Absalom kills Amnon.

II. SAMUEL.

Joab suborns the widow.

nistered unto him, and said, Put now this all the young men the king's sons; for woman out from me, and bolt the door af- Amnon only is dead: for by the appointter her. ment of Absalom this hath been determin18 And she had a garment of divers ed from the day that he forced his sister colours upon her: for with such robes were Tamar.

the king's daughters that were virgins ap- 33 Now therefore let not my lord the pareiled. Then his servant brought her king take the thing to his heart, to think out, and bolted the door after her. that all the king's sons are dead: for Am

19¶ And Tamar put ashes on her head, non only is dead. and rent her garment of divers colours that 34 But Absalom fled. And the young was on her, and laid her hand on her head, man that kept the watch lifted up his eyes, and went on crying. and looked, and behold, there came much

20 And Absalom her brother said unto people by the way of the hill-side behind her, Hath Amnon thy brother been with him.

thee? but hold now thy peace, my sister: 35 And Jonadab said unto the king, he is thy brother; regard not this thing. Behold, the king's sons come: as thy serSo Tamar remained desolate in her bro- vant said, so it is.

ther Absalom's house.

36 And it came to pass, as soon as he

21 ¶ But when king David heard of had made an end of speaking, that beall these things, he was very wroth. hold, the king's sons came, and lifted up

22 And Absalom spake unto his brother their voice and wept: and the king also Amnon neither good nor bad: for Absa- and all his servants wept very sore. lom hated Amnon, because he had forced 37 But Absalom fled, and went to his sister Tamar. Talmai, the son of Ammihud, king of Ge

23 And it came to pass after two full shur. And David mourned for his son years, that Absalom had sheep-shearers in every day.

Baal-hazor, which is beside Ephraim: 38 So Absalom fled, and went to Geand Absalom invited all the king's sons. shur, and was there three years.

24 And Absalom came to the king, and 39 And the soul of king David longed to said, Behold now, thy servant hath sheep-go forth unto Absalom: for he was comfortshearers: let the king, I beseech thee, ed concerning Amnon, seeing he was dead. and his servants go with thy servant.

CHAP. XIV.

Joab the son of Zeruiah perceiv

25 And the king said to Absalom, Nayed that the king's heart was toward my son, let us not all now go, lest we be

he

chargeable unto thee. And he pressed Absalom. him how beit he would not go, but bless- 2 And Joab sent to Tekoah, and fetched him. ed thence a wise woman, and said unto 26 Then said Absalom, If not, I pray her, I pray thee, feign thyself to be a thee, let my brother Amnon go with us. mourner, and put on now mourning appaAnd the king said unto him, Why should rel, and anoint not thyself with oil, but be go with thee? as a woman that had a long time mourned 27 But Absalom pressed him, that he for the dead: let Amnon and all the king's sons go with 3 And come to the king, and speak on him. this manner unto him. So Joab put the 28 Now Absalom had commanded words in her mouth. his servants, saying, Mark ye now when 4 T And when the woman of Tekoab Amnon's heart is merry with wine, and spake to the king, she fell on her face to when I say unto you, Smite Amnon; then the ground, and did obeisance, and said, kill him, fear not have not I commanded Help, O king. you? be courageous, and be valiant.

5 And the king said unto her, What ail

29 And the servants of Absalom did unto eth thee? And she answered, I am indeed Amnon as Absalon had commanded. Then a widow woman, and my husband is dead. all the king's sons arose, and every man 6 And thy handmaid had two sons, and gat him up upon his mule, and fled. they two strove together in the field, and

30 And it came to pass, while they there was none to part them, but the one were in the way, that tidings came to Da-smote the other, and slew him. vid, saying, Absalom hath slain all the 7 And behold, the whole family is risen king's sons, and there is not one of them against thy handmaid, and they said, left. Deliver him that smote his brother, that 31 Then the king arose, and tare his we may kill him, for the life of his brother garments and lay on the earth; and all his whom he slew; and we will destroy the servants stood by with their clothes rent. heir also: and so they shall quench my 32 And Jonadab, the son of Shimeah, coal which is left, and shall not leave to David's brother, answered and said, Let my husband neither name nor remainder not my lord suppose that they have slain, upon the earth.

The andow of Tekoah's parable. CHAP. XV.

Absalom returns.

8 And the king said unto the woman, of an angel of God, to know all things Go to thy house, and I will give charge that are in the earth. concerning thee.

9 And the woman of Tekoah said unto the king, My lord, O king, the iniquity be on me, and on my father's house: and the king and his throne be guiltless.

21 ¶ And the king said unto Joab, Behold now, I have done this thing: go therefore, bring the young man Absalom again.

22 And Joab fell to the ground on his face, and bowed himself, and thanked the king: and Joab said, To-day thy servant

10 And the king said, Whosoever saith aught unto thee, bring him to me, and he knoweth that I have found grace in thy shall not touch thee any more.

1

sight, my lord, O king, in that the king hath fulfilled the request of his servant. 23 So Joab arose and went to Geshur,

11 Then said she, I pray thee, let the king remember the LORD thy God, that thou wouldest not suffer the revengers of and brought Absalom to Jerusalem. blood to destroy any more, lest they de- 24 And the king said, Let him turn to stroy my son. And he said, As the LORD his own house, and let him not see my face. liveth, there shall not one hair of thy son So Absalom returned to his own house, fall to the earth. and saw not the king's face.

12 Then the woman said, Let thy 25 ¶ But in all Israel there was none to handmaid, I pray thee, speak one word be so much praised as Absalom for his unto my lord the king. And he said, Say on. beauty: from the sole of his foot even to 13 And the woman said, Wherefore the crown of his head there was no blethen hast thou thought such a thing against mish in him.

the people of God? for the king doth 26 And when he polled his head, (for it speak this thing as one which is faulty, in was at every year's end that he polled it; that the king doth not fetch home again because the hair was heavy on him, therebis banished. fore he polled it;) be weighed the hair of 14 For we must needs die, and are as his head at two hundred shekels after the water spilt on the ground, which cannot king's weight.

be gathered up again; neither doth God 27 And unto Absalom there were born respect any person: yet doth he devise three sons, and one daughter, whose name means, that his banished be not expelled was Tamar: she was a woman of a fair from him.

15 Now therefore that I am come to speak of this thing unto my lord the king, is because the people have made me afraid and thy handmaid said, I will now speak unto the king; it may be that the king will perform the request of his handmaid.

16 For the king will hear, to deliver his handmaid out of the hand of the man that would destroy me and my son together out of the inheritance of God.

countenance.

28 ¶ So Absalom dwelt two full years in Jerusalem, and saw not the king's face.

29 Therefore Absalom sent for Joab, to have sent him to the king; but he would not come to him: and when he sent again the second time, he would not come.

30 Therefore he said unto his servants, See, Joab's field is near mine, and he hath barley there; go and set it on fire. And Absalom's servants set the field on fire. 31 Then Joab arose, and came to Ab17 Then thy handmaid said, The salom unto his house, and said unto him, word of my lord the king shall now be Wherefore have thy servants set my field comfortable: for as an angel of God, so is on fire? my lord the king to discern good and bad: 32 And Absalom answered Joab, Betherefore the LORD thy God will be with hold, I sent unto thee, saying, Come hither, thee. that I may send thee to the king, to say, 18 Then the king answered and said Wherefore am I come from Geshur? it had unto the woman, Hide not from me, I pray been good for me to have been there still: thee, the thing that I shall ask thee. And now therefore let me see the king's face; the woman said, Let my lord the king now and if there be any iniquity in me, let him speak. kill me.

19 And the king said, Is not the hand of 33 So Joab came to the king, and told Joab with thee in all this? And the woman him: and when he had called for Absaanswered and said, As thy soul liveth, my lom, he came to the king, and bowed himlord the king, none can turn to the right self on his face to the ground before the hand or to the left from aught that my lord king: and the king kissed Absalom. the king hath spoken: for thy servant Joab, he bade me, and he put all these words in the mouth of thy handmaid:

CHAP. XV.

ND it came to pass after this, that Absalom prepared him chariots and 20 To fetch about this form of speech horses, and fifty men to run before him. hath thy servant Joab done this thing: and 2 And Absalom rose up early, and stood my lord is wise, according to the wisdom beside the way of the gate: and it was so,

The conspiracy of Absalom.

II. SAMUEL. David flees from Jerusalem.

that when any man that had a controversy side him; and all the Cherethites, and came to the king for judgment, then Absa- all the Pelethites, and all the Gittites, lom called unto him, and said, Of what six hundred men which came after him city art thou? And he said, Thy servant from Gath, passed on before the king. is of one of the tribes of Israel. 19 Then said the king to Ittai the 3 And Absalom said unto him, See, thy Gittite, Wherefore goest thou also with us? matters are good and right; but there is return to thy place, and abide with the no man deputed of the king to hear thee. king; for thou art a stranger, and also an

20 Whereas thou camest but yesterday,

4 Absalom said moreover, Oh that exile. were made judge in the land, that every man which hath any suit or cause might should I this day make thee go up and come unto me, and I would do him justice! down with us? seeing I go whither I may; 5 And it was so, that when any man return thou, and take back thy brethren: came nigh to him to do him obeisance, be mercy and truth be with thee. put forth his hand, and took him, and 21 And Ittai answered the king, and kissed him. said, As the LORD liveth, and as my lord

6 And on this manner did Absalom to the king liveth, surely in what place my all Israel that came to the king for judg-lord the king shall be, whether in death or ment: so Absalom stole the hearts of the life, even there also will thy servant be. men of Israel.

7 And it came to pass after forty years, that Absalom said unto the king, I pray thee, let me go and pay my vow, which I have vowed unto the LORD, in Hebron. 8 For thy servant vowed a vow while I abode at Geshur in Syria, saying, If the LORD shall bring me again indeed to Jerusalem, then I will serve the LORD.

22 And David said to Ittai, Go and pass over. And Ittai the Gittite passed over, and all his men, and all the little ones that were with him.

23 And all the country wept with a loud voice, and all the people passed over: the king also himself passed over the brook Kidron, and all the people passed over, toward the way of the wilderness.

24 And lo, Zadok also, and all the Levites were with him, bearing the ark of the covenant of God: and they set down the ark of God; and Abiathar went up, until all the people had done passing out

9 And the king said unto him, Go in peace. So he arose, and went to Hebron. 10 But Absalom sent spies throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, As soon as ye hear the sound of the trumpet, then ye shail say, Absalom reigneth in Hebron. of the city. 11 And with Absalom went two hun- 25 And the king said unto Zadok, Carry dred men out of Jerusalem, that were call-back the ark of God into the city: if I ed; and they went in their simplicity, and shall find favour in the eyes of the LORD, they knew not any thing. he will bring me again, and shew me both 12 And Absalom sent for Ahithophel it, and his habitation: the Gilonite, David's counsellor, from his city, even from Giloh, while he offered sacrifices. And the conspiracy was strong; for the people increased continually with Absalom.

26 But if he thus say, I have no delight in thee; behold, here am I, let him do to me as seemeth good unto him.

27 The king said also unto Zadok the priest, Art not thou a seer? return into the 13 And there came a messenger to city in peace, and your two sons with you, David, saying, The hearts of the men of Ahimaaz thy son, and Jonathan the son of Israel are after Absalom. Abiathar.

14 And David said unto all his servants 28 See, I will tarry in the plain of the that were with him at Jerusalem, Arise, and wilderness, until there come word from let us flee; for we shall not else escape you to certify me.

from Absalom: make speed to depart, lest 29 Zadok therefore and Abiathar carhe overtake us suddenly, and bring evil ried the ark of God again to Jerusalem: upon us, and smite the city with the edge and they tarried there.

of the sword. 30 And David went up by the ascent 15 And the king's servants said unto the of mount Olivet, and wept as he went up, king, Behold, thy servants are ready to do and had his head covered, and he went whatsoever my lord the king shall appoint. barefoot: and all the people that was 16 And the king went forth, and all his with him covered every man his head, and household after him. And the king left they went up, weeping as they went up. ten women which were concubines to keep 31 ¶ And one told David, saying, Ahithe house. thophel is among the conspirators with 17 And the king went forth, and all the Absalom. And David said, O LORD, I people after him, and tarried in a place pray thee, turn the counsel of Ahithophel that was far off. into foolishness.

18 And all his servants passed on be

32 And it came to pass, that when

Shimei curses David.

CHAP. XVI.

Ahithophel's counsel. David was come to the top of the mount, stead thou hast reigned; and the LORD where he worshipped God, behold, Hu- hath delivered the kingdom into the hand shai the Archite came to meet him with of Absalom thy son: and behold, thou art his coat rent, and earth upon his head: taken in thy mischief, because thou art a 33 Unto whom David said, If thou bloody man. passest on with me, then thou shalt be a burden unto me:

34 But if thou return to the city, and say unto Absalom, I will be thy servant, Oking; as I have been thy father's servant hitherto, so will I now also be thy servant: then mayest thou for me defeat the counsel of Ahithophel.

9 Then said Abishai the son of Zeruiah unto the king, Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? let me go over, I pray thee, and take off his head.

10 And the king said, What have I to do with you, ye sons of Zeruiah? so let him curse, because the LORD hath said unto him, Curse David. Who shall then say, Wherefore hast thou done so?

35 And hast thou not there with thee Zadok and Abiathar the priests? therefore 11 And David said to Abishai, and to it shall be, that what thing soever thou all his servants, Bebold, my son, which shalt hear out of the king's house, thou came forth of my bowels, seeketh my life: chalt tell it to Zadok and Abiathar the how much more now may this Benjamite priests. do it? let him alone, and let him curse; 36 Behold, they have there with them for the LORD hath bidden him. their two sons, Ahimaaz, Zadok's son, and 12 It may be that the LORD will look Jonathan, Abiathar's son; and by them ye on mine affliction, and that the LORD will shall send unto me every thing that ye can hear.

37 So Hushai, David's friend came into the city, and Absalom came into Jerusalem. CHAP. XVI.

requite me good for his cursing this day.

13 And as David and his men went by the way, Shimei went along on the hill's side over against him, and cursed as he went, and threw stones at him, and cast dust. 14 And the king, and all the people that top of the hill, behold, Ziba the ser- were with him, came weary, and refreshed vant of Mephibosheth met him, with a themselves there.

AND when David was a little past the

couple of asses saddled, and upon them 15 And Absalom, and all the people two hundred loaves of bread, and a hun- the men of Israel, came to Jerusalem, and dred bunches of raisins, and a hundred Ahithophel with him.

of summer fruits, and a bottle of wine.

16 And it came to pass, when Hushai the Archite, David's friend, was come unto Absalom, that Hushai said unto Absalom, God save the king, God save the king.

2 And the king said unto Ziba, What meanest thou by these? And Ziba said, The asses be for the king's household to ride on; and the bread and summer fruit 17 And Absalom said to Hushai, Is this for the young men to eat; and the wine, thy kindness to thy friend? why wentest that such as be faint in the wilderness may thou not with thy friend? drink.

18 And Hushai said unto Absalom, 3 And the king said, And where is thy Nay; but whom the LORD, and this peomaster's son? And Ziba said unto the ple, and all the men of Israel choose, his king, Behold, he abideth at Jerusalem: will I be, and with him will I abide. for he said, To-day shall the house of Is- 19 And again, whom should I serve? rael restore me the kingdom of my father. should I not serve in the presence of his 4 Then said the king to Ziba, Behold, son? as I have served in thy father's prethine are all that pertained unto Mephibo-sence, so will I be in thy presence. sheth. And Ziba said, I humbly beseech 20 ¶ Then said Absalom to Ahithophel, thee that I may find grace in thy sight, my Give counsel among you what we shall do. lord, O king. 21 And Ahithophel said unto Absalom,

5 And when king David came to Bahu-Go in unto thy father's concubines, which sim, behold, thence came out a man of he hath left to keep the house; and all Isthe family of the house of Saul, whose rael shall hear that thou art abhorred of thy name was Shimei, the son of Gera: he father: then shall the hands of all that are came forth, and cursed still as he came.

6 And he cast stones at David, and at all the servants of king David: and all the people and all the mighty men were on his right hand and on his left.

7 And thus said Shimei when he cursed, Come out, come out, thou bloody man, and thou man of Belial:

with thee be strong.

22 So they spread Absalom a tent upon the top of the house; and Absalom went in unto his father's concubines in the sight of all Israel.

23 And the counsel of Ahithophel, which he counselled in those days, was as if a man had inquired at the oracle of 8 The LORD hath returned upon thee God: so was all the counsel of Ahithophel all the blood of the house of Saul, in whose both with David and with Absalom

Hushar's counsel accepted.

CHAP. XVII.

II. SAMUEL.

Ahithophel hangs himself. the intent that the LORD might bring evil

MOREOVER, Ahitophel said unto upon Absalom,

Absalom, Let me now choose out 15 ¶ Then said Hushai unto Zadok and twelve thousand men, and I will arise and to Abiathar the priests, Thus and thus did pursue after David this night: Ahithophel counsel Absalom and the el2 And I will come upon him while he ders of Israel; and thus and thus have I is weary and weak-handed, and will make counselled. him afraid and all the people that are with him shall flee; and I will smite the king only:

3 And I will bring back all the people unto thee: the man whom thou seekest is as if all returned: so all the people shall be in peace.

4 And the saying pleased Absalom well, and all the elders of Israel.

5 Then said Absalom, Call now Hushai the Archite also, and let us hear likewise what he saith.

16 Now therefore send quickly, and tell David, saying, Lodge not this night in the plains of the wilderness, but speedily pass over; lest the king be swallowed up, and all the people that are with him.

17 Now Jonathan and Ahimaaz stayed by En-rogel; for they might not be seen to come into the city: and a wench went and told them; and they went and told king David.

18 Nevertheless, a lad saw them, and told Absalom: but they went both of them 6 And when Hushai was come to Absa-away quickly, and came to a man's house lom, Absalom spake unto him, saying, in Bahurim, which had a well in his court; Ahithophei hath spoken after this manner: whither they went down. shall we do after h's saying? if not, speak thou.

19 And the woman took and spread a covering over the well's mouth, and spread 7 And Hushai said unto Absalom, The ground corn thereon; and the thing was counsel that Abithophel hath given is not not known. good at this time.

20 And when Absalom's servants came

8 For, said Hushai, thou knowest thy to the woman to the house, they said, father and his men, that they be mighty Where is Ahimaaz and Jonathan? And men, and they be chafed in their minds, as the woman said unto them, They be gone bear robbed of her whelps in the field: over the brook of water. And when they and thy father is a man of war, and will had sought and could not find them, they not lodge with the people. returned to Jerusalem.

9 Behold, he is hid now in some pit, or 21 And it came to pass, after they were in some other place: and it will come to departed, that they came up out of the pass, when some of them be overthrown at well, and went and told king David, and the first, that whosoever heareth it will said unto David, Arise, and pass quickly say, There is a slaughter among the peo- over the water: for thus hath Ahithophel ple that follow Absalom. counselled against you.

10 And he also that is valiant, whose 22 Then David arose, and all the peoheart is as the heart of a lion, shall utterly ple that were with him, and they passed melt: for all Israel knoweth that thy father over Jordan: by the morning light there is a mighty man, and they which be with lacked not one of them that was not gone him are valiant men.

over Jordan.

11 Therefore I counsel that all Israel 23 ¶ And when Ahithophel saw that be generally gathered unto thee, from Dan his counsel was not followed, he saddled even to Beer-sheba, as the sand that is by his ass, and arose,and gat him home to his the sea for multitude; and that thou go to house, to his city, and put his household in battle in thine own person. order, and hanged himself, and died, and 12 So shall we come upon him in some was buried in the sepulchre of his father. place where he shall be found, and we will 24 Then David came to Mahanaimn. light upon him as the dew falleth on the And Absalom passed over Jordan, he and ground: and of him and of all the men all the men of Israel with him. that are with him there shall not be left so 25 T And Absalom made Amasa capmuch as one. tain of the host instead of Joab: which

13 Moreover, if he be gotten into a Amasa was a man's son, whose name was city, then shall all Israel bring ropes to Ithra, an Israelite, that went in to Abigail that city, and we will draw it into the river, the daughter of Nahash, sister to Zeruiah, until there be not one small stone found Joab's mother.

there.

26 So Israel and Absalom pitched in the 14 And Absalom and all the men of Is-land of Gilead. rael said, The counsel of Hushai the Ar- 27 And it came to pass, when David chite is better than the counsel of Ahitho-was come to Mahanaim, that Shobi the son phel. For the LORD had appointed to of Nahash of Rabbah of the children of defeat the good counsel of Ahithophel, to Ammon, and Machir the son of Ammiel of