2 Samuel 5:4-25

4David was 1thirty years old when he became king, and 2he reigned for forty years. 5At Hebron 3he reigned over Judah for seven years and six months, and in Jerusalem he reigned for thirty-three years over all Israel and Judah.

64Now the king and his men went to 5Jerusalem against the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land; and they said to 6David, “You shall not come in here, but even those who are blind and those who limp will turn you away,” 7thinking, “David cannot enter here.” 7Nevertheless, David captured the stronghold of Zion, that is, 8the city of David. 8And David said on that day, “Whoever strikes the Jebusites is to reach those who limp and those who are blind, who are hated by David’s soul, through the water tunnel.” For that reason they say, “People who are blind and people who limp shall not come into the house.” 9So David lived in the stronghold, and called it 9the city of David. And David built all around from the 1011Millo and inward. 1012David became greater and greater, for the Lord God of armies was with him.

1113Then Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David with cedar trees, carpenters, and 14stonemasons; and 15they built a house for David. 12And David realized that the Lord had appointed him as king over Israel, and that He had exalted his kingdom for the sake of His people Israel.

13Meanwhile 16David took more concubines and wives from Jerusalem, after he came from Hebron; and more sons and daughters were born to David. 14Now 17these are the names of those who were born to him in Jerusalem: Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon, 15Ibhar, Elishua, Nepheg, Japhia, 16Elishama, Eliada, and Eliphelet.

17Now when the Philistines heard that they had anointed David king over Israel, 18all the Philistines went up to seek out David; and when David heard about it, he went down to the 19stronghold. 18Now the Philistines came and overran 20the Valley of Rephaim. 19So 21David inquired of the Lord, saying, “Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will You hand them over to me?” And 22the Lord said to David, “Go up, for I will certainly hand the Philistines over to you.” 20Then David came to 23Baal-perazim and 24defeated them there; and he said, “The Lord has broken through my enemies before me like the breakthrough of waters.” Therefore he named that place 25Baal-perazim. 21And the Philistines abandoned their idols there, so 26David and his men carried them away.

22Now 27the Philistines came up once again and overran the Valley of Rephaim. 23So 28David inquired of the Lord, but He said, “You shall not go directly up; circle around behind them and come at them in front of the baka-shrubs. 24And it shall be, when 29you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the baka-shrubs, then you shall 30act promptly, for then 31the Lord will have gone out before you to strike the army of the Philistines.” 25Then David did so, just as the Lord had commanded him; he struck and killed the Philistines from 3233Geba 34as far as 35Gezer.