Translations
F.O.G.MPrimary
F.O.G MessageDavid inquired of Yahweh again, and this time God said, 'Don't advance directly—circle around behind them and attack from the direction of the balsam trees.'
F.O.GSecondary
The F.O.GDawid inquired of YHWH, and He said, 'Do not go up; circle round behind them and come at them opposite the beka'im trees.'
KJV
King James VersionAnd 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.
BSB
Berean Standard BibleSo David inquired of the LORD, who answered, “Do not march straight up, but circle around behind them and attack them in front of the balsam trees.
Footnotes
The *beka'im* (בְּכָאִים) trees are of uncertain botanical identification—rendered 'mulberry' in the LXX and KJV, 'balsam' in most modern versions, with some scholars proposing mastic or another species noted for distinctive rustling in wind. The precise species matters less than the theological point: YHWH gives David a completely different battle plan for the identical enemy in the identical valley. No two divine strategies are the same. Covenant obedience demands fresh inquiry before each new challenge—yesterday's guidance cannot be recycled. FOG retains *beka'im* untranslated; FOG Message uses 'balsam trees' as the most accepted rendering.
