2 Samuel 5

1 And all the tribes of Israel went to David in Hebron, saying: “Behold, we are your bone and your flesh.

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

2 Moreover, yesterday and the day before, when Saul was king over us, you were the one leading out and leading back Israel. Then the Lord said to you, ‘You shall pasture my people Israel, and you shall be the leader over Israel.’”

In 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.’”

3 Also, the elders of Israel went to the king at Hebron, and king David struck a pact with them at Hebron in the sight of the Lord. And they anointed David as king over Israel.

So 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.

4 David was a son of thirty years, when he had begun to reign, and he reigned for forty years.

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

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

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

6 And the king, and all the men who were with him, went away to Jerusalem, to the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land. And it was said to David by them, “You shall not enter here, unless you will take away the blind and the lame, who say, ‘David shall not enter here.’”

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.”

7 But David seized the stronghold of Zion; the same is the city of David.

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

8 For David had proposed, on that day, a reward to him who had struck the Jebusites and who had reached to the gutters of the rooftops, and who had taken away the blind and the lame that hated the soul of David. Therefore, it is said in the proverb, “The blind and the lame shall not enter into the temple.”

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.”

9 Then David lived in the stronghold, and he called it: the City of David. And he built it up on all sides, from Millo and inward.

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

10 And he advanced, prospering and increasing, and the Lord, the God of hosts, was with him.

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

11 Also, Hiram, the king of Tyre, sent messengers to David, with cedar wood, and with builders of wood and builders of stone, in order to make walls. And they built a house for David.

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

12 And David knew that the Lord had confirmed him as king over Israel, and that he had exalted his kingdom over his people Israel.

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 Then David took more concubines and wives from Jerusalem, after he had arrived from Hebron. And other sons as well as daughters were born to David.

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.

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

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

15 and Ibhar, and Elishua, and Nepheg,

Ibhar, Elishua, Nepheg, Japhia,

16 and Japhia, and Elishama, and Eliada, and Elipheleth.

Elishama, Eliada, and Eliphelet.

17 Then the Philistines heard that they had anointed David as king over Israel. And they all ascended, so that they might seek David. And when David had heard of it, he descended to a stronghold.

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.

18 Now the Philistines, arriving, spread themselves out in the Valley of Rephaim.

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

19 And David consulted the Lord, saying: “Shall I ascend to the Philistines? And will you give them into my hand?” And the Lord said to David: “Ascend. For I will certainly give the Philistines into your hand.”

David 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.”

20 Therefore, David went to Baal-perazim. And he struck them there. And he said, “The Lord has divided my enemies before me, just as the waters are divided.” Because of this, the name of that place was called Baal-perazim.

David 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.

21 And in that place they left behind their graven images, which David and his men took away.

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

22 And the Philistines continued still, so that they ascended and spread themselves out in the Valley of Rephaim.

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

23 Then David consulted the Lord, “Shall I ascend against the Philistines, and will you deliver them into my hands?” And he responded: “You shall not ascend against them; instead, circle behind their back. And you shall come to them from the side opposite the balsam trees.

When 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.

24 And when you hear the sound of something going forth from the tops of the balsam trees, then you shall begin the battle. For then the Lord will go forth, before your face, so that he may strike the army of the Philistines.”

When 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.”

25 And so, David did just as the Lord had instructed him. And he struck down the Philistines, from Gibeon until you arrive at Gezer.

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