David sends for Mephibosheth. II. SAMUEL.

He sends to comfort Hanun were on the servants of Hadadezer, and Jonathan, the son of Saul, was come unto brought them to Jerusalem. David, he fell on his face, and did reve 8 And from Betah, and from Berothai, rence. And David said, Mephibosheth. cities of Hadadezer, king David took ex- And he answered, Behold thy servant! ceeding much brass. 7¶ And David said unto him, Fear not: 9 When Toi king of Hamath heard for I will surely shew thee kindness for Jothat David had smitten all the host of Ha- nathan thy father's sake, and will restore dadezer, thee all the land of Saul thy father; and 10 Then Toi sent Joram his son unto thou shalt eat bread at my table continually. king David, to salute him, and to bless him, 8 And he bowed himself, and said, What because he had fought against Hadadezer, is thy servant, that thou shouldest look upand smitten him: (for Hadadezer had on such a dead dog as I am?

wars with Toi.) And Joram brought with 9 Then the king called to Ziba, Saul's him vessels of silver, and vessels of gold, servant, and said unto him, I have given and vessels of brass: unto thy master's son all that pertained to Saul, and to all his house.

11 Which also king David did dedicate unto the LORD, with the silver and gold that he had dedicated of all nations which he subdued;

12 Of Syria, and of Moab, and of the children of Ammon, and of the Philistines, and of Amalek, and of the spoil of Hadadezer son of Rehob, king of Zobah.

10 Thou therefore, and thy sons, and thy servants, shall till the land for him, and thou shalt bring in the fruits that thy master's son may have food to eat but Mephibosheth thy master's son shall eat bread alway at my table. Now Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants.

13 And David gat him a name when he 11 Then said Ziba unto the king, Acreturned from smiting of the Syrians in the cording to all that my lord the king hath valley of Salt, being eighteen thousand men. commanded his servant, so shall thy ser14 And he put garrisons in Edom; vant do. As for Mephibosheth, said the throughout all Edom put he garrisons, and king, he shall eat at my table, as one of the all they of Edom became David's servants. king's sons. And the LORD preserved David whithersoever he went.

12 And Mephibosheth had a young son, whose name was Micha. And all that 15 And David reigned over all Israel; dwelt in the house of Ziba were servants and David executed judgment and justice unto Mephibosheth. unto all his people.

13 So Mephibosheth dwelt in Jerusa16 And Joab the son of Zeruiah was lem: for he did eat continually at the king's over the host; and Jehoshaphat the son of table; and was lame on both his feet. Ahilud was recorder; CHAP. X.

17 And Zadok the son of Ahitub, and Ahimelech the son of Abiathar, were the priests; and Seraiah was the scribe ;

AND it came to pass after this, that the
king of the children of Ammon died,
and Hanun his son reigned in his stead.
2 Then said David, I will shew kind-

18 And Benajah the son of Jehoiada was over both the Cherethites and the Peleth-ness unto Hanun the son of Nahash, as his ites; and David's sons were chief rulers.

CHAP. IX.

And

father shewed kindness unto me.
David sent to comfort him by the hand of

AND David said, Is there yet any that his servants for his father. And David's

is left of the house of Saul, that I may shew him kindness for Jonathan's sake?

servants came into the land of the children of Ammon.

2 And there was of the house of Saul a 3 And the princes of the children of servant whose name was Ziba. And when Ammon said unto Hanun their lord, Thinkthey had called him unto David, the king est thou that David doth honour thy father, said unto him, Art thou Ziba? And he said, that he hath sent comforters unto thee? Thy servant is he. hath not David rather sent his servants un

3 And the king said, Is there not yet any to thee, to search the city, and to spy it of the house of Saul, that I may shew the out, and to overthrow it?

kindness of God unto him? And Ziba said 4 Wherefore Hanun took David's serunto the king, Jonathan hath yet a son, vants, and shaved off the one half of their which is lame on his feet. beards, and cut off their garments in the middle, even to their buttocks, and sent

4 And the king said unto him, Where is he? And Ziba said unto the king, Behold, them away. he is in the house of Machir, the son of Ammiel, in Lo-debar.

5 When they told it unto David, he sent to meet them, because the men were 5 Then king David sent, and fetched greatly ashamed. And the king said, him out of the house of Machir, the son of Tarry at Jericho until your beards be Ammiel, from Lo-debar. grown, and then return.

6 Now when Mephibosheth, the son of 6 T And when the children of Ammon

Ammonites and Syrians overcome. CHAP. XI.

David commits adultery.

saw that they stank before David, the his servants with him, and all Israel; and children of Ammon sent and hired the Sy- they destroyed the children of Ammon, rians of Beth-rehob, and the Syrians of and besieged Rabbah. But David tarried Zoba, twenty thousand footmen, and of still at Jerusalem.

king Maacah a thousand men, and of Ish- 2 And it came to pass in an evening; tob twelve thousand men. tide, that David arose from off his bed, and 7 And when David heard of it, he sent walked upon the roof of the king's house: Joab, and all the host of the mighty men. and from the roof he saw a woman wash8 Ánd the children of Ammon came out, ing herself; and the woman was very and put the battle in array at the entering beautiful to look upon.

in of the gate and the Syrians of Zobah 3 And David sent and inquired after and of Rehob, and Ish-tob, and Maacah the woman. And one said, Is not this were by themselves in the field. Bath-sheba the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?

4 And David sent messengers and took

9 When Joab saw that the front of the battle was against him before and behind, he chose of all the choice men of Israel, and her and she came in unto him, and he lay put them in array against the Syrians:

10 And the rest of the people he delivered into the hand of Abishai his brother, that he might put them in array against the children of Ammon.

11 And he said, If the Syrians be too strong for me, then thou shalt help me but if the children of Ammon be too strong for thee, then I will come and help thee.

12 Be of good courage, and let us play the men for our people, and for the cities of our God: and the LORD do that which seemeth him good.

13 And Joab drew nigh, and the people that were with him, unto the battle against the Syrians: and they fled before him.

14 And when the children of Ammon saw that the Syrians were fled, then fled they also before Abishai, and entered into the city. So Joab returned from the children of Ammon, and came to Jerusalem. 15 And when the Syrians saw that they were smitten before Israel, they gathered themselves together.

with her; (for she was purified from her uncleanness;) and she returned unto her house. 5 And the woman conceived, and sent and told David, and said, I am with child. 6 And David sent to Joab, saying, Send me Uriah the Hittite. And Joab sent Uriah to David.

7 And when Uriah was come unto him, David demanded of him how Joab did, and how the people did, and how the war prospered.

8 And David said to Uriah, Go down to thy house, and wash thy feet. And Uriah departed out of the king's house, and there followed him a mess of meat from the king.

9 But Uriah slept at the door of the king's house with all the servants of his lord, and went not down to his house.

10 And when they had told David, saying, Uriah went not down unto his house, David said unto Uriah, Camest thou not from thy journey? why then didst thou not go down unto thine house?

16 And Hadarezer sent, and brought out 11 And Uriah said unto David, The ark, the Syrians that were beyond the river: and Israel, and Judah, abide in tents; and and they came to Helam: and Shobach my lord Joab, and the servants of my lord the captain of the host of Hadarezer went are encamped in the open fields; shall I before them.

17 And when it was told David, he gathered all Israel together, and passed over Jordan, and came to Helam. And the Syrians set themselves in array against David, and fought with him.

then go into mine house, to eat and to drink, and to lie with my wife? As thou livest, and as thy soul liveth, I will not do this thing.

12 And David said to Uriah, Tarry here to-day also, and to-morrow I will let 18 And the Syrians fled before Israel; thee depart. So Uriah abode in Jerusaand David slew the men of seven hundred lem that day and the morrow. chariots of the Syrians, and forty thousand 13 And when David had called him, he horsemen, and smote Shobach the captain did eat and drink before him; and he made of their host, who died there. him drunk: and at even he went out to lie on his bed with the servants of his lord, but went not down to his house.

19 And when all the kings that were servants to Hadarezer saw that they were smitten before Israel, they made peace with 14 ¶ And it came to pass in the morning, Israel, and served them. So the Syrians that David wrote a letter to Joab, and sent feared to help the children of Ammon any it by the hand of Uriah.

more.

CHAP. XI.

15 And he wrote in the letter, saying, Set ye Uriah in the forefront of the hottest

AND it came to pass, after the year was battle, and retire ve from him, that he may expired, at the time when kings go be smitten, and die. forth to battle, that David sent Joab, and

16 And it came to pass, when Joab ob

Uriah is slain.

II. SAMUEL.

The parable of Nathan. served the city, that he assigned Uriah way-faring man that was come unto him; unto a place where he knew that valiant but took the poor man's lamb, and dressed it for the man that was come to him.

men were.

17 And the men of the city went out, and fought with Joab: and there fell some of the people of the servants of David; and Uriah the Hittite died also.

18 Then Joab sent and told David all the things concerning the war;

19 And charged the messenger, saying, When thou hast made an end of telling the matters of the war unto the king,

20 And if so be that the king's wrath arise, and he say unto thee, Wherefore approached ye so nigh unto the city when ye did fight? knew ye not that they would shoot from the wall?

5 And David's anger was greatly kindled against the man; and he said to Nathan, As the LORD liveth, the man that hath done this thing shall surely die.

6 And he shall restore the lamb fourfold, because he did this thing, and be. cause he had no pity.

7 And Nathan said to David, Thou art the man. Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, I anointed thee king over Israel, and I delivered thee out of the hand of Saul;

8 And I gave thee thy master's house, and thy master's wives into thy bosom,, 21 Who smote Abimelech the son of and gave thee the house of Israel and of Jerub-besheth? did not a woman cast a Judah; and if that had been too little, I piece of a mill-stone upon him from the would moreover have given unto thee such wall that he died in Thebez? why went and such things. ye nigh the wall? Then say thou, Thy servant Uriah the Hittite is dead also. 22 ¶ So the messenger went, and came and shewed David all that Joab had sent him for.

9 Wherefore hast thou despised the commandment of the LORD, to do evil in his sight? thou hast killed Uriah the Hittite with the sword, and hast taken his wife to be thy wife, and hast slain him with 23 And the messenger said unto David, the sword of the children of Ammon. Surely the men prevailed against us, and 10 Now therefore the sword shall never came out unto us into the field, and we were depart from thine house; because thou upon them even unto the entering of the gate. hast despised me, and hast taken the wife 24 And the shooters shot from off the of Uriah the Hittite to be thy wife. wall upon thy servants: and some of the king's servants be dead, and thy servant Uriah the Hittite is dead also.

11 Thus saith the LORD, Behold I will raise up evil against thee out of thine own house, and I will take thy wives before 25 Then David said unto the messen- thine eyes, and give them unto thy neighger, Thus shalt thou say unto Joab, Let not bour, and he shall lie with thy wives in this thing displease thee, for the sword de-the sight of this sun.

voureth one as well as another: make thy 12 For thou didst it secretly: but I will battle more strong against the city, and do this thing before all Israel, and before overthrow it: and encourage thou him. the sun.

26 T And when the wife of Uriah heard that Uriah her husband was dead, she mourned for her husband.

27 And when the mourning was past, David sent and fetched her to his house, and she became his wife, and bare him a son. But the thing that David had done displeased the LORD.

CHAP. XII.

13 And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the LORD. And Nathan said unto David, The LORD also hath put away thy sin; thou shalt not die.

14 Howbeit, because by this deed thou hast given great occasion to the enemies of the LORD to blaspheme, the child also that is born unto thee shall surely die. 15 T And Nathan departed unto his

AND the LORD sent Nathan unto Da- house. And the LORD struck the child

vid. And he came unto him, and that Uriah's wife bare unto David, and it said unto him, There were two men in one was very sick. city; the one rich, and the other poor.

2 The rich man had exceeding many flocks and herds:

:

16 David therefore besought God for the child; and David fasted, and went in, and lay all night upon the earth.

17 And the elders of his house arose, and went to him, to raise him up from the earth: but he would not, neither did he eat bread with them.

3 But the poor man had nothing save one little ewe-lamb, which he had bought and nourished up and it grew up together with him, and with his children; it did eat of his own meat, and drank of his own cup, 18 And it came to pass on the seventh and lay in his bosom, and was unto him as day, that the child died. And the servants a daughter. of David feared to tell him that the child 4 And there came a traveller unto the was dead: for they said, Behold while the rich man, and he spared to take of his own child was yet alive, we spake unto him, flock and of his own herd, to dress for the land he would not hearken unto our voice:

Solomon is born.

CHAP. XIII.

Amnon loves Tamar. how will he then vex himself, if we tell fell sick for his sister Tamar; for she was him that the child is dead? a virgin; and Amnon thought it hard for 19 But when David saw that his ser-him to do any thing to her. vants whispered, David perceived that 3 But Amnon had a friend, whose name the child was dead: therefore David said was Jonadab, the son of Shimeah David's unto his servants, Is the child dead? And brother: andJonadab was a very subtle man. they said, He is dead. 4 And he said unto him, Why art thou, 20 Then David arose from the earth, being the king's son, lean from day to day and washed, and anointed himself, and wilt thou not tell me? And Amnon said changed his apparel, and came into the unto him, I love Tamar, my brother Abhouse of the LORD, and worshipped: then salom's sister. he came to his own house; and when he 5 And Jonadab said unto him, Lay thee required, they set bread before him, and down on thy bed, and make thyself sick: he did eat. and when thy father cometh to see thee, 21 Then said his servants unto him, say unto him, I pray thee, let my sister What thing is this that thou hast done? Tamar come, and give me meat, and dress thou didst fast and weep for the child, the meat in my sight, that I may see it, while it was alive; but when the child and eat it at her hand.

was dead, thou didst rise and eat bread. 6 So Amnon lay down, and made 22 And he said, While the child was himself sick: and when the king was come yet alive, I fasted, and wept: for I said, to see him, Amnon said unto the king, Who can tell whether God will be gracious I pray thee, let Tamar my sister come, to me, that the child may live? and make me a couple of cakes in my sight, that I may eat at her hand.

23 But now he is dead, wherefore should I fast? can I bring him back again? I shall 7 Then David sent home to Tamar, go to him, but he shall not return to me. saying, Go now to thy brother Amnon's 24 And David comforted Bath-sheba house, and dress him meat. his wife, and went in unto her, and lay 8 So Tamar went to her brother Amwith her: and she bare a son, and he called non's house; and he was lying down. And his name Solomon: and the LORD loved him. she took flour, and kneaded it, and made 25 And he sent by the hand of Nathan cakes in his sight, and did bake the cakes. the prophet; and he called his name Jedidiah, because of the LORD.

9 And she took a pan, and poured them out before him; but he refused to eat. 26 ¶ And Joab fought against Rabbah of And Amnon said, Have out all men from me. the children of Ammon, and took the And they went out every man from him. royal city.

27 And Joab sent messengers to David, and said, I have fought against Rabbah, and have taken the city of waters.

28 Now therefore gather the rest of the people together, and encamp against the city, and take it: lest I take the city,and it be called after my name.

29 And David gathered all the people together, and went to Rabbah, and fought against it, and took it.

10 And Amnon said unto Tamar, Bring the meat into the chamber, that I may eat of thine hand. And Tamar took the cakes which she had made, and brought them into the chamber to Amnon her brother.

11 And when she had brought them unto him to eat, he took hold of her, and said unto her, Come lie with me, my sister.

12 And she answered him, Nay, my brother, do not force me; for no such thing ought to be done in Israel: do not thou this folly.

30 And he took their king's crown from off his head, (the weight whereof was a 13 And I, whither shall I cause my talent of gold with the precious stones,) shame to go? and as for thee, thou shalt and it was set on David's head. And he be as one of the fools in Israel. Now brought forth the spoil of the city in great therefore, I pray thee, speak unto the king; abundance. for he will not withhold me from thee.

31 And he brought forth the people that 14 Howbeit, he would not hearken unto were therein, and put them under saws and her voice but being stronger than she, under harrows of iron, and under axes of forced her, and lay with her.

iron, and made them pass through the 15 Then Amnon hated her exceedbrick-kiln: and thus did he unto all the ingly; so that the hatred wherewith he cities of the children of Ammon. So David hated her was greater than the love whereand all the people returned unto Jerusalem. with he had loved her. And Amnon said unto her, Arise, be gone.

CHAP. XIII.

AND it came to pass after this, that 16 And she said unto him, There is no

Absalom the son of David had a fair cause: this evil in sending me away is sister, whose name was Tamar; and Am-greater than the other that thou didst unto non the son of David loved her. me. But he would not hearken unto her. 17 Then he called his servant that mi

2 And Amnon was so vexed, that hel

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 parelled. 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 Amnon only is dead.

19 ¶ And Tamar put ashes on her head, and rent her garment of divers colours that was on her, and laid her hand on her head, and went on crying.

34 But Absalom fled. And the young man that kept the watch lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold, there came much people by the way of the hill-side behind

20 And Absalom her brother said unto 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 Geshur. And David mourned for his son every day.

23 And it came to pass after two full years, that Absalom had sheep-shearers in 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.

TOW Joab the son of Zeruiah perceiv

Absalom.

that the king's heart was toward

25 And the king said to Absalom, Nay, my son, let us not all now go, lest we be chargeable unto thee. And he pressed him howbeit he would not go, but bless- 2 And Joab sent to Tekoab, 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 he 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 Tekoah 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 Absalom had commanded. Then a widow woman, and mine 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 thine 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.