David was anointed king over all Israel. And after defeating Saul, The Philistines came up to battle against Israel twice, and were defeated twice by David and his army.

After word of Abenner's death spread, Jebothse' men snuck in and beheaded him while he slept and brought his head to David seeking a reward. He killed them and placed their hands and feet as a warning to others not to touch the house of Saul.

Jobosthe, son of Saul offends Abenner causing him to decided to make a covenant with David to give Israel over to him to reign over it. David and Abenner agree to terms and Joab learns of it afterwards. Because Abenner slew his brother Joab imagines that Abenner has mischief planned for the king and secretly meets with Abenner and slays him. David then causes all Israel to mourn for Israel and gives him a proper burial. And David washes his hands of Abenner's blood and curses Joab's family line.

Saul's commander Abenner wars with David's commander, Joab. And after a sound defeat, turns and leaves, but is pursued by Asael. He warns him to back off, and when Asael refuses, Abenner slays him. Joab and his men pursue and the fighting continues until Abenner warns Joab that if they don't stop soon, this civil war will be perpetual. And so they depart and go separate ways.

In this chapter David learns from an Amelekite that Saul and Jonathan are dead. The man claims he slew Saul at his request and so David kills him for touching the Lord's anointed. And then he takes up a lamentation which is recorded in the book of the Right (AKA: The book of the Just and AKA The book of Jasher).

When David and his return to Ziklag they discover their homes were burned and their families carried away captive with their possessions. They weep until they run out of strength and then David enquires of the Lord and God tells him to pursue. And they recover all that was taken in addition to plunder from other cities.

The lords of the Philistines command Anchus, grandson of the king of Geth, to send David away before the battle with Israel. He objects, but complies. And David objects, but complies.

The Philistines array themselves in battle against Israel and Saul, having been cut off from the Lord, appeals to the witch of Endor to raise Samuel from the dead that he might get counsel. Samuel tells Saul that the end of his kingdom and his life is upon him and his sons. They will die in battle against the Philistines. And Saul turns pale.

David decided to dwell among the Philistines to put an end to running from Saul. And under Anchus, the grandson of the king of Geth, David plundered and slaughtered towns down to the last man and women to avoid the rumor circulating that David served the Philistines. Anchus gave David Ziklag as a dwelling place.