all the warriors walked on the right, and on the| left side of the king.

7 And thus said Semei when he cursed the king: Come out, come out, thou man of blood, and thou man of Belial.

23 Now the counsel of Achitophel, which he gave in those days, was as if a man should consult God: so was all the counsel of Achitophel, both when he was with David, and when he was with Absalom.

AN

b

CHAP. XVII.

8 The Lord hath repaid thee for all the blood of the house of Saul: because thou hast usurp-Achitophel's counsel is defeated by Chusai: who sended the kingdom in his stead, and the Lord hath eth intelligence to David. Achitophel hangeth himself. given the kingdom into the hand of Absalom ND Achitophel said to Absalom: I will thy son: and behold thy evils press upon thee, choose me twelve thousand men, and I will because thou art a man of blood. arise and pursue after David this night." 2 And coming upon him (for he is now weary, and weak-handed) I will defeat him: and when all the people is put to flight that is with him, will kill the king who will be left alone. 3 And I will bring back all the people, as if they were but one man: for thou seekest but one man: and all the people shall be in peace. 4 And his saying pleased Absalom, and all the ancients of Israel.

9 And Abisai the son of Sarvia said to the king: Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? I will go, and cut off his head. 10 And the king said: What have I to do with you, ye sons of Sarvia? Let him alone and let him curse: for the Lord hath bid him curse David: and who is he that shall dare say, why hath he done so?

I

11 And the king said to Abisai, and to all his servants: Behold my son, who came forth from 5 But Absalom said: Call Chusai the Ara my bowels, seeketh my life: how much more chite, and let us hear what he also saith. now a son of Jemini? let him alone that he 6 And when Chusai was come to Absalom, may curse as the Lord hath bidden him: Absalom said to him: Achitophel hath spoken 12 Perhaps the Lord may look upon my afflic-after this manner: shall we do it or no? what tion, and the Lord may render me good for the cursing of this day.

13 And David and his men with him went by the way. And Semei by the hill's side, went over-against him, cursing, and casting stones at him, and scattering earth.

counsel dost thou give?

7 And Chusai said to Absalom: The counsel that Achitophel hath given this time is not good. 8 And again Chusai said: Thou knowest thy father, and the men that are with him, that they are very valiant, and bitter in their mind, as a bear raging in the wood when her whelps are taken away: and thy father is a warrior, and will not lodge with the people.

14 And the king and all the people with him came weary, and refreshed themselves there. 15 But Absalom and all his people came into Jerusalem, and Achitophel was with him. 16 And when Chusai the Arachite, David's friend, was come to Absalom, he said to him: God save thee, O king, God save thee, O king. 17 And Absalom said to him: Is this thy kind-ple that followed Absalom. ness to thy friend? why wentest thou not with thy friend?

18 And Chusai answered Absalom: Nay: for I will be his, whom the Lord hath chosen, and all this people, and all Israel, and with him will I abide.

19 Besides this, whom shall I serve? is it not the king's son? as I have served thy father, so will I serve thee also.

20 And Absalom said to Achitophel: Consult what we are to do.

21 And Achitophel said to Absalom: Go in to the concubines of thy father, whom he hath left to keep the house: that when all Israel shall hear that thou hast disgraced thy father, their hands may be strengthened with thee.

22 So they spread a tent for Absalom on the top of the house, and he went in to his father's concubines before all Israel.

9 Perhaps he now lieth hid in pits, or in some other place where he list: and when any one shall fall at the first, every one that heareth it shall say: There is a slaughter among the peo

10 And the most valiant man whose heart is as the heart of a lion, shall melt for fear: for all the people of Israel know thy father to be a valiant man, and that all who are with him are valiant. 11 But this seemeth to me to be good counsel: Let all Israel be gathered to thee, from Dan to Bersabee, as the sand of the sea which cannot be numbered: and thou shalt be in the midst of them. 12 And we shall come upon him in what place soever he shall be found: and we shall cover him, as the dew falleth upon the ground, and we shall not leave of the men that are with him not so much as one.

13 And if he shall enter into any city, all Israel shall cast ropes round about that city, and we will draw it into the river, so that there shall not be found so much as one small stone thereof. 14 And Absalom, and all the men of Israel said: The counsel of Chusai the Arachite is better than the counsel of Achitophel: and by Ch. 16. v. 10 & 11. Hath bid him curse. Not that the will of the Lord the profitable counsel of the Lord was the author of Semei's sin, which proceeded Achitophel was defeated, that the Lord might purely from his own malice, and the abuse of his free-bring evil upon Absalom. will. But that knowing, and suffering his malicious disposition to break out on this occasion, he made use of him as his instrument to punish David for his sins.

Supra, 12. 11 - A. M. 2981.

Ver. 21. Their hands may be strengthened, &c. The people might apprehend lest Absalom should be reconciled to his father, and therefore they followed him with some fear of being left in the lurch, till they saw Buch a crime committed, as seemed to make a reconeliation impossible.

15 And Chusai said to Sadoc and Abiathar the priests: Thus and thus did Achitophel counsel Absalom, and the ancients of Israel: and thus and thus did I counsel them.

16 Now therefore send quickly, and tell David, saying: Tarry not this night in the plains of the wilderness, but without delay pass over: les:

the king be swallowed up, and all the people that is with him.

17 And Jonathan and Achimaas stayed by the fountain Rogel: and there went a maid and told them: and they went forward, to carry the message to king David, for they might not be seen, nor enter into the city.

2 And sent forth a third part of the people un der the hand of Joab, and a third part under the hand of Abisai the son of Sarvia, Joab's brother, and a third part under the hand of Ethai, who was of Geth: and the king said to the people: I also will go forth with you. 3 And the people answered: Thou shalt not 18 But a certain boy saw them, and told Ab-go forth: for if we flee away, they will not much salom: but they making haste went into the house of a certain man in Bahurim, who had a well in his court, and they went down into it. 19 And a woman took, and spread a covering over the mouth of the well, as it were to dry sodden barley and so the thing was not known. 20 And when Absalom's servants were come into the house, they said to the woman: Where is Achimaas and Jonathan? and the woman answered them: They passed on in haste, after they had tasted a little water. But they that sought them, when they found them not, returned into Jerusalem.

21 And when they were gone, they came up out of thewell, and going on told kingDavid,and said: Arise and pass quickly over the river: for this manner of counsel has Achitophel given against you. 22 So David arose, and all the people that were with him, and they passed over the Jordan, until it grew light, and not one of them was left that was not gone over the river.

23 But Achitophel seeing that his counsel was not followed, saddled his ass, and arose and went home to his house, and to his city and putting his house in order, hanged himself, and was buried in the sepulchre of his father. 24 But David came to the camp, and Absalom passed over the Jordan, he and all the men of Israel with him.

25 Now Absalom appointed Amasa in Joab's stead over the army: and Amasa was the son of a man who was called Jethra of Jezrael, who went in to Abigail the daughter of Naas, the sister of Sarvia who was the mother of Joab. 26 And Israel camped with Absalom in the land of Galaad.

27 And when David was come to the camp, Sobi, the son of Naas of Rabbath of the children of Ammon, and Machir the son of Ammihel of Lodabar, and Berzellai the Galaadite of Rogelim, 28 Brought him beds, and tapestry, and earthen vessels, and wheat, and barley, and meal, and parched corn, and beans, and lentils, and fried pulse,

29 And honey, and butter, and sheep, and fat calves, and they gave to David and the people that were with him, to eat: for they suspected that the people were faint with hunger and thirst in the wilderness.

mind us: or if half of us should fall, they will
not greatly care for thou alone art accounted
for ten thousand: it is better therefore that
thou shouldst be in the city to succour us.
4 And the king said to them: What seemeth
good to you, that will I do. And the king stood
by the gate: and all the people went forth by
their troops, by hundreds and by thousands.
5 And the king commanded Joab, and Abisai,
and Ethai, saying: Save me the boy Absalom.
And all the people heard the king giving charge
to all the princes concerning Absalom.
6 So the people went out into the field against
Israel, and the battle was fought in the forest of
Ephraim.

7 And the people of Israel were defeated there
by David's army, and a great slaughter was
made that day of twenty thousand men.
8 And the battle there was scattered over the
face of all the country, and there were many
more of the people whom the forest consumed,
than whom the sword devoured that day.
9 And it happened that Absalom met the serv-
ants of David, riding on a mule: and as the
mule went under a thick and large oak, his head
stuck in the oak: and while he hung between
the heaven and the earth, the mule on which
he rode passed on.

10 And one saw this and told Joab, saying: I saw Absalom hanging upon an oak. 11 And Joab said to the man that told him: If thou sawest him, why didst thou not stab him to the ground, and I would have given thee ten sicles of silver, and a belt?

12 And he said to Joab: If thou wouldst have paid down in my hands a thousand pieces of silver, I would not lay my hands upon the king's son: for in our hearing, the king charged thee, and Abisai, and Ethai, saying: Save me the boy Absalom.

13 Yea and if I should have acted boldlyagainst my own life, this could not have been hid from the king, and wouldst thou have stood by me?

14 And Joab said: Not as thou wilt, but I will set upon him in thy sight. So he took three lances in his hand, and thrust them into the heart of Absalom: and whilst he yet panted for life, sticking on the oak,

15 Ten young men armour-bearers of Joab, ran up, and striking him slew him.

16 And Joab sounded the trumpet, and kept their flight, being willing to spare the multitude. back the people from pursuing after Israel in 17 And they took Absalom, and cast him into a great pit in the forest, and they laid an exceeding great heap of stones upon him: but all Israel fled to their own dwellings.

18 Now Absalom had reared up for himself, in his life-time, a pillar, which is in the king's valley: for he said: I have no son, and this shall be the monument of my name." And he

called the pillar by his own name, and it is who would grant me that I might die for thee, called The hand of Absalom, to this day. Absalom my son, my son Absalom. CHAP. XIX.

19 And Achimaas the son of Sadoc said: I will run and tell the king, that the Lord hath done judgment for him from the hand of his enemies. 20 And Joab said to him: Thou shalt not be the messenger this day, but shalt bear tidings another day: this day I will not have thee bear tidings, because the king's son is dead.

21 And Joab said to Chusi: Go, and tell the king what thou hast seen. Chusi bowed down to Joab, and ran.

22 Then Achimaas the son of Sadoc said to Joab again: Why might not I also run after Chusi? And Joab said to him: Why wilt thou run, my son? Thou wilt not be the bearer of good tidings. 23 He answered: But what if I run? And he said to him: Run. Then Achimaas running by a nearer way passed Chusi.

24 And David sat between the two gates: and the watchman that was on the top of the gate upon the wall, lifting up his eyes, saw a man running alone.

25 And crying out he told the king: and the king said: If he be alone, there are good tidings in his mouth. And as he was coming apace

and drawing nearer,

26 The watchman saw another man running, and crying aloud from above, he said: I see another man running alone. And the king said: He also is a good messenger.

David, at the remonstrances of Joab, ceaseth his mourning. He is invited back and met by Semei and Miphiboseth: a strife between the men of Juda and the men of Israel.

AND it was told Joab, that the king wept

and mourned for his son:

2 And the victory that day was turned into mourning unto all the people: for the people heard say that day: The king grieveth for his son. 3 And the people shunned the going into the city that day as a people would do that hath turned their backs, and fled away from the battle. 4 And the king covered his head, and cried with a loud voice: O my son Absalom, O Absalom my son, O my son.

5 Then Joab going into the house to the king, said: Thou hast shamed this day the faces of all thy servants, that have saved thy life, and the lives of thy sons, and of thy daughters, and the lives of thy wives, and the lives of thy concubines. 6 Thou lovest them that hate thee, and thou hatest them that love thee: and thou hast shewn this day that thou carest not for thy nobles, nor for thy servants: and I now plainly perceive that if Absalom had lived, and all we had been slain, then it would have pleased thee. 7 Now therefore arise, and go out, and speak to the satisfaction of thy servants: for I swear to thee by the Lord, that if thou wilt not go forth, there will not tarry with thee so much as one this night: and that will be worse to thee, than all the evils that have befallen thee from thy youth until now.

27 And the watchman said: The running of the foremost seemeth to me like the running of Achimaas the son of Sadoc. And the king said: He is a good man: and cometh with good news. 28 And Achimaas crying out, said to the king: God save thee, O king. And falling down before 8 Then the king arose and sat in the gate: and the king with his face to the ground, he said: it was told to all the people that the king sat in Blessed be the Lord thy God, who hath shut the gate: and all the people came before the up the men that have lifted up their hands king: but Israel fled to their own dwellings. against the lord my king. 9 And all the people were at strife in all the tribes of Israel, saying: The king delivered us out of the hand of our enemies, and he saved us out of the hand of the Philistines: and now he is fled out of the land for Absalom.

29 And the king said: Is the young man Absalom safe? And Achimaas said: I saw a great tumult, O king, when thy servant Joab sent me thy servant: I know nothing else.

30 And the king said to him: Pass, and stand here.

31 And when he had passed, and stood still, Chusi appeared and coming up he said: bring good tidings, lord my king: for the Lord hath judged for thee this day from the hand of all that have risen up against thee.

32 And the king said to Chusi: Is the young man Absalom safe? And Chusi answering him, said: Let the enemies of the lord my king, and all that rise against him unto evil, be as the young man is.

10 But Absalom, whom we anointed over us, is dead in the battle: how long are you silent, and bring not back the king?

11 And king David sent to Sadoc, and Abiathar the priests, saying: Speak to the ancients of Juda, saying: Why are you the last to bring the king back to his house? (For the talk of all Israel was come to the king in his house.) 12 You are my brethren, you are my bone, and my flesh, why are you the last to bring back the king?

13 And say ye to Amasa: Art not thou my 33 The king therefore being mucn moved, bone, and my flesh? So do God to me, and went up to the high-chamber over the gate, and add more, if thou be not the chief captain of the wept. And as he went he spoke in this man-army before me always in the place of Jɔab. ner: My son Absalom, Absalom my son:

Infra, 19. 4.— A. M. 2981.— 3 Kin. 2. 8.

14 And he inclined the heart of all the men of Juda, as it were of one man: and they sent to the 14. 27, were dead when this pillar was erected: unless we king, saying: Return thou, and all thy servants. suppose he raised this pillar before they were born. 15 And the king returned and came as far as Ver. 33. Who would. David lamented the death of the Jordan, and all Juda came as far as Galgal to Absalom, because of the wretched state in which he meet the king, and to bring him over the Jordan. died: and therefore would have been glad to have saved his life, even by dying for him. In which he was a figure16 And Semei the son of Gera the son of of Christ weeping, praying, and dying for his rebellious Jemini of Bahurim, made haste and went down children, and even for them that crucified him. with the men of Juda to meet King David,

17 With a thousand inen of Benjamin, and are the days of the years of my life, that I Siba the servant of the house of Saul: and his should go up with the king to Jerusalem? fifteen sons, and twenty servants were with 35 I am this day fourscore years old, are my him and going over the Jordan, senses quick to discern sweet and bitter? or can

18 They passed the fords before the king, that meat or drink delight thy servant? or can I they might help over the king's household, and hear any more the voice of singing-men and do according to his commandment. And Se- singing-women? why should thy servant be a mei the son of Gera falling down before the burden to the lord my king? king, when he was come over the Jordan, 19 Said to him: Impute not to me, my lord, the iniquity, nor remember the injuries of thy servant on the day that thou, lord my king, wentest out of Jerusalem, nor lay it up in thy heart, O king. 20 For I thy servant acknowledge my sin: and therefore I am come this day the first of all the house of Joseph, and am come down to meet my lord the king.

21 But Abisai the son of Sarvia answering, said: Shall Semei for these words not be put to death, because he cursed the Lord's anointed? 22 And David said: What have I to do with you, you sons of Sarvia? why are you a satan this day to me? shall there any man be killed this day in Israel? do not I know that this day I am made king over Israel?

23 And the king said to Semei: Thou shalt not die. And he swore unto him.

24 And Miphiboseth the son of Saul, came down to meet the king, and he had neither washed his feet, nor trimmed his beard: nor washed his garments from the day that the king went out, until the day of his return in peace. 25 And when he met the king at Jerusalem, the king said to him: Why camest thou not with me, Miphiboseth?

26 And he answering, said: Lord my king my servant despised me: for I thy servant spoke to him to saddle me an ass, that I might get on and go with the king: for I thy servant am lame. 27 Moreover he hath also accused me thy servant to thee, my lord the king: but thou my lord the king art as an angel of God, do what pleaseth thee.

28 For all of my father's house were no better than worthy of death before my lord the king; and thou hast set me thy servant among the guests of thy table: what just complaint therefore have I or what right to cry any more to the king?

36 I thy servant will go on a little way from the Jordan with thee: I need not this recompense. 37 But I beseech thee let thy servant return, and die in my own city, and be buried by the sepulchre of my father, and of my mother. But there is thy servant Chamaam, let him go with thee, lord my king, and do to him whatsoever seemeth good to thee.

38 Then the king said to him: Let Chamaam go over with me, and I will do for him whatsoever shall please thee, and all that thou shalt ask of me, thou shalt obtain.

39 And when all the people and the king had passed over the Jordan, the king kissed Berzellai, and blessed him: and he returned to his own place.

40 So the king went on to Galgal, and Chamaam with him. Now all the people of Juda had brought the king over, and only half of the people of Israel were there.

41 Therefore all the men of Israel running together to the king, said to him: Why have our brethren the men of Juda stolen thee away, and have brought the king and his household over the Jordan, and all the men of David with him? 42 And all the men of Juda answered the men of Israel: Because the king is nearer to me: why art thou angry for this matter? have we eaten any thing of the king's, or have any gifts been given us?

43 And the men of Israel answered the men of Juda, and said: I have ten parts in the king more than thou, and David belongeth to me more than to thee: why hast thou done me wrong, and why was it not told me first, that I might bring back my king? And the men of Juda answered more harshly than the men of Israel. CHAP. XX.

Seba's rebellion. Amasa is slain by Joab. Abela is besieged, but upon the citizens casting over the wall the head of Seba, Joab departeth with his army.

29 Then the king said to him: Why speakest AND there happened to be there a man of thou any more? what I have said is determined: thou and Siba divide the possessions.

30 And Miphiboseth answered the king: Yea let him take all, forasmuch as my lord the king is returned peaceably into his house.

31 Berzellai also the Galaadite, coming down from Rogelim, brought the king over the Jordan, being ready also to wait on him beyond the river. 32 Now Berzellai the Galaadite was of a great age, that is to say, fourscore years old. and he provided the king with sustenance when he abode in the camp: for he was a man exceeding rich.

33 And the king said to Berzellai: Come with me that thou mayest rest secure with me in Jerusalem.

34 And Berzellai said to the king: How many

Supra, 16. 3.-b Supra, 14. 17. & 20. 1 Kin. 29. 9.- 3 Kin. 2. 7.- Supra, 17. 27. A. M. 2981. A. C. 1023.

Belial, whose name was Seba, the son of Bochri, a man of Jemini: and he sounded the trumpet, and said: We have no part in David, nor inheritance in the son of Isai: return to thy dwellings, O Israel.

2 And all Israel departed from David, and followed Seba the son of Bochri: but the men of Juda stuck to their king from the Jordan unto Jerusalem.

3 And when the king was come into his house at Jerusalem, he took the ten women his concubines, whom he had left to keep the house, and put them in ward, allowing them provisions: and he went not in unto them, but they were shut up unto the day of their death living in widowhood. 4 And the king said to Amasa: Assemble to me all the men of Juda against the third day and be thou here present.

5 So Amasa went to assemble the men of Ju

da, but he tarried beyond the set time which the| 20 And Joab answering, said: God forbid, king had appointed him. God forbid that I should, I do not throw down, nor destroy.