Absalom

1Some time later, David's son Amnon fell in love with Tamar. Tamar was the beautiful sister of Absalom, another son of David.

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

NoteKings back then often had more than one wife. So Amnon and Absalom had the same father but different mothers. Tamar was Absalom's full sister and Amnon's half sister.

2Amnon wanted Tamar so much that he made himself sick. She was not married. Amnon could see no way to get near her.

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 anything to her.

NoteA king's daughters who were not married lived in their own part of the palace. Servants watched over them. A man could not just walk in and visit.

3Amnon had a friend named Jonadab. Jonadab was the son of Shimeah, who was David's brother. Jonadab was very clever at getting his way.

But Amnon had a friend, whose name was Jonadab, the son of Shimeah David’s brother: and Jonadab was a very subtil man.

NoteShimeah was David's brother, so Jonadab was Amnon's cousin. The old word for him is "subtil." It means clever in a sneaky way, not kind.

4Jonadab asked him, "You are the king's son. Why do you look so worn out every day? Won't you tell me?" Amnon said, "I love Tamar, my brother Absalom's sister."

And he said unto him, Why art thou, being the king’s son, lean from day to day? wilt thou not tell me? And Amnon said unto him, I love Tamar, my brother Absalom’s sister.

5Jonadab said, "Lie down in bed and pretend you are sick. When your father comes to see you, ask him to send Tamar. Say she should fix food while you watch, and feed it to you."

And Jonadab said unto him, Lay thee down on thy bed, and make thyself sick: and when thy father cometh to see thee, say unto him, I pray thee, let my sister Tamar come, and give me meat, and dress the meat in my sight, that I may see it, and eat it at her hand.

NoteIn the old Bible the word "meat" meant any food at all. It did not only mean meat from an animal.

6So Amnon lay down and pretended to be sick. The king came to see him. Amnon said, "Please let my sister Tamar come. Let her make two cakes while I watch, and feed me."

So Amnon lay down, and made himself sick: and when the king was come to see him, Amnon said unto the king, I pray thee, let Tamar my sister come, and make me a couple of cakes in my sight, that I may eat at her hand.

NoteThese cakes were small flat rounds of bread. They were not sweet like a birthday cake.

7So David sent word home to Tamar. He said, "Go to your brother Amnon's house. Make some food for him."

Then David sent home to Tamar, saying, Go now to thy brother Amnon’s house, and dress him meat.

8Tamar went to her brother Amnon's house. He was lying down. She took dough and mixed dough. She made the cakes while he watched, and baked them.

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.

NoteKneading dough means pushing and folding it with your hands. That is how bread was made every day.

9She took the pan and poured them out in front of him. But he would not eat. Amnon said, "Send everyone out of here." So every man left the room.

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.

NoteA king's son always had servants nearby. Sending them out left Amnon alone with Tamar.

10Amnon said to Tamar, "Bring the food into my bedroom, and feed me." Tamar took the cakes she had made. She carried them to her brother's bedroom.

And Amnon said unto Tamar, Bring the meat into the chamber, that I may eat of thine hand. And Tamar took the cakes which she had made, and brought them into the chamber to Amnon her brother.

11She brought them to him to eat. He grabbed hold of her and said, "Come and lie with me, my sister."

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.

Note"Lie with me" is an old way of saying he wanted her like a wife. She was his sister, and she said no.

12She answered, "No, my brother. Do not force me. Such a thing must never be done in Israel. Do not do this shameful thing."

And she answered him, Nay, my brother, do not force me; for no such thing ought to be done in Israel: do not thou this folly.

NoteIsrael was the name of God's people and the land they lived in. God's law told them a brother and sister could never marry.

13"Where could I ever take my shame? And you would be called a fool in Israel. Please talk to the king. He will not keep me from you."

And I, whither shall I cause my shame to go? and as for thee, thou shalt be as one of the fools in Israel. Now therefore, I pray thee, speak unto the king; for he will not withhold me from thee.

NoteTamar was trying anything she could to stop him. She said the king might let them marry instead. In those days, a woman hurt this way was often treated as if she could never marry at all.

14But Amnon would not listen to her. He was stronger than she was. He forced her and lay with her.

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

Note"Forced her" means he used his strength to hurt her. She told him no, and he would not listen. The Bible tells this plainly as a very wicked thing.

15Then Amnon hated Tamar. His hate for her was even stronger than his love had been. Amnon said to her, "Get up. Get out."

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.

16She said, "No. Sending me away is even worse than what you have already done to me." But he would not listen to her.

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

17He called the servant who waited on him. He said, "Put this woman out of here. Lock the door behind her."

Then he called his servant that ministered unto him, and said, Put now this woman out from me, and bolt the door after her.

NoteDoors then were locked with a heavy bar of wood or metal. It slid across the door on the inside.

18Tamar was wearing a long robe of many colors. The king's daughters who were not married wore robes like that. The servant put her out and locked the door.

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.

NoteThis was a long robe with long sleeves, made in many colors. Only the king's unmarried daughters wore one. Anyone who saw it knew who she was.

19Tamar put ashes on her head. She tore the colored robe she was wearing. She put her hand on her head and went away crying out loud.

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.

NotePutting ashes on your head and tearing your clothes showed deep sadness. People did this so everyone could see they were grieving. A hand on the head meant the same thing.

20Her brother Absalom asked, "Has your brother Amnon been with you? Stay quiet for now, my sister. He is your brother. Do not keep thinking about it." So Tamar lived alone and heartbroken in her brother Absalom's house.

And Absalom her brother said unto her, Hath Amnon thy brother been with thee? but hold now thy peace, my sister: he is thy brother; regard not this thing. So Tamar remained desolate in her brother Absalom’s house.

Note"Stay quiet for now" means Absalom told her not to speak about it. The old word for how she lived is "desolate." It means she lived alone, with no husband and no children.

21King David heard about everything that had happened. He was very angry.

But when king David heard of all these things, he was very wroth.

22Absalom never said a word to Amnon, good or bad. He hated Amnon for forcing his sister Tamar.

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

NoteSaying "neither good nor bad" means Absalom would not speak to Amnon at all. Not one word, for two whole years.

23Two whole years went by. Absalom had workers cutting the wool off his sheep at Baal-hazor, near Ephraim. He invited all the king's sons to come.

And it came to pass after two full years, that Absalom had sheepshearers in Baalhazor, which is beside Ephraim: and Absalom invited all the king’s sons.

NoteOnce a year the wool was cut off the sheep. It was hard work, and afterward there was a big feast with lots of food. Baal-hazor was a hill town far north of where David lived.

24Absalom came to the king and said, "Your servant has workers cutting wool. Please come with me, my king, and bring your servants."

And Absalom came to the king, and said, Behold now, thy servant hath sheepshearers; let the king, I beseech thee, and his servants go with thy servant.

NoteAbsalom calls himself "your servant" when talking to his own father. That was the polite way to speak to a king.

25The king said, "No, my son. We should not all go. We would cost you too much." Absalom kept asking, but David would not go. He said a blessing over him instead.

And the king said to Absalom, Nay, my son, let us not all now go, lest we be chargeable unto thee. And he pressed him: howbeit he would not go, but blessed him.

NoteA king never traveled alone. He brought many helpers and guards, and they all had to be fed. That is why David said it would cost too much. A blessing was kind words asking God to be good to someone.

26Then Absalom said, "If you will not come, please let my brother Amnon go with us." The king asked, "Why should he go with you?"

Then said Absalom, If not, I pray thee, let my brother Amnon go with us. And the king said unto him, Why should he go with thee?

27But Absalom kept begging. So the king let Amnon and all his other sons go with him.

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

28Absalom had already given his servants an order. He said, "Watch until the wine has made Amnon happy. When I say, 'Strike Amnon,' then kill him. Do not be afraid. I am the one giving the order. Be brave and strong."

Now Absalom had commanded his servants, saying, Mark ye now when Amnon’s heart is merry with wine, and when I say unto you, Smite Amnon; then kill him, fear not: have not I commanded you? be courageous, and be valiant.

NoteWine is a drink made from grapes. Too much of it made Amnon relaxed and slow. He would not see the danger coming.

29Absalom's servants did to Amnon just what Absalom had told them. Then all the king's other sons jumped up. Each one got on his mule and ran away.

And the servants of Absalom did unto Amnon as Absalom had commanded. Then all the king’s sons arose, and every man gat him up upon his mule, and fled.

NoteA mule looks like a small horse with long ears. The king's sons rode mules the way important people ride fine horses.

30While they were still on the road, news came to David. Someone said, "Absalom has killed all the king's sons. Not one of them is left."

And it came to pass, while they were in the way, that tidings came to David, saying, Absalom hath slain all the king’s sons, and there is not one of them left.

31The king stood up and tore his clothes. He lay down on the ground. All his servants stood near him with their clothes torn too.

Then the king arose, and tare his garments, and lay on the earth; and all his servants stood by with their clothes rent.

NoteTearing your clothes and lying on the ground showed the worst kind of sadness. David thought all his sons had been killed.

32Then Jonadab, the son of David's brother Shimeah, spoke up. He said, "My lord, do not think all your sons are dead. Only Amnon is dead. Absalom planned this from the day Amnon forced his sister Tamar."

And Jonadab, the son of Shimeah David’s brother, answered and said, Let not my lord suppose that they have slain all the young men the king’s sons; for Amnon only is dead: for by the appointment of Absalom this hath been determined from the day that he forced his sister Tamar.

33"So do not believe the news that all your sons are dead, my king. Only Amnon is dead."

Now therefore let not my lord the king take the thing to his heart, to think that all the king’s sons are dead: for Amnon only is dead.

34Meanwhile Absalom had run away. The young man keeping watch looked up. He saw many people coming down the road along the hillside.

But Absalom 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.

NoteA watchman stood up high on the wall. His job was to look down the roads and tell the king who was coming.

35Jonadab said to the king, "Look, your sons are coming. It is just as I told you."

And Jonadab said unto the king, Behold, the king’s sons come: as thy servant said, so it is.

36As soon as he finished speaking, the king's sons came in. They cried out loud. The king and all his servants cried very hard too.

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.

37Absalom ran away to Talmai, the son of Ammihud, the king of Geshur. David grieved for his son every day.

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

NoteGeshur was a small kingdom outside Israel. King Talmai there was Absalom's grandfather, the father of his mother. So Absalom ran to family David could not easily reach.

38So Absalom ran away and went to Geshur. He stayed there for three years.

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

39King David wanted very much to go to Absalom. He had stopped grieving over Amnon, since Amnon was dead.

And the soul of king David longed to go forth unto Absalom: for he was comforted concerning Amnon, seeing he was dead.

1Joab was the son of Zeruiah. Joab could tell that the king missed his son Absalom.

Now Joab the son of Zeruiah perceived that the king’s heart was toward Absalom.

NoteAbsalom was David's son. He had killed his brother Amnon and run away. Joab was the leader of David's army.

2So Joab sent to the town of Tekoah for a wise woman. He said to her, "Please pretend that someone you love has died. Put on the clothes people wear when they are sad. Do not rub oil on your skin. Look like a woman who has been sad for a long time."

And Joab sent to Tekoah, and fetched thence a wise woman, and said unto her, I pray thee, feign thyself to be a mourner, and put on now mourning apparel, and anoint not thyself with oil, but be as a woman that had a long time mourned for the dead:

NoteTekoah was a small town south of Jerusalem, a day's walk away.

3"Then go to the king and say what I tell you." Joab told her exactly what words to use.

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

NoteA wise woman was someone people trusted to speak well and give good advice. People also rubbed olive oil on their skin, like lotion. Sad people stopped doing it, so everyone could tell they were mourning.

4The woman from Tekoah came to the king. She bowed with her face to the ground to show respect. She said, "Help me, O king!"

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.

5The king asked her, "What is wrong?" She said, "My husband died. I am a widow, a woman whose husband is gone."

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

NoteThe woman's whole story is made up. Joab taught it to her so the king would listen.

6"I had two sons. They got into a fight out in the field. No one was there to pull them apart. One son hit the other and killed him."

And thy handmaid had two sons, and they two strove together in the field, and there was none to part them, but the one smote the other, and slew him.

7"Now my whole family has turned against me. They say, 'Hand over the son who killed his brother. We will put him to death to pay for his brother's life.' They would take away the son who gets what our family owns. That would put out the last little spark I have left. My husband would have no name and no family left on earth."

And, behold, the whole family is risen against thine 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.

NoteLong ago, if a man died, his sons kept his family name going. If both sons died, the family name would stop. A spark was the last bit of a fire. She means her family is almost gone.

8The king said to the woman, "Go home. I will give an order about your case."

And the king said unto the woman, Go to thine house, and I will give charge concerning thee.

9The woman of Tekoah said, "My lord the king, let any blame fall on me and my father's family. Let the king and his throne be free of blame."

And the woman of Tekoah said unto the king, My lord, O king, the iniquity be on me, and on my father’s house: and the king and his throne be guiltless.

NoteA throne is the special chair a king sits on. Here it means the king himself.

10The king said, "If anyone says anything to you, bring him to me. He will not bother you again."

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

11Then she said, "Please ask the LORD your God to stop this. Do not let the family member who pays back a killing kill anyone else. Then my son will not be destroyed." The king said, "As surely as the LORD lives, not one hair of your son's head will fall to the ground."

Then said she, I pray thee, let the king remember the LORD thy God, that thou wouldest not suffer the revengers of blood to destroy any more, lest they destroy my son. And he said, As the LORD liveth, there shall not one hair of thy son fall to the earth.

NoteBack then, if someone was killed, a family member could go after the killer. People called that person the avenger of blood. Saying "As surely as the LORD lives" was a strong promise, like saying "I really mean it."

12Then the woman said, "Please let me say one more thing to my lord the king." He said, "Go ahead."

Then the woman said, Let thine handmaid, I pray thee, speak one word unto my lord the king. And he said, Say on.

13The woman said, "Then why have you planned this same kind of thing against God's people? When the king says this, he shows he is in the wrong. He has not brought his own son home from far away."

And the woman said, Wherefore then hast thou thought such a thing against the people of God? for the king doth speak this thing as one which is faulty, in that the king doth not fetch home again his banished.

NoteShe means Absalom. He was sent away to another country and never brought home.

14"We all must die. We are like water poured on the ground, which cannot be picked up again. God does not treat one person as better than another. Still he finds ways to bring back the one who was sent away, so that person is not kept away from him."

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

15"I came to speak to my lord the king because the people made me afraid. I said to myself, 'I will talk to the king. Maybe he will do what I ask.'"

Now therefore that I am come to speak of this thing unto my lord the king, it is because the people have made me afraid: and thy handmaid said, I will now speak unto the king; it may be that the king will perform the request of his handmaid.

16"I hoped the king would listen and save me. A man wants to destroy both me and my son. He would cut us off from the land God gave our family."

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.

NoteEach family in Israel had its own piece of land. Losing that land meant losing your place among God's people.

17"So I said, the word of my lord the king will bring me rest. My king can tell good from bad, like an angel of God. May the LORD your God be with you."

Then thine handmaid said, The word of my lord the king shall now be comfortable: for as an angel of God, so is my lord the king to discern good and bad: therefore the LORD thy God will be with thee.

NoteAn angel is a messenger sent from God. People thought angels always knew right from wrong.

18Then the king said to the woman, "I am going to ask you something. Do not hide the answer from me." The woman said, "Let my lord the king ask."

Then the king answered and said unto the woman, Hide not from me, I pray thee, the thing that I shall ask thee. And the woman said, Let my lord the king now speak.

19The king said, "Is Joab helping you with all this?" The woman answered, "As surely as you live, my lord the king, no one can get around what you say. Yes, your servant Joab told me to come. He gave me every word to say."

And the king said, Is not the hand of Joab with thee in all this? And the woman answered and said, As thy soul liveth, my lord the king, none can turn to the right hand or to the left from ought that my lord the king hath spoken: for thy servant Joab, he bade me, and he put all these words in the mouth of thine handmaid:

20"Joab did this to change the way things are. My lord is wise, like an angel of God is wise. You know everything that happens in the land."

To fetch about this form of speech hath thy servant Joab done this thing: and my lord is wise, according to the wisdom of an angel of God, to know all things that are in the earth.

21The king said to Joab, "All right, I will do this. Go and bring the young man Absalom back."

And the king said unto Joab, Behold now, I have done this thing: go therefore, bring the young man Absalom again.

22Joab bowed with his face to the ground and thanked the king. He said, "Today I know you are pleased with me, my lord the king. You have done what I asked."

And Joab fell to the ground on his face, and bowed himself, and thanked the king: and Joab said, To day thy servant knoweth that I have found grace in thy sight, my lord, O king, in that the king hath fulfilled the request of his servant.

23So Joab got up and went to Geshur. He brought Absalom back to Jerusalem.

So Joab arose and went to Geshur, and brought Absalom to Jerusalem.

NoteGeshur was a small kingdom far to the north. Absalom's grandfather was king there.

24But the king said, "Let him go to his own house. He must not see my face." So Absalom went home and did not see the king.

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

NoteSeeing the king's face meant being allowed to visit him. Absalom could come home, but not see his father.

25In all Israel no man was praised for his looks like Absalom. From his feet to the top of his head, nothing about him looked wrong.

But in all Israel there was none to be so much praised as Absalom for his beauty: from the sole of his foot even to the crown of his head there was no blemish in him.

26Absalom cut his hair once a year, because it grew so heavy. When he cut it, he weighed it. It weighed two hundred shekels by the king's weight.

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.

NoteA shekel was a small weight, about the weight of a large coin. Two hundred shekels was about five pounds. The king's weight was the official one everyone used.

27Absalom had three sons and one daughter. His daughter's name was Tamar. She was beautiful.

And unto Absalom there were born three sons, and one daughter, whose name was Tamar: she was a woman of a fair countenance.

NoteTamar was also the name of Absalom's sister. He named his daughter after her.

28Absalom lived in Jerusalem for two whole years. In all that time he never saw the king's face.

So Absalom dwelt two full years in Jerusalem, and saw not the king’s face.

29Absalom sent for Joab, to send him to the king. But Joab would not come. Absalom sent a second time, and Joab still would not come.

Therefore Absalom sent for Joab, 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.

30So Absalom said to his servants, "Look, Joab's field is next to mine. He has barley growing there. Go and set it on fire." And his servants set the field on fire.

Therefore he said unto his servants, See, Joab’s field is near mine, and he hath barley there; go and set it on fire. And Absalom’s servants set the field on fire.

NoteBarley is a grain, like wheat. People ground it up to make bread. Burning the field destroyed food that the family needed.

31Then Joab got up and went to Absalom's house. He asked, "Why did your servants set my field on fire?"

Then Joab arose, and came to Absalom unto his house, and said unto him, Wherefore have thy servants set my field on fire?

32Absalom said, "I sent for you to come here. I wanted you to ask the king something for me. Why did I come back from Geshur? It would be better if I had stayed there. Now let me see the king's face. If I have done wrong, let him kill me."

And Absalom answered Joab, Behold, I sent unto thee, saying, Come hither, that I may send thee to the king, to say, Wherefore 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.

33So Joab went to the king and told him. The king sent for Absalom. Absalom came and bowed with his face to the ground. And the king kissed Absalom.

So Joab came to the king, and told him: and when he had called for Absalom, he came to the king, and bowed himself on his face to the ground before the king: and the king kissed Absalom.

NoteA kiss was how family and friends greeted each other. It showed Absalom was welcome again.

1Some time later, Absalom got a chariot and horses for himself. He also got fifty men to run ahead of him.

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

NoteA chariot was a cart with wheels, pulled by horses. Only rich and important people rode in one. Kings had men run ahead of them so everyone would look.

2Absalom got up early and stood by the road to the city gate. People with arguments came there for the king to settle them. Absalom would call to a man and ask, "What town are you from?" The man would say, "I am from one of the tribes of Israel."

And Absalom rose up early, and stood beside the way of the gate: and it was so, that when any man that had a controversy came to the king for judgment, then Absalom called unto him, and said, Of what city art thou? And he said, Thy servant is of one of the tribes of Israel.

NoteThe city gate was the big doorway in the town wall. People met there to settle arguments, the way a courtroom does today. The tribes of Israel were the twelve big family groups of the country.

3Then Absalom said, "Look, your side of the argument is good and fair. But the king has no one here to listen to you."

And Absalom said unto him, See, thy matters are good and right; but there is no man deputed of the king to hear thee.

4He would also say, "I wish someone would make me the judge here. Then everyone with a problem could come to me. I would treat each one fairly."

Absalom said moreover, Oh that I were made judge in the land, that every man which hath any suit or cause might come unto me, and I would do him justice!

NoteA judge was the person who listened to both sides of an argument. He decided who was right.

5When a man came close to bow down to him, Absalom stopped him. He reached out, took hold of the man, and kissed him.

And it was so, that when any man came nigh to him to do him obeisance, he put forth his hand, and took him, and kissed him.

NoteBowing down was how people showed honor to someone important. A kiss on the cheek was a friendly hello, like a handshake now.

6Absalom did this to every man of Israel who came to the king for help. That is how he won the hearts of the people.

And on this manner did Absalom to all Israel that came to the king for judgment: so Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel.

NoteThe King James says Absalom "stole the hearts" of the men of Israel. That means he made people love him instead of the king.

7Four years went by. Then Absalom said to the king, "Please let me go to Hebron. I want to keep a promise I made to the LORD."

And it came to pass after forty years, that Absalom said unto the king, I pray thee, let me go and pay my vow, which I have vowed unto the LORD, in Hebron.

NoteHebron was the town where David was first made king, long before this. A promise made to God was called a vow. People kept vows very carefully.

8"I made that promise while I was living in Geshur, in Syria. I said, 'If the LORD brings me back to Jerusalem, I will worship him.'"

For thy servant vowed a vow while I abode at Geshur in Syria, saying, If the LORD shall bring me again indeed to Jerusalem, then I will serve the LORD.

NoteGeshur was a country far from home. Absalom had lived there a few years after he ran away.

9The king said, "Go in peace." So Absalom got up and went to Hebron.

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

10But Absalom sent secret messengers all through the tribes of Israel. He told them, "When you hear the horn blow, shout, 'Absalom is king in Hebron!'"

But Absalom sent spies throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, As soon as ye hear the sound of the trumpet, then ye shall say, Absalom reigneth in Hebron.

NoteThe horn was a ram's horn, blown hard like a trumpet. People used it to send a signal everyone could hear far away.

11Two hundred men from Jerusalem went along with Absalom as invited guests. They went honestly. They knew nothing about his secret plan.

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

NoteThese two hundred men were invited along as guests. They thought they were going to a worship feast. They did not know Absalom wanted to take the throne.

12While Absalom was giving offerings, he sent for a man named Ahithophel. Ahithophel came from the town of Giloh. He had been King David's adviser, the man who told the king what to do. The secret plan grew strong, and more and more people joined Absalom.

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

NoteOfferings were gifts of animals or food given to God at a worship place.

13A messenger came to David and said, "The men of Israel have turned to Absalom."

And there came a messenger to David, saying, The hearts of the men of Israel are after Absalom.

14David said to all his servants in Jerusalem, "Get up. We must run away. If we stay, Absalom will catch us. He will hurt us and attack the city with swords. Hurry and go!"

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

15The king's servants answered, "We are ready. We will do whatever you decide, our lord the king."

And the king’s servants said unto the king, Behold, thy servants are ready to do whatsoever my lord the king shall appoint.

16So the king left, and his whole household followed him. He left ten women behind to take care of the palace.

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

NoteThese ten women were part of the king's household. They were a kind of wife, but with less honor than a queen.

17The king went out with all the people following him. They stopped at the last house on the way out.

And the king went forth, and all the people after him, and tarried in a place that was far off.

NoteThe last house was the edge of town. After that came open country.

18All his servants marched past him. So did the Cherethites and the Pelethites. Six hundred men from the city of Gath marched past the king too.

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.

NoteThe Cherethites and the Pelethites came from other lands. They were soldiers hired to guard the king. Gath was a city in a nearby country called Philistia.

19The king said to Ittai, a man from Gath, "Why are you coming with us? Go back and stay with the new king. You came here from another country, far from your home."

Then said the king to Ittai the Gittite, Wherefore goest thou also with us? return to thy place, and abide with the king: for thou art a stranger, and also an exile.

NoteBy "the new king" David means Absalom. David thinks Absalom will take his place.

20"You only came here yesterday. Why should I make you wander around with us? I do not even know where I am going. Go back, and take your countrymen with you. May God be kind and faithful to you."

Whereas thou camest but yesterday, should I this day make thee go up and down with us? seeing I go whither I may, return thou, and take back thy brethren: mercy and truth be with thee.

21Ittai answered the king, "As surely as the LORD lives, and as you live, I will stay with you. Wherever you are, I will be there too, whether it means life or death."

And Ittai answered the king, and said, As the LORD liveth, and as my lord the king liveth, surely in what place my lord the king shall be, whether in death or life, even there also will thy servant be.

Note"As the LORD liveth" was a way of making a very strong promise. It meant, I truly mean this.

22David said to Ittai, "Then come along." So Ittai marched on with all his men and all the little children with them.

And David 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.

23Everyone out in the countryside cried out loud as the people went by. The king crossed the Kidron brook, and all the people crossed it too. They headed toward the empty desert land.

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.

NoteThe Kidron was a small stream in a valley just outside Jerusalem. Crossing it meant David was really leaving the city. The desert was dry, empty land with almost no people.

24Zadok the priest was there as well. The Levites with him carried the ark of God's covenant. They set the ark down, and Abiathar gave offerings until everyone had left the city.

And lo Zadok also, and all the Levites were with him, bearing the ark of the covenant of God: and they set down the ark of God; and Abiathar went up, until all the people had done passing out of the city.

NoteThe Levites were one big family group of Israel. Their job was helping with worship. A priest led the worship and brought people's gifts to God. The ark was the special box that showed God was with his people.

25The king said to Zadok, "Carry the ark of God back into the city. If the LORD is pleased with me, he will bring me back. Then I will see the ark and God's house again."

And the king said unto Zadok, Carry back the ark of God into the city: if I shall find favour in the eyes of the LORD, he will bring me again, and shew me both it, and his habitation:

NoteGod's house was the special tent in Jerusalem. That is where people came to worship God.

26"But if he says, 'I am not pleased with you,' then here I am. He may do to me whatever seems right to him."

But if he thus say, I have no delight in thee; behold, here am I, let him do to me as seemeth good unto him.

27The king also said to Zadok the priest, "You are a seer, a man God shows things to. Go back to the city in peace. Take your son Ahimaaz and Abiathar's son Jonathan with you."

The king said also unto Zadok the priest, Art not thou a seer? return into the city in peace, and your two sons with you, Ahimaaz thy son, and Jonathan the son of Abiathar.

28"I will wait at the river crossings out in the desert. I will stay there until you send me news."

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

NoteRiver crossings were shallow spots where people could walk across the water.

29So Zadok and Abiathar carried the ark of God back to Jerusalem. They stayed there.

Zadok therefore and Abiathar carried the ark of God again to Jerusalem: and they tarried there.

30David walked up the Mount of Olives, crying as he climbed. His head was covered and his feet were bare. All the people with him covered their heads too. They cried as they walked up the hill.

And David 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.

NoteThe Mount of Olives is a hill next to Jerusalem, covered with olive trees. Covering your head and walking without shoes showed everyone you were very sad.

31Someone told David, "Ahithophel has joined Absalom's secret plan." David prayed, "LORD, please turn Ahithophel's advice into foolish advice."

And one told David, saying, Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom. And David said, O LORD, I pray thee, turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness.

32David reached the top of the hill, where he used to worship God. Hushai the Archite came there to meet him. Hushai's coat was torn, and he had dirt on his head.

And it came to pass, that when David was come to the top of the mount, where he worshipped God, behold, Hushai the Archite came to meet him with his coat rent, and earth upon his head:

NoteTearing your coat and putting dirt on your head showed deep sadness. People did this so others could see how they felt.

33David said to him, "If you come along with me, you will only be a load for me to carry."

Unto whom David said, If thou passest on with me, then thou shalt be a burden unto me:

34"Instead, go back to the city. Say to Absalom, 'I will serve you, my king. I served your father before, and now I will serve you.' Then you can ruin Ahithophel's advice for me."

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

35"Zadok and Abiathar the priests will be there with you. Tell them everything you hear in the king's house."

And hast thou not there with thee Zadok and Abiathar the priests? therefore it shall be, that what thing soever thou shalt hear out of the king’s house, thou shalt tell it to Zadok and Abiathar the priests.

36"Their two sons are with them, Ahimaaz and Jonathan. Send those two to me with everything you hear."

Behold, they have there with them their two sons, Ahimaaz Zadok’s son, and Jonathan Abiathar’s son; and by them ye shall send unto me every thing that ye can hear.

37So Hushai, David's friend, went into the city. Absalom was arriving in Jerusalem at the same time.

So Hushai David’s friend came into the city, and Absalom came into Jerusalem.

Note"David's friend" was a real job at the palace. The king's friend was a trusted helper who gave him advice.