1 ¶ Then all the tribes of Israel came unto David in Hebron and spoke, saying, Behold, we are thy bone and thy flesh.

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

2 A nd even yesterday and the day before yesterday, when Saul was king over us, it was thou that didst lead out and bring in Israel; and the LORD said to thee, Thou shalt feed my people Israel, and thou shalt be prince over Israel.

Also, in time past, when Saul was king over us, you were the one who led Israel out and brought them in; and the Lord said to you, ‘You shall shepherd My people Israel, and be ruler over Israel.’”

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

Therefore all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron, and King David made a covenant with them at Hebron before the Lord. 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-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. The Conquest of Jerusalem

6 ¶ Then the king and his men went to Jerusalem unto the Jebusites, who dwelt in the land, who spoke unto David, saying, Except thou take away the blind and the lame, thou shalt not come in here, thinking, David cannot come in here.

And the king and his men went to Jerusalem against the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land, who spoke to David, saying, “You shall not come in here; but the blind and the lame will repel you,” thinking, “David cannot come in here.”

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

Nevertheless David took the stronghold of Zion (that is, the City of David).

8 A nd David said on that day, Who shall go up the waterspout and smite the Jebusites and the lame and the blind, that are hated of David’s soul? Therefore they said, The blind and the lame shall not come into the house.

Now David said on that day, “Whoever climbs up by way of the water shaft and defeats the Jebusites (the lame and the blind, who are hated by David’s soul), he shall be chief and captain. ” Therefore they say, “The blind and the lame shall not come into the house.”

9 S o David dwelt in the fortress and called it the city of David. And David built round about from Millo and inward.

Then David dwelt in the stronghold, and called it the City of David. And David built all around from the Millo and inward.

10 A nd David went on and grew great, and the LORD God of the hosts was with him.

So David went on and became great, and the Lord God of hosts was with him.

11 ¶ And Hiram, king of Tyre, also 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, and cedar trees, and carpenters and masons. And they built David a house.

12 A nd David understood that the LORD had confirmed him as king over Israel and that he had exalted his kingdom for his people Israel’s sake.

So David knew 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 more concubines and wives out of Jerusalem after he had come from Hebron, and more sons and daughters were born unto David.

And David took more concubines and wives from Jerusalem, after he had come from Hebron. Also more sons and daughters were born to David.

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

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

15 I bhar, Elishua, Nepheg, Japhia,

Ibhar, Elishua, Nepheg, Japhia,

16 E lishama, Eliada, and Eliphalet.

Elishama, Eliada, and Eliphelet. The Philistines Defeated

17 ¶ But when the Philistines heard that they had anointed David king over Israel, all the Philistines came up to seek David, and David heard of it and went down to the fortress.

Now when the Philistines heard that they had anointed David king over Israel, all the Philistines went up to search for David. And David heard of it and went down to the stronghold.

18 T he Philistines also came and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim.

The Philistines also went and deployed themselves in the Valley of Rephaim.

19 T hen David enquired of the LORD, saying, Shall I go up to the Philistines? Wilt thou deliver them into my hand? And the LORD said unto David, Go up, for I without a doubt will deliver the Philistines into thy hand.

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

20 A nd David came to Baalperazim, and David smote them there and said, The LORD has broken forth upon my enemies before me as the breach of waters. Therefore, he called the name of that place Baalperazim.

So David went to Baal Perazim, and David defeated them there; and he said, “The Lord has broken through my enemies before me, like a breakthrough of water.” Therefore he called the name of that place Baal Perazim.

21 A nd they left their images there, and David and his men burned them.

And they left their images there, and David and his men carried them away.

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

Then the Philistines went up once again and deployed themselves in the Valley of Rephaim.

23 A nd when David enquired of the LORD, he said, Thou shalt not go up, but go around behind them and come upon them over against the mulberry trees,

Therefore David inquired of the Lord, and He said, “You shall not go up; circle around behind them, and come upon them in front of the mulberry trees.

24 a nd when thou hearest thunder going through the tops of the mulberry trees, then thou shalt move, for then the LORD shall go out before thee to smite the host of the Philistines.

And it shall be, when you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the mulberry trees, then you shall advance quickly. For then the Lord will go out before you to strike the camp of the Philistines.”

25 A nd David did so as the LORD had commanded him and smote the Philistines from Geba unto Gazer.

And David did so, as the Lord commanded him; and he drove back the Philistines from Geba as far as Gezer.