Dual Panel1ALL the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron and said to him, “We are your own flesh and blood.
2In the past, while Saul was still king over us, it was you that led the forces of Israel on their campaigns. To you the LORD said, ‘You are to be shepherd of my people Israel; you are to be their prince.’”
3The elders of Israel all came to the king at Hebron; there David made a covenant with them before the LORD, and they anointed David king over Israel.
4David came to the throne at the age of thirty and reigned for forty years.
5In Hebron he had ruled over Judah for seven and a half years, and in Jerusalem he reigned over Israel and Judah combined for thirty-three years.
6The king and his men went to Jerusalem to attack the Jebusites, the inhabitants of that region. The Jebusites said to David, “You will never come in here, not till you have disposed of the blind and the lame,” stressing that David would never come in.
7None the less David did capture the stronghold of Zion, and it is now known as the City of David.
8On that day David had said, “Everyone who is eager to attack the Jebusites, let him get up the water-shaft to reach the lame and the blind, David's bitter enemies.” That is why they say, “No one who is blind or lame is to come into the LORD's house.”
9David took up his residence in the stronghold and called it the City of David. He built up the city around it, starting at the Millo and working inwards.
10David steadily grew more and more powerful, for the LORD the God of Hosts was with him.
David's achievements
11KING Hiram of Tyre sent envoys to David with cedar logs, and with them carpenters and stonemasons, who built David a house.
12David knew by now that the LORD had confirmed him as king over Israel and had enhanced his royal power for the sake of his people Israel.
13After he had moved from Hebron he took more concubines and wives in Jerusalem, and more sons and daughters were born to him.
14These are the names of the children born to him in Jerusalem: Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon,
15Ibhar, Elishua, Nepheg, Japhia,
16Elishama, Eliada, and Eliphelet.
17When the Philistines learnt that David had been anointed king over Israel, they came up in force to seek him out. David, getting wind of this, went down to the stronghold for refuge.
18When the Philistines had come and overrun the valley of Rephaim,
19David enquired of the LORD, “If I attack the Philistines, will you deliver them into my hands?” The LORD answered, “Go, I shall deliver the Philistines into your hands.”
20He went and attacked and defeated them at Baal-perazim. “The LORD has broken through my enemies” lines', David said, “as a river breaks its banks.” That is why the place was named Baal-perazim.
21The Philistines abandoned their idols there, and David and his men carried them off.
22The Philistines made another attack and overran the valley of Rephaim.
23David enquired of the LORD, who said, “Do not attack now but make a detour and come on them towards the rear opposite the aspens.
24As soon as you hear a rustling sound in the treetops, move at once; for then the LORD will have gone out before you to defeat the Philistine army.”
25David did as the LORD had commanded, and drove the Philistines in flight all the way from Geba to Gezer.