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2 Samuel 18
International Standard Version
2 Samuel 18
International Standard Version
The Battle Begins
18 David mustered his forces and appointed officers in charge of regiments and companies.[a] 2 Dividing his forces into three groups, he set Joab as commander of one third of his army, Zeruiah’s son Abishai, Joab’s brother, as commander of another third, and Ittai from Gath as commander of another third. The king informed the army, “I’m going out to battle[b] with you, too.”
3 “No way!” his army responded. “If we have to retreat from the battle, Absalom’s men won’t care about us. Even if half of us die, they won’t care about us. But you are worth 10,000 of us. The best thing you can do for us is to remain in the city.”
4 So David responded, “I’ll do what you think best.” Then he stood alongside the city gate as the army went out in battle array by hundreds and thousands. 5 As they were going out, the king ordered Joab, Abishai, and Ittai, “Treat young Absalom gently for my sake.” Everyone heard what the king had ordered his commanders about Absalom.
6 David’s army left for the battlefield to fight Absalom and his Israeli followers, and they also fought in the Ephraim forest, 7 where David’s army of servants defeated the Israelis. Many died that day—20,000 men. 8 The battle spread throughout the entire countryside, and the forest claimed more casualties that day than did the sword fighting.
Joab Kills Absalom
9 Absalom happened to run into David’s soldiers. While Absalom was trying to get away on his mule, it ran under the thick branches of a giant oak tree, and Absalom’s head got caught in the tree! As his mule ran out from under him, Absalom was left hanging above the ground. 10 When one of the soldiers saw what had happened, he told Joab, “I saw Absalom stuck in an oak tree!”
11 Joab asked the man who was reporting to him, “What! You saw him? Why didn’t you kill him right then and there? I would’ve given you ten pieces[c] of silver and a warrior’s sash!”[d]
12 But the soldier replied to Joab, “I wouldn’t have touched the king’s son even if you dropped 1,000 pieces[e] of silver right into my hands, because we heard the king command you, Abishai, and Ittai, ‘Watch how you treat the young man Absalom!’ 13 If I had taken his life,[f] the king would have uncovered everything about it, and you would never have protected me!”
14 “There’s no reason to wait for you!” Joab retorted. Then he took three spears[g] in his hand and stabbed Absalom in the heart while he was still alive, dangling from the branches of[h] the oak tree. 15 Ten young men who served as Joab’s personal assistants then surrounded Absalom, striking him repeatedly and killing him. 16 At this, Joab sounded his battle trumpet and his troops stopped pursuing the other[i] Israelis. 17 Meanwhile, Joab’s army grabbed Absalom’s body, tossed it into a large pit in the forest, and filled it up with a huge pile of rocks. Then the Israelis ran away back to their homes.
18 While Absalom had been living, he had erected a pillar as a monument[j] to himself in King’s Valley because he had been telling himself, “I don’t have a son to carry on my family name.”[k] So he named the pillar after himself—it’s called Absalom’s Monument even today.
David Learns of Absalom’s Death
19 Zadok’s son Ahimaaz told Joab, “Let me run over to King David and take him the news. I’ll mention that the Lord has delivered him from his enemies.”
20 But Joab answered Ahimaaz, “You’re not the man to deliver news today. Do it any other time, but not today, because the king’s son is dead.” 21 So Joab ordered a man from Ethiopia,[l] “Go tell the king what you’ve seen.” So the Ethiopian[m] saluted[n] Joab and then ran to tell David.
22 “Please,” Zadok’s son Ahimaaz continued, “No matter what happens, let me follow the Ethiopian!”
Joab asked him, “Why this request[o] to run, my son? There’s no reward in it for you.”
23 “No matter what, I’m running,” Ahimaaz replied.[p]
So Joab told Ahimaaz, “Run!” And Ahimaaz ran, taking the Jordan Valley road, passing the Ethiopian.
24 Meanwhile, David was sitting between the inner and outer gates of the city. The watchman was up on the roof of the gateway near the walls, looking around, and there was a man running by himself! 25 So the watchman[q] called out his news to the king.
The king responded, “If he’s alone, he’s bringing some news to report.”[r] As the man continued to draw near and approach the palace,[s] 26 the watchman observed another man running. So he called out to the gatekeeper, “There’s another[t] man running by himself!”
The king replied, “He’s also bringing some news to report!”
27 Then the watchman observed, “It looks to me that the runner out in front is running like Zadok’s son Ahimaaz!”
The king replied, “This is a good man bearing good news!”
28 “Everything’s fine!”[u] Ahimaaz announced to the king. He bowed low with his face to the ground[v] before the king and said, “Praise be to the Lord your God! He has handed over the men who rebelled against your majesty the king.”
29 “Are things fine[w] with respect to the young man Absalom?” the king asked.
Ahimaaz answered, “I saw a lot of confusion about the time Joab was getting ready to send the king’s courier and me, your servant, but I’m not sure what was going on.”[x]
30 The king replied, “Stand here at attention and wait.” So he stepped to the side and stood there waiting.
31 Just then the Ethiopian arrived. He[y] reported, “Good news, your majesty the king! The Lord has delivered you from the control of everyone who rebelled against you!”
32 The king asked the Ethiopian, “Is the young man safe?”
The Ethiopian answered, “May the enemies of your majesty the king—including everyone who rebels and tries to harm you—become like that young man….”
David Mourns for Absalom
33 [z]Deeply shaken, the king went up to the chamber overlooking the city gate, weeping bitterly and crying out as he went along, “My son Absalom! My son! My son Absalom! I wish I had died instead of you, Absalom my son, my son!”
Footnotes
- 2 Samuel 18:1 Lit. of thousands and hundreds
- 2 Samuel 18:2 The Heb. lacks to battle
- 2 Samuel 18:11 The Heb. lacks pieces; the unit of payment is unspecified
- 2 Samuel 18:11 Lit. belt; i.e., a commemorative battle decoration
- 2 Samuel 18:12 The Heb. lacks pieces; the unit of payment is unspecified
- 2 Samuel 18:13 Or If I had put my life in jeopardy; i.e. by disobeying David’s order
- 2 Samuel 18:14 Or sticks
- 2 Samuel 18:14 The Heb. lacks the branches of
- 2 Samuel 18:16 The Heb. lacks other
- 2 Samuel 18:18 The Heb. lacks as a monument
- 2 Samuel 18:18 Lit. on memory of my name
- 2 Samuel 18:21 Lit. Cush
- 2 Samuel 18:21 Lit. Cushite; and so throughout the chapter
- 2 Samuel 18:21 Lit. bowed to
- 2 Samuel 18:22 The Heb. lacks request
- 2 Samuel 18:23 The Heb. lacks Ahimaaz replied
- 2 Samuel 18:25 Lit. he
- 2 Samuel 18:25 Lit. news in his mouth
- 2 Samuel 18:25 The Heb. lacks the palace
- 2 Samuel 18:26 The Heb. lacks another
- 2 Samuel 18:28 Lit. Peace!
- 2 Samuel 18:28 The Heb. lacks to the ground
- 2 Samuel 18:29 Lit. Peace!
- 2 Samuel 18:29 The Heb. lacks was going on
- 2 Samuel 18:31 Lit. The Cushite
- 2 Samuel 18:33 This v. is 19:1 in MT
2 Книга на Царете 18
Библия, ревизирано издание
2 Книга на Царете 18
Библия, ревизирано издание
18 След това Давид събра хората, които бяха с него, и постави над тях хилядници и стотници.
2 (A)И Давид изпрати народ – една трета под началството на Йоав, една трета под началството на Ависей, Саруиния син, Йоавовия брат, и една трета под началството на гетеца Итай. Царят каза на хората: И аз ще изляза с вас.
3 (B)Народът обаче отговори: Не излизай! Защото, ако ние побегнем, няма да ги е грижа за нас; дори да умрат и половината от нас, пак няма да ги е грижа за нас; а ти си като десет хиляди от нас[a], затова е по-добре ти да си готов да ни помагаш от града.
4 Царят им каза: Каквото ви се вижда за добре, ще направя. И така, царят застана до едната страна на портата, а целият народ излезе по стотици и хиляди.
5 (C)Тогава царят заповяда на Йоав, Ависей и Итай следното: Пощадете ми младежа Авесалом. И целият народ чу, когато царят заповядваше на всички военачалници за Авесалом.
6 (D)И така, народът излезе на полето против Израил; и сражението стана в Ефремовата гора.
7 Там Израилевият народ беше разбит от Давидовите слуги и в онзи ден там стана голямо клане на двадесет хиляди души.
8 Сражението в тази местност се разпростря по лицето на цялата околност и в онзи ден гората погълна повече народ, отколкото погълна мечът.
Смъртта на Авесалом и плачът на Давид за него
9 И се случи така, че Авесалом се срещна с Давидовите слуги. А Авесалом яздеше на муле. Когато мулето влезе под гъстите клони на един голям дъб, косата му се заплете в дъба и той увисна между небето и земята; а мулето избяга изпод него.
10 Един човек го видя и извести на Йоав: Видях Авесалом увиснал на един дъб.
11 А Йоав каза на човека, който му извести: Като си го видял, защо не го порази там до земята? Аз щях да ти дам десет сребърника и един пояс.
12 (E)А човекът отговори на Йоав: И хиляда сребърника да бяха претеглени в шепата ми, не бих вдигнал ръката си против царския син; защото ние чухме как царят заповяда на теб, Ависей и Итай: Внимавайте всички, никой да не се докосне до младежа Авесалом.
13 Иначе, ако бях постъпил невярно против живота му, нищо не се укрива от царя и тогава сам ти би се обърнал против мене.
14 Тогава Йоав каза: Не трябва да си губя времето с такъв като теб. И като взе три стрели, прониза с тях сърцето на Авесалом, който беше още жив сред дъба.
15 И десет момъка, Йоавови оръженосци, заобиколиха Авесалом, удариха го и го умъртвиха.
16 Тогава Йоав засвири с тръбата и хората се върнаха от преследването на Израил. Така Йоав спря народа.
17 (F)Те взеха Авесалом и го хвърлиха в един голям ров, вътре в гората, и натрупаха върху него голям куп камъни. И целият Израил побегна, всеки в шатъра си.
18 (G)А Авесалом, когато беше още жив, беше взел и издигнал за себе си стълб, който е в царската долина; защото си каза: Нямам син, който да опази паметта на името ми; затова нарече стълба на своето име; и той се нарича и до днес Авесаломов паметник.
19 Тогава Ахимаас, Садоковият син, каза: Да побързам ли сега да занеса на царя известие, че Господ въздаде за него на неприятелите му?
20 А Йоав му отвърна: Няма да носиш днес известия. Друг ден ще бъдеш вестоносец; а днес няма да носиш известия, понеже царският син умря.
21 Тогава Йоав каза на Хусина: Иди, извести на царя, каквото си видял. И Хусина се поклони на Йоав и се завтече.
22 Тогава Ахимаас, Садоковият син, каза пак на Йоав: Каквото и да стане, нека тичам и аз, моля те, след Хусина. А Йоав му отговори: Защо искаш да тичаш, синко, като няма да има възнаграждение за известията?
23 Но той пак настоя: Каквото и да стане, нека изтичам. Тогава Йоав му каза: Тичай. И така, Ахимаас се затича през полския път и изпревари Хусина.
24 (H)А Давид седеше между двете порти. И един страж се изкачи на покрива на портата към стената и като погледна, видя, че един човек тичаше сам.
25 Стражът извика и извести на царя. А царят каза: Щом е сам, носи известия. И той притичваше и се приближаваше.
26 После стражът видя друг човек, който тичаше. И стражът извика към вратаря: Виждам още един човек, който тича сам. Царят каза: И той носи известия.
27 Тогава стражът каза: Струва ми се, че тичането на първия прилича на тичането на Ахимаас, Садоковия син. А царят отговори: Добър човек е той и идва с добри известия.
28 Ахимаас извика на царя: Радвай се! Поклони се на царя с лице до земята и каза: Благословен да бъде Господ, твоят Бог, Който предаде хората, които повдигнаха ръка против господаря ми, царя.
29 И царят попита: Здрав ли е младежът Авесалом? А Ахимаас отговори: Когато Йоав изпрати вестоносец до царя – мене, слугата ти, видях само голямо смущение, но не знаех какво беше.
30 Царят каза: Обърни се и застани тук. И той се обърна и застана.
31 След това дойде Хусина. Той каза: Известия, господарю мой, царю! Защото днес Господ въздаде за тебе на всички, които се повдигнаха против тебе.
32 Царят запита Хусина: Здрав ли е младежът Авесалом? А Хусина отговори: Неприятелите на господаря ми, царя, и всички, които се повдигат против тебе за зло, дано станат като онзи младеж!
33 (I)И царят се смути много, качи се в стаята над портата и плака. И като вървеше, говореше така: Сине мой Авесаломе, сине мой, сине мой Авесаломе! Да бях умрял аз вместо теб, Авесаломе, сине мой, сине мой!
Footnotes
- 18:3 Или: понеже има десет хиляди такива, каквито сме ние.
2 Samuel 18
New International Version
2 Samuel 18
New International Version
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,(A) a third under the command of Joab, a third under Joab’s brother Abishai(B) son of Zeruiah, and a third under Ittai(C) 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(D) thousand of us.[a] It would be better now for you to give us support from the city.”(E)
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(F) 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(G) 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(H) him to the ground right there? Then I would have had to give you ten shekels[b] of silver and a warrior’s belt.(I)”
12 But the man replied, “Even if a thousand shekels[c] 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.[d]’ 13 And if I had put my life in jeopardy[e]—and nothing is hidden from the king(J)—you would have kept your distance from me.”
14 Joab(K) 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.(L)
16 Then Joab(M) 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(N) a large heap of rocks(O) 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(P) as a monument(Q) to himself, for he thought, “I have no son(R) 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(S) 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.(T)”
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[f] and outran the Cushite.
24 While David was sitting between the inner and outer gates, the watchman(U) 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,(V) too.”
27 The watchman said, “It seems to me that the first one runs like(W) 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.”(X)
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(Y) instead of you—O Absalom, my son, my son!”[g](Z)
Footnotes
- 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.
International Standard Version (ISV) 
Copyright © 1995-2014 by ISV Foundation. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED INTERNATIONALLY. Used by permission of Davidson Press, LLC.
Библия, ревизирано издание (BPB) 
Copyright by © Българско библейско дружество 2015. Използвани с разрешение.
New International Version (NIV) 
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. Copyright © 2019 by Zondervan.