Study Desk

And David took hold on his garments and tore them; and also all the men with him did so.

And they mourned and wept and fasted until the evening, for Saul, and for his son Jonathan, and for the people of Jehovah, and for the house of Israel, because they had fallen by the sword.

And David sang this death-dirge over Saul, and over his son Jonathan;

And David went up there, and also his two wives, Ahinoam of Jezreel, and Abigail the former wife of Nabal of Carmel.

And David brought up his men of those who were with him, each man and his household. And they lived in the cities of Hebron.

And each one lay hold on the head of his companion, and thrust his sword into the side of his companion. And they fell together. And one called that place The Field of Rocks, which is in Gibeon.

And there were three sons of Zeruiah there, Joab, and Abishai, and Asahel. And Asahel was swift with his feet, like one of the gazelles in the field.

And Abner said to him, Turn aside to your right, or to your left, and seize one of the young men for yourself, and take his spoil for yourself. And Asahel was not willing to turn aside from following him.

And he refused to turn aside. And Abner struck him in the belly with the butt of the spear. And the spear came out from behind him; and he fell there, and died in his place. And it happened that all who came to the place, there where Asahel fell and died, they stood still.

And Joab said, As God lives, for if you had not spoken, surely then in the morning the people would have gone up, each one from following his brother.

And Abner and his men went through the Arabah all that night, and crossed the Jordan, and went all the forenoon, and came to Mahanaim.

And they lifted up Asahel and buried him in the burying place of his father, which is in Bethlehem. And they went all night, Joab and his men; and it was light to them coming into Hebron.

And sons were born to David in Hebron. And his first-born was Amnon, of Ahinoam of Jezreel.

And his second was Chileab, of Abigail the former wife of Nabal of Carmel. And the third was Absalom the son of Maacah, the daughter of Talmai the king of Geshur.

And Abner was exceedingly angry over the words of Ishbosheth. And he said, Am I a dog's head, that I deal with kindness with the house of your father Saul in regards to Judah today,to his brothers, and to his friends, and havenot caused you to be found in the hand of David, and you charge a stroke against me with this woman today?

And Abner returned to Hebron. And Joab turned him aside into the middle of the gate, to speak with him privately. And he struck him in the belly there, and he died, because of the blood of his brother Asahel.

May it whirl about the head of Joab, and on all his father's house; and let there not fail from the house of Joab one that has an issue, or that is a leper, or that leans on a staff, or who falls by the sword, or that lacks bread!

And Joab and his brother Abishai killed Abner because he had killed their brother Asahel in Gibeon, in battle.

And they buried Abner in Hebron. And the king lifted up his voice and wept at the grave of Abner; and all the people wept.

And the king said to his servants, Do you not know that a leader and a great one has fallen this day in Israel?