1All the tribes of Israel came to see David at Hebron. They said, ‘We are your own flesh and blood.2In the past, Saul was our king. But you led Israel on their military campaigns. And the LORD said to you, “You will be the shepherd over my people Israel. You will become their ruler.” ’3All the elders of Israel came to see King David at Hebron. There the king made a covenant with them in front of the LORD. They anointed David as king over Israel.4David was 30 years old when he became king. He ruled for 40 years.5In Hebron he ruled over Judah for seven and a half years. In Jerusalem he ruled over all of Israel and Judah for 33 years.
David captures Jerusalem
6The king and his men marched to Jerusalem. They went to attack the Jebusites who lived there. The Jebusites said to David, ‘You won’t get in here. Even people who can’t see or walk can keep you from coming in.’ The Jebusites thought, ‘David can’t get in here.’7But David captured the fort of Zion. It became known as the City of David.8On that day David had said, ‘Someone might win the battle over the Jebusites. But they will have to crawl through the water tunnel to get into the city. That’s the only way they can reach those enemies of mine that you say can’t see or walk.’ That’s why people say, ‘Those who “can’t see or walk” won’t enter David’s palace.’9David moved into the fort. He called it the City of David. He built up the area around the fort. He filled in the low places. He started at the bottom and worked his way up.10David became more and more powerful. That’s because the LORD God who rules over all was with him.11Hiram was king of Tyre. He sent messengers to David. He sent cedar logs along with them. He also sent skilled workers. They worked with wood and stone. They built a palace for David.12Then David knew that the LORD had made his position as king secure. He knew that he had made him king over the whole nation of Israel. He knew that the LORD had greatly honoured his kingdom. The LORD had done it because the Israelites were his people.13After David left Hebron, he got more concubines and wives in Jerusalem. More sons and daughters were born to him there.14Here is a list of the children who were born to him in Jerusalem. Their names were Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon,15Ibhar, Elishua, Nepheg, Japhia,16Elishama, Eliada and Eliphelet.
David wins the battle over the Philistines
17The Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over Israel. So their whole army went to look for him. But David heard about it. He went down to his usual place of safety.18The Philistines had come and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim.19So David asked the LORD for advice. He said, ‘Should I go and attack the Philistines? Will you hand them over to me?’ The LORD answered him, ‘Go. I will surely hand over the Philistines to you.’20So David went to Baal Perazim. There he won the battle over the Philistines. He said, ‘The LORD has broken through against my enemies when I’ve attacked them. He has broken through just as water breaks through a dam.’ That’s why the place was called Baal Perazim.21The Philistines left the statues of their gods there. So David and his men carried off the statues.22Once more the Philistines came up. They spread out in the Valley of Rephaim.23So David asked the LORD for advice. The LORD answered, ‘Do not go straight up. Instead, circle around behind them. Attack them in front of the poplar trees.24Listen for the sound of marching in the tops of the trees. Then move quickly. The sound will mean that I have gone out in front of you. I will strike down the Philistine army.’25So David did just as the LORD had commanded him. He struck down the Philistines. He struck them down from Gibeon all the way to Gezer.
2 Samuel 5
English Standard Version
David Anointed King of Israel
1Then all the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron and said, “Behold, we are your bone and flesh. (Ge 29:14; 1Ch 11:1)2In times past, when Saul was king over us, it was you who led out and brought in Israel. And the Lord said to you, ‘You shall be shepherd of my people Israel, and you shall be prince[1] over Israel.’” (1Sa 18:13; 2Sa 7:7; 1Ch 17:6; Ps 78:71; Mt 2:6)3So all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron, and King David made a covenant with them at Hebron before the Lord, and they anointed David king over Israel. (Jud 11:11; 1Sa 23:18; 2Sa 3:12; 2Sa 3:21; 2Ki 11:17)4David was thirty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned forty years. (1Ki 2:11; 1Ch 3:4; 1Ch 29:27)5At Hebron he reigned over Judah seven years and six months, and at Jerusalem he reigned over all Israel and Judah thirty-three years.[2] (2Sa 2:11; 2Sa 5:4)6And the king and his men went to Jerusalem against the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land, who said to David, “You will not come in here, but the blind and the lame will ward you off”—thinking, “David cannot come in here.” (Jos 15:63; Jud 1:21; Jud 19:11; 1Ch 11:4)7Nevertheless, David took the stronghold of Zion, that is, the city of David. (2Sa 6:12; 2Sa 6:16)8And David said on that day, “Whoever would strike the Jebusites, let him get up the water shaft to attack ‘the lame and the blind,’ who are hated by David’s soul.” Therefore it is said, “The blind and the lame shall not come into the house.”9And David lived in the stronghold and called it the city of David. And David built the city all around from the Millo inward. (2Sa 5:7; 1Ki 9:15; 1Ki 9:24; 1Ki 11:27; 2Ki 12:20; 2Ch 32:5)10And David became greater and greater, for the Lord, the God of hosts, was with him.11And Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, and cedar trees, also carpenters and masons who built David a house. (1Ch 14:1)12And David knew that the Lord had established him king over Israel, and that he had exalted his kingdom for the sake of his people Israel.13And David took more concubines and wives from Jerusalem, after he came from Hebron, and more sons and daughters were born to David. (1Ch 3:9)14And these are the names of those who were born to him in Jerusalem: Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon, (1Ch 3:5)15Ibhar, Elishua, Nepheg, Japhia,16Elishama, Eliada, and Eliphelet.
David Defeats the Philistines
17When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over Israel, all the Philistines went up to search for David. But David heard of it and went down to the stronghold. (1Sa 22:4; 2Sa 23:14)18Now the Philistines had come and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim. (Jos 15:8; Jos 17:15; Jos 18:16; 2Sa 5:22; 2Sa 23:13)19And David inquired of the Lord, “Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will you give them into my hand?” And the Lord said to David, “Go up, for I will certainly give the Philistines into your hand.” (2Sa 2:1)20And David came to Baal-perazim, and David defeated them there. And he said, “The Lord has broken through my enemies before me like a breaking flood.” Therefore the name of that place is called Baal-perazim.[3] (Isa 28:21)21And the Philistines left their idols there, and David and his men carried them away.22And the Philistines came up yet again and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim. (2Sa 5:18)23And when David inquired of the Lord, he said, “You shall not go up; go around to their rear, and come against them opposite the balsam trees. (1Sa 22:10)24And when you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, then rouse yourself, for then the Lord has gone out before you to strike down the army of the Philistines.” (Jud 4:14; 2Ki 7:6)25And David did as the Lord commanded him, and struck down the Philistines from Geba to Gezer. (Jos 10:33)