Study Desk

David went up the Mount of Olives and cried as he went. His head was covered and he wore no shoes. And all the people who were with him covered their heads and went up crying as they went.

As David was coming to the top of the mountain, where God was worshiped, Hushai the Archite met him. His coat was torn and there was dust on his head.

When King David came to Bahurim, there came out a man of the family of Saul. His name was Shimei, the son of Gera. He did not stop speaking bad things as he came.

He threw stones at David, and at all the servants of King David. And all the people and all the strong men were at his right and at his left.

Zeruiah's son Abishai said to the king, "Why should this dead dog speak against my lord the king? Let me go now and cut off his head."

Then David said to Abishai and all his servants, "See, my own son wants to kill me. How much more now may this Benjamite? Let him alone and let him speak against me, for the Lord has told him.

It may be that the Lord will look upon my trouble and return good to me instead of his bad words today."

So David and his men went on the way. And Shimei went beside him on the hill. He spoke against David as he went, and threw stones and dust at him.

And whom should I serve? Should I not serve his son? As I have served your father, so I will serve you."

So they set up a tent for Absalom on the roof. And Absalom went in to his father's women so that the eyes of all Israel could see.

Hushai said, "You know your father and his men. They are powerful and angry, like a bear robbed of her young ones in the field. And your father is a very able man of war. He will not stay with the people during the night.

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.

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.

honey, sour milk, sheep, and cheese from the cattle, for David and his men to eat. For they said, "The people are hungry and tired and thirsty in the desert."

Absalom met the servants of David. He was going on his horse, and the horse went under the many branches of a large oak tree. Absalom's hair caught in the branches of the oak. He was left hanging between heaven and earth, while the horse under him kept going.

If I had gone against his life, there is nothing hidden from the king. And you would not have helped me."

Then Joab said, "I will not waste time here with you." He took three spears in his hand and threw them through Absalom's heart while he was still alive in the oak.

They took Absalom and threw him into a deep hole among the trees, and set many stones over him. And all Israel ran away, every one to his own home.

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.

Ahimaaz called and said to the king, "All is well." He put his face to the ground in front of the king, and said, "Thanks be to the Lord your God. He has given up the men who raised their hands against my lord the king."