1 Chronicles 11:1–9

David’s Anointing as King

11All Israel ^scame together to David at Hebron and said, “Here we are, your own flesh and blood. ^t2Even when Saul was king, you led us out to battle and brought us back. The Lord your God also said to you, ‘You will shepherd My people Israel and be ruler over My people Israel.’ ”

³So all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron. David made a covenant with them at Hebron in the Lord’s presence, and they anointed David king over Israel, in keeping with the Lord’s word through Samuel. ^u

David’s Capture of Jerusalem

⁴David ^vand all Israel marched to Jerusalem (that is, Jebus ^w); the Jebusites who inhabited the land were there. ⁵The inhabitants of Jebus said to David, “You will never get in here.” Yet David did capture the stronghold of Zion, that is, the city of David.

⁶David said, “Whoever is the first to kill a Jebusite will become chief commander.” Joab ^xson of Zeruiah went up first, so he became the chief.

⁷Then David took up residence in the stronghold; therefore, it was called the city of David. ⁸He built up the city all the way around, from the supporting terraces to the surrounding parts, and Joab restored the rest of the city. ⁹David steadily grew more powerful, ^yand the Lord of Hosts was with him.