David

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

Spring came, the time of year when kings went out to fight. David sent Joab, the leader of his army, with his soldiers and all Israel. They beat the Ammonites and surrounded their city, Rabbah. But David stayed behind in Jerusalem.

2And it came to pass in an eveningtide, that David 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.

One evening David got up from his bed. He walked around on the flat roof of the king's house. From up there he saw a woman taking a bath. She was very beautiful.

3And David sent and enquired after the woman. And one said, Is not this Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?

David sent someone to find out who she was. The man said, "That is Bathsheba. Her father is Eliam. She is the wife of Uriah the Hittite."

4And David 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.

David sent men to bring her to him. She came, and David slept with her. She had just made herself clean, the way God's law told women to. Then she went back home.

5And the woman conceived, and sent and told David, and said, I am with child.

Later the woman knew she was going to have a baby. She sent a message to David that said, "I am going to have a baby."

6And David sent to Joab, saying, Send me Uriah the Hittite. And Joab sent Uriah to David.

So David sent word to Joab: "Send me Uriah the Hittite." And Joab sent Uriah to David.

7And when Uriah was come unto him, David demanded of him how Joab did, and how the people did, and how the war prospered.

When Uriah arrived, David asked him questions. He asked how Joab was, how the soldiers were, and how the war was going.

8And David said to Uriah, Go down to thy house, and wash thy feet. And Uriah departed out of the king’s house, and there followed him a mess of meat from the king.

Then David said to Uriah, "Go down to your house and rest." Uriah left the king's house. The king sent a gift of food after him.

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

But Uriah did not go down to his house. He slept by the door of the king's house with the king's other servants.

10And when they had told David, saying, Uriah went not down unto his house, David said unto Uriah, Camest thou not from thy journey? why then didst thou not go down unto thine house?

People told David, "Uriah did not go home." So David asked him, "You just came back from a long trip. Why didn't you go home?"

11And Uriah said unto David, The ark, and Israel, and Judah, abide in tents; and my lord Joab, and the servants of my lord, 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 thou livest, and as thy soul liveth, I will not do this thing.

Uriah said, "The ark, the special gold box that showed God was with Israel, is out in a tent. The soldiers of Israel and Judah are living in tents too. Joab and my master's men sleep out in open fields. How could I go home to eat and drink and sleep with my wife? As surely as you are alive, I will not do that."

12And David said to Uriah, Tarry here to day also, and to morrow I will let thee depart. So Uriah abode in Jerusalem that day, and the morrow.

David said, "Stay here one more day. Tomorrow I will send you back." So Uriah stayed in Jerusalem that day and the next.

13And when David 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, but went not down to his house.

David asked Uriah to eat and drink with him, and he made Uriah drunk. That evening Uriah went out and slept with the king's servants again. He still did not go home.

14And it came to pass in the morning, that David wrote a letter to Joab, and sent it by the hand of Uriah.

The next morning David wrote a letter to Joab. He sent the letter with Uriah, who carried it himself.

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

The letter said, "Put Uriah at the front, where the fighting is hardest. Then pull the other men back from him. Let him be struck down and killed."

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

Joab was watching the city carefully. He put Uriah in the spot where he knew the strongest enemy soldiers were.

17And the men of the city went out, and fought with Joab: and there fell some of the people of the servants of David; and Uriah the Hittite died also.

The men of the city came out and fought against Joab. Some of David's soldiers were killed. Uriah the Hittite was killed too.

18Then Joab sent and told David all the things concerning the war;

Then Joab sent a messenger to tell David everything about the fighting.

19And charged the messenger, saying, When thou hast made an end of telling the matters of the war unto the king,

Joab told the messenger what to do. He said, "First tell the king all about the battle."

20And if so be that the king’s wrath arise, and he say unto thee, Wherefore approached ye so nigh unto the city when ye did fight? knew ye not that they would shoot from the wall?

"The king may get angry. He may ask you, 'Why did you fight so close to the city? Didn't you know they shoot arrows from the top of the wall?'"

21Who smote Abimelech the son of Jerubbesheth? did not a woman cast a piece of a millstone upon him from the wall, that he died in Thebez? why went ye nigh the wall? then say thou, Thy servant Uriah the Hittite is dead also.

"'Remember Abimelech son of Jerubbesheth. A woman dropped a heavy grinding stone on him from a wall. He died in the town of Thebez. So why did you go near the wall?' If the king says that, tell him, 'Your servant Uriah the Hittite is dead too.'"

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

So the messenger went to David. He told him everything Joab had sent him to say.

23And the messenger said unto David, 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.

The messenger said, "Their men were stronger and came out at us in the open field. But we pushed them back to the gate of the city."

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

"Then men on top of the wall shot arrows at your soldiers. Some of the king's men were killed. Your servant Uriah the Hittite is dead too."

25Then David said unto the messenger, Thus shalt thou say unto Joab, Let not this thing displease thee, for the sword devoureth one as well as another: make thy battle more strong against the city, and overthrow it: and encourage thou him.

David said to the messenger, "Tell Joab this: 'Do not let this upset you. A sword kills one man as easily as another. Fight harder against the city and tear it down.' Tell Joab to keep his courage."

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

Uriah's wife heard that her husband was dead. She cried and mourned for him.

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

When the time of mourning was over, David sent for her. She came to his house and became his wife, and she had a son. But what David had done was wrong in the LORD's eyes.

1And the LORD sent Nathan unto David. And he came unto him, and said unto him, There were two men in one city; the one rich, and the other poor.

The Lord sent Nathan to David. Nathan was a prophet, a man who told people what God said. Nathan came and told him a story. "Two men lived in one town. One was rich. One was poor."

2The rich man had exceeding many flocks and herds:

"The rich man had very many sheep and cows."

3But 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.

"The poor man had nothing but one little girl lamb. He had bought her and raised her. She grew up with him and his children. She ate his food and drank from his cup. She slept in his arms. She was like a daughter to him."

4And 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.

"A traveler came to visit the rich man. The rich man did not want to cook one of his own sheep or cows. So he took the poor man's lamb instead. He cooked it for his visitor."

5And David’s anger was greatly kindled against the man; and he said to Nathan, As the LORD liveth, the man that hath done this thing shall surely die:

David became very angry at that man. He said to Nathan, "As surely as the Lord lives, that man should die!"

6And he shall restore the lamb fourfold, because he did this thing, and because he had no pity.

"He must pay back four lambs for the one lamb. He did this thing, and he felt no pity at all."

7And Nathan said to David, Thou art the man. Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, I anointed thee king over Israel, and I delivered thee out of the hand of Saul;

Nathan said to David, "You are that man." Then he said, "This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says. I made you king over Israel. I kept you safe from Saul."

8And I gave thee thy master’s house, and thy master’s wives into thy bosom, and gave thee the house of Israel and of Judah; and if that had been too little, I would moreover have given unto thee such and such things.

"I gave you your master's house. I gave you his wives to be your own. I gave you the people of Israel and Judah. If that was not enough, I would have given you much more."

9Wherefore hast thou despised the commandment of the LORD, to do evil in his sight? thou hast killed Uriah the Hittite with the sword, and hast taken his wife to be thy wife, and hast slain him with the sword of the children of Ammon.

"So why did you push aside what the Lord told you? Why did you do what I say is wrong? You had Uriah the Hittite killed with a sword. You took his wife to be your wife. The army of Ammon killed him for you."

10Now therefore the sword shall never depart from thine house; because thou hast despised me, and hast taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be thy wife.

"So now fighting and killing will never leave your family. You turned away from me. You took Uriah's wife to be your own wife."

11Thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will raise up evil against thee out of thine own house, and I will take thy wives before thine eyes, and give them unto thy neighbour, and he shall lie with thy wives in the sight of this sun.

"This is what the Lord says. I will bring trouble on you from inside your own family. I will take your wives away while you watch. I will give them to a man close to you. He will sleep with them in the open daylight."

12For thou didst it secretly: but I will do this thing before all Israel, and before the sun.

"You did your wrong in secret. I will do this where all Israel can see it."

13And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the LORD. And Nathan said unto David, The LORD also hath put away thy sin; thou shalt not die.

David said to Nathan, "I have sinned against the Lord." Nathan said to David, "The Lord has taken your sin away. You will not die."

14Howbeit, because by this deed thou hast given great occasion to the enemies of the LORD to blaspheme, the child also that is born unto thee shall surely die.

"But what you did gives the Lord's enemies a reason to say bad things about him. So the baby boy born to you will die."

15And Nathan departed unto his house. And the LORD struck the child that Uriah’s wife bare unto David, and it was very sick.

Then Nathan went home. The Lord made the baby sick. It was the child Uriah's wife had with David. The baby was very sick.

16David therefore besought God for the child; and David fasted, and went in, and lay all night upon the earth.

David begged God to let the boy live. He would not eat. He went inside and lay on the ground all night.

17And 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.

The leaders of his house came and stood beside him. They tried to lift him up from the ground. He would not get up. He would not eat any food with them.

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

On the seventh day the baby died. David's servants were afraid to tell him. They said, "He would not listen to us while the child was alive. What will he do if we say the child is dead? He might even hurt himself."

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

David saw his servants whispering to each other. He knew then that the baby had died. He asked them, "Is the child dead?" They said, "He is dead."

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

David got up from the ground. He washed and rubbed oil on his skin. He put on clean clothes. He went to the Lord's house and worshipped there. Then he went home and asked for food, and he ate.

21Then said his servants unto him, What thing is this that thou hast done? thou didst fast and weep for the child, while it was alive; but when the child was dead, thou didst rise and eat bread.

His servants asked him, "Why are you doing this? You cried and would not eat while the child was alive. Now he is dead, and you get up and eat."

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

David said, "While the child was alive, I cried and would not eat. I thought, who knows? Maybe God will be kind and let him live."

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

"But now he is dead. Why should I stop eating? I cannot bring him back. One day I will go to him. He will not come back to me."

24And David comforted Bathsheba his wife, and went in unto her, and lay with her: and she bare a son, and he called his name Solomon: and the LORD loved him.

David comforted his wife Bathsheba. He went to her, and later she had a son. They named him Solomon. The Lord loved the boy.

25And he sent by the hand of Nathan the prophet; and he called his name Jedidiah, because of the LORD.

The Lord sent a message through Nathan the prophet. Nathan gave the boy another name, Jedidiah. That name means "loved by the Lord."

1And 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.

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

2And 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.

Amnon wanted Tamar so much that he made himself sick. She was not married, and she was carefully watched. Amnon could see no way to get near her.

3But Amnon had a friend, whose name was Jonadab, the son of Shimeah David’s brother: and Jonadab was a very subtil man.

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

4And 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.

Jonadab 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."

5And 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.

Jonadab 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."

6So 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.

So 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."

7Then David sent home to Tamar, saying, Go now to thy brother Amnon’s house, and dress him meat.

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

8So 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.

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

9And 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.

She 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.

10And 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.

Amnon 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.

11And when she had brought them unto him to eat, he took hold of her, and said unto her, Come lie with me, my sister.

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

12And 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.

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

13And 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.

"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."

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

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

15Then 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.

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

16And 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.

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

17Then he called his servant that ministered unto him, and said, Put now this woman out from me, and bolt the door after her.

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

18And 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.

Tamar 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.

19And 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.

Tamar 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.

20And 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.

Her 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.

21But when king David heard of all these things, he was very wroth.

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

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

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

23And 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.

Two 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.

24And 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.

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

25And 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.

The 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.

26Then 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?

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

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

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

28Now 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.

Absalom 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."

29And 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.

Absalom'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.

30And 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.

While 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."

31Then the king arose, and tare his garments, and lay on the earth; and all his servants stood by with their clothes rent.

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

32And 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.

Then 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."

33Now 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.

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

34But 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.

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

35And Jonadab said unto the king, Behold, the king’s sons come: as thy servant said, so it is.

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

36And 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.

As 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.

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

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

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

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

39And the soul of king David longed to go forth unto Absalom: for he was comforted concerning Amnon, seeing he was dead.

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

1Now Joab the son of Zeruiah perceived that the king’s heart was toward Absalom.

Joab was the son of Zeruiah. He was the leader of David's army. Joab could tell that the king missed his son Absalom.

2And 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:

So 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."

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

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

4And 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.

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

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

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

6And 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.

"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."

7And, 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.

"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."

8And the king said unto the woman, Go to thine house, and I will give charge concerning thee.

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

9And 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.

The 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."

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

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

11Then 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.

Then 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."

12Then the woman said, Let thine handmaid, I pray thee, speak one word unto my lord the king. And he said, Say on.

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

13And 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.

The 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."

14For 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.

"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."

15Now 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.

"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.'"

16For 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.

"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."

17Then 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.

"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."

18Then 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.

Then 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."

19And 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:

The 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."

20To 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.

"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."

21And the king said unto Joab, Behold now, I have done this thing: go therefore, bring the young man Absalom again.

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

22And 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.

Joab 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."

23So Joab arose and went to Geshur, and brought Absalom to Jerusalem.

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

24And 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.

But 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.

25But 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.

In 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.

26And 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.

Absalom 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.

27And unto Absalom there were born three sons, and one daughter, whose name was Tamar: she was a woman of a fair countenance.

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

28So Absalom dwelt two full years in Jerusalem, and saw not the king’s face.

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

29Therefore 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.

Absalom 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.

30Therefore 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.

So 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.

31Then Joab arose, and came to Absalom unto his house, and said unto him, Wherefore have thy servants set my field on fire?

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

32And 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.

Absalom 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."

33So 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.

So 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.

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

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

2And 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.

Absalom 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."

3And Absalom said unto him, See, thy matters are good and right; but there is no man deputed of the king to hear thee.

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

4Absalom 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!

He 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."

5And 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.

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

6And 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.

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

7And 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.

Four 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."

8For 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.

"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.'"

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

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

10But 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.

But 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!'"

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

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

12And 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.

While 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.

13And there came a messenger to David, saying, The hearts of the men of Israel are after Absalom.

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

14And 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.

David 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!"

15And the king’s servants said unto the king, Behold, thy servants are ready to do whatsoever my lord the king shall appoint.

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

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

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

17And the king went forth, and all the people after him, and tarried in a place that was far off.

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

18And 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.

All his servants marched past him. So did the Cherethites and the Pelethites, who were his special guards. Six hundred men from the city of Gath marched past the king too.

19Then 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.

The 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."

20Whereas 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.

"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."

21And 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.

Ittai 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."

22And 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.

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

23And 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.

Everyone 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.

24And 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.

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

25And 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:

The 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."

26But if he thus say, I have no delight in thee; behold, here am I, let him do to me as seemeth good unto him.

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

27The 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.

The 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."

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

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

29Zadok therefore and Abiathar carried the ark of God again to Jerusalem: and they tarried there.

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

30And 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.

David 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.

31And 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.

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

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

David 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.

33Unto whom David said, If thou passest on with me, then thou shalt be a burden unto me:

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

34But 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.

"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."

35And 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.

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

36Behold, 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.

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

37So Hushai David’s friend came into the city, and Absalom came into Jerusalem.

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

1And 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.

David 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.

2And 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.

The 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."

3And 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.

The 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.'"

4Then 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.

The 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."

5And 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.

King 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.

6And 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.

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

7And thus said Shimei when he cursed, Come out, come out, thou bloody man, and thou man of Belial:

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

8The 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.

"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."

9Then 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.

Then 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."

10And 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?

The 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?"

11And 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.

David 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."

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

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

13And 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.

So 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.

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

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

1Moreover Ahithophel said unto Absalom, Let me now choose out twelve thousand men, and I will arise and pursue after David this night:

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

2And 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:

"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."

3And 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.

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

4And the saying pleased Absalom well, and all the elders of Israel.

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

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

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

6And 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.

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

7And Hushai said unto Absalom, The counsel that Ahithophel hath given is not good at this time.

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

8For, 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.

Hushai 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."

9Behold, 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.

"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."

10And 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.

"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."

11Therefore 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.

"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."

12So 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.

"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."

13Moreover, 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.

"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."

14And 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.

Absalom 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.

15Then 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.

Then Hushai went to Zadok and Abiathar, the priests. Priests were men who served God for the people. He told them both plans, Ahithophel's and his own.

16Now 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.

"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."

17Now 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.

Jonathan 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.

18Nevertheless 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.

But 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.

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

The 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.

20And 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.

Absalom'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.

21And 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.

After 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."

22Then 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.

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

23And 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.

Ahithophel 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.

24Then David came to Mahanaim. And Absalom passed over Jordan, he and all the men of Israel with him.

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

25And 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.

Absalom 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.

26So Israel and Absalom pitched in the land of Gilead.

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

27And 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,

When 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.

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

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

29And 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.

They 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."

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

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

2And 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.

David 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."

3But 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.

But 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."

4And 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.

The 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.

5And 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.

The 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.

6So the people went out into the field against Israel: and the battle was in the wood of Ephraim;

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

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

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

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

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

9And 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.

Absalom 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.

10And a certain man saw it, and told Joab, and said, Behold, I saw Absalom hanged in an oak.

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

11And 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.

Joab 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."

12And 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.

The 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."

13Otherwise 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.

"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."

14Then 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.

Joab 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.

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

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

16And Joab blew the trumpet, and the people returned from pursuing after Israel: for Joab held back the people.

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

17And 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.

They 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.

18Now 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.

While 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.