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

Jerusalem is captured

The king and his troops marched on Jerusalem against the Jebusites, who inhabited the territory. The Jebusites said to David, “You’ll never get us in here! Even the blind and the lame will beat you back!” “David will never enter here,” they said to each other.[a] But David did capture the fortress of Zion—which became David’s City. “On that day,” David said, “whoever attacks the Jebusites should strike the windpipe because David hates the lame and the blind.”[b] That is why people say, “The blind and the lame will not enter the temple.”[c] David occupied the fortress, so it was renamed David’s City. David built a city around it from the earthen terraces[d] inward.[e] 10 David grew increasingly powerful, and the Lord of heavenly forces was with him.

11 Tyre’s King Hiram sent messengers to David with cedar logs, bricklayers, and carpenters to build David a palace. 12 Then David knew that the Lord had established him as king over Israel, and that his kingship was held in great honor for the sake of his people Israel. 13 After he left Hebron, David married more secondary wives in Jerusalem and fathered more sons and daughters. 14 The names of his children in Jerusalem were as follows: Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon, 15 Ibhar, Elishua, Nepheg, Japhia, 16 Elishama, Eliada, and Eliphelet.

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Footnotes

  1. 2 Samuel 5:6 Or they thought; Heb lacks to each other.
  2. 2 Samuel 5:8 Or take the water shaft against the lame and the blind who hate David; Heb uncertain
  3. 2 Samuel 5:8 Or palace
  4. 2 Samuel 5:9 Heb Millo
  5. 2 Samuel 5:9 DSS (4QSama); MT lacks city.