2 Samuel 5:1–10

David, King of Israel

5All the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron ^band said, “Here we are, your own flesh and blood. ^cd2Even while Saul was king over us, you were the one who led us out to battle and brought us back. ^eThe Lord also said to you, ‘You will shepherd My people Israel and be ruler over Israel.’ ”

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

⁴David was 30 years old when he began his reign; ^ghe reigned 40 years. ⁵In Hebron he reigned over Judah seven years and six months, and in Jerusalem he reigned 33 years over all Israel and Judah.

⁶The king and his men marched to Jerusalem against the Jebusites ^hwho inhabited the land. The Jebusites had said to David: “You will never get in here. Even the blind and lame can repel you”; thinking, “David can’t get in here.”

⁷Yet David did capture the stronghold of Zion, that is, the city of David. ⁱ⁸He said that day, “Whoever attacks the Jebusites must go through the water shaft to reach the lame and the blind who are despised by David.” ^jFor this reason it is said, “The blind and the lame will never enter the house.” ^k

⁹David took up residence in the stronghold, which he named the city of David. He built it up all the way around from the supporting terraces inward. ¹⁰David became more and more powerful, ^land the Lord God of Hosts was with him. ^m