2 Samuel 5

1 Then came all the tribes of Israel unto David, in Hebron, —and spake, saying—Behold us! thy bone and thy flesh, we are.

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

2 Also, in time past, when Saul was king over us, thou, wast he that led out and brought in, Israel, —and Yahweh said to thee—Thou, shalt be shepherd unto my people, Israel, and, thou, shalt become leader 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 So all the elders of Israel came unto the king, in Hebron, and King David solemnised to them a covenant in Hebron, before Yahweh, —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 Thirty years old, was David when he began to reign, —forty years, he reigned:

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

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

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 Then went the king and his men, to Jerusalem, against the Jebusites, inhabiting the land, —and they spake to David, saying—Thou canst not come in hither, unless thou take away the blind and lame—Thinking, David will 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 can’t come in here.”

7 So then David captured the citadel of Zion, —the same, is the city of David.

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

8 And David said, on that day—Whosoever is smiting the Jebusites, then let him reach as far as the aqueduct. But, as for the lame and the blind, they were the hated of David’s soul, —for which cause, they kept on saying, Blind and lame! he will not enter the place.

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 can’t come into the house.”

9 So then David dwelt in the citadel, and called it, The City of David, —and David built round about, from Millo and inwards.

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

10 And David went on and on waxing great, —Yahweh, God of hosts, being with him.

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

11 Then Hiram, king of Tyre, sent messengers unto David, with cedar-wood, and carpenters, and masons, 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 So David perceived that Yahweh had established him to be king over Israel, —and that he had exalted his kingdom, for the sake of 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 him yet more concubines and wives, out of Jerusalem, after he had come from Hebron, and there were, yet further, born unto David, sons 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 Now, these, are the names of the sons who were born unto him in Jerusalem, —Shammua and Shobab, and Nathan, and Solomon;

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

15 and Ibhar and Elishua and Nepheg and Yaphia;

Ibhar, Elishua, Nepheg, Japhia,

16 and Elishama and Eliada, and Eliphalet.

Elishama, Eliada, and Eliphelet.

17 And, when the Philistine heard that they had anointed David to be king over Israel, then came up all the Philistines to seek to secure David, and David heard of it, and went down into the citadel.

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 Now, the Philistines, had come, —and had spread themselves out in the vale of Rephaim.

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

19 So then David enquired of Yahweh, saying, —Shall I go up against the Philistines? Wilt thou deliver them into my hand? And Yahweh said unto David—Go up; for I, will surely deliver, the Philistines into thy hand.

David enquired 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 entered Baal-perazim, and David smote them there, and said—Yahweh hath broken forth upon mine enemies, before me, like a breaking forth of waters. For this cause, called he the name of that place, Baal-perazim.

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

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

22 And, yet again, did the Philistines come up, —and they spread themselves out in the vale of Rephaim.

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

23 So David enquired of Yahweh, and he said—Thou shalt not go up, —Get round behind them, and come in upon them, over against the mulberry-trees.

When David enquired 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 it shall be, when thou shalt hear a sound of marching in the tops of the mulberry-trees, then, shalt thou act with decision, —for, then, will Yahweh have gone forth before thee, to smite the host 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 so, as Yahweh had commanded him, —and smote the Philistines, from Gibeon until thou enterest Gezer.

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