David Anointed King over All Israel

1Then all the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron and [†]said, “Behold, we are your bone and your flesh. 2Previously, when Saul was king over us, you were the one who led out and brought in Israel; and Yahweh said to you, ‘You will shepherd My people Israel, and you will be a ruler over Israel.’” 3So all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron, and King David cut a covenant with them in Hebron before Yahweh; then they anointed David king over Israel. 4Now David was thirty years old when he became king, and he reigned forty years. 5At Hebron he reigned over Judah seven years and six months, and in Jerusalem he reigned thirty-three years over all Israel and Judah.

6Then the king and his men went to Jerusalem against the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land, and they said to [†]David, “You shall not come in here, but the blind and lame will turn you away”; [†]thinking, “David cannot enter here.” 7Nevertheless, David captured the fortress of Zion, that is the city of David. 8And David said on that day, “Whoever would strike down the Jebusites, let him reach the lame and the blind, who are hated by David’s soul, through the water tunnel.” Therefore they say, “The blind or the lame shall not come into the house.” 9Then David lived in the fortress and called it the city of David. And David built all around from the [†]Millo and inward. 10And David became greater and greater, and Yahweh, the God of hosts, was with him.

11Then Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David with cedar trees and craftsmen of wood and craftsmen of stone walls; and they built a house for David. 12Thus David knew that Yahweh had established him as king over Israel, and that He had lifted up his kingdom for the sake of His people Israel.

Children Born to David in Jerusalem

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

David Goes Up Against the Philistines

17Then the Philistines heard that they had anointed David king over Israel, so all the Philistines went up to seek out David. And David heard of it and went down to the fortress. 18Now the Philistines had come and spread themselves out in the valley of Rephaim. 19Then David asked of Yahweh, saying, “Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will You give them into my hand?” And Yahweh said to David, “Go up, for I will certainly give the Philistines into your hand.” 20So David came to Baal-perazim, and there David struck them down; and he said, “Yahweh has broken through my enemies before me, like the breakthrough of waters.” Therefore he named that place [†]Baal-perazim. 21And they forsook their idols there; so David and his men carried them away.

22Then the Philistines yet again came up and spread themselves out in the valley of Rephaim. 23So David asked of Yahweh, and He said, “You shall not go directly up; circle around behind them and come at them in front of the [†]balsam trees. 24And it will be that when you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the [†]balsam trees, then you shall act promptly, for then Yahweh will have gone out before you to strike the camp of the Philistines.” 25Then David did so, just as Yahweh had commanded him, and struck down the Philistines from [†]Geba [†]as far as Gezer.