Except for the important record of events in Il.'s family, our accounts of his reign are fragmentary and incomplete ; our history is not arranged in a strictly chronological manner, and the time and order of events must be to some extent a matter of conjecture. In spite of the present arrangement of 2 S 5, there can be little doubt that the I'hil. wars were the first important events after D.'s recognition by the whole nation. The task im- posed upon him by his election as king was that of freeing his country from Phil, domination. It was no longer possible for him to continue a vassal to a foreign power, nor were the Philistines likely to acipiiesce, when without their consent he a.ssumed sovereignty over all I.srael. When, therefore, ' the Phil, heard that they had anointed 1). king over Israel' (2 S 5'"), they at once invaded the country. D. seems to have been unprepared, and was com- pelled ' to go down to the hold,' i.e. probably the old stronghold of AduUain, of such importance during his outlaw life, while the Philistines penetrated to the heart of the country and occupied Bethle- hem and the Valley of Repliaim, probably between Bethlehem and Jerusalem (2 S 2:^^*'- ; so Stade, and Kittel who places the valley of Kephaim north of Jerusalem). Of the duration and progress of the war we have no certain information, but some detached notices of it have been preserved. It was while the Philistines had a garri.son in Beth- lehem that the tliree ' mighty men ' forced their way to the well by the gate, to bring D. a draught of water for wliich he had expressed a wish ; but the gift obtained at such a risk was too precious to tirink, and D. poured out the water as an oSering to J" (2 S 23>»-"). Other incidents of the
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war are recorded in 2 S 21'*-''^. At Gob D. was nearly slain in combat with a giant, but rescued by Abisliai, and in consequence D.'s men declared that he should no longer risk his life in battle. On another occasion Klhanau of Betlilehem slew Goliath of G.ath, and other feats of D.'s heroes are recorded (2 S 23'-'-). A decisive battle was fought at Baal-perazini, where I)., encouraged by an oracle, attacked his enemies, and dispersed them ' like a breach of waters,' and the images of the enemy were carried off as booty (2 S 5'*--', cf. Is 28-'). Another decisive engagement took place in the valley of Kephaim. I), on inquiring of J" was bidden not to make a direct attack, i.e. from the south, but to take the enemy in the rear, and attack them when a rustling noise was heard in the Hitca trees. He was again completely successful, and the Philistines were defeated from Gibeon to Gezer ( 1 Ch 14'*-'", 2 S r>---'^) . Following up his victories, L). destroyed the Philistine supremacy, taking from them, as is said, ' the bridle of the mother city ' (2 S 8'). The importance of the.se victories nmst liave been far greater than tlie scanty notices of them would at first suggest.
The nation was now freed from external oppres- sion : the next task was to weld it into one wliole. A great step towards this end was the capture of Jebus, and the creation of a new capital. A Can. tribe still unsubdued occupied the district between Judah and Benjamin, settled round the city of .lebus. from which they derived their name. The strong fortress of Zion, .standing on the ea-stern ridge between the Kidron and the so-called Tyro- poean valley, protected their city (see .Iinjfs.M.KM). Situated as it was in the centre of the land, and commanding the principal lines of communication benveen north and south, and between east and west, it was admirably suited for a capital ; and here I). marclie<i with his forces. The inhabitants, trust- ing in their strong walls, derisively declared that ' the blind and lame ' would be .sufficient to defend them. Nevertheless, the place was taken by storm (2 S 5'-'"). According to 1 Ch 11« Joab was the first to scale the walls, and received in reward the post of commander-in-chief. The city was newly fortified, and here D. removed with his family and court. The importance of this step can hardly be overestimated. Gibeah of Saul and Hebron were merely tribal capitals ; .lerus. stood on neutral ground, and was the capital of the wliole nation, while, bordering alike on .Judah and Benjamin, it would be regarded witli favour by the king's own tribe and by that of his predecessor. The choice of the site is a signal proof of D.'s genius and statesmanship. Here gathered now iidiabitants from all Israel, but mainly, no doubt, from .hidah and Benjamin, while, to judge from the case of Araiinah (2 S 24"*-^), the original Jebusite population was allowed to retain its former po.s.scssions. The effects of the capture of Jems, were felt beyond the borders of Israel. Hirain, king of Tyre, entered into friendly relations with D., and .supplied him with builders ami material for a palace in his new capital. In true Driental fashion I), marked the fresh increase of his power by increasing his harem. While still in Hebron he had married four more wives, and had already six sons: Amnon the firstborn, the son of Ahinoam of Jezreel ; Chileab the son of the prudent Abigail ; Ab.salom the son of Maacah, daughter of Talinai, the Arannfan king of Geshur ; Ailonijah the son of llaggith ; Sheplialiah the .son of Ahilal ; and Ithream the son of Kglah (2 S ;i--" ; cf. 1 Ch .i'-^, where Daniel is put for C^hileab). Michal, who liad been restored to David, unfortun- ately bore no chihlren ; <Uherwise the grandson of Saul would have been the natural heir to the throne, and the siibsc(|ni'nt disputes with regard to