The World English Bible (WEB)

Chapter 37

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1:17 David lamented with this lamentation over Saul and over Jonathan his son 1:18 (and he bade them teach the children of Judah the song of the bow: behold, it is written in the book of Jashar):

1:19 Your glory, Israel, is slain on your high places! How the mighty have fallen! 1:20 Don"t tell it in Gath. Don"t publish it in the streets of Ashkelon, lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice, lest the daughters of the uncirc.u.mcised triumph. 1:21 You mountains of Gilboa, let there be no dew nor rain on you, neither fields of offerings; For there the shield of the mighty was vilely cast away, The shield of Saul was not anointed with oil. 1:22 From the blood of the slain, from the fat of the mighty, Jonathan"s bow didn"t turn back. Saul"s sword didn"t return empty. 1:23 Saul and Jonathan were lovely and pleasant in their lives. In their death, they were not divided. They were swifter than eagles. They were stronger than lions. 1:24 You daughters of Israel, weep over Saul, who clothed you in scarlet delicately, who put ornaments of gold on your clothing. 1:25 How are the mighty fallen in the midst of the battle! Jonathan is slain on your high places. 1:26 I am distressed for you, my brother Jonathan. You have been very pleasant to me. Your love to me was wonderful, pa.s.sing the love of women. 1:27 How are the mighty fallen, and the weapons of war perished! 2:1 It happened after this, that David inquired of Yahweh, saying, Shall I go up into any of the cities of Judah? Yahweh said to him, Go up. David said, Where shall I go up? He said, To Hebron. 2:2 So David went up there, and his two wives also, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite. 2:3 His men who were with him did David bring up, every man with his household: and they lived in the cities of Hebron. 2:4 The men of Judah came, and there they anointed David king over the house of Judah. They told David, saying, The men of Jabesh Gilead were those who buried Saul. 2:5 David sent messengers to the men of Jabesh Gilead, and said to them, Blessed be you of Yahweh, that you have shown this kindness to your lord, even to Saul, and have buried him. 2:6 Now Yahweh show loving kindness and truth to you: and I also will requite you this kindness, because you have done this thing. 2:7 Now therefore let your hands be strong, and be you valiant; for Saul your lord is dead, and also the house of Judah have anointed me king over them. 2:8 Now Abner the son of Ner, captain of Saul"s army, had taken Ishbosheth the son of Saul, and brought him over to Mahanaim; 2:9 and he made him king over Gilead, and over the Ashurites, and over Jezreel, and over Ephraim, and over Benjamin, and over all Israel. 2:10 Ishbosheth, Saul"s son, was forty years old when he began to reign over Israel, and he reigned two years. But the house of Judah followed David. 2:11 The time that David was king in Hebron over the house of Judah was seven years and six months. 2:12 Abner the son of Ner, and the servants of Ishbosheth the son of Saul, went out from Mahanaim to Gibeon. 2:13 Joab the son of Zeruiah, and the servants of David, went out, and met them by the pool of Gibeon; and they sat down, the one on the one side of the pool, and the other on the other side of the pool. 2:14 Abner said to Joab, Please let the young men arise and play before us. Joab said, Let them arise.

2:15 Then they arose and went over by number: twelve for Benjamin, and for Ishbosheth the son of Saul, and twelve of the servants of David.

2:16 They caught everyone his fellow by the head, and thrust his sword in his fellow"s side; so they fell down together: therefore that place was called Helkath Hazzurim, which is in Gibeon. 2:17 The battle was very severe that day: and Abner was beaten, and the men of Israel, before the servants of David. 2:18 The three sons of Zeruiah were there, Joab, and Abishai, and Asahel: and Asahel was as light of foot as a wild gazelle. 2:19 Asahel pursued after Abner; and in going he didn"t turn to the right hand nor to the left from following Abner. 2:20 Then Abner looked behind him, and said, Is it you, Asahel? He answered, It is I.

2:21 Abner said to him, Turn you aside to your right hand or to your left, and lay you hold on one of the young men, and take you his armor.

But Asahel would not turn aside from following him. 2:22 Abner said again to Asahel, Turn you aside from following me: why should I strike you to the ground? how then should I hold up my face to Joab your brother? 2:23 However he refused to turn aside: therefore Abner with the hinder end of the spear struck him in the body, so that the spear came out behind him; and he fell down there, and died in the same place: and it happened, that as many as came to the place where Asahel fell down and died stood still. 2:24 But Joab and Abishai pursued after Abner: and the sun went down when they were come to the hill of Ammah, that lies before Giah by the way of the wilderness of Gibeon. 2:25 The children of Benjamin gathered themselves together after Abner, and became one band, and stood on the top of a hill. 2:26 Then Abner called to Joab, and said, "Shall the sword devour forever? Don"t you know that it will be bitterness in the latter end? How long shall it be then, before you bid the people return from following their brothers?" 2:27 Joab said, As G.o.d lives, if you had not spoken, surely then in the morning the people had gone away, nor followed everyone his brother. 2:28 So Joab blew the trumpet; and all the people stood still, and pursued after Israel no more, neither fought they any more. 2:29 Abner and his men went all that night through the Arabah; and they pa.s.sed over the Jordan, and went through all Bithron, and came to Mahanaim. 2:30 Joab returned from following Abner: and when he had gathered all the people together, there lacked of David"s servants nineteen men and Asahel. 2:31 But the servants of David had struck of Benjamin, and of Abner"s men, so that three hundred sixty men died. 2:32 They took up Asahel, and buried him in the tomb of his father, which was in Bethlehem. Joab and his men went all night, and the day broke on them at Hebron.

3:1 Now there was long war between the house of Saul and the house of David: and David grew stronger and stronger, but the house of Saul grew weaker and weaker. 3:2 To David were sons born in Hebron: and his firstborn was Amnon, of Ahinoam the Jezreelitess; 3:3 and his second, Chileab, of Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite; and the third, Absalom the son of Maacah the daughter of Talmai king of Geshur; 3:4 and the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith; and the fifth, Shephatiah the son of Abital; 3:5 and the sixth, Ithream, of Eglah, David"s wife. These were born to David in Hebron. 3:6 It happened, while there was war between the house of Saul and the house of David, that Abner made himself strong in the house of Saul. 3:7 Now Saul had a concubine, whose name was Rizpah, the daughter of Aiah: and Ishbosheth said to Abner, Why have you gone in to my father"s concubine? 3:8 Then was Abner very angry for the words of Ishbosheth, and said, Am I a dog"s head that belongs to Judah? This day do I show kindness to the house of Saul your father, to his brothers, and to his friends, and have not delivered you into the hand of David; and yet you charge me this day with a fault concerning this woman. 3:9 G.o.d do so to Abner, and more also, if, as Yahweh has sworn to David, I don"t do even so to him; 3:10 to transfer the kingdom from the house of Saul, and to set up the throne of David over Israel and over Judah, from Dan even to Beersheba. 3:11 He could not answer Abner another word, because he feared him. 3:12 Abner sent messengers to David on his behalf, saying, Whose is the land? saying also, Make your league with me, and behold, my hand shall be with you, to bring about all Israel to you. 3:13 He said, Well; I will make a league with you; but one thing I require of you: that is, you shall not see my face, except you first bring Michal, Saul"s daughter, when you come to see my face. 3:14 David sent messengers to Ishbosheth, Saul"s son, saying, Deliver me my wife Michal, whom I pledged to be married to me for one hundred foreskins of the Philistines. 3:15 Ishbosheth sent, and took her from her husband, even from Paltiel the son of Laish. 3:16 Her husband went with her, weeping as he went, and followed her to Bahurim. Then said Abner to him, Go, return: and he returned. 3:17 Abner had communication with the elders of Israel, saying, In times past you sought for David to be king over you: 3:18 now then do it; for Yahweh has spoken of David, saying, By the hand of my servant David I will save my people Israel out of the hand of the Philistines, and out of the hand of all their enemies. 3:19 Abner also spoke in the ears of Benjamin: and Abner went also to speak in the ears of David in Hebron all that seemed good to Israel, and to the whole house of Benjamin. 3:20 So Abner came to David to Hebron, and twenty men with him. David made Abner and the men who were with him a feast. 3:21 Abner said to David, I will arise and go, and will gather all Israel to my lord the king, that they may make a covenant with you, and that you may reign over all that your soul desires. David sent Abner away; and he went in peace. 3:22 Behold, the servants of David and Joab came from a foray, and brought in a great spoil with them: but Abner was not with David in Hebron; for he had sent him away, and he was gone in peace. 3:23 When Joab and all the army who was with him had come, they told Joab, saying, Abner the son of Ner came to the king, and he has sent him away, and he is gone in peace. 3:24 Then Joab came to the king, and said, What have you done? behold, Abner came to you; why is it that you have sent him away, and he is quite gone? 3:25 You know Abner the son of Ner, that he came to deceive you, and to know your going out and your coming in, and to know all that you do. 3:26 When Joab was come out from David, he sent messengers after Abner, and they brought him back from the well of Sirah: but David didn"t know it. 3:27 When Abner was returned to Hebron, Joab took him aside into the midst of the gate to speak with him quietly, and struck him there in the body, so that he died, for the blood of Asahel his brother. 3:28 Afterward, when David heard it, he said, I and my kingdom are guiltless before Yahweh forever of the blood of Abner the son of Ner: 3:29 let it fall on the head of Joab, and on all his father"s house; and let there not fail from the house of Joab one who has an issue, or who is a leper, or who leans on a staff, or who falls by the sword, or who lacks bread. 3:30 So Joab and Abishai his brother killed Abner, because he had killed their brother Asahel at Gibeon in the battle. 3:31 David said to Joab, and to all the people who were with him, Tear your clothes, and gird you with sackcloth, and mourn before Abner. King David followed the bier. 3:32 They buried Abner in Hebron: and the king lifted up his voice, and wept at the grave of Abner; and all the people wept. 3:33 The king lamented for Abner, and said, Should Abner die as a fool dies? 3:34 Your hands were not bound, nor your feet put into fetters. As a man falls before the children of iniquity, so you fell.

All the people wept again over him. 3:35 All the people came to cause David to eat bread while it was yet day; but David swore, saying, G.o.d do so to me, and more also, if I taste bread, or anything else, until the sun be down. 3:36 All the people took notice of it, and it pleased them; as whatever the king did pleased all the people. 3:37 So all the people and all Israel understood that day that it was not of the king to kill Abner the son of Ner. 3:38 The king said to his servants, "Don"t you know that there a prince and a great man has fallen this day in Israel?

3:39 I am this day weak, though anointed king; and these men the sons of Zeruiah are too hard for me. May Yahweh reward the evil-doer according to his wickedness."

4:1 When Ishbosheth, Saul"s son, heard that Abner was dead in Hebron, his hands became feeble, and all the Israelites were troubled. 4:2 Ishbosheth, Saul"s son, had two men who were captains of bands: the name of the one was Baanah, and the name of the other Rechab, the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, of the children of Benjamin (for Beeroth also is reckoned to Benjamin: 4:3 and the Beerothites fled to Gittaim, and have lived as foreigners there until this day). 4:4 Now Jonathan, Saul"s son, had a son who was lame of his feet. He was five years old when the news came of Saul and Jonathan out of Jezreel; and his nurse took him up, and fled: and it happened, as she made haste to flee, that he fell, and became lame. His name was Mephibosheth. 4:5 The sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, Rechab and Baanah, went, and came about the heat of the day to the house of Ishbosheth, as he took his rest at noon. 4:6 They came there into the midst of the house, as though they would have fetched wheat; and they struck him in the body: and Rechab and Baanah his brother escaped. 4:7 Now when they came into the house, as he lay on his bed in his bedchamber, they struck him, and killed him, and beheaded him, and took his head, and went by the way of the Arabah all night. 4:8 They brought the head of Ishbosheth to David to Hebron, and said to the king, Behold, the head of Ishbosheth, the son of Saul, your enemy, who sought your life; and Yahweh has avenged my lord the king this day of Saul, and of his seed. 4:9 David answered Rechab and Baanah his brother, the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, and said to them, As Yahweh lives, who has redeemed my soul out of all adversity, 4:10 when one told me, saying, Behold, Saul is dead, thinking to have brought good news, I took hold of him, and killed him in Ziklag, which was the reward I gave him for his news. 4:11 How much more, when wicked men have slain a righteous person in his own house on his bed, shall I not now require his blood of your hand, and take you away from the earth? 4:12 David commanded his young men, and they killed them, and cut off their hands and their feet, and hanged them up beside the pool in Hebron. But they took the head of Ishbosheth, and buried it in the grave of Abner in Hebron.

5:1 Then came all the tribes of Israel to David to Hebron, and spoke, saying, Behold, we are your bone and your flesh. 5:2 In times past, when Saul was king over us, it was you who led out and brought in Israel: and Yahweh said to you, You shall be shepherd of my people Israel, and you shall be prince over Israel. 5:3 So all the elders of Israel came to the king to Hebron; and king David made a covenant with them in Hebron before Yahweh: and they anointed David king over Israel. 5:4 David was thirty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned forty years. 5:5 In Hebron he reigned over Judah seven years and six months; and in Jerusalem he reigned thirty-three years over all Israel and Judah. 5:6 The king and his men went to Jerusalem against the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land, who spoke to David, saying, Except you take away the blind and the lame, you shall not come in here; thinking, David can"t come in here. 5:7 Nevertheless David took the stronghold of Zion; the same is the city of David. 5:8 David said on that day, Whoever strikes the Jebusites, let him get up to the watercourse, and strike the lame and the blind, who are hated of David"s soul. Therefore they say, There are the blind and the lame; he can"t come into the house. 5:9 David lived in the stronghold, and called it the city of David. David built around from Millo and inward. 5:10 David grew greater and greater; for Yahweh, the G.o.d of Armies, was with him. 5:11 Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, and cedar trees, and carpenters, and masons; and they built David a house. 5:12 David perceived that Yahweh had established him king over Israel, and that he had exalted his kingdom for his people Israel"s sake. 5:13 David took him more concubines and wives out of Jerusalem, after he was come from Hebron; and there were yet sons and daughters born to David. 5:14 These are the names of those who were born to him in Jerusalem: Shammua, and Shobab, and Nathan, and Solomon, 5:15 and Ibhar, and Elishua, and Nepheg, and j.a.phia, 5:16 and Elishama, and Eliada, and Eliphelet. 5:17 When the Philistines heard that they had anointed David king over Israel, all the Philistines went up to seek David; and David heard of it, and went down to the stronghold. 5:18 Now the Philistines had come and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim. 5:19 David inquired of Yahweh, saying, Shall I go up against the Philistines? will you deliver them into my hand? Yahweh said to David, Go up; for I will certainly deliver the Philistines into your hand. 5:20 David came to Baal Perazim, and David struck them there; and he said, Yahweh has broken my enemies before me, like the breach of waters. Therefore he called the name of that place Baal Perazim. 5:21 They left their images there; and David and his men took them away. 5:22 The Philistines came up yet again, and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim. 5:23 When David inquired of Yahweh, he said, You shall not go up: make a circuit behind them, and come on them over against the mulberry trees. 5:24 It shall be, when you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the mulberry trees, that then you shall bestir yourself; for then is Yahweh gone out before you to strike the army of the Philistines. 5:25 David did so, as Yahweh commanded him, and struck the Philistines from Geba until you come to Gezer.

6:1 David again gathered together all the chosen men of Israel, thirty thousand. 6:2 David arose, and went with all the people who were with him, from Baale Judah, to bring up from there the ark of G.o.d, which is called by the Name, even the name of Yahweh of Armies who sits above the cherubim. 6:3 They set the ark of G.o.d on a new cart, and brought it out of the house of Abinadab that was in the hill: and Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, drove the new cart. 6:4 They brought it out of the house of Abinadab, which was in the hill, with the ark of G.o.d: and Ahio went before the ark. 6:5 David and all the house of Israel played before Yahweh with all manner of instruments made of fir wood, and with harps, and with stringed instruments, and with tambourines, and with castanets, and with cymbals. 6:6 When they came to the threshing floor of Nacon, Uzzah put forth his hand to the ark of G.o.d, and took hold of it; for the cattle stumbled. 6:7 The anger of Yahweh was kindled against Uzzah; and G.o.d struck him there for his error; and there he died by the ark of G.o.d.

6:8 David was displeased, because Yahweh had broken forth on Uzzah; and he called that place Perez Uzzah, to this day. 6:9 David was afraid of Yahweh that day; and he said, How shall the ark of Yahweh come to me?

6:10 So David would not remove the ark of Yahweh to him into the city of David; but David carried it aside into the house of Obed-Edom the Gitt.i.te. 6:11 The ark of Yahweh remained in the house of Obed-Edom the Gitt.i.te three months: and Yahweh blessed Obed-Edom, and all his house.

6:12 It was told king David, saying, Yahweh has blessed the house of Obed-Edom, and all that pertains to him, because of the ark of G.o.d.

David went and brought up the ark of G.o.d from the house of Obed-Edom into the city of David with joy. 6:13 It was so, that, when those who bore the ark of Yahweh had gone six paces, he sacrificed an ox and a fattened calf. 6:14 David danced before Yahweh with all his might; and David was girded with a linen ephod. 6:15 So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of Yahweh with shouting, and with the sound of the trumpet. 6:16 It was so, as the ark of Yahweh came into the city of David, that Michal the daughter of Saul looked out at the window, and saw king David leaping and dancing before Yahweh; and she despised him in her heart. 6:17 They brought in the ark of Yahweh, and set it in its place, in the midst of the tent that David had pitched for it; and David offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before Yahweh. 6:18 When David had made an end of offering the burnt offering and the peace offerings, he blessed the people in the name of Yahweh of Armies. 6:19 He dealt among all the people, even among the whole mult.i.tude of Israel, both to men and women, to everyone a cake of bread, and a portion of flesh, and a cake of raisins. So all the people departed everyone to his house. 6:20 Then David returned to bless his household. Michal the daughter of Saul came out to meet David, and said, How glorious was the king of Israel today, who uncovered himself today in the eyes of the handmaids of his servants, as one of the vain fellows shamelessly uncovers himself! 6:21 David said to Michal, It was before Yahweh, who chose me above your father, and above all his house, to appoint me prince over the people of Yahweh, over Israel: therefore will I play before Yahweh. 6:22 I will be yet more vile than this, and will be base in my own sight: but of the handmaids of whom you have spoken, they shall honor me. 6:23 Michal the daughter of Saul had no child to the day of her death.

7:1 It happened, when the king lived in his house, and Yahweh had given him rest from all his enemies all around, 7:2 that the king said to Nathan the prophet, See now, I dwell in a house of cedar, but the ark of G.o.d dwells within curtains. 7:3 Nathan said to the king, Go, do all that is in your heart; for Yahweh is with you. 7:4 It happened the same night, that the word of Yahweh came to Nathan, saying, 7:5 Go and tell my servant David, Thus says Yahweh, Shall you build me a house for me to dwell in? 7:6 for I have not lived in a house since the day that I brought up the children of Israel out of Egypt, even to this day, but have moved around in a tent and in a tabernacle. 7:7 In all places in which I have walked with all the children of Israel, spoke I a word with any of the tribes of Israel, whom I commanded to be shepherd of my people Israel, saying, Why have you not built me a house of cedar? 7:8 Now therefore thus you shall tell my servant David, Thus says Yahweh of Armies, I took you from the sheep pen, from following the sheep, that you should be prince over my people, over Israel; 7:9 and I have been with you wherever you went, and have cut off all your enemies from before you; and I will make you a great name, like the name of the great ones who are in the earth. 7:10 I will appoint a place for my people Israel, and will plant them, that they may dwell in their own place, and be moved no more; neither shall the children of wickedness afflict them any more, as at the first, 7:11 and as from the day that I commanded judges to be over my people Israel; and I will cause you to rest from all your enemies. Moreover Yahweh tells you that Yahweh will make you a house. 7:12 When your days are fulfilled, and you shall sleep with your fathers, I will set up your seed after you, who shall proceed out of your bowels, and I will establish his kingdom. 7:13 He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. 7:14 I will be his father, and he shall be my son: if he commit iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men, and with the stripes of the children of men; 7:15 but my loving kindness shall not depart from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away before you. 7:16 Your house and your kingdom shall be made sure for ever before you: your throne shall be established forever. 7:17 According to all these words, and according to all this vision, so did Nathan speak to David. 7:18 Then David the king went in, and sat before Yahweh; and he said, Who am I, Lord Yahweh, and what is my house, that you have brought me thus far?

7:19 This was yet a small thing in your eyes, Lord Yahweh; but you have spoken also of your servant"s house for a great while to come; and this too after the manner of men, Lord Yahweh! 7:20 What can David say more to you? for you know your servant, Lord Yahweh. 7:21 For your word"s sake, and according to your own heart, have you worked all this greatness, to make your servant know it. 7:22 Therefore you are great, Yahweh G.o.d: for there is none like you, neither is there any G.o.d besides you, according to all that we have heard with our ears. 7:23 What one nation in the earth is like your people, even like Israel, whom G.o.d went to redeem to himself for a people, and to make him a name, and to do great things for you, and awesome things for your land, before your people, whom you redeem to you out of Egypt, from the nations and their G.o.ds? 7:24 You did establish to yourself your people Israel to be a people to you forever; and you, Yahweh, became their G.o.d. 7:25 Now, Yahweh G.o.d, the word that you have spoken concerning your servant, and concerning his house, confirm you it forever, and do as you have spoken.

7:26 Let your name be magnified forever, saying, Yahweh of Armies is G.o.d over Israel; and the house of your servant David shall be established before you. 7:27 For you, Yahweh of Armies, the G.o.d of Israel, have revealed to your servant, saying, I will build you a house: therefore has your servant found in his heart to pray this prayer to you. 7:28 Now, O Lord Yahweh, you are G.o.d, and your words are truth, and you have promised this good thing to your servant: 7:29 now therefore let it please you to bless the house of your servant, that it may continue forever before you; for you, Lord Yahweh, have spoken it: and with your blessing let the house of your servant be blessed forever.

8:1 After this it happened that David struck the Philistines, and subdued them: and David took the bridle of the mother city out of the hand of the Philistines. 8:2 He struck Moab, and measured them with the line, making them to lie down on the ground; and he measured two lines to put to death, and one full line to keep alive. The Moabites became servants to David, and brought tribute. 8:3 David struck also Hadadezer the son of Rehob, king of Zobah, as he went to recover his dominion at the River. 8:4 David took from him one thousand seven hundred hors.e.m.e.n, and twenty thousand footmen: and David hamstrung all the chariot horses, but reserved of them for one hundred chariots. 8:5 When the Syrians of Damascus came to help Hadadezer king of Zobah, David struck of the Syrians two and twenty thousand men. 8:6 Then David put garrisons in Syria of Damascus; and the Syrians became servants to David, and brought tribute. Yahweh gave victory to David wherever he went. 8:7 David took the shields of gold that were on the servants of Hadadezer, and brought them to Jerusalem. 8:8 From Betah and from Berothai, cities of Hadadezer, king David took exceeding much bra.s.s. 8:9 When Toi king of Hamath heard that David had struck all the army of Hadadezer, 8:10 then Toi sent Joram his son to king David, to Greet him, and to bless him, because he had fought against Hadadezer and struck him: for Hadadezer had wars with Toi. Joram brought with him vessels of silver, and vessels of gold, and vessels of bra.s.s: 8:11 These also did king David dedicate to Yahweh, with the silver and gold that he dedicated of all the nations which he subdued; 8:12 of Syria, and of Moab, and of the children of Ammon, and of the Philistines, and of Amalek, and of the spoil of Hadadezer, son of Rehob, king of Zobah. 8:13 David got him a name when he returned from smiting the Syrians in the Valley of Salt, even eighteen thousand men. 8:14 He put garrisons in Edom; throughout all Edom put he garrisons, and all the Edomites became servants to David.

Yahweh gave victory to David wherever he went. 8:15 David reigned over all Israel; and David executed justice and righteousness to all his people. 8:16 Joab the son of Zeruiah was over the army; and Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was recorder; 8:17 and Zadok the son of Ahitub, and Ahimelech the son of Abiathar, were priests; and Seraiah was scribe; 8:18 and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and the Pelethites; and David"s sons were chief ministers.

9:1 David said, Is there yet any who is left of the house of Saul, that I may show him kindness for Jonathan"s sake? 9:2 There was of the house of Saul a servant whose name was Ziba, and they called him to David; and the king said to him, Are you Ziba? He said, Your servant is he. 9:3 The king said, Is there not yet any of the house of Saul, that I may show the kindness of G.o.d to him? Ziba said to the king, Jonathan has yet a son, who is lame of his feet. 9:4 The king said to him, Where is he?

Ziba said to the king, Behold, he is in the house of Machir the son of Ammiel, in Lo Debar. 9:5 Then king David sent, and fetched him out of the house of Machir the son of Ammiel, from Lo Debar. 9:6 Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, came to David, and fell on his face, and did obeisance. David said, Mephibosheth. He answered, Behold, your servant! 9:7 David said to him, "Don"t be afraid of him; for I will surely show you kindness for Jonathan your father"s sake, and will restore you all the land of Saul your father; and you shall eat bread at my table continually." 9:8 He did obeisance, and said, "What is your servant, that you should look on such a dead dog as I am?" 9:9 Then the king called to Ziba, Saul"s servant, and said to him, "All that pertained to Saul and to all his house have I given to your master"s son. 9:10 You shall till the land for him, you, and your sons, and your servants; and you shall bring in the fruits, that your master"s son may have bread to eat: but Mephibosheth your master"s son shall eat bread always at my table." Now Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants. 9:11 Then said Ziba to the king, According to all that my lord the king commands his servant, so your shall servant do. As for Mephibosheth, said the king, he shall eat at my table, as one of the king"s sons. 9:12 Mephibosheth had a young son, whose name was Mica. All that lived in the house of Ziba were servants to Mephibosheth. 9:13 So Mephibosheth lived in Jerusalem; for he ate continually at the king"s table. He was lame in both his feet.

10:1 It happened after this, that the king of the children of Ammon died, and Hanun his son reigned in his place. 10:2 David said, I will show kindness to Hanun the son of Nahash, as his father showed kindness to me. So David sent by his servants to comfort him concerning his father. David"s servants came into the land of the children of Ammon.

10:3 But the princes of the children of Ammon said to Hanun their lord, Do you think that David honors your father, in that he has sent comforters to you? Hasn"t David sent his servants to you to search the city, and to spy it out, and to overthrow it? 10:4 So Hanun took David"s servants, and shaved off the one half of their beards, and cut off their garments in the middle, even to their b.u.t.tocks, and sent them away. 10:5 When they told it to David, he sent to meet them; for the men were greatly ashamed. The king said, Wait at Jericho until your beards are grown, and then return. 10:6 When the children of Ammon saw that they were become odious to David, the children of Ammon sent and hired the Syrians of Beth Rehob, and the Syrians of Zobah, twenty thousand footmen, and the king of Maacah with one thousand men, and the men of Tob twelve thousand men. 10:7 When David heard of it, he sent Joab, and all the army of the mighty men. 10:8 The children of Ammon came out, and put the battle in array at the entrance of the gate: and the Syrians of Zobah and of Rehob, and the men of Tob and Maacah, were by themselves in the field. 10:9 Now when Joab saw that the battle was set against him before and behind, he chose of all the choice men of Israel, and put them in array against the Syrians: 10:10 The rest of the people he committed into the hand of Abishai his brother; and he put them in array against the children of Ammon. 10:11 He said, If the Syrians are too strong for me, then you shall help me; but if the children of Ammon are too strong for you, then I will come and help you. 10:12 Be of good courage, and let us be strong for our people, and for the cities of our G.o.d: and Yahweh do that which seems him good. 10:13 So Joab and the people who were with him drew near to the battle against the Syrians: and they fled before him. 10:14 When the children of Ammon saw that the Syrians had fled, they likewise fled before Abishai, and entered into the city. Then Joab returned from the children of Ammon, and came to Jerusalem. 10:15 When the Syrians saw that they were defeated by Israel, they gathered themselves together. 10:16 Hadadezer sent, and brought out the Syrians who were beyond the River: and they came to Helam, with Shobach the captain of the army of Hadadezer at their head. 10:17 It was told David; and he gathered all Israel together, and pa.s.sed over the Jordan, and came to Helam. The Syrians set themselves in array against David, and fought with him. 10:18 The Syrians fled before Israel; and David killed of the Syrians the men of seven hundred chariots, and forty thousand hors.e.m.e.n, and struck Shobach the captain of their army, so that he died there. 10:19 When all the kings who were servants to Hadadezer saw that they were defeated before Israel, they made peace with Israel, and served them. So the Syrians feared to help the children of Ammon any more.

11:1 It happened, at the return of the year, at the time when kings go out to battle, that David sent Joab, and his servants with him, and all Israel; and they destroyed the children of Ammon, and besieged Rabbah.

But David stayed at Jerusalem. 11:2 It happened at evening, that David arose from off his bed, and walked on the roof of the king"s house: and from the roof he saw a woman bathing; and the woman was very beautiful to look on. 11:3 David send and inquired after the woman. One said, Is not this Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hitt.i.te? 11:4 David sent messengers, and took her; and she came in to him, and he lay with her (for she was purified from her uncleanness); and she returned to her house. 11:5 The woman conceived; and she sent and told David, and said, I am with child. 11:6 David sent to Joab, saying, Send me Uriah the Hitt.i.te. Joab sent Uriah to David. 11:7 When Uriah was come to him, David asked of him how Joab did, and how the people fared, and how the war prospered. 11:8 David said to Uriah, Go down to your house, and wash your feet. Uriah departed out of the king"s house, and there followed him a mess of food from the king. 11:9 But Uriah slept at the door of the king"s house with all the servants of his lord, and didn"t go down to his house. 11:10 When they had told David, saying, Uriah didn"t go down to his house, David said to Uriah, Haven"t you come from a journey? why did you not go down to your house? 11:11 Uriah said to David, The ark, and Israel, and Judah, abide in booths; and my lord Joab, and the servants of my lord, are encamped in the open field; shall I then go into my house, to eat and to drink, and to lie with my wife? as you live, and as your soul lives, I will not do this thing. 11:12 David said to Uriah, Stay here today also, and tomorrow I will let you depart. So Uriah abode in Jerusalem that day, and the next day. 11:13 When David had called him, he ate and drink before him; and he made him drunk: and at even he went out to lie on his bed with the servants of his lord, but didn"t go down to his house. 11:14 It happened in the morning, that David wrote a letter to Joab, and sent it by the hand of Uriah. 11:15 He wrote in the letter, saying, Set Uriah in the forefront of the hottest battle, and retire you from him, that he may be struck, and die. 11:16 It happened, when Joab kept watch on the city, that he a.s.signed Uriah to the place where he knew that valiant men were.

11:17 The men of the city went out, and fought with Joab: and there fell some of the people, even of the servants of David; and Uriah the Hitt.i.te died also. 11:18 Then Joab sent and told David all the things concerning the war; 11:19 and he commanded the messenger, saying, "When you have made an end of telling all the things concerning the war to the king, 11:20 it shall be that, if the king"s wrath arise, and he tells you, "Why did you go so near to the city to fight? Didn"t you know that they would shoot from the wall? 11:21 who struck Abimelech the son of Jerubbesheth? Didn"t a woman cast an upper millstone on him from the wall, so that he died at Thebez? Why did you go so near the wall?" then you shall say, "Your servant Uriah the Hitt.i.te is dead also.""

11:22 So the messenger went, and came and showed David all that Joab had sent him for. 11:23 The messenger said to David, The men prevailed against us, and came out to us into the field, and we were on them even to the entrance of the gate. 11:24 The shooters shot at your servants from off the wall; and some of the king"s servants are dead, and your servant Uriah the Hitt.i.te is dead also. 11:25 Then David said to the messenger, Thus you shall tell Joab, Don"t let this thing displease you, for the sword devours one as well as another; make your battle more strong against the city, and overthrow it: and encourage you him. 11:26 When the wife of Uriah heard that Uriah her husband was dead, she made lamentation for her husband. 11:27 When the mourning was past, David sent and took her home to his house, and she became his wife, and bore him a son. But the thing that David had done displeased Yahweh.

12:1 Yahweh sent Nathan to David. He came to him, and said to him, "There were two men in one city; the one rich, and the other poor. 12:2 The rich man had very many flocks and herds, 12:3 but the poor man had nothing, except one little ewe lamb, which he had bought and raised. It grew up together with him, and with his children. It ate of his own food, drank of his own cup, and lay in his bosom, and was to him like a daughter. 12:4 A traveler came to the rich man, and he spared to take of his own flock and of his own herd, to dress for the wayfaring man who had come to him, but took the poor man"s lamb, and dressed it for the man who had come to him."

12:5 David"s anger was greatly kindled against the man, and he said to Nathan, "As Yahweh lives, the man who has done this is worthy to die!

12:6 He shall restore the lamb fourfold, because he did this thing, and because he had no pity!"

12:7 Nathan said to David, "You are the man. This is what Yahweh, the G.o.d of Israel, says: "I anointed you king over Israel, and I delivered you out of the hand of Saul. 12:8 I gave you your master"s house, and your master"s wives into your bosom, and gave you the house of Israel and of Judah; and if that would have been too little, I would have added to you many more such things. 12:9 Why have you despised the word of Yahweh, to do that which is evil in his sight? You have struck Uriah the Hitt.i.te with the sword, and have taken his wife to be your wife, and have slain him with the sword of the children of Ammon. 12:10 Now therefore the sword will never depart from your house, because you have despised me, and have taken the wife of Uriah the Hitt.i.te to be your wife." 12:11 This is what Yahweh says: "Behold, I will raise up evil against you out of your own house; and I will take your wives before your eyes, and give them to your neighbor, and he will lie with your wives in the sight of this sun. 12:12 For you did it secretly, but I will do this thing before all Israel, and before the sun.""

12:13 David said to Nathan, "I have sinned against Yahweh."

Nathan said to David, "Yahweh also has put away your sin. You will not die. 12:14 However, because by this deed you have given great occasion to Yahweh"s enemies to blaspheme, the child also who is born to you shall surely die." 12:15 Nathan departed to his house.

Yahweh struck the child that Uriah"s wife bore to David, and it was very sick. 12:16 David therefore begged G.o.d for the child; and David fasted, and went in, and lay all night on the earth. 12:17 The elders of his house arose, and stood beside him, to raise him up from the earth: but he would not, neither did he eat bread with them. 12:18 It happened on the seventh day, that the child died. The servants of David feared to tell him that the child was dead; for they said, Behold, while the child was yet alive, we spoke to him, and he didn"t listen to our voice: how will he then harm himself, if we tell him that the child is dead! 12:19 But when David saw that his servants were whispering together, David perceived that the child was dead; and David said to his servants, Is the child dead? They said, He is dead. 12:20 Then David arose from the earth, and washed, and anointed himself, and changed his clothing; and he came into the house of Yahweh, and worshiped: then he came to his own house; and when he required, they set bread before him, and he ate.

12:21 Then said his servants to him, What thing is this that you have done? you did fast and weep for the child, while it was alive; but when the child was dead, you did rise and eat bread. 12:22 He said, While the child was yet alive, I fasted and wept: for I said, Who knows whether Yahweh will not be gracious to me, that the child may live? 12:23 But now he is dead, why should I fast? can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he will not return to me. 12:24 David comforted Bathsheba his wife, and went in to her, and lay with her: and she bore a son, and he called his name Solomon. Yahweh loved him; 12:25 and he sent by the hand of Nathan the prophet; and he named him Jedidiah, for Yahweh"s sake. 12:26 Now Joab fought against Rabbah of the children of Ammon, and took the royal city. 12:27 Joab sent messengers to David, and said, I have fought against Rabbah; yes, I have taken the city of waters. 12:28 Now therefore gather the rest of the people together, and encamp against the city, and take it; lest I take the city, and it be called after my name. 12:29 David gathered all the people together, and went to Rabbah, and fought against it, and took it. 12:30 He took the crown of their king from off his head; and its weight was a talent of gold, and in it were precious stones; and it was set on David"s head. He brought forth the spoil of the city, exceeding much. 12:31 He brought forth the people who were therein, and put them under saws, and under iron picks, and under axes of iron, and made them pa.s.s through the brick kiln: and he did so to all the cities of the children of Ammon. David and all the people returned to Jerusalem.

13:1 It happened after this, that Absalom the son of David had a beautiful sister, whose name was Tamar; and Amnon the son of David loved her. 13:2 Amnon was so troubled that he fell sick because of his sister Tamar; for she was a virgin; and it seemed hard to Amnon to do anything to her. 13:3 But Amnon had a friend, whose name was Jonadab, the son of Shimeah, David"s brother; and Jonadab was a very subtle man. 13:4 He said to him, Why, son of the king, are you thus lean from day to day?

Won"t you tell me? Amnon said to him, I love Tamar, my brother Absalom"s sister. 13:5 Jonadab said to him, Lay you down on your bed, and feign yourself sick: and when your father comes to see you, tell him, Please let my sister Tamar come and give me bread to eat, and dress the food in my sight, that I may see it, and eat it from her hand. 13:6 So Amnon lay down, and feigned himself sick: and when the king was come to see him, Amnon said to the king, Please let her sister Tamar come, and make me a couple of cakes in my sight, that I may eat from her hand. 13:7 Then David sent home to Tamar, saying, Go now to your brother Amnon"s house, and dress him food. 13:8 So Tamar went to her brother Amnon"s house; and he was laid down. She took dough, and kneaded it, and made cakes in his sight, and did bake the cakes. 13:9 She took the pan, and poured them out before him; but he refused to eat. Amnon said, Have out all men from me. They went out every man from him. 13:10 Amnon said to Tamar, Bring the food into the chamber, that I may eat from your hand. Tamar took the cakes which she had made, and brought them into the chamber to Amnon her brother. 13:11 When she had brought them near to him to eat, he took hold of her, and said to her, Come, lie with me, my sister. 13:12 She answered him, No, my brother, do not force me; for no such thing ought to be done in Israel. Don"t you do this folly. 13:13 I, where shall I carry my shame? and as for you, you will be as one of the fools in Israel. Now therefore, please speak to the king; for he will not withhold me from you. 13:14 However he would not listen to her voice; but being stronger than she, he forced her, and lay with her. 13:15 Then Amnon hated her with exceeding great hatred; for the hatred with which he hated her was greater than the love with which he had loved her.

Amnon said to her, Arise, be gone. 13:16 She said to him, Not so, because this great wrong in putting me forth is worse than the other that you did to me. But he would not listen to her. 13:17 Then he called his servant who ministered to him, and said, Put now this woman out from me, and bolt the door after her. 13:18 She had a garment of various colors on her; for with such robes were the king"s daughters who were virgins dressed. Then his servant brought her out, and bolted the door after her. 13:19 Tamar put ashes on her head, and tore her garment of various colors that was on her; and she laid her hand on her head, and went her way, crying aloud as she went. 13:20 Absalom her brother said to her, Has Amnon your brother been with you? but now hold your peace, my sister: he is your brother; don"t take this thing to heart. So Tamar remained desolate in her brother Absalom"s house. 13:21 But when king David heard of all these things, he was very angry. 13:22 Absalom spoke to Amnon neither good nor bad; for Absalom hated Amnon, because he had forced his sister Tamar. 13:23 It happened after two full years, that Absalom had sheepshearers in Baal Hazor, which is beside Ephraim: and Absalom invited all the king"s sons. 13:24 Absalom came to the king, and said, See now, your servant has sheepshearers; let the king, I pray you, and his servants go with your servant. 13:25 The king said to Absalom, No, my son, let us not all go, lest we be burdensome to you. He pressed him: however he would not go, but blessed him. 13:26 Then said Absalom, If not, please let my brother Amnon go with us. The king said to him, Why should he go with you? 13:27 But Absalom pressed him, and he let Amnon and all the king"s sons go with him. 13:28 Absalom commanded his servants, saying, Mark you now, when Amnon"s heart is merry with wine; and when I tell you, Smite Amnon, then kill him; don"t be afraid; haven"t I commanded you? be courageous, and be valiant. 13:29 The servants of Absalom did to Amnon as Absalom had commanded. Then all the king"s sons arose, and every man got him up on his mule, and fled. 13:30 It happened, while they were in the way, that the news came to David, saying, Absalom has slain all the king"s sons, and there is not one of them left. 13:31 Then the king arose, and tore his garments, and lay on the earth; and all his servants stood by with their clothes torn. 13:32 Jonadab, the son of Shimeah, David"s brother, answered, Don"t let my lord suppose that they have killed all the young men the king"s sons; for Amnon only is dead; for by the appointment of Absalom this has been determined from the day that he forced his sister Tamar. 13:33 Now therefore don"t let my lord the king take the thing to his heart, to think that all the king"s sons are dead; for Amnon only is dead. 13:34 But Absalom fled. The young man who kept the watch lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold, many people were coming by way of the hillside behind him. 13:35 Jonadab said to the king, Behold, the king"s sons are come: as your servant said, so it is. 13:36 It happened, as soon as he had made an end of speaking, that behold, the king"s sons came, and lifted up their voice, and wept: and the king also and all his servants wept very sore. 13:37 But Absalom fled, and went to Talmai the son of Ammihur, king of Geshur. David mourned for his son every day. 13:38 So Absalom fled, and went to Geshur, and was there three years. 13:39 the soul of king David longed to go forth to Absalom: for he was comforted concerning Amnon, seeing he was dead.

14:1 Now Joab the son of Zeruiah perceived that the king"s heart was toward Absalom. 14:2 Joab sent to Tekoa, and fetched there a wise woman, and said to her, please act like a mourner, and put on mourning clothing, Please, and don"t anoint yourself with oil, but be as a woman who has a long time mourned for the dead: 14:3 and go in to the king, and speak on this manner to him. So Joab put the words in her mouth.

14:4 When the woman of Tekoa spoke to the king, she fell on her face to the ground, and did obeisance, and said, Help, O king. 14:5 The king said to her, What ails you? She answered, Of a truth I am a widow, and my husband is dead. 14:6 Your handmaid had two sons, and they two strove together in the field, and there was none to part them, but the one struck the other, and killed him. 14:7 Behold, the whole family is risen against your handmaid, and they say, Deliver him who struck his brother, that we may kill him for the life of his brother whom he killed, and so destroy the heir also. Thus will they quench my coal which is left, and will leave to my husband neither name nor remainder on the surface of the earth. 14:8 The king said to the woman, Go to your house, and I will give a command concerning you. 14:9 The woman of Tekoa said to the king, My lord, O king, the iniquity be on me, and on my father"s house; and the king and his throne be guiltless. 14:10 The king said, Whoever says anything to you, bring him to me, and he shall not touch you any more.

14:11 Then said she, Please let the king remember Yahweh your G.o.d, that the avenger of blood destroy not any more, lest they destroy my son. He said, As Yahweh lives, there shall not one hair of your son fall to the earth. 14:12 Then the woman said, Please let your handmaid speak a word to my lord the king. He said, Say on. 14:13 The woman said, Why then have you devised such a thing against the people of G.o.d? for in speaking this word the king is as one who is guilty, in that the king does not bring home again his banished one. 14:14 For we must needs die, and are as water split on the ground, which can"t be gathered up again; neither does G.o.d take away life, but devises means, that he who is banished not be an outcast from him. 14:15 Now therefore seeing that I have come to speak this word to my lord the king, it is because the people have made me afraid: and your handmaid said, I will now speak to the king; it may be that the king will perform the request of his servant. 14:16 For the king will hear, to deliver his servant out of the hand of the man who would destroy me and my son together out of the inheritance of G.o.d.

14:17 Then your handmaid said, Please let the word of my lord the king be comfortable; for as an angel of G.o.d, so is my lord the king to discern good and bad: and Yahweh your G.o.d be with you. 14:18 Then the king answered the woman, Please don"t hide anything from me that I shall ask you. The woman said, Let my lord the king now speak. 14:19 The king said, Is the hand of Joab with you in all this? The woman answered, As your soul lives, my lord the king, none can turn to the right hand or to the left from anything that my lord the king has spoken; for your servant Joab, he bade me, and he put all these words in the mouth of your handmaid; 14:20 to change the face of the matter has your servant Joab done this thing: and my lord is wise, according to the wisdom of an angel of G.o.d, to know all things that are in the earth. 14:21 The king said to Joab, Behold now, I have done this thing: go therefore, bring the young man Absalom back. 14:22 Joab fell to the ground on his face, and did obeisance, and blessed the king: and Joab said, Today your servant knows that I have found favor in your sight, my lord, king, in that the king has performed the request of his servant. 14:23 So Joab arose and went to Geshur, and brought Absalom to Jerusalem. 14:24 The king said, Let him turn to his own house, but let him not see my face.

So Absalom turned to his own house, and didn"t see the king"s face.

14:25 Now in all Israel there was none to be so much praised as Absalom for his beauty: from the sole of his foot even to the crown of his head there was no blemish in him. 14:26 When he cut the hair of his head (now it was at every year"s end that he cut it; because it was heavy on him, therefore he cut it); he weighed the hair of his head at two hundred shekels, after the king"s weight. 14:27 To Absalom there were born three sons, and one daughter, whose name was Tamar: she was a woman of a beautiful face. 14:28 Absalom lived two full years in Jerusalem; and he didn"t see the king"s face. 14:29 Then Absalom sent for Joab, to send him to the king; but he would not come to him: and he sent again a second time, but he would not come. 14:30 Therefore he said to his servants, Behold, Joab"s field is near mine, and he has barley there; go and set it on fire. Absalom"s servants set the field on fire. 14:31 Then Joab arose, and came to Absalom to his house, and said to him, Why have your servants set my field on fire? 14:32 Absalom answered Joab, Behold, I sent to you, saying, Come here, that I may send you to the king, to say, Why am I come from Geshur? it were better for me to be there still.

Now therefore let me see the king"s face; and if there be iniquity in me, let him kill me. 14:33 So Joab came to the king, and told him; and when he had called for Absalom, he came to the king, and bowed himself on his face to the ground before the king: and the king kissed Absalom.

15:1 It happened after this, that Absalom prepared him a chariot and horses, and fifty men to run before him. 15:2 Absalom rose up early, and stood beside the way of the gate: and it was so, that when any man had a suit which should come to the king for judgment, then Absalom called to him, and said, Of what city are you? He said, Your servant is of one of the tribes of Israel. 15:3 Absalom said to him, Behold, your matters are good and right; but there is no man deputized of the king to hear you.

15:4 Absalom said moreover, Oh that I were made judge in the land, that every man who has any suit or cause might come to me, and I would do him justice! 15:5 It was so, that when any man came near to do him obeisance, he put forth his hand, and took hold of him, and kissed him.

15:6 In this manner Absalom did to all Israel who came to the king for judgment: so Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel. 15:7 It happened at the end of forty years, that Absalom said to the king, please let me go and pay my vow, which I have vowed to Yahweh, in Hebron. 15:8 For your servant vowed a vow while I abode at Geshur in Syria, saying, If Yahweh shall indeed bring me again to Jerusalem, then I will serve Yahweh. 15:9 The king said to him, Go in peace. So he arose, and went to Hebron. 15:10 But Absalom sent spies throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, As soon as you hear the sound of the trumpet, then you shall say, Absalom is king in Hebron. 15:11 With Absalom went two hundred men out of Jerusalem, who were invited, and went in their simplicity; and they didn"t know anything. 15:12 Absalom sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David"s counselor, from his city, even from Giloh, while he was offering the sacrifices. The conspiracy was strong; for the people increased continually with Absalom. 15:13 There came a messenger to David, saying, The hearts of the men of Israel are after Absalom. 15:14 David said to all his servants who were with him at Jerusalem, Arise, and let us flee; for else none of us shall escape from Absalom: make speed to depart, lest he overtake us quickly, and bring down evil on us, and strike the city with the edge of the sword. 15:15 The king"s servants said to the king, Behold, your servants are ready to do whatever my lord the king shall choose. 15:16 The king went forth, and all his household after him. The king left ten women, who were concubines, to keep the house. 15:17 The king went forth, and all the people after him; and they stayed in Beth Merhak. 15:18 All his servants pa.s.sed on beside him; and all the Cherethites, and all the Pelethites, and all the Gitt.i.tes, six hundred men who came after him from Gath, pa.s.sed on before the king. 15:19 Then said the king to Ittai the Gitt.i.te, Why go you also with us? return, and abide with the king: for you are a foreigner, and also an exile; return to your own place. 15:20 Whereas you came but yesterday, should I this day make you go up and down with us, seeing I go where I may? return you, and take back your brothers; mercy and truth be with you. 15:21 Ittai answered the king, and said, As Yahweh lives, and as my lord the king lives, surely in what place my lord the king shall be, whether for death or for life, even there also will your servant be. 15:22 David said to Ittai, Go and pa.s.s over. Ittai the Gitt.i.te pa.s.sed over, and all his men, and all the little ones who were with him. 15:23 All the country wept with a loud voice, and all the people pa.s.sed over: the king also himself pa.s.sed over the brook Kidron, and all the people pa.s.sed over, toward the way of the wilderness. 15:24 Behold, Zadok also came, and all the Levites with him, bearing the ark of the covenant of G.o.d; and they set down the ark of G.o.d; and Abiathar went up, until all the people had done pa.s.sing out of the city. 15:25 The king said to Zadok, Carry back the ark of G.o.d into the city: if I shall find favor in the eyes of Yahweh, he will bring me again, and show me both it, and his habitation: 15:26 but if he say thus, I have no delight in you; behold, here am I, let him do to me as seems good to him. 15:27 The king said also to Zadok the priest, "Aren"t you a seer? Return into the city in peace, and your two sons with you, Ahimaaz your son, and Jonathan the son of Abiathar. 15:28 Behold, I will stay at the fords of the wilderness, until word comes from you to inform me." 15:29 Zadok therefore and Abiathar carried the ark of G.o.d again to Jerusalem: and they abode there. 15:30 David went up by the ascent of the Mount of Olives, and wept as he went up; and he had his head covered, and went barefoot: and all the people who were with him covered every man his head, and they went up, weeping as they went up. 15:31 One told David, saying, Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom.

David said, Yahweh, please turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness. 15:32 It happened that when David had come to the top of the ascent, where G.o.d was worshiped, behold, Hushai the Archite came to meet him with his coat torn, and earth on his head. 15:33 David said to him, If you pa.s.s on with me, then you will be a burden to me: 15:34 but if you return to the city, and tell Absalom, I will be your servant, O king; as I have been your father"s servant in time past, so will I now be your servant; then will you defeat for me the counsel of Ahithophel.

15:35 Don"t you have Zadok and Abiathar the priests there with you?

therefore it shall be, that whatever thing you shall hear out of the king"s house, you shall tell it to Zadok and Abiathar the priests. 15:36 Behold, they have there with them their two sons, Ahimaaz, Zadok"s son, and Jonathan, Abiathar"s son; and by them you shall send to me everything that you shall hear. 15:37 So Hushai, David"s friend, came into the city; and Absalom came into Jerusalem.

16:1 When David was a little past the top of the ascent, behold, Ziba the servant of Mephibosheth met him, with a couple of donkeys saddled, and on them two hundred loaves of bread, and one hundred cl.u.s.ters of raisins, and one hundred summer fruits, and a bottle of wine. 16:2 The king said to Ziba, What do you mean by these? Ziba said, The donkeys are for the king"s household to ride on; and the bread and summer fruit for the young men to eat; and the wine, that such as are faint in the wilderness may drink. 16:3 The king said, Where is your master"s son?

Ziba said to the king, Behold, he abides at Jerusalem; for he said, Today will the house of Israel restore me the kingdom of my father. 16:4 Then said the king to Ziba, Behold, all that pertains to Mephibosheth is yours. Ziba said, I do obeisance; let me find favor in your sight, my lord, O king. 16:5 When king David came to Bahurim, behold, a man of the family of the house of Saul came out, whose name was Shimei, the son of Gera. He came out, and cursed still as he came. 16:6 He cast stones at David, and at all the servants of king David: and all the people and all the mighty men were on his right hand and on his left. 16:7 Thus said Shimei when he cursed, Be gone, be gone, you man of blood, and base fellow: 16:8 Yahweh has returned on you all the blood of the house of Saul, in whose place you have reigned; and Yahweh has delivered the kingdom into the hand of Absalom your son; and behold, you are taken in your own mischief, because you are a man of blood. 16:9 Then said Abishai the son of Zeruiah to the king, "Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? Please let me go over and take off his head." 16:10 The king said, What have I to do with you, you sons of Zeruiah? Because he curses, and because Yahweh has said to him, Curse David; who then shall say, Why have you done so? 16:11 David said to Abishai, and to all his servants, Behold, my son, who came forth from my bowels, seeks my life: how much more may this Benjamite now do it? let him alone, and let him curse; for Yahweh has invited him. 16:12 It may be that Yahweh will look on the wrong done to me, and that Yahweh will requite me good for his cursing of me this day. 16:13 So David and his men went by the way; and Shimei went along on the hillside over against him, and cursed as he went, and threw stones at him, and cast dust. 16:14 The king, and all the people who were with him, came weary; and he refreshed himself there. 16:15 Absalom, and all the people, the men of Israel, came to Jerusalem, and Ahithophel with him. 16:16 It happened, when Hushai the Archite, David"s friend, was come to Absalom, that Hushai said to Absalom, Long live the king, Long live the king. 16:17 Absalom said to Hushai, Is this your kindness to your friend? Why didn"t you go with your friend? 16:18 Hushai said to Absalom, No; but whom Yahweh, and this people, and all the men of Israel have chosen, his will I be, and with him will I abide. 16:19 Again, whom should I serve? Shouldn"t I serve in the presence of his son? as I have served in your father"s presence, so will I be in your presence. 16:20 Then said Absalom to Ahithophel, Give your counsel what we shall do. 16:21 Ahithophel said to Absalom, Go in to your father"s concubines, that he has left to keep the house; and all Israel will hear that you are abhorred of your father: then will the hands of all who are with you be strong. 16:22 So they spread Absalom a tent on the top of the house; and Absalom went in to his father"s concubines in the sight of all Israel. 16:23 The counsel of Ahithophel, which he gave in those days, was as if a man inquired at the oracle of G.o.d: so was all the counsel of Ahithophel both with David and with Absalom.

17:1 Moreover Ahithophel said to Absalom, Let me now choose out twelve thousand men, and I will arise and pursue after David this night: 17:2 and I will come on him while he is weary and exhausted, and will make him afraid; and all the people who are with him shall flee; and I will strike the king only; 17:3 and I will bring back all the people to you: the man whom you seek is as if all returned: so all the people shall be in peace. 17:4 The saying pleased Absalom well, and all the elders of Israel. 17:5 Then said Absalom, Call now Hushai the Archite also, and let us hear likewise what he says. 17:6 When Hushai was come to Absalom, Absalom spoke to him, saying, Ahithophel has spoken after this manner: shall we do after his saying? if not, speak up. 17:7 Hushai said to Absalom, The counsel that Ahithophel has given this time is not good.

17:8 Hushai said moreover, You know your father and his men, that they are mighty men, and they are fierce in their minds, as a bear robbed of her cubs in the field; and your father is a man of war, and will not lodge with the people. 17:9 Behold, he is hid now in some pit, or in some other place: and it will happen, when some of them are fallen at the first, that whoever hears it w

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