Shimei curseth David. CHAP. XVII. Alathophel's cormsel. to ride on '; and the bread and summer fhill's side over against him, and cursTrait for the young men to eat; andfed as he went, and threw stones at the wine, that such as be faint in the|Him, and cast dust. wilderness may drink. 3 And the king said, And where is thy master's son ? And Ziba said unto the king, Beltold, he abideth at Jerusa Jem; for he said, To-day saall the house of Israel restore me the king dom of my father. uil 14 And the king, and all the people that were with him, came weary, refreshed themselves there. 15 ¶ And Absalom, and all the peo ple the men of Israel, came to Jerusa lem, and Ahithophel with him. 16. And it came to pass, when Hushai 4 Then said the king to Ziba, Behold, the Archite, David's friend, was come thine are all that pertained unto Me-unto Absalom, that Husbai said unto philosheth. Aud Ziba said, I humbly Absalom, God save the king, God save beseech thee that I may find grace in the king. thy sight, my lord, O king. 17 And Absalom said to Hushai, Is 6 ¶ And when king David came to this thy kindness to thy friend ? why Bahurim, behold, thence came out awentest thou not with thy friend ? man of the family of the house of Saul, IS And Hushai said unto Absalom, whose name was Shimei, the son of Nay; but whom the LORD, and this Gera: he came forth, and cursed still people, and all the men of Israel, as he caine. cboose, bis will I be, and with hini 6. And he cast stones at David, and at will I abide. all the servants of king David; and 19 And again, whom should I serve? all the people and all the mighty meu|should I not serve in the presence of 10ere on his right hand and on bis left. his son? As I have served in thy fa7 And thus said Shimei when he curs-ther's presence, so will I be in thy ed, Come out, come out, thou bloody presence, man, and thou man of Belial : 20 ¶ Then said Absalom to Alitho8 The Lord hath returned upon thee phel, Give counsel among you what all the blood of the house of Saul, in we shall do. whose stead thou hast reigned; aud| 21 And Ahrthophel said unto Absathe Lono hath delivered the kingdom|lom, Go in unto thy father's concuinto the band of Absalom thy son; and,bines, which he hath left to keep the bebold, thou art taken in thy mis-house; and all Israel shall hear that chief, because thou art a bloody man. thou art abborred of thy father: then 9 Then said Abishai the son of shall the hands of all that are wit Zeriah unto the king, Why should thee be strong. this dead dog curse my lord the king? let me go over, I pray thee, and take off his head. 10 And the king said, What have I to do with you, ye sons of Zeruiah? so let him curse, because the LORD hath said unto him, Curse David. Who shall then say, Wherefore hast thou done so ? 11. And David said to Abishai, and to all his servants, Behold, my son, which 22 So they spread Absalom a tent up. on the top of the house; aud Absalom went in unto his father's concubines in the sight of all Israel, 23 And the counsel of Alithophel, which be counselled in those days, was as if a man had inquired at the oracle of God: so was all the counsel of Abithophel, both with David and with Absalom, CHAP. XVII. came forth of my bowels, seeketh my Mo Absalom, Let me now choose TOREOVER Ahithophel said un life: how much more now may this Benjamite to it? let him alone, and out twelve thousand men, and I will let him curse. for the Lono hath bid- farise and pursue after David this night: 2 And I will come upon him while den him. 12 It may be that the Lono will look he is weary and weak-handed, and on mine affliction, and that the Loup will make hum afraid ; and all the peowill requite me good for his cursing|ple that are with him shall flee ; `and this day. I will smite the king only: 3 And as David and his men went by 3 And I will bring back all the people the way, Shimei went along on thelunto thee; the man whom thou seek est is as if all returned: so all the people shall be in peace. 4 And the saying pleased. Absalom well, and all the elders of Israel. Ahithophel's counsel. and to Abiathar the priests, "Thus thus did Ahithophel counsel Absaldın and the elders of Israel; and thus and thus have I counselled. 6 Then said Absalom, Call now Hu- 16 Now therefore send quickly, and shai the Archite also, and let us heartell David, saying, Lodge not this night likewise what he saith, in the plains of the wilderness, but 6 And when Hushai was come to Ab- speedily pass over; lest the king be salom, Absalom spake unto him, say-swallowed up, and all the people that ing, Ahithophel hath spoken after this are with him. manner shall we do after his saying? 17 Now Jonathan and Alimaaz stayif not, speak thou. fed by Eu-rogel; (for they might not be 7 And Husbai said unto Absalom, seen to come into the city;) and a The counsel that Ahithophel hath giv-wench went and told them and they en is not good at this time. went and told king David. 8 For, said Hushai, thou knowest thy 18 Nevertheless, a lad saw them, and father and his men, that they be migh-told Absalom; but they went both of ty men, and they be chafed in their them away quickly, and came to a minds, as a bear robbed of her whelps man's house in Bahurim, which had a in the field and thy father is a man well in his court; whither they went of war, and will not lodge with the down. people. 19 And the woman took and spread a 9 Behold, he is hid now in some pit, covering over the well's mouth, and or in some other place: and it will spread ground corn thereon: and the come to pass, when some of them be thing was not known. overthrown at the first, that whosoever heareth it will say, There is a slaughter among the people (that follow Absalom. 20And when Absalom's servants.came to the woman to the house, they said, Where is Ahimaaz andJonathan? And the woman said unto them, They be gone over the brook of water. And when they had sought and could not find them, they returned to Jerusalem. 10 And he also that is valiant, whose heart is as the heart of a lion, shall ut terly melt: for all Israel knoweth that Uy father is a mighty man, and they which be with blin are valiant men. 21 And it came to pass, after they 11 Therefore I counsel that all Israel were departed, that they came up out be generally gathered unto thee, from of the well, and went and told king Dan even to Beer-sheba, as the sand David,and said unto David, Arise,and that is by the sea for multitude, and pass quickly over the water: for thus that thou go to battle in thine own hath Ahithophel counselled against person. 12 So shall we come upon him in some place where he shall be found, and we will light upon bim as the dew falleth on the gromid: and of him, and of all men that are with him, there shall not be left so much as one, 13 Moreover, if he be gotten into a city, then shall all Israel bring ropes to that city, and we will draw it into the river, until there be not one small stone found there. you. 22 Then David arose, and all the people that were with him, and they passed over Jordan: by the morning light there lacked not one of them that was not gone over Jordan. 23 ¶ And when Ahithophel saw that his counsel was not followed, be saddled his ass, and arose, and gat him home to his house, to his city, and put his household in order, and banged himself, and died, and was buried in the sepulchre of his father. 14 And Absalom and all the men of Israel said, The counsel of Hushai the 24 Then David came to Mahanaim : Arcbite is better than the counsel of and Absalom passed over Jordan, he Ahithophel: for the LORD had ap-and all the men of Israel with him. pointed to defeat the good counsel of 25 ¶ And Absalom made Amasa capAhitophel, to the intent that the tain of the host instead of Joab: which Lono might bring evil upon Absalom. Amasa was a man's son whose name 15 T Then súd Hushai unto Zadokiwas Ithra, an Israelite, that went in Israelites smitten. CHAP. XVIII. Absalom slain. to Abigail the daughter of Nahash, over the face of all the country: and sister to Zeruiah, Joab's mother. the wood devoured more people that 26 So Israel and Absalom pitched in day thru the sword devoured. 9 ¶ And Absalom met the servants of the land of Gilead. 27 ¶ And it came to pass, when Da-David. And Absalom rode upon a vid was come to Mahanaim, that Sbo-[mule, and the mule went under the bi the son of Nabash, of Rabbeh of the thick boughs of a great oak, and bia children of Amnion, and Machir_thebead caught hold of the oak, and he son of Ammiel of Lo-debar, and Bar-was taken up between the heaven and zillai the Gileadite of Rogelim, the earth; and the mule that was under him went away. 28 Brought beds, and basons, and earthen vessels, and wheat, and barley, and flour, and parched corn, and beans, and lentiles, and parched pudse, 29. And honey, and butter, and sheep,| and cheese of kine, for David, aud for the people that were with him, to eat; for they said, The people is hun gry, and weary, and thirsty, in the wilderness. CHAP. XVIII, 10 And a certain man sawit, and told Joab, and said, Behold,1 saw Absalom hanged in an oak. 11 And Joab said unto the man that told him, And, behold, thou sawest him, and why didst thou not smite him there to the ground? and I would have given thee ten shekels of silver, and a girdle. 12 And the man said unto Joab, ND David numbered the people Though I should receive a thousand that were with him, and set cap-shakels of silver in my band, yet would tams of thousands and captains of hun-I not put forth my hand against the dreds over them. king's son: for in our hearing the king 2 And David seut forth a third part of charged thee and Abishai and Ittai, the people under the hand of Joab,and saying, Beware that nowe touch the a third part under the hand of Abishai¦ young man Absalom. the son of Zeruiah, Joab's brother, and| 13 Otherwise 1 should have wrought a third part under the hand of Ittai|falsehood against mine own life: for the Gittite. And the king said unto there is no matter hid from the king, the people, I will surely go forth with and thou thyself wouldest have set you myself also. thyself against me. go 3 But the people answered, Thou shalt nol forth; for if we flee away, they will not care for us: neither if half of us die, will they care for us; but now thou art worth ten thousand of us; therefore now it is better that thou sucenur us out of the city. 4 And the king said unto them, What seemeth you best 1 will do. And the king stood by the gate-side, and all the people came out by hundreds and by thousands. ་ 14 They said Joab, I may not tarry thus with thee. And he took three darts in his hand, and thrust them through the heart of Absalom, while he was yet alive in the midst of the oak. 15 And ten young men that bare Joab's armour compassed about and smote Absalom, and slew him. 16 And Joab blew the trumpet, and the people returned from pursuing af ter Israel: for Joab held back the people. 5 And the king commanded Joab,and Abishai, and Iitai, saying, Deul gently 17 And they took Absalom, and cast for my sake with the young man, even him into a great pit in the wood, and with Absalom. And all the people laid a very great heap of stones upon heard when the king gave all the cap-him: and all Israel fled every one to tains charge concerning Absalom, 6 So the people went out into the Geld against Israel: and the battle was in the wood of Ephraim ; his fent. 18 T Now Absalom in his lifetime had taken and reared up for himself a pillar, which is in the king's dale: for 7 Where the people of Israel were he said, I have no son to keep m slain before the servants of David in remembrance: and and there was there a great slaughter|pillar after his own that day of twenty thousand men. called unto this & 8. For the battle was there scattered] 19 ¶ Then sở II. SAMUEL. David monrneth the death of Absalom. Zadok, Let me now run,and bear the for the LORD hath avenged thee this king tidings, how that the LORD hath day of all them that rose up against avenged him of his enemies. thee. 20 And Joab said unto him, Thou 32 And the king said unto Cushi, Is shalt not bear tidings this day, but thou the young man Absalom safe ? And shalt bear tidings another day; but Cushi answered, The eneinies of my this day thou shalt bear no tidings, be-lord the king, and all that rise agaiust cause the king's son is dead. thee to do thee hurt, be as that young man is. 21 Then said Joab to Cushi, Go tell the king what thou hast seen. And Cushi bowed himself unto Joab, and ran. 33 T And the king was much moved, and went up to the chamber over the gate, and wept; and, as he went, thus 22 Then said Ahimaaz the son of he said, ✪ my son Absalom! my son, Zadok yet again to Joab, But howso-my sou Absalom! would God I had ever, let me, I pray thee, also run af-died for thee, O Absalom, my son, my ter Cushi. And Joab said, Wherefore son ! wilt thou run, my son, seeing that thou hast no tidings ready? CHAP. XIX. 23 But howsoever,said he,let me run. AND it was told Joab, Behold, the king weepeth and mourneth for And he said unto him, Rum. Then Ahi-Absalom. 24 And David sat between the two gates: and the watchman went up to the roof over the gate under the wall, and lifted up his eyes, and looked, and] behold a man running alone. 2 And the victory that day was turned into mourning unto all the people : for the people heard say that day, how the king was grieved for his son. 3 And the people gat them by stealth that day into the city, as people being ashamed steal away when they fice in battle. 4 But the king covered his face, and the king cried with a loud voice, O my sou Absalom! O Absalom, my son, my son ! 5 And Joab came into the house to the king, and said, Thou hast shamed this day the faces of all thy servants, which this day have saved thy life, 25 And the watchman cried, and told the king. And the king said, If he be alone, there is tidings in his mouth. And he came apace, and drew near. 26 And the watchman saw another man running: and the watchman call ed unto the porter, and said, Behold another man running alone. And the king said, He also bringeth tidings. 27 And the watchman said, Methink-and the lives of thy sous and of thy eth the running of the foremost is like the running of Abimaaz the son of Zadok. And the king said, He is a good man, and cometh with good tidings. 28 And Abimaaz called, and said unto the king, All is well. And he fell down to the earth upon his face before the king, and said, Blessed be the LonD thy God, which hath delivered up the men that lifted up their hand against my lord the king. 29 And the king said, Is the young man Absalom safe? And Alimaaz answered, When Joab sent the king's servant, and me thy servant, I saw a gr. at tumult, but I knew not what it daughters, and the lives of thy wives, 7 Now therefore arise, go forth, and speak comfortably unto thy servants: for Iswear by the LORD, if thou go not forth, there will not tarry one with thee this night; and that will be worse unto thee than all the evil that befell thee from thy youth until now. 8 Then the king arose, and sat in the d the king said unto him, Turn gate. And they told unto all the peohere. And he turned ple, saying, Behold, the king doth sit in the gate. And all the people came shi came; and before the king; for Israel had fled y lord the king:[every man to his tent. David brought back, CHAP. XIX. Shimer pardonca. 9 And all the people were at strife¡come the first this day of all the house throughout all the tribes of Israel, say-of Joseph to go down to meet any lord ing, The king saved us out of the hand the king. of our enemies, and be delivered us 21 But Abishai the son of Zeruiah out of the hand of the Philistines; and answered and said, Shall not Shimei now he is fled out of the land for Ab- be put to death for this, because he salom. cursed the LORD's anointed? 10 And Absalom, whom we anointed 22 And David said, What have I to over us, is dead in battle: now there do with you, ye sons of Zerujah, that fore why speak ye not a word of bring-ye should this day be adversaries unto ing the king back? me? shall there any man be put to 11 ¶ And king David sent to Zadok death this day in Israel? for do not 1 and to Abiathar the priests, saying, know that I am this day king over IsSpeak unto the elders of Judah, say-rael ? ing, Why are ye the last to bring the king back to his house? seeing the speech of all Israel is come to the king, even to his house. 23 Therefore the king said unto Shimei, Thou shalt not die: and the king sware unto him. 24 1 And Mephibosheth the son of 12 Ye are my brethren, ye are my Saul caine down to meet the king, and bones and my flesh; wherefore then had neither dressed his feet, nor trimare ye the last to bring back the king? med his beard, nor washed his clothes, 13 And say ye to Amasa, Art thou not from the day the king departed until of iny bone, and of my flesh? God do the day he came again in peace. so to me, and more also, if thou be not 25. And it came to pass, when he was captain of the host before me continu-come to Jerusalem to meet the king, ally in the room of Joab. that the king said unto him, Where14 And he bowed the heart of all the fore weutest not thou with me, Memen of Judah, even as the heart of one!phibosheth? vants. man; so that they sent this word unto 26 And be answered, My lord, O the king, Return thou, and all thy ser-king, my servant deceived me: for thy servant said, I will saddle ine an 15 So the king returned, and came to ass, that I may ride thereon, and go Jordan. And Judah came to Gilgal, to to the king; because thy servant is go to meet the king, to conduct theking|lame. over Jordan. 27. And he hath slandered thy servant 16 ↑ And Shimei the son of Gera, ajunto my lord the king; but my lord Benjamite, which was of Baburim, the king is as an angel of God: do hasted, and came down with the men therefore what is good in thine eyes. of Judah to meet king David. 28 For all of my father's house were but dead men before my lord the king; yet didst thon set thy servant anong them that did eat at thine own table: what right therefore have 1 yet to cry 17 And there were a thousand men of Benjamin with him, and Ziba the servant of the house of Saul, and bis 6f teen sons and his twenty servants with him; and they went over Jordan be-[any more unto the king? fore the king. 29 And the king said unto him, Why 18. And there went over a ferry-boat speakest thou any more ofthy matters? to carry over the king's household, and I have said, Thou and Ziba divide the to do what he thought good. And land. Shimei the son of Gera fell down be- 30 And Mephibosheth said unto the fore the king, as he was come over king, Yea, let him take all, forasmuch Jordan; as my lord the king is come again in peace unto his own house. 19 And said unto the king, Let not my lord impute iniquity unto me, neidier do thou remember that which thy servant did perversely the day that my lord the king went out of Jerusalem, that the king should take it to his heart. 20. For thy servant doth know that I ve sinned; therefore, behold, I am 31 T And Barzillai the Gileadite came down from Rogelim, and went over Jordan with the king, to conduct him over Jordan, 32 Now Barzillai was a very aged man, even fourscore years old; and he had provided the king of sustenance, |