David in the Bible

Meaning: well-beloved, dear

Exact Match

And the women her neighbours gave it a name, saying, There is a son born to Naomi; and they called his name Obed: he is the father of Jesse, the father of David.

And from that day the ark remained in Kiriath-jearim for a very long time, for it was twenty years [until the reign of King David]; and all the house of Israel lamented (wailed) and grieved after the Lord.

But now your kingdom shall not endure. The Lord has sought out for Himself a man (David) after His own heart, and the Lord has appointed him as leader and ruler over His people, because you have not kept (obeyed) what the Lord commanded you.”

Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel rose up, and went to Ramah.

Wherefore Saul sent messengers unto Jesse, and said, Send me David thy son, which is with the sheep.

And Jesse took an ass laden with bread, and a bottle of wine, and a kid, and sent them by David his son unto Saul.

And David came to Saul, and stood before him: and he loved him greatly; and he became his armourbearer.

And Saul sent to Jesse, saying, Let David, I pray thee, stand before me; for he hath found favour in my sight.

Now David was the son of that Ephrathite of Bethlehemjudah, whose name was Jesse; and he had eight sons: and the man went among men for an old man in the days of Saul.

And Jesse said unto David his son, Take now for thy brethren an ephah of this parched corn, and these ten loaves, and run to the camp to thy brethren;

And David rose up early in the morning, and left the sheep with a keeper, and took, and went, as Jesse had commanded him; and he came to the trench, as the host was going forth to the fight, and shouted for the battle.

And David left his carriage in the hand of the keeper of the carriage, and ran into the army, and came and saluted his brethren.

And as he talked with them, behold, there came up the champion, the Philistine of Gath, Goliath by name, out of the armies of the Philistines, and spake according to the same words: and David heard them.

And David spake to the men that stood by him, saying, What shall be done to the man that killeth this Philistine, and taketh away the reproach from Israel? for who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?

And Eliab his eldest brother heard when he spake unto the men; and Eliab's anger was kindled against David, and he said, Why camest thou down hither? and with whom hast thou left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know thy pride, and the naughtiness of thine heart; for thou art come down that thou mightest see the battle.

Then David turned away from Eliab to someone else and asked the same question; and the people gave him the same answer as the first time.

And when the words were heard which David spake, they rehearsed them before Saul: and he sent for him.

And Saul said to David, Thou art not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him: for thou art but a youth, and he a man of war from his youth.

And David said unto Saul, Thy servant kept his father's sheep, and there came a lion, and a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock:

David said moreover, The LORD that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine. And Saul said unto David, Go, and the LORD be with thee.

And Saul armed David with his armour, and he put an helmet of brass upon his head; also he armed him with a coat of mail.

And David girded his sword upon his armour, and he assayed to go; for he had not proved it. And David said unto Saul, I cannot go with these; for I have not proved them. And David put them off him.

And the Philistine came on and drew near unto David; and the man that bare the shield went before him.

And the Philistine said unto David, Am I a dog, that thou comest to me with staves? And the Philistine cursed David by his gods.

And the Philistine said to David, Come to me, and I will give thy flesh unto the fowls of the air, and to the beasts of the field.

Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied.

And it came to pass, when the Philistine arose, and came and drew nigh to meet David, that David hasted, and ran toward the army to meet the Philistine.

And David put his hand in his bag, and took thence a stone, and slang it, and smote the Philistine in his forehead, that the stone sunk into his forehead; and he fell upon his face to the earth.

So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and with a stone, and smote the Philistine, and slew him; but there was no sword in the hand of David.

Therefore David ran, and stood upon the Philistine, and took his sword, and drew it out of the sheath thereof, and slew him, and cut off his head therewith. And when the Philistines saw their champion was dead, they fled.

And David took the head of the Philistine, and brought it to Jerusalem; but he put his armour in his tent.

And when Saul saw David go forth against the Philistine, he said unto Abner, the captain of the host, Abner, whose son is this youth? And Abner said, As thy soul liveth, O king, I cannot tell.

And as David returned from the slaughter of the Philistine, Abner took him, and brought him before Saul with the head of the Philistine in his hand.

And Saul said to him, Whose son art thou, thou young man? And David answered, I am the son of thy servant Jesse the Bethlehemite.

And it came to pass, when he had made an end of speaking unto Saul, that the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul.

Saul took David that day and did not let him return to his father’s house.

And Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was upon him, and gave it to David, and his garments, even to his sword, and to his bow, and to his girdle.

And David went out whithersoever Saul sent him, and behaved himself wisely: and Saul set him over the men of war, and he was accepted in the sight of all the people, and also in the sight of Saul's servants.

And it came to pass as they came, when David was returned from the slaughter of the Philistine, that the women came out of all cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet king Saul, with tabrets, with joy, and with instruments of musick.

And the women answered one another as they played, and said, Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands.

And Saul was very wroth, and the saying displeased him; and he said, They have ascribed unto David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed but thousands: and what can he have more but the kingdom?

And it came to pass on the morrow, that the evil spirit from God came upon Saul, and he prophesied in the midst of the house: and David played with his hand, as at other times: and there was a javelin in Saul's hand.

And Saul cast the javelin; for he said, I will smite David even to the wall with it. And David avoided out of his presence twice.

So Saul had David removed from his presence and appointed him as his commander of a thousand; and he publicly associated with the people.

And Saul said to David, Behold my elder daughter Merab, her will I give thee to wife: only be thou valiant for me, and fight the LORD'S battles. For Saul said, Let not mine hand be upon him, but let the hand of the Philistines be upon him.

And David said unto Saul, Who am I? and what is my life, or my father's family in Israel, that I should be son in law to the king?

But it came to pass at the time when Merab Saul's daughter should have been given to David, that she was given unto Adriel the Meholathite to wife.

And Saul said, I will give him her, that she may be a snare to him, and that the hand of the Philistines may be against him. Wherefore Saul said to David, Thou shalt this day be my son in law in the one of the twain.

And Saul commanded his servants, saying, Commune with David secretly, and say, Behold, the king hath delight in thee, and all his servants love thee: now therefore be the king's son in law.

And Saul's servants spake those words in the ears of David. And David said, Seemeth it to you a light thing to be a king's son in law, seeing that I am a poor man, and lightly esteemed?

And Saul said, Thus shall ye say to David, The king desireth not any dowry, but an hundred foreskins of the Philistines, to be avenged of the king's enemies. But Saul thought to make David fall by the hand of the Philistines.

And when his servants told David these words, it pleased David well to be the king's son in law: and the days were not expired.

Wherefore David arose and went, he and his men, and slew of the Philistines two hundred men; and David brought their foreskins, and they gave them in full tale to the king, that he might be the king's son in law. And Saul gave him Michal his daughter to wife.

Then the princes of the Philistines went forth: and it came to pass, after they went forth, that David behaved himself more wisely than all the servants of Saul; so that his name was much set by.

And Saul spake to Jonathan his son, and to all his servants, that they should kill David.

But Jonathan Saul's son delighted much in David: and Jonathan told David, saying, Saul my father seeketh to kill thee: now therefore, I pray thee, take heed to thyself until the morning, and abide in a secret place, and hide thyself:

And Jonathan spake good of David unto Saul his father, and said unto him, Let not the king sin against his servant, against David; because he hath not sinned against thee, and because his works have been to theeward very good:

For he did put his life in his hand, and slew the Philistine, and the LORD wrought a great salvation for all Israel: thou sawest it, and didst rejoice: wherefore then wilt thou sin against innocent blood, to slay David without a cause?

Saul listened to Jonathan’s advice and swore an oath: “As surely as the Lord lives, David will not be killed.”

And Jonathan called David, and Jonathan shewed him all those things. And Jonathan brought David to Saul, and he was in his presence, as in times past.

And there was war again: and David went out, and fought with the Philistines, and slew them with a great slaughter; and they fled from him.

And the evil spirit from the LORD was upon Saul, as he sat in his house with his javelin in his hand: and David played with his hand.

And Saul sought to smite David even to the wall with the javelin; but he slipped away out of Saul's presence, and he smote the javelin into the wall: and David fled, and escaped that night.

Saul also sent messengers unto David's house, to watch him, and to slay him in the morning: and Michal David's wife told him, saying, If thou save not thy life to night, to morrow thou shalt be slain.

And Saul sent the messengers again to see David, saying, Bring him up to me in the bed, that I may slay him.

So David fled, and escaped, and came to Samuel to Ramah, and told him all that Saul had done to him. And he and Samuel went and dwelt in Naioth.

And Saul sent messengers to take David: and when they saw the company of the prophets prophesying, and Samuel standing as appointed over them, the Spirit of God was upon the messengers of Saul, and they also prophesied.

Then went he also to Ramah, and came to a great well that is in Sechu: and he asked and said, Where are Samuel and David? And one said, Behold, they be at Naioth in Ramah.

And David fled from Naioth in Ramah, and came and said before Jonathan, What have I done? what is mine iniquity? and what is my sin before thy father, that he seeketh my life?

And David sware moreover, and said, Thy father certainly knoweth that I have found grace in thine eyes; and he saith, Let not Jonathan know this, lest he be grieved: but truly as the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, there is but a step between me and death.

Then said Jonathan unto David, Whatsoever thy soul desireth, I will even do it for thee.

And David said unto Jonathan, Behold, to morrow is the new moon, and I should not fail to sit with the king at meat: but let me go, that I may hide myself in the field unto the third day at even.

If thy father at all miss me, then say, David earnestly asked leave of me that he might run to Bethlehem his city: for there is a yearly sacrifice there for all the family.

Then said David to Jonathan, Who shall tell me? or what if thy father answer thee roughly?

And Jonathan said unto David, Come, and let us go out into the field. And they went out both of them into the field.

And Jonathan said unto David, O LORD God of Israel, when I have sounded my father about to morrow any time, or the third day, and, behold, if there be good toward David, and I then send not unto thee, and shew it thee;

But also thou shalt not cut off thy kindness from my house for ever: no, not when the LORD hath cut off the enemies of David every one from the face of the earth.

So Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David, saying, Let the LORD even require it at the hand of David's enemies.

Then Jonathan said to David, To morrow is the new moon: and thou shalt be missed, because thy seat will be empty.

Thematic Bible



In the spring, at the time of the year when kings usually go to war, David sent out Joab with his officers and the Israelite army. They destroyed the Ammonites and besieged the city of Rabbah. David stayed in Jerusalem. Late one afternoon, David got up from his nap and went to the palace roof. He walked around on the roof. He saw a woman taking a bath. She was very beautiful. He sent a messenger to find out who she was. He learned that she was Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam and the wife of Uriah the Hittite. read more.
So David sent messengers to get her. She came to him and they had sexual intercourse. She had just cleansed herself after her monthly period. Then she went home. The woman became pregnant. So she sent someone to tell David that she was pregnant.


Nathan went home. Jehovah struck the child that Uriah's wife had given birth to David. The child became sick. David pleaded with God for the child. He fasted and lay on the ground all night. The elders in his palace stood beside him to raise him up from the ground. But he was unwilling and he would not eat with them. read more.
On the seventh day the child died. David's servants were afraid to tell him that the child was dead. They thought: While the child was alive, we talked to him, and he would not listen to us. How can we tell him the child is dead? He may harm himself. David saw that his servants were whispering to one another. He realized (discerned) that the child was dead. Is the child dead? David asked them. Yes, he is dead. They answered. David got up from the floor. He took a bath, combed his hair, and changed his clothes. Then he went and worshiped in the Temple of Jehovah. After that he returned to the palace and ate. We do not understand, his servants said, while the child was alive you would not eat. As soon as he died, you got up and ate! David replied: I fasted and cried while the child lived. I thought Jehovah might be gracious to me and let the child live. Why should I fast now that he is dead? Can I bring him back? Someday I will go to him. However he will not come back to me.


I am very discouraged. That is why I will remember you in the land of Jordan, on the peaks of Hermon, on Mount Mizar.

I sink in deep mire, where there is no foothold. I have come into deep waters, where the floods overflow me.

When I thought to know this, it was too painful for me.

By the rivers of Babylon, we sat down and cried as we remembered Zion.


Hezekiah said to Isaiah: The word of Jehovah that you spoke is good. He added: Is it not good that there is peace and security as long as I live?

Why should I fast now that he is dead? Can I bring him back? Someday I will go to him. However he will not come back to me.

Let him do to me what he wishes if he is not pleased with me.


for the farm workers in the fields, Ezri, son of Chelub


David asked Ahimelech the Hittite, and Abishai the brother of Joab: Who will go to Saul's camp with me? I will, Abishai answered.


Gad came to David and said: Go, set up an altar for Jehovah at Araunah the Jebusite's threshing floor. David obeyed Jehovah's command and went as Gad had told him to.


David answered: You come out to fight me with a sword and a spear and a dagger. But I come out to fight you in the name of Jehovah of Hosts. He is the Almighty God of Israel's army. You have insulted him!


But Abishai shouted: You should be killed for cursing Jehovah's chosen king!

Then invite Jesse to the sacrifice. I will reveal to you what you should do. You will anoint the one I point out to you.

Jesse sent for him. He was a handsome, healthy young man, and his eyes sparkled. Jehovah said to Samuel: This is the one. Anoint him! Samuel took the olive oil and anointed David in front of his brothers. Immediately the Spirit of Jehovah took control of David and was with him from that day on. Then Samuel returned to Ramah.

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.

All the elders of Israel came to King David at Hebron. He made a sacred alliance with them. They anointed him, and he became king of Israel.

You are that man! Nathan said to David. And this is what the Lord Jehovah the God of Israel says: 'I made you king of Israel and rescued you from Saul.

Therefore all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron. David made a covenant with them at Hebron in the presence of Jehovah. Then they anointed David king over Israel, according to the word of Jehovah by Samuel.


David went to the town of Mahanaim. Shobi son of Nahash came from Rabbah in Ammon, Machir son of Ammiel came from Lo-Debar, and Barzillai the Gileadite came from Rogelim. Here is a list of what they brought: sleeping mats, blankets, bowls, pottery jars, wheat, barley, flour, roasted grain, beans, lentils, Also honey, yogurt, sheep, and cheese. They brought food for David and the others because they knew that everyone would be hungry, tired, and thirsty from being out in the desert.

Barzillai, the man from Gilead, came from Rogelim with the king to the Jordan River to send him on his way. Barzillai was a very old man. He was eighty years old. He was very rich. He supplied the king with food while he was staying at Mahanaim. The king said to him: Come with me to Jerusalem. I will take care of you. read more.
Barzillai answered: I do not have long to live. Why should I go with Your Majesty to Jerusalem? I am already eighty years old. Nothing gives me pleasure any more. I cannot taste what I eat and drink. I cannot hear the voices of singers. I would only be a burden to my lord the king. I will cross the river with you. But I will only go a little way on the other side. You do not have to be so kind to me. Please let me return to my hometown. There I can someday be buried near my father and mother. My servant Chimham can go with you. You can treat him as your own. David said: I will take Chimham with me. Whatever you ask me to do for him, I will do. If you want anything else I will do it. David's soldiers went across the river. He stayed behind to tell Barzillai good-by and to wish him well. Barzillai returned home.

But show kindness to the sons of Barzillai from Gilead and take care of them. They were kind to me when I was fleeing from your brother Absalom.

Of the children of the priests: the children of Habaiah, the children of Hakkoz, the children of Barzillai, who was married to one of the daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite, and took their name.

And of the priests: the children of Hobaiah, the children of Hakkoz, the children of Barzillai, who was married to one of the daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite, and took their name.


As for you, son of man, take a sharp sword. Take and use it as a barber's razor to shave your head and beard. Then take scales for weighing and divide the hair.

Right there in front of everyone, he pretended to be insane. He acted confused and scratched up the doors of the town gate. He drooled in his beard.


Jesse sent for him. He was a handsome, healthy young man, and his eyes sparkled. Jehovah said to Samuel: This is the one. Anoint him!

One of his attendants said: Jesse of the town of Bethlehem has a son who is a good musician. He is also a brave and handsome man, a good soldier, and an able speaker. Jehovah is with him.


I have become a disgrace because of all my opponents. I have become someone dreaded by my friends, even by my neighbors. Those who see me on the street run away from me. I have faded from memory as if I were dead and have become like a piece of broken pottery.

Even my close friend in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, has lifted up his heel against me.

You have taken my friends far away from me. You made me disgusting to them. I am shut in, and I cannot get out.

You have taken my loved ones and friends far away from me. Darkness is my only friend!


The king was shaken by the news. He went to the room above the gate and cried. My son Absalom! He said. My son, my son Absalom! I wish I had died in your place! Absalom, my son, my son!

David held his hands over his face and kept on crying loudly. My son, Absalom! Absalom, my son, my son!


Nathan went home. Jehovah struck the child that Uriah's wife had given birth to David. The child became sick. David pleaded with God for the child. He fasted and lay on the ground all night. The elders in his palace stood beside him to raise him up from the ground. But he was unwilling and he would not eat with them. read more.
On the seventh day the child died. David's servants were afraid to tell him that the child was dead. They thought: While the child was alive, we talked to him, and he would not listen to us. How can we tell him the child is dead? He may harm himself. David saw that his servants were whispering to one another. He realized (discerned) that the child was dead. Is the child dead? David asked them. Yes, he is dead. They answered. David got up from the floor. He took a bath, combed his hair, and changed his clothes. Then he went and worshiped in the Temple of Jehovah. After that he returned to the palace and ate. We do not understand, his servants said, while the child was alive you would not eat. As soon as he died, you got up and ate! David replied: I fasted and cried while the child lived. I thought Jehovah might be gracious to me and let the child live. Why should I fast now that he is dead? Can I bring him back? Someday I will go to him. However he will not come back to me.


David answered: You come out to fight me with a sword and a spear and a dagger. But I come out to fight you in the name of Jehovah of Hosts. He is the Almighty God of Israel's army. You have insulted him!


One day, David thought: I wonder if any of Saul's family is still alive. If they are I will be kind to them. This is because I made a promise to Jonathan.

She opens her mouth with wisdom and in her tongue is the law of kindness (she speaks kind things).


David went from there to Mizpah in Moab. He said to the king of Moab: Please let my father and my mother come and stay with you until I know what God will do for me. He left them with the king of Moab. So they stayed with him all the time that David was in the stronghold.

Lord Jehovah, I put my hope in you. I have trusted in you since I was young.

O God, You taught me from my youth, and I still declare your wondrous deeds.


His father never confronted him by asking: Why have you done this?


Jehovah said to Samuel: How long will you mourn for Saul? After all I have rejected him from being king over Israel? Take oil in your vessel and go. I will send you to Jesse, the Beth-lehemite. I have a king from among his sons.


Are these all the sons you have? Samuel asked. There is still the youngest one, Jesse answered. He is tending sheep. Samuel responded: Send someone to get him. We will not continue until he gets here.


David asked: Why were you not afraid to take it upon yourself to destroy Jehovah's (YHWH) anointed king?

He told his men: Stop talking foolishly. We are not going to attack Saul. He is my king. I pray that Jehovah will keep me from doing anything to harm his chosen king. David stopped his men by saying this to them. He did not let them attack Saul. Saul left the cave and went out onto the road. Then David got up and left the cave. He called to Saul: My lord! When Saul looked back. David knelt down with his face touching the ground. read more.
David asked Saul: Why do you listen to rumors that I am trying to harm you? Today you saw how Jehovah handed you over to me in the cave. Although I was told to kill you I spared you. I said: 'I will not raise my hand against my lord because you are Jehovah's anointed.'

David asked Ahimelech the Hittite, and Abishai the brother of Joab: Who will go to Saul's camp with me? I will, Abishai answered. David and Abishai entered Saul's camp at night. They found Saul sleeping in the center of the camp. His spear was stuck in the ground near his head. Abner and the troops were sleeping around him. Abishai said to David: God put your enemy in your power tonight. Let me plunge his own spear through him and pin him to the ground. I will do it with just one blow. I will not have to strike twice! read more.
But David said: Do not harm him! Jehovah will certainly punish whoever harms his chosen king. By the living God Jehovah, David declared, I know that Jehovah will kill Saul, either when his time comes to die a natural death or when he dies in battle. Jehovah forbid that I should try to harm the one Jehovah anointed to be king. Just take his spear and his water jar and go. David took the spear and the water jar from beside Saul's head. Then he and Abishai left. No one saw it or knew what happened. No one woke up. They were all sound asleep, because Jehovah sent a heavy sleep on them all. Then David crossed over to the other side of the valley. He went to the top of the hill a great distance away. David shouted to Saul's troops and to Abner: Abner! Can you hear me? Who is calling to the king? Abner asked. David answered, Abner, are you the greatest man in Israel? Why are you not protecting your master, the king? Someone entered the camp to kill your master. You failed in your duty, Abner! I swear by the living God Jehovah all of you deserve to die. You have not protected your master, whom Jehovah made king. Look for the king's spear? Where is the water jar that was near his head?


I am a companion of all those who reverence you and keep your precepts.


But when they were sick, I wore sackcloth. I humbled myself with fasting. My prayer returned unanswered. I walked around as if I were mourning for my friend or my brother. I was bent over as if I were mourning for my mother.


David left Hebron and moved to Jerusalem. He married many women from Jerusalem, and he had a lot of children.

The king left on foot. His whole household followed him. The king left ten concubines behind to take care of the palace.


I admit my transgressions. My sin is always in front of me.

He said: I have done wrong in giving a righteous man to you.

After David had everyone counted, he felt guilty and told Jehovah: What I did was stupid and terribly wrong. Jehovah, please forgive me.

David brought the bones of Saul and Jonathan. His men also gathered the bones of those who had been executed.

Have I sinned? What have I done to you, O watcher of all humanity? Why have you made me your target? Am I a burden to you?

I said: O Jehovah, be gracious to me! Heal me for I have sinned against you.


After David had everyone counted, he felt guilty and told Jehovah: What I did was stupid and terribly wrong. Jehovah, please forgive me.


Your boundary lines mark out pleasant places for me. Indeed, my inheritance is beautiful to me.


You are that man! Nathan said to David. And this is what the Lord Jehovah the God of Israel says: 'I made you king of Israel and rescued you from Saul.

Ahab said to Elijah: Have you come face to face with me, O my enemy? Elijah said: I have come to you because you have given yourself up to do evil in the eyes of Jehovah.

David told Saul: No one should be discouraged because of this. I will go and fight this Philistine.

Micaiah answered: By the living God Jehovah I promise that I will say what he tells me to say!

Elisha answered: By the living God Jehovah, whom I serve, I swear that I would have nothing to do with you if I did not respect your ally, King Jehoshaphat of Judah.


That is how God will bless my descendants. He made an eternal covenant with me. It is an agreement that will not be broken, a promise that will not be changed. That is all I desire. That will be my victory, and God will surely bring it about.

I made a covenant with my chosen; I swore to David my servant: I will establish your seed forever and build up your throne to all generations.'


The days are coming, declares Jehovah, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch. He will reign as king and act wisely and do justice and righteousness in the land.

I see him, but not now! I behold him, but not near! A star shall come forth from Jacob. A scepter shall rise from Israel and shall crush through the forehead of Moab. It will tear down all the sons of Sheth.

Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom. He will establish and uphold it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of Jehovah of Hosts will accomplish this.

Do you not know that Jehovah, the God of Israel, made an unbreakable covenant with David, giving him and his descendants kingship over Israel from generation to generation?

One from Jacob will have dominion and will destroy the remnant from the city.

when I let judges rule my people. I have kept your enemies from attacking you. Now I promise that you and your descendants will be kings. I will choose one of your sons to be king when you reach the end of your life and are buried in the tomb of your ancestors. I will make him a strong ruler. I will allow no one to take his long lasting kingdom away from him. He will be the one to build a temple for me. read more.
I will be his father. He will be my son. When he does wrong I will correct him just as parents correct children. I will never put an end to my agreement with him. I put an end to my agreement with Saul when he was king before you. I will make sure that one of your descendants will be king for a very long time. Your throne will be established from generation to generation.'

I will provide a place for my people Israel and will plant them so that they can have a home of their own and no longer be disturbed. Wicked people will not oppress them anymore, as they did at the beginning. They have done this since the time I appointed leaders over my people Israel. I will also subdue all your enemies. I declare to you that Jehovah will build a house for you! When your days are over and you go to be with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you. It will be one of your own sons, and I will establish his kingdom. read more.
He is the one who will build a house for me. I will establish his throne forever. I will be his father, and he will be my son. I will never take my love away from him, as I took it away from your predecessor. I will set him over my house and my kingdom forever! His throne will be established forever.'

Since I brought my people Israel out of Egypt, I did not choose any city from the tribes of Israel as a place to build a Temple for my name. And I did not choose any man to be prince over my people Israel. Now I have chosen Jerusalem to be a place for my name. I have chosen David to rule my people Israel. My father David had his heart set on building a Temple for the name of Jehovah the God of Israel. read more.
However, Jehovah said to my father David: Since you had your heart set on building a Temple for my name, your intentions were good. You must not build the Temple. Instead, your own son will build the Temple for my name. Jehovah has kept the promise he made. I have taken my father David's place. I sit on the throne of Israel as Jehovah promised. I have built the Temple for the name of Jehovah God of Israel. I put the Ark that contains Jehovah's promise to Israel there. In the presence of the entire assembly of Israel, Solomon stood in front of Jehovah's altar. He stretched out his hands to pray. Solomon had made a copper platform seven and one half feet long, seven and one half feet wide, and four and one half feet high. He put it in the middle of the courtyard. He stood on the platform, knelt in front of the entire assembly, and stretched out his hands toward heaven. He said: Jehovah God of Israel, there is no god like you in heaven or on earth. You keep your promise of mercy to your servants, who obey you wholeheartedly. You have kept your promise to my father David, your servant. With your mouth you promised it. With your hand you carried it out as it is today. Now then, O Jehovah, God of Israel, keep your promise to my father David, your servant. You said: You will never fail to have an heir sitting in front of me on the throne of Israel if your descendants are faithful to me as you have been faithful to me. Therefore, Jehovah, God of Israel, may the promise you made to David, your servant, come true.

Jehovah was not willing to destroy the dynasty of David. This is because he made a covenant with David and promised that his descendants would always continue to rule.

Once you spoke in vision to your godly ones. You said: I have given help to one who is mighty. I have exalted one chosen from the people. I have found David my servant. I anointed him with my holy oil. With him my hand will be established; my arm also will strengthen him. read more.
No enemy will tax him. No wicked man will oppress him. I will beat down his adversaries before him. I will strike those who hate him. But my faithfulness and my loving kindness will be with him. In my name, his horn (power) (strength) will be exalted (increased). I will set his hand also on the sea, and his right hand on the rivers. He will call to me: You are my Father, My God, and the rock of my salvation! I will also appoint him my firstborn, the highest of the kings of the earth. I will keep my loving kindness for him forevermore. My covenant will stand firm with him. I will make his descendants endure forever and his throne like the days of heaven. If his descendants abandon my law and do not live by my rules, if they violate my statutes and do not obey my commandments, then with a rod I will punish their transgression and their crimes with beatings. But I will not take my loving kindness away from him or allow my truth to become perverted. I will not dishonor my promise or alter my own agreement. On my holiness I have taken an oath: I will not lie to David. His descendants will last forever. His throne will be in my presence like the sun. It shall be established forever like the moon. It will be like a faithful witness in heaven.

In love a throne will be established and in faithfulness a man will sit on it. One shall sit upon it in truth and faithfulness. He will be from the tent of David. He will judge and seek justice and speed the cause of righteousness.

Then in that day I will call my servant Eliakim the son of Hilkiah. I will clothe him with your robe and strengthen him with your belt. I will commit your responsibility into his hand. He will be a father to the inhabitants of Jerusalem and to the house of Judah. I will lay the key of the house of David on his shoulder. He will open, and no one will shut and he will shut, and no one will open. read more.
I will fasten him as a peg in a secure place. He will become a glorious throne to his father's house. They will hang all the glory of his father's house on him, the offspring and the posterity, all vessels of small quantity, from the cups to all the pitchers. Jehovah of Hosts says: 'In that day the peg that is fastened in the secure place will be removed and be cut down and fall. The load that was on it will be destroyed.' Jehovah has spoken.

At that time I will choose as king a righteous descendant of David. That king will do what is right and just throughout the land. The people of Judah and of Jerusalem will be rescued and will live in safety. The city will be called Jehovah is Our Righteousness.' I Jehovah promise that there will always be a descendant of David to be king of Israel read more.
and that there will always be priests from the tribe of Levi to serve me and to offer burnt offerings, grain offerings, and sacrifices.' Jehovah continued to speak to me: If you break my covenant of the day and my covenant of the night, so that day and night will not be at their appointed time, then my covenant may also be broken with David my servant so that he will not have a son to reign on his throne, with the Levitical priests as my ministers. I will increase the descendants of my servant David and the Levites who serve me in the same way as the stars of heaven that cannot be counted and the sand on the seashore that cannot be measured.' The word of Jehovah came to Jeremiah: Have you not observed what this people have said. They say, 'The two families Jehovah chose, he has rejected?' Thus they despise my people, no longer are they as a nation in their sight. Jehovah says: 'If My covenant for day and night do not stand and I have not established the fixed patterns of heaven and earth, then I would reject the descendants of Jacob and David my servant. And I would not take from his descendants rulers over the descendants of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. But I will restore their prosperity and will show them love and compassion.'

He will be great. He will be called the Son of the Most High. Jehovah God will give him the throne of his father David. (Isaiah 11:1-10) He will reign over the house of Jacob forever. His kingdom will not end.


I will choose one of your sons to be king when you reach the end of your life and are buried in the tomb of your ancestors. I will make him a strong ruler. I will allow no one to take his long lasting kingdom away from him. He will be the one to build a temple for me. I will be his father. He will be my son. When he does wrong I will correct him just as parents correct children. read more.
I will never put an end to my agreement with him. I put an end to my agreement with Saul when he was king before you. I will make sure that one of your descendants will be king for a very long time. Your throne will be established from generation to generation.'

When your days are over and you go to be with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you. It will be one of your own sons, and I will establish his kingdom. He is the one who will build a house for me. I will establish his throne forever. I will be his father, and he will be my son. I will never take my love away from him, as I took it away from your predecessor. read more.
I will set him over my house and my kingdom forever! His throne will be established forever.'

Now then, O Jehovah, God of Israel, keep your promise to my father David, your servant. You said: You will never fail to have an heir sitting in front of me on the throne of Israel if your descendants are faithful to me as you have been faithful to me.

That is how God will bless my descendants. He made an eternal covenant with me. It is an agreement that will not be broken, a promise that will not be changed. That is all I desire. That will be my victory, and God will surely bring it about.

I made a covenant with my chosen; I swore to David my servant: I will establish your seed forever and build up your throne to all generations.'

Jehovah swore an oath to David: This is a truth he will not take back: I will set one of your own descendants on your throne. If your sons are faithful to my covenant and my written instructions that I will teach them, then their descendants will also sit on your throne forever.

I will return and will build again the tabernacle of David, which has fallen down. I will rebuild its ruins. I will restore it. (Amos 9:11,12)

And again, Isaiah says: Then in that day the nations will search for and turn to the root of Jesse. He will stand as a signal for the peoples. His resting place will be glorious. (Isaiah 11:10)


Jesus left that place and walked along the road. Two blind men followed him. They shouted: Have mercy on us, Son of David!

A woman of Canaan came crying and saying: Have pity on me, O Lord, Son of David; my daughter is greatly troubled with an unclean spirit.

The crowds were amazed, and said: Can this be the son of David?

Those going ahead of him and following him shouted praise: Glory to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of Jehovah! Glory in the highest! (Psalms 118:26)

Two blind men sitting by the side of the road heard Jesus pass by and cried out: Have mercy on us, O Lord, Son of David! The crowd told them to be quiet. But they cried even more, saying: Have mercy on us, O Lord, you Son of David!

What do you think of the Christ? Whose son is he? They said: The son of David.

When he heard that it was Jesus the Nazarene, he cried: Jesus, son of David, have mercy on me! Many rebuked him that he should keep quiet. However he cried out even more: You son of David have mercy on me.

They told him: Jesus of Nazareth passed by.

They rebuked him and said he should keep quiet. But he cried out even more: You son of David, have mercy on me!


You sing idle songs to the sound of the harp and like David you improvise on musical instruments.

David told the Levite leaders to appoint some of their brothers to serve as musicians. They were expected to play music on harps, lyres, and cymbals to produce joyful music for singing.

Four thousand are to be gatekeepers and four thousand are to praise Jehovah with musical instruments I have provided for that purpose.

His brothers, Shemaiah, and Azarel, Milalai, Gilalai, Maai, Nethanel and Judah, Hanani, with the music-instruments of David, the man of God; and Ezra the scribe was at their head;

David went to Saul and worked for him. Saul liked him so much that he put David in charge of carrying his weapons. Not long after this, Saul sent another message to Jesse: I really like David. Please let him stay with me. Whenever the distressing spirit from God bothered Saul, David would play his harp. Saul would relax and feel better. The distressing spirit would go away.

The priests were standing at their posts. So were the Levites who had Jehovah's musical instruments that King David made for praising Jehovah. They were saying: his mercy endures forever. This he used to offer praise. The priests were opposite the Levites blowing trumpets while all Israel was standing there.

and instruments like those that King David used. The priests also stood there with trumpets.


David was a son of a man named Jesse from the region of Ephrath and the city of Bethlehem in Judah. Jesse had eight sons. In Saul's day he was an old man.

Are these all the sons you have? Samuel asked. There is still the youngest one, Jesse answered. He is tending sheep. Samuel responded: Send someone to get him. We will not continue until he gets here.

Now these are the generations of Perez: Perez became the father of Hezron. And Hezron became the father of Ram, and Ram became the father of Amminadab. And Amminadab became the father of Nahshon, and Nahshon became the father of Salmon. read more.
Salmon became the father of Boaz, and Boaz became the father of Obed. And Obed became the father of Jesse, and Jesse became the father of David.

The sons of Judah: Er, Onan and Shelah. These three were born to him by a Canaanite woman, the daughter of Shua. Er, Judah's firstborn was wicked in Jehovah's sight; so Jehovah put him to death. Tamar, Judah's daughter-in-law, bore him Perez and Zerah. Judah had five sons in all. The sons of Perez: Hezron and Hamul. read more.
The sons of Zerah: Zimri, Ethan, Heman, Calcol and Darda five in all. The son of Carmi: Achar, who brought trouble on Israel by violating the ban on taking devoted things. The son of Ethan: Azariah. The sons born to Hezron were: Jerahmeel, Ram and Caleb. Ram was the father of Amminadab, and Amminadab the father of Nahshon, the leader of the people of Judah. Nahshon was the father of Salmon, Salmon the father of Boaz, Boaz the father of Obed and Obed the father of Jesse. Jesse was the father of Eliab his firstborn; the second son was Abinadab, the third Shimea, the fourth Nethanel, the fifth Raddai, the sixth Ozem and the seventh David.

The list of ancestors of Jesus Christ, descendant of David and Abraham: Abraham was the father of Isaac, Isaac the father of Jacob, Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers. Judah and Tamar were the father and mother of Perez and Zerah. Perez was the father of Hezron, Hezron the father of Ram, read more.
Ram the father of Amminadab, Amminadab the father of Nahshon, Nahshon the father of Salmon. Salmon and Rahab were the father and mother of Boaz. Boaz and Ruth were the father and mother of Obed. Obed was the father of Jesse, Jesse the father of King David. David and Uriah's wife Bath-sheba were the father and mother of Solomon.

the son of Melea, the son of Menna, the son of Mattatha, the son of Nathan, the son of David, the son of Jesse, the son of Obed, the son of Boaz, the son of Salmon, the son of Nahshon, the son of Amminadab, the son of Arni, the son of Hezron, the son of Perez, the son of Judah, read more.
the son of Jacob, the son of Isaac, the son of Abraham, the son of Terah, the son of Nahor, the son of Serug, the son of Reu, the son of Peleg, the son of Eber, the son of Shelah the son of Cainan, the son of Arphaxad, the son of Shem, the son of Noah, the son of Lamech, the son of Methuselah, the son of Enoch, the son of Jared, the son of Mahalaleel, the son of Cainan, the son of Enos, the son of Seth, the son of Adam, the Son of God.


The Spirit of Jehovah spoke through me. His word was on my tongue. The God of Israel has spoken. The protector of Israel said to me: 'The king who rules with justice, who rules in obedience to God. He is like the sun shining on a cloudless day. The sun that makes the grass sparkle after rain. read more.
That is how God will bless my descendants. He made an eternal covenant with me. It is an agreement that will not be broken, a promise that will not be changed. That is all I desire. That will be my victory, and God will surely bring it about. All the evildoers will be like thorns to be pushed away. They may not be gripped in the hand: But with a sharp spear. They are burned on the spot.'

David said: All this was written for me by Jehovah's hand. He made all the details of the plan clear to me.

The Pharisees were gathered together, so Jesus asked them a question. What do you think of the Christ? Whose son is he? They said: The son of David. He said: How then does David, directed by Spirit, call him Lord, saying, read more.
Jehovah said to my Lord, Sit on my right hand until I put your enemies beneath your feet.' (Psalm 110:1) If David called him 'Lord,' how is he his son? No one was able to answer him. After that they asked no more questions.

David spoke concerning him: 'I had Jehovah always before my face, for he is at my right hand, that I should not be shaken. (Psalm 16:8) Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope: Because you will not leave me in the grave, neither will you allow your Holy One to see corruption. (Psalm 16:10) read more.
You have made known to me the ways of life, and you will fill me with joy with your presence.' Men and brothers let me freely speak to you about the patriarch David that he is dead and buried. His grave is with us to this day. Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne. He seeing this before spoke about the resurrection of Christ. That he would not be left in the grave and his flesh did not see corruption. God resurrected Jesus and we all witnessed this! He is exalted to the right hand of God. He has received the promised Holy Spirit from the Father. So he poured out what you now see and hear. For David has not ascended into heaven and yet he said: 'Jehovah said to my Lord, Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool.' (Psalm 110:1) Therefore let all the house of Israel know for sure that God has made that same Jesus, whom you impaled, both Lord and Christ. (Acts 10:36) Now when they heard this, they were stabbed to the heart, and said to Peter and to the rest of the apostles: Men and brothers, what shall we do? Then Peter said: Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

You spoke by the mouth of your servant David: Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things? (Psalm 2:1)


In Hebron David was king over the tribe of Judah for seven years and six months.

In Hebron he ruled Judah for seven years and six months. In Jerusalem he ruled for thirty-three years over all Israel and Judah.

These six were born to David in Hebron, where he reigned seven years and six months. David reigned in Jerusalem thirty-three years,

Then all Israel came together to David at Hebron. They said: Indeed we are your bone and your flesh. In time past, even when Saul was king, you were the one who led Israel out and brought them in. Jehovah your God said to you: You will shepherd my people Israel, and be ruler over my people Israel. Therefore all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron. David made a covenant with them at Hebron in the presence of Jehovah. Then they anointed David king over Israel, according to the word of Jehovah by Samuel.

These are the numbers of armed warriors who joined David at Hebron. They were all eager to see David become king instead of Saul, just as Jehovah had promised. From the tribe of Judah, there were six thousand eight hundred warriors armed with shields and spears. From the tribe of Simeon, there were seven thousand one hundred warriors. read more.
From the tribe of Levi, there were four thousand six hundred troops. This included Jehoiada, leader of the family of Aaron, who had three thousand seven hundred under his command. This also included Zadok, a young warrior, with twenty-two members of his family who were all officers. From the tribe of Benjamin, Saul's relatives, there were three thousand warriors. Most of the men from Benjamin had remained loyal to Saul until this time. From the tribe of Ephraim, there were twenty thousand eight hundred warriors, each famous in his own clan. From the half-tribe of Manasseh west of the Jordan, eighteen thousand men were sent for the express purpose of helping David become king. From the tribe of Issachar, there were two hundred leaders of the tribe with their relatives. All these men understood the temper of the times and knew the best course for Israel to take. From the tribe of Zebulun, there were fifty thousand skilled warriors. They were fully armed and prepared for battle and completely loyal to David. From the tribe of Naphtali, there were one thousand officers and thirty-seven thousand warriors armed with shields and spears. From the tribe of Dan, there were twenty-eight thousand six hundred warriors, all prepared for battle. From the tribe of Asher, there were forty thousand trained warriors, all prepared for battle. From the east side of the Jordan River where the tribes of Reuben and Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh lived there were one hundred twenty thousand troops armed with every kind of weapon. All these men came in battle array to Hebron with the single purpose of making David the king of Israel. In fact, all Israel agreed that David should be their king. They feasted and drank with David for three days. Their relatives had made preparations for their arrival. People from as far away as Issachar, Zebulun, and Naphtali brought food on donkeys, camels, mules, and oxen. Vast supplies of flour, fig cakes, raisins, wine; olive oil, cattle, and sheep were brought to the celebration. There was great joy throughout the land of Israel

for forty years. He ruled in Hebron for seven years and in Jerusalem for thirty-three.


In Hebron David was king over the tribe of Judah for seven years and six months.

In Hebron he ruled Judah for seven years and six months. In Jerusalem he ruled for thirty-three years over all Israel and Judah.

These six were born to David in Hebron, where he reigned seven years and six months. David reigned in Jerusalem thirty-three years,

Then all Israel came together to David at Hebron. They said: Indeed we are your bone and your flesh. In time past, even when Saul was king, you were the one who led Israel out and brought them in. Jehovah your God said to you: You will shepherd my people Israel, and be ruler over my people Israel. Therefore all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron. David made a covenant with them at Hebron in the presence of Jehovah. Then they anointed David king over Israel, according to the word of Jehovah by Samuel.

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 was king of Israel for forty years. He ruled seven years in Hebron and thirty-three years in Jerusalem.


Afterward the children of Israel will return and seek Jehovah their God. David their king will come with trembling to Jehovah and to his goodness in the last days.

My servant David will be their king. All of them will have one shepherd. They will live by my rules, and they will obey my laws. They will live in the land that I gave my servant Jacob, the land where their ancestors lived. They, their children, and their grandchildren will live in it for a very long time. My servant David will be their prince for a very long time.

You will serve Jehovah your God and David your king. I will establish him for you.

I will place one shepherd over them, my servant David. He will take care of them. He will take care of them and be their shepherd. I, Jehovah, will be their God, and my servant David will be their prince. I, Jehovah, have spoken!



Jehovah forbid that I should try to harm the one Jehovah anointed to be king. Just take his spear and his water jar and go.

David stopped his men by saying this to them. He did not let them attack Saul. Saul left the cave and went out onto the road.

David said to Abishai and to all his officials: My own son is trying to kill me. Why should you be surprised at this Benjaminite? Jehovah told him to curse. Leave him alone and let him curse.

David exclaimed: Abishai, what will I do with you and your brother Joab? Is it your job to tell me who has done wrong? I have been made king of all Israel today. No one will be put to death! David promised Shimei that he would not be killed.


David left Hebron and moved to Jerusalem. He married many women from Jerusalem, and he had a lot of children.

He must not take many wives or his heart will turn astray. He must not accumulate large amounts of silver and gold.


Altogether, those chosen to be gatekeepers at the thresholds numbered two hundred and twelve. They were registered by genealogy in their villages. David and Samuel the seer had assigned the gatekeepers to their positions of trust.

David told the Levite leaders to appoint some of their brothers to serve as musicians. They were expected to play music on harps, lyres, and cymbals to produce joyful music for singing. So the Levites appointed Heman son of Joel, and from his relatives they appointed Asaph Berechiah's son. From their own relatives, Merari's descendants, they appointed Ethan son of Kushaiah. In addition, they appointed their relatives from the second division: Zechariah, Jaaziel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Unni, Eliab, Benaiah, Maaseiah, Mattithiah, Eliphelehu, and Mikneiah. Obed Edom and Jeiel were appointed gatekeepers. read more.
The musicians Heman, Asaph, and Ethan were appointed to play bronze cymbals. Zechariah, Jaziel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Unni, Eliab, Maaseiah, and Benaiah were appointed to play harps tuned according to alamoth. Mattithiah, Eliphelehu, Mikneiah, Obed Edom, Jeiel, and Azaziah were appointed to play lyres and to conduct the eighth. Chenaniah, a Levite leader, instructed others how to sing prophetic songs because he was skilled at it. Berechiah and Elkanah were gatekeepers for the ark. The priests Shebaniah, Joshaphat, Nethanel, Amasai, Zechariah, Benaiah, and Eliezer blew trumpets in front of God's Ark. Obed Edom and Jehiah were doorkeepers for the ark.

David appointed some Levites to serve in front of Jehovah's Ark by offering prayers, thanks, and praise to Jehovah the God of Israel. Asaph was the head. Zechariah was second, then Jeiel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Mattithiah, Eliab, Benaiah, Obed Edom, and Jeiel with harps and lyres. Asaph played the cymbals. The priests Benaiah and Jahaziel played trumpets all the time in front of the Ark of God's covenant.

David left Asaph and his relatives to serve continually in front of the Ark of Jehovah's Covenant, as the daily work required. David also left Obed Edom and sixty-eight of his relatives to serve there. Obed Edom Jeduthun's son and Hosah were to be gatekeepers. David left Zadok and his priestly relatives to serve in Jehovah's Tent at the place of worship in Gibeon. read more.
They were ordered to sacrifice burnt offerings to Jehovah. This happened on the altar of burnt offerings continually, morning and evening, as written in the Law of Jehovah that he gave Israel. With Zadok and his relatives were Heman, Jeduthun, and the rest of the Levites who had been selected. They were chosen by name, to give thanks to Jehovah by singing, because His mercy endures forever. Also, Heman and Jeduthun played trumpets, cymbals, and the other musical instruments that accompany sacred songs. Jeduthun's sons were stationed at the gate. Then all the people went home. David went back to bless his family.



David was about to die. He called his son Solomon and gave him his last instructions: It is my time to die. I go the way of all people of the earth. Be strong and be a man. Do what Jehovah your God orders you to do. Obey all his laws and commands, as written in the Law of Moses. That way wherever you go you may prosper in everything you do. read more.
If you obey Jehovah he will keep the promise he made when he told me, 'Your descendants will rule Israel as long as they are careful to obey my commands faithfully with all their heart and being.' Remember what Joab did to me by killing the two commanders of Israel's armies, Abner son of Ner and Amasa son of Jether. You remember how he murdered them in time of peace. This was revenge for deaths they had caused in time of war. He killed innocent men. I bear the responsibility for what he did. I suffer the consequences. You know what to do. You must not let him die a natural death. But show kindness to the sons of Barzillai from Gilead and take care of them. They were kind to me when I was fleeing from your brother Absalom. There is also Shimei son of Gera, from the town of Bahurim in Benjamin. He cursed me with a bitter curse the day I went to Mahanaim. When he met me at the Jordan River, I gave him my solemn promise in the name of Jehovah, saying, 'I will not have you killed by the sword.' However you must not let him go unpunished. You know what to do. You must make sure he is put to death. David died and was buried in David's City. He was king of Israel for forty years. He ruled seven years in Hebron and thirty-three years in Jerusalem.

Then he called for his son Solomon and charged him to build a house for Jehovah, the God of Israel. David said to Solomon: My son, I had it in my heart to build a house for the Name of Jehovah my God. The word of Jehovah came to me, saying: 'You have shed much blood and have fought many wars. You are not to build a house for my name. This is because you have shed much blood on the earth in my sight. read more.
You will have a son who will be a man of peace and rest, and I will give him rest from all his enemies on every side. His name will be Solomon (peace), and I will grant Israel peace and quiet during his reign. He is the one who will build a house for my name. He will be my son, and I will be his father. I will establish the throne of his kingdom over Israel for a very ong time.' Now, my son, Jehovah is with you, and may you have success and build the house of Jehovah your God, as he said you would. May Jehovah give you discretion and understanding when he puts you in command over Israel, so that you may keep the law of Jehovah your God. You will have success if you are careful to observe the decrees and laws that Jehovah gave Moses for Israel. Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged. I have taken great pains to provide for the temple of Jehovah three thousand seven hundred and fifty tons of gold, about thirty-seven thousand five hundred tons of silver, quantities of copper and iron too great to be weighed, and wood and stone. And you may add to them. You have many workmen: stonecutters, masons and carpenters, as well as men skilled in every kind of work in gold and silver, copper and iron, craftsmen beyond number. Now begin the work, and Jehovah will be with you. David ordered all the leaders of Israel to help his son Solomon. He said to them: Is not Jehovah your God with you? And has he not granted you rest on every side? For he has handed the inhabitants of the land over to me, and the land is subject to Jehovah and to his people. Devote your mind and heart to seek Jehovah your God. Begin to build the sanctuary of Jehovah God. That way you may bring the Ark of the Covenant of Jehovah and the sacred articles belonging to God into the Temple that will be built for the name of Jehovah.


David died and was buried in David's City.

He died at a very old age, wealthy and respected, and his son Solomon succeeded him as king.

Men and brothers let me freely speak to you about the patriarch David that he is dead and buried. His grave is with us to this day. Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne.


The following are the names of his sons born in Jerusalem: Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon, Ibhar, Elishua, Nepheg, Japhia, Elishama, Eliada, and Eliphelet.

and these were the children born to him there: Shammua, Shobab, Nathan and Solomon. These four were by Bathsheba daughter of Ammiel. There were also Ibhar, Elishua, Eliphelet, Nogah, Nepheg, Japhia, read more.
Elishama, Eliada and Eliphelet nine in all.

These are the names of the children born to him there: Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon, Ibhar, Elishua, Elpelet, Nogah, Nepheg, Japhia, read more.
Elishama, Beeliada and Eliphelet.


The king and his men went to Jerusalem to attack the Jebusites, who lived in that region. The Jebusites told David: You will never get in here. Even the blind and the lame could turn you away. In other words he could not enter there.

David and all Israel went to Jerusalem, which is Jebus, where the Jebusites were, the inhabitants of the land. Then the inhabitants of Jebus said to David: You shall not come in here! Nevertheless David took the stronghold of Zion that is, the City of David. David said: Whoever attacks the Jebusites first shall be chief and captain. Joab the son of Zeruiah went up first, and became chief. read more.
Then David dwelt in the stronghold. That is why they called it the City of David. He built the city around it, from the stronghold on the mound to the surrounding area. Joab repaired the rest of the city.

You will have trouble Ariel. The years go by, year after year in Ariel the city where David camped! (Jerusalem) You celebrate your festivals on schedule.


Your kingdom will not last. Jehovah searched for a man after his own heart. Jehovah appointed him as ruler of his people. This is because you did not follow the command of Jehovah.

Jehovah did this because David had done what was right in Jehovah's eyes. He obeyed his commandments, except in the case of Uriah the Hittite.


Samuel took the olive oil and anointed David in front of his brothers. Immediately the Spirit of Jehovah took control of David and was with him from that day on. Then Samuel returned to Ramah.

Jehovah said to Samuel: How long will you mourn for Saul? After all I have rejected him from being king over Israel? Take oil in your vessel and go. I will send you to Jesse, the Beth-lehemite. I have a king from among his sons.

Once you spoke in vision to your godly ones. You said: I have given help to one who is mighty. I have exalted one chosen from the people. I have found David my servant. I anointed him with my holy oil. With him my hand will be established; my arm also will strengthen him. read more.
No enemy will tax him. No wicked man will oppress him. I will beat down his adversaries before him. I will strike those who hate him. But my faithfulness and my loving kindness will be with him. In my name, his horn (power) (strength) will be exalted (increased). I will set his hand also on the sea, and his right hand on the rivers. He will call to me: You are my Father, My God, and the rock of my salvation! I will also appoint him my firstborn, the highest of the kings of the earth. I will keep my loving kindness for him forevermore. My covenant will stand firm with him. I will make his descendants endure forever and his throne like the days of heaven. If his descendants abandon my law and do not live by my rules, if they violate my statutes and do not obey my commandments, then with a rod I will punish their transgression and their crimes with beatings. But I will not take my loving kindness away from him or allow my truth to become perverted. I will not dishonor my promise or alter my own agreement. On my holiness I have taken an oath: I will not lie to David. His descendants will last forever. His throne will be in my presence like the sun. It shall be established forever like the moon. It will be like a faithful witness in heaven.



These are the numbers of armed warriors who joined David at Hebron. They were all eager to see David become king instead of Saul, just as Jehovah had promised. From the tribe of Judah, there were six thousand eight hundred warriors armed with shields and spears. From the tribe of Simeon, there were seven thousand one hundred warriors. read more.
From the tribe of Levi, there were four thousand six hundred troops. This included Jehoiada, leader of the family of Aaron, who had three thousand seven hundred under his command. This also included Zadok, a young warrior, with twenty-two members of his family who were all officers. From the tribe of Benjamin, Saul's relatives, there were three thousand warriors. Most of the men from Benjamin had remained loyal to Saul until this time. From the tribe of Ephraim, there were twenty thousand eight hundred warriors, each famous in his own clan. From the half-tribe of Manasseh west of the Jordan, eighteen thousand men were sent for the express purpose of helping David become king. From the tribe of Issachar, there were two hundred leaders of the tribe with their relatives. All these men understood the temper of the times and knew the best course for Israel to take. From the tribe of Zebulun, there were fifty thousand skilled warriors. They were fully armed and prepared for battle and completely loyal to David. From the tribe of Naphtali, there were one thousand officers and thirty-seven thousand warriors armed with shields and spears. From the tribe of Dan, there were twenty-eight thousand six hundred warriors, all prepared for battle. From the tribe of Asher, there were forty thousand trained warriors, all prepared for battle. From the east side of the Jordan River where the tribes of Reuben and Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh lived there were one hundred twenty thousand troops armed with every kind of weapon. All these men came in battle array to Hebron with the single purpose of making David the king of Israel. In fact, all Israel agreed that David should be their king. They feasted and drank with David for three days. Their relatives had made preparations for their arrival. People from as far away as Issachar, Zebulun, and Naphtali brought food on donkeys, camels, mules, and oxen. Vast supplies of flour, fig cakes, raisins, wine; olive oil, cattle, and sheep were brought to the celebration. There was great joy throughout the land of Israel


Once again there was a battle between the Philistines and Israel. David and his men went to fight the Philistines. David became exhausted. A descendant of Haraphah named Benob had a copper spear weighing seven and one half pounds. He wore it on a new belt. He captured David and intended to kill him. Abishai son of Zeruiah came to David's rescue. Abishai attacked the giant and killed him. Then David's men made David promise that he would never again go out with them to battle. You are the hope of Israel. We do not want to lose you! They said. read more.
After this there was a battle with the Philistines at Gob. Sibbecai from Hushah killed a giant named Saph a descendant of Rapha. There was another battle with the Philistines at Gob. Elhanan son of Jair from Bethlehem killed Goliath from Gath. Goliath's spear had a shaft as thick as the bar on a weaver's loom. There was another war, this time in Gath. One of the enemy soldiers was a descendant of the Rephaim. He was as big as a giant and had six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot. When he challenged Israel, Jonathan, son of David's brother Shimei, killed him. These four were descendants of Haraphah from Gath. David and his men killed them.

War broke out with the Philistines at Gezer. Sibbecai from Hushah killed Sippai, a descendant of Haraphah, and the Philistines were defeated. When more fighting broke out with the Philistines, Elhanan, son of Jair, killed Lahmi, the brother of Goliath from Gath. The shaft of Lahmi's spear was like a beam used by weavers. In another battle at Gath, there was a tall man who had twenty-four fingers and toes: six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot. He also was a descendant of Haraphah. read more.
When he challenged Israel, Jonathan, son of David's brother Shimea, killed him. These men were the descendants of Haraphah from Gath. David and his men killed them.



You rescued me from my conflicts with the people. You made me the leader of nations. A people I did not know will serve me:

Because for your sake, I have borne reproach. Shame has covered my face. I have become a stranger to my brothers, an alien to my mother's children. Zeal for your house consumes me. The reproaches of those who reproach you have fallen on me.


He was king of Israel for forty years. He ruled seven years in Hebron and thirty-three years in Jerusalem.

for forty years. He ruled in Hebron for seven years and in Jerusalem for thirty-three. He died at a very old age, wealthy and respected, and his son Solomon succeeded him as king.



David went to the priest Ahimelech at Nob. Ahimelech was afraid when he met David. Why are you alone? He asked David. Why is no one with you? The king ordered me to do something, David answered the priest Ahimelech, and he told me: No one must know anything about this mission I am sending you to do. I have stationed my young men at a certain place. David added: What do you have to eat? Give me five loaves of bread or whatever you can find. read more.
The high priest answered David: I do not have any ordinary bread here. But there is holy bread for the young men if they have not had sexual intercourse today. David answered the priest: Women have been kept away from us as usual when we go on a mission. The young men's bodies are kept holy even on ordinary campaigns. How much more then are their bodies holy today? The priest gave him holy bread. For he only had the bread of the presence that had been taken from Jehovah's presence and replaced with warm bread that day.

He replied to them: Have you read what David did when he and his companions were hungry? He entered into the house of God, and he and his companions ate the showbread (holy bread), which it was not lawful for them to eat. It was only lawful for the priests.


Joab, son of Zeruiah, started to count them but did not finish. God was angry with Israel because of this, and the report from it was never included in the official records of King David.


He died at a very old age, wealthy and respected, and his son Solomon succeeded him as king.

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.


King David was told: Jehovah has blessed Obed Edom's home and everything he owns because of the Ark of God. Then David joyfully went to get the Ark of God from Obed Edom's house and bring it to the City of David. When those who carried the Ark of Jehovah walked six steps, David sacrificed a bull and a fattened calf. Wearing a linen ephod, David danced in Jehovah's presence with all his might. read more.
He and the entire nation of Israel brought the Ark of Jehovah with shouts of joy and the sounding of rams' horns. When the Ark of Jehovah came to the City of David, Saul's daughter Michal looked out of a window and saw King David leaping and dancing in Jehovah's presence. She despised him in her heart.



There was a famine for three successive years during David's reign. David asked Jehovah for advice about it. Jehovah answered: It is because of Saul and his family. They are guilty of murder because they killed the people of Gibeon. The Gibeonites were not a part of Israel but were left over from the Amorites. The Israelites swore to spare them. Saul, in his eagerness, tried to destroy them for Israel and Judah. The king called the Gibeonites. He asked them: What can I do for you? What shall I give you to make peace with you so that you will bless what belongs to Jehovah? read more.
The Gibeonites responded: Our quarrel with Saul and his family cannot be settled with silver or gold. We do not want to kill any Israelite. What do you want me to do? David asked. They answered: Saul wanted to destroy us and leave none of us alive anywhere in Israel. Hand over seven of his male descendants. We will hang them before Jehovah at Gibeah, the hometown of Saul, Jehovah's chosen king. The king responded: I will hand them over to you. David made a promise to Jonathan with Jehovah as his witness. He spared Jonathan's son Mephibosheth, the grandson of Saul. Saul and Rizpah the daughter of Aiah had two sons named Armoni and Mephibosheth. Saul's daughter Merab had five sons whose father was Adriel the son of Barzillai from Meholah. David took Rizpah's two sons and Merab's five sons. He turned them over to the Gibeonites. They hanged all seven of them on the mountain near the place where Jehovah was worshiped. This happened right at the beginning of the barley harvest. Rizpah daughter of Aiah spread some sackcloth on a nearby rock. She would not let the birds land on the bodies during the day. She kept the wild animals away at night. She stayed there from the beginning of the harvest until it started to rain. [The Philistines killed Saul and Jonathan on Mount Gilboa and hung their bodies in the town square at Beth-Shan. The people of Jabesh in Gilead secretly took the bodies away.] David found out what Saul's wife Rizpah did. So he went to the leaders of Jabesh to get the bones of Saul and his son Jonathan. David took the bones of Saul and his son Jonathan from the citizens of Jabesh Gilead. They had stolen them from the public square of Beth Shean, where the Philistines hung them the day they killed Saul at Gilboa. David brought the bones of Saul and Jonathan. His men also gathered the bones of those who had been executed. Then they buried the bones of Saul and his son Jonathan in the land of Benjamin, at Zela, in the tomb of Saul's father Kish. They did everything the king ordered. After that God answered the prayers for the land.


So David ruled all Israel. He did what was fair and right for all his people.

So David ruled all Israel. He did what was fair and right for all his people.


David continued to grow more powerful because Jehovah God of Hosts was with him.

David went on and became great, and Jehovah of Hosts was with him.



These six were born to David in Hebron, where he reigned seven years and six months. David reigned in Jerusalem thirty-three years,

Sons were born to David while he was in Hebron. His first son was Amnon, born to Ahinoam from Jezreel. The second was Chileab, whose mother was Abigail, Nabal's widow from Carmel. The third was Absalom, whose mother was Maacah daughter of King Talmai of Geshur. The fourth son was Adonijah, whose mother was Haggith. The fifth was Shephatiah, whose mother was Abital. read more.
The sixth was Ithream, whose mother was Eglah. All of these sons were born in Hebron.


However God told me: 'You must not build the Temple for my name because you have fought wars and caused bloodshed.'


David replied to Saul: I am a shepherd for my father's sheep. When a lion or a bear comes and carries off a sheep from the flock, I go after it, attack it, and rescue the lamb. If the lion or bear turns on me, I grab it by the throat and beat it to death. I have killed lions and bears. I will do the same to this heathen Philistine. He has defied the army of the living God.


Mephibosheth the son of Jonathan and grandson of Saul arrived. He bowed down before David in respect. David said: Mephibosheth. He answered: I am here to serve.

Mephibosheth grandson of Saul also came to meet David. He missed David so much that he did not take a bath or trim his beard or wash his clothes the whole time David was gone. They returned to Jerusalem. Mephibosheth came to see David. David asked him: Why did you not go with me? He answered: Your Majesty, you know I cannot walk. I told my servant to saddle a donkey for me so I could go with you. But my servant left without me. read more.
He told you lies about me. My lord the king is like an angel of God. Do what you think is right. You could have killed anyone in my entire family. Instead you seated me with those who eat at your table. I no longer have the right to complain to my lord the king. The king asked him: Why do you keep talking about it? I said you and Ziba should divide the land. Let him take it all, Mephibosheth told the king. It is enough for me that you have come home safely.


King Hiram of Tyre sent some officials to David. Carpenters and stone workers came with them. They brought cedar logs so they could build a palace for David.

When King Hiram of Tyre heard that Solomon succeeded his father as king he sent ambassadors to Solomon. He had always been a friend of David's.


The king was shaken by the news. He went to the room above the gate and cried. My son Absalom! He said. My son, my son Absalom! I wish I had died in your place! Absalom, my son, my son!

They brought Joab word. They said: The king weeps and mourns for Absalom. David's army found out he was crying because his son died. Suddenly their day of victory turned into a day of sadness. The troops returned to Mahanaim without celebration. It was as if they ran away from battle and were ashamed. read more.
David held his hands over his face and kept on crying loudly. My son, Absalom! Absalom, my son, my son!


King Hiram of Tyre sent some officials to David. Carpenters and stone workers came with them. They brought cedar logs so they could build a palace for David.

Solomon sent a message to King Hiram of Tyre: Do business with me as you did with my father, King David, when you sold him cedar logs for building his palace.


The fourth son was Adonijah, whose mother was Haggith. The fifth was Shephatiah, whose mother was Abital.

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. read more.
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.


When David was old and full of years, he made his son Solomon king over Israel.


Samuel took the olive oil and anointed David in front of his brothers. Immediately the Spirit of Jehovah took control of David and was with him from that day on. Then Samuel returned to Ramah.


He took his shepherd's stick and picked up five smooth stones from the stream and put them in his bag. With his sling ready, he went out to meet Goliath.


Jesse sent for him. He was a handsome, healthy young man, and his eyes sparkled. Jehovah said to Samuel: This is the one. Anoint him!


One day the Philistines brought their soldiers together to attack Israel. Achish told David: You and your men must fight as part of our Philistine army. David answered: That will give you a chance to see for yourself just how well we can fight! Achish said: You and your men will always be my bodyguards.





However, David captured the fortress Zion, that is, the City of David.


David went to Saul and worked for him. Saul liked him so much that he put David in charge of carrying his weapons. Not long after this, Saul sent another message to Jesse: I really like David. Please let him stay with me. Whenever the distressing spirit from God bothered Saul, David would play his harp. Saul would relax and feel better. The distressing spirit would go away.


All the people of Israel came to the king. They asked: Why did our brothers, the people of Judah, kidnap you and bring you and your family across the Jordan River? All the people of Judah answered the people of Israel: Because the king is our relative. Why are you angry about this? Did we eat the king's food, or did he give us any gifts? The Israelites replied: We have ten times as many claims on King David as you have! We know he is one of you. Why do you look down on us? Do not forget that we were the first to talk about bringing the king back! The men of Judah were more violent in making their claims than the men of Israel.


David and his men, about six hundred in all, left Keilah. They went wherever they could go. Then Saul was told: David has escaped from Keilah! So he gave up the campaign. David lived in fortified camps in the desert. He lived in fortified camps in the mountains of the desert of Ziph. Saul was always searching for him. But God did not let him capture David. David was afraid because Saul had come to kill him at Horesh in the desert of Ziph. read more.
Jonathan went to see David. God helped him encourage David. Do not be afraid, Jonathan said. My father Saul will never get his hands on you. In fact, you are going to be the next king of Israel. I will be your highest official. Even my father knows it is true. They both promised Jehovah that they would always be loyal to each other. Then Jonathan went home while David stayed at Horesh. Some people from the town of Ziph went to Saul at Gibeah. They said: Your Majesty, David has a hideout not far from us! It is near Horesh. It is somewhere on Mount Hachilah south of Jeshimon. We know how much you want to capture him. Come to our territory and we will make sure you catch him. Saul answered: May Jehovah bless you for being so kind to me! Go and make sure once more. Find out for certain where he is and who has seen him there. I hear that he is very cunning. Find out exactly the places where he hides. Be sure to bring back a report to me right away. Then I will go with you. If he is still in the region, I will hunt him down, even if I have to search the whole land of Judah. So they left and returned to Ziph ahead of Saul. David and his men were in the wilderness of Maon. They were in a desolate valley in the southern part of the Judean wilderness. Saul and his men set out to look for David. David heard about it and went to a rocky hill in the wilderness of Maon and stayed there. When Saul heard about this he went after David. Saul and his men were on one side of the hill. They were separated from David and his men, who were on the other side. They were hurrying to get away from Saul and his men, who were closing in on them and were about to capture them.


The history of King David from beginning to end is recorded in the records of the three prophets, Samuel, Nathan, and Gad. The records tell how he ruled, how powerful he was, and all the things that happened to him, to Israel, and to the surrounding kingdoms.


Finally, Saul said to David: Here is my oldest daughter Merab. I will give her to you as your wife if you prove yourself to be a warrior for me and fight Jehovah's battles. Saul thought: I must not lay a hand on him. Let the Philistines do that. David answered: Who am I? What is my family that I should be the king's son-in-law? The time came for Merab to be given to David. Instead, she was given to a man named Adriel from Meholah. read more.
Saul's daughter Michal fell in love with David. When Saul heard of this he was pleased. He said to himself: I will give Michal to David. I will use her to trap him. The Philistines will kill him. So for the second time Saul said to David: You will be my son-in-law. Saul ordered his officials to speak to David in private. They went to David and said: Look, the king likes you, and all of his officials are loyal to you. Why not ask the king if you may marry his daughter Michal? Saul's servants said these things to David. And David said: I am not rich or famous enough to marry Princess Michal. Saul's servants told him: David asked, do you think it is easy to become the king's son-in-law? I am a poor and unimportant person. When the officers told Saul what David had said, Saul's officials reported to David what Saul had said. David was delighted with the thought of becoming the king's son-in-law. Before the day set for the wedding, David and his men killed two hundred Philistines. He took their foreskins to the king and counted them all out to him. This was so he might become his son-in-law. So Saul had to give his daughter Michal in marriage to David.


Nathan went home. Jehovah struck the child that Uriah's wife had given birth to David. The child became sick. David pleaded with God for the child. He fasted and lay on the ground all night. The elders in his palace stood beside him to raise him up from the ground. But he was unwilling and he would not eat with them. read more.
On the seventh day the child died. David's servants were afraid to tell him that the child was dead. They thought: While the child was alive, we talked to him, and he would not listen to us. How can we tell him the child is dead? He may harm himself. David saw that his servants were whispering to one another. He realized (discerned) that the child was dead. Is the child dead? David asked them. Yes, he is dead. They answered. David got up from the floor. He took a bath, combed his hair, and changed his clothes. Then he went and worshiped in the Temple of Jehovah. After that he returned to the palace and ate. We do not understand, his servants said, while the child was alive you would not eat. As soon as he died, you got up and ate! David replied: I fasted and cried while the child lived. I thought Jehovah might be gracious to me and let the child live. Why should I fast now that he is dead? Can I bring him back? Someday I will go to him. However he will not come back to me.


David took the bones of Saul and his son Jonathan from the citizens of Jabesh Gilead. They had stolen them from the public square of Beth Shean, where the Philistines hung them the day they killed Saul at Gilboa. David brought the bones of Saul and Jonathan. His men also gathered the bones of those who had been executed. Then they buried the bones of Saul and his son Jonathan in the land of Benjamin, at Zela, in the tomb of Saul's father Kish. They did everything the king ordered. After that God answered the prayers for the land.


These are the numbers of armed warriors who joined David at Hebron. They were all eager to see David become king instead of Saul, just as Jehovah had promised. From the tribe of Judah, there were six thousand eight hundred warriors armed with shields and spears. From the tribe of Simeon, there were seven thousand one hundred warriors. read more.
From the tribe of Levi, there were four thousand six hundred troops. This included Jehoiada, leader of the family of Aaron, who had three thousand seven hundred under his command. This also included Zadok, a young warrior, with twenty-two members of his family who were all officers. From the tribe of Benjamin, Saul's relatives, there were three thousand warriors. Most of the men from Benjamin had remained loyal to Saul until this time. From the tribe of Ephraim, there were twenty thousand eight hundred warriors, each famous in his own clan. From the half-tribe of Manasseh west of the Jordan, eighteen thousand men were sent for the express purpose of helping David become king. From the tribe of Issachar, there were two hundred leaders of the tribe with their relatives. All these men understood the temper of the times and knew the best course for Israel to take. From the tribe of Zebulun, there were fifty thousand skilled warriors. They were fully armed and prepared for battle and completely loyal to David. From the tribe of Naphtali, there were one thousand officers and thirty-seven thousand warriors armed with shields and spears. From the tribe of Dan, there were twenty-eight thousand six hundred warriors, all prepared for battle. From the tribe of Asher, there were forty thousand trained warriors, all prepared for battle. From the east side of the Jordan River where the tribes of Reuben and Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh lived there were one hundred twenty thousand troops armed with every kind of weapon. All these men came in battle array to Hebron with the single purpose of making David the king of Israel. In fact, all Israel agreed that David should be their king. They feasted and drank with David for three days. Their relatives had made preparations for their arrival. People from as far away as Issachar, Zebulun, and Naphtali brought food on donkeys, camels, mules, and oxen. Vast supplies of flour, fig cakes, raisins, wine; olive oil, cattle, and sheep were brought to the celebration. There was great joy throughout the land of Israel


Mephibosheth grandson of Saul also came to meet David. He missed David so much that he did not take a bath or trim his beard or wash his clothes the whole time David was gone. They returned to Jerusalem. Mephibosheth came to see David. David asked him: Why did you not go with me? He answered: Your Majesty, you know I cannot walk. I told my servant to saddle a donkey for me so I could go with you. But my servant left without me. read more.
He told you lies about me. My lord the king is like an angel of God. Do what you think is right. You could have killed anyone in my entire family. Instead you seated me with those who eat at your table. I no longer have the right to complain to my lord the king. The king asked him: Why do you keep talking about it? I said you and Ziba should divide the land. Let him take it all, Mephibosheth told the king. It is enough for me that you have come home safely.


Jonathan went to see David. God helped him encourage David. Do not be afraid, Jonathan said. My father Saul will never get his hands on you. In fact, you are going to be the next king of Israel. I will be your highest official. Even my father knows it is true. They both promised Jehovah that they would always be loyal to each other. Then Jonathan went home while David stayed at Horesh.


Just then a messenger arrived and said to Saul: Come back at once! The Philistines are invading the country! Saul stopped pursuing David and went to fight the Philistines. That is why that place is called Separation Hill.


Uriah's wife heard that her husband was dead and she mourned for him. When her mourning was over, David sent for her and brought her to his home. She became his wife. Then she gave birth to a son. However, Jehovah considered David's actions evil.


Meanwhile, Joab fought against the Ammonite city of Rabbah and captured its royal fortress. He sent messengers to tell David: I fought against Rabbah and captured the fortress guarding its water supply. Assemble the rest of the troops. Surround the city and capture it. Otherwise I will capture the city. Then it will be named after me. read more.
David assembled the rest of the army and attacked Rabbah. He captured the city. He removed the crown of their god Milcom from off the head of their king. The crown was made of seventy-five pounds of gold. There was a valuable jewel on it. David put the jewel on his own crown. He also carried off everything else of value. David made the people of Rabbah tear down the city walls with iron picks and axes. He also put them to work making bricks. He did the same thing with all the other Ammonite cities. David went back to Jerusalem. The people of Israel returned to their homes.


A messenger told David: Absalom has the hearts of the people of Israel. David told all his men who were with him in Jerusalem: We must run away quickly, or none of us will escape from Absalom. Leave right away or he will catch up to us and bring ruin upon us when he massacres the city. The king's servants told him: No matter what happens, we are Your Majesty's servants. read more.
The king left on foot. His whole household followed him. The king left ten concubines behind to take care of the palace. The king and his troops left the city on foot. They stopped at the city limits. All his mercenaries passed by him. The Cherethites, all the Pelethites, Ittai, and all six hundred men who had followed him from Gath marched past the king. The king asked Ittai from Gath: Why should you go with us? Go back, and stay with King Absalom. You are a foreigner, an exile from your homeland. In fact you came to us just yesterday. Should I make you wander around with me when I do not even know where I am going? Go back and take your countrymen with you. May Jehovah always show you kindness. Ittai answered: Your Majesty, I swear to you in the name of Jehovah that I will always go with you wherever you go, even if it means death. David answered: That is fine. March on! So Ittai went on with all his men and their dependents. The people cried loudly as David's followers left. The king crossed Kidron Brook. His men followed him. They went to the wilderness. Zadok the priest was there. He had Levites there carrying the sacred Ark of God. They set it down and did not pick it up again until all the people left the city. The priest Abiathar was there too. The king said to Zadok: Take the Ark of the Covenant back to the city. If Jehovah is pleased with me he will let me come back to see it and the place where it stays. Let him do to me what he wishes if he is not pleased with me. He also said to Zadok: You are a seer, are you? Take your son Ahimaaz and Abiathar's son Jonathan and go back to the city in peace. I will wait at the river crossings in the wilderness until you send news. Zadok and Abiathar took the Ark of the Covenant back into Jerusalem and stayed there. David went up the slope of the Mount of Olives. He was barefoot and crying. He covered his head to show his sorrow. Everyone with him was crying. They covered their heads too. Someone told David: Ahithophel is helping Absalom conspire against you! David said: Please Jehovah keep Ahithophel's plans from working! David reached the top of the Mount of Olives. He met Hushai the Archite at a place of worship. Hushai's robe was torn, and dust was on his head. David told him: You might slow me down if you come with me. Go back into the city and tell Absalom: Your Majesty, I am your servant. I will serve you just as I served your father in the past. Hushai, if you do that you can help me ruin Ahithophel's plans. Zadok and Abiathar the priests will be there with you. You can tell them everything you hear in the palace. Have them send their sons Ahimaaz and Jonathan to tell me what you hear. David's advisor Hushai slipped back into Jerusalem. Absalom came into the city at the same time.


After they left, Ahimaaz and Jonathan came up out of the cistern. Then they reported to King David. They told him what Ahithophel planned against him. They said: Hurry up and cross the river. So David and his men crossed the Jordan. By daybreak they had all gone across. Ahithophel saw that his advice had not been followed. He saddled his donkey and went back to his hometown. He arranged his affairs in order and he hanged himself. He was buried in the family grave. read more.
David went to the town of Mahanaim, and Absalom crossed the Jordan River with the army of Israel. 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 Israelites under Absalom's command set up camp in the region of Gilead. David went to the town of Mahanaim. Shobi son of Nahash came from Rabbah in Ammon, Machir son of Ammiel came from Lo-Debar, and Barzillai the Gileadite came from Rogelim. Here is a list of what they brought: sleeping mats, blankets, bowls, pottery jars, wheat, barley, flour, roasted grain, beans, lentils, Also honey, yogurt, sheep, and cheese. They brought food for David and the others because they knew that everyone would be hungry, tired, and thirsty from being out in the desert.


Shimei son of Gera from the tribe of Benjamin and the town of Bahurim, hurried down with the people of Judah to meet King David. One thousand people from Benjamin were with him. Ziba the servant of Saul's family rushed to the Jordan River across from the king. Ziba brought his fifteen sons and twenty servants. They brought David's family and servants back across the river. They did everything he wanted them to do. Shimei crossed the Jordan River and bowed down in front of David. read more.
He said: I beg you not to punish me! Please forget what I did when you left Jerusalem. Do not even think about it. I know I was wrong and have sinned. That is why I wanted to be the first one from the northern tribes to meet you. But Abishai shouted: You should be killed for cursing Jehovah's chosen king! David exclaimed: Abishai, what will I do with you and your brother Joab? Is it your job to tell me who has done wrong? I have been made king of all Israel today. No one will be put to death! David promised Shimei that he would not be killed.


David replied to Saul: I am a shepherd for my father's sheep. When a lion or a bear comes and carries off a sheep from the flock, I go after it, attack it, and rescue the lamb. If the lion or bear turns on me, I grab it by the throat and beat it to death. I have killed lions and bears. I will do the same to this heathen Philistine. He has defied the army of the living God.


David comforted his wife Bathsheba. He went to bed with her, and she later gave birth to a son. David named him Solomon. Jehovah loved the child. He sent a message through the prophet Nathan to name the baby Jedidiah (Jehovah's Beloved).


Barzillai, the man from Gilead, came from Rogelim with the king to the Jordan River to send him on his way. Barzillai was a very old man. He was eighty years old. He was very rich. He supplied the king with food while he was staying at Mahanaim. The king said to him: Come with me to Jerusalem. I will take care of you. read more.
Barzillai answered: I do not have long to live. Why should I go with Your Majesty to Jerusalem? I am already eighty years old. Nothing gives me pleasure any more. I cannot taste what I eat and drink. I cannot hear the voices of singers. I would only be a burden to my lord the king. I will cross the river with you. But I will only go a little way on the other side. You do not have to be so kind to me. Please let me return to my hometown. There I can someday be buried near my father and mother. My servant Chimham can go with you. You can treat him as your own. David said: I will take Chimham with me. Whatever you ask me to do for him, I will do. If you want anything else I will do it. David's soldiers went across the river. He stayed behind to tell Barzillai good-by and to wish him well. Barzillai returned home. Chimham crossed the river with David. All of Judah's army and half of Israel's army were there to help David cross the river.


Jehovah helped David. He and his soldiers always won their battles.

The Philistine rulers kept coming to fight Israel. David always won when he fought them. He won more battles against the Philistines than any of Saul's other officers. This made him famous.


David kept running from Saul that day until he came to Gath. There he met with King Achish. The officers of King Achish were also there. They asked Achish: Is David a king back in his own country? Do the Israelites not dance and sing: 'Saul has killed a thousand enemies; David has killed ten thousand enemies?' David thought about what they said. It made him afraid of Achish. read more.
Right there in front of everyone, he pretended to be insane. He acted confused and scratched up the doors of the town gate. He drooled in his beard. Look at him! Achish said to his officers. You can see he is crazy. Why did you bring him to me? I have enough crazy people without your bringing another one here. Keep him away from my palace!


There was a famine for three successive years during David's reign. David asked Jehovah for advice about it. Jehovah answered: It is because of Saul and his family. They are guilty of murder because they killed the people of Gibeon. The Gibeonites were not a part of Israel but were left over from the Amorites. The Israelites swore to spare them. Saul, in his eagerness, tried to destroy them for Israel and Judah. The king called the Gibeonites. He asked them: What can I do for you? What shall I give you to make peace with you so that you will bless what belongs to Jehovah? read more.
The Gibeonites responded: Our quarrel with Saul and his family cannot be settled with silver or gold. We do not want to kill any Israelite. What do you want me to do? David asked. They answered: Saul wanted to destroy us and leave none of us alive anywhere in Israel. Hand over seven of his male descendants. We will hang them before Jehovah at Gibeah, the hometown of Saul, Jehovah's chosen king. The king responded: I will hand them over to you. David made a promise to Jonathan with Jehovah as his witness. He spared Jonathan's son Mephibosheth, the grandson of Saul. Saul and Rizpah the daughter of Aiah had two sons named Armoni and Mephibosheth. Saul's daughter Merab had five sons whose father was Adriel the son of Barzillai from Meholah. David took Rizpah's two sons and Merab's five sons. He turned them over to the Gibeonites. They hanged all seven of them on the mountain near the place where Jehovah was worshiped. This happened right at the beginning of the barley harvest. Rizpah daughter of Aiah spread some sackcloth on a nearby rock. She would not let the birds land on the bodies during the day. She kept the wild animals away at night. She stayed there from the beginning of the harvest until it started to rain. [The Philistines killed Saul and Jonathan on Mount Gilboa and hung their bodies in the town square at Beth-Shan. The people of Jabesh in Gilead secretly took the bodies away.] David found out what Saul's wife Rizpah did. So he went to the leaders of Jabesh to get the bones of Saul and his son Jonathan. David took the bones of Saul and his son Jonathan from the citizens of Jabesh Gilead. They had stolen them from the public square of Beth Shean, where the Philistines hung them the day they killed Saul at Gilboa. David brought the bones of Saul and Jonathan. His men also gathered the bones of those who had been executed. Then they buried the bones of Saul and his son Jonathan in the land of Benjamin, at Zela, in the tomb of Saul's father Kish. They did everything the king ordered. After that God answered the prayers for the land.


All the people in all the tribes of Israel argued with one another. They said: The king rescued us from our enemies and saved us from the Philistines. Now he has fled from Absalom and left the country. Absalom, whom we anointed to rule us, has died in battle. Why is no one talking about reinstating the king? What all Israel was saying reached the king at his house. So King David sent this message to the priests Zadok and Abiathar: Ask the leaders of Judah, Why should you be the last tribe to reinstate the king back to his palace? read more.
You are my relatives, my own flesh and blood. Why should you be the last to reinstate the king? 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.' All the people of Judah were in total agreement. So they sent the king this message: Come back with all your servants. The king returned to the Jordan River. The people of Judah went to Gilgal to meet the king and bring him across the Jordan River.


One night, David was in Saul's home, playing the harp for him. Saul sat there with a spear in his hand. The distressing spirit from Jehovah took control of him. Saul tried to pin David to the wall with his spear. David dodged it, and Saul's spear struck the wall. David escaped from Saul that night. Saul sent messengers to watch David's house and kill him in the morning. Michal, David's wife advised him: If you do not save yourself tonight, you will be dead tomorrow! read more.
Michal lowered David through a window. He ran away to escape. Then Michal took some idols, laid them in the bed, put a goat-hair blanket at its head, and covered the idols with a garment. Saul sent messengers to get David. Michal said: He is sick. Then Saul sent messengers to see David. They said: Bring him up to me on his bed. I will put him to death. The messengers entered. There, on the bed was the household idol with the quilt of goats' hair at its head. Saul said to Michal: Why have you deceived me like this? You let my enemy go. He has escaped! Michal said to Saul: He said to me: 'Let me go! Why should I kill you?' David escaped to Samuel at Ramah. He told him all that Saul had done to him. He and Samuel stayed in Naioth. Saul was told: David is at Naioth in Ramah. Saul sent messengers to get David. They saw a group of prophets prophesying with their leader Samuel. God's Spirit came over Saul's messengers so that they also prophesied. Saul heard what happened. So he sent another group of messengers, but they prophesied the same way. He sent a third group of messengers, but the same thing happened to them. Finally, Saul left for Ramah himself. He went as far as the deep pit at the town of Secu. He asked: Where are Samuel and David? The people answered: At Prophets Village in Ramah. He went on from there to Naioth in Ramah. The spirit of God came on him and he acted like a prophet. Then he arrived at Naioth in Ramah. He even took off his clothes as he prophesied in front of Samuel. He lay there naked all day and all night. The saying: Is Saul one of the prophets? came from there.


David and his men raided the Geshurites, the Girzites, and the Amalekites. Their territory extends from Telaim to Shur and Egypt. David attacked the territory and left no man or woman alive. He also took sheep, cattle, donkeys, camels, and clothing and returned to Achish. Achish would ask: Whom did you raid today? David would answer: The south country (Negev) in Judah, or the south country of the Jerahmeelites, or the south country of the Kenites. read more.
He did not bring a single man or woman back to Gath alive. He thought, they could tell Achish what I really did. This was his practice as long as he lived in Philistine territory. Achish trusted David and thought: David's people must be furious with him. From now on he will have to take orders from me.


The men carrying the Ark set it in its place inside the tent David put up for it. David sacrificed burnt offerings and fellowship offerings in Jehovah's presence. David finished sacrificing the burnt offerings and the fellowship offerings. Then he blessed the people in the name of Jehovah of Hosts. He also distributed to all the people, to the whole crowd of Israelites, men and women, one loaf of bread, one date cake, and one raisin cake. Then all the people went home.


The Philistines heard that David was now king of Israel. They mobilized all their forces to capture him. But David found out and went into his fortress.

David did what Jehovah commanded. He drove the Philistines back from Geba all the way to Gezer.


David went home so he could ask Jehovah to bless his family. But Saul's daughter Michal went out and started yelling at him: You were really great today! She said. You acted like a dirty old man. You danced around half-naked in front of your servants' slave-girls. David answered: I danced to honor Jehovah. He chose me to be king instead of your father and his family. He made me the leader of his people Israel. I will continue to dance and honor Jehovah. I will disgrace myself even more. You may think I am nothing, but those women think highly of me! read more.
Michal, Saul's daughter, never had any children.


When he removed him, he made David their king. He testified about him when he said: I found David the son of Jesse is a man after my own heart. He will do my will. God brought the Savior Jesus to Israel from this man's descendants.


David sent messengers to Ishbosheth to give him this message: Give me back my wife Michal! I bought her for the price of a hundred Philistine foreskins. Ishbosheth sent some of his men to take Michal away from her new husband, Paltiel son of Laish. Paltiel followed Michal and the men all the way to Bahurim. He cried all the way. But he went back home after Abner ordered him to leave.


David sent a messenger to Joab, saying: Send me Uriah the Hittite. So Joab sent Uriah to David. When Uriah arrived, David asked him how Joab and the troops were and how the war was going. Go home, David said to Uriah, and wash your feet. Uriah left the royal palace, and the king sent a present to him. read more.
But Uriah slept at the entrance of the royal palace among his superior's mercenaries. He did not go home. Someone told David that Uriah did not go home. So the next morning David asked him: Why did you not go home? Have you been away for a long time? Uriah answered: The Ark of the Covenant and the armies of Israel and Judah are camping out somewhere in the fields with our commander Joab and his officers and troops. Do you think I would go home to eat and drink and sleep with my wife? I swear by your life that I would not! David said: Stay here in Jerusalem and I will send you back tomorrow. Uriah stayed in Jerusalem that day and the next day. David invited him for dinner. Uriah ate with David and drank so much that he got drunk. However he still did not go home. He went out and slept on his mat near the palace guards. The next morning, David wrote a letter and told Uriah to deliver it to Joab. The letter said: Put Uriah on the front line where the fighting is the worst. Pull the troops back from him, so that he will be wounded and die. Joab carefully watched the city of Rabbah. He put Uriah in a place where he knew there were some of the enemy's best soldiers. The men of the city came out and fought Joab. Some of David's mercenaries fell and died. This included Uriah the Hittite. Joab sent a messenger to report to David all the details of the battle. And he commanded the messenger: When you finish telling the king about the battle, the king may become angry. He might ask you: 'Why did you go so close to the city to fight? Did you not know they would shoot from the wall?' Who killed Jerubbesheth's son Abimelech? Did a woman on the wall of Thebez throw a small millstone at him and kill him? Why did you go so close to the wall? If the king asks this, tell him: 'Your man Uriah the Hittite is also dead.' The messenger left. When he arrived he reported to David everything Joab told him to say. The messenger said to David: Their men overpowered us when they came to attack us in the field. Then we forced them back to the entrance of the city gate. The archers on the wall shot down at your mercenaries. Some of Your Majesty's mercenaries died. Your man Uriah the Hittite also is dead. David replied: This is what you are to say to Joab: 'Do not let this thing trouble you. After all a sword can kill one person as easily as another. Strengthen your attack against the city, and destroy it. Say this to encourage him.'


Jehovah sent Nathan to David. Nathan came to him and said: There were two men in a certain city. One was rich and the other was poor. The rich man had a very large number of sheep and cattle. But the poor man had only one little female lamb that he bought. He raised her, and she grew up in his home with his children. She would eat his food and drink from his cup. She rested in his arms and was like a daughter to him. read more.
Now, a visitor came to the rich man. The rich man thought it would be a pity to take one of his own sheep or cattle to prepare a meal for the traveler. So he took the poor man's lamb and prepared it for the traveler. David became very angry with the rich man. He said: I swear by the living God Jehovah that the man who did this should die! For doing such a cruel thing he should pay back four times for the lamb he took, for he had no compassion. You are that man! Nathan said to David. And this is what the Lord Jehovah the God of Israel says: 'I made you king of Israel and rescued you from Saul. I gave you his kingdom and his wives. Then I made you king over Israel and Judah. If this had not been enough, I would have given you twice as much. Why have you disobeyed my commands? Why did you do this evil thing? You had Uriah killed in battle! You let the Ammonites kill him. Then you took his wife! In every generation some of your descendants will die a violent death because you have disobeyed me and have taken Uriah's wife. I swear to you that I will cause someone from your own family to bring trouble to you. You will see it when I take your wives from you and give them to another man. He will have intercourse with them in broad daylight. You did this secretly. I will make this happen in broad daylight in front of all Israel.' David said to Nathan: I have sinned against Jehovah. Nathan replied: Jehovah has taken away your sin. You will not die. You have shown total contempt for Jehovah by this affair. Therefore the son that is born to you must die.


Joab the son of Zeruiah was the commander in chief of the army. Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud kept the government records. Zadok the son of Ahitub, and Abiathar the son of Ahimelech, were the priests. Seraiah was the secretary. Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was the commander of David's bodyguard. David's sons were priests.


The following men joined David at Ziklag while he was hiding from Saul son of Kish. They were among the warriors who fought beside David in battle. All of them were expert archers who could shoot arrows or sling stones with their left hand as well as their right. They were all relatives of Saul from the tribe of Benjamin. Their leader was Ahiezer son of Shemaah from Gibeah; his brother Joash was second-in-command. These were the other warriors: Jeziel and Pelet, sons of Azmaveth; Beracah and Jehu from Anathoth; read more.
Ishmaiah from Gibeon, a famous warrior and leader among the Thirty; Jeremiah, Jahaziel, Johanan, and Jozabad from Gederah; Eluzai, Jerimoth, Bealiah, Shemariah, and Shephatiah from Haruph; Elkanah, Isshiah, Azarel, Joezer, and Jashobeam, who were Korahites; Joelah and Zebadiah, sons of Jeroham from Gedor. Some brave and experienced warriors from the tribe of Gad also defected to David while he was at the stronghold in the wilderness. They were expert with both shield and spear, as fierce as lions and as swift as deer on the mountains. Ezer was their leader. Obadiah was second. Eliab was third. Mishmannah was fourth. Jeremiah was fifth. Attai was sixth. Eliel was seventh. Johanan was eighth. Elzabad was ninth. Jeremiah was tenth. Macbannai was eleventh. These warriors from Gad were army commanders. The weakest among them could take on a hundred regular troops, and the strongest could take on a thousand! They crossed the Jordan River during its seasonal flooding at the beginning of the year and drove out all the people living in the lowlands on both the east and west banks. Others from Benjamin and Judah came to David at the stronghold. David went out to meet them and said: If you have come in peace to help me, we are friends. But if you have come to betray me to my enemies when I am innocent, then may the God of our ancestors see and judge you. Then the Spirit came upon Amasai, who later became a leader among the Thirty, and he said: We are yours, David! We are on your side, son of Jesse. Peace and prosperity be with you, and success to all who help you, for your God is the one who helps you. So David let them join him, and he made them officers over his troops. Some men from Manasseh defected from the Israelite army and joined David when he went with the Philistines to fight against Saul. But as it turned out, the Philistine leaders refused to let David and his men go with them. After much discussion, they sent them back, for they said: It will cost us our lives if David switches loyalties to Saul and turns against us. Here is a list of the men from Manasseh who defected to David as he was returning to Ziklag: Adnah, Jozabad, Jediael, Michael, Jozabad, Elihu, and Zillethai. Each commanded a thousand troops from the tribe of Manasseh. They helped David chase down bands of raiders, for they were all brave and able warriors who became commanders in his army. Day after day more men joined David until he had a great army, like the army of God.


Then David chanted with a lament (dirge) (requiem) over Saul and Jonathan his son. He told them to teach the sons of Judah the song of the bow. It is written in the book of Jashar: Your beauty, O Israel, is slain on your high places! How the mighty have fallen! read more.
Do not tell the news in Gath. Do not announce the victory in the streets of Ashkelon. The daughters of the Philistines will be glad. The daughters of godless men will celebrate. Let no rain or dew fall on the mountains of Gilboa. Let its fields be barren! For the shields of the mighty lie there in disgrace. The shield of Saul is no longer polished with oil. Jonathan's bow was deadly. The sword of Saul was without mercy. He struck down the mighty and killed the enemy. It was easy to love Saul and Jonathan. Together in life, together in death, they were faster than eagles and stronger than lions. Daughters of Israel, weep over Saul. He clothed you in scarlet with luxury. The brave soldiers have fallen. They were killed in battle. Jonathan lies dead in the hills. I grieve for you, my brother Jonathan. You were dear to me! How wonderful was your love for me. It was better than the love of women. The mighty have fallen, their weapons abandoned and useless.


Saul became very angry because he considered this saying to be insulting. He said: To David they credit tens of thousands but to me they credit only a few thousand. The only thing left for David is my kingdom. He was jealous and suspicious of David from that day on. The next day Jehovah let a distressing spirit take control of Saul. He began acting like a crazy man inside his house. David came to play the harp for Saul as usual. This time Saul had a spear in his hand. read more.
Saul balanced the spear in his hand and said: I will give David a blow! I will pin him to the wall. David got away from him twice. Saul was afraid of David, because Jehovah was with David but left Saul. So Saul sent him away. He put him in command of a thousand men. David led his men in battle. Jehovah helped David. He and his soldiers always won their battles. Saul saw how wisely David behaved. This made him fear him. Everyone in Israel and Judah loved David. He led them in and out of battle. Finally, Saul said to David: Here is my oldest daughter Merab. I will give her to you as your wife if you prove yourself to be a warrior for me and fight Jehovah's battles. Saul thought: I must not lay a hand on him. Let the Philistines do that. David answered: Who am I? What is my family that I should be the king's son-in-law? The time came for Merab to be given to David. Instead, she was given to a man named Adriel from Meholah. Saul's daughter Michal fell in love with David. When Saul heard of this he was pleased. He said to himself: I will give Michal to David. I will use her to trap him. The Philistines will kill him. So for the second time Saul said to David: You will be my son-in-law. Saul ordered his officials to speak to David in private. They went to David and said: Look, the king likes you, and all of his officials are loyal to you. Why not ask the king if you may marry his daughter Michal? Saul's servants said these things to David. And David said: I am not rich or famous enough to marry Princess Michal. Saul's servants told him: David asked, do you think it is easy to become the king's son-in-law? I am a poor and unimportant person. When the officers told Saul what David had said, Saul's officials reported to David what Saul had said. David was delighted with the thought of becoming the king's son-in-law. Before the day set for the wedding, David and his men killed two hundred Philistines. He took their foreskins to the king and counted them all out to him. This was so he might become his son-in-law. So Saul had to give his daughter Michal in marriage to David. Saul knew she loved David. He also realized that Jehovah was helping David. Knowing those things made Saul even more afraid of David. He was David's enemy for the rest of his life. The Philistine rulers kept coming to fight Israel. David always won when he fought them. He won more battles against the Philistines than any of Saul's other officers. This made him famous.


Joab son of Zeruiah knew the king was still thinking about Absalom. Joab sent someone to Tekoa to get a wise woman from there. He told her: Please act like a mourner. Dress in mourning clothes. Do not use any cosmetic lotions. Act like a woman who has been mourning for the dead for a long time. Go to the king and speak to him in this way. Then Joab told her exactly what to say. read more.
The woman from Tekoa came to the king. She immediately bowed down with her face touching the ground. Help me, Your Majesty, she said. The king asked her: What can I do for you? She answered: I am a widow; my husband is dead. I had two sons who fought with each other in the field. There was no one to separate them. One killed the other. All my relatives have turned against me and are demanding that I hand my son over to them. They want to kill him for murdering his brother. If they do this, I will be left without a son. They will destroy my last hope. They will leave my husband without a son to keep his name alive. The king responded: Go back home. I will take care of the matter. Your Majesty, she said, do whatever you must. My family and I will take the blame. You and the royal family are innocent. The king replied: If someone threatens you, bring him to me. He will never bother you again. She said: Please pray to Jehovah your God, Your Majesty, so that my relative who is responsible for avenging the death of my son will not commit a greater crime by killing my other son. I promise by the living Jehovah, David replied, your son will not be harmed. She added: Your Majesty, May I say something? Yes, he answered. The woman said: Have you been hurting God's people? Your own son had to leave the country. When you judged in my favor, it was the same as admitting that you should have let him come back. We each must die and disappear like water poured out on the ground. But God does not take our lives. Instead, he figures out ways of bringing us back when we run away. Your Majesty, I came here to tell you about my problem. I was afraid of what someone might do to me. I decided to come to you, because I thought you could help. In fact, I knew that you would listen and save my son and me from those who want to take the land that God gave us. I can rest easy now that you have given your decision. You know the difference between right and wrong just like an angel of God. I pray that Jehovah your God will be with you. David said: Now I ask you a question. Do not try to hide the truth! The woman replied: Please go ahead, Your Majesty. Did Joab put you up to this? The king asked. The woman answered: I solemnly swear on your life, Your Majesty, you are absolutely right! Yes, your servant Joab ordered me to do this. He told me to say exactly what I said. Your servant Joab has done this to view this matter from a different angle. You are as wise as an angel of God (messenger of God), who knows everything on earth. Later on the king said to Joab: I have decided to do what you want. Go and get the young man Absalom and bring him back here. Joab quickly bowed down with his face touching the ground. He blessed the king. He said: Today I know that you have been kind to me because you did what I wanted. Joab went to Geshur and brought Absalom back to Jerusalem. The king said: Absalom should return to his own house. Do not let him see me. So Absalom returned to his house. He did not see the king.


David said to Amasa: Three days from now I want you and all of Judah's army to be here! Amasa assembled the army of Judah. It took longer than three days. David said to Abishai: Sheba will hurt us more than Absalom ever did. Take my best soldiers and go after him. We do not want him to take over any walled cities and get away from us. read more.
Joab's men, the Cherethites, Pelethites, and all the soldiers went with Abishai. They left Jerusalem to pursue Sheba son of Bichri. Amasa met them at the large rock in Gibeon. Joab wore a military uniform. He strapped a sword in a scabbard at his hip. He stepped forward and the sword dropped into his hand. How are you, my brother? Joab asked Amasa. He took hold of Amasa's beard with his right hand to kiss him. Amasa was not on guard against the sword in Joab's left hand. Joab stabbed him in the stomach. Then he stabbed him in his intestines and they poured out on the ground. He died without being stabbed again. Then Joab and his brother Abishai pursued Sheba son of Bichri.


David heard that the Philistines attacked the town of Keilah. They robbed the threshing floors of the newly harvested grain. He asked Jehovah: Shall I go and attack the Philistines? Jehovah answered: Yes, Attack them and save Keilah. David's men said to him: We have enough to be afraid of here in Judah. It will be worse if we go to Keilah and attack the Philistine forces! read more.
David consulted Jehovah once again, and Jehovah said to him: Go attack Keilah! I will give you victory over the Philistines. David and his men went to Keilah and fought the Philistines. They drove off their livestock, and overwhelmingly defeated them. So David rescued the people who lived in Keilah. When Ahimelech's son Abiathar fled to David at Keilah, Abiathar brought a priestly ephod with him. When Saul was told that David went to Keilah, Saul said: God has delivered him into my hands. He has trapped himself by going into a city which has a gate with a double door held shut by a bar. So Saul called all the troops to go to war. They wanted to blockade Keilah, where David and his men were. David learned that Saul was planning to harm him. He told the priest Abiathar: Bring the ephod! Then David said: Jehovah God of Israel, I have actually heard that Saul is going to come to Keilah and destroy the city on account of me. Will the citizens of Keilah hand me over to him? Will Saul come here as I have heard? Jehovah God of Israel, please tell me. Jehovah answered: He will come. Will the citizens of Keilah hand my men and me over to Saul? David asked. Jehovah answered: They will hand you over. David and his men, about six hundred in all, left Keilah. They went wherever they could go. Then Saul was told: David has escaped from Keilah! So he gave up the campaign.


As they came to the threshing place of Nacon, the oxen stumbled, and Uzzah reached out and took hold of the Ark of the Covenant. At once Jehovah God became angry with Uzzah. He killed him because of his irreverence. Uzzah died there beside the Ark of the Covenant. Because of that the place has been called Perez Uzzah (breakthrough of Uzzah) ever since. David was furious because Jehovah punished Uzzah in anger. read more.
Then David was afraid of Jehovah and said: How can I take the Ark of the Covenant with me now? So he decided not to take it with him to Jerusalem. Instead, he turned off the road and took it to the house of Obed Edom, a native of the city of Gath. The Ark of Jehovah stayed at the home of Obed Edom from Gath for three months. Jehovah blessed Obed Edom and his whole family.


Then David was afraid of Jehovah and said: How can I take the Ark of the Covenant with me now? So he decided not to take it with him to Jerusalem. Instead, he turned off the road and took it to the house of Obed Edom, a native of the city of Gath. The Ark of Jehovah stayed at the home of Obed Edom from Gath for three months. Jehovah blessed Obed Edom and his whole family.


Late one afternoon, David got up from his nap and went to the palace roof. He walked around on the roof. He saw a woman taking a bath. She was very beautiful. He sent a messenger to find out who she was. He learned that she was Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam and the wife of Uriah the Hittite. So David sent messengers to get her. She came to him and they had sexual intercourse. She had just cleansed herself after her monthly period. Then she went home. read more.
The woman became pregnant. So she sent someone to tell David that she was pregnant.


Saul was dead. David defeated the Amalekites and returned to Ziklag. Three days later a soldier came from Saul's army. His clothes were torn and dirt was on his head. He knelt down in front of David. David asked: Where did you come from? The man answered: I escaped from Israel's army. read more.
How did the battle go? David asked. The man said: Our army turned and ran. Many were wounded and died. King Saul and his son Jonathan are dead. David asked: How do you know that Saul and Jonathan are dead? He answered: I was on Mount Gilboa. I saw Saul leaning on his spear. The chariots and cavalry of the enemy closed in on him. He looked my way and called me. I said: 'Yes here I am.' He asked: 'Who are you.' I told him I was an Amalekite. Then he said: 'Come here and kill me! I am badly wounded and about to die.' I went up to him and killed him. I knew that he would die anyway as soon as he fell. Then I took the crown from his head and the bracelet from his arm. Here, I have brought them to you. David and all his men tore their clothes in sorrow. They grieved and mourned and fasted until evening for Saul and Jonathan and for Israel, the people of Jehovah, because so many had been killed in battle. David asked the young man who brought him the news: Where are you from? He answered: I am an Amalekite, son of a foreign resident. David asked: Why were you not afraid to take it upon yourself to destroy Jehovah's (YHWH) anointed king? David called one of the young men and said: Execute him! So he struck him and he died. David said to him: Your blood is on your head. Your mouth has testified against you. For you admit that you killed Jehovah's anointed.


David finished talking to Saul. Jonathan became David's closest friend. He loved David as much as he loved himself. Saul kept him with him that day and would not let him go home to his father's house any more. Jonathan made a covenant with David. He loved him as himself. read more.
Jonathan removed the robe he was wearing. He gave it to David along with his armor, including his sword, his bow and his belt.


Saul told Jonathan his son and all his servants to kill David. But Jonathan was very fond of David. Jonathan told David: My father Saul is seeking to kill you. Please be on guard in the morning, and stay in a secret place and hide yourself. I will stand beside my father in the field where you will be. I will speak with my father about you. If I find out anything I will tell you. read more.
Jonathan spoke well of David to his father Saul. You should not commit a sin against your servant David, he said. He has not sinned against you. He has in fact done some very fine things for you. He risked his life and killed the Philistine Goliath. Jehovah gave all Israel a great victory. You rejoiced when you saw it. Why should you sin by shedding David's innocent blood for no reason? Jonathan convinced Saul, so Saul made a vow in Jehovah's name that he would not kill David. Jonathan called to David and told him what Saul said. Then he brought David to Saul. David served in Saul's army just as he had done before.



Joab went to the house where David was staying and told him: You have made your soldiers ashamed! They saved your life and the lives of your sons and daughters and wives as well. You are more loyal to your enemies than to your friends. You show your officers and soldiers that they do not mean a thing to you. You would be happy if Absalom was still alive even if the rest of us were dead. Now stand up! Go out there and thank them for what they did. If you do not, I swear by Jehovah you will not even have one man left on your side tomorrow morning. You may have had a lot of troubles in the past. But this will be the worst thing that has ever happened to you!


These are the last words of David: Here is the declaration by David, son of Jesse. The declaration by the man whom God raised up, whom the God of Jacob anointed, the singer of Israel's psalms: The Spirit of Jehovah spoke through me. His word was on my tongue. The God of Israel has spoken. The protector of Israel said to me: 'The king who rules with justice, who rules in obedience to God. read more.
He is like the sun shining on a cloudless day. The sun that makes the grass sparkle after rain. That is how God will bless my descendants. He made an eternal covenant with me. It is an agreement that will not be broken, a promise that will not be changed. That is all I desire. That will be my victory, and God will surely bring it about. All the evildoers will be like thorns to be pushed away. They may not be gripped in the hand: But with a sharp spear. They are burned on the spot.'


A worthless character named Sheba son of Bikri lived at Gilgal. He was of the tribe of Benjamin. He blew the trumpet and called out: Down with David! We will not follow him! Men of Israel, let us go home! The Israelites deserted David and went with Sheba. The men of Judah remained loyal and followed David from the Jordan to Jerusalem. David left ten of his concubines in Jerusalem to take care of his palace. When he returned, he had them taken to another house. He placed soldiers there to guard them. He gave them what they needed. He never slept with any of them again. They had to live there for the rest of their lives as if they were widows.



Once again David called together the best soldiers in Israel, a total of thirty thousand men. He led them to Baalah in Judah, in order to bring the Ark of the Covenant bearing the name of Jehovah of Hosts, whose throne is above the winged creatures. They took it from Abinadab's home on the hill and placed it on a new cart. Uzzah and Ahio, sons of Abinadab, were guiding the cart. read more.
Ahio walked in front. David and all the Israelites danced and sang with all their might to honor Jehovah. They played harps, lyres, drums, tambourines, rattles, and cymbals.


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.'


One of his attendants said: Jesse of the town of Bethlehem has a son who is a good musician. He is also a brave and handsome man, a good soldier, and an able speaker. Jehovah is with him.


Now King David was old and advanced in years. They put covers over him but he could not get warm. His servants said to him: Your Majesty let us find a young woman to stay with you and take care of you. She will lie close to you and keep you warm. They searched all over Israel for a beautiful young woman, and in Shunem they found such a woman named Abishag, and brought her to the king. read more.
She was very beautiful. She waited on the king and took care of him. However, he did not have intercourse with her.


From there David went to stay in the fortified camps of En Gedi.


Sons were born to David while he was in Hebron. His first son was Amnon, born to Ahinoam from Jezreel. The second was Chileab, whose mother was Abigail, Nabal's widow from Carmel. The third was Absalom, whose mother was Maacah daughter of King Talmai of Geshur. The fourth son was Adonijah, whose mother was Haggith. The fifth was Shephatiah, whose mother was Abital. read more.
The sixth was Ithream, whose mother was Eglah. All of these sons were born in Hebron.


Thus David's fame spread throughout every land. Jehovah made all the nations fear him.


Are these all the sons you have? Samuel asked. There is still the youngest one, Jesse answered. He is tending sheep. Samuel responded: Send someone to get him. We will not continue until he gets here.


David promised Shimei that he would not be killed.


Then there was a war with the Philistines. David fought hard and forced them to retreat.


David lived in Philistine territory for one year and four months.


He chose his servant David. He took him from the sheep pens.


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.


Men and brothers let me freely speak to you about the patriarch David that he is dead and buried. His grave is with us to this day.
























Right there in front of everyone, he pretended to be insane. He acted confused and scratched up the doors of the town gate. He drooled in his beard.


You have probed my heart. You have confronted me at night. You have tested me like silver, but you found nothing wrong. I have decided that my mouth will not sin.


Jehovah saved me from lions and bears. He will save me from this Philistine. Saul answered: Go and Jehovah be with you.


I am very discouraged. That is why I will remember you in the land of Jordan, on the peaks of Hermon, on Mount Mizar.

I sink in deep mire, where there is no foothold. I have come into deep waters, where the floods overflow me.

When I thought to know this, it was too painful for me.

By the rivers of Babylon, we sat down and cried as we remembered Zion.


Right there in front of everyone, he pretended to be insane. He acted confused and scratched up the doors of the town gate. He drooled in his beard. Look at him! Achish said to his officers. You can see he is crazy. Why did you bring him to me? I have enough crazy people without your bringing another one here. Keep him away from my palace!


David obeyed his father. He got up early the next morning and left someone else in charge of the sheep. He loaded the supplies and started off. He reached the army camp just as the soldiers were taking their places and shouting the battle cry.


So David overcame the Philistine with his leather band and a stone. The Philistine was wounded and laying on the ground. But David had no sword in his hand. He ran to him and stood over him. David took Goliath's sword out of its sheath and cut off his head to kill him. When the Philistines saw that their hero was dead they ran away. The men of Israel and Judah shouted and ran after them. They pursued them all the way to Gath and to the gates of Ekron. The Philistines fell wounded all along the road that leads to Shaaraim, as far as Gath and Ekron.


Jehovah saved me from lions and bears. He will save me from this Philistine. Saul answered: Go and Jehovah be with you.


Ahimelech asked the king: But whom among all your officials can you trust like David? Your Majesty, he is your son-in-law, the commander of your bodyguard. He is honored in your own household.


David went home so he could ask Jehovah to bless his family. But Saul's daughter Michal went out and started yelling at him: You were really great today! She said. You acted like a dirty old man. You danced around half-naked in front of your servants' slave-girls.


The king ordered Joab, Abishai, and Ittai: Treat the young man Absalom gently for my sake. All the troops heard him give the commanders this order regarding Absalom.

David pleaded with God for the child. He fasted and lay on the ground all night.

King David longed for Absalom once people had consoled him over Amnon's death.


David went home so he could ask Jehovah to bless his family. But Saul's daughter Michal went out and started yelling at him: You were really great today! She said. You acted like a dirty old man. You danced around half-naked in front of your servants' slave-girls.


The king ordered Joab, Abishai, and Ittai: Treat the young man Absalom gently for my sake. All the troops heard him give the commanders this order regarding Absalom.

David pleaded with God for the child. He fasted and lay on the ground all night.

King David longed for Absalom once people had consoled him over Amnon's death.


But as for me, by your abundant loving kindness I will enter your house. At Your holy temple I will bow in reverence of you.

Establish your word to your servant, as that which produces reverence for you.


Depart from me, evildoers, that I may observe the commandments of my God.

A perverse heart shall depart from me. I will not know a wicked person. I will destroy anyone who secretly slanders his neighbor. I will not tolerate anyone with a conceited look or arrogant heart. My eyes will be watching the faithful people in the land so that they may live with me. The person who lives with integrity will serve me. read more.
The one who does deceitful things will not stay in my home. The one who tells lies will not remain in my presence.


David went from there to Mizpah in Moab. He said to the king of Moab: Please let my father and my mother come and stay with you until I know what God will do for me.


David kept running from Saul that day until he came to Gath. There he met with King Achish.


Quickly send messengers to tell David: 'Do not rest tonight in the river crossings in the desert. Make sure you cross the river. Otherwise Your Majesty and all the troops with him will be wiped out.'

So David and his men crossed the Jordan. By daybreak they had all gone across.

David went to the town of Mahanaim, and Absalom crossed the Jordan River with the army of Israel.


Be exalted, O God, above the heavens! Let your glory be above all the earth!


Jehovah forbid that I should try to harm the one Jehovah anointed to be king. Just take his spear and his water jar and go.

He said: David, you are a better person than I am. You treated me with kindness when I was cruel to you.


Some people from the town of Ziph went to Saul at Gibeah. They said: Your Majesty, David has a hideout not far from us! It is near Horesh. It is somewhere on Mount Hachilah south of Jeshimon.

Saul camped by the road at the hill of Hachilah near Jeshimon. David camped in the desert. He discovered that Saul come to the desert after him.


Do not live in your stronghold, the prophet Gad told David. Go to the land of Judah. So David went to the forest of Hereth.


He took his shepherd's stick and picked up five smooth stones from the stream and put them in his bag. With his sling ready, he went out to meet Goliath.


Protect me, for I am a godly man. You are my God. Save your servant who trusts you.


Samuel took the olive oil and anointed David in front of his brothers. Immediately the Spirit of Jehovah took control of David and was with him from that day on. Then Samuel returned to Ramah.


Samuel took the olive oil and anointed David in front of his brothers. Immediately the Spirit of Jehovah took control of David and was with him from that day on. Then Samuel returned to Ramah.


The king ordered Joab, Abishai, and Ittai: Treat the young man Absalom gently for my sake. All the troops heard him give the commanders this order regarding Absalom.

David pleaded with God for the child. He fasted and lay on the ground all night.

King David longed for Absalom once people had consoled him over Amnon's death.


David grew homesick. He said: I wish someone would bring me a drink of water from the well by the gate at Bethlehem!


David grew homesick. He said: I wish someone would bring me a drink of water from the well by the gate at Bethlehem!


His father never confronted him by asking: Why have you done this?


Why have you disobeyed my commands? Why did you do this evil thing? You had Uriah killed in battle! You let the Ammonites kill him. Then you took his wife!

The next morning, David wrote a letter and told Uriah to deliver it to Joab. The letter said: Put Uriah on the front line where the fighting is the worst. Pull the troops back from him, so that he will be wounded and die. Joab carefully watched the city of Rabbah. He put Uriah in a place where he knew there were some of the enemy's best soldiers. read more.
The men of the city came out and fought Joab. Some of David's mercenaries fell and died. This included Uriah the Hittite.

Rescue (deliver) me from the bloodguilt of murder O God of my salvation. Let my tongue sing joyfully about your righteousness!


Why have you disobeyed my commands? Why did you do this evil thing? You had Uriah killed in battle! You let the Ammonites kill him. Then you took his wife! In every generation some of your descendants will die a violent death because you have disobeyed me and have taken Uriah's wife.


David went from there to Mizpah in Moab. He said to the king of Moab: Please let my father and my mother come and stay with you until I know what God will do for me.


Jehovah, for what do I wait? My hope is in you.


David captured seventeen hundred of his cavalry and twenty thousand of his foot soldiers. He kept enough horses for a hundred chariots and crippled (hamstrung) all the rest.


I will choose one of your sons to be king when you reach the end of your life and are buried in the tomb of your ancestors. I will make him a strong ruler.

I will make sure that one of your descendants will be king for a very long time. Your throne will be established from generation to generation.'


David went into the tent he set up for the ark. Then he sat there and prayed: Jehovah All-Powerful, my family and I do not deserve what you have already done for us. Yet this was insignificant in your eyes, O Sovereign Lord Jehovah for you have spoken also of your servant's house in the distant future. And this is the law for man, O Sovereign Lord Jehovah. What more can David say to you? For you know your servant, O Sovereign Lord Jehovah. read more.
For the sake of your Word and according to your will you have done this great thing. You have made it known to your servant! For this reason you are great, O Sovereign Lord Jehovah. There is none like you. There is no God besides you according to all that we have heard with our ears. There is no other nation on earth like Israel. This is the nation you rescued from slavery in Egypt to be your own. You became famous by using great and wonderful miracles to force other nations and their gods out of your land, so your people could live here. You chose Israel to be your people from generation to generation! You have become their God. And now, Jehovah God, please do what you have promised. You will be famous for a very long time! Everyone will say: Jehovah of Hosts rules Israel. David's descendants are his chosen kings. Now therefore, may it please you to bless the house of your servant that it may continue a long time before you. You O Lord Jehovah have spoken. May the house of your servant be blessed from generation to generation. Lord Jehovah, you are God. You have promised me some very good things, and you can be trusted to do what you promise. Please bless my descendants and let them be your chosen kings for a very long time. You have already promised, and I am sure that you will bless my family from generation to generation.

Do not let my blood fall to the ground far from the presence of Jehovah. The king of Israel comes to search for a flea. Yet he hunts me down like a partridge on the mountains.

Why should the king of Israel be out chasing me, anyway? I am as worthless as a dead dog or a flea.

David answered: Who am I? What is my family that I should be the king's son-in-law? The time came for Merab to be given to David. Instead, she was given to a man named Adriel from Meholah. Saul's daughter Michal fell in love with David. When Saul heard of this he was pleased. read more.
He said to himself: I will give Michal to David. I will use her to trap him. The Philistines will kill him. So for the second time Saul said to David: You will be my son-in-law. Saul ordered his officials to speak to David in private. They went to David and said: Look, the king likes you, and all of his officials are loyal to you. Why not ask the king if you may marry his daughter Michal? Saul's servants said these things to David. And David said: I am not rich or famous enough to marry Princess Michal.

Then King David went in and sat in Jehovah's presence. He said: Who am I, O Jehovah? What is my family, that you have brought me this far? If this were not enough in your sight, O God, you have spoken about the future of the house of your servant. You have looked on me as though I were the most exalted of men, O Jehovah my God. What more can David say to you for honoring your servant? For you know your servant read more.
Jehovah. For the sake of your servant and according to your will, you have done this great thing and made known all these great promises. There is no one like you Jehovah and there is no God but you, as we have heard with our own ears. Who is like your people Israel? Israel is the one nation on earth who's God went out to redeem a people. You redeemed your people from Egypt. You make a name for yourself, and perform great and awesome wonders by driving out nations from before your people. You made your people Israel your very own for a very long time, and you, O Jehovah, have become their God. Now, Jehovah, let the promise you have made concerning your servant and his house be established from generation to generation. Do as you promised! It will be established and your name will be great forever. Then men will say: Jehovah of Hosts, the God over Israel, is Israel's God! And the house of your servant David will be established before you. You, my God, have revealed to your servant that you will build a house for him. So your servant has found courage to pray to you. O JEHOVAH, YOU ARE GOD! You have promised these good things to your servant. You have been pleased to bless the house of your servant that it may continue for a very long time in your sight. You Jehovah have blessed it and it will be blessed from generation to generation.


Yet my people and I cannot really give you anything. This is because everything is a gift from you, and we have only given back what is yours already.


The Philistines abandoned their gods. So David gave orders to burn them in the fire.

The Philistines left their idols there. David and his men carried them all away.


Let no rain or dew fall on the mountains of Gilboa. Let its fields be barren! For the shields of the mighty lie there in disgrace. The shield of Saul is no longer polished with oil.

When David heard the news, he said: Jehovah knows that my subjects and I are completely innocent of the murder of Abner. Let the punishment for it fall on Joab and all his family! In every generation may there be some man in his family who has gonorrhea or a dreaded skin disease or is fit only to do a woman's work or is killed in battle or does not have enough to eat!


Are these all the sons you have? Samuel asked. There is still the youngest one, Jesse answered. He is tending sheep. Samuel responded: Send someone to get him. We will not continue until he gets here.


You are that man! Nathan said to David. And this is what the Lord Jehovah the God of Israel says: 'I made you king of Israel and rescued you from Saul. I gave you his kingdom and his wives. Then I made you king over Israel and Judah. If this had not been enough, I would have given you twice as much. Why have you disobeyed my commands? Why did you do this evil thing? You had Uriah killed in battle! You let the Ammonites kill him. Then you took his wife!


David knew that Jehovah made him king of Israel and that he had made him a powerful ruler for the good of his people.


The Spirit of Jehovah spoke through me. His word was on my tongue.


So David overcame the Philistine with his leather band and a stone. The Philistine was wounded and laying on the ground. But David had no sword in his hand. He ran to him and stood over him. David took Goliath's sword out of its sheath and cut off his head to kill him. When the Philistines saw that their hero was dead they ran away. The men of Israel and Judah shouted and ran after them. They pursued them all the way to Gath and to the gates of Ekron. The Philistines fell wounded all along the road that leads to Shaaraim, as far as Gath and Ekron.


Ishmaiah from Gibeon, a famous warrior and leader among the Thirty; Jeremiah, Jahaziel, Johanan, and Jozabad from Gederah;


Jehovah became angry at Israel again. He provoked David to turn against Israel. He said: Go count the people of Israel and Judah. King David said to Joab the commander of the army: Go throughout the tribes of Israel from Dan to Beersheba and count the people. That way I will know how many there are. Joab answered reluctantly: Your Majesty, may Jehovah your God make the people of Israel a hundred times more numerous than they are now. May you live to see him do it. But why does Your Majesty want to do this? read more.
The king made Joab and his officers obey his order. They left his presence and went out to count the people of Israel. They crossed the Jordan and camped south of Aroer, the city in the middle of the valley, in the territory of Gad. Then they went north to Jazer. They went to Gilead and to Kadesh in Syria. Then they went to Dan (Dan-jaan), Ijon, and on toward Sidon. They came to the fortress of Tyre. They went through every town of the Hivites and the Canaanites. Finally, they went to Beersheba in the Southern Desert of Judah. After they went through the whole land, they went back to Jerusalem. It took them nine months and twenty days. Joab told David: In Israel there is eight hundred thousand who can serve in the army. In Judah there are five hundred thousand.

He reported to King David the total number of men capable of military service. There were one million one hundred thousand in Israel and four hundred seventy thousand in Judah. Because Joab disapproved of the king's command, he did not take any census of the tribes of Levi and Benjamin.

David did not count those less than twenty years old, because Jehovah promised that the people of Israel would be as numerous as the stars in the sky. Joab, son of Zeruiah, started to count them but did not finish. God was angry with Israel because of this, and the report from it was never included in the official records of King David.


Saul was dead. David defeated the Amalekites and returned to Ziklag.


Are these all the sons you have? Samuel asked. There is still the youngest one, Jesse answered. He is tending sheep. Samuel responded: Send someone to get him. We will not continue until he gets here. Jesse sent for him. He was a handsome, healthy young man, and his eyes sparkled. Jehovah said to Samuel: This is the one. Anoint him! Samuel took the olive oil and anointed David in front of his brothers. Immediately the Spirit of Jehovah took control of David and was with him from that day on. Then Samuel returned to Ramah.


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.

In Hebron David was king over the tribe of Judah for seven years and six months.

All the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron and said to him: We are your own flesh and blood. For a long time when Saul was still our king, you led the people of Israel in battle. Jehovah promised you that you would lead his people and be their ruler. All the elders of Israel came to King David at Hebron. He made a sacred alliance with them. They anointed him, and he became king of Israel. read more.
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.



Ishmaiah from Gibeon, a famous warrior and leader among the Thirty; Jeremiah, Jahaziel, Johanan, and Jozabad from Gederah;


Here is a list of the men from Manasseh who defected to David as he was returning to Ziklag: Adnah, Jozabad, Jediael, Michael, Jozabad, Elihu, and Zillethai. Each commanded a thousand troops from the tribe of Manasseh.


Elkanah, Isshiah, Azarel, Joezer, and Jashobeam, who were Korahites;


You will serve Jehovah your God and David your king. I will establish him for you.


Their leader was Ahiezer son of Shemaah from Gibeah; his brother Joash was second-in-command. These were the other warriors: Jeziel and Pelet, sons of Azmaveth; Beracah and Jehu from Anathoth;


Ishmaiah from Gibeon, a famous warrior and leader among the Thirty; Jeremiah, Jahaziel, Johanan, and Jozabad from Gederah;


The people gave willingly to Jehovah and were happy that so much had been given. King David also was extremely happy.


Samuel took the olive oil and anointed David in front of his brothers. Immediately the Spirit of Jehovah took control of David and was with him from that day on. Then Samuel returned to Ramah.

Jehovah said to Samuel: How long will you mourn for Saul? After all I have rejected him from being king over Israel? Take oil in your vessel and go. I will send you to Jesse, the Beth-lehemite. I have a king from among his sons.


So David ruled all Israel. He did what was fair and right for all his people.


and Racal; to the clan of Jerahmeel, to the Kenites,


Achish would ask: Whom did you raid today? David would answer: The south country (Negev) in Judah, or the south country of the Jerahmeelites, or the south country of the Kenites.


One day, David thought: I wonder if any of Saul's family is still alive. If they are I will be kind to them. This is because I made a promise to Jonathan.

She opens her mouth with wisdom and in her tongue is the law of kindness (she speaks kind things).


After consulting with the people, the king ordered some musicians to put on the robes they wore on sacred occasions and to march ahead of the army. They sang: 'Praise Jehovah! His love is eternal!'


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 was king of Israel for forty years. He ruled seven years in Hebron and thirty-three years in Jerusalem.


So David ruled all Israel. He did what was fair and right for all his people.


David left Hebron and moved to Jerusalem. He married many women from Jerusalem, and he had a lot of children.

Late one afternoon, David got up from his nap and went to the palace roof. He walked around on the roof. He saw a woman taking a bath. She was very beautiful. He sent a messenger to find out who she was. He learned that she was Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam and the wife of Uriah the Hittite. So David sent messengers to get her. She came to him and they had sexual intercourse. She had just cleansed herself after her monthly period. Then she went home. read more.
The woman became pregnant. So she sent someone to tell David that she was pregnant. David sent a messenger to Joab, saying: Send me Uriah the Hittite. So Joab sent Uriah to David. When Uriah arrived, David asked him how Joab and the troops were and how the war was going. Go home, David said to Uriah, and wash your feet. Uriah left the royal palace, and the king sent a present to him. But Uriah slept at the entrance of the royal palace among his superior's mercenaries. He did not go home. Someone told David that Uriah did not go home. So the next morning David asked him: Why did you not go home? Have you been away for a long time? Uriah answered: The Ark of the Covenant and the armies of Israel and Judah are camping out somewhere in the fields with our commander Joab and his officers and troops. Do you think I would go home to eat and drink and sleep with my wife? I swear by your life that I would not! David said: Stay here in Jerusalem and I will send you back tomorrow. Uriah stayed in Jerusalem that day and the next day. David invited him for dinner. Uriah ate with David and drank so much that he got drunk. However he still did not go home. He went out and slept on his mat near the palace guards. The next morning, David wrote a letter and told Uriah to deliver it to Joab. The letter said: Put Uriah on the front line where the fighting is the worst. Pull the troops back from him, so that he will be wounded and die. Joab carefully watched the city of Rabbah. He put Uriah in a place where he knew there were some of the enemy's best soldiers. The men of the city came out and fought Joab. Some of David's mercenaries fell and died. This included Uriah the Hittite. Joab sent a messenger to report to David all the details of the battle. And he commanded the messenger: When you finish telling the king about the battle, the king may become angry. He might ask you: 'Why did you go so close to the city to fight? Did you not know they would shoot from the wall?' Who killed Jerubbesheth's son Abimelech? Did a woman on the wall of Thebez throw a small millstone at him and kill him? Why did you go so close to the wall? If the king asks this, tell him: 'Your man Uriah the Hittite is also dead.' The messenger left. When he arrived he reported to David everything Joab told him to say. The messenger said to David: Their men overpowered us when they came to attack us in the field. Then we forced them back to the entrance of the city gate. The archers on the wall shot down at your mercenaries. Some of Your Majesty's mercenaries died. Your man Uriah the Hittite also is dead. David replied: This is what you are to say to Joab: 'Do not let this thing trouble you. After all a sword can kill one person as easily as another. Strengthen your attack against the city, and destroy it. Say this to encourage him.' Uriah's wife heard that her husband was dead and she mourned for him. When her mourning was over, David sent for her and brought her to his home. She became his wife. Then she gave birth to a son. However, Jehovah considered David's actions evil.


That which was spoken through the prophet was fulfilled, saying: I will open my mouth in illustrations. I will utter things hidden from the foundation of the world.


the Levites no longer need to carry the Tabernacle or any of the articles used in its service.

The duty of the Levites was to help Aaron's descendants in the service of the Temple of Jehovah: to be in charge of the courtyards, the side rooms, the purification of all sacred things and the performance of other duties at the House of God. They were in charge of the bread set out on the table, the flour for the grain offerings, the unleavened wafers, the baking and the mixing, and all measurements of quantity and size. They were also to stand every morning to thank and praise Jehovah. They were to do the same in the evening read more.
and whenever burnt offerings were presented to Jehovah on Sabbaths and at New Moon festivals and at appointed feasts. They were to serve before Jehovah regularly in the proper number and in the way prescribed for them. So the Levites carried out their responsibilities for the Tent of Meeting, for the Holy Place and, under their brothers the descendants of Aaron, for the service of the Temple of Jehovah.


David divided the Levites into groups corresponding to the sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath and Merari.

They cast lots for their duties, all alike, the small as well as the great, the teacher as well as the pupil. Now the first lot came out for Asaph to Joseph, the second for Gedaliah, he with his relatives and sons were twelve. the third to Zaccur, his sons and his relatives, twelve; read more.
the fourth to Izri, his sons and his relatives, twelve; the fifth to Nethaniah, his sons and his relatives, twelve; the sixth to Bukkiah, his sons and his relatives, twelve; the seventh to Jesharelah, his sons and his relatives, twelve; the eighth to Jeshaiah, his sons and his relatives, twelve; the ninth to Mattaniah, his sons and his relatives, twelve; the tenth to Shimei, his sons and his relatives, twelve; the eleventh to Azarel, his sons and his relatives, twelve; the twelfth to Hashabiah, his sons and his relatives, twelve; for the thirteenth, Shubael, his sons and his relatives, twelve; for the fourteenth, Mattithiah, his sons and his relatives, twelve; for the fifteenth to Jeremoth, his sons and his relatives, twelve; for the sixteenth to Hananiah, his sons and his relatives, twelve; for the seventeenth to Joshbekashah, his sons and his relatives, twelve; for the eighteenth to Hanani, his sons and his relatives, twelve; for the nineteenth to Mallothi, his sons and his relatives, twelve; for the twentieth to Eliathah, his sons and his relatives, twelve; for the twenty-first to Hothir, his sons and his relatives, twelve; for the twenty-second to Giddalti, his sons and his relatives, twelve; for the twenty-third to Mahazioth, his sons and his relatives, twelve; for the twenty-fourth to Romamti-ezer, his sons and his relatives, twelve.


These were the descendants of Levi by their families, the heads of families as they were registered under their names and counted individually, that is, the workers twenty years old or more who served in the Temple of Jehovah.

According to the last instructions of David, the Levites were counted from those twenty years old or more.


As Solomon's father David had directed, he set up the divisions of priests for their service and the divisions of Levites for their appointed places. The Levites were to lead in praising Jehovah and to serve beside the priests by doing whatever needed to be done each day. Solomon also set up divisions of doorkeepers at every gate because this was what David, the man of God, had commanded.

They were to distribute offerings to the priests who were enrolled by families and to the Levites who were at least twenty years old. Distribution was based on the way they served in their divisions.


He also gathered all the leaders of Israel, as well as the priests and Levites. The Levites thirty years old or older were counted, and the total number of men was thirty-eight thousand.


David said: Of these, twenty-four thousand are to supervise the work of Jehovah's Temple and six thousand are to be officials and judges. Four thousand are to be gatekeepers and four thousand are to praise Jehovah with musical instruments I have provided for that purpose. David divided the Levites into groups corresponding to the sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath and Merari.


David settled in his palace. He said to Nathan the prophet: Here I am, living in a palace of cedar, while the Ark of the Covenant of Jehovah is under a tent.

The king said to the prophet Nathan: I live in a house built of cedar. Yet the Ark of God is kept in a tent!

Shelomith and his relatives were in charge of all the treasuries for the things dedicated by King David, by the heads of families who were the commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds, and by the other army commanders.

King David dedicated these articles to Jehovah, along with the silver and gold he dedicated from all the nations he conquered.

All the work King Solomon did on Jehovah's Temple was finished. He brought the holy things that belonged to his father David: the silver, gold, and utensils and put them in the storerooms of Jehovah's Temple.

I well know, O my God, that you test everyone's heart and are pleased with people of integrity. In honesty and sincerity I have willingly given all this to you. I have seen how your people who are gathered here have been happy to bring offerings to you.

King David stood there and said: Listen to me relatives (brothers and sisters) and subjects. I had my heart set on building the Temple where the Ark of Jehovah's Covenant could be placed. This Temple will be a stool for our God's feet, and I have made preparations to build it.

Solomon continued: My father David planned to build a temple for the worship of Jehovah the God of Israel, Jehovah said to him: 'You were right in wanting to build a temple for me.

The king answered: No, I will pay you the full price. I will not give as an offering to Jehovah something that belongs to you, something that costs me nothing.

I have made every effort to prepare materials for the Temple: gold, silver, bronze, iron, timber, precious stones and gems, stones for mosaics, and quantities of marble. Over and above all this that I have provided, I have given silver and gold from my personal property because of my love for God's Temple. I have given one hundred and fifteen tons of the finest gold and two hundred and sixty five tons of pure silver for decorating the walls of the Temple read more.
and for all the objects which the skilled workers are to make. Now who else is willing to give a generous offering to Jehovah?

Jehovah, remember David and all his affliction. Remember how he swore an oath to Jehovah and made this vow to the Mighty One of Jacob. He said: I will not step inside my house, read more.
get into my bed, shut my eyes, or close my eyelids until I find a place for Jehovah, a dwelling place for the Mighty One of Jacob.

He also distributed to every person in Israel, both men and women, a loaf of bread, a date cake, and a raisin cake.


You, your sons, and your servants will farm the land for your master Saul's family and bring in the harvest. This will provide food for them. Mephibosheth will always be a guest at my table. Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants.

David replied: Do not be afraid. I will be kind to you for the sake of your father Jonathan. I will give you back all the land that belonged to your grandfather Saul. You will always be welcome at my table.


David replied to Saul: I am a shepherd for my father's sheep. When a lion or a bear comes and carries off a sheep from the flock,

I have killed lions and bears. I will do the same to this heathen Philistine. He has defied the army of the living God.


I go after it, attack it, and rescue the lamb. If the lion or bear turns on me, I grab it by the throat and beat it to death. I have killed lions and bears. I will do the same to this heathen Philistine. He has defied the army of the living God.


The king ordered Joab, Abishai, and Ittai: Treat the young man Absalom gently for my sake. All the troops heard him give the commanders this order regarding Absalom.

David pleaded with God for the child. He fasted and lay on the ground all night.

King David longed for Absalom once people had consoled him over Amnon's death.


The king ordered Joab, Abishai, and Ittai: Treat the young man Absalom gently for my sake. All the troops heard him give the commanders this order regarding Absalom.

David pleaded with God for the child. He fasted and lay on the ground all night.

King David longed for Absalom once people had consoled him over Amnon's death.


The king ordered Joab, Abishai, and Ittai: Treat the young man Absalom gently for my sake. All the troops heard him give the commanders this order regarding Absalom.

David pleaded with God for the child. He fasted and lay on the ground all night.

King David longed for Absalom once people had consoled him over Amnon's death.


Jehovah forbid that I should try to harm the one Jehovah anointed to be king. Just take his spear and his water jar and go.

He said: David, you are a better person than I am. You treated me with kindness when I was cruel to you.


David grew homesick. He said: I wish someone would bring me a drink of water from the well by the gate at Bethlehem!


David asked: Why were you not afraid to take it upon yourself to destroy Jehovah's (YHWH) anointed king?

He told his men: Stop talking foolishly. We are not going to attack Saul. He is my king. I pray that Jehovah will keep me from doing anything to harm his chosen king. David stopped his men by saying this to them. He did not let them attack Saul. Saul left the cave and went out onto the road. Then David got up and left the cave. He called to Saul: My lord! When Saul looked back. David knelt down with his face touching the ground. read more.
David asked Saul: Why do you listen to rumors that I am trying to harm you? Today you saw how Jehovah handed you over to me in the cave. Although I was told to kill you I spared you. I said: 'I will not raise my hand against my lord because you are Jehovah's anointed.'

David asked Ahimelech the Hittite, and Abishai the brother of Joab: Who will go to Saul's camp with me? I will, Abishai answered. David and Abishai entered Saul's camp at night. They found Saul sleeping in the center of the camp. His spear was stuck in the ground near his head. Abner and the troops were sleeping around him. Abishai said to David: God put your enemy in your power tonight. Let me plunge his own spear through him and pin him to the ground. I will do it with just one blow. I will not have to strike twice! read more.
But David said: Do not harm him! Jehovah will certainly punish whoever harms his chosen king. By the living God Jehovah, David declared, I know that Jehovah will kill Saul, either when his time comes to die a natural death or when he dies in battle. Jehovah forbid that I should try to harm the one Jehovah anointed to be king. Just take his spear and his water jar and go. David took the spear and the water jar from beside Saul's head. Then he and Abishai left. No one saw it or knew what happened. No one woke up. They were all sound asleep, because Jehovah sent a heavy sleep on them all. Then David crossed over to the other side of the valley. He went to the top of the hill a great distance away. David shouted to Saul's troops and to Abner: Abner! Can you hear me? Who is calling to the king? Abner asked. David answered, Abner, are you the greatest man in Israel? Why are you not protecting your master, the king? Someone entered the camp to kill your master. You failed in your duty, Abner! I swear by the living God Jehovah all of you deserve to die. You have not protected your master, whom Jehovah made king. Look for the king's spear? Where is the water jar that was near his head?


The king ordered me to do something, David answered the priest Ahimelech, and he told me: No one must know anything about this mission I am sending you to do. I have stationed my young men at a certain place.


Rehoboam married Mahalath, daughter of Jerimoth. Jerimoth was the son of David and Abihail. Abihail was the daughter of Eliab, son of Jesse.


What have I done now? David snapped at him. Did I just ask a question?

Abishai son of Zeruiah said to the king: Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? Let me go over there and cut off his head! What business is this of yours? The king said to Abishai and his brother Joab. If Jehovah told him to curse me who am I to stop him? David said to Abishai and to all his officials: My own son is trying to kill me. Why should you be surprised at this Benjaminite? Jehovah told him to curse. Leave him alone and let him curse. read more.
Perhaps Jehovah will acknowledge my misery and give me some blessings to take away this curse. David and his men continued along the road. Shimei kept up with them. He walked on the hillside. He cursed and threw stones and dirt at them as he went. The king and all the people with him finally arrived at their destination and rested there.

But I am like some one deaf and speechless. I am like one who cannot hear and who can offer no arguments.

How horrible it is to live as a foreigner in Meshech or to stay in the tents of Kedar. I have lived too long with those who hate peace. I am for peace, but when I talk about it, they only talk about war.


David said to Abishai and to all his officials: My own son is trying to kill me. Why should you be surprised at this Benjaminite? Jehovah told him to curse. Leave him alone and let him curse.


Mishmannah was fourth. Jeremiah was fifth.


David went from there to Mizpah in Moab. He said to the king of Moab: Please let my father and my mother come and stay with you until I know what God will do for me. He left them with the king of Moab. So they stayed with him all the time that David was in the stronghold.


David went from there to Mizpah in Moab. He said to the king of Moab: Please let my father and my mother come and stay with you until I know what God will do for me.


Why have you disobeyed my commands? Why did you do this evil thing? You had Uriah killed in battle! You let the Ammonites kill him. Then you took his wife!


Because of that the place has been called Perez Uzzah (breakthrough of Uzzah) ever since. David was furious because Jehovah punished Uzzah in anger.

I kept my faith even when I said: I am suffering terribly. I also said when I was panic-stricken: All men are liars.


Ezer was their leader. Obadiah was second. Eliab was third.


Jehovah did this because David had done what was right in Jehovah's eyes. He obeyed his commandments, except in the case of Uriah the Hittite.

Jehovah helped David. He and his soldiers always won their battles.

When he removed him, he made David their king. He testified about him when he said: I found David the son of Jesse is a man after my own heart. He will do my will.

He did right in the eyes of Jehovah, as his ancestor David had done.

Also please forgive the transgression of your maidservant. Jehovah will certainly give you a lasting dynasty, because my lord is fighting the battles of Jehovah. Evil will not be found in you all your days.

Solomon did evil in the eyes of Jehovah. He did not walk in Jehovah's ways with all his heart as David his father did.

I will not take the entire kingdom away from Solomon. I will keep him in power as long as he lives. This I will do for the sake of my servant David, whom I chose and who obeyed my laws and commands.


I have sworn and I will confirm it: I will keep your righteous ordinances.


David said to Nathan: I have sinned against Jehovah. Nathan replied: Jehovah has taken away your sin. You will not die.


The king ordered Joab, Abishai, and Ittai: Treat the young man Absalom gently for my sake. All the troops heard him give the commanders this order regarding Absalom.

The king was shaken by the news. He went to the room above the gate and cried. My son Absalom! He said. My son, my son Absalom! I wish I had died in your place! Absalom, my son, my son!

On the seventh day the child died. David's servants were afraid to tell him that the child was dead. They thought: While the child was alive, we talked to him, and he would not listen to us. How can we tell him the child is dead? He may harm himself. David saw that his servants were whispering to one another. He realized (discerned) that the child was dead. Is the child dead? David asked them. Yes, he is dead. They answered. David got up from the floor. He took a bath, combed his hair, and changed his clothes. Then he went and worshiped in the Temple of Jehovah. After that he returned to the palace and ate. read more.
We do not understand, his servants said, while the child was alive you would not eat. As soon as he died, you got up and ate! David replied: I fasted and cried while the child lived. I thought Jehovah might be gracious to me and let the child live. Why should I fast now that he is dead? Can I bring him back? Someday I will go to him. However he will not come back to me.

The man told Joab: Even if I felt the weight of twenty pounds of silver in my hand, I would not raise my hand against the king's son. We heard the order the king gave you, Abishai, and Ittai. Protect the young man Absalom for my sake. Would you have stood by me if I did something treacherous to him? There is nothing hidden from the king. You would turn against me.

So Joab went to King David. He told him what Absalom said. The king sent for Absalom. He went to the king and bowed down to the ground in front of him. The king welcomed him with a kiss.

Absalom ran away to Geshur. He stayed there for three years with King Talmai the son of Ammihud. King David longed for Absalom once people had consoled him over Amnon's death.

Joab son of Zeruiah knew the king was still thinking about Absalom.

They brought Joab word. They said: The king weeps and mourns for Absalom. David's army found out he was crying because his son died. Suddenly their day of victory turned into a day of sadness. The troops returned to Mahanaim without celebration. It was as if they ran away from battle and were ashamed. read more.
David held his hands over his face and kept on crying loudly. My son, Absalom! Absalom, my son, my son! Joab went to the house where David was staying and told him: You have made your soldiers ashamed! They saved your life and the lives of your sons and daughters and wives as well. You are more loyal to your enemies than to your friends. You show your officers and soldiers that they do not mean a thing to you. You would be happy if Absalom was still alive even if the rest of us were dead.


The king ordered Joab, Abishai, and Ittai: Treat the young man Absalom gently for my sake. All the troops heard him give the commanders this order regarding Absalom.

David pleaded with God for the child. He fasted and lay on the ground all night.

King David longed for Absalom once people had consoled him over Amnon's death.


The king ordered Joab, Abishai, and Ittai: Treat the young man Absalom gently for my sake. All the troops heard him give the commanders this order regarding Absalom.

The king was shaken by the news. He went to the room above the gate and cried. My son Absalom! He said. My son, my son Absalom! I wish I had died in your place! Absalom, my son, my son!


His father never confronted him by asking: Why have you done this?


His father never confronted him by asking: Why have you done this?


He was with David at Pasdammim. The Philistines were gathered for battle. There was a piece of ground full of barley. And the people fled from the Philistines.


The king ordered Joab, Abishai, and Ittai: Treat the young man Absalom gently for my sake. All the troops heard him give the commanders this order regarding Absalom.

David pleaded with God for the child. He fasted and lay on the ground all night.

King David longed for Absalom once people had consoled him over Amnon's death.


([Psalm of David]) I waited patiently for Jehovah and he bent down to me and heard my cry.


I am for peace, but when I talk about it, they only talk about war.


Why should I fast now that he is dead? Can I bring him back? Someday I will go to him. However he will not come back to me.

Nathan went home. Jehovah struck the child that Uriah's wife had given birth to David. The child became sick. David pleaded with God for the child. He fasted and lay on the ground all night.


David knew that Jehovah made him king of Israel and that he had made him a powerful ruler for the good of his people.


When Solomon was old he allowed his heart to be turned away to other gods by his wives. His heart was no longer true to Jehovah his God as the heart of his father David had been.

Solomon did evil in the eyes of Jehovah. He did not walk in Jehovah's ways with all his heart as David his father did.


Violent witnesses bring charges against me. They ask me things I know nothing about.


Powerful people persecute me without cause. Yet my heart stands in awe of your words.


So Bathsheba went to see the king in his bedroom. He was very old, and Abishag, the young woman from Shunem, was taking care of him. Bathsheba bowed low before the king. He asked: What do you want? She answered: Your Majesty, you made me a solemn promise in the name of Jehovah your God that my son Solomon would be king after you. read more.
Adonijah has already become king. You do not know anything about it. He has offered a sacrifice of many bulls, sheep, and fattened calves. He invited your sons, and Abiathar the priest, and Joab the commander of your army to the feast. However he did not invite your son Solomon. Your Majesty. The people of Israel want you to tell them who is to succeed you as king. If you do not my son Solomon and I will be treated as traitors when you die.


Once again there was a battle between the Philistines and Israel. David and his men went to fight the Philistines. David became exhausted. A descendant of Haraphah named Benob had a copper spear weighing seven and one half pounds. He wore it on a new belt. He captured David and intended to kill him. Abishai son of Zeruiah came to David's rescue. Abishai attacked the giant and killed him. Then David's men made David promise that he would never again go out with them to battle. You are the hope of Israel. We do not want to lose you! They said. read more.
After this there was a battle with the Philistines at Gob. Sibbecai from Hushah killed a giant named Saph a descendant of Rapha. There was another battle with the Philistines at Gob. Elhanan son of Jair from Bethlehem killed Goliath from Gath. Goliath's spear had a shaft as thick as the bar on a weaver's loom. There was another war, this time in Gath. One of the enemy soldiers was a descendant of the Rephaim. He was as big as a giant and had six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot. When he challenged Israel, Jonathan, son of David's brother Shimei, killed him. These four were descendants of Haraphah from Gath. David and his men killed them.

King David attacked the Philistines again. He defeated them and ended their control over Methegammah.

The Philistines heard that David was now king of Israel. They mobilized all their forces to capture him. But David found out and went into his fortress. So the Philistines camped in Rephaim Valley. David asked Jehovah: Shall I attack the Philistines? Will you hand them over to me? Jehovah answered David: Attack! I will certainly deliver the Philistines to you. read more.
David went to Baal Perazim and defeated the Philistines. He said: Jehovah has overwhelmed my enemies in front of me like an overwhelming flood. That is why that place is called Baal Perazim (Master of Breaking Through) The Philistines left their idols there. David and his men carried them all away. The Philistines again attacked and overran the valley of Rephaim. Once again David consulted Jehovah. Jehovah answered David: Do not attack them from here. Go around and get ready to attack them from the other side, near the balsam trees.

These are the names of David's warriors: Ishbosheth son of Hachmon was the leader of the Three Warriors. In one battle, he killed eight hundred men with his spear. The next one of the Three Warriors was Eleazar the son of Dodo the Ahohite. One time when the Philistines were at war with Israel, he and David dared the Philistines to fight them. Every one of the Israelite soldiers turned and ran. Eleazar was the exception. He killed Philistines until his hand was cramped. He could not let go of his sword. When Eleazar finished, all the Israelite troops had to do was come back and take the enemies' weapons and armor. Jehovah gave Israel a great victory that day. read more.
Next in rank to him was Shammah, the son of Agee from Harar. The Philistines had gathered at Lehi, where there was a field of ripe lentils. When the troops fled from the Philistines, he stood in the middle of the field and defended it by killing Philistines. So Jehovah won an impressive victory.


Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was the commander of David's bodyguard. David's sons were priests.

therefore the Lord Jehovah says: 'I will stretch out my hand (exert power) against the Philistines. I will even cut off the Cherethites and destroy the remnant of the seacoast.

Woe to the inhabitants of the seacoast, the nation of the Cherethites! The word of Jehovah is against you, O Canaan, the land of the Philistines. I will destroy you and you will not be inhabited.


Then there was a war with the Philistines. David fought hard and forced them to retreat.

David heard that the Philistines attacked the town of Keilah. They robbed the threshing floors of the newly harvested grain. He asked Jehovah: Shall I go and attack the Philistines? Jehovah answered: Yes, Attack them and save Keilah. David's men said to him: We have enough to be afraid of here in Judah. It will be worse if we go to Keilah and attack the Philistine forces! read more.
David consulted Jehovah once again, and Jehovah said to him: Go attack Keilah! I will give you victory over the Philistines. David and his men went to Keilah and fought the Philistines. They drove off their livestock, and overwhelmingly defeated them. So David rescued the people who lived in Keilah.


I agree, Achish replied. I consider you as loyal as an angel of God. But the other kings say you may not go with us into battle.

David answered: That will give you a chance to see for yourself just how well we can fight! Achish said: You and your men will always be my bodyguards.


When the officers told Saul what David had said, Saul's officials reported to David what Saul had said. David was delighted with the thought of becoming the king's son-in-law. Before the day set for the wedding, David and his men killed two hundred Philistines. He took their foreskins to the king and counted them all out to him. This was so he might become his son-in-law. So Saul had to give his daughter Michal in marriage to David.


He took his shepherd's stick and picked up five smooth stones from the stream and put them in his bag. With his sling ready, he went out to meet Goliath. The Philistine, preceded by the man carrying his shield came closer and closer to David. The Philistine got a good look at David and he despised him. David was only a young man with a healthy complexion and good looks. read more.
The Philistine asked David: Am I a dog that you come to attack me with sticks? So the Philistine called on his gods to curse David. Come here, the Philistine told David, and I will give your body to the birds. David answered: You come out to fight me with a sword and a spear and a dagger. But I come out to fight you in the name of Jehovah of Hosts. He is the Almighty God of Israel's army. You have insulted him! Today Jehovah will help me defeat you. I will knock you down and cut off your head! I will feed the bodies of the other Philistine soldiers to the birds and wild animals. Then the whole world will know that Israel has a real God. Everybody here will see that Jehovah does not need swords or spears to save his people. Jehovah always wins his battles. He will help us defeat you! Goliath started forward and David ran toward him. He put a rock in his sling and swung the sling around by its straps. When he let go of one strap, the rock flew out and hit Goliath on the forehead. It cracked his skull. He fell facedown on the ground. So David overcame the Philistine with his leather band and a stone. The Philistine was wounded and laying on the ground. But David had no sword in his hand.


David thought to himself: One of these days Saul will kill me. The best thing for me to do is escape to Philistia. Saul will give up looking for me in Israel. Then I will be safe. David and his six hundred men went over at once to Achish son of Maoch, king of Gath. David and his men and their families lived with Achish at Gath. David brought his two wives, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail of Carmel, the widow of Nabal. read more.
Word soon reached Saul that David fled to Gath. So he stopped hunting for him. David said to Achish: If it is all right with you, let me live in one of the outlying towns. Why should I live in the royal city with you? Achish immediately gave him Ziklag. This is why Ziklag still belongs to the kings of Judah today. David lived in Philistine territory for one year and four months.


The five Philistine kings marched with units of a hundred and of a thousand men. David and his men marched in the rear with King Achish. The Philistine commanders saw them and asked: What are these Hebrews doing here? Achish answered: This is David. He is the man who ran away from King Saul of Israel. He has been with me for more than a year. He has done nothing I can find fault with since the day he came to me. The Philistine commanders were angry with Achish and said to him: Send that fellow back to the town you gave him. Do not let him go into battle with us. He might turn against us during the fight. What better way is there for him to win back his master's favor than by causing the death of our men? read more.
This is David, the one about whom the women sang, as they danced: Saul has killed thousands, but David has killed tens of thousands. Achish called David and said: I swear by the living God of Israel that you have been loyal to me. I would be pleased to have you go with me and fight in this battle. I have found no fault in you from the day you came to me. But the other kings do not approve of you. Go home in peace. Do not do anything that would displease them.


Hear my prayer, O Jehovah. Open your ear (listen) to my cry for help. Do not be deaf to my tears, for I am a foreign resident with you, a stranger like all my fathers.


David left Hebron and moved to Jerusalem. He married many women from Jerusalem, and he had a lot of children.

Sons were born to David while he was in Hebron. His first son was Amnon, born to Ahinoam from Jezreel. The second was Chileab, whose mother was Abigail, Nabal's widow from Carmel. The third was Absalom, whose mother was Maacah daughter of King Talmai of Geshur. The fourth son was Adonijah, whose mother was Haggith. The fifth was Shephatiah, whose mother was Abital. read more.
The sixth was Ithream, whose mother was Eglah. All of these sons were born in Hebron.

David heard Nabal was dead. He said: Blessed is Jehovah who defended me against the insults of Nabal. He kept me from doing wrong. Jehovah has turned Nabal's own wickedness back on him. David sent men on his behalf to propose marriage to Abigail. David's servants approached Abigail at Carmel. They told her: David sent us to you to take you to him to be his wife. She bowed down with her face touching the ground. I am ready to serve, she said. I am willing to wash the feet of my master's servants. read more.
Abigail quickly got up and rode on a donkey with five of her female servants following her. So she went with David's messengers and became his wife. Earlier David married Ahinoam from the town of Jezreel. Now both she and Abigail were David's wives. Meanwhile, Saul arranged for Michal to marry Palti the son of Laish, who came from the town of Gallim.

In Jerusalem David took more wives and became the father of more sons and daughters.


All the people understood and approved of everything the king did.


Samuel took the olive oil and anointed David in front of his brothers. Immediately the Spirit of Jehovah took control of David and was with him from that day on. Then Samuel returned to Ramah.


David went into the tent he set up for the ark. Then he sat there and prayed: Jehovah All-Powerful, my family and I do not deserve what you have already done for us. Yet this was insignificant in your eyes, O Sovereign Lord Jehovah for you have spoken also of your servant's house in the distant future. And this is the law for man, O Sovereign Lord Jehovah. What more can David say to you? For you know your servant, O Sovereign Lord Jehovah. read more.
For the sake of your Word and according to your will you have done this great thing. You have made it known to your servant! For this reason you are great, O Sovereign Lord Jehovah. There is none like you. There is no God besides you according to all that we have heard with our ears. There is no other nation on earth like Israel. This is the nation you rescued from slavery in Egypt to be your own. You became famous by using great and wonderful miracles to force other nations and their gods out of your land, so your people could live here. You chose Israel to be your people from generation to generation! You have become their God. And now, Jehovah God, please do what you have promised. You will be famous for a very long time! Everyone will say: Jehovah of Hosts rules Israel. David's descendants are his chosen kings. Now therefore, may it please you to bless the house of your servant that it may continue a long time before you. You O Lord Jehovah have spoken. May the house of your servant be blessed from generation to generation. Lord Jehovah, you are God. You have promised me some very good things, and you can be trusted to do what you promise. Please bless my descendants and let them be your chosen kings for a very long time. You have already promised, and I am sure that you will bless my family from generation to generation.

David replied: I fasted and cried while the child lived. I thought Jehovah might be gracious to me and let the child live. Why should I fast now that he is dead? Can I bring him back? Someday I will go to him. However he will not come back to me.


I called on Jehovah in my distress. I cried to my God for help. He heard my voice from his temple, and my cry for help reached his ears.


Rescue Israel, O God, from all its troubles!


David went into the tent he set up for the ark. Then he sat there and prayed: Jehovah All-Powerful, my family and I do not deserve what you have already done for us. Yet this was insignificant in your eyes, O Sovereign Lord Jehovah for you have spoken also of your servant's house in the distant future. And this is the law for man, O Sovereign Lord Jehovah. What more can David say to you? For you know your servant, O Sovereign Lord Jehovah. read more.
For the sake of your Word and according to your will you have done this great thing. You have made it known to your servant! For this reason you are great, O Sovereign Lord Jehovah. There is none like you. There is no God besides you according to all that we have heard with our ears. There is no other nation on earth like Israel. This is the nation you rescued from slavery in Egypt to be your own. You became famous by using great and wonderful miracles to force other nations and their gods out of your land, so your people could live here. You chose Israel to be your people from generation to generation! You have become their God. And now, Jehovah God, please do what you have promised. You will be famous for a very long time! Everyone will say: Jehovah of Hosts rules Israel. David's descendants are his chosen kings. Now therefore, may it please you to bless the house of your servant that it may continue a long time before you. You O Lord Jehovah have spoken. May the house of your servant be blessed from generation to generation. Lord Jehovah, you are God. You have promised me some very good things, and you can be trusted to do what you promise. Please bless my descendants and let them be your chosen kings for a very long time. You have already promised, and I am sure that you will bless my family from generation to generation.


There in front of the whole assembly King David praised Jehovah. He said: Jehovah, God of our father (ancester) Israel. May you be praised forever and ever! You are great and powerful, glorious, splendid, and majestic. Everything in heaven and earth is yours, and you, O Jehovah, are king, supreme ruler over all. All riches and wealth come from you. You rule everything by your strength and power. You are able to make anyone great and strong. read more.
Now, our God, we give you thanks, and we praise your glorious name. Yet my people and I cannot really give you anything. This is because everything is a gift from you, and we have only given back what is yours already. You know, O Jehovah that we pass through life like exiles and strangers, as our ancestors did. Our days are like a passing shadow, and we cannot escape death. O Jehovah, our God, we have brought together all this wealth to build a Temple to honor your holy name. It all came from you and all belongs to you. I well know, O my God, that you test everyone's heart and are pleased with people of integrity. In honesty and sincerity I have willingly given all this to you. I have seen how your people who are gathered here have been happy to bring offerings to you. Jehovah, God of our ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, keep such devotion always strong in your people's hearts and keep them always faithful to you. Give my son Solomon a wholehearted desire to obey everything that you command and to build the Temple for which I have made these preparations.


David went home so he could ask Jehovah to bless his family. But Saul's daughter Michal went out and started yelling at him: You were really great today! She said. You acted like a dirty old man. You danced around half-naked in front of your servants' slave-girls.


I have made every effort to prepare materials for the Temple: gold, silver, bronze, iron, timber, precious stones and gems, stones for mosaics, and quantities of marble.


I will choose one of your sons to be king when you reach the end of your life and are buried in the tomb of your ancestors. I will make him a strong ruler.

I made a covenant with my chosen; I swore to David my servant: I will establish your seed forever and build up your throne to all generations.'

On my holiness I have taken an oath: I will not lie to David. His descendants will last forever. His throne will be in my presence like the sun.


Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne.

I always keep Jehovah in front of me. When he is at my right hand (assisting me), I cannot be moved. That is why my heart is glad and I rejoice. My body rests securely. You do not abandon me to the grave or allow your holy one to decay. read more.
You make the path of life known to me. Complete joy is in your presence. It is pleasant to be at your right hand forever.

David spoke concerning him: 'I had Jehovah always before my face, for he is at my right hand, that I should not be shaken. (Psalm 16:8)


That which was spoken through the prophet was fulfilled, saying: I will open my mouth in illustrations. I will utter things hidden from the foundation of the world.


The Spirit of Jehovah spoke through me. His word was on my tongue.


([Psalm of David]) I love you, O Jehovah, my strength. Jehovah is my rock and my fortress. He is my deliverer. He is my God and my crag, the one in whom I take refuge. He is my shield, and the strength of my salvation, my stronghold.


One of his attendants said: Jesse of the town of Bethlehem has a son who is a good musician. He is also a brave and handsome man, a good soldier, and an able speaker. Jehovah is with him.


That which was spoken through the prophet was fulfilled, saying: I will open my mouth in illustrations. I will utter things hidden from the foundation of the world.


David asked: Why were you not afraid to take it upon yourself to destroy Jehovah's (YHWH) anointed king?

David responded to Rechab and his brother Baanah, the sons of Rimmon from Beeroth: I once seized a man who told me that Saul had died. He thought he was bringing good news. I killed him in Ziklag to reward him for his news. How much more should I reward wicked men who kill an innocent man on his own bed in his home? Jehovah has rescued me from every trouble. I solemnly swear, as Jehovah lives, I will now seek revenge for his murder and rid the land of you. read more.
David gave the order for his soldiers to kill Rechab and Baanah and cut off their hands and feet. They killed them and hung their hands and feet near the pool in Hebron. They took Ishbosheth's head and buried it in Abner's tomb there at Hebron.


David prayed: O God, I am the one who did wrong. I am the one who ordered the census. What have these poor people done? Jehovah, my God, punish my family, and me and spare your people.



David said to Nathan: I have sinned against Jehovah. Nathan replied: Jehovah has taken away your sin. You will not die.


Hezekiah said to Isaiah: The word of Jehovah that you spoke is good. He added: Is it not good that there is peace and security as long as I live?

Why should I fast now that he is dead? Can I bring him back? Someday I will go to him. However he will not come back to me.

Let him do to me what he wishes if he is not pleased with me.


Why should I fast now that he is dead? Can I bring him back? Someday I will go to him. However he will not come back to me.


He died at a very old age, wealthy and respected, and his son Solomon succeeded him as king.


You Jehovah rewarded me because of my righteousness. Because my hands are clean you rewarded me.


David obeyed his father. He got up early the next morning and left someone else in charge of the sheep. He loaded the supplies and started off. He reached the army camp just as the soldiers were taking their places and shouting the battle cry.



I went to Jehovah for help. He answered me and rescued me from all my fears.


I went to Jehovah for help. He answered me and rescued me from all my fears.


David became very angry with the rich man. He said: I swear by the living God Jehovah that the man who did this should die! For doing such a cruel thing he should pay back four times for the lamb he took, for he had no compassion. You are that man! Nathan said to David. And this is what the Lord Jehovah the God of Israel says: 'I made you king of Israel and rescued you from Saul.


The king made Joab and his officers obey his order. They left his presence and went out to count the people of Israel.


The king made Joab and his officers obey his order. They left his presence and went out to count the people of Israel.


I am pleased to do your will, O my God; Your Law is within my heart.


David called for the priests Zadok and Abiathar and for the Levites Uriel, Asaiah, Joel, Shemaiah, Eliel, and Amminadab.

Leading Elizaphan's descendants were Shemaiah, who came with two hundred of his relatives.


Are these all the sons you have? Samuel asked. There is still the youngest one, Jesse answered. He is tending sheep. Samuel responded: Send someone to get him. We will not continue until he gets here.

He chose his servant David. He took him from the sheep pens.

Say this to my servant David: 'This is what Jehovah of Hosts says: I took you from the pasture where you followed sheep so that you could be the leader of my people Israel.


They searched all over Israel for a beautiful young woman, and in Shunem they found such a woman named Abishag, and brought her to the king.


([Psalm of David]) O Jehovah, my heart is not proud, my eyes are not haughty. I do not involve myself in great matters. I do not get involved in things too difficult for me. Surely I am composed and quiet. I am like a weaned child who rests against his mother. Inside of me I am like a weaned child.


I admit my transgressions. My sin is always in front of me.

He said: I have done wrong in giving a righteous man to you.

After David had everyone counted, he felt guilty and told Jehovah: What I did was stupid and terribly wrong. Jehovah, please forgive me.

David brought the bones of Saul and Jonathan. His men also gathered the bones of those who had been executed.

Have I sinned? What have I done to you, O watcher of all humanity? Why have you made me your target? Am I a burden to you?

I said: O Jehovah, be gracious to me! Heal me for I have sinned against you.


Samuel took the olive oil and anointed David in front of his brothers. Immediately the Spirit of Jehovah took control of David and was with him from that day on. Then Samuel returned to Ramah.


David knew that Jehovah made him king of Israel and that he had made him a powerful ruler for the good of his people.


I have kept the ways of Jehovah and I have not wickedly turned away from my God. All his judgments are in front of me and I have not turned away from his laws.


The Syrians knew they had been defeated by the Israelites. They called all their troops together. King Hadadezer sent for the Syrians (Arameans) who were on the east side of the Euphrates River. They came to Helam under the command of Shobach, commander of the army of King Hadadezer of Zobah. David heard of it. So he gathered the Israelite troops and crossed the Jordan River. They marched to Helam, where the Syrians took up their position facing him. The fighting began, read more.
and the Israelites drove the Syrian army back. David and his men killed seven hundred Syrian chariot drivers and forty thousand cavalry. They wounded Shobach, the enemy commander, who died on the battlefield. As soon as the kings who were subject to Hadadezer realized that they had been defeated by the Israelites, they made peace with them and became their subjects. The Syrians were afraid to help the Ammonites any more.


The Ammonites realized they had made themselves repulsive to David. They hired the Arameans from Beth Rehob and Zobah, with twenty thousand foot soldiers. From the army of the king of Maacah they hired one thousand men, and twelve thousand men of Tob. After David heard about this, he sent Joab and all the elite troops. The Ammonites formed a battle line at the entrance of the city gate. The Arameans from Zobah and Rehob and the men from Tob and Maacah remained by themselves in the open country. read more.
Joab saw he was under attack in front and behind. He took the select troops of Israel and organized them for combat against the Arameans. He put his brother Abishai in command of the rest of the army and had them fight the Ammonites. Joab told his brother: If the Arameans are too much for me to handle, you can come and help me. If the Ammonites are too strong for you, I will come and help you. Be brave and fight hard to protect our people and the cities of our God. I pray that Jehovah will do whatever pleases him. Joab and his men advanced to attack the Syrians. The Syrians retreated. The Ammonites saw the Syrians (Arameans) running away. They fled from Abishai and retreated into the city. Then Joab turned back from fighting the Ammonites and went back to Jerusalem.


King David dedicated these articles to Jehovah, along with the silver and gold he dedicated from all the nations he conquered. These nation included: Edom, Moab, Ammon, the Philistines, Amalek, and from the goods taken from Zobah's King Hadadezer, son of Rehob.


David made a name for himself by killing eighteen thousand Edomites in the Dead Sea region as he returned to Jerusalem.


The Syrians of Damascus sent an army to help King Hadadezer. David attacked it and killed twenty-two thousand men.


Then he set up military camps in their territory. They became his subjects and paid taxes to him. Jehovah made David victorious everywhere.


Over and above all this that I have provided, I have given silver and gold from my personal property because of my love for God's Temple.

The king said to the prophet Nathan: I live in a house built of cedar. Yet the Ark of God is kept in a tent!

David said to Solomon: My son, I had it in my heart to build a house for the Name of Jehovah my God.

Remember how he swore an oath to Jehovah and made this vow to the Mighty One of Jacob. He said: I will not step inside my house, get into my bed, shut my eyes, or close my eyelids read more.
until I find a place for Jehovah, a dwelling place for the Mighty One of Jacob.


I have made every effort to prepare materials for the Temple: gold, silver, bronze, iron, timber, precious stones and gems, stones for mosaics, and quantities of marble. Over and above all this that I have provided, I have given silver and gold from my personal property because of my love for God's Temple. I have given one hundred and fifteen tons of the finest gold and two hundred and sixty five tons of pure silver for decorating the walls of the Temple read more.
and for all the objects which the skilled workers are to make. Now who else is willing to give a generous offering to Jehovah?

So David gave orders to assemble the foreigners living in Israel. He appointed stonecutters from among them to prepare dressed stone for building the house of God. He provided a large amount of iron to make nails for the doors of the gateways and for the fittings, and more copper than could be weighed. He also provided more cedar logs than could be counted. The Sidonians and Tyrians had brought large numbers of them to David. read more.
David said: My son Solomon is young and inexperienced. The house to be built for Jehovah should be of great magnificence and fame and splendor in the sight of all the nations. Therefore I will make preparations for it. So David made extensive preparations before his death.

I have taken great pains to provide for the temple of Jehovah three thousand seven hundred and fifty tons of gold, about thirty-seven thousand five hundred tons of silver, quantities of copper and iron too great to be weighed, and wood and stone. And you may add to them. You have many workmen: stonecutters, masons and carpenters, as well as men skilled in every kind of work in gold and silver, copper and iron, craftsmen beyond number. Now begin the work, and Jehovah will be with you.


You know my father David could not build a Temple for the worship of Jehovah due to the constant wars he had to fight. There were enemies in countries all around him. First Jehovah had to give him victory over all his enemies.

The word of Jehovah came to me, saying: 'You have shed much blood and have fought many wars. You are not to build a house for my name. This is because you have shed much blood on the earth in my sight.

Go tell my servant David that I say to him: 'You are not the one to build a temple for me to live in. From the time I rescued the people of Israel from Egypt until now, I have never lived in a temple. I have traveled around living in a tent. In all my traveling with the people of Israel I never asked any of the leaders that I appointed why they had not built me a temple made of cedar.' read more.
Say this to my servant David: 'This is what Jehovah of Hosts says: I took you from the pasture where you followed sheep so that you could be the leader of my people Israel. I was with you wherever you went. I destroyed all your enemies in front of you. I will make your name famous like the names of the greatest people on earth.


Then he called for his son Solomon and charged him to build a house for Jehovah, the God of Israel. David said to Solomon: My son, I had it in my heart to build a house for the Name of Jehovah my God.

Now, my son, Jehovah is with you, and may you have success and build the house of Jehovah your God, as he said you would.


I will choose one of your sons to be king when you reach the end of your life and are buried in the tomb of your ancestors. I will make him a strong ruler. I will allow no one to take his long lasting kingdom away from him. He will be the one to build a temple for me.

He is the one who will build a house for me. I will establish his throne forever.


David ordered all the leaders of Israel to help his son Solomon. He said to them: Is not Jehovah your God with you? And has he not granted you rest on every side? For he has handed the inhabitants of the land over to me, and the land is subject to Jehovah and to his people. Devote your mind and heart to seek Jehovah your God. Begin to build the sanctuary of Jehovah God. That way you may bring the Ark of the Covenant of Jehovah and the sacred articles belonging to God into the Temple that will be built for the name of Jehovah.


Then the heads of the clans, the officials of the tribes, the commanders of the army, and the administrators of the royal property volunteered to give. They gave the following for the work on the Temple: one hundred and ninety tons of gold, three hundred and eighty tons of silver, six hundred and seventy five tons of bronze, and three thousand seven hundred and fifty tons of iron. Those who had precious stones gave them to the Temple treasury, which was administered by Jehiel of the Levite clan of Gershon. read more.
The people gave willingly to Jehovah and were happy that so much had been given. King David also was extremely happy.


Give my son Solomon a wholehearted desire to obey everything that you command and to build the Temple for which I have made these preparations.


Late one afternoon, David got up from his nap and went to the palace roof. He walked around on the roof. He saw a woman taking a bath. She was very beautiful.


Late one afternoon, David got up from his nap and went to the palace roof. He walked around on the roof. He saw a woman taking a bath. She was very beautiful. He sent a messenger to find out who she was. He learned that she was Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam and the wife of Uriah the Hittite. So David sent messengers to get her. She came to him and they had sexual intercourse. She had just cleansed herself after her monthly period. Then she went home. read more.
The woman became pregnant. So she sent someone to tell David that she was pregnant.


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.


Now, our God, we give you thanks, and we praise your glorious name.


David thought: I will show kindness to Hanun since his father Nahash showed me kindness. David sent his servants to comfort Hanun after his father's death. When David's servants entered Ammonite territory,


But show kindness to the sons of Barzillai from Gilead and take care of them. They were kind to me when I was fleeing from your brother Absalom.


Now, our God, we give you thanks, and we praise your glorious name.


Who found favor before God, and desired to find a tabernacle for the God of Jacob.


Hezekiah said to Isaiah: The word of Jehovah that you spoke is good. He added: Is it not good that there is peace and security as long as I live?

Why should I fast now that he is dead? Can I bring him back? Someday I will go to him. However he will not come back to me.

Let him do to me what he wishes if he is not pleased with me.


I am pleased to do your will, O my God; Your Law is within my heart.


Your neck is like the tower of David built for an armory, on which there hang a thousand bucklers, all shields of mighty men.


For this reason God highly exalted him, and gave to him the name that is above every name, (Relative authority given by Jehovah God, the Father to His Son) (Philipians 2:11)

My servant David will be their king. All of them will have one shepherd. They will live by my rules, and they will obey my laws.

So David ruled all Israel. He did what was fair and right for all his people.

Once you spoke in vision to your godly ones. You said: I have given help to one who is mighty. I have exalted one chosen from the people. I have found David my servant. I anointed him with my holy oil.


My servant David will be their king. All of them will have one shepherd. They will live by my rules, and they will obey my laws.

So David ruled all Israel. He did what was fair and right for all his people.

Once you spoke in vision to your godly ones. You said: I have given help to one who is mighty. I have exalted one chosen from the people. I have found David my servant. I anointed him with my holy oil.


The king asked Ittai from Gath: Why should you go with us? Go back, and stay with King Absalom. You are a foreigner, an exile from your homeland. In fact you came to us just yesterday. Should I make you wander around with me when I do not even know where I am going? Go back and take your countrymen with you. May Jehovah always show you kindness.

He said: David, you are a better person than I am. You treated me with kindness when I was cruel to you.

David prayed: O God, I am the one who did wrong. I am the one who ordered the census. What have these poor people done? Jehovah, my God, punish my family, and me and spare your people.

Do not let those who wait for you to be shamed through me, Lord Jehovah of Hosts. Do not let those who seek you be brought to dishonor through me, God of Israel.

The three famous soldiers forced their way through the Philistine camp. They then drew some water from the well, and brought it back to David. But he would not drink it. He poured it out as an offering to Jehovah. David said: Jehovah, I could never drink this! It would be like drinking the blood of these men who risked their lives! So he refused to drink it. Those were the brave deeds of the three famous soldiers.


Jehovah, for what do I wait? My hope is in you.


Jehovah, for what do I wait? My hope is in you.


I lie awake, I have become like a lonely bird on a housetop.


David prayed: O God, I am the one who did wrong. I am the one who ordered the census. What have these poor people done? Jehovah, my God, punish my family, and me and spare your people.


Saul responded to David: You cannot fight this Philistine. You are just a boy. He has been a warrior since he was your age.


References

Fausets

Morish

Watsons