All the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron and said, "Behold, we are your bone and flesh. In times past, when Saul was king over us, it was you who led out and brought in Israel. And the LORD said to you, 'You shall be shepherd of my people Israel, and you shall be prince over Israel.'" So the elders made a covenant with David and anointed him king over Israel.
He and his men went to Jerusalem against the Jebusite inhabitants who said to David, "You will not come in here, but the blind and the lame will ward you off"--thinking, "David cannot come in here." David said, "Whoever would strike the Jebusites, let him get up the water shaft to attack 'the lame and the blind,' who are hated by David's soul," and defeated them. Therefore it is said, "The blind and the lame shall not come into the house." David lived in the stronghold and called it the city of David. And David built the city all around from the Millo inward. And David became greater and greater for the LORD, the God of hosts, was with him.
Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David and cedar trees and carpenters and masons who built David a house. David knew the LORD had established him king over Israel, and that he had exalted the kingdom for the sake of his people.
David took more concubines and wives from Jerusalem, and more sons and daughters were born to him.
When the Philistines learned David was king, they came out, and David went down to the stronghold. They spread out in the Valley of Rephaim, so David inquired of the LORD whether he should go up and win, and he defeated them at Baal-perazim, the name taken from David's words that "The LORD has burst through my enemies before me like a bursting flood" and carried away their idols. Then, again, they came out in the Valley of Rephaim, and the LORD had David defeat them from the rear and come against them opposite the balsam trees. When he hears the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, rouse himself, for the LORD has gone out before David's army to strike down the army of the Philistines. David obeyed struck them down from Geba to Gezer.
(2 Samuel 5)
David brings the Ark to Jerusalem
David gathered all the chosen men of Israel, 30,000, to bring the ark of God from Baale-judah out of Abinadab's house to Jerusalem. Abinadab's sons brought it on a new cart, Ahio in the front, and Uzzah driving. David and all the house of Israel were making merry before the LORD with songs, lyres, harps, tambourines, castanets, and cymbals. When they came to the threshing floor of Nacon, the oxen stumbled and Uzzah put his hand to the ark and held it, so God struck him down for his error. David was angry, and the place is called Perez-uzzah even still in the days of 2 Samuel. David asked, "How can the ark of the LORD come to me?" So he took it aside to the house of Obed-edom the Gittite for three months.
When David heard, "The LORD has blessed the household of Obed-edom and all that belongs to him, because of the ark of God," David brought it from Obed-edom's house to the city of David. After the ark moved six steps, David sacrificed an ox and a fattened animal and danced before the LORD with all his might in his linen ephod, and all the house of Israel was shouting with the sound of the horn.
Michal watched from her window and despised David. David had the ark set in a tent he had pitched for it and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings then blessed the people in the name of the LORD of hoses and distributed all men and women of Israel a cake of bread, a portion of meat, a cake of raisins, and each departed to his house.
David returned to bless his household, but Michal came out to meet David, saying, "How the king of Israel honored himself today, uncovering himself today before the eyes of his servants' female servants, as one of the vulgar fellows shamelessly uncovers himself!" And David said to Michal, "It was before the LORD, who chose me above your father and above all his house, to appoint me as prince over Israel, the people of the LORD--and I will make merry before the LORD. I will make myself yet more contemptible than this, and I will be abased in your eyes. But by the female servants of whom you have spoken, by them I shall be held in honor." And Michal had no child to the day of her death.
(2 Samuel 6)
David will not build the LORD's house, but the LORD will build his house
Israel had rest from his surrounding enemies. David told Nathan the prophet that he noticed his cedar house compared to the ark's tent. Nathan told him to do what is in his heart for the LORD is with him.
Then Nathan told David what the LORD had told Nathan that same night: He has lived in a tent since Egypt and never asked for a house. He took David from the pasture, from following sheep, to be prince over Israel, and the LORD had been with him wherever he went and had cut off all his enemies. He will give David a great name like the great ones of the earth. And He will appoint a place for his people Israel so they may dwell and be disturbed no more. The LORD will make David a house. When he dies, He will establish the throne of his offspring forever. "I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son. When he commits iniquity, I will discipline him with the rod of men, with the stripes of the sons of men, but my steadfast love will not depart from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away from before you."
Then David went in and sat before the LORD and asked who he is and what is his house, that he was brought thus far. He said there is no one like God and His people Israel. God redeems His people, makes Himself a name, and does great and awesome things for them. He established for Himself His people Israel to be His people forever. David asked the LORD to confirm forever the word He spoke. You are God, Your words are true, and if it please You, bless the house of your servant David so it may continue forever before You.
David's enemies become his servants
After this, the LORD gave victory to David wherever he went.
David defeated the Philistines and subdued them, and David took Metheg-ammah out of their hands.
He defeated Moab and measured them with a line, making them lie down on the ground. Two lines were put to death, and one was spared and became servants to David and brought tribute.
David defeated Hadadezer the son of Rehob, king of Zobah, as he went to restore his power at the river Euphrates. David took from him 1,700 horsemen, and 20,000 foot soldiers. He hamstrung all the chariot horses but left enough for 100 chariots. When the Syrians of Damascus came to help Hadadezer king of Zobah, David stuck down 22,000 of their men. Then David put garrisons in Aram of Damascus, and the Syrians became servants to David and brought tribute. And David took the shields of gold that were carried by the servants of Hadadezer and brought them to Jerusalem. From Betah and Berothai, David took bronze.
Toi king of Hamath sent his son Joram to King David when he heard that his enemy Hadadezer was defeated, along with articles of silver, gold, and bronze. David dedicated these to the LORD with the silver and gold spoils of Edom, Moab, Ammon, Philistia, Amalek, and Hadadezer.
David made a name for himself when he returned from striking down 18,000 Edomites in the Valley of Salt. He put garrisons in Edom and all the Edomites became David's servants.
David administered justice and equity to all his people.
- Over the Army - Joab the son of Zeruiah
- Recorder - Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud
- Priests - Zadok the son of Ahitub, Ahimelech the son of Abiathar, David's sons
- Secretary - Seraiah
- Over the Cherethites and Pelethites - Benaiah the son of Jehoiada
David shows kindness to Mephibosheth on behalf of Jonathan
David asked if there was anyone left of the house of Saul, that he may show him kindness for Jonathan's sake. Ziba, a servant of Saul's house, told him of a son of Jonathan, crippled in his feet, who is staying in the house of Machir the son of Ammiel, at Lo-debar. King David sent for him, and Mephibosheth the son of Jonathan fell on his face and paid homage. David told him not to fear, that he will show kindness for sake of his father, and he will restore all the land of Saul and allow him to always eat at his table. Mephibosheth paid homage and asked, "What is your servant, that you should show regard for a dead dog such as I?"
David told Ziba that all that belonged to Saul and his house, he has given to his master's grandson. Ziba and his fifteen sons and twenty servants were to till the land and bring in produce so his master's grandson may eat. But Mephibosheth shall always eat at his table. Ziba agreed.
Mephibosheth ate at David's table like a king's son.
(2 Samuel 9)
King Nahash had dealt loyally with David, so he sent servants to console his son Hanun when he took the throne after his death. However, his servants are sent back with half-shaved beards and their garments cut off in the middle at their hips, greatly ashamed. David had them remain at Jericho until their beards regrew then return.
The Ammonites, Syrians of Beth-rehob and Zobah, 20,000 foot soldiers, men of Maacah, 1,000 men, and men of Tob, 12,000 men, drew up against David at the gate and fled before Joab and Abishai.
When the Syrians were defeated, they gathered themselves together. Hadadezer brought out the Syrians who were beyond the Euphrates under commander Shobach at Helam. King David gathered all Israel against them, crossing the Jordan and meeting them at Helam. The Syrians fled and were defeated by King David, including 700 chariots, 40,000 horsemen, and Shobach. All kings who were servants to Hadadezer made peace with Israel, and the Syrians were afraid to save the Ammonites anymore.