David King over All Israel

(A)Then all the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron and [a]said, “Behold, we are (B)your bone and your flesh. Previously, when Saul was king over us, (C)you were the one who led Israel out and in. And the Lord said to you, ‘(D)You will shepherd My people Israel, and you will be (E)a ruler over Israel.’” So all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron, and King David (F)made a covenant with them before the Lord at Hebron; then (G)they anointed David king over Israel.

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Footnotes

  1. 2 Samuel 5:1 Lit said, saying

David Becomes King Over Israel(A)

All the tribes of Israel(B) came to David at Hebron and said, “We are your own flesh and blood.(C) In the past, while Saul was king over us, you were the one who led Israel on their military campaigns.(D) And the Lord said(E) to you, ‘You will shepherd(F) my people Israel, and you will become their ruler.(G)’”

When all the elders of Israel had come to King David at Hebron, the king made a covenant(H) with them at Hebron before the Lord, and they anointed(I) David king over Israel.

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David Made King over All Israel

11 (A)Then all Israel gathered to David at Hebron [a]and said, “Behold, we are your bone and your flesh. In times past, even when Saul was king, you were the one who led out and brought in Israel; and the Lord your God said to you, ‘(B)You shall shepherd My people Israel, and you shall be prince over My people Israel.’” So all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron, and David made a covenant with them in Hebron before the Lord; and (C)they anointed David king over Israel, (D)according to the word of the Lord through Samuel.

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Chronicles 11:1 Lit saying

David Becomes King Over Israel(A)

11 All Israel(B) came together to David at Hebron(C) and said, “We are your own flesh and blood. In the past, even while Saul was king, you were the one who led Israel on their military campaigns.(D) And the Lord your God said to you, ‘You will shepherd(E) my people Israel, and you will become their ruler.(F)’”

When all the elders of Israel had come to King David at Hebron, he made a covenant with them at Hebron before the Lord, and they anointed(G) David king over Israel, as the Lord had promised through Samuel.

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Supporters Gathered at Hebron

23 Now these are the numbers of the [a]divisions equipped for war, (A)who came to David at Hebron, (B)to turn the kingdom of Saul to him, (C)according to the [b]word of the Lord. 24 The sons of Judah who bore shield and spear were 6,800, equipped for war. 25 Of the sons of Simeon, mighty men of valor for war, 7,100. 26 Of the sons of Levi 4,600. 27 Now Jehoiada was the leader of the house of Aaron, and with him were 3,700, 28 also (D)Zadok, a young man mighty of valor, and of his father’s house twenty-two captains. 29 Of the sons of Benjamin, (E)Saul’s kinsmen, 3,000; for until now (F)the greatest part of them had kept their allegiance to the house of Saul. 30 Of the sons of Ephraim 20,800, mighty men of valor, famous men in their fathers’ households. 31 Of the half-tribe of Manasseh 18,000, who were designated by name to come and make David king. 32 Of the sons of Issachar, (G)men who understood the times, with knowledge of what Israel should do, their chiefs were two hundred; and all their kinsmen were at their command. 33 Of Zebulun, there were 50,000 who went out in the army, who could draw up in battle formation with all kinds of weapons of war and helped David [c]with (H)an undivided heart. 34 Of Naphtali there were 1,000 captains, and with them 37,000 with shield and spear. 35 Of the Danites who could draw up in battle formation, there were 28,600. 36 Of Asher there were 40,000 who went out in the army to draw up in battle formation. 37 From the other side of the Jordan, of the Reubenites and the Gadites and of the half-tribe of Manasseh, there were 120,000 with all kinds of weapons of war for the battle.

38 All these, being men of war who could draw up in battle formation, came to Hebron with (I)a perfect heart to make David king over all Israel; and all the rest also of Israel were of one mind to make David king. 39 They were there with David three days, eating and drinking, for their kinsmen had prepared for them. 40 Moreover those who were near to them, even as far as Issachar and Zebulun and Naphtali, (J)brought food on donkeys, camels, mules and on oxen, great quantities of flour cakes, fig cakes and bunches of raisins, wine, oil, oxen and sheep. There was joy indeed in Israel.

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Chronicles 12:23 Lit heads
  2. 1 Chronicles 12:23 Lit mouth
  3. 1 Chronicles 12:33 Lit not of double heart

Others Join David at Hebron

23 These are the numbers of the men armed for battle who came to David at Hebron(A) to turn(B) Saul’s kingdom over to him, as the Lord had said:(C)

24 from Judah, carrying shield and spear—6,800 armed for battle;

25 from Simeon, warriors ready for battle—7,100;

26 from Levi—4,600, 27 including Jehoiada, leader of the family of Aaron, with 3,700 men, 28 and Zadok,(D) a brave young warrior, with 22 officers from his family;

29 from Benjamin,(E) Saul’s tribe—3,000, most(F) of whom had remained loyal to Saul’s house until then;

30 from Ephraim, brave warriors, famous in their own clans—20,800;

31 from half the tribe of Manasseh, designated by name to come and make David king—18,000;

32 from Issachar, men who understood the times and knew what Israel should do(G)—200 chiefs, with all their relatives under their command;

33 from Zebulun, experienced soldiers prepared for battle with every type of weapon, to help David with undivided loyalty—50,000;

34 from Naphtali—1,000 officers, together with 37,000 men carrying shields and spears;

35 from Dan, ready for battle—28,600;

36 from Asher, experienced soldiers prepared for battle—40,000;

37 and from east of the Jordan, from Reuben, Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh, armed with every type of weapon—120,000.

38 All these were fighting men who volunteered to serve in the ranks. They came to Hebron fully determined to make David king over all Israel.(H) All the rest of the Israelites were also of one mind to make David king. 39 The men spent three days there with David, eating and drinking,(I) for their families had supplied provisions for them. 40 Also, their neighbors from as far away as Issachar, Zebulun and Naphtali came bringing food on donkeys, camels, mules and oxen. There were plentiful supplies(J) of flour, fig cakes, raisin(K) cakes, wine, olive oil, cattle and sheep, for there was joy(L) in Israel.

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War with the Philistines

17 When the Philistines heard that they had anointed David king over Israel, (A)all the Philistines went up to seek out David; and when David heard of it, he went down to the (B)stronghold. 18 Now the Philistines came and spread themselves out in (C)the valley of Rephaim. 19 Then (D)David inquired of the Lord, saying, “Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will You give them into my hand?” And (E)the Lord said to David, “Go up, for I will certainly give the Philistines into your hand.” 20 So David came to (F)Baal-perazim and [a]defeated them there; and he said, “The Lord has broken through my enemies before me like the breakthrough of waters.” Therefore he named that place [b]Baal-perazim. 21 They abandoned their idols there, so (G)David and his men carried them away.

22 Now (H)the Philistines came up once again and spread themselves out in the valley of Rephaim. 23 When (I)David inquired of the Lord, He said, “You shall not go directly up; circle around behind them and come at them in front of the [c]balsam trees. 24 It shall be, when (J)you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the [d]balsam trees, then you shall act promptly, for then (K)the Lord will have gone out before you to strike the army of the Philistines.” 25 Then David did so, just as the Lord had commanded him, and struck down the Philistines from [e](L)Geba [f]as far as (M)Gezer.

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Footnotes

  1. 2 Samuel 5:20 Lit David smote
  2. 2 Samuel 5:20 I.e. the master of breakthrough
  3. 2 Samuel 5:23 Or baka-shrubs
  4. 2 Samuel 5:24 Or baka-shrubs
  5. 2 Samuel 5:25 In 1 Chr 14:16, Gibeon
  6. 2 Samuel 5:25 Lit until you are coming to

David Defeats the Philistines(A)

17 When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over Israel, they went up in full force to search for him, but David heard about it and went down to the stronghold.(B) 18 Now the Philistines had come and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim;(C) 19 so David inquired(D) of the Lord, “Shall I go and attack the Philistines? Will you deliver them into my hands?”

The Lord answered him, “Go, for I will surely deliver the Philistines into your hands.”

20 So David went to Baal Perazim, and there he defeated them. He said, “As waters break out, the Lord has broken out against my enemies before me.” So that place was called Baal Perazim.[a](E) 21 The Philistines abandoned their idols there, and David and his men carried them off.(F)

22 Once more the Philistines came up and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim; 23 so David inquired of the Lord, and he answered, “Do not go straight up, but circle around behind them and attack them in front of the poplar trees. 24 As soon as you hear the sound(G) of marching in the tops of the poplar trees, move quickly, because that will mean the Lord has gone out in front(H) of you to strike the Philistine army.” 25 So David did as the Lord commanded him, and he struck down the Philistines(I) all the way from Gibeon[b](J) to Gezer.(K)

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Footnotes

  1. 2 Samuel 5:20 Baal Perazim means the lord who breaks out.
  2. 2 Samuel 5:25 Septuagint (see also 1 Chron. 14:16); Hebrew Geba

Philistines Defeated

When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over all Israel, all the Philistines went up in search of David; and David heard of it and went out against them. Now the Philistines had come and (A)made a raid in the valley of Rephaim. 10 David inquired of God, saying, “Shall I go up against the Philistines? And will You give them into my hand?” Then the Lord said to him, “Go up, for I will give them into your hand.” 11 So they came up to Baal-perazim, and David [a]defeated them there; and David said, “God has broken through my enemies by my hand, like the breakthrough of waters.” Therefore they named that place [b]Baal-perazim. 12 They abandoned their gods there; so David gave the order and they were burned with fire.

13 The Philistines made (B)yet another raid in the valley. 14 David inquired again of God, and God said to him, “You shall not go up after them; circle around [c]behind them and come at them in front of the [d]balsam trees. 15 It shall be when you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, then you shall go out to battle, for God will have gone out before you to strike the army of the Philistines.” 16 David did just as God had commanded him, and they struck down the army of the Philistines from [e]Gibeon even as far as Gezer. 17 Then the fame of David went out into all the lands; and (C)the Lord brought the fear of him on all the nations.

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Chronicles 14:11 Lit smote
  2. 1 Chronicles 14:11 I.e. the master of breakthrough
  3. 1 Chronicles 14:14 Lit from upon
  4. 1 Chronicles 14:14 Or baka shrubs
  5. 1 Chronicles 14:16 In 2 Sam 5:25, Geba

David Defeats the Philistines(A)

When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over all Israel,(B) they went up in full force to search for him, but David heard about it and went out to meet them. Now the Philistines had come and raided the Valley(C) of Rephaim; 10 so David inquired of God: “Shall I go and attack the Philistines? Will you deliver them into my hands?”

The Lord answered him, “Go, I will deliver them into your hands.”

11 So David and his men went up to Baal Perazim,(D) and there he defeated them. He said, “As waters break out, God has broken out against my enemies by my hand.” So that place was called Baal Perazim.[a] 12 The Philistines had abandoned their gods there, and David gave orders to burn(E) them in the fire.(F)

13 Once more the Philistines raided the valley;(G) 14 so David inquired of God again, and God answered him, “Do not go directly after them, but circle around them and attack them in front of the poplar trees. 15 As soon as you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the poplar trees, move out to battle, because that will mean God has gone out in front of you to strike the Philistine army.” 16 So David did as God commanded him, and they struck down the Philistine army, all the way from Gibeon(H) to Gezer.(I)

17 So David’s fame(J) spread throughout every land, and the Lord made all the nations fear(K) him.

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Chronicles 14:11 Baal Perazim means the lord who breaks out.

(A)Now the king and his men went to (B)Jerusalem against the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land, and they said to [a]David, “You shall not come in here, but the blind and lame will turn you away”; [b]thinking, “David cannot enter here.” Nevertheless, David captured the stronghold of Zion, that is (C)the city of David. David said on that day, “Whoever would strike the Jebusites, let him reach the lame and the blind, who are hated by David’s soul, through the water tunnel.” Therefore they say, “The blind or the lame shall not come into the house.” So David lived in the stronghold and called it (D)the city of David. And David built all around from the [c](E)Millo and inward. 10 (F)David became greater and greater, for the Lord God of hosts was with him.

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Footnotes

  1. 2 Samuel 5:6 Lit David, saying
  2. 2 Samuel 5:6 Lit saying
  3. 2 Samuel 5:9 I.e. citadel

David Conquers Jerusalem(A)(B)

The king and his men marched to Jerusalem(C) to attack the Jebusites,(D) who lived there. The Jebusites said to David, “You will not get in here; even the blind and the lame can ward you off.” They thought, “David cannot get in here.” Nevertheless, David captured the fortress of Zion(E)—which is the City of David.(F)

On that day David had said, “Anyone who conquers the Jebusites will have to use the water shaft(G) to reach those ‘lame and blind’(H) who are David’s enemies.[a]” That is why they say, “The ‘blind and lame’ will not enter the palace.”

David then took up residence in the fortress and called it the City of David. He built up the area around it, from the terraces[b](I) inward. 10 And he became more and more powerful,(J) because the Lord God Almighty(K) was with him.(L)

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Footnotes

  1. 2 Samuel 5:8 Or are hated by David
  2. 2 Samuel 5:9 Or the Millo

Jerusalem, Capital City

Then David and all Israel went to Jerusalem ((A)that is, Jebus); and the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land, were there. The inhabitants of Jebus said to David, “You shall not enter here.” Nevertheless David captured the stronghold of Zion (that is, the city of David). Now David had said, “Whoever strikes down a Jebusite first shall be chief and commander.” (B)Joab the son of Zeruiah went up first, so he became chief. Then David dwelt in the stronghold; therefore it was called the city of David. He [a]built the city all around, from the [b]Millo even to the surrounding area; and Joab [c]repaired the rest of the city. (C)David became greater and greater, for the Lord of hosts was with him.

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Chronicles 11:8 Or fortified
  2. 1 Chronicles 11:8 I.e. citadel
  3. 1 Chronicles 11:8 Lit revived

David Conquers Jerusalem(A)

David and all the Israelites marched to Jerusalem (that is, Jebus). The Jebusites(B) who lived there said to David, “You will not get in here.” Nevertheless, David captured the fortress of Zion—which is the City of David.

David had said, “Whoever leads the attack on the Jebusites will become commander in chief.” Joab(C) son of Zeruiah went up first, and so he received the command.

David then took up residence in the fortress, and so it was called the City of David. He built up the city around it, from the terraces[a](D) to the surrounding wall, while Joab restored the rest of the city. And David became more and more powerful,(E) because the Lord Almighty was with him.

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Chronicles 11:8 Or the Millo

13 Meanwhile (A)David took more concubines and wives from Jerusalem, after he came from Hebron; and more sons and daughters were born to David.

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13 After he left Hebron, David took more concubines and wives(A) in Jerusalem, and more sons and daughters were born to him.

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David was (A)thirty years old when he became king, and (B)he reigned forty years. At Hebron (C)he reigned over Judah seven years and six months, and in Jerusalem he reigned thirty-three years over all Israel and Judah.

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David was thirty years old(A) when he became king, and he reigned(B) forty(C) years. In Hebron he reigned over Judah seven years and six months,(D) and in Jerusalem he reigned over all Israel and Judah thirty-three years.

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11 (A)Then Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David with cedar trees and carpenters and stonemasons; and (B)they built a house for David. 12 And David realized that the Lord had established him as king over Israel, and that He had exalted his kingdom for the sake of His people Israel.

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11 Now Hiram(A) king of Tyre sent envoys to David, along with cedar logs and carpenters and stonemasons, and they built a palace for David. 12 Then David knew that the Lord had established him as king over Israel and had exalted his kingdom(B) for the sake of his people Israel.

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David’s Family Enlarged

14 (A)Now Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David with cedar trees, masons and carpenters, to build a house for him. And David realized that the Lord had established him as king over Israel, and that his kingdom was highly exalted, for the sake of His people Israel.

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David’s House and Family(A)

14 Now Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, along with cedar logs,(B) stonemasons and carpenters to build a palace for him. And David knew that the Lord had established him as king over Israel and that his kingdom had been highly exalted(C) for the sake of his people Israel.

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Peril in Transporting the Ark

13 Then David consulted with the captains of the thousands and the hundreds, even with every leader. David said to all the assembly of Israel, “If it seems good to you, and if it is from the Lord our God, let us send everywhere to our kinsmen who remain in all the land of Israel, also to the priests and Levites who are with them in their cities with pasture lands, that they may meet with us; and let us bring back the ark of our God to us, (A)for we did not seek it in the days of Saul.” Then all the assembly said that they would do so, for the thing was right in the eyes of all the people.

(B)So David assembled all Israel together, from the Shihor of Egypt even to the entrance of Hamath, (C)to bring the ark of God from Kiriath-jearim.

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Bringing Back the Ark(A)

13 David conferred with each of his officers, the commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds. He then said to the whole assembly of Israel, “If it seems good to you and if it is the will of the Lord our God, let us send word far and wide to the rest of our people throughout the territories of Israel, and also to the priests and Levites who are with them in their towns and pasturelands, to come and join us. Let us bring the ark of our God back to us,(B) for we did not inquire(C) of[a] it[b] during the reign of Saul.” The whole assembly agreed to do this, because it seemed right to all the people.

So David assembled all Israel,(D) from the Shihor River(E) in Egypt to Lebo Hamath,(F) to bring the ark of God from Kiriath Jearim.(G)

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Chronicles 13:3 Or we neglected
  2. 1 Chronicles 13:3 Or him

Peril in Moving the Ark

(A)Now David again gathered all the chosen men of Israel, thirty thousand. And David arose and went with all the people who were with him to [a](B)Baale-judah, to bring up from there the ark of God which is called by the (C)Name, the very name of the Lord of hosts who (D)is [b]enthroned above the cherubim. They [c]placed the ark of God on (E)a new cart that they might bring it from the house of Abinadab which was on the hill; and Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, were leading the new cart. So (F)they brought it with the ark of God from the house of Abinadab, which was on the hill; and Ahio was walking ahead of the ark. Meanwhile, David and all the house of Israel (G)were celebrating before the Lord (H)with all kinds of instruments made of [d]fir wood, and with lyres, harps, tambourines, castanets and cymbals.

But when they came to the (I)threshing floor of Nacon, Uzzah (J)reached out toward the ark of God and took hold of it, for the oxen nearly upset it. And the anger of the Lord burned against Uzzah, and (K)God struck him down there for [e]his irreverence; and he died there by the ark of God. David became angry because [f]of the Lord’s outburst against Uzzah, and that place is called [g]Perez-uzzah to this day. So (L)David was afraid of the Lord that day; and he said, “How can the ark of the Lord come to me?” 10 And David was unwilling to move the ark of the Lord into the city of David with him; but David took it aside to the house of (M)Obed-edom the Gittite. 11 Thus the ark of the Lord remained in the house of Obed-edom the Gittite three months, and the Lord (N)blessed Obed-edom and all his household.

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Footnotes

  1. 2 Samuel 6:2 I.e. Kiriath-jearim
  2. 2 Samuel 6:2 Lit sitting
  3. 2 Samuel 6:3 Lit caused to ride
  4. 2 Samuel 6:5 Or cypress
  5. 2 Samuel 6:7 Lit the
  6. 2 Samuel 6:8 Lit the Lord broke through a breakthrough
  7. 2 Samuel 6:8 I.e. the breakthrough of Uzzah

The Ark Brought to Jerusalem(A)(B)

David again brought together all the able young men of Israel—thirty thousand. He and all his men went to Baalah[a](C) in Judah to bring up from there the ark(D) of God, which is called by the Name,[b](E) the name of the Lord Almighty, who is enthroned(F) between the cherubim(G) on the ark. They set the ark of God on a new cart(H) and brought it from the house of Abinadab, which was on the hill.(I) Uzzah and Ahio, sons of Abinadab, were guiding the new cart with the ark of God on it,[c] and Ahio was walking in front of it. David and all Israel were celebrating(J) with all their might before the Lord, with castanets,[d] harps, lyres, timbrels, sistrums and cymbals.(K)

When they came to the threshing floor of Nakon, Uzzah reached out and took hold of(L) the ark of God, because the oxen stumbled. The Lord’s anger burned against Uzzah because of his irreverent act;(M) therefore God struck him down,(N) and he died there beside the ark of God.

Then David was angry because the Lord’s wrath(O) had broken out against Uzzah, and to this day that place is called Perez Uzzah.[e](P)

David was afraid of the Lord that day and said, “How(Q) can the ark of the Lord ever come to me?” 10 He was not willing to take the ark of the Lord to be with him in the City of David. Instead, he took it to the house of Obed-Edom(R) the Gittite. 11 The ark of the Lord remained in the house of Obed-Edom the Gittite for three months, and the Lord blessed him and his entire household.(S)

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Footnotes

  1. 2 Samuel 6:2 That is, Kiriath Jearim (see 1 Chron. 13:6)
  2. 2 Samuel 6:2 Hebrew; Septuagint and Vulgate do not have the Name.
  3. 2 Samuel 6:4 Dead Sea Scrolls and some Septuagint manuscripts; Masoretic Text cart and they brought it with the ark of God from the house of Abinadab, which was on the hill
  4. 2 Samuel 6:5 Masoretic Text; Dead Sea Scrolls and Septuagint (see also 1 Chron. 13:8) songs
  5. 2 Samuel 6:8 Perez Uzzah means outbreak against Uzzah.