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

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

2 A lso, 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.’”

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 T herefore 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.

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-three years over all Israel and Judah. The Conquest of Jerusalem

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 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.”

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 (that is, the City of David).

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

8 N ow 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.”

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

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

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

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

11 T hen 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 S o 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.

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 more concubines and wives from Jerusalem, after he had come from Hebron. Also more sons and daughters were 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 N ow these are the names of those who were born to him in Jerusalem: Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon,

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 Eliphelet. The Philistines Defeated

Elishama, Eliada, and Eliphelet.

17 N ow 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.

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

Now the Philistines had come and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim.

19 S o 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.”

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 S o 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.

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 carried them away.

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

22 T hen the Philistines went up once again and deployed themselves in the Valley of Rephaim.

The Philistines came up yet again, and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim.

23 T herefore 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.

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 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.”

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 the Lord commanded him; and he drove back the Philistines from Geba as far as Gezer.

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