2 Samuel 5
Tree of Life Version
All Israel Anoints David King
5 Then all the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron and spoke saying, “Here we are, your own flesh and blood. 2 Even before, when Saul was king over us, it was you who led Israel out and back. Also Adonai said to you, ‘You will shepherd My people Israel and be ruler over Israel.’” 3 So all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron, and King David cut a covenant with them at Hebron before Adonai. Then they anointed David king over Israel. 4 David was 30 years old when he began to reign and he reigned 40 years. 5 In Hebron he reigned over Judah seven years and six months, and in Jerusalem he reigned 33 years over all Israel and Judah.
Securing Jerusalem
6 Now the king and his soldiers marched to Jerusalem against the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the region. But they said to David, “You’ll never get in here! Even the blind and the lame could ward you off,” thinking, “David can’t get in here.” 7 Nevertheless, David did capture the stronghold of Zion (that is, the City of David). 8 On that day David said, “Whoever would conquer the Jebusites must strike through the water shaft to those ‘lame and blind’ whom David’s soul despises.” That is why they used to say, “The blind or lame couldn’t get into the house.” 9 So David occupied the stronghold and renamed it the City of David. Then David fortified it all round from the Millo inward. 10 David continued to grow stronger, for Adonai Elohim-Tzva’ot was with him.
11 Then King Hiram of Tyre sent envoys to David with cedar logs, carpenters and masons; and they built a palace for David. 12 David then realized that Adonai had established him as king over Israel, and that He had exalted his kingdom for the sake of His people Israel.
13 Then David took more concubines and wives from Jerusalem, after he came from Hebron, and more sons and daughters were born to David. 14 Now 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.
Master of Breakthroughs
17 Now when the Philistines heard that David was anointed king over Israel, all the Philistines marched up searching for David. When David heard about it, he went down to the stronghold. 18 The Philistines came and spread out in the valley of Rephaim. 19 Then David inquired of Adonai saying, “Should I go up against the Philistines? Will You give them over into my hand?”
Adonai answered David, “Go up, for I will certainly give the Philistines over into your hand.”
20 So David came to Baal-perazim[a] and David struck them down there. So he said, “Adonai has broken through my enemies before me like the breakthrough of waters!” That is why he named that place Baal-perazim. 21 They abandoned their idols there, so David and his men removed them.
22 But the Philistines marched up and spread out in the valley of Rephaim again. 23 When David inquired of Adonai, He said, “Do not go up; instead circle around behind them and attack them in front of the balsam trees. 24 Now it will be when you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, then you must act, for then Adonai will have gone out before you to strike the camp of the Philistines. 25 David did just as Adonai had commanded him, and he struck down the Philistines from Geba as far as Gezer.
Footnotes
- 2 Samuel 5:20 Meaning, Master of breakthroughs.
2 Samuel 5
King James Version
5 Then came all the tribes of Israel to David unto Hebron, and spake, saying, Behold, we are thy bone and thy flesh.
2 Also in time past, when Saul was king over us, thou wast he that leddest out and broughtest in Israel: and the Lord said to thee, Thou shalt feed my people Israel, and thou shalt be a captain over Israel.
3 So all the elders of Israel came to the king to Hebron; and king David made a league with them in Hebron before the Lord: and they anointed David king over Israel.
4 David was thirty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned forty years.
5 In Hebron he reigned over Judah seven years and six months: and in Jerusalem he reigned thirty and three years over all Israel and Judah.
6 And the king and his men went to Jerusalem unto the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land: which spake unto David, saying, Except thou take away the blind and the lame, thou shalt not come in hither: thinking, David cannot come in hither.
7 Nevertheless David took the strong hold of Zion: the same is the city of David.
8 And David said on that day, Whosoever getteth up to the gutter, and smiteth the Jebusites, and the lame and the blind that are hated of David's soul, he shall be chief and captain. Wherefore they said, The blind and the lame shall not come into the house.
9 So David dwelt in the fort, and called it the city of David. And David built round about from Millo and inward.
10 And David went on, and grew great, and the Lord God of hosts was with him.
11 And Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, and cedar trees, and carpenters, and masons: and they built David an house.
12 And David perceived that the Lord had established him king over Israel, and that he had exalted his kingdom for his people Israel's sake.
13 And David took him more concubines and wives out of Jerusalem, after he was come from Hebron: and there were yet sons and daughters born to David.
14 And these be the names of those that were born unto him in Jerusalem; Shammuah, and Shobab, and Nathan, and Solomon,
15 Ibhar also, and Elishua, and Nepheg, and Japhia,
16 And Elishama, and Eliada, and Eliphalet.
17 But when the Philistines heard that they had anointed David king over Israel, all the Philistines came up to seek David; and David heard of it, and went down to the hold.
18 The Philistines also came and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim.
19 And David enquired of the Lord, saying, Shall I go up to the Philistines? wilt thou deliver them into mine hand? And the Lord said unto David, Go up: for I will doubtless deliver the Philistines into thine hand.
20 And David came to Baalperazim, and David smote them there, and said, The Lord hath broken forth upon mine enemies before me, as the breach of waters. Therefore he called the name of that place Baalperazim.
21 And there they left their images, and David and his men burned them.
22 And the Philistines came up yet again, and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim.
23 And when David enquired of the Lord, he said, Thou shalt not go up; but fetch a compass behind them, and come upon them over against the mulberry trees.
24 And let it be, when thou hearest the sound of a going in the tops of the mulberry trees, that then thou shalt bestir thyself: for then shall the Lord go out before thee, to smite the host of the Philistines.
25 And David did so, as the Lord had commanded him; and smote the Philistines from Geba until thou come to Gazer.
2 Samuel 5
New King James Version
David Reigns over All Israel(A)
5 Then all the tribes of Israel (B)came to David at Hebron and spoke, saying, “Indeed (C)we are your bone and your flesh. 2 Also, in time past, when Saul was king over us, (D)you were the one who led Israel out and brought them in; and the Lord said to you, (E)‘You shall shepherd My people Israel, and be ruler over Israel.’ ” 3 (F)Therefore all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron, (G)and King David made a covenant with them at Hebron (H)before the Lord. And they anointed David king over Israel. 4 David was (I)thirty years old when he began to reign, and (J)he reigned forty years. 5 In Hebron he reigned over Judah (K)seven years and six months, and in Jerusalem he reigned thirty-three years over all Israel and Judah.
The Conquest of Jerusalem(L)
6 (M)And the king and his men went to Jerusalem against (N)the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land, who spoke to David, saying, “You shall not come in here; but the blind and the lame will repel you,” thinking, “David cannot come in here.” 7 Nevertheless David took the stronghold of Zion (O)(that is, the City of David).
8 Now David said on that day, “Whoever climbs up by way of the water shaft and defeats the Jebusites (the lame and the blind, who are hated by David’s soul), (P)he shall be chief and captain.” Therefore they say, “The blind and the lame shall not come into the house.”
9 Then David dwelt in the stronghold, and called it (Q)the City of David. And David built all around from [a]the Millo and inward. 10 So David went on and became great, and (R)the Lord God of hosts was with (S)him.
11 Then (T)Hiram (U)king of Tyre sent messengers to David, and cedar trees, and carpenters and masons. And they built David a house. 12 So David knew that the Lord had established him as king over Israel, and that He had (V)exalted His kingdom (W)for the sake of His people Israel.
13 And (X)David took more concubines and wives from Jerusalem, after he had come from Hebron. Also more sons and daughters were born to David. 14 Now (Y)these are the names of those who were born to him in Jerusalem: [b]Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, (Z)Solomon, 15 Ibhar, [c]Elishua, Nepheg, Japhia, 16 Elishama, Eliada, and Eliphelet.
The Philistines Defeated(AA)
17 (AB)Now when the Philistines heard that they had anointed David king over Israel, all the Philistines went up to search for David. And David heard of it (AC)and went down to the stronghold. 18 The Philistines also went and deployed themselves in (AD)the Valley of Rephaim. 19 So David (AE)inquired of the Lord, saying, “Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will You deliver them into my hand?”
And the Lord said to David, “Go up, for I will doubtless deliver the Philistines into your hand.”
20 So David went to (AF)Baal Perazim, and David defeated them there; and he said, “The Lord has broken through my enemies before me, like a breakthrough of water.” Therefore he called the name of that place [d]Baal Perazim. 21 And they left their [e]images there, and David and his men (AG)carried them away.
22 (AH)Then the Philistines went up once again and deployed themselves in the Valley of Rephaim. 23 Therefore (AI)David inquired of the Lord, and He said, “You shall not go up; circle around behind them, and come upon them in front of the mulberry trees. 24 And it shall be, when you (AJ)hear the sound of marching in the tops of the mulberry trees, then you shall advance quickly. For then (AK)the Lord will go out before you to strike the camp of the Philistines.” 25 And David did so, as the Lord commanded him; and he drove back the Philistines from (AL)Geba[f] as far as (AM)Gezer.
Footnotes
- 2 Samuel 5:9 Lit. The Landfill
- 2 Samuel 5:14 Shimea, 1 Chr. 3:5
- 2 Samuel 5:15 Elishama, 1 Chr. 3:6
- 2 Samuel 5:20 Lit. Master of Breakthroughs
- 2 Samuel 5:21 idols
- 2 Samuel 5:25 So with MT, Tg., Vg.; LXX Gibeon
2 Samuel 5
English Standard Version
David Anointed King of Israel
5 Then all the tribes of Israel (A)came to David at Hebron and said, “Behold, (B)we are your bone and flesh. 2 In times past, when Saul was king over us, (C)it was you who led out and brought in Israel. And the Lord said to you, (D)‘You shall be shepherd of my people Israel, and you shall be prince[a] over Israel.’” 3 So all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron, (E)and King David made a covenant with them at Hebron (F)before the Lord, and they anointed David king over Israel. 4 David was thirty years old when he began to reign, and (G)he reigned forty years. 5 (H)At Hebron he reigned over Judah (I)seven years and six months, and at Jerusalem he reigned over all Israel and Judah thirty-three years.[b]
6 (J)And the king and his men went to Jerusalem (K)against the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land, who said to David, “You will not come in here, but the blind and the lame will ward you off”—thinking, “David cannot come in here.” 7 Nevertheless, David took the stronghold of Zion, (L)that is, the city of David. 8 And David said on that day, “Whoever would strike the Jebusites, let him get up the water shaft to attack ‘the lame and the blind,’ who are hated by David's soul.” Therefore it is said, “The blind and the lame shall not come into the house.” 9 And David lived in the stronghold and called it (M)the city of David. And David built the city all around from the (N)Millo inward. 10 And David became greater and greater, for the Lord, the God of hosts, was with him.
11 (O)And (P)Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, and cedar trees, also carpenters and masons who built David a house. 12 And David knew that the Lord had established him king over Israel, and that he had exalted his kingdom for the sake of his people Israel.
13 And David took more (Q)concubines and wives from Jerusalem, after he came from Hebron, and more sons and daughters were born to David. 14 (R)And 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.
David Defeats the Philistines
17 When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over Israel, all the Philistines went up to search for David. But David heard of it and went down (S)to the stronghold. 18 Now the Philistines had come and spread out in (T)the Valley of Rephaim. 19 And David (U)inquired of the Lord, “Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will you give them into my hand?” And the Lord said to David, “Go up, for I will certainly give the Philistines into your hand.” 20 And David came to Baal-perazim, and David defeated them there. And he said, “The Lord has broken through my enemies before me like a breaking flood.” (V)Therefore the name of that place is called Baal-perazim.[c] 21 And the Philistines left their idols there, and David and his men carried them away.
22 And the Philistines came up yet again (W)and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim. 23 (X)And when David inquired of the Lord, he said, “You shall not go up; go around to their rear, and come against them opposite the balsam trees. 24 And (Y)when you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, then rouse yourself, (Z)for then the Lord has gone out before you to strike down the army of the Philistines.” 25 And David did as the Lord commanded him, and struck down the Philistines from Geba (AA)to Gezer.
Footnotes
- 2 Samuel 5:2 Or leader
- 2 Samuel 5:5 Dead Sea Scroll lacks verses 4–5
- 2 Samuel 5:20 Baal-perazim means Lord of breaking through
Tree of Life (TLV) Translation of the Bible. Copyright © 2015 by The Messianic Jewish Family Bible Society.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. ESV Text Edition: 2025.
