Study Desk

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

So Zadok and Abiathar returned the ark of God to Jerusalem and stayed there.

Now someone told David: "Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom." So David pleaded, "O LORD, please turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness!"

So David's friend Hushai arrived in Jerusalem just as Absalom was entering the city.

So the king said to Ziba, "All that belongs to Mephibosheth is now yours!" "I humbly bow before you," said Ziba. "May I find favor in your eyes, my lord the king!"

Then David said to Abishai and all his servants, "Behold, my own son, my own flesh and blood, seeks my life. How much more, then, this Benjamite! Leave him alone and let him curse me, for the LORD has told him so.

So David and his men proceeded along the road as Shimei went along the ridge of the hill opposite him. As Shimei went, he yelled curses, threw stones, and flung dust at David.

Furthermore, whom should I serve if not the son? As I served in your father's presence, so also I will serve in yours."

So they pitched a tent for Absalom on the roof, and he slept with his father's concubines in the sight of all Israel.

So Hushai came to Absalom, who told him, "Ahithophel has spoken this proposal. Should we carry it out? If not, what do you say?"

So Hushai told Zadok and Abiathar, the priests, "This is what Ahithophel has advised Absalom and the elders of Israel, and this is what I have advised.

But a young man did see them and told Absalom. So the two left quickly and came to the house of a man in Bahurim. He had a well in his courtyard, and they climbed down into it.

Then the man's wife took a covering and spread it over the mouth of the well and scattered grain over it, so nobody would know a thing.

When Absalom's servants came to the woman at the house, they asked, "Where are Ahimaaz and Jonathan?" "They have crossed over the brook," she replied. The men searched but did not find them, so they returned to Jerusalem.

So David and all the people with him got up and crossed the Jordan. By daybreak, there was no one left who had not crossed the Jordan.

When Ahithophel saw that his advice had not been followed, he saddled his donkey and set out for his house in his hometown. He put his affairs in order and hanged himself. So he died and was buried in his father's tomb.

So the Israelites and Absalom camped in the land of Gilead.

"I will do whatever seems best to you," the king replied. So he stood beside the gate, while all the troops marched out by hundreds and by thousands.

So David's army marched into the field to engage Israel in the battle, which took place in the forest of Ephraim.

Now Absalom was riding on his mule when he met the servants of David, and as the mule went under the tangled branches of a large oak, Absalom's head was caught fast in the tree. The mule under him kept going, so that he was suspended in midair.