All the people and all Israel realized on that day that the killing of Abner son of Ner was not done at the king’s instigation.

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!”

David sang to the Lord the words of this song when the Lord rescued him from the power of all his enemies, including Saul.

David instructed Joab and all the people who were with him, “Tear your clothes! Put on sackcloth! Lament before Abner!” Now King David followed behind the funeral bier.

David replied to Michal, “It was before the Lord! I was celebrating before the Lord, who chose me over your father and his entire family and appointed me as leader over the Lord’s people Israel.

Wherever I moved among all the Israelites, I did not say to any of the leaders whom I appointed to care for my people Israel, “Why have you not built me a house made from cedar?”’

Ira the Jairite was David’s personal priest.

Now David, wearing a linen ephod, was dancing with all his strength before the Lord.

Then the king stood up and tore his garments and lay down on the ground. All his servants were standing there with torn garments as well.

Then a messenger came to David and reported, “The men of Israel are loyal to Absalom!”

But Absalom said, “Call for Hushai the Arkite, and let’s hear what he has to say.”

Indeed,with your help I can charge against an army; by my God’s power I can jump over a wall.

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

They went through all the land and after nine months and twenty days came back to Jerusalem.

When the Philistines heard that David had been designated king over Israel, they all went up to search for David. When David heard about it, he went down to the fortress.

When the time of mourning passed, David had her brought to his palace. She became his wife and she bore him a son. But what David had done upset the Lord.

So your servant said, ‘May the word of my lord the king be my security, for my lord the king is like the angel of God when it comes to deciding between right and wrong! May the Lord your God be with you!’”

While he was offering sacrifices, Absalom sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David’s adviser, to come from his city, Giloh. The conspiracy was gaining momentum, and the people were starting to side with Absalom.

All the land was weeping loudly as all these people were leaving. As the king was crossing over the Kidron Valley, all the people were leaving on the road that leads to the desert.

Now send word quickly to David and warn him, “Don’t spend the night at the fords of the desert tonight. Instead, be sure you cross over, or else the king and everyone who is with him may be overwhelmed.”