Thematic Bible




Thematic Bible



Ner's son Abner, commander of Saul's army, took Saul's son Ishbosheth and brought him to Mahanaim. Abner made him king of Gilead, Asher, Jezreel, Ephraim, and Benjamin, that is, all Israel. Saul's son Ishbosheth was forty years old when he became king of Israel. He ruled for two years. However the tribe of Judah followed David. read more.
In Hebron David was king over the tribe of Judah for seven years and six months. One time Abner and the soldiers of Ishbosheth left Mahanaim and went to Gibeon. At that time Joab the son of Zeruiah was leading David's soldiers. The two groups met at the pool in Gibeon. Abner and his men sat down on one side of the pool and Joab and his men sat on the other side. Abner yelled to Joab: Let some of our best soldiers get up and fight each other! Joab agreed. Twelve of Ishbosheth's men from the tribe of Benjamin got up to fight twelve of David's men. Each one grabbed his opponent by the head. Then he stuck his sword into his opponent's side, and they fell down together. That place in Gibeon is called the Field of Enemies. Fierce fighting broke out that day. In the end, David's men defeated Abner and the men of Israel. Zeruiah's three sons were there: Joab, Abishai, and Asahel. Asahel was as fast on his feet as a wild gazelle. So Asahel started chasing Abner. He ran straight for him. Abner looked behind and asked: Are you Asahel? He answered: I am. Abner said: Soldiers are all around us. Stop chasing me and fight one of them! Kill him and take his clothes and weapons for yourself. But Asahel refused to stop. Abner spoke again to Asahel: If you do not turn back, I will have to kill you! Then I could never face your brother Joab again. However, Asahel would not turn back. So Abner struck him in the stomach with the back end of his spear. The spear went all the way through and came out of his back. Asahel fell down and died. Everyone who saw Asahel lying dead just stopped and stood still. Joab and Abishai ran after Abner. It was sun down when they arrived at the hill of Ammah. This hill is near Giah on the road to the wilderness of Gibeon. The men of Benjamin rallied behind Abner. They became united as one and stood on the top of a hill. Then Abner called to Joab: Must the sword devour forever? Do you not understand it will be bitter to the end? How long before you command the people to return from chasing their brothers? Joab said: As God lives; if you had not spoken the men would have continued following their brothers. So Joab blew a ram's horn and all the troops stopped. They did not chase or fight Israel anymore. That night Abner and his men marched through the plains. They crossed the Jordan River and passed through the entire Bithron until they came to Mahanaim. Joab returned from chasing Abner. He gathered the troops. Nineteen of David's officers and Asahel were missing. David's men killed three hundred and sixty of the men of Benjamin under Abner's command. They buried Asahel in his father's tomb in Bethlehem. Joab and his men marched all night. They arrived at Hebron at daybreak.


Absalom put Amasa in Joab's place as commander of the army. Amasa's father was Ithra from the family of Ishmael, and his mother was Abigal, the daughter of Nahash and the sister of Joab's mother Zeruiah.

The name of Saul's wife was Ahinoam daughter of Ahimaaz. The name of the commander of his army was Abner son of Saul's uncle Ner.

Joab the son of Zeruiah was the commander in chief of the army. Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud kept the government records.

Say to Amasa: 'Are you my flesh and blood? May God strike me dead unless you are given Joab's place to serve me always as the commander of the army.'

Ner's son Abner, commander of Saul's army, took Saul's son Ishbosheth and brought him to Mahanaim.

Joab was in command of the army of Israel. Benaiah son of Jehoiada was in charge of David's bodyguards.


Ner's son Abner, commander of Saul's army, took Saul's son Ishbosheth and brought him to Mahanaim. Abner made him king of Gilead, Asher, Jezreel, Ephraim, and Benjamin, that is, all Israel. Saul's son Ishbosheth was forty years old when he became king of Israel. He ruled for two years. However the tribe of Judah followed David.

The Israelites in the camp heard it said: Zimri plotted against the king and killed him. So all Israel made Omri, the captain of the army, king that day there in the camp.

In the seventh year Jehoiada the priest sent for the officers in charge of the royal bodyguard and of the palace guards, and told them to come to the Temple. He made them agree under oath to what he planned to do. He showed them King Ahaziah's son Joash and gave them the following orders: When you come on duty on the Sabbath, one third of you are to guard the palace. One third are to stand guard at the Sur Gate. The other third are to stand guard at the gate behind the other guards. read more.
The two groups that go off duty on the Sabbath are to stand guard at the Temple to protect the king. You are to guard King Jehoash with drawn swords and stay with him wherever he goes. Anyone who comes near you is to be killed. The officers obeyed Jehoiada's instructions and brought their men to him, those going off duty on the Sabbath and those going on duty. He gave the officers the spears and shields that had belonged to King David and had been kept in the Temple. He stationed the men with drawn swords all around the front of the Temple, to protect the king. Then Jehoiada led Joash out and placed the crown on his head. He gave him a copy of the laws governing kingship. Then Jehoash was anointed and proclaimed king. The people clapped their hands and shouted: Long live the king!


Absalom put Amasa in Joab's place as commander of the army. Amasa's father was Ithra from the family of Ishmael, and his mother was Abigal, the daughter of Nahash and the sister of Joab's mother Zeruiah.

Ner's son Abner, commander of Saul's army, took Saul's son Ishbosheth and brought him to Mahanaim.

Joab was in command of the army of Israel. Benaiah son of Jehoiada was in charge of David's bodyguards.


Ner's son Abner, commander of Saul's army, took Saul's son Ishbosheth and brought him to Mahanaim. Abner made him king of Gilead, Asher, Jezreel, Ephraim, and Benjamin, that is, all Israel. Saul's son Ishbosheth was forty years old when he became king of Israel. He ruled for two years. However the tribe of Judah followed David.

Samuel had all the tribes of Israel come forward. The tribe of Benjamin was chosen. He had the tribe of Benjamin come forward by families. The family of Matri (Matrites) was chosen. Then Saul, the son of Kish, was chosen. They looked for him but could not find him.

There was a wealthy and influential man named Kish. He was from the tribe of Benjamin. He was the son of Abiel and grandson of Zeror. He belonged to the family of Becorath, a part of the clan of Aphiah. He had a son named Saul. Saul was a handsome young man in the prime of life. Saul was a foot taller than anyone else in Israel and more handsome as well.

Jehovah revealed the following message to Samuel before Saul came: This time tomorrow I will send you a man from the territory of Benjamin. Anoint him to be ruler of my people Israel. He will save my people from the Philistines. I have seen my people suffering and their cry has reached me. Samuel noticed Saul. Jehovah told him: There is the man I told you about. This man will govern my people.


Later David asked Jehovah: Shall I go to the towns of Judah? Yes, Jehovah answered. Which one? David asked. Hebron, Jehovah told him. David went to Hebron. He took his two wives: Ahinoam from Jezreel, and Abigail, Nabal's widow from Carmel with him. He also took his men and their families. They settled in the towns around Hebron. read more.
Then the men of Judah came to Hebron. They anointed David as king of Judah. David heard that the people of Jabesh-gilead (Jabesh in Gilead) buried Saul. He sent some men there with the message: Jehovah blesses you for showing your loyalty to your king by burying him. May Jehovah always show you kindness. I also will be good to you because you did this. Be strong and courageous. Your master Saul is dead. Therefore the tribe of Judah has anointed me to be their king. Ner's son Abner, commander of Saul's army, took Saul's son Ishbosheth and brought him to Mahanaim. Abner made him king of Gilead, Asher, Jezreel, Ephraim, and Benjamin, that is, all Israel. Saul's son Ishbosheth was forty years old when he became king of Israel. He ruled for two years. However the tribe of Judah followed David. In Hebron David was king over the tribe of Judah for seven years and six months.


Ner's son Abner, commander of Saul's army, took Saul's son Ishbosheth and brought him to Mahanaim. Abner made him king of Gilead, Asher, Jezreel, Ephraim, and Benjamin, that is, all Israel. Saul's son Ishbosheth was forty years old when he became king of Israel. He ruled for two years. However the tribe of Judah followed David.


Ner's son Abner, commander of Saul's army, took Saul's son Ishbosheth and brought him to Mahanaim. Abner made him king of Gilead, Asher, Jezreel, Ephraim, and Benjamin, that is, all Israel. Saul's son Ishbosheth was forty years old when he became king of Israel. He ruled for two years. However the tribe of Judah followed David.


David was thirty years old when he became king. He ruled for forty years. In Hebron he ruled Judah for seven years and six months. In Jerusalem he ruled for thirty-three years over all Israel and Judah.

Later David asked Jehovah: Shall I go to the towns of Judah? Yes, Jehovah answered. Which one? David asked. Hebron, Jehovah told him. David went to Hebron. He took his two wives: Ahinoam from Jezreel, and Abigail, Nabal's widow from Carmel with him. He also took his men and their families. They settled in the towns around Hebron. read more.
Then the men of Judah came to Hebron. They anointed David as king of Judah. David heard that the people of Jabesh-gilead (Jabesh in Gilead) buried Saul. He sent some men there with the message: Jehovah blesses you for showing your loyalty to your king by burying him. May Jehovah always show you kindness. I also will be good to you because you did this. Be strong and courageous. Your master Saul is dead. Therefore the tribe of Judah has anointed me to be their king. Ner's son Abner, commander of Saul's army, took Saul's son Ishbosheth and brought him to Mahanaim. Abner made him king of Gilead, Asher, Jezreel, Ephraim, and Benjamin, that is, all Israel. Saul's son Ishbosheth was forty years old when he became king of Israel. He ruled for two years. However the tribe of Judah followed David. In Hebron David was king over the tribe of Judah for seven years and six months.


Ner's son Abner, commander of Saul's army, took Saul's son Ishbosheth and brought him to Mahanaim. Abner made him king of Gilead, Asher, Jezreel, Ephraim, and Benjamin, that is, all Israel. Saul's son Ishbosheth was forty years old when he became king of Israel. He ruled for two years. However the tribe of Judah followed David. read more.
In Hebron David was king over the tribe of Judah for seven years and six months. One time Abner and the soldiers of Ishbosheth left Mahanaim and went to Gibeon.