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The Israelites Make David King

All the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron. They said to David, “Look, we are one family[a]! Even when Saul was our king, you were the one who led us into battle. And you were the one who brought Israel back home from war. The Lord himself said to you, ‘You will be the shepherd of my people, the Israelites. You will be the ruler over Israel.’”

So all the leaders of Israel came to meet with King David at Hebron. He made an agreement with them in Hebron in front of the Lord, and they anointed David to be the king of Israel.

David was 30 years old when he began to rule. He was king for 40 years. In Hebron he ruled over Judah for 7 years and 6 months, and in Jerusalem he ruled over all Israel and Judah for 33 years.

David Captures Jerusalem

The king and his men went to fight against the Jebusites living in Jerusalem. The Jebusites said to David, “You cannot come into our city.[b] Even our blind and crippled people can stop you.” (They said this because they thought that David would not be able to enter into their city. But David did take the fort of Zion. This fort became the City of David.)

That day David said to his men, “Whenever you strike at the Jebusites, aim for the throat and kill them.”[c] David said this because he hates to have people left who are crippled and blind. That is why people now say, “The lame and blind are not allowed in the temple.[d]

David lived in the fort and called it “The City of David.” David built up the city from the Millo[e] inward.[f] 10 He became stronger and stronger because the Lord All-Powerful was with him.

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Footnotes

  1. 2 Samuel 5:1 one family Literally, “your flesh and blood.”
  2. 2 Samuel 5:6 You cannot come … city The city of Jerusalem was built on a hill. It had high walls around it, making it hard to capture.
  3. 2 Samuel 5:8 Whenever … kill them Or “Whoever wants to attack the Jebusites must go through the shaft.” This might refer to a tunnel or shaft leading up into the city through Gihon Spring, which was outside the city walls.
  4. 2 Samuel 5:8 temple Or “the king’s palace.”
  5. 2 Samuel 5:9 Millo This is probably the stone foundation walls that were built on the steep slopes on the east side of the City of David.
  6. 2 Samuel 5:9 inward Or “toward the Temple.”

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