1News of Saul's Death and David's Lament
📜 The old Bible words
💬 In today’s words
1Now it came to pass after the death of Saul, when David was returned from the slaughter of the Amalekites, and David had abode two days in Ziklag;
1After Saul died, David came back from striking down the Amalekites and stayed two days in Ziklag.
2It came even to pass on the third day, that, behold, a man came out of the camp from Saul with his clothes rent, and earth upon his head: and so it was, when he came to David, that he fell to the earth, and did obeisance.
2On the third day a man arrived from Saul's camp with his clothes torn and dirt on his head. When he reached David, he dropped to the ground and bowed low.
3And David said unto him, From whence comest thou? And he said unto him, Out of the camp of Israel am I escaped.
3David asked him, "Where have you come from?" He answered, "I escaped from the camp of Israel."
4And David said unto him, How went the matter? I pray thee, tell me. And he answered, That the people are fled from the battle, and many of the people also are fallen and dead; and Saul and Jonathan his son are dead also.
4David said, "How did it go? Please tell me." He replied, "The army ran from the battle, and many of the men fell and died. Saul and his son Jonathan are dead too."
5And David said unto the young man that told him, How knowest thou that Saul and Jonathan his son be dead?
5David asked the young man who brought the news, "How do you know that Saul and his son Jonathan are dead?"
6And the young man that told him said, As I happened by chance upon mount Gilboa, behold, Saul leaned upon his spear; and, lo, the chariots and horsemen followed hard after him.
6The young man said, "I happened to be on Mount Gilboa, and there was Saul leaning on his spear, with the chariots and horsemen closing in on him.
7And when he looked behind him, he saw me, and called unto me. And I answered, Here am I.
7"When he looked behind him, he saw me and called to me, and I answered, 'Here I am.'
8And he said unto me, Who art thou? And I answered him, I am an Amalekite.
8"He asked me, 'Who are you?' I told him, 'I am an Amalekite.'
9He said unto me again, Stand, I pray thee, upon me, and slay me: for anguish is come upon me, because my life is yet whole in me.
9"Then he said to me, 'Come stand over me and kill me, for I am in agony, and yet life still clings to me.'
10So I stood upon him, and slew him, because I was sure that he could not live after that he was fallen: and I took the crown that was upon his head, and the bracelet that was on his arm, and have brought them hither unto my lord.
10"So I stood over him and killed him, because I knew he could not survive after falling like that. Then I took the crown from his head and the band from his arm, and I have brought them here to you, my lord."
11Then David took hold on his clothes, and rent them; and likewise all the men that were with him:
11Then David grabbed his clothes and tore them, and so did all the men with him.
12And they mourned, and wept, and fasted until even, for Saul, and for Jonathan his son, and for the people of the LORD, and for the house of Israel; because they were fallen by the sword.
12They mourned and wept and fasted until evening for Saul and his son Jonathan, for the people of the LORD and for the house of Israel, because they had fallen by the sword.
13And David said unto the young man that told him, Whence art thou? And he answered, I am the son of a stranger, an Amalekite.
13David asked the young man who had brought the news, "Where are you from?" He answered, "I am the son of a foreigner, an Amalekite."
14And David said unto him, How wast thou not afraid to stretch forth thine hand to destroy the LORD’s anointed?
14David said to him, "How is it you were not afraid to lift your hand and destroy the LORD's anointed?"
15And David called one of the young men, and said, Go near, and fall upon him. And he smote him that he died.
15Then David called one of his young men and said, "Go over and strike him down." So he struck him, and he died.
16And David said unto him, Thy blood be upon thy head; for thy mouth hath testified against thee, saying, I have slain the LORD’s anointed.
16David said to him, "Your blood is on your own head, for your own mouth testified against you when you said, 'I killed the LORD's anointed.'"
17And David lamented with this lamentation over Saul and over Jonathan his son:
17Then David sang this song of grief over Saul and his son Jonathan,
18(Also he bade them teach the children of Judah the use of the bow: behold, it is written in the book of Jasher.)
18and he ordered that the people of Judah be taught the Song of the Bow; it is written in the Book of Jasher.
19The beauty of Israel is slain upon thy high places: how are the mighty fallen!
19"Your glory, Israel, lies slain on your high places. How the mighty have fallen!
20Tell it not in Gath, publish it not in the streets of Askelon; lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice, lest the daughters of the uncircumcised triumph.
20"Do not tell it in Gath; do not announce it in the streets of Ashkelon, or the daughters of the Philistines will be glad, and the daughters of the uncircumcised will celebrate.
21Ye mountains of Gilboa, let there be no dew, neither let there be rain, upon you, nor fields of offerings: for there the shield of the mighty is vilely cast away, the shield of Saul, as though he had not been anointed with oil.
21"Mountains of Gilboa, may no dew or rain fall on you, and no fields yield offerings, for there the shield of the mighty was thrown down in disgrace, the shield of Saul, as if it had never been anointed with oil.
22From the blood of the slain, from the fat of the mighty, the bow of Jonathan turned not back, and the sword of Saul returned not empty.
22"From the blood of the slain, from the fat of the mighty, the bow of Jonathan never turned back, and the sword of Saul never came home empty.
23Saul and Jonathan were lovely and pleasant in their lives, and in their death they were not divided: they were swifter than eagles, they were stronger than lions.
23"Saul and Jonathan, loved and delightful in life, were not parted in death. They were swifter than eagles; they were stronger than lions.
24Ye daughters of Israel, weep over Saul, who clothed you in scarlet, with other delights, who put on ornaments of gold upon your apparel.
24"Daughters of Israel, weep for Saul, who dressed you in scarlet and fine things, who put gold ornaments on your clothing.
25How are the mighty fallen in the midst of the battle! O Jonathan, thou wast slain in thine high places.
25"How the mighty have fallen in the thick of the battle! Jonathan lies slain on your high places.
26I am distressed for thee, my brother Jonathan: very pleasant hast thou been unto me: thy love to me was wonderful, passing the love of women.
26"I grieve for you, my brother Jonathan. You were so dear to me. Your love for me was wonderful, more wonderful than the love of women.
27How are the mighty fallen, and the weapons of war perished!
27"How the mighty have fallen, and the weapons of war have perished!"
2David Anointed King over Judah
📜 The old Bible words
💬 In today’s words
1And it came to pass after this, that David enquired of the LORD, saying, Shall I go up into any of the cities of Judah? And the LORD said unto him, Go up. And David said, Whither shall I go up? And he said, Unto Hebron.
1After this, David asked the LORD, "Should I go up to one of the towns of Judah?" The LORD told him, "Go up." David asked, "Where should I go?" He said, "To Hebron."
2So David went up thither, and his two wives also, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail Nabal’s wife the Carmelite.
2So David went up there with his two wives, Ahinoam from Jezreel and Abigail from Carmel, the widow of Nabal.
3And his men that were with him did David bring up, every man with his household: and they dwelt in the cities of Hebron.
3David also brought up the men who were with him, each with his household, and they settled in the towns around Hebron.
4And the men of Judah came, and there they anointed David king over the house of Judah. And they told David, saying, That the men of Jabeshgilead were they that buried Saul.
4Then the men of Judah came, and there they anointed David king over the house of Judah. They told David that it was the men of Jabesh Gilead who had buried Saul.
5And David sent messengers unto the men of Jabeshgilead, and said unto them, Blessed be ye of the LORD, that ye have shewed this kindness unto your lord, even unto Saul, and have buried him.
5So David sent messengers to the men of Jabesh Gilead to say to them, "May the LORD bless you for showing this kindness to your master Saul by burying him.
6And now the LORD shew kindness and truth unto you: and I also will requite you this kindness, because ye have done this thing.
6"And now may the LORD show you kindness and faithfulness, and I too will repay you for this good thing you have done.
7Therefore now let your hands be strengthened, and be ye valiant: for your master Saul is dead, and also the house of Judah have anointed me king over them.
7"So now be strong and brave, for your master Saul is dead, and the house of Judah has anointed me king over them."
8But Abner the son of Ner, captain of Saul’s host, took Ishbosheth the son of Saul, and brought him over to Mahanaim;
8But Abner son of Ner, the commander of Saul's army, had taken Saul's son Ishbosheth and brought him over to Mahanaim,
9And made him king over Gilead, and over the Ashurites, and over Jezreel, and over Ephraim, and over Benjamin, and over all Israel.
9where he made him king over Gilead, the Ashurites, Jezreel, Ephraim, Benjamin, and all Israel.
10Ishbosheth Saul’s son was forty years old when he began to reign over Israel, and reigned two years. But the house of Judah followed David.
10Ishbosheth son of Saul was forty years old when he became king over Israel, and he reigned two years. But the house of Judah followed David.
11And the time that David was king in Hebron over the house of Judah was seven years and six months.
11David was king in Hebron over the house of Judah for seven years and six months.
12And Abner the son of Ner, and the servants of Ishbosheth the son of Saul, went out from Mahanaim to Gibeon.
12Abner son of Ner and the servants of Ishbosheth son of Saul marched out from Mahanaim to Gibeon.
13And Joab the son of Zeruiah, and the servants of David, went out, and met together by the pool of Gibeon: and they sat down, the one on the one side of the pool, and the other on the other side of the pool.
13Joab son of Zeruiah and David's servants went out and met them at the pool of Gibeon. One group sat down on one side of the pool and the other on the other side.
14And Abner said to Joab, Let the young men now arise, and play before us. And Joab said, Let them arise.
14Abner said to Joab, "Let the young men get up and compete in front of us." Joab said, "Let them get up."
15Then there arose and went over by number twelve of Benjamin, which pertained to Ishbosheth the son of Saul, and twelve of the servants of David.
15So they got up and were counted off: twelve from Benjamin on the side of Ishbosheth son of Saul, and twelve of David's servants.
16And they caught every one his fellow by the head, and thrust his sword in his fellow’s side; so they fell down together: wherefore that place was called Helkathhazzurim, which is in Gibeon.
16Each man grabbed his opponent by the head and drove his sword into his opponent's side, so they all fell together. That is why the place in Gibeon was named Helkath Hazzurim.
17And there was a very sore battle that day; and Abner was beaten, and the men of Israel, before the servants of David.
17The fighting that day was very fierce, and Abner and the men of Israel were beaten by David's servants.
18And there were three sons of Zeruiah there, Joab, and Abishai, and Asahel: and Asahel was as light of foot as a wild roe.
18The three sons of Zeruiah were there: Joab, Abishai, and Asahel. Asahel was as fast on his feet as a wild gazelle.
19And Asahel pursued after Abner; and in going he turned not to the right hand nor to the left from following Abner.
19Asahel chased after Abner, never turning to the right or the left as he followed him.
20Then Abner looked behind him, and said, Art thou Asahel? And he answered, I am.
20Abner looked behind him and said, "Is that you, Asahel?" He answered, "It is."
21And Abner said to him, Turn thee aside to thy right hand or to thy left, and lay thee hold on one of the young men, and take thee his armour. But Asahel would not turn aside from following of him.
21Abner said to him, "Turn off to your right or your left, grab one of the young men, and take his gear for yourself." But Asahel would not stop chasing him.
22And Abner said again to Asahel, Turn thee aside from following me: wherefore should I smite thee to the ground? how then should I hold up my face to Joab thy brother?
22Again Abner said to Asahel, "Stop chasing me! Why should I have to strike you down? How could I ever look your brother Joab in the face?"
23Howbeit he refused to turn aside: wherefore Abner with the hinder end of the spear smote him under the fifth rib, that the spear came out behind him; and he fell down there, and died in the same place: and it came to pass, that as many as came to the place where Asahel fell down and died stood still.
23But he refused to turn aside, so Abner drove the butt of his spear into his belly, and it came out his back. He fell there and died on the spot. And everyone who came to the place where Asahel had fallen and died stopped and stood still.
24Joab also and Abishai pursued after Abner: and the sun went down when they were come to the hill of Ammah, that lieth before Giah by the way of the wilderness of Gibeon.
24Joab and Abishai kept chasing Abner, and as the sun was setting they came to the hill of Ammah, which lies opposite Giah on the road to the wilderness of Gibeon.
25And the children of Benjamin gathered themselves together after Abner, and became one troop, and stood on the top of an hill.
25The men of Benjamin rallied behind Abner, formed one band, and took their stand on the top of a hill.
26Then Abner called to Joab, and said, Shall the sword devour for ever? knowest thou not that it will be bitterness in the latter end? how long shall it be then, ere thou bid the people return from following their brethren?
26Then Abner called out to Joab, "Must the sword keep devouring forever? Don't you know that it will only end in bitterness? How long before you tell your men to stop chasing their brothers?"
27And Joab said, As God liveth, unless thou hadst spoken, surely then in the morning the people had gone up every one from following his brother.
27Joab answered, "As surely as God lives, if you had not spoken, the men would have kept chasing their brothers until morning."
28So Joab blew a trumpet, and all the people stood still, and pursued after Israel no more, neither fought they any more.
28So Joab blew the trumpet, and all the men stopped. They chased Israel no further and fought no more.
29And Abner and his men walked all that night through the plain, and passed over Jordan, and went through all Bithron, and they came to Mahanaim.
29Abner and his men marched all that night through the Arabah, crossed the Jordan, went on through all Bithron, and came to Mahanaim.
30And Joab returned from following Abner: and when he had gathered all the people together, there lacked of David’s servants nineteen men and Asahel.
30When Joab turned back from chasing Abner and gathered all his men, nineteen of David's servants were missing, besides Asahel.
31But the servants of David had smitten of Benjamin, and of Abner’s men, so that three hundred and threescore men died.
31But David's servants had struck down three hundred sixty of the men of Benjamin and Abner's men.
32And they took up Asahel, and buried him in the sepulchre of his father, which was in Bethlehem. And Joab and his men went all night, and they came to Hebron at break of day.
32They carried Asahel and buried him in his father's tomb in Bethlehem. Then Joab and his men marched all night and reached Hebron at daybreak.
3Abner Turns to David and Is Murdered
📜 The old Bible words
💬 In today’s words
1Now there was long war between the house of Saul and the house of David: but David waxed stronger and stronger, and the house of Saul waxed weaker and weaker.
1The war between the house of Saul and the house of David dragged on a long time, but David grew stronger and stronger while the house of Saul grew weaker and weaker.
2And unto David were sons born in Hebron: and his firstborn was Amnon, of Ahinoam the Jezreelitess;
2Sons were born to David in Hebron. His firstborn was Amnon, whose mother was Ahinoam from Jezreel;
3And his second, Chileab, of Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite; and the third, Absalom the son of Maacah the daughter of Talmai king of Geshur;
3his second was Chileab, whose mother was Abigail from Carmel, the widow of Nabal; the third was Absalom, the son of Maacah, daughter of Talmai king of Geshur;
4And the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith; and the fifth, Shephatiah the son of Abital;
4the fourth was Adonijah, son of Haggith; the fifth was Shephatiah, son of Abital;
5And the sixth, Ithream, by Eglah David’s wife. These were born to David in Hebron.
5and the sixth was Ithream, by David's wife Eglah. These were born to David in Hebron.
6And it came to pass, while there was war between the house of Saul and the house of David, that Abner made himself strong for the house of Saul.
6While the war between the house of Saul and the house of David went on, Abner was making his own position strong within the house of Saul.
7And Saul had a concubine, whose name was Rizpah, the daughter of Aiah: and Ishbosheth said to Abner, Wherefore hast thou gone in unto my father’s concubine?
7Now Saul had had a concubine named Rizpah, the daughter of Aiah. Ishbosheth said to Abner, "Why did you sleep with my father's concubine?"
8Then was Abner very wroth for the words of Ishbosheth, and said, Am I a dog’s head, which against Judah do shew kindness this day unto the house of Saul thy father, to his brethren, and to his friends, and have not delivered thee into the hand of David, that thou chargest me to day with a fault concerning this woman?
8Abner was furious at Ishbosheth's words and said, "Am I some dog's head on Judah's side? To this day I have been loyal to the house of your father Saul, to his brothers and his friends, and I have not handed you over to David. Yet today you accuse me of a fault over this woman!
9So do God to Abner, and more also, except, as the LORD hath sworn to David, even so I do to him;
9"May God deal with Abner, and worse, if I do not do for David what the LORD swore to him:
10To translate the kingdom from the house of Saul, and to set up the throne of David over Israel and over Judah, from Dan even to Beersheba.
10"to move the kingdom from the house of Saul and set up David's throne over Israel and over Judah, from Dan all the way to Beersheba."
11And he could not answer Abner a word again, because he feared him.
11Ishbosheth could not say another word to Abner, because he was afraid of him.
12And Abner sent messengers to David on his behalf, saying, Whose is the land? saying also, Make thy league with me, and, behold, my hand shall be with thee, to bring about all Israel unto thee.
12Abner sent messengers to David on his own behalf, saying, "Whose land is this? Make a covenant with me, and I will use my influence to bring all Israel over to you."
13And he said, Well; I will make a league with thee: but one thing I require of thee, that is, Thou shalt not see my face, except thou first bring Michal Saul’s daughter, when thou comest to see my face.
13David answered, "Good. I will make a covenant with you. But I require one thing of you: you will not see my face unless you bring Saul's daughter Michal when you come to see me."
14And David sent messengers to Ishbosheth Saul’s son, saying, Deliver me my wife Michal, which I espoused to me for an hundred foreskins of the Philistines.
14Then David sent messengers to Saul's son Ishbosheth, saying, "Give me back my wife Michal. I paid for her with a hundred Philistine foreskins."
15And Ishbosheth sent, and took her from her husband, even from Phaltiel the son of Laish.
15So Ishbosheth sent and had her taken from her husband, Paltiel son of Laish.
16And her husband went with her along weeping behind her to Bahurim. Then said Abner unto him, Go, return. And he returned.
16Her husband walked behind her, weeping, all the way to Bahurim. Then Abner told him, "Go on home." And he went back.
17And Abner had communication with the elders of Israel, saying, Ye sought for David in times past to be king over you:
17Abner talked with the elders of Israel and said, "For a long time you have wanted David as your king.
18Now then do it: for the LORD hath spoken of David, saying, By the hand of my servant David I will save my people Israel out of the hand of the Philistines, and out of the hand of all their enemies.
18"Now do it! For the LORD has said of David, 'By the hand of my servant David I will save my people Israel from the Philistines and from all their enemies.'"
19And Abner also spake in the ears of Benjamin: and Abner went also to speak in the ears of David in Hebron all that seemed good to Israel, and that seemed good to the whole house of Benjamin.
19Abner also spoke personally with the people of Benjamin. Then he went to Hebron to tell David everything that Israel and the whole house of Benjamin had agreed to.
20So Abner came to David to Hebron, and twenty men with him. And David made Abner and the men that were with him a feast.
20When Abner came to David at Hebron with twenty men, David gave a feast for Abner and the men with him.
21And Abner said unto David, I will arise and go, and will gather all Israel unto my lord the king, that they may make a league with thee, and that thou mayest reign over all that thine heart desireth. And David sent Abner away; and he went in peace.
21Abner said to David, "Let me go and gather all Israel to my lord the king, so they can make a covenant with you and you can reign over everything your heart desires." So David sent Abner off, and he left in peace.
22And, behold, the servants of David and Joab came from pursuing a troop, and brought in a great spoil with them: but Abner was not with David in Hebron; for he had sent him away, and he was gone in peace.
22Just then David's servants and Joab came back from a raid, bringing plenty of plunder with them. But Abner was no longer with David in Hebron, because David had sent him away and he had left in peace.
23When Joab and all the host that was with him were come, they told Joab, saying, Abner the son of Ner came to the king, and he hath sent him away, and he is gone in peace.
23When Joab and the whole force with him arrived, Joab was told, "Abner son of Ner came to the king, and the king sent him away, and he has left in peace."
24Then Joab came to the king, and said, What hast thou done? behold, Abner came unto thee; why is it that thou hast sent him away, and he is quite gone?
24Joab went to the king and said, "What have you done? Abner came to you. Why did you send him off so that he got clean away?
25Thou knowest Abner the son of Ner, that he came to deceive thee, and to know thy going out and thy coming in, and to know all that thou doest.
25"You know Abner son of Ner. He came to fool you, to learn your movements and to find out everything you are doing."
26And when Joab was come out from David, he sent messengers after Abner, which brought him again from the well of Sirah: but David knew it not.
26When Joab left David, he sent messengers after Abner, and they brought him back from the well of Sirah. But David knew nothing about it.
27And when Abner was returned to Hebron, Joab took him aside in the gate to speak with him quietly, and smote him there under the fifth rib, that he died, for the blood of Asahel his brother.
27When Abner returned to Hebron, Joab took him aside inside the gateway, as if to speak with him privately, and there he stabbed him in the belly. He died for the blood of Joab's brother Asahel.
28And afterward when David heard it, he said, I and my kingdom are guiltless before the LORD for ever from the blood of Abner the son of Ner:
28Afterward, when David heard about it, he said, "Before the LORD, I and my kingdom are innocent forever of the blood of Abner son of Ner.
29Let it rest on the head of Joab, and on all his father’s house; and let there not fail from the house of Joab one that hath an issue, or that is a leper, or that leaneth on a staff, or that falleth on the sword, or that lacketh bread.
29"Let it fall on the head of Joab and on all his father's family. May Joab's house never be without someone who has a discharge or leprosy, who leans on a crutch, who falls by the sword, or who goes without bread."
30So Joab and Abishai his brother slew Abner, because he had slain their brother Asahel at Gibeon in the battle.
30So Joab and his brother Abishai killed Abner because he had killed their brother Asahel in the battle at Gibeon.
31And David said to Joab, and to all the people that were with him, Rend your clothes, and gird you with sackcloth, and mourn before Abner. And king David himself followed the bier.
31Then David said to Joab and to everyone with him, "Tear your clothes, put on sackcloth, and mourn in front of Abner." King David himself walked behind the body.
32And they buried Abner in Hebron: and the king lifted up his voice, and wept at the grave of Abner; and all the people wept.
32They buried Abner in Hebron, and the king wept aloud at Abner's grave, and all the people wept too.
33And the king lamented over Abner, and said, Died Abner as a fool dieth?
33The king sang this lament for Abner: "Should Abner have died the way a fool dies?
34Thy hands were not bound, nor thy feet put into fetters: as a man falleth before wicked men, so fellest thou. And all the people wept again over him.
34"Your hands were not tied, your feet were not put in chains. You fell the way a man falls before wicked men." And all the people wept over him again.
35And when all the people came to cause David to eat meat while it was yet day, David sware, saying, So do God to me, and more also, if I taste bread, or ought else, till the sun be down.
35Then everyone came and urged David to eat something while it was still daylight, but David swore, "May God deal with me, and worse, if I taste bread or anything else before the sun goes down."
36And all the people took notice of it, and it pleased them: as whatsoever the king did pleased all the people.
36All the people noticed this, and it pleased them, just as everything the king did pleased them.
37For all the people and all Israel understood that day that it was not of the king to slay Abner the son of Ner.
37So all the people and all Israel understood that day that the king had no part in the killing of Abner son of Ner.
38And the king said unto his servants, Know ye not that there is a prince and a great man fallen this day in Israel?
38The king said to his servants, "Don't you realize that a prince and a great man has fallen in Israel today?
39And I am this day weak, though anointed king; and these men the sons of Zeruiah be too hard for me: the LORD shall reward the doer of evil according to his wickedness.
39"And today I am weak, even though I am the anointed king, and these men, the sons of Zeruiah, are too hard for me. May the LORD repay the wrongdoer according to his wickedness."
4The Murder of Ishbosheth
📜 The old Bible words
💬 In today’s words
1And when Saul’s son heard that Abner was dead in Hebron, his hands were feeble, and all the Israelites were troubled.
1When Saul's son heard that Abner had died in Hebron, his courage failed, and all Israel was alarmed.
2And Saul’s son had two men that were captains of bands: the name of the one was Baanah, and the name of the other Rechab, the sons of Rimmon a Beerothite, of the children of Benjamin: (for Beeroth also was reckoned to Benjamin.
2Saul's son had two men who led raiding bands. One was named Baanah and the other Rechab; they were sons of Rimmon from Beeroth, of the tribe of Benjamin. (Beeroth is counted as part of Benjamin,
3And the Beerothites fled to Gittaim, and were sojourners there until this day.)
3because the people of Beeroth fled to Gittaim and have lived there as foreigners to this day.)
4And Jonathan, Saul’s son, had a son that was lame of his feet. He was five years old when the tidings came of Saul and Jonathan out of Jezreel, and his nurse took him up, and fled: and it came to pass, as she made haste to flee, that he fell, and became lame. And his name was Mephibosheth.
4Saul's son Jonathan had a son who was crippled in both feet. He was five years old when the news about Saul and Jonathan came from Jezreel. His nurse picked him up and ran, but in her hurry to escape he fell and was left lame. His name was Mephibosheth.
5And the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, Rechab and Baanah, went, and came about the heat of the day to the house of Ishbosheth, who lay on a bed at noon.
5Rechab and Baanah, the sons of Rimmon from Beeroth, set out and arrived at the house of Ishbosheth in the heat of the day, while he was taking his midday rest.
6And they came thither into the midst of the house, as though they would have fetched wheat; and they smote him under the fifth rib: and Rechab and Baanah his brother escaped.
6They went into the middle of the house as though they were fetching wheat, and they stabbed him in the belly. Then Rechab and his brother Baanah slipped away.
7For when they came into the house, he lay on his bed in his bedchamber, and they smote him, and slew him, and beheaded him, and took his head, and gat them away through the plain all night.
7They had entered the house while he was lying on the bed in his bedroom, struck him, killed him, and cut off his head. Then they took the head and traveled all night through the Arabah.
8And they brought the head of Ishbosheth unto David to Hebron, and said to the king, Behold the head of Ishbosheth the son of Saul thine enemy, which sought thy life; and the LORD hath avenged my lord the king this day of Saul, and of his seed.
8They brought the head of Ishbosheth to David at Hebron and said to the king, "Here is the head of Ishbosheth, the son of your enemy Saul, who tried to take your life. Today the LORD has given my lord the king revenge on Saul and his descendants."
9And David answered Rechab and Baanah his brother, the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, and said unto them, As the LORD liveth, who hath redeemed my soul out of all adversity,
9David answered Rechab and his brother Baanah, the sons of Rimmon from Beeroth, "As surely as the LORD lives, who has rescued me from every trouble,
10When one told me, saying, Behold, Saul is dead, thinking to have brought good tidings, I took hold of him, and slew him in Ziklag, who thought that I would have given him a reward for his tidings:
10"when a man told me, 'Saul is dead,' thinking he was bringing good news, I seized him and killed him in Ziklag. That was the reward I gave him for his news.
11How much more, when wicked men have slain a righteous person in his own house upon his bed? shall I not therefore now require his blood of your hand, and take you away from the earth?
11"How much more, when wicked men have killed an innocent man in his own house on his own bed! Shouldn't I now demand his blood from your hands and wipe you from the earth?"
12And David commanded his young men, and they slew them, and cut off their hands and their feet, and hanged them up over the pool in Hebron. But they took the head of Ishbosheth, and buried it in the sepulchre of Abner in Hebron.
12So David gave the order to his young men, and they killed them, cut off their hands and feet, and hung the bodies up beside the pool in Hebron. But they took the head of Ishbosheth and buried it in Abner's tomb at Hebron.
5David King over All Israel
📜 The old Bible words
💬 In today’s words
1Then came all the tribes of Israel to David unto Hebron, and spake, saying, Behold, we are thy bone and thy flesh.
1Then all the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron and said, "Look, we are your own flesh and blood.
2Also in time past, when Saul was king over us, thou wast he that leddest out and broughtest in Israel: and the LORD said to thee, Thou shalt feed my people Israel, and thou shalt be a captain over Israel.
2"In the past, when Saul was king over us, you were the one who led Israel out to battle and brought them home. And the LORD said to you, 'You will shepherd my people Israel, and you will be their ruler.'"
3So all the elders of Israel came to the king to Hebron; and king David made a league with them in Hebron before the LORD: and they anointed David king over Israel.
3So all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron, and King David made a covenant with them at Hebron before the LORD, and they anointed David king over Israel.
4David was thirty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned forty years.
4David was thirty years old when he became king, and he reigned forty years.
5In Hebron he reigned over Judah seven years and six months: and in Jerusalem he reigned thirty and three years over all Israel and Judah.
5In Hebron he reigned over Judah seven years and six months, and in Jerusalem he reigned thirty-three years over all Israel and Judah.
6And the king and his men went to Jerusalem unto the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land: which spake unto David, saying, Except thou take away the blind and the lame, thou shalt not come in hither: thinking, David cannot come in hither.
6The king and his men marched to Jerusalem against the Jebusites who lived in the land. They said to David, "You will never get in here; even the blind and the lame could turn you away." They thought David could not get in.
7Nevertheless David took the strong hold of Zion: the same is the city of David.
7But David captured the stronghold of Zion, which is now the City of David.
8And David said on that day, Whosoever getteth up to the gutter, and smiteth the Jebusites, and the lame and the blind, that are hated of David’s soul, he shall be chief and captain. Wherefore they said, The blind and the lame shall not come into the house.
8That day David said, "Whoever goes up through the water shaft and strikes down the Jebusites, those 'lame and blind' whom David hates, will be commander in chief." That is why people say, "The blind and the lame will not come into the house."
9So David dwelt in the fort, and called it the city of David. And David built round about from Millo and inward.
9David settled in the stronghold and named it the City of David, and he built up the area around it, from the Millo inward.
10And David went on, and grew great, and the LORD God of hosts was with him.
10David kept growing greater and greater, because the LORD God of hosts was with him.
11And Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, and cedar trees, and carpenters, and masons: and they built David an house.
11Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, along with cedar logs, carpenters, and stonemasons, and they built a palace for David.
12And David perceived that the LORD had established him king over Israel, and that he had exalted his kingdom for his people Israel’s sake.
12Then David realized that the LORD had made him king over Israel and had lifted up his kingdom for the sake of his people Israel.
13And David took him more concubines and wives out of Jerusalem, after he was come from Hebron: and there were yet sons and daughters born to David.
13After he moved from Hebron, David took more concubines and wives in Jerusalem, and more sons and daughters were born to him.
14And these be the names of those that were born unto him in Jerusalem; Shammuah, and Shobab, and Nathan, and Solomon,
14These are the names of the children born to him in Jerusalem: Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon,
15Ibhar also, and Elishua, and Nepheg, and Japhia,
15Ibhar, Elishua, Nepheg, Japhia,
16And Elishama, and Eliada, and Eliphalet.
16Elishama, Eliada, and Eliphelet.
17But when the Philistines heard that they had anointed David king over Israel, all the Philistines came up to seek David; and David heard of it, and went down to the hold.
17When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over Israel, they all came up looking for him. David heard of it and went down to the stronghold.
18The Philistines also came and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim.
18The Philistines came and spread out across the Valley of Rephaim.
19And David enquired of the LORD, saying, Shall I go up to the Philistines? wilt thou deliver them into mine hand? And the LORD said unto David, Go up: for I will doubtless deliver the Philistines into thine hand.
19David asked the LORD, "Should I go up against the Philistines? Will you hand them over to me?" The LORD answered David, "Go up, for I will surely hand the Philistines over to you."
20And David came to Baalperazim, and David smote them there, and said, The LORD hath broken forth upon mine enemies before me, as the breach of waters. Therefore he called the name of that place Baalperazim.
20So David went to Baal Perazim, and there he defeated them. He said, "The LORD has burst through my enemies in front of me like a flood bursting through." So he named the place Baal Perazim.
21And there they left their images, and David and his men burned them.
21The Philistines left their idols behind there, and David and his men burned them.
22And the Philistines came up yet again, and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim.
22The Philistines came up once more and spread out across the Valley of Rephaim.
23And when David enquired of the LORD, he said, Thou shalt not go up; but fetch a compass behind them, and come upon them over against the mulberry trees.
23When David asked the LORD, he answered, "Do not go straight up. Circle around behind them and attack them in front of the mulberry trees.
24And let it be, when thou hearest the sound of a going in the tops of the mulberry trees, that then thou shalt bestir thyself: for then shall the LORD go out before thee, to smite the host of the Philistines.
24"As soon as you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the mulberry trees, move quickly, for then the LORD will have gone out ahead of you to strike the Philistine army."
25And David did so, as the LORD had commanded him; and smote the Philistines from Geba until thou come to Gazer.
25David did just as the LORD commanded him, and he struck down the Philistines all the way from Geba to Gezer.
6The Ark Comes to Jerusalem
📜 The old Bible words
💬 In today’s words
1Again, David gathered together all the chosen men of Israel, thirty thousand.
1David again gathered all the best men of Israel, thirty thousand in all.
2And David arose, and went with all the people that were with him from Baale of Judah, to bring up from thence the ark of God, whose name is called by the name of the LORD of hosts that dwelleth between the cherubims.
2David and all the people with him set out from Baale of Judah to bring up from there the ark of God, which bears the name of the LORD of hosts, who is enthroned between the cherubim.
3And they set the ark of God upon a new cart, and brought it out of the house of Abinadab that was in Gibeah: and Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, drave the new cart.
3They set the ark of God on a new cart and brought it out of the house of Abinadab on the hill, and Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, were driving the new cart.
4And they brought it out of the house of Abinadab which was at Gibeah, accompanying the ark of God: and Ahio went before the ark.
4They brought it out of Abinadab's house on the hill, walking beside the ark of God, and Ahio went in front of the ark.
5And David and all the house of Israel played before the LORD on all manner of instruments made of fir wood, even on harps, and on psalteries, and on timbrels, and on cornets, and on cymbals.
5David and all the house of Israel celebrated before the LORD with every kind of instrument made of fir wood: harps, lyres, tambourines, rattles, and cymbals.
6And when they came to Nachon’s threshingfloor, Uzzah put forth his hand to the ark of God, and took hold of it; for the oxen shook it.
6When they came to the threshing floor of Nachon, the oxen stumbled, and Uzzah reached out his hand to the ark of God and took hold of it.
7And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Uzzah; and God smote him there for his error; and there he died by the ark of God.
7The LORD's anger burned against Uzzah, and God struck him down there for his mistake. He died there beside the ark of God.
8And David was displeased, because the LORD had made a breach upon Uzzah: and he called the name of the place Perezuzzah to this day.
8David was upset because the LORD had broken out against Uzzah, and he named the place Perez Uzzah, as it is still called today.
9And David was afraid of the LORD that day, and said, How shall the ark of the LORD come to me?
9That day David was afraid of the LORD and said, "How can the ark of the LORD ever come to me?"
10So David would not remove the ark of the LORD unto him into the city of David: but David carried it aside into the house of Obededom the Gittite.
10So David would not move the ark of the LORD to be with him in the City of David. Instead he took it aside to the house of Obed-Edom the Gittite.
11And the ark of the LORD continued in the house of Obededom the Gittite three months: and the LORD blessed Obededom, and all his household.
11The ark of the LORD stayed in the house of Obed-Edom the Gittite for three months, and the LORD blessed Obed-Edom and his whole household.
12And it was told king David, saying, The LORD hath blessed the house of Obededom, and all that pertaineth unto him, because of the ark of God. So David went and brought up the ark of God from the house of Obededom into the city of David with gladness.
12King David was told, "The LORD has blessed the household of Obed-Edom and everything he owns because of the ark of God." So David went and brought the ark of God up from the house of Obed-Edom into the City of David with rejoicing.
13And it was so, that when they that bare the ark of the LORD had gone six paces, he sacrificed oxen and fatlings.
13When those carrying the ark of the LORD had taken six steps, he sacrificed an ox and a fattened calf.
14And David danced before the LORD with all his might; and David was girded with a linen ephod.
14David danced before the LORD with all his might, wearing a linen ephod.
15So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the LORD with shouting, and with the sound of the trumpet.
15So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the LORD with shouts and the sound of the trumpet.
16And as the ark of the LORD came into the city of David, Michal Saul’s daughter looked through a window, and saw king David leaping and dancing before the LORD; and she despised him in her heart.
16As the ark of the LORD entered the City of David, Saul's daughter Michal looked out of a window and saw King David leaping and dancing before the LORD, and she despised him in her heart.
17And they brought in the ark of the LORD, and set it in his place, in the midst of the tabernacle that David had pitched for it: and David offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the LORD.
17They brought in the ark of the LORD and set it in its place inside the tent David had pitched for it, and David offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the LORD.
18And as soon as David had made an end of offering burnt offerings and peace offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the LORD of hosts.
18When David had finished offering the burnt offerings and peace offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the LORD of hosts.
19And he dealt among all the people, even among the whole multitude of Israel, as well to the women as men, to every one a cake of bread, and a good piece of flesh, and a flagon of wine. So all the people departed every one to his house.
19Then he handed out to everyone in the whole crowd of Israel, women as well as men, a loaf of bread, a portion of meat, and a cake of raisins. And all the people went home.
20Then David returned to bless his household. And Michal the daughter of Saul came out to meet David, and said, How glorious was the king of Israel to day, who uncovered himself to day in the eyes of the handmaids of his servants, as one of the vain fellows shamelessly uncovereth himself!
20When David went home to bless his household, Saul's daughter Michal came out to meet him and said, "How the king of Israel honored himself today, stripping down in front of his servants' slave girls like any vulgar fellow shamelessly baring himself!"
21And David said unto Michal, It was before the LORD, which chose me before thy father, and before all his house, to appoint me ruler over the people of the LORD, over Israel: therefore will I play before the LORD.
21David said to Michal, "It was before the LORD, who chose me over your father and his whole family and appointed me ruler over the LORD's people Israel. So I will celebrate before the LORD.
22And I will yet be more vile than thus, and will be base in mine own sight: and of the maidservants which thou hast spoken of, of them shall I be had in honour.
22"I will make myself even more undignified than this, and be lowly in my own eyes. But those slave girls you mention will hold me in honor."
23Therefore Michal the daughter of Saul had no child unto the day of her death.
23And Saul's daughter Michal had no children to the day she died.
7God's Covenant with David
📜 The old Bible words
💬 In today’s words
1And it came to pass, when the king sat in his house, and the LORD had given him rest round about from all his enemies;
1After the king had settled into his palace, and the LORD had given him rest from all the enemies around him,
2That the king said unto Nathan the prophet, See now, I dwell in an house of cedar, but the ark of God dwelleth within curtains.
2the king said to Nathan the prophet, "Look at this: I live in a house of cedar, but the ark of God sits inside tent curtains."
3And Nathan said to the king, Go, do all that is in thine heart; for the LORD is with thee.
3Nathan said to the king, "Go and do whatever is in your heart, for the LORD is with you."
4And it came to pass that night, that the word of the LORD came unto Nathan, saying,
4But that same night the word of the LORD came to Nathan, saying,
5Go and tell my servant David, Thus saith the LORD, Shalt thou build me an house for me to dwell in?
5"Go and tell my servant David, 'This is what the LORD says: Are you the one to build me a house to live in?
6Whereas I have not dwelt in any house since the time that I brought up the children of Israel out of Egypt, even to this day, but have walked in a tent and in a tabernacle.
6I have not lived in a house since the day I brought the people of Israel up out of Egypt, right up to today. Instead I have moved about in a tent, in a tabernacle.
7In all the places wherein I have walked with all the children of Israel spake I a word with any of the tribes of Israel, whom I commanded to feed my people Israel, saying, Why build ye not me an house of cedar?
7In all the places I have moved about with all the people of Israel, did I ever say a word to any of the tribes of Israel, the ones I appointed to shepherd my people Israel, asking, "Why haven't you built me a house of cedar?"'
8Now therefore so shalt thou say unto my servant David, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, I took thee from the sheepcote, from following the sheep, to be ruler over my people, over Israel:
8"So now, this is what you are to say to my servant David: 'This is what the LORD of hosts says: I took you from the sheep pen, from walking behind the flock, to be ruler over my people Israel.
9And I was with thee whithersoever thou wentest, and have cut off all thine enemies out of thy sight, and have made thee a great name, like unto the name of the great men that are in the earth.
9I have been with you everywhere you went, and I have cut down all your enemies before you. I will make your name great, like the names of the greatest men on earth.
10Moreover I will appoint a place for my people Israel, and will plant them, that they may dwell in a place of their own, and move no more; neither shall the children of wickedness afflict them any more, as beforetime,
10And I will set aside a place for my people Israel and plant them there, so they can live in a home of their own and not be moved again. Wicked people will not oppress them anymore, as they did at first,
11And as since the time that I commanded judges to be over my people Israel, and have caused thee to rest from all thine enemies. Also the LORD telleth thee that he will make thee an house.
11and as they have ever since the day I appointed judges over my people Israel. I will give you rest from all your enemies. And the LORD tells you this: the LORD himself will build a house for you.
12And when thy days be fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, I will set up thy seed after thee, which shall proceed out of thy bowels, and I will establish his kingdom.
12When your days are over and you rest with your ancestors, I will raise up your offspring after you, a child of your own body, and I will make his kingdom secure.
13He shall build an house for my name, and I will stablish the throne of his kingdom for ever.
13He is the one who will build a house for my name, and I will make the throne of his kingdom secure forever.
14I will be his father, and he shall be my son. If he commit iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men, and with the stripes of the children of men:
14I will be his father, and he will be my son. When he does wrong, I will discipline him with the rod that men use and the blows that people give,
15But my mercy shall not depart away from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away before thee.
15but my steadfast love will never be taken away from him, the way I took it from Saul, whom I removed to make room for you.
16And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before thee: thy throne shall be established for ever.
16Your house and your kingdom will stand secure forever in my presence; your throne will be established forever.'"
17According to all these words, and according to all this vision, so did Nathan speak unto David.
17Nathan told David all these words, exactly as he had seen them in the vision.
18Then went king David in, and sat before the LORD, and he said, Who am I, O Lord GOD? and what is my house, that thou hast brought me hitherto?
18Then King David went in and sat before the LORD, and he said, "Who am I, O Lord GOD, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far?
19And this was yet a small thing in thy sight, O Lord GOD; but thou hast spoken also of thy servant’s house for a great while to come. And is this the manner of man, O Lord GOD?
19And even that was a small thing in your eyes, O Lord GOD. You have also spoken about the future of your servant's house far into the years ahead. Is this the way you deal with a mere man, O Lord GOD?
20And what can David say more unto thee? for thou, Lord GOD, knowest thy servant.
20What more can David say to you? For you know your servant, O Lord GOD.
21For thy word’s sake, and according to thine own heart, hast thou done all these great things, to make thy servant know them.
21For the sake of your word and according to your own heart, you have done all these great things and let your servant know about them.
22Wherefore thou art great, O LORD God: for there is none like thee, neither is there any God beside thee, according to all that we have heard with our ears.
22How great you are, O LORD God! There is no one like you, and there is no God besides you, just as we have heard with our own ears.
23And what one nation in the earth is like thy people, even like Israel, whom God went to redeem for a people to himself, and to make him a name, and to do for you great things and terrible, for thy land, before thy people, which thou redeemedst to thee from Egypt, from the nations and their gods?
23And what other nation on earth is like your people Israel? God went out to rescue them as a people for himself, to make a name for himself, and to do great and awesome things for your land, driving out nations and their gods before your people, whom you redeemed for yourself from Egypt.
24For thou hast confirmed to thyself thy people Israel to be a people unto thee for ever: and thou, LORD, art become their God.
24You have made your people Israel your very own forever, and you, LORD, have become their God.
25And now, O LORD God, the word that thou hast spoken concerning thy servant, and concerning his house, establish it for ever, and do as thou hast said.
25"And now, O LORD God, keep forever the word you have spoken about your servant and his house, and do just as you have said.
26And let thy name be magnified for ever, saying, The LORD of hosts is the God over Israel: and let the house of thy servant David be established before thee.
26Let your name be honored forever, so that people will say, 'The LORD of hosts is the God over Israel.' And let the house of your servant David stand secure before you.
27For thou, O LORD of hosts, God of Israel, hast revealed to thy servant, saying, I will build thee an house: therefore hath thy servant found in his heart to pray this prayer unto thee.
27For you, O LORD of hosts, God of Israel, have told your servant plainly, 'I will build you a house.' That is why your servant has found the courage to pray this prayer to you.
28And now, O Lord GOD, thou art that God, and thy words be true, and thou hast promised this goodness unto thy servant:
28And now, O Lord GOD, you are God, your words are true, and you have promised this good thing to your servant.
29Therefore now let it please thee to bless the house of thy servant, that it may continue for ever before thee: for thou, O Lord GOD, hast spoken it: and with thy blessing let the house of thy servant be blessed for ever.
29So please be pleased to bless the house of your servant, so that it may continue forever in your presence. For you, O Lord GOD, have spoken it, and with your blessing the house of your servant will be blessed forever."
8David's Wars and His Officials
📜 The old Bible words
💬 In today’s words
1And after this it came to pass that David smote the Philistines, and subdued them: and David took Methegammah out of the hand of the Philistines.
1Some time later David attacked the Philistines and brought them under his control, and he took Metheg-ammah out of Philistine hands.
2And he smote Moab, and measured them with a line, casting them down to the ground; even with two lines measured he to put to death, and with one full line to keep alive. And so the Moabites became David’s servants, and brought gifts.
2He also defeated Moab. He made the Moabites lie down on the ground and measured them off with a length of cord; two lengths were marked for death and one full length to be left alive. So the Moabites became David's servants and paid him tribute.
3David smote also Hadadezer, the son of Rehob, king of Zobah, as he went to recover his border at the river Euphrates.
3David also defeated Hadadezer son of Rehob, king of Zobah, when Hadadezer went to restore his control along the Euphrates River.
4And David took from him a thousand chariots, and seven hundred horsemen, and twenty thousand footmen: and David houghed all the chariot horses, but reserved of them for an hundred chariots.
4David captured from him a thousand chariots, seven hundred horsemen, and twenty thousand foot soldiers. He crippled all the chariot horses except enough for a hundred chariots.
5And when the Syrians of Damascus came to succour Hadadezer king of Zobah, David slew of the Syrians two and twenty thousand men.
5When the Syrians of Damascus came to help Hadadezer king of Zobah, David struck down twenty-two thousand of the Syrians.
6Then David put garrisons in Syria of Damascus: and the Syrians became servants to David, and brought gifts. And the LORD preserved David whithersoever he went.
6Then David placed garrisons in Syria around Damascus, and the Syrians became David's servants and paid him tribute. The LORD gave David victory everywhere he went.
7And David took the shields of gold that were on the servants of Hadadezer, and brought them to Jerusalem.
7David took the gold shields carried by Hadadezer's officers and brought them to Jerusalem.
8And from Betah, and from Berothai, cities of Hadadezer, king David took exceeding much brass.
8And from Betah and Berothai, towns that belonged to Hadadezer, King David took a very large amount of bronze.
9When Toi king of Hamath heard that David had smitten all the host of Hadadezer,
9When Toi king of Hamath heard that David had defeated the whole army of Hadadezer,
10Then Toi sent Joram his son unto king David, to salute him, and to bless him, because he had fought against Hadadezer, and smitten him: for Hadadezer had wars with Toi. And Joram brought with him vessels of silver, and vessels of gold, and vessels of brass:
10he sent his son Joram to King David to greet him and congratulate him on fighting and defeating Hadadezer, for Hadadezer had often been at war with Toi. Joram brought with him articles of silver, gold, and bronze,
11Which also king David did dedicate unto the LORD, with the silver and gold that he had dedicated of all nations which he subdued;
11and King David dedicated these to the LORD, along with the silver and gold he had dedicated from all the nations he had conquered:
12Of Syria, and of Moab, and of the children of Ammon, and of the Philistines, and of Amalek, and of the spoil of Hadadezer, son of Rehob, king of Zobah.
12from Syria, Moab, the Ammonites, the Philistines, and Amalek, and from the plunder taken from Hadadezer son of Rehob, king of Zobah.
13And David gat him a name when he returned from smiting of the Syrians in the valley of salt, being eighteen thousand men.
13David made a name for himself when he returned from striking down eighteen thousand Syrians in the Valley of Salt.
14And he put garrisons in Edom; throughout all Edom put he garrisons, and all they of Edom became David’s servants. And the LORD preserved David whithersoever he went.
14He put garrisons in Edom; throughout all of Edom he stationed garrisons, and all the Edomites became David's servants. The LORD gave David victory everywhere he went.
15And David reigned over all Israel; and David executed judgment and justice unto all his people.
15So David reigned over all Israel, and he did what was right and fair for all his people.
16And Joab the son of Zeruiah was over the host; and Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was recorder;
16Joab son of Zeruiah was in command of the army; Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud was the recorder;
17And Zadok the son of Ahitub, and Ahimelech the son of Abiathar, were the priests; and Seraiah was the scribe;
17Zadok son of Ahitub and Ahimelech son of Abiathar were the priests; Seraiah was the secretary;
18And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over both the Cherethites and the Pelethites; and David’s sons were chief rulers.
18Benaiah son of Jehoiada was in charge of the Cherethites and the Pelethites; and David's sons were chief officials.
9David's Kindness to Mephibosheth
📜 The old Bible words
💬 In today’s words
1And David said, Is there yet any that is left of the house of Saul, that I may shew him kindness for Jonathan’s sake?
1David asked, "Is there anyone still left from Saul's family, so that I can show him kindness for Jonathan's sake?"
2And there was of the house of Saul a servant whose name was Ziba. And when they had called him unto David, the king said unto him, Art thou Ziba? And he said, Thy servant is he.
2Now Saul's household had a servant named Ziba, and they called him in to David. The king asked him, "Are you Ziba?" He answered, "Your servant is he."
3And the king said, Is there not yet any of the house of Saul, that I may shew the kindness of God unto him? And Ziba said unto the king, Jonathan hath yet a son, which is lame on his feet.
3The king asked, "Is there no one left of Saul's family to whom I can show the kindness of God?" Ziba told the king, "There is still a son of Jonathan; he is crippled in both feet."
4And the king said unto him, Where is he? And Ziba said unto the king, Behold, he is in the house of Machir, the son of Ammiel, in Lodebar.
4"Where is he?" the king asked. Ziba told the king, "He is in the house of Machir son of Ammiel, in Lo-debar."
5Then king David sent, and fetched him out of the house of Machir, the son of Ammiel, from Lodebar.
5So King David sent and had him brought from the house of Machir son of Ammiel in Lo-debar.
6Now when Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, was come unto David, he fell on his face, and did reverence. And David said, Mephibosheth. And he answered, Behold thy servant!
6When Mephibosheth son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, came to David, he fell face down and bowed low. David said, "Mephibosheth!" He answered, "Here is your servant."
7And David said unto him, Fear not: for I will surely shew thee kindness for Jonathan thy father’s sake, and will restore thee all the land of Saul thy father; and thou shalt eat bread at my table continually.
7David said to him, "Don't be afraid, for I will surely show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan. I will give back to you all the land that belonged to your grandfather Saul, and you will always eat at my table."
8And he bowed himself, and said, What is thy servant, that thou shouldest look upon such a dead dog as I am?
8Mephibosheth bowed and said, "What is your servant, that you should pay any attention to a dead dog like me?"
9Then the king called to Ziba, Saul’s servant, and said unto him, I have given unto thy master’s son all that pertained to Saul and to all his house.
9Then the king called for Ziba, Saul's servant, and said to him, "I have given your master's grandson everything that belonged to Saul and his whole family.
10Thou therefore, and thy sons, and thy servants, shall till the land for him, and thou shalt bring in the fruits, that thy master’s son may have food to eat: but Mephibosheth thy master’s son shall eat bread alway at my table. Now Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants.
10You and your sons and your servants are to farm the land for him and bring in the harvest, so that your master's grandson will have food to eat. But Mephibosheth, your master's grandson, will always eat at my table." Now Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants.
11Then said Ziba unto the king, According to all that my lord the king hath commanded his servant, so shall thy servant do. As for Mephibosheth, said the king, he shall eat at my table, as one of the king’s sons.
11Ziba said to the king, "Your servant will do everything my lord the king has commanded his servant." So Mephibosheth ate at David's table like one of the king's own sons.
12And Mephibosheth had a young son, whose name was Micha. And all that dwelt in the house of Ziba were servants unto Mephibosheth.
12Mephibosheth had a young son named Mica, and everyone who lived in Ziba's household became Mephibosheth's servants.
13So Mephibosheth dwelt in Jerusalem: for he did eat continually at the king’s table; and was lame on both his feet.
13So Mephibosheth lived in Jerusalem, because he always ate at the king's table. And he was crippled in both feet.
10The Ammonites Shame David's Envoys
📜 The old Bible words
💬 In today’s words
1And it came to pass after this, that the king of the children of Ammon died, and Hanun his son reigned in his stead.
1Some time later the king of the Ammonites died, and his son Hanun became king in his place.
2Then said David, I will shew kindness unto Hanun the son of Nahash, as his father shewed kindness unto me. And David sent to comfort him by the hand of his servants for his father. And David’s servants came into the land of the children of Ammon.
2David said, "I will show kindness to Hanun son of Nahash, just as his father showed kindness to me." So David sent some of his servants to comfort Hanun over the loss of his father. But when David's servants arrived in the land of the Ammonites,
3And the princes of the children of Ammon said unto Hanun their lord, Thinkest thou that David doth honour thy father, that he hath sent comforters unto thee? hath not David rather sent his servants unto thee, to search the city, and to spy it out, and to overthrow it?
3the Ammonite princes said to Hanun their lord, "Do you really think David is honoring your father by sending men to comfort you? Hasn't David sent his servants to you to look over the city, spy it out, and then overthrow it?"
4Wherefore Hanun took David’s servants, and shaved off the one half of their beards, and cut off their garments in the middle, even to their buttocks, and sent them away.
4So Hanun seized David's servants, shaved off half of each man's beard, cut off their clothes at the hips, and sent them away.
5When they told it unto David, he sent to meet them, because the men were greatly ashamed: and the king said, Tarry at Jericho until your beards be grown, and then return.
5When David was told about this, he sent messengers to meet the men, because they were deeply humiliated. The king said, "Stay in Jericho until your beards have grown back, and then come home."
6And when the children of Ammon saw that they stank before David, the children of Ammon sent and hired the Syrians of Bethrehob, and the Syrians of Zoba, twenty thousand footmen, and of king Maacah a thousand men, and of Ishtob twelve thousand men.
6When the Ammonites realized they had made themselves a stench to David, they sent and hired twenty thousand Syrian foot soldiers from Beth-rehob and Zobah, a thousand men from the king of Maacah, and twelve thousand men from Tob.
7And when David heard of it, he sent Joab, and all the host of the mighty men.
7When David heard about it, he sent out Joab with the whole army of fighting men.
8And the children of Ammon came out, and put the battle in array at the entering in of the gate: and the Syrians of Zoba, and of Rehob, and Ishtob, and Maacah, were by themselves in the field.
8The Ammonites came out and formed their battle line at the entrance of the city gate, while the Syrians of Zobah and Rehob and the men of Tob and Maacah stood by themselves out in the open country.
9When Joab saw that the front of the battle was against him before and behind, he chose of all the choice men of Israel, and put them in array against the Syrians:
9Joab saw that there were battle lines both in front of him and behind him, so he chose some of the best troops in Israel and lined them up against the Syrians.
10And the rest of the people he delivered into the hand of Abishai his brother, that he might put them in array against the children of Ammon.
10He put the rest of the troops under the command of his brother Abishai, who lined them up against the Ammonites.
11And he said, If the Syrians be too strong for me, then thou shalt help me: but if the children of Ammon be too strong for thee, then I will come and help thee.
11Joab said, "If the Syrians are too strong for me, you come and help me; but if the Ammonites are too strong for you, I will come and help you.
12Be of good courage, and let us play the men for our people, and for the cities of our God: and the LORD do that which seemeth him good.
12Be brave, and let us fight like men for our people and for the cities of our God. And may the LORD do what seems good to him."
13And Joab drew nigh, and the people that were with him, unto the battle against the Syrians: and they fled before him.
13Then Joab and the troops with him advanced to fight the Syrians, and the Syrians fled before him.
14And when the children of Ammon saw that the Syrians were fled, then fled they also before Abishai, and entered into the city. So Joab returned from the children of Ammon, and came to Jerusalem.
14When the Ammonites saw that the Syrians were running away, they too fled from Abishai and went back inside the city. So Joab turned back from fighting the Ammonites and returned to Jerusalem.
15And when the Syrians saw that they were smitten before Israel, they gathered themselves together.
15When the Syrians saw that they had been beaten by Israel, they regrouped.
16And Hadarezer sent, and brought out the Syrians that were beyond the river: and they came to Helam; and Shobach the captain of the host of Hadarezer went before them.
16Hadadezer sent for the Syrians who lived beyond the Euphrates River, and they came to Helam, with Shobach, the commander of Hadadezer's army, leading them.
17And when it was told David, he gathered all Israel together, and passed over Jordan, and came to Helam. And the Syrians set themselves in array against David, and fought with him.
17When David was told of this, he gathered all Israel, crossed the Jordan, and came to Helam. The Syrians formed their lines to face David and fought against him.
18And the Syrians fled before Israel; and David slew the men of seven hundred chariots of the Syrians, and forty thousand horsemen, and smote Shobach the captain of their host, who died there.
18But the Syrians fled before Israel. David killed the men of seven hundred Syrian chariots and forty thousand horsemen, and he struck down Shobach, the commander of their army, who died there.
19And when all the kings that were servants to Hadarezer saw that they were smitten before Israel, they made peace with Israel, and served them. So the Syrians feared to help the children of Ammon any more.
19When all the kings who served Hadadezer saw that they had been beaten by Israel, they made peace with Israel and became their subjects. And the Syrians were afraid to help the Ammonites anymore.
11David, Bathsheba, and the Death of Uriah
📜 The old Bible words
💬 In today’s words
1And it came to pass, after the year was expired, at the time when kings go forth to battle, that David sent Joab, and his servants with him, and all Israel; and they destroyed the children of Ammon, and besieged Rabbah. But David tarried still at Jerusalem.
1When the year had turned, at the season when kings march out to war, David sent out Joab with his officers and the whole army of Israel. They ravaged the Ammonites and laid siege to Rabbah. But David stayed behind in Jerusalem.
2And it came to pass in an eveningtide, that David arose from off his bed, and walked upon the roof of the king’s house: and from the roof he saw a woman washing herself; and the woman was very beautiful to look upon.
2One evening David got up from his bed and strolled about on the palace roof. From the roof he noticed a woman bathing, and she was extremely beautiful.
3And David sent and enquired after the woman. And one said, Is not this Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?
3David sent someone to find out about her, and he was told, "Isn't this Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam and the wife of Uriah the Hittite?"
4And David sent messengers, and took her; and she came in unto him, and he lay with her; for she was purified from her uncleanness: and she returned unto her house.
4Then David sent messengers to bring her. She came to him and he slept with her, for she had just completed her purification after her uncleanness. Then she went back home.
5And the woman conceived, and sent and told David, and said, I am with child.
5The woman became pregnant, and she sent word to David, saying, "I am expecting a child."
6And David sent to Joab, saying, Send me Uriah the Hittite. And Joab sent Uriah to David.
6So David sent a message to Joab: "Send me Uriah the Hittite." And Joab sent Uriah to David.
7And when Uriah was come unto him, David demanded of him how Joab did, and how the people did, and how the war prospered.
7When Uriah arrived, David asked him how Joab was doing, how the soldiers were doing, and how the war was going.
8And David said to Uriah, Go down to thy house, and wash thy feet. And Uriah departed out of the king’s house, and there followed him a mess of meat from the king.
8Then David said to Uriah, "Go down to your house and wash your feet." Uriah left the palace, and a gift from the king's table was sent after him.
9But Uriah slept at the door of the king’s house with all the servants of his lord, and went not down to his house.
9But Uriah slept at the entrance of the palace with all his master's servants, and he did not go down to his house.
10And when they had told David, saying, Uriah went not down unto his house, David said unto Uriah, Camest thou not from thy journey? why then didst thou not go down unto thine house?
10When David was told, "Uriah did not go home," he said to Uriah, "Haven't you just come back from a journey? Why didn't you go down to your house?"
11And Uriah said unto David, The ark, and Israel, and Judah, abide in tents; and my lord Joab, and the servants of my lord, are encamped in the open fields; shall I then go into mine house, to eat and to drink, and to lie with my wife? as thou livest, and as thy soul liveth, I will not do this thing.
11Uriah answered David, "The ark and Israel and Judah are staying in tents, and my master Joab and my lord's servants are camped out in the open fields. How could I go home to eat and drink and sleep with my wife? As surely as you live, and as surely as you yourself are alive, I will not do such a thing."
12And David said to Uriah, Tarry here to day also, and to morrow I will let thee depart. So Uriah abode in Jerusalem that day, and the morrow.
12Then David said to Uriah, "Stay here one more day, and tomorrow I will send you back." So Uriah stayed in Jerusalem that day and the next.
13And when David had called him, he did eat and drink before him; and he made him drunk: and at even he went out to lie on his bed with the servants of his lord, but went not down to his house.
13David invited him to eat and drink with him, and he got him drunk. But in the evening Uriah went out to sleep on his mat among his master's servants; he did not go down to his house.
14And it came to pass in the morning, that David wrote a letter to Joab, and sent it by the hand of Uriah.
14In the morning David wrote a letter to Joab and sent it with Uriah.
15And he wrote in the letter, saying, Set ye Uriah in the forefront of the hottest battle, and retire ye from him, that he may be smitten, and die.
15In the letter he wrote, "Put Uriah at the front where the fighting is fiercest, then pull back from him so that he will be struck down and killed."
16And it came to pass, when Joab observed the city, that he assigned Uriah unto a place where he knew that valiant men were.
16So while Joab was keeping watch on the city, he stationed Uriah at a spot where he knew the strongest defenders were.
17And the men of the city went out, and fought with Joab: and there fell some of the people of the servants of David; and Uriah the Hittite died also.
17The men of the city came out and fought against Joab, and some of David's soldiers fell. Uriah the Hittite died too.
18Then Joab sent and told David all the things concerning the war;
18Then Joab sent David a full report of the battle.
19And charged the messenger, saying, When thou hast made an end of telling the matters of the war unto the king,
19He instructed the messenger, "When you have finished giving the king the news of the battle,
20And if so be that the king’s wrath arise, and he say unto thee, Wherefore approached ye so nigh unto the city when ye did fight? knew ye not that they would shoot from the wall?
20the king may get angry and ask you, 'Why did you go so close to the city to fight? Didn't you know they would shoot from the wall?
21Who smote Abimelech the son of Jerubbesheth? did not a woman cast a piece of a millstone upon him from the wall, that he died in Thebez? why went ye nigh the wall? then say thou, Thy servant Uriah the Hittite is dead also.
21Who killed Abimelech son of Jerubbesheth? Wasn't it a woman who dropped a piece of millstone on him from the wall, so that he died at Thebez? Why did you go so near the wall?' If he asks that, then tell him, 'Your servant Uriah the Hittite is dead too.'"
22So the messenger went, and came and shewed David all that Joab had sent him for.
22So the messenger went, and when he arrived he told David everything Joab had sent him to say.
23And the messenger said unto David, Surely the men prevailed against us, and came out unto us into the field, and we were upon them even unto the entering of the gate.
23The messenger said to David, "The men got the better of us and came out against us in the open field, but we pushed them back to the entrance of the gate.
24And the shooters shot from off the wall upon thy servants; and some of the king’s servants be dead, and thy servant Uriah the Hittite is dead also.
24Then the archers shot at your servants from the wall, and some of the king's men died. Your servant Uriah the Hittite is dead too."
25Then David said unto the messenger, Thus shalt thou say unto Joab, Let not this thing displease thee, for the sword devoureth one as well as another: make thy battle more strong against the city, and overthrow it: and encourage thou him.
25David said to the messenger, "Tell Joab this: 'Don't let this upset you, for the sword takes one man as easily as another. Press your attack against the city harder and tear it down.' And say it to encourage him."
26And when the wife of Uriah heard that Uriah her husband was dead, she mourned for her husband.
26When Uriah's wife heard that her husband Uriah was dead, she mourned for him.
27And when the mourning was past, David sent and fetched her to his house, and she became his wife, and bare him a son. But the thing that David had done displeased the LORD.
27When the time of mourning was over, David sent for her and brought her to his house. She became his wife and bore him a son. But what David had done displeased the LORD.
12Nathan Confronts David
📜 The old Bible words
💬 In today’s words
1And the LORD sent Nathan unto David. And he came unto him, and said unto him, There were two men in one city; the one rich, and the other poor.
1The LORD sent Nathan to David. Nathan came to him and said, "There were two men in a certain city, one rich and one poor.
2The rich man had exceeding many flocks and herds:
2The rich man had huge flocks and herds,
3But the poor man had nothing, save one little ewe lamb, which he had bought and nourished up: and it grew up together with him, and with his children; it did eat of his own meat, and drank of his own cup, and lay in his bosom, and was unto him as a daughter.
3but the poor man had nothing except one little ewe lamb he had bought and raised. It grew up with him and his children. It ate from his own plate, drank from his own cup, and slept in his arms; it was like a daughter to him.
4And there came a traveller unto the rich man, and he spared to take of his own flock and of his own herd, to dress for the wayfaring man that was come unto him; but took the poor man’s lamb, and dressed it for the man that was come to him.
4One day a traveler came to the rich man, but the rich man would not take one of his own sheep or cattle to prepare a meal for the guest who had come to him. Instead he took the poor man's lamb and cooked it for his visitor."
5And David’s anger was greatly kindled against the man; and he said to Nathan, As the LORD liveth, the man that hath done this thing shall surely die:
5David burned with anger at the man and said to Nathan, "As surely as the LORD lives, the man who did this deserves to die!
6And he shall restore the lamb fourfold, because he did this thing, and because he had no pity.
6He must pay back four lambs for that one, because he did such a thing and had no pity."
7And Nathan said to David, Thou art the man. Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, I anointed thee king over Israel, and I delivered thee out of the hand of Saul;
7Then Nathan said to David, "You are that man! This is what the LORD God of Israel says: 'I anointed you king over Israel, and I rescued you from the hand of Saul.
8And I gave thee thy master’s house, and thy master’s wives into thy bosom, and gave thee the house of Israel and of Judah; and if that had been too little, I would moreover have given unto thee such and such things.
8I gave you your master's house and your master's wives into your arms, and I gave you the house of Israel and Judah. And if that had been too little, I would have given you even more.
9Wherefore hast thou despised the commandment of the LORD, to do evil in his sight? thou hast killed Uriah the Hittite with the sword, and hast taken his wife to be thy wife, and hast slain him with the sword of the children of Ammon.
9So why have you despised the word of the LORD by doing what is evil in his sight? You struck down Uriah the Hittite with the sword and took his wife to be your own; you killed him with the sword of the Ammonites.
10Now therefore the sword shall never depart from thine house; because thou hast despised me, and hast taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be thy wife.
10Now, therefore, the sword will never leave your house, because you despised me and took the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your own wife.'
11Thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will raise up evil against thee out of thine own house, and I will take thy wives before thine eyes, and give them unto thy neighbour, and he shall lie with thy wives in the sight of this sun.
11"This is what the LORD says: 'Out of your own household I will bring trouble on you. Before your very eyes I will take your wives and give them to someone close to you, and he will sleep with them in broad daylight.
12For thou didst it secretly: but I will do this thing before all Israel, and before the sun.
12You did it in secret, but I will do this in front of all Israel, in the light of day.'"
13And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the LORD. And Nathan said unto David, The LORD also hath put away thy sin; thou shalt not die.
13David said to Nathan, "I have sinned against the LORD." Nathan replied, "The LORD has taken away your sin; you will not die.
14Howbeit, because by this deed thou hast given great occasion to the enemies of the LORD to blaspheme, the child also that is born unto thee shall surely die.
14But because by doing this you have given the enemies of the LORD every reason to mock him, the son born to you will surely die."
15And Nathan departed unto his house. And the LORD struck the child that Uriah’s wife bare unto David, and it was very sick.
15Then Nathan went home. And the LORD struck the child that Uriah's wife had borne to David, and he became very ill.
16David therefore besought God for the child; and David fasted, and went in, and lay all night upon the earth.
16David pleaded with God for the boy. He fasted, and he went inside and spent the night lying on the ground.
17And the elders of his house arose, and went to him, to raise him up from the earth: but he would not, neither did he eat bread with them.
17The elders of his household stood by him and tried to get him up from the ground, but he refused, and he would not eat any food with them.
18And it came to pass on the seventh day, that the child died. And the servants of David feared to tell him that the child was dead: for they said, Behold, while the child was yet alive, we spake unto him, and he would not hearken unto our voice: how will he then vex himself, if we tell him that the child is dead?
18On the seventh day the child died. David's servants were afraid to tell him the child was dead, for they said, "While the child was still alive we spoke to him, and he wouldn't listen to us. How will he hurt himself if we tell him the child is dead?"
19But when David saw that his servants whispered, David perceived that the child was dead: therefore David said unto his servants, Is the child dead? And they said, He is dead.
19But David noticed his servants whispering to one another, and he realized the child was dead. So David asked his servants, "Is the child dead?" "He is dead," they answered.
20Then David arose from the earth, and washed, and anointed himself, and changed his apparel, and came into the house of the LORD, and worshipped: then he came to his own house; and when he required, they set bread before him, and he did eat.
20Then David got up from the ground, washed, put on lotion, and changed his clothes. He went into the house of the LORD and worshiped. Then he went back to his own house, and at his request they set food before him, and he ate.
21Then said his servants unto him, What thing is this that thou hast done? thou didst fast and weep for the child, while it was alive; but when the child was dead, thou didst rise and eat bread.
21His servants asked him, "What are you doing? While the child was alive you fasted and wept, but now that the child is dead you get up and eat."
22And he said, While the child was yet alive, I fasted and wept: for I said, Who can tell whether GOD will be gracious to me, that the child may live?
22He answered, "While the child was still alive, I fasted and wept, because I thought, 'Who knows? GOD may be gracious to me and let the child live.'
23But now he is dead, wherefore should I fast? can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me.
23But now that he is dead, why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I will go to him one day, but he will not come back to me."
24And David comforted Bathsheba his wife, and went in unto her, and lay with her: and she bare a son, and he called his name Solomon: and the LORD loved him.
24Then David comforted his wife Bathsheba, and he went to her and slept with her. She gave birth to a son, and he named him Solomon. The LORD loved the child,
25And he sent by the hand of Nathan the prophet; and he called his name Jedidiah, because of the LORD.
25and he sent word through Nathan the prophet to name him Jedidiah, because the LORD loved him.
26And Joab fought against Rabbah of the children of Ammon, and took the royal city.
26Meanwhile Joab fought against Rabbah of the Ammonites and captured the royal city.
27And Joab sent messengers to David, and said, I have fought against Rabbah, and have taken the city of waters.
27Joab sent messengers to David, saying, "I have fought against Rabbah and have taken the city's water supply.
28Now therefore gather the rest of the people together, and encamp against the city, and take it: lest I take the city, and it be called after my name.
28Now gather the rest of the troops, surround the city, and capture it yourself. Otherwise I will take the city, and it will be named after me."
29And David gathered all the people together, and went to Rabbah, and fought against it, and took it.
29So David gathered all the troops and went to Rabbah; he fought against it and captured it.
30And he took their king’s crown from off his head, the weight whereof was a talent of gold with the precious stones: and it was set on David’s head. And he brought forth the spoil of the city in great abundance.
30He took the crown from their king's head. It weighed a talent of gold and was set with precious stones, and it was placed on David's head. He also carried off a great quantity of plunder from the city.
31And he brought forth the people that were therein, and put them under saws, and under harrows of iron, and under axes of iron, and made them pass through the brick-kiln: and thus did he unto all the cities of the children of Ammon. So David and all the people returned unto Jerusalem.
31He brought out the people who were in it and set them to labor with saws, iron harrows, and iron axes, and made them work at the brick kilns. He did the same to all the Ammonite towns. Then David and the whole army returned to Jerusalem.
13Amnon Rapes Tamar and Absalom Kills Amnon
📜 The old Bible words
💬 In today’s words
1And it came to pass after this, that Absalom the son of David had a fair sister, whose name was Tamar; and Amnon the son of David loved her.
1Some time after this, it happened that Absalom, David's son, had a beautiful sister named Tamar, and Amnon, another son of David, fell in love with her.
2And Amnon was so vexed, that he fell sick for his sister Tamar; for she was a virgin; and Amnon thought it hard for him to do anything to her.
2Amnon was so troubled over his sister Tamar that he made himself ill, because she was a virgin, and it seemed impossible to him to do anything to her.
3But Amnon had a friend, whose name was Jonadab, the son of Shimeah David’s brother: and Jonadab was a very subtil man.
3But Amnon had a friend named Jonadab, the son of David's brother Shimeah, and Jonadab was a very crafty man.
4And he said unto him, Why art thou, being the king’s son, lean from day to day? wilt thou not tell me? And Amnon said unto him, I love Tamar, my brother Absalom’s sister.
4He said to Amnon, "Why do you, the king's son, look thinner every day? Won't you tell me?" Amnon answered him, "I am in love with Tamar, my brother Absalom's sister."
5And Jonadab said unto him, Lay thee down on thy bed, and make thyself sick: and when thy father cometh to see thee, say unto him, I pray thee, let my sister Tamar come, and give me meat, and dress the meat in my sight, that I may see it, and eat it at her hand.
5Jonadab said to him, "Lie down on your bed and pretend to be sick. When your father comes to see you, say to him, 'Please let my sister Tamar come and give me something to eat. Let her prepare the food where I can watch, so that I can see it and eat it from her hand.'"
6So Amnon lay down, and made himself sick: and when the king was come to see him, Amnon said unto the king, I pray thee, let Tamar my sister come, and make me a couple of cakes in my sight, that I may eat at her hand.
6So Amnon lay down and pretended to be sick. When the king came to see him, Amnon said to the king, "Please let my sister Tamar come and make a couple of cakes here where I can watch, so that I can eat from her hand."
7Then David sent home to Tamar, saying, Go now to thy brother Amnon’s house, and dress him meat.
7Then David sent word home to Tamar: "Go now to your brother Amnon's house and prepare some food for him."
8So Tamar went to her brother Amnon’s house; and he was laid down. And she took flour, and kneaded it, and made cakes in his sight, and did bake the cakes.
8So Tamar went to her brother Amnon's house, where he was lying down. She took dough, kneaded it, made cakes while he watched, and baked them.
9And she took a pan, and poured them out before him; but he refused to eat. And Amnon said, Have out all men from me. And they went out every man from him.
9Then she took the pan and set them out in front of him, but he refused to eat. Amnon said, "Send everyone out of here." So everyone left him.
10And Amnon said unto Tamar, Bring the meat into the chamber, that I may eat of thine hand. And Tamar took the cakes which she had made, and brought them into the chamber to Amnon her brother.
10Then Amnon said to Tamar, "Bring the food into the bedroom, so that I can eat from your hand." Tamar took the cakes she had made and brought them into the bedroom to her brother Amnon.
11And when she had brought them unto him to eat, he took hold of her, and said unto her, Come lie with me, my sister.
11But when she brought them to him to eat, he grabbed her and said, "Come to bed with me, my sister."
12And she answered him, Nay, my brother, do not force me; for no such thing ought to be done in Israel: do not thou this folly.
12She answered him, "No, my brother! Do not force me. Such a thing must never be done in Israel. Do not do this disgraceful thing.
13And I, whither shall I cause my shame to go? and as for thee, thou shalt be as one of the fools in Israel. Now therefore, I pray thee, speak unto the king; for he will not withhold me from thee.
13And what about me? Where could I go to hide my shame? And you would be counted among the worst fools in Israel. Please, speak to the king instead. He will not refuse to let me marry you."
14Howbeit he would not hearken unto her voice: but, being stronger than she, forced her, and lay with her.
14But he would not listen to her, and since he was stronger than she was, he forced her and violated her.
15Then Amnon hated her exceedingly; so that the hatred wherewith he hated her was greater than the love wherewith he had loved her. And Amnon said unto her, Arise, be gone.
15Then Amnon hated her with a fierce hatred; in fact, the hatred he now felt for her was greater than the love he had felt before. Amnon said to her, "Get up and get out."
16And she said unto him, There is no cause: this evil in sending me away is greater than the other that thou didst unto me. But he would not hearken unto her.
16She said to him, "No! Sending me away is a greater wrong than the one you have already done to me." But he would not listen to her.
17Then he called his servant that ministered unto him, and said, Put now this woman out from me, and bolt the door after her.
17He called the young servant who waited on him and said, "Get this woman out of my sight, and bolt the door behind her."
18And she had a garment of divers colours upon her: for with such robes were the king’s daughters that were virgins apparelled. Then his servant brought her out, and bolted the door after her.
18She was wearing a long robe of many colors, for that was how the king's unmarried daughters dressed. His servant put her out and bolted the door behind her.
19And Tamar put ashes on her head, and rent her garment of divers colours that was on her, and laid her hand on her head, and went on crying.
19Tamar put ashes on her head, tore the colorful robe she was wearing, laid her hand on her head, and went away weeping aloud.
20And Absalom her brother said unto her, Hath Amnon thy brother been with thee? but hold now thy peace, my sister: he is thy brother; regard not this thing. So Tamar remained desolate in her brother Absalom’s house.
20Her brother Absalom said to her, "Has your brother Amnon been with you? For now, my sister, keep quiet. He is your brother; do not take this to heart." So Tamar lived on in her brother Absalom's house, a broken and lonely woman.
21But when king David heard of all these things, he was very wroth.
21When King David heard about all this, he was furious.
22And Absalom spake unto his brother Amnon neither good nor bad: for Absalom hated Amnon, because he had forced his sister Tamar.
22Absalom did not say a word to Amnon, good or bad, but Absalom hated Amnon because he had violated his sister Tamar.
23And it came to pass after two full years, that Absalom had sheepshearers in Baalhazor, which is beside Ephraim: and Absalom invited all the king’s sons.
23Two full years later, Absalom was having his sheep sheared at Baal-hazor, near Ephraim, and he invited all the king's sons.
24And Absalom came to the king, and said, Behold now, thy servant hath sheepshearers; let the king, I beseech thee, and his servants go with thy servant.
24Absalom went to the king and said, "Look, your servant has the sheepshearers at work. Please let the king and his officials come along with your servant."
25And the king said to Absalom, Nay, my son, let us not all now go, lest we be chargeable unto thee. And he pressed him: howbeit he would not go, but blessed him.
25The king said to Absalom, "No, my son, we should not all come; we would only be a burden to you." Absalom urged him, but he still would not go, though he gave him his blessing.
26Then said Absalom, If not, I pray thee, let my brother Amnon go with us. And the king said unto him, Why should he go with thee?
26Then Absalom said, "If you will not come, please let my brother Amnon go with us." The king asked him, "Why should he go with you?"
27But Absalom pressed him, that he let Amnon and all the king’s sons go with him.
27But Absalom kept pressing him, so he let Amnon and all the king's sons go with him.
28Now Absalom had commanded his servants, saying, Mark ye now when Amnon’s heart is merry with wine, and when I say unto you, Smite Amnon; then kill him, fear not: have not I commanded you? be courageous, and be valiant.
28Now Absalom had given his servants orders: "Watch for the moment when Amnon is merry with wine, and when I say to you, 'Strike Amnon down,' kill him. Do not be afraid. Haven't I commanded you myself? Be strong and brave."
29And the servants of Absalom did unto Amnon as Absalom had commanded. Then all the king’s sons arose, and every man gat him up upon his mule, and fled.
29So Absalom's servants did to Amnon exactly what Absalom had commanded. Then all the king's sons got up, each one mounted his mule, and they fled.
30And it came to pass, while they were in the way, that tidings came to David, saying, Absalom hath slain all the king’s sons, and there is not one of them left.
30While they were still on the road, news reached David: "Absalom has killed all the king's sons; not one of them is left."
31Then the king arose, and tare his garments, and lay on the earth; and all his servants stood by with their clothes rent.
31The king got up, tore his clothes, and lay on the ground, and all his servants stood around him with their clothes torn.
32And Jonadab, the son of Shimeah David’s brother, answered and said, Let not my lord suppose that they have slain all the young men the king’s sons; for Amnon only is dead: for by the appointment of Absalom this hath been determined from the day that he forced his sister Tamar.
32But Jonadab, the son of David's brother Shimeah, spoke up: "My lord should not think they have killed all the young men, the king's sons. Only Amnon is dead. Absalom has had this planned ever since the day Amnon violated his sister Tamar.
33Now therefore let not my lord the king take the thing to his heart, to think that all the king’s sons are dead: for Amnon only is dead.
33So my lord the king should not take to heart the report that all the king's sons are dead. Only Amnon is dead."
34But Absalom fled. And the young man that kept the watch lifted up his eyes, and looked, and, behold, there came much people by the way of the hill side behind him.
34Meanwhile Absalom had fled. The young man on watch looked up and saw a large crowd coming along the road on the hillside behind him.
35And Jonadab said unto the king, Behold, the king’s sons come: as thy servant said, so it is.
35Jonadab said to the king, "Look, the king's sons are coming. It is just as your servant said."
36And it came to pass, as soon as he had made an end of speaking, that, behold, the king’s sons came, and lifted up their voice and wept: and the king also and all his servants wept very sore.
36As soon as he finished speaking, the king's sons arrived, and they lifted up their voices and wept, and the king and all his servants wept bitterly too.
37But Absalom fled, and went to Talmai, the son of Ammihud, king of Geshur. And David mourned for his son every day.
37Absalom, however, fled to Talmai son of Ammihud, the king of Geshur. And David mourned for his son day after day.
38So Absalom fled, and went to Geshur, and was there three years.
38So Absalom fled to Geshur and stayed there three years.
39And the soul of king David longed to go forth unto Absalom: for he was comforted concerning Amnon, seeing he was dead.
39And King David's heart longed to go out to Absalom, for he had gotten over the death of Amnon.
14The Woman of Tekoa and Absalom's Return
📜 The old Bible words
💬 In today’s words
1Now Joab the son of Zeruiah perceived that the king’s heart was toward Absalom.
1Joab son of Zeruiah could see that the king's heart was drawn toward Absalom.
2And Joab sent to Tekoah, and fetched thence a wise woman, and said unto her, I pray thee, feign thyself to be a mourner, and put on now mourning apparel, and anoint not thyself with oil, but be as a woman that had a long time mourned for the dead:
2So Joab sent to Tekoa and had a wise woman brought from there. He said to her, "Please pretend to be in mourning. Put on mourning clothes, do not anoint yourself with oil, and act like a woman who has been grieving for the dead a long time.
3And come to the king, and speak on this manner unto him. So Joab put the words in her mouth.
3Then go to the king and speak to him like this." And Joab told her exactly what to say.
4And when the woman of Tekoah spake to the king, she fell on her face to the ground, and did obeisance, and said, Help, O king.
4When the woman from Tekoa came to the king, she fell face down on the ground in respect and said, "Help me, O king!"
5And the king said unto her, What aileth thee? And she answered, I am indeed a widow woman, and mine husband is dead.
5The king asked her, "What is troubling you?" She answered, "I am truly a widow; my husband is dead.
6And thy handmaid had two sons, and they two strove together in the field, and there was none to part them, but the one smote the other, and slew him.
6Your servant had two sons, and the two of them got into a fight out in the field. There was no one there to separate them, and one struck the other and killed him.
7And, behold, the whole family is risen against thine handmaid, and they said, Deliver him that smote his brother, that we may kill him, for the life of his brother whom he slew; and we will destroy the heir also: and so they shall quench my coal which is left, and shall not leave to my husband neither name nor remainder upon the earth.
7Now the whole family has risen up against your servant. They say, 'Hand over the one who struck down his brother, so we can put him to death for the life of the brother he killed. That way we will get rid of the heir as well.' They would put out the one glowing coal I have left, leaving my husband neither name nor descendant on the earth."
8And the king said unto the woman, Go to thine house, and I will give charge concerning thee.
8The king said to the woman, "Go home, and I will give orders on your behalf."
9And the woman of Tekoah said unto the king, My lord, O king, the iniquity be on me, and on my father’s house: and the king and his throne be guiltless.
9The woman from Tekoa said to the king, "My lord the king, let the blame fall on me and on my father's family; let the king and his throne be free of guilt."
10And the king said, Whosoever saith ought unto thee, bring him to me, and he shall not touch thee any more.
10The king said, "If anyone says anything to you, bring him to me, and he will never bother you again."
11Then said she, I pray thee, let the king remember the LORD thy God, that thou wouldest not suffer the revengers of blood to destroy any more, lest they destroy my son. And he said, As the LORD liveth, there shall not one hair of thy son fall to the earth.
11Then she said, "Please, let the king call on the LORD your God, so that the avenger of blood will not add to the killing by destroying my son." He said, "As surely as the LORD lives, not one hair of your son's head will fall to the ground."
12Then the woman said, Let thine handmaid, I pray thee, speak one word unto my lord the king. And he said, Say on.
12Then the woman said, "Please let your servant say one more thing to my lord the king." He said, "Go on."
13And the woman said, Wherefore then hast thou thought such a thing against the people of God? for the king doth speak this thing as one which is faulty, in that the king doth not fetch home again his banished.
13The woman said, "Why then have you planned something like this against the people of God? In giving this ruling, the king convicts himself, because the king has not brought back his own banished son.
14For we must needs die, and are as water spilt on the ground, which cannot be gathered up again; neither doth God respect any person: yet doth he devise means, that his banished be not expelled from him.
14We must all die; we are like water spilled on the ground, which cannot be gathered up again. Yet God does not take a life away; instead he finds ways to keep a banished person from staying cut off from him.
15Now therefore that I am come to speak of this thing unto my lord the king, it is because the people have made me afraid: and thy handmaid said, I will now speak unto the king; it may be that the king will perform the request of his handmaid.
15Now I have come to say this to my lord the king because the people have made me afraid. Your servant thought, 'I will speak to the king; perhaps the king will do what his servant asks.
16For the king will hear, to deliver his handmaid out of the hand of the man that would destroy me and my son together out of the inheritance of God.
16For the king will listen and rescue his servant from the hand of the man who wants to cut off both me and my son from the inheritance God gave us.'
17Then thine handmaid said, The word of my lord the king shall now be comfortable: for as an angel of God, so is my lord the king to discern good and bad: therefore the LORD thy God will be with thee.
17And your servant thought, 'May the word of my lord the king bring me rest, for my lord the king is like an angel of God in telling good from evil.' May the LORD your God be with you."
18Then the king answered and said unto the woman, Hide not from me, I pray thee, the thing that I shall ask thee. And the woman said, Let my lord the king now speak.
18Then the king answered the woman, "Do not hide from me the answer to what I am about to ask you." The woman said, "Let my lord the king speak."
19And the king said, Is not the hand of Joab with thee in all this? And the woman answered and said, As thy soul liveth, my lord the king, none can turn to the right hand or to the left from ought that my lord the king hath spoken: for thy servant Joab, he bade me, and he put all these words in the mouth of thine handmaid:
19The king asked, "Is Joab's hand behind you in all this?" The woman answered, "As surely as you live, my lord the king, no one can turn to the right or to the left from anything my lord the king says. Yes, it was your servant Joab who told me to do this; he put every one of these words in your servant's mouth.
20To fetch about this form of speech hath thy servant Joab done this thing: and my lord is wise, according to the wisdom of an angel of God, to know all things that are in the earth.
20Your servant Joab did this to change the way things stand. But my lord is wise, with the wisdom of an angel of God, and he knows everything that goes on in the land."
21And the king said unto Joab, Behold now, I have done this thing: go therefore, bring the young man Absalom again.
21Then the king said to Joab, "Very well, I will do it. Go and bring back the young man Absalom."
22And Joab fell to the ground on his face, and bowed himself, and thanked the king: and Joab said, To day thy servant knoweth that I have found grace in thy sight, my lord, O king, in that the king hath fulfilled the request of his servant.
22Joab fell face down on the ground, bowed, and blessed the king. Joab said, "Today your servant knows that I have found favor in your sight, my lord the king, because the king has granted his servant's request."
23So Joab arose and went to Geshur, and brought Absalom to Jerusalem.
23So Joab got up, went to Geshur, and brought Absalom back to Jerusalem.
24And the king said, Let him turn to his own house, and let him not see my face. So Absalom returned to his own house, and saw not the king’s face.
24But the king said, "He may go to his own house, but he is not to see my face." So Absalom went to his own house and did not see the king's face.
25But in all Israel there was none to be so much praised as Absalom for his beauty: from the sole of his foot even to the crown of his head there was no blemish in him.
25In all Israel no one was praised for his good looks as much as Absalom. From the sole of his foot to the top of his head there was not a flaw in him.
26And when he polled his head, (for it was at every year’s end that he polled it: because the hair was heavy on him, therefore he polled it:) he weighed the hair of his head at two hundred shekels after the king’s weight.
26Whenever he cut his hair (he cut it at the end of every year, because it grew so heavy on him), he would weigh the hair from his head, and it came to two hundred shekels by the royal standard.
27And unto Absalom there were born three sons, and one daughter, whose name was Tamar: she was a woman of a fair countenance.
27Three sons were born to Absalom, and one daughter named Tamar, who grew up to be a beautiful woman.
28So Absalom dwelt two full years in Jerusalem, and saw not the king’s face.
28Absalom lived in Jerusalem two full years without seeing the king's face.
29Therefore Absalom sent for Joab, to have sent him to the king; but he would not come to him: and when he sent again the second time, he would not come.
29Then Absalom sent for Joab, intending to send him to the king, but Joab refused to come to him. He sent a second time, and still he would not come.
30Therefore he said unto his servants, See, Joab’s field is near mine, and he hath barley there; go and set it on fire. And Absalom’s servants set the field on fire.
30So Absalom said to his servants, "Look, Joab's field is next to mine, and he has barley growing there. Go and set it on fire." And Absalom's servants set the field on fire.
31Then Joab arose, and came to Absalom unto his house, and said unto him, Wherefore have thy servants set my field on fire?
31Then Joab got up, went to Absalom at his house, and said to him, "Why have your servants set my field on fire?"
32And Absalom answered Joab, Behold, I sent unto thee, saying, Come hither, that I may send thee to the king, to say, Wherefore am I come from Geshur? it had been good for me to have been there still: now therefore let me see the king’s face; and if there be any iniquity in me, let him kill me.
32Absalom answered Joab, "Look, I sent for you and said, 'Come here, so I can send you to the king to ask, "Why did I come back from Geshur? It would have been better for me to stay there."' Now let me see the king's face, and if there is any guilt in me, let him put me to death."
33So Joab came to the king, and told him: and when he had called for Absalom, he came to the king, and bowed himself on his face to the ground before the king: and the king kissed Absalom.
33So Joab went to the king and told him. Then the king summoned Absalom, and he came to the king and bowed with his face to the ground before him, and the king kissed Absalom.
15Absalom's Conspiracy and David's Flight
📜 The old Bible words
💬 In today’s words
1And it came to pass after this, that Absalom prepared him chariots and horses, and fifty men to run before him.
1Some time later, Absalom got himself a chariot and horses, with fifty men to run ahead of him.
2And Absalom rose up early, and stood beside the way of the gate: and it was so, that when any man that had a controversy came to the king for judgment, then Absalom called unto him, and said, Of what city art thou? And he said, Thy servant is of one of the tribes of Israel.
2Absalom would get up early and stand beside the road to the city gate. Whenever anyone came with a dispute to be settled by the king, Absalom would call out to him, "What town are you from?" And the man would answer, "Your servant is from one of the tribes of Israel."
3And Absalom said unto him, See, thy matters are good and right; but there is no man deputed of the king to hear thee.
3Then Absalom would say to him, "Look, your claims are good and right, but the king has no one appointed to hear you."
4Absalom said moreover, Oh that I were made judge in the land, that every man which hath any suit or cause might come unto me, and I would do him justice!
4And Absalom would add, "If only I were made judge in the land! Then everyone with a case or a claim could come to me, and I would see that he got justice."
5And it was so, that when any man came nigh to him to do him obeisance, he put forth his hand, and took him, and kissed him.
5And whenever anyone came near to bow before him, Absalom would reach out his hand, take hold of him, and kiss him.
6And on this manner did Absalom to all Israel that came to the king for judgment: so Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel.
6Absalom did this to every Israelite who came to the king for judgment, and so Absalom stole the hearts of the people of Israel.
7And it came to pass after forty years, that Absalom said unto the king, I pray thee, let me go and pay my vow, which I have vowed unto the LORD, in Hebron.
7At the end of forty years, Absalom said to the king, "Please let me go to Hebron to keep a vow I made to the LORD.
8For thy servant vowed a vow while I abode at Geshur in Syria, saying, If the LORD shall bring me again indeed to Jerusalem, then I will serve the LORD.
8For while your servant was living at Geshur in Syria, I made this vow: 'If the LORD really brings me back to Jerusalem, then I will worship the LORD.'"
9And the king said unto him, Go in peace. So he arose, and went to Hebron.
9The king said to him, "Go in peace." So he got up and went to Hebron.
10But Absalom sent spies throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, As soon as ye hear the sound of the trumpet, then ye shall say, Absalom reigneth in Hebron.
10But Absalom sent secret messengers throughout all the tribes of Israel to say, "As soon as you hear the sound of the trumpet, shout, 'Absalom is king in Hebron!'"
11And with Absalom went two hundred men out of Jerusalem, that were called; and they went in their simplicity, and they knew not any thing.
11Two hundred men from Jerusalem went with Absalom as invited guests; they went innocently, knowing nothing about the plan.
12And Absalom sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David’s counsellor, from his city, even from Giloh, while he offered sacrifices. And the conspiracy was strong; for the people increased continually with Absalom.
12While he was offering the sacrifices, Absalom sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David's counselor, from his hometown of Giloh. The conspiracy grew strong, and Absalom's following kept increasing.
13And there came a messenger to David, saying, The hearts of the men of Israel are after Absalom.
13A messenger came to David and said, "The hearts of the people of Israel have gone over to Absalom."
14And David said unto all his servants that were with him at Jerusalem, Arise, and let us flee; for we shall not else escape from Absalom: make speed to depart, lest he overtake us suddenly, and bring evil upon us, and smite the city with the edge of the sword.
14Then David said to all the officials who were with him in Jerusalem, "Get up, let us run for it, or none of us will escape from Absalom. Hurry and leave, or he will overtake us quickly, bring disaster on us, and put the city to the sword."
15And the king’s servants said unto the king, Behold, thy servants are ready to do whatsoever my lord the king shall appoint.
15The king's officials answered him, "Your servants are ready to do whatever my lord the king decides."
16And the king went forth, and all his household after him. And the king left ten women, which were concubines, to keep the house.
16So the king set out with his whole household following him, but he left ten concubines behind to look after the palace.
17And the king went forth, and all the people after him, and tarried in a place that was far off.
17The king set out with all the people following him, and they stopped at the last house on the edge of the city.
18And all his servants passed on beside him; and all the Cherethites, and all the Pelethites, and all the Gittites, six hundred men which came after him from Gath, passed on before the king.
18All his officials marched past him, along with all the Cherethites and Pelethites, and all six hundred Gittites who had followed him from Gath marched on ahead of the king.
19Then said the king to Ittai the Gittite, Wherefore goest thou also with us? return to thy place, and abide with the king: for thou art a stranger, and also an exile.
19Then the king said to Ittai the Gittite, "Why should you come with us too? Go back and stay with the new king. You are a foreigner, and an exile from your own country besides.
20Whereas thou camest but yesterday, should I this day make thee go up and down with us? seeing I go whither I may, return thou, and take back thy brethren: mercy and truth be with thee.
20You only arrived yesterday; should I make you wander around with us today, when I myself do not know where I am going? Go back, and take your countrymen with you. May kindness and faithfulness go with you."
21And Ittai answered the king, and said, As the LORD liveth, and as my lord the king liveth, surely in what place my lord the king shall be, whether in death or life, even there also will thy servant be.
21But Ittai answered the king, "As surely as the LORD lives, and as my lord the king lives, wherever my lord the king is, whether it means death or life, that is where your servant will be."
22And David said to Ittai, Go and pass over. And Ittai the Gittite passed over, and all his men, and all the little ones that were with him.
22David said to Ittai, "Then go on ahead." So Ittai the Gittite marched on, with all his men and all the children who were with him.
23And all the country wept with a loud voice, and all the people passed over: the king also himself passed over the brook Kidron, and all the people passed over, toward the way of the wilderness.
23The whole countryside wept aloud as all the people passed by. The king himself crossed the Kidron Valley, and all the people moved on toward the wilderness road.
24And lo Zadok also, and all the Levites were with him, bearing the ark of the covenant of God: and they set down the ark of God; and Abiathar went up, until all the people had done passing out of the city.
24Zadok was there too, with all the Levites, carrying the ark of the covenant of God. They set the ark of God down, and Abiathar offered sacrifices until all the people had finished leaving the city.
25And the king said unto Zadok, Carry back the ark of God into the city: if I shall find favour in the eyes of the LORD, he will bring me again, and shew me both it, and his habitation:
25Then the king said to Zadok, "Take the ark of God back into the city. If I find favor in the eyes of the LORD, he will bring me back and let me see both it and his dwelling place again.
26But if he thus say, I have no delight in thee; behold, here am I, let him do to me as seemeth good unto him.
26But if he says, 'I am not pleased with you,' then here I am; let him do to me whatever seems good to him."
27The king said also unto Zadok the priest, Art not thou a seer? return into the city in peace, and your two sons with you, Ahimaaz thy son, and Jonathan the son of Abiathar.
27The king also said to Zadok the priest, "Are you not a seer? Go back to the city in peace, and take your two sons with you: your son Ahimaaz and Abiathar's son Jonathan.
28See, I will tarry in the plain of the wilderness, until there come word from you to certify me.
28Look, I will wait at the crossing places in the wilderness until word comes from you to let me know what is happening."
29Zadok therefore and Abiathar carried the ark of God again to Jerusalem: and they tarried there.
29So Zadok and Abiathar carried the ark of God back to Jerusalem and stayed there.
30And David went up by the ascent of mount Olivet, and wept as he went up, and had his head covered, and he went barefoot: and all the people that was with him covered every man his head, and they went up, weeping as they went up.
30David went on up the Mount of Olives, weeping as he went, with his head covered and his feet bare. All the people with him covered their heads too, and they went up weeping as they climbed.
31And one told David, saying, Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom. And David said, O LORD, I pray thee, turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness.
31Someone told David, "Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom." David prayed, "O LORD, please turn Ahithophel's advice into foolishness."
32And it came to pass, that when David was come to the top of the mount, where he worshipped God, behold, Hushai the Archite came to meet him with his coat rent, and earth upon his head:
32When David reached the summit, where people worshiped God, Hushai the Archite was there to meet him, his robe torn and dirt on his head.
33Unto whom David said, If thou passest on with me, then thou shalt be a burden unto me:
33David said to him, "If you go on with me, you will only be a burden to me.
34But if thou return to the city, and say unto Absalom, I will be thy servant, O king; as I have been thy father’s servant hitherto, so will I now also be thy servant: then mayest thou for me defeat the counsel of Ahithophel.
34But if you go back to the city and say to Absalom, 'I will be your servant, O king. I used to be your father's servant, but now I will be yours,' then you can help me by undoing Ahithophel's advice.
35And hast thou not there with thee Zadok and Abiathar the priests? therefore it shall be, that what thing soever thou shalt hear out of the king’s house, thou shalt tell it to Zadok and Abiathar the priests.
35The priests Zadok and Abiathar will be there with you, won't they? Whatever you hear in the king's palace, tell it to Zadok and Abiathar the priests.
36Behold, they have there with them their two sons, Ahimaaz Zadok’s son, and Jonathan Abiathar’s son; and by them ye shall send unto me every thing that ye can hear.
36Their two sons are there with them, Zadok's son Ahimaaz and Abiathar's son Jonathan, and through them you can send me everything you hear."
37So Hushai David’s friend came into the city, and Absalom came into Jerusalem.
37So David's friend Hushai went back into the city, just as Absalom was entering Jerusalem.
16Ziba, Shimei, and Ahithophel's Counsel
📜 The old Bible words
💬 In today’s words
1And when David was a little past the top of the hill, behold, Ziba the servant of Mephibosheth met him, with a couple of asses saddled, and upon them two hundred loaves of bread, and an hundred bunches of raisins, and an hundred of summer fruits, and a bottle of wine.
1When David had gone a little way past the summit, Ziba, Mephibosheth's servant, met him with a pair of saddled donkeys loaded with two hundred loaves of bread, a hundred bunches of raisins, a hundred summer fruits, and a skin of wine.
2And the king said unto Ziba, What meanest thou by these? And Ziba said, The asses be for the king’s household to ride on; and the bread and summer fruit for the young men to eat; and the wine, that such as be faint in the wilderness may drink.
2The king asked Ziba, "What are these for?" Ziba answered, "The donkeys are for the king's household to ride, the bread and summer fruit are for the young men to eat, and the wine is for anyone who grows faint in the wilderness."
3And the king said, And where is thy master’s son? And Ziba said unto the king, Behold, he abideth at Jerusalem: for he said, To day shall the house of Israel restore me the kingdom of my father.
3The king asked, "And where is your master's grandson?" Ziba said to the king, "He has stayed in Jerusalem, because he said, 'Today the house of Israel will give me back my grandfather's kingdom.'"
4Then said the king to Ziba, Behold, thine are all that pertained unto Mephibosheth. And Ziba said, I humbly beseech thee that I may find grace in thy sight, my lord, O king.
4Then the king said to Ziba, "Everything that belonged to Mephibosheth is now yours." Ziba said, "I bow before you. May I always find favor in your sight, my lord the king."
5And when king David came to Bahurim, behold, thence came out a man of the family of the house of Saul, whose name was Shimei, the son of Gera: he came forth, and cursed still as he came.
5When King David came to Bahurim, a man from the same clan as Saul's family came out from there. His name was Shimei son of Gera, and he cursed as he came.
6And 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.
6He threw stones at David and at all King David's officials, even though all the troops and all the mighty warriors were on the king's right and left.
7And thus said Shimei when he cursed, Come out, come out, thou bloody man, and thou man of Belial:
7This is what Shimei said as he cursed: "Get out, get out, you murderer, you worthless scoundrel!
8The LORD hath returned upon thee all the blood of the house of Saul, in whose stead thou hast reigned; and the LORD hath delivered the kingdom into the hand of Absalom thy son: and, behold, thou art taken in thy mischief, because thou art a bloody man.
8The LORD has paid you back for all the blood of the house of Saul, whose throne you took. The LORD has handed the kingdom over to your son Absalom. Now you are caught in your own wickedness, because you are a man of blood."
9Then said Abishai the son of Zeruiah unto the king, Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? let me go over, I pray thee, and take off his head.
9Then Abishai son of Zeruiah said to the king, "Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? Let me go over there and cut off his head."
10And the king said, What have I to do with you, ye sons of Zeruiah? so let him curse, because the LORD hath said unto him, Curse David. Who shall then say, Wherefore hast thou done so?
10But the king said, "What do I have to do with you, you sons of Zeruiah? If he is cursing because the LORD has told him, 'Curse David,' then who can say, 'Why did you do that?'"
11And David said to Abishai, and to all his servants, Behold, my son, which came forth of my bowels, seeketh my life: how much more now may this Benjamite do it? let him alone, and let him curse; for the LORD hath bidden him.
11David said to Abishai and to all his officials, "Look, my own son, my own flesh and blood, is trying to take my life. How much more, then, this Benjaminite! Leave him alone; let him curse, for the LORD has told him to.
12It may be that the LORD will look on mine affliction, and that the LORD will requite me good for his cursing this day.
12Perhaps the LORD will look on my misery and repay me with good in place of his cursing today."
13And 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 cast dust.
13So David and his men went on along the road, while Shimei kept pace along the hillside across from him, cursing as he went, throwing stones at him and flinging dust.
14And the king, and all the people that were with him, came weary, and refreshed themselves there.
14The king and all the people with him arrived exhausted, and there he rested and recovered his strength.
15And Absalom, and all the people the men of Israel, came to Jerusalem, and Ahithophel with him.
15Meanwhile Absalom and all the people, the men of Israel, entered Jerusalem, and Ahithophel was with him.
16And it came to pass, when Hushai the Archite, David’s friend, was come unto Absalom, that Hushai said unto Absalom, God save the king, God save the king.
16When Hushai the Archite, David's friend, came to Absalom, Hushai said to him, "Long live the king! Long live the king!"
17And Absalom said to Hushai, Is this thy kindness to thy friend? why wentest thou not with thy friend?
17Absalom said to Hushai, "Is this the loyalty you show your friend? Why did you not go with your friend?"
18And 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.
18Hushai answered Absalom, "No. I belong to the one whom the LORD, and this people, and all the men of Israel have chosen, and I will stay with him.
19And 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.
19Besides, whom should I serve? Should I not serve the son? Just as I served in your father's presence, so I will serve in yours."
20Then said Absalom to Ahithophel, Give counsel among you what we shall do.
20Then Absalom said to Ahithophel, "Give us your advice. What should we do?"
21And 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.
21Ahithophel answered Absalom, "Go and sleep with your father's concubines, the ones he left to look after the palace. Then all Israel will hear that you have made yourself hateful to your father, and everyone with you will be strengthened."
22So 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.
22So they pitched a tent for Absalom on the roof of the palace, and Absalom went in to his father's concubines in the sight of all Israel.
23And the counsel of Ahithophel, which he counselled in those days, was as if a man had enquired at the oracle of God: so was all the counsel of Ahithophel both with David and with Absalom.
23In those days the advice Ahithophel gave was treated as if one had asked God himself for a word; that was how both David and Absalom regarded all of Ahithophel's counsel.
17Hushai Defeats the Counsel of Ahithophel
📜 The old Bible words
💬 In today’s words
1Moreover Ahithophel said unto Absalom, Let me now choose out twelve thousand men, and I will arise and pursue after David this night:
1Then Ahithophel said to Absalom, "Let me pick out twelve thousand men, and I will set out and chase after David tonight.
2And 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:
2I will come upon him while he is tired and losing heart, and I will throw him into a panic. All the people with him will run away, and I will strike down the king alone.
3And 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.
3Then I will bring all the people back to you. The man you are after is all that matters; once he is gone, it will be as if everyone had come back, and all the people will be at peace."
4And the saying pleased Absalom well, and all the elders of Israel.
4The plan seemed good to Absalom and to all the elders of Israel.
5Then said Absalom, Call now Hushai the Archite also, and let us hear likewise what he saith.
5But Absalom said, "Call Hushai the Archite too, and let us hear what he has to say as well."
6And when Hushai was come to Absalom, Absalom spake unto him, saying, Ahithophel hath spoken after this manner: shall we do after his saying? if not; speak thou.
6When Hushai came in, Absalom said to him, "Ahithophel has given this advice. Should we do what he says? If not, speak up."
7And Hushai said unto Absalom, The counsel that Ahithophel hath given is not good at this time.
7Hushai said to Absalom, "The advice Ahithophel has given is not good this time."
8For, said Hushai, thou knowest thy father and his men, that they be mighty men, and they be 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.
8Hushai went on, "You know your father and his men. They are mighty fighters, and right now they are as fierce as a mother bear in the field robbed of her cubs. Besides, your father is a seasoned soldier; he will not spend the night among the troops.
9Behold, he is hid now in some pit, or in some other place: and it will come to pass, when some of them be overthrown at the first, that whosoever heareth it will say, There is a slaughter among the people that follow Absalom.
9Look, by now he is hiding in some cave or some other place. If some of your men fall in the first attack, whoever hears of it will say, 'The people who follow Absalom are being slaughtered.'
10And 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.
10Then even the bravest man, with a heart like a lion's, will melt with fear, because all Israel knows that your father is a mighty warrior and that the men with him are brave.
11Therefore I counsel that all Israel be generally gathered unto thee, from Dan even to Beersheba, as the sand that is by the sea for multitude; and that thou go to battle in thine own person.
11So here is my advice: gather all Israel to you, from Dan to Beersheba, as countless as the sand on the seashore, and go into battle yourself.
12So 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.
12Then we will come upon him wherever he is found, and we will settle on him the way dew settles on the ground, and not one of him or of all the men with him will be left.
13Moreover, 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.
13And if he takes shelter in a city, all Israel will bring ropes to that city, and we will drag it down into the valley until not even a pebble is left there."
14And Absalom and all the men of Israel 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.
14Absalom and all the men of Israel said, "The advice of Hushai the Archite is better than the advice of Ahithophel." For the LORD had determined to frustrate Ahithophel's good advice, so that the LORD might bring disaster on Absalom.
15Then 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.
15Then Hushai said to Zadok and Abiathar the priests, "This is what Ahithophel advised Absalom and the elders of Israel, and this is what I advised.
16Now therefore send quickly, and tell David, saying, Lodge 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.
16Now send word to David quickly and tell him, 'Do not spend the night at the crossings in the wilderness, but cross over at once, or the king and all the people with him will be swallowed up.'"
17Now Jonathan and Ahimaaz stayed by Enrogel; for they might not be seen to come into the city: and a wench went and told them; and they went and told king David.
17Jonathan and Ahimaaz were waiting at En-rogel, since they could not risk being seen going into the city. A servant girl would go and pass messages to them, and they would go and tell King David.
18Nevertheless a lad saw them, and told Absalom: but they went both of them away quickly, and came to a man’s house in Bahurim, which had a well in his court; whither they went down.
18But a boy saw them and told Absalom. So the two of them hurried away and came to the house of a man in Bahurim who had a well in his courtyard, and they climbed down into it.
19And the woman took and spread a covering over the well’s mouth, and spread ground corn thereon; and the thing was not known.
19The man's wife took a covering, spread it over the mouth of the well, and scattered grain over it, so that nothing could be noticed.
20And when Absalom’s servants came to the woman to the house, they said, Where is Ahimaaz and Jonathan? And the woman said unto them, They be gone over the brook of water. And when they had sought and could not find them, they returned to Jerusalem.
20When Absalom's servants came to the woman at the house, they asked, "Where are Ahimaaz and Jonathan?" The woman told them, "They have crossed over the stream." The men searched but could not find them, so they went back to Jerusalem.
21And it came to pass, after they were departed, that they came up out of the well, and went and told king David, and said unto David, Arise, and pass quickly over the water: for thus hath Ahithophel counselled against you.
21After they had gone, the two climbed up out of the well and went and told King David. They said to him, "Get up and cross the water quickly, because this is what Ahithophel has advised against you."
22Then David arose, and all the people that were with him, and they passed over Jordan: by the morning light there lacked not one of them that was not gone over Jordan.
22So David and all the people with him set out and crossed the Jordan. By daybreak there was not one of them who had not crossed the Jordan.
23And when Ahithophel saw that his counsel was not followed, he saddled his ass, and arose, and gat him home to his house, to his city, and put his household in order, and hanged himself, and died, and was buried in the sepulchre of his father.
23When Ahithophel saw that his advice had not been followed, he saddled his donkey and went home to his own city. He put his household affairs in order, then hanged himself and died, and he was buried in his father's tomb.
24Then David came to Mahanaim. And Absalom passed over Jordan, he and all the men of Israel with him.
24David came to Mahanaim, while Absalom crossed the Jordan with all the men of Israel.
25And Absalom made Amasa captain of the host instead of Joab: which Amasa was a man’s son, whose name was Ithra an Israelite, that went in to Abigail the daughter of Nahash, sister to Zeruiah Joab’s mother.
25Absalom had made Amasa commander of the army in place of Joab. Amasa was the son of a man named Ithra, an Israelite, who had married Abigail the daughter of Nahash, the sister of Joab's mother Zeruiah.
26So Israel and Absalom pitched in the land of Gilead.
26Israel and Absalom camped in the land of Gilead.
27And 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 Lodebar, and Barzillai the Gileadite of Rogelim,
27When David came to Mahanaim, Shobi the son of Nahash from Rabbah of the Ammonites, Machir the son of Ammiel from Lo-debar, and Barzillai the Gileadite from Rogelim
28Brought beds, and basons, and earthen vessels, and wheat, and barley, and flour, and parched corn, and beans, and lentiles, and parched pulse,
28brought bedding, bowls, and clay pots, along with wheat, barley, flour, roasted grain, beans, lentils, and roasted seeds,
29And honey, and butter, and sheep, and cheese of kine, for David, and for the people that were with him, to eat: for they said, The people is hungry, and weary, and thirsty, in the wilderness.
29as well as honey, curds, sheep, and cheese from the herd, for David and the people with him to eat. They said, "The people are hungry, tired, and thirsty out in the wilderness."
18The Battle in the Wood and the Death of Absalom
📜 The old Bible words
💬 In today’s words
1And David numbered the people that were with him, and set captains of thousands and captains of hundreds over them.
1David counted the men who were with him and set commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds over them.
2And 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 the Gittite. And the king said unto the people, I will surely go forth with you myself also.
2Then David sent the troops out, a third under Joab, a third under Abishai the son of Zeruiah, Joab's brother, and a third under Ittai the Gittite. The king said to the men, "I myself will certainly march out with you too."
3But the people answered, Thou shalt not go forth: for if we flee away, they will not care for us; neither if half of us die, will they care for us: but now thou art worth ten thousand of us: therefore now it is better that thou succour us out of the city.
3But the men answered, "You must not go out. If we have to run, they will not care about us; even if half of us die, they will not care about us. But you are worth ten thousand of us, so it is better for you to send us help from the city."
4And the king said unto them, What 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.
4The king said to them, "I will do whatever seems best to you." So the king stood beside the gate while all the men marched out by hundreds and by thousands.
5And 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.
5The king ordered Joab, Abishai, and Ittai, "For my sake, deal gently with the young man Absalom." And all the troops heard the king give this order about Absalom to every commander.
6So the people went out into the field against Israel: and the battle was in the wood of Ephraim;
6So the army went out into the field to fight Israel, and the battle took place in the forest of Ephraim.
7Where the people of Israel were slain before the servants of David, and there was there a great slaughter that day of twenty thousand men.
7There the men of Israel were defeated by David's servants, and the slaughter that day was great: twenty thousand men.
8For the battle was there scattered over the face of all the country: and the wood devoured more people that day than the sword devoured.
8The fighting spread out over the whole countryside, and that day the forest claimed more lives than the sword did.
9And 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.
9Absalom happened to run into David's servants. He was riding on a mule, and as the mule passed under the thick branches of a great oak, Absalom's head caught fast in the tree, and he was left hanging between sky and ground while the mule under him kept going.
10And a certain man saw it, and told Joab, and said, Behold, I saw Absalom hanged in an oak.
10A man saw it and told Joab, "I just saw Absalom hanging in an oak tree."
11And 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.
11Joab said to the man who told him, "What, you saw him? Then why didn't you strike him to the ground right there? I would have given you ten pieces of silver and a belt."
12And 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: for in our hearing the king charged thee and Abishai and Ittai, saying, Beware that none touch the young man Absalom.
12But the man answered Joab, "Even if I were handed a thousand pieces of silver, I would not raise my hand against the king's son. We all heard the king order you and Abishai and Ittai, 'Be careful that no one harms the young man Absalom.'
13Otherwise 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.
13If I had acted treacherously and taken his life, nothing stays hidden from the king, and you yourself would have turned against me."
14Then said Joab, I may not tarry thus with thee. And he took three darts in his hand, and thrust them through the heart of Absalom, while he was yet alive in the midst of the oak.
14Joab said, "I am not going to waste time with you like this." He took three spears in his hand and drove them into Absalom's heart while he was still alive, hanging in the oak.
15And ten young men that bare Joab’s armour compassed about and smote Absalom, and slew him.
15Then ten young men who carried Joab's armor surrounded Absalom, struck him, and killed him.
16And Joab blew the trumpet, and the people returned from pursuing after Israel: for Joab held back the people.
16Joab blew the trumpet, and the troops stopped chasing Israel, because Joab held them back.
17And 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.
17They took Absalom, threw him into a large pit in the forest, and piled a great heap of stones over him. Meanwhile all Israel fled, every man to his own home.
18Now Absalom in his lifetime had taken and reared up for himself a pillar, which is in the king’s dale: for he said, I have no son to keep my name in remembrance: and he called the pillar after his own name: and it is called unto this day, Absalom’s place.
18During his lifetime Absalom had set up a pillar for himself in the King's Valley, because he said, "I have no son to carry on my name." He named the pillar after himself, and to this day it is called Absalom's Monument.
19Then said Ahimaaz the son of Zadok, Let me now run, and bear the king tidings, how that the LORD hath avenged him of his enemies.
19Then Ahimaaz the son of Zadok said, "Let me run and carry the news to the king that the LORD has delivered him from his enemies."
20And Joab said unto him, Thou shalt not 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.
20But Joab told him, "You are not the one to carry news today. You may carry news another day, but not today, because the king's son is dead."
21Then said Joab to Cushi, Go tell the king what thou hast seen. And Cushi bowed himself unto Joab, and ran.
21Then Joab said to a Cushite, "Go and tell the king what you have seen." The Cushite bowed to Joab and ran off.
22Then said Ahimaaz the son of Zadok yet again to Joab, But howsoever, let me, I pray thee, also run after Cushi. And Joab said, Wherefore wilt thou run, my son, seeing that thou hast no tidings ready?
22Ahimaaz the son of Zadok said to Joab once more, "Whatever happens, please let me run after the Cushite too." Joab said, "Why do you want to run, my son? You have no news that will bring you a reward."
23But howsoever, said he, let me run. And he said unto him, Run. Then Ahimaaz ran by the way of the plain, and overran Cushi.
23"Whatever happens," he said, "I want to run." So Joab told him, "Run." Then Ahimaaz ran by way of the plain and passed the Cushite.
24And 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.
24David was sitting between the two gates. The watchman went up to the roof of the gateway by the wall, looked out, and saw a man running alone.
25And 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.
25The watchman called out and told the king. The king said, "If he is alone, he is bringing news." The man kept coming closer.
26And 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.
26Then the watchman saw another man running, and he called down to the gatekeeper, "Look, another man running alone!" The king said, "He is bringing news too."
27And 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.
27The watchman said, "I think the first one runs like Ahimaaz the son of Zadok." The king said, "He is a good man; he is coming with good news."
28And Ahimaaz called, and said unto the king, All is well. And he fell down to the earth upon his face before the king, and said, Blessed be the LORD thy God, which hath delivered up the men that lifted up their hand against my lord the king.
28Ahimaaz called out to the king, "All is well!" He bowed to the ground before the king and said, "Praise the LORD your God, who has handed over the men who raised their hands against my lord the king."
29And the king said, 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.
29The king asked, "Is the young man Absalom safe?" Ahimaaz answered, "When Joab sent the king's servant and me, your servant, I saw a great commotion, but I do not know what it was."
30And the king said unto him, Turn aside, and stand here. And he turned aside, and stood still.
30The king said, "Step aside and stand here." So he stepped aside and waited.
31And, behold, Cushi came; and Cushi said, Tidings, my lord the king: for the LORD hath avenged thee this day of all them that rose up against thee.
31Just then the Cushite arrived and said, "Good news, my lord the king! Today the LORD has delivered you from all who rose up against you."
32And 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 thee hurt, be as that young man is.
32The king asked the Cushite, "Is the young man Absalom safe?" The Cushite answered, "May the enemies of my lord the king, and all who rise up to harm you, end up like that young man."
33And the king was much moved, and went up to the chamber over the gate, and wept: and as he went, thus he said, O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! would God I had died for thee, O Absalom, my son, my son!
33The king was shaken. He went up to the room over the gate and wept, and as he went he cried, "O my son Absalom! My son, my son Absalom! If only I had died instead of you, O Absalom, my son, my son!"
19David Returns to Jerusalem
📜 The old Bible words
💬 In today’s words
1And it was told Joab, Behold, the king weepeth and mourneth for Absalom.
1Joab was told, "The king is weeping and mourning for Absalom."
2And 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.
2So that day's victory turned into mourning for the whole army, because the troops heard that the king was grieving over his son.
3And the people gat them by stealth that day into the city, as people being ashamed steal away when they flee in battle.
3The men slipped quietly into the city that day, the way people creep away in shame after running from a battle.
4But the king covered his face, and the king cried with a loud voice, O my son Absalom, O Absalom, my son, my son!
4The king covered his face and kept crying out loudly, "O my son Absalom! O Absalom, my son, my son!"
5And 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;
5Then Joab went into the house to the king and said, "Today you have shamed all your servants, the very men who saved your life today, and the lives of your sons and daughters, your wives and your concubines.
6In that thou lovest thine enemies, and hatest thy friends. For thou hast declared this day, that thou regardest neither princes nor servants: for this day I perceive, that if Absalom had lived, and all we had died this day, then it had pleased thee well.
6You love those who hate you and hate those who love you. You have made it clear today that your commanders and servants mean nothing to you. I can see that if Absalom were alive and all of us were dead today, you would be pleased.
7Now 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.
7Now get up, go out, and speak kindly to your servants. I swear by the LORD, if you do not go out, not one man will stay with you tonight, and that will be worse for you than every trouble that has come on you from your youth until now."
8Then 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 Israel had fled every man to his tent.
8So the king got up and took his seat in the gateway. When the people were told, "Look, the king is sitting in the gate," they all came before the king. Meanwhile the men of Israel had fled, every one to his own home.
9And 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.
9All through the tribes of Israel the people were arguing. They said, "The king rescued us from our enemies and saved us from the Philistines, and now he has fled the country because of Absalom.
10And Absalom, whom we anointed over us, is dead in battle. Now therefore why speak ye not a word of bringing the king back?
10But Absalom, whom we anointed to rule over us, has died in battle. So why does no one say a word about bringing the king back?"
11And 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.
11King David sent this message to Zadok and Abiathar the priests: "Ask the elders of Judah, 'Why should you be the last to bring the king back to his palace, when the talk of all Israel has reached the king at his house?
12Ye are my brethren, ye are my bones and my flesh: wherefore then are ye the last to bring back the king?
12You are my brothers, my own flesh and blood. Why should you be the last to bring the king back?'
13And 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 captain of the host before me continually in the room of Joab.
13And say to Amasa, 'Are you not my own flesh and blood? May God punish me severely if from now on you are not commander of my army in place of Joab.'"
14And he bowed the heart of all the men of Judah, even as the heart of one man; so that they sent this word unto the king, Return thou, and all thy servants.
14So he won over the hearts of all the men of Judah as if they were one man, and they sent word to the king, "Come back, you and all your servants."
15So the king returned, and came to Jordan. And Judah came to Gilgal, to go to meet the king, to conduct the king over Jordan.
15The king started back and came to the Jordan. The men of Judah came to Gilgal to meet the king and bring him across the Jordan.
16And Shimei the son of Gera, a Benjamite, which was of Bahurim, hasted and came down with the men of Judah to meet king David.
16Shimei the son of Gera, the Benjamite from Bahurim, hurried down with the men of Judah to meet King David.
17And there were a thousand men of Benjamin with him, and Ziba the servant of the house of Saul, and his fifteen sons and his twenty servants with him; and they went over Jordan before the king.
17He had a thousand men of Benjamin with him, along with Ziba, the servant of Saul's household, and his fifteen sons and twenty servants, and they rushed down to the Jordan ahead of the king.
18And there went over a ferry boat to carry over the king’s household, and to do what he thought good. And Shimei the son of Gera fell down before the king, as he was come over Jordan;
18They crossed the ford to bring the king's household over and to do whatever he wished. As the king was about to cross the Jordan, Shimei the son of Gera fell down before him
19And 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.
19and said, "May my lord not hold me guilty, and may you not remember the wrong your servant did on the day my lord the king left Jerusalem. May the king not take it to heart.
20For 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.
20Your servant knows that I have sinned. That is why I have come today as the first of all the house of Joseph to come down and meet my lord the king."
21But Abishai the son of Zeruiah answered and said, Shall not Shimei be put to death for this, because he cursed the LORD’s anointed?
21But Abishai the son of Zeruiah spoke up, "Shouldn't Shimei be put to death for this? He cursed the LORD's anointed."
22And David said, What have I to do with you, ye sons of Zeruiah, that ye should this day be adversaries unto me? shall there any man be put to death this day in Israel? for do not I know that I am this day king over Israel?
22David said, "What do I have to do with you, you sons of Zeruiah? Why are you acting as my enemies today? Should anyone be put to death in Israel today? Don't I know that today I am king over Israel?"
23Therefore the king said unto Shimei, Thou shalt not die. And the king sware unto him.
23Then the king said to Shimei, "You will not die." And the king gave him his oath.
24And Mephibosheth the son of Saul came down to meet the king, and had neither dressed his feet, nor trimmed his beard, nor washed his clothes, from the day the king departed until the day he came again in peace.
24Mephibosheth, Saul's grandson, also came down to meet the king. He had not cared for his feet, trimmed his beard, or washed his clothes from the day the king left until the day he came back safely.
25And it came to pass, when he was come to Jerusalem to meet the king, that the king said unto him, Wherefore wentest not thou with me, Mephibosheth?
25When he came to Jerusalem to meet the king, the king asked him, "Why didn't you go with me, Mephibosheth?"
26And he answered, My lord, O king, my servant deceived me: for thy servant said, I will saddle me an ass, that I may ride thereon, and go to the king; because thy servant is lame.
26He answered, "My lord the king, my servant tricked me. Your servant said, 'I will saddle a donkey for myself so I can ride on it and go with the king,' because your servant is lame.
27And he hath slandered thy servant unto my lord the king; but my lord the king is as an angel of God: do therefore what is good in thine eyes.
27And he has slandered your servant to my lord the king. But my lord the king is like an angel of God, so do whatever seems good to you.
28For all of my father’s house were but dead men before my lord the king: yet didst thou set thy servant among them that did eat at thine own table. What right therefore have I yet to cry any more unto the king?
28All my father's family deserved nothing but death from my lord the king, yet you gave your servant a place among those who eat at your table. What right do I have to ask anything more of the king?"
29And the king said unto him, Why speakest thou any more of thy matters? I have said, Thou and Ziba divide the land.
29The king said to him, "Why say any more about your affairs? I have decided: you and Ziba will divide the land."
30And 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.
30Mephibosheth said to the king, "Let him take it all, now that my lord the king has come home safely."
31And Barzillai the Gileadite came down from Rogelim, and went over Jordan with the king, to conduct him over Jordan.
31Barzillai the Gileadite had also come down from Rogelim and crossed the Jordan with the king to send him on his way across the river.
32Now 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.
32Barzillai was a very old man, eighty years old. He had supplied the king with food while he stayed at Mahanaim, for he was a very wealthy man.
33And the king said unto Barzillai, Come thou over with me, and I will feed thee with me in Jerusalem.
33The king said to Barzillai, "Cross over with me, and I will provide for you at my side in Jerusalem."
34And Barzillai said unto the king, How long have I to live, that I should go up with the king unto Jerusalem?
34But Barzillai answered the king, "How many years do I have left, that I should go up to Jerusalem with the king?
35I 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 singing women? wherefore then should thy servant be yet a burden unto my lord the king?
35I am eighty years old today. Can I tell good from bad anymore? Can your servant taste what he eats or drinks? Can I still hear the voices of men and women singing? Why should your servant be one more burden to my lord the king?
36Thy servant will go a little way over Jordan with the king: and why should the king recompense it me with such a reward?
36Your servant will go just a little way across the Jordan with the king. Why should the king repay me with such a reward?
37Let thy servant, I pray thee, turn back again, that I may die in mine own 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.
37Please let your servant go back, so that I may die in my own town near the grave of my father and mother. But here is your servant Chimham; let him cross over with my lord the king, and do for him whatever seems good to you."
38And the king answered, Chimham shall go over with me, and I will do to him that which shall seem good unto thee: and whatsoever thou shalt require of me, that will I do for thee.
38The king answered, "Chimham will cross over with me, and I will do for him whatever seems good to you. And whatever you ask of me, I will do for you."
39And all the people went over Jordan. And when the king was come over, the king kissed Barzillai, and blessed him; and he returned unto his own place.
39So all the people crossed the Jordan, and then the king crossed. The king kissed Barzillai and blessed him, and Barzillai returned to his home.
40Then the king went on to Gilgal, and Chimham went on with him: and all the people of Judah conducted the king, and also half the people of Israel.
40The king went on to Gilgal, and Chimham went with him. All the men of Judah and half the men of Israel escorted the king across.
41And, behold, all the men of Israel came to the king, and said unto the king, Why have our brethren the men of Judah stolen thee away, and have brought the king, and his household, and all David’s men with him, over Jordan?
41Then all the men of Israel came to the king and said to him, "Why did our brothers, the men of Judah, steal you away and bring the king, his household, and all David's men across the Jordan?"
42And all the men of Judah answered the men of Israel, Because the king is near of kin to us: wherefore then be ye angry for this matter? have we eaten at all of the king’s cost? or hath he given us any gift?
42All the men of Judah answered the men of Israel, "Because the king is closely related to us. Why are you angry about this? Have we eaten anything at the king's expense? Has he given us any gift?"
43And 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 ye despise us, that our advice should not be first had in bringing back our king? And the words of the men of Judah were fiercer than the words of the men of Israel.
43The men of Israel replied to the men of Judah, "We have ten shares in the king, and we have a greater claim on David than you do. So why did you look down on us? Weren't we the first to speak of bringing our king back?" But the words of the men of Judah were harsher than the words of the men of Israel.
20Sheba's Revolt and the Wise Woman of Abel
📜 The old Bible words
💬 In today’s words
1And there happened to be there a man of Belial, whose name was Sheba, the son of Bichri, a Benjamite: and he blew a trumpet, and said, We have no part in David, neither have we inheritance in the son of Jesse: every man to his tents, O Israel.
1Now there happened to be a troublemaker there named Sheba the son of Bichri, a Benjamite. He blew a trumpet and shouted, "We have no share in David, no inheritance in the son of Jesse! Every man to his tent, Israel!"
2So every 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.
2So all the men of Israel left David and followed Sheba the son of Bichri, but the men of Judah stayed close to their king all the way from the Jordan to Jerusalem.
3And David came to his house at Jerusalem; and the king took the ten women his concubines, whom he had left to keep the house, and put them in ward, and fed them, but went not in unto them. So they were shut up unto the day of their death, living in widowhood.
3When David came to his palace in Jerusalem, the king took the ten concubines he had left to look after the house and put them in a guarded house. He provided for them but did not sleep with them. They were kept shut away until the day they died, living as widows.
4Then said the king to Amasa, Assemble me the men of Judah within three days, and be thou here present.
4Then the king said to Amasa, "Call the men of Judah together for me within three days, and be here yourself."
5So Amasa went to assemble the men of Judah: but he tarried longer than the set time which he had appointed him.
5So Amasa went to summon the men of Judah, but he took longer than the time the king had set for him.
6And David said to Abishai, Now shall Sheba the son of Bichri do us more harm than did Absalom: take thou thy lord’s servants, and pursue after him, lest he get him fenced cities, and escape us.
6David said to Abishai, "Now Sheba the son of Bichri will do us more harm than Absalom did. Take your master's servants and chase after him, or he will find fortified cities and slip away from us."
7And there went out after him Joab’s men, and the Cherethites, and the Pelethites, and all the mighty men: and they went out of Jerusalem, to pursue after Sheba the son of Bichri.
7So Joab's men went out after him, along with the Cherethites, the Pelethites, and all the mighty warriors. They left Jerusalem to pursue Sheba the son of Bichri.
8When they were at the great stone which is in Gibeon, Amasa went before them. And Joab’s garment that he had put on was girded unto him, and upon it a girdle with a sword fastened upon his loins in the sheath thereof; and as he went forth it fell out.
8When they were at the great stone in Gibeon, Amasa came out to meet them. Joab was dressed in his military tunic, and over it he wore a belt with a sword in its sheath strapped to his waist; as he stepped forward, the sword slipped out.
9And Joab said to Amasa, Art thou in health, my brother? And Joab took Amasa by the beard with the right hand to kiss him.
9Joab said to Amasa, "How are you, my brother?" and took Amasa by the beard with his right hand as if to kiss him.
10But Amasa took no heed to the sword that was in Joab’s hand: so he smote him therewith in the fifth rib, and shed out his bowels to the ground, and struck him not again; and he died. So Joab and Abishai his brother pursued after Sheba the son of Bichri.
10Amasa paid no attention to the sword in Joab's hand, so Joab stabbed him in the belly with it and spilled his insides on the ground. He did not need to strike twice; Amasa died. Then Joab and his brother Abishai went on chasing Sheba the son of Bichri.
11And one of Joab’s men stood by him, and said, He that favoureth Joab, and he that is for David, let him go after Joab.
11One of Joab's men stood beside Amasa and called out, "Whoever is on Joab's side, and whoever is for David, follow Joab!"
12And Amasa wallowed in blood in the midst of the highway. And when the man saw that all the people stood still, he removed Amasa out of the highway into the field, and cast a cloth upon him, when he saw that every one that came by him stood still.
12Amasa lay wallowing in his blood in the middle of the road. When the man saw that everyone who came by stopped and stood still, he dragged Amasa from the road into the field and threw a cloak over him.
13When he was removed out of the highway, all the people went on after Joab, to pursue after Sheba the son of Bichri.
13Once he had been moved off the road, all the men went on after Joab to pursue Sheba the son of Bichri.
14And he went through all the tribes of Israel unto Abel, and to Bethmaachah, and all the Berites: and they were gathered together, and went also after him.
14Sheba passed through all the tribes of Israel to Abel and to Beth-maachah and all the region of the Berites, and they gathered together and followed him too.
15And they came and besieged him in Abel of Bethmaachah, and they cast up a bank against the city, and it stood in the trench: and all the people that were with Joab battered the wall, to throw it down.
15Joab's men came and laid siege to him in Abel of Beth-maachah. They built a ramp against the city that stood up against the outer wall, and all the troops with Joab were battering the wall to bring it down.
16Then cried a wise woman out of the city, Hear, hear; say, I pray you, unto Joab, Come near hither, that I may speak with thee.
16Then a wise woman called out from the city, "Listen! Listen! Tell Joab to come over here so I can speak with him."
17And when he was come near unto her, the woman said, Art thou Joab? And he answered, I am he. Then she said unto him, Hear the words of thine handmaid. And he answered, I do hear.
17When he came near her, the woman asked, "Are you Joab?" He answered, "I am." She said to him, "Listen to what your servant has to say." He replied, "I am listening."
18Then she spake, saying, They were wont to speak in old time, saying, They shall surely ask counsel at Abel: and so they ended the matter.
18Then she said, "Long ago people used to say, 'Go ask for advice at Abel,' and that settled the matter.
19I 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?
19I am one of the peaceful and faithful people of Israel. You are trying to destroy a city that is a mother in Israel. Why would you swallow up what belongs to the LORD?"
20And Joab answered and said, Far be it, far be it from me, that I should swallow up or destroy.
20Joab answered, "Far be it from me! Far be it from me to swallow up or destroy!
21The matter is not so: but a man of mount Ephraim, Sheba the son of Bichri by 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.
21That is not how it is. A man from the hill country of Ephraim named Sheba the son of Bichri has raised his hand against the king, against David. Hand over that one man, and I will withdraw from the city." The woman said to Joab, "Very well, his head will be thrown to you over the wall."
22Then 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 retired from the city, every man to his tent. And Joab returned to Jerusalem unto the king.
22Then the woman went to all the people with her wise advice. They cut off the head of Sheba the son of Bichri and threw it out to Joab. He blew the trumpet, and his men withdrew from the city, every man to his own home. And Joab returned to the king in Jerusalem.
23Now Joab was over all the host of Israel: and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and over the Pelethites:
23Now Joab was over the whole army of Israel; Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and the Pelethites;
24And Adoram was over the tribute: and Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was recorder:
24Adoram was in charge of the forced labor; Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was the recorder;
25And Sheva was scribe: and Zadok and Abiathar were the priests:
25Sheva was the secretary; Zadok and Abiathar were the priests;
26And Ira also the Jairite was a chief ruler about David.
26and Ira the Jairite also served as a chief official for David.
21The Gibeonites' Revenge and Wars with Giants
📜 The old Bible words
💬 In today’s words
1Then there was a famine in the days of David three years, year after year; and David enquired of the LORD. And the LORD answered, It is for Saul, and for his bloody house, because he slew the Gibeonites.
1During David's reign there was a famine for three years, one year after another, and David sought the LORD about it. The LORD answered, "It is because of Saul and his blood-stained house, because he put the Gibeonites to death."
2And the king called the Gibeonites, and said unto them; (now the Gibeonites were not of the children of Israel, but of the remnant of the Amorites; and the children of Israel had sworn unto them: and Saul sought to slay them in his zeal to the children of Israel and Judah.)
2So the king called the Gibeonites and spoke with them. (Now the Gibeonites were not Israelites but a remnant of the Amorites. The Israelites had sworn an oath to spare them, but Saul, in his zeal for Israel and Judah, had tried to wipe them out.)
3Wherefore David said unto the Gibeonites, What shall I do for you? and wherewith shall I make the atonement, that ye may bless the inheritance of the LORD?
3David asked the Gibeonites, "What can I do for you? How can I make amends, so that you will bless the LORD's inheritance?"
4And the Gibeonites said unto him, We will have no silver nor gold of Saul, nor of his house; neither for us shalt thou kill any man in Israel. And he said, What ye shall say, that will I do for you.
4The Gibeonites answered him, "We have no claim to silver or gold from Saul or his family, and it is not our place to have anyone in Israel put to death." He said, "Whatever you ask, I will do for you."
5And they answered the king, The man that consumed us, and that devised against us that we should be destroyed from remaining in any of the coasts of Israel,
5They said to the king, "The man who destroyed us and schemed to wipe us out so that we would have no place anywhere in Israel's territory,
6Let seven men of his sons be delivered unto us, and we will hang them up unto the LORD in Gibeah of Saul, whom the LORD did choose. And the king said, I will give them.
6let seven of his male descendants be handed over to us, and we will hang them before the LORD at Gibeah of Saul, the LORD's chosen one." The king said, "I will hand them over."
7But the king spared Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan the son of Saul, because of the LORD’s oath that was between them, between David and Jonathan the son of Saul.
7But the king spared Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan the son of Saul, because of the oath before the LORD between David and Jonathan the son of Saul.
8But the king took the two sons of Rizpah the daughter of Aiah, whom she bare unto Saul, Armoni and Mephibosheth; and the five sons of Michal the daughter of Saul, whom she brought up for Adriel the son of Barzillai the Meholathite:
8The king took the two sons of Rizpah the daughter of Aiah, Armoni and Mephibosheth, whom she had borne to Saul, and the five sons of Saul's daughter Michal, whom she had raised for Adriel the son of Barzillai the Meholathite,
9And he delivered them into the hands of the Gibeonites, and they hanged them in the hill before the LORD: and they fell all seven together, and were put to death in the days of harvest, in the first days, in the beginning of barley harvest.
9and handed them over to the Gibeonites, who hanged them on the hill before the LORD. All seven of them died together. They were put to death in the first days of the harvest, at the start of the barley harvest.
10And Rizpah the daughter of Aiah took sackcloth, and spread it for her upon the rock, from the beginning of harvest until water dropped upon them out of heaven, and suffered neither the birds of the air to rest on them by day, nor the beasts of the field by night.
10Rizpah the daughter of Aiah took sackcloth and spread it out for herself on the rock. From the beginning of the harvest until rain fell on the bodies from the sky, she let neither the birds of the air land on them by day nor the wild animals come near by night.
11And it was told David what Rizpah the daughter of Aiah, the concubine of Saul, had done.
11David was told what Rizpah the daughter of Aiah, Saul's concubine, had done.
12And David went and took the bones of Saul and the bones of Jonathan his son from the men of Jabeshgilead, which had stolen them from the street of Bethshan, where the Philistines had hanged them, when the Philistines had slain Saul in Gilboa:
12So David went and took the bones of Saul and of his son Jonathan from the men of Jabesh-gilead, who had secretly taken them from the public square of Beth-shan, where the Philistines had hung them after they killed Saul at Gilboa.
13And he brought up from thence the bones of Saul and the bones of Jonathan his son; and they gathered the bones of them that were hanged.
13He brought the bones of Saul and of his son Jonathan up from there, and the bones of those who had been hanged were gathered as well.
14And the bones of Saul and Jonathan his son buried they in the country of Benjamin in Zelah, in the sepulchre of Kish his father: and they performed all that the king commanded. And after that God was intreated for the land.
14They buried the bones of Saul and his son Jonathan in the land of Benjamin at Zelah, in the tomb of Saul's father Kish, and they did everything the king had commanded. After that, God answered prayer on behalf of the land.
15Moreover the Philistines had yet war again with Israel; and David went down, and his servants with him, and fought against the Philistines: and David waxed faint.
15Once again the Philistines went to war with Israel. David went down with his servants and fought the Philistines, and David grew exhausted.
16And Ishbibenob, which was of the sons of the giant, the weight of whose spear weighed three hundred shekels of brass in weight, he being girded with a new sword, thought to have slain David.
16Ishbi-benob, one of the descendants of the giants, whose bronze spearhead weighed three hundred shekels and who was armed with a new sword, intended to kill David.
17But Abishai the son of Zeruiah succoured him, and smote the Philistine, and killed him. Then the men of David sware unto him, saying, Thou shalt go no more out with us to battle, that thou quench not the light of Israel.
17But Abishai the son of Zeruiah came to his rescue, struck the Philistine, and killed him. Then David's men swore to him, "You will never go out to battle with us again, so that the lamp of Israel is not put out."
18And it came to pass after this, that there was again a battle with the Philistines at Gob: then Sibbechai the Hushathite slew Saph, which was of the sons of the giant.
18Some time later there was another battle with the Philistines at Gob. Then Sibbechai the Hushathite killed Saph, one of the descendants of the giants.
19And there was again a battle in Gob with the Philistines, where Elhanan the son of Jaareoregim, a Bethlehemite, slew the brother of Goliath the Gittite, the staff of whose spear was like a weaver’s beam.
19In another battle with the Philistines at Gob, Elhanan the son of Jaare-oregim from Bethlehem killed the brother of Goliath the Gittite, whose spear had a shaft like a weaver's beam.
20And there was yet a battle in Gath, where was a man of great stature, that had on every hand six fingers, and on every foot six toes, four and twenty in number; and he also was born to the giant.
20There was yet another battle, at Gath, where there was a huge man with six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot, twenty-four in all. He too was descended from the giants.
21And when he defied Israel, Jonathan the son of Shimeah the brother of David slew him.
21When he taunted Israel, Jonathan the son of David's brother Shimeah killed him.
22These four were born to the giant in Gath, and fell by the hand of David, and by the hand of his servants.
22These four were descendants of the giants in Gath, and they fell at the hands of David and his men.
22David's Song of Deliverance
📜 The old Bible words
💬 In today’s words
1And David spake unto the LORD the words of this song in the day that the LORD had delivered him out of the hand of all his enemies, and out of the hand of Saul:
1David spoke the words of this song to the LORD on the day the LORD rescued him from the grip of all his enemies and from the grip of Saul.
2And he said, The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer;
2He said, "The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my rescuer;
3The God of my rock; in him will I trust: he is my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge, my saviour; thou savest me from violence.
3the God of my rock, in whom I take shelter. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my high tower and my safe place, my Savior; you save me from violence.
4I will call on the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.
4I will call on the LORD, who deserves to be praised, and so I will be saved from my enemies.
5When the waves of death compassed me, the floods of ungodly men made me afraid;
5When the waves of death closed around me and floods of wicked men terrified me,
6The sorrows of hell compassed me about; the snares of death prevented me;
6the cords of the grave wrapped around me; the traps of death lay in front of me.
7In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried to my God: and he did hear my voice out of his temple, and my cry did enter into his ears.
7In my trouble I called on the LORD; I cried out to my God. He heard my voice from his temple, and my cry reached his ears.
8Then the earth shook and trembled; the foundations of heaven moved and shook, because he was wroth.
8Then the earth shook and trembled; the foundations of the heavens rocked and shook, because he was angry.
9There went up a smoke out of his nostrils, and fire out of his mouth devoured: coals were kindled by it.
9Smoke rose from his nostrils, and fire from his mouth consumed everything; coals were set ablaze by it.
10He bowed the heavens also, and came down; and darkness was under his feet.
10He bent the heavens down and came down, with darkness under his feet.
11And he rode upon a cherub, and did fly: and he was seen upon the wings of the wind.
11He rode on a cherub and flew; he was seen on the wings of the wind.
12And he made darkness pavilions round about him, dark waters, and thick clouds of the skies.
12He made darkness his tent all around him, dark waters and thick clouds of the skies.
13Through the brightness before him were coals of fire kindled.
13Out of the brightness before him, coals of fire blazed up.
14The LORD thundered from heaven, and the most High uttered his voice.
14The LORD thundered from heaven; the Most High let his voice be heard.
15And he sent out arrows, and scattered them; lightning, and discomfited them.
15He shot out arrows and scattered them, lightning, and threw them into confusion.
16And the channels of the sea appeared, the foundations of the world were discovered, at the rebuking of the LORD, at the blast of the breath of his nostrils.
16The channels of the sea were laid bare, the foundations of the world uncovered, at the LORD's rebuke, at the blast of breath from his nostrils.
17He sent from above, he took me; he drew me out of many waters;
17He reached down from on high and took hold of me; he pulled me out of deep waters.
18He delivered me from my strong enemy, and from them that hated me: for they were too strong for me.
18He rescued me from my powerful enemy and from those who hated me, for they were too strong for me.
19They prevented me in the day of my calamity: but the LORD was my stay.
19They came at me on the day of my disaster, but the LORD was my support.
20He brought me forth also into a large place: he delivered me, because he delighted in me.
20He brought me out into a wide-open place; he rescued me because he was pleased with me.
21The LORD rewarded me according to my righteousness: according to the cleanness of my hands hath he recompensed me.
21The LORD rewarded me according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness of my hands he has repaid me.
22For I have kept the ways of the LORD, and have not wickedly departed from my God.
22For I have kept to the ways of the LORD and have not wickedly turned away from my God.
23For all his judgments were before me: and as for his statutes, I did not depart from them.
23All his judgments were in front of me, and I did not turn aside from his laws.
24I was also upright before him, and have kept myself from mine iniquity.
24I was also upright before him, and I kept myself from my own sin.
25Therefore the LORD hath recompensed me according to my righteousness; according to my cleanness in his eye sight.
25So the LORD has repaid me according to my righteousness, according to my cleanness in his sight.
26With the merciful thou wilt shew thyself merciful, and with the upright man thou wilt shew thyself upright.
26To the merciful you show yourself merciful; to the upright man you show yourself upright.
27With the pure thou wilt shew thyself pure; and with the froward thou wilt shew thyself unsavoury.
27To the pure you show yourself pure, but to the crooked you show yourself hard to deal with.
28And the afflicted people thou wilt save: but thine eyes are upon the haughty, that thou mayest bring them down.
28You save people who are suffering, but your eyes are on the proud, to bring them down.
29For thou art my lamp, O LORD: and the LORD will lighten my darkness.
29For you are my lamp, O LORD; the LORD will light up my darkness.
30For by thee I have run through a troop: by my God have I leaped over a wall.
30With your help I have charged through a troop; with my God I have leaped over a wall.
31As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all them that trust in him.
31As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD has been tested and proven. He is a shield to all who take shelter in him.
32For who is God, save the LORD? and who is a rock, save our God?
32For who is God, except the LORD? And who is a rock, except our God?
33God is my strength and power: and he maketh my way perfect.
33God is my strength and my power, and he makes my way perfect.
34He maketh my feet like hinds’ feet: and setteth me upon my high places.
34He makes my feet like the feet of a deer and sets me safely on my high places.
35He teacheth my hands to war; so that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms.
35He trains my hands for battle, so that my arms can bend a bow of bronze.
36Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy gentleness hath made me great.
36You have also given me the shield of your salvation, and your gentleness has made me great.
37Thou hast enlarged my steps under me; so that my feet did not slip.
37You have made a wide path for my steps, so that my feet did not slip.
38I have pursued mine enemies, and destroyed them; and turned not again until I had consumed them.
38I chased my enemies and destroyed them; I did not turn back until I had finished them off.
39And I have consumed them, and wounded them, that they could not arise: yea, they are fallen under my feet.
39I finished them off and struck them down so that they could not get up; they fell beneath my feet.
40For thou hast girded me with strength to battle: them that rose up against me hast thou subdued under me.
40For you armed me with strength for the battle; you made those who rose up against me bow beneath me.
41Thou hast also given me the necks of mine enemies, that I might destroy them that hate me.
41You also made my enemies turn their backs and run, so that I could destroy those who hated me.
42They looked, but there was none to save; even unto the LORD, but he answered them not.
42They looked for help, but there was no one to save them; they looked even to the LORD, but he did not answer them.
43Then did I beat them as small as the dust of the earth, I did stamp them as the mire of the street, and did spread them abroad.
43Then I beat them as fine as the dust of the earth; I stamped them down like mud in the street and scattered them.
44Thou also hast delivered me from the strivings of my people, thou hast kept me to be head of the heathen: a people which I knew not shall serve me.
44You also rescued me from the quarrels of my own people; you kept me as head over the nations. A people I did not know will serve me.
45Strangers shall submit themselves unto me: as soon as they hear, they shall be obedient unto me.
45Foreigners will bow before me; as soon as they hear of me, they will obey me.
46Strangers shall fade away, and they shall be afraid out of their close places.
46Foreigners will lose heart and come trembling out of their hiding places.
47The LORD liveth; and blessed be my rock; and exalted be the God of the rock of my salvation.
47The LORD lives! Blessed be my rock! May the God of the rock of my salvation be lifted high.
48It is God that avengeth me, and that bringeth down the people under me,
48It is God who takes vengeance for me and brings the peoples down under me,
49And that bringeth me forth from mine enemies: thou also hast lifted me up on high above them that rose up against me: thou hast delivered me from the violent man.
49and who brings me out from among my enemies. You lifted me high above those who rose up against me; you rescued me from the violent man.
50Therefore I will give thanks unto thee, O LORD, among the heathen, and I will sing praises unto thy name.
50So I will give you thanks, O LORD, among the nations, and I will sing praises to your name.
51He is the tower of salvation for his king: and sheweth mercy to his anointed, unto David, and to his seed for evermore.
51He is a tower of salvation for his king; he shows steady love to his anointed one, to David and to his descendants forever."
23David's Last Words and His Mighty Men
📜 The old Bible words
💬 In today’s words
1Now these be the last words of David. David the son of Jesse said, and the man who was raised up on high, the anointed of the God of Jacob, and the sweet psalmist of Israel, said,
1These are the last words of David. David the son of Jesse spoke, the man who was raised up high, the one anointed by the God of Jacob, the sweet singer of Israel's songs, and he said,
2The Spirit of the LORD spake by me, and his word was in my tongue.
2"The Spirit of the LORD spoke through me, and his word was on my tongue.
3The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spake to me, He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God.
3The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spoke to me: 'The one who rules over people must be just, ruling in the fear of God.
4And he shall be as the light of the morning, when the sun riseth, even a morning without clouds; as the tender grass springing out of the earth by clear shining after rain.
4He will be like the light of morning when the sun rises, a morning without clouds, like tender grass sprouting from the earth in the bright sunshine after rain.'
5Although my house be not so with God; yet he hath made with me an everlasting covenant, ordered in all things, and sure: for this is all my salvation, and all my desire, although he make it not to grow.
5Even though my house is not like that with God, still he has made an everlasting covenant with me, arranged in every detail and secure. This is all my salvation and all my desire, even if he does not make it grow yet.
6But the sons of Belial shall be all of them as thorns thrust away, because they cannot be taken with hands:
6But worthless men are all like thorns that are thrown aside, because no one can pick them up with bare hands.
7But the man that shall touch them must be fenced with iron and the staff of a spear; and they shall be utterly burned with fire in the same place.
7Whoever touches them must be armed with iron and the shaft of a spear, and they will be burned up completely with fire right where they lie."
8These be the names of the mighty men whom David had: The Tachmonite that sat in the seat, chief among the captains; the same was Adino the Eznite: he lift up his spear against eight hundred, whom he slew at one time.
8These are the names of David's mighty warriors: the Tachmonite who sat in the chief seat, head of the captains, also known as Adino the Eznite. He raised his spear against eight hundred men and killed them all at one time.
9And after him was Eleazar the son of Dodo the Ahohite, one of the three mighty men with David, when they defied the Philistines that were there gathered together to battle, and the men of Israel were gone away:
9After him was Eleazar the son of Dodo the Ahohite, one of the three mighty warriors with David when they defied the Philistines who had gathered there for battle, while the men of Israel had pulled back.
10He arose, and smote the Philistines until his hand was weary, and his hand clave unto the sword: and the LORD wrought a great victory that day; and the people returned after him only to spoil.
10He stood his ground and struck down Philistines until his hand grew tired and froze to his sword. The LORD won a great victory that day, and the people came back after him only to strip the dead.
11And after him was Shammah the son of Agee the Hararite. And the Philistines were gathered together into a troop, where was a piece of ground full of lentiles: and the people fled from the Philistines.
11After him was Shammah the son of Agee the Hararite. The Philistines had gathered into a band where there was a field full of lentils, and the people ran from the Philistines.
12But he stood in the midst of the ground, and defended it, and slew the Philistines: and the LORD wrought a great victory.
12But he took his stand in the middle of the field, defended it, and struck down the Philistines, and the LORD won a great victory.
13And three of the thirty chief went down, and came to David in the harvest time unto the cave of Adullam: and the troop of the Philistines pitched in the valley of Rephaim.
13Three of the thirty chief men went down and came to David at harvest time at the cave of Adullam, while a band of Philistines was camped in the Valley of Rephaim.
14And David was then in an hold, and the garrison of the Philistines was then in Bethlehem.
14At that time David was in the stronghold, and a Philistine outpost was in Bethlehem.
15And David longed, and said, Oh that one would give me drink of the water of the well of Bethlehem, which is by the gate!
15David felt a deep longing and said, "Oh, if only someone would bring me a drink of water from the well at Bethlehem, the one by the gate!"
16And the three mighty men brake through the host of the Philistines, and drew water out of the well of Bethlehem, that was by the gate, and took it, and brought it to David: nevertheless he would not drink thereof, but poured it out unto the LORD.
16So the three mighty warriors broke through the Philistine camp, drew water from the well at Bethlehem by the gate, and carried it back to David. But he would not drink it; instead he poured it out as an offering to the LORD.
17And he said, Be it far from me, O LORD, that I should do this: is not this the blood of the men that went in jeopardy of their lives? therefore he would not drink it. These things did these three mighty men.
17He said, "Far be it from me, O LORD, to do this! Isn't this the blood of the men who risked their lives to go?" So he would not drink it. These are the things the three mighty warriors did.
18And Abishai, the brother of Joab, the son of Zeruiah, was chief among three. And he lifted up his spear against three hundred, and slew them, and had the name among three.
18Abishai, Joab's brother, the son of Zeruiah, was chief of the three. He raised his spear against three hundred men and killed them, and he won a name among the three.
19Was he not most honourable of three? therefore he was their captain: howbeit he attained not unto the first three.
19Was he not the most honored of the three? So he became their captain, but he did not reach the level of the first three.
20And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, the son of a valiant man, of Kabzeel, who had done many acts, he slew two lionlike men of Moab: he went down also and slew a lion in the midst of a pit in time of snow:
20Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, the son of a brave man from Kabzeel, did many great deeds. He killed two lionlike warriors of Moab, and he also went down into a pit on a snowy day and killed a lion.
21And he slew an Egyptian, a goodly man: and the Egyptian had a spear in his hand; but he went down to him with a staff, and plucked the spear out of the Egyptian’s hand, and slew him with his own spear.
21He also killed an Egyptian, an impressive man. The Egyptian had a spear in his hand, but Benaiah went down to him with a staff, snatched the spear out of the Egyptian's hand, and killed him with his own spear.
22These things did Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and had the name among three mighty men.
22These are the things Benaiah the son of Jehoiada did, and he won a name among the three mighty warriors.
23He was more honourable than the thirty, but he attained not to the first three. And David set him over his guard.
23He was more honored than the thirty, but he did not reach the level of the first three. David put him in charge of his bodyguard.
24Asahel the brother of Joab was one of the thirty; Elhanan the son of Dodo of Bethlehem,
24Asahel, Joab's brother, was one of the thirty; Elhanan the son of Dodo of Bethlehem,
25Shammah the Harodite, Elika the Harodite,
25Shammah the Harodite, Elika the Harodite,
26Helez the Paltite, Ira the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite,
26Helez the Paltite, Ira the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite,
27Abiezer the Anethothite, Mebunnai the Hushathite,
27Abiezer the Anethothite, Mebunnai the Hushathite,
28Zalmon the Ahohite, Maharai the Netophathite,
28Zalmon the Ahohite, Maharai the Netophathite,
29Heleb the son of Baanah, a Netophathite, Ittai the son of Ribai out of Gibeah of the children of Benjamin,
29Heleb the son of Baanah the Netophathite, Ittai the son of Ribai from Gibeah of the people of Benjamin,
30Benaiah the Pirathonite, Hiddai of the brooks of Gaash,
30Benaiah the Pirathonite, Hiddai from the streams of Gaash,
31Abialbon the Arbathite, Azmaveth the Barhumite,
31Abialbon the Arbathite, Azmaveth the Barhumite,
32Eliahba the Shaalbonite, of the sons of Jashen, Jonathan,
32Eliahba the Shaalbonite, of the sons of Jashen, Jonathan,
33Shammah the Hararite, Ahiam the son of Sharar the Hararite,
33Shammah the Hararite, Ahiam the son of Sharar the Hararite,
34Eliphelet the son of Ahasbai, the son of the Maachathite, Eliam the son of Ahithophel the Gilonite,
34Eliphelet the son of Ahasbai, the son of the Maachathite, Eliam the son of Ahithophel the Gilonite,
35Hezrai the Carmelite, Paarai the Arbite,
35Hezrai the Carmelite, Paarai the Arbite,
36Igal the son of Nathan of Zobah, Bani the Gadite,
36Igal the son of Nathan from Zobah, Bani the Gadite,
37Zelek the Ammonite, Nahari the Beerothite, armourbearer to Joab the son of Zeruiah,
37Zelek the Ammonite, Nahari the Beerothite, who carried the armor of Joab the son of Zeruiah,
38Ira an Ithrite, Gareb an Ithrite,
38Ira the Ithrite, Gareb the Ithrite,
39Uriah the Hittite: thirty and seven in all.
39and Uriah the Hittite: thirty-seven in all.
24The Census, the Plague, and Araunah's Threshingfloor
📜 The old Bible words
💬 In today’s words
1And again the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel, and he moved David against them to say, Go, number Israel and Judah.
1Once again the LORD's anger burned against Israel, and he stirred David up against them, saying, "Go, count Israel and Judah."
2For the king said to Joab the captain of the host, which was with him, Go now through all the tribes of Israel, from Dan even to Beersheba, and number ye the people, that I may know the number of the people.
2So the king said to Joab, the commander of the army who was with him, "Go through all the tribes of Israel, from Dan all the way to Beersheba, and count the people, so that I may know how many there are."
3And Joab said unto the king, Now the LORD thy God add unto the people, how many soever they be, an hundredfold, and that the eyes of my lord the king may see it: but why doth my lord the king delight in this thing?
3Joab said to the king, "May the LORD your God multiply the people a hundred times over, however many there are, and may my lord the king live to see it. But why does my lord the king want to do this?"
4Notwithstanding the king’s word prevailed against Joab, and against the captains of the host. And Joab and the captains of the host went out from the presence of the king, to number the people of Israel.
4But the king's word overruled Joab and the commanders of the army. So Joab and the commanders left the king's presence to count the people of Israel.
5And they passed over Jordan, and pitched in Aroer, on the right side of the city that lieth in the midst of the river of Gad, and toward Jazer:
5They crossed the Jordan and camped at Aroer, on the south side of the town in the middle of the valley of Gad, and on toward Jazer.
6Then they came to Gilead, and to the land of Tahtimhodshi; and they came to Danjaan, and about to Zidon,
6Then they came to Gilead and to the land of Tahtim-hodshi; they came to Dan-jaan and around to Sidon.
7And came to the strong hold of Tyre, and to all the cities of the Hivites, and of the Canaanites: and they went out to the south of Judah, even to Beersheba.
7They came to the fortress of Tyre and to all the towns of the Hivites and the Canaanites, and they went out to the south of Judah, as far as Beersheba.
8So when they had gone through all the land, they came to Jerusalem at the end of nine months and twenty days.
8When they had gone through the whole land, they came back to Jerusalem at the end of nine months and twenty days.
9And Joab gave up the sum of the number of the people unto the king: and there were in Israel eight hundred thousand valiant men that drew the sword; and the men of Judah were five hundred thousand men.
9Joab reported the total count of the people to the king: in Israel there were eight hundred thousand able men who could handle a sword, and the men of Judah numbered five hundred thousand.
10And David’s heart smote him after that he had numbered the people. And David said unto the LORD, I have sinned greatly in that I have done: and now, I beseech thee, O LORD, take away the iniquity of thy servant; for I have done very foolishly.
10After he had counted the people, David's conscience troubled him, and David said to the LORD, "I have sinned greatly in what I have done. Now, O LORD, I beg you, take away the guilt of your servant, for I have acted very foolishly."
11For when David was up in the morning, the word of the LORD came unto the prophet Gad, David’s seer, saying,
11When David got up in the morning, the word of the LORD came to the prophet Gad, David's seer, saying,
12Go and say unto David, Thus saith the LORD, I offer thee three things; choose thee one of them, that I may do it unto thee.
12"Go and tell David, 'This is what the LORD says: I am offering you three choices. Pick one of them, and I will do it to you.'"
13So Gad came to David, and told him, and said unto him, Shall seven years of famine come unto thee in thy land? or wilt thou flee three months before thine enemies, while they pursue thee? or that there be three days’ pestilence in thy land? now advise, and see what answer I shall return to him that sent me.
13So Gad came to David and told him. He said, "Shall seven years of famine come on your land? Or will you run from your enemies for three months while they chase you? Or shall there be three days of plague in your land? Now think it over and decide what answer I should take back to the one who sent me."
14And David said unto Gad, I am in a great strait: let us fall now into the hand of the LORD; for his mercies are great: and let me not fall into the hand of man.
14David said to Gad, "I am in terrible distress. Let us fall into the hands of the LORD, for his mercies are great, but do not let me fall into the hands of men."
15So the LORD sent a pestilence upon Israel from the morning even to the time appointed: and there died of the people from Dan even to Beersheba seventy thousand men.
15So the LORD sent a plague on Israel from that morning until the appointed time, and seventy thousand of the people died, from Dan all the way to Beersheba.
16And when the angel stretched out his hand upon Jerusalem to destroy it, the LORD repented him of the evil, and said to the angel that destroyed the people, It is enough: stay now thine hand. And the angel of the LORD was by the threshingplace of Araunah the Jebusite.
16When the angel stretched out his hand toward Jerusalem to destroy it, the LORD relented from the disaster and said to the angel who was striking the people, "That is enough. Now hold back your hand." The angel of the LORD was at the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite.
17And David spake unto the LORD when he saw the angel that smote the people, and said, Lo, I have sinned, and I have done wickedly: but these sheep, what have they done? let thine hand, I pray thee, be against me, and against my father’s house.
17When David saw the angel who was striking the people, he said to the LORD, "Look, I am the one who has sinned; I am the one who has done wrong. But these sheep, what have they done? Please let your hand fall on me and on my father's family."
18And Gad came that day to David, and said unto him, Go up, rear an altar unto the LORD in the threshingfloor of Araunah the Jebusite.
18That same day Gad came to David and said to him, "Go up and build an altar to the LORD on the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite."
19And David, according to the saying of Gad, went up as the LORD commanded.
19So David went up, just as Gad had said and as the LORD had commanded.
20And Araunah looked, and saw the king and his servants coming on toward him: and Araunah went out, and bowed himself before the king on his face upon the ground.
20Araunah looked out and saw the king and his servants coming toward him, so Araunah went out and bowed down before the king with his face to the ground.
21And Araunah said, Wherefore is my lord the king come to his servant? And David said, To buy the threshingfloor of thee, to build an altar unto the LORD, that the plague may be stayed from the people.
21Araunah said, "Why has my lord the king come to his servant?" David answered, "To buy the threshing floor from you, so I can build an altar to the LORD and the plague will be stopped from the people."
22And Araunah said unto David, Let my lord the king take and offer up what seemeth good unto him: behold, here be oxen for burnt sacrifice, and threshing instruments and other instruments of the oxen for wood.
22Araunah said to David, "Let my lord the king take whatever he thinks best and offer it. Look, here are oxen for the burnt offering, and the threshing sledges and the oxen's yokes for the wood.
23All these things did Araunah, as a king, give unto the king. And Araunah said unto the king, The LORD thy God accept thee.
23All of this, O king, Araunah gives to the king." And Araunah said to the king, "May the LORD your God accept you."
24And the king said unto Araunah, Nay; but I will surely buy it of thee at a price: neither will I offer burnt offerings unto the LORD my God of that which doth cost me nothing. So David bought the threshingfloor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver.
24But the king said to Araunah, "No, I insist on buying it from you for a price. I will not offer burnt offerings to the LORD my God that cost me nothing." So David bought the threshing floor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver.
25And David built there an altar unto the LORD, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings. So the LORD was intreated for the land, and the plague was stayed from Israel.
25David built an altar to the LORD there and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings. So the LORD answered the prayer for the land, and the plague was stopped from Israel.