2 Samuel 18 – Bible | Equip God’s People

World English Bible Classic

^[1] David counted the people who were with him, and set captains of thousands and captains of hundreds over them. ^[2] David sent the people out, a third part 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. The king said to the people, “I will also surely go out with you myself.” ^[3] But the people said, “You shall not go out, for if we flee away, they will not care for us, neither if half of us die, will they care for us. But you are worth ten thousand of us. Therefore now it is better that you are ready to help us out of the city.” ^[4] The king said to them, “I will do what seems best to you.”The king stood beside the gate, and all the people went out by hundreds and by thousands. ^[5] The king commanded Joab and Abishai and Ittai, saying, “Deal gently for my sake with the young man Absalom.” All the people heard when the king commanded all the captains concerning Absalom. ^[6] So the people went out into the field against Israel; and the battle was in the forest of Ephraim. ^[7] The people of Israel were struck there before David’s servants, and there was a great slaughter there that day of twenty thousand men. ^[8] For the battle was there spread over the surface of all the country, and the forest devoured more people that day than the sword devoured. ^[9] Absalom happened to meet David’s servants. Absalom was riding on his mule, and the mule went under the thick boughs of a great oak; and his head caught hold of the oak, and he was hanging between the sky and earth; and the mule that was under him went on. ^[10] A certain man saw it, and told Joab, and said, “Behold, I saw Absalom hanging in an oak.” ^[11] Joab said to the man who told him, “Behold, you saw it, and why didn’t you strike him there to the ground? I would have given you ten pieces of silver and a sash.” ^[12] The man said to Joab, “Though I should receive a thousand pieces of silver in my hand, I still wouldn’t stretch out my hand against the king’s son; for in our hearing the king commanded you and Abishai and Ittai, saying, ‘Beware that no one touch the young man Absalom.’ ^[13] Otherwise, if I had dealt falsely against his life (and there is no matter hidden from the king), then you yourself would have set yourself against me.” ^[14] Then Joab said, “I’m not going to wait like this with you.” He took three darts in his hand and thrust them through Absalom’s heart while he was still alive in the middle of the oak. ^[15] Ten young men who bore Joab’s armor surrounded and struck Absalom, and killed him. ^[16] Joab blew the trumpet, and the people returned from pursuing after Israel; for Joab held the people back. ^[17] They took Absalom and cast him into a great pit in the forest, and raised over him a very great heap of stones. Then all Israel fled, each to his own tent. ^[18] Now Absalom in his lifetime had taken and reared up for himself the pillar which is in the king’s valley, for he said, “I have no son to keep my name in memory.” He called the pillar after his own name. It is called Absalom’s monument, to this day. ^[19] Then Ahimaaz the son of Zadok said, “Let me now run and carry the king news, how Yahweh has avenged him of his enemies.” ^[20] Joab said to him, “You must not be the bearer of news today, but you must carry news another day. But today you must carry no news, because the king’s son is dead.” ^[21] Then Joab said to the Cushite, “Go, tell the king what you have seen!” The Cushite bowed himself to Joab, and ran. ^[22] Then Ahimaaz the son of Zadok said yet again to Joab, “But come what may, please let me also run after the Cushite.”Joab said, “Why do you want to run, my son, since you will have no reward for the news?” ^[23] “But come what may,” he said, “I will run.”He said to him, “Run!” Then Ahimaaz ran by the way of the Plain, and outran the Cushite. ^[24] Now David was sitting between the two gates; and the watchman went up to the roof of the gate to the wall, and lifted up his eyes and looked, and, behold, a man running alone. ^[25] The watchman shouted and told the king. The king said, “If he is alone, there is news in his mouth.” He came closer and closer. ^[26] The watchman saw another man running; and the watchman called to the gatekeeper and said, “Behold, a man running alone!”The king said, “He also brings news.” ^[27] The watchman said, “I think the running of the first one is like the running of Ahimaaz the son of Zadok.”The king said, “He is a good man, and comes with good news.” ^[28] Ahimaaz called, and said to the king, “All is well.” He bowed himself before the king with his face to the earth, and said, “Blessed is Yahweh your God, who has delivered up the men who lifted up their hand against my lord the king!” ^[29] The king said, “Is it well with the young man Absalom?”Ahimaaz answered, “When Joab sent the king’s servant, even me your servant, I saw a great tumult, but I don’t know what it was.” ^[30] The king said, “Come and stand here.” He came and stood still. ^[31] Behold, the Cushite came. The Cushite said, “Good news for my lord the king, for Yahweh has avenged you today of all those who rose up against you.” ^[32] The king said to the Cushite, “Is it well with the young man Absalom?”The Cushite answered, “May the enemies of my lord the king, and all who rise up against you to do you harm, be as that young man is.” ^[33] The king was much moved, and went up to the room over the gate and wept. As he went, he said, “My son Absalom! My son, my son Absalom! I wish I had died instead of you, Absalom, my son, my son!”

King James Version

^[1] And DavidH1732 numberedH6485(QalImpf) the peopleH5971 that [were] with him, and setH7760(QalImpf) captainsH8269 of thousandsH505 and captainsH8269 of hundredsH3967 over them. ^[2] And DavidH1732 sent forthH7971(PielImpf) a third partH7992 of the peopleH5971 under the handH3027 of Joab,H3097 and a third partH7992 under the handH3027 of AbishaiH52 the sonH1121 of Zeruiah,H6870 Joab’sH3097 brother,H251 and a third partH7992 under the handH3027 of IttaiH863 the Gittite.H1663 And the kingH4428 saidH559(QalImpf) unto the people,H5971 I will surelyH3318(QalInf) go forthH3318(QalImpf) with you myselfH589 also. ^[3] But the peopleH5971 answered,H559(QalImpf) Thou shalt not go forth:H3318(QalImpf) for if we fleeH5127(QalImpf) away,H5127(QalInf) they will not careH7760(QalImpf) for us; neither if halfH2677 of us die,H4191(QalImpf) will they careH7760(QalImpf) for us: but now [thou art] worthH3644 tenH6235 thousandH505 of us: therefore now [it is] betterH2896 that thou succourH5826(QalInf/Qere) us out of the city.H5892 ^[4] And the kingH4428 saidH559(QalImpf) unto them, What seemethH5869 you bestH3190(QalImpf) I will do.H6213(QalImpf) And the kingH4428 stoodH5975(QalImpf) by the gateH8179 side,H3027 and all the peopleH5971 came outH3318(QalPerf) by hundredsH3967 and by thousands.H505 ^[5] And the kingH4428 commandedH6680(PielImpf) JoabH3097 and AbishaiH52 and Ittai,H863 saying,H559(QalInf) [Deal] gentlyH328 for my sake with the young man,H5288 [even] with Absalom.H53 And all the peopleH5971 heardH8085(QalPerf) when the kingH4428 gave all the captainsH8269 chargeH6680(PielInf) concerningH1697 Absalom.H53 ^[6] So the peopleH5971 went outH3318(QalImpf) into the fieldH7704 againstH7125(QalInf) Israel:H3478 and the battleH4421 was in the woodH3293 of Ephraim;H669 ^[7] Where the peopleH5971 of IsraelH3478 were slainH5062(NiphImpf) beforeH6440 the servantsH5650 of David,H1732 and there was there a greatH1419 slaughterH4046 that dayH3117 of twentyH6242 thousandH505 [men]. ^[8] For the battleH4421 was there scatteredH6327(NiphPtc) over the faceH6440 of all the country:H776 and the woodH3293 devouredH398(QalInf) moreH7235(HiphImpf) peopleH5971 that dayH3117 than the swordH2719 devoured.H398(QalPerf) ^[9] And AbsalomH53 metH7122(NiphImpf) the servantsH6440 of David.H1732 And AbsalomH53 rodeH7392(QalActPtc) upon a mule,H6505 and the muleH6505 wentH935(QalImpf) under the thick boughsH7730 of a greatH1419 oak,H424 and his headH7218 caught holdH2388(QalImpf) of the oak,H424 and he was taken upH5414(HophImpf) between the heavenH8064 and the earth;H776 and the muleH6505 that [was] under him went away.H5674(QalPerf) ^[10] And a certainH259 manH376 sawH7200(QalImpf) [it], and toldH5046(HiphImpf) Joab,H3097 and said,H559(QalImpf) Behold, I sawH7200(QalPerf) AbsalomH53 hangedH8518(QalPasPtc) in an oak.H424 ^[11] And JoabH3097 saidH559(QalImpf) unto the manH376 that toldH5046(HiphPtc) him, And, behold, thou sawestH7200(QalPerf) [him], and why didst thou not smiteH5221(HiphPerf) him there to the ground?H776 and I would have givenH5414(QalInf) thee tenH6235 [shekels] of silver,H3701 and aH259 girdle.H2290 ^[12] And the manH376 saidH559(QalImpf) unto Joab,H3097 ThoughH3863 I should receiveH8254(QalActPtc) a thousandH505 [shekels] of silverH3701 in mine hand,H3709 [yet] would I not put forthH7971(QalImpf) mine handH3027 against the king’sH4428 son:H1121 for in our hearingH241 the kingH4428 chargedH6680(PielPerf) thee and AbishaiH52 and Ittai,H863 saying,H559(QalInf) BewareH8104(QalImpv) that none [touch] the young manH5288 Absalom.H53 ^[13] OtherwiseH176 I should have wroughtH6213(QalPerf) falsehoodH8267 against mine own life:H5315 for there is no matterH1697 hidH3582(NiphImpf) from the king,H4428 and thou thyself wouldest have setH3320(HithImpf) thyself against [me]. ^[14] Then saidH559(QalImpf) Joab,H3097 I may not tarryH3176(HiphImpf) thus with thee.H6440 And he tookH3947(QalImpf) threeH7969 dartsH7626 in his hand,H3709 and thrustH8628(QalImpf) them through the heartH3820 of Absalom,H53 while he [was] yet aliveH2416 in the midst of the oak.H424 ^[15] And tenH6235 young menH5288 that bareH5375(QalActPtc) Joab’sH3097 armourH3627 compassed aboutH5437(QalImpf) and smoteH5221(HiphImpf) Absalom,H53 and slewH4191(HiphImpf) him. ^[16] And JoabH3097 blewH8628(QalImpf) the trumpet,H7782 and the peopleH5971 returnedH7725(QalImpf) from pursuingH7291(QalInf) afterH310 Israel:H3478 for JoabH3097 held backH2820(QalPerf) the people.H5971 ^[17] And they tookH3947(QalImpf) Absalom,H53 and castH7993(HiphImpf) him into a greatH1419 pitH6354 in the wood,H3293 and laidH5324(HiphImpf) a veryH3966 greatH1419 heapH1530 of stonesH68 upon him: and all IsraelH3478 fledH5127(QalPerf) every oneH376 to his tent.H168 ^[18] Now AbsalomH53 in his lifetimeH2416 had takenH3947(QalPerf) and reared upH5324(HiphImpf) for himself a pillar,H4678 which [is] in the king’sH4428 dale:H6010 for he said,H559(QalPerf) I have no sonH1121 to keep my nameH8034 in remembrance:H2142(HiphInf) and he calledH7121(QalImpf) the pillarH4678 after his own name:H8034 and it is calledH7121(NiphImpf) unto this day,H3117 Absalom’sH53 place.H3027 ^[19] Then saidH559(QalPerf) AhimaazH290 the sonH1121 of Zadok,H6659 Let me now run,H7323(QalImpf) and bearH1319 the kingH4428 tidings,H1319(PielImpf) how that the LordH3068 hath avengedH8199(QalPerf) him of his enemies.H3027 ^[20] And JoabH3097 saidH559(QalImpf) unto him, ThouH376 shalt not bear tidingsH1309 this day,H3117 but thou shalt bear tidingsH1319(PielPerf) anotherH312 day:H3117 but this dayH3117 thou shalt bear no tidings,H1319(PielImpf) because the king’sH4428 sonH1121 is dead.H4191(QalPerf) ^[21] Then saidH559(QalImpf) JoabH3097 to Cushi,H3569 GoH3212(QalImpv) tellH5046(HiphImpv) the kingH4428 what thou hast seen.H7200(QalPerf) And CushiH3569 bowedH7812(HithImpf) himself unto Joab,H3097 and ran.H7323(QalImpf) ^[22] Then saidH559(QalImpf) AhimaazH290 the sonH1121 of ZadokH6659 yet againH3254(HiphImpf) to Joab,H3097 But howsoever,H4100 let me, I pray thee, also runH7323(QalImpf) afterH310 Cushi.H3569 And JoabH3097 said,H559(QalImpf) Wherefore wilt thou run,H7323(QalPtc) my son,H1121 seeing that thou hast no tidingsH1309 ready?H4672(QalActPtc) ^[23] But howsoever, [said he], let me run.H7323(QalImpf) And he saidH559(QalImpf) unto him, Run.H7323(QalImpv) Then AhimaazH290 ranH7323(QalImpf) by the wayH1870 of the plain,H3603 and overranH5674(QalImpf) Cushi.H3569 ^[24] And DavidH1732 satH3427(QalActPtc) between the twoH8147 gates:H8179 and the watchmanH6822(QalActPtc) went upH3212(QalImpf) to the roofH1406 over the gateH8179 unto the wall,H2346 and lifted upH5375(QalImpf) his eyes,H5869 and looked,H7200(QalImpf) and behold a manH376 runningH7323(QalPtc) alone. ^[25] And the watchmanH6822(QalActPtc) cried,H7121(QalImpf) and toldH5046(HiphImpf) the king.H4428 And the kingH4428 said,H559(QalImpf) If he [be] alone, [there is] tidingsH1309 in his mouth.H6310 And he cameH3212(QalImpf) apace,H1980(QalInf) and drew near.H7131 ^[26] And the watchmanH6822(QalActPtc) sawH7200(QalImpf) anotherH312 manH376 running:H7323(QalPtc) and the watchmanH6822(QalActPtc) calledH7121(QalImpf) unto the porter,H7778 and said,H559(QalImpf) Behold [another] manH376 runningH7323(QalPtc) alone. And the kingH4428 said,H559(QalImpf) He also bringeth tidings.H1319(PielPtc) ^[27] And the watchmanH6822(QalActPtc) said,H559(QalImpf) Me thinkethH7200(QalActPtc) the runningH4794 of the foremostH7223 is like the runningH4794 of AhimaazH290 the sonH1121 of Zadok.H6659 And the kingH4428 said,H559(QalImpf) He [is] a goodH2896 man,H376 and comethH935(QalImpf) with goodH2896 tidings.H1309 ^[28] And AhimaazH290 called,H7121(QalImpf) and saidH559(QalImpf) unto the king,H4428 All is well.H7965 And he fell downH7812(HithImpf) to the earthH776 upon his faceH639 before the king,H4428 and said,H559(QalImpf) BlessedH1288(QalPasPtc) [be] the LordH3068 thy God,H430 which hath delivered upH5462(PielPerf) the menH582 that lifted upH5375(QalPerf) their handH3027 against my lordH113 the king.H4428 ^[29] And the kingH4428 said,H559(QalImpf) Is the young manH5288 AbsalomH53 safe?H7965 And AhimaazH290 answered,H559(QalImpf) When JoabH3097 sentH7971(QalInf) the king’sH4428 servant,H5650 and [me] thy servant,H5650 I sawH7200(QalPerf) a greatH1419 tumult,H1995 but I knewH3045(QalPerf) not what [it was]. ^[30] And the kingH4428 saidH559(QalImpf) [unto him], Turn aside,H5437(QalImpv) [and] standH3320(HithImpv) here.H3541 And he turned aside,H5437(NiphImpf) and stood still.H5975(QalImpf) ^[31] And, behold, CushiH3569 came;H935(QalActPtc) and CushiH3569 said,H559(QalImpf) Tidings,H1319(HithImpf) my lordH113 the king:H4428 for the LordH3068 hath avengedH8199(QalPerf) thee this dayH3117 of all themH3027 that rose upH6965(QalPtc) against thee. ^[32] And the kingH4428 saidH559(QalImpf) unto Cushi,H3569 Is the young manH5288 AbsalomH53 safe?H7965 And CushiH3569 answered,H559(QalImpf) The enemiesH341(QalActPtc) of my lordH113 the king,H4428 and all that riseH6965(QalPerf) against thee to do [thee] hurt,H7451 be as [that] young manH5288 [is]. ^[33] And the kingH4428 was much moved,H7264(QalImpf) and went upH5927(QalImpf) to the chamberH5944 over the gate,H8179 and wept:H1058(QalImpf) and as he went,H3212(QalInf) thus he said,H559(QalPerf) O my sonH1121 Absalom,H53 my son,H1121 my sonH1121 Absalom!H53 would God I had diedH4191(QalInf) for thee,H5414(QalImpf) O Absalom,H53 my son,H1121 my son!H1121

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