Kings II 5

1 And all the tribes of Israel come to David to Chebron, and they said to him, Behold, we [are] your bone and your flesh.

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

2 And heretofore Saul being king over us, you was he that did lead out and bring in Israel: and the Lord said to you, You shall feed my people Israel, and you shall be for a leader to my people Israel.

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.’”

3 And all the elders of Israel come to the king to Chebron; and king David made a covenant with them in Chebron before the Lord; and they anoint David king over all Israel.

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.

4 David [was] thirty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned forty years.

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

5 Seven years and six months he reigned in Chebron over Juda, and thirty-three years he reigned over all Israel and Juda in 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 And David and his men, departed to Jerusalem, to the Jebusite that inhabited the land: and it was said to David, You shall not come in hither: for the blind and the lame withstood him, saying, David shall not come in hither.

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.”

7 And David took first the hold of Sion: this [is] the city of David.

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

8 And David said on that day, Every one that smites the Jebusite, let him attack with the dagger both the lame and the blind, and those that hate the soul of David. Therefore they say, The lame and the blind shall not enter into the house of the Lord.

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.”

9 And David lived in the hold, and it was called the city of David, and he built the city itself round about from the citadel, and [he built] his own house.

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.

10 And David advanced and became great, and the Lord Almighty [was] with him.

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

11 And Chiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, and cedar wood, and carpenters, and stone-masons: and they built a house for David.

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

12 And David knew that the Lord had prepared him to be king over Israel, and that his kingdom was exalted for the sake of his people Israel.

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.

13 And David took again wives and concubines out of Jerusalem, after he came from Chebron: and David had still more sons and daughters born to him.

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

14 And these [are] the names of those that were born to him in Jerusalem; Sammus, and Sobab, and Nathan, and Solomon.

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

15 And Ebear, and Elisue, and Naphec, and Jephies.

Ibhar, Elishua, Nepheg, Japhia,

16 And Elisama, and Elidae, and Eliphalath, Samae, Jessibath, Nathan, Galamaan, Jebaar, Theesus, Eliphalat, Naged, Naphec, Janathan, Leasamys, Baalimath, Eliphaath.

Elishama, Eliada, and Eliphelet.

17 And the Philistines heard that David was anointed king over Israel; and all the Philistines went up to seek David; and David heard of it, and went down to the strong hold.

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.

18 And the Philistines came, and assembled in the valley of the giants.

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

19 And David enquired of the Lord, saying, Shall I go up against the Philistines? and will you deliver them into my hands? and the Lord said to David, Go up, for I will surely deliver the Philistines into your hands.

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.”

20 And David came from Upper Breaches, and struck the Philistines there: and David said, The Lord has destroyed the hostile Philistines before me, as water is dispersed; therefore the name of that place was called Over Breaches.

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.

21 And they leave there their gods, and David and his men with him took them.

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

22 And the Philistines came up yet again, and assembled in the valley of Giants.

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

23 And David enquired of the Lord: and the Lord said, You shall not go up to meet them: turn from them, and you shall meet them near the place of weeping.

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.

24 And it shall come to pass when you hear the sound of a clashing together from the grove of weeping, then you shall go down to them, for then the Lord shall go forth before you to make havoc in the battle with the Philistines.

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.”

25 And David did as the Lord commanded him, and struck the Philistines from Gabaon as far as the land of Gazera.

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