2 Samuel
Chapter 1
1:1After the death of Saul, when David was returned from the slaughter of the Amalekites and had been two days in Ziklag,
1:2Behold, a man came the third day out of the host from Saul with his clothes rent,and earth upon his head:and when he came to David, he fell to the earth,and did obeisance.
1:3Then David said to him, from where do you come? And he said to him, Out of the host of Israel I am escaped.
1:4And David said to him, What is done? please, tell me. Then he said,that the people is fled from the battle,and many of the people are overthrown,and dead,and also Saul and Jonathan his son are dead.
1:5And David said to the young man that told it him, How know you that Saul and Jonathan his son be dead?
1:6Then the young man that told him, answered, As I came to mount Gilboa, behold, Saul leaned upon his spear,and lo, the chariots and horsemen followed hard after him.
1:7And when he looked back, he saw me,and called me. And I answered, Here am I.
1:8And he said to me, Who are you? And I answered him, I am an Amalekite.
1:9Then he said to me, please come upon me,and slay me:for anguish is come upon me, because my nephesh is yet whole in me.
1:10So I came upon him,and slew him,and because I was sure that he could not live, after that he had fallen, I took the crown that was upon his head,and the bracelet that was on his arm,and brought them here to my lord.
1:11Then David took hold on his clothes,and rent them,and likewise all the men that were with him.
1:12And 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 slain with the sword.
1:13Afterward David said to the young man that told it him, from where are you? And he answered, I am the son of a stranger an Amalekite.
1:14And David said to him, How were you not afraid, to put forth your hand to destroy the Anointed of YHWH?
1:15Then David called one of his young men,and said, Go near,and fall upon him. And he smote him that he died.
1:16Then said David to him, Your blood be upon your own head:for your own mouth has testified against you, saying, I have slain YHWH's Anointed.
1:17Then David mourned with this lamentation over Saul,and over Jonathan his son,
1:18(Also he commanded them to teach the children of Judah to shoot, as it is written in the book of Jasher)
1:19O noble Israel, he is slain upon your high places:how are the mighty overthrown!
1:20Tell it not in Gath, nor publish it in the streets of Ashkelon,lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice,lest the daughters of the uncircumcised triumph.
1:21The mountains of Gilboa, upon you be neither dew nor rain, nor be there fields of offerings:for there the shield of the mighty is cast down, the shield of Saul, as though he had not been anointed with oil.
1:22The bow of Jonathan never turned back,neither did the sword of Saul return empty from the blood of the slain,and from the fat of the mighty.
1:23Saul and Jonathan were lovely and pleasant in their lives,and in their deaths they were not divided:they were swifter than eagles, they were stronger than lions.
1:24You daughters of Israel, weep for Saul, which clothed you in scarlet, with pleasures,and hanged ornaments of gold upon your apparel.
1:25How were the mighty slain in the midst of the battle! O Jonathan, you were slain in your high places.
1:26Woe is me for you, my brother Jonathan: very kind have you been to me: your love to me was wonderful, passing the love of women:
1:27how are the mighty overthrown, and the weapons of war destroyed!
Chapter 2
2:1After this, David inquired of YHWH, saying, Shall I go up into any of the cities of Judah? And YHWH said to him, Go up. And David said Where shall I go? He then answered, To Hebron.
2:2So David went up there,and his two wives also, Ahinoam the Izreelite,and Abigail Nabal's wife the Carmelite.
2:3And David brought up the men that were with him, every man with his household,and they dwelt in the cities of Hebron.
2:4Then 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 Jabesh Gilead buried Saul.
2:5And David sent messengers to the men of Jabesh Gilead,and said to them, Blessed are you of YHWH,that you have showed such chesed to your lord Saul,that you have buried him.
2:6Therefore now YHWH show chesed and truth to you:and I will recompense you this benefit, because you have done this thing.
2:7Therefore now let your hands be strong,and be you valiant:although your master Saul is dead, yet nevertheless the house of Judah has anointed me King over them.
2:8But Abner the son of Ner that was captain of Saul's host, took Ishbosheth the son of Saul,and brought him to Mahanaim,
2:9And made him King over Gilead,and over the Ashurites,and over Izreel,and over Ephraim,and over Beniamin,and over all Israel.
2:10Ishbosheth Saul's son was forty year old when he began to reign over Israel,and reigned two year:but the house of Judah followed David.
2:11(And the time which David reigned in Hebron over the house of Judah, was seven year and six months)
2:12And Abner the son of Ner,and the servants of Ishbosheth the son of Saul went out of Mahanaim to Gibeon.
2:13And Joab the son of Zeruiah,and the servants of David went out and met one another by the pool of Gibeon:and they sat down, the one on the one side of the pool,and the other on the other side of the pool.
2:14Then Abner said to Joab, Let the young men now arise,and play before us. And Joab said, Let them arise.
2:15Then there arose and went over twelve of Beniamin by number, which pertained to Ishbosheth the son of Saul,and twelve of the servants of David.
2:16And every one caught his fellow by the head,and thrust his sword in his fellows side, so they fell down together:therefore the place was called Helkath-hazzurim, which is in Gibeon.
2:17And the battle was exceeding sore that same day:for Abner and the men of Israel fell before the servants of David.
2:18And there were three sons of Zeruiah there, Joab,and Abishai,and Asahel. And Asahel was as swift on foot as one of the gazelles in the field.
2:19And Asahel followed after Abner,and in going he turned neither to the right hand nor to the left from Abner.
2:20Then Abner looked behind him,and said, Are you Asahel? And he answered, Yes.
2:21Then Abner said, Turn you either to the right hand, or to the left,and take one of the young men,and take his weapons:and Asahel would not depart from him.
2:22And Abner said to Asahel, Depart from me:why should I smite you to the ground? How then should I be able to hold up my face to Joab your brother?
2:23And when he would not depart, 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 his place. And as many as came to the place where Asahel fell down and died, stood still.
2:24Joab also and Abishai pursued after Abner:and the sun went down, when they were come to the hill Ammah,that lies before Giah, by the way of the wilderness of Gibeon.
2:25And the children of Beniamin gathered themselves together after Abner,and were on a heap and stood on the top of a hill.
2:26Then Abner called to Joab,and said, Shall the sword devour forever? Know you not,that it will be bitterness in the latter end? How long then shall it be, before you command the people to return from following their brethren?
2:27And Joab said, As Elohim lives, if you had not spoken, surely even in the morning the people had departed every one back from his brother.
2:28So Joab blew a trumpet,and all the people stood still,and pursued after Israel no more,neither fought they any more.
2:29And Abner and his men walked all that night through the plain,and went over Jordan,and past through all Bithron till they came to Mahanaim.
2:30Joab also returned back from Abner:and when he had gathered all the people together, there lacked of David's servants nineteen men and Asahel.
2:31But the servants of David had smitten of Beniamin,and of Abner's men, so that three hundred and threescore men died.
2:32And they took up Asahel,and buried him in the sepulchre of his father, who was in Bethlehem:and Joab and his men went all night,and when they came to Hebron, the day arose.
Chapter 3
3:1There was then long war between the house of Saul and the house of David:but David grew stronger,and the house of Saul grew weaker.
3:2And to David were children born in Hebron:and his eldest son was Amnon of Ahinoam the Izreelite,
3:3And his second, was Chileab of Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite:and the third, Absalom the son of Maacah the daughter of Talmai the King of Geshur,
3:4And the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith,and the fifth, Shephatiah the son of Abital,
3:5And the sixth, Ithream by Eglah David's wife:these were born to David in Hebron.
3:6Now while there was war between the house of Saul and the house of David, Abner made all his power for the house of Saul.
3:7And Saul had a concubine named Rizpah, the daughter of Aiah. And Ishbosheth said to Abner, Why have you gone in to my fathers concubine?
3:8Then was Abner very angry for the words of Ishbosheth, and said, Am I a dogs head, which against Judah do show chesed this day to the house of Saul your father, to his brethren, and to his neighbors, and have not delivered you into the hand of David, that you charge me this day with iniquity concerning this woman?
3:9So do Elohim to Abner,and more also, except, as YHWH has sworn to David, even so I do to him,
3:10To remove the kingdom from the house of Saul,that the throne of David may be established over Israel,and over Judah, even from Dan to Beersheba.
3:11And he dared no more to answer to Abner:for he feared him.
3:12Then Abner sent messengers to David on his behalf, saying, Whose is the land? Who should also say, Make covenant with me,and behold, my hand shall be with you, to bring all Israel to you.
3:13Who said, Well, I will make a covenant with you:but one thing I require of you,that is,that you do not see my face except you bring Michal Saul's daughter when you come to see me.
3:14Then David sent messengers to Ishbosheth Saul's son, saying, Deliver me my wife Michal, which I married for a hundred foreskins of the Philistines.
3:15And Ishbosheth sent,and took her from her husband Paltiel the son of Laish.
3:16And her husband went with her,and came weeping behind her, to Bahurim:then said Abner to him, Go,and return. So he returned.
3:17And Abner had communication with the Elders of Israel, saying, You sought for David in times past,that he might be your King.
3:18Now 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 hands of the Philistines,and out of the hands of all their enemies.
3:19Also Abner spoke to Beniamin,and afterward Abner went to speak with David in Hebron, concerning all that Israel was content with,and the whole house of Beniamin.
3:20So Abner came to David to Hebron, having twenty men with him,and David made a feast to Abner,and to the men that were with him.
3:21Then Abner said to David, I will rise up,and go gather all Israel to my lord the King,that they may make a covenant with you,and that you may reign over all that your nephesh desires. Then David let Abner depart, who went in peace.
3:22And behold, the servants of David and Joab came from the camp,and brought a great prey with them (but Abner was not with David in Hebron:for he had sent him away,and he departed in peace)
3:23When Joab,and all the host that was with him were come, men told Joab, saying, Abner the son of Ner came to the King,and he has sent him away,and he is gone in peace.
3:24Then Joab came to the King,and said, What have you done? Behold, Abner came to you, why have you sent him away,and he is departed?
3:25You know Abner the son of Ner:for he came to deceive you,and to know your outgoing and ingoing,and to know all that you do.
3:26And when Joab was gone out from David, he sent messengers after Abner, which brought him again from the well of Sirah unknowing to David.
3:27And when Abner was come again to Hebron, Joab took him aside in the gate to speak with him peaceably,and smote him under the fifth rib,that he died,for the blood of Asahel his brother.
3:28And when afterward it came to David's ear, he said, I and my kingdom are guiltless before YHWH forever, concerning the blood of Abner the son of Ner.
3:29Let the blood fall on the head of Joab,and on all his father's house,that the house of Joab be never without some that have running issues, or leper, or that leans on a staff, or that does fall on the sword, or that lacks bread.
3:30(So Joab and Abishai his brother slew Abner, because he had slain their brother Asahel at Gibeon in battle)
3:31And David said to Joab,and to all the people that were with him, Rent your clothes,and put on sackcloth,and mourn before Abner:and King David himself followed the bear.
3:32And when they had buried Abner in Hebron, the King lifted up his voice,and wept beside the sepulchre of Abner,and all the people wept.
3:33And the King lamented over Abner,and said, Died Abner as a fool dies?
3:34Your hands were not bound, nor your feet tied in fetters of brass:but as a man falls before wicked men, so did you fall. And all the people wept again for him.
3:35Afterward all the people came to cause David eat meat while it was yet day,but David swore, saying, So do Elohim to me and more also, if I taste bread, or anything else till the sun be down.
3:36And all the people knew it,and it pleased them:as whatever the King did, pleased all the people.
3:37For all the people and all Israel understood that day, how that it was not the Kings deed that Abner the son of Ner was slain.
3:38And the King said to his servants, Know you not,that there is a prince and a great man fallen this day in Israel?
3:39And I am this day weak and newly anointed King:and these men the sons of Zeruiah be too hard for me:YHWH reward the doer of evil according to his wickedness.
Chapter 4
4:1And when Saul's son heard that Abner was dead in Hebron, then his hands were feeble,and all Israel was afraid,
4:2And Saul's son had two men that were captains of bands:the one called Baanah,and the other called Rechab, the sons of Rimmon a Beerothite of the children of Beniamin. (for Beeroth was reckoned to Beniamin,
4:3Because the Beerothites fled to Gittaim,and sojourned there, to this day).
4:4And Jonathan Saul's son had a son that was lame on his feet:he was five year old when the tidings came of Saul and Jonathan out of Israel:then his nurse took him,and fled away. And as she made haste to flee, the child fell,and began to halt,and his name was Mephibosheth.
4:5And the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, Rechab and Baanah went and came in the heat of the day to the house of Ishbosheth (who slept on a bed at noon)
4:6And behold, Rechab and Baanah his brother came into the midst of the house as they would have wheat,and they smote him under the fifth rib,and fled.
4:7For when they came into the house, he slept on his bed in his bed chamber,and they smote him,and slew him,and beheaded him,and took his head,and got themselves away through the plain all the night.
4:8And they brought the head of Ishbosheth to David to Hebron,and said to the King, Behold the head of Ishbosheth Saul's son your enemy, who sought after your nephesh:and YHWH has avenged my lord the King this day of Saul,and of his seed.
4:9Then David answered Rechab and Baanah his brother, the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite,and said to them, As YHWH lives, who has delivered my nephesh out of all adversity,
4:10When one told me,and said that Saul was dead, (thinking to have brought good tidings) I took him and slew him in Ziklag, who thought that I would have given him a reward for his tidings:
4:11How much more, when wicked men have slain a righteous person in his own house,and upon his bed? Shall I not now therefore require his blood at your hand,and take you from the earth?
4:12Then 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.
Chapter 5
5:1Then came all the tribes of Israel to David to Hebron,and said thus, Behold, we are your bones and your flesh.
5:2And in time past when Saul was our King, you led Israel in and out:and YHWH has said to you, You shall feed my people Israel,and you shall be a captain over Israel.
5:3So all the Elders of Israel came to the King to Hebron:and King David made a covenant with them in Hebron before YHWH:and they anointed David King over Israel.
5:4David was thirty year old when he began to reign:and he reigned forty year.
5:5In Hebron he reigned over Judah seven year,and six months:and in Jerusalem he reigned thirty and three years over all Israel and Judah.
5:6The King also and his men went to Jerusalem to the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land:who spoke to David, saying, Except you take away the blind and the lame, you shall not come in here:thinking that David could not come there.
5:7But David took the fort of Zion:this is the city of David.
5:8Now David had said the same day, Whoever smites the Jebusites,and gets up to the gutters and smites the lame and blind, which David's nephesh hates, I will prefer him:therefore they said, The blind and the lame shall not come into that house.
5:9So David dwelt in that forte,and called it the city of David,and David built round about it, from Millo,and inward.
5:10And David prospered and grew:for YHWH Elohim of hosts was with him.
5:11Hiram also king of Tyrus sent messengers to David,and cedar trees,and carpenters,and masons for walls:and they built David a house.
5:12Then David knew that YHWH had established him King over Israel, and that he had exalted his kingdom for his people Israel's sake.
5:13And David took him more concubines and wives out of Jerusalem, after he was come from Hebron,and more sons and daughters were born to David.
5:14And these be the names of the sons that were born to him in Jerusalem:Shammua,and Shobab,and Nathan,and Salomon,
5:15And Ibhar,and Elishua,and Nepheg,and Japhia,
5:16And Elishama,and Eliada,and Eliphelet.
5:17But when the Philistines heard that they had anointed David King over Israel, all the Philistines came up to seek David:and when David heard, he went down to a fort.
5:18But the Philistines came,and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim.
5:19Then David inquired of YHWH, saying, Shall I go up to the Philistines? Will you deliver them into my hands? And YHWH answered David, Go up:for I will doubtless deliver the Philistines into your hands.
5:20Then David came to Baal-perazim,and smote them there,and said, YHWH has divided my enemies asunder before me, as waters be divided asunder:therefore he called the name of that place, Baal-perazim.
5:21And there they left their images,and David and his men burnt them.
5:22Again the Philistines came up,and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim.
5:23And when David inquired of YHWH, he answered, You shall not go up,but turn about behind them,and come upon them over against the mulberry trees.
5:24And when you hear the noise of one going in the tops of the mulberry trees, then remove:for then shall YHWH go out before you, to smite the host of the Philistines.
5:25Then David did so as YHWH had commanded him,and smote the Philistines from Geba, until you come to Gazer.
Chapter 6
6:1Again David gathered together all the chosen men of Israel, even thirty thousand,
6:2And David arose and went with all the people that were with him from Baale of Judah to bring up from there the Ark of Elohim, whose name is called by the Name of YHWH, of hosts,that dwells upon it between the Cherubim.
6:3And they put 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 did drive the new cart.
6:4And when they brought the Ark of Elohim out of the house of Abinadab,that was at Gibeah, Ahio went before the Ark,
6:5And David and all the house of Israel played before YHWH on all instruments made of fir,and on harps,and on Psalteries,and on timbrels,and on cornets,and on cymbals.
6:6And when they came to Nachon's threshing floor, Uzzah put his hand to the Ark of Elohim,and held it:for the oxen did shake it.
6:7And YHWH was very angry with Uzzah,and Elohim smote him in the same place for his fault,and there he died by the Ark of Elohim.
6:8And David was displeased, because YHWH had smitten Uzzah:and he called the name of the place Perez Uzzah until this day.
6:9Therefore David that day feared YHWH,and said, How shall the Ark of YHWH come to me?
6:10So David would not bring the Ark of YHWH to him into the city of David,but David carried it into the house of Obed-edom a Gittite.
6:11And the Ark of YHWH continued in the house of Obed-edom the Gittite, three months,and YHWH blessed Obed-edom,and all his household.
6:12And one told King David, saying, YHWH has blessed the house of Obed-edom,and all that he has, because of the Ark of Elohim:therefore David went and brought the Ark of Elohim from the house of Obed-edom, into the city of David with gladness.
6:13And when they that bore the Ark of YHWH had gone six paces, he offered an ox,and a fat beast.
6:14And David danced before YHWH with all his might,and was girded with a linen Ephod.
6:15So David and all the house of Israel, brought the Ark of YHWH with shouting,and sound of trumpet.
6:16And as the Ark of YHWH came into the city of David, Michal Saul's daughter looked through a window,and saw King David leap,and dance before YHWH,and she despised him in her heart.
6:17And when they had brought in the Ark of YHWH, they set it in his place, in the midst of the tabernacle that David had pitched for it:then David offered burnt offerings,and peace offerings before YHWH.
6:18And 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,
6:19And gave among all the people, even among the whole multitude of Israel, aswel to the women as men, to every one a cake of bread,and a piece of flesh,and a bottle of wine:so all the people departed every one to his house.
6:20Then David returned to bless his house,and Michal the daughter of Saul came out to meet David,and said, O how glorious was the King of Israel this day, which was uncovered today in the eyes of the maidens of his servants, as a fool uncovers himself.
6:21Then David said to Michal, It was before YHWH, who chose me rather than your father,and all his house,and commanded me to be ruler over the people of YHWH, even over Israel:and therefore will I play before YHWH,
6:22And will yet be more vile than thus,and will be low in my own sight,and of the very same maidservants, which you have spoken of, shall I be had in honor.
6:23Therefore Michal the daughter of Saul had no child to the day of her death.
Chapter 7
7:1Afterward when the King sat in his house and YHWH had given him rest round about from all his enemies,
7:2The King said to Nathan the Prophet, Behold, now I dwell in a house of cedar trees,and the Ark of Elohim remains within the curtains.
7:3Then Nathan said to the King, Go,and do all that is in your heart:for YHWH is with you.
7:4And the same night the word of YHWH came to Nathan, saying,
7:5Go and tell my servant David, Thus saysYHWH, Shall you build me a house for my dwelling?
7:6For I have dwelt in no house since the time that I brought the children of Israel out of Egypt to this day,but have walked in a tent and tabernacle.
7:7In all the places in which I have walked with all the children of Israel, spoke I one word with any of the tribes of Israel when I commanded the Judges to feed my people Israel? Or said I, Why build you not me a house of cedar trees?
7:8Now therefore so say to my servant David, Thus saysYHWH of hosts, I took you from the sheepcote following the sheep,that you might be ruler over my people, over Israel.
7:9And I was with you wherever you have walked,and have destroyed all your enemies out of your sight,and have made you a great name, like to the name of the great men that are in the earth.
7:10(Also I will appoint a place for my people Israel,and will plant it,that they may dwell in a place of their own,and move no more,neither shall wicked people trouble them any more as before time,
7:11And since the time that I commanded Judges over my people of Israel) and I will give you rest from all your enemies: also YHWH tells you, that he will make you a house.
7:12And when your days be fulfilled, you shall sleep with your fathers,and I will set up your seed after you, which shall proceed out of your body,and will establish his kingdom.
7:13He shall build a house for my Name,and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.
7:14I will be his father,and he shall be my son:and if he sin, I will chasten him with the rod of men,and with the plagues of the children of men.
7:15But my chesed shall not depart away from him, as I took it from Saul whom I have put away before you.
7:16And your house shall be established and your kingdom forever before you, even your throne shall be established forever.
7:17According to all these words,and according to all this vision, Nathan spoke thus to David.
7:18Then King David went in,and sat before YHWH,and said, Who am I, O Adonai YHWH,and what is my house,that you have brought me thus far?
7:19And this was yet a small thing in your sight, O Adonai YHWH,therefore you have spoken also of your servant's house for a great while:but does this appertain to man, O YHWH God?
7:20And what can David say more to you? For you, Adonai YHWH, know your servant.
7:21For your words sake,and according to your own heart have you done all these great things, to make them known to your servant.
7:22Therefore you are great, O Adonai YHWH:for there is none like you,neither is there any God besides you, according to all that we have heard with our ears.
7:23And what one people in the earth is like your people, like Israel? Whose Elohim went and redeemed them to himself,that they might be his people,and that he might make him a name,and do for the great things,and terrible for your land, O Lord, even for your people, whom you redeemed to you out of Egypt, from the nations,and their gods?
7:24For you have ordained to yourself your people Israel to be your people forever:and YHWH are become their Elohim.
7:25Now therefore, O YHWH Elohim, confirm forever the word that You have spoken concerning Your servant and his house,and do as you have said.
7:26And let your Name be magnified forever by them that shall say, YHWH of hosts is the Elohim over Israel:and let the house of your servant David be established before you.
7:27For You, O YHWH of hosts, Elohim of Israel, have revealed to Your servant, saying, I will build You a house:therefore has your servant been bold to pray this prayer to you.
7:28Therefore now, O Adonai YHWH, (for you are God,and your words be true,and you have told this goodness to your servant)
7:29Therefore now let it please you to bless the house of your servant,that it may continue forever before you:for you, O Adonai YHWH, have spoken it:and let the house of your servant be blessed forever, with your blessing.
Chapter 8
8:1After this now, David smote the Philistines,and subdued them,and David took the bridle of bondage out of the hand of the Philistines.
8:2And he smote Moab,and measured them with a cord,and cast them down to the ground:he measured them with two cords to put them to death,and with one full cord to keep them alive:so became the Moabites David's servants,and brought gifts.
8:3David smote also Hadadezer the son of Rehob King of Zobah, as he went to recover his border at the river Euphrates.
8:4And David took of them a thousand and seven hundred horsemen,and twenty thousand footmen,and David destroyed all the chariots,but he reserved a hundred chariots of them.
8:5Then came the Aramites of Dammesek to succor Hadadezer king of Zobah,but David slew of the Aramites two and twenty thousand men.
8:6And David put garrisons in Aram of Damesek:and the Aramites became servants to David,and brought gifts. And YHWH saved David wherever he went.
8:7And David took the shields of gold that belonged to the servants of Hadadezer,and brought them to Jerusalem.
8:8And out of Betah,and Berothai (cities of Hadadezer) king David brought exceeding much brass.
8:9Then Toi king of Hamath heard how David had smitten all the host of Hadadezer,
8:10Therefore Toi sent Joram his son to King David, to salute him,and to rejoice with him because he had fought against Hadadezer,and beaten him (for Hadadezer had war with Toi) who brought with him vessels of silver,and vessels of gold,and vessels of brass.
8:11And King David did dedicate them to YHWH with the silver and gold that he had dedicate of all the nations, which he had subdued:
8:12Of Aram,and of Moab,and of the children of Ammon,and of the Philistines,and of Amalek,and of the spoil of Hadadezer the son of Rehob King of Zobah.
8:13So David got a name after that he returned,and had slain of the Aramites in the valley of salt eighteen thousand men.
8:14And he put garrisons in Edom:throughout all Edom put he soldiers,and all they of Edom became David's servants:and YHWH kept David wherever he went.
8:15Thus David reigned over all Israel,and executed judgment and justice to all his people.
8:16And Joab the son of Zeruiah was over the host,and Joshaphat the son of Ahilud was recorder.
8:17And Zadok the son of Ahitub,and Ahimelech the son of Abiathar were the Priests,and Seraiah the Scribe.
8:18And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada and the Cherethites and the Pelethites,and David's sons were chief rulers.
Chapter 9
9:1And David said, Is there yet any man left of the house of Saul,that I may show him chesed for Jonathan's sake?
9:2And there was of the household of Saul a servant whose name was Ziba,and when they had called him to David, the King said to him, Are you Ziba? And he said, I your servant am he.
9:3Then the King said, Remains there yet none of the house of Saul, on whom I may show the chesed of Elohim? Ziba then answered the King, Jonathan has yet a son lame of his feet.
9:4Then the King said to him, Where is he? And Ziba said to the King, Behold, he is in the house of Machir the son of Ammiel of Lo-debar.
9:5Then King David sent,and took him out of the house of Machir the son of Ammiel of Lo-debar.
9:6Now when Mephibosheth the son of Jonathan, the son of Saul was come to David, he fell on his face,and did reverence. And David said, Mephibosheth? And he answered, Behold your servant.
9:7Then David said to him, Fear not:for I will surely show you chesed for Jonathan your fathers sake,and will restore you all the fields of Saul your father,and you shall eat bread at my table continually.
9:8And he bowed himself and said, What is your servant,that you should look upon such a dead dog as I am?
9:9Then the king called Ziba Saul's servant,and said to him, I have give to your master's son all that pertained to Saul and to all his house.
9:10You therefore and your sons and your servants shall till the land for him,and bring in that your master's son may have food to eat. And Mephibosheth your master's son shall eat bread always at my table (now Ziba had fifteen sons,and twenty servants)
9:11Then said Ziba to the King, According to all that my lord the King has commanded his servant, so shall your servant do, that Mephibosheth may eat at my table, as one of the King's sons.
9:12Mephibosheth also had a young son named Micha,and all that dwelled in the house of Ziba, were servants to Mephibosheth.
9:13And Mephibosheth dwelt in Jerusalem:for he did eat continually at the Kings table,and was lame on both his feet.
Chapter 10
10:1After this, the King of the children of Ammon died,and Hanun his son reigned in his stead.
10:2Then said David, I will show chesed to Hanun the son of Nahash, as his father showed chesed to me. And David sent his servants to comfort him for his father. So David's servants came into the land of the children of Ammon.
10:3And the princes of the children of Ammon said to Hanun their lord, Think you that David does honor your father,that he has sent comforters to you? Has not David rather sent his servants to you, to search the city,and to spy it out,and to overthrow it?
10:4Therefore Hanun took David's servants,and shaved off the half of their beard,and cut off their garments in the middle, even to their buttocks,and sent them away.
10:5When it was told to David, he sent to meet them (for the men were exceedingly ashamed) and the King said, Stay at Jericho, until your beards be grown, then return.
10:6And when the children of Ammon saw that they stank in the sight of David, the children of Ammon sent and hired the Aramites of the house of Rehob,and the Aramites of Zoba, twenty thousand footmen,and of King Maacah a thousand men,and of Ish-tob twelve thousand men.
10:7And when David heard of it, he sent Joab,and all the host of the strong men.
10:8And the children of Ammon came out,and put their army in array at the entering in of the gate:and the Aramites of Zoba,and of Rehob,and of Ish-tob,and of Maacah were by themselves in the field.
10:9When Joab saw that the front of the battle was against him before and behind, he chose of all the choice of Israel,and put them in array against the Aramites.
10:10And 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.
10:11And he said, If the Aramites be stronger than I, you shall help me,and if the children of Ammon be too strong for you, I will come and succor you.
10:12Be strong and let us be valiant for our people,and for the cities of our Elohim,and let YHWH do that which is good in his eyes.
10:13Then Joab,and the people that was with him, joined in battle with the Aramites, who fled before him.
10:14And when the children of Ammon saw that the Aramites fled, they fled also before Abishai,and entered into the city. So Joab returned from the children of Ammon,and came to Jerusalem.
10:15And when the Aramites saw that they were smitten before Israel, they gathered them together.
10:16And Hadadezer sent,and brought out the Aramites that were beyond the River:and they came to Helam,and Shobach the captain of the host of Hadadezer went before them.
10:17When it was showed David, then he gathered all Israel together,and passed over Jordan and came to Helam:and the Aramites set themselves in array against David,and fought with him:
10:18And the Aramites fled before Israel:and David destroyed seven hundred chariots of the Aramites,and forty thousand horsemen,and smote Shobach the captain of his host, who died there.
10:19And when all the Kings,that were servants to Hadadezer, saw that they fell before Israel, they made peace with Israel,and served them. And the Aramites feared to help the children of Ammon any more.
Chapter 11
11:1And when the year was expired in the time when Kings go forth to battle, David sent Joab,and his servants with him,and all Israel, who destroyed the children of Ammon,and besieged Rabbah:but David remained in Jerusalem.
11:2And when it was evening tide, David arose out of his bed,and walked upon the roof of the Kings palace:and from the roof he saw a woman washing herself:and the woman was very beautiful to look upon.
11:3And David sent and inquired what woman it was:and one said, Is not this Bathsheba the daughter of Eliam, wife to Uriah the Hittite?
11:4Then David sent messengers,and took her away:and she came to him and he lay with her:(now she was purified from her uncleanness) and she returned to her house.
11:5And the woman conceived:therefore she sent and told David,and said, I am with child.
11:6Then David sent to Joab, saying, Send me Uriah the Hittite. And Joab sent Uriah to David.
11:7And when Uriah came to him, David demanded him how Joab did,and how the people fared,and how the war prospered.
11:8Afterward David said to Uriah, Go down to your house,and wash your feet. So Uriah departed out of the Kings palace,and the king sent a present after him.
11:9But Uriah slept at the door of the Kings palace with all the servants of his lord,and went not down to his house.
11:10Then they told David, saying, Uriah went not down to his house:and David said to Uriah, Come you not from your journey? Why did you not go down to your house?
11:11Then Uriah answered David, The Ark and Israel,and Judah dwell in tents:and my lord Joab and the servants of my lord abide in the open fields:shall I then go into my house to eat and drink,and lie with my wife? By your life,and by the life of your nephesh, I will not do this thing.
11:12Then David said to Uriah, Stay yet this day,and tomorrow I will send you away. So Uriah abode in Jerusalem that day,and the morrow.
11:13Then David called him,and he did eat and drink before him,and he made him drunk:and at even he went out to lie on his couch with the servants of his Lord,but went not down to his house.
11:14And on the morrow David wrote a letter to Joab,and sent it by the hand of Uriah.
11:15And he wrote thus in the letter, Put Uriah in the forefront of the strength of the battle,and recoil you back from him,that he may be smitten,and die.
11:16So when Joab besieged the city, he assigned Uriah to a place, where he knew that strong men were.
11:17And the men of the city came out,and fought with Joab:and there fell of the people of the servants of David,and Uriah the Hittite also died.
11:18Then Joab sent and told David all the things concerning the war,
11:19And he charged the messenger, saying, When you have made an end of telling all the matters of the war to the King,
11:20And if the kings anger arise, so that he say to you, Why approach you to the city to fight? Knew you not that they would hurl from the wall?
11:21Who smote Abimelech son of Jerubbesheth? Did not a woman cast a piece of a millstone upon him from the wall,and he died in Thebez? Why went you near the wall? Then say, Your servant Uriah the Hittite is also dead.
11:22So the messenger went,and came and showed David all that Joab had sent him for.
11:23And the messenger said to David, Certainly the men prevailed against us,and came out to us into the field,but we pursued them to the entering of the gate.
11:24But the shooters shot from the wall against your servants,and some of the Kings servants be dead:and your servant Uriah the Hittite is also dead.
11:25Then David said to the messenger, Thus shall you say to Joab, Let not this thing trouble you:for the sword devours one as well as another:make your battle more strong against the city and destroy it,and encourage you him.
11:26And when the wife of Uriah heard that her husband Uriah was dead, she mourned for her husband.
11:27So when the mourning was past, David sent and took her into his house,and she became his wife,and bore him a son:but you thing that David had done, displeased YHWH.
Chapter 12
12:1Then YHWH sent Nathan to David, who came to him,and said to him, There were two men in one city, the one rich,and the other poor.
12:2The rich man had exceeding many sheep and oxen:
12:3But the poor had none at all, save one little sheep which he had bought,and nourished up:and it grew up with him,and with his children also,and did eat of his own morsels,and drank of his own cup,and slept in his bosom,and was to him as his daughter.
12:4Now there came a stranger to the rich man, who refused to take of his own sheep,and of his own oxen to dress for the stranger that was come to him,but took the poor man's sheep,and dressed it for the man that was come to him.
12:5Then David was exceedingly angry with the man,and said to Nathan, As YHWH lives, the man that has done this thing, shall surely die,
12:6And he shall restore the lamb four fold, because he did this thing, and had no pity of it.
12:7Then Nathan said to David, You are the man. Thus saysYHWH Elohim of Israel, I anointed you King over Israel,and delivered you out of the hand of Saul,
12:8And gave you your lords house,and your lords wives into your bosom,and gave you the house of Israel,and of Judah,and would moreover (if that had been too little) have given you such and such things.
12:9Why 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.
12:10Now therefore the sword shall never depart from your house, because you have despised me,and taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your wife.
12:11Thus saysYHWH, Behold, I will raise up evil against you out of your own house,and will take your wives before your eyes,and give them to your neighbor,and he shall lie with your wives in the sight of this sun.
12:12For you did it secretly:but I will do this thing before all Israel,and before the sun.
12:13Then David said to Nathan, I have sinned against YHWH. And Nathan said to David, YHWH also has put away your sin, you shall not die.
12:14However because by this deed you have caused the enemies of YHWH to blaspheme, the child that is born to you shall surely die.
12:15So Nathan departed to his house:and YHWH stroke the child that Uriah's wife bore to David,and it was sick.
12:16David therefore implored Elohim for the child,and fasted and went in,and lay all night upon the earth.
12:17Then the Elders of his house arose to come to him,and to cause him to rise from the ground:but he would not,neither did he eat meat with them.
12:18So on the seventh day 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 alive, we spoke to him,and he would not listen to our voice:how then shall we say to him, The child is dead, to vex him more?
12:19But when David saw that his servants whispered, David perceived that the child was dead:therefore David said to his servants, Is the child dead? And they said, He is dead.
12:20Then David arose from the earth,and washed and anointed himself,and changed his apparel,and came into the house of YHWH,and worshiped,and afterward came to his own house,and commanded that they should set bread before him,and he did eat.
12:21Then said his servants to him, What thing is this,that you have done? You did fast and weep for the child while it was alive,but when the child was dead, you did rise up,and eat meat.
12:22And he said, While the child was yet alive, I fasted,and wept:for I said, Who can tell whether God will be gracious to me,that the child may live?
12:23But now being dead, why should I now fast? Can I bring him again any more? I shall go to him,but he shall not return to me.
12:24And David comforted Bathsheba his wife,and went in to her,and lay with her,and she bore a son,and he called his name Salomon:also YHWH loved him.
12:25For YHWH had sent by Nathan the Prophet:therefore he called his name Jedidiah, because the Lord loved him.
12:26Then Joab fought against Rabbah of the children of Ammon,and took the city of the kingdom.
12:27Therefore Joab sent messengers to David, saying, I have fought against Rabbah,and have taken the city of waters.
12:28Now therefore gather the rest of the people together,and besiege the city,that you may take it,lest the victory be attributed to me.
12:29So David gathered all the people together,and went against Rabbah,and besieged it,and took it.
12:30And he took their Kings crown from his head, (which weighed a talent of gold, with precious stones) and it was set on David's head:and he brought away the spoil of the city in exceeding great abundance.
12:31And he carried away the people that was in it, and put them under saws, and under iron harrows, and under axes of iron, and cast them into the tile kiln: even thus did he with all the cities of the children of Ammon. Then David and all the people returned to Jerusalem.
13:1Now after this so it was,that Absalom the son of David having a fair sister, whose name was Tamar, Amnon the son of David loved her.
13:2And Amnon was so sore vexed,that he fell sick for his sister Tamar:for she was a virgin,and it seemed hard to Amnon to do anything to her.
13:3But Amnon had a friend called Jonadab, the son of Shimeah David's brother:and Jonadab was a very subtle man.
13:4Who said to him, Why are you the King's son so lean from day to day? Will you not tell me? Then Amnon answered him, I love Tamar my brother Absalom's sister.
13:5And Jonadab said to him, Lie down on your bed,and make yourself sick:and when your father shall come to see you, say to him, please, let my sister Tamar come,and give me meat,and let her dress meat in my sight,that I may see it,and eat it of her hand.
13:6So Amnon lay down,and made himself sick:and when the King came to see him, Amnon said to the King, please, let Tamar my sister come,and make me a couple of cakes in my sight,that I may receive meat at her hand.
13:7Then David sent home to Tamar, saying, Go now to your brother Amnon's house,and dress him meat.
13:8So Tamar went to her brother Amnon's house,and he lay down:and she took flour,and knead it,and made cakes in his sight,and did bake the cakes.
13:9And she took a pan,and poured them out before him,but he would not eat. Then Amnon said, Cause you every man to go out from me:so every man went out from him.
13:10Then Amnon said to 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.
13:11And when she had set them before him to eat, he took her,and said to her, Come, lie with me, my sister.
13:12But she answered him, No, my brother, do not force me:for no such thing ought to be done in Israel:commit not this folly.
13:13And I, where shall I cause my shame to go? And you shall be as one of the fools in Israel:now therefore, please, speak to the King,for he will not deny me to you.
13:14However he would not listen to her voice,but being stronger than she, forced her,and lay with her.
13:15Then Amnon hated her exceedingly, so that the hatred with which he hated her, was greater than the love, with which he had loved her: and Amnon said to her, Up, get you from here.
13:16And she answered him, There is no cause:this evil (to put me away) is greater than the other that you did to me:but he would not hear her,
13:17But called his servant that served him,and said, Put this woman now out from me,and lock the door after her.
13:18(And she had a garment of diverse colors upon her:for with such garments were the King's daughters that were virgins, appareled) Then his servant brought her out,and locked the door after her.
13:19And Tamar put ashes on her head and rent the garment of diverse colors which was on her,and laid her hand on her head,and went her way crying.
13:20And Absalom her brother said to her, Has Amnon your brother been with you? Now yet be still, my sister:he is your brother:let not this thing grieve your heart. So Tamar remained desolate in her brother Absalom's house.
13:21But when King David heard all these things, he was very angry.
13:22And Absalom said to his brother Amnon neither good nor bad:for Absalom hated Amnon, because he had forced his sister Tamar.
13:23And after the time of two years, Absalom had sheepshearers in Baal-hazor, which is beside Ephraim, and Absalom called all the King's sons.
13:24And Absalom came to the King and said, Behold now, your servant has sheepshearers:please,that the King with his servants would go with your servant.
13:25But the King answered Absalom, No my son, please, let us not go all,lest we be chargeable to you. Yet Absalom lay sore upon him:however he would not go,but thanked him.
13:26Then said Absalom,But, please, shall not my brother Amnon go with us? And the king answered him, Why should he go with you?
13:27But Absalom was instant upon him, and he sent Amnon with him, and all the King's children.
13:28Now had Absalom commanded his servants, saying, Mark now when Amnon's heart is merry with wine,and when I say to you, Smite Amnon, kill him, fear not,for have not I commanded you? Be bold therefore,and play the men.
13:29And the servants of Absalom did to Amnon, as Absalom had commanded: and all the King's sons arose, and every man got himself up upon his mule, and fled.
13:30And while they were in the way, tidings came to David, saying, Absalom has slain all the King's sons, and there is not one of them left.
13:31Then the King arose,and tare his garments,and lay on the ground,and all his servants stood by with their clothes rent.
13:32And 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, because Absalom had reported so, since he forced his sister Tamar.
13:33Now therefore let not my lord the King lay the thing to his heart, saying that all the King's sons are dead: for Amnon only is dead.
13:34Then Absalom fled:and the young man that kept the watch, lift up his eyes,and looked,and behold, there came much people by the way of the hill side behind him.
13:35And Jonadab said to the King, Behold, the King's sons come: as your servant said, so it is.
13:36And as soon as he had left speaking, behold, the King's sons came,and lift up their voices,and wept:and the King also and all his servants wept exceedingly sore.
13:37But Absalom fled away,and went to Talmai the son of Ammihud King of Geshur:and David mourned for his son every day.
13:38So Absalom fled,and went to Geshur,and was there three years.
13:39And King David desired to go forth to Absalom, because he was pacified concerning Amnon, seeing he was dead.
Chapter 14
14:1Then Joab the son of Zeruiah perceived, that the King's heart was toward Absalom,
14:2And Joab sent to Tekoa,and brought from there a subtle woman,and said to her, please, feign yourself to mourn,and now put on mourning apparel,and anoint not yourself with oil:but be as a woman that had now long time mourned for the dead.
14:3And come to the King,and speak on this manner to him, (for Joab taught her what she should say).
14:4Then the woman of Tekoa spoke to the king,and fell down on her face to the ground,and did obeisance,and said, Help, O King.
14:5Then the King said to her, What ails you? And she answered, I am indeed a widow,and my husband is dead:
14:6And your handmaid had two sons,and they two strove together in the field:(and there was none to part them) so the one smote the other,and slew him.
14:7And behold, the whole family is risen against your handmaid,and they said, Deliver him that smote his brother,that we may kill him for the nephesh of his brother whom he slew,that we may destroy the heir also:so they shall quench my sparkle which is left,and shall not leave to my husband neither name nor posterity upon the earth.
14:8And the King said to the woman, Go to your house,and I will give a charge for you.
14:9Then the woman of Tekoa said to the King, My lord, O King, this iniquity be on me, and on my fathers house, and the King and his throne be guiltless.
14:10And the King said, Bring him to me that speaks against you,and he shall touch you no more.
14:11Then said she, please, let the King remember YHWH your Elohim,that you would not suffer many revengers of blood to destroy,lest they slay my son. And he answered, As YHWH lives, there shall not one hear of your son fall to the earth.
14:12Then the woman said, please, let your handmaid speak a word to my lord the King. And he said, Say on.
14:13Then the woman said, Why then have you thought such a thing against the people of Elohim? Or why does the King, as one who is faulty, speak this thing,that he will not bring again his banished?
14:14For we must needs die,and we are as water spilt on the ground, which cannot be gathered up again:neither does Elohim spare any nephesh, yet does he devise means, not to cast out from him, him that is expelled.
14:15Now therefore that I am come to speak of this thing to my lord the King, the cause is that the people have made me afraid:therefore your handmaid said, Now will I speak to the King:it may be that the King will perform the request of his handmaid.
14:16For the King will hear, to deliver his handmaid out of the hand of the man that would destroy me,and also my son from the inheritance of Elohim.
14:17Therefore your handmaid said, The word of my lord the King shall now be comfortable:for my lord the King is even as an Angel of Elohim in hearing of good and bad:therefore YHWH your Elohim be with you.
14:18Then the King answered,and said to the woman, Hide not from me, please, the thing that I shall ask you. And the woman said, Let my lord the King now speak.
14:19And the King said, Is not the hand of Joab with you in all this? Then the woman answered,and said, As your nephesh lives, my lord the King, I will not turn to the right hand nor to the left, from anything that my lord the King has spoken:for even your servant Joab commanded me,and he put all these words in the mouth of your handmaid.
14:20For to the intent that I should change the form of speech, your servant Joab has done this thing:but my lord is wise according to the wisdom of an Angel of Elohim to understand all things that are in the earth.
14:21And the King said to Joab, Behold now, I have done this thing:go then,and bring the young man Absalom again.
14:22And Joab fell to the ground on his face,and bowed himself,and thanked the King. Then Joab said, This day your servant knows,that I have found favor in your sight, my lord the King, in that the King has fulfilled the request of his servant.
14:23And Joab arose,and went to Geshur,and brought Absalom to Jerusalem.
14:24And the King said, Let him turn to his own house,and not see my face. So Absalom turned to his own house,and saw not the King's face.
14:25Now in all Israel there was none to be so much praised for beauty as Absalom:from the sole of his foot even to the top of his head there was no blemish in him.
14:26And when he polled his head, (for at every years end he polled it:because it was too heavy for him,therefore he polled it) he weighed the hair of his head at two hundred shekels by the Kings weight.
14:27And Absalom had three sons,and one daughter named Tamar, which was a fair woman to look upon.
14:28So Absalom dwelt the space of two years in Jerusalem,and saw not the King's face.
14:29Therefore Absalom sent for Joab to send him to the King,but he would not come to him:and when he sent again, he would not come.
14:30Therefore he said to his servants, Behold, Joab has a field by my place, and has barley in it: go, and set it on fire: and Absalom's servants set the field on fire.
14:31Then Joab arose,and came to Absalom to his house,and said to him, Why have your servants burnt my field with fire?
14:32And Absalom answered Joab, Behold, I sent for you, saying, Come here,and I will send you to the King for to say, Therefore am I come from Geshur? It had been better for me to have been there still:now therefore let me see the King's face:and if there be any trespass in me, let him kill me.
14:33Then Joab came to the King,and told him:and he called for Absalom, who came to the King,and bowed himself to the ground on his face before the King,and the King kissed Absalom.
Chapter 15
15:1After this, Absalom prepared him chariots and horses,and fifty men to run before him.
15:2And Absalom rose up early, and stood hard by the entering in of the gate: and every man that had any matter, and came to the King for judgment, him did Absalom call to him, and said, of which city are you? And he answered, Your servant is of one of the tribes of Israel.
15:3Then Absalom said to him, See, your matters are good and righteous,but there is no man deputed of the King to hear you.
15:4Absalom said moreover, Oh that I were made Judge in the land,that every man who has any matter of controversy, might come to me,that I might do him justice.
15:5And when any man came near to him,and did him obeisance, he put forth his hand,and took him,and kissed him.
15:6And 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.
15:7And after forty years, Absalom said to the King, please, let me go to Hebron,and render my vow which I have vowed to YHWH.
15:8For your servant vowed a vow when I remained at Geshur, in Aram, saying, If YHWH shall bring me again indeed to Jerusalem, I will serve YHWH.
15:9And the King said to him, Go in peace. So he arose,and went to Hebron.
15:10Then Absalom sent spies throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, When you hear the sound of the trumpet, You shall say, Absalom reigns in Hebron.
15:11And with Absalom went two hundred men out of Jerusalem,that were called:and they went in their simplicity, knowing nothing.
15:12Also Absalom sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite David's counselor, from his city Giloh, while he offered sacrifices:and the treason was great:for the people increased still with Absalom.
15:13Then came a messenger to David, saying, The hearts of the men of Israel are turned after Absalom.
15:14Then David said to all his servants that were with him at Jerusalem, Up,and let us flee:for we shall not escape from Absalom:make speed to depart,lest he come suddenly and take us,and bring evil upon us,and smite the city with the edge of the sword.
15:15And the Kings servants said to him, Behold, your servants are ready to do according to all that my lord the King shall appoint.
15:16So the King departed and all his household after him,and the King left ten concubines to keep the house.
15:17And the King went forth and all the people after him,and stayed in a place far off.
15:18And all his servants went about him,and all the Cherethites and all the Pelethites and all the Gittites, even six hundred men who were come after him from Gath, went before the King.
15:19Then said the King to Ittai the Gittite, Why have you come also with us? Return and abide with the King,for you are a stranger:depart you therefore to your place.
15:20You came yesterday,and should I cause you to wander today and go with us? I will go where I can:therefore return you and carry again your brethren:chesed and truth be with you.
15:21And Ittai answered the King,and said, As YHWH lives,and as my lord the King lives, in what place my lord the King shall be, whether in death or life, even there surely will your servant be.
15:22Then David said to Ittai, Come,and go forward. And Ittai the Gittite went,and all his men,and all the children that were with him.
15:23And all the country wept with a loud voice,and all the people went forward,but the King passed over the brook Kidron:and all the people went over toward the way of the wilderness.
15:24And lo, Zadok also was there,and all the Levites with him, bearing the Ark of the covenant of Elohim:and they set down the Ark of Elohim,and Abiathar went up until the people were all come out of the city.
15:25Then the King said to Zadok, Carry the Ark of Elohim again into the city: if I shall find favor in the eyes of YHWH, he will bring me again, and show me both it, and the Tabernacle of it.
15:26But if he thus say, I have no delight in you, behold, here am I, let him do to me as seems good in his eyes.
15:27The King said again to Zadok the Priest, Are not you a Seer? Return into the city in peace,and your two sons with you:namely, Ahimaaz your son,and Jonathan the son of Abiathar.
15:28Behold, I will stay in the fields of the wilderness, until there come some word from you to be told me.
15:29Zadok therefore and Abiathar carried the Ark of Elohim again to Jerusalem,and they stayed there.
15:30And David went up the mount of olives and wept as he went up,and had his head covered,and went barefoot:and all the people that was with him, had every man his head covered,and as they went up, they wept.
15:31Then one told David, saying, Ahithophel is one of them that have conspired with Absalom:and David said, O YHWH, please, turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness.
15:32Then David came to the top of the mount where he worshiped Elohim:and behold, Hushai the Archite came against him with his coat torn,and having earth upon his head.
15:33To whom David said, If you go with me, you shall be a burden to me.
15:34But if you return to the city,and say to Absalom, I will be your servant, O King, (as I have been in time past your fathers servant, so will I now be your servant) then you may frustrate the counsel of Ahithophel for me.
15:35And have you not there with you Zadok and Abiathar the Priests? Therefore what so ever you shall hear out of the King's house, you shall show to Zadok and Abiathar the Priests.
15:36Behold, there are with them their two sons:Ahimaaz Zadok's son,and Jonathan Abiathar's son:by them also shall you send me everything that you can hear.
15:37So Hushai David's friend went into the city:and Absalom came into Jerusalem.
Chapter 16
16:1When David was a little past the top of the hill, behold, Ziba the servant of Mephibosheth met him with a couple of donkeys saddled,and upon them two hundred cakes of bread,and a hundred bunches of raisins,and a hundred of dried figs,and a bottle of wine.
16:2And the King said to Ziba, What mean you by these? And Ziba said, They be donkeys for the kings household to ride on,and bread and dried figs for the young men to eat,and wine,that the faint may drink in the wilderness.
16:3And the king said,But where is your master's son? Then Ziba answered the King, Behold, he remains in Jerusalem:for he said, This day shall the house of Israel restore me the kingdom of my father.
16:4Then said the King to Ziba, Behold, your are all that pertained to Mephibosheth. And Ziba said, I ask you, let me find favor in your sight, my lord, O King.
16:5And when king David came to Bahurim, behold, from there came out a man of the family of the house of Saul, named Shimei the son of Gera:and he came out,and cursed.
16:6And he cast stones at David,and at all the servants of King David:and all the people,and all the men of war were on his right hand,and on his left.
16:7And thus said Shimei when he cursed, Come forth, come forth you man of blood, and wicked man.
16:8YHWH has brought upon you all the blood of the house of Saul, in whose stead you have reigned:and YHWH has delivered your kingdom into the hand of Absalom your son:and behold, you are taken in your wickedness, because you are a murderer.
16:9Then said Abishai the son of Zeruiah to the King, Why does this dead dog curse my lord the King? Let me go, please,and take away his head.
16:10But the King said, What have I to do with you, the sons of Zeruiah? For he curses, even because YHWH has commanded him to curse David:who dare then say, Why have you done so?
16:11And David said to Abishai,and to all his servants, Behold, my son who came out of my own bowels, seeks my nephesh:then how much more now may this son of Jemini? Suffer him to curse:for YHWH has commanded him.
16:12It may be that YHWH will look on my affliction,and do me good for his cursing this day.
16:13And as David and his men went by the way, Shimei went by the side of the mountain over against him,and cursed as he went,and threw stones against him,and cast dust.
16:14Then came the King and all the people that were with him weary,and refreshed themselves there.
16:15And Absalom,and all the people, the men of Israel, came to Jerusalem,and Ahithophel with him.
16:16And when Hushai the Archite David's friend was come to Absalom, Hushai said to Absalom, God save the King, God save the King.
16:17Then Absalom said to Hushai, Is this your chesed to your friend? Why went you not with your friend?
16:18Hushai then answered to Absalom, No,but whom YHWH,and this people,and all the men of Israel choose, his will I be,and with him will I dwell.
16:19And moreover to whom shall I do service? Not to his son? As I served before your father, so will I before you.
16:20Then spoke Absalom to Ahithophel, Give counsel what we shall do.
16:21And Ahithophel said to Absalom, Go in to your fathers concubines, which he has left to keep the house:and when all Israel shall hear,that you are abhorred of your father, the hands of all that are with you, shall be strong.
16:22So they spread Absalom a tent upon the top of the house,and Absalom went in to his fathers concubines in the sight of all Israel.
16:23And the counsel of Ahithophel which he counseled in those days, was like as one had asked counsel at the oracle of Elohim:so was all the counsel of Ahithophel both with David and with Absalom.
Chapter 17
17:1Moreover Ahithophel said to Absalom, Let me choose out now twelve thousand men,and I will up and follow after David this night,
17:2And I will come upon him:for he is weary,and weak handed:so I will fear him,and all the people that are with him, shall flee,and I will smite the King only,
17:3And I will bring again all the people to you,and when all shall return, ( the man whom you seek being slain) all the people shall be in peace.
17:4And the saying pleased Absalom well,and all the Elders of Israel.
17:5Then said Absalom, Call now Hushai the Archite also,and let us hear likewise what he says.
17:6So when Hushai came to Absalom, Absalom spoke to him, saying, Ahithophel has spoken thus:shall we do after his saying, or no? Tell you.
17:7Hushai then answered to Absalom, The counsel that Ahithophel has given, is not good at this time.
17:8For, said Hushai, you know your father,and his men,that they be strong men,and are chafed in nephesh as a bear robbed of her cubs in the field:also your father is a valiant warrior,and will not lodge with the people.
17:9Behold, he is hid now in some cave, or in some place:and though some of them be overthrown at the first, yet the people shall hear,and say, The people that follow Absalom, be overthrown.
17:10Then he also that is valiant whose heart is as the heart of a lion, shall shrink and faint:for all Israel knows,that your father is valiant,and they who be with him, stout men.
17:11Therefore my counsel is,that all Israel be gathered to you, from Dan even to Beersheba as the sand of the sea in number,and that you go to battle in your own person.
17:12So shall we come upon him in some place, where we shall find him,and we will upon him as the dew falls on the ground:and of all the men that are with him, we will not leave him one.
17:13Moreover if he be gotten into a city, then shall all the men of Israel bring ropes to that city,and we will draw it into the river, until there be not one small stone found there.
17:14Then Absalom and all the men of Israel said, The counsel of Hushai the Archite is better, than the counsel of Ahithophel: for YHWH had commanded to defeat the good counsel of Ahithophel, that YHWH might bring evil upon Absalom.
17:15Then said Hushai to Zadok and to Abiathar the Priests, Of this and that manner did Ahithophel and the Elders of Israel counsel Absalom:and thus and thus have I counseled.
17:16Now therefore send quickly,and show David, saying, Do not delay this night in the fields of the wilderness,but rather get you over,lest the King be devoured and all the people that are with him.
17:17Now Jonathan and Ahimaaz abode by En-rogel:(for they might not be seen to come into the city) and a maid went,and told them,and they went and showed King David.
17:18Nevertheless a young man saw them,and told it to Absalom. Therefore they both departed quickly,and came to a man's house in Bahurim, who had a well in his court, into the which they went down.
17:19And the wife took and spread a covering over the wells mouth, and spread ground corn on it, that the thing should not be known.
17:20And when Absalom's servants came to the wife into the house, they said, Where is Ahimaaz and Jonathan? And the woman answered them, They be gone over the brook of water. And when they had sought them,and could not find them, they returned to Jerusalem.
17:21And as soon as they were departed, the other came out of the well,and went and told King David,and said to him, Up,and get you quickly over the water:for such counsel has Ahithophel given against you.
17:22Then David arose,and all the people that were with him,and they went over Jordan until the dawning of the day, so that there lacked not one of them,that was not come over Jordan.
17:23Now when Ahithophel saw that his counsel was not followed, he saddled his donkey,and arose,and he went home to his city,and put his household in order,and hanged himself,and died,and was buried in his fathers grave.
17:24Then David came to Mahanaim. And Absalom passed over Jordan, he,and all the men of Israel with him.
17:25And Absalom made Amasa captain of the host in the stead of Joab:which Amasa was a man's son named Ithra an Israelite,that went in to Abigail the daughter of Nahash, sister to Zeruiah Joab's mother.
17:26So Israel and Absalom pitched in the land of Gilead.
17:27And when David was come to Mahanaim, Shobi the son of Nahash out of Rabbah of the children of Ammon,and Machir the son of Ammiel out of Lo-debar,and Barzillai the Gileadite out of Rogelim
17:28Brought beds,and basins,and earthen vessels,and wheat,and barley,and flour,and parched grain,and beans,and lentils,and parched grain.
17:29And they brought honey,and butter,and sheep,and cheese of the herd 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 18
18:1Then David numbered the people that were with him,and set over them captains of thousands and captains of hundreds.
18:2And David sent forth the third part of the people under the hand of Joab,and the third part under the hand of Abishai Joab's brother the son of Zeruiah:and the other third part under the hand of Ittai the Gittite. And the King said to the people, I will go with you myself also.
18:3But the people answered, You shall not go forth:for if we flee away, they will not regard us,neither will they pass for us, though half of us were slain:but you are now worth ten thousand of us:therefore now it is better that you succor us out of the city.
18:4Then the King said to them, What seems you best,that I will do. So the King stood by the gate side,and all the people came out by hundreds and by thousands.
18:5And the King commanded Joab and Abishai,and Ittai, saying, Entreat the young man Absalom gently for my sake. And all the people heard when the King gave all the captains charge concerning Absalom.
18:6So the people went out into the field to meet Israel,and the battle was in the wood of Ephraim:
18:7Where the people of Israel were slain before the servants of David:so there was a great slaughter that day, even of twenty thousand.
18:8For the battle was scattered over all the country:and the wood devoured much more people that day, than did the sword.
18:9Now Absalom met the servants of David,and Absalom rode upon a mule,and the mule came under a great thick 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.
18:10And one that saw it, told Joab, saying, Behold, I saw Absalom hanged in an oak.
18:11Then Joab said to the man that told him,And have you indeed seen? Why then did you not there smite him to the ground,and I would have given you ten shekels of silver,and a belt?
18:12Then the man said to Joab, Though I should receive a thousand shekels of silver in my hand, yet would I not lay my hand upon the King's son:for in our hearing the King charged you,and Abishai,and Ittai, saying, Beware,lest any touch the young man Absalom.
18:13If I had done it, it had been the danger of my life:for nothing can be hid from the King:yes, you yourself would have been against me.
18:14Then said Joab, I will not delay thus with you. And he took three darts in his hand,and thrust them through Absalom, while he was yet alive in the midst of the oak.
18:15And ten servants that bore Joab's armor, compassed about and smote Absalom,and slew him.
18:16Then Joab blew the trumpet,and the people returned from pursuing after Israel:for Joab held back the people.
18:17And they took Absalom,and cast him into a great pit in the wood,and laid a mighty great heap of stones upon him:and all Israel fled every one to his tent.
18:18Now Absalom in his life time had taken and reared him up a pillar, which is in the kings 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 to this day, Absalom's place.
18:19Then said Ahimaaz the son of Zadok, please, let me run,and bear the King tidings that YHWH has delivered him out of the hand of his enemies.
18:20And Joab said to him, You shall not be the messenger today, but you shall bear tidings another time, but today you shall bear none: for the King's son is dead.
18:21Then said Joab to Cushi, Go, tell the king, what you have seen. And Cushi bowed himself to Joab,and ran.
18:22Then said Ahimaaz the son of Zadok again to Joab, What, please, if I also run after Cushi? And Joab said, Why now will you run, my son, seeing that you have no tidings to bring?
18:23Yet what if I run? Then he said to him, Run. So Ahimaaz ran by the way of the plain,and overwent Cushi.
18:24Now David sat between the two gates. And the watchman went to the top of the gate upon the wall,and lifted up his eyes,and saw,and behold, a man came running alone.
18:25And the watchman cried,and told the king. And the King said, If he be alone, he brings tidings. And he came quickly,and drew near.
18:26And the watchman saw another man running,and the watchman called to the porter,and said, Behold, another man runs alone. And the King said, He also brings tidings.
18:27And the watchman said, Me thinks the running of the foremost is like the running of Ahimaaz the son of Zadok. Then the King said, He is a good man,and comes with good tidings.
18:28And Ahimaaz called,and said to the King, Peace be with you:and he fell down to the earth upon his face before the King,and said, Blessed be YHWH your Elohim, who has shut up the men that lift up their hands against my lord the King.
18:29And 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.
18:30And the King said to him, Turn aside,and stand here. So he turned aside and stood still.
18:31And behold, Cushi came,and Cushi said, Tidings, my lord the King:for YHWH has delivered you this day out of the hand of all that rose against you.
18:32Then the King said to Cushi, Is the young man Absalom safe? And Cushi answered, The enemies of my lord the King,and all that rise against you to do you hurt, be as that young man is.
Chapter 19
19:1And the King was 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:oh that I had died for you, O Absalom, my son, my son.
19:2And it was told Joab, Behold, the King weeps and mourns for Absalom.
19:3Therefore the victory of that day was turned into mourning to all the people:for the people heard say that day, The King sorrows for his son.
19:4And the people went that day into the city secretly, as people confounded hide themselves when they flee in battle.
19:5So the King hid his face,and the King cried with a loud voice, My son Absalom, Absalom my son, my son.
19:6Then 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 nephesh and the nepheshes of your sons,and of your daughters,and the nepheshes of your wives,and the nepheshes of your concubines,
19:7In that you love your enemies,and hate your friends:for you have declared this day,that you regard neither your princes nor servants:therefore this day I perceive,that if Absalom had lived,and we all had died this day,that then it would have pleased you well.
19:8Now therefore up, come out,and speak comfortably to your servants:for I swear by YHWH, except you come out, there will not delay one man with you this night:and that will be worse to you, than all the evil that fell on you from your youth until now.
19:9Then the King arose,and sat in the gate:and they told to 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.
19:10Then 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.
19:11And Absalom, whom we anointed over us, is dead in battle:therefore why are you so slow to bring the King again?
19:12But King David sent to Zadok and to Abiathar the Priests, saying, Speak to the Elders of Judah,and say, Why are you behind to bring the King again to his house, (for the saying of all Israel is come to the king, even to his house)
19:13You are my brethren:my bones and my flesh are you:why then are you the last that bring the King again?
19:14Also say to Amasa, Are you not my bone and my flesh? Elohim do so to me and more also, if you be not captain of the host to me forever in the room of Joab.
19:15So he bowed the hearts of all the men of Judah, as of one man:therefore they sent to the King, saying, Return you with all your servants.
19:16So the King returned,and came to Jordan. And Judah came to Gilgal,for to go to meet the King,and to conduct him over Jorde.
19:17And Shimei the son of Gera, the son of Jemini, which was of Bahurim, hurried and came down with the men of Judah to meet king David,
19:18And a thousand men of Beniamin with him,and Ziba the servant of the house of Saul,and his fifteen sons and twenty servants with him:and they went over Jordan before the king.
19:19And there went over a boat to carry over the Kings household,and to do him pleasure. Then Shimei the son of Gera fell before the King, when he was come over Jordan,
19:20And said to the King, Let not my lord impute wickedness to me, nor remember you thing that your servant did wickedly when my lord the King departed out of Jerusalem,that the King should take it to his heart.
19:21For your servant does know,that I have done amiss:therefore behold, I am the first this day of all the house of Joseph,that am come to go down to meet my lord the King.
19:22But Abishai the son of Zeruiah answered,and said, Shall not Shimei die for this, because he cursed YHWH's anointed?
19:23And David said, What have I to do with you, the sons of Zeruiah,that this day you should be adversaries to me? Shall there any man die this day in Israel? For do not I know that I am this day King over Israel?
19:24Therefore the King said to Shimei, You shall not die,and the king swore to him.
19:25And Mephibosheth the son of Saul came down to meet the king,and had neither washed his feet, nor dressed his beard, nor washed his clothes from the time the king departed, until he returned in peace.
19:26And when he was come to Jerusalem,and met the king, the king said to him, Why went not you with me, Mephibosheth?
19:27And he answered, My lord the king, my servant deceived me: for your servant said, I would have my donkey saddled to ride on it, for to go with the king, because your servant is lame.
19:28And he has accused your servant to my lord the king:but my lord the king is as an Angel of Elohim:do therefore your pleasure.
19:29For all my father's house were but dead men before my lord the king, yet did you set your servant among them that did eat at your own table:what right therefore have I yet to cry any more to the king?
19:30And the king said to him, Why do you speak any more of your matters? I have said, You,and Ziba divide the lands.
19:31And Mephibosheth said to the king, Yes, let him take all, seeing my lord the king is come home in peace.
19:32Then Barzillai the Gileadite came down from Rogelim,and went over Jordan with the king, to conduct him over Jordan.
19:33Now Barzillai was a very aged man, even fourscore year old,and he had provided the king of sustenance, while he lay at Mahanaim:for he was a man of very great substance.
19:34And the king said to Barzillai, Come over with me,and I will feed you with me in Jerusalem.
19:35And Barzillai said to the king, How long have I to live,that I should go up with the king to Jerusalem?
19:36I am this day fourscore year old:and can I discern between good or evil? Has your servant any taste in that I eat or in that I drink? Can I hear any more the voice of singing men and women? Why then should your servant be anymore a burden to my lord the king?
19:37Your servant will go a little way over Jordan with the King,and why will the king recompense it me with such a reward?
19:38please, let your servant turn back again,that I may die in my own city,and be buried in the grave of my father and of my mother:but behold your servant Chimham, let him go with my lord the king,and do to him what shall please you.
19:39And the king answered, Chimham shall go with me,and I will do to him that you shall be content with:and whatever you shall require of me,that will I do for you.
19:40So all the people went over Jordan:and the King passed over:and the King kissed Barzillai,and blessed him,and he returned to his own place.
19:41Then the King went to Gilgal,and Chimham went with him,and all the people of Judah conducted the King,and also half the people of Israel.
19:42And behold, all the men of Israel came to the King,and said to 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?
19:43And all the men of Judah answered the men of Israel, Because the King is near of kin to us:and why now be you angry for this matter? Have we eaten of the Kings cost, or have we taken any bribes?
19:44And the men of Israel answered the men of Judah,and said, We have ten parts in the King,and have also more right to David than you:Why then did you despise us,that our advice should not be first had in restoring our King? And the words of the men of Judah were fiercer than the words of the men of Israel.
Chapter 20
20:1Then there was come there a wicked man (named Sheba the son of Bichri, a man of Jemini) and he blew the trumpet,and said, We have no part in David,neither have we inheritance in the son of Ishai:every man to his tents, O Israel.
20:2So every man of Israel went from David and followed Sheba the son of Bichri:but the men of Judah remained loyal to their King, from Jordan even to Jerusalem.
20:3When David then came to his house to Jerusalem, the King took the ten women his concubines,that he had left behind him to keep the house,and put them in ward,and fed them,but lay no more with them:but they were enclosed to the day of their death, living in widowhood.
20:4Then said the King to Amasa, Assemble me the men of Judah within three days,and be you here present.
20:5So Amasa went to assemble Judah,but he delayed longer than the time which he had appointed him.
20:6Then David said to Abishai, Now shall Sheba the son of Bichri do us more harm than did Absalom:take therefore your lord's servants and follow after him,lest he get him walled cities,and escape us.
20:7And there went out after him Joab's men,and the Cherethites and the Pelethites,and all the mighty men:and they departed out of Jerusalem, to follow after Sheba the son of Bichri.
20:8When 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 to him,and upon it was a sword girded, which hanged on his loins in the sheath,and as he went, it used to fall out.
20:9And Joab said to Amasa, Are you in health, my brother? And Joab took Amasa by the beard with the right hand to kiss him.
20:10But Amasa took no heed to the sword that was in Joab's hand: for with it he smote him in the fifth rib, and shed out his bowels to the ground, and smote him not the second time: so he died. Then Joab and Abishai his brother followed after Sheba the son of Bichri.
20:11And one of Joab's men stood by him,and said, He that favors Joab,and he that is of David's part, let him go after Joab.
20:12And Amasa wallowed in blood in the midst of the way:and when the man saw that all the people stood still, he removed Amasa out of the way into the field,and cast a cloth upon him, because he saw that every one that came by him, stood still.
20:13When he was removed out of the way, every man went after Joab, to follow after Sheba the son of Bichri.
20:14And he went through all the tribes of Israel to Abel,and Bethmaachah and all places of Berim:and they gathered together,and went also after him.
20:15So they came, and besieged him in Abel, near to Bethmaachah: and they cast up a mount against the city, and the people of it stood on the rampart, and all the people that was with Joab, destroyed and cast down the wall.
20:16Then cried a wise woman out of the city, Hear, hear, please, say to Joab, Come here,that I may speak with you.
20:17And when he came near to her, the woman said, Are you Joab? And he answered, Yes. And she said to him, Hear the words of your handmaid. And he answered, I hear.
20:18Then she spoke thus, They spoke in the old time, saying, They should ask of Abel. And so have they continued.
20:19I am one of them,that are peaceable and faithful in Israel:and you seek to destroy a city,and a mother in Israel:why will you devour the inheritance of YHWH?
20:20And Joab answered,and said, God forbid, God forbid it me,that I should devour, or destroy it.
20:21The matter is not so,but a man of Mount Ephraim (Sheba the son of Bichri by name) has lift up his hand against the King, even against David:deliver us him only,and I will depart from the city. And the woman said to Joab, Behold, his head shall be thrown to you over the wall.
20:22Then the woman went to all the people with her wisdom,and they cut off the head of Sheba the son of Bichri,and cast it to Joab:then he blew the trumpet,and they retired from the city, every man to his tent:and Joab returned to Jerusalem to the King.
20:23Then Joab was over all the host of Israel,and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada over the Cherethites and over the Pelethites,
20:24And Adoram over the tribute,and Joshaphat the son of Ahilud the recorder,
20:25And Sheia was Scribe,and Zadok and Abiathar the Priests,
20:26And also Ira the Jairite was chief about David.
Chapter 21
21:1Then there was a famine in the days of David, three years together:and David sought YHWH,and YHWH answered, It is for Saul,and for his bloody house, because he slew the Gibeonites.
21:2Then the King called the Gibeonites and said to them. (Now the Gibeonites were not of the children of Israel,but a remnant of the Amorites, to whom the children of Israel had sworn:but Saul sought to slay them for his zeal toward the children of Israel and Judah)
21:3And David said to the Gibeonites, What shall I do for you, and with what shall I make the atonement, that you may bless the inheritance of YHWH?
21:4The Gibeonites then answered 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.
21:5Then they answered the King, The man that consumed us and that imagined evil against us, so that we are destroyed from remaining in any coast of Israel,
21:6Let seven men of his sons be delivered to us,and we will hang them up to YHWH in Gibeah of Saul, YHWH's chosen. And the King said, I will give them.
21:7But the King had compassion on Mephibosheth the son of Jonathan the son of Saul, because of YHWH's oath,that was between them, even between David and Jonathan the son of Saul.
21:8But the King took the two sons of Rizpah the daughter of Aiah, whom she bore to Saul, even Armoni and Mephibosheth and the five sons of Michal, the daughter of Saul, whom she bore to Adriel the son of Barzillai the Meholathite.
21:9And he delivered them to the hands of the Gibeonites, which hanged them in the mountain before YHWH:so they died all seven together,and they were slain in the time of harvest:in the first days,and in the beginning of barley harvest.
21:10Then Rizpah the daughter of Aiah took sackcloth and hanged it up for her upon the rock, from the beginning of harvest, until water dropped upon them from the heaven,and suffered neither the birds of the air to light on them by day, nor beasts of the field by night.
21:11And it was told David, what Rizpah the daughter of Aiah the concubine of Saul had done.
21:12And David went and took the bones of Saul and the bones of Jonathan his son from the citizens of Jabesh Gilead, which had stolen them from the street of Beth-shan, where the Philistines had hanged them, when the Philistines had slain Saul in Gilboa.
21:13So he brought from there the bones of Saul and the bones of Jonathan his son,and they gathered the bones of them that were hanged.
21:14And the bones of Saul and of Jonathan his son buried they in the country of Beniamin in Zelah, in the grave of Kish his father:and when they had performed all that the King had commanded, Elohim was then appeased with the land.
21:15Again the Philistines had war with Israel:and David went down,and his servants with him,and they fought against the Philistines,and David fainted.
21:16Then Ishbi-benob which was of the sons of Haraphah (the head of whose spear weighed three hundred shekels of brass) even he being girded with a new sword, thought to have slain David.
21:17But Abishai the son of Zeruiah succored him,and smote the Philistine,and killed him. Then David's men swore to him, saying, You shall go no more out with us to battle,lest you quench the light of Israel.
21:18And after this also there was a battle with the Philistines at Gob, then Sibbechai the Hushathite slew Saph, which was one of the sons of Haraphah.
21:19And there was yet another battle in Gob with the Philistines, where Elhanan the son of Jaare-oregim, a Bethlehemite slew Goliath the Gittite:the staff of whose spear was like a weaver's beam.
21:20Afterward there was also a battle in Gath, where was a man of a great stature,and had on every hand six fingers,and on every foot six toes, four and twenty in number:who was also the son of Haraphah.
21:21And when he reviled Israel, Jonathan the son of Shimea the brother of David slew him.
21:22These four were born to Haraphah in Gath,and died by the hand of David and by the hands of his servants.
Chapter 22
22:1And David spoke the words of this song to YHWH, what time YHWH had delivered him out of the hands of all his enemies,and out of the hand of Saul.
22:2And he said, YHWH is my rock and my fortress,and he that delivers me.
22:3Elohim is my strength, in him will I trust:my shield,and the horn of my salvation, my high tower and my refuge:my Savior, you have saved me from violence.
22:4I will call on YHWH, who is worthy to be praised:so shall I be safe from my enemies.
22:5For the pangs of death have compassed me:the floods of ungodliness have made me afraid.
22:6The sorrows of Sheol compassed me about:the snares of death overtook me.
22:7But in my tribulation did I call upon YHWH,and cry to my Elohim,and he did hear my voice out of his temple,and my cry did enter into his ears.
22:8Then the earth trembled and quaked:the foundations of the heavens moved and shook, because he was angry.
22:9Smoke went out at his nostrils,and consuming fire out of his mouth:coals were kindled by it.
22:10He bowed the heavens also,and came down,and darkness was under his feet.
22:11And he rode upon Cherub and did fly,and he was seen upon the wings of the wind.
22:12And he made darkness a Tabernacle round about him, even the gatherings of waters,and the clouds of the air.
22:13At the brightness of his presence the coals of fire were kindled.
22:14YHWH thundered from heaven,and the most high uttered his voice.
22:15He shot arrows also,and scattered them:namely, lightning,and destroyed them.
22:16The channels also of the sea appeared, even the foundations of the world were discovered by the rebuking of YHWH,and at the blast of the breath of his nostrils.
22:17He sent from above,and took me:he drew me out of many waters.
22:18He delivered me from my strong enemy,and from them that hated me:for they were too strong for me.
22:19They prevented me in the day of my calamity,but YHWH was my stay,
22:20And brought me forth into a large place:he delivered me, because he favored me.
22:21YHWH rewarded me according to my righteousness:according to the pureness of my hands he recompensed me.
22:22For I kept the ways of YHWH,and did not wickedly against my Elohim.
22:23For all his laws were before me,and his statutes:I did not depart from it.
22:24I was upright also toward him,and have kept me from my wickedness.
22:25Therefore YHWH did reward me according to my righteousness, according to my pureness before his eyes.
22:26With the godly you will show yourself godly:with the upright man you will show yourself upright.
22:27With the pure you will show yourself pure,and with the perverse you will show yourself perverse.
22:28Thus you will save the poor people:but your eyes are upon the haughty to humble them.
22:29Surely You are my light, O YHWH:and YHWH will lighten my darkness.
22:30For by you have I broken through a host,and by my Elohim have I leaped over a wall.
22:31The way of El is uncorrupt:the word of YHWH is tried in the fire:he is a shield to all that trust in him.
22:32For who is Elohim besides YHWH? And who is mighty, save our El?
22:33El is my strength in battle,and makes my way upright.
22:34He makes my feet like deer’s feet,and has set me upon my high places.
22:35He teaches my hands to fight, so that a bow of brass is broken with my arms.
22:36You have also given me the shield of your salvation,and your loving kindness has caused me to increase.
22:37You have enlarged my steps under me,and my heels have not slid.
22:38I have pursued my enemies and destroyed them,and have not turned again until I had consumed them.
22:39Yes, I have consumed them and thrust them through,and they shall not arise,but shall fall under my feet.
22:40For you have girded me with power to battle,and them that arose against me, have you subdued under me.
22:41And you have given me the necks of my enemies,that I might destroy them that hate me.
22:42They looked about,but there was none to save them, even to YHWH,but he answered them not.
22:43Then did I beat them as small as the dust of the earth:I did tread them flat as the clay of the street,and did spread them abroad.
22:44You have also delivered me from the contentions of my people:you have preserved me to be the head over nations:the people who I knew not, do serve me.
22:45Strangers shall be in subjection to me:as soon as they hear, they shall obey me.
22:46Strangers shall shrink away,and come trembling from their strongholds.
22:47Let YHWH live,and blessed be my strength:and Elohim, even the force of my salvation be exalted.
22:48It is El that gives me power to revenge me,and subdue the people under me,
22:49And rescues me from my enemies:(you also have lifted me up from them that rose against me, you have delivered me from the cruel man.
22:50Therefore I will praise You, O YHWH among the nations,and will sing to your Name)
22:51He is the tower of salvation for his King,and shows chesed to his anointed, even to David,and to his seed forever.
Chapter 23
23:1These also be the last words of David, David the son of Ishai says, even the man who was set up on high, the Anointed of the Elohim of Jacob,and the sweet singer of Israel says,
23:2The Spirit of YHWH spoke by me,and his word was in my tongue.
23:3The Elohim of Israel spoke to me, the strength of Israel said, You shall bear rule over men, being just,and ruling in the fear of Elohim.
23:4Even as the morning light when the sun rises, the morning, I say, without clouds, so shall my house be,and not as the grass of the earth is by the bright rain.
23:5For so shall not my house be with El:for he has made with me an everlasting covenant, perfect in all points,and sure:therefore all my health and whole desire is,that he will not make it grow so.
23:6But the wicked shall be every one as thorns thrust away, because they cannot be taken with hands.
23:7But the man that shall touch them, must be defensed with iron, or with the shaft of a spear:and they shall be burnt with fire in the same place.
23:8These be the names of the mighty men whom David had. He that sat in the seat of wisdom, being chief of the princes, was Adino the Eznite, he slew eight hundred at one time.
23:9And after him was Eleazar the son of Dodo, the son of Ahohite, one of the three worthies with David, when they defied the Philistines gathered there to battle, when the men of Israel were gone up.
23:10He arose and smote the Philistines until his hand was weary,and his hand stuck to the sword:and YHWH gave great victory the same day,and the people returned after him only to spoil.
23:11After him was Shammah the son of Age the Hararite:for the Philistines assembled at a town, where was a piece of a field full of lentils,and the people fled from the Philistines.
23:12But he stood in the midst of the field,and defended it,and slew the Philistines:so YHWH gave great victory.
23:13Afterward three of the thirty captains went down,and came to David in the harvest time to the cave of Adullam,and the host of the Philistines pitched in the valley of Rephaim.
23:14And David was then in a hold,and the garrison of the Philistines was then in Bethlehem.
23:15And David longed,and said, Oh,that one would give me to drink of the water of the well of Bethlehem, which is by the gate.
23:16The three mighty broke into the host of the Philistines,and drew water out of the well of Bethlehem that was by the gate,and took and brought it to David, who would not drink of it,but poured it for an offering to YHWH,
23:17And said, O YHWH, be it far from me,that I should do this. Is not this the blood of the men that went in jeopardy of their nepheshes? Therefore he would not drink it. These things did these three mighty men.
23:18And Abishai the brother of Joab, the son of Zeruiah, was chief among the three,and he lifted up his spear against three hundred,and slew them,and he had the name among the three.
23:19For he was most excellent of the three,and was their captain,but he attained not to the first three.
23:20And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada the son of a valiant man, who had done many acts,and was of Kabzeel, slew two strong men of Moab:he went down also,and slew a lion in the midst of a pit in the time of snow.
23:21And he slew an Egyptian a man of great stature, 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.
23:22These things did Benaiah the son of Jehoiada,and had the name among the three worthies.
23:23He was honorable among thirty,but he attained not to the first three:and David made him of his counsel.
23:24Asahel the brother of Joab was one of the thirty:Elhanan the son of Dodo of Bethlehem:
23:25Shammah the Harodite:Elika the Harodite:
23:26Helez the Paltite:Ira the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite:
23:27Abiezer the Anathothite:Mebunnai the Hushathite:
23:28Zalmon an Ahohite:Maharai the Netophathite:
23:29Heleb the son of Baanah a Netophathite:Ittai the son of Ribai of Gibeah of the children of Beniamin:
23:30Benaiah the Pirathonite:Hiddai of the river of Gaash:
23:31Abi-albon the Arbathite:Azmaveth the Barhumite:
23:32Eliahba the Shaalbonite:of the sons of Jashen, Jonathan:
23:33Shammah the Hararite:Ahiam the son of Sharar the Hamrite:
23:34Eliphelet the son of Ahasbai the son of Maachathite:Eliam the son of Ahithophel the Gilonite:
23:35Hezrai the Carmelite:Paarai the Arbite:
23:36Igal the son of Nathan of Zobah:Bani the Gadite:
23:37Zelek the Ammonite:Naharai the Beerothite, the armor bearer of Joab the son of Zeruiah:
23:38Ira the Ithrite:Gareb the Ithrite:
23:39Uriah the Hittite, thirty and seven in all.
Chapter 24
24:1And the wrath of YHWH was again kindled against Israel,and he moved David against them, in that he said, Go, number Israel and Judah.
24:2For the King said to Joab the captain of the host, which was with him, Go speedily 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.
24:3And Joab said to the King, YHWH your Elohim increase the people a hundred fold more than they be,and that the eyes of my lord the King may see it:but why does my lord the King desire this thing?
24:4Notwithstanding the King's word prevailed against Joab and against the captains of the host: therefore Joab and the captains of the host went out from the presence of the King to number the people of Israel.
24:5And they passed over Jordan,and pitched in Aroer at the right side of the city that is in the midst of the valley of Gad and toward Jazer.
24:6Then they came to Gilead,and to Tahtim-hodshi, so they came to Dan Jaan,and so about to Zidon,
24:7And came to the fortress of Tyrus and to all the cities of the Hivites and of the Canaanites,and went toward the South of Judah, even to Beersheba.
24:8So when they had gone about all the land, they returned to Jerusalem at the end of nine months and twenty days.
24:9And Joab delivered the number and sum of the people to the King:and there were in Israel eight hundred thousand strong men that drew swords,and the men of Judah were five hundred thousand men.
24:10Then David's heart smote him, after that he had numbered the people: and David said to YHWH, I have sinned exceedingly in that I have done: therefore now, YHWH, I ask you, take away the iniquity of your servant: for I have done very foolishly.
24:11And when David was up in the morning, the word of YHWH came to the Prophet Gad David's Seer, saying,
24:12Go,and say to David, Thus saysYHWH, I offer you three things, choose you which of them I shall do to you.
24:13So Gad came to David,and showed him,and said to him, Will you that seven years famine come upon you in your land, or will you flee three months before your enemies, they following you, or that there be three days pestilence in your land? Now advise you,and see, what answer I shall give to him that sent me.
24:14And David said to Gad, I am in a great distress:let us fall now into the hand of YHWH, (for his mercies are great) and let me not fall into the hand of man.
24:15So YHWH sent a pestilence in Israel, from the morning even to the time appointed:and there died of the people from Dan even to Beersheba seventy thousand men.
24:16And when the Angel stretched out his hand upon Jerusalem to destroy it, YHWH repented of the evil,and said to the Angel that destroyed the people, It is sufficient, hold now your hand. And the Angel of YHWH was by the threshing place of Araunah the Jebusite.
24:17And David spoke to YHWH (when he saw the Angel that smote the people) and said, Behold, I have sinned, yes, I have done wickedly:but these sheep, what have they done? Let your hand, please, be against me and against my fathers house.
24:18So Gad came the same day to David,and said to him, Go up, rear an altar to YHWH in the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite.
24:19And David (according to the saying of Gad) went up, as YHWH had commanded.
24:20And Araunah looked,and saw the King and his servants coming toward him,and Araunah went out,and bowed himself before the King on his face to the ground,
24:21And Araunah said, Why is my lord the King come to his servant? Then David answered, To buy the threshing floor of you for to build an altar to YHWH,that the plague may cease from the people.
24:22Then Araunah said to David, Let my lord the King take and offer what seems him good in his eyes:behold the oxen for the burnt offering,and chariots,and the instruments of the oxen for wood.
24:23(All these things did Araunah as a King give to the King:and Araunah said to the King, YHWH your Elohim be favorable to you)
24:24Then the King said to Araunah, Not so,but I will buy it of you at a price,and will not offer burnt offering to YHWH my Elohim of that which does cost me nothing. So David bought the threshing floor,and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver.
24:25And David built there an altar to YHWH,and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings,and YHWH was appeased toward the land,and the plague ceased from Israel.