Study Desk

So David said to Ittai, "Go and pass over." So Ittai the Gittite passed over with all his men and all the little ones who were with him.

Then the king said to Zadok, "Return the ark of God to the city. If I find favor in the sight of Yahweh, then He will cause me to return and show me both it and His habitation.

But if He should say thus, ‘I have no delight in you,' behold, here I am, let Him do to me as seems good in His sight."

But David went up the ascent of the Mount of Olives, and wept as he went, and his head was covered and he was walking barefoot. And all the people who were with him each covered his head and went up weeping as they went.

Then it happened that as David was coming to the summit, where he used to worship God, that behold, Hushai the Archite met him with his coat torn and dust on his head.

He also threw stones at David and at all the servants of King David; and all the people and all the mighty men were at his right hand and at his left.

Then Abishai the son of Zeruiah said to the king, "Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? Let me pass over now and remove his head."

Then David said to Abishai and to all his servants, "Behold, my son who came forth from my body seeks my life; how much more now this Benjamite? Let him alone and let him curse, for Yahweh has told him.

Perhaps Yahweh will look on my affliction and return good to me instead of his cursing this day."

So David and his men went on the way; and Shimei went along on the hillside parallel with him and as he went he cursed and cast stones and threw dust at him.

Then Hushai said to Absalom, "No! For whom Yahweh, this people, and all the men of Israel have chosen, his I will be, and with him I will remain.

Besides, whom should I serve? Should I not serve in the presence of his son? As I have served in your father's presence, so I will be in your presence."

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

And I will come upon him while he is weary with his hands falling limp and throw him into utter fright, so that all the people who are with him will flee. Then I will strike down the king alone,

Then Absalom said, "Call now Hushai the Archite also, and let us hear what is also in his mouth."

Then Hushai came to Absalom. And Absalom spoke to him, saying, "Ahithophel has spoken thus. Shall we carry out his word? If not, you speak."

Then Hushai said, "You know your father and his men, that they are mighty men and they are bitter of soul, like a bear robbed of her cubs in the field. And your father is a man of war, and will not spend the night with the people.

But a boy did see them and informed Absalom; so the two of them went quickly and came to the house of a man in Bahurim, who had a well in his courtyard, and they went down into it.

Now Ahithophel saw that his counsel was not followed. So he saddled his donkey and arose and went to his home, to his city, and set his house in order, and strangled himself; thus he died and was buried in the grave of his father.

Then Absalom happened to meet the servants of David. Now Absalom was riding on his mule, and the mule went under the thick branches of a great oak. And his head caught fast in the oak, so he was left hanging between heaven and earth, while the mule that was under him passed onward.