Study Desk

Jonathan, my brother, I miss you! I enjoyed your friendship so much. Your love for me was wonderful, stronger than the love of women.

Later David asked the Lord for advice. David said, "Should I take control of any of the cities of Judah?" The Lord said to David, "Yes." David asked, "Where should I go?" The Lord answered, "To Hebron."

David ruled over the tribe of Judah from Hebron for seven years and six months.

So the young soldiers got up. The two groups counted their men for the contest. They chose twelve men from the tribe of Benjamin to fight for Ish Bosheth son of Saul, and they chose twelve men from David's officers.

Abner didn't want to hurt Asahel, so he said to Asahel, "Stop chasing me—go after one of the young soldiers. You could easily take his armor for yourself." But Asahel refused to stop chasing Abner.

There was war for a long time between Saul's family and David's family. David became stronger and stronger, but Saul's family became weaker and weaker.

This made Abner very angry. He said, "I have been loyal to Saul and his family. I did not give you to David. I am not a traitor working for Judah. But now you are saying that I did this bad thing.

Abner sent this message to the leaders of Israel. He said, "For a long time you have wanted to make David your king.

Then Abner came up to David at Hebron. Abner brought 20 men with him. David gave a party for Abner and for all the men who came with him.

Joab and his family are responsible for this, and they will be cursed. Many troubles will come to his family. His people will be sick with leprosy, crippled, killed in war, and not have enough food to eat!"

David said to Joab and to all the people with Joab, "Tear your clothes and put on sackcloth. Cry for Abner." They buried Abner in Hebron. David went to the funeral. King David and all the people cried at Abner's grave.

Abner, your hands were not tied. Your feet were not put in chains. No, Abner, evil men killed you!" Then all the people cried again for Abner.

Saul's son Jonathan had a son named Mephibosheth. He was five years old when the news came from Jezreel that Saul and Jonathan had been killed. The woman who cared for Mephibosheth picked him up and ran away. But while running away, she dropped the boy, and he became crippled in both feet.

When they arrived at Hebron, they gave Ish Bosheth's head to David. Recab and Baanah said to King David, "Here is the head of your enemy, Ish Bosheth son of Saul. He tried to kill you, but the Lord has punished Saul and his family for you today."

Once before a man thought he would bring me good news. He told me, ‘Look! Saul is dead.' He thought I would reward him for bringing me the news. But I grabbed this man and killed him at Ziklag.

David was 30 years old when he began to rule. He was king for 40 years.

In Hebron he ruled over Judah for 7 years and 6 months, and in Jerusalem he ruled over all Israel and Judah for 33 years.

That day David said to his men, "Whenever you strike at the Jebusites, aim for the throat and kill them." David said this because he hates to have people left who are crippled and blind. That is why people now say, "The lame and blind are not allowed in the temple."

King Hiram of Tyre sent messengers to David. He also sent cedar trees, carpenters, and stonemasons. They built a house for David.

Then David knew that the Lord had really made him king of Israel and had made him ruler over his kingdom for the good of his people, Israel.