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Abner slays Asahel.

CHAP. III.

Abner revolts to David.

gether wherefore that place was called that three hundred and threescore men Helkath-hazzurim, which is in Gibeon.

17 And there was a very sore battle that day; and Abner was beaten, and the men of Israel, before the servants of David.

died.

32 And they took up Asahel, and buried him in the sepulchre of his father, which was in Beth-lehem. And Joab and his men went all night, and they came to CHAP. III.

18 And there were three sons of Zeruiah there, Joab, and Abishai, and Asa- Hebron at break of day. hel: and Ásahel was as light of foot as a wild roe.

NOW

TOW there was long war between the 19 And Asahel pursued after Abner; house of Saul and the house of Daand in going he turned not to the right vid: but David waxed stronger and hand nor to the left from following Abner. stronger, and the house of Saul waxed 20 Then Abner looked behind him, and weaker and weaker. said, Art thou Asahel? And he answered,

2 ¶ And unto David were sons born in I am. Hebron: and his first-born was Amnon, of 21 And Abner said to him, Turn thee Ahinoam the Jezreelitess; aside to thy right hand or to thy left, and 3 And his second, Chileab, of Abigail lay thee hold on one of the young men, the wife of Nabal the Carmelite; and the and take thee his armour. But Asahel third, Absalom the son of Maacah, the would not turn aside from following him. daughter of Talmai king of Geshur; 22 And Abner said again to Asahel, 4 And the fourth, Adonijah the son of Turn thee aside from following me: where- Haggith; and the fifth, Shephatiah the son fore should I smite thee to the ground? of Abital; how then should I hold up my face to Joab thy brother?

5 And the sixth Ithream, by Eglah David's wife. These were born to David in Hebron.

23 Howbeit he refused to turn aside: wherefore Abner with the hinder end of 6 ¶ And it came to pass, while there the spear smote him under the fifth rib, was war between the house of Saul and that the spear came out behind him; and the house of David, that Abner made he fell down there, and died in the same himself strong for the house of Saul. place and it came to pass, that as many 7 And Saul had a concubine, whose as came the place where Asahel fell name was Rizpah, the daughterof Aiah:and down and died, stood still. Ish-bosheth said to Abner, Wherefore hast thou gone in unto my father's concubine?

24 Joab also and Abishai pursued after Abner and the sun went down when they were come to the hill of Ammah, that leth before Giah, by the way of the wilderness of Gibeon.'"

25 And the children of Benjamin gathered themselves together 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 bid the people return from following their brethren?

27 And Joab said, As God liveth, unless thou hadst spoken, surely then in the morning the people had gone up every one from following his brother.

28 So Joab blew a trumpet, and all the people stood still, and pursued after Israel no more, neither fought they any more.

29 And Abner and his men walked all that night through the plain, and passed over Jordan, and went through all Bith-ron, and they came to Mahanaim.

8 Then was Abner very wroth for the words of Ish-bosheth, and said, Am I a dog's head, which against Judah do shew kindness this day unto 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 unto thee.

13¶ And he said, Well; I will make a league with thee: but one thing I require of thee, that is, Thou shalt not see my 30 And Joab returned from following face, except thou first bring Michal Saul's Abner: and when he had gathered all the daughter, when thou comest to see my face. people together, there lacked of David's 14 And David sent messengers to Ishservants nineteen men, and Asahel. bosheth Saul's son, saying, Deliver me my 31 But the servants of David had smit-wife Michal, which I espoused to me for ten of Benjamin, and of Abner's men, so a hundred foreskins of the Philistines.

Joab kills Abner.

II. SAMUEL. The Israelites mourn for him.

15 And Ish-bosheth sent, and took her fail from the house of Joab one that hath from her husband, even from Phaltiel the an issue, or that is a leper, or that leaneth son of Laish. on a staff, or that falleth on the sword, or

16 And her husband went with her that lacketh bread. along weeping behind her to Bahurim. Then said Abner unto him, Go, return. And he returned.

30 So Joab and Abishai his brother slew Abner, because he had slain their brother Asahel at Gibeon in the battle.

17 And Abner had communication 31 And David said to Joab, and to with the elders of Israel, saying, Ye sought all the people that were with him, Rend for David in times past to be king over you: your clothes, and gird you with sackcloth, 18 Now then do it: for the LORD hath and mourn before Abner. And king Da spoken of David, saying, By the hand of vid himself followed the bier. my servant David I will save my people 32 And they buried Abner in Hebron: Israel out of the hand of the Philistines, and the king lifted up his voice and wept at and out of the hand of all their enemies. the grave of Abner; and all the people wept. 19 And Abner also spake in the ears of 33 And the king lamented over Abner, Benjamin and Abner went also to speak and said, Died Abner as a fool dieth? in the ears of David in Hebron all that 34 Thy hands were not bound, nor thy seemed good to Israel, and that seemed feet put into fetters: as a man falleth begood to the whole house of Benjamin. fore wicked men, so fellest thou. And all 20 So Abner came to David to Hebron, the people wept again over him. and twenty men with him: and David 35 And when all the people came to made Abner, and the men that were with cause David to eat meat while it was yet him, a feast. day, David sware, saying, So do God to 21 And Abner said unto David, I will me, and more also, if I taste bread or augut arise and go, and will gather all Israel else, till the sun be down.

unto my lord the king, that they may make 36 And all the people took notice of it, a league with thee, and that thou mayest and it pleased them: as whatsoever the reign over all that thine heart desireth. king did pleased all the people. And David sent Abner away; and he went in peace.

22 T And behold, the servants of David and Joab came from pursuing a troop, and brought in a great spoil with them but Abner was not with David in Hebron; for he had sent him away, and he was gone in peace.

37 For all the people and all Israel understood that day that it was not of the king to slay Abner the son of Nr.

38 And the king said unto his servants, Know ye not that there is a prince and a great man fallen this day in Israel?

39 And I am this day weak, though anointed king; and these men the sons of Zeruiah be too hard for me. The LORD

23 When Joab and all the host that was with him were come, they told Joab, say- shall reward the doer of evil according to ing, Abner the son of Ner came to the his wickedness. king, and he hath sent him away, and he is gone in peace.

CHAP. IV.

24 Then Joab came to the king, and AND when Saul's son heard that Abner

said, What hast thou done? behold, Abner came unto thee; why is it that thou hast sent him away, and he is quite gone?

25 Thou knowest Abner the son of Ner, that he came to deceive thee, and to know thy going out and thy coming in, and to know all that thou doest.

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 other Rechab the sons of Rimmon a Beerothite, of the children of Benjamin: (for Beeroth also was reckoned to Benjamin:

26 And when Joab was come out from 3 And the Beerothites fled to Gittaim, David, he sent messengers after Abner, and were sojourners there until this day.) which brought him again from the well of 4 And Jonathan, Saul's son, had a son Sirah but David knew it not. that was lame of his feet: he was five years 27 And when Abner was returned to old when the tidings came of Saul and Hebron, Joab took him aside in the gate Jonathan out of Jezreel, and his nurse took to speak with him quietly, and smote him him up, and fled: and it came to pass, as there under the fifth rib that he died, for she made haste to flee, that he fell, and the blood of Asabel his brother. became lame And his name was Mephi

28 T And afterward when David heard bosheth. it, he said, I and my kingdom are guiltless 5 And the sons of Rimmon the Beerothbefore the LORD for ever from the blood of ite, Rechab and Baanah, went, and came Abner the son of Ner: about the heat of the day to the house of 29 Let it rest on the head of Joab, and Ish-bosheth, who lay on a bed at noon. on all his father's house; and let there not 6 And they came thither into the midst

The tribes choose David king.

CHAP. V.

He takes Zion. of the house, as though they would have hold of Zion: the same is the city of David, fetched wheat; and they smote him under 8 And David said on that day, Whosothe fifth rib: and Rechab and Baanah his brother escaped.

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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 gat them away through the plain all night.

ever getteth up to the gutter, and smiteth the Jebusites, and the lame and the blind, that are hated of David's soul, he shall be chief and captain. Wherefore they said, The blind and the lame shall not come into the house.

9 So David dwelt in the fort, and called 8 And they brought the head of Ish- it, The city of David. And David built bosheth unto David to Hebron, and said to round about from Millo and inward. the king, Behold the head of Ish-bosheth 10 And David went on, and grew great,

the son of Saul thine enemy, which sought and the LORD God of hosts was with him. thy life; and the LORD hath avenged my 11 ¶ And Hiram king of Tyre sent meslord the king this day of Saul and of his seed. sengers to David, and cedar-trees, and 9 And David answered Rechab and carpenters, and masons: and they built Baanah his brother, the sons of Rimmon David a house.

the Beerothite, and said unto them, As 12 And David perceived that the LORD the LORD liveth, who hath redeemed my had established him king over Israel, and soul out of all adversity, that he had exalted his kingdom for his

10 When one told me, saying, Behold, people Israel's sake. Saul is dead, (thinking to have brought 13 T And David took him more concugood tidings,) I took hold of him, and slew bines and wives out of Jerusalem, after he him in Ziklag, who thought that I would was come from Hebron: and there were have given him a reward for his tidings: yet sons and daughters born to David.

11 How much more, when wicked men 14 And these be the names of those that have slain a righteous person in his own were born unto him in Jerusalem; Shamhouse upon his bed? shall I not therefore muah, and Shobab, and Nathan, and Solonow require his blood of your hand, and mon, you away from the earth?

take

15 Ibhar also, and Elishua, and Nepheg, 12 And David commanded his young and Japhia. men, and they slew them, and cut off their 16 And Elishama, and Eliada, and Elihands and their feet, and hanged them up over the pool in Hebron. But they took the head of Ish-bosheth, and buried it in the sepulchre of Abner in Hebron.

CHAP. V.

phalet.

17 But when the Philistines heard that they had anointed David king over 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.

HEN came all the tribes of Israel to David unto Hebron, and spake, saying, Behold, we are thy bone and thy flesh. 2 Also in time past, when Saul was king 19 And David inquired of the LORD, over us, thou wast he that leddest out and saying, Shall I go up to the Philistines? broughtest in Israel: and the LORD said wilt thou deliver them into mine hand?

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.

And the LORD said unto David, Go up: for I will doubtless deliver the Philistines into thine hand.

20 And David came to Baal-perazim, and David smote them there, and said, The LORD hath broken forth upon mine enemies before me, as the breach of waters. Therefore he called the name of that place Baal-perazim.

21 And there they left their images, 5 In Hebron he reigned over Judah and David and his men burned them. seven years and six months: and in Jerusalem he reigned thirty and three years over all Israel and Judah.

22 And the Philistines came up yet again, and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim.

6 And the king and his men went to 23 And when David inquired of the Jerusalem unto the Jebusites the inhabit- LORD, he said, Thou shalt not go up: but ants of the land: which spake unto Da- fetch a compass behind them, and come vid, saying, Except thou take away the upon them over against the mulberry-trees. blind and the lame, thou shalt not come in 24 And let it be, when thou hearest the hither: thinking, David cannot come in sound of a going in the tops of the mulber hither. ry-trees, that then thou shalt bestir thy7 Nevertheless, David took the strong self: for then shall the LORD go out be

David brings the ark

II. SAMUEL.

from Kirjath-jearim.

fore thee, to smite the host of the Philis- 15 So David and all the house of Israel tines. brought up the ark of the LORD with shout25 And David did so as the LORD had ing, and with the sound of the trumpet. commanded him; and smote the Philis- 16 And as the ark of the LORD came tines from Geba until thou come to Gazer. into the city of David, Michal Saul's daughter looked through a window, and saw king David leaping and dancing be

sand.

CHAP. VI.
GAIN, David gathered together all

her heart.

2 And David arose, and went with all 17 ¶ And they brought in the ark of the the people that were with him from Baale LORD, and set it in his place, in the midst of of Judah, to bring up from thence the ark the tabernacle that David had pitched for of God, whose name is called by the name it: and David offered burnt-offerings and of The LORD of hosts that dwelleth between peace-offerings before the LORD.

the cherubims.

3 And they set the ark of God upon a new cart, and brought it out of the house of Abinadab that was in Gibeah: and Uzzah and Ahio the sons of Abinadab drave the new cart.

18 And as soon as David had made an end of offering burnt-offerings and peaceofferings, he blessed the people in the name of the LORD of hosts.

19 And he dealt among all the people, even among the whole multitude of Israel, 4 And they brought it out of the house as well to the women as men, to every one of Abinadab, which was at Gibeah, accom- a cake of bread, and a good piece of flesh, panying the ark of God: and Ahio went and a flagon of wine. So all the people before the ark. departed every one to his house.

5 And David and all the house of Israel 20 T Then David returned to bless his played before the LORD on all manner of household. And Michal the daughter of instruments made of fir-wood, even on Saul, came out to meet David, and said, harps, and on psalteries, and on timbrels, How glorious was the king of Israel to-day, and on cornets, and on cymbals. who uncovered himself to-day in the eyes 6 And when they came to Nachon's of the handmaids of his servants, as one of threshing-floor, Uzzah put forth his hand the vain fellows shamelessly uncovereth to the ark of God, and took hold of it: for himself!

the oxen shook it.

21 And David said unto Michal, It was 7 And the anger of the LORD was kin- before the LORD, which chose me before dled against Uzzah, and God smote him thy father, and before all his house, to apthere for his error; and there he died by point me ruler over the people of the LORD, the ark of God. over Israel: therefore will I play before

8 And David was displeased, because the LORD. the LORD had made a breach upon Uzzah: 22 And I will yet be more vile than thus, and he called the name of the place Perez-and will be base in mine own sight: and uzzah to this day. of the maid-servants which thou hast spoken 9 And David was afraid of the LORD of, of them shall I be had in honour. that day, and said, How shall the ark of the LORD come to me?

10 So David would not remove the ark

23 Therefore Michal the daughter of Saul had no child until the day of her death. CHAP. VII.

of the LORD unto him into the city of Da-At in his house, and the LORD had ND it came to pass, when the king

vid: but David carried it aside into the house of Obed-edom the Gittite.

given him rest round about from all his

11 And the ark of the LORD continued enemies, in the house of Obed-edom the Gittite 2 That the king said unto Nathan the three months: and the LORD blessed Obed-prophet, See now, I dwell in an house of edom and all his household. cedar, but the ark of God dwelleth within

12 ¶ And it was told king David, say-curtains. ing, The LORD hath blessed the house of 3 And Nathan said to the king, Go, do Obed-edom, and all that pertaineth unto all that is in thine heart: for the LORD is him, because of the ark of God. So Da- with thee.

vid went and brought up the ark of God 4 And it came to pass that night, that from the house of Obed-edom into the city the word of the LORD came unto Nathan, of David with gladness.

saying,

13 And it was so, that when they that 5 Go and tell my servant David,Thus bare the ark of the LORD had gone six saith the LORD, Shalt thou build me an paces, he sacrificed oxen and fatlings. house for me to dwell in?

14 And David danced before the LORD with all his might; and David was girded with a linen ephod.

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6 Whereas I have not dwelt in any house since the time that I brought up the chil dren of Israel out of Egypt, even to this

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David's prayer and thanksgiving. CHAP. VIII.

He smites Hadadezer. day, but have walked in a tent and in a God: for there is none like thee, neither is tabernacle. there any God besides thee, according to

7 In all the places wherein I have walked all that we have heard with our ears. with all the children of Israel spake I a word 23 And what one nation in the earth is with any of the tribes of Israel, whom I com-like thy people, even like Israel, whom manded to feed my people Israel, saying, God went to redeem for a people to himWhy build ye not me a house of cedar? self, and to make him a name, and to do 8 Now therefore, so shalt thou say unto for you great things and terrible, for thy my servant David, Thus saith the LORD of land, before thy people which thou rehosts, I took thee from the sheep-cote, from deemedst to thee from Egypt, from the following the sheep, to be ruler over my nations and their gods? people, over Israel:

24 For thou hast confirmed to thyself thy people Israel to be a people unto thee for ever: and thou, LORD, art become their God. 25 And now, O LORD God, the word that thou hast spoken concerning thy servant, and concerning his house, establish 10 Moreover, I will appoint a place for it for ever, and do as thou hast said. my people Israel, and will plant them, that 26 And let thy name be magnified for they may dwell in a place of their own, ever, saying, The LORD of hosts is the God and move no more; neither shall the chil-over Israel: and let the house of thy serdren of wickedness afflict them any more vant David be established before thee. as before-time,

9 And I was with thee whithersoever thou wentest, and have cut off all thine enemies out of thy sight, and have made thee a great name, like unto the name of the great men that are in the earth.

11 And as since the time that I commanded judges to be over my people Israel, and caused thee to rest from all thine enemies. Also the LORD telleth thee that he will make thee a house.

27 For thou, O LORD of hosts, God of Israel, hast revealed to thy servant, saying, I will build thee an house: therefore hath thy servant found in his heart to pray this prayer unto thee.

28 And now, O LORD God, thou art that 12 T And when thy days be fulfilled, God, and thy words be true, and thou hast and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, I will promised this goodness unto thy servant: set up thy seed after thee, which shall pro- 29 Therefore now let it please thee to ceed out of thy bowels, and I will esta-bless the house of thy servant, that it may blish his kingdom. continue for ever before thee: for thou, LORD God, hast spoken it: and with thy blessing let the house of thy servant be blessed for ever.

13 He shall build a house for my name, and I will stablish the throne of his kingdom for ever.

14 I will be his father, and he shall be my son. If he commit iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men, and with

the stripes of the children of men :

15 But my mercy shall not depart away from him, as I took it from Saul, whom 1 put away before thee.

16 And thy house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before thee: thy throne shall be established for ever.

17 According to all these words, and according to all this vision, so did Nathan speak unto David.

18 Then went king David in, and sat before the LORD, and he said, Who am I, O LORD God? and what is my house, that thou hast brought me hitherto;

CHAP. VIII.

AND after this it came to pass, that Da

vid smote the Philistines, and subdued them and David took Metheg-ammah out of the hand of the Philistines.

2 And he smote Moab, and measured them with a line, casting them down to the ground; even with two lines measured he to put to death, and with one full line to keep alive. And so the Moabites became David's servants, and brought gifts.

3 David smote also Hadadezer, the son of Rehob, king of Zobah, as he went to recover his border at the river Euphrates.

4 And David took from him a thousand chariots, and seven hundred horsemen, and twenty thousand footmen: and David 19 And this was yet a small thing in thy houghed all the chariot-horses, but reservsight, O LORD God; but thou hast spoken ed of them for a hundred chariots. also of thy servant's house for a great while 5 And when the Syrians of Damascus to come. And is this the manner of man, came to succour Hadadezer king of Zobali, O LORD God? David slew of the Syrians two and twenty thousand men.

20 And what can David say more unto thee? for thou, LORD God, knowest thy

servant.

6 Then David put garrisons in Syria of Damascus: and the Syrians became ser21 For thy word's sake, and according vants to David, and brought gifts. And to thine own heart, hast thou done all these the LORD preserved David whithersoever great things, to make thy servant know them. he went.

22 Wherefore thou art great, O LORD! 7 And David took the shields of gold that

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