In the meantime Absalom had fled. Just then the soldier on sentry duty saw a large crowd coming down the hill on the road from Horonaim. He went to the king and reported what he had seen.

David was sitting in the space between the inner and outer gates of the city. The lookout went up to the top of the wall and stood on the roof of the gateway; he looked out and saw a man running alone.

Then the Lord said to me, "Go and post a sentry, and tell him to report what he sees.

The sentry calls out, "Sir, I have been standing guard at my post day and night."

He says, "All the leaders, who are supposed to warn my people, are blind! They know nothing. They are like watch dogs that don't bark---they only lie around and dream. How they love to sleep!

On your walls, Jerusalem, I have placed sentries; They must never be silent day or night. They must remind the LORD of his promises And never let him forget them.

"Mortal man," he said, "tell your people what happens when I bring war to a land. The people of that country choose one of their number to be a lookout.

If someone hears it but pays no attention and the enemy comes and kills him, then he is to blame for his own death.

If, however, the lookout sees the enemy coming and does not sound the alarm, the enemy will come and kill those sinners, but I will hold the lookout responsible for their death.

If I announce that an evil person is going to die but you do not warn him to change his ways so that he can save his life, then he will die, still a sinner, and I will hold you responsible for his death.

So I solemnly declare to you this very day: if any of you should be lost, I am not responsible.

So keep watch over yourselves and over all the flock which the Holy Spirit has placed in your care. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he made his own through the blood of his Son.

The time will come when some men from your own group will tell lies to lead the believers away after them.

They chose some men, and the king sent them in two chariots with instructions to go and find out what had happened to the Syrian army.

Another messenger was sent out, who asked Jehu the same question. Again Jehu answered, "That's none of your business! Fall in behind me."

Samuel did what the LORD told him to do and went to Bethlehem, where the city leaders came trembling to meet him and asked, "Is this a peaceful visit, seer?"

David left the food with the officer in charge of the supplies, ran to the battle line, went to his brothers, and asked how they were getting along.

He answered, "You know that I should have become king and that everyone in Israel expected it. But it happened differently, and my brother became king because it was the LORD's will.

Whenever you go into a house, first say, 'Peace be with this house.'

If someone who is peace-loving lives there, let your greeting of peace remain on that person; if not, take back your greeting of peace.