1 And Hiram {hiram: Tyrian ally}, king of Tyre, sent messengers to David with cedar timber {arazim: prized lumber}, skilled stonemasons and carpenters, to build a house for him.
2 And David knew that the LORD {YHWH, Kingdom Founder} had established him as king over Israel, for his kingdom had been exalted on high for the sake of his people {am: covenant community} Israel.
3 And David {Dawid: Covenant King} took more wives in Jerusalem, and David fathered more sons {banim: male heirs} and daughters there.
4 And these are the names {shemot: identifying titles} of the children {hayeludim: those brought forth} born to him in Jerusalem: Shammua, Shobab, Natan, and Solomon.
5 And Ibhar, and Elishua {elishua: God Saves}, and Elpelet {elpelet: God Delivers}.
6 And Nogah {nogah: shining brightness}, and Nepheg {nepheg: budding shoot}, and Yaphia.
7 And Elishama {Elishama: God Heard} and Beeliada {Beeliada: Lord Knows} and Eliphelet.
8 And the Philistines {Pelishtim: sea peoples} heard that David had been anointed king over all Israel, and all the Philistines went up to seek David. When David heard of it, he went out against them {lifneihem: to confront directly}.
9 And the Philistines {pelishtim: traditional enemies of Israel} came and raided in the Valley of Rephaim {rephaim: legendary ancient warriors}.
10 And David inquired of God {Elohim, Divine Guide}, saying, “Shall I go up against the Philistines, and will You give them into my hand?” And the LORD {YHWH, Champion Deliverer} said to him, “Go up, and I will give them into your hand.”
11 And they went up to Baal-Perazim, and there David struck them down. Then David said, “God {Elohim, Powerful Deliverer} has broken through my enemies by my hand like a break of waters {mayim: overwhelming force}.” Therefore, they called the name of that place Baal-Perazim.
12 And they abandoned their gods {elohim: disfavored deities} there, and David commanded, and they burned them in the fire {esh: consuming flame}.
13 And the Philistines once again raided {vayyifshatu: swift incursion} the valley {emek: lowland plain}.
14 And David inquired of God {Elohim, Divine Advisor} again, and God said to him, “You shall not go up after them; go around from them and come against them opposite the balsam trees {beka’im: resinous trees}.”
15 And it shall be, when you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, then you shall go out to battle, for God {Elohim, Divine Warrior} has gone out before you to strike the camp {machaneh: military encampment} of the Philistines.
16 And David did just as God {Elohim, Divine Commander} commanded him, and they struck down the camp {machaneh: assembled army} of the Philistines from Gibeon to Gezer.
17 And the name of David went out in all the lands {aratsot: regional domains}, and the LORD {YHWH, Defender of Israel} put his dread upon all the nations.