2 Samuel 16 | Biblion Bible Reader

WEB·2 Samuel 17

¹Moreover Ahithophel said to Absalom, “Let me now choose twelve thousand men, and I will arise and pursue after David tonight.

KJVMoreover Ahithophel^H302 said^H559^(H8799) unto Absalom^H53, Let me now choose out^H977^(H8799) twelve^H8147^H6240 thousand^H505 men^H376, and I will arise^H6965^(H8799) and pursue^H7291^(H8799) after^H310 David^H1732 this night^H3915:

² I will come on him while he is weary and exhausted, and will make him afraid. All the people who are with him will flee. I will strike the king only,

KJVAnd I will come^H935^(H8799) upon him while he is weary^H3023 and weak^H7504 handed^H3027, and will make him afraid^H2729^(H8689): and all the people^H5971 that are with him shall flee^H5127^(H8804); and I will smite^H5221^(H8689) the king^H4428 only:

³ and I will bring back all the people to you. The man whom you seek is as if all returned. All the people shall be in peace.”

KJVAnd I will bring back^H7725^(H8686) all the people^H5971 unto thee: the man^H376 whom thou seekest^H1245^(H8764) is as if all returned^H7725^(H8800): so all the people^H5971 shall be in peace^H7965.

⁴ The saying pleased Absalom well, and all the elders of Israel.

KJVAnd the saying^H1697 pleased^H3474^(H8799) Absalom^H53 well^H5869, and all the elders^H2205 of Israel^H3478.

⁵ Then Absalom said, “Now call Hushai the Archite also, and let’s hear likewise what he says.”

KJVThen said^H559^(H8799) Absalom^H53, Call^H7121^(H8798) now Hushai^H2365 the Archite^H757 also, and let us hear^H8085^(H8799) likewise what he saith^H6310.

⁶ When Hushai had come to Absalom, Absalom spoke to him, saying, “Ahithophel has spoken like this. Shall we do what he says? If not, speak up.”

KJVAnd when Hushai^H2365 was come^H935^(H8799) to Absalom^H53, Absalom^H53 spake^H559^(H8799) unto him, saying^H559^(H8800), Ahithophel^H302 hath spoken^H1696^(H8765) after this manner^H1697: shall we do^H6213^(H8799) after his saying^H1697? if not; speak^H1696^(H8761) thou.

⁷ Hushai said to Absalom, “The counsel that Ahithophel has given this time is not good.”

KJVAnd Hushai^H2365 said^H559^(H8799) unto Absalom^H53, The counsel^H6098 that Ahithophel^H302 hath given^H3289^(H8804) is not good^H2896 at this time^H6471.

⁸ Hushai said moreover, “You know your father and his men, that they are mighty men, and they are fierce in their minds, like a bear robbed of her cubs in the field. Your father is a man of war, and will not lodge with the people.

KJVFor, said^H559^(H8799) Hushai^H2365, thou knowest^H3045^(H8804) thy father^H1 and his men^H582, that they be mighty men^H1368, and they be chafed^H4751 in their minds^H5315, as a bear^H1677 robbed^H7909 of her whelps in the field^H7704: and thy father^H1 is a man^H376 of war^H4421, and will not lodge^H3885^(H8799) with the people^H5971.

⁹ Behold, he is now hidden in some pit, or in some other place. It will happen, when some of them have fallen at the first, that whoever hears it will say, ‘There is a slaughter among the people who follow Absalom!’

KJVBehold, he is hid^H2244^(H8737) now in some^H259 pit^H6354, or in some^H259 other place^H4725: and it will come to pass, when some of them be overthrown^H5307^(H8800) at the first^H8462, that whosoever^H8085^(H8802) heareth^H8085^(H8804) it will say^H559^(H8804), There is a slaughter^H4046 among the people^H5971 that follow^H310 Absalom^H53.

¹⁰ Even he who is valiant, whose heart is as the heart of a lion, will utterly melt; for all Israel knows that your father is a mighty man, and those who are with him are valiant men.

KJVAnd he also that is valiant^H1121^H2428, whose heart^H3820 is as the heart^H3820 of a lion^H738, shall utterly^H4549^(H8736) melt^H4549^(H8735): for all Israel^H3478 knoweth^H3045^(H8802) that thy father^H1 is a mighty man^H1368, and they which be with him are valiant^H2428 men^H1121.

¹¹ But I counsel that all Israel be gathered together to you, from Dan even to Beersheba, as the sand that is by the sea for multitude; and that you go to battle in your own person.

KJVTherefore I counsel^H3289^(H8804) that all Israel^H3478 be generally^H622^(H8736) gathered^H622^(H8735) unto thee, from Dan^H1835 even to Beersheba^H884, as the sand^H2344 that is by the sea^H3220 for multitude^H7230; and that thou go^H1980^(H8802) to battle^H7128 in thine own person^H6440.

¹² So we will come on him in some place where he will be found, and we will light on him as the dew falls on the ground, then we will not leave so much as one of him and of all the men who are with him.

KJVSo shall we come^H935^(H8804) upon him in some^H259 place^H4725 where he shall be found^H4672^(H8738), and we will light^H5168 upon him as the dew^H2919 falleth^H5307^(H8799) on the ground^H127: and of him and of all the men^H582 that are with him there shall not be left^H3498^(H8738) so much as^H1571 one^H259.

¹³ Moreover, if he has gone into a city, then all Israel will bring ropes to that city, and we will draw it into the river, until there isn’t one small stone found there.”

KJVMoreover, if^H518 he be gotten^H622^(H8735) into a city^H5892, then shall all Israel^H3478 bring^H5375^(H8689) ropes^H2256 to that city^H5892, and we will draw^H5498^(H8804) it into the river^H5158, until there be not one^H1571 small stone^H6872 found^H4672^(H8738) there.

¹⁴ Absalom and all the men of Israel said, “The counsel of Hushai the Archite is better than the counsel of Ahithophel.” For Yahweh had ordained to defeat the good counsel of Ahithophel, to the intent that Yahweh might bring evil on Absalom.

KJVAnd Absalom^H53 and all the men^H376 of Israel^H3478 said^H559^(H8799), The counsel^H6098 of Hushai^H2365 the Archite^H757 is better^H2896 than the counsel^H6098 of Ahithophel^H302. For the LORD^H3068 had appointed^H6680^(H8765) to defeat^H6565^(H8687) the good^H2896 counsel^H6098 of Ahithophel^H302, to the intent^H5668 that the LORD^H3068 might bring^H935^(H8687) evil^H7451 upon Absalom^H53.

¹⁵ Then Hushai said to Zadok and to Abiathar the priests, “Ahithophel counseled Absalom and the elders of Israel that way; and I have counseled this way.

KJVThen said^H559^(H8799) Hushai^H2365 unto Zadok^H6659 and to Abiathar^H54 the priests^H3548, Thus and thus did Ahithophel^H302 counsel^H3289^(H8804) Absalom^H53 and the elders^H2205 of Israel^H3478; and thus and thus have I counselled^H3289^(H8804).

¹⁶ Now therefore send quickly, and tell David, saying, ‘Don’t lodge tonight at the fords of the wilderness, but by all means pass over, lest the king be swallowed up, and all the people who are with him.’”

KJVNow therefore send^H7971^(H8798) quickly^H4120, and tell^H5046^(H8685) David^H1732, saying^H559^(H8800), Lodge^H3885^(H8799) not this night^H3915 in the plains^H6160^(H8675)^H5679 of the wilderness^H4057, but speedily^H5674^(H8800) pass over^H5674^(H8799); lest the king^H4428 be swallowed up^H1104^(H8792), and all the people^H5971 that are with him.

¹⁷ Now Jonathan and Ahimaaz were staying by En Rogel; and a female servant used to go and report to them, and they went and told King David; for they couldn’t risk being seen coming into the city.

KJVNow Jonathan^H3083 and Ahimaaz^H290 stayed^H5975^(H8802) by Enrogel^H5883; for they might^H3201^(H8799) not be seen^H7200^(H8736) to come^H935^(H8800) into the city^H5892: and a wench^H8198 went^H1980^(H8804) and told^H5046^(H8689) them; and they went^H3212^(H8799) and told^H5046^(H8689) king^H4428 David^H1732.

¹⁸ But a boy saw them, and told Absalom. Then they both went away quickly and came to the house of a man in Bahurim, who had a well in his court; and they went down there.

KJVNevertheless a lad^H5288 saw^H7200^(H8799) them, and told^H5046^(H8686) Absalom^H53: but they went^H3212^(H8799) both^H8147 of them away quickly^H4120, and came^H935^(H8799) to a man's^H376 house^H1004 in Bahurim^H980, which had a well^H875 in his court^H2691; whither^H8033 they went down^H3381^(H8799).

¹⁹ The woman took and spread the covering over the well’s mouth, and spread out crushed grain on it; and nothing was known.

KJVAnd the woman^H802 took^H3947^(H8799) and spread^H6566^(H8799) a covering^H4539 over the well's^H875 mouth^H6440, and spread^H7849^(H8799) ground corn^H7383 thereon; and the thing^H1697 was not known^H3045^(H8738).

²⁰ Absalom’s servants came to the woman to the house; and they said, “Where are Ahimaaz and Jonathan?” The woman said to them, “They have gone over the brook of water.” When they had sought and could not find them, they returned to Jerusalem.

KJVAnd when Absalom's^H53 servants^H5650 came^H935^(H8799) to the woman^H802 to the house^H1004, they said^H559^(H8799), Where is Ahimaaz^H290 and Jonathan^H3083? And the woman^H802 said^H559^(H8799) unto them, They be gone over^H5674^(H8804) the brook^H4323 of water^H4325. And when they had sought^H1245^(H8762) and could not find^H4672^(H8804) them, they returned^H7725^(H8799) to Jerusalem^H3389.

²¹ After they had departed, they came up out of the well and went and told King David; and they said to David, “Arise and pass quickly over the water; for thus has Ahithophel counseled against you.”

KJVAnd it came to pass, after^H310 they were departed^H3212^(H8800), that they came up^H5927^(H8799) out of the well^H875, and went^H3212^(H8799) and told^H5046^(H8686) king^H4428 David^H1732, and said^H559^(H8799) unto David^H1732, Arise^H6965^(H8798), and pass quickly^H4120 over^H5674^(H8798) the water^H4325: for thus hath Ahithophel^H302 counselled^H3289^(H8804) against you.

²² Then David arose, and all the people who were with him, and they passed over the Jordan. By the morning light there lacked not one of them who had not gone over the Jordan.

KJVThen David^H1732 arose^H6965^(H8799), and all the people^H5971 that were with him, and they passed over^H5674^(H8799) Jordan^H3383: by the morning^H1242 light^H216 there lacked^H5737^(H8738) not one^H259 of them that was not gone over^H5674^(H8804) Jordan^H3383.

²³ When Ahithophel saw that his counsel was not followed, he saddled his donkey, arose, and went home to his city, set his house in order, and hanged himself; and he died, and was buried in the tomb of his father.

KJVAnd when Ahithophel^H302 saw^H7200^(H8804) that his counsel^H6098 was not followed^H6213^(H8738), he saddled^H2280^(H8799) his ass^H2543, and arose^H6965^(H8799), and gat him home^H3212^(H8799) to his house^H1004, to his city^H5892, and put his household^H1004 in order^H6680^(H8762), and hanged^H2614^(H8735) himself, and died^H4191^(H8799), and was buried^H6912^(H8735) in the sepulchre^H6913 of his father^H1.

²⁴ Then David came to Mahanaim. Absalom passed over the Jordan, he and all the men of Israel with him.

KJVThen David^H1732 came^H935^(H8804) to Mahanaim^H4266. And Absalom^H53 passed over^H5674^(H8804) Jordan^H3383, he and all the men^H376 of Israel^H3478 with him.

²⁵ Absalom set Amasa over the army instead of Joab. Now Amasa was the son of a man whose name was Ithra the Israelite, who went in to Abigail the daughter of Nahash, sister to Zeruiah, Joab’s mother.

KJVAnd Absalom^H53 made^H7760^(H8804) Amasa^H6021 captain of the host^H6635 instead of Joab^H3097: which Amasa^H6021 was a man's^H376 son^H1121, whose name^H8034 was Ithra^H3501 an Israelite^H3481, that went in^H935^(H8804) to Abigail^H26 the daughter^H1323 of Nahash^H5176, sister^H269 to Zeruiah^H6870 Joab's^H3097 mother^H517.

²⁶ Israel and Absalom encamped in the land of Gilead.

KJVSo Israel^H3478 and Absalom^H53 pitched^H2583^(H8799) in the land^H776 of Gilead^H1568.

²⁷ When David had come to Mahanaim, Shobi the son of Nahash of Rabbah of the children of Ammon, and Machir the son of Ammiel of Lodebar, and Barzillai the Gileadite of Rogelim,

KJVAnd it came to pass, when David^H1732 was come^H935^(H8800) to Mahanaim^H4266, that Shobi^H7629 the son^H1121 of Nahash^H5176 of Rabbah^H7237 of the children^H1121 of Ammon^H5983, and Machir^H4353 the son^H1121 of Ammiel^H5988 of Lodebar^H3810, and Barzillai^H1271 the Gileadite^H1569 of Rogelim^H7274,

²⁸ brought beds, basins, earthen vessels, wheat, barley, meal, parched grain, beans, lentils, roasted grain,

KJVBrought^H5066^(H8689) beds^H4904, and basons^H5592, and earthen^H3335^(H8802) vessels^H3627, and wheat^H2406, and barley^H8184, and flour^H7058, and parched^H7039 corn, and beans^H6321, and lentiles^H5742, and parched^H7039 pulse,

²⁹ honey, butter, sheep, and cheese of the herd, for David and for the people who were with him to eat; for they said, “The people are hungry, weary, and thirsty in the wilderness.”

KJVAnd honey^H1706, and butter^H2529, and sheep^H6629, and cheese^H8194 of kine^H1241, for David^H1732, and for the people^H5971 that were with him, to eat^H398^(H8800): for they said^H559^(H8804), The people^H5971 is hungry^H7457, and weary^H5889, and thirsty^H6771, in the wilderness^H4057.

WEB·2 Samuel 16

¹When David was a little past the top, behold, Ziba the servant of Mephibosheth met him with a couple of donkeys saddled, and on them two hundred loaves of bread, and one hundred clusters of raisins, and one hundred summer fruits, and a container of wine.

KJVAnd when David^H1732 was a little^H4592 past^H5674^(H8804) the top^H7218 of the hill, behold, Ziba^H6717 the servant^H5288 of Mephibosheth^H4648 met^H7125^(H8800) him, with a couple^H6776 of asses^H2543 saddled^H2280^(H8803), and upon them two hundred^H3967 loaves of bread^H3899, and an hundred^H3967 bunches of raisins^H6778, and an hundred^H3967 of summer fruits^H7019, and a bottle^H5035 of wine^H3196.

² The king said to Ziba, “What do you mean by these?” Ziba said, “The donkeys are for the king’s household to ride on; and the bread and summer fruit for the young men to eat; and the wine, that those who are faint in the wilderness may drink.”

KJVAnd the king^H4428 said^H559^(H8799) unto Ziba^H6717, What meanest thou by these? And Ziba^H6717 said^H559^(H8799), The asses^H2543 be for the king's^H4428 household^H1004 to ride on^H7392^(H8800); and the bread^H3899 and summer fruit^H7019 for the young men^H5288 to eat^H398^(H8800); and the wine^H3196, that such as be faint^H3287 in the wilderness^H4057 may drink^H8354^(H8800).

³ The king said, “Where is your master’s son?” Ziba said to the king, “Behold, he is staying in Jerusalem; for he said, ‘Today the house of Israel will restore me the kingdom of my father.’”

KJVAnd the king^H4428 said^H559^(H8799), And where is thy master's^H113 son^H1121? And Ziba^H6717 said^H559^(H8799) unto the king^H4428, Behold, he abideth^H3427^(H8802) at Jerusalem^H3389: for he said^H559^(H8804), To day^H3117 shall the house^H1004 of Israel^H3478 restore^H7725^(H8686) me the kingdom^H4468 of my father^H1.

⁴ Then the king said to Ziba, “Behold, all that belongs to Mephibosheth is yours.” Ziba said, “I bow down. Let me find favor in your sight, my lord, O king.”

KJVThen said^H559^(H8799) the king^H4428 to Ziba^H6717, Behold, thine are all that pertained unto Mephibosheth^H4648. And Ziba^H6717 said^H559^(H8799), I humbly^H7812^(H8694) beseech thee that I may find^H4672^(H8799) grace^H2580 in thy sight^H5869, my lord^H113, O king^H4428.

⁵ When King David came to Bahurim, behold, a man of the family of Saul’s house came out, whose name was Shimei, the son of Gera. He came out and cursed as he came.

KJVAnd when king^H4428 David^H1732 came^H935^(H8804) to Bahurim^H980, behold, thence came out^H3318^(H8802) a man^H376 of the family^H4940 of the house^H1004 of Saul^H7586, whose name^H8034 was Shimei^H8096, the son^H1121 of Gera^H1617: he came forth^H3318^(H8802), and cursed^H7043^(H8764) still as he came^H3318^(H8800).

⁶ He cast stones at David and at all the servants of King David, and all the people and all the mighty men were on his right hand and on his left.

KJVAnd he cast^H5619^(H8762) stones^H68 at David^H1732, and at all the servants^H5650 of king^H4428 David^H1732: and all the people^H5971 and all the mighty men^H1368 were on his right hand^H3225 and on his left^H8040.

⁷ Shimei said when he cursed, “Be gone, be gone, you man of blood, and wicked fellow!

KJVAnd thus said^H559^(H8804) Shimei^H8096 when he cursed^H7043^(H8763), Come out^H3318^(H8798), come out^H3318^(H8798), thou bloody^H1818 man^H376, and thou man^H376 of Belial^H1100:

⁸ Yahweh has returned on you all the blood of Saul’s house, in whose place you have reigned! Yahweh has delivered the kingdom into the hand of Absalom your son! Behold, you are caught by your own mischief, because you are a man of blood!”

KJVThe LORD^H3068 hath returned^H7725^(H8689) upon thee all the blood^H1818 of the house^H1004 of Saul^H7586, in whose stead thou hast reigned^H4427^(H8804); and the LORD^H3068 hath delivered^H5414^(H8799) the kingdom^H4410 into the hand^H3027 of Absalom^H53 thy son^H1121: and, behold, thou art taken in thy mischief^H7451, because thou art a bloody^H1818 man^H376.

⁹ Then Abishai the son of Zeruiah said to the king, “Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? Please let me go over and take off his head.”

KJVThen said^H559^(H8799) Abishai^H52 the son^H1121 of Zeruiah^H6870 unto the king^H4428, Why should this dead^H4191^(H8801) dog^H3611 curse^H7043^(H8762) my lord^H113 the king^H4428? let me go over^H5674^(H8799), I pray thee, and take off^H5493^(H8686) his head^H7218.

¹⁰ The king said, “What have I to do with you, you sons of Zeruiah? Because he curses, and because Yahweh has said to him, ‘Curse David,’ who then shall say, ‘Why have you done so?’”

KJVAnd the king^H4428 said^H559^(H8799), What have I to do with you, ye sons^H1121 of Zeruiah^H6870? so let him curse^H7043^(H8762), because the LORD^H3068 hath said^H559^(H8804) unto him, Curse^H7043^(H8761) David^H1732. Who shall then say^H559^(H8799), Wherefore hast thou done so^H6213^(H8804)?

¹¹ David said to Abishai and to all his servants, “Behold, my son, who came out of my bowels, seeks my life. How much more this Benjamite, now? Leave him alone, and let him curse; for Yahweh has invited him.

KJVAnd David^H1732 said^H559^(H8799) to Abishai^H52, and to all his servants^H5650, Behold, my son^H1121, which came forth^H3318^(H8804) of my bowels^H4578, seeketh^H1245^(H8764) my life^H5315: how much more now may this Benjamite^H1145 do it? let him alone^H3240^(H8685), and let him curse^H7043^(H8762); for the LORD^H3068 hath bidden^H559^(H8804) him.

¹² It may be that Yahweh will look on the wrong done to me, and that Yahweh will repay me good for the cursing of me today.”

KJVIt may be that the LORD^H3068 will look^H7200^(H8799) on mine affliction^H5869^(H8675)^H6040, and that the LORD^H3068 will requite^H7725^(H8689) me good^H2896 for his cursing^H7045 this day^H3117.

¹³ So David and his men went by the way; and Shimei went along on the hillside opposite him and cursed as he went, threw stones at him, and threw dust.

KJVAnd as David^H1732 and his men^H582 went^H3212^(H8799) by the way^H1870, Shimei^H8096 went along^H1980^(H8802) on the hill's^H2022 side^H6763 over against^H5980 him, and cursed^H7043^(H8762) as he went^H1980^(H8800), and threw^H5619^(H8762) stones^H68 at^H5980 him, and cast^H6080^(H8765) dust^H6083.

¹⁴ The king and all the people who were with him arrived weary; and he refreshed himself there.

KJVAnd the king^H4428, and all the people^H5971 that were with him, came^H935^(H8799) weary^H5889, and refreshed^H5314^(H8735) themselves there.

¹⁵ Absalom and all the people, the men of Israel, came to Jerusalem, and Ahithophel with him.

KJVAnd Absalom^H53, and all the people^H5971 the men^H376 of Israel^H3478, came^H935^(H8804) to Jerusalem^H3389, and Ahithophel^H302 with him.

¹⁶ When Hushai the Archite, David’s friend, had come to Absalom, Hushai said to Absalom, “Long live the king! Long live the king!”

KJVAnd it came to pass, when Hushai^H2365 the Archite^H757, David's^H1732 friend^H7463, was come^H935^(H8804) unto Absalom^H53, that Hushai^H2365 said^H559^(H8799) unto Absalom^H53, God save^H2421^(H8799) the king^H4428, God save^H2421^(H8799) the king^H4428.

¹⁷ Absalom said to Hushai, “Is this your kindness to your friend? Why didn’t you go with your friend?”

KJVAnd Absalom^H53 said^H559^(H8799) to Hushai^H2365, Is this thy kindness^H2617 to thy friend^H7453? why wentest^H1980^(H8804) thou not with thy friend^H7453?

¹⁸ Hushai said to Absalom, “No; but whomever Yahweh and this people and all the men of Israel have chosen, I will be his, and I will stay with him.

KJVAnd Hushai^H2365 said^H559^(H8799) unto Absalom^H53, Nay; but whom the LORD^H3068, and this people^H5971, and all the men^H376 of Israel^H3478, choose^H977^(H8804), his will I be, and with him will I abide^H3427^(H8799).

¹⁹ Again, whom should I serve? Shouldn’t I serve in the presence of his son? As I have served in your father’s presence, so I will be in your presence.”

KJVAnd again^H8145, whom should I serve^H5647^(H8799)? should I not serve in the presence^H6440 of his son^H1121? as I have served^H5647^(H8804) in thy father's^H1 presence^H6440, so will I be in thy presence^H6440.

²⁰ Then Absalom said to Ahithophel, “Give your counsel what we shall do.”

KJVThen said^H559^(H8799) Absalom^H53 to Ahithophel^H302, Give^H3051^(H8798) counsel^H6098 among you what we shall do^H6213^(H8799).

²¹ Ahithophel said to Absalom, “Go in to your father’s concubines that he has left to keep the house. Then all Israel will hear that you are abhorred by your father. Then the hands of all who are with you will be strong.”

KJVAnd Ahithophel^H302 said^H559^(H8799) unto Absalom^H53, Go in^H935^(H8798) unto thy father's^H1 concubines^H6370, which he hath left^H3240^(H8689) to keep^H8104^(H8800) the house^H1004; and all Israel^H3478 shall hear^H8085^(H8804) that thou art abhorred^H887^(H8738) of thy father^H1: then shall the hands^H3027 of all that are with thee be strong^H2388^(H8804).

²² So they spread a tent for Absalom on the top of the house, and Absalom went in to his father’s concubines in the sight of all Israel.

KJVSo they spread^H5186^(H8686) Absalom^H53 a tent^H168 upon the top of the house^H1406; and Absalom^H53 went in^H935^(H8799) unto his father's^H1 concubines^H6370 in the sight^H5869 of all Israel^H3478.

²³ The counsel of Ahithophel, which he gave in those days, was as if a man inquired at the inner sanctuary of God. All the counsel of Ahithophel was like this both with David and with Absalom.

KJVAnd the counsel^H6098 of Ahithophel^H302, which he counselled^H3289^(H8804) in those days^H3117, was as if a man^H376 had enquired^H7592^(H8799) at the oracle^H1697 of God^H430: so was all the counsel^H6098 of Ahithophel^H302 both with David^H1732 and with Absalom^H53.

Section titles come from the Biblion commentary, not from Scripture.

You can also read or listen to the Introduction to the book of 2 Samuel.