Ahithophel's counsel. a tears. Ge.29.32. Hushai's counsel accepted. counsel that Ahithophel hath 2 given is not good at this time. 2 SAMUEL, XVII. mine affliction, and that the LORD will B. C. 1023. requite me good " for his cursing this day. 1 eye, or, 13 And as David and his men went by the way, Shimei went along on the hill's side over against him, and cursed as he went, and threw stones at him, and 4 cast dust. 14 And the king, and all the people that were with him, came weary, and refreshed themselves there. 2 1 Sa.1.11. Ps.25.18. counselled. a Ro.8.28. bitter of soul. 4 dusted him with dust. Pr.17.12. Hos.13.8. 15 And Absalom, and all the people, the men of Israel, came to Jerusalem, and Ahi-5 fallen. thophel with him. 16 And it came to pass, when Hushai c c.15.37. the Archite, David's friend, was come unto Absalom, that Hushai said unto Absalom, God save the king, 6 God save the king. 17 And Absalom said to Hushai, Is this thy kindness to thy friend? why wentest thou not with thy friend? 18 And Hushai said unto Absalom, Nay; but whom the LORD, and this people, and all the men of Israel, choose, his will I be, and with him will I abide. 19 And again, whom should I serve? should I not serve in the presence of his son? As I have served in thy father's presence, so will I be in thy presence. live. Let the king a Jos.2.11. c.15.33,34. f 1 Sa.18.17 He.11.34. Ca.3.7. Jos.11.4. 7thy face, or presence go. 1 Ki.20.10. 20 Then said Absalom to Ahithophel, ii c.15.12. Give counsel among you what we shall do. 21 And Ahithophel said unto Absalom, Go in unto thy father's concubines, which he hath left to keep the house; and all Israel shall hear that thou art abhorred of thy father: then shall the hands of all that are with thee be strong. 22 So they spread Absalom a tent upon the top of the house; and Absalom went in unto his father's concubines in the sight of all Israel. 23 And the counsel of Ahithophel, which he counselled in those days, was as if a man had inquired at the 9 oracle of God: so was all the counsel of Ahithophel, both with David and with Absalom. c.2.7. j 1 Sa.27.12. Zec.8.13. c.12.11,12. 15.16. 20.3. m c. 15.31, &c. commanded. n Job 5.12,13. o Lu. 16.8. word. Absalom, let me now choose out p Pr.6.4,5. twelve thousand men, and I will arise and c.15.28. pursue after David this night: r De.25.18. c.16.14. c.15.27,36 u 1 Ki.22.31 t Jos.15.7. Zec.13.7. 2 And I will come upon him while he is weary and weak-handed, and will make him afraid: and all the people that are with him shall flee; and I will smite the king " only. 3 And I will bring back all the people unto thee: the man whom thou seekest is as if all returned: so all the people shall be in peace. 4 And the saying 10 pleased Absalom 10 was right well, and all the elders of Israel. 1 Sa.18.20. in the eyes of. 5 Then said Absalom, Call now Hushaic.16.5. the Archite also, and let us hear likewise what 11 he saith. 6 And when Hushai was come to Absalom, Absalom spake unto him, saying, Ahithophel hath spoken after this manner: shall we do after his 12 saying? if not, speak thou. 7 And Hushai said unto Absalom, The 11 is in his mouth. w Jos.2.6, &c. z Ex.1.19. 12 word. 8 For, said Hushai, thou knowest thy father and his men, that they be mighty men, and they be 3 chafed in their minds as a bear robbed of her whelps in the field: and thy father is a man of war, and will not lodge with the people. 9 Behold, he is hid now in some pit, or in some other place: and it will come to pass, when some of them be 5 overthrown at the first, that whosoever heareth it will say, There is a slaughter among the people that follow Absalom. 10 And he also that is valiant, whose heart is as the heart of a lion, shall utterly melt: for all Israel knoweth that thy father is a mighty man, and they which be with him are valiant men. h 11 Therefore I counsel, that all Israel be generally_gathered unto thee, from Dan even. to Beer-sheba, as the sand that is by the sea for multitude; and that thou go to battle in thine own person. 12 So shall we come upon him in some place where he shall be found, and we will light upon him as the dew falleth on the ground: and of him and of all the 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. 14 And Absalom and all the men of Israel 8 said, The counsel of Hushai the Archite is better than the counsel of Ahithophel. For the LORD had appointed to defeat " the good counsel of Ahithophel, to the intent that the LORD might bring evil upon Absalom. 15 Then said Hushai unto Zadok and to Abiathar the priests, Thus and thus did Ahithophel counsel Absalom and the elders of Israel; and thus and thus have I counselled. 16 Now therefore send quickly, and tell David, saying, Lodge P not this night in the plains of the wilderness, but speedily pass over; lest the king be swallowed up, and all the people that are with him. 19 And the woman took and spread a covering over the well's mouth, and spread ground corn thereon; and the thing was not known. 20 And when Absalom's servants came 272 to the woman to the house, they said, Ahithophel hangeth himself. 2 SAMUEL, XVIII. Where is Ahimaaz, and Jonathan? And B. C. 1023. 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. b ver.15,16. 21 And it came to pass, after they were departed, that they came up out of the a ver.12. well, and went and told king David; and said unto David, Arise, b and pass quickly over the water: for thus hath Ahithophel counselled against you. 22 Then David arose, and all the people that cJos.17.15,18. 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 1 followed, he saddled his ass, and arose, and gat him home to his house, to his city, and 2 put his household in order, and hanged himself, and died, and was buried in the sepulchre of his father. c 24 Then David came to Mahanaim. And Absalom passed over Jordan, he and all the men of Israel with him. 2 done. d c.15.12. gave charge concerning his house. 2 Ki.20.1. 3 multiplied to decour. e Ps.5.10. 55.23. Mat.27.5. f c.2.8. De.21.23. 27.16,20. g 25 And Absalom made Amasa captain of the host, instead of Joab: which Amasa was a man's son whose name was Ithra, 4 an Israelite, that went in to 5 Abigail the daughter of 6 Nahash, sister to Ze-4 ruiah, Joab's mother. 26 So Israel and Absalom pitched in the land of Gilead. 27 And it came to pass, when David was come to Mahanaim, that Shobi the son of Nahash of Rabbah of the children of Ammon, and Machir the son of Ammiel of Lo-debar, and Barzillai' the Gileadite of Rogelim, i Job 18.8-10. Ps.63.9,10. 31.3. Pr.20.20. or, Jether an Ishmaelite. 5 Abigal. 1 Ch.2.16,17. 1 Ch.2.13,16. 6 or, Jesse. c.10.1. c.12.29,30. c.19.31,32. k c.9.4. 1 Ki.2.7. 7 weigh upon mine hand. 8 or, cups. m ver.5. 28 Brought beds, and basins, and earthen vessels, and wheat, and barley, and flour, and parched corn, and beans, and Beware lentiles, and parched pulse, whosoever ye be of. 29 And honey, and butter, and sheep, and cheese of kine, for David, and for the n c.14.19,20 people that were with him, to eat: for they 0 17.2. said, The people is hungry, and weary, o c.16.2,14. and thirsty, in the wilderness. CHAP. XVIII. ND David numbered the people that thousands and captains of hundreds over them. 10 before. 11 heart. Jos.7.26. * c.21.17. 2 And David sent forth a third part of the people under the hand of Joab, and a third part under the hand of Abishai the son of Zeruiah, Joab's brother, and a third part under the hand of Ittai P the Gittite. p c.15.19. And the king said unto the people, I will surely go forth with you myself also. 3 But the people answered, Thou shalt not go forth: for if we flee away, they will not 12 care for us; neither if half of us die will they care for us: but now thou art 13 worth ten thousand of us: therefore now it is c.14.27. better that thou succour 14 us out of the city. 4 And the king said unto them, What 12 set their 13 as Ge.14.7. heart on. 14 be to succour. u Ps.49.11. 273 The death of Absalom. seemeth you best I will do. And the king stood by the gate side, and all the people came out by hundreds and by thousands. 5 And the king commanded Joab and Abishai and Ittai, saying, Deal gently for my sake with the young man, even with Absalom. And "all the people heard when the king gave all the captains charge concerning Absalom. 6 So the people went out into the field against Israel: and the battle was in the wood of Ephraim; 9 And Absalom met the servants of David. And Absalom rode upon a mule, and the mule went under the thick boughs of a great oak, and his head caught hold of the oak, and he was taken up between the heaven and the earth; and the mule that was under him went away. 10 And a certain man saw it, and told Joab, and said, Behold, I 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. 7 12 And the man said unto Joab, Though I should receive a thousand shekels of silver in mine hand, yet would I not put forth mine hand against the king's son: form in our hearing the king charged thee and Abishai and Ittai, saying, 9 Beware that none touch the young man Absalom. 13 Otherwise I should have wrought falsehood against mine own life: for" there is no matter hid from the king, and thou thyself wouldest have set thyself against me. 14 Then said Joab, I may not tarry thus with 10 thee. And he took three darts in his hand, and thrust them through the heart of Absalom, while he was yet alive in the 11 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 after Israel: for Joab held back the people. 17 And they took Absalom, and cast him into a great pit in the wood, and laid a very great heap of stones upon him: and all Israel fled every one to his tent. 18 Now Absalom in his life-time had taken and reared up for himself a pillar, which is in the king's dale: for he said, I have no son t to keep my name in remembrance: and he called "the pillar 20 And Joab said unto him, Thou shalt not 2 bear tidings this day, but thou shalt bear tidings another day; but this day thou shalt bear no tidings, because the king's son is dead. 1 a c.19.4. 9.3. Ro.5.7,8. from the be a man of tidings. c Pr.17.25. 3 salvation,or, deliverance. f Jno.20.4. 2.9.17. Is.21.11,12. 24 And David sat between the two gates: and the watchman went up to the roof over the gate unto the wall, and lifted up. his eyes, and looked, and, behold, a man running alone. 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 called unto the porter, and said, Behold, another man running alone. And the king said, He also bringeth tidings. 9 27 And the watchman said, Me thinketh the running of the foremost is like the running of Ahimaaz the son of Zadok. And the king said, He is a good man, and cometh with good tidings. i 7 that princes or servants are not to thee. 8 to the heart of. Ge.34.3. h Pr.19.15. I see thee running. 1 Ki.1.42. Pr.25.13. c.18.6-8. 10 Peace, or, Peace be Ps.31.8. 28 And Ahimaaz called, and said unto j the king, 10 All is well. And he fell down to the earth upon his face before the king, and said, Blessed be the LORD thy God, k Ps.124.6. which hath 11 delivered up the men that lif-11 shut up. ted their hand against my lord the king. 12 Is there 29 And the king said, 12 Is the young man Absalom safe? And Ahimaaz answered, When Joab sent the king's servant, and me thy servant, I saw a great tumult, but I knew not what it was. up 30 And the king said unto him, Turn aside, and stand here. And he turned aside, and stood still. 0 .15.14. peace? 13 are ye silent? m Ps.144.7,10. Lu.18.7,8. 31 And, behold, Cushi came; and Cushi 14 Tidings is said, 14 Tidings, my lord the king: m for brought. the LORD hath avenged" thee this day of all them that rose up against thee. 32 And the king said unto Cushi, Is the young man Absalom safe? and Cushi answered, The enemies of my lord the king, and all that rise against thee to do theer c.17.25. hurt, be as that young man is. 33 And the king was much moved, and AND it was told Joab, Behold, the king weepeth and mourneth for Absalom. 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 flee in battle. 4 But the king covered his face, and the king cried with a loud voice, O my son 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, and the lives of thy sons and of thy daughters, and the lives of thy wives, and the lives of thy concubines; 7 Now therefore arise, go forth, and speak comfortably unto thy servants: for I swear 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 gate. And they told unto all the people, saying, Behold, the king doth sit in the gate. And all the people came before the king; for j Israel had fled, every man to his tent. 9 And all the people were at strife throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, The king saved us out of the hand of our enemies, and he delivered us out of the hand of the Philistines; and now he is fled 'out of the land for Absalom. 10 And Absalom, whom we anointed over us, is dead in battle. Now, therefore, why 13 speak ye not a word of bringing the king back? 11 And king David sent to Zadok and to Abiathar the priests, saying, Speak unto the elders of Judah, saying, 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. 12 Ye are my brethren, ye are my P bones and my flesh: wherefore then are ye the last to bring back the king? 13 And say ye to Amasa," Art thou not of my bone, and of my flesh? God do so to me, and more also, if thou be not cap 16 And Shimei the son of Gera, ad c.16.5. Benjamite, which was of Bahurim, hasted, and came down with the men of Judah to meet king David. e 1 Ki.2.7. 17 And there were a thousand men of Benjamin with him, and Ziba ♬ the servant f c.9.2,10. of the house of Saul, and his fifteen sons and his twenty servants with him; and g c.17.27. they went over Jordan before the king. 18 And there went over a ferry-boat to carry over the king's household, and to do 2 what he thought good. And Shimei the son of Gera fell down before the king, as he was come over Jordan; 19 And said unto the king, Let not my lord impute iniquity unto me, neither 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. k 20 For thy servant doth know that I have sinned: therefore, behold, I am come the first this day of all the house of Joseph, to go down to meet my lord the king. the 1Ti.6.17-19. the good in his eyes. il Sa.22.15. 3 How many Ge.47.9. j Ps.79.8. Ps.90.10. Pr.16.31. m He.5.14. n c.13.33. o Ec.12.3-5. p Ex.22.28. 21 But Abishai the son of Zeruiah answered and said, Shall not Shimei be put to death for this, because he cursed LORD's anointed? 22 And David said, What have I to do q Lu.6.38. with you, ye sons of Zeruiah, that ye should this day be adversaries unto me? Shall there any man be put to death_this1 day in Israel? for do not I know that I am this day king over Israel? David returns to Jerusalem. 28 For all of my father's house were but dead men before my lord the king: yet didst thou set a thy servant among them that did eat at thine own table. What right, therefore, have I yet to cry any more unto the king? 29 And the king said unto him, Why speakest thou any more of thy matters? I have said, Thou and Ziba divide the land. 30 And Mephibosheth said unto the king, Yea, let him take all, forasmuch as my lord the king is come again in peace unto his own house. 31 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 while he lay at Mahanaim; for he was a very great man. 33 And the king said unto Barzillai, Come thou over with me, and I will feed thee with me in Jerusalem. 3 34 And Barzillai said unto the king, How long have I to live, that I should go up with the king unto Jerusalem? 35 I am this day fourscore' years old: and can I discern " between good and evil? can thy servant taste what I eat or what I drink? can I hear any more the voice of singing-men and singingwomen? wherefore then should thy servant be yet a burden unto my lord the king? 36 Thy servant will go a little way over Jordan with the king: and why should the king recompense it me with such a reward? 37 Let thy servant, I pray thee, turn back again, that I may die in mine own Sa.11.13. city, and be buried by the grave of my father and of my mother: but, behold, thy servant Chimham, let him go over with my lord the king; and do to him what shall seem good unto thee. s 1 Ki.2.7. 23 Therefore the king said unto Shimei, Thou shalt not die. And the king swaret 1 Ki.2.8,36, unto him. &c. B. C. 1023. the men of Israel, Because the king is near of kin " to us: wherefore then be ye angry a ver.12. for this matter? have we eaten at all of the king's cost? or hath he given us any gift? 43 And the men of Israel answered the men of Judah, and said, We have ten parts in the king, and we have also more right in David than ye: why then did ye1 de-1 set us at spise us, that our advice should not be first had in bringing back our king? And the words of the men of Judah were than the words of the men of Israel. CHAP. XX. light. fiercer Ju.8.1. Ja.3.2-10. 2 Sofevery man of Israel went up from after David, and followed Sheba the son of Bichri: but the men of Judah & clave unto their king, from Jordan even to Jerusalem. 3 And David came to his house at Jerusalem; and the king took the ten women his concubines," whom he had left the house, and put them in 4 ward, and fed them, but went not in unto them. So they were 5 shut up unto the day of their death, living in widowhood. i 8 1 Ki.12.16. Lu.19.14. 2 or, against the outmost wall. to keep 6 4 Then said the king to Amasa, Assemble me the men of Judah within three days, and be thou here present. 5 So Amasa went to assemble the men of Judah: but he tarried longer than the set time which he had appointed him. marred to c.19.41. throw down. 2 Ch.10.17. h c.15.16. 16.21,22. an house of Ge.40.3,4,7. ward. 5 bound. 6 in widow hood of life. 7 or, They ning saying, 18 Then she spake, saying, They were plainly spake wont to speak in old time, saying, They in the begin-shall surely ask counsel at Abel: and so surely they they ended the matter. Abel, and so make an end. will ask of De.20.11. 8 Call. k Ju.5.7. 6 And David said to Abishai, Now shall i c.19.13. Sheba the son of Bichri do us more harm than did Absalom: take thou thy lord's servants, and pursue after him, lest het c.11.11. get him fenced cities, and 9 escape us. 7 And there went out after him, Joab's men, and the Cherethites, m and the Pelethites, and all the mighty men: and they went out of Jerusalem, to pursue after Sheba the son of Bichri. 8 When they were at the great stone which is in Gibeon, Amasa went before them. And Joab's garment that he had put 1 Ki.1.33. 9 deliver him self from our eyes. m 1 Ki.1.38. 10 his name. 19 I am one of them that are peaceable and faithful in Israel: thou seekest to destroy a city and a mother in Israel: why wilt thou swallow up the inheritance of the LORD? 20 And Joab answered and said, Far be it, far be it from me, that I should swallow up or destroy. 21 The matter is not so: but a man of mount Ephraim, Sheba the son of Bichri by 10 name, hath lifted up his hand against the king, even against David: deliver him only, and I will depart from the city. And the woman said unto Joab, Behold, his head shall be thrown to thee over the wall. 22 Then the woman went unto all the people in her wisdom: " and they cut off the head of Sheba the son of Bichri, and cast it out to Joab. And he blew a trumpet, and they 11 retired from the city, every man to his tent. And Joab returned to Jerusalem unto the king. 23 Now Joab P was over all the host of Israel; and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites, and over the Pelethites; |