2 Samuel 5:23

“And when David inquired of the Lord, etc.] 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.”

“The mulberry trees - Rather, the Bacah-tree, and found abundantly near Mecca. It is very like the balsam-tree, and probably derives its name from the exudation of the sap in drops like tears when a leaf is torn off. Some think the valley of Baca Psalms 84:6 was so called from this plant growing there. return to 'Top of Page'”

“Go up - Directly against them, as the following words explain it. Behind - Where they least expect thee; God's purposes and promises do not exclude men's endeavours. 2 Kings (2 Samuel) 5:24”

“5:23 David again asked the Lord (5:19), but this time God gave a much more detailed answer. Unlike the frontal assault of 5:20, God instructed David to circle around behind the enemy.”

“inquired: Sa2 5:19 fetch: Jos 8:2, Jos 8:7; Ch1 14:14; Mat 9:29, Mat 9:30, Mat 8:23-25; Joh 9:6, Joh 9:7 the mulberry trees: The word bechaim, rendered mulberry trees, is rendered by Aquila, απιων, pear-trees, as the LXX also render in Ch1 14:14, Ch1 14:15; and so the Vulgate in both places has pyrorum. The Rabbins, however, believe bacha signifies the mulberry-tree; with whom Ursinus agrees. It more probably denotes a large shrub which the Arabs still call baca, from its distilling an odoriferous gum, from bachah to distil, as tears. Of this opinion is Celsius, who quotes a passage from Abulfadi, who describes it as a balsam shrub, having longish leaves, and bearing a large fruit with an…”