Old Testament · 2 Samuel

2 Samuel 5

David Anointed King of All Israel

(1 Chronicles 11:1–3)

1And all the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron, and spoke, saying: "Behold, we are your bone and your flesh^a. 2Also yesterday, also the day before, when Saul was king over us, you were the one who led out and brought in Israel; and the LORD said to you, 'You shall shepherd my people Israel, and you shall be prince over Israel.'"

3And all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron, and king David cut for them a covenant^b in Hebron before the LORD; and they anointed David king over Israel.

4A son of thirty years was David when he became king; forty years he reigned. 5In Hebron he reigned over Judah seven years and six months, and in Jerusalem he reigned thirty and three years over all Israel and Judah.

David Conquers Jerusalem

(1 Chronicles 11:4–9)

6And the king and his men^c went to Jerusalem, to the Jebusite, the inhabitant of the land; and he said to David, saying: "You shall not come in here, but the blind and the lame will turn you away" — saying, "David will not come in here."

7But David captured the stronghold of Zion; it is the city of David. 8And David said on that day: "Whoever strikes the Jebusite, let him reach the water-shaft, and the lame and the blind, the hated of David's soul^d" — therefore they say, "The blind and the lame shall not come into the house."

9And David dwelt in the stronghold, and called it the city of David; and David built around, from the Millo and inward. 10And David went on, going on and becoming great, and the LORD God of hosts^e was with him.

11And Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, and cedar trees, and craftsmen of wood, and craftsmen of stone of wall; and they built a house for David.

David’s Family Grows

(1 Chronicles 14:1–7)

12And David knew that the LORD had established him as king over Israel, and that he had exalted his kingdom for the sake of his people Israel.

13And David took yet more concubines and wives^f from Jerusalem, after he came from Hebron; and yet more sons and daughters were born to David. 14And these are the names of those born to him in Jerusalem: Shammua, and Shobab, and Nathan, and Solomon, 15and Ibhar, and Elishua, and Nepheg, and Japhia, 16and Elishama, and Eliada, and Eliphelet.

Two Victories over the Philistines

(1 Chronicles 14:8–17)

17And the Philistines heard that they had anointed David king over Israel, and all the Philistines went up to seek David; and David heard, and went down to the stronghold.

18And the Philistines came and spread out in the valley of Rephaim. 19And David inquired of the LORD, saying: "Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will you give them into my hand?" And the LORD said to David: "Go up, for I will surely give the Philistines into your hand."

20And David came to Baal-perazim, and David struck them there; and he said: "The LORD has broken through my enemies before me, like a breach of waters." Therefore he called the name of that place Baal-perazim. 21And they left their images there, and David and his men carried them away.

22And the Philistines yet again came up, and spread out in the valley of Rephaim. 23And David inquired of the LORD, and he said: "You shall not go up; circle around behind them, and come to them opposite the balsam trees. 24And it shall be, when you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, then you shall act decisively, for then the LORD has gone out before you to strike the camp of the Philistines."

25And David did so, as the LORD commanded him^g, and he struck the Philistines from Geba until you come to Gezer.