2 Samuel 5

1 Then all the tribes of Israel came to David in Hebron, saying: Behold we are thy bone and thy flesh.

Then all the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron and spoke, saying, “Behold, we are your bone and your flesh.

2 Moreover yesterday also and the day before, when Saul was king over us, thou wast he that did lead out and bring in Israel: and the Lord said to thee: Thou shalt feed my people Israel, and thou shalt be prince over Israel.

In times past, when Saul was king over us, it was you who led Israel out and in. The LORD said to you, ‘You will be shepherd of my people Israel, and you will be prince over Israel.’”

3 The ancients also 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 to be king over Israel.

So all the elders of Israel came to the king to Hebron, and King David made a covenant with them in Hebron before the LORD; and they anointed David 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 began to reign, and he reigned forty years.

5 In Hebron he reigned over Juda seven years and six months: and in Jerusalem he reigned three and thirty years over all Israel and Juda.

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 the king and all the men that were with him went to Jerusalem to the Jebusites the inhabitants of the land: and they said to David: Thou shalt not come in hither unless thou take away the blind and the lame that say: David shall not come in hither.

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 cannot come in here.”

7 But David took the castle of Sion, the same is the city of David.

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

8 For David had offered that day a reward to whosoever should strike the Jebusites and get up to the gutters of the tops of the houses, and take 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 come into the temple.

David said on that day, “Whoever strikes the Jebusites, let him go up to the watercourse and strike those lame and blind, who are hated by David’s soul.” Therefore they say, “The blind and the lame cannot come into the house.”

9 And David dwelt in the castle, and called it, The city of David: and built round about from Mello and inwards.

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

10 And he went on prospering and growing up, and the Lord God of hosts was with him.

David grew greater and greater, for the LORD, the God of Armies, was with him.

11 And Hiram the king of Tyre sent messengers to David, and cedar trees, and carpenters, and masons for walls: 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 And David knew that the Lord bad confirmed him king over Israel, and that he had exalted his kingdom over his people Israel.

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 And David took more concubines and wives of Jerusalem, after he was come from Hebron: and there were born to David other sons also and daughters:

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 And these are the names of them, that were born to him in Jerusalem, Samua, and Sobab, and Nathan, and Solomon,

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

15 And Jebahar, and Elisua, and Nepheg,

Ibhar, Elishua, Nepheg, Japhia,

16 And Japhia, and Elisama, and Elioda, and Eliphaleth.

Elishama, Eliada, and Eliphelet.

17 And the Philistines heard that they had anointed David to be king over Israel: and they all came to seek David: and when David heard of it, he went down to a strong hold.

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 And the Philistines coming spread themselves in the valley of Raphaim.

Now the Philistines had come and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim.

19 And David consulted the Lord, saying: Shall I go up to the Philistines? and wilt thou deliver them into my hand? And the Lord said to David: Go up, for I will surely deliver the Philistines into thy hand.

David inquired of the LORD, saying, “Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will you deliver them into my hand?” The LORD said to David, “Go up; for I will certainly deliver the Philistines into your hand.”

20 And David came to Baal Pharisim: and defeated them there, and he said: The Lord hath divided my enemies before me, as waters are divided. Therefore the name of the place was called Baal Pharisim.

David came to Baal Perazim, and David struck them there. Then he said, “The LORD has broken my enemies before me, like the breach of waters.” Therefore he called the name of that place Baal Perazim.

21 And they left there their idols: which David and his men took away.

They left their images there, and David and his men took them away.

22 And the Philistines came up again and spread themselves in the valley of Raphaim.

The Philistines came up yet again and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim.

23 And David consulted the Lord: Shall I go up against the Philistines, and wilt thou deliver them into my hands? He answered: Go not up against them, but fetch a compass behind them, and thou shalt come upon them over against the pear trees.

When David inquired of the LORD, he said, “You shall not go up. Circle around behind them, and attack them in front of the mulberry trees.

24 And when thou shalt hear the sound of one going in the tops of the pear trees, then shalt thou join battle: for then will the Lord go out before thy face to strike the army of the Philistines.

When you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the mulberry trees, then stir yourself up; for then the LORD has gone out before you to strike the army of the Philistines.”

25 And David did as the Lord had commanded him, and he smote the Philistines from Gabaa until thou come to Gezer.

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