2 Samuel

Then all the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron and said, 'We are your own flesh and blood.'

'Even in the past, when Saul was king over us, you were the one who led Israel on their military campaigns. And the LORD said to you, "You shall shepherd my people Israel, and you shall be ruler over Israel."'

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

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

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

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 keep you out.' They thought David could not enter the city.

Nevertheless, David captured the fortress of Zion, which is now the City of David [1].

On that day David said, 'Whoever attacks the Jebusites must reach them through the water tunnel to reach the "lame and blind" who are David's enemies.' That is why they say, 'The blind and the lame shall not enter the house.'

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.

And David became more and more powerful, because the LORD God of hosts was with him.

Now Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, along with cedar logs, carpenters, and stonemasons, and they built a palace for David.

Then David realised that the LORD had established him as king over Israel and had exalted his kingdom for the sake of his people Israel.

After David moved from Hebron, he took more concubines and wives in Jerusalem, and more sons and daughters were born to him.

These are the names of the children born to him there: Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon,

Ibhar, Elishua, Nepheg, Japhia,

Elishama, Eliada, and Eliphelet.

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.

Now the Philistines had come and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim.

So David asked the LORD, 'Shall I go and attack the Philistines? Will you deliver them into my hand?' the LORD answered him, 'Go, for I will surely deliver the Philistines into your hand.'

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.

The Philistines abandoned their idols there, and David and his men carried them away.

Once more the Philistines came up and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim.

So David asked the LORD again, and he answered, 'Do not go straight up, but circle around behind them and attack them in front of the balsam trees.'

'As soon as you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, move quickly, because that will mean the LORD has gone out in front of you to strike the Philistine army.'

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