The Philistines also came and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim.
Valley of Rephaim - i:e., of giants (2 Samuel 5:18; 2 Samuel 5:22; 1 Samuel 23:13; 1 Chronicles 11:5; 1 Chronicles 14:9; 1 Chronicles 14:13); of the giants (see the notes at Joshua 15:8; Joshua 18:16 [Septuagint, eis teen koilado toon Titanoon, into the valley of the Titans]; a broad and fertile plain, about a mile in length, which descends gradually from the central mountains toward the northwest. It was the southern entrance into Jerusalem, extending northward until a narrow ridge of rocks, which breaks abruptly into the deep ravine of the Hinnom, intercepted further progress (Robinson, 'Biblical Researches,' 1:, p. 323; 2:, p. 156; Porter's 'Handbook,' pp. 75, 104). The "hold" to which David went down 'was some fortified place, where he might oppose the progress of the invaders,' and where he signally defeated them [Septuagint, eis teen periocheen, to the enclosure]. But there is no mention of "the hold" in the parallel passage (cf. 1 Chronicles 14:8). The time chosen for this invasion was harvest, when the broad, fertile fields would present a great temptation to the cupidity of the restless marauders.