聖經365恩典之旅

本日經文提要( 撒母耳記下 17:1~20:26)

.亞希多弗又對押沙龍說：求你准我挑選一萬二千人，讓他去追趕大衛，結果戶篩建議押沙龍如何做?
.大衛與押沙龍的戰役最後結果如何?押沙龍最後的下場為何? 撒下17:1亞希多弗又對押沙龍說：求你准我挑選一萬二千人，今夜我就起身追趕大衛。
撒下17:2趁他疲乏手軟，我忽然追上他，使他驚惶，跟隨他的民，必都逃跑，我就單殺王一人。
撒下17:3使眾民都歸順你，你所尋找的人既然死了，眾民就如已經歸順你，這樣，也都平安無事了。
撒下17:4押沙龍和以色列的長老，都以這話為美。
撒下17:5押沙龍說：要召亞基人戶篩來，我們也要聽他怎樣說。
撒下17:6戶篩到了押沙龍面前，押沙龍向他說：亞希多弗是如此如此說的，我們照著他的話行，可以不可以，若不可，你就說罷。
撒下17:7戶篩對押沙龍說：亞希多弗這次所定的謀不善。
撒下17:8戶篩又說：你知道你父親和跟隨他的人，都是勇士，現在他們心裡惱怒，如同田野丟崽子的母熊一般，而且你父親是個戰士，必不和民一同住宿。
撒下17:9他現今或藏在坑中，或在別處，若有人首先被殺，凡聽見的必說：跟隨押沙龍的民被殺了。
撒下17:10雖有人膽大如獅子，他的心也必消化，因為以色列人都知道你父親是英雄，跟隨他的人，也都是勇士。
撒下17:11依我之計，不如將以色列眾人，從但直到別是巴，如同海邊的沙那樣多，聚集到你這裡來，你也親自率領他們出戰。
撒下17:12這樣，我們在何處遇見他，就下到他那裡，如同露水下在地上一般，連他帶跟隨他的人，一個也不留下。
撒下17:13他若進了那一座城，以色列眾人，必帶繩子去，將那城拉到河裡，甚至連一塊小石頭，都不剩下。
撒下17:14押沙龍和以色列眾人說：亞基人戶篩的計謀，比亞希多弗的計謀更好，這是因耶和華定意破壞亞希多弗的良謀，為要降禍與押沙龍。
撒下17:15戶篩對祭司撒督和亞比亞他說：亞希多弗為押沙龍和以色列的長老所定的計謀，是如此如此，我所定的計謀，是如此如此。
撒下17:16現在你們要急速打發人去，告訴大衛說：今夜不可住在曠野的渡口，務要過河，免得王和跟隨他的人，都被吞滅。
撒下17:17那時約拿單和亞希瑪斯在隱羅結那裡等候不敢進城，恐怕被人看見，有一個使女出來，將這話告訴他們，他們就去報信給大衛王。
撒下17:18然而有一個童子看見他們，就去告訴押沙龍，他們急忙跑到巴戶琳某人的家裡，那人院中有一口井，他們就下到井裡。
撒下17:19那家的婦人用蓋蓋上井口，又在上頭鋪上碎麥，事就沒有洩漏。
撒下17:20押沙龍的僕人來到那家，問婦人說：亞希瑪斯和約拿單在那裡。婦人說：他們過了河了。僕人找他們，找不著，就回耶路撒冷去了。
撒下17:21他們走後，二人從井裡上來，去告訴大衛王說：亞希多弗如此如此定計害你，你們務要起來，快快過河。
撒下17:22於是大衛和跟隨他的人，都起來過約但河，到了天亮，無一人不過約但河的。
撒下17:23亞希多弗見不依從他的計謀，就備上驢，歸回本城，到了家，留下遺言，便弔死了，葬在他父親的墳墓裡。
撒下17:24大衛到了瑪哈念，押沙龍和跟隨他的以色列人，也都過了約但河。
撒下17:25押沙龍立亞瑪撒作元帥代替約押。亞瑪撒是以實瑪利人，〔又作以色列人〕以特拉的兒子，以特拉曾與拿轄的女兒亞比該親近，這亞比該與約押的母親洗魯雅是姐妹。
撒下17:26押沙龍和以色列人都安營在基列地。
撒下17:27大衛到了瑪哈念，亞捫族的拉巴人拿轄的兒子朔比，羅底巴人亞米利的兒子瑪吉，基列的羅基琳人巴西萊，
撒下17:28帶著被，褥，盆，碗，瓦器，小麥，大麥，麥麵，炒穀，豆子，紅豆，炒豆，
撒下17:29蜂蜜，奶油，綿羊，奶餅，供給大衛和跟隨他的人吃，他們說：民在曠野，必飢渴困乏了。

撒下18:1大衛數點跟隨他的人，立千夫長百夫長率領他們。
撒下18:2大衛打發軍兵出戰，分為三隊，一隊在約押手下，一隊在洗魯雅的兒子約押兄弟亞比篩手下，一隊在迦特人以太手下。大衛對軍兵說：我必與你們一同出戰。
撒下18:3軍兵卻說：你不可出戰，若是我們逃跑，敵人必不介意，我們陣亡一半，敵人也不介意，因為你一人強似我們萬人，你不如在城裡豫備幫助我們。
撒下18:4王向他們說：你們以為怎樣好，我就怎樣行。於是王站在城門旁，軍兵或百或千的挨次出去了。
撒下18:5王囑咐約押，亞比篩，以太，說：你們要為我的緣故，寬待那少年人押沙龍。王為押沙龍囑咐眾將的話，兵都聽見了。
撒下18:6兵就出到田野迎著以色列人，在以法蓮樹林裡交戰。
撒下18:7以色列人敗在大衛的僕人面前，那日陣亡的甚多，共有二萬人。
撒下18:8因為在那裡四面打仗，死於樹林的，比死於刀劍的更多。
撒下18:9押沙龍偶然遇見大衛的僕人。押沙龍騎著騾子，從大橡樹密枝底下經過，他的頭髮被樹枝繞住，就懸掛起來，所騎的騾子便離他去了。
撒下18:10有個人看見，就告訴約押說：我看見押沙龍掛在橡樹上了。
撒下18:11約押對報信的人說：你既看見他，為甚麼不將他打死，落在地上呢，你若打死他，我就賞你十舍客勒銀子，一條帶子。
撒下18:12那人對約押說：我就是得你一千舍客勒銀子，我也不敢伸手害王的兒子，因為我們聽見王囑咐你和亞比篩並以太，說：你們要謹慎，不可害那少年人押沙龍。
撒下18:13我若妄為害了他的性命，就是你自己也必與我為敵，原來無論何事，都瞞不過王。
撒下18:14約押說：我不能與你留連。約押手拿三杆短槍，趁押沙龍在橡樹上還活著，就刺透他的心。
撒下18:15給約押拿兵器的十個少年人圍繞押沙龍，將他殺死。
撒下18:16約押吹角，攔阻眾人，他們就回來，不再追趕以色列人。
撒下18:17他們將押沙龍丟在林中一個大坑裡，上頭堆起一大堆石頭，以色列眾人都逃跑，各回各家去了。
撒下18:18押沙龍活著的時候，在王谷立了一根石柱，因他說：我沒有兒子為我留名，他就以自己的名，稱那石柱，叫押沙龍柱，直到今日。
撒下18:19撒督的兒子亞希瑪斯說：容我跑去，將耶和華向仇敵給王報仇的信息報與王知。
撒下18:20約押對他說：你今日不可去報信，改日可以報信，因為今日王的兒子死了，所以你不可去報信。
撒下18:21約押對古示人說：你去將你所看見的告訴王。古示人在約押面前下拜，就跑去了。
撒下18:22撒督的兒子亞希瑪斯又對約押說：無論怎樣，求你容我隨著，古示人跑去。約押說：我兒，你報這信息，既不得賞賜，何必要跑去呢。
撒下18:23他又說：無論怎樣，我要跑去。約押說：你跑去罷。亞希瑪斯就從平原往前跑，跑過古示人去了。
撒下18:24大衛正坐在城甕裡，守望的人上城門樓的頂上，舉目觀看，見有一個人獨自跑來。
撒下18:25守望的人就大聲告訴王。王說：他若獨自來，必是報口信的。那人跑得漸漸近了。
撒下18:26守望的人又見一人跑來，就對守城門的人說：又有一人獨自跑來。王說：這也必是報信的。
撒下18:27守望的人說：我看前頭人的跑法好像撒督的兒子亞希瑪斯的跑法一樣。王說：他是個好人，必是報好信息。
撒下18:28亞希瑪斯向王呼叫，說：平安了，就在王面前臉伏於地，叩拜，說：耶和華你的神是應當稱頌的，因他已將那舉手攻擊我主我王的人交給王了。
撒下18:29王問說：少年人押沙龍平安不平安。亞希瑪斯回答說：約押打發王的僕人，那時僕人聽見眾民大聲諠譁，卻不知道是甚麼事。
撒下18:30王說：你退去，站在旁邊。他就退去，站在旁邊。
撒下18:31古示人也來到，說：有信息報給我主我王，耶和華今日向一切興起攻擊你的人給你報仇了。
撒下18:32王問古示人說：少年人押沙龍平安不平安。古示人回答說：願我主我王的仇敵，和一切興起要殺害你的人，都與那少年人一樣。
撒下18:33王就心裡傷慟，上城門樓去哀哭，一面走，一面說：我兒押沙龍阿，我兒，我兒押沙龍阿，我恨不得替你死，押沙龍阿，我兒，我兒。

撒下19:1有人告訴約押說：王為押沙龍哭泣悲哀。
撒下19:2眾民聽說王為他兒子憂愁，他們得勝的歡樂，卻變成悲哀。
撒下19:3那日眾民暗暗的進城，就如敗陣逃跑慚愧的民一般。
撒下19:4王蒙著臉，大聲哭號，說：我兒押沙龍阿，押沙龍，我兒，我兒阿。
撒下19:5約押進去見王，說：你今日使你一切僕人臉面慚愧了，他們今日救了你的性命，和你兒女妻妾的性命。
撒下19:6你卻愛那恨你的人，恨那愛你的人。你今日明明的不以將帥僕人為念，我今日看明，若押沙龍活著，我們都死亡，你就喜悅了。
撒下19:7現在你當出去，安慰你僕人的心，我指著耶和華起誓，你若不出去，今夜必無一人與你同在一處，這禍患就比你從幼年到如今所遭的更甚。
撒下19:8於是王起來，坐在城門口，眾民聽說：王坐在城門口，就都到王面前。以色列人已經逃跑，各回各家去了。
撒下19:9以色列眾支派的人紛紛議論，說：王曾救我們脫離仇敵的手，又救我們脫離非利士人的手，現在他躲避押沙龍逃走了。
撒下19:10我們膏押沙龍治理我們，他已經陣亡。現在為甚麼不出一言請王回來呢。
撒下19:11大衛王差人去見祭司撒督和亞比亞他，說：你們當向猶大長老說：以色列眾人已經有話請王回宮，你們為甚麼落在他們後頭呢。
撒下19:12你們是我的弟兄，是我的骨肉，為甚麼在人後頭請王回來呢。
撒下19:13也要對亞瑪撒說：你不是我的骨肉麼。我若不立你替約押常作元帥，願神重重的降罰與我。
撒下19:14如此就挽回猶大眾人的心，如同一人的心，他們便打發人去見王，說：請王和王的一切臣僕回來。
撒下19:15王就回來，到了約但河。猶大人來到吉甲，要去迎接王，請他過約但河。
撒下19:16巴戶琳的便雅憫人，基拉的兒子示每急忙與猶大人一同下去迎接大衛王。
撒下19:17跟從示每的有一千便雅憫人，還有掃羅家的僕人洗巴，和他十五個兒子，二十個僕人，他們都蹚過約但河迎接王。
撒下19:18有擺渡船過去，渡王的家眷，任王使用。王要過約但河的時候，基拉的兒子示每就俯伏在王面前，
撒下19:19對王說：我主我王出耶路撒冷的時候，僕人行悖逆的事，現在求我主不要因此加罪與僕人，不要記念，也不要放在心上。
撒下19:20僕人明知自己有罪，所以約瑟全家之中，今日我首先下來迎接我主我王。
撒下19:21洗魯雅的兒子亞比篩說：示每既咒罵耶和華的受膏者，不應當治死他麼。
撒下19:22大衛說：洗魯雅的兒子，我與你們有何關涉，使你們今日與我反對呢，今日在以色列中豈可治死人呢，我豈不知今日我作以色列的王麼。
撒下19:23於是王對示每說：你必不死。王就向他起誓。
撒下19:24掃羅的孫子米非波設也下去迎接王，他自從王去的日子，直到王平平安安的回來，沒有修腳，沒有剃鬍鬚，也沒有洗衣服。
撒下19:25他來到耶路撒冷迎接王的時候，王問他說：米非波設，你為甚麼沒有與我同去呢。
撒下19:26他回答說：我主我王，僕人是瘸腿的，那日我想要備驢騎上，與王同去，無奈我的僕人欺哄了我。
撒下19:27又在我主我王面前讒毀我，然而我主我王如同神的使者一般，你看怎樣好，就怎樣行罷。
撒下19:28因為我祖全家的人，在我主我王面前，都算為死人，王卻使僕人在王的席上，同人吃飯。，我現在向王還能辨理訴冤麼。
撒下19:29王對他說：你何必再題你的事呢，我說：你與洗巴均分地土。
撒下19:30米非波設對王說：我主我王既平平安安的回宮，就任憑洗巴都取了，也可以。
撒下19:31基列人巴西萊從羅基琳下來，要送王過約但河，就與王一同過了約但河。
撒下19:32巴西萊年紀老邁，已經八十歲了。王住在瑪哈念的時候，他就拿食物來供給王，他原是大富戶。
撒下19:33王對巴西萊說：你與我同去，我要在耶路撒冷那裡養你的老。
撒下19:34巴西萊對王說：我在世的年日還能有多少，使我與王同上耶路撒冷呢。
撒下19:35僕人現在八十歲了，還能嘗出飲食的滋味，辨別美惡麼，還能聽男女歌唱的聲音麼，僕人何必累贅我主我王呢。
撒下19:36僕人只要送王過約但河，王何必賜我這樣的恩典呢。
撒下19:37求你准我回去，好死在我本城，葬在我父母的墓旁。這裡有王的僕人金罕，讓他同我主我王過去，可以隨意待他。
撒下19:38王說：金罕可以與我同去，我必照你的心願待他，你向我求甚麼，我都必為你成就。
撒下19:39於是眾民過約但河，王也過去，王與巴西萊親嘴，為他祝福，巴西萊就回本地去了。
撒下19:40王過去，到了吉甲，金罕也跟他過去，猶大眾民和以色列民的一半，也都送王過去。
撒下19:41以色列眾人來見王，對他說：我們弟兄猶大人為甚麼暗暗送王，和王的家眷，並跟隨王的人，過約但河。
撒下19:42猶大眾人回答以色列人說：因為王與我們是親屬，你們為何因這事發怒呢，我們吃了王的甚麼呢，王賞賜了我們甚麼呢。
撒下19:43以色列人回答猶大人說：按支派我們與王有十分的情分，在大衛身上，我們也比你們更有情分，你們為何藐視我們，請王回來，不先與我們商量呢。但猶大人的話，比以色列人的話更硬。

撒下20:1在那裡恰巧有一個匪徒，名叫示巴，是便雅憫人比基利的兒子，他吹角說：我們與大衛無分，與耶西的兒子無涉，以色列人哪，你們各回各家去罷。
撒下20:2於是以色列人都離開大衛，跟隨比基利的兒子示巴，但猶大人，從約但河直到耶路撒冷，都緊緊跟隨他們的王。
撒下20:3大衛王來到耶路撒冷，進了宮殿，就把從前留下看守宮殿的十個妃嬪禁閉在冷宮，養活他們，不與他們親近。他們如同寡婦被禁，直到死的日子。
撒下20:4王對亞瑪撒說：你要在三日之內，將猶大人招聚了來，你也回到這裡來。
撒下20:5亞瑪撒就去招聚猶大人，卻耽延過了王所限的日期。
撒下20:6大衛對亞比篩說：現在恐怕比基利的兒子示巴加害於我們，比押沙龍更甚，你要帶領你主的僕人追趕他，免得他得了堅固城，躲避我們。
撒下20:7約押的人，和基利提人，比利提人，並所有的勇士，都跟著亞比篩，從耶路撒冷出去，追趕比基利的兒子示巴。
撒下20:8他們到了基遍的大磐石那裡，亞瑪撒來迎接他們。那時約押穿著戰衣，腰束佩刀的帶子，刀在鞘內，約押前行刀從鞘內掉出來。
撒下20:9約押左手拾起刀來，對亞瑪撒說：我兄弟，你好阿，就用右手抓住亞瑪撒的鬍子，要與他親嘴。
撒下20:10亞瑪撒沒有防備約押手裡所拿的刀，約押用刀刺入他的肚腹，他的腸子流在地上，沒有再刺他，就死了。約押和他兄弟亞比篩往前追趕比基利的兒子示巴。
撒下20:11有約押的一個少年人站在亞瑪撒屍身旁邊，對眾人說：誰喜悅約押，誰歸順大衛，就當跟隨約押去。
撒下20:12亞瑪撒在道路上輥在自己的血裡。那人見眾民經過都站住，就把亞瑪撒的屍身從路上挪到田間，用衣服遮蓋。
撒下20:13屍身從路上挪移之後，眾民就都跟隨約押，去追趕比基利的兒子示巴。
撒下20:14他走遍以色列各支派，直到伯瑪迦的亞比拉，並比利人的全地，那些地方的人也都聚集跟隨他。
撒下20:15約押和跟隨的人到了伯瑪迦的亞比拉，圍困示巴，就對著城築壘，跟隨約押的眾民用錘撞城，要使城塌陷。
撒下20:16有一個聰明婦人從城上呼叫，說：聽阿，聽阿，請約押近前來，我好與他說話。
撒下20:17約押就近前來，婦人問他說：你是約押不是。他說：我是。婦人說：求你聽婢女的話。約押說：我聽。
撒下20:18婦人說：古時有話說：當先在亞比拉求問，然後事就定妥。
撒下20:19我們這城的人，在以色列人中，是和平忠厚的，你為何要毀壞以色列中的大城，吞滅耶和華的產業呢。
撒下20:20約押回答說：我決不吞滅毀壞。
撒下20:21乃因以法蓮山地的一個人，比基利的兒子示巴，舉手攻擊大衛王，你們若將他一人交出來，我便離城而去。婦人對約押說：那人的首級必從城牆上丟給你。
撒下20:22婦人就憑他的智慧去勸眾人。他們便割下比基利的兒子示巴的首級，丟給約押。約押吹角，眾人就離城而散，各歸各家去了。約押回耶路撒冷到王那裡。
撒下20:23約押作以色列全軍的元帥，耶何耶大的兒子比拿雅統轄基利提人和比利提人，
撒下20:24亞多蘭掌管服苦的人，亞希律的兒子約沙法作史官。
撒下20:25示法作書記。撒督和亞比亞他作祭司長，
撒下20:26睚珥人以拉作大衛的宰相。

 

---

 

 

 

 

 

2 Samuel 17

17 Ahithophel said to Absalom, “I would[a] choose twelve thousand men and set out tonight in pursuit of David. 2 I would attack him while he is weary and weak. I would strike him with terror, and then all the people with him will flee. I would strike down only the king 3 and bring all the people back to you. The death of the man you seek will mean the return of all; all the people will be unharmed.” 4 This plan seemed good to Absalom and to all the elders of Israel.

5 But Absalom said, “Summon also Hushai the Arkite, so we can hear what he has to say as well.” 6 When Hushai came to him, Absalom said, “Ahithophel has given this advice. Should we do what he says? If not, give us your opinion.”

7 Hushai replied to Absalom, “The advice Ahithophel has given is not good this time. 8 You know your father and his men; they are fighters, and as fierce as a wild bear robbed of her cubs. Besides, your father is an experienced fighter; he will not spend the night with the troops. 9 Even now, he is hidden in a cave or some other place. If he should attack your troops first,[b] whoever hears about it will say, ‘There has been a slaughter among the troops who follow Absalom.’ 10 Then even the bravest soldier, whose heart is like the heart of a lion, will melt with fear, for all Israel knows that your father is a fighter and that those with him are brave.

11 “So I advise you: Let all Israel, from Dan to Beersheba—as numerous as the sand on the seashore—be gathered to you, with you yourself leading them into battle. 12 Then we will attack him wherever he may be found, and we will fall on him as dew settles on the ground. Neither he nor any of his men will be left alive. 13 If he withdraws into a city, then all Israel will bring ropes to that city, and we will drag it down to the valley until not so much as a pebble is left.”

14 Absalom and all the men of Israel said, “The advice of Hushai the Arkite is better than that of Ahithophel.” For the Lord had determined to frustrate the good advice of Ahithophel in order to bring disaster on Absalom.

15 Hushai told Zadok and Abiathar, the priests, “Ahithophel has advised Absalom and the elders of Israel to do such and such, but I have advised them to do so and so. 16 Now send a message at once and tell David, ‘Do not spend the night at the fords in the wilderness; cross over without fail, or the king and all the people with him will be swallowed up.’”

17 Jonathan and Ahimaaz were staying at En Rogel. A female servant was to go and inform them, and they were to go and tell King David, for they could not risk being seen entering the city. 18 But a young man saw them and told Absalom. So the two of them left at once and went to the house of a man in Bahurim. He had a well in his courtyard, and they climbed down into it. 19 His wife took a covering and spread it out over the opening of the well and scattered grain over it. No one knew anything about it.

20 When Absalom’s men came to the woman at the house, they asked, “Where are Ahimaaz and Jonathan?”

The woman answered them, “They crossed over the brook.”[c] The men searched but found no one, so they returned to Jerusalem.

21 After they had gone, the two climbed out of the well and went to inform King David. They said to him, “Set out and cross the river at once; Ahithophel has advised such and such against you.” 22 So David and all the people with him set out and crossed the Jordan. By daybreak, no one was left who had not crossed the Jordan.

23 When Ahithophel saw that his advice had not been followed, he saddled his donkey and set out for his house in his hometown. He put his house in order and then hanged himself. So he died and was buried in his father’s tomb.

Absalom’s Death

24 David went to Mahanaim, and Absalom crossed the Jordan with all the men of Israel. 25 Absalom had appointed Amasa over the army in place of Joab. Amasa was the son of Jether,[d] an Ishmaelite[e] who had married Abigail,[f] the daughter of Nahash and sister of Zeruiah the mother of Joab. 26 The Israelites and Absalom camped in the land of Gilead.

27 When David came to Mahanaim, Shobi son of Nahash from Rabbah of the Ammonites, and Makir son of Ammiel from Lo Debar, and Barzillai the Gileadite from Rogelim 28 brought bedding and bowls and articles of pottery. They also brought wheat and barley, flour and roasted grain, beans and lentils,[g] 29 honey and curds, sheep, and cheese from cows’ milk for David and his people to eat. For they said, “The people have become exhausted and hungry and thirsty in the wilderness.”

 

2 Samuel 18

18 David mustered the men who were with him and appointed over them commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds. 2 David sent out his troops, a third under the command of Joab, a third under Joab’s brother Abishai son of Zeruiah, and a third under Ittai the Gittite. The king told the troops, “I myself will surely march out with you.”

3 But the men said, “You must not go out; if we are forced to flee, they won’t care about us. Even if half of us die, they won’t care; but you are worth ten thousand of us.[a] It would be better now for you to give us support from the city.”

4 The king answered, “I will do whatever seems best to you.”

So the king stood beside the gate while all his men marched out in units of hundreds and of thousands. 5 The king commanded Joab, Abishai and Ittai, “Be gentle with the young man Absalom for my sake.” And all the troops heard the king giving orders concerning Absalom to each of the commanders.

6 David’s army marched out of the city to fight Israel, and the battle took place in the forest of Ephraim. 7 There Israel’s troops were routed by David’s men, and the casualties that day were great—twenty thousand men. 8 The battle spread out over the whole countryside, and the forest swallowed up more men that day than the sword.

9 Now Absalom happened to meet David’s men. He was riding his mule, and as the mule went under the thick branches of a large oak, Absalom’s hair got caught in the tree. He was left hanging in midair, while the mule he was riding kept on going.

10 When one of the men saw what had happened, he told Joab, “I just saw Absalom hanging in an oak tree.”

11 Joab said to the man who had told him this, “What! You saw him? Why didn’t you strike him to the ground right there? Then I would have had to give you ten shekels[b] of silver and a warrior’s belt.”

12 But the man replied, “Even if a thousand shekels[c] were weighed out into my hands, I would not lay a hand on the king’s son. In our hearing the king commanded you and Abishai and Ittai, ‘Protect the young man Absalom for my sake.[d]’ 13 And if I had put my life in jeopardy[e]—and nothing is hidden from the king—you would have kept your distance from me.”

14 Joab said, “I’m not going to wait like this for you.” So he took three javelins in his hand and plunged them into Absalom’s heart while Absalom was still alive in the oak tree. 15 And ten of Joab’s armor-bearers surrounded Absalom, struck him and killed him.

16 Then Joab sounded the trumpet, and the troops stopped pursuing Israel, for Joab halted them. 17 They took Absalom, threw him into a big pit in the forest and piled up a large heap of rocks over him. Meanwhile, all the Israelites fled to their homes.

18 During his lifetime Absalom had taken a pillar and erected it in the King’s Valley as a monument to himself, for he thought, “I have no son to carry on the memory of my name.” He named the pillar after himself, and it is called Absalom’s Monument to this day.

David Mourns
19 Now Ahimaaz son of Zadok said, “Let me run and take the news to the king that the Lord has vindicated him by delivering him from the hand of his enemies.”

20 “You are not the one to take the news today,” Joab told him. “You may take the news another time, but you must not do so today, because the king’s son is dead.”

21 Then Joab said to a Cushite, “Go, tell the king what you have seen.” The Cushite bowed down before Joab and ran off.

22 Ahimaaz son of Zadok again said to Joab, “Come what may, please let me run behind the Cushite.”

But Joab replied, “My son, why do you want to go? You don’t have any news that will bring you a reward.”

23 He said, “Come what may, I want to run.”

So Joab said, “Run!” Then Ahimaaz ran by way of the plain[f] and outran the Cushite.

24 While David was sitting between the inner and outer gates, the watchman went up to the roof of the gateway by the wall. As he looked out, he saw a man running alone. 25 The watchman called out to the king and reported it.

The king said, “If he is alone, he must have good news.” And the runner came closer and closer.

26 Then the watchman saw another runner, and he called down to the gatekeeper, “Look, another man running alone!”

The king said, “He must be bringing good news, too.”

27 The watchman said, “It seems to me that the first one runs like Ahimaaz son of Zadok.”

“He’s a good man,” the king said. “He comes with good news.”

28 Then Ahimaaz called out to the king, “All is well!” He bowed down before the king with his face to the ground and said, “Praise be to the Lord your God! He has delivered up those who lifted their hands against my lord the king.”

29 The king asked, “Is the young man Absalom safe?”

Ahimaaz answered, “I saw great confusion just as Joab was about to send the king’s servant and me, your servant, but I don’t know what it was.”

30 The king said, “Stand aside and wait here.” So he stepped aside and stood there.

31 Then the Cushite arrived and said, “My lord the king, hear the good news! The Lord has vindicated you today by delivering you from the hand of all who rose up against you.”

32 The king asked the Cushite, “Is the young man Absalom safe?”

The Cushite replied, “May the enemies of my lord the king and all who rise up to harm you be like that young man.”

33 The king was shaken. He went up to the room over the gateway and wept. As he went, he said: “O my son Absalom! My son, my son Absalom! If only I had died instead of you—O Absalom, my son, my son!”[g]

 

 

2 Samuel 19 

19 [a]Joab was told, “The king is weeping and mourning for Absalom.” 2 And for the whole army the victory that day was turned into mourning, because on that day the troops heard it said, “The king is grieving for his son.” 3 The men stole into the city that day as men steal in who are ashamed when they flee from battle. 4 The king covered his face and cried aloud, “O my son Absalom! O Absalom, my son, my son!”

5 Then Joab went into the house to the king and said, “Today you have humiliated all your men, who have just saved your life and the lives of your sons and daughters and the lives of your wives and concubines. 6 You love those who hate you and hate those who love you. You have made it clear today that the commanders and their men mean nothing to you. I see that you would be pleased if Absalom were alive today and all of us were dead. 7 Now go out and encourage your men. I swear by the Lord that if you don’t go out, not a man will be left with you by nightfall. This will be worse for you than all the calamities that have come on you from your youth till now.”

8 So the king got up and took his seat in the gateway. When the men were told, “The king is sitting in the gateway,” they all came before him.

Meanwhile, the Israelites had fled to their homes.

David Returns to Jerusalem

9 Throughout the tribes of Israel, all the people were arguing among themselves, saying, “The king delivered us from the hand of our enemies; he is the one who rescued us from the hand of the Philistines. But now he has fled the country to escape from Absalom; 10 and Absalom, whom we anointed to rule over us, has died in battle. So why do you say nothing about bringing the king back?”

11 King David sent this message to Zadok and Abiathar, the priests: “Ask the elders of Judah, ‘Why should you be the last to bring the king back to his palace, since what is being said throughout Israel has reached the king at his quarters? 12 You are my relatives, my own flesh and blood. So why should you be the last to bring back the king?’ 13 And say to Amasa, ‘Are you not my own flesh and blood? May God deal with me, be it ever so severely, if you are not the commander of my army for life in place of Joab.’”

14 He won over the hearts of the men of Judah so that they were all of one mind. They sent word to the king, “Return, you and all your men.” 15 Then the king returned and went as far as the Jordan.

Now the men of Judah had come to Gilgal to go out and meet the king and bring him across the Jordan. 16 Shimei son of Gera, the Benjamite from Bahurim, hurried down with the men of Judah to meet King David. 17 With him were a thousand Benjamites, along with Ziba, the steward of Saul’s household, and his fifteen sons and twenty servants. They rushed to the Jordan, where the king was. 18 They crossed at the ford to take the king’s household over and to do whatever he wished.

When Shimei son of Gera crossed the Jordan, he fell prostrate before the king 19 and said to him, “May my lord not hold me guilty. Do not remember how your servant did wrong on the day my lord the king left Jerusalem. May the king put it out of his mind. 20 For I your servant know that I have sinned, but today I have come here as the first from the tribes of Joseph to come down and meet my lord the king.”

21 Then Abishai son of Zeruiah said, “Shouldn’t Shimei be put to death for this? He cursed the Lord’s anointed.”

22 David replied, “What does this have to do with you, you sons of Zeruiah? What right do you have to interfere? Should anyone be put to death in Israel today? Don’t I know that today I am king over Israel?” 23 So the king said to Shimei, “You shall not die.” And the king promised him on oath.

24 Mephibosheth, Saul’s grandson, also went down to meet the king. He had not taken care of his feet or trimmed his mustache or washed his clothes from the day the king left until the day he returned safely. 25 When he came from Jerusalem to meet the king, the king asked him, “Why didn’t you go with me, Mephibosheth?”

26 He said, “My lord the king, since I your servant am lame, I said, ‘I will have my donkey saddled and will ride on it, so I can go with the king.’ But Ziba my servant betrayed me. 27 And he has slandered your servant to my lord the king. My lord the king is like an angel of God; so do whatever you wish. 28 All my grandfather’s descendants deserved nothing but death from my lord the king, but you gave your servant a place among those who eat at your table. So what right do I have to make any more appeals to the king?”

29 The king said to him, “Why say more? I order you and Ziba to divide the land.”

30 Mephibosheth said to the king, “Let him take everything, now that my lord the king has returned home safely.”

31 Barzillai the Gileadite also came down from Rogelim to cross the Jordan with the king and to send him on his way from there. 32 Now Barzillai was very old, eighty years of age. He had provided for the king during his stay in Mahanaim, for he was a very wealthy man. 33 The king said to Barzillai, “Cross over with me and stay with me in Jerusalem, and I will provide for you.”

34 But Barzillai answered the king, “How many more years will I live, that I should go up to Jerusalem with the king? 35 I am now eighty years old. Can I tell the difference between what is enjoyable and what is not? Can your servant taste what he eats and drinks? Can I still hear the voices of male and female singers? Why should your servant be an added burden to my lord the king? 36 Your servant will cross over the Jordan with the king for a short distance, but why should the king reward me in this way? 37 Let your servant return, that I may die in my own town near the tomb of my father and mother. But here is your servant Kimham. Let him cross over with my lord the king. Do for him whatever you wish.”

38 The king said, “Kimham shall cross over with me, and I will do for him whatever you wish. And anything you desire from me I will do for you.”

39 So all the people crossed the Jordan, and then the king crossed over. The king kissed Barzillai and bid him farewell, and Barzillai returned to his home.

40 When the king crossed over to Gilgal, Kimham crossed with him. All the troops of Judah and half the troops of Israel had taken the king over.

41 Soon all the men of Israel were coming to the king and saying to him, “Why did our brothers, the men of Judah, steal the king away and bring him and his household across the Jordan, together with all his men?”

42 All the men of Judah answered the men of Israel, “We did this because the king is closely related to us. Why are you angry about it? Have we eaten any of the king’s provisions? Have we taken anything for ourselves?”

43 Then the men of Israel answered the men of Judah, “We have ten shares in the king; so we have a greater claim on David than you have. Why then do you treat us with contempt? Weren’t we the first to speak of bringing back our king?”

But the men of Judah pressed their claims even more forcefully than the men of Israel.

 

2 Samuel 20 

Sheba Rebels Against David

20 Now a troublemaker named Sheba son of Bikri, a Benjamite, happened to be there. He sounded the trumpet and shouted,

“We have no share in David,
    no part in Jesse’s son!
Every man to his tent, Israel!”
2 So all the men of Israel deserted David to follow Sheba son of Bikri. But the men of Judah stayed by their king all the way from the Jordan to Jerusalem.

3 When David returned to his palace in Jerusalem, he took the ten concubines he had left to take care of the palace and put them in a house under guard. He provided for them but had no sexual relations with them. They were kept in confinement till the day of their death, living as widows.

4 Then the king said to Amasa, “Summon the men of Judah to come to me within three days, and be here yourself.” 5 But when Amasa went to summon Judah, he took longer than the time the king had set for him.

6 David said to Abishai, “Now Sheba son of Bikri will do us more harm than Absalom did. Take your master’s men and pursue him, or he will find fortified cities and escape from us.”[a] 7 So Joab’s men and the Kerethites and Pelethites and all the mighty warriors went out under the command of Abishai. They marched out from Jerusalem to pursue Sheba son of Bikri.

8 While they were at the great rock in Gibeon, Amasa came to meet them. Joab was wearing his military tunic, and strapped over it at his waist was a belt with a dagger in its sheath. As he stepped forward, it dropped out of its sheath.

9 Joab said to Amasa, “How are you, my brother?” Then Joab took Amasa by the beard with his right hand to kiss him. 10 Amasa was not on his guard against the dagger in Joab’s hand, and Joab plunged it into his belly, and his intestines spilled out on the ground. Without being stabbed again, Amasa died. Then Joab and his brother Abishai pursued Sheba son of Bikri.

11 One of Joab’s men stood beside Amasa and said, “Whoever favors Joab, and whoever is for David, let him follow Joab!” 12 Amasa lay wallowing in his blood in the middle of the road, and the man saw that all the troops came to a halt there. When he realized that everyone who came up to Amasa stopped, he dragged him from the road into a field and threw a garment over him. 13 After Amasa had been removed from the road, everyone went on with Joab to pursue Sheba son of Bikri.

14 Sheba passed through all the tribes of Israel to Abel Beth Maakah and through the entire region of the Bikrites,[b] who gathered together and followed him. 15 All the troops with Joab came and besieged Sheba in Abel Beth Maakah. They built a siege ramp up to the city, and it stood against the outer fortifications. While they were battering the wall to bring it down, 16 a wise woman called from the city, “Listen! Listen! Tell Joab to come here so I can speak to him.” 17 He went toward her, and she asked, “Are you Joab?”

“I am,” he answered.

She said, “Listen to what your servant has to say.”

“I’m listening,” he said.

18 She continued, “Long ago they used to say, ‘Get your answer at Abel,’ and that settled it. 19 We are the peaceful and faithful in Israel. You are trying to destroy a city that is a mother in Israel. Why do you want to swallow up the Lord’s inheritance?”

20 “Far be it from me!” Joab replied, “Far be it from me to swallow up or destroy! 21 That is not the case. A man named Sheba son of Bikri, from the hill country of Ephraim, has lifted up his hand against the king, against David. Hand over this one man, and I’ll withdraw from the city.”

The woman said to Joab, “His head will be thrown to you from the wall.”

22 Then the woman went to all the people with her wise advice, and they cut off the head of Sheba son of Bikri and threw it to Joab. So he sounded the trumpet, and his men dispersed from the city, each returning to his home. And Joab went back to the king in Jerusalem.

David’s Officials