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The widow 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 thine 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.

10 And the king said, Whosoever saith aught unto thee, bring him to me, and he shall not touch thee any more.

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 knoweth that I have found grace in thy sight, my lord, O king, in that the king 11 Then said she, I pray thee, let the hath fulfilled the request of his servant. king remember the LORD thy God, that 23 So Joab arose and went to Geshur, 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 thine 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 Ånd 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 ;) he 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. countenance.

15 Now therefore that I am come to 28 ¶ So Absalom dwelt two full years speak of this thing unto my lord the king, in Jerusalem, and saw not the king's face. it is because the people have made me 29 Therefore Absalom sent for Joab, to afraid: and thy handmaid said, I will now have sent him to the king; but he would speak unto the king; it may be that the not come to him: and when he sent again king will perform the request of his hand-the second time, he would not come. maid.

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.

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.

on fire?

31 Then Joab arose, and came to Ab17 Then thine 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 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; let him the woman said, Let my lord the king now and if there be any iniquity in me, speak. 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,

kill me.

CHAP. XV.

de bade me, and be put all these words in AND it came to pass after this, that

the mouth of thine handmaid:

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 fees 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 4 Absalom said moreover, Oh that I exile. were made judge in the land, that every man which hath any suit or cause might come unto me, and I would do him justice! 5 And it was so, that when any man came nigh to him to do him obeisance, he 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

20 Whereas thou camest but yesterday, should I this day make thee go up and down with us? seeing I go whither I may; return thou, and take back thy brethren: mercy and truth be with thee.

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.

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 shall say, Absalom reigneth in Hebron.

11 And with Absalom went two hundred men out of Jerusalem, that were called; and they went in their simplicity, and they knew not any thing.

12 And Absalom sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David's counsellor, from his city, even from Giloh, while he offered sacrifices. And the conspiracy was strong; for the people increased continually with Absalom.

13 And there came a messenger to David, saying, The hearts of the men of Israel are after Absalom.

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 of the city.

25 And the king said unto Zadok, Carry back the ark of God into the city: if I shall find favour in the eyes of the LORD, he will bring me again, and shew me both it, and his habitation:

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 city in peace, and your two sons with you, Abimaaz thy son, and Jonathan the son of 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. bare-foot: 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 bis 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, Oʻking; 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. ,1

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, Behold, my son, which shalt hear out of the king's house, thou came forth of my bowels, seeketh my life: shalt tell it to Zadok and Abiathar the how much more now may this Benjamite priests. do it? let him alone, and let him curse; for the LORD hath bidden him.

36 Behold, they have there with them their two sons, Ahimaaz Zadok's son, and Jonathan Abiathar's son; and by them ye shall send unto me every thing that ye can hear.

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

AN

12 It may be that the LORD will look on mine affliction, and that the LORD will 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 were with him, came weary, and refreshed themselves there.

ND when David was a little past the top of the hill, behold, Ziba the servant of Mephibosheth met him, with a couple of asses saddled, and upon them 15 And Absalom, and all the people two hundred loaves of bread, and an hun- the men of Israel, came to Jerusalem, and dred bunches of raisins, and an hundred Ahithophel with him. of summer fruits, and a bottle of wine.

16 And it came to pass, when Hushai

2 And the king said unto Ziba, What the Archite, David's friend, was come unto meanest thou by these? And Ziba said, Absalom, that Hushai said unto Absalom, The asses be for the king's household to God save the king, God save the king. 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? 18 And Hushai said unto Absalom,

drink.

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 Abithophel said unto Absalom,

5 And when king David came to Bahu-Go in unto thy father's concubines, which rim, behold, thence came out a man of he hath left to keep the house; and all Is the 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. with thee be strong.

6 And he cast stones at David, and at 22 So they spread Absalom a tent upon all the servants of king David: and all the the top of the house; and Absalom went people and all the nighty men were on his in unto his father's concubines in the sight right hand and on his left. of all Israel.

7 And thus said Shimei when he cursed, 23 And the counsel of Ahithophel, Come out, come out, thou bloody man, which he counselled in those days, was as and thou man of Belial: if a man had inquired at the oracle of 8 The LORD hath returned upon thee God: so was all the counsel of Abithophel all the blood of the house of Saul, in whose both with David and with Absalom.

Hushai's counsel accepted.

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CHAP. XVII

II. SAMUEL.

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

OREOVER, Ahithophel said unto upon Absalom. Absalom, Let me now choose out 15 T 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 elders of Israel; and thus and thus have I

2 And I will come upon him while he is weary and weak-handed, and will make counselled. bim 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; Ahithophel hath spoken after this manner: whither they went down. shall we do after his 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 Ahithophel 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 a 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 hathi 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 Mahanaim. 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 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 Abitho- 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

Absalom is slain.

David's charge to the army. CHAP. XVIII. Lo-debar, and Barzillai the Gileadite of 12 And the man said unto Joab, Though Rogelim, I should receive a thousand shekels of silver 28 Brought beds, and basons, and earthen in mine hand, yet would I not put forth vessels, and wheat, and barley, and flour, mine hand against the king's son: for in and parched corn, and beans, and lentiles, our hearing the king charged thee and and parched pulse, Abishai and Ittai, saying, Beware that none touch the young man Absalom.

29 And honey, and butter, and sheep, and cheese of kine, for David, and for the people that were with him, to eat; for they said, The people is hungry, and weary, and thirsty, in the wilderness.

A

CHAP. XVIII.

ND David numbered the people that were with him, and set captains of thousands and captains of hundreds over

them.

2 And David sent forth a third part of the people 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 Ittai the Gittite. And the king said unto the people, I will surely go forth with you myself also.

130therwise I should have wrought falsehood against mine own life: for there is no matter hid from the king, and thou thyself wouldest have set thyself against me.

14 Then said Joab, I may not tarry thus with thee. And he took three darts in his hand, and thrust them through the heart of Absalom, while he was yet alive in the midst of the oak.

15 And ten young men that bare Joab's armour compassed about and smote Absalom, and slew him.

16 And Joab blew the trumpet, and the people returned from pursuing after Israel: for Joab held back the people.

17 And they took Absalom, and cast him into a great pit in the wood, and laid a very great heap of stones upon him: and all Israel fled every one to his tent.

3 But the people answered, Thou shalt not go forth: for if we flee away, they will not care for us; neither if half of us die, will they care for us: but now thou art 18 ¶ Now Absalom in his life-time had worth ten thousand of us: therefore now it is taken and reared up for himself a pillar, better that thou succour us out of the city. which is in the king's dale: for he said, 4 And the king said unto them, What have no son to keep my name in rememseemeth you best I will do. And the king brance: and he called the pillar after his stood by the gate side, and all the people own name: and it is called unto this day, came out by hundreds and by thousands. Absalom's Place.

5 And the king commanded Joab and 19 Then said Ahimaaz the son of ZaAbishai and Ittai, saying, Deal gently for dok, Let me now run, and bear the king my sake with the young man, even with tidings, how that the LORD hath avenged Absalom. And all the people heard when him of his enemies.

the king gave all the captains charge con- 20 And Joab said unto him, Thou shalt cerning Absalom. not bear tidings this day, but thou shalt 6 So the people went out into the field bear tidings another day but this day thou against Israel: and the battle was in the shalt bear no tidings, because the king's wood of Ephraim; son is dead.

7 Where the people of Israel were slain 21 Then said Joab to Cushi, Go, tell the before the servants of David; and there king what thou hast seen. And Cushi was there a great slaughter that day of bowed himself unto Joab, and ran. twenty thousand men. 22 Then said Ahimaaz the son of Za

8 For the battle was there scattered over dok yet again to Joab, But howsoever, let the face of all the country: and the wood me, I pray thee, also run after Cushi. And devoured more people that day than the Joab said, Wherefore wilt thou run,my son, sword devoured. seeing that thou hast no tidings ready?

9 T And Absalom met the servants of 23 But howsoever, said he, let me run. David. And Absalom rode upon a mule, And he said unto him, Run. Then Ahiand the inule went under the thick boughs maaz ran by the way of the plain, and of a great oak, and his head caught hold of overran Cushi. the oak, and he was taken up between the heaven and the earth; and the mule that was under him went away.

10 And a certain man saw it, and told Joab, and said, Behold, I saw Absalom hanged in an oak.

24 And Davidsat between the two gates: and the watchman went up to the roof over the gate unto the wall, and lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold a man running alone.

25 And the watchman cried, and told the king. And the king said, If he be alone 11 And Joab said unto the man that told there is tidings in his mouth. And he came him, And behold, thou sawest him, and apace, and drew near.

why didst thou not smite him there to the 26 And the watchman saw another man ground? and I would have given thee ten running: and the watchman called unto shekels of silver, and a girdle. the porter, and said, Behold, another man

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