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

Her husband followed her, weeping all the way to Bahurim. Abner said to him, “Go back.” So he went back.

They had entered the house while Ish-bosheth was lying on his bed in his bedroom and stabbed and killed him. Then they beheaded him, took his head, and traveled by way of the Arabah all night.

David took up residence in the stronghold, which he named the city of David. He built it up all the way around from the supporting terraces inward.

So David did exactly as the Lord commanded him, and he struck down the Philistines all the way from Geba to Gezer.

But My faithful love will never leave him as I removed it from Saul; I removed him from your way.

While they were on the way, a report reached David: “Absalom struck down all the king’s sons; not even one of them survived!”

The king replied, “Sons of Zeruiah, do we agree on anything? He curses me this way because the Lord told him, ‘Curse David!’ Therefore, who can say, ‘Why did you do that?’”

“No matter what, I want to run!”

“Then run!” Joab said to him. So Ahimaaz ran by way of the plain and outran the Cushite.

The watchman said, “The way the first man runs looks to me like the way Ahimaaz son of Zadok runs.”

“This is a good man; he comes with good news,” the king commented.

Since your servant is only going with the king a little way across the Jordan, why should the king repay me with such a reward?

So all the men of Israel deserted David and followed Sheba son of Bichri, but the men of Judah from the Jordan all the way to Jerusalem remained loyal to their king.

For I have kept the ways of the Lord
and have not turned from my God to wickedness.

God—His way is perfect;
the word of the Lord is pure.
He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him.

God is my strong refuge;
He makes my way perfect.

You widen a place beneath me for my steps,
and my ankles do not give way.