2 Samuel
10:001:001 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;
10:001:002 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.
10:001:003 And David said unto him, From whence comest thou? And he said
unto him, Out of the camp of Israel am I escaped.
10:001:004 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.
10:001:005 And David said unto the young man that told him, How knowest
thou that Saul and Jonathan his son be dead?
10:001:006 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.
10:001:007 And when he looked behind him, he saw me, and called unto me.
And I answered, Here am I.
10:001:008 And he said unto me, Who art thou? And I answered him, I am an
Amalekite.
10:001:009 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.
10:001:010 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.
10:001:011 Then David took hold on his clothes, and rent them; and
likewise all the men that were with him:
10:001:012 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.
10:001:013 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.
10:001:014 And David said unto him, How wast thou not afraid to stretch
forth thine hand to destroy the LORD's anointed?
10:001:015 And David called one of the young men, and said, Go near, and
fall upon him. And he smote him that he died.
10:001:016 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.
10:001:017 And David lamented with this lamentation over Saul and over
Jonathan his son:
10:001:018 (Also he bade them teach the children of Judah the use of the
bow: behold, it is written in the book of Jasher.)
10:001:019 The beauty of Israel is slain upon thy high places: how are
the mighty fallen!
10:001:020 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.
10:001:021 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.
10:001:022 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.
10:001:023 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.
10:001:024 Ye daughters of Israel, weep over Saul, who clothed you in
scarlet, with other delights, who put on ornaments of gold
upon your apparel.
10:001:025 How are the mighty fallen in the midst of the battle! O
Jonathan, thou wast slain in thine high places.
10:001:026 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.
10:001:027 How are the mighty fallen, and the weapons of war perished!
10:002:001 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.
10:002:002 So David went up thither, and his two wives also, Ahinoam the
Jezreelitess, and Abigail Nabal's wife the Carmelite.
10:002:003 And his men that were with him did David bring up, every man
with his household: and they dwelt in the cities of Hebron.
10:002:004 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 Jabeshgilead were they that buried Saul.
10:002:005 And David sent messengers unto the men of Jabeshgilead, 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.
10:002:006 And now the LORD shew kindness and truth unto you: and I also
will requite you this kindness, because ye have done this
thing.
10:002:007 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.
10:002:008 But Abner the son of Ner, captain of Saul's host, took
Ishbosheth the son of Saul, and brought him over to Mahanaim;
10:002:009 And made him king over Gilead, and over the Ashurites, and
over Jezreel, and over Ephraim, and over Benjamin, and over
all Israel.
10:002:010 Ishbosheth 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.
10:002:011 And the time that David was king in Hebron over the house of
Judah was seven years and six months.
10:002:012 And Abner the son of Ner, and the servants of Ishbosheth the
son of Saul, went out from Mahanaim to Gibeon.
10:002:013 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.
10:002:014 And Abner said to Joab, Let the young men now arise, and play
before us. And Joab said, Let them arise.
10:002:015 Then there arose and went over by number twelve of Benjamin,
which pertained to Ishbosheth the son of Saul, and twelve of
the servants of David.
10:002:016 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 Helkathhazzurim, which is in
Gibeon.
10:002:017 And there was a very sore battle that day; and Abner was
beaten, and the men of Israel, before the servants of David.
10:002:018 And there were three sons of Zeruiah there, Joab, and Abishai,
and Asahel: and Asahel was as light of foot as a wild roe.
10:002:019 And Asahel pursued after Abner; and in going he turned not to
the right hand nor to the left from following Abner.
10:002:020 Then Abner looked behind him, and said, Art thou Asahel? And
he answered, I am.
10:002:021 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.
10:002:022 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?
10:002:023 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.
10:002:024 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.
10:002:025 And the children of Benjamin gathered themselves together
after Abner, and became one troop, and stood on the top of an
hill.
10:002:026 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?
10:002:027 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.
10:002:028 So Joab blew a trumpet, and all the people stood still, and
pursued after Israel no more, neither fought they any more.
10:002:029 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.
10:002:030 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.
10:002:031 But the servants of David had smitten of Benjamin, and of
Abner's men, so that three hundred and threescore men died.
10:002:032 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.
10:003:001 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.
10:003:002 And unto David were sons born in Hebron: and his firstborn was
Amnon, of Ahinoam the Jezreelitess;
10:003:003 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;
10:003:004 And the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith; and the fifth,
Shephatiah the son of Abital;
10:003:005 And the sixth, Ithream, by Eglah David's wife. These were born
to David in Hebron.
10:003:006 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.
10:003:007 And Saul had a concubine, whose name was Rizpah, the daughter
of Aiah: and Ishbosheth said to Abner, Wherefore hast thou
gone in unto my father's concubine?
10:003:008 Then was Abner very wroth for the words of Ishbosheth, 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?
10:003:009 So do God to Abner, and more also, except, as the LORD hath
sworn to David, even so I do to him;
10:003:010 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 Beersheba.
10:003:011 And he could not answer Abner a word again, because he feared
him.
10:003:012 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.
10:003:013 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.
10:003:014 And David sent messengers to Ishbosheth Saul's son, saying,
Deliver me my wife Michal, which I espoused to me for an
hundred foreskins of the Philistines.
10:003:015 And Ishbosheth sent, and took her from her husband, even from
Phaltiel the son of Laish.
10:003:016 And her husband went with her along weeping behind her to
Bahurim. Then said Abner unto him, Go, return. And he
returned.
10:003:017 And Abner had communication with the elders of Israel, saying,
Ye sought for David in times past to be king over you:
10:003:018 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.
10:003:019 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.
10:003:020 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.
10:003:021 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.
10:003:022 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.
10:003:023 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.
10:003:024 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?
10:003:025 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.
10:003:026 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.
10:003:027 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.
10:003:028 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:
10:003:029 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.
10:003:030 So Joab, and Abishai his brother slew Abner, because he had
slain their brother Asahel at Gibeon in the battle.
10:003:031 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.
10:003:032 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.
10:003:033 And the king lamented over Abner, and said, Died Abner as a
fool dieth?
10:003:034 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.
10:003:035 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.
10:003:036 And all the people took notice of it, and it pleased them: as
whatsoever the king did pleased all the people.
10:003:037 For all the people and all Israel understood that day that it
was not of the king to slay Abner the son of Ner.
10:003:038 And the king said unto his servants, Know ye not that there is
a prince and a great man fallen this day in Israel?
10:003:039 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.
10:004:001 And when Saul's son heard that Abner was dead in Hebron, his
hands were feeble, and all the Israelites were troubled.
10:004:002 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.
10:004:003 And the Beerothites fled to Gittaim, and were sojourners there
until this day.)
10:004:004 And Jonathan, Saul's son, had a son that was lame of his feet.
He was five years old when the tidings came 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.
10:004:005 And the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, Rechab and Baanah,
went, and came about the heat of the day to the house of
Ishbosheth, who lay on a bed at noon.
10:004:006 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.
10:004:007 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.
10:004:008 And they brought the head of Ishbosheth unto David to Hebron,
and said to the king, Behold the head of Ishbosheth 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.
10:004:009 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,
10:004:010 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:
10:004:011 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?
10:004:012 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 Ishbosheth, and
buried it in the sepulchre of Abner in Hebron.
10:005:001 Then came all the tribes of Israel to David unto Hebron, and
spake, saying, Behold, we are thy bone and thy flesh.
10:005:002 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.
10:005:003 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.
10:005:004 David was thirty years old when he began to reign, and he
reigned forty years.
10:005:005 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.
10:005:006 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.
10:005:007 Nevertheless David took the strong hold of Zion: the same is
the city of David.
10:005:008 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.
10:005:009 So David dwelt in the fort, and called it the city of David.
And David built round about from Millo and inward.
10:005:010 And David went on, and grew great, and the LORD God of hosts
was with him.
10:005:011 And Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, and cedar
trees, and carpenters, and masons: and they built David an
house.
10:005:012 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.
10:005:013 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.
10:005:014 And these be the names of those that were born unto him in
Jerusalem; Shammuah, and Shobab, and Nathan, and Solomon,
10:005:015 Ibhar also, and Elishua, and Nepheg, and Japhia,
10:005:016 And Elishama, and Eliada, and Eliphalet.
10:005:017 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.
10:005:018 The Philistines also came and spread themselves in the valley
of Rephaim.
10:005:019 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.
10:005:020 And David came to Baalperazim, 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 Baalperazim.
10:005:021 And there they left their images, and David and his men burned
them.
10:005:022 And the Philistines came up yet again, and spread themselves
in the valley of Rephaim.
10:005:023 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.
10:005:024 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.
10:005:025 And David did so, as the LORD had commanded him; and smote the
Philistines from Geba until thou come to Gazer.
10:006:001 Again, David gathered together all the chosen men of Israel,
thirty thousand.
10:006:002 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.
10:006:003 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.
10:006:004 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.
10:006:005 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.
10:006:006 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.
10:006:007 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.
10:006:008 And David was displeased, because the LORD had made a breach
upon Uzzah: and he called the name of the place Perezuzzah to
this day.
10:006:009 And David was afraid of the LORD that day, and said, How shall
the ark of the LORD come to me?
10:006:010 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 Obededom the Gittite.
10:006:011 And the ark of the LORD continued in the house of Obededom the
Gittite three months: and the LORD blessed Obededom, and all
his household.
10:006:012 And it was told king David, saying, The LORD hath blessed the
house of Obededom, 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 Obededom into the city of David with
gladness.
10:006:013 And it was so, that when they that bare the ark of the LORD
had gone six paces, he sacrificed oxen and fatlings.
10:006:014 And David danced before the LORD with all his might; and David
was girded with a linen ephod.
10:006:015 So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the
LORD with shouting, and with the sound of the trumpet.
10:006:016 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.
10:006:017 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.
10:006:018 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.
10:006:019 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.
10:006:020 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!
10:006:021 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.
10:006:022 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.
10:006:023 Therefore Michal the daughter of Saul had no child unto the
day of her death.
10:007:001 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;
10:007:002 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.
10:007:003 And Nathan said to the king, Go, do all that is in thine
heart; for the LORD is with thee.
10:007:004 And it came to pass that night, that the word of the LORD came
unto Nathan, saying,
10:007:005 Go and tell my servant David, Thus saith the LORD, Shalt thou
build me an house for me to dwell in?
10:007:006 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.
10:007:007 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?
10:007:008 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:
10:007:009 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.
10:007:010 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,
10:007:011 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.
10:007:012 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.
10:007:013 He shall build an house for my name, and I will stablish the
throne of his kingdom for ever.
10:007:014 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:
10:007:015 But my mercy shall not depart away from him, as I took it from
Saul, whom I put away before thee.
10:007:016 And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever
before thee: thy throne shall be established for ever.
10:007:017 According to all these words, and according to all this
vision, so did Nathan speak unto David.
10:007:018 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?
10:007:019 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?
10:007:020 And what can David say more unto thee? for thou, Lord GOD,
knowest thy servant.
10:007:021 For thy word's sake, and according to thine own heart, hast
thou done all these great things, to make thy servant know
them.
10:007:022 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.
10:007:023 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?
10:007:024 For thou hast confirmed to thyself thy people Israel to be a
people unto thee for ever: and thou, LORD, art become their
God.
10:007:025 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.
10:007:026 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.
10:007:027 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.
10:007:028 And now, O Lord GOD, thou art that God, and thy words be true,
and thou hast promised this goodness unto thy servant:
10:007:029 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.
10:008:001 And after this it came to pass that David smote the
Philistines, and subdued them: and David took Methegammah out
of the hand of the Philistines.
10:008:002 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.
10:008:003 David smote also Hadadezer, the son of Rehob, king of Zobah,
as he went to recover his border at the river Euphrates.
10:008:004 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.
10:008:005 And when the Syrians of Damascus came to succour Hadadezer
king of Zobah, David slew of the Syrians two and twenty
thousand men.
10:008:006 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.
10:008:007 And David took the shields of gold that were on the servants
of Hadadezer, and brought them to Jerusalem.
10:008:008 And from Betah, and from Berothai, cities of Hadadezer, king
David took exceeding much brass.
10:008:009 When Toi king of Hamath heard that David had smitten all the
host of Hadadezer,
10:008:010 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:
10:008:011 Which also king David did dedicate unto the LORD, with the
silver and gold that he had dedicated of all nations which he
subdued;
10:008:012 Of Syria, and of Moab, and of the children of Ammon, and of
the Philistines, and of Amalek, and of the spoil of Hadadezer,
son of Rehob, king of Zobah.
10:008:013 And David gat him a name when he returned from smiting of the
Syrians in the valley of salt, being eighteen thousand men.
10:008:014 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.
10:008:015 And David reigned over all Israel; and David executed judgment
and justice unto all his people.
10:008:016 And Joab the son of Zeruiah was over the host; and Jehoshaphat
the son of Ahilud was recorder;
10:008:017 And Zadok the son of Ahitub, and Ahimelech the son of
Abiathar, were the priests; and Seraiah was the scribe;
10:008:018 And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over both the Cherethites
and the Pelethites; and David's sons were chief rulers.
10:009:001 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?
10:009:002 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.
10:009:003 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.
10:009:004 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 Lodebar.
10:009:005 Then king David sent, and fetched him out of the house of
Machir, the son of Ammiel, from Lodebar.
10:009:006 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!
10:009:007 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.
10:009:008 And he bowed himself, and said, What is thy servant, that thou
shouldest look upon such a dead dog as I am?
10:009:009 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.
10:009:010 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.
10:009:011 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.
10:009:012 And Mephibosheth had a young son, whose name was Micha. And
all that dwelt in the house of Ziba were servants unto
Mephibosheth.
10:009:013 So Mephibosheth dwelt in Jerusalem: for he did eat continually
at the king's table; and was lame on both his feet.
10:010:001 And it came to pass after this, that the king of the children
of Ammon died, and Hanun his son reigned in his stead.
10:010:002 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.
10:010:003 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?
10:010:004 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.
10:010:005 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.
10:010:006 And when the children of Ammon saw that they stank before
David, the children of Ammon sent and hired the Syrians of
Bethrehob and the Syrians of Zoba, twenty thousand footmen,
and of king Maacah a thousand men, and of Ishtob twelve
thousand men.
10:010:007 And when David heard of it, he sent Joab, and all the host of
the mighty men.
10:010:008 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 Ishtob, and Maacah, were by themselves in
the field.
10:010:009 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:
10:010:010 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.
10:010:011 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.
10:010:012 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.
10:010:013 And Joab drew nigh, and the people that were with him, unto
the battle against the Syrians: and they fled before him.
10:010:014 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.
10:010:015 And when the Syrians saw that they were smitten before Israel,
they gathered themselves together.
10:010:016 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.
10:010:017 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.
10:010:018 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.
10:010:019 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.
10:011:001 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.
10:011:002 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.
10:011:003 And David sent and enquired after the woman. And one said, Is
not this Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah
the Hittite?
10:011:004 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.
10:011:005 And the woman conceived, and sent and told David, and said, I
am with child.
10:011:006 And David sent to Joab, saying, Send me Uriah the Hittite. And
Joab sent Uriah to David.
10:011:007 And when Uriah was come unto him, David demanded of him how
Joab did, and how the people did, and how the war prospered.
10:011:008 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.
10:011:009 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.
10:011:010 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?
10:011:011 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.
10:011:012 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.
10:011:013 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.
10:011:014 And it came to pass in the morning, that David wrote a letter
to Joab, and sent it by the hand of Uriah.
10:011:015 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.
10:011:016 And it came to pass, when Joab observed the city, that he
assigned Uriah unto a place where he knew that valiant men
were.
10:011:017 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.
10:011:018 Then Joab sent and told David all the things concerning the
war;
10:011:019 And charged the messenger, saying, When thou hast made an end
of telling the matters of the war unto the king,
10:011:020 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?
10:011:021 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.
10:011:022 So the messenger went, and came and shewed David all that Joab
had sent him for.
10:011:023 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.
10:011:024 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.
10:011:025 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.
10:011:026 And when the wife of Uriah heard that Uriah her husband was
dead, she mourned for her husband.
10:011:027 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.
10:012:001 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.
10:012:002 The rich man had exceeding many flocks and herds:
10:012:003 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.
10:012:004 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.
10:012:005 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:
10:012:006 And he shall restore the lamb fourfold, because he did this
thing, and because he had no pity.
10:012:007 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;
10:012:008 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.
10:012:009 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.
10:012:010 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.
10:012:011 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.
10:012:012 For thou didst it secretly: but I will do this thing before
all Israel, and before the sun.
10:012:013 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.
10:012:014 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.
10:012:015 And Nathan departed unto his house. And the LORD struck the
child that Uriah's wife bare unto David, and it was very sick.
10:012:016 David therefore besought God for the child; and David fasted,
and went in, and lay all night upon the earth.
10:012:017 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.
10:012:018 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?
10:012:019 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.
10:012:020 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.
10:012:021 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.
10:012:022 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?
10:012:023 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.
10:012:024 And David comforted Bathsheba his wife, and went in unto her,
and lay with her: and she bare a son, and he called his name
Solomon: and the LORD loved him.
10:012:025 And he sent by the hand of Nathan the prophet; and he called
his name Jedidiah, because of the LORD.
10:012:026 And Joab fought against Rabbah of the children of Ammon, and
took the royal city.
10:012:027 And Joab sent messengers to David, and said, I have fought
against Rabbah, and have taken the city of waters.
10:012:028 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.
10:012:029 And David gathered all the people together, and went to
Rabbah, and fought against it, and took it.
10:012:030 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.
10:012:031 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 brick-kiln: and thus did
he unto all the cities of the children of Ammon. So David and
all the people returned unto Jerusalem.
10:013:001 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.
10:013:002 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 anything to her.
10:013:003 But Amnon had a friend, whose name was Jonadab, the son of
Shimeah David's brother: and Jonadab was a very subtil man.
10:013:004 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.
10:013:005 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.
10:013:006 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.
10:013:007 Then David sent home to Tamar, saying, Go now to thy brother
Amnon's house, and dress him meat.
10:013:008 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.
10:013:009 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.
10:013:010 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.
10:013:011 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.
10:013:012 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.
10:013:013 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.
10:013:014 Howbeit he would not hearken unto her voice: but, being
stronger than she, forced her, and lay with her.
10:013:015 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.
10:013:016 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.
10:013:017 Then he called his servant that ministered unto him, and said,
Put now this woman out from me, and bolt the door after her.
10:013:018 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.
10:013:019 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.
10:013:020 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.
10:013:021 But when king David heard of all these things, he was very
wroth.
10:013:022 And Absalom spake unto his brother Amnon neither good nor bad:
for Absalom hated Amnon, because he had forced his sister
Tamar.
10:013:023 And it came to pass after two full years, that Absalom had
sheepshearers in Baalhazor, which is beside Ephraim: and
Absalom invited all the king's sons.
10:013:024 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.
10:013:025 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.
10:013:026 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?
10:013:027 But Absalom pressed him, that he let Amnon and all the king's
sons go with him.
10:013:028 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.
10:013:029 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.
10:013:030 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.
10:013:031 Then the king arose, and tare his garments, and lay on the
earth; and all his servants stood by with their clothes rent.
10:013:032 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.
10:013:033 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.
10:013:034 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.
10:013:035 And Jonadab said unto the king, Behold, the king's sons come:
as thy servant said, so it is.
10:013:036 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.
10:013:037 But Absalom fled, and went to Talmai, the son of Ammihud, king
of Geshur. And David mourned for his son every day.
10:013:038 So Absalom fled, and went to Geshur, and was there three
years.
10:013:039 And the soul of king David longed to go forth unto Absalom:
for he was comforted concerning Amnon, seeing he was dead.
10:014:001 Now Joab the son of Zeruiah perceived that the king's heart
was toward Absalom.
10:014:002 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:
10:014:003 And come to the king, and speak on this manner unto him. So
Joab put the words in her mouth.
10:014:004 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.
10:014:005 And the king said unto her, What aileth thee? And she
answered, I am indeed a widow woman, and mine husband is dead.
10:014:006 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.
10:014:007 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.
10:014:008 And the king said unto the woman, Go to thine house, and I
will give charge concerning thee.
10:014:009 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.
10:014:010 And the king said, Whoever saith ought unto thee, bring him to
me, and he shall not touch thee any more.
10:014:011 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.
10:014:012 Then the woman said, Let thine handmaid, I pray thee, speak
one word unto my lord the king. And he said, Say on.
10:014:013 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.
10:014:014 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.
10:014:015 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.
10:014:016 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.
10:014:017 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.
10:014:018 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.
10:014:019 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:
10:014:020 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.
10:014:021 And the king said unto Joab, Behold now, I have done this
thing: go therefore, bring the young man Absalom again.
10:014:022 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.
10:014:023 So Joab arose and went to Geshur, and brought Absalom to
Jerusalem.
10:014:024 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.
10:014:025 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.
10:014:026 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.
10:014:027 And unto Absalom there were born three sons, and one daughter,
whose name was Tamar: she was a woman of a fair countenance.
10:014:028 So Absalom dwelt two full years in Jerusalem, and saw not the
king's face.
10:014:029 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.
10:014:030 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.
10:014:031 Then Joab arose, and came to Absalom unto his house, and said
unto him, Wherefore have thy servants set my field on fire?
10:014:032 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.
10:014:033 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.
10:015:001 And it came to pass after this, that Absalom prepared him
chariots and horses, and fifty men to run before him.
10:015:002 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.
10:015:003 And Absalom said unto him, See, thy matters are good and
right; but there is no man deputed of the king to hear thee.
10:015:004 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!
10:015:005 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.
10:015:006 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.
10:015:007 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.
10:015:008 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.
10:015:009 And the king said unto him, Go in peace. So he arose, and went
to Hebron.
10:015:010 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.
10:015:011 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.
10:015:012 And Absalom sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David's
counsellor, from his city, even from Giloh, while he offered
sacrifices. And the conspiracy was strong; for the people
increased continually with Absalom.
10:015:013 And there came a messenger to David, saying, The hearts of the
men of Israel are after Absalom.
10:015:014 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.
10:015:015 And the king's servants said unto the king, Behold, thy
servants are ready to do whatsoever my lord the king shall
appoint.
10:015:016 And the king went forth, and all his household after him. And
the king left ten women, which were concubines, to keep the
house.
10:015:017 And the king went forth, and all the people after him, and
tarried in a place that was far off.
10:015:018 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.
10:015:019 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.
10:015:020 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.
10:015:021 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.
10:015:022 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.
10:015:023 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.
10:015:024 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.
10:015:025 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:
10:015:026 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.
10:015:027 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.
10:015:028 See, I will tarry in the plain of the wilderness, until there
come word from you to certify me.
10:015:029 Zadok therefore and Abiathar carried the ark of God again to
Jerusalem: and they tarried there.
10:015:030 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.
10:015:031 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.
10:015:032 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:
10:015:033 Unto whom David said, If thou passest on with me, then thou
shalt be a burden unto me:
10:015:034 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.
10:015:035 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.
10:015:036 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.
10:015:037 So Hushai David's friend came into the city, and Absalom came
into Jerusalem.
10:016:001 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.
10:016:002 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.
10:016:003 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.
10:016:004 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.
10:016:005 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.
10:016:006 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.
10:016:007 And thus said Shimei when he cursed, Come out, come out, thou
bloody man, and thou man of Belial:
10:016:008 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.
10:016:009 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.
10:016:010 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?
10:016:011 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.
10:016:012 It may be that the LORD will look on mine affliction, and that
the LORD will requite me good for his cursing this day.
10:016:013 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.
10:016:014 And the king, and all the people that were with him, came
weary, and refreshed themselves there.
10:016:015 And Absalom, and all the people the men of Israel, came to
Jerusalem, and Ahithophel with him.
10:016:016 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.
10:016:017 And Absalom said to Hushai, Is this thy kindness to thy
friend? why wentest thou not with thy friend?
10:016:018 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.
10:016:019 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.
10:016:020 Then said Absalom to Ahithophel, Give counsel among you what
we shall do.
10:016:021 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.
10:016:022 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.
10:016:023 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.
10:017:001 Moreover Ahithophel said unto Absalom, Let me now choose out
twelve thousand men, and I will arise and pursue after David
this night:
10:017:002 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:
10:017:003 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.
10:017:004 And the saying pleased Absalom well, and all the elders of
Israel.
10:017:005 Then said Absalom, Call now Hushai the Archite also, and let
us hear likewise what he saith.
10:017:006 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.
10:017:007 And Hushai said unto Absalom, The counsel that Ahithophel hath
given is not good at this time.
10:017:008 For, said Hushai, thou knowest thy father and his men, that
they be mighty men, and they be chafed in their minds, as a