2 Samuel 15
English Standard Version
Absalom's Conspiracy
15 After this Absalom (A)got himself a chariot and horses, and fifty men to run before him. 2 And Absalom used to rise early and stand beside (B)the way of the gate. And when any man had a dispute to come before the king for judgment, Absalom would call to him and say, “From what city are you?” And when he said, “Your servant is of such and such a tribe in Israel,” 3 Absalom would say to him, “See, your claims are good and right, but there is no man designated by the king to hear you.” 4 Then Absalom would say, (C)“Oh that I were judge in the land! Then every man with a dispute or cause might come to me, and I would give him justice.” 5 And whenever a man came near to pay homage to him, he would put out his hand and take hold of him and kiss him. 6 Thus Absalom did to all of Israel who came to the king for judgment. So Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel.
7 And at the end of four[a] years Absalom said to the king, “Please let me go and pay my vow, which I have vowed to the Lord, in Hebron. 8 For your servant (D)vowed a vow (E)while I lived at Geshur in Aram, saying, ‘If the Lord will indeed bring me back to Jerusalem, then I will offer worship to[b] the Lord.’” 9 The king said to him, (F)“Go in peace.” So he arose and went to Hebron. 10 But Absalom sent secret messengers throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, “As soon as you hear the sound of the trumpet, then say, ‘Absalom is king at Hebron!’” 11 With Absalom went two hundred men from Jerusalem (G)who were invited guests, and they went in their innocence and knew nothing. 12 And while Absalom was offering the sacrifices, he sent for[c] (H)Ahithophel the Gilonite, (I)David's counselor, from his city (J)Giloh. And the conspiracy grew strong, and the people with Absalom (K)kept increasing.
David Flees Jerusalem
13 And a messenger came to David, saying, (L)“The hearts of the men of Israel have gone after Absalom.” 14 Then David said to all his servants who were with him at Jerusalem, “Arise, and let us (M)flee, or else there will be no escape for us from Absalom. Go quickly, lest he overtake us quickly and bring down ruin on us and strike the city with the edge of the sword.” 15 And the king's servants said to the king, “Behold, your servants are ready to do whatever my lord the king decides.” 16 So the king went out, and all his household after him. And the king left (N)ten concubines to keep the house. 17 And the king went out, and all the people after him. And they halted at the last house.
18 And (O)all his servants passed by him, and all the Cherethites, and all the Pelethites, and all the six hundred Gittites who had followed him from (P)Gath, passed on before the king. 19 Then the king said to (Q)Ittai the Gittite, “Why do you also go with us? Go back and stay with the king, for you are a foreigner and also an exile from your home. 20 You came only yesterday, and shall I today make you wander about with us, since I go (R)I know not where? Go back and take your brothers with you, and may the Lord show[d] steadfast love and faithfulness to you.” 21 But Ittai answered the king, (S)“As the Lord lives, and as my lord the king lives, (T)wherever my lord the king shall be, whether for death or for life, there also will your servant be.” 22 And David said to Ittai, “Go then, pass on.” So Ittai the Gittite passed on with all his men and all the little ones who were with him. 23 And all the land wept aloud as all the people passed by, and the king crossed (U)the brook (V)Kidron, and all the people passed on toward (W)the wilderness.
24 And (X)Abiathar came up, and behold, (Y)Zadok came also with all the Levites, (Z)bearing the ark of the covenant of God. And they set down the ark of God until the people had all passed out of the city. 25 Then the king said to Zadok, “Carry the ark of God back into the city. If I find favor in the eyes of the Lord, he will (AA)bring me back and let me see both it and his (AB)dwelling place. 26 But if he says, ‘I have no (AC)pleasure in you,’ behold, here I am, (AD)let him do to me what seems good to him.” 27 The king also said to Zadok the priest, “Are you not a (AE)seer? Go back[e] to the city in peace, with (AF)your two sons, Ahimaaz your son, and Jonathan the son of Abiathar. 28 See, I will wait at (AG)the fords of (AH)the wilderness until word comes from you to inform me.” 29 So Zadok and Abiathar carried the ark of God back to Jerusalem, and they remained there.
30 But David went up the ascent of the Mount of Olives, weeping as he went, (AI)barefoot and (AJ)with his head covered. And all the people who were with him covered their heads, and they went up, (AK)weeping as they went. 31 And it was told David, “Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom.” And David said, “O Lord, please (AL)turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness.”
32 While David was coming to the summit, where God was worshiped, behold, Hushai (AM)the Archite came to meet him (AN)with his coat torn and (AO)dirt on his head. 33 David said to him, “If you go on with me, you will be (AP)a burden to me. 34 But if you return to the city and say to Absalom, (AQ)‘I will be your servant, O king; as I have been your father's servant in time past, so now I will be your servant,’ then you will defeat for me the counsel of Ahithophel. 35 Are not Zadok and Abiathar the priests with you there? So whatever you hear from the king's house, (AR)tell it to Zadok and Abiathar the priests. 36 Behold, (AS)their two sons are with them there, Ahimaaz, Zadok's son, and Jonathan, Abiathar's son, (AT)and by them you shall send to me everything you hear.” 37 So Hushai, (AU)David's friend, came into the city, (AV)just as Absalom was entering Jerusalem.
Footnotes
- 2 Samuel 15:7 Septuagint, Syriac; Hebrew forty
- 2 Samuel 15:8 Or will serve
- 2 Samuel 15:12 Or sent
- 2 Samuel 15:20 Septuagint; Hebrew lacks may the Lord show
- 2 Samuel 15:27 Septuagint The king also said to Zadok the priest, “Look, go back
2 Samuel 15
La Palabra (España)
Rebelión de Absalón (15—20)
La conspiración
15 Después de esto, Absalón se procuró un carro, caballos y una escolta de cincuenta hombres. 2 Se ponía temprano junto al camino de la entrada de la ciudad y a todo el que llegaba con algún pleito a pedir justicia al rey, Absalón lo llamaba y le preguntaba: “¿De qué ciudad eres?”. Cuando el interpelado le respondía: “este siervo tuyo es de tal tribu de Israel”, 3 entonces Absalón le decía:
— Mira, tu demanda es buena y justa, pero no hay quien te atienda en el tribunal del rey.
4 Y añadía:
— Si me nombraran juez de este país, todo el que tuviese algún pleito podría llegar hasta mí y yo le haría justicia.
5 Y cuando alguien se le acercaba para arrodillarse ante él, Absalón le tendía la mano, lo levantaba y lo abrazaba. 6 Absalón actuaba de igual manera con todos los que iban a pedir justicia al rey, ganándose así el afecto de los israelitas.
7 Al cabo de cuatro años, Absalón dijo al rey:
— Permíteme ir a Hebrón a cumplir la promesa que hice al Señor, 8 pues cuando tu servidor estaba en Guesur de Aram, hizo esta promesa: “Si el Señor me permite volver a Jerusalén, le ofreceré un sacrificio”.
9 David le respondió:
— Vete en paz.
Entonces Absalón marchó hacia Hebrón 10 y envió espías por todas las tribus de Israel con esta consigna:
— Cuando oigáis el toque de la trompeta, gritad: ¡Absalón reina en Hebrón!
11 Absalón partió de Jerusalén con doscientos invitados que lo acompañaron con total ingenuidad y sin sospechar nada del asunto. 12 Durante los sacrificios, Absalón mandó a buscar a su ciudad a Ajitófel, el de Guiló, consejero de David. La conspiración tomaba cuerpo, mientras iban aumentado los partidarios de Absalón.
Huida de David
13 Alguien llevó a David esta información:
— Los israelitas se han puesto de parte de Absalón.
14 Entonces David dijo a todos los servidores que lo acompañaban en Jerusalén:
— Preparaos para la huida, pues no tendremos escapatoria ante Absalón. Daos prisa en marchar, antes de que él llegue a alcanzarnos, precipite la desgracia sobre nosotros y pase a cuchillo la ciudad.
15 Sus servidores le respondieron:
— Majestad, tus siervos harán lo que tú decidas.
16 El rey salió acompañado de toda su corte y dejó diez concubinas para guardar el palacio. 17 El rey y toda la gente que lo acompañaba se detuvieron junto a la última casa de la ciudad. 18 Todos sus servidores marchaban a su lado, mientras que los quereteos, los peleteos y los guititas, en total unos seiscientos hombres que lo siguieron desde Gat, marchaban delante de él. 19 El rey dijo a Itay, el de Gat:
— ¿Cómo vienes tú también con nosotros? Vuelve y quédate con el rey, pues eres un extranjero, desterrado de tu país. 20 Acabas de llegar ayer mismo y no voy a permitir que andes errante con nosotros, cuando ni yo mismo sé adónde voy. Vuélvete, pues, y llévate contigo a tus paisanos. Y que el Señor sea misericordioso y fiel contigo.
21 Pero Itay le respondió:
— ¡Por el Señor y por el rey, mi señor! Allí donde esté mi señor, el rey, en vida o muerte, allí estará tu servidor.
22 Entonces David le dijo:
— Está bien, pasa.
Y pasó Itay, el de Gat, con todos los hombres y los niños que lo acompañaban. 23 Toda la gente lloraba a gritos mientras iba desfilando. Luego David cruzó el torrente Cedrón por el camino que lleva al desierto, y con él cruzó toda la gente. 24 También estaba Sadoc con todos los levitas que llevaban el Arca de la alianza de Dios. Colocaron el Arca junto a Abiatar, hasta que toda la gente terminó de salir de la ciudad. 25 El rey dijo a Sadoc:
— Devuelve el Arca de Dios a la ciudad, que si alcanzo el favor del Señor, él me permitirá volver a ver el Arca y su morada. 26 Pero si manifiesta que no le agrado, estaré dispuesto a que haga conmigo lo que quiera.
27 Y el rey insistió al sacerdote Sadoc:
— Mira, regresad en paz a la ciudad junto con vuestros dos hijos, con tu hijo Ajimás y con Jonatán, el hijo de Abiatar. 28 Y estad atentos, pues yo estaré esperando en los pasos del desierto hasta que me llegue alguna información vuestra.
29 Sadoc y Abiatar regresaron a Jerusalén con el Arca de Dios y se quedaron allí.
30 Cuando David subía la cuesta de los olivos, iba llorando, con la cabeza cubierta y los pies descalzos. La gente que lo acompañaba llevaba también la cabeza cubierta y subía llorando. 31 Entonces informaron a David que Ajitófel formaba parte de la conspiración de Absalón, y David suplicó:
— Confunde, Señor, los consejos de Ajitófel.
32 Cuando David llegó a la cumbre, lugar donde se daba culto a Dios, le salió al encuentro Jusay, el arquita, con la túnica rasgada y la cabeza llena de tierra. 33 David le dijo:
— Si te vienes conmigo, sólo serás una carga para mí. 34 Pero si le dices a Absalón: “Majestad, soy tu servidor. He sido servidor de tu padre y a partir de ahora, seré tu servidor”, me ayudarás a hacer fracasar los consejos de Ajitófel. 35 Allí estarán contigo los sacerdotes Sadoc y Abiatar, a los que podrás informar de todo lo que escuches en palacio. 36 También estarán con ellos sus dos hijos, Ajimás, el de Sadoc, y Jonatán, el de Abiatar, a través de los cuales me haréis llegar todo lo que escuchéis.
37 Jusay, el amigo de David, llegó a la ciudad cuando Absalón entraba en Jerusalén.
2 Samuel 15
American Standard Version
15 And it came to pass after this, that Absalom prepared him a chariot and horses, and fifty men to run before him. 2 And Absalom rose up early, and stood beside the way of the gate: and it was so, that, when any man had a suit which should come to the king for judgment, then Absalom called unto him, and said, Of what city art thou? And he said, Thy servant is of one of the tribes of Israel. 3 And Absalom said unto him, See, thy matters are good and right; but there is no man deputed of the king to hear thee. 4 Absalom said moreover, Oh that I were made judge in the land, that every man who hath any suit or cause might come unto me, and I would do him justice! 5 And it was so, that, when any man came nigh to do him obeisance, he put forth his hand, and took hold of him, and kissed him. 6 And on this manner did Absalom to all Israel that came to the king for judgment: so Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel.
7 And it came to pass at the end of [a]forty years, that Absalom said unto the king, I pray thee, let me go and pay my vow, which I have vowed unto Jehovah, in Hebron. 8 For thy servant vowed a vow while I abode at Geshur in [b]Syria, saying, If Jehovah shall indeed bring me again to Jerusalem, then I will [c]serve Jehovah. 9 And the king said unto him, Go in peace. So he arose, and went to Hebron. 10 But Absalom sent spies throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, As soon as ye hear the sound of the trumpet, then ye shall say, Absalom is king in Hebron. 11 And with Absalom went two hundred men out of Jerusalem, that were invited, and went in their simplicity; and they knew not anything. 12 And Absalom [d]sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David’s counsellor, from his city, even from Giloh, while he was offering the sacrifices. And the conspiracy was strong; for the people increased continually with Absalom.
13 And there came a messenger to David, saying, The hearts of the men of Israel are after Absalom. 14 And David said unto all his servants that were with him at Jerusalem, Arise, and let us flee; for else none of us shall escape from Absalom: make speed to depart, lest he overtake us quickly, and bring down evil upon us, and smite the city with the edge of the sword. 15 And the king’s servants said unto the king, Behold, thy servants are ready to do whatsoever my lord the king shall choose. 16 And the king went forth, and all his household after him. And the king left ten women, that were concubines, to keep the house. 17 And the king went forth, and all the people after him; and they tarried [e]in Beth-merhak. 18 And all his servants passed on beside him; and all the Cherethites, and all the Pelethites, and all the Gittites, six hundred men that came after him from Gath, passed on before the king.
19 Then said the king to Ittai the Gittite, Wherefore goest thou also with us? return, and abide with the king: for thou art a foreigner, and also an exile; return to thine own place. 20 Whereas thou camest but yesterday, should I this day make thee go up and down with us, seeing I go whither I may? return thou, and take back thy brethren; mercy and truth be with thee. 21 And Ittai answered the king, and said, As Jehovah liveth, and as my lord the king liveth, surely in what place my lord the king shall be, whether for death or for life, even there also will thy servant be. 22 And David said to Ittai, Go and pass over. And Ittai the Gittite passed over, and all his men, and all the little ones that were with him. 23 And all the country wept with a loud voice, and all the people passed over: the king also himself passed over the brook Kidron, and all the people passed over, toward the way of the wilderness.
24 And, lo, Zadok also came, and all the Levites with him, bearing the ark of the covenant of God; and they set down the ark of God; and Abiathar went up, until all the people had done passing out of the city. 25 And the king said unto Zadok, Carry back the ark of God into the city: if I shall find favor in the eyes of Jehovah, he will bring me again, and show me both it, and his habitation: 26 but if he say thus, I have no delight in thee; behold, here am I, let him do to me as seemeth good unto him. 27 The king said also unto Zadok the priest, [f]Art thou not 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 [g]at the fords of the wilderness, until there come word from you to certify me. 29 Zadok therefore and Abiathar carried the ark of God again to Jerusalem: and they abode there.
30 And David went up by the ascent of the mount of Olives, and wept as he went up; and he had his head covered, and went barefoot: and all the people that were with him covered every man his head, and they went up, weeping as they went up. 31 And one told David, saying, Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom. And David said, O Jehovah, I pray thee, turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness. 32 And it came to pass, that, when David was come to the top of the ascent, [h]where God was worshipped, behold, Hushai the Archite came to meet him with his coat rent, and earth upon his head. 33 And David said unto him, If thou passest on with me, then thou wilt 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 in time past, so will I now be thy servant; then wilt thou defeat for me 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 everything that ye shall hear. 37 So Hushai, David’s friend, came into the city; and Absalom came into Jerusalem.
Footnotes
- 2 Samuel 15:7 According to Syriac and some editions of Septuagint, four.
- 2 Samuel 15:8 Hebrew Aram.
- 2 Samuel 15:8 Or, worship
- 2 Samuel 15:12 Or, sent Ahithophel
- 2 Samuel 15:17 Or, at the Far House
- 2 Samuel 15:27 Or, Seest thou?
- 2 Samuel 15:28 Another reading is, in the plains.
- 2 Samuel 15:32 Or, where he was wont to worship God
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La Palabra, (versión española) © 2010 Texto y Edición, Sociedad Bíblica de España
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