[1] King Hiram of Tyre sent some officials to David. They brought along carpenters and stone workers, and enough cedar logs to build David a palace. [2] David now knew that the LORD had made him a powerful king of Israel for the good of his people. [3] After David moved to Jerusalem, he married more women and had more sons and daughters. [4] His children born there were Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon, Ibhar, Elishua, Elpelet, Nogah, Nepheg, Japhia, Elishama, Beeliada, and Eliphelet. [8] When the Philistines heard that David had become king of Israel, they came to capture him. But David heard about their plan and marched out to meet them in battle. [9] The Philistines had already camped in Rephaim Valley and were raiding the nearby villages. [10] David asked God, "Should I attack the Philistines? Will you help me win?" The LORD told David, "Yes, attack them! I will give you victory." [11] David and his army marched to Baal-Perazim, where they attacked and defeated the Philistines. He said, "I defeated my enemies because God broke through them like a mighty flood." So he named the place "The Lord Broke Through." [12] Then David ordered his troops to burn the idols that the Philistines had left behind. [13] Some time later, the Philistines came back into the hill country and camped in Rephaim Valley. [14] David asked God what he should do, and God answered, "Don't attack them from the front. Circle around behind them where the balsam trees are. [15] Wait there until you hear the treetops making the sound of marching troops. That sound will mean I have marched out ahead of you to fight the Philistine army. So you must then attack quickly!" [16] David obeyed God and he defeated the Philistines. He even chased them all the way from Gibeon to the entrance to Gezer. [17] From then on, David became even more famous, and the LORD made all the nations afraid of him.
