David king in Hebron
After this David asked the Lord, Should I go up to one of Judah's cities? The Lord answered, Go up. David asked, Where? The Lord said, Hebron. So David went up there with his two wives, Ahinoam of Jezreel and Abigail, the widow of Nabal of Carmel. David also brought the men who were with him, each with his household, and they settled in the towns around Hebron. Then the men of Judah came and anointed David king over the people of Judah. David was told that the men of Jabesh Gilead had buried Saul. So David sent messengers to them: May the Lord bless you for showing this loyalty to your master Saul and giving him a burial. May the Lord now show you steadfast love and faithfulness. I'll show you the same kindness because you did this. So take heart and be courageous. Your master Saul is dead, and the people of Judah have anointed me king over them.
And after this David asked of the Lord: Should I go up into any of the towns of Judah? And the Lord said to him: Go up. And David said: Where should I go up? And he said: To Hebron. So David went up there, and his two wives too, Ahinoam the Jezreelite and Abigail, Nabal's wife the Carmelite. And David brought up his men with him, every man with his household. And they lived in the towns of Hebron. And the men of Judah came, and there they anointed David king over the house of Judah. And they told David: The men of Jabesh Gilead were the ones who buried Saul. And David sent messengers to the men of Jabesh Gilead and said to them: Blessed be you of the Lord, that you've shown this kindness to your lord, to Saul, and have buried him. And now the Lord show kindness and truth to you. And I'll pay you back this kindness too, because you've done this thing. So now let your hands be strong and be brave. Because your master Saul is dead, and the house of Judah has anointed me king over them.
And it came to pass after this, that David enquired of the LORD, saying, Shall I go up into any of the cities of Judah? And the LORD said unto him, Go up. And David said, Whither shall I go up? And he said, Unto Hebron. So David went up thither, and his two wives also, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail Nabal’s wife the Carmelite. And his men that were with him did David bring up, every man with his household: and they dwelt in the cities of Hebron. And the men of Judah came, and there they anointed David king over the house of Judah. And they told David, saying, That the men of Jabeshgilead were they that buried Saul. And David sent messengers unto the men of Jabeshgilead, and said unto them, Blessed be ye of the LORD, that ye have shewed this kindness unto your lord, even unto Saul, and have buried him. And now the LORD shew kindness and truth unto you: and I also will requite you this kindness, because ye have done this thing. Therefore now let your hands be strengthened, and be ye valiant: for your master Saul is dead, and also the house of Judah have anointed me king over them.
After this David asked the Lord, Should I go up to one of Judah's cities? The Lord answered, Go up. David asked, Where? The Lord said, Hebron.
And after this David asked of the Lord: Should I go up into any of the towns of Judah? And the Lord said to him: Go up. And David said: Where should I go up? And he said: To Hebron.
And it came to pass after this, that David enquired of the LORD, saying, Shall I go up into any of the cities of Judah? And the LORD said unto him, Go up. And David said, Whither shall I go up? And he said, Unto Hebron.
So David went up there with his two wives, Ahinoam of Jezreel and Abigail, the widow of Nabal of Carmel.
So David went up there, and his two wives too, Ahinoam the Jezreelite and Abigail, Nabal's wife the Carmelite.
So David went up thither, and his two wives also, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail Nabal’s wife the Carmelite.
David also brought the men who were with him, each with his household, and they settled in the towns around Hebron.
And David brought up his men with him, every man with his household. And they lived in the towns of Hebron.
And his men that were with him did David bring up, every man with his household: and they dwelt in the cities of Hebron.
Then the men of Judah came and anointed David king over the people of Judah. David was told that the men of Jabesh Gilead had buried Saul.
And the men of Judah came, and there they anointed David king over the house of Judah. And they told David: The men of Jabesh Gilead were the ones who buried Saul.
And the men of Judah came, and there they anointed David king over the house of Judah. And they told David, saying, That the men of Jabeshgilead were they that buried Saul.
So David sent messengers to them: May the Lord bless you for showing this loyalty to your master Saul and giving him a burial.
And David sent messengers to the men of Jabesh Gilead and said to them: Blessed be you of the Lord, that you've shown this kindness to your lord, to Saul, and have buried him.
And David sent messengers unto the men of Jabeshgilead, and said unto them, Blessed be ye of the LORD, that ye have shewed this kindness unto your lord, even unto Saul, and have buried him.
May the Lord now show you steadfast love and faithfulness. I'll show you the same kindness because you did this.
And now the Lord show kindness and truth to you. And I'll pay you back this kindness too, because you've done this thing.
And now the LORD shew kindness and truth unto you: and I also will requite you this kindness, because ye have done this thing.
So take heart and be courageous. Your master Saul is dead, and the people of Judah have anointed me king over them.
So now let your hands be strong and be brave. Because your master Saul is dead, and the house of Judah has anointed me king over them.
Therefore now let your hands be strengthened, and be ye valiant: for your master Saul is dead, and also the house of Judah have anointed me king over them.
War with the house of Saul
Meanwhile Abner son of Ner, commander of Saul's army, took Saul's son Ish-Bosheth and brought him across to Mahanaim. He made him king over Gilead, the Ashurites, Jezreel, Ephraim, Benjamin and the rest of Israel. Ish-Bosheth son of Saul was forty years old when he became king over Israel, and he reigned for two years. The people of Judah, however, followed David. David was king in Hebron over the people of Judah for seven years and six months. Abner son of Ner and the men of Ish-Bosheth son of Saul left Mahanaim and went to Gibeon. Joab son of Zeruiah and David's men also came out and met them at the pool of Gibeon. One group sat on one side of the pool and the other group on the opposite side. Abner said to Joab, How about we let the young men get up and fight it out in front of us? Joab said, All right, let them. So twelve men from Benjamin, fighting for Ish-Bosheth son of Saul, and twelve of David's men stepped forward. Each man grabbed his opponent by the head and drove his sword into the other's side, and they all fell together. That is why the place at Gibeon was called the Field of Sharp Swords. A fierce battle followed that day, and Abner and the men of Israel were beaten by David's men. The three sons of Zeruiah were there: Joab, Abishai and Asahel. Asahel was as quick on his feet as a wild gazelle. Asahel chased Abner and wouldn't veer to the right or left as he pursued him. Abner looked back and called, Is that you, Asahel? He answered, It is. Abner said, Turn aside to the right or left. Grab one of the young men and take his armour. But Asahel refused to stop chasing him. Again Abner warned Asahel, Stop following me. Why should I strike you down? How could I ever face your brother Joab afterwards? But Asahel still refused. So Abner drove the butt of his spear into Asahel's stomach, and the spear came out through his back. He fell and died there. Everyone who came to the spot where Asahel had fallen stopped. Joab and Abishai kept chasing Abner. The sun was setting when they reached the hill of Ammah, near Giah on the road into the wilderness of Gibeon. The Benjaminites rallied behind Abner, formed one group and took their stand on top of a hill. Abner called out to Joab, Is the sword going to keep devouring forever? Don't you know this will only end in bitterness? How long before you tell your men to stop chasing their own brothers? Joab answered, As surely as God lives, if you hadn't spoken up, the men would have kept after their brothers until morning. Then Joab blew the trumpet. The whole army stopped, gave up the pursuit and fought Israel no more that day. Abner and his men marched through the Arabah all that night, crossed the Jordan, travelled through Bithron and reached Mahanaim. Joab returned from pursuing Abner and gathered all his men. Nineteen of David's men were missing, along with Asahel. David's men had killed 360 Benjaminites and men of Abner. They carried Asahel back and buried him in his father's tomb at Bethlehem. Then Joab and his men marched all night and reached Hebron at daybreak.
But Abner son of Ner, captain of Saul's army, took Ish-Bosheth son of Saul and brought him over to Mahanaim. And he made him king over Gilead and over the Ashurites and over Jezreel and over Ephraim and over Benjamin and over all Israel. Ish-Bosheth son of Saul was forty years old when he started to rule over Israel, and he ruled two years. But the house of Judah followed David. And the time David was king in Hebron over the house of Judah was seven years and six months. And Abner son of Ner and the servants of Ish-Bosheth son of Saul went out from Mahanaim to Gibeon. And Joab son of Zeruiah and the servants of David went out and met together by the pool of Gibeon. And they sat down, one on one side of the pool and the other on the other side of the pool. And Abner said to Joab: Let the young men get up now and play in front of us. And Joab said: Let them get up. Then they got up and went over by number — twelve of Benjamin, who belonged to Ish-Bosheth son of Saul, and twelve of the servants of David. And they caught every one his mate by the head and thrust his sword in his mate's side. So they fell down together. That's why that place was called the Field of Sharp Edges, which is in Gibeon. And there was a very hard battle that day. And Abner was beaten, and the men of Israel, in front of the servants of David. And the three sons of Zeruiah were there — Joab and Abishai and Asahel. And Asahel was as fast on his feet as a wild deer. And Asahel chased after Abner. And as he went, he didn't turn to the right hand or to the left from following Abner. Then Abner looked behind him: Is that you, Asahel? And he answered: It's me. And Abner said to him: Turn aside to your right hand or to your left, and lay hold on one of the young men, and take his armour. But Asahel wouldn't turn aside from following him. And Abner said to Asahel again: Turn aside from following me. Why should I strike you to the ground? How then could I hold up my face to Joab your brother? But he refused to turn aside. So Abner struck him with the butt end of the spear under the fifth rib, so the spear came out behind him. And he fell down there and died in the same place. And everyone who came to the place where Asahel fell down and died stood still. Joab and Abishai chased after Abner too. And the sun went down when they came to the hill of Ammah, which is in front of Giah by the way of the wilderness of Gibeon. And the sons of Benjamin gathered themselves together after Abner and became one troop, and stood on the top of a hill. Then Abner called to Joab: Will the sword eat forever? Don't you know it'll be bitter in the end? So how long will it be till you tell the people to come back from following their brothers? And Joab said: As surely as God lives, if you hadn't spoken, then the people would definitely have gone up in the morning, every one from following his brother. So Joab blew a trumpet, and all the people stood still and didn't chase Israel any more, and didn't fight any more. And Abner and his men walked all that night through the plain and went over the Jordan, and went through all Bithron, and they came to Mahanaim. And Joab came back from following Abner. And when he'd gathered all the people together, nineteen men of David's servants were missing, and Asahel. But the servants of David had struck of Benjamin and of Abner's men, so three hundred and sixty men died. And they took up Asahel and buried him in the grave of his father, which was in Bethlehem. And Joab and his men went all night, and they came to Hebron at daybreak.
But Abner the son of Ner, captain of Saul’s host, took Ishbosheth the son of Saul, and brought him over to Mahanaim; And made him king over Gilead, and over the Ashurites, and over Jezreel, and over Ephraim, and over Benjamin, and over all Israel. Ishbosheth Saul’s son was forty years old when he began to reign over Israel, and reigned two years. But the house of Judah followed David. And the time that David was king in Hebron over the house of Judah was seven years and six months. And Abner the son of Ner, and the servants of Ishbosheth the son of Saul, went out from Mahanaim to Gibeon. And Joab the son of Zeruiah, and the servants of David, went out, and met together by the pool of Gibeon: and they sat down, the one on the one side of the pool, and the other on the other side of the pool. And Abner said to Joab, Let the young men now arise, and play before us. And Joab said, Let them arise. Then there arose and went over by number twelve of Benjamin, which pertained to Ishbosheth the son of Saul, and twelve of the servants of David. And they caught every one his fellow by the head, and thrust his sword in his fellow’s side; so they fell down together: wherefore that place was called Helkathhazzurim, which is in Gibeon. And there was a very sore battle that day; and Abner was beaten, and the men of Israel, before the servants of David. And there were three sons of Zeruiah there, Joab, and Abishai, and Asahel: and Asahel was as light of foot as a wild roe. And Asahel pursued after Abner; and in going he turned not to the right hand nor to the left from following Abner. Then Abner looked behind him, and said, Art thou Asahel? And he answered, I am. And Abner said to him, Turn thee aside to thy right hand or to thy left, and lay thee hold on one of the young men, and take thee his armour. But Asahel would not turn aside from following of him. And Abner said again to Asahel, Turn thee aside from following me: wherefore should I smite thee to the ground? how then should I hold up my face to Joab thy brother? Howbeit he refused to turn aside: wherefore Abner with the hinder end of the spear smote him under the fifth rib, that the spear came out behind him; and he fell down there, and died in the same place: and it came to pass, that as many as came to the place where Asahel fell down and died stood still. Joab also and Abishai pursued after Abner: and the sun went down when they were come to the hill of Ammah, that lieth before Giah by the way of the wilderness of Gibeon. And the children of Benjamin gathered themselves together after Abner, and became one troop, and stood on the top of an hill. Then Abner called to Joab, and said, Shall the sword devour for ever? knowest thou not that it will be bitterness in the latter end? how long shall it be then, ere thou bid the people return from following their brethren? And Joab said, As God liveth, unless thou hadst spoken, surely then in the morning the people had gone up every one from following his brother. So Joab blew a trumpet, and all the people stood still, and pursued after Israel no more, neither fought they any more. And Abner and his men walked all that night through the plain, and passed over Jordan, and went through all Bithron, and they came to Mahanaim. And Joab returned from following Abner: and when he had gathered all the people together, there lacked of David’s servants nineteen men and Asahel. But the servants of David had smitten of Benjamin, and of Abner’s men, so that three hundred and threescore men died. And they took up Asahel, and buried him in the sepulchre of his father, which was in Bethlehem. And Joab and his men went all night, and they came to Hebron at break of day.
Meanwhile Abner son of Ner, commander of Saul's army, took Saul's son Ish-Bosheth and brought him across to Mahanaim.
But Abner son of Ner, captain of Saul's army, took Ish-Bosheth son of Saul and brought him over to Mahanaim.
But Abner the son of Ner, captain of Saul’s host, took Ishbosheth the son of Saul, and brought him over to Mahanaim;
He made him king over Gilead, the Ashurites, Jezreel, Ephraim, Benjamin and the rest of Israel.
And he made him king over Gilead and over the Ashurites and over Jezreel and over Ephraim and over Benjamin and over all Israel.
And made him king over Gilead, and over the Ashurites, and over Jezreel, and over Ephraim, and over Benjamin, and over all Israel.
Ish-Bosheth son of Saul was forty years old when he became king over Israel, and he reigned for two years. The people of Judah, however, followed David.
Ish-Bosheth son of Saul was forty years old when he started to rule over Israel, and he ruled two years. But the house of Judah followed David.
Ishbosheth Saul’s son was forty years old when he began to reign over Israel, and reigned two years. But the house of Judah followed David.
David was king in Hebron over the people of Judah for seven years and six months.
And the time David was king in Hebron over the house of Judah was seven years and six months.
And the time that David was king in Hebron over the house of Judah was seven years and six months.
Abner son of Ner and the men of Ish-Bosheth son of Saul left Mahanaim and went to Gibeon.
And Abner son of Ner and the servants of Ish-Bosheth son of Saul went out from Mahanaim to Gibeon.
And Abner the son of Ner, and the servants of Ishbosheth the son of Saul, went out from Mahanaim to Gibeon.
Joab son of Zeruiah and David's men also came out and met them at the pool of Gibeon. One group sat on one side of the pool and the other group on the opposite side.
And Joab son of Zeruiah and the servants of David went out and met together by the pool of Gibeon. And they sat down, one on one side of the pool and the other on the other side of the pool.
And Joab the son of Zeruiah, and the servants of David, went out, and met together by the pool of Gibeon: and they sat down, the one on the one side of the pool, and the other on the other side of the pool.
Abner said to Joab, How about we let the young men get up and fight it out in front of us? Joab said, All right, let them.
And Abner said to Joab: Let the young men get up now and play in front of us. And Joab said: Let them get up.
And Abner said to Joab, Let the young men now arise, and play before us. And Joab said, Let them arise.
So twelve men from Benjamin, fighting for Ish-Bosheth son of Saul, and twelve of David's men stepped forward.
Then they got up and went over by number — twelve of Benjamin, who belonged to Ish-Bosheth son of Saul, and twelve of the servants of David.
Then there arose and went over by number twelve of Benjamin, which pertained to Ishbosheth the son of Saul, and twelve of the servants of David.
Each man grabbed his opponent by the head and drove his sword into the other's side, and they all fell together. That is why the place at Gibeon was called the Field of Sharp Swords.
And they caught every one his mate by the head and thrust his sword in his mate's side. So they fell down together. That's why that place was called the Field of Sharp Edges, which is in Gibeon.
And they caught every one his fellow by the head, and thrust his sword in his fellow’s side; so they fell down together: wherefore that place was called Helkathhazzurim, which is in Gibeon.
A fierce battle followed that day, and Abner and the men of Israel were beaten by David's men.
And there was a very hard battle that day. And Abner was beaten, and the men of Israel, in front of the servants of David.
And there was a very sore battle that day; and Abner was beaten, and the men of Israel, before the servants of David.
The three sons of Zeruiah were there: Joab, Abishai and Asahel. Asahel was as quick on his feet as a wild gazelle.
And the three sons of Zeruiah were there — Joab and Abishai and Asahel. And Asahel was as fast on his feet as a wild deer.
And there were three sons of Zeruiah there, Joab, and Abishai, and Asahel: and Asahel was as light of foot as a wild roe.
Asahel chased Abner and wouldn't veer to the right or left as he pursued him.
And Asahel chased after Abner. And as he went, he didn't turn to the right hand or to the left from following Abner.
And Asahel pursued after Abner; and in going he turned not to the right hand nor to the left from following Abner.
Abner looked back and called, Is that you, Asahel? He answered, It is.
Then Abner looked behind him: Is that you, Asahel? And he answered: It's me.
Then Abner looked behind him, and said, Art thou Asahel? And he answered, I am.
Abner said, Turn aside to the right or left. Grab one of the young men and take his armour. But Asahel refused to stop chasing him.
And Abner said to him: Turn aside to your right hand or to your left, and lay hold on one of the young men, and take his armour. But Asahel wouldn't turn aside from following him.
And Abner said to him, Turn thee aside to thy right hand or to thy left, and lay thee hold on one of the young men, and take thee his armour. But Asahel would not turn aside from following of him.
Again Abner warned Asahel, Stop following me. Why should I strike you down? How could I ever face your brother Joab afterwards?
And Abner said to Asahel again: Turn aside from following me. Why should I strike you to the ground? How then could I hold up my face to Joab your brother?
And Abner said again to Asahel, Turn thee aside from following me: wherefore should I smite thee to the ground? how then should I hold up my face to Joab thy brother?
But Asahel still refused. So Abner drove the butt of his spear into Asahel's stomach, and the spear came out through his back. He fell and died there. Everyone who came to the spot where Asahel had fallen stopped.
But he refused to turn aside. So Abner struck him with the butt end of the spear under the fifth rib, so the spear came out behind him. And he fell down there and died in the same place. And everyone who came to the place where Asahel fell down and died stood still.
Howbeit he refused to turn aside: wherefore Abner with the hinder end of the spear smote him under the fifth rib, that the spear came out behind him; and he fell down there, and died in the same place: and it came to pass, that as many as came to the place where Asahel fell down and died stood still.
Joab and Abishai kept chasing Abner. The sun was setting when they reached the hill of Ammah, near Giah on the road into the wilderness of Gibeon.
Joab and Abishai chased after Abner too. And the sun went down when they came to the hill of Ammah, which is in front of Giah by the way of the wilderness of Gibeon.
Joab also and Abishai pursued after Abner: and the sun went down when they were come to the hill of Ammah, that lieth before Giah by the way of the wilderness of Gibeon.
The Benjaminites rallied behind Abner, formed one group and took their stand on top of a hill.
And the sons of Benjamin gathered themselves together after Abner and became one troop, and stood on the top of a hill.
And the children of Benjamin gathered themselves together after Abner, and became one troop, and stood on the top of an hill.
Abner called out to Joab, Is the sword going to keep devouring forever? Don't you know this will only end in bitterness? How long before you tell your men to stop chasing their own brothers?
Then Abner called to Joab: Will the sword eat forever? Don't you know it'll be bitter in the end? So how long will it be till you tell the people to come back from following their brothers?
Then Abner called to Joab, and said, Shall the sword devour for ever? knowest thou not that it will be bitterness in the latter end? how long shall it be then, ere thou bid the people return from following their brethren?
Joab answered, As surely as God lives, if you hadn't spoken up, the men would have kept after their brothers until morning.
And Joab said: As surely as God lives, if you hadn't spoken, then the people would definitely have gone up in the morning, every one from following his brother.
And Joab said, As God liveth, unless thou hadst spoken, surely then in the morning the people had gone up every one from following his brother.
Then Joab blew the trumpet. The whole army stopped, gave up the pursuit and fought Israel no more that day.
So Joab blew a trumpet, and all the people stood still and didn't chase Israel any more, and didn't fight any more.
So Joab blew a trumpet, and all the people stood still, and pursued after Israel no more, neither fought they any more.
Abner and his men marched through the Arabah all that night, crossed the Jordan, travelled through Bithron and reached Mahanaim.
And Abner and his men walked all that night through the plain and went over the Jordan, and went through all Bithron, and they came to Mahanaim.
And Abner and his men walked all that night through the plain, and passed over Jordan, and went through all Bithron, and they came to Mahanaim.
Joab returned from pursuing Abner and gathered all his men. Nineteen of David's men were missing, along with Asahel.
And Joab came back from following Abner. And when he'd gathered all the people together, nineteen men of David's servants were missing, and Asahel.
And Joab returned from following Abner: and when he had gathered all the people together, there lacked of David’s servants nineteen men and Asahel.
David's men had killed 360 Benjaminites and men of Abner.
But the servants of David had struck of Benjamin and of Abner's men, so three hundred and sixty men died.
But the servants of David had smitten of Benjamin, and of Abner’s men, so that three hundred and threescore men died.
They carried Asahel back and buried him in his father's tomb at Bethlehem. Then Joab and his men marched all night and reached Hebron at daybreak.
And they took up Asahel and buried him in the grave of his father, which was in Bethlehem. And Joab and his men went all night, and they came to Hebron at daybreak.
And they took up Asahel, and buried him in the sepulchre of his father, which was in Bethlehem. And Joab and his men went all night, and they came to Hebron at break of day.