Study Desk

But the woman of Tekoah said to the king, My lord, O king, let this iniquity be on me and on my fathers house; and the king and his throne be guiltless.

For we will all surely die, and we are as water that is poured upon the ground, which cannot be gathered up again; neither does God destroy a soul, but devises means that no man should go astray from him.

And the king said, Let him go to his own house, but let him not be seen in my presence. So Absalom went to his own house and did not see the kings face.

Therefore Absalom summoned Joab to send him to the king; but he would not come to him; and he sent a second time, but he would not come.

And Absalom said to him, I see your arguments are good and just; but there is no man deputed by the king to hear you.

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

And with Absalom went two hundred men from Jerusalem, but they went innocently, not knowing anything of the plot.

You came but yesterday, and shall I trouble you today to go with us, seeing I go wherever I may? Return, and make your brethren to settle down; it will be well with you.

But Ittai answered the king and said, As the LORD lives and as the king lives, wherever my lord the king shall be, whether in death or life, even there will your servant be also.

But if he shall say, I have no delight in you; behold, here I am, let him do to me as seems good in his sight.

But if you return to the city, say to Absalom, I am your servant, O king, as I was your fathers servant hitherto. And now, I the king, want you to go and defeat the counsel of Ahithophel.

And Hushai said to Absalom. No; but whom the LORD and this people and all Israel have chosen, with him will I dwell, and his will I be.

Now therefore send quickly and tell David, saying, Do not spend the night in the plain of the wilderness, but pass over, lest you and all the people who are with you be destroyed.

Nevertheless a lad saw them, and told Absalom; but they both went away, and came into the house of a man of Beth-hurim who had a well in his courtyard; and they went down into it.

And when Absaloms servants came to the woman at the house, they said, Where are Ahimaaz and Nathan? And the woman said to them, They have gone from here, for they wanted water; but when they could not find any, they returned to Jerusalem.

And Joab said to him, It is not proper that you bear tidings this day, but you may bear tidings another day; this day you shall bear no tidings because the kings son is dead.

Then the king said, Is the young man Absalom safe? And Ahimaaz answered, I saw a great army arrayed against Joab the servant of my lord the king, but I your servant knew not what was the outcome.

But the king covered his face, and cried with a loud voice, saying, O my son Absalom, O Absalom, my son, my son!

But Abishai the son of Zoriah answered and said, Shall not Shimei be put to death for this, because he cursed the LORDS anointed?

And my servant has lied about me, O my lord the king; but you, my lord the king, you are as an angel of God; do therefore what is good in your eyes.