After Saul’s son 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’s movements even when Saul was king. They recalled God’s words that David would shepherd and rule Israel. David made a covenant with them 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 built up the city inward and outward, and 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.
They returned and spread through the valley again. This time God told David not to attack directly, but to circle behind them and wait opposite the balsam trees. When David heard the sound of marching in the tops of the trees, he was to move. David did as commanded and struck the Philistines from Gibeon to Gezer.
After taking Zion, David made it his residence, and it became the City of David. He built from the Millo inward and strengthened the city. The captured stronghold became the place from which he ruled the tribes that had come to him at Hebron.
After the first battle the Philistines returned to the valley. David did not simply repeat his first move. He asked God again and was told to circle behind them and wait near the balsam trees. Only when he heard the sound in the treetops did he lead the attack.