CHAP. XIII.

er than the other that thou didst unto me. ND it came to pass after this, that Absa-But he would not hearken unto her.

AND itamento David, had a fair siber,

17 Then he called his servant that ministerwhose name was Tamar; and Amnon the ed unto him, and said, Put now this woman son of David loved her. out from me, and bolt the door after her.

2 And Amnon was so vexed, that he fell 18 And she had a garment of divers cosick for his sister Tamar; for she was a vir-lours upon her; for with such robes were the gin: and Amnon thought it hard for him to king's daughters that were virgins appareldo any thing to her. led. Then his servant brought her out, and bolted the door after her.

3 But Amnon had a friend, whose name was Jonadab, the son of Shimeah, David's brother: and Jonadab was a very subtile

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.

61 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 Amuon'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.

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. 211 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 sheep-shearers 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, 9 And she took a pan, and poured them let my brother Amnon go with us. And the out before him; but he refused to eat. And king said unto him, Why should he go with Amnon said, Have out all men from me. thee?

And they went out every man from him. 27 But Absalom pressed him,that he let Am10 And Amnon said unto Tamar, Bring non and all the king's sons go with him. the meat into the chamber, that I may eat of 28 Now Absalom had commanded his thine hand. And Tamar took the cakes servants, saying, Mark ye now when Amwhich she had made, and brought them into non's heart is merry with wine, and when I the chamber to Amnon her brother. say unto you, Smite Amnon; then kill him, fear not have not I commanded you? be courageous, and be valiant.

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 batred wherewith he hated her was greater than the love wherewith he had loved her: and Amnon said unto her, Arise, be gone.

29 And the servants of Absalom did unto Amnon as Absalom had commanded: the 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 16 And she said unto him, There is no he forced his sister Tamar. cause: this evil in sending me away is great

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33 Now therefore let pot 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.

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.

34 But Absalom fled. And the young man that kept the watch lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, there came much peo-lord the king. And he said, Say on.

12 Then the woman said, Let thine handmaid, I pray thee, speak one word unto my

ple 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.

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.

36 And it came to pass, as soon as he had made an end of speaking, that, behold, the 14 For we must needs die, and are as waking's sons came, and lifted up their voice ter spilt on the ground, which cannot be gaand wept; and the king also and all his ser-thered up again: neither doth God respect vants wept very sore. any person; yet doth he devise means that his banished be not expelled from him.

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 fied, and went to Geshur, and was there three years.

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

39 And the soul of king David longed to the king; it may be that the king will pergo forth unto Absalom: for he was comfort-form the request of his handmaid. ed concerning Amnon, seeing he was dead. 16 For the king will hear, to deliver his handmaid cut of the hand of the man that

CHAP. XIV.

NOW Joab the son of Zeruiah perceived would destroy me and my son together out

that the king's

was toward Ab-of the inheritance of

salom. 17 Then thine handmaid said, The word 2 And Joab sent to Tekoah, and fetched of my lord the king shall now be comfortathence a wise woman, and said unto her, ble for as an angel of God, so is my lord pray thee, feign thyself to be a mourner, and the king, to discern good and bad; therefore put on now mourning apparel, and anoint the LORD thy God will be with thee. not thyself with oil, but be as a woman that 18 Then the king answered and said unto 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.

41 And when the woman of Tekoah spake to the king, she fell on her face to the ground, and did obeisance, and said, Help, 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.

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:

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.

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.

7 And behold, the whole family is risen 21 ¶ And the king said un'o Joab, Behold against thine handmaid, and they said, Deli-now, I have done this thing go therefore, ver him that smote his brother, that we may bring the young man Absalom again. kill him, for the life of his brother whom he 22 And Joab fell to the ground on his face, slew; and we will destroy the heir also: and and bowed himself, and thanked the king: so they shall quench my coal which is left, and Joab said, To-day thy servant knoweth and shall not leave to my husband neither that I have found grace in thy sight, my name nor remainder upon the earth. lord, O king, in that the king hath fulfilled the request of his servant.

8 And the king said unto the woman, Go to thine house, and I will give charge concerning thee.

23 So Joab arose, and went to Geshur, and brought Absalom to Jerusalem.

9 And the woman of Tekoab 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.

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.

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 at

241

L

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 every year's end that he polled it; because

11

the hair was heavy on him, therefore he poll-hear the sound of the trumpet, then ye shall ed it:) he weighed the hair of his head at say, Absalom reigneth in Hebron.

two hundred shekels after the king's weight.. 11 And with Absalom went two hundred 27 And unto Absalom there were born three men out of Jerusalem, that were called; and sons, and one daughter, whose name was Ta- they went in their simplicity, and they knew mar: she was a woman of a fair countenance. not any thing. 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.

12 And Absalom sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David's counsellor, from his city, even from Giloh, while he offered sacrifices and the conspiracy was strong; for the peo ple 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 31 Then Joab arose, and came to Absalom flee: for we shall not else escape from Absaunto his house, and said unto him, Wherefore lom make speed to depart, lest he overtake have thy servants set my field on fire? us suddenly, and bring evil upon us, and 32 And Absalom answered Joab, Behold, smite the city with the edge of the sword. I sent unto thee, saying, Come hither, that ĺ 15 And the king's servants said unto the may send thee to the king, to say, Wherefore king, Behold, thy servants are ready to do am I come from Geshur it had been good whatsoever my lord the king shall appoint. for me to have been there still: now therefore 16 And the king went forth, and all his let me see the king's face; and if there be household after him. And the king left ten any iniquity in me, let him kill ine. women, which were concubines, to keep the house.

32 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.

CHAP. XV.

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 ND it came to pass after this,that Absalom Pelethites, and all the Gittites, six hundred

A prepared him chariots and horses, and men which came after him from Gath, pass fifty men to run before him.

ed on before the king. 2 And Absalom rose up early, and stood 19 Then said the king to Ittai the Gittite, beside the way of the gate and it was so, Wherefore goest thou also with us? return to that when any man that had a controversy thy place, and abide with the king; for thou came to the king for judgment, then Ab-art a stranger, and also an exile. salom called unto him, and said, Of what 20 Whereas thou camest but yesterday, city art thou? And he said, Thy servant is should I this day make thee go up and down 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!

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.

5 And it was so, that when any man came 22 And David said to Ittai, Go and pass nigh to him to do him obeisance, he put forth over. And Ittai the Gittite passed over, and his hand, and took him, and kissed him. all his men, and all the little ones that were 6 And on this manner did Absalom to all with him. Israel that came to the king for judgment. 23 And all the country wept with a loud So Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Is-voice, and all the people passed over: the king also himself passed over the brook Kidrael. ron, and all the people passed over, toward the way of the wilderness.

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.

24 And lo Zadok also, and all the Levites were with him, bearing the ark of the cove8 For thy servant vowed a vow while Inant of God: and they set down the ark of abode at Geshur in Syria, saying, Ifthe LORD God; and Abiathar went up, until all the shall bring me again indeed to Jerusalem, people had done passing out of the city. then I will serve the LORD.

9 And the king said unto him, Go in peace. So be arose, and went to Hebron.

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 kis

101 But Absalom sent spies throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, As soon as ye habitation.

26 But if he thus say, I have no delight in I may find grace in thy sight, my lord, O king. thee; behold, here am I, let him do to me as 5 And when king David came to Bahu. seemeth good unto him. rim, 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.

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.

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.

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 8 The LORD hath returned upon thee al mount Olivet, and wept as he went up, and the blood of the house of Saul, in whose stead had his head covered; and he went barefoot: thou hast reigned; and the LORD hath deli and all the people that was with him covered vered the kingdom into the hand of Absalom every man his head, and they went up, weep- thy son: and behold, thou art taken in thy ing as they went up. mischief, because thou art a bloody man. 31 ¶ And one told David, saying, Ahitho- 9 Then said Abishai the son of Zeru ah phel is among the conspirators with Absalom.junto the king, Why should this dead dog And David said, O LORD, I pray thee, turn curse my lord the king? let me go over, the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness. pray thee, and take off his head.

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;

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 ?

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. CHAP. XVI.

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

:

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.

ND when David was a little the

16 And it came to

when Hushai

A of the hill, behold, Ziba the servant of Archite, David's friend, was come unto Ab

Mephibosheth met him, with a couple of salom, that Hushai said unto Absalom, God asses saddled, and upon them two hundred save the king, God save the king. loaves of bread, and an hundred bunches of 17 And Absalom said to Hushai, Is this raisins, and an hundred of summer-fruits, thy kindness to thy friend? why wentest thou and a bottle of wine. not with thy friend?

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 19 And again, whom should I serve? should faint in the wilderness may drink. 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.

18 And Hushai said unto Absalom, Nay; but whom the LORD, and this people, and an the men of Israel, choose, his will I be, and with him will I abide.

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, 20 1 Then said Absalom to Ahithophel. To-day shall the house of Israel restore me the kingdom of my father.

Give counsel among you what we shall do. 21 And Ahithophel said unto Absalom, Go in unto thy father's concubines, which he

4 Then said the king to Ziba, Behold, thine are all that pertained unto Mephibosheth. hath left to keep the house; and all Israel And Ziba said, I humbly beseech thee that shall hear that thou art abhorred of thy

ther: then shall the hands of all that are with said, The counsel of Hushai the Archite is thee be strong. better than the counsel of Ahithophel: for 22 So they spread Absalom a tent upon the LORD had appointed to defeat the good the top of the house; and Absalom went in counsel of Ahithophel, to the intent that the unto his father's concubines in the sight of LORD might bring evil upon Absalom. all Israel. 15 Then said Hushai unto Zadok and to

23 And the counsel of Ahithophel, which Abiathar the priests, Thus and thus did Ahihe counselled in those days, was as if a man thophel counsel Absalom and the elders of had enquired at the oracle of God: so was Israel; and thus and thus have I counselled. all the counsel of Ahithophel, both with Da- 16 Now therefore send quickly, and tell vid and with Absalom. David, saying, Lodge not this night in the plains of the wilderness, but speedily pass

CHAP XVII.

MOREOVER, Anithophel said unto Ab- over; lest the king be swallowed up, and all

salom, Let me now choose out twelve the people that are with him. thousand men, and I will arise and pursue after David this night.

17 Now Jonathan and Ahimaaz stayed by En-rogel; (for they might not be seen to come 2 And I will come upon him while he is into the city;) and a wench went and told weary and weak handed, and will make him them: and they went and told king David. afraid and all the people that are with him 18 Nevertheless a lad saw them, and told shall flee; and I will smite the king only. Absalom: but they went both of them away 3 And I will bring back all the people un-quickly, and came to a man's house in Bato thee; the man whom thou seekest is as if hurim, which had a well in his court; whither all returned: so all the people shall be in they went down. peace. 19 And the woman took and spread a cover4 And the saying pleased Absalom well, ing over the well's mouth, and spread ground and all the elders of Israel. corn thereon; and the thing was not known. 5 Then said Absalom, Call now Hushai 20 And when Absalom's servants came to the Archite also, and let us hear likewise the woman to the house, they said, Where is what he saith. Ahimaaz and Jonathan? And the woman said

6 And when Hushai was come to Absa-unto them, They be gone over the brook of lom, Absalom spake unto him, saying, Ahi-water. And when they had sought and could thophel hath spoken after this manner: shall not find them, they returned to Jerusalem. we do after his saying? if not, speak thou. 21 And it came to pass, after they were 7 And Hushai said unto Absalom, The departed, that they came up out of the well, counsel that Ahithophel hath given is not and went and told king David, and said un good at this time. to David, Arise, and pass quickly over the water: for thus hath Abithophel counselled against you.

8 For, said Hushai, thou knowest thy fa ther 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.

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. 9 Behold, he is bid now in some pit, or in 23 And when Ahithophel saw that his some other place and it will come to pass, counse! was not followed, he saddled his ass, when some of them be overthrown at the and arose, and gat him home to his house, first, that whosoever heareth it will say, to his city, and put his household in order, 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.

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 1 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,

14 And Absalom and all the men of Israel 29 And honey, and butter, and sheep, and