Study Desk

All the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron^(a) and said, "Here we are, your own flesh and blood.^[a](b)

Even while Saul was king over us, you were the one who led us out to battle and brought us back.^(c) The Lord also said to you, ‘You will shepherd My people Israel and be ruler over Israel.'"

So all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron. King David made a covenant with them^(d) at Hebron in the Lord 's presence, and they anointed David king over Israel.

David was 30 years old when he began his reign;^(e) he reigned 40 years.

In Hebron he reigned over Judah seven years and six months, and in Jerusalem he reigned 33 years over all Israel and Judah.

The king and his men marched to Jerusalem against the Jebusites^(f) 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."

Yet David did capture the stronghold of Zion, that is, the city of David.^(g)

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."^[b] For this reason it is said, "The blind and the lame will never enter the house."^[c]

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.

David became more and more powerful,^(h) and the Lord God of Hosts was with him.⁽ⁱ⁾