| NET Bible | New International Version |
| 1All the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron saying, "Look, we are your very flesh and blood! | 1All the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron and said, "We are your own flesh and blood. |
| 2In the past, when Saul was our king, you were the real leader in Israel. The LORD said to you, 'You will shepherd my people Israel; you will rule over Israel.'" | 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.'" |
| 3When all the leaders of Israel came to the king at Hebron, King David made an agreement with them in Hebron before the LORD. They designated David as 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 began to reign and he reigned for forty years. | 4David was thirty years old when he became king, and he reigned forty years. |
| 5In Hebron he reigned over Judah for seven years and six months, and in Jerusalem he reigned for 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. |
| 6Then the king and his men advanced to Jerusalem against the Jebusites who lived in the land. The Jebusites said to David, "You cannot invade this place! Even the blind and the lame will turn you back, saying, 'David cannot invade this place!'" | 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." |
| 7But 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. |
| 8David said on that day, "Whoever attacks the Jebusites must approach the 'lame' and the 'blind' who are David's enemies by going through the water tunnel." For this reason it is said, "The blind and the lame cannot 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 lived in the fortress and called it the City of David. David built all around it, from the terrace inwards. | 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. |
| 10David's power grew steadily, for the LORD God who commands armies was with him. | 10And he became more and more powerful, because the LORD God Almighty was with him. |
| 11King Hiram of Tyre sent messengers to David, along with cedar logs, carpenters, and stonemasons. 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. |
| 12David realized that the LORD had established him as king over Israel and that he had elevated 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. |
| 13David married more concubines and wives from Jerusalem after he arrived from Hebron. Even more sons and daughters were born to David. | 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 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 designated king over Israel, they all went up to search for David. When David heard about it, he went down to the fortress. | 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 arrived and spread out in the valley of Rephaim. | 18Now the Philistines had come and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim; |
| 19So David asked the LORD, "Should I march up against the Philistines? Will you hand them over to me?" The LORD said to David, "March up, for I will indeed hand the Philistines over to you." | 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 marched against Baal Perazim and defeated them there. Then he said, "The LORD has burst out against my enemies like water bursts out." So he called the name of 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. |
| 21The Philistines abandoned their idols there, and David and his men picked them up. | 21The Philistines abandoned their idols there, and David and his men carried them off. |
| 22The Philistines again 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 asked the LORD what he should do. This time the LORD said to him, "Don't march straight up. Instead, circle around behind them and come against them opposite the 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. |
| 24When you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the trees, act decisively. For at that moment the LORD is going before you to strike down the army 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." |
| 25David did just as the LORD commanded him, and he struck down the Philistines from Gibeon all the way 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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