Chapter 11 "B"

"B" David mourns King Saul After Saul died, David returned from hunting down the Amalekites and stayed two days in Ziklag.On the third day, a man who claimed to be one of King Saul's subordinates said that he had an urgent matter to see David.David sent an order to meet him, and the man just walked into the big tent, knelt down with a "boom", and bowed to the ground.David looked up and down, but saw that his clothes were torn and his face was disheveled.Before the man finished prostrating, David immediately asked, "Where are you from?" "I escaped from the Israeli camp."

"What's the situation there? Tell me quickly." David asked impatiently. "Defeated," said the man simply, looking up at David. "The people scattered from the field, and there were many dead and wounded in the field; Saul and his son Jonathan died also." "How do you know that Saul and his son Jonathan are also dead?" "I followed a fleeing crowd to Mount Gilboa, and saw Saul leaning on his javelin, with chariots and cavalry following him closely. When he looked back and saw me, he called to me: Young man. I He answered: Yes. He asked me: Who are you? I said: I am an Amalekite serving in your army. He said: I am no longer able. Please come and kill me, for pain seizes me I, and my life is still alive. I saw that he was indeed dying, so I went over and killed him, and brought the crown on his head and the tin on his arm to my lord, and asked my lord to look at it." David The people under him took those two things.

"who are you?" "I am an Amalekite, a soldier in the army of Israel." "Crack--" David slammed his son's case, everyone was startled, and shouted: "Bold slave! You stretched out your hand and killed the anointed man of Huahua, do you still want to come here to ask for reward?!" The Amalekites who came to report the news knew that there was a feud between Saul and David. The guards who followed Saul fled in panic that day. Seeing that Saul was shot by an arrow, they threw their swords and killed themselves. In the confusion, they took off the crown and the pot , Thinking of David to come here to reward him.In order to show his credit, he also specially fabricated the plot of killing Saul.How do you know that if you are clever, you will be misunderstood by your cleverness, and if you fail to invite credit, you will die.Seeing that David was angry, he begged for mercy, but it was useless. David said, "Come here, drag me out and kill him."

After killing the Amalekite, David, his 600 followers and all his family members tore their clothes, mourned and wailed, and fasted for a day to mourn King Saul of Israel and his son Jonathan. For several days in succession, David still had a heavy heart, repeatedly playing the piano and humming such an elegy: Your honor was slain on the mountain!O Israel, how has the great hero died, preach not in the streets of Ashkelon, lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice, lest the daughters of the uncircumcised boast. May there be no rain or dew, O Mount Gilboa, and may there be no offering from your fields, for the hero's shield was defiled and thrown away there, Saul's shield as if it had never been oiled, Jonathan's bow and arrows, Phelix's enemies The blood of Saul will not shrink back, the sword of Saul will not be withdrawn until the oil of a warrior is cut, Saul and Jonathan will love each other when they live, and they will never part when they die.

They are faster than eagles and stronger than lions. Weep, O daughters of Israel, for Saul, who clothed you in scarlet, and decked your garments with gold; how heroes fall in battle, how Jonathan is slain on the mountain. O my brother Jonathan!I grieve for you, the love you send me is more wonderful than a woman's love, how heroes fall, how weapons of war perish. (scatter l) shepherd boy becomes king Saul died, and David ended his exile and returned to Israel.He belonged to the tribe of Judah, so he naturally chose Judah as his base.He took his two wives and all his troops back to Hebron, the important town of Judah.David defended Judah during the war, and kept her from suffering, and often sent the spoils of war to the people of Judah, so the people of Judah loved him and anointed him as the king of Judah.The king of Judah controlled the territory of the tribe of Judah and the surrounding areas, and became the leader of the southern part of Israel.

Ish-bosheth the son of Saul and Abner the son of Saul's captain fled to Manaim beyond the Jordan, where Abner made Ish-bosheth king of Israel.The king of Israel controlled most of the territory of Israel other than the tribe of Judah, forming a situation of separation between the north and the south. Although Ish-bosheth owned most of the territory and a huge army, he was very weak and incompetent, and the power actually fell into the hands of the commander-in-chief Abner.Abner Konko deceived the Lord and ignored Izbosheth.On the contrary, King David of Judah was not only a battle-hardened and brave military strategist, but also a farsighted statesman. He understood that the real reason for the division of Israel was the long-term antagonism between the northern and southern tribes.Therefore, he paid attention to winning the favor of the northern tribes from the beginning.As soon as he returned to Hebron, he sent people to Jabesh Gilead to commend them for their work in burying the bones of the former king.David's subordinates have already spread the story of him offering sacrifices to Saul and executing the Amalek who claimed to have killed Saul to all parts of the country.

King David's ambition to unify Israel and conquer Canaan is obvious.Ishbosheth's determination to cut off his opponents cannot be underestimated, and the civil war for hegemony in Canaan broke out. The prelude to the war kicked off next to a pool.Abner, the commander of Ish-Bosheth, selected 12 gladiators to stand up; Joab, the commander of David, also selected 12 gladiators to stand up.These 24 people had a one-on-one duel, each grabbed the other's hair, and each drew a knife with the other hand to stab the other's ribs... 12 pairs of youths fell down at the same time. The duel did not tell the winner, and the battle of the large forces officially began.After a whole day of fierce fighting, Joab's army finally gained the upper hand, and Abner fled with the remnants of his troops.On that day, all three of Joab's brothers participated in the battle. Joab's younger brother Asahel was a fierce general who ran as fast as a wild deer.He pursued Abner, but he did not let him go. Abner turned and asked, "Are you Asahel?"

"yes." "Go and chase the others, just grab one and strip him of his battle suit." But Asahel refused to give up, chasing closer and closer, determined to get the first victory of the day.Abner said again, "Turn away and chase the others! I don't want to kill you, otherwise, I will have no face to see your brother Joab." Asahel still refused to turn away, and the knife in his hand was about to stab Abner.In desperation, Abner turned back his carbine and pierced Asahei's belly, with the tip of the spear sticking out from behind.Abner drew his spear, and Asahel fell dead.When Joab heard that his younger brother had died under the hands of Abner, he secretly made a mental note to seek revenge.

The civil war continued on and off for two years.Isbosheth, king of Israel, relied on Abner in everything;Saul had a concubine named Rishpah, who was very fond of Abner.Abner took her home and made her his concubine.Israeli law stipulates that only the heir to the throne can accept the concubine of a deceased king.Normally, Ishi Boshe would swallow other small things, and let it go with his eyes closed. Only this matter, Ishi Boshe couldn't bear it anymore.One day he said to Abner, "Why did you marry my father's concubine? I think you know that you are not qualified to do so."

Unexpectedly, Abner did not admit his mistake, but instead became furious. He threatened Ish-bosheth: "Am I the dog of Judah? I have shown mercy to your father Saul's family and his brothers and friends, and I will not hand you over to David." Today, you rebuked me for a little woman. I did not act according to the Lord’s promise to David. I abolished Saul’s throne and established David’s throne. May God punish me severely.” These words were so sharp that poor Isboshe was so frightened that he didn't dare to say another word.Seeing Isbosheth's unlucky appearance, Abner suddenly came to his senses and felt that he was a foolish king who could not be supported. In order to save himself a way out, he sent someone to David and said to him, "As long as you and I make a covenant that I will help you and bring all Israel to you."

David replied, "Okay, I agree to make a covenant with you. There is only one thing you must promise me: When you come to me, you will bring me Michal, Saul's daughter. Because she is my first wife." Lady, I married 100 Philistine foreskins." While Abner sent people to redeem Michal with a large sum of money, he also sent people to gather the elders of Israel and tell them to submit to David, the king of Israel anointed by God.The elders saw that David's army was victorious in the war, and they also saw David's wisdom and integrity. They were willing to make David the king of Israel.Abner took 20 men to meet David at Heberon.David entertained them with a feast, with words of comfort, encouragement, and promises, and sent them back. As soon as Abner left the city, Joab came back from the front line. When he heard the news of Abner's arrival, he went to the king's palace immediately and said to David, "My lord, don't let Abner go back. You know, Abner It's false to come here to talk about peace, but it's true to inquire about the truth. He wants to know everything you've done and where you've come and gone." After hearing this, David didn't express anything.Joab also sent men after Abner without David's consent. They overtook him at the well of Sirah and brought him back.Joab led him to a city gate, pretended to tell him a secret, went up to him, drew his sword and pierced him in the stomach.Abner was caught off guard and staggered and fell down.Joab actually did this to avenge the murder of his brother. When David heard that Joab killed Abner, he rebuked him and said, "The blood of Abner shall be on Joab's head and on his father's house. May the LORD repay the wicked man for his evil deeds." "But he didn't really punish Joab the murderer.He simply ordered Joab and his followers to mourn for Abner: "Tear your clothes, put sackcloth on your loins, and weep before Abner's coffin." David himself followed the coffin, weeping and mourning.In this way, all the Israelites knew that it was not the king's intention to stab Abner to death, and he still enjoyed a good reputation in the hearts of the people. When Ishbosheth heard the news that the marshal had died in Hebron, his limbs became weak with fright; his soldiers were also disturbed and planned to part ways.Ishbo had two captains, one named Baana and the other Rekab, both of them from Benjamin.One day at noon, when the sun was scorching hot and bored, Yishi Boshe was taking a nap in the palace. Most of the guards in the palace deserted, and no one was guarding the palace gate.Pretending to ask for instructions, Rekab and Baana went into the bedroom of Ishbosheth and saw no one around, so they pierced the king's belly with a knife, cut off the head, wrapped it in a cloth, held it under the armpit, and escaped. royal palace.The two of them hurried on their way, and after walking all afternoon and all night, they arrived at Hebron at dawn. They were outside David's palace, and asked to see David.David called them in, and they presented the head of Ish-bosheth, saying, "Saul, the king's enemy, sought the king's life. Behold, here is the head of Ish-bosheth his son. My lord the king has avenged himself on Saul and on his descendants." David glanced at Ish Boshe's bloody head, then turned his head and ordered, "Take it out and bury it with solemn etiquette." Then he stepped down from his throne, went up to Rekab and Barnah, and scolded them: "You two traitorous dogs, as the LORD lives, who saved my life from all troubles: Ziklag killed the Amalekite who shed the blood of King Saul, and made the death sentence his reward for reporting the news. Today, you two inhuman things killed your own king on the bed, which shed his blood The guilt of the crime will be charged to you." Hearing this, the two men kowtowed like pounding garlic to plead guilty.David looked at it contemptuously, and ordered beheading to apologize: "If there is anything else to say, push it out for me and ask for beheading." David's guards killed the two Benjaminites, cut off their hands and feet, and hung them by the pool of Hebron.As for the head of Ish-bosheth, according to David's instructions, it was buried in Abner's tomb with a grand funeral.Ish-bosheth reigned over Israel two years. Four years and six months after the death of Ish-bosheth, that is, seven years and six months after David reigned as king of Judah, the elders of all the tribes of Israel gathered in Hebron and unanimously elected David as king of all Israel. The common king of the tribe.David and all the elders made a covenant before Nahoah in Hebron, held the enthronement and anointing ceremony, and officially became the king of Israel and ruled over Israel. David was 30 years old that year, and David was king of Israel for 33 years. In 33 years, he completely conquered the Philistines and established the most powerful kingdom in Jewish history. (2 Samuel 2:1-5:5) City of David - The Barrier of Jerusalem David became the king of Israel, but he did not choose a capital. Hebron was far to the south, and the northern tribes of Israel did not want to make it their capital.Taking into account the wishes of all parties, David took a fancy to Jerusalem.The city can be regarded as a central city for the northern tribes.At that time, the Jebusites had been the masters of Jerusalem for more than 400 years, and no one had conquered it.It is surrounded by mountains on three sides and is protected by the Zion Safeguard. It is no exaggeration to say that it is as solid as gold.When the Jebusites heard that the Israelites were going to attack Jerusalem, they sent someone to joke with David, saying, "If you don't drive out the lame and the blind here, you won't be able to enter this place." It means that the lame and blind guard the city, You David don't even want to capture it. David repeatedly surveyed the terrain and formulated a plan to outwit Jerusalem.They found a spring in the valley east of Jerusalem. From the spring along the stone hillside, there was an artificially hewn path leading directly to the castle.The Jebusites never expected that the Israelites would come up from here, so when they saw the Israelites coming to attack from the front, they all went to the front to block it, leaving the side of the castle empty.Taking advantage of this weakness of the Naboos, David secretly sent people to climb up the castle from the side clear road, and took the city in one go. David regarded the Zion stronghold in Jerusalem as his capital, and he himself lived in it. He named it "City of David".After David established his capital, he started building large-scale projects, built palaces, and expanded the city walls.He extended the high and fortified walls to Miro.David carried out "international trade" with Hiram, king of Tire, and shipped a large amount of cedar wood from him as materials for building the palace.Thousands of carpenters, stonemasons, and slave laborers gathered in the City of David, shedding blood and sweat for the dream of the City of David to come true.After it was completed, David chose concubines and had children in this magnificent and majestic palace.In the palace, his wives and children were in groups, laughing and laughing constantly. David also built Jerusalem as the religious center of Israel.David selected 30,000 people from the army and led them to Barajudah to bring the ark of God.They carried the ark of the LORD of hosts, which sat on top of the two cherubas, from the house of Abinadab on the mountain, and put it on a new cart.Abinadab's sons, Uzzah and Ahioth, drove the new cart.Ahio walked in front of the new car to make way for the Ark.David and the elders of Israel danced behind the ark with musical instruments made of various pine woods, lyres, harps, drums, cymbals, and gongs.When they arrived at the Nagan threshing floor, because the cattle stumbled, the ark of the covenant fell down due to weightlessness. Uzzah had sharp eyesight and quick hands, and stretched out his hands to hold it. Although he kept the ark, touching the ark with his hands committed a serious sin of reading God.Although he offended the gods with good intentions, the Lord still did not forgive him, and Uzzah was killed on the spot before the ark. When David saw all this, he was terrified and immediately ordered to stop the advance, and put the ark in the house of Obed-edom the Gathite for preservation. Three months later, David decided to transport the ark back to the capital.As soon as the bearers of the ark had gone six paces from the house of Obed-edom, David, wearing a white linen ephod, offered a sacrifice of oxen and fat sheep.David walked in the front, leading the people to sing and dance all the way to the city of David.Michal, Saul's daughter, saw David dancing in the crowd from the window, and felt contempt for her husband. The ark was placed in the pre-prepared tent, and David offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the Lord, blessing the people of Israel in the name of God.He gave each of the crowd 1 piece of bread, 1 piece of meat, and 1 piece of grape pie, and asked them to go home.David went back to the harem to bless his family. Michal came out to meet him and said, "The king of Israel is as shameless as a contemptuous man today, showing his nakedness in front of his servants and maidservants. What a great honor it is!" David recognized the sarcasm in Michal's words, and said, "This is humility before the LORD. God has chosen me, abolished your father and his family, and made me the king of the people, so I will dance before him.I also want to be more humble and think of myself as contemptible.Those handmaids you speak of, they will respect me. " From then on, Michal fell out of favor in front of David. She was cast into the cold palace, no different from ordinary maids, and she died without having children. After the completion of the City of David, the nation of Israel was safe and peaceful, and its neighbors were harmonious.In order to improve the relationship with the priests, David wanted to build a great temple for the Lord God. He said to the prophet Nathan, "Look, I live in a palace made of cedar, but the ark of God is placed in a tent. Build a grander and more magnificent house for the Lord our God." Nathan was the most knowledgeable man among the Israelites at that time. He was kind and upright, and he cared about the power of the people. He felt that years of extensive construction and construction, wasting the people and wasting money, would damage the vitality of the country, so he said to David through the mouth of the LORD: "This is what the LORD of hosts says: I called you from the sheepfold, told you not to follow the sheep, and made you the king of my people Israel. You should love your people as you love your own eyes, and you should not harass them endlessly. They moved around and found no peace. The building of the great temple must be temporarily suspended. Since I led the Israelites out of Egypt, I have never lived in the temple. When you sleep together, your descendant will succeed you as king of Israel, and he will build a temple for my name, and I will establish his kingdom forever." David's proposal to build the temple of God was put on hold. It was not mentioned again until Solomon became king. (2 Samuel 5:9-7:29) Israel dominates Canaan David ruled over Israel, and Israel grew from strength to strength.He completely conquered the Philistines, and sent Joab to lead an army against Moab.The army of Israel defeated the Moabites. They gathered the Moabites in the wilderness, ordered all the people to lie down on the ground, and measured their bodies with ropes.All adults taller than 2 ropes were killed, and only minors who were 1 rope tall were left to serve them and pay tribute to them. King David's army defeated Hadadezer, son of Rehob king of Zobah, and captured 700 cavalry and 20,000 infantry.They also seized many chariots, which were the most advanced weapons at the time, but the Israelis didn't like them. They dismantled most of them and burned them, and cut off the tendons of the horses pulling the chariots, leaving only 100 chariots for use. Court use. When the Syrians in Damascus heard that their ally Hadadezer, king of Zobah, had been defeated, they sent reinforcements.David's army defeated the Syrians, killed 22,000 of them, captured the golden shield held by Hadadezer, and brought it to Jerusalem. When Toy king of Hamath heard that David had defeated the whole army of Hadadezer, he sent Joram his son to King David to greet him and bless him, because Hadadezer was Toy's enemy.Joram gave King David many vessels of gold, silver, bronze, and iron, and David gave these vessels, as well as the gold and silver he had taken from all nations, to the priests. David also conquered all of Edom and made the Edomites pay him tribute and taxes. After the death of King Nahash of Amon, Prince Hanun succeeded to the throne.David sent his servants to mourn the funeral, and congratulated Hanun.One of King Hanun's ministers said to him: "David defeated the great powers of Canaan, but this time he sent envoys to pay tribute to the former king. Don't you think it's strange? I don't think they have good intentions. They came here It is to observe the terrain, so as to choose the time to overthrow our country." Hanun believed the servant's words, and ordered the guards to shave half of David's envoys' beards, and cut off the lower half of their clothes to expose their nakedness, and sent them back. Hanun, the king of Ammon, was young and vigorous, and he did not know the heights of the heavens and the depths of the earth, so he broke ground on the head of Tai Sui. David was greatly enraged. How could the dignified overlord of Canaan tolerate such a great humiliation? He immediately sent Joab to lead an army to attack the king of Ammon.The Ammonites had 5 tribes come to aid Hanun, so the war was fierce and cruel.But the war ended with a complete victory for the Israelites.In this way, the power of David's kingdom extended eastward to Syria.Israel has completely defeated its neighbors and entered its heyday in history. David conquered the kingdoms of Canaan by virtue of martial arts and martial arts.In order to further consolidate the regime from within.He appointed his most trusted people to hold positions at all levels, and the 600 brothers who rebelled against him generally lived in high positions, enjoyed various privileges, and owned fiefdoms. The captain of the army was Joab; Jehoshaphat was the historian; Zadok the son of Ahitub and Ahimelech the son of Abiathar were the chief priests; and Seraiah was the secretary.David's sons had various official titles. David won the world, but he did not forget Jonathan's life-saving grace.He asked his officials to investigate the whereabouts of Jonathan's descendants, and finally found Ziba, Saul's servant.Ziba told him that Jonathan had another son named Mephibosheth who lived in the palace of Mahanaim when he was a child. Jonathan was only 5 years old when he was killed in battle.On that day, Mephibosheth's nurse was alarmed to learn that Jonathan had died in battle, so she carried him and fled in a hurry. Because she ran too fast, she accidentally fell and fell, but the little Wangsun was crippled.Later, Mephibosheth was quietly adopted by one of Jonathan's loyal followers.David summoned Mephibosheth to the capital, adopted him as his adopted son, and gave him field servants, enabling him to enjoy the honor and wealth of a prince. (2 Samuel 8-10) David's Wife Let’s say that when Joab led an army to attack the Ammonites and besieged Rabbah, David was enjoying his family’s happiness in the royal palace in Jerusalem.One day, when the sun was setting, David woke up from a nap. He got up from the bed and went for a walk on the platform of the palace.Turning his head suddenly, he saw a beautiful woman taking a bath in the opposite window.Her icy complexion and exquisite curves made David's heart flutter.He asked his attendant, "Who is that woman bathing in the window?" Someone reported: "Daughter of Eliam, Bathsheba the wife of Uriah the Hittite, one of the 30 governors." At that time, Uriah was fighting with Joab on the front line, and David sent someone to bring Bathsheba into the palace, and he and himself had a great deal.When Babashi returned from the palace, he found out that he was pregnant not long after.She sent someone to tell David the news, meaning nothing more than to become David's famous concubine.David also wanted to get her completely, so he had the evil intention of harming others.He asked Joab to send Uriah back to the palace to report on the battle, and Uriah returned to the palace to give a detailed report.When it was over, David said, "Go home and wash your feet, get a good night's rest, and return to the front line tomorrow." Uriah left the palace, and David gave him a meal.Uriah was a loyal general. He ate what the king gave him and didn't go home, so he slept outside the palace gate with the soldiers.Someone reported this to David early the next morning. David called Uriah in and asked, "You have been away for a long time and have come from a long way. Why don't you go home and stay overnight?" Uriah replied, "The ark of the covenant and the armies of Israel and Judah live in tents, and my lord Joah and my lord's servants live in the open. How can I go home and eat and sleep with my wife?" When David heard this, he said to him, "Stay here today, and return to the camp tomorrow." He invited Uriah back to the palace, entertained him with a royal banquet, and ate and drank with him until he was drunk .That night, Uriah still did not go home to live. David sent Uriah back to Joab to take a secret letter with him.The letter read: "Send Uriah to a place where the situation is extremely dangerous. You retreat and let him be killed." Joab faithfully carried out this order, and he sent Uriah to attack the city of Raze, which was held by a strong enemy.Uriah took the lead and attacked the city first. The enemy rushed out and surrounded him, but Joab ordered his soldiers to withdraw from the battlefield, leaving Uriah alone to resist the enemy.Poor Uriah was finally outnumbered and died at the city of Rabbah. Joab sent someone to report the truth to David in detail, and David heard it, and said to the messenger, "Tell Joab, don't be grieved because of this, because a sword has no eyes, either to devour this man, or to pierce that man People. There is no certainty, you just try to attack the city and overthrow the city." When Bathsheba heard the news of her husband's death in battle, she mourned for him.The day of mourning was over, and David sent for her to be brought into the palace, and she became David's concubine, and gave David a son. What David did caused widespread dissatisfaction in Jerusalem.Jehovah sent the prophet Nathan to David, who honored him most.Nathan told David this story with a very heavy heart: "There were two men in a certain city, one was a rich man and the other was a poor man. The rich man had many herds and herds; He had nothing but a little ewe lamb, which grew up with his children in his house, ate what he ate, drank what he drank, and slept in his bosom, and to that man it seemed almost like his own There is no difference between flesh and blood. One day, a distinguished guest came to the rich man's house. The rich man was reluctant to take a lamb from his own flock to entertain the guest, but he took the poor man's lamb and slaughtered it for the guest." When David heard that there was such a thing in the world, he was angry and said, "As the LORD lives, the person who does such a thing deserves to die." Nathan pointed to him and said, "You are such a man. Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel: I anointed you king over Israel, and I delivered you from the hand of Saul; I gave you your master's inheritance, and I gave you The master's wife is in your arms, and I have given you Israel and Judah; if you are not satisfied, I will reward you twice. Why do you do such a thing? You kill with the sword and rob his wife , so the sword will never leave your house. From your house I will raise up trouble against you; I will give your concubines to others in your sight; The child that is born will surely die." David knew that he had done something that violated Jehovah's rules, and he regretted it very much.The Lord sinned against him and made Bathsheba's son seriously ill. David prayed for the child day and night, and he lay down all day and fasted.On the seventh day, the child died. David's servants dared not tell him, lest he would be more sad, but he knew what had happened from their expressions and whispers.Immediately he got up from the ground, washed himself, anointed himself with ointment, changed his clothes, and entered the tabernacle of the LORD to worship.After returning to the official position, he ordered his servants to set up a sumptuous banquet and eat a lot.A qualified elder among the servants boldly asked: "What do you mean by doing this? When the child is alive, you fast and cry; when the child is dead, you get up and eat." David explained: "When the child was still alive, I fasted and wept, hoping that the Lord would show mercy, and he would die. Today the child is irretrievably dead. What is the use of fasting and weeping? If the fast continues, I will definitely go with him, but he cannot come back to me." Bathsheba became David's favorite concubine, and he went to comfort her and slept with her.A year later, Bathsheba gave birth to a son, whom he named Solomon.Solomon later became king of Israel. (2 Samuel 11:1-12:25) royal scandal David has many concubines and many sons. They intrigue and cheat each other, and it is inevitable to perform a farce of male robbers and female prostitutes.David's son Absalom had a beautiful sister named Tamar.David's son Amnon fell in love with this half-sister.Tamar didn't love her brother, and deliberately avoided Amnon in order to keep her virginity.Amnon suffered from lovesickness and became depressed.Amnon had a friend named Jonadab, the son of Shimea, David's elder brother, a villainous man who specialized in intrigue.Seeing that Amnon was getting paler and thinner day by day, he asked, "Prince, why are you getting thinner every day? Please tell me." Amnon replied, "I am in love with Utama, my brother Absalom's sister. I am what I am today because I did not have her." Jonathan said, "I have a way to help you get a girl. I don't know if I should say it or not." "Speak quickly." "If you lie in bed and pretend to be sick, your father will come to see you. Take this opportunity and say to him, please call my sister Tamar, and prepare food before my eyes, and pass it to me so that I can see it; after eating, sickness will be cured." When David heard that his son Amnon was ill and visited him on his bed, Amnon asked Tamar to accompany him.David sent to the palace and said to Tamar, "Go to your brother Amnon's house and prepare food for him." Tamar obeyed and came to Amnon's room, spread flour for him, made cakes, baked them, and brought them to Amnon's bed.But Amnon refused to eat. He drank the servants in the room, grabbed Tamar and said, "My dear sister, you miss me to death. Come and sleep with me." Tamar panicked and begged, "No, my brother, this is not allowed. Please don't defile me. The Israelites don't do this. Don't do such scandalous things. If you defile me, how can I How can you cover up your humiliation? You will also lose your reputation in Israel. If you really like me, you can ask my father, and he will not disagree to give me to you." Amnon was already on fire, and he couldn't bear it anymore, so he forced her to rape her.Immediately after the rape, Amnon became cold to her and asked her to go out.The unfortunate girl cried and begged, "Don't drive me away. If you drive me away, the crime will be greater than what you just did." Amnon called his servants and said, "Get her out of here, and lock the door." At that time, Ta Ma was wearing colorful clothes, because all unmarried princesses were dressed like this.Amnon's servants drove her out and closed the door, and Tamar threw the ashes on her head, tore the colorful garment she was wearing, put her head in her hands, and cried as she went.The whole palace knew about it.David felt sorry for what Amnon had done, but he was too fond of his children to make up his mind to punish Amnon severely.What made people wonder was Tamar's brother Absalom, who actually said to his sister: "My sister, don't say anything, he is also your brother, don't take this matter to heart." Tamar was alone lived in the house of Absalom. After two years, Absalom not only did not take any retaliatory actions, but became very affectionate with Amnon.Many people despised Absalom for this reason.Who knows that there is hatred hidden in his smile, and anger is buried in his enthusiasm.When the sheep shearing season came, it was a grand festival in Israel. Absalom invited members of the royal family to his own territory, Baal Hazor, to celebrate the festival.David politely declined his son's repeated invitations, but agreed to let all the princes, including Amnon, go to Baal Hazor as guests. Absalom gave instructions to his guards in advance, saying, "Pay attention, when you see Amnon drinking happily, I tell you, kill Amnon, and you will fight together; don't be afraid. This is what I asked you to do, and the responsibility rests entirely on me, and has nothing to do with you. " That day, when Amnon and the princes were having a great time drinking, Absalom suddenly said, "Kill Amnon!" Several swordsmen jumped out from behind the curtain and killed Amnon with their swords.Seeing that something was wrong, the other princes hurriedly mounted their mules and rushed back to Jerusalem. While the princes were still on their way, a report came to David, saying, "Absalom has killed all the king's sons, and none remained." David and all his servants wept bitterly, beat their chests and stamped their feet, tore their clothes and rolled on the ground.Fortunately, Jonadab, the son of David's elder brother, came back early and reported the truth of the incident, and David's grief was slightly relieved. After Absalom killed Amnon, he fled to Talmai king of Assyria.Absalom lived there for three years, hoping that one day his father would forgive him.David also missed Absalom very much. Joab knew what the king was thinking, so he sent someone to ask a wise woman to go to David disguised as a widow, and said to him, "My king, please help me." David asked, "What's the matter with you?" "The servant girl is a widow whose husband died. She had two sons. One day they were fighting in the field, and one of them killed the other. Now everyone in the family wants me to hand over the living son to put him to death. Doesn't this cut off the fireworks in my house and prevent my husband from leaving his name in the world?" "I swear by that Hehua, not a single hair of your son will fall to the ground. Anyone who is difficult for you, bring him to me, and I will make decisions for you, and they will not dare to force you anymore. " "I beg my lord, my king, to allow the servant girl to say another word." "Say it!" "Since the king wants my son to live, why don't you let your own son go back to Israel from his guilt?" "Could it be Joab's idea for you to say these words, and you are asked to talk about human feelings?" "The wisdom of my lord the king is like the wisdom of the angels. He can see everything. It is true that he sent me." David called Joab and said, "I agree with you. Go and bring back the young man Absalom." Joab bowed his face to the ground, turned around and left the palace, and sent someone to Assyria to bring Absalom back to Jerusalem.But David still did not want to see him, and he was not allowed to enter the palace.Absalom lived in Jerusalem for two years and had no chance to see his father. He asked Joab to intercede, but Joab refused.Twice in a row, Joab did not appreciate this face.押沙龙指使仆人放火烧了约押的正待收割的麦田。约押无奈，只得让步。因为大卫对这个老臣总是言听计从，所以，在他的帮助下，大卫父子很快就和解了。阔别5年之后，父子重逢，悲喜交加，大卫紧紧拥抱押沙龙，吻他的面颊。 （撒下13一14） 押沙龙反叛 押沙龙是以色列的美男子，全国之中，没有人象押沙龙那样俊美，从脚底到头顶，毫无瑕疵。他的头发很浓，每到年底就剪发一次；所剪下来的用天乎一秤，重200舍客勒。押沙龙生了3个儿子，1个女儿，女儿的名字跟她姑姑一样，叫他玛。 押沙龙为自己预备车马，又派50人在前头奔走，他常常早晨起来，站在城门的路边，凡是有人要去见国王打官司的他都热情接待，给他们公正断案。他经常对那些人说："你的事合情合理，无奈国王没有委派人听你的申诉，使正义不得申张。恨不得我作国中的士师，凡有争讼求审判的，到我这里来，我必秉公判断。" 若有人上前来要敬拜押沙龙，押沙龙就伸手拉住他，与他亲吻。这样，押沙龙在以色列人中赢得了普遍的爱戴，民心都归向他。 押沙龙满40岁的那一年，他对大卫王说："求你准我往希伯仑去，还我向那和华许的愿。因为仆人住在亚兰人的基述时，曾许愿说：耶和华若使我再回耶路撒冷，我必事奉他。" 大卫说："你平平安安地回去吧。" 押沙龙就起身往希伯仑去了。他到希伯仑的目的就是为了更好地实现他的梦想--早日登上国王的宝座。押沙龙从耶路撒冷带了200名随从到希伯仑，作为组建自己军队的基础。他打发心腹到以色列各支派去游说，散布对大卫王的不满，笼络以色列百姓的心。押沙龙还打发人把大卫的谋士基罗人亚希多弗请来，出谋划策，充当自己的军师。没有多久，归顺押沙龙的人越来越多，形成了一定的气候。押沙龙把归顺自己的人组成军队，向耶路撒冷开拔。有人报告大卫王："以色列人的心都归向押沙龙了。" 毫无准备的大卫来不及调兵遣将，只得匆匆出逃。大卫由自己的卫士保护着逃出耶路撒冷，只留下10名嫔妃看守王宫。 祭司撒督和亚比亚他也同大卫一起逃走，并且带出了约柜。走在半路上，过了汲沦溪，大卫叫他们把约柜送回耶路撒冷，并把那里的情况报告给他。大卫对约柜依依不舍，一边流泪，一边光着脚往山上走，为的是能多看几眼远去的约柜。跟随他的人也都蒙头哭着上山去。现在国都、宫殿、美姬和约柜，全部失去了。转眼之间，繁华落尽，无家可归，漂流在荒郊野岭，怎能不生出无限感慨与悲伤呢？大卫刚刚翻过橄榄山顶，就看见米非波设的仆人洗巴，牵着2匹驴，驴上驮着200个饼，100个葡萄饼，100个夏天的果饼，1皮袋酒来迎接他。大卫问洗巴："你带这些东西来是什么意思？" 洗巴说："驴是给王的家眷骑的，面饼和夏天的果饼是给少年人吃的，酒是给旷野疲乏人喝的。" 大卫问："你主人的儿子现在哪里呢？" 洗巴说："还在耶路撒冷。他说，以色列人今日必将我父的国归还我。" 大卫说："凡属米非波设的从今以后都归你了。" 洗巴说："我叩拜我主我王，愿耶和华赐福给您。" 大卫到了巴户琳这个地方，见迎面走过一个人来，有人说那是扫罗家族基拉的儿子，名叫示每。示每一边走，一边咒骂："滚开，滚开！你这杀人不眨眼的刽子手，你用扫罗全家的鲜血换取了自己的王位。耶和华惩罚你才把王位给了你儿子押沙龙。你这个杀人不眨眼的刽子手，落到今天的下场，真是罪有应得。" 元帅的弟弟亚比筛呵斥道："你这赖皮狗，胆敢在我王面前胡乱语，看我把你那吃饭的家什剜下来。"说着就拔剑在手，大卫止了他。因为他不想因这点小事与一个破落贵族争斗，使北方的各部族都小看他，说国王也不过如此，与一个无赖一般见识。谁知示每得寸进尺，骂得更凶，还用石头打他，拿土扬他，大卫的卫兵只好用盾牌抵挡。那人骂累了，仍不见大卫理他，就自己离去了。 大卫听说自己的谋士亚希多弗归顺了押沙龙，害怕他与押沙龙相互配合，如虎添翼，难以对付。他派了自己的忠实臣仆户筛打进押沙龙队伍内部，设法取得信任，成为叛军中的高级将领。户筛在押沙龙和亚希多弗之间施离间计，亚希多弗的良策虽然很多，押沙龙却听不进去。亚希多弗对押沙龙说："你父亲留下看守宫殿的妃嫔，你可以与她们亲近。你父亲就会更加憎恨你，你手下的人知道你与你父亲已经完全决裂，失败了就没有退路，他们才会全心全意地跟从你。" 押沙龙听从了这个建议，他在宫殿的平顶上支搭凉棚，在那里当着以色列众人与大卫的嫔妃亲近。 亚希多弗又给押沙龙出了一个主意，对他说："求你准许我挑选12000人由我带领，星夜出发去追赶大卫，趁他部下全都疲惫不堪之际，突然袭击。跟随他的人们必然会惊惶失措，四散逃跑，我就好杀了大卫王。百姓见老国王已死，自然都来归顺你，你就可以顺理成章地称王了。" 押沙龙虽然觉得亚希多弗的主意不错，但对这样大胆出奇制胜的方法，拿不定主意。他把户筛请来，向他问计，户筛听了亚希多弗的主意，暗暗为大卫捏一把汗：大卫身边的卫队不仅人数有限，而且连日奔波，早已心力疲惫，不堪一击。他故作吃惊他说："殿下，亚希多弗的这个主意，可千万使不得呀。你也不想想，我们的对手是谁。大卫乃久经沙场的勇士。殿下以为你比他如何？亚希多弗比他如何？亚希多弗尽管人多势众，恐怕也不是对手。万一这一仗打败了，跟随你的人必将抛弃你，离你而去，取巧不成反而坏了大事。依我之见，莫如集合以色列全体将士，以浩荡无敌之大军，雷霆万钧之势，与大卫决一死战，大卫纵然有三头六臂，也难以一当十，以一当百呀。我们人多力量大，大卫即使人了那一座城，以色列众人必带绳子去，将那城拉到河里，甚至连一块小石头都不剩下。这样一来，大卫焉有不束手待毙之理呢？" 押沙龙听了这番话，连声说："妙，妙，实在是妙哇，爱卿才是确保我稳得社稷江山的良将啊。" 亚希多弗知道户筛不怀好意，故施好计，但无人听他的意见，一气之下，转身骑驴回家去了，到家后，留下遗言，自缢而死。 大卫得到户筛派人送来的情报，连夜带兵渡过约但河，打算依靠约但河这条天堑防御押沙龙部队的迫击。大卫赶紧四处搬兵，请求援助，他的号召力还是很大的。很快就有以色列国中的大富户亚扪人朔比、罗底巴人玛吉、基列人巴西莱等出面支持他。他们供给大卫及其军队衣服、被褥、碗盆、陶器、小麦、大麦、炒米、豆子、红豆、炒豆、蜂蜜、奶油、绵羊、奶饼等等。没有几天，大卫检阅追随他的部队，委派千夫长、百夫长统帅他们。大卫还委任年轻的将领亚玛撒代替老将约押作全军的元帅。大卫把自己的部队分成3个纵队，一队由老元帅约押率领，一队由约押的弟弟亚比筛率领，一队由迦特人以太率领。户筛帮助大卫赢得的是时间。大卫利用这一段短暂的关键时机，组建了一支实力雄厚的军队。至此大卫已经由弱变强，有较大把握抵挡押沙龙的追击了。 过了差不多一个月，押沙龙才纠集起一支浩浩荡荡的大部队。 他率领这支部队渡过约但河，准备与大卫决战。大卫对押沙龙舐犊之情尤存，他嘱咐约押、亚比筛和以太："你们要看在我的面子上宽待年轻无知的押沙龙。" 两军在以法莲树林里交战，押沙龙的军队大败，阵亡的有根多，共有20000人。押沙龙见大势已去，急忙骑驴逃跑，不料发髻橡树枝挂住，他的坐骑跑得太炔，押沙龙竟悬在树枝上下不来。有人看见押沙龙被挂在树枝上了，就报告了约押。约押命令那报信的人把押沙龙打死，那人害怕大卫事后惩办自己，拒不执行命令。约押就拿着3杆短枪，趁押沙龙被挂在橡树上毫无还手之力，便一枪刺透了他的心脏。押沙龙的身体晃了几晃，掉在地上。约押的10个卫兵又一齐围上前去，刀剑齐下，押沙龙的身体顿时千疮百孔，目不忍睹。战后，约押指挥众人将押沙龙的尸体丢在林中一个大坑里，上头堆起一大堆石头。 大卫得到押沙龙已死的报告，哭得十分伤心，嘴里不断地念叨："我儿押沙龙啊！我儿，我儿押沙龙啊！我恨不得替你死。押沙龙啊，我儿！我儿！" 有人告诉约押说："国王在为押沙龙哭泣悲哀。人民听说国王为他儿子忧愁，他们得胜的欢乐都变成了悲哀，一个个默默地进城，如同战败了一样。" 约押就去见大卫，对他说："你怎么可以只哭你的儿子，你的敌人，而不想想为你舍生入死的朋友呢？这样，别人还能跟随你么？"大卫听见约押这样说，就不再哭了，他振作起精神，坐在城门口，众民听说国王坐在城门口，都来敬拜他。 在大卫回师那路撤冷的途中，一路上人们从四面八方赶来欢迎大卫凯旋而归。反对过他的人都纷纷向他请罪求饶，其中包括曾经把他骂得狗血淋头的示每等人。示每来到约但河边，在大卫脚下面伏于地，向他请罪："小的示每不知天高地厚，冒犯了至尊的国王，仆人明知有罪，今天特地前来请罪。" 亚比筛在旁说："这狗东西曾经辱骂那和华的受膏者，罪该万死。" 大卫不同意处死示每，反驳说："不，示每已经知错，而且主动前来请罪，他的罪应当赦兔。"他叫示每站起来，对他说，"不要害怕，我已免去你的死罪。" 扫罗的孙子米非波设没有跟随他的仆人洗巴和国王的部队出逃。大卫要回京城了，碍于情面，他也骑着驴出城去迎接。大卫逃出京城这段日子里，米非波设没有修脚，没有剃胡须，也没有洗衣服，他在大卫面前下拜大卫记得洗巴对自己说的话，就问他："米非波设，你为什么没有与我同去呢？" 他说："我主我王，我是一个瘸子，行动不便，我的仆人洗巴又欺哄我，说陛下不要我同去，我知道他在您面前说了许多我的坏话。我现在是有口难辩。" 大卫对他说："你不要再说了，我命令你，要与你的仆人洗巴平分你的土地。" 米非波设说："既然我主我王已经平安回宫，就是把仆人的土地全部给了洗巴，我也心甘情愿。" 基列人巴西莱老人从家乡罗基琳来到约但河边，要送大卫过河。那一年他已经80岁了，因为在关键的时候，支援了大卫，大卫对他感激不尽，对他说："请你跟我同去吧，我要在耶路撒冷给你养老送终。" 巴西莱老人回答："仆人年已8旬，活不多久了，还能分辨什么香臭、美丑呢？哪里还能欣赏男歌女舞呢？仆人何必还要累赘我主我王呢？只要送王过了约但河，王何必赐予我这样的恩典呢？还是请王准许我回去，死在本城，葬在父母墓旁吧！这里有王的仆人犬子金罕。就让他同我主我王同去，您可以随意待他。" 大卫吻别巴西莱老人，过了约但河，向耶路撒冷进发。在路上，以色列族人和犹大族人在队伍中的前后位置问题上发生冲突。 以色列族人因为人多势众，要走在前面；犹大人则寸步不让。有个便雅悯人示已就以此作为借口，号召以色列人起来反对大卫。他吹起号角，对聚集起来的人说："我们与大卫无分，与耶西的儿子无涉。以色列人哪，你们各自回家去吧。" 以色列入有很多都离开大卫，跟随示巴。但犹大人紧紧跟随他们的王大卫，从约但河直到耶路撒冷。回到耶路撒冷后，大卫立即派新任元帅亚玛撒去招降背叛的以色列人，对他说："你要在石日之内将犹大人招聚了来。"亚玛撤没有按时完成任务，耽误了时间，过了大卫所限定的日子。大卫因为害怕亚玛撒出意外，就派约押和亚比筛带着大部队去接应。约押他们走到基遍的大磐石那里，碰上了亚玛撤。亚玛撒看到老将军约押，马上笑脸相迎，过去与他拥抱。约押因为自己的元帅职位被亚玛撒顶替，对他嫉妒得要死，现在抓住亚玛撒延误军机的把柄，就在拥抱的他当儿，拔出匕首刺进了新任元帅的腹部，亚玛撤倒地身死。 约押自作主张，代替亚玛撒指挥部队，追杀示巴。示巴节节败退，被困在伯玛迦的亚比拉。约押命令士兵用大锤撞击城门，眼看就要攻破城门。城里的居民害怕约押攻破城池以后屠城，就把示巴杀了，割下他的首级，扔出城墙外，表示投降。约押得到示巴的首级，就吹号撤退，回到耶路撒冷。以色列人反对大卫王的第二次叛乱就这样平息了。 约押当时军权在握，威望极高，虽然违抗了大卫的命令，杀死押沙龙，又擅自杀死最高指挥亚玛撒元帅，大卫却不敢惩罚他。 约押回到耶路撒冷以后，大卫还不得不恢复他的元帅职位，但国王的心中却对这位居功自傲的老将军越来越不满。 大卫回宫以后，把从前留下看守宫殿的10个嫔妃打入冷宫，再也不召见她们，直到她们默默死去。（撒下15一20） 母爱的力量 大卫年间，以色列发生了大饥荒，一连3年，草木不生。大卫求问那和华，耶和华告诉他为什么要惩罚以色列的原因：原来，约书亚曾对基遍人起誓，以色列人永不对他们挥舞刀剑。但扫罗违背这一誓言，企图灭绝基遍人并夺取他们的城池。大卫召来基遍人，问他们："我为你们做些什么才可以赎回扫罗的罪呢？" 基遍人回答说："只有把扫罗留下来的7个子孙交给我们，由我们处理，才可以赎去扫罗的大罪。" 大卫说："我必把他们交给你们。" 大卫没有交出好友约拿单的儿子米非波设，却把爱雅的女儿利斯巴给扫罗所生的两个儿子亚摩尼、米非波设和扫罗女儿米甲的姐姐给米何拉人所生的5个儿子交在基遍人的手里。基遍人把他们悬挂在山崖上吊死。基遍人还不让死者的亲戚收尸，让老鹰啄食。这是最严厉的惩罚，因为按当时的信仰，人在死后不能埋葬在土中，在阴问就会不得安宁。 处死扫罗7个后裔时正是麦收季节。爱雅的女儿利斯巴用麻布在磐石上搭了个棚子，守在自己的两个儿子尸体旁边，白天不让老鹰飞落；夜里不让走兽接近。从动手割麦时开始，直到农夫把所有麦子都割完了，利斯巴没有离开一步。这感天动地的神圣母爱在以色列人中传为佳话，一直传到大卫耳朵里，深深感动了这位国王。他下令埋葬了7位死者的尸骨。大卫还因此想起了扫罗及其儿子约拿革的骸骨迄今还埋在基列雅比，为了取悦北方各部族，大卫举行了隆重的葬礼，把扫罗和约拿单的遗骨全部迁入扫罗父亲基士的坟墓里安葬。（撒下21：1一21：14）