11 David tore his clothing as did all the men with him. 12 They fasted for Saul and his son Jonathan, and for the people of the house of Israel until evening, because they had fallen by the sword.

13 David said to the young man who had brought the news, "Where are you from?" He replied, "I am the son of an alien, an Amalekite." 14 David then asked, "How is it that you were not afraid to stretch out your hand against the LORD's anointed?" 15 Having said this he told one of his young men to cut the Amalekite down, and so he died. 16 David said to him, "Your blood is on your own head, for you have testified against yourself, saying that you have killed the LORD's anointed."

17 Then David chanted a lament over Saul and Jonathan, 18 and declared that the Song of the Bow should be taught to the children of Israel. Behold, it is written in the book of Jashar.

19 "Your beauty, O Israel, is slain on your high places!
How have the mighty fallen!"
20 "Tell it not in Gath. Do not proclaim it in the streets of Ashkelon,
Lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice,
And the daughters of the uncircumcised exalt."
21 "O mountains of Gilboa,
Let no dew or rain fall on you or your fields of offerings.
For there the shield of the mighty has been defiled.
The shield of Saul was not anointed with oil."
22 "From the blood of the slain, from the fat of the mighty,
the bow of Jonathan did not turn back,
And Saul's sword did not return empty."
23 "Saul and Jonathan, beloved and pleasant in life,
Were not parted in death.
They were swifter than eagles and stronger than lions."
24 "O daughters of Israel, weep over Saul,
Who clothed you in scarlet,
Who put ornaments of gold on your apparel."
25 "How have the mighty fallen in the midst of battle!
Jonathan is slain on your high places."
26 "I am distressed for you, my brother Jonathan.
You have been very pleasant to me.
Your love to me was more wonderful than the love of women."
27 "How have the mighty fallen,
And the weapons of war perished?"

2 Samuel 2 - RWB Paraphrase (32 V)
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Joab's Men and Abner's Men Meet in Battle
1 After this David inquired of the LORD, saying, "Shall I go up to one of the cities of Judah?" The LORD said to him, "Go up." And David asked, "Where shall I go up?" And the LORD said, "To Hebron." 2 So David went up with his two wives, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess and Abigail the widow of Nabal the Carmelite. 3 David's men came with him, each bringing his household and they lived in the cities of Hebron. 4 The men of Judah anointed David to be king over Judah. They told David it was the men of Jabeshgilead who had buried Saul. 5 David sent messengers to the men of Jabeshgilead, saying to them, "May you be blessed of the LORD because you showed this kindness to Saul your lord, by burying him." 6 "May the LORD show you His loving kindness. And I will remember this kindness you have done." 7 "Now, therefore, let you hands be strong and be valiant, for your master Saul is dead, and the house of Judah has anointed me as their king."

8 But Abner the son of Ner and commander of Saul's army took Ishbosheth, Saul's son, and brought him to Mahanaim. 9 There he made him king over Gilead, the Ashurites, Jezreel, Ephraim and Benjamin, and all of Israel. 10 Ishbosheth, Saul's son, was forty years old when he was made king of Israel. He reigned two years while Judah followed David. 11 David was king in Hebron for seven and one half years.

12 Abner the son of Ner went from Mahanaim to Gibeon with Ishbosheth's servants. 13 And Joab the son of Zeruiah and David's servants met them there by the pool of Gibeon. Abner and Joab sat on either side of the pool. 14 Abner said to Joab, "Why not let the young men hold a contest while we watch." Joab agreed. 15 So twelve young men from Benjamin belonging to Ishbosheth met twelve of Davids young men. 16 Each one of them seized his opponent by the head and thrust his sword into his opponent's side so that they all fell down together. That is why the place was called Helkathhazzurim, meaning the field of the sword edges, which is in Gibeon. 17 The battle was very severe on that day. Abner and his men were beaten before David's servants. 18 The three sons of Zeruiah were there, Joab, Abishai and Asahel. Asahel could run like a gazelle. 19 He pursued Abner turning neither right or left from following him. 20 Abner looked back and said, "Is that you Asahel?" And he answered, "Yes it is I." 21 Abner said, "Go after someone else and take their spoil." But Asahel kept following him. 22 Again Abner said to Asahel, "Turn aside from following me. How can I face your brother Joab if I strike you down?" 23 But Asahel refused to turn aside and Abner struck him in the belly with the butt of his spear so that it came out his back side. He fell and died on the spot. All who came to the place where he lay stood around him.

24 But Joab and Abishai pursued Abner. When the sun was going down they came to the hill of Ammah in front of Giah near the wilderness of Gibeon. 25 The sons of Benjamin gathered together behind Abner preparing to make their defense on the hill top. 26 Abner called to Joab, saying, "Must the sword devour forever? In the end it will only be bitterness. How long before you tell everyone to turn back from following their brothers?" 27 Joab replied, "God knows that before you spoke I planned to send everyone home from following his brother."

28 So Joab blew the trumpet and all David's people quit the fight. 29 Abner and his men then went through Arabah all that night, crossed the Jordon and then walked all morning until they came to Mahanaim.

30 So Joab turned from following Abner. After making a count he learned that nineteen of David's servants besides Asahel were missing. 31 And Joab's men had struck down three hundred and sixty of Abner's men. 32 They buried Asahel in his father's tomb in Bethlehem. Then Joab and his men went all night to reach Hebron by dawn.

2 Samuel 3 - RWB Paraphrase (39 V)
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Abner Gets Israel to Accept David As Their King
1 There was a long war between the house of Saul and the house of David. David continued to grow stronger and the house of Saul grew steadily weaker.

2 Here are the sons born to David in Hebron:
His firstborn was Amnon by Ahinoam the Jezreelitess,
3 His second, Chileab by Abigail the widow of Nabal the Carmelite,
The third, Absalom the son of Maacah, the daughter of Talmai, the king of Geshur,
4 The forth, Adonijah the son of Haggith,
The fifth, Shephataih the son of Abital,
5 And the sixth, Ithream by Eglah.
These were born to David at Hebron.

6 While there was war between the house of Saul and the house of David, Abner was strengthening his position in the house of Saul. 7 Saul had a concubine by the name of Rizpah. She was the daughter of Aiah. Ishbosheth confronted Abner, saying, "Why have you gone into my father's concubine?" 8 This made Abner so angry that he said, "Am I a Judean dog you can kick around? I have not delivered you into the hands of David, and yet you charge me with guilt concerning this woman?" 9 "May God cause my death if I do not do for David what the LORD has sworn to him," 10 "to transfer the kingdom from the house of Saul to establish the throne of David over Israel as well as Judah, even from Dan to Beersheba." 11 Ishbosheth could not answer Abner one word for fear of him.

12 Then Abner sent messengers to David, saying, "Who does the land belong to? Make a covenant with me and I will help bring all Israel over to you." 13 David said, "Good! I will make a covenant with you. But I demand one thing. You will not see my face unless you first bring my wife Michal, Saul's daughter, to me when you come to see me." 14 Then David sent a letter to Ishbosheth, Saul's son, saying, "Give me my wife Michal, with whom I was betrothed for a hundred Philistine foreskins." 15 Ishbosheth sent and had her taken from her husband Paltiel, the son of Laish. 16 Her husband followed after her weeping as far as Bahurim until Abner sent him back.

17 Abner held consultation with the elders of Israel. He said, "In the past you wanted David to be king over you." 18 "Now is the time. The LORD has spoken of him saying that by His servant David He would save His people Israel from the Philistines and all their enemies." 19 Abner also spoke in the hearing of Benjamin. Then he spoke in the hearing of David in Hebron. It all seemed good to Israel and the house of Benjamin.

20 Abner and twenty men with him came to David at Hebron. David made a feast for them. 21 Abner said to David, "Let me arise and gather all Israel to my lord the king, that they may make a covenant with you and that you may be their king." So David sent Abner away in peace.

22 The servants of David and Joab returned from a raid bringing back much spoil. Abner had already left for David had sent him away in peace. 23 Joab was told, "Abner the son of Ner came to the king and he has sent him away in peace." 24 Then Joab came to the king and said, "Abner came to you. Why have you sent him away in peace?" 25 "You know that he came to deceive you and to see everything he can about you." 26 When Joab came away from seeing David, he sent messenger after Abner, and they brought him back from the well of Sirah. David knew nothing about this. 27 When Abner arrived in Hebron, Joab took him aside into the middle gate, as though to speak with him privately. There he struck him in the belly so that he died for the blood of Asahel, Joab's brother. 28 When David heard of what Joab had done, he said, "I and my kingdom are innocent before the LORD of the blood of Abner the son of Ner." 29 "May it fall on the head of Joab and on all his father's house, that there may never fail in the house of Joab to have someone with a discharge, or who is a leper, or lame, or who falls by the sword or goes hungry."

30 So Joab and Abishai his brother killed Abner because he put their brother Asahel to death in the battle at Gibeon. 31 Then David told Joab and all the people with him to tear their clothes and put on sack cloth and lament Abner. And king David walked behind the bier. 32 Thus they buried Abner in Hebron, and David lifted up his voice and wept at Abner's grave, and all the people wept.

33 The king chanted a lament for Abner. It said, "Should Abner die like a fool?" 34 "Your hands were not tied, nor you feet in fetters. You fell as one who falls before the wicked." And all the people wept over him again. 35 The people tried to get David to eat while it was still day, but he would not. He said, "May God do to me, and more also, if I taste anything before the sun goes down." 36 The people took note of everything David did and all the people were please with him. 37 Everyone understood that it had not been David's wish that Abner the son of Ner be put to death. 38 Then David said, "Do you not realize that a prince and a great man has fallen this day in Israel?" 39 "Though I am king, today I feel weak. These sons of Zeruiah are too difficult for me. May the LORD repay the evil doer according to his wickedness."

2 Samuel 4 - RWB Paraphrase (12 V)
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David Avenges the Death of Ishbosheth
1 When Ishbosheth heard that Abner had died in Hebron, he lost courage, and all Israel was troubled. 2 He had two men who were commanders of bands. One was Baanah and the other was Rechab, both sons of Rimmon the Beerothite who was of the sons of Benjamin. 3 The Beerothites had fled to Benjamin and become part of that tribe.

4 Saul's son Jonathan had a son who was crippled in his feet. He was five years old when the report of Saul and Jonathan's death came from Jezreel. His nurse grabbed the boy up and fled. But in her hurry, she let him fall and he became lame. His name was Mephibosheth.

5 The sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, Rechab and Baanah, came to the house of Ishbosheth in the heat of the day while he rested. 6 They entered the middle of the house as though they were getting wheat, and struck him in the belly and then escaped. 7 They had struck him while he lay on his bed. After killing him they beheaded him and took his head by night traveling through Arabah.

8 They brought the head of Ishbosheth to David at Hebron. They said to the king, "Behold the head of Ishbosheth the son of Saul. He was your enemy and sought your life. The LORD has given you vengeance this day on Saul and his descendants." 9 David said to them, "As the LORD lives, Who has redeemed my life from distress," 10 "when someone told me that Saul was dead, and thought he was bringing good news, I had him killed in Ziklag, which was the reward I gave him for his news." 11 "How much more, when wicked men have killed a righteous man in his bed in his own house, shall I not require his blood from your hand destroy you from the earth?" 12 Then David commanded his young men to kill the two of them and cut off their hands and feet and hang them beside the pool in Hebron. They then buried the head of Ishbosheth in Abner's grave in Hebron.

2 Samuel 5 - RWB Paraphrase (25 V)
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David Is Establish As King of Israel and Judah and Takes Jerusalem
1 Then all the tribes of Israel came to David in Hebron and said, "Behold, we are your bone and flesh." 2 "When Saul was king, it was you who saved Israel. The LORD said to you, 'You will shepherd Israel and rule over Israel.'." 3 So all the elders made a covenant with David before the LORD at Hebron. And they anointed David king over Israel. 4 David was thirty years old when he became king, and he reigned forty years. 5 He reigned at Hebron seven and a half years, and in Jerusalem he reigned thirty three years over all of Israel and Judah.

6 Now the king and his men went to Jerusalem against the Jebusites who lived in that area. They told David he would not be able to enter there because even the lame and the blind could defend it. 7 Nevertheless, David did capture the stronghold of Zion, which would become the city of David. 8 On that day, David said, "Whoever will strike the Jebusites will do it by entering the stronghold through the water tunnel. The blind and the lame won't be expecting this."

9 So David lived in the stronghold and called it the city of David. He built all around from the Millo and inward.

10 David became greater and greater, for the LORD God of hosts was with him. 11 Then Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David with cedar trees and carpenters and stone masons, and they built a house for David. 12 David realized that the LORD had established him as king over Israel, and He had exalted his kingdom for the sake of his people Israel.

13 David took more concubines and wives out of Jerusalem after he came from Hebron, and more sons and daughters were born to David. 14 These are the one born to him in Jerusalem: Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon, 15 Ibhar, Elishua, Nepheg, Japhia, 16 Elishama, Eliada and Eliphelet.

17 When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over Israel, they came up looking for him. Learning of this, David went down to the stronghold. 18 The Philistines had spread out in the valley of Rephaim. 19 David asked the LORD, "Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will you give them into my hand?" And the LORD said to David, "Go up, for I will certainly give the Philistines into your hand."

20 So David came to Baalperazim and defeated them there. He said, "The LORD has broken through my enemies as though they were like water." He named the place Baalperazim. 21 The Philistines abandoned their idols there so David and his men burned them.

22 The Philistines came up once again and spread out through the valley of Rephaim. 23 When David asked the LORD what he should do, the LORD said, "Instead of going directly toward them, circle around behind and come at them in front of the balsam trees." 24 "When you hear the sound of marching in the balsam tree tops, then you shall move quickly, for the LORD will have gone before you to strike the army of the Philistines." 25 David did just as the LORD had commanded, and struck down the Philistines from Geba to Gezer.

2 Samuel 6 - RWB Paraphrase (23 V)
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David Moves the Ark of God to Jerusalem
1 David once again gathered all the chosen men of Israel, numbering thirty thousand. 2 David and his men from Baalejudah, also known as KiriathJearim, went to bring the ark of God, which is called by the name of the LORD of Hosts that dwelleth between the cherubims. 3 They took the ark out of the house of Abinadab and placed it on a new cart. Uzzah and Ahio, Abinadab's sons, were leading the cart, 4 as they brought the ark of God from the house of Abinadab, which was on a hill. Ahio was walking ahead of the cart. 5 Meanwhile, David and all of the house of Israel were celebrating before the LORD with all kinds of instruments made of fir wood, and with harps, tambourines, cornets and cymbals. 6 As they came to the threshing floor of Nacon, the oxen stumbled, causing the cart to tip so that it seemed the ark would fall from the cart. Uzzah reach out to steady the ark of God. 7 The LORD's anger burned against Uzzah. God struck him down for his irreverence, and he died there by the ark of God.

8 The LORD's outburst against Uzzah made David angry, and he called the name of the place Perezuzzah from that day. 9 So David was afraid of the LORD that day. He said, "How can the ark of the LORD be brought to where I live?" 10 He was unwilling to move the ark of the LORD to the city of David. Instead he had it taken aside to the house of Obededon the Gittite. 11 The ark of the LORD stayed in his house for three months, and the LORD blessed Obededon and all his household.

12 When David heard that the LORD had blessed the house of Obededom and everything he had while the ark of the LORD was in his house, he brought the ark of God from the house of Obededom to the city of David with gladness. 13 Those bearing the ark of the LORD went six paces, and David would sacrificed a bull and a fattened calf. 14 And David danced before the LORD with all his might as he wore a linen ephod.

15 So David and all the house of Israel brought the ark of the LORD to Jerusalem with shouting and the sound of the trumpet. 16 As the ark of the LORD was being brought into the city of David, Michal, Saul's daughter, looked out a window and saw king David leaping and dancing before the LORD. And in her heart she despised him.

17 They brought the ark of the LORD and set it inside the tent which David had pitched to house it. And David offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the LORD. 18 When David had finished offering the peace offering, he blessed the people in the name of the LORD of Hosts. 19 In addition, he gave every man and woman of Israel a cake of bread, one of dates and another of raisins. Then everyone departed for his home. 20 When David returned to bless his household, Michal came out to meet him and said, "How the king of Israel has distinguished himself today! He has foolishly uncovered himself shamelessly before his servants' maids." 21 David replied, "I danced before the LORD Who chose me above your father and all of his house. He appointed me ruler over His people of Israel. This is why I celebrated before the LORD." 22 "There will be times when I am more lightly esteemed and humbled in my own eyes, but with the maidens you have spoken of I will be honored." 23 And Michal the daughter of Saul never had a child.

2 Samuel 7 - RWB Paraphrase (29 V)
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David Proposes to Build a House for God
1 When David was living in his house, and the LORD had given him rest from his enemies on every side, 2 he said to Nathan the prophet, "I dwell in a house of cedar, but the ark of God dwells within the curtains of a tent." 3 Nathan said to the king, "Go and do all that is on your heart, for the LORD is with you." 4 But that same night the word of the LORD came to Nathan, saying, 5 "Say to David My servant, 'Thus says the LORD. Are you the one who should build Me a house to dwell in?'" 6 "I have not dwelt in a house since the day I brought the children of Israel up from Egypt. I have always been moving about in a tent, or tabernacle." 7 "In all the places I have walked with the children of Israel I have not asked for a house of cedar." 8 "Therefore, tell my servant David, "Thus says the LORD, 'I took you from the pasture, from following sheep, to be ruler over My people Israel. 9 "I have been with you, cutting off your enemies wherever you have gone. I will make you a great name, a name among the great men on earth." 10 "I will appoint a place for My people Israel, that they may live in their own place without being disturbed by the wicked as before," 11 "as in the time of the judges, whom I placed over My people Israel. I will give you rest from all your enemies. I will make a house for you." 12 "When your days are complete and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up one of your descendants and I will establish the kingdom with him." 13 "He shall build a house for My name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever." 14 "I will be a Father to him and he will be a son to Me. When he sins I will correct him with the rod of men and the stripes of the sons of men." 15 "But My loving kindness shall not depart from him the way I took it from Saul, whom I removed from before you." 16 "Your house and your kingdom shall endure before Me forever and your throne shall be established forever." 17 And Nathan related to David everything the LORD had said.

18 Then David the king went in and sat before the LORD. He said, "Who am I, O LORD God, and what is my house that you have brought me this far?" 19 "Though my house is insignificant in Your eyes, you have spoken of it and Your servant concerning the distant future." 20 "What more can I say to you O LORD God, for You know Your servant." 21 "I recognize that you have done these great things for Your servant according to Your own heart and Your promise." 22 "This is why You are great, O LORD God. There is no other God besides You." 23 "What nation on earth is like Your people Israel, whom You redeemed for Yourself from Egypt, and who you have intended to do great things for You and Your land?" 24 "For You have established for Yourself Your people Israel forever and have become their God."

COMMENT: How interesting that even with his success David has remained humble and does as God has instructed.

25 "Now O LORD God, concerning Your servant and his house, confirm your word forever, and do as You have spoken," 26 "that Your name may be magnified when it is said that the LORD of Hosts is the God of Israel. And may the house of Your servant be established before you." 27 "Because You, O LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel, have revealed to Your servant who shall build Your house. Therefore Your servant has found courage to pray this prayer to You." 28 "O LORD God, Your words are truth and You have promised this good thing to Your servant." 29 "May it please You to bless the house of Your servant, that it may continue forever, just as You have spoken. With Your blessing the house of Your servant is blessed forever."

2 Samuel 8 - RWB Paraphrase (18 V)
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David Defeated His Enemies and Dedicated Their Wealth to the Lord
1 David subdued the Philistines and took control of their chief city. 2 He defeated Moab, killing two thirds of them while the remainder became his servants bringing him tribute. 3 He defeated Hadadezer, the son of Rehob, king of Zobah, moving his border to the river Euphrates. 4 David captured 1,700 of his horsemen and 20,000 of his footmen. He hamstrung the chariot horses except 100 which he kept for his own chariots. 5 When the Arameans of Damascus came to help Hadadezer, king of Zobah, David killed 22,000 of them as well. 6 He placed garrisons among the Arameans of Damascus and they became his servants bringing him tribute. The LORD helped David wherever he went. 7 He brought to Jerusalem the shields of gold carried by the servants of Hadadezer. 8 And from Betah and Berothai, Hadadezer's cities, king David took a very large amount of bronze.

9 When Toi, king of Hamath heard that David had defeated the entire army of Hadadezer, 10 he sent Joram his son to king David to greet him and bless him, because he had defeated Hadadezer who had been at war with Toi. Joram brought articles of silver, gold and bronze. 11 King David dedicated these to the LORD, as he did with the silver and gold he had collected from all the nations he had subdued, 12 from Aram, Moab, the sons of Ammon, the Philistines, Amalek, and from Hadadezer, the son of Rehob, king of Zobah. 13 David made a name for himself when he returned from killing 18,000 Syrians in the Valley of Salt. 14 He placed garrisons in Edom and they became his servants. The LORD helped David wherever he went.

15 So David reigned over all Israel and administered justice and righteousness for all his people. 16 Joab the son of Zeruiah was over the army, and Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was recorder. 17 Zadoc the son of Ahitub and Ahimelech the son of Abiathar were priests and Seraiah was secretary. 18 Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and the Pelethites, and David's sons were chief rulers.

2 Samuel 9 - RWB Paraphrase (13 V)
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David Shows Kindness to Mephibosheth
1 After this David asked, "Is there anyone left in the house of Saul, that I may show him kindness for Jonathan's sake?" 2 Ziba was a servant of the house of Saul, so they called him to David. The king asked, "Are you Ziba?" And he said, "I am your servant." 3 Then the king asked, "Is there anyone in the house of Saul to whom I may show the kindness of God?" And Ziba replied, "There is still one of Jonathan's sons. He is crippled in both feet."

COMMENT:

2 Samuel 4:4 Saul's son Jonathan had a son who was crippled in his feet. He was five years old when the report of Saul and Jonathan's death came from Jezreel. His nurse grabbed the boy up and fled. But in her hurry, she let him fall and he became lame. His name was Mephibosheth.

4 So the king asked, "Where is he?" Ziba said, "Behold, he is in the house of Machir the son of Ammiel in Lodebar." 5 Then king David sent and brought him from the house of Machir the son of Ammiel, from Lodebar.

6 Mephibosheth the son of Jonathan the son of Saul came to David and prostrated himself. David said, "Mephibosheth." And he replied, "Here is your servant." 7 David said, "Do not be afraid for I will show kindness to you for the sake of your father Jonathan. I will restore to you all the land of your grandfather Saul. And you shall eat at my table regularly." 8 Again Mephibosheth prostrated himself before David and said, "Who is your servant that you should regard a dead dog like me?"

9 Then the king called Saul's servant Ziba and said to him, "All that belonged to Saul and to all his house I have given to your master's grandson." 10 "You, your sons and your servants shall cultivate the land for him, and harvest the produce so that your master's grandson may have food. Besides this your master's grandson shall eat at my table regularly." Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants. 11 Then Ziba said, "All that you have commanded will be done." So Mephibosheth ate at David's table as one of the king's sons. 12 Mephibosheth had a young son named Mica. And all who lived in the house of Ziba were servants to Mephibosheth. 13 Mephibosheth lived in Jerusalem, for he ate at the king's table regularly. And he was lame in both feet.

2 Samuel 10 - RWB Paraphrase (19 V)
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The Ammonites Humiliate David's Men Who Were Sent to Show Kindness
1 After that the king of the Ammonites died, and Hunun his son became king in his place. 2 Then David said, "I will show kindness to Hanun the son of Nahash, just as his father showed kindness to me." So he sent some of his servants to console Hanun. But when they arrived in the land of the Ammonites, 3 the princes of the land said to Hanun their Lord, "Do you really think David is honoring your father by sending men to console you? They have actually come to spy out the city that they may overthrow it." 4 So Hanun took David's servants and shaved off half their beards, and cut off half their garments down the middle as far as their hips, and sent them away. 5 When David learned of this, he sent men to meet them, for they were greatly humiliated. David told them to remain in Jericho until their beards had grown.

6 When the sons of Ammon learned that they had become odious to David, they hired the Arameans of Bethrehob and Zobah, 20,000 foot soldiers, as well as the king of Maacah with 1,000 men, and 12,000 men of Tob. 7 When David heard of this, he sent Joab with all the army and the mighty men. 8 The sons of Ammon drew up in battle array at the entrance of their city, while the Arameans of Zobah and Rehob and the men of Tob and Maacah stayed by themselves in the field to the rear of Joab's army. 9 When Joab saw that the battle was set against him from both the front and the rear, he arrayed his choice men of Israel against the Arameans. 10 The rest of his people he placed in the hand of Abishai his brother to fight against the sons of Ammon. 11 Joab said, "If the Arameans are too strong for me, you shall help me, but if the sons of Ammon are too strong for you, then I will come your aid." 12 "Be strong and let us show ourselves courageous for the sake of our people and the cities of God. May the LORD do what is good in His sight."

13 So Joab and the people with him came against the Arameans, and they fled before him. 14 When the sons of Ammon saw that the Arameans were fleeing, they also fled before Abishai and went into their city. Then Joab returned from fighting against the sons of Ammon and returned to Jerusalem.

15 After the Arameans saw that they had been defeated by Israel, they again prepared for war with Israel. 16 Hadadezer sent for the Arameans beyond the river. They came to Helam and Shobach the captain of the host went before them. 17 When David heard of this he gathered all Israel together and crossed the Jordan, and came to Helam. The Arameans drew up for battle and fought with David. 18 But then they began to flee from Israel's army. David killed the men of seven hundred Aramean chariots, and 40,000 horseman. They struck down Shobach the commander of the army, and he died there.

19 When all the kings, who were servants of Hadadezer, saw that they were smitten before Israel, they made peace with Israel, and served them. So the Arameans were not willing to help Ammon any more.

2 Samuel 11 - RWB Paraphrase (27 V)
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David's Great Sin With Bathsheba
1 It happened in the new year when kings would go forth to battle, that David sent Joab, his servants and all Israel with him, to besiege Rabbah and destroy the Ammonites. David stayed in Jerusalem. 2 And so it happened that at evening David was walking on the roof of his house and he saw a woman bathing. She was very beautiful. 3 David inquired about who she was. He was told that she was Bathsheba, the daughter of Elim and the wife of Uriah the Hittite. 4 David sent for her and when she came he lay with her. When she had purified herself from her uncleanness, she returned to her house. 5 She conceived and told David of it. 6 Then David sent a message to Joab, saying, 'Send Uriah the Hittite to me." So Joab sent him to David.'" 7 When Uriah came to him, David asked about the welfare of Joab and how the people were doing and of the general state of the war. 8 Then David said, "Go down to your house and wash your feet." And Uriah left the king's house and a present from the king was sent after him. 9 But Uriah slept at the door of the king's house with the king's servants and did not go down to his own house. 10 When David was told that Uriah had not gone down to his own house, he said to Uriah, "Why did you not go down to your house?" 11 Uriah replied to David, "The ark and Israel and Judah are staying in a temporary shelter. Joab and the servants are camping in the open field. Shall I go to my house and eat, drink and lie with my wife? As you live, I will not do this." 12 David said to him, "Stay here a couple more days and then I will send you back." So Uriah remained in Jerusalem that day and the next. 13 David called him back and he ate and drank in his presence. David made him drunk and in the evening he went out and made his bed with his lord's servants, but did not go down to his own house.

14 In the morning David wrote a letter to Joab and gave it to Uriah to deliver. 15 In the letter he said, "Place Uriah in the front where the battle is the fiercest. Then withdraw from him and let him be struck down so that he dies." 16 So Joab observed where the valiant men were and put Uriah there. 17 The men of the city came out and fought against Joab and some of David's servants fell, including Uriah the Hittite. 18 Then Joab set word to David with news of the war. 19 He told the messenger, saying, "When you have finished telling everything about the war to the king," 20 "and if the king is angry and says, 'Why did you go so close to the city to fight? Didn't you know they would shoot from the wall?'." 21 "'You remember how Abimelech the son of Jerubbesheth died when a woman threw an upper mill stone on him from the wall so that he died at Thebez? Why did you go near the wall?' Then you shall tell him, 'Your servant Uriah the Hittite is also dead.'" 22 So the messenger departed and reported to David all that Joab had said to tell. 23 The messenger said to David, "The men prevailed against us out in the field, but we pressed them as far as the entrance to the gate." 24 "Moreover, the archers shot from the wall at your servants. Some of the king's servants are dead, and your servant Uriah the Hittite is also dead." 25 Then David told the messenger to encourage Joab, saying to him, "Do not be unhappy about this. The sword devours one as well and another. Make your battle stronger and overthrow the city."

26 When the wife of Uriah heard that her husband was dead, she mourned for him. 27 When the time of mourning was over, David sent for her and made her his wife. She bore a son, but the thing David had done was evil in the LORD's sight.

2 Samuel 12 - RWB Paraphrase (31 V)
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David Makes Slaves of the Ammonites
1 The LORD sent Nathan to David with a story to tell him."There were two men in the same city. One was rich and the other poor." 2 "The rich man had many flocks and herds." 3 "But the poor man had nothing except one little ewe lamb which he bought and nourished. It grew up together with him and his children, eating from his plate and drinking from his cup. It would lie on his bosom and was like a daughter to him."

4 "A traveler came to visit the rich man and the rich man was unwilling to take from his own flock or herd to prepare food for his visitor. Instead he took the poor man's ewe lamb and had it prepared." 5 When David heard this his anger burned, and he said, "As the LORD lives, this man deserves to die." 6 "He must restore the lamb fourfold, because he did this without pity." 7 Nathan then said, "You are the man! Thus says the LORD God of Israel, 'I anointed you king over Israel and delivered you from the hand of Saul.'." 8 "I gave you your master's house and his wives to be in your care. I gave you both Israel and Judah. If these were not enough I would have added even more!" 9 "Why have you despised the word of the LORD by doing evil in His sight? You have struck down Uriah the Hittite with the sword of the sons of Ammon, and taken his wife." 10 "Therefore, the sword shall never depart from your house, because you have despised Me and taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite as your own." 11 "Behold, I will raise up evil against you from your own household. I will even take your wives from before your eyes and give them to your companion. He will lie with them in broad daylight." 12 "Indeed, you did it in secret, but I will do this thing for all Israel to see."

13 Then David said to Nathan, "I have sinned against the LORD." And Nathan said, "The LORD has forgiven you and taken away your sin. You will not die." 14 "However, because you have given occasion to the enemies of the LORD to blaspheme Him, the child that is born will surely die."

15 So Nathan went to his house and the LORD struck the child that Uriah's widow bore to David, so that he was very sick. 16 David inquired of God for the child, fasting and lying on the ground all night. 17 The elders of his household tried to raise him up from the ground, but he was unwilling to get up and would not eat food. 18 On the seventh day the child died. David's servants were afraid to tell him of it. They thought, "He was so sad while the child lived. What might he do to himself if he knew the child was dead?" 19 But when David saw his servants whispering together, he perceived that the child was dead. So he asked them, "Is the child dead?" And they said, "He is dead." 20 So David got up, washed and anointed himself, and changed his clothes. Then he came to the house of the LORD and worshipped. Returning to his own house, he asked for food and he ate. 21 His servants said to him, "How is it that while the child lived, you fasted and wept. But when he died, you got up and ate food?" 22 David said, "While he was alive, I fasted and wept, thinking the LORD might be gracious to me, and let the child live." 23 "Now that he is dead, why should I fast? I cannot bring him back again. Though I wait until I die, he will not be returned to me."

24 Then David comforted Bathsheba, and went in to her and she gave birth to a son. He named him Solomon. And the LORD loved him, 25 and sent word through Nathan the prophet, and called him Jedidiah for the LORD's sake.

26 Now Joab fought against Rabbah, which belonged to the sons of Ammon. He was about to captured the city. 27 He sent messengers to David, saying, "I have fought against Rabbah, and the city of waters is as good as ours." 28 "Gather the rest of the people and camp against the city and capture it, or I will have captured it myself and it will be named after me." 29 So David gathered all the people and went to Rabbah, fought against it and captured it. 30 Taking the crown of their king, he placed it on his own head. It weighed a talent of gold and had precious stones. He brought great amounts of spoil from the city. 31 He also made slaves of the inhabitants, having them saw, sharpen iron tools such as axes, and had them work in the brickkiln. He did this with all the sons of Ammon. David and the people returned to Jerusalem.

2 Samuel 13 - RWB Paraphrase (39 V)
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Amnon Violates His Sister Tamar
1 Absalom the son of David had a beautiful sister named Tamar. Amnon, another son of David, loved her. 2 Amnon was so frustrated he made himself ill thinking about her. 3 He had a friend by the name of Jonadab who was very shrewd. He was the son of Shimeah, David's brother. 4 He said to Amnon, "You are David's son. Why are you depressed morning after morning? Amnon said, 'I am in love with Tamar, Absalom's sister.'" 5 Jonadab replied, "Lie down on your bed and pretend to be ill. When your father comes to see you, ask him to please send Tamar to give you some food and have her prepare it while you watch and then you can eat it from her hand." 6 So Amnon lay down and pretended to be ill. When the king came to see Amnon he asked that Tamar make him a couple of cakes while he watched so that he might eat from her hand. 7 So David sent for Tamar and told her to go to Amnon's house and prepare food for him. 8 She went, and while he lay there, she kneaded dough and baked the cakes. 9 She then set the pan before him but he refused to eat. He sent everyone else out of the room. 10 Then Amnon said to Tamar, "Bring the food into my room that I may eat from your hand." So she did as he requested. 11 When she came close to him, he grabbed her and said, "Lie with me, my sister." 12 But she resisted, saying, "No my brother, for such a thing is not done in Israel! Do not do this disgraceful thing." 13 "How could I remove my reproach? You would be considered a fool. Please speak to the king. He will not withhold me from you." 14 But he would not listen to her, and being stronger than she, he forced her and lay with her.

15 Then Amnon had exceeding hatred for her. His hated was greater than his love had been for her. He ordered her to get up and go away. 16 But she said, "No, sending me away is even worse that the wrong you have done to me!" But he would not listen. 17 He called his servant and said, "Throw this woman out of my presence and lock the door behind her." 18 At that time she wore a long sleeved garment, such as king's daughters wore. Amnon's attendant took her out and locked the door behind her. 19 Tamar put ashes on her head and tore her long sleeved garment. Then she placed her hand on her head and went away crying loudly. 20 Then her brother Absalom comforted her, asking her to keep silent, since Amnon was her brother. So she remained desolate in Absalom's house.

21 When king David heard of all this, he was very angry. 22 But Absalom did not say anything good or bad to Amnon, though he hated him because he had violated his sister Tamar.

Absalom Avenges Tamar
23 After two full years Absalom's sheepshearers were in Baalhazor near Ephraim and he invited all the king's sons. 24 Absalom came to king David and said, "Please come with your servant to the feast I am giving the sheepshearers." 25 But the king said, "No, my son. If too many of us come it will be too great a burden for you." And though Absalom urged him, he would not come. But the king blessed him. 26 Then Absalom said, "If you will not come, please let my brother Amnon come with us." And the king questioned why Amnon should go. 27 But Absalom urged him, so he let Amnon and all the king's sons go with him.

28 Absalom commanded his servants, saying, "When Amnon's heart is merry with wine, and I tell you to smite him, then put him to death. Do not fear for I will take responsibility for my command. Be courageous and valiant." 29 Absalom's servants did to Amnon just as Absalom had commanded. Then all the kings sons each mounted his mule and fled.

30 While the king's sons were on the way, David got the report that Absalom had killed all the king's sons. 31 The king arose and tore his clothes and lay on the ground. His servants stood near by with their clothes torn, too. 32 Jonadab, the son of Shimeah, David brother, said, "Do not suppose that they are all dead. Amnon alone is dead for Absalom planned this the day that Amnon violated his sister Tamar." 33 "Do not believe this report of all the king's sons being dead. Only Amnon is dead."

34 Absalom had fled. The watchman looked and saw many people coming on the road on the side of the mountain. 35 Jonadab said to the king, "Behold, the king's sons have come, just as I have said." 36 No sooner than he had finished speaking, behold, the king's sons came in. Lifting up their voices, they wept bitterly.

37 Now Absalom had fled to Talmai, the king of Geshur, and David mourned for his son every say. 38 Absalom stayed with Geshur for three years. 39 David was eventually comforted concerning Amnon and he longed to see Absalom once again.

2 Samuel 14 - RWB Paraphrase (33 V)
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Joab Arranges for Absalom to Come Back to Jerusalem
1 Joab the son of Zeruiah perceived that the king missed Absalom. 2 Joab asked a wise woman from Tekoa to dress as though she had been mourning for many days and to act very sad. 3 She was to go to the king and speak the words Joab told her to say.

4 So the woman of Tekoa fell on her face before the king and said, "Help me, O king." 5 The king asked her what her problem was. And she answered, "My husband is dead, so I am a widow." 6 "Your maidservant had two sons and they struggled together in the field. There was no one to stop the fight and one killed the other." 7 My whole family is demanding that I hand over the one who killed his brother that they may put him to death. If they kill him there will be no heir to carry on my husband's name. 8 Then the king said, "Go to your house and I will give orders concerning you."

9 The woman of Tekoa said to the king, "O lord my king, this trouble is on me and my father's house, and the king and his throne are without guilt." 10 So the king said, "Whoever speaks to you, send him to me and he will not bother you any more." 11 Then she said to him, "Please let the king remember the LORD your God, so that the avenger of blood will not continue to destroy, lest my son be destroyed." And David said, "As the LORD lives, not one hair of his head shall fall to the ground."

12 Then the woman said, "Please let your maidservant say something else to the king." And he said, "Speak." 13 The woman said, "Why have you planned such a thing against the people of God? The king is guilty because he does not bring back the banished one." 14 "We all die and are like water spilled on the ground which cannot be gathered up again. But God does not take away life. Instead He plans for ways to bring the banished back who has been cast out." 15 "I have come to speak to the king because the people have made me afraid. I thought if I made a request you might grant it." 16 "I thought the king would surely hear and deliver his maidservant from those who would destroy me and my son and take away our inheritance from God." 17 "My lord the king is like an angel from God and able to discern good and evil. May the LORD your God be with you."

18 Then the king said to the woman, "Please do not hide anything from me when I ask the next question." And she said, "Let my lord the king ask his question." 19 The king said, "Is Joab behind all of this?" And the woman replied, "No one can hide anything from you, my lord the king. It was your servant Joab who put these words into my mouth." 20 "Joab thought to look out for your best interests, and you have seen through it."

21 Then the king said to Joab, "Behold, I will surely do this. Go and bring Absalom back." 22 Joab fell on his face to the ground before the king and blessed him. He said, "Now your servant knows that he has found favor in your sight, O my lord, because you have requested this."

23 So Joab arose and went to Geshur and brought Absalom to Jerusalem. 24 However, the king had him go to his own house and did not see his face.

25 No one was as handsome as Absalom in all of Israel. He was highly praised from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head and there was no defect in him. 26 At the end of each year he had his hair cut. Using the king's weight, it weighed 200 shekels.

COMMENT: About five pounds.

27 Absalom had three sons and a daughter whom he had named Tamar and she was beautiful.

28 Absalom live two years in Jerusalem without seeing the king's face. 29 He sent for Joab to ask him to arrange for him to see the king, but Joab did not come, even when he was asked a second time. 30 So Absalom told his servants to set fire to Joab's field which was next to his own field. 31 Then Joab came to Absalom and asked, "Why have your servants set fire to my field?" 32 Absalom said, "Because I sent for you to arrange for me to see the king and you did not come. Why have I come back from Geshur? If I cannot see the king it would have been better for me to remain in Geshur. If there is iniquity in me, let him put me to death."

33 So Joab went to the king and asked him to call Absalom. Thus Absalom came to the king and prostrated himself before him. And the king kissed Absalom.

2 Samuel 15 - RWB Paraphrase (37 V)
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Absalom Tries to Take the Kingdom
1 After this Absalom prepared a chariot and horses for himself with fifty men to run before him. 2 It had been his habit to rise early and stand at the gate to greet those coming to the king for judgment when they had something against someone else. Absalom would ask what city they were from and they would tell him. 3 Then Absalom would say, "I see your claim is just, but no one will listen to you and take you to the king." 4 "O that I was appointed judge in the land. Then I would administer justice to all who came to me." 5 And whenever a man would come near to Absalom and prostrate himself before him, he would take him up and kiss him. 6 In this way Absalom was stealing the hearts of the people away from David.

7 After some time Absalom said to David, "Please let me go to Hebron and pay my vow to the LORD." 8 "While I was living in Geshur I vowed that if the LORD brought me back to Jerusalem I would serve Him." 9 The king said, "Go in peace." So Absalom went to Hebron. 10 And he sent spies throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, "When you hear the sound of the trumpet, then you shall say that Absalom is king in Hebron." 11 Two hundred men went with Absalom from Jerusalem being unaware of what he had planned. 12 While Absalom was offering sacrifices, he sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David's counselor. The conspiracy was strong and the people increased steadily with Absalom.

13 Then a messenger came to David, saying, "The hearts of men of Israel are following after Absalom." 14 David said to all of his servants in Jerusalem, "Arise. We must flee, or else none of us will escape Absalom. We must go quickly or else he will strike the city with the sword." 15 The king's servants said, "Your servants are ready to do whatever you say." 16 So the king and his household went out with him. He left ten concubines behind to keep the house. 17 The king and all the people with him stopped at the edge of Jerusalem as they were leaving. 18 With him were the Cherethites, the Pelethites, the Gittites and six hundred men who had come with him from Gath. These passed on before the king. 19 Then the king said to Ittai the Gittite, why should you go with us? Return to your own place, for you are a foreigner. 20 "You came recently and should not wander with us. Go back, and mercy and truth be with you." 21 But Ittai answered the king, "Neither life or death will keep me from being with you." 22 So David agreed for Ittai and his entire household to come with him. 23 As they passed over the brook Kidron to the wilderness all the people with him were weeping. 24 And Zadoc and all the Levites with him came carrying the ark of the covenant of God. And Abiathar came up and waited for all the people to finish passing over the brook. 25 The king said to Zadoc, "Take the ark of God back to the city. If I find favor in the sight of the LORD, He will bring me back again."

COMMENT: David understood that God's blessing did not depend on having the ark of the covenant with him. And he realized that his problems came from his treachery with Uriah the Hitite. God had said that the sword would never depart from his house.

2 Samuel 12:10 "Therefore, the sword shall never depart from your house, because you have despised Me and taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite as your own."

26 "But if He should not have delight in me, let Him do to me as seems best to Him." 27 And the king also said to Zadoc the priest, "You are a seer. Return to the city in peace, you and your two sons with you, your son Ahimaaz and Jonathan the son of Abiathar." 28 "I will wait at the fords of the wilderness until you send word to me." 29 So Zadoc and Abiathar returned the ark of God to Jerusalem and remained there.

30 David went up the ascent of the Mount of Olives, weeping as he went. His head was covered and he was barefoot. All the people with him covered their heads and wept as they went. 31 Someone told David that Ahithophel was among the conspirators with Absalom. David said, "I pray that his counsel will be foolishness." 32 As David was coming to the summit where God was worshiped, Hushai the Archite met him with his coat torn and dust on his head. 33 David said to him, "If you come with me you will be a burden." 34 "But if you return to the city and tell Absalom that you will be his servant, just as you have been mine, you may be able to thwart the counsel of Ahithophel for me." 35 Zadoc and the priests will be with you there. Whatever you hear from the king's house, you may report to Zadoc and Abiathar the priests. 36 Their two sons are with them, Ahimaaz and Jonathan and by them you may send to me everything that you hear. 37 So Hushai, David's friend, went to the city and Absalom came into Jerusalem.

2 Samuel 16 - RWB Paraphrase (23 V)
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David Flees From Jerusalem Before Absalom Arrives
1 When David had passed just beyond the summit, Ziba, Mephibosheth's servant met him with a couple of donkeys loaded with two hundred loaves of bread, a hundred clusters of raisins, a hundred summer fruits and a jug of wine. 2 The king said, "Why have you brought these?" Ziba replied, "The donkeys are for the king's household to ride, and the bread and the summer fruit are for the young men to eat. The wine is for whoever is faint in the wilderness from thirst." 3 Then the king asked, "Where is your master's son?" Ziba said, "He is staying in Jerusalem because he believes that today the kingdom of his father will be restored to him." 4 So the king said to Ziba, "Behold, all that belongs to Mephibosheth is yours." And Ziba said, "I prostrate myself before you, having found favor in your sight, O my king!"

5 When David came to Bahurim, Shimei the son of Gera, from the family of the house of Saul, came out cursing continually. 6 He threw stones at king David and at all his servants and his mighty men. 7 Shimei was saying, "Get out, you man of bloodshed, you are a worthless person." 8 "The LORD return on you all the bloodshed of the house of Saul, in whose place you reign. The LORD has given the kingdom into the hand of your son Absalom. You have been taken in your own evil, for you are a man of bloodshed." 9 Then Abishai the son of Zeruiah said to the king, "Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? Let me cut off his head." 10 But David said, "I want nothing to do with that idea. If the LORD has told him to curse me, who am I to question the LORD?" 11 "Let this man alone. I have enough to think about with my son seeking my life." 12 "Perhaps on this day the LORD will see my affliction and return good rather than cursing." 13 So David and his men went on their way. And Shimei went along on the hillside not far from them, cursing as he went, and throwing stones and dirt at David.

14 The king and all the people with him arrived weary and refreshed themselves. 15 And Absalom and the people with him entered Jerusalem, and Ahithophel came with him.

16 Hushai the Archite, David's friend, came to Absalom, and said, "Long live the king! Long live the king." 17 Absalom said to Hushai, "Is this your loyalty to your friend? Why didn't you go with him?" 18 Hushai said to Absalom, "No, I will remain with the one the LORD and the people of Israel have chosen." 19 "Besides, why shouldn't I serve in the presence of his son? As I have served your father, so I will serve you."

20 Then Absalom said to Ahithophel, "What do you think we should do?" 21 Ahithophel said, "Go into your father's concubines, whom he has left to keep the house. Then all Israel will hear of it and know that you have made yourself odious to your father. This will strengthen the hands of those who are with you." 22 So a tent was pitched on the roof for Absalom, and he went in to his father's concubines in the sight of all Israel. 23 In those days the advice of Ahithophel was considered to be as though one had inquired of the word of God. Both David and Absalom felt this way about his advice.

2 Samuel 17 - RWB Paraphrase (29 V)
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Ahithophel and Hushai Give Counsel to Absalom
1 Ahithophel said to Absalom, give me twelve thousand men and I will pursue David even tonight. 2 I will approach him while he is weary and short handed. The people will flee and I will strike down just the king. 3 The people will then follow after you and there will be peace. 4 The plan seemed very good to Absalom and the elders of Israel.

5 But Absalom called for Hushai the Archite to hear what he had to say. 6 When Hushai had come to Absalom, he was asked about Ahithophel's plan. 7 Hushai said that he thought the plan was not good. 8 He said, "You know that your father and his men are fierce like a bear robbed of her cubs. Your father is an expert in war and will not spend the night with the people." 9 "Even now he has hidden himself somewhere and if he is pursued, there will be a slaughter among those following Absalom." 10 "Even the most valiant of your men will loose heart, for everyone knows that your father is a mighty man, and those with him are valiant men." 11 "I counsel that all Israel be gathered to you, from Dan to Beersheba, as the sand of the sea in abundance, and you should personally go with them." 12 "When we find him we will fall on him as the dew falls on the ground, and neither he nor any of his men will be left." 13 "If he withdraws into a city, we will destroy the entire city as though it never existed."

14 Then Absalom and the men of Israel said, "Hushai's counsel is better than Ahithophel"S." For the LORD ordained that Ahithophel's counsel be thwarted in order to bring calamity to Absalom."

15 Then Hushai told Zadoc and Abiathar, the priests, what he had counseled Absalom and what Ahithophel had counseled. 16 Then he said, "Tell David not to spend the night at the fords of the wilderness. By all means, cross over immediately, or the king and all the people will be destroyed." 17 Jonathan and Ahimaaz were at Enrogel. A maidservant was to go to them without being noticed as she brought them information for David. 18 But a lad did see them and told Absalom. So they left quickly and hid in the well in the courtyard of a man in Bahurim. 19 A woman covered the well and scattered grain on the covering. 20 Absalom's servants came to the woman of the house and said, "Where are Ahimaaz and Jonathan?" The woman said, they have crossed the brook. They searched for the two men but could not find them, so they returned to Jerusalem.

21 When Absalom's men were gone, Ahimaaz and Jonathan came out of the well and went to David, saying, "Arise and cross the fords quickly, for Ahithophel has counseled against you." 22 Then David and all the people crossed the Jordan, and by dawn no one remained.

23 When Ahithophel saw that his counsel was ignored, he saddled his donkey and rode to his house in his own city. He set his house in order and strangled himself. Thus he died and was buried in his father's grave.

24 David arrived at Mahanaim and Absalom and the men of Israel crossed the Jordan.

25 Absalom set Amasa over the army in place of Joab. Amasa was the son of Ithra the Israelite, who went in to Abigail the daughter of Nahash, sister of Zeruiah, Joab's mother. 26 Israel and Absalom camped in Gilead. 27 When David came to Mahanaim, Shobi the son of Nahash of Rabbah of the sons of Ammon, and Machir the son of Ammiel of Lodebar, and Barzillai the Gileadite of Rogelim, 28 brought beds, basins, pottery, wheat, barley, flour, parched grain, beans, lentils, parched seeds, 29 honey, curds, sheep and cheese of the herd, for David and the people with him. They could see how hungry, weary and thirsty the people were after coming through the wilderness.

2 Samuel 18 - RWB Paraphrase (33 V)
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Absalom Dies
1 David numbered the people with him and set commanders of thousands and hundreds over them. 2 He sent them out in three groups: one third under the command of Joab, one third under the command of Abishai the son of Zeruiah, Joab's brother, and one third under Ittai the Gittite. David was planning to go out with them. 3 But the people said, "You should not go out, for if we flee they will not care about us, no matter how many of us die. But you are worth ten thousand of us. It is better that you be ready to help us from the city." 4 The king said, "I will do whatever seems best to you." So the king stood by the gate and all the people went out by hundreds and thousands. 5 The king charged Joab, Abishai and Ittai, saying, "Deal gently for my sake with Absalom." All the people heard him say this.

6 Then the servants of David went into battle against Israel in the forest of Ephraim. 7 The people of Israel were defeated before the servants of David with 20,000 men of Israel being slaughtered. 8 The battle was spread over the countryside and the forest devoured more people than the sword.

9 Absalom was riding a mule when he met up with David's servants. The mule went under the thick branches of a great oak. His head was caught in the branches and he hung between heaven and earth while the mule kept going. 10 One of the servants of David saw this and reported it to Joab. 11 Joab asked, "Why didn't you strike him to the ground? I would have given you ten pieces of silver and a belt." 12 The man replied, "I would not strike down the king's son for a thousand pieces of silver, for I heard the king charge you, Abishai and Ittai, to deal gently with Absalom." 13 "If I had done this, and the king would of course hear of it, and you wouldn't have stood by me." 14 Then Joab said, "I will waste no more time with you." So he thrust three darts through Absalom's heart as he hung from the tree. 15 Ten young men who carried his armor gathered around and killed Absalom.

16 Then Joab blew the trumpet and restrained the people from pursuing Israel. 17 They cast Absalom into a deep pit in the forest and heaped many stones over him while all of Israel fled, each man to his tent.

18 Absalom had set up a monument for himself in the king's valley. He had said, "I have no son to preserve my name." And he named the pillar after himself. The monument is still there.

19 Ahimaaz, Zadoc's son, asked Joab to be allowed to bring the king news that the LORD has freed him from the hand of his enemies. 20 But Joab said, "You are not the one to carry this news to the king, for the king's son is dead." 21 Then Joab said to the Cushite, "Go and tell the king what you have seen." So the Cushite bowed to Joab and ran.

22 Ahimaaz the son of Zadoc asked Joab to be allowed to run after the Cushite. Joab asked him, "Why would you run since you have no reward for carrying these tidings?" 23 But Ahimaaz wanted to go anyway. So Joab said, "Go." Then Ahimaaz ran and passed the Cushite.

24 David was sitting between the two gates. The watchman was on the roof of the gate by the wall. As he looked he saw a man running by himself. 25 He called down to the king with the news. The king said, "If he is by himself, it is good news." And the runner kept coming closer. 26 Then the watchman saw another man running. He also called this information down to the king. David said, "This one also brings good news." 27 The watchman said, "I think the first one runs like Ahimaaz the son of Zadoc." And the king said, "This is a good man bringing good news."

28 As he approached the king, Ahimaaz called out, saying, "All is well, " and fell on his face before the king, saying, "Blessed is the LORD your God, who has delivered up the men who lifted their hands against you." 29 The king asked, "Is it well with the young man Absalom?" Ahimaaz answered, "When Joab sent me, I saw a great tumult, but I did not know what the cause was." 30 The king said, "Turn aside and stand here." 31 Then the Cushite arrived and said, "Let my lord the king receive good news. The LORD has freed you this day from the hand of those who rose up against you." 32 Then the king asked the Cushite, "Is it well with the young man Absalom?" And the Cushite answered, "Let the enemies of my lord the king, and any who rise against you, be as that young man!"

33 The king was deeply moved. As he went up to the chamber over the gate, weeping, saying, "O my son Absalom! I wish I had died rather than you, O Absalom, my son, my son."

2 Samuel 19 - RWB Paraphrase (43 V)
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Joab Tells David to Put on a Better Face
1 Then Joab was told that the king was mourning for Absalom. 2 The day's victory had turned to mourning when the people heard that the king grieved for his son Absalom. 3 It was as though everyone was stealing around in humiliation the way they would if they had fled from battle. 4 The king covered his face and cried out with a loud voice, "O Absalom, my son Absalom!" 5 Joab came to the house where the king was, and said, "Today you have covered your servant's faces with shame, even though they have saved your life, the lives of your sons and daughters and the lives of your wives and concubines." 6 "You have done this by loving those who hate you and hating those who love you. You have shown today that princes and servants are nothing to you. I know that if Absalom was alive right now, and all of us were dead, you would be pleased." 7 "Now therefore, arise and go out and speak kindly to your servants, or else I swear by the LORD, if you do not go out, your men will desert you and it will be worse for you than anything that has ever happened." 8 So the king went out and sat at the gate and when the people heard of it, they came before him.

Now all Israel had fled, each to his tent. 9 All the people of Israel were quarreling together, saying, "The king delivered us from the hand of all our enemies, including the Philistines. And now he has fled out of the land from before Absalom." 10 "But Absalom, whom we anointed over us, has died in battle. So why not bring the king back." 11 Then the king sent to Zadoc, saying, "Ask the elders of Judah why they are the last to bring the king back to his house, since the rest of Israel has come to the king's house?" 12 "You are my brothers, my flesh and bone. Why should you be the last to bring back the king?" 13 Say to Amasa, "Are you not my own flesh and bone? As God is my witness, you will be my commander of the army in place of Joab." 14 In this way he turned the hearts of all the men of Judah so that they sent word to the king, saying, "Return, you and all your servants." 15 The king then returned as far as the Jordan, and Judah came to Gilgal to meet him and bring him across the Jordan.

16 Shimei the son of Gera, the Benjamite from Bahurim, hurried and came down with the men of Judah to meet David. 17 There were a thousand men of Benjamin with him, and Ziba the servant from the house of Saul, with his fifteen sons and twenty servants. They rushed over the Jordan before the king. 18 They kept a ferry boat crossing the ford to bring over the king's household in an effort to please the king. And Shimei the son of Gera fell down before the king as he was about to cross the Jordan. 19 He said to the king, "Please do not consider me quilty, or remember what your servant did wrong on the day you left Jerusalem." 20 "I know that I have sinned, and I have been among the first to meet my lord the king." 21 Abishai the son of Zeruiah said, "Shouldn't Shimei be put to death for having cursed the LORD's anointed?" 22 David said to him, "What have it do with you, O son of Zeruiah? You are an adversary to me when you think this way. No man should be put to death on the day that I know I am king over Israel." 23 And the king then swore to Shimei, "You shall not die."

24 Then Mephibosheth the son of Saul came to meet the king. He had not cared for his feet, trimmed his beard or washed his clothes, since the day the king departed until the day he returned. 25 When he came from Jerusalem to meet the king, the king said to him, "Why didn't you come with me?" 26 He answered, "My servants deceived me, saying they would saddle a donkey for me to ride so that I could go with you even though I am lame." 27 "Besides this, he slandered your servant to my lord the king. But you, O king, are like an angel of God. So do what is good in your sight." 28 "For my father's household was nothing before my lord the king. Yet you set your servant among those who ate at your table. I have nothing to complain about to the king." 29 So the king said to him, "I have decided that you and Ziba shall divide the land." 30 Mephibosheth said, "He can have it all, since my lord the king has returned safely to his own house."

31 Now Barzillai the Gileadite had come down from Rogelim. He went on to the Jordon to escort the king over the river. 32 Barzillai was a very old man. He had sustained the king while he stayed at Mahanaim, for he was a very wealthy man. 33 The king said to Barzillai, "Come over with me and I will sustain you in Jerusalem." 34 But Barzillai said to the king, "I do not feel that I have long to live, so why should I go with you to Jerusalem." 35 "I am now eighty years old. Can I tell between good and evil? Can I enjoy what I eat and drink? Or can I hear the voices of singing men and women? Why should I be an additional burden to my lord the king?" 36 "Your servant will only cross over the Jordan with you. That is reward enough for me." 37 "Please let me return to my own city that I may die near the grave of my father and mother. However, here is your servant Chimham. Let him cross over with you and do for him what is good in your sight." 38 The king answered, "Chimham shall cross over with me, and I will do for him what is good in your sight. And whatever you require I will do for you." 39 All the people crossed over the Jordan with the king. The king kissed Barzillai and blessed him, and he returned to his place.

40 The king went on to Gilgal and Chimham went with him. All the people of Judah and half the people of Israel accompanied him. 41 All the men of Israel came to the king and asked, "Why have our brothers, the men of Judah, stolen you away and brought you, your household and your men over the Jordan?" 42 The men of Judah replied, "The king is a close relative to us. Why be angry about this matter? Are we benefitting in any way?" 43 Then the men of Israel said, "We are ten parts of the kingdom, so we have more claim to him than you do. Why then do you treat us with contempt? Were we not the first to bring back our king?" And the men of Judah spoke more harshly than the men of Israel.

2 Samuel 20 - RWB Paraphrase (26 V)
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Sheba Starts a Revolt That Is Put Down
1 There was a worthless man by the name of Sheba. He was the son of Bichri, a Benjamite. He blew the trumpet and said, "We have no portion or inheritance with David. Every man of Israel to his tent." 2 So Israel began following Sheba rather than David. But Judah remained with David from the Jordan to Jerusalem.

3 David returned to his house in Jerusalem and placed the ten concubines, whom he had left to keep house, under guard. He provided for their sustenance but did not go in to them ever again. So they lived as widows until they died.

4 After Amasa's rebellion, the king told Amasa to assemble the men of Judah within three days. 5 Amasa made the call but took longer than the time set by the king. 6 David said to Abishai, "Sheba the son of Bichri will do us more harm than Absalom did. Take my servants and pursue him before he finds a fortified city and we loose him." 7 Joab's men went out after him, along with the Cherethites, the Pelethites and all the mighty men. They left Jerusalem in pursuit of Sheba the son of Bichri. 8 When they reached the large stone in Gibeon, Amasa came to meet them. Joab was wearing a belt with a sword in its sheath fastened to his waist. As he went forward it fell out of the garment he was wearing. 9 Joab asked Amasa, "Is it well with you, my brother?" Then he took Amasa by the beard with his right hand as though to kiss him. 10 Amasa was not on guard against the sword in Joab's hand. So Joab struck him in the belly with his sword with one blow, and his insides poured out on the ground. Then Joab and Abishai his brother pursued Sheba.

11 One of Joab's young men was standing near Amasa, and said, "Whoever favors Joab, and whoever is for David, follow Joab." 12 Amasa was still wallowing in his blood in the middle of the highway. None of the people moved when they saw him. So Amasa was taken off of the highway and placed in a field and a garment was thrown over him.

13 As soon as he was removed from the highway, all the men passed on after Joab in pursuit of Sheba. 14 They went through all the tribes of Israel to Abel, even to Bethmaachah and all the Berites. These were gathered together to go after him. 15 They besieged him at Abel, casting up a siege ramp against the city wall. Joab and his army were tried to topple the wall.

16 A wise woman called from the city, saying, "Hear, hear. Please tell Joab that I want to speak with him." 17 When he came, she said, "Are you Joab?" He said, "I am." Then she said to him, "Please listen to my words." And he said, "I am listening." 18 Then she said, "It used to be said that advice from Abel ended disputes." 19 "I am one of those who is peaceable and faithful in Israel. You are trying to destroy a city that is a mother in Israel. Why swallow up an inheritance of the LORD?" 20 Joab replied, "Far be it from me to swallow up or destroy an inheritance of the LORD!" 21 "The only reason we are here is because Sheba, the son of Bichri, has lifted up his hand against king David. Hand him over and I will depart from this city." And the woman said, "His head will be thrown over the wall." 22 Then she wisely counseled the people who then cut off the head of Sheba and threw it to Joab. So he blew the trumpet and they dispersed from the city, each to his tent and Joab returned to the king at Jerusalem.

23 Now Joab was over the whole army of Israel, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and the Pelethites. 24 Adoram was over the forced labor, and Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was recorder. 25 Sheva was scribe, and Zadoc and Abiathar were priests, 26 and Ira the Jairite was a chief ruler for David.

2 Samuel 21 - RWB Paraphrase (22 V)
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The Gibeonites Are Avenged
1 There was a famine in Israel for three years during David's reign and he sought the presence of the LORD. The LORD said, "The famine is on account of Saul having put the Gibeonites to death." 2 So the king called the Gibeonites. They were not part of Israel, but of the Amorites. The children of Israel had made a covenant with them but in his zeal Saul had tried to kill them. 3 So David asked them, "What should I do to make atonement for you so that you may bless the inheritance of the LORD?" 4 The Gibeonites said, "We do not want silver or gold from Saul's household and we do not want to put any man in Israel to death." Then David said, "Whatever you ask for I will do." 5 So they said to the king, "From the family of the man who planned to exterminate us from Israel," 6 "give us seven of his sons and we will hang them before the LORD in Gibeah." The king agreed to this. 7 But he spared Mephibosheth, Jonathan's son because of the oath of the LORD which was between David and Saul's son Jonathan. 8 So the king took the two sons of Rizpah the daughter of Aiah, Armoni, and Mephibosheth whom she had born to Saul, and the five sons of Michal the daughter of Saul, whom she had born to Adriel the son of Barzillai the Meholathite. 9 These he gave to the Gibeonites who hanged them on the hill before the LORD. They were put to death in the first days of the barley harvest. 10 Rizpah the daughter of Aiah spread sackcloth for herself on the rock from the beginning of harvest until it rained, keeping the birds and beasts away from the bodies. 11 When David learned what Rizpah Saul's concubine had done, 12 he had the bones of Saul and Jonathan brought from Jabeshgilead where they had been since the men of that city had taken them from where the Philistines had hung them the day they died. 13 David brought their bones and gathered the bones of those who had been hanged by the Gibeonites, 14 and buried them together in the country of Benjamin in Zelah, in the grave of Kish Saul's father. Everything the king commanded was done and God was moved by the prayer for the land.

15 Once more the Philistines were at war with Israel. David went down with his servants and fought against the Philistines and became weary. 16 Ishbibenob, a descendant of the giant, who had a bronze spear that weighed three hundred shekels, also had a new sword and intended to kill David.

COMMENT: It weighed about eight pounds.

17 Abishai the son of Zeruiah came to David's aid and killed the Philistine. Then David's men said to him, "You shall not to out battle with us again. Israel cannot be without its light."

18 After this there was a war with the Philistines of Gob. Sibbechai the Hushathite struck down Saph, who was also among the descendants of the giant. 19 Then there was war once more with the Philistines at Gob. Elhanan the son of Jaareoregim killed the brother of Goliath the Gittite. His shaft of his spear was like a weaver's beam. 20 Another time there was war with Gath, where a man of great stature who had six fingers on each hand six toes on each foot, had also been born to the giant. 21 When he defied Israel, Jonathan the son of Shimei, David's brother, struck him down. 22 These four were born to the giant in Gath, each falling by the hand of David and his servants.

2 Samuel 22 - RWB Paraphrase (51 V)
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David's Song of Praise to the Lord
1 David spoke these words as a song to the LORD after He had been delivered from all his enemies and from the hand of Saul.

2 He said, "The LORD is my rock and my fortress, my deliverer." 3 "My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold and my refuge, my saviour. You save me from violence."

4 "I call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised, so I shall be saved from my enemies." 5 "For the waves of death surround me, the torrents of destruction overwhelm me." 6 "The cords of Sheol are around me. The snares of death confronted me." 7 "In my distress I called upon the LORD, yes, I cried to my God. And from His temple He heard my voice, and my cry for help reached His ears."

8 "Then the earth shook, and the foundations of heaven trembled, because He was angry." 9 "He breathed out smoke from His nostrils and fire came from His mouth, even kindling coals." 10 "He bent the heavens and came down with thick darkness under His feet." 11 "He rode on a flying cherub, and appeared on the wings of the wind." 12 "He made a canopy of dark waters and thick clouds around Him." 13 "His brightness kindled coals of fire."

14 "The LORD thundered from heaven and the Most High's voice was heard." 15 "He sent out arrows like lightening to route them." 16 "Then the channels of the sea appeared and the foundations of the world were laid bare at the LORD's rebuke and the blast of His breath."

17 "From on high, He drew me out of many waters." 18 "He delivered me from my strong enemies, from those who hated me and were too strong for me." 19 "They confronted me in my day of calamity, but the LORD supported me."

20 "And He brought me forth to a broad place and rescued me because He delighted in me." 21 "The LORD has rewarded me according to the cleanness of my hands." 22 "For I have kept the ways of the LORD, and have not acted wickedly against Him." 23 "For all of His ordinances were before me, and I did not depart from His statutes." 24 "I was blameless toward him and I kept myself from iniquity." 25 "Therefore the LORD has recompensed me according to my righteousness before His eyes."

26 "With those who are merciful you show mercy, and with the upright man You will show Yourself upright." 27 "With the pure You will show Yourself pure, and with the perverted You are displeased." 28 "You save the afflicted but bring down the haughty."

29 "For You are my lamp, O LORD, and You illuminate my darkness." 30 "By You I can come upon a troop of the enemy and even leap over a wall." 31 "For God's ways are blameless. His word is tested. He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him." 32 "For who is God besides the LORD? And who is a rock besides our God?" 33 "God is my strength and power, and He makes my way perfect." 34 "He makes my feet like the feet of a deer, and sets me on high places." 35 "He trains my hands for war, so that my arms can bend a bow of bronze." 36 "You have given me the shield of Your salvation, and Your help has made me great."

37 "You make my steps sure so that my feet do not slip." 38 "I pursue my enemies and I do not turn back until they are finished." 39 "I pursue my enemies until they are destroyed." 40 "For you have girded me with strength for battle, and subdued those who rose up against me." 41 "You have given me the lives of my enemies that I might destroy those who hate me." 42 "They looked for a way out, but there was none to save them. Sometimes they even asked the LORD, but He did not hear them." 43 "I pulverized them to dust and stamped on them until they were as the mire in the street."

44 "You have delivered me from the contentions of my people, and kept me to be over the heathen. People I did not know shall serve me." 45 "Foreigners submit themselves to me. As soon as they hear, they obey." 46 "Foreigners loose heart and come out of their fortresses with trembling." 47 "The LORD lives, blessed be my Rock. Exalted be God, the Rock of my salvation." 48 "He executes vengeance for me, bringing down people under me." 49 "You lift me above my enemies who rise up against me. You rescue me from violent men." 50 "This is why I give thanks to you, O LORD, among the nations. I will sing praises to Your name." 51 "My God is a tower of deliverance and shows lovingkindness to His anointed, to David and his descendants forever."

2 Samuel 23 - RWB Paraphrase (39 V)
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David's Mighty Men
1 These are David's last words. David the son of Jesse said, "The man who was raised up, the anointed of the God of Jacob and sweet psalmist of Israel, says, "
2 "The Spirit of the LORD spoke by me. His word was on my tongue."
. 3 "The God of Israel, the Rock of Israel spoke to me, saying, "He who rules over men righteously and in the fear of God, "
" 4 "Is as the light of the morning sun, a morning without clouds when the tender grass springs out of the earth, as when there is sunshine after the rain."
5 "Is not my house with God? For He has made an everlasting covenant with me, ordered and secure. Since all of my desire is in Him, will He not make it grow."
. 6 "But every worthless person will be thrust away like thorns, because they cannot be taken in hand."
7 "It takes iron and spear to deal with them. They will be completely burned with fire where they are."

8 These are the names of David's the mighty men:
The Tachmonite, chief among the captains, called Adino the Eznite. He killed eight hundred at one time.
9 After him was Eleazar the son of Dodo the Ahohite, one of the three mighty men with David when they defied the Philistines who were gathered for battle and the men of Israel had withdrawn. 10 He rose up and struck the Philistines until his hand was weary and he could not let go of his sword. The LORD brought about a great victory that day. The people came after him only to strip the slain.
. 11 After him was Shammah the son of Agee, a Hararite. The Philistines were gathered into a troop on a plot of lentiles and the people fled from the Philistines. 12 He took his stand in the midst of the plot and struck down the Philistines. The LORD brought about a great victory.
. 13 Then three of the thirty chief men came to David in the time of harvest to the cave of Adullam while the Philistines camped in the valley of Rephaim. 14 At this time David was in the stronghold and the garrison of Philistines was in Bethlehem. 15 David had a craving for the water from the well by the gate of Bethlehem. 16 So the three mighty men broke through the camp of the Philistines, drew water from the well by the gate of Bethlehem, and took it back to David. But he would not drink it, but poured it out to the LORD. 17 He said, "Far be it from me, O LORD, to drink this water that men brought back to me at the risk of their lives?" And he would not drink it.
. 18 Abishai, the brother of Joab, the son of Zeruiah, was chief of the thirty. He killed three hundred with his spear and had a name among the three. 19 He was the most honored of the thirty and became their commander. But he did not attain to the first three.
20 Then there was Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, the son of a valiant man of Kabzeel, who had done many deeds. He slew two lionlike men of Moab. And he went down in a pit and killed a lion on a snowy day. 21 He killed an impressive Egyptian with a spear. Taking only a staff he snatched the spear out of the Egyptian's hand killed him with it. 22 He did these things and was honored along with the three mighty men. 23 Though he was honored among the thirty, he did not attain to the three. David appointed him over his guard.
24 Asahel, Joab's brother, was among the thirty. Elhanan the son of Dodo of Bethlehem, 25 Shammah the Harodite, Elika the Harodite, 26 Helez the Paltite, Ira the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite, 27 Abiezer the Anathothite, Mebunnai the Hushathite, 28 Zalmon the Ahohite, Maharai the Netophathite, 29 Heleb the son of Baanah the Netophathite, Ittai the son of Ribai of Gibeah of the sons of Benjamin, 30 Benaiah a Pirathonite, Hiddai of the brooks of Gaash, 31 Abialbon the Arbathite, Azmaveth the Barhumite, 32 Eliahba the Shaalbonite of the sons of Jashen, Jonathan, 33 Shammah the Hararite, Ahiam the son of Sharar the Ararite, 34 Eliphelet the son of the Maachathite, Eliam the son of Ahithophel the Gilonite, 35 Hezrai the Carmelite, Paarai the Arbite, 36 Igal the son of Nathan of Zobah, Bani the Gadite, 37 Zelek the Ammonite, Naharai the Beerothite, armor bearers of Joab the son of Zeruiah, 38 Ira the Ithrite, Gareb the Ithrite, 39 and Uriah the Hittite. There were thirty seven in all.

2 Samuel 24 - RWB Paraphrase (25 V)
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David Numbers Israel and Israel Suffers God's Wrath
1 There was a time when the anger of the LORD burned against Israel because David told his officers to number Israel. 2 The king told Joab the commander to go throughout all the tribes of Israel, from Dan to Beersheba, and register the people so that he could know how many there were. 3 But Joab said to the king, "May the LORD your God add to the people a hundred times as many as they are while the king lives. Why should the king wish to know this?"

4 But the king's word prevailed and Joab and the commanders of the army went out to register the people. 5 They started across the Jordan in the middle of the valley of Gad toward Jazer. 6 They moved on to Gilead and the land of Tahtrimhodshi. They came to Danjaan and around to Sidon. 7 Then they came to the fortress of Tyre and all the cities of the Hivites and the Canaanites, and then south of Judah to Beersheba. 8 When they had gone throughout the whole land, they came to Jerusalem. It had taken them nine months and twenty days.

9 Joab gave the full count of the registration of the people to the king. In Israel there were eight hundred thousand valiant men who drew the sword. Judah had five hundred thousand men.

10 David's heart troubled him after he had numbered the people. So he said to the LORD, "I have committed a great sin. Now, O LORD, please forgive me, and take away the iniquity of Your servant, for I have been foolish." 11 The next morning when David got up, the word of the LORD came to Gad, His seer, saying, 12 "Go speak to David and tell him that I am offering him three choices as to what I will do to him." 13 So Gad came to David and said to him, "The LORD says that you may choose your punishment for numbering Israel. It can be seven years of famine in the land, three months fleeing from your foes, or three days of pestilence in the land. What answer shall I take to the LORD?" 14 David said to Gad, "I am in great distress. Let me fall into the hand of the LORD for His mercies are great. I do not want to fall into the hand of man."

15 So the LORD sent a pestilence upon Israel from that morning until the appointed time. Seventy thousand died throughout Israel. 16 When the angel stretched out his hand toward Jerusalem to destroy it, the LORD relented from the calamity and said to the angel, "It is enough! Relax your hand!" The angel of the LORD was by the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite. 17 David saw the angel and spoke to the LORD, saying, "Behold, I am the one who has sinned and done wrong. What have these sheep done? Please let your hand be against me and my father's house."

18 So Gad came to David that day and said to him, "Go erect an altar to the LORD on the threshing floor owned by Araunah the Jebusite." 19 And David did according to the word of Gad, just as the LORD has commanded. 20 Araunah looked down and saw the king and his servants crossing over toward him. Going out to meet the king, he bowed his face to the ground, 21 and said, "Why has my lord the king come to his servant?" And David said, "I want to buy your threshing floor, in order to build an altar to the LORD, that the plague may be held back from the people." 22 Araunah said to David, "Let my lord the king take and offer up what is good in his sight. Here are the oxen for the burnt offering and you may use the threshing sledges and yokes of the oxen for wood." 23 "I will give it all to the king. May the LORD your God accept you." 24 But the king replied to Araunah, "No, I must buy it from you for a price, for I will not offer burnt offerings to the LORD my God which have cost me nothing. So David bought the threshing floor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver." 25 And on that place he built an altar to the LORD and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings. So the LORD was moved by prayer for the land, and the plague was held back from Israel.

Chapters: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24