As the men were arguing about who loved David more a young upstart named Sheba sounded the trumpet and shouted his denial of David to the men of Israel. So the men of Israel deserted David to follow Sheba, while the men of Judah remained with David and escorted him home to Jerusalem. When he got there he took the 10 concubines he had left to take care of the palace (the same women who had been defiled by Absalom) and put them in a house under guard. There they were confined until the day of their death.
David sent his army to go fight against Sheba and the Israelites. A man named Amasa was sent by David to summon the men. He took too long and David believed that Sheba would do more harm before they could get there. When Joab and his men caught up to Amasa, Joab stabbed him killing him and left him in the road with his guts hanging out. Finally someone moved his body off the road becaue everyone kept stopping to look at the body and slowed everyone down. (Rubberneckers) They surrounded Sheba and the men of Israel who were inside a town. As they were preparing to enter the city by force a wise woman came forward and asked to speak to Joab. He went to listen to her. She told him the history of her town, that it was an ancient place to find a solution to problems. She asked Joab why he wanted to destroy it. He told her he didn't want to, but he wanted Sheba because he was making trouble. So the woman told him that Sheba's head would be thrown from a wall. The wise woman went to tell her people what had been agreed to, they cut off Sheba's head, threw it to Joab, he sounded the trumpet and they left. Joab brought the head to David in Jerusalem.
There was a famine for three years in a row. During that time, David would try to ask what the Lord would have them do. He would not answer. Eventually the Lord told David that it was because of the Gibeonites and the way Saul had brutalized them. So David sent for the Gibeonites to talk with them about how to make amends. The Gibeonites asked for 7 of Saul's male descendants to die for the sins of Saul. David agreed. He did not give them Mephibosheth the son of Jonathan because of his oath to protect him, but he gave them 2 sons of Saul's and 5 of his grandsons. Their father was the son of Barzillai who had brought the provisions to David. They killed them and hung them where they could be seen by everyone on a hillside. Rizpah, the widow of Saul guarded the bodies for months to keep the birds from feeding on them. When David heard what she had done, he took the bones of Saul, Jonathan as well as the 7 and had them buried in the tomb of Saul's father.
The Philistines were at it again and almost succeeded in killing David. He was rescued by Abishai and all the men told David not to come to the battles anymore. They weren't willing to risk his life. There were more wars with the Philistines and no matter how intimidating the foes were, David's men defeated them.
Chapter 22 is a beautiful poem of praise by David to the Lord. I especially like verses 26-29:
You are always loyal to your loyal people, and you are faithful to the faithful.
With all who are sincere you are sincere,
but you treat the unfaithful as their deeds deserve.
You rescue the humble, but you look for ways to put down the proud.
Our Lord and God, you are my lamp.
You turn darkness to light. CEV
Tomorrow read 2Samuel 22:35-24:17
20100406
April 6, 2010 2Samuel 17-19
Absalom was listening to suggestions from his advisors about what to do next. He took the advice given by David's spy, Hushai. This was too much for Ahithophel to bear and he hanged himself. The Lord deliberately confused Absalom and his troops. All the men of Israel gathered to go to war against David and his men. People helped David's spies stay safe by hiding them in an empty well. When David arrived at a place called Mahanaim, people met his party with bedding, food and drink for everyone.
David organized his army into groups of 100 and 1000. The men marched out, leaving David at the gate of the town because they thought it best for him to stay alive. The battle took place in the forest of Ephraim. The army of Israel was defeated by David's men. David had asked his men to try and spare Absalom. As Absalom was riding his mule his head became stuck in the branches of an oak tree and he got stuck while the donkey kept going. So there he was dangling from the tree by the head. The soldiers had heard David's request to spare Absalom and didn't want to hurt him. When Joab found out where Absalom was he speared him with three javelins in the heart while he was dangling from the tree. Then 10 of Joab's armor bearers struck him and killed him. Joab sounded the trumpet halting the attack on the Israelites. They took Absalom's body and threw it into a big pit and threw stones in to cover him. Meanwhile all the Israelites beet feet to get back to their homes. The pillar Absalom had erected as a monument to himself was still there at the time this part of the bible was written.
A messenger was sent to tell David about the death of his son. Then another man wanted to run too. The second one got there first, but didn't tell him about his son. Then the other one arrived and delivered the sad news to David. When David heard the news that Absalom was dead he was badly shaken and he went up to the room over the gate and wept and mourned.
When Joab heard that David was mourning Absalom he went to talk to him, because this overshadowed the victory won by all the soldiers, and it was a slap in the face to the men who had risked their lives to defend David and his family. He told David that he loved those who hated him (Absalom) and hated those who loved him (his army and the whole tribe of Judah.) So David stopped crying and sat at the gate.
Israel and Judah wanted David back as their king. So David started back to Jerusalem. As he went on his way, people began to join him. People helped him cross the Jordan River and bowed down to him. Ziba the chief servant of Saul's family joined them. Mephibosheth the crippled grandson of Saul also joined David. He had missed David so much that he hadn't bathed, trimmed his beard, or washed his clothes. When David asked him why he didn't go with him, he told him that his servant had left him behind and lied about him. David told him he would split Ziba's property between him and Ziba. But he told David that he didn't care about the property and Ziba could have it all since he was so happy that David was all right.
Barzillai, a wealthy 80 year old from Mahanaim was responsible for the delivery of food, drink, and bedding sent to David. Even he came out to meet David who wanted him to come to Jerusalem and stay with him. But he said he was too old and he declined. He wished him well and returned home.
Israel and Judah argued about who loved David more. Oh boy!
Tomorrow read 2Samuel 20-22:34
David organized his army into groups of 100 and 1000. The men marched out, leaving David at the gate of the town because they thought it best for him to stay alive. The battle took place in the forest of Ephraim. The army of Israel was defeated by David's men. David had asked his men to try and spare Absalom. As Absalom was riding his mule his head became stuck in the branches of an oak tree and he got stuck while the donkey kept going. So there he was dangling from the tree by the head. The soldiers had heard David's request to spare Absalom and didn't want to hurt him. When Joab found out where Absalom was he speared him with three javelins in the heart while he was dangling from the tree. Then 10 of Joab's armor bearers struck him and killed him. Joab sounded the trumpet halting the attack on the Israelites. They took Absalom's body and threw it into a big pit and threw stones in to cover him. Meanwhile all the Israelites beet feet to get back to their homes. The pillar Absalom had erected as a monument to himself was still there at the time this part of the bible was written.
A messenger was sent to tell David about the death of his son. Then another man wanted to run too. The second one got there first, but didn't tell him about his son. Then the other one arrived and delivered the sad news to David. When David heard the news that Absalom was dead he was badly shaken and he went up to the room over the gate and wept and mourned.
When Joab heard that David was mourning Absalom he went to talk to him, because this overshadowed the victory won by all the soldiers, and it was a slap in the face to the men who had risked their lives to defend David and his family. He told David that he loved those who hated him (Absalom) and hated those who loved him (his army and the whole tribe of Judah.) So David stopped crying and sat at the gate.
Israel and Judah wanted David back as their king. So David started back to Jerusalem. As he went on his way, people began to join him. People helped him cross the Jordan River and bowed down to him. Ziba the chief servant of Saul's family joined them. Mephibosheth the crippled grandson of Saul also joined David. He had missed David so much that he hadn't bathed, trimmed his beard, or washed his clothes. When David asked him why he didn't go with him, he told him that his servant had left him behind and lied about him. David told him he would split Ziba's property between him and Ziba. But he told David that he didn't care about the property and Ziba could have it all since he was so happy that David was all right.
Barzillai, a wealthy 80 year old from Mahanaim was responsible for the delivery of food, drink, and bedding sent to David. Even he came out to meet David who wanted him to come to Jerusalem and stay with him. But he said he was too old and he declined. He wished him well and returned home.
Israel and Judah argued about who loved David more. Oh boy!
Tomorrow read 2Samuel 20-22:34
20100405
April 5, 2010 2Samuel 14-16
Joab knew that David longed for his son Absalom. He had a woman pretend to be a widow in mourning because her two sons had a fight and one killed the other, and everyone wanted him dead too, leaving her destitute. David told her he would protect her son. Then she asked to speak and told David the rest of what Joab had told her to say which was if the king could save her son, couldn't he also save his own? Then David became wise to what was going on and asked if Joab was involved to which she replied that there was no pulling the wool over his eyes. Then David told Joab that he would bring Absalom back. Then Joab bowed down and thanked David.
So Joab brought Absalom back to Jerusalem. However, David wouldn't see him. He made him live in his own house. Absalom was a very handsome man, with thick rich hair. He had 3 sons and a daughter named Tamar, who became a beautiful woman.
Absalom became impatient that after 2 years, he still hadn't seen David. He sent for Joab twice and he refused to come, so he set Joab's barley field on fire. That got Joab's attention and he came to see Absalom. Joab asked why he set his field on fire and Absalom told him he did it because Joab wouldn't come. Then he asked Joab to find out when he could see David. So Joab went to the king and told him that his son told him to put him to death if he was guilty. Then David sent for Absalom and they were reunited.
Time passed and Absalom started a campaign to win the hearts of the people. He got a chariot and horses and 50 men to go ahead of him. He waited by the gate and when people would come through on their way to issue a complaint to David, Absalom would tell them that he would listen to them if he were made judge. He kissed everyone and gave them love and support and they lapped it up. After 4 years, he told David that he'd made a promise to the Lord that if he were welcomed back to Jerusalem, he would go to Hebron to worship God. So David told him to go in peace. So he went.
The conspiracy gained strength when Absalom sent secret messages all throughout Israel that when they heard the trumpets they were to name Absalom king in Hebron. Absalom had been accompanied by 200 men from Jerusalem who didn't know about Absalom's plan. Absalom summoned a counselor of David's to join him, and his conspiracy gained strength.
When David heard about this he thought that he would not escape Absalom. David set out with his whole household, but left 10 of his concubines to take care of the palace. On the way he urged Ittai the Gittite who had just arrived the day before from his own country to stay behind and be comfortable, since he didn't know where he was going. Ittai told him that wherever David went there he would go too. So David told him to go on ahead of him with his men. When people saw the king leaving, they all wept. They had brought the ark of God with them, but David told them to take it back to its place in the city. David would accept whatever God had intended for him. David climbed up the Mount of Olives with the people that were with him, all with their heads covered and weeping. When he reached the summit his friend, Hushai, was there waiting for him. David asked him to return to the city and get word to him about what was going on. Hushai arrived just as Absalom was entering the city.
As they were coming down the other side of the mountain, they met Ziba the steward of Saul's crippled grandson. He had donkeys, bread, fruit and wine for the tired travelers. When he told David that Mephibosheth believed that he would now be the king, David gave all Mephibosheth's property to Ziba.
As they traveled, a man came out shouting curses at David and throwing stones. Joab's brother Abishai wanted to go kill the man, but David forbade him because the man might be speaking words of God. They continued on their way.
By this time Absalom met Hushai, David's friend. Hushai successfully fooled Absalom that he was there to support whoever was in charge.
A man named Ahithophel (don't ask me how to say that one!) gave such good advice that people thought he was speaking from God. He told Absalom that he should humiliate his father and have sex with his concubines. On the roof where everyone could watch, that is just what he did. Making Nathan's prophecy in chapter 12 verses 11-12 true. All because David killed Uriah the Hittite so he could have Bathsheba for his wife.
Tomorrow read 2Samuel 14-16
So Joab brought Absalom back to Jerusalem. However, David wouldn't see him. He made him live in his own house. Absalom was a very handsome man, with thick rich hair. He had 3 sons and a daughter named Tamar, who became a beautiful woman.
Absalom became impatient that after 2 years, he still hadn't seen David. He sent for Joab twice and he refused to come, so he set Joab's barley field on fire. That got Joab's attention and he came to see Absalom. Joab asked why he set his field on fire and Absalom told him he did it because Joab wouldn't come. Then he asked Joab to find out when he could see David. So Joab went to the king and told him that his son told him to put him to death if he was guilty. Then David sent for Absalom and they were reunited.
Time passed and Absalom started a campaign to win the hearts of the people. He got a chariot and horses and 50 men to go ahead of him. He waited by the gate and when people would come through on their way to issue a complaint to David, Absalom would tell them that he would listen to them if he were made judge. He kissed everyone and gave them love and support and they lapped it up. After 4 years, he told David that he'd made a promise to the Lord that if he were welcomed back to Jerusalem, he would go to Hebron to worship God. So David told him to go in peace. So he went.
The conspiracy gained strength when Absalom sent secret messages all throughout Israel that when they heard the trumpets they were to name Absalom king in Hebron. Absalom had been accompanied by 200 men from Jerusalem who didn't know about Absalom's plan. Absalom summoned a counselor of David's to join him, and his conspiracy gained strength.
When David heard about this he thought that he would not escape Absalom. David set out with his whole household, but left 10 of his concubines to take care of the palace. On the way he urged Ittai the Gittite who had just arrived the day before from his own country to stay behind and be comfortable, since he didn't know where he was going. Ittai told him that wherever David went there he would go too. So David told him to go on ahead of him with his men. When people saw the king leaving, they all wept. They had brought the ark of God with them, but David told them to take it back to its place in the city. David would accept whatever God had intended for him. David climbed up the Mount of Olives with the people that were with him, all with their heads covered and weeping. When he reached the summit his friend, Hushai, was there waiting for him. David asked him to return to the city and get word to him about what was going on. Hushai arrived just as Absalom was entering the city.
As they were coming down the other side of the mountain, they met Ziba the steward of Saul's crippled grandson. He had donkeys, bread, fruit and wine for the tired travelers. When he told David that Mephibosheth believed that he would now be the king, David gave all Mephibosheth's property to Ziba.
As they traveled, a man came out shouting curses at David and throwing stones. Joab's brother Abishai wanted to go kill the man, but David forbade him because the man might be speaking words of God. They continued on their way.
By this time Absalom met Hushai, David's friend. Hushai successfully fooled Absalom that he was there to support whoever was in charge.
A man named Ahithophel (don't ask me how to say that one!) gave such good advice that people thought he was speaking from God. He told Absalom that he should humiliate his father and have sex with his concubines. On the roof where everyone could watch, that is just what he did. Making Nathan's prophecy in chapter 12 verses 11-12 true. All because David killed Uriah the Hittite so he could have Bathsheba for his wife.
Tomorrow read 2Samuel 14-16
20100404
April 4, 2010 2Samuel 11-13 Happy Easter!
One spring, David awoke from a nap and went out on the roof of his palace for a walk. Down below on her own terrace, a very beautiful woman named Bathsheba was taking a bath. David sent a servant to find out who she was. The servant returned and told him her name and that she was the wife of Uriah the Hittite. He sent a servant to bring her to him and he slept with her. She went back home and some time later David received a message that she was pregnant. David schemed to get Uriah to come home and sleep with her so he would think the baby was his. Uriah came to David, but he wouldn't go home and be comfortable while all his fellow soldiers were living in hardship. So David fell back on plan B, which was to have Uriah placed on the front lines where he would be sure to be killed. That's what happened. When Bathsheba found out that her husband was dead, she mourned him. When the period of mourning was over, David sent for her and she became his wife and bore him a son. The Lord was displeased with what David had done.
God sent Nathan the prophet to tell David how displeased he was. Nathan told David a story about a man who took another man's only lamb to eat because he didn't want to kill one of his own. The story made David mad that the man would treat the other so unfairly. Nathan told David that he was the selfish man in the story. Because of this God told David that he and his family would never live in peace, someone from his own family would make a lot of trouble for him, and God would give another man David's wives and he would go to bed with them while everyone watched, and his newborn son would die. But the Lord would spare David's life. David's son became sick. David did everything he could think of to show God how sorry he was and thought maybe God would spare the baby's life after all. But it didn't work and the child died. David comforted his wife Bathsheba. Later they had a son named Solomon. Nathan the prophet told David that the Lord would call the baby Jedidiah.
Joab was about to conquer Ammon. He sent word to David that he'd better get down there to finish the war or everyone would remember that Joab had conquered Ammon rather than David. So David went and finished the job and put the people to work making bricks. Then he went home.
David had a beautiful daughter named Tamar. His son, Amnon, her half-brother was in love with her and wanted her. Amnon's friend, also his cousin, Jonadab was one of those people who always know how to get what they want and told him to pretend he was sick, ask David to have Tamar come and prepare him food and then seduce her. It went too far and Amnon raped Tamar. As if that weren't bad enough, the jerk threw her out of the house in disgrace afterward. When Tamar's brother Absalom heard what Amnon had done to Tamar he was very angry and hated Amnon. David would not discipline his son. Absalom bided his time and two years went by. Then Absalom hosted a party during sheep shearing time and invited David and his sons. David didn't go, but Absalom convinced him to have the boys come over. He prepared a banquet fit for a king and when Amnon got a little drunk he had his servants kill Amnon. The other boys hopped on their donkeys and went home. Gossip flew that all the sons had been killed, but Jonadab cleverly smoothed things over saying that only Amnon was dead; then the rest of the sons arrived. David mourned the death of his son.
Tomorrow read 2Samuel 14-16
God sent Nathan the prophet to tell David how displeased he was. Nathan told David a story about a man who took another man's only lamb to eat because he didn't want to kill one of his own. The story made David mad that the man would treat the other so unfairly. Nathan told David that he was the selfish man in the story. Because of this God told David that he and his family would never live in peace, someone from his own family would make a lot of trouble for him, and God would give another man David's wives and he would go to bed with them while everyone watched, and his newborn son would die. But the Lord would spare David's life. David's son became sick. David did everything he could think of to show God how sorry he was and thought maybe God would spare the baby's life after all. But it didn't work and the child died. David comforted his wife Bathsheba. Later they had a son named Solomon. Nathan the prophet told David that the Lord would call the baby Jedidiah.
Joab was about to conquer Ammon. He sent word to David that he'd better get down there to finish the war or everyone would remember that Joab had conquered Ammon rather than David. So David went and finished the job and put the people to work making bricks. Then he went home.
David had a beautiful daughter named Tamar. His son, Amnon, her half-brother was in love with her and wanted her. Amnon's friend, also his cousin, Jonadab was one of those people who always know how to get what they want and told him to pretend he was sick, ask David to have Tamar come and prepare him food and then seduce her. It went too far and Amnon raped Tamar. As if that weren't bad enough, the jerk threw her out of the house in disgrace afterward. When Tamar's brother Absalom heard what Amnon had done to Tamar he was very angry and hated Amnon. David would not discipline his son. Absalom bided his time and two years went by. Then Absalom hosted a party during sheep shearing time and invited David and his sons. David didn't go, but Absalom convinced him to have the boys come over. He prepared a banquet fit for a king and when Amnon got a little drunk he had his servants kill Amnon. The other boys hopped on their donkeys and went home. Gossip flew that all the sons had been killed, but Jonadab cleverly smoothed things over saying that only Amnon was dead; then the rest of the sons arrived. David mourned the death of his son.
Tomorrow read 2Samuel 14-16
20100403
April 3, 2010 2Samuel 6:12-ch10
David heard about the blessings of Obed-Edom and changed his mind about the ark. He went and got the ark and again the parade ensued and he danced with all his might as the ark traveled to its new home in the City of David. Michal, Saul's daughter watched David from a window and was all 'real housewives' about it. She told David she didn't like the way he acted and he told her that he would make a fool out of himself to God and people would love him for it. She never had any kids - which might be a good thing...
David enjoyed peace for a while. He was comfortable in his palace and realized that the ark of God was in a tent. A prophet named Nathan told him to go ahead with whatever he had in mind because the Lord was with him. That night the word of the Lord came to Nathan. God reminded David that he had never in all that time asked for a palace of cedar to be built for Him. That He had brought David in from the pasture from his flocks and made him king. That wherever David went God helped him and destroyed his enemies. God promised David that his descendents would be kings and when David's life was over, He would make one of his sons a great ruler and he would be the one to build a temple for God, and that God would love him always. David went into the tent before the ark to pray. He thanked God for all the blessings he had been given and would be given in the future.
David had many military successes in the following years. He defeated the Philistines. He defeated the Moabites and had them lay down on the ground and took a rope and measured two lentgths and killed those men, then lay down one lentgh and let those live. David became their ruler. David won decisive victories over many nations and his kingdom prospered.
Jonathan, David's friend who had died with his father in battle had a son who was crippled. When David heard about him he wanted to do something to help him. He had him come to the palace and become part of his family. He ate at the table with David and his family. David restored his lands to him and gave him servants.
When the king of the Ammonites died, David wanted to be kind to the new king and sent a delegation. The new king became suspicious of their motives and humiliated them by shaving their beards and cutting off their clothes just at hip level creating a little too much ventilation (if you catch my drift...) Anyhoo, when David found out about it he sent the army to respond. The Arameans came to help the Ammonites fight against the army of David. Long story short, David won, tens of thousands of Ammonites and Arameans died, and the Arameans were afraid to help the Ammonites any more.
Tomorrow read 2Samuel 11-13
David enjoyed peace for a while. He was comfortable in his palace and realized that the ark of God was in a tent. A prophet named Nathan told him to go ahead with whatever he had in mind because the Lord was with him. That night the word of the Lord came to Nathan. God reminded David that he had never in all that time asked for a palace of cedar to be built for Him. That He had brought David in from the pasture from his flocks and made him king. That wherever David went God helped him and destroyed his enemies. God promised David that his descendents would be kings and when David's life was over, He would make one of his sons a great ruler and he would be the one to build a temple for God, and that God would love him always. David went into the tent before the ark to pray. He thanked God for all the blessings he had been given and would be given in the future.
David had many military successes in the following years. He defeated the Philistines. He defeated the Moabites and had them lay down on the ground and took a rope and measured two lentgths and killed those men, then lay down one lentgh and let those live. David became their ruler. David won decisive victories over many nations and his kingdom prospered.
Jonathan, David's friend who had died with his father in battle had a son who was crippled. When David heard about him he wanted to do something to help him. He had him come to the palace and become part of his family. He ate at the table with David and his family. David restored his lands to him and gave him servants.
When the king of the Ammonites died, David wanted to be kind to the new king and sent a delegation. The new king became suspicious of their motives and humiliated them by shaving their beards and cutting off their clothes just at hip level creating a little too much ventilation (if you catch my drift...) Anyhoo, when David found out about it he sent the army to respond. The Arameans came to help the Ammonites fight against the army of David. Long story short, David won, tens of thousands of Ammonites and Arameans died, and the Arameans were afraid to help the Ammonites any more.
Tomorrow read 2Samuel 11-13
20100402
April 2, 2010 2Samuel 3-6:11
The house of David warred with the house of Saul for a long time. David became stronger and stronger, while the house of Saul grew weaker. By this time David had 6
sons from as many wives.
Abner the commander of Saul's army went to visit David. On the way, Abner then went to the elders of Israel to encourage them to make David the king over Israel. Then he and David made a peace treaty with each other. The brother of Asahel, Joab was very angry that David was no longer the enemy of the man who had killed his brother, so Joab killed Abner. When David found out about it he declared that he and his family were innocent concerning the blood of Abner. David tore his clothes and wept aloud as they buried Abner.
Saul's son Ish-Bosheth, became disheartened when he heard that Abner was dead. Two of him men made it their business to put him out of his misery. They went into his house in the heat of the day, during nap time and stabbed him in his bed. They cut off his head and brought it to David. David was not pleased at all! He did the same to these two as he had done with the man who said he killed Saul. He buried the head in Abner's tomb at Hebron.
The elders of Israel came to Hebron and anointed David king at the age of 30. He reigned for a total of 40 years.
David went to Jerusalem and conquered the Jebusites who inhabited the city. He took up residence in the fortress there and called it the City of David. He became more powerful because the Lord was with him. Hiram the king of Tyre sent him cypress logs and craftspeople to build David a palace. David took more concubines and wives in Jerusalem and had 11 more children.
When the Philistines heard that David was the anointed king of Israel, they went to fight him. David asked God if he should go and attack the Philistines, and God said that He would hand them over to him. The Philistines were defeated, but that did not stop them from trying again. David inquired of the Lord what he should do and again the Lord told him that he should fight, but this time to circle around the Philistines and wait for the signal that the Lord would give him so he would know that the Lord had struck the Philistine army. David obeyed the Lord and drove the Philistines away.
David brought 30,000 chosen men to bring the ark of God from Abinadab's house to Jerusalem. They traveled in parade fashion with mighty celebrating, with cymbals, harps, tambourines and the like. Two of Abinadab's sons were using a new cart to carry the ark and one of the oxen stumbled. So Uzzah one of the sons, reached out and took the ark. The Lord was very angry at this irreverent act, and Uzzah died right there beside the ark. This made David angry and afraid of God that day. He decided not to bring the ark to Jerusalem and put it in the house of Obed-Edom the Gittite where it stayed for 3 months. During that time Obed-Edom and his entire household were very blessed by the Lord.
Tomorrow read 2Samuel 6:12-10:19
sons from as many wives.
Abner the commander of Saul's army went to visit David. On the way, Abner then went to the elders of Israel to encourage them to make David the king over Israel. Then he and David made a peace treaty with each other. The brother of Asahel, Joab was very angry that David was no longer the enemy of the man who had killed his brother, so Joab killed Abner. When David found out about it he declared that he and his family were innocent concerning the blood of Abner. David tore his clothes and wept aloud as they buried Abner.
Saul's son Ish-Bosheth, became disheartened when he heard that Abner was dead. Two of him men made it their business to put him out of his misery. They went into his house in the heat of the day, during nap time and stabbed him in his bed. They cut off his head and brought it to David. David was not pleased at all! He did the same to these two as he had done with the man who said he killed Saul. He buried the head in Abner's tomb at Hebron.
The elders of Israel came to Hebron and anointed David king at the age of 30. He reigned for a total of 40 years.
David went to Jerusalem and conquered the Jebusites who inhabited the city. He took up residence in the fortress there and called it the City of David. He became more powerful because the Lord was with him. Hiram the king of Tyre sent him cypress logs and craftspeople to build David a palace. David took more concubines and wives in Jerusalem and had 11 more children.
When the Philistines heard that David was the anointed king of Israel, they went to fight him. David asked God if he should go and attack the Philistines, and God said that He would hand them over to him. The Philistines were defeated, but that did not stop them from trying again. David inquired of the Lord what he should do and again the Lord told him that he should fight, but this time to circle around the Philistines and wait for the signal that the Lord would give him so he would know that the Lord had struck the Philistine army. David obeyed the Lord and drove the Philistines away.
David brought 30,000 chosen men to bring the ark of God from Abinadab's house to Jerusalem. They traveled in parade fashion with mighty celebrating, with cymbals, harps, tambourines and the like. Two of Abinadab's sons were using a new cart to carry the ark and one of the oxen stumbled. So Uzzah one of the sons, reached out and took the ark. The Lord was very angry at this irreverent act, and Uzzah died right there beside the ark. This made David angry and afraid of God that day. He decided not to bring the ark to Jerusalem and put it in the house of Obed-Edom the Gittite where it stayed for 3 months. During that time Obed-Edom and his entire household were very blessed by the Lord.
Tomorrow read 2Samuel 6:12-10:19
20100401
April 1, 2010 Finish 1Samuel read 2Sam ch1&2
Maybe it was an April Fool's trick than wasn't funny, but my blog failed to behave properly last night. So far it's working today. Luckily most of it saved, so I didn't have to do the entire thing over again! Thank You Lord!!!
David and his men came across an Egyptian slave who had been left behind because he was sick. They gave him food and water and he was revived. David asked him who he was, and found out that he had been with the raiding party that had razed and plundered Ziklag. The slave asked them not to turn him over to his master, and in exchange, he told them everything. They went down and fought them and got back everyone and everything. Two hundred men had been too exhausted to continue all the way to rescue their families and had to stop and wait beside a river. When David and the entourage arrived at the place where they waited, the men who had fought didn't want the 200 men to have anything. But David insisted that they would all share and share alike. When they got back to Ziklag, David sent some of the plunder to the elders of Judah as a present.
Saul and his army fought the Philistines. It was a mighty battle. Soon three of Saul's sons, Jonathan, Abinadab and Malki-Shua were killed. Saul had taken heavy damage from the arrows of the archers, critically wounding him. He told his armor-bearer to kill him, but he couldn't do it. So he fell on his own sword and died. Then the armor-bearer did likewise. When the Israelites saw that the battle was lost they fled for their lives and the Philistines inhabited their towns. The next day when the Philistines came through the battleground and found the bodies of Saul and his sons they cut off Saul's head and stripped off his armor and sent messengers all throughout the land, they hung his body on a wall. When the Israelites heard about it they went and got the bodies of Saul and his sons during the night and burned them. Then they buried their bones under a tamarisk tree and fasted 7 days.
David heard about Saul's death. Shortly after that a man arrived at Ziklag with a story that he'd been at the place of the battle and Saul had asked him to kill him so he had obliged him. Then he took Saul's crown and the band on his arm and brought them to David. All the men tore their clothes and mourned and wept and fasted until morning. Then David asked the messenger why he was not afraid to kill God's anointed. David had the man killed because he had admitted to killing Saul. David remembered Saul and Jonathan with a lament which he taught to all his men.
David asked the Lord if he should go up to one of the towns of Judah. God told him to go. David asked where he should go and God told him to go to Hebron. So David, his wives, the 600 men and their families all went to Hebron and the men of Judah anointed David king over them. David was king of Judah for 7 years and 6 months.
Meanwhile Abner, the commander of Saul's army decided Saul's son should be king. He was 40 years old and ruled Israel (except for Judah) for 2 years. David and his men met Abner and his soldiers at a place called the pool of Gibeon. There they decided that the soldiers should fight each other. That day David defeated them. Abner was chased by a very fast runner named Asahel. Abner told him to stop chasing him, but he wouldn't, so he thrust the butt of his spear into Asahel's stomach and it went through to his back, and he died. When David's men found his body they all stopped and Abner called out to them asking how long they would kill each other. So they blew the trumpet and the fighting stopped. In all, 19 of David's men had gone missing, but 360 Benjamites who had been with Abner died. They buried Asahel in his father's tomb at Bethlehem. They marched all night and returned to Hebron by dawn.
Tomorrow read 2Samuel 3-6:11
David and his men came across an Egyptian slave who had been left behind because he was sick. They gave him food and water and he was revived. David asked him who he was, and found out that he had been with the raiding party that had razed and plundered Ziklag. The slave asked them not to turn him over to his master, and in exchange, he told them everything. They went down and fought them and got back everyone and everything. Two hundred men had been too exhausted to continue all the way to rescue their families and had to stop and wait beside a river. When David and the entourage arrived at the place where they waited, the men who had fought didn't want the 200 men to have anything. But David insisted that they would all share and share alike. When they got back to Ziklag, David sent some of the plunder to the elders of Judah as a present.
Saul and his army fought the Philistines. It was a mighty battle. Soon three of Saul's sons, Jonathan, Abinadab and Malki-Shua were killed. Saul had taken heavy damage from the arrows of the archers, critically wounding him. He told his armor-bearer to kill him, but he couldn't do it. So he fell on his own sword and died. Then the armor-bearer did likewise. When the Israelites saw that the battle was lost they fled for their lives and the Philistines inhabited their towns. The next day when the Philistines came through the battleground and found the bodies of Saul and his sons they cut off Saul's head and stripped off his armor and sent messengers all throughout the land, they hung his body on a wall. When the Israelites heard about it they went and got the bodies of Saul and his sons during the night and burned them. Then they buried their bones under a tamarisk tree and fasted 7 days.
David heard about Saul's death. Shortly after that a man arrived at Ziklag with a story that he'd been at the place of the battle and Saul had asked him to kill him so he had obliged him. Then he took Saul's crown and the band on his arm and brought them to David. All the men tore their clothes and mourned and wept and fasted until morning. Then David asked the messenger why he was not afraid to kill God's anointed. David had the man killed because he had admitted to killing Saul. David remembered Saul and Jonathan with a lament which he taught to all his men.
David asked the Lord if he should go up to one of the towns of Judah. God told him to go. David asked where he should go and God told him to go to Hebron. So David, his wives, the 600 men and their families all went to Hebron and the men of Judah anointed David king over them. David was king of Judah for 7 years and 6 months.
Meanwhile Abner, the commander of Saul's army decided Saul's son should be king. He was 40 years old and ruled Israel (except for Judah) for 2 years. David and his men met Abner and his soldiers at a place called the pool of Gibeon. There they decided that the soldiers should fight each other. That day David defeated them. Abner was chased by a very fast runner named Asahel. Abner told him to stop chasing him, but he wouldn't, so he thrust the butt of his spear into Asahel's stomach and it went through to his back, and he died. When David's men found his body they all stopped and Abner called out to them asking how long they would kill each other. So they blew the trumpet and the fighting stopped. In all, 19 of David's men had gone missing, but 360 Benjamites who had been with Abner died. They buried Asahel in his father's tomb at Bethlehem. They marched all night and returned to Hebron by dawn.
Tomorrow read 2Samuel 3-6:11
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