1
Then it came about afterwards* that Davidinquired of the LORD, saying, "Shall I go up to one of the cities of Judah?" And the LORDsaid to him, "Go up." So Davidsaid, "Where shall I go up?" And He said, "To Hebron."
4
Then the men of Judahcame and thereanointedDavidkingover the house of Judah. And they toldDavid, saying, "It was the men of Jabesh-gilead*whoburiedSaul."
5
Davidsentmessengers to the men of Jabesh-gilead*, and said to them, "May you be blessed of the LORDbecause you have shownthiskindness to Saul your lord, and have buried him.
13
And Joab the son of Zeruiah and the servants of Davidwent out and met them by the pool of Gibeon; and they satdown, one on the oneside of the pool and the other on the otherside of the pool.
16
Eachone of them seized his opponent by the head and thrust his sword in his opponent'sside; so they felldowntogether. Therefore that place was calledHelkath-hazzurim, which is in Gibeon.
21
So Abnersaid to him, "Turn to your rightor to your left, and takehold of one of the youngmen for yourself, and take for yourself his spoil." But Asahel was not willing to turnaside from following him.
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Abnerrepeated*again to Asahel, "Turnaside from following me. Why should I strike you to the ground? How then could I lift up my face to your brotherJoab?"
23
However, he refused to turnaside; therefore Abnerstruck him in the belly with the buttend of the spear, so that the spearcame out at his back. And he fellthere and died on the spot. And it came about that all who came to the placewhere*Asahel had fallen and died, stoodstill.
24
But Joab and AbishaipursuedAbner, and when the sun was going down, they came to the hill of Ammah, which is in front of Giah by the way of the wilderness of Gibeon.
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Then Abnercalled to Joab and said, "Shall the sworddevourforever? Do you not know that it will be bitter in the end? Howlong* will you refrain from telling the people to turnback from following their brothers?"