Study Desk

We must all die; we are like water spilled on the ground, which cannot be gathered up. But God will not take away a life; he will devise plans so as not to keep an outcast banished forever from his presence.

So Joab set off, went to Geshur, and brought Absalom to Jerusalem.

The king said, "Let him go to his own house; he is not to come into my presence." So Absalom went to his own house, and did not come into the king's presence.

Now in all Israel there was no one to be praised so much for his beauty as Absalom; from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head there was no blemish in him.

So Absalom lived two full years in Jerusalem, without coming into the king's presence.

Then he said to his servants, "Look, Joab's field is next to mine, and he has barley there; go and set it on fire." So Absalom's servants set the field on fire.

Then Joab went to the king and told him; and he summoned Absalom. So he came to the king and prostrated himself with his face to the ground before the king; and the king kissed Absalom.

Thus Absalom did to every Israelite who came to the king for judgment; so Absalom stole the hearts of the people of Israel.

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

So the king left, followed by all his household, except ten concubines whom he left behind to look after the house.

David said to Ittai, "Go then, march on." So Ittai the Gittite marched on, with all his men and all the little ones who were with him.

So Zadok and Abiathar carried the ark of God back to Jerusalem, and they remained there.

But if you return to the city and say to Absalom, ‘I will be your servant, O king; as I have been your father's servant in time past, so now I will be your servant,' then you will defeat for me the counsel of Ahithophel.

The priests Zadok and Abiathar will be with you there. So whatever you hear from the king's house, tell it to the priests Zadok and Abiathar.

So Hushai, David's friend, came into the city, just as Absalom was entering Jerusalem.

But the king said, "What have I to do with you, you sons of Zeruiah? If he is cursing because the Lord has said to him, ‘Curse David,' who then shall say, ‘Why have you done so?'"

So David and his men went on the road, while Shimei went along on the hillside opposite him and cursed as he went, throwing stones and flinging dust at him.

Moreover, whom should I serve? Should it not be his son? Just as I have served your father, so I will serve you."

So they pitched a tent for Absalom upon the roof; and Absalom went in to his father's concubines in the sight of all Israel.

Now in those days the counsel that Ahithophel gave was as if one consulted the oracle of God; so all the counsel of Ahithophel was esteemed, both by David and by Absalom.