David Displeases the Lord by Taking a Census The Lord’s anger again raged against Israel, and he incited David against them, saying, “Go count Israel and Judah.” The king told Joab, the general in command of his army, “Go through all the tribes of Israel from Dan to Beer Sheba and muster the army, so […]
2 Samuel
2 Samuel 23
David’s Final Words These are the final words of David:“The oracle of David son of Jesse,the oracle of the man raised up asthe ruler chosen by the God of Jacob,Israel’s beloved singer of songs:The Lord’s spirit spoke through me;his word was on my tongue.The God of Israel spoke,the protector of Israel spoke to me.The one […]
2 Samuel 22
David Sings to the Lord David sang to the Lord the words of this song when the Lord rescued him from the power of all his enemies, including Saul. He said:“The Lord is my high ridge, my stronghold, my deliverer.My God is my rocky summit where I take shelter,my shield, the horn that saves me, […]
2 Samuel 21
The Gibeonites Demand Revenge During David’s reign there was a famine for three consecutive years. So David inquired of the Lord. The Lord said, “It is because of Saul and his bloodstained family, because he murdered the Gibeonites.” So the king summoned the Gibeonites and spoke with them. (Now the Gibeonites were not descendants of […]
2 Samuel 20
Sheba’s Rebellion Now a wicked man named Sheba son of Bicri, a Benjaminite, happened to be there. He blew the trumpet and said,“We have no share in David; we have no inheritance in this son of Jesse!Every man go home, O Israel!” So all the men of Israel deserted David and followed Sheba son of […]
2 Samuel 19
Joab was told, “The king is weeping and mourning over Absalom.” So the victory of that day was turned to mourning as far as all the people were concerned. For the people heard on that day, “The king is grieved over his son.” That day the people stole away to go to the city the […]
2 Samuel 18
The Death of Absalom David assembled the army that was with him. He appointed leaders of thousands and leaders of hundreds. David then sent out the army – a third under the leadership of Joab, a third under the leadership of Joab’s brother Abishai son of Zeruiah, and a third under the leadership of Ittai […]
2 Samuel 17
The Death of Ahithophel Ahithophel said to Absalom, “Let me pick out twelve thousand men. Then I will go and pursue David this very night. When I catch up with him he will be exhausted and worn out. I will rout him, and the entire army that is with him will flee. I will kill […]
2 Samuel 16
David Receives Gifts from Ziba When David had gone a short way beyond the summit, Ziba the servant of Mephibosheth was there to meet him. He had a couple of donkeys that were saddled, and on them were two hundred loaves of bread, a hundred raisin cakes, a hundred baskets of summer fruit, and a […]
2 Samuel 15
Absalom Leads an Insurrection against David Some time later Absalom managed to acquire a chariot and horses, as well as fifty men to serve as his royal guard. Now Absalom used to get up early and stand beside the road that led to the city gate. Whenever anyone came by who had a complaint to […]
2 Samuel 14
David Permits Absalom to Return to Jerusalem Now Joab son of Zeruiah realized that the king longed to see Absalom. So Joab sent to Tekoa and brought from there a wise woman. He told her, “Pretend to be in mourning and put on garments for mourning. Don’t anoint yourself with oil. Instead, act like a […]
2 Samuel 13
The Rape of Tamar Now David’s son Absalom had a beautiful sister named Tamar. In the course of time David’s son Amnon fell madly in love with her. But Amnon became frustrated because he was so lovesick over his sister Tamar. For she was a virgin, and to Amnon it seemed out of the question […]