| New King James Version | NET Bible |
| 1Then all the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron and spoke, saying, “Indeed we are your bone and your flesh. | 1All the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron saying, "Look, we are your very flesh and blood! |
| 2Also, in time past, when Saul was king over us, you were the one who led Israel out and brought them in; and the LORD said to you, ‘You shall shepherd My people Israel, and be ruler over Israel.’ ” | 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.'" |
| 3Therefore all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron, and King David made a covenant with them at Hebron before the LORD. And they anointed David king over Israel. | 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. |
| 4David was thirty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned forty years. | 4David was thirty years old when he began to reign and he reigned for 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 for seven years and six months, and in Jerusalem he reigned for thirty-three years over all Israel and Judah. |
| 6And the king and his men went to Jerusalem against the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land, who spoke to David, saying, “You shall not come in here; but the blind and the lame will repel you,” thinking, “David cannot come in here.” | 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!'" |
| 7Nevertheless David took the stronghold of Zion (that is, the City of David). | 7But David captured the fortress of Zion (that is, the city of David). |
| 8Now David said on that day, “Whoever climbs up by way of the water shaft and defeats the Jebusites (the lame and the blind, who are hated by David’s soul), he shall be chief and captain.” Therefore they say, “The blind and the lame shall not come into the house.” | 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." |
| 9Then David dwelt in the stronghold, and called it the City of David. And David built all around from the Millo and inward. | 9So David lived in the fortress and called it the City of David. David built all around it, from the terrace inwards. |
| 10So David went on and became great, and the LORD God of hosts was with him. | 10David's power grew steadily, for the LORD God who commands armies was with him. |
| 11Then Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, and cedar trees, and carpenters and masons. And they built David a house. | 11King Hiram of Tyre sent messengers to David, along with cedar logs, carpenters, and stonemasons. They built a palace for David. |
| 12So David knew that the LORD had established him as king over Israel, and that He had exalted His kingdom for the sake of His people Israel. | 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. |
| 13And David took more concubines and wives from Jerusalem, after he had come from Hebron. Also more sons and daughters were born to David. | 13David married more concubines and wives from Jerusalem after he arrived from Hebron. Even 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, | 14These are the names of 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. |
| 17Now when the Philistines heard that they had anointed David king over Israel, all the Philistines went up to search for David. And David heard of it and went down to the stronghold. | 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. |
| 18The Philistines also went and deployed themselves in the Valley of Rephaim. | 18Now the Philistines had arrived and spread out in the valley of Rephaim. |
| 19So David inquired of the LORD, saying, “Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will You deliver them into my hand?” And the LORD said to David, “Go up, for I will doubtless deliver the Philistines into your hand.” | 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." |
| 20So David went to Baal Perazim, and David defeated them there; and he said, “The LORD has broken through my enemies before me, like a breakthrough of water.” Therefore he called the name of that place Baal Perazim. | 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. |
| 21And they left their images there, and David and his men carried them away. | 21The Philistines abandoned their idols there, and David and his men picked them up. |
| 22Then the Philistines went up once again and deployed themselves in the Valley of Rephaim. | 22The Philistines again came up and spread out in the valley of Rephaim. |
| 23Therefore David inquired of the LORD, and He said, “You shall not go up; circle around behind them, and come upon them in front of the mulberry trees. | 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. |
| 24And it shall be, when you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the mulberry trees, then you shall advance quickly. For then the LORD will go out before you to strike the camp of the Philistines.” | 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." |
| 25And David did so, as the LORD commanded him; and he drove back the Philistines from Geba as far as Gezer. | 25David did just as the LORD commanded him, and he struck down the Philistines from Gibeon all the way to Gezer. |
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