David Is King over All Israel
2 Kingdoms 5, verse 1. Then all the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron and said to him, “Indeed we are your bone and your flesh. 2 Kingdoms 5, verse 2. In time past, when Saul was king over us, you were the one who led Israel out and brought them in, and the Lord said to you, ‘You shall shepherd My people Israel, and be ruler over Israel.’” 2 Kingdoms 5, verse 3. Therefore all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron, and at Hebron King David made a covenant with them before the Lord. And they anointed David king over all Israel. 2 Kingdoms 5, verse 4. David was thirty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned forty years. 2 Kingdoms 5, verse 5. For seven years and six months, he reigned over Judah while in Hebron, and in Jerusalem he reigned thirty-three years over all Israel and Judah.
David Takes Jerusalem
2 Kingdoms 5, verse 6. And David and his men marched toward Jerusalem to the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land, to those who said to David, “You shall not be welcomed here, for the blind and the lame will resist you saying, ‘David, do not enter here.’” 2 Kingdoms 5, verse 7. Nevertheless, David took the stronghold of Zion, the City of David. 2 Kingdoms 5, verse 8. Now David said on that day, “Everyone who attacks the Jebusites, let him strike with the dagger both the lame and the blind and those who hate the life of David.” Therefore they say, “The blind and the lame shall not come into the house of the Lord.” 2 Kingdoms 5, verse 9. Then David dwelt in the stronghold, and it was called the City of David. And he built the city itself round about the citadel, and he built his own house. 2 Kingdoms 5, verse 10. David continued forward in this manner and was held in high regard, for the Lord Almighty was with him. 2 Kingdoms 5, verse 11. Then Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, and cedar wood, and carpenters and stone masons. They built a house for David. 2 Kingdoms 5, verse 12. So David knew the Lord had prepared him as king over Israel, and his kingdom was exalted for the sake of His people Israel. 2 Kingdoms 5, verse 13. And after arriving from Hebron, David took more wives and concubines from Jerusalem. And David had more sons and daughters. 2 Kingdoms 5, verse 14. Now the names of those who were born to him in Jerusalem were Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon, 2 Kingdoms 5, verse 15. Ibhar, Elishua, Nepheg, Japhia, 2 Kingdoms 5, verse 16. Elishama, Eliada, and Eliphelet, 2 Kingdoms 5, verse 17. Shamaeh, Jessibath, Nathan, Galamahan, Jebahar, Theasous, Elphalat, Naged, Janatha, Leasamus, Baalimath, and Eliphalath.
Defeat of the Philistines
2 Kingdoms 5, verse 18. The Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over Israel. In response, the Philistines went up to seek David. When David heard of it, he went down to the stronghold. 2 Kingdoms 5, verse 19. And the Philistines came and assembled in the Valley of Titan. 2 Kingdoms 5, verse 20. And David inquired of the Lord, saying, “Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will You deliver them into my hands?” And the Lord said to David, “Go up, for I will surely deliver the Philistines into your hands.” 2 Kingdoms 5, verse 21. So David came from the Upper Breaches of water, and there David struck the Philistines. And David said, “Before me, the Lord broke through the line of my enemies the Philistines like water that breaches a barrier.” Therefore he called the name of that place Over Breaches. 2 Kingdoms 5, verse 22. The Philistines left their gods there, and David and his men took them. 2 Kingdoms 5, verse 23. Then the Philistines went up yet again and deployed themselves in the Valley of Titans. 2 Kingdoms 5, verse 24. Therefore David asked of the Lord, and the Lord said, “You shall not go up to meet them. Turn away from them and pass by them unnoticed near the Place of Weeping. 2 Kingdoms 5, verse 25. And when you hear the sound of marching in the grove of the Place of Weeping, then you shall go down to them. For then the Lord will go out before you to strike the camp of the Philistines.” 2 Kingdoms 5, verse 26. And David did as the Lord commanded him, and he struck down the Philistines from Gibeon as far as the land of Gezer.