Study Desk

And Absalom said to Joab, Behold, I sent to you, saying, Come here, and I will send you to the king to say, Why have I come from Geshur? It was good for me to be there still. And now, letme see the king's face, and if there is guiltin me, then you shall cause me to die.

And it happened afterward that Absalom prepared a chariot for himself, and horses, and fifty men running before him.

And Absalom rose up and stood by the side of the way of the gate. And it happened that every man who had a cause to come to the king for judgment, Absalom called to him and said, Of what city are you? And he said, Your servant is from one of the tribes of Israel.

And Absalom acted this way to all Israel who came in to the king for judgment. And Absalom stole the heart of the men of Israel.

For your servant has vowed a vow when I lived in Geshur in Syria, saying, If Jehovah bringing shall bring me back to Jerusalem, then I shall serve Jehovah.

And David said to all his servants who were with him in Jerusalem, Rise up, and we will flee; for we have no escape from the face of Absalom. Hurry to leave, that he not overtake us and bringevil down on us, and strike the city withthe mouth of the sword.

And the king said to Ittai the Gittite, Why do you go, even you with us? Turn back and remain with the king, for you are an alien, and also you are an exile. Go to your place.

And Ittai replied to the king and said, As Jehovah lives, and my lord the king lives, surely in the place where my lord the king is, there your servant shall be, whether for death or for life.

And the king said to Ziba, What are these to you? And Ziba said, The asses are for the king's household to ride on, and the bread and the summer fruit for the young men to eat; andthe wine for the wearied to drink in thewilderness.

And the king said, And where is the son of your lord? And Ziba said to the king, Behold, he is staying in Jerusalem, for he said, Today the house of Israel will give back to me the kingdom of my father.

Jehovah has turned back on you all the blood of the house of Saul, in whose place you have reigned. And Jehovah shall give the kingdom into the hand of your son Absalom. And, behold, you are taken in your mischief, for you are a man of blood.

And the king said, What have I to do with you, sons of Zeruiah? For let him curse, even because Jehovah has said to him, Curse David. And who shall say, Why have you done so?

And David said to Abishai, and to all his servants, Behold, my son who came out of my loins is seeking my life, and surely now also the Benjamite. Leave him alone, and let him curse, for Jehovah has spoken to him.

It may be Jehovah will look on my affliction, and Jehovah will return good to me for his cursing this day.

And Hushai said to Absalom, No, for he whom Jehovah and this people have chosen, even all the men of Israel, his I shall be, and I shall remain with him.

And they spread out a tent for Absalom on the roof. And Absalom went in to his father's concubines before the eyes of all Israel.

And Absalom said, Please call for Hushai the Archite also. And we shall hear what is in his mouth, also he.

And also he, the son of valor, whose heart is as the heart of the lion, shall utterly melt. For all Israel knows that your father is a mighty man, and those with him sons of valor.

So I counsel this : Gathering, let all Israel be gathered to you, from Dan even to Beer-sheba, as the sand that is by the sea for multitude. And you in person shall go into battle.

And Absalom and all the men of Israel said, The counsel of Hushai the Archite is better than the counsel of Ahithophel. And Jehovah had ordained to break down the good counsel of Ahithophel, for the sake of bringing the evil of Jehovah to Absalom.