11The whole community of Israel came together to see David at Hebron. They said, “We are your own flesh and blood. ²In the past, Saul was our king. But you led the men of Israel in battle. The Lord your God said to you, ‘You will be the shepherd over my people Israel. You will become their ruler.’ ”

³All of the elders of Israel came to see King David at Hebron. There he made a covenant with them in the sight of the Lord. They anointed David as king over Israel. It happened just as the Lord had promised through Samuel.

David Captures Jerusalem

⁴David and all of the men of Israel marched to Jerusalem. Jerusalem was also called Jebus.

The Jebusites who lived there ⁵spoke to David. They said, “You won’t get in here.”

But David captured the fort of Zion. It became known as the City of David.

⁶David had said, “Anyone who leads the attack against the Jebusites will become the commander of Israel’s army.” Joab went up first. So he became the commander of the army. He was the son of Zeruiah.

⁷David moved into the fort. So it was called the City of David. ⁸He built up the city around the fort. He filled in the low places. He built a wall around it. During that time, Joab built up the rest of the city.

⁹David became more and more powerful. That’s because the Lord who rules over all was with him.

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