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1-2 Shortly after Saul died, David returned to Ziklag from his rout of the Amalekites. Three days later a man showed up unannounced from Saul’s army camp. 2-3 Disheveled and obviously in mourning, he fell to his knees in respect before David. David asked, “What brings you here?” He answered, “I’ve just escaped from the […]

1 After all this, David prayed. He askedGod, “Shall I move to one of the cities of Judah?” Godsaid, “Yes, move.” “And to which city?” “To Hebron.” 2-3 So David moved to Hebron, along with his two wives, Ahinoam of Jezreel and Abigail the widow of Nabal of Carmel. David’s men, along with their families, […]

1 The war between the house of Saul and the house of David dragged on and on. The longer it went on the stronger David became, with the house of Saul getting weaker. 2-5 During the Hebron years, sons were born to David: Amnon, born of Ahinoam of Jezreel—the firstborn; Kileab, born of Abigail of […]

The Murder of Ish-Bosheth 1 Saul’s son, Ish-Bosheth, heard that Abner had died in Hebron. His heart sank. The whole country was shaken. 2-3 Ish-Bosheth had two men who were captains of raiding bands—one was named Baanah, the other Recab. They were sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, a Benjaminite. (The people of Beeroth had been […]

1-2 Before long all the tribes of Israel approached David in Hebron and said, “Look at us—your own flesh and blood! In time past when Saul was our king, you were the one who really ran the country. Even thenGodsaid to you, ‘You will shepherd my people Israel and you’ll be the prince.’” 3 All […]

1-2 David mustered the pick of the troops of Israel—thirty divisions of them. Together with his soldiers, David headed for Baalah to recover the Chest of God, which was called by the NameGod-of-the-Angel-Armies, who was enthroned over the pair of angels on the Chest. 3-7 They placed the Chest of God on a brand-new oxcart […]

God’s Covenant with David 1-2 Before long, the king made himself at home andGodgave him peace from all his enemies. Then one day King David said to Nathan the prophet, “Look at this: Here I am, comfortable in a luxurious house of cedar, and the Chest of God sits in a plain tent.” 3 Nathan […]

1 In the days that followed, David struck hard at the Philistines—brought them to their knees and took control of the countryside. 2 He also fought and defeated Moab. He chose two-thirds of them randomly and executed them. The other third he spared. So the Moabites fell under David’s rule and were forced to bring […]

An Open Table for Mephibosheth 1 One day David asked, “Is there anyone left of Saul’s family? If so, I’d like to show him some kindness in honor of Jonathan.” 2 It happened that a servant from Saul’s household named Ziba was there. They called him into David’s presence. The king asked him, “Are you […]

1-2 Sometime after this, the king of the Ammonites died and Hanun, his son, succeeded him as king. David said, “I’d like to show some kindness to Hanun, the son of Nahash—treat him as well and as kindly as his father treated me.” So David sent Hanun condolences regarding his father. 2-3 But when David’s […]