David

1And when Saul’s son heard that Abner was dead in Hebron, his hands were feeble, and all the Israelites were troubled.

Ish-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.

2And 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.

Ish-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.

3And the Beerothites fled to Gittaim, and were sojourners there until this day.)

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

4And 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.

Jonathan, Saul's son, had a little boy whose feet did not work right. He was five years old when the news came that Saul and Jonathan had died. 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.

5And 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.

Rechab 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.

6And 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.

They 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.

7For 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.

They 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.

8And 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.

They 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."

9And 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,

David 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.

10When 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:

Once 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.

11How 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?

Now 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."

12And 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.

David 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.

1Then came all the tribes of Israel to David unto Hebron, and spake, saying, Behold, we are thy bone and thy flesh.

Then 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."

2Also 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.

"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.'"

3So 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.

So 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.

4David was thirty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned forty years.

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

5In Hebron he reigned over Judah seven years and six months: and in Jerusalem he reigned thirty and three years over all Israel and Judah.

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

6And 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.

The 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.

7Nevertheless David took the strong hold of Zion: the same is the city of David.

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

8And 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.

That 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."

9So David dwelt in the fort, and called it the city of David. And David built round about from Millo and inward.

So 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.

10And David went on, and grew great, and the LORD God of hosts was with him.

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

11And Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, and cedar trees, and carpenters, and masons: and they built David an house.

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

12And David perceived that the LORD had established him king over Israel, and that he had exalted his kingdom for his people Israel’s sake.

David 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.

13And 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.

After 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.

14And these be the names of those that were born unto him in Jerusalem; Shammuah, and Shobab, and Nathan, and Solomon,

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

15Ibhar also, and Elishua, and Nepheg, and Japhia,

Ibhar, Elishua, Nepheg, Japhia,

16And Elishama, and Eliada, and Eliphalet.

Elishama, Eliada, and Eliphalet.

17But 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.

The 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.

18The Philistines also came and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim.

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

19And 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.

David 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."

20And 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.

So 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.

21And there they left their images, and David and his men burned them.

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

22And the Philistines came up yet again, and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim.

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

23And 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.

David 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."

24And 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.

"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."

25And David did so, as the LORD had commanded him; and smote the Philistines from Geba until thou come to Gazer.

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

1Again, David gathered together all the chosen men of Israel, thirty thousand.

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

2And 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.

David and all his men set out from Baale of Judah. They went to bring back the ark of God. The ark was a gold-covered box that held 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.

3And 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.

They 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.

4And they brought it out of the house of Abinadab which was at Gibeah, accompanying the ark of God: and Ahio went before the ark.

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

5And 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.

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

6And 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.

They 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.

7And 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.

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

8And David was displeased, because the LORD had made a breach upon Uzzah: and he called the name of the place Perezuzzah to this day.

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

9And David was afraid of the LORD that day, and said, How shall the ark of the LORD come to me?

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

10So 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.

So 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.

11And the ark of the LORD continued in the house of Obededom the Gittite three months: and the LORD blessed Obededom, and all his household.

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

12And 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.

Someone 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.

13And it was so, that when they that bare the ark of the LORD had gone six paces, he sacrificed oxen and fatlings.

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

14And David danced before the LORD with all his might; and David was girded with a linen ephod.

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

15So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the LORD with shouting, and with the sound of the trumpet.

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

16And 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.

The 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.

17And 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.

They 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.

18And 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.

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

19And 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.

Then 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.

20Then 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!

David 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."

21And 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.

David 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."

22And 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.

"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."

23Therefore Michal the daughter of Saul had no child unto the day of her death.

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

1And it came to pass, when the king sat in his house, and the LORD had given him rest round about from all his enemies;

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

2That the king said unto Nathan the prophet, See now, I dwell in an house of cedar, but the ark of God dwelleth within curtains.

David 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."

3And Nathan said to the king, Go, do all that is in thine heart; for the LORD is with thee.

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

4And it came to pass that night, that the word of the LORD came unto Nathan, saying,

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

5Go and tell my servant David, Thus saith the LORD, Shalt thou build me an house for me to dwell in?

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

6Whereas 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.

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

7In 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?

I traveled everywhere with the people of Israel. I picked leaders to care for them like a shepherd cares for sheep. Did I ever ask one of them, 'Why have you not built me a house of cedar?'

8Now 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:

So 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.

9And 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.

I 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.

10Moreover 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,

I 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.

11And 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.

That 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.

12And 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.

When 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.

13He shall build an house for my name, and I will stablish the throne of his kingdom for ever.

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

14I 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:

I 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.

15But my mercy shall not depart away from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away before thee.

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

16And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before thee: thy throne shall be established for ever.

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

17According to all these words, and according to all this vision, so did Nathan speak unto David.

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

18Then 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?

Then 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?

19And 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?

And 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?

20And what can David say more unto thee? for thou, Lord GOD, knowest thy servant.

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

21For thy word’s sake, and according to thine own heart, hast thou done all these great things, to make thy servant know them.

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

22Wherefore 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.

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

23And 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?

And 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.

24For thou hast confirmed to thyself thy people Israel to be a people unto thee for ever: and thou, LORD, art become their God.

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

25And 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.

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

26And 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.

Then 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.

27For 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.

LORD 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.

28And now, O Lord GOD, thou art that God, and thy words be true, and thou hast promised this goodness unto thy servant:

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

29Therefore 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.

So 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.

1And 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.

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

2And 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.

David 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.

3David smote also Hadadezer, the son of Rehob, king of Zobah, as he went to recover his border at the river Euphrates.

David 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.

4And 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.

David 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.

5And when the Syrians of Damascus came to succour Hadadezer king of Zobah, David slew of the Syrians two and twenty thousand men.

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

6Then 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.

David 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.

7And David took the shields of gold that were on the servants of Hadadezer, and brought them to Jerusalem.

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

8And from Betah, and from Berothai, cities of Hadadezer, king David took exceeding much brass.

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

9When Toi king of Hamath heard that David had smitten all the host of Hadadezer,

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

10Then 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:

So 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.

11Which also king David did dedicate unto the LORD, with the silver and gold that he had dedicated of all nations which he subdued;

King 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.

12Of 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.

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

13And David gat him a name when he returned from smiting of the Syrians in the valley of salt, being eighteen thousand men.

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

14And 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.

He 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.

15And David reigned over all Israel; and David executed judgment and justice unto all his people.

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

16And Joab the son of Zeruiah was over the host; and Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was recorder;

Joab, the son of Zeruiah, was the leader of the army. Jehoshaphat, the son of Ahilud, was the recorder, the man who wrote down what the king did.

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

Zadok, son of Ahitub, and Ahimelech, son of Abiathar, were the priests. Priests led the people in worshiping God. Seraiah was the scribe, the man who wrote the king's letters and records.

18And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over both the Cherethites and the Pelethites; and David’s sons were chief rulers.

Benaiah, the son of Jehoiada, led the Cherethites and the Pelethites. They were the soldiers who guarded the king. David's sons held important jobs as leaders.

1And David said, Is there yet any that is left of the house of Saul, that I may shew him kindness for Jonathan’s sake?

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

2And 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.

Saul'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."

3And 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.

The 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."

4And 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.

The 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."

5Then king David sent, and fetched him out of the house of Machir, the son of Ammiel, from Lodebar.

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

6Now 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!

Mephibosheth 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."

7And 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.

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

8And he bowed himself, and said, What is thy servant, that thou shouldest look upon such a dead dog as I am?

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

9Then 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.

Then 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.

10Thou 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.

You 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.

11Then 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.

Ziba 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.

12And Mephibosheth had a young son, whose name was Micha. And all that dwelt in the house of Ziba were servants unto Mephibosheth.

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

13So Mephibosheth dwelt in Jerusalem: for he did eat continually at the king’s table; and was lame on both his feet.

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

1And it came to pass after this, that the king of the children of Ammon died, and Hanun his son reigned in his stead.

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

2Then 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.

David 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.

3And 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?

But 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."

4Wherefore 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.

So 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.

5When 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.

Someone 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."

6And 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.

The 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 Syrian towns of Bethrehob and Zoba. They hired a thousand men from the king of Maacah. They hired twelve thousand men from Ishtob.

7And when David heard of it, he sent Joab, and all the host of the mighty men.

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

8And 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.

The 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.

9When 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:

Joab 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.

10And 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.

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

11And 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.

Joab 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.

12Be 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.

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

13And Joab drew nigh, and the people that were with him, unto the battle against the Syrians: and they fled before him.

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

14And 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.

The 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.

15And when the Syrians saw that they were smitten before Israel, they gathered themselves together.

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

16And 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.

Hadarezer 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.

17And 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.

Someone 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.

18And 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.

But 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.

19And 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.

All 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.