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 spoke, saying, “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 Israel out and in. Yahweh said to you, ‘You will be shepherd of my people Israel, and you will be prince 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 covenant with them in Hebron before Yahweh; 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-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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

David perceived that Yahweh 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.

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 T he names of those who were born to him in Jerusalem were 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. 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 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 came and spread themselves out in the valley of Rephaim.

Now the Philistines had come 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 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 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.

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

They left their images there; 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 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.

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 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.”

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

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