Davidsaidto allthe assemblyof Israel,"Ifit seems goodto you, and if it is from the LORDour God,let us sendeverywhereto our kinsmenwho remainin allthe landof Israel,also to the priestsand Leviteswho are with them in their citieswith pasturelands,that they may meetwith us;
Then they spoketo him, saying,"Ifyou will be a servantto thispeopletoday,and will servethem and grantthem their petition,and speakgoodwordsto them, then they will be your servantsforever."
but KingJoramhad returnedto Jezreelto be healedof the woundswhichthe Arameanshad inflictedon him when he foughtwith Hazaelkingof Aram.So Jehusaid,"Ifthis is your mind,[then] let nooneescape[or] leavethe cityto gotell[it] in Jezreel."
When allthe menof Israelwhowere in the valleysawthat they had fled,and that Sauland his sonswere dead,they forsooktheir citiesand fled;and the Philistinescameand livedin them.
Then Davidconsultedwith the captainsof the thousandsand the hundreds,even with everyleader.
and let us bringbackthe arkof our Godto us, for we did not seekit in the daysof Saul."
"Ifyou dothisthingand God[so] commandsyou, then you will be ableto endure,and allthesepeoplealsowill goto their placein peace."
Withoutconsultation,plansare frustrated,But with manycounselorsthey succeed.
Perhapsthe LORDyour Godwill hearthe wordsof Rabshakeh,whomhis masterthe kingof Assyriahas sentto reproachthe livingGod,and will rebukethe wordswhichthe LORDyour Godhas heard.Therefore, offera prayerfor the remnantthat is left.'"
Now the Philistineswere fightingagainst Israel,and the menof Israelfledfrom beforethe Philistinesand fellslainon MountGilboa.
