This is a working document that I am editing as we read about the reign of King David.
EVENTS, beginning, for timeline and clarity, with the reign of Saul, as covered in 1 Samuel:
Saul, from the tribe of Benjamin, is anointed, at God’s direction, by the priest and prophet Samuel
Saul disobeys the Law by offering sacrifice, so Samuel tells him his kingdom will not endure (1 Samuel 13)
Saul fails to follow the LORD’s command regarding the Amalekites, so Samuel tells him his kingdom will be given to another better than him (1 Samuel 15)
David, from the tribe of Judah, is anointed, also at God’s direction, by Samuel as king, but Saul still completes his 42-year reign, with David spending much time on the run from Saul’s murderous jealousy
Death of Saul, with three out of four of his sons, at the hand of the Philistines (Day 109 & Day 119)
David rules over Judah in Hebron for 7 1/2 years, while there is war between the house of David and the house of Saul (Day 111)
David is finally made king over all Israel and conquers Jerusalem (Day 121)
David builds his house in Jerusalem, defeats the Philistines, and brings the ark of God to Jerusalem (Day 124)
David desires to build God a house, but God tells David instead He will build him a lasting kingdom (Day 127)
David has victories over Aram, Edom, Moab, the sons of Ammon, the Philistines, Amalek, and the Arameans (Day 129 & Day 131)
The sin of David: while Joab, commander of David’s army, is fighting with the Ammonites, David stays in Jerusalem, sinning with Bathsheba and having her husband Uriah killed; David joins Joab in victory over the Ammonites, but wars with the Philistines resume (God pronounced three consequences for David’s sin: his child died, he would never be free from the sword, and evil would arise from his own household, with someone would committing adultery with his wives in broad daylight) (Day 133)
The rebellion of Absalom: the third consequence for David’s sin begins with his firstborn son Amnon raping his sister Tamar (daughter of different mother and sister to David’s third born son Absalom). When David does not appropriately intervene, Absalom kills Amnon two years later and then flees to his grandfather, the king of Geshur in Aram (Damascus), for three years. Joab eventually intervenes to have Absalom brought back, but David does not see his face for two years, angering Absalom. After 40 years, Absalom rebels against King David. David flees Jerusalem with his household and supporters, leaving ten concubines behind to keep the house, and Absalom enters Jerusalem. (Day 135)
The defeat of Absalom: Ahithophel counsels that Absalom go into his father’s concubines on the roof before all Israel and then requests to attack David, but David had sent his friend Hushai the Archite, who the Lord used to thwart Ahithophel’s counsel and advise that Absalom lead Israel into war; the plan is communicated to David via the priest’s sons Ahimaaz and Jonathan, David flees beyond the Jordan, Israel is defeated before the servants of David, and Absalom is killed (Day 137)
SHORTER SUMMARY (followed by even more detailed summary below):
1 Chronicles 10 (Day 119), also 1 Samuel 28-31, Day 109: war with Philistines and death of Saul
Saul dies at the hand of the Philistines, with three out of four of his sons
Jabesh-Gilead, who Saul had defended when he was first anointed (Day 100), rescued the bodies of Saul and his sons, whom the Philistines had treated with disrespect (David later blesses them for their action)
2 Samuel 1-4 (Day 111): David’s rule over Judah in Hebron and war between Judah and Israel
David kills the Amalekite who came to Ziklag to inform him of Saul’s death (because he claimed to kill the wounded Saul at Saul’s request), and mourns for Saul and Jonathan, his best friend
the Lord tells him to go to Hebron where he is anointed and serves as King of Judah for 7 1/2 years
Saul’s commander, Abner the son of Ner, makes Saul’s son Ish-bosheth king over the rest of the tribes of Israel, until Ish-bosheth questions Abner about his relationship with Saul’s concubine, inspiring him to approach David about making him king over all Israel (David demands Saul bring him his wife Michal, which he does)
there is war between Judah and Israel, with Abner killing David’s commander Joab’s brother, for which Joab retaliates by killing Abner after Abner had met with David, causing David to curse Joab and all his father’s house
David kills two commanders of Ish-bosheth who traitorously killed him
Psalms 6, 8-10, 14, 16, 19, 21 (Day 112)
1 Chronicles 1-2: genealogies from Adam through the time of David, including much detail about David’s tribe of Judah (Day 113)
Psalms 43-45, 49, 84-85, 87 (Day 114)
1 Chronicles 3-5 (Day 115): genealogies of the tribes of Israel from around the time of David that extend into later history (the exile of the northern kingdom of Israel to Assyria and the exile of the kingdom of Judah to Babylon and their subsequent return to Israel)
1 Chronicles 6 (Day 117): genealogy of the tribe of Levi, including Samuel who was from Ephraim but served as priest, and appointments by David for service of the tabernacle of the tent of meeting, including the singers Heman (family of Kohath, also the priestly family of Aaron), Asaph (family of Gershon), and Ethan (family of Merari)
Psalms 81, 88, 92-93 (Day 118)
1 Chronicles 7-9 (Day 119): continued genealogies of the tribes of Israel, including the genealogy of Saul from the tribe of Benjamin, as well genealogies of those who lived and served in Jerusalem
2 Samuel 5:1-10, 1 Chronicles 11-12 (Day 121): David is made king over all Israel and conquers Jerusalem
the tribes of Israel come to David at Hebron, make a covenant with him, and anoint him king over Israel, “according to the word of the LORD through Samuel” (1 Chronicles 11:3b); he “was thirty years old when he became king, and he reigned forty years,” 7 1/2 years in Hebron over Judah and 33 years in Jerusalem over all Israel and Judah (2 Samuel 5:4-5)
he conquers the Jebusites in Jerusalem, capturing the stonghold of Zion, making it the city of David; the first to strike down a Jebusite was promised to be chief and commander and the honor goes to Joab the son of Zeriuah [David’s nephew]
recounting of all the mighty men and men of war who came to, supported, and fought for David
“David became greater and greater, for the LORD God of hosts was with him” (2 Samuel 5:10, 1 Chronicles 11:9)
2 Samuel 5:11-6:23/1 Chronicles 13-16 (Day 124): David builds his house in Jerusalem, defeats the Philistines, and brings the ark of God to Jerusalem
Hiram king of Tyre helps build a house for David in Jerusalem, so he realizes God has established him as king; he takes more wives and concubines and has more chlldren
the Philistines come up against him twice but David defeats them both time with the direction of the Lord
David gathers thirty thousand of the chosen men of Israel and goes up to bring up the ark from the house of Abinadab; they build a new cart to carry it and Abinadab’s sons Uzzah and Ahio lead it; when the cart nearly upsets the ark, Uzzah puts out his hand to steady it, and God strikes him down for his irreverence; David fears the Lord and puts the ark aside in the house of Obed-edom, where it stays three months, and the Lord blesses Obed-edom and his household
David seeks the command of Moses and learns the Levites should carry the ark on poles; they successfully bring the ark to Jerusalem, with music and singing, and David dancing before the Lord; when Michal sees David dancing, she despises him (and has no children until the day of her death); the ark is placed in a tent that David pitches for it; burnt offerings and peace offerings are offered, and all the people of Israel are given food from David in celebration; Asaph leads the people in a psalm of thanksgiving; David assigns the Levites to serve before the ark of the covenant as gatekeepers, musicians, and singers; "he left Zadok the priest and his relatives the priests before the tabernacle of the LORD in the high place which was at Gibeon, to offer burnt offerings to the LORD on the altar of burnt offering continually morning and evening, even according to all that is written in the law of the LORD, which He commanded Israel”
Psalms 1-2, 15, 22-24, 47, 68 (Day 125)
Psalms 89, 96, 100, 101, 105, 132 (Day 126)
2 Samuel 7/1 Chronicles 17 (Day 127): David desires to build God a house, but God tells him instead He will build him a lasting house
God has given King David rest from his enemies and he dwells in a house of cedar, so he is concerned that the ark of God dwells in a tent in Jerusalem
God speaks to David through Nathan the prophet that He has not asked for a house of cedar to be built for Him
He does promise David that He will establish his kingdom and his son will build a house for the Lord, and that David’s kingdom will be established forever
David responds with a prayer of praise
Psalms 25, 29, 33, 36, 39 (Day 128)
2 Samuel 8-9/1 Chronicles 18 (Day 129): “the Lord helped David wherever he went,” so he defeats all his enemies
Aram, Edom, Moab, the sons of Ammon, the Philistines, Amalek
David dedicates all the silver, gold, and bronze which he had carried away from all the nations to the Lord
for Jonathan’s sake, David restores all of Saul’s land and all that belonged to him to Jonathan’s son Mephibosheth (with his servant Ziba overseeing), and brings Mephibosheth to live with him in Jerusalem and eat at the king’s table as his own son
Psalms 50, 53, 60, 75 (Day 130)
2 Samuel 10/1 Chronicles 19 (Day 131): the Ammonites hire the Arameans to fight Israel, and they both flee before Israel, with the Arameans conceding defeat
Hanun succeeds his father as king of the Ammonites [descendants of Lot] and David sends tribute, given that Hanun’s father had shown kindness to David
Hanun’s princes are suspicious, give bad counsel, and David’s servants are publicly humiliated
when the Ammonites see they are odious to Israel, they hire Arameans [descendants of Abraham’s brother Nahor] to help them fight against Israel
David sends Joab and the army of Israel to fight against them; he prevails against the Ammonites, and his brother and his men prevail against the Aramens; the Arameans flee and gather more support, but are defeated by David, and resolve not to fight with Israel anymore
Psalms 20, 65-67, 69-70 (Day 131 & Day 132)
2 Samuel 11-12/1 Chronicles 20: (Day 133): David’s greatest sin, resulting in forgiveness with consequence, while Joab is still fighting the Ammonites
Joab goes out with the army of Israel to fight the Ammonites but David stays home; David sees Bathsheba, takes her, and she becomes pregnant; he summons her husband Uriah the Hitite, who has too much integrity, even when drunk, to go to his house when the army is at war, so David has Joab place him in a vulnerable position in the war so that he, and others, are killed
after the period of mourning, David takes Bathsheba as his wife and she has a son; Nathan the prophet confronts David’s sin; David repents and God forgives but the consequences are great: the child dies, the sword is not removed from David’s house, and he will be betrayed in the open, not in secret like Uriah
Joab warns David that if he does not join the war, Joab will get the credit; David defeats the Ammonites
wars begin again with the Philistines, whom David had previously defeated
Psalms 32, 51, 86, 122 (Day 134)
2 Samuel 13-15 (Day 135): the rebellion of Absalom
David’s firstborn son Amnon rapes his brother (by different mother) Absalom’s sister Tamar
David is angry but does nothing (Deuteronomy 22:22-30 would suggest either Amnon should have been forced to marry Tamar, or been killed)
Absalom waits two years but then has Amnon murdered
Absalom flees to Talmai the son of Ammihud, the king of Geshur, who is actually his granfather, in Aram, for three years
David mourns for Amnon and longs for Absalom
Joab has a wise woman speak to David, acting as if she is speaking about her own situation with her own sons; David perceives Joab has sent her and that she is talking about his own situation; David directs Joab to bring back Absalom, but Absalom is sent to his house and does not see David or Joab for two years, until he has Joab’s fields set on fire; David finally sees Absalom and kisses him
Absalom then provides for himself a chariot and horses and fifty men as runners before him; he sits at the gate and calls to anyone who comes to the king for judgment and says that no one would listen to them on the part of the king, thus stealing away the hearts of the men of Israel
after 40 years, Absalom conspires against the king, declaring himself king in Hebron; David flees Jerusalem with his household, except for ten concubines to keep the house
Zadok and Abiathar the priests come with the ark of the covenant of God, offering to go with David, but he tells them to go back and keep him informed of what is going on in the city; David learns his counselor Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom, so he prays to make his counsel foolishness; David asks his friend Hushai the Archite to return and offer service to Absalom, serving to thwart Ahithophel’s counsel and reporting to Zadok and Abiathar the priests, who will then send the information by Ahimaaz, Zadok’s son and Jonathan, Abiathar’s son, to David
Psalms 3-4, 12-13, 28, 55 (Day 136)
2 Samuel 16-18 (Day 137): Absalom’s betrayal, war with his father, and defeat
Mephibosheth’s servant Ziba meets David as he leaves Jerusalem with gifts of donkeys, food, and wine; Ziba claims Mephibosheth has betrayed David, so David grants Ziba all of Mephibosheth’s possessions
Shimei the Benjamite comes out cursing David; Abishai the son of Zeruiah wants to kill him, but David says to let him curse as the Lord has told him, saying, “Perhaps the LORD will look on my affliction and return good to me instead of his cursing this day”
When Absalom enters Jerusalem, Hushai, David’s friend, meets him, pledging support, as David had requested, hoping that he will thwart the counsel of Ahithophel (2 Samuel 15:34)
Ahithophel advises that Absalom go in to David’s concubines so all Israel will hear he has made himself odious to his father; he does so in a tent on the roof, as Nathan prophesied
Ahithophel then advises that he be allowed to attack David that night with 12,000 men; Hushai instead advises that Absalom draw all Israel to him and lead them into battle himself; Hushai’s advice is accepted, because the Lord had ordained to thwart the counsel of Ahithophel, and Ahithophel kills himself
Hushai shares the plan with priests Zadok and Abiathar; a maidservant goes and tells their sons Jonathan and Ahimaaz at En-rogel; a lad sees them there and tells Absalom, so they hide in the well in the courtyard of a man in Bahurim and the woman lies to Absalom’s servants who are looking for them; when they are able to come out of hiding, they go and tell King David the plan of war and that he and the people should cross over the Jordan
David numbers the people and puts one-third each under the command of Joab, Abishai, and Ittai the Gittite; the people ask David to stay behind for his and their protection; David asks the people to deal gently with Absalom
the battle takes place in the forest of Ephraim and Israel is defeated before David, with 20,000 dying
Absalom gets caught by his hair in an oak tree; a man tells Joab, who does not understand why the men didn’t kill him, but the man heard David’s request, so Joab kills him
Joab blows the trumpet that the battle is over and they bury Absalom in the forest, placing a great heap of stones over him
Joab sends a Cushite as a runner to tell David the outcome and Ahimaaz wants to run as well; Ahimaaz tells David they have defeated those who rose up against him, and then the Cushite tells him of Absalom’s death
Psalms 26, 40, 58, 61-62, 64
2 Samuel 19-21: David weeps and mourns for Absalom, but Joab warns that he is shaming those who fought for him; Israel is ready to bring back David as king, and David sends to Zadok and Abiathar to encourage Judah to bring him back and they go across the Jordan to bring him back; Shimei, who cursed him, and Ziba, who lied to him, meet him, and David declines to punish them; Mephibosheth meets him, unshaven and uncared for, explaining that Ziba had betrayed him and slandered him to the king; the men of Israel and men of Judah fight over what right each have in the king; Sheba, the son of Bichri, a Benjamite, leads a revolt of Israel against following David; David had promised Amasa, who had led Absalom’s army, that he would lead his; David asks Amasa to call out the men of Judah and return in three days, but he is late in returning, so he sends Abishai in pursuit of Sheba; Joab’s men go with him and Joab deceitfully kills Amasa; the men of war lay siege to the city where Sheba is staying; a wise woman arranges with Joab to give Sheba over to save the city and they throw his head down to him over the wall, so David is firmly re-established as king; there are three years of famine, so David seeks the Lord, who tells him the famine is because of Saul’s betrayal of the Gibeonites; David asks the Gibeonites what would make it right and they ask for seven men of Saul’s sons to hang; once this is done, David honors the dead, including Saul and Jonathan, by burying them all in the country of Benjamin in Zela, in the grave of Kish, Saul's father; God is then moved by prayer again; the Philistines go to war with Israel again and David becomes weary in battle, so the men of David say he should not go out to war any longer
Psalms 5, 38, 41, 42
2 Samuel 22-23: psalms of praise by David to God; summary of the mighty men of David
Psalm 57, 95, 97-99
2 Samuel 24/1 Chronicles 21-22: God is mad at Israel, so He incites David, via Satan, to number Israel and Judah; David gives the command to Joab, who numbers all but Benjamin and Levi, because the command is abhorrent to Joab; David realizes he has sinned; through Gad the seer, David is given three options: seven years of famine, three months of fleeing before his foes, or three days of pestilence, and David chooses the latter, trusting in the mercy of God; 70,000 men are killed in the plague, but the Lord relents and stops the destroying angel before he destroys Jerusalem; David asks for the Lord to punish him and his house, instead of the people, so the Lord tells him, through Gad the seer again, to erect on altar on the threshing floor of Ornan (Araunah) the Jebusite; Ornan is willing to give David everything he needs, but David gives him full price, not wanting to sacrifice that which cost him nothing; David offers burnt and peace offerings, the Lord answers with fire from heaven, and the Lord is moved by prayer to hold the plague back; David declares that site should be the house of the Lord; David begins to gather the raw materials needed for his son Solomon to build the temple, he gives Solomon directions, and commands all the leaders of Israel to help Solomon
Psalms 108-110
1 Chronicles 23-25: when he is old, before he dies, David makes Solomon king; he gathers together all the leaders of Israel with the priests and the Levites; a census is taken of the Levites from 30 years old and upward; 38,000 men are divided into: 24,000 to oversee the work of the house of the LORD, 6,000 officers and judges,4,000 gatekeepers, 4,000 to praise the LORD with instruments David made; they are divided into divisions according to the sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari; David counts the Levites from 20 years old and upwards and revises their duties given that, ‘The LORD God of Israel has given rest to His people, and He dwells in Jerusalem forever. Also, the Levites will no longer need to carry the tabernacle and all its utensils for its service”; at the time of David, descendants of Aaron’s sons Eleazar and Ithamar served as priests: Zadok of the sons of Eleazar and Ahimelech of the sons of Ithamar; there were sixteen heads of fathers’ households of the descendants of Eleazar and eight of the descendants of Ithamar, according to their fathers’ households; these families are divided by lot in order to assign their duties; in addition to the priests, the rest of the sons of Levi are also divided by lot to assign their duties; David also sets aside the sons of Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun to prophesy with lyres, harps, and cymbals
Psalms 131, 138-139, 143-145
1 Chronicles 26-29: David makes assignments for the gatekeepers, those who are in charge of the treasures of the house of the Lord, those who are in charge of outside duties as officers and judges both west and east of the Jordan, the officers of the divisions of the army, the princes (chief officers) for each tribe of Israel, and those in charge of the king’s storehouses, agricultural workers, vineyards, olive and sycamore trees, stores of oil, cattle, camels, donkeys, and flocks; David "assembled at Jerusalem all the officials of Israel, the princes of the tribes, and the commanders of the divisions that served the king, and the commanders of thousands, and the commanders of hundreds, and the overseers of all the property and livestock belonging to the king and his sons, with the officials and the mighty men, even all the valiant men” and he charges them all to support Solomon as king and builder of the temple; he shares that God had chosen Solomon, and he beseeches Solomon to follow the Lord; he also shares his plans for the temple, its building and its administration, that God had given him; David donates for the temple, as do those who are gathered; they make sacrifices to the Lord, and feast with gladness; "they made Solomon the son of David king a second time, and they anointed him as ruler for the LORD and Zadok as priest”, then David “died in a ripe old age, full of days, riches and honor; and his son Solomon reigned in his place"
Psalm 127, Psalms 111-118
1 Kings 1-2: Abishag the Shunammite, a virgin, is chosen to attend to King David in his old age; presumably because he sees his father was frail, David’s fourth son Adonijah (his first and third sons are dead, and we don’t know any more about his second son Chileab [see 2 Samuel 3:2-5]) sees his opportunity to succeed David as king; Adonijah had plotted with with Joab, commander of the army, and with Abiathar the priest, "But Zadok the priest, Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, Nathan the prophet, Shimei, Rei, and the mighty men who belonged to David, were not with Adonijah”; Adonijah holds a sacrifice outside of Jerusalem and invites "all his brothers, the king’s sons, and all the men of Judah, the king’s servants. But he did not invite Nathan the prophet, Benaiah, the mighty men, and Solomon his brother”; Nathan the prophet speaks to Bathsheba, warning her that their lives are in danger and instructing her to go ask David if Adonijah being king was his will, when he had promised Solomon would be king, and Nathan says he will come after her and confirm her words; after David learns what has happened from Bathsheba and Nathan, he calls "Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada”; he instructs them to put Solomon on his mule, take him to Gihon [a spring near Jerusalem] and have Zadok and Nathan anoint him there as king; they did so and then blow the trumpet; the people rejoice so loudly that Adonijah and his guests hear it; Jonathan, the son of Abiathar the priest, tells Adonijah and his guests what has happened; they are terrified and flee; Adonijah goes and takes hold of the horns of the altar; Solomon promises Adonijah he will not kill him if he is a worthy man and sends him to his own house; David instructs Solomon regarding those who have betrayed him; David dies and is buried, and Solomon’s kingdom is firmly established; Adonijah asks Bathsheba to ask Solomon for Abishag for his wife; Solomon kills Adonijah for this request; he then deals with those who betrayed David: he dismisses Abiathar as priest, fulfilling the word of the Lord concerning the house of Eli in Shiloh, he has Joab killed and appoints Benaiah the son of Jehoiada over the army in his place; he tells Shimei, who cursed David, that he can stay in Jerusalem but will have him killed if he leaves, but three years later he leaves to retrieve servants who fled, and Solomon has him killed; "Thus the kingdom was established in the hands of Solomon.”
Psalms 37, 71, 94
DETAILED SUMMARY:
1 Chronicles 10 (Day 119): death of Saul
This is placed in our reading after the genealogies in 1 Chronicles 1-9 (below) that are relevant to the time of David, but the story is a complementary, and shorter, version to that found in 1 Samuel 28-31, which we read on Day 109.
The Philistines fought, and prevailed, against Israel on Mount Gilboa. Saul and three of his four sons, Jonathan, Abinadab, and Malchi-shua, all died.
Saul was wounded by an archer. He said to his armor bearer, “‘Draw your sword and thrust me through with it, otherwise these uncircumcised will come and abuse me.’ But his armor bearer would not, for he was greatly afraid. Therefore Saul took his sword and fell on it. When his armor bearer saw that Saul was dead, he likewise fell on his sword and died.”
The men of Israel fled the cities of the valley, “and the Philistines came and lived in them.”
“when the Philistines came to strip the slain, that they found Saul and his sons fallen on Mount Gilboa. So they stripped him and took his head and his armor and sent messengers around the land of the Philistines to carry the good news to their idols and to the people. They put his armor in the house of their gods and fastened his head in the house of Dagon.”
“When all Jabesh-gilead [who Saul defended after he had been anointed by Samuel, 1 Samuel 11, Day 100] heard all that the Philistines had done to Saul, all the valiant men arose and took away the body of Saul and the bodies of his sons and brought them to Jabesh, and they buried their bones under the oak in Jabesh, and fasted seven days.”
“So Saul died for his trespass which he committed against the LORD, because of the word of the LORD which he did not keep; and also because he asked counsel of a medium, making inquiry of it, and did not inquire of the LORD. Therefore He killed him and turned the kingdom to David the son of Jesse.”
2 Samuel 1-4 (Day 111): David’s rule in Hebron
David is in Ziklag (of the Philistines, where he had been hiding from Saul) after his slaughter of the Amalekites who had raided Ziklag while he had gone to fight with Achish, king of Gath of the Philistines against Israel (but had been turned back by the protests of the lords of the Philistines)
an Amalekite comes to report to David that Israel has lost in the battle against the Philistines and that Saul and Jonathan are dead; the Amalekite claims he found Saul alive and Saul asked him to kill him and he did so because he didn’t think Saul could live anyway; David kills the Amalekite because he had been unafraid to destroy the Lord’s anointed servant Saul
David and his men mourn for Saul and Jonathan, with David writing and teaching a song of lament
David inquires of the Lord and the Lord tells him to go to Hebron, with his two wives Ahinoam the Jezreelitess and Abigian the widow of Nabal the Carmelite; there the men of Judah anoint David king over Judah (he stays in Hebron seven years and six months)
David is told that Jabesh-Gilead had shown Saul and his sons honor by rescuing their bodies from the Philistines, so David blesses them
Saul’s commander, Abner the son of Ner, makes Saul’s son Ish-bosheth king over the rest of the tribes of Israel (he was forty and reigned two years)
Abner meets Joab, David’s commander, the son of Zeruiah (David’s sister), with their men, by the pool of Gibeon; Abner proposes a military contest that basically turns into a long-running war between the two sides, with David’s side prevailing and getting progressively stronger; on this first day of battle, Joab’s brother Asahel pursues Joab; Joab warns him to retreat but when he doesn’t, Abner kills him; Joab and his other brother Abshai pursue Abner but are unable to overtake him, so Abner counsels them to stop the pursuit, which they do
a total of six sons are born to David (Amnon, Chilean, Absalom, Adonijah, Shephatiah, Ithream), by six different wives (Ahinoam, Abigail, Maacah, Haggith, Abital, Eglah)
Abner takes Saul’s concubine for himself and Ish-bosheth accuses him over it, making Abner angry and inspiring him to transfer the kingdom of Israel to David; Abner sends David a message to make such a covenant, but David says he’ll only see Abner if he brings his first wife Michal with him; Michal is taken from her second husband, who she had been given to after David fled Saul, her father; Abner then comes to David in Hebron and tells him his plan to make him king over all Israel and leaves in peace
Joab had been out on a raid when Abner met with David and is angry when he returns; he calls Abner back deceptively, and he and Abishai kill him; David leads the people in mourning over Abner, making clear that he did not approve of this vengeful killing; David also curses Joab and all his father’s house
two men of Ish-bosheth kill him and bring his head to David in Hebron; David then has these men killed as punishment for this traitorous killing
Psalms 6, 8-10, 14, 16, 19, 21 (Day 112)
1 Chronicles 1-2: genealogy from Adam through the time of David (Day 113)
genealogy from Adam through David: Adam, Seth, Enosh, Kenan, Mahalalel, Jared, Enoch, Methuselah, Lamech, Noah, Shem, Arpachshad, Shelah, Eber, Peleg, Reu, Serug, Nahor, Terah, Abraham, Isaac, Israel, Juday, Perez, Hezron, Ram, Amminadab, Nahshon, Salma, Boaz, Obed, Jesse, David.
“Adam, Seth, Enosh, Kenan, Mahalalel, Jared, Enoch, Methuselah, Lamech, Noah, Shem, Ham and Japeth.” 1 Chronicles 1:1-4)
“Shem, Arpachshad, Shelah, Eber, Peleg, Reu, Serug, Nahor, Terah, Abram, that is Abraham.” (1 Chronicles 1:24-27)
“The sons of Abraham were Isaac and Ishmael.” (1 Chronicles 1:28)
“The sons of Isaac were Esau and Israel.” (1 Chronicles 1:34b)
“These are the sons of Israel: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Zebulun, Dan, Joseph, Benjamin, Naphtali, Gad, and Asher.” (1 Chronicles 2:1-2)
“The sons of Judah were Er, Onan and Shelah; these three were born to him by Bath-shua the Canaanitess….Tamar his daughter-in-law bore him Perez and Zerah. Judah had five sons in all. The sons of Perez were Hezron and Hamul.” (1 Chronicles 2:3-5)
“Now the sons of Hezron, who were born to him were Jerahmeel, Ram and Chelubai. Ram became the father of Amminadab, and Amminadab became the father of Nahshon, leader of the sons of Judah; Nahshon became the father of Salma, Salma became the father of Boaz, Boaz became the father of Obed, and Obed became the father of Jesse; and Jesse became the father of Eliab his firstborn, then Abinadab the second, Shimea the third, Nethanel the fourth, Raddai the fifth, Ozem the sixth, David the seventh; and their sisters were Zeruiah and Abigail. And the three sons of Zeruiah were Abshai, Joab and Asahel. Abigail bore Amasa” (1 Chronicles 2:9-17a)
Noah’s sons: Shem (Israel), Ham (Canaan), Japheth
“The sons of Japheth were Gomer, Magog, Madai, Javan, Tubal, Meshech and Tiras. The sons of Gomer were Ashkenaz, Diphath, and Togarmah. The sons of Javan were Elishah, Tarshish, Kittim and Rodanim.” (1 Chronicles 1:5-7)
[Some of these names become relevant regarding prophecies at the end of the age. Those of us not of Shem or Ham are likely of Japheth]
“The sons of Ham were Cush, Mizraim, Put, and Canaan.
“The sons of Cush were Seba, Havilah, Sabta, Raama and Sabteca; and the sons of Raamah were Sheba and Dedan. Cush became the father of Nimrod; he began to be a mighty one in the earth.
“Mizraim became the father of the people of Lud, Anam, Lehab, Naphtuh, Pathrus,
“Casluh, from which the Philistines came, and Caphtor.
“Canaan became the father of Sidon, his firstborn, Heth, and the Jebusites, the Amorites, the Girgashites, the Hivites, the Arkites, the Sinites, the Arvadites, the Zemarites and the Hamathites.” (1 Chronicles 1:8-16)
Abraham’s sons: Isaac, Ishmael, and the sons of Keturah, Abraham’s concubine after Sarah died: Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak, and Shuah (1 Chronicles 1:28-33)
sons of Ishmael: Nebaioth, Kedar, Adbeel, Mibsam, Mishma, Dumah, Massa, Hadad, Tema, Jetur, Naphish, Kedemah [12, like the sons of Isaac’s son Israel (Jacob)]
Isaac’s sons: Esau and Israel (Jacob) (1 Chronicles 1:34-37)
“The sons of Esau were Eliphaz, Reuel, Jeush, Jalam and Korah.
“The sons of Eliphaz were Teman, Omar, Zephi, Gatam, Kenaz, Timna and Amalek.”
[The Amalekites, who attacked Israel after they escaped from Egypt, were descendants of Esau.]
“Now the chiefs of Edom were: chief Timna, chief Aliah, chief Jetheth, chief Oholibamah, chief Elah, chief Pinon, chief Kenaz, chief Teman, chief Mibzar, chief Magdiel, chief Iram. These were the chiefs of Edom.” (1 Chronicles 51b-54)
[Edom is Esau. The descendants of Esau inhabited Edom after the sons of Seir.]
“The sons of Seir” (1 Chronicles 1:38-42)
[Notice we don’t know who the father of Seir is. Strong’s Concordance describes Seir as the “patriarch of the Horites, the inhabitants of Edom before the descendants of Esau, the Edomites.”]
“were Lotan, Shobal, Zibeon, Anah, Dishon, Ezer and Dishan.”
“Now these are the kings who reigned in the land of Edom before any king of the sons of Israel reigned”: Bela was the son of Beor, Jobab the son of Zerah of Bozrah, Husham of the land of the Temanites, Hadad the son of Bedad (who defeated Midian in the field of Moab), Samlah of Masrekah, Shaul of Rehoboth by the River, Baal-hanan the son of Achbor, Hadad…Then Hadad died.” (1 Chronicles 1:43-51a)
[The next line is “Now the chiefs of Edom were…”, so this appears to distinguish the sons of Seir from the sons of Esau who lived in Edom.]
Judah’s sons (1 Chronicles 2:3-12)
“Er, Onan and Shelah; these three were born to him by Bath-shua the Canaanitess. And Er, Judah’s firstborn, was wicked in the sight of the LORD, so He put him to death. Tamar his daughter-in-law bore him Perez [from whom David is descended] and Zerah.
“The sons of Zerah were Zimri, Ethan, Heman, Calcol and Dara; five of them in all. The son of Carmi was Achar, the troubler of Israel, who violated the ban [after the defeat of Jericho, Joshua 7, Day 83].”
Perez son’s: Hezron and Hamu.”
sons of Hezron: Jerahmeel, Ram, Chelubai, Caleb, Segub, Ashhur
Ram is in the line of David: Ram, Amminadab, Nahshon, Salma, Boaz [married Ruth], Obed, Jesse
Jesse’s sons: Eliab, Abinadab, Shimea, Nethanel, Raddai, Ozem, David (the seventh) (1 Chronicles 2:13-15)
Jesse’s daughters (sisters of David): Zeruiah and Abigail (1 Chronicles 2:16-17)
the three sons of Zeruiah were Abshai, Joab [David’s commander was his nephew] and Asahel [killed by Saul’s commander Abner]
Abigail bore Amasa [became the general for David’s rebellious son Absalom]
sons of Hezron (son of Perez, son of Judah): Jerahmeel, Ram, Caleb (Chelubai), Segub, Ashhur (1 Chronicles 2:18-55)
Jerahmeel
father of Ram, Bunah, Oren, Ozem and Ahijah (and Onam by Atarah)
Ram: Maaz, Jamin and Eker
Onam: Shammai and Jada
Shammai: Nadab and Abishur
Nadab: Seled and Appaim
Appaim: Ishi
Ishi: Sheshan
Sheshan: Ahlai (daughter given in marriage to Sheshan’s Egyptian servant)
Attai bore Nathan. bore Zabad [one of David’s mighty warriors], bore Ephlal, bore Obed, bore Jehu, bore Azariah, bore Helez, bore Eleasah, bore Sismai, bore Shallum, bore Jekamiah, bore Elishama
Abishur: Ahban and Molid
Jada: Jether and Jonathan
Jonathan: Peleth and Zaza
Ram = line of David
Caleb (Chelubai): [was prolific. It’s hard to follow all his wives, concubines, and sons] : Mesha, Jesher, Shobab, Ardon, Hur, Haran, Moza, Gazez, Sheber, Tirhanah, Shaaph, Sheva, daughter Achsah, Jahdai? (son or concubine who bore Regem, Jotham, Geshan Pelet, Ephah, Shaaph)
sons by wife Azubah and by Jerioth (Jesher, Shobab, and Ardon) (1 Chronicles 2:18)
son Mesha: Ziph [Ziphites betrayed David to Saul]
Ziph: Mareshah
Mareshah: Hebron
Hebron: Korah, Tappuah, Rekem, Shema
Shema: Raham, father of Jorkeam
Rekem: Shammai, father of Maon, father of Bethzur
when wife Azubah died, “married Ephrath, who bore him Hur. Hur became the father of Uri, and Uri became the father of Bezalel.” (1 Chronicles 2:19)
The sons of Hur, the firstborn of Ephrathah (1 Chronicles 2:50b-54):
Shobal the father of Kiriath-jearim
sons: Haroeh, half of the Manahathites, and the families of Kiriath-jearim: the Ithrites, the Puthites, the Shumathites and the Mishraites; from these came the Zorathites and the Eshtaolites
Salma the father of Bethlehem
and the Netophathites, Atroth-beth-joab and half of the Manahathites, the Zorites
Hareph the father of Beth-gader
“Ephah, Caleb’s concubine, bore Haran, Moza and Gazez” (1 Chronicles 2:46)
“Haran became the father of Gazez”
“The sons of Jahdai were Regem, Jotham, Geshan, Pelet, Ephah and Shaaph” (1 Chronicles 2:47) [it’s hard to tell if these are sons by a concubine or sons of a son of Caleb]
“Maacah, Caleb’s concubine, bore Sheber and Tirhanah. She also bore Shaaph the father of Madmannah, Sheva the father of Machbena and the father of Gibea” (1 Chronicles 2:48-49a)
“the daughter of Caleb was Achsah” (1 Chronicles 2:49b)
“The families of scribes who lived at Jabez were the Tirathites, the Shimeathites and the Sucathites. Those are the Kenites [tribe of father-in-law of Moses] who came from Hammath [a city in Naphtali], the father of the house of Rechab.” [part of the Calebites, see also 1 Chronicles 4:9-10]
Segub, by the daughter of Machir the father of Gilead
Segub became the father of Jair, who had twenty-three cities in the land of Gilead
taken from him by Geshur and Aram, other sons of Machir, the father of Gilead
Ashhur, the father of Tekoa
Psalms 43-45, 49, 84-85, 87 (Day 114)
1 Chronicles 3-5 (Day 115): these genealogies extend from around the time of David all the way to the exile of the northern kingdom of Israel to Assyria and the exile of the kingdom of Judah to Babylon and their subsequent return to Israel; “sons” is a broad term that can imply “descendants”
sons of David in Hebron, seven years and six months (1 Chronicles 3:1-4)
six sons by six different wives: Amnon, Daniel, Absalom, Adonijah, Shephatiah, Ithream (Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, Abigail the Carmelitess, Maacah daughter of Talmai king of Geshur, Haggith, Abital, Eglah)
sons of David in Jerusalem, 33 years (1 Chronicles 3:5-9)
four sons by Bath-shua the daughter of Ammiel: Shimea, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon
nine other sons: Ibhar, Elishama, Eliphelet, Nogah, Nepheg, Japhia, Elishama, Eliada, Eliphelet
besides the sons of the concubines
Tamar was their sister
line of kings of Judah: David, Solomon, Rehoboam, Abijah, Asa, Jehshaphat, Joram, Ahaziah, Joash, Amaziah, Azariah, Jotham, Ahaz, Hezekiah, Manasseh, Amon, Josiah (1 Chronicles 3:10-14)
sons of Josiah: Johanan, Jehoiakim, Zedekiah, Shallum (1 Chronicles 3:15-24)
sons of Jehoiakim: Jeconiah his son, Zedekiah his son
sons of Jeconiah, the prisoner: Shealtiel, Malchiram, Pedaiah, Shenazzar, Jekamiah, Hoshama, Nedabiah
sons of Pedaiah: Zerubbabel, Shimei
sons of Zerubbabel: Meshullam, Hananiah, (Shelomith was their sister), and Hashubah, Ohel, Berechiah, Hasadiah, Jushab-hesed
sons of Hananiah: Pelatiah, Jeshaiah, the sons of Rephaiah, the sons of Arnan, the sons of Obadiah, the sons of Shecaniah
descendants of Shecaniah: Shemaiah
sons of Shemaiah: Hattush, Igal, Bariah, Neariah, Shaphat
sons of Neariah: Elioenai, Hizkiah, Azrikam
sons of Elioenai: Hodaviah, Eliashib, Pelaiah, Akkub, Johanan, Delaiah, Anani
“sons” [descendants] of Judah: Perez (son), Hezron (grandson by Perez), Carmi (grandson by Zerah), Hur (great-great-grandson by Caleb, son of Hezron, son of Perez), Shobal (son of Hur and father of Kiriath-jearim (1 Chronicles 4:1, see also 1 Chronicles 2:3-12 and 1 Chronicles 2:18-55, above, on Day 113)
sons of Hur, the firstborn of Ephrathah, the father of Bethlehem:
“Reaiah the son of Shobal became the father of Jahath, and Jahath became the father of Ahumai and Lahad. These were the families of the Zorathites. These were the sons of Etam: Jezreel, Ishma and Idbash; and the name of their sister was Hazzelelponi. Penuel was the father of Gedor, and Ezer the father of Hushah” (1 Chronicles 4:2-4)
Ashhur (son of Hezron, son of Perez, son of Judah), the father of Tekoa (1 Chronicles 4:5-14):
“had two wives, Helah and Naarah. Naarah bore him Ahuzzam, Hepher, Temeni and Haahashtari. These were the sons of Naarah. The sons of Helah were Zereth, Izhar and Ethnan. Koz became the father of Anub and Zobebah, and the families of Aharhel the son of Harum.
“Jabez was more honorable than his brothers, and his mother named him Jabez saying, “Because I bore him with pain.” Now Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, “Oh that You would bless me indeed and enlarge my border, and that Your hand might be with me, and that You would keep me from harm that it may not pain me!” And God granted him what he requested.”
“Chelub the brother of Shuhah became the father of Mehir, who was the father of Eshton. Eshton became the father of Beth-rapha and Paseah, and Tehinnah the father of Ir-nahash. These are the men of Recah.”
“Now the sons of Kenaz were Othniel and Seraiah. And the sons of Othniel were Hathath and Meonothai. Meonothai became the father of Ophrah, and Seraiah became the father of Joab the father of Ge-harashim, for they were craftsmen.”
“The sons of Caleb the son of Jephunneh [descendant of Judah, only spy besides Joshua, servant of Moses, to give a faithful report]
“were Iru, Elah and Naam; and the son of Elah was Kenaz. The sons of Jehallelel were Ziph and Ziphah, Tiria and Asarel. The sons of Ezrah were Jether, Mered, Epher and Jalon. (And these are the sons of Bithia the daughter of Pharaoh, whom Mered took) and she conceived and bore Miriam, Shammai and Ishbah the father of Eshtemoa. His Jewish wife bore Jered the father of Gedor, and Heber the father of Soco, and Jekuthiel the father of Zanoah. The sons of the wife of Hodiah, the sister of Naham, were the fathers of Keilah the Garmite and Eshtemoa the Maacathite. The sons of Shimon were Amnon and Rinnah, Benhanan and Tilon. And the sons of Ishi were Zoheth and Ben-zoheth” (1 Chronicles 4:15-20).
“The sons of Shelah the son of Judah [his older brothers, Er and Onan, were wicked and died, and their father Judah failed to have Shelah fulfill his responsibility to Er’s widow Tamar]
“were Er the father of Lecah and Laadah the father of Mareshah, and the families of the house of the linen workers at Beth-ashbea; and Jokim, the men of Cozeba, Joash, Saraph, who ruled in Moab, and Jashubi-lehem. And the records are ancient. These were the potters and the inhabitants of Netaim and Gederah; they lived there with the king for his work” (1 Chronicles 4:21-23).
“sons” [descendants] of Simeon:
“were Nemuel and Jamin, Jarib, Zerah, Shaul; Shallum his son, Mibsam his son, Mishma his son. The sons of Mishma were Hammuel his son, Zaccur his son, Shimei his son. Now Shimei had sixteen sons and six daughters; but his brothers did not have many sons, nor did all their family multiply like the sons of Judah. They lived at Beersheba, Moladah and Hazar-shual, at Bilhah, Ezem, Tolad, Bethuel, Hormah, Ziklag, Beth-marcaboth, Hazar-susim, Beth-biri and Shaaraim. These were their cities until the reign of David. Their villages were Etam, Ain, Rimmon, Tochen and Ashan, five cities; and all their villages that were around the same cities as far as Baal. These were their settlements, and they have their genealogy.
“Meshobab and Jamlech and Joshah the son of Amaziah, and Joel and Jehu the son of Joshibiah, the son of Seraiah, the son of Asiel, and Elioenai, Jaakobah, Jeshohaiah, Asaiah, Adiel, Jesimiel, Benaiah, Ziza the son of Shiphi, the son of Allon, the son of Jedaiah, the son of Shimri, the son of Shemaiah; these mentioned by name were leaders in their families; and their fathers’ houses increased greatly. They went to the entrance of Gedor, even to the east side of the valley, to seek pasture for their flocks. They found rich and good pasture, and the land was broad and quiet and peaceful; for those who lived there formerly were Hamites. These, recorded by name, came in the days of Hezekiah king of Judah, and attacked their tents and the Meunites who were found there, and destroyed them utterly to this day, and lived in their place, because there was pasture there for their flocks. From them, from the sons of Simeon, five hundred men went to Mount Seir, with Pelatiah, Neariah, Rephaiah and Uzziel, the sons of Ishi, as their leaders. They destroyed the remnant of the Amalekites who escaped, and have lived there to this day” (1 Chronicles 4:24-43)
“sons” [descendants] of Reuben
“the firstborn of Israel (for he was the firstborn, but because he defiled his father’s bed, his birthright was given to the sons of Joseph the son of Israel; so that he is not enrolled in the genealogy according to the birthright. Though Judah prevailed over his brothers, and from him came the leader, yet the birthright belonged to Joseph)” (1 Chronicles 5:1-2)
Hanoch, Pallu, Hezron, and Carmi
“The sons of Joel were Shemaiah his son, Gog his son, Shimei his son, Micah his son, Reaiah his son, Baal his son, Beerah his son, whom Tilgath-pilneser king of Assyria carried away into exile; he was leader of the Reubenites. His kinsmen by their families, in the genealogy of their generations, were Jeiel the chief, then Zechariah and Bela the son of Azaz, the son of Shema, the son of Joel, who lived in Aroer, even to Nebo and Baal-meon. To the east he settled as far as the entrance of the wilderness from the river Euphrates, because their cattle had increased in the land of Gilead. In the days of Saul they made war with the Hagrites, who fell by their hand, so that they occupied their tents throughout all the land east of Gilead” (1 Chronicles 5:4-10).
“sons” [descendants] of Gad
“lived opposite [Reuben] in the land of Bashan as far as Salecah.
“Joel was the chief and Shapham the second, then Janai and Shaphat in Bashan. Their kinsmen of their fathers’ households were Michael, Meshullan, Sheba, Jorai, Jacan, Zia, Eber, seven. These were the sons of Abihail, the son of Huri, the son of Jaroah, the son of Gilead, the son of Michael, the son of Jeshishai, the son of Jahdo, the son of Buz; Ahi the son of Abdiel, the son of Guni, was head of their fathers’ households. They lived in Gilead, in Bashan and in its towns, and in all the pasture lands of Sharon, as far as their borders. All of these were enrolled in the genealogies in the days of Jotham king of Judah and in the days of Jeroboam king of Israel” (1 Chronicles 5:11-17).
“sons of Reuben and the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh
“consisting of valiant men, men who bore shield and sword and shot with bow and were skillful in battle, were 44,760, who went to war. They made war against the Hagrites, Jetur, Naphish and Nodab. They were helped against them, and the Hagrites and all who were with them were given into their hand; for they cried out to God in the battle, and He answered their prayers because they trusted in Him. They took away their cattle: their 50,000 camels, 250,000 sheep, 2,000 donkeys; and 100,000 men. For many fell slain, because the war was of God. And they settled in their place until the exile” (1 Chronicles 5:18-22).
“sons of the half-tribe of Manasseh
“lived in the land; from Bashan to Baal-hermon and Senir and Mount Hermon they were numerous. These were the heads of their fathers’ households, even Epher, Ishi, Eliel, Azriel, Jeremiah, Hodaviah and Jahdiel, mighty men of valor, famous men, heads of their fathers’ households.
“But they acted treacherously against the God of their fathers and played the harlot after the gods of the peoples of the land, whom God had destroyed before them. So the God of Israel stirred up the spirit of Pul, king of Assyria, even the spirit of Tilgath-pilneser king of Assyria, and he carried them away into exile, namely the Reubenites, the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh, and brought them to Halah, Habor, Hara and to the river of Gozan, to this day” (1 Chronicles 5:23-26).
1 Chronicles 6 (Day 117): genealogy of the tribe of Levi: listed because “these are those whom David appointed over the service of song in the house of the LORD, after the ark rested there. They ministered with song before the tabernacle of the tent of meeting, until Solomon had built the house of the LORD in Jerusalem; and they served in their office according to their order….Their kinsmen the Levites were appointed for all the service of the tabernacle of the house of God. But Aaron and his sons offered on the altar of burnt offering and on the altar of incense, for all the work of the most holy place, and to make atonement for Israel, according to all that Moses the servant of God had commanded” (1 Chronicles 6:31-32,48-49). [This chapter also describes the cities, with their pasture lands, that the sons of Levi were given throughout all the tribes of Israel (1 Chronicles 6:54-81).
“The sons of Levi were Gershon, Kohath and Merari” (1 Chronicles 6:1)
The sons of Kohath: Amram, Izhar (Amminadab), Hebron, Uzziel
The children of Amram: Aaron, Moses, Miriam
the sons of Aaron: Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, Ithamar
the priestly line: Aaron, Eleazar, Phinehas, Abishua, Bukki, Uzzi, Zerahiah, Meraioth, Amariah, Ahitub, Zadok, Ahimaaz, Azariah, Johanan, Azariah (it was he who served as the priest in the house which Solomon built in Jerusalem), Amariah, Ahitub, Zadok, Shallum, Hilkiah, Azariah, Seraiah, Jehozadak (went along when the LORD carried Judah and Jerusalem away into exile by Nebuchadnezzar)
“Eleazar became the father of Phinehas, and Phinehas became the father of Abishua, and Abishua became the father of Bukki, and Bukki became the father of Uzzi, and Uzzi became the father of Zerahiah, and Zerahiah became the father of Meraioth, Meraioth became the father of Amariah, and Amariah became the father of Ahitub, and Ahitub became the father of Zadok, and Zadok became the father of Ahimaaz, and Ahimaaz became the father of Azariah, and Azariah became the father of Johanan, and Johanan became the father of Azariah (it was he who served as the priest in the house which Solomon built in Jerusalem), and Azariah became the father of Amariah, and Amariah became the father of Ahitub, and Ahitub became the father of Zadok, and Zadok became the father of Shallum, and Shallum became the father of Hilkiah, and Hilkiah became the father of Azariah, and Azariah became the father of Seraiah, and Seraiah became the father of Jehozadak; and Jehozadak went along when the LORD carried Judah and Jerusalem away into exile by Nebuchadnezzar” (1 Chronicles 6:4-15).
“These are the sons of Aaron [to the time of David’s appointing them]: Eleazar his son, Phinehas his son, Abishua his son, Bukki his son, Uzzi his son, Zerahiah his son, Meraioth his son, Amariah his son, Ahitub his son, Zadok his son, Ahimaaz his son” (1 Chronicles 6:50-53).
the sons of Amminadab (Izhar): “Korah his son, Assir his son, Elkanah his son, Ebiasaph his son and Assir his son, Tahath his son, Uriel his son, Uzziah his son and Shaul his son” (1 Chronicles 6:22-24)
sons of Elkanah: Amasai, Ahimoth (1 Chronicles 6:25)
“the sons of Elkanah were Zophai his son and Nahath his son, Eliab his son, Jeroham his son, Elkanah his son” (1 Chronicles 6:26-27)
“The sons of Samuel were Joel the firstborn, and Abijah the second” (1 Chronicles 6:28).
Appointed by David to serve with their sons (1 Chronicles 6:33b):
“From the sons of the Kohathites were Heman the singer, the son of Joel, the son of Samuel, the son of Elkanah, the son of Jeroham, the son of Eliel, the son of Toah, the son of Zuph, the son of Elkanah, the son of Mahath, the son of Amasai, the son of Elkanah, the son of Joel, the son of Azariah, the son of Zephaniah, the son of Tahath, the son of Assir, the son of Ebiasaph, the son of Korah, the son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, the son of Israel” (1 Chronicles 6:33b-38)
The sons of Gershom: Libni, Shimei (1 Chronicles 6:17)
“Libni his son, Jahath his son, Zimmah his son, Joah his son, Iddo his son, Zerah his son, Jeatherai his son” (1 Chronicles 6:20-21)
Appointed by David to serve with their sons (1 Chronicles 6:33b):
“Heman’s brother Asaph stood at his right hand, even Asaph the son of Berechiah, the son of Shimea, the son of Michael, the son of Baaseiah, the son of Malchijah, the son of Ethni, the son of Zerah, the son of Adaiah, the son of Ethan, the son of Zimmah, the son of Shimei, the son of Jahath, the son of Gershom, the son of Levi” (1 Chronicles 6:39-43).
The sons of Merari: Mahli, Mushi
“Mahli, Libni his son, Shimei his son, Uzzah his son, Shimea his son, Haggiah his son, Asaiah his son” (1 Chronicles 6:29-30)
Appointed by David to serve with their sons (1 Chronicles 6:33b):
“On the left hand were their kinsmen the sons of Merari: Ethan the son of Kishi, the son of Abdi, the son of Malluch, the son of Hashabiah, the son of Amaziah, the son of Hilkiah, the son of Amzi, the son of Bani, the son of Shemer, the son of Mahli, the son of Mushi, the son of Merari, the son of Levi” (1 Chronicles 6:44-47).
Psalms 81, 88, 92-93 (Day 118)
1 Chronicles 7-9 (Day 119): hardest genealogies to follow; the genealogies of Issachar, Benjamin, Naphtali, Manasseh, Ephraim, and Asher follow a pattern we’re used to from previous chapters, but 1 Chronicles 8 & 9 record those who lived and served in Jerusalem; there is an abrupt line in the middle: “So all Israel was enrolled by genealogies; and behold, they are written in the Book of the Kings of Israel. And Judah was carried away into exile to Babylon for their unfaithfulness” (1 Chronicles 9:1); one can imagine different texts and records from different time periods and recorders being gathered for this book, making its thread a little harder to follow; these genealogies also include the genealogy of Saul, from the tribe of Benjamin
sons of Issachar: Tola, Puah, Jashub, Shimron (1 Chronicles 7:1-5)
sons of Tola: Uzzi, Rephaiah, Jeriel, Jahmai, Ibsam, Samuel
“heads of their fathers’ households”, “mighty men of valor in their generations”
“their number in the days of David was 22,600”
son of Uzzi: Izrahiah
sons of Izrahiah: Michael, Obadiah, Joel, Isshiah
“all five of them were chief men. With them by their generations according to their fathers’ households were 36,000 troops of the army for war, for they had many wives and sons. Their relatives among all the families of Issachar were mighty men of valor, enrolled by genealogy, in all 87,000.”
sons of Benjamin: Bela, Becher, Jediael (1 Chronicles 7:6-12, 1 Chronicles 8 [recorded twice with differing detail, and including the genealogy of Saul, which is also recorded in 1 Chronicles 9:35-44])
sons of Bela: Ezbon, Uzzi, Uzziel, Jerimoth, Iri
“heads of fathers’ households”, “mighty men of valor”
“22,034 enrolled by genealogy”
“Shuppim and Huppim were the sons of Ir [Iri]”
sons of Becher: Zermirah, Joash, Eliezer, Elioenai, Omri, Jeremoth, Abijah, Anathoth, Alemeth
“20,200 mighty men of valor”
son of Jediael: Bilhan
sons of Bilhan: Jeush, Benjamin, Ehud, Chenaanah, Zethan, Tarshish, Ahishahar
“17,200 mighty men of valor, who were ready to go out with the army to war”
“Hushim was the son of Aher”
1 Chronicles 8 version of the sons of Benjamin: Bela, Ashbel, Aharah, Nohah, Rapha
Bela had sons: Addar, Gera, Abihud, Abishua, Naaman, Ahoah, Gera, Shephuphan, Huram
sons of Ehud: “these are the heads of fathers’ households of the inhabitants of Geba, and they carried them into exile to Manahath, namely, Naaman, Ahijah and Gera—he carried them into exile”
“he became the father of Uzza and Ahihud”
“Shaharaim became the father of children in the country of Moab after he had sent away Hushim and Baara his wives”
“By Hodesh his wife he became the father of Jobab, Zibia, Mesha, Malcam, Jeuz, Sachia, Mirmah”
“By Hushim he became the father of Abitub and Elpaal”
“The sons of Elpaal were Eber, Misham, and Shemed, who built Ono and Lod, with its towns; and Beriah and Shema, who were heads of fathers’ households of the inhabitants of Aijalon, who put to flight the inhabitants of Gath; and Ahio, Shashak and Jeremoth”
“Zebadiah, Arad, Eder, Michael, Ishpah and Joha were the sons of Beriah”
“Zebadiah, Meshullam, Hizki, Heber, Ishmerai, Izliah and Jobab were the sons of Elpaal”
“Jakim, Zichri, Zabdi, Elienai, Zillethai, Eliel, Adaiah, Beraiah and Shimrath were the sons of Shimei”
“Ishpan, Eber, Eliel, Abdon, Zichri, Hanan, Hananiah, Elam, Anthothijah, Iphdeiah, and Penuel were the sons of Shasak”
“Shamsherai, Shehariah, Athaliah, Jaareshiah, Elijah and Zichri were the sons of Jeroham”
“These were heads of the fathers’ households according to their generations, chief men who lived in Jerusalem” (1 Chronicles 8:1-28)
“Now in Gibeon” [Levitical city of Benjamin near Jerusalem, relatives of Saul, see also 1 Chronicles 9:35-44 below] (1 Chronicles 8:29-40):
Jeiel, the father of Gibeon, with his wife Maacah:
Abdon, Zur, Kish, Baal, Nadab, Gedor, Ahio, Zecher
“Mikloth became the father of Shimeah. And they also lived with their relatives in Jerusalem opposite their other relatives”
“Ner became the father of Kish, and Kish became the father of Saul”
“Saul became the father of Jonathan, Malchi-shua, Abinadab and Eshbaal”
“The son of Jonathan was Merib-baal”
“Merib-baal became the father of Micah”
“sons of Micah were Pithon, Melech, Tarea and Ahaz”
“Ahaz became the father of Jehoaddah”
“Jehoaddah became the father of Alemeth, Azmaveth and Zimri”
“Zimri became the father of Moza”
Moza became the father of Binea, Raphah, Eleasah, Azel
Azel had six sons: Azrikam, Bocheru, Ishmael, Sheariah, Obadiah, Hanan
The sons of Eshek his brother were Ulam, Jeush, Eliphelet
The sons of Ulam were mighty men of valor, archers, and had many sons and grandsons, 150 of them.”
“All these were of the sons of Benjamin.”
sons of Naphtali: Jahziel, Guni, Jezer, Shallum (the sons of Bilhah [Rachel’s maid]) (1 Chronicles 7:13)
sons of Manasseh (1 Chronicles 7:14-19)
“Asriel, whom his Aramean concubine bore” and “Machir the father of Gilead”
“Machir took a wife for Huppim and Shuppim [Benjamite sons of Iri, above], whose sister’s name was Maacah. And the name of the second was Zelophehad. Zelophehad had daughters.”
“Maacah the wife of Machir bore”: Peresh, Sheresh
Sheresh’ sons: Ulam, Rakem
son of Ulam: Bedan
“These were the sons of Gilead the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh”
“The sons of Shemida were Ahian and Shechem and Likhi and Aniam”
“His sister Hammolecheth bore Ishhod and Abiezer and Mahlah”
sons of Ephraim (1 Chronicles 7:20-29)
“Shuthelah and Bered his son, Tahath his son, Eleadah his son, Tahath his son, Zabad his son, Shuthelah his son, and Ezer and Elead whom the men of Gath who were born in the land killed, because they came down to take their livestock. Their father Ephraim mourned many days, and his relatives came to comfort him. Then he went in to his wife, and she conceived and bore a son, and he named him Beriah, because misfortune had come upon his house”
“His daughter was Sheerah, who built lower and upper Beth-horon, also Uzzen-sheerah. Rephah was his son along with Resheph, Telah his son, Tahan his son, Ladan his son, Ammihud his son, Elishama his son, Non his son and Joshua his son”
“Their possessions and settlements were Bethel with its towns, and to the east Naaran, and to the west Gezer with its towns, and Shechem with its towns as far as Ayyahwith its towns, and along the borders of the sons of Manasseh, Beth-shean with its towns, Taanach with its towns, Megiddo with its towns, Dor with its towns. In these lived the sons of Joseph the son of Israel.”
sons of Asher: Imnah, Ishvah, Ishvi, Beriah, and Serah their sister (1 Chronicles 7:30-40)
sons of Beriah: Heber, Malchiel
Malchiel was the father of Birzaith
Heber became the father of Japhlet, Shomer, Hotham, and Shua their sister
sons of Japhlet: Pasach, Bimhal, Ashvath
sons of Shemer: Ahi, Rohgah, Jehubbah, Aram
sons of his brother Helem: Zophah, Imna, Shelesh, Amal
sons of Zophah: Suah, Harnepher, Shual, Beri, Imrah, Bezer, Hod, Shamma, Shilshah, Ithran, Beera
sons of Jether: Jephunneh, Pispa, Ara
sons of Ulla: Arah, Hanniel, Rizia
“All these were the sons of Asher, heads of the fathers’ houses, choice and mighty men of valor, heads of the princes. And the number of them enrolled by genealogy for service in war was 26,000 men.”
“These were heads of fathers’ households of the Levites according to their generations, chief men, who lived in Jerusalem” (1 Chronicles 9:34):
“the first who lived in their possessions in their cities were Israel, the priests, the Levites and the temple servants” (1 Chronicles 9:2)
“Some of the sons of Judah, of the sons of Benjamin and of the sons of Ephraim and Manasseh lived in Jerusalem (1 Chronicles 9:3-9):
“Uthai the son of Ammihud, the son of Omri, the son of Imri, the son of Bani, from the sons of Perez the son of Judah”
“From the Shilonitesm [previously lived in Shiloh, where the tabernacle was at first] were Asaiah the firstborn and his sons”
“From the sons of Zerah [son of Judah by Tamar] were Jeuel and their relatives, 690 of them”
“From the sons of Benjamin were Sallu the son of Meshullam, the son of Hodaviah, the son of Hassenuah, and Ibneiah the son of Jeroham, and Elah the son of Uzzi, the son of Michri, and Meshullam the son of Shephatiah, the son of Reuel, the son of Ibnijah; and their relatives according to their generations, 956. All these were heads of fathers’ households according to their fathers’ houses”
“From the priests were Jedaiah, Jehoiarib, Jachin, and Azariah the son of Hilkiah, the son of Meshullam, the son of Zadok, the son of Meraioth, the son of Ahitub, the chief officer of the house of God; and Adaiah the son of Jeroham, the son of Pashhur, the son of Malchijah, and Maasai the son of Adiel, the son of Jahzerah, the son of Meshullam, the son of Meshillemith, the son of Immer; and their relatives, heads of their fathers’ households, 1,760 very able men for the work of the service of the house of God” (1 Chronicles 9:10-13).
“Of the Levites were Shemaiah the son of Hasshub, the son of Azrikam, the son of Hashabiah, of the sons of Merari; and Bakbakkar, Heresh and Galal and Mattaniah the son of Mica, the son of Zichri, the son of Asaph, and Obadiah the son of Shemaiah, the son of Galal, the son of Jeduthun, and Berechiah the son of Asa, the son of Elkanah, who lived in the villages of the Netophathites” (1 Chronicles 9:14-16).
gatekeepers: Shallum, Akkub, Talmon, Ahiman and their relatives “(Shallum the chief being stationed until now at the king’s gate to the east). These were the gatekeepers for the camp of the sons of Levi” (1 Chronicles 9:17-18)
“Shallum the son of Kore, the son of Ebiasaph, the son of Korah, and his relatives of his father’s house, the Korahites, were over the work of the service, keepers of the thresholds of the tent; and their fathers had been over the camp of the LORD, keepers of the entrance” (1 Chronicles 9:19).
“Phinehas the son of Eleazar was ruler over them previously, and the LORD was with him” (1 Chronicles 9:20).
“Zechariah the son of Meshelemiah was gatekeeper of the entrance of the tent of meeting” (1 Chronicles 9:21).
“All these who were chosen to be gatekeepers at the thresholds were 212. These were enrolled by genealogy in their villages, whom David and Samuel the seer appointed in their office of trust. So they and their sons had charge of the gates of the house of the LORD, even the house of the tent, as guards. The gatekeepers were on the four sides, to the east, west, north and south. Their relatives in their villages were to come in every seven days from time to time to be with them; for the four chief gatekeepers who were Levites, were in an office of trust, and were over the chambers and over the treasuries in the house of God. They spent the night around the house of God, because the watch was committed to them; and they were in charge of opening it morning by morning” (1 Chronicles 9:22-27).
“some of them had charge of the utensils of service, for they counted them when they brought them in and when they took them out” (1 Chronicles 9:28)
“Some of them also were appointed over the furniture and over all the utensils of the sanctuary and over the fine flour and the wine and the oil and the frankincense and the spices” (1 Chronicles 9:29).
“Some of the sons of the priests prepared the mixing of the spices” (1 Chronicles 9:30).
“Mattithiah, one of the Levites, who was the firstborn of Shallum the Korahite, had the responsibility over the things which were baked in pans” (1 Chronicles 9:31).
“Some of their relatives of the sons of the Kohathites were over the showbread to prepare it every sabbath” (1 Chronicles 9:32).
singers (1 Chronicles 9:33).
“heads of fathers’ households of the Levites”
“lived in the chambers of the temple free from other service; for they were engaged in their work day and night”
those who lived in Gibeon [Levitical city of Benjamin near Jerusalem] and were relatives of Saul (1 Chronicles 9:35-44):
Jeiel the father of Gibeon, with his wife Maacah, and their sons: Abdon, Zur, Kish, Baal, Ner, Nadab, Gedor, Ahio, Zechariah, Mikloth
“Mikloth became the father of Shimeam”
“And they also lived with their relatives in Jerusalem opposite their other relatives.”
“Ner became the father of Kish, and Kish became the father of Saul”
“Saul became the father of Jonathan, Malchi-shua, Abinadab and Eshbaal”
“The son of Jonathan was Merib-baal”
“Merib-baal became the father of Micah”
“The sons of Micah were Pithon, Melech, Tahrea and Ahaz”
“Ahaz became the father of Jarah”
“Jarah became the father of Alemeth, Azmaveth and Zimri”
“Zimri became the father of Moza”
Moza became the father of Binea, Rephaiah, Eleasah, Azel
Azel had six sons: Azrikam, Bocheru, Ishmael, Sheariah, Obadiah, Hanan
1 Chronicles 10 (Day 119): death of Saul [summarized at the beginning of this document, complementary version to 1 Samuel 28-31 on Day 109]
2 Samuel 5:1-10, 1 Chronicles 11-12 (Day 121): David is made king over all Israel and conquers Jerusalem
“all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron, and King David made a covenant with them before the LORD at Hebron; then they anointed David king over Israel” (2 Samuel 5:3) “according to the word of the LORD through Samuel” (1 Chronicles 11:3b)
“David was thirty years old when he became king, and he reigned forty years. At Hebron he reigned over Judah seven years and six months, and in Jerusalem he reigned thirty-three years over all Israel and Judah” (2 Samuel 5:4-5).
“the king and his men went to Jerusalem against the Jebusites…David captured the stronghold of Zion, that is the city of David” (2 Samuel 5:6a-7) “David had said, ‘Whoever strikes down a Jebusite first shall be chief and commander.’ Joab the son of Zeruiah went up first, so he became chief” (1 Chronicles 11:6)
“David became greater and greater, for the LORD God of hosts was with him” (2 Samuel 5:10, 1 Chronicles 11:9
the list of “the heads of the mighty men whom David had, who gave him strong support in his kingdom, together with all Israel, to make him king, according to the word of the LORD concerning Israel” (1 Chronicles 11:10-47), including: Abshai the brother of Joab, Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, Uriah the Hittite
the list of “the ones who came to David at Ziklag, while he was still restricted because of Saul the son of Kish; and they were among the mighty men who helped him in war…they were Saul’s kinsmen from Benjamin” (1 Chronicles 12:1-7)
“From the Gadites there came over to David in the stronghold in the wilderness, mighty men of valor, men trained for war, who could handle shield and spear, and whose faces were like the faces of lions” (1 Chronicles 12:8-15)
“some of the sons of Benjamin and Judah came to the stronghold to David” (1 Chronicles 12:16-18)
“David went out to meet them, and said to them, ‘If you come peacefully to me to help me, my heart shall be united with you; but if to betray me to my adversaries, since there is no wrong in my hands, may the God of our fathers look on it and decide.’ Then the Spirit came upon Amasai, who was the chief of the thirty, and he said,
‘We are yours, O David,
And with you, O son of Jesse!
Peace, peace to you,
And peace to him who helps you;
Indeed, your God helps you!’
Then David received them and made them captains of the band.”
“From Manasseh also some defected to David when he was about to go to battle with the Philistines against Saul. But they did not help them, for the lords of the Philistines after consultation sent him away, saying, ‘At the cost of our heads he may defect to his master Saul.’ As he went to Ziklag there defected to him from Manasseh…They helped David against the band of raiders, for they were all mighty men of valor, and were captains in the army”
“For day by day men came to David to help him, until there was a great army like the army of God” (1 Chronicles 12:19-22)
“the numbers of the divisions equipped for war, who came to David at Hebron, to turn the kingdom of Saul to him, according to the word of the LORD” (1 Chronicles 12:23-37):
sons of Judah: 6,800
sons of Simeon: 7,100
sons of Levi: 4,600
“Jehoiada was the leader of the house of Aaron, and with him were 3,700, also Zadok, a young man mighty of valor, and of his father’s house twenty-two captains”
sons of Benjamin, Saul’s kinsmen: 3,000
“for until now the greatest part of them had kept their allegiance to the house of Saul”
sons of Ephraim: 20,800
half-tribe of Manasseh: 18,000
sons of Issachar: “men who understood the times, with knowledge of what Israel should do, their chiefs were two hundred; and all their kinsmen were at their command”
Zebulun: 50,000
Naphtali: “1,000 captains, and with them 37,000 with shield and spear”
Danites: 28,600
Asher: 40,000
“From the other side of the Jordan, of the Reubenites and the Gadites and of the half-tribe of Manasseh”: 120,000
“All these, being men of war who could draw up in battle formation, came to Hebron with a perfect heart to make David king over all Israel; and all the rest also of Israel were of one mind to make David king. They were there with David three days, eating and drinking….There was joy indeed in Israel” (1 Chronicles 12:38-40).
2 Samuel 5:11-6:23/1 Chronicles 13-16 (Day 124): David builds his house in Jerusalem, defeats the Philistines, and brings the ark of God to Jerusalem
“Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David with cedar trees and carpenters and stonemasons; and they built a house for David. And David realized that the LORD had established him as king over Israel, and that He had exalted his kingdom for the sake of His people Israel” (2 Samuel 5:11-12, 1 Chronicles 14:1-2).
“David took more concubines and wives from Jerusalem…these are the names of those who were born to him in Jerusalem: Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon, Ibhar, Elishua, Nepheg, Japhia, Elishama, Eliada and Eliphelet” or “Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon, Ibhar, Elishua, Elpelet, Nogah, Nepheg, Japhia, Elishama, Beeliada and Eliphelet” (2 Samuel 5:13-14, 1 Chronicles 14:1-2). [Difference in list may be timing of recording and different recorded nicknames.]
“When the Philistines heard that they had anointed David king over Israel, all the Philistines went up to seek out David; and when David heard of it, he went down to the stronghold….Then David inquired of the LORD, saying, ‘Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will You give them into my hand?’ And the LORD said to David, ‘Go up, for I will certainly give the Philistines into your hand.’ So David came to Baal-perazim and defeated them there” (2 Samuel 5:17-20a,1 Chronicles 14:8-12).
“the Philistines came up once again and….David did so, just as the LORD had commanded him, and struck down the Philistines from Geba as far as Gezer” (2 Samuel 5:22-25, 1 Chronicles 14:13-16). “Then the fame of David went out into all the lands; and the LORD brought the fear of him on all the nations” (1 Chronicles 14:13-17).
“David again gathered all the chosen men of Israel, thirty thousand….to bring up from [Kiriath-jearim, 1 Samuel 7:1, Day 99] the ark of God which is called by the Name, the very name of the LORD of hosts who is enthroned above the cherubim. They placed the ark of God on a new cart that they might bring it from the house of Abinadab which was on the hill; and Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, were leading the new cart….Uzzah reached out toward the ark of God and took hold of it, for the oxen nearly upset it. And the anger of the LORD burned against Uzzah, and God struck him down there for his irreverence; and he died there by the ark of God….And David was unwilling to move the ark of the LORD into the city of David with him; but David took it aside to the house of Obed-edom the Gittite. Thus the ark of the LORD remained in the house of Obed-edom the Gittite three months, and the LORD blessed Obed-edom and all his household” (2 Samuel 6:1-11, 1 Chronicles 13).
David “prepared a place for the ark of God and pitched a tent for it. Then David said, ‘No one is to carry the ark of God but the Levites; for the LORD chose them to carry the ark of God and to minister to Him forever.’…David gathered together the sons of Aaron and the Levites….‘You are the heads of the fathers’ households of the Levites; consecrate yourselves both you and your relatives, that you may bring up the ark of the LORD God of Israel to the place that I have prepared for it. Because you did not carry it at the first, the LORD our God made an outburst on us, for we did not seek Him according to the ordinance.’…The sons of the Levites carried the ark of God on their shoulders with the poles thereon, as Moses had commanded according to the word of the LORD” (1 Chronicles 15:1-15).
“David went and brought up the ark of God from the house of Obed-edom into the city of David with gladness….And David was dancing before the LORD with all his might, and David was wearing a linen ephod. So David and all the house of Israel were bringing up the ark of the LORD with shouting and the sound of the trumpet. Then it happened as the ark of the LORD came into the city of David that Michal the daughter of Saul looked out of the window and saw King David leaping and dancing before the LORD; and she despised him in her heart….David said to Michal, ‘It was before the LORD, who chose me above your father and above all his house, to appoint me ruler over the people of the LORD, over Israel; therefore I will celebrate before the LORD. I will be more lightly esteemed than this and will be humble in my own eyes, but with the maids of whom you have spoken, with them I will be distinguished.’ Michal the daughter of Saul had no child to the day of her death” (2 Samuel 5:12-16,20-23, 1 Chronicles 15:25-28).
“So they brought in the ark of the LORD and set it in its place inside the tent which David had pitched for it” (2 Samuel 5:11-17a, 1 Chronicles 16:1-3).
“on that day David first assigned Asaph and his relatives to give thanks to the LORD” (1 Chronicles 16:7)
“he left Asaph and his relatives there before the ark of the covenant of the LORD to minister before the ark continually, as every day’s work required; and Obed-edom with his 68 relatives; Obed-edom, also the son of Jeduthun, and Hosah as gatekeepers. He left Zadok the priest and his relatives the priests before the tabernacle of the LORD in the high place which was at Gibeon, to offer burnt offerings to the LORD on the altar of burnt offering continually morning and evening, even according to all that is written in the law of the LORD, which He commanded Israel. With them were Heman and Jeduthun, and the rest who were chosen, who were designated by name, to give thanks to the LORD, because His lovingkindness is everlasting. And with them were Heman and Jeduthun with trumpets and cymbals for those who should sound aloud, and with instruments for the songs of God, and the sons of Jeduthun for the gate” (1 Chronicles 16:37-42)
Psalms 1-2, 15, 22-24, 47, 68 (Day 125)
Psalms 89, 96, 100, 101, 105, 132 (Day 126)
2 Samuel 7/1 Chronicles 17 (Day 127): David desires to build God a house, but God tells him instead He will build David a lasting house
“when the king lived in his house, and the LORD had given him rest on every side from all his enemies, that the king said to Nathan the prophet, ‘See now, I dwell in a house of cedar, but the ark of God dwells within tent curtains.’…in the same night the word of the LORD…‘Are you the one who should build Me a house to dwell in?…did I speak a word with one of the tribes of Israel, which I commanded to shepherd My people Israel, saying, “Why have you not built Me a house of cedar?”’” (2 Samuel 7:1-7, 1 Chronicles 17:1-6).
“I will raise up your descendant after you, who will come forth from you, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build a house for My name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever….My lovingkindness shall not depart from him, as I took it away from Saul, whom I removed from before you. Your house and your kingdom shall endure before Me forever; your throne shall be established forever” (2 Samuel 7:8-17, 1 Chronicles 17:7-15).
“Then David the king went in and sat before the LORD…’You have established for Yourself Your people Israel as Your own people forever, and You, O LORD, have become their God….the word that You have spoken concerning Your servant and his house, confirm it forever, and do as You have spoken, that Your name may be magnified forever, by saying, “The LORD of hosts is God over Israel”; and may the house of Your servant David be established before You. For You, O LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, have made a revelation to Your servant, saying, “I will build you a house”; therefore Your servant has found courage to pray this prayer to You. Now, O Lord GOD, You are God, and Your words are truth, and You have promised this good thing to Your servant. Now therefore, may it please You to bless the house of Your servant, that it may continue forever before You. For You, O Lord GOD, have spoken; and with Your blessing may the house of Your servant be blessed forever’” (2 Samuel 7:18-29, 1 Chronicles 17:16-22).
Psalms 25, 29, 33, 36, 39 (Day 128)
2 Samuel 8-9/1 Chronicles 18 (Day 129): “the Lord helped David wherever he went,” so he defeats all his enemies
“David defeated the Philistines” [Canaanites, descendants of Ham] (2 Samuel 8:1, 1 Chronicles 18:1)
“He defeated Moab” [descendants of Lot] (2 Samuel 8:2, 1 Chronicles 18:2)
“David defeated Hadadezer, the son of Rehob king of Zobah [Syrian] (2 Samuel 8:3-4, 1 Chronicles 18:3-4)
“When the Arameans of Damascus [Abraham’s brother Nahor and his descendants, including Rebekah, Leah, and Rachel, were Arameans (Genesis 25:20] came to help Hadadezer, king of Zobah, David killed 22,000 Arameans” (2 Samuel 8:5, 1 Chronicles 18:5-6a)
“And the LORD helped David wherever he went” (2 Samuel 8:6b,14b; 1 Chronicles 18:6b,13b)
“when Tou king of Hamath heard that David had defeated all the army of Hadadezer king of Zobah, he sent Hadoram his son to King David to greet him and to bless him, because he had fought against Hadadezer and had defeated him; for Hadadezer had been at war with Tou. And Hadoram brought all kinds of articles of gold and silver and bronze” (1 Chronicles 18:9-10, 2 Samuel 8:9-10)
“King David also dedicated these to the LORD, with the silver and gold that he had dedicated from all the nations which he had subdued: from Aram [Syrian] and Moab and the sons of Ammon [descendants of Lot] and the Philistines [Canaanites] and Amalek [descendants of Esau}, and from the spoil of Hadadezer, son of Rehob, king of Zobah [Syrian]” (2 Samuel 8:11-12, 1 Chronicles 18:11)
“Abishai the son of Zeruiah defeated 18,000 Edomites in the Valley of Salt. Then he put garrisons in Edom [Esau], and all the Edomites became servants to David” (1 Chronicles 18:12-13a, 2 Samuel 8:14a)
“So David reigned over all Israel; and David administered justice and righteousness for all his people” (2 Samuel 8:15, 1 Chronicles 18:14).
“Joab the son of Zeruiah was over the army, and Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was recorder. Zadok the son of Ahitub and Ahimelech the son of Abiathar were priests, and Seraiah (aka Shavsha) was secretary. Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and the Pelethites; and David’s sons were chief ministers” (2 Samuel 8:16-18, 1 Chronicles 18:15-17).
“Then David said, ‘Is there yet anyone left of the house of Saul, that I may show him kindness for Jonathan’s sake?’ Now there was a servant of the house of Saul whose name was Ziba, and they called him to David….‘There is still a son of Jonathan who is crippled in both feet.’…King David sent and brought him….Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan the son of Saul, came to David and fell on his face and prostrated himself….So Mephibosheth ate at David’s table as one of the king’s sons. Mephibosheth had a young son whose name was Mica” (2 Samuel 9:1-13).
Psalms 50, 53, 60, 75 (Day 130)
2 Samuel 10/1 Chronicles 19 (Day 131): the Ammonites hire the Arameans to fight Israel, and they both flee before Israel, with the Arameans conceding defeat
“it happened afterwards that the king of the Ammonites [descendants of Lot] died, and Hanun his son became king in his place. Then David said, ‘I will show kindness to Hanun the son of Nahash, just as his father showed kindness to me.’ So David sent some of his servants to console him concerning his father….the princes of the Ammonites said to Hanun their lord, ‘Do you think that David is honoring your father because he has sent consolers to you? Has David not sent his servants to you in order to search the city, to spy it out and overthrow it?’ So Hanun took David’s servants and shaved off half of their beards, and cut off their garments in the middle as far as their hips, and sent them away. When they told it to David, he sent to meet them, for the men were greatly humiliated….when the sons of Ammon saw that they had become odious to David, the sons of Ammon sent and hired the Arameans…When David heard of it, he sent Joab and all the army, the mighty men. The sons of Ammon came out and drew up in battle array at the entrance of the city, while the Arameans…were by themselves in the field….when Joab saw that the battle was set against him in front and in the rear, he selected from all the choice men of Israel, and arrayed them against the Arameans. But the remainder of the people he placed in the hand of Abishai his brother, and he arrayed them against the sons of Ammon’Be strong, and let us show ourselves courageous for the sake of our people and for the cities of our God; and may the LORD do what is good in His sight.’…When the sons of Ammon saw that the Arameans fled, they also fled…When the Arameans saw that they had been defeated by Israel, they gathered themselves together….when it was told David, he gathered all Israel together….And the Arameans arrayed themselves to meet David and fought against him. But the Arameans fled before Israel….When all the kings, servants of Hadadezer, saw that they were defeated by Israel, they made peace with Israel and served them. So the Arameans feared to help the sons of Ammon anymore” (2 Samuel 10, 1 Chronicles 19)
Psalms 20, 65-67, 69-70 (Day 131 & Day 132)
2 Samuel 11-12/1 Chronicles 20 (Day 133): David’s greatest sin, resulting in forgiveness with consequence, while Joab is still fighting the Ammonites
“it happened in the spring, at the time when kings go out to battle, that David sent Joab and his servants with him and all Israel, and they destroyed the sons of Ammon and besieged Rabbah. But David stayed at Jerusalem (2 Samuel 11:1 , 1 Chronicles 20:1a)
“from the roof [David] saw a woman bathing; and the woman was very beautiful in appearance…‘Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite’….David sent messengers and took her, and when she came to him, he lay with her….The woman conceived; and she sent and told David, and said, ‘I am pregnant.’…David sent to Joab, saying, ‘Send me Uriah the Hittite.’…Uriah slept at the door of the king’s house with all the servants of his lord, and did not go down to his house….‘The ark and Israel and Judah are staying in temporary shelters, and my lord Joab and the servants of my lord are camping in the open field. Shall I then go to my house to eat and to drink and to lie with my wife? By your life and the life of your soul, I will not do this thing.’…he made him drunk; and in the evening he went out to lie on his bed with his lord’s servants, but he did not go down to his house….David wrote a letter to Joab and sent it by the hand of Uriah…‘Place Uriah in the front line of the fiercest battle and withdraw from him, so that he may be struck down and die.’…Joab sent and reported to David all the events of the war…The messenger said to David, ‘The men prevailed against us and came out against us in the field, but we pressed them as far as the entrance of the gate. Moreover, the archers shot at your servants from the wall; so some of the king’s servants are dead, and your servant Uriah the Hittite is also dead.’ Then David said to the messenger, ‘Thus you shall say to Joab, “Do not let this thing displease you, for the sword devours one as well as another; make your battle against the city stronger and overthrow it”; and so encourage him’” (2 Samuel 11:1-25 [1 Chronicles 20 does not cover the events with Bathsheba and Uriah])
“when the wife of Uriah heard that Uriah her husband was dead, she mourned for her husband. When the time of mourning was over, David sent and brought her to his house and she became his wife; then she bore him a son. But the thing that David had done was evil in the sight of the LORD” (2 Samuel 11:26-27).
“the LORD sent Nathan to David” and he told him a story of a rich man stealing a poor man’s beloved pet ewe lamb to prepare for a guest. “Then David’s anger burned greatly against the man, and he said to Nathan, ‘As the LORD lives, surely the man who has done this deserves to die. He must make restitution for the lamb fourfold, because he did this thing and had no compassion.’ Nathan then said to David, ‘You are the man!” (2 Samuel 12:1-7a)
“Thus says the LORD God of Israel, ‘Why have you despised the word of the LORD by doing evil in His sight?…the sword shall never depart from your house, because you have despised Me and have taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your wife….I will raise up evil against you from your own household; I will even take your wives before your eyes and give them to your companion, and he will lie with your wives in broad daylight. Indeed you did it secretly, but I will do this thing before all Israel, and under the sun’” (2 Samuel 12:1-7b-12).
“Then David said to Nathan, ‘I have sinned against the LORD.’ And Nathan said to David, ‘The LORD also has taken away your sin; you shall not die. However, because by this deed you have given occasion to the enemies of the LORD to blaspheme, the child also that is born to you shall surely die’”(2 Samuel 12:13-14).
“Then the LORD struck the child that Uriah’s widow bore to David, so that he was very sick. David therefore inquired of God for the child; and David fasted and went and lay all night on the ground….Then it happened on the seventh day that the child died…So David arose from the ground, washed, anointed himself, and changed his clothes; and he came into the house of the LORD and worshiped…and when he requested, they set food before him and he ate….‘While the child was still alive, I fasted and wept; for I said, “Who knows, the LORD may be gracious to me, that the child may live.” But now he has died; why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I will go to him, but he will not return to me’” (2 Samuel 12:15b-23).
“David comforted his wife Bathsheba, and went in to her and lay with her; and she gave birth to a son, and he named him Solomon. Now the LORD loved him and sent word through Nathan the prophet, and he named him Jedidiah [beloved of the Lord] for the LORD’S sake” (2 Samuel 12:24-25).
“Joab sent messengers to David and said, ‘I have fought against Rabbah, I have even captured the city of waters. Now therefore, gather the rest of the people together and camp against the city and capture it, or I will capture the city myself and it will be named after me.’ So David gathered all the people and went to Rabbah, fought against it and captured it. Then he took the crown of their king…and it was placed on David’s head. And he brought out the spoil of the city in great amounts. He also brought out the people who were in it, and set them under saws, sharp iron instruments, and iron axes, and made them pass through the brick kiln. And thus he did to all the cities of the sons of Ammon. Then David and all the people returned to Jerusalem” (2 Samuel 12:26-31, 1 Chronicles 20:1-3)
“after this, that war broke out at Gezer with the Philistines…there was war with the Philistines again….Again there was war at Gath” (1 Chronicles 20:4-8)
Psalms 32, 51, 86, 122 (Day 134)
2 Samuel 13-15 (Day 135): the rebellion of Absalom
“Absalom the son of David [his third son, born to him at Hebron, to his wife Maacah, the daughter of Talmai, king of Geshur (2 Samuel 3:3)] had a beautiful sister whose name was Tamar, and Amnon the son of David loved her [Amnon was David’s firstborn, also born to him at Hebron, with his second wife Ahinoam the Jezreelitess (2 Samuel 3:2)] Michal, Saul’s daughter, was David’s first wife and she never had any children. Bathsheba appears to have been his eighth wife, and she had four children, including Solomon and, interestingly, Nathan, likely named for the prophet (1 Chronicles 3:5)]
“Amnon had a friend whose name was Jonadab, the son of Shimeah, David’s brother; and Jonadab was a very shrewd man…Jonadab then said to him, ‘Lie down on your bed and pretend to be ill; when your father comes to see you, say to him, “Please let my sister Tamar come and give me some food to eat, and let her prepare the food in my sight, that I may see it and eat from her hand.”’ So Amnon lay down and pretended to be ill; when the king came to see him, Amnon said to the king, ‘Please let my sister Tamar come and make me a couple of cakes in my sight, that I may eat from her hand.’ Then David sent to the house for Tamar”
“When she brought them to him to eat, he took hold of her and said to her, ‘Come, lie with me, my sister.’ But she answered him, ‘No, my brother, do not violate me, for such a thing is not done in Israel; do not do this disgraceful thing! As for me, where could I get rid of my reproach? And as for you, you will be like one of the fools in Israel. Now therefore, please speak to the king, for he will not withhold me from you.’ However, he would not listen to her; since he was stronger than she, he violated her and lay with her.”
“Then Amnon hated her with a very great hatred; for the hatred with which he hated her was greater than the love with which he had loved her. And Amnon said to her, ‘Get up, go away!’ But she said to him, ‘No, because this wrong in sending me away is greater than the other that you have done to me!’…Tamar put ashes on her head and tore her long-sleeved garment which was on her; and she put her hand on her head and went away, crying aloud as she went.”
“Tamar remained and was desolate in her brother Absalom’s house. Now when King David heard of all these matters, he was very angry” [Deuteronomy 22:22-30 would suggest either Amnon should have been forced to marry Tamar, or been killed, but David did nothing]
“after two full years that Absalom had sheepshearers…near Ephraim, and Absalom invited all the king’s sons….Absalom commanded his servants, saying, ‘See now, when Amnon’s heart is merry with wine, and when I say to you, “Strike Amnon,” then put him to death. Do not fear; have not I myself commanded you? Be courageous and be valiant.’ The servants of Absalom did to Amnon just as Absalom had commanded. Then all the king’s sons arose and each mounted his mule and fled.”
“Absalom fled and went to Talmai the son of Ammihud, the king of Geshur [his grandfather]. And David mourned for his son every day. So Absalom had fled and gone to Geshur, and was there three years. The heart of King David longed to go out to Absalom; for he was comforted concerning Amnon, since he was dead.”
“Joab the son of Zeruiah perceived that the king’s heart was inclined toward Absalom. So Joab sent to Tekoa and brought a wise woman from there and said to her, ‘Please pretend to be a mourner.’ After David’s reaction to the scenario Joab told her to present, she tells David, “‘in speaking this word the king is as one who is guilty, in that the king does not bring back his banished one….God does not take away life, but plans ways so that the banished one will not be cast out from him.’…So the king said, ‘Is the hand of Joab with you in all this?’…Then the king said to Joab, ‘Behold now, I will surely do this thing; go therefore, bring back the young man Absalom.’…So Joab arose and went to Geshur and brought Absalom to Jerusalem. However the king said, ‘Let him turn to his own house, and let him not see my face.’ So Absalom turned to his own house and did not see the king’s face.”
“Now in all Israel was no one as handsome as Absalom, so highly praised…To Absalom there were born three sons, and one daughter whose name was Tamar; she was a woman of beautiful appearance….Now Absalom lived two full years in Jerusalem, and did not see the king’s face”
“Therefore he said to his servants, ‘See, Joab’s field is next to mine…go and set it on fire.’…Then Joab arose, came to Absalom at his house….‘Why have I come from Geshur? It would be better for me still to be there. Now therefore, let me see the king’s face, and if there is iniquity in me, let him put me to death.’…Thus he came to the king and prostrated himself on his face to the ground before the king, and the king kissed Absalom.”
“Absalom provided for himself a chariot and horses and fifty men as runners before him. Absalom used to rise early and stand beside the way to the gate…Absalom dealt with all Israel who came to the king for judgment; so Absalom stole away the hearts of the men of Israel.”
“at the end of forty years that Absalom….arose and went to Hebron. But Absalom sent spies throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, ‘As soon as you hear the sound of the trumpet, then you shall say, “Absalom is king in Hebron.”’ Then two hundred men went with Absalom from Jerusalem, who were invited and went innocently,and they did not know anything. And Absalom sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David’s counselor….And the conspiracy was strong, for the people increased continually with Absalom.”
“Then a messenger came to David, saying, ‘The hearts of the men of Israel are with Absalom.’ David said to all his servants who were with him at Jerusalem, ‘Arise and let us flee, for otherwise none of us will escape from Absalom.’…So the king went out and all his household with him. But the king left ten concubines to keep the house.”
“behold, Zadok also came, and all the Levites with him carrying the ark of the covenant of God…The king said to Zadok, ‘Return the ark of God to the city. If I find favor in the sight of the LORD, then He will bring me back again and show me both it and His habitation. But if He should say thus, “I have no delight in you,” behold, here I am, let Him do to me as seems good to Him.’”
“David went up the ascent of the Mount of Olives, and wept as he went”
“someone told David, saying, ‘Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom.’ And David said, ‘O LORD, I pray, make the counsel of Ahithophel foolishness.’ It happened as David was coming to the summit, where God was worshiped, that behold, Hushai the Archite met him….David said to him, ‘If you pass over with me, then you will be a burden to me. But if you return to the city, and say to Absalom, “I will be your servant, O king; as I have been your father’s servant in time past, so I will now be your servant,” then you can thwart the counsel of Ahithophel for me. Are not Zadok and Abiathar the priests with you there? So it shall be that whatever you hear from the king’s house, you shall report to Zadok and Abiathar the priests. Behold their two sons are with them there, Ahimaaz, Zadok’s son and Jonathan, Abiathar’s son; and by them you shall send me everything that you hear.’ So Hushai, David’s friend, came into the city, and Absalom came into Jerusalem.”
Psalms 3-4, 12-13, 28, 55 (Day 136)
2 Samuel 16-18 (Day 137): Absalom’s betrayal, war with his father, and defeat
“when David had passed a little beyond the summit [of the Mount of Olives, leaving Jerusalem (2 Samuel 15:30)], behold, Ziba the servant of Mephibosheth [son of Jonathan, son of Saul] met him with a couple of saddled donkeys, and on them were two hundred loaves of bread, a hundred clusters of raisins, a hundred summer fruits, and a jug of wine. The king said to Ziba, ‘Why do you have these?’ And Ziba said, ‘The donkeys are for the king’s household to ride, and the bread and summer fruit for the young men to eat, and the wine, for whoever is faint in the wilderness to drink.’ Then the king said, ‘And where is your master’s son?’ And Ziba said to the king, ‘Behold, he is staying in Jerusalem, for he said, “Today the house of Israel will restore the kingdom of my father to me.”’ So the king said to Ziba, ‘Behold, all that belongs to Mephibosheth is yours.’ And Ziba said, ‘I prostrate myself; let me find favor in your sight, O my lord, the king!’
v5-8 “When King David came to Bahurim, behold, there came out from there a man of the family of the house of Saul whose name was Shimei, the son of Gera; he came out cursing continually as he came. He threw stones at David and at all the servants of King David; and all the people and all the mighty men were at his right hand and at his left. Thus Shimei said when he cursed, ‘Get out, get out, you man of bloodshed, and worthless fellow! The LORD has returned upon you all the bloodshed of the house of Saul, in whose place you have reigned; and the LORD has given the kingdom into the hand of your son Absalom. And behold, you are taken in your own evil, for you are a man of bloodshed!’
v9-14 “Then Abishai the son of Zeruiah [David’s nephew and brother of Joab, David’s commander] said to the king, ‘Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? Let me go over now and cut off his head.’ But the king said, ‘What have I to do with you, O sons of Zeruiah? If he curses, and if the LORD has told him, “Curse David,” then who shall say, “Why have you done so?”’ Then David said to Abishai and to all his servants, ‘Behold, my son who came out from me seeks my life; how much more now this Benjamite? Let him alone and let him curse, for the LORD has told him. Perhaps the LORD will look on my affliction and return good to me instead of his cursing this day.’ So David and his men went on the way; and Shimei went along on the hillside parallel with him and as he went he cursed and cast stones and threw dust at him. The king and all the people who were with him arrived weary and he refreshed himself there.
v15-19 “Then Absalom and all the people, the men of Israel, entered Jerusalem, and Ahithophel with him. Now it came about when Hushai the Archite, David’s friend, came to Absalom [at David’s request (2 Samuel 15:32-37)], that Hushai said to Absalom, ‘Long live the king! Long live the king!’ Absalom said to Hushai, ‘Is this your loyalty to your friend? Why did you not go with your friend?’ Then Hushai said to Absalom, ‘No! For whom the LORD, this people, and all the men of Israel have chosen, his I will be, and with him I will remain. Besides, whom should I serve? Should I not serve in the presence of his son? As I have served in your father’s presence, so I will be in your presence.’
v20-23 “Then Absalom said to Ahithophel, ‘Give your advice. What shall we do?’ Ahithophel said to Absalom, ‘Go in to your father’s concubines, whom he has left to keep the house; then all Israel will hear that you have made yourself odious to your father. The hands of all who are with you will also be strengthened.’ So they pitched a tent for Absalom on the roof, and Absalom went in to his father’s concubines in the sight of all Israel. The advice of Ahithophel, which he gave in those days, was as if one inquired of the word of God; so was all the advice of Ahithophel regarded by both David and Absalom.”
2 Samuel 17
v1-4 “Furthermore, Ahithophel said to Absalom, ‘Please let me choose 12,000 men that I may arise and pursue David tonight. I will come upon him while he is weary and exhausted and terrify him, so that all the people who are with him will flee. Then I will strike down the king alone, and I will bring back all the people to you. The return of everyone depends on the man you seek; then all the people will be at peace.’ So the plan pleased Absalom and all the elders of Israel.
v5-14 “Then Absalom said, ‘Now call Hushai the Archite also, and let us hear what he has to say.’ When Hushai had come to Absalom, Absalom said to him, ‘Ahithophel has spoke thus. Shall we carry out his plan? If not, you speak.’ So Hushai said to Absalom, ‘This time the advice that Ahithophel has given is not good.’ Moreover, Hushai said, ‘You know your father and his men, that they are mighty men and they are fierce, like a bear robbed of her cubs in the field. And your father is an expert in warfare, and will not spend the night with the people. Behold, he has now hidden himself in one of the caves or in another place; and it will be when he falls on them at the first attack, that whoever hears it will say, “There has been a slaughter among the people who follow Absalom.” And even the one who is valiant, whose heart is like the heart of a lion, will completely lose heart; for all Israel knows that your father is a mighty man and those who are with him are valiant men. But I counsel that all Israel be surely gathered to you, from Dan even to Beersheba, as the sand that is by the sea in abundance, and that you personally go into battle. So we shall come to him in one of the places where he can be found, and we will fall on him as the dew falls on the ground; and of him and of all the men who are with him, not even one will be left. If he withdraws into a city, then all Israel shall bring ropes to that city, and we will drag it into the valley until not even a small stone is found there.’ Then Absalom and all the men of Israel said, ‘The counsel of Hushai the Archite is better than the counsel of Ahithophel.’ For the LORD had ordained to thwart the good counsel of Ahithophel, so that the LORD might bring calamity on Absalom.
v15-20 “Then Hushai said to Zadok and to Abiathar the priests, ‘This is what Ahithophel counseled Absalom and the elders of Israel, and this is what I have counseled. Now therefore, send quickly and tell David, saying, “Do not spend the night at the fords of the wilderness, but by all means cross over, or else the king and all the people who are with him will be destroyed.”’ Now Jonathan and Ahimaaz were staying at En-rogel, and a maidservant would go and tell them, and they would go and tell King David, for they could not be seen entering the city. But a lad did see them and told Absalom; so the two of them departed quickly and came to the house of a man in Bahurim, who had a well in his courtyard, and they went down into it. And the woman took a covering and spread it over the well’s mouth and scattered grain on it, so that nothing was known. Then Absalom’s servants came to the woman at the house and said, ‘Where are Ahimaaz and Jonathan?’ And the woman said to them, ‘They have crossed the brook of water.’ And when they searched and could not find them, they returned to Jerusalem.
v21-22 “It came about after they had departed that they came up out of the well and went and told King David; and they said to David, ‘Arise and cross over the water quickly for thus Ahithophel has counseled against you.’ Then David and all the people who were with him arose and crossed the Jordan; and by dawn not even one remained who had not crossed the Jordan.
v23 “Now when Ahithophel saw that his counsel was not followed, he saddled his donkey and arose and went to his home, to his city, and set his house in order, and strangled himself; thus he died and was buried in the grave of his father.
v24-26 “Then David came to Mahanaim. And Absalom crossed the Jordan, he and all the men of Israel with him. Absalom set Amasa over the army in place of Joab. Now Amasa was the son of a man whose name was Ithra the Israelite, who went in to Abigail the daughter of Nahash, sister of Zeruiah, Joab’s mother [another sister of David, so Amasa was Joab’s cousin]. And Israel and Absalom camped in the land of Gilead.
v27-29 “Now when David had come to Mahanaim, Shobi the son of Nahash from Rabbah of the sons of Ammon, Machir the son of Ammiel from Lo-debar, and Barzillai the Gileadite from Rogelim, brought beds, basins, pottery, wheat, barley, flour, parched grain, beans, lentils, parched seeds, honey, curds, sheep, and cheese of the herd, for David and for the people who were with him, to eat; for they said, ‘The people are hungry and weary and thirsty in the wilderness.’”
2 Samuel 18
v1-5 “Then David numbered the people who were with him and set over them commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds. David sent the people out, one third under the command of Joab, one third under the command of Abishai the son of Zeruiah, Joab’s brother, and one third under the command of Ittai the Gittite. And the king said to the people, ‘I myself will surely go out with you also.’ But the people said, ‘You should not go out; for if we indeed flee, they will not care about us; even if half of us die, they will not care about us. But you are worth ten thousand of us; therefore now it is better that you be ready to help us from the city.’ Then the king said to them, ‘Whatever seems best to you I will do.’ So the king stood beside the gate, and all the people went out by hundreds and thousands. The king charged Joab and Abishai and Ittai, saying, ‘Deal gently for my sake with the young man Absalom.’ And all the people heard when the king charged all the commanders concerning Absalom.
v6-8 “Then the people went out into the field against Israel, and the battle took place in the forest of Ephraim. The people of Israel were defeated there before the servants of David, and the slaughter there that day was great, 20,000 men. For the battle there was spread over the whole countryside, and the forest devoured more people that day than the sword devoured.
v9-15 “Now Absalom happened to meet the servants of David. For Absalom was riding on his mule, and the mule went under the thick branches of a great oak. And his head caught fast in the oak, so he was left hanging between heaven and earth, while the mule that was under him kept going. When a certain man saw it, he told Joab and said, ‘Behold, I saw Absalom hanging in an oak.’ Then Joab said to the man who had told him, ‘Now behold, you saw him! Why then did you not strike him there to the ground? And I would have given you ten pieces of silver and a belt.’ The man said to Joab, ‘Even if I should receive a thousand pieces of silver in my hand, I would not put out my hand against the king’s son; for in our hearing the king charged you and Abishai and Ittai, saying, “Protect for me the young man Absalom!” Otherwise, if I had dealt treacherously against his life (and there is nothing hidden from the king), then you yourself would have stood aloof.’ Then Joab said, ‘I will not waste time here with you.’ So he took three spears in his hand and thrust them through the heart of Absalom while he was yet alive in the midst of the oak. And ten young men who carried Joab’s armor gathered around and struck Absalom and killed him.
v16-18 “Then Joab blew the trumpet, and the people returned from pursuing Israel, for Joab restrained the people. They took Absalom and cast him into a deep pit in the forest and erected over him a very great heap of stones. And all Israel fled, each to his tent. Now Absalom in his lifetime had taken and set up for himself a pillar which is in the King’s Valley, for he said, ‘I have no son to preserve my name.’ So he named the pillar after his own name, and it is called Absalom’s Monument to this day.
v19-23 “Then Ahimaaz the son of Zadok said, ‘Please let me run and bring the king news that the LORD has freed him from the hand of his enemies.’ But Joab said to him, ‘You are not the man to carry news this day, but you shall carry news another day; however, you shall carry no news today because the king’s son is dead.’ Then Joab said to the Cushite, ‘Go, tell the king what you have seen.’ So the Cushite bowed to Joab and ran. Now Ahimaaz the son of Zadok said once more to Joab, ‘But whatever happens, please let me also run after the Cushite.’ And Joab said, ‘Why would you run, my son, since you will have no reward for going?’ ‘But whatever happens,’ he said, ‘I will run.’ So he said to him, ‘Run.’ Then Ahimaaz ran by way of the plain and passed up.
v24-27 “Now David was sitting between the two gates; and the watchman went up to the roof of the gate by the wall, and raised his eyes and looked, and behold, a man running by himself. The watchman called and told the king. And the king said, ‘If he is by himself there is good news in his mouth.’ And he came nearer and nearer. Then the watchman saw another man running; and the watchman called to the gatekeeper and said, ‘Behold, another man running by himself.’ And the king said, ‘This one also is bringing good news.’ The watchman said, ‘I think the running of the first one is like the running of Ahimaaz the son of Zadok.’ And the king said, ‘This is a good man and comes with good news.’
v28-30 “Ahimaaz called and said to the king, ‘All is well.’ And he prostrated himself before the king with his face to the ground. And he said, ‘Blessed is the LORD your God, who has delivered up the men who lifted their hands against my lord the king.’ The king said, ‘Is it well with the young man Absalom?’ And Ahimaaz answered, ‘When Joab sent the king’s servant, and your servant, I saw a great tumult, but I did not know what it was.’ Then the king said, ‘Turn aside and stand here.’ So he turned aside and stood still.
v31-32 “Behold, the Cushite arrived, and the Cushite said, ‘Let my lord the king receive good news, for the LORD has freed you this day from the hand of all those who rose up against you.’ Then the king said to the Cushite, ‘Is it well with the young man Absalom?’ And the Cushite answered, ‘Let the enemies of my lord the king, and all who rise up against you for evil, be as that young man!’
v33 “The king was deeply moved and went up to the chamber over the gate and wept. And thus he said as he walked, ‘O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! Would I had died instead of you, O Absalom, my son, my son!’”
Psalms 26, 40, 58, 61-62, 64
2 Samuel 19-21: David weeps and mourns for Absalom, but Joab warns that he is shaming those who fought for him; Israel is ready to bring back David as king, and David sends to Zadok and Abiathar to encourage Judah to bring him back and they go across the Jordan to bring him back; Shimei, who cursed him, and Ziba, who lied to him, meet him, and David declines to punish them; Mephibosheth meets him, unshaven and uncared for, explaining that Ziba had betrayed him and slandered him to the king; the men of Israel and men of Judah fight over what right each have in the king; Sheba, the son of Bichri, a Benjamite, leads a revolt of Israel against following David; David had promised Amasa, who had led Absalom’s army, that he would lead his; David asks Amasa to call out the men of Judah and return in three days, but he is late in returning, so he sends Abishai in pursuit of Sheba; Joab’s men go with him and Joab deceitfully kills Amasa; the men of war lay siege to the city where Sheba is staying; a wise woman arranges with Joab to give Sheba over to save the city and they throw his head down to him over the wall, so David is firmly re-established as king; there are three years of famine, so David seeks the Lord, who tells him the famine is because of Saul’s betrayal of the Gibeonites; David asks the Gibeonites what would make it right and they ask for seven men of Saul’s sons to hang; once this is done, David honors the dead, including Saul and Jonathan, by burying them all in the country of Benjamin in Zela, in the grave of Kish, Saul's father; God is then moved by prayer again; the Philistines go to war with Israel again and David becomes weary in battle, so the men of David say he should not go out to war any longer
Psalms 5, 38, 41, 42
2 Samuel 22-23: psalms of praise by David to God; summary of the mighty men of David
Psalm 57, 95, 97-99
2 Samuel 24/1 Chronicles 21-22: God is mad at Israel, so He incites David, via Satan, to number Israel and Judah; David gives the command to Joab, who numbers all but Benjamin and Levi, because the command is abhorrent to Joab; David realizes he has sinned; through Gad the seer, David is given three options: seven years of famine, three months of fleeing before his foes, or three days of pestilence, and David chooses the latter, trusting in the mercy of God; 70,000 men are killed in the plague, but the Lord relents and stops the destroying angel before he destroys Jerusalem; David asks for the Lord to punish him and his house, instead of the people, so the Lord tells him, through Gad the seer again, to erect on altar on the threshing floor of Ornan (Araunah) the Jebusite; Ornan is willing to give David everything he needs, but David gives him full price, not wanting to sacrifice that which cost him nothing; David offers burnt and peace offerings, the Lord answers with fire from heaven, and the Lord is moved by prayer to hold the plague back; David declares that site should be the house of the Lord; David begins to gather the raw materials needed for his son Solomon to build the temple, he gives Solomon directions, and commands all the leaders of Israel to help Solomon
Psalms 108-110
1 Chronicles 23-25: when he is old, before he dies, David makes Solomon king; he gathers together all the leaders of Israel with the priests and the Levites; a census is taken of the Levites from 30 years old and upward; 38,000 men are divided into: 24,000 to oversee the work of the house of the LORD, 6,000 officers and judges,4,000 gatekeepers, 4,000 to praise the LORD with instruments David made; they are divided into divisions according to the sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari; David counts the Levites from 20 years old and upwards and revises their duties given that, ‘The LORD God of Israel has given rest to His people, and He dwells in Jerusalem forever. Also, the Levites will no longer need to carry the tabernacle and all its utensils for its service”; at the time of David, descendants of Aaron’s sons Eleazar and Ithamar served as priests: Zadok of the sons of Eleazar and Ahimelech of the sons of Ithamar; there were sixteen heads of fathers’ households of the descendants of Eleazar and eight of the descendants of Ithamar, according to their fathers’ households; these families are divided by lot in order to assign their duties; in addition to the priests, the rest of the sons of Levi are also divided by lot to assign their duties; David also sets aside the sons of Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun to prophesy with lyres, harps, and cymbals
Psalms 131, 138-139, 143-145
1 Chronicles 26-29: David makes assignments for the gatekeepers, those who are in charge of the treasures of the house of the Lord, those who are in charge of outside duties as officers and judges both west and east of the Jordan, the officers of the divisions of the army, the princes (chief officers) for each tribe of Israel, and those in charge of the king’s storehouses, agricultural workers, vineyards, olive and sycamore trees, stores of oil, cattle, camels, donkeys, and flocks; David "assembled at Jerusalem all the officials of Israel, the princes of the tribes, and the commanders of the divisions that served the king, and the commanders of thousands, and the commanders of hundreds, and the overseers of all the property and livestock belonging to the king and his sons, with the officials and the mighty men, even all the valiant men” and he charges them all to support Solomon as king and builder of the temple; he shares that God had chosen Solomon, and he beseeches Solomon to follow the Lord; he also shares his plans for the temple, its building and its administration, that God had given him; David donates for the temple, as do those who are gathered; they make sacrifices to the Lord, and feast with gladness; "they made Solomon the son of David king a second time, and they anointed him as ruler for the LORD and Zadok as priest”, then David “died in a ripe old age, full of days, riches and honor; and his son Solomon reigned in his place"
Psalm 127, Psalms 111-118
1 Kings 1-2: Abishag the Shunammite, a virgin, is chosen to attend to King David in his old age; presumably because he sees his father was frail, David’s fourth son Adonijah (his first and third sons are dead, and we don’t know any more about his second son Chileab [see 2 Samuel 3:2-5]) sees his opportunity to succeed David as king; Adonijah had plotted with with Joab, commander of the army, and with Abiathar the priest, "But Zadok the priest, Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, Nathan the prophet, Shimei, Rei, and the mighty men who belonged to David, were not with Adonijah”; Adonijah holds a sacrifice outside of Jerusalem and invites "all his brothers, the king’s sons, and all the men of Judah, the king’s servants. But he did not invite Nathan the prophet, Benaiah, the mighty men, and Solomon his brother”; Nathan the prophet speaks to Bathsheba, warning her that their lives are in danger and instructing her to go ask David if Adonijah being king was his will, when he had promised Solomon would be king, and Nathan says he will come after her and confirm her words; after David learns what has happened from Bathsheba and Nathan, he calls "Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada”; he instructs them to put Solomon on his mule, take him to Gihon [a spring near Jerusalem] and have Zadok and Nathan anoint him there as king; they did so and then blow the trumpet; the people rejoice so loudly that Adonijah and his guests hear it; Jonathan, the son of Abiathar the priest, tells Adonijah and his guests what has happened; they are terrified and flee; Adonijah goes and takes hold of the horns of the altar; Solomon promises Adonijah he will not kill him if he is a worthy man and sends him to his own house; David instructs Solomon regarding those who have betrayed him; David dies and is buried, and Solomon’s kingdom is firmly established; Adonijah asks Bathsheba to ask Solomon for Abishag for his wife; Solomon kills Adonijah for this request; he then deals with those who betrayed David: he dismisses Abiathar as priest, fulfilling the word of the Lord concerning the house of Eli in Shiloh, he has Joab killed and appoints Benaiah the son of Jehoiada over the army in his place; he tells Shimei, who cursed David, that he can stay in Jerusalem but will have him killed if he leaves, but three years later he leaves to retrieve servants who fled, and Solomon has him killed; "Thus the kingdom was established in the hands of Solomon.”
Psalms 37, 71, 94