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

Then came all the tribes of Israel to David unto Hebron, and spake, saying, Behold, we are thy bone and thy 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.’”

Also 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.

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 to Hebron; and king David made a league with them in Hebron before the Lord: and they anointed David 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 to reign, and he reigned forty years.

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 and 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 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.

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

Nevertheless David took the strong hold of Zion: the same 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.”

And 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.

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 fort, and called it the city of David. And David built round about from Millo and inward.

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

And David went on, and grew great, and 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.

And Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, and cedar trees, and carpenters, and masons: and they built David an 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 him more concubines and wives out of Jerusalem, after he was come from Hebron: and there were yet sons and daughters born to David.

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

And these be the names of those that were born unto him in Jerusalem; Shammuah, and Shobab, and Nathan, and Solomon,

15 I bhar, Elishua, Nepheg, Japhia,

Ibhar also, and Elishua, and Nepheg, and Japhia,

16 E lishama, Eliada and Eliphelet. David Wins the Battle over the Philistines

And Elishama, and Eliada, and Eliphalet.

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.

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 hold.

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.”

And 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.

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 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.

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

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

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

And the Philistines came up yet again, and spread themselves 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.

And 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.

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 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.

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

And David did so, as the Lord had commanded him; and smote the Philistines from Geba until thou come to Gazer.