and will bring the entire army back to you. In exchange for the life of the man you are seeking, you will get back everyone. The entire army will return unharmed.”

If I had acted at risk of my own life – and nothing is hidden from the king! – you would have abandoned me.”

But Absalom, whom we anointed as our king, has died in battle. So now why do you hesitate to bring the king back?”

He won over the hearts of all the men of Judah as though they were one man. Then they sent word to the king saying, “Return, you and all your servants as well.”

Then the king replied to him, “Why should you continue speaking like this? You and Ziba will inherit the field together.”

Then the king said to Amasa, “Call the men of Judah together for me in three days, and you be present here with them too.”

Joab said to Amasa, “How are you, my brother?” With his right hand Joab took hold of Amasa’s beard as if to greet him with a kiss.

When he approached her, the woman asked, “Are you Joab?” He replied, “I am.” She said to him, “Listen to the words of your servant.” He said, “Go ahead. I’m listening.”

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?”

She replied to him, “My master, you swore an oath to your servant by the Lord your God, ‘Solomon your son will be king after me and he will sit on my throne.’

Now, my master, O king, all Israel is watching anxiously to see who is named to succeed my master the king on the throne.

Nathan said, “My master, O king, did you announce, ‘Adonijah will be king after me; he will sit on my throne’?

As he was still speaking, Jonathan son of Abiathar the priest arrived. Adonijah said, “Come in, for an important man like you must be bringing good news.”

But now don’t treat him as if he were innocent. You are a wise man and you know how to handle him; make sure he has a bloody death.”

Now, O Lord my God, you have made your servant king in my father David’s place, even though I am only a young man and am inexperienced.

But you will not build the temple; your very own son will build the temple for my honor.’

Listen from heaven and make a just decision about your servants’ claims. Condemn the guilty party, declare the other innocent, and give both of them what they deserve.

then listen from heaven, forgive the sin of your people Israel, and bring them back to the land you gave to their ancestors.

You must serve me with integrity and sincerity, just as your father David did. Do everything I commanded and obey my rules and regulations.

Pharaoh said to him, “What do you lack here that makes you want to go to your homeland?” Hadad replied, “Nothing, but please give me permission to leave.”