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 A lso in time past, when Saul was king over us, thou wast he that leddest out and broughtest in Israel: and the Lord said to thee, Thou shalt feed my people Israel, and thou shalt be a captain 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 league with them in Hebron before the Lord: 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 unto the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land: which 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 strong hold 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 getteth up to the gutter, and smiteth the Jebusites, and the lame and the blind that are hated of David's soul, he shall be chief and captain. Wherefore they said, The blind and the lame shall not 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 S o David dwelt in the fort, 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 went on, and grew great, and the Lord 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 an 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 the Lord 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 be the names of those that were born unto him in Jerusalem; Shammuah, 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 I bhar also, and Elishua, and Nepheg, and Japhia,

Ibhar, Elishua, Nepheg, Japhia,

16 A nd Elishama, and Eliada, and Eliphalet.

Elishama, Eliada and Eliphelet. War with the Philistines

17 B ut 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 hold.

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 T he Philistines also came 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 enquired of the Lord, saying, Shall I go up to the Philistines? wilt thou deliver them into mine hand? And the Lord said unto David, Go up: for I will doubtless deliver the Philistines into thine 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 Baalperazim, and David smote them there, and said, The Lord hath broken forth upon mine enemies before me, as the breach of waters. Therefore he called the name of that place Baalperazim.

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

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 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.

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 let it be, when thou hearest the sound of a going in the tops of the mulberry trees, that then thou shalt bestir thyself: for then shall the Lord go 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 the Lord had commanded him; and smote the Philistines from Geba until thou come to Gazer.

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