Study Desk

And it was announced to Joab, Behold, the king is weeping and mourning over Absalom.

And the deliverance on that day became mourning to all the people, for the people had heard on that day, saying, The king is grieving for his son.

And the people stole away on that day to go into the city, as the people steal away who are ashamed as they flee in battle.

And the king had covered his face. Yea, the king cried with a loud voice, My son Absalom! Absalom my son, my son!

And Joab came in to the king to the house, and said, You have put to shame today the faces of all your servants, those delivering your life today, and the life of your sons, and of your daughters,and the life of your wives, and the life ofyour concubines,

by loving those who hate you, and by hating those who love you, for you have declared today that there are no leaders nor servants to you. For I know today that if Absalom were alive and all of us dead today, that it would be right inyour eyes.

And now rise up; go out and speak to the heart of your servants. For I have sworn by Jehovah that if you do not go out, not a man shall remain with you tonight. And this would be worse for you than all the evil that has come onyou from your youth until now.

And the king rose up and sat in the gate. And they announced it to all the people, saying, Behold, the king is sitting in the gate. And all the people came in before the king. And Israel had fled, each one to his tents.