David Anointed King of Israel
1 zThen all the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron and said, “Behold, awe are your bone and flesh. 2 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 bprince1 over Israel.’” 3 So all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron, and King David cmade a covenant with them at Hebron before the Lord, and they anointed David king over Israel. 4 David was dthirty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned forty years. 5 At Hebron he reigned over Judah seven years and six months, and at Jerusalem he reigned over all Israel and Judah thirty-three years.2
6 eAnd the king and his men went to Jerusalem against the Jebusites, fthe inhabitants of the land, 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.” 7 Nevertheless, David took the gstronghold of Zion, that is, the city of David. 8 And David said on that day, “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.” Therefore it is said, “The blind and the lame shall not come into the house.” 9 And David lived in the stronghold and called it the city of David. And David built the city all around from the Millo inward. 10 hAnd David became greater and greater, for the Lord, the God of hosts, was iwith him.
11 jAnd kHiram 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 lexalted his kingdom for the sake of his people Israel.
13 And David took mmore concubines and wives from Jerusalem, after he came from Hebron, and more sons and daughters were born to David. 14 nAnd 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 oWhen 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 to the stronghold. 18 Now the Philistines had come and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim. 19 And David pinquired 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 qBaal-perazim, and David defeated them there. And he said, “The Lord has broken through my enemies before me like a breaking flood.” Therefore the name of that place is called Baal-perazim.3 21 And the Philistines left their idols there, and David and his men carried them away.
22 And the Philistines came up yet again and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim. 23 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 when you rhear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, then rouse yourself, for then the Lord has sgone 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 to Gezer.
Food Offered to Idols
1 oNow concerning1 pfood offered to qidols: we know that “all of us possess knowledge.” This “knowledge” rpuffs up, but love sbuilds up. 2 tIf anyone imagines that he knows something, he does not yet know as he ought to know. 3 But if anyone loves God, he is uknown by God.2
4 Therefore, as to the eating of food offered to idols, we know that v“an idol has no real existence,” and that “there is no God but wone.” 5 For although there may be xso-called gods in heaven or on earth—as indeed there are many “gods” and many “lords”— 6 yet for us there is one God, the Father, yfrom whom are all things and for whom we exist, and zone Lord, Jesus Christ, athrough whom are all things and through whom we exist.
7 bHowever, not all possess this knowledge. But some, through former association with idols, eat food as really offered to an idol, and their conscience, being cweak, is defiled. 8 dFood will not commend us to God. We are no worse off if we do not eat, and no better off if we do. 9 But etake care that this right of yours does not somehow become a fstumbling block to the weak. 10 For if anyone sees you who have knowledge eating3 in an idol’s temple, will he not be encouraged,4 if his conscience is weak, to eat food offered to idols? 11 gAnd so by your knowledge this weak person is destroyed, the brother for whom Christ died. 12 Thus, sinning against your brothers5 and wounding their conscience when it is weak, hyou sin against Christ. 13 Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble.
