Absalom

1David walked a little past the top of the hill. There he met Ziba, the servant of Mephibosheth. Ziba had two donkeys with saddles on them. The donkeys carried 200 loaves of bread and 100 bunches of raisins. They also carried 100 pieces of summer fruit and a skin bag of wine.

And when David was a little past the top of the hill, behold, Ziba the servant of Mephibosheth met him, with a couple of asses saddled, and upon them two hundred loaves of bread, and an hundred bunches of raisins, and an hundred of summer fruits, and a bottle of wine.

NoteDavid was running away from his son Absalom, who wanted to be king. Ziba worked for Mephibosheth, a grandson of King Saul. Wine was carried in bags made from animal skin, not bottles.

2The king asked Ziba, "Why did you bring all this?" Ziba said, "The donkeys are for your family to ride. The bread and fruit are for the young men to eat. The wine is for anyone who gets tired out in the desert."

And the king said unto Ziba, What meanest thou by these? And Ziba said, The asses be for the king’s household to ride on; and the bread and summer fruit for the young men to eat; and the wine, that such as be faint in the wilderness may drink.

NoteThe desert here is dry, empty land with no towns and little water. Walking through it was hot and tiring.

3The king asked, "Where is Mephibosheth, your master's grandson?" Ziba said, "He stayed in Jerusalem. He said, 'Today the people of Israel will give me back my grandfather's kingdom.'"

And the king said, And where is thy master’s son? And Ziba said unto the king, Behold, he abideth at Jerusalem: for he said, To day shall the house of Israel restore me the kingdom of my father.

NoteSaul was the king before David. Mephibosheth was Saul's grandson. So he might hope to be king one day.

4The king said to Ziba, "Then everything Mephibosheth owned is yours now." Ziba bowed low. He said, "I hope you are always pleased with me, my lord the king."

Then said the king to Ziba, Behold, thine are all that pertained unto Mephibosheth. And Ziba said, I humbly beseech thee that I may find grace in thy sight, my lord, O king.

NoteBowing low was how people showed respect to a king. Ziba is asking David to keep liking him.

5King David came near a town called Bahurim. A man from Saul's family came out to meet him. His name was Shimei, son of Gera. He kept cursing David as he came, shouting for bad things to happen to him.

And when king David 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.

NoteBahurim was a small town near the road David was walking. To curse someone means to shout for bad things to happen to them.

6He threw stones at David and at all of David's servants. All the people and all the strong fighters walked on David's right side and his left side.

And he cast stones at David, and at all the servants of king David: and all the people and all the mighty men were on his right hand and on his left.

NoteThe King James calls them David's "mighty men." They were his bravest and strongest soldiers.

7This is what Shimei shouted as he cursed. "Get out, get out, you killer! You are a worthless man!"

And thus said Shimei when he cursed, Come out, come out, thou bloody man, and thou man of Belial:

NoteThe King James says "thou man of Belial." That was a way of calling someone bad and good for nothing.

8"The LORD is paying you back for the blood of Saul's family. You became king in Saul's place. Now the LORD has given the kingdom to your son Absalom. You are caught in your own trouble, because you are a killer."

The LORD hath returned upon thee all the blood of the house of Saul, in whose stead thou hast reigned; and the LORD hath delivered the kingdom into the hand of Absalom thy son: and, behold, thou art taken in thy mischief, because thou art a bloody man.

NoteShimei is blaming David for people in Saul's family who died. He thinks David took the throne in a wrong way.

9Then Abishai, the son of Zeruiah, spoke to the king. "Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? Let me go over there and cut off his head."

Then said Abishai the son of Zeruiah unto the king, Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? let me go over, I pray thee, and take off his head.

NoteAbishai was David's nephew and one of his best fighters. Calling someone a "dead dog" was a very strong insult. It meant the person was worth nothing.

10The king said, "This is not your business, you sons of Zeruiah. Let him curse me. The LORD told him to curse David. So who can ask why he did it?"

And the king said, What have I to do with you, ye sons of Zeruiah? so let him curse, because the LORD hath said unto him, Curse David. Who shall then say, Wherefore hast thou done so?

NoteZeruiah was David's sister. Her sons fought for David and were quick to get angry.

11David said to Abishai and to all his servants, "Look. My own son wants to kill me. So of course this man from Benjamin's family wants to hurt me too. Leave him alone. Let him curse. The LORD told him to."

And David said to Abishai, and to all his servants, Behold, my son, which came forth of my bowels, seeketh my life: how much more now may this Benjamite do it? let him alone, and let him curse; for the LORD hath bidden him.

NoteBenjamin was one of the twelve family groups of Israel. King Saul came from that group, so Shimei's family and David's family did not get along.

12"Maybe the LORD will see how much I am hurting. Maybe he will give me good things because of the cursing I get today."

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

13So David and his men kept walking down the road. Shimei walked along the side of the hill across from them. As he went, he cursed, threw stones, and threw dirt at David.

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

NoteThrowing dirt at someone showed everyone that you hated them.

14The king and all the people with him were worn out when they arrived. They rested there and felt better.

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

15Absalom and all the men of Israel came into Jerusalem. Ahithophel, who gave advice, came with him.

And Absalom, and all the people the men of Israel, came to Jerusalem, and Ahithophel with him.

NoteAhithophel used to help David decide what to do. Now he was helping Absalom instead.

16Hushai the Archite was David's friend. He came to Absalom and said, "Long live the king! Long live the king!"

And it came to pass, when Hushai the Archite, David’s friend, was come unto Absalom, that Hushai said unto Absalom, God save the king, God save the king.

NoteDavid had secretly sent Hushai to pretend to join Absalom. "Long live the king" was a greeting that wished a king a long life. Archite means Hushai came from a place called Archi.

17Absalom said to Hushai, "Is this how you treat your friend David? Why did you not go with him?"

And Absalom said to Hushai, Is this thy kindness to thy friend? why wentest thou not with thy friend?

18Hushai said to Absalom, "No. I belong to the man the LORD chooses. I belong to the man Israel chooses. I will stay with him."

And Hushai said unto Absalom, Nay; but whom the LORD, and this people, and all the men of Israel, choose, his will I be, and with him will I abide.

19"Besides, who else should I serve? Should I not serve the king's son? I helped your father. Now I will help you the same way."

And again, whom should I serve? should I not serve in the presence of his son? as I have served in thy father’s presence, so will I be in thy presence.

20Then Absalom said to Ahithophel, "Tell me what you think. What should we do?"

Then said Absalom to Ahithophel, Give counsel among you what we shall do.

21Ahithophel said, "Your father left some of his wives here to take care of the palace. Go and sleep with them. Then all Israel will hear that your father hates you now. That will make your men brave and ready to fight."

And Ahithophel said unto Absalom, Go in unto thy father’s concubines, which he hath left to keep the house; and all Israel shall hear that thou art abhorred of thy father: then shall the hands of all that are with thee be strong.

NoteThe wives of a king belonged only to him. Taking them told everyone, "I am the king now, not my father." After that, Absalom could never make peace with David.

22So they put up a tent for Absalom on the flat roof of the palace. Absalom went in and slept with his father's concubines, women who were his, a bit like wives. All Israel could see it.

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

NoteRoofs back then were flat, like an extra room on top of the house. People down in the street could see what happened up there. A concubine was a woman who belonged to a man like a wife, with a lower place in the house.

23In those days people trusted the advice of Ahithophel like words from God. Both David and Absalom felt that way about his advice.

And the counsel of Ahithophel, which he counselled in those days, was as if a man had enquired at the oracle of God: so was all the counsel of Ahithophel both with David and with Absalom.

NotePeople believed Ahithophel's advice was always right. They trusted it as much as words from God.

1Ahithophel gave advice to Absalom. He said, "Let me pick twelve thousand men. I will go after David tonight."

Moreover Ahithophel said unto Absalom, Let me now choose out twelve thousand men, and I will arise and pursue after David this night:

NoteAbsalom was King David's own son. He was trying to take his father's throne. Ahithophel was a man people trusted to give wise advice.

2"I will attack him while he is tired and weak. I will scare him. All his people will run away. I will kill only the king."

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"Then I will bring all the people back to you. You want only one man. After that, everyone else can live in peace."

And I will bring back all the people unto thee: the man whom thou seekest is as if all returned: so all the people shall be in peace.

4Absalom liked this plan very much. So did all the leaders of Israel.

And the saying pleased Absalom well, and all the elders of Israel.

NoteLeaders here means the older men who spoke for the people. People listened to them and followed their choices.

5Then Absalom said, "Call Hushai the Archite too. Let us hear what he says as well."

Then said Absalom, Call now Hushai the Archite also, and let us hear likewise what he saith.

NoteHushai was really King David's friend. He came to Absalom to give him bad advice on purpose.

6Hushai came to Absalom. Absalom told him what Ahithophel had said. He asked, "Should we do it? If not, tell us your plan."

And when Hushai was come to Absalom, Absalom spake unto him, saying, Ahithophel hath spoken after this manner: shall we do after his saying? if not; speak thou.

7Hushai said, "This time Ahithophel's advice is not good."

And Hushai said unto Absalom, The counsel that Ahithophel hath given is not good at this time.

8Hushai said, "You know your father and his men. They are strong fighters. Right now they are angry, like a mother bear whose cubs were stolen. Your father knows war. He will not sleep in camp with the soldiers."

For, said Hushai, thou knowest thy 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 thy father is a man of war, and will not lodge with the people.

9"By now he is hiding in a pit or some other place. If some of your men are killed first, people will hear about it. They will say, "Absalom's soldiers are being killed."

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 Absalom.

NoteA pit is a deep hole in the ground. It could also mean a cave in the rocks.

10"Then even the bravest soldier will lose all his courage. All Israel knows your father is a strong fighter. They know his men are brave too."

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

11"So here is my advice. Gather all Israel to you, from Dan in the north to Beersheba in the south. Let there be as many men as sand on the beach. And lead them into battle yourself."

Therefore I counsel that all Israel be generally gathered unto thee, from Dan even to Beersheba, as the sand that is by the sea for multitude; and that thou go to battle in thine own person.

NoteDan was the town farthest north. Beersheba was the town farthest south. Saying both means everybody in the whole country.

12"Then we will find David wherever he is. We will cover him like dew covers the ground. Not one of his men will be left alive."

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.

NoteDew is tiny drops of water. It covers the grass everywhere in the morning. Hushai means their army would cover David the same way.

13"If he hides inside a city, all Israel will bring ropes. We will pull that city down into the valley. Not one small stone will be left."

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

NoteCities back then had thick stone walls around them. Pulling a whole city down with ropes was a huge brag.

14Absalom and all the men of Israel said Hushai's advice was better. But the LORD had already decided to stop Ahithophel's good advice. God was bringing trouble on Absalom.

And Absalom and all the men of Israel said, The counsel of Hushai the Archite is better than the counsel of Ahithophel. For the LORD had appointed to defeat the good counsel of Ahithophel, to the intent that the LORD might bring evil upon Absalom.

NoteThe LORD in big letters is God's own special name. Israel used it when they talked about their God.

15Then Hushai went to Zadok and Abiathar, the priests. He told them both plans, Ahithophel's and his own.

Then said Hushai unto Zadok and to Abiathar the priests, Thus and thus did Ahithophel counsel Absalom and the elders of Israel; and thus and thus have I counselled.

NoteA priest was a man who served God for the people.

16"Send word to David quickly. Tell him not to stay tonight by the river crossings in the desert. Tell him to cross over at once. If he waits, he and all his people may be destroyed."

Now therefore send quickly, and tell David, 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.

NoteA river crossing is a shallow place. People could walk across the water there instead of swimming.

17Jonathan and Ahimaaz were waiting at a spring called En-rogel. They could not let anyone see them go into the city. A servant girl brought them the news. Then they carried it to King David.

Now Jonathan and Ahimaaz stayed by Enrogel; for they might not be seen to come into the city: and a wench went and told them; and they went and told king David.

NoteA spring is a place where water comes up out of the ground. People went there to fill their water jars.

18But a young man saw them and told Absalom. So the two left fast. They came to a house in Bahurim. The man there had a well in his yard. They climbed down into it.

Nevertheless a lad saw them, and told Absalom: 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.

NoteA well is a deep hole dug down to water. This one was dry enough for two men to hide inside.

19The man's wife spread a cover over the mouth of the well. She scattered grain on top of the cover. Nobody could tell anything was hidden there.

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

NoteWomen spread grain outside to dry in the sun. So the grain made the well look like a normal work spot.

20Absalom's servants came to the woman and asked where Ahimaaz and Jonathan were. She said, "They went over the brook." The men looked but could not find them. So they went back to Jerusalem.

And when Absalom’s servants came to the woman to the house, they said, Where is Ahimaaz and Jonathan? 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.

21After the men left, the two climbed out of the well. They hurried to King David. They said, "Get up and cross the river right now. This is the plan Ahithophel made against you."

And it came to pass, after they were departed, that they came up out of the well, and went and told king David, and said unto David, Arise, and pass quickly over the water: for thus hath Ahithophel counselled against you.

22So David and all his people got up. They crossed the Jordan River. By morning light, every single one of them had crossed.

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

NoteThe Jordan is the big river of that land. Once David crossed it, the river lay between him and his enemies.

23Ahithophel saw that no one used his advice. He put a saddle on his donkey and rode home to his own town. He got his house in order. Then he hanged himself and died. He was buried in his father's grave.

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.

NoteGetting his house in order means he settled his things. He said what should happen to his family and his land.

24Then David came to a town called Mahanaim. Absalom crossed the Jordan with all the men of Israel.

Then David came to Mahanaim. And Absalom passed over Jordan, he and all the men of Israel with him.

NoteMahanaim was a strong town on the far side of the Jordan River. It was a safe place for David to stay.

25Absalom put Amasa in charge of the army instead of Joab. Amasa's father was a man named Ithra. His mother was Abigail, the daughter of Nahash. Abigail's sister Zeruiah was Joab's mother.

And Absalom made Amasa captain of the host instead of Joab: which Amasa was a man’s son, whose name was Ithra an Israelite, that went in to Abigail the daughter of Nahash, sister to Zeruiah Joab’s mother.

NoteThe army leader tells all the soldiers what to do. Joab had that job for David. Amasa and Joab were cousins.

26Israel and Absalom set up their camp in the land of Gilead.

So Israel and Absalom pitched in the land of Gilead.

NoteGilead was the land east of the Jordan River. It had good hills for grazing sheep.

27When David came to Mahanaim, three men came to him. They were Shobi son of Nahash, from Rabbah in the land of Ammon; Machir son of Ammiel, from Lo-debar; and Barzillai the Gileadite, from Rogelim.

And it came to pass, when David 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 Gileadite of Rogelim,

NoteAmmon was a country next door to Israel. These three men were rich and had food to share.

28They brought beds, bowls, and clay pots. They also brought wheat, barley, flour, roasted grain, beans, and lentils.

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

NoteLentils are small flat beans that are cooked in soup. Roasted grain was grain cooked over a fire, eaten like a snack.

29They brought honey, thick milk, sheep, and cheese made from cows' milk. All of it was food for David and his people. They said, "These people are hungry, tired, and thirsty out in the desert."

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

NoteThick milk is milk left to get lumpy, a little like yogurt. It was normal food there, and it kept longer than fresh milk.

1David counted the soldiers who were with him. He picked leaders for large groups and for small groups.

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

NoteDavid was the king of Israel. His own son Absalom had taken the throne. Now David's men had to fight Absalom's men.

2David split the army into three parts. Joab led one part. Abishai, Joab's brother, led one part. Ittai, a man from the city of Gath, led one part. The king said, "I will march out with you too."

And David sent forth a third part of the people under the hand of Joab, and a third part under the hand of Abishai the son of Zeruiah, Joab’s brother, and a third part under the hand of Ittai the Gittite. And the king said unto the people, I will surely go forth with you myself also.

NoteGath was a Philistine city, not an Israelite one. Ittai came from there, but he chose to help David.

3But the people said, "You must not come. If we run away, no one will care about us. Even if half of us die, no one will care. But you are worth ten thousand of us. It is better if you help us from inside the city."

But the people answered, Thou 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: but now thou art worth ten thousand of us: therefore now it is better that thou succour us out of the city.

NoteThe soldiers mean the enemy wants the king most of all. If David stays safe, the army still has its leader.

4The king said, "I will do what you think is best." So the king stood beside the city gate. All the soldiers marched out in groups, large and small.

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.

NoteCities had a high wall all around them. The gate was the way in and out. Kings often stood or sat there to watch and to judge.

5The king gave an order to Joab, Abishai, and Ittai. He said, "Be gentle with the young man Absalom, for my sake." All the soldiers heard the king say this about Absalom.

And the king commanded Joab and Abishai and Ittai, saying, Deal gently for my sake with the young man, even with Absalom. And all the people heard when the king gave all the captains charge concerning Absalom.

6So David's army marched out to fight the army of Israel. The battle happened in the forest of Ephraim.

So the people went out into the field against Israel: and the battle was in the wood of Ephraim;

NoteEphraim was the name of one of Israel's big families. The forest was named after them.

7There David's men beat the army of Israel. Many men were killed that day. Twenty thousand died.

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

NoteThese men were Israelites too. They had chosen to follow Absalom instead of David.

8The fighting spread out all over the countryside. That day the forest killed more men than the swords did.

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.

NoteThe forest had deep holes, steep rocks, and thick trees. Men got lost or fell and did not come out.

9Absalom was riding his mule and ran into David's men. The mule went under the thick branches of a big oak tree. Absalom's head got stuck in the tree. The mule kept walking, so he hung there in the air.

And Absalom met the servants of David. And Absalom 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.

NoteA mule looks like a small horse with long ears. Kings and their sons rode mules.

10One of David's men saw this. He told Joab, "I just saw Absalom hanging in an oak tree!"

And a certain man saw it, and told Joab, and said, Behold, I saw Absalom hanged in an oak.

11Joab said to him, "You saw him? Then why did you not strike him down right there? I would have given you ten pieces of silver and a soldier's belt."

And Joab said unto the man that told him, And, behold, thou sawest him, and why didst thou not smite him there to the ground? and I would have given thee ten shekels of silver, and a girdle.

NoteBack then people used pieces of silver for money. Ten pieces was a good sum. A special belt was a gift given to a brave soldier.

12The man answered Joab, "Even for a thousand pieces of silver, I would not hurt the king's son. We all heard the king tell you and Abishai and Ittai to leave the young man Absalom alone."

And the man said unto Joab, 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 thee and Abishai and Ittai, saying, Beware that none touch the young man Absalom.

NoteA thousand pieces of silver was a huge amount. The man is saying no amount of money would change his mind.

13"If I had killed him, I would have put my own life in danger. Nothing stays hidden from the king. And you would have turned against me."

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

NoteHe means the king would find out who did it. Then Joab would not stand up for him.

14Joab said, "I will not stand here waiting with you." He took three spears and pushed them through Absalom's heart. Absalom was still alive in the tree.

Then said Joab, I may not tarry thus with thee. And he took three darts in his hand, and thrust them through the heart of Absalom, while he was yet alive in the midst of the oak.

15Ten young men who carried Joab's weapons came around Absalom. They struck him and killed him.

And ten young men that bare Joab’s armour compassed about and smote Absalom, and slew him.

NoteThese young men carried Joab's shield and weapons in battle. They stayed close beside him.

16Then Joab blew a horn, and the soldiers stopped chasing the army of Israel. Joab called them back.

And Joab blew the trumpet, and the people returned from pursuing after Israel: for Joab held back the people.

NoteThe horn was made from a ram's horn. Blowing it sent a signal to the whole army.

17They took Absalom's body and threw it into a big pit in the forest. They piled a huge heap of stones over it. All the men of Israel ran away to their homes.

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

NotePiling stones over a dead body was a sign of shame. Enemies were buried this way, not honored.

18While Absalom was alive, he had set up a tall stone for himself in the King's Valley. He had said, "I have no son to keep my name alive." So he named the stone after himself. People still call it Absalom's Monument today.

Now Absalom 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, Absalom’s place.

NoteA monument is a tall stone set up so people remember a name. Long ago, people counted on sons to keep their family name going after they died. The King's Valley was a valley near Jerusalem.

19Then Ahimaaz, the son of Zadok, said, "Let me run and tell the king the news. The LORD has saved him from his enemies."

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

NoteZadok was a priest, a man who led people in worshiping God. There were no phones then, so news was carried by fast runners. When LORD is printed in big letters, it stands for God's own special name.

20Joab said, "You are not the one to carry news today. You may do it another day. But not today, because the king's son is dead."

And Joab said unto him, Thou shalt not bear tidings this day, but thou shalt bear tidings another day: but this day thou shalt bear no tidings, because the king’s son is dead.

NoteA runner who brought happy news often got a reward. A runner with sad news could face an angry king.

21Then Joab said to a man from Cush, "Go and tell the king what you saw." The man bowed to Joab and started running.

Then said Joab to Cushi, Go tell the king what thou hast seen. And Cushi bowed himself unto Joab, and ran.

NoteCush was a land far to the south, in Africa. Bowing was a way of showing respect.

22Ahimaaz, the son of Zadok, asked Joab again. He said, "No matter what, please let me run after him too." Joab said, "Why run, my son? Your news will not earn you any reward."

Then said Ahimaaz the son of Zadok yet again to Joab, But howsoever, let me, I pray thee, also run after Cushi. And Joab said, Wherefore wilt thou run, my son, seeing that thou hast no tidings ready?

23"No matter what, I want to run," he said. Joab said, "Then run." So Ahimaaz ran along the flat road and passed the other man.

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

NoteOne road went over hills and one went along flat ground. The flat road was longer but much easier to run.

24David was sitting between the two gates of the city. A guard climbed up to the roof over the gate. He looked out and saw a man running alone.

And David 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.

NoteCity gates had an outer gate and an inner gate, with a space between. From the roof above, a guard could see far down the road.

25The guard shouted the news down to the king. The king said, "If he is alone, he is bringing news." The runner came closer and closer.

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.

NoteOne man running alone means a messenger. A whole crowd running would mean the army had lost and was fleeing.

26Then the guard saw another man running. He called down to the gatekeeper, "Look, another man is running alone!" The king said, "He is bringing news too."

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.

NoteThe gatekeeper was the man who opened and shut the city gate.

27The guard said, "The first man runs like Ahimaaz, the son of Zadok." The king said, "He is a good man. He is bringing good news."

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.

28Ahimaaz called out to the king, "All is well!" He bowed down with his face to the ground. He said, "Praise the LORD your God! He has handed over the men who fought against you, my king."

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 the LORD thy God, which hath delivered up the men that lifted up their hand against my lord the king.

NoteLying face down on the ground was how people showed great respect to a king.

29The king asked, "Is the young man Absalom safe?" Ahimaaz answered, "When Joab sent the king's servant and me, I saw a lot of noise and rushing about. But I did not know what it was."

And the king said, Is the young man Absalom safe? And Ahimaaz answered, When Joab sent the king’s servant, and me thy servant, I saw a great tumult, but I knew not what it was.

Note"The king's servant" here means the other runner, the man from Cush.

30The king said to him, "Step aside and wait here." So he stepped aside and stood still.

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

31Then the man from Cush arrived. He said, "Good news, my king! Today the LORD has saved you from everyone who fought against you."

And, behold, Cushi came; and Cushi said, Tidings, my lord the king: for the LORD hath avenged thee this day of all them that rose up against thee.

32The king asked him, "Is the young man Absalom safe?" The man answered, "May all your enemies end up like that young man. May everyone who wants to hurt you end up like him."

And the king said unto Cushi, Is the young man Absalom safe? And Cushi answered, The enemies of my lord the king, and all that rise against thee to do thee hurt, be as that young man is.

NoteHe does not say it straight out. He is telling David that Absalom is dead.

33The king shook with sadness. He went up to the room over the gate and cried. As he walked, he said, "Oh, my son Absalom! My son, my son Absalom! I wish I had died instead of you. Oh Absalom, my son, my son!"

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 Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! would God I had died for thee, O Absalom, my son, my son!

NoteThe room over the gate was a small room built above the gateway.