after that he had fallen: and I took the crown that was upon his head, and the bracelet that was on his arm, and have brought them hither to my lord. 11 Then David took hold on his clothes, and rent them; and likewise all the men that were with him: Before CHRIST, 1056. bc. 3. 31. & 12 And they mourned and wept, and fasted until evening, for Saul and for 13. 31. Jonathan his son, and for the people of the LORD, and for the house of Israel; because they had fallen by the sword. 13 And David said to the young man that told him, Whence art thou? And he answered, I am the son of a stranger, an Amalekite. 14 And David said to him, How wast thou not afraid to stretch forth thy hand to destroy the LORD's anointed? young 15 And David called one of the men, and said, Go near, and fall upon him. And he smote him that he died. 16 And David said to him, Thy blood be upon thy head; for thy mouth hath testified against thee, saying, I have slain the LORD's anointed. 17 And David lamented with this lamentation over Saul, and over Jonathan his son: 18 (Also he bade them teach the children of Judah the use of the bow: behold, it is written in the book of 4 Jasher.) 19 The beauty of Israel is slain upon thy high places: how are the mighty fallen! 1 twelve of Joab's men. 18 Asahel is slain. AND it came to pass after this, that 2 So David went up thither, and his two wives also, Ahinoam the JezreelPs. 105. 15. itess, and Abigail, Nabal's wife the Car d Josh. 10.13. 4 or, of the upright. Micah 1.10. 5 or, sweet. 20 Tell it not in Gath, publish it not a 1 Sam. 31. in the streets of Askelon; lest the daugh- 13. ters of the Philistines rejoice, lest the daughters of the uncircumcised triumph. 21 Ye mountains of Gilboa, let there be no dew, neither rain upon you, nor fields of offerings: for there the shield of the mighty is vilely cast away, the shield of Saul, as though he had not been anointed with oil. 22 From the blood of the slain, from the fat of the mighty, the bow of Jonathan turned not back, and the sword of Saul returned not empty. 23 Saul and Jonathan were lovely and s pleasant in their lives, and in their death they were not divided: they were swifter than eagles, they were stronger than li ons. 24 Ye daughters of Israel, weep over Saul, who clothed you in scarlet, with other delights, who put ornaments of gold upon your apparel. 25 How are the mighty fallen in the midst of the battle! O Jonathan thou wast slain in thy high places. 26 I am distressed for thee, my brother Jonathan: very pleasant hast thou been to me: thy love to me was wonderful, passing the love of women. 27 How have the mighty fallen, and the weapons of war perished! CHAP. II. 3 Heb. be ye the sons of valor. Heb. the was Saul's. host which Heb. number of days. 4 Heb. them together. 1 David by God's direction, with his company s That is, goeth up to Hebron, where he is made king of Judah 5 He commendeth them of Jabesh the field of gilead for their kindness to Saul. 8 Abner maketh Ishbosheth king of Israel. 12 A mor tal skirmish between twelve of Abner's and strong men. melite. 3 And his men that were with him did David bring up, every man with his household: and they dwelt in the cities of Hebron. 4 And the men of Judah came, and there they anointed David king over the house of Judah. And they told David, saying, That a the men of Jabesh-gilead were they that buried Saul. 5 And David sent messengers to the men of Jabesh-gilead, and said to them, Blessed be ye of the LORD, that ye have shown this kindness to your lord, even to Saul, and have buried him. 6 And now the LORD show kindness and truth to you and I also will requite you this kindness, because ye have done this thing. 7 Therefore now let your hands be strengthened, and be ye valiant: for your master Saul is dead, and also the house of Judah have anointed me king over them. 8 ¶ But Abner the son of Ner, captain of 2 Saul's host, took Ish-bosheth the son of Saul, and brought him over to Mahanaim; 9 And he made him king over Gilead, and over the Ashurites, and over Jezreel, and over Ephraim, and over Benjamin, and over all Israel. 10 Ish-bosheth, Saul's son, was forty years old when he began to reign over Israel, and he reigned two years: but the house of Judah followed David. 11 And the 3 time that David was king in Hebron, over the house of Judah, was seven years and six months. 12 T And Abner the son of Ner, and the servants of Ish-bosheth the son of Saul, went out from Mahanaim to Gib eon. 13 And Joab the son of Zeruiah, and the servants of David went out, and met 4 together by the pool of Gibeon: and they sat down, the one on the one side of the pool, and the other on the other side of the pool. 14 And Abner said to Joab, Let the young men now arise, and play before us. And Joab said, Let them arise. 15 Then there arose, and went over by number twelve of Benjamin, who pertained to Ish-bosheth the son of Saul, and twelve of the servants of David. 16 And they caught every one his fellow by the head, and thrust his sword in his fellow's side: so they fell down together: wherefore that place was called 5 Helkath-hazzurim, which is in Gibeon. Heb. as one of the roes that is in the field. Heb. from after Abner. 21 And Abner said to him, Turn thee aside to thy right hand or to thy left, and lay hold on one of the young men, and take to thee his 9 armor. But Asahel would not turn aside from following him. 9 or, spoil. 22 And Abner said again to Asahel, Turn thee aside from following me: Why should I smite thee to the ground? how then should I hold up my face to Joab thy brother? 23 But he refused to turn aside: wherefore Abner with the hinder end of the spear smote him under the fifth rib, that the spear came out behind him; and he fell down there, and died in the same place: and it came to pass, that as many as came to the place where Asahel fell down and died, stood still. 24 Joab also, and Abishai pursued Abner: and the sun went down when they had come to the hill of Ammah, that lieth before Giah by the way of the wilderness of Gibeon. 25 ¶ And the children of Benjamin assembled themselves after Abner, and became one troop, and stood on the top of a hill. 26 Then Abner called to Joab, and said, Shall the sword devour for ever? knowest thou not that it will be bitterness in the latter end? how long shall it be then, ere thou wilt bid the people return from following their brethren? 27 And Joab said, As God liveth, unless thou hadst spoken, surely then 10 in the morning the people had 11 gone up every one from following his brother. 28 So Joab blew a trumpet, and all the people stood still, and pursued Israel no more, neither fought they any more. 10 Heb. from the morn 11 or, gone a c. 21. 10. 1 Heb. say. 29 And Abner and his men walked all 6 1 Sam. 18. that night through the plain, and passed 25, 27. over Jordan, and went through all Bithron, and they came to Mahanaim. 30 And Joab returned from following Abner and when he had assembled all the people, there lacked of David's servants nineteen men, and Asahel. 31 But the servants of David had smitten of Benjamin, and of Abner's men, so that three hundred and sixty men died. 32 And they took up Asahel, and buried him in the sepulcher of his father, which was in Beth-lehem. And Joab and his men went all night, and they came to Hebron at break of day. CHAP. III. 1 During the war David still groweth stron.! ger. 2 Six sons were born to him in Hebron. 6 Abner displeased with Ish-bosheth, 12 revolteth to David. 13 David requireth a condition to bring him his wife Michal. 17 Ab ner having communed with the Israelites, is feasted by David, and dismissed. 22 Joab returning from battle, is displeased with the king, and killeth Abner. 2 David curseth Joab, 31 and mourneth for Abner. Note use of Saul and the house of David: but David grew stronger and stronger, and the house of Saul became weaker and weaker. [OW there was long war between 2 ¶ And to David were sons born in Hebron and his first-born was Amnon, of Ahinoam the Jezreelitess; 3 And his second, Chileab, of Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite; and the third, Absalom the son of Maacah, the daughter of Talmai king of Geshur; 4 And the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith; and the fifth, Shephatiah the son of Abital; 5 And the sixth Ithream, by Eglah David's wife. These were born to David in Hebron. 6¶ And it came to pass, while there was war between the house of Saul and the house of David, that Abner made himself strong for the house of Saul. name was a 7 And Saul had a concubine, whose Rizpah, the daughter of Aiah: and Ish-bosheth said to Abner, Why hast thou gone in to my father's concubine? 8 Then was Abner very wroth for the words of Ish-bosheth, and said, Am Ia dog's head, who against Judah do show kindness this day to the house of Saul thy father, to his brethren, and to his friends, and have not delivered thee into the hand of David, that thou chargest me to-day with a fault concerning this woman? 9 So do God to Abner, and more also, except, as the LORD hath sworn to David, even so I do to him; 10 To translate the kingdom from the house of Saul, and to set up the throne of David over Israel and over Judah, from Dan even to Beer-sheba. 11 And he could not answer Abner a word again, because he feared him. 12 And Abner sent messengers to David on his behalf, saying, Whose is the land? saying also, Make thy league with me, and, behold, my hand shall be with thee, to bring about all Israel to thee. 13 ¶ And he said, Well; I will make a league with thee: but one thing I require of thee, 1 that is, Thou shalt not see my face, except thou shalt first bring Michal, Saul's daughter, when thou comest to see my face. 14 And David sent messengers to Ish1 Sam. 25, bosheth, Saul's son, saying, Deliver to me my wife Michal, whom I espoused to me for a hundred foreskins of the Philistines. 44, Phalti. 15 And Ish-bosheth sent, and took her from her husband, even from Phaltiel the son of Laish. 16 And her husband went with her, 2 weeping behind her to Bahurim. Then | said Abner to him, Go, return. And he returned. 17 And Abner had communication with the elders of Israel, saying, Ye sought for David 3 in times past to be king over you: 18 Now then do it: for the LORD hath spoken of David, saying, By the hand of my servant David I will save my people Israel from the hand of the Philistines, and from the hand of all their enemies. 19 And Abner also spoke in the ears of Benjamin and Abner went also to speak in the ears of David in Hebron all that seemed good to Israel, and that seemed good to the whole house of Benjamin. Before CHRIST, 1048. 2 Heb. going and weeping. 3 Heb. both yesterday, and the third day. 20 So Abner came to David in He- 5. bron, and twenty men with him and David made Abner and the men that were with him, a feast. 1 Kings 2. 4 or, peaceably. 21 And Abner said to David, I will arise and go, and will gather all Israel to my lord the king, that they may make a league with thee, and that thou mayest c. 2. 23. reign over all that thy heart desireth. And David sent Abner away; and he went in peace. 22 ¶ And behold, the servants of David and Joab came from pursuing a 5Heb.bloods. cloth, and mourn before Abner. And king David himself followed the 7 bier. 32 And they buried Abner in Hebron: and the king lifted up his voice and wept at the grave of Abner; and all the people wept. 33 And the king lamented over Abner, and said, Died Abner as a fool dieth? 34 Thy hands were not bound, nor thy feet put into fetters: as a man falleth before 8 wicked men, so fellest thou. And all the people wept again over him. 35 And when all the people came to cause David to eat food while it was yet day, David swore, saying, So do God to me, and more also, If I taste bread or aught else, till the sun is down. 36 And all the people took notice of it, and it pleased them: as whatever the king did pleased all the people. 37 For all the people and all Israel understood that day that it was not of the king to slay Abner the son of Ner. 38 And the king said to his servants, Know ye not that there hath a prince and a great man fallen this day in Israel? 39 And I am this day 10 weak, though anointed king; and these men the sons of Zeruiah are too hard for me. The troop, and brought in a great spoil with 6 Heb. be cut LORD shall reward the doer of evil ac them but Abner was not with David in off. 23 When Joab and all the host that c. 2. 23. was with him had come, they told Joab, saying, Abner the son of Ner came to the king, and he hath sent him away, and he hath gone in peace. 24 Then Joab came to the king, and said, What hast thou done? behold, Ab ner came to thee; why is it that thou 7 Heb. bed. hast sent him away, and he is quite gone? 25 Thou knowest Abner the son of cording to his wickedness. CHAP. IV. 1 The Israelites being troubled at the death of Abner, 2 Baanah and Rechab slay Ish-bosheth, and bring his head to Hebron. 9 David causeth them to be slain, and Ish-bosheth's head to be buried. AND when Saul's son heard that Ab ner was dead in Hebron, his hands were feeble, and all the Israelites were troubled. 2 And Saul's son had two men that were captains of bands: the name of the one was Baanah,, and the name of the Ner, that he came to deceive thee, and 8 Heb. chil-1other Rechab, the sons of Rimmon a to know thy going-out and thy coming-dren of in- Beerothite, of the children of Benjamin: in, and to know all that thou doest. (For Beeroth also was reckoned to Benjamin: 26 And when Joab had come out from David, he sent messengers after Abner, who brought him again from the well of Sirah: but David knew it not. 27 And when Abner had returned to Hebron, Joab & took him aside in the gate to speak with him 4 quietly, and smote him there under the fifth rib that he died, for the blood of Asahel his brother. 28 ¶ And afterward when David h eard it, he said, I and my kingdom are guiltless before the LORD for ever from the] s blood of Abner the son of Ner: 29 Let it rest on the head of Joab, and on all his father's house; and let there not fail from the house of Joab one that hath an issue, or that is a leper, or that leaneth on a staff, or that falleth on the sword, or that lacketh bread. 30 So Joab and Abishai his brot her slew Abner, because he had slain their brother Asahel at Gibeon in the bat tle. 31 And David said to Joab, and to all the people that were with him, Re, ad your clothes, and gird you with sac k iquity. Heb. was good in their eyes. 10 Heb. tender. 1 Heb. se cond. 3 And the Beerothites fled to Gittaim, and have been sojourners there until this day.) 4 And Jonathan, Saul's son, had a son that was lame of his feet: he was five years old when the tidings came of Saul and Jonathan out of Jezreel, and his nurse took him up, and fled: and it came to pass, as she made haste to flee, that he fell, and became lame. And his name was Mephibosheth. 5 And the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, Rechab and Baanah, went, and came about the heat of the day to the house of Ish-bosheth, who lay on a bed at noon. 6 And they came thither into the midst of the house, as though they would have fetched wheat; and they smote him under the fifth rib: and Rechab and Baanah his brother escaped. 7 For when they came into the house, he lay on his bed in his bed-chamber, and they smote him, and slew him, and beheaded him, and took his head, and went away through the plain all night. 8 And they brought the head of Ishbosheth to David to Hebron, and said to the king, Behold the head of Ish-bosheth the son of Saul thy enemy, who sought thy life; and the LORD hath avenged my lord the king this day of Saul and of his seed. 9 And David answered Rechab and Baanah his brother, the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, and said to them, As the LORD liveth, who hath redeemed my soul out of all adversity, 10 When a one told me, saying, Behold, Saul is dead, (2 thinking to have brought good tidings,) I took hold of him, and slew him in Žiklag, 3 who thought that I would have given him a reward for his tidings: ¿Ps. 78. 71. ever getteth up to the gutter, and smiteth the Jebusites, and the lame and the blind, that are hated by David's soul, & he shall be chief and captain: 2 Wherefore they said, The blind and the lame shall not come into the house. 9 So David dwelt in the fort, and called it the city of David. And David built around from Millo and inward. 10 And David 3 went on, and grew great, and the LORD God of hosts was with him. 11 ¶ And Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, and cedar-trees, and carpenters, and 4 masons: and they built David a house. 12 And David perceived that the LORD had established him king over Israel, and that he had exalted his kingdom for his people Israel's sake. 13 And David took him more con ter he had come from Hebron: and there were yet sons and daughters born to David. 11 How much more, when wicked. men have slain a righteous person in his a 1 Chr. 11.1. cubines and wives out of Jerusalem, afown house upon his bed? shall I not, therefore now require his blood of your hand, and take you away from the earth? 12 And David commanded his young men, and they slew them, and cut off ec. 2. 11. their hands and their feet, and hanged them over the pool in Hebron. But they took the head of Ish-bosheth, and buried it in the sepulcher of Abner in Hebron. CHAP. V. or, saying, David shall not, &c. 14 And these are the names of those that were born to him in Jerusalem; Shammuah, and Shobab, and Nathan, and Solomon, 15 Ibhar also, and Elishua, and Nepheg, and Japhia, 16 And Elishama, and Eliada, and Eliphalet. 1 The tribes come to Hebron to anoint David 17¶ But when the Philistines heard 4 David's age: 6 He taking d1 Chr. 11. 6. that they had anointed David king over HEN & came all the tribes of Israel 2 or, Be- even the blind and The David to Hebron, and spoke, say- 2 Also in time past, when Saul was king over us, thou wast he that leddest out and broughtest in Israel: and the LORD said to thee, Thou shalt feed my people Israel, and thou shalt be a captain over Israel. 3 So all the elders of Israel came to the king to Hebron; and king David made a league with them in Hebron before the LORD: and they anointed David king over Israel. 4 David was thirty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned forty years. 5 In Hebron he reigned over Judah seven years and six months: and in Jerusalem he reigned thirty and three years over all Israel and Judah. into the 3 Heb. went going, and 1 Chr. 14. 1. Israel, all the Philistines came up to seek David; and David heard of it, and went down to the hold. 18 The Philistines also came and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim. 19 And David inquired of the LORD, saying, Shall I go up to the Philistines ? wilt thou deliver them into my hand? And the LORD said to David, Go up: for I will doubtless deliver the Philistines into thy hand. 20 And David came to Baal-perazim, and David smote them there, and said, The LORD hath broken forth upon my enemies before me, as the breach of waTherefore he called the name of that place 5 Baal-perazim. Heb. hewters. 1 Chr. 3. 9. 1 Chr. 3. 6. 1 Chr. 11. 16. & 14. 8. 6 ¶ And the king and his men went to i Is. 28. 21. Jerusalem to the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land: who spoke to David, 5 That is, saying, Except thou shalt take away the blind and the lame, thou shalt not come in hither: 1 thinking, David cannot come in hither. 7 Nevertheless, David took the strong hold of Zion: the same is the city of David. 8 And David said on that day, Who-l the plain of breaches. * 1 Chr. 14. 21 And there they left their images, and David and his men & 6 burned them. 22 And the Philistines came yet again, and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim. 23 And when David inquired of the LORD, he said, Thou shalt not go up: but fetch a compass behind them, and come upon them over against the mulberry trees. 24 And let it be, when thou hearest the sound of a guing in the tops of the mulberry-trees, that then thou shalt bestir thyself: for then shall the LORD go out before thee, to smite the host of the Philistines. 25 And David did so as the LORD had commanded him; and smote the Philisthem away. tines from Geba until thou comest to Ga 6 or, took zer. CHAP. VI. Before 1042. 1 David fetcheth the ark from Kirjath-jearim| GAIN, David assembled all the cho daughter, looked through a window, and saw king David leaping and dancing before the LORD; and she despised him in her heart. 17¶ And they brought in the ark of the LORD, and set it in its place, in the midst of the tabernacle that David had 1 or, at which pitched for it: and David offered burntofferings and peace-offerings before the LORD. the name, 18 And as soon as David had made an 2 Anda David arose, and went with LORD of end of offering burnt-offerings and peaceall the people that were with him from Baale of Judah, to bring up from thence the ark of God, whose name is called hosts was offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the LORD of hosts. 19 And he dealt among all the people, by the name of the LORD of hosts that 2 Heb. made even among the whole multitude of Isdwelleth between the cherubim.. 3 And they 2 set the ark of God upon a new cart, and brought it out of the 3 house of Abinadab that was in 3 Gibeah : and Uzzah and Ahio the sons of Abinadab drove the new cart. to ride. or, the hill. 4 And they brought it out of the 4 Heb. with. house of Abinadab, which was at Gibeah, 4 accompanying the ark of God: and Ahio went before the ark. 5 And David and all the house of Israel played before the LORD on all manner of instruments made of fir wood, even on harps, and on psalteries, and on timbrels, and on cornets, and on cymbals. 6 And when they came to Nachon's threshing-floor, Uzzah put forth his hand to the ark of God, and took hold of it: for the oxen 5 shook it. 7 And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Uzzah, and God smote him there for his error; and there he died by the ark of God. 8 And David was displeased, because the LORD had 7 made a breach upon Uzzah: and he called the name of the place • Perez-uzzah to this day. 1 Chr. 13.9. 5 or, stum- 6 or, rash ness. 7 Heb. bro- in the house of Obed-edom the Gittite 10 or, openly. handmaids of rael, as well to the women as men, to every one a cake of bread, and a good piece of flesh, and a flagon of wine. So all the people departed every one to his house. 20 T Then David returned to bless his household. And Michal the daughter of Saul came out to meet David, and said, How glorious was the king of Israel today, who uncovered himself to-day in the eyes of the handmaids of his servants, as one of the vain fellows 10 shamelessly uncovereth himself! 21 And David said to Michal, It was before the LORD, who chose me before thy father, and before all his house, to appoint me ruler over the people of the LORD, Over Israel: therefore will I play before the LORD. 22 And I shall yet be more vile than thus, and shall be base in my own sight: and 11 by the maid-servants which thou hast spoken of, by them shall I be had in honor. 23 Therefore Michal the daughter of Saul had no child until the day of her death. CHAP. VII. 1 Nathan first approving the purpose of Da vid to build God a house, 4 after, by the word of God, forbiddeth him. 12 He promiseth him benefits and blessings in his seed. 18 Da vid's prayer and thanksgiving. AND it came to pass, & when the king sat in his house, and the LORD had given him rest around from all his enemies; 2 That the king said to Nathan the prophet, See now, I dwell in a house of cedar, but the ark of God dwelleth with 3 And Nathan said to the king, Go, do all that is in thy heart: for the LORD is with thee. 12 ¶ And it was told king David, say-11 or, of the in curtains. ing, The LORD hath blessed the house of Obed-edom, and all that pertaineth to him, because of the ark of God. d So David went and brought up the ark of 4 ¶ And it came to pass that night, that God from the house of Obed-edom into a 1 Chr. 17.1. the word of the LORD came to Nathan, 5 Go and tell my servant David, Thus saith the LORD, Wilt thou build me a house for me to dwell in? 6 Whereas I have not dwelt in any house since the time that I brought the children of Israel out of Egypt, even to this day, but have walked in a tent, and in a tabernacle. 7 In all the places in which I have walked with all the children of Israel have I spoken a word with 2 any of the tribes of Israel, whom I commanded to feed my |