2 Samuel 18 – search, read, and compare multiple versions of the Bible

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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 David H1732 numbered H6485 (QalImpf) the people H5971 that were with him, and set H7760 (QalImpf) captains H8269 of thousands H505 and captains H8269 of hundreds H3967 over them. [2] And David H1732 sent forth H7971 (PielImpf) a third part H7992 of the people H5971 under the hand H3027 of Joab, H3097 and a third part H7992 under the hand H3027 of Abishai H52 the son H1121 of Zeruiah, H6870 Joab’s H3097 brother, H251 and a third part H7992 under the hand H3027 of Ittai H863 the Gittite. H1663 And the king H4428 said H559 (QalImpf) unto the people, H5971 I will surely H3318 (QalInf) go forth H3318 (QalImpf) with you myself H589 also. [3] But the people H5971 answered, H559 (QalImpf) Thou shalt not go forth: H3318 (QalImpf) for if we flee H5127 (QalImpf) away, H5127 (QalInf) they will not care H7760 (QalImpf) for us;§ neither if half H2677 of us die, H4191 (QalImpf) will they care H7760 (QalImpf) for us: but now thou art worth H3644 ten H6235 thousand H505 of us:§ therefore now it is better H2896 that thou succour H5826 (QalInf/Qere)§ us out of the city. H5892 [4] And the king H4428 said H559 (QalImpf) unto them, What seemeth H5869 you best H3190 (QalImpf) I will do. H6213 (QalImpf) And the king H4428 stood H5975 (QalImpf) by the gate H8179 side, H3027 and all the people H5971 came out H3318 (QalPerf) by hundreds H3967 and by thousands. H505 [5] And the king H4428 commanded H6680 (PielImpf) Joab H3097 and Abishai H52 and Ittai, H863 saying, H559 (QalInf) Deal gently H328 for my sake with the young man, H5288 even with Absalom. H53 And all the people H5971 heard H8085 (QalPerf) when the king H4428 gave all the captains H8269 charge H6680 (PielInf) concerning H1697 Absalom. H53 [6] So the people H5971 went out H3318 (QalImpf) into the field H7704 against H7125 (QalInf) Israel: H3478 and the battle H4421 was in the wood H3293 of Ephraim; H669 [7] where the people H5971 of Israel H3478 were slain H5062 (NiphImpf) before H6440 the servants H5650 of David, H1732 and there was there a great H1419 slaughter H4046 that day H3117 of twenty H6242 thousand H505 men. [8] For the battle H4421 was there scattered H6327 (NiphPtc) over the face H6440 of all the country: H776 and the wood H3293 devoured H398 (QalInf)§ more H7235 (HiphImpf) people H5971 that day H3117 than the sword H2719 devoured. H398 (QalPerf)

Death of Absalom

[9] And Absalom H53 met H7122 (NiphImpf) the servants H6440 of David. H1732 And Absalom H53 rode H7392 (QalActPtc) upon a mule, H6505 and the mule H6505 went H935 (QalImpf) under the thick boughs H7730 of a great H1419 oak, H424 and his head H7218 caught hold H2388 (QalImpf) of the oak, H424 and he was taken up H5414 (HophImpf) between the heaven H8064 and the earth; H776 and the mule H6505 that was under him went away. H5674 (QalPerf) [10] And a certain H259 man H376 saw H7200 (QalImpf) it, and told H5046 (HiphImpf) Joab, H3097 and said, H559 (QalImpf) Behold, I saw H7200 (QalPerf) Absalom H53 hanged H8518 (QalPasPtc) in an oak. H424 [11] And Joab H3097 said H559 (QalImpf) unto the man H376 that told H5046 (HiphPtc) him, And, behold, thou sawest H7200 (QalPerf) him, and why didst thou not smite H5221 (HiphPerf) him there to the ground? H776 and I would have given H5414 (QalInf) thee ten H6235 shekels of silver, H3701 and a H259 girdle. H2290 [12] And the man H376 said H559 (QalImpf) unto Joab, H3097 Though H3863 I should receive H8254 (QalActPtc)§ a thousand H505 shekels of silver H3701 in mine hand, H3709 yet would I not put forth H7971 (QalImpf) mine hand H3027 against the king’s H4428 son: H1121 for in our hearing H241 the king H4428 charged H6680 (PielPerf) thee and Abishai H52 and Ittai, H863 saying, H559 (QalInf) Beware H8104 (QalImpv) that§ none touch the young man H5288 Absalom. H53 [13] Otherwise H176 I should have wrought H6213 (QalPerf) falsehood H8267 against mine own life: H5315 for there is no matter H1697 hid H3582 (NiphImpf) from the king, H4428 and thou thyself wouldest have set H3320 (HithImpf) thyself against me. [14] Then said H559 (QalImpf) Joab, H3097 I may not tarry H3176 (HiphImpf) thus with thee. H6440§ And he took H3947 (QalImpf) three H7969 darts H7626 in his hand, H3709 and thrust H8628 (QalImpf) them through the heart H3820 of Absalom, H53 while he was yet alive H2416 in the midst§ of the oak. H424 [15] And ten H6235 young men H5288 that bare H5375 (QalActPtc) Joab’s H3097 armour H3627 compassed about H5437 (QalImpf) and smote H5221 (HiphImpf) Absalom, H53 and slew H4191 (HiphImpf) him. [16] And Joab H3097 blew H8628 (QalImpf) the trumpet, H7782 and the people H5971 returned H7725 (QalImpf) from pursuing H7291 (QalInf) after H310 Israel: H3478 for Joab H3097 held back H2820 (QalPerf) the people. H5971 [17] And they took H3947 (QalImpf) Absalom, H53 and cast H7993 (HiphImpf) him into a great H1419 pit H6354 in the wood, H3293 and laid H5324 (HiphImpf) a very H3966 great H1419 heap H1530 of stones H68 upon him: and all Israel H3478 fled H5127 (QalPerf) every one H376 to his tent. H168 [18] Now Absalom H53 in his lifetime H2416 had taken H3947 (QalPerf) and reared up H5324 (HiphImpf) for himself a pillar, H4678 which is in the king’s H4428 dale: H6010 for he said, H559 (QalPerf) I have no son H1121 to keep my name H8034 in remembrance: H2142 (HiphInf) and he called H7121 (QalImpf) the pillar H4678 after his own name: H8034 and it is called H7121 (NiphImpf) unto this day, H3117 Absalom’s H53 place. H3027 [19] Then said H559 (QalPerf) Ahimaaz H290 the son H1121 of Zadok, H6659 Let me now run, H7323 (QalImpf) and bear H1319 the king H4428 tidings, H1319 (PielImpf) how that the Lord H3068 hath avenged H8199 (QalPerf) him of his enemies. H3027§ [20] And Joab H3097 said H559 (QalImpf) unto him, Thou H376 shalt not bear tidings H1309§ this day, H3117 but thou shalt bear tidings H1319 (PielPerf) another H312 day: H3117 but this day H3117 thou shalt bear no tidings, H1319 (PielImpf) because the king’s H4428 son H1121 is dead. H4191 (QalPerf) [21] Then said H559 (QalImpf) Joab H3097 to Cushi, H3569 Go H3212 (QalImpv) tell H5046 (HiphImpv) the king H4428 what thou hast seen. H7200 (QalPerf) And Cushi H3569 bowed H7812 (HithImpf) himself unto Joab, H3097 and ran. H7323 (QalImpf) [22] Then said H559 (QalImpf) Ahimaaz H290 the son H1121 of Zadok H6659 yet again H3254 (HiphImpf) to Joab, H3097 But howsoever, H4100§ let me, I pray thee, also run H7323 (QalImpf) after H310 Cushi. H3569 And Joab H3097 said, H559 (QalImpf) Wherefore wilt thou run, H7323 (QalPtc) my son, H1121 seeing that thou hast no tidings H1309 ready? H4672 (QalActPtc)§ [23] But howsoever, said he, let me run. H7323 (QalImpf) And he said H559 (QalImpf) unto him, Run. H7323 (QalImpv) Then Ahimaaz H290 ran H7323 (QalImpf) by the way H1870 of the plain, H3603 and overran H5674 (QalImpf) Cushi. H3569 [24] And David H1732 sat H3427 (QalActPtc) between the two H8147 gates: H8179 and the watchman H6822 (QalActPtc) went up H3212 (QalImpf) to the roof H1406 over the gate H8179 unto the wall, H2346 and lifted up H5375 (QalImpf) his eyes, H5869 and looked, H7200 (QalImpf) and behold a man H376 running H7323 (QalPtc) alone. [25] And the watchman H6822 (QalActPtc) cried, H7121 (QalImpf) and told H5046 (HiphImpf) the king. H4428 And the king H4428 said, H559 (QalImpf) If he be alone, there is tidings H1309 in his mouth. H6310 And he came H3212 (QalImpf) apace, H1980 (QalInf) and drew near. H7131 [26] And the watchman H6822 (QalActPtc) saw H7200 (QalImpf) another H312 man H376 running: H7323 (QalPtc) and the watchman H6822 (QalActPtc) called H7121 (QalImpf) unto the porter, H7778 and said, H559 (QalImpf) Behold another man H376 running H7323 (QalPtc) alone. And the king H4428 said, H559 (QalImpf) He also bringeth tidings. H1319 (PielPtc) [27] And the watchman H6822 (QalActPtc) said, H559 (QalImpf) Me thinketh H7200 (QalActPtc) the running H4794§ of the foremost H7223 is like the running H4794 of Ahimaaz H290 the son H1121 of Zadok. H6659 And the king H4428 said, H559 (QalImpf) He is a good H2896 man, H376 and cometh H935 (QalImpf) with good H2896 tidings. H1309 [28] And Ahimaaz H290 called, H7121 (QalImpf) and said H559 (QalImpf) unto the king, H4428 All is well. H7965§ And he fell down H7812 (HithImpf) to the earth H776 upon his face H639 before the king, H4428 and said, H559 (QalImpf) Blessed H1288 (QalPasPtc) be the Lord H3068 thy God, H430 which hath delivered§ up H5462 (PielPerf) the men H582 that lifted up H5375 (QalPerf) their hand H3027 against my lord H113 the king. H4428 [29] And the king H4428 said, H559 (QalImpf) Is the young man H5288 Absalom H53 safe? H7965 And Ahimaaz H290 answered, H559 (QalImpf) When Joab H3097 sent H7971 (QalInf) the king’s H4428 servant, H5650 and me thy servant, H5650 I saw H7200 (QalPerf) a great H1419 tumult, H1995 but I knew H3045 (QalPerf) not what it was. [30] And the king H4428 said H559 (QalImpf) unto him, Turn aside, H5437 (QalImpv) and stand H3320 (HithImpv) here. H3541 And he turned aside, H5437 (NiphImpf) and stood still. H5975 (QalImpf) [31] And, behold, Cushi H3569 came; H935 (QalActPtc) and Cushi H3569 said, H559 (QalImpf) Tidings, H1319 (HithImpf)§ my lord H113 the king: H4428 for the Lord H3068 hath avenged H8199 (QalPerf) thee this day H3117 of all them H3027 that rose up H6965 (QalPtc) against thee. [32] And the king H4428 said H559 (QalImpf) unto Cushi, H3569 Is the young man H5288 Absalom H53 safe? H7965 And Cushi H3569 answered, H559 (QalImpf) The enemies H341 (QalActPtc) of my lord H113 the king, H4428 and all that rise H6965 (QalPerf) against thee to do thee hurt, H7451 be as that young man H5288 is. [33] And the king H4428 was much moved, H7264 (QalImpf) and went up H5927 (QalImpf) to the chamber H5944 over the gate, H8179 and wept: H1058 (QalImpf) and as he went, H3212 (QalInf) thus he said, H559 (QalPerf) O my son H1121 Absalom, H53 my son, H1121 my son H1121 Absalom! H53 would God I had died H4191 (QalInf) for thee, H5414 (QalImpf) O Absalom, H53 my son, H1121 my son! H1121

Footnotes

  1. § 18:3a Heb. set their heart on us
  2. § 18:3b Heb. as ten thousand of us
  3. § 18:3c Heb. be to succour
  4. § 18:8 Heb. multiplied to devour
  5. § 18:12a Heb. weigh upon mine hand
  6. § 18:12b Heb. beware whosoever ye be, of etc.
  7. § 18:14a Heb. before thee
  8. § 18:14b Heb. heart
  9. § 18:19 Heb. judged him from the hand etc.
  10. § 18:20 Heb. be a man of tidings
  11. § 18:22a Heb. be what may
  12. § 18:22b Or, convenient
  13. § 18:27 Heb. I see the running
  14. § 18:28a Or, peace be to thee. Heb. peace
  15. § 18:28b Heb. shut up
  16. § 18:31 Heb. tidings is brought
Byzantine Greek New Testament
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