1 T hen came all the tribes of Israel to David unto Hebron, and spake, saying, Behold, we are thy bone and thy flesh.

Then all the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron and said, “Behold, we are your bone and your flesh.

2 I n times past, when Saul was king over us, it was thou that leddest out and broughtest in Israel: and Jehovah said to thee, Thou shalt be shepherd of my people Israel, and thou shalt be prince over Israel.

Previously, when Saul was king over us, you were the one who led Israel out and in. And the Lord said to you, ‘ You will shepherd My people Israel, and you will be a ruler over Israel.’”

3 S o all the elders of Israel came to the king to Hebron; and king David made a covenant with them in Hebron before Jehovah: and they anointed David king over Israel.

So all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron, and King David made a covenant with them before the Lord at Hebron; then they anointed David king over Israel.

4 D avid was thirty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned forty years.

David was thirty years old when he became king, and he reigned forty years.

5 I n Hebron he reigned over Judah seven years and six months; and in Jerusalem he reigned thirty and three years over all Israel and Judah.

At Hebron he reigned over Judah seven years and six months, and in Jerusalem he reigned thirty-three years over all Israel and Judah.

6 A nd the king and his men went to Jerusalem against the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land, who spake unto David, saying, Except thou take away the blind and the lame, thou shalt not come in hither; thinking, David cannot come in hither.

Now the king and his men went to Jerusalem against the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land, and they said to David, “You shall not come in here, but the blind and lame will turn you away”; thinking, “David cannot enter here.”

7 N evertheless David took the stronghold of Zion; the same is the city of David.

Nevertheless, David captured the stronghold of Zion, that is the city of David.

8 A nd David said on that day, Whosoever smiteth the Jebusites, let him get up to the watercourse, and smite the lame and the blind, that are hated of David's soul. Wherefore they say, There are the blind and the lame; he cannot come into the house.

David said on that day, “Whoever would strike the Jebusites, let him reach the lame and the blind, who are hated by David’s soul, through the water tunnel.” Therefore they say, “The blind or the lame shall not come into the house.”

9 A nd David dwelt in the stronghold, and called it the city of David. And David built round about from Millo and inward.

So David lived in the stronghold and called it the city of David. And David built all around from the Millo and inward.

10 A nd David waxed greater and greater; for Jehovah, the God of hosts, was with him.

David became greater and greater, for the Lord God of hosts was with him.

11 A nd Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, and cedar-trees, and carpenters, and masons; and they built David a house.

Then Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David with cedar trees and carpenters and stonemasons; and they built a house for David.

12 A nd David perceived that Jehovah had established him king over Israel, and that he had exalted his kingdom for his people Israel's sake.

And David realized that the Lord had established him as king over Israel, and that He had exalted his kingdom for the sake of His people Israel.

13 A nd David took him more concubines and wives out of Jerusalem, after he was come from Hebron; and there were yet sons and daughters born to David.

Meanwhile David took more concubines and wives from Jerusalem, after he came from Hebron; and more sons and daughters were born to David.

14 A nd these are the names of those that were born unto him in Jerusalem: Shammua, and Shobab, and Nathan, and Solomon,

Now these are the names of those who were born to him in Jerusalem: Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon,

15 a nd Ibhar, and Elishua, and Nepheg, and Japhia,

Ibhar, Elishua, Nepheg, Japhia,

16 a nd Elishama, and Eliada, and Eliphelet.

Elishama, Eliada and Eliphelet. War with the Philistines

17 A nd when the Philistines heard that they had anointed David king over Israel, all the Philistines went up to seek David; and David heard of it, and went down to the stronghold.

When the Philistines heard that they had anointed David king over Israel, all the Philistines went up to seek out David; and when David heard of it, he went down to the stronghold.

18 N ow the Philistines had come and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim.

Now the Philistines came and spread themselves out in the valley of Rephaim.

19 A nd David inquired of Jehovah, saying, Shall I go up against the Philistines? wilt thou deliver them into my hand? And Jehovah said unto David, Go up; for I will certainly deliver the Philistines into thy hand.

Then David inquired of the Lord, saying, “Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will You give them into my hand?” And the Lord said to David, “Go up, for I will certainly give the Philistines into your hand.”

20 A nd David came to Baal-perazim, and David smote them there; and he said, Jehovah hath broken mine enemies before me, like the breach of waters. Therefore he called the name of that place Baal-perazim.

So David came to Baal-perazim and defeated them there; and he said, “The Lord has broken through my enemies before me like the breakthrough of waters.” Therefore he named that place Baal-perazim.

21 A nd they left their images there; and David and his men took them away.

They abandoned their idols there, so David and his men carried them away.

22 A nd the Philistines came up yet again, and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim.

Now the Philistines came up once again and spread themselves out in the valley of Rephaim.

23 A nd when David inquired of Jehovah, he said, Thou shalt not go up: make a circuit behind them, and come upon them over against the mulberry-trees.

When David inquired of the Lord, He said, “You shall not go directly up; circle around behind them and come at them in front of the balsam trees.

24 A nd it shall be, when thou hearest the sound of marching in the tops of the mulberry-trees, that then thou shalt bestir thyself; for then is Jehovah gone out before thee to smite the host of the Philistines.

It shall be, when you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, then you shall act promptly, for then the Lord will have gone out before you to strike the army of the Philistines.”

25 A nd David did so, as Jehovah commanded him, and smote the Philistines from Geba until thou come to Gezer.

Then David did so, just as the Lord had commanded him, and struck down the Philistines from Geba as far as Gezer.