The incident appeared to pass quietly but, two years later, Tamar's brother, Absalom, invited Amnon to a sheep shearing and had him murdered in revenge for the rape of Tamar. The situation then got complicated and I had angels all over the place trying to calm things down. The other sons of David at the shearing fled to the hills, and a rumour reached David that Absalom had murdered them also. However, Amnon's friend, Jonadab, told the king what had really happened, and meanwhile my angels had persuaded the sons to return. At this, Absalom fled to the neighbouring state of Geshur. This was a situation which taxed King David severely. The law demanded that Absalom should be brought to trial and, because he was guilty, he should be put to death. David, as king, was responsible for carrying this out. However, as Absalom's father he had not the heart to do it. He would regret his soft heartedness.

Three years later, Joab, David's army captain, plotted the return of Absalom, using a woman who spun a long story about one of her sons killing the other, and appealing for mercy for the killer. David eventually saw through the subterfuge and realised that Joab was behind it. However, he allowed Absalom to return on the basis that he had no contact with the king, a rule calculated to indicate that Absalom was no longer a royal personage. After two years of virtual house-arrest, Absalom sent a request to see Joab, intending to get him to make peace for him with his father. Joab refused to come but Absalom had one of Joab's fields of barley burnt to force his attendance. This time Joab came and then negotiated Absalom's peace with David, who kissed his son.

David obviously thought the affair was over in spite of Gabriel trying to tell him to beware. Absalom, however, had a bigger target. He was a tall, very handsome man and he set out to make himself a favourite of the people. When he thought he was ready he asked permission of the king to go and worship at Hebron, saying he had previously made a vow to do so. The unsuspecting David allowed it. At Hebron, Absalom declared himself king, and when the news came to David he was so shocked that he fled Jerusalem. Absalom gave chase, but a friend of David's, called Hushai, delayed the chase by suggesting that David's army of seasoned warriors were too strong for Absalom and that the whole Israelite army should be raised. This gave time for Hushai to warn David to get out of Israel, and to prepare for battle. The battle took place in the forest of Ephraim, east of the river Jordan - and David won. Absalom's end was rather comical. He was riding his mule through the forest when his head got caught up by a branch, and the mule carried on leaving him hanging helplessly. One of David's men reported this to Joab who then went and killed Absalom.

David returned to Jerusalem, but his manner of so doing caused friction between the northern 10 tribes and the southern tribe of Judah. The result was that a man called Sheba, from the (northern) tribe of Benjamin, set himself up as king of the 10 tribes. David sent his army after Sheba, who took refuge in the fortified city of Abel Beth Macaah. David's army laid siege to the city. In all this, no one had been taking any notice of the will of the Almighty in spite of many attempts by Gabriel's angels to get some sense into everyone concerned. However, at this point Gabriel managed to get through to a prophetess who lived in the city and give her some words of wisdom. She came out of the besieged city and asked the reason for the siege. On hearing why, she went back and persuaded the citizens to kill Sheba and throw his head over the wall to prove they had done so. At this Joab withdrew his forces and left the city at peace.

There followed three years of famine, and David prayed to ask the Almighty why. The reply was that Israel had brought it on themselves by slaughtering the Gibeonites during the reign of King Saul. These people were remnants of the Amorites who had made a peace-treaty with Israel many years before, and Saul's action had broken this treaty. David negotiated with the remaining Gibeonites who said they would be satisfied if seven descendants of Saul were handed over to them to be put to death. This was done and the famine ceased.

By this time, David was beginning to show signs of age and wear, so when the Philistines attacked Israel and he led out the army in defence, he grew weary and could have been killed. This prompted his soldiers to demand that he did not lead the army in future, but stayed in the safety of Jerusalem. There were several more battles with the Philistines, in all of which I contrived to ensure that the Israelites won.

David was not allowed to live out his life in peace. Even as he grew so old that he rarely ventured outside the palace, another of his sons, Adonijah, was plotting to seize the throne. David had nominated Solomon, the son of Bathsheba, as his heir but Adonijah got Joab, the army captain, and Abiathar, one of the chief priests, to support him and proclaimed himself as king. Nathan, the prophet, discovered the rebellion and told Bathsheba who then told David. David called Nathan to get the truth and to hear through him from the Almighty. Then he called Zadok, the high priest, and others of his supporters. He instructed them to organise a great parade through Jerusalem with Solomon riding David's own mule - and to crown him as king. This parade made so much noise that Adonijah's supporters, who were having a celebratory dinner party, realised they were in the wrong place and abandoned Adonijah. Solomon pardoned Adonijah provided he remained faithful.

Shortly after this David knew he was dying and he gave final instructions to Solomon before he finally closed his eyes and gave his spirit back to the Almighty.

Thus, after 40 years, ended the reign of the greatest, yet perhaps the most enigmatic, king of Israel. He was a man after the Almighty's own heart in many ways, yet prone to human failings. His greatest virtue was his willingness to repent when his wrong-doings became apparent to him, and for this the Almighty forgave him much. He has become an example in this for all frail human beings.