2 Samuel 5-6:11 | 1 Chronicles 11:1-9, 12:23-40, 13-14:17

After the death of Ishbosheth, all of Israel goes to David at Hebron and unanimously make him king over the entire nation. Almost 350,000 men of war, from all of Israel, submit themselves to David’s leadership. Twice the Philistines attempt to fight David and his army, but twice he consults with God about what to do, and in both cases the Philistines are defeated.

After reigning as king in Hebron for 7 1/2 years, David goes up against the stronghold of the Jebusites, and takes the city of Jerusalem, where he will then reign as king for another 33 years. David enjoys an alliance with Hiram, the king of Lebanon, who provides cedar for David’s construction projects in Jerusalem.

David attempts to bring the ark of the covenant to Jerusalem, but he fails to follow God’s laws pertaining to the transportation of the ark, and God strikes Uzzah dead for touching the ark when it might have fallen off the cart it was riding on. David parks the ark in Obed Edom’s garage for several months, and God blesses Obed Edom’s house while it is there.