Your house and your kingdom will stand before me ¹  permanently; your dynasty ²  will be permanent.’”

Mephibosheth was living in Jerusalem, ¹  for he was a regular guest at the king’s table. But both his feet were crippled.

The king replied to him, “Go in peace.” So Absalom ¹  got up and went to Hebron.

Then a messenger came to David and reported, “The men of Israel are loyal to Absalom!” ¹ 

Then the king replied to him, “Why should you continue speaking like this? You and Ziba will inherit the field together.”

I will cross the Jordan with the king and go a short distance. ¹  Why should the king reward me in this way?

Then the king said to Amasa, “Call the men of Judah together for me in three days, ¹  and you be present here with them too.”

So Amasa went out to call Judah together. But in doing so he took longer than the time that the king had allotted him.

I chase my enemies and destroy them; I do not turn back until I wipe them out.

You make my enemies retreat; ¹  I destroy those who hate me.

He gives his chosen king magnificent victories; ¹  he is faithful to his chosen ruler, ²  to David and to his descendants forever!”

That’s not the way things are. There is a man from the hill country of Ephraim named Sheba son of Bicri. He has rebelled ¹  against King David. Give me just this one man, and I will leave the city.” The woman said to Joab, “This very minute ²  his head will be thrown over the wall to you!”

(He gave instructions that the people of Judah should be taught “The Bow.” ¹  Indeed, it is written down in the Book of Yashar.) ² 

They ¹  entered the house under the pretense of getting wheat and mortally wounded him ²  in the stomach. Then Recab and his brother Baanah escaped.

Then Hadadezer sent for Arameans from ¹  beyond the Euphrates River, ²  and they came to Helam. Shobach, the general in command of Hadadezer’s army, led them. ³ 

Absalom would then say, “If only they would make me ¹  a judge in the land! Then everyone who had a judicial complaint ²  could come to me and I would make sure he receives a just settlement.”

But he said, ¹  “Whatever happens, I want to go!” So Joab ²  said to him, “Then go!” So Ahimaaz ran by the way of the Jordan plain, and he passed the Cushite.

But Absalom, whom we anointed as our king, ¹  has died in battle. So now why do you hesitate to bring the king back?” ² 

They lamented and wept and fasted until evening because Saul, his son Jonathan, the Lord’s people, and the house of Israel had fallen by the sword.

So David said, “Good! I will make an agreement with you. I ask only one thing from you. You will not see my face unless you bring Saul’s daughter Michal when you come to visit me.” ¹