They mourned, wept, and fasted until the evening for those who died by the sword ​— ​for Saul, his son Jonathan, the LORD’s people, and the house of Israel.

The splendor of Israel lies slain on your heights.

How the mighty have fallen!

Daughters of Israel, weep for Saul,

who clothed you in scarlet, with luxurious things,

who decked your garments with gold ornaments.

Saul’s son Ish-bosheth was forty years old when he became king over Israel; he reigned for two years. The house of Judah, however, followed David.

The battle that day was extremely fierce, and Abner and the men of Israel were defeated by David’s soldiers.

Then Joab blew the ram’s horn, and all the troops stopped; they no longer pursued Israel or continued to fight.

Abner sent messengers as his representatives to say to David, “Whose land is it? Make your covenant with me, and you can be certain I am on your side to turn all Israel over to you.”

Abner conferred with the elders of Israel: “In the past you wanted David to be king over you.

“Now take action, because the LORD has spoken concerning David: ‘Through my servant David I will save my people Israel from the power of the Philistines and the power of all Israel’s enemies.’ ”

Abner also informed the Benjaminites and went to Hebron to inform David about all that was agreed on by Israel and the whole house of Benjamin.

Abner said to David, “Let me now go and I will gather all Israel to my lord the king. They will make a covenant with you, and you will reign over all you desire.” So David dismissed Abner, and he went in peace.

On that day all the troops and all Israel were convinced that the king had no part in the killing of Abner son of Ner.

Then the king said to his soldiers, “You must know that a great leader has fallen in Israel today.

“Even while Saul was king over us, you were the one who led us out to battle and brought us back. The LORD also said to you, ‘You will shepherd my people Israel, and you will be ruler over Israel.’ ”

So all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron. King David made a covenant with them at Hebron in the LORD’s presence, and they anointed David king over Israel.

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

Then David knew that the LORD had established him as king over Israel and had exalted his kingdom for the sake of his people Israel.

When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over Israel, they all went in search of David, but he heard about it and went down to the stronghold.

David and the whole house of Israel were dancing before the LORD with all kinds of fir wood instruments,[fn] lyres, harps, tambourines, sistrums,[fn] and cymbals.

He and the whole house of Israel were bringing up the ark of the LORD with shouts and the sound of the ram’s horn.

Then he distributed a loaf of bread, a date cake, and a raisin cake to each one in the entire Israelite community, both men and women. Then all the people went home.

When David returned home to bless his household, Saul’s daughter Michal came out to meet him. “How the king of Israel honored himself today! ” she said. “He exposed himself today in the sight of the slave girls of his subjects like a vulgar person would expose himself.”

David replied to Michal, “It was before the LORD who chose me over your father and his whole family to appoint me ruler over the LORD’s people Israel. I will dance before the LORD,

“In all my journeys with all the Israelites, have I ever spoken a word to one of the tribal leaders of Israel, whom I commanded to shepherd my people Israel, asking: Why haven’t you built me a house of cedar? ’

“So now this is what you are to say to my servant David: ‘This is what the LORD of Armies says: I took you from the pasture, from tending the flock, to be ruler over my people Israel.

“I will designate a place for my people Israel and plant them, so that they may live there and not be disturbed again. Evildoers will not continue to oppress them as they have done

“ever since the day I ordered judges to be over my people Israel. I will give you rest from all your enemies.

“ ‘The LORD declares to you: The LORD himself will make a house for you.

And who is like your people Israel? God came to one nation on earth in order to redeem a people for himself, to make a name for himself, and to perform for them[fn] great and awesome acts,[fn] driving out nations and their gods before your people you redeemed for yourself from Egypt.

You established your people Israel to be your own people forever, and you, LORD, have become their God.

Now, LORD God, fulfill the promise forever that you have made to your servant and his house. Do as you have promised,

since you, LORD of Armies, God of Israel, have revealed this to your servant when you said, “I will build a house for you.” Therefore, your servant has found the courage to pray this prayer to you.

When the Arameans saw that they had been defeated by Israel, they regrouped.

When this was reported to David, he gathered all Israel, crossed the Jordan, and went to Helam. Then the Arameans lined up to engage David in battle and fought against him.

But the Arameans fled before Israel, and David killed seven hundred of their charioteers and forty thousand foot soldiers.[fn] He also struck down Shobach commander of their army, who died there.

When all the kings who were Hadadezer’s subjects saw that they had been defeated by Israel, they made peace with Israel and became their subjects. After this, the Arameans were afraid to ever help the Ammonites again.

Uriah answered David, “The ark, Israel, and Judah are dwelling in tents, and my master Joab and his soldiers[fn] are camping in the open field. How can I enter my house to eat and drink and sleep with my wife? As surely as you live and by your life, I will not do this! ”

“I gave your master’s house to you and your master’s wives into your arms,[fn] and I gave you the house of Israel and Judah, and if that was not enough, I would have given you even more.

“You acted in secret, but I will do this before all Israel and in broad daylight.’ ”[fn]