1 H iram king of Tyre sent messengers to David with cedar trees, masons, and carpenters, to build him a house.

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 D avid perceived that Yahweh had established him king over Israel; for his kingdom was exalted on high, for his people Israel’s sake.

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 D avid 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 whom he had 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.

Elishama, Beeliada and Eliphelet. Battle with the Philistines

8 W hen the Philistines heard that David was anointed king over all Israel, all the Philistines went up to seek 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? Will you deliver them into my hand?” Yahweh said to him, “Go up; for I will deliver 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. David said, God has broken my enemies by my hand, like waters breaking out. Therefore they called the name of 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 left their gods there; and David gave a command, and they were burned with fire.

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

13 T he Philistines made a 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. Turn away from them, and come on them opposite the mulberry 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 W hen you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the mulberry trees, then go out to battle; for God has 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 as God commanded him; and they attacked the army of the Philistines from Gibeon even to Gezer.

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

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

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