David’s kingship established in Jerusalem

¹Tyre’s King Hiram sent messengers to David with cedar logs, bricklayers, and carpenters to build David a palace.

²Then David knew that the LORD had established him as king over Israel, and that his kingship was held in great honor for the sake of his people Israel.

³David married more secondary wives in Jerusalem and fathered more sons and daughters.

⁴The names of his children in Jerusalem were as follows: Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon,

⁵Ibhar, Elishua, Elpelet,

⁶Nogah, Nepheg, Japhia,

⁷Elishama, Beeliada, and Eliphelet.

David defeats the Philistines

⁸When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over all Israel, they all marched up to find him. David heard this and went out to confront them.

⁹The Philistines had invaded and were plundering the Rephaim Valley.

¹⁰David asked God for advice: “Should I attack the Philistines, and will you hand them over to me?”

The LORD answered, “Attack them, and I’ll definitely hand them over to you.”

¹¹So they marched up to Baal-perazim, and David defeated them there. “By my strength,” David exclaimed, “God has burst out against my enemies, the way water bursts out.” That’s why the place is called Baal-perazim.[#14.11 Or master of outbursts]

¹²The Philistines left their divine images behind, and David ordered them burned.

¹³When the Philistines plundered the valley a second time,

¹⁴David again asked God’s advice, but God answered, “Don’t attack them directly. Circle around behind them and come at them from in front of the balsam trees.

¹⁵As soon as you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the trees, then attack, for God has attacked in front of you to defeat the Philistine army.”

¹⁶David followed God’s orders exactly, and they defeated the Philistine army from Gibeon all the way to Gezer.

¹⁷David’s fame spread throughout all lands, and the LORD made all the nations fear him.