The army of Israel and Absalom camped in the land of Gilead.

Then David passed away and was buried in the city of David.

These were their names: Ben-Hur was in charge of the hill country of Ephraim.

Ahimaaz was in charge of Naphtali. (He married Solomon’s daughter Basemath.)

There was no king in Edom at this time; a governor ruled.

Elisha said to him, “Go in peace.” When he had gone a short distance,

They were allotted Hebron in the territory of Judah, as well as its surrounding pasturelands.

His servants conspired against him and killed him in his palace.

This Passover was observed in the eighteenth year of Josiah’s reign.

In Susa the citadel the Jews killed and destroyed five hundred men.

The light in his tent grows dark; his lamp above him is extinguished.

“One man dies in his full vigor, completely secure and prosperous,

Accept instruction from his mouth and store up his words in your heart.

“Dominion and awesome might belong to God; he establishes peace in his heights.

Will he find delight in the Almighty? Will he call out to God at all times?

It is by these that he judges the nations and supplies food in abundance.

The wild animals go to their lairs, and in their dens they remain.

A prayer of David. Protect me, O God, for I have taken shelter in you.

Rise up, O Lord, in strength! We will sing and praise your power!

I hate those who serve worthless idols, but I trust in the Lord.