2 Samuel 15 – Bible | Equip God’s People

World English Bible Classic

^[1] After this, Absalom prepared a chariot and horses for himself, and fifty men to run before him. ^[2] Absalom rose up early, and stood beside the way of the gate. When any man had a suit which should come to the king for judgment, then Absalom called to him, and said, “What city are you from?”He said, “Your servant is of one of the tribes of Israel.” ^[3] Absalom said to him, “Behold, your matters are good and right; but there is no man deputized by the king to hear you.” ^[4] Absalom said moreover, “Oh that I were made judge in the land, that every man who has any suit or cause might come to me, and I would do him justice!” ^[5] It was so, that when any man came near to bow down to him, he stretched out his hand, took hold of him, and kissed him. ^[6] Absalom did this sort of thing to all Israel who came to the king for judgment. So Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel. ^[7] At the end of forty years, Absalom said to the king, “Please let me go and pay my vow, which I have vowed to Yahweh, in Hebron. ^[8] For your servant vowed a vow while I stayed at Geshur in Syria, saying, ‘If Yahweh shall indeed bring me again to Jerusalem, then I will serve Yahweh.’ ” ^[9] The king said to him, “Go in peace.”So he arose and went to Hebron. ^[10] But Absalom sent spies throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, “As soon as you hear the sound of the trumpet, then you shall say, ‘Absalom is king in Hebron!’ ” ^[11] Two hundred men went with Absalom out of Jerusalem, who were invited, and went in their simplicity; and they didn’t know anything. ^[12] Absalom sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David’s counselor, from his city, even from Giloh, while he was offering the sacrifices. The conspiracy was strong, for the people increased continually with Absalom. ^[13] A messenger came to David, saying, “The hearts of the men of Israel are after Absalom.” ^[14] David said to all his servants who were with him at Jerusalem, “Arise! Let’s flee, or else none of us will escape from Absalom. Hurry to depart, lest he overtake us quickly and bring down evil on us, and strike the city with the edge of the sword.” ^[15] The king’s servants said to the king, “Behold, your servants are ready to do whatever my lord the king chooses.” ^[16] The king went out, and all his household after him. The king left ten women, who were concubines, to keep the house. ^[17] The king went out, and all the people after him; and they stayed in Beth Merhak. ^[18] All his servants passed on beside him; and all the Cherethites, and all the Pelethites, and all the Gittites, six hundred men who came after him from Gath, passed on before the king. ^[19] Then the king said to Ittai the Gittite, “Why do you also go with us? Return, and stay with the king; for you are a foreigner and also an exile. Return to your own place. ^[20] Whereas you came but yesterday, should I today make you go up and down with us, since I go where I may? Return, and take back your brothers. Mercy and truth be with you.” ^[21] Ittai answered the king and said, “As Yahweh lives, and as my lord the king lives, surely in what place my lord the king is, whether for death or for life, your servant will be there also.” ^[22] David said to Ittai, “Go and pass over.” Ittai the Gittite passed over, and all his men, and all the little ones who were with him. ^[23] 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. ^[24] Behold, Zadok also came, and all the Levites with him, bearing the ark of the covenant of God; and they set down God’s ark; and Abiathar went up until all the people finished passing out of the city. ^[25] The king said to Zadok, “Carry God’s ark back into the city. If I find favor in Yahweh’s eyes, he will bring me again, and show me both it and his habitation; ^[26] but if he says, ‘I have no delight in you,’ behold, here I am. Let him do to me as seems good to him.” ^[27] The king said also to Zadok the priest, “Aren’t you a seer? Return into the city in peace, and your two sons with you, Ahimaaz your son and Jonathan the son of Abiathar. ^[28] Behold, I will stay at the fords of the wilderness until word comes from you to inform me.” ^[29] Zadok therefore and Abiathar carried God’s ark to Jerusalem again; and they stayed there. ^[30] David went up by the ascent of the Mount of Olives, and wept as he went up; and he had his head covered and went barefoot. All the people who were with him each covered his head, and they went up, weeping as they went up. ^[31] Someone told David, saying, “Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom.”David said, “Yahweh, please turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness.” ^[32] When David had come to the top, where God was worshiped, behold, Hushai the Archite came to meet him with his tunic torn and earth on his head. ^[33] David said to him, “If you pass on with me, then you will be a burden to me; ^[34] but if you return to the city, and tell Absalom, ‘I will be your servant, O king. As I have been your father’s servant in time past, so I will now be your servant; then will you defeat for me the counsel of Ahithophel.’ ^[35] Don’t you have Zadok and Abiathar the priests there with you? Therefore whatever you hear out of the king’s house, tell it to Zadok and Abiathar the priests. ^[36] Behold, they have there with them their two sons, Ahimaaz, Zadok’s son, and Jonathan, Abiathar’s son. Send to me everything that you shall hear by them.” ^[37] So Hushai, David’s friend, came into the city; and Absalom came into Jerusalem.

King James Version

^[1] And it came to pass after this,H310 that AbsalomH53 preparedH6213(QalImpf) him chariotsH4818 and horses,H5483 and fiftyH2572 menH376 to runH7323(QalPtc) beforeH6440 him. ^[2] And AbsalomH53 rose up early,H7925(HiphPerf) and stoodH5975(QalPerf) besideH3027 the wayH1870 of the gate:H8179 and it was [so], that when any manH376 that had a controversyH7379 cameH935(QalInf) to the kingH4428 for judgment,H4941 then AbsalomH53 calledH7121(QalImpf) unto him, and said,H559(QalImpf) Of whatH335 cityH5892 [art] thou? And he said,H559(QalImpf) Thy servantH5650 [is] of oneH259 of the tribesH7626 of Israel.H3478 ^[3] And AbsalomH53 saidH559(QalImpf) unto him, See,H7200(QalImpv) thy mattersH1697 [are] goodH2896 and right;H5228 but [there is] no man [deputed] of the kingH4428 to hearH8085(QalActPtc) thee. ^[4] AbsalomH53 saidH559(QalImpf) moreover, Oh that I were madeH7760(QalImpf) judgeH8199(QalActPtc) in the land,H776 that every manH376 which hath any suitH7379 or causeH4941 might comeH935(QalImpf) unto me, and I would do him justice!H6663(HiphPerf) ^[5] And it was [so], that when any manH376 came nighH7126(QalInf) [to him] to do him obeisance,H7812(HithInf) he put forthH7971(QalPerf) his hand,H3027 and tookH2388(HiphPerf) him, and kissedH5401(QalPerf) him. ^[6] And on this mannerH1697 didH6213(QalImpf) AbsalomH53 to all IsraelH3478 that cameH935(QalImpf) to the kingH4428 for judgment:H4941 so AbsalomH53 stoleH1589(PielImpf) the heartsH3820 of the menH582 of Israel.H3478 ^[7] And it came to pass afterH7093 fortyH705 years,H8141 that AbsalomH53 saidH559(QalImpf) unto the king,H4428 I pray thee, let me goH3212(QalImpf) and payH7999(PielImpf) my vow,H5088 which I have vowedH5087(QalPerf) unto the Lord,H3068 in Hebron.H2275 ^[8] For thy servantH5650 vowedH5087(QalPerf) a vowH5088 while I abodeH3427(QalInf) at GeshurH1650 in Syria,H758 saying,H559(QalInf) If the LordH3068 shall bring me againH7725(QalImpf/Ketiv) indeed to Jerusalem,H3389 then I will serveH5647(QalPerf) the Lord.H3068 ^[9] And the kingH4428 saidH559(QalImpf) unto him, GoH3212(QalImpv) in peace.H7965 So he arose,H6965(QalImpf) and wentH3212(QalImpf) to Hebron.H2275 ^[10] But AbsalomH53 sentH7971(QalImpf) spiesH7270(PielPtc) throughout all the tribesH7626 of Israel,H3478 saying,H559(QalInf) As soon as ye hearH8085(QalInf) the soundH6963 of the trumpet,H7782 then ye shall say,H559(QalPerf) AbsalomH53 reignethH4427(QalPerf) in Hebron.H2275 ^[11] And with AbsalomH53 wentH1980(QalPerf) two hundredH3967 menH376 out of Jerusalem,H3389 [that were] called;H7121(QalPasPtc) and they wentH1980(QalActPtc) in their simplicity,H8537 and they knewH3045(QalPerf) not any thing.H1697 ^[12] And AbsalomH53 sentH7971(QalImpf) for AhithophelH302 the Gilonite,H1526 David’sH1732 counsellor,H3289(QalActPtc) from his city,H5892 [even] from Giloh,H1542 while he offeredH2076(QalInf) sacrifices.H2077 And the conspiracyH7195 was strong;H533 for the peopleH5971 increasedH7227 continuallyH1980(QalActPtc) with Absalom.H53 ^[13] And there cameH935(QalImpf) a messengerH5046(HiphPtc) to David,H1732 saying,H559(QalInf) The heartsH3820 of the menH376 of IsraelH3478 are afterH310 Absalom.H53 ^[14] And DavidH1732 saidH559(QalImpf) unto all his servantsH5650 that [were] with him at Jerusalem,H3389 Arise,H6965(QalImpv) and let us flee;H1272(QalImpf) for we shall not [else] escapeH6413 fromH6440 Absalom:H53 make speedH4116(PielImpv) to depart,H3212(QalInf) lest he overtakeH5381(HiphPerf) us suddenly,H4116(PielImpf) and bringH5080(HiphPerf) evilH7451 upon us, and smiteH5221(HiphPerf) the cityH5892 with the edgeH6310 of the sword.H2719 ^[15] And the king’sH4428 servantsH5650 saidH559(QalImpf) unto the king,H4428 Behold, thy servantsH5650 [are ready to do] whatsoever my lordH113 the kingH4428 shall appoint.H977(QalImpf) ^[16] And the kingH4428 went forth,H3318(QalImpf) and all his householdH1004 afterH7272 him. And the kingH4428 leftH5800(QalImpf) tenH6235 women,H802 [which were] concubines,H6370 to keepH8104(QalInf) the house.H1004 ^[17] And the kingH4428 went forth,H3318(QalImpf) and all the peopleH5971 afterH7272 him, and tarriedH5975(QalImpf) in a placeH1004 that was far off.H4801(QK) ^[18] And all his servantsH5650 passed onH5674(QalActPtc) besideH3027 him; and all the Cherethites,H3774 and all the Pelethites,H6432 and all the Gittites,H1663 sixH8337 hundredH3967 menH376 which cameH935(QalPerf) afterH7272 him from Gath,H1661 passed onH5674(QalActPtc) beforeH6440 the king.H4428 ^[19] Then saidH559(QalImpf) the kingH4428 to IttaiH863 the Gittite,H1663 Wherefore goestH3212(QalImpf) thou also with us? returnH7725(QalImpv) to thy place,H4725 and abideH3427(QalImpv) with the king:H4428 for thou [art] a stranger,H5237 and also an exile.H1540(QalActPtc) ^[20] Whereas thou camestH935(QalInf) [but] yesterday,H8543 should I this dayH3117 make thee goH3212(QalInf) up and downH5128(HiphImpf/Qere) with us? seeing I goH1980(QalActPtc) whither I may, returnH7725(QalImpv) thou, and take backH7725(HiphImpv) thy brethren:H251 mercyH2617 and truthH571 [be] with thee. ^[21] And IttaiH863 answeredH6030(QalImpf) the king,H4428 and said,H559(QalImpf) [As] the LordH3068 liveth,H2416 and [as] my lordH113 the kingH4428 liveth,H2416 surely in what placeH4725 my lordH113 the kingH4428 shall be, whether in deathH4194 or life,H2416 even there also will thy servantH5650 be. ^[22] And DavidH1732 saidH559(QalImpf) to Ittai,H863 GoH3212(QalImpv) and pass over.H5674(QalImpv) And IttaiH863 the GittiteH1663 passed over,H5674(QalImpf) and all his men,H582 and all the little onesH2945 that [were] with him. ^[23] And all the countryH776 weptH1058(QalActPtc) with a loudH1419 voice,H6963 and all the peopleH5971 passed over:H5674(QalActPtc) the kingH4428 also himself passed overH5674(QalActPtc) the brookH5158 Kidron,H6939 and all the peopleH5971 passed over,H5674(QalActPtc) towardH6440 the wayH1870 of the wilderness.H4057 ^[24] And lo ZadokH6659 also, and all the LevitesH3881 [were] with him, bearingH5375(QalActPtc) the arkH727 of the covenantH1285 of God:H430 and they set downH3332(HiphImpf) the arkH727 of God;H430 and AbiatharH54 went up,H5927(QalImpf) until all the peopleH5971 had doneH8552(QalInf) passingH5674(QalInf) out of the city.H5892 ^[25] And the kingH4428 saidH559(QalImpf) unto Zadok,H6659 Carry backH7725(HiphImpv) the arkH727 of GodH430 into the city:H5892 if I shall findH4672(QalImpf) favourH2580 in the eyesH5869 of the Lord,H3068 he will bring me again,H7725(HiphPerf) and shewH7200(HiphPerf) me [both] it, and his habitation:H5116 ^[26] But if he thus say,H559(QalImpf) I have no delightH2654(QalPerf) in thee; behold, [here am] I, let him doH6213(QalImpf) to me as seemethH5869 goodH2896 unto him. ^[27] The kingH4428 saidH559(QalImpf) also unto ZadokH6659 the priest,H3548 [Art not] thou a seer?H7200(QalActPtc) returnH7725(QalImpv) into the cityH5892 in peace,H7965 and your twoH8147 sonsH1121 with you, AhimaazH290 thy son,H1121 and JonathanH3083 the sonH1121 of Abiathar.H54 ^[28] See,H7200(QalImpv) I will tarryH4102(HippPtc) in the plainH6160(Qere) of the wilderness,H4057 until there comeH935(QalInf) wordH1697 from you to certifyH5046(HiphInf) me. ^[29] ZadokH6659 therefore and AbiatharH54 carriedH7725 the arkH727 of GodH430 againH7725(HiphImpf) to Jerusalem:H3389 and they tarriedH3427(QalImpf) there. ^[30] And DavidH1732 went upH5927(QalActPtc) by the ascentH4608 of [mount] Olivet,H2132 and weptH1058(QalActPtc) as he went up,H5927(QalActPtc) and had his headH7218 covered,H2645(QalActPtc) and he wentH1980(QalActPtc) barefoot:H3182 and all the peopleH5971 that [was] with him coveredH2645(QalPerf) every manH376 his head,H7218 and they went up,H5927(QalPerf) weepingH1058(QalInf) as they went up.H5927(QalInf) ^[31] And [one] toldH5046(HiphPerf) David,H1732 saying,H559(QalInf) AhithophelH302 [is] among the conspiratorsH7194(QalActPtc) with Absalom.H53 And DavidH1732 said,H559(QalImpf) O Lord,H3068 I pray thee, turn the counselH6098 of AhithophelH302 into foolishness.H5528(PielImpv) ^[32] And it came to pass, that [when] DavidH1732 was comeH935(QalPerf) to the topH7218 [of the mount], where he worshippedH7812(HithImpf) God,H430 behold, HushaiH2365 the ArchiteH757 came to meetH7125(QalInf) him with his coatH3801 rent,H7167(QalPasPtc) and earthH127 upon his head:H7218 ^[33] Unto whom DavidH1732 said,H559(QalImpf) If thou passest onH5674(QalPerf) with me, then thou shalt be a burdenH4853 unto me: ^[34] But if thou returnH7725(QalImpf) to the city,H5892 and sayH559(QalPerf) unto Absalom,H53 I will be thy servant,H5650 O king;H4428 [as] I [have been] thy father’sH1 servantH5650 hitherto,H227 so [will] I now also [be] thy servant:H5650 then mayest thou for me defeatH6565(HiphPerf) the counselH6098 of Ahithophel.H302 ^[35] And [hast thou] not there with thee ZadokH6659 and AbiatharH54 the priests?H3548 therefore it shall be, [that] what thingH1697 soever thou shalt hearH8085(QalImpf) out of the king’sH4428 house,H1004 thou shalt tellH5046(HiphImpf) [it] to ZadokH6659 and AbiatharH54 the priests.H3548 ^[36] Behold, [they have] there with them their twoH8147 sons,H1121 AhimaazH290 Zadok’sH6659 [son], and JonathanH3083 Abiathar’sH54 [son]; and by themH3027 ye shall sendH7971(QalPerf) unto me every thingH1697 that ye can hear.H8085(QalImpf) ^[37] So HushaiH2365 David’sH1732 friendH7463 cameH935(QalImpf) into the city,H5892 and AbsalomH53 cameH935(QalImpf) into Jerusalem.H3389

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