Study Desk

So David told Joab and the army officers, "Go to every tribe in Israel, from the town of Dan in the north all the way south to Beersheba, and count everyone who can serve in the army. I want to know how many there are." Joab answered, "I hope the Lord your God will give you a hundred times more soldiers than you already have. I hope you will live to see that day! But why do you want to do a thing like this?" But when David refused to change his mind, Joab and the army officers went out and started counting the people.

Araunah looked and saw David and his soldiers coming up toward him. He went over to David, bowed down low,

His officials said, "Your Majesty, we will look for a young woman to take care of you. She can lie down beside you and keep you warm."

Adonijah was the son of David and Haggith. He was Absalom's younger brother and was very handsome. One day, Adonijah started bragging, "I'm going to make myself king!" So he got some chariots and horses, and he hired fifty men as bodyguards. David did not want to hurt his feelings, so he never asked Adonijah why he was doing these things.

Adonijah invited his brothers and David's officials from Judah to go with him to Crawling Rock near Rogel Spring, where he sacrificed some sheep, cattle, and fat calves.

But he did not invite Nathan, Benaiah, David's bodyguards, or his own brother Solomon.

Meanwhile, David was in his bedroom where Abishag was taking care of him because he was so old. Bathsheba went in

Someone told David that he was there, and Nathan came in. He bowed with his face to the ground

Then he said, "The living Lord God of Israel has kept me safe. And so today, I will keep the promise I made to you in his name: Solomon will be the next king!"

Adonijah and his guests had almost finished eating when they heard the noise. Joab also heard the trumpet and asked, "What's all that noise about in the city?"

And listen to this! David's officials told him, "We pray that your God will help Solomon to be an even greater king!" David was in his bed at the time, but he bowed

Do what the Lord your God commands and follow his teachings. Obey everything written in the Law of Moses. Then you will be a success, no matter what you do or where you go.

Solomon, don't forget what Joab did to me by killing Abner son of Ner and Amasa son of Jether, the two commanders of Israel's army. He killed them as if they were his enemies in a war, but he did it when there was no war. He is guilty, and now it's up to you to punish him

in the way you think best. Whatever you do, don't let him die peacefully in his old age.

His son Solomon became king and took control of David's kingdom.

When Bathsheba went to see Solomon, he stood up to meet her, then bowed low. He sat back down and had another throne brought in, so his mother could sit at his right side.

When Solomon heard about this, he sent someone to ask Joab, "Why did you run to the altar?" Joab sent back his answer, "I was afraid of you, and I ran to the Lord for protection." Then Solomon shouted, "Benaiah, go kill Joab!"

Joab's family will always suffer because of what he did, but the Lord will always bless David's family and his kingdom with peace.

Benaiah went back and killed Joab. His body was taken away and buried near his home in the desert.

he saddled his donkey and went after them. He found them and brought them back to Jerusalem.