« | 2 Samuel 5 | » |
1 All the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron. They said to David, "Look, we are one family!
2 Even when Saul was our king, you were the one who led us into battle. And you were the one who brought Israel back home from war. The Lord himself said to you, 'You will be the shepherd of my people, the Israelites. You will be the ruler over Israel.'"
3 So all the leaders of Israel came to meet with King David at Hebron. He made an agreement with them in Hebron in front of the Lord, and they anointed David to be the king of Israel.
4 David was 30 years old when he began to rule. He was king for 40 years.
5 In Hebron he ruled over Judah for 7 years and 6 months, and in Jerusalem he ruled over all Israel and Judah for 33 years.
6 The king and his men went to fight against the Jebusites living in Jerusalem. The Jebusites said to David, "You cannot come into our city. Even our blind and crippled people can stop you." (They said this because they thought that David would not be able to enter into their city.
7 But David did take the fort of Zion. This fort became the City of David. )
8 That day David said to his men, "Whenever you strike at a Jebusite, aim for the throat." David said this because he hates to see people crippled and blinded. That is why people say, "The lame and blind are not allowed in the temple. "
9 David lived in the fort and called it "The City of David." David built up the city from the Millo inward.
10 He became stronger and stronger because the Lord All-Powerful was with him.
11 King Hiram of Tyre sent messengers to David. He also sent cedar trees, carpenters, and stonemasons. They built a house for David.
12 Then David knew that the Lord had really made him king of Israel and had made him ruler over his kingdom for the good of his people, Israel.
13 David moved from Hebron to Jerusalem. In Jerusalem, he got more slave women and wives. So David had more children who were born in Jerusalem.
14 David's sons who were born in Jerusalem are Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon,
15 Ibhar, Elishua, Nepheg, Japhia,
16 Elishama, Eliada, and Eliphelet.
17 When the Philistines heard that the Israelites had anointed David to be the king of Israel, all the Philistines went up to kill him. David heard about this and went down into the fort at Jerusalem.
18 The Philistines came and camped in Rephaim Valley.
19 David asked the Lord, saying, "Should I go up to fight against the Philistines? Will you help me defeat them?" The Lord answered, "Yes, I certainly will help you defeat the Philistines."
20 Then David went to Baal Perazim and defeated the Philistines in that place. He said, "The Lord broke through my enemies like water breaking through a dam." That is why David named that place "Baal Perazim."
21 The Philistines left the statues of their gods behind at Baal Perazim. David and his men took them away.
22 Again the Philistines came up and camped in Rephaim Valley.
23 David prayed to the Lord. This time the Lord told him, "Don't go up the valley. Go around them to the other side of their army. Attack them from the other side of the balsam trees.
24 When you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, you must act quickly because that is the sign that the Lord has gone out in front of you to defeat the Philistines. "
25 David did what the Lord commanded him to do, and he defeated the Philistines. He chased them from Geba to Gezer, killing them all along the way.
The Easy-To-Read Version (ERV)
The Easy-To-Read Version (ERV) is a Bible translation specifically designed to be accessible and comprehensible for people with limited reading skills or those for whom English is a second language. Originally published in 1987 by the World Bible Translation Center, the ERV was initially developed to serve the deaf community, using a simplified vocabulary and straightforward sentence structures. The goal of the ERV is to make the scriptures understandable to a wide range of readers, ensuring that everyone can grasp the essential messages of the Bible without being hindered by complex language or archaic terms.
One of the defining characteristics of the ERV is its commitment to clarity and simplicity. The translators employed a thought-for-thought translation philosophy, focusing on conveying the meaning of the original texts in plain, everyday English. This approach ensures that readers can easily comprehend the Bible’s teachings and narratives, making it a valuable resource for children, new Christians, and those with limited literacy skills. The ERV avoids technical theological terms and instead uses language that is commonly spoken, making it accessible for personal study and public reading alike.
The ERV also pays careful attention to the cultural and contextual nuances of the original manuscripts. The translators sought to present the Bible’s messages in a way that is relevant and meaningful to contemporary readers while maintaining faithfulness to the original texts. This cultural sensitivity helps bridge the gap between ancient scriptures and modern readers, allowing them to connect more deeply with the biblical stories and teachings. Additionally, the ERV includes helpful footnotes and cross-references that provide further explanation and context, enhancing the reader’s understanding of the text.
Despite its strengths, the ERV has faced some criticism from those who prefer more traditional or literal translations. Critics argue that the simplified language and thought-for-thought approach can sometimes result in a loss of depth and richness found in the original texts. Some theologians believe that the ERV’s emphasis on accessibility may lead to oversimplification of complex theological concepts. Nonetheless, the Easy-To-Read Version remains a highly valuable translation for its target audience, offering a clear and approachable rendition of the Bible that helps people of all backgrounds engage with and understand the scriptures.