1Then all the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron, saying, "Look, we are your bone and your flesh. 2In times past, when Saul was king over us, it was you who led out and brought in Israel. The LORD said to you, 'You shall be shepherd of my people Israel, and you shall be ruler over Israel.'" 3So all the elders of Israel came to the king to Hebron; and king David made a covenant with them in Hebron before the LORD; and they anointed David king over Israel. 4David 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 spoke to David, saying, "You will not come in here, but the blind and the lame will repel you"; thinking, "David can't come in here." 7Nevertheless David took the stronghold of Zion, that is, the City of David. 8David said on that day, "Whoever strikes the Jebusites, let him get up to the watercourse, and strike the lame and the blind, those who hate the soul of David." Therefore they say, "The blind and the lame can't come into the palace." 9David lived in the stronghold, and called it the City of David. And he built a city all around from the Millo and inward. 10David grew greater and greater; for the LORD of hosts was with him.

11Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, and cedar trees, and carpenters, and masons; and they built David a house. 12And David knew that the LORD had established him king over Israel, and that he had exalted his kingdom for his people Israel's sake.

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

17When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over Israel, all the Philistines went up to seek David; and David heard of it, and went down to the stronghold. 18Now the Philistines came and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim. 19David inquired of the LORD, saying, "Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will you deliver them into my hand?" The LORD said to David, "Go up; for I will certainly deliver the Philistines into your hand." 20David came to Baal Perazim, and David struck them there; and he said, "The LORD has broken through my enemies before me, like a breakthrough of waters." Therefore he called the name of that place Baal Perazim. 21And they abandoned their idols there; and David and his men took them away.

22The Philistines came up yet again, and spread themselves in the Valley of Rephaim. 23And David inquired of the LORD, and the LORD said to him, "You shall not go up. Circle around behind them, and attack them opposite the balsam trees. 24And it shall be, when you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, that then you are to act decisively; for then the LORD has gone out before you to strike the army of the Philistines." 25David did so, as the LORD commanded him, and struck the Philistines from Geba as far as the approach to Gezer.