⁵ In Hebron he reigned over Judah seven years and six months,^(A) and in Jerusalem he reigned over all Israel and Judah thirty-three years.

David Conquers Jerusalem^(B)(C)

⁶ The king and his men marched to Jerusalem^(D) to attack the Jebusites,^(E) 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.” ⁷ Nevertheless, David captured the fortress of Zion^(F)—which is the City of David.^(G)

⁸ On that day David had said, “Anyone who conquers the Jebusites will have to use the water shaft^(H) to reach those ‘lame and blind’^(I) who are David’s enemies.^[a]” That is why they say, “The ‘blind and lame’ will not enter the palace.”

⁹ 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](J) inward.

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.