11:1 All Israel joined David at Hebron and said, “Look, we are your very flesh and blood! 1 11:2 In the past, even when Saul was king, you were Israel’s commanding general. 2 The Lord your God said to you, ‘You will shepherd my people Israel; you will rule over my people Israel.’” 11:3 When all the leaders 3 of Israel came to the king at Hebron, David made an agreement 4 with them in Hebron before the Lord. They anointed 5 David king over Israel, just as the Lord had announced through Samuel. 6
11:4 David and the whole Israelite army 7 advanced to Jerusalem (that is, Jebus). 8 (The Jebusites, the land’s original inhabitants, lived there.) 9 11:5 The residents of Jebus said to David, “You cannot invade this place!” But David captured the fortress of Zion (that is, the City of David). 11:6 10 David said, “Whoever attacks 11 the Jebusites first will become commanding general!” 12 So Joab son of Zeruiah attacked 13 first and became commander. 14 11:7 David lived in the fortress; for this reason it is called the City of David. 11:8 He built up the city around it, from the terrace to the surrounding walls; 15 Joab restored the rest of the city. 11:9 David’s power steadily grew, for the Lord who commands armies was with him. 16
11:10 These were the leaders of David’s warriors who helped establish and stabilize his rule over all Israel, in accordance with the Lord’s word. 17