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 spoke, saying, “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.

In times past, when Saul was king over us, it was you who led Israel out and in. Yahweh said to you, ‘You will be shepherd of my people Israel, and you will be prince 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 to Hebron, and king David made a covenant with them in Hebron before Yahweh; and 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 began to reign, 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.

In 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.

The king and his men went to Jerusalem against the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land, who spoke to David, saying, “The blind and the lame will keep you out of here”; thinking, “David can’t come in here.”

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

Nevertheless David took the stronghold of Zion. This is David’s city.

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 strikes the Jebusites, let him go up to the watercourse and strike the lame and the blind, who are hated by David’s soul.” Therefore they say, “The blind and the lame can’t 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.

David lived in the stronghold, and called it David’s city. David built around from Millo and inward.

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

David grew greater and greater; for Yahweh, the God of Armies, 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.

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

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.

David perceived that Yahweh had established him king over Israel, and that he had exalted his kingdom for his people Israel’s sake.

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.

David took more concubines and wives for himself out of Jerusalem, after he had come 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,

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.

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 David, but David heard about it and went down to the stronghold.

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

Now the Philistines had come and spread themselves 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.

David inquired of Yahweh, saying, “Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will you deliver them into my hand?” Yahweh said to David, “Go up; for I will certainly deliver 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.

David came to Baal Perazim, and David struck them there. Then he said, “Yahweh has broken my enemies before me, like the breach of waters.” Therefore he called the name of that place Baal Perazim.

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

They left their images there; and David and his men took them away.

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

The Philistines came up yet again, and spread themselves 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 Yahweh, he said, “You shall not go up. Circle around behind them, and attack them in front of the mulberry 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.

When you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the mulberry trees, then stir yourself up; for then Yahweh has 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.

David did so, as Yahweh commanded him, and struck the Philistines all the way from Geba to Gezer.