2 Samuel 5:1-9 ▼

1 All the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron and said, “ Here we are, your own flesh and blood.

2 Even while Saul was king over us, you were the one who led us out to battle and brought us back. The LORD also 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. King David made a covenant with them at Hebron in the LORD’s presence, and they anointed David king over Israel.

4 David was 30 years old when he began his reign; 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.

6 The king and his men marched to Jerusalem against the Jebusites 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.”

7 Yet David did capture the stronghold of Zion, that is, the city of David.

8 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.” For this reason it is said, “ The blind and the lame will never enter the house.”

9 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 .