Then all the tribes of Israel came to Dawud in Hebron, and said, We are your own flesh and blood. 2In the past, when Talut was king over us, it was you who led Israel out and brought them in: and YAHWEH said to you, You shall shepherd my people Israel, and be ruler over Israel.1 3So all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron; and king Dawud made a covenant with them at Hebron before YAHWEH: and they anointed Dawud king over Israel. 4Dawud was thirty years old when he began to reign, 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. 6The king and his men went to Jerusalem against the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land, who said to Dawud, You shall not come in here for even the lame and blind can ward you off; thinking, Dawud cannot come in here. 7Nevertheless Dawud took the stronghold of Al-Quds, the city of Dawud. 8Dawud said on that day, Whoever strikes the Jebusites, let him use the water shaft, and strike “the lame and the blind“, Dawud’s enemies. Therefore they say, The blind and the lame cannot enter the palace. 9Dawud lived in the stronghold, and called it the city of Dawud. Dawud built all around from Millo and inward. 10Dawud grew greater and greater; for YAHWEH All-Powerful was with him. 11Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to Dawud, and cedar trees, and carpenters, and masons; and they built Dawud a palace. 12Dawud perceived that YAHWEH had established him king over Israel, and had exalted his kingdom for his people Israel’s sake. 13Dawud took more concubines and wives in Jerusalem, after he moved from Hebron; and there were more sons and daughters born to Dawud. 14These are the names of those who were born to him in Jerusalem: Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Sulayman, 15Ibhar, Elishua, Nepheg, Japhia, 16Elishama, Eliada, and Eliphelet. 17When the Philistines heard that they had anointed Dawud king over Israel, all the Philistines went up to search for Dawud; and Dawud heard of it, and went down to the stronghold. 18Now the Philistines had come and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim. 19Dawud inquired of YAHWEH, saying, Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will you deliver them into my hand? YAHWEH said to Dawud, Go up; for I will certainly deliver the Philistines into your hand. 20Dawud came to Baal Perazim, and Dawud struck them there; and he said, YAHWEH has broken my enemies before me, like the breaking out of waters. Therefore he called the name of that place Baal Perazim. 21They left their images there; and Dawud and his men took them away. 22The Philistines came up yet again, and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim. 23When Dawud inquired of YAHWEH, he answered, You shall not go up: make a circuit behind them, and come on them over against the mulberry trees. 24It shall be, when you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the mulberry trees, that then you shall move quickly; for then is YAHWEH gone out before you to strike the army of the Philistines. 25Dawud did so, as YAHWEH commanded him, and struck the Philistines from Geba until you come to Gezer.
- 5:2 See the Injil, Matthew 2:6. ↩︎