2 Samuel 7


David wants to build a house for God, but God says no.


There was no war at this time. David was at home in Jerusalem. He was in the house that Hiram built for him (back in 2 Samuel 5, Hiram, the king of Tyre, sent workers to build a house for David).
[1] And it came to pass, when the king sat in his house, and the LORD had given him rest round about from all his enemies;


Nathan was a prophet. A prophet was a person who could talk to God. David talked to Nathan the prophet. He said that he now lives in a house that is made of cedar wood. But God's Ark is still in a tent. Nathan said that God was with David. David should so what he thinks is best.
[2] That the king said unto Nathan the prophet, See now, I dwell in an house of cedar, but the ark of God dwelleth within curtains.
[3] And Nathan said to the king, Go, do all that is in thine heart; for the LORD is with thee.
 

That night, God talked to Nathan. He wanted Nathan to tell David what he said. He talked about David's plan to build a house for God and the Ark. God said He has not lived in a house since the Israelites left Egypt.  He has lived in tents and tabernacles.
[4] And it came to pass that night, that the word of the LORD came unto Nathan, saying,
[5] Go and tell my servant David, Thus saith the LORD, Shalt thou build me an house for me to dwell in?
[6] Whereas I have not dwelt in any house since the time that I brought up the children of Israel out of Egypt, even to this day, but have walked in a tent and in a tabernacle.


He has been in many different places with the Israelites.  He said there have been different leaders of the Israelites. He said He has never asked any of them to build a house for Him.
[7] In all the places wherein I have walked with all the children of Israel spake I a word with any of the tribes of Israel, whom I commanded to feed my people Israel, saying, Why build ye not me an house of cedar?

 

David made the Israelites' land bigger.

Map from Bible-History.com

2 Samuel 8

David defeats the Philistines and the people in Moab and Syria.


David fought another war with the Philistines. David defeated them. He took the Philistines' area named Metheg-ammah.
[1] And after this it came to pass, that David smote the Philistines, and subdued them: and David took Metheg-ammah out of the hand of the Philistines.


David defeated the people in the area called Moab. He made the people lay on the ground. Then David measured them with a line or rope. Every two lines, the people were killed. The people in the third line lived and became servants. They worked for David and paid taxes.
[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.


David also took land by the Euphrates River. He defeated the king of Zobah. His name was Hadadezer, and his father's name was Rehob.  David took 1,000 chariots from him. He also took 700 soldiers who rode horses and 20,000 soldiers who did not ride. David cut the horses' legs so they could not be used in war anymore. He kept 100 horses to use for chariots.
[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 houghed all the chariot horses, but reserved of them for an hundred chariots.
 

Some soldiers from Syria came to help Hadadezer, the king of Zobah.  David killed 22,000 Syrians. David made garrisons (forts, military bases) in Syria.  The people in Syria worked for David and paid taxes to him. God  helped David everywhere he went.
[5] And when the Syrians of Damascus came to succour Hadadezer king of Zobah, David slew of the Syrians two and twenty thousand men.
[6] Then David put garrisons in Syria of Damascus: and the Syrians became servants to David, and brought gifts. And the LORD preserved David whithersoever he went.
 

Soldiers holding their shields. From the Bible Picture Gallery

Hadadezer's soldiers had gold shields.  David took the shields and brought them to Jerusalem.
[7] And David took the shields of gold that were on the servants of Hadadezer, and brought them to Jerusalem.


Betah and Berothai were cities in Hadadezer's land.  David took a lot of brass from these cities.
[8] And from Betah, and from Berothai, cities of Hadadezer, king David took exceeding much brass.



Toi was the king of the place named Hamath. He heard that David had defeated Hadadezer.  In the past, Toi also had a war with Hadadezer. Then Toi sent his son named Joram to see David.  Toi wanted to bless David because he defeated Hadadezer.  Joram took gifts to David. He took silver, gold, and brass.
[9] When Toi king of Hamath heard that David had smitten all the host of Hadadezer,
[10] Then Toi sent Joram his son unto king David, to salute him, and to bless him, because he had fought against Hadadezer, and smitten him: for Hadadezer had wars with Toi. And Joram brought with him vessels of silver, and vessels of gold, and vessels of brass:

David gave the silver, gold, and brass to God. He also gave the silver and gold that he got from the other places he defeated--Syria, Moab, the area of the Ammonites, the area of the Philistines, and from Hadadezer.
[11] Which also king David did dedicate unto the LORD, with the silver and gold that he had dedicated of all nations which he subdued;
[12] Of Syria, and of Moab, and of the children of Ammon, and of the Philistines, and of Amalek, and of the spoil of Hadadezer, son of Rehob, king of Zobah.


David was famous after he defeated the people in Syria. He defeated them in the place called the valley of salt. He killed 18,000 Syrian soldiers.
[13] And David gat him a name when he returned from smiting of the Syrians in the valley of salt, being eighteen thousand men.


David put many forts or bases in the area of Edom.  The people in Edom worked for David. God protected David everyplace he went.
[14] And he put garrisons in Edom; throughout all Edom put he garrisons, and all they of Edom became David's servants. And the LORD preserved David whithersoever he went.


David was the king of all Israel. He was also the judge and treated people fairly.
[15] And David reigned over all Israel; and David executed judgment and justice unto all his people.


Joab was the leader of the soldiers. Joab's father's name was Zeruiah. Jehoshaphat was the recorder. He wrote down the government things that happened.  Jehoshaphat's father's name was Ahilud.
[16] And Joab the son of Zeruiah was over the host; and Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was recorder;

The priests were Zadok and Ahimelech. Zadok's father was Ahitub. Ahimelech's father was Abiathar.  Seraiah was the secretary or scribe.
[17] And Zadok the son of Ahitub, and Ahimelech the son of Abiathar, were the priests; and Seraiah was the scribe;


Benaiah was the leader over the Cherethite and Pelethite people.  The Cherethites and Pelethites were David's bodyguards. David's sons were the chief leaders.
[18] And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over both the Cherethites and the Pelethites; and David's sons were chief rulers.
 

2 Samuel 9


Jonathan's disabled son, Mephibosheth, comes to live with David.

David asked about Saul's children and grandchildren. He asked if any of them were still alive. David wanted to do something good for them. David loved Saul's son, Jonathan. He wanted to do something nice because he loved Jonathan.
[1] And David said, Is there yet any that is left of the house of Saul, that I may shew him kindness for Jonathan's sake?


One of Saul's workers was named Ziba. David wanted Ziba to come for a meeting. When he arrived, David asked if he was Ziba. Ziba said yes he was. David asked Ziba if any of Saul's family was still living. He wanted to do something nice for them. Ziba told David that Jonathan had a son. Jonathan's son was disabled. His feet had been injured. He could not walk normally.
[2] And there was of the house of Saul a servant whose name was Ziba. And when they had called him unto David, the king said unto him, Art thou Ziba? And he said, Thy servant is he.
[3] And the king said, Is there not yet any of the house of Saul, that I may shew the kindness of God unto him? And Ziba said unto the king, Jonathan hath yet a son, which is lame on his feet.


David wanted to know where Mephibosheth lived. Ziba said he lived with a man named Machir. Machir's father was named Ammiel. They lived in the place called Lo-debar.  David sent a message to Machir's house. He wanted Mephibosheth to come see him.
[4] And the king said unto him, Where is he? And Ziba said unto the king, Behold, he is in the house of Machir, the son of Ammiel, in Lo-debar.
[5] Then king David sent, and fetched him out of the house of Machir, the son of Ammiel, from Lo-debar.

 

"David Shows Kindness to Jonathan's Son, Mephibosheth" Standard Bible Story Reader, Book Three From the LaVista Church of Christ web site

Mephibosheth came to see David. He bowed down with his face to the ground.  David asked if he was Mephibosheth, and Mephibosheth said yes.
[6] Now when Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, was come unto David, he fell on his face, and did reverence. And David said, Mephibosheth. And he answered, Behold thy servant!


David told him not to be afraid. David will be good to him because he loved his father, Jonathan.  David will give him all of the land that Saul owned. Mephibosheth will live at David's house from now on.
[7] And David said unto him, Fear not: for I will surely shew thee kindness for Jonathan thy father's sake, and will restore thee all the land of Saul thy father; and thou shalt eat bread at my table continually.

Mephibosheth bowed down. He asked David why he was being good to him. He said he was not worth more than a dead dog.
[8] And he bowed himself, and said, What is thy servant, that thou shouldest look upon such a dead dog as I am?


David called Ziba, Saul's worker.  He told Ziba that he was giving all of Saul's land to Mephibosheth and his family.  David said that Ziba and his 15 sons and 20 workers will take care of Mephibosheth's land. They will work on the farm and grow food for Mephibosheth and his family. Mephibosheth will live and eat at David's house.
[9] Then the king called to Ziba, Saul's servant, and said unto him, I have given unto thy master's son all that pertained to Saul and to all his house.
[10] Thou therefore, and thy sons, and thy servants, shall till the land for him, and thou shalt bring in the fruits, that thy master's son may have food to eat: but Mephibosheth thy master's son shall eat bread alway at my table. Now Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants.


Ziba said he would do what David said. David said that Mephibosheth will eat at his house, like one of his sons.
[11] Then said Ziba unto the king, According to all that my lord the king hath commanded his servant, so shall thy servant do. As for Mephibosheth, said the king, he shall eat at my table, as one of the king's sons.

Mephibosheth had a young son named Micha.  All of Ziba's family and workers worked for Mephibosheth. Mephibosheth lived in Jerusalem with David.  Both of Mephibosheth's feet were injured, so he could not walk well.
[12] And Mephibosheth had a young son, whose name was Micha. And all that dwelt in the house of Ziba were servants unto Mephibosheth.
[13] So Mephibosheth dwelt in Jerusalem: for he did eat continually at the king's table; and was lame on both his feet.
 

The Ammonites lived northeast of the Dead Sea. They were descendants of Abraham's brother, Lot. Lot had a son named Ben-ammi. Ben-ammi was the father of the Ammonite people. The main city in the area of Ammon was Rabbah or Rabbath Ammon.  In the modern country of Jordan, the capital city is Amman. Amman is in the same place as Rabbath Ammon. Map from Christian Churches of God web site.

2 Samuel 10


The Ammonites and Syrians join together to fight David and the Israelites.
 

Nahash was the king of the group of people called the Ammonites. Nahash died, and then his son, Hanun, became the new king.
[1] And it came to pass after this, that the king of the children of Ammon died, and Hanun his son reigned in his stead.


David said he would be good to Hanun because Hanun's father, Nahash, had been good to him.  David sent some of his workers to help Hanun. David's workers arrived in the land of Ammon.
[2] Then said David, I will shew kindness unto Hanun the son of Nahash, as his father shewed kindness unto me. And David sent to comfort him by the hand of his servants for his father. And David's servants came into the land of the children of Ammon.

 

Some of the Ammonite princes talked to Hanun. They said that Hanun thinks David sent workers to help him. But the princes think that David's workers are really spies. They think David's workers will look around the city and then try to take control of it.
[3] And the princes of the children of Ammon said unto Hanun their lord, Thinkest thou that David doth honour thy father, that he hath sent comforters unto thee? hath not David rather sent his servants unto thee, to search the city, and to spy it out, and to overthrow it?
 

Hanun got David's workers. He shaved off half of their beards. He cut half of their clothes off. He made them leave and go home.
[4] Wherefore Hanun took David's servants, and shaved off the one half of their beards, and cut off their garments in the middle, even to their buttocks, and sent them away.


David heard about what happened to his workers. He sent someone to meet them. The men were embarrassed. David told them to stay at the city of Jericho until their beards grew. Then they can come back to Jerusalem.
[5] When they told it unto David, he sent to meet them, because the men were greatly ashamed: and the king said, Tarry at Jericho until your beards be grown, and then return.


The people in Ammon saw that David was upset with them. They hired soldiers to help them fight. They hired 20,000 soldiers on foot from the Syrians in the area of Beth-rehob and more Syrians from the area of Zoba. They hired 1,000 soldiers from the king named Maacah and 12,000 soldiers from the area of Ish-tob.  
[6] And when the children of Ammon saw that they stank before David, the children of Ammon sent and hired the Syrians of Beth-rehob, and the Syrians of Zoba, twenty thousand footmen, and of king Maacah a thousand men, and of Ish-tob twelve thousand men.


David sent his army leader, Joab, and all of his soldiers.
[7] And when David heard of it, he sent Joab, and all the host of the mighty men.


The Ammonite soldiers also came out to fight. They were getting ready by the gate. The Syrian soldiers from Zoba, Rehob, Ishtob, and Maacah were ready to help the Ammonites. They were getting ready over in a field.
[8] And the children of Ammon came out, and put the battle in array at the entering in of the gate: and the Syrians of Zoba, and of Rehob, and Ish-tob, and Maacah, were by themselves in the field.


Joab saw that there were 2 places to fight--at the gate and in the field. He got Israel's best soldiers and lined them up to fight the Syrians. He got the other soldiers ready to fight against the Ammonites. Joab's brother, Abishai, would fight the Ammonites.
[9] When Joab saw that the front of the battle was against him before and behind, he chose of all the choice men of Israel, and put them in array against the Syrians:
[10] And the rest of the people he delivered into the hand of Abishai his brother, that he might put them in array against the children of Ammon.


Joab talked to his brother, Abishai. He said if his part of the army needed help to fight the Syrians, Abishai could bring his army and help. But if Abishai's part of the army needed help to fight the Ammonites, he would take his army to help them.
[11] And he said, If the Syrians be too strong for me, then thou shalt help me: but if the children of Ammon be too strong for thee, then I will come and help thee.
[12] Be of good courage, and let us play the men for our people, and for the cities of our God: and the LORD do that which seemeth him good.


When Joab's army got close to the Syrians, the Syrians ran away.
[13] And Joab drew nigh, and the people that were with him, unto the battle against the Syrians: and they fled before him.


When the Ammonites saw the Syrians run away, they ran away, too.  They went back into their city.  Then Joab went back to Jerusalem.
[14] And when the children of Ammon saw that the Syrians were fled, then fled they also before Abishai, and entered into the city. So Joab returned from the children of Ammon, and came to Jerusalem.


The Syrians saw that the Israelites defeated them. The Syrian leader named Hadarezer called the Syrians who were across the river. Then the Syrian armies joined together.  They met in the place called Helam.  The man named Shobach led Hadarezer's army.
[15] And when the Syrians saw that they were smitten before Israel, they gathered themselves together.
[16] And Hadarezer sent, and brought out the Syrians that were beyond the river: and they came to Helam; and Shobach the captain of the host of Hadarezer went before them.


David brought the Israelite army together. They crossed over the Jordan River and went to Helam. They had a war with the Syrians.
[17] And when it was told David, he gathered all Israel together, and passed over Jordan, and came to Helam. And the Syrians set themselves in array against David, and fought with him.


The Syrians ran away from David and the Israelites. The Israelites killed many Syrian soldiers. They killed 700 soldiers who rode in chariots. They killed 40,000 soldiers who rode on horses. They also killed the leader, Shobach. He died there in the place of the war.
[18] And the Syrians fled before Israel; and David slew the men of seven hundred chariots of the Syrians, and forty thousand horsemen, and smote Shobach the captain of their host, who died there.

There were some other kings who worked for Hadarezer.  Those kings saw that the Israelites defeated the Syrians. They decided to make peace with Israel. They worked for Israel. From then on, the Syrians were afraid to help the Ammonites.
[19] And when all the kings that were servants to Hadarezer saw that they were smitten before Israel, they made peace with Israel, and served them. So the Syrians feared to help the children of Ammon any more.