2 Samuel 5

David's Reign Established 2 Samuel 5:4–5

⁴Verse 4. David was thirty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned forty years. ⁵Verse 5. In Hebron he reigned over Judah seven years and six months; and in Jerusalem he reigned thirty-three years over all Israel and Judah.

Capture of Jerusalem 2 Samuel 5:6–9

⁶Verse 6. The king and his men went to Jerusalem against the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land, who spoke to David, saying, “The blind and the lame will keep you out of here”; thinking, “David can’t come in here.” ⁷Verse 7. Nevertheless David took the stronghold of Zion. This is David’s city. ⁸Verse 8. David said on that day, “Whoever strikes the Jebusites, let him go up to the watercourse and strike those lame and blind, who are hated by David’s soul.” Therefore they say, “The blind and the lame can’t come into the house.” ⁹Verse 9. David lived in the stronghold, and called it David’s city. David built around from Millo and inward.

David's Growing Kingdom 2 Samuel 5:10–12

¹⁰Verse 10. David grew greater and greater; for Yahweh, the God of Armies, was with him. ¹¹Verse 11. Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, with cedar trees, carpenters, and masons; and they built David a house. ¹²Verse 12. David perceived that Yahweh had established him king over Israel, and that he had exalted his kingdom for his people Israel’s sake.

David's Family Expands 2 Samuel 5:13–16

¹³Verse 13. David took more concubines and wives for himself out of Jerusalem, after he had come from Hebron; and more sons and daughters were born to David. ¹⁴Verse 14. These are the names of those who were born to him in Jerusalem: Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon, ¹⁵Verse 15. Ibhar, Elishua, Nepheg, Japhia, ¹⁶Verse 16. Elishama, Eliada, and Eliphelet.

Philistine Threat 2 Samuel 5:17–21

¹⁷Verse 17. When the Philistines heard that they had anointed David king over Israel, all the Philistines went up to seek David, but David heard about it and went down to the stronghold. ¹⁸Verse 18. Now the Philistines had come and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim. ¹⁹Verse 19. David inquired of Yahweh, saying, “Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will you deliver them into my hand?” Yahweh said to David, “Go up; for I will certainly deliver the Philistines into your hand.” ²⁰Verse 20. David came to Baal Perazim, and David struck them there. Then he said, “Yahweh has broken my enemies before me, like the breach of waters.” Therefore he called the name of that place Baal Perazim.

²¹Verse 21. They left their images there; and David and his men took them away.

Further Victory Over Philistines 2 Samuel 5:22–25

²²Verse 22. The Philistines came up yet again, and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim. ²³Verse 23. When David inquired of Yahweh, he said, “You shall not go up. Circle around behind them, and attack them in front of the mulberry trees. ²⁴Verse 24. When you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the mulberry trees, then stir yourself up; for then Yahweh has gone out before you to strike the army of the Philistines.” ²⁵Verse 25. David did so, as Yahweh commanded him, and struck the Philistines all the way from Geba to Gezer.