So now assemble the rest of the army and besiege the city and capture it. Otherwise I will capture the city and it will be named for me.”

But David captured the fortress of Zion (that is, the city of David).

So David’s friend Hushai arrived in the city, just as Absalom was entering Jerusalem.

David also brought along the men who were with him, each with his family. They settled in the cities of Hebron.

From Tebah and Berothai, Hadadezer’s cities, King David took a great deal of bronze.

Be strong! Let’s fight bravely for the sake of our people and the cities of our God! The Lord will do what he decides is best!”

So Joab fought against Rabbah of the Ammonites and captured the royal city.

If he regroups in a city, all Israel will take up ropes to that city and drag it down to the valley, so that not a single pebble will be left there!”

So David lived in the fortress and called it the City of David. David built all around it, from the terrace inwards.

So David was no longer willing to bring the ark of the Lord to be with him in the City of David. David left it in the house of Obed-Edom the Gittite.

When the Ammonites saw the Arameans flee, they fled before his brother Abishai and went into the city. Joab withdrew from fighting the Ammonites and returned to Jerusalem.

So as Joab kept watch on the city, he stationed Uriah at the place where he knew the best enemy soldiers were.

When the men of the city came out and fought with Joab, some of David’s soldiers fell in battle. Uriah the Hittite also died.

Joab then sent messengers to David, saying, “I have fought against Rabbah and have captured the water supply of the city.

Then the king said to Zadok, “Take the ark of God back to the city. If I find favor in the Lord’s sight he will bring me back and enable me to see both it and his dwelling place again.

The king said to Zadok the priest, “Are you a seer? Go back to the city in peace! Your son Ahimaaz and Abiathar’s son Jonathan may go with you and Abiathar.

That day the people stole away to go to the city the way people who are embarrassed steal away in fleeing from battle.

a wise woman called out from the city, “Listen up! Listen up! Tell Joab, ‘Come near so that I may speak to you.’”

I represent the peaceful and the faithful in Israel. You are attempting to destroy an important city in Israel. Why should you swallow up the Lord’s inheritance?”

They crossed the Jordan and camped at Aroer, on the south side of the city, at the wadi of Gad, near Jazer.