Absalom had fled and gone to Geshur where he stayed three years.

The LORD said to Samuel, "How long are you going to mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and go. I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem because I have selected a king from his sons."

So Samuel took the horn of oil, anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and the Spirit of the LORD took control of David from that day forward. Then Samuel set out and went to Ramah.

Then he went to the king and said, "Your servant has just hired sheepshearers. Will the king and his servants please come with your servant?"

"If not," Absalom said, "please let my brother Amnon go with us." The king asked him, "Why should he go with you?"

Samuel asked, "How can I go? Saul will hear [about it] and kill me!" The LORD answered, "Take a young cow with you and say, 'I have come to sacrifice to the LORD.'

The sacrifice of a wicked person is detestable-- how much more so when he brings it with ulterior motives!

You fast [with] contention and strife to strike viciously with [your] fist. You cannot fast as [you do] today, [hoping] to make your voice heard on high.

He sent them to Bethlehem and said, "Go and search carefully for the child. When you find Him, report back to me so that I too can go and worship Him."

[["Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You devour widows' houses and make long prayers just for show. This is why you will receive a harsher punishment.]]