押尼珥之死

掃羅和大衛兩家長期爭戰,大衛家的勢力越來越強,掃羅家卻日益衰微。

大衛在希伯崙生的兒子有耶斯列人亞希暖所生的長子暗嫩, 迦密人拿八的遺孀亞比該所生的次子基利押,基述王達買的女兒瑪迦所生的三子押沙龍, 哈及所生的四子亞多尼雅,亞比她所生的五子示法提雅, 大衛的妻子以格拉所生的六子以特念。大衛的這些兒子都是在希伯崙生的。

在掃羅和大衛兩家爭戰期間,押尼珥在掃羅家權勢日增。 他跟掃羅的一個妃嬪、艾押的女兒利斯巴通姦,伊施波設問他:「你為什麼跟我父親的妃嬪一起睡覺呢?」 押尼珥聽了非常憤怒,說:「難道我是猶大的走狗嗎?我這樣厚待你父親掃羅家和他的親人朋友,沒有把你交給大衛,今天你竟為了一個女人來責備我! 9-10 倘若我不照著耶和華應許大衛的誓言把掃羅的江山奪過來交給大衛,讓他統治全以色列和猶大,從但到別示巴,願耶和華重重地懲罰我!」

11 伊施波設一句話也不敢答,因為他害怕押尼珥。

12 押尼珥派使者送信給大衛,說:「這個國家難道不是你的嗎?如果你與我立約,我必幫助你統一以色列。」 13 大衛回答說:「好,但你一定要把掃羅的女兒米甲帶來才能見我。」 14 於是,大衛派使者去見掃羅的兒子伊施波設說:「請把我的妻子米甲送回來,因為她是我用一百個非利士人的包皮作聘禮娶來的。」 15 伊施波設就派人把米甲從她丈夫——拉億的兒子帕鐵那裡接回來。 16 帕鐵一路跟著米甲,邊走邊哭,一直到巴戶琳。押尼珥對他說:「你回去吧!」他就回去了。

17 押尼珥和以色列的長老商量說:「你們以前一直都希望大衛做你們的王, 18 現在是時候了,因為耶和華曾說要藉著祂僕人大衛的手,從非利士人和其他敵人手中拯救祂的以色列子民。」 19 押尼珥也跟便雅憫人商談,然後到希伯崙把以色列人和便雅憫人的願望告訴大衛。 20 當時,他帶了二十個人前往希伯崙見大衛,大衛就設宴款待他們。 21 押尼珥對大衛說:「我要為我主我王招聚所有的以色列人,跟你立約,你便可以如願以償,統治全以色列。」於是大衛為他送行,他就平安地回去了。

22 大衛送押尼珥離開後不久,約押就率領大衛的軍隊帶著許多戰利品凱旋而歸。 23 約押率領全軍回來後,有人告訴他:「尼珥的兒子押尼珥剛才來朝見王,王送他平安地離去了。」 24 約押聽後,就去見王,說:「你這做的是什麼事?押尼珥來見你,你為什麼放他走呢? 25 你要知道,尼珥的兒子押尼珥想來騙你,探聽你的虛實。」

26 約押從大衛那裡出來,派人去追押尼珥,他們在西拉井追上了他,把他帶了回來。大衛對這件事一無所知。 27 押尼珥回到希伯崙的時候,約押就把他帶到城門的甕洞,裝作與他密談,乘機用短劍刺入他的肚子,把他殺死了,為他兄弟亞撒黑報了仇。 28 大衛聽到消息就說:「耶和華作證,我和我的人民永遠跟尼珥的兒子押尼珥的死無關。 29 約押和他全家要承擔這罪,願他的後代永遠有長瘡的、患皮膚病的、拄拐杖的、被刀劍所殺的或挨餓的。」 30 約押和他兄弟亞比篩之所以殺押尼珥,是因為押尼珥在基遍殺了他們的兄弟亞撒黑。

31 大衛對約押和部下說:「你們要撕裂衣服,腰束麻布,在押尼珥棺前哭喪!」大衛王也跟在棺後送葬。 32 他們就把押尼珥葬在希伯崙。大衛王和眾人在墓旁大哭一場。 33 大衛王哀悼押尼珥,說:

「押尼珥啊!
你怎能死得糊里糊塗[a]呢?
34 你的手沒有被捆,
你的腳沒有被鎖,
你是死在陰險小人的手裡啊!」

於是眾人都為押尼珥哀哭。 35 大衛整天沒有進食,眾人來勸他吃一點東西,但他起誓說:「我若在日落以前吃任何東西,願上帝重重地懲罰我!」 36 眾人聽見了,都很喜悅,王做的每一件事都令他們喜悅。 37 那天全國的人都看出尼珥的兒子押尼珥的死與大衛無關。 38 大衛王對他的隨從說:「你們難道不知道今天以色列損失了一位偉大的將領嗎? 39 今天我雖然是耶和華所膏立的王,但仍勢單力薄,無法對付洗魯雅的兩個兒子,願耶和華報應他們的惡行。」

Footnotes

  1. 3·33 糊里糊塗」希伯來文是「像愚笨人」。
'撒 母 耳 記 下 3 ' not found for the version: Chinese New Testament: Easy-to-Read Version.

掃羅家和大衛家之間的戰爭相持很久。大衛家逐漸興盛,掃羅家卻日趨衰微。

大衛在希伯崙所生的兒子

大衛在希伯崙生了幾個兒子:他的長子暗嫩,是耶斯列人亞希暖所生的。 次子基利押,是作過迦密人拿八的妻子亞比該所生的。三子押沙龍,是基述王達買的女兒瑪迦所生的。 四子亞多尼雅,是哈及所生的。五子示法提雅,是亞比他所生的。 六子以特念,是大衛妻子以格拉所生的。這些兒子都是大衛在希伯崙所生的。

伊施波設和押尼珥之間的磨擦

當掃羅家和大衛家交戰的時候,押尼珥使自己在掃羅家的權勢日漸強大。 掃羅有一個妃子,名叫利斯巴,是愛亞的女兒。伊施波設對押尼珥說:“你為甚麼親近我父親的妃子呢?” 押尼珥因伊施波設的話非常忿怒,說:“我是猶大的狗頭嗎?今天我厚待你的父親掃羅家、他的兄弟和他的朋友,沒有把你交在大衛的手中;可是,今天你竟為了這女人的事來找我的錯! 9-10 我若不按著耶和華向大衛所起誓應許的去行:廢去掃羅家的王國,建立大衛的王位,使他統治以色列和猶大,從但直到別是巴,願 神降罰押尼珥,重重地降罰他。” 11 伊施波設因為懼怕押尼珥,就連一句話也不敢回答他。

押尼珥投誠大衛

12 押尼珥差派使者代表他去見大衛,說:“這地是屬誰的呢?”又說:“你與我立約,我就必幫助你,使全以色列都歸順你。” 13 大衛說:“好!我與你立約。不過,我要求你一件事:你來見我面的時候,首先要把掃羅的女兒米甲帶來,否則你必不得見我的面。” 14 後來,大衛差派使者去見掃羅的兒子伊施波設,說:“請你把我的妻子米甲還給我,她是我從前用一百個非利士人的包皮聘下的。” 15 於是伊施波設派人去,把米甲從拉億的兒子她丈夫帕鐵那裡接回來。 16 米甲的丈夫與她一起去,跟在她後面,一邊走、一邊哭,一直跟到巴戶琳。押尼珥對他說:“你去吧!回去吧!”他只好回去了。

17 押尼珥與以色列的長老商議說:“從前你們希望大衛作你們的王。 18 現在可以實現了!因為耶和華曾經論到大衛說:‘我要藉著我的僕人大衛的手,把我的子民以色列從非利士人和他們所有敵人的手中拯救出來。’” 19 押尼珥也把這話說給便雅憫人聽,然後又去希伯崙,把以色列人和便雅憫全都同意的一切事說給大衛聽。

20 押尼珥帶著二十個人,來到希伯崙見大衛的時候,大衛就為押尼珥和與他同來的人擺設筵席。 21 後來,押尼珥對大衛說:“讓我去把以色列眾人召集到我主我王這裡來,好叫他們與你立約,這樣你就可以照著自己的心願統治所有的人。”於是大衛打發押尼珥回去,他就平平安安地走了。

約押疑忌押尼珥

22 那時,大衛的臣僕和約押攻擊敵人回來,帶回許多的戰利品。當時,押尼珥不在希伯崙大衛那裡,因為大衛已經打發他離去,他也平平安安地走了。 23 約押和跟隨他的全軍一到達,就有人告訴約押,尼珥的兒子押尼珥曾經來見過王。王打發他離去,他已經平平安安地走了。 24 約押進去見王,說:“你作了甚麼事?押尼珥來見你,你為甚麼把他送走?現在他已經走了。 25 你認識尼珥的兒子押尼珥,他來是要欺騙你,是要了解你的起居行動和你所作的一切事。”

26 約押從大衛那裡出來,就差派使者去追趕押尼珥,使者從西拉的水井那裡把他帶回來。可是,大衛一點都不知道。

約押刺殺押尼珥

27 押尼珥回到了希伯崙,約押就拉他到城門的甕洞裡與他密談。約押就在那裡刺透他的肚子,他就死了。這樣,他替自己的兄弟亞撒黑報了血仇。 28 事後大衛聽到了,就說:“關於尼珥的兒子押尼珥的血案,我和我的國家,在耶和華面前永遠是無辜的。 29 願這流人血的罪歸到約押的頭上和他父親的全家!又願約押家不斷有患血漏病的、長痲風的、拿拐杖的、倒斃在劍下的和缺乏糧食的。” 30 因押尼珥在基遍的戰場上,殺死了他們的兄弟亞撒黑,約押和他的兄弟亞比篩就殺了押尼珥。

大衛哀悼押尼珥

31 大衛對約押和與他在一起的眾人說:“你們要撕裂衣服,腰束麻布,在押尼珥面前哀哭!”大衛王也走在棺木後面。 32 他們把押尼珥埋葬在希伯崙。王在押尼珥的墓旁放聲大哭,眾人也都哭了。 33 王又為押尼珥作了哀歌,說:

“難道押尼珥死去,要像愚妄的人死去一樣嗎?

34 你的手沒有被繩索綁住,

你的腳也沒有被銅鍊鎖住,

你倒斃,好像人在暴徒面前倒斃一樣!”

於是,眾民又為押尼珥哀哭。 35 還在白天的時候,眾人都來勸大衛吃點飯;大衛起誓說:“我若在日落以前吃飯或吃甚麼東西,願 神降罰我,重重地降罰我。” 36 眾人看見了,就都喜悅。王所作的一切,他們都很喜悅。 37 那一天眾人和全以色列都知道,殺死尼珥的兒子押尼珥,並不是出於王的意思。 38 王對他的臣僕說:“你們不知道今天在以色列中,有一位將領和偉人倒斃了嗎? 39 今天我雖然受膏為王,但我還是幼弱的。洗魯雅的兩個兒子太強了,非我所能應付。願耶和華照著惡人所行的惡,報應惡人。”

The war between the house of Saul and the house of David lasted a long time.(A) David grew stronger and stronger,(B) while the house of Saul grew weaker and weaker.(C)

Sons were born to David in Hebron:

His firstborn was Amnon(D) the son of Ahinoam(E) of Jezreel;

his second, Kileab the son of Abigail(F) the widow of Nabal of Carmel;

the third, Absalom(G) the son of Maakah daughter of Talmai king of Geshur;(H)

the fourth, Adonijah(I) the son of Haggith;

the fifth, Shephatiah the son of Abital;

and the sixth, Ithream the son of David’s wife Eglah.

These were born to David in Hebron.

Abner Goes Over to David

During the war between the house of Saul and the house of David, Abner(J) had been strengthening his own position in the house of Saul. Now Saul had had a concubine(K) named Rizpah(L) daughter of Aiah. And Ish-Bosheth said to Abner, “Why did you sleep with my father’s concubine?”

Abner was very angry because of what Ish-Bosheth said. So he answered, “Am I a dog’s head(M)—on Judah’s side? This very day I am loyal to the house of your father Saul and to his family and friends. I haven’t handed you over to David. Yet now you accuse me of an offense involving this woman! May God deal with Abner, be it ever so severely, if I do not do for David what the Lord promised(N) him on oath 10 and transfer the kingdom from the house of Saul and establish David’s throne over Israel and Judah from Dan to Beersheba.”(O) 11 Ish-Bosheth did not dare to say another word to Abner, because he was afraid of him.

12 Then Abner sent messengers on his behalf to say to David, “Whose land is it? Make an agreement with me, and I will help you bring all Israel over to you.”

13 “Good,” said David. “I will make an agreement with you. But I demand one thing of you: Do not come into my presence unless you bring Michal daughter of Saul when you come to see me.”(P) 14 Then David sent messengers to Ish-Bosheth son of Saul, demanding, “Give me my wife Michal,(Q) whom I betrothed to myself for the price of a hundred Philistine foreskins.”

15 So Ish-Bosheth gave orders and had her taken away from her husband(R) Paltiel(S) son of Laish. 16 Her husband, however, went with her, weeping behind her all the way to Bahurim.(T) Then Abner said to him, “Go back home!” So he went back.

17 Abner conferred with the elders(U) of Israel and said, “For some time you have wanted to make David your king. 18 Now do it! For the Lord promised David, ‘By my servant David I will rescue my people Israel from the hand of the Philistines(V) and from the hand of all their enemies.(W)’”

19 Abner also spoke to the Benjamites in person. Then he went to Hebron to tell David everything that Israel and the whole tribe of Benjamin(X) wanted to do. 20 When Abner, who had twenty men with him, came to David at Hebron, David prepared a feast(Y) for him and his men. 21 Then Abner said to David, “Let me go at once and assemble all Israel for my lord the king, so that they may make a covenant(Z) with you, and that you may rule over all that your heart desires.”(AA) So David sent Abner away, and he went in peace.

Joab Murders Abner

22 Just then David’s men and Joab returned from a raid and brought with them a great deal of plunder. But Abner was no longer with David in Hebron, because David had sent him away, and he had gone in peace. 23 When Joab and all the soldiers with him arrived, he was told that Abner son of Ner had come to the king and that the king had sent him away and that he had gone in peace.

24 So Joab went to the king and said, “What have you done? Look, Abner came to you. Why did you let him go? Now he is gone! 25 You know Abner son of Ner; he came to deceive you and observe your movements and find out everything you are doing.”

26 Joab then left David and sent messengers after Abner, and they brought him back from the cistern at Sirah. But David did not know it. 27 Now when Abner(AB) returned to Hebron, Joab took him aside into an inner chamber, as if to speak with him privately. And there, to avenge the blood of his brother Asahel, Joab stabbed him(AC) in the stomach, and he died.(AD)

28 Later, when David heard about this, he said, “I and my kingdom are forever innocent(AE) before the Lord concerning the blood of Abner son of Ner. 29 May his blood(AF) fall on the head of Joab and on his whole family!(AG) May Joab’s family never be without someone who has a running sore(AH) or leprosy[a] or who leans on a crutch or who falls by the sword or who lacks food.”

30 (Joab and his brother Abishai murdered Abner because he had killed their brother Asahel in the battle at Gibeon.)

31 Then David said to Joab and all the people with him, “Tear your clothes and put on sackcloth(AI) and walk in mourning(AJ) in front of Abner.” King David himself walked behind the bier. 32 They buried Abner in Hebron, and the king wept(AK) aloud at Abner’s tomb. All the people wept also.

33 The king sang this lament(AL) for Abner:

“Should Abner have died as the lawless die?
34     Your hands were not bound,
    your feet were not fettered.(AM)
You fell as one falls before the wicked.”

And all the people wept over him again.

35 Then they all came and urged David to eat something while it was still day; but David took an oath, saying, “May God deal with me, be it ever so severely,(AN) if I taste bread(AO) or anything else before the sun sets!”

36 All the people took note and were pleased; indeed, everything the king did pleased them. 37 So on that day all the people there and all Israel knew that the king had no part(AP) in the murder of Abner son of Ner.

38 Then the king said to his men, “Do you not realize that a commander and a great man has fallen(AQ) in Israel this day? 39 And today, though I am the anointed king, I am weak, and these sons of Zeruiah(AR) are too strong(AS) for me.(AT) May the Lord repay(AU) the evildoer according to his evil deeds!”

Footnotes

  1. 2 Samuel 3:29 The Hebrew for leprosy was used for various diseases affecting the skin.

押尼珥之死

掃羅和大衛兩家長期爭戰,大衛家的勢力越來越強,掃羅家卻日益衰微。

大衛在希伯崙生的兒子有耶斯列人亞希暖所生的長子暗嫩, 迦密人拿八的遺孀亞比該所生的次子基利押,基述王達買的女兒瑪迦所生的三子押沙龍, 哈及所生的四子亞多尼雅,亞比她所生的五子示法提雅, 大衛的妻子以格拉所生的六子以特念。大衛的這些兒子都是在希伯崙生的。

在掃羅和大衛兩家爭戰期間,押尼珥在掃羅家權勢日增。 他跟掃羅的一個妃嬪、艾押的女兒利斯巴通姦,伊施波設問他:「你為什麼跟我父親的妃嬪一起睡覺呢?」 押尼珥聽了非常憤怒,說:「難道我是猶大的走狗嗎?我這樣厚待你父親掃羅家和他的親人朋友,沒有把你交給大衛,今天你竟為了一個女人來責備我! 9-10 倘若我不照著耶和華應許大衛的誓言把掃羅的江山奪過來交給大衛,讓他統治全以色列和猶大,從但到別示巴,願耶和華重重地懲罰我!」

11 伊施波設一句話也不敢答,因為他害怕押尼珥。

12 押尼珥派使者送信給大衛,說:「這個國家難道不是你的嗎?如果你與我立約,我必幫助你統一以色列。」 13 大衛回答說:「好,但你一定要把掃羅的女兒米甲帶來才能見我。」 14 於是,大衛派使者去見掃羅的兒子伊施波設說:「請把我的妻子米甲送回來,因為她是我用一百個非利士人的包皮作聘禮娶來的。」 15 伊施波設就派人把米甲從她丈夫——拉億的兒子帕鐵那裡接回來。 16 帕鐵一路跟著米甲,邊走邊哭,一直到巴戶琳。押尼珥對他說:「你回去吧!」他就回去了。

17 押尼珥和以色列的長老商量說:「你們以前一直都希望大衛做你們的王, 18 現在是時候了,因為耶和華曾說要藉著祂僕人大衛的手,從非利士人和其他敵人手中拯救祂的以色列子民。」 19 押尼珥也跟便雅憫人商談,然後到希伯崙把以色列人和便雅憫人的願望告訴大衛。 20 當時,他帶了二十個人前往希伯崙見大衛,大衛就設宴款待他們。 21 押尼珥對大衛說:「我要為我主我王招聚所有的以色列人,跟你立約,你便可以如願以償,統治全以色列。」於是大衛為他送行,他就平安地回去了。

22 大衛送押尼珥離開後不久,約押就率領大衛的軍隊帶著許多戰利品凱旋而歸。 23 約押率領全軍回來後,有人告訴他:「尼珥的兒子押尼珥剛才來朝見王,王送他平安地離去了。」 24 約押聽後,就去見王,說:「你這做的是什麼事?押尼珥來見你,你為什麼放他走呢? 25 你要知道,尼珥的兒子押尼珥想來騙你,探聽你的虛實。」

26 約押從大衛那裡出來,派人去追押尼珥,他們在西拉井追上了他,把他帶了回來。大衛對這件事一無所知。 27 押尼珥回到希伯崙的時候,約押就把他帶到城門的甕洞,裝作與他密談,乘機用短劍刺入他的肚子,把他殺死了,為他兄弟亞撒黑報了仇。 28 大衛聽到消息就說:「耶和華作證,我和我的人民永遠跟尼珥的兒子押尼珥的死無關。 29 約押和他全家要承擔這罪,願他的後代永遠有長瘡的、患皮膚病的、拄拐杖的、被刀劍所殺的或挨餓的。」 30 約押和他兄弟亞比篩之所以殺押尼珥,是因為押尼珥在基遍殺了他們的兄弟亞撒黑。

31 大衛對約押和部下說:「你們要撕裂衣服,腰束麻布,在押尼珥棺前哭喪!」大衛王也跟在棺後送葬。 32 他們就把押尼珥葬在希伯崙。大衛王和眾人在墓旁大哭一場。 33 大衛王哀悼押尼珥,說:

「押尼珥啊!
你怎能死得糊里糊塗[a]呢?
34 你的手沒有被捆,
你的腳沒有被鎖,
你是死在陰險小人的手裡啊!」

於是眾人都為押尼珥哀哭。 35 大衛整天沒有進食,眾人來勸他吃一點東西,但他起誓說:「我若在日落以前吃任何東西,願上帝重重地懲罰我!」 36 眾人聽見了,都很喜悅,王做的每一件事都令他們喜悅。 37 那天全國的人都看出尼珥的兒子押尼珥的死與大衛無關。 38 大衛王對他的隨從說:「你們難道不知道今天以色列損失了一位偉大的將領嗎? 39 今天我雖然是耶和華所膏立的王,但仍勢單力薄,無法對付洗魯雅的兩個兒子,願耶和華報應他們的惡行。」

Footnotes

  1. 3·33 糊里糊塗」希伯來文是「像愚笨人」。
'撒 母 耳 記 下 3 ' not found for the version: Chinese New Testament: Easy-to-Read Version.

掃羅家和大衛家之間的戰爭相持很久。大衛家逐漸興盛,掃羅家卻日趨衰微。

大衛在希伯崙所生的兒子

大衛在希伯崙生了幾個兒子:他的長子暗嫩,是耶斯列人亞希暖所生的。 次子基利押,是作過迦密人拿八的妻子亞比該所生的。三子押沙龍,是基述王達買的女兒瑪迦所生的。 四子亞多尼雅,是哈及所生的。五子示法提雅,是亞比他所生的。 六子以特念,是大衛妻子以格拉所生的。這些兒子都是大衛在希伯崙所生的。

伊施波設和押尼珥之間的磨擦

當掃羅家和大衛家交戰的時候,押尼珥使自己在掃羅家的權勢日漸強大。 掃羅有一個妃子,名叫利斯巴,是愛亞的女兒。伊施波設對押尼珥說:“你為甚麼親近我父親的妃子呢?” 押尼珥因伊施波設的話非常忿怒,說:“我是猶大的狗頭嗎?今天我厚待你的父親掃羅家、他的兄弟和他的朋友,沒有把你交在大衛的手中;可是,今天你竟為了這女人的事來找我的錯! 9-10 我若不按著耶和華向大衛所起誓應許的去行:廢去掃羅家的王國,建立大衛的王位,使他統治以色列和猶大,從但直到別是巴,願 神降罰押尼珥,重重地降罰他。” 11 伊施波設因為懼怕押尼珥,就連一句話也不敢回答他。

押尼珥投誠大衛

12 押尼珥差派使者代表他去見大衛,說:“這地是屬誰的呢?”又說:“你與我立約,我就必幫助你,使全以色列都歸順你。” 13 大衛說:“好!我與你立約。不過,我要求你一件事:你來見我面的時候,首先要把掃羅的女兒米甲帶來,否則你必不得見我的面。” 14 後來,大衛差派使者去見掃羅的兒子伊施波設,說:“請你把我的妻子米甲還給我,她是我從前用一百個非利士人的包皮聘下的。” 15 於是伊施波設派人去,把米甲從拉億的兒子她丈夫帕鐵那裡接回來。 16 米甲的丈夫與她一起去,跟在她後面,一邊走、一邊哭,一直跟到巴戶琳。押尼珥對他說:“你去吧!回去吧!”他只好回去了。

17 押尼珥與以色列的長老商議說:“從前你們希望大衛作你們的王。 18 現在可以實現了!因為耶和華曾經論到大衛說:‘我要藉著我的僕人大衛的手,把我的子民以色列從非利士人和他們所有敵人的手中拯救出來。’” 19 押尼珥也把這話說給便雅憫人聽,然後又去希伯崙,把以色列人和便雅憫全都同意的一切事說給大衛聽。

20 押尼珥帶著二十個人,來到希伯崙見大衛的時候,大衛就為押尼珥和與他同來的人擺設筵席。 21 後來,押尼珥對大衛說:“讓我去把以色列眾人召集到我主我王這裡來,好叫他們與你立約,這樣你就可以照著自己的心願統治所有的人。”於是大衛打發押尼珥回去,他就平平安安地走了。

約押疑忌押尼珥

22 那時,大衛的臣僕和約押攻擊敵人回來,帶回許多的戰利品。當時,押尼珥不在希伯崙大衛那裡,因為大衛已經打發他離去,他也平平安安地走了。 23 約押和跟隨他的全軍一到達,就有人告訴約押,尼珥的兒子押尼珥曾經來見過王。王打發他離去,他已經平平安安地走了。 24 約押進去見王,說:“你作了甚麼事?押尼珥來見你,你為甚麼把他送走?現在他已經走了。 25 你認識尼珥的兒子押尼珥,他來是要欺騙你,是要了解你的起居行動和你所作的一切事。”

26 約押從大衛那裡出來,就差派使者去追趕押尼珥,使者從西拉的水井那裡把他帶回來。可是,大衛一點都不知道。

約押刺殺押尼珥

27 押尼珥回到了希伯崙,約押就拉他到城門的甕洞裡與他密談。約押就在那裡刺透他的肚子,他就死了。這樣,他替自己的兄弟亞撒黑報了血仇。 28 事後大衛聽到了,就說:“關於尼珥的兒子押尼珥的血案,我和我的國家,在耶和華面前永遠是無辜的。 29 願這流人血的罪歸到約押的頭上和他父親的全家!又願約押家不斷有患血漏病的、長痲風的、拿拐杖的、倒斃在劍下的和缺乏糧食的。” 30 因押尼珥在基遍的戰場上,殺死了他們的兄弟亞撒黑,約押和他的兄弟亞比篩就殺了押尼珥。

大衛哀悼押尼珥

31 大衛對約押和與他在一起的眾人說:“你們要撕裂衣服,腰束麻布,在押尼珥面前哀哭!”大衛王也走在棺木後面。 32 他們把押尼珥埋葬在希伯崙。王在押尼珥的墓旁放聲大哭,眾人也都哭了。 33 王又為押尼珥作了哀歌,說:

“難道押尼珥死去,要像愚妄的人死去一樣嗎?

34 你的手沒有被繩索綁住,

你的腳也沒有被銅鍊鎖住,

你倒斃,好像人在暴徒面前倒斃一樣!”

於是,眾民又為押尼珥哀哭。 35 還在白天的時候,眾人都來勸大衛吃點飯;大衛起誓說:“我若在日落以前吃飯或吃甚麼東西,願 神降罰我,重重地降罰我。” 36 眾人看見了,就都喜悅。王所作的一切,他們都很喜悅。 37 那一天眾人和全以色列都知道,殺死尼珥的兒子押尼珥,並不是出於王的意思。 38 王對他的臣僕說:“你們不知道今天在以色列中,有一位將領和偉人倒斃了嗎? 39 今天我雖然受膏為王,但我還是幼弱的。洗魯雅的兩個兒子太強了,非我所能應付。願耶和華照著惡人所行的惡,報應惡人。”

The war between the house of Saul and the house of David lasted a long time.(A) David grew stronger and stronger,(B) while the house of Saul grew weaker and weaker.(C)

Sons were born to David in Hebron:

His firstborn was Amnon(D) the son of Ahinoam(E) of Jezreel;

his second, Kileab the son of Abigail(F) the widow of Nabal of Carmel;

the third, Absalom(G) the son of Maakah daughter of Talmai king of Geshur;(H)

the fourth, Adonijah(I) the son of Haggith;

the fifth, Shephatiah the son of Abital;

and the sixth, Ithream the son of David’s wife Eglah.

These were born to David in Hebron.

Abner Goes Over to David

During the war between the house of Saul and the house of David, Abner(J) had been strengthening his own position in the house of Saul. Now Saul had had a concubine(K) named Rizpah(L) daughter of Aiah. And Ish-Bosheth said to Abner, “Why did you sleep with my father’s concubine?”

Abner was very angry because of what Ish-Bosheth said. So he answered, “Am I a dog’s head(M)—on Judah’s side? This very day I am loyal to the house of your father Saul and to his family and friends. I haven’t handed you over to David. Yet now you accuse me of an offense involving this woman! May God deal with Abner, be it ever so severely, if I do not do for David what the Lord promised(N) him on oath 10 and transfer the kingdom from the house of Saul and establish David’s throne over Israel and Judah from Dan to Beersheba.”(O) 11 Ish-Bosheth did not dare to say another word to Abner, because he was afraid of him.

12 Then Abner sent messengers on his behalf to say to David, “Whose land is it? Make an agreement with me, and I will help you bring all Israel over to you.”

13 “Good,” said David. “I will make an agreement with you. But I demand one thing of you: Do not come into my presence unless you bring Michal daughter of Saul when you come to see me.”(P) 14 Then David sent messengers to Ish-Bosheth son of Saul, demanding, “Give me my wife Michal,(Q) whom I betrothed to myself for the price of a hundred Philistine foreskins.”

15 So Ish-Bosheth gave orders and had her taken away from her husband(R) Paltiel(S) son of Laish. 16 Her husband, however, went with her, weeping behind her all the way to Bahurim.(T) Then Abner said to him, “Go back home!” So he went back.

17 Abner conferred with the elders(U) of Israel and said, “For some time you have wanted to make David your king. 18 Now do it! For the Lord promised David, ‘By my servant David I will rescue my people Israel from the hand of the Philistines(V) and from the hand of all their enemies.(W)’”

19 Abner also spoke to the Benjamites in person. Then he went to Hebron to tell David everything that Israel and the whole tribe of Benjamin(X) wanted to do. 20 When Abner, who had twenty men with him, came to David at Hebron, David prepared a feast(Y) for him and his men. 21 Then Abner said to David, “Let me go at once and assemble all Israel for my lord the king, so that they may make a covenant(Z) with you, and that you may rule over all that your heart desires.”(AA) So David sent Abner away, and he went in peace.

Joab Murders Abner

22 Just then David’s men and Joab returned from a raid and brought with them a great deal of plunder. But Abner was no longer with David in Hebron, because David had sent him away, and he had gone in peace. 23 When Joab and all the soldiers with him arrived, he was told that Abner son of Ner had come to the king and that the king had sent him away and that he had gone in peace.

24 So Joab went to the king and said, “What have you done? Look, Abner came to you. Why did you let him go? Now he is gone! 25 You know Abner son of Ner; he came to deceive you and observe your movements and find out everything you are doing.”

26 Joab then left David and sent messengers after Abner, and they brought him back from the cistern at Sirah. But David did not know it. 27 Now when Abner(AB) returned to Hebron, Joab took him aside into an inner chamber, as if to speak with him privately. And there, to avenge the blood of his brother Asahel, Joab stabbed him(AC) in the stomach, and he died.(AD)

28 Later, when David heard about this, he said, “I and my kingdom are forever innocent(AE) before the Lord concerning the blood of Abner son of Ner. 29 May his blood(AF) fall on the head of Joab and on his whole family!(AG) May Joab’s family never be without someone who has a running sore(AH) or leprosy[a] or who leans on a crutch or who falls by the sword or who lacks food.”

30 (Joab and his brother Abishai murdered Abner because he had killed their brother Asahel in the battle at Gibeon.)

31 Then David said to Joab and all the people with him, “Tear your clothes and put on sackcloth(AI) and walk in mourning(AJ) in front of Abner.” King David himself walked behind the bier. 32 They buried Abner in Hebron, and the king wept(AK) aloud at Abner’s tomb. All the people wept also.

33 The king sang this lament(AL) for Abner:

“Should Abner have died as the lawless die?
34     Your hands were not bound,
    your feet were not fettered.(AM)
You fell as one falls before the wicked.”

And all the people wept over him again.

35 Then they all came and urged David to eat something while it was still day; but David took an oath, saying, “May God deal with me, be it ever so severely,(AN) if I taste bread(AO) or anything else before the sun sets!”

36 All the people took note and were pleased; indeed, everything the king did pleased them. 37 So on that day all the people there and all Israel knew that the king had no part(AP) in the murder of Abner son of Ner.

38 Then the king said to his men, “Do you not realize that a commander and a great man has fallen(AQ) in Israel this day? 39 And today, though I am the anointed king, I am weak, and these sons of Zeruiah(AR) are too strong(AS) for me.(AT) May the Lord repay(AU) the evildoer according to his evil deeds!”

Footnotes

  1. 2 Samuel 3:29 The Hebrew for leprosy was used for various diseases affecting the skin.