Now please, may my lord the king hear the words of his servant: If the LORD has stirred you up against me, then may He accept an offering. But if men have done it, may they be cursed in the presence of the LORD! For today they have driven me away from sharing in the inheritance of the LORD, saying, ‘Go, serve other gods.’

“Here is the king’s spear,” David answered. “Let one of the young men come over and get it.

“Will you lead me to these raiders?” David asked. And the man replied, “Swear to me by God that you will not kill me or deliver me into the hand of my master, and I will lead you to them.”

And Nathan replied to the king, “Go and do all that is in your heart, for the LORD is with you.”

So the king set out with all the people following him. He stopped at the last house,

In fact, you arrived only yesterday; should I make you wander around with us today while I do not know where I am going? Go back and take your brothers with you. May the LORD show you loving devotion and faithfulness.”

Then Ahimaaz called out to the king, “All is well!” And he bowed facedown before the king. He continued, “Blessed be the LORD your God! He has delivered up the men who raised their hands against my lord the king.”

God is my strong fortress and He makes my way clear.

So David went up at the word of Gad, just as the LORD had commanded.

Has my lord the king let this happen without informing your servant who should sit on the throne after my lord the king?”

During the night this woman’s son died because she rolled over on him.

“Which way did he go?” their father asked. And his sons showed him the way taken by the man of God, who had come from Judah.