Study Desk

But David said to them, "You should not do so, my brothers, with what Yahweh has given to us! He has preserved us and has given the raiding band that came against us into our hand.

And who would listen to you regarding this matter? For as the share of the one who went down into the battle, so the share of the one who remained with the baggage will be. They will share alike."

So from that day and beyond, he made it a rule and a regulation for Israel until this day.

Then Saul said to his armor bearer, "Draw your sword and thrust me through with it, so that these uncircumcised do not come and thrust me through and make a fool of me!" But his armor bearer was not willing to do so because he was very afraid. So Saul took the sword and fell on it.

So Saul died, and his three sons, his armor bearer, and all his men together that same day.

So they cut off his head and stripped off his armor. Then they sent messengers around in the land of the Philistines to proclaim victory in the temples of their idols and to the people.

So I stood over him and killed him, for I knew that he could not live after his falling; I took the crown that was on his head and the bracelet which was on his arm; and here, I have brought them to my lord.

Then David called to one of the young men and said to him, "Come near; strike him." So he struck him down and he died.

So David went up there along with his two wives, Ahinoam from Jezreel and Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite.

So David sent messengers to the men of Jabesh-Gilead and said to them, "May you be blessed by Yahweh because you did this loyal love with your lord, with Saul, and you buried him.

So then, let your hands be strong and be valiant, for your lord Saul is dead, and the house of Judah has anointed me as king over them."

So they came forward and passed by in number: twelve for Benjamin and for Ish-Bosheth the son of Saul, and twelve from the servants of David.

Then each seized his opponent by the head and each thrust his sword in the side of his opponent, so they fell together. So they called the name of that place Helkath Hazzurim, which is in Gibeon.

So Asahel pursued Abner, and he did not turn aside to the right or to the left from going after Abner.

So Abner said to Asahel once again, "For your own sake, turn aside from following me. Why should I strike you down to the ground? How could I show my face to Joab your brother?"

But he refused to turn away, so Abner struck him in the stomach with the butt of the spear, and the spear went out of his back. He fell there and he died on the spot. Then all who came to the place where Asahel fell and died just stood there.

So Joab and Abishai pursued Abner when the sun went down. And they came to the hill country of Ammah, which is before Giah on the way to the wilderness of Gibeon.

So Ish-Bosheth sent and took her from her husband, from Paltiel the son of Laish.

But her husband went with her, weeping all along after her as far as Bahurim. Then Abner said to him, "Go and return." So he returned.

So then, bring it about, because Yahweh had said to David, "Through the hand of David my servant I am about to save my people Israel from the hand of the Philistines and from the hand of all their enemies."