War with the Philistines

Now when the Philistines heard that they had anointed David king over Israel, all the Philistines went up to seek out David; and when David heard about it, he went down to the stronghold.

Peril in Moving the Ark

Now David again gathered all the chosen men of Israel, thirty thousand.

And David departed from Baale-judah, with all the people who were with him, to bring up from there the ark of God which is called by the Name, the very name of the Lord of armies who is enthroned above the cherubim.

Meanwhile, David and all the house of Israel were celebrating before the Lord with all kinds of instruments made of juniper wood, and with lyres, harps, tambourines, castanets, and cymbals.

The ark of the Lord remained in the house of Obed-edom the Gittite for three months, and the Lord blessed Obed-edom and all his household.

The Ark Is Brought to Jerusalem

Now it was reported to King David, saying, “The Lord has blessed the house of Obed-edom and all that belongs to him, on account of the ark of God.” So David went and brought the ark of God up from the house of Obed-edom to the city of David with joy.

And David was dancing before the Lord with all his strength, and David was wearing a linen ephod.

So David and all the house of Israel were bringing up the ark of the Lord with joyful shouting and the sound of the trumpet.

Further, he distributed to all the people, to all the multitude of Israel, both to men and women, a cake of bread, one of dates, and one of raisins to each one. Then all the people left, each to his house.

But David said to Michal, “I was before the Lord, who preferred me to your father and to all his house, to appoint me as ruler over the people of the Lord, over Israel. So I will celebrate before the Lord!

David Plans to Build a Temple

Now it came about, when the king lived in his house, and the Lord had given him rest on every side from all his enemies,

Nathan said to the king, “Go, do all that is in your mind, for the Lord is with you.”

Wherever I have gone with all the sons of Israel, did I speak a word with one of the tribes of Israel, whom I commanded to shepherd My people Israel, saying, ‘Why have you not built Me a house of cedar?’”’

And I have been with you wherever you have gone, and have eliminated all your enemies from you; I will also make a great name for you, like the names of the great men who are on the earth.

even from the day that I appointed judges over My people Israel; and I will give you rest from all your enemies. The Lord also declares to you that the Lord will make a house for you.

In accordance with all these words and all of this vision, so Nathan spoke to David.

For the sake of Your word, and according to Your heart, You have done all this greatness, to let Your servant know.

For this reason You are great, Lord God; for there is no one like You, and there is no God except You, according to all that we have heard with our ears.

And David captured from him 1,700 horsemen and twenty thousand foot soldiers; and David hamstrung almost all the chariot horses, but left enough of them for a hundred chariots.

King David also consecrated these gifts to the Lord, with the silver and gold that he had consecrated from all the nations which he had subdued:

He also put garrisons in Edom. In all Edom he put garrisons, and all the Edomites became servants to David. And the Lord helped David wherever he went.

So David reigned over all Israel; and David administered justice and righteousness for all his people.

Then David said to him, “Do not be afraid, for I will assuredly show kindness to you for the sake of your father Jonathan, and I will restore to you all the land of your grandfather Saul; and you yourself shall eat at my table regularly.”

Then the king summoned Saul’s servant Ziba and said to him, “Everything that belonged to Saul and to all his house I have given to your master’s grandson.

Mephibosheth had a young son whose name was Mica. And all who lived in the house of Ziba were servants to Mephibosheth.