This ought not to be, my sons! For the report that I hear circulating among the Lord’s people is not good.

Now the boy Samuel was growing up and finding favor both with the Lord and with people.

But this request displeased Samuel, for they said, “Give us a king to lead us.” So Samuel prayed to the Lord.

However, fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart. Just look at the great things he has done for you!

So all Israel had to go down to the Philistines in order to get their plowshares, cutting instruments, axes, and sickles sharpened.

Then Jesse called Abinadab and presented him to Samuel. But Samuel said, “The Lord has not chosen this one, either.”

When the Philistine looked carefully at David, he despised him, for he was only a ruddy and handsome boy.

Then Saul told his son Jonathan and all his servants to kill David. But Saul’s son Jonathan liked David very much.

Samuel said, “Why are you asking me, now that the Lord has turned away from you and has become your enemy?

David and four hundred men continued the pursuit, but two hundred men who were too exhausted to cross the Wadi Besor stayed there.

He appointed him king over Gilead, the Geshurites, Jezreel, Ephraim, Benjamin, and all Israel.

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

David married more concubines and wives from Jerusalem after he arrived from Hebron. Even more sons and daughters were born to David.

Although you have acted in secret, I will do this thing before all Israel, and in broad daylight.’”

Then David prayed to God for the child and fasted. He would even go and spend the night lying on the ground.

But Absalom said nothing to Amnon, either bad or good, yet Absalom hated Amnon because he had humiliated his sister Tamar.

Then Joab said to the Cushite, “Go and tell the king what you have seen.” After bowing to Joab, the Cushite ran off.

Barzillai replied to the king, “How many days do I have left to my life, that I should go up with the king to Jerusalem?

You deliver oppressed people, but you watch the proud and bring them down.

You make my enemies retreat; I destroy those who hate me.