2 Samuel 5

1All the tribes of Israel came to David in Hebron and said, "See, we are your bone and your flesh."

2Even yesterday, even the day before yesterday, when Saul was king over us, you were the one who took Israel out and the one who brought Israel in. Yahweh said to you, "You shall shepherd my people Israel, and you shall be prince over Israel."

3All Israel's elders came to the king in Hebron, and King David cut a covenant with them there before Yahweh, and they anointed David king over Israel.

4David was thirty years old when he became king, and he was king forty years.

5In Hebron he was king over Judah seven years and six months, and in Jerusalem he was king over all Israel and Judah thirty-three years.

6The king and his men went to Jerusalem against the Jebusites, the land's inhabitants, who said to David, "You will not enter here unless the blind and the lame turn you aside," declaring, "David will not come here."

7David captured the fortress of Zion; it is the city of David.

8David said that day, "Whoever strikes the Jebusite, let him reach the water shaft and strike the lame and the blind, enemies hated by David's soul." Therefore they say, "The blind and the lame will not enter the house."

9David dwelt in the stronghold and called it the city of David. David built all around from the Millo inward.

10David went on and grew greater, and Yahweh God of Hosts was with him.

11Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David with cedar trees, carpenters, and stonemasons, and they built a house for David.

12David recognized that Yahweh had set him as king over Israel, and that he had raised his kingdom for the sake of his people Israel.

13David took more concubines and wives from Jerusalem after coming from Hebron, and more sons and daughters were born to him.

14These are the names of those born to him in Jerusalem: Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, and Solomon.

15Ibhar, Elishua, Nepheg, and Japhia.

16And Elishama, and Eliada, and Eliphalet.

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

18The Philistines came and spread out in the valley of Rephaim.

19David asked Yahweh, "Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will you give them into my hand?" Yahweh said to David, "Go up, for I will surely give the Philistines into your hand."

20David came to Baal-Perazim and struck them there. He said, "Yahweh burst through my enemies before me like waters breaking forth." Therefore he named that place Baal-Perazim.

21They forsook their idols there, and David and his men carried them off.

22The Philistines came up yet again and spread out in the valley of Rephaim.

23David asked Yahweh, and he said, "Do not go up; go around behind them, and come upon them opposite the mulberry trees."

24When you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the mulberry trees, then rouse yourself, for then Yahweh has gone out before you to strike the Philistine army.

25David did as Yahweh had commanded him and struck the Philistines from Geba as far as Gezer.