2 Samuel 1

David learns that Saul and Jonathan are dead.
 

After David killed the Amalekites, he went back to his city of Ziklag. 3 days later, a man arrived.  He had dirt on his head and his clothes were ripped. When David saw him, he fell down on his knees.
[1] Now it came to pass after the death of Saul, when David was returned from the slaughter of the Amalekites, and David had abode two days in Ziklag;
[2] It came even to pass on the third day, that, behold, a man came out of the camp from Saul with his clothes rent, and earth upon his head: and so it was, when he came to David, that he fell to the earth, and did obeisance.


David asked the man where he came from.  The man said he escaped from Israel. David asked him what happened in the war.  The man said that many Israelites died or ran away. The man told David that Saul and Jonathan were dead.
[3] And David said unto him, From whence comest thou? And he said unto him, Out of the camp of Israel am I escaped.
[4] And David said unto him, How went the matter? I pray thee, tell me. And he answered, That the people are fled from the battle, and many of the people also are fallen and dead; and Saul and Jonathan his son are dead also.


David asked the man how he knew that Saul and Jonathan were dead.
[5] And David said unto the young man that told him, How knowest thou that Saul and Jonathan his son be dead?


The man said that he was near Mt. Gilboa.  He saw Saul with his spear stabbed into him. There were chariots and men on horses coming fast. Saul saw the man and called him to come help.  The man said he would help.
[6] And the young man that told him said, As I happened by chance upon mount Gilboa, behold, Saul leaned upon his spear; and, lo, the chariots and horsemen followed hard after him.
[7] And when he looked behind him, he saw me, and called unto me. And I answered, Here am I.

Saul asked the man who he was. The man said he was an Amalekite.
[8] And he said unto me, Who art thou? And I answered him, I am an Amalekite.


Saul asked the man to finish killing him.
[9] And he said unto me again, Stand, I pray thee, upon me, and slay me: for anguish is come upon me, because my life is yet whole in me.


The Amalekite said he killed Saul.  He took the crown off his head and the jewelry off his arm.  He brought them to give to David.
[10] So I stood upon him, and slew him, because I was sure that he could not live after that he was fallen: and I took the crown that was upon his head, and the bracelet that was on his arm, and have brought them hither unto my lord.


David and the men with him tore their clothes. They were very sad and upset.
[11] Then David took hold on his clothes, and rent them; and likewise all the men that were with him:
 

They mourned and cried. They did not eat any food until that evening. They were said about Jonathan and Saul. They were sad for all of Israel because many soldiers died in the war.
[12] And they mourned, and wept, and fasted until even, for Saul, and for Jonathan his son, and for the people of the LORD, and for the house of Israel; because they were fallen by the sword.


David asked the young man where he was from. He said he lived in Israel as a stranger. One of his parents was not an Israelite. One of his parents was an Amalekite.
[13] And David said unto the young man that told him, Whence art thou? And he answered, I am the son of a stranger, an Amalekite.


David asked him why he wasn't afraid to kill Saul. God picked Saul to be the king.
[14] And David said unto him, How wast thou not afraid to stretch forth thine hand to destroy the LORD's anointed?


David called one of his soldiers. He told the soldier to kill the Amalekite. Then the soldier killed him.
[15] And David called one of the young men, and said, Go near, and fall upon him. And he smote him that he died.


David said it was the Amalekite's fault that he died. He told what he did wrong. He said that he killed Saul.
[16] And David said unto him, Thy blood be upon thy head; for thy mouth hath testified against thee, saying, I have slain the LORD's anointed.


 

David sings a song for Saul and Jonathan.


David was very sad, and he sang a special song for Saul and Jonathan.
[17] And David lamented with this lamentation over Saul and over Jonathan his son:

 

He also asked his men to teach the Israelites who lived in Judah's land how to use a bow and arrow. This is also in the book of Jasher.
[18] (Also he bade them teach the children of Judah the use of the bow: behold, it is written in the book of Jasher.)
 

David says that Saul, Jonathan, and the Israelites who died were beautiful and strong. They died up high in the mountains in the place called Gilboa.
[19] The beauty of Israel is slain upon thy high places: how are the mighty fallen!


David didn't want the news told in the cities of Gath and Askelon. He knew that the Philistines would be happy.  The Philistine women who lived in the cities of Gath and Askelon would be happy and would dance.
[20] Tell it not in Gath, publish it not in the streets of Askelon; lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice, lest the daughters of the uncircumcised triumph.

Soldiers use their shields to protect themselves. "THE HISTORY OF COSTUME" By Braun & Schneider - c.1861-1880 From the web site:  http://www.siue.edu/COSTUMES/ by C. Otis Sweezy

David wants the mountains in Gilboa to be dry. He prays that there will be no rain or dew in the mountains. He prays that there will be no rain on the fields. If there is no rain, the Philistines cannot grow food for their offerings. God chose Saul to be the king, but the Philistines threw away Saul's shield. They did not treat Saul like the king. 
[21] Ye mountains of Gilboa, let there be no dew, neither let there be 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.


David talked about Jonathan's and Saul's weapons. He said that Jonathan's bow always hit the target. It killed mighty men.  Saul's sword also killed men in wars. It did not come back from the wars empty, or clean. It had blood on it.
[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.


He said that Saul and Jonathan were handsome and got along well.  They were together when they died.  Saul and Jonathan ran faster than eagles, and they were stronger than lions.
[23] Saul and Jonathan were lovely and pleasant in their lives, and in their death they were not divided: they were swifter than eagles, they were stronger than lions.


David told the women in Israel to cry for Saul. Saul won wars and brought back red cloth for fancy clothes and gold jewelry.
[24] Ye daughters of Israel, weep over Saul, who clothed you in scarlet, with other delights, who put on ornaments of gold upon your apparel.


Many strong Israelite soldiers died in the war. Jonathan was killed in the mountains on Mt. Gilboa.
[25] How are the mighty fallen in the midst of the battle! O Jonathan, thou was slain in thine high places.


David was especially sad for Jonathan. Jonathan was always very good to David. David and Jonathan were very good friends.
[26] I am distressed for thee, my brother Jonathan: very pleasant hast thou been unto me: thy love to me was wonderful, passing the love of women.


The strong soldiers died, and their weapons are gone.
[27] How are the mighty fallen, and the weapons of war perished!
 

2 Samuel 2


The land of Judah makes David its king.
 

After he finished his song, David prayed to God. He asked God if he should go to the cities in the area of Judah.  God said yes, he should go to Judah.  David asked him which city he should go to.  God said David should go to Hebron.
[1] And it came to pass after this, that David inquired of the LORD, saying, Shall I go up into any of the cities of Judah? And the LORD said unto him, Go up. And David said, Whither shall I go up? And he said, Unto Hebron.


David went to Hebron. He took many people with him. David's 2 wives went with him.  His wives were Ahinoam from the area of Jezreel and Abigail (Abigail's first husband was Nabal from the area of Carmel). David's men and their families also went with David. They all traveled to Hebron.
[2] So David went up thither, and his two wives also, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail Nabal's wife the Carmelite.
[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.
 

The men from the land of Judah anointed David. That means they made David the king of their land. The men from Judah told David that the men from the area of Jabesh-gilead buried Saul.
[4] And the men of Judah came, and there they anointed David king over the house of Judah. And they told David, saying, That the men of Jabesh-gilead were they that buried Saul.


David sent a message to the men in Jabesh-gilead. He asked God to bless them because they buried Saul. David said he will be good to them now. David prays that God will also be kind to them. He told them to be brave and strong. Saul is dead, and now the people in Judah have made David their king.
[5] And David sent messengers unto the men of Jabesh-gilead, and said unto them, Blessed be ye of the LORD, that ye have shewed this kindness unto your lord, even unto Saul, and have buried him.
[6] And now the LORD shew kindness and truth unto 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.



 

Saul's last son becomes the king.


One of Saul's sons did not die in the war. His name was Ish-bosheth. Saul's cousin was named Abner (Abner's father was Ner).  Abner was the leader of Saul's army. After Saul died, Abner took Ish-bosheth to the place named Mahanaim.
[8] But Abner the son of Ner, captain of Saul's host, took Ish-bosheth the son of Saul, and brought him over to Mahanaim;


Ish-bosheth was 40  years old. Abner made him the king of Israel.  But not all of Israel followed Ish-bosheth.  The land of Judah followed David.  Ish-bosheth was king for 2 years.
[9] And 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 reigned two years. But the house of Judah followed David.

David was king of Judah for 7 years and 6 months.
[11] And the time that David was king in Hebron over the house of Judah was seven years and six months.

 

David's soldiers and Ish-bosheth's soldiers meet at Gibeon.


Abner and some of Ish-bosheth's soldiers went to the place called Gibeon.  The leader of David's soldiers was named Joab. Joab's mother's name was Zeruiah.  Joab and some of David's soldiers also went to Gibeon.  Gibeon had an area of water, possibly like a pool or pond.  Ish-bosheth's soldiers sat on one side of the pool, and David's soldiers sat on the other side.
[12] And Abner the son of Ner, and the servants of Ish-bosheth the son of Saul, went out from Mahanaim to Gibeon.
[13] And Joab the son of Zeruiah, and the servants of David, went out, and met 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.


Abner talked to Joab. He made a challenge to Joab.  He wanted the young soldiers to get up and fight.  Joab said ok.
[14] And Abner said to Joab, Let the young men now arise, and play before us. And Joab said, Let them arise.


12 soldiers from the tribe of Benjamin got up, and 12 soldiers from David's army got up.
[15] Then there arose and went over by number twelve of Benjamin, which pertained to Ish-bosheth the son of Saul, and twelve of the servants of David.


The soldiers were fighting. They grabbed the heads of the other soldiers. They stabbed each other in the sides. They all fell down and died.  Then that place was named Helkath-hazzurim. That means "the place of sword edges".
[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 Helkath-hazzurim, which is in Gibeon.


Then both sides had a big war. David's army defeated Ish-bosheths's army.
[17] And there was a very sore battle that day; and Abner was beaten, and the men of Israel, before the servants of David.
 

Joab, Abishai, and Asahel were the sons of David's sister, Zeruiah.  Asahel could run very fast like a deer.  
[18] And there were three sons of Zeruiah there, Joab, and Abishai, and Asahel: and Asahel was as light of foot as a wild roe.


Asahel chased Abner. Asahel did not look to the right or to the left. He looked only at Abner.
[19] And Asahel pursued after Abner; and in going he turned not to the right hand nor to the left from following Abner.


Abner looked around behind him. He asked if it was Asahel chasing him. Asahel said yes.
[20] Then Abner looked behind him, and said, Art thou Asahel? And he answered, I am.


Abner asked Asahel to catch someone else. He said he could look to the right or to the left and catch another soldier. He said he could take the other soldier's armour. But Asahel continued to chase Abner.
[21] And Abner said to him, Turn thee aside to thy right hand or to thy left, and lay thee hold on one of the young men, and take thee his armour. But Asahel would not turn aside from following of him.

Abner asked Asahel again to stop trying to catch him. He didn't want to kill Asahel.  If he killed Asahel, Asahel's brother Joab would be very mad. Abner would not be able to see Joab in peace again.
[22] And Abner said again to Asahel, Turn thee aside from following me: wherefore should I smite thee to the ground? how then should I hold up my face to Joab thy brother?


Asahel continued to chase Abner. Then Abner threw his spear and stabbed Asahel. The spear hit under Asahel's 5th rib and stuck out of his back. Asahel fell down and died there. Many soldiers came to see Asahel's body. They stayed there, and they were very quiet.
[23] Howbeit 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.


Asahel's 2 brothers, Joab and Abishai, started to chase Abner. When it started to get dark, they were near the hill named Ammah. This is in the area of Giah near the road that went to Gibeon.
[24] Joab also and Abishai pursued after Abner: and the sun went down when they were come to the hill of Ammah, that lieth before Giah by the way of the wilderness of Gibeon.


The soldiers from the tribe of Benjamin joined Abner. They all met on the hill to get ready to fight.
[25] And the children of Benjamin gathered themselves together after Abner, and became one troop, and stood on the top of an hill.

Abner yelled to Joab. He asked Joab how long he will let his soldiers chase Abner's soldiers. He said that Joab knows fighting will make everyone bitter and unhappy.  Abner wanted Joab to tell his soldiers to stop chasing him and his soldiers.
[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?


Joab said the fighting was Abner's fault (back in verse 14, Abner made a challenge for the young soldiers to get up and fight). If Abner hadn't said the challenge, everyone would have gone home with no fighting.
[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.


Joab blew a trumpet. That meant that his soldiers should stop chasing Abner's soldiers. They stopped fighting.
[28] So Joab blew a trumpet, and all the people stood still, and pursued after Israel no more, neither fought they any more.


Abner and his soldiers traveled all night. They crossed the flat land and crossed the Jordan River. They traveled through the area called Bithron. Then they arrived back in Mahanaim. Mahanaim was the place where Ish-bosheth lived.
[29] And Abner and his men walked all that night through the plain, and passed over Jordan, and went through all Bithron, and they came to Mahanaim.


Joab and his soldiers went home, too. He counted all of his soldiers. He saw that 20 of David's soldiers had died.  One of the men who died was Asahel. Asahel was David's nephew.
[30] And Joab returned from following Abner: and when he had gathered all the people together, there lacked of David's servants nineteen men and Asahel.


When they were fighting, David's soldiers killed many of Abner's soldiers. 360 of Abner's soldiers died.
[31] But the servants of David had smitten of Benjamin, and of Abner's men, so that three hundred and threescore men died.


They buried Asahel near the city of Bethlehem. They buried him in the burial place with his father. Then Joab and his soldiers traveled all night. They arrived at Hebron in the morning.
[32] And they took up Asahel, and buried him in the sepulchre of his father, which was in Bethlehem. And Joab and his men went all night, and they came to Hebron at break of day.
 

2 Samuel 3
 

A list of some of David's children


There was a war to see who would be the king of Israel. Saul's family's army and David's army were fighting.  David's army and family grew stronger. Saul's family and army became weaker.
[1] Now there was long war between the house of Saul and the house of David: but David waxed stronger and stronger, and the house of Saul waxed weaker and weaker.
 

This is a list of David's wives and sons.
[2] And unto David were sons born in Hebron: and his firstborn 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.
 

Abner gets mad at Saul's son, Ish-bosheth.


The war continued.  Saul's family and army were fighting David and his army. Abner was one of Saul's family's leaders
[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.

Saul had a concubine. A concubine is not a wife. A concubine is like a mistress.  One of Saul's concubine's was named Rizpah.  Rizpah's parent was Aiah. Abner had sexual relations with Rizpah. Ish-bosheth asked Abner why he did that.  
[7] And Saul had a concubine, whose name was Rizpah, the daughter of Aiah: and Ish-bosheth said to Abner, Wherefore hast thou gone in unto my father's concubine?

Abner became very angry. He was upset that Ish-bosheth criticized him. He said he tried to help Saul's family. He says he has not given them to David.  Abner asks Ish-bothsheth if he thinks he is low like a dog.
[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?


Abner said God promised that David will be king.  He said that God will not help Saul's family.  They will not remain in power.  Abner said that God can punish him if he does not help David. David will be king of all Israel.  David's land will include all of Israel's land from Judah, Dan, and the area of Beer-sheba (from the north, south, and all of the land).
[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.


Ish-bosheth was very afraid of Abner. He was so afraid that he couldn't talk.
[11] And he could not answer Abner a word again, because he feared him.

Abner wants a meeting with David, and David wants his first wife, Michal, back.
 

Abner sent messengers to David.  Abner said he wanted David to be the king. He wanted to make a deal with David and work together. He said he would help David.
[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.


David said he would work with Abner. But he wanted Abner to bring his first wife, Michal (Saul's daughter) to him. After he sees Michal, he will talk to Abner.
[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 face, except thou first bring Michal Saul's daughter, when thou comest to see my face.


David sent messengers to Ish-bosheth.  David said he wanted Michal back. He said that he earned Michal in the past (he killed 100 Philistines, then Saul let David marry her).
[14] And David sent messengers to Ish-bosheth Saul's son, saying, Deliver me my wife Michal, which I espoused to me for an hundred foreskins of the Philistines.
 

Michal was with her new husband, Phaltiel.  Phaltiel's father's name was Laish.   Ish-bosheth sent people to bring Michal back. Phaltiel came with her. He was following her and crying. They arrived at the town named Bahurim.  Abner told Phaltiel to go home, so Phaltiel went home
[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 along weeping behind her to Bahurim. Then said Abner unto him, Go, return. And he returned.

 

Abner meets with David.

Abner talked to the other leaders in Israel.  He reminded them that, in the past, they wanted David to be their king. He said now it is time for David to be the king.  He told them that God said David will save Israel from the Philistines and the other enemies.
[17] And Abner had communication with the elders of Israel, saying, Ye sought for David 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 out of the hand of the Philistines, and out of the hand of all their enemies.


Abner talked to the people in the tribe of Benjamin.  Then Abner went to talk to David. He wanted to talk about what the other Israelite leaders thought.
[19] And Abner also spake 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.


Abner and 20 soldiers went to see David in the city of Hebron. David had a big dinner for Abner and the soldiers.
[20] So Abner came to David to Hebron, and twenty men with him. And David made Abner and the men that were with him a feast.


Abner said that he will help David. He will help all of the tribes of Israel get together and support David. David and Abner were peaceful. Then Abner left.
[21] And Abner said unto David, I will arise and go, and will gather all Israel unto my lord the king, that they may make a league with thee, and that thou mayest reign over all that thine heart desireth. And David sent Abner away; and he went in peace.

 

Abner's meeting with David is finished, and Joab returns to Hebron.


Joab and some of David's soldiers were out chasing some thieves. They came back to Hebron and brought many valuable things with them. Abner was not at Hebron then. He had already left.  People in Hebron told Joab about Abner meeting with David.  They told him that David and Abner had a peaceful meeting and then Abner left.
[22] 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.
[23] When Joab and all the host that was with him were come, they told Joab, saying, Abner the son of Ner came to the king, and he hath sent him away, and he is gone in peace.
 

Joab talked to David.  He asked David why he let Abner leave.  Joab said that Abner was lying to him. He said Abner only wanted to spy on David.
[24] Then Joab came to the king, and 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.

Joab finished meeting with David. Then he sent soldiers to go and get Abner. But Joab didn't tell David.
[26] And when Joab was come out from David, he sent messengers after Abner, which brought him again from the well of Sirah: but David knew it not.

When the soldiers brought Abner back to Hebron,  Joab said he wanted to talk to him privately. Joab took Abner to the gate and killed him. He stabbed Abner under his 5th rib.  Joab killed Abner because Abner killed Joab's brother, Asahel.
[27] And when Abner was returned to Hebron, Joab took him aside in the gate to speak with him quietly, and smote him there under the fifth rib, that he died, for the blood of Asahel his brother.


Later, David heard about what happened to Abner.  David said he was not responsible for Abner's death. Joab and his family killed Abner. David said that from now on, everyone in Joab's family should have a physical problem, die in war, or be hungry.
[28] And afterward when David heard it, he said, I and my kingdom are guiltless before the LORD for ever from the 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.


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