Study Desk

He made it a law for Israel from that day to this.

When David came to Ziklag, he sent some of the things he had taken in battle to the leaders of Judah, his friends. He said, "See, here is a gift for you from what was taken from those who hate the Lord.

It is for those in Bethel, Ramoth of the Negev, Jattir,

and Racal. It is for those in the cities of the Jerahmeelites, the cities of the Kenites,

Then Saul said to the one who carried his battle-clothes, "Take your sword and cut through me with it. Or these men who have not gone through our religious act will come and kill me with the sword and make fun of me." But the one who carried his battle-clothes would not do it, for he was filled with fear. So Saul took his sword and fell on it.

They took their bones and buried them under the tamarisk tree at Jabesh. And they did not eat for seven days.

They cried in sorrow and did not eat until evening, because of Saul and his son Jonathan, and of the people of the Lord and of the family of Israel. For they had fallen by the sword.

Then David sang a song of sorrow for Saul and his son Jonathan.

O mountains of Gilboa, do not let the water that is on the grass in the early morning or rain be on you. Let not grass be grown on your fields. For there the covering of the powerful was made dirty, the covering of Saul, as if he had not been set apart with oil.

O daughters of Israel, cry for Saul. He dressed you in fine red clothing. He put on your clothing objects of gold.

So now let your hands be strong. Have strength of heart. For your king Saul is dead. And those of the family of Judah have chosen me to be their king."

Saul's son Ish-bosheth was forty years old when he became king of Israel. He was king for two years. But the family of Judah followed David.

David was king in Hebron over the family of Judah for seven years and six months.

So they stood up and went over by number. There were twelve for Benjamin and Ish-bosheth the son of Saul, and twelve of the servants of David.

So Abner said to him, "Turn aside to your right or left. Take hold of one of the young men, and take for yourself what belongs to him." But Asahel was not willing to turn aside from following him.

Joab said, "As God lives, if you had not spoken, for sure the people would have stopped going after their brothers in the morning."

May God do so to Abner, and more also, if I do not do for David what the Lord has promised him.

Now make it happen! For the Lord has said of David, ‘By the hand of My servant David I will save My people Israel from the Philistines and from all those who hate them.'"

Abner came with twenty men to David at Hebron. And David made a special supper for Abner and the men who were with him.

Then David's servants and Joab came from a battle and brought with them many good things they had taken. But Abner was not with David in Hebron, for David had sent him away. Abner had gone in peace.