April 29: 2 Samuel 17:15–29; Psalm 3; Psalm 63; 2 Samuel 18:1 – 2 Samuel 19:30

Hushai Saves David – 2 Samuel 17:15–29

• Hushai tells Zadok and Abiathar the priests to find David and tell him to cross the Jordan into the wilderness or else he and his army will perish. David and all his people do as directed, and Ahithophel, realizing his advice had not been followed, went home and hung himself.
• David arrives in Mahanaim, and Absalom's army sets up camp in Gilead. David is met by Shobi and Makir, who provide food for him and his men.

Save Me, O My God – Psalm 3

• David counts his foes, but realizes that the Lord is a shield around him. He pleads with God to save him.

My Soul Thirsts for You – Psalm 63

• David seeks God in his time of trouble but also claims his confidence in God's protection.

Absalom Killed – 2 Samuel 18

• David musters the men with him and sends them out under the command of Joab, Abishai, and Ittai the Gittite. David intends to go with them, but they refuse. David tells the commanders to deal gently with Absalom for his sake.
• In the forests of Ephraim, the men of Israel are defeated by David's army, with a loss of 20,000 men. Absalom is riding his mule beneath the branches of an oak, and his head becomes stuck in the branches, suspending him over his donkey. Joab learns of this and takes three javelins into Absalom's heart.
• Joab blows the trumpet, and the men of David fall back. Joab throws Absalom into a pit in the forest and throws stones over top of him. All of Israel flees to their homes.

David Hears of Absalom's Death

• At Joab's agreement, Ahimaaz, the son of Zadok, carries the news of their delivery from the men of Israel. 

David's Grief

• While Ahimaaz is with David, the Cushite arrives with the news of Absalom's death. David retires to his chamber to mourn his son, saying that he would have died for him. 

Joab Rebukes David – 2 Samuel 19

• Joab learns that David is mourning Absalom, and he rebukes David, telling him that if Absalom was alive and all of David's men were dead, he would be pleased. He tells David that if he does not go out and treat his men kindly, none of them will stay with him. David does as instructed.

David Returns to Jerusalem

• The men of Israel decide to invite David to be their king again.
• David returns to Jerusalem with escorts by the men of Israel.

David Pardons His Enemies 

• Shimei and Ziba fall before David to beg his forgiveness, and Abishai asks if they should be put to death for cursing the Lord's anointed. David declares that they should not die. David also pardons Mephibosheth, who claims his servant Ziba lied to David by saying that Mephibosheth chose to stay in Jerusalem (Ziba took his donkey so he had no way to travel).

April 27: 2 Samuel 12:26–31; 1 Chronicles 20:2–3; 2 Samuel 13:1 – 2 Samuel 14:33

Rabbah is Captured – 2 Samuel 12:26–31 & 1 Chronicles 20:2–3

• Joab fights against the Ammonites at Rabbah, taking the royal city, and sends word to David. David brings all of Israel, and they take all of Rabbah. The king's crown is given to David, and all the people are made servants to Israel.

Amnon and Tamar – 2 Samuel 13

• Absalom, David's son, has a beautiful sister named Tamar. Amnon, another of David's sons, loves her, and is miserable because of it. When Amnon's cousin Jonadab questions him why, he admits that he loves Tamar. The friend instructs him to feign illness and ask his father to have Tamar come to him and make him cakes. Amnon does as his friend suggests.
• David sends Tamar to Amnon's house, and she makes the cakes, but he refuses to eat. He has everyone else sent away and calls Tamar into his chamber. When she comes in, he tells her to lie with him, but she tells him not to do such an outrageous thing. He doesn't listen, and being stronger than she, he violates her.
• Then Amnon hates her and sends her away even though she begs him not to. Amnon has his servant put her out of the house, and she puts ashes on her head and tears her virgin's robe. When Absalom sees her, he realizes what has happened and tells her not to take it to heart. Tamar lives, a desolate woman, in Absalom's house.
• David is very angry, and Absalom hates Amnon for what he did.

Absalom Murders Amnon

• Two years later, Absalom has sheepshearers near Ephraim, and invites all the king's sons. Absalom convinces David to allow Amnon to go with him (David would not allow all of them to go), and Absalom then instructs his servants that once Amnon is drunk, they are to kill him. The servants do as instructed.
• Word comes to David that all his sons are dead, and he tears his garments and lies on the ground. David's nephew Jonadab tells him that only Amnon is dead and that Absalom had determined to do this from the time Amnon violated Tamar.

Absalom Flees to Geshur

• Absalom flees to Talmai (his maternal grandfather) King of Geshur and stays there for three years. David's spirit longs to go to Absalom.

Absalom Returns to Jerusalem – 2 Samuel 14

• Joab sends a woman to David with another story (much like Nathan told a story to David). She appeals to David to set aside the usual laws regarding murder due to extenuating circumstances. David questions if Joab is behind this woman's story, and she admits that Joab did this in order to change the course of things.
• David instructs Joab to bring Absalom back to Jerusalem, which he does. David determines that Absalom will live in his own house and not come into his presence.
• Absalom is very handsome, and he has three sons and a daughter (named Tamar, and she is also beautiful).
• Absalom lives in Jerusalem for two years without coming into the king's presence. He summons Joab twice, but he doesn't come. Absalom then has his servants set fire to Joab's field, and Joab comes to him to question him why he did that. Absalom tells him it is because he didn't come when he sent for him, then questions him why he has been summoned to Jerusalem because it would be better for him to still be in Geshur. He tells Joab that he either wants to go into the presence of the king or be put to death. 
• Joab goes to the king with his request, and David summons Absalom. Absalom bows before David, and David kisses him.

April 21: 2 Samuel 3:6 – 2 Samuel 4:3; 2 Samuel 4:5–12

Abner Joins David – 2 Samuel 3

• Abner becomes a strong leader of Saul's army. Ish-bosheth, Saul's son, accuses Abner of going in to one of his father's concubines, and Abner becomes angry. He threatens to join David, and then sends a messenger to David to make a pact with him. David agrees, if Abner will bring Michal, Saul's daughter, with him. David then sends a message to Ish-bosheth to send him Michal, since David has bought her with the lives of one hundred Philistines. Ish-bosheth does as instructed.
• Abner consults with the elders of Israel, and the people of Israel and the people of Benjamin agree to support David. They have a feast with David.

Joab Murders Abner 

• After David sends Abner away to gain more support for him, Joab returns and asks David why he let Abner go away, since he had been there to spy on David. Joab sends messengers to bring Abner back, and when Abner returns, Joab takes him aside and stabs him in the stomach for killing his brother Asahel.
• David vows he and his kingdom are guiltless in Abner's death and that Joab and his family are the guilty ones.

David Mourns Abner

• David tells all his people to tear their clothes and mourn Abner. All the people mourn his death, understanding that David had nothing to do with it.

Ish-bosheth Murdered – 2 Samuel 4:1–3, 5–12

• When Ish-bosheth learns that Abner is dead, his courage fails and all Israel is dismayed. Two of Saul's captains, Rechab and Baanah, find Ish-bosheth while he is taking his noonday rest and stab him in the stomach and then behead him. They take his head to David.
• David is angry that they have killed a righteous man while he was sleeping, and he has his men kill them, cut off their hands and feet, and hang them beside the pool at Hebron. They then bury the head of Ish-bosheth in the tomb of Abner in Hebron.

April 20: 2 Samuel 2:1 – 2 Samuel 3:5; 1 Chronicles 3:1–4; 2 Samuel 23:8–17; 1 Chronicles 11:10–19; 2 Samuel 23:18–39; 1 Chronicles 11:20–47

David Anointed King of Judah – 2 Samuel 2

• God sends David to Hebron, where he is anointed king over the house of Judah. The people there tell David that the men of Jabesh-gilead buried Saul, David blesses them and tells them he will do good to them.

Ish-boshesh Made King of Israel

• Abner, the commander of Saul's army, takes Ish-bosheth (age 40) to Mahanaim and makes him king over all Israel. He reigns for two years, but the house of Judah follows David (David reigns for seven years and six months).

The Battle of Gibeon

• Abner leads Ish-bosheth's troops to Gibeon, and Joab leads David's troops to the pool of Gibeon (the two armies are across the pools from each other). Abner suggests to Joab that some of the warriors should battle. Twelve are chosen from each side, and all are killed. The next day, the armies of David and Ish-bosheth battle, and David's army is defeated.
• Asahel, one of David's warriors, chases down Abner, and Abner kills him with the butt end of his spear through Asahel's stomach. Asahel's brothers Joab and Abishai go after Abner, and Abner calls out to them, asking why they must fight, because only bitterness results. Joab blows his ram's horn, and David's men retreat. Joab and his men take Asahel's body to Bethlehem for burial. 
• A long war between those loyal to David and those loyal to Saul. As time passes, David's army gets stronger and Saul's gets weaker.

Sons Born to David at Hebron – 2 Samuel 3:2–5 & 1 Chronicles 3:1–4

• David has six sons born to him in Hebron: Amnon, Daniel, Absalom, Adonijah, and Shephatiah, Ithream. 

David's Mighty Men – 2 Samuel 23: 8–17 & 1 Chronicles 11:10–19; 2 Samuel 23:18–39 & 1 Chronicles 11:20–47

• David's three mightiest men are described: Jashobeam the Hacmonite, Eleazar, and Shammah.
• David's thirty-four mighty men are described, including Uriah the Hittite.