Study Desk

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.

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.

We appointed Absalom to rule us, but now he has died in battle. We should make David the king again."

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

But he lied about me to you. You, my master and king, are like an angel from God. Do what you think is good.

But Barzillai answered the king, "Do you know how old I am? Do you think I can go with you to Jerusalem?

I am not worthy of a reward from you, but I will cross the Jordan River with you.

Then let me go back so I may die in my own city near the grave of my father and mother. But here is Kimham, your servant. Let him go with you, my master and king. Do with him whatever you want."

The Israelites answered the people of Judah, "We have ten tribes in the kingdom, so we have more right to David than you do! But you ignored us! We were the first ones to talk about bringing our king back!" But the people of Judah spoke even more unkindly than the people of Israel.

So all the Israelites left David and followed Sheba son of Bicri. But the people of Judah stayed with their king all the way from the Jordan River to Jerusalem.

David came back to his palace in Jerusalem. He had left ten of his slave women there to take care of the palace. Now he put them in a locked house. He gave them food, but he did not have sexual relations with them. So they lived like widows until they died.

So Amasa went to call the men of Judah together, but he took more time than the king had said.

But a wise woman shouted out from the city, "Listen! Listen! Tell Joab to come here. I want to talk to him!"

That is not what I want. But there is a man here from the mountains of Ephraim, who is named Sheba son of Bicri. He has turned against King David. If you bring him to me, I will leave the city alone." The woman said to Joab, "His head will be thrown over the wall to you."

(Now the Gibeonites were not Israelites; they were a group of Amorites who were left alive. The Israelites had promised not to hurt the Gibeonites, but Saul had tried to kill them, because he was eager to help the people of Israel and Judah.) King David called the Gibeonites together and spoke to them.

But the king protected Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, because of the promise he had made to Jonathan in the Lord 's name.

Again there was war between the Philistines and Israel. David and his men went out to fight the Philistines, but David became tired.

but Abishai son of Zeruiah killed the Philistine and saved David's life. Then David's men made a promise to him, saying, "Never again will you go out with us to battle. If you were killed, Israel would lose its greatest leader."

They attacked me at my time of trouble, but the Lord supported me.

You are pure to those who are pure, but you are against those who are evil.