2 Samuel 17 | Biblion Bible Reader

WEB·2 Samuel 18

¹David counted the people who were with him, and set captains of thousands and captains of hundreds over them.

KJVAnd David^H1732 numbered^H6485^(H8799) the people^H5971 that were with him, and set^H7760^(H8799) captains^H8269 of thousands^H505 and captains^H8269 of hundreds^H3967 over them.

² David sent the people out, a third part 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 the Gittite. The king said to the people, “I will also surely go out with you myself.”

KJVAnd David^H1732 sent forth^H7971^(H8762) a third part^H7992 of the people^H5971 under the hand^H3027 of Joab^H3097, and a third part^H7992 under the hand^H3027 of Abishai^H52 the son^H1121 of Zeruiah^H6870, Joab's^H3097 brother^H251, and a third part^H7992 under the hand^H3027 of Ittai^H863 the Gittite^H1663. And the king^H4428 said^H559^(H8799) unto the people^H5971, I will surely^H3318^(H8800) go forth^H3318^(H8799) with you myself^H589 also.

³ But the people said, “You shall not go out, for if we flee away, they will not care for us, neither if half of us die, will they care for us. But you are worth ten thousand of us. Therefore now it is better that you are ready to help us out of the city.”

KJVBut the people^H5971 answered^H559^(H8799), Thou shalt not go forth^H3318^(H8799): for if we flee^H5127^(H8799) away^H5127^(H8800), they will not care^H7760^(H8799)^H3820 for us; neither if half^H2677 of us die^H4191^(H8799), will they care^H7760^(H8799)^H3820 for us: but now thou art worth^H3644 ten^H6235 thousand^H505 of us: therefore now it is better^H2896 that thou succour^H5826^(H8800)^(H8675)^H5826^(H8687) us out of the city^H5892.

⁴ The king said to them, “I will do what seems best to you.” The king stood beside the gate, and all the people went out by hundreds and by thousands.

KJVAnd the king^H4428 said^H559^(H8799) unto them, What seemeth^H5869 you best^H3190^(H8799) I will do^H6213^(H8799). And the king^H4428 stood^H5975^(H8799) by the gate^H8179 side^H3027, and all the people^H5971 came out^H3318^(H8804) by hundreds^H3967 and by thousands^H505.

⁵ The king commanded Joab and Abishai and Ittai, saying, “Deal gently for my sake with the young man Absalom.” All the people heard when the king commanded all the captains concerning Absalom.

KJVAnd the king^H4428 commanded^H6680^(H8762) Joab^H3097 and Abishai^H52 and Ittai^H863, saying^H559^(H8800), Deal gently^H328 for my sake with the young man^H5288, even with Absalom^H53. And all the people^H5971 heard^H8085^(H8804) when the king^H4428 gave all the captains^H8269 charge^H6680^(H8763) concerning^H1697 Absalom^H53.

⁶ So the people went out into the field against Israel; and the battle was in the forest of Ephraim.

KJVSo the people^H5971 went out^H3318^(H8799) into the field^H7704 against^H7125^(H8800) Israel^H3478: and the battle^H4421 was in the wood^H3293 of Ephraim^H669;

⁷ The people of Israel were struck there before David’s servants, and there was a great slaughter there that day of twenty thousand men.

KJVWhere the people^H5971 of Israel^H3478 were slain^H5062^(H8735) before^H6440 the servants^H5650 of David^H1732, and there was there a great^H1419 slaughter^H4046 that day^H3117 of twenty^H6242 thousand^H505 men.

⁸ For the battle was there spread over the surface of all the country, and the forest devoured more people that day than the sword devoured.

KJVFor the battle^H4421 was there scattered^H6327^(H8737) over the face^H6440 of all the country^H776: and the wood^H3293 devoured^H398^(H8800) more^H7235^(H8686) people^H5971 that day^H3117 than the sword^H2719 devoured^H398^(H8804).

⁹ Absalom happened to meet David’s servants. Absalom was riding on his mule, and the mule went under the thick boughs of a great oak; and his head caught hold of the oak, and he was hanging between the sky and earth; and the mule that was under him went on.

KJVAnd Absalom^H53 met^H7122^(H8735) the servants^H6440^H5650 of David^H1732. And Absalom^H53 rode^H7392^(H8802) upon a mule^H6505, and the mule^H6505 went^H935^(H8799) under the thick boughs^H7730 of a great^H1419 oak^H424, and his head^H7218 caught hold^H2388^(H8799) of the oak^H424, and he was taken up^H5414^(H8714) between the heaven^H8064 and the earth^H776; and the mule^H6505 that was under him went away^H5674^(H8804).

¹⁰ A certain man saw it, and told Joab, and said, “Behold, I saw Absalom hanging in an oak.”

KJVAnd a certain^H259 man^H376 saw^H7200^(H8799) it, and told^H5046^(H8686) Joab^H3097, and said^H559^(H8799), Behold, I saw^H7200^(H8804) Absalom^H53 hanged^H8518^(H8803) in an oak^H424.

¹¹ Joab said to the man who told him, “Behold, you saw it, and why didn’t you strike him there to the ground? I would have given you ten pieces of silver and a sash.”

KJVAnd Joab^H3097 said^H559^(H8799) unto the man^H376 that told^H5046^(H8688) him, And, behold, thou sawest^H7200^(H8804) him, and why didst thou not smite^H5221^(H8689) him there to the ground^H776? and I would have given^H5414^(H8800) thee ten^H6235 shekels of silver^H3701, and a^H259 girdle^H2290.

¹² The man said to Joab, “Though I should receive a thousand pieces of silver in my hand, I still wouldn’t stretch out my hand against the king’s son; for in our hearing the king commanded you and Abishai and Ittai, saying, ‘Beware that no one touch the young man Absalom.’

KJVAnd the man^H376 said^H559^(H8799) unto Joab^H3097, Though^H3863 I should receive^H8254^(H8802) a thousand^H505 shekels of silver^H3701 in mine hand^H3709, yet would I not put forth^H7971^(H8799) mine hand^H3027 against the king's^H4428 son^H1121: for in our hearing^H241 the king^H4428 charged^H6680^(H8765) thee and Abishai^H52 and Ittai^H863, saying^H559^(H8800), Beware^H8104^(H8798) that none touch the young man^H5288 Absalom^H53.

¹³ Otherwise, if I had dealt falsely against his life (and there is no matter hidden from the king), then you yourself would have set yourself against me.”

KJVOtherwise^H176 I should have wrought^H6213^(H8804) falsehood^H8267 against mine own life^H5315: for there is no matter^H1697 hid^H3582^(H8735) from the king^H4428, and thou thyself wouldest have set^H3320^(H8691) thyself against me.

¹⁴ Then Joab said, “I’m not going to wait like this with you.” He took three darts in his hand and thrust them through Absalom’s heart while he was still alive in the middle of the oak.

KJVThen said^H559^(H8799) Joab^H3097, I may not tarry^H3176^(H8686) thus with thee^H6440. And he took^H3947^(H8799) three^H7969 darts^H7626 in his hand^H3709, and thrust^H8628^(H8799) them through the heart^H3820 of Absalom^H53, while he was yet alive^H2416 in the midst of the oak^H424.

¹⁵ Ten young men who bore Joab’s armor surrounded and struck Absalom, and killed him.

KJVAnd ten^H6235 young men^H5288 that bare^H5375^(H8802) Joab's^H3097 armour^H3627 compassed about^H5437^(H8799) and smote^H5221^(H8686) Absalom^H53, and slew^H4191^(H8686) him.

¹⁶ Joab blew the trumpet, and the people returned from pursuing after Israel; for Joab held the people back.

KJVAnd Joab^H3097 blew^H8628^(H8799) the trumpet^H7782, and the people^H5971 returned^H7725^(H8799) from pursuing^H7291^(H8800) after^H310 Israel^H3478: for Joab^H3097 held back^H2820^(H8804) the people^H5971.

¹⁷ They took Absalom and cast him into a great pit in the forest, and raised over him a very great heap of stones. Then all Israel fled, each to his own tent.

KJVAnd they took^H3947^(H8799) Absalom^H53, and cast^H7993^(H8686) him into a great^H1419 pit^H6354 in the wood^H3293, and laid^H5324^(H8686) a very^H3966 great^H1419 heap^H1530 of stones^H68 upon him: and all Israel^H3478 fled^H5127^(H8804) every one^H376 to his tent^H168.

¹⁸ Now Absalom in his lifetime had taken and reared up for himself the pillar which is in the king’s valley, for he said, “I have no son to keep my name in memory.” He called the pillar after his own name. It is called Absalom’s monument, to this day.

KJVNow Absalom^H53 in his lifetime^H2416 had taken^H3947^(H8804) and reared up^H5324^(H8686) for himself a pillar^H4678, which is in the king's^H4428 dale^H6010: for he said^H559^(H8804), I have no son^H1121 to keep my name^H8034 in remembrance^H2142^(H8687): and he called^H7121^(H8799) the pillar^H4678 after his own name^H8034: and it is called^H7121^(H8735) unto this day^H3117, Absalom's^H53 place^H3027.

¹⁹ Then Ahimaaz the son of Zadok said, “Let me now run and carry the king news, how Yahweh has avenged him of his enemies.”

KJVThen said^H559^(H8804) Ahimaaz^H290 the son^H1121 of Zadok^H6659, Let me now run^H7323^(H8799), and bear^H1319 the king^H4428 tidings^H1319^(H8762), how that the LORD^H3068 hath avenged^H8199^(H8804) him of his enemies^H3027^H341^(H8802).

²⁰ Joab said to him, “You must not be the bearer of news today, but you must carry news another day. But today you must carry no news, because the king’s son is dead.”

KJVAnd Joab^H3097 said^H559^(H8799) unto him, Thou^H376 shalt not bear tidings^H1309 this day^H3117, but thou shalt bear tidings^H1319^(H8765) another^H312 day^H3117: but this day^H3117 thou shalt bear no tidings^H1319^(H8762), because the king's^H4428 son^H1121 is dead^H4191^(H8804).

²¹ Then Joab said to the Cushite, “Go, tell the king what you have seen!” The Cushite bowed himself to Joab, and ran.

KJVThen said^H559^(H8799) Joab^H3097 to Cushi^H3569, Go^H3212^(H8798) tell^H5046^(H8685) the king^H4428 what thou hast seen^H7200^(H8804). And Cushi^H3569 bowed^H7812^(H8691) himself unto Joab^H3097, and ran^H7323^(H8799).

²² Then Ahimaaz the son of Zadok said yet again to Joab, “But come what may, please let me also run after the Cushite.” Joab said, “Why do you want to run, my son, since you will have no reward for the news?”

KJVThen said^H559^(H8799) Ahimaaz^H290 the son^H1121 of Zadok^H6659 yet again^H3254^(H8686) to Joab^H3097, But howsoever^H4100, let me, I pray thee, also run^H7323^(H8799) after^H310 Cushi^H3569. And Joab^H3097 said^H559^(H8799), Wherefore wilt thou run^H7323^(H8801), my son^H1121, seeing that thou hast no tidings^H1309 ready^H4672^(H8802)?

²³ “But come what may,” he said, “I will run.” He said to him, “Run!” Then Ahimaaz ran by the way of the Plain, and outran the Cushite.

KJVBut howsoever, said he, let me run^H7323^(H8799). And he said^H559^(H8799) unto him, Run^H7323^(H8798). Then Ahimaaz^H290 ran^H7323^(H8799) by the way^H1870 of the plain^H3603, and overran^H5674^(H8799) Cushi^H3569.

²⁴ Now David was sitting between the two gates; and the watchman went up to the roof of the gate to the wall, and lifted up his eyes and looked, and, behold, a man running alone.

KJVAnd David^H1732 sat^H3427^(H8802) between the two^H8147 gates^H8179: and the watchman^H6822^(H8802) went up^H3212^(H8799) to the roof^H1406 over the gate^H8179 unto the wall^H2346, and lifted up^H5375^(H8799) his eyes^H5869, and looked^H7200^(H8799), and behold a man^H376 running^H7323^(H8801) alone.

²⁵ The watchman shouted and told the king. The king said, “If he is alone, there is news in his mouth.” He came closer and closer.

KJVAnd the watchman^H6822^(H8802) cried^H7121^(H8799), and told^H5046^(H8686) the king^H4428. And the king^H4428 said^H559^(H8799), If he be alone, there is tidings^H1309 in his mouth^H6310. And he came^H3212^(H8799) apace^H1980^(H8800), and drew near^H7131.

²⁶ The watchman saw another man running; and the watchman called to the gatekeeper and said, “Behold, a man running alone!” The king said, “He also brings news.”

KJVAnd the watchman^H6822^(H8802) saw^H7200^(H8799) another^H312 man^H376 running^H7323^(H8801): and the watchman^H6822^(H8802) called^H7121^(H8799) unto the porter^H7778, and said^H559^(H8799), Behold another man^H376 running^H7323^(H8801) alone. And the king^H4428 said^H559^(H8799), He also bringeth tidings^H1319^(H8764).

²⁷ The watchman said, “I think the running of the first one is like the running of Ahimaaz the son of Zadok.” The king said, “He is a good man, and comes with good news.”

KJVAnd the watchman^H6822^(H8802) said^H559^(H8799), Me thinketh^H7200^(H8802) the running^H4794 of the foremost^H7223 is like the running^H4794 of Ahimaaz^H290 the son^H1121 of Zadok^H6659. And the king^H4428 said^H559^(H8799), He is a good^H2896 man^H376, and cometh^H935^(H8799) with good^H2896 tidings^H1309.

²⁸ Ahimaaz called, and said to the king, “All is well.” He bowed himself before the king with his face to the earth, and said, “Blessed is Yahweh your God, who has delivered up the men who lifted up their hand against my lord the king!”

KJVAnd Ahimaaz^H290 called^H7121^(H8799), and said^H559^(H8799) unto the king^H4428, All is well^H7965. And he fell down^H7812^(H8691) to the earth^H776 upon his face^H639 before the king^H4428, and said^H559^(H8799), Blessed^H1288^(H8803) be the LORD^H3068 thy God^H430, which hath delivered up^H5462^(H8765) the men^H582 that lifted up^H5375^(H8804) their hand^H3027 against my lord^H113 the king^H4428.

²⁹ The king said, “Is it well with the young man Absalom?” Ahimaaz answered, “When Joab sent the king’s servant, even me your servant, I saw a great tumult, but I don’t know what it was.”

KJVAnd the king^H4428 said^H559^(H8799), Is the young man^H5288 Absalom^H53 safe^H7965? And Ahimaaz^H290 answered^H559^(H8799), When Joab^H3097 sent^H7971^(H8800) the king's^H4428 servant^H5650, and me thy servant^H5650, I saw^H7200^(H8804) a great^H1419 tumult^H1995, but I knew^H3045^(H8804) not what it was.

³⁰ The king said, “Come and stand here.” He came and stood still.

KJVAnd the king^H4428 said^H559^(H8799) unto him, Turn aside^H5437^(H8798), and stand^H3320^(H8690) here^H3541. And he turned aside^H5437^(H8735), and stood still^H5975^(H8799).

³¹ Behold, the Cushite came. The Cushite said, “Good news for my lord the king, for Yahweh has avenged you today of all those who rose up against you.”

KJVAnd, behold, Cushi^H3569 came^H935^(H8802); and Cushi^H3569 said^H559^(H8799), Tidings^H1319^(H8691), my lord^H113 the king^H4428: for the LORD^H3068 hath avenged^H8199^(H8804) thee this day^H3117 of all them^H3027 that rose up^H6965^(H8801) against thee.

³² The king said to the Cushite, “Is it well with the young man Absalom?” The Cushite answered, “May the enemies of my lord the king, and all who rise up against you to do you harm, be as that young man is.”

KJVAnd the king^H4428 said^H559^(H8799) unto Cushi^H3569, Is the young man^H5288 Absalom^H53 safe^H7965? And Cushi^H3569 answered^H559^(H8799), The enemies^H341^(H8802) of my lord^H113 the king^H4428, and all that rise^H6965^(H8804) against thee to do thee hurt^H7451, be as that young man^H5288 is.

³³ The king was much moved, and went up to the room over the gate and wept. As he went, he said, “My son Absalom! My son, my son Absalom! I wish I had died instead of you, Absalom, my son, my son!”

KJVAnd the king^H4428 was much moved^H7264^(H8799), and went up^H5927^(H8799) to the chamber^H5944 over the gate^H8179, and wept^H1058^(H8799): and as he went^H3212^(H8800), thus he said^H559^(H8804), O my son^H1121 Absalom^H53, my son^H1121, my son^H1121 Absalom^H53! would God I had died^H4191^(H8800) for thee^H5414^(H8799), O Absalom^H53, my son^H1121, my son^H1121!

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.

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.