II. SAMUEL.

that the Syrians were fled, then fled they al-journey? why then didst thou not go down to before Abishai, and entered into the city. unto thine house? 11 And Uriah said unto David, The ark, So Joab returned from the children of Amand Israel, and Judah, abide in tents; and inon, and came to Jerusalem. 15 And when the Syrians saw that they my lord Joab, and the servants of my lord, were snitten before Israel, they gathered are encamped in the open fields: shall then go into mine house, to eat and to drink, and themselves together. 16 And Hadarezer sent, and brought out to lie with my wife As thou livest, and as the Syrians that were beyond the river; thy soul liveth, I will not do this thing. 12 And David said to Uriah, Tarry here and they came to Helain and Shobach, the captain of the host of Hadarezer, went be-to-day also, and to-morrow I will let thee de part. So Uriah abode in Jerusalem that day fore them. and the morrow.

17 And when it was told David, he gathered all Israei together, and passed over Jordan, and came to Helam: and the Syrians set themselves in array against David, and fought with him.

18 And the Syrians fled before Israel: and David slew the men of seven hundred chariats of the Syrians, and forty thousand horse men, and smote Shobach, the captain of their host, who died there.

13 And when David had called him, he did eat and drink before him; and be 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.

14¶ And it came to pass in the morning, that David wrote a letter to Joab, and sent it by the hand of Uriah.

15 And he wrote in the letter, saying, Set 19 And when all the kings that were serye Urial in the fore-front of the hottest batvants to Hadarezer saw that they were smit- tle, and retire ye from him, that he may be ten before Israel, they made peace with Is-smitten, and die. 16 And it came to pass, when Joab observrael, and served them. So the Syrians feared to help the children of Ammon any ed the city, that he assigned Uriah unto a place where he knew that valiant men were. 17 And the men of the city went out and

more.

CHAP. XI.

AND it came to pass, after the year was ex-fought with Joab: and there fell some of the pired, at the time when king's go forth to people of the servants of David; and Uriah battle, that David sent Joab, and his servants the Hittite died also. with him, and all Israel; and they destroyed

18 Then Joab sent and told David all

the children of Ammon, and besieged Rab- the things concerning the war ; bah: but David tarried still at Jerusalem.

19 And charged the messenger, saying,

21 And it came to pass in an evening-tide, When thou hast made an end of telling the hat David arose from off his bed, and walk-matters of the war unto the king, ed upon the roof of the king's house and

20 And if so be that the king's wrath arise, from the root he saw a woman washing her- and he say unto thee, Wherefore approached self; and the woman was very beautiful to ye so nigh unto the city when ye did fight? knew ye not that they would shoot from the look upon. wall?

3 And David sent and enquired after the 21 Who smote Abimelech the son of Jerub. woman. And one said, Is not this Bath-sheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah besheth? did not a woman cast a piece of a millstone upon him from the wall, that he the Hittite? 4 And David sent messengers, and took died in Thebez? why went ye nigh the wall: her; and she came in unto him, and he lay then say thou, Thy servant Urial the Hittite with her; (for she was purified from her un-is dead also. cleanness ;) and she returned unto her house. 5 And the woman conceived, and sent and told David, and said, I am with child. 6 And David sent to Joab, saying. Send me Uriah the Hittite. And Joab sent Uriah to David.

221 So the messenger went, and came and shewed David all that Joab had sent him for. 23 And the messenger said unto David, Surely the men prevailed against us, and care out unto us into the field, and we were po them even unto the entering of the gate. 24 And the shooters shot from of the wall 7 And when Uriah was come unto him, David demanded of him how Joab did, and upon thy servants; and some of the king's how the people did, and how the war pros-servants be dead, and thy servant Uriah the pered?

And 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. 9 But Uriah slept at the door of the king's nouse with all the servants of his lord, and went not down to his house.

10 And when they had told David, saying, Uriah went not down unto his house, David Baad unto Uriah, Camest thou not from thy

238

Hittite is dead also.

25 Then 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.

26 And when the wife of Uriah heard that Uriah her husband was dead, she mourned for her husband.

27 And when the mourning was past, Da

nd 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.

CHAP. XII.

16 David therefore besought God for the child; and David fasted, and went in and lay all night upon the earth.

17 And the elders of his house arose, and went to him, to raise him up from the earth

AND the LORD sent Nathan unto David: but he would not, neither did he eat bread

and he came unto him, and said unto him, There were two men in one city; the one rich, and the other poor.

2 The rich man had exceeding many flocks and herds;

with them.

18 And 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 3 But the poor man had nothing, save one alive, we spake unto him, and he would not little ewe lamb, which he had bought, and hearken unto our voice: how will he then vex nourished up; and it grew up together with himself, if we tell him that the child is dead? him, and with his children: it did eat of his 19 But when David saw that his servants own meat, and drank of his own cup, and lay whispered, David perceived that the child was in his bosom, and was unto him as a daughter. dead: therefore David said unto his servants, 4 And there came a traveller unto the rich Is the child dead? And they said, He is dead. man; and he spared to take of his own flock, 20 Then David arose from the earth, and and of his own herd, to dress for the way-washed, and anointed himself, and changed faring man that was come unto him; but took his apparel, and came into the house of the the poor man's lamb, and dressed it for the LORD, and worshipped: then he came to his man that was come to him. own house; and when he required, they set bread before him, and he did eat.

5 And 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:

6 And he shall restore the lamb four-fold, because he did this thing, and because he had no pity.

71 And Natban said to David, Thou art the man. Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, I anointed thee king over Israel, and delivered thee out of the hand of Saul;

I

21 Then 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.

22 And 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?

23 But now he is dead, wherefore should I 8 And I gave thee thy master's house, and fast can I bring him back again? I shall go thy master's wives into thy bosom, and gave to him, but he shall not return to me. thee the house of Israel and of Judah; and if 24¶ And David comforted Bath-sheba that had been too little, I would moreover have given unto thee such and such things.

9 Wherefore hast thou despised the commandinent 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 Aminon.

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.

25 And he sent by the hand of Nathan the prophet; and he called his name Jedidiah, because of the LORD.

26 And Joab fought against Rabbah of the children of Ammon, and took the royal

10 Now therefore the sword shall never de-city. part from thine house; because thou hast despised me, and hast taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be thy wife.

11 Thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will raise up evil against thee out of thine own house, nd I will take thy wives before thine eyes, and give them unto thy neighbour, and he shall be with thy wives in the sight of this

sun.

27 And Joab sent messengers to David, and said, I have fought against Rabbali, and have taken the city of waters.

28 Now 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.

29 And David gathered all the people together, and went to Rabbah, and fought against it, and took it

12 For hou didst it secretly; but I will do this thing behre all Israel, and before the sun. 30 And he took their king's crown from 13 And David said unto Nathan, I have sin-off his head, (the weight whereof was a taned against the LORD. And Nathan said un-lent of gold with the precious stones,) and it to David, The LORD also hath put away thy was set on David's head; and he brought sin; thou shalt not die.

14 Howbeit, 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.

forth the spoil of the city in great abundance.

31 And 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 brick15% And Natban departed unto his house: kiln, and thus did he unto all the cities of and the LORD struck the child that Uriah's the children of Ammon. So David and al wife care unto David, and it was very sick the people returned unto Jerusi lein

CHAP. XIII.

¡er than the other that thou didst unto me A Non ita mentola vald, had a fait siber, ND it came to pass after this, that Absa-But he would not hearken unto her. 17 Then he called his servant that minister

whose name was Tamar; and Amnon the ed unto him, and said, Put now this woman son of David loved her. out from me, and bolt the door after her. 18 And she had a garment of divers co

2 And Amnon was so vexed, that he fell sick for his sister Tamar; for she was a vir-lours upon her; for with such robes were the gin: and Amnon thought it hard for him to king's daughters that were virgins apparel do any thing to her. led. Then his servant brought her out, and bolted the door after her.

3 But Amnon had a friend, whose name was Jonadab, the son of Shimeah, David's brother: and Jonadab was a very subtile

man.

19 And 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.

4 And he said unto him, Why art thou, being the king's son, lean from day to day? 20 And Absaloin her brother said unto her, wilt thou not tell me? And Amnon said un-Hath Amnon thy brother been with thee? but to him, I love Tamar, my brother Absalom's hold now thy peace, my sister: he is thy bro sister. ther; regard not this thing. So Tamar reinain, ed desolate in her brother Absalom's house, 21 But when king David heard of all these things, he was very wroth.

5 And 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.

22 And Absalom spake unto his brothe Amnon neither good nor bad: for Absalon hated Amnon, because he had forced his sis ter Tamar.

69 So Amnon lay down, and made him- 23 ¶ And it came to pass after two ful self sick; and when the king was come to years, that Absalom had sheep-shearers it see him, Amuon said unto the king, I pray Baal-hazor, which is beside Ephraim: and thee, let Tamar my sister come and make me | Absalom invited all the king's sons. a couple of cakes in my sight, that I may eat 24 And Absalom came to the king, ant said, Behold now, thy servant hath sheep 7 Then David sent home to Tamar, say-shearers; let the king, I beseech thee, and ing. Go How to thy brother Amnon's house, his servants, go with thy servant. and dress him meat.

at her hand.

So 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.

25 And the king said to Absalom, Nay, my son, let us not all now go, lest we be charge able unto thee. And he pressed him, how beit he would not go. but blessed him. 26 Then said Absalom, If not, I pray thee, 9 And she took a pan, and poured them let my brother Amnon go with us. And the out before him; but he refused to eat. And king said unto him, Why should he go with Amnon said, Have out all men from me. And they went out every man from him.

10 And 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.

thee?

27 But Absalom pressed him that he let Am non and all the king's sons go with him.

23 Now Absalom had commanded his servants, saying, Mark ye now when Am non's heart is merry with wine, and when I say unto you, Smite Amnon; then kill him, 11 And when she had brought them unto fear not: have not I commanded you? be him to eat, he took hold of her, and said un-courageous, and be valiant.

to her, Come lie with me, my sister. 29 And the servants of Absalom did unte 12 And she answered him. Nay, my brother. Amnon, as Absalom had cominanded: ther do not force ine; for no such thing ought to all the king's sons arose, and every man gæ be due in Israel do not thou this folly. him up upon his mule, and fled.

13 And I, whither shall I cause iny shame 30 And it came to pass, while they were to go? and as for thee, thou shalt be as one in the way, that tidings came to David, say of the fools in Israel. Now therefore, I praying, Absalom hath slain all the King's sons thee, speak unto the king; for he will not and there is not one of them let. withhold me from thee.

14 Howbeit he would not hearken unto her voice; but, being stronger than she, forced her, and lay with her.

15¶ Then Amuon hated her exceedingly ; so that the hatred wherewith he hated Ser was greater than the love wherewith he had loved her: and Amnon said unto her, Arise, be gone.

16 And she said unto him, There is no eause: this evil in sending me away is great

31 Then the king arose, and tare his gar ments, and lay on the earth; and all his ser vants stood by with peir clothes rent.

32 And Jonadat the son of Shimeal, Da vid'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 Absalon this hath been determined from the day tha he forced his sister Tamar,

38 Now therefore let not my lord the kirg

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.

34 But Absalom fled. And the young man 12 Then the woman said, Let thine handthat kept the watch lifted up his eyes and maid, I pray thee, speak one word unto my looked. and, behold, there came much peo-lord the king. And he said, Say on. ple by the way of the hill-side behind him. 13 And the woman said, Wherefore then 35 And Jonadab said unto the king, Be-hast thou thought such a thing against the hold, tne king's sons come: as thy servant people of God? for the king doth speak this said, so it is. thing as one which is faulty, in that the king doth not fetch home again his banished.

36 And it came to pass, as soon as he had made an end of speaking, that, behold, the 14 For we must needs die, and are as waking's sons came, and lifted up their voice ter spilt on the ground, which cannot be ga and wept; and the king also and all his ser- thered up again: neither doth God respect vants wept very sore. any person; yet doth he devise means that 37 But Absalom fled, and went to Tal-his banished be not expelled from him. mai, the son of Ammihud, king of Geshur: and Durid mourned for his son every day. of this thing unto my lord the king, it is be33 So Absalom fled, and went to Geshur, cause the people have made me afraid; and and was there three years.. thy haudinaid said, I will now speak unto 39 And the soul of king David longed to the king; it may be that the king will per go forth unto Absalom: for he was comfort-form the request of his handmaid."

ed concerning Amnon, seeing he was dead. 16 For the king will hear, to deliver his handmaid out of the hand of the men that me and m would destroy me and my son together out

shall

the hair was eavy on him, therefore he poll-hear the sound of the trumpet, then ye
edit:) he weighed the hair of his head at say, Absalom reigneth in Hebron.
two hundred shekels after the king's weight.
27 And unto Absalom there were born three
sons, and one daughter, whose name was Ta-
mar she was a woman of a fair countenance.
28 So Absalom dwelt two full years in
Jerusalem, and saw not the king's face.
29 Therefore 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 coine.

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.

30 Therefore 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.

12 And Absalom sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David's counsellor, from his city even from Gilol, while he offered sacrifices. and the conspiracy was strong; for the people mcreased continually with Absalom."

13 And there came a messenger to David. saying, The hearts of the inen of Israel are after Absalom.

14 And David said unto all his servants that were with him at Jerusalem, Arise and let us 31 Then Joab arose. and came to Absalom flee; for we shall not else escape fi ›m Absa. unto his house, and said unto him, Wherefore lom: make speed to depart, lest he overtake 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 ine 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.

us suddenly, and bring evil 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 de whatsoever my lord the king shall appoint. 16 And the king went forth. and all his household after him. And the king left ten women, which were concubines, to keep the

33 So Joab came to the king, and told house. 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.

CHAP. XV.

17 And the king went forth, and all the people after him, and tarried in a place that was far off.

18 And all his servants passed on beside him; and all the Cherethites, and all the ND it came to pass after this,that Absalom Pelethites, and all the Gittites, six hundred

A prepared him chariots and horses, and men which came after him from Gath, pass

fifty men to run before him.

20 Whereas thou camest but yesterday,

ed on before the king. 19 ¶ Then said the king to Ittai the Gittite, And Absalom rose up early, and stood beside the way of the gate and it was so, Wherefore goest thou also with us? return to that when any man that had a controversy thy place, and abide with the king; for thou came to the king for judgment, then Ab-art a stranger, and also an exile. salom called unto him, and said, Of what city art thou? And he said, Thy servant is should I this day make thee go up and down with us? Seeing I go whither I may, return of one of the tribes of Israel. 3 And Absalom said unto him, See, thy thou, and take back thy brethren: mercy and matters are good and right; but there is noftruth be with thee. man deputed of the king to hear thee.

21 And Ittai answered the king, and said, 4 Absalom said moreover, Oh that I were As the LORD liveth, and as my lord the king made judge in the land, that every man liveth, surely in what piace my lord the king which hath any suit or cause might come shall be, whether in death or life, even there also will thy servant be. would do him justice! unto me, and 5 And it was so. that when any man came put forth jover, nigh to him to do him obeisance, he his hand, and took him, and kissed him.

92 And David said to Ittai, Go and pas And Ittai the Gittite passed over, and all his mea, and all the little ones that were

6 And on this manner did Absalom to all with him. Israel that came to the king for judgment. 23 And all the country wept with a lond So Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Is-voice, and all the people passed over: the king also himself passed over the brook Kidrael. ron, and all the people passed over, toward the way of the wilderness.

71 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.

24 ¶ And to Zadok also, and all the Levites were with him, bearing the ark of the cove8 For thy servant vowed a vow while Inant of God: and they set down the ark of abode at Geshur in Syria, saying, Ifthe LORD God; and Abiathar went up, until all the shall bring me agam indeed to Jerusalem, people had done passing out of the city. then I will serve the LORD.

9 And the king said unto him, Go in peace. So he arose, and went to Hebron.

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 show me both it and his

10 But Absalom sent spies throughout
al! the tribes of Israel, saying, As soon as ye habitation.