| New King James Version | Berean Study Bible |
| 1Then all the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron and spoke, saying, “Indeed we are your bone and your flesh. | 1Then all the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron and said, “Here we are, your own flesh and blood. |
| 2Also, in time past, when Saul was king over us, you were the one who led Israel out and brought them in; and the LORD said to you, ‘You shall shepherd My people Israel, and be ruler over Israel.’ ” | 2Even in times past, while Saul was king over us, you were the one who led Israel out and brought them back. And to you the LORD said, ‘You will shepherd My people Israel, and you will be ruler over them.’ ” |
| 3Therefore 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, where King David made with them a covenant before the LORD. And they anointed him king over Israel. |
| 4David was thirty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned forty years. | 4David was thirty years old when he became king, and he reigned forty years. |
| 5In Hebron he reigned over Judah seven years and six months, and in Jerusalem he reigned thirty-three years over all Israel and Judah. | 5In Hebron he reigned over Judah seven years and six months, and in Jerusalem he reigned thirty-three years over all Israel and Judah. |
| 6And the king and his men went to Jerusalem against the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land, who spoke to David, saying, “You shall not come in here; but the blind and the lame will repel you,” thinking, “David cannot come in here.” | 6Now the king and his men marched to Jerusalem against the Jebusites who inhabited the land. The Jebusites said to David: “You will never get in here. Even the blind and lame can repel you.” For they thought, “David cannot get in here.” |
| 7Nevertheless David took the stronghold of Zion (that is, the City of David). | 7Nevertheless, David captured the fortress of Zion (that is, the City of David). |
| 8Now David said on that day, “Whoever climbs up by way of the water shaft and defeats the Jebusites (the lame and the blind, who are hated by David’s soul), he shall be chief and captain.” Therefore they say, “The blind and the lame shall not come into the house.” | 8On that day he said, “Whoever attacks the Jebusites must use the water shaft to reach the lame and blind who are despised by David.” That is why it is said, “The blind and the lame will never enter the palace.” |
| 9Then David dwelt in the stronghold, and called it the City of David. And David built all around from the Millo and inward. | 9So David took up residence in the fortress and called it the City of David. He built it up all the way around, from the supporting terraces inward. |
| 10So David went on and became great, and the LORD God of hosts was with him. | 10And David became greater and greater, for the LORD God of Hosts was with him. |
| 11Then Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, and cedar trees, and carpenters and masons. And they built David a house. | 11Now Hiram king of Tyre sent envoys to David, along with cedar logs, carpenters, and stonemasons, and they built a palace for David. |
| 12So David knew that the LORD had established him as king over Israel, and that He had exalted His kingdom for the sake of His people Israel. | 12And David realized 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 had come from Hebron. Also more sons and daughters were born to David. | 13After he had arrived from Hebron, David took more concubines and wives from Jerusalem, and more sons and daughters were born to him. |
| 14Now these are the names of those who were born to him in Jerusalem: Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon, | 14These are the names of the children 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. |
| 17Now when the Philistines heard that they had anointed David king over Israel, all the Philistines went up to search for David. And 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 him; but David learned of this and went down to the stronghold. |
| 18The Philistines also went and deployed themselves in the Valley of Rephaim. | 18Now the Philistines had come and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim. |
| 19So David inquired of the LORD, saying, “Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will You deliver them into my hand?” And the LORD said to David, “Go up, for I will doubtless deliver the Philistines into your hand.” | 19So David inquired of the LORD, “Should I go up against the Philistines? Will You deliver them into my hand?” “Go,” replied the LORD, “for I will surely deliver the Philistines into your hand.” |
| 20So David went to Baal Perazim, and David defeated them there; and he said, “The LORD has broken through my enemies before me, like a breakthrough of water.” Therefore he called the name of that place Baal Perazim. | 20So David went to Baal-perazim, where he defeated the Philistines and said, “Like a bursting flood, the LORD has burst out against my enemies before me.” So he called that place Baal-perazim. |
| 21And they left their images there, and David and his men carried them away. | 21There the Philistines abandoned their idols, and David and his men carried them away. |
| 22Then the Philistines went up once again and deployed themselves in the Valley of Rephaim. | 22Once again the Philistines came up and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim. |
| 23Therefore David inquired of the LORD, and He said, “You shall not go up; circle around behind them, and come upon them in front of the mulberry trees. | 23So David inquired of the LORD, who answered, “Do not march straight up, but circle around behind them and attack them in front of the balsam trees. |
| 24And it shall be, when you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the mulberry trees, then you shall advance quickly. For then the LORD will go out before you to strike the camp of the Philistines.” | 24As soon as you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, move quickly, because this will mean that the LORD has marched out before you to strike the camp of the Philistines.” |
| 25And David did so, as the LORD commanded him; and he drove back the Philistines from Geba as far as Gezer. | 25So David did as the LORD had commanded him, and he struck down the Philistines all the way from Gibeon to Gezer. |
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