Study Desk

After this David won the war against the Philistines and put them under his power. He took Gath and its towns from the Philistines.

David won the war against King Hadadezer of Zobah as far as Hamath, as he went to bring his power to the Euphrates River.

So he sent his son Hadoram to King David, to greet him and give honor to him, because David had fought against Hadadezer and won. For Hadadezer had been at war with Tou. Hadoram brought all kinds of things of gold and silver and brass.

So David ruled over all Israel. He did what was fair and right and good for all his people.

After this Nahash the king of the Ammonites died. And his son became king in his place.

David said, "I will show kindness to Hanun the son of Nahash, because his father showed kindness to me." So David sent men to bring him comfort in his sorrow for his father. David's servants came to Hanun in the land of the sons of Ammon, to bring him comfort.

But the princes of the sons of Ammon said to Hanun, "Do you think that David is giving honor to your father by sending men to comfort you? Have not his servants come to spy out the land and destroy it?"

When David was told what had happened to his servants, he sent men out to meet them because the workmen were very ashamed. The king said, "Stay at Jericho until the hair grows again on your faces, and then return."

They paid for 32,000 war-wagons and for the king of Maacah and his army who came and set up their tents by Medeba. Then the sons of Ammon gathered together from their cities and came to battle.

When David heard of it, he sent Joab and all the army of his strong men.

But he had his brother Abishai lead the rest of the men. And they made themselves ready to fight the sons of Ammon.

Be strong; let us show our strength of heart because of our people, and for the cities of our God. May the Lord do what is good in His eyes."

When David was told about it, he gathered all Israel together and crossed the Jordan. He came to them, and made his army ready to fight against them. When David made his army ready for battle, the Syrians fought against him.

In the spring, at the time when kings go out to battle, Joab led out the army. He destroyed the land of the sons of Ammon. And he gathered his army around Rabbah. But David stayed at Jerusalem. Joab fought against Rabbah, and won.

These were sons of the people of Gath who were very tall and strong. And they were killed by David and his servants.

Joab said, "May the Lord add to His people a hundred times as many as they are! But, my lord the king, are they not all my lord's servants? Why does my lord want this thing done? Why should he bring guilt upon Israel?"

David said to Gad, "I am in much trouble. Let me fall into the hand of the Lord. For His loving-kindness is very great. But do not let me fall into the hand of man."

Then David looked up and saw the angel of the Lord standing between earth and heaven. The angel had his sword in his hand, held out over Jerusalem. Then David and the leaders fell on their faces. They were dressed in cloth made from hair.

Now Ornan was beating the grain. He turned and saw the angel. And his four sons hid themselves.

Ornan looked and saw David coming. So he went out from the grain-floor and put his face to the ground showing respect to David.