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

The Conquest of Jerusalem

And the king and his men went to Jerusalem against the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land, who spoke to David, saying, “You shall not come in here; but the blind and the lame will repel you,” thinking, “David cannot come in here.”

And David took more concubines and wives from Jerusalem, after he had come from Hebron. Also more sons and daughters were born to David.

Now these are the names of those who were born to him in Jerusalem: Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon,

The Ark Brought to Jerusalem

Again David gathered all the choice men of Israel, thirty thousand.

And David took the shields of gold that had belonged to the servants of Hadadezer, and brought them to Jerusalem.

So Mephibosheth dwelt in Jerusalem, for he ate continually at the king’s table. And he was lame in both his feet.

When the people of Ammon saw that the Syrians were fleeing, they also fled before Abishai, and entered the city. So Joab returned from the people of Ammon and went to Jerusalem.

David, Bathsheba, and Uriah

It happened in the spring of the year, at the time when kings go out to battle, that David sent Joab and his servants with him, and all Israel; and they destroyed the people of Ammon and besieged Rabbah. But David remained at Jerusalem.

Then David said to Uriah, “Wait here today also, and tomorrow I will let you depart.” So Uriah remained in Jerusalem that day and the next.

And he brought out the people who were in it, and put them to work with saws and iron picks and iron axes, and made them cross over to the brick works. So he did to all the cities of the people of Ammon. Then David and all the people returned to Jerusalem.

Absalom Returns to Jerusalem

So Joab the son of Zeruiah perceived that the king’s heart was concerned about Absalom.

So Joab arose and went to Geshur, and brought Absalom to Jerusalem.

And Absalom dwelt two full years in Jerusalem, but did not see the king’s face.

For your servant took a vow while I dwelt at Geshur in Syria, saying, ‘If the Lord indeed brings me back to Jerusalem, then I will serve the Lord.’ ”

And with Absalom went two hundred men invited from Jerusalem, and they went along innocently and did not know anything.

David Escapes from Jerusalem

Now a messenger came to David, saying, “The hearts of the men of Israel are with Absalom.”

So David said to all his servants who were with him at Jerusalem, “Arise, and let us flee, or we shall not escape from Absalom. Make haste to depart, lest he overtake us suddenly and bring disaster upon us, and strike the city with the edge of the sword.”

Therefore Zadok and Abiathar carried the ark of God back to Jerusalem. And they remained there.

So Hushai, David’s friend, went into the city. And Absalom came into Jerusalem.

Then the king said, “And where is your master’s son?” And Ziba said to the king, “Indeed he is staying in Jerusalem, for he said, ‘Today the house of Israel will restore the kingdom of my father to me.’ ”

The Advice of Ahithophel

Meanwhile Absalom and all the people, the men of Israel, came to Jerusalem; and Ahithophel was with him.

And when Absalom’s servants came to the woman at the house, they said, “Where are Ahimaaz and Jonathan?” So the woman said to them, “They have gone over the water brook.” And when they had searched and could not find them, they returned to Jerusalem.

David Returns to Jerusalem

And Joab was told, “Behold, the king is weeping and mourning for Absalom.”

David Returns to Jerusalem

Now all the people were in a dispute throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, “The king saved us from the hand of our enemies, he delivered us from the hand of the Philistines, and now he has fled from the land because of Absalom.