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.

The messenger said to David, “The men overpowered us and attacked us in the field. But we forced them to retreat all the way to the door of the city gate.

Then David became very angry at this man. He said to Nathan, “As surely as the Lord lives, the man who did this deserves to die!

Then Nathan went to his home. The Lord struck the child that Uriah’s wife had borne to David, and the child became very ill.

So David comforted his wife Bathsheba. He went to her and had marital relations with her. She gave birth to a son, and David named him Solomon. Now the Lord loved the child

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

So David sent Tamar to the house saying, “Please go to the house of Amnon your brother and prepare some food for him.”

While they were still on their way, the following report reached David: “Absalom has killed all the king’s sons; not one of them is left!”

So David said to Ittai, “Come along then.” So Ittai the Gittite went along, accompanied by all his men and all the dependents who were with him.

When David reached the summit, where he used to worship God, Hushai the Arkite met him with his clothes torn and dirt on his head.

So David and his men went on their way. But Shimei kept going along the side of the hill opposite him, yelling curses as he threw stones and dirt at them.

When David’s friend Hushai the Arkite came to Absalom, Hushai said to him, “Long live the king! Long live the king!”

Ahithophel said to Absalom, “Let me pick out twelve thousand men. Then I will go and pursue David this very night.

When David came to Mahanaim, Shobi the son of Nahash from Rabbah of the Ammonites, Makir the son of Ammiel from Lo Debar, and Barzillai the Gileadite from Rogelim

honey, curds, flocks, and cheese. For they said, “The people are no doubt hungry, tired, and thirsty there in the desert.”

The army of Israel was defeated there by David’s men. The slaughter there was great that day – 20,000 soldiers were killed.

Shimei son of Gera the Benjaminite from Bahurim came down quickly with the men of Judah to meet King David.

So all the men of Israel deserted David and followed Sheba son of Bicri. But the men of Judah stuck by their king all the way from the Jordan River to Jerusalem.

One of Joab’s soldiers who stood over Amasa said, “Whoever is for Joab and whoever is for David, follow Joab!”

David said to the Gibeonites, “What can I do for you, and how can I make amends so that you will bless the Lord’s inheritance?”