And spread themselves The expression intimates, that they were very numerous, and made a very formidable appearance. So we read, Revelation 20:9, of the enemies of the church going up on the breadth of the earth. But the wider they spread themselves, the fairer mark they are for God's arrows. And when David inquired of the Lord Though he had been successful before, yet he would attempt nothing further without God's direction; to whom he knew he owed his former victory. He said, Thou shalt not go up That is, not directly, to fight in a pitched battle as before. So the following words explain it. But fetch a compass behind them Where they least expect thee. God's purposes and promises do not exclude or render unnecessary men's endeavours.
Related Commentaries of 2 Samuel 5:22
2 Samuel 5:22-23
22 And the Philistines came up yet again, and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim.
23 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.