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II Samuel
(May the Blessings of JEHOVAH and My Lord and Savior Jesus Christ be upon the Reading
and Studying of His Word. May the Holy Spirit Guide You and Me in Knowledge, Wisdom and Understanding of YHVH'S Word. The
name of the LORD & God; as written in the King James Bible, is JEHOVAH. See Exodus 6:3 {KJV})
Chapter 1
1. Now it came to pass after the death of Saul, when David was returned from the slaughter of the
Amalekites, and David had abode two days in Ziklag; 2. It came even to pass on the third day, that, behold, a man came out
of the camp from Saul with his clothes rent, and earth upon his head: and [so] it was, when he came to David, that he fell
to the earth, and did obeisance. 3. And David said unto him, From whence comest thou? And he said
unto him, Out of the camp of Israel am I escaped. 4. And David said unto him, How
went the matter? I pray thee, tell me. And he answered, That the people are fled from the battle,
and many of the people also are fallen and dead; and Saul and Jonathan his son are dead also.
5. And David said unto the young man that told him, How knowest thou that Saul and Jonathan his son
be dead? 6. And the young man that told him said, As I happened by chance upon
mount Gilboa, behold, Saul leaned upon his spear; and, lo, the chariots and horsemen followed hard after him. 7. And when
he looked behind him, he saw me, and called unto me. And I answered, Here [am] I. 8. And he said unto me, Who
[art] thou? And I answered him, I [am] an Amalekite. 9. He said unto me again, Stand,
I pray thee, upon me, and slay me: for anguish is come upon me, because my life [is] yet whole in me. 10. So I stood upon him, and slew him, because I was sure that he could not live after that he was fallen: and
I took the crown that [was] upon his head, and the bracelet that [was] on his arm, and have brought them hither unto my lord.
11. Then David took hold on his clothes, and rent them; and likewise all the men that [were] with him: 12. And they mourned,
and wept, and fasted until even, for Saul, and for Jonathan his son, and for the people of the LORD, and for the house of
Israel; because they were fallen by the sword. 13. And David said unto the young man that told him, Whence
[art] thou? And he answered, I [am] the son of a stranger, an Amalekite. 14. And David said
unto him, How wast thou not afraid to stretch forth thine hand to destroy the LORD'S anointed?
15. And David called one of the young men, and said, Go near, [and] fall upon him. And he smote
him that he died. 16. And David said unto him, Thy blood [be] upon thy head; for thy mouth hath testified
against thee, saying, I have slain the LORD'S anointed.
17. And David lamented with this lamentation over Saul and over Jonathan his son: 18. Also he bade them teach the children
of Judah [the use of] the bow: behold, [it is] written in the book of Jasher.) 19. The beauty of Israel is slain upon thy
high places: how are the mighty fallen! 20. Tell [it] not in Gath, publish [it] not in the streets of Askelon; lest the daughters
of the Philistines rejoice, lest the daughters of the uncircumcised triumph. 21. Ye mountains of Gilboa, [let there be] no
dew, neither [let there be] rain, upon you, nor fields of offerings: for there the shield of the mighty is vilely cast away,
the shield of Saul, [as though he had] not [been] anointed with oil.
22. From the blood of the slain, from the fat of the mighty, the bow of Jonathan turned not back, and the sword of Saul
returned not empty. 23. Saul and Jonathan [were] lovely and pleasant in their lives, and in their death they were not divided:
they were swifter than eagles, they were stronger than lions. 24. Ye daughters of Israel, weep over Saul, who clothed you
in scarlet, with [other] delights, who put on ornaments of gold upon your apparel. 25. How are the mighty fallen in the midst
of the battle! O Jonathan, [thou wast] slain in thine high places. 26. I am distressed for thee, my brother Jonathan: very
pleasant hast thou been unto me: thy love to me was wonderful, passing the love of women. 27. How are the mighty fallen, and
the weapons of war perished!
Chapter 2
1. And it came to pass after this, that David enquired of the LORD, saying, Shall
I go up into any of the cities of Judah? And the LORD said unto him, Go up. And David said,
Whither shall I go up? And he said, Unto Hebron. 2. So David went up
thither, and his two wives also, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail Nabal's wife the Carmelite. 3. And his men that were
with him did David bring up, every man with his household: and they dwelt in the cities of Hebron. 4. And the men of Judah
came, and there they anointed David king over the house of Judah. And they told David, saying, That
the men of Jabeshgilead were they that buried Saul. 5. And David sent messengers unto the men of Jabeshgilead,
and said unto them, Blessed be ye of the LORD, that ye have shewed this kindness unto your lord,
even unto Saul, and have buried him.
6. And now the LORD shew kindness and truth unto you: and I also will requite you this kindness, because
ye have done this thing. 7. Therefore now let your hands be strengthened, and be ye valiant: for your master Saul is dead,
and also the house of Judah have anointed me king over them. 8. But Abner the son of Ner, captain of Saul's host, took
Ishbosheth the son of Saul, and brought him over to Mahanaim; 9. And made him king over Gilead, and over the Ashurites, and
over Jezreel, and over Ephraim, and over Benjamin, and over all Israel. 10. Ishbosheth Saul's son was forty years
old when he began to reign over Israel, and reigned two years. But the house of Judah followed David. 11. And the time that
David was king in Hebron over the house of Judah was seven years and six months.
12. And Abner the son of Ner, and the servants of Ishbosheth the son of Saul, went out from Mahanaim to Gibeon. 13. And
Joab the son of Zeruiah, and the servants of David, went out, and met together by the pool of Gibeon: and they sat down, the
one on the one side of the pool, and the other on the other side of the pool. 14. And Abner said to Joab,
Let the young men now arise, and play before us. And Joab said, Let them arise. 15. Then
there arose and went over by number twelve of Benjamin, which pertained to Ishbosheth the son of Saul, and twelve
of the servants of David. 16. And they caught every one his fellow by the head, and thrust his sword in his fellow's
side; so they fell down together: wherefore that place was called Helkathhazzurim, which is in Gibeon.
17. And there was a very sore battle that day; and Abner was beaten, and the men of Israel, before the servants of David.
18. And there were three sons of Zeruiah there, Joab, and Abishai, and Asahel: and Asahel was as light of foot as
a wild roe. 19. And Asahel pursued after Abner; and in going he turned not to the right hand nor to the left from following
Abner. 20. Then Abner looked behind him, and said, Art thou Asahel? And he answered, I am. 21. And Abner said to him, Turn thee aside to thy right hand or to
thy left, and lay thee hold on one of the young men, and take thee his armour. But Asahel would not turn aside from
following of him. 22. And Abner said again to Asahel, Turn thee aside from following me: wherefore should
I smite thee to the ground? how then should I hold up my face to Joab thy brother?
23. Howbeit he refused to turn aside: wherefore Abner with the hinder end of the spear smote him under the fifth rib,
that the spear came out behind him; and he fell down there, and died in the same place: and it came to pass, that
as many as came to the place where Asahel fell down and died stood still. 24. Joab also and Abishai pursued after Abner: and
the sun went down when they were come to the hill of Ammah, that lieth before Giah by the way of the wilderness of
Gibeon. 25. And the children of Benjamin gathered themselves together after Abner, and became one troop, and stood on the
top of an hill. 26. Then Abner called to Joab, and said, Shall the sword devour for ever? knowest thou
not that it will be bitterness in the latter end? how long shall it be then, ere thou bid the people return from following
their brethren?
27. And Joab said, As God liveth, unless thou hadst spoken, surely then in the morning the
people had gone up every one from following his brother. 28. So Joab blew a trumpet, and all the people stood still,
and pursued after Israel no more, neither fought they any more. 29. And Abner and his men walked all that night through the
plain, and passed over Jordan, and went through all Bithron, and they came to Mahanaim. 30. And Joab returned from following
Abner: and when he had gathered all the people together, there lacked of David's servants nineteen men and Asahel. 31. But
the servants of David had smitten of Benjamin, and of Abner's men, so that three hundred and threescore men died.
32. And they took up Asahel, and buried him in the sepulchre of his father, which was in Bethlehem. And Joab and
his men went all night, and they came to Hebron at break of day.
Chapter 3
1. Now there was long war between the house of Saul and the house of David: but David waxed stronger
and stronger, and the house of Saul waxed weaker and weaker. 2. And unto David were sons born in Hebron: and his firstborn
was Amnon, of Ahinoam the Jezreelitess; 3. And his second, Chileab, of Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite; and the third,
Absalom the son of Maacah the daughter of Talmai king of Geshur; 4. And the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith; and the fifth,
Shephatiah the son of Abital; 5. And the sixth, Ithream, by Eglah David's wife. These were born to David in Hebron. 6. And
it came to pass, while there was war between the house of Saul and the house of David, that Abner made himself strong for
the house of Saul. 7. And Saul had a concubine, whose name was Rizpah, the daughter of Aiah: and Ishbosheth
said to Abner, Wherefore hast thou gone in unto my father's concubine?
8. Then was Abner very wroth for the words of Ishbosheth, and said, Am I a dog's head, which
against Judah do shew kindness this day unto the house of Saul thy father, to his brethren, and to his friends, and have not
delivered thee into the hand of David, that thou chargest me to day with a fault concerning this woman? 9. So do God to Abner,
and more also, except, as the LORD hath sworn to David, even so I do to him; 10. To translate the kingdom from the house of
Saul, and to set up the throne of David over Israel and over Judah, from Dan even to Beersheba. 11. And he could not
answer Abner a word again, because he feared him. 12. And Abner sent messengers to David on his behalf, saying, Whose
is the land? saying also, Make thy league with me, and, behold, my hand shall be with thee, to
bring about all Israel unto thee. 13. And he said, Well; I will make a league with thee: but one
thing I require of thee, that is, Thou shalt not see my face, except thou first bring Michal Saul's daughter, when thou comest
to see my face.
14. And David sent messengers to Ishbosheth Saul's son, saying, Deliver me my wife Michal,
which I espoused to me for an hundred foreskins of the Philistines. 15. And Ishbosheth sent, and took her from her
husband, even from Phaltiel the son of Laish. 16. And her husband went with her along weeping behind her to Bahurim.
Then said Abner unto him, Go, return. And he returned. 17. And Abner had communication with the
elders of Israel, saying, Ye sought for David in times past to be king over you: 18. Now then
do it: for the LORD hath spoken of David, saying, By the hand of my servant David I will save my people Israel out
of the hand of the Philistines, and out of the hand of all their enemies. 19. And Abner also spake in the ears of Benjamin:
and Abner went also to speak in the ears of David in Hebron all that seemed good to Israel, and that seemed good to the whole
house of Benjamin. 20. So Abner came to David to Hebron, and twenty men with him. And David made Abner and the men that were
with him a feast.
21. And Abner said unto David, I will arise and go, and will gather all Israel unto my lord the king,
that they may make a league with thee, and that thou mayest reign over all that thine heart desireth. And David sent
Abner away; and he went in peace. 22. And, behold, the servants of David and Joab came from pursuing a troop, and
brought in a great spoil with them: but Abner was not with David in Hebron; for he had sent him away, and he was
gone in peace. 23. When Joab and all the host that was with him were come, they told Joab, saying, Abner
the son of Ner came to the king, and he hath sent him away, and he is gone in peace. 24. Then Joab came to the king,
and said, What hast thou done? behold, Abner came unto thee; why is it that thou hast
sent him away, and he is quite gone? 25. Thou knowest Abner the son of Ner, that he came to deceive thee, and to know thy
going out and thy coming in, and to know all that thou doest. 26. And when Joab was come out from David, he sent messengers
after Abner, which brought him again from the well of Sirah: but David knew it not.
27. And when Abner was returned to Hebron, Joab took him aside in the gate to speak with him quietly, and smote him there
under the fifth rib, that he died, for the blood of Asahel his brother. 28. And afterward when David heard it,
he said, I and my kingdom are guiltless before the LORD for ever from the blood of Abner the
son of Ner: 29. Let it rest on the head of Joab, and on all his father's house; and let there not fail from the house of Joab
one that hath an issue, or that is a leper, or that leaneth on a staff, or that falleth on the sword, or that lacketh bread.
30. So Joab and Abishai his brother slew Abner, because he had slain their brother Asahel at Gibeon in the battle. 31. And
David said to Joab, and to all the people that were with him, Rend your clothes, and gird you
with sackcloth, and mourn before Abner. And king David himself followed the bier. 32. And they buried Abner
in Hebron: and the king lifted up his voice, and wept at the grave of Abner; and all the people wept.
33. And the king lamented over Abner, and said, Died Abner as a fool dieth? 34. Thy hands were
not bound, nor thy feet put into fetters: as a man falleth before wicked men, so fellest thou. And all the
people wept again over him. 35. And when all the people came to cause David to eat meat while it was yet day, David sware,
saying, So do God to me, and more also, if I taste bread, or ought else, till the sun be down.
36. And all the people took notice of it, and it pleased them: as whatsoever the king did pleased all the people.
37. For all the people and all Israel understood that day that it was not of the king to slay Abner the son of Ner. 38. And
the king said unto his servants, Know ye not that there is a prince and a great man fallen this day in
Israel? 39. And I am this day weak, though anointed king; and these men the sons of Zeruiah be too hard
for me: the LORD shall reward the doer of evil according to his wickedness.
Chapter 4
1. And when Saul's son heard that Abner was dead in Hebron, his hands were feeble, and all the
Israelites were troubled. 2. And Saul's son had two men that were captains of bands: the name of the one was
Baanah, and the name of the other Rechab, the sons of Rimmon a Beerothite, of the children of Benjamin: (for Beeroth also
was reckoned to Benjamin: 3. And the Beerothites fled to Gittaim, and were sojourners there until this day.) 4. And Jonathan,
Saul's son, had a son that was lame of his feet. He was five years old when the tidings came of Saul and
Jonathan out of Jezreel, and his nurse took him up, and fled: and it came to pass, as she made haste to flee, that he fell,
and became lame. And his name was Mephibosheth.
5. And the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, Rechab and Baanah, went, and came about the heat of the day to the house of Ishbosheth,
who lay on a bed at noon. 6. And they came thither into the midst of the house, as though they would have fetched
wheat; and they smote him under the fifth rib: and Rechab and Baanah his brother escaped. 7. For when they came into
the house, he lay on his bed in his bedchamber, and they smote him, and slew him, and beheaded him, and took his head, and
gat them away through the plain all night. 8. And they brought the head of Ishbosheth unto David to Hebron, and said to the
king, Behold the head of Ishbosheth the son of Saul thine enemy, which sought thy life; and the LORD hath
avenged my lord the king this day of Saul, and of his seed.
9. And David answered Rechab and Baanah his brother, the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, and said unto them, As
the LORD liveth, who hath redeemed my soul out of all adversity, 10. When one told me, saying, Behold, Saul is dead, thinking
to have brought good tidings, I took hold of him, and slew him in Ziklag, who thought that I would have given him
a reward for his tidings: 11. How much more, when wicked men have slain a righteous person in his own house upon his bed?
shall I not therefore now require his blood of your hand, and take you away from the earth? 12. And David commanded
his young men, and they slew them, and cut off their hands and their feet, and hanged them up over the pool in Hebron.
But they took the head of Ishbosheth, and buried it in the sepulchre of Abner in Hebron.
Chapter 5
1. Then came all the tribes of Israel to David unto Hebron, and spake, saying, Behold,
we are thy bone and thy flesh. 2. Also in time past, when Saul was king over us, thou wast he that leddest out and
broughtest in Israel: and the LORD said to thee, Thou shalt feed my people Israel, and thou shalt
be a captain over Israel. 3. So all the elders of Israel came to the king to Hebron; and king David made a league with
them in Hebron before the LORD: and they anointed David king over Israel. 4. David was thirty years old when he began
to reign, and he reigned forty years. 5. In Hebron he reigned over Judah seven years and six months: and in Jerusalem
he reigned thirty and three years over all Israel and Judah.
6. And the king and his men went to Jerusalem unto the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land: which spake unto David,
saying, Except thou take away the blind and the lame, thou shalt not come in hither: thinking, David cannot
come in hither. 7. Nevertheless David took the strong hold of Zion: the same is the city of David. 8. And
David said on that day, Whosoever getteth up to the gutter, and smiteth the Jebusites, and the lame and
the blind, that are hated of David's soul, he shall be chief and captain. Wherefore they said, The blind and the lame shall not come into the house. 9. So David dwelt in the fort, and called it the
city of David. And David built round about from Millo and inward.
10. And David went on, and grew great, and the LORD God of hosts was with him. 11. And Hiram king of Tyre sent
messengers to David, and cedar trees, and carpenters, and masons: and they built David an house. 12. And David perceived that
the LORD had established him king over Israel, and that he had exalted his kingdom for his people Israel's sake. 13. And David
took him more concubines and wives out of Jerusalem, after he was come from Hebron: and there were yet sons and daughters
born to David. 14. And these be the names of those that were born unto him in Jerusalem; Shammua, and Shobab, and
Nathan, and Solomon, 15. Ibhar also, and Elishua, and Nepheg, and Japhia,
16. And Elishama, and Eliada, and Eliphalet. 17. But when the Philistines heard that they had anointed David king over
Israel, all the Philistines came up to seek David; and David heard of it, and went down to the hold. 18. The Philistines
also came and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim. 19. And David enquired of the LORD, saying, Shall
I go up to the Philistines? wilt thou deliver them into mine hand? And the LORD said unto David, Go
up: for I will doubtless deliver the Philistines into thine hand. 20. And David came to Baalperazim, and David smote
them there, and said, The LORD hath broken forth upon mine enemies before me, as the breach of waters.
Therefore he called the name of that place Baalperazim.
21. And there they left their images, and David and his men burned them. 22. And the Philistines came up yet again, and
spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim. 23. And when David enquired of the LORD, he said, Thou shalt
not go up; but fetch a compass behind them, and come upon them over against the mulberry trees. 24. And let it be,
when thou hearest the sound of a going in the tops of the mulberry trees, that then thou shalt bestir thyself: for then shall
the LORD go out before thee, to smite the host of the Philistines. 25. And David did so, as the LORD had commanded
him; and smote the Philistines from Geba until thou come to Gazer.
Chapter 6
1. Again, David gathered together all the chosen men of Israel, thirty thousand.
2. And David arose, and went with all the people that were with him from Baale of Judah, to bring up from thence
the ark of God, whose name is called by the name of the LORD of hosts that dwelleth between the cherubims. 3. And
they set the ark of God upon a new cart, and brought it out of the house of Abinadab that was in Gibeah: and Uzzah
and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, drave the new cart. 4. And they brought it out of the house of Abinadab which was
at Gibeah, accompanying the ark of God: and Ahio went before the ark. 5. And David and all the house of Israel played before
the LORD on all manner of instruments made of fir wood, even on harps, and on psalteries, and on timbrels, and on
cornets, and on cymbals. 6. And when they came to Nachon's threshingfloor, Uzzah put forth his hand to the ark of
God, and took hold of it; for the oxen shook it.
7. And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Uzzah; and God smote him there for his error; and there he died
by the ark of God. 8. And David was displeased, because the LORD had made a breach upon Uzzah: and he called the name of the
place Perezuzzah to this day. 9. And David was afraid of the LORD that day, and said, How shall the ark
of the LORD come to me? 10. So David would not remove the ark of the LORD unto him into the city of David: but David
carried it aside into the house of Obededom the Gittite. 11. And the ark of the LORD continued in the house of Obededom the
Gittite three months: and the LORD blessed Obededom, and all his household. 12. And it was told king David, saying, The LORD hath blessed the house of Obededom, and all that pertaineth unto him, because of the ark of
God. So David went and brought up the ark of God from the house of Obededom into the city of David with gladness.
13. And it was so, that when they that bare the ark of the LORD had gone six paces, he sacrificed oxen and fatlings.
14. And David danced before the LORD with all his might; and David was girded with a linen ephod. 15. So
David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the LORD with shouting, and with the sound of the trumpet. 16. And
as the ark of the LORD came into the city of David, Michal Saul's daughter looked through a window, and saw king David leaping
and dancing before the LORD; and she despised him in her heart. 17. And they brought in the ark of the LORD, and set it in
his place, in the midst of the tabernacle that David had pitched for it: and David offered burnt offerings and peace offerings
before the LORD. 18. And as soon as David had made an end of offering burnt offerings and peace offerings, he blessed the
people in the name of the LORD of hosts.
19. And he dealt among all the people, even among the whole multitude of Israel, as well to the women as men,
to every one a cake of bread, and a good piece of flesh, and a flagon of wine. So all the people departed
every one to his house. 20. Then David 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 to day, who uncovered himself to day in the eyes of the
handmaids of his servants, as one of the vain fellows shamelessly uncovereth himself! 21. And David said unto
Michal, It was before the LORD, which chose me before thy father, and before all his house, to
appoint me ruler over the people of the LORD, over Israel: therefore will I play before the LORD. 22. And I will yet be more
vile than thus, and will be base in mine own sight: and of the maidservants which thou hast spoken of, of them shall I be
had in honour. 23. Therefore Michal the daughter of Saul had no child unto the day of her death.
Chapter 7
1. And it came to pass, when the king sat in his house, and the LORD had given him rest round about
from all his enemies; 2. That the king said unto Nathan the prophet, See now, I dwell in an house of cedar,
but the ark of God dwelleth within curtains. 3. And Nathan said to the king, Go, do all that is
in thine heart; for the LORD is with thee. 4. And it came to pass that night, that the word of the LORD came
unto Nathan, saying, 5. Go and tell my servant David, Thus saith the LORD, Shalt thou build me an house
for me to dwell in? 6. Whereas I have not dwelt in any house since the time that I brought up the children
of Israel out of Egypt, even to this day, but have walked in a tent and in a tabernacle. 7. In all the places wherein
I have walked with all the children of Israel spake I a word with any of the tribes of Israel, whom I commanded to feed my
people Israel, saying, Why build ye not me an house of cedar?
8. Now therefore so shalt thou say unto my servant David, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, I took thee
from the sheepcote, from following the sheep, to be ruler over my people, over Israel: 9. And I was with thee whithersoever
thou wentest, and have cut off all thine enemies out of thy sight, and have made thee a great name, like unto the name of
the great men that are in the earth. 10. Moreover I will appoint a place for my people Israel, and will
plant them, that they may dwell in a place of their own, and move no more; neither shall the children of wickedness afflict
them any more, as beforetime, 11. And as since the time that I commanded judges to be over my people Israel, and
have caused thee to rest from all thine enemies. Also the LORD telleth thee that he will make thee an house.
12. And when thy days be fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, I will set up thy seed after thee, which shall
proceed out of thy bowels, and I will establish his kingdom. 13. He shall build an house for my name, and I will stablish
the throne of his kingdom for ever. 14. I will be his father, and he shall be my son. If he commit iniquity, I will chasten
him with the rod of men, and with the stripes of the children of men: 15. But my mercy shall not depart away from him, as
I took it from Saul, whom I put away before thee. 16. And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever
before thee: thy throne shall be established for ever . 17. According to all these words, and according to all this
vision, so did Nathan speak unto David. 18. Then went king David in, and sat before the LORD, and he said, Who
am I, O Lord GOD? and what is my house, that thou hast brought me hitherto?
19. And this was yet a small thing in thy sight, O Lord GOD; but thou hast spoken also of thy servant's
house for a great while to come. And is this the manner of man, O Lord GOD? 20. And what can David say more unto
thee? for thou, Lord GOD, knowest thy servant. 21. For thy word's sake, and according to thine own heart, hast thou done all
these great things, to make thy servant know them. 22. Wherefore thou art great, O LORD God: for there is
none like thee, neither is there any God beside thee, according to all that we have heard with our ears. 23. And
what one nation in the earth is like thy people, even like Israel, whom God went to redeem for a people
to himself, and to make him a name, and to do for you great things and terrible, for thy land, before thy people, which thou
redeemedst to thee from Egypt, from the nations and their gods?
24. For thou hast confirmed to thyself thy people Israel to be a people unto thee for ever: and thou, LORD, art
become their God. 25. And now, O LORD God, the word that thou hast spoken concerning thy servant, and concerning his house,
establish it for ever, and do as thou hast said. 26. And let thy name be magnified for ever, saying, The LORD of hosts is the God over Israel: and let the house of thy servant David be established
before thee. 27. For thou, O LORD of hosts, God of Israel, hast revealed to thy servant, saying, I
will build thee an house: therefore hath thy servant found in his heart to pray this prayer unto thee. 28. And now,
O Lord GOD, thou art that God, and thy words be true, and thou hast promised this goodness unto thy servant: 29.
Therefore now let it please thee to bless the house of thy servant, that it may continue for ever before thee: for thou, O
Lord GOD, hast spoken it: and with thy blessing let the house of thy servant be blessed for ever.
Chapter 8
1. And after this it came to pass, that David smote the Philistines, and subdued them: and David
took Methegammah out of the hand of the Philistines. 2. And he smote Moab, and measured them with a line, casting them down
to the ground; even with two lines measured he to put to death, and with one full line to keep alive. And so the
Moabites became David's servants, and brought gifts. 3. David smote also Hadadezer, the son of Rehob, king of Zobah,
as he went to recover his border at the river Euphrates. 4. And David took from him a thousand chariots, and seven
hundred horsemen, and twenty thousand footmen: and David houghed all the chariot horses, but reserved of them for
an hundred chariots.
5. And when the Syrians of Damascus came to succour Hadadezer king of Zobah, David slew of the
Syrians two and twenty thousand men. 6. Then David put garrisons in Syria of Damascus: and the Syrians became servants to
David, and brought gifts. And the LORD preserved David whithersoever he went. 7. And David took the shields of gold
that were on the servants of Hadadezer, and brought them to Jerusalem. 8. And from Betah, and from Berothai, cities of Hadadezer,
king David took exceeding much brass.
9. When Toi king of Hamath heard that David had smitten all the host of Hadadezer, 10. Then Toi
sent Joram his son unto king David, to salute him, and to bless him, because he had fought against Hadadezer, and smitten
him: for Hadadezer had wars with Toi. And Joram brought with him vessels of silver, and vessels of gold, and vessels
of brass: 11. Which also king David did dedicate unto the LORD, with the silver and gold that he had dedicated of all nations
which he subdued; 12. Of Syria, and of Moab, and of the children of Ammon, and of the Philistines, and of Amalek, and of the
spoil of Hadadezer, son of Rehob, king of Zobah.
13. And David gat him a name when he returned from smiting of the Syrians in the valley of salt, being
eighteen thousand men. 14. And he put garrisons in Edom; throughout all Edom put he garrisons, and all they of Edom
became David's servants. And the LORD preserved David whithersoever he went. 15. And David reigned over all Israel; and David
executed judgment and justice unto all his people. 16. And Joab the son of Zeruiah was over the host; and Jehoshaphat
the son of Ahilud was recorder; 17. And Zadok the son of Ahitub, and Ahimelech the son of Abiathar, were
the priests; and Seraiah was the scribe; 18. And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over both the Cherethites
and the Pelethites; and David's sons were chief rulers.
Chapter 9
1. And David said, Is there yet any that is left of the house of Saul, that
I may shew him kindness for Jonathan's sake? 2. And there was of the house of Saul a servant whose name was
Ziba. And when they had called him unto David, the king said unto him, Art thou Ziba?
And he said, Thy servant is he. 3. And the king said, Is
there not yet any of the house of Saul, that I may shew the kindness of God unto him? And Ziba said unto the king,
Jonathan hath yet a son, which is lame on his feet. 4. And the king said unto
him, Where is he? And Ziba said unto the king, Behold, he is
in the house of Machir, the son of Ammiel, in Lodebar. 5. Then king David sent, and fetched him out of the house of
Machir, the son of Ammiel, from Lodebar.
6. Now when Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, was come unto David, he fell on
his face, and did reverence. And David said, Mephibosheth. And he answered, Behold
thy servant! 7. And David said unto him, Fear not: for I will surely shew thee kindness for
Jonathan thy father's sake, and will restore thee all the land of Saul thy father; and thou shalt eat bread at my table continually.
8. And he bowed himself, and said, What is thy servant, that thou shouldest look upon such a
dead dog as I am? 9. Then the king called to Ziba, Saul's servant, and said unto him, I
have given unto thy master's son all that pertained to Saul and to all his house.
10. Thou therefore, and thy sons, and thy servants, shall till the land for
him, and thou shalt bring in the fruits, that thy master's son may have food to eat: but Mephibosheth thy master's
son shall eat bread alway at my table. Now Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants. 11. Then said Ziba unto the king,
According to all that my lord the king hath commanded his servant, so shall thy servant do. As for Mephibosheth, said the king, he shall eat at my table, as one of
the king's sons. 12. And Mephibosheth had a young son, whose name was Micha. And all that dwelt in the house
of Ziba were servants unto Mephibosheth. 13. So Mephibosheth dwelt in Jerusalem: for he did eat continually at the
king's table; and was lame on both his feet.
Chapter 10
1. And it came to pass after this, that the king of the children of Ammon died, and Hanun his son
reigned in his stead. 2. Then said David, I will shew kindness unto Hanun the son of Nahash, as his father
shewed kindness unto me. And David sent to comfort him by the hand of his servants for his father. And David's servants
came into the land of the children of Ammon. 3. And the princes of the children of Ammon said unto Hanun their lord, Thinkest thou that David doth honour thy father, that he hath sent comforters unto thee? hath not David rather
sent his servants unto thee, to search the city, and to spy it out, and to overthrow it? 4. Wherefore Hanun took David's
servants, and shaved off the one half of their beards, and cut off their garments in the middle, even to their buttocks,
and sent them away.
5. When they told it unto David, he sent to meet them, because the men were greatly ashamed: and the king said,
Tarry at Jericho until your beards be grown, and then return. 6. And when the children
of Ammon saw that they stank before David, the children of Ammon sent and hired the Syrians of Bethrehob, and the Syrians
of Zoba, twenty thousand footmen, and of king Maacah a thousand men, and of Ishtob twelve thousand men. 7. And when David
heard of it, he sent Joab, and all the host of the mighty men. 8. And the children of Ammon came out, and put the
battle in array at the entering in of the gate: and the Syrians of Zoba, and of Rehob, and Ishtob, and Maacah, were
by themselves in the field. 9. When Joab saw that the front of the battle was against him before and behind, he chose of
all the choice men of Israel, and put them in array against the Syrians:
10. And the rest of the people he delivered into the hand of Abishai his brother, that he might put them in array
against the children of Ammon. 11. And he said, If the Syrians be too strong for me, then thou shalt help
me: but if the children of Ammon be too strong for thee, then I will come and help thee. 12. Be of good courage, and let us
play the men for our people, and for the cities of our God: and the LORD do that which seemeth him good. 13. And Joab
drew nigh, and the people that were with him, unto the battle against the Syrians: and they fled before him. 14.
And when the children of Ammon saw that the Syrians were fled, then fled they also before Abishai, and entered into the city.
So Joab returned from the children of Ammon, and came to Jerusalem.
15. And when the Syrians saw that they were smitten before Israel, they gathered themselves together. 16. And Hadarezer
sent, and brought out the Syrians that were beyond the river: and they came to Helam; and Shobach the captain of
the host of Hadarezer went before them. 17. And when it was told David, he gathered all Israel together, and passed
over Jordan, and came to Helam. And the Syrians set themselves in array against David, and fought with him. 18. And the Syrians
fled before Israel; and David slew the men of seven hundred chariots of the Syrians, and forty thousand horsemen,
and smote Shobach the captain of their host, who died there. 19. And when all the kings that were servants to Hadarezer
saw that they were smitten before Israel, they made peace with Israel, and served them. So the Syrians feared to help the
children of Ammon any more.
Chapter 11
1. And it came to pass, after the year was expired, at the time when kings go forth to battle,
that David sent Joab, and his servants with him, and all Israel; and they destroyed the children of Ammon, and besieged Rabbah.
But David tarried still at Jerusalem. 2. And it came to pass in an eveningtide, that David arose from off his bed, and walked
upon the roof of the king's house: and from the roof he saw a woman washing herself; and the woman was very beautiful
to look upon. 3. And David sent and enquired after the woman. And one said, Is not this
Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite? 4. And David sent messengers, and took her; and she
came in unto him, and he lay with her; for she was purified from her uncleanness: and she returned unto her house.
5. And the woman conceived, and sent and told David, and said, I am with child. 6.
And David sent to Joab, saying, Send me Uriah the Hittite. And Joab sent Uriah to David.
7. And when Uriah was come unto him, David demanded of him how Joab did, and how the people did, and how the war
prospered. 8. And David said to Uriah, Go down to thy house, and wash thy feet. And Uriah departed
out of the king's house, and there followed him a mess of meat from the king. 9. But Uriah slept at the door of the
king's house with all the servants of his lord, and went not down to his house. 10. And when they had told David, saying,
Uriah went not down unto his house, David said unto Uriah, Camest thou not
from thy journey? why then didst thou not go down unto thine house?
11. And Uriah said unto David, The ark, and Israel, and Judah, abide in tents; and my lord Joab, and
the servants of my lord, are encamped in the open fields; shall I then go into mine house, to eat and to drink, and to lie
with my wife? as thou livest, and as thy soul liveth, I will not do this thing. 12. And David said
to Uriah, Tarry here to day also, and to morrow I will let thee depart. So Uriah abode in Jerusalem that day, and the morrow.
13. And when David had called him, he did eat and drink before him; and he made him drunk: and at even he went out to lie
on his bed with the servants of his lord, but went not down to his house. 14. And it came to pass in the morning, that David
wrote a letter to Joab, and sent it by the hand of Uriah. 15. And he wrote in the letter, saying, Set
ye Uriah in the forefront of the hottest battle, and retire ye from him, that he may be smitten, and die.
16. And it came to pass, when Joab observed the city, that he assigned Uriah unto a place where he knew that valiant men
were. 17. And the men of the city went out, and fought with Joab: and there fell some of the people of the
servants of David; and Uriah the Hittite died also. 18. Then Joab sent and told David all the things concerning the war; 19.
And charged the messenger, saying, When thou hast made an end of telling the matters of the war unto the
king, 20. And if so be that the king's wrath arise, and he say unto thee, Wherefore approached ye so nigh unto the city when
ye did fight? knew ye not that they would shoot from the wall? 21. Who smote Abimelech the son of Jerubbesheth? did not a
woman cast a piece of a millstone upon him from the wall, that he died in Thebez? why went ye nigh the wall? then say thou,
Thy servant Uriah the Hittite is dead also.
22. So the messenger went, and came and shewed David all that Joab had sent him for. 23. And the messenger said unto David,
Surely the men prevailed against us, and came out unto us into the field, and we were upon them even unto
the entering of the gate. 24. And the shooters shot from off the wall upon thy servants; and some of the king's servants
be dead, and thy servant Uriah the Hittite is dead also. 25. Then David said unto the messenger, Thus
shalt thou say unto Joab, Let not this thing displease thee, for the sword devoureth one as well as another: make thy battle
more strong against the city, and overthrow it: and encourage thou him. 26. And when the wife of Uriah heard that Uriah
her husband was dead, she mourned for her husband. 27. And when the mourning was past, David sent and fetched her to his house,
and she became his wife, and bare him a son. But the thing that David had done displeased the LORD.
Chapter 12
1. And the LORD sent Nathan unto David. And he came unto him, and said unto him, There
were two men in one city; the one rich, and the other poor. 2. The rich man had exceeding many flocks and herds:
3. But the poor man had nothing, save one little ewe lamb, which he had bought and nourished up: and it grew up together
with him, and with his children; it did eat of his own meat, and drank of his own cup, and lay in his bosom, and was unto
him as a daughter. 4. And there came a traveller unto the rich man, and he spared to take of his own flock and of his own
herd, to dress for the wayfaring man that was come unto him; but took the poor man's lamb, and dressed it for the man that
was come to him. 5. And David's anger was greatly kindled against the man; and he said to Nathan, As
the LORD liveth, the man that hath done this thing shall surely die:
6. And he shall restore the lamb fourfold, because he did this thing, and because he had no pity.
7. And Nathan said to David, Thou art the man. Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, I anointed thee king over Israel, and I delivered thee out of the hand of Saul; 8. And I gave thee thy master's
house, and thy master's wives into thy bosom, and gave thee the house of Israel and of Judah; and if that had been
too little, I would moreover have given unto thee such and such things. 9. Wherefore hast thou despised the commandment of
the LORD, to do evil in his sight? thou hast killed Uriah the Hittite with the sword, and hast taken his wife to be
thy wife, and hast slain him with the sword of the children of Ammon. 10. Now therefore the sword shall never depart from
thine house; because thou hast despised me, and hast taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be thy wife.
11. Thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will raise up evil against thee out
of thine own house, and I will take thy wives before thine eyes, and give them unto thy neighbour, and he shall lie
with thy wives in the sight of this sun. 12. For thou didst it secretly: but I will do this thing before all Israel,
and before the sun. 13. And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the LORD. And
Nathan said unto David, The LORD also hath put away thy sin; thou shalt not die. 14. Howbeit, because
by this deed thou hast given great occasion to the enemies of the LORD to blaspheme, the child also that is born
unto thee shall surely die. 15. And Nathan departed unto his house. And the LORD struck the child that Uriah's wife
bare unto David, and it was very sick. 16. David therefore besought God for the child; and David fasted, and went in, and
lay all night upon the earth.
17. And the elders of his house arose, and went to him, to raise him up from the earth: but he would not, neither
did he eat bread with them. 18. And it came to pass on the seventh day, that the child died. And the servants of David feared
to tell him that the child was dead: for they said, Behold, while the child was yet alive, we spake unto
him, and he would not hearken unto our voice: how will he then vex himself, if we tell him that the child is dead?
19. But when David saw that his servants whispered, David perceived that the child was dead: therefore David said unto his
servants, Is the child dead? And they said, He is dead. 20. Then David
arose from the earth, and washed, and anointed himself, and changed his apparel, and came into the house of the LORD,
and worshipped: then he came to his own house; and when he required, they set bread before him, and he did eat.
21. Then said his servants unto him, What thing is this that thou hast done? thou didst fast
and weep for the child, while it was alive; but when the child was dead, thou didst rise and eat bread. 22.
And he said, While the child was yet alive, I fasted and wept: for I said, Who can tell whether
GOD will be gracious to me, that the child may live? 23. But now he is dead, wherefore should I fast? can I bring him back
again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me. 24. And David comforted Bathsheba his wife, and went in unto
her, and lay with her: and she bare a son, and he called his name Solomon: and the LORD loved him. 25. And he sent by the
hand of Nathan the prophet; and he called his name Jedidiah, because of the LORD. 26. And Joab fought against Rabbah of the
children of Ammon, and took the royal city.
27. And Joab sent messengers to David, and said, I have fought against Rabbah, and have taken the city
of waters. 28. Now therefore gather the rest of the people together, and encamp against the city, and take it: lest I take
the city, and it be called after my name. 29. And David gathered all the people together, and went to Rabbah,
and fought against it, and took it. 30. And he took their king's crown from off his head, the weight whereof was
a talent of gold with the precious stones: and it was set on David's head. And he brought forth the spoil of the
city in great abundance. 31. And he brought forth the people that were therein, and put them under saws,
and under harrows of iron, and under axes of iron, and made them pass through the brickkiln: and thus did he unto all the
cities of the children of Ammon. So David and all the people returned unto Jerusalem.
Chapter 16
1. And when David was a little past the top of the hill, behold, Ziba the servant of Mephibosheth
met him, with a couple of asses saddled, and upon them two hundred loaves of bread, and an hundred bunches of raisins,
and an hundred of summer fruits, and a bottle of wine. 2. And the king said unto Ziba, What meanest thou
by these? And Ziba said, The asses be for the king's household to ride on; and the bread
and summer fruit for the young men to eat; and the wine, that such as be faint in the wilderness may drink. 3. And
the king said, And where is thy master's son? And Ziba said unto the king,
Behold, he abideth at Jerusalem: for he said, To day shall the house of Israel restore me the kingdom
of my father.
4. Then said the king to Ziba, Behold, thine are all that pertained unto Mephibosheth.
And Ziba said, I humbly beseech thee that I may find grace in thy sight, my lord, O king.
5. And when king David came to Bahurim, behold, thence came out a man of the family of the house of Saul, whose name was
Shimei, the son of Gera: he came forth, and cursed still as he came. 6. And he cast stones at David, and at all the servants
of king David: and all the people and all the mighty men were on his right hand and on his left. 7. And thus said
Shimei when he cursed, Come out, come out, thou bloody man, and thou man of Belial: 8. The LORD hath returned
upon thee all the blood of the house of Saul, in whose stead thou hast reigned; and the LORD hath delivered the kingdom into
the hand of Absalom thy son: and, behold, thou art taken in thy mischief, because thou art a bloody man.
9. Then said Abishai the son of Zeruiah unto the king, Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king?
let me go over, I pray thee, and take off his head. 10. And the king said, What have I to do with
you, ye sons of Zeruiah? so let him curse, because the LORD hath said unto him, Curse David. Who
shall then say, Wherefore hast thou done so? 11. And David said to Abishai, and to all his servants, Behold,
my son, which came forth of my bowels, seeketh my life: how much more now may this Benjamite do it? let
him alone, and let him curse; for the LORD hath bidden him. 12. It may be that the LORD will look on mine affliction, and
that the LORD will requite me good for his cursing this day.
13. And as David and his men went by the way, Shimei went along on the hill's side over against him, and cursed as he went,
and threw stones at him, and cast dust. 14. And the king, and all the people that were with him, came weary, and
refreshed themselves there. 15. And Absalom, and all the people the men of Israel, came to Jerusalem, and Ahithophel with
him. 16. And it came to pass, when Hushai the Archite, David's friend, was come unto Absalom, that Hushai said unto Absalom,
God save the king, God save the king. 17. And Absalom said to Hushai, Is
this thy kindness to thy friend? why wentest thou not with thy friend? 18. And Hushai said unto Absalom, Nay;
but whom the LORD, and this people, and all the men of Israel, choose, his will I be, and with him will I abide.
19. And again, whom should I serve? should I not serve in the presence of his son? as I have served in
thy father's presence, so will I be in thy presence . 20. Then said Absalom to Ahithophel, Give
counsel among you what we shall do. 21. And Ahithophel said unto Absalom, Go in unto thy father's
concubines, which he hath left to keep the house; and all Israel shall hear that thou art abhorred of thy father: then shall
the hands of all that are with thee be strong. 22. So they spread Absalom a tent upon the top of the house;
and Absalom went in unto his father's concubines in the sight of all Israel. 23. And the counsel of Ahithophel, which he counselled
in those days, was as if a man had enquired at the oracle of God: so was all the counsel of Ahithophel both
with David and with Absalom.
Chapter 17
1. Moreover Ahithophel said unto Absalom, Let me now choose out twelve thousand
men, and I will arise and pursue after David this night: 2. And I will come upon him while he is weary and weak handed,
and will make him afraid: and all the people that are with him shall flee; and I will smite the king only: 3. And
I will bring back all the people unto thee: the man whom thou seekest is as if all returned: so all the
people shall be in peace. 4. And the saying pleased Absalom well, and all the elders of Israel. 5. Then said Absalom,
Call now Hushai the Archite also, and let us hear likewise what he saith. 6. And when Hushai was
come to Absalom, Absalom spake unto him, saying, Ahithophel hath spoken after this manner: shall we do
after his saying? if not; speak thou. 7. And Hushai said unto Absalom, The counsel that
Ahithophel hath given is not good at this time.
8. For, said Hushai, thou knowest thy father and his men, that they be mighty men, and they be chafed
in their minds, as a bear robbed of her whelps in the field: and thy father is a man of war, and will not lodge with
the people. 9. Behold, he is hid now in some pit, or in some other place: and it will come to pass, when some of
them be overthrown at the first, that whosoever heareth it will say, There is a slaughter among the people that follow Absalom.
10. And he also that is valiant, whose heart is as the heart of a lion, shall utterly melt: for all Israel
knoweth that thy father is a mighty man, and they which be with him are valiant men. 11.
Therefore I counsel that all Israel be generally gathered unto thee, from Dan even to Beersheba, as the sand that is
by the sea for multitude; and that thou go to battle in thine own person.
12. So shall we come upon him in some place where he shall be found, and we will light upon him as the dew falleth on the
ground: and of him and of all the men that are with him there shall not be left so much as one. 13. Moreover, if
he be gotten into a city, then shall all Israel bring ropes to that city, and we will draw it into the river, until there
be not one small stone found there . 14. And Absalom and all the men of Israel said, The counsel of Hushai the Archite
is better than the counsel of Ahithophel. For the LORD had appointed to defeat the good counsel of Ahithophel, to
the intent that the LORD might bring evil upon Absalom. 15. Then said Hushai unto Zadok and to Abiathar the priests, Thus and thus did Ahithophel counsel Absalom and the elders of Israel; and thus and thus have I counselled.
16. Now therefore send quickly, and tell David, saying, Lodge not this night in the plains of the wilderness, but speedily
pass over; lest the king be swallowed up, and all the people that are with him . 17. Now Jonathan and Ahimaaz
stayed by Enrogel; for they might not be seen to come into the city: and a wench went and told them; and they went and told
king David. 18. Nevertheless a lad saw them, and told Absalom: but they went both of them away quickly, and came to a man's
house in Bahurim, which had a well in his court; whither they went down. 19. And the woman took and spread a covering over
the well's mouth, and spread ground corn thereon; and the thing was not known. 20. And when Absalom's servants came to the
woman to the house, they said, Where is Ahimaaz and Jonathan? And the woman said unto
them, They be gone over the brook of water. And when they had sought and could not find them,
they returned to Jerusalem.
21. And it came to pass, after they were departed, that they came up out of the well, and went and told king David, and
said unto David, Arise, and pass quickly over the water: for thus hath Ahithophel counselled against you.
22. Then David arose, and all the people that were with him, and they passed over Jordan: by the morning light there
lacked not one of them that was not gone over Jordan. 23. And when Ahithophel saw that his counsel was not followed, he saddled
his ass, and arose, and gat him home to his house, to his city, and put his household in order, and hanged himself,
and died, and was buried in the sepulchre of his father. 24. Then David came to Mahanaim. And Absalom passed over Jordan,
he and all the men of Israel with him.
25. And Absalom made Amasa captain of the host instead of Joab: which Amasa was a man's son, whose name was
Ithra an Israelite, that went in to Abigail the daughter of Nahash, sister to Zeruiah Joab's mother. 26. So Israel and Absalom
pitched in the land of Gilead. 27. And it came to pass, when David was come to Mahanaim, that Shobi the son of Nahash of Rabbah
of the children of Ammon, and Machir the son of Ammiel of Lodebar, and Barzillai the Gileadite of Rogelim, 28. Brought beds,
and basons, and earthen vessels, and wheat, and barley, and flour, and parched corn, and beans, and lentiles, and
parched pulse, 29. And honey, and butter, and sheep, and cheese of kine, for David, and for the people that were
with him, to eat: for they said, The people is hungry, and weary, and thirsty, in the wilderness.
Chapter 20
1. And there happened to be there a man of Belial, whose name was Sheba, the son of Bichri,
a Benjamite: and he blew a trumpet, and said, We have no part in David, neither have we inheritance in
the son of Jesse: every man to his tents, O Israel. 2. So every man of Israel went up from after David, and
followed Sheba the son of Bichri: but the men of Judah clave unto their king, from Jordan even to Jerusalem. 3. And David
came to his house at Jerusalem; and the king took the ten women his concubines, whom he had left to keep the house,
and put them in ward, and fed them, but went not in unto them. So they were shut up unto the day of their death, living in
widowhood. 4. Then said the king to Amasa, Assemble me the men of Judah within three days, and be thou
here present.
5. So Amasa went to assemble the men of Judah: but he tarried longer than the set time which he had appointed
him. 6. And David said to Abishai, Now shall Sheba the son of Bichri do us more harm than did
Absalom: take thou thy lord's servants, and pursue after him, lest he get him fenced cities, and escape us. 7. And
there went out after him Joab's men, and the Cherethites, and the Pelethites, and all the mighty men: and they went out of
Jerusalem, to pursue after Sheba the son of Bichri. 8. When they were at the great stone which is in Gibeon,
Amasa went before them. And Joab's garment that he had put on was girded unto him, and upon it a girdle with a sword
fastened upon his loins in the sheath thereof; and as he went forth it fell out.
9. And Joab said to Amasa, Art thou in health, my brother? And Joab took Amasa by the
beard with the right hand to kiss him. 10. But Amasa took no heed to the sword that was in Joab's hand: so he smote
him therewith in the fifth rib, and shed out his bowels to the ground, and struck him not again; and he died. So
Joab and Abishai his brother pursued after Sheba the son of Bichri. 11. And one of Joab's men stood by him, and said, He that favoureth Joab, and he that is for David, let him go after Joab. 12. And Amasa
wallowed in blood in the midst of the highway. And when the man saw that all the people stood still, he removed Amasa out
of the highway into the field, and cast a cloth upon him, when he saw that every one that came by him stood still.
13. When he was removed out of the highway, all the people went on after Joab, to pursue after Sheba the son of Bichri.
14. And he went through all the tribes of Israel unto Abel, and to Bethmaachah, and all the Berites: and they were gathered
together, and went also after him. 15. And they came and besieged him in Abel of Bethmaachah, and they cast up a bank against
the city, and it stood in the trench: and all the people that were with Joab battered the wall, to throw it down.
16. Then cried a wise woman out of the city, Hear, hear; say, I pray you, unto Joab, Come near hither,
that I may speak with thee. 17. And when he was come near unto her, the woman said, Art
thou Joab? And he answered, I am he. Then she said unto him, Hear
the words of thine handmaid. And he answered, I do hear.
18. Then she spake, saying, They were wont to speak in old time, saying, They shall surely ask counsel
at Abel: and so they ended the matter. 19. I am one of them that are peaceable and faithful in
Israel: thou seekest to destroy a city and a mother in Israel: why wilt thou swallow up the inheritance of the LORD?
20. And Joab answered and said, Far be it, far be it from me, that I should swallow up or destroy. 21.
The matter is not so: but a man of mount Ephraim, Sheba the son of Bichri by name, hath lifted up his hand against
the king, even against David: deliver him only, and I will depart from the city. And the woman said unto Joab,
Behold, his head shall be thrown to thee over the wall.
22. Then the woman went unto all the people in her wisdom. And they cut off the head of Sheba the son of Bichri, and cast
it out to Joab. And he blew a trumpet, and they retired from the city, every man to his tent. And Joab returned to
Jerusalem unto the king. 23. Now Joab was over all the host of Israel: and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was
over the Cherethites and over the Pelethites: 24. And Adoram was over the tribute: and Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud
was recorder: 25. And Sheva was scribe: and Zadok and Abiathar were the priests: 26. And Ira also
the Jairite was a chief ruler about David.
Chapter 21
1. Then there was a famine in the days of David three years, year after year; and David enquired
of the LORD. And the LORD answered, It is for Saul, and for his bloody house, because
he slew the Gibeonites. 2. And the king called the Gibeonites, and said unto them; (now the Gibeonites were
not of the children of Israel, but of the remnant of the Amorites; and the children of Israel had sworn unto them: and Saul
sought to slay them in his zeal to the children of Israel and Judah.) 3. Wherefore David said unto the Gibeonites, What
shall I do for you? and wherewith shall I make the atonement, that ye may bless the inheritance of the LORD?
4. And the Gibeonites said unto him, We will have no silver nor gold of Saul, nor of his house; neither
for us shalt thou kill any man in Israel. And he said, What ye shall say, that will I
do for you. 5. And they answered the king, The man that consumed us, and that devised against us
that we should be destroyed from remaining in any of the coasts of Israel, 6. Let seven men of his sons be delivered
unto us, and we will hang them up unto the LORD in Gibeah of Saul, whom the LORD did choose. And the king
said, I will give them. 7. But the king spared Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan the son
of Saul, because of the LORD'S oath that was between them, between David and Jonathan the son of Saul.
8. But the king took the two sons of Rizpah the daughter of Aiah, whom she bare unto Saul, Armoni and Mephibosheth; and
the five sons of Michal the daughter of Saul, whom she brought up for Adriel the son of Barzillai the Meholathite: 9. And
he delivered them into the hands of the Gibeonites, and they hanged them in the hill before the LORD: and they fell all
seven together, and were put to death in the days of harvest, in the first days, in the beginning of barley harvest.
10. And Rizpah the daughter of Aiah took sackcloth, and spread it for her upon the rock, from the beginning of harvest until
water dropped upon them out of heaven, and suffered neither the birds of the air to rest on them by day, nor the beasts of
the field by night.
11. And it was told David what Rizpah the daughter of Aiah, the concubine of Saul, had done. 12. And David went and took
the bones of Saul and the bones of Jonathan his son from the men of Jabeshgilead, which had stolen them from the street of
Bethshan, where the Philistines had hanged them, when the Philistines had slain Saul in Gilboa: 13. And he brought up from
thence the bones of Saul and the bones of Jonathan his son; and they gathered the bones of them that were hanged. 14. And
the bones of Saul and Jonathan his son buried they in the country of Benjamin in Zelah, in the sepulchre of Kish his father:
and they performed all that the king commanded. And after that God was intreated for the land.
15. Moreover the Philistines had yet war again with Israel; and David went down, and his servants with him, and fought
against the Philistines: and David waxed faint. 16. And Ishbibenob, which was of the sons of the giant, the weight
of whose spear weighed three hundred shekels of brass in weight, he being girded with a new sword,
thought to have slain David. 17. But Abishai the son of Zeruiah succoured him, and smote the Philistine, and killed him. Then
the men of David sware unto him, saying, Thou shalt go no more out with us to battle, that thou quench
not the light of Israel. 18. And it came to pass after this, that there was again a battle with the Philistines at
Gob: then Sibbechai the Hushathite slew Saph, which was of the sons of the giant.
19. And there was again a battle in Gob with the Philistines, where Elhanan the son of Jaareoregim, a Bethlehemite, slew
the brother of Goliath the Gittite, the staff of whose spear was like a weaver's beam. 20. And there was
yet a battle in Gath, where was a man of great stature, that had on every hand six fingers, and on every foot six
toes, four and twenty in number; and he also was born to the giant. 21. And when he defied Israel, Jonathan the son of Shimea
the brother of David slew him. 22. These four were born to the giant in Gath, and fell by the hand of David, and by the hand
of his servants.
Chapter 24
1. And again the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel, and he moved David against them
to say, Go, number Israel and Judah. 2. For the king said to Joab the captain of the host, which
was with him, Go now through all the tribes of Israel, from Dan even to Beersheba, and number
ye the people, that I may know the number of the people. 3. And Joab said unto the king, Now the
LORD thy God add unto the people, how many soever they be, an hundredfold, and that the eyes of my lord the king may see it:
but why doth my lord the king delight in this thing? 4. Notwithstanding the king's word prevailed against Joab, and
against the captains of the host. And Joab and the captains of the host went out from the presence of the king, to number
the people of Israel. 5. And they passed over Jordan, and pitched in Aroer, on the right side of the city that lieth
in the midst of the river of Gad, and toward Jazer:
6. Then they came to Gilead, and to the land of Tahtimhodshi; and they came to Danjaan, and about to Zidon, 7. And came
to the strong hold of Tyre, and to all the cities of the Hivites, and of the Canaanites: and they went out to the south of
Judah, even to Beersheba. 8. So when they had gone through all the land, they came to Jerusalem at the end of nine
months and twenty days. 9. And Joab gave up the sum of the number of the people unto the king: and there were in Israel eight
hundred thousand valiant men that drew the sword; and the men of Judah were five hundred thousand men. 10. And David's
heart smote him after that he had numbered the people. And David said unto the LORD, I have sinned greatly
in that I have done: and now, I beseech thee, O LORD, take away the iniquity of thy servant; for I have done very foolishly.
11. For when David was up in the morning, the word of the LORD came unto the prophet Gad, David's seer, saying, 12.
Go and say unto David, Thus saith the LORD, I offer thee three things; choose thee one of them, that I may do
it unto thee. 13. So Gad came to David, and told him, and said unto him, Shall seven years
of famine come unto thee in thy land? or wilt thou flee three months before thine enemies, while they pursue thee? or that
there be three days' pestilence in thy land? now advise, and see what answer I shall return to him that sent me. 14.
And David said unto Gad, I am in a great strait: let us fall now into the hand of the LORD; for his mercies
are great: and let me not fall into the hand of man. 15. So the LORD sent a pestilence upon Israel from the
morning even to the time appointed: and there died of the people from Dan even to Beersheba seventy thousand men.
16. And when the angel stretched out his hand upon Jerusalem to destroy it, the LORD
repented him of the evil, and said to the angel that destroyed the people, It is enough: stay now thine
hand. And the angel of the LORD was by the threshingplace of Araunah the Jebusite.
17. And David spake unto the LORD when he saw the angel that smote the people, and said,
Lo, I have sinned, and I have done wickedly: but these sheep, what have they done? let thine hand, I pray
thee, be against me, and against my father's house. 18. And Gad came that day to David, and said unto him, Go
up, rear an altar unto the LORD in the threshingfloor of Araunah the Jebusite. 19. And David, according to the saying
of Gad, went up as the LORD commanded. 20. And Araunah looked, and saw the king and his servants coming on toward him: and
Araunah went out, and bowed himself before the king on his face upon the ground.
21. And Araunah said, Wherefore is my lord the king come to his servant? And David said, To buy the threshingfloor of thee, to build an altar unto the LORD, that the plague may be stayed from the people.
22. And Araunah said unto David, Let my lord the king take and offer up what seemeth good unto
him: behold, here be oxen for burnt sacrifice, and threshing instruments and other instruments of the oxen
for wood. 23. All these things did Araunah, as a king, give unto the king. And Araunah said unto
the king, The LORD thy God accept thee. 24. And the king said unto Araunah, Nay;
but I will surely buy it of thee at a price: neither will I offer burnt offerings unto the LORD my God of that which
doth cost me nothing. So David bought the threshingfloor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver. 25. And David built
there an altar unto the LORD, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings. So the LORD was intreated for the land, and
the plague was stayed from Israel.
This Is
My Family's Color Coded Online Bible Study From The King James Bible Online That Anyone Can Use.Click
This Link, Or The Ones Below To Study The Book of "II Samuel" Online
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