| Berean Study Bible | New International Version |
| 1Then all the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron and said, “Here we are, your own flesh and blood. | 1All the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron and said, "We are your own flesh and blood. |
| 2Even in times past, while Saul was king over us, you were the one who led Israel out and brought them back. And to you the LORD said, ‘You will shepherd My people Israel, and you will be ruler over them.’ ” | 2In the past, while Saul was king over us, you were the one who led Israel on their military campaigns. And the LORD said to you, 'You will shepherd my people Israel, and you will become their ruler.'" |
| 3So all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron, where King David made with them a covenant before the LORD. And they anointed him king over Israel. | 3When all the elders of Israel had come to King David at Hebron, the king made a covenant with them at Hebron before the LORD, and they anointed David king over Israel. |
| 4David was thirty years old when he became king, and he reigned forty years. | 4David was thirty years old when he became king, and he reigned forty years. |
| 5In Hebron he reigned over Judah seven years and six months, and in Jerusalem he reigned thirty-three years over all Israel and Judah. | 5In Hebron he reigned over Judah seven years and six months, and in Jerusalem he reigned over all Israel and Judah thirty-three years. |
| 6Now the king and his men marched to Jerusalem against the Jebusites who inhabited the land. The Jebusites said to David: “You will never get in here. Even the blind and lame can repel you.” For they thought, “David cannot get in here.” | 6The king and his men marched to Jerusalem to attack the Jebusites, who lived there. The Jebusites said to David, "You will not get in here; even the blind and the lame can ward you off." They thought, "David cannot get in here." |
| 7Nevertheless, David captured the fortress of Zion (that is, the City of David). | 7Nevertheless, David captured the fortress of Zion--which is the City of David. |
| 8On that day he said, “Whoever attacks the Jebusites must use the water shaft to reach the lame and blind who are despised by David.” That is why it is said, “The blind and the lame will never enter the palace.” | 8On that day David had said, "Anyone who conquers the Jebusites will have to use the water shaft to reach those 'lame and blind' who are David's enemies." That is why they say, "The 'blind and lame' will not enter the palace." |
| 9So David took up residence in the fortress and called it the City of David. He built it up all the way around, from the supporting terraces inward. | 9David then took up residence in the fortress and called it the City of David. He built up the area around it, from the terraces inward. |
| 10And David became greater and greater, for the LORD God of Hosts was with him. | 10And he became more and more powerful, because the LORD God Almighty was with him. |
| 11Now Hiram king of Tyre sent envoys to David, along with cedar logs, carpenters, and stonemasons, and they built a palace for David. | 11Now Hiram king of Tyre sent envoys to David, along with cedar logs and carpenters and stonemasons, and they built a palace for David. |
| 12And David realized that the LORD had established him as king over Israel and had exalted his kingdom for the sake of His people Israel. | 12Then David knew that the LORD had established him as king over Israel and had exalted his kingdom for the sake of his people Israel. |
| 13After he had arrived from Hebron, David took more concubines and wives from Jerusalem, and more sons and daughters were born to him. | 13After he left Hebron, David took more concubines and wives in Jerusalem, and more sons and daughters were born to him. |
| 14These are the names of the children born to him in Jerusalem: Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon, | 14These are the names of the children born to him there: Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon, |
| 15Ibhar, Elishua, Nepheg, Japhia, | 15Ibhar, Elishua, Nepheg, Japhia, |
| 16Elishama, Eliada, and Eliphelet. | 16Elishama, Eliada and Eliphelet. |
| 17When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over Israel, they all went in search of him; but David learned of this and went down to the stronghold. | 17When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over Israel, they went up in full force to search for him, but David heard about it and went down to the stronghold. |
| 18Now the Philistines had come and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim. | 18Now the Philistines had come and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim; |
| 19So David inquired of the LORD, “Should I go up against the Philistines? Will You deliver them into my hand?” “Go,” replied the LORD, “for I will surely deliver the Philistines into your hand.” | 19so David inquired of the LORD, "Shall I go and attack the Philistines? Will you deliver them into my hands?" The LORD answered him, "Go, for I will surely deliver the Philistines into your hands." |
| 20So David went to Baal-perazim, where he defeated the Philistines and said, “Like a bursting flood, the LORD has burst out against my enemies before me.” So he called that place Baal-perazim. | 20So David went to Baal Perazim, and there he defeated them. He said, "As waters break out, the LORD has broken out against my enemies before me." So that place was called Baal Perazim. |
| 21There the Philistines abandoned their idols, and David and his men carried them away. | 21The Philistines abandoned their idols there, and David and his men carried them off. |
| 22Once again the Philistines came up and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim. | 22Once more the Philistines came up and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim; |
| 23So David inquired of the LORD, who answered, “Do not march straight up, but circle around behind them and attack them in front of the balsam trees. | 23so David inquired of the LORD, and he answered, "Do not go straight up, but circle around behind them and attack them in front of the poplar trees. |
| 24As soon as you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, move quickly, because this will mean that the LORD has marched out before you to strike the camp of the Philistines.” | 24As soon as you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the poplar trees, move quickly, because that will mean the LORD has gone out in front of you to strike the Philistine army." |
| 25So David did as the LORD had commanded him, and he struck down the Philistines all the way from Gibeon to Gezer. | 25So David did as the LORD commanded him, and he struck down the Philistines all the way from Gibeon to Gezer. |
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