David promised Saul this on oath. Then Saul went to his house, and David and his men went up to the stronghold.

These men were very good to us. They did not insult us, nor did we sustain any loss during the entire time we were together in the field.

Now it’s your turn to listen to your servant! Let me set before you a bit of bread so that you can eat. When you regain your strength, you can go on your way.”

So get up early in the morning along with the servants of your lord who have come with you. When you get up early in the morning, as soon as it is light enough to see, leave.”

So David and his men got up early in the morning to return to the land of the Philistines, but the Philistines went up to Jezreel.

They took captive the women who were in it, from the youngest to the oldest, but they did not kill anyone. They simply carried them off and went on their way.

So David went, accompanied by his six hundred men. When he came to the Wadi Besor, those who were in the rear stayed there.

Asahel chased Abner, without turning to the right or to the left as he followed Abner.

They took Asahel’s body and buried him in his father’s tomb at Bethlehem. Joab and his men then traveled all that night and reached Hebron by dawn.

When Joab and all the army that was with him arrived, Joab was told: “Abner the son of Ner came to the king; he sent him away, and he left in peace!”

Now the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite – Recab and Baanah – went at the hottest part of the day to the home of Ish-bosheth, as he was enjoying his midday rest.

“Go, tell my servant David: ‘This is what the Lord says: Do you really intend to build a house for me to live in?

I have not lived in a house from the time I brought the Israelites up from Egypt to the present day. Instead, I was traveling with them and living in a tent.

I was with you wherever you went, and I defeated all your enemies before you. Now I will make you as famous as the great men of the earth.

David defeated King Hadadezer son of Rehob of Zobah when he came to reestablish his authority over the Euphrates River.

David placed garrisons in the territory of the Arameans of Damascus; the Arameans became David’s subjects and brought tribute. The Lord protected David wherever he campaigned.

Joab said, “If the Arameans start to overpower me, you come to my rescue. If the Ammonites start to overpower you, I will come to your rescue.

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.

But now he is dead. Why should I fast? Am I able to bring him back? I will go to him, but he cannot return to me!’”

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