2 Samuel 5
1 All the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron and said, “We are your own flesh and blood.
2 Even before, when Saul was king over us, you were the one who led Israel out and brought them back. And the LORD said to you, ‘You will shepherd my people Israel, and you will be leader over Israel.’”
3 All the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron, and King David made a covenant with them there before the LORD. Then they anointed David king over Israel.
4 David was thirty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned for forty years.
5 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.
6 The king and his men went to Jerusalem against the Jebusites, who lived in the land. They said to David, “You will not get in here; even the blind and the lame will drive you back.” They meant, “David will not get in here.”
7 But David captured the stronghold of Zion, which is the city of David.
8 That day David said, “Whoever strikes a Jebusite, let him reach the water shaft; and those lame and blind, whom David hates.” That is why people say, “The blind and the lame will not enter the house.”
9 David made his home in the stronghold and called it the city of David. He built up the area around it, from the Millo inward.
10 David grew greater and greater, and the LORD, God of Armies, was with him.
11 Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, along with cedar timber, carpenters, and stoneworkers, and they built a house for David.
12 David realized that the LORD had established him as king over Israel and had exalted his kingdom for the sake of his people Israel.
13 After he came from Hebron, David took more concubines and wives in Jerusalem, and more sons and daughters were born to David.
14 These are the names of those born to him in Jerusalem: Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon,
15 Ibhar, Elishua, Nepheg, Japhia,
16 Elishama, Eliada, and Eliphelet.
17 When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over Israel, all the Philistines went up to seek David. David heard about it and went down to the stronghold.
18 The Philistines came and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim.
19 David consulted the LORD: “Should I go up against the Philistines? Will you give them into my hand?” The LORD answered David, “Go up, for I will certainly give the Philistines into your hand.”
20 David went to Baal-perazim and defeated them there. He said, “The LORD has broken through my enemies before me, like a flood bursting through.” So he named that place Baal-perazim.
21 The Philistines abandoned their idols there, and David and his men carried them away.
22 The Philistines came up again and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim.
23 David consulted the LORD, and he answered, “Do not go up. Circle around behind them and come at them opposite the balsam trees.
24 When you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, act quickly, because then the LORD will have gone out ahead of you to strike the Philistine camp.”
25 David did as the LORD had commanded him, and he struck down the Philistines from Geba to the entrance of Gezer.
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