GetPassageurn:cts:pbc:bible.parallel.eng.kingjames:10urn:cts:pbc:bible.parallel.eng.kingjames:10Now 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 ; 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 . And David said unto him , From whence comest thou ? And he said unto him , Out of the camp of Israel am I escaped . 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 . And David said unto the young man that told him , How knowest thou that Saul and Jonathan his son be dead ? 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 . And when he looked behind him , he saw me , and called unto me . And I answered , Here am I . And he said unto me , Who art thou ? And I answered him , I am an Amalekite . And 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 . 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 . Then David took hold on his clothes , and rent them ; and likewise all the men that were with him : 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 . 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 . And David said unto him , How wast thou not afraid to stretch forth thine hand to destroy the LORD's anointed ? And David called one of the young men , and said , Go near , and fall upon him . And he smote him that he died . 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 . And David lamented with this lamentation over Saul and over Jonathan his son : ( Also he bade them teach the children of Judah the use of the bow : behold , it is written in the book of Jasher . ) The beauty of Israel is slain upon thy high places : how are the mighty fallen ! 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 . 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 . 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 . 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 . Ye daughters of Israel , weep over Saul , who clothed you in scarlet , with other delights , who put on ornaments of gold upon your apparel . How are the mighty fallen in the midst of the battle ! O Jonathan , thou was slain in thine high places . 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 . How are the mighty fallen , and the weapons of war perished ! And it came to pass after this , that David inquired 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 . So David went up thither , and his two wives also , Ahinoam the Jezreelitess , and Abigail Nabal's wife the Carmelite . And his men that were with him did David bring up , every man with his household : and they dwelt in the cities of Hebron . 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 Jabesh-gilead were they that buried Saul . And David sent messengers unto the men of Jabesh-gilead , 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 . And now the LORD shew kindness and truth unto you : and I also will requite you this kindness , because ye have done this thing . 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 . But Abner the son of Ner , captain of Saul's host , took Ish-bosheth the son of Saul , and brought him over to Mahanaim ; And made him king over Gilead , and over the Ashurites , and over Jezreel , and over Ephraim , and over Benjamin , and over all Israel . Ish-bosheth 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 . And the time that David was king in Hebron over the house of Judah was seven years and six months . And Abner the son of Ner , and the servants of Ish-bosheth the son of Saul , went out from Mahanaim to Gibeon . 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 . And Abner said to Joab , Let the young men now arise , and play before us . And Joab said , Let them arise . Then there arose and went over by number twelve of Benjamin , which pertained to Ish-bosheth the son of Saul , and twelve of the servants of David . 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 Helkath-hazzurim , which is in Gibeon . And there was a very sore battle that day ; and Abner was beaten , and the men of Israel , before the servants of David . And there were three sons of Zeruiah there , Joab , and Abishai , and Asahel : and Asahel was as light of foot as a wild roe . And Asahel pursued after Abner ; and in going he turned not to the right hand nor to the left from following Abner . Then Abner looked behind him , and said , Art thou Asahel ? And he answered , I am . 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 . 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 ? 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 . 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 . And the children of Benjamin gathered themselves together after Abner , and became one troop , and stood on the top of an hill . 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 ? 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 . So Joab blew a trumpet , and all the people stood still , and pursued after Israel no more , neither fought they any more . 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 . 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 . But the servants of David had smitten of Benjamin , and of Abner's men , so that three hundred and threescore men died . 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 . 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 . And unto David were sons born in Hebron : and his firstborn was Amnon , of Ahinoam the Jezreelitess ; 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 ; And the fourth , Adonijah the son of Haggith ; and the fifth , Shephatiah the son of Abital ; And the sixth , Ithream , by Eglah David's wife . These were born to David in Hebron . 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 . And Saul had a concubine , whose name was Rizpah , the daughter of Aiah : and Ish-bosheth said to Abner , Wherefore hast thou gone in unto my father's concubine ? Then was Abner very wroth for the words of Ish-bosheth , 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 ? So do God to Abner , and more also , except , as the LORD hath sworn to David , even so I do to him ; 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 Beer-sheba . And he could not answer Abner a word again , because he feared him . 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 . 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 . And David sent messengers to Ish-bosheth Saul's son , saying , Deliver me my wife Michal , which I espoused to me for an hundred foreskins of the Philistines . And Ish-bosheth sent , and took her from her husband , even from Phaltiel the son of Laish . And her husband went with her along weeping behind her to Bahurim . Then said Abner unto him , Go , return . And he returned . And Abner had communication with the elders of Israel , saying , Ye sought for David in times past to be king over you : 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 . 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 . 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 . 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 . 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 . 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 . 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 ? 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 . 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 . 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 . 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 : 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 . So Joab and Abishai his brother slew Abner , because he had slain their brother Asahel at Gibeon in the battle . 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 . 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 . And the king lamented over Abner , and said , Died Abner as a fool dieth ? 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 . 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 . And all the people took notice of it , and it pleased them : as whatsoever the king did pleased all the people . For all the people and all Israel understood that day that it was not of the king to slay Abner the son of Ner . And the king said unto his servants , Know ye not that there is a prince and a great man fallen this day in Israel ? 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 . And when Saul's son heard that Abner was dead in Hebron , his hands were feeble , and all the Israelites were troubled . 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 : And the Beerothites fled to Gittaim , and were sojourners there until this day . ) 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 . And the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite , Rechab and Baanah , went , and came about the heat of the day to the house of Ish-bosheth , who lay on a bed at noon . 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 . 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 . And they brought the head of Ish-bosheth unto David to Hebron , and said to the king , Behold the head of Ish-bosheth 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 . 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 , 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 : 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 ? 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 Ish-bosheth , and buried it in the sepulchre of Abner in Hebron . Then came all the tribes of Israel to David unto Hebron , and spake , saying , Behold , we are thy bone and thy flesh . 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 . 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 . David was thirty years old when he began to reign , and he reigned forty years . 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 . 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 . Nevertheless David took the strong hold of Zion : the same is the city of David . 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 . So David dwelt in the fort , and called it the city of David . And David built round about from Millo and inward . And David went on , and grew great , and the LORD God of hosts was with him . And Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David , and cedar trees , and carpenters , and masons : and they built David an house . 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 . 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 . And these be the names of those that were born unto him in Jerusalem ; Shammua , and Shobab , and Nathan , and Solomon , Ibhar also , and Elishua , and Nepheg , and Japhia , And Elishama , and Eliada , and Eliphalet . 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 . The Philistines also came and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim . And David inquired 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 . And David came to Baal-perazim , 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 Baal-perazim . And there they left their images , and David and his men burned them . And the Philistines came up yet again , and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim . And when David inquired 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 . 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 . And David did so , as the LORD had commanded him ; and smote the Philistines from Geba until thou come to Gazer . Again , David gathered together all the chosen men of Israel , thirty thousand . 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 . 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 . 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 . 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 . 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 . 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 . And David was displeased , because the LORD had made a breach upon Uzzah : and he called the name of the place Perez-uzzah to this day . And David was afraid of the LORD that day , and said , How shall the ark of the LORD come to me ? 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 Obed-edom the Gittite . And the ark of the LORD continued in the house of Obed-edom the Gittite three months : and the LORD blessed Obed-edom , and all his household . And it was told king David , saying , The LORD hath blessed the house of Obed-edom , 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 Obed-edom into the city of David with gladness . And it was so , that when they that bare the ark of the LORD had gone six paces , he sacrificed oxen and fatlings . And David danced before the LORD with all his might ; and David was girded with a linen ephod . So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the LORD with shouting , and with the sound of the trumpet . 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 . 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 . 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 . 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 . 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 ! 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 . 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 . Therefore Michal the daughter of Saul had no child unto the day of her death . 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 ; 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 . And Nathan said to the king , Go , do all that is in thine heart ; for the LORD is with thee . And it came to pass that night , that the word of the LORD came unto Nathan , saying , Go and tell my servant David , Thus saith the LORD , Shalt thou build me an house for me to dwell in ? 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 . 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 ? 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 : 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 . 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 , 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 . 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 . He shall build an house for my name , and I will stablish the throne of his kingdom for ever . 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 : But my mercy shall not depart away from him , as I took it from Saul , whom I put away before thee . And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before thee : thy throne shall be established for ever . According to all these words , and according to all this vision , so did Nathan speak unto David . 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 ? 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 ? And what can David say more unto thee ? for thou , Lord GOD , knowest thy servant . For thy word's sake , and according to thine own heart , hast thou done all these great things , to make thy servant know them . 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 . 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 ? For thou hast confirmed to thyself thy people Israel to be a people unto thee for ever : and thou , LORD , art become their God . 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 . 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 . 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 . And now , O Lord GOD , thou art that God , and thy words be true , and thou hast promised this goodness unto thy servant : 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 . And after this it came to pass , that David smote the Philistines , and subdued them : and David took Metheg-ammah out of the hand of the Philistines . 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 . David smote also Hadadezer , the son of Rehob , king of Zobah , as he went to recover his border at the river Euphrates . 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 . And when the Syrians of Damascus came to succour Hadadezer king of Zobah , David slew of the Syrians two and twenty thousand men . 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 . And David took the shields of gold that were on the servants of Hadadezer , and brought them to Jerusalem . And from Betah , and from Berothai , cities of Hadadezer , king David took exceeding much brass . When Toi king of Hamath heard that David had smitten all the host of Hadadezer , 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 : Which also king David did dedicate unto the LORD , with the silver and gold that he had dedicated of all nations which he subdued ; 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 . And David gat him a name when he returned from smiting of the Syrians in the valley of salt , being eighteen thousand men . 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 . And David reigned over all Israel ; and David executed judgment and justice unto all his people . And Joab the son of Zeruiah was over the host ; and Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was recorder ; And Zadok the son of Ahitub , and Ahimelech the son of Abiathar , were the priests ; and Seraiah was the scribe ; And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over both the Cherethites and the Pelethites ; and David's sons were chief rulers . 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 ? 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 . 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 . 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 Lo-debar . Then king David sent , and fetched him out of the house of Machir , the son of Ammiel , from Lo-debar . 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 ! 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 . And he bowed himself , and said , What is thy servant , that thou shouldest look upon such a dead dog as I am ? 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 . 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 . 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 . And Mephibosheth had a young son , whose name was Micha . And all that dwelt in the house of Ziba were servants unto Mephibosheth . So Mephibosheth dwelt in Jerusalem : for he did eat continually at the king's table ; and was lame on both his feet . And it came to pass after this , that the king of the children of Ammon died , and Hanun his son reigned in his stead . 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 . 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 ? 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 . 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 . And when the children of Ammon saw that they stank before David , the children of Ammon sent and hired the Syrians of Beth-rehob , and the Syrians of Zoba , twenty thousand footmen , and of king Maacah a thousand men , and of Ish-tob twelve thousand men . And when David heard of it , he sent Joab , and all the host of the mighty men . 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 Ish-tob , and Maacah , were by themselves in the field . 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 : 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 . 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 . 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 . And Joab drew nigh , and the people that were with him , unto the battle against the Syrians : and they fled before him . 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 . And when the Syrians saw that they were smitten before Israel , they gathered themselves together . 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 . 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 . 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 . 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 . 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 . 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 . And David sent and inquired after the woman . And one said , Is not this Bath-sheba , the daughter of Eliam , the wife of Uriah the Hittite ? 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 . And the woman conceived , and sent and told David , and said , I am with child . And David sent to Joab , saying , Send me Uriah the Hittite . And Joab sent Uriah to David . And when Uriah was come unto him , David demanded of him how Joab did , and how the people did , and how the war prospered . 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 . 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 . 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 ? 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 . 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 . 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 . And it came to pass in the morning , that David wrote a letter to Joab , and sent it by the hand of Uriah . 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 . And it came to pass , when Joab observed the city , that he assigned Uriah unto a place where he knew that valiant men were . 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 . Then Joab sent and told David all the things concerning the war ; And charged the messenger , saying , When thou hast made an end of telling the matters of the war unto the king , 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 ? 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 . So the messenger went , and came and shewed David all that Joab had sent him for . 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 . 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 . 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 . And when the wife of Uriah heard that Uriah her husband was dead , she mourned for her husband . 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 . 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 . The rich man had exceeding many flocks and herds : 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 . 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 . 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 : And he shall restore the lamb fourfold , because he did this thing , and because he had no pity . 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 ; 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 . 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 . 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 . 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 . For thou didst it secretly : but I will do this thing before all Israel , and before the sun . 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 . 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 . And Nathan departed unto his house . And the LORD struck the child that Uriah's wife bare unto David , and it was very sick . David therefore besought God for the child ; and David fasted , and went in , and lay all night upon the earth . 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 . 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 ? 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 . 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 . 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 . 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 ? 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 . And David comforted Bath-sheba 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 . And he sent by the hand of Nathan the prophet ; and he called his name Jedidiah , because of the LORD . And Joab fought against Rabbah of the children of Ammon , and took the royal city . And Joab sent messengers to David , and said , I have fought against Rabbah , and have taken the city of waters . 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 . And David gathered all the people together , and went to Rabbah , and fought against it , and took it . 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 . 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 . And it came to pass after this , that Absalom the son of David had a fair sister , whose name was Tamar ; and Amnon the son of David loved her . And Amnon was so vexed , that he fell sick for his sister Tamar ; for she was a virgin ; and Amnon thought it hard for him to do any thing to her . But Amnon had a friend , whose name was Jonadab , the son of Shimeah David's brother : and Jonadab was a very subtil man . And he said unto him , Why art thou , being the king's son , lean from day to day ? wilt thou not tell me ? And Amnon said unto him , I love Tamar , my brother Absalom's sister . And Jonadab said unto him , Lay thee down on thy bed , and make thyself sick : and when thy father cometh to see thee , say unto him , I pray thee , let my sister Tamar come , and give me meat , and dress the meat in my sight , that I may see it , and eat it at her hand . So Amnon lay down , and made himself sick : and when the king was come to see him , Amnon said unto the king , I pray thee , let Tamar my sister come , and make me a couple of cakes in my sight , that I may eat at her hand . Then David sent home to Tamar , saying , Go now to thy brother Amnon's house , and dress him meat . So Tamar went to her brother Amnon's house ; and he was laid down . And she took flour , and kneaded it , and made cakes in his sight , and did bake the cakes . And she took a pan , and poured them out before him ; but he refused to eat . And Amnon said , Have out all men from me . And they went out every man from him . And Amnon said unto Tamar , Bring the meat into the chamber , that I may eat of thine hand . And Tamar took the cakes which she had made , and brought them into the chamber to Amnon her brother . And when she had brought them unto him to eat , he took hold of her , and said unto her , Come lie with me , my sister . And she answered him , Nay , my brother , do not force me ; for no such thing ought to be done in Israel : do not thou this folly . And I , whither shall I cause my shame to go ? and as for thee , thou shalt be as one of the fools in Israel . Now therefore , I pray thee , speak unto the king ; for he will not withhold me from thee . Howbeit he would not hearken unto her voice : but , being stronger than she , forced her , and lay with her . Then Amnon hated her exceedingly ; so that the hatred wherewith he hated her was greater than the love wherewith he had loved her . And Amnon said unto her , Arise , be gone . And she said unto him , There is no cause : this evil in sending me away is greater than the other that thou didst unto me . But he would not hearken unto her . Then he called his servant that ministered unto him , and said , Put now this woman out from me , and bolt the door after her . And she had a garment of divers colours upon her : for with such robes were the king's daughters that were virgins apparelled . Then his servant brought her out , and bolted the door after her . And Tamar put ashes on her head , and rent her garment of divers colours that was on her , and laid her hand on her head , and went on crying . And Absalom her brother said unto her , Hath Amnon thy brother been with thee ? but hold now thy peace , my sister : he is thy brother ; regard not this thing . So Tamar remained desolate in her brother Absalom's house . But when king David heard of all these things , he was very wroth . And Absalom spake unto his brother Amnon neither good nor bad : for Absalom hated Amnon , because he had forced his sister Tamar . And it came to pass after two full years , that Absalom had sheepshearers in Baal-hazor , which is beside Ephraim : and Absalom invited all the king's sons . And Absalom came to the king , and said , Behold now , thy servant hath sheepshearers ; let the king , I beseech thee , and his servants go with thy servant . And the king said to Absalom , Nay , my son , let us not all now go , lest we be chargeable unto thee . And he pressed him : howbeit he would not go , but blessed him . Then said Absalom , If not , I pray thee , let my brother Amnon go with us . And the king said unto him , Why should he go with thee ? But Absalom pressed him , that he let Amnon and all the king's sons go with him . Now Absalom had commanded his servants , saying , Mark ye now when Amnon's heart is merry with wine , and when I say unto you , Smite Amnon ; then kill him , fear not : have not I commanded you ? be courageous and be valiant . And the servants of Absalom did unto Amnon as Absalom had commanded . Then all the king's sons arose , and every man gat him up upon his mule , and fled . And it came to pass , while they were in the way , that tidings came to David , saying , Absalom hath slain all the king's sons , and there is not one of them left . Then the king arose , and tare his garments , and lay on the earth ; and all his servants stood by with their clothes rent . And Jonadab , the son of Shimeah David's brother , answered and said , Let not my lord suppose that they have slain all the young men the king's sons ; for Amnon only is dead : for by the appointment of Absalom this hath been determined from the day that he forced his sister Tamar . Now therefore let not my lord the king take the thing to his heart , to think that all the king's sons are dead : for Amnon only is dead . But Absalom fled . And the young man that kept the watch lifted up his eyes , and looked , and , behold , there came much people by the way of the hill side behind him . And Jonadab said unto the king , Behold , the king's sons come : as thy servant said , so it is . And it came to pass , as soon as he had made an end of speaking , that , behold , the king's sons came , and lifted up their voice and wept : and the king also and all his servants wept very sore . But Absalom fled , and went to Talmai , the son of Ammihud , king of Geshur . And David mourned for his son every day . So Absalom fled , and went to Geshur , and was there three years . And the soul of king David longed to go forth unto Absalom : for he was comforted concerning Amnon , seeing he was dead . Now Joab the son of Zeruiah perceived that the king's heart was toward Absalom . And Joab sent to Tekoah , and fetched thence a wise woman , and said unto her , I pray thee , feign thyself to be a mourner , and put on now mourning apparel , and anoint not thyself with oil , but be as a woman that had a long time mourned for the dead : And come to the king , and speak on this manner unto him . So Joab put the words in her mouth . And when the woman of Tekoah spake to the king , she fell on her face to the ground , and did obeisance , and said , Help , O king . And the king said unto her , What aileth thee ? And she answered , I am indeed a widow woman , and mine husband is dead . And thy handmaid had two sons , and they two strove together in the field , and there was none to part them , but the one smote the other , and slew him . And , behold , the whole family is risen against thine handmaid , and they said , Deliver him that smote his brother , that we may kill him , for the life of his brother whom he slew ; and we will destroy the heir also : and so they shall quench my coal which is left , and shall not leave to my husband neither name nor remainder upon the earth . And the king said unto the woman , Go to thine house , and I will give charge concerning thee . And the woman of Tekoah said unto the king , My lord , O king , the iniquity be on me , and on my father's house : and the king and his throne be guiltless . And the king said , Whosoever saith ought unto thee , bring him to me , and he shall not touch thee any more . Then said she , I pray thee , let the king remember the LORD thy God , that thou wouldest not suffer the revengers of blood to destroy any more , lest they destroy my son . And he said , As the LORD liveth , there shall not one hair of thy son fall to the earth . Then the woman said , Let thine handmaid , I pray thee , speak one word unto my lord the king . And he said , Say on . And the woman said , Wherefore then hast thou thought such a thing against the people of God ? for the king doth speak this thing as one which is faulty , in that the king doth not fetch home again his banished . For we must needs die , and are as water spilt on the ground , which cannot be gathered up again ; neither doth God respect any person : yet doth he devise means , that his banished be not expelled from him . Now therefore that I am come to speak of this thing unto my lord the king , it is because the people have made me afraid : and thy handmaid said , I will now speak unto the king ; it may be that the king will perform the request of his handmaid . For the king will hear , to deliver his handmaid out of the hand of the man that would destroy me and my son together out of the inheritance of God . Then thine handmaid said , The word of my lord the king shall now be comfortable : for as an angel of God , so is my lord the king to discern good and bad : therefore the LORD thy God will be with thee . Then the king answered and said unto the woman , Hide not from me , I pray thee , the thing that I shall ask thee . And the woman said , Let my lord the king now speak . And the king said , Is not the hand of Joab with thee in all this ? And the woman answered and said , As thy soul liveth , my lord the king , none can turn to the right hand or to the left from ought that my lord the king hath spoken : for thy servant Joab , he bade me , and he put all these words in the mouth of thine handmaid : To fetch about this form of speech hath thy servant Joab done this thing : and my lord is wise , according to the wisdom of an angel of God , to know all things that are in the earth . And the king said unto Joab , Behold now , I have done this thing : go therefore , bring the young man Absalom again . And Joab fell to the ground on his face , and bowed himself , and thanked the king : and Joab said , To day thy servant knoweth that I have found grace in thy sight , my lord , O king , in that the king hath fulfilled the request of his servant . So Joab arose and went to Geshur , and brought Absalom to Jerusalem . And the king said , Let him turn to his own house , and let him not see my face . So Absalom returned to his own house , and saw not the king's face . But in all Israel there was none to be so much praised as Absalom for his beauty : from the sole of his foot even to the crown of his head there was no blemish in him . And when he polled his head , ( for it was at every year's end that he polled it : because the hair was heavy on him , therefore he polled it : ) he weighed the hair of his head at two hundred shekels after the king's weight . And unto Absalom there were born three sons , and one daughter , whose name was Tamar : she was a woman of a fair countenance . So Absalom dwelt two full years in Jerusalem , and saw not the king's face . Therefore Absalom sent for Joab , to have sent him to the king ; but he would not come to him : and when he sent again the second time , he would not come . Therefore he said unto his servants , See , Joab's field is near mine , and he hath barley there ; go and set it on fire . And Absalom's servants set the field on fire . Then Joab arose , and came to Absalom unto his house , and said unto him , Wherefore have thy servants set my field on fire ? And Absalom answered Joab , Behold , I sent unto thee , saying , Come hither , that I may send thee to the king , to say , Wherefore am I come from Geshur ? it had been good for me to have been there still : now therefore let me see the king's face ; and if there be any iniquity in me , let him kill me . So Joab came to the king , and told him : and when he had called for Absalom , he came to the king , and bowed himself on his face to the ground before the king : and the king kissed Absalom . And it came to pass after this , that Absalom prepared him chariots and horses , and fifty men to run before him . And Absalom rose up early , and stood beside the way of the gate : and it was so , that when any man that had a controversy came to the king for judgment , then Absalom called unto him , and said , Of what city art thou ? And he said , Thy servant is of one of the tribes of Israel . And Absalom said unto him , See , thy matters are good and right ; but there is no man deputed of the king to hear thee . Absalom said moreover , Oh that I were made judge in the land , that every man which hath any suit or cause might come unto me , and I would do him justice ! And it was so , that when any man came nigh to him to do him obeisance , he put forth his hand , and took him , and kissed him . And on this manner did Absalom to all Israel that came to the king for judgment : so Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel . And it came to pass after forty years , that Absalom said unto the king , I pray thee , let me go and pay my vow , which I have vowed unto the LORD , in Hebron . For thy servant vowed a vow while I abode at Geshur in Syria , saying , If the LORD shall bring me again indeed to Jerusalem , then I will serve the LORD . And the king said unto him , Go in peace . So he arose , and went to Hebron . But Absalom sent spies throughout all the tribes of Israel , saying , As soon as ye hear the sound of the trumpet , then ye shall say , Absalom reigneth in Hebron . And with Absalom went two hundred men out of Jerusalem , that were called ; and they went in their simplicity , and they knew not any thing . And Absalom sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite , David's counseller , from his city , even from Giloh , while he offered sacrifices . And the conspiracy was strong ; for the people increased continually with Absalom . And there came a messenger to David , saying , The hearts of the men of Israel are after Absalom . And David said unto all his servants that were with him at Jerusalem , Arise , and let us flee ; for we shall not else escape from Absalom : make speed to depart , lest he overtake us suddenly , and bring evil upon us , and smite the city with the edge of the sword . And the king's servants said unto the king , Behold , thy servants are ready to do whatsoever my lord the king shall appoint . And the king went forth , and all his household after him . And the king left ten women , which were concubines , to keep the house . And the king went forth , and all the people after him , and tarried in a place that was far off . And all his servants passed on beside him ; and all the Cherethites , and all the Pelethites , and all the Gittites , six hundred men which came after him from Gath , passed on before the king . Then said the king to Ittai the Gittite , Wherefore goest thou also with us ? return to thy place , and abide with the king : for thou art a stranger , and also an exile . Whereas thou camest but yesterday , should I this day make thee go up and down with us ? seeing I go whither I may , return thou , and take back thy brethren : mercy and truth be with thee . And Ittai answered the king , and said , As the LORD liveth , and as my lord the king liveth , surely in what place my lord the king shall be , whether in death or life , even there also will thy servant be . And David said to Ittai , Go and pass over . And Ittai the Gittite passed over , and all his men , and all the little ones that were with him . And all the country wept with a loud voice , and all the people passed over : the king also himself passed over the brook Kidron , and all the people passed over , toward the way of the wilderness . And lo Zadok also , and all the Levites were with him , bearing the ark of the covenant of God : and they set down the ark of God ; and Abiathar went up , until all the people had done passing out of the city . And the king said unto Zadok , Carry back the ark of God into the city : if I shall find favour in the eyes of the LORD , he will bring me again , and shew me both it , and his habitation : But if he thus say , I have no delight in thee ; behold , here am I , let him do to me as seemeth good unto him . The king said also unto Zadok the priest , Art not thou a seer ? return into the city in peace , and your two sons with you , Ahimaaz thy son , and Jonathan the son of Abiathar . See , I will tarry in the plain of the wilderness , until there come word from you to certify me . Zadok therefore and Abiathar carried the ark of God again to Jerusalem : and they tarried there . And David went up by the ascent of mount Olivet , and wept as he went up , and had his head covered , and he went barefoot : and all the people that was with him covered every man his head , and they went up , weeping as they went up . And one told David , saying , Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom . And David said , O LORD , I pray thee , turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness . And it came to pass , that when David was come to the top of the mount , where he worshipped God , behold , Hushai the Archite came to meet him with his coat rent , and earth upon his head : Unto whom David said , If thou passest on with me , then thou shalt be a burden unto me : But if thou return to the city , and say unto Absalom , I will be thy servant , O king ; as I have been thy father's servant hitherto , so will I now also be thy servant : then mayest thou for me defeat the counsel of Ahithophel . And hast thou not there with thee Zadok and Abiathar the priests ? therefore it shall be , that what thing soever thou shalt hear out of the king's house , thou shalt tell it to Zadok and Abiathar the priests . Behold , they have there with them their two sons , Ahimaaz Zadok's son , and Jonathan Abiathar's son ; and by them ye shall send unto me every thing that ye can hear . So Hushai David's friend came into the city , and Absalom came into Jerusalem . 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 . 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 . 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 . 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 . 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 . 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 . And thus said Shimei when he cursed , Come out , come out , thou bloody man , and thou man of Belial : 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 . 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 . 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 ? 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 . It may be that the LORD will look on mine affliction , and that the LORD will requite me good for his cursing this day . 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 . And the king , and all the people that were with him , came weary , and refreshed themselves there . And Absalom , and all the people the men of Israel , came to Jerusalem , and Ahithophel with him . 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 . And Absalom said to Hushai , Is this thy kindness to thy friend ? why wentest thou not with thy friend ? 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 . 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 . Then said Absalom to Ahithophel , Give counsel among you what we shall do . 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 . 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 . And the counsel of Ahithophel , which he counselled in those days , was as if a man had inquired at the oracle of God : so was all the counsel of Ahithophel both with David and with Absalom . Moreover Ahithophel said unto Absalom , Let me now choose out twelve thousand men , and I will arise and pursue after David this night : 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 : 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 . And the saying pleased Absalom well , and all the elders of Israel . Then said Absalom , Call now Hushai the Archite also , and let us hear likewise what he saith . 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 . And Hushai said unto Absalom , The counsel that Ahithophel hath given is not good at this time . 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 . 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 . 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 . Therefore I counsel that all Israel be generally gathered unto thee , from Dan even to Beer-sheba , as the sand that is by the sea for multitude ; and that thou go to battle in thine own person . 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 . 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 . 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 . 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 . 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 . Now Jonathan and Ahimaaz stayed by En-rogel ; 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 . 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 . And the woman took and spread a covering over the well's mouth , and spread ground corn thereon ; and the thing was not known . 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 . 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 . 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 . 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 . Then David came to Mahanaim . And Absalom passed over Jordan , he and all the men of Israel with him . 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 . So Israel and Absalom pitched in the land of Gilead . 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 Lo-debar , and Barzillai the Gileadite of Rogelim , Brought beds , and basons , and earthen vessels , and wheat , and barley , and flour , and parched corn , and beans , and lentiles , and parched pulse , 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 . And David numbered the people that were with him , and set captains of thousands and captains of hundreds over them . And David sent forth a third part of the people under the hand of Joab , and a third part under the hand of Abishai the son of Zeruiah , Joab's brother , and a third part under the hand of Ittai the Gittite . And the king said unto the people , I will surely go forth with you myself also . But the people answered , Thou shalt not go forth : for if we flee away , they will not care for us ; neither if half of us die , will they care for us : but now thou art worth ten thousand of us : therefore now it is better that thou succour us out of the city . And the king said unto them , What seemeth you best I will do . And the king stood by the gate side , and all the people came out by hundreds and by thousands . And the king commanded Joab and Abishai and Ittai , saying , Deal gently for my sake with the young man , even with Absalom . And all the people heard when the king gave all the captains charge concerning Absalom . So the people went out into the field against Israel : and the battle was in the wood of Ephraim ; Where the people of Israel were slain before the servants of David , and there was there a great slaughter that day of twenty thousand men . For the battle was there scattered over the face of all the country : and the wood devoured more people that day than the sword devoured . And Absalom met the servants of David . And Absalom rode upon a mule , and the mule went under the thick boughs of a great oak , and his head caught hold of the oak , and he was taken up between the heaven and the earth ; and the mule that was under him went away . And a certain man saw it , and told Joab , and said , Behold , I saw Absalom hanged in an oak . And Joab said unto the man that told him , And , behold , thou sawest him , and why didst thou not smite him there to the ground ? and I would have given thee ten shekels of silver , and a girdle . And the man said unto Joab , Though I should receive a thousand shekels of silver in mine hand , yet would I not put forth mine hand against the king's son : for in our hearing the king charged thee and Abishai and Ittai , saying , Beware that none touch the young man Absalom . Otherwise I should have wrought falsehood against mine own life : for there is no matter hid from the king , and thou thyself wouldest have set thyself against me . Then said Joab , I may not tarry thus with thee . And he took three darts in his hand , and thrust them through the heart of Absalom , while he was yet alive in the midst of the oak . And ten young men that bare Joab's armour compassed about and smote Absalom , and slew him . And Joab blew the trumpet , and the people returned from pursuing after Israel : for Joab held back the people . And they took Absalom , and cast him into a great pit in the wood , and laid a very great heap of stones upon him : and all Israel fled every one to his tent . Now Absalom in his lifetime had taken and reared up for himself a pillar , which is in the king's dale : for he said , I have no son to keep my name in remembrance : and he called the pillar after his own name : and it is called unto this day , Absalom's place . Then said Ahimaaz the son of Zadok , Let me now run , and bear the king tidings , how that the LORD hath avenged him of his enemies . And Joab said unto him , Thou shalt not bear tidings this day , but thou shalt bear tidings another day : but this day thou shalt bear no tidings , because the king's son is dead . Then said Joab to Cushi , Go tell the king what thou hast seen . And Cushi bowed himself unto Joab , and ran . Then said Ahimaaz the son of Zadok yet again to Joab , But howsoever , let me , I pray thee , also run after Cushi . And Joab said , Wherefore wilt thou run , my son , seeing that thou hast no tidings ready ? But howsoever , said he , let me run . And he said unto him , Run . Then Ahimaaz ran by the way of the plain , and overran Cushi . And David sat between the two gates : and the watchman went up to the roof over the gate unto the wall , and lifted up his eyes , and looked , and behold a man running alone . And the watchman cried , and told the king . And the king said , If he be alone , there is tidings in his mouth . And he came apace , and drew near . And the watchman saw another man running : and the watchman called unto the porter , and said , Behold another man running alone . And the king said , He also bringeth tidings . And the watchman said , Me thinketh the running of the foremost is like the running of Ahimaaz the son of Zadok . And the king said , He is a good man , and cometh with good tidings . And Ahimaaz called , and said unto the king , All is well . And he fell down to the earth upon his face before the king , and said , Blessed be the LORD thy God , which hath delivered up the men that lifted up their hand against my lord the king . And the king said , Is the young man Absalom safe ? And Ahimaaz answered , When Joab sent the king's servant , and me thy servant , I saw a great tumult , but I knew not what it was . And the king said unto him , Turn aside , and stand here . And he turned aside , and stood still . And , behold , Cushi came ; and Cushi said , Tidings , my lord the king : for the LORD hath avenged thee this day of all them that rose up against thee . And the king said unto Cushi , Is the young man Absalom safe ? And Cushi answered , The enemies of my lord the king , and all that rise against thee to do thee hurt , be as that young man is . And the king was much moved , and went up to the chamber over the gate , and wept : and as he went , thus he said , O my son Absalom , my son , my son Absalom ! would God I had died for thee , O Absalom , my son , my son ! And it was told Joab , Behold , the king weepeth and mourneth for Absalom . And the victory that day was turned into mourning unto all the people : for the people heard say that day how the king was grieved for his son . And the people gat them by stealth that day into the city , as people being ashamed steal away when they flee in battle . But the king covered his face , and the king cried with a loud voice , O my son Absalom , O Absalom , my son , my son ! And Joab came into the house to the king , and said , Thou hast shamed this day the faces of all thy servants , which this day have saved thy life , and the lives of thy sons and of thy daughters , and the lives of thy wives , and the lives of thy concubines ; In that thou lovest thine enemies , and hatest thy friends . For thou hast declared this day , that thou regardest neither princes nor servants : for this day I perceive , that if Absalom had lived , and all we had died this day , then it had pleased thee well . Now therefore arise , go forth , and speak comfortably unto thy servants : for I swear by the LORD , if thou go not forth , there will not tarry one with thee this night : and that will be worse unto thee than all the evil that befell thee from thy youth until now . Then the king arose , and sat in the gate . And they told unto all the people , saying , Behold , the king doth sit in the gate . And all the people came before the king : for Israel had fled every man to his tent . And all the people were at strife throughout all the tribes of Israel , saying , The king saved us out of the hand of our enemies , and he delivered us out of the hand of the Philistines ; and now he is fled out of the land for Absalom . And Absalom , whom we anointed over us , is dead in battle . Now therefore why speak ye not a word of bringing the king back ? And king David sent to Zadok and to Abiathar the priests , saying , Speak unto the elders of Judah , saying , Why are ye the last to bring the king back to his house ? seeing the speech of all Israel is come to the king , even to his house . Ye are my brethren , ye are my bones and my flesh : wherefore then are ye the last to bring back the king ? And say ye to Amasa , Art thou not of my bone , and of my flesh ? God do so to me , and more also , if thou be not captain of the host before me continually in the room of Joab . And he bowed the heart of all the men of Judah , even as the heart of one man ; so that they sent this word unto the king , Return thou , and all thy servants . So the king returned , and came to Jordan . And Judah came to Gilgal , to go to meet the king , to conduct the king over Jordan . And Shimei the son of Gera , a Benjamite , which was of Bahurim , hasted and came down with the men of Judah to meet king David . And there were a thousand men of Benjamin with him , and Ziba the servant of the house of Saul , and his fifteen sons and his twenty servants with him ; and they went over Jordan before the king . And there went over a ferry boat to carry over the king's household , and to do what he thought good . And Shimei the son of Gera fell down before the king , as he was come over Jordan ; And said unto the king , Let not my lord impute iniquity unto me , neither do thou remember that which thy servant did perversely the day that my lord the king went out of Jerusalem , that the king should take it to his heart . For thy servant doth know that I have sinned : therefore , behold , I am come the first this day of all the house of Joseph to go down to meet my lord the king . But Abishai the son of Zeruiah answered and said , Shall not Shimei be put to death for this , because he cursed the LORD's anointed ? And David said , What have I to do with you , ye sons of Zeruiah , that ye should this day be adversaries unto me ? shall there any man be put to death this day in Israel ? for do not I know that I am this day king over Israel ? Therefore the king said unto Shimei , Thou shalt not die . And the king sware unto him . And Mephibosheth the son of Saul came down to meet the king , and had neither dressed his feet , nor trimmed his beard , nor washed his clothes , from the day the king departed until the day he came again in peace . And it came to pass , when he was come to Jerusalem to meet the king , that the king said unto him , Wherefore wentest not thou with me , Mephibosheth ? And he answered , My lord , O king , my servant deceived me : for thy servant said , I will saddle me an ass , that I may ride thereon , and go to the king ; because thy servant is lame . And he hath slandered thy servant unto my lord the king ; but my lord the king is as an angel of God : do therefore what is good in thine eyes . For all of my father's house were but dead men before my lord the king : yet didst thou set thy servant among them that did eat at thine own table . What right therefore have I yet to cry any more unto the king ? And the king said unto him , Why speakest thou any more of thy matters ? I have said , Thou and Ziba divide the land . And Mephibosheth said unto the king , Yea , let him take all , forasmuch as my lord the king is come again in peace unto his own house . And Barzillai the Gileadite came down from Rogelim , and went over Jordan with the king , to conduct him over Jordan . Now Barzillai was a very aged man , even fourscore years old : and he had provided the king of sustenance while he lay at Mahanaim ; for he was a very great man . And the king said unto Barzillai , Come thou over with me , and I will feed thee with me in Jerusalem . And Barzillai said unto the king , How long have I to live , that I should go up with the king unto Jerusalem ? I am this day fourscore years old : and can I discern between good and evil ? can thy servant taste what I eat or what I drink ? can I hear any more the voice of singing men and singing women ? wherefore then should thy servant be yet a burden unto my lord the king ? Thy servant will go a little way over Jordan with the king : and why should the king recompense it me with such a reward ? Let thy servant , I pray thee , turn back again , that I may die in mine own city , and be buried by the grave of my father and of my mother . But behold thy servant Chimham ; let him go over with my lord the king ; and do to him what shall seem good unto thee . And the king answered , Chimham shall go over with me , and I will do to him that which shall seem good unto thee : and whatsoever thou shalt require of me , that will I do for thee . And all the people went over Jordan . And when the king was come over , the king kissed Barzillai , and blessed him ; and he returned unto his own place . Then the king went on to Gilgal , and Chimham went on with him : and all the people of Judah conducted the king , and also half the people of Israel . And , behold , all the men of Israel came to the king , and said unto the king , Why have our brethren the men of Judah stolen thee away , and have brought the king , and his household , and all David's men with him , over Jordan ? And all the men of Judah answered the men of Israel , Because the king is near of kin to us : wherefore then be ye angry for this matter ? have we eaten at all of the king's cost ? or hath he given us any gift ? And the men of Israel answered the men of Judah , and said , We have ten parts in the king , and we have also more right in David than ye : why then did ye despise us , that our advice should not be first had in bringing back our king ? And the words of the men of Judah were fiercer than the words of the men of Israel . 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 . 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 . 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 . Then said the king to Amasa , Assemble me the men of Judah within three days , and be thou here present . So Amasa went to assemble the men of Judah : but he tarried longer than the set time which he had appointed him . 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 . 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 . 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 . 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 . 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 . 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 . 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 . When he was removed out of the highway , all the people went on after Joab , to pursue after Sheba the son of Bichri . And he went through all the tribes of Israel unto Abel , and to Beth-maachah , and all the Berites : and they were gathered together , and went also after him . And they came and besieged him in Abel of Beth-maachah , 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 . 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 . 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 . 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 . 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 ? And Joab answered and said , Far be it , far be it from me , that I should swallow up or destroy . 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 . 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 . Now Joab was over all the host of Israel : and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and over the Pelethites : And Adoram was over the tribute : and Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was recorder : And Sheva was scribe : and Zadok and Abiathar were the priests : And Ira also the Jairite was a chief ruler about David . Then there was a famine in the days of David three years , year after year ; and David inquired of the LORD . And the LORD answered , It is for Saul , and for his bloody house , because he slew the Gibeonites . 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 . ) 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 ? 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 . 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 , 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 . 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 . 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 : 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 . 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 . And it was told David what Rizpah the daughter of Aiah , the concubine of Saul , had done . And David went and took the bones of Saul and the bones of Jonathan his son from the men of Jabesh-gilead , which had stolen them from the street of Beth-shan , where the Philistines had hanged them , when the Philistines had slain Saul in Gilboa : 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 . 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 . 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 . And Ishbi-benob , 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 . 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 . 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 . And there was again a battle in Gob with the Philistines , where Elhanan the son of Jaare-oregim , a Bethlehemite , slew the brother of Goliath the Gittite , the staff of whose spear was like a weaver's beam . 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 . And when he defied Israel , Jonathan the son of Shimea the brother of David slew him . These four were born to the giant in Gath , and fell by the hand of David , and by the hand of his servants . And David spake unto the LORD the words of this song in the day that the LORD had delivered him out of the hand of all his enemies , and out of the hand of Saul : And he said , The LORD is my rock , and my fortress , and my deliverer ; The God of my rock ; in him will I trust : he is my shield , and the horn of my salvation , my high tower , and my refuge , my saviour ; thou savest me from violence . I will call on the LORD , who is worthy to be praised : so shall I be saved from mine enemies . When the waves of death compassed me , the floods of ungodly men made me afraid ; The sorrows of hell compassed me about ; the snares of death prevented me ; In my distress I called upon the LORD , and cried to my God : and he did hear my voice out of his temple , and my cry did enter into his ears . Then the earth shook and trembled ; the foundations of heaven moved and shook , because he was wroth . There went up a smoke out of his nostrils , and fire out of his mouth devoured : coals were kindled by it . He bowed the heavens also , and came down ; and darkness was under his feet . And he rode upon a cherub , and did fly : and he was seen upon the wings of the wind . And he made darkness pavilions round about him , dark waters , and thick clouds of the skies . Through the brightness before him were coals of fire kindled . The LORD thundered from heaven , and the most High uttered his voice . And he sent out arrows , and scattered them ; lightning , and discomfited them . And the channels of the sea appeared , the foundations of the world were discovered , at the rebuking of the LORD , at the blast of the breath of his nostrils . He sent from above , he took me ; he drew me out of many waters ; He delivered me from my strong enemy , and from them that hated me : for they were too strong for me . They prevented me in the day of my calamity : but the LORD was my stay . He brought me forth also into a large place : he delivered me , because he delighted in me . The LORD rewarded me according to my righteousness : according to the cleanness of my hands hath he recompensed me . For I have kept the ways of the LORD , and have not wickedly departed from my God . For all his judgments were before me : and as for his statutes , I did not depart from them . I was also upright before him , and have kept myself from mine iniquity . Therefore the LORD hath recompensed me according to my righteousness ; according to my cleanness in his eye sight . With the merciful thou wilt shew thyself merciful , and with the upright man thou wilt shew thyself upright . With the pure thou wilt shew thyself pure ; and with the froward thou wilt shew thyself unsavoury . And the afflicted people thou wilt save : but thine eyes are upon the haughty , that thou mayest bring them down . For thou art my lamp , O LORD : and the LORD will lighten my darkness . For by thee I have run through a troop : by my God have I leaped over a wall . As for God , his way is perfect ; the word of the LORD is tried : he is a buckler to all them that trust in him . For who is God , save the LORD ? and who is a rock , save our God ? God is my strength and power : and he maketh my way perfect . He maketh my feet like hinds' feet : and setteth me upon my high places . He teacheth my hands to war ; so that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms . Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation : and thy gentleness hath made me great . Thou hast enlarged my steps under me ; so that my feet did not slip . I have pursued mine enemies , and destroyed them ; and turned not again until I had consumed them . And I have consumed them , and wounded them , that they could not arise : yea , they are fallen under my feet . For thou hast girded me with strength to battle : them that rose up against me hast thou subdued under me . Thou hast also given me the necks of mine enemies , that I might destroy them that hate me . They looked , but there was none to save ; even unto the LORD , but he answered them not . Then did I beat them as small as the dust of the earth , I did stamp them as the mire of the street , and did spread them abroad . Thou also hast delivered me from the strivings of my people , thou hast kept me to be head of the heathen : a people which I knew not shall serve me . Strangers shall submit themselves unto me : as soon as they hear , they shall be obedient unto me . Strangers shall fade away , and they shall be afraid out of their close places . The LORD liveth ; and blessed be my rock ; and exalted be the God of the rock of my salvation . It is God that avengeth me , and that bringeth down the people under me , And that bringeth me forth from mine enemies : thou also hast lifted me up on high above them that rose up against me : thou hast delivered me from the violent man . Therefore I will give thanks unto thee , O LORD , among the heathen , and I will sing praises unto thy name . He is the tower of salvation for his king : and sheweth mercy to his anointed , unto David , and to his seed for evermore . Now these be the last words of David . David the son of Jesse said , and the man who was raised up on high , the anointed of the God of Jacob , and the sweet psalmist of Israel , said , The Spirit of the LORD spake by me , and his word was in my tongue . The God of Israel said , the Rock of Israel spake to me , He that ruleth over men must be just , ruling in the fear of God . And he shall be as the light of the morning , when the sun riseth , even a morning without clouds ; as the tender grass springing out of the earth by clear shining after rain . Although my house be not so with God ; yet he hath made with me an everlasting covenant , ordered in all things , and sure : for this is all my salvation , and all my desire , although he make it not to grow . But the sons of Belial shall be all of them as thorns thrust away , because they cannot be taken with hands : But the man that shall touch them must be fenced with iron and the staff of a spear ; and they shall be utterly burned with fire in the same place . These be the names of the mighty men whom David had : The Tachmonite that sat in the seat , chief among the captains ; the same was Adino the Eznite : he lift up his spear against eight hundred , whom he slew at one time . And after him was Eleazar the son of Dodo the Ahohite , one of the three mighty men with David , when they defied the Philistines that were there gathered together to battle , and the men of Israel were gone away : He arose , and smote the Philistines until his hand was weary , and his hand clave unto the sword : and the LORD wrought a great victory that day ; and the people returned after him only to spoil . And after him was Shammah the son of Agee the Hararite . And the Philistines were gathered together into a troop , where was a piece of ground full of lentiles : and the people fled from the Philistines . But he stood in the midst of the ground , and defended it , and slew the Philistines : and the LORD wrought a great victory . And three of the thirty chief went down , and came to David in the harvest time unto the cave of Adullam : and the troop of the Philistines pitched in the valley of Rephaim . And David was then in an hold , and the garrison of the Philistines was then in Bethlehem . And David longed , and said , Oh that one would give me drink of the water of the well of Bethlehem , which is by the gate ! And the three mighty men brake through the host of the Philistines , and drew water out of the well of Bethlehem , that was by the gate , and took it , and brought it to David : nevertheless he would not drink thereof , but poured it out unto the LORD . And he said , Be it far from me , O LORD , that I should do this : is not this the blood of the men that went in jeopardy of their lives ? therefore he would not drink it . These things did these three mighty men . And Abishai , the brother of Joab , the son of Zeruiah , was chief among three . And he lifted up his spear against three hundred , and slew them , and had the name among three . Was he not most honourable of three ? therefore he was their captain : howbeit he attained not unto the first three . And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada , the son of a valiant man , of Kabzeel , who had done many acts , he slew two lionlike men of Moab : he went down also and slew a lion in the midst of a pit in time of snow : And he slew an Egyptian , a goodly man : and the Egyptian had a spear in his hand ; but he went down to him with a staff , and plucked the spear out of the Egyptian's hand , and slew him with his own spear . These things did Benaiah the son of Jehoiada , and had the name among three mighty men . He was more honourable than the thirty , but he attained not to the first three . And David set him over his guard . Asahel the brother of Joab was one of the thirty ; Elhanan the son of Dodo of Bethlehem , Shammah the Harodite , Elika the Harodite , Helez the Paltite , Ira the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite , Abiezer the Anethothite , Mebunnai the Hushathite , Zalmon the Ahohite , Maharai the Netophathite , Heleb the son of Baanah , a Netophathite , Ittai the son of Ribai out of Gibeah of the children of Benjamin , Benaiah the Pirathonite , Hiddai of the brooks of Gaash , Abi-albon the Arbathite , Azmaveth the Barhumite , Eliahba the Shaalbonite , of the sons of Jashen , Jonathan , Shammah the Hararite , Ahiam the son of Sharar the Hararite , Eliphelet the son of Ahasbai , the son of the Maachathite , Eliam the son of Ahithophel the Gilonite , Hezrai the Carmelite , Paarai the Arbite , Igal the son of Nathan of Zobah , Bani the Gadite , Zelek the Ammonite , Naharai the Beerothite , armourbearer to Joab the son of Zeruiah , Ira an Ithrite , Gareb an Ithrite , Uriah the Hittite : thirty and seven in all . And again the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel , and he moved David against them to say , Go , number Israel and Judah . 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 Beer-sheba , and number ye the people , that I may know the number of the people . 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 ? 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 . 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 : Then they came to Gilead , and to the land of Tahtim-hodshi ; and they came to Dan-jaan , and about to Zidon , And came to the strong hold of Tyre , and to all the cities of the Hibites , and of the Canaanites : and they went out to the south of Judah , even to Beer-sheba . So when they had gone through all the land , they came to Jerusalem at the end of nine months and twenty days . 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 . 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 . For when David was up in the morning , the word of the LORD came unto the prophet Gad , David's seer , saying , 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 . 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 . 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 . 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 Beer-sheba seventy thousand men . 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 . 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 . 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 . And David , according to the saying of Gad , went up as the LORD commanded . 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 . 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 . 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 . All these things did Araunah , as a king , give unto the king . And Araunah said unto the king , The LORD thy God accept thee . 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 . 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 .