10:012:022 And 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?
10:012:023 But now he is dead, wherefore should I fast? can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me.
10:012:024 And David comforted Bathsheba his wife, and went in unto her, and lay with her: and she bare a son, and he called his name Solomon: and the LORD loved him.
10:012:025 And he sent by the hand of Nathan the prophet; and he calledhis name Jedidiah, because of the LORD.
10:012:026 And Joab fought against Rabbah of the children of Ammon, andtook the royal city.
10:012:027 And Joab sent messengers to David, and said, I have foughtagainst Rabbah, and have taken the city of waters.
10:012:028 Now therefore gather the rest of the people together, and encamp against the city, and take it: lest I take the city, and it be called after my name.
10:012:029 And David gathered all the people together, and went to Rabbah, and fought against it, and took it.
10:012:030 And he took their king's crown from off his head, the weight whereof was a talent of gold with the precious stones: and it was set on David's head. And he brought forth the spoil of the city in great abundance.
10:012:031 And he brought forth the people that were therein, and put them under saws, and under harrows of iron, and under axes of iron, and made them pass through the brick-kiln: and thus did he unto all the cities of the children of Ammon. So David and all the people returned unto Jerusalem.
10:013:001 And it came to pass after this, that Absalom the son of Davidhad a fair sister, whose name was Tamar; and Amnon the son ofDavid loved her.
10:013:002 And Amnon was so vexed, that he fell sick for his sisterTamar; for she was a virgin; and Amnon thought it hard for himto do anything to her.
10:013:003 But Amnon had a friend, whose name was Jonadab, the son ofShimeah David's brother: and Jonadab was a very subtil man.
10:013:004 And he said unto him, Why art thou, being the king's son, lean from day to day? wilt thou not tell me? And Amnon said unto him, I love Tamar, my brother Absalom's sister.
10:013:005 And Jonadab said unto him, Lay thee down on thy bed, and make thyself sick: and when thy father cometh to see thee, say unto him, I pray thee, let my sister Tamar come, and give me meat, and dress the meat in my sight, that I may see it, and eat it at her hand.
10:013:006 So Amnon lay down, and made himself sick: and when the king was come to see him, Amnon said unto the king, I pray thee, let Tamar my sister come, and make me a couple of cakes in my sight, that I may eat at her hand.
10:013:007 Then David sent home to Tamar, saying, Go now to thy brother Amnon's house, and dress him meat.
10:013:008 So Tamar went to her brother Amnon's house; and he was laiddown. And she took flour, and kneaded it, and made cakes inhis sight, and did bake the cakes.
10:013:009 And she took a pan, and poured them out before him; but herefused to eat. And Amnon said, Have out all men from me. Andthey went out every man from him.
10:013:010 And Amnon said unto Tamar, Bring the meat into the chamber, that I may eat of thine hand. And Tamar took the cakes which she had made, and brought them into the chamber to Amnon her brother.
10:013:011 And when she had brought them unto him to eat, he took hold ofher, and said unto her, Come lie with me, my sister.
10:013:012 And she answered him, Nay, my brother, do not force me; for nosuch thing ought to be done in Israel: do not thou this folly.
10:013:013 And I, whither shall I cause my shame to go? and as for thee, thou shalt be as one of the fools in Israel. Now therefore, I pray thee, speak unto the king; for he will not withhold me from thee.
10:013:014 Howbeit he would not hearken unto her voice: but, being stronger than she, forced her, and lay with her.
10:013:015 Then Amnon hated her exceedingly; so that the hatred wherewithhe hated her was greater than the love wherewith he had lovedher. And Amnon said unto her, Arise, be gone.
10:013:016 And she said unto him, There is no cause: this evil in sendingme away is greater than the other that thou didst unto me. Buthe would not hearken unto her.
10:013:017 Then he called his servant that ministered unto him, and said,Put now this woman out from me, and bolt the door after her.
10:013:018 And she had a garment of divers colours upon her: for with such robes were the king's daughters that were virgins apparelled. Then his servant brought her out, and bolted the door after her.
10:013:019 And Tamar put ashes on her head, and rent her garment of divers colours that was on her, and laid her hand on her head, and went on crying.
10:013:020 And Absalom her brother said unto her, Hath Amnon thy brother been with thee? but hold now thy peace, my sister: he is thy brother; regard not this thing. So Tamar remained desolate in her brother Absalom's house.
10:013:021 But when king David heard of all these things, he was very wroth.
10:013:022 And Absalom spake unto his brother Amnon neither good nor bad:for Absalom hated Amnon, because he had forced his sisterTamar.
10:013:023 And it came to pass after two full years, that Absalom hadsheepshearers in Baalhazor, which is beside Ephraim: andAbsalom invited all the king's sons.
10:013:024 And Absalom came to the king, and said, Behold now, thyservant hath sheepshearers; let the king, I beseech thee, andhis servants go with thy servant.
10:013:025 And the king said to Absalom, Nay, my son, let us not all nowgo, lest we be chargeable unto thee. And he pressed him:howbeit he would not go, but blessed him.
10:013:026 Then said Absalom, If not, I pray thee, let my brother Amnongo with us. And the king said unto him, Why should he go withthee?
10:013:027 But Absalom pressed him, that he let Amnon and all the king's sons go with him.
10:013:028 Now Absalom had commanded his servants, saying, Mark ye now when Amnon's heart is merry with wine, and when I say unto you, Smite Amnon; then kill him, fear not: have not I commanded you? be courageous, and be valiant.
10:013:029 And the servants of Absalom did unto Amnon as Absalom hadcommanded. Then all the king's sons arose, and every man gathim up upon his mule, and fled.
10:013:030 And it came to pass, while they were in the way, that tidingscame to David, saying, Absalom hath slain all the king's sons,and there is not one of them left.
10:013:031 Then the king arose, and tare his garments, and lay on the earth; and all his servants stood by with their clothes rent.
10:013:032 And Jonadab, the son of Shimeah David's brother, answered and said, Let not my lord suppose that they have slain all the young men the king's sons; for Amnon only is dead: for by the appointment of Absalom this hath been determined from the day that he forced his sister Tamar.
10:013:033 Now therefore let not my lord the king take the thing to hisheart, to think that all the king's sons are dead: for Amnononly is dead.
10:013:034 But Absalom fled. And the young man that kept the watch liftedup his eyes, and looked, and, behold, there came much peopleby the way of the hill side behind him.
10:013:035 And Jonadab said unto the king, Behold, the king's sons come: as thy servant said, so it is.
10:013:036 And it came to pass, as soon as he had made an end of speaking, that, behold, the king's sons came, and lifted up their voice and wept: and the king also and all his servants wept very sore.
10:013:037 But Absalom fled, and went to Talmai, the son of Ammihud, kingof Geshur. And David mourned for his son every day.
10:013:038 So Absalom fled, and went to Geshur, and was there threeyears.
10:013:039 And the soul of king David longed to go forth unto Absalom:for he was comforted concerning Amnon, seeing he was dead.
10:014:001 Now Joab the son of Zeruiah perceived that the king's heartwas toward Absalom.
10:014:002 And Joab sent to Tekoah, and fetched thence a wise woman, and said unto her, I pray thee, feign thyself to be a mourner, and put on now mourning apparel, and anoint not thyself with oil, but be as a woman that had a long time mourned for the dead:
10:014:003 And come to the king, and speak on this manner unto him. So Joab put the words in her mouth.
10:014:004 And when the woman of Tekoah spake to the king, she fell on her face to the ground, and did obeisance, and said, Help, O king.
10:014:005 And the king said unto her, What aileth thee? And she answered, I am indeed a widow woman, and mine husband is dead.
10:014:006 And thy handmaid had two sons, and they two strove together in the field, and there was none to part them, but the one smote the other, and slew him.
10:014:007 And, behold, the whole family is risen against thine handmaid, and they said, Deliver him that smote his brother, that we may kill him, for the life of his brother whom he slew; and we will destroy the heir also: and so they shall quench my coal which is left, and shall not leave to my husband neither name nor remainder upon the earth.
10:014:008 And the king said unto the woman, Go to thine house, and I will give charge concerning thee.
10:014:009 And the woman of Tekoah said unto the king, My lord, O king, the iniquity be on me, and on my father's house: and the king and his throne be guiltless.
10:014:010 And the king said, Whoever saith ought unto thee, bring him to me, and he shall not touch thee any more.
10:014:011 Then said she, I pray thee, let the king remember the LORD thy God, that thou wouldest not suffer the revengers of blood to destroy any more, lest they destroy my son. And he said, As the LORD liveth, there shall not one hair of thy son fall to the earth.
10:014:012 Then the woman said, Let thine handmaid, I pray thee, speak one word unto my lord the king. And he said, Say on.
10:014:013 And the woman said, Wherefore then hast thou thought such athing against the people of God? for the king doth speak thisthing as one which is faulty, in that the king doth not fetchhome again his banished.
10:014:014 For we must needs die, and are as water spilt on the ground,which cannot be gathered up again; neither doth God respectany person: yet doth he devise means, that his banished be notexpelled from him.
10:014:015 Now therefore that I am come to speak of this thing unto mylord the king, it is because the people have made me afraid:and thy handmaid said, I will now speak unto the king; it maybe that the king will perform the request of his handmaid.
10:014:016 For the king will hear, to deliver his handmaid out of the hand of the man that would destroy me and my son together out of the inheritance of God.
10:014:017 Then thine handmaid said, The word of my lord the king shall now be comfortable: for as an angel of God, so is my lord the king to discern good and bad: therefore the LORD thy God will be with thee.
10:014:018 Then the king answered and said unto the woman, Hide not from me, I pray thee, the thing that I shall ask thee. And the woman said, Let my lord the king now speak.
10:014:019 And the king said, Is not the hand of Joab with thee in all this? And the woman answered and said, As thy soul liveth, my lord the king, none can turn to the right hand or to the left from ought that my lord the king hath spoken: for thy servant Joab, he bade me, and he put all these words in the mouth of thine handmaid:
10:014:020 To fetch about this form of speech hath thy servant Joab done this thing: and my lord is wise, according to the wisdom of an angel of God, to know all things that are in the earth.
10:014:021 And the king said unto Joab, Behold now, I have done this thing: go therefore, bring the young man Absalom again.
10:014:022 And Joab fell to the ground on his face, and bowed himself, and thanked the king: and Joab said, To day thy servant knoweth that I have found grace in thy sight, my lord, O king, in that the king hath fulfilled the request of his servant.
10:014:023 So Joab arose and went to Geshur, and brought Absalom to Jerusalem.
10:014:024 And the king said, Let him turn to his own house, and let himnot see my face. So Absalom returned to his own house, and sawnot the king's face.
10:014:025 But in all Israel there was none to be so much praised asAbsalom for his beauty: from the sole of his foot even to thecrown of his head there was no blemish in him.
10:014:026 And when he polled his head, (for it was at every year's end that he polled it: because the hair was heavy on him, therefore he polled it:) he weighed the hair of his head at two hundred shekels after the king's weight.
10:014:027 And unto Absalom there were born three sons, and one daughter,whose name was Tamar: she was a woman of a fair countenance.
10:014:028 So Absalom dwelt two full years in Jerusalem, and saw not theking's face.
10:014:029 Therefore Absalom sent for Joab, to have sent him to the king;but he would not come to him: and when he sent again thesecond time, he would not come.
10:014:030 Therefore he said unto his servants, See, Joab's field is nearmine, and he hath barley there; go and set it on fire. AndAbsalom's servants set the field on fire.
10:014:031 Then Joab arose, and came to Absalom unto his house, and said unto him, Wherefore have thy servants set my field on fire?
10:014:032 And Absalom answered Joab, Behold, I sent unto thee, saying, Come hither, that I may send thee to the king, to say, Wherefore am I come from Geshur? it had been good for me to have been there still: now therefore let me see the king's face; and if there be any iniquity in me, let him kill me.
10:014:033 So Joab came to the king, and told him: and when he had called for Absalom, he came to the king, and bowed himself on his face to the ground before the king: and the king kissed Absalom.
10:015:001 And it came to pass after this, that Absalom prepared him chariots and horses, and fifty men to run before him.
10:015:002 And Absalom rose up early, and stood beside the way of the gate: and it was so, that when any man that had a controversy came to the king for judgment, then Absalom called unto him, and said, Of what city art thou? And he said, Thy servant is of one of the tribes of Israel.
10:015:003 And Absalom said unto him, See, thy matters are good and right; but there is no man deputed of the king to hear thee.
10:015:004 Absalom said moreover, Oh that I were made judge in the land,that every man which hath any suit or cause might come untome, and I would do him justice!
10:015:005 And it was so, that when any man came nigh to him to do himobeisance, he put forth his hand, and took him, and kissedhim.
10:015:006 And on this manner did Absalom to all Israel that came to theking for judgment: so Absalom stole the hearts of the men ofIsrael.
10:015:007 And it came to pass after forty years, that Absalom said untothe king, I pray thee, let me go and pay my vow, which I havevowed unto the LORD, in Hebron.
10:015:008 For thy servant vowed a vow while I abode at Geshur in Syria,saying, If the LORD shall bring me again indeed to Jerusalem,then I will serve the LORD.
10:015:009 And the king said unto him, Go in peace. So he arose, and went to Hebron.
10:015:010 But Absalom sent spies throughout all the tribes of Israel,saying, As soon as ye hear the sound of the trumpet, then yeshall say, Absalom reigneth in Hebron.
10:015:011 And with Absalom went two hundred men out of Jerusalem, thatwere called; and they went in their simplicity, and they knewnot any thing.
10:015:012 And Absalom sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David's counsellor, from his city, even from Giloh, while he offered sacrifices. And the conspiracy was strong; for the people increased continually with Absalom.
10:015:013 And there came a messenger to David, saying, The hearts of the men of Israel are after Absalom.
10:015:014 And David said unto all his servants that were with him at Jerusalem, Arise, and let us flee; for we shall not else escape from Absalom: make speed to depart, lest he overtake us suddenly, and bring evil upon us, and smite the city with the edge of the sword.
10:015:015 And the king's servants said unto the king, Behold, thyservants are ready to do whatsoever my lord the king shallappoint.
10:015:016 And the king went forth, and all his household after him. Andthe king left ten women, which were concubines, to keep thehouse.
10:015:017 And the king went forth, and all the people after him, and tarried in a place that was far off.
10:015:018 And all his servants passed on beside him; and all the Cherethites, and all the Pelethites, and all the Gittites, six hundred men which came after him from Gath, passed on before the king.
10:015:019 Then said the king to Ittai the Gittite, Wherefore goest thou also with us? return to thy place, and abide with the king: for thou art a stranger, and also an exile.
10:015:020 Whereas thou camest but yesterday, should I this day make theego up and down with us? seeing I go whither I may, returnthou, and take back thy brethren: mercy and truth be withthee.
10:015:021 And Ittai answered the king, and said, As the LORD liveth, andas my lord the king liveth, surely in what place my lord theking shall be, whether in death or life, even there also willthy servant be.
10:015:022 And David said to Ittai, Go and pass over. And Ittai the Gittite passed over, and all his men, and all the little ones that were with him.
10:015:023 And all the country wept with a loud voice, and all the peoplepassed over: the king also himself passed over the brookKidron, and all the people passed over, toward the way of thewilderness.
10:015:024 And lo Zadok also, and all the Levites were with him, bearingthe ark of the covenant of God: and they set down the ark ofGod; and Abiathar went up, until all the people had donepassing out of the city.
10:015:025 And the king said unto Zadok, Carry back the ark of God into the city: if I shall find favour in the eyes of the LORD, he will bring me again, and shew me both it, and his habitation:
10:015:026 But if he thus say, I have no delight in thee; behold, here am I, let him do to me as seemeth good unto him.
10:015:027 The king said also unto Zadok the priest, Art not thou a seer? return into the city in peace, and your two sons with you, Ahimaaz thy son, and Jonathan the son of Abiathar.
10:015:028 See, I will tarry in the plain of the wilderness, until therecome word from you to certify me.
10:015:029 Zadok therefore and Abiathar carried the ark of God again toJerusalem: and they tarried there.
10:015:030 And David went up by the ascent of mount Olivet, and wept as he went up, and had his head covered, and he went barefoot: and all the people that was with him covered every man his head, and they went up, weeping as they went up.
10:015:031 And one told David, saying, Ahithophel is among theconspirators with Absalom. And David said, O LORD, I praythee, turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness.
10:015:032 And it came to pass, that when David was come to the top ofthe mount, where he worshipped God, behold, Hushai the Architecame to meet him with his coat rent, and earth upon his head:
10:015:033 Unto whom David said, If thou passest on with me, then thou shalt be a burden unto me:
10:015:034 But if thou return to the city, and say unto Absalom, I willbe thy servant, O king; as I have been thy father's servanthitherto, so will I now also be thy servant: then mayest thoufor me defeat the counsel of Ahithophel.
10:015:035 And hast thou not there with thee Zadok and Abiathar thepriests? therefore it shall be, that what thing soever thoushalt hear out of the king's house, thou shalt tell it toZadok and Abiathar the priests.
10:015:036 Behold, they have there with them their two sons, Ahimaaz Zadok's son, and Jonathan Abiathar's son; and by them ye shall send unto me every thing that ye can hear.
10:015:037 So Hushai David's friend came into the city, and Absalom came into Jerusalem.
10:016:001 And when David was a little past the top of the hill, behold, Ziba the servant of Mephibosheth met him, with a couple of asses saddled, and upon them two hundred loaves of bread, and an hundred bunches of raisins, and an hundred of summer fruits, and a bottle of wine.
10:016:002 And the king said unto Ziba, What meanest thou by these? AndZiba said, The asses be for the king's household to ride on;and the bread and summer fruit for the young men to eat; andthe wine, that such as be faint in the wilderness may drink.
10:016:003 And the king said, And where is thy master's son? And Zibasaid unto the king, Behold, he abideth at Jerusalem: for hesaid, To day shall the house of Israel restore me the kingdomof my father.
10:016:004 Then said the king to Ziba, Behold, thine are all thatpertained unto Mephibosheth. And Ziba said, I humbly beseechthee that I may find grace in thy sight, my lord, O king.
10:016:005 And when king David came to Bahurim, behold, thence came out aman of the family of the house of Saul, whose name was Shimei,the son of Gera: he came forth, and cursed still as he came.
10:016:006 And he cast stones at David, and at all the servants of kingDavid: and all the people and all the mighty men were on hisright hand and on his left.
10:016:007 And thus said Shimei when he cursed, Come out, come out, thou bloody man, and thou man of Belial:
10:016:008 The LORD hath returned upon thee all the blood of the house of Saul, in whose stead thou hast reigned; and the LORD hath delivered the kingdom into the hand of Absalom thy son: and, behold, thou art taken in thy mischief, because thou art a bloody man.
10:016:009 Then said Abishai the son of Zeruiah unto the king, Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? let me go over, I pray thee, and take off his head.
10:016:010 And the king said, What have I to do with you, ye sons ofZeruiah? so let him curse, because the LORD hath said untohim, Curse David. Who shall then say, Wherefore hast thou doneso?
10:016:011 And David said to Abishai, and to all his servants, Behold, myson, which came forth of my bowels, seeketh my life: how muchmore now may this Benjamite do it? let him alone, and let himcurse; for the LORD hath bidden him.
10:016:012 It may be that the LORD will look on mine affliction, and that the LORD will requite me good for his cursing this day.
10:016:013 And as David and his men went by the way, Shimei went along on the hill's side over against him, and cursed as he went, and threw stones at him, and cast dust.
10:016:014 And the king, and all the people that were with him, cameweary, and refreshed themselves there.
10:016:015 And Absalom, and all the people the men of Israel, came toJerusalem, and Ahithophel with him.
10:016:016 And it came to pass, when Hushai the Archite, David's friend, was come unto Absalom, that Hushai said unto Absalom, God save the king, God save the king.
10:016:017 And Absalom said to Hushai, Is this thy kindness to thy friend? why wentest thou not with thy friend?
10:016:018 And Hushai said unto Absalom, Nay; but whom the LORD, and thispeople, and all the men of Israel, choose, his will I be, andwith him will I abide.
10:016:019 And again, whom should I serve? should I not serve in thepresence of his son? as I have served in thy father'spresence, so will I be in thy presence.
10:016:020 Then said Absalom to Ahithophel, Give counsel among you what we shall do.
10:016:021 And Ahithophel said unto Absalom, Go in unto thy father's concubines, which he hath left to keep the house; and all Israel shall hear that thou art abhorred of thy father: then shall the hands of all that are with thee be strong.
10:016:022 So they spread Absalom a tent upon the top of the house; and Absalom went in unto his father's concubines in the sight of all Israel.
10:016:023 And the counsel of Ahithophel, which he counselled in those days, was as if a man had enquired at the oracle of God: so was all the counsel of Ahithophel both with David and with Absalom.
10:017:001 Moreover Ahithophel said unto Absalom, Let me now choose outtwelve thousand men, and I will arise and pursue after Davidthis night:
10:017:002 And I will come upon him while he is weary and weak handed,and will make him afraid: and all the people that are with himshall flee; and I will smite the king only:
10:017:003 And I will bring back all the people unto thee: the man whomthou seekest is as if all returned: so all the people shall bein peace.
10:017:004 And the saying pleased Absalom well, and all the elders ofIsrael.
10:017:005 Then said Absalom, Call now Hushai the Archite also, and letus hear likewise what he saith.
10:017:006 And when Hushai was come to Absalom, Absalom spake unto him, saying, Ahithophel hath spoken after this manner: shall we do after his saying? if not; speak thou.
10:017:007 And Hushai said unto Absalom, The counsel that Ahithophel hath given is not good at this time.
10:017:008 For, said Hushai, thou knowest thy father and his men, thatthey be mighty men, and they be chafed in their minds, as abear robbed of her whelps in the field: and thy father is aman of war, and will not lodge with the people.
10:017:009 Behold, he is hid now in some pit, or in some other place: andit will come to pass, when some of them be overthrown at thefirst, that whosoever heareth it will say, There is aslaughter among the people that follow Absalom.
10:017:010 And he also that is valiant, whose heart is as the heart of alion, shall utterly melt: for all Israel knoweth that thyfather is a mighty man, and they which be with him are valiantmen.
10:017:011 Therefore I counsel that all Israel be generally gathered untothee, from Dan even to Beersheba, as the sand that is by thesea for multitude; and that thou go to battle in thine ownperson.
10:017:012 So shall we come upon him in some place where he shall befound, and we will light upon him as the dew falleth on theground: and of him and of all the men that are with him thereshall not be left so much as one.
10:017:013 Moreover, if he be gotten into a city, then shall all Israelbring ropes to that city, and we will draw it into the river,until there be not one small stone found there.
10:017:014 And Absalom and all the men of Israel said, The counsel ofHushai the Archite is better than the counsel of Ahithophel.For the LORD had appointed to defeat the good counsel ofAhithophel, to the intent that the LORD might bring evil uponAbsalom.
10:017:015 Then said Hushai unto Zadok and to Abiathar the priests, Thus and thus did Ahithophel counsel Absalom and the elders of Israel; and thus and thus have I counselled.
10:017:016 Now therefore send quickly, and tell David, saying, Lodge not this night in the plains of the wilderness, but speedily pass over; lest the king be swallowed up, and all the people that are with him.
10:017:017 Now Jonathan and Ahimaaz stayed by Enrogel; for they might not be seen to come into the city: and a wench went and told them; and they went and told king David.
10:017:018 Nevertheless a lad saw them, and told Absalom: but they went both of them away quickly, and came to a man's house in Bahurim, which had a well in his court; whither they went down.
10:017:019 And the woman took and spread a covering over the well's mouth, and spread ground corn thereon; and the thing was not known.
10:017:020 And when Absalom's servants came to the woman to the house, they said, Where is Ahimaaz and Jonathan? And the woman said unto them, They be gone over the brook of water. And when they had sought and could not find them, they returned to Jerusalem.
10:017:021 And it came to pass, after they were departed, that they came up out of the well, and went and told king David, and said unto David, Arise, and pass quickly over the water: for thus hath Ahithophel counselled against you.
10:017:022 Then David arose, and all the people that were with him, and they passed over Jordan: by the morning light there lacked not one of them that was not gone over Jordan.
10:017:023 And when Ahithophel saw that his counsel was not followed, he saddled his ass, and arose, and gat him home to his house, to his city, and put his household in order, and hanged himself, and died, and was buried in the sepulchre of his father.
10:017:024 Then David came to Mahanaim. And Absalom passed over Jordan, he and all the men of Israel with him.
10:017:025 And Absalom made Amasa captain of the host instead of Joab: which Amasa was a man's son, whose name was Ithra an Israelite, that went in to Abigail the daughter of Nahash, sister to Zeruiah Joab's mother.
10:017:026 So Israel and Absalom pitched in the land of Gilead.
10:017:027 And it came to pass, when David was come to Mahanaim, that Shobi the son of Nahash of Rabbah of the children of Ammon, and Machir the son of Ammiel of Lodebar, and Barzillai the Gileadite of Rogelim,
10:017:028 Brought beds, and basons, and earthen vessels, and wheat, and barley, and flour, and parched corn, and beans, and lentiles, and parched pulse,
10:017:029 And honey, and butter, and sheep, and cheese of kine, for David, and for the people that were with him, to eat: for they said, The people is hungry, and weary, and thirsty, in the wilderness.
10:018:001 And David numbered the people that were with him, and set captains of thousands, and captains of hundreds over them.
10:018:002 And David sent forth a third part of the people under the handof Joab, and a third part under the hand of Abishai the son ofZeruiah, Joab's brother, and a third part under the hand ofIttai the Gittite. And the king said unto the people, I willsurely go forth with you myself also.
10:018:003 But the people answered, Thou shalt not go forth: for if weflee away, they will not care for us; neither if half of usdie, will they care for us: but now thou art worth tenthousand of us: therefore now it is better that thou succourus out of the city.
10:018:004 And the king said unto them, What seemeth you best I will do. And the king stood by the gate side, and all the people came out by hundreds and by thousands.
10:018:005 And the king commanded Joab and Abishai and Ittai, saying, Deal gently for my sake with the young man, even with Absalom. And all the people heard when the king gave all the captains charge concerning Absalom.
10:018:006 So the people went out into the field against Israel: and the battle was in the wood of Ephraim;
10:018:007 Where the people of Israel were slain before the servants ofDavid, and there was there a great slaughter that day oftwenty thousand men.
10:018:008 For the battle was there scattered over the face of all thecountry: and the wood devoured more people that day than thesword devoured.
10:018:009 And Absalom met the servants of David. And Absalom rode upon a mule, and the mule went under the thick boughs of a great oak, and his head caught hold of the oak, and he was taken up between the heaven and the earth; and the mule that was under him went away.
10:018:010 And a certain man saw it, and told Joab, and said, Behold, I saw Absalom hanged in an oak.
10:018:011 And Joab said unto the man that told him, And, behold, thou sawest him, and why didst thou not smite him there to the ground? and I would have given thee ten shekels of silver, and a girdle.
10:018:012 And the man said unto Joab, Though I should receive a thousand shekels of silver in mine hand, yet would I not put forth mine hand against the king's son: for in our hearing the king charged thee and Abishai and Ittai, saying, Beware that none touch the young man Absalom.
10:018:013 Otherwise I should have wrought falsehood against mine ownlife: for there is no matter hid from the king, and thouthyself wouldest have set thyself against me.
10:018:014 Then said Joab, I may not tarry thus with thee. And he tookthree darts in his hand, and thrust them through the heart ofAbsalom, while he was yet alive in the midst of the oak.
10:018:015 And ten young men that bare Joab's armour compassed about andsmote Absalom, and slew him.
10:018:016 And Joab blew the trumpet, and the people returned frompursuing after Israel: for Joab held back the people.
10:018:017 And they took Absalom, and cast him into a great pit in the wood, and laid a very great heap of stones upon him: and all Israel fled every one to his tent.
10:018:018 Now Absalom in his lifetime had taken and reared up for himself a pillar, which is in the king's dale: for he said, I have no son to keep my name in remembrance: and he called the pillar after his own name: and it is called unto this day, Absalom's place.
10:018:019 Then said Ahimaaz the son of Zadok, Let me now run, and bearthe king tidings, how that the LORD hath avenged him of hisenemies.
10:018:020 And Joab said unto him, Thou shalt not bear tidings this day,but thou shalt bear tidings another day: but this day thoushalt bear no tidings, because the king's son is dead.
10:018:021 Then said Joab to Cushi, Go tell the king what thou hast seen.And Cushi bowed himself unto Joab, and ran.
10:018:022 Then said Ahimaaz the son of Zadok yet again to Joab, But howsoever, let me, I pray thee, also run after Cushi. And Joab said, Wherefore wilt thou run, my son, seeing that thou hast no tidings ready?
10:018:023 But howsoever, said he, let me run. And he said unto him, Run. Then Ahimaaz ran by the way of the plain, and overran Cushi.
10:018:024 And David sat between the two gates: and the watchman went upto the roof over the gate unto the wall, and lifted up hiseyes, and looked, and behold a man running alone.
10:018:025 And the watchman cried, and told the king. And the king said,If he be alone, there is tidings in his mouth. And he cameapace, and drew near.
10:018:026 And the watchman saw another man running: and the watchmancalled unto the porter, and said, Behold another man runningalone. And the king said, He also bringeth tidings.
10:018:027 And the watchman said, Me thinketh the running of the foremostis like the running of Ahimaaz the son of Zadok. And the kingsaid, He is a good man, and cometh with good tidings.
10:018:028 And Ahimaaz called, and said unto the king, All is well. And he fell down to the earth upon his face before the king, and said, Blessed be the LORD thy God, which hath delivered up the men that lifted up their hand against my lord the king.
10:018:029 And the king said, Is the young man Absalom safe? And Ahimaaz answered, When Joab sent the king's servant, and me thy servant, I saw a great tumult, but I knew not what it was.
10:018:030 And the king said unto him, Turn aside, and stand here. And he turned aside, and stood still.
10:018:031 And, behold, Cushi came; and Cushi said, Tidings, my lord the king: for the LORD hath avenged thee this day of all them that rose up against thee.
10:018:032 And the king said unto Cushi, Is the young man Absalom safe?And Cushi answered, The enemies of my lord the king, and allthat rise against thee to do thee hurt, be as that young manis.
10:018:033 And the king was much moved, and went up to the chamber overthe gate, and wept: and as he went, thus he said, O my sonAbsalom, my son, my son Absalom! would God I had died forthee, O Absalom, my son, my son!
10:019:001 And it was told Joab, Behold, the king weepeth and mourneth for Absalom.
10:019:002 And the victory that day was turned into mourning unto all the people: for the people heard say that day how the king was grieved for his son.
10:019:003 And the people gat them by stealth that day into the city, aspeople being ashamed steal away when they flee in battle.
10:019:004 But the king covered his face, and the king cried with a loudvoice, O my son Absalom, O Absalom, my son, my son!
10:019:005 And Joab came into the house to the king, and said, Thou hastshamed this day the faces of all thy servants, which this dayhave saved thy life, and the lives of thy sons and of thydaughters, and the lives of thy wives, and the lives of thyconcubines;
10:019:006 In that thou lovest thine enemies, and hatest thy friends. Forthou hast declared this day, that thou regardest neitherprinces nor servants: for this day I perceive, that if Absalomhad lived, and all we had died this day, then it had pleasedthee well.
10:019:007 Now therefore arise, go forth, and speak comfortably unto thyservants: for I swear by the LORD, if thou go not forth, therewill not tarry one with thee this night: and that will beworse unto thee than all the evil that befell thee from thyyouth until now.
10:019:008 Then the king arose, and sat in the gate. And they told untoall the people, saying, Behold, the king doth sit in the gate.And all the people came before the king: for Israel had fledevery man to his tent.
10:019:009 And all the people were at strife throughout all the tribes ofIsrael, saying, The king saved us out of the hand of ourenemies, and he delivered us out of the hand of thePhilistines; and now he is fled out of the land for Absalom.
10:019:010 And Absalom, whom we anointed over us, is dead in battle. Now therefore why speak ye not a word of bringing the king back?
10:019:011 And king David sent to Zadok and to Abiathar the priests, saying, Speak unto the elders of Judah, saying, Why are ye the last to bring the king back to his house? seeing the speech of all Israel is come to the king, even to his house.
10:019:012 Ye are my brethren, ye are my bones and my flesh: wherefore then are ye the last to bring back the king?
10:019:013 And say ye to Amasa, Art thou not of my bone, and of my flesh?God do so to me, and more also, if thou be not captain of thehost before me continually in the room of Joab.
10:019:014 And he bowed the heart of all the men of Judah, even as theheart of one man; so that they sent this word unto the king,Return thou, and all thy servants.
10:019:015 So the king returned, and came to Jordan. And Judah came toGilgal, to go to meet the king, to conduct the king overJordan.
10:019:016 And Shimei the son of Gera, a Benjamite, which was of Bahurim, hasted and came down with the men of Judah to meet king David.
10:019:017 And there were a thousand men of Benjamin with him, and Ziba the servant of the house of Saul, and his fifteen sons and his twenty servants with him; and they went over Jordan before the king.
10:019:018 And there went over a ferry boat to carry over the king's household, and to do what he thought good. And Shimei the son of Gera fell down before the king, as he was come over Jordan;
10:019:019 And said unto the king, Let not my lord impute iniquity unto me, neither do thou remember that which thy servant did perversely the day that my lord the king went out of Jerusalem, that the king should take it to his heart.
10:019:020 For thy servant doth know that I have sinned: therefore,behold, I am come the first this day of all the house ofJoseph to go down to meet my lord the king.
10:019:021 But Abishai the son of Zeruiah answered and said, Shall notShimei be put to death for this, because he cursed the LORD'sanointed?
10:019:022 And David said, What have I to do with you, ye sons of Zeruiah, that ye should this day be adversaries unto me? shall there any man be put to death this day in Israel? for do not I know that I am this day king over Israel?
10:019:023 Therefore the king said unto Shimei, Thou shalt not die. And the king sware unto him.
10:019:024 And Mephibosheth the son of Saul came down to meet the king, and had neither dressed his feet, nor trimmed his beard, nor washed his clothes, from the day the king departed until the day he came again in peace.
10:019:025 And it came to pass, when he was come to Jerusalem to meet theking, that the king said unto him, Wherefore wentest not thouwith me, Mephibosheth?
10:019:026 And he answered, My lord, O king, my servant deceived me: forthy servant said, I will saddle me an ass, that I may ridethereon, and go to the king; because thy servant is lame.
10:019:027 And he hath slandered thy servant unto my lord the king; butmy lord the king is as an angel of God: do therefore what isgood in thine eyes.
10:019:028 For all of my father's house were but dead men before my lord the king: yet didst thou set thy servant among them that did eat at thine own table. What right therefore have I yet to cry any more unto the king?
10:019:029 And the king said unto him, Why speakest thou any more of thy matters? I have said, Thou and Ziba divide the land.
10:019:030 And Mephibosheth said unto the king, Yea, let him take all, forasmuch as my lord the king is come again in peace unto his own house.
10:019:031 And Barzillai the Gileadite came down from Rogelim, and went over Jordan with the king, to conduct him over Jordan.
10:019:032 Now Barzillai was a very aged man, even fourscore years old: and he had provided the king of sustenance while he lay at Mahanaim; for he was a very great man.
10:019:033 And the king said unto Barzillai, Come thou over with me, andI will feed thee with me in Jerusalem.
10:019:034 And Barzillai said unto the king, How long have I to live,that I should go up with the king unto Jerusalem?
10:019:035 I am this day fourscore years old: and can I discern between good and evil? can thy servant taste what I eat or what I drink? can I hear any more the voice of singing men and singing women? wherefore then should thy servant be yet a burden unto my lord the king?
10:019:036 Thy servant will go a little way over Jordan with the king: and why should the king recompense it me with such a reward?
10:019:037 Let thy servant, I pray thee, turn back again, that I may die in mine own city, and be buried by the grave of my father and of my mother. But behold thy servant Chimham; let him go over with my lord the king; and do to him what shall seem good unto thee.
10:019:038 And the king answered, Chimham shall go over with me, and Iwill do to him that which shall seem good unto thee: andwhatsoever thou shalt require of me, that will I do for thee.
10:019:039 And all the people went over Jordan. And when the king wascome over, the king kissed Barzillai, and blessed him; and hereturned unto his own place.
10:019:040 Then the king went on to Gilgal, and Chimham went on with him:and all the people of Judah conducted the king, and also halfthe people of Israel.
10:019:041 And, behold, all the men of Israel came to the king, and saidunto the king, Why have our brethren the men of Judah stolenthee away, and have brought the king, and his household, andall David's men with him, over Jordan?
10:019:042 And all the men of Judah answered the men of Israel, Becausethe king is near of kin to us: wherefore then be ye angry forthis matter? have we eaten at all of the king's cost? or hathhe given us any gift?
10:019:043 And the men of Israel answered the men of Judah, and said, We have ten parts in the king, and we have also more right in David than ye: why then did ye despise us, that our advice should not be first had in bringing back our king? And the words of the men of Judah were fiercer than the words of the men of Israel.
10:020:001 And there happened to be there a man of Belial, whose name was Sheba, the son of Bichri, a Benjamite: and he blew a trumpet, and said, We have no part in David, neither have we inheritance in the son of Jesse: every man to his tents, O Israel.
10:020:002 So every man of Israel went up from after David, and followed Sheba the son of Bichri: but the men of Judah clave unto their king, from Jordan even to Jerusalem.
10:020:003 And David came to his house at Jerusalem; and the king took the ten women his concubines, whom he had left to keep the house, and put them in ward, and fed them, but went not in unto them. So they were shut up unto the day of their death, living in widowhood.
10:020:004 Then said the king to Amasa, Assemble me the men of Judahwithin three days, and be thou here present.
10:020:005 So Amasa went to assemble the men of Judah: but he tarriedlonger than the set time which he had appointed him.
10:020:006 And David said to Abishai, Now shall Sheba the son of Bichri do us more harm than did Absalom: take thou thy lord's servants, and pursue after him, lest he get him fenced cities, and escape us.
10:020:007 And there went out after him Joab's men, and the Cherethites, and the Pelethites, and all the mighty men: and they went out of Jerusalem, to pursue after Sheba the son of Bichri.
10:020:008 When they were at the great stone which is in Gibeon, Amasa went before them. And Joab's garment that he had put on was girded unto him, and upon it a girdle with a sword fastened upon his loins in the sheath thereof; and as he went forth it fell out.
10:020:009 And Joab said to Amasa, Art thou in health, my brother? And Joab took Amasa by the beard with the right hand to kiss him.
10:020:010 But Amasa took no heed to the sword that was in Joab's hand: so he smote him therewith in the fifth rib, and shed out his bowels to the ground, and struck him not again; and he died. So Joab and Abishai his brother pursued after Sheba the son of Bichri.
10:020:011 And one of Joab's men stood by him, and said, He that favoureth Joab, and he that is for David, let him go after Joab.
10:020:012 And Amasa wallowed in blood in the midst of the highway. And when the man saw that all the people stood still, he removed Amasa out of the highway into the field, and cast a cloth upon him, when he saw that every one that came by him stood still.
10:020:013 When he was removed out of the highway, all the people went on after Joab, to pursue after Sheba the son of Bichri.
10:020:014 And he went through all the tribes of Israel unto Abel, and to Bethmaachah, and all the Berites: and they were gathered together, and went also after him.
10:020:015 And they came and besieged him in Abel of Bethmaachah, and they cast up a bank against the city, and it stood in the trench: and all the people that were with Joab battered the wall, to throw it down.
10:020:016 Then cried a wise woman out of the city, Hear, hear; say, Ipray you, unto Joab, Come near hither, that I may speak withthee.
10:020:017 And when he was come near unto her, the woman said, Art thouJoab? And he answered, I am he. Then she said unto him, Hearthe words of thine handmaid. And he answered, I do hear.
10:020:018 Then she spake, saying, They were wont to speak in old time,saying, They shall surely ask counsel at Abel: and so theyended the matter.
10:020:019 I am one of them that are peaceable and faithful in Israel:thou seekest to destroy a city and a mother in Israel: whywilt thou swallow up the inheritance of the LORD?
10:020:020 And Joab answered and said, Far be it, far be it from me, thatI should swallow up or destroy.
10:020:021 The matter is not so: but a man of mount Ephraim, Sheba theson of Bichri by name, hath lifted up his hand against theking, even against David: deliver him only, and I will departfrom the city. And the woman said unto Joab, Behold, his headshall be thrown to thee over the wall.
10:020:022 Then the woman went unto all the people in her wisdom. Andthey cut off the head of Sheba the son of Bichri, and cast itout to Joab. And he blew a trumpet, and they retired from thecity, every man to his tent. And Joab returned to Jerusalemunto the king.
10:020:023 Now Joab was over all the host of Israel: and Benaiah the sonof Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and over the Pelethites:
10:020:024 And Adoram was over the tribute: and Jehoshaphat the son ofAhilud was recorder:
10:020:025 And Sheva was scribe: and Zadok and Abiathar were the priests:
10:020:026 And Ira also the Jairite was a chief ruler about David.
10:021:001 Then there was a famine in the days of David three years, year after year; and David enquired of the LORD. And the LORD answered, It is for Saul, and for his bloody house, because he slew the Gibeonites.
10:021:002 And the king called the Gibeonites, and said unto them; (now the Gibeonites were not of the children of Israel, but of the remnant of the Amorites; and the children of Israel had sworn unto them: and Saul sought to slay them in his zeal to the children of Israel and Judah.)