Then David and the men who were with him wept loudly until they could weep no more.

The Philistines stayed right on the heels of Saul and his sons. They struck down Saul’s sons Jonathan, Abinadab, and Malki-Shua.

When his armor bearer saw that Saul was dead, he also fell on his own sword and died with him.

David asked him, “Where are you coming from?” He replied, “I have escaped from the camp of Israel.”

David then grabbed his own clothes and tore them, as did all the men who were with him.

Now may the Lord show you true kindness! I also will reward you, because you have done this deed.

Abner said to Joab, “Let the soldiers get up and fight before us.” Joab said, “So be it!”

The Benjaminites formed their ranks behind Abner and were like a single army, standing at the top of a certain hill.

God will severely judge Abner if I do not do for David exactly what the Lord has promised him,

Ish-bosheth was unable to answer Abner with even a single word because he was afraid of him.

All the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron saying, “Look, we are your very flesh and blood!

David was thirty years old when he began to reign and he reigned for forty years.

Later David defeated the Philistines and subdued them. David took Metheg Ammah from the Philistines.

Then David asked, “Is anyone still left from the family of Saul, so that I may extend kindness to him for the sake of Jonathan?”

So Joab and his men marched out to do battle with the Arameans, and they fled before him.

So as Joab kept watch on the city, he stationed Uriah at the place where he knew the best enemy soldiers were.

But Absalom fled and went to King Talmai son of Ammihud of Geshur. And David grieved over his son every day.

Then Joab got up and came to Absalom’s house. He said to him, “Why did your servants set my portion of field on fire?”

Some time later Absalom managed to acquire a chariot and horses, as well as fifty men to serve as his royal guard.

So the king and all the members of his royal court set out on foot, though the king left behind ten concubines to attend to the palace.