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撒母耳記下 5
Chinese Contemporary Bible (Traditional)
撒母耳記下 5
Chinese Contemporary Bible (Traditional)
大衛統治全以色列
5 以色列各支派都來希伯崙見大衛，對他說：「我們是你的骨肉同胞。 2 從前掃羅做王的時候，率領以色列人出征打仗的是你，耶和華也曾應許讓你做祂以色列子民的牧者和首領。」 3 以色列的長老都到希伯崙見大衛王，大衛與他們在耶和華面前立約，他們膏立大衛做以色列的王。 4 大衛三十歲登基，執政共四十年。 5 他在希伯崙統治猶大七年半，在耶路撒冷統治以色列和猶大三十三年。
6 大衛率領軍隊來到耶路撒冷，要攻打那裡的耶布斯人。耶布斯人對大衛說：「你攻不進來，就連我們這裡的瞎子、瘸子都可以把你趕走。」他們以為大衛攻不進去。 7 結果大衛的軍隊攻取了錫安的堡壘，即後來的大衛城。 8 那天，大衛下令軍隊從地下水道爬進城去，攻打那些「瞎子、瘸子」，他憎惡這些耶布斯人。後來便有一句俗語：「瞎子、瘸子不得進殿！」 9 大衛住在錫安的堡壘裡，並稱之為大衛城，他又從米羅興建環城圍牆。 10 大衛日漸強盛，因為萬軍之上帝耶和華與他同在。
11 泰爾王希蘭差遣使者帶著香柏木、木匠和石匠去為大衛建造宮殿。 12 那時，大衛知道耶和華已立他做以色列王，並因祂以色列子民的緣故而使他國家興旺。
13 大衛從希伯崙遷到耶路撒冷以後，又選立妃嬪，生了更多的兒女。 14 以下是他在耶路撒冷生的兒子：沙姆亞、朔罷、拿單、所羅門、 15 益轄、以利書亞、尼斐、雅非亞、 16 以利沙瑪、以利雅大和以利法列。
大衛戰勝非利士人
17 非利士人聽說大衛已被膏立為以色列王，就全軍出動，要搜尋大衛。大衛得到消息便退到堅城裡。 18 非利士人大軍壓境，散佈在利乏音谷。 19 大衛求問耶和華：「我可以去迎戰非利士人嗎？你會把他們交在我手裡嗎？」耶和華說：「去吧，我必把他們交在你手裡。」 20 大衛前往巴力·毗拉心，在那裡打敗了敵人。他說：「耶和華像洪水決堤一樣為我沖垮了仇敵。」於是他稱那地方為巴力·毗拉心[a]。 21 大衛和他的軍隊帶走了非利士人所丟棄的神像。
22 後來非利士人又捲土重來，散佈在利乏音谷。 23 大衛又求問耶和華，耶和華說：「你不要正面出擊，要繞到他們後面，從桑林對面攻打他們。 24 當你聽見桑樹梢上響起腳步聲時，就要快速進攻，因為那表示耶和華已在你前頭去攻擊非利士的軍隊了。」 25 大衛遵命而行，打敗非利士人，由迦巴一直殺到基色。
Footnotes
- 5·20 「巴力·毗拉心」意思是「沖垮之主」。
2 Samuel 5
New International Version
2 Samuel 5
New International Version
David Becomes King Over Israel(A)
5 All the tribes of Israel(B) came to David at Hebron and said, “We are your own flesh and blood.(C) 2 In the past, while Saul was king over us, you were the one who led Israel on their military campaigns.(D) And the Lord said(E) to you, ‘You will shepherd(F) my people Israel, and you will become their ruler.(G)’”
3 When all the elders of Israel had come to King David at Hebron, the king made a covenant(H) with them at Hebron before the Lord, and they anointed(I) David king over Israel.
4 David was thirty years old(J) when he became king, and he reigned(K) forty(L) years. 5 In Hebron he reigned over Judah seven years and six months,(M) and in Jerusalem he reigned over all Israel and Judah thirty-three years.
David Conquers Jerusalem(N)(O)
6 The king and his men marched to Jerusalem(P) to attack the Jebusites,(Q) who lived there. The Jebusites said to David, “You will not get in here; even the blind and the lame can ward you off.” They thought, “David cannot get in here.” 7 Nevertheless, David captured the fortress of Zion(R)—which is the City of David.(S)
8 On that day David had said, “Anyone who conquers the Jebusites will have to use the water shaft(T) to reach those ‘lame and blind’(U) who are David’s enemies.[a]” That is why they say, “The ‘blind and lame’ will not enter the palace.”
9 David then took up residence in the fortress and called it the City of David. He built up the area around it, from the terraces[b](V) inward. 10 And he became more and more powerful,(W) because the Lord God Almighty(X) was with him.(Y)
11 Now Hiram(Z) king of Tyre sent envoys to David, along with cedar logs and carpenters and stonemasons, and they built a palace for David. 12 Then David knew that the Lord had established him as king over Israel and had exalted his kingdom(AA) for the sake of his people Israel.
13 After he left Hebron, David took more concubines and wives(AB) in Jerusalem, and more sons and daughters were born to him. 14 These are the names of the children born to him there:(AC) Shammua, Shobab, Nathan,(AD) Solomon, 15 Ibhar, Elishua, Nepheg, Japhia, 16 Elishama, Eliada and Eliphelet.
David Defeats the Philistines(AE)
17 When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over Israel, they went up in full force to search for him, but David heard about it and went down to the stronghold.(AF) 18 Now the Philistines had come and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim;(AG) 19 so David inquired(AH) of the Lord, “Shall I go and attack the Philistines? Will you deliver them into my hands?”
The Lord answered him, “Go, for I will surely deliver the Philistines into your hands.”
20 So David went to Baal Perazim, and there he defeated them. He said, “As waters break out, the Lord has broken out against my enemies before me.” So that place was called Baal Perazim.[c](AI) 21 The Philistines abandoned their idols there, and David and his men carried them off.(AJ)
22 Once more the Philistines came up and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim; 23 so David inquired of the Lord, and he answered, “Do not go straight up, but circle around behind them and attack them in front of the poplar trees. 24 As soon as you hear the sound(AK) of marching in the tops of the poplar trees, move quickly, because that will mean the Lord has gone out in front(AL) of you to strike the Philistine army.” 25 So David did as the Lord commanded him, and he struck down the Philistines(AM) all the way from Gibeon[d](AN) to Gezer.(AO)
Footnotes
- 2 Samuel 5:8 Or are hated by David
- 2 Samuel 5:9 Or the Millo
- 2 Samuel 5:20 Baal Perazim means the lord who breaks out.
- 2 Samuel 5:25 Septuagint (see also 1 Chron. 14:16); Hebrew Geba
撒母耳記下 17-23
Chinese Contemporary Bible (Traditional)
撒母耳記下 17-23
Chinese Contemporary Bible (Traditional)
亞希多弗計謀落空
17 亞希多弗對押沙龍說：「讓我挑選一萬二千人，今夜啟程追趕大衛， 2 趁他疲憊無力的時候襲擊他，使他驚慌失措，他的部下必逃命。我只把王一個人殺掉， 3 把他的部下全都帶來歸順你。你尋索的人既然死了，跟隨他的人必然會歸順你。這樣，大家就平安無事了。」 4 押沙龍和以色列的長老都贊成這個提議。
5 押沙龍說：「召亞基人戶篩進來，我們也聽聽他的意見。」 6 戶篩來了，押沙龍就把亞希多弗的建議告訴他，問他：「我們應該照亞希多弗的提議去做嗎？如果不可行，說說你的看法吧。」 7 戶篩答道：「亞希多弗這次的主意不好！ 8 你知道你父親和他的部下，他們都是勇士，現在他們就像丟了熊崽的母熊一樣兇猛。況且你父親是個身經百戰的人，他一定不會跟部下睡在一處。 9 他現在可能藏在山洞或某個地方。要是他襲擊我們的人馬，聽見的人會說押沙龍的軍隊慘敗了。 10 那時候，你手下的人再膽量過人，也會膽戰心驚。因為全以色列都知道你父親是英雄，他的部下都是勇士。 11 因此，我認為你應該把從但到別示巴的那多如海沙的以色列人都聚集起來，然後你親自率領他們出征。 12 這樣不管在哪裡找到大衛，我們就像露水一樣鋪天蓋地襲擊他，讓他全軍覆沒。 13 如果大衛退進一座城裡，我們以色列全軍就拿繩索把那城拉到河谷，連一塊石頭都不留。」
14 押沙龍和以色列眾人都說：「亞基人戶篩的主意比亞希多弗的好！」其實是耶和華決定破壞亞希多弗的巧計，好把災禍降在押沙龍身上。
15 戶篩把亞希多弗和自己為押沙龍及以色列長老所提的建議告訴祭司撒督和亞比亞他， 16 並說：「你們現在快派人去通知大衛，告訴他今晚不可在曠野的渡口過夜，務必要渡過約旦河，免得他和部下全軍覆沒。」
17 當時，約拿單和亞希瑪斯躲在隱·羅結，不敢進城，怕被人看見。有一個婢女從城中出來給他們報信，他們便去通知大衛王。 18 不料，有一個少年發現了他們，就去告訴押沙龍。他們二人急忙逃走，來到巴戶琳的一戶人家，藏到那家院子裡的一口井內， 19 那家的婦人用蓋子蓋上井口，然後在上面撒了一些麥子，沒有人知道這件事。 20 押沙龍的部下來到婦人家查問約拿單和亞希瑪斯的下落，婦人說他們已經過河了。押沙龍的部下就去搜索，結果一無所獲，就返回耶路撒冷。 21 押沙龍的部下離開後，約拿單和亞希瑪斯便從井裡爬出來，去向大衛王報信，把亞希多弗的計謀告訴他，請他趕快渡過約旦河。 22 大衛王和部下就動身過約旦河，在黎明之前，所有的人都過去了。
23 亞希多弗見自己的提議不被接納，便備上驢，啟程回鄉，安頓好家事以後，就自縊身亡了。他被安葬在他父親的墓穴裡。
24 大衛來到瑪哈念，押沙龍也率領以色列全軍渡過了約旦河。 25 押沙龍任命亞瑪撒為元帥，代替約押的位置。亞瑪撒是以實瑪利人以特拉的兒子，母親是拿轄的女兒亞比該。亞比該與約押的母親洗魯雅是姊妹。 26 押沙龍和以色列人在基列地區安營。
27 大衛來到瑪哈念，受到亞捫族拉巴人拿轄的兒子朔比、羅·底巴人亞米利的兒子瑪吉和基列的羅基琳人巴西萊的熱情招待。 28 他們帶來被褥、碗盆、瓦器、小麥、大麥、麵粉、炒麥、豆子、扁豆、 29 蜂蜜、奶油、綿羊和乳酪，送給大衛和跟隨他的人，因為他們想：「眾人在曠野跋涉，一定饑渴疲乏了。」
押沙龍之死
18 大衛召集軍隊，設立了千夫長和百夫長率領他們。 2 他兵分三隊，一隊由約押率領，一隊由洗魯雅的兒子、約押的兄弟亞比篩率領，一隊由迦特人以太率領。大衛對部下說：「我必與你們一同出戰」。 3 他們卻說：「請我王不要出戰。因為如果我們敗逃，敵方不會放在心上；即使我們一半人陣亡，敵方也不會放在心上。你一人比我們一萬人更寶貴。你還是留在城中支援我們吧。」 4 王說：「你們認為怎樣好，我就怎樣做。」於是，大衛王站在城門旁邊，軍兵百人一隊、千人一隊地按次序出城了。 5 大衛王吩咐約押、亞比篩和以太說：「你們要看在我的份上對年輕的押沙龍手下留情。」全體的軍兵都聽見了大衛吩咐眾將領的話。
6 大衛的軍隊在以法蓮的樹林裡跟以色列人交戰。 7 以色列人被大衛的部下打敗，傷亡慘重，有兩萬人陣亡。 8 戰事蔓延到整個郊野，那天死在樹林裡的人比死在刀下的人還多。 9 押沙龍碰巧遇見大衛的部下。他騎著騾子逃走，騾子從一棵大橡樹的茂密枝條下經過，押沙龍的頭髮被樹枝纏住，整個人吊在半空中，胯下的騾子也跑了。 10 大衛的一個部下看見，就向約押稟告說：「我看見押沙龍正吊在橡樹上。」 11 約押對那報信的說：「什麼！你看見他吊在樹上，為什麼不把他殺掉呢？要是你把他殺了，我會賞你十塊銀子和一條腰帶。」 12 他卻答道：「就是你賞我一千塊銀子，我也不敢加害王的兒子啊！我們曾聽見王吩咐你、亞比篩和以太不可傷害年輕的押沙龍。 13 如果我膽敢殺死押沙龍，王遲早會查出真相，到時你就撒手不管了。」 14 約押說：「我不跟你浪費時間。」趁著押沙龍還吊在橡樹上，他拿起三杆矛槍剌入了他的心臟。 15 十個為約押拿兵器的年輕人圍上去將押沙龍殺死。 16 隨後，約押吹起收兵的號角，部下便停止追趕以色列人。 17 他們把押沙龍的屍體丟在林中的一個坑裡，在上面堆了一大堆石頭。以色列人都各自逃回家去了。 18 押沙龍生前沒有兒子為他留名，所以他曾在王谷立了一根石柱，以自己的名字命名，稱為「押沙龍柱」，沿用至今。
19 撒督的兒子亞希瑪斯對約押說：「請讓我跑回去向王稟告，讓王知道耶和華已從仇敵手中救了他。」 20 但約押對他說：「你今天不要去報信，改天再報吧。你不要今天去，因為王的兒子死了。」 21 約押吩咐一個古示人：「你去把所看見的稟報給王。」那人就拜別了約押，馬上跑回去報信。 22 撒督的兒子亞希瑪斯再次對約押說：「求你讓我與古示人一同去吧！」約押說：「我的孩子，你何必要去呢？你報這個消息是不會得到賞賜的。」 23 他說：「無論怎樣，我想跑去報信。」約押答應了。亞希瑪斯沿平原的路跑，跑到了古示人的前面。
24 那時，大衛王正坐在內城門和外城門中間。有一個守衛爬上城門樓頂觀望，看見一個人獨自跑來。 25 守衛就大聲向大衛稟告。王說：「如果他是單獨一個人，他帶來的一定是好消息。」那人越來越近了。 26 這時候，守衛又看見另一個人跑來，就大聲對守城門的說：「又有一個人獨自跑來了！」王說：「他也一定是傳好消息的。」 27 守衛又說：「從跑的姿勢看，那跑在前面的人好像撒督的兒子亞希瑪斯。」王說：「他是個好人，他一定帶來了好消息。」
28 亞希瑪斯高聲對王說：「一切都好！」他在王面前俯伏叩拜，說：「你的上帝耶和華當受稱頌，祂已經消滅了那些攻擊我主我王的敵人。」 29 王問道：「年輕的押沙龍平安嗎？」亞希瑪斯答道：「約押派僕人來的時候，僕人看見一陣大騷動，但不知道是什麼事。」 30 王說：「你先退到一邊去。」亞希瑪斯就退下，站在一邊。
31 這時，古示人也到了，他說：「我有好消息向我主我王稟告，今日耶和華已經從一切反叛之人手中救了我主我王。」 32 王問古示人：「年輕的押沙龍平安嗎？」古示人答道：「願我主我王的仇敵和一切要加害我王的人，下場都與那青年一樣。」 33 王聽了十分難過，就走上城門樓去痛哭，邊走邊說：「我兒押沙龍啊！我兒，我兒押沙龍啊！我恨不得可以替你死！押沙龍，我兒啊！我兒！」
約押勸告大衛
19 有人告訴約押，說：「王在為押沙龍哀傷痛哭。」 2 士兵們聽說王為押沙龍哀痛，勝利的歡騰頓時變為一片哀愁。 3 那一天，眾人都靜悄悄地回城去，好像敗兵一樣羞愧萬分。 4 王仍掩面痛哭：「我兒押沙龍啊！押沙龍！我兒！我兒啊！」 5 約押就進到屋裡，對王說：「你的僕人們救了你和你妻妾兒女的性命，你今天卻使他們感到羞愧。 6 仇視你的人，你倒去愛他；那些愛你的人，你反憎惡他們。這表明我王的心中根本沒有我們這些將領和部下。我想，要是死去的不是押沙龍而是我們，你就高興了。 7 你現在應該出去安撫士兵們。我憑耶和華起誓，如果你不這樣做，今天晚上必無一人再追隨你。那將是你一生所遭遇的最大災難！」 8 於是王出去坐在城門口，眾人聽說後，都來到他面前。這時，跟隨押沙龍的以色列人都各自逃回家去了。
大衛返回耶路撒冷
9 以色列各支派的人都在紛紛議論：「王曾把我們從眾仇敵和非利士人手中救出來。如今他為了躲避押沙龍而逃離本國。 10 我們膏立為王的押沙龍已經死了，為什麼無人說請王回來呢？」
11 大衛王派人去對祭司撒督和亞比亞他說：「你們去問猶大的長老，『全以色列已經準備迎接王回宮，你們為什麼遲遲沒有反應？ 12 你們是王的弟兄，是王的骨肉，為什麼遲遲沒有迎接王回宮？』 13 你們也要對亞瑪撒說，『你是我的骨肉，要是我不立你為元帥取代約押，願上帝重重地處罰我。』」 14 王的這番話打動了所有猶大人的心，他們派人去請王和王的臣僕回來。
15 王便啟程回宮。他來到約旦河時，猶大人都到吉甲來迎接他，要護送他過河。 16 來自巴戶琳的便雅憫人基拉的兒子示每也急忙跟著猶大人趕來迎接大衛王， 17 有一千便雅憫人跟示每一起去迎接大衛王。掃羅的僕人洗巴帶著十五個兒子和二十個僕人也趕到約旦河。 18 他們渡到河對面幫助王的家眷過河，為王效勞。王正要過河的時候，基拉的兒子示每就俯伏在他面前， 19 說：「求我主饒恕僕人的罪過！僕人在我主我王離開耶路撒冷時所犯的罪，求我王不要記在心上。 20 僕人自知有罪，所以今天我是整個約瑟家族中第一個迎接我主我王的人。」 21 洗魯雅的兒子亞比篩說：「示每曾經咒罵耶和華所膏立的君王，難道不應該處死他嗎？」 22 大衛說：「洗魯雅的兒子，你為何這樣說話？你今天是在跟我作對。今天在以色列怎麼可以處死人呢？難道我不知道今天我是以色列的王嗎？」 23 於是大衛起誓不殺示每。
24 掃羅的孫子米非波設也來迎接王。從王離開那天，直到大衛平安回來之日，他沒有修過腳，沒有剃過鬍子，也沒有洗過衣服。 25 他到耶路撒冷來迎接王，王問他：「米非波設，當時你為什麼不跟我一起走呢？」 26 米非波設答道：「我主我王，我是瘸腿的，我本想預備一頭驢騎著與我王同去，是我的僕人洗巴欺騙了我。 27 他在我主我王面前譭謗我。我主我王就像上帝的天使，請王定奪。 28 我父全家在我主我王面前都是該死的，但王卻讓我與王同席吃飯，我還能向王要求什麼呢？」 29 王對他說：「不要再提這事了，我決定讓你和洗巴平分土地。」 30 米非波設說：「把土地都給他吧，我主我王平安地回來就好了。」
31 基列人巴西萊也從羅基琳下來護送王過約旦河，然後送王上路。 32 那時，巴西萊已經是八十高齡了。王留在瑪哈念的時候，他曾供應王食物，因為他非常富有。 33 王對巴西萊說：「你跟我一同回耶路撒冷，我會照顧你。」 34 巴西萊說：「我何必跟王一同去耶路撒冷呢？我還能活多久呢？ 35 我已經八十歲了，美醜難分，食不知味，樂不辨音，何必為我主我王添麻煩呢？ 36 僕人只不過是陪王過約旦河，王何必給我這麼大的賞賜呢？ 37 請准我回去，我好死在故鄉，葬在父母的墓旁。這裡有王的僕人金罕，讓他跟我主我王一起去。你看怎麼好，就怎麼對待他吧。」 38 王說：「金罕可以跟我去，我會照你的心願待他。無論你有什麼要求，我都會答應你。」 39 王和眾人過了約旦河以後，就親吻巴西萊，為他祝福。巴西萊返回了家鄉。
40 王過河後，來到吉甲，金罕跟隨著他。護送王的有猶大的士兵和半數的以色列士兵。 41 後來，所有的以色列人來見大衛，說：「為什麼我們的弟兄猶大人偷偷地送王、王的家眷和王的部下渡河？」 42 猶大人答道：「我們這樣做是因為王是我們的親族。你們為什麼生氣呢？難道我們吃了王的供應，得了什麼禮物嗎？」 43 以色列人說：「但我們以色列人十個支派和王有十份的情分，你們為什麼輕視我們？難道不是我們首先提出要請王回來的嗎？」
但猶大人的態度比以色列人還要強硬。
示巴反叛大衛
20 有一個無賴名叫示巴，是便雅憫人比基利的兒子，當時剛好在吉甲。他吹響號角，大喊：「我們與大衛毫無關係，耶西兒子的產業沒有我們的份。以色列人啊，各自回家去吧！」 2 於是，以色列人都離開了大衛，跟隨了比基利的兒子示巴。但猶大人仍然緊緊跟隨他們的王，從約旦河一直來到耶路撒冷。 3 大衛回到耶路撒冷的宮裡，把從前留下來看守王宮的十個妃嬪關進冷宮，供養她們，卻不再和她們同房。她們像寡婦一樣在軟禁中度過餘生。
4 王對亞瑪撒說：「你要在三天內招聚猶大人，跟他們一起來見我。」 5 亞瑪撒就去招聚猶大人，但他超過了王所定的期限。 6 大衛對亞比篩說：「現在比基利的兒子示巴對我們帶來的危害恐怕比押沙龍還要大。你帶領我的部下去捉拿他，免得他佔據了堅固的城池，得以逃脫。」
7 於是，約押的部下和基利提人、比利提人以及所有的勇士都跟隨亞比篩離開耶路撒冷，去追趕比基利的兒子示巴。 8 他們來到基遍的巨石旁，見亞瑪撒迎面而來。約押當時身穿戰袍，腰間佩刀，他迎上去的時候，刀從鞘中滑落出來。 9 約押對亞瑪撒說：「兄弟，你好嗎？」他用右手抓住亞瑪撒的鬍子，親吻他。 10 亞瑪撒毫無防備，被約押一刀刺入肚子，肚破腸流而死。然後，約押和他兄弟亞比篩繼續追趕比基利的兒子示巴。
11 約押的一個部下站在亞瑪撒的屍體旁邊說：「擁護約押和大衛的人來跟隨約押吧！」 12 亞瑪撒的屍體倒在路中間的血泊中。那人見眾人駐足圍觀，便把屍體從路上拖到田裡，扔了一件衣服蓋上。 13 屍體搬走以後，大家都跟隨約押去追比基利的兒子示巴。
14 示巴走遍以色列各支派，一直到伯·瑪迦的亞比拉城。他的本族比利人都聚集起來跟隨他。 15 約押率大軍來到伯·瑪迦，把示巴圍困在亞比拉城內，他們修築攻城的高臺，撞擊城牆。 16 有一個聰明的婦人從城上喊：「請聽我說！請聽我說！請約押到這邊來，我有話要對他說。」 17 約押就走上前去，那婦人問道：「你是約押嗎？」約押答道：「我就是。」婦人說：「請聽婢女說幾句。」約押說：「你說吧！」 18 婦人說：「古時候人們常說，『有事到亞比拉去請教，問題都會解決。』 19 我們這座城的人在以色列素來熱愛和平、忠心耿耿，你卻要毀滅這座大城。你為什麼要吞掉耶和華的產業？」 20 約押答道：「我根本不想吞掉或毀滅這城。 21 以法蓮山區比基利的兒子示巴背叛大衛王，你們只要把他交出來，我就撤退。」那婦人說：「我們一定把他的首級從城上拋下來給你。」 22 婦人把自己的良策告訴眾人，他們便把比基利的兒子示巴的頭割下來，拋給約押。約押就吹響號角令軍隊各自回家，自己回耶路撒冷見王。
23 約押負責統率以色列全軍；耶何耶大的兒子比拿雅統轄基利提人和比利提人； 24 亞多蘭管理服勞役的；亞希律的兒子約沙法擔任史官； 25 示法做書記；撒督和亞比亞他任祭司； 26 雅珥人以拉做大衛的祭司。
基遍人向掃羅家復仇
21 在大衛執政期間，連續有三年饑荒，大衛就求問耶和華。耶和華說：「發生這饑荒是因為掃羅一家人的血債，他們殺害了基遍人。」 2 原來基遍人不是以色列人，他們是亞摩利人的遺民。以色列人曾起誓不傷害他們，但掃羅為以色列人和猶大人發熱心，試圖剷除基遍人。大衛就召來基遍人， 3 問他們：「我可以為你們做些什麼來贖罪，使你們願意祝福耶和華的子民[a]呢？」 4 基遍人答道：「金銀不能解決我們和掃羅一家人的問題，我們也不想處死任何以色列人。」大衛說：「你們要我怎麼辦？」 5 他們說：「掃羅曾試圖滅絕我們，把我們從以色列境內剷除。 6 請你把掃羅的七個子孫交給我們。耶和華選立了掃羅，我們就在耶和華面前把他們吊死在掃羅的家鄉基比亞城。」王說：「我必把他們交給你們。」
7 大衛王因為與掃羅的兒子約拿單在耶和華面前起過誓，就沒有把掃羅的孫子、約拿單的兒子米非波設交出來。 8 他把埃亞的女兒利斯巴為掃羅所生的兩個兒子亞摩尼、米非波設和掃羅女兒米拉為米何拉人巴西萊的兒子亞得列所生的五個兒子交給基遍人。 9 基遍人在耶和華面前把他們七人吊死在山上，那時正好是收割大麥的時候。
10 掃羅的嬪妃、埃亞的女兒利斯巴在一塊磐石上用麻布搭了一座棚看屍。她白天不讓飛鳥靠近，夜間不容野獸走近，從開始收割大麥，一直守到降下雨來。 11 大衛知道這件事以後， 12 就去基列·雅比人那裡把掃羅和約拿單的骸骨運來。從前非利士人在基利波殺死掃羅和約拿單，把他們的屍體掛在伯珊的廣場，後來基列·雅比人把屍體偷走了。 13 大衛運回掃羅和約拿單的骸骨，又收殮了掃羅那七個子孫的骸骨。 14 眾人按照大衛的吩咐，把掃羅和約拿單的骸骨埋葬在掃羅父親基士的墓裡，在便雅憫境內的洗拉。此後，上帝垂聽了人們為國家的禱告。
與非利士人交戰
15 以色列人又和非利士人交戰，大衛親自出征。在他十分疲倦的時候， 16 一個名叫以實·比諾的巨人佩戴新刀，手拿三公斤半重的銅矛，衝上來要殺他。 17 洗魯雅的兒子亞比篩趕來救駕，殺死了非利士巨人。這事以後，大衛的部下向他起誓說：「你絕不可再跟我們一起出戰，免得以色列的燈熄滅。」 18 後來，以色列人和非利士人在歌伯打仗，戶沙人西比該殺了另一個非利士巨人撒弗。 19 在同一個地方，伯利恆人雅雷俄珥金的兒子伊勒哈難又殺了迦特人歌利亞。歌利亞的長矛粗如織布機的軸。 20 在迦特的一次交戰中，有一個非利士巨人每隻手腳各有六個手指和腳趾，共二十四個手指和腳趾。 21 他向以色列人罵陣，大衛的哥哥示米亞的兒子約拿單就殺了他。 22 這四個迦特巨人的後裔都死在大衛和他的部下手裡。
大衛的頌歌
22 耶和華從掃羅和所有仇敵手中拯救大衛那天，他向耶和華吟唱此詩：
2 「耶和華是我的磐石，
我的堡壘，我的拯救者；
3 我的上帝是保護我的磐石，
是我的盾牌，是拯救我的力量，
是我的堡壘，我的避難所，
我的救主。
你救我脫離殘暴之徒。
4 我求告當受頌讚的耶和華，
祂就從仇敵手中把我救出。
5 「死亡的波濤環繞我，
罪惡的狂流淹沒我。
6 陰間的繩索捆綁我，
死亡的網羅籠罩我。
7 「我在苦難中呼求耶和華，
向我的上帝求助，
祂從殿中垂聽我的呼求，
我的聲音達到祂耳中。
8 「祂一發怒，大地震動，
穹蒼的根基搖晃。
9 祂的鼻孔冒煙，
口噴烈焰和火炭。
10 祂撥開雲天，
腳踩密雲，親自降臨。
11 祂乘著基路伯天使飛翔，
在風的翅膀上顯現。
12 祂藏身於黑暗中，
四圍以密雲作幔幕。
13 祂面前的榮光中發出道道閃電。
14 耶和華在天上打雷，
至高者發出聲音。
15 祂射出利箭驅散仇敵，
發出閃電擊潰他們。
16 耶和華斥責一聲，
祂的鼻孔一吹氣，
海底就顯現，
大地也露出根基。
17 「祂從高天伸手抓住我，
從深淵中把我拉上來。
18 祂救我脫離強敵，
脫離我無法戰勝的仇敵。
19 他們在我危難之時攻擊我，
但耶和華扶持我。
20 祂領我到寬闊之地；
祂拯救我，因為祂喜悅我。
21 「耶和華因我公義而善待我，
因我清白而賞賜我。
22 因為我堅守祂的道，
沒有作惡背棄我的上帝。
23 「我遵守祂一切的法令，
沒有把祂的律例棄置一旁。
24 我在祂面前純全無過，
沒有沾染罪惡。
25 耶和華因我公義、
在祂面前清白而獎賞我。
26 「仁慈的人，你以仁慈待他；
純全的人，你以純全待他。
27 純潔的人，你以純潔待他；
心術不正的人，你以計謀待他。
28 你搭救謙卑的人，
鑒察、貶抑高傲的人。
29 耶和華啊！你是我的明燈，
你使我的黑暗變為光明。
30 我依靠你的力量迎戰敵軍，
靠著我的上帝躍過牆垣。
31 「上帝的道完美，
耶和華的話純全，
祂是投靠祂之人的盾牌。
32 除了耶和華，誰是上帝呢？
除了我們的上帝，誰是磐石呢？
33 上帝是我的堅固堡壘，
祂使我行為純全。
34 祂使我的腳如母鹿的蹄，
穩踏在高處。
35 祂訓練我的手怎樣作戰，
使我的手臂能拉開銅弓。
36 你是拯救我的盾牌，
你的垂顧使我強大。
37 你使我腳下的道路寬闊，
不致滑倒。
38 我追趕仇敵，擊潰他們，
不消滅他們決不回頭。
39 我打垮他們，
使他們倒在我的腳下，
再也站不起來。
40 你賜我征戰的能力，
使我的仇敵降服在我腳下。
41 你使我的仇敵狼狽而逃，
我殲滅了恨我的人。
42 他們求助，卻無人搭救。
他們呼求耶和華，祂也不應允。
43 我把他們打得粉碎，
如同地上的灰塵，踐踏他們，
就像踐踏街上的泥土。
44 你救我脫離我百姓的攻擊，
讓我成為列國的元首，
素不相識的民族也歸順我。
45 外族人望風而降，俯首稱臣。
46 他們聞風喪膽，
戰戰兢兢地走出他們的城池。
47 「耶和華永遠活著，
保護我的磐石當受頌讚，
拯救我的上帝當受尊崇。
48 祂是為我伸冤的上帝，
祂使列邦臣服於我。
49 祂救我脫離仇敵，
使我勝過強敵，
救我脫離殘暴之徒。
50 因此，耶和華啊，
我要在列邦中讚美你，
歌頌你的名。
51 你使你立的王大獲全勝，
向你膏立的王，
就是大衛和他的後代廣施慈愛，
直到永遠。」
大衛的遺言
23 耶西的兒子大衛是雅各的上帝膏立的王，他身居高位，在以色列能歌善詠。以下是他的遺言：
2 「耶和華的靈藉著我說話，
祂的言語在我口中。
3 以色列的上帝告訴我，
以色列的磐石對我說，
『以公義治理人民，
敬畏上帝的君王，
4 就像黎明的曙光、
晴朗的早晨，
又像雨後的光輝，
使大地長出青草。』
5 我的家在上帝面前不正是如此嗎？
上帝與我立下永遠的約，
這約穩妥可靠。
祂必拯救我，成全我的願望。
6 但惡人要像荊棘一樣被丟棄，
沒人用手碰他們，
7 人要拿鐵器和長矛把他們收集起來焚毀。」
大衛的勇士
8 以下是大衛的勇士：他革捫人約設·巴設，又稱伊斯尼人亞底挪，是三勇士之首，曾在一場交戰中殺掉八百敵人。
9 其次是亞合人朵多的兒子以利亞撒，他是三勇士之一。有一次，以色列人和非利士人打仗，他跟隨大衛向非利士人罵陣。以色列軍隊都撤退了， 10 他卻堅守陣地，奮勇殺敵，直到手臂發麻，握刀的手無法鬆開。那天，耶和華使以色列人大獲全勝。以色列軍隊回到以利亞撒那裡來撿死人的財物。 11 第三位勇士是哈拉人亞基的兒子沙瑪。有一次非利士人聚集在一塊長滿扁豆的田中和以色列人打仗，以色列人都逃跑了， 12 沙瑪卻站在田中間擊殺敵人，保衛了那塊田。那次，耶和華使以色列人大獲全勝。
13 在收割的時候，非利士軍兵在利乏音谷紮營，三十勇士中的三位到亞杜蘭洞見大衛。 14 那時大衛留守在堡壘裡，非利士人的駐軍在伯利恆。 15 大衛渴了，說：「真想喝一些伯利恆城門旁的井水！」 16 這三位勇士就衝過非利士人的營地，到伯利恆城門旁的井打水，帶回來給大衛。大衛卻不肯喝，他把水澆奠在耶和華面前， 17 說：「耶和華啊！這三人冒死去打水，這些水就像是他們的血，我決不能喝！」因此，大衛不肯喝。這是三勇士的事蹟。
18 洗魯雅的兒子、約押的兄弟亞比篩是這三位[b]勇士的統領，他曾揮矛刺死三百人，在三勇士中出了名， 19 最有聲望，因此做了他們的統領，只是不及前三位勇士。
20 甲薛人耶何耶大的兒子比拿雅是位勇士，做過非凡的事。他曾殺死摩押的兩個勇猛戰士，也曾在下雪天跳進坑中殺死一頭獅子， 21 還殺死了一個埃及勇士。當時埃及人拿著長矛，比拿雅拿著棍子迎戰，他奪了對方的長矛，用那矛刺死了對方。 22 這是耶何耶大的兒子比拿雅的事蹟，他在三個勇士中出了名。 23 他比三十勇士更有聲望，只是不及前三位勇士。大衛封他為護衛長。
24 三十勇士中有：約押的兄弟亞撒黑、伯利恆人朵多的兒子伊勒哈難、 25 哈律人沙瑪、哈律人以利加、 26 帕勒提人希利斯、提哥亞人益吉的兒子以拉、 27 亞拿突人亞比以謝、戶沙人米本乃、 28 亞合人撒們、尼陀法人瑪哈萊、 29 尼陀法人巴拿的兒子希立、便雅憫支派基比亞人利拜的兒子以太、 30 比拉頓人比拿雅、迦實溪人希太、 31 伯·亞拉巴人亞比亞本、巴魯米人押斯瑪弗、 32 沙本人以利雅哈巴、雅善的兒子們、哈拉人沙瑪的兒子約拿單、 33 哈拉人沙拉的兒子亞希暗、 34 瑪迦人亞哈拜的兒子以利法列、基羅人亞希多弗的兒子以連、 35 迦密人希斯萊、亞巴人帕萊、 36 瑣巴人拿單的兒子以甲、迦得人巴尼、 37 亞捫人洗勒、為洗魯雅的兒子約押拿兵器的比錄人拿哈萊、 38 以帖人以拉、以帖人迦立、 39 赫人烏利亞，共三十七名勇士。
2 Samuel 17-23
New International Version
2 Samuel 17-23
New International Version
17 Ahithophel said to Absalom, “I would[a] choose twelve thousand men and set out tonight in pursuit of David. 2 I would attack him while he is weary and weak.(A) I would strike him with terror, and then all the people with him will flee. I would strike down only the king(B) 3 and bring all the people back to you. The death of the man you seek will mean the return of all; all the people will be unharmed.” 4 This plan seemed good to Absalom and to all the elders of Israel.
5 But Absalom said, “Summon also Hushai(C) the Arkite, so we can hear what he has to say as well.” 6 When Hushai came to him, Absalom said, “Ahithophel has given this advice. Should we do what he says? If not, give us your opinion.”
7 Hushai replied to Absalom, “The advice Ahithophel has given is not good this time. 8 You know your father and his men; they are fighters, and as fierce as a wild bear robbed of her cubs.(D) Besides, your father is an experienced fighter;(E) he will not spend the night with the troops. 9 Even now, he is hidden in a cave or some other place.(F) If he should attack your troops first,[b] whoever hears about it will say, ‘There has been a slaughter among the troops who follow Absalom.’ 10 Then even the bravest soldier, whose heart is like the heart of a lion,(G) will melt(H) with fear, for all Israel knows that your father is a fighter and that those with him are brave.(I)
11 “So I advise you: Let all Israel, from Dan to Beersheba(J)—as numerous as the sand(K) on the seashore—be gathered to you, with you yourself leading them into battle. 12 Then we will attack him wherever he may be found, and we will fall on him as dew settles on the ground. Neither he nor any of his men will be left alive. 13 If he withdraws into a city, then all Israel will bring ropes to that city, and we will drag it down to the valley(L) until not so much as a pebble is left.”
14 Absalom and all the men of Israel said, “The advice(M) of Hushai the Arkite is better than that of Ahithophel.”(N) For the Lord had determined to frustrate(O) the good advice of Ahithophel in order to bring disaster(P) on Absalom.(Q)
15 Hushai told Zadok and Abiathar, the priests, “Ahithophel has advised Absalom and the elders of Israel to do such and such, but I have advised them to do so and so. 16 Now send a message at once and tell David, ‘Do not spend the night at the fords in the wilderness;(R) cross over without fail, or the king and all the people with him will be swallowed up.(S)’”
17 Jonathan(T) and Ahimaaz were staying at En Rogel.(U) A female servant was to go and inform them, and they were to go and tell King David, for they could not risk being seen entering the city. 18 But a young man saw them and told Absalom. So the two of them left at once and went to the house of a man in Bahurim.(V) He had a well in his courtyard, and they climbed down into it. 19 His wife took a covering and spread it out over the opening of the well and scattered grain over it. No one knew anything about it.(W)
20 When Absalom’s men came to the woman(X) at the house, they asked, “Where are Ahimaaz and Jonathan?”
The woman answered them, “They crossed over the brook.”[c] The men searched but found no one, so they returned to Jerusalem.
21 After they had gone, the two climbed out of the well and went to inform King David. They said to him, “Set out and cross the river at once; Ahithophel has advised such and such against you.” 22 So David and all the people with him set out and crossed the Jordan. By daybreak, no one was left who had not crossed the Jordan.
23 When Ahithophel saw that his advice(Y) had not been followed, he saddled his donkey and set out for his house in his hometown. He put his house in order(Z) and then hanged himself. So he died and was buried in his father’s tomb.
Absalom’s Death
24 David went to Mahanaim,(AA) and Absalom crossed the Jordan with all the men of Israel. 25 Absalom had appointed Amasa(AB) over the army in place of Joab. Amasa was the son of Jether,[d](AC) an Ishmaelite[e] who had married Abigail,[f] the daughter of Nahash and sister of Zeruiah the mother of Joab. 26 The Israelites and Absalom camped in the land of Gilead.
27 When David came to Mahanaim, Shobi son of Nahash(AD) from Rabbah(AE) of the Ammonites, and Makir(AF) son of Ammiel from Lo Debar, and Barzillai(AG) the Gileadite(AH) from Rogelim 28 brought bedding and bowls and articles of pottery. They also brought wheat and barley, flour and roasted grain, beans and lentils,[g] 29 honey and curds, sheep, and cheese from cows’ milk for David and his people to eat.(AI) For they said, “The people have become exhausted and hungry and thirsty in the wilderness.(AJ)”
18 David mustered the men who were with him and appointed over them commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds. 2 David sent out his troops,(AK) a third under the command of Joab, a third under Joab’s brother Abishai(AL) son of Zeruiah, and a third under Ittai(AM) the Gittite. The king told the troops, “I myself will surely march out with you.”
3 But the men said, “You must not go out; if we are forced to flee, they won’t care about us. Even if half of us die, they won’t care; but you are worth ten(AN) thousand of us.[h] It would be better now for you to give us support from the city.”(AO)
4 The king answered, “I will do whatever seems best to you.”
So the king stood beside the gate while all his men marched out in units of hundreds and of thousands. 5 The king commanded Joab, Abishai and Ittai, “Be gentle with the young man Absalom for my sake.” And all the troops heard the king giving orders concerning Absalom to each of the commanders.
6 David’s army marched out of the city to fight Israel, and the battle took place in the forest(AP) of Ephraim. 7 There Israel’s troops were routed by David’s men, and the casualties that day were great—twenty thousand men. 8 The battle spread out over the whole countryside, and the forest swallowed up more men that day than the sword.
9 Now Absalom happened to meet David’s men. He was riding his mule, and as the mule went under the thick branches of a large oak, Absalom’s hair(AQ) got caught in the tree. He was left hanging in midair, while the mule he was riding kept on going.
10 When one of the men saw what had happened, he told Joab, “I just saw Absalom hanging in an oak tree.”
11 Joab said to the man who had told him this, “What! You saw him? Why didn’t you strike(AR) him to the ground right there? Then I would have had to give you ten shekels[i] of silver and a warrior’s belt.(AS)”
12 But the man replied, “Even if a thousand shekels[j] were weighed out into my hands, I would not lay a hand on the king’s son. In our hearing the king commanded you and Abishai and Ittai, ‘Protect the young man Absalom for my sake.[k]’ 13 And if I had put my life in jeopardy[l]—and nothing is hidden from the king(AT)—you would have kept your distance from me.”
14 Joab(AU) said, “I’m not going to wait like this for you.” So he took three javelins in his hand and plunged them into Absalom’s heart while Absalom was still alive in the oak tree. 15 And ten of Joab’s armor-bearers surrounded Absalom, struck him and killed him.(AV)
16 Then Joab(AW) sounded the trumpet, and the troops stopped pursuing Israel, for Joab halted them. 17 They took Absalom, threw him into a big pit in the forest and piled up(AX) a large heap of rocks(AY) over him. Meanwhile, all the Israelites fled to their homes.
18 During his lifetime Absalom had taken a pillar and erected it in the King’s Valley(AZ) as a monument(BA) to himself, for he thought, “I have no son(BB) to carry on the memory of my name.” He named the pillar after himself, and it is called Absalom’s Monument to this day.
David Mourns
19 Now Ahimaaz(BC) son of Zadok said, “Let me run and take the news to the king that the Lord has vindicated him by delivering him from the hand of his enemies.(BD)”
20 “You are not the one to take the news today,” Joab told him. “You may take the news another time, but you must not do so today, because the king’s son is dead.”
21 Then Joab said to a Cushite, “Go, tell the king what you have seen.” The Cushite bowed down before Joab and ran off.
22 Ahimaaz son of Zadok again said to Joab, “Come what may, please let me run behind the Cushite.”
But Joab replied, “My son, why do you want to go? You don’t have any news that will bring you a reward.”
23 He said, “Come what may, I want to run.”
So Joab said, “Run!” Then Ahimaaz ran by way of the plain[m] and outran the Cushite.
24 While David was sitting between the inner and outer gates, the watchman(BE) went up to the roof of the gateway by the wall. As he looked out, he saw a man running alone. 25 The watchman called out to the king and reported it.
The king said, “If he is alone, he must have good news.” And the runner came closer and closer.
26 Then the watchman saw another runner, and he called down to the gatekeeper, “Look, another man running alone!”
The king said, “He must be bringing good news,(BF) too.”
27 The watchman said, “It seems to me that the first one runs like(BG) Ahimaaz son of Zadok.”
“He’s a good man,” the king said. “He comes with good news.”
28 Then Ahimaaz called out to the king, “All is well!” He bowed down before the king with his face to the ground and said, “Praise be to the Lord your God! He has delivered up those who lifted their hands against my lord the king.”
29 The king asked, “Is the young man Absalom safe?”
Ahimaaz answered, “I saw great confusion just as Joab was about to send the king’s servant and me, your servant, but I don’t know what it was.”
30 The king said, “Stand aside and wait here.” So he stepped aside and stood there.
31 Then the Cushite arrived and said, “My lord the king, hear the good news! The Lord has vindicated you today by delivering you from the hand of all who rose up against you.”
32 The king asked the Cushite, “Is the young man Absalom safe?”
The Cushite replied, “May the enemies of my lord the king and all who rise up to harm you be like that young man.”(BH)
33 The king was shaken. He went up to the room over the gateway and wept. As he went, he said: “O my son Absalom! My son, my son Absalom! If only I had died(BI) instead of you—O Absalom, my son, my son!”[n](BJ)
19 [o]Joab was told, “The king is weeping and mourning for Absalom.” 2 And for the whole army the victory that day was turned into mourning, because on that day the troops heard it said, “The king is grieving for his son.” 3 The men stole into the city that day as men steal in who are ashamed when they flee from battle. 4 The king covered his face and cried aloud, “O my son Absalom! O Absalom, my son, my son!”
5 Then Joab went into the house to the king and said, “Today you have humiliated all your men, who have just saved your life and the lives of your sons and daughters and the lives of your wives and concubines. 6 You love those who hate you and hate those who love you. You have made it clear today that the commanders and their men mean nothing to you. I see that you would be pleased if Absalom were alive today and all of us were dead. 7 Now go out and encourage your men. I swear by the Lord that if you don’t go out, not a man will be left with you by nightfall. This will be worse for you than all the calamities that have come on you from your youth till now.”(BK)
8 So the king got up and took his seat in the gateway. When the men were told, “The king is sitting in the gateway,(BL)” they all came before him.
Meanwhile, the Israelites had fled to their homes.
David Returns to Jerusalem
9 Throughout the tribes of Israel, all the people were arguing among themselves, saying, “The king delivered us from the hand of our enemies; he is the one who rescued us from the hand of the Philistines.(BM) But now he has fled the country to escape from Absalom;(BN) 10 and Absalom, whom we anointed to rule over us, has died in battle. So why do you say nothing about bringing the king back?”
11 King David sent this message to Zadok(BO) and Abiathar, the priests: “Ask the elders of Judah, ‘Why should you be the last to bring the king back to his palace, since what is being said throughout Israel has reached the king at his quarters? 12 You are my relatives, my own flesh and blood. So why should you be the last to bring back the king?’ 13 And say to Amasa,(BP) ‘Are you not my own flesh and blood?(BQ) May God deal with me, be it ever so severely,(BR) if you are not the commander of my army for life in place of Joab.(BS)’”
14 He won over the hearts of the men of Judah so that they were all of one mind. They sent word to the king, “Return, you and all your men.” 15 Then the king returned and went as far as the Jordan.
Now the men of Judah had come to Gilgal(BT) to go out and meet the king and bring him across the Jordan. 16 Shimei(BU) son of Gera, the Benjamite from Bahurim, hurried down with the men of Judah to meet King David. 17 With him were a thousand Benjamites, along with Ziba,(BV) the steward of Saul’s household,(BW) and his fifteen sons and twenty servants. They rushed to the Jordan, where the king was. 18 They crossed at the ford to take the king’s household over and to do whatever he wished.
When Shimei son of Gera crossed the Jordan, he fell prostrate before the king 19 and said to him, “May my lord not hold me guilty. Do not remember how your servant did wrong on the day my lord the king left Jerusalem.(BX) May the king put it out of his mind. 20 For I your servant know that I have sinned, but today I have come here as the first from the tribes of Joseph to come down and meet my lord the king.”
21 Then Abishai(BY) son of Zeruiah said, “Shouldn’t Shimei be put to death for this? He cursed(BZ) the Lord’s anointed.”(CA)
22 David replied, “What does this have to do with you, you sons of Zeruiah?(CB) What right do you have to interfere? Should anyone be put to death in Israel today?(CC) Don’t I know that today I am king over Israel?” 23 So the king said to Shimei, “You shall not die.” And the king promised him on oath.(CD)
24 Mephibosheth,(CE) Saul’s grandson, also went down to meet the king. He had not taken care of his feet or trimmed his mustache or washed his clothes from the day the king left until the day he returned safely. 25 When he came from Jerusalem to meet the king, the king asked him, “Why didn’t you go with me,(CF) Mephibosheth?”
26 He said, “My lord the king, since I your servant am lame,(CG) I said, ‘I will have my donkey saddled and will ride on it, so I can go with the king.’ But Ziba(CH) my servant betrayed me. 27 And he has slandered your servant to my lord the king. My lord the king is like an angel(CI) of God; so do whatever you wish. 28 All my grandfather’s descendants deserved nothing but death(CJ) from my lord the king, but you gave your servant a place among those who eat at your table.(CK) So what right do I have to make any more appeals to the king?”
29 The king said to him, “Why say more? I order you and Ziba to divide the land.”
30 Mephibosheth said to the king, “Let him take everything, now that my lord the king has returned home safely.”
31 Barzillai(CL) the Gileadite also came down from Rogelim to cross the Jordan with the king and to send him on his way from there. 32 Now Barzillai was very old, eighty years of age. He had provided for the king during his stay in Mahanaim, for he was a very wealthy(CM) man. 33 The king said to Barzillai, “Cross over with me and stay with me in Jerusalem, and I will provide for you.”
34 But Barzillai answered the king, “How many more years will I live, that I should go up to Jerusalem with the king? 35 I am now eighty(CN) years old. Can I tell the difference between what is enjoyable and what is not? Can your servant taste what he eats and drinks? Can I still hear the voices of male and female singers?(CO) Why should your servant be an added(CP) burden to my lord the king? 36 Your servant will cross over the Jordan with the king for a short distance, but why should the king reward me in this way? 37 Let your servant return, that I may die in my own town near the tomb of my father(CQ) and mother. But here is your servant Kimham.(CR) Let him cross over with my lord the king. Do for him whatever you wish.”
38 The king said, “Kimham shall cross over with me, and I will do for him whatever you wish. And anything you desire from me I will do for you.”
39 So all the people crossed the Jordan, and then the king crossed over. The king kissed Barzillai and bid him farewell,(CS) and Barzillai returned to his home.
40 When the king crossed over to Gilgal, Kimham crossed with him. All the troops of Judah and half the troops of Israel had taken the king over.
41 Soon all the men of Israel were coming to the king and saying to him, “Why did our brothers, the men of Judah, steal the king away and bring him and his household across the Jordan, together with all his men?”(CT)
42 All the men of Judah answered the men of Israel, “We did this because the king is closely related to us. Why are you angry about it? Have we eaten any of the king’s provisions? Have we taken anything for ourselves?”
43 Then the men of Israel(CU) answered the men of Judah, “We have ten shares in the king; so we have a greater claim on David than you have. Why then do you treat us with contempt? Weren’t we the first to speak of bringing back our king?”
But the men of Judah pressed their claims even more forcefully than the men of Israel.
Sheba Rebels Against David
20 Now a troublemaker named Sheba son of Bikri, a Benjamite, happened to be there. He sounded the trumpet and shouted,
2 So all the men of Israel deserted David to follow Sheba son of Bikri. But the men of Judah stayed by their king all the way from the Jordan to Jerusalem.
3 When David returned to his palace in Jerusalem, he took the ten concubines(CY) he had left to take care of the palace and put them in a house under guard. He provided for them but had no sexual relations with them. They were kept in confinement till the day of their death, living as widows.
4 Then the king said to Amasa,(CZ) “Summon the men of Judah to come to me within three days, and be here yourself.” 5 But when Amasa went to summon Judah, he took longer than the time the king had set for him.
6 David said to Abishai,(DA) “Now Sheba son of Bikri will do us more harm than Absalom did. Take your master’s men and pursue him, or he will find fortified cities and escape from us.”[p] 7 So Joab’s men and the Kerethites(DB) and Pelethites and all the mighty warriors went out under the command of Abishai. They marched out from Jerusalem to pursue Sheba son of Bikri.
8 While they were at the great rock in Gibeon,(DC) Amasa came to meet them. Joab(DD) was wearing his military tunic, and strapped over it at his waist was a belt with a dagger in its sheath. As he stepped forward, it dropped out of its sheath.
9 Joab said to Amasa, “How are you, my brother?” Then Joab took Amasa by the beard with his right hand to kiss him. 10 Amasa was not on his guard against the dagger(DE) in Joab’s(DF) hand, and Joab plunged it into his belly, and his intestines spilled out on the ground. Without being stabbed again, Amasa died. Then Joab and his brother Abishai pursued Sheba son of Bikri.
11 One of Joab’s men stood beside Amasa and said, “Whoever favors Joab, and whoever is for David, let him follow Joab!” 12 Amasa lay wallowing in his blood in the middle of the road, and the man saw that all the troops came to a halt(DG) there. When he realized that everyone who came up to Amasa stopped, he dragged him from the road into a field and threw a garment over him. 13 After Amasa had been removed from the road, everyone went on with Joab to pursue Sheba son of Bikri.
14 Sheba passed through all the tribes of Israel to Abel Beth Maakah and through the entire region of the Bikrites,[q](DH) who gathered together and followed him. 15 All the troops with Joab came and besieged Sheba in Abel Beth Maakah.(DI) They built a siege ramp(DJ) up to the city, and it stood against the outer fortifications. While they were battering the wall to bring it down, 16 a wise woman(DK) called from the city, “Listen! Listen! Tell Joab to come here so I can speak to him.” 17 He went toward her, and she asked, “Are you Joab?”
“I am,” he answered.
She said, “Listen to what your servant has to say.”
“I’m listening,” he said.
18 She continued, “Long ago they used to say, ‘Get your answer at Abel,’ and that settled it. 19 We are the peaceful(DL) and faithful in Israel. You are trying to destroy a city that is a mother in Israel. Why do you want to swallow up the Lord’s inheritance?”(DM)
20 “Far be it from me!” Joab replied, “Far be it from me to swallow up or destroy! 21 That is not the case. A man named Sheba son of Bikri, from the hill country of Ephraim, has lifted up his hand against the king, against David. Hand over this one man, and I’ll withdraw from the city.”
The woman said to Joab, “His head(DN) will be thrown to you from the wall.”
22 Then the woman went to all the people with her wise advice,(DO) and they cut off the head of Sheba son of Bikri and threw it to Joab. So he sounded the trumpet, and his men dispersed from the city, each returning to his home. And Joab went back to the king in Jerusalem.
David’s Officials
23 Joab(DP) was over Israel’s entire army; Benaiah son of Jehoiada was over the Kerethites and Pelethites; 24 Adoniram[r](DQ) was in charge of forced labor; Jehoshaphat(DR) son of Ahilud was recorder; 25 Sheva was secretary; Zadok(DS) and Abiathar were priests; 26 and Ira the Jairite[s] was David’s priest.
The Gibeonites Avenged
21 During the reign of David, there was a famine(DT) for three successive years; so David sought(DU) the face of the Lord. The Lord said, “It is on account of Saul and his blood-stained house; it is because he put the Gibeonites to death.”
2 The king summoned the Gibeonites(DV) and spoke to them. (Now the Gibeonites were not a part of Israel but were survivors of the Amorites; the Israelites had sworn to spare them, but Saul in his zeal for Israel and Judah had tried to annihilate them.) 3 David asked the Gibeonites, “What shall I do for you? How shall I make atonement so that you will bless the Lord’s inheritance?”(DW)
4 The Gibeonites answered him, “We have no right to demand silver or gold from Saul or his family, nor do we have the right to put anyone in Israel to death.”(DX)
“What do you want me to do for you?” David asked.
5 They answered the king, “As for the man who destroyed us and plotted against us so that we have been decimated and have no place anywhere in Israel, 6 let seven of his male descendants be given to us to be killed and their bodies exposed(DY) before the Lord at Gibeah of Saul—the Lord’s chosen(DZ) one.”
So the king said, “I will give them to you.”
7 The king spared Mephibosheth(EA) son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, because of the oath(EB) before the Lord between David and Jonathan son of Saul. 8 But the king took Armoni and Mephibosheth, the two sons of Aiah’s daughter Rizpah,(EC) whom she had borne to Saul, together with the five sons of Saul’s daughter Merab,[t] whom she had borne to Adriel son of Barzillai the Meholathite.(ED) 9 He handed them over to the Gibeonites, who killed them and exposed their bodies on a hill before the Lord. All seven of them fell together; they were put to death(EE) during the first days of the harvest, just as the barley harvest was beginning.(EF)
10 Rizpah daughter of Aiah took sackcloth and spread it out for herself on a rock. From the beginning of the harvest till the rain poured down from the heavens on the bodies, she did not let the birds touch them by day or the wild animals by night.(EG) 11 When David was told what Aiah’s daughter Rizpah, Saul’s concubine, had done, 12 he went and took the bones of Saul(EH) and his son Jonathan from the citizens of Jabesh Gilead.(EI) (They had stolen their bodies from the public square at Beth Shan,(EJ) where the Philistines had hung(EK) them after they struck Saul down on Gilboa.)(EL) 13 David brought the bones of Saul and his son Jonathan from there, and the bones of those who had been killed and exposed were gathered up.
14 They buried the bones of Saul and his son Jonathan in the tomb of Saul’s father Kish, at Zela(EM) in Benjamin, and did everything the king commanded. After that,(EN) God answered prayer(EO) in behalf of the land.(EP)
Wars Against the Philistines(EQ)
15 Once again there was a battle between the Philistines(ER) and Israel. David went down with his men to fight against the Philistines, and he became exhausted. 16 And Ishbi-Benob, one of the descendants of Rapha, whose bronze spearhead weighed three hundred shekels[u] and who was armed with a new sword, said he would kill David. 17 But Abishai(ES) son of Zeruiah came to David’s rescue; he struck the Philistine down and killed him. Then David’s men swore to him, saying, “Never again will you go out with us to battle, so that the lamp(ET) of Israel will not be extinguished.(EU)”
18 In the course of time, there was another battle with the Philistines, at Gob. At that time Sibbekai(EV) the Hushathite killed Saph, one of the descendants of Rapha.
19 In another battle with the Philistines at Gob, Elhanan son of Jair[v] the Bethlehemite killed the brother of[w] Goliath the Gittite,(EW) who had a spear with a shaft like a weaver’s rod.(EX)
20 In still another battle, which took place at Gath, there was a huge man with six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot—twenty-four in all. He also was descended from Rapha. 21 When he taunted(EY) Israel, Jonathan son of Shimeah,(EZ) David’s brother, killed him.
22 These four were descendants of Rapha in Gath, and they fell at the hands of David and his men.
David’s Song of Praise(FA)
22 David sang(FB) to the Lord the words of this song when the Lord delivered him from the hand of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul. 2 He said:
“The Lord is my rock,(FC) my fortress(FD) and my deliverer;(FE)
3 my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge,(FF)
my shield[x](FG) and the horn[y](FH) of my salvation.
He is my stronghold,(FI) my refuge and my savior—
from violent people you save me.
4 “I called to the Lord, who is worthy(FJ) of praise,
and have been saved from my enemies.
5 The waves(FK) of death swirled about me;
the torrents of destruction overwhelmed me.
6 The cords of the grave(FL) coiled around me;
the snares of death confronted me.
7 “In my distress(FM) I called(FN) to the Lord;
I called out to my God.
From his temple he heard my voice;
my cry came to his ears.
8 The earth(FO) trembled and quaked,(FP)
the foundations(FQ) of the heavens[z] shook;
they trembled because he was angry.
9 Smoke rose from his nostrils;
consuming fire(FR) came from his mouth,
burning coals(FS) blazed out of it.
10 He parted the heavens and came down;
dark clouds(FT) were under his feet.
11 He mounted the cherubim(FU) and flew;
he soared[aa] on the wings of the wind.(FV)
12 He made darkness(FW) his canopy around him—
the dark[ab] rain clouds of the sky.
13 Out of the brightness of his presence
bolts of lightning(FX) blazed forth.
14 The Lord thundered(FY) from heaven;
the voice of the Most High resounded.
15 He shot his arrows(FZ) and scattered the enemy,
with great bolts of lightning he routed them.
16 The valleys of the sea were exposed
and the foundations of the earth laid bare
at the rebuke(GA) of the Lord,
at the blast(GB) of breath from his nostrils.
17 “He reached down from on high(GC) and took hold of me;
he drew(GD) me out of deep waters.
18 He rescued(GE) me from my powerful enemy,
from my foes, who were too strong for me.
19 They confronted me in the day of my disaster,
but the Lord was my support.(GF)
20 He brought me out into a spacious(GG) place;
he rescued(GH) me because he delighted(GI) in me.(GJ)
21 “The Lord has dealt with me according to my righteousness;(GK)
according to the cleanness(GL) of my hands(GM) he has rewarded me.
22 For I have kept(GN) the ways of the Lord;
I am not guilty of turning from my God.
23 All his laws are before me;(GO)
I have not turned(GP) away from his decrees.
24 I have been blameless(GQ) before him
and have kept myself from sin.
25 The Lord has rewarded me according to my righteousness,(GR)
according to my cleanness[ac] in his sight.
26 “To the faithful you show yourself faithful,
to the blameless you show yourself blameless,
27 to the pure(GS) you show yourself pure,
but to the devious you show yourself shrewd.(GT)
28 You save the humble,(GU)
but your eyes are on the haughty(GV) to bring them low.(GW)
29 You, Lord, are my lamp;(GX)
the Lord turns my darkness into light.
30 With your help I can advance against a troop[ad];
with my God I can scale a wall.
31 “As for God, his way is perfect:(GY)
The Lord’s word is flawless;(GZ)
he shields(HA) all who take refuge in him.
32 For who is God besides the Lord?
And who is the Rock(HB) except our God?(HC)
33 It is God who arms me with strength[ae]
and keeps my way secure.
34 He makes my feet like the feet of a deer;(HD)
he causes me to stand on the heights.(HE)
35 He trains my hands(HF) for battle;
my arms can bend a bow(HG) of bronze.
36 You make your saving help my shield;(HH)
your help has made[af] me great.
37 You provide a broad path(HI) for my feet,
so that my ankles do not give way.
38 “I pursued my enemies and crushed them;
I did not turn back till they were destroyed.
39 I crushed(HJ) them completely, and they could not rise;
they fell beneath my feet.
40 You armed me with strength for battle;
you humbled my adversaries before me.(HK)
41 You made my enemies turn their backs(HL) in flight,
and I destroyed my foes.
42 They cried for help,(HM) but there was no one to save them—(HN)
to the Lord, but he did not answer.(HO)
43 I beat them as fine as the dust(HP) of the earth;
I pounded and trampled(HQ) them like mud(HR) in the streets.
44 “You have delivered(HS) me from the attacks of the peoples;
you have preserved(HT) me as the head of nations.
People(HU) I did not know now serve me,
45 foreigners cower(HV) before me;
as soon as they hear of me, they obey me.(HW)
46 They all lose heart;
they come trembling[ag](HX) from their strongholds.
47 “The Lord lives! Praise be to my Rock!
Exalted(HY) be my God, the Rock, my Savior!(HZ)
48 He is the God who avenges(IA) me,(IB)
who puts the nations under me,
49 who sets me free from my enemies.(IC)
You exalted me(ID) above my foes;
from a violent man you rescued me.
50 Therefore I will praise you, Lord, among the nations;
I will sing the praises(IE) of your name.(IF)
51 “He gives his king great victories;(IG)
he shows unfailing kindness to his anointed,(IH)
to David(II) and his descendants forever.”(IJ)
David’s Last Words
23 These are the last words of David:
“The inspired utterance of David son of Jesse,
the utterance of the man exalted(IK) by the Most High,
the man anointed(IL) by the God of Jacob,
the hero of Israel’s songs:
2 “The Spirit(IM) of the Lord spoke through me;
his word was on my tongue.
3 The God of Israel spoke,
the Rock(IN) of Israel said to me:
‘When one rules over people in righteousness,(IO)
when he rules in the fear(IP) of God,(IQ)
4 he is like the light(IR) of morning(IS) at sunrise(IT)
on a cloudless morning,
like the brightness after rain(IU)
that brings grass from the earth.’
5 “If my house were not right with God,
surely he would not have made with me an everlasting covenant,(IV)
arranged and secured in every part;
surely he would not bring to fruition my salvation
and grant me my every desire.
6 But evil men are all to be cast aside like thorns,(IW)
which are not gathered with the hand.
7 Whoever touches thorns
uses a tool of iron or the shaft of a spear;
they are burned up where they lie.”
David’s Mighty Warriors(IX)
8 These are the names of David’s mighty warriors:(IY)
Josheb-Basshebeth,[ah](IZ) a Tahkemonite,[ai] was chief of the Three; he raised his spear against eight hundred men, whom he killed[aj] in one encounter.
9 Next to him was Eleazar son of Dodai(JA) the Ahohite.(JB) As one of the three mighty warriors, he was with David when they taunted the Philistines gathered at Pas Dammim[ak] for battle. Then the Israelites retreated, 10 but Eleazar stood his ground and struck down the Philistines till his hand grew tired and froze to the sword. The Lord brought about a great victory that day. The troops returned to Eleazar, but only to strip the dead.
11 Next to him was Shammah son of Agee the Hararite. When the Philistines banded together at a place where there was a field full of lentils, Israel’s troops fled from them. 12 But Shammah took his stand in the middle of the field. He defended it and struck the Philistines down, and the Lord brought about a great victory.
13 During harvest time, three of the thirty chief warriors came down to David at the cave of Adullam,(JC) while a band of Philistines was encamped in the Valley of Rephaim.(JD) 14 At that time David was in the stronghold,(JE) and the Philistine garrison was at Bethlehem.(JF) 15 David longed for water and said, “Oh, that someone would get me a drink of water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem!” 16 So the three mighty warriors broke through the Philistine lines, drew water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem and carried it back to David. But he refused to drink it; instead, he poured(JG) it out before the Lord. 17 “Far be it from me, Lord, to do this!” he said. “Is it not the blood(JH) of men who went at the risk of their lives?” And David would not drink it.
Such were the exploits of the three mighty warriors.
18 Abishai(JI) the brother of Joab son of Zeruiah was chief of the Three.[al] He raised his spear against three hundred men, whom he killed, and so he became as famous as the Three. 19 Was he not held in greater honor than the Three? He became their commander, even though he was not included among them.
20 Benaiah(JJ) son of Jehoiada, a valiant fighter from Kabzeel,(JK) performed great exploits. He struck down Moab’s two mightiest warriors. He also went down into a pit on a snowy day and killed a lion. 21 And he struck down a huge Egyptian. Although the Egyptian had a spear in his hand, Benaiah went against him with a club. He snatched the spear from the Egyptian’s hand and killed him with his own spear.
Footnotes
- 2 Samuel 17:1 Or Let me
- 2 Samuel 17:9 Or When some of the men fall at the first attack
- 2 Samuel 17:20 Or “They passed by the sheep pen toward the water.”
- 2 Samuel 17:25 Hebrew Ithra, a variant of Jether
- 2 Samuel 17:25 Some Septuagint manuscripts (see also 1 Chron. 2:17); Hebrew and other Septuagint manuscripts Israelite
- 2 Samuel 17:25 Hebrew Abigal, a variant of Abigail
- 2 Samuel 17:28 Most Septuagint manuscripts and Syriac; Hebrew lentils, and roasted grain
- 2 Samuel 18:3 Two Hebrew manuscripts, some Septuagint manuscripts and Vulgate; most Hebrew manuscripts care; for now there are ten thousand like us
- 2 Samuel 18:11 That is, about 4 ounces or about 115 grams
- 2 Samuel 18:12 That is, about 25 pounds or about 12 kilograms
- 2 Samuel 18:12 A few Hebrew manuscripts, Septuagint, Vulgate and Syriac; most Hebrew manuscripts may be translated Absalom, whoever you may be.
- 2 Samuel 18:13 Or Otherwise, if I had acted treacherously toward him
- 2 Samuel 18:23 That is, the plain of the Jordan
- 2 Samuel 18:33 In Hebrew texts this verse (18:33) is numbered 19:1.
- 2 Samuel 19:1 In Hebrew texts 19:1-43 is numbered 19:2-44.
- 2 Samuel 20:6 Or and do us serious injury
- 2 Samuel 20:14 See Septuagint and Vulgate; Hebrew Berites.
- 2 Samuel 20:24 Some Septuagint manuscripts (see also 1 Kings 4:6 and 5:14); Hebrew Adoram
- 2 Samuel 20:26 Hebrew; some Septuagint manuscripts and Syriac (see also 23:38) Ithrite
- 2 Samuel 21:8 Two Hebrew manuscripts, some Septuagint manuscripts and Syriac (see also 1 Samuel 18:19); most Hebrew and Septuagint manuscripts Michal
- 2 Samuel 21:16 That is, about 7 1/2 pounds or about 3.5 kilograms
- 2 Samuel 21:19 See 1 Chron. 20:5; Hebrew Jaare-Oregim.
- 2 Samuel 21:19 See 1 Chron. 20:5; Hebrew does not have the brother of.
- 2 Samuel 22:3 Or sovereign
- 2 Samuel 22:3 Horn here symbolizes strength.
- 2 Samuel 22:8 Hebrew; Vulgate and Syriac (see also Psalm 18:7) mountains
- 2 Samuel 22:11 Many Hebrew manuscripts (see also Psalm 18:10); most Hebrew manuscripts appeared
- 2 Samuel 22:12 Septuagint (see also Psalm 18:11); Hebrew massed
- 2 Samuel 22:25 Hebrew; Septuagint and Vulgate (see also Psalm 18:24) to the cleanness of my hands
- 2 Samuel 22:30 Or can run through a barricade
- 2 Samuel 22:33 Dead Sea Scrolls, some Septuagint manuscripts, Vulgate and Syriac (see also Psalm 18:32); Masoretic Text who is my strong refuge
- 2 Samuel 22:36 Dead Sea Scrolls; Masoretic Text shield; / you stoop down to make
- 2 Samuel 22:46 Some Septuagint manuscripts and Vulgate (see also Psalm 18:45); Masoretic Text they arm themselves
- 2 Samuel 23:8 Hebrew; some Septuagint manuscripts suggest Ish-Bosheth, that is, Esh-Baal (see also 1 Chron. 11:11 Jashobeam).
- 2 Samuel 23:8 Probably a variant of Hakmonite (see 1 Chron. 11:11)
- 2 Samuel 23:8 Some Septuagint manuscripts (see also 1 Chron. 11:11); Hebrew and other Septuagint manuscripts Three; it was Adino the Eznite who killed eight hundred men
- 2 Samuel 23:9 See 1 Chron. 11:13; Hebrew gathered there.
- 2 Samuel 23:18 Most Hebrew manuscripts (see also 1 Chron. 11:20); two Hebrew manuscripts and Syriac Thirty
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