2Sa 5 | EE | STEP | All the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron. They said, ‘We all come from your big family.

2 Samuel 5

David becomes king over all Israel

1 All the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron. They said, ‘We all come from your big family. 2 When Saul was king over us, some time ago, you were the leader of his army in the wars. And the LORD spoke to you. He said, “You will be like the man that keeps my sheep safe. My people Israel are like my sheep and you will become the ruler over them.”’

3 David agreed with the leaders of Israel when they came to him at Hebron. They made promises to each other in front of the LORD. Then they anointed David to be king over Israel.

4 David was 30 years old when he became king. And he was king over Israel for 40 years. 5 He ruled over Judah in Hebron for 7 years and 6 months. And in Jerusalem he ruled over all Israel and Judah for 33 years.

David wins Jerusalem from the Jebusites

6 The king and his soldiers marched to Jerusalem. They wanted to win it from the Jebusites who lived there. The Jebusites said to David, ‘You will not get in here. Even men who cannot see could keep you out. Even men who cannot walk well could keep you out.’

They thought, ‘David cannot get in here.’

7 But they were wrong! David did win the strong city, Zion, that he called ‘The City of David’.

8 On that day, David said, ‘Some enemies cannot see and some enemies cannot walk well. David hates those people. Anyone who wants to win the fight must go up this way: He must go up the way that water goes up to the city. If he does, he can beat those people.’

That is why people say, ‘Anybody who cannot see must not go into the house. And anybody who cannot walk well must not go into the house.’

David comes to live in Jerusalem

9 Then David came to live in the strong tall building and he called it the City of David. He built more houses round it to the edge of the hill. 10 David became more and more powerful because the LORD God Almighty was with him.

11 Then Hiram, King of Tyre, sent men to David with wood from cedar trees. And he sent men who could work with wood and stone. He sent them to build a house for David. 12 So David knew that the LORD had certainly made him safe as king over Israel. And God had made David’s kingdom strong and important for his people, Israel. ^{▼▼5:12 God wanted his people to be safe and happy.}

13 After he had left Hebron, David married more wives. And he took more ladies to live with him. They lived in Jerusalem and they gave David more sons and daughters. 14 These are the names of the children who were born to him in Jerusalem: Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon, 15 Ibhar, Elishua, Nepheg, Japhia, 16 Elishama, Eliada and Eliphelet.

David wins another fight with the Philistines

17 People told the Philistines that the people had anointed David as king over Israel. So the Philistines took a big army and they went to look for him. People told David about this, and so he went into a very strong place. 18 The Philistine soldiers were everywhere in the Valley of Rephaim. 19 Then David asked the LORD, ‘Should I go and attack the Philistines? Will you help me to win the fight?’

The LORD answered him, ‘Go, because I will certainly help you to win against the Philistines.’

20 So David went to Baal Perazim, and there he won the fight. He said, ‘The LORD has broken my enemy as waters can break down stone walls.’ So that place is called, Baal Perazim. ^{▼▼5:20 Baal Perazim means, ‘The LORD breaks through’.}

21 The Philistines did not take their idols when they left there. And David and his men carried them away.

22 Again the Philistines came and they filled the Valley of Rephaim. 23 So David asked the LORD again. And he answered him, ‘Do not go straight up, but go round behind them. There you must attack them in front of the balsam trees. 24 When you hear a noise in the tops of the trees like marching men, go quickly to attack them. Do that because the LORD has gone in front of you to hit the Philistine army.’

25 So David did as the LORD had said to him. And he hit the Philistines all the way from Gibeon to Gezer.