1. Then all the tribes of Israel went to David at Hebron and told him, “We are your own flesh and blood.
2. In the past, when Saul was our king, you were the one who really led the forces of Israel. And the lord told you, ‘You will be the shepherd of my people Israel. You will be Israel’s leader.’”
3. So there at Hebron, King David made a covenant before the lord with all the elders of Israel. And they anointed him king of Israel.
4. David was thirty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned forty years in all.
5. He had reigned over Judah from Hebron for seven years and six months, and from Jerusalem he reigned over all Israel and Judah for thirty-three years.
6. David then led his men to Jerusalem to fight against the Jebusites, the original inhabitants of the land who were living there. The Jebusites taunted David, saying, “You’ll never get in here! Even the blind and lame could keep you out!” For the Jebusites thought they were safe.