David Conquers Jerusalem^(A)(B)

⁶ 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.”

⁸ The men of Judah attacked Jerusalem^(A) also and took it. They put the city to the sword and set it on fire.

¹⁰ Even if you were to defeat the entire Babylonian^[a] army that is attacking you and only wounded men were left in their tents, they would come out and burn^(A) this city down.”

²¹ The Benjamites, however, did not drive out^(A) the Jebusites, who were living in Jerusalem;^(B) to this day the Jebusites live there with the Benjamites.

This was the inheritance of Benjamin for its clans.^(F)

⁶³ Judah could not^(A) dislodge the Jebusites^(B), who were living in Jerusalem;^(C) to this day the Jebusites live there with the people of Judah.^(D)

Melchizedek the Priest

7 This Melchizedek was king of Salem^(A) and priest of God Most High.^(B) He met Abraham returning from the defeat of the kings and blessed him,^(C)

David Conquers Jerusalem^(A)

⁴ David and all the Israelites marched to Jerusalem (that is, Jebus). The Jebusites^(B) who lived there ⁵ said to David, “You will not get in here.” Nevertheless, David captured the fortress of Zion—which is the City of David.

⁶ 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.

⁷ David then took up residence in the fortress, and so it was called the City of David. ⁸ He built up the city around it, from the terraces^[a](D) to the surrounding wall, while Joab restored the rest of the city. ⁹ And David became more and more powerful,^(E) because the Lord Almighty was with him.

¹⁰ But, unwilling to stay another night, the man left and went toward Jebus^(A) (that is, Jerusalem), with his two saddled donkeys and his concubine.

¹¹ When they were near Jebus and the day was almost gone, the servant said to his master, “Come, let’s stop at this city of the Jebusites^(B) and spend the night.”

¹² His master replied, “No. We won’t go into any city whose people are not Israelites. We will go on to Gibeah.”