Study Desk

The Lord sent word through Nathan the prophet to name the baby Jedidiah, because the Lord loved the child.

Tamar was a virgin. Amnon made himself sick just thinking about her, because he could not find any chance to be alone with her.

So his servant led her out of the room and bolted the door after her. Tamar was wearing a special robe with long sleeves, because the king's virgin daughters wore this kind of robe.

King David said to Absalom, "No, my son. We won't all go, because it would be too much trouble for you." Although Absalom begged David, he would not go, but he did give his blessing.

Then Absalom instructed his servants, "Watch Amnon. When he is drunk, I will tell you, ‘Kill Amnon.' Right then, kill him! Don't be afraid, because I have commanded you! Be strong and brave!"

My master and king, I came to say this to you because the people have made me afraid! I thought, ‘Let me talk to the king. Maybe he will do what I ask.

Joab bowed facedown on the ground and blessed the king. Then he said, "Today I know you are pleased with me, because you have done what I asked."

At the end of every year, Absalom would cut his hair, because it became too heavy. When he weighed it, it would weigh about five pounds by the royal measure.

The king said to Ittai, a man from Gath, "Why are you also going with us? Turn back and stay with King Absalom because you are a foreigner. This is not your homeland.

The king asked, "Where is Mephibosheth?" Ziba answered him, "Mephibosheth is staying in Jerusalem because he thinks, ‘Today the Israelites will give my father's kingdom back to me!'"

The Lord is punishing you for the people in Saul's family you killed! You took Saul's place as king, but now the Lord has given the kingdom to your son Absalom! Now you are ruined because you are a murderer!"

But the king answered, "This does not concern you, sons of Zeruiah! If he is cursing me because the Lord told him to, who can question him?"

David also said to Abishai and all his officers, "My own son is trying to kill me! This man is a Benjaminite and has more right to kill me! Leave him alone, and let him curse me because the Lord told him to do this.

Then even the men who are as brave as lions will be frightened, because all the Israelites know your father is a fighter. They know his men are brave!

Joab answered Ahimaaz, "No, you are not the one to take the news today. You may do it another time, but do not take it today, because the king's son is dead."

People told Joab, "Look, the king is sad and crying because of Absalom."

David's army had won the battle that day. But it became a very sad day for all the people, because they heard that the king was very sad for his son.

You have shamed them because you love those who hate you, and you hate those who love you. Today you have made it clear that your commanders and men mean nothing to you. What if Absalom had lived and all of us were dead? I can see you would be pleased.

People in all the tribes of Israel began to argue, saying, "The king saved us from the Philistines and our other enemies, but he left the country because of Absalom.

But Abishai son of Zeruiah said, "Shimei should die because he cursed you, the Lord 's appointed king!"