5 All Israel's tribes came to David at Hebron. They said, ‘We all belong to the same family as you do. 2 In the past, when Saul ruled over us as king, you were the leader of Israel's army in the wars. The Lord said to you, “You will take care of my people as a shepherd takes care of his sheep. You will rule over Israel.” ’
3 So King David made an agreement with the leaders of Israel when they came to him at Hebron. They made promises in the Lord 's name. Then they anointed David to be king over Israel.
4 David was 30 years old when he became king. He ruled Israel as king for 40 years. 5 He ruled over Judah in Hebron for seven years and six months. And in Jerusalem he ruled over all Israel and Judah for 33 years.
6 King David and his soldiers marched to Jerusalem. They went to attack the Jebusites who lived there. The Jebusites said to David, ‘You will never get into our city. Even blind men and those who are lame could keep you out.’
They thought, ‘David will never get in here.’
7 But David did get in and he took Zion, the city's strong place. It is now called ‘The City of David’.
8 On that day, David said to his men, ‘We must attack my enemies, the Jebusites. To do that, we must go into the city through the water tunnel. [ a ] Then we will see if their blind and lame people can stop us! I hate them all.’
That is why people still say, ‘Anybody who is blind or lame must not go into the palace.’ [ b ]
9 Then David went to live in the strong place of the city. He called it ‘The City of David’. He built more houses all around it, from the edge of the hill into the city. 10 David became more and more powerful because the Lord God Almighty was with him.
11 Then Hiram, king of Tyre, sent some of his men to David. They brought wood from Lebanon's cedar trees. Men who could work with wood and stone also came. They built a palace for David. 12 David knew that the Lord had made him strong as king over Israel. He knew that God had given honour to his kingdom, to help his people, the Israelites. [ c ]
13 After David moved to Jerusalem from Hebron, he married more wives. He also took more slave wives to live with him. They gave birth to more sons and daughters for David. 14 These are the names of David's children who were born in Jerusalem: Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon, 15 Ibhar, Elishua, Nepheg, Japhia, 16 Elishama, Eliada and Eliphelet.
17 The Philistines heard the news that David had now become king over Israel. So their whole army went to look for him to catch him. When David heard about this, he went out of the city to a strong, safe place.
18 The Philistine soldiers arrived at Rephaim valley. They covered all the ground there. 19 So David asked the Lord , ‘Should I go and attack the Philistines? Will you put them under my power?’
The Lord answered him, ‘Yes, go and attack the Philistines. I will certainly help you to win against them.’
20 So David went to Baal Perazim. He won the fight against the Philistines in that place. He said, ‘The Lord has swept away my enemy like a flood of water.’ So they called that place ‘Baal Perazim’. [ d ]
21 When the Philistines ran away from there, they did not take their idols with them. So David and his men took them away.
22 Once again, the Philistine soldiers came and they covered the ground in Rephaim valley. 23 So David again asked the Lord what he should do. This time the Lord said, ‘Do not march straight towards them. Instead, go round behind them. Then attack them from the other side, where the poplar trees are. 24 When you hear a noise in the tops of the trees like marching men, go quickly to attack them. Then you will know that the Lord has gone in front of you. He will knock down the Philistine army for you.’
25 So David did as the Lord had commanded him to do. His men chased the Philistines all the way from Gibeon to Gezer.
5 All the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron. They said to David, “Look, we are one family [ a ] ! 2 Even when Saul was our king, you were the one who led us into battle. And you were the one who brought Israel back home from war. The Lord himself said to you, ‘You will be the shepherd of my people, the Israelites. You will be the ruler over Israel.’”
3 So all the leaders of Israel came to meet with King David at Hebron. He made an agreement with them in Hebron in front of the Lord , and they anointed David to be the king of Israel.
4 David was 30 years old when he began to rule. He was king for 40 years. 5 In Hebron he ruled over Judah for 7 years and 6 months, and in Jerusalem he ruled over all Israel and Judah for 33 years.
6 The king and his men went to fight against the Jebusites living in Jerusalem. The Jebusites said to David, “You cannot come into our city. [ b ] Even our blind and crippled people can stop you.” (They said this because they thought that David would not be able to enter into their city. 7 But David did take the fort of Zion. This fort became the City of David.)
8 That day David said to his men, “Whenever you strike at the Jebusites, aim for the throat and kill them.” [ c ] David said this because he hates to have people left who are crippled and blind. That is why people now say, “The lame and blind are not allowed in the temple. [ d ] ”
9 David lived in the fort and called it “The City of David.” David built up the city from the Millo [ e ] inward. [ f ] 10 He became stronger and stronger because the Lord All-Powerful was with him.
11 King Hiram of Tyre sent messengers to David. He also sent cedar trees, carpenters, and stonemasons. They built a house for David. 12 Then David knew that the Lord had really made him king of Israel and had made him ruler over his kingdom for the good of his people, Israel.
13 David moved from Hebron to Jerusalem. In Jerusalem, he got more slave women and wives. So David had more children who were born in Jerusalem. 14 David’s sons who were born in Jerusalem are Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon, 15 Ibhar, Elishua, Nepheg, Japhia, 16 Elishama, Eliada, and Eliphelet.
17 When the Philistines heard that the Israelites had anointed David to be the king of Israel, all the Philistines went up to kill him. David heard about this and went down into the fort at Jerusalem. 18 The Philistines came and camped in Rephaim Valley.
19 David asked the Lord , saying, “Should I go up to fight against the Philistines? Will you help me defeat them?”
The Lord answered, “Yes, I certainly will help you defeat the Philistines.”
20 Then David went to Baal Perazim and defeated the Philistines in that place. He said, “The Lord broke through my enemies like water breaking through a dam.” That is why David named that place “Baal Perazim.” [ g ] 21 The Philistines left the statues of their gods behind at Baal Perazim. David and his men took them away.
22 Again the Philistines came up and camped in Rephaim Valley.
23 David prayed to the Lord again and got this answer: “Don’t go up the valley. Go around them to the other side of their army. Attack them from the other side of the balsam trees. 24 When you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, you must act quickly because that is the sign that the Lord has gone out in front of you to defeat the Philistines. [ h ] ”
25 David did what the Lord commanded him to do, and he defeated the Philistines. He chased them from Geba to Gezer, killing them all along the way.
5 Then came all the tribes of Israel to David unto Hebron, and spake, saying, Behold, we are thy bone and thy flesh.
2 Also in time past, when Saul was king over us, thou wast he that leddest out and broughtest in Israel: and the Lord said to thee, Thou shalt feed my people Israel, and thou shalt be a captain over Israel.
3 So all the elders 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 king over Israel.
4 David was thirty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned forty years.
5 In Hebron he reigned over Judah seven years and six months: and in Jerusalem he reigned thirty and three years over all Israel and Judah.
6 And the king and his men went to Jerusalem unto the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land: which spake unto David, saying, Except thou take away the blind and the lame, thou shalt not come in hither: thinking, David cannot come in hither.
7 Nevertheless David took the strong hold of Zion: the same is the city of David.
8 And David said on that day, Whosoever getteth up to the gutter, and smiteth the Jebusites, and the lame and the blind that are hated of David's soul, he shall be chief and captain. Wherefore they said, The blind and the lame shall not come into the house.
9 So David dwelt in the fort, and called it the city of David. And David built round about from Millo and inward.
10 And David went on, and grew great, and the Lord God of hosts was with him.
11 And Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, and cedar trees, and carpenters, and masons: and they built David an house.
12 And 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 more concubines and wives out of Jerusalem, after he was come from Hebron: and there were yet sons and daughters born to David.
14 And these be the names of those that were born unto him in Jerusalem; Shammuah, and Shobab, and Nathan, and Solomon,
15 Ibhar also, and Elishua, and Nepheg, and Japhia,
16 And Elishama, and Eliada, and Eliphalet.
17 But when the Philistines heard that they had anointed David king over Israel, all the Philistines came up to seek David; and David heard of it, and went down to the hold.
18 The Philistines also came and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim.
19 And David enquired of the Lord , saying, Shall I go up to the Philistines? wilt thou deliver them into mine hand? And the Lord said unto David, Go up: for I will doubtless deliver the Philistines into thine hand.
20 And David came to Baalperazim, and David smote them there, and said, The Lord hath broken forth upon mine enemies before me, as the breach of waters. Therefore he called the name of that place Baalperazim.
21 And there they left their images, and David and his men burned them.
22 And the Philistines came up yet again, and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim.
23 And when David enquired of the Lord , he said, Thou shalt not go up; but fetch a compass behind them, and come upon them over against the mulberry trees.
24 And let it be, when thou hearest the sound of a going in the tops of the mulberry trees, that then thou shalt bestir thyself: for then shall the Lord go out before thee, to smite the host of the Philistines.
25 And David did so, as the Lord had commanded him; and smote the Philistines from Geba until thou come to Gazer.
5 ( A ) Then all the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron and [ a ] said, “Behold, we are ( B ) your bone and your flesh. 2 Previously, when Saul was king over us, ( C ) you were the one who led Israel [ b ] out and in. And the Lord said to you, ‘ ( D ) You will shepherd My people Israel, and you will be ( E ) a leader over Israel.’” 3 So all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron, and King David ( F ) made a covenant with them before the Lord in Hebron; then ( G ) they anointed David king over Israel. 4 David was ( H ) thirty years old when he became king, and ( I ) he reigned for forty years. 5 At Hebron ( J ) he reigned over Judah for seven years and six months, and in Jerusalem he reigned for thirty-three years over all Israel and Judah.
6 ( K ) Now the king and his men went to ( L ) Jerusalem against the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land; and they said to [ c ] David, “You shall not come in here, but even those who are blind and those who limp will turn you away,” [ d ] thinking, “David cannot enter here.” 7 Nevertheless, David captured the stronghold of Zion, that is, ( M ) the city of David. 8 And David said on that day, “Whoever strikes the Jebusites is to reach those who limp and those who are blind, who are hated by David’s soul, through the water tunnel.” For that reason they say, “People who are blind and people who limp shall not come into the house.” 9 So David lived in the stronghold, and called it ( N ) the city of David. And David built all around from the [ e ] ( O ) Millo and inward. 10 ( P ) David became greater and greater, for the Lord God of armies was with him.
11 ( Q ) Then Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David with cedar trees, carpenters, and [ f ] stonemasons; and ( R ) they built a house for David. 12 And David realized that the Lord had appointed him as king over Israel, and that He had exalted his kingdom for the sake of His people Israel.
13 Meanwhile ( S ) David took more concubines and wives from Jerusalem, after he came from Hebron; and more sons and daughters were born to David. 14 Now ( T ) these are the names of those who were born to him in Jerusalem: Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon, 15 Ibhar, Elishua, Nepheg, Japhia, 16 Elishama, Eliada, and Eliphelet.
17 Now when the Philistines heard that they had anointed David king over Israel, ( U ) all the Philistines went up to seek out David; and when David heard about it , he went down to the ( V ) stronghold. 18 Now the Philistines came and overran ( W ) the Valley of Rephaim. 19 So ( X ) David inquired of the Lord , saying, “Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will You hand them over to me?” And ( Y ) the Lord said to David, “Go up, for I will certainly hand the Philistines over to you.” 20 Then David came to ( Z ) Baal-perazim and [ g ] defeated them there; and he said, “The Lord has broken through my enemies before me like the breakthrough of waters.” Therefore he named that place [ h ] Baal-perazim. 21 And the Philistines abandoned their idols there, so ( AA ) David and his men carried them away.
22 Now ( AB ) the Philistines came up once again and overran the Valley of Rephaim. 23 So ( AC ) David inquired of the Lord , but He said, “You shall not go directly up; circle around behind them and come at them in front of the baka-shrubs. 24 And it shall be, when ( AD ) you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the baka-shrubs, then you shall [ i ] act promptly, for then ( AE ) the Lord will have gone out before you to strike the army of the Philistines.” 25 Then David did so, just as the Lord had commanded him; he struck and killed the Philistines from [ j ] ( AF ) Geba [ k ] as far as ( AG ) Gezer.
5 All the tribes of Israel ( B ) came to David at Hebron and said, “We are your own flesh and blood. ( C ) 2 In the past, while Saul was king over us, you were the one who led Israel on their military campaigns. ( D ) And the Lord said ( E ) to you, ‘You will shepherd ( F ) my people Israel, and you will become their ruler. ( G ) ’”
3 When all the elders of Israel had come to King David at Hebron, the king made a covenant ( H ) with them at Hebron before the Lord , and they anointed ( I ) David king over Israel.
4 David was thirty years old ( J ) when he became king, and he reigned ( K ) forty ( L ) years. 5 In Hebron he reigned over Judah seven years and six months, ( M ) and in Jerusalem he reigned over all Israel and Judah thirty-three years.
6 The king and his men marched to Jerusalem ( P ) to attack the Jebusites, ( Q ) who lived there. The Jebusites said to David, “You will not get in here; even the blind and the lame can ward you off.” They thought, “David cannot get in here.” 7 Nevertheless, David captured the fortress of Zion ( R ) —which is the City of David. ( S )
8 On that day David had said, “Anyone who conquers the Jebusites will have to use the water shaft ( T ) to reach those ‘lame and blind’ ( U ) who are David’s enemies. [ a ] ” That is why they say, “The ‘blind and lame’ will not enter the palace.”
9 David then took up residence in the fortress and called it the City of David. He built up the area around it, from the terraces [ b ] ( V ) inward. 10 And he became more and more powerful, ( W ) because the Lord God Almighty ( X ) was with him. ( Y )
11 Now Hiram ( Z ) king of Tyre sent envoys to David, along with cedar logs and carpenters and stonemasons, and they built a palace for David. 12 Then David knew that the Lord had established him as king over Israel and had exalted his kingdom ( AA ) for the sake of his people Israel.
13 After he left Hebron, David took more concubines and wives ( AB ) in Jerusalem, and more sons and daughters were born to him. 14 These are the names of the children born to him there: ( AC ) Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, ( AD ) Solomon, 15 Ibhar, Elishua, Nepheg, Japhia, 16 Elishama, Eliada and Eliphelet.
17 When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over Israel, they went up in full force to search for him, but David heard about it and went down to the stronghold. ( AF ) 18 Now the Philistines had come and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim; ( AG ) 19 so David inquired ( AH ) of the Lord , “Shall I go and attack the Philistines? Will you deliver them into my hands?”
The Lord answered him, “Go, for I will surely deliver the Philistines into your hands.”
20 So David went to Baal Perazim, and there he defeated them. He said, “As waters break out, the Lord has broken out against my enemies before me.” So that place was called Baal Perazim. [ c ] ( AI ) 21 The Philistines abandoned their idols there, and David and his men carried them off. ( AJ )
22 Once more the Philistines came up and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim; 23 so David inquired of the Lord , and he answered, “Do not go straight up, but circle around behind them and attack them in front of the poplar trees. 24 As soon as you hear the sound ( AK ) of marching in the tops of the poplar trees, move quickly, because that will mean the Lord has gone out in front ( AL ) of you to strike the Philistine army.” 25 So David did as the Lord commanded him, and he struck down the Philistines ( AM ) all the way from Gibeon [ d ] ( AN ) to Gezer. ( AO )
