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2nd Samuel1After the death of Saul, David

returned from his victory over theAmalekites and spent two days in Ziklag.2On the third day after David's return, aman arrived from the Israelite battlefront.He had torn his clothes and put dirt onhis head to show that he was inmourning. He fell to the ground beforeDavid in deep respect.3"Where have you come from?" Davidasked. "I escaped from the Israelitecamp," the man replied.4"What happened?" David demanded."Tell me how the battle went." The manreplied, "Our entire army fled. Many menare dead and wounded on the battlefield,and Saul and his son Jonathan havebeen killed."5"How do you know that Saul andJonathan are dead?" David demanded.6The young man answered, "I happenedto be on Mount Gilboa. I saw Saul thereleaning on his spear with the enemychariots closing in on him.7When he turned and saw me, he criedout for me to come to him. 'How can Ihelp?' I asked him.8And he said to me, 'Who are you?' Ireplied, 'I am an Amalekite.'9Then he begged me, 'Come over hereand put me out of my misery, for I am interrible pain and want to die.'10"So I killed him," the Amalekite toldDavid, "for I knew he couldn't live. ThenI took his crown and one of his braceletsso I could bring them to you, my lord."11David and his men tore their clothes insorrow when they heard the news.12They mourned and wept and fasted allday for Saul and his son Jonathan, andfor the LORD's army and the nation ofIsrael, because so many had died thatday.13Then David said to the young manwho had brought the news, "Where areyou from?" And he replied, "I am aforeigner, an Amalekite, who lives inyour land."14"Were you not afraid to kill the LORD'sanointed one?" David asked.15Then David said to one of his men,"Kill him!" So the man thrust his swordinto the Amalekite and killed him.16"You die self-condemned," David said,"for you yourself confessed that youkilled the LORD's anointed one."

17Then David composed a funeral songfor Saul and Jonathan.18Later he commanded that it be taughtto all the people of Judah. It is known asthe Song of the Bow, and it is recordedin The Book of Jashar.19Your pride and joy, O Israel, lies deadon the hills! How the mighty heroeshave fallen!20Don't announce the news in Gath, orthe Philistines will rejoice. Don't proclaimit in the streets of Ashkelon, or thepagans will laugh in triumph.21O mountains of Gilboa, let there be nodew or rain upon you or your slopes. Forthere the shield of the mighty wasdefiled; the shield of Saul will no longerbe anointed with oil.22Both Saul and Jonathan killed theirstrongest foes; they did not return frombattle empty-handed.23How beloved and gracious were Sauland Jonathan! They were together in lifeand in death. They were swifter thaneagles; they were stronger than lions.24O women of Israel, weep for Saul, forhe dressed you in fine clothing and goldornaments.25How the mighty heroes have fallen inbattle! Jonathan lies dead upon the hills.26How I weep for you, my brotherJonathan! Oh, how much I loved you!And your love for me was deep, deeperthan the love of women!27How the mighty heroes have fallen!Stripped of their weapons, they lie dead.

2After this, David asked the LORD,

"Should I move back to Judah?" And theLORD replied, "Yes." Then David asked,"Which town should I go to?" And theLORD replied, "Hebron."2David's wives were Ahinoam fromJezreel and Abigail, the widow of Nabalfrom Carmel. So David and his wives3and his men and their families allmoved to Judah, and they settled nearthe town of Hebron.4Then Judah's leaders came to Davidand crowned him king over the tribe ofJudah. When David heard that the menof Jabesh-gilead had buried Saul,5he sent them this message: "May theLORD bless you for being so loyal toyour king and giving him a decent burial.6May the LORD be loyal to you in returnand reward you with his unfailing love!And I, too, will reward you for what youhave done.

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7And now that Saul is dead, I ask you tobe my strong and loyal subjects like thepeople of Judah, who have anointed meas their new king."8But Abner son of Ner, the commanderof Saul's army, had already gone toMahanaim with Saul's son Ishbosheth.9There he proclaimed Ishbosheth kingover Gilead, Jezreel, Ephraim, Benjamin,the land of the Ashurites, and all the restof Israel.10Ishbosheth was forty years old whenhe became king, and he ruled fromMahanaim for two years. Meanwhile, thetribe of Judah remained loyal to David.11David made Hebron his capital, and heruled as king of Judah for seven and ahalf years.12One day Abner led some ofIshbosheth's troops from Mahanaim toGibeon.13About the same time, Joab son ofZeruiah led David's troops from Hebron,and they met Abner at the pool ofGibeon. The two groups sat down there,facing each other from opposite sides ofthe pool.14Then Abner suggested to Joab, "Let'shave a few of our warriors put on anexhibition of hand-to-hand combat." "Allright," Joab agreed.15So twelve men were chosen from eachside to fight against each other.16Each one grabbed his opponent by thehair and thrust his sword into the other'sside so that all of them died. The placehas been known ever since as the Fieldof Swords.17The two armies then began to fighteach other, and by the end of the dayAbner and the men of Israel had beendefeated by the forces of David.18Joab, Abishai, and Asahel, the threesons of Zeruiah, were among David'sforces that day. Asahel could run like adeer,19and he began chasing Abner. He wasrelentless and single-minded in hispursuit.20When Abner looked back and saw himcoming, he called out, "Is that you,Asahel?" "Yes, it is," he replied.21"Go fight someone else!" Abnerwarned. "Take on one of the youngermen and strip him of his weapons." ButAsahel refused and kept right onchasing Abner.22Again Abner shouted to him, "Getaway from here! I will never be able toface your brother Joab if I have to kill

you!"23But Asahel would not give up, soAbner thrust the butt end of his spearthrough Asahel's stomach, and thespear came out through his back. Hestumbled to the ground and died there.And everyone who came by that spotstopped and stood still when they sawAsahel lying there.24When Joab and Abishai found outwhat had happened, they set out afterAbner. The sun was just going down asthey arrived at the hill of Ammah nearGiah, along the road to the wilderness ofGibeon.25Abner's troops from the tribe ofBenjamin regrouped there at the top ofthe hill to take a stand.26Abner shouted down to Joab, "Mustwe always solve our differences withswords? Don't you realize the only thingwe will gain is bitterness toward eachother? When will you call off your menfrom chasing their Israelite brothers?"27Then Joab said, "God only knows whatwould have happened if you hadn'tspoken, for we would have chased youall night if necessary."28So Joab blew his trumpet, and his menstopped chasing the troops of Israel.29All that night Abner and his menretreated through the Jordan Valley.They crossed the Jordan River, travelingall through the morning, and they did notstop until they arrived at Mahanaim.30Meanwhile, Joab and his men alsoreturned home. When Joab counted hiscasualties, he discovered that onlynineteen men were missing, in additionto Asahel.31But three hundred and sixty of Abner'smen, all from the tribe of Benjamin, hadbeen killed.32Joab and his men took Asahel's bodyto Bethlehem and buried him therebeside his father. Then they traveled allnight and reached Hebron at daybreak.

3That was the beginning of a long war

between those who had been loyal toSaul and those who were loyal to David.As time passed David became strongerand stronger, while Saul's dynastybecame weaker and weaker.2These were the sons who were born toDavid in Hebron: The oldest was Amnon,whose mother was Ahinoam of Jezreel.3The second was Kileab, whose motherwas Abigail, the widow of Nabal from

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Carmel. The third was Absalom, whosemother was Maacah, the daughter ofTalmai, king of Geshur.4The fourth was Adonijah, whose motherwas Haggith. The fifth was Shephatiah,whose mother was Abital.5The sixth was Ithream, whose motherwas David's wife Eglah. These sonswere all born to David in Hebron.6As the war went on, Abner became apowerful leader among those who wereloyal to Saul's dynasty.7One day Ishbosheth, Saul's son,accused Abner of sleeping with one ofhis father's concubines, a womannamed Rizpah.8Abner became furious. "Am I a Judeandog to be kicked around like this?" heshouted. "After all I have done for youand your father by not betraying you toDavid, is this my reward--that you findfault with me about this woman?9May God deal harshly with me if I don'thelp David get all that the LORD haspromised him!10I should just go ahead and give Davidthe rest of Saul's kingdom. I should sethim up as king over Israel as well asJudah, from Dan to Beersheba."11Ishbosheth didn't dare say anotherword because he was afraid of whatAbner might do.12Then Abner sent messengers to David,saying, "Let's make an agreement, and Iwill help turn the entire nation of Israelover to you."13"All right," David replied, "but I will notnegotiate with you unless you bringback my wife Michal, Saul's daughter,when you come."14David then sent this message toIshbosheth, Saul's son: "Give me backmy wife Michal, for I bought her with thelives of one hundred Philistines."15So Ishbosheth took Michal away fromher husband Palti son of Laish.16Palti followed along behind her as faras Bahurim, weeping as he went. ThenAbner told him, "Go back home!" SoPalti returned.17Meanwhile, Abner had consulted withthe leaders of Israel. "For some timenow," he told them, "you have wanted tomake David your king.18Now is the time! For the LORD hassaid, 'I have chosen David to save mypeople from the Philistines and from alltheir other enemies.' "19Abner also spoke with the leaders ofthe tribe of Benjamin. Then he went to

Hebron to tell David that all the peopleof Israel and Benjamin supported him.20When Abner came to Hebron with histwenty men, David entertained themwith a great feast.21Then Abner said to David, "Let me goand call all the people of Israel to yourside. They will make a covenant withyou to make you their king. Then youwill be able to rule over everything yourheart desires." So David sent Abnersafely on his way.22But just after Abner left, Joab andsome of David's troops returned from araid, bringing much plunder with them.23When Joab was told that Abner hadjust been there visiting the king and hadbeen sent away in safety,24he rushed to see the king. "What haveyou done?" he demanded. "What do youmean by letting Abner get away?25You know perfectly well that he cameto spy on you and to discover everythingyou are doing!"26Joab then left David and sentmessengers to catch up with Abner.They found him at the pool of Sirah andbrought him back with them. But Davidknew nothing about it.27When Abner arrived at Hebron, Joabtook him aside at the gateway as if tospeak with him privately. But then hedrew his dagger and killed Abner inrevenge for killing his brother Asahel.28When David heard about it, hedeclared, "I vow by the LORD that I andmy people are innocent of this crimeagainst Abner.29Joab and his family are the guilty ones.May his family in every generation becursed with a man who has open soresor leprosy or who walks on crutches orwho dies by the sword or who begs forfood!"30So Joab and his brother Abishai killedAbner because Abner had killed theirbrother Asahel at the battle of Gibeon.31Then David said to Joab and all thosewho were with him, "Tear your clothesand put on sackcloth. Go into deepmourning for Abner." And King Davidhimself walked behind the procession tothe grave.32They buried Abner in Hebron, and theking and all the people wept at hisgraveside.33Then the king sang this funeral songfor Abner: "Should Abner have died asfools die?34Your hands were not bound; your feet

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were not chained. No, you weremurdered-- the victim of a wicked plot."All the people wept again for Abner.35David had refused to eat anything theday of the funeral, and now everyonebegged him to eat. But David had madea vow, saying, "May God kill me if I eatanything before sundown."36This pleased the people very much. Infact, everything the king did pleasedthem!37So everyone in Judah and Israel knewthat David was not responsible forAbner's death.38Then King David said to the people,"Do you not realize that a great leaderand a great man has fallen today inIsrael?39And even though I am the anointedking, these two sons of Zeruiah--Joaband Abishai--are too strong for me tocontrol. So may the LORD repay thesewicked men for their wicked deeds."

4When Ishbosheth heard about

Abner's death at Hebron, he lost allcourage, and his people were paralyzedwith fear.2Now there were two brothers, Baanahand Recab, who were captains ofIshbosheth's raiding parties. They weresons of Rimmon, a member of the tribeof Benjamin who lived in Beeroth. Thetown of Beeroth is now part ofBenjamin's territory3because the original people of Beerothfled to Gittaim, where they still live asforeigners.4(Saul's son Jonathan had a son namedMephibosheth, who was crippled as achild. He was five years old when Sauland Jonathan were killed at the battle ofJezreel. When news of the battlereached the capital, the child's nursegrabbed him and fled. But she fell anddropped him as she was running, andhe became crippled as a result.)5One day Recab and Baanah, the sonsof Rimmon from Beeroth, went toIshbosheth's home around noon as hewas taking a nap.6The doorkeeper, who had been siftingwheat, became drowsy and fell asleep.So Recab and Baanah slipped past thedoorkeeper, went into Ishbosheth'sbedroom, and stabbed him in thestomach. Then they escaped.7But before leaving, they cut off his headas he lay there on his bed. Taking his

head with them, they fled across theJordan Valley through the night.8They arrived at Hebron and presentedIshbosheth's head to David. "Look!" theyexclaimed. "Here is the head ofIshbosheth, the son of your enemy Saulwho tried to kill you. Today the LORDhas given you revenge on Saul and hisentire family!"9But David said to Recab and Baanah,"As surely as the LORD lives, the onewho saves me from my enemies, I willtell you the truth.10Once before, someone told me, 'Saulis dead,' thinking he was bringing megood news. But I seized him and killedhim at Ziklag. That's the reward I gavehim for his news!11Now what reward should I give thewicked men who have killed an innocentman in his own house and on his ownbed? Should I not also demand yourvery lives?"12So David ordered his young men to killthem, and they did. They cut off theirhands and feet and hung their bodiesbeside the pool in Hebron. Then theytook Ishbosheth's head and buried it inAbner's tomb in Hebron.

5Then all the tribes of Israel went to

David at Hebron and told him, "We areall members of your family.2For a long time, even while Saul wasour king, you were the one who reallyled Israel. And the LORD has told you,'You will be the shepherd of my peopleIsrael. You will be their leader.' "3So there at Hebron, David made acovenant with the leaders of Israelbefore the LORD. And they anointedhim king of Israel.4David was thirty years old when hebegan to reign, and he reigned fortyyears in all.5He had reigned over Judah fromHebron for seven years and six months,and from Jerusalem he reigned over allIsrael and Judah for thirty-three years.6David then led his troops to Jerusalemto fight against the Jebusites. "You'llnever get in here," the Jebusites taunted."Even the blind and lame could keepyou out!" For the Jebusites thought theywere safe.7But David captured the fortress of Zion,now called the City of David.8When the insulting message from thedefenders of the city reached David, he

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told his own troops, "Go up through thewater tunnel into the city and destroythose 'lame' and 'blind' Jebusites. How Ihate them." That is the origin of thesaying, "The blind and the lame may notenter the house."9So David made the fortress his home,and he called it the City of David. Hebuilt additional fortifications around thecity, starting at the Millo and workinginward.10And David became more and morepowerful, because the LORD GodAlmighty was with him.11Then King Hiram of Tyre sentmessengers to David, along withcarpenters and stonemasons to buildhim a palace. Hiram also sent manycedar logs for lumber.12And David realized that the LORD hadmade him king over Israel and hadmade his kingdom great for the sake ofhis people Israel.13After moving from Hebron toJerusalem, David married more wivesand concubines, and he had many sonsand daughters.14These are the names of David's sonswho were born in Jerusalem: Shimea,Shobab, Nathan, Solomon,15Ibhar, Elishua, Nepheg, Japhia,16Elishama, Eliada, and Eliphelet.17When the Philistines heard that Davidhad been anointed king of Israel, theymobilized all their forces to capture him.But David was told they were comingand went into the stronghold.18The Philistines arrived and spread outacross the valley of Rephaim.19So David asked the LORD, "Should Igo out to fight the Philistines? Will youhand them over to me?" The LORDreplied, "Yes, go ahead. I will certainlygive you the victory."20So David went to Baal-perazim anddefeated the Philistines there. "TheLORD has done it!" David exclaimed."He burst through my enemies like araging flood!" So David named thatplace Baal-perazim (which means "theLord who bursts through").21The Philistines had abandoned theiridols there, so David and his troopsconfiscated them.22But after a while the Philistinesreturned and again spread out acrossthe valley of Rephaim.23And once again David asked theLORD what to do. "Do not attack themstraight on," the LORD replied. "Instead,

circle around behind them and attackthem near the balsam trees.24When you hear a sound like marchingfeet in the tops of the balsam trees,attack! That will be the signal that theLORD is moving ahead of you to strikedown the Philistines."25So David did what the LORDcommanded, and he struck down thePhilistines all the way from Gibeon toGezer.

6Then David mobilized thirty thousand

special troops.2He led them to Baalah of Judah to bringhome the Ark of God, which bears thename of the LORD Almighty, who isenthroned between the cherubim.3They placed the Ark of God on a newcart and brought it from the hillsidehome of Abinadab. Uzzah and Ahio,Abinadab's sons, were guiding the cart4with the Ark of God on it, with Ahiowalking in front.5David and all the people of Israel werecelebrating before the LORD with alltheir might, singing songs and playingall kinds of musical instruments--lyres,harps, tambourines, castanets, andcymbals.6But when they arrived at the threshingfloor of Nacon, the oxen stumbled, andUzzah put out his hand to steady theArk of God.7Then the LORD's anger blazed outagainst Uzzah for doing this, and Godstruck him dead beside the Ark of God.8David was angry because the LORD'sanger had blazed out against Uzzah. Henamed that place Perez-uzzah (whichmeans "outbreak against Uzzah"). It isstill called that today.9David was now afraid of the LORD andasked, "How can I ever bring the Ark ofthe LORD back into my care?"10So David decided not to move the Arkof the LORD into the City of David. Hetook it instead to the home of Obededomof Gath.11The Ark of the LORD remained therewith the family of Obed-edom for threemonths, and the LORD blessed him andhis entire household.12Then King David was told, "The LORDhas blessed Obed-edom's home andeverything he has because of the Ark ofGod." So David went there and broughtthe Ark to the City of David with a greatcelebration.

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13After the men who were carrying it hadgone six steps, they stopped and waitedso David could sacrifice an ox and afattened calf.14And David danced before the LORDwith all his might, wearing a priestlytunic.15So David and all Israel brought up theArk of the LORD with much shoutingand blowing of trumpets.16But as the Ark of the LORD enteredthe City of David, Michal, the daughterof Saul, looked down from her window.When she saw King David leaping anddancing before the LORD, she was filledwith contempt for him.17The Ark of the LORD was placedinside the special tent that David hadprepared for it. And David sacrificedburnt offerings and peace offerings tothe LORD.18When he had finished, David blessedthe people in the name of the LORDAlmighty.19Then he gave a gift of food to everyman and woman in Israel: a loaf ofbread, a cake of dates, and a cake ofraisins. Then everyone went home.20When David returned home to blesshis family, Michal came out to meet himand said in disgust, "How glorious theking of Israel looked today! He exposedhimself to the servant girls like anyindecent person might do!"21David retorted to Michal, "I wasdancing before the LORD, who choseme above your father and his family! Heappointed me as the leader of Israel, thepeople of the LORD. So I am willing toact like a fool in order to show my joy inthe LORD.22Yes, and I am willing to look evenmore foolish than this, but I will be heldin honor by the girls of whom you havespoken!"23So Michal, the daughter of Saul,remained childless throughout her life.

7When the LORD had brought peace

to the land and King David was settledin his palace,2David summoned Nathan the prophet."Look!" David said. "Here I am living inthis beautiful cedar palace, but the Arkof God is out in a tent!"3Nathan replied, "Go ahead and do whatyou have in mind, for the LORD is withyou."4But that same night the LORD said to

Nathan,5"Go and tell my servant David, 'This iswhat the LORD says: Are you the one tobuild me a temple to live in?6I have never lived in a temple, from theday I brought the Israelites out of Egyptuntil now. My home has always been atent, moving from one place to another.7And I have never once complained toIsrael's leaders, the shepherds of mypeople Israel. I have never asked them,"Why haven't you built me a beautifulcedar temple?" '8"Now go and say to my servant David,'This is what the LORD Almighty says: Ichose you to lead my people Israelwhen you were just a shepherd boy,tending your sheep out in the pasture.9I have been with you wherever youhave gone, and I have destroyed allyour enemies. Now I will make yourname famous throughout the earth!10And I have provided a permanenthomeland for my people Israel, a secureplace where they will never be disturbed.It will be their own land where wickednations won't oppress them as they didin the past,11from the time I appointed judges torule my people. And I will keep you safefrom all your enemies. " 'And now theLORD declares that he will build ahouse for you--a dynasty of kings!12For when you die, I will raise up one ofyour descendants, and I will make hiskingdom strong.13He is the one who will build a house--atemple--for my name. And I willestablish the throne of his kingdomforever.14I will be his father, and he will be myson. If he sins, I will use other nations topunish him.15But my unfailing love will not be takenfrom him as I took it from Saul, whom Iremoved before you.16Your dynasty and your kingdom willcontinue for all time before me, and yourthrone will be secure forever.' "17So Nathan went back to David andtold him everything the LORD had said.18Then King David went in and satbefore the LORD and prayed, "Who amI, O Sovereign LORD, and what is myfamily, that you have brought me thisfar?19And now, Sovereign LORD, in additionto everything else, you speak of givingme a lasting dynasty! Do you deal witheveryone this way, O Sovereign LORD?

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20What more can I say? You know whatI am really like, Sovereign LORD.21For the sake of your promise andaccording to your will, you have done allthese great things and have shownthem to me.22"How great you are, O SovereignLORD! There is no one like you--there isno other God. We have never evenheard of another god like you!23What other nation on earth is likeIsrael? What other nation, O God, haveyou redeemed from slavery to be yourown people? You made a great namefor yourself when you rescued yourpeople from Egypt. You performedawesome miracles and drove out thenations and gods that stood in their way.24You made Israel your people forever,and you, O LORD, became their God.25"And now, O LORD God, do as youhave promised concerning me and myfamily. Confirm it as a promise that willlast forever.26And may your name be honoredforever so that all the world will say, 'TheLORD Almighty is God over Israel!' Andmay the dynasty of your servant Davidbe established in your presence.27"O LORD Almighty, God of Israel, Ihave been bold enough to pray thisprayer because you have revealed thatyou will build a house for me--an eternaldynasty!28For you are God, O Sovereign LORD.Your words are truth, and you havepromised these good things to me, yourservant.29And now, may it please you to blessme and my family so that our dynastymay continue forever before you. Forwhen you grant a blessing to yourservant, O Sovereign LORD, it is aneternal blessing!"

8After this, David subdued and

humbled the Philistines by conqueringGath, their largest city.2David also conquered the land of Moab.He made the people lie down on theground in a row, and he measured themoff in groups with a length of rope. Hemeasured off two groups to be executedfor every one group to be spared. TheMoabites who were spared becameDavid's servants and brought him tributemoney.3David also destroyed the forces ofHadadezer son of Rehob, king of Zobah,

when Hadadezer marched out tostrengthen his control along theEuphrates River.4David captured seventeen hundredcharioteers and twenty thousand footsoldiers. Then he crippled all but onehundred of the chariot horses.5When Arameans from Damascusarrived to help Hadadezer, David killedtwenty-two thousand of them.6Then he placed several army garrisonsin Damascus, the Aramean capital, andthe Arameans became David's subjectsand brought him tribute money. So theLORD gave David victory wherever hewent.7David brought the gold shields ofHadadezer's officers to Jerusalem,8along with a large amount of bronzefrom Hadadezer's cities of Tebah andBerothai.9When King Toi of Hamath heard thatDavid had destroyed the army ofHadadezer,10he sent his son Joram to congratulateDavid on his success. Hadadezer andToi had long been enemies, and therehad been many wars between them.Joram presented David with many giftsof silver, gold, and bronze.11King David dedicated all these gifts tothe LORD, along with the silver and goldhe had set apart from the other nationshe had subdued--12Edom, Moab, Ammon, Philistia, andAmalek--and from Hadadezer son ofRehob, king of Zobah.13So David became very famous. Afterhis return he destroyed eighteenthousand Edomites in the Valley of Salt.14He placed army garrisons throughoutEdom, and all the Edomites becameDavid's subjects. This was anotherexample of how the LORD made Davidvictorious wherever he went.15David reigned over all Israel and wasfair to everyone.16Joab son of Zeruiah was commanderof the army. Jehoshaphat son of Ahiludwas the royal historian.17Zadok son of Ahitub and Ahimelechson of Abiathar were the priests.Seraiah was the court secretary.18Benaiah son of Jehoiada was captainof the king's bodyguard. David's sonsserved as priestly leaders.

9One day David began wondering if

anyone in Saul's family was still alive,

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for he had promised Jonathan that hewould show kindness to them.2He summoned a man named Ziba, whohad been one of Saul's servants. "Areyou Ziba?" the king asked. "Yes sir, Iam," Ziba replied.3The king then asked him, "Is anyonestill alive from Saul's family? If so, I wantto show God's kindness to them in anyway I can." Ziba replied, "Yes, one ofJonathan's sons is still alive, but he iscrippled."4"Where is he?" the king asked. "In Lodebar,"Ziba told him, "at the home ofMakir son of Ammiel."5So David sent for him and brought himfrom Makir's home.6His name was Mephibosheth ; he wasJonathan's son and Saul's grandson.When he came to David, he bowed lowin great fear and said, "I am yourservant."7But David said, "Don't be afraid! I'veasked you to come so that I can be kindto you because of my vow to your father,Jonathan. I will give you all the land thatonce belonged to your grandfather Saul,and you may live here with me at thepalace!"8Mephibosheth fell to the ground beforethe king. "Should the king show suchkindness to a dead dog like me?" heexclaimed.9Then the king summoned Saul'sservant Ziba and said, "I have givenyour master's grandson everything thatbelonged to Saul and his family.10You and your sons and servants are tofarm the land for him to produce food forhis family. But Mephibosheth will livehere at the palace with me." Ziba, whohad fifteen sons and twenty servants,replied,11"Yes, my lord; I will do all that youhave commanded." And from that timeon, Mephibosheth ate regularly withDavid, as though he were one of hisown sons.12Mephibosheth had a young sonnamed Mica. And from then on, all themembers of Ziba's household wereMephibosheth's servants.13And Mephibosheth, who was crippledin both feet, moved to Jerusalem to liveat the palace.

10Some time after this, King Nahash

of the Ammonites died, and his sonHanun became king.

2David said, "I am going to showcomplete loyalty to Hanun because hisfather, Nahash, was always completelyloyal to me." So David sentambassadors to express sympathy toHanun about his father's death. Butwhen David's ambassadors arrived inthe land of Ammon,3Hanun's advisers said to their master,"Do you really think these men arecoming here to honor your father? No!David has sent them to spy out the cityso that they can come in and conquerit!"4So Hanun seized David's ambassadorsand shaved off half of each man's beard,cut off their robes at the buttocks, andsent them back to David in shame.5When David heard what had happened,he sent messengers to tell the men tostay at Jericho until their beards grewout, for they were very embarrassed bytheir appearance.6Now the people of Ammon realizedhow seriously they had angered David,so they hired twenty thousand Arameanmercenaries from the lands of Bethrehoband Zobah, one thousand fromthe king of Maacah, and twelvethousand from the land of Tob.7When David heard about this, he sentJoab and the entire Israelite army tofight them.8The Ammonite troops drew up theirbattle lines at the entrance of the citygates, while the Arameans from Zobahand Rehob and the men from Tob andMaacah positioned themselves to fightin the open fields.9When Joab saw that he would have tofight on two fronts, he chose the besttroops in his army. He placed themunder his personal command and ledthem out to fight the Arameans in thefields.10He left the rest of the army under thecommand of his brother Abishai, whowas to attack the Ammonites.11"If the Arameans are too strong for me,then come over and help me," Joab toldhis brother. "And if the Ammonites aretoo strong for you, I will come and helpyou.12Be courageous! Let us fight bravely tosave our people and the cities of ourGod. May the LORD's will be done."13When Joab and his troops attacked,the Arameans began to run away.14And when the Ammonites saw theArameans running, they ran from

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Abishai and retreated into the city. Afterthe battle was over, Joab returned toJerusalem.15The Arameans now realized that theywere no match for Israel. So when theyregrouped,16they were joined by additionalAramean troops summoned byHadadezer from the other side of theEuphrates River. These troops arrivedat Helam under the command ofShobach, the commander of allHadadezer's forces.17When David heard what washappening, he mobilized all Israel,crossed the Jordan River, and led thearmy to Helam. The Arameanspositioned themselves there in battleformation and then attacked David.18But again the Arameans fled from theIsraelites. This time David's forces killedseven hundred charioteers and fortythousand horsemen, including Shobach,the commander of their army.19When Hadadezer and his Arameanallies realized they had been defeatedby Israel, they surrendered to them andbecame their subjects. After that, theArameans were afraid to help theAmmonites.

11The following spring, the time of

year when kings go to war, David sentJoab and the Israelite army to destroythe Ammonites. In the process they laidsiege to the city of Rabbah. But Davidstayed behind in Jerusalem.2Late one afternoon David got out of bedafter taking a nap and went for a strollon the roof of the palace. As he lookedout over the city, he noticed a woman ofunusual beauty taking a bath.3He sent someone to find out who shewas, and he was told, "She isBathsheba, the daughter of Eliam andthe wife of Uriah the Hittite."4Then David sent for her; and when shecame to the palace, he slept with her.(She had just completed the purificationrites after having her menstrual period.)Then she returned home.5Later, when Bathsheba discovered thatshe was pregnant, she sent a messageto inform David.6So David sent word to Joab: "Send meUriah the Hittite."7When Uriah arrived, David asked himhow Joab and the army were gettingalong and how the war was progressing.

8Then he told Uriah, "Go on home andrelax." David even sent a gift to Uriahafter he had left the palace.9But Uriah wouldn't go home. He stayedthat night at the palace entrance withsome of the king's other servants.10When David heard what Uriah haddone, he summoned him and asked,"What's the matter with you? Why didn'tyou go home last night after being awayfor so long?"11Uriah replied, "The Ark and the armiesof Israel and Judah are living in tents,and Joab and his officers are camping inthe open fields. How could I go home towine and dine and sleep with my wife? Iswear that I will never be guilty of actinglike that."12"Well, stay here tonight," David toldhim, "and tomorrow you may return tothe army." So Uriah stayed in Jerusalemthat day and the next.13Then David invited him to dinner andgot him drunk. But even then he couldn'tget Uriah to go home to his wife. Againhe slept at the palace entrance.14So the next morning David wrote aletter to Joab and gave it to Uriah todeliver.15The letter instructed Joab, "StationUriah on the front lines where the battleis fiercest. Then pull back so that he willbe killed."16So Joab assigned Uriah to a spotclose to the city wall where he knew theenemy's strongest men were fighting.17And Uriah was killed along withseveral other Israelite soldiers.18Then Joab sent a battle report toDavid.19He told his messenger, "Report all thenews of the battle to the king.20But he might get angry and ask, 'Whydid the troops go so close to the city?Didn't they know there would beshooting from the walls?21Wasn't Gideon's son Abimelech killedat Thebez by a woman who threw amillstone down on him?' Then tell him,'Uriah the Hittite was killed, too.' "22So the messenger went to Jerusalemand gave a complete report to David.23"The enemy came out against us," hesaid. "And as we chased them back tothe city gates,24the archers on the wall shot arrows atus. Some of our men were killed,including Uriah the Hittite."25"Well, tell Joab not to be discouraged,"David said. "The sword kills one as well

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as another! Fight harder next time, andconquer the city!"26When Bathsheba heard that herhusband was dead, she mourned forhim.27When the period of mourning was over,David sent for her and brought her tothe palace, and she became one of hiswives. Then she gave birth to a son. Butthe LORD was very displeased withwhat David had done.

12So the LORD sent Nathan the

prophet to tell David this story: "Therewere two men in a certain town. Onewas rich, and one was poor.2The rich man owned many sheep andcattle.3The poor man owned nothing but a littlelamb he had worked hard to buy. Heraised that little lamb, and it grew upwith his children. It ate from the man'sown plate and drank from his cup. Hecuddled it in his arms like a babydaughter.4One day a guest arrived at the home ofthe rich man. But instead of killing alamb from his own flocks for food, hetook the poor man's lamb and killed itand served it to his guest."5David was furious. "As surely as theLORD lives," he vowed, "any man whowould do such a thing deserves to die!6He must repay four lambs to the poorman for the one he stole and for havingno pity."7Then Nathan said to David, "You arethat man! The LORD, the God of Israel,says, 'I anointed you king of Israel andsaved you from the power of Saul.8I gave you his house and his wives andthe kingdoms of Israel and Judah. And ifthat had not been enough, I would havegiven you much, much more.9Why, then, have you despised the wordof the LORD and done this horribledeed? For you have murdered Uriahand stolen his wife.10From this time on, the sword will be aconstant threat to your family, becauseyou have despised me by taking Uriah'swife to be your own.11" 'Because of what you have done, I,the LORD, will cause your ownhousehold to rebel against you. I willgive your wives to another man, and hewill go to bed with them in public view.12You did it secretly, but I will do this toyou openly in the sight of all Israel.' "

13Then David confessed to Nathan, "Ihave sinned against the LORD." Nathanreplied, "Yes, but the LORD hasforgiven you, and you won't die for thissin.14But you have given the enemies of theLORD great opportunity to despise andblaspheme him, so your child will die."15After Nathan returned to his home, theLORD made Bathsheba's baby deathlyill.16David begged God to spare the child.He went without food and lay all night onthe bare ground.17The leaders of the nation pleaded withhim to get up and eat with them, but herefused.18Then on the seventh day the babydied. David's advisers were afraid to tellhim. "He was so broken up about thebaby being sick," they said. "What willhe do to himself when we tell him thechild is dead?"19But when David saw them whispering,he realized what had happened. "Is thebaby dead?" he asked. "Yes," theyreplied.20Then David got up from the ground,washed himself, put on lotions, andchanged his clothes. Then he went tothe Tabernacle and worshiped theLORD. After that, he returned to thepalace and ate.21His advisers were amazed. "We don'tunderstand you," they told him. "Whilethe baby was still living, you wept andrefused to eat. But now that the baby isdead, you have stopped your mourningand are eating again."22David replied, "I fasted and wept whilethe child was alive, for I said, 'Perhapsthe LORD will be gracious to me and letthe child live.'23But why should I fast when he isdead? Can I bring him back again? I willgo to him one day, but he cannot returnto me."24Then David comforted Bathsheba, hiswife, and slept with her. She becamepregnant and gave birth to a son, andthey named him Solomon. The LORDloved the child25and sent word through Nathan theprophet that his name should beJedidiah--"beloved of the LORD"--because the LORD loved him.26Meanwhile, Joab and the Israelitearmy were successfully ending theirsiege of Rabbah, the capital of Ammon.27Joab sent messengers to tell David, "I

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have fought against Rabbah andcaptured its water supply.28Now bring the rest of the army andfinish the job, so you will get credit forthe victory instead of me."29So David led the rest of his army toRabbah and captured it.30David removed the crown from theking's head, and it was placed onDavid's own head. The crown was madeof gold and set with gems, and itweighed about seventy-five pounds.David took a vast amount of plunderfrom the city.31He also made slaves of the people ofRabbah and forced them to labor withsaws, picks, and axes, and to work inthe brick kilns. That is how he dealt withthe people of all the Ammonite cities.Then David and his army returned toJerusalem.

13David's son Absalom had a

beautiful sister named Tamar. AndAmnon, her half brother, fell desperatelyin love with her.2Amnon became so obsessed withTamar that he became ill. She was avirgin, and it seemed impossible that hecould ever fulfill his love for her.3Now Amnon had a very crafty friend--his cousin Jonadab. He was the son ofDavid's brother Shimea.4One day Jonadab said to Amnon,"What's the trouble? Why should the sonof a king look so dejected morning aftermorning?" So Amnon told him, "I am inlove with Tamar, Absalom's sister."5"Well," Jonadab said, "I'll tell you whatto do. Go back to bed and pretend youare sick. When your father comes to seeyou, ask him to let Tamar come andprepare some food for you. Tell himyou'll feel better if she feeds you."6So Amnon pretended to be sick. Andwhen the king came to see him, Amnonasked him, "Please let Tamar come totake care of me and cook something forme to eat."7So David agreed and sent Tamar toAmnon's house to prepare some foodfor him.8When Tamar arrived at Amnon's house,she went to the room where he waslying down so he could watch her mixsome dough. Then she baked somespecial bread for him.9But when she set the serving traybefore him, he refused to eat. "Everyone

get out of here," Amnon told hisservants. So they all left.10Then he said to Tamar, "Now bring thefood into my bedroom and feed it to mehere." So Tamar took it to him.11But as she was feeding him, hegrabbed her and demanded, "Come tobed with me, my darling sister."12"No, my brother!" she cried. "Don't befoolish! Don't do this to me! You knowwhat a serious crime it is to do such athing in Israel.13Where could I go in my shame? Andyou would be called one of the greatestfools in Israel. Please, just speak to theking about it, and he will let you marryme."14But Amnon wouldn't listen to her, andsince he was stronger than she was, heraped her.15Then suddenly Amnon's love turned tohate, and he hated her even more thanhe had loved her. "Get out of here!" hesnarled at her.16"No, no!" Tamar cried. "To reject menow is a greater wrong than what youhave already done to me." But Amnonwouldn't listen to her.17He shouted for his servant anddemanded, "Throw this woman out, andlock the door behind her!"18So the servant put her out. She waswearing a long, beautiful robe, as wasthe custom in those days for the king'svirgin daughters.19But now Tamar tore her robe and putashes on her head. And then, with herface in her hands, she went away crying.20Her brother Absalom saw her andasked, "Is it true that Amnon has beenwith you? Well, don't be so upset. Sincehe's your brother anyway, don't worryabout it." So Tamar lived as a desolatewoman in Absalom's house.21When King David heard what hadhappened, he was very angry.22And though Absalom never spoke toAmnon about it, he hated Amnon deeplybecause of what he had done to hissister.23Two years later, when Absalom'ssheep were being sheared at Baalhazornear Ephraim, Absalom invited allthe king's sons to come to a feast.24He went to the king and said, "Mysheep-shearers are now at work. Wouldthe king and his servants please cometo celebrate the occasion with me?"25The king replied, "No, my son. If we allcame, we would be too much of a

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burden on you." Absalom pressed him,but the king wouldn't come, though hesent his thanks.26"Well, then," Absalom said, "if youcan't come, how about sending mybrother Amnon instead?" "WhyAmnon?" the king asked.27But Absalom kept on pressing the kinguntil he finally agreed to let all his sonsattend, including Amnon.28Absalom told his men, "Wait untilAmnon gets drunk; then at my signal, killhim! Don't be afraid. I'm the one whohas given the command. Take courageand do it!"29So at Absalom's signal they murderedAmnon. Then the other sons of the kingjumped on their mules and fled.30As they were on the way back toJerusalem, this report reached David:"Absalom has killed all your sons; notone is left alive!"31The king jumped up, tore his robe, andfell prostrate on the ground. His advisersalso tore their clothes in horror andsorrow.32But just then Jonadab, the son ofDavid's brother Shimea, arrived andsaid, "No, not all your sons have beenkilled! It was only Amnon! Absalom hasbeen plotting this ever since Amnonraped his sister Tamar.33No, your sons aren't all dead! It wasonly Amnon."34Meanwhile Absalom escaped. Thenthe watchman on the Jerusalem wallsaw a great crowd coming toward thecity from the west. He ran to tell the king,"I see a crowd of people coming fromthe Horonaim road along the side of thehill."35"Look!" Jonadab told the king. "Therethey are now! Your sons are coming,just as I said."36They soon arrived, weeping andsobbing, and the king and his officialswept bitterly with them.37And David mourned many days for hisson Amnon. Absalom fled to hisgrandfather, Talmai son of Ammihud,the king of Geshur.38He stayed there in Geshur for threeyears.39And David, now reconciled to Amnon'sdeath, longed to be reunited with his sonAbsalom.

14Joab realized how much the king

longed to see Absalom.

2So he sent for a woman from Tekoawho had a reputation for great wisdom.He said to her, "Pretend you are inmourning; wear mourning clothes anddon't bathe or wear any perfume. Actlike a woman who has been in deepsorrow for a long time.3Then go to the king and tell him thestory I am about to tell you." Then Joabtold her what to say.4When the woman approached the king,she fell with her face down to the floor infront of him and cried out, "O king! Helpme!"5"What's the trouble?" the king asked. "Iam a widow," she replied.6"My two sons had a fight out in the field.And since no one was there to stop it,one of them was killed.7Now the rest of the family is demanding,'Let us have your son. We will executehim for murdering his brother. Hedoesn't deserve to inherit his family'sproperty.' But if I do that, I will have noone left, and my husband's name andfamily will disappear from the face of theearth."8"Leave it to me," the king told her. "Gohome, and I'll see to it that no onetouches him."9"Oh, thank you, my lord," she replied."And I'll take the responsibility if you arecriticized for helping me like this."10"Don't worry about that!" the king said."If anyone objects, bring them to me. Ican assure you they will never complainagain!"11Then she said, "Please swear to meby the LORD your God that you won't letanyone take vengeance against my son.I want no more bloodshed." "As surelyas the LORD lives," he replied, "not ahair on your son's head will bedisturbed!"12"Please let me ask one more thing ofyou!" she said. "Go ahead," he urged."Speak!"13She replied, "Why don't you do asmuch for all the people of God as youhave promised to do for me? You haveconvicted yourself in making thisdecision, because you have refused tobring home your own banished son.14All of us must die eventually. Our livesare like water spilled out on the ground,which cannot be gathered up again.That is why God tries to bring us backwhen we have been separated from him.He does not sweep away the lives ofthose he cares about--and neither

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should you!15"But I have come to plead with you formy son because my life and my son'slife have been threatened. I said tomyself, 'Perhaps the king will listen tome16and rescue us from those who wouldcut us off from God's people.17Yes, the king will give us peace ofmind again.' I know that you are like anangel of God and can discern good fromevil. May the LORD your God be withyou."18"I want to know one thing," the kingreplied. "Yes, my lord?" she asked.19"Did Joab send you here?" And thewoman replied, "My lord the king, howcan I deny it? Nobody can hide anythingfrom you. Yes, Joab sent me and toldme what to say.20He did it to place the matter before youin a different light. But you are as wiseas an angel of God, and you understandeverything that happens among us!"21So the king sent for Joab and told him,"All right, go and bring back the youngman Absalom."22Joab fell to the ground before the kingand blessed him and said, "At last Iknow that I have gained your approval,for you have granted me this request!"23Then Joab went to Geshur andbrought Absalom back to Jerusalem.24But the king gave this order: "Absalommay go to his own house, but he mustnever come into my presence." SoAbsalom did not see the king.25Now no one in Israel was ashandsome as Absalom. From head tofoot, he was the perfect specimen of aman.26He cut his hair only once a year, andthen only because it was too heavy tocarry around. When he weighed it out, itcame to five pounds!27He had three sons and one daughter.His daughter's name was Tamar, andshe was very beautiful.28Absalom lived in Jerusalem for twoyears without getting to see the king.29Then Absalom sent for Joab to askhim to intercede for him, but Joabrefused to come. Absalom sent for him asecond time, but again Joab refused tocome.30So Absalom said to his servants, "Goand set fire to Joab's barley field, thefield next to mine." So they set his fieldon fire, as Absalom had commanded.31Then Joab came to Absalom and

demanded, "Why did your servants setmy field on fire?"32And Absalom replied, "Because Iwanted you to ask the king why hebrought me back from Geshur if hedidn't intend to see me. I might as wellhave stayed there. Let me see the king;if he finds me guilty of anything, then lethim execute me."33So Joab told the king what Absalomhad said. Then at last David summonedhis estranged son, and Absalom cameand bowed low before the king, andDavid kissed him.

15After this, Absalom bought a

chariot and horses, and he hired fiftyfootmen to run ahead of him.2He got up early every morning andwent out to the gate of the city. Whenpeople brought a case to the king forjudgment, Absalom would ask wherethey were from, and they would tell himtheir tribe.3Then Absalom would say, "You'vereally got a strong case here! It's toobad the king doesn't have anyone tohear it.4I wish I were the judge. Then peoplecould bring their problems to me, and Iwould give them justice!"5And when people tried to bow beforehim, Absalom wouldn't let them. Instead,he took them by the hand and embracedthem.6So in this way, Absalom stole thehearts of all the people of Israel.7After four years, Absalom said to theking, "Let me go to Hebron to offer asacrifice to the LORD in fulfillment of avow I made to him.8For while I was at Geshur, I promisedto sacrifice to him in Hebron if he wouldbring me back to Jerusalem."9"All right," the king told him. "Go andfulfill your vow." So Absalom went toHebron.10But while he was there, he sent secretmessengers to every part of Israel to stirup a rebellion against the king. "As soonas you hear the trumpets," his messageread, "you will know that Absalom hasbeen crowned king in Hebron."11He took two hundred men fromJerusalem with him as guests, but theyknew nothing of his intentions.12While he was offering the sacrifices,he sent for Ahithophel, one of David'scounselors who lived in Giloh. Soon

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many others also joined Absalom, andthe conspiracy gained momentum.13A messenger soon arrived inJerusalem to tell King David, "All Israelhas joined Absalom in a conspiracyagainst you!"14"Then we must flee at once, or it willbe too late!" David urged his men."Hurry! If we get out of the city before hearrives, both we and the city ofJerusalem will be spared from disaster."15"We are with you," his advisers replied."Do what you think is best."16So the king and his household set outat once. He left no one behind exceptten of his concubines to keep the palacein order.17The king and his people set out on foot,and they paused at the edge of the city18to let David's troops move past to leadthe way. There were six hundred Gittiteswho had come with David from Gath,along with the king's bodyguard.19Then the king turned to Ittai, thecaptain of the Gittites, and asked, "Whyare you coming with us? Go on backwith your men to King Absalom, for youare a guest in Israel, a foreigner in exile.20You arrived only yesterday, and nowshould I force you to wander with us? Idon't even know where we will go. Goon back and take your troops with you,and may the LORD show you hisunfailing love and faithfulness. "21But Ittai said to the king, "I vow by theLORD and by your own life that I will gowherever you go, no matter whathappens--whether it means life ordeath."22David replied, "All right, come with us."So Ittai and his six hundred men andtheir families went along.23There was deep sadness throughoutthe land as the king and his followerspassed by. They crossed the KidronValley and then went out toward thewilderness.24Abiathar and Zadok and the Levitestook the Ark of the Covenant of God andset it down beside the road. Then theyoffered sacrifices there until everyonehad passed by.25David instructed Zadok to take the Arkof God back into the city. "If the LORDsees fit," David said, "he will bring meback to see the Ark and the Tabernacleagain.26But if he is through with me, then lethim do what seems best to him."27Then the king told Zadok the priest,

"Look, here is my plan. You andAbiathar should return quietly to the citywith your son Ahimaaz and Abiathar'sson Jonathan.28I will stop at the shallows of the JordanRiver and wait there for a message fromyou. Let me know what happens inJerusalem before I disappear into thewilderness."29So Zadok and Abiathar took the Ark ofGod back to the city and stayed there.30David walked up the road that led tothe Mount of Olives, weeping as hewent. His head was covered and his feetwere bare as a sign of mourning. Andthe people who were with him coveredtheir heads and wept as they climbedthe mountain.31When someone told David that hisadviser Ahithophel was now backingAbsalom, David prayed, "O LORD, letAhithophel give Absalom foolish advice!"32As they reached the spot at the top ofthe Mount of Olives where peopleworshiped God, David found Hushai theArkite waiting for him. Hushai had tornhis clothing and put dirt on his head as asign of mourning.33But David told him, "If you go with me,you will only be a burden.34Return to Jerusalem and tell Absalom,'I will now be your adviser, just as I wasyour father's adviser in the past.' Thenyou can frustrate and counterAhithophel's advice.35Zadok and Abiathar, the priests, arethere. Tell them the plans that are beingmade to capture me,36and they will send their sons Ahimaazand Jonathan to find me and tell mewhat is going on."37So David's friend Hushai returned toJerusalem, getting there just asAbsalom arrived.

16David was just past the top of the

hill when Ziba, the servant ofMephibosheth, caught up with him. Hewas leading two donkeys loaded withtwo hundred loaves of bread, onehundred clusters of raisins, one hundredbunches of summer fruit, and a skin ofwine.2"What are these for?" the king askedZiba. And Ziba replied, "The donkeysare for your people to ride on, and thebread and summer fruit are for theyoung men to eat. The wine is to betaken with you into the wilderness for

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those who become faint."3"And where is Mephibosheth?" the kingasked him. "He stayed in Jerusalem,"Ziba replied. "He said, 'Today I will getback the kingdom of my grandfatherSaul.' "4"In that case," the king told Ziba, "I giveyou everything Mephibosheth owns.""Thank you, sir," Ziba replied. "I willalways do whatever you want me to do."5As David and his party passed Bahurim,a man came out of the village cursingthem. It was Shimei son of Gera, amember of Saul's family.6He threw stones at the king and theking's officers and all the mighty warriorswho surrounded them.7"Get out of here, you murderer, youscoundrel!" he shouted at David.8"The LORD is paying you back formurdering Saul and his family. You stolehis throne, and now the LORD hasgiven it to your son Absalom. At last youwill taste some of your own medicine,you murderer!"9"Why should this dead dog curse mylord the king?" Abishai son of Zeruiahdemanded. "Let me go over and cut offhis head!"10"No!" the king said. "What am I goingto do with you sons of Zeruiah! If theLORD has told him to curse me, whoam I to stop him?"11Then David said to Abishai and theother officers, "My own son is trying tokill me. Shouldn't this relative of Saulhave even more reason to do so? Leavehim alone and let him curse, for theLORD has told him to do it.12And perhaps the LORD will see that Iam being wronged and will bless mebecause of these curses."13So David and his men continued on,and Shimei kept pace with them on anearby hillside, cursing as he went andthrowing stones at David and tossingdust into the air.14The king and all who were with himgrew weary along the way, so theyrested when they reached the JordanRiver.15Meanwhile, Absalom and his menarrived at Jerusalem, accompanied byAhithophel.16When David's friend Hushai the Arkitearrived, he went immediately to seeAbsalom. "Long live the king!" heexclaimed. "Long live the king!"17"Is this the way you treat your friendDavid?" Absalom asked him. "Why

aren't you with him?"18"I'm here because I work for the manwho is chosen by the LORD and byIsrael," Hushai replied.19"And anyway, why shouldn't I serveyou? I helped your father, and now I willhelp you!"20Then Absalom turned to Ahithopheland asked him, "What should I do next?"21Ahithophel told him, "Go and sleepwith your father's concubines, for he hasleft them here to keep the house. Thenall Israel will know that you haveinsulted him beyond hope ofreconciliation, and they will give youtheir support."22So they set up a tent on the palaceroof where everyone could see it, andAbsalom went into the tent to sleep withhis father's concubines.23Absalom followed Ahithophel's advice,just as David had done. For every wordAhithophel spoke seemed as wise asthough it had come directly from themouth of God.

17Now Ahithophel urged Absalom,

"Let me choose twelve thousand men tostart out after David tonight.2I will catch up to him while he is wearyand discouraged. He and his troops willpanic, and everyone will run away. ThenI will kill only the king,3and I will bring all the people back toyou as a bride returns to her husband.After all, it is only this man's life that youseek. Then all the people will remainunharmed and peaceful."4This plan seemed good to Absalom andto all the other leaders of Israel.5But then Absalom said, "Bring inHushai the Arkite. Let's see what hethinks about this."6When Hushai arrived, Absalom told himwhat Ahithophel had said. Then heasked, "What is your opinion? Shouldwe follow Ahithophel's advice? If not,speak up."7"Well," Hushai replied, "this time I thinkAhithophel has made a mistake.8You know your father and his men; theyare mighty warriors. Right now they areprobably as enraged as a mother bearwho has been robbed of her cubs. Andremember that your father is anexperienced soldier. He won't bespending the night among the troops.9He has probably already hidden insome pit or cave. And when he comes

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out and attacks and a few of your menfall, there will be panic among yourtroops, and everyone will start shoutingthat your men are being slaughtered.10Then even the bravest of them, thoughthey have the heart of a lion, will beparalyzed with fear. For all Israel knowswhat a mighty man your father is andhow courageous his warriors are.11"I suggest that you mobilize the entirearmy of Israel, bringing them from as faraway as Dan and Beersheba. That wayyou will have an army as numerous asthe sand on the seashore. And I thinkthat you should personally lead thetroops.12When we find David, we can descendon him like the dew that falls to theground, so that not one of his men is leftalive.13And if David has escaped into somecity, you will have the entire army ofIsrael there at your command. Then wecan take ropes and drag the walls of thecity into the nearest valley until everystone is torn down."14Then Absalom and all the leaders ofIsrael said, "Hushai's advice is betterthan Ahithophel's." For the LORD hadarranged to defeat the counsel ofAhithophel, which really was the betterplan, so that he could bring disasterupon Absalom!15Then Hushai reported to Zadok andAbiathar, the priests, what Ahithophelhad said and what he himself hadsuggested instead.16"Quick!" he told them. "Find David andurge him not to stay at the shallows ofthe Jordan River tonight. He must goacross at once into the wildernessbeyond. Otherwise he will die and hisentire army with him."17Jonathan and Ahimaaz had beenstaying at En-rogel so as not to be seenentering and leaving the city.Arrangements had been made for aservant girl to bring them the messagethey were to take to King David.18But a boy saw them leaving En-rogelto go to David, and he told Absalomabout it. Meanwhile, they escaped toBahurim, where a man hid them inside awell in his courtyard.19The man's wife put a cloth over the topof the well with grain on it to dry in thesun; so no one suspected they werethere.20When Absalom's men arrived, theyasked her, "Have you seen Ahimaaz

and Jonathan?" She replied, "They werehere, but they crossed the brook."Absalom's men looked for them withoutsuccess and returned to Jerusalem.21Then the two men crawled out of thewell and hurried on to King David."Quick!" they told him, "cross the Jordantonight!" And they told him howAhithophel had advised that he becaptured and killed.22So David and all the people with himwent across the Jordan River during thenight, and they were all on the otherbank before dawn.23Meanwhile, Ahithophel was publiclydisgraced when Absalom refused hisadvice. So he saddled his donkey, wentto his hometown, set his affairs in order,and hanged himself. He died there andwas buried beside his father.24David soon arrived at Mahanaim. Bynow, Absalom had mobilized the entirearmy of Israel and was leading histroops across the Jordan River.25Absalom had appointed Amasa ascommander of his army, replacing Joab,who had been commander under David.(Amasa was Joab's cousin. His fatherwas Jether, an Ishmaelite. His mother,Abigail daughter of Nahash, was thesister of Joab's mother, Zeruiah.)26Absalom and the Israelite army set upcamp in the land of Gilead.27When David arrived at Mahanaim, hewas warmly greeted by Shobi son ofNahash of Rabbah, an Ammonite, andby Makir son of Ammiel of Lo-debar,and by Barzillai of Gilead from Rogelim.28They brought sleeping mats, cookingpots, serving bowls, wheat and barleyflour, roasted grain, beans, lentils,29honey, butter, sheep, and cheese forDavid and those who were with him. Forthey said, "You must all be very tiredand hungry and thirsty after your longmarch through the wilderness."

18David now appointed generals

and captains to lead his troops.2One-third were placed under Joab,one-third under Joab's brother Abishaison of Zeruiah, and one-third under Ittaithe Gittite. The king told his troops, "Iam going out with you."3But his men objected strongly. "Youmust not go," they urged. "If we have toturn and run--and even if half of us die--it will make no difference to Absalom'stroops; they will be looking only for you.

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You are worth ten thousand of us, and itis better that you stay here in the cityand send us help if we need it."4"If you think that's the best plan, I'll doit," the king finally agreed. So he stoodat the gate of the city as all the divisionsof troops passed by.5And the king gave this command toJoab, Abishai, and Ittai: "For my sake,deal gently with young Absalom." Andall the troops heard the king give thisorder to his commanders.6So the battle began in the forest ofEphraim,7and the Israelite troops were beatenback by David's men. There was a greatslaughter, and twenty thousand men laiddown their lives that day.8The battle raged all across thecountryside, and more men diedbecause of the forest than were killed bythe sword.9During the battle, Absalom cameunexpectedly upon some of David's men.He tried to escape on his mule, but ashe rode beneath the thick branches of agreat oak, his head got caught. His mulekept going and left him dangling in theair.10One of David's men saw what hadhappened and told Joab, "I sawAbsalom dangling in a tree."11"What?" Joab demanded. "You sawhim there and didn't kill him? I wouldhave rewarded you with ten pieces ofsilver and a hero's belt!"12"I wouldn't do it for a thousand piecesof silver, " the man replied. "We allheard the king say to you and Abishaiand Ittai, 'For my sake, please don'tharm young Absalom.'13And if I had betrayed the king by killinghis son--and the king would certainlyfind out who did it--you yourself wouldbe the first to abandon me."14"Enough of this nonsense," Joab said.Then he took three daggers andplunged them into Absalom's heart ashe dangled from the oak still alive.15Ten of Joab's young armor bearersthen surrounded Absalom and killed him.16Then Joab blew the trumpet, and hismen returned from chasing the army ofIsrael.17They threw Absalom's body into adeep pit in the forest and piled a greatheap of stones over it. And the army ofIsrael fled to their homes.18During his lifetime, Absalom had builta monument to himself in the King's

Valley, for he had said, "I have no son tocarry on my name." He named themonument after himself, and it is knownas Absalom's Monument to this day.19Then Zadok's son Ahimaaz said, "Letme run to the king with the good newsthat the LORD has saved him from hisenemy Absalom."20"No," Joab told him, "it wouldn't begood news to the king that his son isdead. You can be my messenger someother time, but not today."21Then Joab said to a man from Cush,"Go tell the king what you have seen."The man bowed and ran off.22But Ahimaaz continued to plead withJoab, "Whatever happens, please let mego, too." "Why should you go, my son?"Joab replied. "There will be no rewardfor you."23"Yes, but let me go anyway," hebegged. Joab finally said, "All right, goahead." Then Ahimaaz took a shortcutacross the plain of the Jordan and got toMahanaim ahead of the man from Cush.24While David was sitting at the city gate,the watchman climbed to the roof of thegateway by the wall. As he looked, hesaw a lone man running toward them.25He shouted the news down to David,and the king replied, "If he is alone, hehas news." As the messenger camecloser,26the watchman saw another manrunning toward them. He shouted down,"Here comes another one!" The kingreplied, "He also will have news."27"The first man runs like Ahimaaz sonof Zadok," the watchman said. "He is agood man and comes with good news,"the king replied.28Then Ahimaaz cried out to the king,"All is well!" He bowed low with his faceto the ground and said, "Blessed be theLORD your God, who has handed overthe rebels who dared to stand againstyou."29"What about young Absalom?" theking demanded. "Is he all right?"Ahimaaz replied, "When Joab told me tocome, there was a lot of commotion. ButI didn't know what was happening."30"Wait here," the king told him. SoAhimaaz stepped aside.31Then the man from Cush arrived andsaid, "I have good news for my lord theking. Today the LORD has rescued youfrom all those who rebelled against you."32"What about young Absalom?" theking demanded. "Is he all right?" And

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the Cushite replied, "May all of yourenemies, both now and in the future, beas that young man is!"33The king was overcome with emotion.He went up to his room over thegateway and burst into tears. And as hewent, he cried, "O my son Absalom! Myson, my son Absalom! If only I couldhave died instead of you! O Absalom,my son, my son."

19Word soon reached Joab that the

king was weeping and mourning forAbsalom.2As the troops heard of the king's deepgrief for his son, the joy of that day'svictory was turned into deep sadness.3They crept back into the city as thoughthey were ashamed and had beenbeaten in battle.4The king covered his face with hishands and kept on weeping, "O my sonAbsalom! O Absalom, my son, my son!"5Then Joab went to the king's room andsaid to him, "We saved your life todayand the lives of your sons, yourdaughters, and your wives andconcubines. Yet you act like this,making us feel ashamed, as though wehad done something wrong.6You seem to love those who hate youand hate those who love you. You havemade it clear today that we meannothing to you. If Absalom had lived andall of us had died, you would be pleased.7Now go out there and congratulate thetroops, for I swear by the LORD that ifyou don't, not a single one of them willremain here tonight. Then you will beworse off than you have ever been."8So the king went out and sat at the citygate, and as the news spreadthroughout the city that he was there,everyone went to him. Meanwhile, theIsraelites who supported Absalom hadfled to their homes.9And throughout the tribes of Israel therewas much discussion and argumentgoing on. The people were saying, "Theking saved us from our enemies, thePhilistines, but Absalom chased him outof the country.10Now Absalom, whom we anointed torule over us, is dead. Let's ask David tocome back and be our king again."11Then King David sent Zadok andAbiathar, the priests, to say to theleaders of Judah, "Why are you the lastones to reinstate the king? For I have

heard that all Israel is ready, and onlyyou are holding out.12Yet you are my relatives, my own tribe,my own flesh and blood! Why are youthe last ones to welcome me back?"13And David told them to tell Amasa,"Since you are my nephew, may Godstrike me dead if I do not appoint you ascommander of my army in place ofJoab."14Then Amasa convinced all the leadersof Judah, and they respondedunanimously. They sent word to the king,"Return to us, and bring back all thosewho are with you."15So the king started back to Jerusalem.And when he arrived at the Jordan River,the people of Judah came to Gilgal tomeet him and escort him across theriver.16Then Shimei son of Gera, the manfrom Bahurim in Benjamin, hurriedacross with the men of Judah towelcome King David.17A thousand men from the tribe ofBenjamin were with him, including Ziba,the servant of Saul, and Ziba's fifteensons and twenty servants. They rusheddown to the Jordan to arrive ahead ofthe king.18They all crossed the ford and workedhard ferrying the king's householdacross the river, helping them in everyway they could. As the king was aboutto cross the river, Shimei fell downbefore him.19"My lord the king, please forgive me,"he pleaded. "Forget the terrible thing Idid when you left Jerusalem.20I know how much I sinned. That is whyI have come here today, the very firstperson in all Israel to greet you."21Then Abishai son of Zeruiah said,"Shimei should die, for he cursed theLORD's anointed king!"22"What am I going to do with you sonsof Zeruiah!" David exclaimed. "This isnot a day for execution but forcelebration! I am once again the king ofIsrael!"23Then, turning to Shimei, David vowed,"Your life will be spared."24Now Mephibosheth, Saul's grandson,arrived from Jerusalem to meet the king.He had not washed his feet or clothesnor trimmed his beard since the day theking left Jerusalem.25"Why didn't you come with me,Mephibosheth?" the king asked him.26Mephibosheth replied, "My lord the

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king, my servant Ziba deceived me. Itold him, 'Saddle my donkey so that Ican go with the king.' For as you know Iam crippled.27Ziba has slandered me by saying that Irefused to come. But I know that you arelike an angel of God, so do what youthink is best.28All my relatives and I could expect onlydeath from you, my lord, but instead youhave honored me among those who eatat your own table! So how can Icomplain?"29"All right," David replied. "My decisionis that you and Ziba will divide your landequally between you."30"Give him all of it," Mephibosheth said."I am content just to have you backagain, my lord!"31Barzillai of Gilead now arrived fromRogelim to conduct the king across theJordan.32He was very old, about eighty, andvery wealthy. He was the one who hadprovided food for the king during hisstay in Mahanaim.33"Come across with me and live inJerusalem," the king said to Barzillai. "Iwill take care of you there."34"No," he replied, "I am far too old forthat.35I am eighty years old today, and I canno longer enjoy anything. Food andwine are no longer tasty, and I cannothear the musicians as they play. I wouldonly be a burden to my lord the king.36Just to go across the river with you isall the honor I need!37Then let me return again to die in myown town, where my father and motherare buried. But here is my son Kimham.Let him go with you and receivewhatever good things you want to givehim."38"Good," the king agreed. "Kimham willgo with me, and I will do for himwhatever I would have done for you."39So all the people crossed the Jordanwith the king. After David had blessedand embraced him, Barzillai returned tohis own home.40The king then went on to Gilgal, takingKimham with him. All the army of Judahand half the army of Israel escorted himacross the river.41But the men of Israel complained tothe king that the men of Judah hadgotten to do most of the work in helpinghim cross the Jordan.42"Why not?" the men of Judah replied.

"The king is one of our own tribe. Whyshould this make you angry? We havecharged him nothing. And he hasn't fedus or even given us gifts!"43"But there are ten tribes in Israel," theothers replied. "So we have ten times asmuch right to the king as you do. Whydid you treat us with such contempt?Remember, we were the first to speak ofbringing him back to be our king again."The argument continued back and forth,and the men of Judah were very harshin their replies.

20Then a troublemaker named

Sheba son of Bicri, a man from the tribeof Benjamin, blew a trumpet andshouted, "We have nothing to do withDavid. We want no part of this son ofJesse. Come on, you men of Israel, let'sall go home!"2So the men of Israel deserted Davidand followed Sheba. But the men ofJudah stayed with their king andescorted him from the Jordan River toJerusalem.3When the king arrived at his palace inJerusalem, he instructed that the tenconcubines he had left to keep houseshould be placed in seclusion. Theirneeds were to be cared for, he said, buthe would no longer sleep with them. Soeach of them lived like a widow until shedied.4Then the king instructed Amasa tomobilize the army of Judah within threedays and to report back at that time.5So Amasa went out to notify the troops,but it took him longer than the threedays he had been given.6Then David said to Abishai, "Thattroublemaker Sheba is going to hurt usmore than Absalom did. Quick, take mytroops and chase after him before hegets into a fortified city where we can'treach him."7So Abishai and Joab set out afterSheba with an elite guard from Joab'sarmy and the king's own bodyguard.8As they arrived at the great stone inGibeon, Amasa met them, coming fromthe opposite direction. Joab waswearing his uniform with a daggerstrapped to his belt. As he steppedforward to greet Amasa, he secretlyslipped the dagger from its sheath.9"How are you, my cousin?" Joab saidand took him by the beard with his righthand as though to kiss him.

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10Amasa didn't notice the dagger in hisleft hand, and Joab stabbed him in thestomach with it so that his insidesgushed out onto the ground. Joab didnot need to strike again, and Amasasoon died. Joab and his brother Abishaileft him lying there and continued afterSheba.11One of Joab's young officers shoutedto Amasa's troops, "If you are for Joaband David, come and follow Joab."12But Amasa lay in his blood in themiddle of the road, and Joab's officersaw that a crowd was gathering aroundto stare at him. So he pulled him off theroad into a field and threw a cloak overhim.13With Amasa's body out of the way,everyone went on with Joab to captureSheba.14Meanwhile, Sheba had traveled acrossIsrael to mobilize his own clan of Bicri atthe city of Abel-beth-maacah.15When Joab's forces arrived, theyattacked Abel-beth-maacah and built aramp against the city wall and beganbattering it down.16But a wise woman in the city called outto Joab, "Listen to me, Joab. Come overhere so I can talk to you."17As he approached, the woman asked,"Are you Joab?" "I am," he replied. Soshe said, "Listen carefully to yourservant." "I'm listening," he said.18Then she continued, "There used to bea saying, 'If you want to settle anargument, ask advice at the city of Abel.'19I am one who is peace loving andfaithful in Israel. But you are destroyinga loyal city. Why do you want to destroywhat belongs to the LORD?"20And Joab replied, "Believe me, I don'twant to destroy your city!21All I want is a man named Sheba sonof Bicri from the hill country of Ephraim,who has revolted against King David. Ifyou hand him over to me, we will leavethe city in peace." "All right," the womanreplied, "we will throw his head over thewall to you."22Then the woman went to the peoplewith her wise advice, and they cut offSheba's head and threw it out to Joab.So he blew the trumpet and called histroops back from the attack, and they allreturned to their homes. Joab returnedto the king at Jerusalem.23Joab once again became thecommander of David's army. Benaiahson of Jehoiada was commander of the

king's bodyguard.24Adoniram was in charge of the laborforce. Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud wasthe royal historian.25Sheva was the court secretary. Zadokand Abiathar were the priests.26Ira the Jairite was David's personalpriest.

21There was a famine during

David's reign that lasted for three years,so David asked the LORD about it. Andthe LORD said, "The famine has comebecause Saul and his family are guilty ofmurdering the Gibeonites."2So King David summoned theGibeonites. They were not part of Israelbut were all that was left of the nation ofthe Amorites. Israel had sworn not to killthem, but Saul, in his zeal, had tried towipe them out.3David asked them, "What can I do foryou to make amends? Tell me so thatthe LORD will bless his people again."4"Well, money won't do it," theGibeonites replied. "And we don't wantto see the Israelites executed inrevenge." "What can I do then?" Davidasked. "Just tell me and I will do it foryou."5Then they replied, "It was Saul whoplanned to destroy us, to keep us fromhaving any place at all in Israel.6So let seven of Saul's sons orgrandsons be handed over to us, andwe will execute them before the LORDat Gibeon, on the mountain of the LORD." "All right," the king said, "I will do it."7David spared Jonathan's sonMephibosheth, who was Saul'sgrandson, because of the oath Davidand Jonathan had sworn before theLORD.8But he gave them Saul's two sonsArmoni and Mephibosheth, whosemother was Rizpah daughter of Aiah.He also gave them the five sons ofSaul's daughter Merab, the wife of Adrielson of Barzillai from Meholah.9The men of Gibeon executed them onthe mountain before the LORD. So allseven of them died together at thebeginning of the barley harvest.10Then Rizpah, the mother of two of themen, spread sackcloth on a rock andstayed there the entire harvest season.She prevented vultures from tearing attheir bodies during the day and stoppedwild animals from eating them at night.

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11When David learned what Rizpah,Saul's concubine, had done,12he went to the people of Jabesh-gileadand asked for the bones of Saul and hisson Jonathan. (When Saul andJonathan had died in a battle with thePhilistines, it was the people of Jabeshgileadwho had retrieved their bodiesfrom the public square of the Philistinecity of Beth-shan.)13So David brought the bones of Sauland Jonathan, as well as the bones ofthe men the Gibeonites had executed.14He buried them all in the tomb of Kish,Saul's father, at the town of Zela in theland of Benjamin. After that, God endedthe famine in the land of Israel.15Once again the Philistines were at warwith Israel. And when David and hismen were in the thick of battle, Davidbecame weak and exhausted.16Ishbi-benob was a descendant of thegiants ; his bronze spearhead weighedmore than seven pounds, and he wasarmed with a new sword. He hadcornered David and was about to killhim.17But Abishai son of Zeruiah came to hisrescue and killed the Philistine. Afterthat, David's men declared, "You are notgoing out to battle again! Why shouldwe risk snuffing out the light of Israel?"18After this, there was another battleagainst the Philistines at Gob. As theyfought, Sibbecai from Hushah killedSaph, another descendant of the giants.19In still another battle at Gob, Elhananson of Jair from Bethlehem killed thebrother of Goliath of Gath. The handle ofhis spear was as thick as a weaver'sbeam!20In another battle with the Philistines atGath, a huge man with six fingers oneach hand and six toes on each foot--adescendant of the giants--21defied and taunted Israel. But he waskilled by Jonathan, the son of David'sbrother Shimea.22These four Philistines were descendedfrom the giants of Gath, but they werekilled by David and his warriors.

22David sang this song to the LORD

after the LORD had rescued him from allhis enemies and from Saul.2These are the words he sang: "TheLORD is my rock, my fortress, and mysavior;3my God is my rock, in whom I find

protection. He is my shield, the strengthof my salvation, and my stronghold, myhigh tower, my savior, the one whosaves me from violence.4I will call on the LORD, who is worthy ofpraise, for he saves me from myenemies.5"The waves of death surrounded me;the floods of destruction swept over me.6The grave wrapped its ropes aroundme; death itself stared me in the face.7But in my distress I cried out to theLORD; yes, I called to my God for help.He heard me from his sanctuary; my cryreached his ears.8"Then the earth quaked and trembled;the foundations of the heavens shook;they quaked because of his anger.9Smoke poured from his nostrils; fierceflames leaped from his mouth; glowingcoals flamed forth from him.10He opened the heavens and camedown; dark storm clouds were beneathhis feet.11Mounted on a mighty angel, he flew,soaring on the wings of the wind.12He shrouded himself in darkness,veiling his approach with dense rainclouds.13A great brightness shone before him,and bolts of lightning blazed forth.14The LORD thundered from heaven;the Most High gave a mighty shout.15He shot his arrows and scattered hisenemies; his lightning flashed, and theywere confused.16Then at the command of the LORD, atthe blast of his breath, the bottom of thesea could be seen, and the foundationsof the earth were laid bare.17"He reached down from heaven andrescued me; he drew me out of deepwaters.18He delivered me from my powerfulenemies, from those who hated me andwere too strong for me.19They attacked me at a moment when Iwas weakest, but the LORD upheld me.20He led me to a place of safety; herescued me because he delights in me.21The LORD rewarded me for doingright; he compensated me because ofmy innocence.22For I have kept the ways of the LORD;I have not turned from my God to followevil.23For all his laws are constantly beforeme; I have never abandoned hisprinciples.24I am blameless before God; I have

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kept myself from sin.25The LORD rewarded me for doingright, because of my innocence in hissight.26"To the faithful you show yourselffaithful; to those with integrity you showintegrity.27To the pure you show yourself pure,but to the wicked you show yourselfhostile.28You rescue those who are humble, butyour eyes are on the proud to humiliatethem.29O LORD, you are my light; yes, LORD,you light up my darkness.30In your strength I can crush an army;with my God I can scale any wall.31"As for God, his way is perfect. All theLORD's promises prove true. He is ashield for all who look to him forprotection.32For who is God except the LORD?Who but our God is a solid rock?33God is my strong fortress; he hasmade my way safe.34He makes me as surefooted as a deer,leading me safely along the mountainheights.35He prepares me for battle; hestrengthens me to draw a bow of bronze.36You have given me the shield of yoursalvation; your help has made me great.37You have made a wide path for myfeet to keep them from slipping.38"I chased my enemies and destroyedthem; I did not stop until they wereconquered.39I consumed them; I struck them downso they could not get up; they fellbeneath my feet.40You have armed me with strength forthe battle; you have subdued myenemies under my feet.41You made them turn and run; I havedestroyed all who hated me.42They called for help, but no one cameto rescue them. They cried to the LORD,but he refused to answer them.43I ground them as fine as the dust ofthe earth; I swept them into the gutterlike dirt.44"You gave me victory over myaccusers. You preserved me as theruler over nations; people I don't evenknow now serve me.45Foreigners cringe before me; as soonas they hear of me, they submit.46They all lose their courage and cometrembling from their strongholds.47"The LORD lives! Blessed be my rock!

May God, the rock of my salvation, beexalted!48He is the God who pays back thosewho harm me; he subdues the nationsunder me49and rescues me from my enemies.You hold me safe beyond the reach ofmy enemies; you save me from violentopponents.50For this, O LORD, I will praise youamong the nations; I will sing joyfully toyour name.51You give great victories to your king;you show unfailing love to your anointed,to David and all his descendantsforever."

23These are the last words of David:

"David, the son of Jesse, speaks-- David,the man to whom God gave suchwonderful success, David, the mananointed by the God of Jacob, David,the sweet psalmist of Israel.2"The Spirit of the LORD speaks throughme; his words are upon my tongue.3The God of Israel spoke. The Rock ofIsrael said to me: 'The person who rulesrighteously, who rules in the fear of God,4he is like the light of the morning, likethe sunrise bursting forth in a cloudlesssky, like the refreshing rains that bringtender grass from the earth.'5"It is my family God has chosen! Yes,he has made an everlasting covenantwith me. His agreement is eternal, final,sealed. He will constantly look after mysafety and success.6But the godless are like thorns to bethrown away, for they tear the hand thattouches them.7One must be armed to chop themdown; they will be utterly consumed withfire."8These are the names of David'smightiest men. The first was Jashobeamthe Hacmonite, who was commander ofthe Three--the three greatest warriorsamong David's men. He once used hisspear to kill eight hundred enemywarriors in a single battle.9Next in rank among the Three wasEleazar son of Dodai, a descendant ofAhoah. Once Eleazar and David stoodtogether against the Philistines when theentire Israelite army had fled.10He killed Philistines until his hand wastoo tired to lift his sword, and the LORDgave him a great victory that day. Therest of the army did not return until it

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was time to collect the plunder!11Next in rank was Shammah son ofAgee from Harar. One time thePhilistines gathered at Lehi andattacked the Israelites in a field full oflentils. The Israelite army fled,12but Shammah held his ground in themiddle of the field and beat back thePhilistines. So the LORD brought abouta great victory.13Once during harvesttime, when Davidwas at the cave of Adullam, thePhilistine army was camped in the valleyof Rephaim. The Three (who wereamong the Thirty--an elite group amongDavid's fighting men) went down to meethim there.14David was staying in the stronghold atthe time, and a Philistine detachmenthad occupied the town of Bethlehem.15David remarked longingly to his men,"Oh, how I would love some of that goodwater from the well in Bethlehem, theone by the gate."16So the Three broke through thePhilistine lines, drew some water fromthe well, and brought it back to David.But he refused to drink it. Instead, hepoured it out before the LORD.17"The LORD forbid that I should drinkthis!" he exclaimed. "This water is asprecious as the blood of these men whorisked their lives to bring it to me." SoDavid did not drink it. This is an exampleof the exploits of the Three.18Abishai son of Zeruiah, the brother ofJoab, was the leader of the Thirty. Heonce used his spear to kill threehundred enemy warriors in a singlebattle. It was by such feats that hebecame as famous as the Three.19Abishai was the most famous of theThirty and was their commander, thoughhe was not one of the Three.20There was also Benaiah son ofJehoiada, a valiant warrior from Kabzeel.He did many heroic deeds, whichincluded killing two of Moab's mightiestwarriors. Another time he chased a liondown into a pit. Then, despite the snowand slippery ground, he caught the lionand killed it.21Another time, armed only with a club,he killed a great Egyptian warrior whowas armed with a spear. Benaiahwrenched the spear from the Egyptian'shand and killed him with it.22These are some of the deeds thatmade Benaiah almost as famous as theThree.

23He was more honored than the othermembers of the Thirty, though he wasnot one of the Three. And David madehim commander of his bodyguard.24Other members of the Thirty included:Asahel, Joab's brother; Elhanan son ofDodo from Bethlehem;25Shammah from Harod; Elika fromHarod;26Helez from Pelon ; Ira son of Ikkeshfrom Tekoa;27Abiezer from Anathoth; Sibbecai fromHushah;28Zalmon from Ahoah; Maharai fromNetophah;29Heled son of Baanah from Netophah;Ithai son of Ribai from Gibeah (from thetribe of Benjamin);30Benaiah from Pirathon; Hurai fromNahale-gaash ;31Abi-albon the Arbathite; Azmavethfrom Bahurim;32Eliahba from Shaalbon; the sons ofJashen;33Jonathan son of Shagee from Harar;Ahiam son of Sharar from Harar;34Eliphelet son of Ahasbai from Maacah;Eliam son of Ahithophel from Giloh;35Hezro from Carmel; Paarai from Arba;36Igal son of Nathan from Zobah; Banifrom Gad;37Zelek from Ammon; Naharai fromBeeroth (Joab's armor bearer);38Ira from Jattir; Gareb from Jattir;39Uriah the Hittite. There were thirtysevenin all.

24Once again the anger of the

LORD burned against Israel, and hecaused David to harm them by taking acensus. "Go and count the people ofIsrael and Judah," the LORD told him.2So the king said to Joab, thecommander of his army, "Take a censusof all the people in the land--from Dan inthe north to Beersheba in the south--sothat I may know how many people thereare."3But Joab replied to the king, "May theLORD your God let you live until thereare a hundred times as many people inyour kingdom as there are now! But whydo you want to do this?"4But the king insisted that they take thecensus, so Joab and his officers wentout to count the people of Israel.5First they crossed the Jordan andcamped at Aroer, south of the town inthe valley, in the direction of Gad. Then

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they went on to Jazer,6then to Gilead in the land of Tahtimhodshiand to Dan-jaan and around toSidon.7Then they came to the stronghold ofTyre, and all the cities of the Hivites andCanaanites. Finally, they went south toJudah as far as Beersheba.8Having gone through the entire land,they completed their task in nine monthsand twenty days and then returned toJerusalem.9Joab reported the number of people tothe king. There were 800,000 men ofmilitary age in Israel and 500,000 inJudah.10But after he had taken the census,David's conscience began to bother him.And he said to the LORD, "I have sinnedgreatly and shouldn't have taken thecensus. Please forgive me, LORD, fordoing this foolish thing."11The next morning the word of theLORD came to the prophet Gad, whowas David's seer. This was themessage:12"Go and say to David, 'This is what theLORD says: I will give you three choices.Choose one of these punishments, and Iwill do it.' "13So Gad came to David and asked him,"Will you choose three years of faminethroughout the land, three months offleeing from your enemies, or three daysof severe plague throughout your land?Think this over and let me know whatanswer to give the LORD."14"This is a desperate situation!" Davidreplied to Gad. "But let us fall into thehands of the LORD, for his mercy isgreat. Do not let me fall into humanhands."15So the LORD sent a plague uponIsrael that morning, and it lasted forthree days. Seventy thousand peopledied throughout the nation.16But as the death angel was preparingto destroy Jerusalem, the LORDrelented and said to the angel, "Stop!That is enough!" At that moment theangel of the LORD was by the threshingfloor of Araunah the Jebusite.17When David saw the angel, he said tothe LORD, "I am the one who hassinned and done wrong! But thesepeople are innocent--what have theydone? Let your anger fall against meand my family."18That day Gad came to David and saidto him, "Go and build an altar to the

LORD on the threshing floor of Araunahthe Jebusite."19So David went to do what the LORDhad commanded him.20When Araunah saw the king and hismen coming toward him, he cameforward and bowed before the king withhis face to the ground.21"Why have you come, my lord?"Araunah asked. And David replied, "Ihave come to buy your threshing floorand to build an altar to the LORD there,so that the LORD will stop the plague."22"Take it, my lord, and use it as youwish," Araunah said to David. "Here areoxen for the burnt offering, and you canuse the threshing tools and ox yokes forwood to build a fire on the altar.23I will give it all to you, and may theLORD your God accept your sacrifice."24But the king replied to Araunah, "No, Iinsist on buying it, for I cannot presentburnt offerings to the LORD my God thathave cost me nothing." So David paidhim fifty pieces of silver for the threshingfloor and the oxen.25David built an altar there to the LORDand offered burnt offerings and peaceofferings. And the LORD answered hisprayer, and the plague was stopped.