David

1Ish-bosheth was Saul's son. He heard that Abner had died in Hebron. When he heard it, he lost all his courage. Everyone in Israel was upset and afraid too.

And when Saul’s son heard that Abner was dead in Hebron, his hands were feeble, and all the Israelites were troubled.

NoteIsh-bosheth was king over most of Israel. David was king in another town called Hebron. Abner was the leader of Ish-bosheth's army. Without Abner, Ish-bosheth had no one strong to help him.

2Ish-bosheth had two men who led groups of fighters. One was named Baanah. The other was named Rechab. They were sons of a man named Rimmon, from the town of Beeroth. That town belonged to the family group of Benjamin.

And Saul’s son had two men that were captains of bands: the name of the one was Baanah, and the name of the other Rechab, the sons of Rimmon a Beerothite, of the children of Benjamin: (for Beeroth also was reckoned to Benjamin.

NoteThe family groups of Israel were called tribes. Benjamin was one of the twelve tribes. Saul's family came from Benjamin, so these men were his own people.

3Long ago the people of Beeroth ran away to a place called Gittaim. They have lived there as outsiders ever since.

And the Beerothites fled to Gittaim, and were sojourners there until this day.)

NoteOutsiders were people living in a town that was not their own. They did not own land there. Life was harder for them than for the local families.

4Jonathan, Saul's son, had a little boy whose feet did not work right. He was five years old when the news about Saul and Jonathan came from Jezreel. The woman who cared for him picked him up and ran. She hurried so fast that the boy fell and was hurt. After that he could not walk well. His name was Mephibosheth.

And Jonathan, Saul’s son, had a son that was lame of his feet. He was five years old when the tidings came of Saul and Jonathan out of Jezreel, and his nurse took him up, and fled: and it came to pass, as she made haste to flee, that he fell, and became lame. And his name was Mephibosheth.

NoteJonathan was Saul's son and David's best friend. He and Saul died in a battle far away at Jezreel. The family was afraid enemy soldiers would come, so the nurse ran. A nurse was a woman paid to take care of a rich family's child. Remember Mephibosheth's name. He comes back into the story later.

5Rechab and Baanah, the sons of Rimmon from Beeroth, set out one day. They came to Ish-bosheth's house in the hottest part of the day. He was lying on his bed for a midday nap.

And the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, Rechab and Baanah, went, and came about the heat of the day to the house of Ishbosheth, who lay on a bed at noon.

NoteIn that land the middle of the day was very hot. People often rested indoors until it cooled off. Nobody would think it strange to find the king asleep.

6They walked into the middle of the house. They acted like they had come to pick up wheat. Then they stabbed Ish-bosheth in the stomach. Rechab and his brother Baanah slipped away.

And they came thither into the midst of the house, as though they would have fetched wheat; and they smote him under the fifth rib: and Rechab and Baanah his brother escaped.

NoteWheat is the grain that bread is made from. Leaders kept big piles of it in their houses. Men came in and out to carry it away, so the two brothers did not look strange.

7They had come in while he was lying on his bed in his room. They stabbed him and killed him. Then they cut off his head and carried it away. They traveled all night through the flat land.

For when they came into the house, he lay on his bed in his bedchamber, and they smote him, and slew him, and beheaded him, and took his head, and gat them away through the plain all night.

NoteThe flat land is a long, low valley near the Jordan River. Walking there at night helped them travel without being seen.

8They brought Ish-bosheth's head to David at Hebron. They said to the king, "Here is the head of Ish-bosheth, Saul's son. He was your enemy, and he tried to kill you. Today the LORD has paid Saul and his family back for what they did to you."

And they brought the head of Ishbosheth unto David to Hebron, and said to the king, Behold the head of Ishbosheth the son of Saul thine enemy, which sought thy life; and the LORD hath avenged my lord the king this day of Saul, and of his seed.

NoteThey carried the head to prove the man was really dead. They expected David to be pleased and give them a reward. LORD in capital letters is God's own name.

9David answered Rechab and his brother Baanah, the sons of Rimmon from Beeroth. He said, "The LORD is alive, and he has saved me from every trouble. I promise you this by him.

And David answered Rechab and Baanah his brother, the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, and said unto them, As the LORD liveth, who hath redeemed my soul out of all adversity,

NoteDavid is making a strong promise. Saying "the LORD is alive" made a promise as serious as it could be. It was like saying, "I mean every word of this."

10Once a man came and told me that Saul was dead. He thought he was bringing me good news. But I grabbed him and had him killed at Ziklag. That was the pay he got for his news.

When one told me, saying, Behold, Saul is dead, thinking to have brought good tidings, I took hold of him, and slew him in Ziklag, who thought that I would have given him a reward for his tidings:

NoteThis happened earlier in the story. Ziklag was the town where David and his men lived then. David did not think the news was good news at all. Saul had been chosen by God to be king.

11Now wicked men have killed a good man in his own house. They killed him on his own bed. So I will certainly make you pay for his death. I will take you off the earth."

How much more, when wicked men have slain a righteous person in his own house upon his bed? shall I not therefore now require his blood of your hand, and take you away from the earth?

NoteIn those days a family could ask for justice when someone was killed. The king had to punish the killers. David is saying he will not let this go.

12David gave the order, and his young men killed Rechab and Baanah. They cut off their hands and their feet. They hung their bodies up by the pool in Hebron. Then they took Ish-bosheth's head and buried it in Abner's grave in Hebron.

And David commanded his young men, and they slew them, and cut off their hands and their feet, and hanged them up over the pool in Hebron. But they took the head of Ishbosheth, and buried it in the sepulchre of Abner in Hebron.

NoteHanging the bodies where people could see them was a public sign. It told everyone that these men had done something very wrong. Burying the head in Abner's grave was the opposite. It was a way of showing honor and respect.

1Then all the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron. Hebron was a town where David lived. They said, "Look, we are your own family."

Then came all the tribes of Israel to David unto Hebron, and spake, saying, Behold, we are thy bone and thy flesh.

NoteIsrael was made up of twelve big family groups called tribes. "Bone and flesh" was their way of saying, "You belong to us. You are family."

2"Long ago, when Saul was king, you led our army out and brought it home. And the LORD said to you, 'You will care for my people Israel like a shepherd. You will be their leader.'"

Also in time past, when Saul was king over us, thou wast he that leddest out and broughtest in Israel: and the LORD said to thee, Thou shalt feed my people Israel, and thou shalt be a captain over Israel.

NoteA shepherd is someone who takes care of sheep. He keeps them fed and safe. Calling a king a shepherd meant he should care for people that same way.

3So all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron. Elders were the older men who led the people. There King David made an agreement with them before the LORD. Then they poured oil on David to show he was now king over Israel.

So all the elders of Israel came to the king to Hebron; and king David made a league with them in Hebron before the LORD: and they anointed David king over Israel.

NotePouring sweet oil on a man's head was how a new king was set apart. It showed everyone that God had chosen him. The agreement was a serious promise between David and the people.

4David was thirty years old when he became king. He ruled for forty years.

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

5In Hebron he ruled over Judah for seven years and six months. In Jerusalem he ruled over all Israel and Judah for thirty-three years.

In Hebron he reigned over Judah seven years and six months: and in Jerusalem he reigned thirty and three years over all Israel and Judah.

NoteJudah was the southern part of the land. It was named after one of the twelve tribes. For seven years only that part followed David as king.

6The king and his men went to Jerusalem to fight the Jebusites. The Jebusites were the people living in that city. They told David, "You will never get in here. Even our blind and lame people could keep you out." They were sure David could not get in.

And the king and his men went to Jerusalem unto the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land: which spake unto David, saying, Except thou take away the blind and the lame, thou shalt not come in hither: thinking, David cannot come in hither.

NoteThe Jebusites were teasing David. They meant that even their weakest people could hold their walls. Their city sat high on a hill and was very hard to attack.

7But David did take the strong fort of Zion. That fort became known as the City of David.

Nevertheless David took the strong hold of Zion: the same is the city of David.

NoteZion was the name of the hill the fort stood on. A fort is a place with thick walls where people are safe from attack.

8That day David said, "Whoever attacks the Jebusites must climb up through the water tunnel." He meant to reach the lame and the blind, whom David hated. That is why people say, "The blind and the lame will not come into the house."

And David said on that day, Whosoever getteth up to the gutter, and smiteth the Jebusites, and the lame and the blind, that are hated of David’s soul, he shall be chief and captain. Wherefore they said, The blind and the lame shall not come into the house.

NoteThe city got its water from a spring outside the wall. A tunnel cut through the rock carried the water inside. David's men climbed up that tunnel and got in.

9So David lived in the fort and called it the City of David. He built the city up all around, from the stone terraces called Millo and inward.

So David dwelt in the fort, and called it the city of David. And David built round about from Millo and inward.

NoteMillo means "the filling." Workers packed dirt and stone against the hillside. That made flat, strong ground to build houses on.

10David kept growing stronger and greater. The LORD God, who leads heaven's armies, was with him.

And David went on, and grew great, and the LORD God of hosts was with him.

NoteThe old word "hosts" means armies, not people having a party. "The LORD God of hosts" means God who leads great armies.

11Hiram was the king of Tyre. He sent men to David with cedar logs, woodworkers, and stone workers. They built a fine house for David.

And Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, and cedar trees, and carpenters, and masons: and they built David an house.

NoteTyre was a rich city by the sea, north of Israel. Cedar trees grew tall in the hills near it. Cedar wood smells sweet and lasts a long time, so kings built with it.

12David understood that the LORD had truly made him king over Israel. He saw that God had made his kingdom great for the good of God's people Israel.

And David perceived that the LORD had established him king over Israel, and that he had exalted his kingdom for his people Israel’s sake.

13After David came from Hebron, he took more wives in Jerusalem. Some were concubines, wives who had a lower place in the family. More sons and daughters were born to him.

And David took him more concubines and wives out of Jerusalem, after he was come from Hebron: and there were yet sons and daughters born to David.

NoteIn those days a king often had many wives. People saw it as a sign that he was rich and powerful.

14These are the names of the children born to him in Jerusalem: Shammuah, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon,

And these be the names of those that were born unto him in Jerusalem; Shammuah, and Shobab, and Nathan, and Solomon,

NoteLists of names like this one show a family growing. One of these boys, Solomon, would later be king after David.

15Ibhar, Elishua, Nepheg, Japhia,

Ibhar also, and Elishua, and Nepheg, and Japhia,

16Elishama, Eliada, and Eliphalet.

And Elishama, and Eliada, and Eliphalet.

17The Philistines heard that David had been made king over Israel. The Philistines were a people who often fought against Israel. So they all came out looking for David. David heard about it and went down to the fort.

But when the Philistines heard that they had anointed David king over Israel, all the Philistines came up to seek David; and David heard of it, and went down to the hold.

18The Philistines came and spread out across the valley of Rephaim.

The Philistines also came and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim.

NoteRephaim was a wide, flat valley near Jerusalem. There was plenty of room there for a whole army to spread out.

19David asked the LORD, "Should I go up and fight the Philistines? Will you hand them over to me?" The LORD said to David, "Go up. I will surely hand the Philistines over to you."

And David enquired of the LORD, saying, Shall I go up to the Philistines? wilt thou deliver them into mine hand? And the LORD said unto David, Go up: for I will doubtless deliver the Philistines into thine hand.

NoteDavid asked God a yes or no question. Usually a priest, a man who served God at the holy tent, helped ask and brought back the answer.

20So David went to Baal-perazim and beat the Philistines there. He said, "The LORD has burst through my enemies, like water bursting through a wall." So he named that place Baal-perazim.

And David came to Baalperazim, and David smote them there, and said, The LORD hath broken forth upon mine enemies before me, as the breach of waters. Therefore he called the name of that place Baalperazim.

NoteThe name Baal-perazim means "the place of bursting through." David gave the place that name to remember what happened there.

21The Philistines ran off and left their idols behind. Idols were statues that people prayed to. David and his men carried them off.

And there they left their images, and David and his men burned them.

22The Philistines came up again and spread out across the valley of Rephaim.

And the Philistines came up yet again, and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim.

23David asked the LORD what to do. God said, "Do not go straight up. Circle around behind them. Attack them in front of the balsam trees."

And when David enquired of the LORD, he said, Thou shalt not go up; but fetch a compass behind them, and come upon them over against the mulberry trees.

Note"Fetch a compass" is old English for "walk around in a circle." It has nothing to do with the little tool that points north. The King James calls them "mulberry trees," but they were probably balsam trees, small trees with sticky, sweet-smelling sap.

24"Listen for the sound of marching in the treetops. When you hear it, move fast. That sound means the LORD has gone out ahead of you. He will strike the Philistine army."

And let it be, when thou hearest the sound of a going in the tops of the mulberry trees, that then thou shalt bestir thyself: for then shall the LORD go out before thee, to smite the host of the Philistines.

NoteWind moving through treetops can sound like many feet marching. That sound was David's signal to attack.

25David did just what the LORD told him. He beat the Philistines all the way from Geba to Gazer.

And David did so, as the LORD had commanded him; and smote the Philistines from Geba until thou come to Gazer.

NoteGeba and Gazer were towns far apart from each other. Saying "from Geba to Gazer" means David chased the Philistines a very long way.

1David gathered the best soldiers of Israel again. There were thirty thousand of them.

Again, David gathered together all the chosen men of Israel, thirty thousand.

NoteIsrael was the name of God's people and their land. Their king was David. Thirty thousand men is a very large crowd.

2David and all his men set out from Baale of Judah. They went to bring back the ark of God. The ark was called by God's own name. He is the Lord of armies. He sits like a king above the golden angel figures on the ark's lid.

And David arose, and went with all the people that were with him from Baale of Judah, to bring up from thence the ark of God, whose name is called by the name of the LORD of hosts that dwelleth between the cherubims.

NoteThe ark was a wooden box covered with gold. It had two gold angel figures on its lid. People believed God met with them there. "The LORD of hosts" means the Lord who leads armies. Baale of Judah was a town where the ark had been kept.

3They put the ark of God on a new cart. They brought it out of Abinadab's house on the hill. Uzzah and Ahio, Abinadab's sons, guided the new cart.

And they set the ark of God upon a new cart, and brought it out of the house of Abinadab that was in Gibeah: and Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, drave the new cart.

NoteA cart is a wagon pulled by animals. God had told the people to carry the ark on long poles instead. Only certain men were allowed to lift it.

4They brought the cart out of Abinadab's house and walked beside the ark of God. Ahio walked in front of the ark.

And they brought it out of the house of Abinadab which was at Gibeah, accompanying the ark of God: and Ahio went before the ark.

5David and all the people of Israel celebrated in front of the Lord. They played wooden instruments, harps, other stringed instruments, tambourines, rattles, and cymbals.

And David and all the house of Israel played before the LORD on all manner of instruments made of fir wood, even on harps, and on psalteries, and on timbrels, and on cornets, and on cymbals.

NoteA psaltery and a timbrel are old words. A psaltery had strings, like a small harp. A timbrel was a tambourine you shake and hit. This was happy parade music.

6They came to Nachon's threshing floor, a flat place where grain was beaten. The oxen stumbled there. So Uzzah reached out and grabbed the ark of God.

And when they came to Nachon’s threshingfloor, Uzzah put forth his hand to the ark of God, and took hold of it; for the oxen shook it.

NoteA threshing floor was a hard, flat, open place. Farmers beat the grain there to knock the seeds loose. Oxen are big strong cattle that pull carts.

7The Lord grew angry with Uzzah. God struck him down right there for what he had done. Uzzah died beside the ark of God.

And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Uzzah; and God smote him there for his error; and there he died by the ark of God.

NoteThe ark belonged to God alone, and no one was to touch it. "Smote" is an old word that means struck. "His error" means the wrong thing he did.

8David was upset that the Lord had burst out against Uzzah. He named that place Perez-uzzah. It still has that name today.

And David was displeased, because the LORD had made a breach upon Uzzah: and he called the name of the place Perezuzzah to this day.

NoteNames in the Bible often meant something. Perez-uzzah means "bursting out against Uzzah." People still called the spot by that name long after.

9That day David was afraid of the Lord. He asked, "How can the ark of the Lord ever come to me?"

And David was afraid of the LORD that day, and said, How shall the ark of the LORD come to me?

10So David would not move the ark into his own city. Instead he took it aside to the house of Obed-edom, a man from the town of Gath.

So David would not remove the ark of the LORD unto him into the city of David: but David carried it aside into the house of Obededom the Gittite.

NoteThe City of David is another name for Jerusalem. It was the town where David lived. Gath was a town nearby, so Obed-edom came from somewhere else.

11The ark of the Lord stayed at Obed-edom's house for three months. The Lord blessed Obed-edom and everyone who lived with him.

And the ark of the LORD continued in the house of Obededom the Gittite three months: and the LORD blessed Obededom, and all his household.

NoteTo bless someone means to give them good things. Obed-edom's family did well while the ark was there.

12Someone told King David, "The Lord has blessed Obed-edom's house and everything he owns. It is because of the ark of God." So David went and brought the ark up to his city. He did it with great joy.

And it was told king David, saying, The LORD hath blessed the house of Obededom, and all that pertaineth unto him, because of the ark of God. So David went and brought up the ark of God from the house of Obededom into the city of David with gladness.

13The men carrying the ark of the Lord walked six steps and stopped. Then David gave God an ox and a fattened calf as gifts.

And it was so, that when they that bare the ark of the LORD had gone six paces, he sacrificed oxen and fatlings.

NoteTo sacrifice means to give an animal to God as a gift. The animal was killed and burned on a stone table called an altar. A fatling was a young animal fed well to make it the best one.

14David danced in front of the Lord with all his strength. He wore a linen ephod, a plain vest that priests wore.

And David danced before the LORD with all his might; and David was girded with a linen ephod.

NoteLinen is cloth made from a plant. An ephod was a plain vest, like an apron. Priests wore one when they served God. David wore it instead of his fancy king clothes.

15So David and all the people of Israel brought the ark up. They shouted, and a ram's horn was blown.

So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the LORD with shouting, and with the sound of the trumpet.

NoteA ram is a male sheep with curved horns. People hollowed out a horn and blew it like a trumpet. It made a loud sound people could hear far away.

16The ark of the Lord came into the City of David. Michal, Saul's daughter, watched from a window. She saw King David leaping and dancing before the Lord. Deep inside, she looked down on him.

And as the ark of the LORD came into the city of David, Michal Saul’s daughter looked through a window, and saw king David leaping and dancing before the LORD; and she despised him in her heart.

NoteSaul was the king before David. Michal was Saul's daughter and also David's wife. To despise someone means to think they are silly or low.

17They carried the ark of the Lord in and set it in its place. It went inside the tent David had put up for it. Then David gave the Lord burnt offerings and peace offerings. These were animals given to God as gifts.

And they brought in the ark of the LORD, and set it in his place, in the midst of the tabernacle that David had pitched for it: and David offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the LORD.

NoteA tabernacle is a large tent used like a church. A burnt offering was an animal burned up whole for God. A peace offering was shared, and the people ate part of it together.

18When David had finished giving the offerings, he blessed the people. He blessed them in the name of the Lord of armies.

And as soon as David had made an end of offering burnt offerings and peace offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the LORD of hosts.

19Then he gave food to every man and woman in the huge crowd. Each person got a loaf of bread, a date cake, and a raisin cake. After that, everyone went home.

And he dealt among all the people, even among the whole multitude of Israel, as well to the women as men, to every one a cake of bread, and a good piece of flesh, and a flagon of wine. So all the people departed every one to his house.

NoteA flagon is a jug. Dates and raisins are dried fruits, sweet like candy. Giving everyone food made the day like a huge party.

20David went home to bless his own family. Michal, Saul's daughter, came out to meet him. She said, "What a grand king Israel had today! You uncovered yourself in front of your servants' slave girls. You acted like a rude, worthless man."

Then David returned to bless his household. And Michal the daughter of Saul came out to meet David, and said, How glorious was the king of Israel to day, who uncovered himself to day in the eyes of the handmaids of his servants, as one of the vain fellows shamelessly uncovereth himself!

NoteHandmaids were servant girls who worked in people's houses. Michal thought a king should not dance in a short plain vest. "Vain fellows" means silly men who do not care how they look.

21David said to Michal, "I was dancing for the Lord. He chose me instead of your father and his whole family. He made me ruler over his people Israel. So I will keep celebrating before the Lord."

And David said unto Michal, It was before the LORD, which chose me before thy father, and before all his house, to appoint me ruler over the people of the LORD, over Israel: therefore will I play before the LORD.

Note"Play" here does not mean playing a game. It means to dance and sing and celebrate.

22"I will make myself even lower than this. I will be small in my own eyes. But those slave girls you spoke of will honor me."

And I will yet be more vile than thus, and will be base in mine own sight: and of the maidservants which thou hast spoken of, of them shall I be had in honour.

Note"Vile" and "base" are old words meaning low or small. David is saying he will not act grand or proud. "Had in honour" means people will still respect him.

23So Michal, Saul's daughter, never had a child for the rest of her life.

Therefore Michal the daughter of Saul had no child unto the day of her death.

1King David was living in his own house. God had given him peace from all his enemies.

And it came to pass, when the king sat in his house, and the LORD had given him rest round about from all his enemies;

NoteDavid was the king of Israel, God's people, long ago. "Rest" here means the fighting and wars had stopped.

2David spoke to Nathan, a prophet, someone who told people what God said. "I live in a house made of cedar wood. But the ark of God still sits in a tent."

That the king said unto Nathan the prophet, See now, I dwell in an house of cedar, but the ark of God dwelleth within curtains.

NoteA prophet was a person who told others what God said. Cedar is a tall tree with sweet-smelling wood. Only rich people had houses made from it. The ark was a special box covered in gold. It held the rules God gave his people. It was kept inside a tent.

3Nathan said to the king, "Go and do what is in your heart. God is with you."

And Nathan said to the king, Go, do all that is in thine heart; for the LORD is with thee.

4But that night God spoke a message to Nathan. This is what God said.

And it came to pass that night, that the word of the LORD came unto Nathan, saying,

5"Go and tell my servant David what I say. Are you the one to build me a house to live in?

Go and tell my servant David, Thus saith the LORD, Shalt thou build me an house for me to dwell in?

NoteCalling David "my servant" was a kind and honoring name. A servant is someone who works for another person.

6I have never lived in a house. Not since I brought Israel out of Egypt. I have moved from place to place in a tent.

Whereas I have not dwelt in any house since the time that I brought up the children of Israel out of Egypt, even to this day, but have walked in a tent and in a tabernacle.

NoteGod's people were once slaves in the land of Egypt. God brought them out and led them to a new land. For many years they moved from place to place. They carried a big worship tent called the tabernacle.

7I traveled everywhere with the people of Israel. I told the tribes of Israel, the big family groups, to care for my people. They were to care for them like a shepherd cares for sheep. Did I ever ask any of those tribes, 'Why have you not built me a house of cedar?'

In all the places wherein I have walked with all the children of Israel spake I a word with any of the tribes of Israel, whom I commanded to feed my people Israel, saying, Why build ye not me an house of cedar?

NoteA shepherd takes care of sheep and keeps them safe. Leaders and kings were often called shepherds of their people.

8So tell my servant David what the LORD of heaven's armies says. I took you from the sheep field. You were following sheep. I made you ruler over my people Israel.

Now therefore so shalt thou say unto my servant David, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, I took thee from the sheepcote, from following the sheep, to be ruler over my people, over Israel:

Note"The LORD of heaven's armies" is a name for God. It means he leads great armies of angels. David took care of sheep before he was king. The sheep field is where he worked every day.

9I have been with you everywhere you went. I have cut down every enemy in front of you. I will make your name great, like the greatest names on earth.

And I was with thee whithersoever thou wentest, and have cut off all thine enemies out of thy sight, and have made thee a great name, like unto the name of the great men that are in the earth.

NoteA great "name" means people everywhere know who you are. They talk about you with honor.

10I will give my people Israel a place of their own. I will plant them there like a tree. They will stay, and no one will move them. Wicked people will not hurt them like before.

Moreover I will appoint a place for my people Israel, and will plant them, that they may dwell in a place of their own, and move no more; neither shall the children of wickedness afflict them any more, as beforetime,

NotePlanting people like a tree is a word picture. A tree stays in one place and grows deep roots.

11That trouble began back when I gave Israel judges to lead them. But I have given you rest from all your enemies. And God tells you this: he will build you a house.

And as since the time that I commanded judges to be over my people Israel, and have caused thee to rest from all thine enemies. Also the LORD telleth thee that he will make thee an house.

NoteJudges were leaders God gave Israel before there were kings. Here "house" does not mean a building. It means David's family, his children and grandchildren.

12When your life is over, you will die like your fathers before you. Then I will raise up your own son after you. I will make his kingdom strong.

And when thy days be fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, I will set up thy seed after thee, which shall proceed out of thy bowels, and I will establish his kingdom.

Note"Your fathers" means his father and grandfathers, his family before him. To "sleep" here is a gentle way to say die.

13He will build a house for my name. And I will make his throne last forever.

He shall build an house for my name, and I will stablish the throne of his kingdom for ever.

NoteThis house is the temple, a big building for worshiping God. David's son Solomon built it after David died. A throne is the special chair a king sits on. It stands for his power to rule.

14I will be his father, and he will be my son. When he does wrong, I will correct him. I will use the same punishments people use on each other.

I will be his father, and he shall be my son. If he commit iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men, and with the stripes of the children of men:

NoteLong ago parents used a stick to punish their children. God says he will correct the king the way a father does.

15But I will never stop loving him. I took my love away from Saul, the king before you. I will not do that again.

But my mercy shall not depart away from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away before thee.

NoteSaul was the first king of Israel, before David. He stopped obeying God, so God chose David instead.

16Your family and your kingdom will last forever. Your throne will stand forever.

And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before thee: thy throne shall be established for ever.

17Nathan told David every word. He told him everything he had seen and heard.

According to all these words, and according to all this vision, so did Nathan speak unto David.

18Then King David went in and sat down before God. He said, "Who am I, Lord God? What is my family? Why have you brought me this far?

Then went king David in, and sat before the LORD, and he said, Who am I, O Lord GOD? and what is my house, that thou hast brought me hitherto?

NoteDavid went in to the tent where the ark was kept. Sitting down in front of God was a way to pray. "What is my family" means his family was small and plain.

19And that was still a small thing to you, Lord God. You have also spoken about my family far into the future. Is this how you treat people, Lord God?

And this was yet a small thing in thy sight, O Lord GOD; but thou hast spoken also of thy servant’s house for a great while to come. And is this the manner of man, O Lord GOD?

20What more can David say to you? You already know your servant, Lord God.

And what can David say more unto thee? for thou, Lord GOD, knowest thy servant.

21You did this great thing because you said you would. You did it because you wanted to. And you let your servant know about it.

For thy word’s sake, and according to thine own heart, hast thou done all these great things, to make thy servant know them.

22You are great, Lord God. There is no one like you. There is no God but you. We have heard this with our own ears.

Wherefore thou art great, O LORD God: for there is none like thee, neither is there any God beside thee, according to all that we have heard with our ears.

23And no nation on earth is like your people Israel. You went and set them free to be your own people. You made your name known. You did great and frightening things. You drove out nations and their gods, and you rescued your people from Egypt.

And what one nation in the earth is like thy people, even like Israel, whom God went to redeem for a people to himself, and to make him a name, and to do for you great things and terrible, for thy land, before thy people, which thou redeemedst to thee from Egypt, from the nations and their gods?

NoteGod's people had been slaves in Egypt, and God rescued them. "Frightening things" means strong acts that amazed everyone. Other nations prayed to statues they called gods.

24You made Israel your own people forever. And you, LORD, became their God.

For thou hast confirmed to thyself thy people Israel to be a people unto thee for ever: and thou, LORD, art become their God.

25Now, LORD God, keep the promise you made about me and my family. Make it last forever. Do just what you said.

And now, O LORD God, the word that thou hast spoken concerning thy servant, and concerning his house, establish it for ever, and do as thou hast said.

26Then your name will be great forever. People will say, "The LORD of heaven's armies is God over Israel." And let my family stand strong before you.

And let thy name be magnified for ever, saying, The LORD of hosts is the God over Israel: and let the house of thy servant David be established before thee.

NoteMaking God's name great means people speak about him with honor.

27LORD of heaven's armies, God of Israel, you told me something. You said, "I will build you a house." That is why I am brave enough to pray this prayer.

For thou, O LORD of hosts, God of Israel, hast revealed to thy servant, saying, I will build thee an house: therefore hath thy servant found in his heart to pray this prayer unto thee.

NoteHere "house" means family again, not a building of wood or stone.

28And now, Lord God, you are God. Your words are true. You have promised this good thing to me, your servant.

And now, O Lord GOD, thou art that God, and thy words be true, and thou hast promised this goodness unto thy servant:

29So please bless my family. Let it go on forever in front of you. You have said it, Lord God. Bless my family, and let it be blessed forever.

Therefore now let it please thee to bless the house of thy servant, that it may continue for ever before thee: for thou, O Lord GOD, hast spoken it: and with thy blessing let the house of thy servant be blessed for ever.

Note"My family" means David's children, and their children after them.

1After this, David fought the Philistines and won. He beat them badly. He took a town called Metheg-ammah away from them.

And after this it came to pass that David smote the Philistines, and subdued them: and David took Methegammah out of the hand of the Philistines.

NoteThe Philistines lived by the sea, right next to Israel. They and Israel fought many times over many years.

2David also beat the people of Moab in war. He made them lie down on the ground in a row. Then he measured them off with a long rope. Two rope-lengths of men were put to death. One rope-length was allowed to live. After that, Moab served David and brought him gifts.

And he smote Moab, and measured them with a line, casting them down to the ground; even with two lines measured he to put to death, and with one full line to keep alive. And so the Moabites became David’s servants, and brought gifts.

NoteThese "gifts" were not presents freely given. A country that lost a war had to send money and goods every year. It showed whose king was really in charge. Moab was the land just east of the Dead Sea.

3David also beat Hadadezer, the son of Rehob. Hadadezer was the king of Zobah. He had marched out to take back land near the Euphrates River.

David smote also Hadadezer, the son of Rehob, king of Zobah, as he went to recover his border at the river Euphrates.

NoteThe Euphrates is a very large river far to the north and east. Zobah was a small kingdom up that way, a long trip from Israel.

4David took a thousand chariots from him. He also took seven hundred horsemen and twenty thousand foot soldiers. David cut the leg tendons of the chariot horses. He kept enough horses to pull a hundred chariots.

And David took from him a thousand chariots, and seven hundred horsemen, and twenty thousand footmen: and David houghed all the chariot horses, but reserved of them for an hundred chariots.

NoteA chariot was a cart on wheels pulled by fast horses. Soldiers rode in it to fight. Cutting the tendon in a horse's back leg let the horse live, but it could never pull a war chariot again.

5The Syrians from the city of Damascus came to help King Hadadezer of Zobah. David fought them. He killed twenty-two thousand of their men.

And when the Syrians of Damascus came to succour Hadadezer king of Zobah, David slew of the Syrians two and twenty thousand men.

NoteThe Syrians lived north of Israel. Damascus was their biggest and most important city.

6David set up camps of his soldiers in Syria, near Damascus. The Syrians served David and brought him gifts. The LORD kept David safe and gave him wins everywhere he went.

Then David put garrisons in Syria of Damascus: and the Syrians became servants to David, and brought gifts. And the LORD preserved David whithersoever he went.

NoteWhen you see LORD written in big letters, that is God's own special name. Soldiers left in a beaten country made sure that country obeyed.

7Hadadezer's officers carried shields made of gold. David took those shields and brought them to Jerusalem.

And David took the shields of gold that were on the servants of Hadadezer, and brought them to Jerusalem.

NoteShields of gold were not for real fighting. Gold is too soft for that. They were carried to show off how rich a king was.

8Betah and Berothai were towns that belonged to Hadadezer. King David took a huge amount of bronze from them.

And from Betah, and from Berothai, cities of Hadadezer, king David took exceeding much brass.

NoteBronze is a hard metal made by mixing copper and tin. People made tools, weapons, and bowls from it. The King James Version calls it "brass".

9Toi was the king of a place called Hamath. He heard that David had beaten Hadadezer's whole army.

When Toi king of Hamath heard that David had smitten all the host of Hadadezer,

10So Toi sent his son Joram to say hello to King David. Joram said kind words to him for beating Hadadezer. Hadadezer had been at war with Toi for a long time. Joram brought bowls and cups made of silver, gold, and bronze.

Then Toi sent Joram his son unto king David, to salute him, and to bless him, because he had fought against Hadadezer, and smitten him: for Hadadezer had wars with Toi. And Joram brought with him vessels of silver, and vessels of gold, and vessels of brass:

NoteSending your own son with rich gifts was a way of asking to be friends. Toi was glad someone else had beaten his enemy.

11King David gave all these things to the LORD. He had also given the LORD the silver and gold he took from other nations he had beaten.

Which also king David did dedicate unto the LORD, with the silver and gold that he had dedicated of all nations which he subdued;

NoteTo give a thing to the LORD meant setting it apart for God. David did not keep this treasure for himself.

12Those nations were Syria, Moab, Ammon, the Philistines, and Amalek. He also gave what he took from Hadadezer, son of Rehob, the king of Zobah.

Of Syria, and of Moab, and of the children of Ammon, and of the Philistines, and of Amalek, and of the spoil of Hadadezer, son of Rehob, king of Zobah.

NoteAmmon, Amalek, and Edom were peoples who lived near Israel. Israel had fought with each of them before.

13David became famous when he came home from fighting the Syrians. He had beaten eighteen thousand men in a place called the Valley of Salt.

And David gat him a name when he returned from smiting of the Syrians in the valley of salt, being eighteen thousand men.

NoteThe Valley of Salt was dry, salty ground near the Dead Sea. Almost nothing grows there.

14He set up camps of his soldiers all over the land of Edom. Everyone in Edom served David. The LORD kept David safe and gave him wins everywhere he went.

And he put garrisons in Edom; throughout all Edom put he garrisons, and all they of Edom became David’s servants. And the LORD preserved David whithersoever he went.

NoteEdom was the rocky land south of Israel.

15David was king over all of Israel. He was fair to all his people and did what was right.

And David reigned over all Israel; and David executed judgment and justice unto all his people.

16Joab, the son of Zeruiah, was the leader of the army. Jehoshaphat, the son of Ahilud, was the recorder.

And Joab the son of Zeruiah was over the host; and Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was recorder;

NoteZeruiah was Joab's mother, and she was David's sister. So Joab was David's nephew. People were usually named after their father, so this is unusual. The recorder was the man who wrote down what the king did.

17Zadok, son of Ahitub, and Ahimelech, son of Abiathar, were the priests. Seraiah was the scribe.

And Zadok the son of Ahitub, and Ahimelech the son of Abiathar, were the priests; and Seraiah was the scribe;

NoteBack then almost no one could read or write. A scribe was one of the few who could, so his job mattered a lot. Priests led the people in worshiping God. A scribe wrote the king's letters and kept his records.

18Benaiah, the son of Jehoiada, led the Cherethites and the Pelethites. David's sons held important jobs as leaders.

And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over both the Cherethites and the Pelethites; and David’s sons were chief rulers.

NoteThe Cherethites and Pelethites were not from Israel. They came from other lands and were paid to guard the king.

1David asked, "Is anyone still alive from King Saul's family? I want to be kind to that person, because of Jonathan."

And David said, Is there yet any that is left of the house of Saul, that I may shew him kindness for Jonathan’s sake?

NoteSaul was the king before David. Jonathan was Saul's son. Jonathan was David's dearest friend, and he had died in a battle.

2Saul's family had a servant named Ziba. People brought him to David. The king asked, "Are you Ziba?" He said, "Yes, I am your servant."

And there was of the house of Saul a servant whose name was Ziba. And when they had called him unto David, the king said unto him, Art thou Ziba? And he said, Thy servant is he.

NoteA servant was someone who worked in a family's house and did jobs for them.

3The king asked, "Is anyone left from Saul's family? I want to show that person the same kindness God shows." Ziba said, "Jonathan still has a son. He cannot walk."

And the king said, Is there not yet any of the house of Saul, that I may shew the kindness of God unto him? And Ziba said unto the king, Jonathan hath yet a son, which is lame on his feet.

NoteJonathan's son was hurt in a fall when he was little. His feet never got better.

4The king asked, "Where is he?" Ziba said, "He is at the house of Machir son of Ammiel. That house is in the town of Lodebar."

And the king said unto him, Where is he? And Ziba said unto the king, Behold, he is in the house of Machir, the son of Ammiel, in Lodebar.

NoteLodebar was a small town far away, across the Jordan River.

5So King David sent men to Lodebar. They brought the young man back from Machir's house.

Then king David sent, and fetched him out of the house of Machir, the son of Ammiel, from Lodebar.

6Mephibosheth was Jonathan's son and Saul's grandson. He came to David and bowed with his face to the ground. David said, "Mephibosheth." He answered, "I am here. I am your servant."

Now when Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, was come unto David, he fell on his face, and did reverence. And David said, Mephibosheth. And he answered, Behold thy servant!

NoteHis name is said like this: Meh-FIB-oh-sheth.

7David said, "Do not be afraid. I will be kind to you, because of your father Jonathan. I will give you back all the land of your grandfather Saul. And you will always eat at my table."

And David said unto him, Fear not: for I will surely shew thee kindness for Jonathan thy father’s sake, and will restore thee all the land of Saul thy father; and thou shalt eat bread at my table continually.

NoteWhen a new king took over, the old king's family was often sent away or hurt. That is why Mephibosheth was afraid. Eating at the king's table meant living in the palace and being treated like family.

8Mephibosheth bowed low and said, "Who am I? I am like a dead dog. Why would you even look at me?"

And he bowed himself, and said, What is thy servant, that thou shouldest look upon such a dead dog as I am?

NoteDogs back then were not pets. They ran wild and ate scraps. Calling yourself a dead dog was a way of saying, "I am nobody at all."

9Then the king called Ziba, who had served Saul. He said, "I have given your master's grandson everything that belonged to Saul and his family.

Then the king called to Ziba, Saul’s servant, and said unto him, I have given unto thy master’s son all that pertained to Saul and to all his house.

NoteA master is the person a servant works for. Ziba's master had been Saul.

10You and your sons and your servants must farm the land for him. Bring in the crops, so his family has food. But Mephibosheth himself will always eat at my table." Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants.

Thou therefore, and thy sons, and thy servants, shall till the land for him, and thou shalt bring in the fruits, that thy master’s son may have food to eat: but Mephibosheth thy master’s son shall eat bread alway at my table. Now Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants.

NoteFifteen sons and twenty servants means Ziba had a very big household to help him farm.

11Ziba said to the king, "I will do everything my lord the king has told me." So Mephibosheth ate at David's table, like one of the king's own sons.

Then said Ziba unto the king, According to all that my lord the king hath commanded his servant, so shall thy servant do. As for Mephibosheth, said the king, he shall eat at my table, as one of the king’s sons.

12Mephibosheth had a little boy named Micha. Everyone who lived in Ziba's house now worked for Mephibosheth.

And Mephibosheth had a young son, whose name was Micha. And all that dwelt in the house of Ziba were servants unto Mephibosheth.

13So Mephibosheth lived in the city of Jerusalem. He always ate at the king's table. He could not walk with either foot.

So Mephibosheth dwelt in Jerusalem: for he did eat continually at the king’s table; and was lame on both his feet.

NoteJerusalem was David's city. The king's palace was there.

1Later on, the king of the people of Ammon died. His son Hanun became the new king.

And it came to pass after this, that the king of the children of Ammon died, and Hanun his son reigned in his stead.

NoteAmmon was a small country right next to Israel. When a king died, his son usually became the next king.

2David said, "Hanun's father Nahash was kind to me. So I will be kind to Hanun." David sent some of his men to tell Hanun he was sorry his father had died. The men came to the land of Ammon.

Then said David, I will shew kindness unto Hanun the son of Nahash, as his father shewed kindness unto me. And David sent to comfort him by the hand of his servants for his father. And David’s servants came into the land of the children of Ammon.

NoteNahash was the old king of Ammon. He had been good to David years before, so David wanted to be good to his son.

3But the leaders of Ammon said to Hanun their king, "Do you really think David sent these men to honor your father? David sent them to look at our city. They are spies. They want to take it from us."

And the princes of the children of Ammon said unto Hanun their lord, Thinkest thou that David doth honour thy father, that he hath sent comforters unto thee? hath not David rather sent his servants unto thee, to search the city, and to spy it out, and to overthrow it?

NoteA spy is someone who sneaks into a place to learn its secrets. The leaders thought David's men were counting soldiers and looking at walls.

4So Hanun grabbed David's men. He shaved off half of each man's beard. He cut their clothes off at the hips. Then he sent them away.

Wherefore Hanun took David’s servants, and shaved off the one half of their beards, and cut off their garments in the middle, even to their buttocks, and sent them away.

NoteMen in that land grew long beards and were proud of them. Shaving off half a man's beard made him look silly. Cutting his clothes short left him uncovered. It was a way of saying, we do not respect your king.

5Someone told David what had happened. The men felt very ashamed. So David sent word to them. He said, "Stay in the town of Jericho until your beards grow back. Then come home."

When they told it unto David, he sent to meet them, because the men were greatly ashamed: and the king said, Tarry at Jericho until your beards be grown, and then return.

NoteJericho was a town near the edge of Israel. David let his men wait there so no one would see them until they looked like themselves again.

6The people of Ammon knew David was very angry with them. So they paid soldiers to fight for them. They hired twenty thousand walking soldiers from the Syrians of Bethrehob and Zoba. They hired a thousand men from the king of Maacah. They hired twelve thousand men from Ishtob.

And when the children of Ammon saw that they stank before David, the children of Ammon sent and hired the Syrians of Bethrehob, and the Syrians of Zoba, twenty thousand footmen, and of king Maacah a thousand men, and of Ishtob twelve thousand men.

NoteThe old words say the men of Ammon "stank" before David. That was a way of saying he could not stand them anymore. The Syrians lived north of Israel. Kings could pay soldiers from other lands to come and fight for them.

7David heard about this. He sent out Joab, his army leader, with all his best fighters.

And when David heard of it, he sent Joab, and all the host of the mighty men.

NoteJoab was the leader of David's whole army. He was also David's nephew.

8The soldiers of Ammon came out and lined up by the city gate. The Syrians from Zoba and Rehob, and the men from Ishtob and Maacah, stood apart in the open field.

And the children of Ammon came out, and put the battle in array at the entering in of the gate: and the Syrians of Zoba, and of Rehob, and Ishtob, and Maacah, were by themselves in the field.

9Joab saw that enemies were in front of him and behind him. So he picked out the best fighters in Israel. He lined them up to face the Syrians.

When Joab saw that the front of the battle was against him before and behind, he chose of all the choice men of Israel, and put them in array against the Syrians:

10He put the rest of the men under his brother Abishai. Abishai lined them up to face the soldiers of Ammon.

And the rest of the people he delivered into the hand of Abishai his brother, that he might put them in array against the children of Ammon.

11Joab said to his brother, "If the Syrians are too strong for me, come and help me. If the men of Ammon are too strong for you, I will come and help you.

And he said, If the Syrians be too strong for me, then thou shalt help me: but if the children of Ammon be too strong for thee, then I will come and help thee.

12Be brave. Let us fight bravely for our people and for the cities of our God. May the LORD do what he thinks is best."

Be of good courage, and let us play the men for our people, and for the cities of our God: and the LORD do that which seemeth him good.

NoteThe old words say "let us play the men." That did not mean a game. It meant, act brave and strong.

13Then Joab and his men moved forward to fight the Syrians. The Syrians ran away from them.

And Joab drew nigh, and the people that were with him, unto the battle against the Syrians: and they fled before him.

14The men of Ammon saw the Syrians run away. So they ran away from Abishai too. They went back inside their city. Then Joab stopped fighting Ammon and went home to Jerusalem.

And when the children of Ammon saw that the Syrians were fled, then fled they also before Abishai, and entered into the city. So Joab returned from the children of Ammon, and came to Jerusalem.

15The Syrians saw that Israel had beaten them. So they gathered together again.

And when the Syrians saw that they were smitten before Israel, they gathered themselves together.

16Hadarezer sent for more Syrians from the far side of the big river. They came to a place called Helam. Shobach, the leader of Hadarezer's army, led them.

And Hadarezer sent, and brought out the Syrians that were beyond the river: and they came to Helam; and Shobach the captain of the host of Hadarezer went before them.

NoteThe big river is the Euphrates, far away to the north. Hadarezer was a Syrian king who wanted to beat David.

17Someone told David about this. So David gathered all Israel together. They crossed the Jordan River and came to Helam. The Syrians lined up to fight David, and the battle began.

And when it was told David, he gathered all Israel together, and passed over Jordan, and came to Helam. And the Syrians set themselves in array against David, and fought with him.

NoteThe Jordan is the river that runs down the side of Israel. The army had to walk across it to reach the fight.

18But the Syrians ran away from Israel. David killed the men who drove seven hundred chariots. He killed forty thousand more of their soldiers. He also struck down Shobach, their army leader, who died there.

And the Syrians fled before Israel; and David slew the men of seven hundred chariots of the Syrians, and forty thousand horsemen, and smote Shobach the captain of their host, who died there.

NoteA chariot was a little cart pulled by fast horses. A man stood in it and shot arrows while the horses ran.

19All the kings who worked for Hadarezer saw that Israel had beaten them. So they made peace with Israel and served them. After that, the Syrians were too afraid to help Ammon again.

And when all the kings that were servants to Hadarezer saw that they were smitten before Israel, they made peace with Israel, and served them. So the Syrians feared to help the children of Ammon any more.

NoteServing Israel meant these kings stopped fighting Israel. They sent gifts and money and did what Israel's king said.