David's prayer and thanksgiving. CHAP. VIII. He smites Hadadezer. day, but have walked in a tent and in a God: for there is none like thee, neither is tabernacle. there any God besides thee, according to 7 In all the places wherein I have walked all that we have heard with our ears. with all the children of Israel spake I a word 23 And what one nation in the earth is with any of the tribes of Israel, whom I com- like thy people, even like Israel, whom manded to feed my people Israel, saying, God went to redeem for a people to himWhy build ye not me a house of cedar? self, and to make him a name, and to de 8 Now therefore,so shalt thou say unto for you great things and terrible, for thy my servant David, Thus saith the LORD of land, before thy people which thou rehosts, I took thee from the sheep-cote, from deemedst to thee from Egypt, from the following the sheep, to be ruler over my nations and their gods? people, over Israel: 24 For thou hast confirmed to thyself thy 9 And I was with thee whithersoever people Israel to be a people unto thee for thou wentest, and have cut off all thine ever: and thou, LORD, art become their God. enemies out of thy sight, and have made 25 And now, O LORD God, the word thee a great name, like unto the name of that thou hast spoken concerning thy serthe great men that are in the earth. vant, and concerning his house, establish 10 Moreover, I will appoint a place for at for ever, and do as thou hast said. my people Israel, and will plant them, that 26 And let thy name be magnified for they may dwell in a place of their own, ever, saying, The LORD of hosts is the God and move no more; neither shall the chil-over Israel: and let the house of thy serdren of wickedness afflict them any more vant David be established before thee. as beforetime. 27 For thou, O LORD of hosts, God of 11 And as since the time that I com- Israel, hast revealed to thy servant, saying, manded judges to be over my people Israel, I will build thee a house: therefore hath and have caused thee to rest from all thine thy servant found in his heart to pray this enemies. Also the LORD telleth thee that prayer unto thee. he will make thee a house. 28 And now, O LORD God, thou art that 12 And when thy days be fulfilled, God, and thy words be true, and thou hast and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, I will promised this goodness unto thy servant: set up thy seed after thee, which shall pro- 29 Therefore now let it please thee to ceed out of thy bowels, and I will esta-bless the house of thy servant, that it may blish his kingdom. continue for ever before thee: for thou, O 13 He shall build a house for my name, LORD God, hast spoken it and with thy and I will establish the throne of his king-blessing let the house of thy servant be dom for ever. blessed for ever. CHAP. VIII. 14 I will be bis father, and he shall be my son. If he commit iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men, and with AND after this it came to pass, that Da the stripes of the children of men: 15 But my mercy shall not depart away from him, as I took it from Saul, whom 1 put away before thee. 16 And thy house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before thee: thy throne shall be established for ever. 17 According to all these words, and according to all this vision, so did Nathan speak unto David. 18 Then went king David in, and sat before the LORD, and he said, Who am I, O LORD God? and what is my house, that thou hast brought me hitherto; vid smote the Philistines, and subdu ed them and David took Metheg-ammah out of the hand of the Philistines. : 2 And he smote Moab, and measured them with a line, casting them down to the ground; even with two lines measured he to put to death, and with one full line to keep alive. And so the Moabites became David's servants, and brought gifts. 3 David smote also Hadadezer, the son of Rehob, king of Zobah, as he went to recover his border at the river Euphrates. 4 And David took from him a thousand chariots, and seven hundred horsemen, and twenty thousand footmen: and David 19 And this was yet a small thing in thy houghed all the chariot-horses, but reserv. eight, O LORD God; but thou hast spoken ed of them for a hundred chariots. also of thy servant's house for a great while 5 And when the Syrians of Damascus to come. And is this the manner of man, came to succour Hadadezer king of Zobah, O LORD God? David slew of the Syrians two and twenty thousand men. 20 And what can David say more unto thee? for thou, Lord God, knowest thy servant. 6 Then David put garrisons in Syria of Damascus: and the Syrians became ser21 For thy word's sake, and according vants to David, and brought gifts. to thine own heart, hast thou done all these the LORD preserved David whithersoever great things, to make thy servant know them. he went. And 22 Wherefore thou art great, O LORD 7 And David took the shields of gold that David sends for Mephibosheth. II. SAMUEL. He sends to comfort Hanus. were on the servants of Hadadezer, and Jonathan, the son of Saul, was come unto brought them to Jerusalem. David, he fell on his face, and did reve8 And from Betah, and from Berothai, rence. And David said, Mephibosheth. cities of Hadadezer, king David took ex- And he answered, Behold thy servant! ceeding much brass. 9 When Toi king of Hamath heard that David had smitten all the host of Hadadezer, 7¶ And David said unto him, Fear not: for I will surely shew thee kindness for Jonathan thy father's sake, and will restore thee all the land of Saul thy father; and 10 Then Toi sent Joram his son unto thou shalt eat bread at my table continually. king David, to salute him, and to bless him, 8 And he bowed himself, and said, What because he had fought against Hadadezer, is thy servant, that thou shouldest look upand smitten him: (for Hadadezer had on such a dead dog as I am? wars with Toi.) And Joram brought with 9 ¶ Then the king called to Ziba, Saul's him vessels of silver, and vessels of gold, servant, and said unto him, I have given and vessels of brass: unto thy master's son all that pertained to Saul, and to all his house. 11 Which also king David did dedicate unto the LORD, with the silver and gold that he had dedicated of all nations which he subdued; 10 Thou therefore, and thy sons, and thy servants, shall till the land for him, and thou shalt bring in the fruits that thy mas12 Of Syria, and of Moab, and of the ter's son may have food to eat but Mechildren of Ammon, and of the Philistines, phibosheth thy master's son shall eat bread and of Amalek, and of the spoil of Hada-alway at my table. Now Ziba had fifdezer son of Rehob, king of Zobah. teen sons and twenty servants. 13 And David gat him a name when he 11 Then said Ziba unto the king, Acreturned from smiting of the Syrians in the cording to all that my lord the king hath valley of Salt, being eighteen thousand men. commanded his servant, so shall thy ser 14 And he put garrisons in Edom; vant do. As for Mephibosheth, said the throughout all Edom put he garrisons, and king, he shall eat at my table, as one of the all they of Edom became David's servants. king's sons. And the LORD preserved David whither- 12 And Mephibosheth had a young son, soever he went. whose name was Micha. And all that 15 And David reigned over all Israel; dwelt in the house of Ziba were servants and David executed judgment and justice unto Mephibosheth. unto all his people. 13 So Mephibosheth dwelt in Jerusa16 And Joab the son of Zeruiah was lem: for he did eat continually at the king's over the host; and Jehoshaphat the son of table; and was lame on both his feet. Ahilud was recorder; CHAP. X. 17 And Zadok the son of Ahitub, and AND it came to pass after this, that the Ahimelech the son of Abiathar, were the king of the children of Ammon died, priests; and Seraiah was the scribe; and Hanun his son reigned in his stead. 18 And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was 2 Then said David, I will shew kindover both the Cherethites and the Peleth-ness unto Hanun the son of Nahash, as his ites; and David's sons were chief rulers. father shewed kindness unto me. And David sent to comfort him by the hand of CHAP. IX. AND David said, Is there yet any that is left of the house of Saul, that I may shew him kindness for Jonathan's sake? his servants for his father. And David's servants came into the land of the children of Ammon. 2 And there was of the house of Saul a 3 And the princes of the children of servant whose name was Ziba. And when Ammon said unto Hanun their lord, Thinkthey had called him unto David, the king est thou that David doth honour thy father, said unto him, Art thou Ziba? And he said, that he hath sent comforters unto thee? Thy servant is he. hath not David rather sent his servants un 3 And the king said, Is there not yet any to thee, to search the city, and to spy it of the house of Saul, that I may shew the out, and to overthrow it? kindness of God unto him? And Ziba said, 4 Wherefore Hanun took David's serunto the king, Jonathan hath yet a son, vants, and shaved off the one half of their which is lame on his feet. beards, and cut off their garments in the 4 And the king said unto him, Where is middle, even to their buttocks, and sent he? And Ziba said unto the king, Behold, them away. he is in the house of Machir, the son of Am- 5 When they told it unto David, he miel, in Lo-debar. sent to meet them, because the men were 5 T Then king David sent, and fetched greatly ashamed." And the king said, him out of the house of Machir, the son of Tarry at Jericho until your beards be Ammiel, from Lo-debar. grown, and then return. 6 Now when Mephibosheth, the son of 6 T And when the children of Ammon Ammonites and Syrians overcome. CHAP. XI. David commits adultery. saw that they stank before David, the his servants with him, and all Israel; and children of Ammon sent and hired the Sy- they destroyed the children of Ammon, rians of Beth-rehob, and the Syrians of and besieged Rabbah. But David tarried Zobah, twenty thousand footmen, and of still at Jerusalem. king Maacah a thousand men, and of Ishtob twelve thousand men. 2 ¶ And it came to pass in an evening tide, that David arose from off his bed, and 7 And when David heard of it, he sent walked upon the roof of the king's house: Joab, and all the host of the mighty men. and from the roof he saw a woman wash8 Ánd the children of Ammon came out, ing herself; and the woman was very and put the battle in array at the entering beautiful to look upon. in of the gate and the Syrians of Zobah 3 And David sent and inquired after and of Rehob, and Ish-tob, and Maacah the woman. And one said, Is not this were by themselves in the field. Bath-sheba the daughter of Eliam, the 4 And David sent messengers and took 9 When Joab saw that the front of the wife of Uriah the Hittite? battle was against him before and behind, be chose of all the choice men of Israel, and her and she came in unto him, and he lay put them in array against the Syrians : with her ;(for she was purified from her uncleanness:) and she returned unto her house. 5 And the woman conceived, and sent and told David, and said, I am with child. 6 And David sent to Joab, saying, Send me Uriah the Hittite. And Joab sent Uriah to David. 10 And the rest of the people he delivered into the hand of Abishai his brother, that he might put them in array against the children of Ammon. 11 And he said, If the Syrians be too strong for me, then thou shalt help me : but if the children of Ammon be too strong for thee, then I will come and help thee. 12 Be of good courage, and let us play the men for our people, and for the cities of our God: and the LORD do that which seemeth him good. 7 And when Uriah was come unto him, David demanded of him how Joab did, and how the people did, and how the war prospered. 8 And David said to Uriah, Go down to thy house, and wash thy feet. And Uriah 13 And Joab drew nigh, and the people departed out of the king's house, and there that were with him, unto the battle against followed him a mess of meat from the the Syrians and they fled before him. king. 14 And when the children of Ammon saw that the Syrians were fled, then fled they also before Abishai, and entered into the city. So Joab returned from the children of Ammon, and came to Jerusalem. 15 And when the Syrians saw that they were smitten before Israel, they gathered themselves together. 9 But Uriah slept at the door of the king's house with all the servants of his lord, and went not down to his house. 10 And when they had told David, saying, Uriah went not down unto his house, David said unto Uriah, Camest thou not from thy journey? why then didst thou not go down unto thy house? 16 And Hadarezer sent, and brought out 11 And Uriah said unto David, The ark, the Syrians that were beyond the river: and Israel, and Judah, abide in tents; and and they came to Helam: and Shobach my lord Joab, and the servants of my lord the captain of the host of Hadarezer went are encamped in the open fields; shall I before them. 17 And when it was told David, he gathered all Israel together, and passed over Jordan, and came to Helam. And the Syrians set themselves in array against David, and fought with him. then go into my house, to eat and to drink, and to lie with my wife? As thou livest, and as thy soul liveth, I will not do this thing. 12 And David said to Uriah, Tarry here to-day also, and to-morrow I will let 18 And the Syrians fled before Israel; thee depart. So Uriah abode in Jerusaand David slew the men of seven hundred lem that day and the morrow. chariots of the Syrians, and forty thousand 13 And when David had called him, he horsemen, and smote Shobach the captain did eat and drink before him; and he made of their host, who died there. him drunk: and at even he went out to lie 19 And when all the kings that were ser- on his bed with the servants of his lord, but vants to Hadarezer saw that they were went not down to his house. smitten before Israel, they made peace with 14 ¶ And it came to pass in the morning, Israel, and served them. So the Syrians that David wrote a letter to Joab, and sent feared to help the children of Ammon any more. CHAP. XI. AND it came to forth to battle, that David sent Joab, and it by the hand of Uriah. 15 And he wrote in the letter, saying, Set ye Uriah in the forefront of the hottest de battle, and retire ye from him, that he may 16 And it came to pass, when Joab ob Uriah is slain. II. SAMUEL. The parable of Nathan. served the city, that he assigned Uriah way-faring man that was come unto him unto a place where he knew that valiant but took the poor man's lamb, and dressed it for the man that was come to him. men were. 17 And the men of the city went out, and fought with Joab: and there fell some of the people of the servants of David; and Uriah the Hittite died also. 18 Then Joab sent and told David all the things concerning the war; 19 And charged the messenger, saying, When thou hast made an end of telling the matters of the war unto the king, 20 And if so be that the king's wrath arise, and he say unto thee, Wherefore approached ye so nigh unto the city when ye did fight? knew ye not that they would shoot from the wall? 5 And David's anger was greatly kindled against the man; and he said to Nathan, As the LORD liveth, the man that hath done this thing shall surely die. 6 And he shall restore the lamb fourfold, because he did this thing, and because he had no pity. 7 And Nathan said to David, Thou art the man. Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, I anointed thee king over Israel, and I delivered thee out of the hand of Saul; 8 And I gave thee thy master's house, and thy master's wives into thy bosom, 21 Who smote Abimelech the son of and gave thee the house of Israel and of Jerub-besheth? did not a woman cast a Judah; and if that had been too little, I piece of a mill-stone upon him from the would moreover have given unto thee such wall that he died in Thebez? why went and such things. ye nigh the wall? Then say thou, Thy servant Uriah the Hittite is dead also. 22 So the messenger went, and came and shewed David all that Joab had sent him for. 23 And the messenger said unto David, Surely the men prevailed against us, and came out unto us into the field, and we were upon them even unto the entering of the gate. 24 And the shooters shot from off the wall upon thy servants: and some of the king's servants be dead, and thy servant Uriah the Hittite is dead also. 25 Then David said unto the messenger, Thus shalt thou say unto Joab, Let not this thing displease thee, for the sword devoureth one as well as another: make thy battle more strong against the city, and overthrow it:and encourage thou him. 26 ¶ And when the wife of Uriah heard that Uriah her husband was dead, she mourned for her husband. 9 Wherefore hast thou despised the commandment of the LORD, to do evil in his sight? thou hast killed Uriah the Hittite with the sword, and hast taken his wife to be thy wife, and hast slain him with the sword of the children of Ammon. 10 Now therefore the sword shall never depart from thy house; because thou hast despised me, and hast taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be thy wife. 11 Thus saith the LORD, Behold I will raise up evil against thee out of thine own house, and I will take thy wives before thine eyes, and give them unto thy neighbour, and he shall lie with thy wives in the sight of this sun. 12 For thou didst it secretly: but I will do this thing before all Israel, and before the sun. 13 And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the LORD. And Nathan said unto David, The LORD also hath put 27 And when the mourning was past, away thy sin; thou shalt not die. David sent and fetched her to his house, 14 Howbeit, because by this deed thou and she became his wife, and bare him a hast given great occasion to the enemies son. But the thing that David had done of the LORD to blaspheme, the child also displeased the LORD. that is born unto thee shall surely die. 15 And Nathan departed unto his AND the LORD sent Nathan unto Da- house. And the LORD struck the child CHAP. XII. vid. And he came unto him, and that Uriah's wife bare unto David, and it said unto him, There were two men in one was very sick. city; the one rich, and the other poor. 2 The rich man had exceeding many flocks and herds: 16 David therefore besought God for the child; and David fasted, and went in, and lay all night upon the earth. 17 And the elders of his house arose, and went to him, to raise him up from the earth: but he would not, neither did he eat bread with them. 3 But the poor man had nothing save one little ewe-lamb, which he had bought and nourished up: and it grew up together with him, and with his children; it did eat of his own meat, and drank of his own cup, 18 And it came to pass on the seventh and lay in his bosom, and was unto him as a daughter. 4 And there came a traveller unto the rich man, and he spared to take of his own Block and of his own herd, to dress for the day, that the child died. And the servants of David feared to tell him that the child was dead: for they said, Behold,while the child was yet alive, we spake unto him, and he would not hearken unto our voice: Solomon is born. CHAP. XIII. Amnon loves Tamar. how will he then vex himself. if we tell fell sick for his sister Tamar; for she was him that the child is dead? a virgin; and Amnon thought it hard for 19 But when David saw that his scr-him to do any thing to her. vants whispered, David perceived that the child was dead: therefore David said unto his servants, Is the child dead? And they said, He is dead. 3 But Amnon had a friend, whose name was Jonadab, the son of Shimeah David's brother: andJonadab was a very subtle man. 4 And he said unto him, Why art thou, 20 Then David arose from the earth, being the king's son, lean from day to day and washed, and anointed himself, and wilt thou not tell me? And Amnon said changed his apparel, and came into the unto him, I love Tamar, my brother Abhouse of the LORD, and worshipped: then salom's sister. he came to his own house; and when he required, they set bread before him, and he did eat. 5 And Jonadab said unto him, Lay thee down on thy bed, and make thyself sick: and when thy father cometh to see thee, 21 Then said his servants unto him, say unto him, I pray thee, let my sister What thing is this that thou hast done? Tamar come, and give me meat, and dress thou didst fast and weep for the child, the meat in my sight, that I may see it, while it was alive; but when the child and eat it at her hand. was dead, thou didst rise and eat bread. 6 ¶ So Amnon lay down, and made 22 And he said, While the child was himself sick: and when the king was come yet alive, I fasted, and wept: for I said, to see him, Amnon said unto the king, Who can tell whether God will be gracious I pray thee, let Tamar my sister come, to me, that the child may live? and make me a couple of cakes in my sight, that I may eat at her hand. 23 But now he is dead, wherefore should I fast? can I bring him back again? Ishall go to him, but he shall not return to me. 24 ¶ And David comforted Bath-sheba his wife, and went in unto her, and lay with her: and she bare a son, and he called his name Solomon: and the LORD loved him. 25 And he sent by the hand of Nathan the prophet; and he called his name Jedidiah, because of the LORD. 26 ¶ And Joab fought against Rabbah of the children of Ammon, and took the royal city. 27 And Joab sent messengers to David, and said, I have fought against Rabbah, and have taken the city of waters. 28 Now therefore gather the rest of the people together, and encamp against the city, and take it: lest I take the city, and it be called after my name. 29 And David gathered all the people together,and went to Rabbah, and fought against it, and took it. 7 Then David sent home to Tamar, saying, Go now to thy brother Amnon's house, and dress him meat. 8 So Tamar went to her brother Amnon's house; and he was lain down. And she took flour, and kneaded it, and made cakes in his sight, and did bake the cakes. 9 And she took a pan, and poured them out before him; but he refused to eat. And Amnon said, Have out all men from me. And they went out every man from him. 10 And Amnon said unto Tamar, Bring the meat into the chamber, that I may eat of thy hand. And Tamar took the cakes which she had made, and brought them into the chamber to Amnon her brother. 11 And when she had brought them unto him to eat, he took hold of her, and said unto her, Come lie with me, my sister. 12 And she answered him, Nay, my brother, do not force me; for no such thing ought to be done in Israel: do not thou this folly. 30 And he took their king's crown from off his head, (the weight whereof was a 13 And I, whither shall I cause my talent of gold with the precious stones,) shame to go? and as for thee, thou shalt and it was set on David's head. And he be as one of the fools in Israel. Now brought forth the spoil of the city in great therefore, I pray thee, speak unto the king; abundance. for he will not withhold me from thee. 31 And he brought forth the people that 14 Howbeit, he would not hearken unto were therein, and put them under saws and her voice but being stronger than she, under harrows of iron, and under axes of forced her, and lay with her. iron, and made them pass through the 15 Then Amnon hated her exceedbrick-kiln: and thus did he unto all the ingly; so that the hatred wherewith he cities of the children of Ammon. So David hated her was greater than the love whereand all the people returned unto Jerusalem. with he had loved her. And Amnon said CHAP. XIII. unto her, Arise, be gone. AND it came to pass after this, that 16 And she said unto him, There is no Absalom the son of David had a fair cause: this evil in sending me away is sister, whose name was Tamar; and Am- greater than the other that thou didst unto Bon the son of David loved her. But he would not hearken unto her. 17 Then he called his servant that mi 2 And Amnon was so vexed, that he me. |