11Then all the tribes of Israelcame to David at Hebron and said, "Behold, we are 2your bone and your flesh.
2
Previously, when Saul was kingover us, 3you were the one who ledIsrael out and in. And the LORDsaid to you, '4You will shepherd My peopleIsrael, and you will be 5a ruleroverIsrael.' "
3
So all the elders of Israelcame to the king at Hebron, and KingDavid6made a covenant with them before the LORD at Hebron; then 7they anointedDavidkingoverIsrael.
4
David was 8thirtyyearsold when he becameking, and 9he reignedfortyyears.
5
At Hebron10he reignedoverJudahsevenyears and sixmonths, and in Jerusalem he reignedthirty-three*yearsoverallIsrael and Judah.
6
11Now the king and his menwent to 12Jerusalemagainst the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land, and they said to David, "You shall not come in here, but the blind and lame will turn you away "; thinking, "Davidcannotenterhere."
7
Nevertheless, Davidcaptured the stronghold of Zion, that is 13the city of David.
8
Davidsaid on that day, "Whoever would strike the Jebusites, let him reach the lame and the blind, who are hated by David'ssoul, through the watertunnel." Therefore* they say, "The blind or the lame shall not come into the house."
9
So Davidlived in the stronghold and called it 14the city of David. And Davidbuiltallaround from the 15Millo and inward.
10
16Davidbecamegreater and greater, for the LORDGod of hosts was with him.
11
17Then Hiramking of Tyresentmessengers to David with cedartrees and carpenters* and stonemasons*; and 18they built a house for David.
12
And Davidrealized that the LORD had established him as kingoverIsrael, and that He had exalted his kingdom for the sake of His peopleIsrael.
13
Meanwhile 19Davidtookmoreconcubines and wives from Jerusalem, after he came from Hebron; and moresons and daughters were born to David.
14
Now 20these are the names of those who were born to him in Jerusalem: Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon,
17 When the Philistinesheard that they had anointedDavidkingoverIsrael, 21all the Philistineswent up to seek out David; and when Davidheard of it, he wentdown to the 22stronghold.
18
Now the Philistinescame and spread themselves out in 23the valley of Rephaim.
19
Then 24Davidinquired of the LORD, saying, "Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will You give them into my hand?" And 25the LORDsaid to David, "Go up, for I will certainlygive the Philistines into your hand."
20
So Davidcame to 26Baal-perazim and defeated them there; and he said, "The LORD has brokenthrough my enemiesbefore me like the breakthrough of waters." Therefore* he named* that placeBaal-perazim.
21
They abandoned their idolsthere, so 27David and his mencarried them away.
22
Now 28the Philistinescame up once*again and spread themselves out in the valley of Rephaim.
23
When 29Davidinquired of the LORD, He said, "You shall not go directly up; circlearoundbehind them and come at them in front of the balsamtrees.
24
"It shall be, when 30you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsamtrees, then you shall actpromptly, for then31the LORD will have gone out before you to strike the army of the Philistines."
25
Then Daviddidso, just as the LORD had commanded him, and struckdown the Philistines from 32Geba as far as 33Gezer.