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

And the king and his men went to Jerusalem against the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land, who said to David, “You will not come in here, but the blind and the lame will ward you off”—thinking, “David cannot come in here.”

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

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

The Ark Brought to Jerusalem

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

And David took the shields of gold that were carried by the servants of Hadadezer and brought them to Jerusalem.

So Mephibosheth lived in Jerusalem, for he ate always at the king's table. Now he was lame in both his feet.

And when the Ammonites saw that the Syrians fled, they likewise fled before Abishai and entered the city. Then Joab returned from fighting against the Ammonites and came to Jerusalem.

David and Bathsheba

In the spring of the year, the time when kings go out to battle, David sent Joab, and his servants with him, and all Israel. And they ravaged the Ammonites and besieged Rabbah. But David remained at Jerusalem.

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

And he brought out the people who were in it and set them to labor with saws and iron picks and iron axes and made them toil at the brick kilns. And thus he did to all the cities of the Ammonites. Then David and all the people returned to Jerusalem.

Absalom Returns to Jerusalem

Now Joab the son of Zeruiah knew that the king's heart went out to Absalom.

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

So Absalom lived two full years in Jerusalem, without coming into the king's presence.

For your servant vowed a vow while I lived at Geshur in Aram, saying, ‘If the Lord will indeed bring me back to Jerusalem, then I will offer worship to the Lord.’”

With Absalom went two hundred men from Jerusalem who were invited guests, and they went in their innocence and knew nothing.

David Flees Jerusalem

And a messenger came to David, saying, “The hearts of the men of Israel have gone after Absalom.”

Then David said to all his servants who were with him at Jerusalem, “Arise, and let us flee, or else there will be no escape for us from Absalom. Go quickly, lest he overtake us quickly and bring down ruin on us and strike the city with the edge of the sword.”

So Zadok and Abiathar carried the ark of God back to Jerusalem, and they remained there.

So Hushai, David's friend, came into the city, just as Absalom was entering Jerusalem.

And the king said, “And where is your master's son?” Ziba said to the king, “Behold, he remains in Jerusalem, for he said, ‘Today the house of Israel will give me back the kingdom of my father.’”

Absalom Enters Jerusalem

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

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

Then the king arose and took his seat in the gate. And the people were all told, “Behold, the king is sitting in the gate.” And all the people came before the king.

David Returns to Jerusalem

Now Israel had fled every man to his own home.

and said to the king, “Let not my lord hold me guilty or remember how your servant did wrong on the day my lord the king left Jerusalem. Do not let the king take it to heart.