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David, Nabal, and Abigail

1 Samuel died,and all Israel assembled to mourn for him,and they buried him by his home in Ramah.David then went down to the Wilderness of Paran.

2 A man in Maonhad a business in Carmel;he was a very rich man with 3,000 sheep and 1,000 goats and was shearing his sheep in Carmel.

3 The man’s name was Nabal, and his wife’s name, Abigail. The woman was intelligent and beautiful, but the man, a Calebite,was harsh and evil in his dealings.

4 While David was in the wilderness, he heard that Nabal was shearing sheep,

5 so David sent 10 young men instructing them, “Go up to Carmel, and when you come to Nabal, greet him in my name.

6 Then say this: ‘Long life to you,and peace to you, to your family, and to all that is yours.

7 I hear that you are shearing.When your shepherds were with us, we did not harass them, and nothing of theirs was missing the whole time they were in Carmel.

8 Ask your young men, and they will tell you. So let my young men find favor with you, for we have come on a feastday.Please give whatever you can afford to your servants and to your son David.’ ”

9 David’s young men went and said all these things to Nabal on David’s behalf,and they waited.

10 Nabal asked them, “Who is David?Who is Jesse’s son? Many slaves these days are running away from their masters.

11 Am I supposed to take my bread, my water, and my meat that I butchered for my shearers and give them to these men? I don’t know where they are from.”

12 David’s men retraced their steps. When they returned to him, they reported all these words.

13 He said to his men, “All of you, put on your swords! ” So David and all his men put on their swords. About 400 men followed David while 200 stayed with the supplies.

14 One of Nabal’s young men informed Abigail, Nabal’s wife: “Look, David sent messengers from the wilderness to greet our master,but he yelled at them.

15 The men treated us well. When we were in the field, we weren’t harassedand nothing of ours was missing the whole time we were living among them.

16 They were a wall around us, both day and night,the entire time we were herding the sheep.

17 Now consider carefully what you must do, because there is certain to be trouble for our master and his entire family. He is such a worthless fool nobody can talk to him! ”

18 Abigail hurried, taking 200 loaves of bread, two skins of wine, five butchered sheep, a bushelof roasted grain, 100 clusters of raisins, and 200 cakes of pressed figs, and loaded them on donkeys.

19 Then she said to her male servants, “Go ahead of me. I will be right behind you.”But she did not tell her husband Nabal.

20 As she rode the donkey down a mountain pass hidden from view, she saw David and his men coming toward her and met them.

21 David had just said, “I guarded everything that belonged to this man in the wilderness for nothing. He was not missing anything, yet he paid me back evil for good.

22 May God punish meand do so severelyif I let any of his mensurvive until morning.”

23 When Abigail saw David, she quickly got off the donkey and fell with her face to the ground in front of David.

24 She fell at his feet and said, “The guilt is mine, my lord, but please let your servant speak to you directly. Listen to the words of your servant.

25 My lord should pay no attention to this worthless man Nabal, for he lives up to his name:His name is Nabal,and stupidity is all he knows.I, your servant, didn’t see my lord’s young men whom you sent.

26 Now my lord, as surely as theLordlives and as you yourself live, it is theLordwho kept you from participating in bloodshed and avenging yourselfby your own hand. May your enemies and those who want trouble for my lord be like Nabal.

27 Accept this giftyour servant has brought to my lord, and let it be given to the young men who follow my lord.

28 Please forgive your servant’s offense,for theLordis certain to make a lasting dynasty for my lordbecause he fights theLord’s battles.Throughout your life, may evilnot be found in you.

29 “When someone pursues you and attempts to take your life, my lord’s life will be tucked safely in the placewhere theLordyour God protects the living. However, He will fling away your enemies’ lives like stones from a sling.

30 When theLorddoes for my lord all the good He promised and appoints you ruler over Israel,

31 there will not be remorse or a troubled conscience for my lord because of needless bloodshed or my lord’s revenge. And when theLorddoes good things for my lord, may you remember me your servant.”

32 Then David said to Abigail, “Praise to theLordGod of Israel,who sent you to meet me today!

33 Your discernment is blessed, and you are blessed. Today you kept me from participating in bloodshed and avenging myself by my own hand.

34 Otherwise, as surely as theLordGod of Israel lives, who prevented me from harming you, if you had not come quickly to meet me, Nabal wouldn’t have had any menleft by morning light.”

35 Then David accepted what she had brought him and said, “Go home in peace.See, I have heard what you said and have granted your request.”

36 Then Abigail went to Nabal, and there he was in his house, holding a feast fit for a king.Nabal was in a good moodand very drunk, so she didn’t say anythingto himuntil morning light.

37 In the morning when Nabal sobered up,his wife told him about these events. Then he had a seizureand became paralyzed.

38 About 10 days later, theLordstruck Nabal dead.

39 When David heard that Nabal was dead, he said, “Praise theLordwho championed my cause against Nabal’s insultsand restrained His servant from doing evil.TheLordbrought Nabal’s evil deeds back on his own head.”

Then David sent messengers to speak to Abigail about marrying him.

40 When David’s servants came to Abigail at Carmel, they said to her, “David sent us to bring you to him as a wife.”

41 She stood up, then bowed her face to the groundand said, “Here I am, your servant, to wash the feet of my lord’s servants.”

42 Then Abigail got up quickly, and with her five female servants accompanying her, rode on the donkey following David’s messengers.And so she became his wife.

43 David also married Ahinoam of Jezreel,and the two of them became his wives.

44 But Saul gave his daughter Michal, David’s wife, to Paltison of Laish, who was from Gallim.

—https://api-cdn.youversionapi.com/audio-bible-youversionapi/17/32k/1SA/25-97bc567454eaebf899177e9c8e5ced0e.mp3?version_id=72—

David Again Spares Saul

1 Then the Ziphites came to Saul at Gibeah saying, “David is hiding on the hill of Hachilah opposite Jeshimon.”

2 So Saul, accompanied by 3,000 of the choice men of Israel,went to the Wilderness of Ziph to search for David there.

3 Saul camped beside the road at the hill of Hachilahopposite Jeshimon. David was living in the wilderness and discovered Saul had come there after him.

4 So David sent out spies and knew for certain that Saul had come.

5 Immediately, David went to the place where Saul had camped. He saw the place where Saul and Abner son of Ner,the general of his army, were lying down. Saul was lying inside the inner circle of the camp with the troops camped around him.

6 Then David asked Ahimelech the Hittiteand Joab’s brother Abishaison of Zeruiah, “Who will go with me into the campto Saul? ”

“I’ll go with you,” answered Abishai.

7 That night, David and Abishai came to the troops, and Saul was lying there asleep in the inner circle of the camp with his spear stuck in the ground by his head. Abner and the troops were lying around him.

8 Then Abishai said to David, “Today God has handed your enemy over to you. Let me thrust the spear through him into the ground just once. I won’t have to strike him twice! ”

9 But David said to Abishai, “Don’t destroy him, for who can lift a hand against theLord’s anointed and be blameless? ”

10 David added, “As theLordlives, theLordwill certainly strike him down:either his day will come and he will die, or he will go into battle and perish.

11 However, because of theLord, I will never lift my hand against theLord’s anointed.Instead, take the spear and the water jug by his head, and let’s go.”

12 So David took the spear and the water jug by Saul’s head, and they went their way. No one saw them, no one knew, and no one woke up; they all remained asleep because a deep sleep from theLordcame over them.

13 David crossed to the other side and stood on top of the mountain at a distance; there was a considerable space between them.

14 Then David shouted to the troops and to Abner son of Ner: “Aren’t you going to answer, Abner? ”

“Who are you who calls to the king? ” Abner asked.

15 David called to Abner, “You’re a man, aren’t you? Who in Israel is your equal? So why didn’t you protect your lord the king when one of the people came to destroy him?

16 What you have done is not good. As theLordlives, all of you deserve to die since you didn’t protect your lord, theLord’s anointed.Now look around; where are the king’s spear and water jug that were by his head? ”

17 Saul recognized David’s voice and asked, “Is that your voice, my son David? ”

“It is my voice, my lord and king,” David said.

18 Then he continued, “Why is my lord pursuing his servant? What have I done? What evil is in my hand?

19 Now, may my lord the king please hear the words of his servant: If it is theLordwho has incited you against me,then may He accept an offering.But if it is people,may they be cursed in the presence of theLord, for today they have driven me away from sharing in the inheritance of theLordsaying,‘Go and worship other gods.’

20 So don’t let my blood fall to the ground far from theLord’s presence, for the king of Israel has come out to search for a flea,like one who pursues a partridge in the mountains.”

21 Saul responded, “I have sinned.Come back, my son David, I will never harm you again because today you considered my life precious. I have been a fool! I’ve committed a grave error.”

22 David answered, “Here is the king’s spear; have one of the young men come over and get it.

23 May theLordrepay every man for his righteousnessand his loyalty. I wasn’t willing to lift my hand against theLord’s anointed, even though theLordhanded you over to me today.

24 Just as I considered your life valuable today, so may theLordconsider my life valuableand rescue me from all trouble.”

25 Saul said to him, “You are blessed, my son David. You will certainly do great things and will also prevail.”Then David went on his way, and Saul returned home.

—https://api-cdn.youversionapi.com/audio-bible-youversionapi/17/32k/1SA/26-df2ff41a267ee65652419b5c1260f6b6.mp3?version_id=72—

David Flees to Ziklag

1 David said to himself, “One of these days I’ll be swept away by Saul. There is nothing better for me than to escape immediately to the land of the Philistines.Then Saul will stop searching for me everywhere in Israel, and I’ll escape from him.”

2 So David set out with his 600 menand went to Achish son of Maoch,the king of Gath.

3 David and his men stayed with Achish in Gath. Each man had his family with him,and David had his two wives: Ahinoam of Jezreel and Abigail of Carmel,Nabal’s widow.

4 When it was reported to Saul that David had fled to Gath, he no longer searched for him.

5 Now David said to Achish, “If I have found favor with you, let me be given a place in one of the outlying towns, so I can live there. Why should your servant live in the royal city with you? ”

6 That day Achish gave Ziklagto him, and it still belongs to the kings of Judah today.

7 The time that David stayed in the Philistine territory amounted to a year and four months.

8 David and his men went up and raided the Geshurites,the Girzites,and the Amalekites.From ancient times they had been the inhabitants of the region through Shuras far as the land of Egypt.

9 Whenever David attacked the land, he did not leave a single person alive, either man or woman, but he took flocks, herds, donkeys, camels, and clothing.Then he came back to Achish,

10 who inquired, “Where did you raid today? ”

David replied, “The south country of Judah,” “The south country of the Jerahmeelites,”or “Against the south country of the Kenites.”

11 David did not let a man or woman live to be brought to Gath, for he said, “Or they will inform on us and say, ‘This is what David did.’ ” This was David’s custom during the whole time he stayed in the Philistine territory.

12 So Achish trusted David, thinking, “Since he has made himself detestable to his people Israel, he will be my servant forever.”

—https://api-cdn.youversionapi.com/audio-bible-youversionapi/17/32k/1SA/27-7341261e7ef2e9cd66ed8cd42f285de4.mp3?version_id=72—

Saul and the Medium

1 At that time, the Philistinesbrought their military units together into one army to fight against Israel. So Achish said to David, “You know, of course, that you and your men must march out in the armywith me.”

2 David replied to Achish, “Good, you will find out what your servant can do.”

So Achish said to David, “Very well, I will appoint you as my permanent bodyguard.”

3 By this time Samuel had died,and all Israel had mourned for him and buried him in Ramah, his city,and Saul had removed the mediums and spiritists from the land.

4 The Philistines came together and camped at Shunem. So Saul gathered all Israel, and they camped at Gilboa.

5 When Saul saw the Philistine camp, he was afraid and trembled violently.

6 He inquired of theLord, but theLorddid not answer him in dreams or by the Urim or by the prophets.

7 Saul then said to his servants, “Find me a woman who is a medium, so I can go and consult her.”

His servants replied, “There is a woman at En-dorwho is a medium.”

8 Saul disguised himselfby putting on different clothes and set out with two of his men. They came to the woman at night, and Saul said, “Consult a spirit for me.Bring up for me the one I tell you.”

9 But the woman said to him, “You surely know what Saul has done,how he has killed the mediums and spiritists in the land. Why are you setting a trap for me to get me killed? ”

10 Then Saul swore to her by theLord: “As surely as theLordlives, nothing bad will happen to you because of this.”

11 “Who is it that you want me to bring up for you? ” the woman asked.

“Bring up Samuel for me,” he answered.

12 When the woman saw Samuel, she screamed, and then she asked Saul, “Why did you deceive me? You are Saul! ”

13 But the king said to her, “Don’t be afraid. What do you see? ”

“I see a spirit formcoming up out of the earth,” the woman answered.

14 Then Saul asked her, “What does he look like? ”

“An old man is coming up,” she replied. “He’s wearing a robe.”Then Saul knew that it was Samuel, and he bowed his face to the ground and paid homage.

15 “Why have you disturbed me by bringing me up? ” Samuel asked Saul.

“I’m in serious trouble,” replied Saul. “The Philistines are fighting against me and God has turned away from me.He doesn’t answer me anymore,either through the prophets or in dreams. So I’ve called on you to tell me what I should do.”

16 Samuel answered, “Since theLordhas turned away from you and has become your enemy, why are you asking me?

17 TheLordhas doneexactly what He said through me: TheLordhas torn the kingship out of your hand and given it to your neighbor David.

18 You did not obey theLordand did not carry out His burning anger against Amalek;therefore theLordhas done this to you today.

19 TheLordwill also hand Israel over to the Philistines along with you. Tomorrow you and your sons will be with me,and theLordwill hand Israel’s army over to the Philistines.”

20 Immediately, Saul fell flat on the ground. He was terrified by Samuel’s words and was also weak because he hadn’t had any food all day and all night.

21 The woman came over to Saul, and she saw that he was terrified and said to him, “Look, your servant has obeyed you. I took my life in my handsand did what you told me to do.

22 Now please listen to your servant. Let me set some food in front of you. Eat and it will give you strength so you can go on your way.”

23 He refused, saying, “I won’t eat,” but when his servants and the woman urged him, he listened to them.He got up off the ground and sat on the bed.

24 The woman had a fattened calf at her house, and she quickly slaughtered it.She also took flour, kneaded it, and baked unleavened bread.

25 She served it to Saul and his servants, and they ate. Afterward, they got up and left that night.

—https://api-cdn.youversionapi.com/audio-bible-youversionapi/17/32k/1SA/28-5742dd46b0a0d2983afabe5be0ade727.mp3?version_id=72—

Philistines Reject David

1 The Philistinesbrought all their military units together at Aphekwhile Israel was camped by the spring in Jezreel.

2 As the Philistine leaders were passing in review with their units of hundreds and thousands, David and his menwere passing in review behind them with Achish.

3 Then the Philistine commanders asked, “What are these Hebrews doing here? ”

Achish answered the Philistine commanders, “That is David, servant of King Saul of Israel. He has been with me a considerable period of time.From the day he defected until today, I’ve found no fault with him.”

4 The Philistine commanders, however, were enraged with Achish and told him, “Send that man back and let him return to the place you assigned him.He must not go down with us into battle only to become our adversary during the battle.What better way could he regain his master’s favor than with the heads of our men?

5 Isn’t this the David they sing about during their dances:

Saul has killed his thousands,

but David his tens of thousands? ”

6 So Achish summoned David and told him, “As theLordlives, you are an honorable man. I think it is goodto have you workingwith me in the camp, because I have found no fault in you from the day you came to me until today.But the leaders don’t think you are reliable.

7 Now go back quietly and you won’t be doing anything the Philistine leaders think is wrong.”

8 “But what have I done? ”David replied to Achish. “From the first day I was with you until today, what have you found against your servant to keep me from going along to fight against the enemies of my lord the king? ”

9 Achish answered David, “I’m convinced that you are as reliable as the Angel of God.But the Philistine commanders have said, ‘He must not go into battle with us.’

10 So get up early in the morning, you and your masters’ servants who came with you.When you’ve all gotten up early, go as soon as it’s light.”

11 So David and his men got up early in the morning to return to the land of the Philistines. And the Philistines went up to Jezreel.

—https://api-cdn.youversionapi.com/audio-bible-youversionapi/17/32k/1SA/29-9b08a0f2de29d106839f8a16e203439e.mp3?version_id=72—

David’s Defeat of the Amalekites

1 David and his menarrived in Ziklagon the third day. The Amalekiteshad raided the Negev and attacked and burned down Ziklag.

2 They also had kidnapped the women and everyonein it from the youngest to the oldest. They had killed no one but had carried them offas they went on their way.

3 When David and his men arrived at the town, they found it burned down. Their wives, sons, and daughters had been kidnapped.

4 David and the troops with him wept loudly until they had no strength left to weep.

5 David’s two wives,Ahinoam the Jezreelite and Abigail the widow of Nabal the Carmelite, had also been kidnapped.

6 David was in a difficult position because the troops talked about stoning him,for they were all very bitter over the loss of their sons and daughters. But David found strength in theLordhis God.

7 David said to Abiathar the priest, son of Ahimelech, “Bring me the ephod.”So Abiathar brought it to him,

8 and David asked theLord:“Should I pursue these raiders? Will I overtake them? ”

TheLordreplied to him, “Pursue them, for you will certainly overtake them and rescue the people.”

9 David and the 600 men with himwent as far as the Wadi Besor, where 200 men who were to remain behind would stop.

10 They stopped because they were too exhausted to cross the Wadi Besor. David and 400 of the men continued in pursuit.

11 They found an Egyptian in the open country and brought him to David. They gave him some bread to eat and water to drink.

12 Then they gave him some pressed figs and two clusters of raisins. After he ate he revived,for he hadn’t eaten food or drunk water for three days and three nights.

13 Then David said to him, “Who do you belong to? Where are you from? ”

“I’m an Egyptian, the slave of an Amalekite man,” he said. “My master abandoned me when I got sick three days ago.

14 We raided the south country of the Cherethites,the territory of Judah, and the south country of Caleb,and we burned down Ziklag.”

15 David then asked him, “Will you lead me to these raiders? ”

He said, “Swear to me by God that you won’t kill me or turn me over to my master, and I will lead you to them.”

16 So he led him, and there were the Amalekites, spread out over the entire area, eating, drinking, and celebrating because of the great amount of plunderthey had taken from the land of the Philistines and the land of Judah.

17 David slaughtered them from twilight until the evening of the next day.None of them escaped, except 400 young men who got on camels and fled.

18 David recovered everything the Amalekites had taken; he also rescued his two wives.

19 Nothing of theirs was missing from the youngest to the oldest, including the sons and daughters, of all the plunder the Amalekites had taken. David got everything back.

20 He took all the sheep and cattle, which were driven ahead of the other livestock, and the people shouted, “This is David’s plunder! ”

21 When David came to the 200 men who had been too exhausted to go with him and had been left at the Wadi Besor,they came out to meet him and to meet the troops with him. When David approached the men, he greeted them,

22 but all the corrupt and worthless men among those who had gone with David argued, “Because they didn’t go with us, we will not give any of the plunder we recovered to them except for each man’s wife and children. They may take them and go.”

23 But David said, “My brothers, you must not do this with what theLordhas given us. He protected us and handed over to us the raiders who came against us.

24 Who can agree to your proposal? The share of the one who goes into battle is to be the same as the share of the one who remains with the supplies. They will share equally.”

25 And it has been so from that day forward. David established this policy as a law and an ordinance for Israel and it continues to this very day.

26 When David came to Ziklag, he sent some of the plunder to his friends, the elders of Judah, saying, “Here is a gift for youfrom the plunder of theLord’s enemies.”

27 He sent gifts to those in Bethel,in Ramoth of the Negev,and in Jattir;

28 to those in Aroer,in Siphmoth,and in Eshtemoa;

29 to those in Racal, in the towns of the Jerahmeelites,and in the towns of the Kenites;

30 to those in Hormah,in Bor-ashan,and in Athach;

31 to those in Hebron,and to those in all the places where David and his men had roamed.

—https://api-cdn.youversionapi.com/audio-bible-youversionapi/17/32k/1SA/30-9ed30ed7d8ffaf5b7cd3f425c49bdba0.mp3?version_id=72—

The Death of Saul and His Sons

1 The Philistines fought against Israel,and Israel’s men fled from them. Many were killed on Mount Gilboa.

2 The Philistines overtook Saul and his sons and killed his sons, Jonathan, Abinadab, and Malchishua.

3 When the battle intensified against Saul,the archers caught up with him and severely wounded him.

4 Then Saul said to his armor-bearer,“Draw your sword and run me through with it, or these uncircumcised menwill come and run me through and torture me.” But his armor-bearer would not do it because he was terrified. Then Saul took his sword and fell on it.

5 When his armor-bearer saw that Saul was dead, he also fell on his own sword and died with him.

6 So on that day, Saul died together with his three sons, his armor-bearer, and all his men.

7 When the men of Israel on the other side of the valley and on the other side of the Jordan saw that Israel’s men had run away and that Saul and his sons were dead, they abandoned the cities and fled. So the Philistines came and settled in them.

8 The next day when the Philistines came to strip the dead, they found Saul and his three sons dead on Mount Gilboa.

9 They cut off Saul’s head, stripped off his armor, and sent messengers throughout the land of the Philistines to spread the good newsin the temples of their idolsand among the people.

10 Then they put his armor in the temple of the Ashtorethsand hung his bodyon the wall of Beth-shan.

11 When the residents of Jabesh-gileadheard what the Philistines had done to Saul,

12 all their brave menset out, journeyed all night, and retrieved the body of Saul and the bodies of his sons from the wall of Beth-shan. When they arrived at Jabesh, they burned the bodies there.

13 Afterward, they took their bones and buried them under the tamarisk treein Jabeshand fasted seven days.

—https://api-cdn.youversionapi.com/audio-bible-youversionapi/17/32k/1SA/31-3741b3378c1a55bab8c3d4e29e39a80f.mp3?version_id=72—

Responses to Saul’s Death

1 After the death of Saul,David returned from defeating the Amalekitesand stayed at Ziklag two days.

2 On the third day a man with torn clothes and dust on his headcame from Saul’s camp. When he came to David, he fell to the ground and paid homage.

3 David asked him, “Where have you come from? ”

He replied to him, “I’ve escaped from the Israelite camp.”

4 “What was the outcome? Tell me,” David asked him.

“The troops fled from the battle,” he answered. “Many of the troops have fallen and are dead. Also, Saul and his son Jonathan are dead.”

5 David asked the young man who had brought him the report, “How do you know Saul and his son Jonathan are dead? ”

6 “I happened to be on Mount Gilboa,”he replied, “and there was Saul, leaning on his spear. At that very moment the chariots and the cavalry were closing in on him.

7 When he turned around and saw me, he called out to me, so I answered: I’m at your service.

8 He asked me, ‘Who are you? ’ I told him: I’m an Amalekite.

9 Then he begged me, ‘Stand over me and kill me, for I’m mortally wounded,but my life still lingers.’

10 So I stood over him and killed him because I knew that after he had fallen he couldn’t survive. I took the crown that was on his head and the armband that was on his arm, and I’ve brought them here to my lord.”

11 Then David took hold of his clothes and tore them,and all the men with him did the same.

12 They mourned, wept, and fasted until the eveningfor those who died by the sword — for Saul, his son Jonathan, theLord’s people, and the house of Israel.

13 David inquired of the young man who had brought him the report, “Where are you from? ”

“I’m the son of a foreigner,” he said. “I’m an Amalekite.”

14 David questioned him, “How is it that you were not afraid to lift your hand to destroy theLord’s anointed? ”

15 Then David summoned one of his servants and said, “Come here and kill him! ” The servant struck him, and he died.

16 For David had said to the Amalekite, “Your blood is on your own headbecause your own mouth testified against you by saying, ‘I killed theLord’s anointed.’ ”

17 David sang the following lamentfor Saul and his son Jonathan,

18 and he ordered that the Judahites be taught The Song of the Bow. It is written in the Book of Jashar:

19 The splendor of Israel lies slain on your heights.

How the mighty have fallen!

20 Do not tell it in Gath,

don’t announce it in the marketplaces of Ashkelon,

or the daughters of the Philistines will rejoice,

and the daughters of the uncircumcised will gloat.

21 Mountains of Gilboa,

let no dew or rain be on you,

or fields of offerings,

for there the shield of the mighty was defiled—

the shield of Saul, no longer anointed with oil.

22 Jonathan’s bow never retreated,

Saul’s sword never returned unstained,

from the blood of the slain,

from the bodies of the mighty.

23 Saul and Jonathan,

loved and delightful,

they were not parted in life or in death.

They were swifter than eagles, stronger than lions.

24 Daughters of Israel, weep for Saul,

who clothed you in scarlet, with luxurious things,

who decked your garments with gold ornaments.

25 How the mighty have fallen in the thick of battle!

Jonathan lies slain on your heights.

26 I grieve for you, Jonathan, my brother.

You were such a friend to me.

Your love for me was more wonderful

than the love of women.

27 How the mighty have fallen

and the weapons of war have perished!

—https://api-cdn.youversionapi.com/audio-bible-youversionapi/17/32k/2SA/1-8484cbb10c62f98ccb9ee20aa19fa357.mp3?version_id=72—

David, King of Judah

1 Some time later, David inquired of theLord:“Should I go to one of the towns of Judah? ”

TheLordanswered him, “Go.”

Then David asked, “Where should I go? ”

“To Hebron,”theLordreplied.

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

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

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

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

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

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

8 Abner son of Ner, commander of Saul’s army,took Saul’s son Ish-boshethand moved him to Mahanaim.

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

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

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

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

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

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

“Let them get up,” Joab replied.

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

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

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

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

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

20 Abner glanced back and said, “Is that you, Asahel? ”

“Yes it is,” Asahel replied.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

—https://api-cdn.youversionapi.com/audio-bible-youversionapi/17/32k/2SA/2-64010974d43aada422520436c9f4c14c.mp3?version_id=72—

Civil War

1 The war between the house of Saul and the house of Davidwas long and drawn out, with David growing strongerand the house of Saul becoming weaker.

2 Sons were born to David in Hebron:

his firstborn was Amnon,

by Ahinoamthe Jezreelite;

3 his second was Chileab,

by Abigail,the widow of Nabal the Carmelite;

the third was Absalom,

son of Maacah the daughter of King Talmai of Geshur;

4 the fourth was Adonijah,

son of Haggith;

the fifth was Shephatiah,

son of Abital;

5 the sixth was Ithream,

by David’s wife Eglah.

These were born to David in Hebron.

6 During the war between the house of Saul and the house of David, Abner kept acquiring more power in the house of Saul.

7 Now Saul had a concubine whose name was Rizpahdaughter of Aiah, and Ish-bosheth questioned Abner, “Why did you sleep with my father’s concubine? ”

8 Abner was very angry about Ish-bosheth’s accusation. “Am I a dog’s headwho belongs to Judah? ” he asked. “All this time I’ve been loyal to the house of your father Saul, to his brothers, and to his friends and haven’t handed you over to David, but now you accuse me of wrongdoing with this woman!

9 May God punish Abner and do so severely if I don’t do for David what theLordswore to him:

10 to transfer the kingdom from the house of Saul and establish the throne of David over Israel and Judahfrom Dan to Beer-sheba.”

11 Ish-bosheth could not answer Abner because he was afraid of him.

12 Abner sent messengers as his representatives to say to David, “Whose land is it? Make your covenant with me, and you can be certain I am on your side to hand all Israel over to you.”

13 David replied, “Good, I will make a covenant with you. However, there’s one thing I require of you: Do not appear before me unless you bring Saul’s daughter Michalhere when you come to see me.”

14 Then David sent messengers to say to Ish-bosheth son of Saul, “Give me back my wife, Michal. I was engaged to her for the price of 100 Philistine foreskins.”

15 So Ish-bosheth sent someone to take her away from her husband, Paltiel son of Laish.

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

The Assassination of Abner

17 Abner conferred with the elders of Israel: “In the past you wanted David to be king over you.

18 Now take action, because theLordhas spoken concerning David: ‘Through My servant David I will save My people Israel from the power of the Philistines and the power of all Israel’s enemies.’ ”

19 Abner also informed the Benjaminites and went to Hebron to inform David about all that was agreed on by Israel and the whole house of Benjamin.

20 When Abner and 20 men came to David at Hebron, David held a banquet for him and his men.

21 Abner said to David, “Let me now go and I will gather all Israel to my lord the king. They will make a covenant with you,and you will rule over all you desire.” So David dismissed Abner, and he went in peace.

22 Just then David’s soldiers and Joab returned from a raid and brought a large amount of plundered goods with them. Abner was not with David in Hebron because David had dismissed him, and he had gone in peace.

23 When Joab and all his army arrived, Joab was informed, “Abner son of Ner came to see the king, the king dismissed him, and he went in peace.”

24 Joab went to the king and said, “What have you done? Look here, Abner came to you. Why did you dismiss him? Now he’s getting away.

25 You know that Abner son of Ner came to deceive you and to find out about your activities and everything you’re doing.”

26 Then Joab left David and sent messengers after Abner. They brought him back from the wellof Sirah, but David was unaware of it.

27 When Abner returned to Hebron, Joab pulled him aside to the middle of the gateway, as if to speak to him privately, and there Joab stabbed him in the stomach. So Abner died in revenge for the death of Asahel,Joab’s brother.

28 David heard about it later and said: “I and my kingdom are forever innocent before theLordconcerning the blood of Abner son of Ner.

29 May it hang over Joab’s head and his father’s whole house, and may the house of Joab never be without someone who has a discharge or a skin disease,or a man who can only work a spindle,or someone who falls by the sword or starves.”

30 Joab and his brother Abishai killed Abner because he had put their brother Asahel to death in the battle at Gibeon.

31 David then ordered Joab and all the people who were with him, “Tear your clothes, put on sackcloth,and mourn over Abner.” And King David walked behind the funeral procession.

32 When they buried Abner in Hebron, the king wept aloud at Abner’s tomb. All the people wept,

33 and the king sang a lament for Abner:

Should Abner die as a fool dies?

34 Your hands were not bound,

your feet not placed in bronze shackles.

You fell like one who falls victim to criminals.

And all the people wept over him even more.

35 Then they came to urge David to eat bread while it was still day, but David took an oath: “May God punish me and do so severely if I taste bread or anything else before sunset! ”

36 All the people took note of this, and it pleased them. In fact, everything the king did pleased them.

37 On that day all the troops and all Israel were convinced that the king had no part in the killing of Abner son of Ner.

38 Then the king said to his soldiers, “You must know that a great leader has fallen in Israel today.

39 As for me, even though I am the anointed king, I have little power today. These men, the sons of Zeruiah, are too fierce for me.May theLordrepay the evildoer according to his evil! ”

—https://api-cdn.youversionapi.com/audio-bible-youversionapi/17/32k/2SA/3-d06e5b19e6fb60a1c509543e869c7d05.mp3?version_id=72—