| English Standard Version | Holman Christian Standard Bible |
| 1Then all the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron and said, “Behold, we are your bone and flesh. | 1All the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron and said, "Here we are, your own flesh and blood. |
| 2In times past, when Saul was king over us, it was you who led out and brought in Israel. And the LORD said to you, ‘You shall be shepherd of my people Israel, and you shall be prince over Israel.’” | 2Even while Saul was king over us, you were the one who led us out to battle and brought us back. The LORD also said to you, 'You will shepherd My people Israel and be ruler over Israel.'" |
| 3So all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron, and King David made a covenant with them at Hebron before the LORD, and they anointed David king over Israel. | 3So all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron. King David made a covenant with them at Hebron in the LORD's presence, and they anointed David king over Israel. |
| 4David was thirty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned forty years. | 4David was 30 years old when he began his reign; he reigned 40 years. |
| 5At Hebron he reigned over Judah seven years and six months, and at Jerusalem he reigned over all Israel and Judah thirty-three years. | 5In Hebron he reigned over Judah seven years and six months, and in Jerusalem he reigned 33 years over all Israel and Judah. |
| 6And the king and his men went to Jerusalem against the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land, who said to David, “You will not come in here, but the blind and the lame will ward you off”—thinking, “David cannot come in here.” | 6The king and his men marched to Jerusalem against the Jebusites who inhabited the land. The Jebusites had said to David: "You will never get in here. Even the blind and lame can repel you"; thinking, "David can't get in here." |
| 7Nevertheless, David took the stronghold of Zion, that is, the city of David. | 7Yet David did capture the stronghold of Zion, that is, the city of David. |
| 8And David said on that day, “Whoever would strike the Jebusites, let him get up the water shaft to attack ‘the lame and the blind,’ who are hated by David’s soul.” Therefore it is said, “The blind and the lame shall not come into the house.” | 8He said that day, "Whoever attacks the Jebusites must go through the water shaft to reach the lame and the blind who are despised by David." For this reason it is said, "The blind and the lame will never enter the house." |
| 9And David lived in the stronghold and called it the city of David. And David built the city all around from the Millo inward. | 9David took up residence in the stronghold, which he named the city of David. He built it up all the way around from the supporting terraces inward. |
| 10And David became greater and greater, for the LORD, the God of hosts, was with him. | 10David became more and more powerful, and the LORD God of Hosts was with him. |
| 11And Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, and cedar trees, also carpenters and masons who built David a house. | 11King Hiram of Tyre sent envoys to David; he also sent cedar logs, carpenters, and stonemasons, and they built a palace for David. |
| 12And David knew that the LORD had established him king over Israel, and that he had exalted his kingdom for the sake of his people Israel. | 12Then David knew that the LORD had established him as king over Israel and had exalted his kingdom for the sake of His people Israel. |
| 13And David took more concubines and wives from Jerusalem, after he came from Hebron, and more sons and daughters were born to David. | 13After he arrived from Hebron, David took more concubines and wives from Jerusalem, and more sons and daughters were born to him. |
| 14And these are the names of those who were born to him in Jerusalem: Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon, | 14These are the names of those born to him in Jerusalem: Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon, |
| 15Ibhar, Elishua, Nepheg, Japhia, | 15Ibhar, Elishua, Nepheg, Japhia, |
| 16Elishama, Eliada, and Eliphelet. | 16Elishama, Eliada, and Eliphelet. |
| 17When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over Israel, all the Philistines went up to search for David. But David heard of it and went down to the stronghold. | 17When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over Israel, they all went in search of David, but he heard about it and went down to the stronghold. |
| 18Now the Philistines had come and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim. | 18So the Philistines came and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim. |
| 19And David inquired of the LORD, “Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will you give them into my hand?” And the LORD said to David, “Go up, for I will certainly give the Philistines into your hand.” | 19Then David inquired of the LORD: "Should I go to war against the Philistines? Will you hand them over to me?" The LORD replied to David, "Go, for I will certainly hand the Philistines over to you." |
| 20And David came to Baal-perazim, and David defeated them there. And he said, “The LORD has broken through my enemies before me like a breaking flood.” Therefore the name of that place is called Baal-perazim. | 20So David went to Baal-perazim and defeated them there and said, "Like a bursting flood, the LORD has burst out against my enemies before me." Therefore, he named that place the Lord Bursts Out. |
| 21And the Philistines left their idols there, and David and his men carried them away. | 21The Philistines abandoned their idols there, and David and his men carried them off. |
| 22And the Philistines came up yet again and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim. | 22The Philistines came up again and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim. |
| 23And when David inquired of the LORD, he said, “You shall not go up; go around to their rear, and come against them opposite the balsam trees. | 23So David inquired of the LORD, and He answered, "Do not make a frontal assault. Circle around behind them and attack them opposite the balsam trees. |
| 24And when you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, then rouse yourself, for then the LORD has gone out before you to strike down the army of the Philistines.” | 24When you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, act decisively, for then the LORD will have marched out ahead of you to attack the camp of the Philistines." |
| 25And David did as the LORD commanded him, and struck down the Philistines from Geba to Gezer. | 25So David did exactly as the LORD commanded him, and he struck down the Philistines all the way from Geba to Gezer. |
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