A Morning Prayer

David sang this when he ran away from his son Absalom.

Absalom Plans to Take David’s Kingdom

15 After this, Absalom got a chariot and horses for himself. He got 50 men to run before him. ² Absalom would get up early and stand near the city gate.^[a] If anyone had a problem he wanted the king to settle, he would come here. When he came, Absalom would call to the man. Absalom would say, “What city are you from?”

The man would answer, “I’m from one of the tribes of Israel.”

³ Then Absalom would say to him, “Look, your claims are right. But the king has no one to listen to you.” ⁴ Absalom would also say, “I wish someone would make me judge in this land! Then I could help everyone who comes with a problem. I could help him get a fair decision for his problem!”

⁵ People would come near Absalom to bow to him. When they did, Absalom would reach out his hand and take hold of them. Then he would kiss them. ⁶ Absalom did that to all the Israelites who came to King David for decisions. In this way, Absalom won the hearts of all Israel.

⁷ After four years Absalom said to King David, “Please let me go to Hebron. I want to carry out my promise that I made to the Lord. ⁸ I made it while I was living in Geshur in Aram. I said, ‘If the Lord takes me back to Jerusalem, I will worship him in Hebron.’”

⁹ The king said, “Go in peace.”

So Absalom went to Hebron. ¹⁰ But he sent secret messengers through all the tribes of Israel. They told the people, “When you hear the trumpets, say this: ‘Absalom has become the king at Hebron!’”

¹¹ Absalom had invited 200 men to go with him. So they went from Jerusalem with him. But they didn’t know what he was planning. ¹² Ahithophel was one of the people who advised David. He was from the town of Giloh. While Absalom was offering sacrifices, he called Ahithophel to come from his hometown of Giloh. So Absalom’s plans were working very well. More and more people began to support him.

¹³ A man came in to tell the news to David. The man said, “The Israelites are beginning to follow Absalom.”

¹⁴ Then David spoke to all his officers who were with him in Jerusalem. He said, “We must leave quickly! If we don’t, we won’t be able to get away from Absalom. We must hurry before he catches us. He would destroy us and kill the people of Jerusalem.”

¹⁵ The king’s officers said to him, “We will do anything you say.”

¹⁶ The king set out with everyone in his house. But he left ten slave women to take care of the palace. ¹⁷ The king left with all his people following him. They stopped at the last house. ¹⁸ All the king’s servants passed by him. All the Kerethites and Pelethites, the king’s bodyguards, passed by him. All those from Gath, the 600 men who had followed him, passed by him.

¹⁹ The king spoke to Ittai, a man from Gath. He said, “Why are you also going with us? Turn back and stay with King Absalom. You are a foreigner. This is not your homeland. ²⁰ Only a short time ago you came to join me. Today should I make you go with us to other places? I don’t even know where I’m going. Turn back, and take your brothers with you. May kindness and loyalty be shown to you.”

²¹ But Ittai said to the king, “As surely as the Lord lives and as you live, I will stay with you. I’ll be with you wherever you are. I’ll be with you whether it means life or death.”

²² David said to Ittai, “Go, march on.” So Ittai from Gath and all his people with their children marched on. ²³ All the people cried loudly as everyone passed by. King David also crossed the Kidron Valley. Then all the people went on to the desert. ²⁴ Zadok and all the Levites with him were carrying the Ark of the Covenant with God. They set down the Ark of the Covenant. And Abiathar offered sacrifices until all the people had left the city.

²⁵ The king said to Zadok, “Take the Ark of the Covenant of God back into the city. If the Lord is pleased with me, he will bring me back. He will let me see both it and Jerusalem again. ²⁶ But if the Lord says he is not pleased with me, I am ready. He can do what he wants with me.”

²⁷ The king also said to Zadok the priest, “You are a seer. Go back to the city in peace. Take your son Ahimaaz and Abiathar’s son Jonathan with you. ²⁸ I will wait near the crossings into the desert until I hear from you.” ²⁹ So Zadok and Abiathar took the Ark of the Covenant of God back to Jerusalem and stayed there.

³⁰ David went up the Mount of Olives crying as he went. He covered his head and went barefoot. All the people with David covered their heads also. And they were crying as they went. ³¹ Someone told David, “Ahithophel is one of the people with Absalom who made secret plans against you.”

So David prayed, “Lord, please make Ahithophel’s advice foolish.”

³² David came to the top of the mountain. This was where he used to worship God. Hushai the Arkite came to meet him. Hushai’s coat was torn, and there was dirt on his head to show how sad he was. ³³ David said to Hushai, “If you go with me, you will be just one more person to take care of. ³⁴ But if you return to the city, you can make Ahithophel’s advice useless. Tell Absalom, ‘I am your servant, my king. In the past I served your father. But now I will serve you.’ ³⁵ The priests Zadok and Abiathar will be with you. You must tell them everything you hear in the king’s palace. ³⁶ Zadok’s son Ahimaaz and Abiathar’s son Jonathan are with them. Send them to tell me everything you hear.” ³⁷ So David’s friend Hushai entered Jerusalem. About that time, Absalom also arrived there.

Ziba Meets David

16 David passed a short way over the top of the Mount of Olives. There Ziba, Mephibosheth’s servant, met David. Ziba had two donkeys with saddles on them. They carried 200 loaves of bread, 100 cakes of raisins and 100 cakes of figs. They also carried leather bags full of wine. ² The king asked Ziba, “What are these things for?”

Ziba answered, “The donkeys are for your family to ride. The bread and cakes of figs are for the servants to eat. And the wine is for anyone to drink who becomes weak in the desert.”

³ The king asked, “Where is Mephibosheth?”

Ziba answered him, “Mephibosheth is staying in Jerusalem. He thinks, ‘Today the Israelites will give my father’s kingdom back to me!’”

⁴ Then the king said to Ziba, “All right. Everything that belonged to Mephibosheth, I now give to you!”

Ziba said, “I bow to you. I hope I will always be able to please you.”

Shimei Curses David

⁵ As King David came to Bahurim, a man came out from there. He was from Saul’s family group. His name was Shimei son of Gera. Shimei came out, cursing David as he came. ⁶ He began throwing stones at David and his officers. But the people and soldiers gathered all around David. ⁷ Shimei cursed David. He said, “Get out, get out, you murderer, you troublemaker. ⁸ The Lord is punishing you for the people in Saul’s family you killed! You took Saul’s place as king! But now the Lord has given the kingdom to your son Absalom! Now you are ruined because you are a murderer!”

⁹ Abishai son of Zeruiah said to the king, “Why should this dead dog curse you, the king? Let me go over and cut off his head!”

¹⁰ But the king answered, “This does not concern you, sons of Zeruiah! If he is cursing me because the Lord told him to, who can question him?”

¹¹ David also said to Abishai and all his officers, “My own son is trying to kill me! This man is a Benjaminite and has more right to kill me! Leave him alone. Let him curse me. The Lord told him to do this. ¹² Maybe the Lord will see my misery. Then maybe he will repay me with something good for the curses Shimei says today!”

¹³ So David and his men went on down the road. But Shimei kept following David. Shimei walked on the hillside on the other side of the road. He kept cursing David and throwing stones and dirt at him. ¹⁴ The king and all his people arrived at the Jordan. They were very tired. So they rested there.

¹⁵ Meanwhile, Absalom, Ahithophel and all the men of Israel arrived at Jerusalem. ¹⁶ David’s friend Hushai the Arkite came to Absalom. He said to Absalom, “Long live the king! Long live the king!”

¹⁷ Absalom asked, “Why are you not loyal to your friend David? Why didn’t you leave Jerusalem with your friend?”

¹⁸ Hushai said, “I belong to the one chosen by the Lord and by these people and all the men of Israel. I will stay with you. ¹⁹ In the past I served your father. So whom should I serve now? David’s son! I will serve you.”

Ahithophel’s Advice

²⁰ Absalom said to Ahithophel, “Please tell us what we should do.”

²¹ Ahithophel said, “Your father left behind some of his slave women who give birth to his children. He left them here to take care of the palace. Have physical relations with them. Then all the Israelites will hear that your father is your enemy. And all your people will be encouraged to give you more support.” ²² So they put up a tent for Absalom on the flat roof^[b] of the palace. Everyone in Israel could see it. And Absalom had physical relations with his father’s slave women.

²³ At that time people thought Ahithophel’s advice was as reliable as God’s own word. Both David and Absalom thought it was that reliable.

17 Ahithophel said to Absalom, “Let me choose 12,000 men. I’ll chase David tonight. ² I’ll catch him while he is tired and weak. I’ll frighten him so all his people will run away. But I’ll kill only King David. ³ Then I’ll bring everyone back to you. If the man you are looking for is dead, everyone else will return safely.” ⁴ This plan seemed good to Absalom and to all the leaders of Israel.

⁵ But Absalom said, “Now call Hushai the Arkite. I also want to hear what he says.” ⁶ So Hushai came to Absalom. Absalom said to him, “This is the plan Ahithophel gave. Should we follow it? If not, tell us.”

⁷ Hushai said to Absalom, “Ahithophel’s advice is not good this time.” ⁸ Hushai added, “You know your father and his men are strong. They are as angry as a bear that is robbed of its babies. Your father is a skilled fighter. He won’t stay all night with the people. ⁹ He is probably already hiding in a cave or some other place. If your father attacks your men first, people will hear the news. And they will think, ‘Absalom’s followers are losing!’ ¹⁰ Then even the men who are as brave as a lion will become frightened. This is because all the Israelites know your father is a fighter. They know his men are brave!

¹¹ “This is what I suggest: Gather all the Israelites from Dan to Beersheba.^[c] There will be as many people as grains of sand by the sea. Then you yourself must go into the battle. ¹² We will catch David where he is hiding. We will fall on him as dew falls on the ground. We will kill him and all of his men. No one will be left alive. ¹³ What if David escapes into a city? Then all the Israelites will bring ropes to that city. We’ll pull that city into the valley. There won’t be even a small stone left there!”

¹⁴ Absalom and all the Israelites said, “The advice of Hushai the Arkite is better than that of Ahithophel.” They said this because the Lord had planned to destroy the good advice of Ahithophel. In this way the Lord could bring disaster on Absalom.

¹⁵ Hushai told these things to Zadok and Abiathar, the priests. He told them what Ahithophel had suggested to Absalom and the elders of Israel. He also reported to them what he himself had suggested. Hushai said, ¹⁶ “Quickly! Send a message to David. Tell him not to stay tonight at the crossings into the desert. Tell him to cross over the Jordan River at once. If he crosses the river, he and all his people won’t be caught.”

¹⁷ Jonathan and Ahimaaz were waiting at En Rogel. They did not want to be seen going into the town. So a servant girl would go out to them and give them messages. Then Jonathan and Ahimaaz would go and tell King David.

¹⁸ But a boy saw Jonathan and Ahimaaz and told Absalom. So Jonathan and Ahimaaz ran away quickly. They went to a man’s house in Bahurim. He had a well in his courtyard, and they climbed down into it. ¹⁹ The man’s wife spread a sheet over the opening of the well. Then she covered it with grain. No one could tell that Jonathan and Ahimaaz were hiding there.

²⁰ Absalom’s servants came to the woman at the house. They asked, “Where are Ahimaaz and Jonathan?”

She said to them, “They have already crossed the brook.”

Absalom’s servants then went to look for Jonathan and Ahimaaz. But they could not find them. So they went back to Jerusalem.

²¹ After Absalom’s servants had left, Jonathan and Ahimaaz climbed out of the well. Then they went to tell King David. They said, “Hurry, cross over the river! Ahithophel has said these things against you!” ²² So David and all his people crossed the Jordan River. By dawn, everyone had crossed the Jordan.

²³ Now Ahithophel saw that the Israelites did not accept his advice. So he saddled his donkey and went to his hometown. He gave orders for his family and property. Then he hung himself. After Ahithophel died, he was buried in his father’s tomb.

War Between David and Absalom

²⁴ David arrived at Mahanaim. And Absalom and all his Israelites crossed over the Jordan River. ²⁵ Now Absalom had made Amasa captain of the army instead of Joab. Amasa was the son of a man named Jether the Ishmaelite. Amasa’s mother was Abigail daughter of Nahash and sister of Zeruiah. Zeruiah was Joab’s mother. ²⁶ Absalom and the Israelites camped in the land of Gilead.

²⁷ Shobi, Makir and Barzillai were at Mahanaim when David arrived. Shobi son of Nahash was from the Ammonite town of Rabbah. Makir son of Ammiel was from Lo Debar. And Barzillai was from Rogelim in Gilead. ²⁸ They brought beds, bowls and clay pots. They brought wheat, barley, flour, roasted grain, beans and small peas. ²⁹ They also brought honey and milk curds, sheep, and cheese made from cows’ milk. They brought these things for David and his people. They had said, “The people have become hungry and tired and thirsty in the desert.”

18 David counted his men. He chose commanders over groups of 1,000 and commanders over groups of 100. ² He sent the troops out in three groups. Joab commanded one-third of the men. Joab’s brother Abishai son of Zeruiah commanded another third. And Ittai from Gath commanded the last third. King David said to them, “I will also go with you.”

³ But the men said, “No! You must not go with us! If we run away in the battle, Absalom’s men won’t care. Even if half of us are killed, Absalom’s men won’t care. But you’re worth 10,000 of us! It is better for you to stay in the city. Then, if we need help, you can send it.”

⁴ The king said to his people, “I will do what you think is best.” So the king stood at the side of the gate as the army went out. They went out in groups of 100 and 1,000.

⁵ The king gave a command to Joab, Abishai and Ittai. He said, “Be gentle with young Absalom for my sake.” Everyone heard the king’s orders about Absalom to the commanders.

⁶ David’s army went out into the field against Absalom’s Israelites. They fought in the forest of Ephraim. ⁷ There David’s army defeated the Israelites. Many died that day—20,000 men. ⁸ The battle spread through all the country. But that day more men died in the forest than in the fighting.

Absalom Dies

⁹ Then Absalom happened to meet David’s troops. As Absalom was riding his mule, it went under a large oak tree. The branches were thick, and Absalom’s head got caught in the tree. His mule ran out from under him. So Absalom was left hanging above the ground.

¹⁰ When one of the men saw it happen, he told Joab. He said, “I saw Absalom hanging in an oak tree!”

¹¹ Joab said to him, “You saw him? Why didn’t you kill him and let him fall to the ground? I would have given you a belt and four ounces of silver!”

¹² The man answered, “I wouldn’t try to hurt the king’s son. I wouldn’t even if you gave me 25 pounds of silver. We heard the king’s command to you, Abishai and Ittai. The king said, ‘Be careful not to hurt young Absalom.’ ¹³ If I had killed him, the king would have found out. And you would not have protected me!”

¹⁴ Joab said, “I won’t waste time here with you!” Now Absalom was still alive in the oak tree. So Joab took three spears and stabbed him in the heart. ¹⁵ Ten young men who carried Joab’s armor also gathered around Absalom. They struck him and killed him.

¹⁶ Then Joab blew the trumpet. So the troops stopped chasing Absalom’s Israelites. ¹⁷ Then Joab’s men took Absalom’s body. They threw it into a large pit in the forest. Then they filled the pit with many stones. All the Israelites who followed Absalom ran away and went home.

¹⁸ When Absalom was alive, he had put up a pillar in the King’s Valley. It was a monument to himself. He said, “I have no son to keep my name alive.” So he named the pillar after himself. That pillar is called Absalom’s Monument even today.

¹⁹ Ahimaaz son of Zadok spoke to Joab. He said, “Let me run and take the news to King David. I’ll tell him the Lord has destroyed the enemy for him.”

²⁰ Joab answered Ahimaaz, “No, you are not the one to take the news today. You may do it another time. But do not take it today, because the king’s son is dead.”

²¹ Then Joab said to a man from Cush, “Go. Tell the king what you have seen.” The Cushite bowed to Joab and ran to tell David.

²² But Ahimaaz son of Zadok begged Joab again. He said, “No matter what happens, please let me go, along with the Cushite!”

Joab said, “Son, why do you want to carry the news? You won’t get any reward for the news you bring!”

²³ Ahimaaz answered, “No matter what happens, I will run.”

So Joab said to Ahimaaz, “Run!” Then Ahimaaz ran by way of the Jordan Valley and passed the Cushite.

²⁴ Now David was sitting between the inner and outer gates of the city. The watchman went up to the roof by the gate walls. As he looked up, he saw a man running alone. ²⁵ He shouted to tell King David.

The king said, “If he is alone, he is bringing good news!”

The man came nearer and nearer to the city. ²⁶ Then the watchman saw another man running. The watchman called to the gatekeeper, “Look! Another man is running alone!”

The king said, “He is also bringing good news!”

²⁷ The watchman said, “I think the first man runs like Ahimaaz son of Zadok.”

The king said, “Ahimaaz is a good man. He must be bringing good news!”

²⁸ Then Ahimaaz called a greeting to the king. He bowed facedown on the ground to the king. He said, “Praise the Lord your God! The Lord has defeated the men who were against you, my king.”

²⁹ The king asked, “Is young Absalom all right?”

Ahimaaz answered, “When Joab sent me, I saw some great excitement. But I don’t know what it was.”

³⁰ Then the king said, “Step over here and wait.” So Ahimaaz stepped aside and stood there.

³¹ Then the Cushite arrived. He said, “Master and king, hear the good news! Today the Lord has punished the people who were against you!”

³² The king asked the Cushite, “Is young Absalom all right?”

The Cushite answered, “May your enemies be like that young man. May all who come to hurt you be like that young man!”

³³ Then the king knew Absalom was dead. He was very upset. He went to the room over the city gate and cried. As he went, he cried out, “My son Absalom, my son Absalom! I wish I had died for you. Absalom, my son, my son!”

Joab Scolds David

19 People told Joab, “Look, the king is crying. He is very sad because of Absalom.” ² David’s army had won the battle that day. But it became a very sad day for all the people. This was because they heard, “The king is very sad for his son.” ³ The people came into the city quietly. They were like people who had been defeated in battle and had run away. ⁴ The king covered his face and cried loudly, “My son Absalom! Absalom, my son, my son!”

⁵ Then Joab went into the king’s house. He said to the king, “Today you have shamed all your men. They saved your life today! They saved the lives of your sons, daughters, wives and slave women. ⁶ You have shamed them because you love those who hate you. And you hate those people who love you. Today you’ve made it clear that your commanders and men mean nothing to you. What if Absalom had lived and all of us were dead? I can see you would be very pleased. ⁷ Now go out and encourage your servants. I swear by the Lord that if you don’t go out, no man will be left with you by tonight! That will be worse than all the troubles you have had from your youth until today.”

⁸ So the king went to the city gate.^[d] The news spread that the king was at the gate. So everyone came to see him.

David Goes Back to Jerusalem

All the Israelites who had followed Absalom had run away to their homes. ⁹ People in all the tribes of Israel began to argue. They said, “The king saved us from the Philistines and our other enemies. But he left the country because of Absalom. ¹⁰ We appointed Absalom to rule us, but now he has died in battle. We should make David the king again.”

¹¹ King David sent a message to Zadok and Abiathar, the priests. David said, “Speak to the elders of Judah. Say, ‘Even in my house I have heard what all the Israelites are saying. So why are you the last tribe to bring the king back to his palace? ¹² You are my brothers, my own family. Then why are you the last tribe to bring back the king?’ ¹³ And say to Amasa, ‘You are part of my own family. May God punish me terribly if I don’t make you commander of the army in Joab’s place!’”

¹⁴ David touched the hearts of all the people of Judah. They agreed as if they were one man. They sent a message to the king. They said, “Return with all your men.” ¹⁵ Then the king returned as far as the Jordan River. The men of Judah came to Gilgal to meet him. They wanted to bring the king across the Jordan River.

¹⁶ Shimei son of Gera was a Benjaminite. He lived in Bahurim. He hurried down with the men of Judah to meet King David. ¹⁷ With Shimei came 1,000 Benjaminites. Ziba, the servant from Saul’s family, also came. He brought his 15 sons and 20 servants with him. They all hurried to the Jordan River to meet the king. ¹⁸ The people went across the Jordan River to help bring the king’s family back to Judah. They did whatever the king wanted. As the king was about to cross the river, Shimei son of Gera came to him. Shimei bowed facedown on the ground in front of the king. ¹⁹ He said to the king, “My master, don’t hold me guilty. Don’t remember the wrong things I did when you left Jerusalem! Don’t hold it against me. ²⁰ I know I have sinned. That is why I am the first person from Joseph’s family to come down and meet you today, my master and king!”

²¹ But Abishai son of Zeruiah said, “Shimei should die. He cursed you, the Lord’s appointed king!”

²² David said, “This does not concern you, sons of Zeruiah! Today you’re against me! No one will be put to death in Israel today. Today I know I am king over Israel!” ²³ Then the king said to Shimei, “You won’t die.” The king made this promise to Shimei.

²⁴ Mephibosheth, Saul’s grandson, also went down to meet King David. Mephibosheth had not cared for his feet, cut his beard or washed his clothes while David was gone. He had not done this from the time the king had left Jerusalem until he returned safely. ²⁵ Mephibosheth came from Jerusalem to meet the king. The king asked him, “Mephibosheth, why didn’t you go with me?”

²⁶ He answered, “My master, my servant Ziba tricked me! I said to Ziba, ‘I am crippled. So saddle a donkey. Then I will ride it so I can go with the king.’ ²⁷ But he lied about me to you. You, my master and king, are like an angel from God. Do what you think is good. ²⁸ You could have killed all my grandfather’s family. Instead, you put me with the people who eat at your own table. So I don’t have a right to ask anything more from the king!”

²⁹ The king said to him, “Don’t say anything more. I have decided that you and Ziba may divide the land.”

³⁰ Mephibosheth said to the king, “Let Ziba take all the land. I’m just happy that my master the king has arrived in peace at his own house.”

³¹ Barzillai of Gilead came down from Rogelim to cross the Jordan River with the king. ³² Now Barzillai was a very old man. He was 80 years old. He had taken care of the king when David was staying at Mahanaim. Barzillai could do this, because he was a very rich man. ³³ David said to Barzillai, “Cross the river with me. Come with me to Jerusalem, and I will take care of you.”

³⁴ But Barzillai answered the king, “Do you know how old I am? Do you think I can go with you to Jerusalem? ³⁵ I am 80 years old! I am too old to taste what I eat or drink. I am too old to hear the voices of men and women singers. Why should you be bothered with me? ³⁶ I am not worthy of a reward from you. But I will cross the Jordan River with you. ³⁷ Then please let me go back so I may die in my own city. Let me die near the grave of my father and mother. But here is Kimham. Let him go with you, my master and king. Do with him whatever you want.”

³⁸ The king answered, “Kimham will go with me. I will do for him anything you wish. And I will do anything for you that you wish.” ³⁹ The king kissed Barzillai and blessed him. Then Barzillai returned home. And the king and all the people crossed the Jordan.

⁴⁰ When the king crossed the Jordan to Gilgal, Kimham went with him. All the troops of Judah and half the troops of Israel led David across the river.

⁴¹ Soon all the men of Israel came to the king. They said to him, “Our brothers, the men of Judah, stole you away. They brought you and your family across the Jordan River with your men! Why did they do this?”

⁴² All the men of Judah answered the Israelites, “We did this because the king is our close relative. Why are you angry about it? We have not eaten food at the king’s expense! He did not give us any gifts!”

⁴³ The men of Israel answered the people of Judah, “We have ten tribes in the kingdom. So we have more right to David than you do! But you ignored us! We were the first ones to talk about bringing our king back!”

But the men of Judah spoke even more unkindly than the men of Israel.