| Christian Standard Bible | Berean Study Bible |
| 1All the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron and said, "Here we are, your own flesh and blood. | 1Then all the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron and said, “Here we are, your own flesh and blood. |
| 2Even while Saul was king over us, you were the one who led us out to battle and brought us back. The LORD also said to you, 'You will shepherd my people Israel, and you will be ruler over Israel.'" | 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.’ ” |
| 3So all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron. King David made a covenant with them at Hebron in the LORD's presence, and they anointed David king over Israel. | 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. |
| 4David was thirty years old when he began his reign; 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 thirty-three years over all Israel and Judah. |
| 6The king and his men marched to Jerusalem against the Jebusites who inhabited the land. The Jebusites had said to David: "You will never get in here. Even the blind and lame can repel you" thinking, "David can't get in here." | 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.” |
| 7Yet David did capture the stronghold of Zion, that is, the city of David. | 7Nevertheless, David captured the fortress of Zion (that is, the City of David). |
| 8He said that day, "Whoever attacks the Jebusites must go through the water shaft to reach the lame and the blind who are despised by David." For this reason it is said, "The blind and the lame will never enter the house." | 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.” |
| 9David took up residence in the stronghold, which he named the city of David. He built it up all the way around from the supporting terraces inward. | 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. |
| 10David became more and more powerful, and the LORD God of Armies was with him. | 10And David became greater and greater, for the LORD God of Hosts was with him. |
| 11King Hiram of Tyre sent envoys to David; he also sent 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, carpenters, and stonemasons, and they built a palace for David. |
| 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. | 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. |
| 13After he arrived from Hebron, David took more concubines and wives from Jerusalem, and more sons and daughters were born to him. | 13After he had arrived from Hebron, David took more concubines and wives from Jerusalem, and more sons and daughters were born to him. |
| 14These are the names of those born to him in Jerusalem: Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon, | 14These are the names of the children born to him in Jerusalem: 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 David, but he heard about it and went down to the stronghold. | 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. |
| 18So the Philistines came and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim. | 18Now the Philistines had come and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim. |
| 19Then David inquired of the LORD: "Should I attack the Philistines? Will you hand them over to me?" The LORD replied to David, "Attack, for I will certainly hand the Philistines over to you." | 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.” |
| 20So David went to Baal-perazim and defeated them there and said, "Like a bursting flood, the LORD has burst out against my enemies before me." Therefore, he named that place The Lord Bursts Out. | 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. |
| 21The Philistines abandoned their idols there, and David and his men carried them off. | 21There the Philistines abandoned their idols, and David and his men carried them away. |
| 22The Philistines came up again and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim. | 22Once again the Philistines came up and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim. |
| 23So David inquired of the LORD, and he answered, "Do not attack directly, but circle around behind them and come at them opposite the balsam trees. | 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. |
| 24When you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, act decisively, for then the LORD will have gone out ahead of you to strike down the army of the Philistines." | 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.” |
| 25So David did exactly as the LORD commanded him, and he struck down the Philistines all the way from Geba to Gezer. | 25So David did as the LORD had commanded him, and he struck down the Philistines all the way from Gibeon to Gezer. |
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