After Saul’s son Ish-bosheth died, all Israel’s tribes came to David at Hebron. They said they were his own flesh and blood and remembered that he had led Israel even when Saul was king. They recalled God’s words that David would shepherd and rule Israel. David made a covenant with the elders before the LORD at Hebron, and they anointed him king over Israel.
David was thirty when he became king and ruled for forty years. He first ruled Judah from Hebron, then all Israel and Judah from Jerusalem. David led his men against the Jebusites in Jerusalem. Though they claimed he could not enter, David captured the stronghold of Zion, which became known as the City of David.
David lived in the stronghold and built around from Millo inward. His power increased because God was with him. Hiram king of Tyre sent envoys, cedar timber, carpenters, and masons to build David a house. David understood that God had established him as king over Israel and had lifted up his kingdom for the sake of the people.
When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king, they came up to seize him. David went down to the stronghold, while the Philistines spread through the Valley of Rephaim. David asked whether he should attack. God told him to go, and David struck them at Baal-perazim, saying God had burst through his enemies like bursting waters. The Philistines fled, leaving their images behind.
The Philistines returned and spread through the valley again. This time God told David not to go up against them, but to circle behind them and attack opposite the mulberry trees. When he heard marching in the treetops, he was to move, for God would have gone ahead of him to strike their army. David did as commanded and struck the Philistines from Geba to Gezer.