Study Desk

And David got a name for himself when he returned from smiting the Syrians in the Valley of Salt, even eighteen thousand men.

And David said, Is there yet any that is left of the house of Saul, that I may show him kindness for Jonathan's sake?

And David said to him, Don't be afraid; for I will surely show you kindness for Jonathan your father's sake, and will restore you all the land of Saul your father; and you shall eat bread at my table continually.

And you shall till the land for him, you, and your sons, and your slaves; and you shall bring in [the fruits], that your master's house may have bread to eat: but Mephibaal your master's son shall always eat bread at my table. Now Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty slaves.

Then Ziba said to the king, According to all that my lord the king commands his slave, so shall your slave do. As for Mephibaal, [the king said], he shall eat at my table, as one of the king's sons.

So Mephibaal dwelt in Jerusalem; for he ate continually at the king's table. And he was lame in both his feet.

When they told it to David, he sent to meet them; for the men were greatly ashamed. And the king said, Tarry at Jericho until your beards are grown, and then return.

And he said, If the Syrians are too strong for me, then you shall help me; but if the sons of Ammon are too strong for you, then I will come and help you.

Be strong and we shall be strengthened for our people, and for the cities of our God: and Yahweh shall do that which is good in his eyes.

And David sent messengers, and took her; and she came in to him, and he lay with her, for she was purified from her uncleanness; and she returned to her house.

So the messenger went, and came and showed David all that Joab had sent him for.

Then David said to the messenger, Thus you shall say to Joab, Don't let this thing displease you, for the sword devours one as well as another; make your battle stronger against the city, and overthrow it: and encourage him.

And when the wife of Uriah heard that Uriah her husband was dead, she made lamentation for her husband.

And there came a traveler to the rich man, and he spared to take of his own flock and of his own herd, to dress for the wayfaring man that came to him, but took the poor man's lamb, and dressed it for the man that came to him.

For you did it secretly: but I will do this thing before all Israel, and before the sun.

Nevertheless, because by this deed you have shown utter contempt for Yahweh, the son also that is born to you shall surely die.

David therefore implored God for the child; and David fasted, and went in, and lay all night on the earth.

And it came to pass on the seventh day, that the child died. And the slaves of David feared to tell him that the child was dead; for they said, Look, while the child was yet alive, we spoke to him, and he didn't listen to our voice: how he will then vex himself, if we tell him that the child is dead!

Then his slaves said to him, What is this thing that you have done? you fasted and wept for the child, while it was alive; but when the child was dead, you rose and ate bread.

And he said, While the child was yet alive, I fasted and wept: for I said, Who knows whether Yahweh will not be gracious to me, that the child may live?