# verses

book: Judg
contenido:
Early the next morning the people got up and built an altar there. They offered fellowship sacrifices and burned some sacrifices whole.


book: Judg
contenido:
They asked, “Is there any group out of all the tribes of Israel that did not go to the gathering in the Lord's presence at Mizpah?” (They had taken a solemn oath that anyone who had not gone to Mizpah would be put to death.)


book: Judg
contenido:
The people of Israel felt sorry for their brothers the Benjaminites and said, “Today Israel has lost one of its tribes.


book: Judg
contenido:
What shall we do to provide wives for the men of Benjamin who are left? We have made a solemn promise to the Lord that we will not give them any of our daughters.”


book: Judg
contenido:
When they asked if there was some group out of the tribes of Israel that had not gone to the gathering at Mizpah, they found out that no one from Jabesh in Gilead had been there;


book: Judg
contenido:
So the assembly sent twelve thousand of their bravest men with the orders, “Go and kill everyone in Jabesh, including women and children.


book: Judg
contenido:
They found four hundred young virgins among the people in Jabesh, so they brought them to the camp at Shiloh, which is in the land of Canaan.


book: Judg
contenido:
Then the whole assembly sent word to the Benjaminites who were at Rimmon Rock and offered to end the war.


book: Judg
contenido:
The Benjaminites came back, and the other Israelites gave them the young women from Jabesh whom they had not killed. But there were not enough of them.


book: Judg
contenido:
The people felt sorry for the Benjaminites because the Lord had broken the unity of the tribes of Israel.


book: Judg
contenido:
So the leaders of the gathering said, “There are no more women in the tribe of Benjamin. What shall we do to provide wives for the men who are left?


book: Judg
contenido:
Israel must not lose one of its twelve tribes. We must find a way for the tribe of Benjamin to survive,


book: Judg
contenido:
but we cannot allow them to marry our daughters, because we have put a curse on anyone who allows a Benjaminite to marry one of our daughters.”


book: Judg
contenido:
Then they thought, “The yearly festival of the Lord at Shiloh is coming soon.” (Shiloh is north of Bethel, south of Lebonah, and east of the road between Bethel and Shechem.)


book: Judg
contenido:
and watch. When the young women of Shiloh come out to dance during the festival, you come out of the vineyards. Each of you take a wife by force from among them and take her back to the territory of Benjamin with you.


book: Judg
contenido:
If their fathers or brothers come to you and protest, you can tell them, ‘Please let us keep them, because we did not take them from you in battle to be our wives. And since you did not give them to us, you are not guilty of breaking your promise.’”


book: Judg
contenido:
The Benjaminites did this; each of them chose a wife from the young women who were dancing at Shiloh and carried her away. Then they went back to their own territory, rebuilt their towns, and lived there.


book: Judg
contenido:
At the same time the rest of the Israelites left, and every man went back to his own tribe and family and to his own property.


book: Ruth
contenido:
Elimelech and His Family Move to Moab
Long ago, in the days before Israel had a king, there was a famine in the land. So a man named Elimelech, who belonged to the clan of Ephrath and who lived in Bethlehem in Judah, went with his wife Naomi and their two sons Mahlon and Chilion to live for a while in the country of Moab. While they were living there,


book: Ruth
contenido:
Naomi and Ruth Return to Bethlehem
Some time later Naomi heard that the Lord had blessed his people by giving them good crops; so she got ready to leave Moab with her daughters-in-law.


book: Ruth
contenido:
she said to them, “Go back home and stay with your mothers. May the Lord be as good to you as you have been to me and to those who have died.


book: Ruth
contenido:
And may the Lord make it possible for each of you to marry again and have a home.”
So Naomi kissed them good-bye. But they started crying


book: Ruth
contenido:
“You must go back, my daughters,” Naomi answered. “Why do you want to come with me? Do you think I could have sons again for you to marry?


book: Ruth
contenido:
Go back home, for I am too old to get married again. Even if I thought there was still hope, and so got married tonight and had sons,


book: Ruth
contenido:
would you wait until they had grown up? Would this keep you from marrying someone else? No, my daughters, you know that's impossible. The Lord has turned against me, and I feel very sorry for you.”


book: Ruth
contenido:
Again they started crying. Then Orpah kissed her mother-in-law good-bye and went back home, but Ruth held on to her.


book: Ruth
contenido:
So Naomi said to her, “Ruth, your sister-in-law has gone back to her people and to her god. Go back home with her.”


book: Ruth
contenido:
But Ruth answered, “Don't ask me to leave you! Let me go with you. Wherever you go, I will go; wherever you live, I will live. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God.


book: Ruth
contenido:
Wherever you die, I will die, and that is where I will be buried. May the Lord's worst punishment come upon me if I let anything but death separate me from you!”


book: Ruth
contenido:
They went on until they came to Bethlehem. When they arrived, the whole town became excited, and the women there exclaimed, “Is this really Naomi?”


book: Ruth
contenido:
When I left here, I had plenty, but the Lord has brought me back without a thing. Why call me Naomi when the Lord Almighty has condemned me and sent me trouble?”


book: Ruth
contenido:
This, then, was how Naomi came back from Moab with Ruth, her Moabite daughter-in-law. When they arrived in Bethlehem, the barley harvest was just beginning.


book: Ruth
contenido:
Ruth Works in the Field of Boaz
Naomi had a relative named Boaz, a rich and influential man who belonged to the family of her husband Elimelech.


book: Ruth
contenido:
One day Ruth said to Naomi, “Let me go to the fields to gather the grain that the harvest workers leave. I am sure to find someone who will let me work with him.”
Naomi answered, “Go ahead, daughter.”


book: Ruth
contenido:
So Ruth went out to the fields and walked behind the workers, picking up the heads of grain which they left. It so happened that she was in a field that belonged to Boaz.


book: Ruth
contenido:
Some time later Boaz himself arrived from Bethlehem and greeted the workers. “The Lord be with you!” he said.
“The Lord bless you!” they answered.


book: Ruth
contenido:
She asked me to let her follow the workers and gather grain. She has been working since early morning and has just now stopped to rest for a while under the shelter.”


book: Ruth
contenido:
Then Boaz said to Ruth, “Let me give you some advice. Don't gather grain anywhere except in this field. Work with the women here;


book: Ruth
contenido:
watch them to see where they are reaping and stay with them. I have ordered my men not to molest you. And whenever you are thirsty, go and drink from the water jars that they have filled.”


book: Ruth
contenido:
Ruth bowed down with her face touching the ground, and said to Boaz, “Why should you be so concerned about me? Why should you be so kind to a foreigner?”


book: Ruth
contenido:
Boaz answered, “I have heard about everything that you have done for your mother-in-law since your husband died. I know how you left your father and mother and your own country and how you came to live among a people you had never known before.


book: Ruth
contenido:
May the Lord reward you for what you have done. May you have a full reward from the Lord God of Israel, to whom you have come for protection!”


book: Ruth
contenido:
Ruth answered, “You are very kind to me, sir. You have made me feel better by speaking gently to me, even though I am not the equal of one of your servants.”


book: Ruth
contenido:
At mealtime Boaz said to Ruth, “Come and have a piece of bread, and dip it in the sauce.” So she sat with the workers, and Boaz passed some roasted grain to her. She ate until she was satisfied, and she still had some food left over.


book: Ruth
contenido:
After she had left to go and gather grain, Boaz ordered the workers, “Let her gather grain even where the bundles are lying, and don't say anything to stop her. Besides that, pull out some heads of grain from the bundles and leave them for her to pick up.”


book: Ruth
contenido:
So Ruth gathered grain in the field until evening, and when she had beaten it out, she found she had nearly twenty-five pounds.


book: Ruth
contenido:
She took the grain back into town and showed her mother-in-law how much she had gathered. She also gave her the food left over from the meal.


book: Ruth
contenido:
Naomi asked her, “Where did you gather all this grain today? Whose field have you been working in? May God bless the man who took an interest in you!”
So Ruth told Naomi that she had been working in a field belonging to a man named Boaz.


book: Ruth
contenido:
“May the Lord bless Boaz!” Naomi exclaimed. “The Lord always keeps his promises to the living and the dead.” And she went on, “That man is a close relative of ours, one of those responsible for taking care of us.”


book: Ruth
contenido:
Then Ruth said, “Best of all, he told me to keep gathering grain with his workers until they finish the harvest.”


book: Ruth
contenido:
Naomi said to Ruth, “Yes, daughter, it will be better for you to work with the women in Boaz' field. You might be molested if you went to someone else's field.”


book: Ruth
contenido:
So Ruth worked with them and gathered grain until all the barley and wheat had been harvested. And she continued to live with her mother-in-law.


book: Ruth
contenido:
Ruth Finds a Husband
Some time later Naomi said to Ruth, “I must find a husband for you, so that you will have a home of your own.


book: Ruth
contenido:
Remember that this man Boaz, whose women you have been working with, is our relative. Now listen. This evening he will be threshing the barley.


book: Ruth
contenido:
So wash yourself, put on some perfume, and get dressed in your best clothes. Then go where he is threshing, but don't let him know you are there until he has finished eating and drinking.


book: Ruth
contenido:
Be sure to notice where he lies down, and after he falls asleep, go and lift the covers and lie down at his feet. He will tell you what to do.”


book: Ruth
contenido:
When Boaz had finished eating and drinking, he was in a good mood. He went to the pile of barley and lay down to sleep. Ruth slipped over quietly, lifted the covers and lay down at his feet.


book: Ruth
contenido:
During the night he woke up suddenly, turned over, and was surprised to find a woman lying at his feet.


book: Ruth
contenido:
“Who are you?” he asked.
“It's Ruth, sir,” she answered. “Because you are a close relative, you are responsible for taking care of me. So please marry me.”


book: Ruth
contenido:
“The Lord bless you,” he said. “You are showing even greater family loyalty in what you are doing now than in what you did for your mother-in-law. You might have gone looking for a young man, either rich or poor, but you haven't.


book: Ruth
contenido:
Now don't worry, Ruth. I will do everything you ask; as everyone in town knows, you are a fine woman.


book: Ruth
contenido:
It is true that I am a close relative and am responsible for you, but there is a man who is a closer relative than I am.


book: Ruth
contenido:
Stay here the rest of the night, and in the morning we will find out whether or not he will take responsibility for you. If so, well and good; if not, then I swear by the living Lord that I will take the responsibility. Now lie down and stay here till morning.”


book: Ruth
contenido:
So she lay there at his feet, but she got up before it was light enough for her to be seen, because Boaz did not want anyone to know that she had been there.


book: Ruth
contenido:
Boaz said to her, “Take off your cloak and spread it out here.” She did, and he poured out almost fifty pounds of barley and helped her lift it to her shoulder. Then she returned to town with it.


book: Ruth
contenido:
When she arrived home, her mother-in-law asked her, “How did you get along, daughter?”
Ruth told her everything that Boaz had done for her.


book: Ruth
contenido:
Naomi said to her, “Now be patient, Ruth, until you see how this all turns out. Boaz will not rest today until he settles the matter.”


book: Ruth
contenido:
Boaz Marries Ruth
Boaz went to the meeting place at the town gate and sat down there. Then Elimelech's nearest relative, the man whom Boaz had mentioned, came by, and Boaz called to him, “Come over here, my friend, and sit down.” So he went over and sat down.


book: Ruth
contenido:
Then Boaz got ten of the leaders of the town and asked them to sit down there too. When they were seated,


book: Ruth
contenido:
he said to his relative, “Now that Naomi has come back from Moab, she wants to sell the field that belonged to our relative Elimelech,


book: Ruth
contenido:
and I think you ought to know about it. Now then, if you want it, buy it in the presence of these men sitting here. But if you don't want it, say so, because the right to buy it belongs first to you and then to me.”
The man said, “I will buy it.”


book: Ruth
contenido:
Boaz said, “Very well, if you buy the field from Naomi, then you are also buying Ruth, the Moabite widow, so that the field will stay in the dead man's family.”


book: Ruth
contenido:
The man answered, “In that case I will give up my right to buy the field, because it would mean that my own children would not inherit it. You buy it; I would rather not.”


book: Ruth
contenido:
Now in those days, to settle a sale or an exchange of property, it was the custom for the seller to take off his sandal and give it to the buyer. In this way the Israelites showed that the matter was settled.


book: Ruth
contenido:
Then Boaz said to the leaders and all the others there, “You are all witnesses today that I have bought from Naomi everything that belonged to Elimelech and to his sons Chilion and Mahlon.


book: Ruth
contenido:
In addition, Ruth the Moabite, Mahlon's widow, becomes my wife. This will keep the property in the dead man's family, and his family line will continue among his people and in his hometown. You are witnesses to this today.”


book: Ruth
contenido:
The leaders and the others said, “Yes, we are witnesses. May the Lord make your wife become like Rachel and Leah, who bore many children to Jacob. May you become rich in the clan of Ephrath and famous in Bethlehem.


book: Ruth
contenido:
May the children that the Lord will give you by this young woman make your family like the family of Perez, the son of Judah and Tamar.”


book: Ruth
contenido:
Boaz and His Descendants
So Boaz took Ruth home as his wife. The Lord blessed her, and she became pregnant and had a son.


book: Ruth
contenido:
The women said to Naomi, “Praise the Lord! He has given you a grandson today to take care of you. May the boy become famous in Israel!


book: Ruth
contenido:
Your daughter-in-law loves you, and has done more for you than seven sons. And now she has given you a grandson, who will bring new life to you and give you security in your old age.”


book: Ruth
contenido:
The women of the neighborhood named the boy Obed. They told everyone, “A son has been born to Naomi!”
Obed became the father of Jesse, who was the father of David.


book: Ruth
contenido:
This is the family line from Perez to David: Perez, Hezron, Ram, Amminadab, Nahshon, Salmon, Boaz, Obed, Jesse, David.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
Elkanah and His Family at Shiloh
There was a man named Elkanah, from the tribe of Ephraim, who lived in the town of Ramah in the hill country of Ephraim. He was the son of Jeroham and grandson of Elihu, and belonged to the family of Tohu, a part of the clan of Zuph.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
Every year Elkanah went from Ramah to worship and offer sacrifices to the Lord Almighty at Shiloh, where Hophni and Phinehas, the two sons of Eli, were priests of the Lord.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
Each time Elkanah offered his sacrifice, he would give one share of the meat to Peninnah and one share to each of her children.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
And even though he loved Hannah very much he would give her only one share, because the Lord had kept her from having children.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
This went on year after year; whenever they went to the house of the Lord, Peninnah would upset Hannah so much that she would cry and refuse to eat anything.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
Her husband Elkanah would ask her, “Hannah, why are you crying? Why won't you eat? Why are you always so sad? Don't I mean more to you than ten sons?”


book: 1Sam
contenido:
Hannah and Eli
One time, after they had finished their meal in the house of the Lord at Shiloh, Hannah got up. She was deeply distressed, and she cried bitterly as she prayed to the Lord. Meanwhile, Eli the priest was sitting in his place by the door.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
Hannah made a solemn promise: “Lord Almighty, look at me, your servant! See my trouble and remember me! Don't forget me! If you give me a son, I promise that I will dedicate him to you for his whole life and that he will never have his hair cut.”


book: 1Sam
contenido:
She was praying silently; her lips were moving, but she made no sound. So Eli thought that she was drunk,


book: 1Sam
contenido:
“No, I'm not drunk, sir,” she answered. “I haven't been drinking! I am desperate, and I have been praying, pouring out my troubles to the Lord.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
“May you always think kindly of me,” she replied. Then she went away, ate some food, and was no longer sad.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
Samuel's Birth and Dedication
The next morning Elkanah and his family got up early, and after worshiping the Lord, they went back home to Ramah. Elkanah had intercourse with his wife Hannah, and the Lord answered her prayer.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
So it was that she became pregnant and gave birth to a son. She named him Samuel, and explained, “I asked the Lord for him.”


book: 1Sam
contenido:
The time came again for Elkanah and his family to go to Shiloh and offer to the Lord the yearly sacrifice and the special sacrifice he had promised.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
But this time Hannah did not go. She told her husband, “As soon as the child is weaned, I will take him to the house of the Lord, where he will stay all his life.”


book: 1Sam
contenido:
Elkanah answered, “All right, do whatever you think best; stay at home until you have weaned him. And may the Lord make your promise come true.” So Hannah stayed at home and nursed her child.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
After she had weaned him, she took him to Shiloh, taking along a three-year-old bull, a bushel of flour, and a leather bag full of wine. She took Samuel, young as he was, to the house of the Lord at Shiloh.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
Hannah said to him, “Excuse me, sir. Do you remember me? I am the woman you saw standing here, praying to the Lord.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
So I am dedicating him to the Lord. As long as he lives, he will belong to the Lord.”
Then they worshiped the Lord there.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
Hannah's Prayer
Hannah prayed:
“The Lord has filled my heart with joy;
how happy I am because of what he has done!
I laugh at my enemies;
how joyful I am because God has helped me!


book: 1Sam
contenido:
Stop your loud boasting;
silence your proud words.
For the Lord is a God who knows,
and he judges all that people do.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
The people who once were well fed
now hire themselves out to get food,
but the hungry are hungry no more.
The childless wife has borne seven children,
but the mother of many is left with none.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
The Lord kills and restores to life;
he sends people to the world of the dead
and brings them back again.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
He lifts the poor from the dust
and raises the needy from their misery.
He makes them companions of princes
and puts them in places of honor.
The foundations of the earth belong to the Lord;
on them he has built the world.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
“He protects the lives of his faithful people,
but the wicked disappear in darkness;
a man does not triumph by his own strength.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
The Lord's enemies will be destroyed;
he will thunder against them from heaven.
The Lord will judge the whole world;
he will give power to his king,
he will make his chosen king victorious.”


book: 1Sam
contenido:
Then Elkanah went back home to Ramah, but the boy Samuel stayed in Shiloh and served the Lord under the priest Eli.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
or to the regulations concerning what the priests could demand from the people. Instead, when someone was offering a sacrifice, the priest's servant would come with a three-pronged fork. While the meat was still cooking,


book: 1Sam
contenido:
he would stick the fork into the cooking pot, and whatever the fork brought out belonged to the priest. All the Israelites who came to Shiloh to offer sacrifices were treated like this.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
In addition, even before the fat was taken off and burned, the priest's servant would come and say to the one offering the sacrifice, “Give me some meat for the priest to roast; he won't accept boiled meat from you, only raw meat.”


book: 1Sam
contenido:
If the person answered, “Let us do what is right and burn the fat first; then take what you want,” the priest's servant would say, “No! Give it to me now! If you don't, I will have to take it by force!”


book: 1Sam
contenido:
This sin of the sons of Eli was extremely serious in the Lord's sight, because they treated the offerings to the Lord with such disrespect.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
Samuel at Shiloh
In the meantime the boy Samuel continued to serve the Lord, wearing a sacred linen apron.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
Each year his mother would make a little robe and take it to him when she accompanied her husband to offer the yearly sacrifice.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
Then Eli would bless Elkanah and his wife, and say to Elkanah, “May the Lord give you other children by this woman to take the place of the one you dedicated to him.”
After that they would go back home.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
The Lord did bless Hannah, and she had three more sons and two daughters. The boy Samuel grew up in the service of the Lord.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
Eli and His Sons
Eli was now very old. He kept hearing about everything his sons were doing to the Israelites and that they were even sleeping with the women who worked at the entrance to the Tent of the Lord's presence.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
So he said to them, “Why are you doing these things? Everybody tells me about the evil you are doing.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
If anyone sins against someone else, God can defend the one who is wrong; but who can defend someone who sins against the Lord?”
But they would not listen to their father, for the Lord had decided to kill them.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
The Prophecy against Eli's Family
A prophet came to Eli with this message from the Lord: “When your ancestor Aaron and his family were slaves of the king of Egypt, I revealed myself to Aaron.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
From all the tribes of Israel I chose his family to be my priests, to serve at the altar, to burn the incense, and to wear the ephod to consult me. And I gave them the right to keep a share of the sacrifices burned on the altar.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
Why, then, do you look with greed at the sacrifices and offerings which I require from my people? Why, Eli, do you honor your sons more than me by letting them fatten themselves on the best parts of all the sacrifices my people offer to me?


book: 1Sam
contenido:
I, the Lord God of Israel, promised in the past that your family and your clan would serve me as priests for all time. But now I say that I won't have it any longer! Instead, I will honor those who honor me, and I will treat with contempt those who despise me.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
Listen, the time is coming when I will kill all the young men in your family and your clan, so that no man in your family will live to be old.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
You will be troubled and look with envy on all the blessings I will give to the other people of Israel, but no one in your family will ever again live to old age.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
Yet I will keep one of your descendants alive, and he will serve me as priest. But he will become blind and lose all hope, and all your other descendants will die a violent death.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
When your two sons Hophni and Phinehas both die on the same day, this will show you that everything I have said will come true.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
I will choose a priest who will be faithful to me and do everything I want him to. I will give him descendants, who will always serve in the presence of my chosen king.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
Any of your descendants who survive will have to go to that priest and ask him for money and food, and beg to be allowed to help the priests, in order to have something to eat.”


book: 1Sam
contenido:
The Lord Appears to Samuel
In those days, when the boy Samuel was serving the Lord under the direction of Eli, there were very few messages from the Lord, and visions from him were quite rare.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
Samuel was sleeping in the sanctuary, where the sacred Covenant Box was. Before dawn, while the lamp was still burning,


book: 1Sam
contenido:
and ran to Eli and said, “You called me, and here I am.”
But Eli answered, “I didn't call you; go back to bed.” So Samuel went back to bed.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
The Lord called Samuel again. The boy did not know that it was the Lord, because the Lord had never spoken to him before. So he got up, went to Eli, and said, “You called me, and here I am.”
But Eli answered, “My son, I didn't call you; go back to bed.”


book: 1Sam
contenido:
The Lord called Samuel a third time; he got up, went to Eli, and said, “You called me, and here I am.”
Then Eli realized that it was the Lord who was calling the boy,


book: 1Sam
contenido:
so he said to him, “Go back to bed; and if he calls you again, say, ‘Speak, Lord, your servant is listening.’” So Samuel went back to bed.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
The Lord came and stood there, and called as he had before, “Samuel! Samuel!”
Samuel answered, “Speak; your servant is listening.”


book: 1Sam
contenido:
The Lord said to him, “Some day I am going to do something to the people of Israel that is so terrible that everyone who hears about it will be stunned.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
I have already told him that I am going to punish his family forever because his sons have spoken evil things against me. Eli knew they were doing this, but he did not stop them.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
So I solemnly declare to the family of Eli that no sacrifice or offering will ever be able to remove the consequences of this terrible sin.”


book: 1Sam
contenido:
Samuel stayed in bed until morning; then he got up and opened the doors of the house of the Lord. He was afraid to tell Eli about the vision.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
“What did the Lord tell you?” Eli asked. “Don't keep anything from me. God will punish you severely if you don't tell me everything he said.”


book: 1Sam
contenido:
So Samuel told him everything; he did not keep anything back. Eli said, “He is the Lord; he will do whatever seems best to him.”


book: 1Sam
contenido:
So all the people of Israel, from one end of the country to the other, knew that Samuel was indeed a prophet of the Lord.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
The Lord continued to reveal himself at Shiloh, where he had appeared to Samuel and had spoken to him. And when Samuel spoke, all Israel listened.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
The Capture of the Covenant Box
At that time the Philistines gathered to go to war against Israel, so the Israelites set out to fight them. The Israelites set up their camp at Ebenezer and the Philistines at Aphek.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
The Philistines attacked, and after fierce fighting they defeated the Israelites and killed about four thousand men on the battlefield.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
When the survivors came back to camp, the leaders of Israel said, “Why did the Lord let the Philistines defeat us today? Let's go and bring the Lord's Covenant Box from Shiloh, so that he will go with us and save us from our enemies.”


book: 1Sam
contenido:
So they sent messengers to Shiloh and got the Covenant Box of the Lord Almighty, who is enthroned above the winged creatures. And Eli's two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, came along with the Covenant Box.


book: 1Sam
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The Philistines heard the shouting and said, “Listen to all that shouting in the Hebrew camp! What does it mean?” When they found out that the Lord's Covenant Box had arrived in the Hebrew camp,


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they were afraid, and said, “A god has come into their camp! We're lost! Nothing like this has ever happened to us before!


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contenido:
Who can save us from those powerful gods? They are the gods who slaughtered the Egyptians in the desert!


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contenido:
Be brave, Philistines! Fight like men, or we will become slaves to the Hebrews, just as they were our slaves. So fight like men!”


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contenido:
The Philistines fought hard and defeated the Israelites, who went running to their homes. There was a great slaughter: thirty thousand Israelite soldiers were killed.


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contenido:
The Death of Eli
A man from the tribe of Benjamin ran all the way from the battlefield to Shiloh and arrived there the same day. To show his grief, he had torn his clothes and put dirt on his head.


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contenido:
Eli, who was very worried about the Covenant Box, was sitting in his seat beside the road, staring. The man spread the news throughout the town, and everyone cried out in fear.


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contenido:
Eli heard the noise and asked, “What is all this noise about?” The man hurried to Eli to tell him the news.


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contenido:
The man said, “I have escaped from the battle and have run all the way here today.”
Eli asked him, “What happened, my son?”


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contenido:
The messenger answered, “Israel ran away from the Philistines; it was a terrible defeat for us! Besides that, your sons Hophni and Phinehas were killed, and God's Covenant Box was captured!”


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contenido:
When the man mentioned the Covenant Box, Eli fell backward from his seat beside the gate. He was so old and fat that the fall broke his neck, and he died. He had been a leader in Israel for forty years.


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contenido:
The Death of the Widow of Phinehas
Eli's daughter-in-law, the wife of Phinehas, was pregnant, and it was almost time for her baby to be born. When she heard that God's Covenant Box had been captured and that her father-in-law and her husband were dead, she suddenly went into labor and gave birth.


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As she was dying, the women helping her said to her, “Be brave! You have a son!” But she paid no attention and did not answer.


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contenido:
She named the boy Ichabod, explaining, “God's glory has left Israel”—referring to the capture of the Covenant Box and the death of her father-in-law and her husband.


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contenido:
The Covenant Box among the Philistines
After the Philistines captured the Covenant Box, they carried it from Ebenezer to their city of Ashdod,


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Early the next morning the people of Ashdod saw that the statue of Dagon had fallen face downward on the ground in front of the Lord's Covenant Box. So they lifted it up and put it back in its place.


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contenido:
Early the following morning they saw that the statue had again fallen down in front of the Covenant Box. This time its head and both its arms were broken off and were lying in the doorway; only the body was left.


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(That is why even today the priests of Dagon and all his worshipers in Ashdod step over that place and do not walk on it.)


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The Lord punished the people of Ashdod severely and terrified them. He punished them and the people in the surrounding territory by causing them to have tumors.


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When they saw what was happening, they said, “The God of Israel is punishing us and our god Dagon. We can't let the Covenant Box stay here any longer.”


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contenido:
So they sent messengers and called together all five of the Philistine kings and asked them, “What shall we do with the Covenant Box of the God of Israel?”
“Take it over to Gath,” they answered; so they took it to Gath, another Philistine city.


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But after it arrived there, the Lord punished that city too and caused a great panic. He punished them with tumors which developed in all the people of the city, young and old alike.


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So they sent the Covenant Box to Ekron, another Philistine city; but when it arrived there, the people cried out, “They have brought the Covenant Box of the God of Israel here, in order to kill us all!”


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So again they sent for all the Philistine kings and said, “Send the Covenant Box of Israel back to its own place, so that it won't kill us and our families.” There was panic throughout the city because God was punishing them so severely.


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The Return of the Covenant Box
After the Lord's Covenant Box had been in Philistia for seven months,


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the people called the priests and the magicians and asked, “What shall we do with the Covenant Box of the Lord? If we send it back where it belongs, what shall we send with it?”


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They answered, “If you return the Covenant Box of the God of Israel, you must, of course, send with it a gift to him to pay for your sin. The Covenant Box must not go back without a gift. In this way you will be healed, and you will find out why he has kept on punishing you.”


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“What gift shall we send him?” the people asked.
They answered, “Five gold models of tumors and five gold mice, one of each for each Philistine king. The same plague was sent on all of you and on the five kings.


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You must make these models of the tumors and of the mice that are ravaging your country, and you must give honor to the God of Israel. Perhaps he will stop punishing you, your gods, and your land.


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Why should you be stubborn, as the king of Egypt and the Egyptians were? Don't forget how God made fools of them until they let the Israelites leave Egypt.


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So prepare a new wagon and two cows that have never been yoked; hitch them to the wagon and drive their calves back to the barn.


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Take the Lord's Covenant Box, put it on the wagon, and place in a box beside it the gold models that you are sending to him as a gift to pay for your sins. Start the wagon on its way and let it go by itself.


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Then watch it go; if it goes toward the town of Beth Shemesh, this means that it is the God of the Israelites who has sent this terrible disaster on us. But if it doesn't, then we will know that he did not send the plague; it was only a matter of chance.”


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They did what they were told: they took two cows and hitched them to the wagon, and shut the calves in the barn.


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They put the Covenant Box in the wagon, together with the box containing the gold models of the mice and of the tumors.


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contenido:
The cows started off on the road to Beth Shemesh and headed straight toward it, without turning off the road. They were mooing as they went. The five Philistine kings followed them as far as the border of Beth Shemesh.


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The people of Beth Shemesh were reaping wheat in the valley, when suddenly they looked up and saw the Covenant Box. They were overjoyed at the sight.


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The wagon came to a field belonging to a man named Joshua, who lived in Beth Shemesh, and it stopped there near a large rock. The people chopped up the wooden wagon and killed the cows and burned them as a burnt sacrifice to the Lord.


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The Levites lifted off the Covenant Box of the Lord and the box with the gold models in it, and placed them on the large rock. Then the people of Beth Shemesh offered burnt sacrifices and other sacrifices to the Lord.


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The Philistines sent the five gold tumors to the Lord as a gift to pay for their sins, one each for the cities of Ashdod, Gaza, Ashkelon, Gath, and Ekron.


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They also sent gold mice, one for each of the cities ruled by the five Philistine kings, both the fortified towns and the villages without walls. The large rock in the field of Joshua of Beth Shemesh, on which they placed the Lord's Covenant Box, is still there as a witness to what happened.


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The Lord killed seventy of the men of Beth Shemesh because they looked inside the Covenant Box. And the people mourned because the Lord had caused such a great slaughter among them.


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The Covenant Box at Kiriath Jearim
So the men of Beth Shemesh said, “Who can stand before the Lord, this holy God? Where can we send him to get him away from us?”


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contenido:
They sent messengers to the people of Kiriath Jearim to say, “The Philistines have returned the Lord's Covenant Box. Come down and get it.”


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So the people of Kiriath Jearim got the Lord's Covenant Box and took it to the house of a man named Abinadab, who lived on a hill. They consecrated his son Eleazar to be in charge of it.


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Samuel Rules Israel
The Covenant Box of the Lord stayed in Kiriath Jearim a long time, some twenty years. During this time all the Israelites cried to the Lord for help.


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Samuel said to the people of Israel, “If you are going to turn to the Lord with all your hearts, you must get rid of all the foreign gods and the images of the goddess Astarte. Dedicate yourselves completely to the Lord and worship only him, and he will rescue you from the power of the Philistines.”


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Then Samuel called for all the Israelites to meet at Mizpah, telling them, “I will pray to the Lord for you there.”


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So they all gathered at Mizpah. They drew some water and poured it out as an offering to the Lord and fasted that whole day. They said, “We have sinned against the Lord.” (It was at Mizpah where Samuel settled disputes among the Israelites.)


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When the Philistines heard that the Israelites had gathered at Mizpah, the five Philistine kings started out with their men to attack them. The Israelites heard about it and were afraid,


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Samuel killed a young lamb and burned it whole as a sacrifice to the Lord. Then he prayed to the Lord to help Israel, and the Lord answered his prayer.


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While Samuel was offering the sacrifice, the Philistines moved forward to attack; but just then the Lord thundered from heaven against them. They became completely confused and fled in panic.


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contenido:
The Israelites marched out from Mizpah and pursued the Philistines almost as far as Bethcar, killing them along the way.


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Then Samuel took a stone, set it up between Mizpah and Shen, and said, “The Lord has helped us all the way”—and he named it “Stone of Help.”


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So the Philistines were defeated, and the Lord prevented them from invading Israel's territory as long as Samuel lived.


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All the cities which the Philistines had captured between Ekron and Gath were returned to Israel, and so Israel got back all its territory. And there was peace also between the Israelites and the Canaanites.


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Every year he would go around to Bethel, Gilgal, and Mizpah, and in these places he would settle disputes.


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Then he would go back to his home in Ramah, where also he would serve as judge. In Ramah he built an altar to the Lord.


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But they did not follow their father's example; they were interested only in making money, so they accepted bribes and did not decide cases honestly.


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and said to him, “Look, you are getting old and your sons don't follow your example. So then, appoint a king to rule over us, so that we will have a king, as other countries have.”


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contenido:
and the Lord said, “Listen to everything the people say to you. You are not the one they have rejected; I am the one they have rejected as their king.


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Ever since I brought them out of Egypt, they have turned away from me and worshiped other gods; and now they are doing to you what they have always done to me.


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So then, listen to them, but give them strict warnings and explain how their kings will treat them.”


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“This is how your king will treat you,” Samuel explained. “He will make soldiers of your sons; some of them will serve in his war chariots, others in his cavalry, and others will run before his chariots.


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He will make some of them officers in charge of a thousand men, and others in charge of fifty men. Your sons will have to plow his fields, harvest his crops, and make his weapons and the equipment for his chariots.


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When that time comes, you will complain bitterly because of your king, whom you yourselves chose, but the Lord will not listen to your complaints.”


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contenido:
so that we will be like other nations, with our own king to rule us and to lead us out to war and to fight our battles.”


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contenido:
The Lord answered, “Do what they want and give them a king.” Then Samuel told all the men of Israel to go back home.


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contenido:
Saul Meets Samuel
There was a wealthy and influential man named Kish, from the tribe of Benjamin; he was the son of Abiel and grandson of Zeror, and belonged to the family of Becorath, a part of the clan of Aphiah.


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He had a son named Saul, a handsome man in the prime of life. Saul was a foot taller than anyone else in Israel and more handsome as well.


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Some donkeys belonging to Kish had wandered off, so he said to Saul, “Take one of the servants with you and go and look for the donkeys.”


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They went through the hill country of Ephraim and the region of Shalishah, but did not find them; so they went on through the region of Shaalim, but the donkeys were not there. Then they went through the territory of Benjamin, but still did not find them.


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When they came into the region of Zuph, Saul said to his servant, “Let's go back home, or my father might stop thinking about the donkeys and start worrying about us.”


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The servant answered, “Wait! In this town there is a holy man who is highly respected because everything he says comes true. Let's go to him, and maybe he can tell us where we can find the donkeys.”


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“If we go to him, what can we give him?” Saul asked. “There is no food left in our packs, and we don't have a thing to give him, do we?”


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The servant answered, “I have a small silver coin. I can give him that, and then he will tell us where we can find them.”


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contenido:
Saul replied, “A good idea! Let's go.” So they went to the town where the holy man lived. As they were going up the hill to the town, they met some young women who were coming out to draw water. They asked these women, “Is the seer in town?”
(At that time a prophet was called a seer, and so whenever someone wanted to ask God a question, he would say, “Let's go to the seer.”)


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“Yes, he is,” the young women answered. “In fact, he is just ahead of you. If you hurry, you will catch up with him. As soon as you go into town, you will find him. He arrived in town today because the people are going to offer a sacrifice on the altar on the hill. The people who are invited won't start eating until he gets there, because he has to bless the sacrifice first. If you go now, you will find him before he goes up the hill to eat.”


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So Saul and his servant went on to the town, and as they were going in, they saw Samuel coming out toward them on his way to the place of worship.


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“Tomorrow about this time I will send you a man from the tribe of Benjamin; anoint him as ruler of my people Israel, and he will rescue them from the Philistines. I have seen the suffering of my people and have heard their cries for help.”


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When Samuel caught sight of Saul, the Lord said to him, “This is the man I told you about. He will rule my people.”


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contenido:
Then Saul went over to Samuel, who was near the gate, and asked, “Tell me, where does the seer live?”


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contenido:
Samuel answered, “I am the seer. Go on ahead of me to the place of worship. Both of you are to eat with me today. Tomorrow morning I will answer all your questions and send you on your way.


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As for the donkeys that were lost three days ago, don't worry about them; they have already been found. But who is it that the people of Israel want so much? It is you—you and your father's family.”


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contenido:
Saul answered, “I belong to the tribe of Benjamin, the smallest tribe in Israel, and my family is the least important one in the tribe. Why, then, do you talk like this to me?”


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contenido:
Then Samuel led Saul and his servant into the large room and gave them a place at the head of the table where the guests, about thirty in all, were seated.


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So the cook brought the choice piece of the leg and placed it before Saul. Samuel said, “Look, here is the piece that was kept for you. Eat it. I saved it for you to eat at this time with the people I invited.”
So Saul ate with Samuel that day.


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When they went down from the place of worship to the town, they fixed up a bed for Saul on the roof,


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and he slept there.
Samuel Anoints Saul as Ruler
At dawn Samuel called to Saul on the roof, “Get up, and I will send you on your way.” Saul got up, and he and Samuel went out to the street together.


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When they arrived at the edge of town, Samuel said to Saul, “Tell the servant to go on ahead of us.” The servant left, and Samuel continued, “Stay here a minute, and I will tell you what God has said.”


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contenido:
Then Samuel took a jar of olive oil and poured it on Saul's head, kissed him, and said, “The Lord anoints you as ruler of his people Israel. You will rule his people and protect them from all their enemies. And this is the proof to you that the Lord has chosen you to be the ruler of his people:


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When you leave me today, you will meet two men near Rachel's tomb at Zelzah in the territory of Benjamin. They will tell you that the donkeys you were looking for have been found, so that your father isn't worried any more about them but about you, and he keeps asking, ‘What shall I do about my son?’


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You will go on from there until you come to the sacred tree at Tabor, where you will meet three men on their way to offer a sacrifice to God at Bethel. One of them will be leading three young goats, another one will be carrying three loaves of bread, and the third one will have a leather bag full of wine.


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Then you will go to the Hill of God in Gibeah, where there is a Philistine camp. At the entrance to the town you will meet a group of prophets coming down from the altar on the hill, playing harps, drums, flutes, and lyres. They will be dancing and shouting.


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Suddenly the spirit of the Lord will take control of you, and you will join in their religious dancing and shouting and will become a different person.


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contenido:
You will go ahead of me to Gilgal, where I will meet you and offer burnt sacrifices and fellowship sacrifices. Wait there seven days until I come and tell you what to do.”


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contenido:
When Saul turned to leave Samuel, God gave Saul a new nature. And everything Samuel had told him happened that day.


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When Saul and his servant arrived at Gibeah, a group of prophets met him. Suddenly the spirit of God took control of him, and he joined in their ecstatic dancing and shouting.


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contenido:
People who had known him before saw him doing this and asked one another, “What has happened to the son of Kish? Has Saul become a prophet?”


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contenido:
A man who lived there asked, “How about these other prophets—who do you think their fathers are?” This is how the saying originated, “Has even Saul become a prophet?”


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contenido:
Saul's uncle saw him and the servant, and he asked them, “Where have you been?”
“Looking for the donkeys,” Saul answered. “When we couldn't find them, we went to see Samuel.”


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contenido:
“He told us that the animals had been found,” Saul answered—but he did not tell his uncle what Samuel had said about his becoming king.


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contenido:
and said to them, “The Lord, the God of Israel, says, ‘I brought you out of Egypt and rescued you from the Egyptians and all the other peoples who were oppressing you.


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I am your God, the one who rescues you from all your troubles and difficulties, but today you have rejected me and have asked me to give you a king. Very well, then, gather yourselves before the Lord by tribes and by clans.’”


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Then Samuel had the families of the tribe of Benjamin come forward, and the family of Matri was picked out. Then the men of the family of Matri came forward, and Saul son of Kish was picked out. They looked for him, but when they could not find him,


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contenido:
they asked the Lord, “Is there still someone else?”
The Lord answered, “Saul is over there, hiding behind the supplies.”


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contenido:
So they ran and brought Saul out to the people, and they could see that he was a foot taller than anyone else.


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contenido:
Samuel said to the people, “Here is the man the Lord has chosen! There is no one else among us like him.”
All the people shouted, “Long live the king!”


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contenido:
Samuel explained to the people the rights and duties of a king, and then wrote them in a book, which he deposited in a holy place. Then he sent everyone home.


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But some worthless people said, “How can this fellow do us any good?” They despised Saul and did not bring him any gifts.


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contenido:
Saul Defeats the Ammonites
About a month later King Nahash of Ammon led his army against the town of Jabesh in the territory of Gilead and besieged it. The men of Jabesh said to Nahash, “Make a treaty with us, and we will accept you as our ruler.”


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Nahash answered, “I will make a treaty with you on one condition: I will put out everyone's right eye and so bring disgrace on all Israel.”


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contenido:
The leaders of Jabesh said, “Give us seven days to send messengers throughout the land of Israel. If no one will help us, then we will surrender to you.”


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contenido:
The messengers arrived at Gibeah, where Saul lived, and when they told the news, the people started crying in despair.


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contenido:
Saul was just then coming in from the field with his oxen, and he asked, “What's wrong? Why is everyone crying?” They told him what the messengers from Jabesh had reported.


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contenido:
He took two oxen, cut them in pieces, and had messengers carry the pieces throughout the land of Israel with this warning: “Whoever does not follow Saul and Samuel into battle will have this done to his oxen!”
The people of Israel were afraid of what the Lord might do, and all of them, without exception, came out together.


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They said to the messengers from Jabesh, “Tell your people that before noon tomorrow they will be rescued.” When the people of Jabesh received the message, they were overjoyed


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contenido:
That night Saul divided his men into three groups, and at dawn the next day they rushed into the enemy camp and attacked the Ammonites. By noon they had slaughtered them. The survivors scattered, each man running off by himself.


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contenido:
Then the people of Israel said to Samuel, “Where are the people who said that Saul should not be our king? Hand them over to us, and we will kill them!”


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contenido:
So they all went to Gilgal, and there at the holy place they proclaimed Saul king. They offered fellowship sacrifices, and Saul and all the people of Israel celebrated the event.


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contenido:
Samuel Addresses the People
Then Samuel said to the people of Israel, “I have done what you asked me to do. I have given you a king to rule you,


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contenido:
and now you have him to lead you. As for me, I am old and gray, and my sons are with you. I have been your leader from my youth until now.


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contenido:
Here I am. If I have done anything wrong, accuse me now in the presence of the Lord and the king he has chosen. Have I taken anybody's cow or anybody's donkey? Have I cheated or oppressed anyone? Have I accepted a bribe from anyone? If I have done any of these things, I will pay back what I have taken.”


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The people answered, “No, you have not cheated us or oppressed us; you have not taken anything from anyone.”


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contenido:
Samuel replied, “The Lord and the king he has chosen are witnesses today that you have found me to be completely innocent.”
“Yes, the Lord is our witness,” they answered.


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Samuel continued, “The Lord is the one who chose Moses and Aaron and who brought your ancestors out of Egypt.


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contenido:
Now stand where you are, and I will accuse you before the Lord by reminding you of all the mighty actions the Lord did to save you and your ancestors.


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contenido:
When Jacob and his family went to Egypt and the Egyptians oppressed them, your ancestors cried to the Lord for help, and he sent Moses and Aaron, who brought them out of Egypt and settled them in this land.


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But the people forgot the Lord their God, and so he let the Philistines and the king of Moab and Sisera, commander of the army of the city of Hazor, fight against your ancestors and conquer them.


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contenido:
Then they cried to the Lord for help and said, ‘We have sinned, because we turned away from you, Lord, and worshiped the idols of Baal and Astarte. Rescue us from our enemies, and we will worship you!’


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contenido:
And the Lord sent Gideon, Barak, Jephthah, and finally me. Each of us rescued you from your enemies, and you lived in safety.


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But when you saw that King Nahash of Ammon was about to attack you, you rejected the Lord as your king and said to me, ‘We want a king to rule us.’


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contenido:
All will go well with you if you honor the Lord your God, serve him, listen to him, and obey his commands, and if you and your king follow him.


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contenido:
But if you do not listen to the Lord but disobey his commands, he will be against you and your king.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
It's the dry season, isn't it? But I will pray, and the Lord will send thunder and rain. When this happens, you will realize that you committed a great sin against the Lord when you asked him for a king.”


book: 1Sam
contenido:
So Samuel prayed, and on that same day the Lord sent thunder and rain. Then all the people became afraid of the Lord and of Samuel,


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contenido:
and they said to Samuel, “Please, sir, pray to the Lord your God for us, so that we won't die. We now realize that, besides all our other sins, we have sinned by asking for a king.”


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contenido:
“Don't be afraid,” Samuel answered. “Even though you have done such an evil thing, do not turn away from the Lord, but serve him with all your heart.


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contenido:
The Lord has made a solemn promise, and he will not abandon you, for he has decided to make you his own people.


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contenido:
As for me, the Lord forbid that I should sin against him by no longer praying for you. Instead, I will teach you what is good and right for you to do.


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contenido:
Obey the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart. Remember the great things he has done for you.


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contenido:
Saul picked three thousand men, keeping two thousand of them with him in Michmash and in the hill country of Bethel and sending one thousand with his son Jonathan to Gibeah, in the territory of the tribe of Benjamin. The rest of the men Saul sent home.


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Jonathan killed the Philistine commander in Geba, and all the Philistines heard about it. Then Saul sent messengers to call the Hebrews to war by blowing a trumpet throughout the whole country.


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contenido:
All the Israelites were told that Saul had killed the Philistine commander and that the Philistines hated them. So the people answered the call to join Saul at Gilgal.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
The Philistines assembled to fight the Israelites; they had thirty thousand war chariots, six thousand cavalry troops, and as many soldiers as there are grains of sand on the seashore. They went to Michmash, east of Bethaven, and camped there.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
Then they launched a strong attack against the Israelites, putting them in a desperate situation. Some of the Israelites hid in caves and holes or among the rocks or in pits and wells;


book: 1Sam
contenido:
others crossed the Jordan River into the territories of Gad and Gilead.
Saul was still at Gilgal, and the people with him were trembling with fear.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
He waited seven days for Samuel, as Samuel had instructed him to do, but Samuel still had not come to Gilgal. The people began to desert Saul,


book: 1Sam
contenido:
so he said to them, “Bring me the burnt sacrifices and the fellowship sacrifices.” He offered a burnt sacrifice,


book: 1Sam
contenido:
but Samuel said, “What have you done?”
Saul answered, “The people were deserting me, and you had not come when you said you would; besides that, the Philistines are gathering at Michmash.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
So I thought, ‘The Philistines are going to attack me here in Gilgal, and I have not tried to win the Lord's favor.’ So I felt I had to offer a sacrifice.”


book: 1Sam
contenido:
“That was a foolish thing to do,” Samuel answered. “You have not obeyed the command the Lord your God gave you. If you had obeyed, he would have let you and your descendants rule over Israel forever.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
But now your rule will not continue. Because you have disobeyed him, the Lord will find the kind of man he wants and make him ruler of his people.”


book: 1Sam
contenido:
Samuel left Gilgal and went on his way. The rest of the people followed Saul as he went to join his soldiers. They went from Gilgal to Gibeah in the territory of Benjamin. Saul inspected his troops, about six hundred men.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
Saul, his son Jonathan, and their men camped in Geba in the territory of Benjamin; the Philistine camp was at Michmash.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
The Philistine soldiers went out on raids from their camp in three groups: one group went toward Ophrah in the territory of Shual,


book: 1Sam
contenido:
another went toward Beth Horon, and the other one went to the border overlooking Zeboim Valley and the wilderness.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
There were no blacksmiths in Israel because the Philistines were determined to keep the Hebrews from making swords and spears.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
the charge was one small coin for sharpening axes and for fixing goads, and two coins for sharpening plows or hoes.)


book: 1Sam
contenido:
And so on the day of battle none of the Israelite soldiers except Saul and his son Jonathan had swords or spears.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
Jonathan's Daring Deed
One day Jonathan said to the young man who carried his weapons, “Let's go across to the Philistine camp.” But Jonathan did not tell his father Saul,


book: 1Sam
contenido:
who was camping under a pomegranate tree in Migron, not far from Gibeah; he had about six hundred men with him.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
(The priest carrying the ephod was Ahijah, the son of Ichabod's brother Ahitub, who was the son of Phinehas and grandson of Eli, the priest of the Lord in Shiloh.) The men did not know that Jonathan had left.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
In Michmash Pass, which Jonathan had to go through to get over to the Philistine camp, there were two large jagged rocks, one on each side of the pass: one was called Bozez and the other Seneh.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
One was on the north side of the pass, facing Michmash, and the other was on the south side, facing Geba.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
Jonathan said to the young man, “Let's cross over to the camp of those heathen Philistines. Maybe the Lord will help us; if he does, nothing can keep him from giving us the victory, no matter how few of us there are.”


book: 1Sam
contenido:
But if they tell us to go to them, then we will, because that will be the sign that the Lord has given us victory over them.”


book: 1Sam
contenido:
So they let the Philistines see them, and the Philistines said, “Look! Some Hebrews are coming out of the holes they have been hiding in!”


book: 1Sam
contenido:
Then they called out to Jonathan and the young man, “Come on up here! We have something to tell you!”
Jonathan said to the young man, “Follow me. The Lord has given Israel victory over them.”


book: 1Sam
contenido:
Jonathan climbed up out of the pass on his hands and knees, and the young man followed him. Jonathan attacked the Philistines and knocked them down, and the young man killed them.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
In that first slaughter Jonathan and the young man killed about twenty men in an area of about half an acre.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
All the Philistines in the countryside were terrified; the raiders and the soldiers in the camp trembled with fear; the earth shook, and there was great panic.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
The Defeat of the Philistines
Saul's men on watch at Gibeah in the territory of Benjamin saw the Philistines running in confusion.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
So Saul said to his men, “Count the soldiers and find out who is missing.” They did so and found that Jonathan and the young man who carried his weapons were missing.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
“Bring the ephod here,” Saul said to Ahijah the priest. (On that day Ahijah was carrying it in front of the people of Israel.)


book: 1Sam
contenido:
As Saul was speaking to the priest, the confusion in the Philistine camp kept getting worse, so Saul said to him, “There's no time to consult the Lord!”


book: 1Sam
contenido:
Then he and his men marched into battle against the Philistines, who were fighting each other in complete confusion.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
Some Hebrews, who had been on the Philistine side and had gone with them to the camp, changed sides again and joined Saul and Jonathan.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
Others, who had been hiding in the hills of Ephraim, heard that the Philistines were running away, so they also joined in and attacked the Philistines,


book: 1Sam
contenido:
Events after the Battle
The Israelites were weak with hunger that day, because Saul, with a solemn oath, had given the order: “A curse be on anyone who eats any food today before I take revenge on my enemies.” So nobody had eaten anything all day.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
The woods were full of honey, but no one ate any of it because they were all afraid of Saul's curse.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
But Jonathan had not heard his father threaten the people with a curse; so he reached out with the stick he was carrying, dipped it in a honeycomb, and ate some honey. At once he felt much better.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
But one of the men told him, “We are all weak from hunger, but your father threatened us and said, ‘A curse be on anyone who eats any food today.’”


book: 1Sam
contenido:
Jonathan answered, “What a terrible thing my father has done to our people! See how much better I feel because I ate some honey!


book: 1Sam
contenido:
How much better it would have been today if our people had eaten the food they took when they defeated the enemy. Just think how many more Philistines they would have killed!”


book: 1Sam
contenido:
That day the Israelites defeated the Philistines, fighting all the way from Michmash to Aijalon. By this time the Israelites were very weak from hunger,


book: 1Sam
contenido:
and so they rushed over to what they had captured from the enemy, took sheep and cattle, slaughtered them on the spot, and ate the meat with the blood still in it.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
Saul was told, “Look, the people are sinning against the Lord by eating meat with the blood in it.”
“You are traitors!” Saul cried out. “Roll a big stone over here to me.”


book: 1Sam
contenido:
Then he gave another order: “Go among the people and tell them all to bring their cattle and sheep here. They are to slaughter them and eat them here; they must not sin against the Lord by eating meat with blood in it.” So that night they all brought their cattle and slaughtered them there.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
Saul said to his men, “Let's go down and attack the Philistines in the night, plunder them until dawn, and kill them all.”
“Do whatever you think best,” they answered.
But the priest said, “Let's consult God first.”


book: 1Sam
contenido:
So Saul asked God, “Shall I attack the Philistines? Will you give us victory?” But God did not answer that day.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
I promise by the living Lord, who gives Israel victory, that the guilty one will be put to death, even if he is my son Jonathan.” But no one said anything.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
Then Saul said to them, “All of you stand over there, and Jonathan and I will stand over here.”
“Do whatever you think best,” they answered.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
Saul said to the Lord, the God of Israel, “Lord, why have you not answered me today? Lord, God of Israel, answer me by the sacred stones. If the guilt is Jonathan's or mine, answer by the Urim; but if it belongs to your people Israel, answer by the Thummim.” The answer indicated Jonathan and Saul; and the people were cleared.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
Then Saul asked Jonathan, “What have you done?”
Jonathan answered, “I ate a little honey with the stick I was holding. Here I am—I am ready to die.”


book: 1Sam
contenido:
But the people said to Saul, “Will Jonathan, who won this great victory for Israel, be put to death? No! We promise by the living Lord that he will not lose even a hair from his head. What he did today was done with God's help.” So the people saved Jonathan from being put to death.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
Saul's Reign and Family
After Saul became king of Israel, he fought all his enemies everywhere: the people of Moab, of Ammon, and of Edom, the kings of Zobah, and the Philistines. Wherever he fought he was victorious.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
He fought heroically and defeated even the people of Amalek. He saved the Israelites from all attacks.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
Saul's sons were Jonathan, Ishvi, and Malchishua. His older daughter was named Merab, and the younger one Michal.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
His wife was Ahinoam, the daughter of Ahimaaz; his army commander was his cousin Abner, the son of his uncle Ner.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
As long as he lived, Saul had to fight fiercely against the Philistines. So whenever he found a man who was strong or brave, he would enlist him in his army.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
War against the Amalekites
Samuel said to Saul, “I am the one whom the Lord sent to anoint you king of his people Israel. Now listen to what the Lord Almighty says.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
He is going to punish the people of Amalek because their ancestors opposed the Israelites when they were coming from Egypt.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
Go and attack the Amalekites and completely destroy everything they have. Don't leave a thing; kill all the men, women, children, and babies; the cattle, sheep, camels, and donkeys.”


book: 1Sam
contenido:
Saul called his forces together and inspected them at Telem: there were 200,000 soldiers from Israel and 10,000 from Judah.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
He sent a warning to the Kenites, a people whose ancestors had been kind to the Israelites when they came from Egypt: “Go away and leave the Amalekites, so that I won't kill you along with them.” So the Kenites left.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
But Saul and his men spared Agag's life and did not kill the best sheep and cattle, the best calves and lambs, or anything else that was good; they destroyed only what was useless or worthless.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
“I am sorry that I made Saul king; he has turned away from me and disobeyed my commands.” Samuel was angry, and all night long he pleaded with the Lord.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
Early the following morning he went off to find Saul. He heard that Saul had gone to the town of Carmel, where he had built a monument to himself, and then had gone on to Gilgal.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
Samuel went up to Saul, who greeted him, saying, “The Lord bless you, Samuel! I have obeyed the Lord's command.”


book: 1Sam
contenido:
Saul answered, “My men took them from the Amalekites. They kept the best sheep and cattle to offer as a sacrifice to the Lord your God, and the rest we have destroyed completely.”


book: 1Sam
contenido:
“Stop,” Samuel ordered, “and I will tell you what the Lord said to me last night.”
“Tell me,” Saul said.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
Samuel answered, “Even though you consider yourself of no importance, you are the leader of the tribes of Israel. The Lord anointed you king of Israel,


book: 1Sam
contenido:
and he sent you out with orders to destroy those wicked people of Amalek. He told you to fight until you had killed them all.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
Why, then, did you not obey him? Why did you rush to grab the loot, and so do what displeases the Lord?”


book: 1Sam
contenido:
“I did obey the Lord,” Saul replied. “I went out as he told me to, brought back King Agag, and killed all the Amalekites.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
But my men did not kill the best sheep and cattle that they captured; instead, they brought them here to Gilgal to offer as a sacrifice to the Lord your God.”


book: 1Sam
contenido:
Samuel said, “Which does the Lord prefer: obedience or offerings and sacrifices? It is better to obey him than to sacrifice the best sheep to him.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
Rebellion against him is as bad as witchcraft, and arrogance is as sinful as idolatry. Because you rejected the Lord's command, he has rejected you as king.”


book: 1Sam
contenido:
“Yes, I have sinned,” Saul replied. “I disobeyed the Lord's command and your instructions. I was afraid of my men and did what they wanted.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
“I will not go back with you,” Samuel answered. “You rejected the Lord's command, and he has rejected you as king of Israel.”


book: 1Sam
contenido:
Samuel said to him, “The Lord has torn the kingdom of Israel away from you today and given it to someone who is a better man than you.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
Israel's majestic God does not lie or change his mind. He is not a human being—he does not change his mind.”


book: 1Sam
contenido:
“I have sinned,” Saul replied. “But at least show me respect in front of the leaders of my people and all of Israel. Go back with me so that I can worship the Lord your God.”


book: 1Sam
contenido:
“Bring King Agag here to me,” Samuel ordered. Agag came to him, trembling with fear, thinking to himself, “What a bitter thing it is to die!”


book: 1Sam
contenido:
Samuel said, “As your sword has made many mothers childless, so now your mother will become childless.” And he cut Agag to pieces in front of the altar in Gilgal.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
As long as Samuel lived, he never again saw the king; but he grieved over him. The Lord was sorry that he had made Saul king of Israel.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
David Is Anointed King
The Lord said to Samuel, “How long will you go on grieving over Saul? I have rejected him as king of Israel. But now get some olive oil and go to Bethlehem, to a man named Jesse, because I have chosen one of his sons to be king.”


book: 1Sam
contenido:
“How can I do that?” Samuel asked. “If Saul hears about it, he will kill me!”
The Lord answered, “Take a calf with you and say that you are there to offer a sacrifice to the Lord.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will tell you what to do. You will anoint as king the man I tell you to.”


book: 1Sam
contenido:
Samuel did what the Lord told him to do and went to Bethlehem, where the city leaders came trembling to meet him and asked, “Is this a peaceful visit, seer?”


book: 1Sam
contenido:
“Yes,” he answered. “I have come to offer a sacrifice to the Lord. Purify yourselves and come with me.” He also told Jesse and his sons to purify themselves, and he invited them to the sacrifice.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
When they arrived, Samuel saw Jesse's son Eliab and said to himself, “This man standing here in the Lord's presence is surely the one he has chosen.”


book: 1Sam
contenido:
But the Lord said to him, “Pay no attention to how tall and handsome he is. I have rejected him, because I do not judge as people judge. They look at the outward appearance, but I look at the heart.”


book: 1Sam
contenido:
Then Jesse called his son Abinadab and brought him to Samuel. But Samuel said, “No, the Lord hasn't chosen him either.”


book: 1Sam
contenido:
In this way Jesse brought seven of his sons to Samuel. And Samuel said to him, “No, the Lord hasn't chosen any of these.”


book: 1Sam
contenido:
Then he asked him, “Do you have any more sons?”
Jesse answered, “There is still the youngest, but he is out taking care of the sheep.”
“Tell him to come here,” Samuel said. “We won't offer the sacrifice until he comes.”


book: 1Sam
contenido:
So Jesse sent for him. He was a handsome, healthy young man, and his eyes sparkled. The Lord said to Samuel, “This is the one—anoint him!”


book: 1Sam
contenido:
Samuel took the olive oil and anointed David in front of his brothers. Immediately the spirit of the Lord took control of David and was with him from that day on. Then Samuel returned to Ramah.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
David in Saul's Court
The Lord's spirit left Saul, and an evil spirit sent by the Lord tormented him.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
So give us the order, sir, and we will look for a man who knows how to play the harp. Then when the evil spirit comes on you, the man can play his harp, and you will be all right again.”


book: 1Sam
contenido:
One of his attendants said, “Jesse of the town of Bethlehem has a son who is a good musician. He is also a brave and handsome man, a good soldier, and an able speaker. The Lord is with him.”


book: 1Sam
contenido:
So Saul sent messengers to Jesse to say, “Send me your son David, the one who takes care of the sheep.”


book: 1Sam
contenido:
Jesse sent David to Saul with a young goat, a donkey loaded with bread, and a leather bag full of wine.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
David came to Saul and entered his service. Saul liked him very much and chose him as the man to carry his weapons.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
From then on, whenever the evil spirit sent by God came on Saul, David would get his harp and play it. The evil spirit would leave, and Saul would feel better and be all right again.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
Goliath Challenges the Israelites
The Philistines gathered for battle in Socoh, a town in Judah; they camped at a place called Ephes Dammim, between Socoh and Azekah.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
Saul and the Israelites assembled and camped in Elah Valley, where they got ready to fight the Philistines.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
A man named Goliath, from the city of Gath, came out from the Philistine camp to challenge the Israelites. He was over nine feet tall


book: 1Sam
contenido:
His legs were also protected by bronze armor, and he carried a bronze javelin slung over his shoulder.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
His spear was as thick as the bar on a weaver's loom, and its iron head weighed about fifteen pounds. A soldier walked in front of him carrying his shield.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
Goliath stood and shouted at the Israelites, “What are you doing there, lined up for battle? I am a Philistine, you slaves of Saul! Choose one of your men to fight me.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
David in Saul's Camp
David was the son of Jesse, who was an Ephrathite from Bethlehem in Judah. Jesse had eight sons, and at the time Saul was king, he was already a very old man.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
His three oldest sons had gone with Saul to war. The oldest was Eliab, the next was Abinadab, and the third was Shammah.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
One day Jesse said to David, “Take a half-bushel of this roasted grain and these ten loaves of bread, and hurry with them to your brothers in the camp.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
And take these ten cheeses to the commanding officer. Find out how your brothers are getting along and bring back something to show that you saw them and that they are well.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
King Saul, your brothers, and all the other Israelites are in Elah Valley fighting the Philistines.”


book: 1Sam
contenido:
David got up early the next morning, left someone else in charge of the sheep, took the food, and went as Jesse had told him to. He arrived at the camp just as the Israelites were going out to their battle line, shouting the war cry.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
David left the food with the officer in charge of the supplies, ran to the battle line, went to his brothers, and asked how they were getting along.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
As he was talking with them, Goliath came forward and challenged the Israelites as he had done before. And David heard him.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
“Look at him!” they said to each other. “Listen to his challenge! King Saul has promised to give a big reward to the man who kills him; the king will also give him his daughter to marry and will not require his father's family to pay taxes.”


book: 1Sam
contenido:
David asked the men who were near him, “What will the man get who kills this Philistine and frees Israel from this disgrace? After all, who is this heathen Philistine to defy the army of the living God?”


book: 1Sam
contenido:
Eliab, David's oldest brother, heard David talking to the men. He became angry with David and said, “What are you doing here? Who is taking care of those sheep of yours out there in the wilderness? You smart aleck, you! You just came to watch the fighting!”


book: 1Sam
contenido:
He turned to another man and asked him the same question, and every time he asked, he got the same answer.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
David said to Saul, “Your Majesty, no one should be afraid of this Philistine! I will go and fight him.”


book: 1Sam
contenido:
“No,” answered Saul. “How could you fight him? You're just a boy, and he has been a soldier all his life!”


book: 1Sam
contenido:
“Your Majesty,” David said, “I take care of my father's sheep. Any time a lion or a bear carries off a lamb,


book: 1Sam
contenido:
I go after it, attack it, and rescue the lamb. And if the lion or bear turns on me, I grab it by the throat and beat it to death.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
I have killed lions and bears, and I will do the same to this heathen Philistine, who has defied the army of the living God.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
The Lord has saved me from lions and bears; he will save me from this Philistine.”
“All right,” Saul answered. “Go, and the Lord be with you.”


book: 1Sam
contenido:
He gave his own armor to David for him to wear: a bronze helmet, which he put on David's head, and a coat of armor.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
David strapped Saul's sword over the armor and tried to walk, but he couldn't, because he wasn't used to wearing them. “I can't fight with all this,” he said to Saul. “I'm not used to it.” So he took it all off.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
He took his shepherd's stick and then picked up five smooth stones from the stream and put them in his bag. With his sling ready, he went out to meet Goliath.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
David Defeats Goliath
The Philistine started walking toward David, with his shield bearer walking in front of him. He kept coming closer,


book: 1Sam
contenido:
and when he got a good look at David, he was filled with scorn for him because he was just a nice, good-looking boy.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
He said to David, “What's that stick for? Do you think I'm a dog?” And he called down curses from his god on David.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
David answered, “You are coming against me with sword, spear, and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the Israelite armies, which you have defied.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
This very day the Lord will put you in my power; I will defeat you and cut off your head. And I will give the bodies of the Philistine soldiers to the birds and animals to eat. Then the whole world will know that Israel has a God,


book: 1Sam
contenido:
and everyone here will see that the Lord does not need swords or spears to save his people. He is victorious in battle, and he will put all of you in our power.”


book: 1Sam
contenido:
Goliath started walking toward David again, and David ran quickly toward the Philistine battle line to fight him.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
He reached into his bag and took out a stone, which he slung at Goliath. It hit him on the forehead and broke his skull, and Goliath fell face downward on the ground.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
He ran to him, stood over him, took Goliath's sword out of its sheath, and cut off his head and killed him.
When the Philistines saw that their hero was dead, they ran away.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
The men of Israel and Judah shouted and ran after them, pursuing them all the way to Gath and to the gates of Ekron. The Philistines fell wounded all along the road that leads to Shaaraim, as far as Gath and Ekron.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
David Is Presented to Saul
When Saul saw David going out to fight Goliath, he asked Abner, the commander of his army, “Abner, whose son is he?”
“I have no idea, Your Majesty,” Abner answered.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
So when David returned to camp after killing Goliath, Abner took him to Saul. David was still carrying Goliath's head.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
Saul asked him, “Young man, whose son are you?”
“I am the son of your servant Jesse from Bethlehem,” David answered.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
Saul and David finished their conversation. After that, Saul's son Jonathan was deeply attracted to David and came to love him as much as he loved himself.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
He took off the robe he was wearing and gave it to David, together with his armor and also his sword, bow, and belt.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
David was successful in all the missions on which Saul sent him, and so Saul made him an officer in his army. This pleased all of Saul's officers and men.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
Saul Becomes Jealous of David
As David was returning after killing Goliath and as the soldiers were coming back home, women from every town in Israel came out to meet King Saul. They were singing joyful songs, dancing, and playing tambourines and lyres.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
Saul did not like this, and he became very angry. He said, “For David they claim tens of thousands, but only thousands for me. They will be making him king next!”


book: 1Sam
contenido:
The next day an evil spirit from God suddenly took control of Saul, and he raved in his house like a madman. David was playing the harp, as he did every day, and Saul was holding a spear.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
“I'll pin him to the wall,” Saul said to himself, and he threw the spear at him twice; but David dodged each time.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
David Marries Saul's Daughter
Then Saul said to David, “Here is my older daughter Merab. I will give her to you as your wife on condition that you serve me as a brave and loyal soldier, and fight the Lord's battles.” (Saul was thinking that in this way the Philistines would kill David, and he would not have to do it himself.)


book: 1Sam
contenido:
But when the time came for Merab to be given to David, she was given instead to a man named Adriel from Meholah.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
Saul's daughter Michal, however, fell in love with David, and when Saul heard of this, he was pleased.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
He said to himself, “I'll give Michal to David; I will use her to trap him, and he will be killed by the Philistines.” So for the second time Saul said to David, “You will be my son-in-law.”


book: 1Sam
contenido:
He ordered his officials to speak privately with David and tell him, “The king is pleased with you and all his officials like you; now is a good time for you to marry his daughter.”


book: 1Sam
contenido:
So they told this to David, and he answered, “It's a great honor to become the king's son-in-law, too great for someone poor and insignificant like me.”


book: 1Sam
contenido:
and Saul ordered them to tell David: “All the king wants from you as payment for the bride are the foreskins of a hundred dead Philistines, as revenge on his enemies.” (This was how Saul planned to have David killed by the Philistines.)


book: 1Sam
contenido:
Saul's officials reported to David what Saul had said, and David was delighted with the thought of becoming the king's son-in-law. Before the day set for the wedding,


book: 1Sam
contenido:
David and his men went and killed two hundred Philistines. He took their foreskins to the king and counted them all out to him, so that he might become his son-in-law. So Saul had to give his daughter Michal in marriage to David.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
The Philistine armies would come and fight, but in every battle David was more successful than any of Saul's other officers. As a result David became very famous.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
David Is Persecuted by Saul
Saul told his son Jonathan and all his officials that he planned to kill David. But Jonathan was very fond of David,


book: 1Sam
contenido:
and so he told him, “My father is trying to kill you. Please be careful tomorrow morning; hide in some secret place and stay there.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
I will go and stand by my father in the field where you are hiding, and I will speak to him about you. If I find out anything, I will let you know.”


book: 1Sam
contenido:
Jonathan praised David to Saul and said, “Sir, don't do wrong to your servant David. He has never done you any wrong; on the contrary, everything he has done has been a great help to you.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
He risked his life when he killed Goliath, and the Lord won a great victory for Israel. When you saw it, you were glad. Why, then, do you now want to do wrong to an innocent man and kill David for no reason at all?”


book: 1Sam
contenido:
Saul was convinced by what Jonathan said and made a vow in the Lord's name that he would not kill David.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
So Jonathan called David and told him everything; then he took him to Saul, and David served the king as he had before.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
War with the Philistines broke out again. David attacked them and defeated them so thoroughly that they fled.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
One day an evil spirit from the Lord took control of Saul. He was sitting in his house with his spear in his hand, and David was there, playing his harp.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
Saul tried to pin David to the wall with his spear, but David dodged, and the spear stuck in the wall. David ran away and escaped.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
That same night Saul sent some men to watch David's house and kill him the next morning. Michal, David's wife, warned him, “If you don't get away tonight, tomorrow you will be dead.”


book: 1Sam
contenido:
Then she took the household idol, laid it on the bed, put a pillow made of goats' hair at its head, and put a cover over it.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
But Saul sent them back to see David for themselves. He ordered them, “Carry him here in his bed, and I will kill him.”


book: 1Sam
contenido:
Saul asked Michal, “Why have you tricked me like this and let my enemy escape?”
She answered, “He said he would kill me if I didn't help him escape.”


book: 1Sam
contenido:
David escaped and went to Samuel in Ramah and told him everything that Saul had done to him. Then he and Samuel went to Naioth and stayed there.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
so he sent some men to arrest him. They saw the group of prophets dancing and shouting, with Samuel as their leader. Then the spirit of God took control of Saul's men, and they also began to dance and shout.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
When Saul heard of this, he sent more messengers, and they also began to dance and shout. He sent messengers the third time, and the same thing happened to them.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
Then he himself started out to Ramah. When he came to the large well in Secu, he asked where Samuel and David were and was told that they were at Naioth.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
As he was going there, the spirit of God took control of him also, and he danced and shouted all the way to Naioth.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
He took off his clothes and danced and shouted in Samuel's presence, and lay naked all that day and all that night. (This is how the saying originated, “Has even Saul become a prophet?”)


book: 1Sam
contenido:
Jonathan Helps David
Then David fled from Naioth in Ramah and went to Jonathan. “What have I done?” he asked. “What crime have I committed? What wrong have I done to your father to make him want to kill me?”


book: 1Sam
contenido:
Jonathan answered, “God forbid that you should die! My father tells me everything he does, important or not, and he would not hide this from me. It just isn't so!”


book: 1Sam
contenido:
But David answered, “Your father knows very well how much you like me, and he has decided not to let you know what he plans to do, because you would be deeply hurt. I swear to you by the living Lord that I am only a step away from death!”


book: 1Sam
contenido:
“Tomorrow is the New Moon Festival,” David replied, “and I am supposed to eat with the king. But if it's all right with you, I will go and hide in the fields until the evening of the day after tomorrow.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
If your father notices that I am not at the table, tell him that I begged your permission to hurry home to Bethlehem, since it's the time for the annual sacrifice there for my whole family.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
If he says, ‘All right,’ I will be safe; but if he becomes angry, you will know that he is determined to harm me.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
Please do me this favor, and keep the sacred promise you made to me. But if I'm guilty, kill me yourself Why take me to your father to be killed?”


book: 1Sam
contenido:
“Don't even think such a thing!” Jonathan answered. “If I knew for sure that my father was determined to harm you, wouldn't I tell you?”


book: 1Sam
contenido:
and Jonathan said to David, “May the Lord God of Israel be our witness! At this time tomorrow and on the following day I will question my father. If his attitude toward you is good, I will send you word.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
If he intends to harm you, may the Lord strike me dead if I don't let you know about it and get you safely away. May the Lord be with you as he was with my father!


book: 1Sam
contenido:
show the same kind of loyalty to my family forever. And when the Lord has completely destroyed all your enemies,


book: 1Sam
contenido:
Once again Jonathan made David promise to love him, for Jonathan loved David as much as he loved himself.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
Then Jonathan said to him, “Since tomorrow is the New Moon Festival, your absence will be noticed if you aren't at the meal.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
The day after tomorrow your absence will be noticed even more; so go to the place where you hid yourself the other time, and hide behind the pile of stones there.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
Then I will tell my servant to go and find them. And if I tell him, ‘Look, the arrows are on this side of you; get them,’ that means that you are safe and can come out. I swear by the living Lord that you will be in no danger.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
But if I tell him, ‘The arrows are on the other side of you,’ then leave, because the Lord is sending you away.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
As for the promise we have made to each other, the Lord will make sure that we will keep it forever.”


book: 1Sam
contenido:
and sat in his usual place by the wall. Abner sat next to him, and Jonathan sat across the table from him. David's place was empty,


book: 1Sam
contenido:
but Saul said nothing that day, because he thought, “Something has happened to him, and he is not ritually pure.”


book: 1Sam
contenido:
On the following day, the day after the New Moon Festival, David's place was still empty, and Saul asked Jonathan, “Why didn't David come to the meal either yesterday or today?”


book: 1Sam
contenido:
‘Please let me go,’ he said, ‘because our family is celebrating the sacrificial feast in town, and my brother ordered me to be there. So then, if you are my friend, let me go and see my relatives.’ That is why he isn't in his place at your table.”


book: 1Sam
contenido:
Saul became furious with Jonathan and said to him, “How rebellious and faithless your mother was! Now I know you are taking sides with David and are disgracing yourself and that mother of yours!


book: 1Sam
contenido:
Don't you realize that as long as David is alive, you will never be king of this country? Now go and bring him here—he must die!”


book: 1Sam
contenido:
At that, Saul threw his spear at Jonathan to kill him, and Jonathan realized that his father was really determined to kill David.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
Jonathan got up from the table in a rage and ate nothing that day—the second day of the New Moon Festival. He was deeply distressed about David, because Saul had insulted him.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
The following morning Jonathan went to the fields to meet David, as they had agreed. He took a young boy with him


book: 1Sam
contenido:
and said to him, “Run and find the arrows I'm going to shoot.” The boy ran, and Jonathan shot an arrow beyond him.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
When the boy reached the place where the arrow had fallen, Jonathan shouted to him, “The arrow is farther on!


book: 1Sam
contenido:
After the boy had left, David got up from behind the pile of stones, fell on his knees and bowed with his face to the ground three times. Both he and Jonathan were crying as they kissed each other; David's grief was even greater than Jonathan's.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
Then Jonathan said to David, “God be with you. The Lord will make sure that you and I, and your descendants and mine, will forever keep the sacred promise we have made to each other.” Then David left, and Jonathan went back to the town.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
David Flees from Saul
David went to the priest Ahimelech in Nob. Ahimelech came out trembling to meet him and asked, “Why did you come here all by yourself?”


book: 1Sam
contenido:
“I am here on the king's business,” David answered. “He told me not to let anyone know what he sent me to do. As for my men, I have told them to meet me at a certain place.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
The priest said, “I don't have any ordinary bread, only sacred bread; you can have it if your men haven't had sexual relations recently.”


book: 1Sam
contenido:
“Of course they haven't,” answered David. “My men always keep themselves ritually pure even when we go out on an ordinary mission; how much more this time when we are on a special mission!”


book: 1Sam
contenido:
So the priest gave David the sacred bread, because the only bread he had was the loaves offered to God, which had been removed from the sacred table and replaced by fresh bread.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
(Saul's chief herdsman, Doeg, who was from Edom, happened to be there that day, because he had to fulfill a religious obligation.)


book: 1Sam
contenido:
David said to Ahimelech, “Do you have a spear or a sword you can give me? The king's orders made me leave in such a hurry that I didn't have time to get my sword or any other weapon.”


book: 1Sam
contenido:
Ahimelech answered, “I have the sword of Goliath the Philistine, whom you killed in Elah Valley; it is behind the ephod, wrapped in a cloth. If you want it, take it—it's the only weapon here.”
“Give it to me,” David said. “There is not a better sword anywhere!”


book: 1Sam
contenido:
The king's officials said to Achish, “Isn't this David, the king of his country? This is the man about whom the women sang, as they danced, ‘Saul has killed thousands, but David has killed tens of thousands.’”


book: 1Sam
contenido:
So whenever David was around them, he pretended to be insane and acted like a madman when they tried to restrain him; he would scribble on the city gates and let spit drool down his beard.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
Don't I have enough madmen already? Why bring another one to bother me with his crazy actions right here in my own house?”


book: 1Sam
contenido:
The Slaughter of the Priests
David fled from the city of Gath and went to a cave near the town of Adullam. When his brothers and the rest of the family heard that he was there, they joined him.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
People who were oppressed or in debt or dissatisfied went to him, about four hundred men in all, and he became their leader.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
David went on from there to Mizpah in Moab and said to the king of Moab, “Please let my father and mother come and stay with you until I find out what God is going to do for me.”


book: 1Sam
contenido:
So David left his parents with the king of Moab, and they stayed there as long as David was hiding out in the cave.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
Then the prophet Gad came to David and said, “Don't stay here; go at once to the land of Judah.” So David left and went to the forest of Hereth.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
One day Saul was in Gibeah, sitting under a tamarisk tree on a hill, with his spear in his hand, and all his officers were standing around him. He was told that David and his men had been located,


book: 1Sam
contenido:
and he said to his officers, “Listen, men of Benjamin! Do you think that David will give fields and vineyards to all of you, and make you officers in his army?


book: 1Sam
contenido:
Is that why you are plotting against me? Not one of you told me that my own son had made an alliance with David. No one is concerned about me or tells me that David, one of my own men, is right now looking for a chance to kill me, and that my son has encouraged him!”


book: 1Sam
contenido:
Doeg was standing there with Saul's officers, and he said, “I saw David when he went to Ahimelech son of Ahitub in Nob.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
Ahimelech asked the Lord what David should do, and then he gave David some food and the sword of Goliath the Philistine.”


book: 1Sam
contenido:
So King Saul sent for the priest Ahimelech and all his relatives, who were also priests in Nob, and they came to him.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
Saul asked him, “Why are you and David plotting against me? Why did you give him some food and a sword, and consult God for him? Now he has turned against me and is waiting for a chance to kill me!”


book: 1Sam
contenido:
Ahimelech answered, “David is the most faithful officer you have! He is your own son-in-law, captain of your bodyguard, and highly respected by everyone in the royal court.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
Yes, I consulted God for him, and it wasn't the first time. As for plotting against you, Your Majesty must not accuse me or anyone else in my family. I don't know anything about this matter!”


book: 1Sam
contenido:
Then he said to the guards standing near him, “Kill the Lord's priests! They conspired with David and did not tell me that he had run away, even though they knew it all along.” But the guards refused to lift a hand to kill the Lord's priests.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
So Saul said to Doeg, “You kill them!”—and Doeg killed them all. On that day he killed eighty-five priests who were qualified to carry the ephod.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
Saul also had all the other inhabitants of Nob, the city of priests, put to death: men and women, children and babies, cattle, donkeys, and sheep—they were all killed.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
David said to him, “When I saw Doeg there that day, I knew that he would be sure to tell Saul. So I am responsible for the death of all your relatives.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
Stay with me and don't be afraid. Saul wants to kill both you and me, but you will be safe with me.”


book: 1Sam
contenido:
David Saves the Town of Keilah
David heard that the Philistines were attacking the town of Keilah and were stealing the newly harvested grain.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
So he asked the Lord, “Shall I go and attack the Philistines?”
“Yes,” the Lord answered. “Attack them and save Keilah.”


book: 1Sam
contenido:
But David's men said to him, “We have enough to be afraid of here in Judah; it will be much worse if we go to Keilah and attack the Philistine forces!”


book: 1Sam
contenido:
So David consulted the Lord again, and the Lord said to him, “Go and attack Keilah, because I will give you victory over the Philistines.”


book: 1Sam
contenido:
So David and his men went to Keilah and attacked the Philistines; they killed many of them and took their livestock. And so it was that David saved the town.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
Saul was told that David had gone to Keilah, and he said, “God has put him in my power. David has trapped himself by going into a walled town with fortified gates.”


book: 1Sam
contenido:
When David heard that Saul was planning to attack him, he said to the priest Abiathar, “Bring the ephod here.”


book: 1Sam
contenido:
Then David said, “Lord, God of Israel, I have heard that Saul is planning to come to Keilah and destroy it on account of me, your servant.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
Will the citizens of Keilah hand me over to Saul? Will Saul really come, as I have heard? Lord, God of Israel, I beg you to answer me!”
The Lord answered, “Saul will come.”


book: 1Sam
contenido:
“And will the citizens of Keilah hand my men and me over to Saul?” David asked again.
“They will,” the Lord answered.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
So David and his men—about six hundred in all—left Keilah at once and kept on the move. When Saul heard that David had escaped from Keilah, he gave up his plan.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
David in the Hill Country
David stayed in hiding in the hill country, in the wilderness near Ziph. Saul was always trying to find him, but God did not turn David over to him.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
saying to him, “Don't be afraid. My father Saul won't be able to harm you. He knows very well that you are the one who will be the king of Israel and that I will be next in rank to you.”


book: 1Sam
contenido:
The two of them made a sacred promise of friendship to each other. David stayed at Horesh, and Jonathan went home.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
Some people from Ziph went to Saul at Gibeah and said, “David is hiding out in our territory at Horesh on Mount Hachilah, in the southern part of the Judean wilderness.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
We know, Your Majesty, how much you want to capture him; so come to our territory, and we will make sure that you catch him.”


book: 1Sam
contenido:
Go and make sure once more; find out for certain where he is and who has seen him there. I hear that he is very cunning.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
Find out exactly the places where he hides, and be sure to bring back a report to me right away. Then I will go with you, and if he is still in the region, I will hunt him down, even if I have to search the whole land of Judah.”


book: 1Sam
contenido:
So they left and returned to Ziph ahead of Saul. David and his men were in the wilderness of Maon, in a desolate valley in the southern part of the Judean wilderness.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
Saul and his men set out to look for David, but he heard about it and went to a rocky hill in the wilderness of Maon and stayed there. When Saul heard about this, he went after David.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
Saul and his men were on one side of the hill, separated from David and his men, who were on the other side. They were hurrying to get away from Saul and his men, who were closing in on them and were about to capture them.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
Just then a messenger arrived and said to Saul, “Come back at once! The Philistines are invading the country!”


book: 1Sam
contenido:
So Saul stopped pursuing David and went to fight the Philistines. That is why that place is called Separation Hill.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
David Spares Saul's Life
When Saul came back from fighting the Philistines, he was told that David was in the wilderness near Engedi.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
Saul took three thousand of the best soldiers in Israel and went looking for David and his men east of Wild Goat Rocks.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
He came to a cave close to some sheep pens by the road and went in to relieve himself. It happened to be the very cave in which David and his men were hiding far back in the cave.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
They said to him, “This is your chance! The Lord has told you that he would put your enemy in your power and you could do to him whatever you wanted to.” David crept over and cut off a piece of Saul's robe without Saul's knowing it.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
and he said to his men, “May the Lord keep me from doing any harm to my master, whom the Lord chose as king! I must not harm him in the least, because he is the king chosen by the Lord!”


book: 1Sam
contenido:
So David convinced his men that they should not attack Saul.
Saul got up, left the cave, and started away.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
Then David went out after him and called to him, “Your Majesty!” Saul turned around, and David bowed down to the ground in respect


book: 1Sam
contenido:
You can see for yourself that just now in the cave the Lord put you in my power. Some of my men told me to kill you, but I felt sorry for you and said that I would not harm you in the least, because you are the one whom the Lord chose to be king.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
Look, my father, look at the piece of your robe I am holding! I could have killed you, but instead I only cut this off. This should convince you that I have no thought of rebelling against you or of harming you. You are hunting me down to kill me, even though I have not done you any wrong.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
May the Lord judge which one of us is wrong! May he punish you for your action against me, for I will not harm you in the least.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
The Lord will judge, and he will decide which one of us is wrong. May he look into the matter, defend me, and save me from you.”


book: 1Sam
contenido:
When David had finished speaking, Saul said, “Is that really you, David my son?” And he started crying.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
Then he said to David, “You are right, and I am wrong. You have been so good to me, while I have done such wrong to you!


book: 1Sam
contenido:
Today you have shown how good you are to me, because you did not kill me, even though the Lord put me in your power.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
How often does someone catch an enemy and then let him get away unharmed? The Lord bless you for what you have done to me today!


book: 1Sam
contenido:
But promise me in the Lord's name that you will spare my descendants, so that my name and my family's name will not be completely forgotten.”


book: 1Sam
contenido:
David promised that he would.
Then Saul went back home, and David and his men went back to their hiding place.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
The Death of Samuel
Samuel died, and all the Israelites came together and mourned for him. Then they buried him at his home in Ramah.
David and Abigail
After this, David went to the wilderness of Paran.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
There was a man of the clan of Caleb named Nabal, who was from the town of Maon, and who owned land near the town of Carmel. He was a very rich man, the owner of three thousand sheep and one thousand goats. His wife Abigail was beautiful and intelligent, but he was a mean, bad-tempered man.
Nabal was shearing his sheep in Carmel,


book: 1Sam
contenido:
He instructed them to say to Nabal: “David sends you greetings, my friend, with his best wishes for you, your family, and all that is yours.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
He heard that you were shearing your sheep, and he wants you to know that your shepherds have been with us and we did not harm them. Nothing that belonged to them was stolen all the time they were at Carmel.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
Just ask them, and they will tell you. We have come on a feast day, and David asks you to receive us kindly. Please give what you can to us your servants and to your dear friend David.”


book: 1Sam
contenido:
and Nabal finally answered, “David? Who is he? I've never heard of him! The country is full of runaway slaves nowadays!


book: 1Sam
contenido:
I'm not going to take my bread and water, and the animals I have butchered for my sheepshearers, and give them to people who come from I don't know where!”


book: 1Sam
contenido:
“Buckle on your swords!” he ordered, and they all did. David also buckled on his sword and left with about four hundred of his men, leaving two hundred behind with the supplies.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
One of Nabal's servants said to Nabal's wife Abigail, “Have you heard? David sent some messengers from the wilderness with greetings for our master, but he insulted them.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
Yet they were very good to us; they never bothered us, and all the time we were with them in the fields, nothing that belonged to us was stolen.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
Please think this over and decide what to do. This could be disastrous for our master and all his family. He is so mean that he won't listen to anybody!”


book: 1Sam
contenido:
Abigail quickly gathered two hundred loaves of bread, two leather bags full of wine, five roasted sheep, two bushels of roasted grain, a hundred bunches of raisins, and two hundred cakes of dried figs, and loaded them on donkeys.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
Then she said to the servants, “You go on ahead and I will follow you.” But she said nothing to her husband.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
She was riding her donkey around a bend on a hillside when suddenly she met David and his men coming toward her.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
David had been thinking, “Why did I ever protect that fellow's property out here in the wilderness? Not a thing that belonged to him was stolen, and this is how he pays me back for the help I gave him!


book: 1Sam
contenido:
Please, don't pay any attention to Nabal, that good-for-nothing! He is exactly what his name means—a fool! I wasn't there when your servants arrived, sir.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
It is the Lord who has kept you from taking revenge and killing your enemies. And now I swear to you by the living Lord that your enemies and all who want to harm you will be punished like Nabal.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
Please forgive me, sir, for any wrong I have done. The Lord will make you king, and your descendants also, because you are fighting his battles; and you will not do anything evil as long as you live.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
If anyone should attack you and try to kill you, the Lord your God will keep you safe, as someone guards a precious treasure. As for your enemies, however, he will throw them away, as someone hurls stones with a sling.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
then you will not have to feel regret or remorse, sir, for having killed without cause or for having taken your own revenge. And when the Lord has blessed you, sir, please do not forget me.”


book: 1Sam
contenido:
Thank God for your good sense and for what you have done today in keeping me from the crime of murder and from taking my own revenge.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
The Lord has kept me from harming you. But I swear by the living God of Israel that if you had not hurried to meet me, all of Nabal's men would have been dead by morning!”


book: 1Sam
contenido:
Then David accepted what she had brought him and said to her, “Go back home and don't worry. I will do what you want.”


book: 1Sam
contenido:
Abigail went back to Nabal, who was at home having a feast fit for a king. He was drunk and in a good mood, so she did not tell him anything until the next morning.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
Then, after he had sobered up, she told him everything. He suffered a stroke and was completely paralyzed.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
When David heard that Nabal had died, he said, “Praise the Lord! He has taken revenge on Nabal for insulting me and has kept me his servant from doing wrong. The Lord has punished Nabal for his evil.”
Then David sent a proposal of marriage to Abigail.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
His servants went to her at Carmel and said to her, “David sent us to take you to him to be his wife.”


book: 1Sam
contenido:
Abigail bowed down to the ground and said, “I am his servant, ready to wash the feet of his servants.”


book: 1Sam
contenido:
She rose quickly and mounted her donkey. Accompanied by her five maids, she went with David's servants and became his wife.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
Meanwhile, Saul had given his daughter Michal, who had been David's wife, to Palti son of Laish, who was from the town of Gallim.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
David Spares Saul's Life Again
Some men from Ziph came to Saul at Gibeah and told him that David was hiding on Mount Hachilah at the edge of the Judean wilderness.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
Saul went at once with three thousand of the best soldiers in Israel to the wilderness of Ziph to look for David,


book: 1Sam
contenido:
and camped by the road on Mount Hachilah. David was still in the wilderness, and when he learned that Saul had come to look for him,


book: 1Sam
contenido:
He went at once and located the exact place where Saul and Abner son of Ner, commander of Saul's army, slept. Saul slept inside the camp, and his men camped around him.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
Then David asked Ahimelech the Hittite, and Abishai the brother of Joab (their mother was Zeruiah), “Which of you two will go to Saul's camp with me?”
“I will,” Abishai answered.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
So that night David and Abishai entered Saul's camp and found Saul sleeping in the center of the camp with his spear stuck in the ground near his head. Abner and the troops were sleeping around him.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
Abishai said to David, “God has put your enemy in your power tonight. Now let me plunge his own spear through him and pin him to the ground with just one blow—I won't have to strike twice!”


book: 1Sam
contenido:
But David said, “You must not harm him! The Lord will certainly punish whoever harms his chosen king.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
By the living Lord,” David continued, “I know that the Lord himself will kill Saul, either when his time comes to die a natural death or when he dies in battle.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
The Lord forbid that I should try to harm the one whom the Lord has made king! Let's take his spear and his water jar, and go.”


book: 1Sam
contenido:
So David took the spear and the water jar from right beside Saul's head, and he and Abishai left. No one saw it or knew what had happened or even woke up—they were all sound asleep, because the Lord had sent a heavy sleep on them all.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
Then David crossed over to the other side of the valley to the top of the hill, a safe distance away,


book: 1Sam
contenido:
and shouted to Saul's troops and to Abner, “Abner! Can you hear me?”
“Who is that shouting and waking up the king?” Abner asked.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
David answered, “Abner, aren't you the greatest man in Israel? So why aren't you protecting your master, the king? Just now someone entered the camp to kill your master.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
You failed in your duty, Abner! I swear by the living Lord that all of you deserve to die, because you have not protected your master, whom the Lord made king. Look! Where is the king's spear? Where is the water jar that was right by his head?”


book: 1Sam
contenido:
Saul recognized David's voice and asked, “David, is that you, my son?”
“Yes, Your Majesty,” David answered.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
And he added, “Why, sir, are you still pursuing me, your servant? What have I done? What crime have I committed?


book: 1Sam
contenido:
Your Majesty, listen to what I have to say. If it is the Lord who has turned you against me, an offering to him will make him change his mind; but if some people have done it, may the Lord's curse fall on them. For they have driven me out from the Lord's land to a country where I can only worship foreign gods.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
Don't let me be killed on foreign soil, away from the Lord. Why should the king of Israel come to kill a flea like me? Why should he hunt me down like a wild bird?”


book: 1Sam
contenido:
Saul answered, “I have done wrong. Come back, David, my son! I will never harm you again, because you have spared my life tonight. I have been a fool! I have done a terrible thing!”


book: 1Sam
contenido:
The Lord rewards those who are faithful and righteous. Today he put you in my power, but I did not harm you, whom the Lord made king.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
Just as I have spared your life today, may the Lord do the same to me and free me from all troubles!”


book: 1Sam
contenido:
Saul said to David, “God bless you, my son! You will succeed in everything you do!”
So David went on his way, and Saul returned home.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
David among the Philistines
David said to himself, “One of these days Saul will kill me. The best thing for me to do is to escape to Philistia. Then Saul will give up looking for me in Israel, and I will be safe.”


book: 1Sam
contenido:
David and his men settled there in Gath with their families. David had his two wives with him, Ahinoam from Jezreel, and Abigail, Nabal's widow, from Carmel.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
David said to Achish, “If you are my friend, let me have a small town to live in. There is no need, sir, for me to live with you in the capital city.”


book: 1Sam
contenido:
So Achish gave him the town of Ziklag, and for this reason Ziklag has belonged to the kings of Judah ever since.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
During that time David and his men would attack the people of Geshur, Girzi, and Amalek, who had been living in the region a very long time. He would raid their land as far as Shur, all the way down to Egypt,


book: 1Sam
contenido:
killing all the men and women and taking the sheep, cattle, donkeys, camels, and even the clothes. Then he would come back to Achish,


book: 1Sam
contenido:
who would ask him, “Where did you go on a raid this time?” and David would tell him that he had gone to the southern part of Judah or to the territory of the clan of Jerahmeel or to the territory where the Kenites lived.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
David would kill everyone, men and women, so that no one could go back to Gath and report what he and his men had really done. This is what David did the whole time he lived in Philistia.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
But Achish trusted David and said to himself, “He is hated so much by his own people the Israelites that he will have to serve me all his life.”


book: 1Sam
contenido:
Some time later the Philistines gathered their troops to fight Israel, and Achish said to David, “Of course you understand that you and your men are to fight on my side.”


book: 1Sam
contenido:
“Of course,” David answered. “I am your servant, and you will see for yourself what I can do.”
Achish said, “Good! I will make you my permanent bodyguard.”


book: 1Sam
contenido:
Saul Consults a Medium
Now Samuel had died, and all the Israelites had mourned for him and had buried him in his hometown of Ramah. Saul had forced all the fortunetellers and mediums to leave Israel.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
The Philistine troops assembled and camped near the town of Shunem; Saul gathered the Israelites and camped at Mount Gilboa.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
and so he asked the Lord what to do. But the Lord did not answer him at all, either by dreams or by the use of Urim and Thummim or by prophets.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
Then Saul ordered his officials, “Find me a woman who is a medium, and I will go and consult her.”
“There is one in Endor,” they answered.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
So Saul disguised himself; he put on different clothes, and after dark he went with two of his men to see the woman. “Consult the spirits for me and tell me what is going to happen,” he said to her. “Call up the spirit of the man I name.”


book: 1Sam
contenido:
The woman answered, “Surely you know what King Saul has done, how he forced the fortunetellers and mediums to leave Israel. Why, then, are you trying to trap me and get me killed?”


book: 1Sam
contenido:
Then Saul made a sacred vow. “By the living Lord I promise that you will not be punished for doing this,” he told her.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
When the woman saw Samuel, she screamed and said to Saul, “Why have you tricked me? You are King Saul!”


book: 1Sam
contenido:
“Don't be afraid!” the king said to her. “What do you see?”
“I see a spirit coming up from the earth,” she answered.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
“What does it look like?” he asked.
“It's an old man coming up,” she answered. “He is wearing a cloak.”
Then Saul knew that it was Samuel, and he bowed to the ground in respect.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
Samuel said to Saul, “Why have you disturbed me? Why did you make me come back?”
Saul answered, “I am in great trouble! The Philistines are at war with me, and God has abandoned me. He doesn't answer me any more, either by prophets or by dreams. And so I have called you, for you to tell me what I must do.”


book: 1Sam
contenido:
The Lord has done to you what he told you through me: he has taken the kingdom away from you and given it to David instead.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
You disobeyed the Lord's command and did not completely destroy the Amalekites and all they had. That is why the Lord is doing this to you now.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
He will give you and Israel over to the Philistines. Tomorrow you and your sons will join me, and the Lord will also give the army of Israel over to the Philistines.”


book: 1Sam
contenido:
At once Saul fell down and lay stretched out on the ground, terrified by what Samuel had said. He was weak, because he had not eaten anything all day and all night.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
The woman went over to him and saw that he was terrified, so she said to him, “Please, sir, I risked my life by doing what you asked.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
Now please do what I ask. Let me fix you some food. You must eat so that you will be strong enough to travel.”


book: 1Sam
contenido:
Saul refused and said he would not eat anything. But his officers also urged him to eat. He finally gave in, got up from the ground, and sat on the bed.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
The woman quickly killed a calf which she had been fattening. Then she took some flour, prepared it, and baked some bread without yeast.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
David Is Rejected by the Philistines
The Philistines brought all their troops together at Aphek, while the Israelites camped at the spring in Jezreel Valley.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
The five Philistine kings marched out with their units of a hundred and of a thousand men; David and his men marched in the rear with King Achish.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
The Philistine commanders saw them and asked, “What are these Hebrews doing here?”
Achish answered, “This is David, an official of King Saul of Israel. He has been with me for quite some time now. He has done nothing I can find fault with since the day he came over to me.”


book: 1Sam
contenido:
But the Philistine commanders were angry with Achish and said to him, “Send that fellow back to the town you gave him. Don't let him go into battle with us; he might turn against us during the fighting. What better way is there for him to win back his master's favor than by the death of our men?


book: 1Sam
contenido:
After all, this is David, the one about whom the women sang, as they danced, ‘Saul has killed thousands, but David has killed tens of thousands.’”


book: 1Sam
contenido:
Achish called David and said to him, “I swear by the living God of Israel that you have been loyal to me; and I would be pleased to have you go with me and fight in this battle. I have not found any fault in you from the day you came over to me. But the other kings don't approve of you.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
David answered, “What have I done wrong, sir? If, as you say, you haven't found any fault in me since the day I started serving you, why shouldn't I go with you, my master and king, and fight your enemies?”


book: 1Sam
contenido:
“I agree,” Achish replied. “I consider you as loyal as an angel of God. But the other kings have said that you can't go with us into battle.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
So then, David, tomorrow morning all of you who left Saul and came over to me will have to get up early and leave as soon as it's light.”


book: 1Sam
contenido:
So David and his men started out early the following morning to go back to Philistia, and the Philistines went on to Jezreel.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
The War against the Amalekites
Two days later David and his men arrived back at Ziklag. The Amalekites had raided southern Judah and attacked Ziklag. They had burned down the town


book: 1Sam
contenido:
and captured all the women; they had not killed anyone, but had taken everyone with them when they left.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
When David and his men arrived, they found that the town had been burned down and that their wives, sons, and daughters had been carried away.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
David was now in great trouble, because his men were all very bitter about losing their children, and they were threatening to stone him; but the Lord his God gave him courage.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
David said to the priest Abiathar son of Ahimelech, “Bring me the ephod,” and Abiathar brought it to him.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
David asked the Lord, “Shall I go after those raiders? And will I catch them?”
He answered, “Go after them; you will catch them and rescue the captives.”


book: 1Sam
contenido:
So David and his six hundred men started out, and when they arrived at Besor Brook, some of them stayed there.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
David continued on his way with four hundred men; the other two hundred men were too tired to cross the brook and so stayed behind.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
The men with David found a young Egyptian out in the country and brought him to David. They gave him some food and water,


book: 1Sam
contenido:
some dried figs, and two bunches of raisins. After he had eaten, his strength returned; he had not had anything to eat or drink for three full days.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
David asked him, “Who is your master, and where are you from?”
“I am an Egyptian, the slave of an Amalekite,” he answered. “My master left me behind three days ago because I got sick.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
We had raided the territory of the Cherethites in the southern part of Judah and the territory of the clan of Caleb, and we burned down Ziklag.”


book: 1Sam
contenido:
“Will you lead me to those raiders?” David asked him.
He answered, “I will if you promise me in God's name that you will not kill me or hand me over to my master.”


book: 1Sam
contenido:
And he led David to them.
The raiders were scattered all over the place, eating, drinking, and celebrating because of the enormous amount of loot they had captured from Philistia and Judah.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
At dawn the next day David attacked them and fought until evening. Except for four hundred young men who mounted camels and got away, none of them escaped.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
nothing at all was missing. David got back all his men's sons and daughters, and all the loot the Amalekites had taken.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
He also recovered all the flocks and herds; his men drove all the livestock in front of them and said, “This belongs to David!”


book: 1Sam
contenido:
Then David went back to the two hundred men who had been too weak to go with him and had stayed behind at Besor Brook. They came forward to meet David and his men, and David went up to them and greeted them warmly.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
But some mean and worthless men who had gone with David said, “They didn't go with us, and so we won't give them any of the loot. They can take their wives and children and go away.”


book: 1Sam
contenido:
But David answered, “My brothers, you can't do this with what the Lord has given us! He kept us safe and gave us victory over the raiders.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
No one can agree with what you say! All must share alike: whoever stays behind with the supplies gets the same share as the one who goes into battle.”


book: 1Sam
contenido:
When David returned to Ziklag, he sent part of the loot to his friends, the leaders of Judah, with the message, “Here is a present for you from the loot we took from the Lord's enemies.”


book: 1Sam
contenido:
He sent it to the people in Bethel, to the people in Ramah in the southern part of Judah, and to the people in the towns of Jattir,


book: 1Sam
contenido:
The Death of Saul and His Sons
The Philistines fought a battle against the Israelites on Mount Gilboa. Many Israelites were killed there, and the rest of them, including King Saul and his sons, fled.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
But the Philistines caught up with them and killed three of Saul's sons, Jonathan, Abinadab, and Malchishua.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
He said to the young man carrying his weapons, “Draw your sword and kill me, so that these godless Philistines won't gloat over me and kill me.” But the young man was too terrified to do it. So Saul took his own sword and threw himself on it.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
When the Israelites on the other side of Jezreel Valley and east of the Jordan River heard that the Israelite army had fled and that Saul and his sons had been killed, they abandoned their towns and fled. Then the Philistines came and occupied the towns.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
The day after the battle the Philistines went to plunder the corpses, and they found the bodies of Saul and his three sons lying on Mount Gilboa.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
They cut off Saul's head, stripped off his armor, and sent messengers with them throughout Philistia to tell the good news to their idols and to their people.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
Then they put his weapons in the temple of the goddess Astarte, and they nailed his body to the wall of the city of Beth Shan.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
the bravest men started out and marched all night to Beth Shan. They took down the bodies of Saul and his sons from the wall, brought them back to Jabesh, and burned them there.


book: 1Sam
contenido:
Then they took the bones and buried them under the tamarisk tree in town, and fasted for seven days.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
David Learns of Saul's Death
After Saul's death David came back from his victory over the Amalekites and stayed in Ziklag for two days.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
The next day a young man arrived from Saul's camp. To show his grief, he had torn his clothes and put dirt on his head. He went to David and bowed to the ground in respect.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
“Tell me what happened,” David said.
“Our army ran away from the battle,” he replied, “and many of our men were killed. Saul and his son Jonathan were also killed.”


book: 2Sam
contenido:
He answered, “I happened to be on Mount Gilboa, and I saw that Saul was leaning on his spear and that the chariots and cavalry of the enemy were closing in on him.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
So I went up to him and killed him, because I knew that he would die anyway as soon as he fell. Then I took the crown from his head and the bracelet from his arm, and I have brought them to you, sir.”


book: 2Sam
contenido:
They grieved and mourned and fasted until evening for Saul and Jonathan and for Israel, the people of the Lord, because so many had been killed in battle.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
David asked the young man who had brought him the news, “Where are you from?”
He answered, “I'm an Amalekite, but I live in your country.”


book: 2Sam
contenido:
Then David called one of his men and said, “Kill him!” The man struck the Amalekite and mortally wounded him,


book: 2Sam
contenido:
and David said to the Amalekite, “You brought this on yourself. You condemned yourself when you confessed that you killed the one whom the Lord chose to be king.”


book: 2Sam
contenido:
Do not announce it in Gath
or in the streets of Ashkelon.
Do not make the women of Philistia glad;
do not let the daughters of pagans rejoice.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
“May no rain or dew fall on Gilboa's hills;
may its fields be always barren!
For the shields of the brave lie there in disgrace;
the shield of Saul is no longer polished with oil.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
Jonathan's bow was deadly,
the sword of Saul was merciless,
striking down the mighty, killing the enemy.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
“Saul and Jonathan, so wonderful and dear;
together in life, together in death;
swifter than eagles, stronger than lions.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
“Women of Israel, mourn for Saul!
He clothed you in rich scarlet dresses
and adorned you with jewels and gold.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
“I grieve for you, my brother Jonathan;
how dear you were to me!
How wonderful was your love for me,
better even than the love of women.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
David Is Made King of Judah
After this, David asked the Lord, “Shall I go and take control of one of the towns of Judah?”
“Yes,” the Lord answered.
“Which one?” David asked.
“Hebron,” the Lord said.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
So David went to Hebron, taking with him his two wives: Ahinoam, who was from Jezreel, and Abigail, Nabal's widow, who was from Carmel.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
Then the men of Judah came to Hebron and anointed David as king of Judah.
When David heard that the people of Jabesh in Gilead had buried Saul,


book: 2Sam
contenido:
he sent some men there with the message: “May the Lord bless you for showing your loyalty to your king by burying him.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
And now may the Lord be kind and faithful to you. I too will treat you well because of what you have done.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
Be strong and brave! Saul your king is dead, and the people of Judah have anointed me as their king.”


book: 2Sam
contenido:
Ishbosheth Is Made King of Israel
The commander of Saul's army, Abner son of Ner, had fled with Saul's son Ishbosheth across the Jordan to Mahanaim.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
There Abner made Ishbosheth king of the territories of Gilead, Asher, Jezreel, Ephraim, and Benjamin, and indeed over all Israel.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
He was forty years old when he was made king of Israel, and he ruled for two years.
But the tribe of Judah was loyal to David,


book: 2Sam
contenido:
War between Israel and Judah
Abner and the officials of Ishbosheth went from Mahanaim to the city of Gibeon.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
Joab, whose mother was Zeruiah, and David's other officials met them at the pool, where they all sat down, one group on one side of the pool and the other group on the opposite side.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
Abner said to Joab, “Let's have some of the young men from each side fight an armed contest.”
“All right,” Joab answered.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
Each man caught his opponent by the head and plunged his sword into his opponent's side, so that all twenty-four of them fell down dead together. And so that place in Gibeon is called “Field of Swords.”


book: 2Sam
contenido:
The three sons of Zeruiah were there: Joab, Abishai, and Asahel. Asahel, who could run as fast as a wild deer,


book: 2Sam
contenido:
“Stop chasing me!” Abner said. “Run after one of the soldiers and take what he has.” But Asahel kept on chasing him.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
Once more Abner said to him, “Stop chasing me! Why force me to kill you? How could I face your brother Joab?”


book: 2Sam
contenido:
But Asahel would not quit; so Abner, with a backward thrust of his spear, struck him through the stomach so that the spear came out at his back. Asahel dropped to the ground dead, and everyone who came to the place where he was lying stopped and stood there.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
But Joab and Abishai started out after Abner, and at sunset they came to the hill of Ammah, which is to the east of Giah on the road to the wilderness of Gibeon.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
The men from the tribe of Benjamin gathered around Abner again and took their stand on the top of a hill.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
Abner called out to Joab, “Do we have to go on fighting forever? Can't you see that in the end there will be nothing but bitterness? We are your relatives. How long will it be before you order your men to stop chasing us?”


book: 2Sam
contenido:
“I swear by the living God,” Joab answered, “that if you had not spoken, my men would have kept on chasing you until tomorrow morning.”


book: 2Sam
contenido:
Then Joab blew the trumpet as a signal for his men to stop pursuing the Israelites; and so the fighting stopped.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
Abner and his men marched through the Jordan Valley all that night; they crossed the Jordan River, and after marching all the next morning, they arrived back at Mahanaim.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
When Joab gave up the chase, he gathered all his men and found that nineteen of them were missing, in addition to Asahel.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
Joab and his men took Asahel's body and buried it in the family tomb at Bethlehem. Then they marched all night and at dawn arrived back at Hebron.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
The fighting between the forces supporting Saul's family and those supporting David went on for a long time. As David became stronger and stronger, his opponents became weaker and weaker.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
David's Sons
The following six sons, in order of their birth, were born to David at Hebron: Amnon, whose mother was Ahinoam, from Jezreel;


book: 2Sam
contenido:
Chileab, whose mother was Abigail, Nabal's widow, from Carmel; Absalom, whose mother was Maacah, the daughter of King Talmai of Geshur;


book: 2Sam
contenido:
Abner Joins David
As the fighting continued between David's forces and the forces loyal to Saul's family, Abner became more and more powerful among Saul's followers.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
One day Ishbosheth son of Saul accused Abner of sleeping with Saul's concubine Rizpah, the daughter of Aiah.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
This made Abner furious. “Do you think that I would betray Saul? Do you really think I'm serving Judah?” he exclaimed. “From the very first I have been loyal to the cause of your father Saul, his brothers, and his friends, and I have kept you from being defeated by David; yet today you find fault with me about a woman!


book: 2Sam
contenido:
The Lord promised David that he would take the kingdom away from Saul and his descendants and would make David king of both Israel and Judah, from one end of the country to the other. Now may God strike me dead if I don't make this come true!”


book: 2Sam
contenido:
Abner sent messengers to David, who at that time was at Hebron, to say, “Who is going to rule this land? Make an agreement with me, and I will help you win all Israel over to your side.”


book: 2Sam
contenido:
“Good!” David answered. “I will make an agreement with you on one condition: you must bring Saul's daughter Michal to me when you come to see me.”


book: 2Sam
contenido:
And David also sent messengers to Ishbosheth to say, “Give me back my wife Michal. I paid a hundred Philistine foreskins in order to marry her.”


book: 2Sam
contenido:
Paltiel followed her all the way to the town of Bahurim, crying as he went. But when Abner said, “Go back home,” he did.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
Abner went to the leaders of Israel and said to them, “For a long time you have wanted David to be your king.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
Now here is your chance. Remember that the Lord has said, ‘I will use my servant David to rescue my people Israel from the Philistines and from all their other enemies.’”


book: 2Sam
contenido:
Abner spoke also to the people of the tribe of Benjamin and then went to Hebron to tell David what the people of Benjamin and of Israel had agreed to do.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
Abner told David, “I will go now and win all Israel over to Your Majesty. They will accept you as king, and then you will get what you have wanted and will rule over the whole land.” David gave Abner a guarantee of safety and sent him on his way.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
Abner Is Murdered
Later on Joab and David's other officials returned from a raid, bringing a large amount of loot with them. Abner, however, was no longer there at Hebron with David, because David had sent him away with a guarantee of safety.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
When Joab and his men arrived, he was told that Abner had come to King David and had been sent away with a guarantee of safety.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
So Joab went to the king and said to him, “What have you done? Abner came to you—why did you let him go like that?


book: 2Sam
contenido:
He came here to deceive you and to find out everything you do and everywhere you go. Surely you know that!”


book: 2Sam
contenido:
After leaving David, Joab sent messengers to get Abner, and they brought him back from Sirah Well; but David knew nothing about it.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
When Abner arrived in Hebron, Joab took him aside at the gate, as though he wanted to speak privately with him, and there he stabbed him in the stomach. And so Abner was murdered because he had killed Joab's brother Asahel.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
When David heard the news, he said, “The Lord knows that my subjects and I are completely innocent of the murder of Abner.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
May the punishment for it fall on Joab and all his family! In every generation may there be some man in his family who has gonorrhea or a dreaded skin disease or is fit only to do a woman's work or is killed in battle or doesn't have enough to eat!”


book: 2Sam
contenido:
So Joab and his brother Abishai took revenge on Abner for killing their brother Asahel in the battle at Gibeon.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
Abner Is Buried
Then David ordered Joab and his men to tear their clothes, wear sackcloth, and mourn for Abner. And at the funeral King David himself walked behind the coffin.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
His hands were not tied,
And his feet were not bound;
He died like someone killed by criminals!”
And the people wept for him again.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
All day long the people tried to get David to eat something, but he made a solemn promise, “May God strike me dead if I eat anything before the day is over!”


book: 2Sam
contenido:
All of David's people and all the people in Israel understood that the king had no part in the murder of Abner.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
Even though I am the king chosen by God, I feel weak today. These sons of Zeruiah are too violent for me. May the Lord punish these criminals as they deserve!”


book: 2Sam
contenido:
Ishbosheth Is Murdered
When Saul's son Ishbosheth heard that Abner had been killed in Hebron, he was afraid, and all the people of Israel were alarmed.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
Ishbosheth had two officers who were leaders of raiding parties, Baanah and Rechab, sons of Rimmon, from Beeroth in the tribe of Benjamin. (Beeroth is counted as part of Benjamin.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
Another descendant of Saul was Jonathan's son Mephibosheth, who was five years old when Saul and Jonathan were killed. When the news about their death came from the city of Jezreel, his nurse picked him up and fled; but she was in such a hurry that she dropped him, and he became crippled.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
Rechab and Baanah set out for Ishbosheth's house and arrived there about noon, while he was taking his midday rest.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
The woman at the door had become drowsy while she was sifting wheat and had fallen asleep, so Rechab and Baanah slipped in.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
Once inside, they went to Ishbosheth's bedroom, where he was sound asleep, and killed him. Then they cut off his head, took it with them, and walked all night through the Jordan Valley.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
They presented the head to King David at Hebron and said to him, “Here is the head of Ishbosheth, the son of your enemy Saul, who tried to kill you. Today the Lord has allowed Your Majesty to take revenge on Saul and his descendants.”


book: 2Sam
contenido:
The messenger who came to me at Ziklag and told me of Saul's death thought he was bringing good news. I seized him and had him put to death. That was the reward I gave him for his good news!


book: 2Sam
contenido:
How much worse it will be for evil men who murder an innocent man asleep in his own house! I will now take revenge on you for murdering him and will wipe you off the face of the earth!”


book: 2Sam
contenido:
David gave the order, and his soldiers killed Rechab and Baanah and cut off their hands and feet, which they hung up near the pool in Hebron. They took Ishbosheth's head and buried it in Abner's tomb there at Hebron.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
David Becomes King of Israel and Judah
Then all the tribes of Israel went to David at Hebron and said to him, “We are your own flesh and blood.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
In the past, even when Saul was still our king, you led the people of Israel in battle, and the Lord promised you that you would lead his people and be their ruler.”


book: 2Sam
contenido:
So all the leaders of Israel came to King David at Hebron. He made a sacred alliance with them, they anointed him, and he became king of Israel.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
He ruled in Hebron over Judah for seven and a half years, and in Jerusalem over all Israel and Judah for thirty-three years.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
The time came when King David and his men set out to attack Jerusalem. The Jebusites, who lived there, thought that David would not be able to conquer the city, and so they said to him, “You will never get in here; even the blind and the crippled could keep you out.”


book: 2Sam
contenido:
That day David said to his men, “Does anybody here hate the Jebusites as much as I do? Enough to kill them? Then go up through the water tunnel and attack those poor blind cripples.” (That is why it is said, “The blind and the crippled cannot enter the Lord's house.”)


book: 2Sam
contenido:
After capturing the fortress, David lived in it and named it “David's City.” He built the city around it, starting at the place where land was filled in on the east side of the hill.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
King Hiram of Tyre sent a trade mission to David; he provided him with cedar logs and with carpenters and stone masons to build a palace.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
And so David realized that the Lord had established him as king of Israel and was making his kingdom prosperous for the sake of his people.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
After moving from Hebron to Jerusalem, David took more concubines and wives, and had more sons and daughters.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
Victory over the Philistines
The Philistines were told that David had been made king of Israel, so their army set out to capture him. When David heard of it, he went down to a fortified place.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
David asked the Lord, “Shall I attack the Philistines? Will you give me the victory?”
“Yes, attack!” the Lord answered. “I will give you the victory!”


book: 2Sam
contenido:
So David went to Baal Perazim and there he defeated the Philistines. He said, “The Lord has broken through my enemies like a flood.” And so that place is called Baal Perazim.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
Once more David consulted the Lord, who answered, “Don't attack them from here, but go around and get ready to attack them from the other side, near the balsam trees.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
When you hear the sound of marching in the treetops, then attack because I will be marching ahead of you to defeat the Philistine army.”


book: 2Sam
contenido:
David did what the Lord had commanded, and was able to drive the Philistines back from Geba all the way to Gezer.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
The Covenant Box Is Brought to Jerusalem
Once more David called together the best soldiers in Israel, a total of thirty thousand men,


book: 2Sam
contenido:
and led them to Baalah in Judah, in order to bring from there God's Covenant Box, bearing the name of the Lord Almighty, whose throne is above the winged creatures.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
They took it from Abinadab's home on the hill and placed it on a new cart. Uzzah and Ahio, sons of Abinadab, were guiding the cart,


book: 2Sam
contenido:
David and all the Israelites were dancing and singing with all their might to honor the Lord. They were playing harps, lyres, drums, rattles, and cymbals.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
As they came to the threshing place of Nacon, the oxen stumbled, and Uzzah reached out and took hold of the Covenant Box.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
At once the Lord God became angry with Uzzah and killed him because of his irreverence. Uzzah died there beside the Covenant Box,


book: 2Sam
contenido:
and so that place has been called Perez Uzzah ever since. David was furious because the Lord had punished Uzzah in anger.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
So he decided not to take it with him to Jerusalem; instead, he turned off the road and took it to the house of Obed Edom, a native of the city of Gath.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
King David heard that because of the Covenant Box the Lord had blessed Obed Edom's family and all that he had; so he got the Covenant Box from Obed's house to take it to Jerusalem with a great celebration.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
After the men carrying the Covenant Box had gone six steps, David had them stop while he offered the Lord a sacrifice of a bull and a fattened calf.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
And so he and all the Israelites took the Covenant Box up to Jerusalem with shouts of joy and the sound of trumpets.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
As the Box was being brought into the city, Michal, Saul's daughter, looked out of the window and saw King David dancing and jumping around in the sacred dance, and she was disgusted with him.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
They brought the Box and put it in its place in the Tent that David had set up for it. Then he offered sacrifices and fellowship offerings to the Lord.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
When he had finished offering the sacrifices, he blessed the people in the name of the Lord Almighty


book: 2Sam
contenido:
and distributed food to them all. He gave each man and woman in Israel a loaf of bread, a piece of roasted meat, and some raisins. Then everyone went home.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
Afterward, when David went home to greet his family, Michal came out to meet him. “The king of Israel made a big name for himself today!” she said. “He exposed himself like a fool in the sight of the servant women of his officials!”


book: 2Sam
contenido:
David answered, “I was dancing to honor the Lord, who chose me instead of your father and his family to make me the leader of his people Israel. And I will go on dancing to honor the Lord,


book: 2Sam
contenido:
and will disgrace myself even more. You may think I am nothing, but those women will think highly of me!”


book: 2Sam
contenido:
Nathan's Message to David
King David was settled in his palace, and the Lord kept him safe from all his enemies.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
Then the king said to the prophet Nathan, “Here I am living in a house built of cedar, but God's Covenant Box is kept in a tent!”


book: 2Sam
contenido:
“Go and tell my servant David that I say to him, ‘You are not the one to build a temple for me to live in.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
From the time I rescued the people of Israel from Egypt until now, I have never lived in a temple; I have traveled around living in a tent.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
In all my traveling with the people of Israel I never asked any of the leaders that I appointed why they had not built me a temple made of cedar.’


book: 2Sam
contenido:
“So tell my servant David that I, the Lord Almighty, say to him, ‘I took you from looking after sheep in the fields and made you the ruler of my people Israel.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
I have been with you wherever you have gone, and I have defeated all your enemies as you advanced. I will make you as famous as the greatest leaders in the world.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
I have chosen a place for my people Israel and have settled them there, where they will live without being oppressed any more. Ever since they entered this land, they have been attacked by violent people, but this will not happen again. I promise to keep you safe from all your enemies and to give you descendants.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
When you die and are buried with your ancestors, I will make one of your sons king and will keep his kingdom strong.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
He will be the one to build a temple for me, and I will make sure that his dynasty continues forever.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
I will be his father, and he will be my son. When he does wrong, I will punish him as a father punishes his son.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
But I will not withdraw my support from him as I did from Saul, whom I removed so that you could be king.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
You will always have descendants, and I will make your kingdom last forever. Your dynasty will never end.’”


book: 2Sam
contenido:
David's Prayer of Thanksgiving
Then King David went into the Tent of the Lord's presence, sat down and prayed, “Sovereign Lord, I am not worthy of what you have already done for me, nor is my family.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
Yet now you are doing even more, Sovereign Lord; you have made promises about my descendants in the years to come. And you let a man see this, Sovereign Lord!


book: 2Sam
contenido:
It was your will and purpose to do this; you have done all these great things in order to instruct me.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
How great you are, Sovereign Lord! There is none like you; we have always known that you alone are God.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
There is no other nation on earth like Israel, whom you rescued from slavery to make them your own people. The great and wonderful things you did for them have spread your fame throughout the world. You drove out other nations and their gods as your people advanced, the people whom you set free from Egypt to be your own.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
“And now, Lord God, fulfill for all time the promise you made about me and my descendants, and do what you said you would.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
Your fame will be great, and people will forever say, ‘The Lord Almighty is God over Israel.’ And you will preserve my dynasty for all time.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
Lord Almighty, God of Israel! I have the courage to pray this prayer to you, because you have revealed all this to me, your servant, and have told me that you will make my descendants kings.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
“And now, Sovereign Lord, you are God; you always keep your promises, and you have made this wonderful promise to me.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
I ask you to bless my descendants so that they will continue to enjoy your favor. You, Sovereign Lord, have promised this, and your blessing will rest on my descendants forever.”


book: 2Sam
contenido:
David's Military Victories
Some time later King David attacked the Philistines again, defeated them, and ended their control over the land.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
Then he defeated the Moabites. He made the prisoners lie down on the ground and put two out of every three of them to death. So the Moabites became his subjects and paid taxes to him.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
Then he defeated the king of the Syrian state of Zobah, Hadadezer son of Rehob, as Hadadezer was on his way to restore his control over the territory by the upper Euphrates River.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
David captured seventeen hundred of his cavalry and twenty thousand of his foot soldiers. He kept enough horses for a hundred chariots and crippled all the rest.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
When the Syrians of Damascus sent an army to help King Hadadezer, David attacked it and killed twenty-two thousand men.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
Then he set up military camps in their territory, and they became his subjects and paid taxes to him. The Lord made David victorious everywhere.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
So he sent his son Joram to greet King David and congratulate him for his victory over Hadadezer, against whom Toi had fought many times. Joram took David presents made of gold, silver, and bronze.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
King David dedicated them for use in worship, along with the silver and gold he took from the nations he had conquered—


book: 2Sam
contenido:
David became even more famous when he returned from killing eighteen thousand Edomites in Salt Valley.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
He set up military camps throughout Edom, and the people there became his subjects. The Lord made David victorious everywhere.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
Joab, whose mother was Zeruiah, was the commander of the army; Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud was in charge of the records;


book: 2Sam
contenido:
David and Mephibosheth
One day David asked, “Is there anyone left of Saul's family? If there is, I would like to show him kindness for Jonathan's sake.”


book: 2Sam
contenido:
There was a servant of Saul's family named Ziba, and he was told to go to David. “Are you Ziba?” the king asked.
“At your service, sir,” he answered.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
The king asked him, “Is there anyone left of Saul's family to whom I can show loyalty and kindness, as I promised God I would?”
Ziba answered, “There is still one of Jonathan's sons. He is crippled.”


book: 2Sam
contenido:
When Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan and grandson of Saul, arrived, he bowed down before David in respect. David said, “Mephibosheth,” and he answered, “At your service, sir.”


book: 2Sam
contenido:
“Don't be afraid,” David replied. “I will be kind to you for the sake of your father Jonathan. I will give you back all the land that belonged to your grandfather Saul, and you will always be welcome at my table.”


book: 2Sam
contenido:
Mephibosheth bowed again and said, “I am no better than a dead dog, sir! Why should you be so good to me?”


book: 2Sam
contenido:
Then the king called Ziba, Saul's servant, and said, “I am giving Mephibosheth, your master's grandson, everything that belonged to Saul and his family.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
You, your sons, and your servants will farm the land for your master Saul's family and bring in the harvest, to provide food for them. But Mephibosheth himself will always be a guest at my table.” (Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants.)


book: 2Sam
contenido:
Ziba answered, “I will do everything Your Majesty commands.”
So Mephibosheth ate at the king's table, just like one of the king's sons.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
Mephibosheth had a young son named Mica. All the members of Ziba's family became servants of Mephibosheth.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
So Mephibosheth, who was crippled in both feet, lived in Jerusalem, eating all his meals at the king's table.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
David Defeats the Ammonites and the Syrians
Some time later King Nahash of Ammon died, and his son Hanun became king.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
King David said, “I must show loyal friendship to Hanun, as his father Nahash did to me.” So David sent messengers to express his sympathy.
When they arrived in Ammon,


book: 2Sam
contenido:
the Ammonite leaders said to the king, “Do you think that it is in your father's honor that David has sent these men to express sympathy to you? Of course not! He has sent them here as spies to explore the city, so that he can conquer us!”


book: 2Sam
contenido:
Hanun seized David's messengers, shaved off one side of their beards, cut off their clothes at the hips, and sent them away.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
They were too ashamed to return home. When David heard about what had happened, he sent word for them to stay in Jericho and not return until their beards had grown again.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
The Ammonites realized that they had made David their enemy, so they hired twenty thousand Syrian soldiers from Bethrehob and Zobah, twelve thousand men from Tob, and the king of Maacah with a thousand men.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
The Ammonites marched out and took up their position at the entrance to Rabbah, their capital city, while the others, both the Syrians and the men from Tob and Maacah, took up their position in the open countryside.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
Joab saw that the enemy troops would attack him in front and from the rear, so he chose the best of Israel's soldiers and put them in position facing the Syrians.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
He placed the rest of his troops under the command of his brother Abishai, who put them in position facing the Ammonites.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
Joab said to him, “If you see that the Syrians are defeating me, come and help me, and if the Ammonites are defeating you, I will go and help you.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
Be strong and courageous! Let's fight hard for our people and for the cities of our God. And may the Lord's will be done!”


book: 2Sam
contenido:
When the Ammonites saw the Syrians running away, they fled from Abishai and retreated into the city. Then Joab turned back from fighting the Ammonites and went back to Jerusalem.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
The Syrians realized that they had been defeated by the Israelites, and so they called all their troops together.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
King Hadadezer sent for the Syrians who were on the east side of the Euphrates River, and they came to Helam under the command of Shobach, commander of the army of King Hadadezer of Zobah.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
When David heard of it, he gathered the Israelite troops, crossed the Jordan River, and marched to Helam, where the Syrians took up their position facing him. The fighting began,


book: 2Sam
contenido:
and the Israelites drove the Syrian army back. David and his men killed seven hundred Syrian chariot drivers and forty thousand cavalry, and they wounded Shobach, the enemy commander, who died on the battlefield.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
When the kings who were subject to Hadadezer realized that they had been defeated by the Israelites, they made peace with them and became their subjects. And the Syrians were afraid to help the Ammonites any more.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
David and Bathsheba
The following spring, at the time of the year when kings usually go to war, David sent out Joab with his officers and the Israelite army; they defeated the Ammonites and besieged the city of Rabbah. But David himself stayed in Jerusalem.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
One day, late in the afternoon, David got up from his nap and went to the palace roof. As he walked around up there, he saw a woman taking a bath in her house. She was very beautiful.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
So he sent a messenger to find out who she was, and learned that she was Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam and the wife of Uriah the Hittite.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
David sent messengers to get her; they brought her to him and he made love to her. (She had just finished her monthly ritual of purification.) Then she went back home.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
When Uriah arrived, David asked him if Joab and the troops were well, and how the fighting was going.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
Then he said to Uriah, “Go on home and rest a while.” Uriah left, and David had a present sent to his home.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
When David heard that Uriah had not gone home, he asked him, “You have just returned after a long absence; why didn't you go home?”


book: 2Sam
contenido:
Uriah answered, “The men of Israel and Judah are away in battle, and the Covenant Box is with them; my commander Joab and his officers are camping out in the open. How could I go home, eat and drink, and sleep with my wife? By all that's sacred, I swear that I could never do such a thing!”


book: 2Sam
contenido:
So David said, “Then stay here the rest of the day, and tomorrow I'll send you back.” So Uriah stayed in Jerusalem that day and the next.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
David invited him to supper and got him drunk. But again that night Uriah did not go home; instead he slept on his blanket in the palace guardroom.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
He wrote: “Put Uriah in the front line, where the fighting is heaviest, then retreat and let him be killed.”


book: 2Sam
contenido:
The enemy troops came out of the city and fought Joab's forces; some of David's officers were killed, and so was Uriah.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
he may get angry and ask you, ‘Why did you go so near the city to fight them? Didn't you realize that they would shoot arrows from the walls?


book: 2Sam
contenido:
Don't you remember how Abimelech son of Gideon was killed? It was at Thebez, where a woman threw a millstone down from the wall and killed him. Why, then, did you go so near the wall?’ If the king asks you this, tell him, ‘Your officer Uriah was also killed.’”


book: 2Sam
contenido:
He said, “Our enemies were stronger than we were and came out of the city to fight us in the open, but we drove them back to the city gate.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
Then they shot arrows at us from the wall, and some of Your Majesty's officers were killed; your officer Uriah was also killed.”


book: 2Sam
contenido:
David said to the messenger, “Encourage Joab and tell him not to be upset, since you never can tell who will die in battle. Tell him to launch a stronger attack on the city and capture it.”


book: 2Sam
contenido:
When the time of mourning was over, David had her brought to the palace; she became his wife and bore him a son. But the Lord was not pleased with what David had done.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
Nathan's Message and David's Repentance
The Lord sent the prophet Nathan to David. Nathan went to him and said, “There were two men who lived in the same town; one was rich and the other poor.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
while the poor man had only one lamb, which he had bought. He took care of it, and it grew up in his home with his children. He would feed it some of his own food, let it drink from his cup, and hold it in his lap. The lamb was like a daughter to him.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
One day a visitor arrived at the rich man's home. The rich man didn't want to kill one of his own animals to fix a meal for him; instead, he took the poor man's lamb and prepared a meal for his guest.”


book: 2Sam
contenido:
David became very angry at the rich man and said, “I swear by the living Lord that the man who did this ought to die!


book: 2Sam
contenido:
“You are that man,” Nathan said to David. “And this is what the Lord God of Israel says: ‘I made you king of Israel and rescued you from Saul.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
I gave you his kingdom and his wives; I made you king over Israel and Judah. If this had not been enough, I would have given you twice as much.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
Why, then, have you disobeyed my commands? Why did you do this evil thing? You had Uriah killed in battle; you let the Ammonites kill him, and then you took his wife!


book: 2Sam
contenido:
Now, in every generation some of your descendants will die a violent death because you have disobeyed me and have taken Uriah's wife.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
I swear to you that I will cause someone from your own family to bring trouble on you. You will see it when I take your wives from you and give them to another man; and he will have intercourse with them in broad daylight.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
“I have sinned against the Lord,” David said.
Nathan replied, “The Lord forgives you; you will not die.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
Then Nathan went home.
David's Son Dies
The Lord caused the child that Uriah's wife had borne to David to become very sick.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
David prayed to God that the child would get well. He refused to eat anything, and every night he went into his room and spent the night lying on the floor.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
His court officials went to him and tried to make him get up, but he refused and would not eat anything with them.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
A week later the child died, and David's officials were afraid to tell him the news. They said, “While the child was living, David wouldn't answer us when we spoke to him. How can we tell him that his child is dead? He might do himself some harm!”


book: 2Sam
contenido:
When David noticed them whispering to each other, he realized that the child had died. So he asked them, “Is the child dead?”
“Yes, he is,” they answered.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
David got up from the floor, took a bath, combed his hair, and changed his clothes. Then he went and worshiped in the house of the Lord. When he returned to the palace, he asked for food and ate it as soon as it was served.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
“We don't understand this,” his officials said to him. “While the child was alive, you wept for him and would not eat; but as soon as he died, you got up and ate!”


book: 2Sam
contenido:
“Yes,” David answered, “I did fast and weep while he was still alive. I thought that the Lord might be merciful to me and not let the child die.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
But now that he is dead, why should I fast? Could I bring the child back to life? I will some day go to where he is, but he can never come back to me.”


book: 2Sam
contenido:
Solomon Is Born
Then David comforted his wife Bathsheba. He had intercourse with her, and she bore a son, whom David named Solomon. The Lord loved the boy


book: 2Sam
contenido:
David Captures Rabbah
Meanwhile Joab continued his campaign against Rabbah, the capital city of Ammon, and was about to capture it.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
Now gather the rest of your forces, attack the city and take it yourself. I don't want to get the credit for capturing it.”


book: 2Sam
contenido:
From the head of the idol of the Ammonite god Molech David took a gold crown which weighed about seventy-five pounds and had a jewel in it. David took the jewel and put it in his own crown. He also took a large amount of loot from the city


book: 2Sam
contenido:
and put its people to work with saws, iron hoes, and iron axes, and forced them to work at making bricks. He did the same to the people of all the other towns of Ammon. Then he and his men returned to Jerusalem.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
Amnon and Tamar
David's son Absalom had a beautiful unmarried sister named Tamar. Amnon, another of David's sons, fell in love with her.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
He was so much in love with her that he became sick, because it seemed impossible for him to have her; as a virgin, she was kept from meeting men.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
Jonadab said to Amnon, “You are the king's son, yet day after day I see you looking sad. What's the matter?”
“I'm in love with Tamar, the sister of my half brother Absalom,” he answered.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
Jonadab said to him, “Pretend that you are sick and go to bed. When your father comes to see you, say to him, ‘Please ask my sister Tamar to come and feed me. I want her to fix the food here where I can see her, and then serve it to me herself.’”


book: 2Sam
contenido:
So Amnon pretended that he was sick and went to bed.
King David went to see him, and Amnon said to him, “Please let Tamar come and make a few cakes here where I can see her, and then serve them to me herself.”


book: 2Sam
contenido:
She went there and found him in bed. She took some dough, prepared it, and made some cakes there where he could see her. Then she baked the cakes


book: 2Sam
contenido:
and emptied them out of the pan for him to eat, but he wouldn't. He said, “Send everyone away”—and they all left.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
Then he said to her, “Bring the cakes here to my bed and serve them to me yourself.” She took the cakes and went over to him.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
How could I ever hold up my head in public again? And you—you would be completely disgraced in Israel. Please, speak to the king, and I'm sure that he will give me to you.”


book: 2Sam
contenido:
But he would not listen to her; and since he was stronger than she was, he overpowered her and raped her.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
Then Amnon was filled with a deep hatred for her; he hated her now even more than he had loved her before. He said to her, “Get out!”


book: 2Sam
contenido:
“No,” she answered. “To send me away like this is a greater crime than what you just did!”
But Amnon would not listen to her;


book: 2Sam
contenido:
he called in his personal servant and said, “Get this woman out of my sight! Throw her out and lock the door!”


book: 2Sam
contenido:
The servant put her out and locked the door.
Tamar was wearing a long robe with full sleeves, the usual clothing for an unmarried princess in those days.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
She sprinkled ashes on her head, tore her robe, and with her face buried in her hands went away crying.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
When her brother Absalom saw her, he asked, “Has Amnon molested you? Please, sister, don't let it upset you so much. He is your half brother, so don't tell anyone about it.” So Tamar lived in Absalom's house, sad and lonely.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
And Absalom hated Amnon so much for having raped his sister Tamar that he would no longer even speak to him.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
Absalom's Revenge
Two years later Absalom was having his sheep sheared at Baal Hazor, near the town of Ephraim, and he invited all the king's sons to be there.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
He went to King David and said, “Your Majesty, I am having my sheep sheared. Will you and your officials come and take part in the festivities?”


book: 2Sam
contenido:
“No, my son,” the king answered. “It would be too much trouble for you if we all went.” Absalom insisted, but the king would not give in, and he asked Absalom to leave.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
But Absalom said, “Well, then, will you at least let my brother Amnon come?”
“Why should he?” the king asked.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
But Absalom kept on insisting until David finally let Amnon and all his other sons go with Absalom.
Absalom prepared a banquet fit for a king


book: 2Sam
contenido:
and instructed his servants: “Notice when Amnon has had too much to drink, and then when I give the order, kill him. Don't be afraid. I will take the responsibility myself. Be brave and don't hesitate!”


book: 2Sam
contenido:
So the servants followed Absalom's instructions and killed Amnon. All the rest of David's sons mounted their mules and fled.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
While they were on their way home, David was told: “Absalom has killed all your sons—not one of them is left!”


book: 2Sam
contenido:
The king stood up, tore his clothes in sorrow, and threw himself to the ground. The servants who were there with him tore their clothes also.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
But Jonadab, the son of David's brother Shammah, said, “Your Majesty, they haven't killed all your sons. Only Amnon is dead. You could tell by looking at Absalom that he had made up his mind to do this from the time that Amnon raped his sister Tamar.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
In the meantime Absalom had fled.
Just then the soldier on sentry duty saw a large crowd coming down the hill on the road from Horonaim. He went to the king and reported what he had seen.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
As soon as he finished saying this, David's sons came in; they started crying, and David and his officials also cried bitterly.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
Absalom fled and went to the king of Geshur, Talmai son of Ammihud, and stayed there three years. David mourned a long time for his son Amnon;


book: 2Sam
contenido:
so he sent for a clever woman who lived in Tekoa. When she arrived, he said to her, “Pretend that you are in mourning; put on your mourning clothes, and don't comb your hair. Act like a woman who has been in mourning for a long time.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
Sir, I had two sons, and one day they got into a quarrel out in the fields, where there was no one to separate them, and one of them killed the other.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
And now, sir, all my relatives have turned against me and are demanding that I hand my son over to them, so that they can kill him for murdering his brother. If they do this, I will be left without a son. They will destroy my last hope and leave my husband without a son to keep his name alive.”


book: 2Sam
contenido:
“Your Majesty,” she said, “whatever you do, my family and I will take the blame; you and the royal family are innocent.”


book: 2Sam
contenido:
She said, “Your Majesty, please pray to the Lord your God, so that my relative who is responsible for avenging the death of my son will not commit a greater crime by killing my other son.”
“I promise by the living Lord,” David replied, “that your son will not be harmed in the least.”


book: 2Sam
contenido:
She said to him, “Why have you done such a wrong to God's people? You have not allowed your own son to return from exile, and so you have condemned yourself by what you have just said.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
We will all die; we are like water spilled on the ground, which can't be gathered again. Even God does not bring the dead back to life, but the king can at least find a way to bring a man back from exile.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
Now, Your Majesty, the reason I have come to speak to you is that the people threatened me, and so I said to myself that I would speak to you in the hope that you would do what I ask.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
I thought you would listen to me and save me from the one who is trying to kill my son and me and so remove us from the land God gave his people.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
I said to myself that your promise, sir, would make me safe, because the king is like God's angel and can distinguish good from evil. May the Lord your God be with you!”


book: 2Sam
contenido:
The king answered, “I'm going to ask you a question, and you must tell me the whole truth.”
“Ask me anything, Your Majesty,” she answered.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
“Did Joab put you up to this?” he asked her.
She answered, “I swear by all that is sacred, Your Majesty, that there is no way to avoid answering your question. It was indeed your officer Joab who told me what to do and what to say.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
But he did it in order to straighten out this whole matter. Your Majesty is as wise as the angel of God and knows everything that happens.”


book: 2Sam
contenido:
Later on the king said to Joab, “I have decided to do what you want. Go and get the young man Absalom and bring him back here.”


book: 2Sam
contenido:
Joab threw himself to the ground in front of David in respect, and said, “God bless you, Your Majesty! Now I know that you are pleased with me, because you have granted my request.”


book: 2Sam
contenido:
The king, however, gave orders that Absalom should not live in the palace. “I don't want to see him,” the king said. So Absalom lived in his own house and did not appear before the king.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
Absalom Is Reconciled to David
There was no one in Israel as famous for his good looks as Absalom; he had no defect from head to toe.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
His hair was very thick, and he had to cut it once a year, when it grew too long and heavy. It would weigh about five pounds according to the royal standard of weights.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
Then he sent for Joab, to ask him to go to the king for him; but Joab would not come. Again Absalom sent for him, and again Joab refused to come.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
So Absalom said to his servants, “Look, Joab's field is next to mine, and it has barley growing in it. Go and set fire to it.” So they went and set the field on fire.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
Absalom answered, “Because you wouldn't come when I sent for you. I wanted you to go to the king and ask for me: ‘Why did I leave Geshur and come here? It would have been better for me to have stayed there.’” And Absalom went on, “I want you to arrange for me to see the king, and if I'm guilty, then let him put me to death.”


book: 2Sam
contenido:
So Joab went to King David and told him what Absalom had said. The king sent for Absalom, who went to him and bowed down to the ground in front of him. The king welcomed him with a kiss.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
Absalom Plans Rebellion
After this, Absalom provided a chariot and horses for himself, and an escort of fifty men.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
He would get up early and go and stand by the road at the city gate. Whenever someone came there with a dispute that he wanted the king to settle, Absalom would call him over and ask him where he was from. And after the man had told him what tribe he was from,


book: 2Sam
contenido:
Absalom would say, “Look, the law is on your side, but there is no representative of the king to hear your case.”


book: 2Sam
contenido:
And he would add, “How I wish I were a judge! Then anyone who had a dispute or a claim could come to me, and I would give him justice.”


book: 2Sam
contenido:
When the man would approach Absalom to bow down before him, Absalom would reach out, take hold of him, and kiss him.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
Absalom did this with every Israelite who came to the king for judgment, and so he won their loyalty.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
After four years Absalom said to King David, “Sir, let me go to Hebron and keep a promise I made to the Lord.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
While I was living in Geshur in Syria, I promised the Lord that if he would take me back to Jerusalem, I would worship him in Hebron.”


book: 2Sam
contenido:
But he sent messengers to all the tribes of Israel to say, “When you hear the sound of trumpets, shout, ‘Absalom has become king at Hebron!’”


book: 2Sam
contenido:
There were two hundred men who at Absalom's invitation had gone from Jerusalem with him; they knew nothing of the plot and went in all good faith.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
And while he was offering sacrifices, Absalom also sent to the town of Gilo for Ahithophel, who was one of King David's advisers. The plot against the king gained strength, and Absalom's followers grew in number.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
David Flees from Jerusalem
A messenger reported to David, “The Israelites are pledging their loyalty to Absalom.”


book: 2Sam
contenido:
So David said to all his officials who were with him in Jerusalem, “We must get away at once if we want to escape from Absalom! Hurry! Or else he will soon be here and defeat us and kill everyone in the city!”


book: 2Sam
contenido:
So the king left, accompanied by all his family and officials, except for ten concubines, whom he left behind to take care of the palace.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
All his officials stood next to him as the royal bodyguards passed by in front of him. The six hundred soldiers who had followed him from Gath also passed by,


book: 2Sam
contenido:
and the king said to Ittai, their leader, “Why are you going with us? Go back and stay with the new king. You are a foreigner, a refugee away from your own country.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
You have lived here only a short time, so why should I make you wander around with me? I don't even know where I'm going. Go back and take all your people with you—and may the Lord be kind and faithful to you.”


book: 2Sam
contenido:
But Ittai answered, “Your Majesty, I swear to you in the Lord's name that I will always go with you wherever you go, even if it means death.”


book: 2Sam
contenido:
The people cried loudly as David's followers left. The king crossed Kidron Brook, followed by his men, and together they went out toward the wilderness.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
Zadok the priest was there, and with him were the Levites, carrying the sacred Covenant Box. They set it down and didn't pick it up again until all the people had left the city. The priest Abiathar was there too.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
Then the king said to Zadok, “Take the Covenant Box back to the city. If the Lord is pleased with me, some day he will let me come back to see it and the place where it stays.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
And he went on to say to Zadok, “Look, take your son Ahimaaz and Abiathar's son Jonathan and go back to the city in peace.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
David went on up the Mount of Olives crying; he was barefoot and had his head covered as a sign of grief. All who followed him covered their heads and cried also.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
When David was told that Ahithophel had joined Absalom's rebellion, he prayed, “Please, Lord, turn Ahithophel's advice into nonsense!”


book: 2Sam
contenido:
When David reached the top of the hill, where there was a place of worship, his trusted friend Hushai the Archite met him with his clothes torn and with dirt on his head.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
but you can help me by returning to the city and telling Absalom that you will now serve him as faithfully as you served his father. And do all you can to oppose any advice that Ahithophel gives.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
They have their sons Ahimaaz and Jonathan with them, and you can send them to me with all the information you gather.”


book: 2Sam
contenido:
David and Ziba
When David had gone a little beyond the top of the hill, he was suddenly met by Ziba, the servant of Mephibosheth, who had with him a couple of donkeys loaded with two hundred loaves of bread, a hundred bunches of raisins, a hundred bunches of fresh fruit, and a leather bag full of wine.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
King David asked him, “What are you going to do with all that?”
Ziba answered, “The donkeys are for Your Majesty's family to ride, the bread and the fruit are for the men to eat, and the wine is for them to drink when they get tired in the wilderness.”


book: 2Sam
contenido:
“Where is Mephibosheth, the grandson of your master Saul?” the king asked him.
“He is staying in Jerusalem,” Ziba answered, “because he is convinced that the Israelites will now restore to him the kingdom of his grandfather Saul.”


book: 2Sam
contenido:
The king said to Ziba, “Everything that belonged to Mephibosheth is yours.”
“I am your servant,” Ziba replied. “May I always please Your Majesty!”


book: 2Sam
contenido:
David and Shimei
When King David arrived at Bahurim, one of Saul's relatives, Shimei son of Gera, came out to meet him, cursing him as he came.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
Shimei started throwing stones at David and his officials, even though David was surrounded by his men and his bodyguards.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
You took Saul's kingdom, and now the Lord is punishing you for murdering so many of Saul's family. The Lord has given the kingdom to your son Absalom, and you are ruined, you murderer!”


book: 2Sam
contenido:
Abishai, whose mother was Zeruiah, said to the king, “Your Majesty, why do you let this dog curse you? Let me go over there and cut off his head!”


book: 2Sam
contenido:
“This is none of your business,” the king said to Abishai and his brother Joab. “If he curses me because the Lord told him to, who has the right to ask why he does it?”


book: 2Sam
contenido:
And David said to Abishai and to all his officials, “My own son is trying to kill me; so why should you be surprised at this Benjaminite? The Lord told him to curse; so leave him alone and let him do it.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
So David and his men continued along the road. Shimei kept up with them, walking on the hillside; he was cursing and throwing stones and dirt at them as he went.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
Absalom in Jerusalem
Absalom and all the Israelites with him entered Jerusalem, and Ahithophel was with them.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
When Hushai, David's trusted friend, met Absalom, he shouted, “Long live the king! Long live the king!”


book: 2Sam
contenido:
“What has happened to your loyalty to your friend David?” Absalom asked him. “Why didn't you go with him?”


book: 2Sam
contenido:
Hushai answered, “How could I? I am for the one chosen by the Lord, by these people, and by all the Israelites. I will stay with you.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
After all, whom should I serve, if not my master's son? As I served your father, so now I will serve you.”


book: 2Sam
contenido:
Ahithophel answered, “Go and have intercourse with your father's concubines whom he left behind to take care of the palace. Then everyone in Israel will know that your father regards you as his enemy, and your followers will be greatly encouraged.”


book: 2Sam
contenido:
So they set up a tent for Absalom on the palace roof, and in the sight of everyone Absalom went in and had intercourse with his father's concubines.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
Any advice that Ahithophel gave in those days was accepted as though it were the very word of God; both David and Absalom followed it.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
Hushai Misleads Absalom
Not long after that, Ahithophel said to Absalom, “Let me choose twelve thousand men, and tonight I will set out after David.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
I will attack him while he is tired and discouraged. He will be frightened, and all his men will run away. I will kill only the king


book: 2Sam
contenido:
and then bring back all his men to you, like a bride returning to her husband. You want to kill only one man; the rest of the people will be safe.”


book: 2Sam
contenido:
When Hushai arrived, Absalom said to him, “This is the advice that Ahithophel has given us; shall we follow it? If not, you tell us what to do.”


book: 2Sam
contenido:
You know that your father David and his men are hard fighters and that they are as fierce as a mother bear robbed of her cubs. Your father is an experienced soldier and does not stay with his men at night.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
Right now he is probably hiding in a cave or some other place. As soon as David attacks your men, whoever hears about it will say that your men have been defeated.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
Then even the bravest men, as fearless as lions, will be afraid because everyone in Israel knows that your father is a great soldier and that his men are hard fighters.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
My advice is that you bring all the Israelites together from one end of the country to the other, as many as the grains of sand on the seashore, and that you lead them personally in battle.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
We will find David wherever he is, and attack him before he knows what's happening. Neither he nor any of his men will survive.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
If he retreats into a city, our people will all bring ropes and just pull the city into the valley below. Not a single stone will be left there on top of the hill.”


book: 2Sam
contenido:
Absalom and all the Israelites said, “Hushai's advice is better than Ahithophel's.” The Lord had decided that Ahithophel's good advice would not be followed, so that disaster would come on Absalom.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
David Is Warned and Escapes
Then Hushai told the priests Zadok and Abiathar what advice he had given to Absalom and the Israelite leaders and what advice Ahithophel had given.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
Hushai added, “Quick, now! Send a message to David not to spend the night at the river crossings in the wilderness, but to cross the Jordan at once, so that he and his men won't all be caught and killed.”


book: 2Sam
contenido:
Abiathar's son Jonathan and Zadok's son Ahimaaz were waiting at the spring of Enrogel, on the outskirts of Jerusalem, because they did not dare be seen entering the city. A servant woman would regularly go and tell them what was happening, and then they would go and tell King David.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
But one day a boy happened to see them, and he told Absalom; so they hurried off to hide in the house of a certain man in Bahurim. He had a well near his house, and they got down in it.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
The man's wife took a covering, spread it over the opening of the well and scattered grain over it, so that no one would notice anything.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
Absalom's officials came to the house and asked the woman, “Where are Ahimaaz and Jonathan?”
“They crossed the river,” she answered.
The men looked for them but could not find them, and so they returned to Jerusalem.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
After they left, Ahimaaz and Jonathan came up out of the well and went and reported to King David. They told him what Ahithophel had planned against him and said, “Hurry up and cross the river.”


book: 2Sam
contenido:
When Ahithophel saw that his advice had not been followed, he saddled his donkey and went back to his hometown. After putting his affairs in order, he hanged himself. He was buried in the family grave.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
David had reached the town of Mahanaim by the time Absalom and the Israelites had crossed the Jordan.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
(Absalom had put Amasa in command of the army in the place of Joab. Amasa was the son of Jether the Ishmaelite; his mother was Abigail, the daughter of Nahash and the sister of Joab's mother Zeruiah.)


book: 2Sam
contenido:
When David arrived at Mahanaim, he was met by Shobi son of Nahash, from the city of Rabbah in Ammon, and by Machir son of Ammiel, from Lodebar, and by Barzillai, from Rogelim in Gilead.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
They brought bowls, clay pots, and bedding, and also food for David and his men: wheat, barley, meal, roasted grain, beans, peas, honey, cheese, cream, and some sheep. They knew that David and his men would get hungry, thirsty, and tired in the wilderness.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
Absalom Is Defeated and Killed
King David brought all his men together, divided them into units of a thousand and of a hundred, and placed officers in command of them.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
Then he sent them out in three groups, with Joab and Joab's brother Abishai and Ittai from Gath, each in command of a group. And the king said to his men, “I will go with you myself.”


book: 2Sam
contenido:
“You mustn't go with us,” they answered. “It won't make any difference to the enemy if the rest of us turn and run, or even if half of us are killed; but you are worth ten thousand of us. It will be better if you stay here in the city and send us help.”


book: 2Sam
contenido:
“I will do whatever you think best,” the king answered. Then he stood by the side of the gate as his men marched out in units of a thousand and of a hundred.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
He gave orders to Joab, Abishai, and Ittai: “For my sake don't harm the young man Absalom.” And all the troops heard David give this command to his officers.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
The Israelites were defeated by David's men; it was a terrible defeat, with twenty thousand men killed that day.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
The fighting spread over the countryside, and more men died in the forest than were killed in battle.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
Suddenly Absalom met some of David's men. Absalom was riding a mule, and as it went under a large oak tree, Absalom's head got caught in the branches. The mule ran on and Absalom was left hanging in midair.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
Joab answered, “If you saw him, why didn't you kill him on the spot? I myself would have given you ten pieces of silver and a belt.”


book: 2Sam
contenido:
But the man answered, “Even if you gave me a thousand pieces of silver, I wouldn't lift a finger against the king's son. We all heard the king command you and Abishai and Ittai, ‘For my sake don't harm the young man Absalom.’


book: 2Sam
contenido:
But if I had disobeyed the king and killed Absalom, the king would have heard about it—he hears about everything—and you would not have defended me.”


book: 2Sam
contenido:
“I'm not going to waste any more time with you,” Joab said. He took three spears and plunged them into Absalom's chest while he was still alive, hanging in the oak tree.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
Joab had the trumpet blown to stop the fighting, and his troops came back from pursuing the Israelites.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
They took Absalom's body, threw it into a deep pit in the forest, and covered it with a huge pile of stones. All the Israelites fled to their own hometowns.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
During his lifetime Absalom had built a monument for himself in King's Valley, because he had no son to keep his name alive. So he named it after himself, and to this day it is known as Absalom's Monument.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
David Is Told of Absalom's Death
Then Ahimaaz son of Zadok said to Joab, “Let me run to the king with the good news that the Lord has saved him from his enemies.”


book: 2Sam
contenido:
“No,” Joab said, “today you will not take any good news. Some other day you may do so, but not today, for the king's son is dead.”


book: 2Sam
contenido:
Then he said to his Ethiopian slave, “Go and tell the king what you have seen.” The slave bowed and ran off.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
Ahimaaz insisted, “I don't care what happens; please let me take the news also.”
“Why do you want to do it, my son?” Joab asked. “You will get no reward for it.”


book: 2Sam
contenido:
“Whatever happens,” Ahimaaz said again, “I want to go.”
“Then go,” Joab said. So Ahimaaz ran off down the road through the Jordan Valley, and soon he passed the slave.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
David was sitting in the space between the inner and outer gates of the city. The lookout went up to the top of the wall and stood on the roof of the gateway; he looked out and saw a man running alone.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
He called down and told the king, and the king said, “If he is alone, he is bringing good news.” The runner kept coming closer.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
Then the lookout saw another man running alone, and he called down to the gatekeeper, “Look! There's another man running!”
The king answered, “This one also is bringing good news.”


book: 2Sam
contenido:
The lookout said, “I can see that the first man runs like Ahimaaz.”
“He's a good man,” the king said, “and he is bringing good news.”


book: 2Sam
contenido:
Ahimaaz called out a greeting to the king, threw himself down to the ground before him, and said, “Praise the Lord your God, who has given you victory over the men who rebelled against Your Majesty!”


book: 2Sam
contenido:
“Is the young man Absalom all right?” the king asked.
Ahimaaz answered, “Sir, when your officer Joab sent me, I saw a great commotion, but I couldn't tell what it was.”


book: 2Sam
contenido:
Then the Ethiopian slave arrived and said to the king, “I have good news for Your Majesty! Today the Lord has given you victory over all who rebelled against you!”


book: 2Sam
contenido:
“Is the young man Absalom all right?” the king asked.
The slave answered, “I wish that what has happened to him would happen to all your enemies, sir, and to all who rebel against you.”


book: 2Sam
contenido:
The king was overcome with grief. He went up to the room over the gateway and wept. As he went, he cried, “O my son! My son Absalom! Absalom, my son! If only I had died in your place, my son! Absalom, my son!”


book: 2Sam
contenido:
And so the joy of victory was turned into sadness for all of David's troops that day, because they heard that the king was mourning for his son.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
They went back into the city quietly, like soldiers who are ashamed because they are running away from battle.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
Joab went to the king's house and said to him, “Today you have humiliated your men—the men who saved your life and the lives of your sons and daughters and of your wives and concubines.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
You oppose those who love you and support those who hate you! You have made it clear that your officers and men mean nothing to you. I can see that you would be quite happy if Absalom were alive today and all of us were dead.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
Now go and reassure your men. I swear by the Lord's name that if you don't, not one of them will be with you by tomorrow morning. That would be the worst disaster you have suffered in all your life.”


book: 2Sam
contenido:
Then the king got up, and went and sat near the city gate. His men heard that he was there, and they all gathered around him.
David Starts Back to Jerusalem
Meanwhile all the Israelites had fled to their own hometowns.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
All over the country they started quarreling among themselves. “King David saved us from our enemies,” they said to one another. “He rescued us from the Philistines, but now he has fled from Absalom and left the country.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
We anointed Absalom as our king, but he has been killed in battle. So why doesn't somebody try to bring King David back?”


book: 2Sam
contenido:
The news of what the Israelites were saying reached King David. So he sent the priests Zadok and Abiathar to ask the leaders of Judah, “Why should you be the last to help bring the king back to his palace?


book: 2Sam
contenido:
David also told them to say to Amasa, “You are my relative. From now on I am putting you in charge of the army in place of Joab. May God strike me dead if I don't!”


book: 2Sam
contenido:
David's words won the complete loyalty of all the men of Judah, and they sent him word to return with all his officials.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
On his way back the king was met at the Jordan River by the men of Judah, who had come to Gilgal to escort him across the river.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
At the same time the Benjaminite Shimei son of Gera from Bahurim hurried to the Jordan to meet King David.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
He had with him a thousand men from the tribe of Benjamin. And Ziba, the servant of Saul's family, also came with his fifteen sons and twenty servants, and they arrived at the Jordan before the king.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
They crossed the river to escort the royal party across and to do whatever the king wanted.
David Shows Kindness to Shimei
As the king was getting ready to cross, Shimei threw himself down in front of him


book: 2Sam
contenido:
and said, “Your Majesty, please forget the wrong I did that day you left Jerusalem. Don't hold it against me or think about it any more.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
I know, sir, that I have sinned, and this is why I am the first one from the northern tribes to come and meet Your Majesty today.”


book: 2Sam
contenido:
Abishai son of Zeruiah spoke up: “Shimei should be put to death because he cursed the one whom the Lord chose as king.”


book: 2Sam
contenido:
But David said to Abishai and his brother Joab, “Who asked your opinion? Are you going to give me trouble? I am the one who is king of Israel now, and no Israelite will be put to death today.”


book: 2Sam
contenido:
David Shows Kindness to Mephibosheth
Then Mephibosheth, Saul's grandson, came down to meet the king. He had not washed his feet, trimmed his beard, or washed his clothes from the time the king left Jerusalem until he returned victorious.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
When Mephibosheth arrived from Jerusalem to meet the king, the king said to him, “Mephibosheth, you didn't go with me. Why not?”


book: 2Sam
contenido:
He answered, “As you know, Your Majesty, I am crippled. I told my servant to saddle my donkey so that I could ride along with you, but he betrayed me.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
All of my father's family deserved to be put to death by Your Majesty, but you gave me the right to eat at your table. I have no right to ask for any more favors from Your Majesty.”


book: 2Sam
contenido:
The king answered, “You don't have to say anything more. I have decided that you and Ziba will share Saul's property.”


book: 2Sam
contenido:
“Let Ziba have it all,” Mephibosheth answered. “It's enough for me that Your Majesty has come home safely.”


book: 2Sam
contenido:
David Shows Kindness to Barzillai
Barzillai, from Gilead, had also come down from Rogelim to escort the king across the Jordan.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
Barzillai was a very old man, eighty years old. He was very rich and had supplied the king with food while he was staying at Mahanaim.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
I am already eighty years old, and nothing gives me pleasure any more. I can't taste what I eat and drink, and I can't hear the voices of singers. I would only be a burden to Your Majesty.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
Then let me go back home and die near my parents' grave. Here is my son Chimham, who will serve you; take him with you, Your Majesty, and do for him as you think best.”


book: 2Sam
contenido:
The king answered, “I will take him with me and do for him whatever you want. And I will do for you anything you ask.”


book: 2Sam
contenido:
Then David and all of his men crossed the Jordan. He kissed Barzillai and gave him his blessing, and Barzillai went back home.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
Judah and Israel Argue over the King
When the king had crossed, escorted by all the people of Judah and half the people of Israel, he went on to Gilgal, and Chimham went with him.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
Then all the Israelites went to the king and said to him, “Your Majesty, why did our brothers, the men of Judah, think they had the right to take you away and escort you, your family, and your men across the Jordan?”


book: 2Sam
contenido:
The men of Judah answered, “We did it because the king is one of us. So why should this make you angry? He hasn't paid for our food nor has he given us anything.”


book: 2Sam
contenido:
The Israelites replied, “We have ten times as many claims on King David as you have, even if he is one of you. Why do you look down on us? Don't forget that we were the first to talk about bringing the king back!”
But the men of Judah were more violent in making their claims than the men of Israel.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
Sheba's Rebellion
There happened to be in Gilgal a worthless character named Sheba son of Bikri, of the tribe of Benjamin. He blew the trumpet and called out, “Down with David! We won't follow him! Men of Israel, let's go home!”


book: 2Sam
contenido:
So the Israelites deserted David and went with Sheba, but the men of Judah remained loyal and followed David from the Jordan to Jerusalem.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
When David arrived at his palace in Jerusalem, he took the ten concubines he had left to take care of the palace, and put them under guard. He provided for their needs, but did not have intercourse with them. They were kept confined for the rest of their lives, living like widows.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
The king said to Amasa, “Call the men of Judah together and be back here with them by the day after tomorrow.”


book: 2Sam
contenido:
So the king said to Abishai, “Sheba will give us more trouble than Absalom. Take my men and go after him, or else he may occupy some fortified towns and escape from us.”


book: 2Sam
contenido:
So Joab's men, the royal bodyguards, and all the other soldiers left Jerusalem with Abishai to go after Sheba.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
When they reached the large rock at Gibeon, Amasa met them. Joab was dressed for battle, with a sword in its sheath fastened to his belt. As he came forward, the sword fell out.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
Joab said to Amasa, “How are you, my friend?” and took hold of his beard with his right hand in order to kiss him.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
Amasa was not on guard against the sword that Joab was holding in his other hand, and Joab stabbed him in the belly, and his insides spilled out on the ground. He died immediately, and Joab did not have to strike again.
Then Joab and his brother Abishai went on after Sheba.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
One of Joab's men stood by Amasa's body and called out, “Everyone who is for Joab and David follow Joab!”


book: 2Sam
contenido:
Amasa's body, covered with blood, was lying in the middle of the road. Joab's man saw that everybody was stopping, so he dragged the body from the road out into the field and threw a blanket over it.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
Sheba passed through the territory of all the tribes of Israel and came to the city of Abel Beth Maacah, and all the members of the clan of Bikri assembled and followed him into the city.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
Joab's men heard that Sheba was there, and so they went and besieged the city. They built ramps of earth against the outer wall and also began to dig under the wall to make it fall down.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
There was a wise woman in the city who shouted from the wall, “Listen! Listen! Tell Joab to come here; I want to speak with him.”


book: 2Sam
contenido:
Joab went, and she asked, “Are you Joab?”
“Yes, I am,” he answered.
“Listen to me, sir,” she said.
“I'm listening,” he answered.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
She said, “Long ago they used to say, ‘Go and get your answer in the city of Abel’—and that's just what they did.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
Ours is a great city, one of the most peaceful and loyal in Israel. Why are you trying to destroy it? Do you want to ruin what belongs to the Lord?”


book: 2Sam
contenido:
That is not our plan. A man named Sheba son of Bikri, who is from the hill country of Ephraim, started a rebellion against King David. Hand over this one man, and I will withdraw from the city.”
“We will throw his head over the wall to you,” she said.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
Then she went to the people of the city with her plan, and they cut off Sheba's head and threw it over the wall to Joab. He blew the trumpet as a signal for his men to leave the city, and they went back home. And Joab returned to Jerusalem to the king.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
David's Officials
Joab was in command of the army of Israel; Benaiah son of Jehoiada was in charge of David's bodyguards;


book: 2Sam
contenido:
Saul's Descendants Are Put to Death
During David's reign there was a severe famine which lasted for three full years. So David consulted the Lord about it, and the Lord said, “Saul and his family are guilty of murder; he put the people of Gibeon to death.”


book: 2Sam
contenido:
(The people of Gibeon were not Israelites; they were a small group of Amorites whom the Israelites had promised to protect, but Saul had tried to destroy them because of his zeal for the people of Israel and Judah.)


book: 2Sam
contenido:
So David summoned the people of Gibeon and said to them, “What can I do for you? I want to make up for the wrong that was done to you, so that you will bless the Lord's people.”


book: 2Sam
contenido:
They answered, “Our quarrel with Saul and his family can't be settled with silver or gold, nor do we want to kill any Israelite.”
“What, then, do you think I should do for you?” David asked.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
So hand over seven of his male descendants, and we will hang them before the Lord at Gibeah, the hometown of Saul, the Lord's chosen king.”
“I will hand them over,” the king answered.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
But because of the sacred promise that he and Jonathan had made to each other, David spared Jonathan's son Mephibosheth, the grandson of Saul.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
However, he took Armoni and Mephibosheth, the two sons that Rizpah the daughter of Aiah had borne to Saul; he also took the five sons of Saul's daughter Merab, whom she had borne to Adriel son of Barzillai, who was from Meholah.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
David handed them over to the people of Gibeon, who hanged them on the mountain before the Lord—and all seven of them died together. It was late in the spring, at the beginning of the barley harvest, when they were put to death.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
Then Saul's concubine Rizpah, the daughter of Aiah, used sackcloth to make a shelter for herself on the rock where the corpses were, and she stayed there from the beginning of harvest until the autumn rains came. During the day she would keep the birds away from the corpses, and at night she would protect them from wild animals.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
he went and got the bones of Saul and of his son Jonathan from the people of Jabesh in Gilead. (They had stolen them from the public square in Beth Shan, where the Philistines had hanged the bodies on the day they killed Saul on Mount Gilboa.)


book: 2Sam
contenido:
David took the bones of Saul and Jonathan and also gathered up the bones of the seven men who had been hanged.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
Then they buried the bones of Saul and Jonathan in the grave of Saul's father Kish, in Zela in the territory of Benjamin, doing all that the king had commanded. And after that, God answered their prayers for the country.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
Battles against Philistine Giants
There was another war between the Philistines and Israel, and David and his men went and fought the Philistines. During one of the battles David grew tired.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
A giant named Ishbibenob, who was carrying a bronze spear that weighed about seven and a half pounds and who was wearing a new sword, thought he could kill David.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
But Abishai son of Zeruiah came to David's help, attacked the giant, and killed him. Then David's men made David promise that he would never again go out with them to battle. “You are the hope of Israel, and we don't want to lose you,” they said.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
After this there was a battle with the Philistines at Gob, during which Sibbecai from Hushah killed a giant named Saph.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
There was another battle with the Philistines at Gob, and Elhanan son of Jair from Bethlehem killed Goliath from Gath, whose spear had a shaft as thick as the bar on a weaver's loom.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
Then there was another battle at Gath, where there was a giant who loved to fight. He had six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
David's Song of Victory
When the Lord saved David from Saul and his other enemies, David sang this song to the Lord:


book: 2Sam
contenido:
My God is my protection,
and with him I am safe.
He protects me like a shield;
he defends me and keeps me safe.
He is my savior;
he protects me and saves me from violence.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
In my trouble I called to the Lord;
I called to my God for help.
In his temple he heard my voice;
he listened to my cry for help.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
Then the earth trembled and shook;
the foundations of the sky rocked and quivered
because God was angry!


book: 2Sam
contenido:
The floor of the ocean was laid bare,
and the foundations of the earth were uncovered
when the Lord rebuked his enemies
and roared at them in anger.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
O Lord, you are faithful to those who are faithful to you,
and completely good to those who are perfect.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
This God—how perfect are his deeds,
how dependable his words!
He is like a shield
for all who seek his protection.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
You saved me from my rebellious people
and maintained my rule over the nations;
people I did not know have now become my subjects.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;and saves me from my foes.
O Lord, you give me victory over my enemies
and protect me from violent men.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
God gives great victories to his king;
he shows constant love to the one he has chosen,
to David and his descendants forever.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
David's Last Words
David son of Jesse was the man whom God made great, whom the God of Jacob chose to be king, and who was the composer of beautiful songs for Israel. These are David's last words:


book: 2Sam
contenido:
The God of Israel has spoken;
the protector of Israel said to me:
“The king who rules with justice,
who rules in obedience to God,


book: 2Sam
contenido:
And that is how God will bless my descendants,
because he has made an eternal covenant with me,
an agreement that will not be broken,
a promise that will not be changed.
That is all I desire;
that will be my victory,
and God will surely bring it about.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
David's Famous Soldiers
These are the names of David's famous soldiers: the first was Josheb Basshebeth from Tachemon, who was the leader of “The Three”; he fought with his spear against eight hundred men and killed them all in one battle.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
The second of the famous three was Eleazar son of Dodo, of the clan of Ahoh. One day he and David challenged the Philistines who had gathered for battle. The Israelites fell back,


book: 2Sam
contenido:
but he stood his ground and fought the Philistines until his hand was so cramped that he could not let go of his sword. The Lord won a great victory that day. After it was over, the Israelites returned to where Eleazar was and stripped the armor from the dead.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
The third of the famous three was Shammah son of Agee from Harar. The Philistines had gathered at Lehi, where there was a field of peas. The Israelites fled from the Philistines,


book: 2Sam
contenido:
but Shammah stood his ground in the field, defended it, and killed the Philistines. The Lord won a great victory that day.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
Near the beginning of harvest time three of “The Thirty” went down to Adullam Cave, where David was, while a band of Philistines was camping in Rephaim Valley.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
David grew homesick and said, “How I wish someone would bring me a drink of water from the well by the gate at Bethlehem!”


book: 2Sam
contenido:
The three famous soldiers forced their way through the Philistine camp, drew some water from the well, and brought it back to David. But he would not drink it; instead he poured it out as an offering to the Lord


book: 2Sam
contenido:
and said, “Lord, I could never drink this! It would be like drinking the blood of these men who risked their lives!” So he refused to drink it.
Those were the brave deeds of the three famous soldiers.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
Joab's brother Abishai (their mother was Zeruiah) was the leader of “The Famous Thirty.” He fought with his spear against three hundred men and killed them, and became famous among “The Thirty.”


book: 2Sam
contenido:
He was the most famous of “The Thirty” and became their leader, but he was not as famous as “The Three.”


book: 2Sam
contenido:
Benaiah son of Jehoiada from Kabzeel was another famous soldier; he did many brave deeds, including killing two great Moabite warriors. He once went down into a pit on a snowy day and killed a lion.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
He also killed an Egyptian, a huge man who was armed with a spear. Benaiah attacked him with his club, snatched the spear from the Egyptian's hand, and killed him with it.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
He was outstanding among them, but was not as famous as “The Three.” David put him in charge of his bodyguard.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
Other members of “The Thirty” included:
Asahel, Joab's brother
Elhanan son of Dodo from Bethlehem
Shammah and Elika from Harod
Helez from Pelet
Ira son of Ikkesh from Tekoa
Abiezer from Anathoth
Mebunnai from Hushah
Zalmon from Ahoh
Maharai from Netophah
Heleb son of Baanah from Netophah
Ittai son of Ribai from Gibeah in Benjamin
Benaiah from Pirathon
Hiddai from the valleys near Gaash
Abialbon from Arabah
Azmaveth from Bahurim
Eliahba from Shaalbon
The sons of Jashen
Jonathan
Shammah from Harar
Ahiam son of Sharar from Harar
Eliphelet son of Ahasbai from Maacah
Eliam son of Ahithophel from Gilo
Hezro from Carmel
Paarai from Arab
Igal son of Nathan from Zobah
Bani from Gad
Zelek from Ammon
Naharai from Beeroth, Joab's armorbearer
Ira and Gareb from Jattir
Uriah the Hittite.
There were thirty-seven famous soldiers in all.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
David Takes a Census
On another occasion the Lord was angry with Israel, and he made David bring trouble on them. The Lord said to him, “Go and count the people of Israel and Judah.”


book: 2Sam
contenido:
So David gave orders to Joab, the commander of his army: “Go with your officers through all the tribes of Israel from one end of the country to the other, and count the people. I want to know how many there are.”


book: 2Sam
contenido:
But Joab answered the king, “Your Majesty, may the Lord your God make the people of Israel a hundred times more numerous than they are now, and may you live to see him do it. But why does Your Majesty want to do this?”


book: 2Sam
contenido:
But the king made Joab and his officers obey his order; they left his presence and went out to count the people of Israel.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
They crossed the Jordan and camped south of Aroer, the city in the middle of the valley, in the territory of Gad. From there they went north to Jazer,


book: 2Sam
contenido:
and on to Gilead and to Kadesh, in Hittite territory. Then they went to Dan, and from Dan they went west to Sidon.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
Then they went south to the fortified city of Tyre, on to all the cities of the Hivites and the Canaanites, and finally to Beersheba, in the southern part of Judah.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
So after nine months and twenty days they returned to Jerusalem, having traveled through the whole country.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
They reported to the king the total number of men capable of military service: 800,000 in Israel and 500,000 in Judah.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
But after David had taken the census, his conscience began to hurt, and he said to the Lord, “I have committed a terrible sin in doing this! Please forgive me. I have acted foolishly.”


book: 2Sam
contenido:
The Lord said to Gad, David's prophet, “Go and tell David that I am giving him three choices. I will do whichever he chooses.” The next morning, after David had gotten up,


book: 2Sam
contenido:
Gad went to him, told him what the Lord had said, and asked, “Which is it to be? Three years of famine in your land or three months of running away from your enemies or three days of an epidemic in your land? Now think it over, and tell me what answer to take back to the Lord.”


book: 2Sam
contenido:
David answered, “I am in a desperate situation! But I don't want to be punished by people. Let the Lord himself be the one to punish us, for he is merciful.”


book: 2Sam
contenido:
So the Lord sent an epidemic on Israel, which lasted from that morning until the time that he had chosen. From one end of the country to the other seventy thousand Israelites died.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
When the Lord's angel was about to destroy Jerusalem, the Lord changed his mind about punishing the people and said to the angel who was killing them, “Stop! That's enough!” The angel was by the threshing place of Araunah, a Jebusite.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
David saw the angel who was killing the people, and said to the Lord, “I am the guilty one. I am the one who did wrong. What have these poor people done? You should punish me and my family.”


book: 2Sam
contenido:
That same day Gad went to David and said to him, “Go up to Araunah's threshing place and build an altar to the Lord.”


book: 2Sam
contenido:
Araunah looked down and saw the king and his officials coming up to him. He threw himself on the ground in front of David


book: 2Sam
contenido:
and asked, “Your Majesty, why are you here?”
David answered, “To buy your threshing place and build an altar for the Lord, in order to stop the epidemic.”


book: 2Sam
contenido:
“Take it, Your Majesty,” Araunah said, “and offer to the Lord whatever you wish. Here are these oxen to burn as an offering on the altar; here are their yokes and the threshing boards to use as fuel.”


book: 2Sam
contenido:
But the king answered, “No, I will pay you for it. I will not offer to the Lord my God sacrifices that have cost me nothing.” And he bought the threshing place and the oxen for fifty pieces of silver.


book: 2Sam
contenido:
Then he built an altar to the Lord and offered burnt offerings and fellowship offerings. The Lord answered his prayer, and the epidemic in Israel was stopped.


book: 1Kgs
contenido:
King David in His Old Age
King David was now a very old man, and although his servants covered him with blankets, he could not keep warm.


book: 1Kgs
contenido:
So his officials said to him, “Your Majesty, let us find a young woman to stay with you and take care of you. She will lie close to you and keep you warm.”


book: 1Kgs
contenido:
A search was made all over Israel for a beautiful young woman, and in Shunem they found such a woman named Abishag, and brought her to the king.


book: 1Kgs
contenido:
She was very beautiful, and waited on the king and took care of him, but he did not have intercourse with her.


book: 1Kgs
contenido:
Adonijah Claims the Throne
Now that Absalom was dead, Adonijah, the son of David and Haggith, was the oldest surviving son. He was a very handsome man. David had never reprimanded him about anything, and he was ambitious to be king. He provided for himself chariots, horses, and an escort of fifty men.


book: 1Kgs
contenido:
He talked with Joab (whose mother was Zeruiah) and with Abiathar the priest, and they agreed to support his cause.


book: 1Kgs
contenido:
But Zadok the priest, Benaiah son of Jehoiada, Nathan the prophet, Shimei, Rei, and David's bodyguards were not on Adonijah's side.


book: 1Kgs
contenido:
One day Adonijah offered a sacrifice of sheep, bulls, and fattened calves at Snake Rock, near the spring of Enrogel. He invited the other sons of King David and the king's officials who were from Judah to come to this sacrificial feast,


book: 1Kgs
contenido:
but he did not invite his half brother Solomon or Nathan the prophet or Benaiah or the king's bodyguards.


book: 1Kgs
contenido:
Solomon Is Made King
Then Nathan went to Bathsheba, Solomon's mother, and asked her, “Haven't you heard that Haggith's son Adonijah has made himself king? And King David doesn't know anything about it!


book: 1Kgs
contenido:
go at once to King David and ask him, ‘Your Majesty, didn't you solemnly promise me that my son Solomon would succeed you as king? How is it, then, that Adonijah has become king?’”


book: 1Kgs
contenido:
And Nathan added, “Then, while you are still talking with King David, I will come in and confirm your story.”


book: 1Kgs
contenido:
So Bathsheba went to see the king in his bedroom. He was very old, and Abishag, the young woman from Shunem, was taking care of him.


book: 1Kgs
contenido:
She answered, “Your Majesty, you made me a solemn promise in the name of the Lord your God that my son Solomon would be king after you.


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He has offered a sacrifice of many bulls, sheep, and fattened calves, and he invited your sons, and Abiathar the priest, and Joab the commander of your army to the feast, but he did not invite your son Solomon.


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Your Majesty, all the people of Israel are looking to you to tell them who is to succeed you as king.


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contenido:
This very day he has gone and offered a sacrifice of many bulls, sheep, and fattened calves. He invited all your sons, Joab the commander of your army, and Abiathar the priest, and right now they are feasting with him and shouting, ‘Long live King Adonijah!’


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contenido:
that today I will keep the promise I made to you in the name of the Lord, the God of Israel, that your son Solomon would succeed me as king.”


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contenido:
he said to them, “Take my court officials with you; have my son Solomon ride my own mule, and escort him down to Gihon Spring,


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contenido:
where Zadok and Nathan are to anoint him as king of Israel. Then blow the trumpet and shout, ‘Long live King Solomon!’


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contenido:
Follow him back here when he comes to sit on my throne. He will succeed me as king, because he is the one I have chosen to be the ruler of Israel and Judah.”


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contenido:
As the Lord has been with Your Majesty, may he also be with Solomon and make his reign even more prosperous than yours.”


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contenido:
So Zadok, Nathan, Benaiah, and the royal bodyguards put Solomon on King David's mule and escorted him to Gihon Spring.


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contenido:
Zadok took the container of olive oil which he had brought from the Tent of the Lord's presence, and anointed Solomon. They blew the trumpet, and all the people shouted, “Long live King Solomon!”


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contenido:
Then they all followed him back, shouting for joy and playing flutes, making enough noise to shake the ground.


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contenido:
As Adonijah and all his guests were finishing the feast, they heard the noise. And when Joab heard the trumpet, he asked, “What's the meaning of all that noise in the city?”


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contenido:
Before he finished speaking, Jonathan, the son of the priest Abiathar, arrived. “Come on in,” Adonijah said. “You're a good man—you must be bringing good news.”


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contenido:
He sent Zadok, Nathan, Benaiah, and the royal bodyguards to escort him. They had him ride on the king's mule,


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contenido:
and Zadok and Nathan anointed him as king at Gihon Spring. Then they went into the city, shouting for joy, and the people are now in an uproar. That's the noise you just heard.


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contenido:
What is more, the court officials went in to pay their respects to His Majesty King David and said, ‘May your God make Solomon even more famous than you, and may Solomon's reign be even more prosperous than yours.’ Then King David bowed in worship on his bed


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contenido:
and prayed, ‘Let us praise the Lord, the God of Israel, who has today made one of my descendants succeed me as king, and has let me live to see it!’”


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contenido:
Adonijah, in great fear of Solomon, went to the Tent of the Lord's presence and took hold of the corners of the altar.


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contenido:
King Solomon was told that Adonijah was afraid of him and that he was holding on to the corners of the altar and had said, “First, I want King Solomon to swear to me that he will not have me put to death.”


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Solomon replied, “If he is loyal, not even a hair on his head will be touched; but if he is not, he will die.”


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contenido:
King Solomon then sent for Adonijah and had him brought down from the altar. Adonijah went to the king and bowed low before him, and the king said to him, “You may go home.”


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contenido:
David's Last Instructions to Solomon
When David was about to die, he called his son Solomon and gave him his last instructions:


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and do what the Lord your God orders you to do. Obey all his laws and commands, as written in the Law of Moses, so that wherever you go you may prosper in everything you do.


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contenido:
If you obey him, the Lord will keep the promise he made when he told me that my descendants would rule Israel as long as they were careful to obey his commands faithfully with all their heart and soul.


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“There is something else. You remember what Joab did to me by killing the two commanders of Israel's armies, Abner son of Ner and Amasa son of Jether. You remember how he murdered them in time of peace as revenge for deaths they had caused in time of war. He killed innocent men, and now I bear the responsibility for what he did, and I suffer the consequences.


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“But show kindness to the sons of Barzillai from Gilead and take care of them, because they were kind to me when I was fleeing from your brother Absalom.


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“There is also Shimei son of Gera, from the town of Bahurim in Benjamin. He cursed me bitterly the day I went to Mahanaim, but when he met me at the Jordan River, I gave him my solemn promise in the name of the Lord that I would not have him killed.


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But you must not let him go unpunished. You know what to do, and you must see to it that he is put to death.”


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contenido:
He had been king of Israel for forty years, ruling seven years in Hebron and thirty-three years in Jerusalem.


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The Death of Adonijah
Then Adonijah, whose mother was Haggith, went to Bathsheba, who was Solomon's mother. “Is this a friendly visit?” she asked.
“It is,” he answered,


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He answered, “You know that I should have become king and that everyone in Israel expected it. But it happened differently, and my brother became king because it was the Lord's will.


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He answered, “Please ask King Solomon—I know he won't refuse you—to let me have Abishag, the young woman from Shunem, as my wife.”


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So Bathsheba went to the king to speak to him on behalf of Adonijah. The king stood up to greet his mother and bowed to her. Then he sat on his throne and had another one brought in on which she sat at his right.


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She said, “I have a small favor to ask of you; please do not refuse me.”
“What is it, mother?” he asked. “I will not refuse you.”


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“Why do you ask me to give Abishag to him?” the king asked. “You might as well ask me to give him the throne too. After all, he is my older brother, and Abiathar the priest and Joab are on his side!”


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Then Solomon made a solemn promise in the Lord's name, “May God strike me dead if I don't make Adonijah pay with his life for asking this!


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The Lord has firmly established me on the throne of my father David; he has kept his promise and given the kingdom to me and my descendants. I swear by the living Lord that Adonijah will die this very day!”


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Abiathar's Banishment and Joab's Death
Then King Solomon said to Abiathar the priest, “Go to your country home in Anathoth. You deserve to die, but I will not have you put to death now, for you were in charge of the Lord's Covenant Box while you were with my father David, and you shared in all his troubles.”


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Then Solomon dismissed Abiathar from serving as a priest of the Lord, and so made come true what the Lord had said in Shiloh about the priest Eli and his descendants.


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Joab heard what had happened. (He had supported Adonijah, but not Absalom.) So he fled to the Tent of the Lord's presence and took hold of the corners of the altar.


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When the news reached King Solomon that Joab had fled to the Tent and was by the altar, Solomon sent a messenger to Joab to ask him why he had fled to the altar. Joab answered that he had fled to the Lord because he was afraid of Solomon. So King Solomon sent Benaiah to kill Joab.


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He went to the Tent of the Lord's presence and said to Joab, “The king orders you to come out.”
“No,” Joab answered. “I will die here.”
Benaiah went back to the king and told him what Joab had said.


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“Do what Joab says,” Solomon answered. “Kill him and bury him. Then neither I nor any other of David's descendants will any longer be held responsible for what Joab did when he killed innocent men.


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The Lord will punish Joab for those murders, which he committed without my father David's knowledge. Joab killed two innocent men who were better men than he: Abner, commander of the army of Israel, and Amasa, commander of the army of Judah.


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The punishment for their murders will fall on Joab and on his descendants forever. But the Lord will always give success to David's descendants who sit on his throne.”


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So Benaiah went to the Tent of the Lord's presence and killed Joab, and he was buried at his home in the open country.


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The king made Benaiah commander of the army in Joab's place and put Zadok the priest in Abiathar's place.


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The Death of Shimei
Then the king sent for Shimei and said to him, “Build a house for yourself here in Jerusalem. Live in it and don't leave the city.


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If you ever leave and go beyond Kidron Brook, you will certainly die—and you yourself will be to blame.”


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“Very well, Your Majesty,” Shimei answered. “I will do what you say.” So he lived in Jerusalem a long time.


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Three years later, however, two of Shimei's slaves ran away to the king of Gath, Achish son of Maacah. When Shimei heard that they were in Gath,


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contenido:
he saddled his donkey and went to King Achish in Gath, to find his slaves. He found them and brought them back home.


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he sent for him and said, “I made you promise in the Lord's name not to leave Jerusalem. And I warned you that if you ever did, you would certainly die. Did you not agree to it and say that you would obey me?


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Then the king gave orders to Benaiah, who went out and killed Shimei. Solomon was now in complete control.


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Solomon Prays for Wisdom
Solomon made an alliance with the king of Egypt by marrying his daughter. He brought her to live in David's City until he had finished building his palace, the Temple, and the wall around Jerusalem.


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A temple had not yet been built for the Lord, and so the people were still offering sacrifices at many different altars.


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Solomon loved the Lord and followed the instructions of his father David, but he also slaughtered animals and offered them as sacrifices on various altars.


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On one occasion he went to Gibeon to offer sacrifices because that was where the most famous altar was. He had offered hundreds of burnt offerings there in the past.


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Solomon answered, “You always showed great love for my father David, your servant, and he was good, loyal, and honest in his relation with you. And you have continued to show him your great and constant love by giving him a son who today rules in his place.


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O Lord God, you have let me succeed my father as king, even though I am very young and don't know how to rule.


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Here I am among the people you have chosen to be your own, a people who are so many that they cannot be counted.


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So give me the wisdom I need to rule your people with justice and to know the difference between good and evil. Otherwise, how would I ever be able to rule this great people of yours?”


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contenido:
and so he said to him, “Because you have asked for the wisdom to rule justly, instead of long life for yourself or riches or the death of your enemies,


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I will do what you have asked. I will give you more wisdom and understanding than anyone has ever had before or will ever have again.


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I will also give you what you have not asked for: all your life you will have wealth and honor, more than that of any other king.


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And if you obey me and keep my laws and commands, as your father David did, I will give you a long life.”


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Solomon woke up and realized that God had spoken to him in the dream. Then he went to Jerusalem and stood in front of the Lord's Covenant Box and offered burnt offerings and fellowship offerings to the Lord. After that he gave a feast for all his officials.


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Solomon Judges a Difficult Case
One day two prostitutes came and presented themselves before King Solomon.


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One of them said, “Your Majesty, this woman and I live in the same house, and I gave birth to a baby boy at home while she was there.


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Two days after my child was born, she also gave birth to a baby boy. Only the two of us were there in the house—no one else was present.


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She got up during the night, took my son from my side while I was asleep, and carried him to her bed; then she put the dead child in my bed.


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The next morning, when I woke up and was going to nurse my baby, I saw that it was dead. I looked at it more closely and saw that it was not my child.”


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contenido:
But the other woman said, “No! The living child is mine, and the dead one is yours!”
The first woman answered back, “No! The dead child is yours, and the living one is mine!”
And so they argued before the king.


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Then King Solomon said, “Each of you claims that the living child is hers and that the dead child belongs to the other one.”


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The real mother, her heart full of love for her son, said to the king, “Please, Your Majesty, don't kill the child! Give it to her!”
But the other woman said, “Don't give it to either of us; go on and cut it in two.”


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When the people of Israel heard of Solomon's decision, they were all filled with deep respect for him, because they knew then that God had given him the wisdom to settle disputes fairly.


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The court secretaries: Elihoreph and Ahijah, sons of Shisha
In charge of the records: Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud


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Chief of the district governors: Azariah son of Nathan
Royal Adviser: the priest Zabud son of Nathan


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Solomon appointed twelve men as district governors in Israel. They were to provide food from their districts for the king and his household, each man being responsible for one month out of the year.


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The following are the names of these twelve officers and the districts they were in charge of:
Benhur: the hill country of Ephraim


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Baana son of Ahilud: the cities of Taanach, Megiddo, and all the region near Beth Shan, near the town of Zarethan, south of the town of Jezreel, as far as the city of Abel Meholah and the city of Jokmeam


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Bengeber: the city of Ramoth in Gilead, and the villages in Gilead belonging to the clan of Jair, a descendant of Manasseh, and the region of Argob in Bashan, sixty large towns in all, fortified with walls and with bronze bars on the gates


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Geber son of Uri: the region of Gilead, which had been ruled by King Sihon of the Amorites and King Og of Bashan
Besides these twelve, there was one governor over the whole land.


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Solomon's Prosperous Reign
The people of Judah and Israel were as numerous as the grains of sand on the seashore; they ate and drank, and were happy.


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Solomon's kingdom included all the nations from the Euphrates River to Philistia and the Egyptian border. They paid him taxes and were subject to him all his life.


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10 stall-fed cattle, 20 pasture-fed cattle, and 100 sheep, besides deer, gazelles, roebucks, and poultry.


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Solomon ruled over all the land west of the Euphrates River, from Tiphsah on the Euphrates as far west as the city of Gaza. All the kings west of the Euphrates were subject to him, and he was at peace with all the neighboring countries.


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As long as he lived, the people throughout Judah and Israel lived in safety, each family with its own grapevines and fig trees.


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His twelve governors, each one in the month assigned to him, supplied the food King Solomon needed for himself and for all who ate in the palace; they always supplied everything needed.


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Each governor also supplied his share of barley and straw, where it was needed, for the chariot horses and the work animals.


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He was the wisest of all men: wiser than Ethan the Ezrahite, and Heman, Calcol, and Darda, the sons of Mahol, and his fame spread throughout all the neighboring countries.


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He spoke of trees and plants, from the Lebanon cedars to the hyssop that grows on walls; he talked about animals, birds, reptiles, and fish.


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Solomon Prepares to Build the Temple
King Hiram of Tyre had always been a friend of David's, and when he heard that Solomon had succeeded his father David as king, he sent ambassadors to him.


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“You know that because of the constant wars my father David had to fight against the enemy countries all around him, he could not build a temple for the worship of the Lord his God until the Lord had given him victory over all his enemies.


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But now the Lord my God has given me peace on all my borders. I have no enemies, and there is no danger of attack.


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The Lord promised my father David, ‘Your son, whom I will make king after you, will build a temple for me.’ And I have now decided to build that temple for the worship of the Lord my God.


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So send your men to Lebanon to cut down cedars for me. My men will work with them, and I will pay your men whatever you decide. As you well know, my men don't know how to cut down trees as well as yours do.”


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Hiram was extremely pleased when he received Solomon's message, and he said, “Praise the Lord today for giving David such a wise son to succeed him as king of that great nation!”


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Then Hiram sent Solomon the following message: “I have received your message, and I am ready to do what you ask. I will provide the cedars and the pine trees.


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My men will bring the logs down from Lebanon to the sea and will tie them together in rafts to float them down the coast to the place you choose. There my men will untie them, and your men will take charge of them. On your part, I would like you to supply the food for my men.”


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and Solomon provided Hiram with 100,000 bushels of wheat and 110,000 gallons of pure olive oil every year to feed his men.


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contenido:
The Lord kept his promise and gave Solomon wisdom. There was peace between Hiram and Solomon, and they made a treaty with each other.


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and put Adoniram in charge of them. He divided them into three groups of 10,000 men, and each group spent one month in Lebanon and two months back home.


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Solomon's and Hiram's workers and men from the city of Byblos prepared the stones and the timber to build the Temple.


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Solomon Builds the Temple
Four hundred and eighty years after the people of Israel left Egypt, during the fourth year of Solomon's reign over Israel, in the second month, the month of Ziv, Solomon began work on the Temple.


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Against the outside walls, on the sides and the back of the Temple, a three-storied annex was built, each story 7½ feet high.


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Each room in the lowest story was 7½ feet wide, in the middle story 9 feet wide, and in the top story 10½ feet wide. The Temple wall on each floor was thinner than on the floor below, so that the rooms could rest on the wall without having their beams built into it.


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The stones with which the Temple was built had been prepared at the quarry, so that there was no noise made by hammers, axes, or any other iron tools as the Temple was being built.


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The entrance to the lowest story of the annex was on the south side of the Temple, with stairs leading up to the second and third stories.


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So King Solomon finished building the Temple. He put in a ceiling made of beams and boards of cedar.


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The three-storied annex, each story 7½ feet high, was built against the outside walls of the Temple, and was joined to them by cedar beams.


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contenido:
I will live among my people Israel in this Temple that you are building, and I will never abandon them.”


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contenido:
The Interior Furnishings of the Temple
The inside walls were covered with cedar panels from the floor to the ceiling, and the floor was made of pine.


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An inner room, called the Most Holy Place, was built in the rear of the Temple. It was 30 feet long and was partitioned off by cedar boards reaching from the floor to the ceiling.


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The cedar panels were decorated with carvings of gourds and flowers; the whole interior was covered with cedar, so that the stones of the walls could not be seen.


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This inner room was 30 feet long, 30 feet wide, and 30 feet high, all covered with pure gold. The altar was covered with cedar panels.


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contenido:
The inside of the Temple was covered with gold, and gold chains were placed across the entrance of the inner room, which was also covered with gold.


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contenido:
The whole interior of the Temple was covered with gold, as well as the altar in the Most Holy Place.


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contenido:
Two winged creatures were made of olive wood and placed in the Most Holy Place, each one 15 feet tall.


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contenido:
Both were of the same size and shape. Each had two wings, each wing 7½ feet long, so that the distance from one wing tip to the other was 15 feet.


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contenido:
They were placed side by side in the Most Holy Place, so that two of their outstretched wings touched each other in the middle of the room, and the other two wings touched the walls.


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contenido:
The walls of the main room and of the inner room were all decorated with carved figures of winged creatures, palm trees, and flowers.


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contenido:
A double door made of olive wood was set in place at the entrance of the Most Holy Place; the top of the doorway was a pointed arch.


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contenido:
The doors were decorated with carved figures of winged creatures, palm trees, and flowers. The doors, the winged creatures, and the palm trees were covered with gold.


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contenido:
and decorated with carved figures of winged creatures, palm trees, and flowers, which were evenly covered with gold.


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contenido:
An inner court was built in front of the Temple, enclosed with walls which had one layer of cedar beams for every three layers of stone.


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contenido:
The foundation of the Temple was laid in the second month, the month of Ziv, in the fourth year of Solomon's reign.


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contenido:
In the eighth month, the month of Bul, in the eleventh year of Solomon's reign, the Temple was completely finished exactly as it had been planned. It had taken Solomon seven years to build it.


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contenido:
The Hall of the Forest of Lebanon was 150 feet long, 75 feet wide, and 45 feet high. It had three rows of cedar pillars, 15 in each row, with cedar beams resting on them. The ceiling was of cedar, extending over storerooms, which were supported by the pillars.


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The doorways and the windows had rectangular frames, and the three rows of windows in each wall faced the opposite rows.


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contenido:
The Hall of Columns was 75 feet long and 45 feet wide. It had a covered porch, supported by columns.


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contenido:
The Throne Room, also called the Hall of Judgment, where Solomon decided cases, had cedar panels from the floor to the rafters.


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contenido:
Solomon's own quarters, in another court behind the Hall of Judgment, were made like the other buildings. He also built the same kind of house for his wife, the daughter of the king of Egypt.


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contenido:
All these buildings and the great court were made of fine stones from the foundations to the eaves. The stones were prepared at the quarry and cut to measure, with their inner and outer sides trimmed with saws.


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contenido:
The foundations were made of large stones prepared at the quarry, some of them twelve feet long and others fifteen feet long.


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contenido:
The palace court, the inner court of the Temple, and the entrance room of the Temple had walls with one layer of cedar beams for every three layers of cut stones.


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contenido:
Huram's Task
King Solomon sent for a man named Huram, a craftsman living in the city of Tyre, who was skilled in bronze work.


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contenido:
His father, who was no longer living, was from Tyre, and had also been a skilled bronze craftsman; his mother was from the tribe of Naphtali. Huram was an intelligent and experienced craftsman. He accepted King Solomon's invitation to be in charge of all the bronze work.


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contenido:
The Two Bronze Columns
Huram cast two bronze columns, each one 27 feet tall and 18 feet in circumference, and placed them at the entrance of the Temple.


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contenido:
and were placed on a rounded section which was above the chain design. There were 200 pomegranates in two rows around each capital.


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contenido:
Huram placed these two bronze columns in front of the entrance of the Temple: the one on the south side was named Jachin and the one on the north was named Boaz.


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contenido:
The lily-shaped bronze capitals were on top of the columns.
And so the work on the columns was completed.


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contenido:
The Bronze Tank
Huram made a round tank of bronze, 7½ feet deep, 15 feet in diameter, and 45 feet in circumference.


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contenido:
All around the outer edge of the rim of the tank were two rows of bronze gourds, which had been cast all in one piece with the rest of the tank.


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contenido:
The tank rested on the backs of twelve bronze bulls that faced outward, three facing in each direction.


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contenido:
The sides of the tank were 3 inches thick. Its rim was like the rim of a cup, curving outward like the petals of a lily. The tank held about 10,000 gallons.


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contenido:
The Bronze Carts
Huram also made ten bronze carts; each was 6 feet long, 6 feet wide, and 4½ feet high.


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contenido:
with the figures of lions, bulls, and winged creatures on the panels; and on the frames, above and underneath the lions and bulls, there were spiral figures in relief.


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contenido:
Each cart had four bronze wheels with bronze axles. At the four corners were bronze supports for a basin; the supports were decorated with spiral figures in relief.


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contenido:
There was a circular frame on top for the basin. It projected upward 18 inches from the top of the cart and 7 inches down into it. It had carvings around it.


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contenido:
The wheels were 25 inches high; they were under the panels, and the axles were of one piece with the carts.


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contenido:
There was a 9-inch band around the top of each cart; its supports and the panels were of one piece with the cart.


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The supports and panels were decorated with figures of winged creatures, lions, and palm trees, wherever there was space for them, with spiral figures all around.


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Huram also made ten basins, one for each cart. Each basin was 6 feet in diameter and held 200 gallons.


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He placed five of the carts on the south side of the Temple, and the other five on the north side; the tank he placed at the southeast corner.


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Summary List of Temple Furnishings
Huram also made pots, shovels, and bowls. He completed all his work for King Solomon for the Lord's Temple. This is what he made:
The two columns
The two bowl-shaped capitals on top of the columns
The design of interwoven chains on each capital
The 400 bronze pomegranates, in two rows of 100 each around the design on each capital
The ten carts
The ten basins
The tank
The twelve bulls supporting the tank
The pots, shovels, and bowls
All this equipment for the Temple, which Huram made for King Solomon, was of polished bronze.


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Solomon did not have these bronze objects weighed, because there were too many of them, and so their weight was never determined.


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Solomon also had gold furnishings made for the Temple: the altar, the table for the bread offered to God,


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the ten lampstands that stood in front of the Most Holy Place, five on the south side and five on the north; the flowers, lamps, and tongs;


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the cups, lamp snuffers, bowls, dishes for incense, and the pans used for carrying live coals; and the hinges for the doors of the Most Holy Place and of the outer doors of the Temple. All these furnishings were made of gold.


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When King Solomon finished all the work on the Temple, he placed in the Temple storerooms all the things that his father David had dedicated to the Lord—the silver, gold, and other articles.


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The Covenant Box Is Brought to the Temple
Then King Solomon summoned all the leaders of the tribes and clans of Israel to come to him in Jerusalem in order to take the Lord's Covenant Box from Zion, David's City, to the Temple.


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and carried it to the Temple. The Levites and the priests also moved the Tent of the Lord's presence and all its equipment to the Temple.


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King Solomon and all the people of Israel assembled in front of the Covenant Box and sacrificed a large number of sheep and cattle—too many to count.


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Then the priests carried the Covenant Box into the Temple and put it in the Most Holy Place, beneath the winged creatures.


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The ends of the poles could be seen by anyone standing directly in front of the Most Holy Place, but from nowhere else. (The poles are still there today.)


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There was nothing inside the Covenant Box except the two stone tablets which Moses had placed there at Mount Sinai, when the Lord made a covenant with the people of Israel as they were coming from Egypt.


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shining with the dazzling light of the Lord's presence, and they could not go back in to perform their duties.


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Then Solomon prayed:
“You, Lord, have placed the sun in the sky,
yet you have chosen to live in clouds and darkness.


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Solomon's Address to the People
As the people stood there, King Solomon turned to face them, and he asked God's blessing on them.


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He said, “Praise the Lord God of Israel! He has kept the promise he made to my father David, when he told him,


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‘From the time I brought my people out of Egypt, I have not chosen any city in all the land of Israel in which a temple should be built where I would be worshiped. But I chose you, David, to rule my people.’”


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And Solomon continued, “My father David planned to build a temple for the worship of the Lord God of Israel,


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“And now the Lord has kept his promise. I have succeeded my father as king of Israel, and I have built the Temple for the worship of the Lord God of Israel.


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I have also provided a place in the Temple for the Covenant Box containing the stone tablets of the covenant which the Lord made with our ancestors when he brought them out of Egypt.”


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Solomon's Prayer
Then in the presence of the people Solomon went and stood in front of the altar, where he raised his arms


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and prayed, “Lord God of Israel, there is no god like you in heaven above or on earth below! You keep your covenant with your people and show them your love when they live in wholehearted obedience to you.


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And now, Lord God of Israel, I pray that you will also keep the other promise you made to my father when you told him that there would always be one of his descendants ruling as king of Israel, provided they obeyed you as carefully as he did.


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So now, O God of Israel, let everything come true that you promised to my father David, your servant.


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“But can you, O God, really live on earth? Not even all of heaven is large enough to hold you, so how can this Temple that I have built be large enough?


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Watch over this Temple day and night, this place where you have chosen to be worshiped. Hear me when I face this Temple and pray.


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Hear my prayers and the prayers of your people when they face this place and pray. In your home in heaven hear us and forgive us.


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“When a person is accused of wronging another and is brought to your altar in this Temple to take an oath that he is innocent,


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O Lord, listen in heaven and judge your servants. Punish the guilty one as he deserves, and acquit the one who is innocent.


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“When your people Israel are defeated by their enemies because they have sinned against you, and then when they turn to you and come to this Temple, humbly praying to you for forgiveness,


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listen to them in heaven. Forgive the sins of your people and bring them back to the land which you gave to their ancestors.


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“When you hold back the rain because your people have sinned against you, and then when they repent and face this Temple, humbly praying to you,


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listen to them in heaven. Forgive the sins of the king and of the people of Israel, and teach them to do what is right. Then, O Lord, send rain on this land of yours, which you gave to your people as a permanent possession.


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“When there is famine in the land or an epidemic or the crops are destroyed by scorching winds or swarms of locusts, or when your people are attacked by their enemies, or when there is disease or sickness among them,


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listen to their prayers. If any of your people Israel, out of heartfelt sorrow, stretch out their hands in prayer toward this Temple,


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hear their prayer. Listen to them in your home in heaven, forgive them, and help them. You alone know the thoughts of the human heart. Deal with each person as he deserves,


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so that your people may obey you all the time they live in the land which you gave to our ancestors.


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“When a foreigner who lives in a distant land hears of your fame and of the great things you have done for your people and comes to worship you and to pray at this Temple,


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listen to his prayer. In heaven, where you live, hear him and do what he asks you to do, so that all the peoples of the world may know you and obey you, as your people Israel do. Then they will know that this Temple I have built is the place where you are to be worshiped.


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“When you command your people to go into battle against their enemies and they pray to you, wherever they are, facing this city which you have chosen and this Temple which I have built for you,


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“When your people sin against you—and there is no one who does not sin—and in your anger you let their enemies defeat them and take them as prisoners to some other land, even if that land is far away,


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listen to your people's prayers. If there in that land they repent and pray to you, confessing how sinful and wicked they have been, hear their prayers, O Lord.


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If in that land they truly and sincerely repent and pray to you as they face toward this land which you gave to our ancestors, this city which you have chosen, and this Temple which I have built for you,


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Forgive all their sins and their rebellion against you, and make their enemies treat them with kindness.


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“Sovereign Lord, may you always look with favor on your people Israel and their king, and hear their prayer whenever they call to you for help.


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You chose them from all the peoples to be your own people, as you told them through your servant Moses when you brought our ancestors out of Egypt.”


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The Final Prayer
After Solomon had finished praying to the Lord, he stood up in front of the altar, where he had been kneeling with uplifted hands.


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“Praise the Lord who has given his people peace, as he promised he would. He has kept all the generous promises he made through his servant Moses.


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may he make us obedient to him, so that we will always live as he wants us to live, keeping all the laws and commands he gave our ancestors.


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May the Lord our God remember at all times this prayer and these petitions I have made to him. May he always be merciful to the people of Israel and to their king, according to their daily needs.


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May you, his people, always be faithful to the Lord our God, obeying all his laws and commands as you do today.”


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The Dedication of the Temple
Then King Solomon and all the people there offered sacrifices to the Lord.


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He sacrificed 22,000 head of cattle and 120,000 sheep as fellowship offerings. And so the king and all the people dedicated the Temple.


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That same day he also consecrated the central part of the courtyard, the area in front of the Temple, and then he offered there the sacrifices burned whole, the grain offerings, and the fat of the animals for the fellowship offerings. He did this because the bronze altar was too small for all these offerings.


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There at the Temple, Solomon and all the people of Israel celebrated the Festival of Shelters for seven days. There was a huge crowd of people from as far away as Hamath Pass in the north and the Egyptian border in the south.


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On the eighth day Solomon sent the people home. They all praised him and went home happy because of all the blessings that the Lord had given his servant David and his people Israel.


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God Appears to Solomon Again
After King Solomon had finished building the Temple and the palace and everything else he wanted to build,


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The Lord said to him, “I have heard your prayer. I consecrate this Temple which you have built as the place where I shall be worshiped forever. I will watch over it and protect it for all time.


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If you will serve me in honesty and integrity, as your father David did, and if you obey my laws and do everything I have commanded you,


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I will keep the promise I made to your father David when I told him that Israel would always be ruled by his descendants.


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But if you or your descendants stop following me, disobey the laws and commands I have given you, and worship other gods,


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then I will remove my people Israel from the land that I have given them. I will also abandon this Temple which I have consecrated as the place where I am to be worshiped. People everywhere will ridicule Israel and treat her with contempt.


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This Temple will become a pile of ruins, and everyone who passes by will be shocked and amazed. ‘Why did the Lord do this to this land and this Temple?’ they will ask.


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People will answer, ‘It is because they abandoned the Lord their God, who brought their ancestors out of Egypt. They gave their allegiance to other gods and worshiped them. That is why the Lord has brought this disaster on them.’”


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King Hiram of Tyre had provided him with all the cedar and pine and with all the gold he wanted for this work. After it was finished, King Solomon gave Hiram twenty towns in the region of Galilee.


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So he said to Solomon, “So these, my brother, are the towns you have given me!” For this reason the area is still called Cabul.


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Further Achievements of Solomon
King Solomon used forced labor to build the Temple and the palace, to fill in land on the east side of the city, and to build the city wall. He also used it to rebuild the cities of Hazor, Megiddo, and Gezer.


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(The king of Egypt had attacked Gezer and captured it, killing its inhabitants and setting fire to the city. Then he gave it as a wedding present to his daughter when she married Solomon,


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the cities where his supplies were kept, the cities for his horses and chariots, and everything else he wanted to build in Jerusalem, in Lebanon, and elsewhere in his kingdom.


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For his forced labor Solomon used the descendants of the people of Canaan whom the Israelites had not killed when they took possession of their land. These included Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites, whose descendants continue to be slaves down to the present time.


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Solomon did not make slaves of Israelites; they served as his soldiers, officers, commanders, chariot captains, and cavalry.


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There were 550 officials in charge of the forced labor working on Solomon's various building projects.


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Solomon filled in the land on the east side of the city, after his wife, the daughter of the king of Egypt, had moved from David's City to the palace Solomon built for her.


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Three times a year Solomon offered burnt offerings and fellowship offerings on the altar he had built to the Lord. He also burned incense to the Lord. And so he finished building the Temple.


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King Solomon also built a fleet of ships at Eziongeber, which is near Elath on the shore of the Gulf of Aqaba, in the land of Edom.


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The Visit of the Queen of Sheba
The queen of Sheba heard of Solomon's fame, and she traveled to Jerusalem to test him with difficult questions.


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She brought with her a large group of attendants, as well as camels loaded with spices, jewels, and a large amount of gold. When she and Solomon met, she asked him all the questions that she could think of.


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She saw the food that was served at his table, the living quarters for his officials, the organization of his palace staff and the uniforms they wore, the servants who waited on him at feasts, and the sacrifices he offered in the Temple. It left her breathless and amazed.


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But I couldn't believe it until I had come and seen it all for myself. But I didn't hear even half of it; your wisdom and wealth are much greater than what I was told.


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How fortunate are your wives! And how fortunate your servants, who are always in your presence and are privileged to hear your wise sayings!


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Praise the Lord your God! He has shown how pleased he is with you by making you king of Israel. Because his love for Israel is eternal, he has made you their king so that you can maintain law and justice.”


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She presented to King Solomon the gifts she had brought: almost five tons of gold and a very large amount of spices and jewels. The amount of spices she gave him was by far the greatest that he ever received at any time.


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(Hiram's fleet, which had brought gold from Ophir, also brought from there a large amount of juniper wood and jewels.


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Solomon used the wood to build railings in the Temple and the palace, and also to make harps and lyres for the musicians. It was the finest juniper wood ever imported into Israel; none like it has ever been seen again.)


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King Solomon gave the queen of Sheba everything she asked for, besides all the other customary gifts that he had generously given her. Then she and her attendants returned to the land of Sheba.


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in addition to the taxes paid by merchants, the profits from trade, and tribute paid by the Arabian kings and the governors of the Israelite districts.


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Solomon made two hundred large shields and had each one overlaid with almost fifteen pounds of gold.


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He also made three hundred smaller shields, overlaying each one of them with nearly four pounds of gold. He had all these shields placed in the Hall of the Forest of Lebanon.


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He also had a large throne made. Part of it was covered with ivory and the rest of it was covered with the finest gold.


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The throne had six steps leading up to it, with the figure of a lion at each end of every step, a total of twelve lions. At the back of the throne was the figure of a bull's head, and beside each of the two armrests was the figure of a lion. No throne like this had ever existed in any other kingdom.


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All of Solomon's drinking cups were made of gold, and all the utensils in the Hall of the Forest of Lebanon were of pure gold. No silver was used, since it was not considered valuable in Solomon's day.


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He had a fleet of ocean-going ships sailing with Hiram's fleet. Every three years his fleet would return, bringing gold, silver, ivory, apes, and monkeys.


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Everyone who came brought him a gift—articles of silver and gold, robes, weapons, spices, horses, and mules. This continued year after year.


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Solomon built up a force of fourteen hundred chariots and twelve thousand cavalry horses. Some of them he kept in Jerusalem and the rest he stationed in various other cities.


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During his reign silver was as common in Jerusalem as stone, and cedar was as plentiful as ordinary sycamore in the foothills of Judah.


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and the export of chariots from Egypt. They supplied the Hittite and Syrian kings with horses and chariots, selling chariots for 600 pieces of silver each and horses for 150 each.


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Solomon Turns Away from God
Solomon loved many foreign women. Besides the daughter of the king of Egypt he married Hittite women and women from Moab, Ammon, Edom, and Sidon.


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He married them even though the Lord had commanded the Israelites not to intermarry with these people, because they would cause the Israelites to give their loyalty to other gods.


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Solomon married seven hundred princesses and also had three hundred concubines. They made him turn away from God,


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and by the time he was old they had led him into the worship of foreign gods. He was not faithful to the Lord his God, as his father David had been.


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On the mountain east of Jerusalem he built a place to worship Chemosh, the disgusting god of Moab, and a place to worship Molech, the disgusting god of Ammon.


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He also built places of worship where all his foreign wives could burn incense and offer sacrifices to their own gods.


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Even though the Lord, the God of Israel, had appeared to Solomon twice and had commanded him not to worship foreign gods, Solomon did not obey the Lord but turned away from him. So the Lord was angry with Solomon


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and said to him, “Because you have deliberately broken your covenant with me and disobeyed my commands, I promise that I will take the kingdom away from you and give it to one of your officials.


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However, for the sake of your father David I will not do this in your lifetime, but during the reign of your son.


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And I will not take the whole kingdom away from him; instead, I will leave him one tribe for the sake of my servant David and for the sake of Jerusalem, the city I have made my own.”


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Long before this, when David had conquered Edom, Joab the commander of his army had gone there to bury the dead. He and his men remained in Edom six months, and during that time they killed every male in Edom


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except Hadad and some of his father's Edomite servants, who escaped to Egypt. (At that time Hadad was just a child.)


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They left Midian and went to Paran, where some other men joined them. Then they traveled to Egypt and went to the king, who gave Hadad some land and a house and provided him with food.


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Hadad won the friendship of the king, and the king gave his sister-in-law, the sister of Queen Tahpenes, to Hadad in marriage.


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She bore him a son, Genubath, who was raised by the queen in the palace, where he lived with the king's sons.


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When the news reached Hadad in Egypt that David had died and that Joab the commander of the army was dead, Hadad said to the king, “Let me go back to my own country.”


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“Why?” the king asked. “Have I failed to give you something? Is that why you want to go back home?”
“Just let me go,” Hadad answered the king. And he went back to his country.
As king of Edom, Hadad was an evil, bitter enemy of Israel.


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God also caused Rezon son of Eliada to turn against Solomon. Rezon had fled from his master, King Hadadezer of Zobah,


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and had become the leader of a gang of outlaws. (This happened after David had defeated Hadadezer and had slaughtered his Syrian allies.) Rezon and his gang went and lived in Damascus, where his followers made him king of Syria.


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God's Promise to Jeroboam
Another man who turned against King Solomon was one of his officials, Jeroboam son of Nebat, from Zeredah in Ephraim. His mother was a widow named Zeruah.


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This is the story of the revolt.
Solomon was filling in the land on the east side of Jerusalem and repairing the city walls.


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Jeroboam was an able young man, and when Solomon noticed how hard he worked, he put him in charge of all the forced labor in the territory of the tribes of Manasseh and Ephraim.


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One day, as Jeroboam was traveling from Jerusalem, the prophet Ahijah from Shiloh met him alone on the road in the open country.


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and said to Jeroboam, “Take ten pieces for yourself, because the Lord, the God of Israel, says to you, ‘I am going to take the kingdom away from Solomon, and I will give you ten tribes.


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Solomon will keep one tribe for the sake of my servant David and for the sake of Jerusalem, the city I have chosen to be my own from the whole land of Israel.


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I am going to do this because Solomon has rejected me and has worshiped foreign gods: Astarte, the goddess of Sidon; Chemosh, the god of Moab; and Molech, the god of Ammon. Solomon has disobeyed me; he has done wrong and has not kept my laws and commands as his father David did.


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But I will not take the whole kingdom away from Solomon, and I will keep him in power as long as he lives. This I will do for the sake of my servant David, whom I chose and who obeyed my laws and commands.


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but I will let Solomon's son keep one tribe, so that I will always have a descendant of my servant David ruling in Jerusalem, the city I have chosen as the place where I am worshiped.


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If you obey me completely, live by my laws, and win my approval by doing what I command, as my servant David did, I will always be with you. I will make you king of Israel and will make sure that your descendants rule after you, just as I have done for David.


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And so Solomon tried to kill Jeroboam, but he escaped to King Shishak of Egypt and stayed there until Solomon's death.


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The Death of Solomon
Everything else that Solomon did, his career, and his wisdom, are all recorded in The History of Solomon.


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The Northern Tribes Revolt
Rehoboam went to Shechem, where all the people of northern Israel had gathered to make him king.


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When Jeroboam son of Nebat, who had gone to Egypt to escape from King Solomon, heard this news, he returned from Egypt.


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The people of the northern tribes sent for him, and then they all went together to Rehoboam and said to him,


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“Your father Solomon treated us harshly and placed heavy burdens on us. If you make these burdens lighter and make life easier for us, we will be your loyal subjects.”


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King Rehoboam consulted the older men who had served as his father Solomon's advisers. “What answer do you advise me to give these people?” he asked.


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They replied, “If you want to serve this people well, give a favorable answer to their request, and they will always serve you loyally.”


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But he ignored the advice of the older men and went instead to the young men who had grown up with him and who were now his advisers.


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“What do you advise me to do?” he asked. “What shall I say to the people who are asking me to make their burdens lighter?”


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They replied, “This is what you should tell them: ‘My little finger is thicker than my father's waist!’


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Tell them, ‘My father placed heavy burdens on you; I will make them even heavier. He beat you with whips; I'll flog you with bullwhips!’”


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as the younger men had advised. He said, “My father placed heavy burdens on you; I will make them even heavier. He beat you with whips; I'll flog you with bullwhips!”


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It was the will of the Lord to bring about what he had spoken to Jeroboam son of Nebat through the prophet Ahijah from Shiloh. This is why the king did not pay any attention to the people.


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When the people saw that the king would not listen to them, they shouted, “Down with David and his family! What have they ever done for us? People of Israel, let's go home! Let Rehoboam look out for himself!”
So the people of Israel rebelled,


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Then King Rehoboam sent Adoniram, who was in charge of the forced labor, to go to the Israelites, but they stoned him to death. At this, Rehoboam hurriedly got in his chariot and escaped to Jerusalem.


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Ever since that time the people of the northern kingdom of Israel have been in rebellion against the dynasty of David.


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When the people of Israel heard that Jeroboam had returned from Egypt, they invited him to a meeting of the people and made him king of Israel. Only the tribe of Judah remained loyal to David's descendants.


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Shemaiah's Prophecy
When Rehoboam arrived in Jerusalem, he called together 180,000 of the best soldiers from the tribes of Judah and Benjamin. He intended to go to war and restore his control over the northern tribes of Israel.


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“Do not attack your own relatives, the people of Israel. Go home, all of you. What has happened is my will.” They all obeyed the Lord's command and went back home.


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Jeroboam Turns Away from God
King Jeroboam of Israel fortified the town of Shechem in the hill country of Ephraim and lived there for a while. Then he left and fortified the town of Penuel.


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He said to himself, “As things are now, if my people go to Jerusalem and offer sacrifices to the Lord in the Temple there, they will transfer their allegiance to King Rehoboam of Judah and will kill me.”


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After thinking it over, he made two bull-calves of gold and said to his people, “You have been going long enough to Jerusalem to worship. People of Israel, here are your gods who brought you out of Egypt!”


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Jeroboam also built places of worship on hilltops, and he chose priests from families who were not of the tribe of Levi.


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Worship at Bethel Is Condemned
Jeroboam also instituted a religious festival on the fifteenth day of the eighth month, like the festival in Judah. On the altar in Bethel he offered sacrifices to the gold bull-calves he had made, and he placed there in Bethel the priests serving at the places of worship he had built.


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And on the fifteenth day of the eighth month, the day that he himself had set, he went to Bethel and offered a sacrifice on the altar in celebration of the festival he had instituted for the people of Israel.


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At the Lord's command a prophet from Judah went to Bethel and arrived there as Jeroboam stood at the altar to offer the sacrifice.


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Following the Lord's command, the prophet denounced the altar: “O altar, altar, this is what the Lord says: A child, whose name will be Josiah, will be born to the family of David. He will slaughter on you the priests serving at the pagan altars who offer sacrifices on you, and he will burn human bones on you.”


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And the prophet went on to say, “This altar will fall apart, and the ashes on it will be scattered. Then you will know that the Lord has spoken through me.”


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When King Jeroboam heard this, he pointed at him and ordered, “Seize that man!” At once the king's arm became paralyzed so that he couldn't pull it back.


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The altar suddenly fell apart and the ashes spilled to the ground, as the prophet had predicted in the name of the Lord.


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King Jeroboam said to the prophet, “Please pray for me to the Lord your God, and ask him to heal my arm!”
The prophet prayed to the Lord, and the king's arm was healed.


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Then the king said to the prophet, “Come home with me and have something to eat. I will reward you for what you have done.”


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The prophet answered, “Even if you gave me half of your wealth, I would not go with you or eat or drink anything with you.


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The Old Prophet of Bethel
At that time there was an old prophet living in Bethel. His sons came and told him what the prophet from Judah had done in Bethel that day and what he had said to King Jeroboam.


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down the road after the prophet from Judah and found him sitting under an oak tree. “Are you the prophet from Judah?” he asked.
“I am,” the man answered.


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But the prophet from Judah answered, “I can't go home with you or accept your hospitality. And I won't eat or drink anything with you here,


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because the Lord has commanded me not to eat or drink a thing, and not to return home the same way I came.”


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Then the old prophet from Bethel said to him, “I, too, am a prophet just like you, and at the Lord's command an angel told me to take you home with me and offer you my hospitality.” But the old prophet was lying.


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and he cried out to the prophet from Judah, “The Lord says that you disobeyed him and did not do what he commanded.


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Instead, you returned and ate a meal in a place he had ordered you not to eat in. Because of this you will be killed, and your body will not be buried in your family grave.”


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who rode off. On the way a lion met him and killed him. His body lay on the road, and the donkey and the lion stood beside it.


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Some men passed by and saw the body on the road, with the lion standing near by. They went on into Bethel and reported what they had seen.


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When the old prophet heard about it, he said, “That is the prophet who disobeyed the Lord's command! And so the Lord sent the lion to attack and kill him, just as the Lord said he would.”


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and he rode off and found the prophet's body lying on the road, with the donkey and the lion still standing by it. The lion had not eaten the body or attacked the donkey.


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The old prophet picked up the body, put it on the donkey, and brought it back to Bethel to mourn over it and bury it.


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He buried it in his own family grave, and he and his sons mourned over it, saying, “Oh my brother, my brother!”


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After the burial the prophet said to his sons, “When I die, bury me in this grave and lay my body next to his.


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The words that he spoke at the Lord's command against the altar in Bethel and against all the places of worship in the towns of Samaria will surely come true.”


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Jeroboam's Fatal Sin
King Jeroboam of Israel still did not turn from his evil ways but continued to choose priests from ordinary families to serve at the altars he had built. He ordained as priest anyone who wanted to be one.


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Jeroboam said to his wife, “Disguise yourself so that no one will recognize you, and go to Shiloh, where the prophet Ahijah lives, the one who said I would be king of Israel.


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Take him ten loaves of bread, some cakes, and a jar of honey. Ask him what is going to happen to our son, and he will tell you.”


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The Lord had told him that Jeroboam's wife was coming to ask him about her son, who was sick. And the Lord told Ahijah what to say.
When Jeroboam's wife arrived, she pretended to be someone else.


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But when Ahijah heard her coming in the door, he said, “Come in. I know you are Jeroboam's wife. Why are you pretending to be someone else? I have bad news for you.


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Go and tell Jeroboam that this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says to him: ‘I chose you from among the people and made you the ruler of my people Israel.


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I took the kingdom away from David's descendants and gave it to you. But you have not been like my servant David, who was completely loyal to me, obeyed my commands, and did only what I approve of.


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You have committed far greater sins than those who ruled before you. You have rejected me and have aroused my anger by making idols and metal images to worship.


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Because of this I will bring disaster on your dynasty and will kill all your male descendants, young and old alike. I will get rid of your family; they will be swept away like dung.


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Any members of your family who die in the city will be eaten by dogs, and any who die in the open country will be eaten by vultures. I, the Lord, have spoken.’”


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And Ahijah went on to say to Jeroboam's wife, “Now go back home. As soon as you enter the town, your son will die.


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All the people of Israel will mourn for him and bury him. He will be the only member of Jeroboam's family who will be properly buried, because he is the only one with whom the Lord, the God of Israel, is pleased.


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The Lord will punish Israel, and she will shake like a reed shaking in a stream. He will uproot the people of Israel from this good land which he gave to their ancestors, and he will scatter them beyond the Euphrates River, because they have aroused his anger by making idols of the goddess Asherah.


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The people of Israel mourned for him and buried him, as the Lord had said through his servant, the prophet Ahijah.


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The Death of Jeroboam
Everything else that King Jeroboam did, the wars he fought and how he ruled, are all recorded in The History of the Kings of Israel.


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Jeroboam ruled as king for twenty-two years. He died and was buried, and his son Nadab succeeded him as king.


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King Rehoboam of Judah
Solomon's son Rehoboam was forty-one years old when he became king of Judah, and he ruled seventeen years in Jerusalem, the city which the Lord had chosen from all the territory of Israel as the place where he was to be worshiped. Rehoboam's mother was Naamah from Ammon.


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The people of Judah sinned against the Lord and did more to arouse his anger against them than all their ancestors had done.


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They built places of worship for false gods and put up stone pillars and symbols of Asherah to worship on the hills and under shady trees.


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Worst of all, there were men and women who served as prostitutes at those pagan places of worship. The people of Judah practiced all the shameful things done by the people whom the Lord had driven out of the land as the Israelites advanced into the country.


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He took away all the treasures in the Temple and in the palace, including the gold shields Solomon had made.


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To replace them, King Rehoboam made bronze shields and entrusted them to the officers responsible for guarding the palace gates.


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Every time the king went to the Temple, the guards carried the shields and then returned them to the guardroom.


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Rehoboam died and was buried in the royal tombs in David's City and his son Abijah succeeded him as king.


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King Abijah of Judah
In the eighteenth year of the reign of King Jeroboam of Israel, Abijah became king of Judah,


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He committed the same sins as his father and was not completely loyal to the Lord his God, as his great-grandfather David had been.


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But for David's sake the Lord his God gave Abijah a son to rule after him in Jerusalem and to keep Jerusalem secure.


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The Lord did this because David had done what pleased him and had never disobeyed any of his commands, except in the case of Uriah the Hittite.


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King Asa of Judah
In the twentieth year of the reign of King Jeroboam of Israel, Asa became king of Judah,


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He expelled from the country all the male and female prostitutes serving at the pagan places of worship, and he removed all the idols his predecessors had made.


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He removed his grandmother Maacah from her position as queen mother, because she had made an obscene idol of the fertility goddess Asherah. Asa cut down the idol and burned it in Kidron Valley.


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Even though Asa did not destroy all the pagan places of worship, he remained faithful to the Lord all his life.


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He placed in the Temple all the objects his father had dedicated to God, as well as the gold and silver objects that he himself dedicated.


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King Asa of Judah and King Baasha of Israel were constantly at war with each other as long as they were in power.


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Baasha invaded Judah and started to fortify Ramah in order to cut off all traffic in and out of Judah.


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So King Asa took all the silver and gold that was left in the Temple and the palace, and sent it by some of his officials to Damascus, to King Benhadad of Syria, the son of Tabrimmon and grandson of Hezion, with this message:


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“Let us be allies, as our fathers were. This silver and gold is a present for you. Now break your alliance with King Baasha of Israel, so that he will have to pull his troops out of my territory.”


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King Benhadad agreed to Asa's proposal and sent his commanding officers and their armies to attack the cities of Israel. They captured Ijon, Dan, Abel Beth Maacah, the area near Lake Galilee, and the whole territory of Naphtali.


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Then King Asa sent out an order throughout all of Judah requiring everyone, without exception, to help carry away from Ramah the stones and timber that Baasha had been using to fortify it. With this material Asa fortified Mizpah and Geba, a city in the territory of Benjamin.


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Everything else that King Asa did, his brave deeds and the towns he fortified, are all recorded in The History of the Kings of Judah. But in his old age he was crippled by a foot disease.


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Asa died and was buried in the royal tombs in David's City, and his son Jehoshaphat succeeded him as king.


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King Nadab of Israel
In the second year of the reign of King Asa of Judah, King Jeroboam's son Nadab became king of Israel, and he ruled for two years.


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Baasha son of Ahijah, of the tribe of Issachar, plotted against Nadab and killed him as Nadab and his army were besieging the city of Gibbethon in Philistia.


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This happened during the third year of the reign of King Asa of Judah. And so Baasha succeeded Nadab as king of Israel.


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At once he began killing all the members of Jeroboam's family. In accordance with what the Lord had said through his servant, the prophet Ahijah from Shiloh, all of Jeroboam's family were killed; not one survived.


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This happened because Jeroboam aroused the anger of the Lord, the God of Israel, by the sins that he committed and that he caused Israel to commit.


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King Baasha of Israel
In the third year of the reign of King Asa of Judah, Baasha son of Ahijah became king of all Israel, and he ruled in Tirzah for twenty-four years.


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“You were a nobody, but I made you the leader of my people Israel. And now you have sinned like Jeroboam and have led my people into sin. Their sins have aroused my anger,


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Any members of your family who die in the city will be eaten by dogs, and any who die in the open country will be eaten by vultures.”


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Everything else that Baasha did and all his brave deeds are recorded in The History of the Kings of Israel.


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That message from the Lord against Baasha and his family was given by the prophet Jehu because of the sins that Baasha committed against the Lord. He aroused the Lord's anger not only because of the evil he did, just as King Jeroboam had done before him, but also because he killed all of Jeroboam's family.


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King Elah of Israel
In the twenty-sixth year of the reign of King Asa of Judah, Elah son of Baasha became king of Israel, and he ruled in Tirzah for two years.


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Zimri, one of his officers who was in charge of half of the king's chariots, plotted against him. One day in Tirzah, Elah was getting drunk in the home of Arza, who was in charge of the palace.


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Zimri entered the house, assassinated Elah, and succeeded him as king. This happened in the twenty-seventh year of the reign of King Asa of Judah.


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As soon as Zimri became king he killed off all the members of Baasha's family. Every male relative and friend was put to death.


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And so, in accordance with what the Lord had said against Baasha through the prophet Jehu, Zimri killed all the family of Baasha.


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Because of their idolatry and because they led Israel into sin, Baasha and his son Elah had aroused the anger of the Lord, the God of Israel.


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King Zimri of Israel
In the twenty-seventh year of the reign of King Asa of Judah, Zimri ruled in Tirzah over Israel for seven days. The Israelite troops were besieging the city of Gibbethon in Philistia,


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and when they heard that Zimri had plotted against the king and assassinated him, then and there they all proclaimed their commander Omri king of Israel.


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When Zimri saw that the city had fallen, he went into the palace's inner fortress, set the palace on fire, and died in the flames.


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This happened because of his sins against the Lord. Like his predecessor Jeroboam, he displeased the Lord by his own sins and by leading Israel into sin.


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Everything else that Zimri did, including the account of his conspiracy, is recorded in The History of the Kings of Israel.


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King Omri of Israel
The people of Israel were divided: some of them wanted to make Tibni son of Ginath king, and the others were in favor of Omri.


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So in the thirty-first year of the reign of King Asa of Judah, Omri became king of Israel, and he ruled for twelve years. The first six years he ruled in Tirzah,


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and then he bought the hill of Samaria for six thousand pieces of silver from a man named Shemer. Omri fortified the hill, built a town there, and named it Samaria, after Shemer, the former owner of the hill.


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Like Jeroboam before him, he aroused the anger of the Lord, the God of Israel, by his sins and by leading the people into sin and idolatry.


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Everything else that Omri did and all his accomplishments are recorded in The History of the Kings of Israel.


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King Ahab of Israel
In the thirty-eighth year of the reign of King Asa of Judah, Ahab son of Omri became king of Israel, and he ruled in Samaria for twenty-two years.


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It was not enough for him to sin like King Jeroboam; he went further and married Jezebel, the daughter of King Ethbaal of Sidon, and worshiped Baal.


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He also put up an image of the goddess Asherah. He did more to arouse the anger of the Lord, the God of Israel, than all the kings of Israel before him.


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During his reign Hiel from Bethel rebuilt Jericho. As the Lord had foretold through Joshua son of Nun, Hiel lost his oldest son Abiram when he laid the foundation of Jericho, and his youngest son Segub when he built the gates.


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Elijah and the Drought
A prophet named Elijah, from Tishbe in Gilead, said to King Ahab, “In the name of the Lord, the living God of Israel, whom I serve, I tell you that there will be no dew or rain for the next two or three years until I say so.”


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The brook will supply you with water to drink, and I have commanded ravens to bring you food there.”


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He drank water from the brook, and ravens brought him bread and meat every morning and every evening.


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“Now go to the town of Zarephath, near Sidon, and stay there. I have commanded a widow who lives there to feed you.”


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So Elijah went to Zarephath, and as he came to the town gate, he saw a widow gathering firewood. “Please bring me a drink of water,” he said to her.


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She answered, “By the living Lord your God I swear that I don't have any bread. All I have is a handful of flour in a bowl and a bit of olive oil in a jar. I came here to gather some firewood to take back home and prepare what little I have for my son and me. That will be our last meal, and then we will starve to death.”


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“Don't worry,” Elijah said to her. “Go on and prepare your meal. But first make a small loaf from what you have and bring it to me, and then prepare the rest for you and your son.


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For this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: ‘The bowl will not run out of flour or the jar run out of oil before the day that I, the Lord, send rain.’”


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As the Lord had promised through Elijah, the bowl did not run out of flour nor did the jar run out of oil.


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She said to Elijah, “Man of God, why did you do this to me? Did you come here to remind God of my sins and so cause my son's death?”


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“Give the boy to me,” Elijah said. He took the boy from her arms, carried him upstairs to the room where he was staying, and laid him on the bed.


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Then he prayed aloud, “O Lord my God, why have you done such a terrible thing to this widow? She has been kind enough to take care of me, and now you kill her son!”


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Then Elijah stretched himself out on the boy three times and prayed, “O Lord my God, restore this child to life!”


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Elijah and the Prophets of Baal
After some time, in the third year of the drought, the Lord said to Elijah, “Go and present yourself to King Ahab, and I will send rain.”


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so Ahab called in Obadiah, who was in charge of the palace. (Obadiah was a devout worshiper of the Lord,


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and when Jezebel was killing the Lord's prophets, Obadiah took a hundred of them, hid them in caves in two groups of fifty, and provided them with food and water.)


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Ahab said to Obadiah, “Let us go and look at every spring and every stream bed in the land to see if we can find enough grass to keep the horses and mules alive. Maybe we won't have to kill any of our animals.”


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As Obadiah was on his way, he suddenly met Elijah. He recognized him, bowed low before him, and asked, “Is it really you, sir?”


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By the living Lord, your God, I swear that the king has made a search for you in every country in the world. Whenever the ruler of a country reported that you were not in his country, Ahab would require that ruler to swear that you could not be found.


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What if the spirit of the Lord carries you off to some unknown place as soon as I leave? Then, when I tell Ahab that you are here and he can't find you, he will put me to death. Remember that I have been a devout worshiper of the Lord ever since I was a boy.


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Haven't you heard that when Jezebel was killing the prophets of the Lord I hid a hundred of them in caves, in two groups of fifty, and supplied them with food and water?


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Elijah answered, “By the living Lord Almighty, whom I serve, I promise that I will present myself to the king today.”


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“I'm not the troublemaker,” Elijah answered. “You are—you and your father. You are disobeying the Lord's commands and worshiping the idols of Baal.


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Now order all the people of Israel to meet me at Mount Carmel. Bring along the 450 prophets of Baal and the 400 prophets of the goddess Asherah who are supported by Queen Jezebel.”


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Elijah went up to the people and said, “How much longer will it take you to make up your minds? If the Lord is God, worship him; but if Baal is God, worship him!” But the people didn't say a word.


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Then Elijah said, “I am the only prophet of the Lord still left, but there are 450 prophets of Baal.


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Bring two bulls; let the prophets of Baal take one, kill it, cut it in pieces, and put it on the wood—but don't light the fire. I will do the same with the other bull.


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Then let the prophets of Baal pray to their god, and I will pray to the Lord, and the one who answers by sending fire—he is God.”
The people shouted their approval.


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Then Elijah said to the prophets of Baal, “Since there are so many of you, you take a bull and prepare it first. Pray to your god, but don't set fire to the wood.”


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They took the bull that was brought to them, prepared it, and prayed to Baal until noon. They shouted, “Answer us, Baal!” and kept dancing around the altar they had built. But no answer came.


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At noon Elijah started making fun of them: “Pray louder! He is a god! Maybe he is day-dreaming or relieving himself, or perhaps he's gone off on a trip! Or maybe he's sleeping, and you've got to wake him up!”


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So the prophets prayed louder and cut themselves with knives and daggers, according to their ritual, until blood flowed.


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They kept on ranting and raving until the middle of the afternoon; but no answer came, not a sound was heard.


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Then Elijah said to the people, “Come closer to me,” and they all gathered around him. He set about repairing the altar of the Lord which had been torn down.


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He took twelve stones, one for each of the twelve tribes named for the sons of Jacob, the man to whom the Lord had given the name Israel.


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With these stones he rebuilt the altar for the worship of the Lord. He dug a trench around it, large enough to hold about four gallons of water.


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Then he placed the wood on the altar, cut the bull in pieces, and laid it on the wood. He said, “Fill four jars with water and pour it on the offering and the wood.” They did so,


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At the hour of the afternoon sacrifice the prophet Elijah approached the altar and prayed, “O Lord, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, prove now that you are the God of Israel and that I am your servant and have done all this at your command.


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Answer me, Lord, answer me, so that this people will know that you, the Lord, are God and that you are bringing them back to yourself.”


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The Lord sent fire down, and it burned up the sacrifice, the wood, and the stones, scorched the earth and dried up the water in the trench.


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When the people saw this, they threw themselves on the ground and exclaimed, “The Lord is God; the Lord alone is God!”


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Elijah ordered, “Seize the prophets of Baal; don't let any of them get away!” The people seized them all, and Elijah led them down to Kishon Brook and killed them.


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The End of the Drought
Then Elijah said to King Ahab, “Now, go and eat. I hear the roar of rain approaching.”


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While Ahab went to eat, Elijah climbed to the top of Mount Carmel, where he bowed down to the ground, with his head between his knees.


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He said to his servant, “Go and look toward the sea.”
The servant went and returned, saying, “I didn't see a thing.” Seven times in all Elijah told him to go and look.


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The seventh time he returned and said, “I saw a little cloud no bigger than a man's hand, coming up from the sea.”
Elijah ordered his servant, “Go to King Ahab and tell him to get in his chariot and go back home before the rain stops him.”


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In a little while the sky was covered with dark clouds, the wind began to blow, and a heavy rain began to fall. Ahab got in his chariot and started back to Jezreel.


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The power of the Lord came on Elijah; he fastened his clothes tight around his waist and ran ahead of Ahab all the way to Jezreel.


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Elijah on Mount Sinai
King Ahab told his wife Jezebel everything that Elijah had done and how he had put all the prophets of Baal to death.


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She sent a message to Elijah: “May the gods strike me dead if by this time tomorrow I don't do the same thing to you that you did to the prophets.”


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Elijah was afraid and fled for his life; he took his servant and went to Beersheba in Judah.
Leaving the servant there,


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Elijah walked a whole day into the wilderness. He stopped and sat down in the shade of a tree and wished he would die. “It's too much, Lord,” he prayed. “Take away my life; I might as well be dead!”


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He lay down under the tree and fell asleep. Suddenly an angel touched him and said, “Wake up and eat.”


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He looked around and saw a loaf of bread and a jar of water near his head. He ate and drank, and lay down again.


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The Lord's angel returned and woke him up a second time, saying, “Get up and eat, or the trip will be too much for you.”


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Elijah got up, ate and drank, and the food gave him enough strength to walk forty days to Sinai, the holy mountain.


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contenido:
There he went into a cave to spend the night.
Suddenly the Lord spoke to him, “Elijah, what are you doing here?”


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contenido:
He answered, “Lord God Almighty, I have always served you—you alone. But the people of Israel have broken their covenant with you, torn down your altars, and killed all your prophets. I am the only one left—and they are trying to kill me!”


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“Go out and stand before me on top of the mountain,” the Lord said to him. Then the Lord passed by and sent a furious wind that split the hills and shattered the rocks—but the Lord was not in the wind. The wind stopped blowing, and then there was an earthquake—but the Lord was not in the earthquake.


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contenido:
After the earthquake there was a fire—but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire there was the soft whisper of a voice.


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contenido:
When Elijah heard it, he covered his face with his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. A voice said to him, “Elijah, what are you doing here?”


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contenido:
He answered, “Lord God Almighty, I have always served you—you alone. But the people of Israel have broken their covenant with you, torn down your altars, and killed all your prophets. I am the only one left—and they are trying to kill me.”


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The Lord said, “Return to the wilderness near Damascus, then enter the city and anoint Hazael as king of Syria;


book: 1Kgs
contenido:
anoint Jehu son of Nimshi as king of Israel, and anoint Elisha son of Shaphat from Abel Meholah to succeed you as prophet.


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contenido:
Anyone who escapes being put to death by Hazael will be killed by Jehu, and anyone who escapes Jehu will be killed by Elisha.


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contenido:
Yet I will leave seven thousand people alive in Israel—all those who are loyal to me and have not bowed to Baal or kissed his idol.”


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The Call of Elisha
Elijah left and found Elisha plowing with a team of oxen; there were eleven teams ahead of him, and he was plowing with the last one. Elijah took off his cloak and put it on Elisha.


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Elisha then left his oxen, ran after Elijah, and said, “Let me kiss my father and mother good-bye, and then I will go with you.”
Elijah answered, “All right, go back. I'm not stopping you!”


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Then Elisha went to his team of oxen, killed them, and cooked the meat, using the yoke as fuel for the fire. He gave the meat to the people, and they ate it. Then he went and followed Elijah as his helper.


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War with Syria
King Benhadad of Syria gathered all his troops, and supported by thirty-two other rulers with their horses and chariots, he marched up, laid siege to Samaria, and launched attacks against it.


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contenido:
Later the messengers came back to Ahab with another demand from Benhadad: “I sent you word that you were to hand over to me your silver and gold, your women and your children.


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contenido:
Now, however, I will send my officers to search your palace and the homes of your officials, and to take everything they consider valuable. They will be there about this time tomorrow.”


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contenido:
King Ahab called in all the leaders of the country and said, “You see that this man wants to ruin us. He sent me a message demanding my wives and children, my silver and gold, and I agreed.”


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contenido:
So Ahab replied to Benhadad's messengers, “Tell my lord the king that I agreed to his first demand, but I cannot agree to the second.”
The messengers left and then returned with another message


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contenido:
from Benhadad: “I will bring enough men to destroy this city of yours and carry off the rubble in their hands. May the gods strike me dead if I don't!”


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King Ahab answered, “Tell King Benhadad that a real soldier does his bragging after a battle, not before it.”


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contenido:
Benhadad received Ahab's answer as he and his allies, the other rulers, were drinking in their tents. He ordered his men to get ready to attack the city, and so they moved into position.


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contenido:
Meanwhile, a prophet went to King Ahab and said, “The Lord says, ‘Don't be afraid of that huge army! I will give you victory over it today, and you will know that I am the Lord.’”


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contenido:
“Who will lead the attack?” Ahab asked.
The prophet answered, “The Lord says that the young soldiers under the command of the district governors are to do it.”
“Who will command the main force?” the king asked.
“You,” the prophet answered.


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So the king called out the young soldiers who were under the district commanders, 232 in all. Then he called out the Israelite army, a total of seven thousand men.


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The young soldiers advanced first. Scouts sent out by Benhadad reported to him that a group of soldiers was coming out of Samaria.


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contenido:
and each one killed the man he fought. The Syrians fled, with the Israelites in hot pursuit, but Benhadad escaped on horseback, accompanied by some of the cavalry.


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contenido:
King Ahab took to the field, captured the horses and chariots, and inflicted a severe defeat on the Syrians.


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contenido:
Then the prophet went to King Ahab and said, “Go back and build up your forces and make careful plans, because the king of Syria will attack again next spring.”


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contenido:
The Second Syrian Attack
King Benhadad's officials said to him, “The gods of Israel are mountain gods, and that is why the Israelites defeated us. But we will certainly defeat them if we fight them in the plains.


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Then call up an army as large as the one that deserted you, with the same number of horses and chariots. We will fight the Israelites in the plains, and this time we will defeat them.”
King Benhadad agreed and followed their advice.


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The following spring he called up his men and marched with them to the city of Aphek to attack the Israelites.


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contenido:
The Israelites were called up and equipped; they marched out and camped in two groups facing the Syrians. The Israelites looked like two small flocks of goats compared to the Syrians, who spread out over the countryside.


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A prophet went to King Ahab and said, “This is what the Lord says: ‘Because the Syrians say that I am a god of the hills and not of the plains, I will give you victory over their huge army, and you and your people will know that I am the Lord.’”


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For seven days the Syrians and the Israelites stayed in their camps, facing each other. On the seventh day they started fighting, and the Israelites killed a hundred thousand Syrians.


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The survivors fled into the city of Aphek, where the city walls fell on twenty-seven thousand of them.
Benhadad also escaped into the city and took refuge in the back room of a house.


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His officials went to him and said, “We have heard that the Israelite kings are merciful. Give us permission to go to the king of Israel with sackcloth around our waists and ropes around our necks, and maybe he will spare your life.”


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So they wrapped sackcloth around their waists and ropes around their necks, went to Ahab and said, “Your servant Benhadad pleads with you for his life.”
Ahab answered, “Is he still alive? Good! He's like a brother to me!”


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Benhadad's officials were watching for a good sign, and when Ahab said “brother,” they took it up at once, and said, “As you say, Benhadad is your brother!”
“Bring him to me,” Ahab ordered. When Benhadad arrived, Ahab invited him to get in the chariot with him.


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Benhadad said to him, “I will restore to you the towns my father took from your father, and you may set up a commercial center for yourself in Damascus, just as my father did in Samaria.”
Ahab replied, “On these terms, then, I will set you free.” He made a treaty with him and let him go.


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A Prophet Condemns Ahab
At the Lord's command a member of a group of prophets ordered a fellow prophet to hit him. But he refused,


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contenido:
so he said to him, “Because you have disobeyed the Lord's command, a lion will kill you as soon as you leave me.” And as soon as he left, a lion came along and killed him.


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contenido:
Then this same prophet went to another man and said, “Hit me!” This man did so; he hit him a hard blow and hurt him.


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contenido:
The prophet bandaged his face with a cloth, to disguise himself, and went and stood by the road, waiting for the king of Israel to pass.


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contenido:
As the king was passing by, the prophet called out to him and said, “Your Majesty, I was fighting in the battle when a soldier brought a captured enemy to me and said, ‘Guard this man; if he escapes, you will pay for it with your life or else pay a fine of three thousand pieces of silver.’


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contenido:
But I got busy with other things, and the man escaped.”
The king answered, “You have pronounced your own sentence, and you will have to pay the penalty.”


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contenido:
The prophet tore the cloth from his face, and at once the king recognized him as one of the prophets.


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contenido:
The prophet then said to the king, “This is the word of the Lord: ‘Because you allowed the man to escape whom I had ordered to be killed, you will pay for it with your life, and your army will be destroyed for letting his army escape.’”


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Naboth's Vineyard
Near King Ahab's palace in Jezreel there was a vineyard owned by a man named Naboth.


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One day Ahab said to Naboth, “Let me have your vineyard; it is close to my palace, and I want to use the land for a vegetable garden. I will give you a better vineyard for it or, if you prefer, I will pay you a fair price.”


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“I inherited this vineyard from my ancestors,” Naboth replied. “The Lord forbid that I should let you have it!”


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contenido:
Ahab went home, depressed and angry over what Naboth had said to him. He lay down on his bed, facing the wall, and would not eat.


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contenido:
He answered, “Because of what Naboth said to me. I offered to buy his vineyard or, if he preferred, to give him another one for it, but he told me that I couldn't have it!”


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contenido:
“Well, are you the king or aren't you?” Jezebel replied. “Get out of bed, cheer up, and eat. I will get you Naboth's vineyard!”


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contenido:
Then she wrote some letters, signed Ahab's name to them, sealed them with his seal, and sent them to the officials and leading citizens of Jezreel.


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contenido:
The letters said: “Proclaim a day of fasting, call the people together, and give Naboth the place of honor.


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contenido:
Get a couple of scoundrels to accuse him to his face of cursing God and the king. Then take him out of the city and stone him to death.”


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contenido:
The two scoundrels publicly accused him of cursing God and the king, and so he was taken outside the city and stoned to death.


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contenido:
As soon as Jezebel received the message, she said to Ahab, “Naboth is dead. Now go and take possession of the vineyard which he refused to sell to you.”


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contenido:
“Go to King Ahab of Samaria. You will find him in Naboth's vineyard, about to take possession of it.


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contenido:
Tell him that I, the Lord, say to him, ‘After murdering the man, are you taking over his property as well?’ Tell him that this is what I say: ‘In the very place that the dogs licked up Naboth's blood they will lick up your blood!’”


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When Ahab saw Elijah, he said, “Have you caught up with me, my enemy?”
“Yes, I have,” Elijah answered. “You have devoted yourself completely to doing what is wrong in the Lord's sight.


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contenido:
So the Lord says to you, ‘I will bring disaster on you. I will do away with you and get rid of every male in your family, young and old alike.


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contenido:
Your family will become like the family of King Jeroboam son of Nebat and like the family of King Baasha son of Ahijah, because you have stirred up my anger by leading Israel into sin.’


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contenido:
Any of your relatives who die in the city will be eaten by dogs, and any who die in the open country will be eaten by vultures.”


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contenido:
(There was no one else who had devoted himself so completely to doing wrong in the Lord's sight as Ahab—all at the urging of his wife Jezebel.


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contenido:
He committed the most shameful sins by worshiping idols, as the Amorites had done, whom the Lord had driven out of the land as the people of Israel advanced.)


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contenido:
When Elijah finished speaking, Ahab tore his clothes, took them off, and put on sackcloth. He refused food, slept in the sackcloth, and went about gloomy and depressed.


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contenido:
“Have you noticed how Ahab has humbled himself before me? Since he has done this, I will not bring disaster on him during his lifetime; it will be during his son's lifetime that I will bring disaster on Ahab's family.”


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contenido:
Ahab asked his officials, “Why is it that we have not done anything to get back Ramoth in Gilead from the king of Syria? It belongs to us!”


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contenido:
And Ahab asked Jehoshaphat, “Will you go with me to attack Ramoth?”
“I am ready when you are,” Jehoshaphat answered, “and so are my soldiers and my cavalry.


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contenido:
So Ahab called in the prophets, about four hundred of them, and asked them, “Should I go and attack Ramoth, or not?”
“Attack it,” they answered. “The Lord will give you victory.”


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contenido:
Ahab answered, “There is one more, Micaiah son of Imlah. But I hate him because he never prophesies anything good for me; it's always something bad.”
“You shouldn't say that!” Jehoshaphat replied.


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The two kings, dressed in their royal robes, were sitting on their thrones at the threshing place just outside the gate of Samaria, and all the prophets were prophesying in front of them.


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contenido:
One of them, Zedekiah son of Chenaanah, made iron horns and said to Ahab, “This is what the Lord says: ‘With these you will fight the Syrians and totally defeat them.’”


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contenido:
All the other prophets said the same thing. “March against Ramoth and you will win,” they said. “The Lord will give you victory.”


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contenido:
Meanwhile, the official who had gone to get Micaiah said to him, “All the other prophets have prophesied success for the king, and you had better do the same.”


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contenido:
When he appeared before King Ahab, the king asked him, “Micaiah, should King Jehoshaphat and I go and attack Ramoth, or not?”
“Attack!” Micaiah answered. “Of course you'll win. The Lord will give you victory.”


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contenido:
But Ahab replied, “When you speak to me in the name of the Lord, tell the truth! How many times do I have to tell you that?”


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contenido:
Micaiah answered, “I can see the army of Israel scattered over the hills like sheep without a shepherd. And the Lord said, ‘These men have no leader; let them go home in peace.’”


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contenido:
Ahab said to Jehoshaphat, “Didn't I tell you that he never prophesies anything good for me? It's always something bad!”


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contenido:
Micaiah went on: “Now listen to what the Lord says! I saw the Lord sitting on his throne in heaven, with all his angels standing beside him.


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contenido:
The Lord asked, ‘Who will deceive Ahab so that he will go and be killed at Ramoth?’ Some of the angels said one thing, and others said something else,


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contenido:
‘How?’ the Lord asked. The spirit replied, ‘I will go and make all of Ahab's prophets tell lies.’ The Lord said, ‘Go and deceive him. You will succeed.’”


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contenido:
And Micaiah concluded: “This is what has happened. The Lord has made these prophets of yours lie to you. But he himself has decreed that you will meet with disaster!”


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contenido:
Then the prophet Zedekiah went up to Micaiah, slapped his face, and asked, “Since when did the Lord's spirit leave me and speak to you?”


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contenido:
Then King Ahab ordered one of his officers, “Arrest Micaiah and take him to Amon, the governor of the city, and to Prince Joash.


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contenido:
“If you return safely,” Micaiah exclaimed, “then the Lord has not spoken through me!” And he added, “Listen, everyone, to what I have said!”


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contenido:
The Death of Ahab
Then King Ahab of Israel and King Jehoshaphat of Judah went to attack the city of Ramoth in Gilead.


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contenido:
Ahab said to Jehoshaphat, “As we go into battle, I will disguise myself, but you wear your royal garments.” So the king of Israel went into battle in disguise.


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contenido:
The king of Syria had ordered his thirty-two chariot commanders to attack no one else except the king of Israel.


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contenido:
So when they saw King Jehoshaphat, they all thought that he was the king of Israel, and they turned to attack him. But when he cried out,


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contenido:
By chance, however, a Syrian soldier shot an arrow which struck King Ahab between the joints of his armor. “I'm wounded!” he cried out to his chariot driver. “Turn around and pull out of the battle!”


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contenido:
While the battle raged on, King Ahab remained propped up in his chariot, facing the Syrians. The blood from his wound ran down and covered the bottom of the chariot, and at evening he died.


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contenido:
Near sunset the order went out through the Israelite ranks: “Each of you go back to your own country and city!”


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contenido:
His chariot was cleaned up at the pool of Samaria, where dogs licked up his blood and prostitutes washed themselves, as the Lord had said would happen.


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contenido:
Everything else that King Ahab did, including an account of his palace decorated with ivory and of all the cities he built, is recorded in The History of the Kings of Israel.


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contenido:
King Jehoshaphat of Judah
In the fourth year of the reign of King Ahab of Israel, Jehoshaphat son of Asa became king of Judah


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contenido:
at the age of thirty-five, and he ruled in Jerusalem for twenty-five years. His mother was Azubah, the daughter of Shilhi.


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contenido:
Like his father Asa before him, he did what was right in the sight of the Lord; but the places of worship were not destroyed, and the people continued to offer sacrifices and burn incense there.


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contenido:
Everything else that Jehoshaphat did, all his bravery and his battles, are recorded in The History of the Kings of Judah.


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contenido:
He got rid of all the male and female prostitutes serving at the pagan altars who were still left from the days of his father Asa.


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contenido:
King Jehoshaphat had ocean-going ships built to sail to the land of Ophir for gold; but they were wrecked at Eziongeber and never sailed.


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contenido:
Then King Ahaziah of Israel offered to let his men sail with Jehoshaphat's men, but Jehoshaphat refused the offer.


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contenido:
Jehoshaphat died and was buried in the royal tombs in David's City, and his son Jehoram succeeded him as king.


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contenido:
King Ahaziah of Israel
In the seventeenth year of the reign of King Jehoshaphat of Judah, Ahaziah son of Ahab became king of Israel, and he ruled in Samaria for two years.


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contenido:
He sinned against the Lord, following the wicked example of his father Ahab, his mother Jezebel, and King Jeroboam, who had led Israel into sin.


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contenido:
He worshiped and served Baal, and like his father before him, he aroused the anger of the Lord, the God of Israel.


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contenido:
Elijah and King Ahaziah
After the death of King Ahab of Israel the country of Moab rebelled against Israel.


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contenido:
King Ahaziah of Israel fell off the balcony on the roof of his palace in Samaria and was seriously injured. So he sent some messengers to consult Baalzebub, the god of the Philistine city of Ekron, in order to find out whether or not he would recover.


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contenido:
But an angel of the Lord commanded Elijah, the prophet from Tishbe, to go and meet the messengers of King Ahaziah and ask them, “Why are you going to consult Baalzebub, the god of Ekron? Is it because you think there is no god in Israel?


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contenido:
Tell the king that the Lord says, ‘You will not recover from your injuries; you will die!’”
Elijah did as the Lord commanded,


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contenido:
They answered, “We were met by a man who told us to come back and tell you that the Lord says to you, ‘Why are you sending messengers to consult Baalzebub, the god of Ekron? Is it because you think there is no god in Israel? You will not recover from your injuries; you will die!’”


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“He was wearing a cloak made of animal skins, tied with a leather belt,” they answered.
“It's Elijah!” the king exclaimed.


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contenido:
Then he sent an officer with fifty men to get Elijah. The officer found him sitting on a hill and said to him, “Man of God, the king orders you to come down.”


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contenido:
“If I am a man of God,” Elijah answered, “may fire come down from heaven and kill you and your men!” At once fire came down and killed the officer and his men.


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contenido:
The king sent another officer with fifty men, who went up and said to Elijah, “Man of God, the king orders you to come down at once!”


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contenido:
“If I am a man of God,” Elijah answered, “may fire come down from heaven and kill you and your men!” At once the fire of God came down and killed the officer and his men.


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contenido:
Once more the king sent an officer with fifty men. He went up the hill, fell on his knees in front of Elijah, and pleaded, “Man of God, be merciful to me and my men. Spare our lives!


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contenido:
The two other officers and their men were killed by fire from heaven; but please be merciful to me!”


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contenido:
The angel of the Lord said to Elijah, “Go down with him, and don't be afraid.” So Elijah went with the officer to the king


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contenido:
and said to him, “This is what the Lord says: ‘Because you sent messengers to consult Baalzebub, the god of Ekron—as if there were no god in Israel to consult—you will not get well; you will die!’”


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contenido:
Ahaziah died, as the Lord had said through Elijah. Ahaziah had no sons, so his brother Joram succeeded him as king in the second year of the reign of Jehoram son of Jehoshaphat, king of Judah.


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contenido:
Elijah Is Taken Up to Heaven
The time came for the Lord to take Elijah up to heaven in a whirlwind. Elijah and Elisha set out from Gilgal,


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contenido:
and on the way Elijah said to Elisha, “Now stay here; the Lord has ordered me to go to Bethel.”
But Elisha answered, “I swear by my loyalty to the living Lord and to you that I will not leave you.” So they went on to Bethel.


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contenido:
A group of prophets who lived there went to Elisha and asked him, “Do you know that the Lord is going to take your master away from you today?”
“Yes, I know,” Elisha answered. “But let's not talk about it.”


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contenido:
Then Elijah said to Elisha, “Now stay here; the Lord has ordered me to go to Jericho.”
But Elisha answered, “I swear by my loyalty to the living Lord and to you that I will not leave you.” So they went on to Jericho.


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contenido:
Then Elijah said to Elisha, “Now stay here; the Lord has ordered me to go to the Jordan River.”
But Elisha answered, “I swear by my loyalty to the living Lord and to you that I will not leave you.” So they went on,


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contenido:
and fifty of the prophets followed them to the Jordan. Elijah and Elisha stopped by the river, and the fifty prophets stood a short distance away.


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contenido:
Then Elijah took off his cloak, rolled it up, and struck the water with it; the water divided, and he and Elisha crossed to the other side on dry ground.


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contenido:
There, Elijah said to Elisha, “Tell me what you want me to do for you before I am taken away.”
“Let me receive the share of your power that will make me your successor,” Elisha answered.


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contenido:
“That is a difficult request to grant,” Elijah replied. “But you will receive it if you see me as I am being taken away from you; if you don't see me, you won't receive it.”


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contenido:
They kept talking as they walked on; then suddenly a chariot of fire pulled by horses of fire came between them, and Elijah was taken up to heaven by a whirlwind.


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contenido:
Elisha saw it and cried out to Elijah, “My father, my father! Mighty defender of Israel! You are gone!” And he never saw Elijah again.
In grief Elisha tore his cloak in two.


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contenido:
Then he picked up Elijah's cloak that had fallen from him, and went back and stood on the bank of the Jordan.


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contenido:
He struck the water with Elijah's cloak and said, “Where is the Lord, the God of Elijah?” Then he struck the water again, and it divided, and he walked over to the other side.


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contenido:
The fifty prophets from Jericho saw him and said, “The power of Elijah is on Elisha!” They went to meet him, bowed down before him,


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contenido:
and said, “There are fifty of us here, all strong men. Let us go and look for your master. Maybe the spirit of the Lord has carried him away and left him on some mountain or in some valley.”
“No, you must not go,” Elisha answered.


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contenido:
But they insisted until he gave in and let them go. The fifty of them went and looked high and low for Elijah for three days, but didn't find him.


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contenido:
Then they returned to Elisha, who had waited at Jericho, and he said to them, “Didn't I tell you not to go?”


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contenido:
Miracles of Elisha
Some men from Jericho went to Elisha and said, “As you know, sir, this is a fine city, but the water is bad and causes miscarriages.”


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contenido:
and he went to the spring, threw the salt in the water, and said, “This is what the Lord says: ‘I make this water pure, and it will not cause any more deaths or miscarriages.’”


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contenido:
Elisha left Jericho to go to Bethel, and on the way some boys came out of a town and made fun of him. “Get out of here, baldy!” they shouted.


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contenido:
Elisha turned around, glared at them, and cursed them in the name of the Lord. Then two she-bears came out of the woods and tore forty-two of the boys to pieces.


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contenido:
War between Israel and Moab
In the eighteenth year of the reign of King Jehoshaphat of Judah, Joram son of Ahab became king of Israel, and he ruled in Samaria for twelve years.


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He sinned against the Lord, but he was not as bad as his father or his mother Jezebel; he pulled down the image his father had made for the worship of Baal.


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King Mesha of Moab raised sheep, and every year he gave as tribute to the king of Israel 100,000 lambs and the wool from 100,000 sheep.


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He sent word to King Jehoshaphat of Judah: “The king of Moab has rebelled against me; will you join me in war against him?”
“I will,” King Jehoshaphat replied. “I am at your disposal, and so are my men and my horses.


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What route shall we take for the attack?”
“We will go the long way through the wilderness of Edom,” Joram answered.


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So King Joram and the kings of Judah and Edom set out. After marching seven days, they ran out of water, and there was none left for the men or the pack animals.


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“We're done for!” King Joram exclaimed. “The Lord has put the three of us at the mercy of the king of Moab!”


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King Jehoshaphat asked, “Is there a prophet here through whom we can consult the Lord?”
An officer of King Joram's forces answered, “Elisha son of Shaphat is here. He was Elijah's assistant.”


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“Why should I help you?” Elisha said to the king of Israel. “Go and consult those prophets that your father and mother consulted.”
“No!” Joram replied. “It is the Lord who has put us three kings at the mercy of the king of Moab.”


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Elisha answered, “By the living Lord, whom I serve, I swear that I would have nothing to do with you if I didn't respect your ally, King Jehoshaphat of Judah.


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Even though you will not see any rain or wind, this stream bed will be filled with water, and you, your livestock, and your pack animals will have plenty to drink.’”


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And Elisha continued, “But this is an easy thing for the Lord to do; he will also give you victory over the Moabites.


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You will conquer all their beautiful fortified cities; you will cut down all their fruit trees, stop all their springs, and ruin all their fertile fields by covering them with stones.”


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The next morning, at the time of the regular morning sacrifice, water came flowing from the direction of Edom and covered the ground.


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When the Moabites heard that the three kings had come to attack them, all the men who could bear arms, from the oldest to the youngest, were called out and stationed at the border.


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When they got up the following morning, the sun was shining on the water, making it look as red as blood.


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“It's blood!” they exclaimed. “The three enemy armies must have fought and killed each other! Let's go and loot their camp!”


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But when they reached the camp, the Israelites attacked them and drove them back. The Israelites kept up the pursuit, slaughtering the Moabites


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and destroying their cities. As they passed by a fertile field, every Israelite would throw a stone on it until finally all the fields were covered; they also stopped up the springs and cut down the fruit trees. At last only the capital city of Kir Heres was left, and the slingers surrounded it and attacked it.


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When the king of Moab realized that he was losing the battle, he took seven hundred swordsmen with him and tried to force his way through the enemy lines and escape to the king of Syria, but he failed.


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So he took his oldest son, who was to succeed him as king, and offered him on the city wall as a sacrifice to the god of Moab. The Israelites were terrified and so they drew back from the city and returned to their own country.


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Elisha Helps a Poor Widow
The widow of a member of a group of prophets went to Elisha and said, “Sir, my husband has died! As you know, he was a God-fearing man, but now a man he owed money to has come to take away my two sons as slaves in payment for my husband's debt.”


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“What shall I do for you?” he asked. “Tell me, what do you have at home?”
“Nothing at all, except a small jar of olive oil,” she answered.


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“Then you and your sons go into the house, close the door, and start pouring oil into the jars. Set each one aside as soon as it is full.”


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So the woman went into her house with her sons, closed the door, took the small jar of olive oil, and poured oil into the jars as her sons brought them to her.


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When they had filled all the jars, she asked if there were any more. “That was the last one,” one of her sons answered. And the olive oil stopped flowing.


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She went back to Elisha, the prophet, who said to her, “Sell the olive oil and pay all your debts, and there will be enough money left over for you and your sons to live on.”


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Elisha and the Rich Woman from Shunem
One day Elisha went to Shunem, where a rich woman lived. She invited him to a meal, and from then on every time he went to Shunem he would have his meals at her house.


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Let's build a small room on the roof, put a bed, a table, a chair, and a lamp in it, and he can stay there whenever he visits us.”


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he said to Gehazi, “Ask her what I can do for her in return for all the trouble she has had in providing for our needs. Maybe she would like me to go to the king or the army commander and put in a good word for her.”
“I have all I need here among my own people,” she answered.


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Elisha asked Gehazi, “What can I do for her then?”
He answered, “Well, she has no son, and her husband is an old man.”


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and Elisha said to her, “By this time next year you will be holding a son in your arms.”
“Oh!” she exclaimed. “Please, sir, don't lie to me. You are a man of God!”


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Some years later, at harvest time, the boy went out one morning to join his father, who was in the field with the harvest workers.


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Suddenly he cried out to his father, “My head hurts! My head hurts!”
“Carry the boy to his mother,” the father said to a servant.


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The servant carried the boy back to his mother, who held him in her lap until noon, at which time he died.


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Then she called her husband and said to him, “Send a servant here with a donkey. I need to go to the prophet Elisha. I'll be back as soon as I can.”


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“Why do you have to go today?” her husband asked. “It's neither a Sabbath nor a New Moon Festival.”
“Never mind,” she answered.


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Then she had the donkey saddled, and ordered the servant, “Make the donkey go as fast as it can, and don't slow down unless I tell you to.”


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So she set out and went to Mount Carmel, where Elisha was.
Elisha saw her coming while she was still some distance away, and he said to his servant Gehazi, “Look, there comes the woman from Shunem!


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Hurry to her and find out if everything is all right with her, her husband, and her son.”
She told Gehazi that everything was all right,


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but when she came to Elisha, she bowed down before him and took hold of his feet. Gehazi was about to push her away, but Elisha said, “Leave her alone. Can't you see she's deeply distressed? And the Lord has not told me a thing about it.”


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Elisha turned to Gehazi and said, “Hurry! Take my walking stick and go. Don't stop to greet anyone you meet, and if anyone greets you, don't take time to answer. Go straight to the house and hold my stick over the boy.”


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The woman said to Elisha, “I swear by my loyalty to the living Lord and to you that I will not leave you!” So the two of them started back together.


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Gehazi went on ahead and held Elisha's stick over the child, but there was no sound or any other sign of life. So he went back to meet Elisha and said, “The boy didn't wake up.”


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Then he lay down on the boy, placing his mouth, eyes, and hands on the boy's mouth, eyes, and hands. As he lay stretched out over the boy, the boy's body started to get warm.


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Elisha got up, walked around the room, and then went back and again stretched himself over the boy. The boy sneezed seven times and then opened his eyes.


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Elisha called Gehazi and told him to call the boy's mother. When she came in, he said to her, “Here's your son.”


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Two More Miracles
Once, when there was a famine throughout the land, Elisha returned to Gilgal. While he was teaching a group of prophets, he told his servant to put a big pot on the fire and make some stew for them.


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One of them went out in the fields to get some herbs. He found a wild vine and picked as many gourds as he could carry. He brought them back and sliced them up into the stew, not knowing what they were.


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The stew was poured out for the men to eat, but as soon as they tasted it they exclaimed to Elisha, “It's poisoned!”—and wouldn't eat it.


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Elisha asked for some meal, threw it into the pot, and said, “Pour out some more stew for them.” And then there was nothing wrong with it.


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Another time, a man came from Baal Shalishah, bringing Elisha twenty loaves of bread made from the first barley harvested that year, and some freshly-cut heads of grain. Elisha told his servant to feed the group of prophets with this,


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but he answered, “Do you think this is enough for a hundred men?”
Elisha replied, “Give it to them to eat, because the Lord says that they will eat and still have some left over.”


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So the servant set the food before them, and as the Lord had said, they all ate, and there was still some left over.


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Naaman Is Cured
Naaman, the commander of the Syrian army, was highly respected and esteemed by the king of Syria, because through Naaman the Lord had given victory to the Syrian forces. He was a great soldier, but he suffered from a dreaded skin disease.


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In one of their raids against Israel, the Syrians had carried off a little Israelite girl, who became a servant of Naaman's wife.


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One day she said to her mistress, “I wish that my master could go to the prophet who lives in Samaria! He would cure him of his disease.”


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The king said, “Go to the king of Israel and take this letter to him.”
So Naaman set out, taking thirty thousand pieces of silver, six thousand pieces of gold, and ten changes of fine clothes.


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The letter that he took read: “This letter will introduce my officer Naaman. I want you to cure him of his disease.”


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When the king of Israel read the letter, he tore his clothes in dismay and exclaimed, “How can the king of Syria expect me to cure this man? Does he think that I am God, with the power of life and death? It's plain that he is trying to start a quarrel with me!”


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When the prophet Elisha heard what had happened, he sent word to the king: “Why are you so upset? Send the man to me, and I'll show him that there is a prophet in Israel!”


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Elisha sent a servant out to tell him to go and wash himself seven times in the Jordan River, and he would be completely cured of his disease.


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But Naaman left in a rage, saying, “I thought that he would at least come out to me, pray to the Lord his God, wave his hand over the diseased spot, and cure me!


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Besides, aren't the rivers Abana and Pharpar, back in Damascus, better than any river in Israel? I could have washed in them and been cured!”


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His servants went up to him and said, “Sir, if the prophet had told you to do something difficult, you would have done it. Now why can't you just wash yourself, as he said, and be cured?”


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So Naaman went down to the Jordan, dipped himself in it seven times, as Elisha had instructed, and he was completely cured. His flesh became firm and healthy like that of a child.


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He returned to Elisha with all his men and said, “Now I know that there is no god but the God of Israel; so please, sir, accept a gift from me.”


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Elisha answered, “By the living Lord, whom I serve, I swear that I will not accept a gift.”
Naaman insisted that he accept it, but he would not.


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So Naaman said, “If you won't accept my gift, then let me have two mule-loads of earth to take home with me, because from now on I will not offer sacrifices or burnt offerings to any god except the Lord.


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So I hope that the Lord will forgive me when I accompany my king to the temple of Rimmon, the god of Syria, and worship him. Surely the Lord will forgive me!”


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when Elisha's servant Gehazi said to himself, “My master has let Naaman get away without paying a thing! He should have accepted what that Syrian offered him. By the living Lord I will run after him and get something from him.”


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So he set off after Naaman. When Naaman saw a man running after him, he got down from his chariot to meet him, and asked, “Is something wrong?”


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“No,” Gehazi answered. “But my master sent me to tell you that just now two members of the group of prophets in the hill country of Ephraim arrived, and he would like you to give them three thousand pieces of silver and two changes of fine clothes.”


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“Please take six thousand pieces of silver,” Naaman replied. He insisted on it, tied up the silver in two bags, gave them and two changes of fine clothes to two of his servants, and sent them on ahead of Gehazi.


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When they reached the hill where Elisha lived, Gehazi took the two bags and carried them into the house. Then he sent Naaman's servants back.


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He went back into the house, and Elisha asked him, “Where have you been?”
“Oh, nowhere, sir,” he answered.


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But Elisha said, “Wasn't I there in spirit when the man got out of his chariot to meet you? This is no time to accept money and clothes, olive groves and vineyards, sheep and cattle, or servants!


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And now Naaman's disease will come upon you, and you and your descendants will have it forever!”
When Gehazi left, he had the disease—his skin was as white as snow.


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The Recovery of the Ax Head
One day the group of prophets that Elisha was in charge of complained to him, “The place where we live is too small!


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Give us permission to go to the Jordan and cut down some trees, so that we can build a place to live.”
“All right,” Elisha answered.


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As one of them was cutting down a tree, suddenly his iron ax head fell in the water. “What shall I do, sir?” he exclaimed to Elisha. “It was a borrowed ax!”


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“Where did it fall?” Elisha asked.
The man showed him the place, and Elisha cut off a stick, threw it in the water, and made the ax head float.


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The Syrian Army Is Defeated
The king of Syria was at war with Israel. He consulted his officers and chose a place to set up his camp.


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But Elisha sent word to the king of Israel, warning him not to go near that place, because the Syrians were waiting in ambush there.


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So the king of Israel warned the people who lived in that place, and they were on guard. This happened several times.


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The Syrian king became greatly upset over this; he called in his officers and asked them, “Which one of you is on the side of the king of Israel?”


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One of them answered, “No one is, Your Majesty. The prophet Elisha tells the king of Israel what you say even in the privacy of your own room.”


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“Find out where he is,” the king ordered, “and I will capture him.”
When he was told that Elisha was in Dothan,


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he sent a large force there with horses and chariots. They reached the town at night and surrounded it.


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Early the next morning Elisha's servant got up, went out of the house, and saw the Syrian troops with their horses and chariots surrounding the town. He went back to Elisha and exclaimed, “We are doomed, sir! What shall we do?”


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Then he prayed, “O Lord, open his eyes and let him see!” The Lord answered his prayer, and Elisha's servant looked up and saw the hillside covered with horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.


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When the Syrians attacked, Elisha prayed, “O Lord, strike these men blind!” The Lord answered his prayer and struck them blind.


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Then Elisha went to them and said, “You are on the wrong road; this is not the town you are looking for. Follow me, and I will lead you to the man you are after.” And he led them to Samaria.


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As soon as they had entered the city, Elisha prayed, “Open their eyes, Lord, and let them see.” The Lord answered his prayer; he restored their sight, and they saw that they were inside Samaria.


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When the king of Israel saw the Syrians, he asked Elisha, “Shall I kill them, sir? Shall I kill them?”


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“No,” he answered. “Not even soldiers you had captured in combat would you put to death. Give them something to eat and drink, and let them return to their king.”


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So the king of Israel provided a great feast for them; and after they had eaten and drunk, he sent them back to the king of Syria. From then on the Syrians stopped raiding the land of Israel.


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The Siege of Samaria
Some time later King Benhadad of Syria led his entire army against Israel and laid siege to the city of Samaria.


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As a result of the siege the food shortage in the city was so severe that a donkey's head cost eighty pieces of silver, and half a pound of dove's dung cost five pieces of silver.


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What's your trouble?”
She answered, “The other day this woman here suggested that we eat my child, and then eat her child the next day.


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So we cooked my son and ate him. The next day I told her that we would eat her son, but she had hidden him!”


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Hearing this, the king tore his clothes in dismay, and the people who were close to the wall could see that he was wearing sackcloth under his clothes.


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And he sent a messenger to get Elisha.
Meanwhile Elisha was at home with some elders who were visiting him. Before the king's messenger arrived, Elisha said to the elders, “That murderer is sending someone to kill me! Now, when he gets here, shut the door and don't let him come in. The king himself will be right behind him.”


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He had hardly finished saying this, when the king arrived and said, “It's the Lord who has brought this trouble on us! Why should I wait any longer for him to do something?”


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Elisha answered, “Listen to what the Lord says! By this time tomorrow you will be able to buy in Samaria ten pounds of the best wheat or twenty pounds of barley for one piece of silver.”


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The personal attendant of the king said to Elisha, “That can't happen—not even if the Lord himself were to send grain at once!”
“You will see it happen, but you won't get to eat any of the food,” Elisha replied.


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The Syrian Army Leaves
Four men who were suffering from a dreaded skin disease were outside the gates of Samaria, and they said to each other, “Why should we wait here until we die?


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It's no use going into the city, because we would starve to death in there; but if we stay here, we'll die also. So let's go to the Syrian camp; the worst they can do is kill us, but maybe they will spare our lives.”


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So, as it began to get dark, they went to the Syrian camp, but when they reached it, no one was there.


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The Lord had made the Syrians hear what sounded like the advance of a large army with horses and chariots, and the Syrians thought that the king of Israel had hired Hittite and Egyptian kings and their armies to attack them.


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So that evening the Syrians had fled for their lives, abandoning their tents, horses, and donkeys, and leaving the camp just as it was.


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When the four men reached the edge of the camp, they went into a tent, ate and drank what was there, grabbed the silver, gold, and clothing they found, and went off and hid them; then they returned, entered another tent, and did the same thing.


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But then they said to each other, “We shouldn't be doing this! We have good news, and we shouldn't keep it to ourselves. If we wait until morning to tell it, we are sure to be punished. Let's go right now and tell the king's officers!”


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So they left the Syrian camp, went back to Samaria, and called out to the guards at the gates: “We went to the Syrian camp and didn't see or hear anybody; the horses and donkeys have not been untied, and the tents are just as the Syrians left them.”


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It was still night, but the king got out of bed and said to his officials, “I'll tell you what the Syrians are planning! They know about the famine here, so they have left their camp to go and hide in the countryside. They think that we will leave the city to find food, and then they will take us alive and capture the city.”


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One of his officials said, “The people here in the city are doomed anyway, like those that have already died. So let's send some men with five of the horses that are left, so that we can find out what has happened.”


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They chose some men, and the king sent them in two chariots with instructions to go and find out what had happened to the Syrian army.


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The men went as far as the Jordan, and all along the road they saw the clothes and equipment that the Syrians had abandoned as they fled. Then they returned and reported to the king.


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The people of Samaria rushed out and looted the Syrian camp. And as the Lord had said, ten pounds of the best wheat or twenty pounds of barley were sold for one piece of silver.


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It so happened that the king of Israel had put the city gate under the command of the officer who was his personal attendant. The officer was trampled to death there by the people and died, as Elisha had predicted when the king went to see him.


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Elisha had told the king that by that time the following day ten pounds of the best wheat or twenty pounds of barley would be sold in Samaria for one piece of silver,


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to which the officer had answered, “That can't happen—not even if the Lord himself were to send grain at once!” And Elisha had replied, “You will see it happen, but you won't get to eat any of the food.”


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The Woman from Shunem Returns
Now Elisha had told the woman who lived in Shunem, whose son he had brought back to life, that the Lord was sending a famine on the land, which would last for seven years, and that she should leave with her family and go and live somewhere else.


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She had followed his instructions and had gone with her family to live in Philistia for the seven years.


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At the end of the seven years she returned to Israel and went to the king to ask that her house and her land be restored to her.


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She found the king talking with Gehazi, Elisha's servant; the king wanted to know about Elisha's miracles.


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While Gehazi was telling the king how Elisha had brought a dead person back to life, the woman made her appeal to the king. Gehazi said to him, “Your Majesty, here is the woman and here is her son whom Elisha brought back to life!”


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In answer to the king's question, she confirmed Gehazi's story, and so the king called an official and told him to give back to her everything that was hers, including the value of all the crops that her fields had produced during the seven years she had been away.


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Elisha and King Benhadad of Syria
Elisha went to Damascus at a time when King Benhadad of Syria was sick. When the king was told that Elisha was there,


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he said to Hazael, one of his officials, “Take a gift to the prophet and ask him to consult the Lord to find out whether or not I am going to get well.”


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So Hazael loaded forty camels with all kinds of the finest products of Damascus and went to Elisha. When Hazael met him, he said, “Your servant King Benhadad has sent me to ask you whether or not he will recover from his sickness.”


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Elisha answered, “The Lord has revealed to me that he will die; but go to him and tell him that he will recover.”


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Then Elisha stared at him with a horrified look on his face until Hazael became ill at ease. Suddenly Elisha burst into tears.


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“Why are you crying, sir?” Hazael asked.
“Because I know the horrible things you will do against the people of Israel,” Elisha answered. “You will set their fortresses on fire, slaughter their finest young men, batter their children to death, and rip open their pregnant women.”


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“How could I ever be that powerful?” Hazael asked. “I'm a nobody!”
“The Lord has shown me that you will be king of Syria,” Elisha replied.


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Hazael went back to Benhadad, who asked him, “What did Elisha say?”
“He told me that you would certainly get well,” Hazael answered.


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But on the following day Hazael took a blanket, soaked it in water, and smothered the king.
And Hazael succeeded Benhadad as king of Syria.


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King Jehoram of Judah
In the fifth year of the reign of Joram son of Ahab as king of Israel, Jehoram son of Jehoshaphat became king of Judah


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His wife was Ahab's daughter, and like the family of Ahab he followed the evil ways of the kings of Israel. He sinned against the Lord,


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but the Lord was not willing to destroy Judah, because he had promised his servant David that his descendants would always continue to rule.


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So Jehoram set out with all his chariots to Zair, where the Edomite army surrounded them. During the night he and his chariot commanders managed to break out and escape, and his soldiers scattered to their homes.


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Edom has been independent of Judah ever since. During this same period the city of Libnah also revolted.


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Jehoram died and was buried in the royal tombs in David's City, and his son Ahaziah succeeded him as king.


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King Ahaziah of Judah
In the twelfth year of the reign of Joram son of Ahab as king of Israel, Ahaziah son of Jehoram became king of Judah


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at the age of twenty-two, and he ruled in Jerusalem for one year. His mother was Athaliah, the daughter of King Ahab and granddaughter of King Omri of Israel.


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Since Ahaziah was related to King Ahab by marriage, he sinned against the Lord, just as Ahab's family did.


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King Ahaziah joined King Joram of Israel in a war against King Hazael of Syria. The armies clashed at Ramoth in Gilead, and Joram was wounded in battle.


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Jehu Is Anointed King of Israel
Meanwhile the prophet Elisha called one of the young prophets and said to him, “Get ready and go to Ramoth in Gilead. Take this jar of olive oil with you,


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and when you get there look for Jehu, the son of Jehoshaphat and grandson of Nimshi. Take him to a private room away from his companions,


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pour this olive oil on his head, and say, ‘The Lord proclaims that he anoints you king of Israel.’ Then leave there as fast as you can.”


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where he found the army officers in a conference. He said, “Sir, I have a message for you.”
Jehu asked, “Which one of us are you speaking to?”
“To you, sir,” he replied.


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Then the two of them went indoors, and the young prophet poured the olive oil on Jehu's head and said to him, “The Lord, the God of Israel, proclaims: ‘I anoint you king of my people Israel.


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You are to kill your master the king, that son of Ahab, so that I may punish Jezebel for murdering my prophets and my other servants.


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All of Ahab's family and descendants are to die; I will get rid of every male in his family, young and old alike.


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I will treat his family as I did the families of King Jeroboam of Israel and of King Baasha of Israel.


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Jezebel will not be buried; her body will be eaten by dogs in the territory of Jezreel.’” After saying this, the young prophet left the room and fled.


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Jehu went back to his fellow officers, who asked him, “Is everything all right? What did that crazy fellow want with you?”
“You know what he wanted,” Jehu answered.


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“No we don't!” they replied. “Tell us what he said!”
“He told me that the Lord proclaims: ‘I anoint you king of Israel.’”


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At once Jehu's fellow officers spread their cloaks at the top of the steps for Jehu to stand on, blew trumpets, and shouted, “Jehu is king!”


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King Joram of Israel Is Killed
Then Jehu plotted against King Joram, who was in Jezreel, where he had gone to recover from the wounds which he had received in the battle at Ramoth against King Hazael of Syria. So Jehu said to his fellow officers, “If you are with me, make sure that no one slips out of Ramoth to go and warn the people in Jezreel.”


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Then he got into his chariot and set off for Jezreel. Joram had still not recovered, and King Ahaziah of Judah was there, visiting him.


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A guard on duty in the watchtower at Jezreel saw Jehu and his men approaching. “I see some men riding up!” he called out.
Joram replied, “Send a rider to find out if they are friends or enemies.”


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The messenger rode out to Jehu and said to him, “The king wants to know if you come as a friend.”
“That's none of your business!” Jehu answered. “Fall in behind me.”
The guard on the watchtower reported that the messenger had reached the group but was not returning.


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Another messenger was sent out, who asked Jehu the same question. Again Jehu answered, “That's none of your business! Fall in behind me.”


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Once more the guard reported that the messenger had reached the group but was not returning. And he added, “The leader of the group is driving his chariot like a madman, just like Jehu!”


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“Get my chariot ready,” King Joram ordered. It was done, and he and King Ahaziah rode out, each in his own chariot, to meet Jehu. They met him at the field which had belonged to Naboth.


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“Are you coming in peace?” Joram asked him.
“How can there be peace,” Jehu answered, “when we still have all the witchcraft and idolatry that your mother Jezebel started?”


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Jehu drew his bow, and with all his strength shot an arrow that struck Joram in the back and pierced his heart. Joram fell dead in his chariot,


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and Jehu said to his aide Bidkar, “Get his body and throw it in the field that belonged to Naboth. Remember that when you and I were riding together behind King Joram's father Ahab, the Lord spoke these words against Ahab:


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‘I saw the murder of Naboth and his sons yesterday. And I promise that I will punish you here in this same field.’ So take Joram's body,” Jehu ordered his aide, “and throw it in the field that belonged to Naboth, so as to fulfill the Lord's promise.”


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King Ahaziah of Judah Is Killed
King Ahaziah saw what happened, so he fled in his chariot toward the town of Beth Haggan, pursued by Jehu. “Kill him too!” Jehu ordered his men, and they wounded him as he drove his chariot on the road up to Gur, near the town of Ibleam. But he managed to keep on going until he reached the city of Megiddo, where he died.


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His officials took his body back to Jerusalem in a chariot and buried him in the royal tombs in David's City.


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Queen Jezebel Is Killed
Jehu arrived in Jezreel. Jezebel, having heard what had happened, put on eye shadow, arranged her hair, and stood looking down at the street from a window in the palace.


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Jehu looked up and shouted, “Who is on my side?” Two or three palace officials looked down at him from a window,


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and Jehu said to them, “Throw her down!” They threw her down, and her blood spattered on the wall and on the horses. Jehu drove his horses and chariot over her body,


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entered the palace, and had a meal. Only then did he say, “Take that cursed woman and bury her; after all, she is a king's daughter.”


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But the men who went out to bury her found nothing except her skull and the bones of her hands and feet.


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When they reported this to Jehu, he said, “This is what the Lord said would happen, when he spoke through his servant Elijah: ‘Dogs will eat Jezebel's body in the territory of Jezreel.


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The Descendants of Ahab Are Killed
There were seventy descendants of King Ahab living in the city of Samaria. Jehu wrote a letter and sent copies to the rulers of the city, to the leading citizens, and to the guardians of Ahab's descendants. The letter read:


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“You are in charge of the king's descendants, and you have at your disposal chariots, horses, weapons, and fortified cities. So then, as soon as you receive this letter,


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you are to choose the best qualified of the king's descendants, make him king, and fight to defend him.”


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The rulers of Samaria were terrified. “How can we oppose Jehu,” they said, “when neither King Joram nor King Ahaziah could?”


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So the officer in charge of the palace and the official in charge of the city, together with the leading citizens and the guardians, sent this message to Jehu: “We are your servants, and we are ready to do anything you say. But we will not make anyone king; do whatever you think best.”


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Jehu wrote them another letter: “If you are with me and are ready to follow my orders, bring the heads of King Ahab's descendants to me at Jezreel by this time tomorrow.”
The seventy descendants of King Ahab were under the care of the leading citizens of Samaria, who were bringing them up.


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When Jehu's letter was received, the leaders of Samaria killed all seventy of Ahab's descendants, put their heads in baskets, and sent them to Jehu at Jezreel.


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When Jehu was told that the heads of Ahab's descendants had been brought, he ordered them to be piled up in two heaps at the city gate and to be left there until the following morning.


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In the morning he went out to the gate and said to the people who were there, “I was the one who plotted against King Joram and killed him; you are not responsible for that. But who killed all these?


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This proves that everything that the Lord said about the descendants of Ahab will come true. The Lord has done what he promised through his prophet Elijah.”


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Then Jehu put to death all the other relatives of Ahab living in Jezreel, and all his officers, close friends, and priests; not one of them was left alive.


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The Relatives of King Ahaziah Are Killed
Jehu left Jezreel to go to Samaria. On the way, at a place called “Shepherds' Camp,”


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he met some relatives of the late King Ahaziah of Judah and asked them, “Who are you?”
“Ahaziah's relatives,” they answered. “We are going to Jezreel to pay our respects to the children of Queen Jezebel and to the rest of the royal family.”


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Jehu ordered his men, “Take them alive!” They seized them, and he put them to death near a pit there. There were forty-two people in all, and not one of them was left alive.


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All Remaining Relatives of Ahab Are Killed
Jehu started out again, and on his way he was met by Jonadab son of Rechab. Jehu greeted him and said, “You and I think alike. Will you support me?”
“I will,” Jonadab answered.
“Give me your hand, then,” Jehu replied. They clasped hands, and Jehu helped him up into the chariot,


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saying, “Come with me and see for yourself how devoted I am to the Lord.” And they rode on together to Samaria.


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When they arrived there, Jehu killed all of Ahab's relatives, not sparing even one. This is what the Lord had told Elijah would happen.


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The Worshipers of Baal Are Killed
Jehu called the people of Samaria together and said, “King Ahab served the god Baal a little, but I will serve him much more.


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Call together all the prophets of Baal, all his worshipers, and all his priests. No one is excused; I am going to offer a great sacrifice to Baal, and whoever is not present will be put to death.” (This was a trick on the part of Jehu by which he meant to kill all the worshipers of Baal.)


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and Jehu sent word throughout all the land of Israel. All who worshiped Baal came; not one of them failed to come. They all went into the temple of Baal, filling it from one end to the other.


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Then Jehu ordered the priest in charge of the sacred robes to bring the robes out and give them to the worshipers.


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After that, Jehu himself went into the temple with Jonadab son of Rechab and said to the people there, “Make sure that only worshipers of Baal are present and that no worshiper of the Lord has come in.”


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Then he and Jonadab went in to offer sacrifices and burnt offerings to Baal. He had stationed eighty men outside the temple and had instructed them: “You are to kill all these people; anyone who lets one of them escape will pay for it with his life!”


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As soon as Jehu had presented the offerings, he said to the guards and officers, “Go in and kill them all; don't let anyone escape!” They went in with drawn swords, killed them all, and dragged the bodies outside. Then they went on into the inner sanctuary of the temple,


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So they destroyed the sacred pillar and the temple, and turned the temple into a latrine—which it still is today.


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But he imitated the sin of King Jeroboam, who led Israel into the sin of worshiping the gold bull-calves he set up in Bethel and in Dan.


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The Lord said to Jehu, “You have done to Ahab's descendants everything I wanted you to do. So I promise you that your descendants, down to the fourth generation, will be kings of Israel.”


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But Jehu did not obey with all his heart the Law of the Lord, the God of Israel; instead, he followed the example of Jeroboam, who led Israel into sin.


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The Death of Jehu
At that time the Lord began to reduce the size of Israel's territory. King Hazael of Syria conquered all the Israelite territory


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east of the Jordan, as far south as the town of Aroer on the Arnon River—this included the territories of Gilead and Bashan, where the tribes of Gad, Reuben, and East Manasseh lived.


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Everything else that Jehu did, including his brave deeds, is recorded in The History of the Kings of Israel.


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Queen Athaliah of Judah
As soon as King Ahaziah's mother Athaliah learned of her son's murder, she gave orders for all the members of the royal family to be killed.


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Only Ahaziah's son Joash escaped. He was about to be killed with the others, but was rescued by his aunt Jehosheba, who was King Jehoram's daughter and Ahaziah's half sister. She took him and his nurse into a bedroom in the Temple and hid him from Athaliah, so that he was not killed.


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For six years Jehosheba took care of the boy and kept him hidden in the Temple, while Athaliah ruled as queen.


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But in the seventh year Jehoiada the priest sent for the officers in charge of the royal bodyguard and of the palace guards, and told them to come to the Temple, where he made them agree under oath to what he planned to do. He showed them King Ahaziah's son Joash


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and gave them the following orders: “When you come on duty on the Sabbath, one third of you are to guard the palace;


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another third are to stand guard at the Sur Gate, and the other third are to stand guard at the gate behind the other guards.


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The two groups that go off duty on the Sabbath are to stand guard at the Temple to protect the king.


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You are to guard King Joash with drawn swords and stay with him wherever he goes. Anyone who comes near you is to be killed.”


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The officers obeyed Jehoiada's instructions and brought their men to him—those going off duty on the Sabbath and those going on duty.


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He gave the officers the spears and shields that had belonged to King David and had been kept in the Temple,


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Then Jehoiada led Joash out, placed the crown on his head, and gave him a copy of the laws governing kingship. Then Joash was anointed and proclaimed king. The people clapped their hands and shouted, “Long live the king!”


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Queen Athaliah heard the noise being made by the guards and the people, so she hurried to the Temple, where the crowd had gathered.


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There she saw the new king standing by the column at the entrance of the Temple, as was the custom. He was surrounded by the officers and the trumpeters, and the people were all shouting joyfully and blowing trumpets. Athaliah tore her clothes in distress and shouted, “Treason! Treason!”


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Jehoiada did not want Athaliah killed in the Temple area, so he ordered the army officers: “Take her out between the rows of guards, and kill anyone who tries to rescue her.”


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Jehoiada's Reforms
The priest Jehoiada had King Joash and the people make a covenant with the Lord that they would be the Lord's people; he also made a covenant between the king and the people.


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Then the people went to the temple of Baal and tore it down; they smashed the altars and the idols, and killed Mattan, the priest of Baal, in front of the altars.
Jehoiada put guards on duty at the Temple,


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and then he, the officers, the royal bodyguard, and the palace guards escorted the king from the Temple to the palace, followed by all the people. Joash entered by the Guard Gate and took his place on the throne.


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All the people were filled with happiness, and the city was quiet, now that Athaliah had been killed in the palace.


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King Joash of Judah
In the seventh year of the reign of King Jehu of Israel, Joash became king of Judah, and he ruled in Jerusalem for forty years. His mother was Zibiah from the city of Beersheba.


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However, the pagan places of worship were not destroyed, and the people continued to offer sacrifices and burn incense there.


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Joash called the priests and ordered them to save up the money paid in connection with the sacrifices in the Temple, both the dues paid for the regular sacrifices and the money given as freewill gifts.


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Each priest was to be responsible for the money brought by those he served, and the money was to be used to repair the Temple, as needed.


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But by the twenty-third year of Joash's reign the priests still had not made any repairs in the Temple.


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So he called in Jehoiada and the other priests and asked them, “Why aren't you repairing the Temple? From now on you are not to keep the money you receive; you must hand it over, so that the repairs can be made.”


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Then Jehoiada took a box, made a hole in the lid, and placed the box by the altar, on the right side as one enters the Temple. The priests on duty at the entrance put in the box all the money given by the worshipers.


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Whenever there was a large amount of money in the box, the royal secretary and the High Priest would come, melt down the silver, and weigh it.


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After recording the exact amount, they would hand the silver over to the men in charge of the work in the Temple, and these would pay the carpenters, the builders,


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the masons, and the stone cutters, buy the timber and the stones used in the repairs, and pay all other necessary expenses.


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None of the money, however, was used to pay for making silver cups, bowls, trumpets, or tools for tending the lamps, or any other article of silver or of gold.


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The men in charge of the work were thoroughly honest, so there was no need to require them to account for the funds.


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The money given for the repayment offerings and for the offerings for sin was not deposited in the box; it belonged to the priests.


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At that time King Hazael of Syria attacked the city of Gath and conquered it; then he decided to attack Jerusalem.


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King Joash of Judah took all the offerings that his predecessors Jehoshaphat, Jehoram, and Ahaziah had dedicated to the Lord, added to them his own offerings and all the gold in the treasuries of the Temple and the palace, and sent them all as a gift to King Hazael, who then led his army away from Jerusalem.


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King Joash's officials plotted against him, and two of them, Jozacar son of Shimeath and Jehozabad son of Shomer, killed him at the house built on the land that was filled in on the east side of Jerusalem, on the road that goes down to Silla. Joash was buried in the royal tombs in David's City, and his son Amaziah succeeded him as king.


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King Jehoahaz of Israel
In the twenty-third year of the reign of Joash son of Ahaziah as king of Judah, Jehoahaz son of Jehu became king of Israel, and he ruled in Samaria for seventeen years.


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Like King Jeroboam before him, he sinned against the Lord and led Israel into sin; he never gave up his evil ways.


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So the Lord was angry with Israel, and he allowed King Hazael of Syria and his son Benhadad to defeat Israel time after time.


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Then Jehoahaz prayed to the Lord, and the Lord, seeing how harshly the king of Syria was oppressing the Israelites, answered his prayer.


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The Lord sent Israel a leader, who freed them from the Syrians, and so the Israelites lived in peace, as before.


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But they still did not give up the sins into which King Jeroboam had led Israel, but kept on committing them; and the image of the goddess Asherah remained in Samaria.


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Jehoahaz had no armed forces left except fifty cavalry troops, ten chariots, and ten thousand foot soldiers, because the king of Syria had destroyed the rest, trampling them down like dust.


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Everything else that Jehoahaz did and all his brave deeds are recorded in The History of the Kings of Israel.


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King Jehoash of Israel
In the thirty-seventh year of the reign of King Joash of Judah, Jehoash son of Jehoahaz became king of Israel, and he ruled in Samaria for sixteen years.


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He too sinned against the Lord and followed the evil example of King Jeroboam, who had led Israel into sin.


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Everything else that Jehoash did, including his bravery in the war against King Amaziah of Judah, is recorded in The History of the Kings of Israel.


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Jehoash died and was buried in the royal tombs in Samaria, and his son Jeroboam II succeeded him as king.


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The Death of Elisha
The prophet Elisha was sick with a fatal disease, and as he lay dying, King Jehoash of Israel went to visit him. “My father, my father!” he exclaimed as he wept. “You have been the mighty defender of Israel!”


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and Elisha told him to get ready to shoot. The king did so, and Elisha placed his hands on the king's hands.


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Then, following the prophet's instructions, the king opened the window that faced toward Syria. “Shoot the arrow!” Elisha ordered. As soon as the king shot the arrow, the prophet exclaimed, “You are the Lord's arrow, with which he will win victory over Syria. You will fight the Syrians in Aphek until you defeat them.”


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Then Elisha told the king to take the other arrows and strike the ground with them. The king struck the ground three times, and then stopped.


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This made Elisha angry, and he said to the king, “You should have struck five or six times, and then you would have won complete victory over the Syrians; but now you will defeat them only three times.”


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One time during a funeral, one of those bands was seen, and the people threw the corpse into Elisha's tomb and ran off. As soon as the body came into contact with Elisha's bones, the man came back to life and stood up.


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War between Israel and Syria
King Hazael of Syria oppressed the Israelites during all of Jehoahaz' reign,


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but the Lord was kind and merciful to them. He would not let them be destroyed, but helped them because of his covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. He has never forgotten his people.


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Then King Jehoash of Israel defeated Benhadad three times and recaptured the cities that had been taken by Benhadad during the reign of Jehoahaz, the father of Jehoash.


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King Amaziah of Judah
In the second year of the reign of Jehoash son of Jehoahaz as king of Israel, Amaziah son of Joash became king of Judah


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at the age of twenty-five, and he ruled in Jerusalem for twenty-nine years. His mother was Jehoaddin from Jerusalem.


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He did what was pleasing to the Lord, but he was not like his ancestor King David; instead, he did what his father Joash had done.


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He did not tear down the pagan places of worship, and the people continued to offer sacrifices and burn incense there.


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As soon as Amaziah was firmly in power, he executed the officials who had killed his father, the king.


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However, he did not kill their children but followed what the Lord had commanded in the Law of Moses: “Parents are not to be put to death for crimes committed by their children, and children are not to be put to death for crimes committed by their parents; people are to be put to death only for a crime they themselves have committed.”


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Amaziah killed ten thousand Edomite soldiers in Salt Valley; he captured the city of Sela in battle and called it Joktheel, the name it still has.


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But King Jehoash sent back the following reply: “Once a thorn bush on the Lebanon Mountains sent a message to a cedar: ‘Give your daughter in marriage to my son.’ A wild animal passed by and trampled the bush down.


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Now Amaziah, you have defeated the Edomites, and you are filled with pride. Be satisfied with your fame and stay at home. Why stir up trouble that will only bring disaster on you and your people?”


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But Amaziah refused to listen, so King Jehoash marched out with his men and fought against him at Beth Shemesh in Judah.


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Jehoash took Amaziah prisoner, advanced on Jerusalem, and tore down the city wall from Ephraim Gate to the Corner Gate, a distance of two hundred yards.


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He took all the silver and gold he could find, all the Temple equipment and all the palace treasures, and carried them back to Samaria. He also took hostages with him.


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The Death of King Amaziah of Judah
King Amaziah of Judah lived fifteen years after the death of King Jehoash of Israel.


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There was a plot in Jerusalem to assassinate Amaziah, so he fled to the city of Lachish, but his enemies followed him there and killed him.


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His body was carried back to Jerusalem on a horse and was buried in the royal tombs in David's City.


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King Jeroboam II of Israel
In the fifteenth year of the reign of Amaziah son of Joash as king of Judah, Jeroboam son of Jehoash became king of Israel, and he ruled in Samaria for forty-one years.


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He sinned against the Lord, following the wicked example of his predecessor King Jeroboam son of Nebat, who led Israel into sin.


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He reconquered all the territory that had belonged to Israel, from Hamath Pass in the north to the Dead Sea in the south. This was what the Lord, the God of Israel, had promised through his servant the prophet Jonah son of Amittai from Gath Hepher.


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But it was not the Lord's purpose to destroy Israel completely and forever, so he rescued them through King Jeroboam II.


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Everything else that Jeroboam II did, his brave battles, and how he restored Damascus and Hamath to Israel, are all recorded in The History of the Kings of Israel.


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King Uzziah of Judah
In the twenty-seventh year of the reign of King Jeroboam II of Israel, Uzziah son of Amaziah became king of Judah


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at the age of sixteen, and he ruled in Jerusalem for fifty-two years. His mother was Jecoliah from Jerusalem.


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But the pagan places of worship were not destroyed, and the people continued to offer sacrifices and burn incense there.


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The Lord struck Uzziah with a dreaded skin disease that stayed with him the rest of his life. He lived in a separate house, relieved of all duties, while his son Jotham governed the country.


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contenido:
Uzziah died and was buried in the royal burial ground in David's City, and his son Jotham succeeded him as king.


book: 2Kgs
contenido:
King Zechariah of Israel
In the thirty-eighth year of the reign of King Uzziah of Judah, Zechariah son of Jeroboam II became king of Israel, and he ruled in Samaria for six months.


book: 2Kgs
contenido:
He, like his predecessors, sinned against the Lord. He followed the wicked example of King Jeroboam son of Nebat, who led Israel into sin.


book: 2Kgs
contenido:
Shallum son of Jabesh conspired against King Zechariah, assassinated him at Ibleam, and succeeded him as king.


book: 2Kgs
contenido:
So the promise was fulfilled which the Lord had made to King Jehu: “Your descendants down to the fourth generation will be kings of Israel.”


book: 2Kgs
contenido:
King Shallum of Israel
In the thirty-ninth year of the reign of King Uzziah of Judah, Shallum son of Jabesh became king of Israel, and he ruled in Samaria for one month.


book: 2Kgs
contenido:
Everything else that Shallum did, including an account of his conspiracy, is recorded in The History of the Kings of Israel.


book: 2Kgs
contenido:
As Menahem was on his way from Tirzah, he completely destroyed the city of Tappuah, its inhabitants, and the surrounding territory, because the city did not surrender to him. He even ripped open the bellies of all the pregnant women.


book: 2Kgs
contenido:
King Menahem of Israel
In the thirty-ninth year of the reign of King Uzziah of Judah, Menahem son of Gadi became king of Israel, and he ruled in Samaria for ten years.


book: 2Kgs
contenido:
He sinned against the Lord, for until the day of his death he followed the wicked example of King Jeroboam son of Nebat, who led Israel into sin.


book: 2Kgs
contenido:
Tiglath Pileser, the emperor of Assyria, invaded Israel, and Menahem gave him thirty-eight tons of silver to gain his support in strengthening Menahem's power over the country.


book: 2Kgs
contenido:
Menahem got the money from the rich men of Israel by forcing each one to contribute fifty pieces of silver. So Tiglath Pileser went back to his own country.


book: 2Kgs
contenido:
King Pekahiah of Israel
In the fiftieth year of the reign of King Uzziah of Judah, Pekahiah son of Menahem became king of Israel, and he ruled in Samaria for two years.


book: 2Kgs
contenido:
He sinned against the Lord, following the wicked example of King Jeroboam son of Nebat, who led Israel into sin.


book: 2Kgs
contenido:
An officer of Pekahiah's forces, Pekah son of Remaliah, plotted with fifty men from Gilead, assassinated Pekahiah in the palace's inner fortress in Samaria, and succeeded him as king.


book: 2Kgs
contenido:
King Pekah of Israel
In the fifty-second year of the reign of King Uzziah of Judah, Pekah son of Remaliah became king of Israel, and he ruled in Samaria for twenty years.


book: 2Kgs
contenido:
It was while Pekah was king that Tiglath Pileser, the emperor of Assyria, captured the cities of Ijon, Abel Beth Maacah, Janoah, Kedesh, and Hazor, and the territories of Gilead, Galilee, and Naphtali, and took the people to Assyria as prisoners.


book: 2Kgs
contenido:
In the twentieth year of the reign of Jotham son of Uzziah as king of Judah, Hoshea son of Elah plotted against King Pekah, assassinated him, and succeeded him as king.


book: 2Kgs
contenido:
King Jotham of Judah
In the second year of the reign of Pekah son of Remaliah as king of Israel, Jotham son of Uzziah became king of Judah


book: 2Kgs
contenido:
at the age of twenty-five, and he ruled in Jerusalem for sixteen years. His mother was Jerusha, the daughter of Zadok.


book: 2Kgs
contenido:
But the pagan places of worship were not destroyed, and the people continued to offer sacrifices and burn incense there. It was Jotham who built the North Gate of the Temple.


