2 Samuel 5

All the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron and said, “Here we are, your own bone and flesh. In the past, when Saul was king over us, you were the one who led Israel out and brought them in. The LORD said to you, ‘You will shepherd my people Israel, and you will be ruler over Israel.’” So all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron. King David made a covenant with them at Hebron before the LORD, and they anointed David king over Israel. David was thirty years old when he became king, and he reigned for forty years. In Hebron he reigned over Judah for seven years and six months, and in Jerusalem he reigned over all Israel and Judah for thirty-three years. The king and his men went to Jerusalem against the Jebusites who inhabited the land. They said to David, “You will not enter here. Even the blind and the lame will turn you back,” meaning, “David will not enter here.” But David captured the stronghold of Zion, which is the City of David. That day David said, “Whoever attacks the Jebusites must reach the water channel and strike the lame and the blind, whom David hates.” That is why they say, “The blind and the lame will not enter the house.” David settled in the stronghold and called it the City of David. He built all around, from the Millo inward. David grew greater and greater, and the LORD, the God of hosts, was with him. Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, along with cedar timber, carpenters and stonemasons for building walls. They built a house for David. David knew that the LORD had established him as king over Israel and had exalted his kingdom for the sake of his people Israel. After coming from Hebron, David took more concubines and wives from Jerusalem, and more sons and daughters were born to him. These are the names of those born to him in Jerusalem: Shammua, Shobab, Nathan and Solomon; Ibhar, Elishua, Nepheg and Japhia; Elishama, Eliada and Eliphelet. When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over Israel, all the Philistines went up to seek David. David heard about it and went down to the stronghold. The Philistines came and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim. David inquired of the LORD, “Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will you give them into my hand?” The LORD said to David, “Go up, for I will surely give the Philistines into your hand.” David came to Baal-perazim and struck them down there. He said, “The LORD has broken through my enemies before me as water breaks through.” That is why he named that place Baal-perazim. The Philistines left their idols there, and David and his men carried them away. The Philistines came up again and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim. David inquired of the LORD, and he said, “Do not go up. Circle around behind them and come against them opposite the balsam trees. When you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, act decisively, for then the LORD has gone out ahead of you to strike the Philistine camp.” David did as the LORD commanded him and struck down the Philistines from Geba as far as Gezer.

Rights and attribution