Restored King James Version Book of 2 Samuel
Based on the Authorised Version (King James) with the words "God" and "LORD"
restored to their original words, and various words
(thee, thine, shouldest, crieth, didst, etc) and
constructions (them that, etc) modernized.
1 Now it came to pass after the death of Saul, when David was returned
from the slaughter of the Amalekites, and David had abode two days in
Ziklag;
2 It came even to pass on the third day, that, behold, a man came out
of the camp from Saul with his clothes rent, and earth upon his head:
and so it was, when he came to David, that he fell to the earth, and did
obeisance.
3 And David said unto him, From whence come you? And he said unto him,
Out of the camp of Israel am I escaped.
4 And David said unto him, How went the matter? I pray you, tell me.
And he answered, That the people are fled from the battle, and many of
the people also are fallen and dead; and Saul and Jonathan his son are
dead also.
5 And David said unto the young man who told him, How know you that
Saul and Jonathan his son be dead?
6 And the young man who told him said, As I happened by chance upon
mount Gilboa, behold, Saul leaned upon his spear; and, lo, the chariots
and horsemen followed hard after him.
7 And when he looked behind him, he saw me, and called unto me. And I
answered, Here am I.
8 And he said unto me, Who are you? And I answered him, I am an
Amalekite.
9 He said unto me again, Stand, I pray you, upon me, and slay me: for
anguish is come upon me, because my life is yet whole in me.
10 So I stood upon him, and slew him, because I was sure that he could
not live after that he was fallen: and I took the crown that was upon
his head, and the bracelet that was on his arm, and have brought them
hither unto my lord.
11 Then David took hold on his clothes, and rent them; and likewise all
the men who were with him:
12 And they mourned, and wept, and fasted until even, for Saul, and for
Jonathan his son, and for the people of YHWH, and for the house of
Israel; because they were fallen by the sword.
13 And David said unto the young man who told him, Whence are you? And
he answered, I am the son of a stranger, an Amalekite.
14 And David said unto him, How were you not afraid to stretch forth
your hand to destroy YHWH's anointed?
15 And David called one of the young men, and said, Go near, and fall
upon him. And he smote him that he died.
16 And David said unto him, Your blood be upon your head; for your
mouth has testified against you, saying, I have slain YHWH's anointed.
17 And David lamented with this lamentation over Saul and over Jonathan
his son:
18 (Also he bade them teach the children of Judah the use of the bow:
behold, it is written in the book of Jasher.)
19 The beauty of Israel is slain upon your high places: how are the
mighty fallen!
20 Tell it not in Gath, publish it not in the streets of Askelon; lest
the daughters of the Philistines rejoice, lest the daughters of the
uncircumcised triumph.
21 You mountains of Gilboa, let there be no dew, neither let there be
rain, upon you, nor fields of offerings: for there the shield of the
mighty is vilely cast away, the shield of Saul, as though he had not
been anointed with oil.
22 From the blood of the slain, from the fat of the mighty, the bow of
Jonathan turned not back, and the sword of Saul returned not empty.
23 Saul and Jonathan were lovely and pleasant in their lives, and in
their death they were not divided: they were swifter than eagles, they
were stronger than lions.
24 You daughters of Israel, weep over Saul, who clothed you in scarlet,
with other delights, who put on ornaments of gold upon your apparel.
25 How are the mighty fallen in the midst of the battle! O Jonathan,
you were slain in your high places.
26 I am distressed for you, my brother Jonathan: very pleasant have you
been unto me: your love to me was wonderful, passing the love of women.
27 How are the mighty fallen, and the weapons of war perished!
1 And it came to pass after this, that David inquired of YHWH, saying,
Shall I go up into any of the cities of Judah? And YHWH said unto him,
Go up. And David said, Where shall I go up? And he said, Unto Hebron.
2 So David went up thither, and his two wives also, Ahinoam the
Jezreelitess, and Abigail Nabal's wife the Carmelite.
3 And his men who were with him did David bring up, every man with his
household: and they dwelt in the cities of Hebron.
4 And the men of Judah came, and there they anointed David king over
the house of Judah. And they told David, saying, That the men of
Jabeshgilead were they who buried Saul.
5 And David sent messengers unto the men of Jabeshgilead, and said unto
them, Blessed be you of YHWH, that you have showed this kindness unto
your lord, even unto Saul, and have buried him.
6 And now YHWH show kindness and truth unto you: and I also will
requite you this kindness, because you have done this thing.
7 Therefore now let your hands be strengthened, and be you valiant: for
your master Saul is dead, and also the house of Judah have anointed me
king over them.
8 But Abner the son of Ner, captain of Saul's host, took Ishbosheth the
son of Saul, and brought him over to Mahanaim;
9 And made him king over Gilead, and over the Ashurites, and over
Jezreel, and over Ephraim, and over Benjamin, and over all Israel.
10 Ishbosheth Saul's son was forty years old when he began to reign
over Israel, and reigned two years. But the house of Judah followed
David.
11 And the time that David was king in Hebron over the house of Judah
was seven years and six months.
12 And Abner the son of Ner, and the servants of Ishbosheth the son of
Saul, went out from Mahanaim to Gibeon.
13 And Joab the son of Zeruiah, and the servants of David, went out,
and met together 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.
14 And Abner said to Joab, Let the young men now arise, and play before
us. And Joab said, Let them arise.
15 Then there arose and went over by number twelve of Benjamin, who
pertained to Ishbosheth the son of Saul, and twelve of the servants of
David.
16 And they caught every one his fellow by the head, and thrust his
sword in his fellow's side; so they fell down together: wherefore that
place was called Helkathhazzurim, which is in Gibeon.
17 And there was a very sore battle that day; and Abner was beaten, and
the men of Israel, before the servants of David.
18 And there were three sons of Zeruiah there, Joab, and Abishai, and
Asahel: and Asahel was as light of foot as a wild roe.
19 And Asahel pursued after Abner; and in going he turned not to the
right hand nor to the left from following Abner.
20 Then Abner looked behind him, and said, Are you Asahel? And he
answered, I am.
21 And 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 armour.
But Asahel would not turn aside from following of him.
22 And Abner said again to Asahel, Turn you aside from following me:
wherefore should I smite you to the ground? how then should I hold up my
face to Joab your brother?
23 Howbeit he refused to turn aside: wherefore Abner with the hinder
end of the spear smote him under the fifth rib, that the spear came out
behind him; and he fell down there, and died in the same place: and it
came to pass, that as many as came to the place where Asahel fell down
and died stood still.
24 Joab also 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.
25 And the children of Benjamin gathered themselves together after
Abner, and became one troop, and stood on the top of a hill.
26 Then Abner called to Joab, and said, Shall the sword devour for
ever? know you not that it will be bitterness in the latter end? how
long shall it be then, ere you bid the people return from following
their brethren?
27 And Joab said, As Elohim lives, unless you had spoken, surely then
in the morning the people had gone up every one from following his
brother.
28 So Joab blew a trumpet, and all the people stood still, and pursued
after Israel no more, neither fought they any more.
29 And Abner and his men walked all that night through the plain, and
passed over Jordan, and went through all Bithron, and they came to
Mahanaim.
30 And Joab returned from following Abner: and when he had gathered all
the people together, there lacked of David's servants nineteen men and
Asahel.
31 But the servants of David had smitten of Benjamin, and of Abner's
men, so that three hundred and threescore men died.
32 And they took up Asahel, and buried him in the sepulchre of his
father, which was in Bethlehem. And Joab and his men went all night, and
they came to Hebron at break of day.
1 Now there was long war between the house of Saul and the house of
David: but David waxed stronger and stronger, and the house of Saul
waxed weaker and weaker.
2 And unto David were sons born in Hebron: and his firstborn was Amnon,
of Ahinoam the Jezreelitess;
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;
4 And the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith; and the fifth,
Shephatiah the son of Abital;
5 And the sixth, Ithream, by Eglah David's wife. These were born to
David in Hebron.
6 And it came to pass, while there was war between the house of Saul
and the house of David, that Abner made himself strong for the house of
Saul.
7 And Saul had a concubine, whose name was Rizpah, the daughter of
Aiah: and Ishbosheth said to Abner, Wherefore have you gone in unto my
father's concubine?
8 Then was Abner very wroth for the words of Ishbosheth, and said, Am I
a dog's head, which against Judah do show kindness this day unto the
house of Saul your father, to his brethren, and to his friends, and have
not delivered you into the hand of David, that you charge me today with
a fault concerning this woman?
9 So do Elohim to Abner, and more also, unless, as YHWH has sworn to
David, even so I do to him;
10 To translate 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.
11 And he could not answer Abner a word again, because he feared him.
12 And 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 unto you.
13 And 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, unless you first
bring Michal Saul's daughter, when you come to see my face.
14 And David sent messengers to Ishbosheth Saul's son, saying, Deliver
me my wife Michal, whom I espoused to me for a hundred foreskins of
the Philistines.
15 And Ishbosheth sent, and took her from her husband, even from
Phaltiel the son of Laish.
16 And her husband went with her along weeping behind her to Bahurim.
Then said Abner unto him, Go, return. And he returned.
17 And Abner had communication with the elders of Israel, saying, You
sought for David in times past to be king over you:
18 Now then do it: for YHWH 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.
19 And 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
that seemed good to the whole house of Benjamin.
20 So Abner came to David to Hebron, and twenty men with him. And David
made Abner and the men who were with him a feast.
21 And Abner said unto David, I will arise and go, and will gather all
Israel unto my lord the king, that they may make a league with you, and
that you may reign over all that your heart desires. And David sent
Abner away; and he went in peace.
22 And, behold, the servants of David and Joab came from pursuing a
troop, 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.
23 When Joab and all the host that was with him were 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.
24 Then Joab came to the king, and said, What have you done? behold,
Abner came unto you; why is it that you have sent him away, and he is
quite gone?
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.
26 And when Joab was come out from David, he sent messengers after
Abner, who brought him again from the well of Sirah: but David knew it
not.
27 And when Abner was returned to Hebron, Joab took him aside in the
gate to speak with him quietly, and smote him there under the fifth rib,
that he died, for the blood of Asahel his brother.
28 And afterward when David heard it, he said, I and my kingdom are
guiltless before YHWH for ever from the blood of Abner the son of Ner:
29 Let it rest 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 on the sword, or
who lacks bread.
30 So Joab and Abishai his brother slew Abner, because he had slain
their brother Asahel at Gibeon in the battle.
31 And David said to Joab, and to all the people who were with him,
Rend your clothes, and gird you with sackcloth, and mourn before Abner.
And king David himself followed the bier.
32 And they buried Abner in Hebron: and the king lifted up his voice,
and wept at the grave of Abner; and all the people wept.
33 And the king lamented over Abner, and said, Died Abner as a fool
dies?
34 Your hands were not bound, nor your feet put into fetters: as a man
falls before wicked men, so fell you. And all the people wept again over
him.
35 And when all the people came to cause David to eat meat while it was
yet day, David swore, saying, So do Elohim to me, and more also, if I
taste bread, or ought else, till the sun be down.
36 And all the people took notice of it, and it pleased them: as
whatsoever the king did pleased all the people.
37 For all the people and all Israel understood that day that it was
not of the king to slay Abner the son of Ner.
38 And the king said unto his servants, Know you not that there is a
prince and a great man fallen this day in Israel?
39 And I am this day weak, though anointed king; and these men the sons
of Zeruiah be too hard for me: YHWH shall reward the doer of evil
according to his wickedness.
1 And when Saul's son heard that Abner was dead in Hebron, his hands
were feeble, and all the Israelites were troubled.
2 And 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
a Beerothite, of the children of Benjamin: (for Beeroth also was
reckoned to Benjamin.
3 And the Beerothites fled to Gittaim, and were sojourners there until
this day.)
4 And Jonathan, Saul's son, had a son who was lame of his feet. He was
five years old when the tidings came of Saul and Jonathan out of
Jezreel, and his nurse took him up, and fled: and it came to pass, as
she made haste to flee, that he fell, and became lame. And his name was
Mephibosheth.
5 And the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, Rechab and Baanah, went, and
came about the heat of the day to the house of Ishbosheth, who lay on a
bed at noon.
6 And they came thither into the midst of the house, as though they
would have fetched wheat; and they smote him under the fifth rib: and
Rechab and Baanah his brother escaped.
7 For when they came into the house, he lay on his bed in his
bedchamber, and they smote him, and slew him, and beheaded him, and took
his head, and gat them away through the plain all night.
8 And they brought the head of Ishbosheth unto David to Hebron, and
said to the king, Behold the head of Ishbosheth the son of Saul your
enemy, who sought your life; and YHWH has avenged my lord the king
this day of Saul, and of his seed.
9 And David answered Rechab and Baanah his brother, the sons of Rimmon
the Beerothite, and said unto them, As YHWH lives, who has redeemed my
soul out of all adversity,
10 When one told me, saying, Behold, Saul is dead, thinking to have
brought good tidings, I took hold of him, and slew him in Ziklag, who
thought that I would have given him a reward for his tidings:
11 How much more, when wicked men have slain a righteous person in his
own house upon his bed? shall I not therefore now require his blood of
your hand, and take you away from the earth?
12 And David commanded his young men, and they slew them, and cut off
their hands and their feet, and hanged them up over the pool in Hebron.
But they took the head of Ishbosheth, and buried it in the sepulchre of
Abner in Hebron.
1 Then came all the tribes of Israel to David unto Hebron, and spoke,
saying, Behold, we are your bone and your flesh.
2 Also in time past, when Saul was king over us, you were he who led
out and brought in Israel: and YHWH said to you, You shall feed my
people Israel, and you shall be a captain over Israel.
3 So all the elders of Israel came to the king to Hebron; and king
David made a league with them in Hebron before YHWH: and they anointed
David king over Israel.
4 David was thirty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned
forty years.
5 In Hebron he reigned over Judah seven years and six months: and in
Jerusalem he reigned thirty and three years over all Israel and Judah.
6 And the king and his men went to Jerusalem unto the Jebusites, the
inhabitants of the land: who spoke unto David, saying, Unless you take
away the blind and the lame, you shall not come in hither: thinking,
David cannot come in hither.
7 Nevertheless David took the strong hold of Zion: the same is the city
of David.
8 And David said on that day, Whosoever gets up to the gutter, and
smites the Jebusites, and the lame and the blind, who are hated of
David's soul, he shall be chief and captain. Wherefore they said, The
blind and the lame shall not come into the house.
9 So David dwelt in the fort, and called it the city of David. And
David built round about from Millo and inward.
10 And David went on, and grew great, and YHWH Elohim of Hosts was with
him.
11 And Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, and cedar trees,
and carpenters, and masons: and they built David a house.
12 And David perceived that YHWH had established him king over Israel,
and that he had exalted his kingdom for his people Israel's sake.
13 And 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.
14 And these be the names of those who were born unto him in
Jerusalem; Shammuah, and Shobab, and Nathan, and Solomon,
15 Ibhar also, and Elishua, and Nepheg, and Japhia,
16 And Elishama, and Eliada, and Eliphalet.
17 But when the Philistines heard that they had anointed David king
over Israel, all the Philistines came up to seek David; and David heard
of it, and went down to the hold.
18 The Philistines also came and spread themselves in the valley of
Rephaim.
19 And David inquired of YHWH, saying, Shall I go up to the
Philistines? will you deliver them into mine hand? And YHWH said unto
David, Go up: for I will doubtless deliver the Philistines into your
hand.
20 And David came to Baalperazim, and David smote them there, and said,
YHWH has broken forth upon mine enemies before me, as the breach of
waters. Therefore he called the name of that place Baalperazim.
21 And there they left their images, and David and his men burned them.
22 And the Philistines came up yet again, and spread themselves in the
valley of Rephaim.
23 And when David inquired of YHWH, he said, You shall not go up; but
fetch a compass behind them, and come upon them over against the
mulberry trees.
24 And let it be, when you hear the sound of a going in the tops of the
mulberry trees, that then you shall bestir yourself: for then shall YHWH
go out before you, to smite the host of the Philistines.
25 And David did so, as YHWH had commanded him; and smote the
Philistines from Geba until you come to Gazer.
1 Again, David gathered together all the chosen men of Israel, thirty
thousand.
2 And David arose, and went with all the people who were with him from
Baale of Judah, to bring up from thence the ark of Elohim, whose name is
called by the name of YHWH of hosts who dwells between the cherubims.
3 And they set the ark of Elohim upon a new cart, and brought it out of
the house of Abinadab that was in Gibeah: and Uzzah and Ahio, the sons
of Abinadab, drave the new cart.
4 And they brought it out of the house of Abinadab which was at Gibeah,
accompanying the ark of Elohim: and Ahio went before the ark.
5 And David and all the house of Israel played before YHWH on all
manner of instruments made of fir wood, even on harps, and on
psalteries, and on timbrels, and on cornets, and on cymbals.
6 And when they came to Nachon's threshingfloor, Uzzah put forth his
hand to the ark of Elohim, and took hold of it; for the oxen shook it.
7 And the anger of YHWH was kindled against Uzzah; and Elohim smote him
there for his error; and there he died by the ark of Elohim.
8 And David was displeased, because YHWH had made a breach upon Uzzah:
and he called the name of the place Perezuzzah to this day.
9 And David was afraid of YHWH that day, and said, How shall the ark of
YHWH come to me?
10 So David would not remove the ark of YHWH unto him into the city of
David: but David carried it aside into the house of Obededom the
Gittite.
11 And the ark of YHWH continued in the house of Obededom the Gittite
three months: and YHWH blessed Obededom, and all his household.
12 And it was told king David, saying, YHWH has blessed the house of
Obededom, and all that pertains unto him, because of the ark of Elohim.
So David went and brought up the ark of Elohim from the house of
Obededom into the city of David with gladness.
13 And it was so, that when they who bare the ark of YHWH had gone six
paces, he sacrificed oxen and fatlings.
14 And David danced before YHWH with all his might; and David was
girded with a linen ephod.
15 So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of YHWH with
shouting, and with the sound of the trumpet.
16 And as the ark of YHWH came into the city of David, Michal Saul's
daughter looked through a window, and saw king David leaping and dancing
before YHWH; and she despised him in her heart.
17 And they brought in the ark of YHWH, and set it in his place, in the
midst of the tabernacle that David had pitched for it: and David offered
burnt offerings and peace offerings before YHWH.
18 And as soon as David had made an end of offering burnt offerings and
peace offerings, he blessed the people in the name of YHWH of hosts.
19 And he dealt among all the people, even among the whole multitude of
Israel, as well to the women as men, to every one a cake of bread, and a
good piece of flesh, and a flagon of wine. So all the people departed
every one to his house.
20 Then David returned to bless his household. And 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!
21 And David said unto Michal, It was before YHWH, who chose me
before your father, and before all his house, to appoint me ruler over
the people of YHWH, over Israel: therefore will I play before YHWH.
22 And I will yet be more vile than thus, and will be base in mine own
sight: and of the maidservants whom you have spoken of, of them shall I
be had in honour.
23 Therefore Michal the daughter of Saul had no child unto the day of
her death.
1 And it came to pass, when the king sat in his house, and YHWH had
given him rest round about from all his enemies;
2 That the king said unto Nathan the prophet, See now, I dwell in an house of cedar, but the ark of Elohim dwells within curtains.
3 And Nathan said to the king, Go, do all that is in your heart; for
YHWH is with you.
4 And it came to pass that night, that the word of YHWH came unto
Nathan, saying,
5 Go and tell my servant David, Thus said YHWH, Shall you build me an house for me to dwell in?
6 Whereas I have not dwelt in any house since the time that I brought
up the children of Israel out of Egypt, even to this day, but have
walked in a tent and in a tabernacle.
7 In all the places wherein I have walked with all the children of
Israel spoke I a word with any of the tribes of Israel, whom I commanded
to feed my people Israel, saying, Why build you not me a house of
cedar?
8 Now therefore so shall you say unto my servant David, Thus said YHWH
of hosts, I took you from the sheepcote, from following the sheep, to be
ruler over my people, over Israel:
9 And I was with you whithersoever you went, and have cut off all your
enemies out of your sight, and have made you a great name, like unto the
name of the great men who are in the earth.
10 Moreover I will appoint a place for my people Israel, and will plant
them, that they may dwell in a place of their own, and move no more;
neither shall the children of wickedness afflict them any more, as
beforetime,
11 And as since the time that I commanded judges to be over my people
Israel, and have caused you to rest from all your enemies. Also YHWH
tells you that he will make you a house.
12 And when your days be fulfilled, and you shall sleep with your
fathers, I will set up your seed after you, who shall proceed out of
you, and I will establish his kingdom.
13 He shall build a house for my name, and I will stablish the throne
of his kingdom for ever.
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:
15 But my mercy shall not depart away from him, as I took it from Saul,
whom I put away before you.
16 And your house and your kingdom shall be established for ever before
you: your throne shall be established for ever.
17 According to all these words, and according to all this vision, so
did Nathan speak unto David.
18 Then went king David in, and sat before YHWH, and he said, Who am I,
O Adonai YHWH? and what is my house, that you have brought me hitherto?
19 And this was yet a small thing in your sight, O Adonai YHWH; but you
have spoken also of your servant's house for a great while to come. And
is this the manner of man, O Adonai YHWH?
20 And what can David say more unto you? for you, Adonai YHWH, know
your servant.
21 For your word's sake, and according to your own heart, have you done
all these great things, to make your servant know them.
22 Wherefore you are great, O YHWH Elohim: for there is none like you,
neither is there any Elohim beside you, according to all that we have
heard with our ears.
23 And what one nation in the earth is like your people, even like
Israel, whom Elohim went to redeem for a people to himself, and to make
him a name, and to do for you great things and terrible, for your land,
before your people, whom you redeemed to you from Egypt, from the
nations and their elohim (``elohim'')?
24 For you have confirmed to yourself your people Israel to be a people
unto you for ever: and you, YHWH, are become their Elohim.
25 And now, O YHWH Elohim, the word that you have spoken concerning
your servant, and concerning his house, establish it for ever, and do as
you have said.
26 And let your name be magnified for ever, saying, YHWH of hosts is
the Elohim over Israel: and let the house of your servant David be
established before you.
27 For you, O YHWH of hosts, Elohim 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 unto you.
28 And now, O Adonai YHWH, you are that Elohim, and your words be true,
and you have promised this goodness unto your servant:
29 Therefore now let it please you to bless the house of your servant,
that it may continue for ever before you: for you, O Adonai YHWH, have
spoken it: and with your blessing let the house of your servant be
blessed for ever.
1 And after this it came to pass, that David smote the Philistines, and
subdued them: and David took Methegammah out of the hand of the
Philistines.
2 And he smote Moab, and measured them with a line, casting them down
to the ground; even with two lines measured he to put to death, and with
one full line to keep alive. And so the Moabites became David's
servants, and brought gifts.
3 David smote also Hadadezer, the son of Rehob, king of Zobah, as he
went to recover his border at the river Euphrates.
4 And David took from him a thousand chariots, and seven hundred
horsemen, and twenty thousand footmen: and David hocked all the chariot
horses, but reserved of them for a hundred chariots.
5 And when the Syrians of Damascus came to succour Hadadezer king of
Zobah, David slew of the Syrians two and twenty thousand men.
6 Then David put garrisons in Syria of Damascus: and the Syrians became
servants to David, and brought gifts. And YHWH preserved David
whithersoever he went.
7 And David took the shields of gold that were on the servants of
Hadadezer, and brought them to Jerusalem.
8 And from Betah, and from Berothai, cities of Hadadezer, king David
took exceeding much brass.
9 When Toi king of Hamath heard that David had smitten all the host of
Hadadezer,
10 Then Toi sent Joram his son unto king David, to salute him, and to
bless him, because he had fought against Hadadezer, and smitten him: for
Hadadezer had wars with Toi. And Joram brought with him vessels of
silver, and vessels of gold, and vessels of brass:
11 Which also king David did dedicate unto YHWH, with the silver and
gold that he had dedicated of all nations which he subdued;
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.
13 And David gat him a name when he returned from smiting of the
Syrians in the valley of salt, being eighteen thousand men.
14 And he put garrisons in Edom; throughout all Edom put he garrisons,
and all they of Edom became David's servants. And YHWH preserved David
whithersoever he went.
15 And David reigned over all Israel; and David executed judgment and
justice unto all his people.
16 And Joab the son of Zeruiah was over the host; and Jehoshaphat the
son of Ahilud was recorder;
17 And Zadok the son of Ahitub, and Ahimelech the son of Abiathar, were
the priests; and Seraiah was the scribe;
18 And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over both the Cherethites and
the Pelethites; and David's sons were chief rulers.
1 And David said, Is there yet any who is left of the house of Saul,
that I may show him kindness for Jonathan's sake?
2 And there was of the house of Saul a servant whose name was Ziba. And
when they had called him unto David, the king said unto him, Are you
Ziba? And he said, Your servant is he.
3 And the king said, Is there not yet any of the house of Saul, that I
may show the kindness of Elohim unto him? And Ziba said unto the king,
Jonathan has yet a son, who is lame on his feet.
4 And the king said unto him, Where is he? And Ziba said unto the king,
Behold, he is in the house of Machir, the son of Ammiel, in Lodebar.
5 Then king David sent, and fetched him out of the house of Machir, the
son of Ammiel, from Lodebar.
6 Now when Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, was come
unto David, he fell on his face, and did reverence. And David said,
Mephibosheth. And he answered, Behold your servant!
7 And David said unto him, Fear not: 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.
8 And he bowed himself, and said, What is your servant, that you should
look upon such a dead dog as I am?
9 Then the king called to Ziba, Saul's servant, and said unto him, I
have given unto your master's son all that pertained to Saul and to all
his house.
10 You therefore, and your sons, and your servants, shall till the land
for him, and you shall bring in the fruits, that your master's son may
have food to eat: but Mephibosheth your master's son shall eat bread
alway at my table. Now Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants.
11 Then said Ziba unto the king, According to all that my lord the king
has commanded his servant, so shall your servant do. As for
Mephibosheth, said the king, he shall eat at my table, as one of the
king's sons.
12 And Mephibosheth had a young son, whose name was Micha. And all who
dwelt in the house of Ziba were servants unto Mephibosheth.
13 So Mephibosheth dwelt in Jerusalem: for he did eat continually at
the king's table; and was lame on both his feet.
1 And it came to pass after this, that the king of the children of
Ammon died, and Hanun his son reigned in his stead.
2 Then said David, I will show kindness unto Hanun the son of Nahash,
as his father showed kindness unto me. And David sent to comfort him by
the hand of his servants for his father. And David's servants came into
the land of the children of Ammon.
3 And the princes of the children of Ammon said unto Hanun their lord,
Think you that David does honour your father, that he has sent
comforters unto you? has not David rather sent his servants unto you, to
search the city, and to spy it out, and to overthrow it?
4 Wherefore 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
buttocks, and sent them away.
5 When they told it unto David, he sent to meet them, because the men
were greatly ashamed: and the king said, Tarry at Jericho until your
beards be grown, and then return.
6 And when the children of Ammon saw that they stank before David, the
children of Ammon sent and hired the Syrians of Bethrehob, and the
Syrians of Zoba, twenty thousand footmen, and of king Maacah a thousand
men, and of Ishtob twelve thousand men.
7 And when David heard of it, he sent Joab, and all the host of the
mighty men.
8 And the children of Ammon came out, and put the battle in array at
the entering in of the gate: and the Syrians of Zoba, and of Rehob, and
Ishtob, and Maacah, were by themselves in the field.
9 When Joab saw that the front of the battle was against him before and
behind, he chose of all the choice men of Israel, and put them in array
against the Syrians:
10 And the rest of the people he delivered into the hand of Abishai his
brother, that he might put them in array against the children of Ammon.
11 And he said, If the Syrians be too strong for me, then you shall
help me: but if the children of Ammon be too strong for you, then I will
come and help you.
12 Be of good courage, and let us play the men for our people, and for
the cities of our Elohim: and YHWH do that which seems him good.
13 And Joab drew nigh, and the people who were with him, unto the
battle against the Syrians: and they fled before him.
14 And when the children of Ammon saw that the Syrians were fled, then
fled they also before Abishai, and entered into the city. So Joab
returned from the children of Ammon, and came to Jerusalem.
15 And when the Syrians saw that they were smitten before Israel, they
gathered themselves together.
16 And Hadarezer sent, and brought out the Syrians who were beyond the
river: and they came to Helam; and Shobach the captain of the host of
Hadarezer went before them.
17 And when it was told David, he gathered all Israel together, and
passed over Jordan, and came to Helam. And the Syrians set themselves in
array against David, and fought with him.
18 And the Syrians fled before Israel; and David slew the men of seven
hundred chariots of the Syrians, and forty thousand horsemen, and smote
Shobach the captain of their host, who died there.
19 And when all the kings who were servants to Hadarezer saw that they
were smitten before Israel, they made peace with Israel, and served
them. So the Syrians feared to help the children of Ammon any more.
1 And it came to pass, after the year was expired, at the time when
kings go forth 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 tarried still at Jerusalem.
2 And it came to pass in an eveningtide, that David arose from off his
bed, and walked upon the roof of the king's house: and from the roof he
saw a woman washing herself; and the woman was very beautiful to look
upon.
3 And David sent and inquired after the woman. And one said, Is not
this Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?
4 And David sent messengers, and took her; and she came in unto him,
and he lay with her; for she was purified from her uncleanness: and she
returned unto her house.
5 And the woman conceived, and sent and told David, and said, I am with
child.
6 And David sent to Joab, saying, Send me Uriah the Hittite. And Joab
sent Uriah to David.
7 And when Uriah was come unto him, David demanded of him how Joab did,
and how the people did, and how the war prospered.
8 And David said to Uriah, Go down to your house, and wash your feet.
And Uriah departed out of the king's house, and there followed him a
mess of meat from the king.
9 But Uriah slept at the door of the king's house with all the servants
of his lord, and went not down to his house.
10 And when they had told David, saying, Uriah went not down unto his
house, David said unto Uriah, Came you not from your journey? why then
did you not go down unto your house?
11 And Uriah said unto David, The ark, and Israel, and Judah, abide in
tents; and my lord Joab, and the servants of my lord, are encamped in
the open fields; shall I then go into mine 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.
12 And David said to Uriah, Tarry here today also, and to morrow I
will let you depart. So Uriah abode in Jerusalem that day, and the
morrow.
13 And when David had called him, he did eat 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 went not down to his house.
14 And it came to pass in the morning, that David wrote a letter to
Joab, and sent it by the hand of Uriah.
15 And he wrote in the letter, saying, Set you Uriah in the forefront
of the hottest battle, and retire you from him, that he may be smitten,
and die.
16 And it came to pass, when Joab observed the city, that he assigned
Uriah unto a place where he knew that valiant men were.
17 And the men of the city went out, and fought with Joab: and there
fell some of the people of the servants of David; and Uriah the Hittite
died also.
18 Then Joab sent and told David all the things concerning the war;
19 And charged the messenger, saying, When you have made an end of
telling the matters of the war unto the king,
20 And if so be that the king's wrath arise, and he say unto you,
Wherefore approached you so nigh unto the city when you did fight? knew
you not that they would shoot from the wall?
21 Who smote Abimelech the son of Jerubbesheth? did not a woman cast a
piece of a millstone upon him from the wall, that he died in Thebez? why
went you nigh the wall? then say you, Your servant Uriah the Hittite is
dead also.
22 So the messenger went, and came and showed David all that Joab had
sent him for.
23 And the messenger said unto David, Surely the men prevailed against
us, and came out unto us into the field, and we were upon them even unto
the entering of the gate.
24 And the shooters shot from off the wall upon your servants; and some
of the king's servants be dead, and your servant Uriah the Hittite is
dead also.
25 Then David said unto the messenger, Thus shall you say unto Joab,
Let not 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.
26 And when the wife of Uriah heard that Uriah her husband was dead,
she mourned for her husband.
27 And when the mourning was past, David sent and fetched her to his
house, and she became his wife, and bare him a son. But the thing that
David had done displeased YHWH.
1 And YHWH sent Nathan unto David. And he came unto him, and said unto
him, There were two men in one city; the one rich, and the other poor.
2 The rich man had exceeding many flocks and herds:
3 But the poor man had nothing, save one little ewe lamb, which he had
bought and nourished up: and it grew up together with him, and with his
children; it did eat of his own meat, and drank of his own cup, and lay
in his bosom, and was unto him as a daughter.
4 And there came a traveller unto the rich man, and he spared to take
of his own flock and of his own herd, to dress for the wayfaring man
who was come unto him; but took the poor man's lamb, and dressed it for
the man who was come to him.
5 And David's anger was greatly kindled against the man; and he said to
Nathan, As YHWH lives, the man who has done this thing shall surely
die:
6 And he shall restore the lamb fourfold, because he did this thing,
and because he had no pity.
7 And Nathan said to David, You are the man. Thus said YHWH Elohim of
Israel, I anointed you king over Israel, and I delivered you out of the
hand of Saul;
8 And 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 had
been too little, I would moreover have given unto you such and such
things.
9 Wherefore have you despised the commandment of YHWH, to do evil in
his sight? you have killed Uriah the Hittite with the sword, and have
taken his wife to be your wife, and have slain him with the sword of the
children of Ammon.
10 Now therefore the sword shall never depart from your house; because
you have despised me, and have taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be
your wife.
11 Thus said YHWH, 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
unto your neighbour, and he shall lie with your wives in the sight of
this sun.
12 For you did it secretly: but I will do this thing before all Israel,
and before the sun.
13 And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against YHWH. And Nathan
said unto David, YHWH also has put away your sin; you shall not die.
14 Howbeit, because by this deed you have given great occasion to the
enemies of YHWH to blaspheme, the child also that is born unto you shall
surely die.
15 And Nathan departed unto his house. And YHWH struck the child that
Uriah's wife bare unto David, and it was very sick.
16 David therefore besought Elohim for the child; and David fasted, and
went in, and lay all night upon the earth.
17 And the elders of his house arose, and went to him, to raise him up
from the earth: but he would not, neither did he eat bread with them.
18 And it came to pass on the seventh day, that the child died. And 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 unto him, and he
would not hearken unto our voice: how will he then vex himself, if we
tell him that the child is dead?
19 But when David saw that his servants whispered, David perceived that
the child was dead: therefore David said unto his servants, Is the child
dead? And they said, He is dead.
and changed his apparel, and came into the house of YHWH, and
20 Then David arose from the earth, and washed, and anointed himself,
and changed his apparel, and came into the house of YHWH, and
worshipped: then he came to his own house; and when he required, they
set bread before him, and he did eat.
21 Then said his servants unto 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.
22 And he said, While the child was yet alive, I fasted and wept: for I
said, Who can tell whether ELOHIM will be gracious to me, that the child
may live?
23 But now he is dead, wherefore should I fast? can I bring him back
again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me.
24 And David comforted Bathsheba his wife, and went in unto her, and
lay with her: and she bare a son, and he called his name Solomon: and
YHWH loved him.
25 And he sent by the hand of Nathan the prophet; and he called his
name Jedidiah, because of YHWH.
26 And Joab fought against Rabbah of the children of Ammon, and took
the royal city.
27 And Joab sent messengers to David, and said, I have fought against
Rabbah, and have taken the city of waters.
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.
29 And David gathered all the people together, and went to Rabbah, and
fought against it, and took it.
30 And he took their king's crown from off his head, the weight whereof
was a talent of gold with the precious stones: and it was set on David's
head. And he brought forth the spoil of the city in great abundance.
31 And he brought forth the people who were therein, and put them
under saws, and under harrows of iron, and under axes of iron, and made
them pass through the brickkiln: and thus did he unto all the cities of
the children of Ammon. So David and all the people returned unto
Jerusalem.
1 And it came to pass after this, that Absalom the son of David had a
fair sister, whose name was Tamar; and Amnon the son of David loved her.
2 And Amnon was so vexed, that he fell sick for his sister Tamar; for
she was a virgin; and Amnon thought it hard for him to do any thing to
her.
3 But Amnon had a friend, whose name was Jonadab, the son of Shimeah
David's brother: and Jonadab was a very subtle man.
4 And he said unto him, Why are you, being the king's son, lean from
day today? will you not tell me? And Amnon said unto him, I love Tamar,
my brother Absalom's sister.
5 And Jonadab said unto him, Lay you down on your bed, and make
yourself sick: and when your father comes to see you, say unto him, I
pray you, let my sister Tamar come, and give me meat, and dress the meat
in my sight, that I may see it, and eat it at her hand.
6 So Amnon lay down, and made himself sick: and when the king was come
to see him, Amnon said unto the king, I pray you, let Tamar my sister
come, and make me a couple of cakes in my sight, that I may eat at her
hand.
7 Then David sent home to Tamar, saying, Go now to your brother Amnon's
house, and dress him meat.
8 So Tamar went to her brother Amnon's house; and he was laid down. And
she took flour, and kneaded it, and made cakes in his sight, and did
bake the cakes.
9 And she took a pan, and poured them out before him; but he refused to
eat. And Amnon said, Have out all men from me. And they went out every
man from him.
10 And Amnon said unto Tamar, Bring the meat into the chamber, that I
may eat of your hand. And Tamar took the cakes which she had made, and
brought them into the chamber to Amnon her brother.
11 And when she had brought them unto him to eat, he took hold of her,
and said unto her, Come lie with me, my sister.
12 And she answered him, Nay, my brother, do not force me; for no such
thing ought to be done in Israel: do not you this folly.
13 And I, where shall I cause my shame to go? and as for you, you shall
be as one of the fools in Israel. Now therefore, I pray you, speak unto
the king; for he will not withhold me from you.
14 Howbeit he would not hearken unto her voice: but, being stronger
than she, forced her, and lay with her.
15 Then Amnon hated her exceedingly; so that the hatred wherewith he
hated her was greater than the love wherewith he had loved her. And
Amnon said unto her, Arise, be gone.
16 And she said unto him, There is no cause: this evil in sending me
away is greater than the other that you did unto me. But he would not
hearken unto her.
17 Then he called his servant who ministered unto him, and said, Put
now this woman out from me, and bolt the door after her.
18 And she had a garment of divers colours upon her: for with such
robes were the king's daughters who were virgins apparelled. Then his
servant brought her out, and bolted the door after her.
19 And Tamar put ashes on her head, and rent her garment of divers
colours that was on her, and laid her hand on her head, and went on
crying.
20 And Absalom her brother said unto her, Has Amnon your brother been
with you? but hold now your peace, my sister: he is your brother; regard
not this thing. So Tamar remained desolate in her brother Absalom's
house.
21 But when king David heard of all these things, he was very wroth.
22 And Absalom spoke unto his brother Amnon neither good nor bad: for
Absalom hated Amnon, because he had forced his sister Tamar.
23 And it came to pass after two full years, that Absalom had
sheepshearers in Baalhazor, which is beside Ephraim: and Absalom invited
all the king's sons.
24 And Absalom came to the king, and said, Behold now, your servant has
sheepshearers; let the king, I beseech you, and his servants go with
your servant.
25 And the king said to Absalom, Nay, my son, let us not all now go,
lest we be chargeable unto you. And he pressed him: howbeit he would not
go, but blessed him.
26 Then said Absalom, If not, I pray you, let my brother Amnon go with
us. And the king said unto him, Why should he go with you?
27 But Absalom pressed him, that he let Amnon and all the king's sons
go with him.
28 Now Absalom had commanded his servants, saying, Mark you now when
Amnon's heart is merry with wine, and when I say unto you, Smite Amnon;
then kill him, fear not: have not I commanded you? be courageous, and be
valiant.
29 And the servants of Absalom did unto Amnon as Absalom had commanded.
Then all the king's sons arose, and every man gat him up upon his mule,
and fled.
30 And it came to pass, while they were in the way, that tidings came
to David, saying, Absalom has slain all the king's sons, and there is
not one of them left.
31 Then the king arose, and tare his garments, and lay on the earth;
and all his servants stood by with their clothes rent.
32 And Jonadab, the son of Shimeah David's brother, answered and said,
Let not my lord suppose that they have slain 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.
33 Now therefore let not 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.
34 But Absalom fled. And the young man who kept the watch lifted up
his eyes, and looked, and, behold, there came much people by the way of
the hill side behind him.
35 And Jonadab said unto the king, Behold, the king's sons come: as
your servant said, so it is.
36 And it came to pass, 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.
37 But Absalom fled, and went to Talmai, the son of Ammihud, king of
Geshur. And David mourned for his son every day.
38 So Absalom fled, and went to Geshur, and was there three years.
39 And the soul of king David longed to go forth unto Absalom: for he
was comforted concerning Amnon, seeing he was dead.
1 Now Joab the son of Zeruiah perceived that the king's heart was
toward Absalom.
2 And Joab sent to Tekoah, and fetched thence a wise woman, and said
unto her, I pray you, feign yourself to be a mourner, and put on now
mourning apparel, and anoint not yourself with oil, but be as a woman
that had a long time mourned for the dead:
3 And come to the king, and speak on this manner unto him. So Joab put
the words in her mouth.
4 And when the woman of Tekoah spoke to the king, she fell on her face
to the ground, and did obeisance, and said, Help, O king.
5 And the king said unto her, What ails you? And she answered, I am
indeed a widow woman, and mine husband is dead.
6 And your handmaid had two sons, and they two strove together in the
field, and there was none to part them, but the one smote the other, and
slew him.
7 And, behold, the whole family is risen against your handmaid, and
they said, Deliver him who smote his brother, that we may kill him, for
the life of his brother whom he slew; and we will destroy the heir also:
and so they shall quench my coal which is left, and shall not leave to
my husband neither name nor remainder upon the earth.
8 And the king said unto the woman, Go to your house, and I will give
charge concerning you.
9 And the woman of Tekoah said unto 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.
10 And the king said, Whosoever said ought unto you, bring him to me,
and he shall not touch you any more.
11 Then said she, I pray you, let the king remember YHWH your Elohim,
that you would not suffer the revengers of blood to destroy any more,
lest they destroy my son. And he said, As YHWH lives, there shall not
one hair of your son fall to the earth.
12 Then the woman said, Let your handmaid, I pray you, speak one word
unto my lord the king. And he said, Say on.
13 And the woman said, Wherefore then have you thought such a thing
against the people of Elohim? for the king does speak this thing as one
who is faulty, in that the king does not fetch home again his
banished.
14 For we must needs die, and are as water spilled on the ground, which
cannot be gathered up again; neither does Elohim respect any person: yet
does he devise means, that his banished be not expelled from him.
15 Now therefore that I am come to speak of this thing unto my lord the
king, it is because the people have made me afraid: and your handmaid
said, I will now speak unto the king; it may be that the king will
perform the request of his handmaid.
16 For the king will hear, to deliver his handmaid out of the hand of
the man who would destroy me and my son together out of the inheritance
of Elohim.
17 Then your handmaid said, The word of my lord the king shall now be
comfortable: for as an angel of Elohim, so is my lord the king to
discern good and bad: therefore YHWH your Elohim will be with you.
18 Then the king answered and said unto the woman, Hide not from me, I
pray you, the thing that I shall ask you. And the woman said, Let my
lord the king now speak.
19 And the king said, Is not the hand of Joab with you in all this? And
the woman answered and said, As your soul lives, my lord the king, none
can turn to the right hand or to the left from ought 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:
20 To fetch about this form of speech has your servant Joab done this
thing: and my lord is wise, according to the wisdom of an angel of
Elohim, to know all things that are in the earth.
21 And the king said unto Joab, Behold now, I have done this thing: go
therefore, bring the young man Absalom again.
22 And Joab fell to the ground on his face, and bowed himself, and
thanked the king: and Joab said, To day your servant knows that I have
found grace in your sight, my lord, O king, in that the king has
fulfilled the request of his servant.
23 So Joab arose and went to Geshur, and brought Absalom to Jerusalem.
24 And the king said, Let him turn to his own house, and let him not
see my face. So Absalom returned to his own house, and saw not the
king's face.
25 But 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.
26 And when he polled his head, (for it was at every year's end that he
polled it: because the hair was heavy on him, therefore he polled it:)
he weighed the hair of his head at two hundred shekels after the king's
weight.
27 And unto Absalom there were born three sons, and one daughter, whose
name was Tamar: she was a woman of a fair countenance.
28 So Absalom dwelt two full years in Jerusalem, and saw not the king's
face.
29 Therefore Absalom sent for Joab, to have sent him to the king; but
he would not come to him: and when he sent again the second time, he
would not come.
30 Therefore he said unto his servants, See, Joab's field is near mine,
and he has barley there; go and set it on fire. And Absalom's servants
set the field on fire.
31 Then Joab arose, and came to Absalom unto his house, and said unto
him, Wherefore have your servants set my field on fire?
32 And Absalom answered Joab, Behold, I sent unto you, saying, Come
hither, that I may send you to the king, to say, Wherefore am I come
from Geshur? it had been good for me to have been there still: now
therefore let me see the king's face; and if there be any iniquity in
me, let him kill me.
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.
1 And it came to pass after this, that Absalom prepared him chariots
and horses, and fifty men to run before him.
2 And Absalom rose up early, and stood beside the way of the gate: and
it was so, that when any man who had a controversy came to the king for
judgment, then Absalom called unto him, and said, Of what city are you?
And he said, Your servant is of one of the tribes of Israel.
3 And Absalom said unto him, See, your matters are good and right; but
there is no man deputed of the king to hear you.
4 Absalom said moreover, Oh that I were made judge in the land, that
every man who has any suit or cause might come unto me, and I would do
him justice!
5 And it was so, that when any man came nigh to him to do him
obeisance, he put forth his hand, and took him, and kissed him.
6 And on this manner did Absalom to all Israel that came to the king
for judgment: so Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel.
7 And it came to pass after forty years, that Absalom said unto the
king, I pray you, let me go and pay my vow, which I have vowed unto
YHWH, in Hebron.
8 For your servant vowed a vow while I abode at Geshur in Syria,
saying, If YHWH shall bring me again indeed to Jerusalem, then I will
serve YHWH.
9 And the king said unto him, Go in peace. So he arose, and went to
Hebron.
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 reigns in Hebron.
11 And with Absalom went two hundred men out of Jerusalem, who were
called; and they went in their simplicity, and they knew not any thing.
12 And Absalom sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David's counsellor,
from his city, even from Giloh, while he offered sacrifices. And the
conspiracy was strong; for the people increased continually with
Absalom.
13 And there came a messenger to David, saying, The hearts of the men
of Israel are after Absalom.
14 And David said unto all his servants who were with him at
Jerusalem, Arise, and let us flee; for we shall not else escape from
Absalom: make speed to depart, lest he overtake us suddenly, and bring
evil upon us, and smite the city with the edge of the sword.
15 And the king's servants said unto the king, Behold, your servants
are ready to do whatsoever my lord the king shall appoint.
16 And the king went forth, and all his household after him. And the
king left ten women, who were concubines, to keep the house.
17 And the king went forth, and all the people after him, and tarried
in a place that was far off.
18 And all his servants passed on beside him; and all the Cherethites,
and all the Pelethites, and all the Gittites, six hundred men who came
after him from Gath, passed on before the king.
19 Then said the king to Ittai the Gittite, Wherefore go you also with
us? return to your place, and abide with the king: for you are a
stranger, and also an exile.
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
brethren: mercy and truth be with you.
21 And Ittai answered the king, and said, As YHWH lives, and as my lord
the king lives, surely in what place my lord the king shall be, whether
in death or life, even there also will your servant be.
22 And David said to Ittai, Go and pass over. And Ittai the Gittite
passed over, and all his men, and all the little ones who were with
him.
23 And all the country wept with a loud voice, and all the people
passed over: the king also himself passed over the brook Kidron, and all
the people passed over, toward the way of the wilderness.
24 And lo Zadok also, and all the Levites were with him, bearing the
ark of the covenant of Elohim: and they set down the ark of Elohim; and
Abiathar went up, until all the people had done passing out of the city.
25 And the king said unto Zadok, Carry back the ark of Elohim into the
city: if I shall find favour in the eyes of YHWH, he will bring me
again, and show me both it, and his habitation:
26 But if he thus say, I have no delight in you; behold, here am I, let
him do to me as seems good unto him.
27 The king said also unto Zadok the priest, Are not you a seer? return
into the city in peace, and your two sons with you, Ahimaaz your son,
and Jonathan the son of Abiathar.
28 See, I will tarry in the plain of the wilderness, until there come
word from you to certify me.
29 Zadok therefore and Abiathar carried the ark of Elohim again to
Jerusalem: and they tarried there.
30 And David went up by the ascent of mount Olivet, and wept as he went
up, and had his head covered, and he went barefoot: and all the people
who were with him covered every man his head, and they went up, weeping
as they went up.
31 And one told David, saying, Ahithophel is among the conspirators
with Absalom. And David said, O YHWH, I pray you, turn the counsel of
Ahithophel into foolishness.
32 And it came to pass, that when David was come to the top of the
mount, where he worshipped Elohim, behold, Hushai the Archite came to
meet him with his coat rent, and earth upon his head:
33 Unto whom David said, If you pass on with me, then you shall be a
burden unto me:
34 But if you return to the city, and say unto Absalom, I will be your
servant, O king; as I have been your father's servant hitherto, so will
I now also be your servant: then may you for me defeat the counsel of
Ahithophel.
35 And have you not there with you Zadok and Abiathar the priests?
therefore it shall be, that what thing soever you shall hear out of the
king's house, you shall tell it to Zadok and Abiathar the priests.
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 unto me
every thing that you can hear.
37 So Hushai David's friend came into the city, and Absalom came into
Jerusalem.
1 And when David was a little past the top of the hill, behold, Ziba
the servant of Mephibosheth met him, with a couple of asses saddled, and
upon them two hundred loaves of bread, and a hundred bunches of
raisins, and a hundred of summer fruits, and a bottle of wine.
2 And the king said unto Ziba, What means you by these? And Ziba said,
The asses be 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 be
faint in the wilderness may drink.
3 And the king said, And where is your master's son? And Ziba said unto
the king, Behold, he abides at Jerusalem: for he said, To day shall the
house of Israel restore me the kingdom of my father.
4 Then said the king to Ziba, Behold, yours are all that pertained unto
Mephibosheth. And Ziba said, I humbly beseech you that I may find grace
in your sight, my lord, O king.
5 And when king David came to Bahurim, behold, thence came out a man of
the family of the house of Saul, whose name was Shimei, the son of Gera:
he came forth, and cursed still as he came.
6 And 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.
7 And thus said Shimei when he cursed, Come out, come out, you bloody
man, and you man of Belial:
8 YHWH has returned upon you all the blood of the house of Saul, in
whose stead you have reigned; and YHWH has delivered the kingdom into
the hand of Absalom your son: and, behold, you are taken in your
mischief, because you are a bloody man.
9 Then said Abishai the son of Zeruiah unto the king, Why should this
dead dog curse my lord the king? let me go over, I pray you, and take
off his head.
10 And the king said, What have I to do with you, you sons of Zeruiah?
so let him curse, because YHWH has said unto him, Curse David. Who shall
then say, Wherefore have you done so?
11 And David said to Abishai, and to all his servants, Behold, my son,
who came forth of me, seeks my life: how much more now may this
Benjamite do it? let him alone, and let him curse; for YHWH has bidden
him.
12 It may be that YHWH will look on mine affliction, and that YHWH will
requite me good for his cursing this day.
13 And as David and his men went by the way, Shimei went along on the
hill's side over against him, and cursed as he went, and threw stones at
him, and cast dust.
14 And the king, and all the people who were with him, came weary, and
refreshed themselves there.
15 And Absalom, and all the people the men of Israel, came to
Jerusalem, and Ahithophel with him.
16 And it came to pass, when Hushai the Archite, David's friend, was
come unto Absalom, that Hushai said unto Absalom, Elohim save the king,
Elohim save the king.
17 And Absalom said to Hushai, Is this your kindness to your friend?
why went you not with your friend?
18 And Hushai said unto Absalom, Nay; but whom YHWH, and this people,
and all the men of Israel, choose, his will I be, and with him will I
abide.
19 And again, whom should I serve? should I not serve in the presence
of his son? as I have served in your father's presence, so will I be in
your presence.
20 Then said Absalom to Ahithophel, Give counsel among you what we
shall do.
21 And Ahithophel said unto Absalom, Go in unto your father's
concubines, whom he has left to keep the house; and all Israel shall
hear that you are abhorred of your father: then shall the hands of all
who are with you be strong.
22 So they spread Absalom a tent upon the top of the house; and Absalom
went in unto his father's concubines in the sight of all Israel.
23 And the counsel of Ahithophel, which he counselled in those days,
was as if a man had inquired at the oracle of Elohim: so was all the
counsel of Ahithophel both with David and with Absalom.
1 Moreover Ahithophel said unto Absalom, Let me now choose out twelve
thousand men, and I will arise and pursue after David this night:
2 And I will come upon him while he is weary and weak handed, and will
make him afraid: and all the people who are with him shall flee; and I
will smite the king only:
3 And I will bring back all the people unto you: the man whom you seek
is as if all returned: so all the people shall be in peace.
4 And the saying pleased Absalom well, and all the elders of Israel.
5 Then said Absalom, Call now Hushai the Archite also, and let us hear
likewise what he said.
6 And when Hushai was come to Absalom, Absalom spoke unto him, saying,
Ahithophel has spoken after this manner: shall we do after his saying?
if not; speak you.
7 And Hushai said unto Absalom, The counsel that Ahithophel has given
is not good at this time.
8 For, said Hushai, you know your father and his men, that they be
mighty men, and they be chafed in their minds, as a bear robbed of her
whelps in the field: and your father is a man of war, and will not lodge
with the people.
9 Behold, he is hid now in some pit, or in some other place: and it
will come to pass, when some of them be overthrown at the first, that
whosoever hears it will say, There is a slaughter among the people who
follow Absalom.
10 And he also who is valiant, whose heart is as the heart of a lion,
shall utterly melt: for all Israel knows that your father is a mighty
man, and they who be with him are valiant men.
11 Therefore I counsel that all Israel be generally gathered unto you,
from Dan even to Beersheba, as the sand that is by the sea for
multitude; and that you go to battle in your own person.
12 So shall we come upon him in some place where he shall be found, and
we will light upon him as the dew falls on the ground: and of him and of
all the men who are with him there shall not be left so much as one.
13 Moreover, if he be gotten into a city, then shall all Israel bring
ropes to that city, and we will draw it into the river, until there be
not one small stone found there.
14 And Absalom and all the men of Israel said, The counsel of Hushai
the Archite is better than the counsel of Ahithophel. For YHWH had
appointed to defeat the good counsel of Ahithophel, to the intent that
YHWH might bring evil upon Absalom.
15 Then said Hushai unto Zadok and to Abiathar the priests, Thus and
thus did Ahithophel counsel Absalom and the elders of Israel; and thus
and thus have I counselled.
16 Now therefore send quickly, and tell David, saying, Lodge not this
night in the plains of the wilderness, but speedily pass over; lest the
king be swallowed up, and all the people who are with him.
17 Now Jonathan and Ahimaaz stayed by Enrogel; for they might not be
seen to come into the city: and a wench went and told them; and they
went and told king David.
18 Nevertheless a lad saw them, and told Absalom: but they went both of
them away quickly, and came to a man's house in Bahurim, which had a
well in his court; where they went down.
19 And the woman took and spread a covering over the well's mouth, and
spread ground corn thereon; and the thing was not known.
20 And when Absalom's servants came to the woman to the house, they
said, Where is Ahimaaz and Jonathan? And the woman said unto them, They
be gone over the brook of water. And when they had sought and could not
find them, they returned to Jerusalem.
21 And it came to pass, after they were departed, that they came up out
of the well, and went and told king David, and said unto David, Arise,
and pass quickly over the water: for thus has Ahithophel counselled
against you.
22 Then David arose, and all the people who were with him, and they
passed over Jordan: by the morning light there lacked not one of them
who was not gone over Jordan.
23 And when Ahithophel saw that his counsel was not followed, he
saddled his ass, and arose, and gat him home to his house, to his city,
and put his household in order, and hanged himself, and died, and was
buried in the sepulchre of his father.
24 Then David came to Mahanaim. And Absalom passed over Jordan, he and
all the men of Israel with him.
25 And Absalom made Amasa captain of the host instead of Joab: which
Amasa was a man's son, whose name was Ithra an Israelite, who went in
to Abigail the daughter of Nahash, sister to Zeruiah Joab's mother.
26 So Israel and Absalom pitched in the land of Gilead.
27 And it came to pass, when David was come to Mahanaim, that Shobi the
son of Nahash of Rabbah of the children of Ammon, and Machir the son of
Ammiel of Lodebar, and Barzillai the Gileadite of Rogelim,
28 Brought beds, and basins, and earthen vessels, and wheat, and
barley, and flour, and parched corn, and beans, and lentiles, and
parched pulse,
29 And honey, and butter, and sheep, and cheese of kine, for David, and
for the people who were with him, to eat: for they said, The people is
hungry, and weary, and thirsty, in the wilderness.
1 And David numbered the people who were with him, and set captains of
thousands and captains of hundreds over them.
2 And David sent forth a third part of the people under the hand of
Joab, and a third part under the hand of Abishai the son of Zeruiah,
Joab's brother, and a third part under the hand of Ittai the Gittite.
And the king said unto the people, I will surely go forth with you
myself also.
3 But the people answered, You shall not go forth: for if we flee away,
they will not care for us; neither if half of us die, will they care for
us: but now you are worth ten thousand of us: therefore now it is better
that you succour us out of the city.
4 And the king said unto them, What seems you best I will do. And the
king stood by the gate side, and all the people came out by hundreds and
by thousands.
5 And the king commanded Joab and Abishai and Ittai, saying, Deal
gently for my sake with the young man, even with Absalom. And all the
people heard when the king gave all the captains charge concerning
Absalom.
6 So the people went out into the field against Israel: and the battle
was in the wood of Ephraim;
7 Where the people of Israel were slain before the servants of David,
and there was there a great slaughter that day of twenty thousand men.
8 For the battle was there scattered over the face of all the country:
and the wood devoured more people that day than the sword devoured.
9 And Absalom met the servants of David. And Absalom rode upon a mule,
and the mule went under the thick boughs of a great oak, and his head
caught hold of the oak, and he was taken up between the heaven and the
earth; and the mule that was under him went away.
10 And a certain man saw it, and told Joab, and said, Behold, I saw
Absalom hanged in an oak.
11 And Joab said unto the man who told him, And, behold, you saw him,
and why did you not smite him there to the ground? And I would have
given you ten shekels of silver, and a girdle.
12 And the man said unto Joab, Though I should receive a thousand
shekels of silver in mine hand, yet would I not put forth mine hand
against the king's son: for in our hearing the king charged you and
Abishai and Ittai, saying, Beware that none touch the young man Absalom.
13 Otherwise I should have wrought falsehood against mine own life: for
there is no matter hid from the king, and you yourself would have set
yourself against me.
14 Then said Joab, I may not tarry thus with you. And he took three
darts in his hand, and thrust them through the heart of Absalom, while
he was yet alive in the midst of the oak.
15 And ten young men who bare Joab's armour compassed about and smote
Absalom, and slew him.
16 And Joab blew the trumpet, and the people returned from pursuing
after Israel: for Joab held back the people.
17 And they took Absalom, and cast him into a great pit in the wood,
and laid a very great heap of stones upon him: and all Israel fled every
one to his tent.
18 Now Absalom in his lifetime had taken and reared up for himself a
pillar, which is in the king's dale: for he said, I have no son to keep
my name in remembrance: and he called the pillar after his own name: and
it is called unto this day, Absalom's place.
19 Then said Ahimaaz the son of Zadok, Let me now run, and bear the
king tidings, how that YHWH has avenged him of his enemies.
20 And Joab said unto him, You shall not bear tidings this day, but you
shall bear tidings another day: but this day you shall bear no tidings,
because the king's son is dead.
21 Then said Joab to Cushi, Go tell the king what you have seen. And
Cushi bowed himself unto Joab, and ran.
22 Then said Ahimaaz the son of Zadok yet again to Joab, But howsoever,
let me, I pray you, also run after Cushi. And Joab said, Wherefore will
you run, my son, seeing that you have no tidings ready?
23 But howsoever, said he, let me run. And he said unto him, Run. Then
Ahimaaz ran by the way of the plain, and overran Cushi.
24 And David sat between the two gates: and the watchman went up to the
roof over the gate unto the wall, and lifted up his eyes, and looked,
and behold a man running alone.
25 And the watchman cried, and told the king. And the king said, If he
be alone, there is tidings in his mouth. And he came apace, and drew
near.
26 And the watchman saw another man running: and the watchman called
unto the porter, and said, Behold another man running alone. And the
king said, He also brings tidings.
27 And the watchman said, Me thinks the running of the foremost is like
the running of Ahimaaz the son of Zadok. And the king said, He is a good
man, and comes with good tidings.
28 And Ahimaaz called, and said unto the king, All is well. And he fell
down to the earth upon his face before the king, and said, Blessed be
YHWH your Elohim, who has delivered up the men who lifted up their
hand against my lord the king.
29 And the king said, Is the young man Absalom safe? And Ahimaaz
answered, When Joab sent the king's servant, and me your servant, I saw
a great tumult, but I knew not what it was.
30 And the king said unto him, Turn aside, and stand here. And he
turned aside, and stood still.
31 And, behold, Cushi came; and Cushi said, Tidings, my lord the king:
for YHWH has avenged you this day of all who rose up against you.
32 And the king said unto Cushi, Is the young man Absalom safe? And
Cushi answered, The enemies of my lord the king, and all who rise
against you to do you hurt, be as that young man is.
33 And the king was much moved, and went up to the chamber over the
gate, and wept: and as he went, thus he said, O my son Absalom, my son,
my son Absalom! would Elohim I had died for you, O Absalom, my son, my
son!
1 And it was told Joab, Behold, the king weeps and mourns for Absalom.
2 And the victory that day was turned into mourning unto all the
people: for the people heard say that day how the king was grieved for
his son.
3 And the people gat them by stealth that day into the city, as people
being ashamed steal away when they flee in battle.
4 But the king covered his face, and the king cried with a loud voice,
O my son Absalom, O Absalom, my son, my son!
5 And Joab came into the house to the king, and said, You have shamed
this day the faces of all your servants, who this day have saved your
life, and the lives of your sons and of your daughters, and the lives of
your wives, and the lives of your concubines;
6 In that you love your enemies, and hate your friends. For you have
declared this day, that you regard neither princes nor servants: for
this day I perceive, that if Absalom had lived, and all we had died this
day, then it had pleased you well.
7 Now therefore arise, go forth, and speak comfortably unto your
servants: for I swear by YHWH, if you go not forth, there will not tarry
one with you this night: and that will be worse unto you than all the
evil that befell you from your youth until now.
8 Then the king arose, and sat in the gate. And they told unto all the
people, saying, Behold, the king does sit in the gate. And all the
people came before the king: for Israel had fled every man to his tent.
9 And all the people were at strife throughout all the tribes of
Israel, saying, The king saved us out of the hand of our enemies, and he
delivered us out of the hand of the Philistines; and now he is fled out
of the land for Absalom.
10 And Absalom, whom we anointed over us, is dead in battle. Now
therefore why speak you not a word of bringing the king back?
11 And king David sent to Zadok and to Abiathar the priests, saying,
Speak unto the elders of Judah, saying, Why are you the last to bring
the king back to his house? seeing the speech of all Israel is come to
the king, even to his house.
12 You are my brethren, you are my bones and my flesh: wherefore then
are you the last to bring back the king?
13 And say you to Amasa, Are you not of my bone, and of my flesh?
Elohim do so to me, and more also, if you be not captain of the host
before me continually in the room of Joab.
14 And he bowed the heart of all the men of Judah, even as the heart of
one man; so that they sent this word unto the king, Return you, and all
your servants.
15 So the king returned, and came to Jordan. And Judah came to Gilgal,
to go to meet the king, to conduct the king over Jordan.
16 And Shimei the son of Gera, a Benjamite, who was of Bahurim,
hasted and came down with the men of Judah to meet king David.
17 And there were a thousand men of Benjamin with him, and Ziba the
servant of the house of Saul, and his fifteen sons and his twenty
servants with him; and they went over Jordan before the king.
18 And there went over a ferry boat to carry over the king's household,
and to do what he thought good. And Shimei the son of Gera fell down
before the king, as he was come over Jordan;
19 And said unto the king, Let not my lord impute iniquity unto me,
neither do you remember that which your servant did perversely the day
that my lord the king went out of Jerusalem, that the king should take
it to his heart.
20 For your servant does know that I have sinned: therefore, behold, I
am come the first this day of all the house of Joseph to go down to meet
my lord the king.
21 But Abishai the son of Zeruiah answered and said, Shall not Shimei
be put to death for this, because he cursed YHWH's anointed?
22 And David said, What have I to do with you, you sons of Zeruiah,
that you should this day be adversaries unto me? shall there any man be
put to death this day in Israel? for do not I know that I am this day
king over Israel?
23 Therefore the king said unto Shimei, You shall not die. And the king
swore unto him.
24 And Mephibosheth the son of Saul came down to meet the king, and had
neither dressed his feet, nor trimmed his beard, nor washed his clothes,
from the day the king departed until the day he came again in peace.
25 And it came to pass, when he was come to Jerusalem to meet the king,
that the king said unto him, Wherefore went not you with me,
Mephibosheth?
26 And he answered, My lord, O king, my servant deceived me: for your
servant said, I will saddle me an ass, that I may ride thereon, and go
to the king; because your servant is lame.
27 And he has slandered your servant unto my lord the king; but my lord
the king is as an angel of Elohim: do therefore what is good in your
eyes.
28 For all of my father's house were but dead men before my lord the
king: yet did you set your servant among those who did eat at your own
table. What right therefore have I yet to cry any more unto the king?
29 And the king said unto him, Why speak you any more of your matters?
I have said, You and Ziba divide the land.
30 And Mephibosheth said unto the king, Yes, let him take all,
forasmuch as my lord the king is come again in peace unto his own house.
31 And Barzillai the Gileadite came down from Rogelim, and went over
Jordan with the king, to conduct him over Jordan.
32 Now Barzillai was a very aged man, even fourscore years old: and he
had provided the king of sustenance while he lay at Mahanaim; for he was
a very great man.
33 And the king said unto Barzillai, Come you over with me, and I will
feed you with me in Jerusalem.
34 And Barzillai said unto the king, How long have I to live, that I
should go up with the king unto Jerusalem?
35 I am this day fourscore years old: and can I discern between good
and evil? can your servant taste what I eat or what I drink? can I hear
any more the voice of singing men and singing women? wherefore then
should your servant be yet a burden unto my lord the king?
36 Your servant will go a little way over Jordan with the king: and why
should the king recompense it me with such a reward?
37 Let your servant, I pray you, turn back again, that I may die in
mine own city, and be buried by the grave of my father and of my mother.
But behold your servant Chimham; let him go over with my lord the king;
and do to him what shall seem good unto you.
38 And the king answered, Chimham shall go over with me, and I will do
to him that which shall seem good unto you: and whatsoever you shall
require of me, that will I do for you.
39 And all the people went over Jordan. And when the king was come
over, the king kissed Barzillai, and blessed him; and he returned unto
his own place.
40 Then the king went on to Gilgal, and Chimham went on with him: and
all the people of Judah conducted the king, and also half the people of
Israel.
41 And, behold, all the men of Israel came to the king, and said unto
the king, Why have our brethren the men of Judah stolen you away, and
have brought the king, and his household, and all David's men with him,
over Jordan?
42 And all the men of Judah answered the men of Israel, Because the
king is near of kin to us: wherefore then be you angry for this matter?
have we eaten at all of the king's cost? or has he given us any gift?
43 And the men of Israel answered the men of Judah, and said, We have
ten parts in the king, and we have also more right in David than you:
why then did you despise us, that our advice should not be first had in
bringing back our king? And the words of the men of Judah were fiercer
than the words of the men of Israel.
1 And there happened to be there a man of Belial, whose name was Sheba,
the son of Bichri, a Benjamite: and he blew a trumpet, and said, We have
no part in David, neither have we inheritance in the son of Jesse: every
man to his tents, O Israel.
2 So every man of Israel went up from after David, and followed Sheba
the son of Bichri: but the men of Judah chopped unto their king, from
Jordan even to Jerusalem.
3 And David came to his house at Jerusalem; and the king took the ten
women his concubines, whom he had left to keep the house, and put them
in ward, and fed them, but went not in unto them. So they were shut up
unto the day of their death, living in widowhood.
4 Then said the king to Amasa, Assemble me the men of Judah within
three days, and be you here present.
5 So Amasa went to assemble the men of Judah: but he tarried longer
than the set time which he had appointed him.
6 And David said to Abishai, Now shall Sheba the son of Bichri do us
more harm than did Absalom: take you your lord's servants, and pursue
after him, lest he get him fenced cities, and escape us.
7 And there went out after him Joab's men, and the Cherethites, and the
Pelethites, and all the mighty men: and they went out of Jerusalem, to
pursue after Sheba the son of Bichri.
8 When they were at the great stone which is in Gibeon, Amasa went
before them. And Joab's garment that he had put on was girded unto him,
and upon it a girdle with a sword fastened upon his loins in the sheath
thereof; and as he went forth it fell out.
9 And Joab said to Amasa, Are you in health, my brother? And Joab took
Amasa by the beard with the right hand to kiss him.
10 But Amasa took no heed to the sword that was in Joab's hand: so he
smote him therewith in the fifth rib, and shed out his bowels to the
ground, and struck him not again; and he died. So Joab and Abishai his
brother pursued after Sheba the son of Bichri.
11 And one of Joab's men stood by him, and said, He who favours Joab,
and he who is for David, let him go after Joab.
12 And Amasa wallowed in blood in the midst of the highway. And when
the man saw that all the people stood still, he removed Amasa out of the
highway into the field, and cast a cloth upon him, when he saw that
every one who came by him stood still.
13 When he was removed out of the highway, all the people went on after
Joab, to pursue after Sheba the son of Bichri.
14 And he went through all the tribes of Israel unto Abel, and to
Bethmaachah, and all the Berites: and they were gathered together, and
went also after him.
15 And they came and besieged him in Abel of Bethmaachah, and they cast
up a bank against the city, and it stood in the trench: and all the
people who were with Joab battered the wall, to throw it down.
16 Then cried a wise woman out of the city, Hear, hear; say, I pray
you, unto Joab, Come near hither, that I may speak with you.
17 And when he was come near unto her, the woman said, Are you Joab?
And he answered, I am he. Then she said unto him, Hear the words of your
handmaid. And he answered, I do hear.
18 Then she spoke, saying, They were wont to speak in old time, saying,
They shall surely ask counsel at Abel: and so they ended the matter.
19 I am one of those who are peaceable and faithful in Israel: you seek
to destroy a city and a mother in Israel: why will you swallow up the
inheritance of YHWH?
20 And Joab answered and said, Far be it, far be it from me, that I
should swallow up or destroy.
21 The matter is not so: but a man of mount Ephraim, Sheba the son of
Bichri by name, has lifted up his hand against the king, even against
David: deliver him only, and I will depart from the city. And the woman
said unto Joab, Behold, his head shall be thrown to you over the wall.
22 Then the woman went unto all the people in her wisdom. And they cut
off the head of Sheba the son of Bichri, and cast it out to Joab. And he
blew a trumpet, and they retired from the city, every man to his tent.
And Joab returned to Jerusalem unto the king.
23 Now Joab was over all the host of Israel: and Benaiah the son of
Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and over the Pelethites:
24 And Adoram was over the tribute: and Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud
was recorder:
25 And Sheva was scribe: and Zadok and Abiathar were the priests:
26 And Ira also the Jairite was a chief ruler about David.
1 Then there was a famine in the days of David three years, year after
year; and David inquired of YHWH. And YHWH answered, It is for Saul, and
for his bloody house, because he slew the Gibeonites.
2 And the king called the Gibeonites, and said unto them; (now the
Gibeonites were not of the children of Israel, but of the remnant of the
Amorites; and the children of Israel had sworn unto them: and Saul
sought to slay them in his zeal to the children of Israel and Judah.)
3 Wherefore David said unto the Gibeonites, What shall I do for you?
and wherewith shall I make the atonement, that you may bless the
inheritance of YHWH?
4 And the Gibeonites said unto him, We will have no silver nor gold of
Saul, nor of his house; neither for us shall you kill any man in Israel.
And he said, What you shall say, that will I do for you.
5 And they answered the king, The man who consumed us, and who
devised against us that we should be destroyed from remaining in any of
the coasts of Israel,
6 Let seven men of his sons be delivered unto us, and we will hang them
up unto YHWH in Gibeah of Saul, whom YHWH did choose. And the king said,
I will give them.
7 But the king spared Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan the son of
Saul, because of YHWH's oath that was between them, between David and
Jonathan the son of Saul.
8 But the king took the two sons of Rizpah the daughter of Aiah, whom
she bare unto Saul, Armoni and Mephibosheth; and the five sons of Michal
the daughter of Saul, whom she brought up for Adriel the son of
Barzillai the Meholathite:
9 And he delivered them into the hands of the Gibeonites, and they
hanged them in the hill before YHWH: and they fell all seven together,
and were put to death in the days of harvest, in the first days, in the
beginning of barley harvest.
10 And Rizpah the daughter of Aiah took sackcloth, and spread it for
her upon the rock, from the beginning of harvest until water dropped
upon them out of heaven, and suffered neither the birds of the air to
rest on them by day, nor the beasts of the field by night.
11 And it was told David what Rizpah the daughter of Aiah, the
concubine of Saul, had done.
12 And David went and took the bones of Saul and the bones of Jonathan
his son from the men of Jabeshgilead, who had stolen them from the
street of Bethshan, where the Philistines had hanged them, when the
Philistines had slain Saul in Gilboa:
13 And he brought up from thence the bones of Saul and the bones of
Jonathan his son; and they gathered the bones of those who were hanged.
14 And the bones of Saul and Jonathan his son buried they in the
country of Benjamin in Zelah, in the sepulchre of Kish his father: and
they performed all that the king commanded. And after that Elohim was
entreated for the land.
15 Moreover the Philistines had yet war again with Israel; and David
went down, and his servants with him, and fought against the
Philistines: and David waxed faint.
16 And Ishbibenob, who was of the sons of the giant, the weight of
whose spear weighed three hundred shekels of brass in weight, he being
girded with a new sword, thought to have slain David.
17 But Abishai the son of Zeruiah succoured him, and smote the
Philistine, and killed him. Then the men of David swore unto him,
saying, You shall go no more out with us to battle, that you quench not
the light of Israel.
18 And it came to pass after this, that there was again a battle with
the Philistines at Gob: then Sibbechai the Hushathite slew Saph, who
was of the sons of the giant.
19 And there was again a battle in Gob with the Philistines, where
Elhanan the son of Jaareoregim, a Bethlehemite, slew the brother of
Goliath the Gittite, the staff of whose spear was like a weaver's beam.
20 And there was yet a battle in Gath, where was a man of great
stature, who had on every hand six fingers, and on every foot six toes,
four and twenty in number; and he also was born to the giant.
21 And when he defied Israel, Jonathan the son of Shimeah the brother
of David slew him.
22 These four were born to the giant in Gath, and fell by the hand of
David, and by the hand of his servants.
1 And David spoke unto YHWH the words of this song in the day that YHWH
had delivered him out of the hand of all his enemies, and out of the
hand of Saul:
2 And he said, YHWH is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer;
3 The Elohim of my rock; in him will I trust: he is my shield, and the
horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge, my saviour; you save
me from violence.
4 I will call on YHWH, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved
from mine enemies.
5 When the waves of death compassed me, the floods of ungodly men made
me afraid;
6 The sorrows of hell compassed me about; the snares of death prevented
me;
7 In my distress I called upon YHWH, and cried to my Elohim: and he did
hear my voice out of his temple, and my cry did enter into his ears.
8 Then the earth shook and trembled; the foundations of heaven moved
and shook, because he was wroth.
9 There went up a smoke out of his nostrils, and fire out of his mouth
devoured: coals were kindled by it.
10 He bowed the heavens also, and came down; and darkness was under his
feet.
11 And he rode upon a cherub, and did fly: and he was seen upon the
wings of the wind.
12 And he made darkness pavilions round about him, dark waters, and
thick clouds of the skies.
13 Through the brightness before him were coals of fire kindled.
14 YHWH thundered from heaven, and the most High uttered his voice.
15 And he sent out arrows, and scattered them; lightning, and
discomfited them.
16 And the channels of the sea appeared, the foundations of the world
were discovered, at the rebuking of YHWH, at the blast of the breath of
his nostrils.
17 He sent from above, he took me; he drew me out of many waters;
18 He delivered me from my strong enemy, and from those who hated me:
for they were too strong for me.
19 They prevented me in the day of my calamity: but YHWH was my stay.
20 He brought me forth also into a large place: he delivered me,
because he delighted in me.
21 YHWH rewarded me according to my righteousness: according to the
cleanness of my hands has he recompensed me.
22 For I have kept the ways of YHWH, and have not wickedly departed
from my Elohim.
23 For all his judgments were before me: and as for his statutes, I did
not depart from them.
24 I was also upright before him, and have kept myself from mine
iniquity.
25 Therefore YHWH has recompensed me according to my righteousness;
according to my cleanness in his eye sight.
26 With the merciful you will show yourself merciful, and with the
upright man you will show yourself upright.
27 With the pure you will show yourself pure; and with the froward you
will show yourself unsavoury.
28 And the afflicted people you will save: but your eyes are upon the
haughty, that you may bring them down.
29 For you are my lamp, O YHWH: and YHWH will lighten my darkness.
30 For by you I have run through a troop: by my Elohim have I leaped
over a wall.
31 As for El, his way is perfect; the word of YHWH is tried: he is a
buckler to all those who trust in him.
32 For who is El, save YHWH? and who is a rock, save our Elohim?
33 El is my strength and power: And he makes my way perfect.
34 He makes my feet like hinds' feet: and sets me upon my high places.
35 He teaches my hands to war; so that a bow of steel is broken by mine
arms.
36 You have also given me the shield of your salvation: and your
gentleness has made me great.
37 You have enlarged my steps under me; so that my feet did not slip.
38 I have pursued mine enemies, and destroyed them; and turned not
again until I had consumed them.
39 And I have consumed them, and wounded them, that they could not
arise: yes, they are fallen under my feet.
40 For you have girded me with strength to battle: those who rose up
against me have you subdued under me.
41 You have also given me the necks of mine enemies, that I might
destroy those who hate me.
42 They looked, but there was none to save; even unto YHWH, but he
answered them not.
43 Then did I beat them as small as the dust of the earth, I did stamp
them as the mire of the street, and did spread them abroad.
44 You also have delivered me from the strivings of my people, you have
kept me to be head of the heathen: a people whom I knew not shall serve
me.
45 Strangers shall submit themselves unto me: as soon as they hear,
they shall be obedient unto me.
46 Strangers shall fade away, and they shall be afraid out of their
close places.
47 YHWH lives; and blessed be my rock; and exalted be the Elohim of the
rock of my salvation.
48 It is El who avenges me, and who brings down the people under me,
49 And who brings me forth from mine enemies: you also have lifted me
up on high above those who rose up against me: you have delivered me
from the violent man.
50 Therefore I will give thanks unto you, O YHWH, among the heathen,
and I will sing praises unto your name.
51 He is the tower of salvation for his king: and shows mercy to his
anointed, unto David, and to his seed for evermore.
1 Now these be the last words of David. David the son of Jesse said,
and the man who was raised up on high, the anointed of the Elohim of
Jacob, and the sweet psalmist of Israel, said,
2 The spirit of YHWH spoke by me, and his word was in my tongue.
3 The Elohim of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spoke to me, He who
rules over men must be just, ruling in the fear of Elohim.
4 And he shall be as the light of the morning, when the sun rises, even
a morning without clouds; as the tender grass springing out of the earth
by clear shining after rain.
5 Although my house be not so with El; yet he has made with me an
everlasting covenant, ordered in all things, and sure: for this is all
my salvation, and all my desire, although he make it not to grow.
6 But the sons of Belial shall be all of them as thorns thrust away,
because they cannot be taken with hands:
7 But the man who shall touch them must be fenced with iron and the
staff of a spear; and they shall be utterly burned with fire in the same
place.
8 These be the names of the mighty men whom David had: The Tachmonite
who sat in the seat, chief among the captains; the same was Adino the
Eznite: he lift up his spear against eight hundred, whom he slew at one
time.
9 And after him was Eleazar the son of Dodo the Ahohite, one of the
three mighty men with David, when they defied the Philistines who were
there gathered together to battle, and the men of Israel were gone away:
10 He arose, and smote the Philistines until his hand was weary, and
his hand chopped unto the sword: and YHWH wrought a great victory that
day; and the people returned after him only to spoil.
11 And after him was Shammah the son of Agee the Hararite. And the
Philistines were gathered together into a troop, where was a piece of
ground full of lentiles: and the people fled from the Philistines.
12 But he stood in the midst of the ground, and defended it, and slew
the Philistines: and YHWH wrought a great victory.
13 And three of the thirty chief went down, and came to David in the
harvest time unto the cave of Adullam: and the troop of the Philistines
pitched in the valley of Rephaim.
14 And David was then in a hold, and the garrison of the Philistines
was then in Bethlehem.
15 And David longed, and said, Oh that one would give me drink of the
water of the well of Bethlehem, which is by the gate!
16 And the three mighty men broke through the host of the Philistines,
and drew water out of the well of Bethlehem, that was by the gate, and
took it, and brought it to David: nevertheless he would not drink
thereof, but poured it out unto YHWH.
17 And he said, Be it far from me, O YHWH, that I should do this: is
not this the blood of the men who went in jeopardy of their lives?
therefore he would not drink it. These things did these three mighty
men.
18 And Abishai, the brother of Joab, the son of Zeruiah, was chief
among three. And he lifted up his spear against three hundred, and slew
them, and had the name among three.
19 Was he not most honourable of three? therefore he was their captain:
howbeit he attained not unto the first three.
20 And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, the son of a valiant man, of
Kabzeel, who had done many acts, he slew two lionlike men of Moab: he
went down also and slew a lion in the midst of a pit in time of snow:
21 And he slew an Egyptian, a goodly man: and the Egyptian had a spear
in his hand; but he went down to him with a staff, and plucked the spear
out of the Egyptian's hand, and slew him with his own spear.
22 These things did Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and had the name among
three mighty men.
23 He was more honourable than the thirty, but he attained not to the
first three. And David set him over his guard.
24 Asahel the brother of Joab was one of the thirty; Elhanan the son of
Dodo of Bethlehem,
25 Shammah the Harodite, Elika the Harodite,
26 Helez the Paltite, Ira the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite,
27 Abiezer the Anethothite, Mebunnai the Hushathite,
28 Zalmon the Ahohite, Maharai the Netophathite,
29 Heleb the son of Baanah, a Netophathite, Ittai the son of Ribai out
of Gibeah of the children of Benjamin,
30 Benaiah the Pirathonite, Hiddai of the brooks of Gaash,
31 Abialbon the Arbathite, Azmaveth the Barhumite,
32 Eliahba the Shaalbonite, of the sons of Jashen, Jonathan,
33 Shammah the Hararite, Ahiam the son of Sharar the Hararite,
34 Eliphelet the son of Ahasbai, the son of the Maachathite, Eliam the
son of Ahithophel the Gilonite,
35 Hezrai the Carmelite, Paarai the Arbite,
36 Igal the son of Nathan of Zobah, Bani the Gadite,
37 Zelek the Ammonite, Nahari the Beerothite, armourbearer to Joab the
son of Zeruiah,
38 Ira an Ithrite, Gareb an Ithrite,
39 Uriah the Hittite: thirty and seven in all.
1 And again the anger of YHWH was kindled against Israel, and he moved
David against them to say, Go, number Israel and Judah.
2 For the king said to Joab the captain of the host, who was with
him, Go now through all the tribes of Israel, from Dan even to
Beersheba, and number you the people, that I may know the number of the
people.
3 And Joab said unto the king, Now YHWH your Elohim add unto the
people, how many soever they be, a hundredfold, and that the eyes of my
lord the king may see it: but why does my lord the king delight in this
thing?
4 Notwithstanding the king's word prevailed against Joab, and against
the captains of the host. And Joab and the captains of the host went out
from the presence of the king, to number the people of Israel.
5 And they passed over Jordan, and pitched in Aroer, on the right side
of the city that lies in the midst of the river of Gad, and toward
Jazer:
6 Then they came to Gilead, and to the land of Tahtimhodshi; and they
came to Danjaan, and about to Zidon,
7 And came to the strong hold of Tyre, and to all the cities of the
Hivites, and of the Canaanites: and they went out to the south of Judah,
even to Beersheba.
8 So when they had gone through all the land, they came to Jerusalem at
the end of nine months and twenty days.
9 And Joab gave up the sum of the number of the people unto the king:
and there were in Israel eight hundred thousand valiant men who drew
the sword; and the men of Judah were five hundred thousand men.
10 And David's heart smote him after that he had numbered the people.
And David said unto YHWH, I have sinned greatly in what I have done: and
now, I beseech you, O YHWH, take away the iniquity of your servant; for
I have done very foolishly.
11 For when David was up in the morning, the word of YHWH came unto the
prophet Gad, David's seer, saying,
12 Go and say unto David, Thus said YHWH, I offer you three things;
choose you one of them, that I may do it unto you.
13 So Gad came to David, and told him, and said unto him, Shall seven
years of famine come unto you in your land? or will you flee three
months before your enemies, while they pursue you? or that there be
three days' pestilence in your land? now advise, and see what answer I
shall return to him who sent me.
14 And David said unto Gad, I am in a great strait: let us fall now
into the hand of YHWH; for his mercies are great: and let me not fall
into the hand of man.
15 So YHWH sent a pestilence upon Israel from the morning even to the
time appointed: and there died of the people from Dan even to Beersheba
seventy thousand men.
16 And when the angel stretched out his hand upon Jerusalem to destroy
it, YHWH repented him of the evil, and said to the angel that destroyed
the people, It is enough: stay now your hand. And the angel of YHWH was
by the threshingplace of Araunah the Jebusite.
17 And David spoke unto YHWH when he saw the angel that smote the
people, and said, Lo, I have sinned, and I have done wickedly: but these
sheep, what have they done? let your hand, I pray you, be against me,
and against my father's house.
18 And Gad came that day to David, and said unto him, Go up, rear an
altar unto YHWH in the threshingfloor of Araunah the Jebusite.
19 And David, according to the saying of Gad, went up as YHWH
commanded.
20 And Araunah looked, and saw the king and his servants coming on
toward him: and Araunah went out, and bowed himself before the king on
his face upon the ground.
21 And Araunah said, Wherefore is my lord the king come to his servant?
And David said, To buy the threshingfloor of you, to build an altar unto
YHWH, that the plague may be stayed from the people.
22 And Araunah said unto David, Let my lord the king take and offer up
what seems good unto him: behold, here be oxen for burnt sacrifice, and
threshing instruments and other instruments of the oxen for wood.
23 All these things did Araunah, as a king, give unto the king. And
Araunah said unto the king, YHWH your Elohim accept you.
24 And the king said unto Araunah, Nay; but I will surely buy it of you
at a price: neither will I offer burnt offerings unto YHWH my Elohim of
that which does cost me nothing. So David bought the threshingfloor and
the oxen for fifty shekels of silver.
25 And David built there an altar unto YHWH, and offered burnt
offerings and peace offerings. So YHWH was entreated for the land, and
the plague was stayed from Israel.
Where this translation came from
Latest update: August 2008
(C) Selwyn Russell 2008
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