David Moves To Hebron

1 Some time later, David inquired of the LORD to ask, "Am I to move to any one of the cities of Judah?" The LORD told him, "Go." So David asked, "To which one?" He replied, "To Hebron."

1 Then it came about afterwards that (A)David inquired of the Lord, saying, “Shall I go up to one of the cities of Judah?” And the Lord said to him, “Go up.” So David said, “Where shall I go up?” And He said, “(B)To Hebron.”

1 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.

1 Some time later, David inquired of the Lord:(A) “Should I go to one of the towns of Judah?”The Lord answered him, “Go.”Then David asked, “Where should I go?”“To Hebron,”(B) the Lord replied.

1 So it happened after this that David inquired of the Lord, saying, “Shall I go up into one of the cities of Judah?” And the Lord said to him, “Go up.” David asked, “Where shall I go?” And He said, “To Hebron.”

2 So David went there, along with his two wives Ahinoam from Jezreel and Abigail, widow of Nabal from Carmel.

2 So David went up there, and (C)his two wives also, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess and Abigail the (a)widow of Nabal the Carmelite.

2 So David went up thither, and his two wives also, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail Nabal's wife the Carmelite.

2 So David went there with his two wives, Ahinoam the Jezreelite and Abigail, the widow of Nabal the Carmelite.(C)

2 So David went up there [to Hebron] with his two wives also, Ahinoam of Jezreel and Abigail the widow of Nabal of Carmel [in Judah].

3 David brought his army with him, each soldier accompanied by his household, and they settled in the cities of Hebron.

3 And (D)David brought up his men who were with him, each with his household; and they lived in the cities of Hebron.

3 And his men that were with him did David bring up, every man with his household: and they dwelt in the cities of Hebron.

3 In addition, David brought the men who were with him, each one with his household, and they settled in the towns near Hebron.(D)

3 And David brought up his men who were with him, each one with his household; and they lived in the cities of Hebron.

David Anointed King Over Judah At Hebron

4 After this, the army of Judah arrived, and they anointed David king over the house of Judah. There they informed David, "The men of Jabesh-gilead buried Saul."

4 Then the men of Judah came and there (E)anointed David king over the house of Judah.And they told David, saying, “It was (F)the men of Jabesh-gilead who buried Saul.”

4 And the men of Judah came, and there they anointed David king over the house of Judah. And they told David, saying, That the men of Jabeshgilead were they that buried Saul.

4 Then the men of Judah came, and there they anointed David king over the house of Judah.(E) They told David: “It was the men of Jabesh-gilead who buried Saul.”(F)

4 Then the men of Judah came and there they anointed David king over the house of Judah.Then they told David, “It was the men of Jabesh-gilead who buried Saul.”(A)

5 So David sent messengers to the people of Jabesh-gilead and told them, "May the LORD bless you, because you showed gracious love like this to your lord Saul by burying him.

5 David sent messengers to the men of Jabesh-gilead, and said to them, “(G)May you be blessed of the Lord because you have (b)shown this kindness to Saul your lord, and have buried him.

5 And David sent messengers unto the men of Jabeshgilead, and said unto them, Blessed be ye of the LORD, that ye have shewed this kindness unto your lord, even unto Saul, and have buried him.

5 David sent messengers to the men of Jabesh-gilead and said to them, “The Lord bless you, because you have shown this kindness to Saul your lord when you buried him.

5 So David sent messengers to the men of Jabesh-gilead, and said to them, “May you be blessed by the Lord because you showed this graciousness and loyalty to Saul your lord (king), and buried him.

6 Now may the Lord reward you with gracious love, as well as faithfulness, to you, too! And I will also reward you because you did this good thing.

6 Now (H)may the Lord (c)show lovingkindness and truth to you; and I also will (d)show this goodness to you, because you have done this thing.

6 And now the LORD shew kindness and truth unto you: and I also will requite you this kindness, because ye have done this thing.

6 Now, may the Lord show kindness and faithfulness to you, and I will also show the same goodness to you because you have done this deed.

6 Now may the Lord show lovingkindness and truth and faithfulness to you. I too will show this goodness to you, because you have done this thing.

7 So strengthen yourselves, and be valiant in heart, because your lord Saul has died, and the household of Judah has anointed me to be king over them."

7 Now therefore, let your hands be strong and be (e)valiant; for Saul your lord is dead, and also the house of Judah has anointed me king over them.”

7 Therefore now let your hands be strengthened, and be ye valiant: for your master Saul is dead, and also the house of Judah have anointed me king over them.

7 Therefore, be strong and courageous, for though Saul your lord is dead, the house of Judah has anointed me king over them.”

7 So now, let your hands be strong and be valiant; for your lord Saul is dead, and also the house of Judah has anointed me king over them.”

Ish-Bosheth Over Israel

8 Meanwhile, Ner's son Abner, the commander of Saul's army, had taken Saul's son Ish-bosheth and brought him to Mahanaim.

8 But (I)Abner the son of Ner, commander of Saul’s army, had taken (f)Ish-bosheth the son of Saul and brought him over to (J)Mahanaim.

8 But Abner the son of Ner, captain of Saul's host, took Ishbosheth the son of Saul, and brought him over to Mahanaim;

8 Abner son of Ner, commander of Saul’s army,(G) took Saul’s son Ish-bosheth(a)(b) and moved him to Mahanaim.

8 Now [Saul’s cousin] Abner the son of Ner, commander of Saul’s army, had taken Ish-bosheth the son of Saul and brought him over to (a)Mahanaim.

9 He installed him as king over Gilead, the Ashurites, Jezreel, Ephraim, Benjamin, and all of the rest of Israel.

9 He made him king over (K)Gilead, over the (L)Ashurites, over (M)Jezreel, over Ephraim, and over Benjamin, even over all Israel.

9 And made him king over Gilead, and over the Ashurites, and over Jezreel, and over Ephraim, and over Benjamin, and over all Israel.

9 He made him king over Gilead, Asher, Jezreel, Ephraim, Benjamin—over all Israel.

9 He made him king over Gilead, over the Ashurites, over Jezreel, over Ephraim, over Benjamin, even over all Israel [except Judah].

10 Ish-bosheth began to reign over Israel at the age of 40 years, and he reigned for two years, even though Judah's lineage followed David.

10 Ish-bosheth, Saul’s son, was forty years old when he became king over Israel, and he was king for two years. The house of Judah, however, followed David.

10 Ishbosheth Saul's son was forty years old when he began to reign over Israel, and reigned two years. But the house of Judah followed David.

10 Saul’s son Ish-bosheth was 40 years old when he began his reign over Israel; he ruled for two years. The house of Judah, however, followed David.

10 Ish-bosheth, Saul’s son, was forty years old when he became king over Israel, and he reigned for two years. But the house of Judah followed David.

11 The period of David's kingship in Hebron lasted seven years and six months.

11 (N)The (g)time that David was king in Hebron over the house of Judah was seven years and six months.

11 And the time that David was king in Hebron over the house of Judah was seven years and six months.

11 The length of time that David was king in Hebron over the house of Judah was seven years and six months.(H)

11 And the time that David was king in Hebron over the house of Judah was seven years and six months.

War Between Judah And Israel

12 Ner's son Abner and the servants of Saul's son Ish-bosheth set out from Mahanaim for Gibeon.

12 Now Abner the son of Ner, went out from Mahanaim to (O)Gibeon with the servants of Ish-bosheth the son of Saul.

12 And Abner the son of Ner, and the servants of Ishbosheth the son of Saul, went out from Mahanaim to Gibeon.

12 Abner son of Ner and soldiers of Ish-bosheth son of Saul marched out from Mahanaim to Gibeon.

12 Now Abner the son of Ner and the servants of Ish-bosheth the son of Saul went out from Mahanaim to Gibeon.

13 Zeruiah's son Joab and some of David's staff went out to meet them at the pool of Gibeon. One side encamped on one side of the pool while the other encamped on the other side of the pool.

13 And (P)Joab the son of Zeruiah and the servants of David went out and met (h)them by the pool of Gibeon; and they sat down, (i)one on the one side of the pool and (j)the other on the other side of the pool.

13 And Joab the son of Zeruiah, and the servants of David, went out, and met together by the pool of Gibeon: and they sat down, the one on the one side of the pool, and the other on the other side of the pool.

13 So Joab son of Zeruiah and David’s soldiers marched out and met them by the pool of Gibeon.(I) The two groups took up positions on opposite sides of the pool.

13 Joab [David’s nephew] the son of Zeruiah and the servants of David also went out and met them by the pool of Gibeon. They sat down, with one group on one side of the pool and the other group on the other side of the pool.

14 Abner told Joab, "Let's have the young men get up and fight in our presence." Joab replied, "Let them come."

14 Then Abner said to Joab, “Now let the young men arise and (k)(Q)hold a contest before us.” And Joab said, “Let them arise.”

14 And Abner said to Joab, Let the young men now arise, and play before us. And Joab said, Let them arise.

14 Then Abner said to Joab, “Let’s have the young men get up and compete in front of us.”“Let them get up,” Joab replied.

14 Then Abner said to Joab, “Let the young men now stand and (b)have a contest before us.” And Joab said, “Let them stand.”

15 So they got up and twelve were counted to represent Benjamin and Saul's son Ish-bosheth and twelve to represent members of David's staff.

15 So they arose and went over by count, twelve for Benjamin and Ish-bosheth the son of Saul, and twelve of the servants of David.

15 Then there arose and went over by number twelve of Benjamin, which pertained to Ishbosheth the son of Saul, and twelve of the servants of David.

15 So they got up and were counted off—12 for Benjamin and Ish-bosheth son of Saul, and 12 from David’s soldiers.

15 So they stood up and went over by number, twelve for Benjamin and Ish-bosheth the son of Saul, and twelve of the servants of David.

16 Each man grabbed his opponent by the head, plunged his sword into his opponent's side, and then they both fell together. That's why the place at Gibeon was named The Field of Swords.

16 Each one of them seized his (l)opponent by the head and thrust his sword in his (m)opponent’s side; so they fell down together. Therefore that place was called (n)Helkath-hazzurim, which is in Gibeon.

16 And they caught every one his fellow by the head, and thrust his sword in his fellow's side; so they fell down together: wherefore that place was called Helkathhazzurim, which is in Gibeon.

16 Then each man grabbed his opponent by the head and thrust his sword into his opponent’s side so that they all died together. So this place, which is in Gibeon, is named Field of Blades.(c)

16 Each one of them seized his opponent by the head and thrust his sword into his opponents side; so they fell down together. Therefore that place was called Helkath-hazzurim [that is, the Field of Sides], which is in Gibeon.

17 The battle was very violent that day, with Abner and the men of Israel being defeated in the presence of David's servants.

17 That day the battle was very severe, and (R)Abner and the men of Israel were beaten before the servants of David.

17 And there was a very sore battle that day; and Abner was beaten, and the men of Israel, before the servants of David.

17 The battle that day was extremely fierce, and Abner and the men of Israel were defeated by David’s soldiers.

17 There was a very fierce battle that day, and Abner and the men of Israel were beaten before the servants of David.

The Battle Of Gibeon

18 Zeruiah's three sons Joab, Abishai, and Asahel were there. As a runner, Asahel was fast, like one of the wild gazelles.

18 Now (S)the three sons of Zeruiah were there, Joab and Abishai and Asahel; and Asahel was (T)as (o)swift-footed as one of the gazelles which is in the field.

18 And there were three sons of Zeruiah there, Joab, and Abishai, and Asahel: and Asahel was as light of foot as a wild roe.

18 The three sons of Zeruiah were there: Joab, Abishai, and Asahel.(J) Asahel was a fast runner, like one of the wild gazelles.(K)

18 Three sons of Zeruiah [the half sister of David] were there: Joab, Abishai, and Asahel. Now Asahel was as light and swift-footed as one of the [wild] gazelles in the field.

19 So Asahel ran straight after Abner, following him.

19 Asahel pursued Abner and did not (p)turn to the right or to the left from following Abner.

19 And Asahel pursued after Abner; and in going he turned not to the right hand nor to the left from following Abner.

19 He chased Abner and did not turn to the right or the left in his pursuit of him.

19 Asahel pursued Abner and did not turn to the right or to the left as he followed him.

20 When Abner looked behind him, he said, "Is that you, Asahel?" He answered, "I am."

20 Then Abner looked behind him and said, “Is that you, Asahel?” And he answered, “It is I.”

20 Then Abner looked behind him, and said, Art thou Asahel? And he answered, I am.

20 Abner glanced back and said, “Is that you, Asahel?”“Yes it is,” Asahel replied.

20 Then Abner looked behind him and said, “Is that you, Asahel?” He answered, “It is I.”

21 Abner told him, "Go off to your right or left after one of the young men and grab some war spoils." But Asahel would not stop following him,

21 So Abner said to him, “(q)Turn to your right or to your left, and take hold of one of the young men for yourself, and take for yourself his spoil.” But Asahel was not willing to turn aside from following him.

21 And Abner said to him, Turn thee aside to thy right hand or to thy left, and lay thee hold on one of the young men, and take thee his armour. But Asahel would not turn aside from following of him.

21 Abner said to him, “Turn to your right or left, seize one of the young soldiers, and take whatever you can get from him.” But Asahel would not stop chasing him.

21 So Abner said to him, “Turn to your right or to your left, and grab one of the young men and take his armor for yourself.” But Asahel was not willing to turn away from pursuing Abner.

22 so Abner told Asahel again, "Stop following me. Why should I strike you down? How could I show my face to your brother Joab?"

22 Abner repeated again to Asahel, “Turn (r)aside from following me. Why should I strike you to the ground? (U)How then could I lift up my face to your brother Joab?”

22 And Abner said again to Asahel, Turn thee aside from following me: wherefore should I smite thee to the ground? how then should I hold up my face to Joab thy brother?

22 Once again, Abner warned Asahel, “Stop chasing me. Why should I strike you to the ground? How could I ever look your brother Joab in the face?”(L)

22 Abner repeated again, “Turn away from following me. Why should I have to strike you to the ground? How would I (c)be able to face Joab your brother [and look him in the eye]?”

23 But Asahel refused to turn away, so Abner struck Asahel in the abdomen with the butt end of his spear, and the spear protruded through his back. He collapsed to the ground and died where he fell. Everyone gathered round the place where Asahel had collapsed and died, and stood still there.

23 However, he refused to turn aside; therefore Abner struck him in the belly with the butt end of the spear, so that the spear came out at his back. And he fell there and died on the spot. And it came about that all who came to the place where (V)Asahel had fallen and died, stood still.

23 Howbeit he refused to turn aside: wherefore Abner with the hinder end of the spear smote him under the fifth rib, that the spear came out behind him; and he fell down there, and died in the same place: and it came to pass, that as many as came to the place where Asahel fell down and died stood still.

23 But Asahel refused to turn away, so Abner hit him in the stomach with the end of his spear. The spear went through his body, and he fell and died right there. When all who came to the place where Asahel had fallen and died, they stopped,

23 But Asahel refused to turn away; so Abner struck him in the abdomen with the (d)butt end of his spear, and the spear came out his back; and he fell there and died on that spot. And it came about that everyone who came to the place where Asahel fell and died, stood still [and reflected].

24 Meanwhile, Joab and Abishai continued to chase Abner. At dusk, as they approached the hill of Ammah that is located near Giah on the way to the Gibeon desert,

24 But Joab and Abishai pursued Abner, and when the sun was going down, they came to the hill of Ammah, which is in front of Giah by the way of the wilderness of Gibeon.

24 Joab also and Abishai pursued after Abner: and the sun went down when they were come to the hill of Ammah, that lieth before Giah by the way of the wilderness of Gibeon.

24 but Joab and Abishai pursued Abner. By sunset, they had gone as far as the hill of Ammah, which is opposite Giah on the way to the wilderness of Gibeon.

24 But Joab and Abishai [Asahel’s brothers] pursued Abner. When the sun was going down, they came to the hill of Ammah, which is in front of Giah on the way to the wilderness of Gibeon.

25 the descendants of Benjamin rallied around Abner, forming a single military force. They took their stand on top of the hill.

25 The sons of Benjamin gathered together behind Abner and became one band, and they stood on the top of a certain hill.

25 And the children of Benjamin gathered themselves together after Abner, and became one troop, and stood on the top of an hill.

25 The Benjaminites rallied to Abner; they formed a single unit and took their stand on top of a hill.

25 And the sons of [the tribe of] Benjamin gathered together behind Abner and became one troop, and took their stand on the top of a hill.

26 Then Abner called out to Joab, "Must the battle sword keep on devouring forever? Don't you realize that the end result is bitterness? How long will it take for you to order your army to stop pursuing their own relatives?"

26 Then Abner called to Joab and said, “Shall the sword devour forever? Do you not know that it will be bitter in the end? How long will you (s)refrain from telling the people to turn back from following their brothers?”

26 Then Abner called to Joab, and said, Shall the sword devour for ever? knowest thou not that it will be bitterness in the latter end? how long shall it be then, ere thou bid the people return from following their brethren?

26 Then Abner called out to Joab: “Must the sword devour forever? Don’t you realize this will only end in bitterness? How long before you tell the troops to stop pursuing their brothers?”

26 Then Abner called to Joab, “Must the sword devour forever? Do you not know that it will be bitter in the end? How long [will it be] before you tell the people to stop pursuing their brothers?”

27 Joab answered, "As God lives, if you hadn't spoken up, by morning my army would have broken off their pursuit of their own relatives."

27 Joab said, “As God lives, if you had not spoken, surely then the people would have gone away in the morning, each from following his brother.”

27 And Joab said, As God liveth, unless thou hadst spoken, surely then in the morning the people had gone up every one from following his brother.

27 “As God lives,” Joab replied, “if you had not spoken up, the troops wouldn’t have stopped pursuing their brothers until morning.”(M)

27 Joab said, “As God lives, if you had not spoken, then the people certainly would have stopped pursuing their brothers in the morning.”

28 So Joab sounded his battle trumpet, his entire army stopped pursuing Israel any longer, and they quit fighting.

28 So Joab blew the trumpet; and all the people halted and pursued Israel no longer, (W)nor did they continue to fight anymore.

28 So Joab blew a trumpet, and all the people stood still, and pursued after Israel no more, neither fought they any more.

28 Then Joab blew the ram’s horn, and all the troops stopped; they no longer pursued Israel or continued to fight.

28 So Joab blew the trumpet; and all the people halted and no longer pursued Israel, nor did they fight anymore.

29 Abner and his army traveled through the Arabah by night, crossed the Jordan, and arrived at Mahanaim after marching all morning.

29 Abner and his men then went through the Arabah all that night; so they crossed the Jordan, walked all morning, and came to (X)Mahanaim.

29 And Abner and his men walked all that night through the plain, and passed over Jordan, and went through all Bithron, and they came to Mahanaim.

29 So Abner and his men marched through the Arabah all that night. They crossed the Jordan, marched all morning,(d) and arrived at Mahanaim.(N)

29 Then Abner and his men went through the Arabah (desert region) all that night, crossed the Jordan, went through Bithron and walked the whole morning and came to Mahanaim [where Ish-bosheth ruled Israel].

30 Joab returned from his pursuit of Abner, and when he had mustered his entire army, nineteen of David's soldiers were missing besides Asahel.

30 Then Joab returned from following Abner; when he had gathered all the people together, (t)nineteen of David’s servants besides Asahel were missing.

30 And Joab returned from following Abner: and when he had gathered all the people together, there lacked of David's servants nineteen men and Asahel.

30 When Joab had turned back from pursuing Abner, he gathered all the troops. In addition to Asahel, 19 of David’s soldiers were missing,

30 Joab returned from pursuing Abner; and when he had gathered all the people together, nineteen of David’s servants were missing, besides Asahel.

31 Meanwhile, other soldiers of David had killed 360 of Abner's men from the tribe of Benjamin.

31 But the servants of David had struck down many of Benjamin and Abner’s men, so that three hundred and sixty men died.

31 But the servants of David had smitten of Benjamin, and of Abner's men, so that three hundred and threescore men died.

31 but they had killed 360 of the Benjaminites and Abner’s men.

31 But the servants of David had struck down many of Benjamin and Abner’s men; so that three hundred and sixty men died.

32 They retrieved Asahel's body and buried him in his father's tomb at Bethlehem. Then Joab and his men marched all night until daybreak and arrived back in Hebron.

32 And they took up Asahel and buried him (Y)in his father’s tomb which was in Bethlehem. Then Joab and his men went all night until the day (u)dawned at Hebron.

32 And they took up Asahel, and buried him in the sepulchre of his father, which was in Bethlehem. And Joab and his men went all night, and they came to Hebron at break of day.

32 Afterward, they carried Asahel to his father’s tomb in Bethlehem and buried him. Then Joab and his men marched all night and reached Hebron at dawn.

32 And they picked up [the body of] Asahel and buried him in the tomb of his father in Bethlehem. Then Joab and his men walked all night and they arrived in Hebron at daybreak.

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