Study Desk

"May no rain or dew fall on Gilboa's hills; may its fields be always barren! For the shields of the brave lie there in disgrace; the shield of Saul is no longer polished with oil.

"Women of Israel, mourn for Saul! He clothed you in rich scarlet dresses and adorned you with jewels and gold.

"I grieve for you, my brother Jonathan; how dear you were to me! How wonderful was your love for me, better even than the love of women.

he sent some men there with the message: "May the Lord bless you for showing your loyalty to your king by burying him.

He was forty years old when he was made king of Israel, and he ruled for two years. But the tribe of Judah was loyal to David,

and he ruled in Hebron over Judah for seven and a half years.

started chasing Abner, running straight for him.

Then Joab blew the trumpet as a signal for his men to stop pursuing the Israelites; and so the fighting stopped.

The fighting between the forces supporting Saul's family and those supporting David went on for a long time. As David became stronger and stronger, his opponents became weaker and weaker.

Abner went to the leaders of Israel and said to them, "For a long time you have wanted David to be your king.

When Abner came to David at Hebron with twenty men, David gave a feast for them.

May the punishment for it fall on Joab and all his family! In every generation may there be some man in his family who has gonorrhea or a dreaded skin disease or is fit only to do a woman's work or is killed in battle or doesn't have enough to eat!"

So Joab and his brother Abishai took revenge on Abner for killing their brother Asahel in the battle at Gibeon.

Then David ordered Joab and his men to tear their clothes, wear sackcloth, and mourn for Abner. And at the funeral King David himself walked behind the coffin.

David sang this lament for Abner: "Why did Abner have to die like a fool?

His hands were not tied, And his feet were not bound; He died like someone killed by criminals!" And the people wept for him again.

Even though I am the king chosen by God, I feel weak today. These sons of Zeruiah are too violent for me. May the Lord punish these criminals as they deserve!"

Rechab and Baanah set out for Ishbosheth's house and arrived there about noon, while he was taking his midday rest.

The messenger who came to me at Ziklag and told me of Saul's death thought he was bringing good news. I seized him and had him put to death. That was the reward I gave him for his good news!

How much worse it will be for evil men who murder an innocent man asleep in his own house! I will now take revenge on you for murdering him and will wipe you off the face of the earth!"