Fluent Translation · Read & Reflect
2 Samuel 5
David Becomes King over All Israel
Then all the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron and said, “Look, we are your bone and your flesh. Even formerly, when Saul was king over us, you were the one leading Israel out and bringing Israel in. And the LORD said to you, ‘You will shepherd my people Israel, and you will be ruler over Israel.’” 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. Then they anointed David king over Israel. David was thirty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned forty years. In Hebron he reigned over Judah seven years and six months, and in Jerusalem he reigned thirty-three years over all Israel and Judah.
David Captures Jerusalem
The king and his men went to Jerusalem against the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land. They said to David, “You will not come in here; even the blind and the lame will turn you away,” thinking, “David cannot come in here.” Yet David captured the stronghold of Zion; that is, the city of David. David said on that day, “Whoever strikes the Jebusites, let him reach the water shaft, and the lame and the blind, whom David’s life hates.” Therefore they say, “The blind and the lame will not come into the house.” David lived in the stronghold and called it the city of David. David built around it from the Millo inward. David grew greater and greater, and the LORD, the God of Hosts, was with him.
Hiram Builds David a House
Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, with cedar trees, carpenters, and stonemasons, and they built a house for David. David knew that the LORD had established him as king over Israel and had exalted his kingdom for the sake of his people Israel.
More Sons and Daughters Are Born in Jerusalem
David took more concubines and wives from Jerusalem after he came from Hebron, and more sons and daughters were born to David. These are the names of those born to him in Jerusalem: Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon, Ibhar, Elishua, Nepheg, Japhia, Elishama, Eliada, and Eliphelet.
David Defeats the Philistines
When the Philistines heard that they had anointed David king over Israel, all the Philistines went up to seek David. David heard of it and went down to the stronghold. The Philistines came and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim. David inquired of the LORD, saying, “Will I go up against the Philistines? Will you give them into my hand?” The LORD said to David, “Go up, for I will surely give the Philistines into your hand.” David came to Baal-Perazim, and David struck them there. He said, “The LORD has broken through my enemies before me like a breakthrough of waters.” Therefore he called the name of that place Baal-Perazim. They abandoned their idols there, and David and his men carried them away.
The LORD Goes Out before David
The Philistines came up again and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim. David inquired of the LORD, and he said, “You will not go up. Circle around behind them and come against them opposite the balsam trees. When you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, then act decisively, for then the LORD has gone out before you to strike the army of the Philistines.” David did so, as the LORD commanded him, and struck the Philistines from Geba as far as Gezer.