2 Samuel 5

King David Rises Up

1 Then all the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron and said, “Look, we are family. We all come from the same bloodline. We are one people.”

2 “Even back when Saul was running things, you were the one really leading Israel into battle and bringing the people back home safe. The Lord told you, ‘You are going to shepherd My people Israel, and you are going to be the leader over them.’”

3 So all the elders of Israel made it official, they crowned David king at Hebron before the Lord. David made a covenant with them, sealed in front of God.

4 David was 30 years old when he started his reign. He ruled for 40 years.

5 Seven and a half years in Hebron over Judah, then 33 more years in Jerusalem over all Israel and Judah.

David Captures Jerusalem

6 David and his men rolled up on Jerusalem, where the Jebusites were living. The Jebusites mocked him: “You are not getting’ in here. Even the blind and crippled could keep you out.”

7 But David still took the stronghold, the fortress of Zion. That joint became known as the City of David.

8 David said, “Whoever wants to hit the Jebusites, go up the water shaft. Take out the ‘blind and lame’, the ones talking trash.” That is why folks say, “The blind and lame will not enter the palace.”

9 David moved into the fortress and named it the City of David. He started building it up, from the inside out.

10 David kept getting’ stronger, because the Lord God of Heaven’s armies was with him.

King Hiram Shows Respect

11 Hiram, king of Tyre, sent messengers, cedar wood, carpenters, and masons to build David a palace.

12 That is when David knew for sure, the Lord had established him as king over Israel and was lifting him up for His people’s sake.

More Family

13 David took more wives and concubines after he moved to Jerusalem. More sons and daughters were born.

14 Here are the names: Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon,

15 Ibhar, Elishua, Nepheg, Japhia,

16 Elishama, Eliada, and Eliphelet.

David Vs. the Philistines

17 When the Philistines heard David got crowned king over all Israel, they came looking for him. David got word and dipped into the stronghold.

18 The Philistines rolled deep into the Valley of Rephaim.

19 David prayed, “Lord, should I go at them, Will You give me the win,” God said, “Go ahead, I got you.”

20 So David went to Baal-perazim and smashed them. He said, “The Lord broke through my enemies like floodwaters!” That is why they named the spot Baal-perazim, “Lord of the Breakthrough.”

21 The Philistines left their idols behind, and David’s crew scooped them up and burned them.

Round Two, New Instructions

22 The Philistines came back for more and spread out again in the Valley of Rephaim.

23 David asked God again. This time, God said, “Do not go straight up. Circle around and hit them near the balsam trees.”

24 “When you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the trees, move fast, that is the Lord going ahead of you to smack down the Philistines.”

25 David did just like God told him, and they struck down the Philistines all the way from Gibeon to Gezer.