2 Samuel 5

1 Then all the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron and said, “Here we are, your own flesh and blood.

And all the tribes of Israel went to David in Hebron, saying: “Behold, we are your bone and your flesh.

2 Even in times past, while Saul was king over us, you were the one who led Israel out and brought them back. And to you the LORD said, ‘You will shepherd My people Israel, and you will be ruler over them.’”

Moreover, yesterday and the day before, when Saul was king over us, you were the one leading out and leading back Israel. Then the Lord said to you, ‘You shall pasture my people Israel, and you shall be the leader over Israel.’”

3 So all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron, where King David made with them a covenant before the LORD. And they anointed him king over Israel.

Also, the elders of Israel went to the king at Hebron, and king David struck a pact with them at Hebron in the sight of the Lord. And they anointed David as king over Israel.

4 David was thirty years old when he became king, and he reigned forty years.

David was a son of thirty years, when he had begun to reign, and he reigned for forty years.

5 In Hebron he reigned over Judah seven years and six months, and in Jerusalem he reigned thirty-three years over all Israel and Judah.

In Hebron, he reigned over Judah for seven years and six months. Then in Jerusalem, he reigned for thirty-three years over all of Israel and Judah.

6 Now the king and his men marched to Jerusalem against the Jebusites who inhabited the land. The Jebusites said to David: “You will never get in here. Even the blind and lame can repel you.” For they thought, “David cannot get in here.”

And the king, and all the men who were with him, went away to Jerusalem, to the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land. And it was said to David by them, “You shall not enter here, unless you will take away the blind and the lame, who say, ‘David shall not enter here.’”

7 Nevertheless, David captured the fortress of Zion (that is, the City of David).

But David seized the stronghold of Zion; the same is the city of David.

8 On that day he said, “Whoever attacks the Jebusites must use the water shaft to reach the lame and blind who are despised by David.” That is why it is said, “The blind and the lame will never enter the palace.”

For David had proposed, on that day, a reward to him who had struck the Jebusites and who had reached to the gutters of the rooftops, and who had taken away the blind and the lame that hated the soul of David. Therefore, it is said in the proverb, “The blind and the lame shall not enter into the temple.”

9 So David took up residence in the fortress and called it the City of David. He built it up all the way around, from the supporting terraces inward.

Then David lived in the stronghold, and he called it: the City of David. And he built it up on all sides, from Millo and inward.

10 And David became greater and greater, for the LORD God of Hosts was with him.

And he advanced, prospering and increasing, and the Lord, the God of hosts, was with him.

11 Now Hiram king of Tyre sent envoys to David, along with cedar logs, carpenters, and stonemasons, and they built a palace for David.

Also, Hiram, the king of Tyre, sent messengers to David, with cedar wood, and with builders of wood and builders of stone, in order to make walls. And they built a house for David.

12 And David realized that the LORD had established him as king over Israel and had exalted his kingdom for the sake of His people Israel.

And David knew that the Lord had confirmed him as king over Israel, and that he had exalted his kingdom over his people Israel.

13 After he had arrived from Hebron, David took more concubines and wives from Jerusalem, and more sons and daughters were born to him.

Then David took more concubines and wives from Jerusalem, after he had arrived from Hebron. And other sons as well as daughters were born to David.

14 These are the names of the children born to him in Jerusalem: Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon,

And these are the names of those who were born to him in Jerusalem: Shammua, and Shobab, and Nathan, and Solomon,

15 Ibhar, Elishua, Nepheg, Japhia,

and Ibhar, and Elishua, and Nepheg,

16 Elishama, Eliada, and Eliphelet.

and Japhia, and Elishama, and Eliada, and Elipheleth.

17 When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over Israel, they all went in search of him; but David learned of this and went down to the stronghold.

Then the Philistines heard that they had anointed David as king over Israel. And they all ascended, so that they might seek David. And when David had heard of it, he descended to a stronghold.

18 Now the Philistines had come and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim.

Now the Philistines, arriving, spread themselves out in the Valley of Rephaim.

19 So David inquired of the LORD, “Should I go up against the Philistines? Will You deliver them into my hand?” “Go,” replied the LORD, “for I will surely deliver the Philistines into your hand.”

And David consulted the Lord, saying: “Shall I ascend to the Philistines? And will you give them into my hand?” And the Lord said to David: “Ascend. For I will certainly give the Philistines into your hand.”

20 So David went to Baal-perazim, where he defeated the Philistines and said, “Like a bursting flood, the LORD has burst out against my enemies before me.” So he called that place Baal-perazim.

Therefore, David went to Baal-perazim. And he struck them there. And he said, “The Lord has divided my enemies before me, just as the waters are divided.” Because of this, the name of that place was called Baal-perazim.

21 There the Philistines abandoned their idols, and David and his men carried them away.

And in that place they left behind their graven images, which David and his men took away.

22 Once again the Philistines came up and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim.

And the Philistines continued still, so that they ascended and spread themselves out in the Valley of Rephaim.

23 So David inquired of the LORD, who answered, “Do not march straight up, but circle around behind them and attack them in front of the balsam trees.

Then David consulted the Lord, “Shall I ascend against the Philistines, and will you deliver them into my hands?” And he responded: “You shall not ascend against them; instead, circle behind their back. And you shall come to them from the side opposite the balsam trees.

24 As soon as you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, move quickly, because this will mean that the LORD has marched out before you to strike the camp of the Philistines.”

And when you hear the sound of something going forth from the tops of the balsam trees, then you shall begin the battle. For then the Lord will go forth, before your face, so that he may strike the army of the Philistines.”

25 So David did as the LORD had commanded him, and he struck down the Philistines all the way from Gibeon to Gezer.

And so, David did just as the Lord had instructed him. And he struck down the Philistines, from Gibeon until you arrive at Gezer.