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Absalom Restored to David

1 Joab son of Zeruiah observed that the king’s mind was on Absalom.

2 So Joab sent someone to Tekoato bring a cleverwoman from there. He told her, “Pretend to be in mourning: dress in mourning clothes and don’t put on any oil.Act like a woman who has been mourning for the dead for a long time.

3 Go to the king and speak these words to him.” Then Joab told her exactly what to say.

4 When the woman from Tekoa cameto the king, she fell with her face to the ground in homageand said, “Help me, my king! ”

5 “What’s the matter? ” the king asked her.

“To tell the truth, I am a widow; my husband died,” she said.

6 “Your servant had two sons.They were fighting in the field with no one to separate them, and one struck the other and killed him.

7 Now the whole clan has risen up against your servant and said, ‘Hand over the one who killed his brother so we may put him to death for the life of the brother he murdered. We will destroy the heir! ’ They would extinguish my one remaining ember by not preserving my husband’s name or posterity on earth.”

8 The king told the woman, “Go home. I will issue a command on your behalf.”

9 Then the woman of Tekoa said to the king, “My lord the king, may any blame be on meand my father’s house, and may the king and his throne be innocent.”

10 “Whoever speaks to you,” the king said, “bring him to me. He will not trouble you again! ”

11 She replied, “Please, may the king invoke theLordyour God, so that the avenger of blood will not increase the loss, and they will not eliminate my son! ”

“As theLordlives,” he vowed, “not a hair of your son will fall to the ground.”

12 Then the woman said, “Please, may your servant speak a word to my lord the king? ”

“Speak,” he replied.

13 The woman asked, “Why have you devised something similar against the people of God? When the king spoke as he did about this matter, he has pronounced his own guilt. The king has not brought back his own banished one.

14 We will certainly dieand be like water poured out on the ground, which can’t be recovered. But God would not take away a life; He would devise plans so that the one banished from Him does not remain banished.

15 “Now therefore, I’ve come to present this matter to my lord the king because the people have made me afraid. Your servant thought: I must speak to the king. Perhaps the king will grant his servant’s request.

16 The king will surely listen in order to rescue his servant from the hand of this man who would eliminate both me and my son from God’s inheritance.

17 Your servant thought: May the word of my lord the king bring relief, for my lord the king is able to discern the good and the bad like the Angel of God.May theLordyour God be with you.”

18 Then the king answered the woman, “I’m going to ask you something; don’t conceal it from me! ”

“Let my lord the king speak,” the woman replied.

19 The king asked, “Did Joab put you up toall this? ”

The woman answered. “As you live, my lord the king, no one can turn to the right or left from all my lord the king says. Yes, your servant Joab is the one who gave orders to me; he told your servant exactly what to say.

20 Joab your servant has done this to address the issue indirectly,but my lord has wisdom like the wisdom of the Angel of God, knowing everything on earth.”

21 Then the king said to Joab, “I hereby grant this request. Go, bring back the young man Absalom.”

22 Joab fell with his face to the ground in homage and praised the king. “Today,” Joab said, “your servant knows I have found favor with you, my lord the king, because the king has granted the request of your servant.”

23 So Joab got up, went to Geshur, and brought Absalomto Jerusalem.

24 However, the king added, “He may return to his house, but he may not see my face.” So Absalom returned to his house, but he did not see the king.

25 No man in all Israel was as handsomeand highly praised as Absalom. From the sole of his foot to the top of his head, he did not have a single flaw.

26 When he shaved his head — he shaved it every year because his hair got so heavy for him that he had to shave it off — he would weigh the hair from his head and it would be five poundsaccording to the royal standard.

27 Three sons were born to Absalom, and a daughter named Tamar, who was a beautiful woman.

28 Absalom resided in Jerusalem two years but never saw the king.

29 Then Absalom sent for Joab in order to send him to the king, but Joab was unwilling to come. So he sent again, a second time, but he still wouldn’t come.

30 Then Absalom said to his servants, “See, Joab has a field right next to mine, and he has barley there. Go and set fire to it! ” So Absalom’s servants set the field on fire.

31 Then Joab came to Absalom’s house and demanded, “Why did your servants set my field on fire? ”

32 “Look,” Absalom explained to Joab, “I sent for you and said, ‘Come here. I want to send you to the king to ask: Why have I come back from Geshur? I’d be better off if I were still there.’ So now, let me see the king. If I am guilty, let him kill me.”

33 Joab went to the king and told him. So David summoned Absalom, who came to the king and bowed down with his face to the ground before him. Then the king kissed Absalom.

—https://api-cdn.youversionapi.com/audio-bible-youversionapi/17/32k/2SA/14-e2b07f46df1227160f62c13f18b6fdf7.mp3?version_id=72—

Absalom’s Revolt

1 After this, Absalom got himself a chariot, horses, and 50 men to run before him.

2 He would get up early and stand beside the road leading to the city gate.Whenever anyone had a grievance to bring before the king for settlement, Absalom called out to him and asked, “What city are you from? ” If he replied, “Your servant is from one of the tribes of Israel,”

3 Absalom said to him, “Look, your claims are good and right, but the king does not have anyone to listen to you.”

4 He added, “If only someone would appoint me judge in the land. Then anyone who had a grievance or dispute could come to me, and I would make sure he received justice.”

5 When a person approached to bow down to him, Absalom reached out his hand, took hold of him, and kissed him.

6 Absalom did this to all the Israelites who came to the king for a settlement. So Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel.

7 When fouryears had passed, Absalom said to the king, “Please let me go to Hebron to fulfill a vow I made to theLord.

8 For your servant made a vow when I lived in Geshur of Aram,saying: If theLordreally brings me back to Jerusalem, I will worship theLordin Hebron.”

9 “Go in peace,” the king said to him.So he went to Hebron.

10 Then Absalom sent messengers throughout the tribes of Israel with this message: “When you hear the sound of the ram’s horn,you are to say, ‘Absalom has become king in Hebron! ’ ”

11 Two hundred men from Jerusalem went with Absalom. They had been invited and were going innocently, for they knew nothing about the whole matter.

12 While he was offering the sacrifices, Absalom sent for David’s adviser Ahithophel the Gilonite,from his city of Giloh. So the conspiracy grew strong, and the people supporting Absalom continued to increase.

13 Then an informer came to David and reported, “The hearts of the men of Israel are with Absalom.”

14 David said to all the servants with him in Jerusalem, “Get up. We have to flee, or we will not escape from Absalom!Leave quickly, or he will soon overtake us, heap disaster on us, and strike the city with the edge of the sword.”

15 The king’s servants said to him, “Whatever my lord the king decides, we are your servants.”

16 Then the king set out, and his entire household followed him. But he left behind 10 concubines to take care of the palace.

17 So the king set out, and all the people followed him. They stopped at the last house

18 while all his servants marched past him. Then all the Cherethites, the Pelethites, and the Gittites — 600 men who came with him from Gath— marched past the king.

19 The king said to Ittai the Gittite,“Why are you also going with us? Go back and stay with the new king since you’re both a foreigner and an exile from your homeland.

20 Besides, you only arrived yesterday; should I make you wander around with us today while I go wherever I can? Go back and take your brothers with you. May theLordshow you kindness and faithfulness.”

21 But in response, Ittai vowed to the king, “As theLordlives and as my lord the king lives, wherever my lord the king is, whether it means life or death, your servant will be there! ”

22 “March on,” David replied to Ittai. So Ittai the Gittite marched past with all his men and the children who were with him.

23 Everyone in the countryside was weeping loudly while all the people were marching past. As the king was crossing the Kidron Valley, all the people were marching past on the road that leads to the desert.

24 Zadok was also there, and all the Levites with him were carrying the ark of the covenant of God. They set the ark of God down, and Abiathar offered sacrificesuntil the people had finished marching past.

25 Then the king instructed Zadok, “Return the ark of God to the city.If I find favor in theLord’s eyes, He will bring me back and allow me to see both it and its dwelling place.

26 However, if He should say, ‘I do not delight in you,’ then here I am — He can do with me whatever pleases Him.”

27 The king also said to Zadok the priest,“Look,return to the city in peace and your two sons with you: your son Ahimaaz and Abiathar’s son Jonathan.

28 Remember, I’ll wait at the fords of the wilderness until word comes from you to inform me.”

29 So Zadok and Abiathar returned the ark of God to Jerusalem and stayed there.

30 David was climbing the slope of the Mount of Olives,weeping as he ascended. His head was covered,and he was walking barefoot.Each of the people with him covered their heads and went up, weeping as they ascended.

31 Then someone reported to David: “Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom.”

“Lord,” David pleaded, “please turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness! ”

32 When David came to the summit where he used to worship God, Hushai the Architewas there to meet him with his robe torn and dust on his head.

33 David said to him, “If you go away with me, you’ll be a burden to me,

34 but if you return to the city and tell Absalom, ‘I will be your servant, my king! Previously, I was your father’s servant, but now I will be your servant,’ then you can counteract Ahithophel’s counsel for me.

35 Won’t Zadok and Abiathar the priests be there with you? Report everything you hear from the king’s palace to Zadok and Abiathar the priests.

36 Take note: their two sons, Zadok’s son Ahimaaz and Abiathar’s son Jonathan, are there with them. Send me everything you hear through them.”

37 So Hushai,David’s personal adviser, entered Jerusalem just as Absalom was entering the city.

—https://api-cdn.youversionapi.com/audio-bible-youversionapi/17/32k/2SA/15-6d462a8303885ce45b1a02e442ae5a64.mp3?version_id=72—

Ziba Helps David

1 When David had gone a little beyond the summit,Ziba, Mephibosheth’s servant,was right there to meet him. He had a pair of saddled donkeys loaded with 200 loaves of bread, 100 clusters of raisins, 100 bunches of summer fruit, and a skin of wine.

2 The king said to Ziba, “Why do you have these? ”

Ziba answered, “The donkeys are for the king’s household to ride, the bread and summer fruit are for the young men to eat, and the wine is for those to drink who become exhausted in the desert.”

3 “Where is your master’s grandson? ” the king asked.

“Why, he’s staying in Jerusalem,” Ziba replied to the king, “for he said, ‘Today, the house of Israel will restore my grandfather’s kingdom to me.’ ”

4 The king said to Ziba, “All that belongs to Mephibosheth is now yours! ”

“I bow before you,” Ziba said. “May you look favorably on me, my lord the king! ”

Shimei Curses David

5 When King David got to Bahurim, a man belonging to the family of the house of Saul was just coming out.His name was Shimei son of Gera,and he was yelling curses as he approached.

6 He threw stones at David and at all the royalservants, the people and the warriors on David’s right and left.

7 Shimei said as he cursed: “Get out, get out, you worthless murderer!

8 TheLordhas paid you back for all the blood of the house of Saul in whose place you became king, and theLordhas handed the kingdom over to your son Absalom. Look, you are in trouble because you’re a murderer! ”

9 Then Abishai son of Zeruiah said to the king, “Why should this dead dogcurse my lord the king?Let me go over and cut his head off! ”

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

11 Then David said to Abishai and all his servants, “Look, my own son, my own flesh and blood,intends to take my life— how much more now this Benjaminite! Leave him alone and let him curse me; theLordhas told him to.

12 Perhaps theLordwill see my afflictionand restore goodness to me instead of Shimei’s curses today.”

13 So David and his men proceeded along the road as Shimei was going along the ridge of the hill opposite him. As Shimei went, he cursed David, and threw stones and dirt at him.

14 Finally, the king and all the people with him arrivedexhausted, so they rested there.

Absalom’s Advisers

15 Now Absalom and all the Israelites came to Jerusalem. Ahithophel was also with him.

16 When David’s friend Hushai the Archite came to Absalom, Hushai said to Absalom, “Long live the king! Long live the king! ”

17 “Is this your loyalty to your friend? ” Absalom asked Hushai. “Why didn’t you go with your friend? ”

18 “Not at all,” Hushai answered Absalom. “I am on the side of the one that theLord, the people, and all the men of Israel have chosen. I will stay with him.

19 Furthermore, whom will I serve if not his son? As I served in your father’s presence, I will also serve in yours.”

20 Then Absalom said to Ahithophel, “Give me your advice. What should we do? ”

21 Ahithophel replied to Absalom, “Sleep with your father’s concubines he left to take care of the palace.When all Israel hears that you have become repulsive to your father, everyone with you will be encouraged.”

22 So they pitched a tent for Absalom on the roof, and he slept with his father’s concubines in the sight of all Israel.

23 Now the advice Ahithophel gave in those days was like someone asking about a word from God— such was the regard that both David and Absalom had for Ahithophel’s advice.

—https://api-cdn.youversionapi.com/audio-bible-youversionapi/17/32k/2SA/16-e801e84552548526a8bbd3e874a285a1.mp3?version_id=72—

1 Ahithophel said to Absalom, “Let me choose 12,000 men, and I will set out in pursuit of David tonight.

2 I will attack him while he is weak and weary, throw him into a panic, and all the people with him will scatter. I will strike down only the king

3 and bring all the people back to you. When everyone returns except the man you’re seeking, allthe people will be at peace.”

4 This proposal seemed good to Absalom and all the elders of Israel.

5 Then Absalom said, “Summon Hushai the Archite also. Let’s hear what he has to say as well.”

6 So Hushai came to Absalom, and Absalom told him: “Ahithophel offered this proposal. Should we carry out his proposal? If not, what do you say? ”

7 Hushai replied to Absalom, “The advice Ahithophel has given this time is not good.”

8 Hushai continued, “You know your father and his men. They are warriors and are desperate like a wild bear robbed of her cubs.Your father is an experienced soldier who won’t spend the night with the people.

9 He’s probably already hiding in one of the cavesor some other place. If some of our troops fallfirst, someone is sure to hear and say, ‘There’s been a slaughter among the people who follow Absalom.’

10 Then, even a brave man with the heart of a lionwill melt because all Israel knows that your father and the valiant men with him are warriors.

11 Instead, I advise that all Israel from Dan to Beer-sheba — as numerous as the sand by the sea— be gathered to you and that you personally go into battle.

12 Then we will attack David wherever we find him, and we will descend on him like dew on the ground. Not even one will be left of all the men with him.

13 If he retreats to some city, all Israel will bring ropes to that city, and we will drag its stones into the valley until not even a pebble can be found there.”

14 Since theLordhad decreedthat Ahithophel’s good advice be underminedin order to bring about Absalom’s ruin, Absalom and all the men of Israel said, “The advice of Hushai the Archite is better than Ahithophel’s advice.”

David Informed of Absalom’s Plans

15 Hushai then told the priests Zadok and Abiathar, “This is whatAhithophel advised Absalom and the elders of Israel, and this is whatI advised.

16 Now send someone quickly and tell David, ‘Don’t spend the night at the wilderness ford of the Jordan,but be sure to cross over, or the king and all the people with him will be destroyed.’ ”

17 Jonathan and Ahimaaz were staying at En-rogel, where a servant girl would come and pass along information to them. They in turn would go and inform King David, because they dared not be seen entering the city.

18 However, a young man did see them and informed Absalom. So the two left quickly and came to the house of a man in Bahurim. He had a well in his courtyard, and they climbed down into it.

19 Then his wife took the cover, placed it over the mouth of the well, and scattered grain on it so nobody would know anything.

20 Absalom’s servants came to the woman at the house and asked, “Where are Ahimaaz and Jonathan? ”

“They passed by toward the water,”the woman replied to them. The men searched but did not find them, so they returned to Jerusalem.

21 After they had gone, Ahimaaz and Jonathan climbed out of the well and went and informed King David. They told him, “Get up and immediately ford the river, for Ahithophel has given this advice against you.”

22 So David and all the people with him got up and crossed the Jordan. By daybreak, there was no one who had not crossed the Jordan.

23 When Ahithophel realized that his advice had not been followed, he saddled his donkey and set out for his house in his hometown. He set his affairs in orderand hanged himself.So he died and was buried in his father’s tomb.

24 David had arrived at Mahanaim by the time Absalom crossed the Jordan with all the men of Israel.

25 Now Absalom had appointed Amasaover the army in Joab’s place. Amasa was the son of a man named Ithrathe Israelite;Ithra had married Abigail daughter of Nahash.Abigail was a sister to Zeruiah, Joab’s mother.

26 And Israel and Absalom camped in the land of Gilead.

27 When David came to Mahanaim, Shobi son of Nahashfrom Rabbahof the Ammonites, Machir son of Ammiel from Lo-debar,and Barzillai the Gileadite from Rogelim

28 brought beds, basins,and pottery items. They also brought wheat, barley, flour, roasted grain, beans, lentils,

29 honey, curds, sheep, and cheesefrom the herd for David and the people with him to eat. They had reasoned, “The people must be hungry, exhausted, and thirsty in the desert.”

—https://api-cdn.youversionapi.com/audio-bible-youversionapi/17/32k/2SA/17-17c848861a1a9c70814bb7a6debe7e68.mp3?version_id=72—

Absalom’s Defeat

1 David reviewed his troops and appointed commanders of hundreds and of thousands over them.

2 He then sent out the troops, a third under Joab, a third under Joab’s brother Abishai son of Zeruiah, and a third under Ittai the Gittite. The king said to the troops, “I will also march out with you.”

3 “You must not go! ”the people pleaded. “If we have to flee, they will not pay any attention to us. Even if half of us die, they will not pay any attention to us because you are worth10,000 of us. Therefore, it is better if you support us from the city.”

4 “I will do whatever you think is best,” the king replied to them. So he stood beside the gate while all the troops marched out by hundreds and thousands.

5 The king commanded Joab, Abishai, and Ittai, “Treat the young man Absalom gently for my sake.” All the people heard the king’s orders to all the commanders about Absalom.

6 Then David’s forces marched into the field to engage Israel in battle, which took place in the forest of Ephraim.

7 The people of Israel were defeated by David’s soldiers, and the slaughter there was vast that day — 20,000 casualties.

8 The battle spread over the entire region, and that day the forest claimed more people than the sword.

Absalom’s Death

9 Absalom was riding on his mule when he happened to meet David’s soldiers. When the mule went under the tangled branches of a large oak tree, Absalom’s head was caught fast in the tree. The mule under him kept going, so he was suspended in midair.

10 One of the men saw him and informed Joab. He said, “I just saw Absalom hanging in an oak tree! ”

11 “You just saw him! ” Joab exclaimed.“Why didn’t you strike him to the ground right there? I would have given you 10 silver piecesand a belt! ”

12 The man replied to Joab, “Even if I had the weight of 1,000 pieces of silverin my hand, I would not raise my hand against the king’s son. For we heard the king command you, Abishai, and Ittai, ‘Protect the young man Absalom for me.’

13 If I had jeopardized my ownlife — and nothing is hidden from the king — you would have abandoned me.”

14 Joab said, “I’m not going to waste time with you! ” He then took three spears in his hand and thrust them into Absalom’s heart while he was still alive in the oak tree,

15 and 10 young men who were Joab’s armor-bearers surrounded Absalom, struck him, and killed him.

16 Afterward, Joab blew the ram’s horn, and the troops broke off their pursuit of Israel because Joab restrained them.

17 They took Absalom, threw him into a large pit in the forest, and piled a huge mound of stones over him.And all Israel fled, each to his tent.

18 When he was alive, Absalom had set up a pillarfor himself in the King’s Valley,for he had said, “I have no sonto preserve the memory of my name.” So he gave the pillar his name. It is still called Absalom’s Monument today.

19 Ahimaaz son of Zadoksaid, “Please let me run and tell the king the good news that theLordhas delivered him from his enemies.”

20 Joab replied to him, “You are not the man to take good news today. You may do it another day, but today you aren’t taking good news, because the king’s son is dead.”

21 Joab then said to the Cushite, “Go tell the king what you have seen.” The Cushite bowed to Joab and took off running.

22 However, Ahimaaz son of Zadok persisted and said to Joab, “No matter what, please let me also run behind the Cushite! ”

Joab replied, “My son, why do you want to run since you won’t get a reward? ”

23 “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.

24 David was sitting between the two gateswhen the watchman went up to the roof of the gate and over to the wall.The watchman looked out and saw a man running alone.

25 He called out and told the king.

The king said, “If he’s alone, he bears good news.”

As the first runner came closer,

26 the watchman saw another man running. He called out to the gatekeeper, “Look! Another man is running alone! ”

“This one is also bringing good news,” said the king.

27 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.

28 Ahimaaz called out to the king, “All is well,” and then bowed down to the king with his face to the ground. He continued, “May theLordyour God be praised! He delivered up the men who rebelled against my lord the king.”

29 The king asked, “Is the young man Absalom all right? ”

Ahimaaz replied, “When Joab sent the king’s servant and your servant, I saw a big disturbance, but I don’t know what it was.”

30 The king said, “Move aside and stand here.” So he stood to one side.

31 Just then the Cushite came and said, “May my lord the king hear the good news: today theLordhas delivered you from all those rising up against you! ”

32 The king asked the Cushite, “Is the young man Absalom all right? ”

The Cushite replied, “May what has become of the young man happen to the enemies of my lord the king and to all who rise up against you with evil intent.”

33 The king was deeply moved and went up to the gate chamber and wept. As he walked, he cried, “My son Absalom! My son, my son Absalom! If only I had died instead of you, Absalom, my son, my son! ”

—https://api-cdn.youversionapi.com/audio-bible-youversionapi/17/32k/2SA/18-5050c81e6380b14b366d0bd13e28012c.mp3?version_id=72—

David’s Kingdom Restored

1 It was reported to Joab, “The king is weeping. He’s mourning over Absalom.”

2 That day’s victory was turned into mourning for all the troops because on that day the troops heard, “The king is grieving over his son.”

3 So they returned to the city quietly that day like people come in when they are humiliated after fleeing in battle.

4 But the king hid his faceand cried out at the top of his voice, “My son Absalom! Absalom, my son, my son! ”

5 Then Joab went into the house to the king and said, “Today you have shamed all your soldiers — those who rescued your life and the lives of your sons and daughters, your wives, and your concubines.

6 You love your enemies and hate those who love you! Today you have made it clear that the commanders and soldiers mean nothing to you. In fact, today I know that if Absalom were alive and all of us were dead, it would be fine with you!

7 “Now get up! Go out and encourageyour soldiers, for I swear by theLordthat if you don’t go out, not a man will remain with you tonight.This will be worse for you than all the trouble that has come to you from your youth until now! ”

8 So the king got up and sat in the gate,and all the people were told: “Look, the king is sitting in the gate.” Then they all came into the king’s presence.

Meanwhile, each Israelite had fled to his tent.

9 All the people among all the tribes of Israel were arguing: “The king delivered us from the grasp of our enemies,and he rescued us from the grasp of the Philistines,but now he has fled from the land because of Absalom.

10 But Absalom, the man we anointed over us, has died in battle. So why do you say nothing about restoring the king? ”

11 King David sent word to the priests, Zadok and Abiathar:“Say to the elders of Judah, ‘Why should you be the last to restore the king to his palace? The talk of all Israel has reached the king at his house.

12 You are my brothers, my flesh and blood.So why should you be the last to restore the king? ’

13 And tell Amasa,‘Aren’t you my flesh and blood? May God punish me and do so severely if you don’t become commander of the army from now on instead of Joab! ’ ”

14 So he won overall the men of Judah, and they sent word to the king: “Come back, you and all your servants.”

15 Then the king returned. When he arrived at the Jordan, Judah came to Gilgal to meet the king and escort him across the Jordan.

16 Shimei son of Gera,a Benjaminite from Bahurim, hurried down with the men of Judah to meet King David.

17 There were 1,000 men from Benjamin with him. Ziba, an attendant from the house of Saul,with his 15 sons and 20 servants also rushed down to the Jordan ahead of the king.

18 They forded the Jordan to bring the king’s household across and do whatever the king desired.

When Shimei son of Gera crossed the Jordan, he fell down before the king

19 and said to him, “My lord, don’t hold me guilty, and don’t remember your servant’s wrongdoing on the day my lord the king left Jerusalem.May the king not take it to heart.

20 For your servant knows that I have sinned. But look! Today I am the first one of the entire house of Joseph to come down to meet my lord the king.”

21 Abishai son of Zeruiah asked, “Shouldn’t Shimei be put to death for this, because he cursed theLord’s anointed? ”

22 David answered, “Sons of Zeruiah, do we agree on anything?Have you become my adversary today? Should any man be killed in Israel today? Am I not aware that today I’m king over Israel? ”

23 So the king said to Shimei, “You will not die.” Then the king gave him his oath.

24 Mephibosheth,Saul’s grandson, also went down to meet the king. He had not taken care of his feet, trimmed his mustache, or washed his clothes from the day the king left until the day he returned safely.

25 When he came from Jerusalem to meet the king, the king asked him, “Mephibosheth, why didn’t you come with me? ”

26 “My lord the king,” he replied, “my servant Ziba betrayed me. Actually your servant said: ‘I’ll saddle the donkey for myselfso that I may ride it and go with the king’ — for your servant is lame.

27 Ziba slandered your servant to my lord the king.But my lord the king is like the Angel of God,so do whatever you think best.

28 For my grandfather’s entire family deserves death from my lord the king, but you set your servant among those who eat at your table.So what further right do I have to keep on making appeals to the king? ”

29 The king said to him, “Why keep on speaking about these matters of yours? I hereby declare: you and Ziba are to divide the land.”

30 Mephibosheth said to the king, “Instead, since my lord the king has come to his palace safely, let Ziba take it all! ”

31 Barzillai the Gileaditehad come down from Rogelim and accompanied the king to the Jordan River to see him off at the Jordan.

32 Barzillai was a very old man — 80 years old — and since he was a very wealthy man, he had provided for the needs of the king while he stayed in Mahanaim.

33 The king said to Barzillai, “Cross over with me, and I’ll provide for youat my side in Jerusalem.”

34 Barzillai replied to the king, “How many years of my life are left that I should go up to Jerusalem with the king?

35 I’m now 80 years old.Can I discern what is pleasant and what is not? Can your servant taste what he eats or drinks? Can I still hear the voice of male and female singers? Why should your servant be an added burden to my lord the king?

36 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?

37 Please let your servant return so that I may die in my own city near the tomb of my father and mother. But here is your servant Chimham:let him cross over with my lord the king. Do for him what seems good to you.”

38 The king replied, “Chimham will cross over with me, and I will do for him what seems good to you,and whatever you desire from me I will do for you.”

39 So all the people crossed the Jordan, and then the king crossed. The king kissed Barzillai and blessed him, and Barzillai returned to his home.

40 The king went on to Gilgal, and Chimham went with him. All the troops of Judah and half of Israel’s escorted the king.

41 Suddenly, all the men of Israel came to the king. They asked him, “Why did our brothers, the men of Judah, take you away secretly and transport the king and his household across the Jordan, along with all of David’s men? ”

42 All the men of Judah responded to the men of Israel, “Because the king is our relative. Why does this make you angry? Have we ever eaten anything of the king’s or been honored at all? ”

43 The men of Israel answered the men of Judah: “We have 10 shares in the king,so we have a greater claim to David than you. Why then do you despise us? Weren’t we the first to speak of restoring our king? ”But the words of the men of Judah were harsher than those of the men of Israel.

—https://api-cdn.youversionapi.com/audio-bible-youversionapi/17/32k/2SA/19-1c2f95d10d235f7d7b40eddcfe2a3c70.mp3?version_id=72—

Sheba’s Revolt

1 Now a wicked man, a Benjaminite named Sheba son of Bichri, happened to be there. He blew the ram’s horn and shouted:

We have no portion in David,

no inheritance in Jesse’s son.

Each man to his tent, Israel!

2 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.

3 When David came to his palace in Jerusalem, he took the 10 concubines he had left to take care of the palace and placed them under guard.He provided for them, but he was not intimate with them. They were confined until the day of their death, living as widows.

4 The king said to Amasa, “Summon the men of Judah to me within three days and be here yourself.”

5 Amasa went to summon Judah, but he took longer than the time allotted him.

6 So David said to Abishai, “Sheba son of Bichri will do more harm to us than Absalom. Take your lord’s soldiers and pursue him, or he will find fortified cities and elude us.”

7 So Joab’s men, the Cherethites, the Pelethites, and all the warriors marched out under Abishai’s command;they left Jerusalem to pursue Sheba son of Bichri.

8 They were at the great stone in Gibeon when Amasa joined them. Joab was wearing his uniform and over it was a belt around his waist with a sword in its sheath. As he approached, the sword fell out.

9 Joab asked Amasa, “Are you well, my brother? ” Then with his right hand Joab grabbed Amasa by the beard to kiss him.

10 Amasa was not on guard against the sword in Joab’s hand, and Joab stabbed him in the stomach with it and spilled his intestines out on the ground. Joab did not stab him again for Amasa was dead.Joab and his brother Abishai pursued Sheba son of Bichri.

11 One of Joab’s young men had stood over Amasa saying, “Whoever favors Joab and whoever is for David, follow Joab! ”

12 Now Amasa was writhing in his blood in the middle of the highway, and the man had seen that all the people stopped. So he moved Amasa from the highway to the field and threw a garment over him because he realized that all those who encountered Amasa were stopping.

13 When he was removed from the highway, all the men passed by and followed Joab to pursue Sheba son of Bichri.

14 Sheba passed through all the tribes of Israel to Abel of Beth-maacah. All the Beritescame together and followed him.

15 Joab’s troops came and besieged Sheba in Abel of Beth-maacah. They built an assault rampagainst the outer wall of the city. While all the troops with Joab were battering the wall to make it collapse,

16 a wise woman called out from the city, “Listen! Listen! Please tell Joab to come here and let me speak with him.”

17 When he had come near her, the woman asked, “Are you Joab? ”

“I am,” he replied.

“Listen to the words of your servant,” she said to him.

He answered, “I’m listening.”

18 She said, “In the past they used to say, ‘Seek counsel in Abel,’ and that’s how they settled disputes.

19 I am a peaceful person, one of the faithful in Israel, but you’re trying to destroy a city that is like a mother in Israel. Why would you devour theLord’s inheritance? ”

20 Joab protested: “Never! I do not want to destroy!

21 That is not my intention. There is a man named Sheba son of Bichri, from the hill country of Ephraim, who has rebelled against King David. Deliver this one man, and I will withdraw from the city.”

The woman replied to Joab, “All right. His head will be thrown over the wall to you.”

22 The woman went to all the people with her wise counsel,and they cut off the head of Sheba son of Bichri and threw it to Joab. So he blew the ram’s horn, and they dispersed from the city, each to his own tent. Joab returned to the king in Jerusalem.

23 Joab commanded the whole army of Israel;Benaiah son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and Pelethites;

24 Adoramwas in charge of forced labor;Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud was court historian;

25 Sheva was court secretary; Zadok and Abiathar were priests;

26 and in addition, Ira the Jairite was David’s priest.

—https://api-cdn.youversionapi.com/audio-bible-youversionapi/17/32k/2SA/20-d4a215f6ee3a15f6cf8e22f712a34502.mp3?version_id=72—

Justice for the Gibeonites

1 During David’s reign there was a famine for three successive years, so David inquired of theLord. TheLordanswered, “It is because of the blood shed by Saul and his family when he killed the Gibeonites.”

2 The Gibeonites were not Israelites but rather a remnant of the Amorites. The Israelites had taken an oath concerning them,but Saul had tried to kill them in his zeal for the Israelites and Judah. So David summoned the Gibeonites and spoke to them.

3 He asked the Gibeonites, “What should I do for you? How can I make atonement so that you will bring a blessing ontheLord’s inheritance? ”

4 The Gibeonites said to him, “We are not asking for money fromSaul or his family,and we cannot put anyone to death in Israel.”

“Whatever you say, I will do for you,” he said.

5 They replied to the king, “As for the man who annihilated us and plotted to destroy us so we would not exist within the whole territory of Israel,

6 let seven of his male descendants be handed over to us so we may hangthem in the presence of theLordat Gibeah of Saul,theLord’s chosen.”

The king answered, “I will hand them over.”

7 David spared Mephibosheth, the son of Saul’s son Jonathan, because of the oath of theLordthat was between David and Jonathan, Saul’s son.

8 But the king took Armoni and Mephibosheth, who were the two sons whom Rizpahdaughter of Aiah had borne to Saul, and the five sons whom Merabdaughter of Saul had borne to Adriel son of Barzillai the Meholathite

9 and handed them over to the Gibeonites. They hangedthem on the hill in the presence of theLord; the seven of them died together. They were executed in the first days of the harvest at the beginning of the barley harvest.

The Burial of Saul’s Family

10 Rizpah, Aiah’s daughter, took sackcloth and spread it out for herself on the rock from the beginning of the harvestuntil the rain poured down from heaven on the bodies. She kept the birds of the sky from them by day and the wild animals by night.

11 When it was reported to David what Saul’s concubine Rizpah, daughter of Aiah, had done,

12 he went and got the bones of Saul and his son Jonathan from the leaders of Jabesh-gilead. They had stolen them from the public square of Beth-shan where the Philistines had hung the bodies the day the Philistines killed Saul at Gilboa.

13 David had the bones brought from there. They gathered up the bones of Saul’s family who had been hung

14 and buried the bones of Saul and his son Jonathan at Zela in the land of Benjamin in the tomb of Saul’s father Kish. They did everything the king commanded. After this, God answered prayer for the land.

The Philistine Giants

15 The Philistines again waged war against Israel. David went down with his soldiers, and they fought the Philistines, but David became exhausted.

16 Then Ishbi-benob, one of the descendants of the giant,whose bronze spear weighed about eight poundsand who wore new armor, intended to kill David.

17 But Abishai son of Zeruiah came to his aid, struck the Philistine, and killed him. Then David’s men swore to him: “You must never again go out with us to battle. You must not extinguish the lamp of Israel.”

18 After this,there was another battle with the Philistines at Gob. At that time Sibbecai the Hushathite killed Saph, who was one of the descendants of the giant.

19 Once again there was a battle with the Philistines at Gob, and Elhanan son of Jaare-oregim the Bethlehemite killedGoliath the Gittite. The shaft of his spear was like a weaver’s beam.

20 At Gath there was still another battle. A huge man was there with six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot — 24 in all. He, too, was descended from the giant.

21 When he taunted Israel, Jonathan, son of David’s brother Shimei, killed him.

22 These four were descended from the giantin Gath and were killed by David and his soldiers.

—https://api-cdn.youversionapi.com/audio-bible-youversionapi/17/32k/2SA/21-12bcd3d8a35f6eeb7043fdfe32cc17d8.mp3?version_id=72—

David’s Song of Thanksgiving

1 David spoke the words of this song to theLordon the day theLordrescued him from the hand of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul.

2 He said:

TheLordis my rock, my fortress,and my deliverer,

3 my God, my mountainwhere I seek refuge.

My shield, the horn of my salvation,my stronghold,my refuge,

and my Savior, You save me from violence.

4 I called to theLord, who is worthy of praise,

and I was saved from my enemies.

5 For the waves of death engulfed me;

the torrents of destruction terrified me.

6 The ropes of Sheol entangled me;

the snares of death confronted me.

7 I called to theLordin my distress;

I called to my God.

From His temple He heard my voice,

and my cry for help reached His ears.

8 Then the earth shook and quaked;

the foundations of the heavenstrembled;

they shook because He burned with anger.

9 Smoke rose from His nostrils,

and consuming fire came from His mouth;

coals were set ablaze by it.

10 He parted the heavens and came down,

a dark cloud beneath His feet.

11 He rode on a cherub and flew,

soaringon the wings of the wind.

12 He made darkness a canopy around Him,

a gatheringof water and thick clouds.

13 From the radiance of His presence,

flaming coals were ignited.

14 TheLordthundered from heaven;

the Most High projected His voice.

15 He shot arrows and scattered them;

He hurled lightning bolts and routed them.

16 The depths of the sea became visible,

the foundations of the world were exposed

at the rebuke of theLord,

at the blast of the breathof His nostrils.

17 He reached down from heaven

and took hold of me;

He pulled me out of deep waters.

18 He rescued me from my powerful enemy

and from those who hated me,

for they were too strong for me.

19 They confronted me in the day of my distress,

but theLordwas my support.

20 He brought me out to a spacious place;

He rescued me because He delighted in me.

21 TheLordrewarded me

according to my righteousness;

He repaid me

according to the cleanness of my hands.

22 For I have kept the ways of theLord

and have not turned from my God to wickedness.

23 Indeed, I have kept all His ordinancesin mind

and have not disregarded His statutes.

24 I was blameless before Him

and kept myself from sinning.

25 So theLordrepaid me

according to my righteousness,

according to my cleannessin His sight.

26 With the faithful

You prove Yourself faithful;

with the blameless man

You prove Yourself blameless;

27 with the pure

You prove Yourself pure,

but with the crooked

You prove Yourself shrewd.

28 You rescue an afflicted people,

but Your eyes are set against the proud —

You humble them.

29 Lord, You are my lamp;

theLordilluminates my darkness.

30 With You I can attack a barrier,

and with my God I can leap over a wall.

31 God — His way is perfect;

the word of theLordis pure.

He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him.

32 For who is God besides theLord?

And who is a rock? Only our God.

33 God is my strong refuge;

He makes my way perfect.

34 He makes my feet like the feet of a deer

and sets me securely on theheights.

35 He trains my hands for war;

my arms can bend a bow of bronze.

36 You have given me the shield of Your salvation;

Your helpexalts me.

37 You widen a place beneath me for my steps,

and my ankles do not give way.

38 I pursue my enemies and destroy them;

I do not turn back until they are wiped out.

39 I wipe them out and crush them,

and they do not rise;

they fall beneath my feet.

40 You have clothed me with strength for battle;

You subdue my adversaries beneath me.

41 You have made my enemies retreat before me;

I annihilate those who hate me.

42 They look, but there is no one to save them —

they look to theLord, but He does not answer them.

43 I pulverize them like dust of the earth;

I crush them and trample them like mud in the streets.

44 You have freed me from the feuds among my people;

You have appointed me the head of nations;

a people I had not known serve me.

45 Foreigners submit to me grudgingly;

as soon as they hear, they obey me.

46 Foreigners lose heart

and come trembling from their fortifications.

47 TheLordlives — may my rock be praised!

God, the rock of my salvation,is exalted.

48 God — He gives me vengeance

and casts down peoples under me.

49 He frees me from my enemies.

You exalt me above my adversaries;

You rescue me from violent men.

50 Therefore I will praise You,Lord, among the nations;

I will sing about Your name.

51 He is a tower of salvation forHis king;

He shows loyalty to His anointed,

to David and his descendants forever.

—https://api-cdn.youversionapi.com/audio-bible-youversionapi/17/32k/2SA/22-db35f66bf534d9b2d52a2d23cd6ecca3.mp3?version_id=72—

David’s Last Words

1 These are the last words of David:

The declaration of David son of Jesse,

the declaration of the man raised on high,

the one anointed by the God of Jacob,

the favorite singer of Israel:

2 The Spirit of theLordspoke through me,

His word was on my tongue.

3 The God of Israel spoke;

the Rock of Israel said to me,

“The one who rules the people with justice,

who rules in the fear of God,

4 is like the morning light when the sun rises

on a cloudless morning,

the glisten of rain on sprouting grass.”

5 Is it not true my house is with God?

For He has established an everlasting covenantwith me,

ordered and secured in every detail.

Will He not bring about

my whole salvation and my every desire?

6 But all the wicked are like thorns raked aside;

they can never be picked up by hand.

7 The man who touches them

must be armed with iron and the shaft of a spear.

They will be completely burned up on the spot.

Exploits of David’s Warriors

8 These are the names of David’s warriors:

Josheb-basshebeth the Tahchemonite was chief of the officers.He wielded his spearagainst 800 men that he killed at one time.

9 After him, Eleazar son of Dodo son of an Ahohite was among the three warriors with David when they defied the Philistines. The men of Israel retreated in the place they had gathered for battle,

10 but Eleazar stood his ground and attacked the Philistines until his hand was tired and stuck to his sword. TheLordbrought about a great victory that day. Then the troops came back to him, but only to plunder the dead.

11 After him was Shammah son of Agee the Hararite. The Philistines had assembled in formation where there was a field full of lentils. The troops fled from the Philistines,

12 but Shammah took his stand in the middle of the field, defended it, and struck down the Philistines. So theLordbrought about a great victory.

13 Three of the 30 leading warriors went down at harvest time and came to David at the cave of Adullam,while a company of Philistines was camping in the Valley of Rephaim.

14 At that time David was in the stronghold,and a Philistine garrison was at Bethlehem.

15 David was extremely thirstyand said, “If only someone would bring me water to drink from the well at the city gate of Bethlehem! ”

16 So three of the warriors broke through the Philistine camp and drew water from the well at the gate of Bethlehem. They brought it back to David, but he refused to drink it. Instead, he poured it out to theLord.

17 David said, “Lord, I would never do such a thing! Is this not the blood of men who risked their lives? ” So he refused to drink it. Such were the exploits of the three warriors.

18 Abishai, Joab’s brother and son of Zeruiah,was leader of the Three.He raised his spear against 300 men and killed them, gaining a reputation among the Three.

19 Was he not more honored than the Three? He became their commander even though he did not become one of the Three.

20 Benaiah son of Jehoiadawas the son of a brave man from Kabzeel, a man of many exploits. Benaiah killed two sonsof Arielof Moab, and he went down into a pit on a snowy day and killed a lion.

21 He also killed an Egyptian, a huge man. Even though the Egyptian had a spear in his hand, Benaiah went down to him with a club, snatched the spear out of the Egyptian’s hand, and then killed him with his own spear.

22 These were the exploits of Benaiah son of Jehoiada, who had a reputation among the three warriors.

23 He was the most honored of the Thirty, but he did not become one of the Three. David put him in charge of his bodyguard.

24 Among the Thirty were:

Joab’s brother Asahel,

Elhanan son of Dodo of Bethlehem,

25 Shammah the Harodite,

Elika the Harodite,

26 Helez the Paltite,

Ira son of Ikkesh the Tekoite,

27 Abiezer the Anathothite,

Mebunnai the Hushathite,

28 Zalmon the Ahohite,

Maharai the Netophathite,

29 Heleb son of Baanah the Netophahite,

Ittai son of Ribai from Gibeah of the Benjaminites,

30 Benaiah the Pirathonite,

Hiddai from the wadis of Gaash,

31 Abi-albon the Arbathite,

Azmaveth the Barhumite,

32 Eliahba the Shaalbonite,

the sons of Jashen,

Jonathan son of

33 Shammah the Hararite,

Ahiam son of Sharar the Hararite,

34 Eliphelet son of Ahasbai son of the Maacathite,

Eliam son of Ahithophel the Gilonite,

35 Hezro the Carmelite,

Paarai the Arbite,

36 Igal son of Nathan from Zobah,

Bani the Gadite,

37 Zelek the Ammonite,

Naharai the Beerothite, the armor-bearer for Joab son of Zeruiah,

38 Ira the Ithrite,

Gareb the Ithrite,

39 and Uriahthe Hittite.

There were 37 in all.

—https://api-cdn.youversionapi.com/audio-bible-youversionapi/17/32k/2SA/23-4de0c97786d7a59db1c182e6cd4edceb.mp3?version_id=72—