Nathan's paradie. CHAP. XII another: make thy battle more strong against the city, and overthrow it: and encourage thou him. 26 And when the wife of Uriah heard that Uriah her husband was dead, she mourned for her husband. 27 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. CHAP. XII. AND ND 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. 2 The rich man had exceeding many flocks and berds: 3 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 bis bosom, and was unto him as a daughter. 4 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 way-faring man that was come unto him; but took the poor man's lamb, and dressed it for the an that was come to bim. 5 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: 6 And he shall restore the lamb fourfold, because he did this thing, and because he had no pity. 7 And Nathan said to David, Thou art the man. Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, 1 anointed thee king orer Israel, and I delivered thee out of the hand of Saul: 8 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. 9 Wherefore hast thou despised the coinmandment 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 bim with the sword of the children of Ammon. 10 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. 11 Thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will raise up evil against thee out of thine own bouse, 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. 12 For thou didst it secretly but I will do this thing before all Israel, and before the sun. Solomon born. 13 And David said unto Nathan, have sinned against the LORD. And Nathan said unto David, The LORD also hath put away thy sin; thou shalt not die. 14 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. 15 And Nathan departed unto his house. And the LORD struck the child that Uriah's wife bare unto David, and it was very sick. 16 David therefore besought God for the child; and David fasted, and went in, and lay all night upon the earth. 17 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. 19 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 be would not hearken unto our voice; how will he then vex himself, if we tell him that the child is dead? 19 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. 20 Then David arose from the earth, and washed, and anointed himself, and changed bis 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. 21 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. 22 And he said, While the child was yet alive, I fasted and wept: for I said Who can tell whether God will be gra cious to me, that the child may live? 23 But now he is dead, wherefore should 1 fast? can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me. 24 And David comforted Bath sheba 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. 25 And he sent by the hand of Nathan the prophet; and he called bis name Jedidiah, because of the LORD. 26 And Joab fought against Rabbah of the children of Ammon, and took the royal city. 27 And Joab sent messengers to David, and said, I have fought against Rabbah, and have taken the city of waters. 28 Now therefore gather the rest of the people together, and encamp against the city and take it: Jest i 11 SAMUEL Amnon ravisheth Tamar take the city, and it be called after any name. 29 Aud David gathered all the people together, and went to Rabbal, and fought against it, and took it. 30 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. 31 And he brought forth the people that were therein, and put them under saws, and under barrows of iron, and under axes of iron, and made then pass through the brickkiln: and thus did he unto all the cities of the children of Ammon. So David and all the people returned unto Jerusalem. CHAP. XIII. 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 ber. 2 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 any thing to her. 3 But Amnon had a friend, whose name was Jonadab, the son of Shimeat, David's brother and Jonadab was a very subtil man. 4 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 Tainar, my brother Absalom's sister. Te sendeth her away. and said unto her, Conie lie with me my sister. 12 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. 13 And 1, 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. 14 lowbeit, he would not hearken unto her voice but, being stronger than she, forced her, and lay with her. 15 Then Ainnon 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, begone. 16 And she said unto bim, There is no cause: this evil in sending me away is greater than the other that thou didst unto me. But he would not heark-' en unto her. 17 Then he called his servant that ministered unto him, and said, Put now this roman out from me, and bolt the door after her. 18 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. 19 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 cry 5 And Jonadab said unto him, Lay thee down on thy bed, and make thy-ing. self 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. 6 So Amnon lay down, and made himself sick and when the king was come to see hiin, Amnon said unto the king, I pray thee, let Tamar my sister come, and inake me a couple of cakes in my sight, that I may eat at her hand. 7 Then David sent home to Tamar, saying, Go now to thy brother Amnon's house, and dress him meat. 20 And Absalom her brother said unto her, Hath Amnon thy brother been with theer but hold now thy peace, my sister he is thy brother;" regard not this thing. So Tamar re mained desolate in her brother Absalom's house. 21 But when king David heard of all these things, he was very wroth. 22 And Absalom spake unto his bro ther Amnon neither good nor bad: for Absalom hated Amnon, because he had forced bis sister Tamar. 23 And it came to pass after two full years, that Absalom had sheep8 So Tamar went to her brother shearers in Baal-hazor, which is beAmnon's house; and he was laid down.side Ephraim and Absalon invited And she took flour, and kneaded it, all the king's sons. and made cakes in his sight, and did bake the cakes. 9 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 And Amnon said unto Tamar, Bring the ineat 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. And when she had brought them unt him to eat, he took hold of her, 24 And Absalom came to the king, and said, Behold now, thy servant hath sheep-shearers; let the king, beseech thee, and his servants go with thy servant. 25 And the king said to Absalom Nay, my son, let us not ali now go, lest we be chargeable unto thee. And he pressed him: bowbeit he would not go, but blessed him. 26 Then said Absalom, If not, I pray thee, let my brother Ainnon go with us. And the king said unto him, Why should he go with thee? 27 But Absalom pressed bim, that J &bsalom Rilleth Amnon. CHAP. XIV. " The widow of Tekoah. de let Amnon, and all the king's sons, to the ground, and did obeisance, and go with him. said, Help, O king. 29 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. 29 And the servants of Absalom did anto Amnon as Absalom had come manded. Then all the king's sons arose, and every man gat him up upon his mule, and tied. 30 ¶ 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. 31 Then the king arose, and tare his garments, and lay on the earth; and all his servants stood by with their clothes rent. 32 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. 33 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. 34 But Absalom fled. And the young man that kept the watch ited up bis eyes, and looked, and behold, there came much people by the way of the bill's side behind him. 35 And Jonadab said unto the king, Behold, the king's sons come: as thy servant said, so it is. 36 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 NOW Joab the son of Zerulah perceived that the king's heart was toward Absalom. ? And Joab sent to Tekoab, and fetched thence a wise woinan, and said unto her, I pray thee, feign thyself to be a mourner, and put on now mourn ing apparel, and anoint not thyself with oil, but be as a woman that had a long time mourned for the dead; And the king said unto her, What aileth thee? And she answered, I am indeed a widow woman, and mine husband is dead. 6 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. 7 And behold, the whole family is risen against thine handmaid, and they said, Deliver him that smote bis 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 lett and shall not leave to my husband neither name nor remainder upon the earth. 8 And the king said unto the woman, Go to thine house, and I will give charge concerning thee, 9 And the woman of Tekoah said unto the king, My lord, O king, the iniquity be on me, and on my father's bouse and the king and his throne be guiltless. 10 And the king said, Whosoever saith aught unto thee, bring him to me, and he shall not touch thee any more. 11 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, 4s the LORD liveth, there shall not one hair of thy son fall to the earth. 12 Then the woman said, Let thine handmaid, I pray thee, speak one word unto my lord the king. And he said, Say on. 13 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 which is faulty, in that the king doth not fetch home again his banished. one 14 For we inust 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 bis banished be not expelled from him. 15 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. 16 For the king will hear, to deliver his handmaid out of the band of the man that would destroy me and my son together out of the inheritance of God. 17 Then thine handmaid said, The word of my lord the king shall now be 3 And come to the king, and speak comfortable: for as an angel of God, on this manner unto him. So Joab so is my lord the king, to discern good put the words in her mouth. and bad: therefore the LORD thy God will be with thee. 4 And when the woman of Tekoah bpake to the king, she fell on her face 18 Then the king answered and said Absalan's return. IL SAMUEL His treasons. anto the woman, Hide not from me, 11let me see the king's face: and if there pray thee, the thing that I shall ask be any iniquity in me, let him kill me. thee. And the woman said, Let my 33 So Joab came to the king, and told lord the king now speak. him: and when he had called for Ab salom, he came to the king, and bowed himself on his face to the ground be fore the king: and the king kissed Absalom. 19 And the king said, Is not the hand of Joab with thee in all this? And the woman answered and said, As thy soul Jiveth, my lord the king, none can turn to the right hand or to the left from aught 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: 20 To fetch about this form of speech bath 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. 21 And the king said unto Joab, Behold now, I have done this thing: go therefore, bring the young man Absalom again. 22 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 1 bave found grace in thy sight, my lord, O king, in that the king bath fulfilled the request of his servant. 23 So Joab arose and went to Gesbur, and brought Absalom to Jerusalem. 24 And the king said, Let him turn to his own house, and let him not see any face. So Absalom returned to his own house, and saw not the king's face. 25 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. 26 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. 27 And unto Absalom there were born three sons, and one daughter, whose name was Tamar: she was a woman of a fair countenance. 28 So Absalom dwelt two full years in Jerusalem, and saw not the king's face. 29 Therefore Absalom sent for Joab, to have sent him to the king: but be would not come to him: and when he sent again the second time, be would not come. 30 Therefore he said unto his ser-a vants, See, Joab's field is near mine, and he hath barley there; go and set it on fire. And Absaloin's servants set the field on fire. 31 Then Joab arose, and came to Absalom unto his house, and said unto bim, Wherefore have thy servants set any field on fire? CHAP. XV. AND it came to pass after this, that Absalom prepared him cha riots and horses, and fifty men to run before him. 2 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. 3 And Absalom said unto him, See, thy matters are good and right; but there is no man deputed of the king to hear thee. 4 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 ! 5 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. 6 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. 7¶ 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. 8 For thy servant vowed a vow while 1 abode at Geshur in Syria, saying, If the LORD shall bring me again indeed to Jerusalem, then I will serve the LORD. 9 And the king said unto 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 ye hear the sound of the trumpet, then ye shall say, Absalon reigneth in Hebron. 11 And with Absalom went two bundred inen out of Jerusalem, that were called; and they went in their simplicity, and they knew not any thing. 12 And Absalom sent for Ahithophet 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 13 And there came a messenger to David, saying, The hearts of the men of Israel are after Absalom. 32 And Absalom answered Joab, Be- 14 And David said unto all his ser hold, I sent unto thee, saying, Come vants that were with him at Jerusalem, hither, that I may send thee to the Arise, and let us flee; for we shall not king, to say, Wherefore am I come cise escape from Absalom: make speed from Geshur? it had been good for me to depart, lest be overtake us sudto have been there still: now therefore denly, and bring evil upon us, and CHAP. XVI. David fleeth from Absalom smite the city with the edge of the sword. 15 And the king's servants said unto the king, Behold, thy servants are ready to do whatsoever my lord the king shail appoint. 10 And the king went forth, and all his household after him. And the king left ten women, which were concu-I bines, to keep the house. 17 And the king went forth, and all the people after him, and tarried in a place that was far off. Ziba's falsehood. went up, and had his head covered, and be went bare-foot: and all the people that was with him covered every mar his head, and they went up, weeping as they went up. 31 And one told David, saying, Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom. And David said, O LORD, pray thee, turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness. 32And 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 -18 And all his servants passed on 19 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. 20 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. 21 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, whe. ther in death or life, even there also will thy servant be. 22 And David said to Ittai, Go and pass over. And Ittai the Gittite passed ever, and all his men, and all the little ones that were with him. 23 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. 24 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. 25 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, be will bring me again, and shew me both it, and his habitation: 26 But if he thus say, I have no deSight in thee; behold, here am 1, let bim do to me as seemeth good unto bim. 27 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. 28 See, I will tarry in the plain of the wilderness, until there come word from you to certify me. 29 Zadok therefore and Abiathar carried the ark of God again to Jerusalem: and they tarried there. So And David went up by the ascent of mount Olivet, and wept as he 33 Unto whom David said, If thou passest on with me, then thou shalt be a burden unto me: 34 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 now also be thy servant: then mayest thou for me defeat the counsel of Abithophel. 35 And hast thou not there with thee Zadok and Abiathar the priests? therefore it shall be, that what things soever thou shalt hear out of the king's house, thou shalt 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; and by them ye shall send unto me every thing that ye can hear. 37 So Hushai, David's friend, came into the city, and Absalom came into Jerusalem. CHAP. XVI. 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. 2 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. 3 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. 4 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. 5 And when king David came to Baburim, 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. 6 And he cast stones at David, and at all the servants of king David: and |