Second Samuel 1.1 And it came to pass after the death of Saul, when David was returned from the slaughter of the Amalekites, that David abode in Ziklag two days. 1.2 And it came to pass on the third day, that, behold, a man came out of the camp from Saul's company, with his clothes rent, and earth upon his head. and when he came to David, he fell to the ground, and did obeisance. 1.3 And David said unto him, Whence comest thou? And he said unto him, I am escaped out of the camp of Israel. 1.4 And David said unto him, What is the matter? Tell me, I pray thee. And he said, The people fled from the battle, and many of the people also fell and died; and Saul and Jonathan his son are dead also. 1.5 And David said unto the young man that told him, How knowest thou that Saul and Jonathan his son are dead? 1.6 And the young man that told him said, My name is Nechrite, which is in mount Gilboa. and, behold, Saul leaneth upon his spear; and, behold, the chariot and the horsemen followed after him. 1.7 And he turned behind him, and saw me, and called unto me, and said, Here am I. 1.8 And he said unto me, Who art thou? And I said unto him, I am an Amalekite. 1.9 And he said unto me, Stand by me, and deliver me; for I have taken away the plague. for as long as my life is in me. 1.10 And I stood up against him, and besought him, because I knew that he would not live after they were fallen. and I took the crown that was upon his head, and the crown that was upon his seed, and brought them unto my lord, here. 1.11 Then David took hold of his clothes and tore them, and so did all the men who were with him. 1.12 And they mourned, and wept, and fasted until even, for Saul, and for Jonathan his son, and for the people of YHVH, and for the house of Israel, because they had fallen by the sword. 1.13 And David said unto the young man that told him, Whence art thou? And he said, I am the son of a stranger, an Amalekite. 1.14 And David said unto him, How wast thou not afraid to put forth thine hand to destroy YHVH'S anointed? 1.15 And David called one of the young men, and said, Go near, fall upon him, and smite him, that he die. 1.16 And David said unto him, Thy blood be upon thine own head. for thine own mouth hath testified against thee, saying, I have slain YHVH'S anointed. 1.17 And David lamented this lamentation over Saul and over Jonathan his son. 1.18 And he said, To teach the children of Judah the bow, behold, it is written in the book of righteousness. 1.19 The deer of Israel is slain on your high places, how have the mighty fallen? 1.20 Say not in Gath, publish it not in the borders of Ashkelon. lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice, lest the daughters of the uncircumcised be ashamed. 1.21 Behold, in Gilboa there shall be no dew nor rain upon you, nor the devils of the sacrifice. for there the shield of the mighty is abhorred, the shield of Saul, without an anointed one. 1.22 From the blood of the slain, from the milk of the mighty, the bow of Jonathan will not turn back, and the sword of Saul will not return empty. 1.23 Saul and Jonathan, beloved and pleasant in life and in death, were not separated; they were lighter than eagles, they were stronger than lions. 1.24 The daughters of Israel, weep for Saul, who clothed you with the second people of Eden, who set up golden ornaments on your garments. 1.25 How have men fallen in battle, Jonathan, on your high places, a slain man! 1.26 I am distressed for you, my brother Jonathan. I find great delight in your love for me, more wonderful than the love of women. 1.27 How have the mighty fallen, and the weapons of war perished? 2.1 And it came to pass after this, that David inquired of YHVH, saying, Shall I go up into one of the cities of Judah? And YHVH said unto him, Go up. And David said, Whither shall I go up? And he said, Hebron. 2.2 And David went up there, and his two wives also, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite. 2.3 And David brought up his men that were with him, every man with his household, and they dwelt in the cities of Hebron. 2.4 And the men of Judah came, and there anointed David king over the house of Judah. And they told David, saying, The men of Jabeshgilead, which buried Saul, 2.5 And David sent messengers unto the men of Jabeshgilead, and said unto them, Blessed be ye of YHVH, that ye have shewed this kindness unto your lord, even unto Saul, and have buried him. 2.6 Now therefore YHVH shew mercy and truth unto you, and I also will shew you this kindness, because ye have done this thing. 2.7 Now therefore strengthen your hands, and be valiant. for your lord Saul is dead, and also the house of Judah have anointed me king over them. 2.8 And Abner the son of Ner, captain of Saul's host, took Ishbaal the son of Saul, and brought him over to Mahanaim. 2.9 And he reigned over Gilead, and over Assyria, and over Jezreel, and over Ephraim, and over Benjamin, and over all Israel. 2.10 Ish-basheth son of Saul was forty years old when he began to reign over Israel, and he reigned two years; but the house of Judah followed David. 2.11 And the number of the days that David reigned in Hebron over the house of Judah was seven years and six months. 2.12 Then Abner the son of Ner, and the servants of Ish-Bashah the son of Saul, went out from Machaneth Gibeon. 2.13 And Joab the son of Zeruiah and the servants of David went out, and met together by the pool of Gibeon; and they sat down, one on this side of the pool, and the other on that side of the pool. 2.14 And Abner said unto Joab, Let the young men arise, I pray thee, and play before us. And Joab said, Let them arise. 2.15 And they arose and passed over by number twelve of Benjamin, and Ish-Bashah the son of Saul, and twelve of the servants of David. 2.16 And they thrust every man his fellow in the head, and his sword in his fellow's side, and they fell down together. And he called that place the name of the place of the captives, which is in Gibeon. 2.17 And the battle was very sore that day. and Abner and the men of Israel were smitten before the servants of David. 2.18 And the three sons of Zeruiah were there, Joab, and Abishai, and Asahel. and Asahel was as light on his feet as one of the turtles that are in the field. 2.19 And Asahel pursued after Abner, and turned not to the right hand nor to the left from following Abner. 2.20 And Abner turned after him, and said, Art thou Asahel? And he said, I am. 2.21 And Abner said unto him, Turn thee to thy right hand or to thy left, and lay thee hold on one of the young men, and take thee his skirt. And Asahel would not turn aside from following him. 2.22 And Abner said yet again unto Asahel, Turn thee aside from following me. for why should I lie thus upon the ground? and how can I lift up my face to Joab thy brother? 2.23 And he refused to turn aside. and Abner smote him with the back of the spear in the fifth rib, and the spear came out behind him, and he fell there and died there. And it came to pass, that all that came to the place where Asahel fell and died stood still. 2.24 And Joab and Abishai pursued after Abner, and the sun rose, and they came to the hill of Ammah, which is before the ark of the covenant of YHVH by the way of the wilderness of Gibeon. 2.25 And the children of Benjamin gathered themselves together after Abner, and became one band, and stood on the top of one hill. 2.26 Then Abner called to Joab, and said, "Shall the sword devour forever? Do you not know that it will be bitter in the end? How long will it be before you tell the people to return from following their brothers?" 2.27 And Joab said, As Alhym liveth, if thou hadst not spoken, surely then in the morning the people would have gone up every man after his brother. 2.28 And Joab blew the trumpet, and all the people stood still, and pursued after Israel no more, neither did they fight any more. 2.29 And Abner and his men walked all that night through the plain, and passed over Jordan, and went all the way, and came to Mahanaim. 2.30 And Joab returned from following Abner, and gathered all the people together, and numbered of David's servants nineteen men, and Asahel. 2.31 And the servants of David smote of Benjamin, and of Abner's servants three hundred and threescore men that died. 2.32 And they took up Asahel, and buried him in the sepulchre of his father, which was in Bethlehem. and Joab and his men went all night, and lighted upon them in Hebron. 3.1 And there was long war between the house of Saul and the house of David. and David waxed stronger and stronger, and the house of Saul waxed weaker and weaker. 3.2 And sons were born to David in Hebron. and his firstborn was Amnon, of Ahinoam the Jezreelitess. 3.3 And the second, Caleb, to Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite; and the third, Absalom the son of Maacah the daughter of Talmai king of Geshur. 3.4 And the fourth, Adaniyeh the son of Haggith; and the fifth, Shephatiah the son of Abital; 3.5 And the sixth was the chariot of David's wife. these were born to David in Hebron. 3.6 And it came to pass, while there was war between the house of Saul and the house of David, that Abner strengthened himself in the house of Saul. 3.7 And he asked Peleg, whose name was Rephaiah, the daughter of Aiah, and said to Abner, Why did you go in to my father's concubine? 3.8 Then Abner was very wroth for the words of the man of Bashan, and said, I am the head of the army of Judah. I will this day shew kindness unto the house of Saul thy father, to his brethren, and to his companions. and I will not deliver thee into the hand of David. and the iniquity of this woman shall be upon me this day. 3.9 Alhym do so to Abner, and more also to him. for as YHVH hath sworn unto David, so will I do to him. 3.10 To transfer the kingdom from the house of Saul and to establish the throne of David over Israel and Judah from Dan to Beersheba. 3.11 And he could no more answer Abner a word, for fear of him. 3.12 And Abner sent messengers to David in his stead, saying, Whose is the land? Saying, Thou hast made a league with me. and, behold, I will bring all Israel unto thee. 3.13 And he said, Well, I will make a covenant with thee. but one thing I require of thee, that is, thou shalt not see my face, except thou bring Michal the daughter of Saul before thee, when thou comest to see my face. 3.14 And David sent messengers to Ish-Bishath the son of Saul, saying, Give me my wife Michal, whom I betrothed to me for an hundred foreskins of the Philistines. 3.15 And he sent and took from the people of Bashan a man, from the people of Paltiel the son of Luz. 3.16 And he went with the woman, and wept after her unto the house of YHVH. And Abner said unto him, Go again. And he sat down. 3.17 And Abner had a word with the elders of Israel, saying, In times past also, ye sought David to be king over you. 3.18 And now do as YHVH hath spoken unto David, saying, By the hand of my servant David I will save my people Israel out of the hand of the Philistines, and out of the hand of all their enemies. 3.19 And Abner also spoke in the ears of Benjamin. And Abner also went to speak in the ears of David in Hebron all that seemed good to Israel, and to the whole house of Benjamin. 3.20 And Abner came to David to Hebron, and twenty men with him. and David made Abner and the men that were with him a feast. 3.21 And Abner said unto David, I will arise, and go, and gather all Israel unto my lord the king, that they may make a league with thee, and that thou mayest reign over all that thy soul desireth. And David sent Abner away, and he went in peace. 3.22 And, behold, the servants of David and Joab came from the host, and brought with them much spoil. but Abner was not with David in Hebron. for he had sent him away, and he went in peace. 3.23 And Joab and all the army that was with him came, and told Joab, saying, Abner the son of Ner came to the king, and he hath sent him away, and he goeth in peace. 3.24 Then Joab came to the king, and said, What hast thou done? Behold, Abner came to thee. why didst thou send him? And he went his way. 3.25 You know Abner the son of Ner, for he came to deceive you, to know your origin and your coming, and to know all that you do. 3.26 And Joab went out from David, and sent messengers after Abner, and they brought him down from the pit of Sarai. but David knew it not. 3.27 And Abner returned to Hebron. and Joab went out into the gate to speak with him in peace, and smote him there five times, that he died for the blood of his brother. 3.28 And David heard it afterward, and said, I and my kingdom are guiltless before YHVH for ever from the blood of Abner the son of Ner. 3.29 Let it fall upon the head of Joab, and upon all his father's house; and let there not be cut off from the house of Joab one that is scurvy, and a leper, and that hath a scab, and fallen by the sword, and that lacketh bread. 3.30 And Joab and Abishai his brother slew Abner, because he had slain their brother Asahel at Gibeon in the battle. 3.31 And David said to Joab, and to all the people that were with him, Rend your clothes, and gird you with sackcloth, and mourn before Abner. and king David followed the scepter. 3.32 And they buried Abner in Hebron. and the king lifted up his voice, and wept at the grave of Abner; and all the people wept. 3.33 And the king lamented over Abner, and said, How much more shall Abner die? 3.34 Your hands are not bound, nor your feet made of bronze. You have fallen before the sons of the altar. You have fallen, and all the people have finished weeping over you. 3.35 And all the people came to give David bread while it was yet day. and David sware, saying, So do Alhym to me, and more also, if I taste bread or any thing else before the sun be down. 3.36 And all the people acknowledged it, and it pleased them, as the king had done, that all the people thought it good. 3.37 And all the people and all Israel knew that day that it was not in the king's power to put Abner the son of Ner to death. 3.38 And the king said unto his servants, Know ye not that a prince and a great man is fallen this day in Israel? 3.39 And I am this day tender, and anointed king. but these men the sons of Zeruiah are too hard for me. YHVH shall repay the doer of evil according to his wickedness. 4.1 And when Saul's son heard that Abner was dead in Hebron, his hands were slack, and all Israel were troubled. 4.2 And Saul's son had two men, captains of bands. the name of the one was Baanah, and the name of the other Rebekah, the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, of the children of Benjamin. for Beeroth also was reckoned to Benjamin. 4.3 And the Barathites fled to Gethsemane, and have been sojourners there to this day. 4.4 And Jonathan the son of Saul, the son of a cripple of five years old, was in the house of Saul and Jonathan of Mizraim, and his trust took him up, and he ran, and in haste to flee, he fell and was broken. And his name was Mephibosheth. 4.5 And the sons of Rimmon the Barathite went, and Rebekah and Anah, and came early in the morning to the house of Ish-Basheth, and he lay down to rest in the afternoon. 4.6 And behold, they came into the house, and took wheat stalks, and smote him in the fifth place. and his horse and his brethren fled. 4.7 And they came into the house, and he lay on his bed in his chamber, and they smote him, and slew him, and beheaded him, and took his head, and went all night through the plain. 4.8 And they brought the head of Ish-Bashah to David at Hebron, and said to the king, Behold, the head of Ish-Bashah the son of Saul, your enemy, who sought your life. May YHVH avenge this day on my lord the king of Saul and his descendants. 4.9 And David answered Rebekah and Baanah his brother, the sons of Rimmon the Barathite, and said unto them, As YHVH liveth, who hath redeemed my soul out of all distress. 4.10 For he told me, saying, Behold, Saul is dead; and he was as a prophet in his own eyes. and I took hold of him, and slew him in Ziklag, where I would give him flesh. 4.11 Even though wicked men have killed a righteous man in his own house on his bed, shall I not now require his blood at your hand, and destroy you from the earth? 4.12 And David commanded the young men, and they slew them, and cut off their hands and their feet, and hanged them over the pool in Hebron. and they took the head of Ish-Bashah, and buried it in the sepulchre of Abner in Hebron. 5.1 Then all the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron and said, “Behold, we are your flesh and blood.” 5.2 Also in time past, when Saul was king over us, thou wast he that leddest out and broughtest forth Israel. and YHVH said unto thee, Thou shalt feed my people Israel, and thou shalt be captain over Israel. 5.3 And all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron; and king David made a covenant with them at Hebron before YHVH, and they anointed David king over Israel. 5.4 David was thirty years old when he began to reign, and reigned forty years. 5.5 In Hebron he reigned over Judah seven years and six months, and in Jerusalem he reigned thirty-three years over all Israel and Judah. 5.6 And the king and his men went to Jerusalem to the Hivite, the inhabitant of the land, and he said to David, "You shall not come here unless you take away the skins and the fattened ones from you, saying, 'David shall not come here.'" 5.7 And David took the stronghold of Zion, which is the city of David. 5.8 And David said on that day, "Every plague will be dried up and touched with a pipe, and the Passover lambs and the skins will be hated by David's soul; therefore they will say, 'Skin and Passover shall not come into the house.'" 5.9 And David dwelt at Masada, and called it the city of David. and David built round about it a wall, and a house. 5.10 And David went on and became great, and YHVH Alhym of hosts was with him. 5.11 And Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, and cedar trees, and carpenters, and masons. and they built David a house. 5.12 And David knew that YHVH had established him king over Israel, and that he had exalted his kingdom for the sake of his people Israel. 5.13 And David took more concubines and wives out of Jerusalem after they were come from Hebron. and they bare more sons and daughters to David. 5.14 And these are the names of his children in Jerusalem. Shemua, and Shevab, and Nathan, and Solomon. 5.15 And he chose Elisha, and he was healed, and he was healed. 5.16 And Elishama, and Eliada, and Eliphelet, 5.17 And when the Philistines heard that they had anointed David king over Israel, all the Philistines went up to seek David. and David heard thereof, and went down to the hold. 5.18 And the Philistines came and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim. 5.19 And David inquired of YHVH, saying, Shall I go up against the Philistines? wilt thou deliver them into my hand? And YHVH said unto David, Go up. for I will deliver the Philistines into thy hand. 5.20 And David came to Baal-perazim, and David smote there. and he said, YHVH hath broken forth upon mine enemies before me, as the breaking forth of waters. therefore the name of that place was called Baal-perazim. 5.21 And they left their sorrows there, and David and his men carried them away. 5.22 And the Philistines came up again, and encamped in the valley of Rephaim. 5.23 And David inquired of YHVH, saying, Wilt thou not go up after them, and come upon them weeping? 5.24 And it shall be, when thou hearest the sound of marching at the head of them that cry, then shalt thou be ready. for then shall YHVH go out before thee to smite the host of the Philistines. 5.25 And David did so, as YHVH commanded him, and smote the Philistines from Geba even unto the coming of Gezer. 6.1 And David again numbered all the young men of Israel, thirty thousand. 6.2 Then David arose, and all the people that were with him, to go from Baale Judah to bring up from thence the ark of Alhym, which is called by the name of YHVH of hosts, which sitteth upon the cherubims. 6.3 And they set the ark of Alhym upon a new cart, and brought it out of the house of Abinadab which was in Gibeah. and Uzzah and his brethren the sons of Abinadab drave the new cart. 6.4 And they brought it out of the house of Abinadab, which was on the hill, with the ark of Alhym. and his brethren went before the ark. 6.5 And David and all the house of Israel played before YHVH with all manner of cypress trees, and with harps, and with psalteries, and with timbrels, and with cymbals, and with cymbals. 6.6 And when they came to a certain threshing floor, Uzzah sent to the ark of Alhym, and took hold of it; for the oxen had stumbled. 6.7 And the anger of YHVH was kindled against Gaza, and Alhym smote it there in the valley, and he died there with the ark of Alhym. 6.8 And David was angry because YHVH had made a breach upon Gaza. and he called that place Perez-Gaza unto this day. 6.9 And David saw YHVH that day, and said, How shall the ark of YHVH come to me? 6.10 And David would not remove the ark of YHVH unto him into the city of David. but David went to the house of Ebed-Edom the Gittite. 6.11 And the ark of YHVH remained in the house of Servant Adam the Gittite three months. and YHVH blessed Servant Adam, and all his household. 6.12 And it was told king David, saying, YHVH hath blessed the house of Abdu'l-Adam, and all that he hath, because of the ark of Alhym. And David went and brought up the ark of Alhym from the house of Abdu'l-Adam unto the city of David with joy. 6.13 And it came to pass, when they that bare the ark of YHVH had gone six paces, that he sacrificed an ox and a ram. 6.14 And David danced before YHVH with all his might, and David girded himself with a linen ephod. 6.15 And David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of YHVH with shouting and with the sound of the trumpet. 6.16 And it came to pass, as the ark of YHVH came into the city of David, that Michal the daughter of Saul looked out of a window, and saw king David leaping and dancing before YHVH. and she despised him in her heart. 6.17 And they brought in the ark of YHVH, and set it in his place, inside the tent that David had pitched for it. and David offered burnt offerings before YHVH, and peace offerings. 6.18 And David finished offering the burnt offering and the peace offerings, and blessed the people in the name of YHVH of hosts. 6.19 And he distributed to all the people, to all the multitude of Israel, to every man and woman, to every man a loaf of bread, and a sheaf of bread, and a sheaf of barley bread. and all the people departed every man to his house. 6.20 And David returned to bless his household. and Michal the daughter of Saul came out to meet David, and said, How glorious is the king of Israel to-day, that he should appear to-day in the sight of the mothers of his servants, as one of the naked is seen in the wilderness! 6.21 And David said unto Michal before YHVH, which chose me before thy father, and before all his house, to appoint me ruler over the people of YHVH, over Israel, and I will play before YHVH. 6.22 And I was even more humble than this, and was despised in my sight, and with the mothers whom you said I would honor. 6.23 And Michal the daughter of Saul had no child to the day of her death. 7.1 And it came to pass, when the king sat in his house, that YHVH gave him rest from all his enemies round about. 7.2 And the king said unto Nathan the prophet, See now, I dwell in an house of cedar, but the ark of Alhym dwelleth within curtains. 7.3 And Nathan said unto the king, Go, do all that is in thine heart. for YHVH is with thee. 7.4 And it came to pass that night, that the word of YHVH came unto Nathan, saying, 7.5 Go and say to my servant David, Thus says YHVH. Are you the one to build me a house for me to dwell in? 7.6 For I have not dwelt in a house since the day that I brought up the children of Israel out of Egypt unto this day; but I have walked in a tent and in a tabernacle. 7.7 Wherever I have gone throughout all the people of Israel, I have spoken to one of the tribes of Israel, whom I commanded to shepherd my people Israel, saying, Why have you not built me a house of cedar? 7.8 Now therefore thus shalt thou say unto my servant David, Thus saith YHVH of hosts, I took thee from the sheepcote, from following the sheep, to be prince over my people Israel. 7.9 And I will be with thee whithersoever thou goest, and will cut off all thine enemies from before thee, and will make thee a great name, like the name of the great men that are in the earth. 7.10 And I will appoint a place for my people Israel, and will plant them, and they shall dwell in their place, and they shall no more be troubled, neither shall the children of Israel trouble them any more, as at the first. 7.11 And from the day that I commanded judgment upon my people Israel, and gave thee rest from all thine enemies, and YHVH hath told thee, that YHVH will make thee a house. 7.12 When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your seed after you, who will come from your own body, and I will establish his kingdom. 7.13 He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. 7.14 I will be his father, and he shall be my son, whose ways and his ways are in the midst of the people, and the afflictions of men. 7.15 And my mercy shall not depart from him, as I took it from the people of Saul, whom I put away from before thee. 7.16 And your house and your kingdom shall be established forever before you; your throne shall be established forever. 7.17 According to all these words, and according to all this vision, so spake Nathan unto David. 7.18 Then King David came and sat before YHVH, and said, Who am I, O Lord Alhym, and what is my house, that you have brought me so far? 7.19 And yet this is a small thing in thy sight, O Lord GOD, and thou hast spoken also unto thy servant's house afar off. and this is the law of man, O Lord GOD. 7.20 What more can David say to you, O Lord GOD? You know your servant. 7.21 For your word and for your mercy you have done all this greatness to make your servant know it. 7.22 Therefore you are great, O Lord Alhym, for there is none like you, nor is there any Alhym besides you, according to all that we have heard with our ears. 7.23 And who is like your people, like Israel, one nation in the land, whom Alhym went to redeem for himself as a people, to make him a name, and to make for himself greatness and a name in his land, because of your people whom you redeemed for yourself out of Egypt, nations and their gods? 7.24 And you shall prepare for yourself your people Israel to be a people for ever, and you, O YHVH, shall be their Alhym. 7.25 Now therefore, O YHVH Alhym, the word that thou hast spoken concerning thy servant and concerning his house, establish it for ever, and do as thou hast spoken. 7.26 And your name shall be magnified forever, saying, YHVH of hosts is the Alhym over Israel. and the house of your servant David shall be established before you. 7.27 For thou, O YHVH of hosts, art the Alhym of Israel, who hast revealed in the ears of thy servant, saying, I will build thee an house. therefore hath thy servant found in his heart to pray this prayer unto thee. 7.28 And now, O Lord GOD, thou art Alhym, and thy words be true, and thou hast spoken this goodness unto thy servant. 7.29 Now therefore, O Lord GOD, bless the house of your servant forever before you, for you, O Lord GOD, have spoken it, and with your blessing the house of your servant will be blessed forever. 8.1 And it came to pass after this, that David smote the Philistines, and subdued them. and David took the ark of the covenant out of the hand of the Philistines. 8.2 And he smote Moab, and measured them with a line, and made them lie down on the ground, and measured two lines to put to death, and the full line to keep alive. and Moab became David's servants, and brought offerings. 8.3 And David smote Hadadezer the son of Rehab king of Zobah, as he went to restore his hand at the river. 8.4 And David captured from him one thousand seven hundred horsemen and twenty thousand footmen, and David took away all the chariots, and more than a hundred chariots. 8.5 And the Syrians of Damascus came to help Hadadezer king of Zobah. and David slew of the Syrians twenty and two thousand men. 8.6 And David put garrisons in Syria of Damascus; and Syria became David's servants, and brought tribute. and YHVH saved David whithersoever he went. 8.7 And David took the shields of gold that were on the servants of Hadadezer, and brought them to Jerusalem. 8.8 And from Beth-ekedah and Methuselah, cities of Hadadezer, king David took a very great quantity of brass. 8.9 And Toi king of Hamath heard that David had smitten all the host of Hadadezer. 8.10 Then Toi sent Joram his son to King David to ask for his peace and to bless him because he had fought against Hadadezer, and he defeated him, for Hadadezer had been a warrior of Toi, and he had vessels of silver, vessels of gold, and vessels of bronze. 8.11 You also King David dedicated to YHVH, along with the silver and gold he dedicated from all the nations he conquered. 8.12 From Arameans, from Moab, from the Ammonites, from the Philistines, from Amalek, and from the plunder of Hadadezer son of Rehab, king of Zobah. 8.13 And David made a name for himself in his return, after he had smitten of the Syrians in the valley of salt eighteen thousand. 8.14 And he put garrisons in Edom; and throughout all Edom there were garrisons; and all Edom became David's servants. and YHVH saved David whithersoever he went. 8.15 And David reigned over all Israel. and David executed judgment and righteousness unto all his people. 8.16 And Joab the son of Zeruiah was over the army, and Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was recorder. 8.17 And Zadok the son of Ahithub, and Ahimelech the son of Abiathar, priests, and Seraiah the scribe. 8.18 And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and Kerethi, and Pelethi, and the sons of David, were priests. 9.1 And David said, Is there yet any that is left of the house of Saul, and I will shew kindness unto him for Jonathan's sake? 9.2 And there was of the house of Saul a servant, whose name was Ziba. and they called him unto David. And the king said unto him, Art thou Ziba? And thy servant said, 9.3 And the king said, There is yet one of the house of Saul, and I will shew him the kindness of Alhym. And Ziba said unto the king, There is yet one son of Jonathan, which is lame in his feet. 9.4 And the king said unto him, Where is he? And Ziba said unto the king, Behold, he is the son of Machir the son of Ammiel. Speak not. 9.5 And king David sent, and fetched him out of the house of Machir the son of Ammiel, Melo Daber. 9.6 Then Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, came to David, and fell on his face, and did obeisance. And David said, Mephibosheth, and said, Behold thy servant. 9.7 And David said unto him, Fear not. for I will surely shew thee kindness for Jonathan thy father's sake, and will restore thee all the land of Saul thy father. and thou shalt eat bread at my table continually. 9.8 And he bowed himself, and said, What is thy servant, that thou hast turned to a dead dog, which is like unto me? 9.9 Then the king called Ziba, Saul's servant, and said to him, "All that belonged to Saul and to all his house I have given to your master's son." 9.10 And thou shalt till the land for him, thou, and thy sons, and thy servants. and thou shalt bring in, and there shall be bread for thy master's son, that he may eat. and Mephibosheth thy master's son shall eat bread continually at my table. and Ziba hath fifteen sons, and twenty servants. 9.11 And Ziba said unto the king, According unto all that my lord the king shall command his servant, so will thy servant do. and Mephibosheth shall eat at my table, as one of the king's sons. 9.12 And Mephibosheth had a young son, whose name was Micah. and all the inhabitants of Beth-Ziba were servants to Mephibosheth. 9.13 And Mephibosheth dwelt in Jerusalem. for he did eat continually at the king's table, and he passed his two feet. 10.1 And it came to pass after this, that the king of the children of Ammon died, and Hanun his son reigned in his stead. 10.2 And David said, I will shew kindness unto Hanun the son of Nahash, as his father shewed kindness unto me. And David sent to comfort him by the hand of his servants unto his father. and David's servants came into the land of the children of Ammon. 10.3 And the princes of the children of Ammon said unto Hanun their lord, Doth David honour thy father in thine eyes, that he hath sent comforters unto thee? for to search the city, and to spy it out, and to overthrow it, hath David sent his servants unto thee? 10.4 And Hanun took David's servants, and shaved off the half of their beards, and cut off their garments in the middle, even to their buttocks, and sent them away. 10.5 And they told David, and he sent to meet them, because the men were greatly troubled. And the king said, Return ye to your homes until your old age be grown, and ye shall return. 10.6 And when the children of Ammon saw that they had scorned David, the children of Ammon sent and hired the Arameans of Beth-rehob, and the Arameans of Zobah, twenty thousand footmen, and the king of Maacah a thousand men, and the man of Tob twelve thousand men. 10.7 And when David heard of it, he sent Joab and all the mighty men of war. 10.8 And the children of Ammon came out, and put themselves in array against the gate of the gate, and Aram-zobah, and Rehob, and Ish-tob, and Maacah, were alone in the field. 10.9 And Joab saw that the battle was set against him before and behind; and he chose of all the chosen men of Israel, and put himself in array against the Syrians. 10.10 And the rest of the people he delivered into the hand of Abishai his brother, and he set them in array against the children of Ammon. 10.11 And he said, If the Syrians be too strong for me, then shall I be saved. but if the children of Ammon be too strong for thee, then will I go and save thee. 10.12 Be strong and let us be courageous for our people and for the cities of our Alhym, and YHVH will do what is good in his sight. 10.13 And Joab and the people that were with him drew near to the battle against Syria. and they fled before him. 10.14 And when the children of Ammon saw that the Syrians fled, they fled before Abishai, and entered into the city. and Joab returned from the children of Ammon, and came to Jerusalem. 10.15 And when the Syrians saw that they were smitten before Israel, they gathered themselves together. 10.16 And Hadadezer sent and brought out the Arameans who were beyond the River. And Hilam and Shobach, the commander of the army of Hadadezer, came before them. 10.17 And it was told David, and he gathered all Israel together, and passed over Jordan, and came to Halah. and the Syrians set themselves in array against David, and fought with him. 10.18 And the Syrians fled before Israel. and David slew of the Syrians seven hundred chariots, and forty thousand horsemen, and smote Shuba the captain of his host, and he died there. 10.19 And when all the kings, servants of Hadadezer, saw that they were smitten before Israel, they made peace with Israel, and served them. and the Syrians thought to help the children of Ammon any more. 11.1 And it came to pass at the return of the year, at the time when the messengers went out, that David sent Joab, and his servants with him, and all Israel; and they destroyed the children of Ammon, and besieged Rabbah. and David dwelt in Jerusalem. 11.2 And it came to pass in the evening, that David arose from off his bed, and walked upon the roof of the king's house. and from the roof he saw a woman washing herself. and the woman was very fair to look upon. 11.3 And David sent and enquired after the woman, and said, Is not this Bathsheba the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite? 11.4 And David sent messengers, and took her, and she came to him, and he lay with her. and she purified herself from her uncleanness, and returned to her house. 11.5 And the woman conceived, and sent and told David, and said, I am with child. 11.6 And David sent to Joab, saying, Send me Uriah the Hittite. And Joab sent Uriah to David. 11.7 And Uriah came to him, and David asked of Joab's welfare, and of the welfare of the people, and of the welfare of the war. 11.8 And David said to Uriah, Go down to your house, and wash your feet. And Uriah departed out of the king's house, and the king's baggage followed him. 11.9 And Uriah slept at the door of the king's house, and all the servants of his lord went not down to his house. 11.10 And it was told David, saying, Uriah went not down to his house. And David said unto Uriah, Hast thou not come from a journey? wherefore wentest thou not down to thine house? 11.11 And Uriah said unto David, The ark, and Israel, and Judah, abide in booths; and my lord Joab, and my lord's servants, are encamped in the open field. and I will go into my house, to eat and to drink, and to lie with my wife. as for thee, and as for thy soul, if I do this thing, 11.12 And David said to Uriah, tarry here today also, and tomorrow I will send you away. So Uriah tarried in Jerusalem that day and the next. 11.13 And David called him, and did eat and drink before him, and made him drunk. and he went out in the evening to lie down in his bed with the servants of his lord, and went not down to his house. 11.14 And it came to pass in the morning, that David wrote a letter to Joab, and sent it by the hand of Uriah. 11.15 And he wrote in the book, saying, Set Uriah before the face of the fierce battle, and withdraw from him, that he may be crippled, and die. 11.16 And it came to pass, when Joab was come into the city, that he assigned Uriah unto the place where he knew that the valiant men were there. 11.17 And the men of the city went out, and fought with Joab. and there fell of the people among the servants of David; and Uriah the Hittite died also. 11.18 And Joab sent and told David all the matters of the war. 11.19 And they commanded the angel, saying, When thou hast made an end of all the matters of the war, tell it unto the king. 11.20 And it shall come to pass, if the king's wrath arise, and he say unto thee, Why approach ye unto the city to fight? know ye not that they shot from off the wall? 11.21 Who smote Abimelech the son of Jareb? But a woman cast a piece of the chariot upon him from the wall, that he died in the blast. Why went ye near unto the wall, and said, Thy servant Uriah the Hittite is dead also? 11.22 And the messenger went, and came, and told David all that Joab had sent. 11.23 And the angel said unto David, The men prevailed against us, and came out against us into the field, and we were upon them even unto the entering of the gate. 11.24 And the men of the king's servants saw thy servant from off the wall, and died. and thy servant Uriah the Hittite is dead also. 11.25 And David said unto the angel, Thus shalt thou say unto Joab, Let not this thing displease thee. for the sword shall devour both one and another. make thy battle strong against the city, and destroy it, and fortify it. 11.26 And when Uriah's wife heard that Uriah was dead, she mourned for her husband. 11.27 And when the mourning was past, David sent and brought her to his house, and she became his wife, and bore him a son. And the thing that David had done was evil in the sight of YHVH. 12.1 And YHVH sent Nathan unto David, and he came unto him, and said unto him, There were two men in one city, the one rich, and the other prince. 12.2 The rich man had very many flocks and herds. 12.3 And the king had nothing, save one little ewe lamb, which he had bought, and it lived, and grew up with him and with his sons together. it did eat of his own flesh, and did drink of his own blood, and lay in his bosom, and was unto him as a daughter. 12.4 And he came to the rich man, and was moved with compassion to take his flock and his herd, to make ready for the guest who had come to him. And he took the man's lamb, and made it ready for the man who had come to him. 12.5 And David's anger was greatly kindled against the man, and he said unto Nathan, As YHVH liveth, the man that hath done this shall surely die. 12.6 And he shall restore the lamb fourfold, because he did this thing, and had no pity. 12.7 And Nathan said unto David, Art thou the man? Thus saith YHVH Alhym of Israel, I anoint thee king over Israel, and I delivered thee out of the hand of Saul. 12.8 And I will give you your master's house, and your master's wives into your bosom; and I will give you the house of Israel and Judah, and I will gather to you priests, and priests. 12.9 Why did you despise the word of YHVH, to do evil in his sight? You struck down Uriah the Hittite with the sword, and took his wife to be your wife, and you killed him with the sword of the children of Ammon. 12.10 Now therefore, the sword shall never depart from your house forever, because you have despised me and have taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your wife. 12.11 Thus saith YHVH, Behold, I will raise up evil against thee out of thine own house, and I will take thy wives before thine eyes, and give them unto thy companions, and he shall lie with thy wives in the sight of this sun. 12.12 For you did it secretly, and I will do this thing against all Israel and against the sun. 12.13 And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against YHVH. And Nathan said unto David, YHVH also hath put away thy sin; thou shalt not die. 12.14 But because you have despised the enemies of YHVH in this matter, even the child that is born to you shall surely die. 12.15 And Nathan went to his house, and YHVH slew the child which Uriah's wife bare unto David, and 12.16 And David besought Alhym for the child. and David fasted, and went in, and lay down to sleep on the ground. 12.17 And the elders of his house rose up against him to raise him up from the earth. but he would not give them bread, neither would he cause them to eat. 12.18 And it came to pass on the seventh day, that the child died. and David's servants sought to tell him that the child was dead. for they said, Behold, while the child was yet alive, we spake unto him, and he hearkened not unto our voice. and how shall we tell him, The child is dead, and he hath done wickedly? 12.19 And David saw that his servants whispered, and David perceived that the child was dead. And David said unto his servants, The child is dead. And they said, He is dead. 12.20 Then David arose from the earth, and washed, and anointed himself, and changed his apparel, and came into the house of YHVH, and worshipped. and he came into his house, and prayed, and they set bread before him, and he did eat. 12.21 And his servants said unto him, What thing is this that thou hast done for the child? thou didst fast and weep. but when the child was alive, thou arosest and didst eat bread. 12.22 And he said, While the child was yet alive, I fasted and wept. for I said, Who knoweth that YHVH will be gracious unto me, and that the child may live? 12.23 And now I am dead, why should I fast? I will eat and return. I will go to him, and he will not return to me. 12.24 And David comforted Bathsheba his wife, and went in unto her, and lay with her. and she bare a son, and he called his name Solomon. and YHVH loved him. 12.25 And he sent by the hand of Nathan the prophet, and called his name Ididia, for YHVH's sake. 12.26 And Joab fought against the host of the children of Ammon, and took the royal city. 12.27 And Joab sent messengers to David, and said, I have fought against Rabbah, and have taken the city of waters. 12.28 Now therefore gather the rest of the people together, and encamp against the city, and take it. lest I take the city, and my name be called upon it. 12.29 And David gathered all the people together, and went to Rabbah, and fought against it, and took it. 12.30 And he took the crown of their king from off his head, and the weight thereof was as much as a talent of gold, and precious stones. and it was set upon David's head. and he brought forth of the spoil of the city a very great multitude. 12.31 And he brought out the people that were therein, and put them in fetters, and in iron jaws, and in iron jaws, and brought them through the king's palace. And so he did to all the cities of the children of Ammon. And David and all the people dwelt in Jerusalem. 13.1 And it came to pass after this, that Absalom the son of David had a fair sister, whose name was Tamar. and Amnon the son of David loved her. 13.2 And Amnon desired to have sex with his sister Tamar, because she was a virgin; and Amnon was astonished that he should do anything to her. 13.3 And Amnon was a wicked man, whose name was Jonadab, the son of Shimea, David's brother. and Jonadab was a very wise man. 13.4 And he said unto him, Why art thou so poor, O king's son? Tell me in the morning. And Amnon said unto him, I love Tamar, the sister of my brother Absalom. 13.5 And Jehonadab said unto him, Lie down on thy bed, and be thou awaked. and thy father shall come to see thee. And thou shalt say unto him, Let Tamar my sister come, and make me meat, and make the venison in my sight, that I may see it, and eat thereof. 13.6 And Amnon lay down, and began to sleep. and the king came to see him. And Amnon said unto the king, Let Tamar my sister come, I pray thee, and let her be my wife, and let her be my wife. 13.7 And David sent to Tamar at home, saying, Go, I pray thee, to thy brother Amnon's house, and do him good. 13.8 And Tamar went to Amnon's house, and he lay down, and took dough, and kneaded it in his sight, and boiled the hearts. 13.9 And she took the servant, and poured out before him. and he refused to eat. And Amnon said, Have every man put out from me. and have every man put out from him. 13.10 And Amnon said unto Tamar, Bring the young men into the chamber, and I will take them out of thine hand. And Tamar took the young men which she had made, and brought them into the chamber to Amnon his brother. 13.11 And she came near unto him to eat bread. and he urged her, and said unto her, Come lie with me, my sister. 13.12 And she said unto him, My brother, answer me not. for he shall not do so in Israel. do not do this abomination. 13.13 And I, whither shall I carry my reproach? and thou shalt be as one of the scoundrels of Israel. and now speak, I pray thee, unto the king; for he will not withhold me from thee. 13.14 But he would not listen to her voice, and he prevailed against her, and he answered and lay with her. 13.15 And Amnon hated her with an exceeding great hatred. for the hatred wherewith he hated her was greater than the love wherewith he loved her. And Amnon said unto her, Arise, be gone. 13.16 And she said unto him, This great evil is more grievous than that which thou hast done unto my people, that thou hast sent me away, and I will not hearken unto it. 13.17 And he called his young man, his servant, and said, Put this woman out from me, and bolt the door after her. 13.18 And she had on her a robe of divers colours. for so the king's daughters that are virgins are clothed with robes. And his servant brought her forth, and shut the door after her. 13.19 Then Tamar took ashes upon her head, and rent the striped garment that was on her, and laid her hand upon her head, and went away, and cried. 13.20 And Absalom her brother said unto her, Amnon thy brother was with thee. and now, my sister, hold thy peace, he is thy brother. let not thine heart be troubled for this thing. And Tamar sat down, and the house of Absalom her brother was desolate. 13.21 And when king David heard all these things, he was very wroth. 13.22 And Absalom spake unto Amnon neither good nor bad. for Absalom hated Amnon because of the thing which he had done to his sister Tamar. 13.23 And it came to pass after two years, that Absalom had shearers at Baal-hazor, which is in Ephraim. and Absalom called all the king's sons. 13.24 And Absalom came to the king, and said, Behold now, I have shearers for thy servant. let the king and his servants go with thy servant. 13.25 And the king said unto Absalom, O my son, let us all go, and we will not be honoured with thee. And he would not go, and blessed him. 13.26 And Absalom said, Let not my brother Amnon go with us. And the king said unto him, Why should he go with thee? 13.27 Then Absalom was angry with him, and sent Amnon and all the king's sons with him. 13.28 And Absalom commanded his young men, saying, Mark ye now when Amnon's heart is merry with wine, and when I say unto you, Smite Amnon, and put him to death. fear not, for I have commanded you; be strong, and be valiant men. 13.29 And Absalom's servants did unto Amnon as Absalom had commanded. and all the king's sons arose, and mounted every man his mule, and fled. 13.30 And it came to pass, while they were on the way, that tidings came to David, saying, Absalom hath slain all the king's sons, and there is not one of them left. 13.31 Then the king arose, and rent his clothes, and lay on the ground. and all his servants stood by with their clothes rent. 13.32 Then Jonadab the son of Shimea, David's brother, answered and said, Let not my lord say, They have slain all the young men the king's sons. for Amnon only is dead. for by Absalom was this thing accomplished from the day that he lay with his sister Tamar. 13.33 Now therefore let not my lord the king take it to his heart, to say, All the king's sons are dead; for Amnon only is dead. 13.34 And Absalom fled. and the lad lifted up his eyes, and looked, and, behold, a great company came after him from the way of the mountain. 13.35 And Jonadab said unto the king, Behold, the king's sons are come. as thy servant said, so it is. 13.36 And it came to pass, as soon as he had made an end of speaking, that, behold, the king's sons came, and lifted up their voices, and wept. and the king also and all his servants wept very sore. 13.37 And Absalom fled, and went to Talmai the son of Amichor, king of Geshur, and mourned for his son all his days. 13.38 And Absalom fled, and went to Geshor, and was there three years. 13.39 And king David ceased to go out unto Absalom. for he was grieved for Amnon, because he was dead. 14.1 And Joab the son of Zeruiah perceived that the king's heart was toward Absalom. 14.2 Then Joab sent and fetched from thence a wise woman, and said unto her, Feign thyself, I pray thee, and put on mourning apparel, and anoint not thyself with oil, and be as a woman that hath mourned many days for the dead. 14.3 And when you come to the king, you shall speak to him according to this word. And Joab shall put the words in her mouth. 14.4 And the woman said, Thou hast come unto the king, and bowed herself with her face to the ground, and did obeisance, and said, Let the king be silent. 14.5 And the king said unto her, What aileth thee? And she said, But I am a widow, and my husband is dead. 14.6 And your maidservant had two sons, and they both ran away in the field, and there was no one to rescue them; and the one struck the other and killed him. 14.7 And behold, the whole family rose up against your servant, and said, "Give him his brother's life, that we may kill him for the life of his brother whom he killed, and destroy the heir also, and quench my coals, which are left, that I may not leave a name or a remnant upon the face of the earth." 14.8 And the king said unto the woman, Go to thine house, and I will give thee charge. 14.9 And the woman of Tekoa said unto the king, Upon me, my lord the king, is the iniquity, and upon my father's house, and upon the king, and upon his throne, 14.10 And the king said, "Whoever speaks to you, bring him to me and he will not touch you again." 14.11 And she said, Let the king, I pray thee, remember YHVH thy Alhym, which avenges blood, to destroy, and not destroy my son. And he said, As YHVH liveth, there shall not one hair of thy son fall to the ground. 14.12 And the woman said, Let thine handmaid, I pray thee, speak unto my lord the king. And he said, My word. 14.13 And the woman said, Why hast thou thought thus against the people of Alhym? And the king speaketh this thing as a fault, that the king should not restore the rejected. 14.14 For death is as water that is poured out on the ground, which cannot be gathered up, neither does Alhym bear up the soul, and he devises plans that he may not be cast out of him. 14.15 And now that I have come to speak of this matter unto my lord the king, because the people fear me, I say, thine handmaid, I will speak, I pray thee, unto the king. peradventure the king will do his word truly. 14.16 For the king will hear, to deliver his maid from the hand of the man to destroy me and my son together from the inheritance of Alhym. 14.17 Then said she, thine handmaid, let the word of my lord the king be for my peace. for as an angel of Alhym is my lord the king, to discern good and evil. and YHVH thy Alhym be with thee. 14.18 And the king answered and said unto the woman, Hide not from me the thing that I asked thee. And the woman said, Let my lord the king speak. 14.19 And the king said, Is it with thee, Joab? And the woman answered and said, As thy soul liveth, my lord the king, will I not believe or disbelieve in all that my lord the king hath spoken? For thy servant Joab commanded me, and he put all these words in the mouth of thine handmaid. 14.20 To turn the matter about, your servant Joab has done this thing. And my lord is wise, according to the wisdom of an angel of Alhym, to know all that is in the earth. 14.21 And the king said unto Joab, Behold, I have done this thing. go, bring the young man Absalom again. 14.22 And Joab fell on his face to the ground, and did obeisance, and blessed the king, and said, Joab knoweth this day that I have found grace in thy sight, my lord the king, because the king hath fulfilled the commandment of his servant. 14.23 And Joab arose, and went to Geshorah, and brought Absalom to Jerusalem. 14.24 And the king said, Let him return to his own house, and let him not see my face. And Absalom returned to his own house, and saw not the king's face. 14.25 Now Absalom was not found in all Israel to be so much praised as a man of good looks; from the sole of his foot even to the crown of his head there was no blemish in him. 14.26 And they shaved his head, and it was from day to day that he shaved it, because it was heavy upon him. and they shaved it, and weighed the hair of his head at two hundred shekels by the king's weight. 14.27 And unto Absalom were born three sons and one daughter, whose name was Tamar. and she was a woman of a beautiful countenance. 14.28 Absalom lived in Jerusalem two years and did not see the king's face. 14.29 And Absalom sent to Joab to send him to the king. but he would not come to him. and he sent again the second time, but he would not come. 14.30 And he said unto his servants, See, Joab's parcel of ground is in mine hand, and there are gates in it. go, and set it on fire. And Absalom's servants set the parcel of ground on fire. 14.31 Then Joab arose, and came to Absalom unto the house, and said unto him, Why have thy servant set my parcel of ground on fire? 14.32 And Absalom said unto Joab, Behold, I sent unto thee, saying, Come hither, and I will send thee to the king, saying, Wherefore am I come from a good place, that I may be there? and now I will see the king's face. and if there be any iniquity in me, then let me alone. 14.33 And Joab came to the king, and told him. and he called for Absalom. and he came to the king, and bowed himself with his face to the ground before the king. and the king gave drink to Absalom. 15.1 And it came to pass after this, that Absalom prepared him a chariot and horsemen, and fifty men to run before him. 15.2 And Absalom arose, and stood by the way of the gate. and it came to pass, that every man that had a controversy came to the king for judgment. and Absalom called unto him, and said, Of what city art thou? And he said, Of one of the tribes of Israel is thy servant. 15.3 And Absalom said unto him, Behold, thy words are good and present, and hear thou nothing from the king. 15.4 And Absalom said, Who shall make me judge in the land? Every man that hath a controversy or a cause shall come unto me, and I will do him justice. 15.5 And there was a man in the midst of him, to bow down to him. and he put forth his hand, and took hold of him, and kissed him. 15.6 And Absalom did on this wise unto all Israel that came to the king for judgment. and Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel. 15.7 And it came to pass at the end of forty years, that Absalom said unto the king, Let me go, I pray thee, and pay my vow, which I have vowed unto YHVH in Hebron. 15.8 For thy servant vowed a vow in my return to Geshur in Syria, saying, If YHVH bring me again, then will he bring me again to Jerusalem, and I will serve YHVH. 15.9 And the king said unto him, Go in peace. and he arose, and went to Hebron. 15.10 And Absalom sent spies throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, As soon as ye hear the sound of the trumpet, then ye shall say, Absalom reigneth in Hebron. 15.11 And Absalom went with two hundred men out of Jerusalem, crying and going, and they knew nothing. 15.12 And Absalom sent Ahithophel the Gileadite, David's counselor, out of the city, to reveal to him the sacrifices. And the conspiracy was strengthened, and the people followed Absalom more and more. 15.13 And the Maggid came to David, saying, The heart of the men of Israel is after Absalom. 15.14 Then David said to all his servants who were with him at Jerusalem, “Arise, and let us flee; for we shall not escape from Absalom. Make haste to go, lest he overtake us quickly and bring disaster upon us, and strike the city with the edge of the sword.” 15.15 And the king's servants said unto the king, Whatever my lord the king chooseth, behold, thy servants do. 15.16 And the king went out, and all his household on foot. and the king left ten women his concubines to keep the house. 15.17 Then the king and all the people went out on foot, and stood in the house of the distance. 15.18 And all his servants passed by him, and all the Kerethites, and all the Pelethites, and all the Gittites, six hundred men, who came on foot from Hebron before the king. 15.19 And the king said unto Ethi the Gittite, Why wilt thou also go with us? Return, and return with the king. for thou art a stranger, and also an exile unto thy own place. 15.20 Yesterday you came, and today you will go with us, and I will go where I go. Return and restore your brother to you with kindness and truth. 15.21 And Ati answered the king, and said, As YHVH liveth, and as my lord the king liveth, surely in the place where my lord the king shall be, to die or to live, there also shall thy servant be. 15.22 And David said unto him, Go and pass over with me. And the Gittite shall pass over with me, and all his men, and all the little ones that are with him. 15.23 And all the land wept with a loud voice, and all the people passed over. and the king passed over the brook Kidron, and all the people passed over by the way of the wilderness. 15.24 And, behold, Zadok also, and all the Levites with him, bare the ark of the covenant of Alhym. and they set down the ark of Alhym. and Abiathar went up, until all the people had made an end of passing over from the city. 15.25 And the king said to Zadok, Carry back the ark of Alhym into the city. if I have found favor in the sight of YHVH, then bring me back, and shew me with it and Noah. 15.26 And if he thus say, I have no pleasure in thee; behold, I will do to me as seemeth good unto me. 15.27 And the king said to Zadok the priest, the seer, you have returned the city in peace, and your son Ahimaaz and your two sons Jonathan the son of Abiathar are with you. 15.28 Behold, I tarry in the wilderness, until some one come from among you to tell me. 15.29 So Zadok and Abiathar carried the ark of Alhym to Jerusalem, and they remained there. 15.30 And David went up by the mount of Olives, and wept as he went up, and his head was covered, and he went barefoot. and all the people that were with him covered every man his head, and as he went up, he wept. 15.31 And David said, Ahithophel hath conspired with Absalom. And David said, O Lord, turn the counsel of Ahithophel into vain. 15.32 And when David came to the top of the hill to worship there before Alhym, behold, the archer met him with his coat rent, and earth upon his head. 15.33 And David said unto him, If thou wilt go over with me, and bear me a burden, 15.34 And if thou return to the city, and say unto Absalom thy servant, I will be thy father's servant, O king; and I have been thy servant from henceforth, and thou hast thwarted the counsel of Ahithophel against me. 15.35 And if Zadok and Abiathar the priests are not there with you, then it shall be that whatever you hear from the king's house, you shall tell Zadok and Abiathar the priests. 15.36 Behold, there are with them their two sons Ahimaaz for Zadok, and Jonathan for Abiathar, and by them ye shall send unto me whatsoever ye shall hear. 15.37 And Hushai the son of David came into the city, and Absalom came into Jerusalem. 16.1 And when David was a little past the head, behold, a young man came out of the mouth of Bashan to meet him, with a couple of Ethiopian asses, and upon them two hundred loaves of bread, and an hundred raisins, and an hundred summer fruits, and a bottle of wine. 16.2 And the king said unto Ziba, What meanest thou by these? And Ziba said, The asses are for the king's household for riding, and for war. and the young men eat in the summer, and drink wine in the wilderness. 16.3 And the king said, Where is thy master's son? And Ziba said unto the king, Behold, he abideth in Jerusalem. for he said, Today shall the house of Israel restore me the kingdom of my father. 16.4 And the king said unto the army, Behold, all that is in the mouth of Baasha is for thee. And Ziba said, I bow down, I have found favor in thy sight, my lord the king. 16.5 And when king David came to Buharim, behold, there came out from thence a man of the family of the house of Saul, whose name was Shimei the son of Gera, coming out, and cursing. 16.6 And he stoned David, and all the servants of king David, and all the people, and all the men on his right hand and on his left, with stones. 16.7 And thus said Shimei in his curse, Come out, come out, bloody man, and man of Belial! 16.8 YHVH has returned upon you all the blood of the house of Saul, in whose stead you have reigned. And YHVH has delivered the kingdom into the hand of Absalom your son, and you are at your own peril, for you are a bloody man. 16.9 Then Abishai the son of Zeruiah said to the king, "Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? I will go over and take off his head." 16.10 And the king said, What have I to do with you, O sons of Zeruiah? For he will curse, and YHVH has said unto him, Curse David. and who shall say, Why hast thou done so? 16.11 And David said to Abishai and to all his servants, Behold, my son, which came forth from my bowels, seeketh my life. and now, behold, the son of my right hand, let him alone, and let him curse, because YHVH hath said unto him. 16.12 Perhaps YHVH will look upon my poverty, and YHVH will repay me favor for his curse this day. 16.13 And David and his men went on the way. and Shimei went on the side of the mountain against him, and cursed, and cast stones at him, and cast dust upon the ground. 16.14 And the king and all the people that were with him came weary, and he rested there. 16.15 And Absalom and all the people of Israel came to Jerusalem, and Ahitub prayed with him. 16.16 And it came to pass, when Hushai the Archite, David's enemy, was come unto Absalom, that Hushai said unto Absalom, Long live the king, long live the king. 16.17 And Absalom said to Hushai, "This is your kindness to your friend, why did you not go with your friend?" 16.18 And Hushai said unto Absalom, Nay; but whom YHVH, and this people, and all the men of Israel, have chosen, I will not abide with him. 16.19 And secondly, whom should I serve? But before his son. As I served before your father, so will I be before you. 16.20 And Absalom said to Ahithophel, Give you counsel what we shall do. 16.21 And Ahithophel said unto Absalom, Go in unto thy father's concubines, which he hath left to keep the house. and all Israel shall hear that I have made thy father abominable. and let the hands of all that are with thee be strengthened. 16.22 And they pitched a tent for Absalom upon the roof. and Absalom went in unto his father's concubines in the sight of all Israel. 16.23 And the counsel of Ahithophel, which he counseled in those days, as if one had inquired of Alhym, so was all the counsel of Ahithophel both with David and with Absalom. 17.1 And Ahithophel said unto Absalom, Let me now choose out twelve thousand men, and arise, and pursue after David by night. 17.2 And I will come upon him, and he shall be weary and feeble in his hands. and I will dismay him, and all the people that are with him shall flee. and I will smite the king only. 17.3 And I will bring all the people back to you, when all the people return, the man whom you seek, and all the people will be at peace. 17.4 And the thing pleased Absalom, and all the elders of Israel. 17.5 And Absalom said, Call now also the Archite's sons, and we will hear what he also says. 17.6 And Hushai came to Absalom, and Absalom spake unto him, saying, Thus saith Ahithophel, who shall do his word? if thou wilt not speak. 17.7 And Hushai said unto Absalom, The counsel which Ahithophel hath counselled at this time is not good. 17.8 And Hushai said, Thou knowest thy father and his men, that they are men of fierce spirit, as a bear slain in the field. and thy father is a man of war, and will not let the people rest. 17.9 Behold, now he is hid in one of the chambers, or in one of the places, and it is as if he had fallen into them at the first. and it was heard that he had heard, saying, There is a pestilence among the people that follow Absalom. 17.10 And he is also a valiant man, whose heart is like the heart of a lion, and he will be valiant, for all Israel knows that your father is a mighty man, and that the valiant men who are with him are mighty. 17.11 For I will gather all Israel against you, from Dan to Beersheba, as the sand which is by the sea for multitude, and before you shall go forth into battle. 17.12 And we came to him in one of the places where he was, and we rested upon him, as the dew fell upon the ground; and there remained not one of him, nor of all the people that were with him. 17.13 And if he gather them into a city, then all Israel shall bring ropes to that city, and shall carry them unto the brook, until not so much as a sheaf be found there. 17.14 And Absalom and all the men of Israel said, The counsel of Hushai the Archite is better than the counsel of Ahithophel. and YHVH commanded to defeat the good counsel of Ahithophel, that YHVH might bring evil upon Absalom. 17.15 Then said Hushai unto Zadok and Abiathar the priests, Thus and thus did Ahithophel counsel Absalom and the elders of Israel. and thus and thus have I counseled. 17.16 Now therefore send quickly, and tell David, saying, Lodge not this night in the plain of the wilderness, neither pass over, lest it swallow up the king, and all the people that are with him. 17.17 And Jonathan and Ahimaaz stood by Ein Regel, and the maid went and told them, and they went and told king David, that they could not appear to come into the city. 17.18 And a young man saw them, and told Absalom. and they both went quickly, and came to the house of a certain young man, which had a well in his court, and went down thither. 17.19 And the woman took and spread the covering over the well, and spread it out loosely upon it, and nothing was known. 17.20 And Absalom's servants came to the woman at the house, and said, Where are Ahimaaz and Jonathan? And the woman said unto them, They have passed over the well of water, and have sought, but have not found them. and they returned to Jerusalem. 17.21 And it came to pass after they were departed, that they came up out of the well, and went and told king David, and said unto David, Arise, and pass quickly over the water. for thus hath Ahithophel counselled against you. 17.22 Then David arose, and all the people that were with him, and passed over Jordan by the light of the morning; there was not a man missing that had not passed over Jordan. 17.23 And when Ahitub saw that his counsel was not followed, he saddled his donkey, and arose, and went to his house, to his city. and when he came to his house, he was choked, and died, and was buried in the sepulchre of his father. 17.24 And David came from Hanim, and Absalom passed over Jordan, he, and all the men of Israel with him. 17.25 And Absalom put Amasa in Joab's place over the army. And Amasa was the son of a man, whose name was Ithra the Israelite, who went in to Abigail the daughter of Nahash, sister of Zeruiah, Joab's mother. 17.26 And Israel and Absalom went into the land of Gilead. 17.27 And it came to pass, when David came from Hanim, that Shavi the son of Nahash the Ammonite, and Micher the son of Ammiel, a man of words, and Barzillai the Gileadite, were spies. 17.28 Beds and couches and craftsman's utensils and wheat and gates and flour and corn and beans and lentils and corn 17.29 And honey, and butter, and sheep, and fatlings of oxen, they brought to David, and to the people that were with him, to eat. for they said, The people are hungry, and faint, and thirsty in the wilderness. 18.1 And David numbered the people that were with him, and set captains over them of thousands, and captains of hundreds. 18.2 And David sent the people, a third part under the hand of Joab, and a third part under the hand of Abishai the son of Zeruiah, Joab's brother, and a third part under the hand of Ethi the Gittite. And the king said unto the people, Go out, I also will go out with you. 18.3 And the people said, Thou shalt not go out. for if we flee, they will not care for us. and if half of us die, they will not care for us. for now we are about ten thousand. and now it is well that thou shalt have a city to flee to. 18.4 And the king said unto them, I will do what seemeth good unto you. And the king stood by the gate, and all the people went out by hundreds, and by thousands. 18.5 And the king commanded Joab, and Abishai, and Ethi, saying, Go slow, I pray thee, to the young man Absalom. And all the people heard the king's commandment, and all the princes concerning Absalom. 18.6 And the people of the field went out against Israel. and the battle was in the forest of Ephraim. 18.7 And the people of Israel were smitten there before the servants of David. and there was a great slaughter there that day of twenty thousand. 18.8 And there was a great war there over all the face of the land. and the forest was more food for the people than the sword had eaten that day. 18.9 And Absalom called before the servants of David. and Absalom rode upon the mule, and the mule went under the great rod of the cross, and he strengthened his head with the rod, and set himself between heaven and earth. and the mule that was under him went on. 18.10 And a certain man saw it, and told Joab, and said, Behold, I saw Absalom hanged on a staff. 18.11 And Joab said to the man who told him, "Look, you saw and why they did not strike the ground there? I should give you ten pieces of silver and a belt." 18.12 And the man said unto Joab, Though I have a thousand pieces of silver in my hand, I will not put forth mine hand against the king's son. for in our hearing the king charged thee and Abishai and Ethi, saying, Guard the young man Absalom. 18.13 Or have I wrought a lie in his soul? And nothing shall be cut off from the king, and thou shalt stand by. 18.14 And Joab said, I will not so go before thee. and he took three tribes in his hand, and thrust them into the heart of Absalom, while he yet lived in the heart of the gods. 18.15 Then ten young men, Joab's armor bearers, turned and struck Absalom and killed him. 18.16 And Joab smote the people with a spear. and the people pursued after Israel. for Joab troubled the people. 18.17 And they took Absalom, and cast him into the forest into the great stone, and raised a very great heap of stones over him. and all Israel fled every man to his tent. 18.18 And Absalom took and set up for himself in his lifetime the pillar that is in the king's dale. for he said, I have no son, that he may remember my name. and he called the pillar after his own name, and called it Absalom's hand unto this day. 18.19 And Ahimaaz the son of Zadok said, I will go and tell the king, that YHVH hath avenged him of the hand of his enemies. 18.20 And Joab said unto him, Thou art not a man of the flesh this day, neither shalt thou be of the flesh another day. and this day shalt thou not bear tidings, because the king's son is dead. 18.21 And Joab said to the blacksmith, Go, tell the king what you have seen. And the blacksmith bowed himself to Joab, and ran. 18.22 And Ahimaaz the son of Zadok answered and said unto Joab, What shall I do, I pray thee, that I also may run after the Cushite? And Joab said, Why run thou, my son? and go, and see, there is no tidings. 18.23 And it came to pass, when he said unto him, Run, Ahimaaz ran by the way of the field, and outran the Cushite. 18.24 And David sat between the two gates, and went up to the roof of the gate unto the wall. and he lifted up his eyes, and looked, and, behold, a man ran alone. 18.25 And the king called the messenger, and told him. And the king said, Is he alone with the news in his mouth? And he went forth and came near. 18.26 And the captain saw another man running, and the captain called to the gate, and said, Behold, a man running alone. And the king said, This also bringeth tidings. 18.27 And the king said, I see the running of the first as the running of Ahimaaz the son of Zadok. And the king said, This is a good man, and he cometh with good tidings. 18.28 And Ahimaaz called, and said unto the king, Peace be unto the king. And he bowed himself with his face to the ground before the king, and said, Blessed be YHVH thy Alhym, which hath delivered up the men that lifted up their hand against my lord the king. 18.29 And the king said unto the servant, Peace be unto Absalom. And Ahimaaz said, I saw the great multitude that sent the king's servant Joab, and thy servant, and I knew not what they were. 18.30 And the king said, "Your grandfather stood thus, and he turned and stood." 18.31 And behold, the black man came and said, The black man, let it be known to my lord the king that YHVH has avenged you this day of all who rose up against you. 18.32 And the king said to the Cushite, Peace be unto the young man, to Absalom. And the Cushite said, The enemies of my lord the king, and all that rise up against thee to do thee harm, shall be as the young man. 19.1 Then the king was wroth, and went up to the top of the gate, and wept, and said thus as he went, O my son Absalom, my son Absalom, who would that I should die in thy stead? O Absalom, my son, my son! 19.2 And it was told Joab, Behold, the king weepeth and mourneth for Absalom. 19.3 And the ninth day was a day of mourning for all the people. for the people heard that day, saying, The king mourneth for his son. 19.4 And the people stole away that day to come to the city, as people that are ashamed steal away in battle. 19.5 And the king set his face to the ground, and the king cried with a loud voice, My son Absalom, my son Absalom, my son 19.6 And Joab came to the king's house, and said, Thou hast this day shamed the faces of all thy servants, which have saved thy life this day, and the lives of thy sons, and of thy daughters, and the lives of thy wives, and the lives of thy concubines. 19.7 To love them that hate thee, and to hate them that love thee. for thou hast declared this day that thou hast neither servants nor servants. for I know this day that Absalom is not alive, and that we are all dead this day. then is it right in thy sight. 19.8 Now therefore arise, go out, and speak kindly to your servants. for I have sworn by YHVH that you shall not go out if any man lodge with you this night. and that will be worse to you than all the evil that has come upon you from your youth until now. 19.9 Then the king arose, and sat in the gate. and they told all the people, saying, Behold, the king sitteth in the gate. And all the people came before the king. but Israel fled every man to his tent. 19.10 And all the people were in judgment 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 because of Absalom. 19.11 And Absalom, who anointed us over you, is dead in battle. and now why do you hurry to bring back the king? 19.12 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? And the word of all Israel came to the king to his house. 19.13 You are my brothers, my flesh and blood, and why should you be the last to bring back the king? 19.14 And as for Amasa, am I not my own flesh and blood? Alhym do so to me, and more also, if I be not captain of the host, thou shalt be for ever under Joab. 19.15 And he turned the heart of all the men of Judah as one man, and sent again to the king, you and all your servants. 19.16 And the king returned, and came as far as Jordan. and Judah came to Gilgal to go to meet the king, to bring the king over Jordan. 19.17 Then Shimei the son of Gera, the son of Jamini, who was of the tribe of Beeroth, hurried and went down with the men of Judah to meet King David. 19.18 And there were with him a thousand men of Benjamin, and Ziba the servant of the house of Saul, and his fifteen sons, and his twenty servants with him, and they passed over Jordan before the king. 19.19 And it came to pass, that the king's house was to be carried over, and that he should do that which was good in his eyes. and Shimei the son of Gera fell before the king, as he was passing over Jordan. 19.20 And he said unto the king, Let not my lord impute iniquity unto me, neither remember that which thy servant did wrong the day that my lord the king went out of Jerusalem, to take the king to heart. 19.21 For your servant knows that I have sinned, and behold, I have come this day the first of all the house of Joseph to come down to meet my lord the king. 19.22 Then Abishai the son of Zeruiah answered and said, This ass shall not be put to death, Shimei, because he cursed YHVH's anointed. 19.23 And David said, What have I to do with you, sons of Zeruiah? That ye should be to me this day as a devil? this day shall a man be put to death in Israel. for I know that this day I am king over Israel. 19.24 And the king said unto Shimei, Thou shalt not die. and the king sware unto him. 19.25 And Mephsah the son of Saul went down to meet the king, and had neither dressed his feet, nor trimmed his mustache, nor washed his clothes, from the day the king came until the day he came in peace. 19.26 And it came to pass, when he came to Jerusalem to meet the king, that the king said unto him, Why wentest thou not with me from Mephibosheth? 19.27 And my lord the king said, My servant, spare me; for thy servant said, I will saddle me an ass, and ride thereon, and go to the king; for thy servant is past the passover. 19.28 And he shall spy out thy servant unto my lord the king. and my lord the king shall be as an angel of Alhym, and shall do that which is good in thy sight. 19.29 For all my father's house were but dead men unto my lord the king, and thou gavest thy servant the bread of thy table. and what more have I to do that I should cry yet unto the king? 19.30 And the king said unto him, Why speakest thou any more of thy words? I have said, Thou and Ziba shall divide the field. 19.31 And Mephibosheth said unto the king, He shall also take all, after that my lord the king cometh in peace to his house. 19.32 And Barzillai the Gileadite went down from the spies, and brought the king over Jordan, to send him over Jordan. 19.33 And Barzillai was a very old man, fourscore years old, and he provided for the king when he returned into the camp. for he was a very great man. 19.34 And the king said to Barzillai, You have gone over with me, and I have provided for you with me in Jerusalem. 19.35 And Barzillai said unto the king, How many days have I yet to live, that I should bring the king up to Jerusalem? 19.36 I am eighty years old this day. Can I discern between good and bad? Can your servant taste what I eat and what I drink? Can I hear any more the sound of singing and dancing? Why should your servant be a burden to my lord the king? 19.37 Your servant will almost cross the Jordan with the king, and why should the king reward me with this reward? 19.38 Let your servant dwell, I pray you, in my city, by the grave of my father and mother. and, behold, your servant will go over with my lord the king, and do for him what is good in your sight. 19.39 And the king said, Let him go with me as they go, and I will do for him that which is good in thine eyes. and whatsoever thou shalt choose of me I will do for thee. 19.40 And all the people passed over Jordan, and the king passed over. and the king gave thanks unto Barzillai, and blessed him, and he returned unto his place. 19.41 And the king passed over Gilgal, and all the people of Judah passed over with him, and the king passed over, and half the people of Israel. 19.42 And behold, all the men of Israel came to the king, and said unto the king, Why have our brethren the men of Judah stolen thee away, and brought the king and his household over Jordan, and all David's men with him? 19.43 And all the men of Judah answered the man of Israel, saying, Because the king is near of kin to me, and why is this matter a matter to you? We will eat of the king's food, if you will bear it to us. 19.44 And the man of Israel answered the man of Judah, and said, I have ten hands in the king, and also in David, and why have you deceived me, and was not my first word to bring back my king? And the word of the man of Judah contradicted the word of the man of Israel. 20.1 And there was a man there called Belial, whose name was Sheba the son of Bichri, a Jeminiite. and he took up his position in Shephar, and said, We have no portion in David, neither have we inheritance in the son of Jesse, nor any inheritance in the tents of Israel. 20.2 And all the men of Israel went up after David, after Sheba the son of Bichri, and the men of Judah clave to their king, from Jordan even to Jerusalem. 20.3 And David came to his house at Jerusalem, and the king took the ten concubines, whom he had left to keep the house, and gave them a house of ward, and provided for them, and came not in unto them. and they were bound until the day of the giving of widows' provisions. 20.4 And the king said to Amasa, Call me the man of Judah within three days, and stand here. 20.5 And Amasa went to call Judah, and delayed the set time that he had appointed. 20.6 And David said to Abishai, Now Sheba the son of Bichri will do us harm, because of Absalom. Take thou thy lord's servants, and pursue after him, lest he find him cities of trouble, and save our eyes. 20.7 And Joab's men, and Kerethi, and Pelethi, and all the men, went out after him, and went out of Jerusalem to pursue after Sheba the son of Bichri. 20.8 They were with the great stone that is in Gibeon, and Amasa went before them, and Joab girded himself with a girdle of brass, and went up with a sword girded upon his loins in a sheath. and he went out and bowed himself. 20.9 And Joab said to Amasa, Peace be with you, my brother. And Joab took Amasa by the beard with his right hand to kiss him. 20.10 But Amasa took no heed to the sword that was in Joab's hand; and he smote him therewith between the ribs, and shed out his bowels to the ground, and lay not down again, and died. And Joab and Abishai his brother pursued after Sheba the son of Bichri. 20.11 Then one of Joab's servants stood by him and said, "Who favors Joab? And who is for David after Joab?" 20.12 And Amasa wallowed in blood in the midst of the highway. and the man saw that all the people stood still. and he brought Amasa out of the highway into the field, and cast a garment upon him, as all that came upon him saw, and he stood still. 20.13 When he turned aside from the highway, every man passed after Joab to pursue Sheba the son of Bichri. 20.14 And he passed through all the tribes of Israel, to Abla, and to Bethmaacah, and to all the tribes, and they comforted him, and came after him. 20.15 And they came and besieged him in mourning at the house of Maachah, and cast up a mound against the city, and all the people that were with Joab stood by to throw down the wall. 20.16 And a wise woman cried out of the city, Hear, hear, and say unto Joab, Come near hither, that I may speak unto thee. 20.17 And he came near unto her, and the woman said, Art thou Joab? And he said, I am. And she said unto him, Hear the words of thy servant. And he said, I am. 20.18 And she said, "They will speak a word at the beginning, saying, "They will ask in mourning," and so they ended. 20.19 I am the one who is faithful to Israel. You seek to destroy a city, and if it is Israel, why should you swallow up the inheritance of YHVH? 20.20 And Joab answered and said, Alhym forbid, Alhym forbid that I should swallow up, or destroy. 20.21 But it is not so. for a man of the hill country of Ephraim, Sheba the son of Bichri, whose name was, hath lifted up his hand against the king, against David. Give him alone, that I may pass over the city. And the woman said unto Joab, Behold, his head is in thine hand to thee over the wall. 20.22 And the woman came to all the people with her wisdom, and they cut off the head of Sheba the son of Bichri, and cast it to Joab. and he blew the trumpet, and they scattered the city every man to his tent. And Joab returned to Jerusalem to the king. 20.23 And Joab went to all the army of Israel, and Benai the son of Jehoiada, on the pillow, and on the scepter. 20.24 And Adranam was over the tribute, and Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud the recorder. 20.25 And Shea of Sefer, and Zadok, and Abiathar, priests. 20.26 And Ira the Hiite was also a priest to David. 21.1 And there was a famine in the days of David three years, year after year. and David sought the face of YHVH. and YHVH said unto Saul, and unto the house of the bloody men, because he slew the Gibeonites. 21.2 Then the king called the Gibeonites, and said unto them, The Gibeonites are not of the children of Israel, but of the remnant of the Amorites; and the children of Israel have sworn unto them. and Saul sought to stain them in his jealousy against the children of Israel and Judah. 21.3 And David said unto the Gibeonites, What shall I do for you? and how shall I make atonement, that ye may bless the inheritance of YHVH? 21.4 And the Gibeonites said unto him, We have no silver nor gold with Saul, nor with his house. neither is there any man with us to put to death in Israel. And he said, What say ye that I should do unto you? 21.5 And they said unto the king, The man that we have consumed, and that is like unto us, we have destroyed him from standing in all the coasts of Israel. 21.6 Let seven men of his sons be given to us, and let them be consecrated to YHVH in the hill of Saul, YHVH's chosen. And the king said, I will give them. 21.7 And the king had compassion on Mephibosheth the son of Jonathan the son of Saul, because of the oath of YHVH which was between David and Jonathan the son of Saul. 21.8 And the king took the two sons of Rizpah the daughter of Aiah, whom she bare unto Saul, Armeni and Mephsabeth, and the five sons of Michal the daughter of Saul, whom she bare unto Adriel the son of Barzillai the Meholathite. 21.9 And he delivered them into the hand of the Gibeonites, and set them up in the mount before YHVH, and they fell seven together, and they died in the days of harvest, in the firstfruits, at the beginning of the harvest of the gates. 21.10 And Rephaiah the daughter of Aiah took the sackcloth, and spread it out for her upon the rock from the beginning of harvest until water came down upon them from heaven; and she suffered not the fowl of the air to rest upon them by day, nor the beast of the field by night. 21.11 And it was told David what Rizpah the daughter of Aiah, Saul's concubine, had done. 21.12 And David went and took the bones of Saul and the bones of Jonathan his son from the men of Jabesh-gilead, who had stolen them from the plain of Beth-shan, where the Philistines had buried them, on the day when the Philistines had slain Saul in Gilboa. 21.13 And he brought up from thence the bones of Saul and the bones of Jonathan his son, and gathered the bones of them that were hanged. 21.14 And they buried the bones of Saul and Jonathan his son in the land of Benjamin in the sepulchre of Kish his father, and they did all that the king commanded. and Alhym turned his face to the land after that. 21.15 And there was war again with the Philistines against Israel. and David went down, and his servants with him, and fought with the Philistines. and David fled. 21.16 And they dwelt in Neb, which was born in the land of Rephah, and the weight thereof was three hundred talents of brass. and he girded himself with a new girdle, and said, Let us smite David. 21.17 And Abishai the son of Zeruiah helped him, and smote the Philistine, and killed him. Then David's men swore to him, saying, Thou shalt go no more out with us to battle, neither shalt thou quench the candle of Israel. 21.18 And it came to pass after this, that there was again war at Gob with the Philistines. then Sibbechai the Hushathite smote the Assyrians, which were in the wilderness. 21.19 And there was again war with the Philistines at Gob. And Elhanan the son of Jeari, the Aramean, the Beth-helalmite, slew Goliath the Gittite, the shaft of whose spear was like a manger of Arameans. 21.20 And there was yet another war at Gath. and there was a Midianite, whose fingers and toes were six and six, twenty and four in number, and he also was a child of Rephaim. 21.21 And he defied Israel, and Jonathan the son of Shimei, David's brother, slew him. 21.22 These four were born to Rephaim in Gath, and they fell by the hand of David, and by the hand of his servants. 22.1 And David spake unto YHVH the words of this song in the day that YHVH delivered him out of the hand of all his enemies, and out of the hand of Saul. 22.2 And YHVH said, My rock, and my fortress, and my refuge. 22.3 The Alhym of my fortress, in him I will take refuge, my shield and my horn, my refuge 22.4 I will sing praises to YHVH, and I will be saved from my enemies. 22.5 For I will hide myself from the snares of death, and the rivers of Belial shall terrify me. 22.6 The cords of Sheol have befallen me, the keys of death have befallen me. 22.7 In my distress I called upon YHVH, and cried unto my Alhym. and he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry entered into his ears. 22.8 And the earth shall tremble and be shaken; the foundations of the heavens shall be moved and be shaken, because he is wroth. 22.9 Smoke went up from his nostrils, and fire from his mouth devoured coals. They were kindled by him. 22.10 He bowed the heavens and came down, and mist was under his feet. 22.11 And he rode upon a cherub, and did fly, and did fly upon the wings of the wind. 22.12 And he made darkness round about him, thick darkness, thick waters, thick clouds. 22.13 Manga before him burned coals of fire 22.14 YHVH will thunder from heaven, and utter his voice on high. 22.15 And he sent arrows, and scattered them with lightning, and they were dismayed. 22.16 And the rivers of the sea shall see, and the channels of the earth shall be uncovered at the rebuke of YHVH, at the blast of the spirit of his wrath. 22.17 He will send from on high, he will take me, he will give me drink from many waters. 22.18 He will deliver me from my fierce enemy, from my hater, for they have oppressed me. 22.19 He will go before me in the day of my hand, and YHVH will be my support. 22.20 He went out into the open field with me; he delivered me, because he delighted in me. 22.21 YHVH will reward me according to my righteousness; he will repay me with his own hands. 22.22 For I have kept the ways of YHVH, and have not wickedly done against my Alhym. 22.23 For all his judgments are against me, and his statutes are not forbidden from her. 22.24 And I will be blameless before him, and I will be preserved from poverty. 22.25 And YHVH shall reward me according to my righteousness, as I am righteous in his sight. 22.26 With a righteous man you will show favor, with a blameless hero you will be pitied. 22.27 With a stubborn person you will be blessed, and with a stubborn person you will be sweetened. 22.28 And you will save the poor people, and you will humble the proud with your eyes. 22.29 For you are the light of YHVH, and YHVH will lighten my darkness. 22.30 For I will run with a troop, in my Alhym I will leap like an ox. 22.31 Alhym is perfect in his way; the word of YHVH is pure; he is a shield to all who take refuge in him. 22.32 For who is Alhym except YHVH? and who is a fortress except our Alhym? 22.33 Alhym is a stronghold of strength and preserves the blameless in his way. 22.34 He will make his feet like a pillar, and upon my death he will set me up. 22.35 I train my hand for war, and I have prepared a bow of bronze. 22.36 And you will give me the shield of your salvation, and your answer will increase me. 22.37 Enlarge my steps under me, that my steps may not stumble. 22.38 I will pursue my enemies and destroy them, and I will not turn back until they are consumed. 22.39 And I will devour them, and crush them, and they shall not rise; they shall fall under my feet. 22.40 And you will equip me with strength for war, you will prevail, rise up under me. 22.41 And my enemies will give me a crown of thorns, and I will kill them. 22.42 They will cry out, and there is none to cry out to YHVH, and he will not answer. 22.43 And I will beat them as the dust of the earth, and as the clay of the streets, I will crush them to the ground. 22.44 And thou hast delivered me from the strife of my people. thou hast made me the head of a people whom I have not known, that they may serve me. 22.45 Foreigners will refuse to listen to me, but they will listen to me. 22.46 Foreigners will wear out and gird themselves with their belts. 22.47 YHVH lives, and blessed is Tyre, and exalted is the Alhym of Tyre, Jesus. 22.48 The Alhym who avenges me and subdues nations under me 22.49 And deliver me from my enemies, and set me up. lift me up from the violent man, and deliver me. 22.50 Therefore I will give thanks to you, O YHVH, among the nations, and sing praises to your name. 22.51 He increases the salvation of his king, and shows mercy to his anointed, to David and to his descendants forever. 23.1 And these are the last words of David. David the son of Jesse spake, and the man that arose upon the anointed of the Alhym of Jacob spake, and the singers of Israel rejoiced. 23.2 The Spirit of YHVH spoke by me, and his word was on my tongue. 23.3 The Alhym of Israel said to me, Speak to the city of Tyre, Israel, and let a righteous man rule, a man who fears Alhym. 23.4 And as the light of the morning shall the sun shine upon the morning, and the grass of the earth shall not be thick with dew. 23.5 For my house is not so with Alhym, but an everlasting covenant is made with me, prepared in all things, and kept, for all my salvation, and all my desire, because it shall not prosper. 23.6 And Belial is like a thorn that they all shake, for they cannot take it with their hands. 23.7 And whoever touches them shall be filled with iron and wood, and they shall be burned with fire on the Sabbath. 23.8 These are the names of the men whom David had, who sat on the Sabbath, and were wise men. the head of the third, he was our witness, and he smote eight hundred men at one time. 23.9 And after him Eleazar the son of Dedi the son of Ahhi, with three men, with David, in their scorn, when the Philistines were gathered there to battle, and the man of Israel went up. 23.10 He arose and smote the Philistines until his hand was weary, and his hand clave unto the sword. and YHVH wrought a great victory that day. and the people returned after him, but to plunder. 23.11 And after him was Shema the son of Agga a mountaineer. and the Philistines were gathered together to eat. and there was a piece of land full of lentils. and the people fled from the Philistines. 23.12 And he stood in the midst of the plain, and delivered it, and smote the Philistines, and YHVH wrought a great victory. 23.13 And thirty of the thirty chief went down, and came to David at the harvest, to the cave of Adullam. and the Philistines pitched in the valley of Rephaim. 23.14 And David was then in the hold, and the garrison of the Philistines was then in Bethlehem. 23.15 And David longed, and said, Oh that one would give me drink of the water of the well of Bethlehem, that is by the gate! 23.16 And three men brake through the camp of the Philistines, and drew water out of the well of Bethlehem, which was by the gate, and took it, and brought it to David. but he would not drink of it, but poured it out unto YHVH. 23.17 And he said, YHVH forbid it me, that I should do this. the blood of the men that go at the risk of their lives, and I will not drink it. these three men have done it. 23.18 And Abishai the brother of Joab, the son of Zeruiah, was chief of the three; for he lifted up his spear against three hundred slain, and had the name of three. 23.19 Of the three, the most honorable was their minister, and he came not even to the three. 23.20 And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, the son of a valiant man of Kabzeel, he smote the two lions of Moab. and he went down and smote the lion in the midst of a pit in a day of snow. 23.21 And he smote an Egyptian that was a scoundrel. and the Egyptian had a spear in his hand. and he went down to him with a spear, and snatched the spear out of the Egyptian's hand, and slew him with his own spear. 23.22 These things did Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and had a name among the three mighty men. 23.23 He was honored among the thirty, but he did not attain to the first three. Therefore David put him in charge of his affairs. 23.24 Elhanan the son of Dedo of Bethlehem did unto Joab's brother in the thirty. 23.25 Her name is Haredi Alika Haredi 23.26 The Philistine Ira son of Akesh the Tekoite 23.27 Abiezer the Hittite, of the sons of Hashish 23.28 Salmon from the Ahachi Mountains 23.29 I have brought forth the son of Baanah, the son of my brother, from the hill of the children of Benjamin. 23.30 Benyahu, the voice of the Pharaonic people from the rivers of Gaash 23.31 Avi Alavon, the Arab, Azmat Al-Bahram, 23.32 Elihab the Shaalbani, the son of Yasin Jonathan 23.33 The name of the Hararite was Ahiam the son of Sherar the Hararite. 23.34 Eliphelet the son of Achsabi, the son of Maachathite, Eliam the son of Ahithophel the Gelite, 23.35 Carmelite Court, Perri Harbi 23.36 Yigal ben Nathan, the son of Gad, a tombstone 23.37 Zalek the Ammonite, Nahari the Barathite, the armor-bearer, Joab the son of Zerahiah. 23.38 Ira Hateri Garb Hateri 23.39 Uriah the Hittite, all thirty-seven 24.1 And the anger of YHVH was kindled against Israel, and he moved David against them, saying, Number Israel and Judah. 24.2 And the king said to Joab the captain of the host that was with him, Go, I pray thee, through all the tribes of Israel, from Dan even to Beersheba, and number the people, that I may know the number of the people. 24.3 And Joab said unto the king, YHVH thy Alhym hath made the people so many as an hundred times so many, and the eyes of my lord the king have seen it. and why doth my lord the king delight in this thing? 24.4 And the king's word prevailed against Joab and the captains of the host. and Joab and the captains of the host went out before the king to number the people and Israel. 24.5 And they crossed the Jordan and camped in the wilderness on the right side of the city, which is in the midst of the brook Gad and Jazer. 24.6 And they came to Gilead, and to the land of the lower parts of Hadash, and to Dan, and to Jaan, and round about unto Sidon. 24.7 And they came from the fortress of Tyre, and from all the cities of the Hivites and Canaanites, and went out to the Negev of Judah, to Beersheba. 24.8 And they went throughout all the land, and came from the end of nine months and twenty days to Jerusalem. 24.9 And Joab gave the number of the captains of the people unto the king. and Israel was numbered eight hundred thousand men that drew sword. and the men of Judah were five hundred thousand men. 24.10 And David's heart smote him after that he had numbered the people. And David said unto YHVH, I have sinned greatly, which I have done. and now, O YHVH, I pray thee, take away the iniquity of thy servant; for I have done very foolishly. 24.11 And David rose up in the morning, and the word of YHVH came unto Gad the prophet David's seer, saying, 24.12 Go and speak unto David, Thus saith YHVH, I offer thee three things. choose thee one of them, and I will do it unto thee. 24.13 And Gad came to David, and told him, and said unto him, Shall seven years of famine come unto thee in thy land? If thou hast fled three months before me, and he pursueth thee? And if thou hast been three days in thy land, know now and see what I shall answer. Send word. 24.14 And David said unto Gad, I am in great distress. let me fall, I pray thee, into the hand of YHVH. for many have mercy upon him. and into the hand of man shall he not be darkened. 24.15 And YHVH sent a word upon Israel from the morning even unto the appointed time. and there died of the people from Dan even to Beersheba seventy thousand men. 24.16 And the angel stretched out his hand upon Jerusalem to destroy it. and YHVH relented from the evil, and said unto the angel that destroyed many people, Stay now thine hand. and the angel of YHVH was with the threshingfloor, and dried it up. 24.17 And David spake unto YHVH when he saw the angel that smote the people, and said, Behold, I have sinned, and I have done wickedly. and these sheep, what have they done? let thine hand, I pray thee, be upon me, and upon my father's house. 24.18 And Gad came that day to David, and said unto him, Go up, build an altar unto YHVH in the threshingfloor of Arnon the Hivite. 24.19 And David went up according to the word of Gad, as YHVH commanded. 24.20 And when he looked, he saw the king and his servants passing by him. And he went out, and bowed himself to the king with his face to the ground. 24.21 And Araunah said, Why is my lord the king come to his servant? And David said, To buy the threshing floor of thee, to build an altar unto YHVH. and the plague is stayed from the people. 24.22 And Araunah said unto David, Let my lord the king take and offer up what is good in his sight, and let him see the oxen for the burnt offering, and the threshing instruments, and the oxen for the wood. 24.23 All that King Araunah gave to the king, and Araunah said to the king, YHVH your Alhym has blessed you. 24.24 And the king said unto Araunah, Nay, but I will buy it of thee for a price. neither will I offer unto YHVH my Alhym a burnt offering which cost me nothing. And David bought the threshingfloor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver. 24.25 And David built there an altar unto YHVH, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings. and YHVH turned unto the land, and the plague was stayed from Israel.