David

1Spring 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.

And 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.

NoteKings fought wars in spring. Winter roads were muddy and hard to travel. Armies could find food in the fields in spring. To surround a city meant to camp all around it. No food or help could get in. The army waited until the people inside gave up. The Ammonites were a people who lived near Israel.

2One 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.

And 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.

NoteHouses then had flat roofs, not pointed ones. A roof was like an extra room outside. People walked there, ate there, and slept there when it was hot. The king's house was a palace, a very big house.

3David 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."

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

NotePeople often said whose son or daughter you were. That told everyone which family you came from. The Hittites were a people from another land. Uriah was a Hittite, but he fought in David's army.

4David 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.

And 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.

NoteGod's law asked women to wash at certain times each month. After that washing they could join in worship again.

5Later 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."

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

6So David sent word to Joab: "Send me Uriah the Hittite." And Joab sent Uriah to David.

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

7When Uriah arrived, David asked him questions. He asked how Joab was, how the soldiers were, and how the war was going.

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

8Then 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.

And 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.

NoteThe King James says "wash thy feet." People wore sandals on dusty roads. Washing your feet was the first thing you did at home. So it was a way of saying, go home and rest.

9But Uriah did not go down to his house. He slept by the door of the king's house with the king's other servants.

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

NoteThe king's servants slept right by his door. They stayed there to guard him through the night.

10People 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?"

And 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?

11Uriah 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."

And 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.

NoteSoldiers in a war stayed away from home comforts. They kept ready to fight at any moment. Uriah would not rest at home while his friends slept in fields. "As surely as you are alive" was a very strong promise. It was like saying, I really mean this.

12David said, "Stay here one more day. Tomorrow I will send you back." So Uriah stayed in Jerusalem that day and the next.

And 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.

13David 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.

And 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.

NoteDrunk means he drank so much wine he could not think clearly.

14The next morning David wrote a letter to Joab. He sent the letter with Uriah, who carried it himself.

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

NoteUriah carried the letter himself and did not know what it said. Letters were folded and sealed shut with wax. Most people could not read, so a sealed letter stayed secret.

15The 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."

And 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.

16Joab was watching the city carefully. He put Uriah in the spot where he knew the strongest enemy soldiers were.

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

17The men of the city came out and fought against Joab. Some of David's soldiers were killed. Uriah the Hittite was killed too.

And 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.

18Then Joab sent a messenger to tell David everything about the fighting.

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

NoteA messenger was a person who carried news by walking or running. There were no phones or letters that traveled fast.

19Joab told the messenger what to do. He said, "First tell the king all about the battle."

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

20"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?'"

And 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?

NoteCities had tall thick walls around them for safety. Men stood on top and shot arrows down at enemies.

21"'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.'"

Who 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.

NoteAbimelech was a leader in Israel long before David. Everyone knew that old story. A millstone is a heavy round stone used to crush grain into flour. It takes two hands to lift one. Jerubbesheth is another name for Abimelech's father, Gideon.

22So the messenger went to David. He told him everything Joab had sent him to say.

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

23The 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."

And 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.

NoteA city wall had one big gate that could be shut. Pushing enemies back to the gate meant pushing them all the way home.

24"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."

And 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.

25David 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."

Then 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.

26Uriah's wife heard that her husband was dead. She cried and mourned for him.

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

NoteMourning was a special time of crying for someone who died. Family and friends often cried together for about seven days.

27When 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.

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

NoteWhen LORD is printed in big letters, it stands for God's own name.

1The Lord sent Nathan to David. Nathan came and told him a story. "Two men lived in one town. One was rich. One was poor."

And 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.

NoteA prophet was a person God gave messages to say out loud. Even a king had to listen to a prophet. Nathan tells David a made up story on purpose. The story helps David see what he himself has done.

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

The rich man had exceeding many flocks and herds:

NoteBack then, rich people did not keep money in a bank. They counted how many sheep and cows they owned.

3"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."

But the poor man had nothing, save one little ewe lamb, which he had bought and nourished up: and it grew up together with him, and with his children; it did eat of his own meat, and drank of his own cup, and lay in his bosom, and was unto him as a daughter.

NoteA ewe lamb is a baby girl sheep. One lamb could be almost everything a poor family owned. Sheep also gave wool and milk, not just meat.

4"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."

And there came a traveller unto the rich man, and he spared to take of his own flock and of his own herd, to dress for the wayfaring man that was come unto him; but took the poor man’s lamb, and dressed it for the man that was come to him.

NoteLong ago people always fed a visitor who came to their door. It was a rule of kindness. The meal often meant cooking one of your animals.

5David became very angry at that man. He said to Nathan, "As surely as the Lord lives, that man should die!"

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

Note"As the LORD liveth" was a very serious promise. It was like saying, this is as true as God is real.

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

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

NoteGod's law said a stolen sheep must be paid back four times over. David is saying the man broke that law.

7Nathan 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."

And 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;

NoteTo anoint a king, someone poured oil on his head. It showed that God had picked him for the job. Saul was the king before David. Saul hunted David and tried to kill him.

8"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."

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

NoteDavid's master was King Saul. When a new king took over, he took care of the old king's whole household. Israel and Judah were the two parts of God's people.

9"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."

Wherefore 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.

NoteUriah was a brave soldier in David's own army. Hittites were people from another land who lived among the Israelites. Ammon was a country next door that Israel was fighting.

10"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."

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

Note"The sword shall never depart" means fighting will keep happening. A sword stood for war and killing.

11"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."

Thus 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.

NoteBack then, taking a king's wives was a way of saying, I am king now. So this trouble would come from someone in David's own family.

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

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

13David said to Nathan, "I have sinned against the Lord." Nathan said to David, "The Lord has taken your sin away. You will not die."

And 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.

NoteTo sin means to do something God says is wrong.

14"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."

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

Note"Blaspheme" means to say ugly, insulting things about God.

15Then Nathan went home. The Lord made the baby sick. It was the child Uriah's wife had with David. The baby was very sick.

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

16David begged God to let the boy live. He would not eat. He went inside and lay on the ground all night.

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

NoteTo fast means to go without food on purpose. People fasted when they were very sad or praying hard. Lying on the bare ground showed the same deep sadness.

17The 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.

And the elders of his house arose, and went to him, to raise him up from the earth: but he would not, neither did he eat bread with them.

NoteThese elders were older, trusted men who helped run the king's house.

18On 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."

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

19David 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."

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

20David 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 worshiped there. Then he went home and asked for food, and he ate.

Then 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.

NotePeople rubbed olive oil on their skin the way we use lotion. Stopping the oil showed you were sad. Starting again showed the sad time was over. The Lord's house here was a special tent for worship. The big temple in Jerusalem was not built yet.

21His 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."

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

22David 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."

And 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?

Note"Gracious" means kind and giving, even when someone does not deserve it.

23"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."

But 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.

NoteDavid means that he will die someday too. Then he will be where his baby is.

24David comforted his wife Bathsheba. He went to her, and later she had a son. They named him Solomon. The Lord loved the boy.

And 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.

NoteThe name Solomon sounds like the word for peace.

25The Lord sent a message through Nathan the prophet. Nathan gave the boy another name, Jedidiah. That name means "loved by the Lord."

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

NoteNames in the Bible often had a meaning inside them. God gave this baby a name that showed love.

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

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

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

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

And Amnon was so vexed, that he fell sick for his sister Tamar; for she was a virgin; and Amnon thought it hard for him to do anything to her.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

So Tamar went to her brother Amnon’s house; and he was laid down. And she took flour, and kneaded it, and made cakes in his sight, and did bake the cakes.

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

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

And she took a pan, and poured them out before him; but he refused to eat. And Amnon said, Have out all men from me. And they went out every man from him.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Then Amnon hated her exceedingly; so that the hatred wherewith he hated her was greater than the love wherewith he had loved her. And Amnon said unto her, Arise, be gone.

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

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

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

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

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

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

And she had a garment of divers colours upon her: for with such robes were the king’s daughters that were virgins apparelled. Then his servant brought her out, and bolted the door after her.

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

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

And Tamar put ashes on her head, and rent her garment of divers colours that was on her, and laid her hand on her head, and went on crying.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

And it came to pass, as soon as he had made an end of speaking, that, behold, the king’s sons came, and lifted up their voice and wept: and the king also and all his servants wept very sore.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

And, behold, the whole family is risen against thine handmaid, and they said, Deliver him that smote his brother, that we may kill him, for the life of his brother whom he slew; and we will destroy the heir also: and so they shall quench my coal which is left, and shall not leave to my husband neither name nor remainder upon the earth.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

For the king will hear, to deliver his handmaid out of the hand of the man that would destroy me and my son together out of the inheritance of God.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

And when he polled his head, (for it was at every year’s end that he polled it: because the hair was heavy on him, therefore he polled it:) he weighed the hair of his head at two hundred shekels after the king’s weight.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Therefore Absalom sent for Joab, to have sent him to the king; but he would not come to him: and when he sent again the second time, he would not come.

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

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

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

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

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

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

And Absalom answered Joab, Behold, I sent unto thee, saying, Come hither, that I may send thee to the king, to say, Wherefore am I come from Geshur? it had been good for me to have been there still: now therefore let me see the king’s face; and if there be any iniquity in me, let him kill me.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

And David said to Ittai, Go and pass over. And Ittai the Gittite passed over, and all his men, and all the little ones that were with him.

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

And all the country wept with a loud voice, and all the people passed over: the king also himself passed over the brook Kidron, and all the people passed over, toward the way of the wilderness.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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.