New International Version NIV
The Message Bible MSG
1 All the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron and said, “We are your own flesh and blood.
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Before long all the tribes of Israel approached David in Hebron and said, "Look at us - your own flesh and blood!
2 In the past, while Saul was king over us, you were the one who led Israel on their military campaigns. And the LORD said to you, ‘You will shepherd my people Israel, and you will become their ruler.’ ”
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In time past when Saul was our king, you're the one who really ran the country. Even then God said to you, 'You will shepherd my people Israel and you'll be the prince.'"
3 When all the elders of Israel had come to King David at Hebron, the king made a covenant with them at Hebron before the LORD, and they anointed David king over Israel.
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All the leaders of Israel met with King David at Hebron, and the king made a treaty with them in the presence of God. And so they anointed David king over Israel.
4 David was thirty years old when he became king, and he reigned forty years.
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David was thirty years old when he became king, and ruled for forty years.
5 In Hebron he reigned over Judah seven years and six months, and in Jerusalem he reigned over all Israel and Judah thirty-three years.
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In Hebron he ruled Judah for seven and a half years. In Jerusalem he ruled all Israel and Judah for thirty-three years.
6 The king and his men marched to Jerusalem to attack the Jebusites, who lived there. The Jebusites said to David, “You will not get in here; even the blind and the lame can ward you off.” They thought, “David cannot get in here.”
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David and his men immediately set out for Jerusalem to take on the Jebusites, who lived in that country. But they said, "You might as well go home! Even the blind and the lame could keep you out. You can't get in here!" They had convinced themselves that David couldn't break through.
7 Nevertheless, David captured the fortress of Zion—which is the City of David.
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But David went right ahead and captured the fortress of Zion, known ever since as the City of David.
8 On that day David had said, “Anyone who conquers the Jebusites will have to use the water shaft to reach those ‘lame and blind’ who are David’s enemies. ” That is why they say, “The ‘blind and lame’ will not enter the palace.”
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That day David said, "To get the best of these Jebusites, one must target the water system, not to mention this so-called lame and blind bunch that David hates." (In fact, he was so sick and tired of it, people coined the expression, "No lame and blind allowed in the palace.")
9 David then took up residence in the fortress and called it the City of David. He built up the area around it, from the terraces inward.
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David made the fortress city his home and named it "City of David." He developed the city from the outside terraces inward.
10 And he became more and more powerful, because the LORD God Almighty was with him.
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David proceeded with a longer stride, a larger embrace since the God-of-the-Angel-Armies was with him.
11 Now Hiram king of Tyre sent envoys to David, along with cedar logs and carpenters and stonemasons, and they built a palace for David.
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It was at this time that Hiram, king of Tyre, sent messengers to David, along with timbers of cedar. He also sent carpenters and masons to build a house for David.
12 Then David knew that the LORD had established him as king over Israel and had exalted his kingdom for the sake of his people Israel.
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David took this as a sign that God had confirmed him as king of Israel, giving his kingship world prominence for the sake of Israel, his people.
13 After he left Hebron, David took more concubines and wives in Jerusalem, and more sons and daughters were born to him.
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David took on more concubines and wives from Jerusalem after he left Hebron. And more sons and daughters were born to him.
14 These are the names of the children born to him there: Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon,
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These are the names of those born to him in Jerusalem: Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon,
15 Ibhar, Elishua, Nepheg, Japhia,
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Ibhar, Elishua, Nepheg, Japhia,
16 Elishama, Eliada and Eliphelet.
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Elishama, Eliada, Eliphelet.
17 When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over Israel, they went up in full force to search for him, but David heard about it and went down to the stronghold.
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When the Philistines got word that David had been made king over all Israel, they came on the hunt for him. David heard of it and went down to the stronghold.
18 Now the Philistines had come and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim;
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When the Philistines arrived, they deployed their forces in Raphaim Valley.
19 so David inquired of the LORD, “Shall I go and attack the Philistines? Will you deliver them into my hands?” The LORD answered him, “Go, for I will surely deliver the Philistines into your hands.”
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Then David prayed to God: "Shall I go up and fight the Philistines? Will you help me beat them?"
20 So David went to Baal Perazim, and there he defeated them. He said, “As waters break out, the LORD has broken out against my enemies before me.” So that place was called Baal Perazim.
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"Go up," God replied. "Count on me. I'll help you beat them."
21 The Philistines abandoned their idols there, and David and his men carried them off.
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The retreating Philistines dumped their idols, and David and his soldiers took them away.
22 Once more the Philistines came up and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim;
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Later there was a repeat performance. The Philistines came up again and deployed their troops in the Rephaim Valley.
23 so David inquired of the LORD, and he answered, “Do not go straight up, but circle around behind them and attack them in front of the poplar trees.
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David again prayed to God.
24 As soon as you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the poplar trees, move quickly, because that will mean the LORD has gone out in front of you to strike the Philistine army.”
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When you hear the sound of shuffling in the trees, get ready to move out. It's a signal that God is going ahead of you to smash the Philistine camp."
25 So David did as the LORD commanded him, and he struck down the Philistines all the way from Gibeon to Gezer.
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David did exactly what God told him. He routed the Philistines all the way from Gibeon to Gezer.
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide.
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.