence Cards
What you’ll need
- plain paper or card
- pencils or crayons
- scissors
- Bible
Try it together
- Write or draw 8 key moments from the passage on separate cards.
- Mix the cards and work together to place them in order.
- Read the ordered cards aloud and identify where David asked God each time.
- Sort the cards into two groups: first battle and second battle.
The cards help children follow the order of both battles and notice that David inquired of God each time before acting.
Adapt for your group
- For younger children, use six cards and simple drawings instead of written labels.
- For older children, ask them to compare the details after the first victory in 2 Samuel 5:21 and 1 Chronicles 14:12.
An optional closing prayer
You might pray: "God, thank you for showing us that David asked you what to do and obeyed your word. Please help us listen carefully and act wisely."
Read the Bible passage World English Bible Classic
2 Samuel 5
17 When the Philistines heard that they had anointed David king over Israel, all the Philistines went up to seek David, but David heard about it and went down to the stronghold.
18 Now the Philistines had come and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim.
19 David inquired of Yahweh, saying, “Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will you deliver them into my hand?” Yahweh said to David, “Go up; for I will certainly deliver the Philistines into your hand.”
20 David came to Baal Perazim, and David struck them there. Then he said, “Yahweh has broken my enemies before me, like the breach of waters.” Therefore he called the name of that place Baal Perazim.
21 They left their images there, and David and his men took them away.
22 The Philistines came up yet again and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim.
23 When David inquired of Yahweh, he said, “You shall not go up. Circle around behind them, and attack them in front of the mulberry trees.
24 When you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the mulberry trees, then stir yourself up; for then Yahweh has gone out before you to strike the army of the Philistines.”
25 David did so, as Yahweh commanded him, and struck the Philistines all the way from Geba to Gezer.
1 Chronicles 14
8 When the Philistines heard that David was anointed king over all Israel, all the Philistines went up to seek David; and David heard of it, and went out against them.
9 Now the Philistines had come and made a raid in the valley of Rephaim.
10 David inquired of God, saying, “Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will you deliver them into my hand?” Yahweh said to him, “Go up; for I will deliver them into your hand.”
11 So they came up to Baal Perazim, and David defeated them there. David said, God has broken my enemies by my hand, like waters breaking out. Therefore they called the name of that place Baal Perazim.
12 They left their gods there; and David gave a command, and they were burned with fire.
13 The Philistines made another raid in the valley.
14 David inquired again of God; and God said to him, “You shall not go up after them. Turn away from them, and come on them opposite the mulberry trees.
15 When you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the mulberry trees, then go out to battle; for God has gone out before you to strike the army of the Philistines.”
16 David did as God commanded him; and they attacked the army of the Philistines from Gibeon even to Gezer.
17 The fame of David went out into all lands; and Yahweh brought the fear of him on all nations.
World English Bible Classic. Public domain.