1 T hen all the families of Israel came to David at Hebron and said, “See, we are your bone and your flesh.

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

2 W hen Saul was our king, you were the one who led Israel out and in. The Lord said to you, ‘You will be the shepherd of My people Israel. You will be a ruler over Israel.’”

In times past, when Saul was king over us, it was you who led out and brought in Israel. And the Lord told you, You shall feed My people Israel and be prince over.

3 S o all the leaders of Israel came to the king at Hebron. And there King David made an agreement with them before the Lord. Then they chose David to be the king of Israel.

So all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron, and King David made a covenant with them before the Lord, and they anointed king over Israel.

4 D avid was thirty years old when he became king, and he ruled for forty years.

David was thirty years old when he began his forty-year reign.

5 H e ruled over Judah seven years and six months at Hebron. Then he ruled in Jerusalem thirty-three years over all Israel and Judah. David Takes 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 N ow the king and his men went to Jerusalem against the Jebusites, the people living in the land. They said to David, “You will not come here. Even those who cannot see or walk could stop you.” They thought that David could not come here.

And the king and his men went to Jerusalem against the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land, who said to David, You shall not enter here, for the blind and the lame will prevent you; they thought, David cannot come in here.

7 B ut David took the strong place of Zion, that is, the city of David.

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

8 D avid said on that day, “Whoever would kill the Jebusites, let him go up through the hole where the water flows, to those who cannot walk or see and who are hated by David’s soul.” So it is said, “Those who cannot see or walk will not come to the house.”

David said on that day, Whoever smites the Jebusites, let him get up through the water shaft and smite the lame and the blind who are detested by David’s soul. So they say, The blind and the lame shall not come into the house.

9 D avid lived in the strong place and called it the city of David. He built all around it from Millo toward the center.

So David dwelt in the stronghold and called it the City of David. And he built round about from the Millo and inward.

10 D avid became greater and greater, for the Lord God of All was with him.

David became greater and greater, for the Lord God of hosts was with him.

11 H iram king of Tyre sent men to David with cedar trees and men who build with wood and stone. And they built a house for David.

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

12 D avid understood that the Lord had made him the king of Israel, and that the Lord had given honor to David’s rule because of His people Israel.

And David perceived that the Lord had established him king over Israel and that He had exalted his kingdom for His people Israel’s sake.

13 D avid took more wives from Jerusalem, after he came from Hebron. And more sons and daughters were born to him.

And David took more concubines and wives out of Jerusalem, after he came from Hebron, and other sons and daughters were born to.

14 T he names of those who were born to him in Jerusalem were Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon,

And 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. David Wins the Battle over the Philistines

Elishama, Eliada, and Eliphelet.

17 W hen the Philistines heard that David had been chosen to be king of Israel, all the Philistines went up to find him. When David heard of it, he went down to the strong place.

When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over Israel, they all went up to find, but heard of it and went down to the stronghold.

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

The Philistines also came and spread themselves in the Valley of Rephaim.

19 T hen David asked the Lord, “Should I go up against the Philistines? Will You give them into my hand?” And the Lord said to David, “Go up, for it is sure that I will give the Philistines into your hand.”

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 surely deliver into your hand.

20 S o David came to Baal-perazim and beat them there in battle. He said, “The Lord has broken through those who hate me like the breaking through of a flood.” So he gave that place the name Baal-perazim.

And David came to Baal-perazim, and he smote them there, and said, The Lord has broken through my enemies before me, like the bursting out of great waters. So he called the name of that place Baal-perazim.

21 T he Philistines left their false gods there, and David and his men carried them away.

There the Philistines left their images, and David and his men took them away.

22 T he Philistines came up again, and spread themselves out in the valley of Rephaim.

The Philistines came up again and spread themselves out in the Valley of Rephaim.

23 D avid asked the Lord what he should do. And the Lord said, “Do not go up, but go around behind them and come at them in front of the balsam trees.

When David inquired of the Lord, He said, You shall not go up, but go around behind them and come upon them over opposite the mulberry (or balsam) trees.

24 W hen you hear the sound of their steps in the tops of the balsam trees, then hurry to fight, for then the Lord will have gone out before you to destroy the Philistine army.”

And when you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the mulberry trees, then bestir yourselves, for then has the Lord gone out before you to smite the army of the Philistines.

25 D avid did just as the Lord told him. He killed the Philistines from Geba to Gezer.

And David did as the Lord had commanded him, and smote the Philistines from Geba to Gezer.