1 All the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron and said, "We are your own bone and flesh.
2 In the past, even while Saul was king over us, you were the one leading Israel out and bringing it in. And the LORD told you, 'You will shepherd my people Israel, and you will be leader over Israel.'"
3 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 became king, and he reigned for forty years.
5 At Hebron he reigned over Judah for seven years and six months, and at Jerusalem he reigned over all Israel and Judah for thirty-three years.
6 The king and his men marched to Jerusalem against the Jebusites who lived in the land. They told David, "You will never get in here; the blind and the lame will drive you off," meaning, "David cannot get in here."
7 Yet David took the stronghold of Zion, which is the City of David.
8 That day David said, "Whoever would strike the Jebusites must get up through the water shaft to reach the lame and the blind, whom David's soul hates." That is why they say, "The blind and the lame will not come into the house."
9 David took up residence in the stronghold and named it the City of David. He built up the area all around, from the Millo inward.
10 David kept growing greater and greater, for the LORD God of hosts was with him.
11 Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, along with cedar logs, carpenters and masons, and they built a house for David.
12 David understood that the LORD had confirmed him as king over Israel and had raised his kingship high for the sake of his people Israel.
13 After he came from Hebron, David took more concubines and wives in Jerusalem, and more sons and daughters were born to him.
14 These are the names of the sons born to him in Jerusalem: Shammua, Shobab, Nathan and Solomon,
15 Ibhar, Elishua, Nepheg and Japhia,
16 Elishama, Eliada and Eliphelet.
17 The Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over Israel, and all the Philistines went up to hunt for David. David heard of it and went down to the stronghold.
18 The Philistines had come and spread out over the valley of Rephaim.
19 David asked the LORD, "Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will you hand them over to me?" The LORD told David, "Go up, for I will certainly hand the Philistines over to you."
20 David went to Baal-perazim and struck them down there. He said, "The LORD has burst through my enemies before me as waters burst through." That is why the place was named Baal-perazim.
21 The Philistines abandoned their idols there, and David and his men carried them off.
22 Once more the Philistines came up and spread out over the valley of Rephaim.
23 David asked the LORD, and he said, "Do not go up. Go around to their rear and come at them in front of the balsam trees.
24 When you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, then move fast, for at that moment the LORD has gone out ahead of you to strike the Philistine army."
25 David did as the LORD had commanded him, and he struck down the Philistines from Geba all the way to Gezer.