2 Samuel 18 | Biblion Bible Reader

WEB·2 Samuel 19

¹Joab was told, “Behold, the king weeps and mourns for Absalom.”

KJVAnd it was told^H5046^(H8714) Joab^H3097, Behold, the king^H4428 weepeth^H1058^(H8802) and mourneth^H56^(H8691) for Absalom^H53.

² The victory that day was turned into mourning among all the people, for the people heard it said that day, “The king grieves for his son.”

KJVAnd the victory^H8668 that day^H3117 was turned into mourning^H60 unto all the people^H5971: for the people^H5971 heard^H8085^(H8804) say^H559^(H8800) that day^H3117 how the king^H4428 was grieved^H6087^(H8738) for his son^H1121.

³ The people sneaked into the city that day, as people who are ashamed steal away when they flee in battle.

KJVAnd the people^H5971 gat^H935^(H8800) them by stealth^H1589^(H8691) that day^H3117 into the city^H5892, as people^H5971 being ashamed^H3637^(H8737) steal away^H1589^(H8691) when they flee^H5127^(H8800) in battle^H4421.

⁴ The king covered his face, and the king cried with a loud voice, “My son Absalom, Absalom, my son, my son!”

KJVBut the king^H4428 covered^H3813^(H8804) his face^H6440, and the king^H4428 cried^H2199^(H8799) with a loud^H1419 voice^H6963, O my son^H1121 Absalom^H53, O Absalom^H53, my son^H1121, my son^H1121!

⁵ Joab came into the house to the king, and said, “Today you have shamed the faces of all your servants who today have saved your life, and the lives of your sons and of your daughters, and the lives of your wives, and the lives of your concubines;

KJVAnd Joab^H3097 came^H935^(H8799) into the house^H1004 to the king^H4428, and said^H559^(H8799), Thou hast shamed^H3001^(H8689) this day^H3117 the faces^H6440 of all thy servants^H5650, which this day^H3117 have saved^H4422^(H8764) thy life^H5315, and the lives^H5315 of thy sons^H1121 and of thy daughters^H1323, and the lives^H5315 of thy wives^H802, and the lives^H5315 of thy concubines^H6370;

⁶ in that you love those who hate you and hate those who love you. For you have declared today that princes and servants are nothing to you. For today I perceive that if Absalom had lived and we had all died today, then it would have pleased you well.

KJVIn that thou lovest^H157^(H8800) thine enemies^H8130^(H8802), and hatest^H8130^(H8800) thy friends^H157^(H8802). For thou hast declared^H5046^(H8689) this day^H3117, that thou regardest neither princes^H8269 nor servants^H5650: for this day^H3117 I perceive^H3045^(H8804), that if^H3863 Absalom^H53 had lived^H2416, and all we had died^H4191^(H8801) this day^H3117, then it had pleased thee well^H3477^H5869.

⁷ Now therefore arise, go out and speak to comfort your servants; for I swear by Yahweh, if you don’t go out, not a man will stay with you this night. That would be worse to you than all the evil that has happened to you from your youth until now.”

KJVNow therefore arise^H6965^(H8798), go forth^H3318^(H8798), and speak^H1696^(H8761) comfortably^H3820 unto thy servants^H5650: for I swear^H7650^(H8738) by the LORD^H3068, if thou go not forth^H3318^(H8802), there will not tarry^H3885^(H8799) one^H376 with thee this night^H3915: and that will be worse^H7489^(H8804) unto thee than all the evil^H7451 that befell^H935^(H8804) thee from thy youth^H5271 until now.

⁸ Then the king arose and sat in the gate. The people were all told, “Behold, the king is sitting in the gate.” All the people came before the king. Now Israel had fled every man to his tent.

KJVThen the king^H4428 arose^H6965^(H8799), and sat^H3427^(H8799) in the gate^H8179. And they told^H5046^(H8689) unto all the people^H5971, saying^H559^(H8800), Behold, the king^H4428 doth sit^H3427^(H8802) in the gate^H8179. And all the people^H5971 came^H935^(H8799) before^H6440 the king^H4428: for Israel^H3478 had fled^H5127^(H8804) every man^H376 to his tent^H168.

⁹ All the people were at strife throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, “The king delivered us out of the hand of our enemies, and he saved us out of the hand of the Philistines; and now he has fled out of the land from Absalom.

KJVAnd all the people^H5971 were at strife^H1777^(H8737) throughout all the tribes^H7626 of Israel^H3478, saying^H559^(H8800), The king^H4428 saved^H5337^(H8689) us out of the hand^H3709 of our enemies^H341^(H8802), and he delivered^H4422^(H8765) us out of the hand^H3709 of the Philistines^H6430; and now he is fled^H1272^(H8804) out of the land^H776 for Absalom^H53.

¹⁰ Absalom, whom we anointed over us, is dead in battle. Now therefore why don’t you speak a word of bringing the king back?”

KJVAnd Absalom^H53, whom we anointed^H4886^(H8804) over us, is dead^H4191^(H8804) in battle^H4421. Now therefore why speak^H2790^(H8688) ye not a word of bringing^H7725 the king^H4428 back^H7725^(H8687)?

¹¹ King David sent to Zadok and to 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 speech of all Israel has come to the king, to return him to his house?

KJVAnd king^H4428 David^H1732 sent^H7971^(H8804) to Zadok^H6659 and to Abiathar^H54 the priests^H3548, saying^H559^(H8800), Speak^H1696^(H8761) unto the elders^H2205 of Judah^H3063, saying^H559^(H8800), Why are ye the last^H314 to bring^H7725 the king^H4428 back^H7725^(H8687) to his house^H1004? seeing the speech^H1697 of all Israel^H3478 is come^H935^(H8804) to the king^H4428, even to his house^H1004.

¹² You are my brothers. You are my bone and my flesh. Why then are you the last to bring back the king?’

KJVYe are my brethren^H251, ye are my bones^H6106 and my flesh^H1320: wherefore then are ye the last^H314 to bring back^H7725^(H8687) the king^H4428?

¹³ Say to Amasa, ‘Aren’t you my bone and my flesh? God do so to me, and more also, if you aren’t captain of the army before me continually instead of Joab.’”

KJVAnd say^H559^(H8799) ye to Amasa^H6021, Art thou not of my bone^H6106, and of my flesh^H1320? God^H430 do^H6213^(H8799) so to me, and more^H3254^(H8686) also, if thou be not captain^H8269 of the host^H6635 before^H6440 me continually^H3117 in the room^H8478 of Joab^H3097.

¹⁴ He bowed the heart of all the men of Judah, even as one man, so that they sent to the king, saying, “Return, you and all your servants.”

KJVAnd he bowed^H5186^(H8686) the heart^H3824 of all the men^H376 of Judah^H3063, even as the heart of one^H259 man^H376; so that they sent^H7971^(H8799) this word unto the king^H4428, Return^H7725^(H8798) thou, and all thy servants^H5650.

¹⁵ So the king returned, and came to the Jordan. Judah came to Gilgal, to go to meet the king, to bring the king over the Jordan.

KJVSo the king^H4428 returned^H7725^(H8799), and came^H935^(H8799) to Jordan^H3383. And Judah^H3063 came^H935^(H8804) to Gilgal^H1537, to go^H3212^(H8800) to meet^H7125^(H8800) the king^H4428, to conduct^H5674 the king^H4428 over^H5674^(H8687) Jordan^H3383.

¹⁶ Shimei the son of Gera, the Benjamite, who was of Bahurim, hurried and came down with the men of Judah to meet King David.

KJVAnd Shimei^H8096 the son^H1121 of Gera^H1617, a Benjamite^H1145, which was of Bahurim^H980, hasted^H4116^(H8762) and came down^H3381^(H8799) with the men^H376 of Judah^H3063 to meet^H7125^(H8800) king^H4428 David^H1732.

¹⁷ There were a thousand men of Benjamin with him, and Ziba the servant of Saul’s house, and his fifteen sons and his twenty servants with him; and they went through the Jordan in the presence of the king.

KJVAnd there were a thousand^H505 men^H376 of Benjamin^H1145 with him, and Ziba^H6717 the servant^H5288 of the house^H1004 of Saul^H7586, and his fifteen^H2568^H6240 sons^H1121 and his twenty^H6242 servants^H5650 with him; and they went over^H6743^(H8804) Jordan^H3383 before^H6440 the king^H4428.

¹⁸ A ferry boat went to bring over the king’s household, and to do what he thought good. Shimei the son of Gera fell down before the king when he had come over the Jordan.

KJVAnd there went over^H5674^(H8804) a ferry boat^H5679 to carry over^H5674^(H8687) the king's^H4428 household^H1004, and to do^H6213^(H8800) what he thought^H5869 good^H2896. And Shimei^H8096 the son^H1121 of Gera^H1617 fell down^H5307^(H8804) before^H6440 the king^H4428, as he was come over^H5674^(H8800) Jordan^H3383;

¹⁹ He said to the king, “Don’t let my lord impute iniquity to me, or remember that which your servant did perversely the day that my lord the king went out of Jerusalem, that the king should take it to his heart.

KJVAnd said^H559^(H8799) unto the king^H4428, Let not my lord^H113 impute^H2803^(H8799) iniquity^H5771 unto me, neither do thou remember^H2142^(H8799) that which thy servant^H5650 did perversely^H5753^(H8689) the day^H3117 that my lord^H113 the king^H4428 went out^H3318^(H8804) of Jerusalem^H3389, that the king^H4428 should take^H7760^(H8800) it to his heart^H3820.

²⁰ For your servant knows that I have sinned. Therefore behold, I have come today as the first of all the house of Joseph to go down to meet my lord the king.”

KJVFor thy servant^H5650 doth know^H3045^(H8804) that I have sinned^H2398^(H8804): therefore, behold, I am come^H935^(H8804) the first^H7223 this day^H3117 of all the house^H1004 of Joseph^H3130 to go down^H3381^(H8800) to meet^H7125^(H8800) my lord^H113 the king^H4428.

²¹ But Abishai the son of Zeruiah answered, “Shouldn’t Shimei be put to death for this, because he cursed Yahweh’s anointed?”

KJVBut Abishai^H52 the son^H1121 of Zeruiah^H6870 answered^H6030^(H8799) and said^H559^(H8799), Shall not Shimei^H8096 be put to death^H4191^(H8714) for this, because he cursed^H7043^(H8765) the LORD'S^H3068 anointed^H4899?

²² David said, “What have I to do with you, you sons of Zeruiah, that you should be adversaries to me today? Shall any man be put to death today in Israel? For don’t I know that I am king over Israel today?”

KJVAnd David^H1732 said^H559^(H8799), What have I to do with you, ye sons^H1121 of Zeruiah^H6870, that ye should this day^H3117 be adversaries^H7854 unto me? shall there any man^H376 be put to death^H4191^(H8714) this day^H3117 in Israel^H3478? for do not I know^H3045^(H8804) that I am this day^H3117 king^H4428 over Israel^H3478?

²³ The king said to Shimei, “You will not die.” The king swore to him.

KJVTherefore the king^H4428 said^H559^(H8799) unto Shimei^H8096, Thou shalt not die^H4191^(H8799). And the king^H4428 sware^H7650^(H8735) unto him.

²⁴ Mephibosheth the son of Saul came down to meet the king; and he had neither groomed his feet, nor trimmed his beard, nor washed his clothes, from the day the king departed until the day he came home in peace.

KJVAnd Mephibosheth^H4648 the son^H1121 of Saul^H7586 came down^H3381^(H8804) to meet^H7125^(H8800) the king^H4428, and had neither^H3808 dressed^H6213^(H8804) his feet^H7272, nor trimmed^H6213^(H8804) his beard^H8222, nor washed^H3526^(H8765) his clothes^H899, from the day^H3117 the king^H4428 departed^H3212^(H8800) until the day^H3117 he came^H935^(H8804) again in peace^H7965.

²⁵ When he had come to Jerusalem to meet the king, the king said to him, “Why didn’t you go with me, Mephibosheth?”

KJVAnd it came to pass, when he was come^H935^(H8804) to Jerusalem^H3389 to meet^H7125^(H8800) the king^H4428, that the king^H4428 said^H559^(H8799) unto him, Wherefore wentest^H1980^(H8804) not thou with me, Mephibosheth^H4648?

²⁶ He answered, “My lord, O king, my servant deceived me. For your servant said, ‘I will saddle a donkey for myself, that I may ride on it and go with the king,’ because your servant is lame.

KJVAnd he answered^H559^(H8799), My lord^H113, O king^H4428, my servant^H5650 deceived^H7411^(H8765) me: for thy servant^H5650 said^H559^(H8804), I will saddle^H2280^(H8799) me an ass^H2543, that I may ride^H7392^(H8799) thereon, and go^H3212^(H8799) to the king^H4428; because thy servant^H5650 is lame^H6455.

²⁷ He has slandered your servant to my lord the king, but my lord the king is as an angel of God. Therefore do what is good in your eyes.

KJVAnd he hath slandered^H7270^(H8762) thy servant^H5650 unto my lord^H113 the king^H4428; but my lord^H113 the king^H4428 is as an angel^H4397 of God^H430: do^H6213^(H8798) therefore what is good^H2896 in thine eyes^H5869.

²⁸ For all my father’s house were but dead men before my lord the king; yet you set your servant among those who ate at your own table. What right therefore have I yet that I should appeal any more to the king?”

KJVFor all of my father's^H1 house^H1004 were but^H3808 dead^H4194 men^H582 before my lord^H113 the king^H4428: yet didst thou set^H7896^(H8799) thy servant^H5650 among them that did eat^H398^(H8802) at thine own table^H7979. What right^H6666 therefore have^H3426 I yet to cry^H2199^(H8800) any more unto the king^H4428?

²⁹ The king said to him, “Why do you speak any more of your matters? I say, you and Ziba divide the land.”

KJVAnd the king^H4428 said^H559^(H8799) unto him, Why speakest^H1696^(H8762) thou any more of thy matters^H1697? I have said^H559^(H8804), Thou and Ziba^H6717 divide^H2505^(H8799) the land^H7704.

³⁰ Mephibosheth said to the king, “Yes, let him take all, because my lord the king has come in peace to his own house.”

KJVAnd Mephibosheth^H4648 said^H559^(H8799) unto the king^H4428, Yea, let him take^H3947^(H8799) all, forasmuch^H310 as^H834 my lord^H113 the king^H4428 is come again^H935^(H8804) in peace^H7965 unto his own house^H1004.

³¹ Barzillai the Gileadite came down from Rogelim; and he went over the Jordan with the king to conduct him over the Jordan.

KJVAnd Barzillai^H1271 the Gileadite^H1569 came down^H3381^(H8804) from Rogelim^H7274, and went over^H5674^(H8799) Jordan^H3383 with the king^H4428, to conduct^H7971^(H8763) him over Jordan^H3383.

³² Now Barzillai was a very aged man, even eighty years old. He had provided the king with sustenance while he stayed at Mahanaim, for he was a very great man.

KJVNow Barzillai^H1271 was a very^H3966 aged^H2204^(H8804) man, even fourscore^H8084 years^H8141 old^H1121: and he had provided the king^H4428 of sustenance^H3557^(H8773) while he lay^H7871 at Mahanaim^H4266; for he was a very^H3966 great^H1419 man^H376.

³³ The king said to Barzillai, “Come over with me, and I will sustain you with me in Jerusalem.”

KJVAnd the king^H4428 said^H559^(H8799) unto Barzillai^H1271, Come thou over^H5674^(H8798) with me, and I will feed^H3557^(H8773) thee with me in Jerusalem^H3389.

³⁴ Barzillai said to the king, “How many are the days of the years of my life, that I should go up with the king to Jerusalem?

KJVAnd Barzillai^H1271 said^H559^(H8799) unto the king^H4428, How long^H3117 have I to live^H8141^H2416, that I should go up^H5927^(H8799) with the king^H4428 unto Jerusalem^H3389?

³⁵ I am eighty years old, today. Can I discern between good and bad? Can your servant taste what I eat or what I drink? Can I hear the voice of singing men and singing women any more? Why then should your servant be a burden to my lord the king?

KJVI am this day^H3117 fourscore^H8084 years^H8141 old^H1121: and can I discern^H3045^(H8799) between good^H2896 and evil^H7451? can thy servant^H5650 taste^H2938^(H8799) what^H834 I eat^H398^(H8799) or what^H834 I drink^H8354^(H8799)? can I hear^H8085^(H8799) any more the voice^H6963 of singing men^H7891^(H8802) and singing women^H7891^(H8802)? wherefore then should thy servant^H5650 be yet a burden^H4853 unto my lord^H113 the king^H4428?

³⁶ Your servant will just go over the Jordan with the king. Why should the king repay me with such a reward?

KJVThy servant^H5650 will go^H5674 a little way^H4592 over^H5674^(H8799) Jordan^H3383 with the king^H4428: and why should the king^H4428 recompense^H1580^(H8799) it me with such a reward^H1578?

³⁷ Please let your servant turn back again, that I may die in my own city, by the grave of my father and my mother. But behold, your servant Chimham; let him go over with my lord the king; and do to him what shall seem good to you.”

KJVLet thy servant^H5650, I pray thee, turn back again^H7725^(H8799), that I may die^H4191^(H8799) in mine own city^H5892, and be buried by the grave^H6913 of my father^H1 and of my mother^H517. But behold thy servant^H5650 Chimham^H3643; let him go over^H5674^(H8799) with my lord^H113 the king^H4428; and do^H6213^(H8798) to him what shall seem good^H2896^H5869 unto thee.

³⁸ The king answered, “Chimham shall go over with me, and I will do to him that which shall seem good to you. Whatever you request of me, that I will do for you.”

KJVAnd the king^H4428 answered^H559^(H8799), Chimham^H3643 shall go^H5674^(H8799) over with me, and I will do^H6213^(H8799) to him that which shall seem good^H2896^H5869 unto thee: and whatsoever thou shalt require^H977^(H8799) of me, that will I do^H6213^(H8799) for thee.

³⁹ All the people went over the Jordan, and the king went over. Then the king kissed Barzillai and blessed him; and he returned to his own place.

KJVAnd all the people^H5971 went over^H5674^(H8799) Jordan^H3383. And when the king^H4428 was come over^H5674^(H8804), the king^H4428 kissed^H5401^(H8799) Barzillai^H1271, and blessed^H1288^(H8762) him; and he returned^H7725^(H8799) unto his own place^H4725.

⁴⁰ So the king went over to Gilgal, and Chimham went over with him. All the people of Judah brought the king over, and also half the people of Israel.

KJVThen the king^H4428 went on^H5674^(H8799) to Gilgal^H1537, and Chimham^H3643 went on^H5674^(H8804) with him: and all the people^H5971 of Judah^H3063 conducted^H5674^(H8689)^(H8675)^H5674^(H8686) the king^H4428, and also half^H2677 the people^H5971 of Israel^H3478.

⁴¹ Behold, all the men of Israel came to the king, and said to the king, “Why have our brothers the men of Judah stolen you away, and brought the king and his household, over the Jordan, and all David’s men with him?”

KJVAnd, behold, all the men^H376 of Israel^H3478 came^H935^(H8802) to the king^H4428, and said^H559^(H8799) unto the king^H4428, Why have our brethren^H251 the men^H376 of Judah^H3063 stolen thee away^H1589^(H8804), and have brought^H5674^(H8686) the king^H4428, and his household^H1004, and all David's^H1732 men^H582 with him, over Jordan^H3383?

⁴² All the men of Judah answered the men of Israel, “Because the king is a close relative to us. Why then are you angry about this matter? Have we eaten at all at the king’s cost? Or has he given us any gift?”

KJVAnd all the men^H376 of Judah^H3063 answered^H6030^(H8799) the men^H376 of Israel^H3478, Because the king^H4428 is near of kin^H7138 to us: wherefore then be ye angry^H2734^(H8804) for this matter^H1697? have we eaten^H398^(H8804) at all^H398^(H8800) of the king's^H4428 cost? or hath he given^H5375^(H8765) us any gift^H5379?

⁴³ The men of Israel answered the men of Judah, and said, “We have ten parts in the king, and we have also more claim to David than you. Why then did you despise us, that our advice should not be first had in bringing back our king?” The words of the men of Judah were fiercer than the words of the men of Israel.

KJVAnd the men^H376 of Israel^H3478 answered^H6030^(H8799) the men^H376 of Judah^H3063, and said^H559^(H8799), We have ten^H6235 parts^H3027 in the king^H4428, and we^H589 have also more right in David^H1732 than ye: why then did ye despise^H7043^(H8689) us, that our advice^H1697 should not be first^H7223 had in bringing back^H7725^(H8687) our king^H4428? And the words^H1697 of the men^H376 of Judah^H3063 were fiercer^H7185^(H8799) than the words^H1697 of the men^H376 of Israel^H3478.

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!

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.