Translation in British English
The Second Book of Samuel (The Second Book of the Kings)
1:1 Now it so happened, following the demise of Saul, David returned from the defeat of the Amalekites and stayed in Ziklag for two days.
1:2 On the third day, a man arrived from Saul’s camp with torn clothes and dust on his head. Upon reaching David, he fell to the ground, showing respect.
1:3 David inquired of him, “From where have you come?” He replied, “I’ve escaped from the Israeli camp.”
1:4 “What transpired?” David asked. “Please, inform me.” He answered, “The army fled from battle, many are fallen and dead, including Saul and his son Jonathan.”
1:5 David questioned the messenger, “How can you be certain that Saul and Jonathan are deceased?”
1:6 The messenger explained, “I was on Mount Gilboa. There, Saul leaned on his spear while chariots and horsemen pursued him closely.
1:7 He turned, saw me, and called out. I replied, ‘I am here.'”
1:8 “Who are you?” Saul asked me. “An Amalekite,” I responded.
1:9 “Please, stand over me and end my life,” Saul requested, “for agony grips me, yet I still live.”
1:10 Thus, I stood over him and ended his life, for I knew he couldn’t survive his fall. I then took his crown and armlet to my lord here.
1:11 Upon hearing this, David and all with him tore their clothes in mourning.
1:12 They wept, fasted, and lamented until evening for Saul, Jonathan, the LORD’s people, and the house of Israel, fallen by the sword.
1:13 David asked the messenger, “Where are you from?” “I am the son of an Amalekite immigrant,” he replied.
1:14 “Weren’t you afraid to raise your hand against the LORD’s anointed?” David sternly inquired.
1:15 Then David summoned a young man and ordered, “Approach and strike him down.” He did, and the man died.
1:16 “Your blood is on your own head,” David declared, “for your own mouth has testified, ‘I have killed the LORD’s anointed.'”
1:17 David mourned Saul and Jonathan with a lamentation:
1:18 He commanded the people of Judah to learn archery, as recorded in the Book of Jasher.
1:19 “Israel’s glory lies slain on your heights. How the mighty have fallen!
1:20 Do not announce it in Gath, do not proclaim it in Askelon’s streets, lest Philistine daughters rejoice, and uncircumcised girls exult.
1:21 O mountains of Gilboa, may you have no dew or rain, nor fields yielding offerings, for there the shield of the mighty was defiled, Saul’s shield, unanointed with oil.
1:22 Amidst the blood of the fallen and the fat of the mighty, Jonathan’s bow never retreated, Saul’s sword never returned empty.
1:23 Saul and Jonathan, in life they were loved and gracious, in death, undivided. They were swifter than eagles, stronger than lions.
1:24 Daughters of Israel, weep for Saul, who clothed you in scarlet luxury, who adorned your garments with golden ornaments.
1:25 How the mighty have fallen in battle! Jonathan lies slain on your heights.
1:26 I grieve for you, my brother Jonathan; you were most dear to me. Your love was more wonderful than that of women.
1:27 How the mighty have fallen, and the weapons of war perished!”
2:1 After this, David inquired of the Lord, “Shall I ascend to any of the cities of Judah?” The LORD instructed him, “Ascend.” David asked, “Where shall I go?” “To Hebron,” was the reply.
2:2 So David went up there, along with his two wives, Ahinoam of Jezreel and Abigail, the widow of Nabal of Carmel.
2:3 David also brought his men and their families, and they settled in Hebron’s towns.
2:4 The men of Judah came and there anointed David as king over the house of Judah. They informed David: “The men of Jabesh-gilead buried Saul.”
2:5 David sent messengers to the men of Jabesh-gilead: “Blessed are you by the LORD for showing kindness to Saul, your lord, and burying him.
2:6 May the LORD now show kindness and truth to you. I also will reciprocate this kindness because you have done this deed.
2:7 Therefore, be strong and valiant. Saul, your lord, is dead, and the house of Judah has anointed me as king over them.”
2:8 Meanwhile, Abner, son of Ner, commander of Saul’s army, took Ish-bosheth, Saul’s son, and set him up as king over Mahanaim.
2:9 He made him king over Gilead, the Ashurites, Jezreel, Ephraim, Benjamin, and all Israel.
2:10 Ish-bosheth, Saul’s son, was forty years old when he became king over Israel and reigned two years. The house of Judah, however, followed David.
2:11 David reigned in Hebron over the house of Judah for seven years and six months.
2:12 Abner, son of Ner, and the servants of Ish-bosheth, Saul’s son, marched from Mahanaim to Gibeon.
2:13 Joab, son of Zeruiah, and David’s servants also went out and met them by the pool of Gibeon. They sat down, one group on one side of the pool and the other group on the opposite side.
2:14 Abner said to Joab, “Let the young men arise and entertain us.” Joab agreed, “Let them arise.”
2:15 Then young men arose and passed over by number: twelve from Benjamin, belonging to Ish-bosheth, the son of Saul, and twelve of David’s servants.
2:16 Each grasped his opponent by the head and thrust his sword in his opponent’s side, and they fell down together. Therefore, that place in Gibeon was called Helkath-hazzurim.
2:17 A fierce battle ensued that day, and Abner and the men of Israel were defeated by David’s servants.
2:18 The three sons of Zeruiah were there: Joab, Abishai, and Asahel. Asahel was fleet-footed as a wild roe.
2:19 Asahel pursued Abner, not turning to the right or left from following him.
2:20 Abner looked behind him and asked, “Are you Asahel?” He replied, “I am.”
2:21 Abner urged him, “Turn aside to your right or left, seize one of the young men, and take his armor.” But Asahel refused to turn away from him.
2:22 Abner repeated, “Turn aside from following me. Why should I strike you to the ground? How then could I face your brother Joab?”
2:23 However, Asahel refused to turn aside, so Abner struck him in the abdomen with the butt end of his spear, and the spear came out at his back. He fell there and died on the spot. Everyone who came to the place where Asahel fell and died, stood still.
2:24 Joab and Abishai pursued Abner. As the sun was setting, they arrived at the hill of Ammah, near Giah, on the way to the desert of Gibeon.
2:25 The children of Benjamin rallied behind Abner and formed a single group, standing on top of a hill.
2:26 Abner called to Joab, “Must the sword devour forever? Do you not realize that this will end in bitterness? How long will it be before you order the people to stop pursuing their brothers?”
2:27 Joab replied, “As God lives, if you had not spoken, surely the men would have continued pursuing their brothers until morning.”
2:28 Joab then blew the trumpet, and all the troops halted. They ceased pursuing Israel and did not engage in further combat.
2:29 Abner and his men traveled through the Arabah all that night, crossed the Jordan, marched through the whole Bithron, and reached Mahanaim.
2:30 Joab returned from pursuing Abner and, upon mustering all the people, found that nineteen of David’s servants were missing, besides Asahel.
2:31 David’s servants had struck down three hundred and sixty of Benjamin’s men and Abner’s.
2:32 They took Asahel and buried him in his father’s tomb in Bethlehem. Then Joab and his men marched all night, arriving at Hebron at dawn.
3:1 There was a prolonged conflict between the house of Saul and the house of David. However, David grew increasingly strong, while the house of Saul grew weaker.
3:2 Sons were born to David in Hebron: his firstborn was Amnon, by Ahinoam the Jezreelitess;
3:3 his second, Chileab, by Abigail, the widow of Nabal the Carmelite; the third, Absalom, son of Maacah, daughter of Talmai, king of Geshur;
3:4 the fourth, Adonijah, son of Haggith; the fifth, Shephatiah, son of Abital;
3:5 and the sixth, Ithream, by David’s wife Eglah. These were born to David in Hebron.
3:6 During the war between the house of Saul and the house of David, Abner was gaining power in the house of Saul.
3:7 Saul had a concubine named Rizpah, daughter of Aiah. Ish-bosheth said to Abner, “Why have you gone into my father’s concubine?”
3:8 Abner was greatly angered by Ish-bosheth’s accusation and said, “Am I a dog’s head against Judah? Today I show loyalty to Saul’s house, his brothers, and friends, and have not delivered you into David’s hands, yet you charge me with wrongdoing over this woman!
3:9 May God deal with Abner, be it ever so severely, if I do not accomplish what the Lord has sworn to David—
3:10 to transfer the kingdom from the house of Saul and establish David’s throne over Israel and Judah, from Dan to Beersheba.
3:11 Ish-bosheth could not respond to Abner because of his fear of him.
3:12 Abner sent messengers to David, saying, “Whose land is this? Make an agreement with me, and my hand will be with you to bring all Israel to your side.”
3:13 David agreed, “I will make an agreement with you, but I require one thing: you will not see my face unless you bring Michal, Saul’s daughter, when you come to see me.”
3:14 David then sent messengers to Ish-bosheth, Saul’s son, demanding, “Give me my wife Michal, whom I betrothed to myself for a hundred Philistine foreskins.”
3:15 Ish-bosheth sent for Michal, taking her from her husband, Paltiel son of Laish.
3:16 Her husband followed her, weeping as he went, until Abner told him, “Go back.” And he returned.
3:17 Abner communicated with the elders of Israel, saying, “In the past, you sought David as your king.
3:18 Now do it, for the Lord has promised David: ‘By the hand of my servant David, I will rescue my people Israel from the hand of the Philistines and all their enemies.'”
3:19 Abner also spoke to Benjamin. Then he went to inform David in Hebron of all that was acceptable to Israel and to the whole house of Benjamin.
3:20 Abner, with twenty men, visited David in Hebron, where David hosted a feast for them.
3:21 Abner said to David, “I will arise and gather all Israel to my lord the king, that they may make a covenant with you, and you may reign over all your heart desires.” David sent Abner away, and he went in peace.
3:22 Shortly after, David’s servants and Joab returned from a raid, bringing much plunder with them. Abner was not in Hebron with David, for he had been sent away in peace.
3:23 When Joab and all the troops with him arrived, they informed Joab: “Abner, son of Ner, came to the king, and he has sent him away in peace.”
3:24 Joab went to the king and said, “What have you done? Abner came to you; why did you send him away? Now he’s gone!
3:25 You know Abner son of Ner came to deceive you, to learn your movements and all that you do.”
3:26 After leaving David, Joab sent messengers after Abner, who brought him back from the well of Sirah, unbeknownst to David.
3:27 When Abner returned to Hebron, Joab took him aside to speak privately and then killed him to avenge the blood of his brother Asahel.
3:28 Later, when David heard of this, he said, “I and my kingdom are forever innocent before the Lord concerning the blood of Abner son of Ner.
3:29 May his blood fall on Joab’s head and on his entire father’s family! May Joab’s family never be without someone who has a discharge, or who is a leper, or who leans on a crutch, or who falls by the sword, or who lacks food.”
3:30 Joab and his brother Abishai killed Abner because he had killed their brother Asahel in battle at Gibeon.
3:31 And David spoke to Joab and to all who were with him, saying, “Tear your garments, and don yourselves with sackcloth, and grieve for Abner.” King David himself walked behind the coffin.
3:32 They interred Abner in Hebron, and the king wept aloud at Abner’s graveside, and all the people wept.
3:33 The king sang a lament for Abner, saying, “Should Abner have died as a fool dies?
3:34 Your hands were not bound, nor your feet fettered; as one falls before the wicked, you fell.” And again, all the people wept over him.
3:35 As all the people came to urge David to eat while it was still day, David swore, “May God do to me, and more also, if I taste bread or anything else until the sun has set.
3:36 All the people noticed this, and it pleased them. Whatever the king did, the people approved.
3:37 On that day, all the people and all Israel understood that it was not the king’s intention to kill Abner, son of Ner.
3:38 The king said to his servants, “Do you not realise that a prince and a great man has fallen today in Israel?
3:39 And I am weak today, though anointed as king; these men, the sons of Zeruiah, are too harsh for me. The Lord shall repay the evildoer according to his wickedness.”
4:1 When Saul’s son heard that Abner had died in Hebron, he lost heart, and all Israel was troubled.
4:2 Saul’s son had two men, leaders of raiding bands. One was named Baanah, and the other Rechab, sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, of the children of Benjamin; for Beeroth was also considered part of Benjamin.
4:3 The Beerothites had fled to Gittaim and were sojourners there until this day.
4:4 Jonathan, Saul’s son, had a son who was disabled in his feet. He was five years old when the news about Saul and Jonathan came from Jezreel. His nurse picked him up and fled, but as she hurried to flee, he fell and became lame. His name was Mephibosheth.
4:5 The sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, Rechab and Baanah, set out and arrived at the house of Ishbosheth in the heat of the day while he was taking his noon rest.
4:6 They entered the house as if to get wheat, and they struck him in the stomach; then Rechab and Baanah his brother escaped.
4:7 When they came into the house, he was lying on his bed in his bedroom, and they struck him and killed him. They beheaded him, took his head, and traveled by way of the Arabah all night.
4:8 They brought the head of Ishbosheth to David in Hebron and said to the king, “Behold, the head of Ishbosheth, the son of Saul, your enemy, who sought your life; and the LORD has avenged my lord the king this day of Saul and his offspring.”
4:9 David replied to Rechab and Baanah his brother, sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, “As the LORD lives, who has redeemed my life from every distress,
4:10 when someone told me, ‘Behold, Saul is dead,’ thinking to have brought good news, I seized him and killed him in Ziklag, which was the reward I gave him for his news.
4:11 How much more, when wicked men have killed an innocent man in his own house on his bed, shall I not now require his blood from your hands and remove you from the earth?”
4:12 So David commanded his young men, and they killed them, cut off their hands and feet, and hung them by the pool in Hebron. But they took the head of Ishbosheth and buried it in Abner’s tomb in Hebron.
5:1 Then all the tribes of Israel came to David in Hebron and said, “Behold, we are your bone and flesh.
5:2 In the past, when Saul was our king, it was you who led Israel out and brought them in. The LORD said to you, ‘You shall shepherd my people Israel, and you shall be ruler over Israel.'”
5:3 So all the elders of Israel came to the king in Hebron, and King David made a covenant with them at Hebron before the LORD. They anointed David king over Israel.
5:4 David was thirty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned for forty years.
5:5 In Hebron, he reigned over Judah for seven years and six months, and in Jerusalem, he reigned for thirty-three years over all Israel and Judah.
5:6 The king and his men went to Jerusalem against the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land, who said to David, “You will not come in here, but the blind and the lame will turn you away,” thinking, “David cannot come in here.”
5:7 Nevertheless, David captured the stronghold of Zion, now the city of David.
5:8 David said on that day, “Anyone who strikes the Jebusites, let him reach the lame and the blind, who are hated by David’s soul, through the water tunnel.” Therefore they say, “The blind and the lame shall not come into the house.”
5:9 David lived in the stronghold and called it the city of David. David built the city around it, from the Millo inward.
5:10 And David became greater and greater, for the LORD God of hosts was with him.
5:11 Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, and cedar trees, carpenters, and stonemasons, and they built David a house.
5:12 David realised that the LORD had established him as king over Israel, and that He had exalted his kingdom for the sake of His people Israel.
5:13 After he left Hebron, David took more concubines and wives in Jerusalem, and more sons and daughters were born to David.
5:14 These are the names of those born to him in Jerusalem: Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon,
5:15 Ibhar, Elishua, Nepheg, Japhia,
5:16 Elishama, Eliada, and Eliphelet.
5:17 When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over Israel, all the Philistines went up to seek David. David heard of it and went down to the stronghold.
5:18 The Philistines came and spread themselves in the Valley of Rephaim.
5:19 David inquired of the LORD, saying, “Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will you give them into my hand?” The LORD said to David, “Go up, for I will certainly give the Philistines into your hand.”
5:20 And David came to Baal-perazim, and David defeated them there. He said, “The LORD has broken through my enemies before me like a breaking flood.” Therefore the name of that place is called Baal-perazim.
5:21 And they left their idols there, and David and his men carried them away.
5:22 And the Philistines came up once again and spread themselves in the Valley of Rephaim.
5:23 When David inquired of the LORD, He said, “You shall not go up; go around to their rear, and come upon them opposite the balsam trees.
5:24 And when you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, then rouse yourself, for then the LORD has gone out before you to strike down the army of the Philistines.”
5:25 And David did as the LORD commanded him, and struck down the Philistines from Geba to Gezer.
6:1 David again gathered all the chosen men of Israel, thirty thousand.
6:2 And David arose and went with all the people who were with him from Baale-judah, to bring up from there the ark of God, which is called by the Name, the very name of the LORD of hosts who sits enthroned on the cherubim.
6:3 And they carried the ark of God on a new cart and brought it out of the house of Abinadab, which was on the hill. Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, were driving the new cart,
6:4 with the ark of God, and Ahio went before the ark.
6:5 And David and all the house of Israel were celebrating before the LORD, with songs and lyres and harps and tambourines and castanets and cymbals.
6:6 And when they came to the threshing floor of Nacon, Uzzah reached out to the ark of God and took hold of it, for the oxen stumbled.
6:7 The anger of the LORD was kindled against Uzzah, and God struck him down there because of his error, and he died there beside the ark of God.
6:8 And David was angry because the LORD had broken forth against Uzzah. And that place is called Perez-uzzah, to this day.
6:9 And David was afraid of the LORD that day, and he said, “How can the ark of the LORD come to me?”
6:10 So David was not willing to take the ark of the LORD into the city of David. But David took it aside to the house of Obed-edom the Gittite.
6:11 And the ark of the LORD remained in the house of Obed-edom the Gittite three months, and the LORD blessed Obed-edom and all his household.
6:12 It was told King David, “The LORD has blessed the household of Obed-edom and all that belongs to him, because of the ark of God.” So David went and brought up the ark of God from the house of Obed-edom to the city of David with rejoicing.
6:13 And when those who bore the ark of the LORD had gone six steps, he sacrificed an ox and a fattened animal.
6:14 And David danced before the LORD with all his might. And David was wearing a linen ephod.
6:15 So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the LORD with shouting and with the sound of the horn.
6:16 As the ark of the LORD came into the city of David, Michal the daughter of Saul looked out of the window and saw King David leaping and dancing before the LORD, and she despised him in her heart.
6:17 They brought in the ark of the LORD and set it in its place, inside the tent that David had pitched for it. And David offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the LORD.
6:18 And when David had finished offering the burnt offerings and the peace offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the LORD of hosts.
6:19 And he distributed among all the people, the whole multitude of Israel, both men and women, to each a loaf of bread, a portion of meat, and a cake of raisins. Then all the people departed, each to his house.
6:20 Then David returned to bless his household. But Michal the daughter of Saul came out to meet David and said, “How the king of Israel honoured himself today, uncovering himself today before the eyes of his servants’ female servants, as one of the vulgar fellows shamelessly uncovers himself!”
6:21 David said to Michal, “It was before the LORD, who chose me above your father and above all his house, to appoint me as prince over Israel, the people of the LORD, and I will celebrate before the LORD.
6:22 I will make myself yet more contemptible than this, and I will be abased in your eyes. But by the female servants of whom you have spoken, by them I shall be held in honour.”
6:23 And Michal the daughter of Saul had no child to the day of her death.
7:1 Now when the king lived in his house and the LORD had given him rest from all his surrounding enemies,
7:2 the king said to Nathan the prophet, “See now, I dwell in a house of cedar, but the ark of God dwells in a tent.”
7:3 And Nathan said to the king, “Go, do all that is in your heart, for the LORD is with you.”
7:4 But that same night the word of the LORD came to Nathan,
7:5 “Go and tell my servant David, ‘Thus says the LORD: Would you build me a house to dwell in?
7:6 I have not lived in a house since the day I brought up the people of Israel from Egypt to this day, but I have been moving about in a tent for my dwelling.
7:7 In all places where I have moved with all the people of Israel, did I speak a word with any of the judges of Israel, whom I commanded to shepherd my people Israel, saying, “Why have you not built me a house of cedar?”‘
7:8 Now, therefore, thus you shall say to my servant David, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts, I took you from the pasture, from following the sheep, that you should be prince over my people Israel.
7:9 And I have been with you wherever you went and have cut off all your enemies from before you. And I will make for you a great name, like the name of the great ones of the earth.
7:10 And I will appoint a place for my people Israel and will plant them, so that they may dwell in their own place and be disturbed no more. And violent men shall afflict them no more, as formerly,
7:11 from the time that I appointed judges over my people Israel. And I will give you rest from all your enemies. Moreover, the Lord declares to you that the Lord will make you a house.
7:12 When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom.
7:13 He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.
7:14 I shall be his father, and he shall be my son. Should he commit wrong, I will correct him with the rod wielded by mortals, and with floggings inflicted by human hands.
7:15 Yet, my kindness shall not be withdrawn from him, as I withdrew it from Saul, whom I removed from before you.
7:16 Your lineage and your kingdom will endure eternally in my presence; your throne will be established forever.
7:17 Nathan relayed all these words and this entire vision to David accordingly.
7:18 King David then entered, sat before the Lord, and questioned, “Who am I, O Lord God, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far?
7:19 And yet this, in your eyes, O Lord God, seemed a small matter, for you have also spoken of your servant’s family in the distant future. Is this the usual way of mankind, O Lord God?
7:20 What more can David say to you? For you, Lord God, know your servant.
7:21 For the sake of your promise and according to your own heart, you have accomplished this great feat, making it known to your servant.
7:22 Therefore, you are exalted, O Lord God, for there is none like you, and there is no God besides you, as we have always heard.
7:23 And who is like your people, Israel, the one nation on earth whom God set out to redeem as a people for himself, to make a name for himself and to perform for them great and awesome deeds, for your land, before your people whom you redeemed for yourself from Egypt, from nations and their gods?
7:24 You established your people Israel as your own people forever, and you, LORD, became their God.
7:25 Now, O Lord God, confirm forever the word you have spoken concerning your servant and his house, and do as you have said.
7:26 May your name be magnified forever, declaring, ‘The LORD of hosts is God over Israel.’ May the house of your servant David be established in your presence.
7:27 For you, O Lord of hosts, God of Israel, have revealed to your servant, saying, ‘I will build you a house.’ Therefore, your servant has found courage to pray this prayer to you.
7:28 Now, O Lord God, you are God, and your words are true, and you have promised this goodness to your servant.
7:29 Now please bless the house of your servant, that it may continue forever before you. For you, O Lord God, have spoken, and with your blessing, let the house of your servant be blessed forever.
8:1 After these events, David defeated the Philistines, subjugated them, and took control of Methegammah from the Philistines.
8:2 He also defeated Moab, measuring them with a line, making them lie down on the ground; with two lines he measured those to be put to death, and with one full line those to be spared. Thus the Moabites became subject to David and brought tribute.
8:3 David also defeated Hadadezer, son of Rehob, king of Zobah, as he went to restore his control at the River Euphrates.
8:4 David captured from him a thousand chariots, seven hundred horsemen, and twenty thousand foot soldiers. David hamstrung all the chariot horses, but reserved enough for a hundred chariots.
8:5 When the Syrians of Damascus came to help Hadadezer, king of Zobah, David struck down twenty-two thousand Syrians.
8:6 David then stationed garrisons in Syrian Damascus; the Syrians became subject to David and brought tribute. The Lord gave victory to David wherever he went.
8:7 David took the gold shields carried by the servants of Hadadezer and brought them to Jerusalem.
8:8 From Betah and Berothai, towns of Hadadezer, King David took a great quantity of bronze.
8:9 When Toi, king of Hamath, heard that David had defeated the entire army of Hadadezer,
8:10 he sent his son Joram to King David to greet him and congratulate him for fighting against Hadadezer and defeating him, for Hadadezer had been at war with Toi. Joram brought articles of silver, gold, and bronze.
8:11 King David dedicated these to the Lord, along with the silver and gold he had dedicated from all the nations he had subdued:
8:12 from Aram, Moab, the Ammonites, the Philistines, Amalek, and from the plunder of Hadadezer, son of Rehob, king of Zobah.
8:13 David made a name for himself when he returned from defeating the Arameans in the Valley of Salt, killing eighteen thousand men.
8:14 He put garrisons throughout all Edom, and all the Edomites became subject to David. The LORD gave victory to David wherever he went.
8:15 David reigned over all Israel, administering justice and righteousness for all his people.
8:16 Joab, son of Zeruiah, was over the army; Jehoshaphat, son of Ahilud, was recorder;
8:17 Zadok, son of Ahitub, and Ahimelech, son of Abiathar, were priests; Seraiah was the scribe;
8:18 Benaiah, son of Jehoiada, was over the Kerethites and Pelethites; and David’s sons were chief officials.
9:1 David asked, “Is there anyone left from the house of Saul to whom I can show kindness for Jonathan’s sake?”
9:2 Now there was a servant from Saul’s household named Ziba. When they summoned him to David, the king asked him, “Are you Ziba?” He replied, “At your service.”
9:3 The king then asked, “Is there no one still alive from the house of Saul to whom I can show God’s kindness?” Ziba answered the king, “There is still a son of Jonathan; he is lame in both feet.”
9:4 “Where is he?” the king asked. Ziba answered, “He is at the house of Machir, son of Ammiel, in Lo Debar.”
9:5 So King David sent and brought him from the house of Machir, son of Ammiel, from Lo Debar.
9:6 When Mephibosheth, son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, came to David, he bowed down to pay him honor. David said, “Mephibosheth!” He replied, “At your service.”
9:7 David said to him, “Do not be afraid, for I will surely show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan. I will restore to you all the land that belonged to your grandfather Saul, and you will always eat at my table.”
9:8 Mephibosheth bowed down and said, “What is your servant, that you should notice a dead dog like me?”
9:9 Then the king summoned Ziba, Saul’s servant, and said to him, “I have given your master’s grandson everything that belonged to Saul and his family.
9:10 You and your sons and your servants are to farm the land for him and bring in the crops, so that your master’s grandson may be provided for. Mephibosheth, grandson of your master, will always eat at my table.” (Now Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants.)
9:11 Then Ziba said to the king, “Your servant will do everything my lord the king commands him.” So Mephibosheth ate at David’s table like one of the king’s sons.
9:12 Mephibosheth had a young son named Micha. And all the members of Ziba’s household were servants to Mephibosheth.
9:13 And Mephibosheth lived in Jerusalem, for he always ate at the king’s table, and he was lame in both feet.
10:1 Some time later, the king of the Ammonites died, and his son Hanun succeeded him as king.
10:2 David thought, “I will show kindness to Hanun, son of Nahash, just as his father showed kindness to me.” So David sent a delegation to express his sympathy to Hanun concerning his father. When David’s servants came to the land of the Ammonites,
10:3 the Ammonite commanders said to Hanun their lord, “Do you think David is honoring your father by sending envoys to you to express sympathy? Hasn’t David sent his servants to you to explore the city and spy it out and overthrow it?”
10:4 So Hanun seized David’s envoys, shaved off half of each man’s beard, cut off their garments in the middle at the buttocks, and sent them away.
10:5 When David was told about this, he sent messengers to meet the men, for they were greatly humiliated. The king said, “Stay at Jericho until your beards have grown, and then return.”
10:6 When the Ammonites realized that they had become a stench in David’s nostrils, they hired twenty thousand Aramean foot soldiers from Beth Rehob and Zobah, as well as the king of Maakah with a thousand men, and twelve thousand men from Tob.
10:7 On hearing this, David sent Joab out with the entire army of fighting men.
10:8 The Ammonites came out and drew up in battle formation at the entrance of their city gate, while the Arameans of Zobah and Rehob and the men of Tob and Maakah were by themselves in the open country.
10:9 Joab saw that there were battle lines in front of him and behind him; so he selected some of the best troops in Israel and deployed them against the Arameans.
10:10 He put the rest of the men under the command of Abishai his brother and deployed them against the Ammonites.
10:11 Joab said, “If the Arameans are too strong for me, then you are to come to my rescue; but if the Ammonites are too strong for you, then I will come to rescue you.
10:12 Be strong, and let us fight bravely for our people and the cities of our God. The Lord will do what is good in his sight.”
10:13 Then Joab and the troops with him advanced to fight the Arameans, and they fled before him.
10:14 When the Ammonites saw that the Arameans were fleeing, they too fled before Abishai and went inside the city. So Joab returned from fighting against the Ammonites and came to Jerusalem.
10:15 After the Arameans saw that they had been routed by Israel, they regrouped.
10:16 Hadadezer had Arameans brought from beyond the River; they went to Helam, with Shobach the commander of Hadadezer’s army leading them.
10:17 When David was informed of this, he gathered all Israel, crossed the Jordan and came to Helam. The Arameans formed their battle lines to meet David and fought against him.
10:18 But the Arameans fled before Israel, and David killed seven hundred of their charioteers and forty thousand of their foot soldiers. He also struck down Shobach the commander of their army, and he died there.
10:19 When all the kings who were vassals of Hadadezer saw that they had been defeated by Israel, they made peace with the Israelites and became subject to them. So the Arameans were afraid to help the Ammonites anymore.
11:1 In the spring, at the time when kings go off to war, David sent Joab out with the king’s men and the whole Israelite army. They destroyed the Ammonites and besieged Rabbah. But David remained in Jerusalem.
11:2 One evening David got up from his bed and walked around on the roof of the palace. From the roof he saw a woman bathing; the woman was very beautiful.
11:3 David sent someone to find out about her. The man said, “Isn’t this Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam and the wife of Uriah the Hittite?”
11:4 Then David sent messengers to get her. She came to him, and he slept with her. (Now she was purifying herself from her monthly uncleanness.) Then she went back home.
11:5 The woman conceived and sent word to David, saying, “I am pregnant.”
11:6 So David sent this word to Joab: “Send me Uriah the Hittite.” And Joab sent him to David.
11:7 When Uriah came to him, David asked him how Joab was, how the soldiers were and how the war was going.
11:8 Then David said to Uriah, “Go down to your house and wash your feet.” So Uriah left the palace, and a gift from the king was sent after him.
11:9 But Uriah slept at the entrance to the palace with all his master’s servants and did not go down to his house.
11:10 David was told, “Uriah did not go home.” So he asked Uriah, “Haven’t you just come from a military campaign? Why didn’t you go home?”
11:11 Uriah said to David, “The ark and Israel and Judah are staying in tents, and my commander Joab and my lord’s men are camped in the open country. How could I go to my house to eat and drink and make love to my wife? As surely as you live, I will not do such a thing!”
11:12 Then David said to him, “Stay here one more day, and tomorrow I will send you back.” So Uriah remained in Jerusalem that day and the next.
11:13 At David’s invitation, he ate and drank with him, and David made him drunk. But in the evening Uriah went out to sleep on his mat among his master’s servants; he did not go home.
11:14 In the morning David wrote a letter to Joab and sent it with Uriah.
11:15 In it he wrote, “Put Uriah out in front where the fighting is fiercest. Then withdraw from him so he will be struck down and die.”
11:16 It so happened, as Joab surveyed the city, he placed Uriah in a location where he knew the most valiant warriors were stationed.
11:17 The city’s defenders emerged and clashed with Joab’s forces; during the skirmish, several of David’s men fell, including Uriah the Hittite.
11:18 Following this, Joab dispatched a message to David, detailing the events of the battle;
11:19 he instructed the messenger, saying, “Once you’ve finished recounting the battle to the king,
11:20 if he shows anger and queries, ‘Why did you approach so close to the city to fight? Were you unaware they would shoot from the walls?
11:21 Remember how Abimelech, son of Jerubbesheth, was struck down by a woman who dropped a millstone on him from the wall at Thebez, leading to his death? Why did you go near the wall?’ Then you must add, ‘Your servant Uriah the Hittite has also perished.'”
11:22 The messenger proceeded to David, conveying all that Joab had sent him to report.
11:23 He informed David, “The enemy overpowered us, emerging into the field, and we pressed them back right to the city gates.”
11:24 “The archers shot from the wall, hitting your men. Some of your servants have fallen, and Uriah the Hittite is also among the dead.”
11:25 David responded to the messenger, “Convey to Joab, ‘Let this not dishearten you. The sword consumes indiscriminately. Strengthen your assault on the city and demolish it.’ Encourage him with these words.”
11:26 On learning of her husband Uriah’s death, his wife mourned for him.
11:27 After her period of mourning, David sent for her. She became his wife and bore him a son. However, the Lord was displeased with what David had done.
12:1 The Lord sent Nathan to David. He came to him and said, “In a certain city, there were two men: one rich and the other poor.
12:2 The rich man had numerous sheep and cattle;
12:3 but the poor man had nothing except one small ewe lamb he had bought. He raised it, and it grew up with him and his children. It shared his food, drank from his cup, and nestled in his arms. It was like a daughter to him.
12:4 When a traveller arrived at the rich man’s house, he refrained from taking an animal from his own flock or herd to prepare a meal. Instead, he took the poor man’s lamb and prepared it for his guest.”
12:5 David’s anger flared up against the man, and he said to Nathan, “As surely as the Lord lives, the man who did this deserves death!
12:6 He must pay back the lamb fourfold, for doing such a thing and having no compassion.”
12:7 Nathan said to David, “You are that man! Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel: ‘I anointed you king over Israel, and I delivered you from Saul’s hand;
12:8 I gave you your master’s house and wives, and the kingdoms of Israel and Judah. Had that been insufficient, I would have given you more.
12:9 Why have you despised the command of the Lord, doing evil in His sight? You have killed Uriah the Hittite with the Ammonite sword and taken his wife.
12:10 Now, the sword will never leave your house, because you despised Me and took the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your own.’
12:11 Thus says the Lord: ‘I will bring calamity upon you from your own family. I will take your wives and give them to another before your very eyes, and he will lie with them in broad daylight.
12:12 You acted in secret, but I will do this openly before all Israel, under the sun.'”
12:13 David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.” Nathan replied, “The Lord has put away your sin; you shall not die.
12:14 However, because by this deed you have given the Lord’s enemies great cause to blaspheme, the child born to you will surely die.”
12:15 Nathan then returned to his house. The Lord struck the child born to Uriah’s wife and David, and it became gravely ill.
12:16 David pleaded with God for the child. He fasted and spent the nights lying on the ground.
12:17 The elders of his house stood beside him, urging him to rise and eat, but he refused.
12:18 On the seventh day, the child died. David’s servants feared to tell him, thinking, “While the child was alive, he wouldn’t listen to us. How can we tell him the child is dead? He might do something desperate.”
12:19 When David noticed his servants whispering, he realized the child was dead. “Is the child dead?” he asked. “He is dead,” they replied.
12:20 David then got up, bathed, anointed himself, changed his clothes, went to the house of the Lord and worshipped. Afterward, he returned home and asked for food, which he ate.
12:21 His servants asked, “What is this action you have taken? You fasted and wept for the child while it was alive, but when the child died, you rose and ate.”
12:22 He replied, “While the child was alive, I fasted and wept, thinking, ‘Who knows? The Lord may be gracious to me, and the child may live.’
12:23 But now it is dead. Why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I will go to him, but he will not return to me.”
12:24 David then comforted Bathsheba, his wife. He went to her and lay with her. She bore a son, and he named him Solomon. The Lord loved him.
12:25 He sent word through Nathan the prophet, who named him Jedidiah, for the Lord’s sake.
12:26 Meanwhile, Joab fought against Rabbah of the Ammonites and captured the royal citadel.
12:27 Joab sent messengers to David, saying, “I have fought against Rabbah and captured its water supply.
12:28 Now muster the rest of the troops, besiege the city, and capture it, lest I take it and it be named after me.”
12:29 So David assembled all the troops, went to Rabbah, fought against it, and captured it.
12:30 He took the crown from their king’s head, and it was placed on David’s own head. It weighed a talent of gold and was adorned with precious stones. David brought a great quantity of plunder from the city.
12:31 He also brought out the people within it, putting them to work with saws, iron picks, and axes, and making them labour at the brick kilns. He did this to all the Ammonite towns. Then David and all the people returned to Jerusalem.
13:1 Afterward, Absalom, David’s son, had a beautiful sister named Tamar, and Amnon, another of David’s sons, fell in love with her.
13:2 Amnon became so obsessed with his sister Tamar that he fell ill, for she was a virgin, and it seemed impossible for him to do anything to her.
13:3 Amnon had a friend named Jonadab, the son of Shimeah, David’s brother. Jonadab was very shrewd.
13:4 He asked Amnon, “Why are you, the king’s son, looking so haggard morning after morning? Won’t you tell me?” Amnon replied, “I love Tamar, my brother Absalom’s sister.”
13:5 Jonadab advised, “Lie down on your bed and pretend to be ill. When your father comes to see you, say, ‘Please let my sister Tamar come and give me something to eat. Let her prepare the food in my sight, so I may see it and eat from her hand.'”
13:6 So Amnon lay down and pretended to be sick. When the king visited, Amnon requested, “Please let my sister Tamar come and make a couple of cakes for me to eat from her hand.”
13:7 David sent word to Tamar at the palace: “Go to your brother Amnon’s house and prepare some food for him.”
13:8 Tamar went to Amnon’s house, where he was lying down. She took dough, kneaded it, made cakes in his sight, and baked them.
13:9 She took the pan and served him the cakes, but he refused to eat. Amnon ordered everyone out, and they all left him.
13:10 Then Amnon said to Tamar, “Bring the food into the bedroom, so I may eat from your hand.” Tamar took the cakes she had made and brought them to Amnon in the bedroom.
13:11 But when she served him, he grabbed her and said, “Come lie with me, my sister.”
13:12 She responded, “No, my brother, don’t force me. Such a thing should not be done in Israel. Don’t commit this disgraceful act.
13:13 Where would I take my shame? And you would be like one of the villains in Israel. Please speak to the king; he will not deny me to you.”
13:14 However, he refused to listen to her. Being stronger, he overpowered and raped her.
13:15 Amnon’s love then turned to intense hatred, greater than the love he had felt. He ordered her, “Get up and leave!”
13:16 She replied, “No, sending me away now is worse than what you’ve already done.” But he refused to listen.
13:17 He summoned his servant and ordered, “Get this woman out of here and bolt the door behind her.”
13:18 Tamar wore a richly coloured robe, for such garments were worn by the king’s virgin daughters. His servant led her out and bolted the door.
13:19 Tamar put ashes on her head, tore her coloured robe, placed her hand on her head, and walked away, weeping aloud.
13:20 Absalom, her brother, asked, “Has Amnon your brother been with you? Be silent now, sister; he is your brother. Don’t take this to heart.” So Tamar lived, desolate, in Absalom’s house.
13:21 When King David heard of all these things, he was furious.
13:22 Absalom never spoke to Amnon, either good or bad, because he hated him for raping his sister Tamar.
13:23 Two years later, Absalom had sheep shearers at Baal-hazor, near Ephraim. He invited all the king’s sons.
13:24 Absalom approached the king and said, “Your servant has sheep shearers. Please, let the king and his servants join your servant.”
13:25 The king replied to Absalom, “No, my son, we should not all go, or we would be a burden to you.” Although Absalom urged him, he still refused to go, but gave him his blessing.
13:26 Absalom then said, “If not you, please let my brother Amnon come with us.” The king asked, “Why should he go with you?”
13:27 But at Absalom’s insistence, he let Amnon and all the king’s sons go with him.
13:28 Absalom ordered his servants, “Watch Amnon when he is merry with wine. When I say ‘Strike Amnon,’ kill him. Do not fear; haven’t I commanded you? Be brave and valiant.”
13:29 Absalom’s servants did as he had commanded and killed Amnon. Then all the king’s sons mounted their mules and fled.
13:30 While they were on their way, news reached David: “Absalom has killed all the king’s sons, and none are left.”
13:31 The king stood up, tore his clothes, and lay on the ground. All his servants stood by with their clothes torn.
13:32 But Jonadab, son of Shimeah, David’s brother, said, “Let not my lord think that all the young men, the king’s sons, are dead. Only Amnon is dead. This has been Absalom’s intent since the day Amnon raped Tamar.
13:33 Don’t take it to heart, my lord king; only Amnon is dead, not all your sons.”
13:34 Absalom had fled. The watchman looked and saw many people coming down the hillside.
13:35 Jonadab told the king, “See, the king’s sons are coming; as your servant said, so it is.”
13:36 As soon as he finished speaking, the king’s sons arrived, weeping loudly. The king and all his servants also wept very bitterly.
13:37 Absalom fled to Talmai, son of Ammihud, king of Geshur. David mourned for his son every day.
13:38 Absalom, having fled to Geshur, stayed there for three years.
13:39 King David longed to reach out to Absalom, for he had consoled himself over Amnon’s death.
14:1 Joab, son of Zeruiah, realized that the king’s heart longed for Absalom.
14:2 So Joab sent to Tekoa to bring a wise woman. He said to her, “Pretend you’re in mourning. Dress in mourning clothes, don’t use cosmetics. Act like a woman who has been mourning a long time for the dead.
14:3 Go to the king and speak these words to him.” So Joab put the words in her mouth.
14:4 When the woman from Tekoa spoke to the king, she fell with her face to the ground in respect and said, “Help, O king.”
14:5 The king asked her, “What troubles you?” She replied, “I am a widow; my husband is dead.
14:6 Your servant had two sons. They got into a fight in the field, with no one to separate them. One struck the other and killed him.
14:7 “Behold, my entire family stands against me, demanding, ‘Hand over the one who killed his brother, that we might execute him for taking his brother’s life, and thus eradicate the heir as well.’ Thus, they aim to extinguish the lone ember left to me, leaving my husband without name or legacy upon the earth.
14:8 The king replied to the woman, “Return to your home, and I shall issue orders on your behalf.”
14:9 To the king, the woman of Tekoah said, “Upon me, my lord, O king, be the guilt, and upon my father’s house: and let the king and his throne be blameless.”
14:10 The king assured her, “Should anyone say anything to you, bring them to me, and they will not trouble you again.”
14:11 She implored, “Please, let the king recall the LORD your God, to prevent the avengers of blood from further destruction, lest they annihilate my son.” He vowed, “As surely as the LORD lives, not a single hair of your son shall fall to the ground.”
14:12 The woman requested, “May I speak a word to my lord the king?” He replied, “Speak.”
14:13 The woman asked, “Why then have you conceived such an action against God’s people? For in speaking this word, the king is as one who is guilty, by not bringing back his own banished one.”
14:14 “We must indeed die, and we are like water spilled on the ground, which cannot be gathered up again. God does not take away life, but plans ways so that the banished may not remain estranged from Him.”
14:15 “I have now come to speak this to my lord the king because the people have made me fearful. And your servant thought, ‘I will speak to the king; perhaps the king will fulfil the request of his servant.'”
14:16 “For the king will listen, to rescue his servant from the hand of the man seeking to destroy me and my son together from God’s inheritance.”
14:17 “Your servant thought, ‘The word of my lord the king will now provide comfort; for as an angel of God, so is my lord the king in discerning good and evil. And may the LORD your God be with you.'”
14:18 The king responded to the woman, “Do not withhold from me anything I ask you.” The woman said, “Let my lord the king speak.”
14:19 The king inquired, “Is the hand of Joab with you in all this?” The woman answered, “As surely as your soul lives, my lord the king, no one can turn to the right or to the left from anything my lord the king has spoken. Indeed, your servant Joab instructed me, and he put all these words in your servant’s mouth.”
14:20 “To change the course of events, your servant Joab has done this. And my lord is wise, like the wisdom of an angel of God, knowing everything that happens in the land.”
14:21 The king said to Joab, “Very well, I have granted this request. Go, bring back the young man Absalom.”
14:22 Joab fell to the ground in homage and blessed the king. Joab said, “Today your servant knows that I have found favour in your sight, my lord, O king, in that the king has fulfilled the request of his servant.”
14:23 So Joab arose, went to Geshur, and brought Absalom to Jerusalem.
14:24 The king commanded, “Let him return to his own house, but he must not see my face.” Thus, Absalom returned to his house and did not see the face of the king.
14:25 In all Israel, there was no one so highly praised for his handsome appearance as Absalom. From the sole of his foot to the crown of his head, there was no blemish in him.
14:26 Whenever he cut the hair of his head (at the end of every year he cut it because it was heavy on him), he would weigh the hair of his head at two hundred shekels by the royal standard.
14:27 To Absalom were born three sons, and one daughter whose name was Tamar. She was a woman of beautiful appearance.
14:28 Absalom lived two full years in Jerusalem without seeing the king’s face.
14:29 Then Absalom sent for Joab, to send him to the king, but Joab would not come to him. He sent again a second time, but Joab would not come.
14:30 Therefore, Absalom said to his servants, “Look, Joab’s field is next to mine, and he has barley there. Go and set it on fire.” So Absalom’s servants set the field on fire.
14:31 Then Joab arose and came to Absalom’s house, and said to him, “Why have your servants set my field on fire?”
14:32 Absalom replied to Joab, “Look, I sent word to you, saying, ‘Come here, that I may send you to the king to ask, “Why have I come from Geshur? It would have been better for me to be there still.”‘ Now, therefore, let me see the king’s face; and if there is iniquity in me, let him execute me.”
14:33 So Joab went to the king and told him; and when he had summoned Absalom, he came to the king and prostrated himself on his face to the ground before the king. Then the king kissed Absalom.
15:1 After this, Absalom prepared for himself chariots and horses, and fifty men to run before him.
15:2 Absalom would rise early and stand beside the way to the gate. Whenever anyone had a dispute to bring before the king for judgment, Absalom would call to him and ask, “From which city are you?” And he would reply, “Your servant is from one of the tribes of Israel.”
15:3 Absalom would say to him, “Look, your claims are good and right, but there is no one deputed by the king to hear you.”
15:4 Absalom would add, “Oh, that I were appointed judge in the land, so that every man with any suit or cause could come to me and I would give him justice.”
15:5 Whenever a man came near to pay homage to him, he would extend his hand, take hold of him, and kiss him.
15:6 Thus Absalom did to all Israel who came for judgment to the king. So he stole the hearts of the men of Israel.
15:7 After four decades, Absalom said to the king, “Please let me go and fulfil my vow which I have vowed to the LORD in Hebron.”
15:8 “For your servant made a vow while I was staying at Geshur in Aram, saying, ‘If the LORD indeed brings me back to Jerusalem, then I will serve the LORD.'”
15:9 The king said to him, “Go in peace.” So he rose and went to Hebron.
15:10 Absalom sent secret agents throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, “As soon as you hear the sound of the trumpet, then say, ‘Absalom reigns in Hebron!'”
15:11 With Absalom went two hundred men from Jerusalem, invited guests who went in their innocence, knowing nothing of the matter.
15:12 While offering sacrifices, Absalom sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David’s counsellor, from his city Giloh. The conspiracy grew strong, and the people with Absalom kept increasing.
15:13 A messenger came to David, saying, “The hearts of the men of Israel are with Absalom.”
15:14 David said to all his servants who were with him at Jerusalem, “Arise, let us flee, or else none of us will escape from Absalom. Go quickly, lest he overtake us suddenly and bring disaster upon us, and strike the city with the edge of the sword.”
15:15 The king’s servants said to him, “Behold, your servants are ready to do whatever my lord the king decides.”
15:16 So the king went out, and all his household followed him. And the king left ten concubines to keep the house.
15:17 The king went out, and all the people after him, and they paused at a distant place.
15:18 All his servants passed by him, along with all the Cherethites, Pelethites, and the Gittites, six hundred men who had followed him from Gath, passed on before the king.
15:19 Then the king said to Ittai the Gittite, “Why do you also go with us? Return and stay with the king, for you are a foreigner and also an exile from your home.”
15:20 “You came only yesterday, and shall I today make you wander with us, going wherever I go? Return, and take your brothers back with you, and may mercy and truth be with you.”
15:21 But Ittai answered the king, “As the LORD lives, and as my lord the king lives, surely in whatever place my lord the king shall be, whether in death or life, there also will your servant be.”
15:22 David said to Ittai, “Go then, pass over.” So Ittai the Gittite passed over, and all his men and all the little ones who were with him.
15:23 All the country wept with a loud voice as all the people passed over. The king also crossed the Brook Kidron, and all the people moved on toward the wilderness.
15:24 There Zadok also was, and all the Levites with him, bearing the ark of the covenant of God. They set down the ark of God, and Abiathar went up until all the people had finished passing out of the city.
15:25 The king said to Zadok, “Carry the ark of God back into the city. If I find favour in the eyes of the LORD, He will bring me back and show me both it and His dwelling place.”
15:26 “But if He says, ‘I have no delight in you,’ here I am, let Him do to me as seems good to Him.”
15:27 The king also said to Zadok the priest, “Are you not a seer? Go back to the city in peace, with your two sons, Ahimaaz your son, and Jonathan the son of Abiathar.”
15:28 “See, I will wait at the fords of the wilderness until word comes from you to inform me.”
15:29 So Zadok and Abiathar carried the ark of God back to Jerusalem and they remained there.
15:30 David went up the ascent of the Mount of Olives, weeping as he went, his head covered and walking barefoot. And all the people who were with him covered their heads and went up, weeping as they went.
15:31 Someone told David, “Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom.” And David prayed, “O LORD, please turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness.”
15:32 When David reached the summit, where he worshipped God, behold, Hushai the Archite came to meet him with his coat torn and dust on his head.
15:33 David said to him, “If you go on with me, you will be a burden to me.”
15:34 “But if you return to the city and say to Absalom, ‘I will be your servant, O king; as I have been your father’s servant in times past, so now I will be your servant,’ you can counteract the counsel of Ahithophel for me.”
15:35 “Do you not have Zadok and Abiathar the priests with you there? So whatever you hear from the king’s house, tell it to Zadok and Abiathar the priests.”
15:36 “Look, they have there with them their two sons, Ahimaaz, Zadok’s son, and Jonathan, Abiathar’s son; and by them, you shall send to me everything you hear.”
15:37 So Hushai, David’s friend, came into the city, just as Absalom was entering Jerusalem.
16:1 When David had passed a little beyond the summit, Ziba, the servant of Mephibosheth, met him with a couple of saddled donkeys, and on them were two hundred loaves of bread, a hundred clusters of raisins, a hundred summer fruits, and a skin of wine.
16:2 The king asked Ziba, “What do you mean by these?” Ziba replied, “The donkeys are for the king’s household to ride on, the bread and summer fruits for the young men to eat, and the wine for those who become faint in the wilderness to drink.”
16:3 The king inquired, “And where is your master’s son?” Ziba answered the king, “He remains in Jerusalem, for he said, ‘Today the house of Israel will restore to me the kingdom of my father.'”
16:4 Then the king said to Ziba, “Behold, all that belonged to Mephibosheth is yours.” And Ziba said, “I humbly bow before you, may I find favour in your sight, my lord, O king.”
16:5 As King David approached Bahurim, a man from the family of the house of Saul named Shimei, the son of Gera, came out cursing continuously as he came.
16:6 He threw stones at David and at all the servants of King David, and all the people and all the mighty men were on his right hand and on his left.
16:7 And Shimei said as he cursed, “Get out, get out, you man of blood, you wicked man!”
16:8 “The LORD has repaid you for all the blood of the house of Saul, in whose place you have reigned; and the LORD has delivered the kingdom into the hand of your son Absalom. See, you are caught in your own evil, because you are a man of blood!”
16:9 Then Abishai the son of Zeruiah said to the king, “Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? Let me go over and take off his head.”
16:10 The king questioned, “What business have I with you, sons of Zeruiah? Let him curse, for the LORD has told him to curse David. Who can then question, ‘Why do you do this?'”
16:11 David told Abishai and all his servants, “Look, my own son seeks my life. How much more, then, this Benjaminite? Leave him be; let him curse, for the LORD has instructed him.
16:12 Perhaps the LORD will regard my misery, and repay me with good for his cursing today.”
16:13 As David and his men continued along the road, Shimei went parallel to him on the hillside, cursing as he went, throwing stones and dust at him.
16:14 The king and all his people arrived exhausted and refreshed themselves there.
16:15 Meanwhile, Absalom and all the men of Israel entered Jerusalem, with Ahithophel among them.
16:16 When Hushai the Archite, David’s confidant, reached Absalom, he greeted him: “Long live the king! Long live the king!”
16:17 Absalom questioned Hushai, “Is this your loyalty to your friend? Why didn’t you go with him?”
16:18 Hushai replied to Absalom, “No; I am for the one chosen by the LORD, this people, and all the men of Israel. With him I will remain.
16:19 And whom should I serve? Shouldn’t I serve in the presence of his son, as I have in your father’s presence? So will I be in yours.”
16:20 Absalom asked Ahithophel for advice on what action to take.
16:21 Ahithophel advised Absalom, “Go to your father’s concubines, whom he left to care for the house. All Israel will hear that you have made yourself odious to your father, and the hands of everyone with you will be strengthened.”
16:22 They erected a tent for Absalom on the roof, and he went to his father’s concubines in the sight of all Israel.
16:23 The advice of Ahithophel in those days was like one who enquired of the word of God; such was all the advice of Ahithophel both for David and for Absalom.
17:1 Furthermore, Ahithophel said to Absalom, “Let me select twelve thousand men, and tonight I will pursue David.
17:2 I will attack him while he is weary and weak, instilling fear. All the people with him will flee, and I will strike down only the king.
17:3 I will bring all the people back to you; everyone will return except the man you seek. This will bring peace to all the people.”
17:4 This proposal seemed good to Absalom and all the elders of Israel.
17:5 Absalom said, “Call now Hushai the Archite as well, and let’s hear his viewpoint.”
17:6 When Hushai arrived, Absalom said, “Ahithophel has given such advice. Should we follow it? If not, what do you suggest?”
17:7 Hushai replied to Absalom, “The advice Ahithophel has given this time is not good.
17:8 Hushai continued, “You know your father and his men are warriors, and they are fierce, like a bear robbed of her cubs in the field. Your father is a seasoned warrior and won’t spend the night with the troops.
17:9 He’s probably hidden in a pit or some other place. If some of his men are killed at the outset, whoever hears it will say, ‘There’s been a slaughter among Absalom’s followers.’
17:10 Even the bravest man, whose heart is like that of a lion, will completely melt with fear, for all Israel knows your father is a mighty warrior and those with him are brave.
17:11 Therefore, I advise that all Israel, from Dan to Beersheba, be gathered to you, as numerous as the sand by the sea, and that you personally go into battle.
17:12 We will come upon him wherever he is found, and we will fall on him as dew settles on the ground. Of him and all the men with him, not one will be left.
17:13 If he withdraws into a city, all Israel will bring ropes to that city, and we will drag it into the river until not even a pebble is found there.”
17:14 Absalom and all the men of Israel said, “The advice of Hushai the Archite is better than that of Ahithophel.” For the LORD had determined to thwart the good advice of Ahithophel, so that the LORD might bring disaster upon Absalom.
17:15 Hushai then told Zadok and Abiathar the priests, “Ahithophel advised Absalom and the elders of Israel this way, and I advised them that way.
17:16 Now, send quickly and inform David, ‘Do not spend the night at the fords in the wilderness, but cross over immediately, lest the king and all the people with him be swallowed up.'”
17:17 Jonathan and Ahimaaz stayed at Enrogel, for they could not risk being seen entering the city. A servant girl went and informed them, and they went to tell King David.
17:18 However, a young man saw them and informed Absalom. Nonetheless, both of them quickly departed and came to a man’s house in Bahurim, who had a well in his courtyard, into which they went down.
17:19 The woman took a covering, spread it over the well’s mouth, and scattered ground grain on it, so nothing was noticed.
17:20 When Absalom’s servants came to the woman at the house, they asked, “Where are Ahimaaz and Jonathan?” The woman answered them, “They crossed over the brook of water.” After searching and finding nothing, they returned to Jerusalem.
17:21 After they had gone, the men came up out of the well and went to inform King David. They said to David, “Arise and quickly cross the water, for Ahithophel has advised against you.”
17:22 David and all the people with him rose up and crossed the Jordan. By daybreak, not one was left who had not crossed the Jordan.
17:23 When Ahithophel realized his advice had not been followed, he saddled his donkey, went home to his city, set his house in order, and hanged himself. He died and was buried in his father’s tomb.
17:24 David reached Mahanaim, while Absalom and all the men of Israel crossed the Jordan.
17:25 Absalom had appointed Amasa over the army instead of Joab. Amasa was the son of a man named Ithra the Israelite, who had married Abigail, the daughter of Nahash and sister to Zeruiah, Joab’s mother.
17:26 Israel and Absalom camped in the land of Gilead.
17:27 When David arrived at Mahanaim, Shobi the son of Nahash from Rabbah of the Ammonites, Machir the son of Ammiel from Lo Debar, and Barzillai the Gileadite from Rogelim,
17:28 brought beds, basins, pottery, wheat, barley, flour, roasted grain, beans, lentils,
17:29 honey, butter, sheep, and cheese from cows, for David and the people with him to eat. For they said, “The people are hungry, weary, and thirsty in the wilderness.”
18:1 David reviewed the troops with him and appointed commanders of thousands and hundreds.
18:2 David sent out the troops, a third under Joab, a third under Abishai son of Zeruiah, Joab’s brother, and a third under Ittai the Gittite. The king said to the troops, “I myself will surely go out with you.”
18:3 But the troops replied, “You must not go out. If we flee, they will not care about us. Even if half of us die, they will not care. But you are worth ten thousand of us. It is better for you to support us from the city.”
18:4 The king said to them, “I will do whatever seems best to you.” So the king stood beside the gate, and all the troops marched out in units of hundreds and thousands.
18:5 The king ordered Joab, Abishai, and Ittai, “For my sake, deal gently with the young man Absalom.” All the troops heard the king giving orders concerning Absalom to each commander.
18:6 David’s army went out into the field against Israel, and the battle was fought in the forest of Ephraim.
18:7 There the troops of Israel were defeated by David’s servants, and a great slaughter occurred that day—twenty thousand men.
18:8 The battle spread over the whole countryside, and the forest consumed more men that day than the sword.
18:9 Absalom happened to meet David’s servants. He was riding his mule, and as the mule went under the thick branches of a great oak, his head got caught in the oak. He was left hanging between heaven and earth, while the mule under him kept going.
18:10 A certain man saw this and reported to Joab, saying, “I just saw Absalom hanging in an oak tree.”
18:11 Joab said to the man who told him, “If you saw him, why didn’t you strike him down right there? I would have given you ten shekels of silver and a belt.”
18:12 But the man said to Joab, “Even if I had a thousand shekels of silver in my hands, I would not raise my hand against the king’s son. We heard the king command you, Abishai, and Ittai, ‘For my sake, protect the young man Absalom.’
18:13 Otherwise, I would have acted falsely against my own life. There’s nothing hidden from the king, and you yourself would have stood against me.”
18:14 Joab said, “I cannot linger with you.” He took three darts in his hand and thrust them through Absalom’s heart, while he was still alive in the oak tree.
18:15 Ten young men who carried Joab’s armor surrounded Absalom, struck him, and killed him.
18:16 Joab blew the trumpet, and the troops stopped pursuing Israel, for Joab held them back.
18:17 They took Absalom, threw him into a large pit in the forest, and piled up a very large heap of stones over him. Meanwhile, all Israel fled to their homes.
18:18 During his lifetime, Absalom had taken and set up a pillar for himself in the King’s Valley, for he said, “I have no son to keep my name in remembrance.” He named the pillar after himself, and it is called Absalom’s Monument to this day.
18:19 Then Ahimaaz son of Zadok said, “Let me run and bring the king news that the Lord has delivered him from his enemies.”
18:20 But Joab told him, “You will not be the bearer of news today. You can do so another day, but today you will not bring news because the king’s son is dead.”
18:21 Then Joab said to a Cushite, “Go, tell the king what you have seen.” The Cushite bowed to Joab and ran off.
18:22 Ahimaaz son of Zadok pleaded with Joab again, “Come what may, please let me also run after the Cushite.” But Joab asked, “Why do you want to run, my son, when you have no news that will bring you a reward?”
18:23 “Whatever happens,” he said, “I want to run.” So Joab said, “Run.” Then Ahimaaz ran by the way of the plain and outran the Cushite.
18:24 David was sitting between the two gates. The watchman went up to the roof over the gate to the wall, looked out, and saw a man running alone.
18:25 The watchman called out and reported to the king. The king said, “If he is alone, he brings news.” The runner drew closer.
18:26 Then the watchman saw another man running. He called to the gatekeeper, “Look, another man running alone!” The king said, “He also brings news.”
18:27 The watchman said, “I think the running of the first is like the running of Ahimaaz son of Zadok.” The king said, “He is a good man and comes with good news.”
18:28 Ahimaaz called out to the king, “All is well!” He bowed down before the king with his face to the ground and said, “Praise be to the Lord your God, who has delivered up the men who lifted their hands against my lord the king.”
18:29 The king asked, “Is the young man Absalom safe?” Ahimaaz answered, “When Joab sent the king’s servant and me, your servant, I saw a great commotion, but I don’t know what it was.”
18:30 The king said, “Step aside and stand here.” He stepped aside and stood still.
18:31 Then the Cushite arrived and said, “My lord the king, hear the news! Today the LORD has vindicated you against all who rose up against you.”
18:32 The king asked the Cushite, “Is the young man Absalom safe?” The Cushite replied, “May the enemies of my lord the king, and all who rise against you to do you harm, be like that young man.”
18:33 The king was deeply moved and went up to the chamber over the gate and wept. As he went, he said, “O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! If only I had died instead of you, O Absalom, my son, my son!”
19:1 It was reported to Joab, “The king is weeping and mourning for Absalom.”
19:2 The victory that day turned to mourning for all the people, for they heard it said, “The king grieves for his son.”
19:3 The people stole into the city that day as people who are ashamed steal away when fleeing in battle.
19:4 The king concealed his visage, and with a potent cry exclaimed, “O Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! O my son!”
19:5 Joab entered the king’s abode, reproaching, “Today, you’ve disgraced all your servants who just saved your life, your sons’, your daughters’, your wives’, and your concubines’ lives.
19:6 You show love for your foes and scorn for your allies. Today, it’s clear: you care not for nobles nor servants. It would have pleased you if Absalom lived while we all perished today.”
19:7 “Stand, go out, and hearten your servants. I swear by the Lord, if you don’t, not one will stay tonight. This would be worse than any misfortune from your youth till now.”
19:8 The king rose, sat in the gate. The news spread: “The king’s in the gate.” All approached the king. Israel’s men had fled to their tents.
19:9 All Israel’s tribes argued, “The king rescued us from enemies, saved us from the Philistines, but fled for Absalom.”
19:10 “Absalom, whom we crowned, died in battle. Why are we silent about restoring the king?”
19:11 King David messaged Zadok and Abiathar, priests, “Ask Judah’s elders, ‘Why delay in returning the king to his palace, when Israel’s voice has reached him?'”
19:12 “You’re my kin, my flesh and blood. Why delay in bringing back the king?”
19:13 To Amasa, “Aren’t you my flesh and blood? God punish me severely if you’re not commander of my army henceforth instead of Joab.”
19:14 He swayed the hearts of Judah’s men as one; they sent word to the king, “Return with your servants.”
19:15 The king returned, reaching Jordan. Judah arrived at Gilgal to escort the king across Jordan.
19:16 Shimei, son of Gera, a Benjaminite from Bahurim, hurried with Judah’s men to meet King David.
19:17 With him were a thousand Benjaminites, Ziba (Saul’s servant), his fifteen sons, and twenty servants. They crossed the Jordan ahead of the king.
19:18 A ferry carried the king’s household and did his bidding. Shimei, son of Gera, bowed before the king across Jordan,
19:19 begging, “May my lord not hold me guilty, nor recall my wrongful act when my lord left Jerusalem, burdening your heart.”
19:20 “I know I’ve sinned. Hence, I’m the first of Joseph’s house to meet my lord today.”
19:21 Abishai, son of Zeruiah, countered, “Shimei must die for cursing the Lord’s anointed.”
19:22 David replied, “What is our quarrel, sons of Zeruiah? Shall anyone in Israel die today? Am I not Israel’s king?”
19:23 To Shimei, “You shall not die.” The king swore to him.
19:24 Mephibosheth, Saul’s son, met the king. He hadn’t cared for his feet, beard, nor washed his clothes since the king’s departure until his return.
19:25 Upon reaching Jerusalem, the king inquired, “Why didn’t you accompany me, Mephibosheth?”
19:26 He responded, “My lord, O king, my servant deceived me. I intended to saddle a donkey to follow you, but I am lame.”
19:27 “He slandered me to you, my lord the king. You’re like an angel of God. Do as you see fit.”
19:28 “All my father’s house were as good as dead before you, yet you let me eat at your table. What right do I have to complain further?”
19:29 The king replied, “Why speak more? I’ve decreed: you and Ziba divide the land.”
19:30 Mephibosheth said to the king, “Let him take all, since my lord the king has returned in peace to his house.”
19:31 Barzillai the Gileadite descended from Rogelim, crossing Jordan with the king to escort him.
19:32 Barzillai was eighty, having sustained the king in Mahanaim. He was a man of great stature.
19:33 The king offered, “Cross with me to Jerusalem. I’ll care for you there.”
19:34 Barzillai replied, “How long have I to live to join the king in Jerusalem?
19:35 I’m eighty today. Can I discern good or evil? Can I taste what I eat or drink? Can I hear singers anymore? Why burden my lord the king?
19:36 I’ll cross a short distance with the king. Why should the king reward me?
19:37 Let me return to die in my city, near my parents’ graves. Here’s your servant Chimham; let him cross with you and do as you see fit.”
19:38 The king agreed, “Chimham shall cross with me, and I’ll do for you whatever you ask.”
19:39 All crossed Jordan. Upon crossing, the king kissed and blessed Barzillai, who returned home.
19:40 The king continued to Gilgal with Chimham. Judah escorted the king, alongside half of Israel.
19:41 Israel’s men asked the king, “Why have Judah’s men secretly brought the king, his household, and David’s men across Jordan?”
19:42 Judah replied, “The king is our kin. Why this anger? Have we eaten at the king’s expense, or received gifts?”
19:43 Israel’s men retorted, “We have ten shares in the king and greater rights to David. Why were we last to be consulted about our king’s return?” Judah’s response was more heated.
20:1 At that time, a worthless man, Sheba, son of Bichri, a Benjaminite, sounded a trumpet, declaring, “We’ve no share in David, no inheritance in Jesse’s son. Every man to his tents, O Israel!”
20:2 Israel’s men left David for Sheba, son of Bichri. But Judah’s men remained loyal, from Jordan to Jerusalem.
20:3 David reached Jerusalem. He placed the ten concubines he left behind under guard, feeding them, but not visiting them. They lived in widowhood until death.
20:4 The king ordered Amasa, “Assemble Judah’s men within three days, and be present yourself.”
20:5 Amasa gathered Judah’s men, but delayed beyond the appointed time.
20:6 David told Abishai, “Sheba, son of Bichri, will harm us more than Absalom. Take your lord’s servants, pursue him, lest he fortify cities and escape.”
20:7 Joab’s men, the Cherethites, the Pelethites, and all mighty men left Jerusalem to chase Sheba, son of Bichri.
20:8 At Gibeon’s great stone, Amasa met them. Joab, garbed and girded with a sword on his loins, approached; the sword dropped as he advanced.
20:9 Joab greeted Amasa, “Are you well, my brother?” and grasped Amasa’s beard with his right hand to kiss him.
20:10 Amasa didn’t notice Joab’s sword. Joab struck him in the fifth rib, spilling his bowels, and he died. Joab and Abishai pursued Sheba, son of Bichri.
20:11 A man by Joab stood, declaring, “Who favors Joab and David, follow Joab!”
20:12 Amasa lay bleeding on the highway. When the man saw everyone stopping, he dragged Amasa from the highway into a field and covered him, seeing people pause by him.
20:13 After moving Amasa, everyone followed Joab to chase Sheba, son of Bichri.
20:14 Joab passed through Israel’s tribes to Abel, Bethmaachah, and all Berites, who assembled and followed him.
20:15 They besieged him in Abel of Bethmaachah, building a ramp against the city in the trench; Joab’s men battered the wall.
20:16 A wise woman from the city called out, “Listen! Tell Joab to come here so I can speak to him.”
20:17 When Joab approached, she asked, “Are you Joab?” He confirmed, and she advised, “Hear your servant’s words.” He agreed.
20:18 She said, “In old times, they sought advice at Abel, and that settled matters.”
20:19 “I represent the peaceful, faithful in Israel. You seek to destroy a city, a mother in Israel. Why destroy the LORD’s inheritance?”
20:20 Joab replied, “Far from me to destroy or devastate.”
20:21 “It’s not like that. A man from Mount Ephraim, Sheba, son of Bichri, rebelled against the king, against David. Hand him over, and I’ll leave the city.” The woman assured Joab, “His head will be thrown to you over the wall.”
20:22 She wisely persuaded the people. They beheaded Sheba, son of Bichri, and threw it to Joab. He sounded the trumpet, and they dispersed from the city. Joab returned to Jerusalem to the king.
20:23 Joab oversaw Israel’s army; Benaiah, son of Jehoiada, the Cherethites and Pelethites;
20:24 Adoram managed tributes; Jehoshaphat, son of Ahilud, was recorder;
20:25 Sheva was scribe; Zadok and Abiathar, priests;
20:26 Ira the Jairite, David’s chief officer.
21:1 In David’s time, a three-year famine led him to seek the Lord, who said, “It’s due to Saul and his blood-stained house, for he killed the Gibeonites.”
21:2 David summoned the Gibeonites (not Israel’s children, but Amorite remnants; Israel swore to them, yet Saul tried to exterminate them in his zeal for Israel and Judah).
21:3 David asked the Gibeonites, “How can I make amends? What shall I do for you to bless the Lord’s inheritance?”
21:4 They replied, “We want neither silver nor gold from Saul or his house, nor to kill anyone in Israel.” David said, “Whatever you say, I will do.”
21:5 They told the king, “The man who exterminated us, plotting our destruction from Israel’s coasts,
21:6 let seven of his sons be handed to us. We’ll hang them before the Lord in Gibeah of Saul, chosen by the Lord.” David agreed, “I will give them.”
21:7 David spared Mephibosheth, Jonathan’s son, Saul’s grandson, due to the Lord’s oath between David and Jonathan.
21:8 But he took Rizpah’s sons, Aiah’s daughter, whom she bore to Saul: Armoni and Mephibosheth; and Michal’s five sons, Saul’s daughter, whom she raised for Adriel, son of Barzillai, the Meholathite.
21:9 He handed them to the Gibeonites, who hanged them on the hill before the Lord. They perished together in the barley harvest’s early days.
21:10 Rizpah, Aiah’s daughter, spread sackcloth on a rock from harvest start until rain fell from heaven. She allowed neither birds to rest on them by day nor beasts by night.
21:11 David learned of Rizpah’s deed, Saul’s concubine.
21:12 He retrieved Saul’s and Jonathan’s bones from Jabeshgilead’s men, who had stolen them from Bethshan’s street, where the Philistines hung them after slaying Saul at Gilboa.
21:13 He brought back Saul’s and Jonathan’s bones, and gathered those hanged.
21:14 They buried Saul’s and Jonathan’s bones in Benjamin’s land, in Zelah, in Kish’s sepulchre. They executed the king’s command, and God heeded the land.
21:15 The Philistines again warred with Israel. David and his servants fought them, but David grew weak.
21:16 Ishbibenob, a giant’s descendant, whose spear weighed three hundred shekels of brass, and armed with a new sword, aimed to kill David.
21:17 But Abishai, Zeruiah’s son, rescued him, slaying the Philistine. David’s men swore, “You’ll no longer battle, lest you extinguish Israel’s light.”
21:18 Afterwards, at Gob, they battled the Philistines: Sibbechai the Hushathite killed Saph, a giant’s son.
21:19 Another battle at Gob with the Philistines: Elhanan, son of Jaareoregim, a Bethlehemite, slew Goliath the Gittite’s brother, whose spear’s staff resembled a weaver’s beam.
21:20 In Gath, they fought a giant with six fingers on each hand, six toes on each foot, twenty-four in total, also of giant lineage.
21:21 Jonathan, Shimeah’s son, David’s brother, slew him when he defied Israel.
21:22 These four, born to the giant in Gath, fell by David’s and his servants’ hands.
22:1 David spoke to the Lord this song when the Lord delivered him from all enemies and Saul:
22:2 “The Lord is my rock, fortress, deliverer,
22:3 my God, my rock where I seek refuge. He’s my shield, salvation’s horn, my stronghold, refuge, my saviour from violence.
22:4 I call upon the Lord, worthy of praise, and I’m saved from my enemies.
22:5 When death’s waves surrounded me, ungodly men’s floods terrified me;
22:6 hell’s sorrows encircled me, death’s snares confronted me;
22:7 In my plight, I sought the Lord, crying out to my God; and from His sanctuary, He heard my plea, my cry reaching His ears.
22:8 The earth quaked and shuddered; the foundations of the heavens trembled and quaked, angered was He.
22:9 Smoke ascended from His nostrils, devouring fire from His mouth; coals blazed forth from it.
22:10 He parted the heavens and descended, with dark clouds beneath His feet.
22:11 Astride a cherub He flew, soaring on the wings of the wind.
22:12 He shrouded Himself in darkness, in deep waters and dense clouds.
22:13 From the radiance before Him, blazing coals were ignited.
22:14 The Lord thundered from the heavens; the Most High voiced His presence.
22:15 He unleashed arrows, scattering them; lightning bolts, and threw them into confusion.
22:16 The depths of the sea were exposed, the foundations of the earth laid bare, at the rebuke of the Lord, at the blast of breath from His nostrils.
22:17 He reached from on high, took hold of me; He drew me from deep waters.
22:18 He rescued me from my powerful foe, from enemies too mighty for me.
22:19 They confronted me on my day of disaster, but the Lord was my support.
22:20 He brought me out into a spacious place; He freed me because He delighted in me.
22:21 The LORD dealt with me according to my righteousness; He rewarded me for the cleanliness of my hands.
22:22 For I have followed the paths of the Lord, not wickedly departing from my God.
22:23 All His laws were before me; His statutes, I did not stray from them.
22:24 I was blameless before Him, and kept myself from sin.
22:25 Hence, the Lord has recompensed me according to my righteousness, in His sight.
22:26 With the faithful, You show Yourself faithful; with the blameless man, You show Yourself blameless.
22:27 With the pure, You show Yourself pure; but with the crooked, You show Yourself shrewd.
22:28 You save the afflicted, but Your eyes are on the haughty to bring them low.
22:29 You, O Lord, are my lamp; the Lord illuminates my darkness.
22:30 With Your help, I can advance against a troop; with my God, I can scale walls.
22:31 As for God, His way is perfect; the word of the Lord is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in Him.
22:32 For who is God, but the Lord? And who is a rock, except our God?
22:33 God is my stronghold and power; He makes my way unblemished.
22:34 He makes my feet like the feet of a deer; He causes me to stand on the heights.
22:35 He trains my hands for battle; my arms can bend a bow of bronze.
22:36 You have given me Your shield of victory; Your help has made me great.
22:37 You broadened my path beneath me, so my ankles did not give way.
22:38 I pursued my enemies and crushed them, not turning back until they were destroyed.
22:39 I crushed them completely, and they could not rise; they fell under my feet.
22:40 For You equipped me with strength for battle; You subdued my adversaries beneath me.
22:41 You made my enemies turn their backs in flight, and I destroyed those who hated me.
22:42 They looked, but there was no one to save them—to the Lord, but He did not answer.
22:43 I ground them as fine as the dust of the earth; I pounded and trampled them like mud in the streets.
22:44 You delivered me from the strife of my people; You preserved me as the head of nations; people I had not known served me.
22:45 Foreigners submitted to me; as soon as they heard, they obeyed me.
22:46 Foreigners lost heart and came trembling from their fortresses.
22:47 The Lord lives! Praise be to my Rock! Exalted be God, the Rock, my Savior!
22:48 He is the God who avenges me, who puts nations under me,
22:49 who sets me free from my enemies. You exalted me above my foes; from violent men, You rescued me.
22:50 Therefore, I will praise You, Lord, among the nations; I will sing praises to Your name.
22:51 He gives His king great victories; He shows unfailing kindness to His anointed, to David and his descendants forever.
23:1 These are the last words of David: David, son of Jesse declares—the man raised on high, the anointed of the God of Jacob, the sweet psalmist of Israel.
23:2 The Spirit of the Lord spoke through me; His word was on my tongue.
23:3 The God of Israel spoke, the Rock of Israel said to me: ‘He who rules over people in righteousness, who rules in the fear of God,
23:4 is like the light of morning at sunrise on a cloudless morning, like the brightness after rain that brings grass from the earth.’
23:5 Is not my house right with God? Yet He has made with me an everlasting covenant, arranged and secured in every part; surely He will bring to fruition my salvation and my every desire.
23:6 But the worthless are like thorns to be thrown away; they cannot be picked up with the hand.
23:7 Touch them only with a tool of iron or the shaft of a spear; they must be entirely burned with fire where they lie.”
23:8 These are the names of David’s mighty warriors: Josheb-Basshebeth, a Tahkemonite, was chief of the Three; he raised his spear against eight hundred men, whom he killed in one encounter.
23:9 Next to him was Eleazar son of Dodai the Ahohite, one of the three mighty warriors.
23:10 He was with David when they taunted the Philistines gathered at Pas Dammim for battle. Then the Israelites retreated,
23:11 but Eleazar stood his ground and struck down the Philistines till his hand grew tired and froze to the sword. The Lord brought about a great victory that day. The troops returned to Eleazar, but only to strip the dead.
23:12 Next to him was Shammah son of Agee the Hararite. When the Philistines banded together at a place where there was a field full of lentils, Israel’s troops fled from them.
23:13 But Shammah took his stand in the middle of the field. He defended it and struck the Philistines down, and the Lord brought about a great victory.
23:14 During harvest time, three of the thirty chief men came down to David at the cave of Adullam, while a band of Philistines was encamped in the Valley of Rephaim.
23:15 At that time David was in the stronghold, and the Philistine garrison was at Bethlehem.
23:16 David longed for water and said, “Oh, that someone would get me a drink of water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem!”
23:17 So the three mighty warriors broke through the Philistine lines, drew water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem and carried it back to David. But he refused to drink it; instead, he poured it out before the Lord.
23:18 “Far be it from me, O Lord, to do this!” he said. “Is it not the blood of men who went at the risk of their lives?” And David would not drink it. Such were the exploits of the three mighty warriors.
23:19 Abishai the brother of Joab son of Zeruiah was chief of the Three. He raised his spear against three hundred men, whom he killed, and so he became as famous as the Three.
23:20 Was he not held in greater honour than the Three? He became their commander, even though he was not included among them.
23:21 Benaiah son of Jehoiada, a valiant fighter from Kabzeel, performed great exploits. He struck down Moab’s two mightiest warriors. He also went down into a pit on a snowy day and killed a lion.
23:22 And he struck down a huge Egyptian. Although the Egyptian had a spear in his hand, Benaiah went against him with a club. He snatched the spear from the Egyptian’s hand and killed him with his own spear.
23:23 Such were the exploits of Benaiah son of Jehoiada, who was as famous as the three mighty warriors.
23:24 He was held in greater honour than any of the Thirty, but he was not included among the Three. And David put him in charge of his bodyguard.
23:25 Among the Thirty were Asahel the brother of Joab, Elhanan son of Dodo from Bethlehem,
23:26 Shammah the Harodite, Elika the Harodite,
23:27 Helez the Paltite, Ira son of Ikkesh from Tekoa,
23:28 Abiezer from Anathoth, Sibbecai the Hushathite,
23:29 Ilai the Ahohite, Maharai the Netophathite,
23:30 Heled son of Baanah the Netophathite, Ithai son of Ribai from Gibeah of the Benjaminites,
23:31 Benaiah the Pirathonite, Hiddai from the ravines of Gaash,
23:32 Abi-Albon the Arbathite, Azmaveth the Barhumite,
23:33 Eliahba the Shaalbonite, the sons of Jashen, Jonathan,
23:34 Shammah the Hararite, Ahiam son of Sharar the Hararite,
23:35 Eliphelet son of Ahasbai, son of the Maakathite, Eliam son of Ahithophel the Gilonite,
23:36 Hezro the Carmelite, Paarai the Arbite,
23:37 Igal son of Nathan from Zobah, Bani the Gadite,
23:38 Zelek the Ammonite, Naharai the Beerothite, armour-bearer to Joab son of Zeruiah,
23:39 Ira the Ithrite, Gareb the Ithrite,
23:40 Uriah the Hittite: thirty-seven in all.
24:1 Again the anger of the LORD burned against Israel, and He incited David against them, saying, “Go and count Israel and Judah.”
24:2 So the king said to Joab and the army commanders with him, “Go throughout the tribes of Israel from Dan to Beersheba and enrol the fighting men, so that I may know how many there are.”
24:3 But Joab replied to the king, “May the LORD your God multiply the troops a hundred times over, and may the eyes of my lord the king see it. But why does my lord the king want to do such a thing?”
24:4 The king’s word, however, overruled Joab and the army commanders. So they left the king’s presence to enrol the fighting men of Israel.
24:5 After crossing the Jordan, they camped near Aroer, south of the town in the gorge, and then went through Gad and Jazer.
24:6 They went to Gilead and the region of Tahtim Hodshi, and then on to Dan Jaan and around towards Sidon.
24:7 They went to the fortress of Tyre and all the towns of the Hivites and Canaanites. Finally, they went to the Negev of Judah, to Beersheba.
24:8 When they had gone through the entire land, they came back to Jerusalem at the end of nine months and twenty days.
24:9 Joab reported the number of the fighting men to the king: In Israel there were eight hundred thousand able-bodied men who could handle a sword, and in Judah five hundred thousand.
24:10 David was conscience-stricken after he had counted the fighting men, and he said to the Lord, “I have sinned greatly in what I have done. Now, O Lord, I beg you, take away the guilt of your servant. I have done very foolishly.”
24:11 Before David got up the next morning, the word of the Lord had come to Gad the prophet, David’s seer:
24:12 “Go and tell David, ‘This is what the Lord says: I am giving you three options. Choose one of them for me to carry out against you.’”
24:13 So Gad went to David and said to him, “Shall there come upon you three years of famine in your land? Or three months of fleeing from your enemies while they pursue you? Or three days of plague in your land? Now think it over and decide how I should answer the one who sent me.”
24:14 David said to Gad, “I am in deep distress. Let us fall into the hands of the LORD, for His mercy is great; but do not let me fall into human hands.”
24:15 So the Lord sent a plague on Israel from that morning until the end of the time designated, and seventy thousand of the people from Dan to Beersheba died.
24:16 When the angel stretched out his hand to destroy Jerusalem, the Lord relented concerning the disaster and said to the angel who was afflicting the people, “Enough! Withdraw your hand.” The angel of the Lord was then at the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite.
24:17 When David saw the angel who was striking down the people, he said to the Lord, “I have sinned; I, the shepherd, have done wrong. These sheep, what have they done? Let your hand be against me and my family.”
24:18 On that day Gad went to David and said to him, “Go up and build an altar to the Lord on the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite.”
24:19 So David went up, as the Lord had commanded through Gad.
24:20 When Araunah looked and saw the king and his officials coming toward him, he went out and bowed down before the king with his face to the ground.
24:21 And Araunah queried, “For what purpose does my lord the king visit his servant?” David responded, “To acquire your threshing floor, to erect an altar to the Lord, that the scourge might be halted amongst the people.”
24:22 Araunah proposed to David, “Let my lord the king select and sacrifice whatever he deems fitting: behold, here are oxen for the burnt offering, and the threshing tools and yokes of the oxen for fuel.”
24:23 “All these,” Araunah, as a monarch, bestowed upon the king. And Araunah implored the king, “May the Lord your God accept you.”
24:24 But the king replied to Araunah, “No, I insist on purchasing it from you at a fair price; I shall not present burnt offerings to the Lord my God that cost me nothing.” Thus, David procured the threshing floor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver.
24:25 And there, David constructed an altar to the Lord, offering up burnt offerings and offerings of peace. Consequently, the Lord heeded the prayers for the land, and the plague was averted from Israel.
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Content Disclaimer: This translation of the Bible is sourced directly from the original Greek text. While utmost care has been taken to remain faithful to the original material, it is important to recognize that the Bible contains narratives that reflect the complex historical and cultural contexts of its times, including instances of violence, discrimination, and other challenging themes. Readers are encouraged to engage with the text thoughtfully, understanding the diverse interpretations and perspectives that it has inspired over centuries.
©This translation from the Greek text is the copyrighted work of churchpedia.org. Any commercial use of this translation is strictly prohibited, and if reposted, it must underline the authority of churchpedia.org and have a clear active link directing to this original page.
Content Disclaimer:
This translation is presented directly from the original Greek text. While faithfulness to the source material is paramount, it’s important to acknowledge that the Bible contains passages depicting violence, discrimination, and other sensitive content reflecting its historical and cultural context. Readers are encouraged to approach the text with respect and understanding, recognizing the diverse interpretations and perspectives it has generated throughout history.