Absalom killeth Amnon. BEFORE CHRIST cir. 1032. 1 Gen. 37.3. Judg. 5. 30. Ps. 45. 14. m Josh. 7.6. n Jer. 2. 37. 2 Heb. Aminon. 3 Heb. set not thine heart. ♦ Heb. and desolate. • Gen. 24. 1030. II. SAMUEL, XIV. Absalom fleeth to Geshur. away is greater than the other that 17 Then he called his servant that 18 And 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. 19 And Tamar put mashes 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. 20 And Absalom her brother said unto her, Hath 2 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. 3 21 T But when king David heard of all these things, he was very wroth. 22 And Absalom spake unto his brother Amnon neither good nor bad: for Absalom Phated Amnon, because he had forced his sister Tamar. 23 T And it came to pass after two full years, that Absalom a had sheepshearers in Baal-hazor, which 1 Sam. 25.4, is beside Ephraim: and Absalom invited all the king's sons. 36. 9, 22. Ruth 3. 7. 24 And 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. 25 And the king said to Absalom, 26 Then said Absalom, If not, I 28 T Now Absalom had commanded his servants, saying, Mark Judg.19.6, ye now when Amnon's heart is merry with wine, and when I say Sam.25.36. unto you, Smite Amnon; then kill Pa. 104. 15. him, fear not: have not I commanded you? be courageous, and be 6 valiant. Esth. 1. 10. 5 Or, will you not, since I have command ed you! Josh. 1. 9. 6 Heb. sons of valour. 5 29 And the servants of Absalom did unto Amnon as Absalom had commanded. Then all the king's sons 32 And "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 Amnonf only is dead: for by the appointment of Absalom 3 Heb. this hath been determined from the day that he forced his sister Tamar. 33 Now therefore let not my lord ch. 19. 19. the king take the thing to his heart, to think that all the king's sons are dead: for Amnon only is dead. 37 ¶ But Absalom fled, and went weeping to Talmai, the son of Ammihud, king of Geshur. And David mourned for his son every day. 38 So Absalom fled, and went to Geshur, and was there three years. 39 And the soul of king David longed to go forth unto Absalom: for he was b comforted concerning Amnon, seeing he was dead. CHAPTER XIV. 1 Joab, suborning a widow of Tekoah, by a to bring Absalom home. CHRIST 1027. 15 Now therefore that I am come BEFORE 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. 16 For 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. r 17 Then thine handmaid said, The word of my lord the king shall now be 2 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. 18 Then 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. 19 And 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: 20 To fetch about this form of speech hath thy servant Joab done this thing: and my lord is wise, taccording to the wisdom of an angel of God, to know all things that are in the earth. 21 ¶ And the king said unto Joab, Behold now, I have done this thing: go therefore, bring the young man Absalom again. blessed. 22 And Joab fell to the ground on his face, and bowed himself, and thanked the king: and Joab said, Heb. 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. 23 So Joab arose "and went to Geshur, and brought Absalom to Jerusalem. 24 And 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. 6 25 But 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. 26 And when he polled his head, (for it was at every year's end that 6 Or, thy. u ch. 13. 37. x Gen, 43.8. ch. 3. 13. 1025. b Gen. 33. 4. & 45. 15. Luke 15.20. 1024. a ch. 12. 11. blKings 1.5. 3 Heb. to come. 31 Then Joab arose, and came to Absalom unto his house, and said unto him, Wherefore have thy servants set my field on fire? 32 And 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. 33 So 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 bkissed Absalom. CHAPTER XV. 1 Absalom, by fair speeches and courtesies, stealeth the hearts of Israel. 7 Under pretence of a vow he obtaineth leave to go to Hebron. 10 He maketh there a great conspiracy. 13 David upon the news fleeth from Jerusalem. 19 Ittai would not leave him. 24 Zadok and Abiathar are sent back with the ark. 30 David and his company go up mount Olivet weeping. 31 He curseth Ahithophel's counsel. 32 Hushai is sent buck with instructions. AND ND it came to pass after this, that Absalom prepared him chariots and horses, and fifty men to run before him. David fleeth. but there is no man deputed of the king to hear thee. 4 Absalom 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! 5 And 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. BBFORE CHRIST 1024. 2 Or, none will hear thee from the king downward. Judg.9.29. 6 And on this manner did Absalom to all Israel that came to the king for judgment: a so Absalom stole the Rom. 16. hearts of the men of Israel. e 7 And 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. 18. 1023. .15am.16.1. 1 Sam.16.2. * Gen. 28.20, h ch. 13. 38. 8 For thy servant vowed a vow b while I abode at Geshur in Syria, 21. saying, If the LORD shall bring me again indeed to Jerusalem, then I will serve the LORD. 9 And the king said unto him, Go in peace. So he arose, and went to Hebron. 10 T But 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. 4 11 And with Absalom went two hundred men out of Jerusalem, that were called; and they went in their simplicity, and they knew not any thing. 11am.9.13. Gen. 20. 5. & 16. 3, 5. 55. 12, 13, 14. m Josh. 15. 12 And Absalom sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, 'David's counsellor, P. 41.9. from his city, even from m Giloh, while he offered sacrifices. And the conspiracy was strong; for the people "in-Pa. 3. 1. creased continually with Absalom. 51. 13 ¶ And there came a messenger to David, saying, The hearts of the over. 6. men of Israel are after Absalom. Judg. 9.3. Ps. 3, title. 14 And David said unto all his servants that were with him at Jerusalem, Arise, and let us P flee; for we pch. 19.9. shall not else escape from Absalom: make speed to depart, lest he overtake us suddenly, and bring evil Heb. upon us, and smite the city with the edge of the sword. 15 And the king's servants said unto the king, Behold, thy servants are ready to do whatsoever my lord the king shall appoint. thrust. 4 Heb. choose. q Ps. 3, title. 16 And the king went forth, and all his household after him. And Heb. at his the king left 'ten women, which were concubines, to keep the house. 17 And the king went forth, and feet. r ch. 16. 21, 22. 1 BBFORE all the people after him, and tarried CHRIST 1023. ch. 8. 18. ch. 18. 2. he went up, and k Hushai sent back. had his head cover BEFORE CHRIST 1023. g ch. 19.4. 1 Is. 20. 2, 4. 1 Jer. 14.3, 4. k Pa. 126.6. ed, and he went barefoot: and all the 18 And all his servants passed on people that was with him 'covered beside him; and all the Cherethites, every man his head, and they went Esth. 6. 12. and all the Pelethites, and all the Git-up, weeping as they went up. tites, six hundred men which came 31 ¶ And one told David, saying, after him from Gath, passed on before Ahithophel is among the conspi-1 the king. rators with Absalom. And David said, O LORD, I pray thee, m turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness. 1 19 Then said the king to Ittai thee wander in going. a 1 8am. 23. 13. 17. Prov.17.17. & 18. 24. 21 And Ittai answered the king, Ruth1.16, 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. 3 Called, 22 And 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. 23 And 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. 8 24 ¶ And lo Zadok also, and all Num. 4.15. 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. 25 And 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: 33 Unto whom David said, If thou passest on with me, then thou shalt be P a burden unto me: P8.8.1,2. & 55. 12, &c. m ch. 16. 23. & 17. 14, 23. Josh. 16.2. ch.1.2. p ch. 19. 35. 34 But if thou return to the city, and say unto Absalom, I will be thy ch. 16. 19. 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. 35 And hast thou not there with 36 Behold, they have there with b Ziba the servant of Mephibosheth bch. 9.2. 2 And the king said unto Ziba, Shimei curseth David. BEFORE CHRIST 1023. • Prov. 18. 13. 2 Heb. I do obeisance. II. SAMUEL, XVII. t Ahithophel's counsel 17 And Absalom said to Hushai, Is this thy kindness to thy friend? "why wentest thou not with thy friend? unto the king, Behold, he abideth at 16 And it came to pass, when Jerusalem: for he said, To day shall | Hushai-the Archite, David's friend, the house of Israel restore me the was come unto Absalom, that Hushai kingdom of my father. said unto Absalom, 2 God save the 4 Then said the king to Ziba, Be-king, God save the king. hold, 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. 5 T And 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 8 Or, he still cursed still as he came. fch. 19. 16. 1 Kings 2.8, 44. came forth and cursed. 4 Heb. man of blood. * Deut. 13. 13. bJudg. 9. 24, 56, 57. 1Kings 2.32, 33. 6 And 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. 7 And thus said Shimei when he cursed, Come out, come out, thou *bloody man, and thou s man of Belial: 8 The 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 hold thee in in thy mischief, because thou art a bloody man. I See ch. 1. 16. & 3. 28, 29. & 4. 11, 12. 5 Heb. be thy evil. 14. 9 Then said Abishai the son of Zeruiah unto the king, Why should 1 Sam. 24. this dead dog curse my lord the king? let me go over, I pray thee, ch. 9.8. 1 1 Ex. 22. 28. and take off his head. 18 And Hushai said unto Absalom, Nay; but whom the LORD, and this people, and all the men of Israel, choose, his will I be, and with him will I abide. BEFORE CHRIST 1023. t ch. 15. 87. 2 Heb. Let the king live. u ch. 19. 25. Prov.17.17. 19 And again, whom should I ch. 15.34. 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. 20 Then said Absalom to Ahithophel, Give counsel among you what we shall do. 21 And Ahithophel said unto Absalom, Go in unto thy father's concubines, which he hath left to keep the house; and all Israel shall hear that thou art abhorred of thy father: then shall the hands of all that are with thee be strong. 22 So they spread Absalom a tent upon the top of the house; and Absalom went in unto his father's concubines in the sight of all Israel. CHAPTER XVII. 1 Ahithophel's counsel is overthrown by Hu- M OREOVER Ahithophel said unto Absalom, Let me now choose out twelve thousand men, and I will arise and pursue after David this night: 2 And I will come upon him while he is weary and weak handed, and will make him afraid: and all the people that are with him shall flee; and I will smite the king only: 3 And I will bring back all the people unto thee: the man whom thou seekest is as if all returned: so all the people shall be in peace. • ch. 15. 12. See Deut. ch. 16. 14. 25. 18. b Zech. 13.7. right in the 1 Sam.18.20. 4 And the saying pleased Absa-4 Heb. was lom well, and all the elders of Israel. eyes of, &c. 5 Then said Absalom, Call now Hushai the Archite also, and let us hear likewise what he saith. 6 Heb. what is in his mouth. |