David's grief at Amnon's death. ↑ Heb. mouth. 1 Or, settled. ch. 19. 19. y'ver. 38. II. SAMUEL. tered unto him, and said, Put now this wo- 18 And she had la garment of divers col- 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, Hath Amnon thy brother been with thee? Parable of the woman of Tekoah. king's sons came, and lifted up their voice 37 But Absalom fled, and went to Talmai, 39 And the soul of king David longed to go forth unto Absalom: for he was 6 comforted concerning Amnon, seeing he was dead. CHAPTER XIV. Joab, weking the return of Absalom, fetcheth a B. C. 1030. 1 Heb. with a great weeping greatly. ch. 3. 3. | Or, "Ammihur. a ch.14.23,32. & 15.8. Or, was conrumed. Ps. 84. 2. b Gen. 38. 12. 1027. 21 But when king David heard of all these Nohat the king's heart was " toward Ab- ach. 13. 39. things, he was very wroth. 22 And Absalom spake unto his brother Amnon neither good nor bad: for Absalom Phated Amnon, because he had forced his sister Tamar. 23 And it came to pass after two full years, that Absalom had sheepshearers in Baal-hazor, which is beside Ephraim: and Absalom invited all the king's sons. 24 And Absalom came to the king, and said, Behold now, thy servant hath sheepshearers; let the king, I beseech thee, and his servants go with thy servant. 25 And the king said to Absalom, Nay, my son, let us not all now go, lest we be chargeable unto thee. And he pressed him howbeit he would not go, but blessed him. 26 Then said Absalom, If not, I pray thee, let my brother Amnon go with us. And the king said unto him, Why should he go with thee? 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 ye 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 hath slain all the king's sons, and there is not one of them left. salom. 2 And Joab sent to b Tekoah, and fetched 62 Chr. 11. 6. thence a wise woman, and said unto her, I pray thee, feign thyself to be a mourner, and put on now mourning apparel, and anoint not thyself with oil, but be as a woman that had a long time mourned for the dead: 4 And when the eSee Ruth 3. 3. Ex. 4. 15. 3 And come to the king, and speak on this manner unto him. So Joab d put the words ver. 19. in her mouth. woman of Tekoah spake to the king, she fell on her face to the ground, and did obeisance, and said, +fHelp, O king. e1 Sam.20.41. 5 And the king said unto her, What ailethf See 2 Kings thee? And she answered, I am indeed a 6. 26, 28. widow woman, and mine husband is dead. g See ch. 12. 1. 6 And thy 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. + Heb. Deut. 19, 12. 7 And, behold, the whole family is risen against thine handmaid, and they said, De- Num. 35.19. liver him that 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 f upon the earth. 8 And the king said unto the woman, Go to thine house, and I will give charge concerning thee. king and his throne be guiltless. 9 And the woman of Tekoah said unto the 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 that 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, Be+Heb, accord-hold, the king's sons come: as thy serving to the ant said, so it is. word of thy 11 Then said she, I pray thee, let the king remember the LORD thy God, that thou wouldest not suffer the revengers of blood to destroy any more, lest they destroy my son. And he said, As the LORD liveth, there shall not one hair of thy son fall to the earth. 12 Then the woman said, Let thine hand- 13 And the woman said, Wherefore then Absalom brought to Jerusalem. B. C. 1027. II. SAMUEL. 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 thy 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 that would destroy me and my son together out of the inheritance of God. 17 Then thine handmaid said, The word of my lord the king shall now be t comfortable: for as an angel of God, so is my lord the king to discern good and bad: therefore the LORD thy God will be with thee. 18 Then the king answered and said unto the woman, Hide not from me, I pray thee, the thing that I shall ask thee. And the woman said, Let my lord the king now speak. 19 And the king said, Is not the hand of Joab with thee in all this? And the woman answered and said, As thy soul liveth, my lord the king, none can turn to the right hand or to the left from aught that my lord the king hath spoken: for thy servant Joab, he bade me, and he put all these words in the mouth of thine handmaid: 20 To fetch about this form of speech hath thy servant Joab done this thing: and my lord is wise, taccording to the wisdom of an angel of God, 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 thy servant knoweth that I have found grace in thy sight, my lord, O king, in that the king hath 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 tha: 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 hath 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 thy servants set my field on fire? 32 And Absalom answered Joab, Behold, I sent unto thee, saying, Come hither, that He maketh a great conspiracy. I may send thee to the king, to say, Whereforo 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. CHAPTER XV. Absalom stealeth the hearts of Israel. 7 Under pretence of a vow he obtaineth leave to go to He bron 10 He maketh great conspiracy there. 13 David upon the news fleeth from Jerusalem. 19 Ittai refuseth to leave him. 24 Zadok and Abiathar sent back with the ark. 30 David and his people pass over nount Olivet weeping. 32 Hushai is sent back with instructions. 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 80, that when any man that had a controversy + came to the king for judgment, then Absalom called unto him, and said, Of what city art thou? And he said, Thy servant is of one of the tribes of Israel. 3 And Absalom said unto him, See, thy matters are good and right; but there is no man deputed of the king to hear thee. 4 Absalom said moreover, Oh that I were made judge in the land, that every man which hath any suit or cause might come unto me, and I would do him justice! 5 And it was 80, 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: dso 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 thee, let me go and pay my vow, which I have vowed unto the LORD, in Hebron. 8fFor thy servant vowed a vow while I abode at Geshur in Syria, saying, If the LORD shall bring me again indeed to Jerusalem, then I will serve the LORD. 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 ye hear the sound of the trumpet, then ye shall say, Absalom reigneth in Hebron. 11 And with Absalom went two hundred men out of Jerusalem, that were called; and they went in their simplicity, and they knew not any thing. B. C. 1027. 1025. Gen. 33.4.& 45. 15 Luke 15, 20. 1024. ach. 12. 11. 61 Kings 1. 5. ↑ Heb. to come. [Or, none will hear thee from the king downward. eJudg. 9. 29. d Rom. 16. 18. 1023. el Sam. 16. 1. f1 Sam. 16. 2. g Gen. 28, 20, 21. A ch. 13. 38. il Sam. 9. 13, & 16, 3, 5. k Gen. 20. 5. 12 And Absalom sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David's counsellor, from his city, Ps. 41. 9. & even from Giloh, while he offered sacrifices. And the conspiracy was strong; for the people "increased continually with Ab- Pa. 3. 1. salom. 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 that 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 55, 12, 13, 14. m Josh, 15.51. over. 6. Judg. 9. 3. peh 19. 9. Ps. 3. title. † Heb. thrust. David fleeth from Jerusalem. B. C. 1023. ↑ Heb, choose. 9 Ps. 3, title. + Heb. at his feet. r ch. 16.21,22. ach. 8. 18. t ch. 18. 2. + Heb. make thee wander in going. 1Sam.23.13. Ruth 1. 16, 17. Prov. 17. 17. & 18. 21. John 18. 1. Cedron. y ch. 16. 2. Num. 4. 15. a Ps. 43. 3. Num. 14. 8. ch. 22. 20. 1 Kings 10.9. 2 Chr. 9. 8. La. 62. 4. II. SAMUEL. king, Behold, thy 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, which 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 which came after him from Gath, passed on before the king. 19 Then said the king to Ittai the Gittite, Wherefore goest thou also with us? return to thy place, and abide with the king: for thou art a stranger, and also an exile. 20 Whereas thou camest but yesterday, should I this day make thee go up and down with us? seeing I go "whither I may, return thou, and take back thy brethren: mercy and truth be with thee. 21 And Ittai answered the king, and said, As the LORD liveth, and as my lord the king liveth, surely in what place my lord the king shall be, whether in death or life, even there also will thy 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 that 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 God: and they set down the ark of God; 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 God into the city: if I shall find favour in the eyes of the LORD, he a will bring me again, and shew me both it, and his habitation: 26 But if he thus say, I have no delight in thee; behold, here am I, let him do to me as seemeth good unto him. 27 The king said also unto Zadok the e1 Sam. 3. 18. priest, Art not thou a d seer? return into the city in peace, and your two sons with you, Ahimaaz thy son, and Jonathan the son of Abiathar. d1 Sam. 9. 9. e See ch.17.17. fch. 17. 16. + Heb. going up, 28 See, I will tarry in the plain of the wilderness, until there come word from you to certify me. 23 Zadok therefore and Abiathar carried the ark of God 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 and weeping.h barefost: and all the people that was with him covered every man his head, and they went up, weeping as they went up. 7 ch. 19. 4. Fath. 6. 12. A Is. 20. 2, 4. P. 195. 6. 31 And one told David, saying, AhithiJer. 14. 3, 4.ophel is among the conspirators with Absalom. And David said, O LORD, I pray thee, turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness. Ps. 3. 1. 2. & 55. 12. &c. ch. 16, 23, & 17. 14. 23. Josh, 16. 2. . ch. 1. 2. Shimei's treatment of David. on with me, then thou shalt be Pa burden | B. C. 1023. unto me: 34 But if thou return to the city, and say unto Absalom, I will be thy servant, O king; as I have been thy father's servant hitherto, so will I now also be thy servant: then mayest thou for me defeat the counsel of Ahithophel. peh, 19, 35. q ch. 16. 19. 35 And hast thou not there with thee Zadok and Abiathar the priests? therefore it shall be, that what thing soever thou shalt hear out of the king's house, "thou shalt rch. 17.15.18. 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 ye shall send unto me every thing that ye can hear. & ver. 27, AND when David was a little past the ach. 15.30,32. 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 meanest thou 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, ethat such as be faint in the wilderness may drink. 3 And the king said, And where is thy master's son? dAnd Ziba said unto the king, Behold, he abideth 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, thine are all that pertained unto Mephibosheth. And Ziba said, I humbly beseech thee that I may find grace in thy 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 fShimei, 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, thou bloody man, and thou man of Belial: 8 The LORD hath returned upon thee all the blood of the house of Saul, in whose stead thou hast reigned; and the LORD hath delivered the kingdom into the hand of Absalom thy son: and, behold, thou art taken in thy mischief, because thou art a bloody man. c ch. 15. 23. & 17. 29. d ch. 19. 27. • Prov. 18. 13. Heb. I do obeisance. fch. 19. 16. 1 Kin.2.8.41. Or, he still came forth and cursed. ↑ Heb. man of blood. g Deut. 13. 13. h Judg. 9. 24, 56, 57. 1 Kings 2.32, 33. iSee ch. 1. 16. & 3.25.29. & 4. 11. 12. † Heb. behold thee in thy evil. Sam.24.14. 9 Then said Abishai the son of Zeruiah1 unto the king, Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? let me go over, I pray thec, and take off his head. 32 And it came to pass, that when David was come to the top of the mount, where 10 And the king said, "What have I to do he worshipped God, behold, Hushai the with you, ye sons of Zeruiah? so let him "Archite came to meet him with his coat curse, because "the LORD hath said unto rent, and earth upon his head: him, Curse David. Who shall then say, 83 Unto whom David said, If thou passest Wherefore hast thou done so? ch. 9. 8. Ex. 22. 28. mch, 19, 29. 1 Pet. 2. 23. n See 2 Kings 18. 25. Lam. 3. 38. o Rom. 9. 20. The counsel of Ahithophel. B. C. 1023. p ch. 12. 11. 7 Gen. 15. 4. Or, tears. "Heb. eye. Gen. 29. 32. 1 Sam. 1. 11. PA, 25. 18. Rom. 8. 28. Heb. dusted him with dust. ch. 15, 37. t ch. 15, 37. ↑ Heb. Let the king live. u ch. 19. 25. Prov. 17. 17. De ch. 15. 34. y ch. 15. 16, & 20. 3. Gen. 34, 30. 1 Sam. 13. 4. a ch. 2. 7. Zech. 8. 13. b ch. 12. 11,12. ↑ Heb. word. ech, 15. 12. a See 23. 18. ch, 16, 14. II. SAMUEL. 11 And David said to Abishai, and to all his servants, Behold, Pmy son, which came forth of my bowels, secketh my life: how much more now may this Benjamite do it? let him alone, and let him curse; for the LORD hath bidden him. 12 It may be that the LORD will look on mine affliction, and that the LORD 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 tcast dust. 14 And the king, and all the people that 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, + God save the king, God save the king. 17 And Absalom said to Hushai, Is this thy kindness to thy friend? "why wentest thou not with thy friend? 18 And Hushai said unto Absalom, Nay; but whom the LORD, 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 thy father's presence, so will I be in thy presence. 20 Then said Absalom to Ahithophel, Give counsel among you what we shall do. 21 And Ahithophel said unto Absalom, Go in unto thy father's concubines, which he hath left to keep the house; and all Israel shall hear that thou art abhorred of thy father: then shall "the hands of all that are with thee 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 God: so was all the counsel of Ahithophel both with David and with Absalom. CHAPTER XVII. Akithophel's counsel defeated by Hushai. 15 Secret intelligence sent unto David. 23 Ahithophel hangeth himself. 24 Absalom passeth over Jordan, and maketh Amasa captain. 27 David at Mahanaim is furnished with supplies. [OREOVER Ahithophel said unto Ab thousand men, and I will arise and pursue after David this night: 2 And I will come upon him while he is Deut, weary and weak handed, and will make him afraid and all the people that are with him shall flee; and I will smite the king only: Ahithophel's counsel defeated. hath spoken after this manner: shall we do 8 For, said Hushai, thou knowest thy 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 thy father is a man of war, and will not lodge with the people. + Heb, word? ↑ Heb. counselled. ↑ Heb. bitter of soul, Judg. 18. 25. e Hos. 13. 8. 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 toverthrown at the † Heb, fallen, first, that whosoever heareth it will say, There is a slaughter among the people that follow Absalom. 10 And he also that is valiant, whose heart is as the heart of a lion, shall utterly d melt:d Josh. 2. 11. for all Israel knoweth that thy father is a mighty man, and they which be with him are valiant men. 11 Therefore I counsel that all Israel be generally gathered unto thee, from Dane Judg. 20. 1. even to Beer-sheba, ƒ as the sand that is f Gen. 22, 17. by the sea for multitude; and that thou + Heb. go to battle in thine 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 falleth on the ground: and of him and of all the men that 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 the LORD had appointed to defeat the good counsel of Ahithophel, to the intent that the LORD might bring evil upon Ab 15 Then said Hushai unto Zadok and A ch. 15, 35. 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 ch. 15. 28. plains of the wilderness, but speedily pass over; lest the king be swallowed up, and all the people that are with him. 17 Now Jonathan and Ahimaaz stayed by "En-rogel; 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 quickly, and came to a man's house "in Bahurim, which had a well in his court; whither 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 ont of the well, and went and told king David, and said unto David, Arise, and pass quickly over keh. 15. 27,38. Josh,2,4, &c. m Josh. 15.7.& 18. 16. n ch. 16, 5. • See Josh. 2. 6. See Ex.1.19. Josh. 2. 4. 5. q ver. 15, 16, David prepareth for battle. B. C. 1023. + Heb. done. rch. 15. 12. Josh. 13. 26. + Heb. Abigal. I Or, Jesse. See 1 Chr. 2. 13, 16. See ch. 10, 1. & 12. 29. y ch. 9. 4. z ch. 19. 31,32. 1 Kings 2.7. Or, cups. a ch. 16. 2. ach, 15, 19. 6 ch. 21. 17. 1Heb.net their heart on us. † Heb. as ten thousand of + Heb. be to succour ever. 12. the water: for thus bath Abithophel coun- | before the servants of David, and there was 22 Then David arose, and all the people that were with him, and they passed over Jordan: by the morning light there lacked not one of them that 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, that 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 Lo-debar, 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 that were with him, to eat: for they said, The people is hungry, and weary, and thirsty, in the wilderness. CHAPTER XVIII. David mustereth his army for battle, and giveth charge concerning Absalom. 6 The defeat of the Israelites in the wood of Ephraim. 9 Absalom, caught by his hair in an oak, is slain by Joab. 19 The tidings are brought to David. 33 His mourning for Absalom. A ND David numbered the people that 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, Thou shalt 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 thou art + worth ten thousand of us: therefore now it is better that thou tsuccour us out of the eity. 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 that told him, And, behold, thou sawest him, and why didst thou not smite him there to the ground? and I would have given thee 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 thee 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 thou thyself wouldest have set thyself against me. 14 Then said Joab, I may not tarry thus + with thee. 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 that 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 flaid af Josh. 7. 26. 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 the LORD hath + avenged him of his enemies. 20 And Joab said unto him, Thou shalt not + bear tidings this day, but thou shalt bear tidings another day: but this day thou shalt bear no tidings, because the king's son is dead. 21 Then said Joab to Cushi, Go tell the 4 And the king said unto them, What king what thou hast seen. And Cushi bowseemeth you best I will do. And the kinged himself unto Joab, and ran. 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 dJosh, 17, 15, dwood of Ephraim; 18. 7 Where the people of Israel were slain 22 Then said Ahimaaz the son of Zadok yet again to Joab, But + howsoever, let me, I pray thee, also run after Cushi. And Joab said, Wherefore wilt thou run, my son, seeing that thou hast 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 Gen. 14. 17. See ch.14.27. † Heb, judged him from the hand, c. † Heb. be a of ti man dings. ↑ Heb. be what may. | Or, convenient? 2 Kings9.17. |