[1] Then all the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron, and said,
"Behold, we are your bone and flesh. [2] In times past, when Saul was king
over us, it was you that led out and brought in Israel; and the LORD said
to you, `You shall be shepherd of my people Israel, and you shall be prince
over Israel.'" [3] So 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. [4] David was thirty years old when
he began to reign, and he reigned forty years. [5] At Hebron he reigned
over Judah seven years and six months; and at Jerusalem he reigned over all
Israel and Judah thirty-three years. [6] And the king and his men went to
Jerusalem against the Jeb'usites, the inhabitants of the land, who said to
David, "You will not come in here, but the blind and the lame will ward you
off"--thinking, "David cannot come in here." [7] Nevertheless David took
the stronghold of Zion, that is, the city of David. [8] And David said on
that day, "Whoever would smite the Jeb'usites, let him get up the water
shaft to attack the lame and the blind, who are hated by David's soul."
Therefore it is said, "The blind and the lame shall not come into the
house." [9] And David dwelt in the stronghold, and called it the city of
David. And David built the city round about from the Millo inward. [10] And
David became greater and greater, for the LORD, the God of hosts, was with
him. [11] And Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, and cedar trees,
also carpenters and masons who built David a house. [12] And David
perceived that the LORD had established him king over Israel, and that he
had exalted his kingdom for the sake of his people Israel. [13] And David
took more concubines and wives from Jerusalem, after he came from Hebron;
and more sons and daughters were born to David. [14] And these are the
names of those who were born to him in Jerusalem: Sham'mu-a, Shobab,
Nathan, Solomon, [15] Ibhar, Eli'shu-a, Nepheg, Japhi'a, [16] Eli'shama,
Eli'ada, and Eliph'elet. [17] When the Philistines heard that David had
been anointed king over Israel, all the Philistines went up in search of
David; but David heard of it and went down to the stronghold. [18] Now the
Philistines had come and spread out in the valley of Reph'aim. [19] And
David inquired of the LORD, "Shall I go up against the Philistines? Wilt
thou give them into my hand?" And the LORD said to David, "Go up; for I
will certainly give the Philistines into your hand." [20] And David came to
Ba'al-pera'zim, and David defeated them there; and he said, "The LORD has
broken through my enemies before me, like a bursting flood." Therefore the
name of that place is called Ba'al-pera'zim. [21] And the Philistines left
their idols there, and David and his men carried them away. [22] And the
Philistines came up yet again, and spread out in the valley of Reph'aim.
[23] And when David inquired of the LORD, he said, "You shall not go up; go
around to their rear, and come upon them opposite the balsam trees. [24]
And when you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees,
then bestir yourself; for then the LORD has gone out before you to smite
the army of the Philistines." [25] And David did as the LORD commanded him,
and smote the Philistines from Geba to Gezer.
