Study Desk

When the Philistines heard that David had been made king over Israel, all the Philistines went to look for him. But when David heard the news, he went down to the stronghold.

The Ark of the Lord stayed in Obed-Edom's house for three months, and the Lord blessed Obed-Edom and all his family.

David put up a tent for the Ark of the Lord , and then the Israelites put it in its place inside the tent. David offered whole burnt offerings and fellowship offerings before the Lord .

"Go and tell my servant David, ‘This is what the Lord says: Will you build a house for me to live in?

I have been with you everywhere you have gone and have defeated your enemies for you. I will make you as famous as any of the great people on the earth.

Also I will choose a place for my people Israel, and I will plant them so they can live in their own homes. They will not be bothered anymore. Wicked people will no longer bother them as they have in the past

when I chose judges for my people Israel. But I will give you peace from all your enemies. I also tell you that I will make your descendants kings of Israel after you.

He will build a house for me, and I will let his kingdom rule always.

But even this is not enough for you, Lord God . You have also made promises about my future family. This is extraordinary, Lord God .

There is no nation like your people Israel. They are the only people on earth that God chose to be his own. You made your name well known. You did great and wonderful miracles for them. You went ahead of them and forced other nations and their gods out of the land. You freed your people from slavery in Egypt.

So Toi sent his son Joram to greet and congratulate King David for defeating Hadadezer. (Hadadezer had been at war with Toi.) Joram brought items made of silver, gold, and bronze.

David was king over all Israel, and he did what was fair and right for all his people.

David asked, "Is anyone still left in Saul's family? I want to show kindness to that person for Jonathan's sake!"

David said to him, "Don't be afraid. I will be kind to you for your father Jonathan's sake. I will give you back all the land of your grandfather Saul, and you will always eat at my table."

The Ammonites came out and prepared for battle at the city gate. The Arameans from Zobah and Rehob and the men from Tob and Maacah were out in the field by themselves.

Joab said to Abishai, "If the Arameans are too strong for me, you must help me. Or, if the Ammonites are too strong for you, I will help you.

Be strong. We must fight bravely for our people and the cities of our God. The Lord will do what he thinks is right."

When David heard about this, he gathered all the Israelites together. They crossed over the Jordan River and went to Helam. There the Arameans prepared for battle and attacked him.

Uriah said to him, "The Ark and the soldiers of Israel and Judah are staying in tents. My master Joab and his officers are camping out in the fields. It isn't right for me to go home to eat and drink and have sexual relations with my wife!"

Do you remember who killed Abimelech son of Jerub-Besheth? It was a woman on the city wall. She threw a large stone for grinding grain on Abimelech and killed him there in Thebez. Why did you go so near the wall?' If King David asks that, tell him, ‘Your servant Uriah the Hittite also died.'"