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