But David’s soldiers had slaughtered the Benjaminites and Abner’s men – in all, 360 men had died!

He shrouded himself in darkness, in thick rain clouds.

Later David defeated the Philistines and subdued them. David took Metheg Ammah from the Philistines.

He reached down from above and grabbed me; he pulled me from the surging water.

David again assembled all the best men in Israel, thirty thousand in number.

The Lord’s spirit spoke through me; his word was on my tongue.

David took the golden shields that belonged to Hadadezer’s servants and brought them to Jerusalem.

while David and all Israel were energetically celebrating before the Lord, singing and playing various stringed instruments, tambourines, rattles, and cymbals.

That night the Lord told Nathan,

When David heard the news, he sent Joab and the entire army to meet them.

Abiezer the Anathothite, Mebunnai the Hushathite,

Zalmon the Ahohite, Maharai the Netophathite,

David was thirsty and said, “How I wish someone would give me some water to drink from the cistern in Bethlehem near the gate!”

Now sons were born to David in Hebron. His firstborn was Amnon, born to Ahinoam the Jezreelite.

and sent word through Nathan the prophet that he should be named Jedidiah for the Lord’s sake.

He will build a house for my name, and I will make his dynasty permanent.

I am willing to shame and humiliate myself even more than this! But with the slave girls whom you mentioned let me be distinguished!”

The Lord’s anger again raged against Israel, and he incited David against them, saying, “Go count Israel and Judah.”

Abi-Albon the Arbathite, Azmaveth the Barhumite,

Hezrai the Carmelite, Paarai the Arbite,