4 David was hthirty years old when he began to reign, and ihe reigned forty years. 5 In Hebron he reigned over Judah jseven years and six months, and in Jerusalem he reigned thirty-three years over all Israel and Judah.

The Conquest of Jerusalem

6 kAnd the king and his men went to Jerusalem against lthe 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.” 7 Nevertheless David took the stronghold of Zion m(that is, the City of David).

8 Now 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), nhe shall be chief and captain.” Therefore they say, “The blind and the lame shall not come into the house.”

9 Then David dwelt in the stronghold, and called it othe City of David. And David built all around from 1the Millo and inward. 10 So David went on and became great, and pthe Lord God of hosts was with qhim.

11 Then rHiram sking of Tyre sent messengers to David, and cedar trees, and carpenters and masons. And they built David a house. 12 So David knew that the Lord had established him as king over Israel, and that He had texalted His kingdom ufor the sake of His people Israel.

13 And vDavid took more concubines and wives from Jerusalem, after he had come from Hebron. Also more sons and daughters were born to David. 14 Now wthese are the names of those who were born to him in Jerusalem: 2Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, xSolomon, 15 Ibhar, 3Elishua, Nepheg, Japhia, 16 Elishama, Eliada, and Eliphelet.

The Philistines Defeated

17 yNow 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 zand went down to the stronghold. 18 The Philistines also went and deployed themselves in athe Valley of Rephaim. 19 So David binquired 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.”

20 So David went to cBaal 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 4Baal Perazim. 21 And they left their 5images there, and David and his men dcarried them away.

22 eThen the Philistines went up once again and deployed themselves in the Valley of Rephaim. 23 Therefore fDavid 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. 24 And it shall be, when you ghear the sound of marching in the tops of the mulberry trees, then you shall advance quickly. For then hthe Lord will go out before you to strike the camp of the Philistines.” 25 And David did so, as the Lord commanded him; and he drove back the Philistines from iGeba 6as far as jGezer.