And the days that David reigned over Israel {were} forty years: seven years reigned he in Hebron, and thirty and three years reigned he in Jerusalem.

Then came all the tribes of Israel to David unto Hebron, and spake, saying, Behold, we {are} thy bone and thy flesh.

But Absalom sent spies throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, As soon as ye hear the sound of the trumpet, then ye shall say, Absalom reigneth in Hebron.

And these {are} the numbers of the bands {that were} ready armed to the war, {and} came to David to Hebron, to turn the kingdom of Saul to him, according to the word of the LORD. {bands: or, captains, or, men: Heb. heads}

Speak, I pray you, in the ears of all the men of Shechem, Whether {is} better for you, either that all the sons of Jerubbaal, {which are} threescore and ten persons, reign over you, or that one reign over you? remember also that I {am} your bone and your flesh. {Whether...: Heb. What is good? whether, etc}

And Laban said to him, Surely thou {art} my bone and my flesh. And he abode with him the space of a month. {the space...: Heb. a month of days}

Thou shalt in any wise set {him} king over thee, whom the LORD thy God shall choose: {one} from among thy brethren shalt thou set king over thee: thou mayest not set a stranger over thee, which {is} not thy brother.

Ye {are} my brethren, ye {are} my bones and my flesh: wherefore then are ye the last to bring back the king?

For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.

And they ascended by the south, and came unto Hebron; where Ahiman, Sheshai, and Talmai, the children of Anak, {were}. (Now Hebron was built seven years before Zoan in Egypt.)

And it came to pass after this, that David enquired of the LORD, saying, Shall I go up into any of the cities of Judah? And the LORD said unto him, Go up. And David said, Whither shall I go up? And he said, Unto Hebron.

Then came all the tribes of Israel to David unto Hebron, and spake, saying, Behold, we {are} thy bone and thy flesh.

Speak, I pray you, in the ears of all the men of Shechem, Whether {is} better for you, either that all the sons of Jerubbaal, {which are} threescore and ten persons, reign over you, or that one reign over you? remember also that I {am} your bone and your flesh. {Whether...: Heb. What is good? whether, etc}

And Abner sent messengers to David on his behalf, saying, Whose {is} the land? saying {also}, Make thy league with me, and, behold, my hand {shall be} with thee, to bring about all Israel unto thee.

Then David the king stood up upon his feet, and said, Hear me, my brethren, and my people: {As for me}, I {had} in mine heart to build an house of rest for the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and for the footstool of our God, and had made ready for the building:

When their judges are overthrown in stony places, they shall hear my words; for they are sweet.