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The King James Bible


Book 10    2 Samuel
001:001 Now 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;
001:002 It 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.
001:003 And David said unto him, From whence comest thou? And he said
        unto him, Out of the camp of Israel am I escaped.
001:004 And 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.
001:005 And David said unto the young man that told him, How knowest
        thou that Saul and Jonathan his son be dead?
001:006 And 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.
001:007 And when he looked behind him, he saw me, and called unto me.
        And I answered, Here am I.
001:008 And he said unto me, Who art thou? And I answered him, I am an
        Amalekite.
001:009 He 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.
001:010 So 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.
001:011 Then David took hold on his clothes, and rent them; and
        likewise all the men that were with him:
001:012 And 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.
001:013 And David said unto the young man that told him, Whence art
        thou? And he answered, I am the son of a stranger, an
        Amalekite.
001:014 And David said unto him, How wast thou not afraid to stretch
        forth thine hand to destroy the LORD's anointed?
001:015 And David called one of the young men, and said, Go near, and
        fall upon him. And he smote him that he died.
001:016 And 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.
001:017 And David lamented with this lamentation over Saul and over
        Jonathan his son:
001:018 (Also he bade them teach the children of Judah the use of the
        bow: behold, it is written in the book of Jasher.)
001:019 The beauty of Israel is slain upon thy high places: how are
        the mighty fallen!
001:020 Tell 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.
001:021 Ye 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.
001:022 From 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.
001:023 Saul 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.
001:024 Ye daughters of Israel, weep over Saul, who clothed you in
        scarlet, with other delights, who put on ornaments of gold
        upon your apparel.
001:025 How are the mighty fallen in the midst of the battle! O
        Jonathan, thou wast slain in thine high places.
001:026 I 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.
001:027 How are the mighty fallen, and the weapons of war perished!
002:001 And 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.
002:002 So David went up thither, and his two wives also, Ahinoam the
        Jezreelitess, and Abigail Nabal's wife the Carmelite.
002:003 And his men that were with him did David bring up, every man
        with his household: and they dwelt in the cities of Hebron.
002:004 And 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.
002:005 And 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.
002:006 And now the LORD shew kindness and truth unto you: and I also
        will requite you this kindness, because ye have done this
        thing.
002:007 Therefore 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.
002:008 But Abner the son of Ner, captain of Saul's host, took
        Ishbosheth the son of Saul, and brought him over to Mahanaim;
002:009 And made him king over Gilead, and over the Ashurites, and
        over Jezreel, and over Ephraim, and over Benjamin, and over
        all Israel.
002:010 Ishbosheth 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.
002:011 And the time that David was king in Hebron over the house of
        Judah was seven years and six months.
002:012 And Abner the son of Ner, and the servants of Ishbosheth the
        son of Saul, went out from Mahanaim to Gibeon.
002:013 And 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.
002:014 And Abner said to Joab, Let the young men now arise, and play
        before us. And Joab said, Let them arise.
002:015 Then 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.
002:016 And 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.
002:017 And there was a very sore battle that day; and Abner was
        beaten, and the men of Israel, before the servants of David.
002:018 And there were three sons of Zeruiah there, Joab, and Abishai,
        and Asahel: and Asahel was as light of foot as a wild roe.
002:019 And Asahel pursued after Abner; and in going he turned not to
        the right hand nor to the left from following Abner.
002:020 Then Abner looked behind him, and said, Art thou Asahel? And
        he answered, I am.
002:021 And 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.
002:022 And 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?
002:023 Howbeit 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.
002:024 Joab 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.
002:025 And the children of Benjamin gathered themselves together
        after Abner, and became one troop, and stood on the top of an
        hill.
002:026 Then 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?
002:027 And 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.
002:028 So Joab blew a trumpet, and all the people stood still, and
        pursued after Israel no more, neither fought they any more.
002:029 And 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.
002:030 And Joab returned from following Abner: and when he had
        gathered all the people together, there lacked of David's
        servants nineteen men and Asahel.
002:031 But the servants of David had smitten of Benjamin, and of
        Abner's men, so that three hundred and threescore men died.
002:032 And 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.
003:001 Now 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.
003:002 And unto David were sons born in Hebron: and his firstborn was
        Amnon, of Ahinoam the Jezreelitess;
003:003 And 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;
003:004 And the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith; and the fifth,
        Shephatiah the son of Abital;
003:005 And the sixth, Ithream, by Eglah David's wife. These were born
        to David in Hebron.
003:006 And 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.
003:007 And 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?
003:008 Then 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?
003:009 So do God to Abner, and more also, except, as the LORD hath
        sworn to David, even so I do to him;
003:010 To 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.
003:011 And he could not answer Abner a word again, because he feared
        him.
003:012 And 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.
003:013 And 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.
003:014 And 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.
003:015 And Ishbosheth sent, and took her from her husband, even from
        Phaltiel the son of Laish.
003:016 And her husband went with her along weeping behind her to
        Bahurim. Then said Abner unto him, Go, return. And he
        returned.
003:017 And Abner had communication with the elders of Israel, saying,
        Ye sought for David in times past to be king over you:
003:018 Now 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.
003:019 And 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.
003:020 So Abner came to David to Hebron, and twenty men with him. And
        David made Abner and the men that were with him a feast.
003:021 And 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.
003:022 And, 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.
003:023 When 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.
003:024 Then 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?
003:025 Thou 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.
003:026 And 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.
003:027 And 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.
003:028 And 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:
003:029 Let 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.
003:030 So Joab, and Abishai his brother slew Abner, because he had
        slain their brother Asahel at Gibeon in the battle.
003:031 And 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.
003:032 And they buried Abner in Hebron: and the king lifted up his
        voice, and wept at the grave of Abner; and all the people
        wept.
003:033 And the king lamented over Abner, and said, Died Abner as a
        fool dieth?
003:034 Thy 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.
003:035 And 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.
003:036 And all the people took notice of it, and it pleased them: as
        whatsoever the king did pleased all the people.
003:037 For all the people and all Israel understood that day that it
        was not of the king to slay Abner the son of Ner.
003:038 And the king said unto his servants, Know ye not that there is
        a prince and a great man fallen this day in Israel?
003:039 And 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.
004:001 And when Saul's son heard that Abner was dead in Hebron, his
        hands were feeble, and all the Israelites were troubled.
004:002 And 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.
004:003 And the Beerothites fled to Gittaim, and were sojourners there
        until this day.)
004:004 And 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.
004:005 And 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.
004:006 And 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.
004:007 For 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.
004:008 And 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.
004:009 And 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,
004:010 When 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:
004:011 How 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?
004:012 And 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.
005:001 Then came all the tribes of Israel to David unto Hebron, and
        spake, saying, Behold, we are thy bone and thy flesh.
005:002 Also 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.
005:003 So 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.
005:004 David was thirty years old when he began to reign, and he
        reigned forty years.
005:005 In Hebron he reigned over Judah seven years and six months:
        and in Jerusalem he reigned thirty and three years over all
        Israel and Judah.
005:006 And 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.
005:007 Nevertheless David took the strong hold of Zion: the same is
        the city of David.
005:008 And 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.
005:009 So David dwelt in the fort, and called it the city of David.
        And David built round about from Millo and inward.
005:010 And David went on, and grew great, and the LORD God of hosts
        was with him.
005:011 And Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, and cedar
        trees, and carpenters, and masons: and they built David an
        house.
005:012 And David perceived that the LORD had established him king
        over Israel, and that he had exalted his kingdom for his
        people Israel's sake.
005:013 And 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.
005:014 And these be the names of those that were born unto him in
        Jerusalem; Shammuah, and Shobab, and Nathan, and Solomon,
005:015 Ibhar also, and Elishua, and Nepheg, and Japhia,
005:016 And Elishama, and Eliada, and Eliphalet.
005:017 But 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.
005:018 The Philistines also came and spread themselves in the valley
        of Rephaim.
005:019 And 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.
005:020 And 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.
005:021 And there they left their images, and David and his men burned
        them.
005:022 And the Philistines came up yet again, and spread themselves
        in the valley of Rephaim.
005:023 And 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.
005:024 And 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.
005:025 And David did so, as the LORD had commanded him; and smote the
        Philistines from Geba until thou come to Gazer.
006:001 Again, David gathered together all the chosen men of Israel,
        thirty thousand.
006:002 And 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.
006:003 And 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.
006:004 And they brought it out of the house of Abinadab which was at
        Gibeah, accompanying the ark of God: and Ahio went before the
        ark.
006:005 And 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.
006:006 And 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.
006:007 And 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.
006:008 And David was displeased, because the LORD had made a breach
        upon Uzzah: and he called the name of the place Perezuzzah to
        this day.
006:009 And David was afraid of the LORD that day, and said, How shall
        the ark of the LORD come to me?
006:010 So 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.
006:011 And the ark of the LORD continued in the house of Obededom the
        Gittite three months: and the LORD blessed Obededom, and all
        his household.
006:012 And 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.
006:013 And it was so, that when they that bare the ark of the LORD
        had gone six paces, he sacrificed oxen and fatlings.
006:014 And David danced before the LORD with all his might; and David
        was girded with a linen ephod.
006:015 So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the
        LORD with shouting, and with the sound of the trumpet.
006:016 And 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.
006:017 And 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.
006:018 And 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.
006:019 And 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.
006:020 Then 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!
006:021 And 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.
006:022 And 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.
006:023 Therefore Michal the daughter of Saul had no child unto the
        day of her death.
007:001 And it came to pass, when the king sat in his house, and the
        LORD had given him rest round about from all his enemies;
007:002 That the king said unto Nathan the prophet, See now, I dwell
        in an house of cedar, but the ark of God dwelleth within
        curtains.
007:003 And Nathan said to the king, Go, do all that is in thine
        heart; for the LORD is with thee.
007:004 And it came to pass that night, that the word of the LORD came
        unto Nathan, saying,
007:005 Go and tell my servant David, Thus saith the LORD, Shalt thou
        build me an house for me to dwell in?
007:006 Whereas 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.
007:007 In 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?
007:008 Now 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:
007:009 And 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.
007:010 Moreover 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,
007:011 And 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.
007:012 And 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.
007:013 He shall build an house for my name, and I will stablish the
        throne of his kingdom for ever.
007:014 I 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:
007:015 But my mercy shall not depart away from him, as I took it from
        Saul, whom I put away before thee.
007:016 And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever
        before thee: thy throne shall be established for ever.
007:017 According to all these words, and according to all this
        vision, so did Nathan speak unto David.
007:018 Then 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?
007:019 And 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?
007:020 And what can David say more unto thee? for thou, Lord GOD,
        knowest thy servant.
007:021 For thy word's sake, and according to thine own heart, hast
        thou done all these great things, to make thy servant know
        them.
007:022 Wherefore 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.
007:023 And 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?
007:024 For thou hast confirmed to thyself thy people Israel to be a
        people unto thee for ever: and thou, LORD, art become their
        God.
007:025 And 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.
007:026 And 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.
007:027 For 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.
007:028 And now, O Lord GOD, thou art that God, and thy words be true,
        and thou hast promised this goodness unto thy servant:
007:029 Therefore 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.
008:001 And 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.
008:002 And 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.
008:003 David smote also Hadadezer, the son of Rehob, king of Zobah,
        as he went to recover his border at the river Euphrates.
008:004 And 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.
008:005 And when the Syrians of Damascus came to succour Hadadezer
        king of Zobah, David slew of the Syrians two and twenty
        thousand men.
008:006 Then 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.
008:007 And David took the shields of gold that were on the servants
        of Hadadezer, and brought them to Jerusalem.
008:008 And from Betah, and from Berothai, cities of Hadadezer, king
        David took exceeding much brass.
008:009 When Toi king of Hamath heard that David had smitten all the
        host of Hadadezer,
008:010 Then 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:
008:011 Which also king David did dedicate unto the LORD, with the
        silver and gold that he had dedicated of all nations which he
        subdued;
008:012 Of 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.
008:013 And David gat him a name when he returned from smiting of the
        Syrians in the valley of salt, being eighteen thousand men.
008:014 And 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.
008:015 And David reigned over all Israel; and David executed judgment
        and justice unto all his people.
008:016 And Joab the son of Zeruiah was over the host; and Jehoshaphat
        the son of Ahilud was recorder;
008:017 And Zadok the son of Ahitub, and Ahimelech the son of
        Abiathar, were the priests; and Seraiah was the scribe;
008:018 And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over both the Cherethites
        and the Pelethites; and David's sons were chief rulers.
009:001 And David said, Is there yet any that is left of the house of
        Saul, that I may shew him kindness for Jonathan's sake?
009:002 And 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.
009:003 And 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.
009:004 And 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.
009:005 Then king David sent, and fetched him out of the house of
        Machir, the son of Ammiel, from Lodebar.
009:006 Now 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!
009:007 And 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.
009:008 And he bowed himself, and said, What is thy servant, that thou
        shouldest look upon such a dead dog as I am?
009:009 Then 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.
009:010 Thou 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.
009:011 Then 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.
009:012 And Mephibosheth had a young son, whose name was Micha. And
        all that dwelt in the house of Ziba were servants unto
        Mephibosheth.
009:013 So Mephibosheth dwelt in Jerusalem: for he did eat continually
        at the king's table; and was lame on both his feet.
010:001 And it came to pass after this, that the king of the children
        of Ammon died, and Hanun his son reigned in his stead.
010:002 Then 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.
010:003 And 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?
010:004 Wherefore 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.
010:005 When 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.
010:006 And 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.
010:007 And when David heard of it, he sent Joab, and all the host of
        the mighty men.
010:008 And 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.
010:009 When 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:
010:010 And 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.
010:011 And 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.
010:012 Be 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.
010:013 And Joab drew nigh, and the people that were with him, unto
        the battle against the Syrians: and they fled before him.
010:014 And 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.
010:015 And when the Syrians saw that they were smitten before Israel,
        they gathered themselves together.
010:016 And 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.
010:017 And 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.
010:018 And 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.
010:019 And 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.
011:001 And 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.
011:002 And 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.
011:003 And David sent and enquired after the woman. And one said, Is
        not this Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah
        the Hittite?
011:004 And 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.
011:005 And the woman conceived, and sent and told David, and said, I
        am with child.
011:006 And David sent to Joab, saying, Send me Uriah the Hittite. And
        Joab sent Uriah to David.
011:007 And when Uriah was come unto him, David demanded of him how
        Joab did, and how the people did, and how the war prospered.
011:008 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.
011:009 But Uriah slept at the door of the king's house with all the
        servants of his lord, and went not down to his house.
011:010 And 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?
011:011 And 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.
011:012 And 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.
011:013 And 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.
011:014 And it came to pass in the morning, that David wrote a letter
        to Joab, and sent it by the hand of Uriah.
011:015 And 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.
011:016 And it came to pass, when Joab observed the city, that he
        assigned Uriah unto a place where he knew that valiant men
        were.
011:017 And 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.
011:018 Then Joab sent and told David all the things concerning the
        war;
011:019 And charged the messenger, saying, When thou hast made an end
        of telling the matters of the war unto the king,
011:020 And 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?
011:021 Who 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.
011:022 So the messenger went, and came and shewed David all that Joab
        had sent him for.
011:023 And 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.
011:024 And 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.
011:025 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.
011:026 And when the wife of Uriah heard that Uriah her husband was
        dead, she mourned for her husband.
011:027 And 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.
012:001 And 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.
012:002 The rich man had exceeding many flocks and herds:
012:003 But 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.
012:004 And 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.
012:005 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:
012:006 And he shall restore the lamb fourfold, because he did this
        thing, and because he had no pity.
012:007 And 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;
012:008 And 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.
012:009 Wherefore 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.
012:010 Now 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.
012:011 Thus 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.
012:012 For thou didst it secretly: but I will do this thing before
        all Israel, and before the sun.
012:013 And 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.
012:014 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.
012:015 And Nathan departed unto his house. And the LORD struck the
        child that Uriah's wife bare unto David, and it was very sick.
012:016 David therefore besought God for the child; and David fasted,
        and went in, and lay all night upon the earth.
012:017 And 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.
012:018 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
        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?
012:019 But 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.
012:020 Then 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.
012:021 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.
012:022 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?
012:023 But 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.
012:024 And 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.
012:025 And he sent by the hand of Nathan the prophet; and he called
        his name Jedidiah, because of the LORD.
012:026 And Joab fought against Rabbah of the children of Ammon, and
        took the royal city.
012:027 And Joab sent messengers to David, and said, I have fought
        against Rabbah, and have taken the city of waters.
012:028 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.
012:029 And David gathered all the people together, and went to
        Rabbah, and fought against it, and took it.
012:030 And 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.
012:031 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 brick-kiln: and thus did
        he unto all the cities of the children of Ammon. So David and
        all the people returned unto Jerusalem.
013:001 And 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.
013:002 And 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.
013:003 But Amnon had a friend, whose name was Jonadab, the son of
        Shimeah David's brother: and Jonadab was a very subtil man.
013:004 And 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.
013:005 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.
013:006 So 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.
013:007 Then David sent home to Tamar, saying, Go now to thy brother
        Amnon's house, and dress him meat.
013:008 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.
013:009 And 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.
013:010 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.
013:011 And when she had brought them unto him to eat, he took hold of
        her, and said unto her, Come lie with me, my sister.
013:012 And 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.
013:013 And 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.
013:014 Howbeit he would not hearken unto her voice: but, being
        stronger than she, forced her, and lay with her.
013:015 Then 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.
013:016 And 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.
013:017 Then he called his servant that ministered unto him, and said,
        Put now this woman out from me, and bolt the door after her.
013:018 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.
013:019 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.
013:020 And 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.
013:021 But when king David heard of all these things, he was very
        wroth.
013:022 And Absalom spake unto his brother Amnon neither good nor bad:
        for Absalom hated Amnon, because he had forced his sister
        Tamar.
013:023 And 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.
013:024 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.
013:025 And 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.
013:026 Then 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?
013:027 But Absalom pressed him, that he let Amnon and all the king's
        sons go with him.
013:028 Now 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.
013:029 And 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.
013:030 And 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.
013:031 Then the king arose, and tare his garments, and lay on the
        earth; and all his servants stood by with their clothes rent.
013:032 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 Amnon only is dead: for by the
        appointment of Absalom this hath been determined from the day
        that he forced his sister Tamar.
013:033 Now 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.
013:034 But 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.
013:035 And Jonadab said unto the king, Behold, the king's sons come:
        as thy servant said, so it is.
013:036 And 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.
013:037 But Absalom fled, and went to Talmai, the son of Ammihud, king
        of Geshur. And David mourned for his son every day.
013:038 So Absalom fled, and went to Geshur, and was there three
        years.
013:039 And the soul of king David longed to go forth unto Absalom:
        for he was comforted concerning Amnon, seeing he was dead.
014:001 Now Joab the son of Zeruiah perceived that the king's heart
        was toward Absalom.
014:002 And 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:
014:003 And come to the king, and speak on this manner unto him. So
        Joab put the words in her mouth.
014:004 And 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.
014:005 And the king said unto her, What aileth thee? And she
        answered, I am indeed a widow woman, and mine husband is dead.
014:006 And 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.
014:007 And, 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.
014:008 And the king said unto the woman, Go to thine house, and I
        will give charge concerning thee.
014:009 And 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.
014:010 And the king said, Whoever saith ought unto thee, bring him to
        me, and he shall not touch thee any more.
014:011 Then 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.
014:012 Then the woman said, Let thine handmaid, I pray thee, speak
        one word unto my lord the king. And he said, Say on.
014:013 And 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.
014:014 For 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.
014:015 Now 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.
014:016 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.
014:017 Then 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.
014:018 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.
014:019 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:
014:020 To 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.
014:021 And the king said unto Joab, Behold now, I have done this
        thing: go therefore, bring the young man Absalom again.
014:022 And 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.
014:023 So Joab arose and went to Geshur, and brought Absalom to
        Jerusalem.
014:024 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.
014:025 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.
014:026 And 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.
014:027 And unto Absalom there were born three sons, and one daughter,
        whose name was Tamar: she was a woman of a fair countenance.
014:028 So Absalom dwelt two full years in Jerusalem, and saw not the
        king's face.
014:029 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 come.
014:030 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.
014:031 Then Joab arose, and came to Absalom unto his house, and said
        unto him, Wherefore have thy servants set my field on fire?
014:032 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.
014:033 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 kissed
        Absalom.
015:001 And it came to pass after this, that Absalom prepared him
        chariots and horses, and fifty men to run before him.
015:002 And 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.
015:003 And Absalom said unto him, See, thy matters are good and
        right; but there is no man deputed of the king to hear thee.
015:004 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!
015:005 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.
015:006 And 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.
015:007 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.
015:008 For 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.
015:009 And the king said unto him, Go in peace. So he arose, and went
        to Hebron.
015:010 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.
015:011 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.
015:012 And 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.
015:013 And there came a messenger to David, saying, The hearts of the
        men of Israel are after Absalom.
015:014 And 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.
015:015 And the king's servants said unto the king, Behold, thy
        servants are ready to do whatsoever my lord the king shall
        appoint.
015:016 And the king went forth, and all his household after him. And
        the king left ten women, which were concubines, to keep the
        house.
015:017 And the king went forth, and all the people after him, and
        tarried in a place that was far off.
015:018 And 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.
015:019 Then 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.
015:020 Whereas 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.
015:021 And 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.
015:022 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.
015:023 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.
015:024 And 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.
015:025 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:
015:026 But if he thus say, I have no delight in thee; behold, here am
        I, let him do to me as seemeth good unto him.
015:027 The 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.
015:028 See, I will tarry in the plain of the wilderness, until there
        come word from you to certify me.
015:029 Zadok therefore and Abiathar carried the ark of God again to
        Jerusalem: and they tarried there.
015:030 And 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.
015:031 And 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.
015:032 And 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:
015:033 Unto whom David said, If thou passest on with me, then thou
        shalt be a burden unto me:
015:034 But 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.
015:035 And 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.
015:036 Behold, 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.
015:037 So Hushai David's friend came into the city, and Absalom came
        into Jerusalem.
016:001 And 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.
016:002 And 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.
016:003 And 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.
016:004 Then 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.
016:005 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 cursed still as he came.
016:006 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.
016:007 And thus said Shimei when he cursed, Come out, come out, thou
        bloody man, and thou man of Belial:
016:008 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 in thy mischief, because thou art a
        bloody man.
016:009 Then 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.
016:010 And 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?
016:011 And 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.
016:012 It may be that the LORD will look on mine affliction, and that
        the LORD will requite me good for his cursing this day.
016:013 And 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.
016:014 And the king, and all the people that were with him, came
        weary, and refreshed themselves there.
016:015 And Absalom, and all the people the men of Israel, came to
        Jerusalem, and Ahithophel with him.
016:016 And 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.
016:017 And Absalom said to Hushai, Is this thy kindness to thy
        friend? why wentest thou not with thy friend?
016:018 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.
016:019 And 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.
016:020 Then said Absalom to Ahithophel, Give counsel among you what
        we shall do.
016:021 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.
016:022 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.
016:023 And 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.
017:001 Moreover Ahithophel said unto Absalom, Let me now choose out
        twelve thousand men, and I will arise and pursue after David
        this night:
017:002 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:
017:003 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.
017:004 And the saying pleased Absalom well, and all the elders of
        Israel.
017:005 Then said Absalom, Call now Hushai the Archite also, and let
        us hear likewise what he saith.
017:006 And 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.
017:007 And Hushai said unto Absalom, The counsel that Ahithophel hath
        given is not good at this time.
017:008 For, 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.
017:009 Behold, 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.
017:010 And 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.
017:011 Therefore 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.
017:012 So 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.
017:013 Moreover, 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.
017:014 And 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.
017:015 Then 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.
017:016 Now 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.
017:017 Now 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.
017:018 Nevertheless 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.
017:019 And the woman took and spread a covering over the well's
        mouth, and spread ground corn thereon; and the thing was not
        known.
017:020 And 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.
017:021 And 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.
017:022 Then 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.
017:023 And 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.
017:024 Then David came to Mahanaim. And Absalom passed over Jordan,
        he and all the men of Israel with him.
017:025 And 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.
017:026 So Israel and Absalom pitched in the land of Gilead.
017:027 And 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,
017:028 Brought beds, and basons, and earthen vessels, and wheat, and
        barley, and flour, and parched corn, and beans, and lentiles,
        and parched pulse,
017:029 And 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.
018:001 And David numbered the people that were with him, and set
        captains of thousands, and captains of hundreds over them.
018:002 And 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.
018:003 But 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.
018:004 And 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.
018:005 And 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.
018:006 So the people went out into the field against Israel: and the
        battle was in the wood of Ephraim;
018:007 Where the people of Israel were slain before the servants of
        David, and there was there a great slaughter that day of
        twenty thousand men.
018:008 For the battle was there scattered over the face of all the
        country: and the wood devoured more people that day than the
        sword devoured.
018:009 And 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.
018:010 And a certain man saw it, and told Joab, and said, Behold, I
        saw Absalom hanged in an oak.
018:011 And 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.
018:012 And 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.
018:013 Otherwise 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.
018:014 Then 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.
018:015 And ten young men that bare Joab's armour compassed about and
        smote Absalom, and slew him.
018:016 And Joab blew the trumpet, and the people returned from
        pursuing after Israel: for Joab held back the people.
018:017 And 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.
018:018 Now 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.
018:019 Then 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.
018:020 And 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.
018:021 Then said Joab to Cushi, Go tell the king what thou hast seen.
        And Cushi bowed himself unto Joab, and ran.
018:022 Then 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?
018:023 But howsoever, said he, let me run. And he said unto him, Run.
        Then Ahimaaz ran by the way of the plain, and overran Cushi.
018:024 And 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.
018:025 And 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.
018:026 And 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.
018:027 And 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.
018:028 And 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.
018:029 And 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.
018:030 And the king said unto him, Turn aside, and stand here. And he
        turned aside, and stood still.
018:031 And, 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.
018:032 And 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.
018:033 And 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!
019:001 And it was told Joab, Behold, the king weepeth and mourneth
        for Absalom.
019:002 And 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.
019:003 And the people gat them by stealth that day into the city, as
        people being ashamed steal away when they flee in battle.
019:004 But the king covered his face, and the king cried with a loud
        voice, O my son Absalom, O Absalom, my son, my son!
019:005 And 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;
019:006 In 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.
019:007 Now 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.
019:008 Then 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.
019:009 And 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.
019:010 And Absalom, whom we anointed over us, is dead in battle. Now
        therefore why speak ye not a word of bringing the king back?
019:011 And 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.
019:012 Ye are my brethren, ye are my bones and my flesh: wherefore
        then are ye the last to bring back the king?
019:013 And 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.
019:014 And 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.
019:015 So the king returned, and came to Jordan. And Judah came to
        Gilgal, to go to meet the king, to conduct the king over
        Jordan.
019:016 And Shimei the son of Gera, a Benjamite, which was of Bahurim,
        hasted and came down with the men of Judah to meet king David.
019:017 And 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.
019:018 And 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;
019:019 And 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.
019:020 For 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.
019:021 But Abishai the son of Zeruiah answered and said, Shall not
        Shimei be put to death for this, because he cursed the LORD's
        anointed?
019:022 And 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?
019:023 Therefore the king said unto Shimei, Thou shalt not die. And
        the king sware unto him.
019:024 And 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.
019:025 And 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?
019:026 And 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.
019:027 And 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.
019:028 For 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?
019:029 And the king said unto him, Why speakest thou any more of thy
        matters? I have said, Thou and Ziba divide the land.
019:030 And 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.
019:031 And Barzillai the Gileadite came down from Rogelim, and went
        over Jordan with the king, to conduct him over Jordan.
019:032 Now 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.
019:033 And the king said unto Barzillai, Come thou over with me, and
        I will feed thee with me in Jerusalem.
019:034 And Barzillai said unto the king, How long have I to live,
        that I should go up with the king unto Jerusalem?
019:035 I 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?
019:036 Thy servant will go a little way over Jordan with the king:
        and why should the king recompense it me with such a reward?
019:037 Let 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.
019:038 And 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.
019:039 And 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.
019:040 Then 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.
019:041 And, 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?
019:042 And 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?
019:043 And 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.
020:001 And 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.
020:002 So 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.
020:003 And 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.
020:004 Then said the king to Amasa, Assemble me the men of Judah
        within three days, and be thou here present.
020:005 So Amasa went to assemble the men of Judah: but he tarried
        longer than the set time which he had appointed him.
020:006 And 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.
020:007 And 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.
020:008 When 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.
020:009 And Joab said to Amasa, Art thou in health, my brother? And
        Joab took Amasa by the beard with the right hand to kiss him.
020:010 But 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.
020:011 And 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.
020:012 And 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.
020:013 When he was removed out of the highway, all the people went on
        after Joab, to pursue after Sheba the son of Bichri.
020:014 And 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.
020:015 And 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.
020:016 Then 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.
020:017 And 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.
020:018 Then 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.
020:019 I 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?
020:020 And Joab answered and said, Far be it, far be it from me, that
        I should swallow up or destroy.
020:021 The 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.
020:022 Then 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.
020:023 Now Joab was over all the host of Israel: and Benaiah the son
        of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and over the Pelethites:
020:024 And Adoram was over the tribute: and Jehoshaphat the son of
        Ahilud was recorder:
020:025 And Sheva was scribe: and Zadok and Abiathar were the priests:
020:026 And Ira also the Jairite was a chief ruler about David.
021:001 Then 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.
021:002 And 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.)
021:003 Wherefore 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?
021:004 And 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.
021:005 And 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,
021:006 Let 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.
021:007 But 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.
021:008 But 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:
021:009 And 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.
021:010 And 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.
021:011 And it was told David what Rizpah the daughter of Aiah, the
        concubine of Saul, had done.
021:012 And 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:
021:013 And 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.
021:014 And 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.
021:015 Moreover 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.
021:016 And 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.
021:017 But 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.
021:018 And 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.
021:019 And 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.
021:020 And 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.
021:021 And when he defied Israel, Jonathan the son of Shimeah the
        brother of David slew him.
021:022 These four were born to the giant in Gath, and fell by the
        hand of David, and by the hand of his servants.
022:001 And 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:
022:002 And he said, The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my
        deliverer;
022:003 The 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.
022:004 I will call on the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall
        I be saved from mine enemies.
022:005 When the waves of death compassed me, the floods of ungodly
        men made me afraid;
022:006 The sorrows of hell compassed me about; the snares of death
        prevented me;
022:007 In 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.
022:008 Then the earth shook and trembled; the foundations of heaven
        moved and shook, because he was wroth.
022:009 There went up a smoke out of his nostrils, and fire out of his
        mouth devoured: coals were kindled by it.
022:010 He bowed the heavens also, and came down; and darkness was
        under his feet.
022:011 And he rode upon a cherub, and did fly: and he was seen upon
        the wings of the wind.
022:012 And he made darkness pavilions round about him, dark waters,
        and thick clouds of the skies.
022:013 Through the brightness before him were coals of fire kindled.
022:014 The LORD thundered from heaven, and the most High uttered his
        voice.
022:015 And he sent out arrows, and scattered them; lightning, and
        discomfited them.
022:016 And 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.
022:017 He sent from above, he took me; he drew me out of many waters;
022:018 He delivered me from my strong enemy, and from them that hated
        me: for they were too strong for me.
022:019 They prevented me in the day of my calamity: but the LORD was
        my stay.
022:020 He brought me forth also into a large place: he delivered me,
        because he delighted in me.
022:021 The LORD rewarded me according to my righteousness: according
        to the cleanness of my hands hath he recompensed me.
022:022 For I have kept the ways of the LORD, and have not wickedly
        departed from my God.
022:023 For all his judgments were before me: and as for his statutes,
        I did not depart from them.
022:024 I was also upright before him, and have kept myself from mine
        iniquity.
022:025 Therefore the LORD hath recompensed me according to my
        righteousness; according to my cleanness in his eye sight.
022:026 With the merciful thou wilt shew thyself merciful, and with
        the upright man thou wilt shew thyself upright.
022:027 With the pure thou wilt shew thyself pure; and with the
        froward thou wilt shew thyself unsavoury.
022:028 And the afflicted people thou wilt save: but thine eyes are
        upon the haughty, that thou mayest bring them down.
022:029 For thou art my lamp, O LORD: and the LORD will lighten my
        darkness.
022:030 For by thee I have run through a troop: by my God have I
        leaped over a wall.
022:031 As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is tried:
        he is a buckler to all them that trust in him.
022:032 For who is God, save the LORD? and who is a rock, save our
        God?
022:033 God is my strength and power: and he maketh my way perfect.
022:034 He maketh my feet like hinds' feet: and setteth me upon my
        high places.
022:035 He teacheth my hands to war; so that a bow of steel is broken
        by mine arms.
022:036 Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy
        gentleness hath made me great.
022:037 Thou hast enlarged my steps under me; so that my feet did not
        slip.
022:038 I have pursued mine enemies, and destroyed them; and turned
        not again until I had consumed them.
022:039 And I have consumed them, and wounded them, that they could
        not arise: yea, they are fallen under my feet.
022:040 For thou hast girded me with strength to battle: them that
        rose up against me hast thou subdued under me.
022:041 Thou hast also given me the necks of mine enemies, that I
        might destroy them that hate me.
022:042 They looked, but there was none to save; even unto the LORD,
        but he answered them not.
022:043 Then 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.
022:044 Thou 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.
022:045 Strangers shall submit themselves unto me: as soon as they
        hear, they shall be obedient unto me.
022:046 Strangers shall fade away, and they shall be afraid out of
        their close places.
022:047 The LORD liveth; and blessed be my rock; and exalted be the
        God of the rock of my salvation.
022:048 It is God that avengeth me, and that bringeth down the people
        under me.
022:049 And 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.
022:050 Therefore I will give thanks unto thee, O LORD, among the
        heathen, and I will sing praises unto thy name.
022:051 He is the tower of salvation for his king: and sheweth mercy
        to his anointed, unto David, and to his seed for evermore.
023:001 Now 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,
023:002 The Spirit of the LORD spake by me, and his word was in my
        tongue.
023:003 The 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.
023:004 And 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.
023:005 Although 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.
023:006 But the sons of Belial shall be all of them as thorns thrust
        away, because they cannot be taken with hands:
023:007 But 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.
023:008 These 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.
023:009 And 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:
023:010 He 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.
023:011 And 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.
023:012 But he stood in the midst of the ground, and defended it, and
        slew the Philistines: and the LORD wrought a great victory.
023:013 And 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.
023:014 And David was then in an hold, and the garrison of the
        Philistines was then in Bethlehem.
023:015 And David longed, and said, Oh that one would give me drink of
        the water of the well of Bethlehem, which is by the gate!
023:016 And 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.
023:017 And 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.
023:018 And 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.
023:019 Was he not most honourable of three? therefore he was their
        captain: howbeit he attained not unto the first three.
023:020 And 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:
023:021 And 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.
023:022 These things did Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and had the name
        among three mighty men.
023:023 He was more honourable than the thirty, but he attained not to
        the first three. And David set him over his guard.
023:024 Asahel the brother of Joab was one of the thirty; Elhanan the
        son of Dodo of Bethlehem,
023:025 Shammah the Harodite, Elika the Harodite,
023:026 Helez the Paltite, Ira the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite,
023:027 Abiezer the Anethothite, Mebunnai the Hushathite,
023:028 Zalmon the Ahohite, Maharai the Netophathite,
023:029 Heleb the son of Baanah, a Netophathite, Ittai the son of
        Ribai out of Gibeah of the children of Benjamin,
023:030 Benaiah the Pirathonite, Hiddai of the brooks of Gaash,
023:031 Abialbon the Arbathite, Azmaveth the Barhumite,
023:032 Eliahba the Shaalbonite, of the sons of Jashen, Jonathan,
023:033 Shammah the Hararite, Ahiam the son of Sharar the Hararite,
023:034 Eliphelet the son of Ahasbai, the son of the Maachathite,
        Eliam the son of Ahithophel the Gilonite,
023:035 Hezrai the Carmelite, Paarai the Arbite,
023:036 Igal the son of Nathan of Zobah, Bani the Gadite,
023:037 Zelek the Ammonite, Nahari the Beerothite, armourbearer to
        Joab the son of Zeruiah,
023:038 Ira an Ithrite, Gareb an Ithrite,
023:039 Uriah the Hittite: thirty and seven in all.
024:001 And again the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel,
        and he moved David against them to say, Go, number Israel and
        Judah.
024:002 For 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.
024:003 And 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?
024:004 Notwithstanding 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.
024:005 And 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:
024:006 Then they came to Gilead, and to the land of Tahtimhodshi; and
        they came to Danjaan, and about to Zidon,
024:007 And 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.
024:008 So when they had gone through all the land, they came to
        Jerusalem at the end of nine months and twenty days.
024:009 And 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.
024:010 And 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.
024:011 For when David was up in the morning, the word of the LORD
        came unto the prophet Gad, David's seer, saying,
024:012 Go 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.
024:013 So 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.
024:014 And 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.
024:015 So 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.
024:016 And 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.
024:017 And 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.
024:018 And 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.
024:019 And David, according to the saying of Gad, went up as the LORD
        commanded.
024:020 And 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.
024:021 And 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.
024:022 And 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.
024:023 All these things did Araunah, as a king, give unto the king.
        And Araunah said unto the king, The LORD thy God accept thee.
024:024 And 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.
024:025 And 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.

 

 


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