Book of Second Samuel
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Verse by verse, account of the book of 2^nd Samuel.

2^nd Samuel: chapter 1

¹After the death of Saul, David returned from the slaughter of the Amalekites and stayed in Ziklag for two days. ²On the third day, a man came from Saul's camp, having a posture of great mourning and when he saw David, he bowed down to the ground. ³And David asked the man; Where he had come from? And he replied; I have escaped from the battle between the Israelites and the Philistines. ⁴Then David asked him, How the battle went? And the man replied; The Israelites have fled and many of the people are dead, also Saul and his son Jonathan are dead. ⁵David asked the young man, how he knew that Saul and Jonathan were dead? ⁶And the young man said; As I was on Mount Gilboa, Saul was leaning on his spear, with the enemy close behind him. ⁷When King Saul saw me, he cried out to me. ⁸Asking me who I was? And I told him; I am an Amalekite, (NOTE: nether a friend or a foe, but a stranger). ⁹Then Saul said to me; Please stand over me and kill me, for I am distraught and I fear that I will be taken alive. ¹⁰So I stood over him and killed him, because I was sure that he could not live in the condition he was in. I then took the crown from his head, the bracelet on his arm and have brought them here to my lord.

NOTE: (This man claimed to kill Saul, but 1^st Samuel 31:3-6 tells us that Saul fell on his sword. Perhaps this man wished a reward from David).

¹¹David then tore his own clothes, in grief and likewise all the men with him did also. ¹²And they mourned, wept and fasted until evening for Saul and Jonathan, for the people of the Lord and for the house of Israel. ¹³David then asked the young man; What land are you from? And he replied; I am the son of a foreigner, an Amalekite. ¹⁴Then David said; Why were you not afraid to stretch forth your hand to destroy the Lord's anointed? ¹⁵David then called one of his men and said; Strike this man so that he dies. ¹⁶And David said to the fallen man; Your blood shall be upon your own head, for you have testified against yourself, saying, I have slain the Lord's anointed.

¹⁷David then sang this lament over Saul and Jonathan, ¹⁸And had all the sons of Judah learn it, "The Song of the Bow" as it is recorded in the Book of Jasher, (the name of the book means: upright).

¹⁹The beauty of Israel is slain upon your high places! How the mighty have fallen! ²⁰May it not be known in the cities of the Philistines, lest their daughters rejoice and the uncircumcised triumph. ²¹Let no dew or rain be on that fatal battle field. For that is where the mighty have fallen, for the shield of Saul was not anointed with oil. ²²From the wounded and slain of the Philistines, the bow of Jonathan did not retreat, nor was the sword of Saul in vain. ²³Saul and Jonathan were beloved in their lives and they remain united in their death, for they were both swift and strong. ²⁴Daughters of Israel, weep for Saul, who clothed you in fine dress. ²⁵Jonathan is slain on your high places, Oh how the mighty have fallen in the battle. ²⁶My brother Jonathan, I am distressed for you. Very pleasant were you to me, your love to me was wonderful, surpassing the love of women! ²⁷The mighty have fallen and the weapons of war have perished!

2^nd Samuel: chapter 2

David's reign over Judah

¹After this, David inquired of the Lord; Shall I go up into any of the cities of Judah? And the Lord said to him; Go up! And David asked; to what city shall I go to? And the Lord said; Go to Hebron. ²So David went up to Hebron, alone with his two wives, Ahinoam and Abigail. ³David's men also came with him, each man with his household and they lived in the cities of Hebron. ⁴Then the men of Judah came and anointed David king over the house of Judah. Also telling David, that the men of Jabesh-Gilead had properly buried Saul. ⁵At hearing this, David sent messengers to the men of Jabesh-gilead. Saying to them; Blessed are you of the Lord, that you have shown this kindness to your lord, to Saul, properly burying him. ⁶May the Lord show kindness to you and I also, for doing this thing. ⁷May your hands be brave and strong. Your master Saul is dead and the house of Judah has anointed me king over them.

⁸But Abner, (the commander of Saul's army), took Ishbosheth, (his name means: man of shame) (Saul's son) and brought him over to Mahanaim, a camp on the other side of the Jordan. ⁹And Abner made him king over Gilead, the Ashurites, Jezreel, Ephraim and over Benjamin. Ishbosheth became king over ten tribes of Israel. ¹⁰Ishbosheth, was forty years old when he began to reign over Israel and he reigned two years. But the house of Judah followed David.

NOTE: (Ishbosheth reigned east of the Jordan river, while David reigned west of the Jordan river)

¹¹David reigned as king over the house of Judah, in Hebron, for seven years and six months.

¹²Now Abner, with the armies of Ishbosheth went out from Mahanaim to Gibeon. ¹³And Joab, (David's general), went out and they met by the pool of Gibeon and sat down on either side of the pool, (for a challenge had been made by Abner, gladiator fighting, man against man). ¹⁴Abner then said to Joab; Let the young men now fight before us. And Joab agreed. ¹⁵So the men took their places, twelve from Benjamin, fighting for Ishbosheth and twelve of the servants of David. ¹⁶And each one caught his opponent by the head and thrust his sword in his companion's side, so that they all fell together. Thus the place is called, The Field of Rocks and it is in Gibeon. ¹⁷That day there was also a very grievous battle. And Abner and the men of Israel were beaten before the servants of David.

¹⁸Now there were three sons of David's half sister Zeruiah there, Abishai, Joab, and Asahel. Now Asahel was the swiftest on his feet, just as a gazelle in the field. ¹⁹And Asahel ran directly after Abner, (Ishbosheth's general). ²⁰When Abner looked behind him, he saw Asahel, (running after him, to claim his armor). ²¹He said to him; Turn either to the right or the left, seize one of my men and take his armor, but, quit following me. But Asahel kept on pursuing Abner. ²²Abner then said again to Asahel; Stop following me. Why should I strike you? How could I then show myself to Joab your brother? ²³However Asahel refused to turn aside. Therefore, Abner struck him with his spear and he died in that place. And all that came to that place where Asahel was slain, stood still. ²⁴His two brothers, Joab and Abishai also ran after Abner, coming to the hill where Ammah was just as the sun was going down.

²⁵By this time in the chase, the sons of Benjamin had gathered themselves together becoming one troop again. ²⁶Then Abner called to Joab and said; Shall the sword devour forever? Only bitterness shall result from this, How long shall it be before you command your men to quit pursuing their brothers? ²⁷Joab turned and said; As God lives, unless you had spoken, the pursuit would have lasted until the morning. ²⁸Then Joab blew a ram's horn and all the men of Judah quit their pursue after the men of Israel, nor did they fight any more. ²⁹But Abner and his men journeyed all that night and crossed over the Jordan river, traveling until noon of the next day until they came to their camp of Mahanaim. ³⁰Joab also returned from following Abner. And when he had counted all the men, nineteen men plus Asahel were missing from David's men. ³¹But of Abner's men that the army of David had slain were three hundred sixty of Benjamin. ³²Joab and his men, took the body of Asahel and carried it to Bethlehem, where they buried it in the tomb of his father, returning to Hebron at the break of day.

2^nd Samuel: chapter 3

¹There was a continuous war between the house of Saul and the house of David. But, David became stronger and stronger, while the house of Saul became weaker and weaker. ²Now sons were born to David in Hebron, his firstborn was Amnon (his name means: faithful), the son of Ahinoam, his wife. ³David's second son was Chileab, (the name means: restraint of father, he was also called Daniel, this name means God is my judge) of Abigail his wife. His third son was Absalom, (the name means: father of peace), the son of Maacah the daughter of Talmai king of Geshur. ⁴His fourth son was Adonijah, (his name means: Jehovah my Lord), the son of Haggith. His fifth son was Shephatiah, (his name means: Jehovah has judged), the son of Abital. ⁵His sixth son was Ithream, (his name means: remnant of the people), by Eglah, David's wife. These were the sons born to David while in Hebron. ⁶However while there was war between the house of Saul and the house of David, Abner was making himself stronger for the house of Saul.

⁷While Saul was alive, he had a concubine whose name was Rizpah. Now Ishbosheth questioned Abner as to why he had gone into my father's concubine? ⁸This angered Abner very much and he said; Am I merely a dog, who faithfully shows kindness to the house of Saul your father, to his brothers and friends, keeping you from Judah and the hands of David? You must see me as low as a dog, that you charge me this day with a fault concerning this woman. ⁹Thus may God do unto me, if I do not help fulfill what the Lord has sworn to David. ¹⁰That the kingdom of the house of Saul will be transferred and the throne of David will be established, over Israel and over Judah, from Dan even to Beer-sheba. ¹¹And Ishbosheth did not answer Abner a word, because he feared him.

¹²Abner then sent messengers to David, saying; Concerning the land, make a covenant with me and I shall help you bring about all Israel into your kingdom. ¹³David was pleased at this and replied; I will make a covenant with you, if you bring Michal, (Saul's daughter) when you come, otherwise you shall not see my face. ¹⁴David then sent messengers to Ishbosheth, Saul's son, saying; Deliver my wife Michal to me, whom I married for one hundred foreskins of the Philistines, 1^st Samuel 18:20. ¹⁵So Ishbosheth took her away from her husband, Phaltiel. ¹⁶And her husband followed along weeping behind her, until Abner told him to go, then the man returned to his home.

¹⁷Abner then gathered the elders of Israel together and said; In past times, you wished David to be king over you. ¹⁸We shall do just that, for the Lord has spoken that by the hand of David, He will save His people Israel from the hands of the Philistines and all their enemies. ¹⁹Abner spoke this to the house of Benjamin, (NOTE: Saul was of the house of Benjamin) and then he went to David in Hebron to tell him that this seemed good to all of Israel and the entire house of Benjamin also. ²⁰When Abner came to David at Hebron, he came with twenty men and David held a feast for them. ²¹Then Abner said to David; I will now gather all Israel to my lord the king, so that the people may make a covenant with you and you can reign over all that your heart desires. David then sent Abner away and he went in peace.

²²After Abner had left, Joab, (the general of his army) came in from pursuing a troop and brought with him a great spoil. ²³And it was told to Joab and all the army, that Abner had come to the king and David had sent him away in peace. ²⁴Joab then questioned the king about this, saying; What has transpired? Why did Abner come? And why did you send him away in peace? ²⁵You do know the ways of Abner, that he came only to deceive you and to spy out all that you do.

²⁶Joab then left David presence and he secretly sent messengers to Abner, to have him return to Hebron. ²⁷When Abner returned to Hebron, Joab took him aside in the gate to speak with him privately and there he struck him in the belly and he died, for the blood of Asahel his brother. ²⁸Afterward David heard of this and said; My kingdom and I are guiltless before the Lord forever, of the blood of Abner. ²⁹May the blood remain on the head of Joab and on all his father's house. And may the house of Joab never be without one who has a critical issue. ³⁰Joab and Abishai his brother killed Abner, because Abner had slain their brother Asahel at Gibeon in the battle, 2^nd Samuel 2:23.

³¹As David was following the funeral procession, he instructed Joab and those with him to tear their clothes in grief and mourn for Abner. ³²And Abner was buried in Hebron. And David and all the people wept at his grave. ³³And the king lamented over Abner and said; Should Abner have died the death of a fool? ³⁴His hands were not bound, nor were his feet in fetters, he fell as a man falls before wicked men. And all the people wept again over him. ³⁵The people encouraged David to eat food while it was still light, however, David swore that he would not eat anything until the sun goes down. ³⁶And all the people noticed David's actions and it pleased them. ³⁷For that day all the people of Israel understood, that David had not ordered the death of Abner. ³⁸David the king then said, This day in Israel, a great man and a prince has fallen. ³⁹Though your anointed king, I am weak this day. For these hard men, the sons of Zeruiah, (NOTE: Joab was of the house of Zeruiah), the Lord shall reward their evil.

2^nd Samuel: chapter 4

Ishbosheth, king over Israel is slain

¹When Saul's son, Ishbosheth heard that Abner had been killed in Hebron. His courage failed and all the Israelites were troubled. ²Now Ishbosheth had two captains of raiding bands, Baanah and Rechab. They were both sons of Rimmon, of the line of Benjamin. ³And the men of that city fled to Gittaim and have been strangers there up to this day.

⁴Now Jonathan, Saul's son, had a son, named Mephibosheth, who was lame in his feet. For when he was five years old, the news of Saul's and Jonathan's death was heard and his nurse gathered up the boy and fled. But, in her haste she dropped the boy and he became lame. ⁵Now these two men Rechab and Baanah, (who were of Ishbosheth raiding parties). Came at noon to the house of Ishbosheth and he was lying on his bed. ^6-7They came to the house bringing a gift of wheat. And they struck him, killing him and beheaded him, taking his head and escaping through the fields, during the night. ⁸Bringing the head of Ishbosheth to David at Hebron, saying to the king; Here is the head of Ishbosheth the son of Saul, your enemy who sought your life. The Lord has avenged my lord the king this day of Saul and his descendants.

⁹David then said to the two; As the Lord lives, who has delivered me from all adversity, ¹⁰When one had told me that he had killed Saul, thinking to have brought me good news. I took hold of him and killed him in Ziklag. Yes, that was his reward, 2^nd Samuel 1:15-16. ¹¹And when wicked men kill a righteous person in his own house upon his bed, shall I not require your blood and remove you from the earth? ¹²David then commanded his young men to kill them both and cut off their hands and feet, hanging them over the pool in Hebron. And they took the head of Ishbosheth and buried it in the tomb of Abner in Hebron.

2^nd Samuel: chapter 5

David is anointed king over Judah and Israel, the kingdom is once again united.

¹Then all the tribes of Israel gathered to David, at Hebron and said; We are your bone and your flesh. ²Also in times past when Saul was king over us, you were also there to led Israel in battle. For the Lord had told you to feed His people Israel and be the leader over Israel. ³all the elders then came to king David at Hebron and he made a covenant with them before the Lord, anointing David king over Israel. ⁴David was thirty years old when he began to reign and he reigned for forty years. ⁵He reigned over Judah alone, for seven years and six months from Hebron and over all of Israel for thirty-three years from Jerusalem.

⁶King David and his men then went to Jerusalem to the Jebusites, the people who occupied the land. One of the men of the city said to David; You shall not come into our city, lest you defeat our guardians, the blind and the lame. ⁷Nevertheless, David took the city Jerusalem, also calling it the stronghold of Zion, the city of David. ⁸That day David said; To strike the Jebusites', one needs to gain access via their water system, taking out the lame and the blind that act as guards, for they hate my very life. On account of this they say, The blind and the lame shall not come into the house. ⁹So David lived in the stronghold and called it the city of David and he even further strengthened the structure of the city. ¹⁰David went on and became great, for the Lord God of Hosts was with him.

¹¹Now Hiram the king of Tyre sent messengers, cedar trees, carpenters and masons to David and they built David a house. ¹²Then David knew that the Lord had established him king over Israel, making his kingdom sure for all His people of Israel. ¹³After David came from Hebron, he selected more concubines and wives from Jerusalem and more sons and daughters born to him. ¹⁴These are the names of his sons that were born to him in Jerusalem: Shammua (his name means: heard by God), Shobab (his name means: backsliding), Nathan (his name means: gifted), Solomon (his name means: peaceful), ¹⁵Ibhar (his name means: God chooses), Elishua (his name means: God is salvation), Nepheg (his name means: boaster), Japhia (his name means: may God enlighten), ¹⁶Elishama (his name means: God is hearer), Eliada (his name means: God knows) and Eliphalet (his name means: my God is deliverance).

¹⁷But the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over Israel. So they all came up to fight against David. And when David heard of their coming, he went down into the stronghold. ¹⁸The Philistines gathered themselves in the Valley of the Giants. ¹⁹So David inquired of the Lord, if he should go to battle with the Philistines, if He would deliver them into his hand? And the Lord said to David; Go up! For I will deliver the Philistines into your hand.

²⁰So David struck the Philistines at Baal-perazim, saying; the Lord has broken forth on my enemies, like the breaking forth of waters. Therefore, he called the name of that place, The Breaking of Baal. ²¹For the Philistines left the images of the false gods there and David and his men destroyed them.

²²But the Philistines came up yet again and gathered themselves in the Valley of the Giants. ²³And David again inquired of the Lord. And the Lord said; Do not go directly up, but go around and come upon them from behind across from the weeping trees. ²⁴And when you hear the sound of marching, then you shall strike. Then shall I go out before you to strike the army of the Philistines. ²⁵So David did as the Lord had commanded, striking the Philistines from behind and pursuing them back to their own border.

2^nd Samuel: chapter 6

Moving of the Ark to Jerusalem

¹Again David gathered the chosen of Israel, thirty thousand men for his army. ²Then He went with all the people and the elders of Judah to bring up the Ark of God from the house of Abinadab, (NOTE: where it had been for twenty years, 1^st Samuel 7:1). ³The Israelites placed the Ark of God upon a new cart, bringing it out of the house of Abinadab. And Abinadab's two sons, (Uzzah and Ahio), drove the new cart. (NOTE: The Philistines used a new cart to send the Ark back, 1^st Samuel 6:1, but the Levites should have moved the Ark by use of the two poles on its sides). ⁴As they brought the Ark of God out of the house of Abinadab, ⁵David and the entire house of Israel were dancing and singing before the Lord, using all kinds of musical instruments, with all their might.

⁶But when they came to Nachon's threshing-floor, the oxen went over some uneven ground and Uzzah reached out his hand to stabilize the Ark. ⁷Then the anger of the Lord was kindled against Uzzah and God struck him right there because of the error and he died by the Ark of God. ⁸This grieved and offended David. And he named that place, The Break of Uzzah. ⁹That day David feared the Lord and he questioned, how this Ark could possibly come to him, in the city of Jerusalem. ¹⁰And he was unwilling to bring the Ark of the LORD into the city of David. So David carried the Ark into the house of Obed-edom the Gittite, a Levite. ¹¹Leaving the Ark of the LORD in the house of Obed-edom and for the three months the Ark was in his house, the Lord blessed Obed-edom and his entire household.

¹²The people then told King David, that the Lord was blessing the house of Obed-edom and all that belongs to him, because of the Ark of God. So with great gladness, David went and brought up the Ark of God from the house of Obed-edom into the city of David. ¹³Those that carried the Ark of the LORD, when they had gone six steps, they sacrificed oxen and fatlings. ¹⁴And David danced before the Lord with all his might, girded with a linen ephod. ¹⁵The whole house of Israel brought up the Ark of the LORD, with shouting and with the sound of the ram's horn. ¹⁶But when the Ark of the LORD came into the city of David, Michal, (Saul's daughter), David's wife, looked through a window and saw King David leaping and dancing before the Lord. And she despised him in her heart. ¹⁷The Ark of the LORD was brought into the city and placed inside the tent that David had set up for it. David then offered burnt and peace offerings before the Lord. ¹⁸As soon as David had made an end of to the offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the Lord of Hosts. ¹⁹Giving to all the people of Israel, both women and men, a cake of bread and a raisin-cake. All the people then departed, each one to his house.

²⁰David then returned to bless his household. And Michal the daughter of Saul came out to meet David and said; How glorious was the king of Israel today, who uncovered himself in the eyes of the handmaids of his servants, as one of the vain fellows shamelessly uncovers himself! ²¹David replied to her; It was before the Lord, who chose me above your father and above all his house. Appointing me ruler over the people of the Lord, over Israel. Therefore, I danced before the Lord. ²²And I will become even lower in my own sight than this, but of the handmaids that you speak of, with them I shall be held in honor. ²³After that, Michal the daughter of Saul had no children by David, from that day on.

2^nd Samuel: chapter 7

David's desire to build a house for the Ark of God.

¹Now, when the Lord had given Israel rest from all their enemies, as David was dwelling in his house. ²The king said to Nathan the prophet; I live in a house built of cedar, but the Ark of God dwells in a tent made with curtains. ³And Nathan said to the king; Go and do all that is in your heart, for the Lord is with you.

⁴However that night the Word of the Lord came to Nathan, saying; ⁵Tell My servant David, these words of the Lord concerning building Me a house for My dwelling. ⁶I have not dwelt in a house since the day that I brought up the sons of Israel out of Egypt, but have walked about in a tent. ⁷Throughout all the places that I have walked with the sons of Israel, did I once question them as to why they did not build Me a house of cedars? ⁸This is what you shall say to My servant David; I took you from the pasture land following the sheep, to be a ruler over My people Israel. ⁹I was with you wherever you went and have cut off all your enemies from your sight, making your name great. ¹⁰And I have appointed a place for My people of Israel to dwell in a place of their own and no more shall they be afflicted by the sons of wickedness. ¹¹From the time when I appointed judges to be over My people of Israel, I will cause you to rest from all your enemies. Also, the Lord has told you that He will make you a house. ¹²And when your days are fulfilled, I shall set up your descendants after you, also making his kingdom sure. ¹³And shall build a house for My name and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever, (NOTE: speaking of David's son Solomon). ¹⁴I will be his Father and he shall be My son. If he commits iniquity, I will discipline him with the rod of men and by the stripes of the sons of men. ¹⁵But My mercy shall not leave him, as I took it from Saul. ¹⁶And your house and your kingdom shall stand steadfast forever before you. Your throne shall be established forever. ¹⁷These words and this vision, Nathan spoke to David.

¹⁸Then King David went in and sat before the Lord, saying; Who am I, O Lord God? And what is my house, that You have brought me thus far? ¹⁹Even so my kingdom is a small thing in Your sight, Lord. For You have spoken of Your servant's house for a great while to come. ²⁰What can I, (David) say more to You? For You know Your servants thoughts. ²¹Because of Your Word's sake and according to Your own heart, You have done all these great things to make Your servant know and understand. ²²Therefore Lord God, You are great! There is none like You, nor is there any beside You. ²³What nation in the earth is like Your people Israel? That God has redeemed for Himself, so to make for Himself a great name, by doing mighty signs and wonders in the land and before Your people, whom You redeemed from the bondage of Egypt? ²⁴For You have given us Your covenant that Your people of Israel will be people to You forever and You shall be their God. ²⁵Now, Lord God, may the Word that You have spoken concerning Your servant and his house be established forever. ²⁶May Your name be magnified forever over all Israel. And may the house of Your servant David be established before You. ²⁷O Lord God of Israel, You have revealed to Your servant, that You will build his house. Therefore, Your servant has found courage in his heart to pray this prayer to You. ²⁸For I know that You are God, Your words are true and You have promised this goodness to Your servant. ²⁹Therefore, may it please You to bless the house of Your servant, whom may be forever before You. For You have spoken. And by Your blessing the house of Your servant will be forever blessed.

2^nd Samuel: chapter 8

¹Now afterward, David had defeated the Philistines and humbled them by conquering their principal city of Gath. ²David then struck the land of Moab, he had two-thirds of the Moabites killed and took the other third captive, as his servants. ³David also struck Hadadezer, the king of Zobah, as he went to recover his border at the river Euphrates. ⁴David captured multitudes of horsemen and footmen of his. And hamstrung all the chariot horses, keeping only enough for one hundred of his chariots. ⁵When the Syrians came to rescue Hadadezer king of Zobah, David killed twenty-two thousand men of the Syrians. ⁶Then David put garrisons in Syria, taking the Syrians as his servants. And the Lord preserved David, wherever he went. ⁷David took the shields of gold that were on the servants of Hadadezer and brought them to Jerusalem. ⁸And from many cities of Hadadezer, King David took very much bronze.

⁹Now Toi, king of Hamath heard that David had struck all the army of Hadadezer. ¹⁰And Toi sent Joram, his son to King David, to greet him and bless him with gifts of gold and bronze. Because he had defeated Hadadezer, for Hadadezer had also fought against Toi. ¹¹David also dedicated these gifts to the Lord, along with the silver and gold that he had subdued from all the other nations he defeated. ¹²The spoil had come from: Syria, Moab, Ammon, Amalek, from the Philistines and from the goods of Hadadezer, the king of Zobah. ¹³When David returned from doing battle with the Syrians, he had made a name for himself, for he killed eighteen thousand men in the Valley of Salt. ¹⁴David also put garrisons throughout all Edom and all the men of Edom became David's servants. For the Lord preserved David, wherever he went.

¹⁵David reigned over all Israel. Executing judgment and justice to all his people and his administration was made up of:

• ¹⁶Joab the son of Zeruiah, over the army of Israel.
• Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud, recorder.
• ¹⁷Zadok the son of Ahitub and Ahimelech the son of Abiathar, the priests.
• Seraiah was the scribe.
• ¹⁸Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and the Pelethites.
• And David's sons were chief ministers.

2^nd Samuel: chapter 9

¹David then asked; If there was any man left from the house of Saul, that he could show kindness to, for Jonathan's sake? ²Now there was a servant named Ziba, whom was of the house of Saul. ³And David asked him; If there was any man of the house of Saul, that he could show the kindness of God to? And Ziba answered; Jonathan still has a son, who is lame in his feet. ⁴David then asked where he was? And Ziba answered; he is in the house of Machir, in the city of Lodebar. ⁵King David then sent for him and brought him out of the house of Machir. ⁶Mephibosheth, Jonathan's son, the son of Saul, came to David and fell on his face and bowed to him. And Mephibosheth said to David; I am your servant! ⁷And David said; Do not fear, for I intend to show you kindness for Jonathan your father's sake and I will restore to you all the land of Saul your father. And you shall eat bread at my table forever. ⁸Mephibosheth bowed himself and said; What is your servant, that you should look upon me, for I am as a dead dog?

⁹Then the king called to Ziba, who was Saul's servant and said to him; I have given Mephibosheth, your master's son, all that belonged to Saul and to all his house. ¹⁰You shall be his head servant and till the land for him, you and your sons and your servants. Bringing in the fruits so that your master's son may have bread to eat. But, Mephibosheth, your master's son, shall always eat bread at my table. Now Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants. ¹¹Ziba then said to the king; I shall do according to all that my lord the king has commanded. But, Mephibosheth ate at the king's table, just like one of the king's sons. ¹²Now Mephibosheth had a young son, whose name was Micah and all that lived in the house of Ziba were servants to Mephibosheth. ¹³But Mephibosheth lived in Jerusalem and always sat at the king's table. And he was lame in both his feet.

2^nd Samuel: chapter 10

David's servants shamed by the people of Ammon, is also recorded in 1^st Chronicles 19 .

¹Now after this, the king of Ammon died and his son Hanun reigned in his stead. ² And David said; I will show kindness to Hanun, for his father showed kindness to me. And David sent his servants to the land of Ammon to comfort him. ³But the leaders of Ammon advised Hanun their lord, That David had sent his servants to spy out the city and overthrow it, rather than to comfort you. ⁴So Hanun took David's servants and shaved off half their beards and cut off their garments in the middle so their buttocks showed and sent them away. ⁵The servants then sent word to David and other servants were sent to meet them, for the men were greatly ashamed. And king David told them to stay at Jericho until their beards grew back and then to return to Jerusalem.

⁶The men of Ammon then realized that they had greatly offended David and they began to put together an army. They hired twenty thousand footmen from the Syrians of Beth-rehob and of Zobah, one thousand men from King Maacah and twelve thousand men from Ishtob. ⁷When David heard this, he sent Joab and the army of his mighty men. ⁸And the armies of Ammon came out and put their ranks in order at the entrance of the gate of Jerusalem. However, the Syrians, the men of King Maacah and the men from Ishtob, remained in the field by themselves. ⁹When Joab saw that they had divided their troops, he chose from the best men and set out battle against the Syrians. ¹⁰The rest of the men Joab put under Abishai his brother, that he would fight against the men of Ammon. ¹¹And Joab said to his brother; If the Syrians are too strong for me, then I will ask you for help. And if the men of Ammon are too strong for you, then I will come and help you. ¹²Be strong and strengthen yourself for the people's sake and the cities of our God and may the Lord do that seems good to him. ¹³Joab and his armies then drew near to the battle against the Syrians and the Syrians fled before him. ¹⁴And when the men of Ammon saw that the Syrians had fled, they also fled before Abishai and both Joab and Abishai returned into Jerusalem.

¹⁵As the Syrians realized that they were defeated before Israel, they gathered together to regroup. ¹⁶And king Hadarezer of Zobah gathered together the Syrians that were beyond the Euphrates river. So the men gathered under Shobach the commander of Hadarezer's army. ¹⁷Now David was told of this, so he gathered his army together and passed over the Jordan river, coming to the place where they were. And the Syrians prepared themselves together for battle against David's army. ¹⁸Again the Syrians fled before Israel. And David killed seven hundred Syrian chariot drivers, forty thousand horsemen and struck Shobach the captain of their army and he died on the battle field. ¹⁹When all the kings and the men of Hadarezer, realized they were defeated by Israel. They made peace with Israel and served them. And the Syrians refused to help the people of Ammon any more.

2^nd Samuel: chapter 11

David's fall into adultery with Bathsheba, David's thoughts are recorded in Psalm 51.

¹Now in the spring, when kings usually go forth to battle. David sent Joab and the armies of Israel out to destroy the men of Ammon and his enemies, while David remained in Jerusalem. ²Now one evening, David rose up from his bed and walked on the roof of the palace. From the roof, he saw a woman who was very beautiful, bathing. ³David inquired about this woman. And one of his staff told him, this is Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah the Hittite, (one of David's thirty army commanders). ⁴So David sent messengers to her and she came to him, then David laid with her. Afterwards she purified herself from her uncleanness and returned to her house. ⁵Bathsheba became pregnant and sent word to David, telling him this.

⁶So David sent a message to Joab, instructing him to send Uriah, (her husband) to him. ⁷Now when Uriah came to him, David asked him how everything was at the battle. ⁸Then telling Uriah to, go to his house and rest. And as Uriah left the king's palace a servant of the king followed him, with a gift of food, but also to spy on him. ⁹But Uriah slept at the door of the king's house with all of David's servants and did not go down to his house. ¹⁰This was reported back to David. So David called Uriah back and said to him; You have come from a journey, so why did you not go down to your house? ¹¹Uriah replied; The Ark of God abides in a tent and all the men on the battle field camp in the open fields. How can I then go to my house to eat and drink and to lie with my wife? As you live, I will not do such a thing. ¹²Then David said to Uriah; Stay here one more day and then tomorrow I will let you go. ¹³That evening David had Uriah eat and drink with him and David got him drunk. But, at night Uriah still went out to lie on his bed with the servants of his lord and did not go down to his house.

¹⁴Now in the morning, David wrote a letter to Joab and sent it by the hand of Uriah. ¹⁵Instructing Joab in the letter to, place Uriah in the forefront of the hottest battle and then draw back from him so that he may be killed. ¹⁶And there happened to be a fierce battle, so Joab placed Uriah at the frontline. ¹⁷The men of that city then went out and fought with Joab. And some of David's men fell that day, along with Uriah the Hittite. ¹⁸Joab then sent message back to David, telling him of these things. ¹⁹And Joab said to the messenger; When you have told this to the king, ²⁰If the king should become upset and ask you; Why men were put in harms way? ²¹Tell him that Uriah the Hittite is dead also.

²²So the messenger told David; ²³In the battle, the men prevailed against us, coming out to us in the field and we push them back to their gate. ²⁴But then the shooters shot from off the wall, some of the king's servants fell and your servant Uriah the Hittite is dead also. ²⁵Then David said to the messenger; Tell Joab, not to let this thing disturb him, for the sword devours one as well as another. Tell him to make the battle stronger against the city and overthrow it. And you encourage him.

²⁶When Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah heard that her husband was dead, she entered into mourning. ²⁷And when her mourning was past, David sent and brought her to his house and she became his wife and bore him a son. But, this thing that David had done was evil in the eyes of the Lord.

2^nd Samuel: chapter 12

¹After this, the Lord sent Nathan, (the prophet) to David. When Nathan had come, he said to David; There were two men in the same city, one rich and one poor. ²The rich man had exceeding many flocks and herds, ³But the poor man had nothing except one little ewe lamb, that he had bought and nourished. The lamb grew up together with him and with his sons. It ate of his own food and drank from his own cup, laying in his bosom and was to him as a daughter. ⁴Now a traveler came to the rich man, but he did not wish to take of his own flock. So he took of the poor man's lamb and dressed it for the traveler who had come to him.

⁵At hearing this, David's anger was greatly kindled against the man. And he said to Nathan; As the Lord lives, the man who has done this shall surely die. ⁶And he shall restore the lamb fourfold, because of this, for he had no pity.

⁷Nathan then said to David; You are the man! This is what the Lord God of Israel says; I have anointed you king over Israel and have delivered you out of the hand of Saul. ⁸I gave you your master's house and your master's wives into your bosom, the house of Israel and of Judah. And if that was too little, I would have given to you more. ⁹Why have you despised the Word of the Lord, doing evil in My sight? You have killed Uriah the Hittite and took his wife to be your wife, for you have killed him with the sword of an Ammonite. ¹⁰Therefore, the sword shall never depart from your house, because you have despised Me and have taken Uriah's wife to be your own. ¹¹Thus, from within your own house I will raise up evil against you, I will take your wives before your eyes and give them to your neighbor. And he shall lie with your wives in broad daylight. ¹²For you did this thing in secretly, but I will do this thing so that all Israel knows of it.

¹³David then said to Nathan; I have sinned against the Lord. And Nathan said to David, the Lord also has put away your sin; you shall not die. ¹⁴But because of your action, you have given great occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme and the child that is born to you shall die.

¹⁵Then Nathan left to go to his house. And the Lord struck the child that Uriah's wife bore to David and the child became very sick. ¹⁶David fasted and prayed to God for the child and he laid all night on the ground. ¹⁷And the elders of his house encouraged him to rise up from the ground, but he would not, nor would he eat bread with them. ¹⁸Now on the seventh day, the child died. And the servants of David were afraid to tell David of this. For their thought was that since David was very grieved while the child was yet alive, he would be even more so grieved by the death of the child. ¹⁹But David noticed that his servants were whispering behind his back and he realized that the child was dead. ²⁰David then ceased from his mourning, washed and anointed himself. He changed his clothing and entered into the house of the Lord and worshiped. Afterwards he returned to his house and he ate and drank. ²¹At seeing this, his servants asked him; Why is it that when the boy was yet living you fasted and wept, but now that the child is dead you cease your mourning and you eat bread? ²²And David said; While the child was still yet alive, I fasted and wept, for there was a chance that God would be gracious to me and the child might live? ²³But now the child is dead; why should I fast, I cannot bring him back? I shall one day go to him, but he shall not return to this earth.

²⁴Now David comforted his wife Bathsheba, laying with her and she bore a son. They named the child, Solomon (his name means: peaceful) and the Lord loved him. ²⁵And he sent word by the hand of Nathan the prophet, that the child was to be called Jedidiah (meaning: beloved of the Lord), because the Lord loved the child.

²⁶Again Joab fought against Rabbah of the men of Ammon, taking their royal city. ²⁷And Joab sent messengers and told David that he had captured the city. ²⁸Therefore gather the rest of the people together and come quickly to me. Encamp against the city and lay claim to it, lest I take the city and it be called after my name. ²⁹So David gathered the people together, went to Rabbah and fought against the city and took it. ³⁰David then took the king's crown off his head, the weight of it was a talent of gold, having precious stones in it and he set it on his head. David then brought forth an abundance of spoil from the city. ³¹Also taking all the people there as slaves having them labor as wood workers, blacksmiths and having them make bricks. He did this with all the cities of Ammon. Then David and all the people returned to Jerusalem.

2^nd Samuel: chapter 13

The rape of Tamar by David's son Amnon

¹Now Absalom, David's third born son (NOTE: by birth mother Maacah), had a beautiful sister whose name was Tamar. And Amnon, David's first born son (NOTE: by birth mother Ahinoam), loved her. ²Amnon became so troubled that he fell sick for his half sister Tamar, for she was a virgin. But Amnon thought it impossible for him to do anything to her. ³Now Amnon had a friend, whose name was Jonadab, (his name means: Jehovah is liberal) the son of David's brother Shimeah. And Jonadab was a very crafty man. ⁴Jonadab said to Amnon; Why is the king's son so down-trodden from day to day? And Amnon replied; I am love-sick for Tamar, my brother Absalom's sister.

⁵Then Jonadab advised him to, lay down on your bed and make himself sick. When your father comes to see you, say to him; Please let my sister Tamar come and prepare food for me that I might eat from her hand. ⁶Amnon did as such and when the king had come to see him, Amnon said; Please let my sister Tamar come and cook for me a couple of cakes in my sight, so that I may eat at her hand. ⁷And David instructed Tamar to go to her brother Amnon's house and prepare food for him. ⁸When Tamar went to Amnon's house, he was laying down. And Tamar took flour and kneaded it, making cakes in his sight. ⁹She then placed them before him, but he refused to eat and Amnon then instructed every man to leave the house. ¹⁰Then he said to Tamar; Bring the food into the room so that I may eat out of your hand. So Tamar brought the cakes into the room to Amnon her brother. ¹¹When she brought them to him, he took hold of her and said; Come, lay with me, my sister. ¹²But she answered him, saying; No, my brother, do not humble me. For no such thing ought to be done in Israel, do not do this folly. ¹³How could I ever rid myself of my shame? And you would be as one of the fools in Israel. Please speak to the king, for he will not withhold me from you. ¹⁴But Amnon would not listen to her voice and he forced her and lay with her. ¹⁵Afterwards Amnon hated her with a hatred that was stronger than the love he felt for her before. And he said to her; Now, get out of here and go your way. ¹⁶But she said to him; No! The evil of sending me away is even greater than the other that you did to me. But, he would not listen to her words. ¹⁷Then he called his servant who waited on him and instructed him to put this woman out and bolt the door after her. ¹⁸Tamar wore a robe of many colors, for all the king's virgin daughters were clothed with such robes. And his servant brought her out and bolted the door after her.

¹⁹And Tamar put ashes on her head and tore the robe of many colors that was on her and laid her hand on her head and went away, crying. ²⁰When Tamar returned, Absalom her brother asked her, if Amnon your brother has been with you? Saying to her, my sister, hold your peace. He is your brother, do not take this matter to heart. And Tamar remained desolate in the house of her brother Absalom.

²¹Now when King David heard of all these things, he was very angry. ²²And Absalom neither spoke good or bad to his brother Amnon, for Absalom now hated Amnon because of this. ²³After two years had passed, Absalom wished to invite all the king's sons, to come down to Baal-hazor, where he was shearing the sheep. ²⁴So Absalom came to the king and said; May the king and his servants come down with your servant, for I have shears in Baal-hazor. ²⁵But the king said to Absalom; No, my son, let us not all go now, lest we be too burdensome to you and David blessed him. ²⁶Then Absalom said; I pray that you would let my brother Amnon go with us. And though the king questioned this. ²⁷Absalom kept pressing him. So David let Amnon and all the king's sons went with him. ²⁸Now Absalom had commanded his servants, to watch for a time when Amnon's heart is merry with wine. And when I give the order you strike Amnon and kill him. Be brave, do not be afraid to do so, for I have commanded you. ²⁹And Absalom's servants killed Amnon as they were commanded. Than all the king's sons got on their own mule and left.

³⁰While the sons were still journeying back, news came to David, reporting that Absalom had killed all the king's sons and not one remains. ³¹Then the king arose and tore his garments and laid on the ground and all his servants did, likewise. ³²But Jonadab, the son of David's brother, said to David; Let not my lord think that all the king's sons are dead, only Amnon is dead. For Absalom confided in me, that out of revenge he has determined to do this from the day that he humbled his sister Tamar. ³³Do not grieve that all of your sons are dead, for only Amnon is dead.

³⁴After this Absalom fled. ³⁵And as Jonadab was speaking to the king, the king's sons came over the hill. ³⁶And the king's sons along with the king and all his servants wept with a great weeping. ³⁷Now Absalom had fled and went to Talmai (NOTE: his mother's birth country), land of the king of Geshur. And David mourned for his son every day. ³⁸From Talmai Absalom fled and went to Geshur and was there three years. ³⁹And King David longed to go forth to Absalom, for he had now been comforted about the death of Amnon.

2^nd Samuel: chapter 14

¹Now Joab, (David's general), knew that the king's heart was toward Absalom. ²So Joab sent messengers to the town of Tekoah, (NOTE: the town is about ten miles south of Jerusalem) and he sought out a wise woman from there. Telling her to put on mourning clothes and pretend to have been mourning for the dead a long time. ³Then go to the king and speak these words to him that I give you.

⁴The woman did as agreed and spoke to the king, she bowed down and said; Please help me, O king! ⁵The king asked, what troubled her; And she answered; I am a widow, my husband died. ⁶I had two sons, they got into a fight and one struck the other and killed him. ⁷Now, the whole family has risen against me. Saying; Deliver the one to us that struck his brother so that we may kill him and we shall also destroy his descendants. Thus putting an end to your heritage, so there will be no remembrance of your husbands name on the face of the earth. ⁸Upon hearing this, the king said to the woman; Go to your house and I will give command concerning you. ⁹The woman then said to the king; My lord, O king, may this guilt be on me and my father's house and may the king and his throne be without guilt. ¹⁰Then the king said; Whoever speaks to you concerning this, you are to bring him to me, for he shall not touch you any more. ¹¹The woman then said; Please let the king remember the Lord your God, that you would not allow the avengers of blood to destroy any more, lest they should destroy my son. And David said; As the Lord lives, not one hair on your son head shall fall to the earth. ¹²The woman then said; Please let your handmaid speak one more word to my lord the king. And David said; Speak on!

¹³The woman said; Why then have you thought such a thing against the people of God? For by speaking these mercies, the king has shown himself to be at fault, in that the king does not bring Absalom, his banished one home again. ¹⁴For we all must die and are as water spilled on the ground, that cannot be gathered up again. And God does not take away life, but has devised plans so that the outcast is not cast away from Him, (NOTE: They can flee to cities of refuge, set up in Numbers 35:6). ¹⁵Now your handmaid has spoken of my situation to my lord the king, to see if you would help me, because the people have made me fear. ¹⁶For I knew that the king would hear me and deliver his handmaid out of the hand of the man who would destroy me and my son, that we would lose the inheritance of God. ¹⁷And the word of my lord the king has comforted me, as an angel of God. Discerning what is good and bad, for the Lord your God is with you.

¹⁸The king then said; Please tell me this, do not hide it from me. ¹⁹Is Joab behind all of this? And the woman answered; As your soul lives, my lord the king, nothing gets past the king. For your servant Joab commanded me, instructing your handmaid to speak all these words. ²⁰Your servant Joab has done this to change the course of the matter between Absalom and his father. And now I know my lord is wise according to the wisdom of an angel of God, knowing all that is in the land.

²¹The king then said to Joab; Yes, I do grant this thing, go and bring back the young man Absalom. ²²And Joab fell on his face to the ground and thanked the king, saying; Today your servant knows that I have found grace in your sight, my lord, O, king, because the king has done what your servant has asked. ²³So Joab went to Geshur and brought Absalom to Jerusalem. ²⁴But the king said; Let him return to his own house, but I shall not see him. So Absalom returned to his own house and did not see the king.

²⁵Now in all Israel there was not a man as handsome as Absalom. From the sole of his foot to the crown of his head there was no blemish in him. ²⁶It was Absalom practice to cut his hair once a year, for it would become heavy on him and he weighed the hair at two hundred shekels, according to the king's weight, (NOTE: this could be as much as five pounds). ²⁷Three sons were born to Absalom and one daughter, whose name was Tamar. She was a woman with a beautiful face. ²⁸Now Absalom lived two whole years in Jerusalem, without seeing the king. ²⁹After that he sent a message to Joab, to send him to the king. But, Joab would not come to him. Even when he tried a second time, Joab still would not come. ³⁰Absalom then said to his servants; Joab's field is near mine and he has barley growing on it. Go and set it on fire! So Absalom's servants did as they were told. ³¹After that Joab came to Absalom's house, saying to him; Why have your servants set my field on fire? ³²But Absalom replied; I sent message to you, saying; Come to me, so that you could send me to the king, to ask him, Why have I come from Geshur? It would be better for me if I were still there. So now let me see the king and if there is iniquity in me, let him kill me. ³³Joab then told the king and the king called for Absalom. And when Absalom came to the king, he bowed himself on his face to the ground before the king and the king kissed Absalom.

2^nd Samuel: chapter 15

The rebellion of David's son Absalom, David's thoughts are recorded in Psalm 3

¹After this, Absalom prepared for himself horses, chariots and fifty men to run before him. ²Absalom would rise up early and stand beside the gate of Jerusalem. Now if any man had a controversy to take before the king for judgment. Absalom would call to him and said; Your servant is of one of the tribes of Israel. ³Your claims are good and right, but there is no appointed man of the king to hear you. ⁴If only I might be made judge of the land, that every man might come to me and I would give justice! ⁵And it was that, when any man would come to him and bow down, Absalom would reach out his hand, take hold of the man and kiss him. ⁶In such manor Absalom did this to all of Israel that came to the king for judgment and he stole the hearts of the men of Israel.

⁷After approximately four years of Absalom doing this, (approximately the thirteenth year of David's united reign), Absalom said to the king, Please let me go and pay my vow which I have vowed to the Lord in Hebron. ⁸For while I lived at Geshur in Syria, your servant vowed a vow, saying; If the Lord will bring me back to Jerusalem, then I will serve Him. ⁹And the king said to him; Go in peace. So Absalom left for Hebron. ¹⁰But Absalom sent spies throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying; As soon as you hear the sound of the ram's horn, you shall say; Absalom reigns in Hebron! ¹¹Along with Absalom, two hundred men went who were called out of Jerusalem, for they were invited as guests to his sacrificial feast and knew nothing of his scheme. ¹²While Absalom offered sacrifices, he sent for Ahithophel (his name means: brother of folly), one of David's counselor, from his city of Giloh. And by doing so, this strengthened the conspiracy, for the people with Absalom were becoming greater in number.

¹³David was then informed of this from a messenger, saying; The hearts of the men of Israel are after Absalom. ¹⁴So he said to all his servants with him at Jerusalem, let us flee! For otherwise we shall not escape from Absalom. Make haste to depart, lest he overtakes us suddenly and brings evil upon us, striking the city with the edge of the sword. ¹⁵And the king's servants said; we will do whatever my lord the king shall choose. ¹⁶So the king went forth, with his household after him. And the king left ten women concubines, to keep the house. ¹⁷And the king went forth, with the people after him, staying at the furthest house. ¹⁸David's servants passed on beside him, the Cherethites, the Pelethites and the Gittites, all totaled six hundred men servants who came from Gath. ¹⁹However the king said to the commander of the Gittites; Why do you also go with us? Return to your place and stay with Absalom the king. For you are a captured foreigner, in exile. ²⁰You came into my service only yesterday, how then could I cause you to wander with us today? Since I must go wherever I can, you may return to your own land with your brothers. May mercy and truth be with you. ²¹And the commander replied to the king; As the Lord lives and as my lord the king lives, in whatever place my lord the king shall be, whether in death or life, there shall your servant be also. ²²David said to him; Go then and pass over the brook of the Kidron. And all of his men and all of their little ones with him, passed over it. ²³As the people passed over the Kidron valley the entire country wept with a loud voice, For the king along with all his people passed over and headed into the wilderness.

²⁴Abiathar and Zadok the priests and all the Levites came with David, carrying the Ark of the covenant of God. Until all the people had finished passing out of the city. ²⁵And the king said to Zadok; Carry the Ark of God back into the city. If I shall find favor in the eyes of the Lord, He will bring me again into Jerusalem. ²⁶But if the Lord does not find delight in me, let Him do to me as He see fit. ²⁷The king also said to Zadok the priest, Are you not a seer? Return to the Jerusalem in peace, with your two sons, (Ahimaaz and Jonathan). ²⁸And I will wait in the wilderness by the banks of the Jordan, until word comes. ²⁹So Zadok and Abiathar carried the Ark of God back into Jerusalem and they also remained there. ³⁰David climbed up the ascent of Mount Olivet, weeping as he went up, with his head covered and he went up barefoot. Also, all the people with him, covered their head and they wept as they went.

³¹David was then told by messenger that Ahithophel, (one of his counselors) is among the conspirators with Absalom. And David said; O Lord, I pray that You, turn the advice of Ahithophel into foolishness. ³²Now when David had come to the top of the Mount, where he worshiped God. Hushai, (one of David's counselors), met him with his coat torn and earth upon his head. ³³David said to him; If you come with me, you will become a burden to me. ³⁴But if you return to the Jerusalem and say to Absalom; I will serve you, O king, for I was your father's servant until now, but now I shall become your servant. Once inside, you can then defeat the counsel of Ahithophel for me. ³⁵The two priests, Zadok and Abiathar are also in Jerusalem and whatever you hear from the king's house you can relay to the priests. ³⁶And their two sons, (Ahimaaz and Jonathan), are there with them. And they can relay whatever you hear to me. ³⁷So Hushai, David's adviser and friend, went to Jerusalem. And Absalom also came into Jerusalem.

2^nd Samuel: chapter 16

¹When David had crossed over the peak of the mount. Ziba the servant of Mephibosheth met David with a couple of saddled donkeys and many provisions. two hundred loaves of bread, one hundred clusters of raisins, one hundred pieces of fruits and a skin of wine. ²And Ziba said; The donkeys are for the king's household to ride on. And the provisions are for the young men to eat. ³The king then asked; Where is Mephibosheth, your master's son? And Ziba replied; He remained at Jerusalem, for he said, Today the house of Israel shall be restored to me, the kingdom that was my fathers. ⁴David then said; All that did belong to Mephibosheth is yours. And Ziba replied; I humbly beg you that I may find grace in your sight, my king and my lord.

⁵King David then came to the village of Bahurim. A man of the house of Saul and of the tribe of Benjamin came out, whose name was Shimei. He started cursing ⁶and throwing stones at David and his servants that were all around him. ⁷Saying as he cursed; Get out of here, you man of blood, you worthless fellow. ⁸The Lord has returned on you 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 Absalom your son. Hence you have fallen due to your own schemes, because you are a man of blood!

⁹Abishai, one of David's mighty men said to the king; Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? Please let me go over and take off his head. ¹⁰The king said; Let him curse, because the Lord has said to him, Curse David. If we take our own action, would not the Lord question that? ¹¹David then spoke to all his servants; My very own son now seeks my life! As for this Benjamite, let him alone and let him curse, for the Lord has told him so. ¹²Perhaps the Lord will look on my affliction and repay me with good for his cursing this day. ¹³Even as David and his men went along the highway. Shimei followed them, cursing as he went, throwing stones and picking up dust. ¹⁴When the king and the people with him arrived at the Jordan that day, they were all weary and refreshed themselves there.

¹⁵Now Absalom and the men of Israel came to Jerusalem and Ahithophel (NOTE: David's counselor, that was now loyal to Absalom) went with him. ¹⁶Now when Hushai, (NOTE: David's loyal counselor and friend), had come to Absalom in Jerusalem, he said; May the king live! ¹⁷Absalom then questioned Hushai, as to why he did not go with David his friend? ¹⁸And Hushai replied; I will remain with him whom the Lord and the people of Israel chose. ¹⁹Should I not serve in the presence of his son, as I have also served in your father's presence? So shall I also be in your presence.

²⁰So Absalom said to Ahithophel; Then, give your advice, what shall we do? ²¹And Ahithophel said to Absalom; Go into your father's concubines, that he left in charge of the house. That way all Israel shall hear that you are despised by your father. And all who are with you will be strengthened. ²²So a tent for Absalom was setup on the roof and Absalom went into his father's concubines in the sight of all Israel. ²³And in those days, the advice of Ahithophel, was as if a man inquired directly of God.

2^nd Samuel: chapter 17

¹Now Ahithophel said to Absalom; Let me choose twelve thousand men and I will pursue after David tonight. ²I will take him while he is weary and weak-handed and he will tremble. All the people with him shall flee and I will strike down only the king. ³When I return, I will bring all the people to you, except for the slain man, then all the people shall be in peace. ⁴This pleased Absalom very much and all the elders of Israel.

⁵Absalom then wished to call Hushai, (NOTE: the counselor loyal to David) to see what he would say. ⁶When Hushai came to Absalom and was told of Ahithophel plan. ⁷He said; The advice would be very bad at this time. ⁸For we know of David and his mighty men. Right now they are bitter and raged and your father being a man of war will not lodge the night with his people. ⁹He is likely to be hidden in a cave. And at the beginning of the battle, it would be reported that there is a slaughter among the people who follow Absalom. ¹⁰Also he is the son of valor and will utterly melt the people's hearts of Israel and they who are with him are mighty men. ¹¹Therefore I advise that the multitudes of every tribe of Israel be gathered to you, and you lead them into battle. ¹²We shall then come upon him and his men, in number. ¹³Even if he withdraws himself into a fortified city, we shall besiege that city until it is a pile of rocks. ¹⁴Then Absalom and all the men of Israel said; The counsel of Hushai is better than the counsel of Ahithophel. (For the Lord had appointed to defeat the good counsel of Ahithophel, so the Lord might bring evil on Absalom).

¹⁵Hushai (NOTE: the counselor loyal to David), secretly made it known to the two priests Zadok and Abiathar (NOTE: who were also loyal to David), of each mans counsel and the action that would be taken. ¹⁶And they sent this information quickly on to David, that he should not stay in the plains of the wilderness tonight, but quickly pass over the Jordan, lest the king be destroyed and all the people with him. ¹⁷Now Jonathan and Ahimaaz, the two sons of the priests, were staying near the border of Judah, so they could leave without being noticed. And they were informed of the plans by a slave girl and then they went to tell King David. ¹⁸However a lad saw them and told this to Absalom. And both men went away quickly and came to a house on the eastern slopes of the Jordan valley. And this house had a well on its property that both of them went down into to hide. ¹⁹The woman of the house then covered the mouth of the well and spread ground grain on the cover. ²⁰When Absalom's servants came to the house, they asked the woman where the two men Ahimaaz and Jonathan had gone? And she replied; They have gone over the brook of water. And when they had searched and could not find them, they returned to Jerusalem. ²¹After they had departed, the two came up out of the well and went and told King David. Saying to him; Quickly, cross over the river Jordan, for Ahithophel counsel is against you.

²²So David and all the people with him crossed over the Jordan river and by mornings light all of them had crossed over. ²³When Ahithophel saw that his counsel was not followed, he saddled up a donkey, went to his house and put his household in order. Then he hung himself and was buried in the tomb of his father.

²⁴As David had now crossed over the Jordan river, Absalom along with the men of Israel, also crossed over the Jordan river. ²⁵Absalom's captain of his army was Amasa, (NOTE: perhaps a illegitimate son, within the house of David). ²⁶Absalom and the men of Israel then made their camp in the land of Gilead.

²⁷Now when David had come into the town of Mahanaim in Gilead, Shobi an Ammonite, Machir and Barzillai of Gileadite. ²⁸Came out to David with beds, basins and bowls, wheat, barley, flour and roasted grain, beans, lentils and other roasted food. ²⁹Honey, butter, cheese from sheep and cheese from cows, for David and the people with him to eat. For they knew, the people were hungry, thirsty and weary in the wilderness.

2^nd Samuel: chapter 18

¹David then numbered the people who were with him, placing captains over thousands and hundreds. ²Dividing the people into three troops, a third of the people under Joab, a third under Abishai, Joab's brother and a third under Ittai the Gittite. And David told them that he would surely lead them into battle himself. ³However the people replied; You shall not lead us into battle. For if we do flee, they will not care about us, even if they slaughter half of us, the enemy still will not rejoice. For right now you are worth ten thousand of us. It is better that you remain and help us from the city.

⁴Then David the king said; I will do as you wish. And the king stood by the side of the gate, watching all the people as they came out, in their ranks of hundreds and thousands. ⁵David then commanded the three commanders, Joab, Abishai and Ittai; To be gentle with the young man, Absalom and all the men heard this as well. ⁶David's army then went to battle against Israel and the battle happened in the forest of Ephraim. ⁷That day, twenty thousand men of Israel were slaughtered before the servants of David. ⁸The battle was scattered all over the country side. And the forest devoured more people that day than the sword devoured.

⁹When Absalom met the servants of David. He was riding on a mule and the mule just then went under the thick branches of a great oak. His head became wedged in the fork of the branches and the mule under him kept on going, so he was left hanging in the air. ¹⁰And one of David's men told this to Joab. ¹¹Joab questioned the man, as to why he did not strike him? Saying, I would have given you ten shekels of silver and a girdle of armor, (NOTE: this was a caption's commission). ¹²But the man said to Joab; Though I should receive a thousand shekels, yet I would not put my hand against the king's son. For we all heard the king say to you, Abishai and Ittai, not to go against the young man Absalom. ¹³By doing so, I would have been dealing falsely with my own life, for there is no matter hidden from the king and you yourself would have set yourself against me.

¹⁴And Joab replied; I cannot wait here with you as you babble! And he took three darts and thrust them through the heart of Absalom, while he was yet hanging in the tree. ¹⁵And the ten young men who bore Joab's armor also struck Absalom. ¹⁶Then Joab blew the ram's horn and the people returned from pursuing Israel. ¹⁷Then they took Absalom body and threw it into a great pit in the forest, covering it with a great pile of stones. And all the men of Israel fled, each one to his own tent. ¹⁸Now Absalom while he was yet alive, had raised up for himself a monument, which is in the King's Valley. For he reasoned that since he did not have a son to keep his name in remembrance, so he called the monument after his own name. And it is called to this very day, Absalom's monument.

¹⁹Then Ahimaaz the son of the priest, said to Joab; Let me run on and tell the king of the news, how the Lord has avenged him of his enemies. ²⁰But Joab said to him; You shall not bear news today, for you shall wait and deliver good news some other day. Today you shall not give any report, because the king's son is dead. ²¹Joab then said to Cushi (NOTE: a foreigner loyal to David), Go tell the king what you have seen. And Cushi bowed himself to Joab and left running. ²²Then Ahimaaz said yet again to Joab; Regardless please let me also run with the Cushite. But, Joab said; Why do you wish to run, my son, since you have no good news to deliver? ²³But he said; Just let me run! So Joab said to him; Go and run. So Ahimaaz ran by the way of the plain and ran past the Cushite. ²⁴Now David sat between the two gates of the city, but the watchman, in the city first spotted a man running alone. ²⁵The watchman notified the king. And the king said, If he is alone, he must be a messenger and he shall have news for us. So the messenger drew near. ²⁶Then the watchman saw another man running. And the king also said; He also must be bringing news. ²⁷As the runners drew closer, the watchman could see that the first runner was Ahimaaz and he told David. And the king said; He is a good man, he must be bringing good news. ²⁸When Ahimaaz arrived at the city, he said to the king, Peace! And fell on his face before the king and said; Blessed be the Lord your God, who has delivered the men from the men who were against my lord the king. ²⁹The king then asked; Is the young man Absalom safe? And Ahimaaz answered; When Joab sent the king's servant. I saw a great uproar, but I did not know what its outcome was. ³⁰The king then said; Step aside and stand here. ³¹Just then Cushi came to David and he said; Good news, my lord, my king, for this day, the Lord has avenged you of all those who rose up against you. ³²The king then asked Cushi; Is the young man Absalom aright? And Cushi answered; May all the enemies that rise up against my lord the king, be as the young man. ³³And the king was much grieved and went up to the room over the gate and wept. And as he went, he said this; O my son Absalom, my son Absalom! If only I could have died for you, O Absalom, my son, my son!

2^nd Samuel: chapter 19

¹That day it was relayed to Joab, that the king weeps and mourns for Absalom. ²And the victory of that day was turned into mourning for all the people. ³The men then crept back into the city that day, as people who are ashamed. ⁴And the king's face was covered and he cried with a loud voice, O my son Absalom, O Absalom, my son, my son!

⁵Then Joab came into the house where the king was and said to him; Today you have shamed all your servants! For today, they have saved your life, the lives of your sons and daughters, the lives of your wives and your concubines. ⁶By loving your enemies and hating those who love you, you have declared today that commanders and servants are nothing to you. For I see that if Absalom had lived today and all of us had died today, that this would have pleased you very much! ⁷Now get up and go out. Speak to the hearts of your servants. For I swear by the Lord, that if you do not go out, not a man shall stay with you tonight. And that will be worse than all the evil that has come to you from your youth until now. ⁸Then the king got up and sat in the gate. And all of David's people came before the king, for all the men of Israel had fled to his own tent.

⁹Now all the people throughout all the tribes of Israel were in strife and talking such with the elders of their tribes. For they remembered how the king had saved them from their enemies, delivering them out of the hands of the Philistines. And now David fled out of the land from Absalom, his own son. ¹⁰And Absalom, whom we anointed over us, has died in battle. And now why do you elders not speak a word about bringing the king back?

¹¹Then King David sent message to Zadok and Abiathar the priests, saying; Speak to the elders of Judah; Questioning them as to why the house of Judah is the last to bring the king back to his house in Jerusalem? For word from all the other tribes of Israel has come to the king. ¹²The people of the house of Judah are my brothers, my flesh and my bone. Why then are you the last to restore the king? ¹³And say to Amasa (NOTE: David's nephew, who became Absalom's general); You are of my flesh and bone. With God as our witness, we shall make you commander of our army instead of Joab. ¹⁴Saying this, David captured the hearts of all the men of Judah and they sent message to the king, saying; Return to Jerusalem, you and all your servants. ¹⁵As king David returned and came to the Jordan river. The men of the tribe of Judah then came to Gilgal to meet the king and conduct him over the river.

¹⁶Now Shimei of the tribe of Benjamin, (NOTE: whom had before cursed David, verse 16:13), hurried and came down with the men of Judah to meet King David. ¹⁷Also one thousand men of Benjamin were with him and Ziba the servant of Mephibosheth of the house of Saul, with his fifteen sons and twenty servants with him. ¹⁸They all crossed over the banks of the Jordan to carry over the king's household and to do as the king needed. Now when Shimei had crossed over he fell before the king's feet. ¹⁹And said to the king; Let not my lord charge iniquity to me. Do not remember or take to heart the perverse way your servant acted in the day that my lord the king went out of Jerusalem. ²⁰For your servant knows that I have sinned. And I have come today, the first of all the house of Joseph to meet my lord the king. ²¹But Abishai (NOTE: one of David's loyal generals), said; Should not Shimei be put to death for this, because he cursed the Lord's anointed? ²²But David said; Why should you be so combative today? Shall there be any man put to death today in Israel, while I am reigning as king over Israel? ²³And the king said to Shimei; You shall not die.

²⁴Then Mephibosheth the son of Jonathan of the house of Saul came down to meet the king. He had neither dressed his feet, nor trimmed his moustache, nor washed his clothes, neglecting his personal appearance due to his grief since the day the king had departed, until today. ²⁵And when he had come to Jerusalem to meet the king, the king asked him; Why did you not go with me, Mephibosheth? ²⁶Mephibosheth answered; My lord, my king, my servant Ziba, deceived me. For I instructed him to saddle up my donkey so that I may ride on it and go to the king, (because I am lame), but he took my donkey and left without me. ²⁷Only to speak slander against your servant to my lord the king. But, my lord the king is as an angel of God, therefore, do whatever is good in your eyes to me. ²⁸For all my father's house are as dead men before my lord the king. And you set your servant among those eating at your own table. What right then have I to cry to the king any more? ²⁹But David the king said to him; Why do you speak any more of such matters? I have said; You and Ziba divide the land. ³⁰And Mephibosheth said to the king; Let Ziba take all the land, because my lord the king has come in peace into his own house.

³¹Then Barzillai of Gilead came down and went to the king at the banks of the Jordan river, to see the king over. ³²Now Barzillai was eighty years old. And he had provided food for the king while he stayed at Mahanaim, verse 17:27, for he was a man of much substance. ³³David the king said to Barzillai; Come over with me and I will sustain you with me in Jerusalem. ³⁴But Barzillai replied; I am old and my days are unknown, that I should go up with the king to Jerusalem? ³⁵I am eighty years old today, could I discern as a counselor between good and evil, or appreciate finer foods and drink, or enjoy the voice of singing men and women? Why then should your servant be a burden to my lord the king? ³⁶Your servant will only cross over the Jordan river with you, for there is no need for the king to repay me with such a reward. ³⁷Let your servant return so that I may die in my own city by the grave of my father and mother. Rather let your servant Chimham, cross over with my lord the king and do to him what shall seem good to you. ³⁸The king answered, saying; Chimham shall go over with me and I will do to him that which shall seem good to you. And whatever you shall ask of me, I will also do that for you. ³⁹Then all the people went over the Jordan river. And when the king had crossed over, he kissed Barzillai and blessed him. Then Barzillai returned to his own land.

⁴⁰David crossed over with all the people of Judah and half the people of Israel, also Chimham with him and they came to the city of Gilgal. ⁴¹Then the men of Israel, who had not been there, came to the king and said; Why have our brothers of Judah brought the king and his household and all David's men across the Jordan, without waiting for us? ⁴²All the men of Judah said; Because we are of the same tribe as the king, why then are you upset with us? We have not eaten at all at the king's cost, neither has he given us any gift for doing so. ⁴³And the men of Israel said; We are of ten tribes having ten parts in the king's kingdom, therefore, we have more right in David than you do. Why then did you despise us, so that our advice should not be sought first in bringing back our king? however the words of the men of Judah were more brazen than the words of the men of Israel.

2^nd Samuel: chapter 20

¹Now there was a worthless man named Sheba, a Benjamite. He came out and blew a ram's horn, announcing that we have nothing to do with David, nor is our inheritance in the son of Jesse. Every man of Israel return to your own tent! ²And every man of Israel withdrew from following David and followed Sheba, but the men of Judah clung closely to their king. ³When David had come into his house at Jerusalem. The king took his ten concubines, (NOTE: that Absalom had laid with), that he had left to keep the house. He put them in ward, providing for them, but he did not go into them again. And they were shut up until the day of their death, living in widowhood.

⁴ And the king said to Amasa, (NOTE: Amasa was David's nephew, who had become Absalom's general), gather together the men of Judah within three days and you be present here also. ⁵So Amasa gathered the men of Judah. But, he stayed longer than the set time which David had appointed him. ⁶Then David said to Abishai (NOTE: one of David's loyal generals), This man Sheba will do us more harm than Absalom. Take some of the men and pursue him, before he escapes into a fortified city. ⁷So Joab's mighty men along with the Cherethites and the Pelethites, left Jerusalem in pursuit of Sheba.

⁸When they were all at the great stone in Gibeon, they met Amasa there. Joab was wearing his armor with a sword in its sheath beneath his clothing and as he went forth, it fell out. ⁹And Joab greeted Amasa, saying; Are you well, my brother? And Joab took Amasa by the beard with the right hand to kiss him. ¹⁰Now Amasa did not notice the sword that was in Joab's hand. And Joab struck Amasa with it in the belly and he died. Then Joab and Abishai his brother, left to pursued after Sheba.

¹¹One of Joab's men who stood by him, said; the man that favors David, follow after Joab! ¹²Now the body of Amasa lay in the center of the highway and he was wallowing in his own blood and the whole army stood still. So Joab moved the body of Amasa out of the highway into the field, throwing a garment over him. ¹³After Amasa was moved, all the men went on after Joab, in pursuit of Sheba.

¹⁴Sheba went through all the tribes of Israel, finding few if any men that would follow him. So he continued to the fortified city of Abel of Beth-maachah and while there the people of that city gathered around him. ¹⁵Joab's men came and besieged him in Abel of Beth-maachah. Building a rampart to undermine the wall of the city. ¹⁶Then from within the city, a wise woman cried out, saying; Please allow me to speak with Joab. ¹⁷When Joab had come near, the woman said; Hear the words of your handmaid. ¹⁸And she said; People use to ask for counsel from our city of Abel, ending their matters of strife. ¹⁹We are peaceable and have been faithful to Israel, but why do you now seek to destroy a mother city to Israel. Will you also destroy the inheritance of the Lord?

²⁰Joab answered, saying; Far be it from us, that I should destroy. ²¹That is not so, but there is a man in your city by the name of Sheba, he has lifted up his hand against the David the king. Deliver this man to us and we will depart. And the woman said to Joab, his head shall be thrown to you over the wall. ²²The woman then went to all the people, in her wisdom. And they cut off the head of Sheba and threw it over the wall to Joab. Joab then blew the ram's horn and the men departed, each man to his own tent. And Joab returned to Jerusalem to the king.

Listed below is David's administration staff, after Absalom's rebellion.

• ²³Joab was over the entire army of Israel, Benaiah was over the Cherethites and the Pelethites.
• ²⁴Adoram was over the treasury and Jehoshaphat was the recorder.
• ²⁵Sheva was scribe and Zadok and Abiathar were the priests.
• ²⁶And Ira was a chief ruler around David.

Click here to view a comparison of David's administration, before and after the rebellion.

2^nd Samuel: chapter 21

¹Now there was a famine in the days of David for three consecutive years. David inquired of the Lord of this. And the Lord answered; It is on account of Saul and his bloody house, for he killed the Gibeonites. ²So David the king called the Gibeonites and spoke to them. Now the Gibeonites were not of the sons of Israel, but of the remnant of the Amorites and they had a covenant with the sons of Israel where they would be spared, Joshua 9:3. But, Saul in his zeal sought to kill them. ³And David asked them; What he could do for them, how he could atone for this wrong, so that you may bless the inheritance of the Lord? ⁴And the Gibeonites said to him; We do not wish silver nor gold from Saul or from his house. Nor do we wish that you put any man to death in Israel. So David asked again; What shall I do for you? ⁵And they answered; The man who schemed against us, to destroy us out of all the borders of Israel, (king Saul). ⁶Deliver seven of his sons to us and we will hang them up to the Lord in the town of Gibeah the land of Benjamin. And the king said; I will give them up to you. ⁷But the king spared Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan the son of Saul, because of the oath David had made with Jonathan. ⁸So the king took the two sons of Rizpah and the five sons of Michal. ⁹And he delivered them to the Gibeonites. And they hanged them in the hill before the Lord. All seven fell together and died, in the first days of the barley harvest.

¹⁰Now Rizpah, that had two sons taken, took sackcloth and spread it for herself upon a rock, where she could see the bodies. She stayed there from the beginning of harvest until the rains came, keeping the birds of the air and the beasts of the field off the bodies. ¹¹This was then told to David, what Rizpah the concubine of Saul, was doing. ¹²And David went and took the bodies down. ^13-14Then he brought the bodies back and buried them in the land of Benjamin, in the tomb of his father Kish. Afterward God heeded prayer for the land.

¹⁵Again the Philistines went to war with Israel. And David and his men fought against the Philistines. But, David became faint. ¹⁶Ishbi-benob, a son to one of the giants, had a spear of bronze that weigh about seven and a half pounds and had a new sword and thought to kill David. ¹⁷But Abishai, (one of his generals), came to his aid, killing the Philistine. But, then David's men came to him and said; You shall not go out to battle with us any more, least we lose the king of Israel.

¹⁸After this there was yet again another battle with the Philistines at Gob. Then Sibbechai (one of David's mighty men), killed one of the sons of the giant. ¹⁹Again there was a battle with the Philistines in Gob, where Elhanan a mighty warrior for David, killed one of the giants.

²⁰There was yet again a battle in Gath. There was a giant there who had six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot. ²¹And as he defied Israel, Jonathan, the brother of David, killed him. ²²These four men were born to the giants in Gath and fell by the hand of David and by the hand of his servants.

2^nd Samuel: chapter 22

¹After this, David spoke this song to the Lord, in the day the Lord had delivered him out of the hand of all his enemies and out of the hand of Saul, this is also told of in Psalm 18 and David said;

²The Lord is my Rock, my Fortress and my Deliverer. ³God who is my Rock, in Him I trust. He is my Shield, the Horn of my salvation, my High Tower, my Refuge and my Savior, whom saves me from violence. ⁴I will call on the Lord, for He is worthy to be praised. And He will save me from my enemies. ⁵When the fear of death encircled me and ungodly men make me afraid. ⁶Being hemmed in by sorrows and the pitfalls of death are before me. ⁷In my distress, I cried to the Lord my God. And He heard my voice. ⁸The earth shook and trembled, the foundations of the heavens shook, for the Lord was angry. ⁹Smoke went up out of His nostrils and devouring fire came from His mouth. ¹⁰He lowered the heavens and came down, having darkness under His feet. ¹¹He rode on a cherub and was seen flying on the wings of the wind. ¹²Darkness was his canopy all around Him, dark waters and thick clouds of the skies. ¹³From the brightness before Him, coals of fire were kindled. ¹⁴The Lord thundered from the heavens and the Most High spoke. ¹⁵He scattered His arrows and troubled them with lightening. ¹⁶The channels of the sea appeared, the foundations of the earth were uncovered, at the rebuking of the Lord and the breath of His mouth. ¹⁷He reached down from above and saved me out of many waters. ¹⁸Delivering me from my strong enemy, from those who hated me, for they were stronger than I. ¹⁹They caused the day of my calamity, but the Lord was my support. ²⁰The Lord brought me into a large open place, because He delighted in me. ²¹And He rewarded me according to my righteousness and the cleanness of my hands. ²²For I have kept the ways of the Lord and have not wickedly departed from my God. ²³For His judgments and statutes were before me and I did not depart from them. ²⁴I have also been upright before Him, keeping myself from iniquity. ²⁵Therefore the Lord has rewarded me according to my righteousness and cleanness within His eyes. ²⁶For with the faithful, He shows Himself faithful and with the upright man He shows Himself upright. ²⁷With the pure He shows Himself pure and with the perverted He appears perverse. ²⁸He delivers the afflicted people, but His eyes are on the proud, whom He brings low. ²⁹Lord, You are my lamp, that lightens my darkness. ³⁰For by You I have run through battle fields and conquered the enemy. ³¹For God's ways are perfect. Your Word is tried and true and You are a shield for all those who seek refuge in You.

³²There is no other God, except the Lord! Our God is a mighty foundational Rock. ³³God is my strength and power, He makes my way perfect. ³⁴He makes my feet firm and able, causing me to stand securely on high places. ³⁵Training my hands for battle, strengthening them so that they may bend a bow of bronze. ³⁶He has given me the shield of His salvation and His gentleness has made me great. ³⁷He has paved my path before me, so that my feet do not slip. ³⁸I have pursued my enemies and have not turned back until they are completely destroyed. ³⁹Crushing them under my feet. ⁴⁰For You have given me strength for the battle, subduing those who rose up against me. ⁴¹You have given me the triumph and I have silenced those who hate me. ⁴²My enemies looked, even to the Lord, but there was no one to save, for the Lord did not answer them. ⁴³I then crushed them into the earth, stamped them thin as the clay of the earth. ⁴⁴He has also delivered me from the strife with my people, keeping me the head of the nations and people that I have not known to serve me. ⁴⁵Foreigners submit and obey me. ⁴⁶Foreign enemies fade away, being afraid even within their strongholds. ⁴⁷Yes, the Lord lives! Blessed be my Rock, I will exalt the God, the Rock of my salvation. ⁴⁸It is God, who avenges me, bringing forth judgment on the people under me. ⁴⁹He delivers me from my enemies and lifts me high above those that rise up against me, delivering me from the violent man. ⁵⁰Lord, therefore, I give thanks to You and even among the heathen shall I sing praises to Your name. ⁵¹The Lord is the Tower of my salvation and my king, He shows mercy to David His anointed and to his descendants forevermore.

2^nd Samuel: chapter 23

¹These are the last words of David the son of Jesse, the man who was raised up on high, the anointed of the God of Israel and the sweet psalmist of Israel. For he said:

²The Spirit of the Lord has spoken through me, His Words have come from my mouth. ³The God and the Rock of Israel has spoken to me, to a man who justly rules over men, ruling in the fear of God. ⁴He that rules in the fear of God shall be as refreshing as the morning light, as the rising sun, a morning without clouds. As the tender grass springs forth from the earth. ⁵Even though my house does not stand so with God, He has made an everlasting covenant with me. He has put all things in order and they are sure. My salvation and my desires, He will nurture them and make them grow? ⁶But all the wicked, the worthless and godless, shall be as a thorn bush thrust away, because they cannot be taken by the hand. ⁷And the man who deals with them must be armed with iron and a spear, for they shall be utterly burnt up.

⁸These are the names of David's mighty men: Josheb-basshebeth, the head of the three captains, for he killed eight hundred in one day. ⁹After him was Eleazar, one of the three mighty men with David when they defied the Philistines that were gathered for battle. ¹⁰For he struck the Philistines until his hand was weary and clung to the sword. That day, the Lord worked a great victory. And the people claimed all the spoil. ¹¹The next of the three was Shammah. When the Philistines were gathered together in a field and the other men fled from them in fear. ¹²He stood in the middle of that field, delivered the land and destroyed the Philistines. That day again the Lord worked a great victory.

¹³These three mighty men of the thirty chief men came to David during the harvest time into the cave of Adullam were David was. And the troop of the Philistines was gathered in the Valley of the Giants. ¹⁴At that time David was in the cave and the garrison of the Philistines were in Bethlehem. ¹⁵And David longed and said; If only someone would give me a drink of water from the well of Bethlehem. ¹⁶Then the three mighty men broke through the army of the Philistines, drew water from the well of Bethlehem and brought it to David. But, David would not drink of it, but rather poured it out on the ground to the Lord. ¹⁷For he said; Lord, far be it from me that I should drink this! Is it not the blood of the men who went in danger of their lives, 1^st Chronicles 11:15-19

¹⁸Now Abishai, the brother of Joab, was chief among the three mighty men. And in battle he killed three hundred, winning a name among the three mighty men. ¹⁹As their commander, he was honored more than the other three. However, David did not assign ranks to the three. ²⁰Now Benaiah, a son of a mighty man. Killed two fierce men of Moab and he also killed a lion in the middle of a pit in the winter. ²¹He killed an Egyptian, a man of great stature. Even though the Egyptian had a spear in his hand, he went to him with a staff and plucked the spear out of the Egyptian's hand, killing him with his own spear. ²²This also placed Benaiah's name among three mighty men. ²³And he was the most honorable of the thirty, but he was not included with the first three, for David set him over his own personal guards.

²⁴Asahel the brother of Joab was of the thirty, Elhanan, ²⁵Shammah, Elika, ²⁶Helez, Ira, ²⁷Abiezer, Mebunnai, ²⁸Zalmon, Maharai, ²⁹Heleb, Ittai, ³⁰Benaiah, Hiddai, ³¹Abialbon, Azmaveth, ³²Eliahba, Jonathan, ³³Shammah, Ahiam, ³⁴Eliphelet, Eliam, ³⁵Hezrai, Paarai, ³⁶Igal, Bani, ³⁷Zelek, Naharai, ³⁸Ira, Gareb, ³⁹Uriah thirty-seven mighty men in all.

2^nd Samuel: chapter 24

David counts the people of Israel, this is also recorded in 1^st Chronicles chapter 21.

¹Again the anger of the Lord was kindled against Israel and He caused David to be against the people, by counting all of Israel and Judah. ²The king told Joab the commander of the army to go throughout all the tribes of Israel and count the people. ³But Joab said to the king; May the Lord your God add to the people, let there be a hundred fold increase that my lord the king can see. But, why does the king delight in this thing? ⁴But the king's word prevailed against Joab and against the commanders of the army. So Joab and his commanders counted the people of Israel.

⁵They passed over the Jordan staying in the town of Aroer, near the Valley of Gad and the fortified Ammonite city of Jazer. ⁶They passed through the city of Gilead, the land of Tahtim-hodshi, coming to Dan-jaan and around to Sidon. ⁷The stronghold of Tyre and to all the cities of the Hivites and the Canaanites. Going to the south of Judah, to Beer-sheba. ⁸They went to and fro throughout all the land and arrived back in Jerusalem at the end of nine months and twenty days. ⁹And the number of men in Israel was eight hundred thousand strong men armed with the sword and five hundred thousand men of Judah.

¹⁰After David had numbered the people, his heart was heavy with guilt. And David confessed to the Lord: I have sinned greatly in what I have done. Lord, I now pray that You, remove the iniquity of Your servant, for I have done foolishly. ¹¹The next morning the Word of the Lord came to the prophet Gad, David's seer, saying; ¹²Tell David; That I give him three options to select from, he shall choose one and I shall carry it out.. ¹³The prophet Gad then went to David and told him the Words of the Lord, saying; You have three choices: either seven years of famine shall come upon you and on your land, or you and your army shall flee for three months before your enemies, while they pursue you, or there shall be three days of plague in your land. Advise me of your choice and I shall return to Him with an answer.

¹⁴David then said; I am in great distress. Let us now fall into the hands of the Lord, for His mercies are great. But do not let me fall into the hands of man. ¹⁵So the Lord sent a plague upon Israel from the morning until the appointed time and across the land of Israel seventy thousand men died. ¹⁶But when the angel stretched out his hand to destroy the city of Jerusalem, the Lord repented from the evil, saying to the angel who destroyed the people, Enough! At that time, the angel of the Lord was by Araunah's threshing-floor. ¹⁷For when David saw the angel, he spoke to the Lord, saying; I have sinned and have done wickedly, but these people have done nothing. I pray to You, that Your hand would rather be against me an against my father's house.

¹⁸That day Gad came to David and told him to. Build an altar to the Lord, where the threshing-floor of Araunah is. ¹⁹So David went up, according to the instructions of Gad and as the Lord had commanded. ²⁰When Araunah saw the king and his servants coming to him, he went out and bowed before the king, with his face to the ground. ²¹And Araunah asked, why the king had come to his servant? And David said; To buy your threshing-floor. To build an altar to the Lord, so that the plague may cease from the people.

²²Araunah said; Let my lord the king take and offer up what seems good to him. See I have, oxen for burnt sacrifices, threshing instruments and instruments of the oxen for wood. ²³All these Araunah graciously gave, saying to the king; May the Lord your God be favorable unto you. ²⁴But the king said to Araunah; No, I will buy these things from you at a price. For I will not offer burnt offerings to the Lord my God that costs me nothing. So David bought the threshing-floor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver. ²⁵Then David built an altar to the Lord there and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings. And the Lord heard the prayers for the land and the plague ceased from Israel.