2 Samuel 5:1-12 ▼

1 And all the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron, and they spoke, saying, “Indeed we are your bone and your flesh.

2 Also formerly, even heretofore, when Saul was king over us, you were the one who led out and brought in Israel. And YHWH said to you, ‘You shall shepherd My people Israel, and you shall be ruler over Israel.’”

3 And all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron. And King David cut with them a covenant at Hebron before the face of YHWH, and they anointed David king over Israel.

4 David was a son of thirty years when he began to reign; forty years he reigned.

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

6 And the king and his men went to Jerusalem against the Jebusite, the dweller of the land, and he spoke to David, saying, “You shall not come in here, for but the blind and the lame will repel you.” They said, “David cannot come in here.”

7 And David took the stronghold of Zion (that is, the City of David).

8 and David said on that day, “Whoever strikes the Jebusite, let him go up by the water shaft (and the lame and the blind who are hated by the soul of David).” And upon thus they say, “The blind and the lame shall not come into the house.”

9 And David dwelt in the stronghold, and he called it the City of David. And David built all around from the Millo and inward.

10 And David went on, going on and becoming great, and YHWH, God of Hosts, was with him.

11 And Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, and cedar trees, and carpenters, and artificers of stone for walls, and they built a house for David.

12 And David knew that YHWH had established him as king over Israel, and that He had lifted up his kingdom for the sake of His people Israel.