2 Samuel 5

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

All the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron and told him, “We are your flesh and blood.

2 In times past, when Saul was king over us, it was you who led Israel out and in. Yahweh said to you, ‘You will be shepherd of my people Israel, and you will be prince over Israel.’”

Previously when Saul was our king, you were the one who led the Israelite army into battle. The Lord told you, ‘You will be the shepherd of my people Israel, and you will be their ruler.’”

3 So all the elders of Israel came to the king to Hebron, and King David made a covenant with them in Hebron before Yahweh; and they anointed David king over Israel.

All the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron, where King David made an agreement with them in the Lord's presence. Then they anointed him king of Israel.

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

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

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

He reigned over Judah seven years and six months from Hebron, and he reigned over all of Israel and Judah for thirty-three years from Jerusalem.

6 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.”

David the king and his men went to Jerusalem to attack the Jebusites who were living there. The Jebusites told David: “You'll never enter here. Even the blind and lame could stop you.” They were convinced that David could not get in.

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

But David did capture the fortress of Zion, now known as the City of David.

8 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.”

At that time he said, “If we are to successfully conquer the Jebusites we'll have to go up the water shaft to attack these ‘lame and blind’ —these people who hate David. This is why it's said, ‘The blind and the lame will never enter the house.’”

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

David went and lived in the fortress, and named it the City of David. He extended it in all directions, starting from the outer supporting terraces and moving inwards.

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

David became increasingly powerful, for the Lord God Almighty was with him.

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

King Hiram of Tyre sent representatives to David, together with cedar timber, carpenters, and stonemasons, and they built a palace for David.

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

David realized that the Lord had installed him as king of Israel, and had made his kingdom great for the sake of his people Israel.

13 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.

After he moved from Hebron, David added more concubines and wives from Jerusalem, and he had more sons and daughters.

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

These are the names of his children born in Jerusalem: Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon,

15 Ibhar, Elishua, Nepheg, Japhia,

Ibhar, Elishua, Nepheg, Japhia,

16 Elishama, Eliada, and Eliphelet.

Elishama, Eliada, and Eliphelet.

17 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.

When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king of Israel, the whole Philistine army came out to capture him, but David found out and went inside the stronghold.

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

The Philistines came and spread out across the Valley of Rephaim.

19 David inquired of Yahweh, saying, “Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will you deliver them into my hand?” Yahweh said to David, “Go up; for I will certainly deliver the Philistines into your hand.”

David asked the Lord “Should I go and attack the Philistines? Will you hand them over to me?” “Yes, go,” the Lord replied, “for I will definitely hand them over to you.”

20 David came to Baal Perazim, and David struck them there. Then he said, “Yahweh has broken my enemies before me, like the breach of waters.” Therefore he called the name of that place Baal Perazim.

David went to Baal-perazim and he defeated the Philistines there. “Like a flood that bursts out, so the Lord has burst out against my enemies right before me,” David declared. So he named that place Baal-perazim.

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

The Philistines left their idols behind, and David and his men removed them.

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

A while later the Philistines came again and spread out across the Valley of Rephaim.

23 When David inquired of Yahweh, he said, “You shall not go up. Circle around behind them, and attack them in front of the mulberry trees.

David asked the Lord what to do. The Lord replied, “Don't attack them directly, but go round behind them and attack them in front of the balsam trees.

24 When you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the mulberry trees, then stir yourself up; for then Yahweh has gone out before you to strike the army of the Philistines.”

Immediately you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees be ready, because this means the Lord has marched out before you to attack the Philistine camp.”

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

David followed the Lord's orders, and he slaughtered the Philistines from Geba all the way to Gezer.