2 Samuel (Shemuel 2)

2 SAMUEL

1

1 Now it came to pass after the death of Saul, when Dawid was returned from the slaughter of the Amalekites, and Dawid had abode two days in Ziklag;

2 It came even to pass on the third day, that, behold, a man came out of the camp from Saul with his clothes rent, and earth upon his head; and so it was, when he came to Dawid, that he fell to the earth, and prostrated himself.

3 And Dawid said unto him, “From whence comest you?” And he said unto him, “Out of the camp of Yisrael am I escaped.”

4 And Dawid said unto him, “How went the matter? Please tell me.” And he answered, “That the people are fled from the battle, and many of the people also are fallen and dead; and Saul and Jonathan (Yehonatan) his son are dead also.”

5 And Dawid said unto the young man that told him, “How knowest you that Saul and Jonathan (Yehonatan) his son be dead?”

6 And the young man that told him said, “As I happened by chance upon mount Gilboa, behold, Saul leaned upon his spear; and, behold, the chariots and horsemen followed hard after him.

7 And when he looked behind him, he saw me, and called unto me. And I answered, ‘Here am I.’

8 And he said unto me, ‘Who are you?’ And I answered him, ‘I am an Amalekite.’

9 He said unto me again, ‘Please stand over me, and slay me; for anguish is come upon me, because my life is yet whole in me.’

10 So I stood upon him, and slew him, because I was sure that he could not live after that he was fallen; and I took the crown that was upon his head, and the bracelet that was on his arm, and have brought them hither unto my lord (adoni).”

11 Then Dawid took hold on his clothes, and rent them; and likewise all the men that were with him.

12 And they mourned, and wept, and fasted until even, for Saul, and for Jonathan (Yehonatan) his son, and for the people of יהוה, and for the house of Yisrael; because they were fallen by the sword.

13 And Dawid said unto the young man that told him, “Whence are you?” And he answered, “I am the son of a stranger, an Amalekite.”

14 And Dawid said unto him, “How wast you not afraid to stretch forth your hand to destroy יהוה’s anointed?”

15 And Dawid called one of the young men, and said, “Go near, and fall upon him!” And he smote him that he died.

16 And Dawid said unto him, “Your blood be upon your head; for your mouth hath testified against you, saying, ‘I have slain יהוה’s anointed (mashiach).’”

17 And Dawid lamented with this lamentation over Saul and over Jonathan (Yehonatan) his son;

18 Also he bade them teach the children of Judah (Yehudah) the bow; behold, it is written in the Book of Yashar:

19 The beauty of Yisrael is slain upon your high places! How are the mighty fallen!

20 Tell it not in Gath, publish it not in the streets of Askelon; lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice, lest the daughters of the uncircumcised triumph.

21 You, mountains of Gilboa, let there be no dew, neither let there be rain, upon you, nor fields of offerings; for there the shield of the mighty is vilely cast away, the shield of Saul, as though he had not been anointed with oil.

22 From the blood of the slain, from the fat of the mighty, the bow of Jonathan (Yehonatan) turned not back, and the sword of Saul returned not empty.

23 Saul and Jonathan (Yehonatan) were lovely and pleasant in their lives, and in their death they were not divided; they were swifter than eagles, they were stronger than lions.

24 You daughters of Yisrael, weep over Saul, who clothed you in scarlet, with other delights, who put on ornaments of gold upon your apparel.

25 How are the mighty fallen in the midst of the battle! O Jonathan (Yehonatan), you wast slain in your high places.

26 I am distressed for you, my brother Jonathan (Yehonatan); very pleasant have you been unto me; your love to me was wonderful, passing the love of women.

27 How are the mighty fallen, and the weapons of war perished!”

2

1 And it came to pass after this, that Dawid enquired of יהוה, saying, “Shall I go up into any of the cities of Judah (Yehudah)?” And יהוה said unto him, “Go up.” And Dawid said, “Whither shall I go up?” And He said, “Unto Hebron.”

2 So Dawid went up thither, and his two wives also, Ahinoam the Yizreelitess, and Avigail Naval’s wife the Carmelite.

3 And his men that were with him did Dawid bring up, every man with his household; and they dwelt in the cities of Hebron.

4 And the men of Judah (Yehudah) came, and there they anointed Dawid king over the house of Judah (Yehudah). And they told Dawid, saying, “That the men of Yavesh-Gilad were they that buried Saul.”

5 And Dawid sent messengers unto the men of Yavesh-Gilad, and said unto them, “Blessed be you of יהוה, that you have shewed this kindness unto your lord (adon), even unto Saul, and have buried him.

6 And now יהוה shew kindness and truth unto you; and I also will requite you this kindness, because you have done this thing.

7 Therefore now let your hands be strengthened, and be you valiant; for your master Saul is dead, and also the house of Judah (Yehudah) have anointed me king over them.”

8 But Abner the son of Ner, captain of Saul’s army, took Ishbosheth the son of Saul, and brought him over to Mahanaim;

9 And made him king over Gilad, and over the Ashurites, and over Yizreel, and over Efrayim, and over Benjamin (Binyamin), and over all Yisrael.

10 Ishbosheth Saul’s son was forty years old when he began to reign over Yisrael, and reigned two years. But the house of Judah (Yehudah) followed Dawid.

11 And the time that Dawid was king in Hebron over the house of Judah (Yehudah) was seven years and six months.

12 And Abner the son of Ner, and the servants of Ishbosheth the son of Saul, went out from Mahanaim to Giveon.

13 And Yoav the son of Tseruyah, and the servants of Dawid, went out, and met together by the pool of Giveon; and they sat down, the one on the one side of the pool, and the other on the other side of the pool.

14 And Abner said to Yoav, “Let the young men now arise, and play before us.” And Yoav said, “Let them arise.”

15 Then there arose and went over by number twelve of Benjamin (Binyamin), which pertained to Ishbosheth the son of Saul, and twelve of the servants of Dawid.

16 And they caught every one his fellow by the head, and thrust his sword in his fellow’s side; so they fell down together; wherefore that place was called Helkathhazzurim, which is in Giveon.

17 And there was a very sore battle that day; and Abner was beaten, and the men of Yisrael, before the servants of Dawid.

18 And there were three sons of Tseruyah there, Yoav, and Avishai, and Asahel: and Asahel was as light of foot as a wild roe.

19 And Asahel pursued after Abner; and in going he turned not to the right hand nor to the left from following Abner.

20 Then Abner looked behind him, and said, “Are you Asahel?” And he answered, “I am.”

21 And Abner said to him, “Turn you aside to your right hand or to your left, and lay you hold on one of the young men, and take you his armour.” But Asahel would not turn aside from following of him.

22 And Abner said again to Asahel, “Turn you aside from following me; wherefore should I smite you to the ground? How then should I hold up my face to Yoav your brother?”

23 Howbeit he refused to turn aside; wherefore Abner with the hinder end of the spear smote him under the fifth rib, that the spear came out behind him; and he fell down there, and died in the same place; and it came to pass, that as many as came to the place where Asahel fell down and died stood still.

24 Yoav also and Avishai pursued after Abner; and the sun went down when they were come to the hill of Ammah, that lieth before Giah by the way of the wilderness of Giveon.

25 And the children of Benjamin (Binyamin) gathered themselves together after Abner, and became one troop, and stood on the top of a hill.

26 Then Abner called to Yoav, and said, “Shall the sword devour forever? Knowest you not that it will be bitterness in the latter end? How long shall it be then, ere you bid the people return from following their brethren?”

27 And Yoav said, “As God (Elohim) liveth, unless you hadst spoken, surely then in the morning the people had gone up every one from following his brother.”

28 So Yoav blew a trumpet, and all the people stood still, and pursued after Yisrael no more, neither fought they any more.

29 And Abner and his men walked all that night through the plain, and passed over Jordan (Yarden), and went through all Bithron, and they came to Mahanaim.

30 And Yoav returned from following Abner; and when he had gathered all the people together, there lacked of Dawid’s servants nineteen men and Asahel.

31 But the servants of Dawid had smitten of Benjamin (Binyamin), and of Abner’s men, so that three hundred and threescore men died.

32 And they took up Asahel, and buried him in the sepulchre of his father, which was in Bethlehem (Beit-Lechem). And Yoav and his men went all night, and they came to Hebron at break of day.

3

1 Now there was long war between the house of Saul and the house of Dawid; but Dawid waxed stronger and stronger, and the house of Saul waxed weaker and weaker.

2 And unto Dawid were sons born in Hebron; and his firstborn was Amnon, of Ahinoam the Yizreelitess;

3 And his second, Chileab, of Avigail the wife of Naval the Carmelite; and the third, Avshalom the son of Maacah the daughter of Talmai king of Geshur;

4 And the fourth, Adoniyah the son of Haggith; and the fifth, Shefatyah the son of Abital;

5 And the sixth, Ithream, by Eglah Dawid’s wife. These were born to Dawid in Hebron.

6 And it came to pass, while there was war between the house of Saul and the house of Dawid, that Abner made himself strong for the house of Saul.

7 And Saul had a concubine, whose name was Rizpah, the daughter of Ayah; and Ishbosheth said to Abner, “Why have you gone in unto my father’s concubine?”

8 Then was Abner very wroth for the words of Ishbosheth, and said, “Am I a dog’s head, which against Judah (Yehudah) do shew kindness this day unto the house of Saul your father, to his brethren, and to his friends, and have not delivered you into the hand of Dawid, that you chargest me today with a fault concerning this woman?

9 So do God (Elohim) to Abner, and more also, except, as יהוה hath sworn to Dawid, even so I do to him;

10 To translate the kingdom from the house of Saul, and to set up the throne of Dawid over Yisrael and over Judah (Yehudah), from Dan even to Beer-Sheva.”

11 And he could not answer Abner a word again, because he feared him.

12 And Abner sent messengers to Dawid on his behalf, saying, “Whose is the land?” Saying also, “Make your league with me, and, behold, my hand shall be with you, to bring about all Yisrael unto you.”

13 And he said, “Well, I will make a league with you; but one thing I require of you, that is, you shalt not see my face, except you first bring Michal Saul’s daughter, when you comest to see my face.”

14 And Dawid sent messengers to Ishbosheth Saul’s son, saying, “Deliver me my wife Michal, which I espoused to me for a hundred foreskins of the Philistines.”

15 And Ishbosheth sent, and took her from her husband, even from Phaltiel the son of Laish.

16 And her husband went with her along weeping behind her to Bahurim. Then said Abner unto him, “Go, return!” And he returned.

17 And Abner had communication with the elders of Yisrael, saying, “You sought for Dawid in times past to be king over you.

18 Now then do it, for יהוה hath spoken of Dawid, saying, ‘By the hand of My servant Dawid I will save My people Yisrael out of the hand of the Philistines, and out of the hand of all their enemies.’”

19 And Abner also spake in the ears of Benjamin (Binyamin); and Abner went also to speak in the ears of Dawid in Hebron all that seemed good to Yisrael, and that seemed good to the whole house of Benjamin (Binyamin).

20 So Abner came to Dawid to Hebron, and twenty men with him. And Dawid made Abner and the men that were with him a feast.

21 And Abner said unto Dawid, “I will arise and go, and will gather all Yisrael unto my lord (adoni) the king, that they may make a league with you, and that you mayest reign over all that your heart desireth.” And Dawid sent Abner away; and he went in peace.

22 And, behold, the servants of Dawid and Yoav came from pursuing a troop, and brought in a great spoil with them: but Abner was not with Dawid in Hebron; for he had sent him away, and he was gone in peace.

23 When Yoav and all the army that was with him were come, they told Yoav, saying, “Abner the son of Ner came to the king, and he hath sent him away, and he is gone in peace.”

24 Then Yoav came to the king, and said, “What have you done? Behold, Abner came unto you; why is it that you have sent him away, and he is quite gone?

25 You knowest Abner the son of Ner, that he came to deceive you, and to know your going out and your coming in, and to know all that you doest.”

26 And when Yoav was come out from Dawid, he sent messengers after Abner, which brought him again from the well of Sirah; but Dawid knew it not.

27 And when Abner was returned to Hebron, Yoav took him aside in the gate to speak with him quietly, and smote him there under the fifth rib, that he died, for the blood of Asahel his brother.

28 And afterward when Dawid heard it, he said, “I and my kingdom are guiltless before יהוה forever from the blood of Abner the son of Ner.

29 Let it rest on the head of Yoav, and on all his father’s house; and let there not fail from the house of Yoav one that hath an issue, or that is a leper, or that leaneth on a staff, or that falleth on the sword, or that lacketh bread.”

30 So Yoav and Avishai his brother slew Abner, because he had slain their brother Asahel at Giveon in the battle.

31 And Dawid said to Yoav, and to all the people that were with him, “Rend your clothes, and gird you with sackcloth, and mourn before Abner.” And king Dawid himself followed the bier.

32 And they buried Abner in Hebron; and the king lifted up his voice, and wept at the grave of Abner; and all the people wept.

33 And the king lamented over Abner, and said: “Died Abner as a fool dieth?

34 Your hands were not bound, nor your feet put into fetters: as a man falleth before wicked men, so fellest you.” And all the people wept again over him.

35 And when all the people came to cause Dawid to eat meat while it was yet day, Dawid sware, saying, “So do God (Elohim) to me, and more also, if I taste bread, or anything else, till the sun be down!”

36 And all the people took notice of it, and it pleased them: as whatsoever the king did please all the people.

37 For all the people and all Yisrael understood that day that it was not of the king to slay Abner the son of Ner.

38 And the king said unto his servants, “Know you not that there is a prince and a great man fallen this day in Yisrael?

39 And I am this day weak, though anointed king; and these men the sons of Tseruyah be too hard for me. יהוה shall reward the doer of evil according to his wickedness.”

4

1 And when Saul’s son heard that Abner was dead in Hebron, his hands were feeble, and all the Yisraelis were troubled.

2 And Saul’s son had two men that were captains of bands; the name of the one was Baanah, and the name of the other Rechab, the sons of Rimmon a Beerothite, of the children of Benjamin (Binyamin). (For Beeroth also was reckoned to Benjamin (Binyamin);

3 And the Beerothites fled to Gittaim, and were sojourners there until this day.)

4 And Jonathan (Yehonatan), Saul’s son, had a son that was lame of his feet. He was five years old when the tidings came of Saul and Jonathan (Yehonatan) out of Yizreel, and his nurse took him up, and fled; and it came to pass, as she made haste to flee, that he fell, and became lame. And his name was Mephibosheth.

5 And the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, Rechab and Baanah, went, and came about the heat of the day to the house of Ishbosheth, who lay on a bed at noon.

6 And they came thither into the midst of the house, as though they would have fetched wheat; and they smote him under the fifth rib; and Rechab and Baanah his brother escaped.

7 For when they came into the house, he lay on his bed in his bedchamber, and they smote him, and slew him, and beheaded him, and took his head, and gat them away through the plain all night.

8 And they brought the head of Ishbosheth unto Dawid to Hebron, and said to the king, “Behold the head of Ishbosheth the son of Saul your enemy, who sought your life; and יהוה hath avenged my lord (adoni) the king this day of Saul, and of his seed.”

9 And Dawid answered Rechab and Baanah his brother, the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, and said unto them, “As יהוה liveth, who hath redeemed my soul out of all adversity,

10 When one told me, saying, ‘Behold, Saul is dead,’ thinking to have brought good tidings, I took hold of him, and slew him in Ziklag, who thought that I would have given him a reward for his tidings.

11 How much more, when wicked men have slain a righteous person in his own house upon his bed? Shall I not therefore now require his blood of your hand, and take you away from the earth?”

12 And Dawid commanded his young men, and they slew them, and cut off their hands and their feet, and hanged them up over the pool in Hebron. But they took the head of Ishbosheth, and buried it in the sepulchre of Abner in Hebron.

5

1 Then came all the tribes of Yisrael to Dawid unto Hebron, and spake, saying, “Behold, we are your bone and your flesh.

2 Also in time past, when Saul was king over us, you wast he that leddest out and broughtest in Yisrael; and יהוה said to you, ‘You shalt feed my people Yisrael, and you shalt be a captain over Yisrael.’”

3 So all the elders of Yisrael came to the king to Hebron; and king Dawid made a league with them in Hebron before יהוה. And they anointed Dawid king over Yisrael.

4 Dawid was thirty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned forty years.

5 In Hebron he reigned over Judah (Yehudah) seven years and six months; and in Jerusalem (Yerushalayim) he reigned thirty and three years over all Yisrael and Judah (Yehudah).

6 And the king and his men went to Jerusalem (Yerushalayim) unto the Yevusis, the inhabitants of the land, who spake unto Dawid, saying, “Except you take away the blind and the lame, you shalt not come in hither;” thinking, “Dawid cannot come in hither.”

7 Nevertheless Dawid took the strong hold of Zion (Tsiyon); the same is the city of Dawid.

8 And Dawid said on that day, “Whosoever getteth up to the gutter, and smiteth the Yevusis, and the lame and the blind, that are hated of Dawid’s soul, he shall be chief and captain.” Wherefore they said, “The blind and the lame shall not come into the house.”

9 So Dawid dwelt in the fort, and called it the city of Dawid. And Dawid built round about from Millo and inward.

10 And Dawid went on, and grew great, and יהוה God of hosts (Elohei Tsevaot) was with him.

11 And Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to Dawid, and cedar trees, and carpenters, and masons; and they built Dawid a house.

12 And Dawid perceived that יהוה had established him king over Yisrael, and that He had exalted His kingdom for His people Yisrael’s sake.

13 And Dawid took him more concubines and wives out of Jerusalem (Yerushalayim), after he was come from Hebron. And there were yet sons and daughters born to Dawid.

14 And these be the names of those that were born unto him in Jerusalem (Yerushalayim): Shammua, and Shobab, and Nathan, and Solomon (Shelomoh),

15 Ibhar also, and Elishua, and Nepheg, and Yafiya,

16 And Elishama, and Eliada, and Eliphalet.

17 But when the Philistines heard that they had anointed Dawid king over Yisrael, all the Philistines came up to seek Dawid; and Dawid heard of it, and went down to the hold.

18 The Philistines also came and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim.

19 And Dawid enquired of יהוה, saying, “Shall I go up to the Philistines? Wilt you deliver them into mine hand?” And יהוה said unto Dawid, “Go up, for I will doubtless deliver the Philistines into your hand.”

20 And Dawid came to Baal Perazim, and Dawid smote them there, and said, “יהוה hath broken forth upon mine enemies before me, as the breach of waters.” Therefore he called the name of that place Baal Perazim.

21 And there they left their images, and Dawid and his men burned them.

22 And the Philistines came up yet again, and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim.

23 And when Dawid enquired of יהוה, he said, “You shalt not go up; but fetch a compass behind them, and come upon them opposite the mulberry trees.

24 And let it be, when you hearest the sound of a going in the tops of the mulberry trees, that then you shalt bestir yourself; for then shall יהוה go out before you, to smite the army of the Philistines.”

25 And Dawid did so, as יהוה had commanded him; and smote the Philistines from Geba until you come to Gazer.

6

1 Again, Dawid gathered together all the chosen men of Yisrael, thirty thousand.

2 And Dawid arose, and went with all the people that were with him from Baale of Judah (Yehudah), to bring up from thence the ark of God (Elohim), whose name is called by the name of יהוה of hosts (YHWH Tsevaot) who dwelleth between the cherubims (keruvim).

3 And they set the ark of God (Elohim) upon a new cart, and brought it out of the house of Abinadab that was in Gibeah; and Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, drave the new cart.

4 And they brought it out of the house of Abinadab which was at Gibeah, accompanying the ark of God (Elohim); and Ahio went before the ark.

5 And Dawid and all the house of Yisrael played before יהוה on all manner of instruments made of fir wood, even on harps, and on psalteries, and on timbrels, and on cornets, and on cymbals.

6 And when they came to Nachon’s threshingfloor, Uzzah put forth his hand to the ark of God (Elohim), and took hold of it; for the oxen shook it.

7 And the anger of יהוה was kindled against Uzzah; and God (Elohim) smote him there for his error; and there he died by the ark of God (Elohim).

8 And Dawid was displeased, because יהוה had made a breach upon Uzzah; and he called the name of the place Perezuzzah to this day.

9 And Dawid was afraid of יהוה that day, and said, “How shall the ark of יהוה come to me?”

10 So Dawid would not remove the ark of יהוה unto him into the city of Dawid; but Dawid carried it aside into the house of Oved-Edom the Gittite.

11 And the ark of יהוה continued in the house of Oved-Edom the Gittite three months; and יהוה blessed Oved-Edom, and all his household.

12 And it was told king Dawid, saying, “יהוה hath blessed the house of Oved-Edom, and all that pertaineth unto him, because of the ark of God (Elohim).” So Dawid went and brought up the ark of God (Elohim) from the house of Oved-Edom into the city of Dawid with gladness.

13 And it was so, that when they that bare the ark of יהוה had gone six paces, he sacrificed oxen and fatlings.

14 And Dawid danced before יהוה with all his might; and Dawid was girded with a linen ephod.

15 So Dawid and all the house of Yisrael brought up the ark of יהוה with shouting, and with the sound of the shofar.

16 And as the ark of יהוה came into the city of Dawid, Michal Saul’s daughter looked through a window, and saw King Dawid leaping and dancing before יהוה; and she despised him in her heart.

17 And they brought in the ark of יהוה, and set it in his place, in the midst of the tabernacle that Dawid had pitched for it; and Dawid offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before יהוה.

18 And as soon as Dawid had made an end of offering burnt offerings and peace offerings, he blessed the people in the name of יהוה Tsevaot.

19 And he dealt among all the people, even among the whole multitude of Yisrael, as well to the women as men, to every one a cake of bread, and a good piece of flesh, and a flagon of wine. So all the people departed every one to his house.

20 Then Dawid returned to bless his household. And Michal the daughter of Saul came out to meet Dawid, and said, “How glorious was the king of Yisrael today, who uncovered himself today in the eyes of the handmaids of his servants, as one of the vain fellows shamelessly uncovereth himself!”

21 And Dawid said unto Michal, “It was before יהוה, who chose me before your father, and before all his house, to appoint me ruler over the people of יהוה, over Yisrael; therefore will I play before יהוה.

22 And I will yet be more vile than thus, and will be base in mine own sight; and of the maidservants which you have spoken of, of them shall I be had in honor.”

23 Therefore Michal the daughter of Saul had no child unto the day of her death.

7

1 And it came to pass, when the king sat in his house, and יהוה had given him rest round about from all his enemies;

2 That the king said unto Nathan the prophet, “See now, I dwell in a house of cedar, but the ark of God (Elohim) dwelleth within curtains.”

3 And Nathan said to the king, “Go, do all that is in your heart; for יהוה is with you.”

4 And it came to pass that night, that the word of יהוה came unto Nathan, saying,

5 “Go and tell My servant Dawid,’ Thus saith יהוה: “Shalt you build a house for Me to dwell in?

6 Whereas I have not dwelt in any house since the time that I brought up the children of Yisrael out of Egypt (Mitsrayim), even to this day, but have walked in a tent and in a tabernacle.

7 In all the places wherein I have walked with all the children of Yisrael spake I a word with any of the tribes of Yisrael, whom I commanded to feed My people Yisrael, saying, ‘Why build you not Me a house of cedar?’”’

8 Now therefore so shalt you say unto My servant Dawid, ‘Thus saith יהוה of hosts (YHWH Tsevaot): “I took you from the sheepcote, from following the sheep, to be ruler over My people, over Yisrael.

9 And I was with you whithersoever you wentest, and have cut off all your enemies out of your sight, and have made you a great name, like unto the name of the great men that are in the earth.

10 Moreover I will appoint a place for My people Yisrael, and will plant them, that they may dwell in a place of their own, and move no more; neither shall the children of wickedness afflict them any more, as beforetime,

11 And as since the time that I commanded judges to be over My people Yisrael, and have caused you to rest from all your enemies. Also יהוה telleth you that He will make you a house.

12 And when your days be fulfilled, and you shalt sleep with your fathers, I will set up your seed after you, which shall proceed out of your bowels, and I will establish his kingdom.

13 He shall build a house for My name, and I will stablish the throne of his kingdom forever.

14 I will be His father, and he shall be My son. If he commits iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men, and with the stripes of the children of men:

15 But My mercy shall not depart away from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away before you.

16 And your house and your kingdom shall be established forever before you; your throne shall be established forever.”’”

17 According to all these words, and according to all this vision, so did Nathan speak unto Dawid.

18 Then went King Dawid in, and sat before יהוה, and he said, “Who am I, O Lord (Adonai) יהוה? And what is my house, that You have brought me hitherto?

19 And this was yet a small thing in Your sight, O Lord (Adonai) יהוה; but You have spoken also of Your servant’s house for a great while to come. And is this the manner of man, O Lord (Adonai) יהוה?

20 And what can Dawid say more unto You? For You, Lord (Adonai) יהוה, knowest Your servant.

21 For Your word’s sake, and according to Your own heart, have You done all these great things, to make Your servant know them.

22 Wherefore You are great, O Lord (Adonai) יהוה; for there is none like You, neither is there any God (Elohim) besides You, according to all that we have heard with our ears.

23 And what one nation in the earth is like Your people, even like Yisrael, whom God (Elohim) went to redeem for a people to Himself, and to make Him a name, and to do for you great and awesome things, for Your land, before Your people, which You redeemedst to You from Egypt (Mitsrayim), from the nations and their gods (elohim)?

24 For You have confirmed to Yourself Your people Yisrael to be a people unto You forever; and You, יהוה, art become their God (Elohim).

25 And now, O יהוה God (Elohim), the word that You have spoken concerning Your servant, and concerning his house, establish it forever, and do as You have said.

26 And let Your name be magnified forever, saying, ‘יהוה of hosts (YHWH Tsevaot) is the God (Elohim) over Yisrael; and let the house of Your servant Dawid be established before You.

27 For You, O יהוה of hosts (YHWH Tsevaot), God of Israel (Elohei Yisrael), hast revealed to Your servant, saying, ‘I will build You a house.’ Therefore hath Your servant found in his heart to pray this prayer unto You.

28 And now, O Lord (Adonai) יהוה, You are that God (Elohim), and Your words be true, and You have promised this goodness unto Your servant.

29 Therefore now let it please You to bless the house of Your servant, that it may continue forever before You; for You, O Lord (Adonai) יהוה, hast spoken it; and with Your blessing let the house of Your servant be blessed forever.”

8

1 And after this it came to pass, that Dawid smote the Philistines, and subdued them; and Dawid took Methegammah out of the hand of the Philistines.

2 And he smote Moav, and measured them with a line, casting them down to the ground; even with two lines measured he to put to death, and with one full line to keep alive. And so the Moavites became Dawid’s servants, and brought gifts.

3 Dawid smote also Hadadezer, the son of Rehob, king of Zobah, as he went to recover his border at the river Euphrates.

4 And Dawid took from him a thousand chariots, and seven hundred horsemen, and twenty thousand footmen: and Dawid houghed all the chariot horses, but reserved of them for a hundred chariots.

5 And when the Syrians (Arammim) of Damascus (Dammeseq) came to succour Hadadezer king of Zobah, Dawid slew of the Syrians (Arammim) two and twenty thousand men.

6 Then Dawid put garrisons in Syria (Aram) of Damascus (Dammeseq); and the Syrians (Arammim) became servants to Dawid, and brought gifts. And יהוה preserved Dawid whithersoever he went.

7 And Dawid took the shields of gold that were on the servants of Hadadezer, and brought them to Jerusalem (Yerushalayim).

8 And from Betah, and from Berothai, cities of Hadadezer, King Dawid took exceeding much brass.

9 When Toi king of Hamath heard that Dawid had smitten all the army of Hadadezer,

10 Then Toi sent Yoram his son unto King Dawid, to salute him, and to bless him, because he had fought against Hadadezer, and smitten him; for Hadadezer had wars with Toi. And Yoram brought with him vessels of silver, and vessels of gold, and vessels of brass.

11 Which also King Dawid did dedicate unto יהוה, with the silver and gold that he had dedicated of all nations which he subdued;

12 Of Syria (Aram), and of Moav, and of the children of Ammon, and of the Philistines, and of Amalek, and of the spoil of Hadadezer, son of Rehob, king of Zobah.

13 And Dawid gat him a name when he returned from smiting of the Syrians (Arammim) in the valley of salt, being eighteen thousand men.

14 And he put garrisons in Edom; throughout all Edom put he garrisons, and all they of Edom became Dawid’s servants. And יהוה preserved Dawid whithersoever he went.

15 And Dawid reigned over all Yisrael; and Dawid executed judgment and justice unto all his people.

16 And Yoav the son of Tseruyah was over the army; and Yehoshafat the son of Ahilud was recorder;

17 And Zadok the son of Ahitub, and Ahimelech the son of Aviyahthar, were the priests (kohanim); and Serayah was the scribe;

18 And Benayah the son of Yehoyada was over both the Cherethites and the Pelethites; and Dawid’s sons were chief rulers.

9

1 And Dawid said, “Is there yet any that is left of the house of Saul, that I may shew him kindness for Jonathan (Yehonatan)’s sake?”

2 And there was of the house of Saul a servant whose name was Ziba. “And when they had called him unto Dawid, the king said unto him, “Are you Ziba?” And he said, “Your servant is he.”

3 And the king said, “Is there not yet any of the house of Saul, that I may shew the kindness of God (Elohim) unto him?” And Ziba said unto the king, “Jonathan (Yehonatan) hath yet a son, who is lame on his feet.”

4 And the king said unto him, “Where is he?” And Ziba said unto the king, “Behold, he is in the house of Machir, the son of Ammiel, in Lodebar.”

5 Then King Dawid sent, and fetched him out of the house of Machir, the son of Ammiel, from Lodebar.

6 Now when Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan (Yehonatan), the son of Saul, was come unto Dawid, he fell on his face, and did reverence. And Dawid said, “Mephibosheth.” And he answered, “Behold your servant!”

7 And Dawid said unto him, “Fear not, for I will surely shew you kindness for Jonathan (Yehonatan) your father’s sake, and will restore you all the land of Saul your father; and you shalt eat bread at my table continually.”

8 And he bowed himself, and said, “What is your servant, that you shouldest look upon such a dead dog as I am?”

9 Then the king called to Ziba, Saul’s servant, and said unto him, “I have given unto your master’s son all that pertained to Saul and to all his house.

10 You therefore, and your sons, and your servants, shall till the land for him, and you shalt bring in the fruits, that your master’s son may have food to eat; but Mephibosheth your master’s son shall eat bread always at my table.” Now Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants.

11 Then said Ziba unto the king, “According to all that my lord (adoni) the king hath commanded his servant, so shall your servant do. As for Mephibosheth,” said the king, “he shall eat at my table, as one of the king’s sons.”

12 And Mephibosheth had a young son, whose name was Micha. And all that dwelt in the house of Ziba were servants unto Mephibosheth.

13 So Mephibosheth dwelt in Jerusalem (Yerushalayim), for he did eat continually at the king’s table; and was lame on both his feet.

10

1 And it came to pass after this, that the king of the children of Ammon died, and Hanun his son reigned in his stead.

2 Then said Dawid, “I will shew kindness unto Hanun the son of Nahash, as his father shewed kindness unto me.” And Dawid sent to comfort him by the hand of his servants for his father. And Dawid’s servants came into the land of the children of Ammon.

3 And the princes of the children of Ammon said unto Hanun their lord (adon), “Thinkest you that Dawid doth honor your father, that he hath sent comforters unto you? Hath not Dawid rather sent his servants unto you, to search the city, and to spy it out, and to overthrow it?”

4 Wherefore Hanun took Dawid’s servants, and shaved off the one half of their beards, and cut off their garments in the middle, even to their buttocks, and sent them away.

5 When they told it unto Dawid, he sent to meet them, because the men were greatly ashamed; and the king said, “Tarry at Yericho until your beards be grown, and then return.”

6 And when the children of Ammon saw that they stank before Dawid, the children of Ammon sent and hired the Syrians (Arammim) of Bethrehob, and the Syrians (Arammim) of Zoba, twenty thousand footmen, and of King Maacah a thousand men, and of Ish-Tov twelve thousand men.

7 And when Dawid heard of it, he sent Yoav, and all the army of the mighty men.

8 And the children of Ammon came out, and put the battle in array at the entering in of the gate; and the Syrians (Arammim) of Zoba, and of Rehob, and Ish-Tov, and Maacah, were by themselves in the field.

9 When Yoav saw that the front of the battle was against him before and behind, he chose of all the choice men of Yisrael, and put them in array against the Syrians (Arammim).

10 And the rest of the people he delivered into the hand of Avishai his brother, that he might put them in array against the children of Ammon.

11 And he said, “If the Syrians (Arammim) be too strong for me, then you shalt help me: but if the children of Ammon be too strong for you, then I will come and help you.

12 Be of good courage, and let us play the men for our people, and for the cities of our God (Elohim); and יהוה do that which seemeth Him good.”

13 And Yoav drew near, and the people that were with him, unto the battle against the Syrians (Arammim); and they fled before him.

14 And when the children of Ammon saw that the Syrians (Arammim) were fled, then fled they also before Avishai, and entered into the city. So Yoav returned from the children of Ammon, and came to Jerusalem (Yerushalayim).

15 And when the Syrian (Arammi) saw that they were smitten before Yisrael, they gathered themselves together.

16 And Hadarezer sent, and brought out the Syrias (Aram) that were beyond the river; and they came to Helam; and Shobach the captain of the army of Hadarezer went before them.

17 And when it was told Dawid, he gathered all Yisrael together, and passed over Jordan (Yarden), and came to Helam. And the Syrians (Arammim) set themselves in array against Dawid, and fought with him.

18 And the Syrians (Arammim) fled before Yisrael; and Dawid slew the men of seven hundred chariots of the Syrians (Arammim), and forty thousand horsemen, and smote Shobach the captain of their army, who died there.

19 And when all the kings that were servants to Hadarezer saw that they were smitten before Yisrael, they made peace with Yisrael, and served them. So the Syrians (Arammim) feared to help the children of Ammon anymore.

11

1 And it came to pass, after the year was expired, at the time when kings go forth to battle, that Dawid sent Yoav, and his servants with him, and all Yisrael; and they destroyed the children of Ammon, and besieged Rabbah. But Dawid tarried still at Jerusalem (Yerushalayim).

2 And it came to pass in an eveningtide, that Dawid arose from off his bed, and walked upon the roof of the king’s house; and from the roof he saw a woman washing herself; and the woman was very beautiful to look upon.

3 And Dawid sent and enquired after the woman. And one said, “Is not this Bat-Sheva, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriyah the Hittite?”

4 And Dawid sent messengers, and took her; and she came in unto him, and he lay with her; for she was purified from her uncleanness; and she returned unto her house.

5 And the woman conceived, and sent and told Dawid, and said, “I am with child.”

6 And Dawid sent to Yoav, saying, “Send me Uriyah the Hittite.” And Yoav sent Uriyah to Dawid.

7 And when Uriyah was come unto him, Dawid demanded of him how Yoav did, and how the people did, and how the war prospered.

8 And Dawid said to Uriyah Uriyah, “Go down to your house, and wash your feet.” And Uriyah departed out of the king’s house, and there followed him a mess of meat from the king.

9 But Uriyah slept at the door of the king’s house with all the servants of his lord (adon), and went not down to his house.

10 And when they had told Dawid, saying, “Uriyah went not down unto his house,” Dawid said unto Uriyah, “Camest you not from your journey? Why then didst you not go down unto your house?”

11 And Uriyah said unto Dawid, “The ark, and Yisrael, and Judah (Yehudah), abide in tents; and my lord (adoni) Yoav, and the servants of my lord (adoni), are encamped in the open fields; shall I then go into mine house, to eat and to drink, and to lie with my wife? As you livest, and as your soul liveth, I will not do this thing.”

12 And Dawid said to Uriyah, “Tarry here today also, and tomorrow I will let you depart.” So Uriyah abode in Jerusalem (Yerushalayim) that day, and the next day.

13 And when Dawid had called him, he did eat and drink before him; and he made him drunk: and at even he went out to lie on his bed with the servants of his lord (adon), but went not down to his house.

14 And it came to pass in the morning, that Dawid wrote a letter to Yoav, and sent it by the hand of Uriyah.

15 And he wrote in the letter, saying, “Set you Uriyah in the forefront of the hottest battle, and retire you from him, that he may be smitten, and die.”

16 And it came to pass, when Yoav observed the city, that he assigned Uriyah unto a place where he knew that valiant men were.

17 And the men of the city went out, and fought with Yoav; and there fell some of the people of the servants of Dawid; and Uriyah the Hittite died also.

18 Then Yoav sent and told Dawid all the things concerning the war;

19 And charged the messenger, saying, “When you have made an end of telling the matters of the war unto the king,

20 And if so be that the king’s wrath arises, and he say unto you: ‘Wherefore approached you so near unto the city when you did fight? Knew you not that they would shoot from the wall?

21 Who smote Abimelech (Avimelekh) the son of Yerubeshet? Did not a woman cast a piece of a millstone upon him from the wall, that he died in Thebez? Why went you near the wall?’ Then say you, ‘Your servant Uriyah the Hittite is dead also.’”

22 So the messenger went, and came and shewed Dawid all that Yoav had sent him for.

23 And the messenger said unto Dawid, “Surely the men prevailed against us, and came out unto us into the field, and we were upon them even unto the entering of the gate.

24 And the shooters shot from off the wall upon your servants; and some of the king’s servants be dead, and your servant Uriyah the Hittite is dead also.”

25 Then Dawid said unto the messenger, “Thus shalt you say unto Yoav: ‘Let not this thing displease you, for the sword devoureth one as well as another; make your battle more strong against the city, and overthrow it.’ So encourage you him.”

26 And when the wife of Uriyah heard that Uriyah her husband was dead, she mourned for her husband.

27 And when the mourning was past, Dawid sent and fetched her to his house, and she became his wife, and bare him a son. But the thing that Dawid had done displeased יהוה.

12

1 And יהוה sent Nathan unto Dawid. 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 herds.

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 his 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 wayfaring man that was come unto him; but took the poor man’s lamb, and dressed it for the man that was come to him.”

5 And Dawid’s anger was greatly kindled against the man; and he said to Nathan, “As יהוה 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 Dawid, “You are the man. Thus saith יהוה God of Israel (Elohei Yisrael): ‘I anointed you king over Yisrael, and I delivered you out of the hand of Saul;

8 And I gave you your master’s house, and your master’s wives into your bosom, and gave you the house of Yisrael and of Judah (Yehudah); and if that had been too little, I would moreover have given unto you such and such things.

9 Wherefore have you despised the commandment of יהוה, to do evil in His sight? You have killed Uriyah the Hittite with the sword, and hast taken his wife to be your wife, and hast slain him with the sword of the children of Ammon.

10 Now therefore the sword shall never depart from your house; because you have despised Me, and hast taken the wife of Uriyah the Hittite to be your wife.’

11 Thus saith יהוה: ‘Behold, I will raise up evil against you out of your own house, and I will take your wives before your eyes, and give them unto your neighbour, and he shall lie with your wives in the sight of this sun.

12 For you didst it secretly; but I will do this thing before all Yisrael, and before the sun.’”

13 And Dawid said unto Nathan, “I have sinned against יהוה. And Nathan said unto Dawid,” יהוה also hath put away your sin; you shalt not die.

14 Howbeit, because by this deed you have given great occasion to the enemies of יהוה to blaspheme, the child also that is born unto you shall surely die.”

15 And Nathan departed unto his house. And יהוה struck the child that Uriyah’s wife bare unto Dawid, and it was very sick.

16 Dawid therefore besought God (Elohim) for the child; and Dawid 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.

18 And it came to pass on the seventh day, that the child died. And the servants of Dawid feared to tell him that the child was dead; for they said, “Behold, while the child was yet alive, we spake unto him, and he would not hearken unto our voice; how will he then vex himself, if we tell him that the child is dead?”

19 But when Dawid saw that his servants whispered, Dawid perceived that the child was dead; therefore Dawid said unto his servants, “Is the child dead?” And they said, “He is dead.”

20 Then Dawid arose from the earth, and washed, and anointed himself, and changed his apparel, and came into the house of יהוה, and worshipped; then he came to his own house; and when he required, they set food before him, and he did eat.

21 Then said his servants unto him, “What thing is this that you have done? You didst fast and weep for the child, while it was alive; but when the child was dead, you didst rise and eat food.”

22 And he said, “While the child was yet alive, I fasted and wept; for I said, ‘Who can tell whether יהוה will be gracious to me, that the child may live?’

23 But now he is dead, why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me.”

24 And Dawid comforted Bat-Sheva his wife, and went in unto her, and lay with her; and she bare a son, and he called his name N39Solomon (Shelomoh); and יהוה loved him.

25 And he sent by the hand of Nathan the prophet; and he called his name N37Yedidyah (beloved of Yahwah), because of יהוה.

26 And Yoav fought against Rabbah of the children of Ammon, and took the royal city.

27 And Yoav sent messengers to Dawid, 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; lest I take the city, and it be called after my name.”

29 And Dawid gathered all the people together, and went to Rabbah, 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 Dawid’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 harrows of iron, and under axes of iron, and made them pass through the brickkiln; and thus did he unto all the cities of the children of Ammon. So Dawid and all the people returned unto Jerusalem (Yerushalayim).

13

1 And it came to pass after this, that Avshalom the son of Dawid had a fair sister, whose name was Tamar; and Amnon the son of Dawid loved her.

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 Yonadav, the son of Shimeah Dawid’s brother; and Yonadav was a very subtil man.

4 And he said unto him, “Why are you, being the king’s son, lean from day to day? Wilt you not tell me?” And Amnon said unto him, “I love Tamar, my brother Avshalom’s sister.”

5 And Yonadav said unto him, “Lay you down on your bed, and make yourself sick; and when your father cometh to see you, say unto him, ‘Please 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 him, Amnon said unto the king, ‘Please let Tamar my sister come, and make me a couple of cakes in my sight, that I may eat at her hand.”

7 Then Dawid sent home to Tamar, saying, “Go now to your brother Amnon’s house, and dress him food.”

8 So Tamar went to her brother Amnon’s house; and he was laid down. And she took flour, and kneaded it, 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 food into the chamber, that I may eat of your hand.” And Tamar took the cakes which she had made, and brought them into the chamber to Amnon her brother.

11 And when she had brought them unto him to eat, he took hold of her, and said unto her, “Come 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 Yisrael; do not you this folly!

13 And I, whither shall I cause my shame to go? And as for you, you shalt be as one of the fools in Yisrael. Now therefore, please speak unto the king; for he will not withhold me from you.”

14 Howbeit he would not hearken unto her voice; but, being stronger than she, forced her, and lay with her.

15 Then Amnon 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, be gone.”

16 And she said unto him, “There is no cause; this evil in sending me away is greater than the other that you didst unto me.” But he would not hearken unto her.

17 Then he called his servant that ministered unto him, and said, “Put now this woman 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 crying.

20 And Avshalom her brother said unto her, “Hath Amnon your brother been with you? But hold now your peace, my sister; he is your brother; regard not this thing.” So Tamar remained desolate in her brother Avshalom’s house.

21 But when King Dawid heard of all these things, he was very wroth.

22 And Avshalom spake unto his brother Amnon neither good nor bad; for Avshalom hated Amnon, because he had forced his sister Tamar.

23 And it came to pass after two full years, that Avshalom had sheepshearers in Baalhazor, which is beside Efrayim; and Avshalom invited all the king’s sons.

24 And Avshalom came to the king, and said, “Behold now, your servant hath sheepshearers; let the king, I beseech you, and his servants go with your servant.”

25 And the king said to Avshalom, “Nay, my son, let us not all now go, lest we be chargeable unto you.” And he pressed him; howbeit he would not go, but blessed him.

26 Then said Avshalom, “If not, please let my brother Amnon go with us.” And the king said unto him, “Why should he go with you?”

27 But Avshalom pressed him, that he let Amnon and all the king’s sons go with him.

28 Now Avshalom had commanded his servants, saying, “Mark you 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 Avshalom did unto Amnon as Avshalom had commanded. Then all the king’s sons arose, and every man gat him up upon his mule, and fled.

30 And it came to pass, while they were in the way, that tidings came to Dawid, saying, “Avshalom 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 Yonadav, the son of Shimeah Dawid’s brother, answered and said, “Let not my lord (adoni) suppose that they have slain all the young men the king’s sons; for Amnon only is dead; for by the appointment of Avshalom this hath been determined from the day that he forced his sister Tamar.

33 Now therefore let not my lord (adoni) the king takes the thing to his heart, to think that all the king’s sons are dead; for Amnon only is dead.”

34 But Avshalom fled. And the young man that kept the watch lifted up his eyes, and looked, and, behold, there came much people by the way of the hill side behind him.

35 And Yonadav said unto the king, “Behold, the king’s sons come; as your 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 very sore.

37 But Avshalom fled, and went to Talmai, the son of Ammihud, king of Geshur. And Dawid mourned for his son every day.

38 So Avshalom fled, and went to Geshur, and was there three years.

39 And the soul of king Dawid longed to go forth unto Avshalom; for he was comforted concerning Amnon, seeing he was dead.

14

1 Now Yoav the son of Tseruyah perceived that the king’s heart was toward Avshalom.

2 And Yoav sent to Tekoah, and fetched thence a wise woman, and said unto her, “Please feign yourself to be a mourner, and put on now mourning apparel, and anoint not yourself with oil, but be as a woman that had a long time mourned for the dead.

3 And come to the king, and speak on this manner unto him.” So Yoav put the words in her mouth.

4 And when the woman of Tekoah spake to the king, she fell on her face to the ground, and did obeisance, and said, “Help, O king!”

5 And the king said unto her, “What aileth you?” And she answered, “I am indeed a widow woman, and mine husband is dead.

6 And your 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 your handmaid, and they said, ‘Deliver him that smote his 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 left, and shall not leave to my husband neither name nor remainder upon the earth.”

8 And the king said unto the woman, “Go to your house, and I will give charge concerning you.”

9 And the woman of Tekoah said unto the king, “My lord (Adoni), O king, the iniquity be on me, and on my father’s house; and the king and his throne be guiltless.”

10 And the king said, “Whosoever saith ought unto you, bring him to me, and he shall not touch you any more.”

11 Then said she, “Please let the king remember יהוה your God (Elohim), that you wouldest not allow the revengers of blood to destroy anymore, lest they destroy my son.” And he said, “As יהוה liveth, there shall not one hair of your son fall to the earth.”

12 Then the woman said, “Let your handmaid, please speak one word unto my lord (adoni) the king.” And he said, “Say on.”

13 And the woman said: “Why then have you thought such a thing against the people of God (Elohim)? For the king doth speak this thing as one which is faulty, in that the king doth not fetch home again his banished.

14 For we must needs die, and are as water spilt on the ground, which cannot be gathered up again; neither doth God (Elohim) respect any person; yet doth he devises means, that his banished be not expelled from him.

15 Now therefore that I am come to speak of this thing unto my lord (adoni) the king, it is because the people have made me afraid; and your 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 hand of the man that would destroy me and my son together out of the inheritance of God (Elohim).’

17 Then your handmaid said, ‘The word of my lord (adoni) the king shall now be comfortable; for as an angel of God (Elohim), so is my lord (adoni) the king to discern good and bad; therefore יהוה your God (Elohim) will be with you.’”

18 Then the king answered and said unto the woman, “Please hide not from me the thing that I shall ask you.” And the woman said, “Let my lord (adoni) the king now speaks.”

19 And the king said, “Is not the hand of Yoav with you in all this?” And the woman answered and said, “As your soul liveth, my lord (adoni) the king, none can turn to the right hand or to the left from ought that my lord (adoni) the king hath spoken; for your servant Yoav, he bade me, and he put all these words in the mouth of your handmaid.

20 To fetch about this form of speech hath your servant Yoav done this thing; and my lord (adoni) is wise, according to the wisdom of an angel of God (Elohim), to know all things that are in the earth.”

21 And the king said unto Yoav, “Behold now, I have done this thing; go therefore, bring the young man Avshalom again.”

22 And Yoav fell to the ground on his face, and bowed himself, and thanked the king; and Yoav said, “Today your servant knoweth that I have found grace in your sight, my lord (adoni), O king, in that the king hath fulfilled the request of his servant.”

23 So Yoav arose and went to Geshur, and brought Avshalom to Jerusalem (Yerushalayim).

24 And the king said, “Let him turn to his own house, and let him not see my face.” So Avshalom returned to his own house, and saw not the king’s face.

25 But in all Yisrael there was none to be so much praised as Avshalom 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 Avshalom there were born three sons, and one daughter, whose name was Tamar: she was a woman of a fair countenance.

28 So Avshalom dwelt two full years in Jerusalem (Yerushalayim), and saw not the king’s face.

29 Therefore Avshalom sent for Yoav, to have sent him to the king; but he would not come to him; and when he sent again the second time, he would not come.

30 Therefore he said unto his servants, “See, Yoav’s field is near mine, and he hath barley there; go and set it on fire.” And Avshalom’s servants set the field on fire.

31 Then Yoav arose, and came to Avshalom unto his house, and said unto him, “Wherefore have your servants set my field on fire?”

32 And Avshalom answered Yoav, “Behold, I sent unto you, saying, ‘Come hither, that I may send you to the king, to say, “Why am I come from Geshur? it had been good for me to have been there still.”’ Now therefore let me see the king’s face; and if there be any iniquity in me, let him kill me.”

33 So Yoav came to the king, and told him; and when he had called for Avshalom, he came to the king, and bowed himself on his face to the ground before the king; and the king kissed Avshalom.

15

1 And it came to pass after this, that Avshalom prepared him chariots and horses, and fifty men to run before him.

2 And Avshalom 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 Avshalom called unto him, and said, “Of what city are you?” And he said, “Your servant is of one of the tribes of Yisrael.”

3 And Avshalom said unto him, “See, your matters are good and right; but there is no man deputed of the king to hear you.”

4 Avshalom said moreover, “Oh that I were made judge in the land, that every man who 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 near to him to do him obeisance, he put forth his hand, and took him, and kissed him.

6 And on this manner did Avshalom to all Yisrael that came to the king for judgment; so Avshalom stole the hearts of the men of Yisrael.

7 And it came to pass after forty years, that Avshalom said unto the king, “Please let me go and pay my vow, which I have vowed unto יהוה, in Hebron.

8 For your servant vowed a vow while I abode at Geshur in Syria (Aram), saying, ‘If יהוה shall bring me again indeed to Jerusalem (Yerushalayim), then I will serve יהוה.’”

9 And the king said unto him, “Go in peace.” So he arose, and went to Hebron.

10 But Avshalom sent spies throughout all the tribes of Yisrael, saying, “As soon as you hear the sound of the shofar, then you shall say, ‘Avshalom reigneth in Hebron!’”

11 And with Avshalom went two hundred men out of Jerusalem (Yerushalayim), that were called; and they went in their simplicity, and they knew not any thing.

12 And Avshalom sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, Dawid’s counsellor, from his city, even from Giloh, while he offered sacrifices. And the conspiracy was strong; for the people increased continually with Avshalom.

13 And there came a messenger to Dawid, saying, “The hearts of the men of Yisrael are after Avshalom.”

14 And Dawid said unto all his servants that were with him at Jerusalem (Yerushalayim), “Arise, and let us flee; for we shall not else escape from Avshalom; make speed to depart, lest he overtake us suddenly, and bring evil upon us, and smite the city with the edge of the sword.”

15 And the king’s servants said unto the king, “Behold, your servants are ready to do whatsoever my lord (adoni) the king shall appoint.”

16 And the king went forth, and all his household after him. And the king left ten women, which were concubines, 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.

18 And all his servants passed on beside him; and all the Cherethites, and all the Pelethites, and all the Gittites, six hundred men which came after him from Gath, passed on before the king.

19 Then said the king to Ittai the Gittite, “Why goest you also with us? Return to your place, and abide with the king; for you are a stranger, and also an exile.

20 Whereas you camest but yesterday, should I this day make you go up and down with us? Seeing I go whither I may, return you, and take back your brethren; mercy and truth be with you.”

21 And Ittai answered the king, and said, “As יהוה liveth, and as my lord (adoni) the king liveth, surely in what place my lord (adoni) the king shall be, whether in death or life, even there also will your servant be.”

22 And Dawid said to Ittai, “Go and pass over.” And Ittai the Gittite passed over, 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 behold Zadok also, and all the Levites (Lewiyim) were with him, bearing the ark of the covenant of God (Elohim); and they set down the ark of God (Elohim); and Aviyahthar 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 (Elohim) into the city; if I shall find favor in the eyes of יהוה, He will bring me again, and shew me both it, and His habitation.

26 But if He thus say, ‘I have no delight in you;’ behold, here am I, let Him do to me as seemeth good unto Him.”

27 The king said also unto Zadok the priest (kohen), “Art not you a seer? Return into the city in peace, and your two sons with you, Ahimaaz your son, and Jonathan (Yehonatan) the son of Aviyahthar.

28 See, I will tarry in the plain of the wilderness, until there come word from you to certify me.”

29 Zadok therefore and Aviyahthar carried the ark of God (Elohim) again to Jerusalem (Yerushalayim); and they tarried there.

30 And Dawid went up by the ascent of mount Olivet, and wept as he went up, and had his head covered, and he went barefoot; and all the people that was with him covered every man his head, and they went up, weeping as they went up.

31 And one told Dawid, saying, “Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Avshalom.” And Dawid said, “O יהוה, please turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness!”

32 And it came to pass, that when Dawid was come to the top of the mount, where he worshipped God (Elohim), behold, Hushai the Archite came to meet him with his coat rent, and earth upon his head.

33 Unto whom Dawid said, “If you passest on with me, then you shalt be a burden unto me.

34 But if you return to the city, and say unto Avshalom, ‘I will be your servant, O king; as I have been your father’s servant hitherto, so will I now also be your servant,’ then mayest you for me defeat the counsel of Ahithophel.

35 And have you not there with you Zadok and Aviyahthar the priests (kohanim)? Therefore it shall be, that what thing soever you shalt hear out of the king’s house, you shalt tell it to Zadok and Aviyahthar the priests (kohanim).

36 Behold, they have there with them their two sons, Ahimaaz Zadok’s son, and Jonathan (Yehonatan) Aviyah-thar’s son; and by them you shall send unto me every thing that you can hear.”

37 So Hushai Dawid’s friend came into the city, and Avshalom came into Jerusalem (Yerushalayim).

16

1 And when Dawid 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 a hundred bunches of raisins, and a hundred of summer fruits, and a bottle of wine.

2 And the king said unto Ziba, “What meanest you 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 your master’s son?” And Ziba said unto the king, “Behold, he abideth at Jerusalem (Yerushalayim); for he said, ‘Today shall the house of Yisrael restore me the kingdom of my father.’”

4 Then said the king to Ziba, “Behold, your are all that pertained unto Mephibosheth.” And Ziba said, “I humbly beseech you that I may find grace in your sight, my lord (adoni), O king!”

5 And when King Dawid came to Bahurim, 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 Dawid, and at all the servants of king Dawid; and all the people and all the mighty men were on his right hand and on his left.

7 And thus said Shimei when he cursed: ‘Come out! Come out, you bloody man, and you worthless man!

8 יהוה hath returned upon you all the blood of the house of Saul, in whose stead you have reigned; and יהוה hath delivered the kingdom into the hand of Avshalom your son; and, behold, you are taken in your mischief, because you are a bloody man!”

9 Then said Avishai the son of Tseruyah unto the king, “Why should this dead dog curse my lord (adoni) the king? Please let me go over and take off his head!”

10 And the king said, “What have I to do with you, you sons of Tseruyah? So let him curse, because יהוה hath said unto him, ‘Curse Dawid.’ Who shall then say, ‘Why have you done so?’”

11 And Dawid said to Avishai, and to all his servants, “Behold, my son, which came forth of my bowels, seeketh my life; how much more now may this Benjamin (Binyamin) do it? Let him alone, and let him curse; for יהוה hath bidden him.

12 It may be that יהוה will look on mine affliction, and that יהוה will requite me good for his cursing this day.”

13 And as Dawid and his men went by the way, Shimei went along on the hill’s side opposite him, and cursed as he went, and threw stones at him, and cast dust.

14 And the king, and all the people that were with him, came weary, and refreshed themselves there.

15 And Avshalom, and all the people the men of Yisrael, came to Jerusalem (Yerushalayim), and Ahithophel with him.

16 And it came to pass, when Hushai the Archite, Dawid’s friend, was come unto Avshalom, that Hushai said unto Avshalom, “Long live the king! Long live the king!”

17 And Avshalom said to Hushai, “Is this your kindness to your friend? Why wentest you not with your friend?”

18 And Hushai said unto Avshalom, “Nay, but whom יהוה, and this people, and all the men of Yisrael, choose, his will I be, and with him will I abide.

19 And again, whom should I serve? Should I not serve in the presence of his son? As I have served in your father’s presence, so will I be in your presence.”

20 Then said Avshalom to Ahithophel, “Give counsel among you what we shall do.”

21 And Ahithophel said unto Avshalom, “Go in unto your father’s concubines, which he hath left to keep the house; and all Yisrael shall hear that you are abhorred of your father; then shall the hands of all that are with you be strong.”

22 So they spread Avshalom a tent upon the top of the house; and Avshalom went in unto his father’s concubines in the sight of all Yisrael.

23 And the counsel of Ahithophel, which he counselled in those days, was as if a man had enquired at the oracle of God (Elohim); so was all the counsel of Ahithophel both with Dawid and with Avshalom.

17

1 Moreover Ahithophel said unto Avshalom, “Let me now choose out twelve thousand men, and I will arise and pursue after Dawid this night.

2 And I will come upon him while he is weary and weak handed, and will make him afraid; and all the people that are with him shall flee; and I will smite the king only.

3 And I will bring back all the people unto you; the man whom you seekest is as if all returned; so all the people shall be in peace.”

4 And the saying pleased Avshalom well, and all the elders of Yisrael.

5 Then said Avshalom, “Call now Hushai the Archite also, and let us hear likewise what he saith.”

6 And when Hushai was come to Avshalom, Avshalom spake unto him, saying, “Ahithophel hath spoken after this manner; shall we do after his saying? If not; speak you.”

7 And Hushai said unto Avshalom: “The counsel that Ahithophel hath given is not good at this time.”

8 For, said Hushai, “you knowest your father and his men, that they be mighty men, and they be chafed in their minds, as a bear robbed of her whelps in the field; and your father is a man of war, and will not lodge with the people.

9 Behold, he is hid now in some pit, or in some other place; and it will come to pass, when some of them be overthrown at the first, that whosoever heareth it will say, ‘There is a slaughter among the people that follow Avshalom.’

10 And he also that is valiant, whose heart is as the heart of a lion, shall utterly melt: for all Yisrael knoweth that your father is a mighty man, and they which be with him are valiant men.

11 Therefore I counsel that all Yisrael be generally gathered unto you, from Dan even to Beer-Sheva, as the sand that is by the sea for multitude; and that you go to battle in your own person.

12 So shall we come upon him in some place where he shall be found, and we will light upon him as the dew falleth on the ground; and of him and of all the men that are with him there shall not be left so much as one.

13 Moreover, if he be gotten into a city, then shall all Yisrael bring ropes to that city, and we will draw it into the river, until there be not one small stone found there.”

14 And Avshalom and all the men of Yisrael said, “The counsel of Hushai the Archite is better than the counsel of Ahithophel.” For יהוה had appointed to defeat the good counsel of Ahithophel, to the intent that יהוה might bring evil upon Avshalom.

15 Then said Hushai unto Zadok and to Aviyahthar the priests (kohanim), Thus and thus did Ahithophel counsel Avshalom and the elders of Yisrael; and thus and thus have I counselled.

16 Now therefore send quickly, and tell Dawid, saying, ‘Lodge not this night in the plains of the wilderness, but speedily pass over; lest the king be swallowed up, and all the people that are with him.’”

17 Now Jonathan (Yehonatan) and Ahimaaz stayed by En Rogel; for they might not be seen to come into the city; and a wench went and told them; and they went and told King Dawid.

18 Nevertheless a lad saw them, and told Avshalom; but they went both of them away quickly, and came to a man’s house in Bahurim, which had a well in his court; whither they went down.

19 And the woman took and spread a covering over the well’s mouth, and spread ground corn thereon; and the thing was not known.

20 And when Avshalom’s servants came to the woman to the house, they said, “Where is Ahimaaz and Jonathan (Yehonatan)?” And the woman said unto them, “They be gone over the brook of water.” And when they had sought and could not find them, they returned to Jerusalem (Yerushalayim).

21 And it came to pass, after they were departed, that they came up out of the well, and went and told King Dawid, and said unto Dawid, “Arise, and pass quickly over the water; for thus hath Ahithophel counselled against you.”

22 Then Dawid arose, and all the people that were with him, and they passed over Jordan (Yarden): by the morning light there lacked not one of them that was not gone over Jordan (Yarden).

23 And when Ahithophel saw that his counsel was not followed, he saddled his ass, and arose, and gat him home to his house, to his city, and put his household in order, and hanged himself, and died, and was buried in the sepulchre of his father.

24 Then Dawid came to Mahanaim. And Avshalom passed over Jordan (Yarden), he and all the men of Yisrael with him.

25 And Avshalom made Amasa captain of the army instead of Yoav: which Amasa was a man’s son, whose name was Ithra an Yisraeli, that went in to Avigail the daughter of Nahash, sister to Tseruyah Yoav’s mother.

26 So Yisrael and Avshalom pitched in the land of Gilad.

27 And it came to pass, when Dawid was come to Mahanaim, that Shobi the son of Nahash of Rabbah of the children of Ammon, and Machir the son of Ammiel of Lodebar, and Barzillai the Giladite of Rogelim,

28 Brought beds, and basons, and earthen vessels, and wheat, and barley, and flour, and parched corn, and beans, and lentiles, and parched pulse,

29 And honey, and butter, and sheep, and cheese of kine, for Dawid, and for the people that were with him, to eat; for they said, “The people is hungry, and weary, and thirsty, in the wilderness.”

18

1 And Dawid numbered the people that were with him, and set captains of thousands and captains of hundreds over them.

2 And Dawid sent forth a third part of the people under the hand of Yoav, and a third part under the hand of Avishai the son of Tseruyah, Yoav’s brother, and a third part under the hand of Ittai the Gittite. And the king said unto the people, “I will surely go forth with you myself also.”

3 But the people answered, “You shalt not go forth; for if we flee away, they will not care for us; neither if half of us die, will they care for us. Bbut now you are worth ten thousand of us; therefore now it is better that you succour us out of the city.”

4 And the king said unto them, “What seemeth you best I will do.” And the king stood by the gate side, and all the people came out by hundreds and by thousands.

5 And the king commanded Yoav and Avishai and Ittai, saying, “Deal gently for my sake with the young man, even with Avshalom.” And all the people heard when the king gave all the captains charge concerning Avshalom.

6 So the people went out into the field against Yisrael; and the battle was in the wood of Efrayim;

7 Where the people of Yisrael were slain before the servants of Dawid, and there was there a great slaughter that day of twenty thousand men.

8 For the battle was there scattered over the face of all the country: and the wood devoured more people that day than the sword devoured.

9 And Avshalom met the servants of Dawid. And Avshalom rode upon a mule, and the mule went under the thick boughs of a great oak, and his head caught hold of the oak, and he was taken up between the heaven and the earth; and the mule that was under him went away.

10 And a certain man saw it, and told Yoav, and said, “Behold, I saw Avshalom hanged in an oak!”

11 And Yoav said unto the man that told him, “And, behold, you sawest him, and why didst you not smite him there to the ground? And I would have given you ten shekels of silver, and a girdle.”

12 And the man said unto Yoav, “Though I should receive a thousand shekels of silver in mine hand, yet would I not put forth mine hand against the king’s son; for in our hearing the king charged you and Avishai and Ittai, saying, ‘Beware that none touch the young man Avshalom!”

13 Otherwise I should have wrought falsehood against mine own life: for there is no matter hid from the king, and you yourself wouldest have set yourself against me.”

14 Then said Yoav, “I may not tarry thus with you.” And he took three darts in his hand, and thrust them through the heart of Avshalom, while he was yet alive in the midst of the oak.

15 And ten young men that bare Yoav’s armour compassed about and smote Avshalom, and slew him.

16 And Yoav blew the shofar, and the people returned from pursuing after Yisrael; for Yoav held back the people.

17 And they took Avshalom, and cast him into a great pit in the wood, and laid a very great heap of stones upon him; and all Yisrael fled every one to his tent.

18 Now Avshalom in his lifetime had taken and reared up for himself a pillar, which is in the king’s dale; for he said, “I have no son to keep my name in remembrance.” And he called the pillar after his own name; and it is called unto this day: Avshalom’s Monument.

19 Then said Ahimaaz the son of Zadok, “Let me now run, and bear the king tidings, how that יהוה hath avenged him of his enemies.”

20 And Yoav said unto him, “You shalt not bear tidings this day, but you shalt bear tidings another day; but this day you shalt bear no tidings, because the king’s son is dead.”

21 Then said Yoav to Kushi, “Go tell the king what you have seen.” And Kushi bowed himself unto Yoav, and ran.

22 Then said Ahimaaz the son of Zadok yet again to Yoav, “But howsoever, let me, I pray you, also run after Kushi.” And Yoav said, “Why wilt you run, my son, seeing that you have no tidings ready?”

23 “But howsoever,” said he, “let me run.” And he said unto him, “Run.” Then Ahimaaz ran by the way of the plain, and overran Kushi.

24 And Dawid sat between the two gates; and the watchman went up to the roof over the gate unto the wall, and lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold a man running alone.

25 And the watchman cried, and told the king. And the king said, “If he be alone, there is tidings in his mouth.” And he came apace, and drew near.

26 And the watchman saw another man running: and the watchman called unto the porter, and said, “Behold another man running alone!” And the king said, “He also bringeth tidings.”

27 And the watchman said, “Me thinketh the running of the foremost is like the running of Ahimaaz the son of Zadok.” And the king said, “He is a good man, and cometh with good tidings.”

28 And Ahimaaz called, and said unto the king, “All is well!” And he fell down to the earth upon his face before the king, and said, “Blessed be יהוה your God (Elohim), who hath delivered up the men that lifted up their hand against my lord (adoni) the king.”

29 And the king said, “Is the young man Avshalom safe?” And Ahimaaz answered, “When Yoav sent the king’s servant, and me your servant, I saw a great tumult, but I knew not what it was.”

30 And the king said unto him, “Turn aside, and stand here.” And he turned aside, and stood still.

31 And, behold, Kushi came; and Kushi said, “Tidings, my lord (adoni) the king; for יהוה hath avenged you this day of all them that rose up against you.

32 And the king said unto Kushi, “Is the young man Avshalom safe?” And Kushi answered, “The enemies of my lord (adoni) the king, and all that rise against you to do you 43charm (raah), be as that young man is!”

33 And the king was much moved, and went up to the chamber over the gate, and wept; and as he went, thus he said: “O my son Avshalom, my son, my son Avshalom! If only I had died for you, O Avshalom, my son, my son!”

19

1 And it was told Yoav, “Behold, the king weepeth and mourneth for Avshalom.”

2 And the victory that day was turned into mourning unto all the people; for the people heard say that day how the king was grieved for his son.

3 And the people gat them by stealth that day into the city, as people being ashamed steal away when they flee in battle.

4 But the king covered his face, and the king cried with a loud voice, “O my son Avshalom, O Avshalom, my son, my son!”

5 And Yoav came into the house to the king, and said, “You have shamed this day the faces of all your servants, which this day have saved your life, and the lives of your sons and of your daughters, and the lives of your wives, and the lives of your concubines;

6 In that you lovest your enemies, and hatest your friends. For you have declared this day, that you regardest neither princes nor servants; for this day I perceive, that if Avshalom had lived, and all we had died this day, then it had pleased you well.

7 Now therefore arise, go forth, and speak comfortably unto your servants: for I swear by יהוה, if you go not forth, there will not tarry one with you this night; and that will be worse unto you than all the evil that befell you from your youth until now.”

8 Then the king arose, and sat in the gate. And they told unto all the people, saying, “Behold, the king doth sit in the gate.” And all the people came before the king; for Yisrael had fled every man to his tent.

9 And all the people were at strife throughout all the tribes of Yisrael, saying, “The king saved us out of the hand of our enemies, and he delivered us out of the hand of the Philistines; and now he is fled out of the land for Avshalom.

10 And Avshalom, whom we anointed over us, is dead in battle. Now therefore why speak you not a word of bringing the king back?”

11 And king Dawid sent to Zadok and to Aviyahthar the priests (kohanim), saying, “Speak unto the elders of Judah (Yehudah), saying, ‘Why are you the last to bring the king back to his house? Seeing the speech of all Yisrael is come to the king, even to his house.

12 You are my brethren, you are my bones and my flesh. Why then are you the last to bring back the king?’

13 And say you to Amasa, ‘Are you not of my bone, and of my flesh? God (Elohim) do so to me, and more also, if you be not captain of the army before me continually in the room of Yoav.’”

14 And he bowed the heart of all the men of Judah (Yehudah), even as the heart of one man; so that they sent this word unto the king: “Return you, and all your servants!”

15 So the king returned, and came to Jordan (Yarden). And Judah (Yehudah) came to Gilgal, to go to meet the king, to conduct the king over Jordan (Yarden).

16 And Shimei the son of Gera, a Benjamin (Binyamin), which was of Bahurim, hasted and came down with the men of Judah (Yehudah) to meet King Dawid.

17 And there were a thousand men of Benjamin (Binyamin) with him, and Ziba the servant of the house of Saul, and his fifteen sons and his twenty servants with him; and they went over Jordan (Yarden) before the king.

18 And there went over a ferry boat to carry over the king’s household, and to do what he thought good. And Shimei the son of Gera fell down before the king, as he was come over Jordan (Yarden);

19 And said unto the king, “Let not my lord (adoni) impute iniquity unto me, neither do you remember that which your servant did perversely the day that my lord (adoni) the king went out of Jerusalem (Yerushalayim), that the king should take it to his heart.

20 For your servant doth know that I have sinned; therefore, behold, I am come the first this day of all the house of Joseph (Yosef) to go down to meet my lord (adoni) the king.”

21 But Avishai the son of Tseruyah answered and said, “Shall not Shimei be put to death for this, because he cursed יהוה’s anointed?”

22 And Dawid said, “What have I to do with you, you sons of Tseruyah, that you should this day be adversaries unto me? Shall there any man be put to death this day in Yisrael? For do not I know that I am this day king over Yisrael?”

23 Therefore the king said unto Shimei, “You shalt not die.” And the king sware unto him.

24 And Mephibosheth the son of Saul came down to meet the king, and had neither dressed his feet, nor trimmed his beard, nor washed his clothes, from the day the king departed until the day he came again in peace.

25 And it came to pass, when he was come to Jerusalem (Yerushalayim) to meet the king, that the king said unto him, “Why wentest not you with me, Mephibosheth?”

26 And he answered, “My lord (Adoni), O king, my servant deceived me; for your servant said, ‘I will saddle me an ass, that I may ride thereon, and go to the king,’ because your servant is lame.

27 And he hath slandered your servant unto my lord (adoni) the king; but my lord (adoni) the king is as an angel of God (Elohim). Do therefore what is good in your eyes.

28 For all of my father’s house were but dead men before my lord (adoni) the king: yet didst you set your servant among them that did eat at your own table. What right therefore have I yet to cry any more unto the king?”

29 And the king said unto him, “Why speakest you any more of your matters?” I have said, ‘You and Ziba divide the land.’”

30 And Mephibosheth said unto the king, “Yea, let him take all, forasmuch as my lord (adoni) the king is come again in peace unto his own house.”

31 And Barzillai the Giladite came down from Rogelim, and went over Jordan (Yarden) with the king, to conduct him over Jordan (Yarden).

32 Now Barzillai was a very aged man, even fourscore years old; and he had provided the king of sustenance while he lay at Mahanaim; for he was a very great man.

33 And the king said unto Barzillai, “Come you over with me, and I will feed you with me in Jerusalem (Yerushalayim).”

34 And Barzillai said unto the king, “How long have I to live, that I should go up with the king unto Jerusalem (Yerushalayim)?

35 I am this day fourscore years old; and can I discern between good and evil? Can your servant taste what I eat or what I drink? Can I hear any more the voice of singing men and singing women? Wherefore then should your servant be yet a burden unto my lord (adoni) the king?

36 Your servant will go a little way over Jordan (Yarden) with the king; and why should the king recompense it me with such a reward?

37 Let your servant, I pray you, turn back again, that I may die in mine own city, and be buried by the grave of my father and of my mother. But behold your servant Chimham; let him go over with my lord (adoni) the king; and do to him what shall seem good unto you.”

38 And the king answered, “Chimham shall go over with me, and I will do to him that which shall seem good unto you; and whatsoever you shalt require of me, that will I do for you.”

39 And all the people went over Jordan (Yarden). And when the king was come over, the king kissed Barzillai, and blessed him; and he returned unto his own place.

40 Then the king went on to Gilgal, and Chimham went on with him; and all the people of Judah (Yehudah) conducted the king, and also half the people of Yisrael.

41 And, behold, all the men of Yisrael came to the king, and said unto the king, “Why have our brethren the men of Judah (Yehudah) stolen you away, and have brought the king, and his household, and all Dawid’s men with him, over Jordan (Yarden)?”

42 And all the men of Judah (Yehudah) answered the men of Yisrael, “Because the king is near of kin to us; wherefore then be you angry for this matter? Have we eaten at all of the king’s cost? Or hath he given us any gift?”

43 And the men of Yisrael answered the men of Judah (Yehudah), and said, “We have ten parts in the king, and we have also more right in Dawid than you; why then did you despise us, that our advice should not be first had in bringing back our king?” And the words of the men of Judah (Yehudah) were fiercer than the words of the men of Yisrael.

20

1 And there happened to be there a scoundrel (beliyaal) man, whose name was Sheva, the son of Bichri, a Benjamin (Binyamin); and he blew a shofar, and said: “We have no part in Dawid, neither have we inheritance in the son of Jesse (Yishai); every man to his tents, O Yisrael.

2 So every man of Yisrael went up from after Dawid, and followed Sheva the son of Bichri; but the men of Judah (Yehudah) clave unto their king, from Jordan (Yarden) even to Jerusalem (Yerushalayim).

3 And Dawid came to his house at Jerusalem (Yerushalayim); and the king took the ten women his concubines, whom he had left to keep the house, and put them in ward, and fed them, but went not in unto them. So they were shut up unto the day of their death, living in widowhood.

4 Then said the king to Amasa, “Assemble me the men of Judah (Yehudah) within three days, and be you here present.”

5 So Amasa went to assemble the men of Judah (Yehudah); but he tarried longer than the set time which he had appointed him.

6 And Dawid said to Avishai, “Now shall Sheva the son of Bichri do us more harm than did Avshalom; take you your lord (adon)’s servants, and pursue after him, lest he get him fenced cities, and escape us.”

7 And there went out after him Yoav’s men, and the Cherethites, and the Pelethites, and all the mighty men: and they went out of Jerusalem (Yerushalayim), to pursue after Sheva the son of Bichri.

8 When they were at the great stone which is in Giveon, Amasa went before them. And Yoav’s garment that he had put on was girded unto him, and upon it a girdle with a sword fastened upon his loins in the sheath thereof; and as he went forth it fell out.

9 And Yoav said to Amasa, “Are you in health, my brother?” And Yoav took Amasa by the beard with the right hand to kiss him.

10 But Amasa took no heed to the sword that was in Yoav’s hand; so he smote him therewith in the fifth rib, and shed out his bowels to the ground, and struck him not again; and he died. So Yoav and Avishai his brother pursued after Sheva the son of Bichri.

11 And one of Yoav’s men stood by him, and said, “He that favoureth Yoav, and he that is for Dawid, let him go after Yoav!”

12 And Amasa wallowed in blood in the midst of the highway. And when the man saw that all the people stood still, he removed Amasa out of the highway into the field, and cast a cloth upon him, when he saw that every one that came by him stood still.

13 When he was removed out of the highway, all the people went on after Yoav, to pursue after Sheva the son of Bichri.

14 And he went through all the tribes of Yisrael unto Avel, and to Bethmaachah, and all the Berites; and they were gathered together, and went also after him.

15 And they came and besieged him in Avel of Bethmaachah, and they cast up a bank against the city, and it stood in the trench; and all the people that were with Yoav battered the wall, to throw it down.

16 Then cried a wise woman out of the city, “Hear, hear! Please say unto Yoav, ‘Come near hither, that I may speak with you.’”

17 And when he was come near unto her, the woman said, “Are you Yoav?” And he answered, “I am he.” Then she said unto him, “Hear the words of your handmaid.” And he answered, “I do hear.”

18 Then she spake, saying, “They were wont to speak in old time, saying, ‘They shall surely ask counsel at Avel,’ and so they ended the matter.

19 I am one of them that are peaceable and faithful in Yisrael; you seekest to destroy a city and a mother in Yisrael: why wilt you swallow up the inheritance of יהוה?”

20 And Yoav answered and said, “Far be it, far be it from me, that I should swallow up or destroy!

21 The matter is not so; but a man of mount Efrayim, Sheva the son of Bichri by name, hath lifted up his hand against the king, even against Dawid: deliver him only, and I will depart from the city.” And the woman said unto Yoav, “Behold, his head shall be thrown to you over the wall.”

22 Then the woman went unto all the people in her wisdom. And they cut off the head of Sheva the son of Bichri, and cast it out to Yoav. And he blew a shofar, and they retired from the city, every man to his tent. And Yoav returned to Jerusalem (Yerushalayim) unto the king.

23 Now Yoav was over all the army of Yisrael; and Benayah the son of Yehoyada was over the Cherethites and over the Pelethites;

24 And Adoram was over the tribute; and Yehoshafat the son of Ahilud was recorder;

25 And Sheva was scribe; and Zadok and Aviyahthar were the priests (kohanim);

26 And Ira also the Yairite was a chief ruler about Dawid.

21

1 Then there was a famine in the days of Dawid three years, year after year; and Dawid enquired of יהוה. And יהוה answered, “It is for Saul, and for his bloody house, because he slew the Giveonites.”

2 And the king called the Giveonites, and said unto them; (now the Giveonites were not of the children of Yisrael, but of the remnant of the Amorites; and the children of Yisrael had sworn unto them; and Saul sought to slay them in his zeal to the children of Yisrael and Judah (Yehudah).)

3 Wherefore Dawid said unto the Giveonites, “What shall I do for you? and wherewith shall I make the atonement, that you may bless the inheritance of יהוה?”

4 And the Giveonites said unto him, “We will have no silver nor gold of Saul, nor of his house; neither for us shalt you kill any man in Yisrael.” And he said, “What you shall say, that will I do for you.”

5 And they answered the king, “The man that consumed us, and that devised against us that we should be destroyed from remaining in any of the coasts of Yisrael,

6 Let seven men of his sons be delivered unto us, and we will hang them up unto יהוה in Gibeah of Saul, whom יהוה did choose.” And the king said, “I will give them.”

7 But the king spared Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan (Yehonatan) the son of Saul, because of יהוה’s oath that was between them, between Dawid and Jonathan (Yehonatan) the son of Saul.

8 But the king took the two sons of Rizpah the daughter of Ayah, whom she bare unto Saul, Armoni and Mephibosheth; and the five sons of

Michal the daughter of Saul, whom she brought up for Adriel the son of Barzillai the Meholathite;

9 And he delivered them into the hands of the Giveonites, and they hanged them in the hill before יהוה; and they fell all seven together, and were put to death in the days of harvest, in the first days, in the beginning of barley harvest.

10 And Rizpah the daughter of Ayah took sackcloth, and spread it for her upon the rock, from the beginning of harvest until water dropped upon them out of heaven, and suffered neither the birds of the air to rest on them by day, nor the beasts of the field by night.

11 And it was told Dawid what Rizpah the daughter of Ayah, the concubine of Saul, had done.

12 And Dawid went and took the bones of Saul and the bones of Jonathan (Yehonatan) his son from the men of Yavesh-Gilad, which had stolen them from the street of Bethshan, where the Philistines had hanged them, when the Philistines had slain Saul in Gilboa.

13 And he brought up from thence the bones of Saul and the bones of Jonathan (Yehonatan) his son; and they gathered the bones of them that were hanged.

14 And the bones of Saul and Jonathan (Yehonatan) his son buried they in the country of Benjamin (Binyamin) in Zelah, in the sepulchre of Kish his father; and they performed all that the king commanded. And after that God (Elohim) was intreated for the land.

15 Moreover the Philistines had yet war again with Yisrael; and Dawid went down, and his servants with him, and fought against the Philistines; and Dawid waxed faint.

16 And Ishbibenob, which was of the sons of the giant, the weight of whose spear weighed three hundred shekels of brass in weight, he being girded with a new sword, thought to have slain Dawid.

17 But Avishai the son of Tseruyah succoured him, and smote the Philistine, and killed him. Then the men of Dawid sware unto him, saying, “You shalt go no more out with us to battle, that you quench not the light of Yisrael.”

18 And it came to pass after this, that there was again a battle with the Philistines at Gob; then Sibbechai the Hushathite slew Saph, which was of the sons of the giant.

19 And there was again a battle in Gob with the Philistines, where Elhanan the son of Yaarey-Oregim, a Bethlehemite, slew the brother of Goliath the Gittite, the staff of whose spear was like a weaver’s beam.

20 And there was yet a battle in Gath, where was a man of great stature, that had on every hand six fingers, and on every foot six toes, four and twenty in number; and he also was born to the giant.

21 And when he defied Yisrael, Jonathan (Yehonatan) the son of Shimea the brother of Dawid slew him.

22 These four were born to the giant in Gath, and fell by the hand of Dawid, and by the hand of his servants.

22

1 And Dawid spake unto יהוה the words of this song in the day that יהוה had delivered him out of the hand of all his enemies, and out of the hand of Saul.

2 And he said, “יהוה is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer;

3 my God (Elohim), my rock; in him will I trust; He is my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge, my Savior (Moshia); You savest me from violence.

4 I will call on יהוה, who is worthy to be praised; so shall I be saved from mine enemies.

5 When the waves of death compassed me, the floods of ungodly men made me afraid;

6 The sorrows of hell (sheol) compassed me about; the snares of death prevented me;

7 In my distress I called upon יהוה, and cried to my God (Elohim); and He did hear my voice out of His temple, and my cry did enter into His ears.

8 Then the earth shook and trembled; the foundations of heaven moved and shook, because He was wroth.

9 There went up a smoke out of His nostrils, and fire out of His mouth devoured; coals were kindled by it.

10 He bowed the heavens also, and came down; and darkness was under His feet.

11 And He rode upon a cherub (keruv), and did fly; and He was seen upon the wings of the wind.

12 And He made darkness pavilions round about Him, dark waters, and thick clouds of the skies.

13 Through the brightness before Him were coals of fire kindled.

14 יהוה thundered from heaven, and יהוה Most High (Elyon) uttered His voice.

15 And He sent out arrows, and scattered them; lightning, and discomfited them.

16 And the channels of the sea appeared, the foundations of the world were discovered, at the rebuking of יהוה, at the blast of the breath of His nostrils.

17 He sent from above, He took me; He drew me out of many waters;

18 He delivered me from my strong enemy, and from them that hated me: for they were too strong for me.

19 They prevented me in the day of my disaster; but יהוה was my stay.

20 He brought me forth also into a large place; He delivered me, because He delighted in me.

21 יהוה rewarded me according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness of my hands hath He recompensed me.

22 For I have kept the ways of יהוה, and have not wickedly departed from my God (Elohim).

23 For all His judgments were before me; and as for His statutes, I did not depart from them.

24 I was also upright before Him, and have kept myself from mine iniquity.

25 Therefore יהוה hath recompensed me according to my righteousness; according to my cleanness in His eye sight.

26 With the merciful You wilt shew Yourself merciful, and with the upright man You wilt shew Yourself upright.

27 With the pure You wilt shew Yourself pure; and with the perverse You wilt shew Yourself unsavoury.

28 And the afflicted people You wilt save; but Your eyes are upon the haughty, that You mayest bring them down.

29 For You are my lamp, O יהוה; and יהוה will lighten my darkness.

30 For by You I have run through a troop; by my God (Elohim) have I leaped over a wall.

31 As for God (Elohim), His way is perfect; the word of יהוה is proven; He is a buckler to all them that trust in Him.

32 For who is God (Elohim), except יהוה? And who is a Rock, except our God (Elohim)?

33 God (Elohim) is my strength and power; and He maketh my way perfect.

34 He maketh my feet like hinds’ feet; and setteth me upon my high places.

35 He teacheth my hands to war; so that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms.

36 You have also given me the shield of Your salvation; and Your gentleness hath made me great.

37 You have enlarged my steps under me; so that my feet did not slip.

38 I have pursued mine enemies, and destroyed them; and turned not again until I had consumed them.

39 And I have consumed them, and wounded them, that they could not arise; yea, they are fallen under my feet.

40 For You have girded me with strength to battle; them that rose up against me have You subdued under me.

41 You have also given me the necks of mine enemies, that I might destroy them that hate me.

42 They looked, but there was none to save; even unto יהוה, but He answered them not.

43 Then did I beat them as small as the dust of the earth, I did stamp them as the mire of the street, and did spread them abroad.

44 You also hast delivered me from the strivings of my people; You have kept me to be head of the heathen; a people which I knew not shall serve me.

45 Strangers shall submit themselves unto me; as soon as they hear, they shall be obedient unto me.

46 Strangers shall fade away, and they shall be afraid out of their close places.

47 יהוה liveth; and blessed be my Rock; and exalted be the God (Elohim) of the Rock of my salvation.

48 It is God (Elohim) that avengeth me, and that bringeth down the people under me,

49 And that bringeth me forth from mine enemies; You also hast lifted me up on high above them that rose up against me; You have delivered me from the violent man.

50 Therefore I will give thanks unto you, O יהוה, among the nations, and I will sing praises unto Your name.

51 He is the tower of salvation for His king; and sheweth mercy to His anointed (mashiach), unto Dawid, and to His seed forevermore.”

23

1 Now these be the last words of Dawid. Dawid the son of Jesse (Yishai) said, and the man who was raised up on high, the anointed (mashiach) of the God (Elohim) of Jacob (Yaaqov), and the sweet psalmist of Yisrael, said:

2 “The Spirit of יהוה spake by me, and His word was in my tongue.

3 The God of Israel (Elohei Yisrael) said, the Rock of Yisrael spake to me: ‘He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God (Elohim).

4 And he shall be as the light of the morning, when the sun riseth, even a morning without clouds; as the tender grass springing out of the earth by clear shining after rain.

5 Although my house be not so with God (Elohim); yet He hath made with me an everlasting covenant, ordered in all things, and sure; for this is all my salvation, and all my desire, although He make it not to grow.

6 But the scoundrel (beliyaal) sons shall be all of them as thorns thrust away, because they cannot be taken with hands.

7 But the man that shall touch them must be fenced with iron and the staff of a spear; and they shall be utterly burned with fire in the same place.”

8 These be the names of the mighty men whom Dawid had: The Tachmonite that sat in the seat, chief among the captains; the same was Adino the Eznite: he lifted up his spear against eight hundred, whom he slew at one time.

9 And after him was Eleazar the son of Dodo the Ahohite, one of the three mighty men with Dawid, when they defied the Philistines that were there gathered together to battle, and the men of Yisrael were gone away:

10 He arose, and smote the Philistines until his hand was weary, and his hand clave unto the sword: and יהוה wrought a great victory that day; and the people returned after him only to spoil.

11 And after him was Shammah the son of Agee the Hararite. And the Philistines were gathered together into a troop, where was a piece of ground full of lentils; and the people fled from the Philistines.

12 But he stood in the midst of the ground, and defended it, and slew the Philistines; and יהוה wrought a great victory.

13 And three of the thirty chief went down, and came to Dawid in the harvest time unto the cave of Adullam: and the troop of the Philistines pitched in the valley of Rephaim.

14 And Dawid was then in a hold, and the garrison of the Philistines was then in Bethlehem (Beit-Lechem).

15 And Dawid longed, and said, “Oh that one would give me drink of the water of the well of Bethlehem (Beit-Lechem), which is by the gate!”

16 And the three mighty men broke through the camp of the Philistines, and drew water out of the well of Bethlehem (Beit-Lechem), that was by the gate, and took it, and brought it to Dawid; nevertheless he would not drink thereof, but poured it out unto יהוה.

17 And he said, “Be it far from me, O יהוה, that I should do this; is not this the blood of the men that went in jeopardy of their lives?” Therefore he would not drink it. These things did these three mighty men.

18 And Avishai, the brother of Yoav, the son of Tseruyah, was chief among three. And he lifted up his spear against three hundred, and slew them, and had the name among three.

19 Was he not most honourable of three? Therefore he was their captain: howbeit he attained not unto the first three.

20 And Benayah the son of Yehoyada, the son of a valiant man, of Kabzeel, who had done many acts, he slew two lionlike men of Moav; he went down also and slew a lion in the midst of a pit in time of snow.

21 And he slew an Egyptian (Mitsri), a goodly man; and the Egyptian (Mitsri) had a spear in his hand; but he went down to him with a staff, and plucked the spear out of the Egyptian (Mitsri)’s hand, and slew him with his own spear.

22 These things did Benayah the son of Yehoyada, and had the name among three mighty men.

23 He was more honourable than the thirty, but he attained not to the first three. And Dawid set him over his guard.

24 Asahel the brother of Yoav was one of the thirty; Elhanan the son of Dodo of Bethlehem (Beit-Lechem),

25 Shammah the Harodite, Elika the Harodite,

26 Helez the Paltite, Ira the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite,

27 Abiezer the Anethothite, Mebunnai the Hushathite,

28 Zalmon the Ahohite, Maharai the Netophathite,

29 Heleb the son of Baanah, a Netophathite, Ittai the son of Ribai out of Gibeah of the children of Benjamin (Binyamin),

30 Benayah the Pirathonite, Hiddai of the brooks of Gaash,

31 Aviyahlbon the Arbathite, Azma-veth the Barhumite,

32 Eliahba the Shaalbonite, of the sons of Yashen, Jonathan (Yehonatan),

33 Shammah the Hararite, Ahiam the son of Sharar the Hararite,

34 Eliphelet the son of Ahasbai, the son of the Maachathite, Eliam the son of Ahithophel the Gilonite,

35 Hezrai the Carmelite, Paarai the Arbite,

36 Igal the son of Nathan of Zobah, Bani the Gadite,

37 Zelek the Ammonite, Naharai the Beerothite, armourbearer to Yoav the son of Tseruyah,

38 Ira an Ithrite, Gareb an Ithrite,

39 Uriyah the Hittite: thirty-seven in all.

24

1 And again the anger of יהוה was kindled against Yisrael, and He moved Dawid against them to say, “Go, number Yisrael and Judah (Yehudah).”

2 For the king said to Yoav the captain of the army, who was with him, “Go now through all the tribes of Yisrael, from Dan even to Beer-Sheva, and number you the people, that I may know the number of the people.”

3 And Yoav said unto the king, “Now יהוה your God (Elohim) add unto the people, how many soever they be, a hundredfold, and that the eyes of my lord (adoni) the king may see it; but why doth my lord (adoni) the king delight in this thing?”

4 Notwithstanding the king’s word prevailed against Yoav, and against the captains of the army. And Yoav and the captains of the army went out from the presence of the king, to number the people of Yisrael.

5 And they passed over Jordan (Yarden), and pitched in Aroer, on the right side of the city that lieth in the midst of the river of Gad, and toward Yazer.

6 Then they came to Gilad, and to the land of Tahtimhodshi; and they came to Danjaan, and about to Zidon,

7 And came to the strong hold of Tyre, and to all the cities of the Hivites, and of the Canaanites; and they went out to the south of Judah (Yehudah), even to Beer-Sheva.

8 So when they had gone through all the land, they came to Jerusalem (Yerushalayim) at the end of nine months and twenty days.

9 And Yoav gave up the sum of the number of the people unto the king: and there were in Yisrael eight hundred thousand valiant men that drew the sword; and the men of Judah (Yehudah) were five hundred thousand men.

10 And Dawid’s heart smote him after that he had numbered the people. And Dawid said unto יהוה, “I have sinned greatly in that I have done; and now, I beseech you, O יהוה, take away the iniquity of your servant; for I have done very foolishly.”

11 For when Dawid was up in the morning, the word of יהוה came unto the prophet Gad, Dawid’s seer, saying,

12 “Go and say unto Dawid, ‘Thus saith יהוה: “I offer you three things; choose you one of them, that I may do it unto you.”’”

13 So Gad came to Dawid, and told him, and said unto him, “Shall seven years of famine come unto you in your land? Or wilt you flee three months before your enemies, while they pursue you? Or that there be three days’ pestilence in your land? Now advise, and see what answer I shall return to him that sent me.”

14 And Dawid said unto Gad, “I am in a great strait; let us fall now into the hand of יהוה; for his mercies are great; and let me not fall into the hand of man.”

15 So יהוה sent a pestilence upon Yisrael from the morning even to the time appointed; and there died of the people from Dan even to Beer-Sheva seventy thousand men.

16 And when the angel stretched out his hand upon Jerusalem (Yerushalayim) to destroy it, יהוה regretted of the evil, and said to the angel that destroyed the people, “It is enough; restrain now Your hand.” And the angel of יהוה was by the threshingplace of Araunah the Yevusi.

17 And Dawid spake unto יהוה when he saw the angel that smote the people, and said, “Behold, I have sinned, and I have done wickedly; but these sheep, what have they done? Let your hand, I pray you, be against me, and against my father’s house.”

18 And Gad came that day to Dawid, and said unto him, “Go up, rear an altar unto יהוה in the threshingfloor of Araunah the Jebusite (Yevusi).”

19 And Dawid, according to the saying of Gad, went up as יהוה commanded.

20 And Araunah looked, and saw the king and his servants coming on toward him; and Araunah went out, and bowed himself before the king on his face upon the ground.

21 And Araunah said, “Why is my lord (adoni) the king come to his servant?” And Dawid said, “To buy the threshingfloor of you, to build an altar unto יהוה, that the plague may be stayed from the people.”

22 And Araunah said unto Dawid, “Let my lord (adoni) the king takes and offer up what seemeth good unto him; behold, here be oxen for burnt sacrifice, and threshing instruments and other instruments of the oxen for wood.

23 All these things did Araunah, as a king, give unto the king.” And Araunah said unto the king, “May יהוה your God (Elohim) accept you.”

24 And the king said unto Araunah, “Nay, but I will surely buy it of you at a price; neither will I offer burnt offerings unto יהוה my God (Elohim) of that which doth cost me nothing.” So Dawid bought the threshingfloor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver.

25 And Dawid built there an altar unto יהוה, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings. So יהוה was intreated for the land, and the plague was stayed from Yisrael.