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2 Samuel 5-8
Contemporary English Version

David Becomes King of Israel

(1 Chronicles 11.1-3)

5 Israel's leaders met with David at Hebron and said, “We are your relatives. 2 Even when Saul was king, you led our nation in battle. And the Lord promised that someday you would rule Israel and take care of us like a shepherd.”

3 During the meeting, David made an agreement with the leaders and asked the Lord to be their witness. Then the leaders poured olive oil on David's head to show that he was now the king of Israel.

4 (A) David was 30 years old when he became king, and he ruled for 40 years. 5 He lived in Hebron for the first seven and a half years and ruled only Judah. Then he moved to Jerusalem, where he ruled both Israel and Judah for 33 years.

How David Captured Jerusalem

(1 Chronicles 11.4-9; 14.1,2)

6 (B) The Jebusites lived in Jerusalem, and David led his army there to attack them. The Jebusites did not think he could get in, so they told him, “You can't get in here! We could keep you out, even if we couldn't see or walk!”

7-9 David told his troops, “You will have to go up through the water tunnel to get those Jebusites. I hate people like them[a] who can't walk or see.”

That's why there is still a rule that says, “Only people who can walk and see are allowed in the temple.”[b]

David captured the fortress on Mount Zion, then he moved there and named it David's City. He had the city rebuilt, starting with the landfill to the east. 10 David became a great and strong ruler, because the Lord All-Powerful was on his side.

11 King Hiram of Tyre sent some officials to David. Carpenters and stone workers came with them, and they brought cedar logs so they could build David a palace.

12 David knew that the Lord had made him king of Israel and that he had made him a powerful ruler for the good of his people.

David's Sons Born in Jerusalem

(1 Chronicles 14.3-7)

13 After David left Hebron and moved to Jerusalem, he married many women[c] from Jerusalem,[d] and he had a lot of children. 14 His sons who were born there were Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon, 15 Ibhar, Elishua, Nepheg, Japhia, 16 Elishama, Eliada,[e] and Eliphelet.

David Fights the Philistines

(1 Chronicles 14.8-17)

17 The Philistines heard that David was now king of Israel, and they came into the hill country to try and capture him. But David found out and went into his fortress.[f] 18 So the Philistines camped in Rephaim Valley.[g]

19 David asked the Lord, “Should I attack the Philistines? Will you let me win?”

The Lord told David, “Attack! I will let you win.”

20 David attacked the Philistines and defeated them. Then he said, “I watched the Lord break through my enemies like a mighty flood.” So he named the place “The Lord Broke Through.”[h] 21 David and his troops also carried away the idols that the Philistines had left behind.

22 Some time later, the Philistines came back into the hill country and camped in Rephaim Valley. 23 David asked the Lord what he should do, and the Lord answered:

Don't attack them from the front. Circle around behind and attack from among the balsam[i] trees. 24 Wait until you hear a sound in the treetops like marching troops. Then attack quickly! That sound will mean I have marched out ahead of you to fight the Philistine army.

25 David obeyed the Lord and defeated the Philistines. He even chased them all the way from Geba to the entrance to Gezer.

David Brings the Sacred Chest Back to Jerusalem

(1 Chronicles 13.1-14; 15.1—16.3,43)

6 David brought together 30,000 of Israel's best soldiers and 2 (C) led them to Baalah in Judah, which was also called Kiriath-Jearim. They were going there[j] to get the sacred chest and bring it back to Jerusalem. The throne of the Lord All-Powerful is above the winged creatures[k] on top of this chest, and he is worshiped there.[l]

3 (D) They put the sacred chest on a new ox cart and started bringing it down the hill from Abinadab's house. Abinadab's sons Uzzah and Ahio were guiding the ox cart, 4 with Ahio[m] walking in front of it. 5 Some of the people of Israel were playing music on small harps and other stringed instruments, and on tambourines, castanets, and cymbals. David and the others were happy, and they danced for the Lord with all their might.

6 But when they came to Nacon's threshing-floor, the oxen stumbled, so Uzzah reached out and took hold of the sacred chest. 7 The Lord God was very angry with Uzzah for doing this, and he killed Uzzah right there beside the chest.

8 David got angry with God for killing Uzzah. He named that place “Bursting Out Against Uzzah,”[n] and that's what it's still called.

9 David was afraid of the Lord and thought, “Should I really take the sacred chest to my city?” 10 He decided not to take it there. Instead, he turned off the road and took it to the home of Obed Edom, who was from Gath.[o]

11-12 (E) The chest stayed there for three months, and the Lord greatly blessed Obed Edom, his family, and everything he owned. Then someone told King David, “The Lord has done this because the sacred chest is in Obed Edom's house.”

At once, David went to Obed Edom's house to get the chest and bring it to David's City. Everyone was celebrating. 13 The people carrying the chest walked six steps, then David sacrificed an ox and a choice cow. 14 He was dancing for the Lord with all his might, but he wore only a linen cloth.[p] 15 He and everyone else were celebrating by shouting and blowing horns while the chest was being carried along.

16 Saul's daughter Michal looked out her window and watched the chest being brought into David's City. But when she saw David jumping and dancing for the Lord, she was disgusted.

17 They put the chest inside a tent that David had set up for it. David worshiped the Lord by sacrificing animals and burning them on an altar,[q] 18 then he blessed the people in the name of the Lord All-Powerful. 19 (F) He gave all the men and women in the crowd a small loaf of bread, some meat, and a handful of raisins, then everyone went home.

Michal Talks to David

20 David went home so he could ask the Lord to bless his family. But Saul's daughter Michal went out and started yelling at him. “You were really great today!” she said. “You acted like a dirty old man, dancing around half-naked in front of your servants' slave-girls.”

21 David told her, “The Lord didn't choose your father or anyone else in your family to be the leader of his people. The Lord chose me, and I was celebrating in honor of him. 22 I'll show you just how great I can be! I'll even be disgusting to myself. But those slave-girls you talked about will still honor me!”

23 Michal never had any children.

The Lord's Message to David

(1 Chronicles 17.1-15)

7 King David moved into his new palace, and the Lord let his kingdom be at peace. 2 Then one day, as David was talking with Nathan the prophet, David said, “Look around! I live in a palace made of cedar, but the sacred chest has to stay in a tent.”

3 Nathan replied, “The Lord is with you, so do what you want!”

4 That night, the Lord told Nathan 5 to go to David and give him this message:

David, you are my servant, so listen to what I say. Why should you build a temple for me? 6 I didn't live in a temple when I brought my people out of Egypt, and I don't live in one now. A tent has always been my home wherever I have gone with them. 7 I chose leaders and told them to be like shepherds for my people Israel. But did I ever say anything to even one of them about building a cedar temple for me?

8 (G) David, this is what I, the Lord All-Powerful, say to you. I brought you in from the fields where you took care of sheep, and I made you the leader of my people. 9 Wherever you went, I helped you and destroyed your enemies right in front of your eyes. I have made you one of the most famous people in the world.

10 I have given my people Israel a land of their own where they can live in peace, and they won't have to tremble with fear any more. Evil nations won't bother them, as they did 11 when I let judges rule my people. And I have kept your enemies from attacking you.

Now I promise that you and your descendants will be kings. 12 (H) I'll choose one of your sons to be king when you reach the end of your life and are buried in the tomb of your ancestors. I'll make him a strong ruler, 13 and no one will be able to take his kingdom away from him. He will be the one to build a temple for me. 14 (I) I will be his father, and he will be my son.

When he does wrong, I'll see that he is corrected, just as children are corrected by their parents. 15 But I will never put an end to my agreement with him, as I put an end to my agreement with Saul, who was king before you. 16 (J) I will make sure that one of your descendants will always be king.

17 Nathan told David exactly what he had heard in the vision.

David Gives Thanks to the Lord

(1 Chronicles 17.16-27)

18 David went into the tent he had set up for the sacred chest. Then he sat there and prayed:

Lord All-Powerful, my family and I don't deserve what you have already done for us, 19 and yet you have promised to do even more. Is this the way you usually treat people?[r] 20 I am your servant, and you know my thoughts, so there is nothing more that I need to say. 21 You have done this wonderful thing, and you have let me know about it, because you wanted to keep your promise.

22 Lord All-Powerful, you are greater than all others. No one is like you, and you alone are God. Everything we have heard about you is true. 23 (K) And there is no other nation on earth like Israel, the nation you rescued from slavery in Egypt to be your own. You became famous by using great and wonderful miracles to force other nations and their gods out of your land, so your people could live here.[s] 24 You have chosen Israel to be your people forever, and you have become their God.

25 And now, Lord God, please do what you have promised me and my descendants. 26 Then you will be famous forever, and everyone will say, “The Lord God All-Powerful rules Israel, and David's descendants are his chosen kings.” 27 After all, you really are Israel's God, the Lord All-Powerful. You've told me that you will let my descendants be kings. That's why I have the courage to pray to you like this, even though I am only your servant.

28 Lord All-Powerful, you are God. You have promised me some very good things, and you can be trusted to do what you promise. 29 Please bless my descendants and let them always be your chosen kings. You have already promised, and I'm sure that you will bless my family forever.

A List of David's Victories in War

(1 Chronicles 18.1-13)

8 Later, David attacked and badly defeated the Philistines. Israel was now free from their control.[t]

2 David also defeated the Moabites. Then he made their soldiers lie down on the ground, and he measured them off with a rope. He would measure off two lengths of the rope and have those men killed, then he would measure off one length and let those men live. The people of Moab had to accept David as their ruler and pay taxes to him.

3 David set out for the Euphrates River to build a monument[u] there. On his way,[v] he defeated the king of Zobah, whose name was Hadadezer the son of Rehob. 4 In the battle, David captured 1,700 cavalry[w] and 20,000 foot soldiers. He also captured war chariots, but he destroyed all but 100 of them.[x] 5 When troops from the Aramean kingdom of Damascus came to help Hadadezer, David killed 22,000 of them. 6 He left some of his soldiers in Damascus, and the Arameans had to accept David as their ruler and pay taxes to him.

Everywhere David went, the Lord helped him win battles.

7 Hadadezer's officers had carried their arrows in gold cases hung over their shoulders, but David took these cases[y] and brought them to Jerusalem. 8 He also took a lot of bronze from the cities of Betah and Berothai, which had belonged to Hadadezer.

9-10 King Toi of Hamath and King Hadadezer had been enemies. So when Toi heard that David had attacked and defeated[z] Hadadezer's whole army, he sent his son Joram to praise and congratulate David. Joram also brought him gifts made of silver, gold, and bronze. 11 David gave these to the Lord, just as he had done with the silver and gold that he had captured from 12 Edom,[aa] Moab, Ammon, Philistia, Amalek, and from King Hadadezer of Zobah.

13 (L) David fought the Edomite[ab] army in Salt Valley and killed 18,000 of their soldiers. When he returned, he built a monument.[ac] 14 David left soldiers all through Edom, and the people of Edom had to accept him as their ruler.

Wherever David went, the Lord helped him.

A List of David's Officials

(1 Chronicles 18.14-17)

15 David ruled all Israel with fairness and justice.

16 Joab the son of Zeruiah was the commander in chief of the army.

Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud kept the government records.

17 Zadok the son of Ahitub, and Abiathar the son of Ahimelech,[ad] were the priests.

Seraiah was the secretary.

18 Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was the commander of[ae] David's bodyguard.[af]

David's sons were priests.

Footnotes

  1. 5.7-9 You will … them: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.
  2. 5.7-9 temple: Or “palace.”
  3. 5.13 married many women: Some of these women were second-class wives (see the note at 3.7).
  4. 5.13 from Jerusalem: Or “in Jerusalem.”
  5. 5.16 Eliada: See 1 Chronicles 3.6-8. First Chronicles 14.7 has “Beeliada.”
  6. 5.17 fortress: Probably the fortress of Adullam, which was David's former hideout (see 1 Samuel 22.1,4; 24.22). Or it could refer to the older walled city of Jerusalem, called the “fortress on Mount Zion” in verses 7-9.
  7. 5.18 Rephaim Valley: A few kilometers southwest of Jerusalem.
  8. 5.20 The Lord Broke Through: Or “Baal-Perazim.”
  9. 5.23 balsam: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.
  10. 6.2 to Baalah … there: The Dead Sea Scrolls and 1 Chronicles 13.6; the Standard Hebrew Text “from Baalah in Judah. They had gone there.”
  11. 6.2 winged creatures: Two golden statues of winged creatures were on top of the sacred chest and were symbols of the Lord's throne on earth (see Exodus 25.18).
  12. 6.2 he is worshiped there: Or “the chest belongs to him.”
  13. 6.3,4 Ahio … Ahio: Or “his brother … his brother.”
  14. 6.8 Bursting … Uzzah: Or “Perez-Uzzah.”
  15. 6.10 Gath: Or perhaps, “Gittaim.”
  16. 6.14 only a linen cloth: The Hebrew word is “ephod,” which can mean either a piece of clothing like a skirt that went from the waist to the knee or a garment like a vest or a jacket that only the priests wore.
  17. 6.17 sacrificing … altar: The Hebrew mentions two kinds of sacrifices. In one kind of sacrifice, the whole animal was burned on the altar. In the other kind, only part was burned, and the worshipers ate the rest, as in verse 19 (see Leviticus 1.2-17; 3.1-17).
  18. 7.19 Is this … people: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.
  19. 7.23 You … here: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.
  20. 8.1 Israel … control: Or “David also took the town of Metheg-Ammah away from them.”
  21. 8.3 monument: Kings sometimes set up monuments in lands they had conquered.
  22. 8.3 David … way: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text. It may have been Hadadezer who was going to the Euphrates River. And he may have gone there either to build a monument or to put down a rebellion.
  23. 8.4 1,700 cavalry: Hebrew; one ancient translation and 1 Chronicles 18.4 “1,000 chariots and 7,000 cavalry.”
  24. 8.4 He also captured … them: Or “He crippled all but 100 of the horses.”
  25. 8.7 Hadadezer's … cases: Or “Hadadezer's soldiers carried gold shields, but David took these shields.”
  26. 8.9,10 defeated: Or “killed.”
  27. 8.12 Edom: Some Hebrew manuscripts and two ancient translations (see also 1 Chronicles 18.11); most Hebrew manuscripts “Aram.” In Hebrew the words for “Edom” and “Aram” look almost alike.
  28. 8.13 Edomite: Some Hebrew manuscripts and two ancient translations (see also 1 Chronicles 18.12); most Hebrew manuscripts “Aramean.” In Hebrew the words for “Edomite” and “Aramean” look almost alike.
  29. 8.13 built a monument: Or “was famous.”
  30. 8.17 Abiathar the son of Ahimelech: One ancient translation and 1 Samuel 22.11-23; Hebrew “Ahimelech the son of Abiathar.”
  31. 8.18 was the commander of: Not in the Hebrew text of this verse, but see 1 Chronicles 18.17.
  32. 8.18 David's bodyguard: The Hebrew text has “the Cherethites and the Pelethites,” who were foreign soldiers hired by David to be his bodyguard.
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2 Samuel 5-8
New International Version

David Becomes King Over Israel(A)

5 All the tribes of Israel(B) came to David at Hebron and said, “We are your own flesh and blood.(C) 2 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)’”

3 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.

4 David was thirty years old(J) when he became king, and he reigned(K) forty(L) years. 5 In Hebron he reigned over Judah seven years and six months,(M) and in Jerusalem he reigned over all Israel and Judah thirty-three years.

David Conquers Jerusalem(N)(O)

6 The king and his men marched to Jerusalem(P) to attack the Jebusites,(Q) 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(R)—which is the City of David.(S)

8 On that day David had said, “Anyone who conquers the Jebusites will have to use the water shaft(T) to reach those ‘lame and blind’(U) 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](V) inward. 10 And he became more and more powerful,(W) because the Lord God Almighty(X) was with him.(Y)

11 Now Hiram(Z) 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(AA) for the sake of his people Israel.

13 After he left Hebron, David took more concubines and wives(AB) in Jerusalem, and more sons and daughters were born to him. 14 These are the names of the children born to him there:(AC) Shammua, Shobab, Nathan,(AD) Solomon, 15 Ibhar, Elishua, Nepheg, Japhia, 16 Elishama, Eliada and Eliphelet.

David Defeats the Philistines(AE)

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.(AF) 18 Now the Philistines had come and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim;(AG) 19 so David inquired(AH) 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.[c](AI) 21 The Philistines abandoned their idols there, and David and his men carried them off.(AJ)

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(AK) of marching in the tops of the poplar trees, move quickly, because that will mean the Lord has gone out in front(AL) of you to strike the Philistine army.” 25 So David did as the Lord commanded him, and he struck down the Philistines(AM) all the way from Gibeon[d](AN) to Gezer.(AO)

The Ark Brought to Jerusalem(AP)(AQ)

6 David again brought together all the able young men of Israel—thirty thousand. 2 He and all his men went to Baalah[e](AR) in Judah to bring up from there the ark(AS) of God, which is called by the Name,[f](AT) the name of the Lord Almighty, who is enthroned(AU) between the cherubim(AV) on the ark. 3 They set the ark of God on a new cart(AW) and brought it from the house of Abinadab, which was on the hill.(AX) Uzzah and Ahio, sons of Abinadab, were guiding the new cart 4 with the ark of God on it,[g] and Ahio was walking in front of it. 5 David and all Israel were celebrating(AY) with all their might before the Lord, with castanets,[h] harps, lyres, timbrels, sistrums and cymbals.(AZ)

6 When they came to the threshing floor of Nakon, Uzzah reached out and took hold of(BA) the ark of God, because the oxen stumbled. 7 The Lord’s anger burned against Uzzah because of his irreverent act;(BB) therefore God struck him down,(BC) and he died there beside the ark of God.

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

9 David was afraid of the Lord that day and said, “How(BF) 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(BG) 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.(BH)

12 Now King David(BI) was told, “The Lord has blessed the household of Obed-Edom and everything he has, because of the ark of God.” So David went to bring up the ark of God from the house of Obed-Edom to the City of David with rejoicing. 13 When those who were carrying the ark of the Lord had taken six steps, he sacrificed(BJ) a bull and a fattened calf. 14 Wearing a linen ephod,(BK) David was dancing(BL) before the Lord with all his might, 15 while he and all Israel were bringing up the ark of the Lord with shouts(BM) and the sound of trumpets.(BN)

16 As the ark of the Lord was entering the City of David,(BO) Michal(BP) daughter of Saul watched from a window. And when she saw King David leaping and dancing before the Lord, she despised him in her heart.

17 They brought the ark of the Lord and set it in its place inside the tent that David had pitched for it,(BQ) and David sacrificed burnt offerings(BR) and fellowship offerings before the Lord. 18 After he had finished sacrificing(BS) the burnt offerings and fellowship offerings, he blessed(BT) the people in the name of the Lord Almighty. 19 Then he gave a loaf of bread, a cake of dates and a cake of raisins(BU) to each person in the whole crowd of Israelites, both men and women.(BV) And all the people went to their homes.

20 When David returned home to bless his household, Michal daughter of Saul came out to meet him and said, “How the king of Israel has distinguished himself today, going around half-naked(BW) in full view of the slave girls of his servants as any vulgar fellow would!”

21 David said to Michal, “It was before the Lord, who chose me rather than your father or anyone from his house when he appointed(BX) me ruler(BY) over the Lord’s people Israel—I will celebrate before the Lord. 22 I will become even more undignified than this, and I will be humiliated in my own eyes. But by these slave girls you spoke of, I will be held in honor.”

23 And Michal daughter of Saul had no children to the day of her death.

God’s Promise to David(BZ)

7 After the king was settled in his palace(CA) and the Lord had given him rest from all his enemies(CB) around him,(CC) 2 he said to Nathan(CD) the prophet, “Here I am, living in a house(CE) of cedar, while the ark of God remains in a tent.”(CF)

3 Nathan replied to the king, “Whatever you have in mind,(CG) go ahead and do it, for the Lord is with you.”

4 But that night the word of the Lord came to Nathan, saying:

5 “Go and tell my servant David, ‘This is what the Lord says: Are you(CH) the one to build me a house to dwell in?(CI) 6 I have not dwelt in a house from the day I brought the Israelites up out of Egypt to this day.(CJ) I have been moving from place to place with a tent(CK) as my dwelling.(CL) 7 Wherever I have moved with all the Israelites,(CM) did I ever say to any of their rulers whom I commanded to shepherd(CN) my people Israel, “Why have you not built me a house(CO) of cedar?(CP)”’

8 “Now then, tell my servant David, ‘This is what the Lord Almighty says: I took you from the pasture, from tending the flock,(CQ) and appointed you ruler(CR) over my people Israel.(CS) 9 I have been with you wherever you have gone,(CT) and I have cut off all your enemies from before you.(CU) Now I will make your name great, like the names of the greatest men on earth.(CV) 10 And I will provide a place for my people Israel and will plant(CW) them so that they can have a home of their own and no longer be disturbed.(CX) Wicked(CY) people will not oppress them anymore,(CZ) as they did at the beginning 11 and have done ever since the time I appointed leaders[j](DA) over my people Israel. I will also give you rest from all your enemies.(DB)

“‘The Lord declares(DC) to you that the Lord himself will establish(DD) a house(DE) for you: 12 When your days are over and you rest(DF) with your ancestors, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, your own flesh and blood,(DG) and I will establish his kingdom.(DH) 13 He is the one who will build a house(DI) for my Name,(DJ) and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.(DK) 14 I will be his father, and he will be my son.(DL) When he does wrong, I will punish him(DM) with a rod(DN) wielded by men, with floggings inflicted by human hands. 15 But my love will never be taken away from him,(DO) as I took it away from Saul,(DP) whom I removed from before you. 16 Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me[k]; your throne(DQ) will be established(DR) forever.(DS)’”

17 Nathan reported to David all the words of this entire revelation.

David’s Prayer(DT)

18 Then King David went in and sat before the Lord, and he said:

“Who am I,(DU) Sovereign Lord, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far? 19 And as if this were not enough in your sight, Sovereign Lord, you have also spoken about the future of the house of your servant—and this decree,(DV) Sovereign Lord, is for a mere human![l]

20 “What more can David say(DW) to you? For you know(DX) your servant,(DY) Sovereign Lord. 21 For the sake of your word and according to your will, you have done this great thing and made it known to your servant.

22 “How great(DZ) you are,(EA) Sovereign Lord! There is no one like(EB) you, and there is no God(EC) but you, as we have heard with our own ears.(ED) 23 And who is like your people Israel(EE)—the one nation on earth that God went out to redeem as a people for himself, and to make a name(EF) for himself, and to perform great and awesome wonders(EG) by driving out nations and their gods from before your people, whom you redeemed(EH) from Egypt?[m] 24 You have established your people Israel as your very own(EI) forever, and you, Lord, have become their God.(EJ)

25 “And now, Lord God, keep forever the promise(EK) you have made concerning your servant and his house. Do as you promised, 26 so that your name(EL) will be great forever. Then people will say, ‘The Lord Almighty is God over Israel!’ And the house of your servant David will be established(EM) in your sight.

27 “Lord Almighty, God of Israel, you have revealed this to your servant, saying, ‘I will build a house for you.’ So your servant has found courage to pray this prayer to you. 28 Sovereign Lord, you are God! Your covenant is trustworthy,(EN) and you have promised these good things to your servant. 29 Now be pleased to bless the house of your servant, that it may continue forever in your sight; for you, Sovereign Lord, have spoken, and with your blessing(EO) the house of your servant will be blessed forever.”

David’s Victories(EP)

8 In the course of time, David defeated the Philistines(EQ) and subdued(ER) them, and he took Metheg Ammah from the control of the Philistines.

2 David also defeated the Moabites.(ES) He made them lie down on the ground and measured them off with a length of cord. Every two lengths of them were put to death, and the third length was allowed to live. So the Moabites became subject to David and brought him tribute.(ET)

3 Moreover, David defeated Hadadezer(EU) son of Rehob, king of Zobah,(EV) when he went to restore his monument at[n] the Euphrates(EW) River. 4 David captured a thousand of his chariots, seven thousand charioteers[o] and twenty thousand foot soldiers. He hamstrung(EX) all but a hundred of the chariot horses.

5 When the Arameans of Damascus(EY) came to help Hadadezer king of Zobah, David struck down twenty-two thousand of them. 6 He put garrisons(EZ) in the Aramean kingdom of Damascus, and the Arameans became subject(FA) to him and brought tribute. The Lord gave David victory wherever he went.(FB)

7 David took the gold shields(FC) that belonged to the officers of Hadadezer and brought them to Jerusalem. 8 From Tebah[p] and Berothai,(FD) towns that belonged to Hadadezer, King David took a great quantity of bronze.

9 When Tou[q] king of Hamath(FE) heard that David had defeated the entire army of Hadadezer,(FF) 10 he sent his son Joram[r] to King David to greet him and congratulate him on his victory in battle over Hadadezer, who had been at war with Tou. Joram brought with him articles of silver, of gold and of bronze.

11 King David dedicated(FG) these articles to the Lord, as he had done with the silver and gold from all the nations he had subdued: 12 Edom[s](FH) and Moab,(FI) the Ammonites(FJ) and the Philistines,(FK) and Amalek.(FL) He also dedicated the plunder taken from Hadadezer son of Rehob, king of Zobah.

13 And David became famous(FM) after he returned from striking down eighteen thousand Edomites[t] in the Valley of Salt.(FN)

14 He put garrisons throughout Edom, and all the Edomites(FO) became subject to David.(FP) The Lord gave David victory(FQ) wherever he went.(FR)

David’s Officials(FS)

15 David reigned over all Israel, doing what was just and right(FT) for all his people. 16 Joab(FU) son of Zeruiah was over the army; Jehoshaphat(FV) son of Ahilud was recorder;(FW) 17 Zadok(FX) son of Ahitub and Ahimelek son of Abiathar(FY) were priests; Seraiah was secretary;(FZ) 18 Benaiah(GA) son of Jehoiada was over the Kerethites(GB) and Pelethites; and David’s sons were priests.[u]

Footnotes

  1. 2 Samuel 5:8 Or are hated by David
  2. 2 Samuel 5:9 Or the Millo
  3. 2 Samuel 5:20 Baal Perazim means the lord who breaks out.
  4. 2 Samuel 5:25 Septuagint (see also 1 Chron. 14:16); Hebrew Geba
  5. 2 Samuel 6:2 That is, Kiriath Jearim (see 1 Chron. 13:6)
  6. 2 Samuel 6:2 Hebrew; Septuagint and Vulgate do not have the Name.
  7. 2 Samuel 6:4 Dead Sea Scrolls and some Septuagint manuscripts; Masoretic Text cart 4 and they brought it with the ark of God from the house of Abinadab, which was on the hill
  8. 2 Samuel 6:5 Masoretic Text; Dead Sea Scrolls and Septuagint (see also 1 Chron. 13:8) songs
  9. 2 Samuel 6:8 Perez Uzzah means outbreak against Uzzah.
  10. 2 Samuel 7:11 Traditionally judges
  11. 2 Samuel 7:16 Some Hebrew manuscripts and Septuagint; most Hebrew manuscripts you
  12. 2 Samuel 7:19 Or for the human race
  13. 2 Samuel 7:23 See Septuagint and 1 Chron. 17:21; Hebrew wonders for your land and before your people, whom you redeemed from Egypt, from the nations and their gods.
  14. 2 Samuel 8:3 Or his control along
  15. 2 Samuel 8:4 Septuagint (see also Dead Sea Scrolls and 1 Chron. 18:4); Masoretic Text captured seventeen hundred of his charioteers
  16. 2 Samuel 8:8 See some Septuagint manuscripts (see also 1 Chron. 18:8); Hebrew Betah.
  17. 2 Samuel 8:9 Hebrew Toi, a variant of Tou; also in verse 10
  18. 2 Samuel 8:10 A variant of Hadoram
  19. 2 Samuel 8:12 Some Hebrew manuscripts, Septuagint and Syriac (see also 1 Chron. 18:11); most Hebrew manuscripts Aram
  20. 2 Samuel 8:13 A few Hebrew manuscripts, Septuagint and Syriac (see also 1 Chron. 18:12); most Hebrew manuscripts Aram (that is, Arameans)
  21. 2 Samuel 8:18 Or were chief officials (see Septuagint and Targum; see also 1 Chron. 18:17)
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