Chapters of the Bible

The Ammonites insult David's envoys, leading to war. David defeats the Ammonites and the Arameans (Syrians), further expanding and securing the borders of his kingdom.

While his army is at war, David commits adultery with Bathsheba and then arranges the death of her husband, Uriah the Hittite, on the battlefield to conceal his sin.

The prophet Nathan confronts David with a parable about a rich man stealing a poor man's lamb, forcing David to admit, "I have sinned against the Lord." Nathan announces the judgment: the child will die.

David's son Amnon rapes his half-sister Tamar. Tamar's full brother, Absalom, harbors bitterness for two years before treacherously murdering Amnon in revenge.

Joab uses a clever woman to trick David into allowing the exiled Absalom to return to Jerusalem, though Absalom is forbidden to see the king's face for two years.

Absalom cultivates popular support and then leads a rebellion against his father, David. David is forced to flee Jerusalem, weeping as he crosses the Kidron Valley.

David is betrayed by Ziba, Mephibosheth's servant. Shimei, a relative of Saul, curses David. Absalom publicly sleeps with David's concubines, cementing his claim to the throne.

Ahithophel advises Absalom to pursue David immediately, but Hushai, David’s loyal spy, convinces Absalom to delay the attack, giving David time to escape and rally his forces.

David's army defeats Absalom's forces in the Forest of Ephraim. Absalom is found hanging by his hair in an oak tree and is killed by Joab and his men, despite David's orders to spare him.

David publicly mourns Absalom, causing the army to feel ashamed of the victory. David reconciles with the tribes of Judah and Benjamin and returns to Jerusalem as king.

A brief rebellion is led by a man named Sheba. David's men pursue him. Joab treacherously murders the new general, Amasa, and then captures and kills Sheba, restoring peace to the kingdom.

A famine strikes Israel due to Saul's previous execution of the Gibeonites. David makes peace with the Gibeonites. The Philistines wage war again, and David’s mighty men defeat the giants.