1 N ow Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David with cedar trees, masons and carpenters, to build a house for him.

Now King Hiram of Tyre sent men with cedar trees to David. With them came men who worked with stone and wood. They came to build a house for him.

2 A nd David realized that the Lord had established him as king over Israel, and that his kingdom was highly exalted, for the sake of His people Israel.

David understood that the Lord had made him to be king of Israel. He knew that his nation was very honored because of God’s people Israel.

3 T hen David took more wives at Jerusalem, and David became the father of more sons and daughters.

Then David took more wives at Jerusalem. He became the father of more sons and daughters.

4 T hese are the names of the children born to him in Jerusalem: Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon,

The names of the children born to him in Jerusalem are Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon,

5 I bhar, Elishua, Elpelet,

Ibhar, Elishua, Elpelet,

6 N ogah, Nepheg, Japhia,

Nogah, Nepheg, Japhia,

7 E lishama, Beeliada and Eliphelet. Philistines Defeated

Elishama, Beeliada and Eliphelet. Battle with the Philistines

8 W hen the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over all Israel, all the Philistines went up in search of David; and David heard of it and went out against them.

The Philistines heard that David had been chosen as king of all Israel. So they went up to look for him. David heard of it and went out against them.

9 N ow the Philistines had come and made a raid in the valley of Rephaim.

Now the Philistines had come to fight a surprise battle in the valley of Rephaim.

10 D avid inquired of God, saying, “Shall I go up against the Philistines? And will You give them into my hand?” Then the Lord said to him, “Go up, for I will give them into your hand.”

David asked God, “Should I go fight against the Philistines? Will You give them to me?” And the Lord said to him, “Go, for I will give them to you.”

11 S o they came up to Baal-perazim, and David defeated them there; and David said, “God has broken through my enemies by my hand, like the breakthrough of waters.” Therefore they named that place Baal-perazim.

So they came up to Baal-perazim, and David won the battle against them there. David said, “By my hand God has broken through those who hate me, like the breaking through of a flood.” So they gave that place the name Baal-perazim.

12 T hey abandoned their gods there; so David gave the order and they were burned with fire.

The Philistines left their gods there. So David had them burned with fire.

13 T he Philistines made yet another raid in the valley.

The Philistines fought another surprise battle in the valley.

14 D avid inquired again of God, and God said to him, “You shall not go up after them; circle around behind them and come at them in front of the balsam trees.

So David asked God again what he should do. God said to him, “Do not go after them. Go around behind them, and come upon them in front of the balsam trees.

15 I t shall be when you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, then you shall go out to battle, for God will have gone out before you to strike the army of the Philistines.”

When you hear the sound of their steps in the tops of the balsam trees, then go out to battle. For God will have gone out before you to destroy the Philistine army.”

16 D avid did just as God had commanded him, and they struck down the army of the Philistines from Gibeon even as far as Gezer.

David did just as God had told him, and they destroyed the Philistine army from Gibeon as far as Gezer.

17 T hen the fame of David went out into all the lands; and the Lord brought the fear of him on all the nations.

Then the name of David became known in all the lands. The Lord brought the fear of him upon all the nations.