Bible in 90 Days

¹¹ This is what the Lord says: ‘See, I will bring trouble against you from your own family. I will take your wives in front of your eyes and give them to your neighbor. He will lie with your wives in the light of day. ¹² You did it in secret. But I will do this in front of all Israel, and under the sun.’” ¹³ Then David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.” And Nathan said to him, “The Lord has taken away your sin. You will not die. ¹⁴ But by this act you have given those who hate the Lord a reason to speak against the Lord. The child that is born to you will die for sure.” ¹⁵ Then Nathan went home.

David’s Son Dies

The Lord sent trouble upon the child of Uriah’s wife and David, so that he was very sick. ¹⁶ David begged God to make the child well. He went without food and lay all night on the ground. ¹⁷ The leaders of his family stood beside him to lift him up from the ground. But David was not willing. He would not eat food with them. ¹⁸ The child died on the seventh day. And David’s servants were afraid to tell him that the child was dead, for they said, “See, we spoke to him while the child was still alive, and he did not listen to us. So how can we tell him the child is dead? He might hurt himself.” ¹⁹ But when David saw his servants speaking together in secret, he understood that the child was dead. He asked his servants, “Is the child dead?” And they said, “He is dead.” ²⁰ So David got up from the ground, washed, poured oil on himself, and changed his clothes. Then he came into the house of the Lord and worshiped. He returned to his own house and asked for food. So they set food in front of him, and he ate. ²¹ Then his servants said to him, “What is this that you have done? While the child was alive, you went without food and cried. But when the child died, you got up and ate food.” ²² David said, “I went without food and cried while the child was still alive, for I said, ‘Who knows? The Lord might be kind to me and let the child live.’ ²³ But now he has died. Why should I go without food? Can I bring him to life again? I will go to him, but he will not return to me.”

Solomon Is Born

²⁴ Then David comforted his wife Bathsheba. He went in and lay with her, and she gave birth to a son. He gave him the name Solomon. The Lord loved him, ²⁵ and sent word through Nathan who spoke for God. And Nathan gave him the name Jedidiah because of the Lord.

David Takes Rabbah

²⁶ Now Joab fought against Rabbah of the sons of Ammon, and took the king’s city. ²⁷ Joab sent men to David, saying, “I have fought against Rabbah. I have taken the city of waters. ²⁸ So gather the rest of the people together. Go against the city and take it, or I will take the city myself and it will be called by my name.” ²⁹ So David gathered all the people and went to Rabbah. He fought against it, and took it. ³⁰ Then he took the very heavy crown from their king’s head. In it were beautiful stones of much worth. The crown was put on David’s head. And he brought a large amount of things out of the city. ³¹ He brought out the people who were in it also. He made them work with saws, sharp iron tools, and iron axes. And he made them work in the heat making building stones. He did this to all the cities of the sons of Ammon. Then David and all the people returned to Jerusalem.

Amnon and Tamar

13 Now David’s son Absalom had a beautiful sister whose name was Tamar. And David’s son Amnon loved her. ² Amnon was so troubled because of his sister Tamar that he became sick. She was a woman who had never had a man, and Amnon thought how hard it would be to have her. ³ But Amnon had a friend whose name was Jonadab. He was the son of David’s brother Shimeah. And Jonadab was very good at making plans. ⁴ He said to Amnon, “O son of the king, why are you so sad from day to day? Will you not tell me?” Amnon said to him, “I am in love with Tamar, the sister of my brother Absalom.” ⁵ Then Jonadab said to him, “Lie down on your bed and pretend to be sick. When your father comes to see you, say to him, ‘I beg you, let my sister Tamar come and give me some food to eat. Let her make food ready here so I can see it and eat it from her hand.’” ⁶ So Amnon lay down and pretended to be sick. When the king came to see him, Amnon said to him, “I beg you, let my sister Tamar come and make two loaves beside me, that I may eat from her hand.”

⁷ Then David sent home for Tamar, saying, “Go now to your brother Amnon’s house, and make food for him.” ⁸ So Tamar went to her brother Amnon’s house. He was lying down. And she took dough and made loaves so he could watch. Then she baked them ready to eat. ⁹ And she took the dish and held it out in front of him. But he would not eat. Amnon said, “Have everyone leave me.” So everyone left him. ¹⁰ Then Amnon said to Tamar, “Bring the food to my room, so I may eat from your hand.” So Tamar took the loaves she had made and brought them to her brother Amnon in his room. ¹¹ When she brought them to him to eat, he took hold of her and said, “Come, lie with me, my sister.” ¹² But she said, “No, my brother. Do not make me. For such a thing is not done in Israel. Do not do this bad and foolish thing! ¹³ As for me, where could I get rid of my shame? And as for you, you would be like one of the fools in Israel. So now I beg you, speak to the king, for he will not keep me from you.” ¹⁴ But Amnon would not listen to her. Being stronger than she, he made her lay with him.

¹⁵ Then Amnon hated her very much. He hated her more than he had loved her. He said to her, “Get up! Go away!” ¹⁶ But she said to him, “No! Sending me away is worse than what you have done to me!” But he would not listen to her. ¹⁷ He called the young man who helped him and said, “Throw this woman out of my house, and lock the door behind her.” ¹⁸ Now she was wearing a dress which covered her arms. For this is how the king’s daughters dressed when they had never had a man. The man who helped Amnon took her out and locked the door behind her. ¹⁹ Then Tamar put ashes on her head. She tore the dress she was wearing which covered her arms. And she put her hand on her head and went away with a loud cry.

²⁰ Absalom her brother said to her, “Has your brother Amnon been with you? Be quiet now, my sister. He is your brother. Do not take this to heart.” So Tamar stayed in her brother Absalom’s house, sad and alone. ²¹ When King David heard about all this, he was very angry. ²² But Absalom did not speak good or bad to Amnon. Absalom hated Amnon because he had put his sister to shame.

Absalom Kills Amnon

²³ After two full years, Absalom had men cut the wool from the sheep in Baal-hazor, near Ephraim. And Absalom asked all the king’s sons to come. ²⁴ He came to the king and said, “See, your servant has men to cut the wool from the sheep. Let the king and his men go with your servant.” ²⁵ But the king said to Absalom, “No, my son. We should not all go, or we will be trouble for you.” Absalom tried to talk him into going. The king prayed that good would come to him, but he would not go with him. ²⁶ Then Absalom said, “If you will not go, let my brother Amnon go with us.” And the king said to him, “Why should he go with you?” ²⁷ But when Absalom kept asking him, he let Amnon and all the king’s sons go with him.

²⁸ Then Absalom told his servants, “Watch when Amnon’s heart is happy with wine. When I say to you, ‘Kill Amnon,’ then put him to death. Do not be afraid. Have not I myself told you to do it? Have strength of heart.” ²⁹ So Absalom’s servants did to Amnon just as Absalom had told them. Then all the king’s sons got up on their horses and left in a hurry.

³⁰ While they were on their way, the news came to David, saying, “Absalom has killed all the king’s sons. Not one of them is left.” ³¹ The king got up and tore his clothes, and lay on the ground. And all his servants standing beside him tore their clothes. ³² But Jonadab, the son of David’s brother Shimeah, said, “Do not let my lord think they have killed all the young men, the king’s sons. Only Amnon is dead. Absalom has wanted to kill him since the day he put his sister Tamar to shame. ³³ So do not let my lord the king take this to heart and think that all the king’s sons are dead, for only Amnon is dead.”

Absalom Goes to Geshur

³⁴ Now Absalom had run away. And the young man who kept watch looked up and saw many people coming from the road behind him by the side of the mountain. ³⁵ Jonadab said to the king, “See, the king’s sons have come. What your servant said is true.” ³⁶ As soon as he had finished speaking, the king’s sons came and cried in a loud voice. The king and all his servants cried also.

³⁷ Absalom ran away and went to Talmai the son of Ammihud, the king of Geshur. And David was filled with sorrow for his son every day. ³⁸ So Absalom had run away to Geshur, and was there three years. ³⁹ The spirit of King David wanted very much to go out to Absalom. For he was comforted about Amnon, since he was dead.

Absalom Returns to Jerusalem

14 Now Joab the son of Zeruiah saw that the king missed Absalom very much. ² So Joab sent for a wise woman from Tekoa, and said to her, “Pretend to be filled with sorrow. Dress as if you were filled with sorrow, and do not pour oil on yourself. Dress like a woman who has been filled with sorrow for the dead many days. ³ Then go to the king and speak to him in this way.” And Joab told her what to say.

⁴ When the woman of Tekoa spoke to the king, she fell on her face to the ground, showing honor, and said, “Help, O king.” ⁵ The king said to her, “What is your trouble?” And she answered, “I am a woman whose husband has died. ⁶ Your woman servant had two sons. But they fought together in the field and there was no one to pull them apart. So one hit the other and killed him. ⁷ Now the whole family has come against your woman servant. They say, ‘Give us the one who killed his brother. We must put him to death for the life of his brother whom he killed.’ So I would be without a son to receive what belonged to his parents when I die. They would put out the last of the fire which is left to me. My husband would be left without a name and with no children on the earth.”

⁸ Then the king said to the woman, “Go to your house. I will say what should be done about your trouble.” ⁹ The woman of Tekoa said to the king, “O my lord the king, the sin is on me and my father’s family. But the king and his throne are without guilt.” ¹⁰ The king said, “If anyone says anything to you, bring him to me. And he will not touch you again.” ¹¹ Then she said, “I beg the king to remember the Lord your God, that the one who punishes for blood will stop destroying. Or my son might be destroyed.” And the king said, “As the Lord lives, not one hair of your son will fall to the ground.”

¹² Then the woman said, “Let your woman servant speak to my lord the king.” And he said, “Speak.” ¹³ The woman said, “Why then have you planned such a thing against the people of God? For in deciding in this way, the king is as one who is guilty. For the king does not bring home his son who has been driven away. ¹⁴ It is sure that we will die. We are like water poured on the ground, which cannot be picked up again. But God does not take away life. He plans ways so that the one who is driven away may not be kept away from Him. ¹⁵ I have come to say this to my lord the king because the people have made me afraid. Your woman servant thought, ‘I will speak to the king. It might be that the king will do what his woman servant asks. ¹⁶ For the king will hear and save his woman servant from the man who would destroy both me and my son from the gift of God.’ ¹⁷ Then your woman servant thought, ‘The word of my lord the king will comfort me. For my lord the king is like the angel of God in understanding what is good and bad. May the Lord your God be with you.’”

¹⁸ Then the king said to the woman, “Do not hide anything from me that I ask you.” And the woman said, “Let my lord the king speak.” ¹⁹ So the king said, “Is Joab with you in all this?” The woman answered, “As your soul lives, my lord the king, no one can turn to the right or left from anything my lord the king has said. Yes, it was your servant Joab who told me to do this. It was he who put all these words in the mouth of your woman servant. ²⁰ Your servant Joab has done this to change the way things are now. But my lord is wise like the angel of God, to know all that is on the earth.”

²¹ Then the king said to Joab, “See now, I will do this. Go and bring back the young man Absalom.” ²² And Joab fell on his face to the ground in honor and thanks to the king. Joab said, “Today your servant knows that I have found favor in your eyes, O my lord the king. Because the king has done what his servant has asked of him.” ²³ So Joab got up and went to Geshur, and brought Absalom to Jerusalem. ²⁴ But the king said, “Let him go to his own house. Do not let him see my face.” So Absalom went to his own house and did not see the king’s face.

David Forgives Absalom

²⁵ Now there was no one in Israel as good looking and as much praised as Absalom. There was nothing wrong with him from the bottom of his foot to the top of his head. ²⁶ At the end of every year he would cut the hair from his head, for it was heavy on him. When he cut it, he weighed the hair of his head. It weighed as much as 200 pieces of silver, by the king’s weight. ²⁷ Three sons were born to Absalom, and one daughter whose name was Tamar. She was a beautiful woman.

²⁸ Absalom lived two whole years in Jerusalem, and did not see the king’s face. ²⁹ Then Absalom sent for Joab, to send him to the king. But Joab would not come to him. So he sent for him a second time. But he would not come. ³⁰ He said to his servants, “See, Joab’s field is next to mine, and he has barley there. Go and set it on fire.” So Absalom’s servants burned the field. ³¹ Then Joab got up and came to Absalom at his house, and said to him, “Why have your servants burned my field?” ³² Absalom answered Joab, “I sent for you, saying, ‘Come here, that I may send you to say to the king, “Why have I come from Geshur? It would have been better for me to stay there.”’ Now let me see the king’s face. If there is guilt in me, let him put me to death.” ³³ Then Joab went to the king and told him. And he called for Absalom. So he came to the king and put his face to the ground in front of him. And the king kissed Absalom.

Absalom Becomes Friends with Men Of Israel

15 After this, Absalom got a war-wagon and horses, and fifty men to run in front of him. ² He used to get up early and stand beside the way to the gate. When any man had a problem to be decided upon by the king, Absalom would call to him and say, “What city are you from?” And he would answer, “Your servant is from one of the families of Israel.” ³ Then Absalom would say to him, “Your side of the problem is good and right. But there is no man to listen to you for the king.” ⁴ And Absalom would say, “If only I were chosen to be the one to be judge in the land! Then every man who has a problem could come to me. And I would do for him what is right and fair.” ⁵ When a man came near to put his face to the ground in front of him, Absalom would put out his hand and take hold of him and kiss him. ⁶ He acted this way toward all those of Israel who came with a problem for the king to judge. So Absalom became friends with the men of Israel.

⁷ At the end of four years, Absalom said to the king, “I ask you, let me go to Hebron and keep my promise that I have promised to the Lord. ⁸ For your servant made a promise while I was living at Geshur in Syria, saying, ‘If the Lord will bring me again to Jerusalem, then I will serve the Lord.’” ⁹ And the king said to him, “Go in peace.” So he got up and went to Hebron. ¹⁰ But Absalom sent men to go in secret through all the families of Israel. He said to them, “As soon as you hear the sound of the horn, then say, ‘Absalom is king at Hebron.’” ¹¹ With Absalom went 200 men from Jerusalem. They had been asked to come, and did not know what Absalom had planned. ¹² While Absalom was giving gifts on the altar in worship, he sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, from his city Giloh. He was the man who talked with David about what to do. The plans against David became strong. For more and more people joined Absalom.

David Runs from Jerusalem

¹³ Then a man came to David with news, saying, “The hearts of the men of Israel are with Absalom.” ¹⁴ David said to all his servants who were with him at Jerusalem, “Get up and let us run. Or else none of us will be safe from Absalom. Hurry and go, or he will be quick to catch us and bring trouble upon us. He would destroy the city with the sword.” ¹⁵ The king’s servants said to him, “See, your servants are ready to do whatever my lord the king chooses.” ¹⁶ So the king left with all those of his house. But he left ten of his women to take care of the house. ¹⁷ The king left with all the people, and they stopped at the last house. ¹⁸ All his servants passed by him, and all the Cherethites, Pelethites, Gittites, and 600 men who had come with him from Gath. They all passed by the king.

¹⁹ Then the king said to Ittai the Gittite, “Why do you go with us also? Return and stay with the king. For you are from another land and have been driven from your home. ²⁰ You came only yesterday. Should I make you go with us today, when I do not know where I am going? Return with your brothers. May loving-kindness and faith be with you.” ²¹ But Ittai said to the king, “As the Lord lives, and as my lord the king lives, your servant will be where my lord the king may be, in death or in life.” ²² So David said to him, “Go then, pass on.” And Ittai the Gittite passed on, with all his men and all the little ones who were with him. ²³ All the country was crying with a loud voice as all the people passed by. The king crossed the river Kidron, and all the people went on toward the desert.

²⁴ Zadok came also, with all the Levites who carried the special box with the Law of God. Abiathar had the special box of God put down until all the people had passed out of the city. ²⁵ The king said to Zadok, “Return the special box of God to the city. If I find favor in the eyes of the Lord, He will have me return. And He will have me see both it and His family. ²⁶ But if He says, ‘I have no joy in you,’ then here I am. Let Him do to me what He thinks is good.” ²⁷ And the king said to Zadok the religious leader, “Are you not a man who speaks for God? Return to the city in peace with Abiathar and your two sons, your son Ahimaaz and Abiathar’s son Jonathan. ²⁸ See, I will wait in the desert by the place where the river is crossed, until I hear from you.” ²⁹ So Zadok and Abiathar returned the special box of God to Jerusalem and stayed there.

³⁰ David went up the Mount of Olives and cried as he went. His head was covered and he wore no shoes. And all the people who were with him covered their heads and went up crying as they went. ³¹ Now David was told, “Ahithophel is among those who are making plans with Absalom.” And David said, “O Lord, I pray, make the words of Ahithophel foolish.” ³² As David was coming to the top of the mountain, where God was worshiped, Hushai the Archite met him. His coat was torn and there was dust on his head. ³³ David said to him, “If you go with me, you will be trouble for me. ³⁴ But if you return to the city, you can bring trouble to the words of Ahithophel for me. Say to Absalom, ‘I will be your servant, O king. I will work for you as I have worked for your father in the past.’ Then you can make the words of Ahithophel foolish for me. ³⁵ Will not Zadok and Abiathar the religious leaders be there with you? Tell Zadok and Abiathar whatever you hear from the king’s house. ³⁶ Their two sons are with them there, Zadok’s son Ahimaaz and Abiathar’s son Jonathan. By them you can send me news of all that you hear.” ³⁷ So David’s friend Hushai came into Jerusalem, just as Absalom was coming into the city.

David and Ziba

16 When David had gone a short way past the mountain top, Mephibosheth’s servant Ziba met him with two donkeys ready for traveling. On them were 200 loaves of bread, 100 vines of dried grapes, 100 summer fruits, and a bottle of wine. ² The king said to Ziba, “Why do you have these?” And Ziba said, “The donkeys are for those of the king’s house to travel on. The bread and summer fruit are for the young men to eat. And the wine drink is for whoever is weak in the desert.” ³ Then the king said, “Where is your owner’s son?” And Ziba answered, “He is staying in Jerusalem. For he said, ‘Today the family of Israel will return to me the nation of my father.’” ⁴ So the king said to Ziba, “See, all that belongs to Mephibosheth is yours.” And Ziba said, “I bow down in honor to you. O my lord the king, let me find favor in your eyes!”

David and Shimei

⁵ When King David came to Bahurim, there came out a man of the family of Saul. His name was Shimei, the son of Gera. He did not stop speaking bad things as he came. ⁶ He threw stones at David, and at all the servants of King David. And all the people and all the strong men were at his right and at his left. ⁷ Shimei said as he said bad things, “Get out! Get out, you man of blood, you man of no worth! ⁸ The Lord has punished you for all the blood of the family of Saul, in whose place you have ruled! The Lord has given the nation to your son Absalom! Your trouble is upon you, because you are a man of blood!”

⁹ Zeruiah’s son Abishai said to the king, “Why should this dead dog speak against my lord the king? Let me go now and cut off his head.” ¹⁰ But the king said, “What have I to do with you, O sons of Zeruiah? If he speaks against me, and if the Lord has told him, ‘Speak against David,’ then who should say, ‘Why have you done so?’” ¹¹ Then David said to Abishai and all his servants, “See, my own son wants to kill me. How much more now may this Benjamite? Let him alone and let him speak against me, for the Lord has told him. ¹² It may be that the Lord will look upon my trouble and return good to me instead of his bad words today.” ¹³ So David and his men went on the way. And Shimei went beside him on the hill. He spoke against David as he went, and threw stones and dust at him. ¹⁴ The king and all the people with him were tired when they came to the Jordan. There he rested and received new strength.

Absalom Goes to Jerusalem

¹⁵ Absalom and all the people, the men of Israel, came into Jerusalem. And Ahithophel was with him. ¹⁶ When David’s friend Hushai the Archite came to Absalom, Hushai said to him, “Long live the king! Long live the king!” ¹⁷ And Absalom said to Hushai, “Is this your kindness to your friend? Why did you not go with your friend?” ¹⁸ Hushai said to Absalom, “No! I will belong to whoever is chosen by the Lord, this people, and all the men of Israel. ¹⁹ And whom should I serve? Should I not serve his son? As I have served your father, so I will serve you.”

²⁰ Then Absalom said to Ahithophel, “Give your wise words. What should we do?” ²¹ Ahithophel answered, “Go in to your father’s women, whom he has left to take care of the house. Then all Israel will hear that you have made yourself hated by your father. Then the hands of all who are with you will be made stronger.” ²² So they set up a tent for Absalom on the roof. And Absalom went in to his father’s women so that the eyes of all Israel could see. ²³ The words that Ahithophel spoke in those days were as if one had asked for the Word of God. Both David and Absalom thought of Ahithophel’s words in this way.

Hushai and Absalom

17 Then Ahithophel said to Absalom, “Let me choose 12,000 men, and I will leave and go after David tonight. ² I will come upon him while he is tired and weak. I will fill him with fear so that all the people who are with him will run away. Then I will kill the king alone ³ and return all the people to you. All will return if the man you want to kill is dead. Then all the people will be at peace.” ⁴ The plan pleased Absalom and all the leaders of Israel.

⁵ Then Absalom said, “Call Hushai the Archite also. Let us hear what he has to say.” ⁶ When Hushai had come to Absalom, Absalom said to him, “Ahithophel has said this. Should we do as he says? If not, tell us.” ⁷ So Hushai said to Absalom, “This time what Ahithophel has said to do is not good.” ⁸ Hushai said, “You know your father and his men. They are powerful and angry, like a bear robbed of her young ones in the field. And your father is a very able man of war. He will not stay with the people during the night. ⁹ He has now hidden himself in one of the caves, or in another place. When some of the people are killed in the first battle, whoever hears it will say, ‘There have been many people killed who follow Absalom.’ ¹⁰ Even the one who has strength of heart like the heart of a lion will be afraid. For all Israel knows that your father is a powerful man, and that those who are with him are men with strength of heart. ¹¹ But I say that all Israel should be gathered to you, from Dan to Beersheba, as much as the sand by the sea. And you yourself should go into battle. ¹² So we will find David wherever he is. We will fall on him like water falls on the ground in the early morning. And not he or any of the men with him will be left. ¹³ If he runs into a city, then all Israel will bring ropes to that city. We will pull it into the valley until not even a small stone is left there.” ¹⁴ Then Absalom and all the men of Israel said, “The words of Hushai the Archite are better than the words of Ahithophel.” In this way the Lord had planned to destroy the good leading of Ahithophel, so He might bring trouble to Absalom.

David Is Told to Leave

¹⁵ Hushai said to Zadok and Abiathar the religious leaders, “This is what Ahithophel said that Absalom and the leaders of Israel should do. And this is what I have said they should do. ¹⁶ So be quick to send someone to tell David, ‘Do not stay the night in the desert beside the place where the Jordan is crossed. But cross over, or the king and all the people with him will be destroyed.’” ¹⁷ Now Jonathan and Ahimaaz were staying at Enrogel. And a woman servant would go and tell them, and they would go and tell King David. For they could not be seen coming into the city. ¹⁸ But a boy saw them, and told Absalom. So the two of them left in a hurry and came to the house of a man in Bahurim. He had a well in the open space in the center of his house. And they went down into it. ¹⁹ Then the woman took the covering and spread it over the well’s mouth, and spread grain on it, so nothing was known of it. ²⁰ Then Absalom’s servants came to the woman at the house and said, “Where are Ahimaaz and Jonathan?” The woman answered, “They have crossed the river.” And after looking and not finding them, they returned to Jerusalem.

²¹ When they had left, Ahimaaz and Jonathan came up out of the well and went and told King David. They said to David, “Be quick to get ready and cross over the water. For Ahithophel has told them to come against you.” ²² So David and all the people with him got up and crossed the Jordan. By the light of morning, not one was left who had not crossed the Jordan. ²³ When Ahithophel saw that his words were not followed, he got onto his donkey and went home to his city. He told those of his family what they must do, and he hanged himself. So he died and was buried in his father’s grave.

²⁴ Then David came to Mahanaim. Absalom and all the men of Israel with him crossed the Jordan. ²⁵ Absalom made Amasa captain of the army instead of Joab. Amasa was the son of a man whose name was Jithra the Israelite, who went in to Nahash’s daughter Abigal, the sister of Joab’s mother Zeruiah. ²⁶ And Israel and Absalom set up their tents in the land of Gilead.

²⁷ When David had come to Mahanaim, he met Nahash’s son Shobi from Rabbah of the sons of Ammon, Ammiel’s son Machir from Lo-debar, and Barzillai the Gileadite from Rogelim. ²⁸ They brought him beds, washing pots, dishes, grain, flour, seeds, ²⁹ honey, sour milk, sheep, and cheese from the cattle, for David and his men to eat. For they said, “The people are hungry and tired and thirsty in the desert.”

Absalom’s Death

18 Then David numbered the people who were with him. He set over them leaders of thousands and of hundreds. ² And he sent the people out. One third of them was under the rule of Joab. One third was under the rule of Zeruiah’s son Abishai, Joab’s brother. And one third was under the rule of Ittai the Gittite. The king said to the people, “I myself will go out with you also.” ³ But the people said, “You should not go out. For if we run, they will not care about us. If half of us die, they will not care about us. But you are worth 10,000 of us. So it is better that you send us help from the city.” ⁴ The king said to them, “I will do whatever you think is best.” So the king stood beside the gate, and all the people went out by hundreds and thousands. ⁵ The king told Joab and Abishai and Ittai, “Be gentle toward the young man Absalom because of me.” And all the people heard him say this to all the leaders about Absalom.

⁶ Then the people went out into the field to fight against Israel. The battle was fought among the trees of Ephraim. ⁷ The people of Israel lost the fight there to the servants of David. Twenty thousand men were killed there that day. ⁸ The battle was spread over the whole country. Dangers from the trees destroyed more people that day than the sword.

⁹ Absalom met the servants of David. He was going on his horse, and the horse went under the many branches of a large oak tree. Absalom’s hair caught in the branches of the oak. He was left hanging between heaven and earth, while the horse under him kept going. ¹⁰ When a certain man saw it, he told Joab, “I saw Absalom hanging in an oak.” ¹¹ Joab said to the man, “You saw him! Why did you not kill him and let him fall to the ground? I would have given you ten pieces of silver and a belt.” ¹² The man said to Joab, “Even for a thousand pieces of silver in my hand, I would not go against the king’s son. For we heard the king tell you and Abishai and Ittai, ‘Keep the young man Absalom safe for me.’ ¹³ If I had gone against his life, there is nothing hidden from the king. And you would not have helped me.” ¹⁴ Then Joab said, “I will not waste time here with you.” He took three spears in his hand and threw them through Absalom’s heart while he was still alive in the oak. ¹⁵ And ten young men who carried Joab’s battle clothes gathered around and hit Absalom and killed him.

¹⁶ Then Joab sounded the horn, and all the people returned from going after Israel, for Joab stopped them. ¹⁷ They took Absalom and threw him into a deep hole among the trees, and set many stones over him. And all Israel ran away, every one to his own home. ¹⁸ While Absalom was alive, he had set up stones in his honor in the King’s Valley. For he said, “I have no son to let my name be remembered.” So he called the stones after his own name. And they are there to have Absalom be remembered to this day.

David Hears of Absalom’s Death

¹⁹ Then Zadok’s son Ahimaaz said, “Let me run and bring the king news that the Lord has saved him from those who hate him.” ²⁰ But Joab said to him, “You must not carry news today, but another time. Today you should carry no news, because the king’s son is dead.” ²¹ Then Joab said to the Cushite, “Go and tell the king what you have seen.” So the Cushite bowed to Joab and ran. ²² Zadok’s son Ahimaaz said to Joab, “Whatever happens, let me run after the Cushite.” Joab said, “Why would you run, my son? You would receive no reward for going.” ²³ But Ahimaaz said, “Whatever happens, I will run.” So Joab said to him, “Run.” Then Ahimaaz ran by way of the plain and passed the Cushite.

²⁴ David was sitting between the two gates. The man who kept watch went up to the roof of the gate by the wall. He looked up and saw a man running by himself. ²⁵ The man who kept watch called and told the king. The king said, “If he is by himself, he has good news.” And he came nearer and nearer. ²⁶ Then the man who kept watch saw another man running. He called to the gate-keeper and said, “See, another man is running by himself.” The king said, “This one is bringing good news also.” ²⁷ And the man who kept watch said, “I think the man in front runs like Ahimaaz the son of Zadok.” The king said, “He is a good man, and comes with good news.”

²⁸ Ahimaaz called and said to the king, “All is well.” He put his face to the ground in front of the king, and said, “Thanks be to the Lord your God. He has given up the men who raised their hands against my lord the king.” ²⁹ The king said, “Is it well with the young man Absalom?” And Ahimaaz answered, “When Joab sent the king’s servant, your servant, I heard noise and saw much fighting. But I did not know what it was.” ³⁰ Then the king said, “Turn aside and stand here.” So he turned aside and stood still. ³¹ Then the Cushite came and said, “Let my lord the king receive good news. For the Lord has saved you today from all those who came against you.” ³² The king said to the Cushite, “Is it well with the young man Absalom?” And the Cushite answered, “May those who hate my lord the king, all those who come to do bad things against you, be as that young man!” ³³ The king filled with much sorrow. He went up to the room above the gate and cried. As he walked he said, “O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! If only I had died instead of you, O Absalom, my son, my son!”

19 Then Joab was told, “See, the king is crying. He is filled with sorrow for Absalom.” ² So the happiness of winning the battle that day was changed to sorrow for all the people. For they heard that day, “The king is filled with sorrow for his son.” ³ So the people were quiet as they went in secret into the city that day. They acted like people who are ashamed when they run away from a battle. ⁴ The king covered his face and cried out with a loud voice, “O my son Absalom, O Absalom, my son, my son!” ⁵ Then Joab came into the house to the king and said, “Today you have covered the faces of all your servants with shame. Today they have saved your life and the lives of your sons and daughters, your wives and the women who act as your wives. ⁶ But you love those who hate you, and hate those who love you. You have shown today that rulers and servants are nothing to you. For today I see that if Absalom were alive and all of us were dead, you would be pleased. ⁷ So now get up and go out and speak in kindness to your servants. I swear by the Lord that if you do not, for sure not a man will stay with you this night. And this will be worse for you than all the bad things that have happened to you since you were young.” ⁸ So the king got up and sat in the gate. When they told all the people, “See, the king is sitting in the gate,” then all the people came to the king.

David Returns to Jerusalem

Now every man of Israel had run to his tent. ⁹ And all the people in all the family groups of Israel were arguing. They said, “The king saved us from those who hate us. He saved us from the Philistines. But now he has run from Absalom and away from the land. ¹⁰ We chose Absalom to rule over us and he has died in battle. So now why do you say nothing about bringing the king back?”

¹¹ Then King David sent word to Zadok and Abiathar the religious leaders, saying, “Speak to the leaders of Judah. Say to them, ‘Why are you the last to bring the king back to his house? I have heard from all Israel for me to return to my house. ¹² You are my brothers. You are my bone and my flesh. Why should you be the last to bring back the king?’ ¹³ And say to Amasa, ‘Are you not my bone and my flesh? May God do so to me, and more also, if you will not be the captain of my army at all times instead of Joab.’” ¹⁴ He changed the hearts of all the men of Judah as if they were one man. So they sent word to the king, saying, “Return, you and all your servants.” ¹⁵ So the king returned and came as far as the Jordan. Judah came to Gilgal to meet the king and bring him over the Jordan.

¹⁶ Then Gera’s son Shimei, the Benjamite from Bahurim, came down in a hurry with the men of Judah to meet King David. ¹⁷ There were 1,000 men of Benjamin with him. And Ziba the servant of the family of Saul came with his fifteen sons and twenty servants. They rushed to the king at the Jordan. ¹⁸ They crossed the river to bring over those of the king’s house, and to do what pleased him. Gera’s son Shimei fell down in front of the king as he was about to cross the Jordan.

David Is Good to Shimei

¹⁹ He said to the king, “Let not my lord think I am guilty. Do not remember what your servant did wrong on the day when my lord the king left Jerusalem. Let not the king take it to heart. ²⁰ For your servant knows that I have sinned. So I have come today. I am the first of all the family of Joseph to come down to meet my lord the king.” ²¹ But Zeruiah’s son Abishai answered, “Should not Shimei be put to death for this? He spoke against the Lord’s chosen one.” ²² But David said, “What have I to do with you, O sons of Zeruiah? Why should you be against me this day? Should any man be put to death in Israel today? For do I not know that this day I am king of Israel?” ²³ The king said to Shimei, “You will not die.” And the king gave him his promise.

David Is Good to Mephibosheth

²⁴ Then Saul’s grandson Mephibosheth came down to meet the king. He had not dressed his feet, trimmed the hair of his face, or washed his clothes, from the day the king left until the day he returned in peace. ²⁵ When he came from Jerusalem to meet the king, David said to him, “Why did you not go with me, Mephibosheth?” ²⁶ He answered, “O my lord the king, my servant lied to me. Your servant had said to him, ‘Get a donkey ready for me to travel on, so I may go with the king.’ Because your servant cannot walk. ²⁷ And he has spoken against me to my lord the king. But my lord the king is like the angel of God. So do what you think is best. ²⁸ For all those of my father’s house were nothing but dead men in front of my lord the king. But you set your servant among those who ate at your own table. What right do I have to complain any more to the king?” ²⁹ The king said to him, “Why speak any more of how things are with you? I have decided that you and Ziba should divide the land.” ³⁰ Mephibosheth said to the king, “Let him take it all, since my lord the king has come home and is safe.”

David Is Good to Barzillai

³¹ Now Barzillai of Gilead had come down from Rogelim. He went on to the Jordan with the king, to lead him over the river. ³² Barzillai was eighty years old. He had given food to the king while he stayed at Mahanaim, for he was a very rich man. ³³ The king said to Barzillai, “You cross over with me, and I will take care of you with me in Jerusalem.” ³⁴ But Barzillai said to the king, “How much longer have I to live, that I should go up with the king to Jerusalem? ³⁵ I am now eighty years old. Can I know the difference between good and bad? Can your servant taste what I eat or what I drink? Can I hear the voice of singing men and women any more? Why should your servant be an added problem to my lord the king? ³⁶ Your servant will only cross over the Jordan with the king. Why should the king reward me in this good way? ³⁷ Let your servant return, that I may die in my own city near the grave of my father and mother. But here is your servant Chimham. Let him cross over with my lord the king. And do for him what is good in your eyes.” ³⁸ The king answered, “Chimham will cross over with me. And I will do for him what is pleasing to you. I will do for you whatever you ask.” ³⁹ All the people crossed over the Jordan, and the king also. Then the king kissed Barzillai and prayed that good would come to him. And Barzillai returned to his own home.

Judah and Israel Argue over the King

⁴⁰ The king went on to Gilgal, and Chimham went with him. And all the people of Judah and half the people of Israel went with the king.

⁴¹ Then all the men of Israel came to the king and said to him, “Why have our brothers the men of Judah stolen you away? Why have they brought the king and those of his family over the Jordan, and all David’s men with him?” ⁴² All the men of Judah answered the men of Israel, “Because the king is a close brother to us. Why are you angry about this? Has the king paid for our food? Has he given us any gift?” ⁴³ But the men of Israel said to the men of Judah, “We have ten shares in the king. So we have more right to David than you. Why then did you hate us? Were we not the first to speak of bringing back our king?” But the words of the men of Judah had more anger than the words of the men of Israel.

David’s Men Follow Sheba

20 A man of no worth happened to be there whose name was Sheba, the son of Bichri, a Benjamite. He sounded the horn and said, “We have no share in David! We have no share in the son of Jesse! Every man to his tents, O Israel!” ² So all the men of Israel stopped following David, and followed Sheba the son of Bichri. But the men of Judah were not moved from following their king, from the Jordan to Jerusalem.

³ Then David came to his house at Jerusalem. The king took his ten women whom he had left to take care of the house, and had a prison soldier watch them. David gave them food, but did not go in to them. So they were shut up until the day of their death, living as women whose husbands had died.

⁴ Then the king said to Amasa, “Call the men of Judah to come to me within three days, and you be here yourself.” ⁵ So Amasa went to call out the men of Judah. But he took longer than the time which had been given him. ⁶ David said to Abishai, “Now Bichri’s son Sheba will bring us more trouble than Absalom. Take your lord’s servants and go after him. Or he might find strong cities for himself, and get away from us.” ⁷ So Joab’s men went out after him. With them went the Cherethites, the Pelethites and all the strong men. They left Jerusalem to go after Sheba the son of Bichri. ⁸ Amasa came to meet them at the large stone in Gibeon. Now Joab was dressed in soldier’s clothing. Over his clothing was a belt with a sword in its holder tied at his side. As he walked, the sword fell out. ⁹ Joab said to Amasa, “Is it well with you, my brother?” And he took Amasa by the hair of his face with his right hand to kiss him. ¹⁰ But Amasa did not see the sword which was in Joab’s hand. So Joab hit him in the stomach with it, and poured his inside parts out on the ground. He did not hit him again, and Amasa died.

Then Joab and his brother Abishai went after Sheba the son of Bichri. ¹¹ Now one of Joab’s young men stood by him and said, “Whoever favors Joab and whoever is for David, let him follow Joab.” ¹² But Amasa lay in his blood in the center of the road. When the man saw that all the people stood still, he took Amasa out of the road and into the field. And he threw a covering over him. ¹³ After he was taken out of the road, all the men went on and followed Joab to go after Sheba the son of Bichri.

¹⁴ Sheba passed through all the families of Israel to Abel Bethmaacah. Then all the Berites gathered together and followed him into the city. ¹⁵ And all the men who were with Joab came and gathered their armies around him in Abel Bethmaacah. They built up a hill of dirt against the wall of the city. And they were trying their best to make the wall fall down. ¹⁶ Then a wise woman called from the city, “Listen! I beg you, tell Joab to come here that I may speak with him.” ¹⁷ So he came to her, and the woman said, “Are you Joab?” He answered, “I am.” Then she said to him, “Listen to the words of your woman servant.” And he answered, “I am listening.” ¹⁸ Then she said, “In the past they used to say, ‘Let them ask for words of wisdom at Abel.’ And so they would stop fighting. ¹⁹ I am one of peace and faith in Israel. You want to destroy a city and a mother in Israel. Why would you swallow up the gift of the Lord?” ²⁰ Joab answered, “Far be it from me! Far be it that I should swallow up or destroy! ²¹ That is not true. But a man from the hill country of Ephraim has turned against King David. His name is Sheba the son of Bichri. Give up only him, and I will leave the city.” And the woman said to Joab, “See, his head will be thrown to you over the wall.” ²² Then the woman went to all the people with her plan. And they cut off the head of Sheba the son of Bichri and threw it to Joab. So he sounded the horn and they left the city, every man going to his home. Joab returned to the king at Jerusalem.

²³ Now Joab was the captain of the whole army of Israel. Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was captain of the Cherethites and the Pelethites. ²⁴ Adoram was captain of those who were made to work. Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud wrote down the things that happened. ²⁵ Sheva was the teacher. Zadok and Abiathar were religious leaders. ²⁶ And Ira the Jairite was a religious leader to David also.

The Gibeonites Kill Seven of Saul’s Grandsons

21 While David was king there was a time without food for three years. David went to the Lord. The Lord said, “It is because of Saul and his house of blood, for he put the Gibeonites to death.” ² So the king called the Gibeonites. (Now the Gibeonites were not of the sons of Israel, but of the people who were left of the Amorites. The sons of Israel had made an agreement with them. But Saul had wanted to kill them because he thought so much of the sons of Israel and Judah.) ³ David said to the Gibeonites, “What should I do for you? How can I pay for the sin, so you may bring good to the land of the Lord?” ⁴ The Gibeonites said to him, “We will take no silver or gold from Saul or his family. And it is not for us to put any man to death in Israel.” David said, “I will do for you whatever you say.” ⁵ So they said to the king, “Saul destroyed us and planned to keep us from staying in any land of Israel. ⁶ Let seven men from his sons be given to us. We will hang them before the Lord at Gibeon on the Lord’s mountain.” And the king said, “I will give them.”

⁷ But the king kept alive Mephibosheth, the son of Saul’s son Jonathan, because David had made a promise to Saul’s son Jonathan before the Lord. ⁸ The king took the two sons of Aiah’s daughter Rizpah, Armoni and Mephibosheth, whom she had born to Saul. And he took the five sons of Saul’s daughter Merab, whom she had born to Adriel the son of Barzillai the Meholathite. ⁹ He gave them to the Gibeonites, and they hanged them on the mountain before the Lord. The seven of them died together. They were put to death in the first days of gathering time, when the barley was ready to gather.

¹⁰ Aiah’s daughter Rizpah spread cloth made from hair on the rock for herself to lie upon, from the beginning of gathering time until the rain fell from the sky upon the bodies. She would not let the birds of the sky rest on them during the day, or the animals of the field during the night. ¹¹ David was told what Aiah’s daughter Rizpah, Saul’s woman, had done. ¹² Then he went and took the bones of Saul and his son Jonathan from the men of Jabesh-gilead. They had stolen them from the open space in the center of Bethshan. That was where the Philistines had hanged them on the day they killed Saul in Gilboa. ¹³ David brought the bones of Saul and his son Jonathan. They gathered the bones of those who had been hanged. ¹⁴ And they buried the bones of Saul and his son Jonathan in the country of Benjamin in Zela, in the grave of Kish his father. They did all that the king told them to do. After that, God heard and answered when they prayed for the land.

¹⁵ The Philistines were at war again with Israel. David went down with his servants and they fought the Philistines. And David became tired. ¹⁶ Then Ishbi-benob wanted to kill David. He was one of the sons of the very tall and strong people. His spear weighed as much as 300 pieces of brass, and he had a new sword. ¹⁷ But Zeruiah’s son Abishai helped David and killed the Philistine. Then David’s men promised him, “You will not go out again with us to battle. You might put out the lamp of Israel.”

¹⁸ After this there was war again with the Philistines at Gob. Then Sibbecai the Hushathite killed Saph, who was one of the sons of the very tall and strong people. ¹⁹ There was war with the Philistines again at Gob. And Elhanan the son of Jaare-oregim the Bethlehemite killed Goliath the Gittite. Goliath’s spear was like the heavy piece of wood used by a cloth-maker. ²⁰ There was war at Gath again. There was a very tall man there who had six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot, twenty-four in number. He was one of the sons of the very tall and strong people also. ²¹ When he spoke against Israel, Jonathan the son of Shimei, David’s brother, killed him. ²² These four were sons of the very tall and strong people in Gath. They were killed by David and his servants.

David’s Song of Praise

22 David spoke the words of this song to the Lord on the day the Lord saved him from all who hated him, and from Saul. ² He said, “The Lord is my rock, my strong place, and the One Who sets me free. ³ He is my God, my rock, where I go to be safe. He is my covering and the horn that saves me, my strong place where I go to be safe. You save me from being hurt. ⁴ I call upon the Lord, Who should be praised. I am saved from those who hate me.

⁵ “For the waves of death were all around me. The storm that destroys made me afraid. ⁶ The cords of the grave were around me. The nets of death came against me. ⁷ In my trouble I called upon the Lord. Yes, I cried to my God. From His house He heard my voice. My cry for help came into His ears.

⁸ “Then the earth shook. The mountains were shaking. They shook because He was angry. ⁹ Smoke went up from His nose. Fire that destroyed came from His mouth. Burnt pieces of wood were set on fire by it. ¹⁰ He tore open the heavens and came down, with darkness under His feet. ¹¹ He sat on a cherub and flew. He was seen on the wings of the wind. ¹² He made darkness around Him his tent, gathering waters, and clouds of the sky. ¹³ From the light before Him, burnt pieces of wood were set on fire. ¹⁴ “The Lord thundered from heaven. The Most High let His voice be heard. ¹⁵ He sent out arrows, and made them run. He sent lightning, and made them troubled and afraid. ¹⁶ Then the bottom of the sea was seen. The bottom of the world lost its covering, at the strong words of the Lord, at the rush of breath from His nose.

¹⁷ “He sent from above. He took me. He pulled me out of many waters. ¹⁸ He saved me from those strong ones who hated me. For they were too strong for me.