David Takes More Wives

1Then Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David with cedar trees and craftsmen of walls and craftsmen of wood, to build a house for him. 2Thus David knew that Yahweh had established him as king over Israel, and that his kingdom was lifted up, for the sake of His people Israel.

3Then David took more wives at Jerusalem, and David [†]became the father of more sons and daughters. 4These are the names of the children [†]born to him in Jerusalem: Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon, 5Ibhar, Elishua, Elpelet, 6Nogah, Nepheg, Japhia, 7Elishama, Beeliada and Eliphelet.

David Strikes Down the Philistines

8Then the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over all Israel, so all the Philistines went up to seek out David. And David heard of it and went out against them. 9Now the Philistines had come and made a raid in the valley of Rephaim. 10Then David asked of God, saying, “Shall I go up against the Philistines? And will You give them into my hand?” And Yahweh said to him, “Go up, for I will give them into your hand.” 11So they came up to [†]Baal-perazim, and there David struck them down; and David said, “God has broken through my enemies by my hand, like the breakthrough of waters.” Therefore they named that place [†]Baal-perazim. 12And they forsook their gods there; so David said the word, and they were burned with fire.

13Then the Philistines yet again made a raid in the valley. 14So David again asked of God, and God said to him, “You shall not go directly up after them; circle around from [†]behind them and come at them in front of the [†]balsam trees. 15And it will be that when you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the [†]balsam trees, then you shall go out to battle, for God will have gone out before you to strike the camp of the Philistines.” 16Then David did just as God had commanded him, and they struck down the camp of the Philistines from [†]Gibeon even as far as Gezer. 17Then the name of David went out into all the lands; and Yahweh brought the dread of him on all the nations.