Now may the <sc>Lordsc> show you true kindness!<n id="1" /> I also will reward you,<n id="2" /> because you have done this deed.

God will severely judge Abner<n id="1" /> if I do not do for David exactly what the <sc>Lordsc> has promised him,<n id="2" />

Although you have acted in secret, I will do this thing before all Israel, and in broad daylight.&#8217;&#8221;<n id="1" />p>

<p class="bodytext">But she said to him, &#8220;No, my brother! Don&#8217;t humiliate me! This just isn&#8217;t done in Israel! Don&#8217;t do this foolish thing!

<p class="bodytext">The king replied, &#8220;Kimham will cross over with me, and I will do for him whatever I deem appropriate. And whatever you choose, I will do for you.&#8221;p>

and said, &#8220;O <sc>Lordsc>, I will not do this!<n id="1" /> It is equivalent to the blood of the men who risked their lives by going.&#8221;<n id="2" /> So he refused to drink it. Such were the exploits of the three elite warriors.<n id="3" />p>

Nathan replied to the king, &#8220;You should go<n id="1" /> and do whatever you have in mind,<n id="2" /> for the <sc>Lordsc> is with you.&#8221;

For the sake of your promise and according to your purpose<n id="1" /> you have done this great thing in order to reveal it to your servant.<n id="2" />

<p class="bodytext">David became famous<n id="1" /> when he returned from defeating the Arameans<n id="2" /> in the Valley of Salt, he defeated<n id="3" /> 18,000 in all.

David reigned over all Israel; he guaranteed justice for all his people.<n id="1" />p>

Be strong! Let&#8217;s fight bravely for the sake of our people and the cities of our God! The <sc>Lordsc> will do what he decides is best!&#8221;<n id="1" />p>

<t /><p class="bodytext">Some time later Absalom managed to acquire<n id="1" /> a chariot and horses, as well as fifty men to serve as his royal guard.<n id="2" />

However, if he should say, &#8216;I do not take pleasure in you,&#8217; then he will deal with me in a way that he considers appropriate.&#8221;<n id="1" />p>

<p class="bodytext">Then Absalom said to Ahithophel, &#8220;Give us your advice. What should we do?&#8221;

When David was told what Rizpah daughter of Aiah, Saul&#8217;s concubine, had done,

<p class="poetry">He gives his chosen king magnificent victories;<n id="1" />p> <p class="poetry">he is faithful to his chosen ruler,<n id="2" />p> <p class="poetry">to David and to his descendants forever!&#8221;p>

But he made a stand in the middle of that area. He defended<n id="1" /> it and defeated the Philistines; the <sc>Lordsc> gave them a great victory.p>

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

<p class="bodytext">David said to him, &#8220;Don&#8217;t be afraid, because I will certainly extend kindness to you for the sake of Jonathan your father. You will be a regular guest at my table.&#8221;<n id="1" />

David said, &#8220;I will express my loyalty<n id="1" /> to Hanun son of Nahash just as his father was loyal<n id="2" /> to me.&#8221; So David sent his servants with a message expressing sympathy over his father&#8217;s death.<n id="3" /> When David&#8217;s servants entered the land of the Ammonites,