The woman arrived back at daybreak and was sprawled out on the doorstep of the house where her master was staying until it became light.

They said, “Why, O Lord God of Israel, has this happened in Israel?” An entire tribe has disappeared from Israel today!”

Now the residents of Beth Shemesh were harvesting wheat in the valley. When they looked up and saw the ark, they were pleased at the sight.

Saul, his son Jonathan, and the army that remained with them stayed in Gibeah in the territory of Benjamin, while the Philistines camped in Micmash.

So when David returned from striking down the Philistine, Abner took him and brought him before Saul. He still had the head of the Philistine in his hand.

So David and his men went to Keilah and fought the Philistines. He took away their cattle and thoroughly defeated them. David delivered the inhabitants of Keilah.

I grieve over you, my brother Jonathan! You were very dear to me. Your love was more special to me than the love of women.

Now be courageous and prove to be valiant warriors, for your lord Saul is dead. The people of Judah have anointed me as king over them.”

Now Saul had a concubine named Rizpah daughter of Aiah. Ish-bosheth said to Abner, “Why did you have sexual relations with my father’s concubine?”

So David lived in the fortress and called it the City of David. David built all around it, from the terrace inwards.

So now assemble the rest of the army and besiege the city and capture it. Otherwise I will capture the city and it will be named for me.”

But my servant has slandered me to my lord the king. But my lord the king is like an angel of God. Do whatever seems appropriate to you.

The one who touches them must use an iron instrument or the wooden shaft of a spear. They are completely burned up right where they lie!”

But he made a stand in the middle of that area. He defended it and defeated the Philistines; the Lord gave them a great victory.

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.”

Judah did evil in the sight of the Lord. They made him more jealous by their sins than their ancestors had done.

Each one struck down an enemy soldier; the Syrians fled and Israel chased them. King Ben Hadad of Syria escaped on horseback with some horsemen.

Now the king of Syria was at war with Israel. He consulted his advisers, who said, “Invade at such and such a place.”

He went to Samaria and exterminated all the members of Ahab’s family who were still alive in Samaria, just as the Lord had announced to Elijah.

He was twenty-five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned for sixteen years in Jerusalem. His mother was Jerusha the daughter of Zadok.