Abner said to Joab, "Let's have some of the young men from each side fight an armed contest." "All right," Joab answered.

The next day he saw two Israelites fighting, and he tried to make peace between them. 'Listen, men,' he said, 'you are fellow Israelites; why are you fighting like this?'

David said to the messenger, "Encourage Joab and tell him not to be upset, since you never can tell who will die in battle. Tell him to launch a stronger attack on the city and capture it."

But if you defy me, you are doomed to die. I, the LORD, have spoken."

I punished you, but it did no good; you would not let me correct you. Like a raging lion, you have murdered your prophets.

Across all the desert highlands people have come to plunder. I have sent war to destroy the entire land; no one can live in peace.

This is the day of the Sovereign LORD Almighty: today he will take revenge; today he will punish his enemies. His sword will eat them until it is full, and drink their blood until it is satisfied. Today the Almighty sacrifices his victims in the north, by the Euphrates.

"Proclaim it in the towns of Egypt, in Migdol, Memphis, and Tahpanhes: 'Get ready to defend yourselves; all you have will be destroyed in war!

War will sweep through their cities and break down the city gates. It will destroy my people because they do what they themselves think best.

Each man caught his opponent by the head and plunged his sword into his opponent's side, so that all twenty-four of them fell down dead together. And so that place in Gibeon is called "Field of Swords."

The start of an argument is like the first break in a dam; stop it before it goes any further.

(SEE 18:1)

(SEE 19:1)

How long will you people insult me? How long will you love what is worthless and go after what is false?

How long must I see the battle raging and hear the blasts of trumpets?