Let the Prophets Speak

David is stirred into action by BatSheva and Nathan and he appoints Solomon as his successor.

David is withdrawn, elderly and depressed, and cannot muster the strength to appoint a successor. His spoiled and arrogant son Adoniyahu takes matters into his own hands and declares himself the next king. The prophet Nathan and BatSheba must act quick to ensure that Solomon will take the throne.

David counts the people in a census and learns an important and humbling lesson about the nature of leadership. He then purchases and establishes the site of the future Temple in Jerusalem.

David sings another song about his being chosen as leader. We list the heroic soldiers who supported David's rise to leadership and some of their exploits in battle.

David sings praise to God as the leader of the people, thanking God for saving the nation. God who saves the humble and righteous, not the arrogant and crooked.

David sings to God and praises Him for his personal salvation.

David sings to God upon his liberation from his enemies.

We read of four curious battles during David's reign in which four giants were killed.

There is a hunger in the land, and David allows the Givonites to settle an old score with Saul's family to end the hunger.

Yo'av and his troops attack the town of Aveilah and are on the verge of tearing down its' defenses. A wise woman understands that she must do something to save the town. She strikes a deal with Yo'av to hand him the man he is looking for, Sheva ben Bichri, thus averting a disaster.

Yo'av leads the Army on a chase throughout Israel to find the rebel Sheva ben Bichri. On the chase he encounters Amasa and assassinates him.

David takes a path of reconciliation and generosity towards his previous detractors, in an attempt to reunite the kindgom. However, the forces of jealousy and inter tribal squabbling lay the seeds for more rebellion.

David mourns the loss of his son, but the hard work of reassembling his kingdom after the rebellion is crushed begins.

Achima'atz and a Cushite soldier bring the news of Avshalom's death and the army's victory to David.

David's army wins decisively in battle, and despite David's explicit instructions, Yoav and his men kill Avshalom.

Avshalom follows Chushai's advice and he musters a large Army, which gives David and his men time to regroup in Machanayim.

Achitofel and Chushai give Avshalom conflicting advice on how to defeat David and his supporters.

David old enemies come back to haunt him while he runs from Jerusalem. He encounters two people who bring back memories from the days of Saul. We then read of Achitofel's horrific advice to Avshalom regarding David's concubines.

David's Gittite followers remain loyal to him and the refugees continue their flight into he desert. But not before David sets up his spy network in Jerusalem.

Avshalom gathers his support and travels to Hebron to begin his rebellion against David.

David is convinced to bring Avshalom back to Jerusalem, but he is still stuck in his inability to bring about any justice or reconciliation.

Yoav sends a woman from Tekoa to tell David a story to get across a special message.

Avshalom has his brother executed at a party in front of the entire royal family. David is led to believe that Avshalom is attempting a coup and that he killed the entire family, only to find out that it was just revenge against Amnon for his terrible deed. Avshalom runs away, and David deeply mourns the separation from his son.

The household of David continues to unravel with the terrible episode of the Sexual assault and rape of Tamar by her brother Amnon.

In contrast to Saul, when David is confronted by the prophet he takes responsibility for what he had done. The son born to Bat-Sheva is afflicted and dies, as Nathan's prophecies begin to be fulfilled. David completes the conquest of Ammon.