STORY OF KING DAVID

1040 BC   SAUL REIGNS ROUGHLY 1040-1000 BC

1035 BC DAUDUM  ancient word of David
Daudum was born in Bwtlehem

 

 1030 BC.

1030 BC

: Jonathan is a mighty warrior of whom his own father

er is jealous (1Sam 13-14). He is fiercely

and loyally defended by his men against Saul’s intent to kill him. 

  

1025 BC

: David is anointed by Samuel (1Sam 16) at age 10-1

3 - which Saul undoubtedly hears about,

later choosing to keep David nearby for observation

and ready dispatch.

1023 BC

: David, bar-mizvah’d, serves Saul in an ad hoc mus

ical capacity (1Sam 16:17, “provide me a

man”). He returns to his father's house to tend she

ep, but comes to Saul when needed – (1Sam 17:15). 

 

 

 

===============================
 Elah Valley was where the Israelites encamped when David as a young shepherd came and slew the Philistine giant Goliath (1 Sam 17:2, 19) with a slingshot then cut off his head.











=============================
1020 BC

: David defeats Goliath ly at 15-17 years of

age (1Sam 17)

1020 BC:

Jonathan, who is much older than David, becomes on

e in spirit with him (1Sam 18:1).

1015 BC

 

: Because of his reputation he was appointed armor-

bearer to Saul (1Sam 16:21 - it may be

mentioned in chap. 16, but the actual event is prob

ably later – i.e. "he [later] became..."). 

 

1010 BC

: Saul banishes David from his court, yet he makes

him commander of a thousand (1Sam 18:13).

Maybe he hopes David will die in battle. David is p

erhaps 25 years old.

1008 BC

: His success as a warrior has made Saul offer him

the hand of his daughter Michal “as a snare.”

(1Sam 18:21). Michal marries him, and she loves him

(1Sam 18:27-28).

 

MICHAL:
David’s first marriage had been contracted in the days when he was a young hero at the court of King Saul. He was the ‘wonder boy’ shepherd who had overnight soothed Saul’s depressive nature and suddenly became a warrior - a slayer of giants. Saul first promised his older daughter Merab to David as a reward for having defeated the Philistines. Upon successfully completing his task David discovers that Saul, for no apparent stated reason, had married Merab off to another man - Adriel 2 (I Sam. 18:19). In fact Saul had expected that the Philistines would kill David. ‘Better than strike the blow myself let the Philistines do it’ (18:17) and thus he never expected to have to marry David to Merab; he expected David to die. However David defeated the Philistines.

King Saul then offered David to marry his second daughter Michal.

Saul set a bride-price for the groom David to receive Michal; to risk his life harvesting the foreskins of 100 Philistines. Again Saul did not expect David to succeed; we are twice that ‘Saul expected David to be killed by the Philistines’ (18:21,25)

Maacah the wife of David, MOTHER OF ABSALOM

Maacah, the daughter of King Talmi of Geshur, was married to King David and bore him his son Absalom.

1007 BC

: At Jonathan's warning (and Michal’s), David flees

from Saul to Samuel at Ramah (1Sam 19).

Michal remains behind with Saul. An evil spirit cau

sed Saul to pursue David, but he is stopped by the

Spirit of God at Ramah.

Ps 59

1006 BC:

David and Jonathan covenant together at Ramah (1Sa

m 20)

. 

 

1006 BC:

David flees to Nob and is helped by Ahimelech the p

riest (1Sam 21). He gives David the

consecrated bread, and the sword of Goliath. Doeg t

he Edomite is present.

Ps 56

 

1006 BC

: David flees to Achish, king of the Philistine cit

y of Gath, the first time (1Sam 21:10). He feigns

madness to protect himself and his men, and he is e

xpelled.

Ps 34

.

1005 BC:David hides at the Cave at Adullam (1Sam 22:1-5) w

here he is joined by 30 chiefs. Three enter

the camp of the Philistines to get David an off-handed request for a drink of water (1Chr. 11:15). His

father’s household joins him there.

Ps 142

.
1005 BC: David takes his parents to Mizpah of Moab leaving

them with the king (1Sam 22:3-4)

1005 BC

: Doeg the Edomite, at Saul’s command, kills Ahimel ech the priest who helped David and his men. He also kills 85 priests and everyone at Nob f or helping David. Abiathar, the son of the priest flees

to David with the ephod (1Sam 22:6-23).

Ps 52

. 

 

1005 BC: David liberates Keilah from the Philistines (1Sam

23:6). Saul hears of it and gathers his forces

against David at Keilah. Using the ephod, David learns that the people of Keilah will betray him to Saul,

and so he flees again. Jonathan visits him at Ziph and covenants with him again (23:16). Ziphites betray

David, but God hides him from Saul in the Desert of Ziph.Ps 63

1005 BC : Saul pursues David at en-Gedi.

Ps 54

. David cuts of a corner of his robe in the cave near theCrags of the Wild goats. When Saul leaves the cave, David pleads his cause and his intent not to harm

Saul (1Sam 24). He returns to his stronghold (Masada).Ps 57

. This is just before Samuel dies (1Sam

25:1). 

==================================

2 Samuel 3:6-5:16

While there was war between the house of Saul and the house of David, Abner was making himself strong in the house of Saul. ⁷Now Saul had a concubine whose name was Rizpah daughter of Aiah. And Ishbaal^* said to Abner, ‘Why have you gone in to my father’s concubine?’ ⁸The words of Ishbaal^* made Abner very angry; he said, ‘Am I a dog’s head for Judah? Today I keep showing loyalty to the house of your father Saul, to his brothers, and to his friends, and have not given you into the hand of David; and yet you charge me now with a crime concerning this woman. ⁹So may God do to Abner and so may he add to it! For just what the Lord has sworn to David, that will I accomplish for him, ¹⁰to transfer the kingdom from the house of Saul, and set up the throne of David over Israel and over Judah, from Dan to Beer-sheba.’ ¹¹And Ishbaal^* could not answer Abner another word, because he feared him

Abner sent messengers to David at Hebron,^* saying, ‘To whom does the land belong? Make your covenant with me, and I will give you my support to bring all Israel over to you.’ ¹³He said, ‘Good; I will make a covenant with you. But one thing I require of you: you shall never appear in my presence unless you bring Saul’s daughter Michal when you come to see me.’ ¹⁴Then David sent messengers to Saul’s son Ishbaal,^* saying, ‘Give me my wife Michal, to whom I became engaged at the price of one hundred foreskins of the Philistines.’ ¹⁵Ishbaal^* sent and took her from her husband Paltiel the son of Laish.¹⁶But her husband went with her, weeping as he walked behind her all the way to Bahurim. Then Abner said to him, ‘Go back home!’ So he went back

Abner sent word to the elders of Israel, saying, ‘For some time past you have been seeking David as king over you. ¹⁸Now then bring it about; for the Lord has promised David: Through my servant David I will save my people Israel from the hand of the Philistines, and from all their enemies.’ ¹⁹Abner also spoke directly to the Benjaminites; then Abner went to tell David at Hebron all that Israel and the whole house of Benjamin were ready to do.

When Abner came with twenty men to David at Hebron, David made a feast for Abner and the men who were with him. ²¹Abner said to David, ‘Let me go and rally all Israel to my lord the king, in order that they may make a covenant with you, and that you may reign over all that your heart desires.’ So David dismissed Abner, and he went away in peace.

Abner Is Killed by Joab

Just then the servants of David arrived with Joab from a raid, bringing much spoil with them. But Abner was not with David at Hebron, for David^* had dismissed him, and he had gone away in peace.²³When Joab and all the army that was with him came, it was told Joab, ‘Abner son of Ner came to the king, and he has dismissed him, and he has gone away in peace.’ ²⁴Then Joab went to the king and said, ‘What have you done? Abner came to you; why did you dismiss him, so that he got away? ²⁵You know that Abner son of Ner came to deceive you, and to learn your comings and goings and to learn all that you are doing.’

When Joab came out from David’s presence, he sent messengers after Abner, and they brought him back from the cistern of Sirah; but David did not know about it. ²⁷When Abner returned to Hebron, Joab took him aside in the gateway to speak with him privately, and there he stabbed him in the stomach. So he died for shedding^* the blood of Asahel, Joab’s^* brother. ²⁸Afterwards, when David heard of it, he said, ‘I and my kingdom are for ever guiltless before the Lord for the blood of Abner son of Ner. ²⁹May the guilt^* fall on the head of Joab, and on all his father’s house; and may the house of Joab never be without one who has a discharge, or who is leprous,^* or who holds a spindle, or who falls by the sword, or who lacks food!’ ³⁰So Joab and his brother Abishai murdered Abner because he had killed their brother Asahel in the battle at Gibeon.

hen David said to Joab and to all the people who were with him, ‘Tear your clothes, and put on sackcloth, and mourn over Abner.’ And King David followed the bier. ³²They buried Abner at Hebron. The king lifted up his voice and wept at the grave of Abner, and all the people wept.

Then all the people came to persuade David to eat something while it was still day; but David swore, saying, ‘So may God do to me, and more, if I taste bread or anything else before the sun goes down!’ ³⁶All the people took notice of it, and it pleased them; just as everything the king did pleased all the people. ³⁷So all the people and all Israel understood that day that the king had no part in the killing of Abner son of Ner. ³⁸And the king said to his servants, ‘Do you not know that a prince and a great man has fallen this day in Israel? ³⁹Today I am powerless, even though anointed king; these men, the sons of Zeruiah, are too violent for me. The Lord pay back the one who does wickedly in accordance with his wickedness!’

Ishbaal Assassinated

When Saul’s son Ishbaal^* heard that Abner had died at Hebron, his courage failed, and all Israel was dismayed. ²Saul’s son had two captains of raiding bands; the name of one was Baanah, and the name of the other Rechab. They were sons of Rimmon, a Benjaminite from Beeroth—for Beeroth is considered to belong to Benjamin. ³(Now the people of Beeroth had fled to Gittaim and are there as resident aliens to this day).

Jonathan had a son who was crippled in his feet. He was five years old when the news about Saul and Jonathan came from Jezreel. His nurse picked him up and fled; and, in her haste to flee, it happened that he fell and became lame. His name was Mephibosheth.

Now the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, Rechab and Baanah, set out, and about the heat of the day they came to the house of Ishbaal,^* while he was taking his noonday rest. ⁶They came inside the house as though to take wheat, and they struck him in the stomach; then Rechab and his brother Baanah escaped.^* 7Now they had come into the house while he was lying on his couch in his bedchamber; they attacked him, killed him, and beheaded him. Then they took his head and travelled by way of the Arabah all night long. ⁸They brought the head of Ishbaal^* to David at Hebron and said to the king, ‘Here is the head of Ishbaal,^* son of Saul your enemy who sought your life; the Lord has avenged my lord the king this day on Saul and on his offspring.’

David answered Rechab and his brother Baanah, the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, ‘As the Lord lives, who has redeemed my life out of every adversity, ¹⁰when the one who told me, “See, Saul is dead”, thought he was bringing good news, I seized him and killed him at Ziklag—this was the reward I gave him for his news. ¹¹How much more then, when wicked men have killed a righteous man on his bed in his own house! And now shall I not require his blood at your hand, and destroy you from the earth?’ ¹²So David commanded the young men, and they killed them; they cut off their hands and feet, and hung their bodies beside the pool at Hebron. But the head of Ishbaal^* they took and buried in the tomb of Abner at Hebron.

============================

David Anointed King of All Israel

Then all the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron, and said, ‘Look, we are your bone and flesh. ²For some time, while Saul was king over us, it was you who led out Israel and brought it in. The Lordsaid to you: It is you who shall be shepherd of my people Israel, you who shall be ruler over Israel.’ ³So all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron; and King David made a covenant with them at Hebron before the Lord, and they anointed David king over Israel. ⁴David was thirty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned for forty years. ⁵At Hebron he reigned over Judah for seven years and six months; and at Jerusalem he reigned over all Israel and Judah for thirty-three years.

Jerusalem Made Capital of the Combined Kingdom

The king and his men marched to Jerusalem against the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land, who said to David, ‘You will not come in here, even the blind and the lame will turn you back’—thinking, ‘David cannot come in here.’ ⁷Nevertheless, David took the stronghold of Zion, which is now the city of David. ⁸David had said on that day, ‘Whoever wishes to strike down the Jebusites, let him get up the water shaft to attack the lame and the blind, those whom David hates.’^* Therefore it is said, ‘The blind and the lame shall not come into the house.’ ⁹David occupied the stronghold, and named it the city of David. David built the city all around from the Millo inwards. ¹⁰And David became greater and greater, for the Lord, the God of hosts, was with him.

King Hiram of Tyre sent messengers to David, along with cedar trees, and carpenters and masons who built David a house. ¹²David then perceived that the Lord had established him king over Israel, and that he had exalted his kingdom for the sake of his people Israel.

In Jerusalem, after he came from Hebron, David took more concubines and wives; and more sons and daughters were born to David. ¹⁴These are the names of those who were born to him in Jerusalem: Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon, ¹⁵Ibhar, Elishua, Nepheg, Japhia, ¹⁶Elishama, Eliada, and Eliphelet.

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David, King of Israel

The house of Judah had already anointed David as king. Now the tribes of Israel commit themselves politically to David by anointing him king of Israel as well. David consolidates his rule by making the politically neutral Jerusalem his capitol and home, and defeating the Philistines, twice, all because "the LORD was with him."

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David Establishes His Kingdom

 David's victories shows him at the zenith of his royal power. Previously, we have seen David's defensive wars (5:17-25); in contrast, these wars depict David on the offensive, with no seeking of divine guidance (5:19a, 23a), no communication from God (5:19b, 23b), and no credit given to God as in 5:20b. Here, David receives credit for the victories: "David won a name for himself" (8:13a, emphasis added).

His kingdom extends from the Euphrates River in the northeast to the Egyptian border in the southwest as the geographical arrangement of the defeated peoples shows: the southwestern enemies defeated in verse 1; eastern enemies defeated in verse 2; northeastern enemies defeated in verses 3-8; northern enemies defeated in verses 9-10; and southern enemies defeated

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2 Samuel 8:1-18

David’s Wars

Some time afterwards, David attacked the Philistines and subdued them; David took Metheg-ammah out of the hand of the Philistines.

He also defeated the Moabites and, making them lie down on the ground, measured them off with a cord; he measured two lengths of cord for those who were to be put to death, and one length^* for those who were to be spared. And the Moabites became servants to David and brought tribute.

David also struck down King Hadadezer son of Rehob of Zobah, as he went to restore his monument^* at the river Euphrates. ⁴David took from him one thousand seven hundred horsemen, and twenty thousand foot-soldiers. David hamstrung all the chariot horses, but left enough for a hundred chariots. ⁵When the Arameans of Damascus came to help King Hadadezer of Zobah, David killed twenty-two thousand men of the Arameans. ⁶Then David put garrisons among the Arameans of Damascus; and the Arameans became servants to David and brought tribute. The Lord gave victory to David wherever he went. ⁷David took the gold shields that were carried by the servants of Hadadezer, and brought them to Jerusalem. ⁸From Betah and from Berothai, towns of Hadadezer, King David took a great amount of bronze.

When King Toi of Hamath heard that David had defeated the whole army of Hadadezer, ¹⁰Toi sent his son Joram to King David, to greet him and to congratulate him because he had fought against Hadadezer and defeated him. Now Hadadezer had often been at war with Toi. Joram brought with him articles of silver, gold, and bronze; ¹¹these also King David dedicated to the Lord, together with the silver and gold that he dedicated from all the nations he subdued, ¹²from Edom, Moab, the Ammonites, the Philistines, Amalek, and from the spoil of King Hadadezer son of Rehob of Zobah.

David won a name for himself. When he returned, he killed eighteen thousand Edomites^* in the Valley of Salt. ¹⁴He put garrisons in Edom; throughout all Edom he put garrisons, and all the Edomites became David’s servants. And the Lord gave victory to David wherever he went.

                                           JOAB

David reigned over all Israel; and David administered justice and equity to all his people. ¹⁶Joab son of Zeruiah was over the army; Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud was recorder; ¹⁷Zadok son of Ahitub and Ahimelech son of Abiathar were priests; Seraiah was secretary; ¹⁸Benaiah son of Jehoiada was over^* the Cherethites and the Pelethites; and David’s sons were priests.

==================================

1005 BC: David is living “off the land” as he encounters Nabal and Abigail at Carmel (1Sam 25). His men kindly provide protection for Nabal’s flocks ex

pecting to be paid, but Nabal rebuffs them. David

threatens to kill Nabal for his affront until Abiga

il diplomatically intercedes with food and praise.

David married Ahinoam of Jezreel (1Sam 25:43). When N

abal dies shortly after this incident, David marrie

s

Abigail as well. In David’s absence, Saul gives Mi

chal to Paltiel in Gallim, which is probably on the

border near Jerusalem.

1004 BC

: David encounters Saul and his 3000 men in his cam

p at Hakilah, having been betrayed by the

Ziphites a second time. He spares Saul’s life again

(1Sam 26). Saul “repents” of his pursuit of David,

but

David doesn’t trust him. 

1004 BC:

David flees to Gath a second time with 600 men and

their families. Saul stops his pursuit of

David (1Sam 27:4).

1003 BC

: After living with Achish at Gath probably for a m

onth or two, David asks to move to Ziklag

with his men (1Sam 27:6). David “serves” the Philis

tines for over a year (see 1Sam 29:3). Achish defen

ds

David against his officers ((1Sam 29:1-11).

1000 BC

: Samuel dies (1Sam 28:3). Saul solicits the witch

of Endor to call up Samuel (1Sam 28:4-7). He

prophesies Saul will die the next day. In a battle

with the Philistines on Mt. Gilboa, three of Saul’s

sons

die; Saul is wounded and falls on his sword (1Sam 3

1).

David’s Lament

(2Sam 1:17-27). David’s service

is “dismissed” by the Philistines. The Amalekites r

aze Ziklag and take the wives of David’s men (1Sam

28-2Sam 1). David and 400 men recapture the women,

but 200 men cannot go. David shares the plunder

equally with them, and with the elders of Judah. 

1000 BC

: David with the help of his allies assumes control

of Judah, and is anointed its king with Hebron

as his capital (2Sam 2:7). He reigns for 7 years an

d 6 months (2Sam 2:11). While there, he marries

Maacah, daughter of the king of Geshur. He also mar

ries Haggith, Abital, and Eglah (2Sam 3:1-5) and

has sons and daughter by all but Michal (2Sam 6:23)

. 

David’s Sons

:

Amnon by Ahinoam of Jezreel

Kileab by Abigail (Nabal’s widow)

Absalom by Maacah the Caananite

Adonijah by Haggith

Shephatiah by Abital

Ithream by Eglah

998 BC

: Ishbosheth, with Abner as his general, has libera

ted the remainder of the Western territory from

the Philistines over a two-year period. He is decla

red king over Israel, the northern kingdom (2Sam 2:

9-

10). Abner slays Asahel at

Gibeon

(where the sun stopped for Joshua) which begins fi

ve and a half years

of war with David (2Sam 2:12-32; 3:1). After Ishbos

heth accuses Abner of infidelity with Saul’s

concubine, Abner threatens his life and covenants w

ith David, who wants Michal back (3:9-13). Michal i

s

returned to David by Ishbosheth (3:14). Joab, David

’s general, murders Abner at Hebron (3:22,27). 

 B997C

: David conquers Jerusalem (2Sam 5:6). He rebuilds

it, and moves there from Hebron.

993 BC

: Ishbosheth is murdered by two cut-throats. David

is publicly anointed king over all of Israel,

north and south (2Sam 5:17). Battle of Baal Perazim

(2Sam 5:17-25; 1Chr 14:8-17;

Ps 18

). David’s 33-

year reign at Jerusalem begins (1Chr 3:4). His tota

l kingship lasts 40 years (1Kgs. 2:11)).

992 BC

: Ark returned to Jerusalem to a tent (2Sam 6). The

tabernacle remains in Gibeon (1Chr 16).

David desires to build a temple to house the ark (2

Sam 7; 1Chr 17). God sends Nathan to David with the

Davidic Covenant instead, promising a perpetual thr

one to his offspring (2Sam 7:12-29).

Ps 105, 96

982 BC

: After 7-10 years of war, David has solidified hisempire (2Sam 8). David’s sons become royal

advisers 2Sam 8:18 (though too young – probably 14-

18 years old; it distorts their sense of self-

importance). Mephibosheth is found and David honorshis pledge to Jonathan ===============================

 David Becomes King of Israel

.

.================================================

2 Samuel 10:1-12:31 – 

War with the Ammonites and the Arameans

2 Samuel 10:1-12:31

The Ammonites and Arameans Are Defeated

Some time afterwards the king of the Ammonites died, and his son Hanun succeeded him. ²David said, ‘I will deal loyally with Hanun son of Nahash, just as his father dealt loyally with me.’ So David sent envoys to console him concerning his father. When David’s envoys came into the land of the Ammonites, ³the princes of the Ammonites said to their lord Hanun, ‘Do you really think that David is honouring your father just because he has sent messengers with condolences to you? Has not David sent his envoys to you to search the city, to spy it out, and to overthrow it?’ ⁴So Hanun seized David’s envoys, shaved off half the beard of each, cut off their garments in the middle at their hips, and sent them away. ⁵When David was told, he sent to meet them, for the men were greatly ashamed. The king said, ‘Remain at Jericho until your beards have grown, and then return.’

When the Ammonites saw that they had become odious to David, the Ammonites sent and hired the Arameans of Beth-rehob and the Arameans of Zobah, twenty thousand foot-soldiers, as well as the king of Maacah, one thousand men, and the men of Tob, twelve thousand men. ⁷When David heard of it, he sent Joab and all the army with the warriors. ⁸The Ammonites came out and drew up in battle array at the entrance of the gate; but the Arameans of Zobah and of Rehob, and the men of Tob and Maacah, were by themselves in the open country

When Joab saw that the battle was set against him both in front and in the rear, he chose some of the picked men of Israel, and arrayed them against the Arameans; ¹⁰the rest of his men he put in charge of his brother Abishai, and he arrayed them against the Ammonites. ¹¹He said, ‘If the Arameans are too strong for me, then you shall help me; but if the Ammonites are too strong for you, then I will come and help you. ¹²Be strong, and let us be courageous for the sake of our people, and for the cities of our God; and may the Lord do what seems good to him.’ ¹³So Joab and the people who were with him moved forward into battle against the Arameans; and they fled before him. ¹⁴When the Ammonites saw that the Arameans fled, they likewise fled before Abishai, and entered the city. Then Joab returned from fighting against the Ammonites, and came to Jerusalem.

But when the Arameans saw that they had been defeated by Israel, they gathered themselves together. ¹⁶Hadadezer sent and brought out the Arameans who were beyond the Euphrates; and they came to Helam, with Shobach the commander of the army of Hadadezer at their head. ¹⁷When it was told to David, he gathered all Israel together, and crossed the Jordan, and came to Helam. The Arameans arrayed themselves against David and fought with him. ¹⁸The Arameans fled before Israel; and David killed of the Arameans seven hundred chariot teams and forty thousand horsemen,^* and wounded Shobach the commander of their army, so that he died there. ¹⁹When all the kings who were servants of Hadadezer saw that they had been defeated by Israel, they made peace with Israel, and became subject to them. So the Arameans were afraid to help the Ammonites any more.

David and Bathsheba

1In the spring of the year, the time when kings go out to battle, David sent Joab with his officers and all Israel with him; they ravaged the Ammonites, and besieged Rabbah. But David remained at Jerusalem

 It happened, late one afternoon, when David rose from his couch and was walking about on the roof of the king’s house, that he saw from the roof a woman bathing; the woman was very beautiful.

 In the morning David wrote a letter to Joab, and sent it by the hand of Uriah. ¹⁵In the letter he wrote, ‘Set Uriah in the forefront of the hardest fighting, and then draw back from him, so that he may be struck down and die.’ ¹⁶As Joab was besieging the city, he assigned Uriah to the place where he knew there were valiant warriors. ¹⁷The men of the city came out and fought with Joab; and some of the servants of David among the people fell. Uriah the Hittite was killed as well. ¹⁸Then Joab sent and told David all the news about the fighting; ¹⁹and he instructed the messenger, ‘When you have finished telling the king all the news about the fighting, ²⁰then, if the king’s anger rises, and if he says to you, “Why did you go so near the city to fight? Did you not know that they would shoot from the wall? ²¹Who killed Abimelech son of Jerubbaal?^* Did not a woman throw an upper millstone on him from the wall, so that he died at Thebez? Why did you go so near the wall?” then you shall say, “Your servant Uriah the Hittite is dead too.” ’

When the mourning was over, David  brought 

Bathsheba to his house, and she became his wife, and bore him a son.  Bathsheba bore a son, and he named him Solomon. The Lord loved him, ²⁵and sent a message by the prophet Nathan; so he named him Jedidiah,^* because of the Lord.

2 Samuel 15:1-20:22 – Rebellion against David

Absalom, impatient to become king himself, gathers support and foments rebellion against his father, David, forcing him to flee Jerusalem. David is emotionally torn between preserving his throne and preserving the life of his rebellious son. Upon David's return to Jerusalem, Sheba revolts

2 Samuel 15:1-20:22

After this Absalom got himself a chariot and horses, and fifty men to run ahead of him. ²Absalom used to rise early and stand beside the road into the gate; and when anyone brought a suit before the king for judgement, Absalom would call out and say, ‘From what city are you?’ When the person said, ‘Your servant is of such and such a tribe in Israel’, ³Absalom would say, ‘See, your claims are good and right; but there is no one deputed by the king to hear you.’ ⁴Absalom said moreover, ‘If only I were judge in the land! Then all who had a suit or cause might come to me, and I would give them justice.’⁵Whenever people came near to do obeisance to him, he would put out his hand and take hold of them, and kiss them. ⁶Thus Absalom did to every Israelite who came to the king for judgement; so Absalom stole the hearts of the people of Israel.

At the end of four^* years Absalom said to the king, ‘Please let me go to Hebron and pay the vow that I have made to the Lord. ⁸For your servant made a vow while I lived at Geshur in Aram: If the Lordwill indeed bring me back to Jerusalem, then I will worship the Lord in Hebron.’^* 9The king said to him, ‘Go in peace.’ So he got up, and went to Hebron. ¹⁰But Absalom sent secret messengers throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, ‘As soon as you hear the sound of the trumpet, then shout: Absalom has become king at Hebron!’ ¹¹Two hundred men from Jerusalem went with Absalom; they were invited guests, and they went in their innocence, knowing nothing of the matter. ¹²While Absalom was offering the sacrifices, he sent for^* Ahithophel the Gilonite, David’s counsellor, from his city Giloh. The conspiracy grew in strength, and the people with Absalom kept increasing.

David Flees from Jerusalem

A messenger came to David, saying, ‘The hearts of the Israelites have gone after Absalom.’ ¹⁴Then David said to all his officials who were with him at Jerusalem, ‘Get up! Let us flee, or there will be no escape for us from Absalom. Hurry, or he will soon overtake us, and bring disaster down upon us, and attack the city with the edge of the sword.’ ¹⁵The king’s officials said to the king, ‘Your servants are ready to do whatever our lord the king decides.’ ¹⁶So the king left, followed by all his household, except ten concubines whom he left behind to look after the house. ¹⁷The king left, followed by all the people; and they stopped at the last house. ¹⁸All his officials passed by him; and all the Cherethites, and all the Pelethites, and all the six hundred Gittites who had followed him from Gath, passed on before the king.

Ittai the Gittite

Then the king said to Ittai the Gittite, ‘Why are you also coming with us? Go back, and stay with the king; for you are a foreigner, and also an exile from your home. ²⁰You came only yesterday, and shall I today make you wander about with us, while I go wherever I can? Go back, and take your kinsfolk with you; and may the Lord show^* steadfast love and faithfulness to you.’ ²¹But Ittai answered the king, ‘As the Lord lives, and as my lord the king lives, wherever my lord the king may be, whether for death or for life, there also your servant will be.’ ²²David said to Ittai, ‘Go then, march on.’ So Ittai the Gittite marched on, with all his men and all the little ones who were with him. ²³The whole country wept aloud as all the people passed by; the king crossed the Wadi Kidron, and all the people moved on towards the wilderness.

Levites

Abiathar came up, and Zadok also, with all the Levites, carrying the ark of the covenant of God. They set down the ark of God, until the people had all passed out of the city. ²⁵Then the king said to Zadok, ‘Carry the ark of God back into the city. If I find favour in the eyes of the Lord, he will bring me back and let me see both it and the place where it remains. ²⁶But if he says, “I take no pleasure in you”, here I am, let him do to me what seems good to him.’ ²⁷The king also said to the priest Zadok, ‘Look,^* go back to the city in peace, you and Abiathar,^* with your two sons, Ahimaaz your son, and Jonathan son of Abiathar. ²⁸See, I will wait at the fords of the wilderness until word comes from you to inform me.’ ²⁹So Zadok and Abiathar carried the ark of God back to Jerusalem, and they remained there.

But David went up the ascent of the Mount of Olives, weeping as he went, with his head covered and walking barefoot; and all the people who were with him covered their heads and went up, weeping as they went. ³¹David was told that Ahithophel was among the conspirators with Absalom. And David said, ‘O Lord, I pray you, turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness.’

When David came to the summit, where God was worshipped, Hushai the Archite came to meet him with his coat torn and earth on his head. ³³David said to him, ‘If you go on with me, you will be a burden to me. ³⁴But if you return to the city and say to Absalom, “I will be your servant, O king; as I have been your father’s servant in time past, so now I will be your servant”, then you will defeat for me the counsel of Ahithophel. ³⁵The priests Zadok and Abiathar will be with you there. So whatever you hear from the king’s house, tell it to the priests Zadok and Abiathar. ³⁶Their two sons are with them there, Zadok’s son Ahimaaz and Abiathar’s son Jonathan; and by them you shall report to me everything you hear.’ ³⁷So Hushai, David’s friend, came into the city, just as Absalom was entering Jerusalem.

When David had passed a little beyond the summit, Ziba the servant of Mephibosheth^* met him, with a couple of donkeys saddled, carrying two hundred loaves of bread, one hundred bunches of raisins, one hundred of summer fruits, and one skin of wine. ²The king said to Ziba, ‘Why have you brought these?’ Ziba answered, ‘The donkeys are for the king’s household to ride, the bread and summer fruit for the young men to eat, and the wine is for those to drink who faint in the wilderness.’ ³The king said, ‘And where is your master’s son?’ Ziba said to the king, ‘He remains in Jerusalem; for he said, “Today the house of Israel will give me back my grandfather’s kingdom.” ’ ⁴Then the king said to Ziba, ‘All that belonged to Mephibosheth^* is now yours.’ Ziba said, ‘I do obeisance; let me find favour in your sight, my lord the king.’

Now Absalom and all the Israelites^* came to Jerusalem; Ahithophel was with him. ¹⁶When Hushai the Archite, David’s friend, came to Absalom, Hushai said to Absalom, ‘Long live the king! Long live the king!’ ¹⁷Absalom said to Hushai, ‘Is this your loyalty to your friend? Why did you not go with your friend?’ ¹⁸Hushai said to Absalom, ‘No; but the one whom the Lord and this people and all the Israelites have chosen, his I will be, and with him I will remain. ¹⁹Moreover, whom should I serve? Should it not be his son? Just as I have served your father, so I will serve you.’
20 Then Absalom said to Ahithophel, ‘Give us your counsel; what shall we do?’ ²¹Ahithophel said to Absalom, ‘Go in to your father’s concubines, the ones he has left to look after the house; and all Israel will hear that you have made yourself odious to your father, and the hands of all who are with you will be strengthened.’ ²²So they pitched a tent for Absalom upon the roof; and Absalom went in to his father’s concubines in the sight of all Israel. ²³Now in those days the counsel that Ahithophel gave was as if one consulted the oracle^* of God; so all the counsel of Ahithophel was esteemed, both by David and by Absalom.
17Moreover, Ahithophel said to Absalom, ‘Let me choose twelve thousand men, and I will set out and pursue David tonight. ²I will come upon him while he is weary and discouraged, and throw him into a panic; and all the people who are with him will flee. I will strike down only the king, ³and I will bring all the people back to you as a bride comes home to her husband. You seek the life of only one man,^* and all the people will be at peace.’ ⁴The advice pleased Absalom and all the elders of Israel.

Then David mustered the men who were with him, and set over them commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds. ²And David divided the army into three groups:^* one-third under the command of Joab, one-third under the command of Abishai son of Zeruiah, Joab’s brother, and one-third under the command of Ittai the Gittite. The king said to the men, ‘I myself will also go out with you.’³But the men said, ‘You shall not go out. For if we flee, they will not care about us. If half of us die, they will not care about us. But you are worth ten thousand of us;^* therefore it is better that you send us help from the city.’ ⁴The king said to them, ‘Whatever seems best to you I will do.’ So the king stood at the side of the gate, while all the army marched out by hundreds and by thousands. ⁵The king gave orders to Joab and Abishai and Ittai, saying, ‘Deal gently for my sake with the young man Absalom.’ And all the people heard when the king gave orders to all the commanders concerning AThe king was deeply moved, and went up to the chamber over the gate, and wept; and as he went, he said, ‘O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! Would that I had died instead of you, O Absalom, my soNn, my son!’bsalom.
6 So the army went out into the field against Israel; and the battle was fought in the forest of Ephraim. ⁷The men of Israel were defeated there by the servants of David, and the slaughter there was great on that day, twenty thousand men. ⁸The battle spread over the face of all the country; and the forest claimed more victims that day than the sword.
9 Absalom happened to meet the servants of David. Absalom was riding on his mule, and the mule went under the thick branches of a great oak. His head caught fast in the oak, and he was left hanging^*between heaven and earth, while the mule that was under him went on. ¹⁰A man saw it, and told Joab, ‘I saw Absalom hanging in an oak.’ ¹¹Joab said to the man who told him, ‘What, you saw him! Why then did you not strike him there to the ground? I would have been glad to give you ten pieces of silver and a belt.’ ¹²But the man said to Joab, ‘Even if I felt in my hand the weight of a thousand pieces of silver, I would not raise my hand against the king’s son; for in our hearing the king commanded you and Abishai and Ittai, saying: For my sake protect the young man Absalom! ¹³On the other hand, if I had dealt treacherously against his life^* (and there is nothing hidden from the king), then you yourself would have stood aloof.’ ¹⁴Joab said, ‘I will not waste time like this with you.’ He took three spears in his hand, and thrust them into the heart of Absalom, while he was still alive in the oak. ¹⁵And ten young men, Joab’s armour-bearers, surrounded Absalom and struck him, and killed him.
16 Then Joab sounded the trumpet, and the troops came back from pursuing Israel, for Joab restrained the troops. ¹⁷They took Absalom, threw him into a great pit in the forest, and raised over him a very great heap of stones. Meanwhile all the Israelites fled to their homes. ¹⁸Now Absalom in his lifetime had taken and set up for himself a pillar that is in the King’s Valley, for he said, ‘I have no son to keep my name in remembrance’; he called the pillar by his own name. It is called Absalom’s Monument to this day.


DEATH OF ABSALOM

David Mourns for Absalom

The king was deeply moved, and went up to the chamber over the gate, and wept; and as he went, he said, ‘O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! Would that I had died instead of you, O Absalom, my son, my son!’

The king is weeping and mourning for Absalom.’ ²So the victory that day was turned into mourning for all the troops; for the troops heard that day, ‘The king is grieving for his son.’ ³The troops stole into the city that day as soldiers steal in who are ashamed when they flee in battle. ⁴The king covered his face, and the king cried with a loud voice, ‘O my son Absalom, O Absalom, my son, my son!’ ⁵Then Joab came into the house to the king, and said, ‘Today you have covered with shame the faces of all your officers who have saved your life today, and the lives of your sons and your daughters, and the lives of your wives and your concubines, ⁶for love of those who hate you and for hatred of those who love you. You have made it clear today that commanders and officers are nothing to you; for I perceive that if Absalom were alive and all of us were dead today, then you would be pleased. ⁷So go out at once and speak kindly to your servants; for I swear by the Lord, if you do not go, not a man will stay with you this night; and this will be worse for you than any disaster that has come upon you from your youth until now.’ ⁸Then the king got up and took his seat in the gate. The troops were all told, ‘See, the king is sitting in the gate’; and all the troops came before the king.

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David Recalled to Jerusalem

all the Israelites had fled to their homes. ⁹All the people were disputing throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, ‘The king delivered us from the hand of our enemies, and saved us from the hand of the Philistines; and now he has fled out of the land because of Absalom. ¹⁰But Absalom, whom we anointed over us, is dead in battle. Now therefore why do you say nothing about bringing the king back?’

King David sent this message to the priests Zadok and Abiathar, ‘Say to the elders of Judah, “Why should you be the last to bring the king back to his house? The talk of all Israel has come to the king.^*12You are my kin, you are my bone and my flesh; why then should you be the last to bring back the king?” ¹³And say to Amasa, “Are you not my bone and my flesh? So may God do to me, and more, if you are not the commander of my army from now on, in place of Joab.” ’ ¹⁴Amasa^* swayed the hearts of all the people of Judah as one, and they sent word to the king, ‘Return, both you and all your servants.’¹⁵So the king came back to the Jordan; and Judah came to Gilgal to meet the king and to bring him over the Jordan.