Then all the tribes of Israel came to David to Hebron and spoke, saying, “Behold, we are your bone and your flesh.
In times past, when Saul was king over us, it was you who led out and brought in Israel. Yahweh said to you, ‘You will shepherd my people Israel and you will be ruler over Israel.’”
So all the elders of Israel came to the king to Hebron, and King David cut a covenant with them in Hebron before Yahweh; and they anointed David king over Israel.
David was 30 years old when he began to reign, and he reigned 40 years.
In Hebron he reigned over Judah seven years and six months, and in Jerusalem he reigned 33 years over all Israel and Judah.
And the king and his men went to Jerusalem against the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land, who spoke to David, “You will not come in here! Even the blind and the lame could turn you away,” saying, “David will not be able to come in here.”
Nevertheless, David captured the stronghold of Zion, which is the City of David.
And David said on that day, “Whoever would strike the Jebusites, let him reach the lame and the blind, who are hated by David’s soul, through the water shaft.” Therefore they say, “The blind and the lame will not come into the house.”
David lived in the stronghold and called it the City of David. And David built up all around from the supporting terrace even to the house.
And David grew greater and greater, for Yahweh, the God of Armies, was with him.
And Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, and cedar trees and carpenters and masons, and they built David a house.
And David knew that Yahweh had established him as king over Israel, and that he had exalted his kingdom for the sake of his people Israel.
And David took more concubines and wives in Jerusalem after he had come from Hebron, and more sons and daughters were born to David.
These are the names of those who were born to him in Jerusalem: Shammua, and Shobab, and Nathan, and Solomon,
and Ibhar, and Elishua, and Nepheg, and Japhia,
and Elishama, and Eliada, and Eliphelet.
David Defeats the Philistines
When the Philistines heard that they had anointed David king over Israel, all the Philistines went up to search for David, but David heard about it and went down to the stronghold.
Now the Philistines had come and spread themselves out in the Valley of Rephaim.
So David inquired of Yahweh, saying, “Should I go up against the Philistines? Will you give them into my hand?” And Yahweh said to David, “Go up, for I will give, yes, give the Philistines into your hand.”
So David came to Baal-perazim, and David struck them there, and he said, “Yahweh has broken out against my enemies before me like the breaking out of water.” So he called the name of that place Baal-perazim.
And they abandoned their idols there, and David and his men carried them away.
And the Philistines came up again and spread themselves out in the Valley of Rephaim.
And when David inquired of Yahweh, he said, “Do not go directly up. Circle around behind them and come against them in front of the balsam trees.
And when you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, then go quickly, for then Yahweh has gone out before you to strike down the army of the Philistines.”
And David did so, just as Yahweh commanded him, and struck down the Philistines from Geba all the way to Gezer.