2 Samuel Chapter 1
David hears of Saul's death
1 After the death of Saul, David returned from defeating the Amalekites and stayed two days in Ziklag.
2 On the third day, a man came from Saul’s camp with his clothes torn and dust on his head. When he came to David, he bowed down to the ground and paid homage.
3 David asked him, “Where have you come from?” He replied, “I have deserted from the camp of Israel.”
4 David asked, “What happened? Please tell me.” He answered, “The people fled from the battle, and many of the people fell and are dead. Saul and his son Jonathan are also dead.”
5 David asked the young man who brought him the news, “How do you know that Saul and his son Jonathan are dead?”
6 The young man who brought him the news replied, “I happened to come to Mount Gilboa, and there was Saul leaning on his spear, with chariots and horsemen pursuing him.”
7 When he turned around and saw me, he called out to me, and I said, “Here I am.”
8 He asked me, “Who are you?” I replied, “I am an Amalekite.”
9 Then he said to me, “Come over me and kill me, for I am in great distress; my life is still with me.”
10 So I came over and killed him, because I knew that he could not live after he had fallen. I took the crown that was on his head and the bracelet that was on his arm and brought them here to my lord.
11 Then David took hold of his clothes and tore them, and so did all the men who were with him.
12 They wept and mourned and fasted until evening for Saul and for Jonathan his son, for the people of the Lord and for the house of Israel, because they had fallen by the edge of the sword.
13 David said to the young man who had brought him the news, “Where are you from?” And he answered, “I am the son of a foreigner, an Amalekite.”
14 Then David said to him, “How could you not stretch out your hand to kill the Lord’s anointed?”
15 So David called one of his men and said, “Go and kill him.” And he struck him, and he died.
16 Then David said to him, “Your blood be on your own head, for your own mouth has testified against you, saying, ‘I killed the Lord’s anointed.’”
David laments for Saul and Jonathan
17 And David lamented for Saul and Jonathan his son with this lament,
18 and said that it should be taught to the children of Judah. Behold, it is written in the Book of Jasher:
19 The glory of Israel has perished upon your high places! How the mighty have fallen!
20 Do not announce it in Gath, nor proclaim it in the streets of Ashkelon; lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice, lest the daughters of the uncircumcised leap for joy.
21 Mountains of Gilboa, neither dew nor rain shall fall upon you, nor shall you be lands of offerings; For there was cast out the shield of the mighty, the shield of Saul, as though it had not been anointed with oil.
22 Without the blood of the slain, without the fat of the mighty, Jonathan’s bow did not turn back, nor did Saul’s sword return empty.
23 Saul and Jonathan were beloved and cherished; inseparable in life, they were not divided in death either; they were swifter than eagles, stronger than lions.
24 Daughters of Israel, weep for Saul, who clothed you in scarlet with riches, who adorned your garments with ornaments of gold.
25 How the mighty have fallen in the midst of battle! Jonathan, slain on your high places!
26 I am distressed for you, my brother Jonathan; you were very dear to me. Your love was more wonderful to me than the love of women.
27 How the mighty have fallen! The weapons of war have perished!
2 Samuel Chapter 2
David is proclaimed king of Judah
1 After this, David inquired of the Lord, “Shall I go up to one of the cities of Judah?” The Lord answered, “Go up.” David asked, “Where shall I go?” The Lord replied, “To Hebron.”
2 So David went up there, and with him his two wives, Ahinoam the Jezreelite and Abigail, the widow of Nabal the Carmelite.
3 David also took with him the men who had been with him, each with his household, and they settled in the cities of Hebron.
4 Then the men of Judah came and anointed David king over the house of Judah there. And they told David, “The men of Jabesh-gilead buried Saul.”
5 So David sent messengers to the men of Jabesh-gilead, saying to them, “May the Lord bless you, for you have shown this kindness to your master Saul by burying him.”
6 Now therefore, may the Lord show you kindness and faithfulness; and I will also show you good for this thing that you have done.
7 Now therefore let your hands be strong, and be courageous; for Saul your master is dead, and the house of Judah has anointed me king over them.
War between David and the house of Saul
8 But Abner son of Ner, commander of Saul’s army, took Ish-bosheth Saul’s son and brought him to Mahanaim,
9 and made him king over Gilead, Geshur, Jezreel, Ephraim, Benjamin, and all Israel.
10 Ish-bosheth Saul’s son was forty years old when he began to reign over Israel, and he reigned two years. Only the house of Judah followed David.
11 The number of days that David reigned in Hebron over the house of Judah was seven years and six months.
12 Abner son of Ner went out from Mahanaim to Gibeon with the servants of Ish-bosheth Saul’s son,
13 and Joab son of Zeruiah and the servants of David went out and met them by the pool of Gibeon; and they stood, some on one side of the pool, and some on the other side.
14 Then Abner said to Joab, “Let the young men rise up and maneuver before us.” And Joab answered, “Let them rise up.”
15 So they rose up and crossed over in equal numbers, twelve of Benjamin on behalf of Ish-bosheth son of Saul, and twelve of the servants of David.
16 And each man seized his adversary by the head and thrust his sword into his adversary’s side, and they fell down together. Therefore that place was called Helkath-hazurim, which is in Gibeon.
17 The battle was fierce that day, and Abner and the men of Israel were defeated by the servants of David.
18 Now the three sons of Zeruiah were there: Joab, Abishai, and Asahel. This Asahel was swift of foot as a gazelle of the field.
19 And Asahel followed Abner, not turning aside to the right or to the left.
20 And Abner looked behind him, and said, Are you not Asael? And he answered, Yes.
21 Then Abner said to him, “Turn around to the right or to the left, and seize one of the men and take his plunder for yourself.” But Asahel would not turn away from following him.
22 And Abner said to Asahel again, “Turn away from following me; why should I strike you down? How then could I raise my face before Joab your brother?”
23 But he would not turn away, so Abner struck him with the butt of his spear through the fifth rib, and the spear came out through his back, and he fell there and died on the spot. And all who came to the place where Asahel had fallen and was dead stopped.
24 But Joab and Abishai pursued Abner; and the sun set when they came to the hill of Ammah, which is before Giah, by the way of the wilderness of Gibeon.
25 The Benjamites gathered together behind Abner, forming a single army, and they halted on the top of the hill.
26 Abner called out to Joab, “Shall the sword consume forever? Do you not know that the end will be bitterness? How long will you not tell the people to turn back from pursuing their brothers?”
27 Joab answered, “As surely as God lives, if you had not spoken, the people would have stopped pursuing their brothers this morning.”
28 Then Joab blew the trumpet, and all the people stopped and pursued the Israelites no more, nor did they fight anymore.
29 Abner and his men marched through the Arabah all that night, and crossing the Jordan, they went through all of Bithron and came to Mahanaim.
30 Joab also returned from pursuing Abner, and when he had gathered all the people together, nineteen of David’s servants were missing, along with Asahel.
31 But David’s servants struck down 360 men of Benjamin and Abner, and they died.
32 Then they took Asahel and buried him in his father’s tomb in Bethlehem. Joab and his men traveled all that night, and dawn broke for them in Hebron.
2 Samuel Chapter 3
1 There was a long war between the house of Saul and the house of David; but David grew stronger and stronger, and the house of Saul grew weaker.
Sons of David born in Hebron
2 Sons were born to David in Hebron: his firstborn was Amnon, by Ahinoam the Jezreelite;
3 his second, Chileab, by Abigail, the wife of Nabal the Carmelite; his third, Absalom, son of Maacah, daughter of Talmai, king of Geshur;
4 his fourth, Adonijah, son of Haggith; his fifth, Shephatiah, son of Abital;
5 his sixth, Itream, by Eglah, David’s wife. These were born to David in Hebron.
Abner makes a pact with David in Hebron
6 Now there was war between the house of Saul and the house of David, and Abner was fighting for the house of Saul.
7 Saul had a concubine named Rizpah, the daughter of Aiah. Ish-bosheth said to Abner, “Why have you gone in to my father’s concubine?”
8 Abner was very angry at the words of Ish-bosheth and said, “Am I a dog belonging to Judah? I have shown kindness today to the house of Saul your father, to his brothers, and to his friends, and have not handed you over to David. And now you make me responsible for the sin of this woman?
9 May God do so to Abner, and more also, if I do not do to him as the Lord has sworn to David,
10 transferring the kingdom from the house of Saul and establishing the throne of David over Israel and Judah, from Dan to Beersheba.”
11 And he could not answer Abner a word, for he was afraid of him.
12 Then Abner sent messengers to David on his behalf, saying, “Whose land is it?” And they were to say to him, “Make a covenant with me, and behold, my hand will be with you to bring all Israel back to you.”
13 And David said, “Very well, I will make a covenant with you, but one thing I ask of you: Do not come to me unless you first bring Michal, Saul’s daughter, when you come to me.”
14 After this, David sent messengers to Ish-bosheth, Saul’s son, saying, “Give me back my wife Michal, whom I betrothed to me for a hundred Philistine foreskins.”
15 So Ish-bosheth sent and took her from her husband, Paltiel, the son of Laish.
16 And her husband went with her, pursuing her and weeping as far as Bahurim. And Abner said to him, “Go back.” So he went back.
17 Abner spoke to the elders of Israel, saying, “For some time now you have sought David to be king over you.
18 Now therefore, do it, for the Lord has spoken to David, saying, ‘By the hand of my servant David I will deliver my people Israel from the hand of the Philistines and from the hand of all their enemies.’”
19 Abner also spoke to the Benjamites; and Abner also went to Hebron to tell David all that seemed good to the people of Israel and to all the house of Benjamin.
20 So Abner came to David at Hebron, and with him twenty men; and David made a feast for Abner and those who had come with him.
21 Then Abner said to David, “I will arise and go, and gather all Israel together to my lord the king, that they may make a covenant with you, and that you may reign as your heart desires.” Then David dismissed Abner, and he went in peace.
Joab kills Abner
22 Now the servants of David and Joab were coming in from the field, bringing with them a great deal of plunder. But Abner was not with David at Hebron, for David had dismissed him, and he had gone in peace.
23 When Joab and all the army with him arrived, Joab was told, “Abner son of Ner has come to the king, and he has dismissed him, and he has gone in peace.”
24 So Joab went to the king and said to him, “What have you done? Abner came to you; why then did you let him go?
25 You know Abner son of Ner. He has come only to deceive you, to learn of your comings and goings, and to find out everything you are doing.”
26 Then Joab left David’s presence and sent messengers after Abner, who brought him back from the well of Sirah, without David knowing it.
27 When Abner returned to Hebron, Joab took him aside in the gate to speak with him privately. There, in revenge for the death of his brother Asahel, he struck him in the fifth rib, and he died.
28 Afterward, when David learned of this, he said, “I and my kingdom are forever innocent before the Lord of the blood of Abner son of Ner.
29 May it fall on the head of Joab and on all his father’s house. May there never fail in the house of Joab anyone who has a discharge, or a leper, or who carries a staff, or who dies by the sword, or who lacks bread.”
30 So Joab and his brother Abishai killed Abner, because he had killed their brother Asahel at the battle of Gibeon.
31 Then David said to Joab and all the people who were with him, “Tear your clothes, put on sackcloth, and mourn before Abner.” And King David followed the bier.
32 They buried Abner in Hebron, and the king lifted up his voice and wept at Abner’s tomb, and all the people wept as well.
33 The king lamented over Abner, saying, “Should Abner die like a wicked man?
34 Your hands were not bound, nor your feet in shackles; you fell like those who fall before wicked men.” And all the people wept over him again.
35 Then all the people came to urge David to eat something before the day ended. But David swore, saying, “May God deal with me and more also, if by sunset I taste bread or anything else.”
36 All the people heard this, and it pleased them; for everything the king did pleased all the people.
37 And all the people, all Israel, knew that day that it was not the king’s doing to kill Abner son of Ner.
38 The king also said to his servants, “Do you not know that a prince and a great man has fallen today in Israel?”
39And I am weak today, though anointed king; and these men, the sons of Zeruiah, are too hard for me; may the Lord repay the evildoer according to his wickedness.
2 Samuel Chapter 4
Is-boset is killed
1 When Saul’s son heard that Abner had been killed in Hebron, his hands grew weak, and all Israel was afraid.
2 Now Saul’s son had two men, leaders of raiding bands; the name of one was Baanah, and the name of the other was Rechab, the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, of the Benjamites (for Beeroth was also counted as Benjamin,
3 since the Beerotites had fled to Gittaim, and they live there as foreigners to this day).
4 Jonathan, Saul’s son, had a son who was lame in both feet. He was five years old when the news came from Jezreel about the death of Saul and Jonathan, and his nurse took him and fled. As she fled in haste, the child fell and became lame. His name was Mephibosheth.
5 So the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, Rechab and Baanah, went and entered the house of Ish-bosheth in the heat of the day, while he was taking a nap in his bedroom.
6 Now the gatekeeper of the house had been threshing wheat, but she fell asleep; and so Rechab and Baanah his brother entered the house.
7 When they entered the house, Ish-bosheth was asleep on his bed in his bedroom, and they struck him down and killed him, and cut off his head, and having taken it, they traveled all night along the Arabah Road.
8 And they brought the head of Ish-bosheth to David at Hebron, and said to the king, “Here is the head of Ish-bosheth the son of Saul, your enemy, who sought to kill you; and the Lord has avenged my lord the king today on Saul and his descendants.”
9 David answered Rechab and his brother Baanah, the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, and said to them, “As the Lord lives, who has redeemed my soul from all distress,
10 when one of them told me, saying, ‘Behold, Saul is dead,’ thinking that he brought good news, I seized him and killed him at Ziklag in return for the news.
11 How much more should I punish the wicked men who murdered a righteous man in his own house and on his own bed? Should I not now require his blood at your hands and rid you of the earth?
12 Then David commanded his servants, and they killed them, cut off their hands and feet, and hung them over the pool at Hebron. Then they took the head of Ish-bosheth and buried it in the tomb of Abner at Hebron.
2 Samuel Chapter 5
David is proclaimed king of Israel
1 All the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron and said, “We are your own flesh and blood.
2 Even before this, when Saul was king over us, you were the one who led Israel out to war and brought them back. The Lord also said to you, ‘You will shepherd my people Israel, and you will 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 there 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 He reigned over Judah in Hebron for seven years and six months, and in Jerusalem he reigned over all Israel and Judah for thirty-three years.
David takes the fortress of Zion
6 So the king and his men marched to Jerusalem against the Jebusites who lived in the land. They said to David, “You will not get in here, for even the blind and the lame will drive you out” (meaning, “David cannot get in here”).
7 But David captured the stronghold of Zion, which is the City of David.
8 On that day David said, “Whoever attacks the Jebusites, let him go up the river and attack the blind and the lame, whom David detests.” Therefore it was said, “The blind and the lame shall not enter the house.”
9 David lived in the stronghold and called it the City of David. He built all around it, from the Millo inward.
10 David grew stronger and stronger, for the Lord God Almighty was with him.
Hiram sends ambassadors to David
11 Hiram king of Tyre also sent messengers to David, along with cedar logs, carpenters, and stonemasons for the walls, who built David’s house.
12 David realized that the Lord had established him as king over Israel and had made his kingdom great for the sake of his people Israel.
Sons of David born in Jerusalem
13 After he came from Hebron, David took more concubines and wives from Jerusalem, and more sons and daughters were born to him.
14 These are the names of those born to him in Jerusalem: Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon,
15 Ibhar, Elishua, Nepheg, Japhia,
16 Elishama, Eliada, and Eliphelet.
David defeats the Philistines
17 When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over Israel, all the Philistines went up to search for David. And when David heard of it, he went down to the stronghold.
18 Then the Philistines came and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim.
19 David inquired of the Lord, saying, “Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will you deliver them into my hand?” And the Lord said to David, “Go, for I will certainly deliver the Philistines into your hand.”
20 So David came to Baal-perazim, and there David defeated them, and said, “The Lord has broken through my enemies before me like a mighty flood.” Therefore he called the name of that place Baal-perazim.
21 And they left their idols there, and David and his men burned them.
22 And the Philistines came again and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim.
23 David inquired of the Lord, and he answered, “Do not go up, but circle around and attack them opposite the balsam trees.
24 When you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, then advance, for the Lord will go out before you to strike down the Philistine army.”
25 David did as the Lord had commanded him, and struck down the Philistines from Geba as far as Gezer.
2 Samuel Chapter 6
David tries to bring the ark to Jerusalem
1 David again gathered together all the chosen men of Israel, thirty thousand.
2 David and all the people with him set out from Baalah of Judah to bring up from there the ark of God, which is called by the name of the Lord Almighty, who dwells between the cherubim.
3 They placed the ark of God on a new cart and brought it from the house of Abinadab on the hill. Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, drove the new cart.
4 When they brought it from the house of Abinadab on the hill with the ark of God, Ahio went before the ark.
5 David and all the house of Israel danced before the Lord with all kinds of instruments made of fir wood: harps, lyres, tambourines, flutes, 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. because the oxen stumbled.
7 And the anger of the Lord was kindled against Uzzah, and God struck him down there for his irreverence, and he fell dead there beside the ark of God.
8 And David was grieved because the Lord had struck Uzzah, and that place was called Perez-uzzah to this day.
9 And David was afraid of the Lord that day, and said, “How can the ark of the Lord come to me?”
10 So David would not bring the ark of the Lord to himself in the City of David; but David had it taken to the house of Obed-edom the Gittite.
11 And 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.
David brings the ark to Jerusalem
12 King David was told, “The Lord has blessed the house of Obed-edom and all that he owns 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 joy.
13 When the bearers of the ark of God had gone six steps, he sacrificed an ox and a fattened ram.
14 And David danced before the Lord with all his might, wearing a linen ephod.
15 So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the Lord with shouting and the sound of the trumpet.
16 When the ark of the Lord came to the City of David, Michal, Saul’s daughter, looked out of a window and saw King David leaping and dancing before the Lord; and she despised him in her heart.
17 So they brought in the ark of the Lord and set it in its place inside the tent that David had pitched for it. Then David offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the Lord.
18 When David had finished offering the burnt offerings and peace offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the Lord Almighty.
19 He distributed to all the people, the whole multitude of Israel, both men and women, a loaf of bread, a piece of meat, and a cake of raisins. Then all the people went home.
20 David returned to bless his household. Michal came out to meet him and said, “How the king of Israel has distinguished himself today, exposing himself in the presence of his servants’ maids, as a commoner shamelessly exposes himself!”
21 Then David answered Michal, “It was before the Lord, who chose me rather than your father or any of your house, to appoint me ruler over the Lord’s people Israel. Therefore I will dance before the Lord.
22 I will become even more undignified than this, and I will be humiliated in your eyes; but I will be honored in the sight of the young women you mentioned.”
23 So Michal, Saul’s daughter, had no children until the day of her death.
2 Samuel Chapter 7
God's covenant with David
1 Now it happened that when the king was settled in his palace, after the Lord had given him rest from all his enemies around him,
2 the king said to Nathan the prophet, “See, I am living in a house of cedar, and the ark of God is in a tent.”
3 Nathan replied to the king, “Go, do all that is in your heart, for the Lord is with you.”
4 That night the word of the Lord came to Nathan, saying,
5 “ Go and tell my servant David, ‘This is what the Lord says: Are you the one to build me a house to dwell in?
6 From the day I brought the Israelites out of Egypt until this day, I have not lived in a house, but have been moving about in a tent and a shelter.
7 And in all my travels with all the Israelites, have I ever said to any of the tribes of Israel, whom I commanded to shepherd my people Israel, “Why have you not built me a house of cedar?”’”
8 Now therefore, 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 I have been with you wherever you have gone, and I have cut off all your enemies before you, and I will make your name great, like the names of the great men of the earth.
10 Moreover, I will appoint a place for my people Israel and will plant them, so that they may live in their own place and never again be disturbed, nor will the wicked oppress them anymore, as at the beginning,
11 since the day that I appointed judges over my people Israel. I will give you rest from all your enemies. The Lord also declares to you that he will make you a house.
12 When your days are fulfilled and you rest with your ancestors, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, your own flesh and blood, and I will establish his kingdom.’
13 He will build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.
14 I will be his father, and he will be my son. When he does wrong, I will punish him with the rod used by men, with floggings inflicted by human hands.
15 But my love will never be taken from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I removed from before you.
16 Your house and your kingdom will be established forever before me; your throne will be firmly established for all time.
17 Nathan told David everything he had said and everything he had seen.
18 Then King David went in and sat before the Lord and said, “Who am I, Lord God, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far?”
19And this was not enough in your sight, O Lord God, for you have also spoken of the house of your servant in the future. Is this the way of man, O Lord God?
20 And what more can David add when speaking to you? For you know your servant, O Lord God.
21 All these great things you have done by your word and according to your heart, making them known to your servant.
22 Therefore you are great, O Lord God; for there is none like you, nor is there any God besides you, according to all that we have heard with our ears.
23 And who is like your people, like Israel, a unique nation in the earth? For God came to redeem them as his own people, to make a name for them, and to perform great deeds for them and awesome works in your land, for the sake of your people whom you redeemed for yourself from Egypt, from the nations and their gods.
24 For you established your people Israel as your own people forever; and you, O Lord, were their God.
25 Now therefore, O Lord God, confirm forever the word that you have spoken concerning your servant and his house, and do according to what you have promised.
26 May your name be magnified forever, and may it be said, “The Lord of hosts is God over Israel”; and may the house of your servant David be established before you.
27 For you, O Lord of hosts, God of Israel, have revealed to your servant, saying, “I will build you a house.” Therefore your servant has found courage in his heart to make this supplication before you.
28 Now therefore, O Lord God, you are God, and your words are true, and you have promised this good thing to your servant.
29 Now therefore, be pleased to bless the house of your servant, that it may continue forever before you, for you, O Lord God, have spoken it, and with your blessing the house of your servant shall be blessed forever.
2 Samuel Chapter 8
David extends his dominion
1 After this, David defeated the Philistines and subdued them, and he captured Metheg-ama from the Philistines.
2 He also defeated the Moabites and measured them with a measuring line, making them lie down on the ground. He measured two lines to put them to death and one full line to spare their lives. So the Moabites became David’s servants and paid him tribute.
3 David also defeated Hadadezer son of Rehob, king of Zobah, when he went to reclaim his territory at the Euphrates River.
4 David captured 1,700 horsemen and 20,000 foot soldiers from them. David hamstrung all the chariot horses but left enough for 100 chariots.
5 Then the Arameans from Damascus came to help Hadadezer king of Zobah, and David struck down 22,000 Arameans.
6 Then David stationed garrisons in Syria of Damascus, and the Syrians became David’s servants, paying tribute. And the Lord gave David victory wherever he went.
7 David took the gold shields that the servants of Hadadezer had brought and carried them to Jerusalem.
8 King David also took a great quantity of bronze from Beta and Berothai, cities of Hadadezer.
9 When Toi king of Hamath heard that David had defeated all the army of Hadadezer,
10 Toi sent Joram his son to King David to greet him peacefully and to bless him, because he had fought with Hadadezer and defeated him; for Toi was an enemy of Hadadezer. Joram carried with him articles of silver, gold, and bronze,
11 which King David dedicated to the Lord, along with the silver and gold that he had dedicated from all the nations he had subdued.
12 From the Syrians, the Moabites, the Ammonites, the Philistines, the Amalekites, and from the plunder of Hadadezer son of Rehob, king of Zobah.
13 So David gained fame. When he returned from defeating the Syrians, he routed eighteen thousand Edomites in the Valley of Salt.
14 He stationed garrisons throughout Edom; he stationed garrisons all over Edom, and all the Edomites became David’s servants. And the Lord gave David victory wherever he went.
David's officers
15 David reigned over all Israel, and he administered justice and equity to all his people.
16 Joab son of Zeruiah was commander of his army, and Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud was recorder;
17 Zadok son of Ahitub and Ahimelech son of Abiathar were priests; Seraiah was scribe;
18 Benaiah son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and Pelethites; and the sons of David were the princes.
2 Samuel Chapter 9
David's kindness towards Mephibosheth
1 David said, “Is there 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 named Ziba, and they summoned him to David. The king asked him, “Are you Ziba?” He replied, “Your servant.”
3 The king asked him, “Is there no one left of the house of Saul to whom I may show God’s kindness?” Ziba answered the king, “There is still a son of Jonathan; he is lame in both feet.”
4 The king asked him, “Where is he?” Ziba answered the king, “He is in the house of Machir son of Ammiel at Lo-debar.”
5 So King David sent for him and brought him from the house of Machir son of Ammiel at Lo-debar.
6 When Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, came to David, he fell on his face and paid homage. David said, “Mephibosheth!” And he answered, “Here is your servant.”
7 David said to him, “Do not be afraid, for I will surely show you kindness for the sake of Jonathan your father, and I will restore to you all the land of Saul your father; and you shall always eat at my table.”
8 He bowed down and said, “What is your servant, that you should look upon a dead dog such as I am?”
9 Then the king summoned Ziba, Saul’s servant, and said to him, “All that belonged to Saul and to all his house I have given to your master’s son.
10 You, your sons and your servants, shall cultivate the land for him and bring in the produce, so that your master’s son may have food to eat; but Mephibosheth, your master’s son, shall always eat at my table.” Now Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants.
11 Ziba answered the king, “According to all that my lord the king has commanded his servant, so shall your servant do.” Mephibosheth, said the king, will eat at my table, like one of the king’s sons.
12 Now Mephibosheth had a young son named Micah. All the family of Ziba were servants of Mephibosheth.
13 Mephibosheth lived in Jerusalem, for he always ate at the king’s table; and he was lame in both feet.
2 Samuel Chapter 10
Defeats of the Ammonites and Syrians
1 After this, the king of the Ammonites died, and his son Hanun succeeded him as king.
2 David said, “I will show kindness to Hanun son of Nahash, just as his father showed kindness to me.” So David sent his servants to comfort him concerning his father. But when David’s servants arrived in the land of the Ammonites,
3 the Ammonite rulers said to their lord Hanun, “Do you think David has sent you comforters to honor your father? Didn’t David send his servants to spy out the city and search it out, so that he could destroy it?”
4 Then Hanun took David’s servants, shaved off half of their beards, cut their garments in half at their buttocks, and sent them away.
5 When David heard about this, he sent to find them, because they were deeply ashamed. And the king commanded that they be told, “Stay in Jericho until your beards have grown back, and then return.”
6 When the Ammonites saw that they had made themselves odious to David, they sent and hired the Syrians of Beth-rehob and the Syrians of Zobah, twenty thousand foot soldiers, one thousand men from the king of Maacah, and twelve thousand men from Ishtob.
7 When David heard of this, he sent Joab with all the army of mighty warriors.
8 The Ammonites marched out and drew up their battle lines at the entrance of the gate, but the Syrians of Zobah, Rehob, Ishtob, and Maacah were standing separately in the open field.
9 When Joab saw that the battle was set before him from the front and the rear, he selected some of the best men of Israel and drew up their battle lines against the Syrians.
10 Then he gave the rest of the army into the hands of his brother Abishai, and he drew them up to meet the Ammonites.
11 He said, “If the Arameans are stronger than I am, you will help me; but if the Ammonites are stronger than you, I will help you.
12 Be strong, and let us be strong for our people and for the cities of our God. May the Lord do what seems good to him.”
13 So Joab and the people with him drew near to fight against the Arameans, but they fled before him.
14 When the Ammonites saw that the Arameans had fled, they also fled before Abishai and took refuge in the city. So Joab turned back from fighting the Ammonites and went to Jerusalem.
15 But when the Arameans saw that they had been defeated by Israel, they regrouped.
16 Then Hadadezer sent and brought out the Arameans who were beyond the Euphrates, and they came to Helam, led by Shobach, the commander of Hadadezer’s army.
17 When David was told of this, he gathered all Israel and crossed the Jordan and came to Helam. The Arameans drew up their battle lines against David and fought against him.
18 But the Arameans fled before Israel, and David killed seven hundred chariots and forty thousand horsemen. He also struck down Shobach, the commander of the army, who died there.
19 When all the kings who were allies of Hadadezer saw that they had been defeated before Israel, they made peace with Israel and served them. From then on, the Arameans were afraid to help the Ammonites anymore.
2 Samuel Chapter 11
David and Bathsheba
1 In the following year, at the time when kings go out to war, David sent Joab with his servants and all Israel, and they destroyed the Ammonites and besieged Rabbah, but David remained in Jerusalem.
2 One evening David got up from his bed and walked around on the roof of the palace. From the roof he saw a woman bathing; she was very beautiful.
3 David sent someone to inquire about her, and he was told, “She is Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite.”
4 So David sent messengers and got her. She came to him, and he slept with her. After she purified herself from her uncleanness, she returned to her home.
5 The woman conceived and sent word to David, saying, “I am pregnant.”
6 Then David sent word to Joab, saying, “Send Uriah the Hittite to me.” And Joab sent Uriah to David.
7 When Uriah came to him, David asked him how Joab was doing, how the people were doing, and how the war was going.
8 Then David said to Uriah, “Go down to your house and wash your feet.” So Uriah left the king’s house, and a gift from the royal table was sent to him.
9 But Uriah slept at the entrance to the king’s house with all his master’s servants and did not go down to his house.
10 When this was reported to David, “Uriah has not gone down to his house,” David asked Uriah, “Haven’t you come from a journey? Why then didn’t you go down to your house?”
11 Uriah answered David, “The ark and Israel and Judah are staying in tents, and my lord Joab and my lord’s servants are in the open field. How could I go to my house to eat and drink and sleep with my wife?” As surely as you live, and as surely as your soul lives, I will not do such a thing.
12 Then David said to Uriah, “Stay here today also, and tomorrow I will send you away.” So Uriah remained in Jerusalem that day and the next.
13 David invited him to eat and drink with him until he was drunk. In the evening, Uriah went out to sleep on his bed with his master’s servants, but he did not go down to his own house.
14 In the morning, David wrote a letter to Joab and sent it by Uriah’s hand.
15 In the letter he wrote, “Put Uriah in the front line where the fighting is fiercest, and then withdraw from him so that he may be struck down and die.”
16 So when Joab besieged the city, he put Uriah in the place where he knew the mightiest men were stationed.
17 The men of the city came out and fought against Joab, and some of the men of David’s army fell; Uriah the Hittite also died.
18 Then Joab sent word to David and told him all about the war.
19And he sent the messenger, saying, “When you have finished telling the king all the matters of the war,
20 If the king becomes angry and says to you, “Why did you go so close to the city to fight? Did you not know what they usually throw from the wall?”
21 Who struck Abimelech son of Jerubbaal? Didn’t a woman throw a millstone from the wall, and he died at Thebez? Why did you go so close to the wall? Then you shall say to him, “Your servant Uriah the Hittite is also dead.”
22 So the messenger went and, when he arrived, told David everything Joab had sent him to say.
23 The messenger said to David, “The men who came out against us in the field prevailed against us, though we drove them back to the entrance of the gate.
24 But the archers shot at your servants from the wall, and some of the king’s servants died, and your servant Uriah the Hittite also died.”
25 David said to the messenger, “Thus you shall say to Joab: ‘Do not be distressed about this, for the sword devours one and another; strengthen your attack against the city until you take it.’ And you shall encourage him.”
26 When Uriah’s wife heard that her husband Uriah was dead, she mourned for him.
27 After the time of mourning was over, David sent for her 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.
2 Samuel Chapter 12
Nathan admonishes David
1 The Lord sent Nathan to David. When he came to him, he said, “There were two men in a certain town, one rich and the other poor.
2 The rich man had many flocks and herds,
3 but the poor man had nothing but one little ewe lamb he had bought and raised. It grew up with him and his children, sharing his food, drinking from his cup, and sleeping in his arms. It was like a daughter to him.
4 Now a traveler came to the rich man, but he refused to take one of his own flock or herd to prepare a meal for the traveler. Instead, he took the poor man’s lamb and prepared it for him.
5 David was furious with the man and said to Nathan, “As the Lord lives, the man who did this deserves to die!
6 He must pay four times the value of the lamb, because he did this thing and had no pity.”
7 Then Nathan said to David, “You are the man!” Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel: “I anointed you king over Israel, and I delivered you from the hand of Saul.
8 I gave you your master’s house and your master’s wives into your arms. I also gave you the house of Israel and Judah; and if all this had been too little, I would have given you much more.
9 Why then have you despised the word of the Lord, doing what is evil in his sight? You struck down Uriah the Hittite with the sword and took his wife to be your wife, and you killed him with the sword of the Ammonites.
10 Therefore, the sword will never depart from your house, because you despised me and took the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your wife.
11 Thus says the Lord: ‘Behold, I will raise up evil against you from within your own house, and I will take your wives before your eyes and give them to your neighbor, and he will lie with your wives in broad daylight.’”
12 Because you did it in secret, I will do this thing in broad daylight before all Israel.
13 Then David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.” Nathan replied, “The Lord has taken away your sin; you will not die.
14 However, because by this deed you have given great prominence to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme, the child born to you will surely die.”
15 Then Nathan went home. Now the Lord struck the child whom Uriah’s wife had borne to David, and he became very ill.
16 David pleaded with God for the child, and he fasted. He went in and spent the night lying on the ground.
17 The elders of his household went to him to help him up from the ground, but he refused and would not eat with them.
18On the seventh day the child died. David’s servants were afraid to tell him that the child was dead, saying to one another, “While the child was still alive, we spoke to him, but he would not listen to us. How much more will he be distressed if we tell him that the child is dead?”
But when David saw his servants talking among themselves, he realized that the child was dead. So David asked his servants, “Is the child dead?” They answered, “He is dead.
” Then David got up from the ground, washed himself, anointed himself, changed his clothes, and went into the house of the Lord and worshiped. Afterward he went home, and when he asked for something to eat, they set some bread before him, and he ate.
His servants said to him, “What is this you have done? While the child was still alive, you fasted and wept, but now that he is dead, you get up and eat.”
22 And he answered: While the child was still alive, I fasted and wept, saying, Who knows whether God will be gracious to me, and the child will live?
26 Joab was fighting against Rabbah of the Ammonites, and he captured the royal city.
27 Then Joab sent messengers to David, saying, “I have besieged Rabbah and captured the city of waters.
28 Now therefore, gather the remaining people, encamp against the city, and capture it, lest I capture the city and it be called by my name.”
29 So David gathered all the people and went against Rabbah, and fought against it and captured it.
30 He took the crown from the head of its king, which weighed a talent of gold and had precious stones on it, and placed it on David’s head. He also carried out a very large amount of plunder from the city.
31 He also brought out the people who were in it and put them to work with saws, iron threshing sledges, and iron axes, and he also made them work at the brick kilns; and he did the same to all the cities of the Ammonites. Then David and all the people returned to Jerusalem.
David captures Rabbah
26 Joab was fighting against Rabbah of the Ammonites, and he captured the royal city.
27 Then Joab sent messengers to David, saying, “I have besieged Rabbah and captured the city of waters.
28 Now therefore, gather the remaining people, encamp against the city, and capture it, lest I capture the city and it be called by my name.”
29 So David gathered all the people and went against Rabbah, and fought against it and captured it.
30 He took the crown from the head of its king, which weighed a talent of gold and had precious stones on it, and placed it on David’s head. He also carried out a very large amount of plunder from the city.
31 He also brought out the people who were in it and put them to work with saws, iron threshing sledges, and iron axes, and he also made them work at the brick kilns; and he did the same to all the cities of the Ammonites. Then David and all the people returned to Jerusalem.
2 Samuel Chapter 13
Amnon and Tamar
1 After this, Absalom, David’s son, had a beautiful sister named Tamar, and Amnon, David’s son, fell in love with her.
2 Amnon was so distressed that he became ill because of his sister Tamar, for she was a virgin, and it seemed impossible to Amnon to do anything to her.
3 Now Amnon had a friend named Jonadab, the son of Shimeah, David’s brother; and Jonadab was a very shrewd man.
4 He said to him, “Why are you growing so thin day by day, son of the king? Won’t you tell me?” Amnon answered him, “I love Tamar, my brother Absalom’s sister.”
5 Jonadab said to him, “Lie down on your bed and pretend to be sick. When your father comes to you, say to him, ‘Please let my sister Tamar come and feed me. Let her prepare some food for me, so that when I see her, I may eat it from her hand.’”
6 So Amnon lay down and pretended to be sick, and the king came to visit him. Amnon said to the king, “Please let my sister Tamar come and make me two wafers, so that I may eat from her hand.”
7 So David sent Tamar to her house, saying, “Go now to your brother Amnon’s house and prepare something for him to eat.”
8 So Tamar went to her brother Amnon’s house, where he was lying down. She took flour, kneaded it, made wafers in his presence, and baked them.
9 Then she took a pan and brought them out before him, but he refused to eat. Amnon said, “Send everyone out of here.” So they all left.
10 Then Amnon said to Tamar, “Bring the food into the bedroom, so that I may eat from your hand.” So Tamar took the wafers she had prepared and brought them to her brother Amnon in the bedroom.
11 And when she set the food before him to eat, he seized her and said, “Come, my sister, lie with me.”
12 But she said to him, “No, my brother, do not violate me, for such a thing is not done in Israel. Do not do such a vile thing.
13 For where could I go with my disgrace? And you would be considered one of the wicked in Israel. Now therefore, please speak to the king, for he will not refuse me to you.”
14 But he would not listen to her, and being stronger than she, he forced her and lay with her.
15 Then Amnon hated her with such a great hatred that his hatred for her was greater than his love for her. And Amnon said to her, “Arise, and go.”
16 But she said to him, “There is no reason; this evil of throwing me away is greater than the evil you have done to me.” But he refused to listen to her.
17 Instead, he called his servant who stood before him and said, “Throw this woman out of here and shut the door behind her.”
18She was wearing a multicolored garment, the kind worn by the virgin daughters of kings. So his servant drove her out and shut the door behind her.
Then Tamar took ashes and sprinkled them on her head, tore the colorful garment she was wearing, and, putting her hand on her head, went away crying out.
Absalom's revenge and flight
20 And her brother Absalom said to her, “Has your brother Amnon been with you? Now be silent, my sister; he is your brother; do not let your heart be troubled about this.” So Tamar remained in the house of her brother Absalom, desolate.
21 When King David heard all this, he was very angry.
22 But Absalom did not speak to Amnon, neither good nor bad, though Absalom hated Amnon because he had raped his sister Tamar.
23 After two years, Absalom had sheep shearers at Baal-hazor, which is near Ephraim, and Absalom invited all the king’s sons.
24 Then Absalom came to the king and said, “Look, your servant has sheep shearers; let the king and his servants come with your servant.”
25 The king answered Absalom, “No, my son, we will not all go, lest we be a burden to you.” And though he urged him, he would not go, but blessed him.
26 Then Absalom said, “If not, please let my brother Amnon come with us.” But the king answered him, “Why should he go with you?”
27 But because Absalom urged him, he let Amnon and all the king’s sons go with him.
28 Now Absalom had given orders to his servants, saying, “Watch when Amnon’s heart is merry with wine, and when I say, ‘Strike Amnon,’ then kill him. Do not be afraid, for I have commanded you. Be strong and courageous.”
29 So Absalom’s servants did to Amnon as Absalom had commanded them. Then all the king’s sons arose, and each mounted his mule and fled.
30 While they were still on the road, a report reached David, saying, “Absalom has killed all the king’s sons; not one of them is left.”
31 Then David arose and tore his clothes and lay on the ground, and all his servants who were with him tore their clothes as well.
32 But Jonadab, the son of Shimeah, David’s brother, spoke up and said, “My lord should not say that all the king’s young sons are dead, for only Amnon is dead. This was determined by Absalom’s command from the day Amnon raped his sister Tamar.
33 Therefore, my lord the king should not entertain this rumor that says, ‘All the king’s sons are dead,’ for only Amnon is dead.”
34 So Absalom fled. Meanwhile, the young man who was on watch lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, a great multitude was coming along the road behind them, from the side of the hill.
35 And Jonadab said to the king, “Look, the king’s sons are coming; it is just as your servant said.”
36 When he had finished speaking, behold, the king’s sons came, and they lifted up their voices and wept. And the king himself and all his servants also wept bitterly.
37 But Absalom fled and went to Talmai son of Ammihud, king of Geshur. And David mourned for his son every day.
38 So Absalom fled and went to Geshur, and he was there three years.
39 And King David longed to see Absalom, for he was now comforted concerning Amnon, who was dead.
2 Samuel Chapter 14
Joab seeks Absalom's return
1 Now Joab son of Zeruiah knew that the king’s heart was inclined toward Absalom,
2 so Joab sent to Tekoa and brought from there a shrewd woman and said to her, “Please pretend to be in mourning, and put on mourning clothes, but do not anoint yourself with oil, and present yourself as a woman who has been mourning for a long time for someone who is dead.
3 Then go to the king and speak to him in this manner.” And Joab put the words in her mouth.
4 So the woman of Tekoa went to the king, and falling to the ground with her face to the ground, she paid homage and said, “Help, O king!”
5 The king said to her, “What is the matter?” And she answered, “I am a widow, and my husband is dead.
6 Your servant had two sons, and the two of them quarreled in the field; and since there was no one to separate them, one struck the other and killed him.”
7 And now the whole family has risen up against your servant, saying, “Hand over the man who killed his brother, so that we may put him to death for the life of his brother whom he killed, and also put the heir to death. Thus they will quench the ember that is left to me, leaving my husband neither name nor remnant on earth.”
8 Then the king said to the woman, “Go to your house, and I will give orders concerning you.”
9 And the woman of Tekoa said to the king, “My lord the king, let the guilt be on me and on my father’s house; but let the king and his throne be blameless.”
10 And the king said, “Whoever speaks against you, bring him to me, and he shall not touch you again.”
11 Then she said, “I pray, O king, remember the Lord your God, so that the avenger of blood may not increase the harm and destroy my son.” And he answered, “As the Lord lives, not a hair of your son’s head shall fall to the ground.”
12 The woman said, “Please let your servant speak a word to my lord the king.” He said, “Speak.”
13 Then the woman said, “Why then have you conceived such a thing against the people of God? For by speaking this word, the king makes himself guilty, because the king does not bring back his exile.
14 For we all surely die, and are like water poured out on the ground, which cannot be gathered up again. Neither does God take away life, but He provides a way so that the exile may not be far from Himself.
15 The reason I have come now to speak to my lord the king is because the people frightened me. And your servant said, ‘Let me speak to the king; perhaps he will do what his servant says.’
16 For the king will hear, to deliver his servant from the hand of the man who seeks to destroy me and my son also from the inheritance of God.”
17Your servant says, “May the answer of my lord the king be a comfort to me, for my lord the king is like an angel of God, discerning between good and evil. May the Lord your God be with you.”
18 Then David answered and said to the woman, “Please do not hide anything from me that I ask you.” And the woman said, “Let my lord the king speak.”
19 And the king said, “Is not Joab’s hand with you in all these things?” The woman answered and said, “As surely as you live, my lord the king, we must not turn aside to the right or to the left from all that my lord the king has spoken, for your servant Joab commanded me, and he put all these words in your servant’s mouth.
20 Your servant Joab has done this to change the appearance of things, but my lord is wise, like the wisdom of an angel of God, to know what is in the earth.”
21 Then the king said to Joab, “Behold, I will do this; go, and bring back the young man Absalom.”
22 Then Joab fell facedown to the ground and paid homage. After he had blessed the king, he said, “Your servant has known today that I have found favor in your eyes, my lord the king, because the king has done as his servant asked.”
23 So Joab arose and went to Geshur and brought Absalom to Jerusalem.
24 But the king said, “Let him go home and not see my face.” So Absalom went home and did not see the king’s face.
25 Now there was no one in all Israel as praised 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 his hair (which he did at the end of every year, because it was troublesome to him, and so he cut it), the hair of his head weighed two hundred shekels according to royal weight.
27 Absalom had three sons and a daughter named Tamar, a beautiful woman.
28 Absalom stayed in Jerusalem for two years and did not see the king.
29 Absalom sent for Joab to send him to the king, but he refused to come. He sent for him a second time, but he still refused.
30 Then Absalom said to his servants, “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 got up and went to Absalom’s house and said to him, “Why have your servants set my field on fire?”
32 Absalom answered Joab, “I sent for you, telling you to come here, so that I could send you to the king and say to him, ‘Why did I come down from Geshur? It would have been better for me to remain there.’” Let me now see the king’s face; and if there is any sin in me, let him kill me.
33 So Joab went to the king and told him. Then he summoned Absalom, who came to the king and bowed his face to the ground before the king; and the king kissed Absalom.
2 Samuel Chapter 15
Absalom rebels against David
1 After this, Absalom acquired chariots and horses, and fifty men to run before him.
2 Early in the morning Absalom would rise and stand beside the road by the gate. Anyone who had a dispute and came to the king for judgment, Absalom would call to him and ask, “What city are you from?” And he would answer, “Your servant is from one of the tribes of Israel.”
3 Then Absalom would say to him, “Your arguments are good and just, but you have no one to hear you from the king.”
4 Absalom said, “Oh, that I were appointed judge in the land! Then everyone who had a dispute or a case could come to me, and I would see that they got justice.”
5 So whenever anyone approached him to bow down to him, Absalom would reach out his hand, take hold of him, and kiss him.
6 This was how he treated all the Israelites who came to the king for judgment. And so Absalom stole the hearts of the Israelites.
7 At the end of four years, Absalom said to the king, “Please let me go to Hebron to fulfill my vow that I made to the Lord.
8 For your servant made a vow while I was in Geshur in Syria, saying, ‘If the Lord will bring me back to Jerusalem, I will serve the Lord.’”
9 The king said to him, “Go in peace.” So he arose and went to Hebron.
10 Then Absalom sent messengers throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, “When you hear the sound of the trumpet, you shall say, ‘Absalom reigns in Hebron.’”
11 Two hundred men from Jerusalem went with Absalom, invited by him, who went in their innocence, knowing nothing.
12 While Absalom was offering the sacrifices, he summoned Ahithophel the Gilonite, David’s counselor, from his city of Giloh. And the conspiracy grew strong, and the people who followed Absalom increased.
13 A messenger came to David, saying, “The heart of all Israel is with Absalom.”
14 Then David said to all his servants who were with him in Jerusalem, “Arise, and let us flee, for we cannot escape from Absalom. Hurry and leave, lest he overtake us and bring disaster upon us and strike the city with the edge of the sword.”
15 And the king’s servants said to the king, “Behold, your servants are ready for whatever our lord the king decides.”
16 So the king set out, and all his household followed him. And the king left ten concubines to keep the house.
17 So the king set out with all the people who followed him, and they stopped at a distant place.
18And all his servants passed by him, with all the Cherethites and Pelethites; and all the Gittites, six hundred men who had come on foot from Gath, went before the king.
19 And the king said to Ittai the Gittite, “Why have you come with us also? Go back and stay with the king, for you are a foreigner, and an exile from your own place.
20 You came only yesterday, and should I make you move today to go with us? As for me, I will go wherever I can go; you go back, and bring back your brothers. May the Lord show you steadfast love and faithfulness.”
21 And Ittai answered the king, saying, “As surely as God lives, and as surely as my lord the king lives, whether for death or for life, where my lord the king is, there your servant will be also.”
22 Then David said to Ittai, “Come over, then.” So Ittai the Gittite and all his men and all his family crossed over.
23 And all the land wept aloud; then all the people crossed the Kidron Valley; the king also crossed over, and all the people crossed over on the road that leads to the wilderness.
24 And behold, Zadok also went, and with him all the Levites who carried the ark of the covenant of God; and they set down the ark of the covenant of God. And Abiathar went up after all the people had finished leaving the city.
25 But the king said to Zadok, “Bring back the ark of God to the city. If I find favor in the sight of the Lord, he will bring it back, and let me see his dwelling place.
26 But if he says, ‘I do not find favor in you,’ then here I am, let him do to me as seems good to him.”
27 The king also said to Zadok the priest, “Are you not the seer? Go back to the city in peace, you and your two sons, Ahimaaz your son and Jonathan son of Abiathar.
28 I will wait at the fords of the wilderness until word comes back from you.”
29 So Zadok and Abiathar brought the ark of God back to Jerusalem and remained there.
30 David went up the Mount of Olives, weeping as he went, with his head covered and his feet bare. All the people with him also covered their heads and wept as they went up.
31 David was told, “Ahithophel is among those who conspired with Absalom.” David said, “O Lord, frustrate the plan of Ahithophel.”
32 When David reached the top of the mountain to worship God there, Hushai the Archite came out to meet him, his clothes torn and dust on his head.
33 David said to him, “If you go over 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 until now, so I will be your servant now,’ then you will nullify Ahithophel’s plan.
35 Are not Zadok and Abiathar the priests there with you? Therefore, tell Zadok and Abiathar the priests everything you hear in the king’s house.
36 And their two sons, Ahimaaz, Zadok’s son, and Jonathan, Abiathar’s son, are with them. Send me word through them of everything you hear.”
37 So Hushai, David’s friend, came to the city, and Absalom entered Jerusalem.
2 Samuel Chapter 16
1 When David had gone a little beyond the top of the mountain, Ziba, Mephibosheth’s servant, came out to meet him with two saddled donkeys, and on them two hundred loaves of bread, one hundred clusters of raisins, one hundred cakes of dried figs, and a skin of wine.
2 The king said to Ziba, “What are these?” Ziba replied, “The donkeys are for the king’s household to ride on, the bread and raisins are for the servants to eat, and the wine is for those who become weary in the wilderness to drink.”
3 The king asked, “Where is your master’s son?” Ziba answered the king, “He has remained in Jerusalem, for he said, ‘Today the house of Israel will restore to me my father’s kingdom.’”
4 Then the king said to Ziba, “Now everything that belongs to Mephibosheth is yours.” Ziba bowed down and said, “My lord the king, may I find favor in your sight.”
5 When King David came to Bahurim, a man named Shimei son of Gera, from the family of Saul, came out cursing.
6 He was throwing stones at David and at all of King David’s servants, while all the people and all the mighty men stood on his right and on his left.
7 Shimei was cursing him and saying, “Get out, get out, you bloodthirsty and wicked man!
8 The Lord has repaid you for all the blood of the house of Saul, in whose place you reigned, and the Lord has given the kingdom into the hand of your son Absalom. And now you are caught in your wickedness, for you are a bloodthirsty man.”
9 Then Abishai son of Zeruiah said to the king, “Why does this dead dog curse my lord the king? Please let me pass by, and I will cut off its head.”
10 But the king replied, “What have I to do with you, sons of Zeruiah?” If he curses like this, it is because the Lord has told him to curse David. Who then can say to him, “Why are you doing this?”
11 David said to Abishai and all his servants, “Look, my own son, who came from my own body, is trying to kill me. How much more so now a Benjamite! Let him curse, for the Lord has told him to.
12 Perhaps the Lord will look on my affliction and reward me for his cursing today.”
13 As David and his men continued on the road, Shimei walked along the side of the hill ahead of him, cursing as he went, throwing stones and scattering dust before him.
14 The king and all the people with him arrived exhausted and rested there.
15 Absalom and all his people, the men of Israel, entered Jerusalem, and Ahithophel with him.
16 Now it happened, when Hushai the Archite, David’s friend, came to meet Absalom, that Hushai said, “Long live the king! Long live the king!”
17 Then Absalom said to Hushai, “Is this your way of showing gratitude to your friend? Why didn’t you go with your friend?”
18 Hushai answered Absalom, “No, but I will be with whomever the Lord and this people and all the men of Israel choose.
19 And whom should I serve? Should I not serve his son? As I served your father, so will I serve you.”
20 Then Absalom said to Ahithophel, “Give us your advice on what we should do.”
21 Ahithophel said to Absalom, “Go in to your father’s concubines, whom he left to keep the house, so that all the people of 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 on the roof, and Absalom went in to his father’s concubines in the sight of all Israel.
23 And the advice that Ahithophel gave in those days was as if one consulted the word of God. Such was all the advice of Ahithophel, both to David and to Absalom.
2 Samuel Chapter 17
Advice from Ahitofel and Husai
1 Then Ahithophel said to Absalom, “Let me choose twelve thousand men, and I will arise and pursue David tonight.
2 I will attack him while he is weary and weak in his hands; I will terrify him, and all the people who are with him will flee, and I will kill the king alone.
3 Then I will bring back all the people to you (for you seek only the life of one man); and when they have returned, all the people will be at peace.”
4 This advice seemed good to Absalom and to all the elders of Israel.
5 And Absalom said, “Now also summon Hushai the Archite, that we may also hear what he has to say.”
6 When Hushai came to Absalom, Absalom spoke to him, saying, “Thus says Ahithophel; shall we follow his advice, or not? Tell me.”
7 Then Hushai said to Absalom, “The advice that Ahithophel has given this time is not good.”
8 Hushai added, “You know that your father and his men are mighty warriors, and they are bitter in spirit, like a bear in the field when her cubs have been taken from her. Besides, your father is a man of war, and he will not spend the night with the people.
9 Now he is hiding in some cave or other place; and if some of your men fall at first, whoever hears of it will say, ‘The people who follow Absalom have been defeated.’
10 Even the mighty man, whose heart is like the heart of a lion, will be completely dismayed, for all Israel knows that your father is a mighty man, and that those who are with him are valiant.
11 Therefore I advise that all Israel gather around you, from Dan to Beersheba, in numbers as numerous as the sand on the seashore, and that you yourself go out to battle.”
12 Then we will attack him wherever he may be, and we will descend upon him as dew falls upon the earth, and we will not leave one of him or of all who are with him.
13 And if he takes refuge in any city, all the men of Israel will carry ropes to that city, and we will drag it down to the valley, until not a stone is found there.
14 Then Absalom and all the men of Israel said, “The advice of Hushai the Archite is better than the advice of Ahithophel.” For the Lord had ordained that the good advice of Ahithophel should be thwarted, so that the Lord might bring disaster upon Absalom.
15 Then Hushai said to Zadok and Abiathar the priests, “Thus and thus Ahithophel advised Absalom and the elders of Israel; and thus I advised.”
16 Therefore, send immediately and tell David, saying, “Do not stay tonight at the fords of the wilderness, but cross over at once, lest the king and all the people who are with him be destroyed.”
17 Now Jonathan and Ahimaaz were by the spring of Rogel, and a servant girl came and told them, for they could not be seen coming to the city; and they went and told King David.
18 But they were seen by a young man, who told Absalom about them; nevertheless, the two of them hurried on and came to the house of a man in Bahurim, who had a well in his courtyard, and they went down into it.
19 And the woman of the house took a blanket, spread it over the mouth of the well, and poured threshed grain on it; and nothing more was known of the matter.
20 Then Absalom’s servants came to the woman’s house and asked, “Where are Ahimaaz and Jonathan?” The woman replied, “They have crossed the ford.” So they searched for them but did not find them, and returned to Jerusalem.
21 After they had left, the men came up out of the well and went to King David and told him, “Get up and hurry across the water, for Ahithophel has given such advice against you.”
22 So David and all the people who were with him got up and crossed the Jordan before daybreak; not one of them failed to cross.
23 When Ahithophel saw that his advice had not been followed, he saddled his donkey, got up, and went home to his city. After he had put his affairs in order, he hanged himself and died. He was buried in his father’s tomb.
24 David arrived at Mahanaim, and Absalom crossed the Jordan with all the people of Israel.
25 Absalom appointed Amasa commander of the army in place of Joab. Amasa was the son of an Israelite named Ithra, who had married Abigail, the daughter of Nahash, the sister of Zeruiah, Joab’s mother.
26 Israel and Absalom camped in the land of Gilead.
27 When David arrived at Mahanaim, Shobi son of Nahash from Rabbah of the Ammonites, Machir son of Ammiel from Lo-debar, and Barzillai the Gileadite from Rogelim
28 brought beds, bowls, earthenware jars, wheat, barley, flour, roasted grain, beans, lentils, roasted chickpeas,
29 honey, butter, sheep, and cheese for them to eat. because they said, «The people are hungry, tired, and thirsty in the desert.»
2 Samuel Chapter 18
Death of Absalom
1 So David mustered the people who were with him and appointed commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds over them.
2 David sent out the people, a third under Joab, a third under Abishai son of Zeruiah, Joab’s brother, and a third under Ittai the Gittite. The king said to the people, “I will go out with you also.”
3 But the people said, “You will not go out, for if we flee, they will not care for us; and even if half of us die, they will not care for us; but you are worth as much as ten thousand of us. It would be better for you to help us from the city.”
4 Then the king said to them, “I will do whatever seems best to you.” So the king stood at the entrance of the city gate, while all the people went out by hundreds and by thousands.
5 The king commanded Joab, Abishai, and Ittai, saying, “Deal kindly with the young man Absalom for my sake.” And all the people heard when the king gave orders concerning Absalom to all the captains.
6 So the people went out to the field against Israel, and the battle was fought in the forest of Ephraim.
7 And there the people of Israel fell before the servants of David, and there was a great slaughter there that day of twenty thousand men.
8 And the battle spread throughout the land; and more were destroyed by the forest that day than were destroyed by the sword.
9 Now Absalom met the servants of David; and Absalom was riding on a mule, and the mule went under the thick branches of a great oak tree, and his head became caught in the oak tree, and Absalom was left hanging between heaven and earth; and the mule on which he was riding went on ahead.
10 When one saw it, he told Joab, saying, “Look, I saw Absalom hanging in an oak tree.”
11 Joab answered the man who brought him the news, “And when you saw him, why didn’t you kill him right there and throw him to the ground? I would have been pleased to give you ten shekels of silver and a belt.”
12 The man said to Joab, “Even if you had given me a thousand shekels of silver, I would not lay a hand on the king’s son, for we heard the king command you, Abishai, and Ittai, saying, ‘See that no one touches the young man Absalom.’
13 Moreover, I would have been treasonous, for nothing is hidden from the king, and you yourself would be against me.”
14 Joab replied, “I will not waste my time with you.” Then he took three darts in his hand and thrust them into Absalom’s heart, while he was still alive in the oak tree.
15 Ten of Joab’s young armor-bearers surrounded Absalom and struck him down and killed him.
16Then Joab blew the trumpet, and the people turned back from pursuing Israel, for Joab had halted the army.
17 Afterward, they took Absalom and threw him into a large pit in the forest and piled a very large heap of stones over him. All Israel fled, each to his tent.
18 Now while he was still alive, Absalom had taken and set up a pillar, which stands in the King’s Valley, for he had said, “I have no son to keep my name in remembrance.” He named the pillar after himself, and it has been called Absalom’s Pillar to this day.
19 Then Ahimaaz son of Zadok said, “Shall I run now and tell the king that the Lord has delivered him from the hand of his enemies?”
20 Joab answered, “You shall not bring the news today; you shall bring it another day. You shall not bring the news today, for the king’s son is dead.”
21 Then Joab said to an Ethiopian, “Go and tell the king what you have seen.” So the Ethiopian bowed down to Joab and ran.
22 Then Ahimaaz son of Zadok said to Joab, “Whatever happens, I will run after the Ethiopian.” Joab said, “My son, why should you run, since you will receive no reward for the news?”
23 But he answered, “Whatever happens, I will run.” Then he said, “Run.” So Ahimaaz ran by way of the plain and passed the Ethiopian.
24 Now David was sitting between the two gates, and the watchman had gone up to the roof over the gate in the wall. Lifting up his eyes, he looked and saw someone running alone.
25 The watchman called out and told the king. The king said, “If he comes alone, he brings good news.” As he came near,
26 the watchman saw another man running; And the watchman called out to the gatekeeper, saying, “Look, another man is running alone!” And the king said, “He too is a messenger.”
27 And the watchman said again, “The first man’s running seems to me like the running of Ahimaaz son of Zadok.” And the king said, “He is a good man, and he comes with good news.”
28 Then Ahimaaz said with a loud voice to the king, “Peace!” And he bowed down to the ground before the king and said, “Blessed be the Lord your God, who has delivered up the men who raised their hands against my lord the king.”
29 And the king said, “Is the young man Absalom well?” And Ahimaaz answered, “I saw a great commotion when Joab sent the king’s servant to me, your servant, but I do not know what it was.”
30 And the king said, “Come in, and stand there.” So he came in and stood there.
31 Then the Ethiopian came and said, “Let my lord the king receive good news! Today the Lord has delivered you from the hand of all who rose up against you.”
32 The king then said to the Ethiopian, “Is the young man Absalom safe?” And the Ethiopian replied, “May the enemies of my lord the king and all who rise up against you to do you harm be like that young man.”
33 Then the king was troubled, and he went up to the hall over the gate and wept. As he went, he said, “My son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! If only I had died instead of you, Absalom, my son, my son!”
2 Samuel Chapter 19
David returns to Jerusalem
1 Joab was told, “The king is weeping and mourning for Absalom.”
2 So that day the victory turned into mourning for all the people, for the people heard that the king was grieving for his son.
3 That day the people went into the city secretly, as a people in shame who has fled from battle go in secret.
4 But the king, with his face covered, cried out with a loud voice, “My son Absalom! Absalom, my son, my son!”
5 Then Joab came to the king in the palace and said, “Today you have shamed all your servants, who today have saved your life, the lives of your sons and daughters, your wives, and your concubines,
6 by loving those who hate you and hating those who love you. Today you have declared that you care nothing for your princes and servants; For today you have made it clear to me that if Absalom were alive, even if all of us were dead, then you would be pleased.
7 Now therefore, arise, go out and speak kindly to your servants; for I swear by the Lord that if you do not go out, not one man will remain with you tonight; and this will be worse for you than all the evils that have befallen you from your youth until now.
8 So the king arose and sat in the gate, and it was told all the people, saying, “Behold, the king is sitting in the gate.” And all the people came before the king; but Israel had fled, every man to his tent.
9 And all the people were disputing among 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 from the land for fear of Absalom.
10 And Absalom, whom we anointed over us, is dead in battle. Why then are you silent about bringing the king back?”
11 Then King David sent Zadok and Abiathar the priests, saying, “Speak to the elders of Judah and say to them, ‘Why should you be the last to bring the king back to his house, when the word of all Israel has come to the king to bring him back to his house?
12 You are my brothers; you are my flesh and blood. Why then should you be the last to bring the king back?’
13 “Also say to Amasa, ‘Are you not also my flesh and blood? May God do so to me and more also if you are not commander of the army before me forever, instead of Joab.’”
14 So he moved the hearts of all the men of Judah as one man to send a message to the king, saying, “Return, you and all your servants.”
15 So the king returned and came to the Jordan. And Judah came to Gilgal to meet the king and to help him cross the Jordan.
16 Now Shimei son of Gera, the Benjamite from Bahurim, hurried down with the men of Judah to meet King David.
17 With him were a thousand men of Benjamin, and Ziba, a servant of Saul’s house, with his fifteen sons and his twenty servants, who crossed the Jordan ahead of the king.
18 They crossed over to go to the king’s household and to do whatever seemed good to him. Then Shimei son of Gera bowed down before the king when he had crossed the Jordan,
19 and said to the king, “My lord, do not hold me guilty, nor remember the evil your servant did on the day my lord the king left Jerusalem. Do not let the king remember it.
20 For I, your servant, acknowledge that I have sinned, and I have come today first of all the house of Joseph to go down to meet my lord the king.”
21 Abishai son of Zeruiah answered, “Should not Shimei, who has cursed the Lord’s anointed, be put to death for this?”
22 David replied, “What have I to do with you, sons of Zeruiah, that you should be my adversaries today? Should anyone in Israel be put to death today? For do I not know that I am king over Israel today?”
23 And the king said to Shimei, “You shall not die.” And the king swore to him.
24 Mephibosheth, Saul’s son, also went down to meet the king. He had not washed his feet, nor cut his beard, nor washed his clothes, from the day the king left until the day he returned in peace.
25 And when he came to Jerusalem to meet the king, the king said to him, “Mephibosheth, why didn’t you go with me?”
26 And he answered, “My lord the king, my servant has deceived me. For your servant said, ‘Saddle me on a donkey, and I will ride on it and go to the king, for your servant is lame.’
27 But he has slandered your servant before my lord the king. But my lord the king is like an angel of God; so do whatever seems good to you.
28 For all my father’s house was worthy of death before my lord the king, and you have set your servant among those who are invited to your table. What right, then, do I have to cry out to the king any further?”
29 And the king said to him, “Why speak any more? I have decided that you and Ziba shall divide the land between you.”
30 And Mephibosheth said to the king, “Let him take it all, for my lord the king has returned to his house in peace.”
31 Barzillai the Gileadite also came down from Rogelim and crossed the Jordan with the king to accompany him to the other side.
32 Now Barzillai was very old, eighty years old, and he had provided for the king when he was 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 with me in Jerusalem.”
34 But Barzillai said to the king, “How many more years must I live, so that I may go up with the king to Jerusalem?
35 I am eighty years old today. Can I distinguish between good and bad? Can your servant now find pleasure in what he eats or drinks? Can I still hear the voice of the male and female singers? Why then should your servant be a burden to my lord the king?
36 Your servant will go over a little further than the Jordan with the king; Why should the king give me such a great reward?
37 Please let your servant return, and let him die in my city, by the tomb of my father and mother. But here is your servant Chimmam; let him cross over with my lord the king, and do to him as you please.
38 And the king said, “Let Chimmam come with me, and I will do to him as you please; and whatever you ask of me, I will do.”
39 So all the people crossed the Jordan; and when the king had also crossed over, the king kissed Barzillai and blessed him; and he returned to his house.
40 Then the king crossed over to Gilgal, and Chimmam crossed over with him; and all the people of Judah accompanied the king, and also half the people of Israel.
41 And behold, all the men of Israel came to the king, and said to him, “Why have the men of Judah, our brothers, taken you away, and brought the king and his household and all the servants of David with him across the Jordan?”
42And all the men of Judah answered all the men of Israel, “Because the king is our relative. But why are you angry about this? Have we eaten anything from the king? Have we received any gift from him?”
Then the men of Israel answered and said to the men of Judah, “We have ten shares in the king, and more in David himself than you. Why then have you despised us? Did we not speak first about bringing back our king?” And the words of the men of Judah were more forceful than those of the men of Israel.
2 Samuel Chapter 20
Seba's Uprising
1 Now there happened to be a wicked man there, named Sheba son of Bichri, a man of Benjamin. He blew the trumpet and said, “We have no share in David, nor any inheritance with the son of Jesse. Every man to his tent, O Israel!”
2 So all the men of Israel deserted David and followed Sheba son of Bichri, but the men of Judah followed their king from the Jordan to Jerusalem.
3 When David arrived at his house in Jerusalem, the king took the ten concubines he had left to keep the house and put them in seclusion and provided them with food. But he did not go in to them again, and they remained in seclusion until they died, a widow forever.
4 Then the king said to Amasa, “Summon the men of Judah to me within three days, and be present here.”
5 So Amasa went to summon the men of Judah, but he delayed longer than the appointed time.
6 David said to Abishai, “Sheba son of Bichri will do us more harm than Absalom did. Take your master’s men and pursue him, or he may find fortified cities and cause us trouble.”
7 So Joab’s men, the Cherethites, the Pelethites, and all the mighty warriors went out from Jerusalem to pursue Sheba son of Bichri.
8 When they were near the large stone at Gibeon, Amasa came out to meet them. Joab was wearing his tunic, and his belt with a dagger in its sheath was fastened to his waist. As he advanced, the dagger fell out of his hand.
9 Joab said to Amasa, “Are you well, my brother?” With his right hand, Joab took hold of Amasa’s beard to kiss him.
10 But Amasa paid no attention to the dagger in Joab’s hand; And he struck him with it in the fifth rib, and his entrails spilled out on the ground, and he fell dead without a second blow being struck. After this, Joab and his brother Abishai went in pursuit of Sheba son of Bichri.
11 And one of Joab’s men stood beside him, saying, “Whoever loves Joab and David, let him follow Joab.”
12 Now Amasa lay rolling in his blood in the middle of the road; and everyone who passed by, when they saw him, stopped. And when the man saw that all the people stopped, he took Amasa from the road into the field and threw a garment over him.
13 As soon as he was taken from the road, all those who followed Joab passed on to pursue Sheba son of Bichri.
14 And he passed through all the tribes of Israel as far as Abel Beth Maacah and all Barim; and they gathered together and followed him also.
15 And they came and besieged him at Abel-beth-maacah, and set up a siege ramp against the city, and it was besieged; and all the people who were with Joab worked to break down the wall.
16 Then a wise woman called out in the city, saying, “Listen, listen! I beg you to tell Joab to come here, so that I may speak with him.”
17 When he approached her, the woman said, “Are you Joab?” And he answered, “I am.” She said to him, “Listen to the words of your servant.” And he answered, “I am listening.”
18 Then she spoke again, saying, “In former times they used to say, ‘Let him who inquires, inquire at Abel,’ and so they settled any matter.
19 I am one of the peaceable and faithful of Israel, yet you seek to destroy a city that is a mother in Israel. Why do you destroy the inheritance of the Lord?”
20 Joab answered, “Far be it from me, far be it from me, that I should destroy or undo.
21 But it is not so; but a man from the hill country of Ephraim, named Sheba son of Bichri, has raised his hand against King David. Hand him over only, and I will depart from the city.” And the woman said to Joab, “Behold, his head will be thrown to you from the wall.”
22 Then the woman went to all the people with her wisdom, and they cut off the head of Sheba son of Bichri and threw it to Joab. And he blew the trumpet, and they withdrew from the city, each to his tent. And Joab returned to the king in Jerusalem.
David's officers
23 So Joab remained in charge of all the army of Israel, and Benaiah son of Jehoiada over the Cherethites and Pelethites,
24 and Adoram over the tribute, and Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud was the recorder.
25 Sheva was the scribe, and Zadok and Abiathar were priests,
26 and Ira the Jairite was also a priest of David.
2 Samuel Chapter 21
Revenge of the Gibeonites
1 There was a famine in the days of David for three consecutive years. And David inquired of the Lord, and the Lord said to him, “It is because of Saul and his bloodthirsty house, because he put the Gibeonites to death.”
2 So the king summoned the Gibeonites and spoke to them. (The Gibeonites were not of the children of Israel, but were the remnant of the Amorites, to whom the children of Israel had sworn an oath; but Saul had sought to kill them in his zeal for the children of Israel and Judah.)
3 So David said to the Gibeonites, “What shall I do for you, or what atonement shall I give you, so that you will bless the inheritance of the Lord?”
4 And the Gibeonites said to him, “We have no charge against Saul or his house concerning silver or gold, nor do we want any man of Israel to die.” And he said to them, “Whatever you say I will do.”
5 They answered the king, “From the man who destroyed us and plotted against us to annihilate us completely, leaving none of us in all the territory of Israel,
6 let seven of his sons be given to us, so that we may hang them before the Lord at Gibeah of Saul, the Lord’s chosen one.” And the king said, “I will give them to you.”
7 So the king spared Mephibosheth son of Jonathan, Saul’s son, because of the oath to the Lord that was between them, between David and Jonathan son of Saul.
8 But the king took two sons of Rizpah daughter of Aiah, whom she had borne to Saul, Armoni and Mephibosheth, and five sons of Michal daughter of Saul, whom she had borne to Adriel son of Barzillai the Meholathite,
9 and delivered them into the hands of the Gibeonites, and they hanged them on the mountain before the Lord. So those seven died together, who were killed in the first days of the harvest, at the beginning of the barley harvest.
10 Then Rizpah daughter of Aiah took sackcloth and spread it out for herself on the rock from the beginning of the harvest until the rain fell on them from the sky; and she did not allow any bird of the air to perch on them by day, nor any wild animal of the field by night.
11 And David was told what Rizpah daughter of Aiah, Saul’s concubine, had done.
12 Then David went and took the bones of Saul and the bones of Jonathan his son from the men of Jabesh-gilead, who had stolen them from the open square of Beth-shan, where the Philistines had hanged them when the Philistines killed Saul at Gilboa;
13 and he brought the bones of Saul and the bones of Jonathan his son from there; and they also gathered the bones of those who had been hanged.
14 And they buried the bones of Saul and of his son Jonathan in the land of Benjamin, in Zela, in the tomb of Kish his father; and they did all that the king had commanded. And God was gracious to the land after this.
15 The Philistines again made war against Israel, and David and his servants went down with him and fought against the Philistines; and David grew weary.
16 Then Ishbi-benob, one of the descendants of the giants, whose spear weighed three hundred shekels of bronze, and who was armed with a new sword, tried to kill David;
17 but Abishai son of Zeruiah came to his aid, and struck the Philistine and killed him. Then David’s men swore to him, saying, “You shall no longer go out with us to battle, lest you quench the lamp of Israel.”
David's men kill the giants
18 After that, there was another battle with the Philistines at Gob. Sibbecai the Hushathite killed Saph, who was one of the descendants of the giants.
19 There was another battle with the Philistines at Gob, in which Elhanan son of Jaare-oregim of Bethlehem killed Goliath the Gittite, whose spear shaft was like a weaver’s beam.
20 After that, there was another battle at Gath, where there was a man of great stature who had twelve fingers on each hand and twelve toes on each foot, twenty-four in all. He, too, was a descendant of the giants.
21 He defied Israel, and Jonathan son of Shimeah, David’s brother, killed him.
22 These four were descendants of the giants in Gath, who fell by the hand of David and his servants.
2 Samuel Chapter 22
David's Song of Deliverance
1 David spoke to the Lord the words of this song on the day the Lord had 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 is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold, my savior; you deliver me from violence.
4 I call to the Lord, who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies.
5 The waves of death encompassed me; the torrents of destruction overwhelmed me.
6 The cords of Sheol entangled me; the snares of death confronted me.
7 In my distress I called to the Lord; I cried to my God for help. From his temple he heard my voice; my cry came before him, into his ears.
8 The earth shook and trembled, the foundations of the heavens shook; they quaked because he was angry.”
9 Smoke rose from his nostrils, and consuming fire from his mouth; burning coals blazed forth from him.
10 He bowed the heavens and came down; darkness was under his feet.
11 He rode on a cherub and flew; he soared on the wings of the wind.
12 He made darkness his covering, the blackest clouds, thick darkness.
13 From the brightness of his presence coals of fire blazed forth.
14 The Lord thundered from heaven, and the voice of the Most High uttered;
15 He shot out his arrows and scattered them; he flashed lightning and routed them.
16 Then torrents of water appeared, and 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 down from on high and took hold of me; he drew me out of deep waters.
18 He delivered me from my powerful enemy, from those who hated me, though they were too strong for me.
19 They confronted me in the day of my calamity, but the Lord was my support.
20 He brought me out into a spacious place; he rescued me because he delighted in me.
21 The Lord has rewarded me according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness of my hands he has recompensed me.
22 For I have kept the ways of the Lord and have not wickedly departed from my God.
23 All his decrees were before me, and I did not turn aside from his statutes.
24 I was blameless before him and kept myself from my sin.
25 Therefore the Lord has rewarded me according to my righteousness and according to the cleanness of my hands in his sight.
26 With the merciful you will show yourself merciful, and with the blameless you will show yourself righteous.
27 With the pure you will show yourself pure, and with the crooked you will show yourself harsh.
28 For you save the afflicted people, but your eyes are on the proud to bring them down.
29 You are my lamp, O Lord; my God turns my darkness into light.
30 With you I can rout an army, and with my God I can scale a wall.
31 As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the Lord is flawless. He is a shield to all who take refuge in him.
32 For who is God except the Lord? And who is the Rock except our God?
33 It is God who arms me with strength and makes my path perfect;
34 He makes my feet like the feet of a deer, and sets me on my high places;
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 gentleness has made me great.
37 You have broadened the path beneath me, so that my feet have not slipped.
38 I will pursue my enemies and destroy them; I will not turn back until they are destroyed.
39 I will make short work of them and strike them down so that they cannot rise; they will fall beneath my feet.
40 For you have armed me with strength for the battle; you have subdued my enemies beneath me.
41 You have made my enemies turn their backs on me, so that I might destroy those who hate me.
42 They cried out, but there was no one to save them—even to the Lord, but he did not answer them.
43 I ground them like the dust of the earth; I trampled them like mud in the streets and crushed them.
44 You have delivered me from the strife of the people; you have kept me to be the head of the nations; people I did not know will serve me.
45 Foreigners will submit to me; as soon as they hear of me, they will obey me.
46 Foreigners will lose heart and come trembling from their strongholds.
47 The Lord lives! Blessed be my Rock! Exalted be God my Savior!
48 The God who avenges me and subdues peoples under me,
49 who delivers me from my enemies and lifts me up above my foes; you rescued me from the violent man.
50 Therefore I will praise you, Lord, among the nations; I will sing praise to your name.
51 He saves his king in glory and shows mercy to his anointed, to David and his descendants forever.
2 Samuel Chapter 23
David's last words
1 These are the last words of David. David son of Jesse said, the man who was raised on high, the anointed of the God of Jacob, the sweet psalmist of Israel:
2 The Spirit of the Lord spoke through me, and his word was on my tongue.
3 The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spoke to me: “There will be a righteous ruler over men, one who rules in the fear of God.
4 He will be like the light of morning, like the brightness of the sun on a cloudless morning, like rain that makes the grass of the earth spring up.
5 My house is not like this with God; yet he has made with me an everlasting covenant, ordered in all things, and it will be kept, though he has not yet brought to fruition all my salvation and my desire.
6 But the wicked are all like thorns that are pulled up, which no one takes with his hand;
7 but whoever wants to touch them arms himself with iron and the shaft of a spear, and they are utterly burned up in their place.”
David's valiant ones
8 These are the names of the mighty men David had: Josheb-basshebeth the Tachmonite, chief of the captains; he was Adino the Eznite, who killed eight hundred men at one time.
9 After him was Eleazar son of Dodo the Ahohite, one of the three mighty men who were with David when they defied the Philistines who had gathered there for battle, and the men of Israel had withdrawn.
10 He rose up and struck down the Philistines until his hand grew weary, and his hand clung to the sword. That day the Lord gave a great victory, and the people returned after him only to gather the plunder.
11 After him was Shammah son of Agee the Hararite. The Philistines had gathered at Lehi, where there was a small plot of ground full of lentils, and the people had fled before the Philistines.
12 Then he stood in the middle of the field and defended it, and struck down the Philistines; and the Lord gave a great victory.
13 Three of the thirty commanders went down and came to David at the cave of Adullam during the harvest. The Philistine camp was in the Valley of Rephaim.
14 David was then in the stronghold, and there was a Philistine garrison in Bethlehem.
15 David said earnestly, “Oh, that someone would get me a drink of water from the well of Bethlehem, which is by the gate!”
16 So the three mighty men broke through the Philistine lines and drew water from the well of Bethlehem, which was by the gate. They brought it to David, but he refused to drink it; instead, he poured it out before the Lord, saying,
17 “Far be it from me, O Lord, to do this! Shall I drink the blood of these men who risked their lives?” And he would not drink it. The three mighty men did this.
18 And Abishai, the brother of Joab, the son of Zeruiah, was chief of the thirty. He raised his spear against three hundred, whom he killed, and gained renown with the three.
19 He was the most renowned of the thirty, and became their leader; but he did not equal the first three.
20 Next, Benaiah son of Jehoiada, the son of a mighty man, great in exploits, from Kabzeel. He killed two Moabite lions; and he himself went down and killed a lion in the middle of a pit on a snowy day.
21 He also killed an Egyptian, a man of great stature; the Egyptian had a spear in his hand, but he went down against him with a staff, and snatched the spear from the Egyptian’s hand, and killed him with his own spear.
22 These things Benaiah son of Jehoiada did, and he gained renown among the three mighty men.
23 He was renowned among the thirty, but he did not equal the first three. And David made him commander of his personal guard.
24 Asahel, Joab’s brother, was one of the thirty; Elhanan the son of Dodo of Bethlehem,
25 Sama the Harodite, Elica the Harodite,
26 Heles the Palthite, Ira the son of Iches the Tekoite,
27 Abiezer the Anathotite, Mebunai the Hushathite,
28 Salmon the Ahohite, Maharai the Netophatite,
29 Heleb the son of Baana the Netophathite, Ittai the son of Ribai, of Gibeah of the sons of Benjamin,
30 Benaiah the Pirathonite, Hidai of the brook Gaash,
31 Abi-albon the Arbatite, Azmaveth the Barhumite,
32 Eliaba the Shaalbonite, Jonathan of the sons of Jashen,
33 Sama the Ararite, Ahijam the son of Sarar the Ararite,
34 Eliphelet the son of Ahasbai the son of Maacah, Eliam the son of Ahithophel, Gilonite,
35 Hezrai Carmelite, Paarai the Arbita,
36 Igal the son of Nathan, from Zoba, Bani the Gadite,
37 Selech the Ammonite, Naharai the Beerothite, armor-bearer of Joab the son of Zeruiah,
38 Ira the Hittite, Gareb the Hittite,
39 Uriah the Hittite; thirty-seven for all.
2 Samuel Chapter 24
David takes a census of the people
1 Again the anger of the Lord burned against Israel, and he stirred up David against them, saying, “Go and take a census of Israel and Judah.”
2 So the king said to Joab, the commander of the army who was with him, “Go through all the tribes of Israel, from Dan to Beersheba, and take a census of the people, so that I may know the number of the people.”
3 Joab replied to the king, “May the Lord your God add to the people a hundred times as they are, and may my lord the king see it! But why does my lord the king delight in this?”
4 Nevertheless, the king’s word prevailed over Joab and the commanders of the army. So Joab and the commanders of the army went out from the king’s presence to take a census of the people of Israel.
5 They crossed the Jordan and camped at Aroer, south of the city that is in the middle of the Valley of Gad, near Jazer.
6 After that they went to Gilead and to the lowlands of Hodshi; From there they went to Danjaan and the region around Sidon.
7 Then they went to the stronghold of Tyre and to all the cities of the Hivites and the Canaanites, and they went out to the Negev of Judah at Beersheba.
8 After they had gone throughout the land, they returned to Jerusalem at the end of nine months and twenty days.
9 Joab gave the king a census of the people: Israel numbered 800,000 mighty warriors who drew the sword, and Judah 500,000.
10 When David had taken the census, his conscience troubled him, and he said to the Lord, “I have sinned greatly in what I have done. Now, Lord, I pray that you take away the guilt of your servant, for I have acted very foolishly.”
11 Early the next morning, when David got up, the word of the Lord came to Gad the prophet, David’s seer, saying,
12 “ Go and tell David, ‘This is what the Lord says: I am giving you three things; You will choose one of them, and I will make it.
13 So Gad came to David and told him, “Do you want seven years of famine to come upon your land? Or for you to flee for three months before your enemies, with them pursuing you? Or for three days of plague to strike your land? Now consider, and see what answer I shall give to him who sent me.”
14 Then David said to Gad, “I am in great distress. Let us fall into the hands of the Lord, for his mercies are great; but do not let me fall into human hands.”
15 And the Lord sent the plague upon Israel from the morning until the appointed time; and seventy thousand men of the people died, from Dan to Beersheba.
16 And when the angel stretched out his hand over Jerusalem to destroy it, the Lord relented concerning the disaster, and said to the angel who was destroying the people, “It is enough; stay your hand.” Now the angel of the Lord was by the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite.
17 And David said to the LORD, when he saw the angel who was destroying the people, “I have sinned, I have done wickedly; what have these sheep done? I pray that your hand may be against me and against my father’s house.”
18 That day Gad came to David and said, “Go up and build an altar to the Lord on the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite.”
19 So David went up, as Gad had said, just as the Lord had commanded.
20 Araunah looked and saw the king and his servants coming toward him. Then Araunah went out and bowed down before the king with his face to the ground.
21 Araunah said, “Why has my lord the king come to his servant?” David answered, “To buy the threshing floor from you, to build an altar to the Lord, so that the plague on the people may be stopped.”
22 Araunah said to David, “Let my lord the king take and offer whatever seems good to him. Here are oxen for burnt offerings, and the threshing sledges and yokes for wood.”
23 All this, O king, Araunah gives to the king. Then Araunah said to the king, “May the Lord your God accept you.”
24 And the king said to Araunah, “No, I will buy it from you for a price; for 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 And David built there an altar to the Lord, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings; and the Lord heard the supplications of the land, and the plague was stopped in Israel.