Then Joab blew the ram’s horn and all the people stopped in their tracks. They stopped chasing Israel and ceased fighting.

Such were the exploits of Benaiah son of Jehoida, who gained fame among the three elite warriors.

But she said to him, “No, my brother! Don’t humiliate me! This just isn’t done in Israel! Don’t do this foolish thing!

I will become his father and he will become my son. When he sins, I will correct him with the rod of men and with wounds inflicted by human beings.

The king asked, “Is there not someone left from Saul’s family, that I may extend God’s kindness to him?” Ziba said to the king, “One of Jonathan’s sons is left; both of his feet are crippled.”

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

David became famous when he returned from defeating the Arameans in the Valley of Salt, he defeated 18,000 in all.

But when Absalom pressed him, he sent Amnon and all the king’s sons along with him.

For I made this vow when I was living in Geshur in Aram: ‘If the Lord really does allow me to return to Jerusalem, I will serve the Lord.’”

David was thirsty and said, “How I wish someone would give me some water to drink from the cistern in Bethlehem near the gate!”

When all the leaders of Israel came to the king at Hebron, King David made an agreement with them in Hebron before the Lord. They designated David as king over Israel.

The woman said, “Why have you devised something like this against God’s people? When the king speaks in this fashion, he makes himself guilty, for the king has not brought back the one he has banished.

Benaiah the Pirathonite, Hiddai from the wadis of Gaash,

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

Then the woman said, “Please permit your servant to speak to my lord the king about another matter.” He replied, “Tell me.”

When someone approached to bow before him, Absalom would extend his hand and embrace him and kiss him.

Then Joab said to the Cushite, “Go and tell the king what you have seen.” After bowing to Joab, the Cushite ran off.

Absalom had made Amasa general in command of the army in place of Joab. (Now Amasa was the son of an Israelite man named Jether, who had married Abigail the daughter of Nahash and sister of Zeruiah, Joab’s mother.)

Abishai son of Zeruiah, the brother of Joab, was head of the three. He killed three hundred men with his spear and gained fame among the three.

Your hands were not bound, and your feet were not put into irons. You fell the way one falls before criminals.” All the people wept over him again.