Psalm 3
New Living Translation
Psalm 3
A psalm of David, regarding the time David fled from his son Absalom.
1 O Lord, I have so many enemies;
so many are against me.
2 So many are saying,
“God will never rescue him!” Interlude[a]
3 But you, O Lord, are a shield around me;
you are my glory, the one who holds my head high.
4 I cried out to the Lord,
and he answered me from his holy mountain. Interlude
5 I lay down and slept,
yet I woke up in safety,
for the Lord was watching over me.
6 I am not afraid of ten thousand enemies
who surround me on every side.
7 Arise, O Lord!
Rescue me, my God!
Slap all my enemies in the face!
Shatter the teeth of the wicked!
8 Victory comes from you, O Lord.
May you bless your people. Interlude
Footnotes
- 3:2 Hebrew Selah. The meaning of this word is uncertain, though it is probably a musical or literary term. It is rendered Interlude throughout the Psalms.
Psalm 3
New American Standard Bible
Morning Prayer of Trust in God.
A Psalm of David, when [a]he fled from his son Absalom.
3 Lord, how (A)my enemies have increased!
Many are rising up against me.
2 Many are saying of my soul,
“There is no (B)salvation for him in God.” Selah
3 But You, Lord, are (C)a shield around me,
My (D)glory, and the One who (E)lifts my head.
4 I was crying out to the Lord with my voice,
And He (F)answered me from (G)His holy [b]mountain. Selah
5 [c]I (H)lay down and slept;
I awoke, for the Lord sustains me.
6 I will (I)not be afraid of ten thousands of people
Who have (J)set themselves against me all around.
2 Samuel 15-19
New Living Translation
Absalom’s Rebellion
15 After this, Absalom bought a chariot and horses, and he hired fifty bodyguards to run ahead of him. 2 He got up early every morning and went out to the gate of the city. When people brought a case to the king for judgment, Absalom would ask where in Israel they were from, and they would tell him their tribe. 3 Then Absalom would say, “You’ve really got a strong case here! It’s too bad the king doesn’t have anyone to hear it. 4 I wish I were the judge. Then everyone could bring their cases to me for judgment, and I would give them justice!”
5 When people tried to bow before him, Absalom wouldn’t let them. Instead, he took them by the hand and kissed them. 6 Absalom did this with everyone who came to the king for judgment, and so he stole the hearts of all the people of Israel.
7 After four years,[a] Absalom said to the king, “Let me go to Hebron to offer a sacrifice to the Lord and fulfill a vow I made to him. 8 For while your servant was at Geshur in Aram, I promised to sacrifice to the Lord in Hebron[b] if he would bring me back to Jerusalem.”
9 “All right,” the king told him. “Go and fulfill your vow.”
So Absalom went to Hebron. 10 But while he was there, he sent secret messengers to all the tribes of Israel to stir up a rebellion against the king. “As soon as you hear the ram’s horn,” his message read, “you are to say, ‘Absalom has been crowned king in Hebron.’” 11 He took 200 men from Jerusalem with him as guests, but they knew nothing of his intentions. 12 While Absalom was offering the sacrifices, he sent for Ahithophel, one of David’s counselors who lived in Giloh. Soon many others also joined Absalom, and the conspiracy gained momentum.
David Escapes from Jerusalem
13 A messenger soon arrived in Jerusalem to tell David, “All Israel has joined Absalom in a conspiracy against you!”
14 “Then we must flee at once, or it will be too late!” David urged his men. “Hurry! If we get out of the city before Absalom arrives, both we and the city of Jerusalem will be spared from disaster.”
15 “We are with you,” his advisers replied. “Do what you think is best.”
16 So the king and all his household set out at once. He left no one behind except ten of his concubines to look after the palace. 17 The king and all his people set out on foot, pausing at the last house 18 to let all the king’s men move past to lead the way. There were 600 men from Gath who had come with David, along with the king’s bodyguard.[c]
19 Then the king turned and said to Ittai, a leader of the men from Gath, “Why are you coming with us? Go on back to King Absalom, for you are a guest in Israel, a foreigner in exile. 20 You arrived only recently, and should I force you today to wander with us? I don’t even know where we will go. Go on back and take your kinsmen with you, and may the Lord show you his unfailing love and faithfulness.[d]”
21 But Ittai said to the king, “I vow by the Lord and by your own life that I will go wherever my lord the king goes, no matter what happens—whether it means life or death.”
22 David replied, “All right, come with us.” So Ittai and all his men and their families went along.
23 Everyone cried loudly as the king and his followers passed by. They crossed the Kidron Valley and then went out toward the wilderness.
24 Zadok and all the Levites also came along, carrying the Ark of the Covenant of God. They set down the Ark of God, and Abiathar offered sacrifices[e] until everyone had passed out of the city.
25 Then the king instructed Zadok to take the Ark of God back into the city. “If the Lord sees fit,” David said, “he will bring me back to see the Ark and the Tabernacle[f] again. 26 But if he is through with me, then let him do what seems best to him.”
27 The king also told Zadok the priest, “Look,[g] here is my plan. You and Abiathar[h] should return quietly to the city with your son Ahimaaz and Abiathar’s son Jonathan. 28 I will stop at the shallows of the Jordan River[i] and wait there for a report from you.” 29 So Zadok and Abiathar took the Ark of God back to the city and stayed there.
30 David walked up the road to the Mount of Olives, weeping as he went. His head was covered and his feet were bare as a sign of mourning. And the people who were with him covered their heads and wept as they climbed the hill. 31 When someone told David that his adviser Ahithophel was now backing Absalom, David prayed, “O Lord, let Ahithophel give Absalom foolish advice!”
32 When David reached the summit of the Mount of Olives where people worshiped God, Hushai the Arkite was waiting there for him. Hushai had torn his clothing and put dirt on his head as a sign of mourning. 33 But David told him, “If you go with me, you will only be a burden. 34 Return to Jerusalem and tell Absalom, ‘I will now be your adviser, O king, just as I was your father’s adviser in the past.’ Then you can frustrate and counter Ahithophel’s advice. 35 Zadok and Abiathar, the priests, will be there. Tell them about the plans being made in the king’s palace, 36 and they will send their sons Ahimaaz and Jonathan to tell me what is going on.”
37 So David’s friend Hushai returned to Jerusalem, getting there just as Absalom arrived.
David and Ziba
16 When David had gone a little beyond the summit of the Mount of Olives, Ziba, the servant of Mephibosheth,[j] was waiting there for him. He had two donkeys loaded with 200 loaves of bread, 100 clusters of raisins, 100 bunches of summer fruit, and a wineskin full of wine.
2 “What are these for?” the king asked Ziba.
Ziba replied, “The donkeys are for the king’s people to ride on, and the bread and summer fruit are for the young men to eat. The wine is for those who become exhausted in the wilderness.”
3 “And where is Mephibosheth, Saul’s grandson?” the king asked him.
“He stayed in Jerusalem,” Ziba replied. “He said, ‘Today I will get back the kingdom of my grandfather Saul.’”
4 “In that case,” the king told Ziba, “I give you everything Mephibosheth owns.”
“I bow before you,” Ziba replied. “May I always be pleasing to you, my lord the king.”
Shimei Curses David
5 As King David came to Bahurim, a man came out of the village cursing them. It was Shimei son of Gera, from the same clan as Saul’s family. 6 He threw stones at the king and the king’s officers and all the mighty warriors who surrounded him. 7 “Get out of here, you murderer, you scoundrel!” he shouted at David. 8 “The Lord is paying you back for all the bloodshed in Saul’s clan. You stole his throne, and now the Lord has given it to your son Absalom. At last you will taste some of your own medicine, for you are a murderer!”
9 “Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king?” Abishai son of Zeruiah demanded. “Let me go over and cut off his head!”
10 “No!” the king said. “Who asked your opinion, you sons of Zeruiah! If the Lord has told him to curse me, who are you to stop him?”
11 Then David said to Abishai and to all his servants, “My own son is trying to kill me. Doesn’t this relative of Saul[k] have even more reason to do so? Leave him alone and let him curse, for the Lord has told him to do it. 12 And perhaps the Lord will see that I am being wronged[l] and will bless me because of these curses today.” 13 So David and his men continued down the road, and Shimei kept pace with them on a nearby hillside, cursing and throwing stones and dirt at David.
14 The king and all who were with him grew weary along the way, so they rested when they reached the Jordan River.[m]
Ahithophel Advises Absalom
15 Meanwhile, Absalom and all the army of Israel arrived at Jerusalem, accompanied by Ahithophel. 16 When David’s friend Hushai the Arkite arrived, he went immediately to see Absalom. “Long live the king!” he exclaimed. “Long live the king!”
17 “Is this the way you treat your friend David?” Absalom asked him. “Why aren’t you with him?”
18 “I’m here because I belong to the man who is chosen by the Lord and by all the men of Israel,” Hushai replied. 19 “And anyway, why shouldn’t I serve you? Just as I was your father’s adviser, now I will be your adviser!”
20 Then Absalom turned to Ahithophel and asked him, “What should I do next?”
21 Ahithophel told him, “Go and sleep with your father’s concubines, for he has left them here to look after the palace. Then all Israel will know that you have insulted your father beyond hope of reconciliation, and they will throw their support to you.” 22 So they set up a tent on the palace roof where everyone could see it, and Absalom went in and had sex with his father’s concubines.
23 Absalom followed Ahithophel’s advice, just as David had done. For every word Ahithophel spoke seemed as wise as though it had come directly from the mouth of God.
17 Now Ahithophel urged Absalom, “Let me choose 12,000 men to start out after David tonight. 2 I will catch up with him while he is weary and discouraged. He and his troops will panic, and everyone will run away. Then I will kill only the king, 3 and I will bring all the people back to you as a bride returns to her husband. After all, it is only one man’s life that you seek.[n] Then you will be at peace with all the people.” 4 This plan seemed good to Absalom and to all the elders of Israel.
Hushai Counters Ahithophel’s Advice
5 But then Absalom said, “Bring in Hushai the Arkite. Let’s see what he thinks about this.” 6 When Hushai arrived, Absalom told him what Ahithophel had said. Then he asked, “What is your opinion? Should we follow Ahithophel’s advice? If not, what do you suggest?”
7 “Well,” Hushai replied to Absalom, “this time Ahithophel has made a mistake. 8 You know your father and his men; they are mighty warriors. Right now they are as enraged as a mother bear who has been robbed of her cubs. And remember that your father is an experienced man of war. He won’t be spending the night among the troops. 9 He has probably already hidden in some pit or cave. And when he comes out and attacks and a few of your men fall, there will be panic among your troops, and the word will spread that Absalom’s men are being slaughtered. 10 Then even the bravest soldiers, though they have the heart of a lion, will be paralyzed with fear. For all Israel knows what a mighty warrior your father is and how courageous his men are.
11 “I recommend that you mobilize the entire army of Israel, bringing them from as far away as Dan in the north and Beersheba in the south. That way you will have an army as numerous as the sand on the seashore. And I advise that you personally lead the troops. 12 When we find David, we’ll fall on him like dew that falls on the ground. Then neither he nor any of his men will be left alive. 13 And if David were to escape into some town, you will have all Israel there at your command. Then we can take ropes and drag the walls of the town into the nearest valley until every stone is torn down.”
14 Then Absalom and all the men of Israel said, “Hushai’s advice is better than Ahithophel’s.” For the Lord had determined to defeat the counsel of Ahithophel, which really was the better plan, so that he could bring disaster on Absalom!
Hushai Warns David to Escape
15 Hushai told Zadok and Abiathar, the priests, what Ahithophel had said to Absalom and the elders of Israel and what he himself had advised instead. 16 “Quick!” he told them. “Find David and urge him not to stay at the shallows of the Jordan River[o] tonight. He must go across at once into the wilderness beyond. Otherwise he will die and his entire army with him.”
17 Jonathan and Ahimaaz had been staying at En-rogel so as not to be seen entering and leaving the city. Arrangements had been made for a servant girl to bring them the message they were to take to King David. 18 But a boy spotted them at En-rogel, and he told Absalom about it. So they quickly escaped to Bahurim, where a man hid them down inside a well in his courtyard. 19 The man’s wife put a cloth over the top of the well and scattered grain on it to dry in the sun; so no one suspected they were there.
20 When Absalom’s men arrived, they asked her, “Have you seen Ahimaaz and Jonathan?”
The woman replied, “They were here, but they crossed over the brook.” Absalom’s men looked for them without success and returned to Jerusalem.
21 Then the two men crawled out of the well and hurried on to King David. “Quick!” they told him, “cross the Jordan tonight!” And they told him how Ahithophel had advised that he be captured and killed. 22 So David and all the people with him went across the Jordan River during the night, and they were all on the other bank before dawn.
23 When Ahithophel realized that his advice had not been followed, he saddled his donkey, went to his hometown, set his affairs in order, and hanged himself. He died there and was buried in the family tomb.
24 David soon arrived at Mahanaim. By now, Absalom had mobilized the entire army of Israel and was leading his troops across the Jordan River. 25 Absalom had appointed Amasa as commander of his army, replacing Joab, who had been commander under David. (Amasa was Joab’s cousin. His father was Jether,[p] an Ishmaelite.[q] His mother, Abigail daughter of Nahash, was the sister of Joab’s mother, Zeruiah.) 26 Absalom and the Israelite army set up camp in the land of Gilead.
27 When David arrived at Mahanaim, he was warmly greeted by Shobi son of Nahash, who came from Rabbah of the Ammonites, and by Makir son of Ammiel from Lo-debar, and by Barzillai of Gilead from Rogelim. 28 They brought sleeping mats, cooking pots, serving bowls, wheat and barley, flour and roasted grain, beans, lentils, 29 honey, butter, sheep, goats, and cheese for David and those who were with him. For they said, “You must all be very hungry and tired and thirsty after your long march through the wilderness.”
Absalom’s Defeat and Death
18 David now mustered the men who were with him and appointed generals and captains[r] to lead them. 2 He sent the troops out in three groups, placing one group under Joab, one under Joab’s brother Abishai son of Zeruiah, and one under Ittai, the man from Gath. The king told his troops, “I am going out with you.”
3 But his men objected strongly. “You must not go,” they urged. “If we have to turn and run—and even if half of us die—it will make no difference to Absalom’s troops; they will be looking only for you. You are worth 10,000 of us,[s] and it is better that you stay here in the town and send help if we need it.”
4 “If you think that’s the best plan, I’ll do it,” the king answered. So he stood alongside the gate of the town as all the troops marched out in groups of hundreds and of thousands.
5 And the king gave this command to Joab, Abishai, and Ittai: “For my sake, deal gently with young Absalom.” And all the troops heard the king give this order to his commanders.
6 So the battle began in the forest of Ephraim, 7 and the Israelite troops were beaten back by David’s men. There was a great slaughter that day, and 20,000 men laid down their lives. 8 The battle raged all across the countryside, and more men died because of the forest than were killed by the sword.
9 During the battle, Absalom happened to come upon some of David’s men. He tried to escape on his mule, but as he rode beneath the thick branches of a great tree, his hair[t] got caught in the tree. His mule kept going and left him dangling in the air. 10 One of David’s men saw what had happened and told Joab, “I saw Absalom dangling from a great tree.”
11 “What?” Joab demanded. “You saw him there and didn’t kill him? I would have rewarded you with ten pieces of silver[u] and a hero’s belt!”
12 “I would not kill the king’s son for even a thousand pieces of silver,[v]” the man replied to Joab. “We all heard the king say to you and Abishai and Ittai, ‘For my sake, please spare young Absalom.’ 13 And if I had betrayed the king by killing his son—and the king would certainly find out who did it—you yourself would be the first to abandon me.”
14 “Enough of this nonsense,” Joab said. Then he took three daggers and plunged them into Absalom’s heart as he dangled, still alive, in the great tree. 15 Ten of Joab’s young armor bearers then surrounded Absalom and killed him.
16 Then Joab blew the ram’s horn, and his men returned from chasing the army of Israel. 17 They threw Absalom’s body into a deep pit in the forest and piled a great heap of stones over it. And all Israel fled to their homes.
18 During his lifetime, Absalom had built a monument to himself in the King’s Valley, for he said, “I have no son to carry on my name.” He named the monument after himself, and it is known as Absalom’s Monument to this day.
David Mourns Absalom’s Death
19 Then Zadok’s son Ahimaaz said, “Let me run to the king with the good news that the Lord has rescued him from his enemies.”
20 “No,” Joab told him, “it wouldn’t be good news to the king that his son is dead. You can be my messenger another time, but not today.”
21 Then Joab said to a man from Ethiopia,[w] “Go tell the king what you have seen.” The man bowed and ran off.
22 But Ahimaaz continued to plead with Joab, “Whatever happens, please let me go, too.”
“Why should you go, my son?” Joab replied. “There will be no reward for your news.”
23 “Yes, but let me go anyway,” he begged.
Joab finally said, “All right, go ahead.” So Ahimaaz took the less demanding route by way of the plain and ran to Mahanaim ahead of the Ethiopian.
24 While David was sitting between the inner and outer gates of the town, the watchman climbed to the roof of the gateway by the wall. As he looked, he saw a lone man running toward them. 25 He shouted the news down to David, and the king replied, “If he is alone, he has news.”
As the messenger came closer, 26 the watchman saw another man running toward them. He shouted down, “Here comes another one!”
The king replied, “He also will have news.”
27 “The first man runs like Ahimaaz son of Zadok,” the watchman said.
“He is a good man and comes with good news,” the king replied.
28 Then Ahimaaz cried out to the king, “Everything is all right!” He bowed before the king with his face to the ground and said, “Praise to the Lord your God, who has handed over the rebels who dared to stand against my lord the king.”
29 “What about young Absalom?” the king demanded. “Is he all right?”
Ahimaaz replied, “When Joab told me to come, there was a lot of commotion. But I didn’t know what was happening.”
30 “Wait here,” the king told him. So Ahimaaz stepped aside.
31 Then the man from Ethiopia arrived and said, “I have good news for my lord the king. Today the Lord has rescued you from all those who rebelled against you.”
32 “What about young Absalom?” the king demanded. “Is he all right?”
And the Ethiopian replied, “May all of your enemies, my lord the king, both now and in the future, share the fate of that young man!”
33 [x]The king was overcome with emotion. He went up to the room over the gateway and burst into tears. And as he went, he cried, “O my son Absalom! My son, my son Absalom! If only I had died instead of you! O Absalom, my son, my son.”
Joab Rebukes the King
19 [y]Word soon reached Joab that the king was weeping and mourning for Absalom. 2 As all the people heard of the king’s deep grief for his son, the joy of that day’s victory was turned into deep sadness. 3 They crept back into the town that day as though they were ashamed and had deserted in battle. 4 The king covered his face with his hands and kept on crying, “O my son Absalom! O Absalom, my son, my son!”
5 Then Joab went to the king’s room and said to him, “We saved your life today and the lives of your sons, your daughters, and your wives and concubines. Yet you act like this, making us feel ashamed of ourselves. 6 You seem to love those who hate you and hate those who love you. You have made it clear today that your commanders and troops mean nothing to you. It seems that if Absalom had lived and all of us had died, you would be pleased. 7 Now go out there and congratulate your troops, for I swear by the Lord that if you don’t go out, not a single one of them will remain here tonight. Then you will be worse off than ever before.”
8 So the king went out and took his seat at the town gate, and as the news spread throughout the town that he was there, everyone went to him.
Meanwhile, the Israelites who had supported Absalom fled to their homes. 9 And throughout all the tribes of Israel there was much discussion and argument going on. The people were saying, “The king rescued us from our enemies and saved us from the Philistines, but Absalom chased him out of the country. 10 Now Absalom, whom we anointed to rule over us, is dead. Why not ask David to come back and be our king again?”
11 Then King David sent Zadok and Abiathar, the priests, to say to the elders of Judah, “Why are you the last ones to welcome back the king into his palace? For I have heard that all Israel is ready. 12 You are my relatives, my own tribe, my own flesh and blood! So why are you the last ones to welcome back the king?” 13 And David told them to tell Amasa, “Since you are my own flesh and blood, like Joab, may God strike me and even kill me if I do not appoint you as commander of my army in his place.”
14 Then Amasa[z] convinced all the men of Judah, and they responded unanimously. They sent word to the king, “Return to us, and bring back all who are with you.”
David’s Return to Jerusalem
15 So the king started back to Jerusalem. And when he arrived at the Jordan River, the people of Judah came to Gilgal to meet him and escort him across the river. 16 Shimei son of Gera, the man from Bahurim in Benjamin, hurried across with the men of Judah to welcome King David. 17 A thousand other men from the tribe of Benjamin were with him, including Ziba, the chief servant of the house of Saul, and Ziba’s fifteen sons and twenty servants. They rushed down to the Jordan to meet the king. 18 They crossed the shallows of the Jordan to bring the king’s household across the river, helping him in every way they could.
David’s Mercy to Shimei
As the king was about to cross the river, Shimei fell down before him. 19 “My lord the king, please forgive me,” he pleaded. “Forget the terrible thing your servant did when you left Jerusalem. May the king put it out of his mind. 20 I know how much I sinned. That is why I have come here today, the very first person in all Israel[aa] to greet my lord the king.”
21 Then Abishai son of Zeruiah said, “Shimei should die, for he cursed the Lord’s anointed king!”
22 “Who asked your opinion, you sons of Zeruiah!” David exclaimed. “Why have you become my adversary[ab] today? This is not a day for execution, for today I am once again the king of Israel!” 23 Then, turning to Shimei, David vowed, “Your life will be spared.”
David’s Kindness to Mephibosheth
24 Now Mephibosheth,[ac] Saul’s grandson, came down from Jerusalem to meet the king. He had not cared for his feet, trimmed his beard, or washed his clothes since the day the king left Jerusalem. 25 “Why didn’t you come with me, Mephibosheth?” the king asked him.
26 Mephibosheth replied, “My lord the king, my servant Ziba deceived me. I told him, ‘Saddle my donkey[ad] so I can go with the king.’ For as you know I am crippled. 27 Ziba has slandered me by saying that I refused to come. But I know that my lord the king is like an angel of God, so do what you think is best. 28 All my relatives and I could expect only death from you, my lord, but instead you have honored me by allowing me to eat at your own table! What more can I ask?”
29 “You’ve said enough,” David replied. “I’ve decided that you and Ziba will divide your land equally between you.”
30 “Give him all of it,” Mephibosheth said. “I am content just to have you safely back again, my lord the king!”
David’s Kindness to Barzillai
31 Barzillai of Gilead had come down from Rogelim to escort the king across the Jordan. 32 He was very old—eighty years of age—and very wealthy. He was the one who had provided food for the king during his stay in Mahanaim. 33 “Come across with me and live in Jerusalem,” the king said to Barzillai. “I will take care of you there.”
34 “No,” he replied, “I am far too old to go with the king to Jerusalem. 35 I am eighty years old today, and I can no longer enjoy anything. Food and wine are no longer tasty, and I cannot hear the singers as they sing. I would only be a burden to my lord the king. 36 Just to go across the Jordan River with the king is all the honor I need! 37 Then let me return again to die in my own town, where my father and mother are buried. But here is your servant, my son Kimham. Let him go with my lord the king and receive whatever you want to give him.”
38 “Good,” the king agreed. “Kimham will go with me, and I will help him in any way you would like. And I will do for you anything you want.” 39 So all the people crossed the Jordan with the king. After David had blessed Barzillai and kissed him, Barzillai returned to his own home.
40 The king then crossed over to Gilgal, taking Kimham with him. All the troops of Judah and half the troops of Israel escorted the king on his way.
An Argument over the King
41 But all the men of Israel complained to the king, “The men of Judah stole the king and didn’t give us the honor of helping take you, your household, and all your men across the Jordan.”
42 The men of Judah replied, “The king is one of our own kinsmen. Why should this make you angry? We haven’t eaten any of the king’s food or received any special favors!”
43 “But there are ten tribes in Israel,” the others replied. “So we have ten times as much right to the king as you do. What right do you have to treat us with such contempt? Weren’t we the first to speak of bringing him back to be our king again?” The argument continued back and forth, and the men of Judah spoke even more harshly than the men of Israel.
Footnotes
- 15:7 As in Greek and Syriac versions; Hebrew reads forty years.
- 15:8 As in some Greek manuscripts; Hebrew lacks in Hebron.
- 15:18 Hebrew the Kerethites and Pelethites.
- 15:20 As in Greek version; Hebrew reads and may unfailing love and faithfulness go with you.
- 15:24 Or Abiathar went up.
- 15:25 Hebrew and his dwelling place.
- 15:27a As in Greek version; Hebrew reads Are you a seer? or Do you see?
- 15:27b Hebrew lacks and Abiathar; compare 15:29.
- 15:28 Hebrew at the crossing points of the wilderness.
- 16:1 Mephibosheth is another name for Merib-baal.
- 16:11 Hebrew this Benjaminite.
- 16:12 As in Greek and Syriac versions; Hebrew reads see my iniquity.
- 16:14 As in Greek version (see also 17:16); Hebrew reads when they reached their destination.
- 17:3 As in Greek version; Hebrew reads like the return of all is the man whom you seek.
- 17:16 Hebrew at the crossing points of the wilderness.
- 17:25a Hebrew Ithra, a variant spelling of Jether.
- 17:25b As in some Greek manuscripts (see also 1 Chr 2:17); Hebrew reads an Israelite.
- 18:1 Hebrew appointed commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds.
- 18:3 As in two Hebrew manuscripts and some Greek and Latin manuscripts; most Hebrew manuscripts read Now there are 10,000 like us.
- 18:9 Hebrew his head.
- 18:11 Hebrew 10 [shekels] of silver, about 4 ounces or 114 grams in weight.
- 18:12 Hebrew 1,000 [shekels] of silver, about 25 pounds or 11.4 kilograms in weight.
- 18:21 Hebrew from Cush; similarly in 18:23, 31, 32.
- 18:33 Verse 18:33 is numbered 19:1 in Hebrew text.
- 19:1 Verses 19:1-43 are numbered 19:2-44 in Hebrew text.
- 19:14 Or David; Hebrew reads he.
- 19:20 Hebrew in the house of Joseph.
- 19:22 Or my prosecutor.
- 19:24 Mephibosheth is another name for Merib-baal.
- 19:26 As in Greek, Syriac, and Latin versions; Hebrew reads I will saddle a donkey for myself.
2 Samuel 15-19
New American Standard Bible
Absalom’s Conspiracy
15 Now it came about after this that (A)Absalom provided for himself a chariot and horses, and fifty men [a]to run ahead of him. 2 And Absalom used to rise early and (B)stand beside the road to the gate; and when any man who had a lawsuit was to come before the king for judgment, Absalom would call out to him and say, “From what city are you?” And he would say, “Your servant is from one of the tribes of Israel.” 3 Then Absalom would say to him, “See, (C)your [b]claims are good and right, but you have no one to listen to you on the part of the king.” 4 Moreover, Absalom would say, “(D)Oh that someone would appoint me judge in the land, then every man who has a lawsuit or claim could come to me, and I would give him justice!” 5 And whenever a man approached to prostrate himself before him, he would put out his hand and take hold of him and (E)kiss him. 6 Absalom dealt this way with all Israel who came to the king for judgment; (F)so Absalom stole the hearts of the people of Israel.
7 Now it came about at the end of [c]four years that Absalom said to the king, “Please let me go and pay my vow which I have made to the Lord, in (G)Hebron. 8 For your servant (H)made a vow while I was living in Geshur in Aram, saying, ‘(I)If the Lord will indeed bring me back to Jerusalem, then I will serve the Lord.’” 9 The king said to him, “Go in peace.” So he got up and went to Hebron. 10 But Absalom sent spies throughout the tribes of Israel, saying, “As soon as you hear the sound of the trumpet, then you shall say, ‘(J)Absalom is king in Hebron!’” 11 Then two hundred men went with Absalom from Jerusalem, (K)who were invited and (L)went [d]innocently, for they did not know anything. 12 And Absalom sent for (M)Ahithophel the Gilonite, David’s counselor, from his city (N)Giloh, while he was offering the sacrifices. And the conspiracy was strong, for (O)the people continually increased with Absalom.
David Flees Jerusalem
13 Then a messenger came to David, saying, “(P)The hearts of the people of Israel are [e]with Absalom.” 14 So David said to all his servants who were with him in Jerusalem, “(Q)Arise and let’s flee, for otherwise none of us will escape from Absalom. Go quickly, or he will hurry and overtake us, and bring disaster on us and strike the city with the edge of the sword.” 15 Then the king’s servants said to the king, “Behold, your servants will do whatever my lord the king chooses.” 16 So the king left, and all his household [f]with him; but (R)the king left ten concubines behind to take care of the house. 17 The king left, and all the people [g]with him, and they stopped at the last house. 18 Now all of his servants passed by beside him, and (S)all the Cherethites, all the Pelethites, and all the Gittites, (T)six hundred men who had come [h]with him from Gath, passed by before the king.
19 Then the king said to (U)Ittai the Gittite, “Why should you go with us too? Return and stay with [i]your king, since you are a foreigner and an exile as well; return to your own place. 20 You came only yesterday, so should I make you wander with us today, while (V)I go wherever I go? Return and take your brothers back; (W)mercy and [j]truth be with you.” 21 But Ittai answered the king and said, “As the Lord lives, and as my lord the king lives, (X)wherever my lord the king may be, whether for death or for life, there assuredly shall your servant be!” 22 Then David said to Ittai, “Go and cross over the brook Kidron.” So Ittai the Gittite crossed over with all his men and all the [k]little ones who were with him. 23 While all the country was weeping with a loud voice, all the people were crossing over. The king was also crossing over (Y)the brook Kidron, and all the people were crossing over toward (Z)the way of the wilderness.
24 Now behold, (AA)Zadok also came, and all the Levites with him, (AB)carrying the ark of the covenant of God. And they set down the ark of God, and (AC)Abiathar came up until all the people had finished crossing over from the city. 25 And the king said to Zadok, “Return the ark of God to the city. If I find favor in the sight of the Lord, then (AD)He will bring me back and show me both it and (AE)His habitation. 26 But if He says this: ‘(AF)I have no delight in you,’ then here I am, (AG)let Him do to me as seems good [l]to Him.” 27 The king also said to Zadok the priest, “Are you not (AH)a seer? Return to the city in peace, and your (AI)two sons with you, your son Ahimaaz and Jonathan the son of Abiathar. 28 See, I am going to wait (AJ)at the river crossing places of the wilderness until word comes from you to inform me.” 29 So Zadok and Abiathar returned the ark of God to Jerusalem and remained there.
30 And David was going up the ascent of the Mount of Olives, weeping as he went, and (AK)his head was covered, and he was walking (AL)barefoot. Then all the people who were with him each covered his own head, and they were going up, weeping as they went. 31 Now someone informed David, saying, “(AM)Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom.” And David said, “Lord, please (AN)make the advice of Ahithophel foolish.”
32 It happened as David was coming to the summit, where God was worshiped, that behold, Hushai the (AO)Archite met him with his [m]coat torn, and [n]dust on his head. 33 And David said to him, “If you go over with me, then you will become (AP)a burden to me. 34 But if you return to the city and (AQ)say to Absalom, ‘I will be your servant, O king; even as I was your father’s servant in time past, so now I will also be your servant,’ then you can foil the advice of Ahithophel for me. 35 Are Zadok and Abiathar the priests not with you there? So it shall be that (AR)whatever you hear from the king’s house, you shall report to Zadok and Abiathar the priests. 36 Behold (AS)their two sons are there with them, Ahimaaz, Zadok’s son and Jonathan, Abiathar’s son; and (AT)by them you shall send me everything that you hear.” 37 So Hushai, (AU)David’s friend, came into the city, and (AV)Absalom came into Jerusalem.
Ziba, a False Servant
16 Now when David had gone on (AW)a little beyond the summit, behold, (AX)Ziba the servant of Mephibosheth met him (AY)with a team of saddled donkeys, and on them were two hundred loaves of bread, a hundred cakes of raisins, a hundred summer fruits, and a jug of wine. 2 And the king said to Ziba, “Why do you have these?” And Ziba said, “(AZ)The donkeys are for the king’s household to ride, the bread and summer fruit are for the young men to eat, and the wine, (BA)for whoever is weary in the wilderness to drink.” 3 Then the king said, “And where is (BB)your master’s son?” And (BC)Ziba said to the king, “Behold, he is staying in Jerusalem, for he said, ‘Today the house of Israel will restore the kingdom of my father to me.’” 4 So the king said to Ziba, “Behold, all that belongs to Mephibosheth is yours.” And Ziba said, “I prostrate myself; may I find favor in your sight, my lord, the king!”
David Is Cursed
5 When King David came to (BD)Bahurim, behold, a man was coming out from there from the family of the house of Saul, and (BE)his name was Shimei, the son of Gera; he was coming out, (BF)cursing as he came. 6 He also threw stones at David and all the servants of King David; and all the people and all the warriors were on his right and on his left. 7 This is what Shimei said when he cursed: “Go away, go away, (BG)you man of bloodshed and worthless man! 8 (BH)The Lord has brought back upon you all (BI)the bloodshed of the house of Saul, in whose place you have become king; and the Lord has handed the kingdom over to your son Absalom. And behold, you are caught in your own evil, for you are a man of bloodshed!”
9 Then (BJ)Abishai the son of Zeruiah said to the king, “Why should (BK)this dead dog (BL)curse my lord the king? Now let me go over and [o]cut off his head.” 10 But the king said, “[p](BM)What business of mine is yours, you sons of Zeruiah? (BN)If he curses, and if the Lord has told him, ‘Curse David,’ (BO)then who should say, ‘Why have you done so?’” 11 Then David said to Abishai and to all his servants, “Behold, (BP)my son who came out of my own body seeks my life; how much more now this Benjaminite? Leave him alone and let him curse, (BQ)for the Lord has told him. 12 Perhaps the Lord will look on my [q]misery and [r](BR)return good to me instead of his cursing this day.” 13 So David and his men went on the road; and Shimei kept going on the hillside close beside him, and as he went he cursed and threw stones and dirt at him. 14 And the king and all the people who were with him arrived exhausted, and he refreshed himself there.
Absalom Enters Jerusalem
15 (BS)Then Absalom and all the people, the men of Israel, entered Jerusalem, and Ahithophel with him. 16 Now it came about, when (BT)Hushai the Archite, David’s friend, came to Absalom, that (BU)Hushai said to Absalom, “(BV)Long live the king! Long live the king!” 17 But Absalom said to Hushai, “Is this your [s]loyalty to your friend? (BW)Why did you not go with your friend?” 18 So Hushai said to Absalom, “No! For whomever the Lord, this people, and all the men of Israel have chosen, his I shall be, and with him I shall remain. 19 Besides, (BX)whom should I serve? Should I not serve in the presence of his son? Just as I have served in your father’s presence, so I shall be in your presence.”
20 Then Absalom said to Ahithophel, “Give your advice. What should we do?” 21 Ahithophel said to Absalom, “(BY)Have relations with your father’s concubines, whom he has left behind to take care of the house; then all Israel will hear that you have made yourself repulsive to your father. The hands of all who are with you will also be strengthened.” 22 So they pitched a tent for Absalom on the roof, (BZ)and Absalom had relations with his father’s concubines (CA)in the sight of all Israel. 23 Now (CB)the advice of Ahithophel, which he [t]gave in those days, was taken as though one inquired of the word of God; (CC)so was all the advice of Ahithophel regarded by both David and Absalom.
Hushai’s Counsel
17 Furthermore, Ahithophel said to Absalom, “Please let me choose twelve thousand men and let me set out and pursue David tonight. 2 (CD)And I will [u]attack him while he is weary and [v]exhausted and startle him, so that all the people who are with him will flee. Then (CE)I will strike and kill the king when he is alone, 3 and I will bring all the people back to you. [w]The return of everyone depends on the man whom you are seeking; then all the people will be at (CF)peace.” 4 And the [x]plan pleased Absalom and all the elders of Israel.
5 Nevertheless, Absalom said, “Now call (CG)Hushai the Archite also, and let’s hear what [y]he has to say.” 6 When Hushai had come to Absalom, Absalom said to [z]him, “Ahithophel has [aa]proposed this plan. Should we [ab]carry out his plan? If not, say so yourself.” 7 So Hushai said to Absalom, “(CH)This time the advice that Ahithophel has [ac]given is not good.” 8 Then Hushai said, “You yourself know your father and his men, that they are warriors and they are [ad]fierce, (CI)like a bear deprived of her cubs in the field. And your father is an [ae]expert in warfare, and he will not spend the night with the people. 9 Behold, he has now hidden himself in one of the ravines, or in another place; and it will be that when he falls on them at the first attack, whoever hears it will say, ‘There has been a slaughter among the people who follow Absalom!’ 10 And even the one who is valiant, whose heart is like the heart of a lion, (CJ)will completely despair; for all Israel knows that your father is a mighty man, and those who are with him are valiant men. 11 But I advise that all Israel be fully gathered to you, (CK)from Dan even to Beersheba, (CL)like the sand that is by the sea in abundance; and that [af]you personally go into battle. 12 Then we will come to him in one of the places where he can be found, and we will [ag]fall on him (CM)just as the dew falls on the ground; and of him and of all the men who are with him, not even one will be left. 13 And if he withdraws into a city, then all Israel shall bring ropes to that city, and we will (CN)drag it into the [ah]valley until not even a pebble is found there.” 14 Then Absalom and all the men of Israel said, “The advice of Hushai the Archite is better than the advice of Ahithophel.” For (CO)the Lord had ordained to foil the good advice of Ahithophel, in order for the Lord to bring disaster on Absalom.
Hushai’s Warning Saves David
15 Then (CP)Hushai said to Zadok and to Abiathar the priests, “[ai]This is what Ahithophel advised Absalom and the elders of Israel to do, and [aj]this is what I have advised. 16 Now then, send a messenger quickly and tell David, saying, ‘(CQ)Do not spend the night at the river crossing places of the wilderness, but by all means cross over, or else the king and all the people who are with him will be [ak]destroyed.’” 17 (CR)Now Jonathan and Ahimaaz were staying at (CS)En-rogel, and a female servant would go and inform them, and they would go and inform King David, for they could not allow themselves to be seen entering the city. 18 But a boy did see them, and he told Absalom; so the two of them left quickly and came to the house of a man (CT)in Bahurim, who had a well in his courtyard, and they went down [al]into it. 19 And (CU)the woman [am]took a cover and spread it over the well’s mouth and scattered barley meal on it, so that nothing was known. 20 Then Absalom’s servants came to the woman at the house and said, “Where are Ahimaaz and Jonathan?” And (CV)the woman said to them, “They have crossed the brook of water.” And when they searched and did not find them, they returned to Jerusalem.
21 It came about after they had departed, that they came up out of the well and went and reported to King David; and they said to David, “(CW)Set out and cross over the water quickly, because this is what Ahithophel has advised against you.” 22 Then David and all the people who were with him set out and crossed the Jordan; by [an]dawn not even one remained who had not crossed the Jordan.
23 Now when Ahithophel saw that his advice had not been [ao]followed, he saddled his donkey and set out and went to his home, to (CX)his city, and [ap](CY)set his house in order, and (CZ)hanged himself; so he died and was buried in his father’s grave.
24 Then David came to (DA)Mahanaim. And Absalom crossed the Jordan, he and all the men of Israel with him. 25 Absalom put (DB)Amasa [aq]in command of the army in place of Joab. Now Amasa was the son of a man whose name was [ar]Ithra the Israelite, who [as]had relations with Abigail the daughter of (DC)Nahash, sister of Zeruiah, Joab’s mother. 26 And Israel and Absalom camped in the land of Gilead.
27 Now when David had come to Mahanaim, Shobi (DD)the son of Nahash from (DE)Rabbah of the sons of Ammon, (DF)Machir the son of Ammiel from Lo-debar, and (DG)Barzillai the Gileadite from Rogelim, 28 brought (DH)beds, basins, pottery, wheat, barley, flour, roasted grain, beans, lentils, roasted seeds, 29 honey, curds, sheep, and cheese of the herd, for David and the people who were with him, (DI)to eat. For they said, “The people are hungry and exhausted and thirsty in the wilderness.”
Absalom Killed
18 Then David [at]took a count of the people who were with him and (DJ)appointed over them commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds. 2 And David sent the people out, (DK)a third [au]under the command of Joab, a third [av]under the command of Abishai the son of Zeruiah, Joab’s brother, and a third [aw]under the command of (DL)Ittai the Gittite. And the king said to the people, “I myself will certainly go out with you also.” 3 But the people said, “(DM)You should not go out; for if in fact we flee, they will not care about us; and if half of us die, they will not care about us. But [ax]you are [ay]worth ten thousand of us; so now it is better that you will be ready to help us from the city.” 4 Then the king said to them, “Whatever seems best to you I will do.” So (DN)the king stood beside the gate, and all the people went out by hundreds and thousands. 5 But the king commanded Joab, Abishai, and Ittai, saying, “Deal gently with the young man Absalom for my sake.” And (DO)all the people heard when the king commanded all the commanders regarding Absalom.
6 Then the people went out to the field against Israel, and the battle took place in (DP)the forest of Ephraim. 7 The people of Israel were [az]defeated there by the servants of David, and the slaughter there that day was great, twenty thousand men. 8 For the battle there was spread over the whole countryside, and the forest devoured more people that day than the sword devoured.
9 Now Absalom encountered the servants of David. Absalom was riding on his mule, and the mule went under the branches of a massive oak. Then (DQ)his head caught firmly in the oak, and he was [ba]left hanging between the sky and earth, while the mule that was under him kept going. 10 When a certain man saw him, he informed Joab and said, “Behold, I saw Absalom hanging in an oak.” 11 Then Joab said to the man who had informed him, “So behold, you saw him! Why then did you not strike him there to the ground? And it would have been [bb]my duty to give you ten pieces of silver and a belt.” 12 But the man said to Joab, “Even if I were to [bc]receive a thousand pieces of silver in my hand, I would not put out my hand against the king’s son; for (DR)in our hearing the king commanded you, Abishai, and Ittai, saying, ‘[bd]Protect the young man Absalom for me!’ 13 Otherwise, if I had dealt treacherously against [be]his life (and (DS)there is nothing hidden from the king), then you yourself would have [bf]avoided me.” 14 Then Joab said, “I will not [bg]waste time here with you.” (DT)So he took three spears in his hand and thrust them through the heart of Absalom while he was still alive in the [bh]midst of the oak. 15 And ten young men who carried Joab’s armor gathered around and struck Absalom and killed him.
16 Then (DU)Joab blew the trumpet, and the people returned from pursuing Israel, for Joab restrained the people. 17 And they took Absalom and threw him into [bi]a deep pit in the forest, and (DV)erected over him a very large pile of stones. And (DW)all Israel fled, each to his own tent. 18 Now Absalom in his lifetime had taken and (DX)set up for himself a memorial stone, which is in (DY)the King’s Valley, for he said, “(DZ)I have no son to [bj]continue my name.” So he named the memorial stone after his own name, and it is called Absalom’s Monument to this day.
David Is Grief-stricken
19 Then (EA)Ahimaaz the son of Zadok said, “Please let me run and bring the king news (EB)that the Lord has [bk]freed him from the hand of his enemies!” 20 But Joab said to him, “You are not the man to bring news this day, but you shall bring news another day; however, you shall bring no news this day, because the king’s son is dead.” 21 Then Joab said to the Cushite, “Go, tell the king what you have seen.” So the Cushite bowed to Joab and ran. 22 However, Ahimaaz the son of Zadok said once more to Joab, “But whatever happens, please let me also run after the Cushite.” And Joab said, “Why would you run, my son, since (EC)you will have no messenger’s reward for going?” 23 “But whatever happens,” he said, “I will run.” So he said to him, “Run.” Then Ahimaaz ran by way of the plain and passed by the Cushite.
24 Now (ED)David was sitting between the two gates; and (EE)the watchman went to the roof of the gate by the wall, and raised his eyes and looked; and behold, a man was running by himself. 25 So the watchman called out and told the king. And the king said, “If he is by himself there is good news in his mouth.” And he came nearer and nearer. 26 Then the watchman saw another man running; and the watchman called to the gatekeeper and said, “Behold, another man is running by himself.” And the king said, “This one also is bringing good news.” 27 The watchman said, “I [bl]think the running form of the first one (EF)is like the running form of Ahimaaz the son of Zadok.” And the king said, “(EG)This is a good man, and he is coming with good news.”
28 Then Ahimaaz called out and said to the king, “[bm]All is well.” And (EH)he prostrated himself before the king with his face to the ground. And he said, “(EI)Blessed is the Lord your God, who has turned over the men who raised their hands against my lord the king.” 29 But the king said, “(EJ)Is it well with the young man Absalom?” And Ahimaaz answered, “When Joab sent the king’s servant, and your servant, I saw a great commotion, but (EK)I did not know what it was.” 30 Then the king said, “Turn aside and stand here.” So he turned aside and stood still.
31 Then behold, the Cushite arrived, and the Cushite said, “Let my lord the king receive good news, for (EL)the Lord has [bn]freed you this day from the hand of all those who rose up against you.” 32 Then the king said to the Cushite, “(EM)Is it well with the young man Absalom?” And the Cushite answered, “(EN)May the enemies of my lord the king, and all who rise up against you for evil, be like that young man!”
33 [bo]Then the king trembled and went up to the chamber over the gate and wept. And this is what he said as he walked: “(EO)My son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! (EP)If only I had died instead of you, Absalom, my son, my son!”
Joab Disapproves of David’s Mourning
19 [bp]Then it was reported to Joab, “Behold, (EQ)the king is weeping and he mourns for Absalom.” 2 So the [bq]victory that day was turned into mourning for all the people, because the people heard it said that day, “The king is in mourning over his son.” 3 And the people entered the city surreptitiously that day, just as people who are humiliated surreptitiously flee in battle. 4 And the king (ER)covered his face and [br]cried out with a loud voice, “(ES)My son Absalom, Absalom, my son, my son!” 5 Then Joab came into the house to the king and said, “Today you have shamed [bs]all your servants, who have saved your life today and the lives of your sons and daughters, the lives of your wives, and the lives of your concubines, 6 by loving those who hate you, and by hating those who love you. For you have revealed today that [bt]commanders and servants are nothing to you; for I know today that if Absalom were alive and all of us were dead today, then it would be right [bu]as far as you are concerned. 7 Now therefore arise, go out and speak [bv]kindly to your servants, for I swear by the Lord, if you do not go out, (ET)no man will stay the night with you, and this will be worse for you than all the misfortune that has [bw]happened to you from your youth until now!”
David Restored as King
8 So the king got up and sat at the gate. When they told all the people, saying, “Behold, the king is (EU)sitting at the gate,” then all the people came before the king.
Now (EV)Israel had fled, each to his tent. 9 And all the people were quarreling throughout the tribes of Israel, saying, “(EW)The king rescued us from the [bx]hands of our enemies and (EX)saved us from the [by]hands of the Philistines, but now (EY)he has fled out of the land from Absalom. 10 However, Absalom, whom we anointed over us, has died in battle. Now then, why are you silent about bringing the king back?”
11 Then King David sent word to (EZ)Zadok and Abiathar the priests, saying, “Speak to the elders of Judah, saying, ‘Why are you the last to bring the king back to his house, since the word of all Israel has come to the king, even to his house? 12 You are my brothers; (FA)you are my bone and my flesh. Why then should you be the last to bring back the king?’ 13 And say to (FB)Amasa, ‘Are you not my bone and my flesh? (FC)May God do so to me, and more so, if you will not be (FD)commander of the army [bz]for me continually, (FE)in place of Joab.’” 14 So he turned the hearts of all the men of Judah (FF)as one man, so that they sent word to the king, saying, “Return, you and all your servants.” 15 The king then returned and came as far as the Jordan. And the men of Judah came to (FG)Gilgal in order to go to meet the king, to escort the king across the Jordan.
16 Then (FH)Shimei the son of Gera, the Benjaminite who was from Bahurim, hurried and came down with the men of Judah to meet King David. 17 And there were a thousand men of Benjamin with him, and (FI)Ziba the servant of the house of Saul, and his fifteen sons and his twenty servants with him; and they rushed to the Jordan before the king. 18 Then they crossed the shallow places repeatedly to bring over the king’s household, and to do what was good in his sight. And Shimei the son of Gera fell down before the king as he was about to cross the Jordan. 19 And he said to the king, “(FJ)May my lord not consider me guilty, nor call to mind what your servant did wrong on the day when my lord the king went out from Jerusalem, so that the king would [ca]take it to heart. 20 For your servant knows that I have sinned; so behold, I have come today, (FK)the first of all the house of Joseph to go down to meet my lord the king.” 21 But Abishai the son of Zeruiah responded, “(FL)Should Shimei not be put to death for this, (FM)the fact that he cursed the Lord’s anointed?” 22 David then said, “(FN)What [cb]is there between you and me, you sons of Zeruiah, that you should be an adversary to me today? (FO)Should anyone be put to death in Israel today? For do I not know that I am king over Israel today?” 23 So the king said to Shimei, “(FP)You shall not die.” The king also swore to him.
24 Then (FQ)Mephibosheth the [cc]grandson of Saul came down to meet the king; but (FR)he had neither [cd]tended to his feet, nor [ce]trimmed his mustache, nor (FS)washed his clothes since the day the king departed until the day he came home in peace. 25 And it was when he came from Jerusalem to meet the king, that the king said to him, “(FT)Why did you not go with me, Mephibosheth?” 26 So he said, “My lord the king, my servant betrayed me; for your servant said, ‘I will [cf]saddle the donkey for myself so that I may ride on it and go with the king,’ (FU)since your servant cannot walk. 27 Furthermore, (FV)he has slandered your servant to my lord the king; but my lord the king is (FW)like the angel of God, therefore do what is good in your sight. 28 For (FX)all my father’s household was only people worthy of death to my lord the king; (FY)yet you placed your servant among those who ate at your own table. So what right do I still have, that I should [cg]complain anymore to the king?” 29 So the king said to him, “Why do you still speak of your affairs? I have [ch]decided, ‘You and Ziba shall divide the land.’” 30 And Mephibosheth said to the king, “Let him even take it all, since my lord the king has come safely to his own house.”
31 Now (FZ)Barzillai the Gileadite had come down from Rogelim; and he went on to the Jordan with the king to [ci]escort him over the Jordan. 32 Barzillai was very old: eighty years old; and he had (GA)provided the king food while he stayed in Mahanaim, for he was a very great man. 33 So the king said to Barzillai, “You cross over with me, and I will provide you food in Jerusalem with me.” 34 But Barzillai said to the king, “(GB)How long [cj]do I still have to live, that I should go up with the king to Jerusalem? 35 I am [ck]now (GC)eighty years old. Can I distinguish between good and bad? Or can your servant taste what I eat or what I drink? Or can I still hear (GD)the voice of men and women singing? (GE)Why then should your servant be an added burden to my lord the king? 36 Your servant would merely cross over the Jordan with the king. So why should the king compensate me with this reward? 37 Please let your servant return, so that I may die in my own city near the grave of my father and my mother. However, here is your servant (GF)Chimham; let him cross over with my lord the king, and do for him what is good in your sight.” 38 And the king answered, “Chimham shall cross over with me, and I will do for him what is good in your sight; and whatever you [cl]require of me, I will do for you.” 39 All the people crossed over the Jordan and the king crossed too. The king then (GG)kissed Barzillai and blessed him, and he returned to his place.
40 Now the king went on to Gilgal, and Chimham went on with him; and all the people of Judah and also (GH)half the people of Israel [cm]accompanied the king. 41 And behold, all the men of Israel came to the king and said to the king, “(GI)Why have our brothers, (GJ)the men of Judah, abducted you and brought the king and his household and all David’s men with him, over the Jordan?” 42 Then all the men of Judah answered the men of Israel, “Because (GK)the king is a close relative to [cn]us. Why then are you angry about this matter? Have we eaten at all [co]at the king’s expense, or has anything been taken for us?” 43 But the men of Israel answered the men of Judah and said, “[cp](GL)We have ten parts in the king, therefore [cq]we also have more claim on David than you. Why then did you treat [cr]us with contempt? Was it not [cs]our [ct]advice first to bring back [cu]our king?” Yet the words of the men of Judah were harsher than the words of the men of Israel.
Footnotes
- 2 Samuel 15:1 Lit as runners ahead
- 2 Samuel 15:3 Lit words
- 2 Samuel 15:7 As in some ancient versions; MT forty
- 2 Samuel 15:11 Lit in their integrity
- 2 Samuel 15:13 Lit after
- 2 Samuel 15:16 Lit at his feet
- 2 Samuel 15:17 Lit at his feet
- 2 Samuel 15:18 Lit at his feet
- 2 Samuel 15:19 Lit the king
- 2 Samuel 15:20 Or faithfulness
- 2 Samuel 15:22 I.e., children; here, families of the men
- 2 Samuel 15:26 Lit in His sight
- 2 Samuel 15:32 Or tunic
- 2 Samuel 15:32 Lit earth
- 2 Samuel 16:9 Lit take off
- 2 Samuel 16:10 Lit What to me and to you, an ancient idiom
- 2 Samuel 16:12 As in ancient versions; MT wrongdoing
- 2 Samuel 16:12 Lit the Lord will return
- 2 Samuel 16:17 Or faithfulness
- 2 Samuel 16:23 Lit advised
- 2 Samuel 17:2 Lit come upon
- 2 Samuel 17:2 Lit slack of hands
- 2 Samuel 17:3 Lit As the return of the whole is the man whom you seek
- 2 Samuel 17:4 Lit word was pleasing in the sight of
- 2 Samuel 17:5 Lit is in his mouth—even he
- 2 Samuel 17:6 Lit him, saying
- 2 Samuel 17:6 Lit spoken according to this word
- 2 Samuel 17:6 Lit do his word
- 2 Samuel 17:7 Lit advised
- 2 Samuel 17:8 Lit bitter of soul
- 2 Samuel 17:8 Lit man of war
- 2 Samuel 17:11 Lit your face goes
- 2 Samuel 17:12 Lit settle down
- 2 Samuel 17:13 Or wadi; i.e., a dry stream bed
- 2 Samuel 17:15 Lit According to this and this
- 2 Samuel 17:15 Lit According to this and this
- 2 Samuel 17:16 Lit swallowed up
- 2 Samuel 17:18 Lit there
- 2 Samuel 17:19 Lit took and spread the covering
- 2 Samuel 17:22 Lit the light of the morning
- 2 Samuel 17:23 Lit done
- 2 Samuel 17:23 Lit ordered in regard to
- 2 Samuel 17:25 Lit over the army
- 2 Samuel 17:25 In 1 Chr 2:17, Jether the Ishmaelite
- 2 Samuel 17:25 Lit came in to
- 2 Samuel 18:1 Lit mustered
- 2 Samuel 18:2 Lit by the hand of
- 2 Samuel 18:2 Lit by the hand of
- 2 Samuel 18:2 Lit by the hand of
- 2 Samuel 18:3 As in some ancient versions; MT for now there are 10,000 like us
- 2 Samuel 18:3 Lit like us by 10,000
- 2 Samuel 18:7 Lit struck
- 2 Samuel 18:9 Lit placed
- 2 Samuel 18:11 Lit And upon me
- 2 Samuel 18:12 Lit weigh
- 2 Samuel 18:12 As in some mss and ancient versions; MT Protect, whoever you are, the
- 2 Samuel 18:13 Another reading is my life; i.e., at the risk of my own life
- 2 Samuel 18:13 Lit stood aloof
- 2 Samuel 18:14 Lit wait so with
- 2 Samuel 18:14 Lit heart
- 2 Samuel 18:17 Lit the great
- 2 Samuel 18:18 Lit bring to remembrance
- 2 Samuel 18:19 Lit vindicated
- 2 Samuel 18:27 Lit see
- 2 Samuel 18:28 Lit Peace; Heb Shalom
- 2 Samuel 18:31 Lit vindicated
- 2 Samuel 18:33 Ch 19:1 in Heb
- 2 Samuel 19:1 Ch 19:2 in Heb
- 2 Samuel 19:2 Lit salvation
- 2 Samuel 19:4 Lit the king cried
- 2 Samuel 19:5 Lit the faces of all
- 2 Samuel 19:6 Or princes
- 2 Samuel 19:6 Lit in your eyes
- 2 Samuel 19:7 Lit to the heart of your
- 2 Samuel 19:7 Lit come upon
- 2 Samuel 19:9 Lit palm
- 2 Samuel 19:9 Lit palm
- 2 Samuel 19:13 Lit before me
- 2 Samuel 19:19 Lit set
- 2 Samuel 19:22 Lit to me and to you; an ancient idiom
- 2 Samuel 19:24 Lit son
- 2 Samuel 19:24 Lit done
- 2 Samuel 19:24 Lit done
- 2 Samuel 19:26 I.e., have the donkey saddled
- 2 Samuel 19:28 Lit cry out
- 2 Samuel 19:29 Lit said
- 2 Samuel 19:31 Lit send
- 2 Samuel 19:34 Lit are the days of the years of my life
- 2 Samuel 19:35 Lit today
- 2 Samuel 19:38 Lit choose
- 2 Samuel 19:40 Lit crossed over with
- 2 Samuel 19:42 Lit me
- 2 Samuel 19:42 Lit from the king
- 2 Samuel 19:43 Singular in Heb
- 2 Samuel 19:43 Singular in Heb
- 2 Samuel 19:43 Singular in Heb
- 2 Samuel 19:43 Singular in Heb
- 2 Samuel 19:43 Lit word
- 2 Samuel 19:43 Singular in Heb
Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved.
