2 Samuel

1Then all the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron and spoke, saying, “Behold, we are your bone and your flesh.

2In 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.’”

3So 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.

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

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

6The 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.”

7Nevertheless David took the stronghold of Zion. This is David’s city.

8David 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.”

9David lived in the stronghold, and called it David’s city. David built around from Millo and inward.

10David grew greater and greater, for the LORD, the God of Armies, was with him.

11Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, with cedar trees, carpenters, and masons; and they built David a house.

12David perceived that the LORD had established him king over Israel, and that he had exalted his kingdom for his people Israel’s sake.

13David 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.

14These are the names of those who were born to him in Jerusalem: Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon,

15Ibhar, Elishua, Nepheg, Japhia,

16Elishama, Eliada, and Eliphelet.

17When 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.

18Now the Philistines had come and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim.

19David 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.”

20David 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.

21They left their images there, and David and his men took them away.

22The Philistines came up yet again and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim.

23When 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.

24When 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.”

25David did so, as the LORD commanded him, and struck the Philistines all the way from Geba to Gezer.

David Anointed King of All Israel

1Then all the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron and said, “Here we are, your own flesh and blood.

2Even 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.’”

3So 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.

4David was thirty years old when he became king, and he reigned forty years.

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

David Conquers Jerusalem

6Now 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.”

7Nevertheless, David captured the fortress of Zion (that is, the City of David).

8On 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.”

9So 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 terracesinward.

10And David became greater and greater, for the LORD God of Hosts was with him.

11Now Hiram king of Tyre sent envoys to David, along with cedar logs, carpenters, and stonemasons, and they built a palace for David.

David’s Family Grows

12And David realized that the LORD had established him as king over Israel and had exalted his kingdom for the sake of His people Israel.

13After he had arrived from Hebron, David took more concubines and wives from Jerusalem, and more sons and daughters were born to him.

14These are the names of the children born to him in Jerusalem: Shammua,Shobab, Nathan, Solomon,

15Ibhar, Elishua, Nepheg, Japhia,

16Elishama, Eliada, and Eliphelet.

Two Victories over the Philistines

17When 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.

18Now the Philistines had come and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim.

19So David inquired of the LORD, “Should I go up against the Philistines? Will You deliver them into my hand?” “Go up,” replied the LORD, “for I will surely deliver the Philistines into your hand.”

20So 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.

21There the Philistines abandoned their idols, and David and his men carried them away.

22Once again the Philistines came up and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim.

23So 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.

24As 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 gone out before you to strike the camp of the Philistines.”

25So David did as the LORD had commanded him, and he struck down the Philistines all the way from Gibeonto Gezer.