(1056 B.C.?) Three days after David's recent Amalekite battle, young Amalekite comes to David in Ziklag with news of Saul and Jonathan's death and Israelite defeat by Philistines. Gives testimony of his involvement, at Saul's request, and Saul's crown and bracelet. (Lie? See I Sam.31:4.) David and men mourn. After rebuking young Amalekite, orders his execution. David's lamentation of Saul and Jonathan. Testimonial to Jonathan and David's love.

After consulting God, David goes to Hebron. Anointed king of Judah. Messengers sent to bless men of Jabesh-gilead for their valiant deed for Saul and sons' burial. Abner, captain of Saul's host, crowns Saul's surviving son, Ishbosheth, king of Israel in Mahanaim. (40 years old, and reigns 2 yrs.) Poolside massacre of Abner and Joab's men. (24 total, began as a contest.) War ensued. Abner and Israel defeated. Joab's brother, Asahel, pursues Abner on foot. Abner turns to warn away. Asahel refuses and is slain. Benjaminites align with Abner. Abner pleads with Joab for peace. Truce. Abner and men march all night to Mahanaim. Casualties of battle counted. Asahel buried in Bethlehem. Joab returns to David.

(1053 B.C.?) Extended war between house of Saul and David. David grows stronger. (6 sons and 6 wives now. Absalom introduced.) Schism develops between Abner and Ishbosheth over concubine of Saul. Abner aligns with David. Approaches David with plan for uniting Israel with Judah. (United kingdom) David first requests he bring his wife Michal who was given to another by Saul. So done. David and Abner's plan for United Kingdom. Ceremonial feast. Abner departs peacefully. Joab and David's servants arrive and question David about conference with Abner. Distrusting Abner, sends messenger to recall him. Interrogates and slays him at city gate in revenge for brother Asahel. David angered. Mourns Abner. Abner buried in Hebron. Condemns Joab's despicable act.

(1048 B.C.?) Ishbosheth fearful after receiving news of Abner's death. Betrayed and slain by two captains of his own army, Baanah and Rechab, sons of Rimmon. Heads brought to David. David angered, recalling the Amalekite slain at Saul's death, has them executed. Head of Ishbosheth buried in Abner's sepulcher in Hebron.

Israel, now leaderless, comes to David. Kingdom united. David anointed 2nd king of Israel in Hebron. Reigns there 7 1/2 years. (33 years in Jerusalem) David claims Jerusalem for Capital of kingdom. Defeated and expelled Jebusites. Rebuilds city. King Hiram of Tyre sends gifts and cedar for building house of David. David takes additional wives and concubines. More sons and daughters born. (Solomon introduced.) Philistines advance to Valley of Rephaim. David inquires of God and goes out to victory. Philistines rise up again. Again David victorious with God's assistance.

(1042 B.C.?) All David's men gather, now 30,000 strong. Summons Ark of God to Jerusalem. Ark brought up from house of Abinadab. ( I Sam.7:1) David rejoices. Uzzah, driver of cart, smote by God for touching ark when it almost fell. David upset, sends Ark to priest's house for keeping (Obededom). Ark remains there three months, and Obededom's house much blessed. David delighted, now sends for ark. Ark brought to Jerusalem. David dances in the street while wife, Michal, secretly observes, despising his actions. Ark brought into Tabernacle (tent) David had built. Offerings and food provided for all. Returns to house. Michal rebukes him. David rebuffs her. Michal remains childless by David. (No further conjugal visits?)

David consults prophet Nathan concerning Temple for God. Nathan agrees, but God further adds that house is to be built by son who would be a man of peace, unlike David, a man of war. God's promises to David through Nathan for posterity. Eternal mercy and blessings. David's thanksgiving to God.

(1040 B.C.?) David's conquests: Philistia, Moab, Ammon, Zobah, Syria. Garrisons and various vassals established. David receives new reputation as leader and king. Garrisons in Edom. Establishes government. Executes justice through various offices of government; Joab over host; Jehoshaphat, recorder; Zadok and Ahimelech, priests; Seraiah, scribe; Benaiah over Cherethites and Pelethites (loyal Philistines); David's sons, chief rulers.

David's compassion for Saul's survivor, Jonathan's lame son, Mephibosheth, and his family. Saul's servant, Ziba, and his sons and servants, to minister to Mephibosheth. Mephibosheth provided for at David's table in Jerusalem the remainder of his days.

(1037 B.C.?) King of Ammon dies. Son, Hanun, rules in his stead. David, appreciative for his past treatment, sends condolences. Messengers ill-treated. David defeats Ammonites and Syrians. Syrians flee. Hadarezer of Syria musters against David at Helam. Fled before Israel. Sues for peace and serves David. Syrians refuse further assistance to Ammon.

(1035 B.C.?) Time of kings going forth to battle. Ammonites destroyed. City of Rabbah besieged. David remains in Jerusalem. Sins with Bathsheba, wife of Joab's guard, Uriah. She conceives and informs David. David's plot to conceal sin. Uriah summoned, but refuses to go in to wife. (Loyal to men in battle.) Returned to battle with sealed letter from David to Joab for his planned death. Uriah is slain in close encounter with enemy at city gate. David informed. Rabbah eventually overthrown. Bathsheba mourns husband's death. David marries Bathsheba. God is displeased at David's sins and cover-up.

(1034 B.C.?) Nathan, the prophet, sent by God to David. David condemns himself unknowingly through Nathan's parable. Repents. God reveals His care for David and willingness to supply his desires had he asked. Now displeased, pronounces his punishment. David confesses and is forgiven and spared, but with serious consequences. So informed by Nathan. Son born to Bathsheba, stricken by God and dies. David fasts and worships during child's final seven days. Unexpectedly ends mourning at child's death. Comforts wife. Solomon born. (Loved by God. Called Jedidiah by Nathan.) Joab summons David for credit at final fall of Rabbah. Captives compelled to servitude.

(1032 B.C.?) David's son, Amnon, sins with his half-sister, Tamar. Absalom responds to his full sister's plight, giving her refuge in his home. David discovers events, enraged, but does nothing. Two years pass. Absalom plots to kill Amnon, in Baalhazon, during his sheep-shearing season. Amnon slain by Absalom's men. David first informed all sons killed, later learning different. Sons return mourning. Absalom flees to Geshur for three years. David longs for him.

(1027 B.C.?) Joab, loyal to David, plans to retrieve Absalom. Summons wise woman, coaching her for an appeal to David. David orders truth of Joab's plot. Joab sent to retrieve Absalom from Geshur. David refused to see him immediately. Two years pass. Absalom requests Joab to plead his case to David. Refused. Absalom burns Joab's fields. Joab angrily confronts Absalom, finally agreeing to go to David. Absalom restored fully with father.

(1024 B.C.?) Absalom arms himself with men. Requests to rule at gate. Absalom judges Israel, winning their favor and allegiance. Conspires to overthrow David from Hebron. David's counselor, Ahithophel, aligns with Absalom. Conspiracy grows. David informed of Absalom's intent. Flees city with his men, leaving 10 concubines to care for his house. Gittites loyal to David. Crosses Kidron brook toward wilderness. Zadok and all Levites, with the Ark of The Covenant, with David. Zadok and Abiathar return Ark to Jerusalem and remain. David ascends Mt. Olivet humiliated and disguised. (Head covered and barefooted.) Hushai, David's friend and royal advisor, sent to Jerusalem to thwart Absalom's advisor, Ahithophel.

(1023 B.C.?) Ziba, Saul's servant charged with Mephibosheth's care, meets David with gifts, expressing his loyalty and Mephibosheth's disloyalty. David confers to Ziba all that was Mephibosheth's. Shimei, from the house of Saul, meets David at Baharim with cursing and railing. David generously spares him. (What a scene!) Absalom arrives in Jerusalem. Given false allegiance by Hushai. Upon advice of Ahithophel, Absalom sins openly (within tent) before Israel, with father's concubines on David's housetop.

12,000 chosen by Absalom to pursue David. Conflicting advice from Ahithophel and Hushai (as David planned). Hushai's counsel to delay heeded. Messengers sent for David's warning. Absalom discovers plan. Men hid in well. Arrive safely to David. Ahithophel returns home, committing suicide. Absalom pursues David across Jordan. David at Mahanaim. Absalom appoints Amasa of Joab's family as captain. David entreated by Shobi, an Ammonite.

David's battle plans. David requested by people to remain behind. David's love and concern for Absalom expressed to Joab. 20,000 Israelites slain in the woods of Ephraim. Fleeing, Absalom is caught by long hair in oak. Joab pursues and slays him with his men. Absalom buried in a pit. Two runners, Ahimaaz and a Cushite, sent to David with news. David's lamentation of son's death.

David mourns Absalom's death, to the people's neglect, causing them to return from battle dejected rather than victorious in spirit. Joab rebukes David. David goes out to the gate. People come from their tents. All Israel at strife. Judah fearfully hesitant to re-approach David. Meets David at Gilgal. Shimei repents of earlier cursing of David and forgiven. Mephibosheth meets David refuting Ziba's earlier charge of disloyalty. David now divides his assets among the two. Barzillai, a wealthy old Gileadite who cared for David while in Mahanaim, comes to conduct David over Jordan. Pressed by David to continue to Jerusalem, he permits son, Chimham, to complete mission while he returns to live out life in homeland. David continues to Gilgal. Israel's 10 tribes confront Judah's 2 tribes over David's rule.

(1022 B.C.?) Revolt of Sheba, a worthless Benjaminite. Israel abandons David to align with Sheba while Judah remains loyal. David returns to Jerusalem. Sees to 10 concubines. Amasa to assemble men of Judah within three days. Delayed. David sends armies after Sheba. Joab finds Amasa, his kin, and slays him. (Revenge for earlier betrayal.) Sheba overtaken in Abel. Wise woman speaks to Joab from within the city. Abel to be spared if Sheba is sent out. Sheba's head thrown over city's wall by Abel's citizens. Joab withdraws to Jerusalem. Government restored: Joab over host; Benaiah over Cherethites and Pelethites (loyal Philistines); Adoram over tribute; Jehoshaphat, recorder; Sheva, scribe; Zadok and Abiathar, high priests; Ira, the Jairite, chief ruler.

(1021 B.C.?) Three year famine occurs. David seeks God's wisdom. Saul's earlier actions against Gibeonites responsible. David consults Gibeonites for appeasement. Seven of Saul's grandsons requested and hanged. Mephibosheth spared. Famine ends. Saul's concubine greatly mourns her loss. David compassionately sends for Saul and Jonathan's bones from Jabesh-gilead and buried with Kish, his father, in Zelah of the Benjaminites. God now entreated in the land. Philistines again rise up against David. Many battles. Descendants of Goliath slain, one with 24 digits.

(1018 B.C.?) David's Psalm of Thanksgiving.

Last words of David. (The life of a just ruler and the fate of the ungodly.) Tribute to David's mighty men listed by 3s and 30. Total 37.

(1017 B.C.?) Satan moves David to number fighting men of Israel and Judah. God angered at Israel. Joab questions David's actions. Deceives David in numbering, taking nine months to number. Israel = 800,000; Judah = 500,000. David's heart smitten; recognizes sin; repents. Prophet Gad sent to David with choice of three different punishments. David chooses three days pestilence at hand of God rather than seven years famine or three months at hand of enemies. Pestilence sent; 70,000 slain. Angel of death stayed by God at house of Arunah, the Jebusite. Seeing angel, David intercedes for Israel. Buys Arunah's threshing-floor (Mt. Moriah) to offer burnt offering. Altar built and burnt and peace offerings made. God appeased. Plague stayed.