David advanced upon the enemy at once, defeated and destroyed them, and took from them the gods which they had brought with them to ensure their victory. Exasperated by the humiliation of their defeat, the Philistines gathered a still larger force, and returned to the conflict. And again they "spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim." Again David sought the Lord and the great I Am took the direction of the armies of Israel.

David rykkede omgående imod fjenden; han slog dem og tilintetgjorde dem og tog deres guder, som de havde bragt med for at sikre sejren. I deres forbitrelse over dette ydmygende nederlag samlede filisterne en endnu større hær og drog atter i krig. Og de "bredte sig på ny i Refaimdalen". David rådspurgte atter Herren, og den store Jeg Er overtog ledelsen af Israels hære.