Study Desk

But that same night the Word of the Lord came to Nathan, saying,

For I have not lived in a house since the day I brought up Israel to this day. But I have gone from tent to tent and from one place to another to live.

When your days are over, the time will come when you must go to be with your fathers. But then I will put into power one of your sons after you. I will make him king.

But I will put him over My house and in My nation forever. And his throne will last forever."'"

David took from him 1,000 war-wagons, 7,000 horsemen, and 20,000 foot soldiers. And he cut the legs of all but 100 war-wagon horses.

The Syrians of Damascus came to help King Hadadezer of Zobah. But David killed 22,000 of the Syrian men.

But the princes of the sons of Ammon said to Hanun, "Do you think that David is giving honor to your father by sending men to comfort you? Have not his servants come to spy out the land and destroy it?"

But he had his brother Abishai lead the rest of the men. And they made themselves ready to fight the sons of Ammon.

Joab said, "If the Syrians are too strong for me, then help me. But if the sons of Ammon are too strong for you, then I will help you.

In the spring, at the time when kings go out to battle, Joab led out the army. He destroyed the land of the sons of Ammon. And he gathered his army around Rabbah. But David stayed at Jerusalem. Joab fought against Rabbah, and won.

Joab said, "May the Lord add to His people a hundred times as many as they are! But, my lord the king, are they not all my lord's servants? Why does my lord want this thing done? Why should he bring guilt upon Israel?"

But the king's word was stronger than Joab. So Joab left and went through all of Israel, and returned to Jerusalem.

But Joab did not number Levi and Benjamin among them because he did not like what the king had told him to do.

David said to God, "I have sinned very much by doing this thing. But now I beg You, take away the sin of Your servant for I have done a very foolish thing."

David said to Gad, "I am in much trouble. Let me fall into the hand of the Lord. For His loving-kindness is very great. But do not let me fall into the hand of man."

God sent an angel to destroy Jerusalem. But as he was about to destroy it, the Lord saw the trouble and was sorry. He said to the destroying angel, "It is enough. Now take your hand away." The angel of the Lord was standing by the grain-floor of Ornan the Jebusite.

David said to God, "Was it not I who said that the people must be numbered? I am the one who has sinned and done a very bad thing. But what have these sheep done? O Lord my God, I beg You, let Your hand be against me and my father's house. But do not let the trouble be upon Your people."

But King David said to Ornan, "No, I will buy it for the full price. I will not take what is yours for the Lord. And I will not give a burnt gift for which I do not pay."

But David could not go in front of it to pray to God. For he was afraid of the sword of the angel of the Lord.

But the word of the Lord came to me, saying, ‘You have taken much blood, and have fought many wars. You are not to build a house to My name, because you have poured so much blood upon the earth before Me.