New Revised Standard NRS
The Bible in Basic English BBE
1 King Hiram of Tyre sent messengers to David, along with cedar logs, and masons and carpenters to build a house for him.
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And Hiram, king of Tyre, sent men to David with cedar-trees, and stoneworkers and woodworkers for the building of his house.
2 David then perceived that the Lord had established him as king over Israel, and that his kingdom was highly exalted for the sake of his people Israel.
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And David saw that the Lord had made his position safe as king over Israel, lifting up his kingdom on high because of his people Israel.
3 David took more wives in Jerusalem, and David became the father of more sons and daughters.
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And while he was living in Jerusalem, David took more wives and became the father of more sons and daughters.
4 These are the names of the children whom he had in Jerusalem: Shammua, Shobab, and Nathan; Solomon,
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These are the names of the children he had in Jerusalem: Shammua and Shobab, Nathan and Solomon
5 Ibhar, Elishua, and Elpelet;
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And Ibhar and Elishua and Elpelet
6 Nogah, Nepheg, and Japhia;
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And Nogah and Nepheg and Japhia
7 Elishama, Beeliada, and Eliphelet.
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And Elishama and Beeliada and Eliphelet.
8 When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over all Israel, all the Philistines went up in search of David; and David heard of it and went out against them.
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And when the Philistines had news that David had been made king over all Israel, they went up in search of David, and David, hearing of it, went out against them.
9 Now the Philistines had come and made a raid in the valley of Rephaim.
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Now the Philistines had come, and had gone out in every direction in the valley of Rephaim.
10 David inquired of God, "Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will you give them into my hand?" The Lord said to him, "Go up, and I will give them into your hand."
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And David, desiring directions from God, said, Am I to go up against the Philistines? and will you give them into my hands? And the Lord said, Go up; for I will give them into your hands.
11 So he went up to Baal-perazim, and David defeated them there. David said, "God has burst out against my enemies by my hand, like a bursting flood." Therefore that place is called Baal-perazim.
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So they went up to Baal-perazim, and David overcame them there, and David said, God has let the forces fighting against me be broken by my hand, as a wall is broken down by rushing water; so they gave that place the name of Baal-perazim.
12 They abandoned their gods there, and at David's command they were burned.
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And the Philistines did not take their images with them in their flight; and at David's orders they were burned with fire.
13 Once again the Philistines made a raid in the valley.
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Then the Philistines again went out in every direction in the valley.
14 When David again inquired of God, God said to him, "You shall not go up after them; go around and come on them opposite the balsam trees.
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And David went for directions to God; and God said to him, You are not to go up after them; but, turning away from them, come face to face with them opposite the spice-trees.
15 When you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, then go out to battle; for God has gone out before you to strike down the army of the Philistines."
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And at the sound of footsteps in the tops of the trees, go out to the fight, for God has gone out before you to overcome the army of the Philistines.
16 David did as God had commanded him, and they struck down the Philistine army from Gibeon to Gezer.
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And David did as the Lord had said; and they overcame the army of the Philistines, attacking them from Gibeon as far as Gezer.
17 The fame of David went out into all lands, and the Lord brought the fear of him on all nations.
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And David's name was honoured in all lands; and the Lord put the fear of him on all nations.
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
The Bible in Basic English is in the public domain.