Nathan the prophet warned Bathsheeba that Adonias was trying to steal the throne. And they both spoke to king David, who that same day had Solomon anointed as king as he had promised.

God became angry when David obeyed the suggestion of Satan that David number the fighting men of Israel. David then asked to be cleansed of his guilt and God gave him three options: 3 years of famine, three months of being pursued by his enemies, or 3 days of mortality. David chose the mortality and God sent a destroying angel. God then repented about the time David begged God to visit himself and his family instead of the innocent people of Israel. And God commanded David to build an altar to the Lord in the place where he commanded the destroying angel to stop.

This chapter details the name of David's thirty-seven mighty men noting many of their accomplishments.

After defeating Goliath's brothers in battle, and being saved by one of his men. David pours out his heart to God in these early Psalm drafts in this chapter.

To quench a famine sent by the Lord, David is forced to ask the Gibeonites what atonement Israel can make for Saul's attack on them in violation of their peace treaty. They demand seven of Saul's male descendent's to cut off his name and David agrees. Later, David collects the bones of Saul and Jonathan and he and his men are pursued by the sons of Rapha: Goliath and his brothers. In this Scripture, it says Eleanan son of Ariorgim the Bethleemite slew Goliath the Gittite. And this is true of the other Bible translations as well. It would seem that scholars debate whether David slew Goliath or Eleanan did.

David becomes concerned about a subsequent uprising after Abessalom at the hands of Sabee the Benjamite. He declares Amesai is his new captain of the host and sends him after Sabee with the army. Joab slays Amesai retaking command and pursues Sabee to Abel where they build a mound and plan to tear down the cities wall. A wise woman asks what they want and later that day Sabee's head is thrown over the wall and the army departs in peace.

After defeating Absalom, the king crosses the river Jordan on his way to Jerusalem prompting the question, will David remain king over Israel and Juda? Israel objects when Juda conducts David over the Jordan without first seeking Israel's counsel or allowing them to participate.

Absalom gets his head wedged between the limbs of an oak while riding his ass and a messenger brings word to Joab who slays him for betraying his father the king. David weeps when he hears the news.

Chusi disconcerts the counsel of Achitophel who anxiously sought to pursue David to take his life and deliver the kingdom to Abessalom. The sons of Sadoc the priest bring word to David concerning the counsel of both Achitophel and Chusi warning David to cross the Jordan soon. And more men bring David supplies.

Chusi comes to Absalom to disrupt the counsel of Achitophel as David requested. Achitophel counsels Absalom to sleep with his father's concubines in the sight of all Israel in order to disgrace David and strengthen his rebellion.