2 SAMUEL
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18 - 19 - 20 - 21 - 22 -
23 - 24
TOC
Maps
After the death of Saul, when David had returned from
defeating the Amalekites, David remained two days in Ziklag. 2 On the third day,
a man came from Saul's camp, with his clothes torn and dirt on his head. When he
came to David, he fell to the ground and did obeisance. 3 David said to him,
"Where have you come from?" He said to him, "I have escaped from the camp of
Israel." 4 David said to him, "How did things go? Tell me!" He answered, "The
army fled from the battle, but also many of the army fell and died; and Saul and
his son Jonathan also died." 5 Then David asked the young man who was reporting
to him, "How do you know that Saul and his son Jonathan died?" 6 The young man
reporting to him said, "I happened to be on Mount Gilboa; and there was Saul
leaning on his spear, while the chariots and the horsemen drew close to him. 7
When he looked behind him, he saw me, and called to me. I answered, 'Here sir.'
8 And he said to me, 'Who are you?' I answered him, 'I am an Amalekite.' 9 He
said to me, 'Come, stand over me and kill me; for convulsions have seized me,
and yet my life still lingers.' 10 So I stood over him, and killed him, for I
knew that he could not live after he had fallen. I took the crown that was on
his head and the armlet that was on his arm, and I have brought them here to my
lord." 11 Then David took hold of his clothes and tore them; and all the men who
were with him did the same. 12 They mourned and wept, and fasted until evening
for Saul and for his son Jonathan, and for the army of the LORD and for the
house of Israel, because they had fallen by the sword. 13 David said to the
young man who had reported to him, "Where do you come from?" He answered, "I am
the son of a resident alien, an Amalekite." 14 David said to him, "Were you not
afraid to lift your hand to destroy the Lord's anointed?" 15 Then David called
one of the young men and said, "Come here and strike him down." So he struck him
down and he died. 16 David said to him, "Your blood be on your head; for your
own mouth has testified against you, saying, 'I have killed the Lord's
anointed.'" 17 David intoned this lamentation over Saul and his son Jonathan. 18
(He ordered that The Song of the Bow be taught to the people of Judah; it is
written in the Book of Jashar.) He said: 19 Your glory, O Israel, lies slain
upon your high places! How the mighty have fallen! 20 Tell it not in Gath,
proclaim it not in the streets of Ashkelon; or the daughters of the Philistines
will rejoice, the daughters of the uncircumcised will exult. 21 You mountains of
Gilboa, let there be no dew or rain upon you, nor bounteous fields! For there
the shield of the mighty was defiled, the shield of Saul, anointed with oil no
more. 22 From the blood of the slain, from the fat of the mighty, the bow of
Jonathan did not turn back, nor the sword of Saul return empty. 23 Saul and
Jonathan, beloved and lovely! In life and in death they were not divided; they
were swifter than eagles, they were stronger than lions. 24 O daughters of
Israel, weep over Saul, who clothed you with crimson, in luxury, who put
ornaments of gold on your apparel. 25 How the mighty have fallen in the midst of
the battle! Jonathan lies slain upon your high places. 26 I am distressed for
you, my brother Jonathan; greatly beloved were you to me; your love to me was
wonderful, passing the love of women. 27 How the mighty have fallen, and the
weapons of war perished!Return to Top
After this David inquired of the LORD, "Shall I go up into any
of the cities of Judah?" The LORD said to him, "Go up." David said, "To which
shall I go up?" He said, "To Hebron." 2 So David went up there, along with his
two wives, Ahinoam of Jezreel, and Abigail the widow of Nabal of Carmel. 3 David
brought up the men who were with him, every one with his household; and they
settled in the towns of Hebron. 4 Then the people of Judah came, and there they
anointed David king over the house of Judah. When they told David, "It was the
people of Jabesh-gilead who buried Saul," 5 David sent messengers to the people
of Jabesh-gilead, and said to them, "May you be blessed by the LORD, because you
showed this loyalty to Saul your lord, and buried him! 6 Now may the LORD show
steadfast love and faithfulness to you! And I too will reward you because you
have done this thing. 7 Therefore let your hands be strong, and be valiant; for
Saul your lord is dead, and the house of Judah has anointed me king over them."
8 But Abner son of Ner, commander of Saul's army, had taken Ishbaal son of Saul,
and brought him over to Mahanaim. 9 He made him king over Gilead, the Ashurites,
Jezreel, Ephraim, Benjamin, and over all Israel. 10 Ishbaal, Saul's son, was
forty years old when he began to reign over Israel, and he reigned two years.
But the house of Judah followed David. 11 The time that David was king in Hebron
over the house of Judah was seven years and six months. 12 Abner son of Ner, and
the servants of Ishbaal son of Saul, went out from Mahanaim to Gibeon. 13 Joab
son of Zeruiah, and the servants of David, went out and met them at the pool of
Gibeon. One group sat on one side of the pool, while the other sat on the other
side of the pool. 14 Abner said to Joab, "Let the young men come forward and
have a contest before us." Joab said, "Let them come forward." 15 So they came
forward and were counted as they passed by, twelve for Benjamin and Ishbaal son
of Saul, and twelve of the servants of David. 16 Each grasped his opponent by
the head, and thrust his sword in his opponent's side; so they fell down
together. Therefore that place was called Helkath-hazzurim, which is at Gibeon.
17 The battle was very fierce that day; and Abner and the men of Israel were
beaten by the servants of David. 18 The three sons of Zeruiah were there, Joab,
Abishai, and Asahel. Now Asahel was as swift of foot as a wild gazelle. 19
Asahel pursued Abner, turning neither to the right nor to the left as he
followed him. 20 Then Abner looked back and said, "Is it you, Asahel?" He
answered, "Yes, it is." 21 Abner said to him, "Turn to your right or to your
left, and seize one of the young men, and take his spoil." But Asahel would not
turn away from following him. 22 Abner said again to Asahel, "Turn away from
following me; why should I strike you to the ground? How then could I show my
face to your brother Joab?" 23 But he refused to turn away. So Abner struck him
in the stomach with the butt of his spear, so that the spear came out at his
back. He fell there, and died where he lay. And all those who came to the place
where Asahel had fallen and died, stood still. 24 But Joab and Abishai pursued
Abner. As the sun was going down they came to the hill of Ammah, which lies
before Giah on the way to the wilderness of Gibeon. 25 The Benjaminites rallied
around Abner and formed a single band; they took their stand on the top of a
hill. 26 Then Abner called to Joab, "Is the sword to keep devouring forever? Do
you not know that the end will be bitter? How long will it be before you order
your people to turn from the pursuit of their kinsmen?" 27 Joab said, "As God
lives, if you had not spoken, the people would have continued to pursue their
kinsmen, not stopping until morning." 28 Joab sounded the trumpet and all the
people stopped; they no longer pursued Israel or engaged in battle any further.
29 Abner and his men traveled all that night through the Arabah; they crossed
the Jordan, and, marching the whole forenoon, they came to Mahanaim. 30 Joab
returned from the pursuit of Abner; and when he had gathered all the people
together, there were missing of David's servants nineteen men besides Asahel. 31
But the servants of David had killed of Benjamin three hundred sixty of Abner's
men. 32 They took up Asahel and buried him in the tomb of his father, which was
at Bethlehem. Joab and his men marched all night, and the day broke upon them at
Hebron.Return to Top
There was a long war between the house of Saul and the house of
David; David grew stronger and stronger, while the house of Saul became weaker
and weaker. 2 Sons were born to David at Hebron: his firstborn was Amnon, of
Ahinoam of Jezreel; 3 his second, Chileab, of Abigail the widow of Nabal of
Carmel; the third, Absalom son of Maacah, daughter of King Talmai of Geshur; 4
the fourth, Adonijah son of Haggith; the fifth, Shephatiah son of Abital; 5 and
the sixth, Ithream, of David's wife Eglah. These were born to David in Hebron. 6
While there was war between the house of Saul and the house of David, Abner was
making himself strong in the house of Saul. 7 Now Saul had a concubine whose
name was Rizpah daughter of Aiah. And Ishbaal said to Abner, "Why have you gone
in to my father's concubine?" 8 The words of Ishbaal made Abner very angry; he
said, "Am I a dog's head for Judah? Today I keep showing loyalty to the house of
your father Saul, to his brothers, and to his friends, and have not given you
into the hand of David; and yet you charge me now with a crime concerning this
woman. 9 So may God do to Abner and so may he add to it! For just what the LORD
has sworn to David, that will I accomplish for him, 10 to transfer the kingdom
from the house of Saul, and set up the throne of David over Israel and over
Judah, from Dan to Beer-sheba." 11 And Ishbaal could not answer Abner another
word, because he feared him. 12 Abner sent messengers to David at Hebron,
saying, "To whom does the land belong? Make your covenant with me, and I will
give you my support to bring all Israel over to you." 13 He said, "Good; I will
make a covenant with you. But one thing I require of you: you shall never appear
in my presence unless you bring Saul's daughter Michal when you come to see me."
14 Then David sent messengers to Saul's son Ishbaal, saying, "Give me my wife
Michal, to whom I became engaged at the price of one hundred foreskins of the
Philistines." 15 Ishbaal sent and took her from her husband Paltiel the son of
Laish. 16 But her husband went with her, weeping as he walked behind her all the
way to Bahurim. Then Abner said to him, "Go back home!" So he went back. 17
Abner sent word to the elders of Israel, saying, "For some time past you have
been seeking David as king over you. 18 Now then bring it about; for the LORD
has promised David: Through my servant David I will save my people Israel from
the hand of the Philistines, and from all their enemies." 19 Abner also spoke
directly to the Benjaminites; then Abner went to tell David at Hebron all that
Israel and the whole house of Benjamin were ready to do. 20 When Abner came with
twenty men to David at Hebron, David made a feast for Abner and the men who were
with him. 21 Abner said to David, "Let me go and rally all Israel to my lord the
king, in order that they may make a covenant with you, and that you may reign
over all that your heart desires." So David dismissed Abner, and he went away in
peace. 22 Just then the servants of David arrived with Joab from a raid,
bringing much spoil with them. But Abner was not with David at Hebron, for David
had dismissed him, and he had gone away in peace. 23 When Joab and all the army
that was with him came, it was told Joab, "Abner son of Ner came to the king,
and he has dismissed him, and he has gone away in peace." 24 Then Joab went to
the king and said, "What have you done? Abner came to you; why did you dismiss
him, so that he got away? 25 You know that Abner son of Ner came to deceive you,
and to learn your comings and goings and to learn all that you are doing." 26
When Joab came out from David's presence, he sent messengers after Abner, and
they brought him back from the cistern of Sirah; but David did not know about
it. 27 When Abner returned to Hebron, Joab took him aside in the gateway to
speak with him privately, and there he stabbed him in the stomach. So he died
for shedding the blood of Asahel, Joab's brother. 28 Afterward, when David heard
of it, he said, "I and my kingdom are forever guiltless before the LORD for the
blood of Abner son of Ner. 29 May the guilt fall on the head of Joab, and on all
his father's house; and may the house of Joab never be without one who has a
discharge, or who is leprous, or who holds a spindle, or who falls by the sword,
or who lacks food!" 30 So Joab and his brother Abishai murdered Abner because he
had killed their brother Asahel in the battle at Gibeon. 31 Then David said to
Joab and to all the people who were with him, "Tear your clothes, and put on
sackcloth, and mourn over Abner." And King David followed the bier. 32 They
buried Abner at Hebron. The king lifted up his voice and wept at the grave of
Abner, and all the people wept. 33 The king lamented for Abner, saying, "Should
Abner die as a fool dies? 34 Your hands were not bound, your feet were not
fettered; as one falls before the wicked you have fallen." And all the people
wept over him again. 35 Then all the people came to persuade David to eat
something while it was still day; but David swore, saying, "So may God do to me,
and more, if I taste bread or anything else before the sun goes down!" 36 All
the people took notice of it, and it pleased them; just as everything the king
did pleased all the people. 37 So all the people and all Israel understood that
day that the king had no part in the killing of Abner son of Ner. 38 And the
king said to his servants, "Do you not know that a prince and a great man has
fallen this day in Israel? 39 Today I am powerless, even though anointed king;
these men, the sons of Zeruiah, are too violent for me. The LORD pay back the
one who does wickedly in accordance with his wickedness!"
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When Saul's son Ishbaal heard that Abner had died at Hebron, his
courage failed, and all Israel was dismayed. 2 Saul's son had two captains of
raiding bands; the name of the one was Baanah, and the name of the other Rechab.
They were sons of Rimmon a Benjaminite from Beeroth--for Beeroth is considered
to belong to Benjamin. 3 (Now the people of Beeroth had fled to Gittaim and are
there as resident aliens to this day). 4 Saul's son Jonathan had a son who was
crippled in his feet. He was five years old when the news about Saul and
Jonathan came from Jezreel. His nurse picked him up and fled; and, in her haste
to flee, it happened that he fell and became lame. His name was Mephibosheth. 5
Now the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, Rechab and Baanah, set out, and about the
heat of the day they came to the house of Ishbaal, while he was taking his
noonday rest. 6 They came inside the house as though to take wheat, and they
struck him in the stomach; then Rechab and his brother Baanah escaped. 7 Now
they had come into the house while he was lying on his couch in his bedchamber;
they attacked him, killed him, and beheaded him. Then they took his head and
traveled by way of the Arabah all night long. 8 They brought the head of Ishbaal
to David at Hebron and said to the king, "Here is the head of Ishbaal, son of
Saul, your enemy, who sought your life; the LORD has avenged my lord the king
this day on Saul and on his offspring." 9 David answered Rechab and his brother
Baanah, the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, "As the LORD lives, who has redeemed
my life out of every adversity, 10 when the one who told me, 'See, Saul is
dead,' thought he was bringing good news, I seized him and killed him at
Ziklag--this was the reward I gave him for his news. 11 How much more then, when
wicked men have killed a righteous man on his bed in his own house! And now
shall I not require his blood at your hand, and destroy you from the earth?" 12
So David commanded the young men, and they killed them; they cut off their hands
and feet, and hung their bodies beside the pool at Hebron. But the head of
Ishbaal they took and buried in the tomb of Abner at Hebron.
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Then all the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron, and said,
"Look, we are your bone and flesh. 2 For some time, while Saul was king over us,
it was you who led out Israel and brought it in. The LORD said to you: It is you
who shall be shepherd of my people Israel, you who shall be ruler over Israel."
3 So all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron; and King David made a
covenant with them at Hebron before the LORD, and they anointed David king over
Israel. 4 David was thirty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned
forty years. 5 At Hebron he reigned over Judah seven years and six months; and
at Jerusalem he reigned over all Israel and Judah thirty-three years. 6 The king
and his men marched to Jerusalem against the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the
land, who said to David, "You will not come in here, even the blind and the lame
will turn you back"--thinking, "David cannot come in here." 7 Nevertheless David
took the stronghold of Zion, which is now the city of David. 8 David had said on
that day, "Whoever would strike down the Jebusites, let him get up the water
shaft to attack the lame and the blind, those whom David hates." Therefore it is
said, "The blind and the lame shall not come into the house." 9 David occupied
the stronghold, and named it the city of David. David built the city all around
from the Millo inward. 10 And David became greater and greater, for the LORD,
the God of hosts, was with him. 11 King Hiram of Tyre sent messengers to David,
along with cedar trees, and carpenters and masons who built David a house. 12
David then perceived that the LORD had established him king over Israel, and
that he had exalted his kingdom for the sake of his people Israel. 13 In
Jerusalem, after he came from Hebron, David took more concubines and wives; and
more sons and daughters were born to David. 14 These are the names of those who
were born to him in Jerusalem: Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon, 15 Ibhar,
Elishua, Nepheg, Japhia, 16 Elishama, Eliada, and Eliphelet. 17 When the
Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over Israel, all the
Philistines went up in search of David; but David heard about it and went down
to the stronghold. 18 Now the Philistines had come and spread out in the valley
of Rephaim. 19 David inquired of the LORD, "Shall I go up against the
Philistines? Will you give them into my hand?" The LORD said to David, "Go up;
for I will certainly give the Philistines into your hand." 20 So David came to
Baal-perazim, and David defeated them there. He said, "The LORD has burst forth
against my enemies before me, like a bursting flood." Therefore that place is
called Baal-perazim. 21 The Philistines abandoned their idols there, and David
and his men carried them away. 22 Once again the Philistines came up, and were
spread out in the valley of Rephaim. 23 When David inquired of the LORD, he
said, "You shall not go up; go around to their rear, and come upon them opposite
the balsam trees. 24 When you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the
balsam trees, then be on the alert; for then the LORD has gone out before you to
strike down the army of the Philistines." 25 David did just as the LORD had
commanded him; and he struck down the Philistines from Geba all the way to
Gezer.
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David again gathered all the chosen men of Israel, thirty
thousand. 2 David and all the people with him set out and went from Baale-judah,
to bring up from there the ark of God, which is called by the name of the LORD
of hosts who is enthroned on the cherubim. 3 They carried the ark of God on a
new cart, and brought it out of the house of Abinadab, which was on the hill.
Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, were driving the new cart 4 with the ark
of God; and Ahio went in front of the ark. 5 David and all the house of Israel
were dancing before the LORD with all their might, with songs and lyres and
harps and tambourines and castanets and cymbals. 6 When they came to the
threshing floor of Nacon, Uzzah reached out his hand to the ark of God and took
hold of it, for the oxen shook it. 7 The anger of the LORD was kindled against
Uzzah; and God struck him there because he reached out his hand to the ark; and
he died there beside the ark of God. 8 David was angry because the LORD had
burst forth with an outburst upon Uzzah; so that place is called Perez-uzzah, to
this day. 9 David was afraid of the LORD that day; he said, "How can the ark of
the LORD come into my care?" 10 So David was unwilling to take the ark of the
LORD into his care in the city of David; instead David took it to the house of
Obed-edom the Gittite. 11 The ark of the LORD remained in the house of Obed-edom
the Gittite three months; and the LORD blessed Obed-edom and all his household.
12 It was told King David, "The LORD has blessed the household of Obed-edom and
all that belongs to him, because of the ark of God." So David went and brought
up the ark of God from the house of Obed-edom to the city of David with
rejoicing; 13 and when those who bore the ark of the LORD had gone six paces, he
sacrificed an ox and a fatling. 14 David danced before the LORD with all his
might; David was girded with a linen ephod. 15 So David and all the house of
Israel brought up the ark of the LORD with shouting, and with the sound of the
trumpet. 16 As the ark of the LORD came into the city of David, Michal daughter
of Saul looked out of the window, and saw King David leaping and dancing before
the LORD; and she despised him in her heart. 17 They brought in the ark of the
LORD, and set it in its place, inside the tent that David had pitched for it;
and David offered burnt offerings and offerings of well-being before the LORD.
18 When David had finished offering the burnt offerings and the offerings of
well-being, he blessed the people in the name of the LORD of hosts, 19 and
distributed food among all the people, the whole multitude of Israel, both men
and women, to each a cake of bread, a portion of meat, and a cake of raisins.
Then all the people went back to their homes. 20 David returned to bless his
household. But Michal the daughter of Saul came out to meet David, and said,
"How the king of Israel honored himself today, uncovering himself today before
the eyes of his servants' maids, as any vulgar fellow might shamelessly uncover
himself!" 21 David said to Michal, "It was before the LORD, who chose me in
place of your father and all his household, to appoint me as prince over Israel,
the people of the LORD, that I have danced before the LORD. 22 I will make
myself yet more contemptible than this, and I will be abased in my own eyes; but
by the maids of whom you have spoken, by them I shall be held in honor." 23 And
Michal the daughter of Saul had no child to the day of her death.
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Now when the king was settled in his house, and the LORD had
given him rest from all his enemies around him, 2 the king said to the prophet
Nathan, "See now, I am living in a house of cedar, but the ark of God stays in a
tent." 3 Nathan said to the king, "Go, do all that you have in mind; for the
LORD is with you." 4 But that same night the word of the LORD came to Nathan: 5
Go and tell my servant David: Thus says the LORD: Are you the one to build me a
house to live in? 6 I have not lived in a house since the day I brought up the
people of Israel from Egypt to this day, but I have been moving about in a tent
and a tabernacle. 7 Wherever I have moved about among all the people of Israel,
did I ever speak a word with any of the tribal leaders of Israel, whom I
commanded to shepherd my people Israel, saying, "Why have you not built me a
house of cedar?" 8 Now therefore thus you shall say to my servant David: Thus
says the LORD of hosts: I took you from the pasture, from following the sheep to
be prince over my people Israel; 9 and I have been with you wherever you went,
and have cut off all your enemies from before you; and I will make for you a
great name, like the name of the great ones of the earth. 10 And I will appoint
a place for my people Israel and will plant them, so that they may live in their
own place, and be disturbed no more; and evildoers shall afflict them no more,
as formerly, 11 from the time that I appointed judges over my people Israel; and
I will give you rest from all your enemies. Moreover the LORD declares to you
that the LORD will make you a house. 12 When your days are fulfilled and you lie
down with your ancestors, I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall
come forth from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. 13 He shall build a
house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. 14 I
will be a father to him, and he shall be a son to me. When he commits iniquity,
I will punish him with a rod such as mortals use, with blows inflicted by human
beings. 15 But I will not take my steadfast love from him, as I took it from
Saul, whom I put away from before you. 16 Your house and your kingdom shall be
made sure forever before me; your throne shall be established forever. 17 In
accordance with all these words and with all this vision, Nathan spoke to David.
18 Then King David went in and sat before the LORD, and said, "Who am I, O Lord
GOD, and what is my house, that you have brought me thus far? 19 And yet this
was a small thing in your eyes, O Lord GOD; you have spoken also of your
servant's house for a great while to come. May this be instruction for the
people, O Lord GOD! 20 And what more can David say to you? For you know your
servant, O Lord GOD! 21 Because of your promise, and according to your own
heart, you have wrought all this greatness, so that your servant may know it. 22
Therefore you are great, O LORD God; for there is no one like you, and there is
no God besides you, according to all that we have heard with our ears. 23 Who is
like your people, like Israel? Is there another nation on earth whose God went
to redeem it as a people, and to make a name for himself, doing great and
awesome things for them, by driving out before his people nations and their
gods? 24 And you established your people Israel for yourself to be your people
forever; and you, O LORD, became their God. 25 And now, O LORD God, as for the
word that you have spoken concerning your servant and concerning his house,
confirm it forever; do as you have promised. 26 Thus your name will be magnified
forever in the saying, 'The LORD of hosts is God over Israel'; and the house of
your servant David will be established before you. 27 For you, O LORD of hosts,
the God of Israel, have made this revelation to your servant, saying, 'I will
build you a house'; therefore your servant has found courage to pray this prayer
to you. 28 And now, O Lord GOD, you are God, and your words are true, and you
have promised this good thing to your servant; 29 now therefore may it please
you to bless the house of your servant, so that it may continue forever before
you; for you, O Lord GOD, have spoken, and with your blessing shall the house of
your servant be blessed forever."
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Some time afterward, David attacked the Philistines and subdued
them; David took Metheg-ammah out of the hand of the Philistines. 2 He also
defeated the Moabites and, making them lie down on the ground, measured them off
with a cord; he measured two lengths of cord for those who were to be put to
death, and one length for those who were to be spared. And the Moabites became
servants to David and brought tribute. 3 David also struck down King Hadadezer
son of Rehob of Zobah, as he went to restore his monument at the river
Euphrates. 4 David took from him one thousand seven hundred horsemen, and twenty
thousand foot soldiers. David hamstrung all the chariot horses, but left enough
for a hundred chariots. 5 When the Arameans of Damascus came to help King
Hadadezer of Zobah, David killed twenty-two thousand men of the Arameans. 6 Then
David put garrisons among the Arameans of Damascus; and the Arameans became
servants to David and brought tribute. The LORD gave victory to David wherever
he went. 7 David took the gold shields that were carried by the servants of
Hadadezer, and brought them to Jerusalem. 8 From Betah and from Berothai, towns
of Hadadezer, King David took a great amount of bronze. 9 When King Toi of
Hamath heard that David had defeated the whole army of Hadadezer, 10 Toi sent
his son Joram to King David, to greet him and to congratulate him because he had
fought against Hadadezer and defeated him. Now Hadadezer had often been at war
with Toi. Joram brought with him articles of silver, gold, and bronze; 11 these
also King David dedicated to the LORD, together with the silver and gold that he
dedicated from all the nations he subdued, 12 from Edom, Moab, the Ammonites,
the Philistines, Amalek, and from the spoil of King Hadadezer son of Rehob of
Zobah. 13 David won a name for himself. When he returned, he killed eighteen
thousand Edomites in the Valley of Salt. 14 He put garrisons in Edom; throughout
all Edom he put garrisons, and all the Edomites became David's servants. And the
LORD gave victory to David wherever he went. 15 So David reigned over all
Israel; and David administered justice and equity to all his people. 16 Joab son
of Zeruiah was over the army; Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud was recorder; 17 Zadok
son of Ahitub and Ahimelech son of Abiathar were priests; Seraiah was secretary;
18 Benaiah son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and the Pelethites; and
David's sons were priests.
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David asked, "Is there still anyone left of the house of Saul to
whom I may show kindness for Jonathan's sake?" 2 Now there was a servant of the
house of Saul whose name was Ziba, and he was summoned to David. The king said
to him, "Are you Ziba?" And he said, "At your service!" 3 The king said, "Is
there anyone remaining of the house of Saul to whom I may show the kindness of
God?" Ziba said to the king, "There remains a son of Jonathan; he is crippled in
his feet." 4 The king said to him, "Where is he?" Ziba said to the king, "He is
in the house of Machir son of Ammiel, at Lo-debar." 5 Then King David sent and
brought him from the house of Machir son of Ammiel, at Lo-debar. 6 Mephibosheth
son of Jonathan son of Saul came to David, and fell on his face and did
obeisance. David said, "Mephibosheth!" He answered, "I am your servant." 7 David
said to him, "Do not be afraid, for I will show you kindness for the sake of
your father Jonathan; I will restore to you all the land of your grandfather
Saul, and you yourself shall eat at my table always." 8 He did obeisance and
said, "What is your servant, that you should look upon a dead dog such as I?" 9
Then the king summoned Saul's servant Ziba, and said to him, "All that belonged
to Saul and to all his house I have given to your master's grandson. 10 You and
your sons and your servants shall till the land for him, and shall bring in the
produce, so that your master's grandson may have food to eat; but your master's
grandson Mephibosheth shall always eat at my table." Now Ziba had fifteen sons
and twenty servants. 11 Then Ziba said to the king, "According to all that my
lord the king commands his servant, so your servant will do." Mephibosheth ate
at David's table, like one of the king's sons. 12 Mephibosheth had a young son
whose name was Mica. And all who lived in Ziba's house became Mephibosheth's
servants. 13 Mephibosheth lived in Jerusalem, for he always ate at the king's
table. Now he was lame in both his feet.
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Some time afterward, the king of the Ammonites died, and his
son Hanun succeeded him. 2 David said, "I will deal loyally with Hanun son of
Nahash, just as his father dealt loyally with me." So David sent envoys to
console him concerning his father. When David's envoys came into the land of the
Ammonites, 3 the princes of the Ammonites said to their lord Hanun, "Do you
really think that David is honoring your father just because he has sent
messengers with condolences to you? Has not David sent his envoys to you to
search the city, to spy it out, and to overthrow it?" 4 So Hanun seized David's
envoys, shaved off half the beard of each, cut off their garments in the middle
at their hips, and sent them away. 5 When David was told, he sent to meet them,
for the men were greatly ashamed. The king said, "Remain at Jericho until your
beards have grown, and then return." 6 When the Ammonites saw that they had
become odious to David, the Ammonites sent and hired the Arameans of Beth-rehob
and the Arameans of Zobah, twenty thousand foot soldiers, as well as the king of
Maacah, one thousand men, and the men of Tob, twelve thousand men. 7 When David
heard of it, he sent Joab and all the army with the warriors. 8 The Ammonites
came out and drew up in battle array at the entrance of the gate; but the
Arameans of Zobah and of Rehob, and the men of Tob and Maacah, were by
themselves in the open country. 9 When Joab saw that the battle was set against
him both in front and in the rear, he chose some of the picked men of Israel,
and arrayed them against the Arameans; 10 the rest of his men he put in the
charge of his brother Abishai, and he arrayed them against the Ammonites. 11 He
said, "If the Arameans are too strong for me, then you shall help me; but if the
Ammonites are too strong for you, then I will come and help you. 12 Be strong,
and let us be courageous for the sake of our people, and for the cities of our
God; and may the LORD do what seems good to him." 13 So Joab and the people who
were with him moved forward into battle against the Arameans; and they fled
before him. 14 When the Ammonites saw that the Arameans fled, they likewise fled
before Abishai, and entered the city. Then Joab returned from fighting against
the Ammonites, and came to Jerusalem. 15 But when the Arameans saw that they had
been defeated by Israel, they gathered themselves together. 16 Hadadezer sent
and brought out the Arameans who were beyond the Euphrates; and they came to
Helam, with Shobach the commander of the army of Hadadezer at their head. 17
When it was told David, he gathered all Israel together, and crossed the Jordan,
and came to Helam. The Arameans arrayed themselves against David and fought with
him. 18 The Arameans fled before Israel; and David killed of the Arameans seven
hundred chariot teams, and forty thousand horsemen, and wounded Shobach the
commander of their army, so that he died there. 19 When all the kings who were
servants of Hadadezer saw that they had been defeated by Israel, they made peace
with Israel, and became subject to them. So the Arameans were afraid to help the
Ammonites any more.
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In the spring of the year, the time when kings go out to
battle, David sent Joab with his officers and all Israel with him; they ravaged
the Ammonites, and besieged Rabbah. But David remained at Jerusalem. 2 It
happened, late one afternoon, when David rose from his couch and was walking
about on the roof of the king's house, that he saw from the roof a woman
bathing; the woman was very beautiful. 3 David sent someone to inquire about the
woman. It was reported, "This is Bathsheba daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah
the Hittite." 4 So David sent messengers to get her, and she came to him, and he
lay with her. (Now she was purifying herself after her period.) Then she
returned to her house. 5 The woman conceived; and she sent and told David, "I am
pregnant." 6 So David sent word to Joab, "Send me Uriah the Hittite." And Joab
sent Uriah to David. 7 When Uriah came to him, David asked how Joab and the
people fared, and how the war was going. 8 Then David said to Uriah, "Go down to
your house, and wash your feet." Uriah went out of the king's house, and there
followed him a present from the king. 9 But Uriah slept at the entrance of the
king's house with all the servants of his lord, and did not go down to his
house. 10 When they told David, "Uriah did not go down to his house," David said
to Uriah, "You have just come from a journey. Why did you not go down to your
house?" 11 Uriah said to David, "The ark and Israel and Judah remain in booths;
and my lord Joab and the servants of my lord are camping in the open field;
shall I then go to my house, to eat and to drink, and to lie with my wife? As
you live, and as your soul lives, I will not do such a thing." 12 Then David
said to Uriah, "Remain here today also, and tomorrow I will send you back." So
Uriah remained in Jerusalem that day. On the next day, 13 David invited him to
eat and drink in his presence and made him drunk; and in the evening he went out
to lie on his couch with the servants of his lord, but he did not go down to his
house. 14 In the morning David wrote a letter to Joab, and sent it by the hand
of Uriah. 15 In the letter he wrote, "Set Uriah in the forefront of the hardest
fighting, and then draw back from him, so that he may be struck down and die."
16 As Joab was besieging the city, he assigned Uriah to the place where he knew
there were valiant warriors. 17 The men of the city came out and fought with
Joab; and some of the servants of David among the people fell. Uriah the Hittite
was killed as well. 18 Then Joab sent and told David all the news about the
fighting; 19 and he instructed the messenger, "When you have finished telling
the king all the news about the fighting, 20 then, if the king's anger rises,
and if he says to you, 'Why did you go so near the city to fight? Did you not
know that they would shoot from the wall? 21 Who killed Abimelech son of
Jerubbaal? Did not a woman throw an upper millstone on him from the wall, so
that he died at Thebez? Why did you go so near the wall?' then you shall say,
'Your servant Uriah the Hittite is dead too.'" 22 So the messenger went, and
came and told David all that Joab had sent him to tell. 23 The messenger said to
David, "The men gained an advantage over us, and came out against us in the
field; but we drove them back to the entrance of the gate. 24 Then the archers
shot at your servants from the wall; some of the king's servants are dead; and
your servant Uriah the Hittite is dead also." 25 David said to the messenger,
"Thus you shall say to Joab, 'Do not let this matter trouble you, for the sword
devours now one and now another; press your attack on the city, and overthrow
it.' And encourage him." 26 When the wife of Uriah heard that her husband was
dead, she made lamentation for him. 27 When the mourning was over, David sent
and brought her to his house, and she became his wife, and bore him a son. But
the thing that David had done displeased the LORD,
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and the LORD sent Nathan to David. He came to him, and said to
him, "There were two men in a certain city, the one rich and the other poor. 2
The rich man had very many flocks and herds; 3 but the poor man had nothing but
one little ewe lamb, which he had bought. He brought it up, and it grew up with
him and with his children; it used to eat of his meager fare, and drink from his
cup, and lie in his bosom, and it was like a daughter to him. 4 Now there came a
traveler to the rich man, and he was loath to take one of his own flock or herd
to prepare for the wayfarer who had come to him, but he took the poor man's
lamb, and prepared that for the guest who had come to him." 5 Then David's anger
was greatly kindled against the man. He said to Nathan, "As the LORD lives, the
man who has done this deserves to die; 6 he shall restore the lamb fourfold,
because he did this thing, and because he had no pity." 7 Nathan said to David,
"You are the man! Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel: I anointed you king
over Israel, and I rescued you from the hand of Saul; 8 I gave you your master's
house, and your master's wives into your bosom, and gave you the house of Israel
and of Judah; and if that had been too little, I would have added as much more.
9 Why have you despised the word of the LORD, to do what is evil in his sight?
You have struck down Uriah the Hittite with the sword, and have taken his wife
to be your wife, and have killed him with the sword of the Ammonites. 10 Now
therefore the sword shall never depart from your house, for you have despised
me, and have taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your wife. 11 Thus says
the LORD: I will raise up trouble against you from within your own house; and I
will take your wives before your eyes, and give them to your neighbor, and he
shall lie with your wives in the sight of this very sun. 12 For you did it
secretly; but I will do this thing before all Israel, and before the sun." 13
David said to Nathan, "I have sinned against the LORD." Nathan said to David,
"Now the LORD has put away your sin; you shall not die. 14 Nevertheless, because
by this deed you have utterly scorned the LORD, the child that is born to you
shall die." 15 Then Nathan went to his house. The LORD struck the child that
Uriah's wife bore to David, and it became very ill. 16 David therefore pleaded
with God for the child; David fasted, and went in and lay all night on the
ground. 17 The elders of his house stood beside him, urging him to rise from the
ground; but he would not, nor did he eat food with them. 18 On the seventh day
the child died. And the servants of David were afraid to tell him that the child
was dead; for they said, "While the child was still alive, we spoke to him, and
he did not listen to us; how then can we tell him the child is dead? He may do
himself some harm." 19 But when David saw that his servants were whispering
together, he perceived that the child was dead; and David said to his servants,
"Is the child dead?" They said, "He is dead." 20 Then David rose from the
ground, washed, anointed himself, and changed his clothes. He went into the
house of the LORD, and worshiped; he then went to his own house; and when he
asked, they set food before him and he ate. 21 Then his servants said to him,
"What is this thing that you have done? You fasted and wept for the child while
it was alive; but when the child died, you rose and ate food." 22 He said,
"While the child was still alive, I fasted and wept; for I said, 'Who knows? The
LORD may be gracious to me, and the child may live.' 23 But now he is dead; why
should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he will not
return to me." 24 Then David consoled his wife Bathsheba, and went to her, and
lay with her; and she bore a son, and he named him Solomon. The LORD loved him,
25 and sent a message by the prophet Nathan; so he named him Jedidiah, because
of the LORD. 26 Now Joab fought against Rabbah of the Ammonites, and took the
royal city. 27 Joab sent messengers to David, and said, "I have fought against
Rabbah; moreover, I have taken the water city. 28 Now, then, gather the rest of
the people together, and encamp against the city, and take it; or I myself will
take the city, and it will be called by my name." 29 So David gathered all the
people together and went to Rabbah, and fought against it and took it. 30 He
took the crown of Milcom from his head; the weight of it was a talent of gold,
and in it was a precious stone; and it was placed on David's head. He also
brought forth the spoil of the city, a very great amount. 31 He brought out the
people who were in it, and set them to work with saws and iron picks and iron
axes, or sent them to the brickworks. Thus he did to all the cities of the
Ammonites. Then David and all the people returned to Jerusalem.
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Some time passed. David's son Absalom had a beautiful sister
whose name was Tamar; and David's son Amnon fell in love with her. 2 Amnon was
so tormented that he made himself ill because of his sister Tamar, for she was a
virgin and it seemed impossible to Amnon to do anything to her. 3 But Amnon had
a friend whose name was Jonadab, the son of David's brother Shimeah; and Jonadab
was a very crafty man. 4 He said to him, "O son of the king, why are you so
haggard morning after morning? Will you not tell me?" Amnon said to him, "I love
Tamar, my brother Absalom's sister." 5 Jonadab said to him, "Lie down on your
bed, and pretend to be ill; and when your father comes to see you, say to him,
'Let my sister Tamar come and give me something to eat, and prepare the food in
my sight, so that I may see it and eat it from her hand.'" 6 So Amnon lay down,
and pretended to be ill; and when the king came to see him, Amnon said to the
king, "Please let my sister Tamar come and make a couple of cakes in my sight,
so that I may eat from her hand." 7 Then David sent home to Tamar, saying, "Go
to your brother Amnon's house, and prepare food for him." 8 So Tamar went to her
brother Amnon's house, where he was lying down. She took dough, kneaded it, made
cakes in his sight, and baked the cakes. 9 Then she took the pan and set them
out before him, but he refused to eat. Amnon said, "Send out everyone from me."
So everyone went out from him. 10 Then Amnon said to Tamar, "Bring the food into
the chamber, so that I may eat from your hand." So Tamar took the cakes she had
made, and brought them into the chamber to Amnon her brother. 11 But when she
brought them near him to eat, he took hold of her, and said to her, "Come, lie
with me, my sister." 12 She answered him, "No, my brother, do not force me; for
such a thing is not done in Israel; do not do anything so vile! 13 As for me,
where could I carry my shame? And as for you, you would be as one of the
scoundrels in Israel. Now therefore, I beg you, speak to the king; for he will
not withhold me from you." 14 But he would not listen to her; and being stronger
than she, he forced her and lay with her. 15 Then Amnon was seized with a very
great loathing for her; indeed, his loathing was even greater than the lust he
had felt for her. Amnon said to her, "Get out!" 16 But she said to him, "No, my
brother; for this wrong in sending me away is greater than the other that you
did to me." But he would not listen to her. 17 He called the young man who
served him and said, "Put this woman out of my presence, and bolt the door after
her." 18 (Now she was wearing a long robe with sleeves; for this is how the
virgin daughters of the king were clothed in earlier times.) So his servant put
her out, and bolted the door after her. 19 But Tamar put ashes on her head, and
tore the long robe that she was wearing; she put her hand on her head, and went
away, crying aloud as she went. 20 Her brother Absalom said to her, "Has Amnon
your brother been with you? Be quiet for now, my sister; he is your brother; do
not take this to heart." So Tamar remained, a desolate woman, in her brother
Absalom's house. 21 When King David heard of all these things, he became very
angry, but he would not punish his son Amnon, because he loved him, for he was
his firstborn. 22 But Absalom spoke to Amnon neither good nor bad; for Absalom
hated Amnon, because he had raped his sister Tamar. 23 After two full years
Absalom had sheepshearers at Baal-hazor, which is near Ephraim, and Absalom
invited all the king's sons. 24 Absalom came to the king, and said, "Your
servant has sheepshearers; will the king and his servants please go with your
servant?" 25 But the king said to Absalom, "No, my son, let us not all go, or
else we will be burdensome to you." He pressed him, but he would not go but gave
him his blessing. 26 Then Absalom said, "If not, please let my brother Amnon go
with us." The king said to him, "Why should he go with you?" 27 But Absalom
pressed him until he let Amnon and all the king's sons go with him. Absalom made
a feast like a king's feast. 28 Then Absalom commanded his servants, "Watch when
Amnon's heart is merry with wine, and when I say to you, 'Strike Amnon,' then
kill him. Do not be afraid; have I not myself commanded you? Be courageous and
valiant." 29 So the servants of Absalom did to Amnon as Absalom had commanded.
Then all the king's sons rose, and each mounted his mule and fled. 30 While they
were on the way, the report came to David that Absalom had killed all the king's
sons, and not one of them was left. 31 The king rose, tore his garments, and lay
on the ground; and all his servants who were standing by tore their garments. 32
But Jonadab, the son of David's brother Shimeah, said, "Let not my lord suppose
that they have killed all the young men the king's sons; Amnon alone is dead.
This has been determined by Absalom from the day Amnon raped his sister Tamar.
33 Now therefore, do not let my lord the king take it to heart, as if all the
king's sons were dead; for Amnon alone is dead." 34 But Absalom fled. When the
young man who kept watch looked up, he saw many people coming from the Horonaim
road by the side of the mountain. 35 Jonadab said to the king, "See, the king's
sons have come; as your servant said, so it has come about." 36 As soon as he
had finished speaking, the king's sons arrived, and raised their voices and
wept; and the king and all his servants also wept very bitterly. 37 But Absalom
fled, and went to Talmai son of Ammihud, king of Geshur. David mourned for his
son day after day. 38 Absalom, having fled to Geshur, stayed there three years.
39 And the heart of the king went out, yearning for Absalom; for he was now
consoled over the death of Amnon.
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Now Joab son of Zeruiah perceived that the king's mind was on
Absalom. 2 Joab sent to Tekoa and brought from there a wise woman. He said to
her, "Pretend to be a mourner; put on mourning garments, do not anoint yourself
with oil, but behave like a woman who has been mourning many days for the dead.
3 Go to the king and speak to him as follows." And Joab put the words into her
mouth. 4 When the woman of Tekoa came to the king, she fell on her face to the
ground and did obeisance, and said, "Help, O king!" 5 The king asked her, "What
is your trouble?" She answered, "Alas, I am a widow; my husband is dead. 6 Your
servant had two sons, and they fought with one another in the field; there was
no one to part them, and one struck the other and killed him. 7 Now the whole
family has risen against your servant. They say, 'Give up the man who struck his
brother, so that we may kill him for the life of his brother whom he murdered,
even if we destroy the heir as well.' Thus they would quench my one remaining
ember, and leave to my husband neither name nor remnant on the face of the
earth." 8 Then the king said to the woman, "Go to your house, and I will give
orders concerning you." 9 The woman of Tekoa said to the king, "On me be the
guilt, my lord the king, and on my father's house; let the king and his throne
be guiltless." 10 The king said, "If anyone says anything to you, bring him to
me, and he shall never touch you again." 11 Then she said, "Please, may the king
keep the LORD your God in mind, so that the avenger of blood may kill no more,
and my son not be destroyed." He said, "As the LORD lives, not one hair of your
son shall fall to the ground." 12 Then the woman said, "Please let your servant
speak a word to my lord the king." He said, "Speak." 13 The woman said, "Why
then have you planned such a thing against the people of God? For in giving this
decision the king convicts himself, inasmuch as the king does not bring his
banished one home again. 14 We must all die; we are like water spilled on the
ground, which cannot be gathered up. But God will not take away a life; he will
devise plans so as not to keep an outcast banished forever from his presence. 15
Now I have come to say this to my lord the king because the people have made me
afraid; your servant thought, 'I will speak to the king; it may be that the king
will perform the request of his servant. 16 For the king will hear, and deliver
his servant from the hand of the man who would cut both me and my son off from
the heritage of God.' 17 Your servant thought, 'The word of my lord the king
will set me at rest'; for my lord the king is like the angel of God, discerning
good and evil. The LORD your God be with you!" 18 Then the king answered the
woman, "Do not withhold from me anything I ask you." The woman said, "Let my
lord the king speak." 19 The king said, "Is the hand of Joab with you in all
this?" The woman answered and said, "As surely as you live, my lord the king,
one cannot turn right or left from anything that my lord the king has said. For
it was your servant Joab who commanded me; it was he who put all these words
into the mouth of your servant. 20 In order to change the course of affairs your
servant Joab did this. But my lord has wisdom like the wisdom of the angel of
God to know all things that are on the earth." 21 Then the king said to Joab,
"Very well, I grant this; go, bring back the young man Absalom." 22 Joab
prostrated himself with his face to the ground and did obeisance, and blessed
the king; and Joab said, "Today your servant knows that I have found favor in
your sight, my lord the king, in that the king has granted the request of his
servant." 23 So Joab set off, went to Geshur, and brought Absalom to Jerusalem.
24 The king said, "Let him go to his own house; he is not to come into my
presence." So Absalom went to his own house, and did not come into the king's
presence. 25 Now in all Israel there was no one to be praised so much for his
beauty as Absalom; from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head there was
no blemish in him. 26 When he cut the hair of his head (for at the end of every
year he used to cut it; when it was heavy on him, he cut it), he weighed the
hair of his head, two hundred shekels by the king's weight. 27 There were born
to Absalom three sons, and one daughter whose name was Tamar; she was a
beautiful woman. 28 So Absalom lived two full years in Jerusalem, without coming
into the king's presence. 29 Then Absalom sent for Joab to send him to the king;
but Joab would not come to him. He sent a second time, but Joab would not come.
30 Then he said to his servants, "Look, Joab's field is next to mine, and he has
barley there; go and set it on fire." So Absalom's servants set the field on
fire. 31 Then Joab rose and went to Absalom at his house, and said to him, "Why
have your servants set my field on fire?" 32 Absalom answered Joab, "Look, I
sent word to you: Come here, that I may send you to the king with the question,
'Why have I come from Geshur? It would be better for me to be there still.' Now
let me go into the king's presence; if there is guilt in me, let him kill me!"
33 Then Joab went to the king and told him; and he summoned Absalom. So he came
to the king and prostrated himself with his face to the ground before the king;
and the king kissed Absalom.
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After this Absalom got himself a chariot and horses, and fifty
men to run ahead of him. 2 Absalom used to rise early and stand beside the road
into the gate; and when anyone brought a suit before the king for judgment,
Absalom would call out and say, "From what city are you?" When the person said,
"Your servant is of such and such a tribe in Israel," 3 Absalom would say, "See,
your claims are good and right; but there is no one deputed by the king to hear
you." 4 Absalom said moreover, "If only I were judge in the land! Then all who
had a suit or cause might come to me, and I would give them justice." 5 Whenever
people came near to do obeisance to him, he would put out his hand and take hold
of them, and kiss them. 6 Thus Absalom did to every Israelite who came to the
king for judgment; so Absalom stole the hearts of the people of Israel. 7 At the
end of four years Absalom said to the king, "Please let me go to Hebron and pay
the vow that I have made to the LORD. 8 For your servant made a vow while I
lived at Geshur in Aram: If the LORD will indeed bring me back to Jerusalem,
then I will worship the LORD in Hebron." 9 The king said to him, "Go in peace."
So he got up, and went to Hebron. 10 But Absalom sent secret messengers
throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, "As soon as you hear the sound of
the trumpet, then shout: Absalom has become king at Hebron!" 11 Two hundred men
from Jerusalem went with Absalom; they were invited guests, and they went in
their innocence, knowing nothing of the matter. 12 While Absalom was offering
the sacrifices, he sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David's counselor, from his
city Giloh. The conspiracy grew in strength, and the people with Absalom kept
increasing. 13 A messenger came to David, saying, "The hearts of the Israelites
have gone after Absalom." 14 Then David said to all his officials who were with
him at Jerusalem, "Get up! Let us flee, or there will be no escape for us from
Absalom. Hurry, or he will soon overtake us, and bring disaster down upon us,
and attack the city with the edge of the sword." 15 The king's officials said to
the king, "Your servants are ready to do whatever our lord the king decides." 16
So the king left, followed by all his household, except ten concubines whom he
left behind to look after the house. 17 The king left, followed by all the
people; and they stopped at the last house. 18 All his officials passed by him;
and all the Cherethites, and all the Pelethites, and all the six hundred
Gittites who had followed him from Gath, passed on before the king. 19 Then the
king said to Ittai the Gittite, "Why are you also coming with us? Go back, and
stay with the king; for you are a foreigner, and also an exile from your home.
20 You came only yesterday, and shall I today make you wander about with us,
while I go wherever I can? Go back, and take your kinsfolk with you; and may the
LORD show steadfast love and faithfulness to you." 21 But Ittai answered the
king, "As the LORD lives, and as my lord the king lives, wherever my lord the
king may be, whether for death or for life, there also your servant will be." 22
David said to Ittai, "Go then, march on." So Ittai the Gittite marched on, with
all his men and all the little ones who were with him. 23 The whole country wept
aloud as all the people passed by; the king crossed the Wadi Kidron, and all the
people moved on toward the wilderness. 24 Abiathar came up, and Zadok also, with
all the Levites, carrying the ark of the covenant of God. They set down the ark
of God, until the people had all passed out of the city. 25 Then the king said
to Zadok, "Carry the ark of God back into the city. If I find favor in the eyes
of the LORD, he will bring me back and let me see both it and the place where it
stays. 26 But if he says, 'I take no pleasure in you,' here I am, let him do to
me what seems good to him." 27 The king also said to the priest Zadok, "Look, go
back to the city in peace, you and Abiathar, with your two sons, Ahimaaz your
son, and Jonathan son of Abiathar. 28 See, I will wait at the fords of the
wilderness until word comes from you to inform me." 29 So Zadok and Abiathar
carried the ark of God back to Jerusalem, and they remained there. 30 But David
went up the ascent of the Mount of Olives, weeping as he went, with his head
covered and walking barefoot; and all the people who were with him covered their
heads and went up, weeping as they went. 31 David was told that Ahithophel was
among the conspirators with Absalom. And David said, "O LORD, I pray you, turn
the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness." 32 When David came to the summit,
where God was worshiped, Hushai the Archite came to meet him with his coat torn
and earth on his head. 33 David said to him, "If you go on with me, you will be
a burden to me. 34 But if you return to the city and say to Absalom, 'I will be
your servant, O king; as I have been your father's servant in time past, so now
I will be your servant,' then you will defeat for me the counsel of Ahithophel.
35 The priests Zadok and Abiathar will be with you there. So whatever you hear
from the king's house, tell it to the priests Zadok and Abiathar. 36 Their two
sons are with them there, Zadok's son Ahimaaz and Abiathar's son Jonathan; and
by them you shall report to me everything you hear." 37 So Hushai, David's
friend, came into the city, just as Absalom was entering Jerusalem.
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When David had passed a little beyond the summit, Ziba the
servant of Mephibosheth met him, with a couple of donkeys saddled, carrying two
hundred loaves of bread, one hundred bunches of raisins, one hundred of summer
fruits, and one skin of wine. 2 The king said to Ziba, "Why have you brought
these?" Ziba answered, "The donkeys are for the king's household to ride, the
bread and summer fruit for the young men to eat, and the wine is for those to
drink who faint in the wilderness." 3 The king said, "And where is your master's
son?" Ziba said to the king, "He remains in Jerusalem; for he said, 'Today the
house of Israel will give me back my grandfather's kingdom.'" 4 Then the king
said to Ziba, "All that belonged to Mephibosheth is now yours." Ziba said, "I do
obeisance; let me find favor in your sight, my lord the king." 5 When King David
came to Bahurim, a man of the family of the house of Saul came out whose name
was Shimei son of Gera; he came out cursing. 6 He threw stones at David and at
all the servants of King David; now all the people and all the warriors were on
his right and on his left. 7 Shimei shouted while he cursed, "Out! Out!
Murderer! Scoundrel! 8 The LORD has avenged on all of you the blood of the house
of Saul, in whose place you have reigned; and the LORD has given the kingdom
into the hand of your son Absalom. See, disaster has overtaken you; for you are
a man of blood." 9 Then Abishai son of Zeruiah said to the king, "Why should
this dead dog curse my lord the king? Let me go over and take off his head." 10
But the king said, "What have I to do with you, you sons of Zeruiah? If he is
cursing because the LORD has said to him, 'Curse David,' who then shall say,
'Why have you done so?'" 11 David said to Abishai and to all his servants, "My
own son seeks my life; how much more now may this Benjaminite! Let him alone,
and let him curse; for the LORD has bidden him. 12 It may be that the LORD will
look on my distress, and the LORD will repay me with good for this cursing of me
today." 13 So David and his men went on the road, while Shimei went along on the
hillside opposite him and cursed as he went, throwing stones and flinging dust
at him. 14 The king and all the people who were with him arrived weary at the
Jordan; and there he refreshed himself. 15 Now Absalom and all the Israelites
came to Jerusalem; Ahithophel was with him. 16 When Hushai the Archite, David's
friend, came to Absalom, Hushai said to Absalom, "Long live the king! Long live
the king!" 17 Absalom said to Hushai, "Is this your loyalty to your friend? Why
did you not go with your friend?" 18 Hushai said to Absalom, "No; but the one
whom the LORD and this people and all the Israelites have chosen, his I will be,
and with him I will remain. 19 Moreover, whom should I serve? Should it not be
his son? Just as I have served your father, so I will serve you." 20 Then
Absalom said to Ahithophel, "Give us your counsel; what shall we do?" 21
Ahithophel said to Absalom, "Go in to your father's concubines, the ones he has
left to look after the house; and all Israel will hear that you have made
yourself odious to your father, and the hands of all who are with you will be
strengthened." 22 So they pitched a tent for Absalom upon the roof; and Absalom
went in to his father's concubines in the sight of all Israel. 23 Now in those
days the counsel that Ahithophel gave was as if one consulted the oracle of God;
so all the counsel of Ahithophel was esteemed, both by David and by Absalom.
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Moreover Ahithophel said to Absalom, "Let me choose twelve
thousand men, and I will set out and pursue David tonight. 2 I will come upon
him while he is weary and discouraged, and throw him into a panic; and all the
people who are with him will flee. I will strike down only the king, 3 and I
will bring all the people back to you as a bride comes home to her husband. You
seek the life of only one man, and all the people will be at peace." 4 The
advice pleased Absalom and all the elders of Israel. 5 Then Absalom said, "Call
Hushai the Archite also, and let us hear too what he has to say." 6 When Hushai
came to Absalom, Absalom said to him, "This is what Ahithophel has said; shall
we do as he advises? If not, you tell us." 7 Then Hushai said to Absalom, "This
time the counsel that Ahithophel has given is not good." 8 Hushai continued,
"You know that your father and his men are warriors, and that they are enraged,
like a bear robbed of her cubs in the field. Besides, your father is expert in
war; he will not spend the night with the troops. 9 Even now he has hidden
himself in one of the pits, or in some other place. And when some of our troops
fall at the first attack, whoever hears it will say, 'There has been a slaughter
among the troops who follow Absalom.' 10 Then even the valiant warrior, whose
heart is like the heart of a lion, will utterly melt with fear; for all Israel
knows that your father is a warrior, and that those who are with him are valiant
warriors. 11 But my counsel is that all Israel be gathered to you, from Dan to
Beer-sheba, like the sand by the sea for multitude, and that you go to battle in
person. 12 So we shall come upon him in whatever place he may be found, and we
shall light on him as the dew falls on the ground; and he will not survive, nor
will any of those with him. 13 If he withdraws into a city, then all Israel will
bring ropes to that city, and we shall drag it into the valley, until not even a
pebble is to be found there." 14 Absalom and all the men of Israel said, "The
counsel of Hushai the Archite is better than the counsel of Ahithophel." For the
LORD had ordained to defeat the good counsel of Ahithophel, so that the LORD
might bring ruin on Absalom. 15 Then Hushai said to the priests Zadok and
Abiathar, "Thus and so did Ahithophel counsel Absalom and the elders of Israel;
and thus and so I have counseled. 16 Therefore send quickly and tell David, 'Do
not lodge tonight at the fords of the wilderness, but by all means cross over;
otherwise the king and all the people who are with him will be swallowed up.'"
17 Jonathan and Ahimaaz were waiting at En-rogel; a servant-girl used to go and
tell them, and they would go and tell King David; for they could not risk being
seen entering the city. 18 But a boy saw them, and told Absalom; so both of them
went away quickly, and came to the house of a man at Bahurim, who had a well in
his courtyard; and they went down into it. 19 The man's wife took a covering,
stretched it over the well's mouth, and spread out grain on it; and nothing was
known of it. 20 When Absalom's servants came to the woman at the house, they
said, "Where are Ahimaaz and Jonathan?" The woman said to them, "They have
crossed over the brook of water." And when they had searched and could not find
them, they returned to Jerusalem. 21 After they had gone, the men came up out of
the well, and went and told King David. They said to David, "Go and cross the
water quickly; for thus and so has Ahithophel counseled against you." 22 So
David and all the people who were with him set out and crossed the Jordan; by
daybreak not one was left who had not crossed the Jordan. 23 When Ahithophel saw
that his counsel was not followed, he saddled his donkey and went off home to
his own city. He set his house in order, and hanged himself; he died and was
buried in the tomb of his father. 24 Then David came to Mahanaim, while Absalom
crossed the Jordan with all the men of Israel. 25 Now Absalom had set Amasa over
the army in the place of Joab. Amasa was the son of a man named Ithra the
Ishmaelite, who had married Abigal daughter of Nahash, sister of Zeruiah, Joab's
mother. 26 The Israelites and Absalom encamped in the land of Gilead. 27 When
David came to Mahanaim, Shobi son of Nahash from Rabbah of the Ammonites, and
Machir son of Ammiel from Lo-debar, and Barzillai the Gileadite from Rogelim, 28
brought beds, basins, and earthen vessels, wheat, barley, meal, parched grain,
beans and lentils, 29 honey and curds, sheep, and cheese from the herd, for
David and the people with him to eat; for they said, "The troops are hungry and
weary and thirsty in the wilderness."
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Then David mustered the men who were with him, and set over
them commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds. 2 And David divided the
army into three groups: one third under the command of Joab, one third under the
command of Abishai son of Zeruiah, Joab's brother, and one third under the
command of Ittai the Gittite. The king said to the men, "I myself will also go
out with you." 3 But the men said, "You shall not go out. For if we flee, they
will not care about us. If half of us die, they will not care about us. But you
are worth ten thousand of us; therefore it is better that you send us help from
the city." 4 The king said to them, "Whatever seems best to you I will do." So
the king stood at the side of the gate, while all the army marched out by
hundreds and by thousands. 5 The king ordered Joab and Abishai and Ittai,
saying, "Deal gently for my sake with the young man Absalom." And all the people
heard when the king gave orders to all the commanders concerning Absalom. 6 So
the army went out into the field against Israel; and the battle was fought in
the forest of Ephraim. 7 The men of Israel were defeated there by the servants
of David, and the slaughter there was great on that day, twenty thousand men. 8
The battle spread over the face of all the country; and the forest claimed more
victims that day than the sword. 9 Absalom happened to meet the servants of
David. Absalom was riding on his mule, and the mule went under the thick
branches of a great oak. His head caught fast in the oak, and he was left
hanging between heaven and earth, while the mule that was under him went on. 10
A man saw it, and told Joab, "I saw Absalom hanging in an oak." 11 Joab said to
the man who told him, "What, you saw him! Why then did you not strike him there
to the ground? I would have been glad to give you ten pieces of silver and a
belt." 12 But the man said to Joab, "Even if I felt in my hand the weight of a
thousand pieces of silver, I would not raise my hand against the king's son; for
in our hearing the king commanded you and Abishai and Ittai, saying: For my sake
protect the young man Absalom! 13 On the other hand, if I had dealt
treacherously against his life (and there is nothing hidden from the king), then
you yourself would have stood aloof." 14 Joab said, "I will not waste time like
this with you." He took three spears in his hand, and thrust them into the heart
of Absalom, while he was still alive in the oak. 15 And ten young men, Joab's
armor-bearers, surrounded Absalom and struck him, and killed him. 16 Then Joab
sounded the trumpet, and the troops came back from pursuing Israel, for Joab
restrained the troops. 17 They took Absalom, threw him into a great pit in the
forest, and raised over him a very great heap of stones. Meanwhile all the
Israelites fled to their homes. 18 Now Absalom in his lifetime had taken and set
up for himself a pillar that is in the King's Valley, for he said, "I have no
son to keep my name in remembrance"; he called the pillar by his own name. It is
called Absalom's Monument to this day. 19 Then Ahimaaz son of Zadok said, "Let
me run, and carry tidings to the king that the LORD has delivered him from the
power of his enemies." 20 Joab said to him, "You are not to carry tidings today;
you may carry tidings another day, but today you shall not do so, because the
king's son is dead." 21 Then Joab said to a Cushite, "Go, tell the king what you
have seen." The Cushite bowed before Joab, and ran. 22 Then Ahimaaz son of Zadok
said again to Joab, "Come what may, let me also run after the Cushite." And Joab
said, "Why will you run, my son, seeing that you have no reward for the
tidings?" 23 "Come what may," he said, "I will run." So he said to him, "Run."
Then Ahimaaz ran by the way of the Plain, and outran the Cushite. 24 Now David
was sitting between the two gates. The sentinel went up to the roof of the gate
by the wall, and when he looked up, he saw a man running alone. 25 The sentinel
shouted and told the king. The king said, "If he is alone, there are tidings in
his mouth." He kept coming, and drew near. 26 Then the sentinel saw another man
running; and the sentinel called to the gatekeeper and said, "See, another man
running alone!" The king said, "He also is bringing tidings." 27 The sentinel
said, "I think the running of the first one is like the running of Ahimaaz son
of Zadok." The king said, "He is a good man, and comes with good tidings." 28
Then Ahimaaz cried out to the king, "All is well!" He prostrated himself before
the king with his face to the ground, and said, "Blessed be the LORD your God,
who has delivered up the men who raised their hand against my lord the king." 29
The king said, "Is it well with the young man Absalom?" Ahimaaz answered, "When
Joab sent your servant, I saw a great tumult, but I do not know what it was." 30
The king said, "Turn aside, and stand here." So he turned aside, and stood
still. 31 Then the Cushite came; and the Cushite said, "Good tidings for my lord
the king! For the LORD has vindicated you this day, delivering you from the
power of all who rose up against you." 32 The king said to the Cushite, "Is it
well with the young man Absalom?" The Cushite answered, "May the enemies of my
lord the king, and all who rise up to do you harm, be like that young man." 33
The king was deeply moved, and went up to the chamber over the gate, and wept;
and as he went, he said, "O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! Would I had
died instead of you, O Absalom, my son, my son!"
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It was told Joab, "The king is weeping and mourning for
Absalom." 2 So the victory that day was turned into mourning for all the troops;
for the troops heard that day, "The king is grieving for his son." 3 The troops
stole into the city that day as soldiers steal in who are ashamed when they flee
in battle. 4 The king covered his face, and the king cried with a loud voice,
"Omy son Absalom, O Absalom, my son, my son!" 5 Then Joab came into the house to
the king, and said, "Today you have covered with shame the faces of all your
officers who have saved your life today, and the lives of your sons and your
daughters, and the lives of your wives and your concubines, 6 for love of those
who hate you and for hatred of those who love you. You have made it clear today
that commanders and officers are nothing to you; for I perceive that if Absalom
were alive and all of us were dead today, then you would be pleased. 7 So go out
at once and speak kindly to your servants; for I swear by the LORD, if you do
not go, not a man will stay with you this night; and this will be worse for you
than any disaster that has come upon you from your youth until now." 8 Then the
king got up and took his seat in the gate. The troops were all told, "See, the
king is sitting in the gate"; and all the troops came before the king.
Meanwhile, all the Israelites had fled to their homes. 9 All the people were
disputing throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, "The king delivered us
from the hand of our enemies, and saved us from the hand of the Philistines; and
now he has fled out of the land because of Absalom. 10 But Absalom, whom we
anointed over us, is dead in battle. Now therefore why do you say nothing about
bringing the king back?" 11 King David sent this message to the priests Zadok
and Abiathar, "Say to the elders of Judah, 'Why should you be the last to bring
the king back to his house? The talk of all Israel has come to the king. 12 You
are my kin, you are my bone and my flesh; why then should you be the last to
bring back the king?' 13 And say to Amasa, 'Are you not my bone and my flesh? So
may God do to me, and more, if you are not the commander of my army from now on,
in place of Joab.'" 14 Amasa swayed the hearts of all the people of Judah as
one, and they sent word to the king, "Return, both you and all your servants."
15 So the king came back to the Jordan; and Judah came to Gilgal to meet the
king and to bring him over the Jordan. 16 Shimei son of Gera, the Benjaminite,
from Bahurim, hurried to come down with the people of Judah to meet King David;
17 with him were a thousand people from Benjamin. And Ziba, the servant of the
house of Saul, with his fifteen sons and his twenty servants, rushed down to the
Jordan ahead of the king, 18 while the crossing was taking place, to bring over
the king's household, and to do his pleasure. Shimei son of Gera fell down
before the king, as he was about to cross the Jordan, 19 and said to the king,
"May my lord not hold me guilty or remember how your servant did wrong on the
day my lord the king left Jerusalem; may the king not bear it in mind. 20 For
your servant knows that I have sinned; therefore, see, I have come this day, the
first of all the house of Joseph to come down to meet my lord the king." 21
Abishai son of Zeruiah answered, "Shall not Shimei be put to death for this,
because he cursed the Lord's anointed?" 22 But David said, "What have I to do
with you, you sons of Zeruiah, that you should today become an adversary to me?
Shall anyone be put to death in Israel this day? For do I not know that I am
this day king over Israel?" 23 The king said to Shimei, "You shall not die." And
the king gave him his oath. 24 Mephibosheth grandson of Saul came down to meet
the king; he had not taken care of his feet, or trimmed his beard, or washed his
clothes, from the day the king left until the day he came back in safety. 25
When he came from Jerusalem to meet the king, the king said to him, "Why did you
not go with me, Mephibosheth?" 26 He answered, "My lord, O king, my servant
deceived me; for your servant said to him, 'Saddle a donkey for me, so that I
may ride on it and go with the king.' For your servant is lame. 27 He has
slandered your servant to my lord the king. But my lord the king is like the
angel of God; do therefore what seems good to you. 28 For all my father's house
were doomed to death before my lord the king; but you set your servant among
those who eat at your table. What further right have I, then, to appeal to the
king?" 29 The king said to him, "Why speak any more of your affairs? I have
decided: you and Ziba shall divide the land." 30 Mephibosheth said to the king,
"Let him take it all, since my lord the king has arrived home safely." 31 Now
Barzillai the Gileadite had come down from Rogelim; he went on with the king to
the Jordan, to escort him over the Jordan. 32 Barzillai was a very aged man,
eighty years old. He had provided the king with food while he stayed at
Mahanaim, for he was a very wealthy man. 33 The king said to Barzillai, "Come
over with me, and I will provide for you in Jerusalem at my side." 34 But
Barzillai said to the king, "How many years have I still to live, that I should
go up with the king to Jerusalem? 35 Today I am eighty years old; can I discern
what is pleasant and what is not? Can your servant taste what he eats or what he
drinks? Can I still listen to the voice of singing men and singing women? Why
then should your servant be an added burden to my lord the king? 36 Your servant
will go a little way over the Jordan with the king. Why should the king
recompense me with such a reward? 37 Please let your servant return, so that I
may die in my own town, near the graves of my father and my mother. But here is
your servant Chimham; let him go over with my lord the king; and do for him
whatever seems good to you." 38 The king answered, "Chimham shall go over with
me, and I will do for him whatever seems good to you; and all that you desire of
me I will do for you." 39 Then all the people crossed over the Jordan, and the
king crossed over; the king kissed Barzillai and blessed him, and he returned to
his own home. 40 The king went on to Gilgal, and Chimham went on with him; all
the people of Judah, and also half the people of Israel, brought the king on his
way. 41 Then all the people of Israel came to the king, and said to him, "Why
have our kindred the people of Judah stolen you away, and brought the king and
his household over the Jordan, and all David's men with him?" 42 All the people
of Judah answered the people of Israel, "Because the king is near of kin to us.
Why then are you angry over this matter? Have we eaten at all at the king's
expense? Or has he given us any gift?" 43 But the people of Israel answered the
people of Judah, "We have ten shares in the king, and in David also we have more
than you. Why then did you despise us? Were we not the first to speak of
bringing back our king?" But the words of the people of Judah were fiercer than
the words of the people of Israel.
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Now a scoundrel named Sheba son of Bichri, a Benjaminite,
happened to be there. He sounded the trumpet and cried out, "We have no portion
in David, no share in the son of Jesse! Everyone to your tents, O Israel!" 2 So
all the people of Israel withdrew from David and followed Sheba son of Bichri;
but the people of Judah followed their king steadfastly from the Jordan to
Jerusalem. 3 David came to his house at Jerusalem; and the king took the ten
concubines whom he had left to look after the house, and put them in a house
under guard, and provided for them, but did not go in to them. So they were shut
up until the day of their death, living as if in widowhood. 4 Then the king said
to Amasa, "Call the men of Judah together to me within three days, and be here
yourself." 5 So Amasa went to summon Judah; but he delayed beyond the set time
that had been appointed him. 6 David said to Abishai, "Now Sheba son of Bichri
will do us more harm than Absalom; take your lord's servants and pursue him, or
he will find fortified cities for himself, and escape from us." 7 Joab's men
went out after him, along with the Cherethites, the Pelethites, and all the
warriors; they went out from Jerusalem to pursue Sheba son of Bichri. 8 When
they were at the large stone that is in Gibeon, Amasa came to meet them. Now
Joab was wearing a soldier's garment and over it was a belt with a sword in its
sheath fastened at his waist; as he went forward it fell out. 9 Joab said to
Amasa, "Is it well with you, my brother?" And Joab took Amasa by the beard with
his right hand to kiss him. 10 But Amasa did not notice the sword in Joab's
hand; Joab struck him in the belly so that his entrails poured out on the
ground, and he died. He did not strike a second blow. Then Joab and his brother
Abishai pursued Sheba son of Bichri. 11 And one of Joab's men took his stand by
Amasa, and said, "Whoever favors Joab, and whoever is for David, let him follow
Joab." 12 Amasa lay wallowing in his blood on the highway, and the man saw that
all the people were stopping. Since he saw that all who came by him were
stopping, he carried Amasa from the highway into a field, and threw a garment
over him. 13 Once he was removed from the highway, all the people went on after
Joab to pursue Sheba son of Bichri. 14 Sheba passed through all the tribes of
Israel to Abel of Beth-maacah; and all the Bichrites assembled, and followed him
inside. 15 Joab's forces came and besieged him in Abel of Beth-maacah; they
threw up a siege ramp against the city, and it stood against the rampart. Joab's
forces were battering the wall to break it down. 16 Then a wise woman called
from the city, "Listen! Listen! Tell Joab, 'Come here, I want to speak to you.'"
17 He came near her; and the woman said, "Are you Joab?" He answered, "I am."
Then she said to him, "Listen to the words of your servant." He answered, "I am
listening." 18 Then she said, "They used to say in the old days, 'Let them
inquire at Abel'; and so they would settle a matter. 19 I am one of those who
are peaceable and faithful in Israel; you seek to destroy a city that is a
mother in Israel; why will you swallow up the heritage of the LORD?" 20 Joab
answered, "Far be it from me, far be it, that I should swallow up or destroy! 21
That is not the case! But a man of the hill country of Ephraim, called Sheba son
of Bichri, has lifted up his hand against King David; give him up alone, and I
will withdraw from the city." The woman said to Joab, "His head shall be thrown
over the wall to you." 22 Then the woman went to all the people with her wise
plan. And they cut off the head of Sheba son of Bichri, and threw it out to
Joab. So he blew the trumpet, and they dispersed from the city, and all went to
their homes, while Joab returned to Jerusalem to the king. 23 Now Joab was in
command of all the army of Israel; Benaiah son of Jehoiada was in command of the
Cherethites and the Pelethites; 24 Adoram was in charge of the forced labor;
Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud was the recorder; 25 Sheva was secretary; Zadok and
Abiathar were priests; 26 and Ira the Jairite was also David's priest.
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Now there was a famine in the days of David for three years,
year after year; and David inquired of the LORD. The LORD said, "There is
bloodguilt on Saul and on his house, because he put the Gibeonites to death." 2
So the king called the Gibeonites and spoke to them. (Now the Gibeonites were
not of the people of Israel, but of the remnant of the Amorites; although the
people of Israel had sworn to spare them, Saul had tried to wipe them out in his
zeal for the people of Israel and Judah.) 3 David said to the Gibeonites, "What
shall I do for you? How shall I make expiation, that you may bless the heritage
of the LORD?" 4 The Gibeonites said to him, "It is not a matter of silver or
gold between us and Saul or his house; neither is it for us to put anyone to
death in Israel." He said, "What do you say that I should do for you?" 5 They
said to the king, "The man who consumed us and planned to destroy us, so that we
should have no place in all the territory of Israel-- 6 let seven of his sons be
handed over to us, and we will impale them before the LORD at Gibeon on the
mountain of the LORD." The king said, "I will hand them over." 7 But the king
spared Mephibosheth, the son of Saul's son Jonathan, because of the oath of the
LORD that was between them, between David and Jonathan son of Saul. 8 The king
took the two sons of Rizpah daughter of Aiah, whom she bore to Saul, Armoni and
Mephibosheth; and the five sons of Merab daughter of Saul, whom she bore to
Adriel son of Barzillai the Meholathite; 9 he gave them into the hands of the
Gibeonites, and they impaled them on the mountain before the LORD. The seven of
them perished together. They were put to death in the first days of harvest, at
the beginning of barley harvest. 10 Then Rizpah the daughter of Aiah took
sackcloth, and spread it on a rock for herself, from the beginning of harvest
until rain fell on them from the heavens; she did not allow the birds of the air
to come on the bodies by day, or the wild animals by night. 11 When David was
told what Rizpah daughter of Aiah, the concubine of Saul, had done, 12 David
went and took the bones of Saul and the bones of his son Jonathan from the
people of Jabesh-gilead, who had stolen them from the public square of
Beth-shan, where the Philistines had hung them up, on the day the Philistines
killed Saul on Gilboa. 13 He brought up from there the bones of Saul and the
bones of his son Jonathan; and they gathered the bones of those who had been
impaled. 14 They buried the bones of Saul and of his son Jonathan in the land of
Benjamin in Zela, in the tomb of his father Kish; they did all that the king
commanded. After that, God heeded supplications for the land. 15 The Philistines
went to war again with Israel, and David went down together with his servants.
They fought against the Philistines, and David grew weary. 16 Ishbi-benob, one
of the descendants of the giants, whose spear weighed three hundred shekels of
bronze, and who was fitted out with new weapons, said he would kill David. 17
But Abishai son of Zeruiah came to his aid, and attacked the Philistine and
killed him. Then David's men swore to him, "You shall not go out with us to
battle any longer, so that you do not quench the lamp of Israel." 18 After this
a battle took place with the Philistines, at Gob; then Sibbecai the Hushathite
killed Saph, who was one of the descendants of the giants. 19 Then there was
another battle with the Philistines at Gob; and Elhanan son of Jaare-oregim, the
Bethlehemite, killed Goliath the Gittite, the shaft of whose spear was like a
weaver's beam. 20 There was again war at Gath, where there was a man of great
size, who had six fingers on each hand, and six toes on each foot, twenty-four
in number; he too was descended from the giants. 21 When he taunted Israel,
Jonathan son of David's brother Shimei, killed him. 22 These four were descended
from the giants in Gath; they fell by the hands of David and his servants.
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David spoke to the LORD the words of this song on the day when
the LORD delivered him from the hand of all his enemies, and from the hand of
Saul. 2 He said: The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer, 3 my God,
my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my
stronghold and my refuge, my savior; you save me from violence. 4 I call upon
the LORD, who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies. 5 For the
waves of death encompassed me, the torrents of perdition assailed me; 6 the
cords of Sheol entangled me, the snares of death confronted me. 7 In my distress
I called upon the LORD; to my God I called. From his temple he heard my voice,
and my cry came to his ears. 8 Then the earth reeled and rocked; the foundations
of the heavens trembled and quaked, because he was angry. 9 Smoke went up from
his nostrils, and devouring fire from his mouth; glowing coals flamed forth from
him. 10 He bowed the heavens, and came down; thick darkness was under his feet.
11 He rode on a cherub, and flew; he was seen upon the wings of the wind. 12 He
made darkness around him a canopy, thick clouds, a gathering of water. 13 Out of
the brightness before him coals of fire flamed forth. 14 The LORD thundered from
heaven; the Most High uttered his voice. 15 He sent out arrows, and scattered
them --lightning, and routed them. 16 Then the channels of the sea were seen,
the foundations of the world were laid bare at the rebuke of the LORD, at the
blast of the breath of his nostrils. 17 He reached from on high, he took me, he
drew me out of mighty waters. 18 He delivered me from my strong enemy, from
those who hated me; for they were too mighty for me. 19 They came upon me in the
day of my calamity, but the LORD was my stay. 20 He brought me out into a broad
place; he delivered me, because he delighted in me. 21 The LORD rewarded me
according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness of my hands he
recompensed me. 22 For I have kept the ways of the LORD, and have not wickedly
departed from my God. 23 For all his ordinances were before me, and from his
statutes I did not turn aside. 24 I was blameless before him, and I kept myself
from guilt. 25 Therefore the LORD has recompensed me according to my
righteousness, according to my cleanness in his sight. 26 With the loyal you
show yourself loyal; with the blameless you show yourself blameless; 27 with the
pure you show yourself pure, and with the crooked you show yourself perverse. 28
You deliver a humble people, but your eyes are upon the haughty to bring them
down. 29 Indeed, you are my lamp, O LORD, the LORD lightens my darkness. 30 By
you I can crush a troop, and by my God I can leap over a wall. 31 This God--his
way is perfect; the promise of the LORD proves true; he is a shield for all who
take refuge in him. 32 For who is God, but the LORD? And who is a rock, except
our God? 33 The God who has girded me with strength has opened wide my path. 34
He made my feet like the feet of deer, and set me secure on the heights. 35 He
trains my hands for war, so that my arms can bend a bow of bronze. 36 You have
given me the shield of your salvation, and your help has made me great. 37 You
have made me stride freely, and my feet do not slip; 38 I pursued my enemies and
destroyed them, and did not turn back until they were consumed. 39 I consumed
them; I struck them down, so that they did not rise; they fell under my feet. 40
For you girded me with strength for the battle; you made my assailants sink
under me. 41 You made my enemies turn their backs to me, those who hated me, and
I destroyed them. 42 They looked, but there was no one to save them; they cried
to the LORD, but he did not answer them. 43 I beat them fine like the dust of
the earth, I crushed them and stamped them down like the mire of the streets. 44
You delivered me from strife with the peoples; you kept me as the head of the
nations; people whom I had not known served me. 45 Foreigners came cringing to
me; as soon as they heard of me, they obeyed me. 46 Foreigners lost heart, and
came trembling out of their strongholds. 47 The LORD lives! Blessed be my rock,
and exalted be my God, the rock of my salvation, 48 the God who gave me
vengeance and brought down peoples under me, 49 who brought me out from my
enemies; you exalted me above my adversaries, you delivered me from the violent.
50 For this I will extol you, O LORD, among the nations, and sing praises to
your name. 51 He is a tower of salvation for his king, and shows steadfast love
to his anointed, to David and his descendants forever.
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Now these are the last words of David: The oracle of David, son
of Jesse, the oracle of the man whom God exalted, the anointed of the God of
Jacob, the favorite of the Strong One of Israel: 2 The spirit of the LORD speaks
through me, his word is upon my tongue. 3 The God of Israel has spoken, the Rock
of Israel has said to me: One who rules over people justly, ruling in the fear
of God, 4 is like the light of morning, like the sun rising on a cloudless
morning, gleaming from the rain on the grassy land. 5 Is not my house like this
with God? For he has made with me an everlasting covenant, ordered in all things
and secure. Will he not cause to prosper all my help and my desire? 6 But the
godless are all like thorns that are thrown away; for they cannot be picked up
with the hand; 7 to touch them one uses an iron bar or the shaft of a spear. And
they are entirely consumed in fire on the spot. 8 These are the names of the
warriors whom David had: Josheb-basshebeth a Tahchemonite; he was chief of the
Three; he wielded his spear against eight hundred whom he killed at one time. 9
Next to him among the three warriors was Eleazar son of Dodo son of Ahohi. He
was with David when they defied the Philistines who were gathered there for
battle. The Israelites withdrew, 10 but he stood his ground. He struck down the
Philistines until his arm grew weary, though his hand clung to the sword. The
LORD brought about a great victory that day. Then the people came back to
him--but only to strip the dead. 11 Next to him was Shammah son of Agee, the
Hararite. The Philistines gathered together at Lehi, where there was a plot of
ground full of lentils; and the army fled from the Philistines. 12 But he took
his stand in the middle of the plot, defended it, and killed the Philistines;
and the LORD brought about a great victory. 13 Towards the beginning of harvest
three of the thirty chiefs went down to join David at the cave of Adullam, while
a band of Philistines was encamped in the valley of Rephaim. 14 David was then
in the stronghold; and the garrison of the Philistines was then at Bethlehem. 15
David said longingly, "O that someone would give me water to drink from the well
of Bethlehem that is by the gate!" 16 Then the three warriors broke through the
camp of the Philistines, drew water from the well of Bethlehem that was by the
gate, and brought it to David. But he would not drink of it; he poured it out to
the LORD, 17 for he said, "The LORD forbid that I should do this. Can I drink
the blood of the men who went at the risk of their lives?" Therefore he would
not drink it. The three warriors did these things. 18 Now Abishai son of
Zeruiah, the brother of Joab, was chief of the Thirty. With his spear he fought
against three hundred men and killed them, and won a name beside the Three. 19
He was the most renowned of the Thirty, and became their commander; but he did
not attain to the Three. 20 Benaiah son of Jehoiada was a valiant warrior from
Kabzeel, a doer of great deeds; he struck down two sons of Ariel of Moab. He
also went down and killed a lion in a pit on a day when snow had fallen. 21 And
he killed an Egyptian, a handsome man. The Egyptian had a spear in his hand; but
Benaiah went against him with a staff, snatched the spear out of the Egyptian's
hand, and killed him with his own spear. 22 Such were the things Benaiah son of
Jehoiada did, and won a name beside the three warriors. 23 He was renowned among
the Thirty, but he did not attain to the Three. And David put him in charge of
his bodyguard. 24 Among the Thirty were Asahel brother of Joab; Elhanan son of
Dodo of Bethlehem; 25 Shammah of Harod; Elika of Harod; 26 Helez the Paltite;
Ira son of Ikkesh of Tekoa; 27 Abiezer of Anathoth; Mebunnai the Hushathite; 28
Zalmon the Ahohite; Maharai of Netophah; 29 Heleb son of Baanah of Netophah;
Ittai son of Ribai of Gibeah of the Benjaminites; 30 Benaiah of Pirathon; Hiddai
of the torrents of Gaash; 31 Abi-albon the Arbathite; Azmaveth of Bahurim; 32
Eliahba of Shaalbon; the sons of Jashen: Jonathan 33 son of Shammah the
Hararite; Ahiam son of Sharar the Hararite; 34 Eliphelet son of Ahasbai of
Maacah; Eliam son of Ahithophel the Gilonite; 35 Hezro of Carmel; Paarai the
Arbite; 36 Igal son of Nathan of Zobah; Bani the Gadite; 37 Zelek the Ammonite;
Naharai of Beeroth, the armor-bearer of Joab son of Zeruiah; 38 Ira the Ithrite;
Gareb the Ithrite; 39 Uriah the Hittite--thirty-seven in all.
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Again the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel, and he
incited David against them, saying, "Go, count the people of Israel and Judah."
2 So the king said to Joab and the commanders of the army, who were with him,
"Go through all the tribes of Israel, from Dan to Beer-sheba, and take a census
of the people, so that I may know how many there are." 3 But Joab said to the
king, "May the LORD your God increase the number of the people a hundredfold,
while the eyes of my lord the king can still see it! But why does my lord the
king want to do this?" 4 But the king's word prevailed against Joab and the
commanders of the army. So Joab and the commanders of the army went out from the
presence of the king to take a census of the people of Israel. 5 They crossed
the Jordan, and began from Aroer and from the city that is in the middle of the
valley, toward Gad and on to Jazer. 6 Then they came to Gilead, and to Kadesh in
the land of the Hittites; and they came to Dan, and from Dan they went around to
Sidon, 7 and came to the fortress of Tyre and to all the cities of the Hivites
and Canaanites; and they went out to the Negeb of Judah at Beer-sheba. 8 So when
they had gone through all the land, they came back to Jerusalem at the end of
nine months and twenty days. 9 Joab reported to the king the number of those who
had been recorded: in Israel there were eight hundred thousand soldiers able to
draw the sword, and those of Judah were five hundred thousand. 10 But afterward,
David was stricken to the heart because he had numbered the people. David said
to the LORD, "I have sinned greatly in what I have done. But now, O LORD, I pray
you, take away the guilt of your servant; for I have done very foolishly." 11
When David rose in the morning, the word of the LORD came to the prophet Gad,
David's seer, saying, 12 "Go and say to David: Thus says the LORD: Three things
I offer you; choose one of them, and I will do it to you." 13 So Gad came to
David and told him; he asked him, "Shall three years of famine come to you on
your land? Or will you flee three months before your foes while they pursue you?
Or shall there be three days' pestilence in your land? Now consider, and decide
what answer I shall return to the one who sent me." 14 Then David said to Gad,
"I am in great distress; let us fall into the hand of the LORD, for his mercy is
great; but let me not fall into human hands." 15 So the LORD sent a pestilence
on Israel from that morning until the appointed time; and seventy thousand of
the people died, from Dan to Beer-sheba. 16 But when the angel stretched out his
hand toward Jerusalem to destroy it, the LORD relented concerning the evil, and
said to the angel who was bringing destruction among the people, "It is enough;
now stay your hand." The angel of the LORD was then by the threshing floor of
Araunah the Jebusite. 17 When David saw the angel who was destroying the people,
he said to the LORD, "I alone have sinned, and I alone have done wickedly; but
these sheep, what have they done? Let your hand, I pray, be against me and
against my father's house." 18 That day Gad came to David and said to him, "Go
up and erect an altar to the LORD on the threshing floor of Araunah the
Jebusite." 19 Following Gad's instructions, David went up, as the LORD had
commanded. 20 When Araunah looked down, he saw the king and his servants coming
toward him; and Araunah went out and prostrated himself before the king with his
face to the ground. 21 Araunah said, "Why has my lord the king come to his
servant?" David said, "To buy the threshing floor from you in order to build an
altar to the LORD, so that the plague may be averted from the people." 22 Then
Araunah said to David, "Let my lord the king take and offer up what seems good
to him; here are the oxen for the burnt offering, and the threshing sledges and
the yokes of the oxen for the wood. 23 All this, O king, Araunah gives to the
king." And Araunah said to the king, "May the LORD your God respond favorably to
you." 24 But the king said to Araunah, "No, but I will buy them from you for a
price; I will not offer burnt offerings to the LORD my God that cost me
nothing." So David bought the threshing floor and the oxen for fifty shekels of
silver. 25 David built there an altar to the LORD, and offered burnt offerings
and offerings of well-being. So the LORD answered his supplication for the land,
and the plague was averted from Israel.
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