Behold, there came a man the third day out of the host from Saul with his clothes rent and earth upon his head. And when he came to David, he fell to the earth and did obeisance.
And David said to him again: How hath it chanced? tell me. And he said: the people fled from the battle: and many of the people are overthrown and dead: and Saul and Jonathas his son are dead thereto.
and the young man that told him, said: I was by chance in mount Gelboe. And see, Saul leaned upon his spear, and the chariots and horsemen followed him at the heels.
And I went on him and slew him: for I was sure that he could not live, after that he was fallen. And I took the crown that was upon his head and the bracelet that was on his arm and have brought them unto my lord hither.
And they mourned, wept and fasted until evening, for Saul and Jonathas his son, and for the people of the LORD, and for the house of Israel, because they were overthrown with the sword.
Tell it not in Geth: nor publish it in the streets of Askalon: lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice, and that the daughters of the uncircumcised triumph thereof.
Ye mountains of Gelboe, upon you be neither dew nor rain, nor fields whence heave offerings come. For there the shields of the mighty were cast from them: the shield of Saul, as though he had not been anointed with oil.
After this David asked the LORD saying: shall I go up into any of the cities of Juda? And the LORD said: go. And David answered whither shall I go? He answered, unto Hebron.
he sent messengers unto them and said unto them: blessed are ye unto the LORD, that ye have shewed such kindness unto your lord Saul, and have buried him.
And now let your hands stir them and play ye the men, though your master Saul be dead. And finally understand that the house of Juda have anointed me king over them.
And Joab the son of Zaruiah and the servants of David went out and met them by the Pool of Gabaon. And they sat down, the one part on the one side the pool and the other on the other side.
And they caught each his fellow that came against him, by the head and thrust his sword in his side, and so fell down all at once. Wherefore the place was called Helath Zurim which is in Gabaon.
Then said Abner: turn thee either to the right hand or to the left and catch one of the young men and take thee his spoil. But Asahel would not depart from him.
And Abner said again to Asahel: turn from me, for I were loth to smite thee to the ground. For then how should I hold up my face before Joab thy brother?
howbeit he would in no wise depart. Then Abner with the hinder end of the spear smote him under the short ribs, that the spear came out behind him: that he fell down in the same place and died there. And as many as came to the place where Asahel fell down and died, stood still.
But Joab and Abisai followed Abner till the son went down. And when they were come to the hill Amah that lieth before Giah in the way that goeth thorow the wilderness of Gabaon,
Then Abner called to Joab and said: shall the sword devour without end? knowest thou not that bitterness is wont to come in the latter end? how long shall it be, yer thou bid the people return from following their brethren?
And they took up Asahel and buried him in the sepulchre of his father in Bethlehem. And Joab and his men went all night, and came in the dawning to Hebron.
There was long strife between the house of Saul and the house of David. But David waxed stronger and stronger, and the house of Saul waxed weaker and weaker.
Then was Abner very wroth for the words of Isboseth and said: Am I not a dog's head, which Against Juda have shewed mercy this day unto the house of Saul thy father and to his brethren and friends, and have not delivered them into the hand of David: seeing thou findest a fault in me this day for a woman?
And Abner sent messengers to David forthwith, saying: whose is the land? And he said thereto: make a bond with me, and see, my hand is with thee, to bring all Israel unto thee.
And David answered well said, I will make a bond with thee. But one thing I require of thee, that thou see not my face, except thou first bring Michol Saul's daughter, when thou comest to see me.
Now then do it: for the LORD hath said of David, by the hand of my servant David, I will save my people Israel, out of the hands of the Philistines, and out of the hand of all their enemies.
And like words had he with Benjamin, and then went to tell in the ears of David in Hebron all that Israel was content with and the whole house of Benjamin.
Then Abner said unto David: I will up and go gather all Israel unto my lord the king, that they may make an appointment with thee, that thou mayest be king over all that thine heart desireth. And so David let Abner depart, and he went in peace.
And see, the servants of David and Joab came from chasing robbers and brought a great prey with them. But Abner was not with David in Hebron: for he had sent him away to depart in peace.
When Joab and all the host that was with him were come, men told Joab saying: Abner the son of Ner came to the king, and he hath sent him away that he is gone in peace.
Thou mightest know Abner the son of Ner, that he came to flatter with thee, and to know thy conversation and behaviour, and to know all that thou doest.
And when Joab was come out from the king, he sent messengers after Abner, which brought him again from the well of Sirah unwitting to David.|and David knew not therof.|
And when Abner was come again to Hebron, Joab took him aside in the gate, to speak with him guilefully, and there smote him under the short ribs that he died, for the blood of Asahel his brother.
And when it afterward came to David's ear, he said: I and my kingdom are guiltless before the LORD for ever, concerning the blood of Abner the son of Ner.
It fall therefore on the head of Joab and on all his father's house: that the house of Joab be never without one or other that hath running issues or without lepers and goers on crutches, and that fall on the sword and that lack bread.
And David said to Joab and to all the people that were with him, rent your clothes and put on sackcloth and mourn before Abner. And king David himself followed the bier.
Thy hands were not manacled nor thy feet brought into gyves: but as men fall before wicked children, so fellest thou. And all the people wept yet more over him.
And when all the people came to eat meat with David, while it was yet day, David sware saying: so do God to me and so thereto, if I taste bread or ought else, till the son be down.
And I am this day tender, though I be anointed king. And these men the sons of Zaruiah be too good for me to rule? But the LORD reward the doer of evil according to his wickedness.
Now this Saul's son had two men that were become captains over the soldiers, the one called Baanah and the other Rechab, the sons of Remon a Berothite, and of the children of Benjamin: for Beroth was reckoned to pertain to Benjamin.
And Jonathas Saul's son had a son that was lame on his feet: five years old was he when the tidings came of Saul and Jonathas out of Jezrahel. And his nurse took him up and fled away. And as she made haste to flee and was amazed, the child fell and became halt and was called Miphiboseth.
For they came into the house as he slept on his bed in his resting chamber, and smote him and slew him and beheaded him and took his head and gat them away thorow the wild fields all night.
And they brought the head of Isboseth unto David, to Hebron and said to the king: behold there the head of Isboseth Saul's son thine enemy, which sought thy soul. But the LORD hath avenged my lord the king this day of Saul and of his seed.
And David answered Rechab and Baanah his brother, the sons of Remon the Berothite and said unto them: as surely as the LORD liveth which hath delivered my soul out of all adversities:
him that told me how that Saul was dead, thinking to have brought me good tidings, I caught and slew in Zikeleg, to give him a reward for his tidings bringing.
And how much more ought I to deal with wicked men that have slain a righteous person in his own house upon his bed? Now therefore think ye that I will not require his blood of your hands and take you from the earth?
And David commanded his young men, and they slew them and cut off their hands and their feet and hanged them up by the pole in Hebron. And they took the head of Isboseth and buried it in the sepulchre of Abner in Hebron.
And thereto in time past when Saul was king over us, thou leddest Israel in and out. And the LORD hath said to thee: thou shalt feed my people Israel, and thou shalt be a captain over Israel.
And so all the elders of Israel came to the king to Hebron. And king David made a covenant with them in Hebron before the LORD. And they anointed David king over Israel.
Then went the king and his men to Jerusalem, unto the Jebusites the inhabiters of the land. And they said unto David: except thou take away the blind and the lame thou shalt not come in hither, meaning thereby that David should not have come in thither.
Then said David the same day: whosoever winneth the walls and the lame and the blind hated of David's soul. Wherefore the blind and the lame shall not come into the house.
But when the Philistines heard that they had anointed David king over Israel, they came all up to seek David. And as soon as David heard of it, he gat him to an hold.
And David asked of the LORD saying: shall I go to the Philistines? and wilt thou deliver them into my hands? And the LORD said unto David: go for I will deliver the Philistines into thy hands.
And David came to Baal Pharazim and smote them there and said: the LORD hath divided mine enemies asunder before me, as a man would divide water. And therefore he called the name of the said place, Baal Pharazim.
And when thou hearest the noise of a thing going in the tops of the Peretrees, then move. For then the LORD is gone out before thee, to smite the host of the Philistines.
and arose and went and all the folk that were with him of the men of Juda, to fetch away the Ark of God upon which is called the name of the LORD of Hosts that dwelleth between the cherubins.
And they put the Ark of God upon a new cart and brought it out of the house of Abinadab that dwelt at Gabaah. And Ozah and Ahio the sons of Abinadab drave the new cart.
And David and all the house of Israel played before the LORD with all manner instruments of fir wood, with harps, psalteries, timbrels, fiddles and cymbals.
And when it was told king David how that the LORD had blessed the house of Obed Edom and all that pertained unto him, because of the Ark of God, he went and brought the Ark of God from the house of Obed Edom unto the city of David with gladness.
And as the ark of the LORD came into the city of David, Michol Saul's daughter looked thorow a window and saw king David spring and dance before the LORD, and therefore despised him in her heart.
And when they had brought in the Ark of the LORD, and had set it even in his place, even in the tabernacle that David had prepared for it: David offered burntofferings and peaceofferings before the LORD,
and gave among all the folk, even among the whole multitude of Israel, as well to the women as men every one a Cake of bread and a piece of flesh and a flacket of wine. And so the people departed every man to his house.
Then David returned to salute his household. And Michol the daughter of Saul came out against him and said: Oh how glorious was the king of Israel today, which stripped himself today before the eyes of the maidens of his servants, as a light brained fellow is wont to strip himself.
But David said again to Michol, I will make sport before the LORD which chose me before thy father and before all his kin, commanding me to be ruler over all his people Israel.
And I will be yet more vile than so, and will be meek in mine own sight: and shall for all that of the very same maidservants which thou speakest of, be had in honour.
For I have not dwelt in any house since the time I brought the children of Israel out of Egypt, unto this day: but have walked in a tent and in a tabernacle.
In any way where I went among the children of Israel, spake I one word with any of the tribes of Israel which I commanded to feed my people Israel saying: why build ye not me an house of Cedar tree?
Now therefore so say unto my servant David, thus sayeth the LORD of Hosts I took thee out of a shepherd's cote from following sheep to be a ruler over my people Israel.
And I was with thee in all that thou wentest to, and have destroyed all thine enemies out of thy sight, and have made thee a great name, like unto the name of the great men of the world.
And I will appoint a place for my people Israel, and will plant it and they shall continue in one place and shall move no more, neither shall wicked people trouble them any more as they did at the beginning,
and since the time I commanded judges to be over my people Israel, and I will give thee rest from all thine enemies. And the LORD telleth thee that he will build thee an household.
And when thy days be fulfilled and thou laid to rest with thy fathers, then I will set up thy seed after thee, which shall proceed out of thy body, and will stablish his kingdom.
I will be his father and he shall be my son: insomuch that if he sin, I will but rebuke him with such a rod as men be rebuked with and with such plagues as the children of men be plagued with.
Then went king David and set him down before the LORD and said: what am I Lord Jehovah,{Lorde Iehouah} and what is my kin, that thou shouldest have brought me this far forth?
And is this a small thing in thy sight Lord Jehovah,{Lorde Iehouah} but that thou shouldest speak also of thy servant's house for a great while to come? is this a law among men Lord Jehovah?{Lorde Iehouah}
Wherefore thou art great O LORD God and there is none like thee, neither is there any God save thou, according to all that we have heard with our ears.
And what one people in the earth is like thy people Israel, which God went and delivered to be his people, and to make him a name, and to shew them great and terrible things in the earth, before thy people which thou redeemest to thee out of Egypt, even from the people and from their gods.
And let thy name be great for ever, that men may say, the LORD of Hosts is the God of Israel: and let the house of thy servant David be stablished before thee.
For thou LORD of Hosts God of Israel hast told in the ear of thy servant saying: I will build thee an house. And therefore hath thy servant found in his heart to pray this prayer unto thee.
And now go to and bless the household of thy servant, that it may continue for ever before thee. For thou Lord Jehovah{Lorde Iehouah} hast said that of thy blessing the house of thy servant shall be blessed for ever.
And he beat the Moabites and measured them with a line, making them lie along the earth, and then meeting the length of two lines to slay, and the length of one line to save a life. And so became the Moabites David's servants and paid tribute.
And David took a thousand and seven hundredth horsemen of his, and twenty thousand footmen and destroyed all his chariots reserving one hundredth of them.(Septuagint: And David took a thousand of his chariots, and seven thousand horsemen, and twenty thousand footmen: and David houghed all his chariot horses, and he reserved to himself a hundred chariots. Note: 1 Chronicles 18:4)
Then came the Sirians of Damasco to succour Adadezer king of Zobah. And David slew of them two and twenty thousand men and put soldiers in Siria Damasco.
he sent Joram his son unto king David to salute him with peace and to bless him because he had fought against Adadezer and beaten him: for Thoi kept war with Adadezer, which son brought vessels of silver, gold and of brass with him.
And he put keepers in Edom, even thorowout all Edom put he soldiers and all Edom became his servants. And the LORD kept David whatsoever he took in hand.
And there was of the household of Saul a servant named Zibah which was called unto David. And the king said unto him: art thou Zibah? And he said: thy servant is the man.
Then said the king: remaineth there yet any man of the kindred of Saul, whom I may shew the mercy of God upon? And Zibah said unto the king: Jonathas hath yet a son which is lame on both feet.
Now when Miphiboseth the son of Jonathas the son of Saul was come unto David, he bowed himself and fell on his face. Then said David: Miphiboseth? And he answered. Behold thy servant.
And David said: fear not, for I will surely shew thee kindness for Jonathas' sake and will restore thee all the fields of Saul thy father, and thou shalt eat meat on mine own table always.
See therefore that thou and thy sons and thy servants till the land for him, and bring in, that thy master's son may have food to eat. For Miphiboseth thy master's son shall eat meat alway upon my table. For this Zibah had fifteen sons and twenty servants.
Then said Zibah unto the king: all that my lord hath said unto his servant, thy servant shall do. For (said the king) Miphiboseth must eat upon my table, as one of the king's sons.
Then said David: I will shew kindness unto Hanon the son of Nahas, as his father shewed kindness unto me. And thereupon David sent to comfort him by the hand of his servants over the death of his father. Now when David's servants were come into the land of the children of Ammon,
the lords of the children of Ammon said unto Hanon their lord: thinkest thou that David doth honour thy father, because he hath sent to comfort thee? Nay, he hath rather sent his servants unto thee, to search the city and to spy it out, even to overthrow it.
Wherefore Hanon took David's servants and shaved off the one half of every man's beard and cut off their garments even in the middle, even hard by the buttocks of them and sent them away.
When it was told David he sent against them (for they were men exceedingly ashamed) and said: tarry at Jericho until your beards be grown, and then return.
And when the children of Ammon saw that they stank unto David, they sent and hired the sons of Bethrehob of the Sirians of Zobah twenty thousand footmen and of king Maacah a thousand men, and of Istob twelve thousand men.
And the children of Ammon came out and waged battle before the gate and the Sirians of Zobah, of Rehob, Istob and Maacah were by themselves in the fields.
And when the children of Ammon saw that the Sirians were fled, then fled they also before Abisai, and entered into the city. And so Joab returned from the children of Ammon and came to Jerusalem.
And Adadezer sent and brought out the Sirians that were beyond the river. And the host of them came, and Sobah the captain of the host of Hadadezer before them.
And when it was shewed David, he gathered all Israel and passed over Jordan and came to Helam: where the Sirians put themselves in array against David and fought with him:
how be it the Sirians fled before Israel. And David destroyed seven hundredth chariots of them and forty thousand horsemen, and smote Sobah the captain of his host, that he there died.
And when all the kings that were servants to Hadadezer saw that they were put to the worse before Israel, they made peace with them and served them. And so the Sirians feared to help the children of Ammon any more.
And it came to pass in the beginning of a new year, in the times when kings are wont to go forth to battle, that David sent Joab and his servants with him and all Israel. And they destroyed the children of Ammon, and beseiged Rabah. But David tarried still at Jerusalem.
And it chanced in an evening that David arose from his couch and walked upon the roof of the king's palace, and from the roof saw a very beautiful woman washing herself. And he sent to enquire what woman it should be.
And David sent messengers and fetched her, and she came unto him, and he lay with her. And she was straightway purified of her uncleanness, and returned unto her house.
And David said moreover to Urias: go down to thine house and wash thy feet. And Urias departed out of the king's palace, and there followed him a service from the king's table:
Then they told David saying: Urias descended not into his house. Then said David unto Urias: seeing that thou art come from journeying, why dost thou not go down unto thine house?
And Urias said unto David: the ark and Israel and Juda dwell in pavilions: and my lord Joab and the servants of my lord lie in tents upon the flat earth: and should I then go into mine house, to eat and to drink and to lie with my wife? By thy life and as sure as thy soul liveth I will not do that thing.
And David called him, and he ate and drank before him, and he made him drunk. And at even he went out to lie on his couch with the servants of the lord, and went not down to his house.
And he wrote in the letter saying: put Urias in the forefront of the battle where it is most strong, and come back from him that he may be smitten to death.
And the men of the city came out and fought with Joab. And there were certain overthrown of the people and of the servants of David, and Urias the hethite died also.
if he begin to fume and say unto thee: wherefore approached ye so nye unto the city to fight? wist ye not that men would hurl and shoot from the walls?
who smote Abimelech son of Jerobeseth? did not a woman cast a piece of a millstone upon him from off the walls, that he died in Thebes? why then went ye nye the walls? then say thou? thy servant Urias the Hethite is dead also.
Then said David unto the messenger, thus wise say unto Joab, let not that thing trouble thee. For the sword devoureth one as well as another: make thy battle more strong against the city and destroy it, and see that thou courage Joab.
And when the wife of Urias heard that her husband was dead, she mourned for him, and as soon as the mourning was ended, David sent and fetched her to his house,
But the poor had nothing save one little lamb which he bought and nourished up. And it grew up with him and his children, and did eat of his own meat and drank of his own cup, and slept in his bosom, and was as dear unto him as his daughter.
And there came a stranger unto the rich man. And he could not find in his heart to take of his own sheep nor of his beasts to dress for the stranger that was come unto him. But took the poor man's lamb and dressed it for the man that was come to him.
And David was exceeding wroth with the man, and said to Nathan: as surely as the LORD liveth the fellow that hath done this thing, is the child of death
Then Nathan said to David: thou art the man. Thus sayeth the LORD God of Israel: I anointed thee king over Israel and rid thee out of the hands of Saul.
And I gave thee thy master's house and thy master's wives into thy bosom, and gave thee the house of Israel and of Juda, and would if that had been too little: have given thee twice so much more.
Wherefore hast thou despised the commandment of the LORD, to do wickedness in his sight? thou hast killed Urias the hethite with the sword and hast taken his wife to thy wife, and hast slain him with the sword of the children of Ammon.
Now therefore the sword shall never depart from thine house, because (sayeth the Lord) thou hast despised me and taken the wife of Urias the hethite, to be thy wife.
Thus sayeth the LORD: behold I will stir up evil against thee even of thine own house and will take thy wives before thine eyes, and give them unto thy neighbour, which shall sleep with them in the sight of the son.
And it happened the seventh day that the child died. But the servants of David durst not tell him that the child was dead. For they said: see, while the child was yet alive, we spake unto him, and he would not hearken unto our voice. How much more then will he vex himself if we tell him that the child is dead?
Then David arose from the earth and washed and anointed himself and changed his apparel, and went into the house of the LORD and prayed, and after came to his own house and bade that they should set meat before him, and he did eat.
Then said his servants unto him: what is this that thou hast done? Thou fastedest and weepest for thy child while it was alive, and as soon as it was dead thou didst rise up and didst eat meat.
And he answered: while the child was alive, I fasted and wept. For I this thought: who can tell whether GOD will have mercy on me that the child may live?
And David comforted Bethsabe his wife, and went in unto her and lay with her, and she bare a son whose name was called Salomon, and the LORD loved him.
And he took the king's crown from off his head which weighed an hundredth weight of gold, and was set with precious stones. And David ware it on his head. And he brought out the spoil of the city in exceeding great abundance.
And he brought out the people that was therein and sawed them and drew harrows of iron upon them, and shred some of them with shredding knives of iron, and thrust some into furnaces. And so he served all the cities of the children of Ammon. And then David and all the people returned unto Jerusalem.
And this Amnon was so vexed that he fell sick for the love of his sister Thamar: for it thought him hard to come by his purpose of her, seeing she was yet a virgin.
And he said unto him: how cometh it that thou being the king's son art thus consumed every morning? mayst thou not tell it me? And Amnon answered him: I love Thamar my brother Absalom's sister.
Then said Jonadab unto him: lie on thy bed and feign thyself sick. And when thy father is come to see thee, say unto him, let my sister Thamar come and give me meat and dress it in my sight, that I may see it and eat it of her hand.
And Amnon lay down and made himself sick. And when the king was come to see him Amnon said unto him: let Thamar my sister come and make me a couple of fritters in my sight, that I may eat of her hand.
and took a platter and poured them out before him. And Amnon would not eat, but commanded to have out all men from him. And they went all out from him.
Then said Amnon unto Thamar: bring the meat into the chamber that I may eat it of thine hand. And Thamar took the fritters which she had made, and brought them into the chamber to Amnon her brother
And then Amnon hated her exceedingly: so that the hate wherewith he hated her was greater than the love with which he before loved her. And he said unto her: up and away.
And she had a kirtle of divers colours upon her: for with such were the king's daughters that were virgins apparelled, made strait unto them. Then his servant brought her out at the doors and locked the doors after her.
Then Absalom her brother said unto her: hath Amnon thy brother been with thee? Now then be still my sister: for he is thy brother. And let not this thing grieve thine heart. And so Thamar remained discomforted in her brother Absalom's house.
And the king said unto Absalom: Oh nay my son let us not go every one of us that we be not chargeable unto thee. And Absalom lay sore upon him: how be it he would not go, but blessed him.
Then Absalom commanded his young men saying: mark when Amnon's heart is merry with wine, and when I bid you smite Amnon then kill him: fear not, for it is I that bid you, be bold therefore and play the lusty bloods.
Then Jonadab the son of Samah David's brother answered and said: let not my lord suppose that they have slain all the young men the king's sons, save Amnon onely is dead. For that hath been ever in Absalom's mouth since he forced his sister Thamar.
But Absalom fled. And the young man that kept the watch lifted up his eyes and looked about. And behold, there came much people by a way that was behind his back along by an hill's side.
And as soon as he had left speaking: behold, the king's sons came and lifted up their voices and wept. And thereto the king and all his servants wept exceedingly.
he sent to Thekoa, and fetched thence a wise woman, and said unto her: feign thyself to be a mourner, and put on mourning apparel. And anoint not thyself with oil. But be as a woman that had long time mourned for the death of somebody.
And behold, the whole kindred arose against thy handmaid and said: deliver us him that smote his brother: that we may kill him for the soul of his brother whom he slew, for he will destroy the heir also. And so they shall quench my sparkle which is left that he shall stir up neither name or issue upon the earth unto my husband.
Then said she: let the king remember his LORD God, that the next of the blood gather not on heaps together to destroy, and that they slay not my son. And he said: as sure as the LORD liveth, there shall not one hair of thy son's head fall to the earth.
And the woman said: wherefore then hast thou determined on this same manner against the people of God? that the king should speak this thing and be faulty therein, so that the king should not fetch home again his banished.
For we must needs die and perish as water spilt on the ground which can not be gathered up again and God will not take away the life but find the means that the banished be not utterly expelled from him.
And now concerning that I am come to speak of this thing unto the king my lord in the presence of the people: thy handmaid thought: surely I will speak unto the king, peradventure the king will hear the request of his handmaid.
And the king shall hear his handmaid and deliver her out of the hand of the man that would have destroyed me and my son also out of the inheritance of God.
Then thine handmaid said: I pray God that the word of my lord the king may be immutable. For my lord the king is as an Angel of God, in hearing of good or bad: and therefore the LORD thy God be with thee.
Then the king answered and said unto the woman: hide not from me I pray thee: the thing that I shall ask thee. And the woman said: let my lord the king say on.
Then said the king: is not the hand of Joab with thee in all this matter? And the woman answered and said: as sure as thy soul liveth my lord king, it is neither on the right hand nor on the left that my Lord{Lorde} the king hath spoken. For thy servant Joab he bade me, and he put all these words even in the mouth of thine handmaid.
And the turning of my tale another way, that made thy servant Joab. And so I see that my lord is wise even as an Angel of God, to understand all things that are in the earth.
And Joab fell to the ground on his face and bowed himself and blessed the king and said: now thy servant knoweth that I have found grace in the sight of my lord the king in that he hath fulfilled the request of his servant.
Then said the king: let him turn to his own house, but see that he come not in my presence. And so Absalom went to his own house, but came not in the king's presence.
Moreover in all Israel there was not so goodly a man as Absalom, or so greatly praised, from the sole of his foot to the top of his head there was no blemish in him.
And when he shaved his head (for at every years' end he shaved it because it was heavy on him, and therefore he shaved it) the hair thereof weighed two hundredth sicles weight of the king's weight.
Then he said unto his servants: behold, Joab hath a parcel of land fast by mine, and hath barley therein. Go and set it on fire. And Absalom's servants went and set it on fire.(Septuagint and DSS: And Abessalom said to his servants, Behold, Joab’s portion in the field is next to mine, and he has in it barley; go and set it on fire. And the servants of Abessalom set the field on fire: and the servants of Joab come to him with their clothes rent, and they said to him, The servants of Abessalom have set the field on fire.)
And Absalom said to Joab: behold, I sent for thee desiring thee to come, because I would have sent thee to the king, for to say: wherefore I am come from Gesur. It had been as good for me to have bidden there still. Now therefore let me come to the king's presence, or else if there be any trespass in me, kill me.
And Joab went to the king and told him. And he sent for Absalom: which when he was come, fell to the ground on his face before the king. And the king kissed him.
And thereto he used to rise up early in the mornings and to stand by the way's side that led to the gate of the city. And all the men of Israel that had complaints and came to the king for judgement, he called unto him and said: of what city art thou? And when the other answered: thy servant is of such a tribe of Israel.
Then Absalom said moreover: Oh, that I were a judge in the land, and that all men which have pleas and matter in the law, should come to me. For I would do them justice.
Then Absalom sent spies thorowout all the tribes of Israel saying: as soon as ye hear the voice of the trumpet blow, say: Absalom reigneth king in Hebron.
And with Absalom went two hundredth men out of Jerusalem that were called. And they went with pure hearts|went on simply| and wist|knew| nothing of the matter.
And Absalom sent also for Ahitophel the Gilonite David's counsellor, and fetched him out of his city Giloh, when he sacrificed sacrifices. And there was wrought strong treason. And the people drew to Absalom in great multitude.
Then said David unto all his servants that were with him at Jerusalem: up and let us flee, for we shall not else escape from Absalom. Make speed to depart: lest he come suddenly and catch us and bring some mischief upon us, and smite the city with the edge of the sword.
And all his servants went by his side. And all the Cerethites and all the Phelethites, and all the Hethites even six hundredth men which were come afoot from Geth, went before the king.
Then said the king to Ethai the Gethite, wherefore shouldest thou go with us also? Return and abide with the king, for thou art a stranger and art removed from thine own place.
Thou camest but yesterday, and should I unquiet thee today to go with us? I will go whither I go. But return thou and carry again thy brethren. Mercy and truth be with thee.
And Ethai answered the king and said: as surely as the LORD liveth, and as surely as my lord the king liveth, in what place my lord the king shall be, whether in death or life, even there will thy servant be.
And behold, Sadock and all the Levites were with him and bare the ark of the appointment of God. And when they had fetched down the Ark of God, Abiathar came up, until the people were all come over, out of the city.
Then said the king unto Sadock: Carry the Ark of God again into the city. If I shall find favour in the eyes of the LORD, he will bring me again, and shew me both it and the tabernacle thereof also.
The king said also unto Sadock the priest thou art a Sear. Return therefore into the city in peace. And take your two sons with you: Ahimaaz thy son, and Jonathas the son of Abiathar.
And David went up on mount olivet and wept as he went, and had his head covered and went thereto barefoot. And all the people that was with him, had every man his head covered, and as they went wept also.
And one told David saying: Ahitophel is one of them that have conspired with Absalom. Then said David: O LORD, turn the counsel of Ahitophel unto foolishness.
When David was come to the top of the mount and had bowed himself unto God: behold, Husai the Arachite came against him with his coat torn and earth upon his head.
And if thou return to the city: then shalt thou say unto Absalom I will be thy servant O king: thus long have I been thy father's servant, and now I am thine. And destroy me the counsel of Ahitophel.
And when David was a little past the top of the hill: behold Ziba the servant of Miphiboseth came against him with a couple of Asses saddled, and upon them two hundredth loaves and one hundredth bunches of Resinges, and an hundredth frayls of dried figs, and a bottle of wine.
Then said the king to Ziba: what hast thou there? And Ziba said: Asses for the king's household to ride on, and bread and fruit for the young men to eat, and wine to drink, if any man faint in the wilderness.
Then said the king: where is thy master's son? and Ziba said unto the king: behold, he tarrieth still at Jerusalem. For he said: this day shall the house of Israel restore me the kingdom of my father.
Then said the king to Ziba: behold, thine are all that pertained to Miphiboseth. And Ziba answered: I beseech thee that I may find grace in thy sight my lord king.
And when king David came to Bahurim: behold, thence came out a man of the kindred of the house of Saul named Semei the son of Gera, and he came out cursing.
And thereto he cast stones at David and at all the servants of king David, all the people and all the men of war going part on his right hand, and part on his left.
The LORD hath brought upon thee all the blood of the house of Saul, in whose stead thou hast reigned, and he hath delivered the kingdom into the hand of Absalom thy son. And thou art wrapped about with thine own mischief, because thou art a blood shedder.
And the king said: what have I to do with you ye sons of Zaruiah: let him curse: for the LORD hath bid him curse David. And who dare presume to say wherefore doth he so?
And David said to Abisai, and to all his servants: behold, my son which came out of mine own bowels seeketh my life. How much more may this son of Jemini do it? Suffer him therefore to curse, for the LORD hath bidden him:
And thus as David and his men went by the way, Semei went along on the hill's side over against him, and cursed as he went, and threw stones at him and cast dust.
And Ahitophel said unto Absalom: get thee in unto thy father's concubines which he hath left to keep the house. For when all Israel shall hear that thou hast made thy father to stink, then shall the hands of all that are with thee be strong.
And the counsel of Ahitophel which he counselled in those days, was as a man had asked counsel of God: even so was all the counsel of Ahitophel, both unto David and also unto Absalom.
And I will come upon him while he is weary and weak handed, and will fear him, that all the people that are with him shall flee. And so will I smite the king onely,
When Husai was come to Absalom, Absalom spake unto him saying: Ahitophel hath given such counsel: whether it be best we do after his saying or not, tell thou.
For (said Husai) thou knowest thy father and the men that are with him, how that they be strong men. And they be chafed in their minds, even as a bear robbed of her whelps. And thy father is a man practised in war, and will not lie a nights among the common people.
Behold he lurketh now in some cave or in some other place. And thereto though some of his men be overthrown at the first brunt, yet they that hear it will think the people that followeth Absalom be put to the worse.
By the reason whereof the best men thou hast whose hearts are as the hearts of Lions, shall shrink thereat. For all Israel knoweth that thy father is a man, and that they which be with him be children of activity.
But my counsel is, that all Israel be gathered unto thee, from Dan to Bersabe, as the sand of the sea in number, and that thou go to battle in thine own person.
And we will come upon him in one place or other, where we shalt find him, and we will pitch a field against him, even as thick as the dew falleth on the ground. And there shall not one of them be left, neither he nor any of all that are with him.
Moreover if he take a town then shall all the men of Israel bring ropes to that city, and we will draw it into the river, until there be not one stone found upon another.
And Absalom and all the men of Israel said: that the counsel of Husai the Arachite was better than the counsel of Ahitophel. For it was even the LORD's determination to destroy the counsel of Ahitophel: which was good, that the LORD might bring evil upon Absalom.
Then said Husai unto Sadock and Abiathar the priests: of this and that manner did Ahitophel and the elders of Israel counsel Absalom. And thus and thus have I counselled.
Now therefore send quickly and shew David saying: tarry not all night in the fields of the wilderness, but get thee over, lest the king be devoured and all the people that are with him.
Now Jonathas and Ahimaaz abode by the well rogell: for they might not be seen to come in to the city. And a wench went and told them. And they to go and shewed king David.
Nevertheless there was a lad saw them which told it to Absalom. But they went both of them away quickly and came to a man's house in Bahurim, which had a well in his yard, into which they went down.
And when Absalom's servants came to the wife to the house and asked where one Ahimaaz and Jonathas were, the wife said unto them: they be gone over the little brook of water. And when they had sought them and could not find them, then they returned to Jerusalem.
And as soon as they were departed, the other came out of the well, and went and told king David and said unto him: up and get you quickly over the water for such counsel hath Ahitophel given.
Then David arose and all the people that were with him, and they were come over Jordan be that it was day, that there lacked not one of them that was not come over Jordan.
And when Ahitophel saw that his counsel was not followed, he saddled his Ass and arose and gat him home to his own house and to his own city, and put his household in order and hanged himself and died, and was buried in the sepulchre of his father.
And Absalom made Amasa captain of the host in the stead of Joab, which Amasa was a man's son named Jethra a Jezrahelite that went into Abigail the daughter of Naah sister to Zaruiah Joab's mother.
And when David was come to Mahanaim, Sobi the son of Naah out of Rabath the city of the children of Ammon, and Machir the son of Amiel out of Lodaber and Berzelai the Gileadite out of Rogelim,
honey, butter, sheep and cheese of kine, for David and all the people that were with him to eat. For they supposed that the people should be hungry, fainty, and thirsty in the wilderness.
And he sent one part of them with Joab, and another part with Abisai the son of Zaruiah Joab's brother, and the third part with Ethai the Gethite. And the king said unto the people: shall I go with you?
And the people answered: nay, for if we flee, our adversaries will not care for us: neither though half of us were slain, shall they regard us. But thou were worth ten thousand of us. And therefore it is better that thou be ready to succour us out of the city.
Then said the king: what seemeth you best, that will I do. And the king stood up by the Gate's side, and all the people came out by hundreds and by thousands.
And the king commanded Joab, Abisai, and Ethai saying: intreat me Jently my son Absalom. And all the people heard when the king gave all the captains charge over Absalom.
And it chanced Absalom to come before the servants of David riding upon a Mule which carried him under the thick boughs of a great Oak. And his head caught in the Oak, and he was left between heaven and earth, and the Mule that was under him went his way.
and Joab said unto him that told him: lo, sawest thou him? And why didst thou not there smite him to the ground, that I should have given thee ten sicles of silver and a soldier's girdle.
And the man answered Joab: though I had a thousand sicles of silver told in my hand yet would I not stretch out mine hand against the king's son. For we heard with our ears when the king charged thee, Abisai and Ethai, saying: spare me the lad Absalom.
Moreover though I had jeoparded my life and done falsely thereto, yet could nought of all the matter have been hid from the king: yea and thou thyself wouldest be against me.
Then said Joab I may not stand tarrying with thee. And therewith he took three spears in his hand and thrust them into the heart of Absalom, while he was yet alive on the body of the tree.
And they took Absalom and cast him into a great pit that was in the wood, and cast a mighty great heap of stones upon him. And all Israel fled every man to his tent.
And this Absalom yet in his lifetime, took and reared up a pillar, which is yet in king's dale. For he said: I have no male child. And therefore to keep my name in remembrance do I it. And he called the pillar after his own name. And it is called unto this day, Absalom's pillar.
Then said Ahimaaz the son of Sadock: let me run I pray thee, and bear the king tidings, how that the LORD hath judged him quite of the hands of all his enemies.
And Joab said unto him: thou art no man to bear tidings today: thou shalt bear tidings another time: but today thou shalt bear none, because the king's son is dead.
Then said Ahimaaz the son of Sadock again to Joab: come what come will, let me run I pray thee after Chusi. And Joab said: wherefore shouldest thou run my son? for and thou run thou gettest no reward: well come what will let me run.
And David sat between the two gates. And the watchman went up to the roof over the gate unto the wall, and lifted up his eyes and saw: and behold, there came a man running alone.
And the watchman saw another man running, and called unto the porter and said: behold there cometh another running alone. And the king answered: he is also a tidings bringer.
And the watchman said: me thinketh the running of the foremost is like the running of Ahimaaz the son of Sadock. And the king said: he is a good man and cometh with good tidings.
And Ahimaaz called and said to the king: good tidings, and bowed himself to the earth upon his face before the king and said: blessed be the LORD thy God which hath shut up all the men that lifted up their hands against my Lord{Lorde} the king.
And the king said: is the lad Absalom safe? And Ahimaaz answered I saw a great ado, when the king's servant Joab sent me thy servant. But I wot not what it was.
And the king said to Chusi: is the lad Absalom safe? And Chusi answered: the enemies of my lord the king and all that rise against thee, to have thee, be as thy lad is.
And the king was moved and went up to a chamber over the gate and wept. And as he went thus he said: my son Absalom, my son, my son, my son Absalom, would to God I had died for thee Absalom, my son, my son.
And Joab went into the house to the king and said: thou hast shamed this day the faces of all thy servants, which this day have saved thy life and the lives of thy sons and daughters, and the lives of thy wives and concubines,
in that thou lovest thine enemies and hatest thy friends. Thou hast declared this day that thou camest neither for thy lords nor servants. For this day I do perceive, if Absalom had lived, and all we died this day, that then it had pleased thee well.
Now therefore up and come out, and speak kindly unto thy servants, I swear by the LORD except thou come out, there will not tarry one man with thee this night. And that will be worse unto thee, than all the evil that fell on thee from thine youth unto this hour.
Then the king arose and sat down in the Gate. And it was told unto all the people, how the king sat in the Gate. And then all the people came before the king. But Israel fled every man to his tent.
And all the people were at strife thorowout all the tribes of Israel saying: the king delivered us out of the hand of our enemies. And he delivered us out of the hand of the Philistines.
Now therefore why are ye so still, that ye bring not the king again. And king David sent to Sadock and Abiathar the priests saying: speak unto the elders of Juda and say: why should ye be the last that should bring again the king to his house, seeing that such tidings is come from all Israel unto the king even to his house?
And say to Amasa: art thou not my bone and my flesh? And God do so to me and so thereto: except thou be captain of the Host to me for ever in the room of Joab.
And he bowed the hearts of all the men of Juda, as a man would bow the heart of one man: so that they sent word to the king, that he should return with all his servants.
and a thousand men of Benjamin with him, and Ziba the servant of the house of Saul and his fifteen sons and twenty servants with him. And they whipt over Jordan before the king.
And there went over a Boat to carry over the king's household and to do him pleasure. And Semei the son of Gera fell before the king, as he was come over Jordan
and said unto him: let not my lord impute wickedness unto me, nor let him not remember the wickedness that thy servant did, when my lord the king departed out of Jerusalem that the king should take it to heart.
For thy servant doth know how that I have done amiss. And therefore behold, I am the first this day of all the house of Joseph that am come to meet my lord the king.
And the king said: what matter is between you and me ye sons of Zaruiah, that ye should this day be adversaries unto me? There shall no man die this day in Israel: for I know that I am this day king over Israel.
And Miphiboseth the son of Saul came to meet the king, and had neither dressed his feet nor shaved his beard nor washed his clothes from the time the king departed, until he came again in peace.
And he said: my lord king, my servant deceived me. For thy servant said: that I would have mine Ass saddled to ride thereon, for to go to the king, because thy servant is lame.
And he hath thereto complained on thy servant unto my lord the king. But my lord the king is as an Angel of God: do therefore what seemeth best in thine eyes.
For all my father's house were but dead men unto my lord the king: and yet didst thou put me among them that eat at thine own table. What right therefore have I yet, to cry any more unto the king?
which Berselai was a very aged man, even four score year old, and had provided the king of sustenance while he lay at Mahanaim: for he was a man of very great substance.
I am this day four score year old: and therefore can not discern savoury from unsavoury, neither hath thy servant pleasure in that he eateth or drinketh: nor yet delectation in the songs of men or women. It is no need that thy servant be a burden unto my lord the king:
But let thy servant turn back again, that I may die in mine own city, by the grave of my father and mother. But lo here is thy servant Chamaam: let him go with my lord the king, and do to him, what shall please thee.
And the king answered: Chamaam shall go with me. And I will do to him that thou shalt be content with. And thereto whatsoever thou shalt require of me, that same will I do for thee.
And all the people went over Jordan. And when the king was come over Jordan, he kissed Berselai and took his leave of him, and he went back again unto his own place.
And then the king went to Gilgal, and Chamaam went with him. Now all the men of Juda were at the bringing over of the king, and but half the men of Israel.
Wherefore all the men of Israel came to the king and said unto him: why have our brethren the men of Juda stolen thee away, and have brought the king and his household and all David's men with him over Jordan?
And all the men of Juda answered the men of Israel: for the king is near of kin to us:|nye kindred| wherefore be ye angry for that matter? think ye that we eat of the king's cost, or that the king giveth us any gifts?
And the men of Israel answered the men of Juda and said: we have ten parts in the king, and have thereto more right to David than ye. Why then did ye despise us, that our advice had not been first had in restoring our king again? And the words of the men of Juda were fiercer than the words of the men of Israel.
And there happened to be an unthrifty fellow named Seba the son of Bochri a man of Gemini which blew a trumpet and said: we have no part in David, nor inheritance in the son of Isai, o Israel,
let us depart therefore every man to his tent. And all Israel went from David and followed Seba the son of Bochri. But the men of Juda clave fast unto the king, from Jordan to Jerusalem.
And when David was come to his house to Jerusalem, he took the ten wives his concubines that he had left behind him to keep the house, and put them in ward and ministered all things unto them: but lay no more with them. And so they were enclosed unto the day of the death of them, and lived a widow's life.
Wherefore the king said to Abisai: now shall Seba the son of Bochri be worse to us than Absalom. Take thou therefore thy lord's servants and follow after him: lest he get him walled cities and escape us.
And there went out after him Joab's men and the Cerethites and the Phelethites and the men of might. And they departed out of Jerusalem to follow after Seba the son of Bochri.
And when they were come to the great stone in Gabaon, Amasa met them. And Joab had his garment that he had about him, gird unto him, and had girded thereon a knife joined fast to his loins, in such a sheath that as he went it fell sometimes out.
And Joab said to Amasa: are all things in rest and peace my brother? And Joab took Amasa by the chin with the right hand, as though he would have kissed him.
And Amasa took no heed to the knife that was in Joab's hand, with which Joab smote him in the short ribs, and shed out his bowels to the ground and smote him but one stroke, and he died. And then Joab and Amisai his brother followed after Seba the son of Bochri.
And Amasa lay wallowing in blood in the midst of the way. And there was a man that saw all the people stand still. And when he saw that all that came by him stood still, he rolled Amasa out of the way into the field and cast a cloth upon him.
And they came and besieged him in Abel Bethmaacah. And they cast up a bank against the city. And it was besieged. All the people that was with Joab laboured busily to overthrow the wall.
When Joab was come the woman said: art thou Joab? And Joab answered that am I. And she said to him: hear the words of thy handmaid? And he said: I am ready to hear.
Abel is one of the quietest and faithfullest cities that are in Israel. And thou goest about to destroy a city that is as a mother in Israel. Why devourest thou the inheritance of the LORD?
The matter is not so: But there is a man of mount Ephraim, Seba the son of Bochri by name, which hath lifted up his hand against king David. Deliver us him onely, and I will depart from the city. And the woman said unto Joab: Behold, his head shall be thrown thorow the wall to thee.
And then the woman went unto all the people in her wisdom. And they smote off the head of Seba son of Bochri, and cast it to Joab. And he blew a trumpet, and they scattered from the city every man to his tent, and Joab returned to Jerusalem unto the king.
Then there fell an hunger in the days of David three years, year by year. And David enquired of the LORD. And the LORD answered: it is for Saul's sake and the house of blood, because he slew the Gabeonites.
And the king called the Gabeonites and said unto them. Now these Gabeonites are not of the children of Israel, but a remnant of the Ammonites, and the children of Israel sware unto them. And yet Saul sought to slay them, for a zeal that he had to the children of Israel and of Juda.
And the Gabaonites said unto him: we have no matter of silver or of gold with Saul or with his house: neither have we any man that we would kill in Israel. Then he said: what say ye that I shall do for you?
and they said unto the king: the man that consumed and imagined to bring us to nought, him we ought to destroy, that nought of him continue in any of the coasts of Israel,
let seven men of his sons be delivered unto us, that we may hang them up unto the LORD, in Gabaah of Saul the LORD's elect. And David said: I will give them you.
But the king had compassion on Miphiboseth the son of Jonathas, the son of Saul, because of the LORD's oath that was between them: that is to say between David and Jonathas the son of Saul.
But he took the two sons of Rezphah the daughter of Aiah which she bare unto Saul, Armoni and Miphiboseth, and the five sons of Michol the daughter of Saul which she bare to Adriel the son of Berselai the Molathite,
and delivered them unto the hands of the Gabeonites, which hanged them in the hill before the LORD. And they fell all seven together in the first days of harvest: even in the beginning of barley harvest.
And Rezphah the daughter of Aiah took Sackcloth and spread it under her upon the Rock, even from the beginning of harvest until rain dropped upon them out of heaven, and suffered neither the birds of the Air to fall on them by day nor beasts of the field by night.
he went and took the bones of Saul, and of Jonathas his son, and of the men of Jabes in Gilead, which they had stolen from the street of Bethsan, where the Philistines had hanged them in the days when the Philistines had slain Saul in Gelboe.
and buried them with the bones of Saul and Jonathas his son in the country of Benjamin, in Zela, in the sepulchre of Cis his father. And when they had performed all that the king commanded, God was then at one with the land.
And David waxed fainty, and Jesbi of Nob one of the sons of Haraphah whose spear head weighed three hundredth sicles of brass, and was girded with a new sword, thought to have slain David.
But Abisai the son of Zaruiah succoured him and smote the Philistine and killed him. Then the servants of David sware unto him saying: Thou shalt go no more out with us to battle, that the light of Israel be not put out.
And there was yet the third battle in Gob, with the Philistines, where Elhanan the son of the Jaere Orgim, a Bethlehemite slew one Goliath a Gethite: the staff of whose spear was as great as a weaver's cloth beam.
And there was yet battle in Geth, where was a man of a size and had on every hand six fingers and on every foot six toes: twenty four in all. And was also of the kindred of Haraphah, and defied Israel.
And David spake the words of this song unto the LORD, what time the LORD had delivered him out of the hands of all his enemies, and out of the hands of Saul.
And the bottom of the sea appeared, and the foundations of the world were seen, by the reason of the rebuking of the LORD, and thorow the blasting of the breath of his nostrils.
The way of God is undefiled,|perfect| and the word of the LORD fined as gold, and he a shield to all that trust in him.|yea, words of the LORD are tried in the fire: he is a shield for all them that put their trust in him|
And thou deliveredst me from the dissension of my people, and keepest me to be an head over nations, for the people which I knew not became my servants.
These be the last sayings of David. David the son of Isai said: And the man is lifted up on high, the anointed of the God of Jacob and pleasant Psalmist of Israel said:
And he shall be as the morning light, when the son shineth in a morning in which are no clouds to let the brightness, and as the grass of the earth is by the virtue of the rain.
And is not mine house so with God? in that he hath made with me an everlasting covenant perfect in all points: and in that he shall fulfil all that is healthsome unto me, and all my desires thereto.
These be the names of the mighty men that were about David: Joseb of Sebeth the Thachmonite, first of three, otherwise called Adino the Azonite, which slew eight hundredth at one time.
And next to him Eleazar the son of Dodi the son of Ahohi, one of the three principal that were with David, which when they defied the Philistines that were there gathered together in battle (and the men of Israel were gone up)
arose and laid on the Philistines until his hand ached and clave unto the sword. And the LORD made a great victory the same day. And the people returned and went after him only to spoil.
After him was Sema the son of Ageh the Hararite (which when the Philistines were gathered together in Lahaia where was a parcel of land full of rice, and the people were fled for fear of the Philistines)
And these three of the thirty of the Lord's went down and came to David in the harvest time unto the cave Odolom. And the Host of the Philistines had pitched in the valley of Giants.
And anon the three mighty brake thorow the Host of the Philistines and fetched water out of the well of Bethlehem that was in the gate, and took and brought it to David: Nevertheless he would not drink thereof, but offered it unto the LORD
and said: the LORD forbid that I should do so, should I drink the blood of men that were in jeopardy of their lives? and so he would not drink it. These things did these three mighty men.
Then Abisai the brother of Joab, the son of Saruiah: he was a captain over the three, and he lifted up his spear against three hundredth and slew them, and was named with the three.
Then Banaiah the son of Jehoiada the son of a lusty man valiant in acts of Rabzeel, he slew two lions of Moab. He went down and slew a lion in a pit in time of Snow.
And he slew an Egyptian a goodly man, which had a spear in his hand. And Banaiah went down to him with a staff and plucked the spear out of the Egyptian's hand and slew him with his own spear:
And forthwith the king said to Joab the captain of his Host: go abroad I pray thee, thorowout all the tribes of Israel, even from Dan to Bersabe, and number the people that I may know the number of them.
And Joab said unto the king: I beseech that the LORD thy God make the people as many more as they be: yea and an hundredth times so many more, and that the eyes of my lord the king may see them. But how is it that my lord the king hath a lust in this thing?
Notwithstanding the king's words prevailed against Joab and against all the captains of the Host. Then Joab and the captains of the Host went out from the king, to view the people of Israel.
and came to the strong town of Tyre, and to all the cities of the Hevites and of the Cananites, and then went out to the South of Juda even to Bersabe.
And then Joab delivered up the reckoning of the number of the people unto the king. And there were found in Israel nine hundredth thousand men of might that drew swords. And the men of Juda were five hundredth thousand men.
And David's heart smote him after that he had numbered the people. And he said unto the LORD: I have sinned exceedingly in that I have done. And now LORD take away the trespass of thy servant: for I have done foolishly.
And Gad came to David and shewed him and said unto him: whether wilt thou have seven years hunger in thy land, or that thou flee three months before thine enemies and they following thee, or that there be three days pestilence in thy land. Now understand and see, what word I shall bring again to him that sent me.(Septuagint: And Gad went in to David, and told him, and said to him, Choose one of these things to befall thee, whether there shall come upon thee for three years famine in thy land; or that thou shouldest flee three months before thine enemies, and they should pursue thee; or that there should be for three days mortality in thy land. Now then decide, and see what answer I shall return to him that sent me.)
Then said David unto Gad: I am in a marvellous strait. But let me fall I pray thee, into the hands of the LORD, for much is his mercy, and let me not fall into the hands of men.
And the LORD sent a pestilence in Israel from the morning unto the end of the time appointed. And there died of the people between Dan and Bersabe seventy thousand men.
And when the Angel stretched out his hand unto Jerusalem to have destroyed it, the LORD had compassion to do that evil, and said to the Angel that destroyed the people: it is sufficient: let thine hand cease. And the Angel was at the threshing place of Areunah the Jebusite.
Then spake David unto the LORD when he saw the Angel that smote the people, and said: lo, it is I that have sinned, and I that have done wickedly. But these sheep what have they done? let I pray thee thine hand be on me and on my father's house.
And when Areunah looked and saw the king and his servants coming toward him, he went out: and bowed himself to the king flat on his face to the ground,
and said: wherefore is my lord the king come to his servant? And David said: to buy the threshing floor of thee, for to make an altar unto the LORD that the plague may cease from the people.
And Areunah said unto the king: let my lord the king take and offer what seemeth him good in his eyes: Behold oxen for sacrifice, and sleds and the other instruments of the oxen for wood.
But the king said unto Areunah: not so, but I will buy it of thee at a price, and will not offer sacrifice unto the LORD my God that shall cost me nought. And so David bought the threshing floor, and the oxen for fifty sicles of silver.
And David built there an altar unto the LORD and offered burnt sacrifices and peace offerings. And so the LORD was agreed with the land. And the plague ceased from Israel.
The end of the second book of Samuel, which they commenly call the second of the Kings.