The king and his men marched to Jerusalem against the Jebusites(A) who 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.”

Yet David did capture the stronghold of Zion, that is, the city of David.(B) He 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.”[a] For this reason it is said, “The blind and the lame will never enter the house.”[b]

David 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. 10 David became more and more powerful,(C) and the Lord God of Hosts was with him.(D) 11 King Hiram of Tyre sent envoys to David; he also sent cedar logs, carpenters, and stonemasons,(E) 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 for the sake of His people Israel.

13 After he arrived from Hebron, David took more concubines and wives from Jerusalem, and more sons and daughters were born to him. 14 These are the names of those born to him in Jerusalem: Shammua, Shobab, Nathan,(F) Solomon, 15 Ibhar, Elishua, Nepheg, Japhia, 16 Elishama, Eliada, and Eliphelet.(G)

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Footnotes

  1. 2 Samuel 5:8 Alt Hb tradition, LXX, Tg, Syr read who despise David
  2. 2 Samuel 5:8 Or temple, or palace

Later, the king and his army marched on Jerusalem against the Jebusites, who were inhabiting the territory at that time[a] and who had told David, “You’re not coming in here! Even the blind and the lame could turn you away!” because they were thinking[b] “David can’t come here.” Even so, David captured the stronghold of Zion, which is now known as[c] the City of David.

At that time,[d] David had said, “Whoever intends to attack the Jebusites will have to climb up the water shaft to attack the lame and blind, who hate David.”[e]

Therefore they say, “The blind and lame are never to come into the house.” David occupied[f] the fortress, naming it the City of David. He[g] built up the surroundings from the terrace ramparts[h] inward. 10 David became more and more esteemed because the Lord God of the Heavenly Armies was with him.

11 Later, King Hiram of Tyre sent a delegation to David, accompanied by cedar[i] logs, carpenters, and stone masons. They built a palace for David. 12 So David concluded[j] that the Lord had established him as king over Israel and that he had exalted his kingdom in order to benefit his people Israel. 13 But after arriving in Jerusalem after leaving Hebron, David took more wives and mistresses,[k] and more sons and daughters were born to David. 14 These are the names of those who were born to him in Jerusalem: Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon, 15 Ibhar, Elishua, Nepheg, Japhia, 16 Elishama, Eliada, and Eliphelet.

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Footnotes

  1. 2 Samuel 5:6 The Heb. lacks at that time
  2. 2 Samuel 5:6 Lit. saying
  3. 2 Samuel 5:7 The Heb. lacks now known as
  4. 2 Samuel 5:8 Lit. day
  5. 2 Samuel 5:8 Or whom David hates; LXX reads blind, and those who hate David
  6. 2 Samuel 5:9 Or lived in
  7. 2 Samuel 5:9 Lit. David
  8. 2 Samuel 5:9 Lit. the Millo, fortified areas of ancient Jerusalem with terraces and retaining walls
  9. 2 Samuel 5:11 I.e. a genus of coniferous evergreen in the family Pinaceae; and so throughout the book
  10. 2 Samuel 5:12 Lit. knew
  11. 2 Samuel 5:13 Or concubines; i.e. secondary wives