Study Desk

But a boy saw them, and told Absalom. So the two of them left in a hurry and came to the house of a man in Bahurim. He had a well in the open space in the center of his house. And they went down into it.

Then the woman took the covering and spread it over the well's mouth, and spread grain on it, so nothing was known of it.

So David and all the people with him got up and crossed the Jordan. By the light of morning, not one was left who had not crossed the Jordan.

When Ahithophel saw that his words were not followed, he got onto his donkey and went home to his city. He told those of his family what they must do, and he hanged himself. So he died and was buried in his father's grave.

But the people said, "You should not go out. For if we run, they will not care about us. If half of us die, they will not care about us. But you are worth 10,000 of us. So it is better that you send us help from the city."

The king said to them, "I will do whatever you think is best." So the king stood beside the gate, and all the people went out by hundreds and thousands.

While Absalom was alive, he had set up stones in his honor in the King's Valley. For he said, "I have no son to let my name be remembered." So he called the stones after his own name. And they are there to have Absalom be remembered to this day.

Then Joab said to the Cushite, "Go and tell the king what you have seen." So the Cushite bowed to Joab and ran.

But Ahimaaz said, "Whatever happens, I will run." So Joab said to him, "Run." Then Ahimaaz ran by way of the plain and passed the Cushite.

Then the king said, "Turn aside and stand here." So he turned aside and stood still.

So the happiness of winning the battle that day was changed to sorrow for all the people. For they heard that day, "The king is filled with sorrow for his son."

So the people were quiet as they went in secret into the city that day. They acted like people who are ashamed when they run away from a battle.

So now get up and go out and speak in kindness to your servants. I swear by the Lord that if you do not, for sure not a man will stay with you this night. And this will be worse for you than all the bad things that have happened to you since you were young."

So the king got up and sat in the gate. When they told all the people, "See, the king is sitting in the gate," then all the people came to the king. Now every man of Israel had run to his tent.

We chose Absalom to rule over us and he has died in battle. So now why do you say nothing about bringing the king back?"

And say to Amasa, ‘Are you not my bone and my flesh? May God do so to me, and more also, if you will not be the captain of my army at all times instead of Joab.'"

He changed the hearts of all the men of Judah as if they were one man. So they sent word to the king, saying, "Return, you and all your servants."

So the king returned and came as far as the Jordan. Judah came to Gilgal to meet the king and bring him over the Jordan.

For your servant knows that I have sinned. So I have come today. I am the first of all the family of Joseph to come down to meet my lord the king."

He answered, "O my lord the king, my servant lied to me. Your servant had said to him, ‘Get a donkey ready for me to travel on, so I may go with the king.' Because your servant cannot walk.