2 Samuel

Focuses on King David's reign, his troubles, successes, and the promise of his dynasty.

Chapter 5

1 Then came all the tribes of Israel to David unto Hebron, and spake, saying, Behold, we are thy bone and thy flesh.

*Then, all the Israel tribes went to David in Hebron and said, "We are your family, like bones and flesh."

2 Also in time past, when Saul was king over us, thou wast he that leddest out and broughtest in Israel: and the LORD said to thee, Thou shalt feed my people Israel, and thou shalt be a captain over Israel.

*In the past, when King Saul ruled, you were the one who led and brought back Israel. The Lord told you that you would take care of his people Israel and be their leader.

3 So all the elders of Israel came to the king to Hebron; and king David made a league with them in Hebron before the LORD: and they anointed David king over Israel.

*All the older people of Israel went to see King David in Hebron. There, he made a promise with them in front of God. They also officially made him the king of Israel.

4 David was thirty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned forty years.

*David became king at age 30 and ruled for 40 years.

5 In Hebron he reigned over Judah seven years and six months: and in Jerusalem he reigned thirty and three years over all Israel and Judah.

*In Hebron, a king ruled over Judah for seven years and six months. Later, in Jerusalem, he ruled over all Israel and Judah for thirty-three years.

6 And the king and his men went to Jerusalem unto the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land: which spake unto David, saying, Except thou take away the blind and the lame, thou shalt not come in hither: thinking, David cannot come in hither.

*The king and his group traveled to Jerusalem to meet the Jebusites, who lived there. They told David that he couldn't enter unless he removed the blind and lame people. They thought this would prevent David from entering.

7 Nevertheless David took the strong hold of Zion: the same is the city of David.

*However, David captured the fortress of Zion: it's also known as the city of David.

8 And David said on that day, Whosoever getteth up to the gutter, and smiteth the Jebusites, and the lame and the blind, that are hated of David’s soul, he shall be chief and captain. Wherefore they said, The blind and the lame shall not come into the house.

*On that day, David said that anyone who climbs up to the gutter and defeats the Jebusites, as well as the lame and blind whom he really doesn't like, would become the leader. So, they decided that those who are blind or lame shouldn't enter the house.

9 So David dwelt in the fort, and called it the city of David. And David built round about from Millo and inward.

*So David lived in the stronghold and named it City of David. He also constructed around it, from Millo to its center.

10 And David went on, and grew great, and the LORD God of hosts was with him.

*David continued, became very successful, and the Lord Almighty supported him.

11 And Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, and cedar trees, and carpenters, and masons: and they built David an house.

*Hiram, the king of Tyre, sent messengers, cedar trees, carpenters, and masons to David, and they constructed a house for him.

12 And David perceived that the LORD had established him king over Israel, and that he had exalted his kingdom for his people Israel’s sake.

*David understood that God made him king of Israel and raised his kingdom to benefit the people of Israel.

13 And David took him more concubines and wives out of Jerusalem, after he was come from Hebron: and there were yet sons and daughters born to David.

*David got more wives and concubines from Jerusalem after coming back from Hebron, and more children were born to him.

14 And these be the names of those that were born unto him in Jerusalem; Shammuah, and Shobab, and Nathan, and Solomon,

*These are the names of the children born to him in Jerusalem: Shammuah, Shobab, Nathan, and Solomon.

15 Ibhar also, and Elishua, and Nepheg, and Japhia,

*Forward were Ibhar, Elishua, Nepheg, and Japhia.

16 And Elishama, and Eliada, and Eliphalet.

*Elishama, Eliada, and Eliphalet.

17 But when the Philistines heard that they had anointed David king over Israel, all the Philistines came up to seek David; and David heard of it, and went down to the hold.

*When the Philistines learned that David was made king in Israel, they all came to find him. Hearing this, David went to a fortified place.

18 The Philistines also came and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim.

*The Philistines arrived and took over the Valley of Rephaim.

19 And David enquired of the LORD, saying, Shall I go up to the Philistines? wilt thou deliver them into mine hand? And the LORD said unto David, Go up: for I will doubtless deliver the Philistines into thine hand.

*David asked God if he should attack the Philistines and if God would help him win. God replied, "Yes, go ahead because I will definitely make the Philistines fall into your hands."

20 And David came to Baalperazim, and David smote them there, and said, The LORD hath broken forth upon mine enemies before me, as the breach of waters. Therefore he called the name of that place Baalperazim.

*David arrived at Baalperazim and defeated them there. He said, "The Lord has defeated my enemies in front of me, like a flood breaking through." That's why he named the place Baalperazim.

21 And there they left their images, and David and his men burned them.

*There, they abandoned their statues, and David along with his group burned them.

22 And the Philistines came up yet again, and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim.

*The Philistines attacked again and spread out in the Rephaim Valley.

23 And when David enquired of the LORD, he said, Thou shalt not go up; but fetch a compass behind them, and come upon them over against the mulberry trees.

*When David asked the Lord for guidance, He replied that they should not advance directly. Instead, they should go around the enemy's position and approach from behind the mulberry trees.

24 And let it be, when thou hearest the sound of a going in the tops of the mulberry trees, that then thou shalt bestir thyself: for then shall the LORD go out before thee, to smite the host of the Philistines.

*If you hear a noise at the top of the mulberry trees, get ready because God will help you fight against the Philistine army.

25 And David did so, as the LORD had commanded him; and smote the Philistines from Geba until thou come to Gazer.

*And David followed the Lord's instructions; he fought and defeated the Philistines from Geba to Gazer.

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