¹² After a long time Judah’s wife, the daughter of Shua,^(A) died. When Judah had recovered from his grief, he went up to Timnah,^(B) to the men who were shearing his sheep,^(C) and his friend Hirah the Adullamite^(D) went with him.

³⁹ And King David longed to go to Absalom,^(A) for he was consoled^(B) concerning Amnon’s death.

Samson’s Marriage

14 Samson^(A) went down to Timnah^(B) and saw there a young Philistine woman.

⁶⁷ Isaac brought her into the tent^(A) of his mother Sarah,^(B) and he married Rebekah.^(C) So she became his wife, and he loved her;^(D) and Isaac was comforted after his mother’s death.^(E)

Absalom Kills Amnon

²³ Two years later, when Absalom’s sheepshearers^(A) were at Baal Hazor near the border of Ephraim, he invited all the king’s sons to come there. ²⁴ Absalom went to the king and said, “Your servant has had shearers come. Will the king and his attendants please join me?”

²⁵ “No, my son,” the king replied. “All of us should not go; we would only be a burden to you.” Although Absalom urged him, he still refused to go but gave him his blessing.

²⁶ Then Absalom said, “If not, please let my brother Amnon come with us.”

The king asked him, “Why should he go with you?” ²⁷ But Absalom urged him, so he sent with him Amnon and the rest of the king’s sons.

²⁸ Absalom^(B) ordered his men, “Listen! When Amnon is in high^(C) spirits from drinking wine and I say to you, ‘Strike Amnon down,’ then kill him. Don’t be afraid. Haven’t I given you this order? Be strong and brave.^(D)” ²⁹ So Absalom’s men did to Amnon what Absalom had ordered. Then all the king’s sons got up, mounted their mules and fled.

³⁶ When Abigail went to Nabal, he was in the house holding a banquet like that of a king. He was in high^(A) spirits and very drunk.^(B) So she told^(C) him nothing at all until daybreak.

⁴ While David was in the wilderness, he heard that Nabal was shearing sheep. ⁵ So he sent ten young men and said to them, “Go up to Nabal at Carmel and greet him in my name. ⁶ Say to him: ‘Long life to you! Good health^(A) to you and your household! And good health to all that is yours!^(B)

⁷ “‘Now I hear that it is sheep-shearing time. When your shepherds were with us, we did not mistreat^(C) them, and the whole time they were at Carmel nothing of theirs was missing. ⁸ Ask your own servants and they will tell you. Therefore be favorable toward my men, since we come at a festive time. Please give your servants and your son David whatever^(D) you can find for them.’”