1. Now it came to pass after the death of Saul,
when David was returned from the slaughter of the Amalekites, and David had abode two days in Ziklag;
2. It came even to pass on the third day, that,
behold, a man came out of the camp from Saul with his clothes rent, and earth upon his head: and so it was, when
he came to David, that he fell to the earth, and did obeisance.
3. And David said unto him, From whence comest
thou? And he said unto him, Out of the camp of Israel am I escaped.
4. And David said unto him, How went the matter?
I pray thee, tell me. And he answered, That the people are fled from the battle, and many of the people also are
fallen and dead; and Saul and Jonathan his son are dead also.
5. And David said unto the young man that told
him, How knowest thou that Saul and Jonathan his son be dead?
6. And the young man that told him said, As I happened
by chance upon mount Gilboa, behold, Saul leaned upon his spear; and, lo, the chariots and horsemen followed hard
after him.
7. And when he looked behind him, he saw me, and
called unto me. And I answered, Here am I.
8. And he said unto me, Who art thou? And I answered
him, I am an Amalekite.
9. And he said unto me again, Stand, I pray thee,
upon me, and slay me: for anguish is come upon me, because my life is yet whole in me.
10. So I stood upon him, and slew him, because
I was sure that he could not live after that he was fallen: and I took the crown that was upon his head, and the
bracelet that was on his arm, and have brought them hither unto my lord.
11. Then David took hold on his clothes, and rent
them; and likewise all the men that were with him:
12. And they mourned, and wept, and fasted until
even, for Saul, and for Jonathan his son, and for the people of the LORD, and for the house of Israel; because they
were fallen by the sword.
13. And David said unto the young man that told
him, Whence art thou? And he answered, I am the son of a stranger, an Amalekite.
14. And David said unto him, How wast thou not
afraid to stretch forth thine hand to destroy the LORD's anointed?
15. And David called one of the young men, and
said, Go near, and fall upon him. And he smote him that he died.
16. And David said unto him, Thy blood be upon
thy head; for thy mouth hath testified against thee, saying, I have slain the LORD's anointed.
17. And David lamented with this lamentation over
Saul and over Jonathan his son:
18. (Also he bade them teach the children of Judah
the use of the bow: behold, it is written in the book of Jasher.)
19. The beauty of Israel is slain upon thy high
places: how are the mighty fallen!
20. Tell it not in Gath, publish it not in the
streets of Askelon; lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice, lest the daughters of the uncircumcised triumph.
21. Ye mountains of Gilboa, let there be no dew,
neither let there be rain, upon you, nor fields of offerings: for there the shield of the mighty is vilely cast away, the
shield of Saul, as though he had not been anointed with oil.
22. From the blood of the slain, from the fat of
the mighty, the bow of Jonathan turned not back, and the sword of Saul returned not empty.
23. Saul and Jonathan were lovely and pleasant
in their lives, and in their death they were not divided: they were swifter than eagles, they were stronger than lions.
24. Ye daughters of Israel, weep over Saul, who
clothed you in scarlet, with other delights, who put on ornaments of gold upon your apparel.
25. How are the mighty fallen in the midst of the
battle! O Jonathan, thou was slain in thine high places.
26. I am distressed for thee, my brother Jonathan:
very pleasant hast thou been unto me: thy love to me was wonderful, passing the love of women.
27. How are the mighty fallen, and the weapons
of war perished!
Second Samuel - Chapter 2
1. And it came to pass after this, that David enquired
of the LORD, saying, Shall I go up into any of the cities of Judah? And the LORD said unto him, Go up. And David
said, Whither shall I go up? And he said, Unto Hebron.
2. So David went up thither, and his two wives
also, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail Nabal's wife the Carmelite.
3. And his men that were with him did David bring
up, every man with his household: and they dwelt in the cities of Hebron.
4. And the men of Judah came, and there they
anointed David king over the house of Judah. And they told David, saying, That the men of Jabesh-gilead were
they that buried Saul.
5. And David sent messengers unto the men of
Jabesh-gilead, and said unto them, Blessed be ye of the LORD, that ye have shewed this kindness unto your lord,
even unto Saul, and have buried him.
6. And now the LORD shew kindness and truth unto
you: and I also will requite you this kindness, because ye have done this thing.
7. Therefore now let your hands be strengthened,
and be ye valiant: for your master Saul is dead, and also the house of Judah have anointed me king over them.
8. But Abner the son of Ner, captain of Saul's
host, took Ish-bosheth the son of Saul, and brought him over to Mahanaim;
9. And made him king over Gilead, and over the
Ashurites, and over Jezreel, and over Ephraim, and over Benjamin, and over all Israel.
10. Ish-bosheth Saul's son was forty years old
when he began to reign over Israel, and reigned two years. But the house of Judah followed David.
11. And the time that David was king in Hebron
over the house of Judah was seven years and six months.
12. And Abner the son of Ner, and the servants
of Ish-bosheth the son of Saul, went out from Mahanaim to Gibeon.
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, the one on the one side of the pool, and the other
on the other side of the pool.
14. And Abner said to Joab, Let the young men now
arise, and play before us. And Joab said, Let them arise.
15. Then there arose and went over by number twelve
of Benjamin, which pertained to Ish-bosheth the son of Saul, and twelve of the servants of David.
16. And they caught every one his fellow by the
head, and thrust his sword in his fellow's side; so they fell down together: wherefore that place was called
Helkath-hazzurim, which is in Gibeon.
17. And there was a very sore battle that day;
and Abner was beaten, and the men of Israel, before the servants of David.
18. And there were three sons of Zeruiah there,
Joab, and Abishai, and Asahel: and Asahel was as light of foot as a wild roe.
19. And Asahel pursued after Abner; and in going
he turned not to the right hand nor to the left from following Abner.
20. Then Abner looked behind him, and said, Art
thou Asahel? And he answered, I am.
21. And Abner said to him, Turn thee aside to thy
right hand or to thy left, and lay thee hold on one of the young men, and take thee his armour. But Asahel would
not turn aside from following of him.
22. And Abner said again to Asahel, Turn thee aside
from following me: wherefore should I smite thee to the ground? how then should I hold up my face to Joab thy
brother?
23. Howbeit he refused to turn aside: wherefore
Abner with the hinder end of the spear smote him under the fifth rib, that the spear came out behind him; and he fell
down there, and died in the same place: and it came to pass, that as many as came to the place where Asahel fell down
and died stood still.
24. Joab also and Abishai pursued after Abner:
and the sun went down when they were come to the hill of Ammah, that lieth before Giah by the way of the wilderness
of Gibeon.
25. And the children of Benjamin gathered themselves
together after Abner, and became one troop, and stood on the top of an hill.
26. Then Abner called to Joab, and said, Shall
the sword devour for ever? knowest thou not that it will be bitterness in the latter end? how long shall it be then, ere
thou bid the people return from following their brethren?
27. And Joab said, As God liveth, unless thou hadst
spoken, surely then in the morning the people had gone up every one from following his brother.
28. So Joab blew a trumpet, and all the people
stood still, and pursued after Israel no more, neither fought they any more.
29. And Abner and his men walked all that night
through the plain, and passed over Jordan, and went through all Bithron, and they came to Mahanaim.
30. And Joab returned from following Abner: and
when he had gathered all the people together, there lacked of David's servants nineteen men and Asahel.
31. But the servants of David had smitten of Benjamin,
and of Abner's men, so that three hundred and threescore men died.
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 they came to Hebron
at break of day.
Second Samuel - Chapter 3
1. Now there was long war between the
house of Saul and the house of David: but David waxed stronger and stronger, and the house of Saul waxed
weaker and weaker.
2. And unto David were sons born in Hebron:
and his firstborn was Amnon, of Ahinoam the Jezreelitess;
3. And his second, Chileab, of Abigail the wife
of Nabal the Carmelite; and the third, Absalom the son of Maacah the daughter of Talmai king of Geshur;
4. And the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith;
and the fifth, Shephatiah the son of Abital;
5. And the sixth, Ithream, by Eglah David's wife.
These were born to David in Hebron.
6. And it came to pass, while there was war between
the house of Saul and the house of David, that Abner made himself strong for the house of Saul.
7. And Saul had a concubine, whose name was Rizpah,
the daughter of Aiah: and Ish-bosheth said to Abner, Wherefore hast thou gone in unto my father's concubine?
8. Then was Abner very wroth for the words of
Ish-bosheth, and said, Am I a dog's head, which against Judah do shew kindness this day unto the house of Saul thy
father, to his brethren, and to his friends, and have not delivered thee into the hand of David, that thou chargest me
to day with a fault concerning this woman?
9. So do God to Abner, and more also, except, as
the LORD hath sworn to David, even so I do to him;
10. To translate the kingdom from the house of
Saul, and to set up the throne of David over Israel and over Judah, from Dan even to Beer-sheba.
11. And he could not answer Abner a word again,
because he feared him.
12. And Abner sent messengers to David on his
behalf, saying, Whose is the land? saying also, Make thy league with me, and, behold, my hand shall be with thee,
to bring about all Israel unto thee.
13. And he said, Well; I will make a league with
thee: but one thing I require of thee, that is, Thou shalt not see my face, except thou first bring Michal Saul's daughter,
when thou comest to see my face.
14. And David sent messengers to Ish-bosheth Saul's
son, saying, Deliver me my wife Michal, which I espoused to me for an hundred foreskins of the Philistines.
15. And Ish-bosheth sent, and took her from her
husband, even from Phaltiel the son of Laish.
16. And her husband went with her along weeping
behind her to Bahurim. Then said Abner unto him, Go, return. And he returned.
17. And Abner had communication with the elders
of Israel, saying, Ye sought for David in times past to be king over you:
18. Now then do it: for the LORD hath spoken of
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.
19. And Abner also spake in the ears of Benjamin:
and Abner went also to speak in the ears of David in Hebron all that seemed good to Israel, and that seemed good
to the whole house of Benjamin.
20. So Abner came to David to Hebron, and twenty
men with him. And David made Abner and the men that were with him a feast.
21. And Abner said unto David, I will arise and
go, and will gather all Israel unto my lord the king, that they may make a league with thee, and that thou mayest
reign over all that thine heart desireth. And David sent Abner away; and he went in peace.
22. And, Behold, the servants of David and Joab
came from pursuing a troop, and brought in a great spoil with them: but Abner was not with David in Hebron; for
he had sent him away, and he was gone in peace.
23. When Joab and all the host that was with him
were come, they told Joab, saying, Abner the son of Ner came to the king, and he hath sent him away, and he is
gone in peace.
24. Then Joab came to the king, and said, What
hast thou done? behold, Abner came unto thee; why is it that thou hast sent him away, and he is quite gone?
25. Thou knowest Abner the son of Ner, that he
came to deceive thee, and to know thy going out and thy coming in, and to know all that thou doest.
26. And when Joab was come out from David, he sent
messengers after Abner, which brought him again from the well of Sirah: but David knew it not.
27. And when Abner was returned to Hebron, Joab
took him aside in the gate to speak with him quietly, and smote him there under the fifth rib, that he died, for the blood
of Asahel his brother.
28. And afterward when David heard it, he said,
I and my kingdom are guiltless before the LORD for ever from the blood of Abner the son of Ner:
29. Let it rest on the head of Joab, and on all
his father's house; and let there not fail from the house of Joab one that hath an issue, or that is a leper, or that
leaneth on a staff, or that falleth on the sword, or that lacketh bread.
30. So Joab and Abishai his brother slew Abner,
because he had slain their brother Asahel at Gibeon in the battle.
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 himself
followed the bier.
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.
33. And the king lamented over Abner, and said,
Died Abner as a fool dieth?
34. Thy hands were not bound, nor thy feet put
into fetters: as a man falleth before wicked men, so fellest thou. And all the people wept again over him.
35. And when all the people came to cause David
to eat meat while it was yet day, David sware, saying, So do God to me, and more also, if I taste bread, or ought
else, till the sun be down.
36. And all the people took notice of it, and it
pleased them: as whatsoever the king did pleased all the people.
37. For all the people and all Israel understood
that day that it was not of the king to slay Abner the son of Ner.
38. And the king said unto his servants, Know ye
not that there is a prince and a great man fallen this day in Israel?
39. And I am this day weak, though anointed king;
and these men the sons of Zeruiah be too hard for me: the LORD shall reward the doer of evil according to
his wickedness.
Second Samuel - Chapter 4
1. And when Saul's son heard that Abner was dead
in Hebron, his hands were feeble, and all the Israelites were troubled.
2. And Saul's son had two men that were captains
of bands: the name of the one was Baanah, and the name of the other Rechab, the sons of Rimmon a Beerothite,
of the children of Benjamin: (for Beeroth also was reckoned to Benjamin:
3. And the Beerothites fled to Gittaim, and were
sojourners there until this day.)
4. And Jonathan, Saul's son, had a son that was
lame of his feet. He was five years old when the tidings cam of Saul and Jonathan out of Jezreel, and his nurse
took him up, and fled: and it came to pass, as she made haste to flee, that he fell, and became lame. And his name
was Mephibosheth.
5. And the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, Rechab
and Baanah, went, and came about the heat of the day to the house of Ish-bosheth, who lay on a bed at noon.
6. And they came thither into the midst of the
house, as though they would have fetched wheat; and they smote him under the fifth rib: and Rechab and Baanah
his brother escaped.
7. For when they came into the house, he lay on
his bed in his bedchamber, and they smote him, and slew him, and beheaded him, and took his head, and gat them
away through the plain all night.
8. And they brought the head of Ish-bosheth unto
David to Hebron, and said to the king, Behold the head of Ish-bosheth the son of Saul thine enemy, which sought
thy life; and the LORD hath avenged my lord the king this day of Saul, and of his seed.
9. And David answered Rechab and Baanah his brother,
the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, and said unto them, As the LORD liveth, who hath redeemed my soul out of all
adversity,
10. When one told me, saying, Behold, Saul is dead,
thinking to have brought good tidings, I took hold of him, and slew him in Ziklag, who thought that I would have given
him a reward for his tidings:
11. How much more, when wicked men have slain a
righteous person in his own house upon his bed? shall I not therefore now require his blood of your hand, and take you
away from the earth?
12. And David commanded his young men, and they
slew them, and cut off their hands and their feet, and hanged them up over the pool in Hebron. But they took the head
of Ish-bosheth, and buried it in the sepulchre of Abner in Hebron.
Second Samuel - Chapter 5
1. Then came all the tribes of Israel to David
unto Hebron, and spake, saying, Behold, we are thy bone and thy flesh.
2. Also in time past, when Saul was king over us,
thou wast he that leddest out and broughtest in Israel: and the LORD said to thee, Thou shalt feed my people Israel,
and thou shalt be a captain over Israel.
3. So all the elders of Israel came to the king
to Hebron; and king David made a league with them in Hebron before the LORD: and they anointed David king
over Israel.
4. David was thirty years old when he began to
reign, and he reigned forty years.
5. In Hebron he reigned over Judah seven years
and six months: and in Jerusalem he reigned thirty and three years over all Israel and Judah.
6. And the king and his men went to Jerusalem unto
the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land: which spake unto David, saying, Except thou take away the blind and the
lame, thou shalt not come in hither: thinking, David cannot come in hither.
7. Nevertheless David took the strong hold of Zion:
the same is the city of David.
8. And David said on that day, Whosoever getteth
up to the gutter, and smiteth the Jebusites, and the lame and the blind, that are hated of David's soul, he shall be chief
and captain. Wherefore they said, The blind and the lame shall not come into the house.
9. So David dwelt in the fort, and called it the
city of David. And David built round about from Millo and inward.
10. And David went on, and grew great, and the
LORD God of hosts was with him.
11. And Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David,
and cedar trees, and carpenters, and masons: and they built David an house.
12. And David perceived that the LORD had established
him king over Israel, and that he had exalted his kingdom for his people Israel's sake.
13. And David took him more concubines and wives
out of Jerusalem, after he was come from Hebron: and there were yet sons and daughters born to David.
14. And these be the names of those that were born
unto him in Jerusalem; Shammua, and Shobab, and Nathan, and Solomon,
15. Ibhar also, and Elishua, and Nepheg, and Japhia,
16. And Elishama, and Eliada, and Eliphalet.
17. But when the Philistines heard that they had
anointed David king over Israel, all the Philistines came up to seek David; and David heard of it, and went down
to the hold.
18. The Philistines also came and spread themselves
in the valley of Rephaim.
19. And David enquired of the LORD, saying, Shall
I go up to the Philistines? wilt thou deliver them into mine hand? And the LORD said unto David, Go up: for I will
doubtless deliver the Philistines into thine hand.
20. And David came to Baal-perazim, and David smote
them there, and said, The LORD hath broken forth upon mine enemies before me, as the breach of waters. Therefore
he called the name of that place Baal-perazim.
21. And there they left their images, and David
and his men burned them.
22. And the Philistines came up yet again, and
spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim.
23. And when David enquired of the LORD, he said,
Thou shalt not go up; but fetch a compass behind them, and come upon them over against the mulberry trees.
24. And let it be, when thou hearest the sound
of a going in the tops of the mulberry trees, that then thou shalt bestir thyself: for then shall the LORD go out before
thee, to smite the host of the Philistines.
25. And David did so, as the LORD had commanded
him; and smote the Philistines from Geba until thou come to Gazer.
Second Samuel - Chapter 6
1. Again, David gathered together all the chosen
men of Israel, thirty thousand.
2. And David arose, and went with all the people
that were with him from Baale of Judah, to bring up from thence the ark of God, whose name is called by the name
of the LORD of hosts that dwelleth between the cherubims.
3. And they set the ark of God upon a new cart,
and brought it out of the house of Abinadab that was in Gibeah: and Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, drave
the new cart.
4. And they brought it out of the house of Abinadab
which was at Gibeah, accompanying the ark of God: and Ahio went before the ark.
5. And David and all the house of Israel played
before the LORD on all manner of instruments made of fir wood, even on harps, and on psalteries, and on timbrels,
and on cornets, and on cymbals.
6. And when they came to Nachon's threshingfloor,
Uzzah put forth his hand to the ark of God, and took hold of it; for the oxen shook it.
7. And the anger of the LORD was kindled against
Uzzah; and God smote him there for his error; and there he died by the ark of God.
8. And David was displeased, because the LORD had
made a breach upon Uzzah: and he called the name of the place Perez-uzzah to this day.
9. And David was afraid of the LORD that day, and
said, How shall the ark of the LORD come to me?
10. So David would not remove the ark of the LORD
unto him into the city of David: but David carried it aside into the house of Obed-edom the Gittite.
11. And the ark of the LORD continued in the house
of Obed-edom the Gittite three months: and the LORD blessed Obed-edom, and all his household.
12. And it was told king David, saying, The LORD
hath blessed the house of Obed-edom, and all that pertaineth unto him, because of the ark of God. So David went and
brought up the ark of God from the house of Obed-edom into the city of David with gladness.
13. And it was so, that when they that bare the
ark of the LORD had gone six paces, he sacrificed oxen and fatlings.
14. And David danced before the LORD with all his
might; and David was girded with a linen ephod.
15. So David and all the house of Israel brought
up the ark of the LORD with shouting, and with the sound of the
trumpet.
16. And as the ark of the LORD came into the city
of David, Michal Saul's daughter looked through a window, and
saw king David leaping and dancing before the LORD; and she despised
him in her heart.
17. And they brought in the ark of the LORD, and
set it in his place, in the midst of the tabernacle that David
had pitched for it: and David offered burnt offerings and peace
offerings before the LORD.
18. And as soon as David had made an end of offering
burnt offerings and peace offerings, he blessed the people in
the name of the LORD of hosts.
19. And he dealt among all the people, even among
the whole multitude of Israel, as well to the women as men, to
every one a cake of bread, and a good piece of flesh, and a flagon
of wine. So all the people departed every one to his house.
20. Then David returned to bless his household.
And Michal the daughter of Saul came out to meet David, and said,
How glorious was the king of Israel to day, who uncovered himself
to day in the eyes of the handmaids of his servants, as one of
the vain fellows shamelessly uncovereth himself!
21. And David said unto Michal, It was before the
LORD, which chose me before thy father, and before all his house,
to appoint me ruler over the people of the LORD, over Israel:
therefore will I play before the LORD.
22. And I will yet be more vile than thus, and
will be base in mine own sight: and of the maidservants which
thou hast spoken of, of them shall I be had in honour.
23. Therefore Michal the daughter of Saul had no
child unto the day of her death.
Second Samuel - Chapter 7
1. And it came to pass, when the king sat in his
house, and the LORD had given him rest round about from all his enemies;
2. That the king said unto Nathan the prophet,
See now, I dwell in an house of cedar, but the ark of God dwelleth within curtains.
3. And Nathan said to the king, Go, do all that
is in thine heart; for the LORD is with thee.
4. And it came to pass that night, that the word
of the LORD came unto Nathan, saying,
5. Go and tell my servant David, Thus saith the
LORD, Shalt thou build me an house for me to dwell in?
6. Whereas I have not dwelt in any house since
the time that I brought up the children of Israel out of Egypt, even to this day, but have walked in a tent and in a
tabernacle.
7. In all the places wherein I have walked with
all the children of Israel spake I a word with any of the tribes of Israel, whom I commanded to feed my people
Israel, saying, Why build ye not me an house of cedar?
8. Now therefore so shalt thou say unto my servant
David, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, I took thee from the sheepcote, from following the sheep, to be ruler over my
people, over Israel:
9. And I was with thee whithersoever thou wentest,
and have cut off all thine enemies out of thy sight, and have made thee a great name, like unto the name of the great
men that are in the earth.
10. Moreover I will appoint a place for my people
Israel, and will plant them, that they may dwell in a place of their own, and move no more; neither shall the children
of wickedness afflict them any more, as beforetime,
11. And as since the time that I commanded judges
to be over my people Israel, and have caused thee to rest from all thine enemies. Also the LORD telleth thee that
he will make thee an house.
12. And when thy days be fulfilled, and thou shalt
sleep with thy fathers, I will set up thy seed after thee, which shall proceed out of thy bowels, and I will establish his
kingdom.
13. He shall build an house for my name, and I
will stablish the throne of his kingdom for ever.
14. I will be his father, and he shall be my son.
If he commit iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men, and with the stripes of the children of men:
15. But my mercy shall not depart away from him,
as I took it from Saul, whom I put away before thee.
16. And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established
for ever before thee: thy throne shall be established for ever.
17. According to all these words, and according
to all this vision, so did Nathan speak unto David.
18. Then went king David in, and sat before the
LORD, and he said, Who am I, O Lord GOD? and what is my house, that thou hast brought me hitherto?
19. And this was yet a small thing in thy sight,
O Lord GOD; but thou hast spoken also of thy servant's house for a great while to come. And is this the manner
of man, O Lord GOD?
20. And what can David say more unto thee? for
thou, Lord GOD, knowest thy servant.
21. For thy word's sake, and according to thine
own heart, hast thou done all these great things, to make thy servant know them.
22. Wherefore thou art great, O LORD God: for there
is none like thee, neither is there any God beside thee, according to all that we have heard with our ears.
23. And what one nation in the earth is like thy
people, even like Israel, whom God went to redeem for a people to himself, and to make him a name, and to do for
you great things and terrible, for thy land, before thy people, which thou redeemedst to thee from Egypt, from
the nations and their gods?
24. For thou hast confirmed to thyself thy people
Israel to be a people unto thee for ever: and thou, LORD, art become their God.
25. And now, O LORD God, the word that thou hast
spoken concerning thy servant, and concerning his house, establish it for ever, and do as thou hast said.
26. And let thy name be magnified for ever, saying,
The LORD of hosts is the God over Israel: and let the house of thy servant David be established before thee.
27. For thou, O LORD of hosts, God of Israel, hast
revealed to thy servant, saying, I will build thee an house: therefore hath thy servant found in his heart to pray this
prayer unto thee.
28. And now, O Lord GOD, thou art that God, and
thy words be true, and thou hast promised this goodness unto thy servant:
29. Therefore now let it please thee to bless the
house of thy servant, that it may continue for ever before thee: for thou, O Lord GOD, hast spoken it: and with thy
blessing let the house of thy servant be blessed for ever.
Second Samuel - Chapter 8
1. And after this it came to pass, that David smote
the Philistines, and subdued them: and David took Metheg-ammah out of the hand of the Philistines.
2. And he smote Moab, and measured them with a
line, casting them down to the ground; even with two lines measured he to put to death, and with one full line to keep
alive. And so the Moabites became David's servants, and brought gifts.
3. David smote also Hadadezer, the son of Rehob,
king of Zobah, as he went to recover his border at the river Euphrates.
4. And David took from him a thousand chariots,
and seven hundred horsemen, and twenty thousand footmen: and David houghed all the chariot horses, but reserved
of them for an hundred chariots.
5. And when the Syrians of Damascus came to succour
Hadadezer king of Zobah, David slew of the Syrians two and twenty thousand men.
6. Then David put garrisons in Syria of Damascus:
and the Syrians became servants to David, and brought gifts. And the LORD preserved David whithersoever he
went.
7. And David took the shields of gold that were
on the servants of Hadadezer, and brought them to Jerusalem.
8. And from Betah, and from Berothai, cities of
Hadadezer, king David took exceeding much brass.
9. When Toi king of Hamath heard that David had
smitten all the host of Hadadezer,
10. Then Toi sent Joram his son unto king David,
to salute him, and to bless him, because he had fought against Hadadezer, and smitten him: for Hadadezer had wars
with Toi. And Joram brought with him vessels of silver, and vessels of gold, and vessels of brass:
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.
13. And David gat him a name when he returned from
smiting of the Syrians in the valley of salt, being eighteen thousand men.
14. And he put garrisons in Edom; throughout all
Edom put he garrisons, and all they of Edom became David's servants. And the LORD preserved David whithersoever
he went.
15. And David reigned over all Israel; and David
executed judgment and justice unto all his people.
16. And Joab the son of Zeruiah was over the host;
and Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was recorder;
17. And Zadok the son of Ahitub, and Ahimelech
the son of Abiathar, were the priests; and Seraiah was the scribe;
18. And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over both
the Cherethites and the Pelethites; and David's sons were chief rulers.
Second Samuel - Chapter 9
1. And David said, Is there yet any that is left
of the house of Saul, that I may shew him kindness for Jonathan's sake?
2. And there was of the house of Saul a servant
whose name was Ziba. And when they had called him unto David, the king said unto him, Art thou Ziba? And he said,
Thy servant is he.
3. And the king said, Is there not yet any of the
house of Saul, that I may shew the kindness of God unto him? And Ziba said unto the king, Jonathan hath yet a son,
which is lame on his feet.
4. And the king said unto him, Where is he? And
Ziba said unto the king, Behold, he is in the house of Machir, the son of Ammiel, in Lo-debar.
5. Then king David sent, and fetched him out of
the house of Machir, the son of Ammiel, from Lo-debar.
6. Now when Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan,
the son of Saul, was come unto David, he fell on his face, and did reverence. And David said, Mephibosheth. And
he answered, Behold thy servant!
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.
8. And he bowed himself, and said, What is thy
servant, that thou shouldest look upon such a dead dog as I am?
9. Then the king called to Ziba, Saul's servant,
and said unto him, I have given unto thy master's son all that pertained to Saul and to all his house.
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.
11. Then said Ziba unto the king, According to
all that my lord the king hath commanded his servant, so shall thy servant do. As for Mephibosheth, said the king,
he shall eat at my table, as one of the king's sons.
12. And Mephibosheth had a young son, whose name
was Micha. And all that dwelt in the house of Ziba were servants unto Mephibosheth.
13. So Mephibosheth dwelt in Jerusalem: for he
did eat continually at the king's table; and was lame on both
his feet.
Second Samuel - Chapter 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.
2. Then said David, 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 for his father. And David's servants came into the land of the children of Ammon.
3. And the princes of the children of Ammon said
unto Hanun their lord, Thinkest thou that David doth honour thy father, that he hath sent comforters unto thee?
hath not David rather sent his servants unto thee, to search the city, and to spy it out, and to overthrow it?
4. Wherefore Hanun took David's servants, and
shaved off the one half of their beards, and cut off their garments in the middle, even to their buttocks, and sent
them away.
5. When they told it unto David, he sent to meet
them, because the men were greatly ashamed: and the king said, Tarry at Jericho until your beards be grown, and
then return.
6. And when the children of Ammon saw that they
stank before David, the children of Ammon sent and hired the Syrians of Beth-rehob, and the Syrians of Zoba, twenty
thousand footmen, and of king Maacah a thousand men, and of Ish-tob twelve thousand men.
7. And when David heard of it, he sent Joab, and
all the host of the mighty men.
8. And the children of Ammon came out, and put
the battle in array at the entering in of the gate: and the Syrians of Zoba, and of Rehob, and Ish-tob, and Maacah,
were by themselves in the field.
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 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.
16. And Hadarezer sent, and brought out the Syrians
that were beyond the river: and they came to Helam; and Shobach the captain of the host of Hadarezer went 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.
18. And the Syrians fled before Israel; and David
slew the men of seven hundred chariots of the Syrians, and forty thousand horsemen, and smote Shobach the captain
of their host, who died there.
19. And when all the kings that were servants
to Hadarezer saw that they were smitten before Israel, they made peace with Israel, and served them. So the
Syrians feared to help the children of Ammon any more.
Second Samuel - Chapter 11
1. And it came to pass, after the year was expired,
at the time when kings go forth to battle, that David sent Joab,
and his servants with him, and all Israel; and they destroyed
the children of Ammon, and besieged Rabbah. But David tarried
still at Jerusalem.
2. And it came to pass in an eveningtide, 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 beautiful to look upon.
3. And David sent and enquired after the woman.
And one said, Is not this Bath-sheba, the daughter of Eliam,
the wife of Uriah the Hittite?
4. And David sent messengers, and took her; and
she came in unto him, and he lay 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?
11. And Uriah said unto David, The ark, and Israel,
and Judah, abide in tents; and my lord Joab, and the servants
of my lord, are encamped in the open fields; shall I 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 thee depart. So Uriah abode in
Jerusalem that day, and the morrow.
13. And when David had called him, he did eat
and drink before him; and he made 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.
14. And it came to pass in the morning, that David
wrote a letter to Joab, and sent it by the hand of Uriah.
15. And he wrote in the letter, saying, Set ye
Uriah in the forefront of the hottest battle, and retire ye from
him, that he may be smitten, and die.
16. And it came to pass, when Joab observed the
city, that he assigned Uriah unto a place where he knew that valiant
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?
21. Who smote Abimelech the son of Jerubbesheth?
did not a woman cast a piece of a millstone upon him from the
wall, that he died in Thebez? why went 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.
23. And the messenger said unto David, Surely
the men prevailed against us, and came out unto us into the field,
and we were upon them even unto the entering of the gate.
24. And the shooters shot from off the wall upon
thy servants; and some of the king's servants be dead, and thy
servant Uriah the Hittite is dead also.
25. Then David said unto the messenger, Thus shalt
thou say unto Joab, Let not this thing displease thee, for the
sword devoureth one as well as another: make thy battle more strong
against the city, and overthrow it: and encourage thou him.
26. 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.
Second Samuel - Chapter 12
1. And the LORD 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 poor.
2. The rich man had exceeding many flocks and
herds:
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, and lay in his bosom, and was
unto him as a daughter.
4. And there came a traveller unto the rich man,
and he spared to take of his own flock and of his own herd, to
dress for the wayfaring man that was come unto him; but took the
poor man's lamb, and dressed it for the man that was come to him.
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 because 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, and gave thee the house of Israel
and of Judah; and if that had been too little, I would moreover
have given unto thee such and such things.
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 the sword of the children of Ammon.
10. Now therefore the sword shall never depart
from thine house; because thou hast despised me, and hast taken
the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be thy wife.
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 thine eyes, and give them unto thy neighbour, and
he shall lie with thy wives in the sight of this sun.
12. For thou didst it secretly: but I will do
this thing before all Israel, and before the sun.
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. And Nathan departed unto his house. And the
LORD struck the child that Uriah's wife bare unto David, and it
was very sick.
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.
18. And it came to pass on the seventh day, that
the child died. And the servants of David feared to tell him
that the child was dead: for they said, Behold, while the child
was yet alive, we spake unto him, and he would not hearken unto
our voice: how will he then vex himself, if we tell him that the
child is dead?
19. But when David saw that his servants whispered,
David perceived that the child was dead: therefore David said
unto his servants, Is the child dead? And they said, He is dead.
20. Then David arose from the earth, and washed,
and anointed himself, and changed his apparel, and came into the
house of the LORD, and worshipped: then he came to his own house;
and when he required, they set bread before him, and he did eat.
21. Then said his servants unto him, What thing
is this that thou hast done? thou didst fast and weep for the
child, while it was alive; but when the child was dead, thou didst
rise and eat bread.
22. And he said, While the child was yet alive,
I fasted and wept: for I said, Who can tell whether GOD will be
gracious to me, that the child may live?
23. But now he is dead, wherefore should I fast?
can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall
not return to me.
24. And David comforted Bath-sheba his wife, and
went in unto her, and lay with her: and she bare a son, and he
called his name Solomon: and the LORD loved him.
25. And he sent by the hand of Nathan the prophet;
and he called his name Jedidiah, because of the LORD.
26. And Joab fought against Rabbah of the children
of Ammon, and took the 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.
30. And he took their king's crown from off his
head, the weight whereof was a talent of gold with the precious
stones: and it was set on David's head. And he brought forth
the spoil of the city in great abundance.
31. And he brought forth the people that were
therein, and put them under saws, and under harrows of iron, and
under axes of iron, and made them pass through the brickkiln:
and thus did he unto all the cities of the children of Ammon.
So David and all the people returned unto Jerusalem.
Second Samuel - Chapter 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.
2. And Amnon was so vexed, that he fell sick for
his sister Tamar; for she was a virgin; and Amnon thought it hard
for him to do any thing to her.
3. But Amnon had a friend, whose name was Jonadab,
the son of Shimeah David's brother: and Jonadab was a very subtil
man.
4. And he said unto him, Why art thou, being the
king's son, lean from day to day? wilt thou not tell me? And
Amnon said unto him, I love Tamar, my brother Absalom's sister.
5. And Jonadab said unto him, Lay thee down on
thy bed, and make thyself sick: and when thy father cometh to
see thee, say unto him, I pray thee, let my sister Tamar come,
and give me meat, and dress the meat in my sight, that I may see
it, and eat it at her hand.
6. So Amnon lay down, and made himself sick: and
when the king was come to see him, Amnon said unto the king, I
pray thee, let Tamar my sister come, and make me a couple of cakes
in my sight, that I may eat at her hand.
7. Then David sent home to Tamar, saying, Go now
to thy brother Amnon's house, and dress him meat.
8. So Tamar went to her brother Amnon's house;
and he was laid down. And she took flour, and kneaded it, and
made cakes in his sight, and did bake the cakes.
9. And she took a pan, and poured them out before
him; but he refused to eat. And Amnon said, Have out all men
from me. And they went out every man from him.
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.
13. And I, whither shall I cause my shame to go?
and as for thee, thou shalt be as one of the fools in Israel.
Now therefore, I pray thee, speak unto the king; for he will
not withhold me from thee.
14. Howbeit he would not hearken unto her voice:
but, being stronger than she, forced her, and lay with her.
15. Then Amnon hated her exceedingly; so that
the hatred wherewith he hated her was greater than the love wherewith
he had loved her. And Amnon said unto her, Arise, be gone.
16. And she said unto him, There is no cause:
this evil in sending me away is greater than the other that thou
didst unto me. But he would not hearken unto her.
17. Then he called his servant that ministered
unto him, and said, Put now this woman out from me, and bolt the
door after her.
18. And she had a garment of divers colours upon
her: for with such robes were the king's daughters that were virgins
apparelled. Then his servant brought her out, and bolted the
door after her.
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.
20. And Absalom her brother said unto her, Hath
Amnon thy brother been with thee? but hold now thy peace, my
sister: he is thy brother; regard not this thing. So Tamar remained
desolate in her brother Absalom's house.
21. But when king David heard of all these things,
he was very wroth.
22. And Absalom spake unto his brother Amnon neither
good nor bad: for Absalom hated Amnon, because he had forced his
sister Tamar.
23. And it came to pass after two full years,
that Absalom had sheepshearers in Baal-hazor, which is beside
Ephraim: and Absalom invited all the king's sons.
24. And Absalom came to the king, and said, Behold
now, thy servant hath sheepshearers; let the king, I beseech thee,
and his servants go with thy servant.
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 blessed him.
26. Then said Absalom, If not, I pray thee, let
my brother Amnon go with us. And the king said unto him, Why
should he go with thee?
27. But Absalom pressed him, that he let Amnon
and all the king's sons go with him.
28. Now Absalom had commanded his servants, saying,
Mark ye now when Amnon's heart is merry with wine, and when I
say unto you, Smite Amnon; then kill him, fear not: have not I
commanded you? be courageous and be valiant.
29. And the servants of Absalom did unto Amnon
as Absalom had commanded. Then all the king's sons arose, and
every man gat him up upon his mule, and fled.
30. And it came to pass, while they were in the
way, that tidings came to David, saying, Absalom hath slain all
the king's sons, and there is not one of them left.
31. Then the king arose, and tare his garments,
and lay on the earth; and all his servants stood by with their
clothes rent.
32. And Jonadab, the son of Shimeah David's brother,
answered and said, Let not my lord suppose that they have slain
all the young men the king's sons; for Amnon only is dead: for
by the appointment of Absalom this hath been determined from the
day that he forced his sister Tamar.
33. Now therefore let not my lord the king take
the thing to his heart, to think that all the king's sons are
dead: for Amnon only is dead.
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 him.
35. And Jonadab said unto the king, Behold, the
king's sons come: as thy servant said, so it is.
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 voice and wept: and the king also and all his servants
wept very sore.
37. But Absalom fled, and went to Talmai, the
son of Ammihud, king of Geshur. And David mourned for his son
every day.
38. So Absalom fled, and went to Geshur, and was
there three years.
39. And the soul of king David longed to go forth
unto Absalom: for he was comforted concerning Amnon, seeing he
was dead.
Second Samuel - Chapter 14
1. Now Joab the son of Zeruiah perceived that
the king's heart was toward Absalom.
2. And Joab sent to Tekoah, and fetched thence
a wise woman, and said unto her, I pray thee, feign thyself to
be a mourner, and put on now mourning apparel, and anoint not
thyself with oil, but be as a woman that had a long time mourned
for the dead:
3. And come to the king, and speak on this manner
unto him. So Joab put the words in her mouth.
4. And when the woman of Tekoah spake to the king,
she fell on her face to the ground, and did obeisance, and said,
Help, O king.
5. And the king said unto her, What aileth thee?
And she answered, I am indeed a widow woman, and mine husband
is dead.
6. And thy handmaid had two sons, and they two
strove together in the field, and there was none to part them,
but the one smote the other, and slew him.
7. And, behold, the whole family is risen against
thine handmaid, and they said, Deliver him that smote his brother,
that we may kill him, for the life of his brother whom he slew;
and we will destroy the heir also: and so they shall quench my
coal which is left, and shall not leave to my husband neither
name nor remainder upon the earth.
8. And the king said unto the woman, Go to thine
house, and I will give charge 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 ought unto
thee, bring him to me, and he shall not touch thee any more.
11. Then said she, I pray thee, let the king remember
the LORD thy God, that thou wouldest not suffer the revengers
of blood to destroy any more, lest they destroy my son. And he
said, As the LORD liveth, there shall not one hair of thy son
fall to the earth.
12. Then the woman said, Let thine handmaid, I
pray thee, speak one word unto my lord the king. And he said,
Say on.
13. And the woman said, Wherefore then hast thou
thought such a thing against the people of God? for the king
doth speak this thing as one which is faulty, in that the king
doth not fetch home again his banished.
14. For we must needs die, and are as water spilt
on the ground, which cannot be gathered up again; neither doth
God respect any person: yet doth he devise means, that his banished
be not expelled from him.
15. Now therefore that I am come to speak of this
thing unto my lord the king, it 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.
17. Then thine handmaid said, The word of my lord
the king shall now be comfortable: for as an angel of God, so
is my lord the king to discern good and bad: therefore the LORD
thy God will be with thee.
18. Then the king answered and said unto the woman,
Hide not from me, I pray thee, the thing that I shall ask thee.
And the woman said, Let my lord the king now speak.
19. And the king said, Is not the hand of Joab
with thee in all this? And the woman answered and said, As thy
soul liveth, my lord the king, none can turn to the right hand
or to the left from ought that my lord the king hath spoken: for
thy servant Joab, he bade me, and he put all these words in the
mouth of thine handmaid:
20. To fetch about this form of speech hath thy
servant Joab done this thing: and my lord is wise, according to
the wisdom of an angel of God, to know all things that are in
the earth.
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 hath fulfilled the request of his servant.
23. So Joab arose and went to Geshur, and brought
Absalom to Jerusalem.
24. And the king said, Let him turn to his own
house, and let him not see my face. So Absalom returned to his
own house, and saw not the king's face.
25. But in all Israel there was none to be so
much praised as Absalom for his beauty: from the sole of his foot
even to the crown of his head there was no blemish in him.
26. And when he polled his head, (for it was at
every year's end that he polled it: because the hair was heavy
on him, therefore he polled it:) he weighed the hair of his head
at two hundred shekels after the king's weight.
27. And unto Absalom there were born three sons,
and one daughter, whose name was Tamar: she was a woman of a fair
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 Absalom unto
his house, and said unto him, Wherefore have thy servants set
my field on fire?
32. And Absalom answered Joab, Behold, I sent
unto thee, saying, Come hither, that I may send thee to the king,
to say, Wherefore am I come from Geshur? it had been good for
me to have been there still: now therefore let me see the king's
face; and if there be any iniquity in me, let him kill me.
33. So Joab came to the king, and told him: and
when he had called for Absalom, he came to the king, and bowed
himself on his face to the ground before the king: and the king
kissed Absalom.
Second Samuel - Chapter 15
1. And it came to pass after this, that Absalom
prepared him chariots and horses, and fifty men to run before
him.
2. And Absalom rose up early, and stood beside
the way of the gate: and it was so, that when any man that had
a controversy came to the king for judgment, then Absalom called
unto him, and said, Of what city art thou? And he said, Thy servant
is of one of the tribes of Israel.
3. And Absalom said unto him, See, thy matters
are good and right; but there is no man deputed of the king to
hear thee.
4. Absalom said moreover, Oh that I 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 kissed him.
6. And on this manner did Absalom to all Israel
that came to the king for judgment: so Absalom stole the hearts
of the 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 counseller, 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.
14. And David said unto all his servants that
were with him at Jerusalem, Arise, and let us flee; for we shall
not else escape from Absalom: make speed to depart, lest he overtake
us suddenly, and bring evil upon us, and smite the city with the
edge of the sword.
15. And the king's servants said unto the king,
Behold, thy servants are ready to do whatsoever my lord the king
shall appoint.
16. And the king went forth, and all his household
after him. And the king left ten women, which were concubines,
to keep the house.
17. And the king went forth, and all the people
after him, and tarried in a place that was far off.
18. And all his servants passed on beside him;
and all the Cherethites, and all the Pelethites, and all the Gittites,
six hundred men which came after him from Gath, passed on before
the king.
19. Then said the king to Ittai the Gittite, Wherefore
goest thou also with us? return to thy place, and abide with
the king: for thou art a stranger, and also an exile.
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.
21. And Ittai answered the king, and said, As
the LORD liveth, and as my lord the king liveth, surely in what
place my lord the king shall be, whether in death or life, even
there also will thy servant be.
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, Ahimaaz thy son, and Jonathan the son of Abiathar.
28. See, I will tarry in the plain of the wilderness,
until there come word from you to certify me.
29. Zadok therefore and Abiathar carried the ark
of God again to Jerusalem: and they tarried there.
30. And David went up by the ascent of mount Olivet,
and wept as he went up, and had his head covered, and he went
barefoot: and all the people that was with him covered every man
his head, and they went up, weeping as they went up.
31. And one told David, saying, Ahithophel is
among the conspirators with Absalom. And David said, O LORD,
I pray thee, turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness.
32. And it came to pass, that when David was come
to the top of the mount, where he worshipped God, behold, Hushai
the Archite came to meet him with his coat rent, and earth upon
his head:
33. Unto whom David said, If thou 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, O king; 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.
35. And hast thou not there with thee Zadok and
Abiathar the priests? therefore it shall be, that what thing
soever thou shalt hear out of the king's house, thou shalt tell
it to Zadok and Abiathar the priests.
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.
Second Samuel - Chapter 16
1. And when David was a little past the top of
the hill, behold, Ziba the servant of Mephibosheth met him, with
a couple of asses saddled, and upon them two hundred loaves of
bread, and an hundred bunches of raisins, and an hundred of summer
fruits, and a bottle of wine.
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 for the young men to
eat; and the wine, that such as be faint in the wilderness may
drink.
3. And the king said, And where is thy master's
son? And Ziba said unto the king, Behold, he abideth at Jerusalem:
for he said, To day shall the house of Israel restore me the kingdom
of my father.
4. Then said the king to Ziba, Behold, thine are
all that pertained unto Mephibosheth. And Ziba said, I humbly
beseech thee that I may find grace in thy sight, my lord, O king.
5. And when king David came to Bahurim, behold,
thence came out a man of the family of the house of Saul, whose
name was Shimei, the son of Gera: he came forth, and cursed still
as he came.
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:
8. The LORD hath returned upon thee all the blood
of the house of Saul, in whose stead thou hast reigned; and the
LORD hath delivered the kingdom into the hand of Absalom thy son:
and, behold, thou art taken in thy mischief, because thou art
a bloody man.
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?
11. And David said to Abishai, and to all his
servants, Behold, my son, which came forth of my bowels, seeketh
my life: how much more now may this Benjamite do it? let him
alone, and let him curse; for the LORD hath bidden him.
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.
15. And Absalom, and all the people the men of
Israel, came to Jerusalem, and Ahithophel with him.
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.
17. And Absalom said to Hushai, Is this thy kindness
to thy friend? why wentest thou not with thy friend?
18. And Hushai said unto Absalom, Nay; but whom
the LORD, and this people, and all the men of Israel, choose,
his will I be, and with him will I abide.
19. And again, whom should I serve? should I
not serve in the presence of his son? as I have served in thy
father's presence, so will I be in thy presence.
20. Then said Absalom to Ahithophel, Give counsel
among you what we shall do.
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 thou art abhorred of thy father:
then shall the hands of all that are 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 enquired at the oracle of God:
so was all the counsel of Ahithophel both with David and with
Absalom.
Second Samuel - Chapter 17
1. Moreover Ahithophel said unto Absalom, Let
me now choose out twelve thousand men, and I will arise and pursue
after David this night:
2. And I will come upon him while he is weary
and weak handed, and will make him afraid: and all the people
that are with 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.
6. And when Hushai was come to Absalom, Absalom
spake unto him, saying, Ahithophel hath spoken after this manner:
shall we do after his saying? if not; speak thou.
7. And Hushai said unto Absalom, The counsel that
Ahithophel hath given is not good at this time.
8. For, said Hushai, thou knowest thy father and
his men, that they be mighty men, and they be chafed in their
minds, as a bear robbed of her whelps in the field: and thy father
is a man of war, and will not lodge with the people.
9. Behold, he is hid now in some pit, or in some
other place: and it will come to pass, when some of them be overthrown
at the first, that whosoever heareth it will say, There is a slaughter
among the people that follow Absalom.
10. And he also that is valiant, whose heart is
as the heart of a lion, shall utterly melt: for all Israel knoweth
that thy father is a mighty man, and they which be with him are
valiant men.
11. Therefore I counsel that all Israel be generally
gathered unto thee, from Dan even to Beer-sheba, as the sand that
is by the sea for multitude; and that thou go to battle in thine
own person.
12. So shall we come upon him in some place where
he shall be found, and we will light upon him as the dew falleth
on the ground: and of him and of all the men that are with him
there shall not be left so much as one.
13. Moreover, if he be gotten into a city, then
shall all Israel bring ropes to that city, and we will draw it
into the river, until there be not one small stone found there.
14. And Absalom and all the men of Israel said,
The counsel of Hushai the Archite is better than the counsel of
Ahithophel. For the LORD had appointed to defeat the good counsel
of Ahithophel, to the intent that the LORD might bring evil upon
Absalom.
15. Then said Hushai unto Zadok and to Abiathar
the priests, Thus and thus did Ahithophel counsel Absalom and
the elders of Israel; and thus and thus have I counselled.
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 away quickly, and came to a man's house
in Bahurim, which had a well in his court; whither they went down.
19. And the woman took and spread a covering over
the well's mouth, and spread ground corn thereon; and the thing
was not known.
20. And when Absalom's servants came to the woman
to the house, they said, Where is Ahimaaz and Jonathan? And the
woman said unto them, They be gone over the brook of water. And
when they had sought and could not find them, they returned to
Jerusalem.
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.
22. Then David arose, and all the people that
were with him, and they passed over Jordan: by the morning light
there lacked not one of them that was not gone over Jordan.
23. And when Ahithophel saw that his counsel was
not followed, he saddled his ass, and arose, and gat him home
to his house, to his city, and put his household in order, and
hanged himself, and died, and was buried in the sepulchre of his
father.
24. Then David came to Mahanaim. And Absalom
passed over Jordan, he and all the men of Israel with him.
25. And Absalom made Amasa captain of the host
instead of Joab: which Amasa was a man's son, whose name was Ithra
an Israelite, that went in to Abigail the daughter of Nahash,
sister to Zeruiah Joab's mother.
26. So Israel and Absalom pitched in the land
of Gilead.
27. And it came to pass, when David was come to
Mahanaim, that Shobi the son of Nahash of Rabbah of the children
of Ammon, and Machir the son of Ammiel of Lo-debar, and Barzillai
the Gileadite of Rogelim,
28. Brought beds, and basons, and earthen vessels,
and wheat, and barley, and flour, and parched corn, and beans,
and lentiles, and parched pulse,
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.
Second Samuel - Chapter 18
1. And 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.
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 worth
ten thousand of us: therefore now it is better that thou succour us out of the city.
4. And the king said unto them, What seemeth you
best I will do. And the king stood by the gate side, and all
the people came out by hundreds and by thousands.
5. And the king commanded Joab and Abishai and
Ittai, saying, Deal gently for my sake with the young man, even
with Absalom. And all the people heard when the king gave all the captains charge concerning Absalom.
6. So the people went out into the field against
Israel: and the battle was in the wood of Ephraim;
7. Where the people of Israel were slain before
the servants of David, and there was there a great slaughter that day of twenty thousand men.
8. For the battle was there scattered over the
face of all the country: and the wood devoured more people that day than the sword devoured.
9. And Absalom met the servants of David. And
Absalom rode upon a mule, and the mule went under the thick boughs
of a great oak, and his head caught hold of the oak, and he was
taken up between the heaven and the earth; and the mule that was under him went away.
10. And a certain man saw it, and told Joab, and
said, Behold, I saw Absalom hanged in an oak.
11. And Joab said unto the man that told him,
And, behold, thou sawest him, and why didst thou not smite him
there to the ground? and I would have given thee ten shekels of silver, and a girdle.
12. And the man said unto Joab, Though I should
receive a thousand shekels of silver in mine hand, yet would I
not put forth mine hand against the king's son: for in our hearing
the king charged thee and Abishai and Ittai, saying, Beware that none touch the young man Absalom.
13. Otherwise 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.
18. Now Absalom in his lifetime had taken and
reared up for himself a pillar, which is in the king's dale: for
he said, I have no son to keep my name in remembrance: and he
called the pillar after his own name: and it is called unto this day, Absalom's place.
19. Then said Ahimaaz the son of Zadok, Let me
now run, and bear the king tidings, how that the LORD hath avenged him of his enemies.
20. And Joab said unto him, Thou shalt not bear
tidings this day, but thou shalt bear tidings another day: but
this day thou shalt bear no tidings, because the king's son is dead.
21. Then said Joab to Cushi, Go tell the king
what thou hast seen. And Cushi bowed himself unto Joab, and ran.
22. Then said Ahimaaz the son of Zadok yet again
to Joab, But howsoever, let me, I pray thee, also run after Cushi. And Joab said, Wherefore wilt thou run, my son,
seeing that thou hast no tidings ready?
23. But howsoever, said he, let me run. And he
said unto him, Run. Then Ahimaaz ran by the way of the plain, and overran Cushi.
24. And David sat 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, there is tidings in his mouth. And he came apace, and drew near.
26. And the watchman saw another man running:
and the watchman called unto the porter, and said, Behold another
man running alone. And the king said, He also bringeth tidings.
27. And the watchman said, Me thinketh the running
of the foremost is like the running of Ahimaaz the son of Zadok.
And the king said, He is a good man, and cometh with good tidings.
28. And Ahimaaz called, and said unto the king,
All is well. And he fell down to the earth upon his face before
the king, and said, Blessed be the LORD thy God, which hath delivered
up the men that lifted up their hand against my lord the king.
29. And the king said, Is the young man Absalom
safe? And Ahimaaz answered, When Joab sent the king's servant,
and me thy servant, I saw a great tumult, but I knew not what it was.
30. And the king said unto him, Turn aside, and
stand here. And he turned aside, and stood still.
31. And, behold, Cushi came; and Cushi said, Tidings,
my lord the king: for the LORD hath avenged thee this day of all
them that rose up against thee.
32. And the king said unto Cushi, Is the young
man Absalom safe? And Cushi answered, The enemies of my lord
the king, and all that rise against thee to do thee hurt, be as that young man is.
33. And the king was much moved, and went up to
the chamber over the gate, and wept: and as he went, thus he said,
O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! would God I had died
for thee, O Absalom, my son, my son!
Second Samuel - Chapter 19
1. And it was told Joab, Behold, the king weepeth
and mourneth for Absalom.
2. And the victory that day was turned into mourning
unto all the people: for the people heard say that day how the king was grieved for his son.
3. And the people gat them by stealth that day
into the city, as people being ashamed steal away when they flee in battle.
4. But the king covered his face, and the king
cried with a loud voice, O my son Absalom, O Absalom, my son, my son!
5. And Joab came into the house to the king, and
said, Thou hast shamed this day the faces of all thy servants,
which this day have saved thy life, and the lives of thy sons
and of thy daughters, and the lives of thy wives, and the lives of thy concubines;
6. In that thou lovest thine enemies, and hatest
thy friends. For thou hast declared this day, that thou regardest
neither princes nor servants: for this day I perceive, that if
Absalom had lived, and all we had died this day, then it had pleased thee well.
7. Now therefore arise, go forth, and speak comfortably
unto thy servants: for I swear by the LORD, if thou go not forth,
there will not tarry one with thee this night: and that will be
worse unto thee than all the evil that befell thee from thy youth until now.
8. Then the king arose, and sat in the gate.
And they told unto all the people, saying, Behold, the king doth
sit in the gate. And all the people came before the king: for Israel had fled every man to his tent.
9. And all the people were at strife 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 for Absalom.
10. And Absalom, whom we anointed over us, is
dead in battle. Now therefore why speak ye not a word of bringing the king back?
11. And king David sent to Zadok and to Abiathar
the priests, saying, Speak unto the elders of Judah, saying, Why
are ye the last to bring the king back to his house? seeing the
speech of all Israel is come to the king, even to his house.
12. Ye are my brethren, ye are my bones and my
flesh: wherefore then are ye the last to bring back the king?
13. And say ye to Amasa, Art thou not of my bone,
and of my flesh? God do so to me, and more also, if thou be not
captain of the host before me continually in the room of Joab.
14. And he bowed the heart of all the men of Judah,
even as the heart of one man; so that they sent this word unto the king, Return thou, and all thy servants.
15. So the king returned, and came to Jordan.
And Judah came to Gilgal, to go to meet the king, to conduct the king over Jordan.
16. And Shimei the son of Gera, a Benjamite, which
was of Bahurim, hasted and came down with the men of Judah to meet king David.
17. And there were a thousand men of Benjamin
with him, and Ziba the servant of the house of Saul, and his fifteen
sons and his twenty servants with him; and they went over Jordan before the king.
18. And there went over a ferry boat to carry
over the king's household, and to do what he thought good. And
Shimei the son of Gera fell down before the king, as he was come over Jordan;
19. And said unto the king, Let not my lord impute
iniquity unto me, neither do thou remember that which thy servant
did perversely the day that my lord the king went out of Jerusalem, that the king should take it to his heart.
20. For thy servant doth know that I have sinned:
therefore, behold, I am come the first this day of all the house
of Joseph to go down to meet my lord the king.
21. But Abishai the son of Zeruiah answered and
said, Shall not Shimei be put to death for this, because he cursed
the LORD's anointed?
22. And David said, What have I to do with you,
ye sons of Zeruiah, that ye should this day be adversaries unto
me? shall there any man be put to death this day in Israel? for do not I know that I am this day king over Israel?
23. Therefore the king said unto Shimei, Thou
shalt not die. And the king sware unto him.
24. And Mephibosheth the son of Saul came down
to meet the king, and had neither dressed his feet, nor trimmed
his beard, nor washed his clothes, from the day the king departed until the day he came again in peace.
25. And it came to pass, when he was come to Jerusalem
to meet the king, that the king said unto him, Wherefore wentest not thou with me, Mephibosheth?
26. And he answered, My lord, O king, my servant
deceived me: for thy servant said, I will saddle me an ass, that
I may ride thereon, and go to the king; because thy servant is lame.
27. And he hath slandered thy servant unto my
lord the king; but my lord the king is as an angel of God: do therefore what is good in thine eyes.
28. For all of my father's house were but dead
men before my lord the king: yet didst thou set thy servant among
them that did eat at thine own table. What right therefore have I yet to cry any more unto the king?
29. And the king said unto him, Why speakest thou
any more of thy matters? I have said, Thou and Ziba divide the land.
30. And Mephibosheth said unto the king, Yea,
let him take all, forasmuch as my lord the king is come again in peace unto his own house.
31. And Barzillai the Gileadite came down from
Rogelim, and went over Jordan with the king, to conduct him over Jordan.
32. Now Barzillai was a very aged man, even fourscore
years old: and he had provided the king of sustenance while he
lay at Mahanaim; for he was a very great man.
33. And the king said unto Barzillai, Come thou
over with me, and I will feed thee with me in Jerusalem.
34. And Barzillai said unto the king, How long
have I to live, that I should go up with the king unto Jerusalem?
35. I am this day fourscore years old: and can
I discern between good and evil? can thy servant taste what I
eat or what I drink? can I hear any more the voice of singing
men and singing women? wherefore then should thy servant be yet a burden unto my lord the king?
36. Thy servant will go a little way over Jordan
with the king: and why should the king recompense it me with such a reward?
37. Let thy servant, I pray thee, turn back again,
that I may die in mine own city, and be buried by the grave of
my father and of my mother. But behold thy servant Chimham; let
him go over with my lord the king; and do to him what shall seem good unto thee.
38. And the king answered, Chimham shall go over
with me, and I will do to him that which shall seem good unto
thee: and whatsoever thou shalt require of me, that will I do for thee.
39. And all the people went over Jordan. And
when the king was come over, the king kissed Barzillai, and blessed
him; and he returned unto his own place.
40. Then the king went on to Gilgal, and Chimham
went on with him: and all the people of Judah conducted the king, and also half the people of Israel.
41. 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 have brought the king, and his household, and all David's men with him, over Jordan?
42. And all the men of Judah answered the men
of Israel, Because the king is near of kin to us: wherefore then
be ye angry for this matter? have we eaten at all of the king's cost? or hath he given us any gift?
43. And the men of Israel answered the men of
Judah, and said, We have ten parts in the king, and we have also
more right in David than ye: why then did ye despise us, that
our advice should not be first had in bringing back our king?
And the words of the men of Judah were fiercer than the words of the men of Israel.
Second Samuel - Chapter 20
1. And there happened to be there a man of Belial,
whose name was Sheba, the son of Bichri, a Benjamite: and he blew
a trumpet, and said, We have no part in David, neither have we
inheritance in the son of Jesse: every man to his tents, O Israel.
2. So every man of Israel went up from after David,
and followed Sheba the son of Bichri: but the men of Judah clave
unto their king, from Jordan even to Jerusalem.
3. And David came to his house at Jerusalem; and
the king took the ten women his concubines, whom he had left to
keep the house, and put them in ward, and fed them, but went not
in unto them. So they were shut up unto the day of their death,
living in widowhood.
4. Then said the king to Amasa, Assemble me the
men of Judah within three days, and be thou here present.
5. So Amasa went to assemble the men of Judah:
but he tarried longer than the set time which he had appointed
him.
6. And David said to Abishai, Now shall Sheba
the son of Bichri do us more harm than did Absalom: take thou
thy lord's servants, and pursue after him, lest he get him fenced
cities, and escape us.
7. And there went out after him Joab's men, and
the Cherethites, and the Pelethites, and all the mighty men: and
they went out of Jerusalem, to pursue after Sheba the son of Bichri.
8. When they were at the great stone which is
in Gibeon, Amasa went before them. And Joab's garment that he
had put on was girded unto him, and upon it a girdle with a sword
fastened upon his loins in the sheath thereof; and as he went
forth it fell out.
9. And Joab said to Amasa, Art thou in health,
my brother? And Joab took Amasa by the beard with the right hand
to kiss him.
10. But Amasa took no heed to the sword that was
in Joab's hand: so he smote him therewith in the fifth rib, and
shed out his bowels to the ground, and struck him not again; and
he died. So Joab and Abishai his brother pursued after Sheba
the son of Bichri.
11. And one of Joab's men stood by him, and said,
He that favoureth Joab, and he that is for David, let him go after
Joab.
12. And Amasa wallowed in blood in the midst of
the highway. And when the man saw that all the people stood still,
he removed Amasa out of the highway into the field, and cast a
cloth upon him, when he saw that every one that came by him stood
still.
13. When he was removed out of the highway, all
the people went on after Joab, to pursue after Sheba the son of
Bichri.
14. And he went through all the tribes of Israel
unto Abel, and to Beth-maachah, and all the Berites: and they
were gathered together, and went also after him.
15. And they came and besieged him in Abel of
Beth-maachah, and they cast up a bank against the city, and it
stood in the trench: and all the people that were with Joab battered
the wall, to throw it down.
16. Then cried a wise woman out of the city, Hear,
hear; say, I pray you, unto Joab, Come near hither, that I may
speak with thee.
17. And when he was come near unto her, the woman
said, Art thou Joab? And he answered, I am he. Then she said
unto him, Hear the words of thine handmaid. And he answered,
I do hear.
18. Then she spake, saying, They were wont to
speak in old time, saying, They shall surely ask counsel at Abel:
and so they ended the matter.
19. I am one of them that are peaceable and faithful
in Israel: thou seekest to destroy a city and a mother in Israel:
why wilt thou swallow up the inheritance of the LORD?
20. And Joab answered and said, Far be it, far
be it from me, that I should swallow up or destroy.
21. The matter is not so: but a man of mount Ephraim,
Sheba the son of Bichri by name, hath lifted up his hand against
the king, even against David: deliver him only, and I will depart
from the city. And the woman said unto Joab, Behold, his head
shall be thrown to thee over the wall.
22. Then the woman went unto all the people in
her wisdom. And they cut off the head of Sheba the son of Bichri,
and cast it out to Joab. And he blew a trumpet, and they retired
from the city, every man to his tent. And Joab returned to Jerusalem
unto the king.
23. Now Joab was over all the host of Israel:
and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and over
the Pelethites:
24. And Adoram was over the tribute: and Jehoshaphat
the son of Ahilud was recorder:
25. And Sheva was scribe: and Zadok and Abiathar
were the priests:
26. And Ira also the Jairite was a chief ruler
about David.
Second Samuel - Chapter 21
1. Then there was a famine in the days of David
three years, year after year; and David enquired of the LORD.
And the LORD answered, It is for Saul, and for his bloody house,
because he slew the Gibeonites.
2. And the king called the Gibeonites, and said
unto them; (now the Gibeonites were not of the children of Israel,
but of the remnant of the Amorites; and the children of Israel
had sworn unto them: and Saul sought to slay them in his zeal
to the children of Israel and Judah.)
3. Wherefore David said unto the Gibeonites, What
shall I do for you? and wherewith shall I make the atonement,
that ye may bless the inheritance of the LORD?
4. And the Gibeonites said unto him, We will have
no silver nor gold of Saul, nor of his house; neither for us shalt
thou kill any man in Israel. And he said, What ye shall say,
that will I do for you.
5. And they answered the king, The man that consumed
us, and that devised against us that we should be destroyed from
remaining in any of the coasts of Israel,
6. Let seven men of his sons be delivered unto
us, and we will hang them up unto the LORD in Gibeah of Saul,
whom the LORD did choose. And the king said, I will give them.
7. But the king spared Mephibosheth, the son of
Jonathan the son of Saul, because of the LORD's oath that was
between them, between David and Jonathan the son of Saul.
8. But the king took the two sons of Rizpah the
daughter of Aiah, whom she bare unto Saul, Armoni and Mephibosheth;
and the five sons of Michal the daughter of Saul, whom she brought
up for Adriel the son of Barzillai the Meholathite:
9. And he delivered them into the hands of the
Gibeonites, and they hanged them in the hill before the LORD:
and they fell all seven together, and were put to death in the
days of harvest, in the first days, in the beginning of barley
harvest.
10. And Rizpah the daughter of Aiah took sackcloth,
and spread it for her upon the rock, from the beginning of harvest
until water dropped upon them out of heaven, and suffered neither
the birds of the air to rest on them by day, nor the beasts of
the field by night.
11. And it was told David what Rizpah the daughter
of Aiah, the concubine of Saul, had done.
12. And David went and took the bones of Saul
and the bones of Jonathan his son from the men of Jabesh-gilead,
which had stolen them from the street of Beth-shan, where the
Philistines had hanged them, when the Philistines had slain Saul
in Gilboa:
13. And he brought up from thence the bones of
Saul and the bones of Jonathan his son; and they gathered the
bones of them that were hanged.
14. And the bones of Saul and Jonathan his son
buried they in the country of Benjamin in Zelah, in the sepulchre
of Kish his father: and they performed all that the king commanded.
And after that God was intreated for the land.
15. Moreover the Philistines had yet war again
with Israel; and David went down, and his servants with him, and
fought against the Philistines: and David waxed faint.
16. And Ishbi-benob, which was of the sons of
the giant, the weight of whose spear weighed three hundred shekels
of brass in weight, he being girded with a new sword, thought
to have slain David.
17. But Abishai the son of Zeruiah succoured him,
and smote the Philistine, and killed him. Then the men of David
sware unto him, saying, Thou shalt go no more out with us to battle,
that thou quench not the light of Israel.
18. And it came to pass after this, that there
was again a battle with the Philistines at Gob: then Sibbechai
the Hushathite slew Saph, which was of the sons of the giant.
19. And there was again a battle in Gob with the
Philistines, where Elhanan the son of Jaare-oregim, a Bethlehemite,
slew the brother of Goliath the Gittite, the staff of whose spear
was like a weaver's beam.
20. And there was yet a battle in Gath, where
was a man of great stature, that had on every hand six fingers,
and on every foot six toes, four and twenty in number; and he
also was born to the giant.
21. And when he defied Israel, Jonathan the son
of Shimea the brother of David slew him.
22. These four were born to the giant in Gath,
and fell by the hand of David, and by the hand of his servants.
Second Samuel - Chapter 22
1. And David spake unto the LORD the words of
this song in the day that the LORD had delivered him out of the
hand of all his enemies, and out of the hand of Saul:
2. And he said, The LORD is my rock, and my fortress,
and my deliverer;
3. The God of my rock; in him will I trust: he
is my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and
my refuge, my saviour; thou savest me from violence.
4. I will call on the LORD, who is worthy to be
praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.
5. When the waves of death compassed me, the floods
of ungodly men made me afraid;
6. The sorrows of hell compassed me about; the
snares of death prevented me;
7. In my distress I called upon the LORD, and
cried to my God: and he did hear my voice out of his temple, and
my cry did enter into his ears.
8. Then the earth shook and trembled; the foundations
of heaven moved and shook, because he was wroth.
9. There went up a smoke out of his nostrils,
and fire out of his mouth devoured: coals were kindled by it.
10. He bowed the heavens also, and came down;
and darkness was under his feet.
11. And he rode upon a cherub, and did fly: and
he was seen upon the wings of the wind.
12. And he made darkness pavilions round about
him, dark waters, and thick clouds of the skies.
13. Through the brightness before him were coals
of fire kindled.
14. The LORD thundered from heaven, and the most
High uttered his voice.
15. And he sent out arrows, and scattered them;
lightning, and discomfited them.
16. And the channels of the sea appeared, the
foundations of the world were discovered, at the rebuking of the
LORD, at the blast of the breath of his nostrils.
17. He sent from above, he took me; he drew me
out of many waters;
18. He delivered me from my strong enemy, and
from them that hated me: for they were too strong for me.
19. They prevented me in the day of my calamity:
but the LORD was my stay.
20. He brought me forth also into a large place:
he delivered me, because he delighted in me.
21. The LORD rewarded me according to my righteousness:
according to the cleanness of my hands hath he recompensed me.
22. For I have kept the ways of the LORD, and
have not wickedly departed from my God.
23. For all his judgments were before me: and
as for his statutes, I did not depart from them.
24. I was also upright before him, and have kept
myself from mine iniquity.
25. Therefore the LORD hath recompensed me according
to my righteousness; according to my cleanness in his eye sight.
26. With the merciful thou wilt shew thyself merciful,
and with the upright man thou wilt shew thyself upright.
27. With the pure thou wilt shew thyself pure;
and with the froward thou wilt shew thyself unsavoury.
28. And the afflicted people thou wilt save: but
thine eyes are upon the haughty, that thou mayest bring them down.
29. For thou art my lamp, O LORD: and the LORD
will lighten my darkness.
30. For by thee I have run through a troop: by
my God have I leaped over a wall.
31. As for God, his way is perfect; the word of
the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all them that trust in him.
32. For who is God, save the LORD? and who is
a rock, save our God?
33. God is my strength and power: and he maketh
my way perfect.
34. He maketh my feet like hinds' feet: and setteth
me upon my high places.
35. He teacheth my hands to war; so that a bow
of steel is broken by mine arms.
36. Thou hast also given me the shield of thy
salvation: and thy gentleness hath made me great.
37. Thou hast enlarged my steps under me; so that
my feet did not slip.
38. I have pursued mine enemies, and destroyed
them; and turned not again until I had consumed them.
39. And I have consumed them, and wounded them,
that they could not arise: yea, they are fallen under my feet.
40. For thou hast girded me with strength to battle:
them that rose up against me hast thou subdued under me.
41. Thou hast also given me the necks of mine
enemies, that I might destroy them that hate me.
42. They looked, but there was none to save; even
unto the LORD, but he answered them not.
43. Then did I beat them as small as the dust
of the earth, I did stamp them as the mire of the street, and
did spread them abroad.
44. Thou also hast delivered me from the strivings
of my people, thou hast kept me to be head of the heathen: a people
which I knew not shall serve me.
45. Strangers shall submit themselves unto me:
as soon as they hear, they shall be obedient unto me.
46. Strangers shall fade away, and they shall
be afraid out of their close places.
47. The LORD liveth; and blessed be my rock; and
exalted be the God of the rock of my salvation.
48. It is God that avengeth me, and that bringeth
down the people under me,
49. And that bringeth me forth from mine enemies:
thou also hast lifted me up on high above them that rose up against
me: thou hast delivered me from the violent man.
50. Therefore I will give thanks unto thee, O
LORD, among the heathen, and I will sing praises unto thy name.
51. He is the tower of salvation for his king:
and sheweth mercy to his anointed, unto David, and to his seed
for evermore.
Second Samuel - Chapter 23
1. Now these be the last words of David. David
the son of Jesse said, and the man who was raised up on high,
the anointed of the God of Jacob, and the sweet psalmist of Israel,
said,
2. The Spirit of the LORD spake by me, and his
word was in my tongue.
3. The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel
spake to me, He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the
fear of God.
4. And he shall be as the light of the morning,
when the sun riseth, even a morning without clouds; as the tender
grass springing out of the earth by clear shining after rain.
5. Although my house be not so with God; yet he
hath made with me an everlasting covenant, ordered in all things,
and sure: for this is all my salvation, and all my desire, although
he make it not to grow.
6. But the sons of Belial shall be all of them
as thorns thrust away, because they cannot be taken with hands:
7. But the man that shall touch them must be fenced
with iron and the staff of a spear; and they shall be utterly
burned with fire in the same place.
8. These be the names of the mighty men whom David
had: The Tachmonite that sat in the seat, chief among the captains;
the same was Adino the Eznite: he lift up his spear against eight
hundred, whom he slew at one time.
9. And after him was Eleazar the son of Dodo the
Ahohite, one of the three mighty men with David, when they defied
the Philistines that were there gathered together to battle, and
the men of Israel were gone away:
10. He arose, and smote the Philistines until
his hand was weary, and his hand clave unto the sword: and the
LORD wrought a great victory that day; and the people returned
after him only to spoil.
11. And after him was Shammah the son of Agee
the Hararite. And the Philistines were gathered together into
a troop, where was a piece of ground full of lentiles: and the
people fled from the Philistines.
12. But he stood in the midst of the ground, and
defended it, and slew the Philistines: and the LORD wrought a
great victory.
13. And three of the thirty chief went down, and
came to David in the harvest time unto the cave of Adullam: and
the troop of the Philistines pitched in the valley of Rephaim.
14. And David was then in an hold, and the garrison
of the Philistines was then in Bethlehem.
15. And David longed, and said, Oh that one would
give me drink of the water of the well of Bethlehem, which is
by the gate!
16. And the three mighty men brake through the
host of the Philistines, and drew water out of the well of Bethlehem,
that was by the gate, and took it, and brought it to David: nevertheless
he would not drink thereof, but poured it out unto the LORD.
17. And he said, Be it far from me, O LORD, that
I should do this: is not this the blood of the men that went in
jeopardy of their lives? therefore he would not drink it. These
things did these three mighty men.
18. And Abishai, the brother of Joab, the son
of Zeruiah, was chief among three. And he lifted up his spear
against three hundred, and slew them, and had the name among three.
19. Was he not most honourable of three? therefore
he was their captain: howbeit he attained not unto the first three.
20. And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, the son of
a valiant man, of Kabzeel, who had done many acts, he slew two
lionlike men of Moab: he went down also and slew a lion in the
midst of a pit in time of snow:
21. And he slew an Egyptian, a goodly man: and
the Egyptian had a spear in his hand; but he went down to him
with a staff, and plucked the spear out of the Egyptian's hand,
and slew him with his own spear.
22. These things did Benaiah the son of Jehoiada,
and had the name among three mighty men.
23. He was more honourable than the thirty, but
he attained not to the first three. And David set him over his
guard.
24. Asahel the brother of Joab was one of the
thirty; Elhanan the son of Dodo of Bethlehem,
25. Shammah the Harodite, Elika the Harodite,
26. Helez the Paltite, Ira the son of Ikkesh the
Tekoite,
27. Abiezer the Anethothite, Mebunnai the Hushathite,
28. Zalmon the Ahohite, Maharai the Netophathite,
29. Heleb the son of Baanah, a Netophathite, Ittai
the son of Ribai out of Gibeah of the children of Benjamin,
30. Benaiah the Pirathonite, Hiddai of the brooks
of Gaash,
31. Abi-albon the Arbathite, Azmaveth the
Barhumite,
32. Eliahba the Shaalbonite, of the sons of Jashen,
Jonathan,
33. Shammah the Hararite, Ahiam the son of Sharar
the Hararite,
34. Eliphelet the son of Ahasbai, the son of the
Maachathite, Eliam the son of Ahithophel the Gilonite,
35. Hezrai the Carmelite, Paarai the Arbite,
36. Igal the son of Nathan of Zobah, Bani the
Gadite,
37. Zelek the Ammonite, Naharai the Beerothite,
armourbearer to Joab the son of Zeruiah,
38. Ira an Ithrite, Gareb an Ithrite,
39. Uriah the Hittite: thirty and seven in all.
Second Samuel - Chapter 24
1. And again the anger of the LORD was kindled
against Israel, and he moved David against them to say, Go, number
Israel and Judah.
2. For the king said to Joab the captain of the
host, which was with him, Go now through all the tribes of Israel,
from Dan even to Beer-sheba, and number ye the people, that I
may know the number of the people.
3. And Joab said unto the king, Now the LORD thy
God add unto the people, how many soever they be, an hundredfold,
and that the eyes of my lord the king may see it: but why doth
my lord the king delight in this thing?
4. Notwithstanding the king's word prevailed against
Joab, and against the captains of the host. And Joab and the
captains of the host went out from the presence of the king, to
number the people of Israel.
5. And they passed over Jordan, and pitched in
Aroer, on the right side of the city that lieth in the midst of
the river of Gad, and toward Jazer:
6. Then they came to Gilead, and to the land of
Tahtim-hodshi; and they came to Dan-jaan, and about to Zidon,
7. And came to the strong hold of Tyre, and to
all the cities of the Hibites, and of the Canaanites: and they
went out to the south of Judah, even to Beer-sheba.
8. So when they had gone through all the land,
they came to Jerusalem at the end of nine months and twenty days.
9. And Joab gave up the sum of the number of the
people unto the king: and there were in Israel eight hundred thousand
valiant men that drew the sword; and the men of Judah were five
hundred thousand men.
10. And David's heart smote him after that he
had numbered the people. And David said unto the LORD, I have
sinned greatly in that I have done: and now, I beseech thee, O
LORD, take away the iniquity of thy servant; for I have done very
foolishly.
11. For when David was up in the morning, the
word of the LORD came unto the prophet Gad, David's seer, saying,
12. Go and say unto David, Thus saith the LORD,
I offer thee three things; choose thee one of them, that I may
do it unto thee.
13. So Gad came to David, and told him, and said
unto him, Shall seven years of famine come unto thee in thy land?
or wilt thou flee three months before thine enemies, while they
pursue thee? or that there be three days' pestilence in thy land?
now advise, and see what answer I shall return to him that sent
me.
14. And David said unto Gad, I am in a great strait:
let us fall now into the hand of the LORD; for his mercies are
great: and let me not fall into the hand of man.
15. So the LORD sent a pestilence upon Israel
from the morning even to the time appointed: and there died of
the people from Dan even to Beer-sheba seventy thousand men.
16. And when the angel stretched out his hand
upon Jerusalem to destroy it, the LORD repented him of the evil,
and said to the angel that destroyed the people, It is enough:
stay now thine hand. And the angel of the LORD was by the threshingplace
of Araunah the Jebusite.
17. And David spake unto the LORD when he saw
the angel that smote the people, and said, Lo, I have sinned,
and I have done wickedly: but these sheep, what have they done?
let thine hand, I pray thee, be against me, and against my father's
house.
18. And Gad came that day to David, and said unto
him, Go up, rear an altar unto the LORD in the threshingfloor
of Araunah the Jebusite.
19. And David, according to the saying of Gad,
went up as the LORD commanded.
20. And Araunah looked, and saw the king and his
servants coming on toward him: and Araunah went out, and bowed
himself before the king on his face upon the ground.
21. And Araunah said, Wherefore is my lord the
king come to his servant? And David said, To buy the threshingfloor
of thee, to build an altar unto the LORD, that the plague may
be stayed from the people.
22. And Araunah said unto David, Let my lord the
king take and offer up what seemeth good unto him: behold, here
be oxen for burnt sacrifice, and threshing instruments and other
instruments of the oxen for wood.
23. All these things did Araunah, as a king, give
unto the king. And Araunah said unto the king, The LORD thy God
accept thee.
24. And the king said unto Araunah, Nay; but I
will surely buy it of thee at a price: neither will I offer burnt
offerings unto the LORD my God of that which doth cost me nothing.
So David bought the threshingfloor and the oxen for fifty shekels
of silver.
25. And David built there an altar unto the LORD,
and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings. So the LORD
was intreated for the land, and the plague was stayed from Israel.