2 Samuel 5:11-25

English Standard Version

^11 (A)And ^(B)Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, and cedar trees, also carpenters and masons who built David a house. ¹² And David knew that the Lord had established him king over Israel, and that he had exalted his kingdom for the sake of his people Israel.

¹³ And David took more ^(C)concubines and wives from Jerusalem, after he came from Hebron, and more sons and daughters were born to David. ^14 (D)And these are the names of those who were born to him in Jerusalem: Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon, ¹⁵ Ibhar, Elishua, Nepheg, Japhia, ¹⁶ Elishama, Eliada, and Eliphelet.

David Defeats the Philistines

¹⁷ When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over Israel, all the Philistines went up to search for David. But David heard of it and went down ^(E)to the stronghold. ¹⁸ Now the Philistines had come and spread out in ^(F)the Valley of Rephaim. ¹⁹ And David ^(G)inquired of the Lord, “Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will you give them into my hand?” And the Lord said to David, “Go up, for I will certainly give the Philistines into your hand.” ²⁰ And David came to Baal-perazim, and David defeated them there. And he said, “The Lord has broken through my enemies before me like a breaking flood.” ^(H)Therefore the name of that place is called Baal-perazim.^{[a] 21} And the Philistines left their idols there, and David and his men carried them away.

²² And the Philistines came up yet again ^(I)and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim. ^23 (J)And when David inquired of the Lord, he said, “You shall not go up; go around to their rear, and come against them opposite the balsam trees. ²⁴ And ^(K)when you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, then rouse yourself, ^(L)for then the Lord has gone out before you to strike down the army of the Philistines.” ²⁵ And David did as the Lord commanded him, and struck down the Philistines from Geba ^(M)to Gezer.