\id 2SA  
\h 2 Samuel 
\toc1 2 Samuel 
\toc2 2 Samuel 
\mt1 2 Samuel  
\c 1  
\s1 David Learns of the Deaths of Saul and Jonathan  
\p
\v 1  \w After|strong="H1961"\w* \w the|strong="H5221"\w* \w death|strong="H4191"\w* \w of|strong="H3117"\w* \w Saul|strong="H7586"\w*, \w when|strong="H1961"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w* \w had|strong="H1961"\w* \w returned|strong="H7725"\w* \w from|strong="H7725"\w* \w defeating|strong="H5221"\w* \w the|strong="H5221"\w* \w Amalekites|strong="H6002"\w*, \w he|strong="H3117"\w* \w stayed|strong="H3427"\w* \w at|strong="H3427"\w* \w Ziklag|strong="H6860"\w* \w for|strong="H3427"\w* \w two|strong="H8147"\w* \w days|strong="H3117"\w*.  
\v 2  \w On|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w third|strong="H7992"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w man|strong="H5307"\w* arrived \w from|strong="H4480"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w camp|strong="H4264"\w* \w of|strong="H3117"\w* \w Saul|strong="H7586"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w his|strong="H1732"\w* clothes \w torn|strong="H7167"\w* \w and|strong="H3117"\w* dirt \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w his|strong="H1732"\w* \w head|strong="H7218"\w*. \w When|strong="H1961"\w* \w he|strong="H3117"\w* \w approached|strong="H5973"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w*, \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w man|strong="H5307"\w* \w threw|strong="H5307"\w* \w himself|strong="H7812"\w* \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* ground.   
\p
\v 3  \w David|strong="H1732"\w* asked \w him|strong="H1732"\w*, “\w Where|strong="H2088"\w* \w are|strong="H3478"\w* \w you|strong="H2088"\w* coming \w from|strong="H3478"\w*?” \w He|strong="H1732"\w* replied, “\w I|strong="H2088"\w* \w have|strong="H3478"\w* \w escaped|strong="H4422"\w* \w from|strong="H3478"\w* \w the|strong="H1732"\w* \w camp|strong="H4264"\w* \w of|strong="H4264"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w*.”  
\v 4  \w David|strong="H1732"\w* inquired, “\w How|strong="H4100"\w* \w were|strong="H1961"\w* \w things|strong="H1697"\w* \w going|strong="H5307"\w*? \w Tell|strong="H5046"\w* \w me|strong="H4994"\w*!” \w He|strong="H1732"\w* replied, “\w The|strong="H4480"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w* \w fled|strong="H5127"\w* \w from|strong="H4480"\w* \w the|strong="H4480"\w* \w battle|strong="H4421"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w many|strong="H7235"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w them|strong="H1961"\w* \w fell|strong="H5307"\w* \w dead|strong="H4191"\w*. \w Even|strong="H1571"\w* \w Saul|strong="H7586"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w his|strong="H1732"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w Jonathan|strong="H3083"\w* \w are|strong="H5971"\w* \w dead|strong="H4191"\w*!”  
\v 5  \w David|strong="H1732"\w* said \w to|strong="H4191"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w young|strong="H5288"\w* \w man|strong="H5288"\w* \w who|strong="H1121"\w* \w was|strong="H1732"\w* \w telling|strong="H5046"\w* \w him|strong="H5046"\w* \w this|strong="H3588"\w*, “\w How|strong="H3588"\w* do \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w know|strong="H3045"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w Saul|strong="H7586"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w his|strong="H1732"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w Jonathan|strong="H3083"\w* \w are|strong="H1121"\w* \w dead|strong="H4191"\w*?”  
\v 6  \w The|strong="H5921"\w* \w young|strong="H5288"\w* \w man|strong="H5288"\w* \w who|strong="H5288"\w* \w was|strong="H7586"\w* \w telling|strong="H5046"\w* \w him|strong="H5921"\w* \w this|strong="H5046"\w* said, “\w I|strong="H2009"\w* just \w happened|strong="H7122"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w be|strong="H2022"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w Mount|strong="H2022"\w* \w Gilboa|strong="H1533"\w* \w and|strong="H7393"\w* \w came|strong="H7586"\w* \w across|strong="H5921"\w* \w Saul|strong="H7586"\w* \w leaning|strong="H8172"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w his|strong="H5921"\w* \w spear|strong="H2595"\w* \w for|strong="H5921"\w* support. \w The|strong="H5921"\w* \w chariots|strong="H7393"\w* \w and|strong="H7393"\w* \w leaders|strong="H1167"\w* \w of|strong="H2022"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w horsemen|strong="H6571"\w* \w were|strong="H2022"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* hot pursuit \w of|strong="H2022"\w* \w him|strong="H5921"\w*.  
\v 7  \w When|strong="H7200"\w* \w he|strong="H7121"\w* \w turned|strong="H6437"\w* \w around|strong="H6437"\w* \w and|strong="H7200"\w* \w saw|strong="H7200"\w* \w me|strong="H7200"\w*, \w he|strong="H7121"\w* \w called|strong="H7121"\w* \w out|strong="H7200"\w* \w to|strong="H7121"\w* \w me|strong="H7200"\w*. \w I|strong="H2005"\w* answered, ‘\w Here|strong="H2005"\w* \w I|strong="H2005"\w* \w am|strong="H2005"\w*!’  
\v 8  \w He|strong="H4310"\w* asked me, ‘\w Who|strong="H4310"\w* \w are|strong="H4310"\w* \w you|strong="H4310"\w*?’ I told him, ‘I’m \w an|strong="H4310"\w* \w Amalekite|strong="H6003"\w*.’  
\v 9  \w He|strong="H3588"\w* said \w to|strong="H4191"\w* \w me|strong="H4994"\w*, ‘\w Stand|strong="H5975"\w* \w over|strong="H5921"\w* \w me|strong="H4994"\w* \w and|strong="H5975"\w* finish \w me|strong="H4994"\w* \w off|strong="H5921"\w*! \w I|strong="H3588"\w*’m very dizzy, \w even|strong="H3588"\w* \w though|strong="H3588"\w* \w I|strong="H3588"\w*’m \w still|strong="H5750"\w* \w alive|strong="H5315"\w*.’  
\v 10  \w So|strong="H3947"\w* \w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w stood|strong="H5975"\w* \w over|strong="H5921"\w* \w him|strong="H5921"\w* \w and|strong="H7218"\w* \w put|strong="H4191"\w* \w him|strong="H5921"\w* \w to|strong="H4191"\w* \w death|strong="H4191"\w*, \w since|strong="H3588"\w* \w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w knew|strong="H3045"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w he|strong="H3588"\w* couldn’t \w live|strong="H2421"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w such|strong="H3808"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* condition. \w Then|strong="H3947"\w* \w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w took|strong="H3947"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w crown|strong="H5145"\w* \w which|strong="H3588"\w* \w was|strong="H7218"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w his|strong="H3947"\w* \w head|strong="H7218"\w* \w and|strong="H7218"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* bracelet \w which|strong="H3588"\w* \w was|strong="H7218"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w his|strong="H3947"\w* \w arm|strong="H2220"\w*. \w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w have|strong="H3045"\w* \w brought|strong="H3947"\w* \w them|strong="H5921"\w* \w here|strong="H2008"\w* \w to|strong="H4191"\w* \w my|strong="H3947"\w* lord.”   
\p
\v 11  \w David|strong="H1732"\w* \w then|strong="H1571"\w* \w grabbed|strong="H2388"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* \w own|strong="H2388"\w* clothes \w and|strong="H1732"\w* \w tore|strong="H7167"\w* \w them|strong="H2388"\w*, \w as|strong="H1571"\w* \w did|strong="H1732"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w men|strong="H3605"\w* \w who|strong="H3605"\w* \w were|strong="H1732"\w* \w with|strong="H1732"\w* \w him|strong="H3605"\w*.  
\v 12  \w They|strong="H3588"\w* \w lamented|strong="H5594"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w wept|strong="H1058"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w fasted|strong="H6684"\w* \w until|strong="H5704"\w* \w evening|strong="H6153"\w* \w because|strong="H3588"\w* \w Saul|strong="H7586"\w*, \w his|strong="H3068"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w Jonathan|strong="H3083"\w*, \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*’s \w people|strong="H5971"\w*, \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w house|strong="H1004"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \w had|strong="H3068"\w* \w fallen|strong="H5307"\w* \w by|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w sword|strong="H2719"\w*.   
\p
\v 13  \w David|strong="H1732"\w* said \w to|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H5046"\w* \w young|strong="H5288"\w* \w man|strong="H5288"\w* \w who|strong="H1616"\w* \w told|strong="H5046"\w* \w this|strong="H2088"\w* \w to|strong="H1121"\w* \w him|strong="H5046"\w*, “\w Where|strong="H2088"\w* \w are|strong="H1121"\w* \w you|strong="H5046"\w* \w from|strong="H1121"\w*?” \w He|strong="H1732"\w* replied, “\w I|strong="H2088"\w* am \w an|strong="H2088"\w* \w Amalekite|strong="H6003"\w*, \w the|strong="H5046"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* resident \w foreigner|strong="H1121"\w*.”  
\v 14  \w David|strong="H1732"\w* replied \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w him|strong="H7971"\w*, “\w How|strong="H7843"\w* \w is|strong="H3068"\w* \w it|strong="H7971"\w* \w that|strong="H3068"\w* \w you|strong="H7971"\w* \w were|strong="H3027"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w afraid|strong="H3372"\w* \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w reach|strong="H7971"\w* \w out|strong="H7971"\w* \w your|strong="H3068"\w* \w hand|strong="H3027"\w* \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w destroy|strong="H7843"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*’s \w anointed|strong="H4899"\w*?”  
\v 15  \w Then|strong="H7121"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w* \w called|strong="H7121"\w* one \w of|strong="H4191"\w* \w the|strong="H5221"\w* \w soldiers|strong="H5288"\w* \w and|strong="H1732"\w* \w said|strong="H7121"\w*, “\w Come|strong="H5066"\w* \w here|strong="H5066"\w* \w and|strong="H1732"\w* \w strike|strong="H5221"\w* \w him|strong="H7121"\w* \w down|strong="H5221"\w*!” \w So|strong="H7121"\w* \w he|strong="H1732"\w* \w struck|strong="H5221"\w* \w him|strong="H7121"\w* \w down|strong="H5221"\w*, \w and|strong="H1732"\w* \w he|strong="H1732"\w* \w died|strong="H4191"\w*.  
\v 16  \w David|strong="H1732"\w* \w said|strong="H6030"\w* \w to|strong="H4191"\w* \w him|strong="H5921"\w*, “\w Your|strong="H3068"\w* \w blood|strong="H1818"\w* \w be|strong="H4191"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w your|strong="H3068"\w* own \w head|strong="H7218"\w*! \w Your|strong="H3068"\w* own \w mouth|strong="H6310"\w* \w has|strong="H3068"\w* \w testified|strong="H6030"\w* \w against|strong="H5921"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w*, \w saying|strong="H6310"\w* ‘\w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w have|strong="H3068"\w* \w put|strong="H4191"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*’s \w anointed|strong="H4899"\w* \w to|strong="H4191"\w* \w death|strong="H4191"\w*.’”   
\s1 David’s Tribute to Saul and Jonathan  
\p
\v 17  \w Then|strong="H7586"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w* \w chanted|strong="H6969"\w* \w this|strong="H2063"\w* \w lament|strong="H6969"\w* \w over|strong="H5921"\w* \w Saul|strong="H7586"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w his|strong="H1732"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w Jonathan|strong="H3083"\w*.  
\v 18  (\w He|strong="H5921"\w* gave instructions \w that|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w people|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Judah|strong="H3063"\w* should \w be|strong="H1121"\w* \w taught|strong="H3925"\w* “\w The|strong="H5921"\w* \w Bow|strong="H7198"\w*.” \w Indeed|strong="H2009"\w*, \w it|strong="H5921"\w* \w is|strong="H2009"\w* \w written|strong="H3789"\w* \w down|strong="H3789"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w Book|strong="H5612"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* Yashar.)   
\q1
\v 19  \w The|strong="H5921"\w* \w beauty|strong="H6643"\w* \w of|strong="H1368"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w* lies \w slain|strong="H2491"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w your|strong="H5921"\w* \w high|strong="H1116"\w* \w places|strong="H1116"\w*!  
\q1 How \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w mighty|strong="H1368"\w* \w have|strong="H3478"\w* \w fallen|strong="H5307"\w*!   
\q1
\v 20  Don’t \w report|strong="H5046"\w* \w it|strong="H8055"\w* \w in|strong="H6189"\w* \w Gath|strong="H1661"\w*,  
\q1 don’t \w spread|strong="H5046"\w* \w the|strong="H5046"\w* \w news|strong="H1319"\w* \w in|strong="H6189"\w* \w the|strong="H5046"\w* \w streets|strong="H2351"\w* \w of|strong="H1323"\w* Ashkelon,  
\q1 \w or|strong="H6435"\w* \w the|strong="H5046"\w* \w daughters|strong="H1323"\w* \w of|strong="H1323"\w* \w the|strong="H5046"\w* \w Philistines|strong="H6430"\w* \w will|strong="H1323"\w* \w rejoice|strong="H8055"\w*,  
\q1 \w the|strong="H5046"\w* \w daughters|strong="H1323"\w* \w of|strong="H1323"\w* \w the|strong="H5046"\w* \w uncircumcised|strong="H6189"\w* \w will|strong="H1323"\w* \w celebrate|strong="H5937"\w*!   
\q1
\v 21  \w O|strong="H3068"\w* \w mountains|strong="H2022"\w* \w of|strong="H2022"\w* \w Gilboa|strong="H1533"\w*,  
\q1 \w may|strong="H7704"\w* \w there|strong="H8033"\w* \w be|strong="H2022"\w* \w no|strong="H1097"\w* \w dew|strong="H2919"\w* \w or|strong="H7704"\w* \w rain|strong="H4306"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w*, \w nor|strong="H2919"\w* \w fields|strong="H7704"\w* \w of|strong="H2022"\w* grain \w offerings|strong="H8641"\w*!  
\q1 \w For|strong="H3588"\w* \w it|strong="H5921"\w* \w was|strong="H7586"\w* \w there|strong="H8033"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w shield|strong="H4043"\w* \w of|strong="H2022"\w* \w warriors|strong="H1368"\w* \w was|strong="H7586"\w* \w defiled|strong="H1602"\w*;  
\q1 \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w shield|strong="H4043"\w* \w of|strong="H2022"\w* \w Saul|strong="H7586"\w* lies neglected \w without|strong="H1097"\w* \w oil|strong="H8081"\w*.   
\q1
\v 22  \w From|strong="H7725"\w* \w the|strong="H7725"\w* \w blood|strong="H1818"\w* \w of|strong="H1368"\w* \w the|strong="H7725"\w* \w slain|strong="H2491"\w*, \w from|strong="H7725"\w* \w the|strong="H7725"\w* \w fat|strong="H2459"\w* \w of|strong="H1368"\w* \w warriors|strong="H1368"\w*,  
\q1 \w the|strong="H7725"\w* \w bow|strong="H7198"\w* \w of|strong="H1368"\w* \w Jonathan|strong="H3083"\w* \w was|strong="H7586"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w turned|strong="H7725"\w* \w away|strong="H7725"\w*.  
\q1 \w The|strong="H7725"\w* \w sword|strong="H2719"\w* \w of|strong="H1368"\w* \w Saul|strong="H7586"\w* \w never|strong="H3808"\w* \w returned|strong="H7725"\w* \w empty|strong="H7387"\w*.   
\q1
\v 23  \w Saul|strong="H7586"\w* \w and|strong="H7586"\w* \w Jonathan|strong="H3083"\w* \w were|strong="H7586"\w* greatly loved \w during|strong="H5273"\w* \w their|strong="H3808"\w* \w lives|strong="H2416"\w*,  
\q1 \w and|strong="H7586"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w even|strong="H3808"\w* \w in|strong="H3808"\w* \w their|strong="H3808"\w* \w deaths|strong="H4194"\w* \w were|strong="H7586"\w* \w they|strong="H3808"\w* \w separated|strong="H6504"\w*.  
\q1 \w They|strong="H3808"\w* \w were|strong="H7586"\w* \w swifter|strong="H7043"\w* \w than|strong="H3808"\w* \w eagles|strong="H5404"\w*, \w stronger|strong="H1396"\w* \w than|strong="H3808"\w* lions.   
\q1
\v 24  \w O|strong="H3068"\w* \w daughters|strong="H1323"\w* \w of|strong="H1323"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w*, \w weep|strong="H1058"\w* \w over|strong="H5921"\w* \w Saul|strong="H7586"\w*,  
\q1 \w who|strong="H3478"\w* \w clothed|strong="H3847"\w* \w you|strong="H5921"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w scarlet|strong="H8144"\w* \w as|strong="H5927"\w* \w well|strong="H5973"\w* \w as|strong="H5927"\w* \w jewelry|strong="H5730"\w*,  
\q1 \w who|strong="H3478"\w* \w put|strong="H3847"\w* \w gold|strong="H2091"\w* \w jewelry|strong="H5730"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w your|strong="H5921"\w* \w clothes|strong="H3847"\w*.   
\q1
\v 25  How \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w warriors|strong="H1368"\w* \w have|strong="H5307"\w* \w fallen|strong="H5307"\w*  
\q1 \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w midst|strong="H8432"\w* \w of|strong="H8432"\w* \w battle|strong="H4421"\w*!  
\q1 \w Jonathan|strong="H3083"\w* lies \w slain|strong="H2491"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w your|strong="H5921"\w* \w high|strong="H1116"\w* \w places|strong="H1116"\w*!   
\q1
\v 26  \w I|strong="H5921"\w* grieve \w over|strong="H5921"\w* \w you|strong="H5921"\w*, \w my|strong="H5921"\w* brother \w Jonathan|strong="H3083"\w*!  
\q1 \w You|strong="H5921"\w* \w were|strong="H5921"\w* \w very|strong="H3966"\w* \w dear|strong="H5276"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w me|strong="H5921"\w*.  
\q1 \w Your|strong="H5921"\w* love \w was|strong="H3966"\w* \w more|strong="H3966"\w* \w special|strong="H6381"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w me|strong="H5921"\w* \w than|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* love \w of|strong="H5921"\w* women.   
\q1
\v 27  How \w the|strong="H5307"\w* \w warriors|strong="H1368"\w* \w have|strong="H5307"\w* \w fallen|strong="H5307"\w*!  
\q1 \w The|strong="H5307"\w* \w weapons|strong="H3627"\w* \w of|strong="H3627"\w* \w war|strong="H4421"\w* \w are|strong="H1368"\w* destroyed!   
\c 2  
\p
\v 1  Afterward \w David|strong="H1732"\w* \w inquired|strong="H7592"\w* \w of|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*, “\w Should|strong="H3068"\w* \w I|strong="H3651"\w* \w go|strong="H5927"\w* \w up|strong="H5927"\w* \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w one|strong="H1961"\w* \w of|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* \w cities|strong="H5892"\w* \w of|strong="H3068"\w* \w Judah|strong="H3063"\w*?” \w The|strong="H3068"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* told \w him|strong="H7592"\w*, “\w Go|strong="H5927"\w* \w up|strong="H5927"\w*.” \w David|strong="H1732"\w* \w asked|strong="H7592"\w*, “Where \w should|strong="H3068"\w* \w I|strong="H3651"\w* \w go|strong="H5927"\w*?” \w The|strong="H3068"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* replied, “\w To|strong="H3068"\w* \w Hebron|strong="H2275"\w*.”  
\v 2  \w So|strong="H5927"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w* \w went|strong="H5927"\w* \w up|strong="H5927"\w*, along \w with|strong="H5927"\w* \w his|strong="H1732"\w* \w two|strong="H8147"\w* wives, Ahinoam \w the|strong="H5927"\w* Jezreelite \w and|strong="H1732"\w* Abigail, formerly \w the|strong="H5927"\w* wife \w of|strong="H8147"\w* \w Nabal|strong="H5037"\w* \w the|strong="H5927"\w* \w Carmelite|strong="H3761"\w*.  
\v 3  \w David|strong="H1732"\w* \w also|strong="H1732"\w* \w brought|strong="H5927"\w* \w along|strong="H5973"\w* \w the|strong="H5927"\w* men \w who|strong="H3427"\w* \w were|strong="H1732"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w him|strong="H5973"\w*, \w each|strong="H5892"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w his|strong="H1732"\w* \w family|strong="H1004"\w*. \w They|strong="H5927"\w* \w settled|strong="H3427"\w* \w in|strong="H3427"\w* \w the|strong="H5927"\w* \w cities|strong="H5892"\w* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w Hebron|strong="H2275"\w*.  
\v 4  \w The|strong="H5921"\w* men \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w Judah|strong="H3063"\w* \w came|strong="H3063"\w* \w and|strong="H3063"\w* \w there|strong="H8033"\w* \w they|strong="H8033"\w* \w anointed|strong="H4886"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w* \w as|strong="H3063"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w over|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* people \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w Judah|strong="H3063"\w*.  
\p \w David|strong="H1732"\w* \w was|strong="H1732"\w* \w told|strong="H5046"\w*, “\w The|strong="H5921"\w* people \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w Jabesh|strong="H3003"\w* \w Gilead|strong="H1568"\w* \w are|strong="H1004"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* ones \w who|strong="H3063"\w* \w buried|strong="H6912"\w* \w Saul|strong="H7586"\w*.”  
\v 5  \w So|strong="H6213"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w* \w sent|strong="H7971"\w* \w messengers|strong="H4397"\w* \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H6213"\w* people \w of|strong="H3068"\w* \w Jabesh|strong="H3003"\w* \w Gilead|strong="H1568"\w* \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w told|strong="H6213"\w* \w them|strong="H7971"\w*, “\w May|strong="H3068"\w* \w you|strong="H7971"\w* \w be|strong="H3068"\w* \w blessed|strong="H1288"\w* \w by|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H6213"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w because|strong="H3068"\w* \w you|strong="H7971"\w* \w have|strong="H3068"\w* \w shown|strong="H6213"\w* \w this|strong="H2088"\w* \w kindness|strong="H2617"\w* \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w your|strong="H3068"\w* \w lord|strong="H3068"\w* \w Saul|strong="H7586"\w* \w by|strong="H3068"\w* \w burying|strong="H6912"\w* \w him|strong="H7971"\w*.  
\v 6  \w Now|strong="H6258"\w* \w may|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H6213"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w show|strong="H6213"\w* \w you|strong="H6213"\w* \w true|strong="H3068"\w* \w kindness|strong="H2617"\w*! \w I|strong="H1697"\w* \w also|strong="H1571"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* reward \w you|strong="H6213"\w*, \w because|strong="H1697"\w* \w you|strong="H6213"\w* \w have|strong="H3068"\w* \w done|strong="H6213"\w* \w this|strong="H2088"\w* \w deed|strong="H1697"\w*.  
\v 7  \w Now|strong="H6258"\w* \w be|strong="H1961"\w* \w courageous|strong="H2388"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* prove \w to|strong="H4191"\w* \w be|strong="H1961"\w* \w valiant|strong="H2428"\w* \w warriors|strong="H2428"\w*, \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w your|strong="H5921"\w* lord \w Saul|strong="H7586"\w* \w is|strong="H1571"\w* \w dead|strong="H4191"\w*. \w The|strong="H5921"\w* \w people|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Judah|strong="H3063"\w* \w have|strong="H1961"\w* \w anointed|strong="H4886"\w* \w me|strong="H5921"\w* \w as|strong="H1961"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w over|strong="H5921"\w* \w them|strong="H5921"\w*.”   
\s1 David’s Army Clashes with the Army of Saul  
\p
\v 8  \w Now|strong="H3947"\w* Abner \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Ner|strong="H5369"\w*, \w the|strong="H3947"\w* \w general|strong="H8269"\w* \w in|strong="H1121"\w* command \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Saul|strong="H7586"\w*’s \w army|strong="H6635"\w*, \w had|strong="H7586"\w* \w taken|strong="H3947"\w* \w Saul|strong="H7586"\w*’s \w son|strong="H1121"\w* Ish-bosheth \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w had|strong="H7586"\w* \w brought|strong="H3947"\w* \w him|strong="H3947"\w* \w to|strong="H1121"\w* \w Mahanaim|strong="H4266"\w*.  
\v 9  \w He|strong="H3605"\w* \w appointed|strong="H4427"\w* \w him|strong="H5921"\w* \w king|strong="H4427"\w* \w over|strong="H5921"\w* \w Gilead|strong="H1568"\w*, \w the|strong="H3605"\w* Geshurites, \w Jezreel|strong="H3157"\w*, Ephraim, \w Benjamin|strong="H1144"\w*, \w and|strong="H3478"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w*.  
\v 10  Ish-bosheth \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Saul|strong="H7586"\w* \w was|strong="H1961"\w* forty \w years|strong="H8141"\w* \w old|strong="H1121"\w* \w when|strong="H1961"\w* \w he|strong="H1004"\w* \w began|strong="H3063"\w* \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w rule|strong="H4427"\w* \w over|strong="H5921"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w*. \w He|strong="H1004"\w* \w ruled|strong="H4427"\w* \w two|strong="H8147"\w* \w years|strong="H8141"\w*. However, \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w people|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Judah|strong="H3063"\w* \w followed|strong="H1961"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w*.  
\v 11  \w David|strong="H1732"\w* \w was|strong="H1961"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w in|strong="H8141"\w* \w Hebron|strong="H2275"\w* \w over|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* people \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w Judah|strong="H3063"\w* \w for|strong="H5921"\w* \w seven|strong="H7651"\w* \w and|strong="H3063"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* half \w years|strong="H8141"\w*.   
\p
\v 12  \w Then|strong="H3318"\w* Abner \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Ner|strong="H5369"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H3318"\w* \w servants|strong="H5650"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* Ish-bosheth \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Saul|strong="H7586"\w* \w went|strong="H3318"\w* \w out|strong="H3318"\w* \w from|strong="H3318"\w* \w Mahanaim|strong="H4266"\w* \w to|strong="H3318"\w* \w Gibeon|strong="H1391"\w*.  
\v 13  \w Joab|strong="H3097"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Zeruiah|strong="H6870"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w servants|strong="H5650"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w* \w also|strong="H1732"\w* \w went|strong="H3318"\w* \w out|strong="H3318"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* confronted \w them|strong="H5921"\w* \w at|strong="H3427"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w pool|strong="H1295"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Gibeon|strong="H1391"\w*. \w One|strong="H2088"\w* group \w stationed|strong="H3427"\w* \w themselves|strong="H5921"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w one|strong="H2088"\w* \w side|strong="H2088"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w pool|strong="H1295"\w*, \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w other|strong="H2088"\w* group \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w other|strong="H2088"\w* \w side|strong="H2088"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w pool|strong="H1295"\w*.  
\v 14  Abner said \w to|strong="H6440"\w* \w Joab|strong="H3097"\w*, “\w Let|strong="H4994"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w soldiers|strong="H5288"\w* \w get|strong="H6965"\w* \w up|strong="H6965"\w* \w and|strong="H6965"\w* fight \w before|strong="H6440"\w* \w us|strong="H4994"\w*.” \w Joab|strong="H3097"\w* said, “\w So|strong="H6965"\w* \w be|strong="H4994"\w* \w it|strong="H6440"\w*!”   
\p
\v 15  \w So|strong="H6965"\w* \w they|strong="H7586"\w* \w got|strong="H6965"\w* \w up|strong="H6965"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w crossed|strong="H5674"\w* \w over|strong="H5674"\w* \w by|strong="H5674"\w* \w number|strong="H4557"\w*: \w twelve|strong="H8147"\w* belonging \w to|strong="H1121"\w* \w Benjamin|strong="H1144"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w to|strong="H1121"\w* Ish-bosheth \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Saul|strong="H7586"\w*, \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w twelve|strong="H8147"\w* \w from|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H5674"\w* \w servants|strong="H5650"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w*.  
\v 16  \w As|strong="H7121"\w* \w they|strong="H1931"\w* grappled \w with|strong="H7218"\w* \w one|strong="H1931"\w* \w another|strong="H7453"\w*, \w each|strong="H3162"\w* \w one|strong="H1931"\w* stabbed \w his|strong="H7121"\w* \w opponent|strong="H7453"\w* \w with|strong="H7218"\w* \w his|strong="H7121"\w* \w sword|strong="H2719"\w* \w and|strong="H7218"\w* \w they|strong="H1931"\w* \w fell|strong="H5307"\w* dead \w together|strong="H3162"\w*. \w So|strong="H7121"\w* \w that|strong="H1931"\w* \w place|strong="H4725"\w* \w is|strong="H1931"\w* \w called|strong="H7121"\w* \w the|strong="H7121"\w* Field \w of|strong="H7218"\w* Flints; \w it|strong="H1931"\w* \w is|strong="H1931"\w* \w in|strong="H5307"\w* \w Gibeon|strong="H1391"\w*.   
\p
\v 17  \w Now|strong="H1961"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w battle|strong="H4421"\w* \w was|strong="H1961"\w* \w very|strong="H3966"\w* \w severe|strong="H7186"\w* \w that|strong="H3117"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w*; Abner \w and|strong="H3478"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w men|strong="H5650"\w* \w of|strong="H3117"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \w were|strong="H3478"\w* overcome \w by|strong="H3117"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w*’s \w soldiers|strong="H5650"\w*.  
\v 18  \w The|strong="H1961"\w* \w three|strong="H7969"\w* \w sons|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Zeruiah|strong="H6870"\w* \w were|strong="H1961"\w* \w there|strong="H8033"\w* – \w Joab|strong="H3097"\w*, Abishai, \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w Asahel|strong="H6214"\w*. (\w Now|strong="H1961"\w* \w Asahel|strong="H6214"\w* \w was|strong="H1961"\w* \w as|strong="H1961"\w* quick \w on|strong="H1961"\w* \w his|strong="H1961"\w* \w feet|strong="H7272"\w* \w as|strong="H1961"\w* \w one|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H1961"\w* \w gazelles|strong="H6643"\w* \w in|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H1961"\w* \w field|strong="H7704"\w*.)  
\v 19  \w Asahel|strong="H6214"\w* \w chased|strong="H7291"\w* Abner, \w without|strong="H3808"\w* \w turning|strong="H5186"\w* \w to|strong="H3212"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w right|strong="H3225"\w* \w or|strong="H3808"\w* \w to|strong="H3212"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w left|strong="H8040"\w* \w as|strong="H3225"\w* \w he|strong="H3808"\w* \w followed|strong="H3212"\w* Abner.   
\p
\v 20  \w Then|strong="H2088"\w* Abner \w turned|strong="H6437"\w* \w and|strong="H6437"\w* asked, “\w Is|strong="H2088"\w* \w that|strong="H2088"\w* \w you|strong="H6437"\w*, \w Asahel|strong="H6214"\w*?” \w He|strong="H2088"\w* replied, “Yes \w it|strong="H6437"\w* \w is|strong="H2088"\w*!”  
\v 21  Abner said \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w him|strong="H5921"\w*, “\w Turn|strong="H5493"\w* \w aside|strong="H5493"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w your|strong="H3947"\w* \w right|strong="H3225"\w* \w or|strong="H3808"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w your|strong="H3947"\w* \w left|strong="H8040"\w*. \w Capture|strong="H3947"\w* \w one|strong="H3808"\w* \w of|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w soldiers|strong="H5288"\w* \w and|strong="H5288"\w* \w take|strong="H3947"\w* \w his|strong="H3947"\w* equipment \w for|strong="H5921"\w* \w yourself|strong="H5921"\w*!” \w But|strong="H3808"\w* \w Asahel|strong="H6214"\w* \w was|strong="H5288"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* willing \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w turn|strong="H5493"\w* \w aside|strong="H5493"\w* \w from|strong="H5493"\w* following \w him|strong="H5921"\w*.  
\v 22  \w So|strong="H5375"\w* Abner spoke \w again|strong="H5750"\w* \w to|strong="H6440"\w* \w Asahel|strong="H6214"\w*, “\w Turn|strong="H5493"\w* \w aside|strong="H5493"\w* \w from|strong="H5493"\w* following \w me|strong="H6440"\w*! \w I|strong="H4100"\w* \w do|strong="H3254"\w* \w not|strong="H3254"\w* want \w to|strong="H6440"\w* \w strike|strong="H5221"\w* \w you|strong="H6440"\w* \w to|strong="H6440"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w ground|strong="H6440"\w*. \w How|strong="H4100"\w* \w then|strong="H5375"\w* \w could|strong="H4100"\w* \w I|strong="H4100"\w* \w show|strong="H5375"\w* \w my|strong="H5375"\w* \w face|strong="H6440"\w* \w in|strong="H6440"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w presence|strong="H6440"\w* \w of|strong="H6440"\w* \w Joab|strong="H3097"\w* \w your|strong="H5375"\w* brother?”  
\v 23  \w But|strong="H1961"\w* \w Asahel|strong="H6214"\w* \w refused|strong="H3985"\w* \w to|strong="H3318"\w* \w turn|strong="H5493"\w* \w aside|strong="H5493"\w*. \w So|strong="H1961"\w* Abner \w struck|strong="H5221"\w* \w him|strong="H5221"\w* \w in|strong="H4191"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* abdomen \w with|strong="H3318"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w back|strong="H5493"\w* \w end|strong="H3318"\w* \w of|strong="H8478"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* \w spear|strong="H2595"\w*. \w The|strong="H3605"\w* \w spear|strong="H2595"\w* \w came|strong="H1961"\w* \w out|strong="H3318"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* \w back|strong="H5493"\w*; \w Asahel|strong="H6214"\w* \w collapsed|strong="H5307"\w* \w on|strong="H5307"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w spot|strong="H8478"\w* \w and|strong="H8033"\w* \w died|strong="H4191"\w* \w there|strong="H8033"\w* \w right|strong="H8478"\w* \w before|strong="H8478"\w* Abner. \w Everyone|strong="H3605"\w* \w who|strong="H3605"\w* \w now|strong="H1961"\w* \w comes|strong="H3318"\w* \w to|strong="H3318"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w place|strong="H4725"\w* \w where|strong="H8033"\w* \w Asahel|strong="H6214"\w* \w fell|strong="H5307"\w* \w dead|strong="H4191"\w* \w pauses|strong="H5975"\w* \w in|strong="H4191"\w* respect.   
\p
\v 24  \w So|strong="H1992"\w* \w Joab|strong="H3097"\w* \w and|strong="H6440"\w* Abishai \w chased|strong="H7291"\w* Abner. \w At|strong="H5921"\w* \w sunset|strong="H8121"\w* \w they|strong="H1992"\w* came \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w hill|strong="H1389"\w* \w of|strong="H6440"\w* Ammah \w near|strong="H6440"\w* \w Giah|strong="H1520"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w way|strong="H1870"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w wilderness|strong="H4057"\w* \w of|strong="H6440"\w* \w Gibeon|strong="H1391"\w*.  
\v 25  \w The|strong="H5921"\w* \w Benjaminites|strong="H1144"\w* formed \w their|strong="H5921"\w* ranks \w behind|strong="H5975"\w* Abner \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w were|strong="H1961"\w* \w like|strong="H1961"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* single army, \w standing|strong="H5975"\w* \w at|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w top|strong="H7218"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* certain \w hill|strong="H1389"\w*.   
\p
\v 26  \w Then|strong="H1961"\w* Abner \w called|strong="H7121"\w* \w out|strong="H3045"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w Joab|strong="H3097"\w*, “\w Must|strong="H3808"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w sword|strong="H2719"\w* devour \w forever|strong="H5704"\w*? Don’t \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w realize|strong="H3045"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w this|strong="H3588"\w* \w will|strong="H1961"\w* \w turn|strong="H7725"\w* \w bitter|strong="H4751"\w* \w in|strong="H7725"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w end|strong="H5331"\w*? \w When|strong="H3588"\w* \w will|strong="H1961"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w tell|strong="H3045"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w turn|strong="H7725"\w* \w aside|strong="H7725"\w* \w from|strong="H7725"\w* pursuing \w their|strong="H7725"\w* brothers?”  
\v 27  \w Joab|strong="H3097"\w* \w replied|strong="H1696"\w*, “\w As|strong="H5927"\w* \w surely|strong="H3588"\w* \w as|strong="H5927"\w* God \w lives|strong="H2416"\w*, \w if|strong="H3588"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w had|strong="H3588"\w* \w not|strong="H3588"\w* \w said|strong="H1696"\w* \w this|strong="H1696"\w*, \w it|strong="H3588"\w* \w would|strong="H5971"\w* \w have|strong="H5971"\w* \w been|strong="H5971"\w* \w morning|strong="H1242"\w* \w before|strong="H5971"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w* \w would|strong="H5971"\w* \w have|strong="H5971"\w* abandoned pursuit \w of|strong="H5971"\w* \w their|strong="H3588"\w* brothers!”  
\v 28  \w Then|strong="H3254"\w* \w Joab|strong="H3097"\w* \w blew|strong="H8628"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* ram’s \w horn|strong="H7782"\w* \w and|strong="H3478"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w* \w stopped|strong="H5975"\w* \w in|strong="H3478"\w* \w their|strong="H3605"\w* tracks. \w They|strong="H3808"\w* \w stopped|strong="H5975"\w* \w chasing|strong="H7291"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \w and|strong="H3478"\w* \w ceased|strong="H5975"\w* \w fighting|strong="H3898"\w*.  
\v 29  Abner \w and|strong="H1980"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* \w men|strong="H1980"\w* \w went|strong="H1980"\w* \w through|strong="H5674"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Arabah|strong="H6160"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w that|strong="H3605"\w* \w night|strong="H3915"\w*. \w They|strong="H1931"\w* \w crossed|strong="H5674"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Jordan|strong="H3383"\w* River \w and|strong="H1980"\w* \w went|strong="H1980"\w* \w through|strong="H5674"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w whole|strong="H3605"\w* region \w of|strong="H6160"\w* Bitron \w and|strong="H1980"\w* \w came|strong="H1980"\w* \w to|strong="H1980"\w* \w Mahanaim|strong="H4266"\w*.   
\p
\v 30  Now \w Joab|strong="H3097"\w* \w returned|strong="H7725"\w* \w from|strong="H7725"\w* chasing Abner \w and|strong="H7725"\w* \w assembled|strong="H6908"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w*. \w Nineteen|strong="H8672"\w* \w of|strong="H5650"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w*’s \w soldiers|strong="H5650"\w* \w were|strong="H5971"\w* \w missing|strong="H6485"\w*, \w in|strong="H7725"\w* addition \w to|strong="H7725"\w* \w Asahel|strong="H6214"\w*.  
\v 31  \w But|strong="H5221"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w*’s \w soldiers|strong="H5650"\w* \w had|strong="H1732"\w* \w slaughtered|strong="H5221"\w* \w the|strong="H5221"\w* \w Benjaminites|strong="H1144"\w* \w and|strong="H3967"\w* Abner’s \w men|strong="H5650"\w* – \w in|strong="H4191"\w* \w all|strong="H4191"\w*, 360 \w men|strong="H5650"\w* \w had|strong="H1732"\w* \w died|strong="H4191"\w*!  
\v 32  \w They|strong="H3605"\w* \w took|strong="H5375"\w* \w Asahel|strong="H6214"\w*’s body \w and|strong="H3212"\w* \w buried|strong="H6912"\w* \w him|strong="H6912"\w* \w in|strong="H6912"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* father’s \w tomb|strong="H6913"\w* \w at|strong="H6912"\w* \w Bethlehem|strong="H1035"\w*. \w Joab|strong="H3097"\w* \w and|strong="H3212"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* \w men|strong="H3605"\w* \w then|strong="H5375"\w* traveled \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w that|strong="H3605"\w* \w night|strong="H3915"\w* \w and|strong="H3212"\w* reached \w Hebron|strong="H2275"\w* \w by|strong="H3915"\w* dawn.   
\c 3  
\p
\v 1  However, \w the|strong="H1961"\w* \w war|strong="H4421"\w* \w was|strong="H1961"\w* prolonged \w between|strong="H4421"\w* \w the|strong="H1961"\w* \w house|strong="H1004"\w* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w Saul|strong="H7586"\w* \w and|strong="H1980"\w* \w the|strong="H1961"\w* \w house|strong="H1004"\w* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w*. \w David|strong="H1732"\w* \w was|strong="H1961"\w* \w becoming|strong="H1980"\w* \w steadily|strong="H1980"\w* \w stronger|strong="H2390"\w*, \w while|strong="H1961"\w* \w the|strong="H1961"\w* \w house|strong="H1004"\w* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w Saul|strong="H7586"\w* \w was|strong="H1961"\w* \w becoming|strong="H1980"\w* \w increasingly|strong="H1980"\w* \w weaker|strong="H1800"\w*.   
\p
\v 2  \w Now|strong="H1961"\w* \w sons|strong="H1121"\w* \w were|strong="H1961"\w* \w born|strong="H3205"\w* \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w* \w in|strong="H1121"\w* \w Hebron|strong="H2275"\w*. \w His|strong="H1732"\w* \w firstborn|strong="H1060"\w* \w was|strong="H1961"\w* Amnon, \w born|strong="H3205"\w* \w to|strong="H1961"\w* Ahinoam \w the|strong="H3205"\w* Jezreelite.  
\v 3  \w His|strong="H4428"\w* \w second|strong="H4932"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w was|strong="H4428"\w* Kileab, \w born|strong="H1121"\w* \w to|strong="H1121"\w* Abigail \w the|strong="H1121"\w* widow \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Nabal|strong="H5037"\w* \w the|strong="H1121"\w* \w Carmelite|strong="H3761"\w*. \w His|strong="H4428"\w* \w third|strong="H7992"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w was|strong="H4428"\w* Absalom, \w the|strong="H1121"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Maacah|strong="H4601"\w* \w daughter|strong="H1323"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w King|strong="H4428"\w* \w Talmai|strong="H8526"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Geshur|strong="H1650"\w*.  
\v 4  \w His|strong="H1121"\w* \w fourth|strong="H7243"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w was|strong="H1121"\w* Adonijah, \w the|strong="H1121"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Haggith|strong="H2294"\w*. \w His|strong="H1121"\w* \w fifth|strong="H2549"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w was|strong="H1121"\w* \w Shephatiah|strong="H8203"\w*, \w the|strong="H1121"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* Abitail.  
\v 5  \w His|strong="H1732"\w* \w sixth|strong="H8345"\w* \w son|strong="H3205"\w* \w was|strong="H1732"\w* \w Ithream|strong="H3507"\w*, \w born|strong="H3205"\w* \w to|strong="H3205"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w*’s wife \w Eglah|strong="H5698"\w*. \w These|strong="H1732"\w* \w sons|strong="H3205"\w* \w were|strong="H1732"\w* all \w born|strong="H3205"\w* \w to|strong="H3205"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w* \w in|strong="H1732"\w* \w Hebron|strong="H2275"\w*.   
\s1 Abner Defects to David’s Camp  
\p
\v 6  \w As|strong="H1961"\w* \w the|strong="H2388"\w* \w war|strong="H4421"\w* \w continued|strong="H1961"\w* \w between|strong="H4421"\w* \w the|strong="H2388"\w* \w house|strong="H1004"\w* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w Saul|strong="H7586"\w* \w and|strong="H1004"\w* \w the|strong="H2388"\w* \w house|strong="H1004"\w* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w*, Abner \w was|strong="H1961"\w* \w becoming|strong="H1961"\w* \w more|strong="H4421"\w* influential \w in|strong="H1004"\w* \w the|strong="H2388"\w* \w house|strong="H1004"\w* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w Saul|strong="H7586"\w*.  
\v 7  Now \w Saul|strong="H7586"\w* \w had|strong="H7586"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w concubine|strong="H6370"\w* \w named|strong="H8034"\w* \w Rizpah|strong="H7532"\w* \w daughter|strong="H1323"\w* \w of|strong="H1323"\w* Aiah. Ish-bosheth said \w to|strong="H1323"\w* Abner, “\w Why|strong="H4069"\w* \w did|strong="H4069"\w* you \w have|strong="H1323"\w* sexual relations \w with|strong="H8034"\w* \w my|strong="H7586"\w* father’s \w concubine|strong="H6370"\w*?”   
\p
\v 8  \w These|strong="H6213"\w* \w words|strong="H1697"\w* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* Ish-bosheth \w really|strong="H3966"\w* \w angered|strong="H2734"\w* Abner \w and|strong="H3063"\w* \w he|strong="H3117"\w* \w said|strong="H1697"\w*, “\w Am|strong="H6485"\w* \w I|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w head|strong="H7218"\w* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w dog|strong="H3611"\w* \w that|strong="H3117"\w* belongs \w to|strong="H6213"\w* \w Judah|strong="H3063"\w*? \w This|strong="H6213"\w* \w very|strong="H3966"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w* \w I|strong="H3117"\w* \w am|strong="H6485"\w* demonstrating \w loyalty|strong="H2617"\w* \w to|strong="H6213"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w house|strong="H1004"\w* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w Saul|strong="H7586"\w* \w your|strong="H5921"\w* father \w and|strong="H3063"\w* \w to|strong="H6213"\w* \w his|strong="H1732"\w* relatives \w and|strong="H3063"\w* \w his|strong="H1732"\w* \w friends|strong="H4828"\w*! \w I|strong="H3117"\w* \w have|strong="H3063"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w betrayed|strong="H4672"\w* \w you|strong="H5921"\w* \w into|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w hand|strong="H3027"\w* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w*. \w Yet|strong="H3808"\w* \w you|strong="H5921"\w* \w have|strong="H3063"\w* accused \w me|strong="H5921"\w* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* sinning \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w this|strong="H6213"\w* \w woman|strong="H1004"\w* \w today|strong="H3117"\w*!  
\v 9  \w God|strong="H3068"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* severely \w judge|strong="H6213"\w* Abner \w if|strong="H3588"\w* \w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w do|strong="H6213"\w* \w not|strong="H6213"\w* \w do|strong="H6213"\w* \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w* \w exactly|strong="H3651"\w* \w what|strong="H6213"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w has|strong="H3068"\w* \w promised|strong="H7650"\w* \w him|strong="H6213"\w*,  
\v 10  namely, \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w transfer|strong="H5674"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w kingdom|strong="H4467"\w* \w from|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w house|strong="H1004"\w* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w Saul|strong="H7586"\w* \w and|strong="H3063"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w establish|strong="H6965"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w throne|strong="H3678"\w* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w* \w over|strong="H5921"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \w and|strong="H3063"\w* \w over|strong="H5921"\w* \w Judah|strong="H3063"\w* \w all|strong="H5704"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w way|strong="H5674"\w* \w from|strong="H5921"\w* \w Dan|strong="H1835"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* Beer \w Sheba|strong="H5674"\w*!”  
\v 11  \w Ish-bosheth|strong="H5750"\w* \w was|strong="H1697"\w* \w unable|strong="H3808"\w* \w to|strong="H7725"\w* \w answer|strong="H7725"\w* Abner \w with|strong="H1697"\w* \w even|strong="H5750"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* single \w word|strong="H1697"\w* \w because|strong="H1697"\w* \w he|strong="H3808"\w* \w was|strong="H1697"\w* \w afraid|strong="H3372"\w* \w of|strong="H1697"\w* \w him|strong="H7725"\w*.   
\p
\v 12  \w Then|strong="H2009"\w* Abner \w sent|strong="H7971"\w* \w messengers|strong="H4397"\w* \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w* saying, “\w To|strong="H3478"\w* \w whom|strong="H4310"\w* does \w the|strong="H3605"\w* land \w belong|strong="H8478"\w*? \w Make|strong="H3772"\w* \w an|strong="H7971"\w* \w agreement|strong="H1285"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w me|strong="H7971"\w*, \w and|strong="H3478"\w* \w I|strong="H2009"\w* \w will|strong="H4310"\w* \w do|strong="H3605"\w* \w whatever|strong="H3605"\w* \w I|strong="H2009"\w* \w can|strong="H4310"\w* \w to|strong="H3478"\w* cause \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w turn|strong="H5437"\w* \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w you|strong="H3605"\w*.”  
\v 13  \w So|strong="H3808"\w* David \w said|strong="H1697"\w*, “\w Good|strong="H2896"\w*! \w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w will|strong="H1697"\w* \w make|strong="H3772"\w* \w an|strong="H7200"\w* \w agreement|strong="H1285"\w* \w with|strong="H1285"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w*. \w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w ask|strong="H7592"\w* \w only|strong="H3588"\w* \w one|strong="H3808"\w* \w thing|strong="H1697"\w* \w from|strong="H6440"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w*. \w You|strong="H3588"\w* \w will|strong="H1697"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w see|strong="H7200"\w* \w my|strong="H7200"\w* \w face|strong="H6440"\w* \w unless|strong="H3588"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w bring|strong="H1323"\w* \w Saul|strong="H7586"\w*’s \w daughter|strong="H1323"\w* \w Michal|strong="H4324"\w* \w when|strong="H3588"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w come|strong="H7586"\w* \w to|strong="H6440"\w* \w visit|strong="H7200"\w* \w me|strong="H6440"\w*.”   
\p
\v 14  \w David|strong="H1732"\w* \w sent|strong="H7971"\w* \w messengers|strong="H4397"\w* \w to|strong="H7971"\w* Ish-bosheth \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Saul|strong="H7586"\w* \w with|strong="H1732"\w* \w this|strong="H5414"\w* demand: “\w Give|strong="H5414"\w* \w me|strong="H5414"\w* \w my|strong="H5414"\w* wife \w Michal|strong="H4324"\w* whom \w I|strong="H5414"\w* acquired \w for|strong="H7971"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w hundred|strong="H3967"\w* \w Philistine|strong="H6430"\w* \w foreskins|strong="H6190"\w*.”  
\v 15  \w So|strong="H3947"\w* Ish-bosheth \w took|strong="H3947"\w* \w her|strong="H7971"\w* \w from|strong="H1121"\w* \w her|strong="H7971"\w* husband \w Paltiel|strong="H6409"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Laish|strong="H3889"\w*.  
\v 16  \w Her|strong="H7725"\w* husband \w went|strong="H1980"\w* \w along|strong="H1980"\w* \w behind|strong="H1980"\w* \w her|strong="H7725"\w*, \w weeping|strong="H1058"\w* \w all|strong="H5704"\w* \w the|strong="H7725"\w* \w way|strong="H3212"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* Bahurim. \w Finally|strong="H5704"\w* Abner said \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w him|strong="H7725"\w*, “\w Go|strong="H1980"\w* \w back|strong="H7725"\w*!” \w So|strong="H1980"\w* \w he|strong="H5704"\w* \w returned|strong="H7725"\w* \w home|strong="H7725"\w*.   
\p
\v 17  Abner \w advised|strong="H5973"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w elders|strong="H2205"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w*, “\w Previously|strong="H8543"\w* \w you|strong="H5921"\w* \w were|strong="H3478"\w* wanting \w David|strong="H1732"\w* \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w be|strong="H1961"\w* \w your|strong="H5921"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*.  
\v 18  \w Act|strong="H6213"\w* \w now|strong="H6258"\w*! \w For|strong="H3588"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w has|strong="H3068"\w* said \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w*, ‘\w By|strong="H3027"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w hand|strong="H3027"\w* \w of|strong="H3068"\w* \w my|strong="H3605"\w* \w servant|strong="H5650"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w* \w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w save|strong="H3467"\w* \w my|strong="H3605"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \w from|strong="H3478"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Philistines|strong="H6430"\w* \w and|strong="H3478"\w* \w from|strong="H3478"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w their|strong="H3605"\w* \w enemies|strong="H3027"\w*.’”   
\p
\v 19  \w Then|strong="H1696"\w* Abner \w spoke|strong="H1696"\w* privately \w with|strong="H1004"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Benjaminites|strong="H1144"\w*. Abner \w also|strong="H1571"\w* \w went|strong="H3212"\w* \w to|strong="H1696"\w* \w Hebron|strong="H2275"\w* \w to|strong="H1696"\w* inform \w David|strong="H1732"\w* privately \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w that|strong="H3605"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \w and|strong="H3478"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w entire|strong="H3605"\w* \w house|strong="H1004"\w* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w Benjamin|strong="H1144"\w* \w had|strong="H3478"\w* agreed \w to|strong="H1696"\w*.  
\v 20  \w When|strong="H6213"\w* Abner, accompanied \w by|strong="H6213"\w* \w twenty|strong="H6242"\w* \w men|strong="H6213"\w*, \w came|strong="H1732"\w* \w to|strong="H6213"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w* \w in|strong="H6213"\w* \w Hebron|strong="H2275"\w*, \w David|strong="H1732"\w* \w prepared|strong="H6213"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w banquet|strong="H4960"\w* \w for|strong="H6213"\w* Abner \w and|strong="H6242"\w* \w the|strong="H6213"\w* \w men|strong="H6213"\w* \w who|strong="H6213"\w* \w were|strong="H1732"\w* \w with|strong="H6213"\w* \w him|strong="H6213"\w*.  
\v 21  Abner said \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w*, “\w Let|strong="H7971"\w* \w me|strong="H7971"\w* leave \w so|strong="H7971"\w* \w that|strong="H3605"\w* \w I|strong="H5315"\w* \w may|strong="H3478"\w* \w go|strong="H3212"\w* \w and|strong="H6965"\w* \w gather|strong="H6908"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w my|strong="H3605"\w* lord \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w so|strong="H7971"\w* \w that|strong="H3605"\w* \w they|strong="H5315"\w* \w may|strong="H3478"\w* \w make|strong="H3772"\w* \w an|strong="H7971"\w* \w agreement|strong="H1285"\w* \w with|strong="H1285"\w* \w you|strong="H3605"\w*. \w Then|strong="H6965"\w* \w you|strong="H3605"\w* \w will|strong="H4428"\w* \w rule|strong="H4428"\w* \w over|strong="H4427"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w that|strong="H3605"\w* \w you|strong="H3605"\w* \w desire|strong="H5315"\w*.” \w So|strong="H7971"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w* \w sent|strong="H7971"\w* Abner \w away|strong="H7971"\w*, \w and|strong="H6965"\w* \w he|strong="H3605"\w* \w left|strong="H7971"\w* \w in|strong="H3478"\w* \w peace|strong="H7965"\w*.   
\s1 Abner Is Killed  
\p
\v 22  \w Now|strong="H2009"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w*’s \w soldiers|strong="H5650"\w* \w and|strong="H7971"\w* \w Joab|strong="H3097"\w* \w were|strong="H5650"\w* \w coming|strong="H2009"\w* \w back|strong="H3212"\w* \w from|strong="H7971"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w raid|strong="H1416"\w*, bringing \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w great|strong="H7227"\w* \w deal|strong="H7227"\w* \w of|strong="H5650"\w* \w plunder|strong="H7998"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w them|strong="H7971"\w*. Abner \w was|strong="H1732"\w* \w no|strong="H7971"\w* longer \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w* \w in|strong="H3212"\w* \w Hebron|strong="H2275"\w*, \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w* \w had|strong="H1732"\w* \w sent|strong="H7971"\w* \w him|strong="H7971"\w* \w away|strong="H7971"\w* \w and|strong="H7971"\w* \w he|strong="H3588"\w* \w had|strong="H1732"\w* \w left|strong="H7971"\w* \w in|strong="H3212"\w* \w peace|strong="H7965"\w*.  
\v 23  \w When|strong="H7971"\w* \w Joab|strong="H3097"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w army|strong="H6635"\w* \w that|strong="H3605"\w* \w was|strong="H4428"\w* \w with|strong="H3212"\w* \w him|strong="H7971"\w* arrived, \w Joab|strong="H3097"\w* \w was|strong="H4428"\w* \w told|strong="H5046"\w*: “Abner \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Ner|strong="H5369"\w* \w came|strong="H3212"\w* \w to|strong="H3212"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*; \w he|strong="H3605"\w* \w sent|strong="H7971"\w* \w him|strong="H7971"\w* \w away|strong="H7971"\w*, \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w he|strong="H3605"\w* \w left|strong="H7971"\w* \w in|strong="H4428"\w* \w peace|strong="H7965"\w*!”   
\p
\v 24  \w So|strong="H6213"\w* \w Joab|strong="H3097"\w* \w went|strong="H1980"\w* \w to|strong="H1980"\w* \w the|strong="H6213"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w and|strong="H1980"\w* said, “\w What|strong="H4100"\w* \w have|strong="H4428"\w* \w you|strong="H7971"\w* \w done|strong="H6213"\w*? Abner \w has|strong="H4428"\w* \w come|strong="H1980"\w* \w to|strong="H1980"\w* \w you|strong="H7971"\w*! \w Why|strong="H4100"\w* \w would|strong="H6213"\w* \w you|strong="H7971"\w* \w send|strong="H7971"\w* \w him|strong="H7971"\w* \w away|strong="H7971"\w*? \w Now|strong="H2009"\w* \w he|strong="H6213"\w*’s \w gone|strong="H1980"\w* \w on|strong="H1980"\w* \w his|strong="H7971"\w* \w way|strong="H3212"\w*!  
\v 25  \w You|strong="H3588"\w* \w know|strong="H3045"\w* Abner \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Ner|strong="H5369"\w*! \w Surely|strong="H3588"\w* \w he|strong="H3588"\w* came here \w to|strong="H6213"\w* spy \w on|strong="H6213"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w to|strong="H6213"\w* \w determine|strong="H3045"\w* \w when|strong="H3588"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* leave \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w when|strong="H3588"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* return \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w to|strong="H6213"\w* discover \w everything|strong="H3605"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w are|strong="H1121"\w* \w doing|strong="H6213"\w*!”   
\p
\v 26  \w Then|strong="H3318"\w* \w Joab|strong="H3097"\w* \w left|strong="H3318"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w* \w and|strong="H7971"\w* \w sent|strong="H7971"\w* \w messengers|strong="H4397"\w* \w after|strong="H3318"\w* Abner. \w They|strong="H3808"\w* \w brought|strong="H3318"\w* \w him|strong="H7971"\w* \w back|strong="H7725"\w* \w from|strong="H7725"\w* \w the|strong="H7725"\w* \w well|strong="H3045"\w* \w of|strong="H4397"\w* \w Sirah|strong="H5626"\w*. (\w But|strong="H3808"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w* \w was|strong="H1732"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w aware|strong="H3045"\w* \w of|strong="H4397"\w* \w it|strong="H7725"\w*.)  
\v 27  \w When|strong="H7725"\w* Abner \w returned|strong="H7725"\w* \w to|strong="H1696"\w* \w Hebron|strong="H2275"\w*, \w Joab|strong="H3097"\w* \w took|strong="H5186"\w* \w him|strong="H5221"\w* \w aside|strong="H5186"\w* \w at|strong="H4191"\w* \w the|strong="H5221"\w* \w gate|strong="H8179"\w* \w as|strong="H1696"\w* if \w to|strong="H1696"\w* \w speak|strong="H1696"\w* \w privately|strong="H7987"\w* \w with|strong="H1696"\w* \w him|strong="H5221"\w*. \w Joab|strong="H3097"\w* \w then|strong="H1696"\w* \w stabbed|strong="H5221"\w* \w him|strong="H5221"\w* \w in|strong="H4191"\w* \w the|strong="H5221"\w* abdomen \w and|strong="H7725"\w* \w killed|strong="H5221"\w* \w him|strong="H5221"\w*, avenging \w the|strong="H5221"\w* \w shed|strong="H1818"\w* \w blood|strong="H1818"\w* \w of|strong="H8179"\w* \w his|strong="H7725"\w* brother \w Asahel|strong="H6214"\w*.   
\p
\v 28  \w When|strong="H8085"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w* later \w heard|strong="H8085"\w* \w about|strong="H8085"\w* \w this|strong="H3651"\w*, \w he|strong="H3651"\w* \w said|strong="H8085"\w*, “\w I|strong="H3651"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w my|strong="H8085"\w* \w kingdom|strong="H4467"\w* \w are|strong="H1121"\w* \w forever|strong="H5769"\w* \w innocent|strong="H5355"\w* \w before|strong="H5973"\w* \w the|strong="H8085"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H8085"\w* \w shed|strong="H1818"\w* \w blood|strong="H1818"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* Abner \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Ner|strong="H5369"\w*!  
\v 29  \w May|strong="H1004"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* blood \w whirl|strong="H2342"\w* \w over|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w head|strong="H7218"\w* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w Joab|strong="H3097"\w* \w and|strong="H1004"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w entire|strong="H3605"\w* \w house|strong="H1004"\w* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* father! \w May|strong="H1004"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* males \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w Joab|strong="H3097"\w*’s \w house|strong="H1004"\w* never \w cease|strong="H3772"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w have|strong="H3605"\w* \w someone|strong="H5307"\w* \w with|strong="H1004"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* running \w sore|strong="H2388"\w* \w or|strong="H7218"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* skin disease \w or|strong="H7218"\w* \w one|strong="H3605"\w* \w who|strong="H3605"\w* \w works|strong="H5921"\w* \w at|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w spindle|strong="H6418"\w* \w or|strong="H7218"\w* \w one|strong="H3605"\w* \w who|strong="H3605"\w* \w falls|strong="H5307"\w* \w by|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w sword|strong="H2719"\w* \w or|strong="H7218"\w* \w one|strong="H3605"\w* \w who|strong="H3605"\w* \w lacks|strong="H2638"\w* \w food|strong="H3899"\w*!”   
\p
\v 30  \w So|strong="H4191"\w* \w Joab|strong="H3097"\w* \w and|strong="H3097"\w* \w his|strong="H5921"\w* brother Abishai \w killed|strong="H2026"\w* Abner, \w because|strong="H5921"\w* \w he|strong="H5921"\w* \w had|strong="H3097"\w* \w killed|strong="H2026"\w* \w their|strong="H5921"\w* brother \w Asahel|strong="H6214"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w Gibeon|strong="H1391"\w* during \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w battle|strong="H4421"\w*.   
\p
\v 31  \w David|strong="H1732"\w* instructed \w Joab|strong="H3097"\w* \w and|strong="H1980"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w* \w who|strong="H3605"\w* \w were|strong="H5971"\w* \w with|strong="H1980"\w* \w him|strong="H6440"\w*, “\w Tear|strong="H7167"\w* \w your|strong="H3605"\w* clothes! \w Put|strong="H2296"\w* \w on|strong="H1980"\w* \w sackcloth|strong="H8242"\w*! \w Lament|strong="H5594"\w* \w before|strong="H6440"\w* Abner!” \w Now|strong="H4428"\w* \w King|strong="H4428"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w* \w followed|strong="H1980"\w* \w behind|strong="H1980"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* funeral \w bier|strong="H4296"\w*.  
\v 32  \w So|strong="H5375"\w* \w they|strong="H5971"\w* \w buried|strong="H6912"\w* Abner \w in|strong="H4428"\w* \w Hebron|strong="H2275"\w*. \w The|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w cried|strong="H1058"\w* \w loudly|strong="H6963"\w* \w over|strong="H4428"\w* Abner’s \w grave|strong="H6913"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w* \w wept|strong="H1058"\w* too.  
\v 33  \w The|strong="H4191"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w chanted|strong="H6969"\w* \w the|strong="H4191"\w* following \w lament|strong="H6969"\w* \w for|strong="H4191"\w* Abner:  
\q1 “\w Should|strong="H4428"\w* Abner \w have|strong="H4428"\w* \w died|strong="H4191"\w* \w like|strong="H4191"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w fool|strong="H5036"\w*?   
\q1
\v 34  \w Your|strong="H3605"\w* \w hands|strong="H3027"\w* \w were|strong="H5971"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* bound,  
\q1 \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w your|strong="H3605"\w* \w feet|strong="H7272"\w* \w were|strong="H5971"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w put|strong="H3254"\w* \w into|strong="H5307"\w* irons.  
\q1 \w You|strong="H6440"\w* \w fell|strong="H5307"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w way|strong="H6440"\w* \w one|strong="H3605"\w* \w falls|strong="H5307"\w* \w before|strong="H6440"\w* \w criminals|strong="H5766"\w*.”  
\p \w All|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w* \w wept|strong="H1058"\w* \w over|strong="H5921"\w* \w him|strong="H6440"\w* \w again|strong="H3254"\w*.  
\v 35  \w Then|strong="H3254"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w* \w came|strong="H5971"\w* \w and|strong="H3117"\w* encouraged \w David|strong="H1732"\w* \w to|strong="H6213"\w* \w eat|strong="H1262"\w* \w food|strong="H3899"\w* \w while|strong="H5750"\w* \w it|strong="H3588"\w* \w was|strong="H1732"\w* \w still|strong="H5750"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w*. \w But|strong="H3588"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w* \w took|strong="H7650"\w* \w an|strong="H6213"\w* \w oath|strong="H7650"\w* saying, “God \w will|strong="H5971"\w* \w punish|strong="H6213"\w* \w me|strong="H6440"\w* severely \w if|strong="H3588"\w* \w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w taste|strong="H2938"\w* \w bread|strong="H3899"\w* \w or|strong="H3117"\w* \w anything|strong="H3605"\w* \w whatsoever|strong="H3605"\w* \w before|strong="H6440"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w sun|strong="H8121"\w* sets!”   
\p
\v 36  \w All|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w* \w noticed|strong="H5869"\w* \w this|strong="H6213"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w it|strong="H6213"\w* \w pleased|strong="H3190"\w* \w them|strong="H6213"\w*. \w In|strong="H6213"\w* fact, \w everything|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w did|strong="H6213"\w* \w pleased|strong="H3190"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w*.  
\v 37  \w All|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \w realized|strong="H3045"\w* \w on|strong="H3117"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w killing|strong="H4191"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* Abner \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Ner|strong="H5369"\w* \w was|strong="H1961"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w done|strong="H1961"\w* \w at|strong="H3478"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*’s \w instigation|strong="H4191"\w*.   
\p
\v 38  \w Then|strong="H2088"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* said \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w his|strong="H3045"\w* \w servants|strong="H5650"\w*, “\w Do|strong="H2088"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w realize|strong="H3045"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w great|strong="H1419"\w* \w leader|strong="H8269"\w* \w has|strong="H3478"\w* \w fallen|strong="H5307"\w* \w this|strong="H2088"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w* \w in|strong="H3478"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w*?  
\v 39  \w Today|strong="H3117"\w* \w I|strong="H3117"\w* \w am|strong="H3068"\w* \w weak|strong="H7390"\w*, \w even|strong="H6213"\w* though \w I|strong="H3117"\w* \w am|strong="H3068"\w* \w anointed|strong="H4886"\w* \w as|strong="H3117"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*. \w These|strong="H6213"\w* \w men|strong="H1121"\w*, \w the|strong="H6213"\w* \w sons|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Zeruiah|strong="H6870"\w*, \w are|strong="H3117"\w* \w too|strong="H4480"\w* \w much|strong="H6213"\w* \w for|strong="H6213"\w* \w me|strong="H4480"\w* \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w bear|strong="H6213"\w*! \w May|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H6213"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w punish|strong="H6213"\w* appropriately \w the|strong="H6213"\w* \w one|strong="H4480"\w* \w who|strong="H3068"\w* \w has|strong="H3068"\w* \w done|strong="H6213"\w* \w this|strong="H6213"\w* \w evil|strong="H7451"\w* \w thing|strong="H7451"\w*!”   
\c 4  
\p
\v 1  \w When|strong="H3588"\w* Ish-bosheth \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Saul|strong="H7586"\w* \w heard|strong="H8085"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* Abner \w had|strong="H3478"\w* \w died|strong="H4191"\w* \w in|strong="H3478"\w* \w Hebron|strong="H2275"\w*, \w he|strong="H3588"\w* \w was|strong="H3478"\w* very disheartened, \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \w was|strong="H3478"\w* afraid.  
\v 2  \w Now|strong="H1961"\w* \w Saul|strong="H7586"\w*’s \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w had|strong="H1961"\w* \w two|strong="H8147"\w* \w men|strong="H1121"\w* \w who|strong="H1121"\w* \w were|strong="H1961"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w charge|strong="H5921"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* raiding units; \w one|strong="H1121"\w* \w was|strong="H8034"\w* \w named|strong="H8034"\w* \w Baanah|strong="H1196"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w other|strong="H8145"\w* \w Recab|strong="H7394"\w*. \w They|strong="H3588"\w* \w were|strong="H1961"\w* \w sons|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Rimmon|strong="H7417"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* Beerothite, \w who|strong="H1121"\w* \w was|strong="H8034"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* Benjaminite. (Beeroth \w is|strong="H1571"\w* \w regarded|strong="H2803"\w* \w as|strong="H1961"\w* belonging \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w Benjamin|strong="H1144"\w*,  
\v 3  \w for|strong="H5704"\w* \w the|strong="H3117"\w* Beerothites \w fled|strong="H1272"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w Gittaim|strong="H1664"\w* \w and|strong="H3117"\w* \w have|strong="H1961"\w* \w remained|strong="H1961"\w* \w there|strong="H8033"\w* \w as|strong="H5704"\w* resident \w foreigners|strong="H1481"\w* \w until|strong="H5704"\w* \w the|strong="H3117"\w* \w present|strong="H1961"\w* \w time|strong="H3117"\w*.)   
\p
\v 4  \w Now|strong="H1961"\w* \w Saul|strong="H7586"\w*’s \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w Jonathan|strong="H3083"\w* \w had|strong="H1961"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w who|strong="H1121"\w* \w was|strong="H8034"\w* \w crippled|strong="H5223"\w* \w in|strong="H8141"\w* both \w feet|strong="H7272"\w*. \w He|strong="H2568"\w* \w was|strong="H8034"\w* \w five|strong="H2568"\w* \w years|strong="H8141"\w* \w old|strong="H1121"\w* \w when|strong="H1961"\w* \w the|strong="H5375"\w* \w news|strong="H8052"\w* \w about|strong="H1961"\w* \w Saul|strong="H7586"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w Jonathan|strong="H3083"\w* arrived \w from|strong="H1121"\w* \w Jezreel|strong="H3157"\w*. \w His|strong="H5375"\w* nurse \w picked|strong="H5375"\w* \w him|strong="H5375"\w* \w up|strong="H5375"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w fled|strong="H5127"\w*, \w but|strong="H1961"\w* \w in|strong="H8141"\w* \w her|strong="H5375"\w* \w haste|strong="H2648"\w* \w to|strong="H1961"\w* get \w away|strong="H5375"\w*, \w he|strong="H2568"\w* \w fell|strong="H5307"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w was|strong="H8034"\w* injured. \w Mephibosheth|strong="H4648"\w* \w was|strong="H8034"\w* \w his|strong="H5375"\w* \w name|strong="H8034"\w*.   
\p
\v 5  \w Now|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H3117"\w* \w sons|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Rimmon|strong="H7417"\w* \w the|strong="H3117"\w* Beerothite – \w Recab|strong="H7394"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w Baanah|strong="H1196"\w* – \w went|strong="H3212"\w* \w at|strong="H1004"\w* \w the|strong="H3117"\w* hottest \w part|strong="H1931"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H3117"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w* \w to|strong="H3212"\w* \w the|strong="H3117"\w* \w home|strong="H1004"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* Ish-bosheth, \w as|strong="H3117"\w* \w he|strong="H1931"\w* \w was|strong="H1931"\w* enjoying \w his|strong="H3117"\w* \w midday|strong="H6672"\w* \w rest|strong="H7901"\w*.  
\v 6  \w They|strong="H2007"\w* \w entered|strong="H5704"\w* \w the|strong="H3947"\w* \w house|strong="H1004"\w* \w under|strong="H1004"\w* \w the|strong="H3947"\w* pretense \w of|strong="H1004"\w* getting \w wheat|strong="H2406"\w* \w and|strong="H1004"\w* mortally \w wounded|strong="H5221"\w* \w him|strong="H5221"\w* \w in|strong="H1004"\w* \w the|strong="H3947"\w* stomach. \w Then|strong="H3947"\w* \w Recab|strong="H7394"\w* \w and|strong="H1004"\w* \w his|strong="H3947"\w* brother \w Baanah|strong="H1196"\w* \w escaped|strong="H4422"\w*.   
\p
\v 7  \w They|strong="H5921"\w* \w had|strong="H1931"\w* entered \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w house|strong="H1004"\w* \w while|strong="H1931"\w* Ish-bosheth \w was|strong="H1931"\w* \w resting|strong="H4904"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* \w bed|strong="H4904"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* \w bedroom|strong="H2315"\w*. \w They|strong="H5921"\w* \w mortally|strong="H4191"\w* \w wounded|strong="H5221"\w* \w him|strong="H5921"\w* \w and|strong="H3212"\w* \w then|strong="H3947"\w* \w cut|strong="H5493"\w* \w off|strong="H5493"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* \w head|strong="H7218"\w*. \w Taking|strong="H3947"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* \w head|strong="H7218"\w*, \w they|strong="H5921"\w* traveled \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w way|strong="H1870"\w* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Arabah|strong="H6160"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w that|strong="H3605"\w* \w night|strong="H3915"\w*.  
\v 8  \w They|strong="H3117"\w* \w brought|strong="H5414"\w* \w the|strong="H5414"\w* \w head|strong="H7218"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* Ish-bosheth \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w* \w in|strong="H3068"\w* \w Hebron|strong="H2275"\w*, saying \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H5414"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*, “\w Look|strong="H2009"\w*! \w The|strong="H5414"\w* \w head|strong="H7218"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* Ish-bosheth \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Saul|strong="H7586"\w*, \w your|strong="H3068"\w* enemy \w who|strong="H3068"\w* \w sought|strong="H1245"\w* \w your|strong="H3068"\w* \w life|strong="H5315"\w*! \w The|strong="H5414"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w has|strong="H3068"\w* \w granted|strong="H5414"\w* \w vengeance|strong="H5360"\w* \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w my|strong="H5414"\w* \w lord|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H5414"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w this|strong="H2088"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w* \w against|strong="H3068"\w* \w Saul|strong="H7586"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w his|strong="H5414"\w* \w descendants|strong="H2233"\w*!”   
\p
\v 9  \w David|strong="H1732"\w* \w replied|strong="H6030"\w* \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w Recab|strong="H7394"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* brother \w Baanah|strong="H1196"\w*, \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w sons|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Rimmon|strong="H7417"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* Beerothite, “\w As|strong="H5315"\w* \w surely|strong="H6299"\w* \w as|strong="H5315"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w lives|strong="H5315"\w*, \w who|strong="H3605"\w* \w has|strong="H3068"\w* \w delivered|strong="H6299"\w* \w my|strong="H3605"\w* \w life|strong="H5315"\w* \w from|strong="H5315"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w adversity|strong="H6869"\w*,  
\v 10  \w when|strong="H3588"\w* \w someone|strong="H5414"\w* \w told|strong="H5046"\w* \w me|strong="H5414"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w Saul|strong="H7586"\w* \w was|strong="H1961"\w* \w dead|strong="H4191"\w* – \w even|strong="H3588"\w* \w though|strong="H3588"\w* \w he|strong="H1931"\w* \w thought|strong="H5869"\w* \w he|strong="H1931"\w* \w was|strong="H1961"\w* \w bringing|strong="H5414"\w* \w good|strong="H1319"\w* \w news|strong="H1319"\w* – \w I|strong="H3588"\w* seized \w him|strong="H5414"\w* \w and|strong="H5869"\w* \w killed|strong="H2026"\w* \w him|strong="H5414"\w* \w in|strong="H4191"\w* \w Ziklag|strong="H6860"\w*. \w That|strong="H3588"\w* \w was|strong="H1961"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w good|strong="H1319"\w* \w news|strong="H1319"\w* \w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w gave|strong="H5414"\w* \w to|strong="H4191"\w* \w him|strong="H5414"\w*!  
\v 11  \w Surely|strong="H3588"\w* \w when|strong="H3588"\w* \w wicked|strong="H7563"\w* \w men|strong="H7563"\w* \w have|strong="H3027"\w* \w killed|strong="H2026"\w* \w an|strong="H4480"\w* \w innocent|strong="H6662"\w* \w man|strong="H7563"\w* \w as|strong="H3588"\w* \w he|strong="H3588"\w* slept \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w his|strong="H5921"\w* \w own|strong="H3027"\w* \w house|strong="H1004"\w*, \w should|strong="H3588"\w* \w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w now|strong="H6258"\w* \w require|strong="H1245"\w* \w his|strong="H5921"\w* \w blood|strong="H1818"\w* \w from|strong="H4480"\w* \w your|strong="H5921"\w* \w hands|strong="H3027"\w* \w and|strong="H3027"\w* \w remove|strong="H1197"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w from|strong="H4480"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* earth?”   
\p
\v 12  \w So|strong="H3947"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w* \w issued|strong="H6680"\w* \w orders|strong="H6680"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w soldiers|strong="H5288"\w* \w and|strong="H3027"\w* \w they|strong="H5921"\w* \w put|strong="H3947"\w* \w them|strong="H5921"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* death. \w Then|strong="H3947"\w* \w they|strong="H5921"\w* \w cut|strong="H7112"\w* \w off|strong="H7112"\w* \w their|strong="H3947"\w* \w hands|strong="H3027"\w* \w and|strong="H3027"\w* \w feet|strong="H7272"\w* \w and|strong="H3027"\w* \w hung|strong="H8518"\w* \w them|strong="H5921"\w* \w near|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w pool|strong="H1295"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w Hebron|strong="H2275"\w*. \w But|strong="H3947"\w* \w they|strong="H5921"\w* \w took|strong="H3947"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w head|strong="H7218"\w* \w of|strong="H3027"\w* Ish-bosheth \w and|strong="H3027"\w* \w buried|strong="H6912"\w* \w it|strong="H5921"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w tomb|strong="H6913"\w* \w of|strong="H3027"\w* Abner \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w Hebron|strong="H2275"\w*.   
\c 5  
\p
\v 1  \w All|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w tribes|strong="H7626"\w* \w of|strong="H7626"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \w came|strong="H3478"\w* \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w* \w at|strong="H3478"\w* \w Hebron|strong="H2275"\w* saying, “\w Look|strong="H2005"\w*, \w we|strong="H3068"\w* \w are|strong="H6106"\w* \w your|strong="H3605"\w* \w very|strong="H6106"\w* \w flesh|strong="H1320"\w* \w and|strong="H3478"\w* blood!  
\v 2  \w In|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w past|strong="H8032"\w*, \w when|strong="H1961"\w* \w Saul|strong="H7586"\w* \w was|strong="H3068"\w* \w our|strong="H3068"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*, \w you|strong="H5921"\w* \w were|strong="H3478"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* real \w leader|strong="H5057"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w*. \w The|strong="H5921"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w said|strong="H3318"\w* \w to|strong="H3318"\w* \w you|strong="H5921"\w*, ‘\w You|strong="H5921"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w shepherd|strong="H7462"\w* \w my|strong="H3068"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w*; \w you|strong="H5921"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w rule|strong="H4428"\w* \w over|strong="H5921"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w*.’”   
\p
\v 3  \w When|strong="H3068"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w leaders|strong="H2205"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \w came|strong="H3478"\w* \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w at|strong="H5921"\w* \w Hebron|strong="H2275"\w*, \w King|strong="H4428"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w* \w made|strong="H3772"\w* \w an|strong="H3772"\w* \w agreement|strong="H1285"\w* \w with|strong="H3068"\w* \w them|strong="H5921"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w Hebron|strong="H2275"\w* \w before|strong="H6440"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*. \w They|strong="H3068"\w* designated \w David|strong="H1732"\w* \w as|strong="H3068"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w over|strong="H5921"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w*.  
\v 4  \w David|strong="H1732"\w* \w was|strong="H1732"\w* \w thirty|strong="H7970"\w* \w years|strong="H8141"\w* \w old|strong="H1121"\w* \w when|strong="H1121"\w* \w he|strong="H1732"\w* began \w to|strong="H1121"\w* \w reign|strong="H4427"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w he|strong="H1732"\w* \w reigned|strong="H4427"\w* \w for|strong="H1121"\w* forty \w years|strong="H8141"\w*.  
\v 5  \w In|strong="H8141"\w* \w Hebron|strong="H2275"\w* \w he|strong="H3605"\w* \w reigned|strong="H4427"\w* \w over|strong="H5921"\w* \w Judah|strong="H3063"\w* \w for|strong="H5921"\w* \w seven|strong="H7651"\w* \w years|strong="H8141"\w* \w and|strong="H3063"\w* \w six|strong="H8337"\w* \w months|strong="H2320"\w*, \w and|strong="H3063"\w* \w in|strong="H8141"\w* \w Jerusalem|strong="H3389"\w* \w he|strong="H3605"\w* \w reigned|strong="H4427"\w* \w for|strong="H5921"\w* \w thirty-three|strong="H7970"\w* \w years|strong="H8141"\w* \w over|strong="H5921"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \w and|strong="H3063"\w* \w Judah|strong="H3063"\w*.   
\s1 David Occupies Jerusalem  
\p
\v 6  \w Then|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w his|strong="H1732"\w* \w men|strong="H5787"\w* advanced \w to|strong="H3212"\w* \w Jerusalem|strong="H3389"\w* \w against|strong="H3212"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w Jebusites|strong="H2983"\w* \w who|strong="H3427"\w* \w lived|strong="H3427"\w* \w in|strong="H3427"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* land. \w The|strong="H3588"\w* \w Jebusites|strong="H2983"\w* said \w to|strong="H3212"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w*, “\w You|strong="H3588"\w* \w cannot|strong="H3808"\w* \w invade|strong="H2008"\w* \w this|strong="H3588"\w* \w place|strong="H3427"\w*! \w Even|strong="H3588"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w blind|strong="H5787"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w lame|strong="H6452"\w* \w will|strong="H4428"\w* \w turn|strong="H5493"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w back|strong="H5493"\w*, saying, ‘\w David|strong="H1732"\w* \w cannot|strong="H3808"\w* \w invade|strong="H2008"\w* \w this|strong="H3588"\w* \w place|strong="H3427"\w*!’”   
\p
\v 7  \w But|strong="H1931"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w* \w captured|strong="H3920"\w* \w the|strong="H3920"\w* \w fortress|strong="H4686"\w* \w of|strong="H5892"\w* \w Zion|strong="H6726"\w* (\w that|strong="H1931"\w* \w is|strong="H1931"\w*, \w the|strong="H3920"\w* \w city|strong="H5892"\w* \w of|strong="H5892"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w*).  
\v 8  \w David|strong="H1732"\w* \w said|strong="H3651"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w that|strong="H3605"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w*, “\w Whoever|strong="H3605"\w* \w attacks|strong="H5221"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Jebusites|strong="H2983"\w* \w must|strong="H5315"\w* approach \w the|strong="H3605"\w* ‘\w lame|strong="H6455"\w*’ \w and|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* ‘\w blind|strong="H5787"\w*’ \w who|strong="H3605"\w* \w are|strong="H3117"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w*’s \w enemies|strong="H8130"\w* \w by|strong="H5921"\w* going \w through|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w water|strong="H6794"\w* \w tunnel|strong="H6794"\w*.” \w For|strong="H5921"\w* \w this|strong="H3651"\w* \w reason|strong="H5921"\w* \w it|strong="H1931"\w* \w is|strong="H1931"\w* \w said|strong="H3651"\w*, “\w The|strong="H3605"\w* \w blind|strong="H5787"\w* \w and|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w lame|strong="H6455"\w* \w cannot|strong="H3808"\w* enter \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w palace|strong="H1004"\w*.”   
\p
\v 9  \w So|strong="H4480"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w* \w lived|strong="H3427"\w* \w in|strong="H3427"\w* \w the|strong="H4480"\w* \w fortress|strong="H4686"\w* \w and|strong="H1004"\w* \w called|strong="H7121"\w* \w it|strong="H7121"\w* \w the|strong="H4480"\w* \w City|strong="H5892"\w* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w*. \w David|strong="H1732"\w* \w built|strong="H1129"\w* \w all|strong="H5439"\w* \w around|strong="H5439"\w* \w it|strong="H7121"\w*, \w from|strong="H4480"\w* \w the|strong="H4480"\w* \w terrace|strong="H4407"\w* \w inwards|strong="H1004"\w*.  
\v 10  \w David|strong="H1732"\w*’s power \w grew|strong="H1980"\w* \w steadily|strong="H1980"\w*, \w for|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w God|strong="H3068"\w* \w who|strong="H3068"\w* commands \w armies|strong="H6635"\w* \w was|strong="H3068"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w him|strong="H5973"\w*.   
\p
\v 11  \w King|strong="H4428"\w* \w Hiram|strong="H2438"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w Tyre|strong="H6865"\w* \w sent|strong="H7971"\w* \w messengers|strong="H4397"\w* \w to|strong="H7971"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w*, along \w with|strong="H1004"\w* cedar \w logs|strong="H6086"\w*, \w carpenters|strong="H2796"\w*, \w and|strong="H7971"\w* \w stonemasons|strong="H2796"\w*. \w They|strong="H4428"\w* \w built|strong="H1129"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w palace|strong="H1004"\w* \w for|strong="H7971"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w*.  
\v 12  \w David|strong="H1732"\w* \w realized|strong="H3045"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w had|strong="H3068"\w* \w established|strong="H3559"\w* \w him|strong="H5921"\w* \w as|strong="H3068"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w over|strong="H5921"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \w and|strong="H3478"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w he|strong="H3588"\w* \w had|strong="H3068"\w* \w elevated|strong="H5375"\w* \w his|strong="H5375"\w* \w kingdom|strong="H4467"\w* \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w sake|strong="H5668"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w his|strong="H5375"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w*.  
\v 13  \w David|strong="H1732"\w* \w married|strong="H3947"\w* \w more|strong="H5750"\w* \w concubines|strong="H6370"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* wives \w from|strong="H1121"\w* \w Jerusalem|strong="H3389"\w* after \w he|strong="H1732"\w* arrived \w from|strong="H1121"\w* \w Hebron|strong="H2275"\w*. \w Even|strong="H5750"\w* \w more|strong="H5750"\w* \w sons|strong="H1121"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w daughters|strong="H1323"\w* \w were|strong="H1121"\w* \w born|strong="H3205"\w* \w to|strong="H3389"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w*.  
\v 14  These \w are|strong="H8034"\w* \w the|strong="H5416"\w* \w names|strong="H8034"\w* \w of|strong="H8034"\w* children \w born|strong="H3209"\w* \w to|strong="H3389"\w* \w him|strong="H8010"\w* \w in|strong="H8034"\w* \w Jerusalem|strong="H3389"\w*: \w Shammua|strong="H8051"\w*, \w Shobab|strong="H7727"\w*, \w Nathan|strong="H5416"\w*, \w Solomon|strong="H8010"\w*,  
\v 15  \w Ibhar|strong="H2984"\w*, Elishua, \w Nepheg|strong="H5298"\w*, \w Japhia|strong="H3309"\w*,  
\v 16  Elishama, Eliada, and Eliphelet.   
\s1 Conflict with the Philistines  
\p
\v 17  \w When|strong="H3588"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Philistines|strong="H6430"\w* \w heard|strong="H8085"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w* \w had|strong="H3478"\w* \w been|strong="H5927"\w* designated \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w over|strong="H5921"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w*, \w they|strong="H3588"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w went|strong="H5927"\w* \w up|strong="H5927"\w* \w to|strong="H3381"\w* \w search|strong="H1245"\w* \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w*. \w When|strong="H3588"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w* \w heard|strong="H8085"\w* \w about|strong="H5921"\w* \w it|strong="H5921"\w*, \w he|strong="H3588"\w* \w went|strong="H5927"\w* \w down|strong="H3381"\w* \w to|strong="H3381"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w fortress|strong="H4686"\w*.  
\v 18  Now \w the|strong="H5203"\w* \w Philistines|strong="H6430"\w* \w had|strong="H6430"\w* arrived \w and|strong="H6430"\w* \w spread|strong="H5203"\w* \w out|strong="H5203"\w* \w in|strong="H6430"\w* \w the|strong="H5203"\w* \w valley|strong="H6010"\w* \w of|strong="H6010"\w* \w Rephaim|strong="H7497"\w*.  
\v 19  \w So|strong="H5414"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w* \w asked|strong="H7592"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*, “\w Should|strong="H3068"\w* \w I|strong="H3588"\w* march \w up|strong="H5927"\w* \w against|strong="H5927"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w Philistines|strong="H6430"\w*? \w Will|strong="H3068"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w hand|strong="H3027"\w* \w them|strong="H5414"\w* \w over|strong="H3027"\w* \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w me|strong="H5414"\w*?” \w The|strong="H3588"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* said \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w*, “March \w up|strong="H5927"\w*, \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w indeed|strong="H3588"\w* \w hand|strong="H3027"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w Philistines|strong="H6430"\w* \w over|strong="H3027"\w* \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w*.”   
\p
\v 20  \w So|strong="H3651"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w* marched \w against|strong="H5921"\w* Baal Perazim \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w defeated|strong="H5221"\w* \w them|strong="H5921"\w* \w there|strong="H8033"\w*. \w Then|strong="H3651"\w* \w he|strong="H1931"\w* \w said|strong="H7121"\w*, “\w The|strong="H6440"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w has|strong="H3068"\w* burst \w out|strong="H5921"\w* \w against|strong="H5921"\w* \w my|strong="H3068"\w* enemies \w like|strong="H3651"\w* \w water|strong="H4325"\w* bursts \w out|strong="H5921"\w*.” \w So|strong="H3651"\w* \w he|strong="H1931"\w* \w called|strong="H7121"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w name|strong="H8034"\w* \w of|strong="H3068"\w* \w that|strong="H1931"\w* \w place|strong="H4725"\w* Baal Perazim.  
\v 21  \w The|strong="H5375"\w* Philistines \w abandoned|strong="H5800"\w* \w their|strong="H5375"\w* \w idols|strong="H6091"\w* \w there|strong="H8033"\w*, \w and|strong="H1732"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w* \w and|strong="H1732"\w* \w his|strong="H5375"\w* men \w picked|strong="H5375"\w* \w them|strong="H5375"\w* \w up|strong="H5375"\w*.   
\p
\v 22  \w The|strong="H5927"\w* \w Philistines|strong="H6430"\w* \w again|strong="H5750"\w* \w came|strong="H5927"\w* \w up|strong="H5927"\w* \w and|strong="H5927"\w* \w spread|strong="H5203"\w* \w out|strong="H5203"\w* \w in|strong="H5750"\w* \w the|strong="H5927"\w* \w valley|strong="H6010"\w* \w of|strong="H6010"\w* \w Rephaim|strong="H7497"\w*.  
\v 23  \w So|strong="H5927"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w* \w asked|strong="H7592"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w what|strong="H1732"\w* \w he|strong="H3068"\w* \w should|strong="H3068"\w* \w do|strong="H3068"\w*. \w This|strong="H3068"\w* time \w the|strong="H3068"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* said \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w him|strong="H7592"\w*, “Don’t \w march|strong="H5437"\w* straight \w up|strong="H5927"\w*. \w Instead|strong="H3808"\w*, \w circle|strong="H5437"\w* \w around|strong="H5437"\w* behind \w them|strong="H5927"\w* \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w come|strong="H5927"\w* \w against|strong="H4136"\w* \w them|strong="H5927"\w* \w opposite|strong="H4136"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* \w trees|strong="H1057"\w*.  
\v 24  \w When|strong="H3588"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w hear|strong="H8085"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w sound|strong="H6963"\w* \w of|strong="H3068"\w* \w marching|strong="H6807"\w* \w in|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w tops|strong="H7218"\w* \w of|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w trees|strong="H1057"\w*, \w act|strong="H1961"\w* decisively. \w For|strong="H3588"\w* \w at|strong="H3068"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* moment \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w is|strong="H3068"\w* \w going|strong="H3318"\w* \w before|strong="H6440"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w to|strong="H3318"\w* \w strike|strong="H5221"\w* \w down|strong="H5221"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w army|strong="H4264"\w* \w of|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w Philistines|strong="H6430"\w*.”  
\v 25  \w David|strong="H1732"\w* \w did|strong="H6213"\w* \w just|strong="H6213"\w* \w as|strong="H5704"\w* \w the|strong="H5221"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w commanded|strong="H6680"\w* \w him|strong="H5221"\w*, \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w he|strong="H5704"\w* \w struck|strong="H5221"\w* \w down|strong="H5221"\w* \w the|strong="H5221"\w* \w Philistines|strong="H6430"\w* \w from|strong="H5704"\w* Gibeon \w all|strong="H5704"\w* \w the|strong="H5221"\w* \w way|strong="H3651"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w Gezer|strong="H1507"\w*.   
\c 6  
\p
\v 1  \w David|strong="H1732"\w* \w again|strong="H5750"\w* \w assembled|strong="H3478"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* best \w men|strong="H3605"\w* \w in|strong="H3478"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w*, \w thirty|strong="H7970"\w* thousand \w in|strong="H3478"\w* number.  
\v 2  \w David|strong="H1732"\w* \w and|strong="H6965"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w men|strong="H5971"\w* \w who|strong="H3605"\w* \w were|strong="H5971"\w* \w with|strong="H3068"\w* \w him|strong="H7121"\w* traveled \w to|strong="H3068"\w* Baalah \w in|strong="H3427"\w* \w Judah|strong="H1184"\w* \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w bring|strong="H5927"\w* \w up|strong="H5927"\w* \w from|strong="H5921"\w* \w there|strong="H8033"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* ark \w of|strong="H3068"\w* \w God|strong="H3068"\w* \w which|strong="H3068"\w* \w is|strong="H3068"\w* \w called|strong="H7121"\w* \w by|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w name|strong="H8034"\w* \w of|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w of|strong="H3068"\w* \w hosts|strong="H6635"\w*, \w who|strong="H3605"\w* \w sits|strong="H3427"\w* \w enthroned|strong="H3427"\w* \w between|strong="H3427"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w cherubim|strong="H3742"\w* \w that|strong="H5971"\w* \w are|strong="H5971"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w it|strong="H7121"\w*.  
\v 3  \w They|strong="H5375"\w* \w loaded|strong="H5375"\w* \w the|strong="H5375"\w* ark \w of|strong="H1121"\w* God \w on|strong="H7392"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w new|strong="H2319"\w* \w cart|strong="H5699"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w carried|strong="H5375"\w* \w it|strong="H5375"\w* \w from|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H5375"\w* \w house|strong="H1004"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* Abinadab, \w which|strong="H1004"\w* \w was|strong="H1004"\w* \w on|strong="H7392"\w* \w the|strong="H5375"\w* \w hill|strong="H1389"\w*. \w Uzzah|strong="H5798"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* Ahio, \w the|strong="H5375"\w* \w sons|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* Abinadab, \w were|strong="H1121"\w* \w guiding|strong="H5090"\w* \w the|strong="H5375"\w* \w new|strong="H2319"\w* \w cart|strong="H5699"\w*.  
\v 4  \w They|strong="H5375"\w* \w brought|strong="H5375"\w* \w it|strong="H5375"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* ark \w of|strong="H1004"\w* God \w up|strong="H5375"\w* \w from|strong="H6440"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w house|strong="H1004"\w* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* Abinadab \w on|strong="H1980"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w hill|strong="H1389"\w*. Ahio \w was|strong="H1004"\w* \w walking|strong="H1980"\w* \w in|strong="H1980"\w* \w front|strong="H6440"\w* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* ark,  
\v 5  \w while|strong="H1004"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w* \w and|strong="H3478"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \w were|strong="H3478"\w* energetically \w celebrating|strong="H7832"\w* \w before|strong="H6440"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*, singing \w and|strong="H3478"\w* \w playing|strong="H7832"\w* various stringed instruments, \w tambourines|strong="H8596"\w*, \w rattles|strong="H4517"\w*, \w and|strong="H3478"\w* \w cymbals|strong="H6767"\w*.   
\p
\v 6  \w When|strong="H3588"\w* \w they|strong="H3588"\w* arrived \w at|strong="H5704"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w threshing|strong="H1637"\w* \w floor|strong="H1637"\w* \w of|strong="H1637"\w* \w Nacon|strong="H5225"\w*, \w Uzzah|strong="H5798"\w* \w reached|strong="H7971"\w* \w out|strong="H7971"\w* \w and|strong="H7971"\w* grabbed hold \w of|strong="H1637"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* ark \w of|strong="H1637"\w* \w God|strong="H7971"\w*, \w because|strong="H3588"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w oxen|strong="H1241"\w* \w stumbled|strong="H8058"\w*.  
\v 7  \w The|strong="H5921"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w was|strong="H3068"\w* \w so|strong="H4191"\w* \w furious|strong="H2734"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w Uzzah|strong="H5798"\w*, \w he|strong="H8033"\w* \w killed|strong="H5221"\w* \w him|strong="H5921"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* spot \w for|strong="H5921"\w* \w his|strong="H3068"\w* negligence. \w He|strong="H8033"\w* \w died|strong="H4191"\w* \w right|strong="H3068"\w* \w there|strong="H8033"\w* \w beside|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* ark \w of|strong="H3068"\w* \w God|strong="H3068"\w*.   
\p
\v 8  \w David|strong="H1732"\w* \w was|strong="H3068"\w* \w angry|strong="H2734"\w* \w because|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w attacked|strong="H6556"\w* \w Uzzah|strong="H5798"\w*; \w so|strong="H7121"\w* \w he|strong="H1931"\w* \w called|strong="H7121"\w* \w that|strong="H3117"\w* \w place|strong="H4725"\w* Perez \w Uzzah|strong="H5798"\w*, \w which|strong="H1931"\w* remains \w its|strong="H5921"\w* \w name|strong="H7121"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w this|strong="H2088"\w* \w very|strong="H2088"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w*.  
\v 9  \w David|strong="H1732"\w* \w was|strong="H3068"\w* \w afraid|strong="H3372"\w* \w of|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w that|strong="H3117"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w* \w and|strong="H3068"\w* said, “How \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* ark \w of|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w ever|strong="H3117"\w* come \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w me|strong="H3372"\w*?”  
\v 10  \w So|strong="H3808"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w* \w was|strong="H3068"\w* \w no|strong="H3808"\w* \w longer|strong="H3808"\w* willing \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w bring|strong="H1732"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* ark \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w be|strong="H3808"\w* \w with|strong="H1004"\w* \w him|strong="H5921"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w City|strong="H5892"\w* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w*. \w David|strong="H1732"\w* \w left|strong="H5493"\w* \w it|strong="H5921"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w house|strong="H1004"\w* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w Obed-Edom|strong="H5654"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w Gittite|strong="H1663"\w*.  
\v 11  \w The|strong="H3605"\w* ark \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w remained|strong="H3427"\w* \w in|strong="H3427"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w house|strong="H1004"\w* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w Obed-Edom|strong="H5654"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Gittite|strong="H1663"\w* \w for|strong="H3068"\w* \w three|strong="H7969"\w* \w months|strong="H2320"\w*. \w The|strong="H3605"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w blessed|strong="H1288"\w* \w Obed-Edom|strong="H5654"\w* \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* \w family|strong="H1004"\w*.  
\v 12  \w David|strong="H1732"\w* \w was|strong="H3068"\w* \w told|strong="H5046"\w*, “\w The|strong="H3605"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w has|strong="H3068"\w* \w blessed|strong="H1288"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w family|strong="H1004"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w Obed-Edom|strong="H5654"\w* \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w everything|strong="H3605"\w* \w he|strong="H3068"\w* owns \w because|strong="H5668"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* ark \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w God|strong="H3068"\w*.” \w So|strong="H5927"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w* \w went|strong="H3212"\w* \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w joyfully|strong="H8057"\w* \w brought|strong="H5927"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* ark \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w God|strong="H3068"\w* \w from|strong="H5927"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w house|strong="H1004"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w Obed-Edom|strong="H5654"\w* \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w City|strong="H5892"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w*.  
\v 13  \w Those|strong="H5375"\w* \w who|strong="H3068"\w* \w carried|strong="H5375"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* ark \w of|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w took|strong="H5375"\w* \w six|strong="H8337"\w* \w steps|strong="H6806"\w* \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w then|strong="H1961"\w* David \w sacrificed|strong="H2076"\w* \w an|strong="H1961"\w* \w ox|strong="H7794"\w* \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w fatling|strong="H4806"\w* calf.  
\v 14  Now \w David|strong="H1732"\w*, \w wearing|strong="H2296"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* linen ephod, \w was|strong="H3068"\w* \w dancing|strong="H3769"\w* \w with|strong="H3068"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* \w strength|strong="H5797"\w* \w before|strong="H6440"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*.  
\v 15  \w David|strong="H1732"\w* \w and|strong="H3478"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \w were|strong="H3478"\w* \w bringing|strong="H5927"\w* \w up|strong="H5927"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* ark \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*, \w shouting|strong="H8643"\w* \w and|strong="H3478"\w* \w blowing|strong="H8643"\w* \w trumpets|strong="H7782"\w*.   
\p
\v 16  \w As|strong="H1961"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* ark \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* entered \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w City|strong="H5892"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w*, \w Saul|strong="H7586"\w*’s \w daughter|strong="H1323"\w* \w Michal|strong="H4324"\w* \w looked|strong="H7200"\w* \w out|strong="H8259"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w window|strong="H2474"\w*. \w When|strong="H1961"\w* \w she|strong="H3820"\w* \w saw|strong="H7200"\w* \w King|strong="H4428"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w* \w leaping|strong="H6339"\w* \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w dancing|strong="H3769"\w* \w before|strong="H6440"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*, \w she|strong="H3820"\w* despised \w him|strong="H6440"\w*.  
\v 17  \w They|strong="H3068"\w* \w brought|strong="H5927"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* ark \w of|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w put|strong="H5927"\w* \w it|strong="H8432"\w* \w in|strong="H3068"\w* \w its|strong="H5927"\w* \w place|strong="H4725"\w* \w in|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w middle|strong="H8432"\w* \w of|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* tent \w that|strong="H3068"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w* \w had|strong="H3068"\w* \w pitched|strong="H5186"\w* \w for|strong="H6440"\w* \w it|strong="H8432"\w*. \w Then|strong="H5927"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w* \w offered|strong="H5927"\w* \w burnt|strong="H5930"\w* \w sacrifices|strong="H5930"\w* \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w peace|strong="H8002"\w* \w offerings|strong="H8002"\w* \w before|strong="H6440"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*.  
\v 18  \w When|strong="H3615"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w* \w finished|strong="H3615"\w* \w offering|strong="H5930"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* \w burnt|strong="H5930"\w* \w sacrifices|strong="H5930"\w* \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w peace|strong="H8002"\w* \w offerings|strong="H8002"\w*, \w he|strong="H3068"\w* \w pronounced|strong="H1288"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w blessing|strong="H1288"\w* \w over|strong="H5927"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w* \w in|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* \w name|strong="H8034"\w* \w of|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w of|strong="H3068"\w* \w hosts|strong="H6635"\w*.  
\v 19  \w He|strong="H5704"\w* \w then|strong="H3605"\w* handed \w out|strong="H3212"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w each|strong="H3605"\w* \w member|strong="H1995"\w* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w entire|strong="H3605"\w* \w assembly|strong="H5971"\w* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w*, \w both|strong="H3605"\w* \w men|strong="H5971"\w* \w and|strong="H3478"\w* women, \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w portion|strong="H2505"\w* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w bread|strong="H3899"\w*, \w a|strong="H3068"\w* date \w cake|strong="H2471"\w*, \w and|strong="H3478"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* raisin \w cake|strong="H2471"\w*. \w Then|strong="H3605"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w* \w went|strong="H3212"\w* \w home|strong="H1004"\w*.  
\v 20  \w When|strong="H3117"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w* \w went|strong="H3318"\w* \w home|strong="H1004"\w* \w to|strong="H7725"\w* \w pronounce|strong="H1288"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w blessing|strong="H1288"\w* \w on|strong="H3117"\w* \w his|strong="H1732"\w* \w own|strong="H5869"\w* \w house|strong="H1004"\w*, \w Michal|strong="H4324"\w*, \w Saul|strong="H7586"\w*’s \w daughter|strong="H1323"\w*, \w came|strong="H3318"\w* \w out|strong="H3318"\w* \w to|strong="H7725"\w* \w meet|strong="H7125"\w* \w him|strong="H7725"\w*. \w She|strong="H4100"\w* \w said|strong="H3318"\w*, “\w How|strong="H4100"\w* \w the|strong="H7725"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \w has|strong="H3478"\w* \w distinguished|strong="H3513"\w* \w himself|strong="H1540"\w* \w this|strong="H7725"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w*! \w He|strong="H3117"\w* \w has|strong="H3478"\w* \w exposed|strong="H1540"\w* \w himself|strong="H1540"\w* \w today|strong="H3117"\w* \w before|strong="H5869"\w* \w his|strong="H1732"\w* \w servants|strong="H5650"\w*’ \w slave|strong="H5650"\w* girls \w the|strong="H7725"\w* \w way|strong="H7125"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* vulgar fool \w might|strong="H3478"\w* \w do|strong="H4100"\w*!”   
\p
\v 21  \w David|strong="H1732"\w* replied \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w Michal|strong="H4324"\w*, “\w It|strong="H5921"\w* \w was|strong="H3068"\w* \w before|strong="H6440"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*! \w I|strong="H5921"\w* \w was|strong="H3068"\w* \w celebrating|strong="H7832"\w* \w before|strong="H6440"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*, \w who|strong="H3605"\w* chose \w me|strong="H6440"\w* \w over|strong="H5921"\w* \w your|strong="H3068"\w* father \w and|strong="H3478"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* \w entire|strong="H3605"\w* \w family|strong="H1004"\w* \w and|strong="H3478"\w* \w appointed|strong="H6680"\w* \w me|strong="H6440"\w* \w as|strong="H3068"\w* \w leader|strong="H5057"\w* \w over|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*’s \w people|strong="H5971"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w*.  
\v 22  \w I|strong="H5869"\w* \w am|strong="H1961"\w* willing \w to|strong="H1961"\w* shame \w and|strong="H5869"\w* humiliate myself \w even|strong="H5750"\w* \w more|strong="H5750"\w* \w than|strong="H7043"\w* \w this|strong="H2063"\w*! \w But|strong="H1961"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w the|strong="H1961"\w* slave girls \w whom|strong="H5869"\w* \w you|strong="H5973"\w* mentioned \w let|strong="H1961"\w* \w me|strong="H5973"\w* \w be|strong="H1961"\w* \w distinguished|strong="H3513"\w*!”  
\v 23  \w Now|strong="H1961"\w* \w Michal|strong="H4324"\w*, \w Saul|strong="H7586"\w*’s \w daughter|strong="H1323"\w*, \w had|strong="H1961"\w* \w no|strong="H3808"\w* \w children|strong="H3206"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w the|strong="H3117"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w* \w of|strong="H3117"\w* \w her|strong="H1961"\w* \w death|strong="H4194"\w*.   
\c 7  
\p
\v 1  \w The|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w settled|strong="H3427"\w* \w into|strong="H1961"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* \w palace|strong="H1004"\w*, \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w gave|strong="H5117"\w* \w him|strong="H5117"\w* \w relief|strong="H5117"\w* \w from|strong="H3068"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* enemies \w on|strong="H3427"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w sides|strong="H5439"\w*.  
\v 2  \w The|strong="H7200"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* said \w to|strong="H4428"\w* \w Nathan|strong="H5416"\w* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* \w prophet|strong="H5030"\w*, “\w Look|strong="H7200"\w*! \w I|strong="H7200"\w* am \w living|strong="H3427"\w* \w in|strong="H3427"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w palace|strong="H1004"\w* made \w from|strong="H8432"\w* cedar, \w while|strong="H1004"\w* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* ark \w of|strong="H4428"\w* God \w sits|strong="H3427"\w* \w in|strong="H3427"\w* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* \w middle|strong="H8432"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w tent|strong="H3407"\w*.”  
\v 3  \w Nathan|strong="H5416"\w* replied \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*, “\w You|strong="H3588"\w* \w should|strong="H3068"\w* \w go|strong="H3212"\w* \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w do|strong="H6213"\w* \w whatever|strong="H3605"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w have|strong="H3068"\w* \w in|strong="H3068"\w* \w mind|strong="H3824"\w*, \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w is|strong="H3068"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w*.”  
\v 4  \w That|strong="H1931"\w* \w night|strong="H3915"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w told|strong="H1697"\w* \w Nathan|strong="H5416"\w*,  
\v 5 “\w Go|strong="H3212"\w*, tell \w my|strong="H3068"\w* \w servant|strong="H5650"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w*: ‘\w This|strong="H3541"\w* \w is|strong="H3068"\w* \w what|strong="H3541"\w* \w the|strong="H3541"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w says|strong="H3541"\w*: \w Do|strong="H3068"\w* \w you|strong="H3212"\w* really intend \w to|strong="H3212"\w* \w build|strong="H1129"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w house|strong="H1004"\w* \w for|strong="H3068"\w* \w me|strong="H5650"\w* \w to|strong="H3212"\w* \w live|strong="H3427"\w* \w in|strong="H3427"\w*?  
\v 6  \w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w have|strong="H1961"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w lived|strong="H3427"\w* \w in|strong="H3427"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w house|strong="H1004"\w* \w from|strong="H5927"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w time|strong="H3117"\w* \w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w brought|strong="H5927"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w Israelites|strong="H3478"\w* \w up|strong="H5927"\w* \w from|strong="H5927"\w* \w Egypt|strong="H4714"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w present|strong="H1961"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w*. \w Instead|strong="H3588"\w*, \w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w was|strong="H1961"\w* \w traveling|strong="H1980"\w* \w with|strong="H1980"\w* \w them|strong="H5927"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w living|strong="H3427"\w* \w in|strong="H3427"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* tent.  
\v 7  \w Wherever|strong="H3605"\w* \w I|strong="H1697"\w* \w moved|strong="H1980"\w* \w among|strong="H5971"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Israelites|strong="H3478"\w*, \w I|strong="H1697"\w* \w did|strong="H4100"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w say|strong="H1696"\w* \w to|strong="H1696"\w* \w any|strong="H3605"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* leaders \w whom|strong="H5971"\w* \w I|strong="H1697"\w* \w appointed|strong="H6680"\w* \w to|strong="H1696"\w* \w care|strong="H1697"\w* \w for|strong="H1004"\w* \w my|strong="H3605"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w*, “\w Why|strong="H4100"\w* \w have|strong="H5971"\w* \w you|strong="H6680"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w built|strong="H1129"\w* \w me|strong="H1696"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w house|strong="H1004"\w* \w made|strong="H1129"\w* \w from|strong="H3478"\w* cedar?”’   
\p
\v 8 “\w So|strong="H4480"\w* \w now|strong="H6258"\w*, \w say|strong="H3478"\w* \w this|strong="H3541"\w* \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w my|strong="H3068"\w* \w servant|strong="H5650"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w*: ‘\w This|strong="H3541"\w* \w is|strong="H3068"\w* \w what|strong="H3541"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w of|strong="H3068"\w* \w hosts|strong="H6635"\w* \w says|strong="H3541"\w*: \w I|strong="H3541"\w* \w took|strong="H3947"\w* \w you|strong="H5921"\w* \w from|strong="H4480"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w pasture|strong="H5116"\w* \w and|strong="H3478"\w* \w from|strong="H4480"\w* \w your|strong="H3068"\w* work \w as|strong="H1961"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* shepherd \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w make|strong="H3947"\w* \w you|strong="H5921"\w* \w leader|strong="H5057"\w* \w of|strong="H3068"\w* \w my|strong="H3068"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w*.  
\v 9  \w I|strong="H1980"\w* \w was|strong="H8034"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w you|strong="H6440"\w* \w wherever|strong="H3605"\w* \w you|strong="H6440"\w* \w went|strong="H1980"\w*, \w and|strong="H1980"\w* \w I|strong="H1980"\w* defeated \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w your|strong="H3605"\w* enemies \w before|strong="H6440"\w* \w you|strong="H6440"\w*. \w Now|strong="H1961"\w* \w I|strong="H1980"\w* \w will|strong="H1961"\w* \w make|strong="H6213"\w* \w you|strong="H6440"\w* \w as|strong="H1961"\w* \w famous|strong="H8034"\w* \w as|strong="H1961"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w great|strong="H1419"\w* \w men|strong="H1419"\w* \w of|strong="H6440"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* earth.  
\v 10  \w I|strong="H7760"\w* \w will|strong="H5971"\w* \w establish|strong="H7931"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w place|strong="H4725"\w* \w for|strong="H8478"\w* \w my|strong="H7760"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w settle|strong="H7931"\w* \w them|strong="H7760"\w* \w there|strong="H8478"\w*; \w they|strong="H3808"\w* \w will|strong="H5971"\w* \w live|strong="H7931"\w* \w there|strong="H8478"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w be|strong="H3808"\w* \w disturbed|strong="H7264"\w* \w any|strong="H5750"\w* \w more|strong="H3254"\w*. Violent \w men|strong="H1121"\w* \w will|strong="H5971"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w oppress|strong="H6031"\w* \w them|strong="H7760"\w* \w again|strong="H5750"\w*, \w as|strong="H5971"\w* \w they|strong="H3808"\w* \w did|strong="H3478"\w* \w in|strong="H3478"\w* \w the|strong="H7760"\w* \w beginning|strong="H7223"\w*  
\v 11  \w and|strong="H3478"\w* \w during|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w time|strong="H3117"\w* \w when|strong="H3588"\w* \w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w appointed|strong="H6680"\w* \w judges|strong="H8199"\w* \w to|strong="H3478"\w* lead \w my|strong="H3605"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w*. \w Instead|strong="H3588"\w*, \w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w give|strong="H6680"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w relief|strong="H5117"\w* \w from|strong="H4480"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w your|strong="H3068"\w* enemies. \w The|strong="H3605"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w declares|strong="H5046"\w* \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w he|strong="H3588"\w* \w himself|strong="H6213"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w build|strong="H6213"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* dynastic \w house|strong="H1004"\w* \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w*.  
\v 12  \w When|strong="H3588"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w time|strong="H3117"\w* \w comes|strong="H3318"\w* \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w to|strong="H3318"\w* die, \w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w will|strong="H2233"\w* \w raise|strong="H6965"\w* \w up|strong="H6965"\w* \w your|strong="H3588"\w* \w descendant|strong="H2233"\w*, \w one|strong="H3588"\w* \w of|strong="H3117"\w* \w your|strong="H3588"\w* \w own|strong="H4578"\w* sons, \w to|strong="H3318"\w* \w succeed|strong="H6965"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w*, \w and|strong="H6965"\w* \w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w will|strong="H2233"\w* \w establish|strong="H6965"\w* \w his|strong="H3559"\w* \w kingdom|strong="H4467"\w*.  
\v 13  \w He|strong="H1931"\w* \w will|strong="H1004"\w* \w build|strong="H1129"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w house|strong="H1004"\w* \w for|strong="H5704"\w* \w my|strong="H3559"\w* \w name|strong="H8034"\w*, \w and|strong="H1004"\w* \w I|strong="H5704"\w* \w will|strong="H1004"\w* \w make|strong="H3559"\w* \w his|strong="H3559"\w* \w dynasty|strong="H1004"\w* \w permanent|strong="H5769"\w*.  
\v 14  \w I|strong="H1121"\w* \w will|strong="H1961"\w* \w become|strong="H1961"\w* \w his|strong="H1961"\w* \w father|strong="H1121"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w he|strong="H1931"\w* \w will|strong="H1961"\w* \w become|strong="H1961"\w* \w my|strong="H1961"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w*. \w When|strong="H1961"\w* \w he|strong="H1931"\w* sins, \w I|strong="H1121"\w* \w will|strong="H1961"\w* \w correct|strong="H3198"\w* \w him|strong="H1931"\w* \w with|strong="H3198"\w* \w the|strong="H1961"\w* \w rod|strong="H7626"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w men|strong="H1121"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w with|strong="H3198"\w* \w wounds|strong="H5061"\w* inflicted \w by|strong="H1961"\w* human beings.  
\v 15  \w But|strong="H3808"\w* \w my|strong="H5493"\w* \w loyal|strong="H2617"\w* \w love|strong="H2617"\w* \w will|strong="H3808"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w be|strong="H3808"\w* \w removed|strong="H5493"\w* \w from|strong="H4480"\w* \w him|strong="H6440"\w* \w as|strong="H6440"\w* \w I|strong="H3808"\w* \w removed|strong="H5493"\w* \w it|strong="H6440"\w* \w from|strong="H4480"\w* \w Saul|strong="H7586"\w*, \w whom|strong="H6440"\w* \w I|strong="H3808"\w* \w removed|strong="H5493"\w* \w from|strong="H4480"\w* \w before|strong="H6440"\w* \w you|strong="H6440"\w*.  
\v 16  \w Your|strong="H6440"\w* \w house|strong="H1004"\w* \w and|strong="H1004"\w* \w your|strong="H6440"\w* \w kingdom|strong="H4467"\w* \w will|strong="H1961"\w* stand \w before|strong="H6440"\w* \w me|strong="H6440"\w* \w permanently|strong="H5769"\w*; \w your|strong="H6440"\w* \w dynasty|strong="H1004"\w* \w will|strong="H1961"\w* \w be|strong="H1961"\w* \w permanent|strong="H5769"\w*.’”  
\v 17  \w Nathan|strong="H5416"\w* \w told|strong="H1696"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w these|strong="H2088"\w* \w words|strong="H1697"\w* \w that|strong="H3605"\w* \w were|strong="H1697"\w* revealed \w to|strong="H1696"\w* \w him|strong="H3605"\w*.   
\s1 David Offers a Prayer to God  
\p
\v 18  \w King|strong="H4428"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w* \w went|strong="H1732"\w* \w in|strong="H3427"\w*, \w sat|strong="H3427"\w* \w before|strong="H6440"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*, \w and|strong="H3068"\w* said, “\w Who|strong="H4310"\w* \w am|strong="H3068"\w* \w I|strong="H3588"\w*, \w O|strong="H3068"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w God|strong="H3068"\w*, \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w what|strong="H4310"\w* \w is|strong="H3068"\w* \w my|strong="H3068"\w* \w family|strong="H1004"\w*, \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w should|strong="H3068"\w* \w have|strong="H3068"\w* \w brought|strong="H3068"\w* \w me|strong="H6440"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w this|strong="H3588"\w* \w point|strong="H5704"\w*?  
\v 19  \w And|strong="H1004"\w* \w you|strong="H1696"\w* didn’t stop \w there|strong="H2063"\w*, \w O|strong="H3068"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3069"\+w*\nd* \w God|strong="H3069"\w*! \w You|strong="H1696"\w* \w have|strong="H5869"\w* \w also|strong="H1571"\w* \w spoken|strong="H1696"\w* \w about|strong="H1696"\w* \w the|strong="H3069"\w* \w future|strong="H7350"\w* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w your|strong="H1571"\w* \w servant|strong="H5650"\w*’s \w family|strong="H1004"\w*. \w Is|strong="H1571"\w* \w this|strong="H2063"\w* \w your|strong="H1571"\w* usual \w way|strong="H2063"\w* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* dealing \w with|strong="H1004"\w* \w men|strong="H5650"\w*, \w O|strong="H3068"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3069"\+w*\nd* \w God|strong="H3069"\w*?  
\v 20  \w What|strong="H4100"\w* \w more|strong="H3254"\w* \w can|strong="H4100"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w* \w say|strong="H1696"\w* \w to|strong="H1696"\w* \w you|strong="H3045"\w*? \w You|strong="H3045"\w* \w have|strong="H3045"\w* \w given|strong="H5650"\w* \w your|strong="H3045"\w* \w servant|strong="H5650"\w* special \w recognition|strong="H3045"\w*, \w O|strong="H3068"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3069"\+w*\nd* \w God|strong="H3069"\w*!  
\v 21  \w For|strong="H6213"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w sake|strong="H5668"\w* \w of|strong="H1697"\w* \w your|strong="H3605"\w* \w promise|strong="H1697"\w* \w and|strong="H5650"\w* according \w to|strong="H6213"\w* \w your|strong="H3605"\w* \w purpose|strong="H1697"\w* \w you|strong="H3605"\w* \w have|strong="H3045"\w* \w done|strong="H6213"\w* \w this|strong="H2063"\w* \w great|strong="H6213"\w* \w thing|strong="H1697"\w* \w in|strong="H6213"\w* \w order|strong="H5668"\w* \w to|strong="H6213"\w* \w reveal|strong="H3045"\w* \w it|strong="H6213"\w* \w to|strong="H6213"\w* \w your|strong="H3605"\w* \w servant|strong="H5650"\w*.  
\v 22  \w Therefore|strong="H3651"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* are \w great|strong="H1431"\w*, \w O|strong="H3068"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3069"\+w*\nd* \w God|strong="H3069"\w*, \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w there|strong="H3605"\w* \w is|strong="H3651"\w* \w none|strong="H3605"\w* \w like|strong="H3644"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w*! \w There|strong="H3605"\w* \w is|strong="H3651"\w* \w no|strong="H3605"\w* \w God|strong="H3069"\w* \w besides|strong="H2108"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w*! \w What|strong="H8085"\w* \w we|strong="H3068"\w* \w have|strong="H3605"\w* \w heard|strong="H8085"\w* \w is|strong="H3651"\w* \w true|strong="H3651"\w*!  
\v 23  \w Who|strong="H4310"\w* \w is|strong="H4310"\w* \w like|strong="H3478"\w* \w your|strong="H7760"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w*, \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w*, \w a|strong="H3068"\w* unique \w nation|strong="H1471"\w* \w on|strong="H1980"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* earth? \w Their|strong="H7760"\w* \w God|strong="H4310"\w* \w went|strong="H1980"\w* \w to|strong="H1980"\w* claim \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w nation|strong="H1471"\w* \w for|strong="H6213"\w* \w himself|strong="H6213"\w* \w and|strong="H1980"\w* \w to|strong="H1980"\w* \w make|strong="H6213"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w name|strong="H8034"\w* \w for|strong="H6213"\w* \w himself|strong="H6213"\w*! \w You|strong="H6440"\w* \w did|strong="H6213"\w* \w great|strong="H6213"\w* \w and|strong="H1980"\w* \w awesome|strong="H3372"\w* \w acts|strong="H6213"\w* \w for|strong="H6213"\w* \w your|strong="H7760"\w* \w land|strong="H6440"\w*, \w before|strong="H6440"\w* \w your|strong="H7760"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w* \w whom|strong="H4310"\w* \w you|strong="H6440"\w* \w delivered|strong="H6299"\w* \w for|strong="H6213"\w* \w yourself|strong="H6213"\w* \w from|strong="H6440"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w Egyptian|strong="H4714"\w* \w empire|strong="H1471"\w* \w and|strong="H1980"\w* \w its|strong="H6213"\w* \w gods|strong="H1980"\w*.  
\v 24  \w You|strong="H5704"\w* \w made|strong="H3559"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \w your|strong="H3068"\w* \w very|strong="H5704"\w* \w own|strong="H1961"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w* \w for|strong="H5704"\w* \w all|strong="H5704"\w* \w time|strong="H5769"\w*. \w You|strong="H5704"\w*, \w O|strong="H3068"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*, \w became|strong="H1961"\w* \w their|strong="H3068"\w* \w God|strong="H3068"\w*.  
\v 25  \w So|strong="H6213"\w* \w now|strong="H6258"\w*, \w O|strong="H3068"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w God|strong="H3068"\w*, \w make|strong="H6213"\w* \w this|strong="H6213"\w* \w promise|strong="H1697"\w* \w you|strong="H5921"\w* \w have|strong="H3068"\w* \w made|strong="H6213"\w* \w about|strong="H5921"\w* \w your|strong="H3068"\w* \w servant|strong="H5650"\w* \w and|strong="H6965"\w* \w his|strong="H3068"\w* \w family|strong="H1004"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w permanent|strong="H5769"\w* \w reality|strong="H6965"\w*. \w Do|strong="H6213"\w* \w as|strong="H5704"\w* \w you|strong="H5921"\w* \w promised|strong="H1696"\w*,  
\v 26  \w so|strong="H1961"\w* \w you|strong="H6440"\w* \w may|strong="H1961"\w* gain \w lasting|strong="H5769"\w* \w fame|strong="H8034"\w*, \w as|strong="H5704"\w* people \w say|strong="H3478"\w*, ‘\w The|strong="H6440"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w hosts|strong="H6635"\w* \w is|strong="H3068"\w* \w God|strong="H3068"\w* \w over|strong="H5921"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w*!’ \w The|strong="H6440"\w* \w dynasty|strong="H1004"\w* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w your|strong="H3068"\w* \w servant|strong="H5650"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w be|strong="H1961"\w* \w established|strong="H3559"\w* \w before|strong="H6440"\w* \w you|strong="H6440"\w*,  
\v 27  \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w*, \w O|strong="H3068"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w hosts|strong="H6635"\w*, \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w God|strong="H3068"\w* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w*, \w have|strong="H3068"\w* \w told|strong="H1540"\w* \w your|strong="H3068"\w* \w servant|strong="H5650"\w*, ‘\w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w build|strong="H1129"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* dynastic \w house|strong="H1004"\w*.’ \w That|strong="H3588"\w* \w is|strong="H3068"\w* \w why|strong="H5921"\w* \w your|strong="H3068"\w* \w servant|strong="H5650"\w* \w has|strong="H3068"\w* \w had|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w courage|strong="H3820"\w* \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w pray|strong="H6419"\w* \w this|strong="H2063"\w* \w prayer|strong="H8605"\w* \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w*.  
\v 28  \w Now|strong="H6258"\w*, \w O|strong="H3068"\w* sovereign \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3069"\+w*\nd*, \w you|strong="H1696"\w* \w are|strong="H1697"\w* \w the|strong="H3069"\w* true \w God|strong="H3069"\w*! \w May|strong="H1961"\w* \w your|strong="H1961"\w* \w words|strong="H1697"\w* prove \w to|strong="H1696"\w* \w be|strong="H1961"\w* true! \w You|strong="H1696"\w* \w have|strong="H1961"\w* \w made|strong="H1696"\w* \w this|strong="H2063"\w* \w good|strong="H2896"\w* \w promise|strong="H1697"\w* \w to|strong="H1696"\w* \w your|strong="H1961"\w* \w servant|strong="H5650"\w*!  
\v 29  \w Now|strong="H6258"\w* \w be|strong="H1961"\w* \w willing|strong="H2974"\w* \w to|strong="H1696"\w* \w bless|strong="H1288"\w* \w your|strong="H6440"\w* \w servant|strong="H5650"\w*’s \w dynasty|strong="H1004"\w* \w so|strong="H1961"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w it|strong="H3588"\w* \w may|strong="H1961"\w* stand \w permanently|strong="H5769"\w* \w before|strong="H6440"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w*, \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w*, \w O|strong="H3068"\w* sovereign \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3069"\+w*\nd*, \w have|strong="H1961"\w* \w spoken|strong="H1696"\w*. \w By|strong="H1961"\w* \w your|strong="H6440"\w* \w blessing|strong="H1293"\w* \w may|strong="H1961"\w* \w your|strong="H6440"\w* \w servant|strong="H5650"\w*’s \w dynasty|strong="H1004"\w* \w be|strong="H1961"\w* \w blessed|strong="H1288"\w* \w on|strong="H1961"\w* \w into|strong="H1961"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* future!”   
\c 8  
\p
\v 1  \w Later|strong="H1961"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w* \w defeated|strong="H5221"\w* \w the|strong="H3947"\w* \w Philistines|strong="H6430"\w* \w and|strong="H3027"\w* \w subdued|strong="H3665"\w* \w them|strong="H5221"\w*. \w David|strong="H1732"\w* \w took|strong="H3947"\w* \w Metheg|strong="H4965"\w* \w Ammah|strong="H6430"\w* \w from|strong="H3027"\w* \w the|strong="H3947"\w* \w Philistines|strong="H6430"\w*.  
\v 2  \w He|strong="H1732"\w* \w defeated|strong="H5221"\w* \w the|strong="H5221"\w* \w Moabites|strong="H4124"\w*. \w He|strong="H1732"\w* \w made|strong="H1961"\w* \w them|strong="H5221"\w* \w lie|strong="H7901"\w* \w on|strong="H1961"\w* \w the|strong="H5221"\w* ground \w and|strong="H1732"\w* \w then|strong="H1961"\w* \w used|strong="H1961"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w rope|strong="H2256"\w* \w to|strong="H4191"\w* \w measure|strong="H4058"\w* \w them|strong="H5221"\w* \w off|strong="H5375"\w*. \w He|strong="H1732"\w* \w put|strong="H4191"\w* two-thirds \w of|strong="H5650"\w* \w them|strong="H5221"\w* \w to|strong="H4191"\w* \w death|strong="H4191"\w* \w and|strong="H1732"\w* \w spared|strong="H2421"\w* \w the|strong="H5221"\w* \w other|strong="H8147"\w* third. \w The|strong="H5221"\w* \w Moabites|strong="H4124"\w* \w became|strong="H1961"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w*’s \w subjects|strong="H5650"\w* \w and|strong="H1732"\w* \w brought|strong="H5375"\w* \w tribute|strong="H4503"\w*.  
\v 3  \w David|strong="H1732"\w* \w defeated|strong="H5221"\w* \w King|strong="H4428"\w* \w Hadadezer|strong="H1909"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Rehob|strong="H7340"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Zobah|strong="H6678"\w* \w when|strong="H7725"\w* \w he|strong="H1732"\w* \w came|strong="H3212"\w* \w to|strong="H7725"\w* reestablish \w his|strong="H1732"\w* \w authority|strong="H3027"\w* \w over|strong="H3027"\w* \w the|strong="H5221"\w* \w Euphrates|strong="H5104"\w* \w River|strong="H5104"\w*.  
\v 4  \w David|strong="H1732"\w* \w seized|strong="H3920"\w* \w from|strong="H4480"\w* \w him|strong="H3605"\w* 1,700 \w charioteers|strong="H7393"\w* \w and|strong="H3967"\w* 20,000 \w infantrymen|strong="H7273"\w*. \w David|strong="H1732"\w* cut \w the|strong="H3605"\w* hamstrings \w of|strong="H4480"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w but|strong="H3498"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w hundred|strong="H3967"\w* \w of|strong="H4480"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w chariot|strong="H7393"\w* \w horses|strong="H6571"\w*.  
\v 5  \w The|strong="H5221"\w* Arameans \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w Damascus|strong="H1834"\w* \w came|strong="H4428"\w* \w to|strong="H4428"\w* \w help|strong="H5826"\w* \w King|strong="H4428"\w* \w Hadadezer|strong="H1909"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w Zobah|strong="H6678"\w*, \w but|strong="H5221"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w* \w killed|strong="H5221"\w* 22,000 \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H5221"\w* Arameans.  
\v 6  \w David|strong="H1732"\w* \w placed|strong="H7760"\w* \w garrisons|strong="H5333"\w* \w in|strong="H1980"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* territory \w of|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* Arameans \w of|strong="H3068"\w* \w Damascus|strong="H1834"\w*; \w the|strong="H3605"\w* Arameans \w became|strong="H1961"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w*’s \w subjects|strong="H5650"\w* \w and|strong="H1980"\w* \w brought|strong="H5375"\w* \w tribute|strong="H4503"\w*. \w The|strong="H3605"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w protected|strong="H3467"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w* \w wherever|strong="H3605"\w* \w he|strong="H3068"\w* \w campaigned|strong="H3605"\w*.  
\v 7  \w David|strong="H1732"\w* \w took|strong="H3947"\w* \w the|strong="H3947"\w* \w golden|strong="H2091"\w* \w shields|strong="H7982"\w* \w that|strong="H1732"\w* \w belonged|strong="H1961"\w* \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w Hadadezer|strong="H1909"\w*’s \w servants|strong="H5650"\w* \w and|strong="H2091"\w* \w brought|strong="H3947"\w* \w them|strong="H3947"\w* \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w Jerusalem|strong="H3389"\w*.  
\v 8  \w From|strong="H3947"\w* Tebah \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w Berothai|strong="H1268"\w*, \w Hadadezer|strong="H1909"\w*’s \w cities|strong="H5892"\w*, \w King|strong="H4428"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w* \w took|strong="H3947"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w great|strong="H3966"\w* \w deal|strong="H7235"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w bronze|strong="H5178"\w*.   
\p
\v 9  \w When|strong="H3588"\w* \w King|strong="H4428"\w* \w Toi|strong="H8583"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w Hamath|strong="H2574"\w* \w heard|strong="H8085"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w* \w had|strong="H1732"\w* \w defeated|strong="H5221"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w entire|strong="H3605"\w* \w army|strong="H2426"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w Hadadezer|strong="H1909"\w*,  
\v 10  \w he|strong="H3588"\w* \w sent|strong="H7971"\w* \w his|strong="H7971"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w Joram|strong="H3141"\w* \w to|strong="H7971"\w* \w King|strong="H4428"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w* \w to|strong="H7971"\w* \w extend|strong="H1961"\w* \w his|strong="H7971"\w* best wishes \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w to|strong="H7971"\w* \w pronounce|strong="H1288"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w blessing|strong="H1288"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w him|strong="H5921"\w* \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w his|strong="H7971"\w* victory \w over|strong="H5921"\w* \w Hadadezer|strong="H1909"\w*, \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w Toi|strong="H8583"\w* \w had|strong="H1961"\w* \w been|strong="H1961"\w* \w at|strong="H5921"\w* \w war|strong="H4421"\w* \w with|strong="H5921"\w* \w Hadadezer|strong="H1909"\w*. \w He|strong="H3588"\w* \w brought|strong="H1961"\w* \w with|strong="H5921"\w* \w him|strong="H5921"\w* various \w items|strong="H3627"\w* \w made|strong="H1961"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w silver|strong="H3701"\w*, \w gold|strong="H2091"\w*, \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w bronze|strong="H5178"\w*.  
\v 11  \w King|strong="H4428"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w* \w dedicated|strong="H6942"\w* \w these|strong="H3605"\w* \w things|strong="H3605"\w* \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*, \w along|strong="H5973"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w dedicated|strong="H6942"\w* \w silver|strong="H3701"\w* \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w gold|strong="H2091"\w* \w that|strong="H3605"\w* \w he|strong="H3068"\w* \w had|strong="H3068"\w* taken \w from|strong="H1471"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w nations|strong="H1471"\w* \w that|strong="H3605"\w* \w he|strong="H3068"\w* \w had|strong="H3068"\w* \w subdued|strong="H3533"\w*,  
\v 12  \w including|strong="H4428"\w* Aram, \w Moab|strong="H4124"\w*, \w the|strong="H1121"\w* \w Ammonites|strong="H1121"\w*, \w the|strong="H1121"\w* \w Philistines|strong="H6430"\w*, \w and|strong="H1121"\w* Amelek. \w This|strong="H4428"\w* \w also|strong="H4428"\w* included some \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H1121"\w* \w plunder|strong="H7998"\w* taken \w from|strong="H1121"\w* \w King|strong="H4428"\w* \w Hadadezer|strong="H1909"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Rehob|strong="H7340"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Zobah|strong="H6678"\w*.   
\p
\v 13  \w David|strong="H1732"\w* \w became|strong="H7725"\w* \w famous|strong="H8034"\w* \w when|strong="H7725"\w* \w he|strong="H6213"\w* \w returned|strong="H7725"\w* \w from|strong="H7725"\w* \w defeating|strong="H5221"\w* \w the|strong="H5221"\w* Arameans \w in|strong="H6213"\w* \w the|strong="H5221"\w* \w Valley|strong="H1516"\w* \w of|strong="H8034"\w* \w Salt|strong="H4417"\w*, \w he|strong="H6213"\w* \w defeated|strong="H5221"\w* 18,000 \w in|strong="H6213"\w* \w all|strong="H6213"\w*.  
\v 14  \w He|strong="H3068"\w* \w placed|strong="H7760"\w* \w garrisons|strong="H5333"\w* \w throughout|strong="H3605"\w* Edom, \w and|strong="H1980"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* Edomites \w became|strong="H1961"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w*’s \w subjects|strong="H5650"\w*. \w The|strong="H3605"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w protected|strong="H3467"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w* \w wherever|strong="H3605"\w* \w he|strong="H3068"\w* \w campaigned|strong="H3605"\w*.  
\v 15  \w David|strong="H1732"\w* \w reigned|strong="H4427"\w* \w over|strong="H5921"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w*; \w he|strong="H6213"\w* \w guaranteed|strong="H6213"\w* \w justice|strong="H4941"\w* \w for|strong="H5921"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w*.   
\s1 David’s Cabinet  
\p
\v 16  \w Joab|strong="H3097"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Zeruiah|strong="H6870"\w* \w was|strong="H1121"\w* general \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w command|strong="H5921"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w army|strong="H6635"\w*; \w Jehoshaphat|strong="H3092"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* Ahilud \w was|strong="H1121"\w* secretary;  
\v 17  \w Zadok|strong="H6659"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* Ahitub \w and|strong="H1121"\w* Ahimelech \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* Abiathar \w were|strong="H1121"\w* \w priests|strong="H3548"\w*; \w Seraiah|strong="H8304"\w* \w was|strong="H1121"\w* \w scribe|strong="H5608"\w*;  
\v 18  \w Benaiah|strong="H1141"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* Jehoida \w supervised|strong="H3774"\w* \w the|strong="H1961"\w* Kerithites \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w Pelethites|strong="H6432"\w*; \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w*’s \w sons|strong="H1121"\w* \w were|strong="H1961"\w* \w priests|strong="H3548"\w*.   
\c 9  
\p
\v 1  \w Then|strong="H6213"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w* asked, “\w Is|strong="H3426"\w* \w anyone|strong="H3588"\w* \w still|strong="H5750"\w* \w left|strong="H3498"\w* \w from|strong="H5973"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w family|strong="H1004"\w* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w Saul|strong="H7586"\w*, \w so|strong="H6213"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w may|strong="H6213"\w* \w extend|strong="H6213"\w* \w kindness|strong="H2617"\w* \w to|strong="H6213"\w* \w him|strong="H6213"\w* \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w sake|strong="H5668"\w* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w Jonathan|strong="H3083"\w*?”   
\p
\v 2  \w Now|strong="H7121"\w* \w there|strong="H8034"\w* \w was|strong="H8034"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w servant|strong="H5650"\w* \w from|strong="H5650"\w* \w Saul|strong="H7586"\w*’s \w house|strong="H1004"\w* \w named|strong="H7121"\w* \w Ziba|strong="H6717"\w*, \w so|strong="H7121"\w* \w he|strong="H1004"\w* \w was|strong="H8034"\w* \w summoned|strong="H7121"\w* \w to|strong="H1004"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w*. \w The|strong="H7121"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* asked \w him|strong="H7121"\w*, “\w Are|strong="H5650"\w* \w you|strong="H7121"\w* \w Ziba|strong="H6717"\w*?” \w He|strong="H1004"\w* replied, “\w At|strong="H1004"\w* \w your|strong="H1732"\w* \w service|strong="H1004"\w*.”  
\v 3  \w The|strong="H6213"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* asked, “\w Is|strong="H2617"\w* there \w not|strong="H6213"\w* someone \w left|strong="H5750"\w* \w from|strong="H1121"\w* \w Saul|strong="H7586"\w*’s \w family|strong="H1004"\w*, \w that|strong="H4428"\w* \w I|strong="H1121"\w* \w may|strong="H4428"\w* \w extend|strong="H6213"\w* God’s \w kindness|strong="H2617"\w* \w to|strong="H6213"\w* \w him|strong="H6213"\w*?” \w Ziba|strong="H6717"\w* said \w to|strong="H6213"\w* \w the|strong="H6213"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*, “\w One|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Jonathan|strong="H3083"\w*’s \w sons|strong="H1121"\w* \w is|strong="H2617"\w* \w left|strong="H5750"\w*; both \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w his|strong="H6213"\w* \w feet|strong="H7272"\w* \w are|strong="H1121"\w* \w crippled|strong="H5223"\w*.”  
\v 4  \w The|strong="H2009"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* asked \w him|strong="H1931"\w*, “\w Where|strong="H1004"\w* \w is|strong="H1931"\w* \w he|strong="H1931"\w*?” \w Ziba|strong="H6717"\w* told \w the|strong="H2009"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*, “\w He|strong="H1931"\w* \w is|strong="H1931"\w* \w at|strong="H1004"\w* \w the|strong="H2009"\w* \w house|strong="H1004"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Makir|strong="H4353"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Ammiel|strong="H5988"\w* \w in|strong="H1004"\w* \w Lo|strong="H2009"\w* Debar.   
\p
\v 5  \w So|strong="H3947"\w* \w King|strong="H4428"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w* \w had|strong="H1732"\w* \w him|strong="H7971"\w* \w brought|strong="H3947"\w* \w from|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H3947"\w* \w house|strong="H1004"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Makir|strong="H4353"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Ammiel|strong="H5988"\w* \w in|strong="H1004"\w* Lo Debar.  
\v 6  \w When|strong="H1121"\w* \w Mephibosheth|strong="H4648"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Jonathan|strong="H3083"\w*, \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Saul|strong="H7586"\w*, \w came|strong="H7586"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w*, \w he|strong="H1732"\w* \w bowed|strong="H7812"\w* \w low|strong="H1121"\w* \w with|strong="H5921"\w* \w his|strong="H1732"\w* \w face|strong="H6440"\w* \w toward|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w ground|strong="H6440"\w*. \w David|strong="H1732"\w* said, “\w Mephibosheth|strong="H4648"\w*?” \w He|strong="H1732"\w* replied, “\w Yes|strong="H2009"\w*, \w at|strong="H5921"\w* \w your|strong="H5921"\w* service.”   
\p
\v 7  \w David|strong="H1732"\w* said \w to|strong="H7725"\w* \w him|strong="H5921"\w*, “Don’t \w be|strong="H3372"\w* \w afraid|strong="H3372"\w*, \w because|strong="H3588"\w* \w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w will|strong="H7704"\w* \w certainly|strong="H3588"\w* \w extend|strong="H6213"\w* \w kindness|strong="H2617"\w* \w to|strong="H7725"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w sake|strong="H5668"\w* \w of|strong="H7704"\w* \w Jonathan|strong="H3083"\w* \w your|strong="H3605"\w* father. \w You|strong="H3588"\w* \w will|strong="H7704"\w* \w be|strong="H3372"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w regular|strong="H8548"\w* guest \w at|strong="H5921"\w* \w my|strong="H3605"\w* \w table|strong="H7979"\w*.”  
\v 8  \w Then|strong="H3588"\w* Mephibosheth \w bowed|strong="H7812"\w* \w and|strong="H5650"\w* said, “\w Of|strong="H5650"\w* \w what|strong="H4100"\w* importance am \w I|strong="H3588"\w*, \w your|strong="H3588"\w* \w servant|strong="H5650"\w*, \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* show \w regard|strong="H6437"\w* \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w dead|strong="H4191"\w* \w dog|strong="H3611"\w* \w like|strong="H3644"\w* \w me|strong="H4191"\w*?”   
\p
\v 9  \w Then|strong="H1961"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w summoned|strong="H7121"\w* \w Ziba|strong="H6717"\w*, \w Saul|strong="H7586"\w*’s \w attendant|strong="H5288"\w*, \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w said|strong="H7121"\w* \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w him|strong="H5414"\w*, “\w Everything|strong="H3605"\w* \w that|strong="H3605"\w* \w belonged|strong="H1961"\w* \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w Saul|strong="H7586"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* \w entire|strong="H3605"\w* \w house|strong="H1004"\w* \w I|strong="H5414"\w* hereby \w give|strong="H5414"\w* \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w your|strong="H3605"\w* \w master|strong="H5414"\w*’s \w grandson|strong="H1121"\w*.  
\v 10  \w You|strong="H5921"\w* \w will|strong="H1961"\w* \w cultivate|strong="H5647"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* land \w for|strong="H5921"\w* \w him|strong="H5921"\w* – \w you|strong="H5921"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w your|strong="H5921"\w* \w sons|strong="H1121"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w your|strong="H5921"\w* \w servants|strong="H5650"\w*. \w You|strong="H5921"\w* \w will|strong="H1961"\w* \w bring|strong="H1961"\w* \w its|strong="H5921"\w* \w produce|strong="H1961"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w it|strong="H5921"\w* \w will|strong="H1961"\w* \w be|strong="H1961"\w* \w food|strong="H3899"\w* \w for|strong="H5921"\w* \w your|strong="H5921"\w* master’s \w grandson|strong="H1121"\w* \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w eat|strong="H3899"\w*. \w But|strong="H1961"\w* \w Mephibosheth|strong="H4648"\w*, \w your|strong="H5921"\w* master’s \w grandson|strong="H1121"\w*, \w will|strong="H1961"\w* \w be|strong="H1961"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w regular|strong="H8548"\w* guest \w at|strong="H5921"\w* \w my|strong="H5921"\w* \w table|strong="H7979"\w*.” (\w Now|strong="H1961"\w* \w Ziba|strong="H6717"\w* \w had|strong="H1961"\w* \w fifteen|strong="H2568"\w* \w sons|strong="H1121"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w twenty|strong="H6242"\w* \w servants|strong="H5650"\w*.)   
\p
\v 11  \w Ziba|strong="H6717"\w* \w said|strong="H3651"\w* \w to|strong="H6213"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*, “\w Your|strong="H3605"\w* \w servant|strong="H5650"\w* \w will|strong="H4428"\w* \w do|strong="H6213"\w* \w everything|strong="H3605"\w* \w that|strong="H3605"\w* \w my|strong="H3605"\w* lord \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w has|strong="H4428"\w* \w instructed|strong="H6680"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* \w servant|strong="H5650"\w* \w to|strong="H6213"\w* \w do|strong="H6213"\w*.” \w So|strong="H3651"\w* \w Mephibosheth|strong="H4648"\w* \w was|strong="H4428"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* regular guest \w at|strong="H5921"\w* David’s \w table|strong="H7979"\w*, \w just|strong="H3605"\w* \w as|strong="H6213"\w* though \w he|strong="H3651"\w* \w were|strong="H1121"\w* \w one|strong="H3605"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*’s \w sons|strong="H1121"\w*.   
\p
\v 12  Now \w Mephibosheth|strong="H4648"\w* \w had|strong="H1121"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w young|strong="H1121"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w whose|strong="H1121"\w* \w name|strong="H8034"\w* \w was|strong="H8034"\w* \w Mica|strong="H4316"\w*. \w All|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w members|strong="H1004"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Ziba|strong="H6717"\w*’s \w household|strong="H1004"\w* \w were|strong="H1121"\w* \w Mephibosheth|strong="H4648"\w*’s \w servants|strong="H5650"\w*.  
\v 13  \w Mephibosheth|strong="H4648"\w* \w was|strong="H1931"\w* \w living|strong="H3427"\w* \w in|strong="H3427"\w* \w Jerusalem|strong="H3389"\w*, \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w he|strong="H1931"\w* \w was|strong="H1931"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w regular|strong="H8548"\w* guest \w at|strong="H3427"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*’s \w table|strong="H7979"\w*. \w But|strong="H3588"\w* \w both|strong="H8147"\w* \w his|strong="H5921"\w* \w feet|strong="H7272"\w* \w were|strong="H7272"\w* crippled.   
\c 10  
\p
\v 1  \w Later|strong="H1961"\w* \w the|strong="H8478"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H8478"\w* \w Ammonites|strong="H1121"\w* \w died|strong="H4191"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w his|strong="H1961"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w Hanun|strong="H2586"\w* \w succeeded|strong="H8478"\w* \w him|strong="H4427"\w*.  
\v 2  \w David|strong="H1732"\w* said, “\w I|strong="H5650"\w* \w will|strong="H5650"\w* \w express|strong="H5162"\w* \w my|strong="H1732"\w* \w loyalty|strong="H2617"\w* \w to|strong="H7971"\w* \w Hanun|strong="H2586"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Nahash|strong="H5176"\w* \w just|strong="H6213"\w* \w as|strong="H6213"\w* \w his|strong="H7971"\w* \w father|strong="H1121"\w* \w was|strong="H1732"\w* \w loyal|strong="H2617"\w* \w to|strong="H7971"\w* \w me|strong="H7971"\w*.” \w So|strong="H6213"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w* \w sent|strong="H7971"\w* \w his|strong="H7971"\w* \w servants|strong="H5650"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* message expressing \w sympathy|strong="H5162"\w* \w over|strong="H3027"\w* \w his|strong="H7971"\w* \w father|strong="H1121"\w*’s death. \w When|strong="H7971"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w*’s \w servants|strong="H5650"\w* entered \w the|strong="H6213"\w* land \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H6213"\w* \w Ammonites|strong="H1121"\w*,  
\v 3  \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w Ammonite|strong="H5983"\w* \w officials|strong="H8269"\w* said \w to|strong="H7971"\w* \w their|strong="H3588"\w* lord \w Hanun|strong="H2586"\w*, “\w Do|strong="H5869"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* really \w think|strong="H5869"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w* \w is|strong="H5892"\w* trying \w to|strong="H7971"\w* \w honor|strong="H3513"\w* \w your|strong="H3588"\w* \w father|strong="H1121"\w* \w by|strong="H5892"\w* \w sending|strong="H7971"\w* \w these|strong="H1732"\w* \w messengers|strong="H5650"\w* \w to|strong="H7971"\w* \w express|strong="H5162"\w* \w his|strong="H7971"\w* \w sympathy|strong="H5162"\w*? \w No|strong="H3808"\w*, \w David|strong="H1732"\w* \w has|strong="H5650"\w* \w sent|strong="H7971"\w* \w his|strong="H7971"\w* \w servants|strong="H5650"\w* \w to|strong="H7971"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w to|strong="H7971"\w* \w get|strong="H7971"\w* information \w about|strong="H1732"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w city|strong="H5892"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w spy|strong="H7270"\w* \w on|strong="H7971"\w* \w it|strong="H3588"\w* \w so|strong="H7971"\w* \w they|strong="H3588"\w* \w can|strong="H5650"\w* \w overthrow|strong="H2015"\w* \w it|strong="H3588"\w*!”   
\p
\v 4  \w So|strong="H3947"\w* \w Hanun|strong="H2586"\w* \w seized|strong="H3947"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w*’s \w servants|strong="H5650"\w* \w and|strong="H7971"\w* \w shaved|strong="H1548"\w* \w off|strong="H3772"\w* \w half|strong="H2677"\w* \w of|strong="H5650"\w* \w each|strong="H3947"\w* one’s \w beard|strong="H2206"\w*. \w He|strong="H5704"\w* \w cut|strong="H3772"\w* \w the|strong="H3947"\w* lower \w part|strong="H2677"\w* \w of|strong="H5650"\w* \w their|strong="H3947"\w* robes \w off|strong="H3772"\w* \w so|strong="H3947"\w* \w that|strong="H1732"\w* \w their|strong="H3947"\w* \w buttocks|strong="H8357"\w* \w were|strong="H5650"\w* exposed, \w and|strong="H7971"\w* \w then|strong="H3947"\w* \w sent|strong="H7971"\w* \w them|strong="H7971"\w* \w away|strong="H7971"\w*.  
\v 5  \w Messengers|strong="H5046"\w* \w told|strong="H5046"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w* \w what|strong="H1732"\w* \w had|strong="H1961"\w* \w happened|strong="H1961"\w*, \w so|strong="H7971"\w* \w he|strong="H3588"\w* summoned \w them|strong="H7725"\w*, \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* men \w were|strong="H1961"\w* thoroughly \w humiliated|strong="H3637"\w*. \w The|strong="H3588"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* said, “\w Stay|strong="H3427"\w* \w in|strong="H3427"\w* \w Jericho|strong="H3405"\w* \w until|strong="H5704"\w* \w your|strong="H7725"\w* \w beards|strong="H2206"\w* \w have|strong="H1961"\w* \w grown|strong="H6779"\w* \w again|strong="H7725"\w*; \w then|strong="H1961"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w may|strong="H1961"\w* \w come|strong="H1961"\w* \w back|strong="H7725"\w*.”   
\p
\v 6  \w When|strong="H3588"\w* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* \w Ammonites|strong="H1121"\w* \w realized|strong="H7200"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w* \w was|strong="H1732"\w* disgusted \w with|strong="H1732"\w* \w them|strong="H7971"\w*, \w they|strong="H3588"\w* \w sent|strong="H7971"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w hired|strong="H7936"\w* 20,000 \w foot|strong="H7273"\w* \w soldiers|strong="H7273"\w* \w from|strong="H1121"\w* Aram Beth Rehob \w and|strong="H1121"\w* Aram \w Zobah|strong="H6678"\w*, \w in|strong="H4428"\w* addition \w to|strong="H7971"\w* 1,000 \w men|strong="H1121"\w* \w from|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Maacah|strong="H4601"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* 12,000 \w men|strong="H1121"\w* \w from|strong="H1121"\w* \w Ish-tob|strong="H2897"\w*.   
\p
\v 7  \w When|strong="H8085"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w* \w heard|strong="H8085"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* news, \w he|strong="H3605"\w* \w sent|strong="H7971"\w* \w Joab|strong="H3097"\w* \w and|strong="H7971"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w entire|strong="H3605"\w* \w army|strong="H6635"\w* \w to|strong="H7971"\w* meet \w them|strong="H7971"\w*.  
\v 8  \w The|strong="H3318"\w* \w Ammonites|strong="H1121"\w* \w marched|strong="H3318"\w* \w out|strong="H3318"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w were|strong="H1121"\w* \w deployed|strong="H6186"\w* \w for|strong="H1121"\w* \w battle|strong="H4421"\w* \w at|strong="H4421"\w* \w the|strong="H3318"\w* \w entrance|strong="H6607"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H3318"\w* \w city|strong="H8179"\w* \w gate|strong="H8179"\w*, while \w the|strong="H3318"\w* \w men|strong="H1121"\w* \w from|strong="H3318"\w* Aram \w Zobah|strong="H6678"\w*, \w Rehob|strong="H7340"\w*, \w Ish-tob|strong="H2897"\w*, \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w Maacah|strong="H4601"\w* \w were|strong="H1121"\w* \w by|strong="H3318"\w* \w themselves|strong="H6186"\w* \w in|strong="H4421"\w* \w the|strong="H3318"\w* \w field|strong="H7704"\w*.   
\p
\v 9  \w When|strong="H3588"\w* \w Joab|strong="H3097"\w* \w saw|strong="H7200"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w battle|strong="H4421"\w* \w would|strong="H3478"\w* \w be|strong="H1961"\w* fought \w on|strong="H7200"\w* two fronts, \w he|strong="H3588"\w* chose \w some|strong="H3605"\w* \w of|strong="H6440"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w*’s best \w men|strong="H3605"\w* \w and|strong="H3478"\w* \w deployed|strong="H6186"\w* \w them|strong="H6440"\w* \w against|strong="H7125"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* Arameans.  
\v 10  \w He|strong="H3027"\w* \w put|strong="H5414"\w* \w his|strong="H5414"\w* brother Abishai \w in|strong="H1121"\w* \w charge|strong="H3027"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H5414"\w* \w rest|strong="H3499"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H5414"\w* \w army|strong="H5971"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w they|strong="H5971"\w* \w were|strong="H5971"\w* \w deployed|strong="H6186"\w* \w against|strong="H7125"\w* \w the|strong="H5414"\w* \w Ammonites|strong="H1121"\w*.  
\v 11  Joab said, “\w If|strong="H1961"\w* \w the|strong="H4480"\w* Arameans \w start|strong="H2388"\w* \w to|strong="H1980"\w* \w overpower|strong="H2388"\w* \w me|strong="H4480"\w*, \w you|strong="H4480"\w* \w come|strong="H1980"\w* \w to|strong="H1980"\w* \w my|strong="H1961"\w* \w rescue|strong="H3467"\w*. \w If|strong="H1961"\w* \w the|strong="H4480"\w* \w Ammonites|strong="H1121"\w* \w start|strong="H2388"\w* \w to|strong="H1980"\w* \w overpower|strong="H2388"\w* \w you|strong="H4480"\w*, \w I|strong="H1980"\w* \w will|strong="H1961"\w* \w come|strong="H1980"\w* \w to|strong="H1980"\w* \w your|strong="H4480"\w* \w rescue|strong="H3467"\w*.  
\v 12  \w Be|strong="H3068"\w* \w strong|strong="H2388"\w*! Let’s fight bravely \w for|strong="H6213"\w* \w the|strong="H6213"\w* \w sake|strong="H1157"\w* \w of|strong="H3068"\w* \w our|strong="H3068"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w* \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H6213"\w* \w cities|strong="H5892"\w* \w of|strong="H3068"\w* \w our|strong="H3068"\w* \w God|strong="H3068"\w*! \w The|strong="H6213"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w do|strong="H6213"\w* \w what|strong="H2896"\w* \w he|strong="H6213"\w* decides \w is|strong="H3068"\w* \w best|strong="H2896"\w*!”   
\p
\v 13  \w So|strong="H5066"\w* \w Joab|strong="H3097"\w* \w and|strong="H5971"\w* \w his|strong="H6440"\w* \w men|strong="H5971"\w* \w marched|strong="H5973"\w* \w out|strong="H6440"\w* \w to|strong="H6440"\w* do \w battle|strong="H4421"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* Arameans, \w and|strong="H5971"\w* \w they|strong="H5971"\w* \w fled|strong="H5127"\w* \w before|strong="H6440"\w* \w him|strong="H6440"\w*.  
\v 14  \w When|strong="H3588"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w Ammonites|strong="H1121"\w* \w saw|strong="H7200"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* Arameans \w flee|strong="H5127"\w*, \w they|strong="H3588"\w* \w fled|strong="H5127"\w* \w before|strong="H6440"\w* \w his|strong="H7725"\w* brother Abishai \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w went|strong="H7725"\w* \w into|strong="H7725"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w city|strong="H5892"\w*. \w Joab|strong="H3097"\w* \w withdrew|strong="H7725"\w* \w from|strong="H7725"\w* fighting \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w Ammonites|strong="H1121"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w returned|strong="H7725"\w* \w to|strong="H7725"\w* \w Jerusalem|strong="H3389"\w*.   
\p
\v 15  \w When|strong="H3588"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* Arameans \w realized|strong="H7200"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w they|strong="H3588"\w* \w had|strong="H3478"\w* been \w defeated|strong="H5062"\w* \w by|strong="H3478"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w*, \w they|strong="H3588"\w* consolidated \w their|strong="H6440"\w* \w forces|strong="H3162"\w*.  
\v 16  \w Then|strong="H3318"\w* \w Hadadezer|strong="H1909"\w* \w sent|strong="H7971"\w* \w for|strong="H6440"\w* Arameans \w from|strong="H3318"\w* \w beyond|strong="H5676"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w Euphrates|strong="H5104"\w* \w River|strong="H5104"\w*, \w and|strong="H7971"\w* \w they|strong="H6440"\w* \w came|strong="H3318"\w* \w to|strong="H3318"\w* \w Helam|strong="H2431"\w*. \w Shobach|strong="H7731"\w*, \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w general|strong="H8269"\w* \w in|strong="H6440"\w* command \w of|strong="H8269"\w* \w Hadadezer|strong="H1909"\w*’s \w army|strong="H6635"\w*, \w led|strong="H3318"\w* \w them|strong="H7971"\w*.   
\p
\v 17  \w When|strong="H5674"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w* \w was|strong="H1732"\w* \w informed|strong="H5046"\w*, \w he|strong="H3605"\w* \w gathered|strong="H1732"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w*, \w crossed|strong="H5674"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Jordan|strong="H3383"\w* River, \w and|strong="H3478"\w* \w came|strong="H3478"\w* \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w Helam|strong="H2431"\w*. \w The|strong="H3605"\w* Arameans \w deployed|strong="H6186"\w* \w their|strong="H3605"\w* \w forces|strong="H3898"\w* \w against|strong="H5973"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w* \w and|strong="H3478"\w* \w fought|strong="H3898"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w him|strong="H5046"\w*.  
\v 18  \w The|strong="H6440"\w* Arameans \w fled|strong="H5127"\w* \w before|strong="H6440"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w*. \w David|strong="H1732"\w* \w killed|strong="H2026"\w* 700 Aramean \w charioteers|strong="H7393"\w* \w and|strong="H3967"\w* 40,000 foot \w soldiers|strong="H6635"\w*. \w He|strong="H8033"\w* \w also|strong="H1732"\w* \w struck|strong="H5221"\w* \w down|strong="H5221"\w* \w Shobach|strong="H7731"\w*, \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w general|strong="H8269"\w* \w in|strong="H3478"\w* command \w of|strong="H8269"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w army|strong="H6635"\w*, \w who|strong="H3478"\w* \w died|strong="H4191"\w* \w there|strong="H8033"\w*.  
\v 19  \w When|strong="H3588"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w kings|strong="H4428"\w* \w who|strong="H3605"\w* \w were|strong="H3478"\w* \w subject|strong="H5647"\w* \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w Hadadezer|strong="H1909"\w* \w saw|strong="H7200"\w* \w they|strong="H3588"\w* \w were|strong="H3478"\w* \w defeated|strong="H5062"\w* \w by|strong="H3478"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w*, \w they|strong="H3588"\w* \w made|strong="H7999"\w* \w peace|strong="H7999"\w* \w with|strong="H6440"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w became|strong="H3372"\w* \w subjects|strong="H5650"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w*. \w The|strong="H3605"\w* Arameans \w were|strong="H3478"\w* \w no|strong="H3605"\w* \w longer|strong="H5750"\w* willing \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w help|strong="H3467"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Ammonites|strong="H1121"\w*.   
\c 11  
\p
\v 1  \w In|strong="H3427"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w spring|strong="H8666"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w year|strong="H8141"\w*, \w at|strong="H3427"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w time|strong="H6256"\w* \w when|strong="H1961"\w* \w kings|strong="H4428"\w* normally \w conduct|strong="H7971"\w* wars, \w David|strong="H1732"\w* \w sent|strong="H7971"\w* \w out|strong="H3318"\w* \w Joab|strong="H3097"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* \w officers|strong="H5650"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w entire|strong="H3605"\w* \w Israelite|strong="H3478"\w* \w army|strong="H3427"\w*. \w They|strong="H5921"\w* defeated \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Ammonites|strong="H1121"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w besieged|strong="H6696"\w* \w Rabbah|strong="H7237"\w*. \w But|strong="H1961"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w* \w stayed|strong="H3427"\w* \w behind|strong="H6696"\w* \w in|strong="H3427"\w* \w Jerusalem|strong="H3389"\w*.  
\v 2  \w One|strong="H2896"\w* \w evening|strong="H6153"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w* \w got|strong="H6965"\w* \w up|strong="H6965"\w* \w from|strong="H5921"\w* \w his|strong="H1732"\w* \w bed|strong="H4904"\w* \w and|strong="H1980"\w* \w walked|strong="H1980"\w* \w around|strong="H5921"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w roof|strong="H1406"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w his|strong="H1732"\w* \w palace|strong="H1004"\w*. \w From|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w roof|strong="H1406"\w* \w he|strong="H1004"\w* \w saw|strong="H7200"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w woman|strong="H1004"\w* \w bathing|strong="H7364"\w*. \w Now|strong="H1961"\w* \w this|strong="H7200"\w* \w woman|strong="H1004"\w* \w was|strong="H1961"\w* \w very|strong="H3966"\w* \w attractive|strong="H4758"\w*.  
\v 3  \w So|strong="H7971"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w* \w sent|strong="H7971"\w* someone \w to|strong="H7971"\w* \w inquire|strong="H1875"\w* \w about|strong="H1732"\w* \w the|strong="H7971"\w* \w woman|strong="H1323"\w*. \w The|strong="H7971"\w* messenger said, “Isn’t \w this|strong="H2063"\w* \w Bathsheba|strong="H1339"\w*, \w the|strong="H7971"\w* \w daughter|strong="H1323"\w* \w of|strong="H1323"\w* Eliam, \w the|strong="H7971"\w* wife \w of|strong="H1323"\w* Uriah \w the|strong="H7971"\w* \w Hittite|strong="H2850"\w*?”   
\p
\v 4  \w David|strong="H1732"\w* \w sent|strong="H7971"\w* some \w messengers|strong="H4397"\w* \w to|strong="H7725"\w* \w get|strong="H3947"\w* \w her|strong="H7971"\w*. \w She|strong="H1931"\w* \w came|strong="H7725"\w* \w to|strong="H7725"\w* \w him|strong="H7971"\w* \w and|strong="H7971"\w* \w he|strong="H1931"\w* \w had|strong="H1732"\w* \w sexual|strong="H7901"\w* \w relations|strong="H5973"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w her|strong="H7971"\w*. (\w Now|strong="H3947"\w* \w at|strong="H1004"\w* \w that|strong="H1931"\w* time \w she|strong="H1931"\w* \w was|strong="H1732"\w* \w in|strong="H1004"\w* \w the|strong="H3947"\w* process \w of|strong="H1004"\w* purifying \w herself|strong="H1931"\w* \w from|strong="H7725"\w* \w her|strong="H7971"\w* menstrual \w uncleanness|strong="H2932"\w*.) \w Then|strong="H3947"\w* \w she|strong="H1931"\w* \w returned|strong="H7725"\w* \w to|strong="H7725"\w* \w her|strong="H7971"\w* \w home|strong="H1004"\w*.  
\v 5  \w The|strong="H7971"\w* \w woman|strong="H2030"\w* \w conceived|strong="H2029"\w* \w and|strong="H7971"\w* \w then|strong="H7971"\w* \w sent|strong="H7971"\w* \w word|strong="H5046"\w* \w to|strong="H7971"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w* saying, “\w I|strong="H5046"\w*’m \w pregnant|strong="H2030"\w*.”   
\p
\v 6  \w So|strong="H7971"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w* \w sent|strong="H7971"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* message \w to|strong="H7971"\w* \w Joab|strong="H3097"\w* \w that|strong="H1732"\w* said, “\w Send|strong="H7971"\w* \w me|strong="H7971"\w* Uriah \w the|strong="H7971"\w* \w Hittite|strong="H2850"\w*.” \w So|strong="H7971"\w* \w Joab|strong="H3097"\w* \w sent|strong="H7971"\w* Uriah \w to|strong="H7971"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w*.  
\v 7  When Uriah \w came|strong="H5971"\w* \w to|strong="H1732"\w* \w him|strong="H7592"\w*, \w David|strong="H1732"\w* \w asked|strong="H7592"\w* \w about|strong="H1732"\w* \w how|strong="H7965"\w* \w Joab|strong="H3097"\w* \w and|strong="H5971"\w* \w the|strong="H3097"\w* \w army|strong="H5971"\w* \w were|strong="H5971"\w* doing \w and|strong="H5971"\w* \w how|strong="H7965"\w* \w the|strong="H3097"\w* campaign \w was|strong="H1732"\w* going.  
\v 8  \w Then|strong="H3318"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w* \w said|strong="H3318"\w* \w to|strong="H3381"\w* Uriah, “\w Go|strong="H3318"\w* \w down|strong="H3381"\w* \w to|strong="H3381"\w* \w your|strong="H3318"\w* \w home|strong="H1004"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* relax.” \w When|strong="H3318"\w* Uriah \w left|strong="H3318"\w* \w the|strong="H3318"\w* \w palace|strong="H1004"\w*, \w the|strong="H3318"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w sent|strong="H3318"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w gift|strong="H4864"\w* \w to|strong="H3381"\w* \w him|strong="H3318"\w*.  
\v 9  \w But|strong="H3808"\w* Uriah \w stayed|strong="H7901"\w* \w at|strong="H1004"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w door|strong="H6607"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w palace|strong="H1004"\w* \w with|strong="H1004"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w servants|strong="H5650"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* lord. \w He|strong="H3605"\w* \w did|strong="H5650"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w go|strong="H3381"\w* \w down|strong="H3381"\w* \w to|strong="H3381"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* \w house|strong="H1004"\w*.   
\p
\v 10  \w So|strong="H3808"\w* \w they|strong="H3808"\w* \w informed|strong="H5046"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w*, “Uriah \w has|strong="H1004"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w gone|strong="H3381"\w* \w down|strong="H3381"\w* \w to|strong="H3381"\w* \w his|strong="H1732"\w* \w house|strong="H1004"\w*.” \w So|strong="H3808"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w* said \w to|strong="H3381"\w* Uriah, “Haven’t \w you|strong="H5046"\w* just arrived \w from|strong="H3381"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w journey|strong="H1870"\w*? \w Why|strong="H4069"\w* haven’t \w you|strong="H5046"\w* \w gone|strong="H3381"\w* \w down|strong="H3381"\w* \w to|strong="H3381"\w* \w your|strong="H3808"\w* \w house|strong="H1004"\w*?”  
\v 11  Uriah replied \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w*, “\w The|strong="H6440"\w* ark \w and|strong="H3063"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \w and|strong="H3063"\w* \w Judah|strong="H3063"\w* \w reside|strong="H3427"\w* \w in|strong="H3427"\w* \w temporary|strong="H5521"\w* \w shelters|strong="H5521"\w*, \w and|strong="H3063"\w* \w my|strong="H1732"\w* lord \w Joab|strong="H3097"\w* \w and|strong="H3063"\w* \w my|strong="H1732"\w* lord’s \w soldiers|strong="H5650"\w* \w are|strong="H3478"\w* \w camping|strong="H2583"\w* \w in|strong="H3427"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w open|strong="H6440"\w* \w field|strong="H7704"\w*. \w Should|strong="H3478"\w* \w I|strong="H5921"\w* \w go|strong="H3478"\w* \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w my|strong="H1732"\w* \w house|strong="H1004"\w* \w to|strong="H3478"\w* eat \w and|strong="H3063"\w* \w drink|strong="H8354"\w* \w and|strong="H3063"\w* \w have|strong="H5650"\w* marital \w relations|strong="H5973"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w my|strong="H1732"\w* \w wife|strong="H2416"\w*? \w As|strong="H1697"\w* \w surely|strong="H6213"\w* \w as|strong="H1697"\w* \w you|strong="H6440"\w* \w are|strong="H3478"\w* \w alive|strong="H2416"\w*, \w I|strong="H5921"\w* \w will|strong="H3478"\w* \w not|strong="H6213"\w* \w do|strong="H6213"\w* \w this|strong="H2088"\w* \w thing|strong="H1697"\w*!”  
\v 12  \w So|strong="H7971"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w* said \w to|strong="H7971"\w* Uriah, “\w Stay|strong="H3427"\w* \w here|strong="H2088"\w* \w another|strong="H2088"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w*. \w Tomorrow|strong="H4279"\w* \w I|strong="H3117"\w* \w will|strong="H1571"\w* \w send|strong="H7971"\w* \w you|strong="H7971"\w* back.” \w So|strong="H7971"\w* Uriah \w stayed|strong="H3427"\w* \w in|strong="H3427"\w* \w Jerusalem|strong="H3389"\w* \w both|strong="H1571"\w* \w that|strong="H3117"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w* \w and|strong="H7971"\w* \w the|strong="H3117"\w* \w following|strong="H4283"\w* \w one|strong="H2088"\w*.  
\v 13  \w Then|strong="H3318"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w* \w summoned|strong="H7121"\w* \w him|strong="H6440"\w*. \w He|strong="H1004"\w* ate \w and|strong="H1004"\w* \w drank|strong="H8354"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w him|strong="H6440"\w*, \w and|strong="H1004"\w* \w got|strong="H3318"\w* \w him|strong="H6440"\w* \w drunk|strong="H8354"\w*. \w But|strong="H3808"\w* \w in|strong="H1004"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w evening|strong="H6153"\w* \w he|strong="H1004"\w* \w went|strong="H3318"\w* \w out|strong="H3318"\w* \w to|strong="H3381"\w* \w sleep|strong="H7901"\w* \w on|strong="H1004"\w* \w his|strong="H7121"\w* \w bed|strong="H4904"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w servants|strong="H5650"\w* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w his|strong="H7121"\w* lord; \w he|strong="H1004"\w* \w did|strong="H5650"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w go|strong="H3318"\w* \w down|strong="H3381"\w* \w to|strong="H3381"\w* \w his|strong="H7121"\w* \w own|strong="H5973"\w* \w house|strong="H1004"\w*.   
\p
\v 14  \w In|strong="H3789"\w* \w the|strong="H7971"\w* \w morning|strong="H1242"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w* \w wrote|strong="H3789"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w letter|strong="H5612"\w* \w to|strong="H7971"\w* \w Joab|strong="H3097"\w* \w and|strong="H7971"\w* \w sent|strong="H7971"\w* \w it|strong="H1242"\w* \w with|strong="H3027"\w* Uriah.  
\v 15  \w In|strong="H4191"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w letter|strong="H5612"\w* \w he|strong="H5221"\w* \w wrote|strong="H3789"\w*: “Station Uriah \w in|strong="H4191"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* thick \w of|strong="H6440"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w battle|strong="H4421"\w* \w and|strong="H7725"\w* \w then|strong="H7725"\w* \w withdraw|strong="H7725"\w* \w from|strong="H7725"\w* \w him|strong="H6440"\w* \w so|strong="H7725"\w* \w he|strong="H5221"\w* \w will|strong="H7725"\w* \w be|strong="H4191"\w* cut \w down|strong="H5221"\w* \w and|strong="H7725"\w* \w killed|strong="H5221"\w*.”   
\p
\v 16  \w So|strong="H1961"\w* \w as|strong="H1961"\w* \w Joab|strong="H3097"\w* \w kept|strong="H8104"\w* \w watch|strong="H8104"\w* \w on|strong="H1961"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w city|strong="H5892"\w*, \w he|strong="H3588"\w* stationed Uriah \w at|strong="H1961"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w place|strong="H4725"\w* \w where|strong="H8033"\w* \w he|strong="H3588"\w* \w knew|strong="H3045"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* best enemy \w soldiers|strong="H2428"\w* \w were|strong="H1961"\w*.  
\v 17  \w When|strong="H3318"\w* \w the|strong="H4480"\w* \w men|strong="H5971"\w* \w of|strong="H5892"\w* \w the|strong="H4480"\w* \w city|strong="H5892"\w* \w came|strong="H3318"\w* \w out|strong="H3318"\w* \w and|strong="H5971"\w* \w fought|strong="H3898"\w* \w with|strong="H3898"\w* \w Joab|strong="H3097"\w*, \w some|strong="H4480"\w* \w of|strong="H5892"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w*’s \w soldiers|strong="H5650"\w* \w fell|strong="H5307"\w* \w in|strong="H4191"\w* \w battle|strong="H3898"\w*. Uriah \w the|strong="H4480"\w* \w Hittite|strong="H2850"\w* \w also|strong="H1571"\w* \w died|strong="H4191"\w*.   
\p
\v 18  \w Then|strong="H7971"\w* \w Joab|strong="H3097"\w* \w sent|strong="H7971"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w full|strong="H3605"\w* \w battle|strong="H4421"\w* \w report|strong="H1697"\w* \w to|strong="H7971"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w*.  
\v 19  \w He|strong="H3605"\w* \w instructed|strong="H6680"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w messenger|strong="H4397"\w* \w as|strong="H1697"\w* follows: “\w When|strong="H3615"\w* \w you|strong="H6680"\w* \w finish|strong="H3615"\w* \w giving|strong="H6680"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w battle|strong="H4421"\w* \w report|strong="H1697"\w* \w to|strong="H1696"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*,  
\v 20  \w if|strong="H1961"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w becomes|strong="H1961"\w* \w angry|strong="H2534"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* asks \w you|strong="H5921"\w*, ‘\w Why|strong="H4069"\w* \w did|strong="H3808"\w* \w you|strong="H5921"\w* \w go|strong="H5927"\w* \w so|strong="H1961"\w* \w close|strong="H5066"\w* \w to|strong="H5927"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w city|strong="H5892"\w* \w to|strong="H5927"\w* \w fight|strong="H3898"\w*? Didn’t \w you|strong="H5921"\w* \w realize|strong="H3045"\w* \w they|strong="H3808"\w* \w would|strong="H4428"\w* \w shoot|strong="H3384"\w* \w from|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w wall|strong="H2346"\w*?  
\v 21  \w Who|strong="H4310"\w* \w struck|strong="H5221"\w* \w down|strong="H5221"\w* Abimelech \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* Jerub-Besheth? Didn’t \w a|strong="H3068"\w* woman \w throw|strong="H7993"\w* \w an|strong="H5221"\w* \w upper|strong="H7393"\w* \w millstone|strong="H7393"\w* \w down|strong="H5221"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w him|strong="H5921"\w* \w from|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w wall|strong="H2346"\w* \w so|strong="H3808"\w* \w that|strong="H1121"\w* \w he|strong="H3808"\w* \w died|strong="H4191"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w Thebez|strong="H8405"\w*? \w Why|strong="H4100"\w* \w did|strong="H4100"\w* \w you|strong="H5921"\w* \w go|strong="H5066"\w* \w so|strong="H3808"\w* \w close|strong="H5066"\w* \w to|strong="H4191"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w wall|strong="H2346"\w*?’ \w just|strong="H1571"\w* say \w to|strong="H4191"\w* \w him|strong="H5921"\w*, ‘\w Your|strong="H5921"\w* \w servant|strong="H5650"\w* Uriah \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w Hittite|strong="H2850"\w* \w is|strong="H4310"\w* \w also|strong="H1571"\w* \w dead|strong="H4191"\w*.’”   
\p
\v 22  \w So|strong="H7971"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w messenger|strong="H4397"\w* \w departed|strong="H3212"\w*. \w When|strong="H7971"\w* \w he|strong="H3605"\w* arrived, \w he|strong="H3605"\w* \w informed|strong="H5046"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w* \w of|strong="H4397"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* news \w that|strong="H3605"\w* \w Joab|strong="H3097"\w* \w had|strong="H1732"\w* \w sent|strong="H7971"\w* \w with|strong="H3212"\w* \w him|strong="H7971"\w*.  
\v 23  \w The|strong="H5921"\w* \w messenger|strong="H4397"\w* \w said|strong="H3318"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w*, “\w The|strong="H5921"\w* men \w overpowered|strong="H1396"\w* \w us|strong="H5921"\w* \w and|strong="H1732"\w* \w attacked|strong="H3318"\w* \w us|strong="H5921"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w field|strong="H7704"\w*. \w But|strong="H3588"\w* \w we|strong="H3068"\w* forced \w them|strong="H5921"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* retreat \w all|strong="H5704"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w way|strong="H5704"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w door|strong="H6607"\w* \w of|strong="H8179"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w city|strong="H8179"\w* \w gate|strong="H8179"\w*.  
\v 24  \w Then|strong="H1571"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w archers|strong="H3384"\w* \w shot|strong="H3384"\w* \w at|strong="H5921"\w* \w your|strong="H5921"\w* \w servants|strong="H5650"\w* \w from|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w wall|strong="H2346"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* some \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*’s \w soldiers|strong="H5650"\w* \w died|strong="H4191"\w*. \w Your|strong="H5921"\w* \w servant|strong="H5650"\w* Uriah \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w Hittite|strong="H2850"\w* \w is|strong="H1571"\w* \w also|strong="H1571"\w* \w dead|strong="H4191"\w*.”  
\v 25  \w David|strong="H1732"\w* \w said|strong="H1697"\w* \w to|strong="H4397"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w messenger|strong="H4397"\w*, “Tell \w Joab|strong="H3097"\w*, ‘Don’t let \w this|strong="H2088"\w* \w thing|strong="H1697"\w* \w upset|strong="H5869"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w*. \w There|strong="H2088"\w* \w is|strong="H2088"\w* no \w way|strong="H1697"\w* \w to|strong="H4397"\w* anticipate \w whom|strong="H5869"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w sword|strong="H2719"\w* \w will|strong="H5869"\w* cut \w down|strong="H2040"\w*. \w Press|strong="H2388"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w battle|strong="H4421"\w* \w against|strong="H4421"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w city|strong="H5892"\w* \w and|strong="H5869"\w* conquer \w it|strong="H3588"\w*.’ \w Encourage|strong="H2388"\w* \w him|strong="H1732"\w* \w with|strong="H1697"\w* \w these|strong="H2088"\w* \w words|strong="H1697"\w*.”   
\p
\v 26  \w When|strong="H3588"\w* Uriah’s wife \w heard|strong="H8085"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w her|strong="H5921"\w* \w husband|strong="H1167"\w* Uriah was \w dead|strong="H4191"\w*, \w she|strong="H3588"\w* \w mourned|strong="H5594"\w* \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w him|strong="H5921"\w*.  
\v 27  \w When|strong="H1961"\w* \w the|strong="H6213"\w* \w time|strong="H1961"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* mourning \w passed|strong="H5674"\w*, \w David|strong="H1732"\w* \w had|strong="H3068"\w* \w her|strong="H7971"\w* \w brought|strong="H3205"\w* \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w his|strong="H3068"\w* \w palace|strong="H1004"\w*. She \w became|strong="H3205"\w* \w his|strong="H3068"\w* wife \w and|strong="H1121"\w* she \w bore|strong="H3205"\w* \w him|strong="H3205"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w*. \w But|strong="H1961"\w* \w what|strong="H1697"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w* \w had|strong="H3068"\w* \w done|strong="H6213"\w* \w upset|strong="H5869"\w* \w the|strong="H6213"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*.   
\c 12  
\p
\v 1  \w So|strong="H7971"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w sent|strong="H7971"\w* \w Nathan|strong="H5416"\w* \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w*. \w When|strong="H1961"\w* \w he|strong="H3068"\w* \w came|strong="H1961"\w* \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w*, \w Nathan|strong="H5416"\w* said, “\w There|strong="H1961"\w* \w were|strong="H1961"\w* \w two|strong="H8147"\w* \w men|strong="H6223"\w* \w in|strong="H3068"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* certain \w city|strong="H5892"\w*, \w one|strong="H1961"\w* \w rich|strong="H6223"\w* \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* \w other|strong="H8147"\w* \w poor|strong="H7326"\w*.  
\v 2  \w The|strong="H1961"\w* \w rich|strong="H6223"\w* \w man|strong="H6223"\w* \w had|strong="H1961"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w great|strong="H3966"\w* \w many|strong="H7235"\w* \w flocks|strong="H6629"\w* \w and|strong="H6629"\w* \w herds|strong="H1241"\w*.  
\v 3  \w But|strong="H3588"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w poor|strong="H7326"\w* \w man|strong="H1121"\w* \w had|strong="H1961"\w* \w nothing|strong="H3605"\w* \w except|strong="H3588"\w* \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w little|strong="H6996"\w* \w lamb|strong="H3535"\w* \w he|strong="H3588"\w* \w had|strong="H1961"\w* \w acquired|strong="H7069"\w*. \w He|strong="H3588"\w* \w raised|strong="H1431"\w* \w it|strong="H3588"\w*, \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w it|strong="H3588"\w* \w grew|strong="H1431"\w* \w up|strong="H1431"\w* \w alongside|strong="H3162"\w* \w him|strong="H5973"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* \w children|strong="H1121"\w*. \w It|strong="H3588"\w* \w used|strong="H1961"\w* \w to|strong="H1961"\w* eat \w his|strong="H3605"\w* food, \w drink|strong="H8354"\w* \w from|strong="H1121"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* \w cup|strong="H3563"\w*, \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w sleep|strong="H7901"\w* \w in|strong="H1121"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* \w arms|strong="H2436"\w*. \w It|strong="H3588"\w* \w was|strong="H1961"\w* \w just|strong="H3605"\w* \w like|strong="H1961"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w daughter|strong="H1323"\w* \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w him|strong="H5973"\w*.   
\p
\v 4 “\w When|strong="H6213"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w traveler|strong="H1982"\w* arrived \w at|strong="H6213"\w* \w the|strong="H3947"\w* \w rich|strong="H6223"\w* \w man|strong="H6223"\w*’s home, \w he|strong="H6213"\w* \w did|strong="H6213"\w* \w not|strong="H6213"\w* want \w to|strong="H6213"\w* \w use|strong="H3947"\w* \w one|strong="H6213"\w* \w of|strong="H6629"\w* \w his|strong="H3947"\w* own \w sheep|strong="H6629"\w* \w or|strong="H1241"\w* \w cattle|strong="H1241"\w* \w to|strong="H6213"\w* feed \w the|strong="H3947"\w* \w traveler|strong="H1982"\w* \w who|strong="H6213"\w* \w had|strong="H2550"\w* come \w to|strong="H6213"\w* visit \w him|strong="H6213"\w*. \w Instead|strong="H3947"\w*, \w he|strong="H6213"\w* \w took|strong="H3947"\w* \w the|strong="H3947"\w* \w poor|strong="H7326"\w* \w man|strong="H6223"\w*’s \w lamb|strong="H3535"\w* \w and|strong="H6629"\w* cooked \w it|strong="H6213"\w* \w for|strong="H6213"\w* \w the|strong="H3947"\w* \w man|strong="H6223"\w* \w who|strong="H6213"\w* \w had|strong="H2550"\w* come \w to|strong="H6213"\w* visit \w him|strong="H6213"\w*.”   
\p
\v 5  \w Then|strong="H6213"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w* \w became|strong="H2734"\w* \w very|strong="H3966"\w* \w angry|strong="H2734"\w* \w at|strong="H3068"\w* \w this|strong="H2063"\w* \w man|strong="H1121"\w*. \w He|strong="H3588"\w* said \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w Nathan|strong="H5416"\w*, “\w As|strong="H6213"\w* \w surely|strong="H3588"\w* \w as|strong="H6213"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w lives|strong="H2416"\w*, \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w man|strong="H1121"\w* \w who|strong="H3068"\w* \w did|strong="H6213"\w* \w this|strong="H2063"\w* \w deserves|strong="H1121"\w* \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w die|strong="H4194"\w*!  
\v 6  \w Because|strong="H5921"\w* \w he|strong="H6213"\w* \w committed|strong="H6213"\w* \w this|strong="H2088"\w* \w cold-hearted|strong="H2550"\w* \w crime|strong="H1697"\w*, \w he|strong="H6213"\w* \w must|strong="H3808"\w* \w pay|strong="H7999"\w* \w for|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w lamb|strong="H3535"\w* four times \w over|strong="H5921"\w*!”   
\p
\v 7  \w Nathan|strong="H5416"\w* said \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w*, “\w You|strong="H5921"\w* \w are|strong="H3478"\w* \w that|strong="H3068"\w* man! \w This|strong="H3541"\w* \w is|strong="H3068"\w* \w what|strong="H3541"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w God|strong="H3068"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \w says|strong="H3541"\w*: ‘\w I|strong="H3541"\w* \w chose|strong="H4886"\w* \w you|strong="H5921"\w* \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w be|strong="H3027"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w over|strong="H5921"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \w and|strong="H3478"\w* \w I|strong="H3541"\w* \w rescued|strong="H5337"\w* \w you|strong="H5921"\w* \w from|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w hand|strong="H3027"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w Saul|strong="H7586"\w*.  
\v 8  \w I|strong="H5414"\w* \w gave|strong="H5414"\w* \w you|strong="H5414"\w* \w your|strong="H5414"\w* \w master|strong="H5414"\w*’s \w house|strong="H1004"\w*, \w and|strong="H3063"\w* \w put|strong="H5414"\w* \w your|strong="H5414"\w* \w master|strong="H5414"\w*’s wives \w into|strong="H3063"\w* \w your|strong="H5414"\w* \w arms|strong="H2436"\w*. \w I|strong="H5414"\w* \w also|strong="H3254"\w* \w gave|strong="H5414"\w* \w you|strong="H5414"\w* \w the|strong="H5414"\w* \w house|strong="H1004"\w* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \w and|strong="H3063"\w* \w Judah|strong="H3063"\w*. \w And|strong="H3063"\w* if \w all|strong="H5414"\w* \w that|strong="H3478"\w* somehow seems insignificant, \w I|strong="H5414"\w* \w would|strong="H3478"\w* \w have|strong="H3478"\w* \w given|strong="H5414"\w* \w you|strong="H5414"\w* \w so|strong="H5414"\w* much \w more|strong="H3254"\w* \w as|strong="H3254"\w* well!  
\v 9  \w Why|strong="H4069"\w* \w have|strong="H3068"\w* \w you|strong="H3947"\w* \w shown|strong="H6213"\w* contempt \w for|strong="H6213"\w* \w the|strong="H3947"\w* \w word|strong="H1697"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H3947"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w by|strong="H3068"\w* \w doing|strong="H6213"\w* \w evil|strong="H7451"\w* \w in|strong="H3068"\w* \w my|strong="H3068"\w* \w sight|strong="H5869"\w*? \w You|strong="H3947"\w* \w have|strong="H3068"\w* \w struck|strong="H5221"\w* \w down|strong="H5221"\w* Uriah \w the|strong="H3947"\w* \w Hittite|strong="H2850"\w* \w with|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H3947"\w* \w sword|strong="H2719"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w you|strong="H3947"\w* \w have|strong="H3068"\w* \w taken|strong="H3947"\w* \w his|strong="H3068"\w* wife \w as|strong="H1697"\w* \w your|strong="H3068"\w* \w own|strong="H5869"\w*! \w You|strong="H3947"\w* \w have|strong="H3068"\w* \w killed|strong="H2026"\w* \w him|strong="H5221"\w* \w with|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H3947"\w* \w sword|strong="H2719"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H3947"\w* \w Ammonites|strong="H1121"\w*.  
\v 10  \w So|strong="H3947"\w* \w now|strong="H6258"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w sword|strong="H2719"\w* \w will|strong="H1961"\w* \w never|strong="H3808"\w* \w depart|strong="H5493"\w* \w from|strong="H5493"\w* \w your|strong="H3947"\w* \w house|strong="H1004"\w*. \w For|strong="H3588"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w have|strong="H1961"\w* despised \w me|strong="H3947"\w* \w by|strong="H5704"\w* \w taking|strong="H3947"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* wife \w of|strong="H1004"\w* Uriah \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w Hittite|strong="H2850"\w* \w as|strong="H5704"\w* \w your|strong="H3947"\w* \w own|strong="H1961"\w*!’  
\v 11  \w This|strong="H2063"\w* \w is|strong="H3068"\w* \w what|strong="H7451"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w says|strong="H3541"\w*: ‘\w I|strong="H2005"\w* \w am|strong="H3068"\w* \w about|strong="H5921"\w* \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w bring|strong="H3947"\w* \w disaster|strong="H7451"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w you|strong="H5414"\w* \w from|strong="H5921"\w* \w inside|strong="H1004"\w* \w your|strong="H3068"\w* \w own|strong="H5973"\w* \w household|strong="H1004"\w*! \w Right|strong="H3068"\w* \w before|strong="H5869"\w* \w your|strong="H3068"\w* \w eyes|strong="H5869"\w* \w I|strong="H2005"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w take|strong="H3947"\w* \w your|strong="H3068"\w* wives \w and|strong="H6965"\w* \w hand|strong="H5414"\w* \w them|strong="H5414"\w* \w over|strong="H5921"\w* \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w your|strong="H3068"\w* \w companion|strong="H7453"\w*. \w He|strong="H3068"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w have|strong="H3068"\w* \w sexual|strong="H7901"\w* \w relations|strong="H5973"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w your|strong="H3068"\w* wives \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w broad|strong="H5869"\w* \w daylight|strong="H8121"\w*!  
\v 12  \w Although|strong="H3588"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w have|strong="H3478"\w* \w acted|strong="H6213"\w* \w in|strong="H3478"\w* \w secret|strong="H5643"\w*, \w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w will|strong="H3478"\w* \w do|strong="H6213"\w* \w this|strong="H2088"\w* \w thing|strong="H1697"\w* \w before|strong="H5048"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w*, \w and|strong="H3478"\w* \w in|strong="H3478"\w* \w broad|strong="H5048"\w* \w daylight|strong="H8121"\w*.’”   
\p
\v 13  \w Then|strong="H1571"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w* exclaimed \w to|strong="H4191"\w* \w Nathan|strong="H5416"\w*, “\w I|strong="H3808"\w* \w have|strong="H3068"\w* \w sinned|strong="H2398"\w* \w against|strong="H2398"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*!” \w Nathan|strong="H5416"\w* replied \w to|strong="H4191"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w*, “\w Yes|strong="H1571"\w*, \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w has|strong="H3068"\w* \w forgiven|strong="H5674"\w* \w your|strong="H3068"\w* \w sin|strong="H2403"\w*. \w You|strong="H3808"\w* \w are|strong="H3068"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w going|strong="H5674"\w* \w to|strong="H4191"\w* \w die|strong="H4191"\w*.  
\v 14  Nonetheless, \w because|strong="H3588"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w have|strong="H3068"\w* treated \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w with|strong="H3068"\w* \w such|strong="H2088"\w* contempt \w in|strong="H3068"\w* \w this|strong="H2088"\w* \w matter|strong="H1697"\w*, \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w who|strong="H3068"\w* \w has|strong="H3068"\w* \w been|strong="H3068"\w* \w born|strong="H3209"\w* \w to|strong="H4191"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w certainly|strong="H3588"\w* \w die|strong="H4191"\w*.”   
\p
\v 15  \w Then|strong="H1732"\w* \w Nathan|strong="H5416"\w* \w went|strong="H3212"\w* \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w his|strong="H3068"\w* \w home|strong="H1004"\w*. \w The|strong="H3205"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w struck|strong="H5062"\w* \w the|strong="H3205"\w* \w child|strong="H3206"\w* \w that|strong="H3068"\w* Uriah’s wife \w had|strong="H3068"\w* \w borne|strong="H3205"\w* \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w*, \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H3205"\w* \w child|strong="H3206"\w* \w became|strong="H3205"\w* very ill.  
\v 16  \w Then|strong="H1732"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w* \w prayed|strong="H1245"\w* \w to|strong="H1732"\w* God \w for|strong="H1157"\w* \w the|strong="H1245"\w* \w child|strong="H5288"\w* \w and|strong="H1732"\w* \w fasted|strong="H6684"\w*. \w He|strong="H1732"\w* \w would|strong="H5288"\w* even \w go|strong="H1732"\w* \w and|strong="H1732"\w* \w spend|strong="H3885"\w* \w the|strong="H1245"\w* \w night|strong="H3885"\w* \w lying|strong="H7901"\w* \w on|strong="H7901"\w* \w the|strong="H1245"\w* ground.  
\v 17  \w The|strong="H5921"\w* \w elders|strong="H2205"\w* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w his|strong="H5921"\w* \w house|strong="H1004"\w* \w stood|strong="H6965"\w* \w over|strong="H5921"\w* \w him|strong="H5921"\w* \w and|strong="H6965"\w* tried \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w lift|strong="H6965"\w* \w him|strong="H5921"\w* \w from|strong="H4480"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* ground, \w but|strong="H3808"\w* \w he|strong="H1004"\w* \w was|strong="H1004"\w* \w unwilling|strong="H3808"\w*, \w and|strong="H6965"\w* \w refused|strong="H3808"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w eat|strong="H3899"\w* \w food|strong="H3899"\w* \w with|strong="H1004"\w* \w them|strong="H5921"\w*.   
\p
\v 18  \w On|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H8085"\w* \w seventh|strong="H7637"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H8085"\w* \w child|strong="H3206"\w* \w died|strong="H4191"\w*. \w But|strong="H3588"\w* \w the|strong="H8085"\w* \w servants|strong="H5650"\w* \w of|strong="H3117"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w* \w were|strong="H1961"\w* \w afraid|strong="H3372"\w* \w to|strong="H1696"\w* \w inform|strong="H5046"\w* \w him|strong="H5046"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w the|strong="H8085"\w* \w child|strong="H3206"\w* \w had|strong="H1961"\w* \w died|strong="H4191"\w*, \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w they|strong="H3588"\w* \w said|strong="H1696"\w*, “\w While|strong="H1961"\w* \w the|strong="H8085"\w* \w child|strong="H3206"\w* \w was|strong="H1961"\w* \w still|strong="H3588"\w* \w alive|strong="H2416"\w* \w he|strong="H3588"\w* \w would|strong="H6213"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w listen|strong="H8085"\w* \w to|strong="H1696"\w* \w us|strong="H5046"\w* \w when|strong="H3588"\w* \w we|strong="H3068"\w* \w spoke|strong="H1696"\w* \w to|strong="H1696"\w* \w him|strong="H5046"\w*. \w How|strong="H3588"\w* \w can|strong="H5650"\w* \w we|strong="H3068"\w* \w tell|strong="H5046"\w* \w him|strong="H5046"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w the|strong="H8085"\w* \w child|strong="H3206"\w* \w is|strong="H3117"\w* \w dead|strong="H4191"\w*? \w He|strong="H3588"\w* \w will|strong="H1961"\w* \w do|strong="H6213"\w* \w himself|strong="H6213"\w* \w harm|strong="H7451"\w*!”   
\p
\v 19  \w When|strong="H3588"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w* \w saw|strong="H7200"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w his|strong="H1732"\w* \w servants|strong="H5650"\w* \w were|strong="H5650"\w* \w whispering|strong="H3907"\w* \w to|strong="H4191"\w* \w one|strong="H3588"\w* \w another|strong="H7200"\w*, \w he|strong="H3588"\w* \w realized|strong="H7200"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* \w child|strong="H3206"\w* \w was|strong="H1732"\w* \w dead|strong="H4191"\w*. \w So|strong="H4191"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w* asked \w his|strong="H1732"\w* \w servants|strong="H5650"\w*, “\w Is|strong="H5650"\w* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* \w child|strong="H3206"\w* \w dead|strong="H4191"\w*?” \w They|strong="H3588"\w* replied, “\w Yes|strong="H3588"\w*, \w he|strong="H3588"\w*’s \w dead|strong="H4191"\w*.”  
\v 20  \w So|strong="H6965"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w* \w got|strong="H6965"\w* \w up|strong="H6965"\w* \w from|strong="H6965"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* ground, \w bathed|strong="H7364"\w*, \w put|strong="H7760"\w* \w on|strong="H7760"\w* oil, \w and|strong="H6965"\w* \w changed|strong="H2498"\w* \w his|strong="H7760"\w* \w clothes|strong="H8071"\w*. \w He|strong="H3068"\w* \w went|strong="H1732"\w* \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* \w house|strong="H1004"\w* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w and|strong="H6965"\w* \w worshiped|strong="H7812"\w*. \w Then|strong="H6965"\w*, \w when|strong="H3068"\w* \w he|strong="H3068"\w* entered \w his|strong="H7760"\w* \w palace|strong="H1004"\w*, \w he|strong="H3068"\w* \w requested|strong="H7592"\w* \w that|strong="H3068"\w* \w food|strong="H3899"\w* \w be|strong="H3068"\w* \w brought|strong="H7760"\w* \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w him|strong="H7760"\w*, \w and|strong="H6965"\w* \w he|strong="H3068"\w* ate.   
\p
\v 21  \w His|strong="H6965"\w* \w servants|strong="H5650"\w* \w said|strong="H1697"\w* \w to|strong="H4191"\w* \w him|strong="H6213"\w*, “\w What|strong="H4100"\w* \w is|strong="H2088"\w* \w this|strong="H2088"\w* \w that|strong="H1697"\w* \w you|strong="H6213"\w* \w have|strong="H5650"\w* \w done|strong="H6213"\w*? \w While|strong="H2088"\w* \w the|strong="H6213"\w* \w child|strong="H3206"\w* \w was|strong="H1697"\w* still \w alive|strong="H2416"\w*, \w you|strong="H6213"\w* \w fasted|strong="H6684"\w* \w and|strong="H6965"\w* \w wept|strong="H1058"\w*. Once \w the|strong="H6213"\w* \w child|strong="H3206"\w* \w was|strong="H1697"\w* \w dead|strong="H4191"\w* \w you|strong="H6213"\w* \w got|strong="H6965"\w* \w up|strong="H6965"\w* \w and|strong="H6965"\w* ate \w food|strong="H3899"\w*!”  
\v 22  \w He|strong="H3588"\w* replied, “\w While|strong="H5750"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w child|strong="H3206"\w* \w was|strong="H3068"\w* \w still|strong="H5750"\w* \w alive|strong="H2416"\w*, \w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w fasted|strong="H6684"\w* \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w wept|strong="H1058"\w* \w because|strong="H3588"\w* \w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w thought|strong="H3045"\w*, ‘\w Perhaps|strong="H3588"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w show|strong="H3045"\w* \w pity|strong="H2603"\w* \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w child|strong="H3206"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w live|strong="H2416"\w*.  
\v 23  \w But|strong="H3808"\w* \w now|strong="H6258"\w* \w he|strong="H1931"\w* \w is|strong="H2088"\w* \w dead|strong="H4191"\w*. \w Why|strong="H4100"\w* \w should|strong="H4100"\w* \w I|strong="H6258"\w* \w fast|strong="H6684"\w*? \w Am|strong="H1980"\w* \w I|strong="H6258"\w* \w able|strong="H3201"\w* \w to|strong="H1980"\w* \w bring|strong="H7725"\w* \w him|strong="H7725"\w* \w back|strong="H7725"\w*? \w I|strong="H6258"\w* \w will|strong="H3808"\w* \w go|strong="H1980"\w* \w to|strong="H1980"\w* \w him|strong="H7725"\w*, \w but|strong="H3808"\w* \w he|strong="H1931"\w* \w cannot|strong="H3808"\w* \w return|strong="H7725"\w* \w to|strong="H1980"\w* \w me|strong="H7725"\w*!’”   
\p
\v 24  \w So|strong="H7121"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w* \w comforted|strong="H5162"\w* \w his|strong="H3068"\w* wife \w Bathsheba|strong="H1339"\w*. \w He|strong="H3068"\w* \w went|strong="H1732"\w* \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w her|strong="H7121"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w had|strong="H3068"\w* marital \w relations|strong="H5973"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w her|strong="H7121"\w*. \w She|strong="H7121"\w* \w gave|strong="H3205"\w* \w birth|strong="H3205"\w* \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w*, \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w* \w named|strong="H7121"\w* \w him|strong="H3205"\w* \w Solomon|strong="H8010"\w*. \w Now|strong="H7121"\w* \w the|strong="H3205"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* loved \w the|strong="H3205"\w* \w child|strong="H1121"\w*  
\v 25  \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w sent|strong="H7971"\w* word \w through|strong="H3027"\w* \w Nathan|strong="H5416"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* \w prophet|strong="H5030"\w* \w that|strong="H3068"\w* \w he|strong="H3068"\w* \w should|strong="H3068"\w* \w be|strong="H3027"\w* \w named|strong="H7121"\w* \w Jedidiah|strong="H3041"\w* \w for|strong="H7121"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*’s \w sake|strong="H5668"\w*.   
\s1 David’s Forces Defeat the Ammonites  
\p
\v 26  So \w Joab|strong="H3097"\w* \w fought|strong="H3898"\w* \w against|strong="H3898"\w* \w Rabbah|strong="H7237"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H3920"\w* \w Ammonites|strong="H1121"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w captured|strong="H3920"\w* \w the|strong="H3920"\w* \w royal|strong="H4410"\w* \w city|strong="H5892"\w*.  
\v 27  \w Joab|strong="H3097"\w* \w then|strong="H7971"\w* \w sent|strong="H7971"\w* \w messengers|strong="H4397"\w* \w to|strong="H7971"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w*, saying, “\w I|strong="H1571"\w* \w have|strong="H1571"\w* \w fought|strong="H3898"\w* \w against|strong="H3898"\w* \w Rabbah|strong="H7237"\w* \w and|strong="H7971"\w* \w have|strong="H1571"\w* \w captured|strong="H3920"\w* \w the|strong="H7971"\w* \w water|strong="H4325"\w* supply \w of|strong="H5892"\w* \w the|strong="H7971"\w* \w city|strong="H5892"\w*.  
\v 28  \w So|strong="H6435"\w* \w now|strong="H6258"\w* assemble \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w rest|strong="H3499"\w* \w of|strong="H5892"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w army|strong="H5971"\w* \w and|strong="H5971"\w* besiege \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w city|strong="H5892"\w* \w and|strong="H5971"\w* \w capture|strong="H3920"\w* \w it|strong="H7121"\w*. \w Otherwise|strong="H6435"\w* \w I|strong="H5921"\w* \w will|strong="H5971"\w* \w capture|strong="H3920"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w city|strong="H5892"\w* \w and|strong="H5971"\w* \w it|strong="H7121"\w* \w will|strong="H5971"\w* \w be|strong="H8034"\w* \w named|strong="H7121"\w* \w for|strong="H5921"\w* \w me|strong="H5921"\w*.”   
\p
\v 29  So \w David|strong="H1732"\w* \w assembled|strong="H3605"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w army|strong="H5971"\w* \w and|strong="H3212"\w* \w went|strong="H3212"\w* \w to|strong="H3212"\w* \w Rabbah|strong="H7237"\w* \w and|strong="H3212"\w* \w fought|strong="H3898"\w* \w against|strong="H3898"\w* \w it|strong="H3920"\w* \w and|strong="H3212"\w* \w captured|strong="H3920"\w* \w it|strong="H3920"\w*.  
\v 30  \w He|strong="H1732"\w* \w took|strong="H3947"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w crown|strong="H5850"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w their|strong="H3947"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w from|strong="H3318"\w* \w his|strong="H3947"\w* \w head|strong="H7218"\w* – \w it|strong="H5921"\w* \w was|strong="H1961"\w* \w gold|strong="H2091"\w*, \w weighed|strong="H4948"\w* \w about|strong="H1961"\w* seventy-five pounds, \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w held|strong="H4428"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w precious|strong="H3368"\w* stone – \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w it|strong="H5921"\w* \w was|strong="H1961"\w* \w placed|strong="H3947"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w*’s \w head|strong="H7218"\w*. \w He|strong="H1732"\w* \w also|strong="H1732"\w* \w took|strong="H3947"\w* \w from|strong="H3318"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w city|strong="H5892"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w great|strong="H3966"\w* \w deal|strong="H7235"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w plunder|strong="H7998"\w*.  
\v 31  \w He|strong="H3651"\w* \w removed|strong="H3318"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w* \w who|strong="H3605"\w* \w were|strong="H5971"\w* \w in|strong="H6213"\w* \w it|strong="H7760"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w made|strong="H6213"\w* \w them|strong="H7725"\w* \w do|strong="H6213"\w* \w hard|strong="H5971"\w* labor \w with|strong="H6213"\w* \w saws|strong="H4050"\w*, \w iron|strong="H1270"\w* \w picks|strong="H2757"\w*, \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w iron|strong="H1270"\w* \w axes|strong="H4037"\w*, \w putting|strong="H7760"\w* \w them|strong="H7725"\w* \w to|strong="H7725"\w* \w work|strong="H6213"\w* \w at|strong="H1732"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w brick|strong="H4404"\w* kiln. \w This|strong="H3651"\w* \w was|strong="H1732"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* \w policy|strong="H6213"\w* \w with|strong="H6213"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Ammonite|strong="H5983"\w* \w cities|strong="H5892"\w*. \w Then|strong="H3318"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w army|strong="H5971"\w* \w returned|strong="H7725"\w* \w to|strong="H7725"\w* \w Jerusalem|strong="H3389"\w*.   
\c 13  
\p
\v 1  \w Now|strong="H1961"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w*’s \w son|strong="H1121"\w* Absalom \w had|strong="H1961"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w beautiful|strong="H3303"\w* sister \w named|strong="H8034"\w* \w Tamar|strong="H8559"\w*. \w In|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H1961"\w* course \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w time|strong="H1961"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w*’s \w son|strong="H1121"\w* Amnon \w fell|strong="H1961"\w* madly \w in|strong="H1121"\w* love \w with|strong="H1732"\w* \w her|strong="H1961"\w*.  
\v 2  \w But|strong="H3588"\w* Amnon \w became|strong="H2470"\w* frustrated \w because|strong="H3588"\w* \w he|strong="H1931"\w* \w was|strong="H1931"\w* \w so|strong="H6213"\w* \w lovesick|strong="H2470"\w* \w over|strong="H5869"\w* \w his|strong="H6213"\w* sister \w Tamar|strong="H8559"\w*. \w For|strong="H3588"\w* \w she|strong="H1931"\w* \w was|strong="H1931"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w virgin|strong="H1330"\w*, \w and|strong="H5869"\w* \w to|strong="H6213"\w* Amnon \w it|strong="H1931"\w* \w seemed|strong="H5869"\w* \w out|strong="H6213"\w* \w of|strong="H5869"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* question \w to|strong="H6213"\w* \w do|strong="H6213"\w* \w anything|strong="H3972"\w* \w to|strong="H6213"\w* \w her|strong="H1931"\w*.   
\p
\v 3  Now Amnon \w had|strong="H1732"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w friend|strong="H7453"\w* \w named|strong="H8034"\w* \w Jonadab|strong="H3122"\w*, \w the|strong="H1732"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w*’s \w brother|strong="H7453"\w* \w Shimeah|strong="H8093"\w*. \w Jonadab|strong="H3122"\w* \w was|strong="H8034"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w very|strong="H3966"\w* \w crafty|strong="H2450"\w* \w man|strong="H2450"\w*.  
\v 4  \w He|strong="H3808"\w* asked Amnon, “\w Why|strong="H4069"\w* \w are|strong="H1121"\w* \w you|strong="H5046"\w*, \w the|strong="H5046"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*’s \w son|strong="H1121"\w*, \w so|strong="H3602"\w* \w depressed|strong="H1800"\w* \w every|strong="H1242"\w* \w morning|strong="H1242"\w*? \w Can|strong="H3808"\w*’t \w you|strong="H5046"\w* \w tell|strong="H5046"\w* \w me|strong="H5046"\w*?” \w So|strong="H3602"\w* Amnon said \w to|strong="H1121"\w* \w him|strong="H5046"\w*, “\w I|strong="H3808"\w*’m \w in|strong="H4428"\w* love \w with|strong="H4428"\w* \w Tamar|strong="H8559"\w* \w the|strong="H5046"\w* sister \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w my|strong="H5046"\w* brother Absalom.”  
\v 5  \w Jonadab|strong="H3082"\w* replied \w to|strong="H6213"\w* \w him|strong="H5921"\w*, “\w Lie|strong="H7901"\w* \w down|strong="H7901"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w your|strong="H5921"\w* \w bed|strong="H4904"\w* \w and|strong="H3027"\w* \w pretend|strong="H2470"\w* \w to|strong="H6213"\w* \w be|strong="H3027"\w* \w sick|strong="H2470"\w*. \w When|strong="H7200"\w* \w your|strong="H5921"\w* father comes \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w to|strong="H6213"\w* \w see|strong="H7200"\w* \w you|strong="H5921"\w*, say \w to|strong="H6213"\w* \w him|strong="H5921"\w*, ‘\w Please|strong="H4994"\w* \w let|strong="H4994"\w* \w my|strong="H7200"\w* sister \w Tamar|strong="H8559"\w* \w come|strong="H4994"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w so|strong="H4616"\w* \w she|strong="H5921"\w* \w can|strong="H6213"\w* fix \w some|strong="H3027"\w* \w food|strong="H3899"\w* \w for|strong="H5921"\w* \w me|strong="H4994"\w*. \w Let|strong="H4994"\w* \w her|strong="H5921"\w* \w prepare|strong="H6213"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w food|strong="H3899"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w my|strong="H7200"\w* \w sight|strong="H5869"\w* \w so|strong="H4616"\w* \w I|strong="H5921"\w* \w can|strong="H6213"\w* \w watch|strong="H7200"\w*. \w Then|strong="H4616"\w* \w I|strong="H5921"\w* \w will|strong="H5869"\w* \w eat|strong="H1262"\w* \w from|strong="H5921"\w* \w her|strong="H5921"\w* \w hand|strong="H3027"\w*.’”   
\p
\v 6  \w So|strong="H7200"\w* Amnon \w lay|strong="H7901"\w* \w down|strong="H7901"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w pretended|strong="H2470"\w* \w to|strong="H3027"\w* \w be|strong="H3027"\w* \w sick|strong="H2470"\w*. \w When|strong="H7200"\w* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w came|strong="H4428"\w* \w in|strong="H4428"\w* \w to|strong="H3027"\w* \w see|strong="H7200"\w* \w him|strong="H3027"\w*, Amnon said \w to|strong="H3027"\w* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*, “\w Please|strong="H4994"\w* \w let|strong="H4994"\w* \w my|strong="H7200"\w* sister \w Tamar|strong="H8559"\w* \w come|strong="H4994"\w* \w in|strong="H4428"\w* \w so|strong="H7200"\w* \w she|strong="H8147"\w* \w can|strong="H7200"\w* \w make|strong="H7200"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w couple|strong="H8147"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w cakes|strong="H3834"\w* \w in|strong="H4428"\w* \w my|strong="H7200"\w* \w sight|strong="H5869"\w*. \w Then|strong="H4428"\w* \w I|strong="H7200"\w* \w will|strong="H4428"\w* \w eat|strong="H1262"\w* \w from|strong="H3027"\w* \w her|strong="H7200"\w* \w hand|strong="H3027"\w*.”   
\p
\v 7  \w So|strong="H6213"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w* \w sent|strong="H7971"\w* \w Tamar|strong="H8559"\w* \w to|strong="H3212"\w* \w the|strong="H6213"\w* \w house|strong="H1004"\w* saying, “\w Please|strong="H4994"\w* \w go|strong="H3212"\w* \w to|strong="H3212"\w* \w the|strong="H6213"\w* \w house|strong="H1004"\w* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* Amnon \w your|strong="H6213"\w* brother \w and|strong="H7971"\w* \w prepare|strong="H6213"\w* some \w food|strong="H1279"\w* \w for|strong="H6213"\w* \w him|strong="H7971"\w*.”  
\v 8  \w So|strong="H3947"\w* \w Tamar|strong="H8559"\w* \w went|strong="H3212"\w* \w to|strong="H3212"\w* \w the|strong="H3947"\w* \w house|strong="H1004"\w* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* Amnon \w her|strong="H3947"\w* brother, \w who|strong="H1931"\w* \w was|strong="H1931"\w* \w lying|strong="H7901"\w* \w down|strong="H7901"\w*. \w She|strong="H1931"\w* \w took|strong="H3947"\w* \w the|strong="H3947"\w* \w dough|strong="H1217"\w*, \w kneaded|strong="H3888"\w* \w it|strong="H1931"\w*, \w made|strong="H3947"\w* some \w cakes|strong="H3834"\w* \w while|strong="H1931"\w* \w he|strong="H1931"\w* watched, \w and|strong="H3212"\w* \w baked|strong="H1310"\w* \w them|strong="H3947"\w*.  
\v 9  \w But|strong="H3947"\w* \w when|strong="H3318"\w* \w she|strong="H5921"\w* \w took|strong="H3947"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w pan|strong="H4958"\w* \w and|strong="H6440"\w* \w set|strong="H3318"\w* \w it|strong="H5921"\w* \w before|strong="H6440"\w* \w him|strong="H6440"\w*, \w he|strong="H3605"\w* \w refused|strong="H3985"\w* \w to|strong="H3318"\w* eat. \w Instead|strong="H3947"\w* Amnon \w said|strong="H3318"\w*, “\w Get|strong="H3947"\w* \w everyone|strong="H3605"\w* \w out|strong="H3318"\w* \w of|strong="H6440"\w* \w here|strong="H5921"\w*!” \w So|strong="H3947"\w* \w everyone|strong="H3605"\w* \w left|strong="H3318"\w*.   
\p
\v 10  \w Then|strong="H3947"\w* Amnon said \w to|strong="H6213"\w* \w Tamar|strong="H8559"\w*, “\w Bring|strong="H3947"\w* \w the|strong="H3947"\w* \w cakes|strong="H3834"\w* \w into|strong="H6213"\w* \w the|strong="H3947"\w* \w bedroom|strong="H2315"\w*; \w then|strong="H3947"\w* \w I|strong="H3027"\w* \w will|strong="H3027"\w* \w eat|strong="H1262"\w* \w from|strong="H3027"\w* \w your|strong="H3947"\w* \w hand|strong="H3027"\w*.” \w So|strong="H6213"\w* \w Tamar|strong="H8559"\w* \w took|strong="H3947"\w* \w the|strong="H3947"\w* \w cakes|strong="H3834"\w* \w that|strong="H3027"\w* she \w had|strong="H3027"\w* \w prepared|strong="H6213"\w* \w and|strong="H3027"\w* \w brought|strong="H3947"\w* \w them|strong="H3027"\w* \w to|strong="H6213"\w* \w her|strong="H3947"\w* brother Amnon \w in|strong="H6213"\w* \w the|strong="H3947"\w* \w bedroom|strong="H2315"\w*.  
\v 11  \w As|strong="H5973"\w* \w she|strong="H5973"\w* \w brought|strong="H5066"\w* \w them|strong="H2388"\w* \w to|strong="H5066"\w* \w him|strong="H5973"\w* \w to|strong="H5066"\w* eat, he \w grabbed|strong="H2388"\w* \w her|strong="H7901"\w* \w and|strong="H2388"\w* said \w to|strong="H5066"\w* \w her|strong="H7901"\w*, “\w Come|strong="H5066"\w* \w on|strong="H2388"\w*! Get \w in|strong="H7901"\w* \w bed|strong="H7901"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w me|strong="H5973"\w*, \w my|strong="H2388"\w* sister!”   
\p
\v 12  \w But|strong="H3588"\w* \w she|strong="H3588"\w* \w said|strong="H3651"\w* \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w him|strong="H6213"\w*, “\w No|strong="H3808"\w*, \w my|strong="H6213"\w* brother! Don’t \w humiliate|strong="H6031"\w* \w me|strong="H6213"\w*! \w This|strong="H2063"\w* \w just|strong="H6213"\w* isn’t \w done|strong="H6213"\w* \w in|strong="H3478"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w*! Don’t \w do|strong="H6213"\w* \w this|strong="H2063"\w* foolish \w thing|strong="H5039"\w*!  
\v 13  \w How|strong="H3588"\w* could \w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w ever|strong="H3808"\w* \w be|strong="H1961"\w* rid \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w my|strong="H1961"\w* \w humiliation|strong="H2781"\w*? \w And|strong="H3478"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w would|strong="H3478"\w* \w be|strong="H1961"\w* \w considered|strong="H1961"\w* \w one|strong="H3808"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w fools|strong="H5036"\w* \w in|strong="H3478"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w*! \w Just|strong="H1696"\w* \w speak|strong="H1696"\w* \w to|strong="H1696"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*, \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w he|strong="H3588"\w* \w will|strong="H1961"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w withhold|strong="H4513"\w* \w me|strong="H4994"\w* \w from|strong="H4480"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w*.”  
\v 14  \w But|strong="H3808"\w* \w he|strong="H4480"\w* \w refused|strong="H3808"\w* \w to|strong="H8085"\w* \w listen|strong="H8085"\w* \w to|strong="H8085"\w* \w her|strong="H6031"\w*. \w He|strong="H4480"\w* overpowered \w her|strong="H6031"\w* \w and|strong="H6963"\w* \w humiliated|strong="H6031"\w* \w her|strong="H6031"\w* \w by|strong="H3808"\w* raping \w her|strong="H6031"\w*.  
\v 15  \w Then|strong="H6965"\w* Amnon \w greatly|strong="H3966"\w* \w despised|strong="H8130"\w* \w her|strong="H8130"\w*. \w His|strong="H6965"\w* disdain \w toward|strong="H3212"\w* \w her|strong="H8130"\w* surpassed \w the|strong="H3588"\w* love \w he|strong="H3588"\w* \w had|strong="H3588"\w* previously felt \w toward|strong="H3212"\w* \w her|strong="H8130"\w*. Amnon said \w to|strong="H3212"\w* \w her|strong="H8130"\w*, “\w Get|strong="H6965"\w* \w up|strong="H6965"\w* \w and|strong="H6965"\w* leave!”   
\p
\v 16  \w But|strong="H3808"\w* \w she|strong="H2063"\w* \w said|strong="H8085"\w* \w to|strong="H7971"\w* \w him|strong="H7971"\w*, “\w No|strong="H3808"\w* \w I|strong="H3808"\w* won’t, \w for|strong="H6213"\w* \w sending|strong="H7971"\w* \w me|strong="H7971"\w* \w away|strong="H7971"\w* \w now|strong="H8085"\w* \w would|strong="H6213"\w* \w be|strong="H3808"\w* \w worse|strong="H7451"\w* \w than|strong="H3808"\w* \w what|strong="H7451"\w* \w you|strong="H7971"\w* \w did|strong="H6213"\w* \w to|strong="H7971"\w* \w me|strong="H7971"\w* earlier!” \w But|strong="H3808"\w* \w he|strong="H6213"\w* \w refused|strong="H3808"\w* \w to|strong="H7971"\w* \w listen|strong="H8085"\w* \w to|strong="H7971"\w* \w her|strong="H7971"\w*.  
\v 17  \w He|strong="H5921"\w* \w called|strong="H7121"\w* \w his|strong="H7121"\w* \w personal|strong="H8334"\w* \w attendant|strong="H8334"\w* \w and|strong="H7971"\w* \w said|strong="H7121"\w* \w to|strong="H7971"\w* \w him|strong="H7121"\w*, “\w Take|strong="H8334"\w* \w this|strong="H2063"\w* woman \w out|strong="H7971"\w* \w of|strong="H5921"\w* \w my|strong="H5921"\w* sight \w and|strong="H7971"\w* \w lock|strong="H5274"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w door|strong="H1817"\w* \w behind|strong="H5921"\w* \w her|strong="H7971"\w*!”  
\v 18  (\w Now|strong="H3588"\w* \w she|strong="H3588"\w* \w was|strong="H4428"\w* wearing \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w long|strong="H5921"\w* \w robe|strong="H4598"\w*, \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w this|strong="H3651"\w* \w is|strong="H3651"\w* \w what|strong="H3651"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*’s \w virgin|strong="H1330"\w* \w daughters|strong="H1323"\w* \w used|strong="H8334"\w* \w to|strong="H3318"\w* \w wear|strong="H3847"\w*.) \w So|strong="H3651"\w* Amnon’s \w attendant|strong="H8334"\w* \w removed|strong="H3318"\w* \w her|strong="H5921"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w bolted|strong="H5274"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w door|strong="H1817"\w* \w behind|strong="H5921"\w* \w her|strong="H5921"\w*.  
\v 19  \w Then|strong="H1980"\w* \w Tamar|strong="H8559"\w* \w put|strong="H7760"\w* ashes \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w her|strong="H3947"\w* \w head|strong="H7218"\w* \w and|strong="H1980"\w* \w tore|strong="H7167"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w long|strong="H5921"\w* \w robe|strong="H3801"\w* \w she|strong="H5921"\w* \w was|strong="H3027"\w* wearing. \w She|strong="H5921"\w* \w put|strong="H7760"\w* \w her|strong="H3947"\w* \w hands|strong="H3027"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w her|strong="H3947"\w* \w head|strong="H7218"\w* \w and|strong="H1980"\w* \w went|strong="H1980"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w her|strong="H3947"\w* \w way|strong="H3212"\w*, \w wailing|strong="H2199"\w* \w as|strong="H1980"\w* \w she|strong="H5921"\w* \w went|strong="H1980"\w*.   
\p
\v 20  \w Her|strong="H7896"\w* brother Absalom \w said|strong="H1697"\w* \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w her|strong="H7896"\w*, “\w Was|strong="H1961"\w* Amnon \w your|strong="H1961"\w* brother \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w you|strong="H5973"\w*? \w Now|strong="H6258"\w* \w be|strong="H1961"\w* \w quiet|strong="H2790"\w*, \w my|strong="H1961"\w* sister. \w He|strong="H1931"\w* \w is|strong="H2088"\w* \w your|strong="H1961"\w* brother. Don’t \w take|strong="H1961"\w* \w it|strong="H1931"\w* \w so|strong="H1961"\w* \w seriously|strong="H3820"\w*!” \w Tamar|strong="H8559"\w*, \w devastated|strong="H8076"\w*, \w lived|strong="H3427"\w* \w in|strong="H3427"\w* \w the|strong="H1697"\w* \w house|strong="H1004"\w* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w her|strong="H7896"\w* brother Absalom.   
\p
\v 21  \w Now|strong="H8085"\w* \w King|strong="H4428"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w* \w heard|strong="H8085"\w* \w about|strong="H1697"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w these|strong="H8085"\w* \w things|strong="H1697"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w was|strong="H1732"\w* \w very|strong="H3966"\w* \w angry|strong="H2734"\w*.  
\v 22  \w But|strong="H3588"\w* Absalom \w said|strong="H1696"\w* \w nothing|strong="H3808"\w* \w to|strong="H1696"\w* Amnon, \w either|strong="H1697"\w* \w bad|strong="H7451"\w* \w or|strong="H3808"\w* \w good|strong="H2896"\w*, \w yet|strong="H3588"\w* Absalom \w hated|strong="H8130"\w* Amnon \w because|strong="H3588"\w* \w he|strong="H3588"\w* \w had|strong="H3588"\w* \w humiliated|strong="H6031"\w* \w his|strong="H5921"\w* sister \w Tamar|strong="H8559"\w*.   
\s1 Absalom Has Amnon Put to Death  
\p
\v 23  Two \w years|strong="H8141"\w* \w later|strong="H1961"\w* Absalom’s \w sheepshearers|strong="H1494"\w* \w were|strong="H1961"\w* \w in|strong="H8141"\w* Baal Hazor, \w near|strong="H5973"\w* Ephraim. Absalom \w invited|strong="H7121"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*’s \w sons|strong="H1121"\w*.  
\v 24  \w Then|strong="H2009"\w* Absalom \w went|strong="H3212"\w* \w to|strong="H3212"\w* \w the|strong="H5973"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* said, “\w My|strong="H5650"\w* \w shearers|strong="H1494"\w* \w have|strong="H5650"\w* begun \w their|strong="H5973"\w* work. \w Let|strong="H4994"\w* \w the|strong="H5973"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w his|strong="H1494"\w* \w servants|strong="H5650"\w* \w go|strong="H3212"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w me|strong="H4994"\w*.”   
\p
\v 25  \w But|strong="H3808"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* said \w to|strong="H3212"\w* Absalom, “\w No|strong="H3808"\w*, \w my|strong="H3605"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w*. \w We|strong="H4994"\w* shouldn’t \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w go|strong="H3212"\w*. \w We|strong="H4994"\w* shouldn’t \w burden|strong="H3513"\w* \w you|strong="H3605"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w that|strong="H3605"\w* \w way|strong="H3212"\w*.” Though Absalom \w pressed|strong="H6555"\w* \w him|strong="H5921"\w*, \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w was|strong="H4428"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* willing \w to|strong="H3212"\w* \w go|strong="H3212"\w*. \w Instead|strong="H3808"\w*, David \w blessed|strong="H1288"\w* \w him|strong="H5921"\w*.   
\p
\v 26  \w Then|strong="H4428"\w* Absalom said, “If \w you|strong="H5973"\w* \w will|strong="H4428"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w go|strong="H3212"\w*, \w then|strong="H4428"\w* \w let|strong="H4994"\w* \w my|strong="H3808"\w* brother Amnon \w go|strong="H3212"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w us|strong="H4994"\w*.” \w The|strong="H5973"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* replied \w to|strong="H3212"\w* \w him|strong="H5973"\w*, “\w Why|strong="H4100"\w* \w should|strong="H4100"\w* \w he|strong="H3808"\w* \w go|strong="H3212"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w you|strong="H5973"\w*?”  
\v 27  \w But|strong="H3605"\w* \w when|strong="H7971"\w* Absalom \w pressed|strong="H6555"\w* \w him|strong="H7971"\w*, \w he|strong="H3605"\w* \w sent|strong="H7971"\w* Amnon \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*’s \w sons|strong="H1121"\w* along \w with|strong="H4428"\w* \w him|strong="H7971"\w*.   
\p
\v 28  Absalom \w instructed|strong="H6680"\w* \w his|strong="H7200"\w* \w servants|strong="H5288"\w*, “\w Look|strong="H7200"\w*! \w When|strong="H3588"\w* Amnon \w is|strong="H3820"\w* \w drunk|strong="H3196"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w I|strong="H3588"\w* say \w to|strong="H4191"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w*, ‘\w Strike|strong="H5221"\w* Amnon \w down|strong="H5221"\w*,’ \w kill|strong="H4191"\w* \w him|strong="H5221"\w* \w then|strong="H1961"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w there|strong="H1961"\w*. Don’t \w fear|strong="H3372"\w*! \w Is|strong="H3820"\w* \w it|strong="H3588"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w who|strong="H1121"\w* \w have|strong="H1961"\w* \w given|strong="H6680"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w these|strong="H5221"\w* \w instructions|strong="H6680"\w*? \w Be|strong="H1961"\w* \w strong|strong="H2388"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w courageous|strong="H2388"\w*!”  
\v 29  \w So|strong="H6213"\w* Absalom’s \w servants|strong="H5288"\w* \w did|strong="H6213"\w* \w to|strong="H6213"\w* Amnon \w exactly|strong="H6680"\w* \w what|strong="H6213"\w* Absalom \w had|strong="H4428"\w* \w instructed|strong="H6680"\w*. \w Then|strong="H6965"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*’s \w sons|strong="H1121"\w* \w got|strong="H6965"\w* \w up|strong="H6965"\w*; \w each|strong="H3605"\w* \w one|strong="H3605"\w* \w rode|strong="H7392"\w* \w away|strong="H5127"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* \w mule|strong="H6505"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w fled|strong="H5127"\w*.   
\p
\v 30  \w While|strong="H1961"\w* \w they|strong="H1992"\w* \w were|strong="H1961"\w* still \w on|strong="H1870"\w* \w their|strong="H3605"\w* \w way|strong="H1870"\w*, \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w following|strong="H1870"\w* \w report|strong="H8052"\w* \w reached|strong="H1961"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w*: “Absalom \w has|strong="H1961"\w* \w killed|strong="H5221"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*’s \w sons|strong="H1121"\w*; \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w one|strong="H3605"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w them|strong="H1992"\w* \w is|strong="H1870"\w* \w left|strong="H3498"\w*!”  
\v 31  \w Then|strong="H6965"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w stood|strong="H5324"\w* \w up|strong="H6965"\w* \w and|strong="H6965"\w* \w tore|strong="H7167"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* garments \w and|strong="H6965"\w* \w lay|strong="H7901"\w* \w down|strong="H7901"\w* \w on|strong="H6965"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* ground. \w All|strong="H3605"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* \w servants|strong="H5650"\w* \w were|strong="H5650"\w* \w standing|strong="H5324"\w* \w there|strong="H3605"\w* \w with|strong="H7901"\w* \w torn|strong="H7167"\w* garments \w as|strong="H6965"\w* well.   
\p
\v 32  \w Jonadab|strong="H3122"\w*, \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w*’s brother \w Shimeah|strong="H8093"\w*, \w said|strong="H6030"\w*, “\w My|strong="H3605"\w* lord \w should|strong="H3588"\w* \w not|strong="H1961"\w* \w say|strong="H6310"\w*, ‘\w They|strong="H3588"\w* \w have|strong="H1961"\w* \w killed|strong="H4191"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w young|strong="H5288"\w* \w men|strong="H5288"\w* \w who|strong="H3605"\w* \w are|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*’s \w sons|strong="H1121"\w*.’ \w For|strong="H3588"\w* \w only|strong="H3588"\w* Amnon \w is|strong="H3117"\w* \w dead|strong="H4191"\w*. \w This|strong="H3588"\w* \w is|strong="H3117"\w* \w what|strong="H6310"\w* Absalom \w has|strong="H1961"\w* talked \w about|strong="H1961"\w* \w from|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* Amnon \w humiliated|strong="H6031"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* sister \w Tamar|strong="H8559"\w*.  
\v 33  \w Now|strong="H6258"\w* don’t \w let|strong="H6258"\w* \w my|strong="H3605"\w* lord \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w be|strong="H4191"\w* \w concerned|strong="H1697"\w* \w about|strong="H1697"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w report|strong="H1697"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w has|strong="H4428"\w* come \w saying|strong="H1697"\w*, ‘\w All|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*’s \w sons|strong="H1121"\w* \w are|strong="H1121"\w* \w dead|strong="H4191"\w*.’ \w It|strong="H7760"\w* \w is|strong="H3820"\w* \w only|strong="H3588"\w* Amnon \w who|strong="H3605"\w* \w is|strong="H3820"\w* \w dead|strong="H4191"\w*.”   
\p
\v 34  \w In|strong="H1980"\w* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* meantime Absalom \w fled|strong="H1272"\w*. \w When|strong="H7200"\w* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* \w servant|strong="H5288"\w* \w who|strong="H5971"\w* \w was|strong="H5288"\w* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* \w watchman|strong="H6822"\w* \w looked|strong="H7200"\w* \w up|strong="H5375"\w*, \w he|strong="H1980"\w* \w saw|strong="H7200"\w* \w many|strong="H7227"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w* \w coming|strong="H1980"\w* \w from|strong="H1980"\w* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* west \w on|strong="H1980"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w road|strong="H1870"\w* \w beside|strong="H6654"\w* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* \w hill|strong="H2022"\w*.  
\v 35  \w Jonadab|strong="H3122"\w* \w said|strong="H1697"\w* \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w the|strong="H1697"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*, “\w Look|strong="H2009"\w*! \w The|strong="H1697"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*’s \w sons|strong="H1121"\w* \w have|strong="H1961"\w* \w come|strong="H1961"\w*! \w It|strong="H3651"\w*’s \w just|strong="H1697"\w* \w as|strong="H1697"\w* \w I|strong="H2009"\w* \w said|strong="H1697"\w*!”   
\p
\v 36  \w Just|strong="H3605"\w* \w as|strong="H1961"\w* \w he|strong="H3605"\w* \w finished|strong="H3615"\w* \w speaking|strong="H1696"\w*, \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*’s \w sons|strong="H1121"\w* arrived, \w wailing|strong="H6963"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w weeping|strong="H1065"\w*. \w The|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* \w servants|strong="H5650"\w* \w wept|strong="H1058"\w* \w loudly|strong="H6963"\w* \w as|strong="H1961"\w* \w well|strong="H1571"\w*.  
\v 37  \w But|strong="H3605"\w* Absalom \w fled|strong="H1272"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w went|strong="H3212"\w* \w to|strong="H3212"\w* \w King|strong="H4428"\w* \w Talmai|strong="H8526"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Ammihud|strong="H5991"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Geshur|strong="H1650"\w*. \w And|strong="H1121"\w* \w David|strong="H3117"\w* grieved \w over|strong="H5921"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w every|strong="H3605"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w*.   
\p
\v 38  \w After|strong="H1961"\w* Absalom \w fled|strong="H1272"\w* \w and|strong="H3212"\w* \w went|strong="H3212"\w* \w to|strong="H3212"\w* \w Geshur|strong="H1650"\w*, \w he|strong="H8033"\w* \w remained|strong="H1961"\w* \w there|strong="H8033"\w* \w for|strong="H8033"\w* \w three|strong="H7969"\w* \w years|strong="H8141"\w*.  
\v 39  \w The|strong="H5921"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w longed|strong="H3615"\w* \w to|strong="H3318"\w* \w go|strong="H3318"\w* \w to|strong="H3318"\w* Absalom, \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w he|strong="H3588"\w* \w had|strong="H1732"\w* \w since|strong="H3588"\w* \w been|strong="H3615"\w* consoled \w over|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w death|strong="H4191"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* Amnon.   
\c 14  
\p
\v 1  \w Now|strong="H3588"\w* \w Joab|strong="H3097"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Zeruiah|strong="H6870"\w* \w realized|strong="H3045"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w longed|strong="H3820"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w see|strong="H3045"\w* Absalom.  
\v 2  \w So|strong="H3947"\w* \w Joab|strong="H3097"\w* \w sent|strong="H7971"\w* \w to|strong="H4191"\w* \w Tekoa|strong="H8620"\w* \w and|strong="H7971"\w* \w brought|strong="H3947"\w* \w from|strong="H5921"\w* \w there|strong="H8033"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w wise|strong="H2450"\w* \w woman|strong="H2088"\w*. \w He|strong="H3117"\w* told \w her|strong="H7971"\w*, “Pretend \w to|strong="H4191"\w* \w be|strong="H1961"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* mourning \w and|strong="H7971"\w* \w put|strong="H4191"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* garments \w for|strong="H5921"\w* mourning. Don’t \w anoint|strong="H5480"\w* \w yourself|strong="H3847"\w* \w with|strong="H3847"\w* \w oil|strong="H8081"\w*. \w Instead|strong="H3947"\w*, \w act|strong="H4994"\w* \w like|strong="H1961"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w woman|strong="H2088"\w* \w who|strong="H7227"\w* \w has|strong="H1961"\w* \w been|strong="H1961"\w* mourning \w for|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w dead|strong="H4191"\w* \w for|strong="H5921"\w* \w some|strong="H8033"\w* \w time|strong="H3117"\w*.  
\v 3  \w Go|strong="H4428"\w* \w to|strong="H1696"\w* \w the|strong="H7760"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w speak|strong="H1696"\w* \w to|strong="H1696"\w* \w him|strong="H7760"\w* \w in|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H7760"\w* following \w fashion|strong="H1697"\w*.” \w Then|strong="H1696"\w* \w Joab|strong="H3097"\w* \w told|strong="H1696"\w* \w her|strong="H7760"\w* \w what|strong="H1697"\w* \w to|strong="H1696"\w* \w say|strong="H1696"\w*.   
\p
\v 4  \w So|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* Tekoan woman \w went|strong="H4428"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*. \w She|strong="H5921"\w* \w bowed|strong="H7812"\w* \w down|strong="H5307"\w* \w with|strong="H5921"\w* \w her|strong="H5921"\w* face \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* ground \w in|strong="H5921"\w* deference \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w him|strong="H5921"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* said, “Please \w help|strong="H3467"\w* \w me|strong="H5921"\w*, \w O|strong="H3068"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*!”  
\v 5  \w The|strong="H4191"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* replied \w to|strong="H4191"\w* \w her|strong="H4191"\w*, “\w What|strong="H4100"\w* \w do|strong="H4100"\w* \w you|strong="H4100"\w* want?” \w She|strong="H4100"\w* answered, “\w I|strong="H4100"\w* am \w a|strong="H3068"\w* widow; \w my|strong="H4191"\w* husband \w is|strong="H4100"\w* \w dead|strong="H4191"\w*.  
\v 6  \w Your|strong="H5221"\w* \w servant|strong="H8198"\w* \w has|strong="H1121"\w* \w two|strong="H8147"\w* \w sons|strong="H1121"\w*. \w When|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H5221"\w* \w two|strong="H8147"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w them|strong="H5221"\w* got into \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w fight|strong="H5327"\w* \w in|strong="H4191"\w* \w the|strong="H5221"\w* \w field|strong="H7704"\w*, there \w was|strong="H1121"\w* no \w one|strong="H1121"\w* present \w who|strong="H1121"\w* \w could|strong="H5337"\w* intervene. \w One|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w them|strong="H5221"\w* \w struck|strong="H5221"\w* \w the|strong="H5221"\w* \w other|strong="H8147"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w killed|strong="H5221"\w* \w him|strong="H5221"\w*.  
\v 7  \w Now|strong="H2009"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w entire|strong="H3605"\w* \w family|strong="H4940"\w* \w has|strong="H1571"\w* \w risen|strong="H6965"\w* \w up|strong="H6965"\w* \w against|strong="H5921"\w* \w your|strong="H3605"\w* \w servant|strong="H8198"\w*, saying, ‘\w Turn|strong="H7760"\w* \w over|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w one|strong="H3605"\w* \w who|strong="H3605"\w* \w struck|strong="H5221"\w* \w down|strong="H5221"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* brother, \w so|strong="H5414"\w* \w that|strong="H3605"\w* \w we|strong="H3068"\w* can \w execute|strong="H4191"\w* \w him|strong="H5414"\w* \w and|strong="H6965"\w* \w avenge|strong="H5414"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w death|strong="H4191"\w* \w of|strong="H6440"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* brother \w whom|strong="H6440"\w* \w he|strong="H3605"\w* \w killed|strong="H2026"\w*. \w In|strong="H5921"\w* \w so|strong="H5414"\w* doing \w we|strong="H3068"\w* \w will|strong="H1571"\w* \w also|strong="H1571"\w* \w destroy|strong="H8045"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w heir|strong="H3423"\w*.’ \w They|strong="H5921"\w* \w want|strong="H5315"\w* \w to|strong="H4191"\w* \w extinguish|strong="H3518"\w* \w my|strong="H5414"\w* \w remaining|strong="H7604"\w* \w coal|strong="H1513"\w*, \w leaving|strong="H7760"\w* \w no|strong="H1115"\w* \w one|strong="H3605"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w face|strong="H6440"\w* \w of|strong="H6440"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* earth \w to|strong="H4191"\w* \w carry|strong="H6965"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w name|strong="H8034"\w* \w of|strong="H6440"\w* \w my|strong="H5414"\w* husband.”   
\p
\v 8  \w Then|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w told|strong="H6680"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w woman|strong="H1004"\w*, “\w Go|strong="H3212"\w* \w to|strong="H3212"\w* \w your|strong="H5921"\w* \w home|strong="H1004"\w*. \w I|strong="H5921"\w* \w will|strong="H4428"\w* \w give|strong="H6680"\w* \w instructions|strong="H6680"\w* \w concerning|strong="H5921"\w* \w your|strong="H5921"\w* situation.”  
\v 9  \w The|strong="H5921"\w* Tekoan \w woman|strong="H1004"\w* said \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*, “\w My|strong="H5921"\w* lord \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*, let any \w blame|strong="H5771"\w* fall \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w me|strong="H5921"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w house|strong="H1004"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w my|strong="H5921"\w* father. \w But|strong="H4428"\w* let \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w his|strong="H5921"\w* \w throne|strong="H3678"\w* \w be|strong="H4428"\w* \w innocent|strong="H5355"\w*!”   
\p
\v 10  \w The|strong="H5060"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w said|strong="H1696"\w*, “\w Bring|strong="H5060"\w* \w to|strong="H1696"\w* \w me|strong="H1696"\w* whoever \w speaks|strong="H1696"\w* \w to|strong="H1696"\w* \w you|strong="H3808"\w*, \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w he|strong="H3808"\w* won’t \w bother|strong="H5060"\w* \w you|strong="H3808"\w* \w again|strong="H5750"\w*!”  
\v 11  \w She|strong="H3808"\w* replied, “\w In|strong="H3068"\w* \w that|strong="H3068"\w* case, \w let|strong="H4994"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w invoke|strong="H2142"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* name \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w your|strong="H3068"\w* \w God|strong="H3068"\w* \w so|strong="H3808"\w* \w that|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* \w avenger|strong="H1350"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w blood|strong="H1818"\w* \w may|strong="H4994"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w kill|strong="H7843"\w*! \w Then|strong="H5307"\w* \w they|strong="H3068"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w destroy|strong="H7843"\w* \w my|strong="H3068"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w*!” \w He|strong="H3068"\w* replied, “\w As|strong="H3068"\w* \w surely|strong="H5307"\w* \w as|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w lives|strong="H2416"\w*, \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* single \w hair|strong="H8185"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w your|strong="H3068"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w*’s \w head|strong="H5307"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w fall|strong="H5307"\w* \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* ground.”   
\p
\v 12  \w Then|strong="H1696"\w* \w the|strong="H1697"\w* woman \w said|strong="H1696"\w*, “\w Please|strong="H4994"\w* permit \w your|strong="H4994"\w* \w servant|strong="H8198"\w* \w to|strong="H1696"\w* \w speak|strong="H1696"\w* \w to|strong="H1696"\w* \w my|strong="H1696"\w* lord \w the|strong="H1697"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w about|strong="H1697"\w* another \w matter|strong="H1697"\w*.” \w He|strong="H1696"\w* \w replied|strong="H1696"\w*, “\w Tell|strong="H1696"\w* \w me|strong="H4994"\w*.”  
\v 13  \w The|strong="H5921"\w* \w woman|strong="H2088"\w* \w said|strong="H1696"\w*, “\w Why|strong="H4100"\w* \w have|strong="H5971"\w* \w you|strong="H5921"\w* \w devised|strong="H2803"\w* \w something|strong="H1697"\w* \w like|strong="H2803"\w* \w this|strong="H2088"\w* \w against|strong="H5921"\w* God’s \w people|strong="H5971"\w*? \w When|strong="H7725"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w speaks|strong="H1696"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w this|strong="H2088"\w* \w fashion|strong="H1697"\w*, \w he|strong="H5921"\w* \w makes|strong="H1696"\w* himself guilty, \w for|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w has|strong="H4428"\w* \w not|strong="H1115"\w* \w brought|strong="H7725"\w* \w back|strong="H7725"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w one|strong="H2088"\w* \w he|strong="H5921"\w* \w has|strong="H4428"\w* \w banished|strong="H5080"\w*.  
\v 14  \w Certainly|strong="H3588"\w* \w we|strong="H3068"\w* \w must|strong="H4191"\w* \w die|strong="H4191"\w*, \w and|strong="H4325"\w* \w are|strong="H4284"\w* \w like|strong="H2803"\w* \w water|strong="H4325"\w* \w spilled|strong="H5064"\w* \w on|strong="H4191"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* ground \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w cannot|strong="H3808"\w* \w be|strong="H4191"\w* \w gathered|strong="H3588"\w* \w up|strong="H5375"\w* again. \w But|strong="H3588"\w* \w God|strong="H3808"\w* \w does|strong="H3808"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w take|strong="H5375"\w* \w away|strong="H5375"\w* \w life|strong="H5315"\w*; \w instead|strong="H3588"\w* \w he|strong="H3588"\w* \w devises|strong="H2803"\w* \w ways|strong="H4284"\w* \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w banished|strong="H5080"\w* \w to|strong="H4191"\w* \w be|strong="H4191"\w* restored.  
\v 15  \w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w have|strong="H5971"\w* \w now|strong="H6258"\w* \w come|strong="H4994"\w* \w to|strong="H1696"\w* \w speak|strong="H1696"\w* \w with|strong="H6213"\w* \w my|strong="H6213"\w* lord \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w about|strong="H1697"\w* \w this|strong="H2088"\w* \w matter|strong="H1697"\w*, \w because|strong="H3588"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w* \w have|strong="H5971"\w* \w made|strong="H6213"\w* \w me|strong="H4994"\w* \w fearful|strong="H3372"\w*. \w But|strong="H3588"\w* \w your|strong="H6213"\w* \w servant|strong="H8198"\w* \w said|strong="H1696"\w*, ‘\w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w will|strong="H4428"\w* \w speak|strong="H1696"\w* \w to|strong="H1696"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*! \w Perhaps|strong="H3588"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w will|strong="H4428"\w* \w do|strong="H6213"\w* \w what|strong="H1697"\w* \w his|strong="H6213"\w* \w female|strong="H8198"\w* \w servant|strong="H8198"\w* asks.  
\v 16  \w Yes|strong="H3588"\w*! \w The|strong="H8085"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w may|strong="H4428"\w* \w listen|strong="H8085"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w deliver|strong="H5337"\w* \w his|strong="H8085"\w* female servant \w from|strong="H8085"\w* \w the|strong="H8085"\w* \w hand|strong="H3709"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H8085"\w* \w man|strong="H1121"\w* \w who|strong="H1121"\w* seeks \w to|strong="H8085"\w* \w remove|strong="H3709"\w* \w both|strong="H3162"\w* \w me|strong="H5337"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w my|strong="H8085"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w from|strong="H8085"\w* \w the|strong="H8085"\w* \w inheritance|strong="H5159"\w* God \w has|strong="H4428"\w* \w given|strong="H8085"\w* \w us|strong="H3588"\w*!’  
\v 17  \w So|strong="H3651"\w* \w your|strong="H3068"\w* \w servant|strong="H8198"\w* \w said|strong="H1697"\w*, ‘\w May|strong="H1961"\w* \w the|strong="H8085"\w* \w word|strong="H1697"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w my|strong="H8085"\w* \w lord|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H8085"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w be|strong="H1961"\w* \w my|strong="H8085"\w* \w security|strong="H4496"\w*, \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w my|strong="H8085"\w* \w lord|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H8085"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w is|strong="H3068"\w* \w like|strong="H1961"\w* \w the|strong="H8085"\w* \w angel|strong="H4397"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w God|strong="H3068"\w* \w when|strong="H3588"\w* \w it|strong="H3588"\w* \w comes|strong="H1961"\w* \w to|strong="H3068"\w* deciding \w between|strong="H5973"\w* \w right|strong="H3651"\w* \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w wrong|strong="H7451"\w*! \w May|strong="H1961"\w* \w the|strong="H8085"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w your|strong="H3068"\w* \w God|strong="H3068"\w* \w be|strong="H1961"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w*!’”   
\p
\v 18  \w Then|strong="H6030"\w* \w the|strong="H4480"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w replied|strong="H6030"\w* \w to|strong="H1696"\w* \w the|strong="H4480"\w* woman, “Don’t \w hide|strong="H3582"\w* \w any|strong="H4480"\w* \w information|strong="H1697"\w* \w from|strong="H4480"\w* \w me|strong="H4994"\w* \w when|strong="H1696"\w* \w I|strong="H1697"\w* \w question|strong="H1697"\w* \w you|strong="H4480"\w*.” \w The|strong="H4480"\w* woman \w said|strong="H1696"\w*, “\w Let|strong="H4994"\w* \w my|strong="H1696"\w* lord \w the|strong="H4480"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w speak|strong="H1696"\w*!”  
\v 19  \w The|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w said|strong="H1696"\w*, “\w Did|strong="H5650"\w* \w Joab|strong="H3097"\w* \w put|strong="H7760"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w up|strong="H7760"\w* \w to|strong="H1696"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w this|strong="H2063"\w*?” \w The|strong="H3605"\w* woman \w answered|strong="H6030"\w*, “\w As|strong="H1697"\w* \w surely|strong="H3588"\w* \w as|strong="H1697"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w live|strong="H2416"\w*, \w my|strong="H3605"\w* lord \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*, \w there|strong="H3605"\w* \w is|strong="H1931"\w* \w no|strong="H3605"\w* deviation \w to|strong="H1696"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w right|strong="H3231"\w* \w or|strong="H6310"\w* \w to|strong="H1696"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w left|strong="H8041"\w* \w from|strong="H5315"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w my|strong="H3605"\w* lord \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w has|strong="H4428"\w* \w said|strong="H1696"\w*. \w For|strong="H3588"\w* \w your|strong="H3605"\w* \w servant|strong="H5650"\w* \w Joab|strong="H3097"\w* \w gave|strong="H6680"\w* \w me|strong="H5315"\w* \w instructions|strong="H1697"\w*. \w He|strong="H1931"\w* \w has|strong="H4428"\w* \w put|strong="H7760"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w these|strong="H1696"\w* \w words|strong="H1697"\w* \w in|strong="H4428"\w* \w your|strong="H3605"\w* \w servant|strong="H5650"\w*’s \w mouth|strong="H6310"\w*.  
\v 20  \w Your|strong="H3605"\w* \w servant|strong="H5650"\w* \w Joab|strong="H3097"\w* \w did|strong="H6213"\w* \w this|strong="H2088"\w* \w so|strong="H6213"\w* \w as|strong="H1697"\w* \w to|strong="H6213"\w* \w change|strong="H5437"\w* \w this|strong="H2088"\w* situation. \w But|strong="H3605"\w* \w my|strong="H3605"\w* lord \w has|strong="H5650"\w* \w wisdom|strong="H2451"\w* \w like|strong="H1697"\w* \w that|strong="H3045"\w* \w of|strong="H1697"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w angel|strong="H4397"\w* \w of|strong="H1697"\w* \w God|strong="H2451"\w*, \w and|strong="H5650"\w* \w knows|strong="H3045"\w* \w everything|strong="H3605"\w* \w that|strong="H3045"\w* \w is|strong="H2088"\w* happening \w in|strong="H6213"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w land|strong="H6440"\w*.”   
\p
\v 21  \w Then|strong="H2009"\w* \w the|strong="H6213"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w said|strong="H1697"\w* \w to|strong="H7725"\w* \w Joab|strong="H3097"\w*, “\w All|strong="H6213"\w* \w right|strong="H2009"\w*! \w I|strong="H2009"\w* \w will|strong="H4428"\w* \w do|strong="H6213"\w* \w this|strong="H2088"\w* \w thing|strong="H1697"\w*! \w Go|strong="H3212"\w* \w and|strong="H7725"\w* \w bring|strong="H7725"\w* \w back|strong="H7725"\w* \w the|strong="H6213"\w* \w young|strong="H5288"\w* \w man|strong="H5288"\w* Absalom!  
\v 22  \w Then|strong="H5307"\w* \w Joab|strong="H3097"\w* \w bowed|strong="H7812"\w* \w down|strong="H5307"\w* \w with|strong="H6213"\w* \w his|strong="H6440"\w* \w face|strong="H6440"\w* \w toward|strong="H6440"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w ground|strong="H6440"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w thanked|strong="H1288"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*. \w Joab|strong="H3097"\w* \w said|strong="H1697"\w*, “\w Today|strong="H3117"\w* \w your|strong="H6440"\w* \w servant|strong="H5650"\w* \w knows|strong="H3045"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w have|strong="H5869"\w* \w found|strong="H4672"\w* \w favor|strong="H2580"\w* \w in|strong="H6213"\w* \w your|strong="H6440"\w* \w sight|strong="H5869"\w*, \w my|strong="H3045"\w* lord \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*, \w because|strong="H3588"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w has|strong="H4428"\w* \w granted|strong="H6213"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w request|strong="H1697"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w your|strong="H6440"\w* \w servant|strong="H5650"\w*!”   
\p
\v 23  \w So|strong="H6965"\w* \w Joab|strong="H3097"\w* \w got|strong="H6965"\w* \w up|strong="H6965"\w* \w and|strong="H6965"\w* \w went|strong="H3212"\w* \w to|strong="H3212"\w* \w Geshur|strong="H1650"\w* \w and|strong="H6965"\w* \w brought|strong="H3212"\w* Absalom \w back|strong="H3212"\w* \w to|strong="H3212"\w* \w Jerusalem|strong="H3389"\w*.  
\v 24  \w But|strong="H3808"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* said, “\w Let|strong="H3808"\w* \w him|strong="H6440"\w* \w go|strong="H5437"\w* \w over|strong="H4428"\w* \w to|strong="H6440"\w* \w his|strong="H6440"\w* \w own|strong="H6440"\w* \w house|strong="H1004"\w*. \w He|strong="H1004"\w* \w may|strong="H4428"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w see|strong="H7200"\w* \w my|strong="H7200"\w* \w face|strong="H6440"\w*.” \w So|strong="H3808"\w* Absalom \w went|strong="H4428"\w* \w over|strong="H4428"\w* \w to|strong="H6440"\w* \w his|strong="H6440"\w* \w own|strong="H6440"\w* \w house|strong="H1004"\w*; \w he|strong="H1004"\w* \w did|strong="H3808"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w see|strong="H7200"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*’s \w face|strong="H6440"\w*.   
\p
\v 25  \w Now|strong="H1961"\w* \w in|strong="H3478"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \w everyone|strong="H3605"\w* acknowledged \w that|strong="H3605"\w* \w there|strong="H1961"\w* \w was|strong="H1961"\w* \w no|strong="H3808"\w* \w man|strong="H3605"\w* \w as|strong="H5704"\w* \w handsome|strong="H3303"\w* \w as|strong="H5704"\w* Absalom. \w From|strong="H3478"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w sole|strong="H3709"\w* \w of|strong="H3709"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* \w feet|strong="H7272"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* top \w of|strong="H3709"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* \w head|strong="H6936"\w* \w he|strong="H5704"\w* \w was|strong="H1961"\w* \w perfect|strong="H3971"\w* \w in|strong="H3478"\w* appearance.  
\v 26  \w When|strong="H3588"\w* \w he|strong="H3588"\w* \w would|strong="H4428"\w* \w shave|strong="H1548"\w* \w his|strong="H5921"\w* \w head|strong="H7218"\w* – \w at|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w end|strong="H7093"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w every|strong="H3117"\w* \w year|strong="H3117"\w* \w he|strong="H3588"\w* \w used|strong="H1961"\w* \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w shave|strong="H1548"\w* \w his|strong="H5921"\w* \w head|strong="H7218"\w*, \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w it|strong="H5921"\w* \w grew|strong="H3513"\w* \w too|strong="H5921"\w* \w long|strong="H3117"\w* \w and|strong="H3967"\w* \w he|strong="H3588"\w* \w would|strong="H4428"\w* \w shave|strong="H1548"\w* \w it|strong="H5921"\w* – \w he|strong="H3588"\w* \w used|strong="H1961"\w* \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w weigh|strong="H8254"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w hair|strong="H8181"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w his|strong="H5921"\w* \w head|strong="H7218"\w* \w at|strong="H5921"\w* three pounds \w according|strong="H5921"\w* \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*’s weight.  
\v 27  Absalom \w had|strong="H1961"\w* \w three|strong="H7969"\w* \w sons|strong="H1121"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w one|strong="H1931"\w* \w daughter|strong="H1323"\w*, \w whose|strong="H1121"\w* \w name|strong="H8034"\w* \w was|strong="H8034"\w* \w Tamar|strong="H8559"\w*. \w She|strong="H1931"\w* \w was|strong="H8034"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* very \w attractive|strong="H3303"\w* \w woman|strong="H1323"\w*.   
\p
\v 28  Absalom \w lived|strong="H3427"\w* \w in|strong="H3427"\w* \w Jerusalem|strong="H3389"\w* \w for|strong="H6440"\w* \w two|strong="H3427"\w* \w years|strong="H8141"\w* \w without|strong="H3808"\w* \w seeing|strong="H7200"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*’s \w face|strong="H6440"\w*.  
\v 29  \w Then|strong="H7971"\w* Absalom \w sent|strong="H7971"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* message \w to|strong="H7971"\w* \w Joab|strong="H3097"\w* asking \w him|strong="H7971"\w* \w to|strong="H7971"\w* \w send|strong="H7971"\w* \w him|strong="H7971"\w* \w to|strong="H7971"\w* \w the|strong="H7971"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*, \w but|strong="H3808"\w* \w Joab|strong="H3097"\w* \w was|strong="H4428"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* willing \w to|strong="H7971"\w* \w come|strong="H5750"\w* \w to|strong="H7971"\w* \w him|strong="H7971"\w*. \w So|strong="H7971"\w* \w he|strong="H3808"\w* \w sent|strong="H7971"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w second|strong="H8145"\w* message \w to|strong="H7971"\w* \w him|strong="H7971"\w*, \w but|strong="H3808"\w* \w he|strong="H3808"\w* \w still|strong="H5750"\w* \w was|strong="H4428"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* willing \w to|strong="H7971"\w* \w come|strong="H5750"\w*.  
\v 30  \w So|strong="H7200"\w* \w he|strong="H8033"\w* said \w to|strong="H3212"\w* \w his|strong="H7200"\w* \w servants|strong="H5650"\w*, “\w Look|strong="H7200"\w*, \w Joab|strong="H3097"\w* \w has|strong="H5650"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w portion|strong="H2513"\w* \w of|strong="H3027"\w* \w field|strong="H2513"\w* \w adjacent|strong="H3027"\w* \w to|strong="H3212"\w* \w mine|strong="H7200"\w* \w and|strong="H3027"\w* \w he|strong="H8033"\w* \w has|strong="H5650"\w* \w some|strong="H8033"\w* \w barley|strong="H8184"\w* \w there|strong="H8033"\w*. \w Go|strong="H3212"\w* \w and|strong="H3027"\w* \w set|strong="H3341"\w* \w it|strong="H7200"\w* \w on|strong="H7200"\w* \w fire|strong="H3341"\w*.” \w So|strong="H7200"\w* Absalom’s \w servants|strong="H5650"\w* \w set|strong="H3341"\w* \w Joab|strong="H3097"\w*’s \w portion|strong="H2513"\w* \w of|strong="H3027"\w* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* \w field|strong="H2513"\w* \w on|strong="H7200"\w* \w fire|strong="H3341"\w*.   
\p
\v 31  \w Then|strong="H6965"\w* \w Joab|strong="H3097"\w* \w got|strong="H6965"\w* \w up|strong="H6965"\w* \w and|strong="H6965"\w* \w came|strong="H5650"\w* \w to|strong="H1004"\w* Absalom’s \w house|strong="H1004"\w*. \w He|strong="H1004"\w* said \w to|strong="H1004"\w* him, “\w Why|strong="H4100"\w* \w did|strong="H4100"\w* \w your|strong="H6965"\w* \w servants|strong="H5650"\w* \w set|strong="H6965"\w* \w my|strong="H6965"\w* \w portion|strong="H2513"\w* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w field|strong="H2513"\w* \w on|strong="H1004"\w* \w fire|strong="H3341"\w*?”  
\v 32  Absalom said \w to|strong="H4191"\w* \w Joab|strong="H3097"\w*, “\w Look|strong="H7200"\w*, \w I|strong="H2009"\w* \w sent|strong="H7971"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* message \w to|strong="H4191"\w* \w you|strong="H6440"\w* saying, ‘\w Come|strong="H5750"\w* \w here|strong="H2009"\w* \w so|strong="H7971"\w* \w that|strong="H7200"\w* \w I|strong="H2009"\w* \w can|strong="H4100"\w* \w send|strong="H7971"\w* \w you|strong="H6440"\w* \w to|strong="H4191"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w with|strong="H6440"\w* \w this|strong="H7200"\w* message: “\w Why|strong="H4100"\w* \w have|strong="H3426"\w* \w I|strong="H2009"\w* \w come|strong="H5750"\w* \w from|strong="H6440"\w* \w Geshur|strong="H1650"\w*? \w It|strong="H7200"\w* \w would|strong="H4100"\w* \w be|strong="H4191"\w* \w better|strong="H2896"\w* \w for|strong="H6440"\w* \w me|strong="H6440"\w* \w if|strong="H2009"\w* \w I|strong="H2009"\w* \w were|strong="H3426"\w* \w still|strong="H5750"\w* \w there|strong="H8033"\w*.”’ \w Let|strong="H7971"\w* \w me|strong="H6440"\w* \w now|strong="H6258"\w* \w see|strong="H7200"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w face|strong="H6440"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*. \w If|strong="H2009"\w* \w I|strong="H2009"\w* \w am|strong="H3426"\w* \w at|strong="H4428"\w* \w fault|strong="H5771"\w*, \w let|strong="H7971"\w* \w him|strong="H6440"\w* \w put|strong="H4191"\w* \w me|strong="H6440"\w* \w to|strong="H4191"\w* \w death|strong="H4191"\w*!”   
\p
\v 33  \w So|strong="H7121"\w* \w Joab|strong="H3097"\w* \w went|strong="H4428"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w informed|strong="H5046"\w* \w him|strong="H6440"\w*. \w The|strong="H6440"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w summoned|strong="H7121"\w* Absalom, \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w he|strong="H5921"\w* \w came|strong="H4428"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*. Absalom \w bowed|strong="H7812"\w* \w down|strong="H7812"\w* \w before|strong="H6440"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w with|strong="H5921"\w* \w his|strong="H7121"\w* \w face|strong="H6440"\w* \w toward|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w ground|strong="H6440"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w kissed|strong="H5401"\w* \w him|strong="H6440"\w*.   
\c 15  
\p
\v 1  Some \w time|strong="H6440"\w* \w later|strong="H1961"\w* Absalom managed \w to|strong="H1961"\w* acquire \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w chariot|strong="H4818"\w* \w and|strong="H2572"\w* \w horses|strong="H5483"\w*, \w as|strong="H1961"\w* \w well|strong="H3651"\w* \w as|strong="H1961"\w* \w fifty|strong="H2572"\w* \w men|strong="H6213"\w* \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w serve|strong="H1961"\w* \w as|strong="H1961"\w* \w his|strong="H6440"\w* royal \w guard|strong="H7323"\w*.  
\v 2  \w Now|strong="H1961"\w* Absalom \w used|strong="H1961"\w* \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w get|strong="H3027"\w* \w up|strong="H5975"\w* \w early|strong="H7925"\w* \w and|strong="H3478"\w* \w stand|strong="H5975"\w* \w beside|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w road|strong="H1870"\w* \w that|strong="H3605"\w* led \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w city|strong="H5892"\w* \w gate|strong="H8179"\w*. \w Whenever|strong="H3605"\w* \w anyone|strong="H3605"\w* \w came|strong="H1961"\w* \w by|strong="H3027"\w* \w who|strong="H3605"\w* \w had|strong="H1961"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w complaint|strong="H7379"\w* \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w bring|strong="H1961"\w* \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w for|strong="H5921"\w* arbitration, Absalom \w would|strong="H3478"\w* \w call|strong="H7121"\w* \w out|strong="H5921"\w* \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w him|strong="H7121"\w*, “\w What|strong="H2088"\w* \w city|strong="H5892"\w* \w are|strong="H3478"\w* \w you|strong="H3605"\w* \w from|strong="H5921"\w*?” \w The|strong="H3605"\w* \w person|strong="H3027"\w* \w would|strong="H3478"\w* answer, “\w I|strong="H5921"\w*, \w your|strong="H3605"\w* \w servant|strong="H5650"\w*, \w am|strong="H1961"\w* \w from|strong="H5921"\w* \w one|strong="H2088"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w tribes|strong="H7626"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w*.”  
\v 3  Absalom \w would|strong="H1697"\w* \w then|strong="H8085"\w* \w say|strong="H1697"\w* \w to|strong="H8085"\w* \w him|strong="H7200"\w*, “\w Look|strong="H7200"\w*, \w your|strong="H7200"\w* \w claims|strong="H1697"\w* \w are|strong="H1697"\w* legitimate \w and|strong="H4428"\w* appropriate. \w But|strong="H7200"\w* \w there|strong="H1697"\w* \w is|strong="H1697"\w* \w no|strong="H7200"\w* \w representative|strong="H5228"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H8085"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w who|strong="H4428"\w* \w will|strong="H4428"\w* \w listen|strong="H8085"\w* \w to|strong="H8085"\w* \w you|strong="H7200"\w*.”  
\v 4  Absalom \w would|strong="H4310"\w* \w then|strong="H1961"\w* say, “\w If|strong="H1961"\w* \w only|strong="H3605"\w* \w they|strong="H5921"\w* \w would|strong="H4310"\w* \w make|strong="H7760"\w* \w me|strong="H5921"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w judge|strong="H8199"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* land! \w Then|strong="H1961"\w* \w everyone|strong="H3605"\w* \w who|strong="H4310"\w* \w had|strong="H1961"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* judicial \w complaint|strong="H7379"\w* \w could|strong="H4310"\w* \w come|strong="H1961"\w* \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w me|strong="H5921"\w* \w and|strong="H4941"\w* \w I|strong="H5921"\w* \w would|strong="H4310"\w* \w make|strong="H7760"\w* sure \w he|strong="H3605"\w* receives \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w just|strong="H4941"\w* settlement.”   
\p
\v 5  \w When|strong="H1961"\w* someone \w approached|strong="H7126"\w* \w to|strong="H7971"\w* \w bow|strong="H7812"\w* \w before|strong="H1961"\w* \w him|strong="H7971"\w*, Absalom would \w extend|strong="H1961"\w* \w his|strong="H7971"\w* \w hand|strong="H3027"\w* \w and|strong="H7971"\w* embrace \w him|strong="H7971"\w* \w and|strong="H7971"\w* \w kiss|strong="H5401"\w* \w him|strong="H7971"\w*.  
\v 6  Absalom \w acted|strong="H6213"\w* \w this|strong="H2088"\w* \w way|strong="H1697"\w* \w toward|strong="H6213"\w* \w everyone|strong="H3605"\w* \w in|strong="H3478"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \w who|strong="H3605"\w* \w came|strong="H3478"\w* \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w for|strong="H6213"\w* \w justice|strong="H4941"\w*. \w In|strong="H3478"\w* \w this|strong="H2088"\w* \w way|strong="H1697"\w* Absalom \w won|strong="H1589"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* loyalty \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* citizens \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w*.   
\p
\v 7  \w After|strong="H7093"\w* four \w years|strong="H8141"\w* Absalom said \w to|strong="H3212"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*, “\w Let|strong="H4994"\w* \w me|strong="H4994"\w* \w go|strong="H3212"\w* \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w repay|strong="H7999"\w* \w my|strong="H3068"\w* \w vow|strong="H5088"\w* \w that|strong="H3068"\w* \w I|strong="H8141"\w* \w made|strong="H5087"\w* \w to|strong="H3212"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w while|strong="H1961"\w* \w I|strong="H8141"\w* \w was|strong="H3068"\w* \w in|strong="H8141"\w* \w Hebron|strong="H2275"\w*.  
\v 8  \w For|strong="H3588"\w* \w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w made|strong="H5087"\w* \w this|strong="H3588"\w* \w vow|strong="H5088"\w* \w when|strong="H3588"\w* \w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w was|strong="H3068"\w* \w living|strong="H3427"\w* \w in|strong="H3427"\w* \w Geshur|strong="H1650"\w* \w in|strong="H3427"\w* Aram: ‘\w If|strong="H3588"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w really|strong="H7725"\w* \w does|strong="H3068"\w* allow \w me|strong="H7725"\w* \w to|strong="H7725"\w* \w return|strong="H7725"\w* \w to|strong="H7725"\w* \w Jerusalem|strong="H3389"\w*, \w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w serve|strong="H5647"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*.’”  
\v 9  \w The|strong="H6965"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* replied \w to|strong="H3212"\w* \w him|strong="H4428"\w*, “\w Go|strong="H3212"\w* \w in|strong="H4428"\w* \w peace|strong="H7965"\w*.” \w So|strong="H6965"\w* Absalom \w got|strong="H6965"\w* \w up|strong="H6965"\w* \w and|strong="H6965"\w* \w went|strong="H3212"\w* \w to|strong="H3212"\w* \w Hebron|strong="H2275"\w*.   
\p
\v 10  \w Then|strong="H7971"\w* Absalom \w sent|strong="H7971"\w* \w spies|strong="H7270"\w* \w through|strong="H3605"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w tribes|strong="H7626"\w* \w of|strong="H7626"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \w who|strong="H3605"\w* \w said|strong="H8085"\w*, “\w When|strong="H8085"\w* \w you|strong="H3605"\w* \w hear|strong="H8085"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w sound|strong="H6963"\w* \w of|strong="H7626"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w horn|strong="H7782"\w*, \w you|strong="H3605"\w* \w may|strong="H3478"\w* assume \w that|strong="H3605"\w* Absalom \w rules|strong="H4427"\w* \w in|strong="H3478"\w* \w Hebron|strong="H2275"\w*.”  
\v 11  \w Now|strong="H7121"\w* \w two|strong="H1980"\w* \w hundred|strong="H3967"\w* \w men|strong="H1980"\w* \w had|strong="H3045"\w* \w gone|strong="H1980"\w* \w with|strong="H1980"\w* Absalom \w from|strong="H1980"\w* \w Jerusalem|strong="H3389"\w*. Since \w they|strong="H3808"\w* \w were|strong="H1697"\w* \w invited|strong="H7121"\w*, \w they|strong="H3808"\w* \w went|strong="H1980"\w* \w naively|strong="H8537"\w* \w and|strong="H3967"\w* \w were|strong="H1697"\w* \w unaware|strong="H3045"\w* \w of|strong="H1697"\w* \w what|strong="H1697"\w* Absalom \w was|strong="H1697"\w* planning.  
\v 12  \w While|strong="H1961"\w* \w he|strong="H1732"\w* \w was|strong="H1961"\w* \w offering|strong="H2076"\w* \w sacrifices|strong="H2077"\w*, Absalom \w sent|strong="H7971"\w* \w for|strong="H7971"\w* Ahithophel \w the|strong="H7971"\w* \w Gilonite|strong="H1526"\w*, \w David|strong="H1732"\w*’s \w adviser|strong="H3289"\w*, \w to|strong="H1980"\w* \w come|strong="H1980"\w* \w from|strong="H1980"\w* \w his|strong="H7971"\w* \w city|strong="H5892"\w*, \w Giloh|strong="H1542"\w*. \w The|strong="H7971"\w* \w conspiracy|strong="H7195"\w* \w was|strong="H1961"\w* gaining momentum, \w and|strong="H1980"\w* \w the|strong="H7971"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w* \w were|strong="H1961"\w* \w starting|strong="H1961"\w* \w to|strong="H1980"\w* side \w with|strong="H1980"\w* Absalom.   
\s1 David Flees from Jerusalem  
\p
\v 13  \w Then|strong="H1961"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w messenger|strong="H5046"\w* \w came|strong="H1961"\w* \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w* \w and|strong="H3478"\w* \w reported|strong="H5046"\w*, “\w The|strong="H5046"\w* \w men|strong="H3478"\w* \w of|strong="H3820"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \w are|strong="H3478"\w* loyal \w to|strong="H3478"\w* Absalom!”  
\v 14  \w So|strong="H6435"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w* \w said|strong="H6310"\w* \w to|strong="H3212"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* \w servants|strong="H5650"\w* \w who|strong="H3605"\w* \w were|strong="H1961"\w* \w with|strong="H5921"\w* \w him|strong="H6440"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w Jerusalem|strong="H3389"\w*, “\w Come|strong="H1961"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w*! \w Let|strong="H3808"\w*’s \w escape|strong="H6413"\w*! \w Otherwise|strong="H6435"\w* \w no|strong="H3808"\w* \w one|strong="H3605"\w* \w will|strong="H1961"\w* \w be|strong="H1961"\w* \w delivered|strong="H6413"\w* \w from|strong="H6440"\w* Absalom! \w Go|strong="H3212"\w* \w immediately|strong="H6965"\w*, \w or|strong="H3808"\w* \w else|strong="H6435"\w* \w he|strong="H3588"\w* \w will|strong="H1961"\w* \w quickly|strong="H4116"\w* \w overtake|strong="H5381"\w* \w us|strong="H5921"\w* \w and|strong="H6965"\w* \w bring|strong="H3212"\w* \w disaster|strong="H7451"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w us|strong="H5921"\w* \w and|strong="H6965"\w* \w kill|strong="H5221"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w city|strong="H5892"\w*’s residents \w with|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w sword|strong="H2719"\w*.”  
\v 15  \w The|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*’s \w servants|strong="H5650"\w* replied \w to|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*, “\w We|strong="H3605"\w* \w will|strong="H4428"\w* \w do|strong="H3605"\w* \w whatever|strong="H3605"\w* \w our|strong="H3605"\w* lord \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* decides.”   
\p
\v 16  \w So|strong="H3318"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w members|strong="H1004"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* \w royal|strong="H4428"\w* \w court|strong="H1004"\w* \w set|strong="H3318"\w* \w out|strong="H3318"\w* \w on|strong="H1004"\w* \w foot|strong="H7272"\w*, though \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w left|strong="H5800"\w* \w behind|strong="H5800"\w* \w ten|strong="H6235"\w* \w concubines|strong="H6370"\w* \w to|strong="H3318"\w* \w attend|strong="H8104"\w* \w to|strong="H3318"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w palace|strong="H1004"\w*.  
\v 17  \w The|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w* \w set|strong="H5975"\w* \w out|strong="H3318"\w* \w on|strong="H5975"\w* \w foot|strong="H7272"\w*, \w pausing|strong="H5975"\w* \w at|strong="H4428"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* spot \w some|strong="H5971"\w* distance \w away|strong="H3318"\w*.  
\v 18  \w All|strong="H3605"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* \w servants|strong="H5650"\w* \w were|strong="H3027"\w* leaving \w with|strong="H5921"\w* \w him|strong="H6440"\w*, \w along|strong="H5921"\w* \w with|strong="H5921"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* Kerethites, \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Pelethites|strong="H6432"\w*, \w and|strong="H3967"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Gittites|strong="H1663"\w* – \w some|strong="H3027"\w* \w six|strong="H8337"\w* \w hundred|strong="H3967"\w* \w men|strong="H5650"\w* \w who|strong="H3605"\w* \w had|strong="H4428"\w* \w come|strong="H5674"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w foot|strong="H7272"\w* \w from|strong="H6440"\w* \w Gath|strong="H1661"\w*. \w They|strong="H5921"\w* \w were|strong="H3027"\w* leaving \w with|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*.   
\p
\v 19  \w Then|strong="H1571"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* said \w to|strong="H7725"\w* Ittai \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w Gittite|strong="H1663"\w*, “\w Why|strong="H4100"\w* \w should|strong="H4100"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w come|strong="H3212"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w us|strong="H7725"\w*? \w Go|strong="H3212"\w* \w back|strong="H7725"\w* \w and|strong="H7725"\w* \w stay|strong="H3427"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* new \w king|strong="H4428"\w*, \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w are|strong="H4100"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w foreigner|strong="H5237"\w* \w and|strong="H7725"\w* \w an|strong="H3588"\w* \w exile|strong="H1540"\w* \w from|strong="H7725"\w* \w your|strong="H7725"\w* \w own|strong="H5973"\w* \w country|strong="H4725"\w*.  
\v 20  \w It|strong="H5921"\w* seems \w like|strong="H5973"\w* \w you|strong="H5921"\w* arrived just \w yesterday|strong="H8543"\w*. \w Today|strong="H3117"\w* \w should|strong="H1980"\w* \w I|strong="H3117"\w* \w make|strong="H7725"\w* \w you|strong="H5921"\w* \w wander|strong="H5128"\w* \w around|strong="H5921"\w* \w by|strong="H5921"\w* \w going|strong="H1980"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w us|strong="H7725"\w*? \w I|strong="H3117"\w* \w go|strong="H1980"\w* \w where|strong="H5921"\w* \w I|strong="H3117"\w* must \w go|strong="H1980"\w*. \w But|strong="H7725"\w* \w as|strong="H3117"\w* \w for|strong="H5921"\w* \w you|strong="H5921"\w*, \w go|strong="H1980"\w* \w back|strong="H7725"\w* \w and|strong="H1980"\w* \w take|strong="H7725"\w* \w your|strong="H5921"\w* \w men|strong="H1980"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w you|strong="H5921"\w*. \w May|strong="H7725"\w* genuine \w loyal|strong="H2617"\w* \w love|strong="H2617"\w* \w protect|strong="H3117"\w* \w you|strong="H5921"\w*!”   
\p
\v 21  \w But|strong="H3588"\w* Ittai \w replied|strong="H6030"\w* \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*, “\w As|strong="H1961"\w* \w surely|strong="H3588"\w* \w as|strong="H1961"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w lives|strong="H2416"\w* \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w as|strong="H1961"\w* \w my|strong="H3068"\w* \w lord|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w lives|strong="H2416"\w*, \w wherever|strong="H4725"\w* \w my|strong="H3068"\w* \w lord|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w is|strong="H3068"\w*, whether \w dead|strong="H4194"\w* \w or|strong="H4194"\w* \w alive|strong="H2416"\w*, \w there|strong="H8033"\w* \w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w be|strong="H1961"\w* \w as|strong="H1961"\w* well!”  
\v 22  \w So|strong="H5674"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w* said \w to|strong="H3212"\w* Ittai, “\w Come|strong="H3212"\w* \w along|strong="H5674"\w* \w then|strong="H5674"\w*.” \w So|strong="H5674"\w* Ittai \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Gittite|strong="H1663"\w* \w went|strong="H3212"\w* \w along|strong="H5674"\w*, \w accompanied|strong="H5674"\w* \w by|strong="H5674"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* \w men|strong="H3605"\w* \w and|strong="H3212"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* dependents \w who|strong="H3605"\w* \w were|strong="H1732"\w* \w with|strong="H3212"\w* \w him|strong="H3605"\w*.   
\p
\v 23  \w All|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w land|strong="H6440"\w* \w was|strong="H4428"\w* \w weeping|strong="H1058"\w* \w loudly|strong="H6963"\w* \w as|strong="H5971"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w these|strong="H3605"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w* \w were|strong="H5971"\w* leaving. \w As|strong="H5971"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w was|strong="H4428"\w* \w crossing|strong="H5674"\w* \w over|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Kidron|strong="H6939"\w* \w Valley|strong="H5158"\w*, \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w* \w were|strong="H5971"\w* leaving \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w road|strong="H1870"\w* \w that|strong="H5971"\w* leads \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w desert|strong="H4057"\w*.  
\v 24  \w Zadok|strong="H6659"\w* \w and|strong="H5971"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Levites|strong="H3881"\w* \w who|strong="H3605"\w* \w were|strong="H5971"\w* \w with|strong="H1285"\w* \w him|strong="H3605"\w* \w were|strong="H5971"\w* \w carrying|strong="H5375"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* ark \w of|strong="H5892"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w covenant|strong="H1285"\w* \w of|strong="H5892"\w* God. \w When|strong="H5704"\w* \w they|strong="H5704"\w* positioned \w the|strong="H3605"\w* ark \w of|strong="H5892"\w* God, Abiathar \w offered|strong="H5927"\w* sacrifices \w until|strong="H5704"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w* \w had|strong="H5971"\w* \w finished|strong="H8552"\w* \w leaving|strong="H4480"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w city|strong="H5892"\w*.   
\p
\v 25  \w Then|strong="H7725"\w* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* said \w to|strong="H7725"\w* \w Zadok|strong="H6659"\w*, “\w Take|strong="H7725"\w* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* ark \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w God|strong="H3068"\w* \w back|strong="H7725"\w* \w to|strong="H7725"\w* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* \w city|strong="H5892"\w*. \w If|strong="H7200"\w* \w I|strong="H7200"\w* \w find|strong="H4672"\w* \w favor|strong="H2580"\w* \w in|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*’s \w sight|strong="H5869"\w* \w he|strong="H3068"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w bring|strong="H7725"\w* \w me|strong="H7725"\w* \w back|strong="H7725"\w* \w and|strong="H3068"\w* enable \w me|strong="H7725"\w* \w to|strong="H7725"\w* \w see|strong="H7200"\w* both \w it|strong="H7725"\w* \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w his|strong="H3068"\w* \w dwelling|strong="H5116"\w* \w place|strong="H5116"\w* \w again|strong="H7725"\w*.  
\v 26  However, \w if|strong="H2005"\w* \w he|strong="H6213"\w* \w should|strong="H6213"\w* say, ‘\w I|strong="H2005"\w* \w do|strong="H6213"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w take|strong="H6213"\w* \w pleasure|strong="H2654"\w* \w in|strong="H6213"\w* \w you|strong="H6213"\w*,’ \w then|strong="H6213"\w* \w he|strong="H6213"\w* \w will|strong="H5869"\w* \w deal|strong="H6213"\w* \w with|strong="H6213"\w* \w me|strong="H6213"\w* \w in|strong="H6213"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w way|strong="H3541"\w* \w that|strong="H6213"\w* \w he|strong="H6213"\w* considers \w appropriate|strong="H5869"\w*.”   
\p
\v 27  \w The|strong="H7200"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* said \w to|strong="H7725"\w* \w Zadok|strong="H6659"\w* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* \w priest|strong="H3548"\w*, “\w Are|strong="H1121"\w* \w you|strong="H7725"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w seer|strong="H7200"\w*? \w Go|strong="H7725"\w* \w back|strong="H7725"\w* \w to|strong="H7725"\w* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* \w city|strong="H5892"\w* \w in|strong="H4428"\w* \w peace|strong="H7965"\w*! \w Your|strong="H7200"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* Ahimaaz \w and|strong="H1121"\w* Abiathar’s \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w Jonathan|strong="H3083"\w* \w may|strong="H4428"\w* \w go|strong="H7725"\w* \w with|strong="H5892"\w* \w you|strong="H7725"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* Abiathar.  
\v 28  \w Look|strong="H7200"\w*, \w I|strong="H5704"\w* \w will|strong="H1697"\w* \w be|strong="H1697"\w* \w waiting|strong="H5704"\w* \w at|strong="H7200"\w* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* \w fords|strong="H5679"\w* \w of|strong="H1697"\w* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* \w desert|strong="H4057"\w* \w until|strong="H5704"\w* \w word|strong="H1697"\w* \w from|strong="H5704"\w* \w you|strong="H5704"\w* \w reaches|strong="H5704"\w* \w me|strong="H7200"\w*.”  
\v 29  \w So|strong="H7725"\w* \w Zadok|strong="H6659"\w* \w and|strong="H7725"\w* Abiathar \w took|strong="H7725"\w* \w the|strong="H7725"\w* ark \w of|strong="H3427"\w* God \w back|strong="H7725"\w* \w to|strong="H7725"\w* \w Jerusalem|strong="H3389"\w* \w and|strong="H7725"\w* \w remained|strong="H3427"\w* \w there|strong="H8033"\w*.   
\p
\v 30  \w As|strong="H5927"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w* \w was|strong="H1732"\w* \w going|strong="H1980"\w* \w up|strong="H5927"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Mount|strong="H5927"\w* \w of|strong="H7218"\w* \w Olives|strong="H2132"\w*, \w he|strong="H1931"\w* \w was|strong="H1732"\w* \w weeping|strong="H1058"\w* \w as|strong="H5927"\w* \w he|strong="H1931"\w* \w went|strong="H1980"\w*; \w his|strong="H3605"\w* \w head|strong="H7218"\w* \w was|strong="H1732"\w* \w covered|strong="H2645"\w* \w and|strong="H1980"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* feet \w were|strong="H5971"\w* bare. \w All|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w* \w who|strong="H3605"\w* \w were|strong="H5971"\w* \w with|strong="H1980"\w* \w him|strong="H1931"\w* \w also|strong="H1732"\w* \w had|strong="H1732"\w* \w their|strong="H3605"\w* \w heads|strong="H7218"\w* \w covered|strong="H2645"\w* \w and|strong="H1980"\w* \w were|strong="H5971"\w* \w weeping|strong="H1058"\w* \w as|strong="H5927"\w* \w they|strong="H1931"\w* \w went|strong="H1980"\w* \w up|strong="H5927"\w*.  
\v 31  \w Now|strong="H4994"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w* \w had|strong="H3068"\w* \w been|strong="H5046"\w* \w told|strong="H5046"\w*, “Ahithophel \w has|strong="H3068"\w* sided \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* \w conspirators|strong="H7194"\w* \w who|strong="H3068"\w* \w are|strong="H3068"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* Absalom. \w So|strong="H4994"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w* \w prayed|strong="H4994"\w*, “\w Make|strong="H5046"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* \w advice|strong="H6098"\w* \w of|strong="H3068"\w* Ahithophel \w foolish|strong="H5528"\w*, \w O|strong="H3068"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*!”   
\p
\v 32  \w When|strong="H1961"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w* \w reached|strong="H1961"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w summit|strong="H7218"\w*, \w where|strong="H8033"\w* \w he|strong="H5704"\w* \w used|strong="H1961"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w worship|strong="H7812"\w* God, \w Hushai|strong="H2365"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* Arkite \w met|strong="H7125"\w* \w him|strong="H5921"\w* \w with|strong="H5921"\w* \w his|strong="H1732"\w* clothes \w torn|strong="H7167"\w* \w and|strong="H1732"\w* dirt \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w his|strong="H1732"\w* \w head|strong="H7218"\w*.  
\v 33  \w David|strong="H1732"\w* said \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w him|strong="H5921"\w*, “\w If|strong="H1961"\w* \w you|strong="H5921"\w* leave \w with|strong="H5921"\w* \w me|strong="H5921"\w* \w you|strong="H5921"\w* \w will|strong="H1961"\w* \w be|strong="H1961"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w burden|strong="H4853"\w* \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w me|strong="H5921"\w*.  
\v 34  \w But|strong="H1961"\w* \w you|strong="H7725"\w* \w will|strong="H1961"\w* \w be|strong="H1961"\w* able \w to|strong="H7725"\w* counter \w the|strong="H7725"\w* \w advice|strong="H6098"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* Ahithophel \w if|strong="H1961"\w* \w you|strong="H7725"\w* \w go|strong="H7725"\w* \w back|strong="H7725"\w* \w to|strong="H7725"\w* \w the|strong="H7725"\w* \w city|strong="H5892"\w* \w and|strong="H7725"\w* \w say|strong="H7725"\w* \w to|strong="H7725"\w* Absalom, ‘\w I|strong="H6258"\w* \w will|strong="H1961"\w* \w be|strong="H1961"\w* \w your|strong="H7725"\w* \w servant|strong="H5650"\w*, \w O|strong="H3068"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*! Previously \w I|strong="H6258"\w* \w was|strong="H1961"\w* \w your|strong="H7725"\w* father’s \w servant|strong="H5650"\w*, \w and|strong="H7725"\w* \w now|strong="H6258"\w* \w I|strong="H6258"\w* \w will|strong="H1961"\w* \w be|strong="H1961"\w* \w your|strong="H7725"\w* \w servant|strong="H5650"\w*.’  
\v 35  \w Zadok|strong="H6659"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* Abiathar \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w priests|strong="H3548"\w* \w will|strong="H1961"\w* \w be|strong="H1961"\w* \w there|strong="H8033"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w you|strong="H3605"\w*. \w Everything|strong="H3605"\w* \w you|strong="H3605"\w* \w hear|strong="H8085"\w* \w in|strong="H1004"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*’s \w palace|strong="H1004"\w* \w you|strong="H3605"\w* \w must|strong="H3808"\w* \w tell|strong="H5046"\w* \w Zadok|strong="H6659"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* Abiathar \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w priests|strong="H3548"\w*.  
\v 36  \w Furthermore|strong="H2009"\w*, \w their|strong="H3605"\w* \w two|strong="H8147"\w* \w sons|strong="H1121"\w* \w are|strong="H1121"\w* \w there|strong="H8033"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w them|strong="H7971"\w*, \w Zadok|strong="H6659"\w*’s \w son|strong="H1121"\w* Ahimaaz \w and|strong="H1121"\w* Abiathar’s \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w Jonathan|strong="H3083"\w*. \w You|strong="H3605"\w* \w must|strong="H1121"\w* \w send|strong="H7971"\w* \w them|strong="H7971"\w* \w to|strong="H7971"\w* \w me|strong="H7971"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w any|strong="H3605"\w* \w information|strong="H1697"\w* \w you|strong="H3605"\w* \w hear|strong="H8085"\w*.”   
\p
\v 37  So \w David|strong="H1732"\w*’s \w friend|strong="H7463"\w* \w Hushai|strong="H2365"\w* arrived \w in|strong="H5892"\w* \w the|strong="H1732"\w* \w city|strong="H5892"\w*, just \w as|strong="H3389"\w* Absalom \w was|strong="H1732"\w* entering \w Jerusalem|strong="H3389"\w*.   
\c 16  
\p
\v 1  \w When|strong="H5674"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w* \w had|strong="H1732"\w* \w gone|strong="H5674"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* short \w way|strong="H5674"\w* \w beyond|strong="H5674"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w summit|strong="H7218"\w*, \w Ziba|strong="H6717"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w servant|strong="H5288"\w* \w of|strong="H7218"\w* \w Mephibosheth|strong="H4648"\w* \w was|strong="H1732"\w* \w there|strong="H2009"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w meet|strong="H7122"\w* \w him|strong="H5921"\w*. \w He|strong="H1732"\w* \w had|strong="H1732"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w couple|strong="H6776"\w* \w of|strong="H7218"\w* \w donkeys|strong="H2543"\w* \w that|strong="H5288"\w* \w were|strong="H1732"\w* \w saddled|strong="H2280"\w*, \w and|strong="H3967"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w them|strong="H5921"\w* \w were|strong="H1732"\w* \w two|strong="H6776"\w* \w hundred|strong="H3967"\w* \w loaves|strong="H3899"\w* \w of|strong="H7218"\w* \w bread|strong="H3899"\w*, \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w hundred|strong="H3967"\w* raisin cakes, \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w hundred|strong="H3967"\w* baskets \w of|strong="H7218"\w* \w summer|strong="H7019"\w* \w fruit|strong="H7019"\w*, \w and|strong="H3967"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* container \w of|strong="H7218"\w* \w wine|strong="H3196"\w*.   
\p
\v 2  \w The|strong="H8354"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w asked|strong="H4100"\w* \w Ziba|strong="H6717"\w*, “\w Why|strong="H4100"\w* \w did|strong="H4100"\w* \w you|strong="H4100"\w* \w bring|strong="H7392"\w* \w these|strong="H1004"\w* things?” \w Ziba|strong="H6717"\w* replied, “\w The|strong="H8354"\w* \w donkeys|strong="H2543"\w* \w are|strong="H4100"\w* \w for|strong="H1004"\w* \w the|strong="H8354"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*’s \w family|strong="H1004"\w* \w to|strong="H4428"\w* \w ride|strong="H7392"\w* \w on|strong="H7392"\w*, \w the|strong="H8354"\w* \w loaves|strong="H3899"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w bread|strong="H3899"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H8354"\w* \w summer|strong="H7019"\w* \w fruit|strong="H7019"\w* \w are|strong="H4100"\w* \w for|strong="H1004"\w* \w the|strong="H8354"\w* \w attendants|strong="H5288"\w* \w to|strong="H4428"\w* \w eat|strong="H3899"\w*, \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H8354"\w* \w wine|strong="H3196"\w* \w is|strong="H4100"\w* \w for|strong="H1004"\w* those \w who|strong="H5288"\w* get exhausted \w in|strong="H1004"\w* \w the|strong="H8354"\w* \w desert|strong="H4057"\w*.”  
\v 3  \w The|strong="H3588"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* asked, “\w Where|strong="H1004"\w* \w is|strong="H3117"\w* \w your|strong="H7725"\w* \w master|strong="H3427"\w*’s \w grandson|strong="H1121"\w*?” \w Ziba|strong="H6717"\w* replied \w to|strong="H7725"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*, “\w He|strong="H3588"\w* remains \w in|strong="H3427"\w* \w Jerusalem|strong="H3389"\w*, \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w he|strong="H3588"\w* said, ‘\w Today|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w house|strong="H1004"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \w will|strong="H4428"\w* \w give|strong="H7725"\w* \w back|strong="H7725"\w* \w to|strong="H7725"\w* \w me|strong="H7725"\w* \w my|strong="H7725"\w* grandfather’s \w kingdom|strong="H4468"\w*.’”  
\v 4  \w The|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* said \w to|strong="H4428"\w* \w Ziba|strong="H6717"\w*, “\w Everything|strong="H3605"\w* \w that|strong="H3605"\w* \w was|strong="H4428"\w* \w Mephibosheth|strong="H4648"\w*’s \w now|strong="H2009"\w* belongs \w to|strong="H4428"\w* \w you|strong="H3605"\w*.” \w Ziba|strong="H6717"\w* replied, “\w I|strong="H2009"\w* \w bow|strong="H7812"\w* \w before|strong="H5869"\w* \w you|strong="H3605"\w*. \w May|strong="H4428"\w* \w I|strong="H2009"\w* \w find|strong="H4672"\w* \w favor|strong="H2580"\w* \w in|strong="H4428"\w* \w your|strong="H3605"\w* \w sight|strong="H5869"\w*, \w my|strong="H3605"\w* lord \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*.”   
\s1 Shimei Curses David and His Men  
\p
\v 5  \w Then|strong="H3318"\w* \w King|strong="H4428"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w* \w reached|strong="H5704"\w* Bahurim. \w There|strong="H8033"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w man|strong="H1121"\w* \w from|strong="H3318"\w* \w Saul|strong="H7586"\w*’s \w extended|strong="H3318"\w* \w family|strong="H4940"\w* \w named|strong="H8034"\w* \w Shimei|strong="H8096"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Gera|strong="H1617"\w* \w came|strong="H3318"\w* \w out|strong="H3318"\w*, yelling \w curses|strong="H7043"\w* \w as|strong="H5704"\w* \w he|strong="H5704"\w* approached.  
\v 6  \w He|strong="H3605"\w* \w threw|strong="H5619"\w* \w stones|strong="H5619"\w* \w at|strong="H1732"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w King|strong="H4428"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w*’s \w servants|strong="H5650"\w*, \w as|strong="H5971"\w* well \w as|strong="H5971"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w soldiers|strong="H5650"\w* \w who|strong="H3605"\w* \w were|strong="H5971"\w* \w on|strong="H3605"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* \w right|strong="H3225"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w on|strong="H3605"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* \w left|strong="H8040"\w*.  
\v 7  \w As|strong="H3318"\w* \w he|strong="H3541"\w* yelled \w curses|strong="H7043"\w*, \w Shimei|strong="H8096"\w* \w said|strong="H3318"\w*, “\w Leave|strong="H3318"\w*! \w Leave|strong="H3318"\w*! \w You|strong="H3318"\w* man \w of|strong="H1818"\w* \w bloodshed|strong="H1818"\w*, \w you|strong="H3318"\w* \w wicked|strong="H1100"\w* man!  
\v 8  \w The|strong="H3605"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w has|strong="H3068"\w* punished \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* spilled \w blood|strong="H1818"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w house|strong="H1004"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Saul|strong="H7586"\w*, \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w whose|strong="H1121"\w* \w place|strong="H8478"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w rule|strong="H3027"\w*. \w Now|strong="H3588"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w has|strong="H3068"\w* \w given|strong="H5414"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w kingdom|strong="H4410"\w* \w into|strong="H7725"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w hand|strong="H3027"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w your|strong="H3068"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* Absalom. \w Disaster|strong="H7451"\w* \w has|strong="H3068"\w* overtaken \w you|strong="H3588"\w*, \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w are|strong="H1121"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w man|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w bloodshed|strong="H1818"\w*!”   
\p
\v 9  \w Then|strong="H2088"\w* Abishai \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Zeruiah|strong="H6870"\w* said \w to|strong="H4191"\w* \w the|strong="H5674"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*, “\w Why|strong="H4100"\w* \w should|strong="H4100"\w* \w this|strong="H2088"\w* \w dead|strong="H4191"\w* \w dog|strong="H3611"\w* \w curse|strong="H7043"\w* \w my|strong="H5493"\w* lord \w the|strong="H5674"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*? \w Let|strong="H4994"\w* \w me|strong="H4994"\w* \w go|strong="H5674"\w* \w over|strong="H5674"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w cut|strong="H5493"\w* \w off|strong="H5493"\w* \w his|strong="H5493"\w* \w head|strong="H7218"\w*!”  
\v 10  \w But|strong="H3588"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w said|strong="H3651"\w*, “\w What|strong="H4100"\w* \w do|strong="H6213"\w* \w we|strong="H3068"\w* \w have|strong="H3068"\w* \w in|strong="H3068"\w* \w common|strong="H1121"\w*, \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w sons|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Zeruiah|strong="H6870"\w*? \w If|strong="H3588"\w* \w he|strong="H3588"\w* \w curses|strong="H7043"\w* \w because|strong="H3588"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w has|strong="H3068"\w* \w said|strong="H3651"\w* \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w him|strong="H6213"\w*, ‘\w Curse|strong="H7043"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w*!’, \w who|strong="H4310"\w* \w can|strong="H4310"\w* say \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w him|strong="H6213"\w*, ‘\w Why|strong="H4100"\w* \w have|strong="H3068"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w done|strong="H6213"\w* \w this|strong="H3651"\w*?’”  
\v 11  \w Then|strong="H3318"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w* \w said|strong="H3318"\w* \w to|strong="H3318"\w* Abishai \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w to|strong="H3318"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* \w servants|strong="H5650"\w*, “\w My|strong="H3605"\w* \w own|strong="H5315"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w*, \w my|strong="H3605"\w* \w very|strong="H3240"\w* \w own|strong="H5315"\w* flesh \w and|strong="H1121"\w* blood, \w is|strong="H3068"\w* trying \w to|strong="H3318"\w* \w take|strong="H3318"\w* \w my|strong="H3605"\w* \w life|strong="H5315"\w*. \w So|strong="H3318"\w* \w also|strong="H3068"\w* \w now|strong="H6258"\w* \w this|strong="H6258"\w* \w Benjaminite|strong="H1145"\w*! \w Leave|strong="H3240"\w* \w him|strong="H3318"\w* \w alone|strong="H3240"\w* \w so|strong="H3318"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w he|strong="H3588"\w* \w can|strong="H5650"\w* \w curse|strong="H7043"\w*, \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w has|strong="H3068"\w* spoken \w to|strong="H3318"\w* \w him|strong="H3318"\w*.  
\v 12  Perhaps \w the|strong="H7200"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* notice \w my|strong="H3068"\w* affliction \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w this|strong="H2088"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w* grant \w me|strong="H7725"\w* \w good|strong="H2896"\w* \w in|strong="H3068"\w* \w place|strong="H8478"\w* \w of|strong="H3068"\w* \w his|strong="H3068"\w* \w curse|strong="H7045"\w*.”   
\p
\v 13  \w So|strong="H1980"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w* \w and|strong="H1980"\w* \w his|strong="H1732"\w* \w men|strong="H1980"\w* \w went|strong="H1980"\w* \w on|strong="H1980"\w* \w their|strong="H5980"\w* \w way|strong="H1870"\w*. \w But|strong="H1870"\w* \w Shimei|strong="H8096"\w* kept \w going|strong="H1980"\w* \w along|strong="H1980"\w* \w the|strong="H1870"\w* \w side|strong="H6763"\w* \w of|strong="H2022"\w* \w the|strong="H1870"\w* \w hill|strong="H2022"\w* opposite \w him|strong="H1732"\w*, yelling \w curses|strong="H7043"\w* \w as|strong="H1980"\w* \w he|strong="H1732"\w* \w threw|strong="H5619"\w* \w stones|strong="H5619"\w* \w and|strong="H1980"\w* \w dirt|strong="H6083"\w* \w at|strong="H1732"\w* \w them|strong="H5619"\w*.  
\v 14  \w The|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w* \w who|strong="H3605"\w* \w were|strong="H5971"\w* \w with|strong="H5971"\w* \w him|strong="H3605"\w* arrived \w exhausted|strong="H5889"\w* \w at|strong="H4428"\w* \w their|strong="H3605"\w* destination, \w where|strong="H8033"\w* \w David|strong="H5314"\w* \w refreshed|strong="H5314"\w* \w himself|strong="H5314"\w*.   
\s1 The Advice of Ahithophel  
\p
\v 15  \w Now|strong="H3478"\w* \w when|strong="H3478"\w* Absalom \w and|strong="H3478"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w men|strong="H5971"\w* \w of|strong="H5971"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w* arrived \w in|strong="H3478"\w* \w Jerusalem|strong="H3389"\w*, Ahithophel \w was|strong="H3478"\w* \w with|strong="H3389"\w* \w him|strong="H3605"\w*.  
\v 16  \w When|strong="H1961"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w*’s \w friend|strong="H7463"\w* \w Hushai|strong="H2365"\w* \w the|strong="H1961"\w* Arkite \w came|strong="H1961"\w* \w to|strong="H1961"\w* Absalom, \w Hushai|strong="H2365"\w* said \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w him|strong="H1732"\w*, “Long \w live|strong="H2421"\w* \w the|strong="H1961"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*! Long \w live|strong="H2421"\w* \w the|strong="H1961"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*!”   
\p
\v 17  Absalom said \w to|strong="H1980"\w* \w Hushai|strong="H2365"\w*, “\w Do|strong="H4100"\w* \w you|strong="H3808"\w* call \w this|strong="H2088"\w* \w loyalty|strong="H2617"\w* \w to|strong="H1980"\w* \w your|strong="H3808"\w* \w friend|strong="H7453"\w*? \w Why|strong="H4100"\w* didn’t \w you|strong="H3808"\w* \w go|strong="H1980"\w* \w with|strong="H1980"\w* \w your|strong="H3808"\w* \w friend|strong="H7453"\w*?”  
\v 18  \w Hushai|strong="H2365"\w* replied \w to|strong="H3478"\w* Absalom, “\w No|strong="H3808"\w*, \w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w be|strong="H1961"\w* \w loyal|strong="H3068"\w* \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w one|strong="H2088"\w* \w whom|strong="H5971"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*, \w these|strong="H2088"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w*, \w and|strong="H3478"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w men|strong="H5971"\w* \w of|strong="H3068"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \w have|strong="H1961"\w* chosen.  
\v 19  \w Moreover|strong="H1961"\w*, \w whom|strong="H4310"\w* \w should|strong="H4310"\w* \w I|strong="H3651"\w* \w serve|strong="H5647"\w*? \w Should|strong="H4310"\w* \w it|strong="H3651"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w be|strong="H1961"\w* \w his|strong="H6440"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w*? Just \w as|strong="H1961"\w* \w I|strong="H3651"\w* \w served|strong="H5647"\w* \w your|strong="H6440"\w* \w father|strong="H1121"\w*, \w so|strong="H3651"\w* \w I|strong="H3651"\w* \w will|strong="H4310"\w* \w serve|strong="H5647"\w* \w you|strong="H6440"\w*.”   
\p
\v 20  \w Then|strong="H6213"\w* Absalom said \w to|strong="H6213"\w* Ahithophel, “\w Give|strong="H3051"\w* \w us|strong="H3051"\w* \w your|strong="H6213"\w* \w advice|strong="H6098"\w*. \w What|strong="H4100"\w* \w should|strong="H4100"\w* \w we|strong="H3068"\w* \w do|strong="H6213"\w*?”  
\v 21  Ahithophel replied \w to|strong="H3478"\w* Absalom, “\w Have|strong="H3478"\w* sex \w with|strong="H1004"\w* \w your|strong="H3605"\w* father’s \w concubines|strong="H6370"\w* \w whom|strong="H3588"\w* \w he|strong="H3588"\w* \w left|strong="H3240"\w* \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w care|strong="H3027"\w* \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w palace|strong="H1004"\w*. \w All|strong="H3605"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \w will|strong="H3478"\w* \w hear|strong="H8085"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w have|strong="H3478"\w* \w made|strong="H2388"\w* yourself repulsive \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w your|strong="H3605"\w* father. \w Then|strong="H8085"\w* \w your|strong="H3605"\w* followers \w will|strong="H3478"\w* \w be|strong="H3027"\w* motivated \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w support|strong="H2388"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w*.”  
\v 22  \w So|strong="H5921"\w* \w they|strong="H5921"\w* \w pitched|strong="H5186"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* tent \w for|strong="H5921"\w* Absalom \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w roof|strong="H1406"\w*, \w and|strong="H3478"\w* Absalom \w had|strong="H3478"\w* sex \w with|strong="H5921"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* father’s \w concubines|strong="H6370"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w sight|strong="H5869"\w* \w of|strong="H5869"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w*.   
\p
\v 23  \w In|strong="H3117"\w* \w those|strong="H1992"\w* \w days|strong="H3117"\w* Ahithophel’s \w advice|strong="H6098"\w* \w was|strong="H1732"\w* considered \w as|strong="H1697"\w* \w valuable|strong="H7592"\w* \w as|strong="H1697"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* prophetic revelation. \w Both|strong="H1571"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w* \w and|strong="H3117"\w* Absalom \w highly|strong="H3651"\w* \w regarded|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w advice|strong="H6098"\w* \w of|strong="H3117"\w* Ahithophel.   
\c 17  
\p
\v 1  Ahithophel said \w to|strong="H1732"\w* Absalom, “\w Let|strong="H4994"\w* \w me|strong="H4994"\w* pick \w out|strong="H8147"\w* \w twelve|strong="H8147"\w* thousand \w men|strong="H8147"\w*. \w Then|strong="H6965"\w* \w I|strong="H6965"\w* \w will|strong="H8147"\w* \w go|strong="H6965"\w* \w and|strong="H6965"\w* \w pursue|strong="H7291"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w* \w this|strong="H1732"\w* very \w night|strong="H3915"\w*.  
\v 2  \w When|strong="H5127"\w* \w I|strong="H5921"\w* catch \w up|strong="H5921"\w* \w with|strong="H5921"\w* \w him|strong="H5921"\w* \w he|strong="H1931"\w* \w will|strong="H4428"\w* \w be|strong="H3027"\w* \w exhausted|strong="H3027"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* worn \w out|strong="H5921"\w*. \w I|strong="H5921"\w* \w will|strong="H4428"\w* rout \w him|strong="H5921"\w*, \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w entire|strong="H3605"\w* \w army|strong="H5971"\w* \w that|strong="H5971"\w* \w is|strong="H1931"\w* \w with|strong="H5921"\w* \w him|strong="H5921"\w* \w will|strong="H4428"\w* \w flee|strong="H5127"\w*. \w I|strong="H5921"\w* \w will|strong="H4428"\w* \w kill|strong="H5221"\w* \w only|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*  
\v 3  \w and|strong="H7725"\w* \w will|strong="H1961"\w* \w bring|strong="H7725"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w entire|strong="H3605"\w* \w army|strong="H5971"\w* \w back|strong="H7725"\w* \w to|strong="H7725"\w* \w you|strong="H3605"\w*. \w In|strong="H7725"\w* exchange \w for|strong="H1245"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w life|strong="H3605"\w* \w of|strong="H5971"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w man|strong="H3605"\w* \w you|strong="H3605"\w* \w are|strong="H5971"\w* \w seeking|strong="H1245"\w*, \w you|strong="H3605"\w* \w will|strong="H1961"\w* \w get|strong="H7725"\w* \w back|strong="H7725"\w* \w everyone|strong="H3605"\w*. \w The|strong="H3605"\w* \w entire|strong="H3605"\w* \w army|strong="H5971"\w* \w will|strong="H1961"\w* \w return|strong="H7725"\w* \w unharmed|strong="H7965"\w*.”   
\p
\v 4  \w This|strong="H1697"\w* \w seemed|strong="H5869"\w* \w like|strong="H3478"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w good|strong="H3474"\w* \w idea|strong="H1697"\w* \w to|strong="H3478"\w* Absalom \w and|strong="H3478"\w* \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w leaders|strong="H2205"\w* \w of|strong="H1697"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w*.  
\v 5  \w But|strong="H1571"\w* Absalom \w said|strong="H7121"\w*, “\w Call|strong="H7121"\w* \w for|strong="H7121"\w* \w Hushai|strong="H2365"\w* \w the|strong="H8085"\w* Arkite, \w and|strong="H8085"\w* \w let|strong="H4994"\w*’s \w hear|strong="H8085"\w* \w what|strong="H4100"\w* \w he|strong="H1931"\w* \w has|strong="H4100"\w* \w to|strong="H8085"\w* \w say|strong="H6310"\w*.”  
\v 6  \w So|strong="H6213"\w* \w Hushai|strong="H2365"\w* \w came|strong="H1697"\w* \w to|strong="H1696"\w* Absalom. Absalom \w said|strong="H1696"\w* \w to|strong="H1696"\w* \w him|strong="H6213"\w*, “\w Here|strong="H2088"\w* \w is|strong="H2088"\w* \w what|strong="H1697"\w* Ahithophel \w has|strong="H1697"\w* \w advised|strong="H1696"\w*. \w Should|strong="H6213"\w* \w we|strong="H3068"\w* \w follow|strong="H6213"\w* \w his|strong="H6213"\w* \w advice|strong="H1697"\w*? If \w not|strong="H6213"\w*, \w what|strong="H1697"\w* \w would|strong="H1697"\w* \w you|strong="H6213"\w* \w recommend|strong="H1696"\w*?”   
\p
\v 7  \w Hushai|strong="H2365"\w* replied \w to|strong="H2896"\w* Absalom, “Ahithophel’s \w advice|strong="H6098"\w* \w is|strong="H2896"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w sound|strong="H2896"\w* \w this|strong="H2063"\w* \w time|strong="H6471"\w*.”  
\v 8  \w Hushai|strong="H2365"\w* \w went|strong="H5971"\w* \w on|strong="H4421"\w* \w to|strong="H5315"\w* say, “\w You|strong="H3588"\w* \w know|strong="H3045"\w* \w your|strong="H3045"\w* father \w and|strong="H5971"\w* \w his|strong="H3045"\w* \w men|strong="H1368"\w* – \w they|strong="H1992"\w* \w are|strong="H1992"\w* \w soldiers|strong="H4421"\w* \w and|strong="H5971"\w* \w are|strong="H1992"\w* \w as|strong="H5315"\w* dangerous \w as|strong="H5315"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w bear|strong="H1677"\w* \w out|strong="H3045"\w* \w in|strong="H5315"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w wild|strong="H7704"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w has|strong="H3588"\w* \w been|strong="H5971"\w* \w robbed|strong="H7909"\w* \w of|strong="H7704"\w* \w her|strong="H3045"\w* \w cubs|strong="H7909"\w*. \w Your|strong="H3045"\w* father \w is|strong="H5315"\w* \w an|strong="H3588"\w* \w experienced|strong="H3045"\w* \w soldier|strong="H4421"\w*; \w he|strong="H3588"\w* \w will|strong="H5971"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w stay|strong="H3885"\w* \w overnight|strong="H3885"\w* \w with|strong="H3045"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w army|strong="H5971"\w*.  
\v 9  \w At|strong="H1961"\w* \w this|strong="H1931"\w* \w very|strong="H6258"\w* moment \w he|strong="H1931"\w* \w is|strong="H1931"\w* \w hiding|strong="H2244"\w* \w out|strong="H5307"\w* \w in|strong="H8085"\w* \w one|strong="H1931"\w* \w of|strong="H5971"\w* \w the|strong="H8085"\w* \w caves|strong="H6354"\w* \w or|strong="H8085"\w* \w in|strong="H8085"\w* \w some|strong="H5971"\w* other \w similar|strong="H5307"\w* \w place|strong="H4725"\w*. \w If|strong="H2009"\w* \w it|strong="H1931"\w* \w should|strong="H4725"\w* \w turn|strong="H1961"\w* \w out|strong="H5307"\w* \w that|strong="H5971"\w* \w he|strong="H1931"\w* attacks \w our|strong="H8085"\w* \w troops|strong="H5971"\w* \w first|strong="H8462"\w*, whoever \w hears|strong="H8085"\w* \w about|strong="H1961"\w* \w it|strong="H1931"\w* \w will|strong="H1961"\w* say, ‘Absalom’s \w army|strong="H5971"\w* \w has|strong="H1961"\w* \w been|strong="H1961"\w* \w slaughtered|strong="H4046"\w*!’  
\v 10  \w If|strong="H3588"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* happens \w even|strong="H1571"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* bravest soldier – \w one|strong="H3605"\w* \w who|strong="H3605"\w* \w is|strong="H1931"\w* lion-hearted – \w will|strong="H3478"\w* virtually \w melt|strong="H4549"\w* \w away|strong="H4549"\w*. \w For|strong="H3588"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \w knows|strong="H3045"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w your|strong="H3605"\w* \w father|strong="H1121"\w* \w is|strong="H1931"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w warrior|strong="H1368"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w those|strong="H3605"\w* \w who|strong="H3605"\w* \w are|strong="H1121"\w* \w with|strong="H3045"\w* \w him|strong="H1931"\w* \w are|strong="H1121"\w* \w brave|strong="H2428"\w*.  
\v 11  \w My|strong="H3605"\w* \w advice|strong="H3289"\w* \w therefore|strong="H5921"\w* \w is|strong="H3478"\w* \w this|strong="H3588"\w*: \w Let|strong="H1980"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \w from|strong="H6440"\w* \w Dan|strong="H1835"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* Beer Sheba – \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w number|strong="H7230"\w* \w like|strong="H3478"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w sand|strong="H2344"\w* \w by|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w sea|strong="H3220"\w*! – \w be|strong="H3478"\w* mustered \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w*, \w and|strong="H1980"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w lead|strong="H1980"\w* \w them|strong="H5921"\w* \w personally|strong="H6440"\w* \w into|strong="H1980"\w* \w battle|strong="H7128"\w*.  
\v 12  \w We|strong="H8033"\w* \w will|strong="H1571"\w* \w come|strong="H4672"\w* \w against|strong="H5921"\w* \w him|strong="H5921"\w* \w wherever|strong="H3605"\w* \w he|strong="H8033"\w* happens \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w be|strong="H3808"\w* \w found|strong="H4672"\w*. \w We|strong="H8033"\w* \w will|strong="H1571"\w* descend \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w him|strong="H5921"\w* \w like|strong="H3808"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w dew|strong="H2919"\w* \w falls|strong="H5307"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w ground|strong="H4725"\w*. \w Neither|strong="H3808"\w* \w he|strong="H8033"\w* \w nor|strong="H3808"\w* \w any|strong="H3605"\w* \w of|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w men|strong="H3605"\w* \w who|strong="H3605"\w* \w are|strong="H1571"\w* \w with|strong="H5921"\w* \w him|strong="H5921"\w* \w will|strong="H1571"\w* \w be|strong="H3808"\w* spared alive – \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w one|strong="H3605"\w* \w of|strong="H5921"\w* \w them|strong="H5921"\w*!  
\v 13  \w If|strong="H1931"\w* \w he|strong="H1931"\w* regroups \w in|strong="H3478"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w city|strong="H5892"\w*, \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \w will|strong="H3478"\w* \w take|strong="H5375"\w* \w up|strong="H5375"\w* \w ropes|strong="H2256"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w that|strong="H3605"\w* \w city|strong="H5892"\w* \w and|strong="H3478"\w* \w drag|strong="H5498"\w* \w it|strong="H1931"\w* down \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w valley|strong="H5158"\w*, \w so|strong="H3808"\w* \w that|strong="H3605"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* single pebble \w will|strong="H3478"\w* \w be|strong="H3808"\w* \w left|strong="H4672"\w* \w there|strong="H8033"\w*!”   
\p
\v 14  \w Then|strong="H6680"\w* Absalom \w and|strong="H3478"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w men|strong="H7451"\w* \w of|strong="H3068"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w* said, “\w The|strong="H3605"\w* \w advice|strong="H6098"\w* \w of|strong="H3068"\w* \w Hushai|strong="H2365"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* Arkite sounds \w better|strong="H2896"\w* \w than|strong="H2896"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w advice|strong="H6098"\w* \w of|strong="H3068"\w* Ahithophel.” \w Now|strong="H3478"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w had|strong="H3068"\w* \w decided|strong="H6565"\w* \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w frustrate|strong="H6565"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w sound|strong="H2896"\w* \w advice|strong="H6098"\w* \w of|strong="H3068"\w* Ahithophel, \w so|strong="H5668"\w* \w that|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* could \w bring|strong="H7451"\w* \w disaster|strong="H7451"\w* \w on|strong="H3068"\w* Absalom.   
\p
\v 15  \w Then|strong="H3548"\w* \w Hushai|strong="H2365"\w* reported \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w Zadok|strong="H6659"\w* \w and|strong="H3478"\w* Abiathar \w the|strong="H6659"\w* \w priests|strong="H3548"\w*, “\w Here|strong="H2063"\w* \w is|strong="H3478"\w* \w what|strong="H2063"\w* Ahithophel \w has|strong="H3478"\w* \w advised|strong="H3289"\w* Absalom \w and|strong="H3478"\w* \w the|strong="H6659"\w* \w leaders|strong="H2205"\w* \w of|strong="H2205"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \w to|strong="H3478"\w* do, \w and|strong="H3478"\w* \w here|strong="H2063"\w* \w is|strong="H3478"\w* \w what|strong="H2063"\w* \w I|strong="H3478"\w* \w have|strong="H3478"\w* \w advised|strong="H3289"\w*.  
\v 16  \w Now|strong="H6258"\w* \w send|strong="H7971"\w* \w word|strong="H5046"\w* \w quickly|strong="H4120"\w* \w to|strong="H7971"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w* \w and|strong="H7971"\w* \w warn|strong="H5971"\w* \w him|strong="H7971"\w*, “Don’t \w spend|strong="H3885"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w night|strong="H3915"\w* \w at|strong="H1732"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w fords|strong="H6160"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w desert|strong="H6160"\w* \w tonight|strong="H3915"\w*. Instead, \w be|strong="H1571"\w* sure \w you|strong="H3605"\w* \w cross|strong="H5674"\w* \w over|strong="H5674"\w*, \w or|strong="H6435"\w* \w else|strong="H6435"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w and|strong="H7971"\w* \w everyone|strong="H3605"\w* \w who|strong="H3605"\w* \w is|strong="H1571"\w* \w with|strong="H5971"\w* \w him|strong="H7971"\w* \w may|strong="H5971"\w* \w be|strong="H1571"\w* overwhelmed.”   
\p
\v 17  \w Now|strong="H3588"\w* \w Jonathan|strong="H3083"\w* \w and|strong="H1980"\w* Ahimaaz \w were|strong="H1992"\w* \w staying|strong="H5975"\w* \w in|strong="H1980"\w* En Rogel. \w A|strong="H3068"\w* \w female|strong="H8198"\w* \w servant|strong="H8198"\w* \w would|strong="H1980"\w* \w go|strong="H1980"\w* \w and|strong="H1980"\w* \w inform|strong="H5046"\w* \w them|strong="H1992"\w*, \w and|strong="H1980"\w* \w they|strong="H1992"\w* \w would|strong="H1980"\w* \w then|strong="H1980"\w* \w go|strong="H1980"\w* \w and|strong="H1980"\w* \w inform|strong="H5046"\w* \w King|strong="H4428"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w*. \w It|strong="H3588"\w* \w was|strong="H1732"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w advisable|strong="H3201"\w* \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w them|strong="H1992"\w* \w to|strong="H1980"\w* \w be|strong="H3808"\w* \w seen|strong="H7200"\w* \w going|strong="H1980"\w* \w into|strong="H1980"\w* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* \w city|strong="H5892"\w*.  
\v 18  \w But|strong="H7200"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w young|strong="H5288"\w* \w man|strong="H5288"\w* \w saw|strong="H7200"\w* \w them|strong="H3381"\w* \w on|strong="H7200"\w* \w one|strong="H7200"\w* occasion \w and|strong="H3212"\w* \w informed|strong="H5046"\w* Absalom. \w So|strong="H7200"\w* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* \w two|strong="H8147"\w* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w them|strong="H3381"\w* \w quickly|strong="H4120"\w* \w departed|strong="H3212"\w* \w and|strong="H3212"\w* \w went|strong="H3212"\w* \w to|strong="H3381"\w* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* \w house|strong="H1004"\w* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w man|strong="H5288"\w* \w in|strong="H1004"\w* Bahurim. \w There|strong="H8033"\w* \w was|strong="H1004"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* well \w in|strong="H1004"\w* \w his|strong="H7200"\w* \w courtyard|strong="H2691"\w*, \w and|strong="H3212"\w* \w they|strong="H8033"\w* got \w down|strong="H3381"\w* \w in|strong="H1004"\w* \w it|strong="H7200"\w*.  
\v 19  \w His|strong="H3947"\w* wife \w then|strong="H3947"\w* \w took|strong="H3947"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w covering|strong="H4539"\w* \w and|strong="H6440"\w* \w spread|strong="H6566"\w* \w it|strong="H5921"\w* \w over|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w top|strong="H5921"\w* \w of|strong="H1697"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w well|strong="H3045"\w* \w and|strong="H6440"\w* \w scattered|strong="H6566"\w* \w some|strong="H1697"\w* \w grain|strong="H7383"\w* \w over|strong="H5921"\w* \w it|strong="H5921"\w*. \w No|strong="H3808"\w* \w one|strong="H3808"\w* \w was|strong="H1697"\w* \w aware|strong="H3045"\w* \w of|strong="H1697"\w* \w what|strong="H1697"\w* \w she|strong="H5921"\w* \w had|strong="H3045"\w* \w done|strong="H1697"\w*.   
\p
\v 20  \w When|strong="H7725"\w* \w the|strong="H7725"\w* \w servants|strong="H5650"\w* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* Absalom \w approached|strong="H5674"\w* \w the|strong="H7725"\w* \w woman|strong="H1004"\w* \w at|strong="H1004"\w* \w her|strong="H4672"\w* \w home|strong="H1004"\w*, \w they|strong="H3808"\w* \w asked|strong="H1245"\w*, “\w Where|strong="H1004"\w* \w are|strong="H5650"\w* Ahimaaz \w and|strong="H7725"\w* \w Jonathan|strong="H3083"\w*?” \w The|strong="H7725"\w* \w woman|strong="H1004"\w* replied \w to|strong="H7725"\w* \w them|strong="H7725"\w*, “\w They|strong="H3808"\w* \w crossed|strong="H5674"\w* \w over|strong="H5674"\w* \w the|strong="H7725"\w* \w stream|strong="H4325"\w*.” Absalom’s \w men|strong="H5650"\w* \w searched|strong="H1245"\w* \w but|strong="H3808"\w* \w did|strong="H5650"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w find|strong="H4672"\w* \w them|strong="H7725"\w*, \w so|strong="H3808"\w* \w they|strong="H3808"\w* \w returned|strong="H7725"\w* \w to|strong="H7725"\w* \w Jerusalem|strong="H3389"\w*.   
\p
\v 21  \w After|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* men \w had|strong="H1961"\w* \w left|strong="H1961"\w*, Ahimaaz \w and|strong="H6965"\w* Jonathan \w climbed|strong="H5927"\w* \w out|strong="H5921"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* well. \w Then|strong="H1961"\w* \w they|strong="H3588"\w* \w left|strong="H1961"\w* \w and|strong="H6965"\w* \w informed|strong="H5046"\w* \w King|strong="H4428"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w*. \w They|strong="H3588"\w* \w advised|strong="H3289"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w*, “\w Get|strong="H6965"\w* \w up|strong="H5927"\w* \w and|strong="H6965"\w* \w cross|strong="H5674"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w stream|strong="H4325"\w* \w quickly|strong="H4120"\w*, \w for|strong="H3588"\w* Ahithophel \w has|strong="H1961"\w* \w devised|strong="H3289"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w plan|strong="H5927"\w* \w to|strong="H3212"\w* catch \w you|strong="H3588"\w*.”  
\v 22  \w So|strong="H3808"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w* \w and|strong="H6965"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w* \w who|strong="H3605"\w* \w were|strong="H5971"\w* \w with|strong="H5971"\w* \w him|strong="H3605"\w* \w got|strong="H6965"\w* \w up|strong="H6965"\w* \w and|strong="H6965"\w* \w crossed|strong="H5674"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Jordan|strong="H3383"\w* \w River|strong="H5704"\w*. \w By|strong="H5674"\w* \w dawn|strong="H1242"\w* \w there|strong="H3605"\w* \w was|strong="H1732"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w one|strong="H3605"\w* person \w left|strong="H5737"\w* \w who|strong="H3605"\w* \w had|strong="H1732"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w crossed|strong="H5674"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Jordan|strong="H3383"\w*.   
\p
\v 23  \w When|strong="H3588"\w* Ahithophel \w realized|strong="H7200"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w his|strong="H7200"\w* \w advice|strong="H6098"\w* \w had|strong="H3588"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w been|strong="H3808"\w* \w followed|strong="H3212"\w*, \w he|strong="H3588"\w* \w saddled|strong="H2280"\w* \w his|strong="H7200"\w* \w donkey|strong="H2543"\w* \w and|strong="H6965"\w* returned \w to|strong="H4191"\w* \w his|strong="H7200"\w* \w house|strong="H1004"\w* \w in|strong="H6213"\w* \w his|strong="H7200"\w* hometown. \w After|strong="H3588"\w* \w setting|strong="H6680"\w* \w his|strong="H7200"\w* \w household|strong="H1004"\w* \w in|strong="H6213"\w* \w order|strong="H6680"\w*, \w he|strong="H3588"\w* \w hanged|strong="H2614"\w* \w himself|strong="H6213"\w*. \w So|strong="H6213"\w* \w he|strong="H3588"\w* \w died|strong="H4191"\w* \w and|strong="H6965"\w* \w was|strong="H5892"\w* \w buried|strong="H6912"\w* \w in|strong="H6213"\w* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* \w grave|strong="H6913"\w* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w his|strong="H7200"\w* father.   
\p
\v 24  Meanwhile \w David|strong="H1732"\w* \w had|strong="H3478"\w* \w gone|strong="H5674"\w* \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w Mahanaim|strong="H4266"\w*, \w while|strong="H1931"\w* Absalom \w and|strong="H3478"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w men|strong="H3605"\w* \w of|strong="H3605"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \w had|strong="H3478"\w* \w crossed|strong="H5674"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Jordan|strong="H3383"\w* River.  
\v 25  Absalom \w had|strong="H6635"\w* \w made|strong="H7760"\w* \w Amasa|strong="H6021"\w* general \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w command|strong="H5921"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w army|strong="H6635"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w place|strong="H8478"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Joab|strong="H3097"\w*. (\w Now|strong="H7760"\w* \w Amasa|strong="H6021"\w* \w was|strong="H8034"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w an|strong="H7760"\w* \w Israelite|strong="H3481"\w* \w man|strong="H1121"\w* \w named|strong="H8034"\w* \w Jether|strong="H3501"\w*, \w who|strong="H1121"\w* \w had|strong="H6635"\w* married Abigail \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w daughter|strong="H1323"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Nahash|strong="H5176"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* sister \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Zeruiah|strong="H6870"\w*, \w Joab|strong="H3097"\w*’s mother.)  
\v 26  \w The|strong="H3478"\w* army \w of|strong="H3478"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \w and|strong="H3478"\w* Absalom \w camped|strong="H2583"\w* \w in|strong="H2583"\w* \w the|strong="H3478"\w* land \w of|strong="H3478"\w* \w Gilead|strong="H1568"\w*.   
\p
\v 27  \w When|strong="H1961"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w* \w came|strong="H1961"\w* \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w Mahanaim|strong="H4266"\w*, \w Shobi|strong="H7629"\w* \w the|strong="H1961"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Nahash|strong="H5176"\w* \w from|strong="H1121"\w* \w Rabbah|strong="H7237"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H1961"\w* \w Ammonites|strong="H1121"\w*, \w Makir|strong="H4353"\w* \w the|strong="H1961"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Ammiel|strong="H5988"\w* \w from|strong="H1121"\w* Lo Debar, \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w Barzillai|strong="H1271"\w* \w the|strong="H1961"\w* \w Gileadite|strong="H1569"\w* \w from|strong="H1121"\w* \w Rogelim|strong="H7274"\w*  
\v 28  brought bedding, \w basins|strong="H5592"\w*, \w and|strong="H3627"\w* \w pottery|strong="H3627"\w* \w utensils|strong="H3627"\w*. They also brought food \w for|strong="H3627"\w* David \w and|strong="H3627"\w* all who \w were|strong="H3627"\w* \w with|strong="H3627"\w* him, including \w wheat|strong="H2406"\w*, \w barley|strong="H8184"\w*, \w flour|strong="H7058"\w*, \w roasted|strong="H7039"\w* \w grain|strong="H7039"\w*, \w beans|strong="H6321"\w*, \w lentils|strong="H5742"\w*,  
\v 29  \w honey|strong="H1706"\w*, \w curds|strong="H2529"\w*, \w flocks|strong="H6629"\w*, \w and|strong="H5971"\w* \w cheese|strong="H8194"\w*. \w For|strong="H3588"\w* \w they|strong="H3588"\w* said, “\w The|strong="H3588"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w* \w are|strong="H5971"\w* no doubt \w hungry|strong="H7457"\w*, \w tired|strong="H5889"\w*, \w and|strong="H5971"\w* \w thirsty|strong="H6771"\w* there \w in|strong="H6629"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w desert|strong="H4057"\w*.”   
\c 18  
\p
\v 1  \w David|strong="H1732"\w* \w assembled|strong="H6485"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w army|strong="H5971"\w* \w that|strong="H5971"\w* \w was|strong="H1732"\w* \w with|strong="H5921"\w* \w him|strong="H5921"\w*. \w He|strong="H1732"\w* \w appointed|strong="H6485"\w* \w leaders|strong="H8269"\w* \w of|strong="H8269"\w* thousands \w and|strong="H3967"\w* \w leaders|strong="H8269"\w* \w of|strong="H8269"\w* \w hundreds|strong="H3967"\w*.  
\v 2  \w David|strong="H1732"\w* \w then|strong="H3318"\w* \w sent|strong="H7971"\w* \w out|strong="H3318"\w* \w the|strong="H7971"\w* \w army|strong="H5971"\w* – \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w third|strong="H7992"\w* \w under|strong="H3027"\w* \w the|strong="H7971"\w* \w leadership|strong="H3027"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Joab|strong="H3097"\w*, \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w third|strong="H7992"\w* \w under|strong="H3027"\w* \w the|strong="H7971"\w* \w leadership|strong="H3027"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Joab|strong="H3097"\w*’s brother Abishai \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Zeruiah|strong="H6870"\w*, \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w third|strong="H7992"\w* \w under|strong="H3027"\w* \w the|strong="H7971"\w* \w leadership|strong="H3027"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* Ittai \w the|strong="H7971"\w* \w Gittite|strong="H1663"\w*. \w The|strong="H7971"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w said|strong="H3318"\w* \w to|strong="H3318"\w* \w the|strong="H7971"\w* \w troops|strong="H5971"\w*, “\w I|strong="H1571"\w* \w too|strong="H1571"\w* \w will|strong="H4428"\w* \w indeed|strong="H1571"\w* \w march|strong="H3318"\w* \w out|strong="H3318"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w you|strong="H7971"\w*.”   
\p
\v 3  \w But|strong="H3588"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w soldiers|strong="H5971"\w* replied, “\w You|strong="H3588"\w* \w should|strong="H3588"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w do|strong="H3318"\w* \w this|strong="H6258"\w*! \w For|strong="H3588"\w* \w if|strong="H3588"\w* \w we|strong="H3068"\w* \w should|strong="H3588"\w* \w have|strong="H1961"\w* \w to|strong="H3318"\w* \w make|strong="H7760"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* rapid \w retreat|strong="H5127"\w*, \w they|strong="H3588"\w* won’t \w be|strong="H1961"\w* \w too|strong="H1961"\w* concerned \w about|strong="H1961"\w* \w us|strong="H7760"\w*. \w Even|strong="H3588"\w* \w if|strong="H3588"\w* \w half|strong="H2677"\w* \w of|strong="H5892"\w* \w us|strong="H7760"\w* \w should|strong="H3588"\w* \w die|strong="H4191"\w*, \w they|strong="H3588"\w* won’t \w be|strong="H1961"\w* \w too|strong="H1961"\w* concerned \w about|strong="H1961"\w* \w us|strong="H7760"\w*. \w But|strong="H3588"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w are|strong="H5971"\w* \w like|strong="H3644"\w* \w ten|strong="H6235"\w* thousand \w of|strong="H5892"\w* \w us|strong="H7760"\w*! \w So|strong="H1961"\w* \w it|strong="H7760"\w* \w is|strong="H3820"\w* \w better|strong="H2896"\w* \w if|strong="H3588"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w remain|strong="H1961"\w* \w in|strong="H4191"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w city|strong="H5892"\w* \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w support|strong="H5826"\w*.”  
\v 4  \w Then|strong="H6213"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* said \w to|strong="H3381"\w* \w them|strong="H3027"\w*, “\w I|strong="H3027"\w* \w will|strong="H4428"\w* \w do|strong="H6213"\w* \w whatever|strong="H3605"\w* \w seems|strong="H3190"\w* \w best|strong="H3190"\w* \w to|strong="H3381"\w* \w you|strong="H3605"\w*.”  
\p \w So|strong="H6213"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w stayed|strong="H5975"\w* \w beside|strong="H3027"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w city|strong="H8179"\w* \w gate|strong="H8179"\w*, \w while|strong="H5975"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w army|strong="H5971"\w* marched \w out|strong="H6213"\w* \w by|strong="H3027"\w* \w hundreds|strong="H3967"\w* \w and|strong="H3967"\w* \w by|strong="H3027"\w* thousands.  
\v 5  \w The|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w gave|strong="H6680"\w* \w this|strong="H1697"\w* \w order|strong="H6680"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w Joab|strong="H3097"\w*, Abishai, \w and|strong="H4428"\w* Ittai: “\w For|strong="H5921"\w* \w my|strong="H8085"\w* \w sake|strong="H5921"\w* deal gently \w with|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w young|strong="H5288"\w* \w man|strong="H5288"\w* Absalom.” \w Now|strong="H8085"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w entire|strong="H3605"\w* \w army|strong="H5971"\w* \w was|strong="H1697"\w* \w listening|strong="H8085"\w* \w when|strong="H8085"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w gave|strong="H6680"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w leaders|strong="H8269"\w* \w this|strong="H1697"\w* \w order|strong="H6680"\w* \w concerning|strong="H5921"\w* Absalom.   
\p
\v 6  \w Then|strong="H1961"\w* \w the|strong="H3318"\w* \w army|strong="H5971"\w* \w marched|strong="H3318"\w* \w out|strong="H3318"\w* \w to|strong="H3318"\w* \w the|strong="H3318"\w* \w field|strong="H7704"\w* \w to|strong="H3318"\w* \w fight|strong="H4421"\w* \w against|strong="H7125"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w*. \w The|strong="H3318"\w* \w battle|strong="H4421"\w* \w took|strong="H3318"\w* \w place|strong="H1961"\w* \w in|strong="H3478"\w* \w the|strong="H3318"\w* \w forest|strong="H3293"\w* \w of|strong="H7704"\w* Ephraim.  
\v 7  \w The|strong="H6440"\w* \w army|strong="H5971"\w* \w of|strong="H3117"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \w was|strong="H1961"\w* \w defeated|strong="H5062"\w* \w there|strong="H8033"\w* \w by|strong="H3117"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w*’s \w men|strong="H1419"\w*. \w The|strong="H6440"\w* \w slaughter|strong="H4046"\w* \w there|strong="H8033"\w* \w was|strong="H1961"\w* \w great|strong="H1419"\w* \w that|strong="H5971"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w* – 20,000 \w soldiers|strong="H5650"\w* \w were|strong="H3478"\w* killed.  
\v 8  \w The|strong="H3605"\w* \w battle|strong="H4421"\w* \w there|strong="H8033"\w* \w was|strong="H1961"\w* \w spread|strong="H6327"\w* \w out|strong="H5921"\w* \w over|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w whole|strong="H3605"\w* area, \w and|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w forest|strong="H3293"\w* consumed \w more|strong="H7235"\w* \w soldiers|strong="H4421"\w* \w than|strong="H7235"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w sword|strong="H2719"\w* devoured \w that|strong="H5971"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w*.   
\p
\v 9  \w Then|strong="H5414"\w* Absalom \w happened|strong="H7122"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w come|strong="H5674"\w* \w across|strong="H5674"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w*’s \w men|strong="H1419"\w*. \w Now|strong="H5414"\w* \w as|strong="H8478"\w* Absalom \w was|strong="H1732"\w* \w riding|strong="H7392"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w his|strong="H5414"\w* \w mule|strong="H6505"\w*, \w it|strong="H5414"\w* \w went|strong="H5674"\w* \w under|strong="H8478"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w branches|strong="H7730"\w* \w of|strong="H7218"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w large|strong="H1419"\w* oak tree. \w His|strong="H5414"\w* \w head|strong="H7218"\w* got \w caught|strong="H2388"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* oak \w and|strong="H1419"\w* \w he|strong="H1732"\w* \w was|strong="H1732"\w* suspended \w in|strong="H5921"\w* midair, \w while|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w mule|strong="H6505"\w* \w he|strong="H1732"\w* \w had|strong="H1732"\w* \w been|strong="H5674"\w* \w riding|strong="H7392"\w* \w kept|strong="H5414"\w* \w going|strong="H5674"\w*.   
\p
\v 10  \w When|strong="H7200"\w* \w one|strong="H7200"\w* \w of|strong="H7200"\w* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* men \w saw|strong="H7200"\w* \w this|strong="H7200"\w*, \w he|strong="H2009"\w* \w reported|strong="H5046"\w* \w it|strong="H7200"\w* \w to|strong="H7200"\w* \w Joab|strong="H3097"\w* saying, “\w I|strong="H2009"\w* \w saw|strong="H7200"\w* Absalom \w hanging|strong="H8518"\w* \w in|strong="H7200"\w* \w an|strong="H7200"\w* oak tree.  
\v 11  \w Joab|strong="H3097"\w* replied \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w man|strong="H7200"\w* \w who|strong="H5221"\w* \w was|strong="H5414"\w* \w telling|strong="H5046"\w* \w him|strong="H5414"\w* \w this|strong="H5414"\w*, “\w What|strong="H7200"\w*! \w You|strong="H5414"\w* \w saw|strong="H7200"\w* \w this|strong="H5414"\w*? \w Why|strong="H4069"\w* didn’t \w you|strong="H5414"\w* \w strike|strong="H5221"\w* \w him|strong="H5414"\w* \w down|strong="H5221"\w* \w right|strong="H2009"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* spot? \w I|strong="H5414"\w* would \w have|strong="H7200"\w* \w given|strong="H5414"\w* \w you|strong="H5414"\w* \w ten|strong="H6235"\w* pieces \w of|strong="H5921"\w* \w silver|strong="H3701"\w* \w and|strong="H3701"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* commemorative \w belt|strong="H2290"\w*!”   
\p
\v 12  \w The|strong="H5921"\w* \w man|strong="H5288"\w* replied \w to|strong="H7971"\w* \w Joab|strong="H3097"\w*, “\w Even|strong="H3588"\w* \w if|strong="H3588"\w* \w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w were|strong="H1121"\w* receiving \w a|strong="H3068"\w* thousand pieces \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w silver|strong="H3701"\w*, \w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w would|strong="H4310"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w strike|strong="H3027"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*’s \w son|strong="H1121"\w*! \w In|strong="H5921"\w* \w our|strong="H5921"\w* very \w presence|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w gave|strong="H6680"\w* \w this|strong="H3588"\w* \w order|strong="H6680"\w* \w to|strong="H7971"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* Abishai \w and|strong="H1121"\w* Ittai, ‘\w Protect|strong="H8104"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w young|strong="H5288"\w* \w man|strong="H5288"\w* Absalom \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w my|strong="H8104"\w* \w sake|strong="H5921"\w*.’  
\v 13  If \w I|strong="H1697"\w* \w had|strong="H4428"\w* \w acted|strong="H6213"\w* \w at|strong="H4428"\w* risk \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w my|strong="H3605"\w* \w own|strong="H5315"\w* \w life|strong="H5315"\w* – \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w nothing|strong="H3808"\w* \w is|strong="H5315"\w* \w hidden|strong="H3582"\w* \w from|strong="H4480"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*! – \w you|strong="H3605"\w* \w would|strong="H1697"\w* \w have|strong="H1697"\w* abandoned \w me|strong="H5315"\w*.”   
\p
\v 14  \w Joab|strong="H3097"\w* replied, “\w I|strong="H3651"\w* \w will|strong="H3820"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w wait|strong="H3176"\w* \w around|strong="H8628"\w* \w like|strong="H3651"\w* \w this|strong="H3651"\w* \w for|strong="H6440"\w* \w you|strong="H6440"\w*!” \w He|strong="H3651"\w* \w took|strong="H3947"\w* \w three|strong="H7969"\w* \w spears|strong="H7626"\w* \w in|strong="H6440"\w* \w his|strong="H3947"\w* \w hand|strong="H3709"\w* \w and|strong="H6440"\w* \w thrust|strong="H8628"\w* \w them|strong="H6440"\w* \w into|strong="H3947"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w middle|strong="H3820"\w* \w of|strong="H7626"\w* Absalom \w while|strong="H5750"\w* \w he|strong="H3651"\w* \w was|strong="H3820"\w* \w still|strong="H5750"\w* \w alive|strong="H2416"\w* \w in|strong="H6440"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w middle|strong="H3820"\w* \w of|strong="H7626"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* oak tree.  
\v 15  \w Then|strong="H5375"\w* \w ten|strong="H6235"\w* \w soldiers|strong="H5288"\w* \w who|strong="H5288"\w* \w were|strong="H5288"\w* \w Joab|strong="H3097"\w*’s \w armor|strong="H3627"\w* \w bearers|strong="H5375"\w* \w struck|strong="H5221"\w* Absalom \w and|strong="H5288"\w* finished \w him|strong="H5221"\w* \w off|strong="H5375"\w*.   
\p
\v 16  \w Then|strong="H7725"\w* \w Joab|strong="H3097"\w* \w blew|strong="H8628"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w trumpet|strong="H7782"\w* \w and|strong="H3478"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w army|strong="H5971"\w* \w turned|strong="H7725"\w* \w back|strong="H7725"\w* \w from|strong="H7725"\w* \w chasing|strong="H7291"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w*, \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w Joab|strong="H3097"\w* \w had|strong="H3478"\w* called \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w army|strong="H5971"\w* \w to|strong="H7725"\w* halt.  
\v 17  \w They|strong="H5921"\w* \w took|strong="H3947"\w* Absalom, \w threw|strong="H7993"\w* \w him|strong="H5921"\w* \w into|strong="H5921"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w large|strong="H1419"\w* \w pit|strong="H6354"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w forest|strong="H3293"\w*, \w and|strong="H3478"\w* stacked \w a|strong="H3068"\w* huge \w pile|strong="H1530"\w* \w of|strong="H5921"\w* stones \w over|strong="H5921"\w* \w him|strong="H5921"\w*. \w In|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* meantime \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Israelite|strong="H3478"\w* soldiers \w fled|strong="H5127"\w* \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w their|strong="H3605"\w* homes.   
\p
\v 18  Prior \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w this|strong="H2088"\w* Absalom \w had|strong="H4428"\w* \w set|strong="H5324"\w* \w up|strong="H5324"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w monument|strong="H3027"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* dedicated \w it|strong="H7121"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w himself|strong="H3027"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w King|strong="H4428"\w*’s \w Valley|strong="H6010"\w*, reasoning “\w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w have|strong="H1121"\w* \w no|strong="H3947"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w who|strong="H1121"\w* \w will|strong="H4428"\w* \w carry|strong="H3947"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w my|strong="H3947"\w* \w name|strong="H8034"\w*.” \w He|strong="H3588"\w* \w named|strong="H7121"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w monument|strong="H3027"\w* \w after|strong="H5921"\w* \w himself|strong="H3027"\w*, \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w this|strong="H2088"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w* \w it|strong="H7121"\w* \w is|strong="H2088"\w* known \w as|strong="H5704"\w* Absalom’s \w Memorial|strong="H3027"\w*.   
\s1 David Learns of Absalom’s Death  
\p
\v 19  \w Then|strong="H4428"\w* Ahimaaz \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Zadok|strong="H6659"\w* said, “\w Let|strong="H4994"\w* \w me|strong="H4994"\w* \w run|strong="H7323"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w give|strong="H4994"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w good|strong="H1319"\w* \w news|strong="H1319"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w has|strong="H3068"\w* vindicated \w him|strong="H3027"\w* before \w his|strong="H3068"\w* \w enemies|strong="H3027"\w*.”  
\v 20  \w But|strong="H3588"\w* \w Joab|strong="H3097"\w* said \w to|strong="H4191"\w* \w him|strong="H5921"\w*, “\w You|strong="H3588"\w* \w will|strong="H4428"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w be|strong="H4191"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w bearer|strong="H1319"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w good|strong="H1319"\w* \w news|strong="H1319"\w* \w today|strong="H3117"\w*. \w You|strong="H3588"\w* \w will|strong="H4428"\w* \w bear|strong="H1319"\w* \w good|strong="H1319"\w* \w news|strong="H1319"\w* \w some|strong="H3117"\w* \w other|strong="H2088"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w*, \w but|strong="H3588"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w today|strong="H3117"\w*, \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*’s \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w is|strong="H2088"\w* \w dead|strong="H4191"\w*.”   
\p
\v 21  \w Then|strong="H4428"\w* \w Joab|strong="H3097"\w* said \w to|strong="H3212"\w* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* \w Cushite|strong="H3569"\w*, “\w Go|strong="H3212"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w tell|strong="H5046"\w* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w what|strong="H7200"\w* \w you|strong="H5046"\w* \w have|strong="H7200"\w* \w seen|strong="H7200"\w*.” \w After|strong="H7200"\w* \w bowing|strong="H7812"\w* \w to|strong="H3212"\w* \w Joab|strong="H3097"\w*, \w the|strong="H7200"\w* \w Cushite|strong="H3569"\w* \w ran|strong="H7323"\w* \w off|strong="H7200"\w*.  
\v 22  Ahimaaz \w the|strong="H1961"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Zadok|strong="H6659"\w* \w again|strong="H5750"\w* spoke \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w Joab|strong="H3097"\w*, “\w Whatever|strong="H4100"\w* \w happens|strong="H1961"\w*, \w let|strong="H4994"\w* \w me|strong="H4994"\w* \w go|strong="H1961"\w* \w after|strong="H1961"\w* \w the|strong="H1961"\w* \w Cushite|strong="H3569"\w*.” \w But|strong="H1961"\w* \w Joab|strong="H3097"\w* said, “\w Why|strong="H4100"\w* \w is|strong="H2088"\w* \w it|strong="H3254"\w* \w that|strong="H1121"\w* \w you|strong="H4100"\w* \w want|strong="H7323"\w* \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w go|strong="H1961"\w*, \w my|strong="H1961"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w*? \w You|strong="H4100"\w* \w have|strong="H1961"\w* \w no|strong="H4672"\w* \w good|strong="H4100"\w* \w news|strong="H1309"\w* \w that|strong="H1121"\w* \w will|strong="H1961"\w* \w bring|strong="H3254"\w* \w you|strong="H4100"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w reward|strong="H1309"\w*.”  
\v 23  \w But|strong="H1961"\w* \w he|strong="H4100"\w* said, “\w Whatever|strong="H4100"\w* \w happens|strong="H1961"\w*, \w I|strong="H4100"\w* \w want|strong="H7323"\w* \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w go|strong="H5674"\w*!” \w So|strong="H1961"\w* Joab said \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w him|strong="H1870"\w*, “\w Then|strong="H1961"\w* \w go|strong="H5674"\w*!” \w So|strong="H1961"\w* Ahimaaz \w ran|strong="H7323"\w* \w by|strong="H5674"\w* \w the|strong="H5674"\w* \w way|strong="H1870"\w* \w of|strong="H1870"\w* \w the|strong="H5674"\w* Jordan \w plain|strong="H3603"\w*, \w and|strong="H1870"\w* \w he|strong="H4100"\w* \w passed|strong="H5674"\w* \w the|strong="H5674"\w* \w Cushite|strong="H3569"\w*.   
\p
\v 24  \w Now|strong="H2009"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w* \w was|strong="H1732"\w* \w sitting|strong="H3427"\w* \w between|strong="H3427"\w* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* inner \w and|strong="H3212"\w* outer \w gates|strong="H8179"\w*, \w and|strong="H3212"\w* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* \w watchman|strong="H6822"\w* \w went|strong="H3212"\w* \w up|strong="H5375"\w* \w to|strong="H3212"\w* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* \w roof|strong="H1406"\w* \w over|strong="H3427"\w* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* \w gate|strong="H8179"\w* \w at|strong="H3427"\w* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* \w wall|strong="H2346"\w*. \w When|strong="H7200"\w* \w he|strong="H1732"\w* \w looked|strong="H7200"\w*, \w he|strong="H1732"\w* \w saw|strong="H7200"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w man|strong="H5375"\w* \w running|strong="H7323"\w* \w by|strong="H3427"\w* \w himself|strong="H3427"\w*.  
\v 25  \w So|strong="H1980"\w* \w the|strong="H7121"\w* \w watchman|strong="H6822"\w* \w called|strong="H7121"\w* \w out|strong="H1980"\w* \w and|strong="H1980"\w* \w informed|strong="H5046"\w* \w the|strong="H7121"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*. \w The|strong="H7121"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w said|strong="H7121"\w*, “If \w he|strong="H1980"\w* \w is|strong="H4428"\w* \w by|strong="H7121"\w* \w himself|strong="H7121"\w*, \w he|strong="H1980"\w* brings good \w news|strong="H1309"\w*.” \w The|strong="H7121"\w* runner \w came|strong="H1980"\w* ever closer.   
\p
\v 26  \w Then|strong="H2009"\w* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* \w watchman|strong="H6822"\w* \w saw|strong="H7200"\w* \w another|strong="H2088"\w* \w man|strong="H2088"\w* \w running|strong="H7323"\w*. \w The|strong="H7200"\w* \w watchman|strong="H6822"\w* \w called|strong="H7121"\w* \w out|strong="H7200"\w* \w to|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* \w gatekeeper|strong="H7778"\w*, “\w There|strong="H2009"\w* \w is|strong="H2088"\w* \w another|strong="H2088"\w* \w man|strong="H2088"\w* \w running|strong="H7323"\w* \w by|strong="H7121"\w* \w himself|strong="H7121"\w*.” \w The|strong="H7200"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w said|strong="H7121"\w*, “\w This|strong="H2088"\w* \w one|strong="H2088"\w* \w also|strong="H1571"\w* \w is|strong="H2088"\w* \w bringing|strong="H1319"\w* \w good|strong="H1319"\w* \w news|strong="H1319"\w*.”  
\v 27  \w The|strong="H7200"\w* \w watchman|strong="H6822"\w* said, “\w It|strong="H7200"\w* \w appears|strong="H7200"\w* \w to|strong="H1121"\w* \w me|strong="H7200"\w* \w that|strong="H7200"\w* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* \w first|strong="H7223"\w* \w runner|strong="H4794"\w* \w is|strong="H2088"\w* Ahimaaz \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Zadok|strong="H6659"\w*.” \w The|strong="H7200"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* said, “\w He|strong="H4428"\w* \w is|strong="H2088"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w good|strong="H2896"\w* \w man|strong="H1121"\w*, \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w he|strong="H4428"\w* comes \w with|strong="H4428"\w* \w good|strong="H2896"\w* \w news|strong="H1309"\w*.”   
\p
\v 28  \w Then|strong="H5375"\w* Ahimaaz \w called|strong="H7121"\w* \w out|strong="H3027"\w* \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w said|strong="H7121"\w* \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H5375"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*, “Greetings!” \w He|strong="H3068"\w* \w bowed|strong="H7812"\w* \w down|strong="H7812"\w* \w before|strong="H7121"\w* \w the|strong="H5375"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w with|strong="H3068"\w* \w his|strong="H5375"\w* face \w toward|strong="H3027"\w* \w the|strong="H5375"\w* ground \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w said|strong="H7121"\w*, “\w May|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H5375"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w your|strong="H3068"\w* \w God|strong="H3068"\w* \w be|strong="H3027"\w* \w praised|strong="H1288"\w* \w because|strong="H3027"\w* \w he|strong="H3068"\w* \w has|strong="H3068"\w* defeated \w the|strong="H5375"\w* \w men|strong="H7121"\w* \w who|strong="H3068"\w* \w opposed|strong="H5375"\w* \w my|strong="H3068"\w* \w lord|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H5375"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*!”   
\p
\v 29  \w The|strong="H7200"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* replied, “\w How|strong="H4100"\w* \w is|strong="H4100"\w* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* \w young|strong="H5288"\w* \w man|strong="H5288"\w* Absalom?” Ahimaaz replied, “\w I|strong="H3045"\w* \w saw|strong="H7200"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w great|strong="H1419"\w* deal \w of|strong="H4428"\w* confusion \w when|strong="H7200"\w* \w Joab|strong="H3097"\w* \w was|strong="H4428"\w* \w sending|strong="H7971"\w* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*’s \w servant|strong="H5650"\w* \w and|strong="H7971"\w* \w me|strong="H7971"\w*, \w your|strong="H7200"\w* \w servant|strong="H5650"\w*, \w but|strong="H3808"\w* \w I|strong="H3045"\w* don’t \w know|strong="H3045"\w* \w what|strong="H4100"\w* \w it|strong="H7200"\w* \w was|strong="H4428"\w* \w all|strong="H7200"\w* \w about|strong="H3045"\w*.”  
\v 30  \w The|strong="H3541"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* said, “\w Turn|strong="H5437"\w* \w aside|strong="H5437"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w take|strong="H3320"\w* \w your|strong="H3320"\w* \w place|strong="H5975"\w* \w here|strong="H3541"\w*.” \w So|strong="H3541"\w* \w he|strong="H3541"\w* \w turned|strong="H5437"\w* \w aside|strong="H5437"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w waited|strong="H5975"\w*.   
\p
\v 31  \w Then|strong="H6965"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Cushite|strong="H3569"\w* arrived \w and|strong="H6965"\w* said, “\w May|strong="H3068"\w* \w my|strong="H3605"\w* \w lord|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w now|strong="H3117"\w* \w receive|strong="H1319"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w good|strong="H1319"\w* \w news|strong="H1319"\w*! \w The|strong="H3605"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w has|strong="H3068"\w* vindicated \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w today|strong="H3117"\w* \w and|strong="H6965"\w* \w delivered|strong="H3027"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w from|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w hand|strong="H3027"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w who|strong="H3605"\w* \w have|strong="H3068"\w* \w rebelled|strong="H6965"\w* \w against|strong="H5921"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w*!”  
\v 32  \w The|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* asked \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Cushite|strong="H3569"\w*, “\w How|strong="H7965"\w* \w is|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w young|strong="H5288"\w* \w man|strong="H5288"\w* Absalom?” \w The|strong="H3605"\w* \w Cushite|strong="H3569"\w* replied, “\w May|strong="H1961"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w enemies|strong="H6965"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w my|strong="H3605"\w* lord \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w and|strong="H6965"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w who|strong="H3605"\w* \w have|strong="H1961"\w* \w plotted|strong="H7451"\w* \w against|strong="H5921"\w* \w you|strong="H3605"\w* \w be|strong="H1961"\w* \w like|strong="H1961"\w* \w that|strong="H3605"\w* \w young|strong="H5288"\w* \w man|strong="H5288"\w*!”   
\p
\v 33  The king then became very upset. He went up to the upper room over the gate and wept. As he went he said, “My son, Absalom! My son, my son, Absalom! If only I could have died in your place! Absalom, my son, my son!”   
\c 19  
\p
\v 1  Joab \w was|strong="H4428"\w* told, “\w The|strong="H5921"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w is|strong="H4310"\w* \w weeping|strong="H1058"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* mourning \w over|strong="H5921"\w* Absalom.”  
\v 2  \w So|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* victory \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w that|strong="H4428"\w* day \w was|strong="H4428"\w* turned \w to|strong="H5921"\w* mourning \w as|strong="H4428"\w* \w far|strong="H5921"\w* \w as|strong="H4428"\w* \w all|strong="H1058"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* people \w were|strong="H4428"\w* concerned. \w For|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* people \w heard|strong="H5046"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w that|strong="H4428"\w* day, “\w The|strong="H5921"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w is|strong="H2009"\w* grieved \w over|strong="H5921"\w* \w his|strong="H5921"\w* son.”  
\v 3  \w That|strong="H3588"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w* stole \w away|strong="H3605"\w* \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w go|strong="H5971"\w* \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w city|strong="H1931"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w way|strong="H5921"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w* \w who|strong="H3605"\w* \w are|strong="H3117"\w* embarrassed steal \w away|strong="H3605"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* fleeing \w from|strong="H5921"\w* \w battle|strong="H3117"\w*.  
\v 4  \w The|strong="H3117"\w* king covered \w his|strong="H3117"\w* face \w and|strong="H3117"\w* \w cried|strong="H5892"\w* \w out|strong="H5127"\w* loudly, “\w My|strong="H1589"\w* son, Absalom! Absalom, \w my|strong="H1589"\w* son, \w my|strong="H1589"\w* son!”   
\p
\v 5  \w So|strong="H6440"\w* Joab visited \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w at|strong="H4428"\w* \w his|strong="H6440"\w* home. \w He|strong="H6440"\w* said, “Today \w you|strong="H6440"\w* \w have|strong="H1121"\w* embarrassed \w all|strong="H1419"\w* \w your|strong="H6440"\w* \w servants|strong="H6440"\w* \w who|strong="H1121"\w* \w have|strong="H1121"\w* saved \w your|strong="H6440"\w* life \w this|strong="H6440"\w* day, \w as|strong="H6440"\w* well \w as|strong="H6440"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* lives \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w your|strong="H6440"\w* \w sons|strong="H1121"\w*, \w your|strong="H6440"\w* \w daughters|strong="H1121"\w*, \w your|strong="H6440"\w* wives, \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w your|strong="H6440"\w* concubines.  
\v 6  \w You|strong="H6440"\w* seem \w to|strong="H6440"\w* love \w your|strong="H3605"\w* enemies \w and|strong="H1121"\w* hate \w your|strong="H3605"\w* friends! \w For|strong="H6440"\w* \w you|strong="H6440"\w* \w have|strong="H1121"\w* \w as|strong="H3117"\w* \w much|strong="H3605"\w* \w as|strong="H3117"\w* declared \w today|strong="H3117"\w* \w that|strong="H3605"\w* leaders \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w servants|strong="H5650"\w* don’t matter \w to|strong="H6440"\w* \w you|strong="H6440"\w*. \w I|strong="H3117"\w* realize \w now|strong="H3117"\w* \w that|strong="H3605"\w* \w if|strong="H1121"\w* Absalom \w were|strong="H1121"\w* \w alive|strong="H5315"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w us|strong="H6440"\w* \w were|strong="H1121"\w* \w dead|strong="H5315"\w* \w today|strong="H3117"\w*, \w it|strong="H6440"\w* \w would|strong="H5315"\w* \w be|strong="H1121"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* right \w with|strong="H1004"\w* \w you|strong="H6440"\w*.  
\v 7  \w So|strong="H4191"\w* get \w up|strong="H3605"\w* \w now|strong="H3117"\w* \w and|strong="H3117"\w* go \w out|strong="H3045"\w* \w and|strong="H3117"\w* \w give|strong="H2416"\w* \w some|strong="H3117"\w* encouragement \w to|strong="H4191"\w* \w your|strong="H3605"\w* \w servants|strong="H5650"\w*. \w For|strong="H3588"\w* \w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w swear|strong="H3588"\w* \w by|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \nd Lord\nd* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w if|strong="H3588"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* don’t go \w out|strong="H3045"\w* \w there|strong="H3117"\w*, \w not|strong="H3045"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* single \w man|strong="H4191"\w* \w will|strong="H5650"\w* stay \w here|strong="H4191"\w* \w with|strong="H3045"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* tonight! \w This|strong="H3588"\w* disaster \w will|strong="H5650"\w* \w be|strong="H4191"\w* worse \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w than|strong="H3588"\w* \w any|strong="H3605"\w* disaster \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w has|strong="H5650"\w* overtaken \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w from|strong="H3117"\w* \w your|strong="H3605"\w* youth \w right|strong="H3477"\w* \w to|strong="H4191"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w present|strong="H3117"\w* \w time|strong="H3117"\w*!”   
\p
\v 8  \w So|strong="H3318"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H5921"\w* \w got|strong="H6965"\w* \w up|strong="H6965"\w* \w and|strong="H6965"\w* sat \w at|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* city gate. \w When|strong="H3588"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w people|strong="H1696"\w* \w were|strong="H5650"\w* informed \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H5921"\w* \w was|strong="H3068"\w* sitting \w at|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* city gate, \w they|strong="H3588"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w came|strong="H3318"\w* \w before|strong="H5921"\w* \w him|strong="H5921"\w*.  
\s1 David \w Goes|strong="H3318"\w* \w Back|strong="H3318"\w* \w to|strong="H1696"\w* Jerusalem  
\p \w But|strong="H3588"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* Israelite \w soldiers|strong="H5650"\w* \w had|strong="H3068"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* fled \w to|strong="H1696"\w* \w their|strong="H3605"\w* own homes.  
\v 9  \w All|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w* \w throughout|strong="H3605"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* tribes \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \w were|strong="H3478"\w* arguing \w among|strong="H3427"\w* \w themselves|strong="H6440"\w* saying, “\w The|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* delivered \w us|strong="H5046"\w* \w from|strong="H6440"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* hand \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w our|strong="H3605"\w* \w enemies|strong="H6965"\w*. \w He|strong="H3605"\w* rescued \w us|strong="H5046"\w* \w from|strong="H6440"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* hand \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* Philistines, \w but|strong="H2009"\w* \w now|strong="H2009"\w* \w he|strong="H3605"\w* \w has|strong="H3478"\w* \w fled|strong="H5127"\w* \w from|strong="H6440"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w land|strong="H6440"\w* \w because|strong="H6440"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* Absalom.  
\v 10  \w But|strong="H1961"\w* Absalom, \w whom|strong="H5971"\w* \w we|strong="H3068"\w* anointed \w as|strong="H1961"\w* \w our|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*, \w has|strong="H1961"\w* died \w in|strong="H5921"\w* battle. \w So|strong="H4480"\w* \w now|strong="H6258"\w* \w why|strong="H5921"\w* \w do|strong="H3605"\w* \w you|strong="H3605"\w* hesitate \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w bring|strong="H1961"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* back?”   
\p
\v 11  \w Then|strong="H6258"\w* \w King|strong="H4428"\w* David \w sent|strong="H7725"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* message \w to|strong="H7725"\w* Zadok \w and|strong="H7725"\w* Abiathar \w the|strong="H5921"\w* priests saying, “Tell \w the|strong="H5921"\w* elders \w of|strong="H4428"\w* Judah, ‘\w Why|strong="H4100"\w* \w should|strong="H4100"\w* \w you|strong="H5921"\w* delay \w any|strong="H4191"\w* further \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w bringing|strong="H7725"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w back|strong="H7725"\w* \w to|strong="H7725"\w* \w his|strong="H7725"\w* palace, \w when|strong="H7725"\w* everything \w Israel|strong="H4421"\w* \w is|strong="H4100"\w* saying \w has|strong="H4428"\w* \w come|strong="H7725"\w* \w to|strong="H7725"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*’s \w attention|strong="H5921"\w*.  
\v 12  \w You|strong="H3605"\w* \w are|strong="H3478"\w* \w my|strong="H3605"\w* brothers – \w my|strong="H3605"\w* very \w own|strong="H1961"\w* flesh \w and|strong="H3063"\w* blood! \w Why|strong="H4100"\w* \w should|strong="H4100"\w* \w you|strong="H3605"\w* delay \w any|strong="H3605"\w* further \w in|strong="H3478"\w* \w bringing|strong="H7725"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w back|strong="H7725"\w*?’  
\v 13  \w Say|strong="H7725"\w* \w to|strong="H7725"\w* Amasa, ‘\w Are|strong="H6106"\w* \w you|strong="H7725"\w* \w not|strong="H1961"\w* \w my|strong="H7725"\w* \w flesh|strong="H1320"\w* \w and|strong="H7725"\w* blood? God \w will|strong="H1961"\w* punish \w me|strong="H7725"\w* severely, \w if|strong="H1961"\w* \w from|strong="H7725"\w* \w this|strong="H7725"\w* \w time|strong="H1961"\w* \w on|strong="H1961"\w* \w you|strong="H7725"\w* \w are|strong="H6106"\w* \w not|strong="H1961"\w* \w the|strong="H7725"\w* commander \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w my|strong="H7725"\w* army \w in|strong="H4428"\w* \w place|strong="H1961"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* Joab!’”   
\p
\v 14  \w He|strong="H3117"\w* won \w over|strong="H8269"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* hearts \w of|strong="H3117"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w men|strong="H6213"\w* \w of|strong="H3117"\w* Judah \w as|strong="H3117"\w* though \w they|strong="H3117"\w* \w were|strong="H1961"\w* \w one|strong="H3605"\w* \w man|strong="H3605"\w*. \w Then|strong="H1961"\w* \w they|strong="H3117"\w* sent word \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H6440"\w* saying, “\w Return|strong="H8478"\w*, \w you|strong="H6440"\w* \w and|strong="H3117"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w your|strong="H3605"\w* \w servants|strong="H6440"\w* \w as|strong="H3117"\w* well.”  
\v 15  \w So|strong="H7971"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w returned|strong="H7725"\w* \w and|strong="H3063"\w* \w came|strong="H7725"\w* \w to|strong="H7725"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* Jordan River.  
\p \w Now|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* people \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w Judah|strong="H3063"\w* \w had|strong="H4428"\w* \w come|strong="H7725"\w* \w to|strong="H7725"\w* Gilgal \w to|strong="H7725"\w* meet \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w and|strong="H3063"\w* \w to|strong="H7725"\w* help \w him|strong="H7971"\w* cross \w the|strong="H3605"\w* Jordan.  
\v 16  Shimei son \w of|strong="H4428"\w* Gera \w the|strong="H7725"\w* Benjaminite \w from|strong="H7725"\w* Bahurim \w came|strong="H3212"\w* \w down|strong="H3212"\w* quickly \w with|strong="H3212"\w* \w the|strong="H7725"\w* men \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w Judah|strong="H3063"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w meet|strong="H7125"\w* \w King|strong="H4428"\w* David.  
\v 17  There \w were|strong="H1121"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* thousand \w men|strong="H1121"\w* \w from|strong="H3381"\w* \w Benjamin|strong="H1145"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w him|strong="H5973"\w*, \w along|strong="H5973"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* Ziba \w the|strong="H5973"\w* servant \w of|strong="H1121"\w* Saul’s household, \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w him|strong="H5973"\w* \w his|strong="H1732"\w* fifteen \w sons|strong="H1121"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* twenty servants. \w They|strong="H3063"\w* \w hurriedly|strong="H4116"\w* crossed \w the|strong="H5973"\w* Jordan \w within|strong="H5973"\w* sight \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H5973"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*.  
\v 18  \w They|strong="H6440"\w* \w crossed|strong="H3383"\w* \w at|strong="H1004"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* ford \w in|strong="H1004"\w* order \w to|strong="H6440"\w* help \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*’s \w household|strong="H1004"\w* cross \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w to|strong="H6440"\w* do whatever \w he|strong="H2568"\w* thought appropriate.  
\p \w Now|strong="H4428"\w* \w after|strong="H1004"\w* \w he|strong="H2568"\w* \w had|strong="H4428"\w* \w crossed|strong="H3383"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w Jordan|strong="H3383"\w*, Shimei \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* Gera threw \w himself|strong="H6440"\w* \w down|strong="H6440"\w* \w before|strong="H6440"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*.  
\v 19  \w He|strong="H6213"\w* said \w to|strong="H6213"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*, “Don’t \w think|strong="H5869"\w* badly \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w me|strong="H6440"\w*, \w my|strong="H6213"\w* lord, \w and|strong="H1121"\w* don’t recall \w the|strong="H6440"\w* sin \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w your|strong="H6440"\w* servant \w on|strong="H5674"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* day \w when|strong="H6213"\w* \w you|strong="H6440"\w*, \w my|strong="H6213"\w* lord \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*, \w left|strong="H5674"\w* Jerusalem! \w Please|strong="H2896"\w* don’t call \w it|strong="H6213"\w* \w to|strong="H6213"\w* \w mind|strong="H6440"\w*!  
\v 20  \w For|strong="H3117"\w* \w I|strong="H3117"\w*, \w your|strong="H7760"\w* \w servant|strong="H5650"\w*, know \w that|strong="H3117"\w* \w I|strong="H3117"\w* sinned, \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w I|strong="H3117"\w* \w have|strong="H5650"\w* \w come|strong="H3318"\w* \w today|strong="H3117"\w* \w as|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H3117"\w* \w first|strong="H3117"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w all|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H3117"\w* house \w of|strong="H4428"\w* Joseph \w to|strong="H3318"\w* \w come|strong="H3318"\w* \w down|strong="H7760"\w* \w to|strong="H3318"\w* \w meet|strong="H3318"\w* \w my|strong="H7760"\w* lord \w the|strong="H3117"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*.”   
\p
\v 21  Abishai son \w of|strong="H4428"\w* Zeruiah replied, “\w For|strong="H3588"\w* \w this|strong="H3588"\w* \w should|strong="H3588"\w* \w not|strong="H3045"\w* Shimei \w be|strong="H3117"\w* \w put|strong="H3381"\w* \w to|strong="H3381"\w* death? \w After|strong="H3117"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w*, \w he|strong="H3588"\w* cursed \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \nd Lord\nd*’s anointed!”  
\v 22  \w But|strong="H3588"\w* David \w said|strong="H6030"\w*, “\w What|strong="H2063"\w* \w do|strong="H3068"\w* \w we|strong="H3068"\w* \w have|strong="H3068"\w* \w in|strong="H3068"\w* \w common|strong="H1121"\w*, \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w sons|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Zeruiah|strong="H6870"\w*? \w You|strong="H3588"\w* \w are|strong="H1121"\w* \w like|strong="H3808"\w* \w my|strong="H3068"\w* enemy today! \w Should|strong="H3068"\w* \w anyone|strong="H3588"\w* \w be|strong="H4191"\w* \w put|strong="H4191"\w* \w to|strong="H4191"\w* \w death|strong="H4191"\w* \w in|strong="H3068"\w* Israel today? Don’t \w you|strong="H3588"\w* realize \w that|strong="H3588"\w* today \w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w am|strong="H3068"\w* king \w over|strong="H3068"\w* Israel?”  
\v 23  \w The|strong="H5921"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* said \w to|strong="H3478"\w* Shimei, “\w You|strong="H3588"\w* won’t \w die|strong="H4191"\w*.” \w The|strong="H5921"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* vowed \w an|strong="H1961"\w* oath \w concerning|strong="H5921"\w* \w this|strong="H3588"\w*.   
\p
\v 24  \w Now|strong="H4428"\w* \w Mephibosheth|strong="H3808"\w*, Saul’s grandson, \w came|strong="H4428"\w* down \w to|strong="H4191"\w* meet \w the|strong="H4191"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*. \w From|strong="H4191"\w* \w the|strong="H4191"\w* day \w the|strong="H4191"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w had|strong="H4428"\w* left until \w the|strong="H4191"\w* day \w he|strong="H3808"\w* safely returned, \w Mephibosheth|strong="H3808"\w* \w had|strong="H4428"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* cared \w for|strong="H4191"\w* \w his|strong="H8096"\w* feet \w nor|strong="H3808"\w* trimmed \w his|strong="H8096"\w* mustache \w nor|strong="H3808"\w* washed \w his|strong="H8096"\w* clothes.   
\p
\v 25  \w When|strong="H3117"\w* \w he|strong="H3117"\w* \w came|strong="H3381"\w* \w from|strong="H4480"\w* Jerusalem \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w meet|strong="H7125"\w* \w the|strong="H6213"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*, \w the|strong="H6213"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* asked \w him|strong="H6213"\w*, “\w Why|strong="H3808"\w* didn’t \w you|strong="H3117"\w* \w go|strong="H3212"\w* \w with|strong="H6213"\w* \w me|strong="H4480"\w*, \w Mephibosheth|strong="H4648"\w*?”  
\v 26  \w He|strong="H3588"\w* replied, “\w My|strong="H1961"\w* lord \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*, \w my|strong="H1961"\w* servant deceived \w me|strong="H5973"\w*! \w I|strong="H3588"\w* said, ‘\w Let|strong="H3808"\w* \w me|strong="H5973"\w* \w get|strong="H1980"\w* \w my|strong="H1961"\w* donkey saddled \w so|strong="H1980"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w can|strong="H4100"\w* ride \w on|strong="H1980"\w* \w it|strong="H3588"\w* \w and|strong="H1980"\w* \w go|strong="H1980"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*,’ \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w am|strong="H1961"\w* lame.  
\v 27  \w But|strong="H3588"\w* \w my|strong="H5921"\w* \w servant|strong="H5650"\w* \w has|strong="H4428"\w* slandered \w me|strong="H5921"\w* \w to|strong="H3212"\w* \w my|strong="H5921"\w* lord \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*. \w But|strong="H3588"\w* \w my|strong="H5921"\w* lord \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w is|strong="H4428"\w* \w like|strong="H5921"\w* \w an|strong="H3588"\w* angel \w of|strong="H4428"\w* God. Do whatever seems appropriate \w to|strong="H3212"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w*.  
\v 28  After \w all|strong="H6213"\w*, there \w was|strong="H4428"\w* \w no|strong="H6213"\w* \w one|strong="H2896"\w* \w in|strong="H6213"\w* \w the|strong="H6213"\w* entire house \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w my|strong="H6213"\w* grandfather \w who|strong="H5650"\w* \w did|strong="H6213"\w* \w not|strong="H6213"\w* deserve death \w from|strong="H5869"\w* \w my|strong="H6213"\w* lord \w the|strong="H6213"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*. \w But|strong="H4428"\w* instead \w you|strong="H6213"\w* allowed \w me|strong="H6213"\w* \w to|strong="H6213"\w* eat \w at|strong="H4428"\w* \w your|strong="H6213"\w* \w own|strong="H5869"\w* table! \w What|strong="H2896"\w* further claim \w do|strong="H6213"\w* \w I|strong="H5650"\w* \w have|strong="H5869"\w* \w to|strong="H6213"\w* \w ask|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H6213"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w for|strong="H6213"\w* \w anything|strong="H6213"\w*?”   
\p
\v 29  \w Then|strong="H1961"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* replied \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w him|strong="H3605"\w*, “\w Why|strong="H4100"\w* \w should|strong="H4100"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w continue|strong="H1961"\w* speaking \w like|strong="H1961"\w* \w this|strong="H3588"\w*? \w You|strong="H3588"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* Ziba \w will|strong="H1961"\w* inherit \w the|strong="H3605"\w* field \w together|strong="H2199"\w*.”  
\v 30  Mephibosheth \w said|strong="H1696"\w* \w to|strong="H1696"\w* \w the|strong="H1697"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*, “Let \w him|strong="H4428"\w* \w have|strong="H1697"\w* \w the|strong="H1697"\w* whole \w thing|strong="H1697"\w*! \w My|strong="H1696"\w* lord \w the|strong="H1697"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w has|strong="H4428"\w* returned safely \w to|strong="H1696"\w* \w his|strong="H4428"\w* house!”   
\p
\v 31  \w Now|strong="H1571"\w* \w when|strong="H1571"\w* Barzillai \w the|strong="H3605"\w* Gileadite \w had|strong="H4428"\w* come down \w from|strong="H3947"\w* Rogelim, \w he|strong="H3605"\w* crossed \w the|strong="H3605"\w* Jordan \w with|strong="H1004"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w so|strong="H3947"\w* \w he|strong="H3605"\w* \w could|strong="H1571"\w* send \w him|strong="H3947"\w* \w on|strong="H1004"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* \w way|strong="H3605"\w* \w from|strong="H3947"\w* \w there|strong="H7965"\w*.  
\v 32  \w But|strong="H4428"\w* \w Barzillai|strong="H1271"\w* \w was|strong="H4428"\w* very old – eighty years old, \w in|strong="H4428"\w* fact – \w and|strong="H7971"\w* \w he|strong="H7971"\w* \w had|strong="H4428"\w* \w taken|strong="H5674"\w* care \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H5674"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w when|strong="H7971"\w* \w he|strong="H7971"\w* stayed \w in|strong="H4428"\w* Mahanaim, \w for|strong="H7971"\w* \w he|strong="H7971"\w* \w was|strong="H4428"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* very rich \w man|strong="H5674"\w*.  
\v 33  \w So|strong="H3966"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* said \w to|strong="H1121"\w* \w Barzillai|strong="H1271"\w*, “Cross \w over|strong="H4428"\w* \w with|strong="H4428"\w* \w me|strong="H3588"\w*, \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w will|strong="H4428"\w* \w take|strong="H1121"\w* care \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w while|strong="H1931"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w are|strong="H1121"\w* \w with|strong="H4428"\w* \w me|strong="H3588"\w* \w in|strong="H8141"\w* Jerusalem.”   
\p
\v 34  \w Barzillai|strong="H1271"\w* replied \w to|strong="H3389"\w* \w the|strong="H5674"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*, “How many days do I \w have|strong="H3389"\w* \w left|strong="H5674"\w* \w to|strong="H3389"\w* \w my|strong="H5674"\w* life, \w that|strong="H4428"\w* I \w should|strong="H4428"\w* \w go|strong="H5674"\w* \w up|strong="H4428"\w* \w with|strong="H3389"\w* \w the|strong="H5674"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w to|strong="H3389"\w* \w Jerusalem|strong="H3389"\w*?  
\v 35  \w I|strong="H3588"\w* am \w presently|strong="H3117"\w* eighty \w years|strong="H3117"\w* \w old|strong="H2416"\w*. Am \w I|strong="H3588"\w* able \w to|strong="H5927"\w* discern \w good|strong="H4100"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* bad? \w Can|strong="H4100"\w* \w I|strong="H3588"\w* taste \w what|strong="H4100"\w* \w I|strong="H3588"\w* eat \w and|strong="H4428"\w* drink? Am \w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w still|strong="H3588"\w* able \w to|strong="H5927"\w* hear \w the|strong="H3588"\w* voices \w of|strong="H4428"\w* male \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w female|strong="H8147"\w* singers? \w Why|strong="H4100"\w* \w should|strong="H4100"\w* \w I|strong="H3588"\w* continue \w to|strong="H5927"\w* \w be|strong="H3117"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* burden \w to|strong="H5927"\w* \w my|strong="H5927"\w* lord \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*?  
\v 36  \w I|strong="H3117"\w* \w will|strong="H1961"\w* cross \w the|strong="H8085"\w* Jordan \w with|strong="H3045"\w* \w the|strong="H8085"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w go|strong="H1961"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* short distance. \w Why|strong="H4100"\w* \w should|strong="H4100"\w* \w the|strong="H8085"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* reward \w me|strong="H6963"\w* \w in|strong="H8141"\w* \w this|strong="H8085"\w* way?  
\v 37  Let \w me|strong="H5674"\w* return \w so|strong="H2063"\w* \w that|strong="H4428"\w* \w I|strong="H5650"\w* \w may|strong="H4428"\w* die \w in|strong="H4428"\w* \w my|strong="H5674"\w* own city near \w the|strong="H5674"\w* grave \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w my|strong="H5674"\w* father \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w my|strong="H5674"\w* mother. \w But|strong="H4428"\w* look, \w here|strong="H2063"\w* \w is|strong="H4100"\w* \w your|strong="H5674"\w* \w servant|strong="H5650"\w* Kimham. Let \w him|strong="H1580"\w* \w cross|strong="H5674"\w* \w over|strong="H5674"\w* \w with|strong="H4428"\w* \w my|strong="H5674"\w* lord \w the|strong="H5674"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*. \w Do|strong="H4100"\w* \w for|strong="H5650"\w* \w him|strong="H1580"\w* \w whatever|strong="H4100"\w* seems appropriate \w to|strong="H4428"\w* \w you|strong="H4100"\w*.”   
\p
\v 38  \w The|strong="H6213"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* replied, “\w Kimham|strong="H3643"\w* \w will|strong="H4428"\w* \w cross|strong="H5674"\w* \w over|strong="H5674"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w me|strong="H4994"\w*, \w and|strong="H7725"\w* \w I|strong="H2009"\w* \w will|strong="H4428"\w* \w do|strong="H6213"\w* \w for|strong="H6213"\w* \w him|strong="H6213"\w* \w whatever|strong="H2896"\w* \w I|strong="H2009"\w* deem \w appropriate|strong="H5869"\w*. \w And|strong="H7725"\w* \w whatever|strong="H2896"\w* \w you|strong="H7725"\w* choose, \w I|strong="H2009"\w* \w will|strong="H4428"\w* \w do|strong="H6213"\w* \w for|strong="H6213"\w* \w you|strong="H7725"\w*.”   
\p
\v 39  \w So|strong="H6213"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w people|strong="H5869"\w* \w crossed|strong="H5674"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* Jordan, \w as|strong="H6213"\w* \w did|strong="H6213"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*. \w After|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w had|strong="H4428"\w* kissed \w him|strong="H5921"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* blessed \w him|strong="H5921"\w*, Barzillai returned \w to|strong="H6213"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* home.  
\v 40  \w When|strong="H7725"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w crossed|strong="H5674"\w* \w over|strong="H5674"\w* \w to|strong="H7725"\w* Gilgal, Kimham \w crossed|strong="H5674"\w* \w over|strong="H5674"\w* \w with|strong="H5971"\w* \w him|strong="H7725"\w*. \w Now|strong="H4428"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w soldiers|strong="H5971"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* Judah \w along|strong="H5674"\w* \w with|strong="H5971"\w* half \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w soldiers|strong="H5971"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w Israel|strong="H5971"\w* \w had|strong="H4428"\w* helped \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w cross|strong="H5674"\w* \w over|strong="H5674"\w*.   
\p
\v 41  \w Then|strong="H1571"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w men|strong="H5971"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \w began|strong="H3063"\w* coming \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*. \w They|strong="H5971"\w* asked \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*, “Why \w did|strong="H3478"\w* \w our|strong="H3605"\w* brothers, \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w men|strong="H5971"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w Judah|strong="H3063"\w*, sneak \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w away|strong="H5674"\w* \w and|strong="H3063"\w* \w help|strong="H5971"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w and|strong="H3063"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* household \w cross|strong="H5674"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* Jordan – \w and|strong="H3063"\w* \w not|strong="H1571"\w* \w only|strong="H3605"\w* \w him|strong="H5973"\w* \w but|strong="H1571"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w David|strong="H5973"\w*’s \w men|strong="H5971"\w* \w as|strong="H1571"\w* \w well|strong="H1571"\w*?”   
\p
\v 42  \w All|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w men|strong="H3605"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w Judah|strong="H3063"\w* replied \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w men|strong="H3605"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w*, “\w Because|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w is|strong="H2009"\w* \w our|strong="H3605"\w* \w close|strong="H5973"\w* relative! \w Why|strong="H4069"\w* \w are|strong="H3478"\w* \w you|strong="H3605"\w* \w so|strong="H5674"\w* upset \w about|strong="H4428"\w* \w this|strong="H5674"\w*? \w Have|strong="H3478"\w* \w we|strong="H3068"\w* eaten \w at|strong="H3478"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*’s expense? \w Or|strong="H1004"\w* \w have|strong="H3478"\w* \w we|strong="H3068"\w* misappropriated \w anything|strong="H3605"\w* \w for|strong="H1004"\w* \w our|strong="H3605"\w* \w own|strong="H5973"\w* \w use|strong="H5674"\w*?”  
\v 43  \w The|strong="H3605"\w* \w men|strong="H3605"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \w replied|strong="H6030"\w* \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w men|strong="H3605"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w Judah|strong="H3063"\w*, “\w We|strong="H3588"\w* \w have|strong="H3478"\w* ten shares \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*, \w and|strong="H3063"\w* \w we|strong="H3068"\w* \w have|strong="H3478"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* greater claim \w on|strong="H5921"\w* David \w than|strong="H4480"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w do|strong="H4100"\w*! \w Why|strong="H4100"\w* \w do|strong="H4100"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* want \w to|strong="H3478"\w* curse \w us|strong="H5921"\w*? Weren’t \w we|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w first|strong="H2088"\w* \w to|strong="H3478"\w* suggest \w bringing|strong="H5375"\w* back \w our|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*?” \w But|strong="H3588"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* comments \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w men|strong="H3605"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w Judah|strong="H3063"\w* \w were|strong="H3478"\w* \w more|strong="H4480"\w* severe \w than|strong="H4480"\w* \w those|strong="H3605"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w men|strong="H3605"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w*.   
\c 20  
\p
\v 1  \w Now|strong="H3478"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w wicked|strong="H1100"\w* \w man|strong="H1121"\w* \w named|strong="H8034"\w* \w Sheba|strong="H7652"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* Bicri, \w a|strong="H3068"\w* Benjaminite, \w happened|strong="H7122"\w* \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w be|strong="H3808"\w* \w there|strong="H8033"\w*. \w He|strong="H8033"\w* \w blew|strong="H8628"\w* \w the|strong="H8628"\w* \w trumpet|strong="H7782"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* said,  
\q1 “\w We|strong="H8033"\w* \w have|strong="H1121"\w* \w no|strong="H3808"\w* \w share|strong="H2506"\w* \w in|strong="H3478"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w*;  
\q1 \w we|strong="H3068"\w* \w have|strong="H1121"\w* \w no|strong="H3808"\w* \w inheritance|strong="H5159"\w* \w in|strong="H3478"\w* \w this|strong="H3478"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Jesse|strong="H3448"\w*!  
\q1 \w Every|strong="H3478"\w* \w man|strong="H1121"\w* \w go|strong="H3478"\w* \w home|strong="H8034"\w*, \w O|strong="H3068"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w*!”   
\p
\v 2  \w So|strong="H4480"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w men|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w* deserted \w David|strong="H1732"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w followed|strong="H5927"\w* \w Sheba|strong="H7652"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* Bicri. \w But|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w men|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Judah|strong="H3063"\w* \w stuck|strong="H1692"\w* \w by|strong="H3478"\w* \w their|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w way|strong="H5704"\w* \w from|strong="H4480"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Jordan|strong="H3383"\w* \w River|strong="H5704"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w Jerusalem|strong="H3389"\w*.   
\p
\v 3  \w Then|strong="H1961"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w* \w went|strong="H1732"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w his|strong="H5414"\w* \w palace|strong="H1004"\w* \w in|strong="H1004"\w* \w Jerusalem|strong="H3389"\w*. \w The|strong="H5414"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w took|strong="H3947"\w* \w the|strong="H5414"\w* \w ten|strong="H6235"\w* \w concubines|strong="H6370"\w* \w he|strong="H3117"\w* \w had|strong="H1961"\w* \w left|strong="H3240"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w care|strong="H4931"\w* \w for|strong="H5704"\w* \w the|strong="H5414"\w* \w palace|strong="H1004"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w placed|strong="H5414"\w* \w them|strong="H5414"\w* \w under|strong="H5414"\w* confinement. Though \w he|strong="H3117"\w* \w provided|strong="H3557"\w* \w for|strong="H5704"\w* \w their|strong="H5414"\w* \w needs|strong="H1961"\w*, \w he|strong="H3117"\w* \w did|strong="H3808"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w have|strong="H1961"\w* \w sexual|strong="H3947"\w* relations \w with|strong="H1004"\w* \w them|strong="H5414"\w*. \w They|strong="H3117"\w* \w remained|strong="H1961"\w* \w in|strong="H1004"\w* confinement \w until|strong="H5704"\w* \w the|strong="H5414"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w* \w they|strong="H3117"\w* \w died|strong="H4194"\w*, \w living|strong="H2424"\w* \w out|strong="H5414"\w* \w the|strong="H5414"\w* \w rest|strong="H1961"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w their|strong="H5414"\w* \w lives|strong="H1961"\w* \w as|strong="H5704"\w* widows.   
\p
\v 4  \w Then|strong="H5975"\w* \w the|strong="H3117"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* said \w to|strong="H3117"\w* \w Amasa|strong="H6021"\w*, “\w Call|strong="H2199"\w* \w the|strong="H3117"\w* men \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w Judah|strong="H3063"\w* \w together|strong="H2199"\w* \w for|strong="H3117"\w* \w me|strong="H5975"\w* \w in|strong="H4428"\w* \w three|strong="H7969"\w* \w days|strong="H3117"\w*, \w and|strong="H3063"\w* \w you|strong="H3117"\w* \w be|strong="H3117"\w* \w present|strong="H5975"\w* \w here|strong="H6311"\w* \w with|strong="H3117"\w* \w them|strong="H5975"\w* too.”  
\v 5  \w So|strong="H4480"\w* \w Amasa|strong="H6021"\w* \w went|strong="H3212"\w* \w out|strong="H2199"\w* \w to|strong="H3212"\w* \w call|strong="H2199"\w* \w Judah|strong="H3063"\w* \w together|strong="H2199"\w*. But \w in|strong="H3212"\w* \w doing|strong="H4480"\w* \w so|strong="H4480"\w* \w he|strong="H4480"\w* \w took|strong="H3063"\w* longer \w than|strong="H4480"\w* \w the|strong="H4480"\w* \w time|strong="H4150"\w* \w that|strong="H4480"\w* \w the|strong="H4480"\w* king \w had|strong="H3063"\w* allotted \w him|strong="H4480"\w*.   
\p
\v 6  \w Then|strong="H6258"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w* said \w to|strong="H1121"\w* Abishai, “\w Now|strong="H6258"\w* \w Sheba|strong="H7652"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* Bicri \w will|strong="H5650"\w* cause greater disaster \w for|strong="H1121"\w* \w us|strong="H6435"\w* \w than|strong="H4480"\w* Absalom \w did|strong="H5650"\w*! \w Take|strong="H3947"\w* \w your|strong="H3947"\w* lord’s \w servants|strong="H5650"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w pursue|strong="H7291"\w* \w him|strong="H4672"\w*. \w Otherwise|strong="H6435"\w* \w he|strong="H1732"\w* \w will|strong="H5650"\w* secure \w fortified|strong="H1219"\w* \w cities|strong="H5892"\w* \w for|strong="H1121"\w* himself \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w get|strong="H3947"\w* \w away|strong="H3947"\w* \w from|strong="H4480"\w* \w us|strong="H6435"\w*.”  
\v 7  \w So|strong="H3318"\w* \w Joab|strong="H3097"\w*’s \w men|strong="H1368"\w*, accompanied \w by|strong="H3318"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* Kerethites, \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Pelethites|strong="H6432"\w*, \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w warriors|strong="H1368"\w*, \w left|strong="H3318"\w* \w Jerusalem|strong="H3389"\w* \w to|strong="H3318"\w* \w pursue|strong="H7291"\w* \w Sheba|strong="H7652"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* Bicri.   
\p
\v 8  \w When|strong="H3318"\w* \w they|strong="H1992"\w* \w were|strong="H1992"\w* \w near|strong="H5973"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* big rock \w that|strong="H1931"\w* \w is|strong="H1931"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w Gibeon|strong="H1391"\w*, \w Amasa|strong="H6021"\w* \w came|strong="H3318"\w* \w to|strong="H3318"\w* \w them|strong="H1992"\w*. \w Now|strong="H1419"\w* \w Joab|strong="H3097"\w* \w was|strong="H1931"\w* \w dressed|strong="H3830"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w military|strong="H1419"\w* \w attire|strong="H3830"\w* \w and|strong="H1419"\w* \w had|strong="H3097"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w dagger|strong="H2719"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w its|strong="H5921"\w* \w sheath|strong="H8593"\w* \w belted|strong="H6775"\w* \w to|strong="H3318"\w* \w his|strong="H6440"\w* \w waist|strong="H4975"\w*. \w When|strong="H3318"\w* \w he|strong="H1931"\w* advanced, \w it|strong="H1931"\w* \w fell|strong="H5307"\w* \w out|strong="H3318"\w*.   
\p
\v 9  \w Joab|strong="H3097"\w* said \w to|strong="H3027"\w* \w Amasa|strong="H6021"\w*, “\w How|strong="H7965"\w* \w are|strong="H3027"\w* \w you|strong="H3027"\w*, \w my|strong="H3027"\w* brother?” \w With|strong="H3027"\w* \w his|strong="H3027"\w* \w right|strong="H3225"\w* \w hand|strong="H3027"\w* \w Joab|strong="H3097"\w* \w took|strong="H3027"\w* hold \w of|strong="H3027"\w* \w Amasa|strong="H6021"\w*’s \w beard|strong="H2206"\w* \w as|strong="H3225"\w* if \w to|strong="H3027"\w* \w greet|strong="H7965"\w* \w him|strong="H3027"\w* \w with|strong="H3027"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w kiss|strong="H5401"\w*.  
\v 10  \w Amasa|strong="H6021"\w* \w did|strong="H3808"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w protect|strong="H8104"\w* \w himself|strong="H3027"\w* \w from|strong="H3027"\w* \w the|strong="H5221"\w* \w knife|strong="H2719"\w* \w in|strong="H4191"\w* \w Joab|strong="H3097"\w*’s other \w hand|strong="H3027"\w*, \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w Joab|strong="H3097"\w* \w stabbed|strong="H5221"\w* \w him|strong="H5221"\w* \w in|strong="H4191"\w* \w the|strong="H5221"\w* \w abdomen|strong="H4578"\w*, causing \w Amasa|strong="H6021"\w*’s \w intestines|strong="H4578"\w* \w to|strong="H4191"\w* spill \w out|strong="H8210"\w* \w on|strong="H3027"\w* \w the|strong="H5221"\w* ground. There \w was|strong="H1121"\w* \w no|strong="H3808"\w* need \w to|strong="H4191"\w* stab \w him|strong="H5221"\w* \w again|strong="H8138"\w*; \w the|strong="H5221"\w* \w first|strong="H1121"\w* blow \w was|strong="H1121"\w* fatal. \w Then|strong="H3808"\w* \w Joab|strong="H3097"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w his|strong="H8104"\w* brother Abishai \w pursued|strong="H7291"\w* \w Sheba|strong="H7652"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* Bicri.   
\p
\v 11  \w One|strong="H4310"\w* \w of|strong="H5921"\w* \w Joab|strong="H3097"\w*’s \w soldiers|strong="H5288"\w* \w who|strong="H4310"\w* stood \w over|strong="H5921"\w* Amasa said, “\w Whoever|strong="H4310"\w* \w is|strong="H4310"\w* \w for|strong="H5921"\w* \w Joab|strong="H3097"\w* \w and|strong="H1732"\w* \w whoever|strong="H4310"\w* \w is|strong="H4310"\w* \w for|strong="H5921"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w*, follow \w Joab|strong="H3097"\w*!”  
\v 12  \w Amasa|strong="H6021"\w* \w was|strong="H3605"\w* squirming \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* \w own|strong="H5971"\w* \w blood|strong="H1818"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w middle|strong="H8432"\w* \w of|strong="H7704"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w path|strong="H4546"\w*, \w and|strong="H5971"\w* \w this|strong="H7200"\w* \w man|strong="H3605"\w* \w had|strong="H3588"\w* \w noticed|strong="H7200"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w soldiers|strong="H5971"\w* \w stopped|strong="H5975"\w*. \w Having|strong="H3588"\w* \w noticed|strong="H7200"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w everyone|strong="H3605"\w* \w who|strong="H3605"\w* \w came|strong="H5971"\w* \w across|strong="H4480"\w* \w Amasa|strong="H6021"\w* \w stopped|strong="H5975"\w*, \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w man|strong="H3605"\w* \w pulled|strong="H5437"\w* \w him|strong="H5921"\w* \w away|strong="H7993"\w* \w from|strong="H4480"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w path|strong="H4546"\w* \w and|strong="H5971"\w* \w into|strong="H8432"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w field|strong="H7704"\w* \w and|strong="H5971"\w* \w threw|strong="H7993"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* garment \w over|strong="H5921"\w* \w him|strong="H5921"\w*.  
\v 13  Once \w he|strong="H3605"\w* \w had|strong="H3097"\w* \w removed|strong="H5674"\w* \w Amasa|strong="H3014"\w* \w from|strong="H4480"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w path|strong="H4546"\w*, \w everyone|strong="H3605"\w* \w followed|strong="H7291"\w* \w Joab|strong="H3097"\w* \w to|strong="H1121"\w* \w pursue|strong="H7291"\w* \w Sheba|strong="H7652"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* Bicri.   
\p
\v 14  \w Sheba|strong="H5674"\w* \w traveled|strong="H5674"\w* \w through|strong="H5674"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w tribes|strong="H7626"\w* \w of|strong="H7626"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \w to|strong="H3478"\w* Abel \w of|strong="H7626"\w* Beth Maacah \w and|strong="H3478"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* Berite region. \w When|strong="H5674"\w* \w they|strong="H3478"\w* \w had|strong="H3478"\w* \w assembled|strong="H3478"\w*, \w they|strong="H3478"\w* too joined \w him|strong="H3605"\w*.  
\v 15  \w So|strong="H5975"\w* \w Joab|strong="H3097"\w*’s \w men|strong="H5971"\w* \w came|strong="H5971"\w* \w and|strong="H5971"\w* \w laid|strong="H6696"\w* \w siege|strong="H5550"\w* \w against|strong="H5921"\w* \w him|strong="H5921"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* Abel \w of|strong="H5892"\w* Beth Maacah. \w They|strong="H5921"\w* prepared \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w siege|strong="H5550"\w* \w ramp|strong="H5550"\w* \w outside|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w city|strong="H5892"\w* \w which|strong="H5971"\w* \w stood|strong="H5975"\w* \w against|strong="H5921"\w* \w its|strong="H3605"\w* outer \w rampart|strong="H2426"\w*. \w As|strong="H5971"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w of|strong="H5892"\w* \w Joab|strong="H3097"\w*’s \w soldiers|strong="H5971"\w* \w were|strong="H5971"\w* trying \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w break|strong="H5971"\w* \w through|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w wall|strong="H2346"\w* \w so|strong="H5975"\w* \w that|strong="H5971"\w* \w it|strong="H5921"\w* \w would|strong="H5971"\w* \w collapse|strong="H5307"\w*,  
\v 16  \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w wise|strong="H2450"\w* woman \w called|strong="H7121"\w* \w out|strong="H4480"\w* \w from|strong="H4480"\w* \w the|strong="H8085"\w* \w city|strong="H5892"\w*, “\w Listen|strong="H8085"\w* \w up|strong="H5704"\w*! \w Listen|strong="H8085"\w* \w up|strong="H5704"\w*! \w Tell|strong="H1696"\w* \w Joab|strong="H3097"\w*, ‘\w Come|strong="H7126"\w* \w near|strong="H7126"\w* \w so|strong="H4480"\w* \w that|strong="H8085"\w* \w I|strong="H5704"\w* \w may|strong="H4994"\w* \w speak|strong="H1696"\w* \w to|strong="H1696"\w* \w you|strong="H5704"\w*.’”   
\p
\v 17  \w When|strong="H8085"\w* \w he|strong="H7126"\w* \w approached|strong="H7126"\w* \w her|strong="H8085"\w*, \w the|strong="H8085"\w* woman \w asked|strong="H1697"\w*, “\w Are|strong="H1697"\w* \w you|strong="H7126"\w* \w Joab|strong="H3097"\w*?” \w He|strong="H7126"\w* replied, “\w I|strong="H1697"\w* am.” She \w said|strong="H1697"\w* \w to|strong="H8085"\w* \w him|strong="H8085"\w*, “\w Listen|strong="H8085"\w* \w to|strong="H8085"\w* \w the|strong="H8085"\w* \w words|strong="H1697"\w* \w of|strong="H1697"\w* \w your|strong="H8085"\w* servant.” \w He|strong="H7126"\w* \w said|strong="H1697"\w*, “\w Go|strong="H7126"\w* ahead. \w I|strong="H1697"\w*’m \w listening|strong="H8085"\w*.”  
\v 18  \w She|strong="H3651"\w* \w said|strong="H1696"\w*, “\w In|strong="H1696"\w* \w the|strong="H3651"\w* \w past|strong="H7223"\w* \w they|strong="H3651"\w* would always \w say|strong="H1696"\w*, ‘\w Let|strong="H3651"\w* \w them|strong="H7592"\w* \w inquire|strong="H7592"\w* \w in|strong="H1696"\w* Abel,’ \w and|strong="H1696"\w* \w that|strong="H3651"\w* \w is|strong="H3651"\w* \w how|strong="H3651"\w* \w they|strong="H3651"\w* settled \w things|strong="H7223"\w*.  
\v 19  \w I|strong="H4100"\w* represent \w the|strong="H3068"\w* peaceful \w and|strong="H3478"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* faithful \w in|strong="H3478"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w*. \w You|strong="H4100"\w* \w are|strong="H3478"\w* attempting \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w destroy|strong="H1104"\w* \w an|strong="H3068"\w* important \w city|strong="H5892"\w* \w in|strong="H3478"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w*. \w Why|strong="H4100"\w* \w should|strong="H3068"\w* \w you|strong="H4100"\w* \w swallow|strong="H1104"\w* \w up|strong="H1104"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*’s \w inheritance|strong="H5159"\w*?”   
\p
\v 20  \w Joab|strong="H3097"\w* \w answered|strong="H6030"\w*, “\w Get|strong="H6030"\w* serious! I don’t want \w to|strong="H6030"\w* \w swallow|strong="H1104"\w* \w up|strong="H1104"\w* \w or|strong="H1104"\w* \w destroy|strong="H7843"\w* anything!  
\v 21  \w That|strong="H3588"\w*’s \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w way|strong="H3212"\w* \w things|strong="H1697"\w* \w are|strong="H1121"\w*. \w There|strong="H2009"\w* \w is|strong="H8034"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w man|strong="H1121"\w* \w from|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w hill|strong="H2022"\w* \w country|strong="H2022"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Ephraim|strong="H8034"\w* \w named|strong="H8034"\w* \w Sheba|strong="H7652"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* Bicri. \w He|strong="H3588"\w* \w has|strong="H4428"\w* rebelled \w against|strong="H5921"\w* \w King|strong="H4428"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w*. \w Give|strong="H5414"\w* \w me|strong="H5414"\w* \w just|strong="H1697"\w* \w this|strong="H3651"\w* \w one|strong="H3808"\w* \w man|strong="H1121"\w*, \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w will|strong="H4428"\w* \w leave|strong="H5414"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w city|strong="H5892"\w*.” \w The|strong="H5921"\w* \w woman|strong="H8034"\w* \w said|strong="H1697"\w* \w to|strong="H3212"\w* \w Joab|strong="H3097"\w*, “\w This|strong="H3651"\w* \w very|strong="H3651"\w* minute \w his|strong="H5375"\w* \w head|strong="H7218"\w* \w will|strong="H4428"\w* \w be|strong="H3808"\w* \w thrown|strong="H7993"\w* \w over|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w wall|strong="H2346"\w* \w to|strong="H3212"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w*!”   
\p
\v 22  \w Then|strong="H7725"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* woman \w went|strong="H5971"\w* \w to|strong="H7725"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w* \w with|strong="H5921"\w* \w her|strong="H3605"\w* \w wise|strong="H7725"\w* advice \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w they|strong="H5921"\w* \w cut|strong="H3772"\w* \w off|strong="H3772"\w* \w Sheba|strong="H7652"\w*’s \w head|strong="H7218"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w threw|strong="H7993"\w* \w it|strong="H5921"\w* \w out|strong="H7993"\w* \w to|strong="H7725"\w* \w Joab|strong="H3097"\w*. \w Joab|strong="H3097"\w* \w blew|strong="H8628"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w trumpet|strong="H7782"\w*, \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* \w men|strong="H1121"\w* \w dispersed|strong="H6327"\w* \w from|strong="H7725"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w city|strong="H5892"\w*, \w each|strong="H3605"\w* \w going|strong="H7725"\w* \w to|strong="H7725"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* \w own|strong="H5971"\w* \w home|strong="H7725"\w*. \w Joab|strong="H3097"\w* \w returned|strong="H7725"\w* \w to|strong="H7725"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w Jerusalem|strong="H3389"\w*.   
\p
\v 23  \w Now|strong="H3478"\w* \w Joab|strong="H3097"\w* \w was|strong="H3478"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* general \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w command|strong="H5921"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w army|strong="H6635"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w*. \w Benaiah|strong="H1141"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* Jehoida \w was|strong="H3478"\w* \w over|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* Kerethites \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* Perethites.  
\v 24  Adoniram \w was|strong="H1121"\w* \w supervisor|strong="H5921"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* work crews. \w Jehoshaphat|strong="H3092"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* Ahilud \w was|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* secretary.  
\v 25  \w Sheva|strong="H7864"\w* \w was|strong="H3548"\w* \w the|strong="H6659"\w* \w scribe|strong="H5608"\w*, \w and|strong="H3548"\w* \w Zadok|strong="H6659"\w* \w and|strong="H3548"\w* Abiathar were \w the|strong="H6659"\w* \w priests|strong="H3548"\w*.  
\v 26  \w Ira|strong="H5896"\w* \w the|strong="H1961"\w* \w Jairite|strong="H2972"\w* \w was|strong="H1961"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w*’s personal \w priest|strong="H3548"\w*.   
\c 21  
\p
\v 1  \w During|strong="H3117"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w*’s \w reign|strong="H3117"\w* \w there|strong="H1961"\w* \w was|strong="H3068"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w famine|strong="H7458"\w* \w for|strong="H5921"\w* \w three|strong="H7969"\w* consecutive \w years|strong="H8141"\w*. \w So|strong="H1961"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w* \w inquired|strong="H1245"\w* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*. \w The|strong="H6440"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* said, “\w It|strong="H5921"\w* \w is|strong="H3068"\w* \w because|strong="H5921"\w* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w Saul|strong="H7586"\w* \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w his|strong="H3068"\w* bloodstained \w family|strong="H1004"\w*, \w because|strong="H5921"\w* \w he|strong="H3117"\w* murdered \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w Gibeonites|strong="H1393"\w*.”   
\p
\v 2  \w So|strong="H7121"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w summoned|strong="H7121"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w Gibeonites|strong="H1393"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* spoke \w with|strong="H4428"\w* \w them|strong="H1992"\w*. (\w Now|strong="H3588"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w Gibeonites|strong="H1393"\w* \w were|strong="H3478"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w descendants|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w*; \w they|strong="H1992"\w* \w were|strong="H3478"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w remnant|strong="H3499"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* Amorites. \w The|strong="H3588"\w* \w Israelites|strong="H3478"\w* \w had|strong="H3478"\w* \w made|strong="H7650"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w promise|strong="H7650"\w* \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w them|strong="H1992"\w*, \w but|strong="H3588"\w* \w Saul|strong="H7586"\w* \w tried|strong="H1245"\w* \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w kill|strong="H5221"\w* \w them|strong="H1992"\w* \w because|strong="H3588"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w his|strong="H7121"\w* \w zeal|strong="H7065"\w* \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w people|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w Judah|strong="H3063"\w*.)  
\v 3  \w David|strong="H1732"\w* said \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H6213"\w* \w Gibeonites|strong="H1393"\w*, “\w What|strong="H4100"\w* \w can|strong="H4100"\w* \w I|strong="H4100"\w* \w do|strong="H6213"\w* \w for|strong="H6213"\w* \w you|strong="H6213"\w*, \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w how|strong="H4100"\w* \w can|strong="H4100"\w* \w I|strong="H4100"\w* \w make|strong="H6213"\w* amends \w so|strong="H6213"\w* \w that|strong="H3068"\w* \w you|strong="H6213"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w bless|strong="H1288"\w* \w the|strong="H6213"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*’s \w inheritance|strong="H5159"\w*?”   
\p
\v 4  \w The|strong="H6213"\w* \w Gibeonites|strong="H1393"\w* said \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w him|strong="H6213"\w*, “\w We|strong="H6213"\w* \w have|strong="H3478"\w* \w no|strong="H6213"\w* claim \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w silver|strong="H3701"\w* \w or|strong="H3701"\w* \w gold|strong="H2091"\w* \w from|strong="H3478"\w* \w Saul|strong="H7586"\w* \w or|strong="H3701"\w* \w from|strong="H3478"\w* \w his|strong="H3478"\w* \w family|strong="H1004"\w*, \w nor|strong="H3701"\w* \w would|strong="H3478"\w* \w we|strong="H3068"\w* \w be|strong="H4191"\w* justified \w in|strong="H3478"\w* \w putting|strong="H4191"\w* \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w death|strong="H4191"\w* anyone \w in|strong="H3478"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w*.” \w David|strong="H5973"\w* \w asked|strong="H4100"\w*, “\w What|strong="H4100"\w* \w then|strong="H6213"\w* \w are|strong="H3478"\w* \w you|strong="H6213"\w* asking \w me|strong="H6213"\w* \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w do|strong="H6213"\w* \w for|strong="H6213"\w* \w you|strong="H6213"\w*?”  
\v 5  \w They|strong="H3478"\w* replied \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*, “\w As|strong="H3605"\w* \w for|strong="H4428"\w* \w this|strong="H3478"\w* \w man|strong="H3605"\w* \w who|strong="H3605"\w* \w exterminated|strong="H3615"\w* \w us|strong="H3478"\w* \w and|strong="H3478"\w* \w who|strong="H3605"\w* \w schemed|strong="H1819"\w* \w against|strong="H3605"\w* \w us|strong="H3478"\w* so \w that|strong="H3605"\w* \w we|strong="H3068"\w* \w were|strong="H3478"\w* \w destroyed|strong="H8045"\w* \w and|strong="H3478"\w* \w left|strong="H3615"\w* without status \w throughout|strong="H3605"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w borders|strong="H1366"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w* –  
\v 6  \w let|strong="H5414"\w* \w seven|strong="H7651"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w his|strong="H5414"\w* \w male|strong="H1121"\w* \w descendants|strong="H1121"\w* \w be|strong="H3068"\w* \w turned|strong="H5414"\w* \w over|strong="H4428"\w* \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w us|strong="H5414"\w*, \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w we|strong="H3068"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w execute|strong="H5414"\w* \w them|strong="H5414"\w* before \w the|strong="H5414"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w in|strong="H3068"\w* \w Gibeah|strong="H1390"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Saul|strong="H7586"\w*, \w who|strong="H3068"\w* \w was|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H5414"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*’s chosen \w one|strong="H1121"\w*.” \w The|strong="H5414"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* replied, “\w I|strong="H5414"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w turn|strong="H5414"\w* \w them|strong="H5414"\w* \w over|strong="H4428"\w*.”   
\p
\v 7  \w The|strong="H5921"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w had|strong="H3068"\w* \w mercy|strong="H3068"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w Mephibosheth|strong="H4648"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Jonathan|strong="H3083"\w*, \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Saul|strong="H7586"\w*, \w in|strong="H5921"\w* light \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*’s \w oath|strong="H7621"\w* \w that|strong="H3068"\w* \w had|strong="H3068"\w* \w been|strong="H3068"\w* taken \w between|strong="H5921"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w Jonathan|strong="H3083"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Saul|strong="H7586"\w*.  
\v 8  \w So|strong="H3947"\w* \w the|strong="H3947"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w took|strong="H3947"\w* Armoni \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w Mephibosheth|strong="H4648"\w*, \w the|strong="H3947"\w* \w two|strong="H8147"\w* \w sons|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* Aiah’s \w daughter|strong="H1323"\w* \w Rizpah|strong="H7532"\w* whom \w she|strong="H8147"\w* \w had|strong="H4428"\w* \w born|strong="H3205"\w* \w to|strong="H3205"\w* \w Saul|strong="H7586"\w*, \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H3947"\w* \w five|strong="H2568"\w* \w sons|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Saul|strong="H7586"\w*’s \w daughter|strong="H1323"\w* \w Merab|strong="H4324"\w* whom \w she|strong="H8147"\w* \w had|strong="H4428"\w* \w born|strong="H3205"\w* \w to|strong="H3205"\w* \w Adriel|strong="H5741"\w* \w the|strong="H3947"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Barzillai|strong="H1271"\w* \w the|strong="H3947"\w* \w Meholathite|strong="H4259"\w*.  
\v 9  \w He|strong="H3117"\w* \w turned|strong="H5414"\w* \w them|strong="H5414"\w* \w over|strong="H3027"\w* \w to|strong="H4191"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w Gibeonites|strong="H1393"\w*, \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w they|strong="H1992"\w* \w executed|strong="H4191"\w* \w them|strong="H5414"\w* \w on|strong="H3117"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w hill|strong="H2022"\w* \w before|strong="H6440"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*. \w The|strong="H6440"\w* \w seven|strong="H7651"\w* \w of|strong="H3068"\w* \w them|strong="H5414"\w* \w died|strong="H4191"\w* \w together|strong="H3162"\w*; \w they|strong="H1992"\w* \w were|strong="H3117"\w* \w put|strong="H5414"\w* \w to|strong="H4191"\w* \w death|strong="H4191"\w* \w during|strong="H3117"\w* \w harvest|strong="H7105"\w* \w time|strong="H3117"\w* – \w during|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w first|strong="H7223"\w* \w days|strong="H3117"\w* \w of|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w beginning|strong="H8462"\w* \w of|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w barley|strong="H8184"\w* \w harvest|strong="H7105"\w*.   
\p
\v 10  \w Rizpah|strong="H7532"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w daughter|strong="H1323"\w* \w of|strong="H1323"\w* Aiah \w took|strong="H3947"\w* \w sackcloth|strong="H8242"\w* \w and|strong="H8064"\w* \w spread|strong="H5186"\w* \w it|strong="H5414"\w* \w out|strong="H5186"\w* \w for|strong="H5704"\w* \w herself|strong="H5921"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w rock|strong="H6697"\w*. \w From|strong="H4480"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w beginning|strong="H8462"\w* \w of|strong="H1323"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w harvest|strong="H7105"\w* \w until|strong="H5704"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w rain|strong="H4325"\w* \w fell|strong="H5921"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w them|strong="H5414"\w*, \w she|strong="H5921"\w* \w did|strong="H3808"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w allow|strong="H5414"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w birds|strong="H5775"\w* \w of|strong="H1323"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w air|strong="H8064"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* feed \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w them|strong="H5414"\w* \w by|strong="H5921"\w* \w day|strong="H3119"\w*, \w nor|strong="H3808"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w wild|strong="H7704"\w* \w animals|strong="H2416"\w* \w by|strong="H5921"\w* \w night|strong="H3915"\w*.  
\v 11  \w When|strong="H6213"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w* \w was|strong="H1732"\w* \w told|strong="H5046"\w* \w what|strong="H6213"\w* \w Rizpah|strong="H7532"\w* \w daughter|strong="H1323"\w* \w of|strong="H1323"\w* Aiah, \w Saul|strong="H7586"\w*’s \w concubine|strong="H6370"\w*, \w had|strong="H1732"\w* \w done|strong="H6213"\w*,  
\v 12  \w he|strong="H3117"\w* \w went|strong="H3212"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w took|strong="H3947"\w* \w the|strong="H3947"\w* \w bones|strong="H6106"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Saul|strong="H7586"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w his|strong="H3947"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w Jonathan|strong="H3083"\w* \w from|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H3947"\w* \w leaders|strong="H1167"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Jabesh|strong="H3003"\w* \w Gilead|strong="H1568"\w*. (\w They|strong="H3117"\w* \w had|strong="H1732"\w* \w secretly|strong="H7586"\w* \w taken|strong="H3947"\w* \w them|strong="H5221"\w* \w from|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H3947"\w* \w plaza|strong="H7339"\w* \w at|strong="H1732"\w* Beth Shan. \w It|strong="H8033"\w* \w was|strong="H1732"\w* \w there|strong="H8033"\w* \w that|strong="H3117"\w* \w Philistines|strong="H6430"\w* publicly exposed \w their|strong="H3947"\w* corpses \w after|strong="H3117"\w* \w they|strong="H3117"\w* \w had|strong="H1732"\w* \w killed|strong="H5221"\w* \w Saul|strong="H7586"\w* \w at|strong="H1732"\w* \w Gilboa|strong="H1533"\w*.)  
\v 13  \w David|strong="H5927"\w* \w brought|strong="H5927"\w* \w the|strong="H5927"\w* \w bones|strong="H6106"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Saul|strong="H7586"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Jonathan|strong="H3083"\w* \w his|strong="H3083"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w from|strong="H5927"\w* \w there|strong="H8033"\w*; \w they|strong="H8033"\w* \w also|strong="H1121"\w* gathered \w up|strong="H5927"\w* \w the|strong="H5927"\w* \w bones|strong="H6106"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w those|strong="H1121"\w* \w who|strong="H1121"\w* \w had|strong="H7586"\w* \w been|strong="H5927"\w* executed.   
\p
\v 14  \w They|strong="H3651"\w* \w buried|strong="H6912"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w bones|strong="H6106"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Saul|strong="H7586"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w Jonathan|strong="H3083"\w* \w in|strong="H6213"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* land \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Benjamin|strong="H1144"\w* \w at|strong="H4428"\w* \w Zela|strong="H6762"\w* \w in|strong="H6213"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w grave|strong="H6913"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* \w father|strong="H1121"\w* \w Kish|strong="H7027"\w*. After \w they|strong="H3651"\w* \w had|strong="H4428"\w* \w done|strong="H6213"\w* \w everything|strong="H3605"\w* \w that|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w had|strong="H4428"\w* \w commanded|strong="H6680"\w*, God responded \w to|strong="H6213"\w* \w their|strong="H3605"\w* \w prayers|strong="H6279"\w* \w for|strong="H6213"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* land.   
\s1 Israel Engages in Various Battles with the Philistines  
\p
\v 15  \w Another|strong="H5750"\w* \w battle|strong="H4421"\w* \w was|strong="H1961"\w* \w fought|strong="H3898"\w* \w between|strong="H4421"\w* \w the|strong="H1961"\w* \w Philistines|strong="H6430"\w* \w and|strong="H3478"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w*. \w So|strong="H1961"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w* \w went|strong="H3381"\w* \w down|strong="H3381"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w his|strong="H1732"\w* \w soldiers|strong="H5650"\w* \w and|strong="H3478"\w* \w fought|strong="H3898"\w* \w the|strong="H1961"\w* \w Philistines|strong="H6430"\w*. \w David|strong="H1732"\w* \w became|strong="H1961"\w* \w exhausted|strong="H1961"\w*.  
\v 16  Now \w Ishbi-Benob|strong="H3430"\w*, \w one|strong="H1931"\w* \w of|strong="H5221"\w* \w the|strong="H5221"\w* \w descendants|strong="H3211"\w* \w of|strong="H5221"\w* Rapha, \w had|strong="H1732"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w spear|strong="H7013"\w* \w that|strong="H1931"\w* \w weighed|strong="H4948"\w* \w three|strong="H7969"\w* \w hundred|strong="H3967"\w* \w bronze|strong="H5178"\w* \w shekels|strong="H4948"\w*, \w and|strong="H3967"\w* \w he|strong="H1931"\w* \w was|strong="H1732"\w* \w armed|strong="H2296"\w* \w with|strong="H2296"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w new|strong="H2319"\w* weapon. \w He|strong="H1931"\w* \w had|strong="H1732"\w* said \w that|strong="H1931"\w* \w he|strong="H1931"\w* \w would|strong="H1732"\w* \w kill|strong="H5221"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w*.  
\v 17  \w But|strong="H3808"\w* Abishai \w the|strong="H5221"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Zeruiah|strong="H6870"\w* \w came|strong="H3318"\w* \w to|strong="H3318"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w*’s aid, \w striking|strong="H5221"\w* \w the|strong="H5221"\w* \w Philistine|strong="H6430"\w* \w down|strong="H5221"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w killing|strong="H5221"\w* \w him|strong="H5221"\w*. \w Then|strong="H3318"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w*’s \w men|strong="H1121"\w* \w took|strong="H3318"\w* \w an|strong="H7650"\w* \w oath|strong="H7650"\w* saying, “\w You|strong="H3808"\w* \w will|strong="H3478"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w go|strong="H3318"\w* \w out|strong="H3318"\w* \w to|strong="H3318"\w* \w battle|strong="H4421"\w* \w with|strong="H3318"\w* \w us|strong="H3478"\w* \w again|strong="H5750"\w*! \w You|strong="H3808"\w* \w must|strong="H4191"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w extinguish|strong="H3518"\w* \w the|strong="H5221"\w* \w lamp|strong="H5216"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w*!”   
\p
\v 18  \w Later|strong="H1961"\w* \w there|strong="H1961"\w* \w was|strong="H1961"\w* \w another|strong="H5750"\w* \w battle|strong="H4421"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w the|strong="H5221"\w* \w Philistines|strong="H6430"\w*, \w this|strong="H3651"\w* \w time|strong="H5750"\w* \w in|strong="H4421"\w* \w Gob|strong="H1359"\w*. \w On|strong="H1961"\w* \w that|strong="H3651"\w* occasion \w Sibbekai|strong="H5444"\w* \w the|strong="H5221"\w* \w Hushathite|strong="H2843"\w* \w killed|strong="H5221"\w* \w Saph|strong="H5593"\w*, \w who|strong="H3211"\w* \w was|strong="H1961"\w* \w one|strong="H1961"\w* \w of|strong="H5221"\w* \w the|strong="H5221"\w* \w descendants|strong="H3211"\w* \w of|strong="H5221"\w* Rapha.  
\v 19  \w Yet|strong="H5750"\w* \w another|strong="H5750"\w* \w battle|strong="H4421"\w* \w occurred|strong="H1961"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w the|strong="H5221"\w* \w Philistines|strong="H6430"\w* \w in|strong="H4421"\w* \w Gob|strong="H1359"\w*. \w On|strong="H1961"\w* \w that|strong="H1121"\w* occasion Elhanan \w the|strong="H5221"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* Jair \w the|strong="H5221"\w* \w Bethlehemite|strong="H1022"\w* \w killed|strong="H5221"\w* \w the|strong="H5221"\w* brother \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Goliath|strong="H1555"\w* \w the|strong="H5221"\w* \w Gittite|strong="H1663"\w*, \w the|strong="H5221"\w* \w shaft|strong="H6086"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w whose|strong="H1121"\w* \w spear|strong="H2595"\w* \w was|strong="H1961"\w* \w like|strong="H1961"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* weaver’s \w beam|strong="H4500"\w*.  
\v 20  \w Yet|strong="H5750"\w* \w another|strong="H5750"\w* \w battle|strong="H4421"\w* \w occurred|strong="H1961"\w* \w in|strong="H4421"\w* \w Gath|strong="H1661"\w*. \w On|strong="H3027"\w* \w that|strong="H1931"\w* \w occasion|strong="H3027"\w* \w there|strong="H1961"\w* \w was|strong="H1961"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* large man \w who|strong="H1931"\w* \w had|strong="H1961"\w* \w six|strong="H8337"\w* fingers \w on|strong="H3027"\w* each \w hand|strong="H3027"\w* \w and|strong="H6242"\w* \w six|strong="H8337"\w* \w toes|strong="H7272"\w* \w on|strong="H3027"\w* each \w foot|strong="H7272"\w*, \w twenty-four|strong="H6242"\w* \w in|strong="H4421"\w* \w all|strong="H4557"\w*! \w He|strong="H1931"\w* \w too|strong="H1571"\w* \w was|strong="H1961"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* descendant \w of|strong="H3027"\w* Rapha.  
\v 21  \w When|strong="H1121"\w* \w he|strong="H1732"\w* \w taunted|strong="H2778"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w*, \w Jonathan|strong="H3083"\w*, \w the|strong="H5221"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w*’s brother \w Shimeah|strong="H8096"\w*, \w killed|strong="H5221"\w* \w him|strong="H5221"\w*.  
\v 22  \w These|strong="H1732"\w* four \w were|strong="H3027"\w* \w the|strong="H3205"\w* descendants \w of|strong="H3027"\w* Rapha \w who|strong="H5650"\w* lived \w in|strong="H5650"\w* \w Gath|strong="H1661"\w*; \w they|strong="H3027"\w* \w were|strong="H3027"\w* \w killed|strong="H5307"\w* \w by|strong="H3027"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w* \w and|strong="H3027"\w* \w his|strong="H1732"\w* \w soldiers|strong="H5650"\w*.   
\c 22  
\p
\v 1  \w David|strong="H1732"\w* \w sang|strong="H1696"\w* \w to|strong="H1696"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w words|strong="H1697"\w* \w of|strong="H3068"\w* \w this|strong="H2063"\w* \w song|strong="H7892"\w* \w when|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w rescued|strong="H5337"\w* \w him|strong="H3605"\w* \w from|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w power|strong="H3709"\w* \w of|strong="H3068"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* enemies, \w including|strong="H3605"\w* \w Saul|strong="H7586"\w*.  
\v 2  \w He|strong="H3068"\w* said:  
\q1 “\w The|strong="H3068"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w is|strong="H3068"\w* \w my|strong="H3068"\w* high ridge, \w my|strong="H3068"\w* \w stronghold|strong="H4686"\w*, \w my|strong="H3068"\w* \w deliverer|strong="H6403"\w*.   
\q1
\v 3  \w My|strong="H3467"\w* \w God|strong="H6697"\w* \w is|strong="H7161"\w* \w my|strong="H3467"\w* \w rocky|strong="H6697"\w* summit where \w I|strong="H6697"\w* \w take|strong="H2620"\w* \w shelter|strong="H2620"\w*,  
\q1 \w my|strong="H3467"\w* \w shield|strong="H4043"\w*, \w the|strong="H3467"\w* \w horn|strong="H7161"\w* \w that|strong="H7161"\w* \w saves|strong="H3467"\w* \w me|strong="H3467"\w*, \w my|strong="H3467"\w* \w stronghold|strong="H4869"\w*,  
\q1 \w my|strong="H3467"\w* \w refuge|strong="H2620"\w*, \w my|strong="H3467"\w* \w savior|strong="H3467"\w*. \w You|strong="H3467"\w* \w save|strong="H3467"\w* \w me|strong="H3467"\w* \w from|strong="H3467"\w* \w violence|strong="H2555"\w*!   
\q1
\v 4  \w I|strong="H3068"\w* \w called|strong="H7121"\w* \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*, \w who|strong="H3068"\w* \w is|strong="H3068"\w* worthy \w of|strong="H3068"\w* \w praise|strong="H1984"\w*,  
\q1 \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w I|strong="H3068"\w* \w was|strong="H3068"\w* \w delivered|strong="H3467"\w* \w from|strong="H3068"\w* \w my|strong="H3068"\w* enemies.   
\q1
\v 5  \w The|strong="H3588"\w* \w waves|strong="H4867"\w* \w of|strong="H5158"\w* \w death|strong="H4194"\w* engulfed \w me|strong="H3588"\w*;  
\q1 \w the|strong="H3588"\w* currents \w of|strong="H5158"\w* chaos \w overwhelmed|strong="H1204"\w* \w me|strong="H3588"\w*.   
\q1
\v 6  \w The|strong="H5437"\w* \w ropes|strong="H2256"\w* \w of|strong="H4194"\w* \w Sheol|strong="H7585"\w* \w tightened|strong="H6923"\w* \w around|strong="H5437"\w* \w me|strong="H5437"\w*;  
\q1 \w the|strong="H5437"\w* \w snares|strong="H4170"\w* \w of|strong="H4194"\w* \w death|strong="H4194"\w* trapped \w me|strong="H5437"\w*.   
\q1
\v 7  \w In|strong="H3068"\w* \w my|strong="H8085"\w* \w distress|strong="H6862"\w* \w I|strong="H8085"\w* \w called|strong="H7121"\w* \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H8085"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*;  
\q1 \w I|strong="H8085"\w* \w called|strong="H7121"\w* \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w my|strong="H8085"\w* \w God|strong="H3068"\w*.  
\q1 \w From|strong="H8085"\w* \w his|strong="H3068"\w* heavenly \w temple|strong="H1964"\w* \w he|strong="H3068"\w* \w heard|strong="H8085"\w* \w my|strong="H8085"\w* \w voice|strong="H6963"\w*;  
\q1 \w he|strong="H3068"\w* \w listened|strong="H8085"\w* \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w my|strong="H8085"\w* \w cry|strong="H7121"\w* \w for|strong="H7121"\w* \w help|strong="H7775"\w*.   
\q1
\v 8  \w The|strong="H3588"\w* \w earth|strong="H8064"\w* \w heaved|strong="H1607"\w* \w and|strong="H8064"\w* \w shook|strong="H1607"\w*;  
\q1 \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w foundations|strong="H4146"\w* \w of|strong="H8064"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w sky|strong="H8064"\w* \w trembled|strong="H7264"\w*.  
\q1 \w They|strong="H3588"\w* \w heaved|strong="H1607"\w* \w because|strong="H3588"\w* \w he|strong="H3588"\w* \w was|strong="H8064"\w* \w angry|strong="H2734"\w*.   
\q1
\v 9  \w Smoke|strong="H6227"\w* \w ascended|strong="H5927"\w* \w from|strong="H4480"\w* \w his|strong="H4480"\w* nose;  
\q1 \w fire|strong="H1513"\w* \w devoured|strong="H1197"\w* \w as|strong="H5927"\w* \w it|strong="H5927"\w* \w came|strong="H5927"\w* \w from|strong="H4480"\w* \w his|strong="H4480"\w* \w mouth|strong="H6310"\w*;  
\q1 \w he|strong="H4480"\w* hurled down fiery \w coals|strong="H1513"\w*.   
\q1
\v 10  \w He|strong="H7272"\w* made \w the|strong="H8478"\w* \w sky|strong="H8064"\w* \w sink|strong="H5186"\w* \w as|strong="H8478"\w* \w he|strong="H7272"\w* \w descended|strong="H3381"\w*;  
\q1 \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w thick|strong="H6205"\w* \w cloud|strong="H6205"\w* \w was|strong="H8064"\w* \w under|strong="H8478"\w* \w his|strong="H5186"\w* \w feet|strong="H7272"\w*.   
\q1
\v 11  \w He|strong="H5921"\w* \w mounted|strong="H7392"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w winged|strong="H3671"\w* \w angel|strong="H5774"\w* \w and|strong="H7200"\w* \w flew|strong="H5774"\w*;  
\q1 \w he|strong="H5921"\w* glided \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w wings|strong="H3671"\w* \w of|strong="H7307"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w wind|strong="H7307"\w*.   
\q1
\v 12  \w He|strong="H2822"\w* shrouded \w himself|strong="H4325"\w* \w in|strong="H4325"\w* \w darkness|strong="H2822"\w*,  
\q1 \w in|strong="H4325"\w* \w thick|strong="H5645"\w* \w rain|strong="H4325"\w* \w clouds|strong="H5645"\w*.   
\q1
\v 13  \w From|strong="H1197"\w* \w the|strong="H5048"\w* \w brightness|strong="H5051"\w* \w in|strong="H5048"\w* \w front|strong="H5048"\w* \w of|strong="H1513"\w* \w him|strong="H5048"\w*  
\q1 came \w coals|strong="H1513"\w* \w of|strong="H1513"\w* \w fire|strong="H1513"\w*.   
\q1
\v 14  \w The|strong="H5414"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w thundered|strong="H7481"\w* \w from|strong="H4480"\w* \w the|strong="H5414"\w* \w sky|strong="H8064"\w*;  
\q1 \w the|strong="H5414"\w* sovereign \w One|strong="H4480"\w* \w shouted|strong="H5414"\w* \w loudly|strong="H6963"\w*.   
\q1
\v 15  \w He|strong="H7971"\w* \w shot|strong="H7971"\w* \w arrows|strong="H2671"\w* \w and|strong="H7971"\w* \w scattered|strong="H6327"\w* \w them|strong="H7971"\w*,  
\q1 \w lightning|strong="H1300"\w* \w and|strong="H7971"\w* \w routed|strong="H2000"\w* \w them|strong="H7971"\w*.   
\q1
\v 16  \w The|strong="H7200"\w* depths \w of|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* \w sea|strong="H3220"\w* \w were|strong="H8398"\w* \w exposed|strong="H1540"\w*;  
\q1 \w the|strong="H7200"\w* inner regions \w of|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* \w world|strong="H8398"\w* \w were|strong="H8398"\w* \w uncovered|strong="H1540"\w*  
\q1 \w by|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*’s battle cry,  
\q1 \w by|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* powerful \w breath|strong="H7307"\w* \w from|strong="H1540"\w* \w his|strong="H3068"\w* nose.   
\q1
\v 17  \w He|strong="H7971"\w* \w reached|strong="H7971"\w* \w down|strong="H7971"\w* \w from|strong="H7971"\w* \w above|strong="H4791"\w* \w and|strong="H7971"\w* grabbed \w me|strong="H7971"\w*;  
\q1 \w he|strong="H7971"\w* \w pulled|strong="H3947"\w* \w me|strong="H7971"\w* \w from|strong="H7971"\w* \w the|strong="H3947"\w* \w surging|strong="H7227"\w* \w water|strong="H4325"\w*.   
\q1
\v 18  \w He|strong="H3588"\w* \w rescued|strong="H5337"\w* \w me|strong="H8130"\w* \w from|strong="H4480"\w* \w my|strong="H5337"\w* \w strong|strong="H5794"\w* \w enemy|strong="H8130"\w*,  
\q1 \w from|strong="H4480"\w* \w those|strong="H4480"\w* \w who|strong="H3588"\w* \w hate|strong="H8130"\w* \w me|strong="H8130"\w*,  
\q1 \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w they|strong="H3588"\w* \w were|strong="H4480"\w* \w too|strong="H4480"\w* \w strong|strong="H5794"\w* \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w me|strong="H8130"\w*.   
\q1
\v 19  \w They|strong="H3117"\w* \w confronted|strong="H6923"\w* \w me|strong="H1961"\w* \w in|strong="H3068"\w* \w my|strong="H3068"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w* \w of|strong="H3068"\w* calamity,  
\q1 \w but|strong="H1961"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w helped|strong="H4937"\w* \w me|strong="H1961"\w*.   
\q1
\v 20  \w He|strong="H3588"\w* \w brought|strong="H3318"\w* \w me|strong="H3318"\w* \w out|strong="H3318"\w* \w into|strong="H3318"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* wide open \w place|strong="H4800"\w*;  
\q1 \w he|strong="H3588"\w* \w delivered|strong="H2502"\w* \w me|strong="H3318"\w* \w because|strong="H3588"\w* \w he|strong="H3588"\w* was \w pleased|strong="H2654"\w* \w with|strong="H3318"\w* \w me|strong="H3318"\w*.   
\q1
\v 21  \w The|strong="H3068"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w repaid|strong="H1580"\w* \w me|strong="H7725"\w* \w for|strong="H3027"\w* \w my|strong="H3068"\w* godly \w deeds|strong="H6666"\w*;  
\q1 \w he|strong="H3068"\w* \w rewarded|strong="H1580"\w* \w my|strong="H3068"\w* blameless \w behavior|strong="H3027"\w*.   
\q1
\v 22  \w For|strong="H3588"\w* \w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w have|strong="H3068"\w* \w obeyed|strong="H8104"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*’s \w commands|strong="H1870"\w*;  
\q1 \w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w have|strong="H3068"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w rebelled|strong="H7561"\w* \w against|strong="H3068"\w* \w my|strong="H8104"\w* \w God|strong="H3068"\w*.   
\q1
\v 23  \w For|strong="H3588"\w* \w I|strong="H3588"\w* am \w aware|strong="H5048"\w* \w of|strong="H4480"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* \w regulations|strong="H4941"\w*,  
\q1 \w and|strong="H4941"\w* \w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w do|strong="H3605"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w reject|strong="H5493"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* \w rules|strong="H2708"\w*.   
\q1
\v 24  \w I|strong="H5771"\w* \w was|strong="H1961"\w* \w blameless|strong="H8549"\w* \w before|strong="H1961"\w* \w him|strong="H1961"\w*;  
\q1 \w I|strong="H5771"\w* \w kept|strong="H8104"\w* myself \w from|strong="H1961"\w* sinning.   
\q1
\v 25  \w The|strong="H3068"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w rewarded|strong="H7725"\w* \w me|strong="H7725"\w* \w for|strong="H3068"\w* \w my|strong="H3068"\w* godly \w deeds|strong="H6666"\w*;  
\q1 \w he|strong="H3068"\w* \w took|strong="H7725"\w* \w notice|strong="H5869"\w* \w of|strong="H3068"\w* \w my|strong="H3068"\w* blameless \w behavior|strong="H5869"\w*.   
\q1
\v 26  \w You|strong="H5973"\w* prove \w to|strong="H5973"\w* \w be|strong="H2623"\w* \w loyal|strong="H2623"\w* \w to|strong="H5973"\w* \w one|strong="H1368"\w* \w who|strong="H1368"\w* \w is|strong="H1368"\w* faithful;  
\q1 \w you|strong="H5973"\w* prove \w to|strong="H5973"\w* \w be|strong="H2623"\w* trustworthy \w to|strong="H5973"\w* \w one|strong="H1368"\w* \w who|strong="H1368"\w* \w is|strong="H1368"\w* \w innocent|strong="H8549"\w*.   
\q1
\v 27  \w You|strong="H5973"\w* prove \w to|strong="H5973"\w* \w be|strong="H1305"\w* \w reliable|strong="H6617"\w* \w to|strong="H5973"\w* one \w who|strong="H6141"\w* \w is|strong="H6617"\w* blameless,  
\q1 \w but|strong="H6617"\w* \w you|strong="H5973"\w* prove \w to|strong="H5973"\w* \w be|strong="H1305"\w* deceptive \w to|strong="H5973"\w* one \w who|strong="H6141"\w* \w is|strong="H6617"\w* \w perverse|strong="H6141"\w*.   
\q1
\v 28  \w You|strong="H5921"\w* \w deliver|strong="H3467"\w* \w oppressed|strong="H6041"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w*,  
\q1 \w but|strong="H5971"\w* \w you|strong="H5921"\w* \w watch|strong="H5869"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w proud|strong="H7311"\w* \w and|strong="H5971"\w* \w bring|strong="H8213"\w* \w them|strong="H5921"\w* \w down|strong="H8213"\w*.   
\q1
\v 29  \w Indeed|strong="H3588"\w*, \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w are|strong="H3068"\w* \w my|strong="H3068"\w* \w lamp|strong="H5216"\w*, \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*.  
\q1 \w The|strong="H3588"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w illumines|strong="H5050"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w darkness|strong="H2822"\w* around \w me|strong="H3588"\w*.   
\q1
\v 30  \w Indeed|strong="H3588"\w*, \w with|strong="H3588"\w* \w your|strong="H3588"\w* help \w I|strong="H3588"\w* can \w charge|strong="H7323"\w* against \w an|strong="H3588"\w* \w army|strong="H1416"\w*;  
\q1 \w by|strong="H7323"\w* \w my|strong="H3588"\w* God’s \w power|strong="H1801"\w* \w I|strong="H3588"\w* can jump \w over|strong="H1801"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w wall|strong="H7791"\w*.   
\q1
\v 31  \w The|strong="H3605"\w* \w one|strong="H3605"\w* \w true|strong="H3068"\w* \w God|strong="H3068"\w* \w acts|strong="H1870"\w* \w in|strong="H3068"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* faithful \w manner|strong="H1870"\w*;  
\q1 \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*’s \w promise|strong="H3068"\w* \w is|strong="H3068"\w* reliable;  
\q1 \w he|strong="H1931"\w* \w is|strong="H3068"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w shield|strong="H4043"\w* \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w who|strong="H3605"\w* \w take|strong="H2620"\w* \w shelter|strong="H2620"\w* \w in|strong="H3068"\w* \w him|strong="H1931"\w*.   
\q1
\v 32  \w Indeed|strong="H3588"\w*, \w who|strong="H4310"\w* \w is|strong="H3068"\w* \w God|strong="H3068"\w* \w besides|strong="H1107"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*?  
\q1 \w Who|strong="H4310"\w* \w is|strong="H3068"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w protector|strong="H6697"\w* \w besides|strong="H1107"\w* \w our|strong="H3068"\w* \w God|strong="H3068"\w*?   
\q1
\v 33  \w The|strong="H1870"\w* one true God \w is|strong="H1870"\w* \w my|strong="H1870"\w* \w mighty|strong="H2428"\w* \w refuge|strong="H4581"\w*;  
\q1 he removes \w the|strong="H1870"\w* obstacles \w in|strong="H1870"\w* \w my|strong="H1870"\w* \w way|strong="H1870"\w*.   
\q1
\v 34  \w He|strong="H5921"\w* \w gives|strong="H5975"\w* \w me|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* agility \w of|strong="H5921"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* deer;  
\q1 \w he|strong="H5921"\w* enables \w me|strong="H5921"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* negotiate \w the|strong="H5921"\w* rugged terrain.   
\q1
\v 35  \w He|strong="H3027"\w* \w trains|strong="H3925"\w* \w my|strong="H3925"\w* \w hands|strong="H3027"\w* \w for|strong="H3027"\w* \w battle|strong="H4421"\w*;  
\q1 \w my|strong="H3925"\w* \w arms|strong="H2220"\w* \w can|strong="H2220"\w* \w bend|strong="H5181"\w* even \w the|strong="H3027"\w* strongest \w bow|strong="H7198"\w*.   
\q1
\v 36  \w You|strong="H5414"\w* \w give|strong="H5414"\w* \w me|strong="H5414"\w* \w your|strong="H5414"\w* protective \w shield|strong="H4043"\w*;  
\q1 \w your|strong="H5414"\w* willingness \w to|strong="H5414"\w* help enables \w me|strong="H5414"\w* \w to|strong="H5414"\w* prevail.   
\q1
\v 37  \w You|strong="H3808"\w* widen \w my|strong="H8478"\w* path;  
\q1 \w my|strong="H8478"\w* \w feet|strong="H7166"\w* do \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w slip|strong="H4571"\w*.   
\q1
\v 38  \w I|strong="H5704"\w* \w chase|strong="H7291"\w* \w my|strong="H7725"\w* enemies \w and|strong="H7725"\w* \w destroy|strong="H8045"\w* \w them|strong="H7725"\w*;  
\q1 \w I|strong="H5704"\w* do \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w turn|strong="H7725"\w* \w back|strong="H7725"\w* \w until|strong="H5704"\w* \w I|strong="H5704"\w* \w wipe|strong="H8045"\w* \w them|strong="H7725"\w* \w out|strong="H7725"\w*.   
\q1
\v 39  \w I|strong="H3808"\w* wipe \w them|strong="H5307"\w* \w out|strong="H5307"\w* \w and|strong="H6965"\w* beat \w them|strong="H5307"\w* \w to|strong="H6965"\w* death;  
\q1 \w they|strong="H3808"\w* \w cannot|strong="H3808"\w* \w get|strong="H6965"\w* \w up|strong="H6965"\w*;  
\q1 \w they|strong="H3808"\w* \w fall|strong="H5307"\w* \w at|strong="H5307"\w* \w my|strong="H6965"\w* \w feet|strong="H7272"\w*.   
\q1
\v 40  \w You|strong="H6965"\w* give \w me|strong="H3766"\w* \w strength|strong="H2428"\w* \w for|strong="H8478"\w* \w battle|strong="H4421"\w*;  
\q1 \w you|strong="H6965"\w* \w make|strong="H6965"\w* \w my|strong="H6965"\w* foes \w kneel|strong="H3766"\w* \w before|strong="H8478"\w* \w me|strong="H3766"\w*.   
\q1
\v 41  \w You|strong="H5414"\w* \w make|strong="H5414"\w* \w my|strong="H5414"\w* \w enemies|strong="H8130"\w* \w retreat|strong="H6203"\w*;  
\q1 \w I|strong="H5414"\w* \w destroy|strong="H6789"\w* \w those|strong="H8130"\w* \w who|strong="H8130"\w* \w hate|strong="H8130"\w* \w me|strong="H5414"\w*.   
\q1
\v 42  \w They|strong="H3068"\w* \w cry|strong="H6030"\w* \w out|strong="H3808"\w*, \w but|strong="H3808"\w* \w there|strong="H3068"\w* \w is|strong="H3068"\w* \w no|strong="H3808"\w* \w one|strong="H3808"\w* \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w help|strong="H3467"\w* \w them|strong="H6030"\w*;  
\q1 \w they|strong="H3068"\w* \w cry|strong="H6030"\w* \w out|strong="H3808"\w* \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*, \w but|strong="H3808"\w* \w he|strong="H3068"\w* \w does|strong="H3808"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w answer|strong="H6030"\w* \w them|strong="H6030"\w*.   
\q1
\v 43  I grind \w them|strong="H7833"\w* \w as|strong="H1854"\w* \w fine|strong="H1854"\w* \w as|strong="H1854"\w* \w the|strong="H2351"\w* \w dust|strong="H6083"\w* \w of|strong="H2351"\w* \w the|strong="H2351"\w* \w ground|strong="H1854"\w*;  
\q1 I \w crush|strong="H1854"\w* \w them|strong="H7833"\w* \w and|strong="H6083"\w* stomp on \w them|strong="H7833"\w* like \w clay|strong="H2916"\w* \w in|strong="H2351"\w* \w the|strong="H2351"\w* \w streets|strong="H2351"\w*.   
\q1
\v 44  \w You|strong="H3045"\w* \w rescue|strong="H6403"\w* \w me|strong="H8104"\w* \w from|strong="H1471"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* hostile \w army|strong="H5971"\w*;  
\q1 \w you|strong="H3045"\w* \w preserve|strong="H8104"\w* \w me|strong="H8104"\w* \w as|strong="H5971"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w leader|strong="H7218"\w* \w of|strong="H7218"\w* \w nations|strong="H1471"\w*;  
\q1 \w people|strong="H5971"\w* \w over|strong="H7218"\w* \w whom|strong="H5971"\w* \w I|strong="H3045"\w* \w had|strong="H3045"\w* \w no|strong="H3808"\w* \w authority|strong="H5647"\w* \w are|strong="H5971"\w* now \w my|strong="H8104"\w* \w subjects|strong="H5647"\w*.   
\q1
\v 45  \w Foreigners|strong="H1121"\w* \w are|strong="H1121"\w* powerless before \w me|strong="H8085"\w*;  
\q1 \w when|strong="H8085"\w* \w they|strong="H8085"\w* \w hear|strong="H8085"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w my|strong="H8085"\w* exploits, \w they|strong="H8085"\w* \w submit|strong="H3584"\w* \w to|strong="H8085"\w* \w me|strong="H8085"\w*.   
\q1
\v 46  \w Foreigners|strong="H1121"\w* \w lose|strong="H5034"\w* their courage;  
\q1 they shake \w with|strong="H2296"\w* fear \w as|strong="H1121"\w* they leave their \w strongholds|strong="H4526"\w*.   
\q1
\v 47  \w The|strong="H3068"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w is|strong="H3068"\w* \w alive|strong="H2416"\w*!  
\q1 \w My|strong="H3068"\w* \w protector|strong="H6697"\w* \w is|strong="H3068"\w* praiseworthy!  
\q1 \w The|strong="H3068"\w* \w God|strong="H3068"\w* \w who|strong="H3068"\w* \w delivers|strong="H3468"\w* \w me|strong="H7311"\w* \w is|strong="H3068"\w* \w exalted|strong="H7311"\w* \w as|strong="H3068"\w* king!   
\q1
\v 48  \w The|strong="H5414"\w* one true \w God|strong="H5414"\w* completely vindicates \w me|strong="H5414"\w*;  
\q1 \w he|strong="H5414"\w* \w makes|strong="H5414"\w* \w nations|strong="H5971"\w* \w submit|strong="H5414"\w* \w to|strong="H3381"\w* \w me|strong="H5414"\w*.   
\q1
\v 49  \w He|strong="H3318"\w* \w delivers|strong="H5337"\w* \w me|strong="H7311"\w* \w from|strong="H3318"\w* \w my|strong="H6965"\w* \w enemies|strong="H6965"\w*;  
\q1 \w you|strong="H6965"\w* snatch \w me|strong="H7311"\w* \w away|strong="H3318"\w* \w from|strong="H3318"\w* \w those|strong="H3318"\w* who \w attack|strong="H6965"\w* \w me|strong="H7311"\w*;  
\q1 \w you|strong="H6965"\w* \w rescue|strong="H5337"\w* \w me|strong="H7311"\w* \w from|strong="H3318"\w* \w violent|strong="H2555"\w* men.   
\q1
\v 50  \w So|strong="H3651"\w* \w I|strong="H5921"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w give|strong="H3034"\w* \w you|strong="H5921"\w* \w thanks|strong="H3034"\w*, \w O|strong="H3068"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*, \w before|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w nations|strong="H1471"\w*!  
\q1 \w I|strong="H5921"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w sing|strong="H2167"\w* \w praises|strong="H2167"\w* \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w you|strong="H5921"\w*.   
\q1
\v 51  \w He|strong="H5704"\w* \w gives|strong="H3444"\w* \w his|strong="H1732"\w* \w chosen|strong="H4899"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* magnificent \w victories|strong="H3444"\w*;  
\q1 \w he|strong="H5704"\w* \w is|strong="H2617"\w* \w faithful|strong="H2617"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w his|strong="H1732"\w* \w chosen|strong="H4899"\w* ruler,  
\q1 \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w his|strong="H1732"\w* \w descendants|strong="H2233"\w* \w forever|strong="H5769"\w*!”   
\c 23  
\p
\v 1  \w These|strong="H6965"\w* \w are|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H5002"\w* final \w words|strong="H1697"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w*:  
\q1 “\w The|strong="H5002"\w* \w oracle|strong="H5002"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Jesse|strong="H3448"\w*,  
\q1 \w the|strong="H5002"\w* \w oracle|strong="H5002"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H5002"\w* \w man|strong="H1397"\w* \w raised|strong="H6965"\w* \w up|strong="H6965"\w* \w as|strong="H1697"\w*  
\q1 \w the|strong="H5002"\w* ruler \w chosen|strong="H4899"\w* \w by|strong="H6965"\w* \w the|strong="H5002"\w* God \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Jacob|strong="H3290"\w*,  
\q1 \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w*’s \w beloved|strong="H5273"\w* singer \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w songs|strong="H2158"\w*:   
\q1
\v 2  \w The|strong="H5921"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*’s \w spirit|strong="H7307"\w* \w spoke|strong="H1696"\w* \w through|strong="H5921"\w* \w me|strong="H5921"\w*;  
\q1 \w his|strong="H3068"\w* \w word|strong="H1696"\w* \w was|strong="H3068"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w my|strong="H3068"\w* \w tongue|strong="H3956"\w*.   
\q1
\v 3  \w The|strong="H1696"\w* \w God|strong="H6697"\w* \w of|strong="H6697"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \w spoke|strong="H1696"\w*,  
\q1 \w the|strong="H1696"\w* \w protector|strong="H6697"\w* \w of|strong="H6697"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \w spoke|strong="H1696"\w* \w to|strong="H1696"\w* \w me|strong="H1696"\w*.  
\q1 \w The|strong="H1696"\w* \w one|strong="H6662"\w* \w who|strong="H3478"\w* \w rules|strong="H4910"\w* \w fairly|strong="H6662"\w* \w among|strong="H4910"\w* \w men|strong="H6662"\w*,  
\q1 \w the|strong="H1696"\w* \w one|strong="H6662"\w* \w who|strong="H3478"\w* \w rules|strong="H4910"\w* \w in|strong="H3478"\w* \w the|strong="H1696"\w* \w fear|strong="H3374"\w* \w of|strong="H6697"\w* \w God|strong="H6697"\w*,   
\q1
\v 4  \w is|strong="H8121"\w* \w like|strong="H3808"\w* \w the|strong="H3808"\w* \w light|strong="H5051"\w* \w of|strong="H3808"\w* \w morning|strong="H1242"\w* when \w the|strong="H3808"\w* \w sun|strong="H8121"\w* comes \w up|strong="H2224"\w*,  
\q1 \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w morning|strong="H1242"\w* \w in|strong="H3808"\w* which there \w are|strong="H5645"\w* \w no|strong="H3808"\w* \w clouds|strong="H5645"\w*.  
\q1 \w He|strong="H3808"\w* \w is|strong="H8121"\w* \w like|strong="H3808"\w* \w the|strong="H3808"\w* \w brightness|strong="H5051"\w* \w after|strong="H1242"\w* \w rain|strong="H4306"\w*  
\q1 \w that|strong="H3808"\w* produces \w grass|strong="H1877"\w* \w from|strong="H2224"\w* \w the|strong="H3808"\w* \w earth|strong="H8121"\w*.   
\q1
\v 5  \w My|strong="H8104"\w* \w dynasty|strong="H1004"\w* \w is|strong="H3651"\w* \w approved|strong="H5973"\w* \w by|strong="H5973"\w* \w God|strong="H3808"\w*,  
\q1 \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w he|strong="H3588"\w* \w has|strong="H3588"\w* \w made|strong="H7760"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w perpetual|strong="H5769"\w* \w covenant|strong="H1285"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w me|strong="H7760"\w*,  
\q1 \w arranged|strong="H6186"\w* \w in|strong="H1004"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w its|strong="H3605"\w* particulars \w and|strong="H1004"\w* \w secured|strong="H8104"\w*.  
\q1 \w He|strong="H3588"\w* \w always|strong="H3605"\w* \w delivers|strong="H3468"\w* \w me|strong="H7760"\w*,  
\q1 \w and|strong="H1004"\w* \w brings|strong="H7760"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w desire|strong="H2656"\w* \w to|strong="H8104"\w* fruition.   
\q1
\v 6  \w But|strong="H3588"\w* \w evil|strong="H1100"\w* \w people|strong="H3808"\w* \w are|strong="H3027"\w* \w like|strong="H3808"\w* \w thorns|strong="H6975"\w* –  
\q1 \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w of|strong="H3027"\w* \w them|strong="H3027"\w* \w are|strong="H3027"\w* tossed \w away|strong="H3947"\w*,  
\q1 \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w they|strong="H3588"\w* \w cannot|strong="H3808"\w* \w be|strong="H3808"\w* held \w in|strong="H3027"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w hand|strong="H3027"\w*.   
\q1
\v 7  \w The|strong="H4390"\w* one who \w touches|strong="H5060"\w* \w them|strong="H8313"\w*  
\q1 must use \w an|strong="H4390"\w* \w iron|strong="H1270"\w* \w instrument|strong="H4390"\w*  
\q1 \w or|strong="H2595"\w* \w the|strong="H4390"\w* \w wooden|strong="H6086"\w* \w shaft|strong="H6086"\w* \w of|strong="H4390"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w spear|strong="H2595"\w*.  
\q1 They \w are|strong="H4390"\w* \w completely|strong="H8313"\w* \w burned|strong="H8313"\w* \w up|strong="H8313"\w* right where they lie!”   
\s1 David’s Warriors  
\p
\v 8  \w These|strong="H1931"\w* \w are|strong="H1368"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w names|strong="H8034"\w* \w of|strong="H7218"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w*’s \w warriors|strong="H1368"\w*:  
\p \w Josheb-Basshebeth|strong="H3429"\w*, \w a|strong="H3068"\w* Tahkemonite, \w was|strong="H8034"\w* \w head|strong="H7218"\w* \w of|strong="H7218"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w officers|strong="H7991"\w*. \w He|strong="H1931"\w* \w killed|strong="H2491"\w* \w eight|strong="H8083"\w* \w hundred|strong="H3967"\w* \w men|strong="H1368"\w* \w with|strong="H5921"\w* \w his|strong="H1732"\w* spear \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w one|strong="H1931"\w* battle.  
\v 9  Next \w in|strong="H3478"\w* command \w was|strong="H1732"\w* Eleazar \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Dodo|strong="H1734"\w*, \w the|strong="H5927"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* Ahohi. \w He|strong="H8033"\w* \w was|strong="H1732"\w* \w one|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H5927"\w* \w three|strong="H7969"\w* \w warriors|strong="H1368"\w* \w who|strong="H1121"\w* \w were|strong="H3478"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w* \w when|strong="H1121"\w* \w they|strong="H8033"\w* \w defied|strong="H2778"\w* \w the|strong="H5927"\w* \w Philistines|strong="H6430"\w* \w who|strong="H1121"\w* \w were|strong="H3478"\w* \w assembled|strong="H3478"\w* \w there|strong="H8033"\w* \w for|strong="H1121"\w* \w battle|strong="H4421"\w*. \w When|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H5927"\w* \w men|strong="H1368"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \w retreated|strong="H5927"\w*,  
\v 10  \w he|strong="H1931"\w* \w stood|strong="H6965"\w* \w his|strong="H3068"\w* ground \w and|strong="H6965"\w* fought \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w Philistines|strong="H6430"\w* \w until|strong="H5704"\w* \w his|strong="H3068"\w* \w hand|strong="H3027"\w* grew \w so|strong="H6213"\w* \w tired|strong="H3021"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w it|strong="H1931"\w* seemed \w stuck|strong="H1692"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w his|strong="H3068"\w* \w sword|strong="H2719"\w*. \w The|strong="H3588"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w gave|strong="H6213"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w great|strong="H1419"\w* \w victory|strong="H8668"\w* \w on|strong="H3117"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w*. \w When|strong="H3588"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w army|strong="H5971"\w* \w returned|strong="H7725"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w him|strong="H5221"\w*, \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w only|strong="H3588"\w* \w thing|strong="H3588"\w* \w left|strong="H7725"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w do|strong="H6213"\w* \w was|strong="H3068"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* plunder \w the|strong="H3588"\w* corpses.   
\p
\v 11  \w Next|strong="H2416"\w* \w in|strong="H6440"\w* command \w was|strong="H1961"\w* Shammah \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* Agee \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w Hararite|strong="H2043"\w*. \w When|strong="H1961"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w Philistines|strong="H6430"\w* assembled \w at|strong="H1961"\w* Lehi, \w where|strong="H8033"\w* \w there|strong="H8033"\w* \w happened|strong="H1961"\w* \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w be|strong="H1961"\w* \w an|strong="H1961"\w* area \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w field|strong="H7704"\w* \w that|strong="H5971"\w* \w was|strong="H1961"\w* \w full|strong="H4395"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w lentils|strong="H5742"\w*, \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w army|strong="H5971"\w* \w retreated|strong="H5127"\w* \w before|strong="H6440"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w Philistines|strong="H6430"\w*.  
\v 12  \w But|strong="H5221"\w* \w he|strong="H6213"\w* \w made|strong="H6213"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w stand|strong="H3320"\w* \w in|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H5221"\w* \w middle|strong="H8432"\w* \w of|strong="H3068"\w* \w that|strong="H3068"\w* area. \w He|strong="H6213"\w* \w defended|strong="H5337"\w* \w it|strong="H6213"\w* \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w defeated|strong="H5221"\w* \w the|strong="H5221"\w* \w Philistines|strong="H6430"\w*; \w the|strong="H5221"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w gave|strong="H6213"\w* \w them|strong="H5221"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w great|strong="H1419"\w* \w victory|strong="H8668"\w*.   
\p
\v 13  \w At|strong="H2583"\w* \w the|strong="H1732"\w* \w time|strong="H7105"\w* \w of|strong="H7218"\w* \w the|strong="H1732"\w* \w harvest|strong="H7105"\w* \w three|strong="H7970"\w* \w of|strong="H7218"\w* \w the|strong="H1732"\w* \w thirty|strong="H7970"\w* \w leaders|strong="H7218"\w* \w went|strong="H3381"\w* \w down|strong="H3381"\w* \w to|strong="H3381"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w* \w at|strong="H2583"\w* \w the|strong="H1732"\w* \w cave|strong="H4631"\w* \w of|strong="H7218"\w* \w Adullam|strong="H5725"\w*. \w A|strong="H3068"\w* \w band|strong="H7218"\w* \w of|strong="H7218"\w* \w Philistines|strong="H6430"\w* \w was|strong="H1732"\w* \w camped|strong="H2583"\w* \w in|strong="H2583"\w* \w the|strong="H1732"\w* \w valley|strong="H6010"\w* \w of|strong="H7218"\w* \w Rephaim|strong="H7497"\w*.  
\v 14  \w David|strong="H1732"\w* \w was|strong="H1732"\w* \w in|strong="H1035"\w* \w the|strong="H1732"\w* \w stronghold|strong="H4686"\w* \w at|strong="H1732"\w* \w the|strong="H1732"\w* time, while \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w Philistine|strong="H6430"\w* \w garrison|strong="H4673"\w* \w was|strong="H1732"\w* \w in|strong="H1035"\w* \w Bethlehem|strong="H1035"\w*.  
\v 15  \w David|strong="H1732"\w* \w was|strong="H1732"\w* thirsty \w and|strong="H1732"\w* said, “\w How|strong="H4310"\w* I \w wish|strong="H4310"\w* \w someone|strong="H4310"\w* \w would|strong="H4310"\w* \w give|strong="H8248"\w* \w me|strong="H8248"\w* some \w water|strong="H4325"\w* \w to|strong="H1732"\w* \w drink|strong="H8248"\w* \w from|strong="H4325"\w* \w the|strong="H1732"\w* cistern \w in|strong="H1035"\w* \w Bethlehem|strong="H1035"\w* near \w the|strong="H1732"\w* \w gate|strong="H8179"\w*!”  
\v 16  \w So|strong="H3808"\w* \w the|strong="H5375"\w* \w three|strong="H7969"\w* elite \w warriors|strong="H1368"\w* \w broke|strong="H1234"\w* \w through|strong="H1234"\w* \w the|strong="H5375"\w* \w Philistine|strong="H6430"\w* \w forces|strong="H4264"\w* \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w drew|strong="H7579"\w* some \w water|strong="H4325"\w* \w from|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H5375"\w* cistern \w in|strong="H3068"\w* \w Bethlehem|strong="H1035"\w* \w near|strong="H3808"\w* \w the|strong="H5375"\w* \w gate|strong="H8179"\w*. \w They|strong="H3068"\w* \w carried|strong="H5375"\w* \w it|strong="H5375"\w* back \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w*, \w but|strong="H3808"\w* \w he|strong="H3068"\w* \w refused|strong="H3808"\w* \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w drink|strong="H8354"\w* \w it|strong="H5375"\w*. \w He|strong="H3068"\w* \w poured|strong="H5258"\w* \w it|strong="H5375"\w* \w out|strong="H5258"\w* \w as|strong="H3068"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w drink|strong="H8354"\w* \w offering|strong="H3068"\w* \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H5375"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*  
\v 17  \w and|strong="H1980"\w* said, “\w O|strong="H3068"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*, \w I|strong="H5315"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w do|strong="H6213"\w* \w this|strong="H2063"\w*! \w It|strong="H6213"\w* \w is|strong="H3068"\w* equivalent \w to|strong="H1980"\w* \w the|strong="H6213"\w* \w blood|strong="H1818"\w* \w of|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H6213"\w* \w men|strong="H1368"\w* \w who|strong="H3068"\w* risked \w their|strong="H3068"\w* \w lives|strong="H5315"\w* \w by|strong="H3068"\w* \w going|strong="H1980"\w*.” \w So|strong="H6213"\w* \w he|strong="H6213"\w* \w refused|strong="H3808"\w* \w to|strong="H1980"\w* \w drink|strong="H8354"\w* \w it|strong="H6213"\w*. \w Such|strong="H2063"\w* \w were|strong="H5315"\w* \w the|strong="H6213"\w* exploits \w of|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H6213"\w* \w three|strong="H7969"\w* elite \w warriors|strong="H1368"\w*.   
\p
\v 18  Abishai \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Zeruiah|strong="H6870"\w*, \w the|strong="H5921"\w* brother \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Joab|strong="H3097"\w*, \w was|strong="H8034"\w* \w head|strong="H7218"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w three|strong="H7969"\w*. \w He|strong="H1931"\w* \w killed|strong="H2491"\w* \w three|strong="H7969"\w* \w hundred|strong="H3967"\w* \w men|strong="H1121"\w* \w with|strong="H5921"\w* \w his|strong="H5921"\w* \w spear|strong="H2595"\w* \w and|strong="H3967"\w* gained \w fame|strong="H8034"\w* \w among|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w three|strong="H7969"\w*.  
\v 19  \w From|strong="H4480"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w three|strong="H7969"\w* \w he|strong="H3588"\w* \w was|strong="H1961"\w* given \w honor|strong="H3513"\w* \w and|strong="H8269"\w* \w he|strong="H3588"\w* \w became|strong="H1961"\w* \w their|strong="H3588"\w* \w officer|strong="H8269"\w*, \w even|strong="H5704"\w* \w though|strong="H3588"\w* \w he|strong="H3588"\w* \w was|strong="H1961"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w one|strong="H3808"\w* \w of|strong="H8269"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w three|strong="H7969"\w*.   
\p
\v 20  \w Benaiah|strong="H1141"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* Jehoida \w was|strong="H1931"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* brave warrior \w from|strong="H3381"\w* \w Kabzeel|strong="H6909"\w* \w who|strong="H1931"\w* performed \w great|strong="H7227"\w* \w exploits|strong="H6467"\w*. \w He|strong="H1931"\w* \w struck|strong="H5221"\w* \w down|strong="H3381"\w* \w the|strong="H5221"\w* \w two|strong="H8147"\w* \w sons|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* Ariel \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Moab|strong="H4124"\w*. \w He|strong="H1931"\w* \w also|strong="H1121"\w* \w went|strong="H3381"\w* \w down|strong="H3381"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w killed|strong="H5221"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* lion \w in|strong="H3117"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* cistern \w on|strong="H3117"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w snowy|strong="H7950"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w*.  
\v 21  \w He|strong="H1931"\w* \w also|strong="H3027"\w* \w killed|strong="H2026"\w* \w an|strong="H5221"\w* \w impressive-looking|strong="H4758"\w* \w Egyptian|strong="H4713"\w*. \w The|strong="H5221"\w* \w Egyptian|strong="H4713"\w* \w wielded|strong="H3381"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w spear|strong="H2595"\w*, \w while|strong="H1931"\w* Benaiah \w attacked|strong="H5221"\w* \w him|strong="H5221"\w* \w with|strong="H3381"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w club|strong="H7626"\w*. \w He|strong="H1931"\w* grabbed \w the|strong="H5221"\w* \w spear|strong="H2595"\w* \w out|strong="H3027"\w* \w of|strong="H3027"\w* \w the|strong="H5221"\w* \w Egyptian|strong="H4713"\w*’s \w hand|strong="H3027"\w* \w and|strong="H3027"\w* \w killed|strong="H2026"\w* \w him|strong="H5221"\w* \w with|strong="H3381"\w* \w his|strong="H5221"\w* \w own|strong="H3027"\w* \w spear|strong="H2595"\w*.  
\v 22  \w Such|strong="H6213"\w* \w were|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H6213"\w* exploits \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Benaiah|strong="H1141"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* Jehoida, \w who|strong="H1121"\w* \w gained|strong="H1368"\w* \w fame|strong="H8034"\w* \w among|strong="H8034"\w* \w the|strong="H6213"\w* \w three|strong="H7969"\w* elite \w warriors|strong="H1368"\w*.  
\v 23  \w He|strong="H1732"\w* received \w honor|strong="H3513"\w* \w from|strong="H4480"\w* \w the|strong="H4480"\w* \w thirty|strong="H7970"\w* warriors, though \w he|strong="H1732"\w* \w was|strong="H1732"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w one|strong="H3808"\w* \w of|strong="H4480"\w* \w the|strong="H4480"\w* \w three|strong="H7969"\w* elite warriors. \w David|strong="H1732"\w* \w put|strong="H7760"\w* \w him|strong="H7760"\w* \w in|strong="H1732"\w* \w charge|strong="H7760"\w* \w of|strong="H4480"\w* \w his|strong="H7760"\w* bodyguard.   
\p
\v 24  Included \w with|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H3097"\w* \w thirty|strong="H7970"\w* \w were|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H3097"\w* following: \w Asahel|strong="H6214"\w* \w the|strong="H3097"\w* brother \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Joab|strong="H3097"\w*, Elhanan \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Dodo|strong="H1734"\w* \w from|strong="H1121"\w* \w Bethlehem|strong="H1035"\w*,  
\v 25  \w Shammah|strong="H8048"\w* \w the|strong="H8048"\w* \w Harodite|strong="H2733"\w*, Elika \w the|strong="H8048"\w* \w Harodite|strong="H2733"\w*,  
\v 26  \w Helez|strong="H2503"\w* \w the|strong="H1121"\w* \w Paltite|strong="H6407"\w*, \w Ira|strong="H5896"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Ikkesh|strong="H6142"\w* \w from|strong="H1121"\w* \w Tekoa|strong="H8621"\w*,  
\v 27  Abiezer \w the|strong="H4012"\w* \w Anathothite|strong="H6069"\w*, \w Mebunnai|strong="H4012"\w* \w the|strong="H4012"\w* \w Hushathite|strong="H2843"\w*,  
\v 28  \w Zalmon|strong="H6756"\w* \w the|strong="H4121"\w* Ahohite, \w Maharai|strong="H4121"\w* \w the|strong="H4121"\w* \w Netophathite|strong="H5200"\w*,  
\v 29  \w Heled|strong="H2460"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Baanah|strong="H1196"\w* \w the|strong="H1121"\w* \w Netophathite|strong="H5200"\w*, Ittai \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Ribai|strong="H7380"\w* \w from|strong="H1121"\w* \w Gibeah|strong="H1390"\w* \w in|strong="H1121"\w* \w Benjamin|strong="H1144"\w*,  
\v 30  \w Benaiah|strong="H1141"\w* \w the|strong="H1141"\w* \w Pirathonite|strong="H6553"\w*, \w Hiddai|strong="H1914"\w* from \w the|strong="H1141"\w* \w wadis|strong="H5158"\w* \w of|strong="H5158"\w* \w Gaash|strong="H1608"\w*,  
\v 31  Abi-Albon \w the|strong="H5820"\w* \w Arbathite|strong="H6164"\w*, \w Azmaveth|strong="H5820"\w* \w the|strong="H5820"\w* \w Barhumite|strong="H1273"\w*,  
\v 32  Eliahba \w the|strong="H3083"\w* \w Shaalbonite|strong="H8170"\w*, \w the|strong="H3083"\w* \w sons|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Jashen|strong="H3464"\w*, \w Jonathan|strong="H3083"\w*  
\v 33  \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Shammah|strong="H8048"\w* \w the|strong="H1121"\w* \w Hararite|strong="H2043"\w*, Ahiam \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Sharar|strong="H8325"\w* \w the|strong="H1121"\w* \w Hararite|strong="H2043"\w*,  
\v 34  Eliphelet \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* Ahasbai \w the|strong="H1121"\w* \w Maacathite|strong="H4602"\w*, Eliam \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* Ahithophel \w the|strong="H1121"\w* \w Gilonite|strong="H1526"\w*,  
\v 35  \w Hezrai|strong="H2695"\w* \w the|strong="H2695"\w* \w Carmelite|strong="H3761"\w*, \w Paarai|strong="H6474"\w* \w the|strong="H2695"\w* Arbite,  
\v 36  \w Igal|strong="H3008"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Nathan|strong="H5416"\w* \w from|strong="H1121"\w* \w Zobah|strong="H6678"\w*, \w Bani|strong="H1137"\w* \w the|strong="H5416"\w* \w Gadite|strong="H1425"\w*,  
\v 37  \w Zelek|strong="H6768"\w* \w the|strong="H5375"\w* \w Ammonite|strong="H5984"\w*, \w Naharai|strong="H5171"\w* \w the|strong="H5375"\w* Beerothite (\w the|strong="H5375"\w* armor-bearer \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Joab|strong="H3097"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Zeruiah|strong="H6870"\w*),  
\v 38  \w Ira|strong="H5896"\w* \w the|strong="H5896"\w* \w Ithrite|strong="H3505"\w*, \w Gareb|strong="H1619"\w* \w the|strong="H5896"\w* \w Ithrite|strong="H3505"\w*  
\v 39  \w and|strong="H7970"\w* Uriah \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Hittite|strong="H2850"\w*. \w Altogether|strong="H3605"\w* \w there|strong="H3605"\w* \w were|strong="H3605"\w* \w thirty-seven|strong="H7970"\w*.   
\c 24  
\p
\v 1  \w The|strong="H3068"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*’s anger \w again|strong="H3254"\w* \w raged|strong="H2734"\w* \w against|strong="H2734"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w*, \w and|strong="H3063"\w* \w he|strong="H3068"\w* \w incited|strong="H5496"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w* \w against|strong="H2734"\w* \w them|strong="H3068"\w*, saying, “\w Go|strong="H3212"\w* \w count|strong="H4487"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \w and|strong="H3063"\w* \w Judah|strong="H3063"\w*.”  
\v 2  \w The|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* told \w Joab|strong="H3097"\w*, \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w general|strong="H8269"\w* \w in|strong="H3478"\w* command \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* \w army|strong="H2428"\w*, “\w Go|strong="H5971"\w* \w through|strong="H3605"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w tribes|strong="H7626"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \w from|strong="H3478"\w* \w Dan|strong="H1835"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* Beer Sheba \w and|strong="H3478"\w* muster \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w army|strong="H2428"\w*, \w so|strong="H6485"\w* \w I|strong="H5704"\w* \w may|strong="H4994"\w* \w know|strong="H3045"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w size|strong="H4557"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w army|strong="H2428"\w*.”   
\p
\v 3  \w Joab|strong="H3097"\w* replied \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*, “\w May|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w your|strong="H3068"\w* \w God|strong="H3068"\w* \w make|strong="H3254"\w* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* \w army|strong="H5971"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w hundred|strong="H3967"\w* \w times|strong="H6471"\w* \w larger|strong="H3254"\w* \w right|strong="H3068"\w* \w before|strong="H5869"\w* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* \w eyes|strong="H5869"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w my|strong="H3068"\w* \w lord|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*! \w But|strong="H7200"\w* \w why|strong="H4100"\w* \w does|strong="H4100"\w* \w my|strong="H3068"\w* master \w the|strong="H7200"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w want|strong="H2654"\w* \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w do|strong="H3068"\w* \w this|strong="H2088"\w*?”   
\p
\v 4  \w But|strong="H2388"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*’s \w edict|strong="H1697"\w* \w stood|strong="H5971"\w*, \w despite|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w objections|strong="H2388"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w Joab|strong="H3097"\w* \w and|strong="H3478"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w leaders|strong="H8269"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w army|strong="H2428"\w*. \w So|strong="H3318"\w* \w Joab|strong="H3097"\w* \w and|strong="H3478"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w leaders|strong="H8269"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w army|strong="H2428"\w* \w left|strong="H3318"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*’s \w presence|strong="H6440"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w order|strong="H1697"\w* \w to|strong="H3318"\w* muster \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w Israelite|strong="H3478"\w* \w army|strong="H2428"\w*.   
\p
\v 5  \w They|strong="H5892"\w* \w crossed|strong="H5674"\w* \w the|strong="H8432"\w* \w Jordan|strong="H3383"\w* \w and|strong="H5892"\w* \w camped|strong="H2583"\w* \w at|strong="H2583"\w* \w Aroer|strong="H6177"\w*, \w on|strong="H5674"\w* \w the|strong="H8432"\w* \w south|strong="H3225"\w* \w side|strong="H3225"\w* \w of|strong="H5892"\w* \w the|strong="H8432"\w* \w city|strong="H5892"\w*, \w at|strong="H2583"\w* \w the|strong="H8432"\w* \w wadi|strong="H5158"\w* \w of|strong="H5892"\w* \w Gad|strong="H1410"\w*, near \w Jazer|strong="H3270"\w*.  
\v 6  Then they went \w on|strong="H5439"\w* \w to|strong="H5439"\w* \w Gilead|strong="H1568"\w* \w and|strong="H1568"\w* \w to|strong="H5439"\w* \w the|strong="H5439"\w* region \w of|strong="H5439"\w* Tahtim Hodshi, coming \w to|strong="H5439"\w* Dan Jaan \w and|strong="H1568"\w* \w on|strong="H5439"\w* \w around|strong="H5439"\w* \w to|strong="H5439"\w* \w Sidon|strong="H6721"\w*.  
\v 7  \w Then|strong="H3318"\w* \w they|strong="H3605"\w* \w went|strong="H3318"\w* \w to|strong="H3318"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w fortress|strong="H4013"\w* \w of|strong="H5892"\w* \w Tyre|strong="H6865"\w* \w and|strong="H3063"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w cities|strong="H5892"\w* \w of|strong="H5892"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Hivites|strong="H2340"\w* \w and|strong="H3063"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Canaanites|strong="H3669"\w*. \w Then|strong="H3318"\w* \w they|strong="H3605"\w* \w went|strong="H3318"\w* \w on|strong="H3318"\w* \w to|strong="H3318"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Negev|strong="H5045"\w* \w of|strong="H5892"\w* \w Judah|strong="H3063"\w*, \w to|strong="H3318"\w* Beer Sheba.  
\v 8  \w They|strong="H3117"\w* went \w through|strong="H3605"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* land \w and|strong="H6242"\w* \w after|strong="H3117"\w* \w nine|strong="H8672"\w* \w months|strong="H2320"\w* \w and|strong="H6242"\w* \w twenty|strong="H6242"\w* \w days|strong="H3117"\w* came \w back|strong="H7751"\w* \w to|strong="H3389"\w* \w Jerusalem|strong="H3389"\w*.   
\p
\v 9  \w Joab|strong="H3097"\w* \w reported|strong="H5414"\w* \w the|strong="H5414"\w* \w number|strong="H4557"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w warriors|strong="H2428"\w* \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w the|strong="H5414"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*. \w In|strong="H3478"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \w there|strong="H1961"\w* \w were|strong="H3478"\w* 800,000 \w sword-wielding|strong="H8025"\w* \w warriors|strong="H2428"\w*, \w and|strong="H3967"\w* \w in|strong="H3478"\w* \w Judah|strong="H3063"\w* \w there|strong="H1961"\w* \w were|strong="H3478"\w* 500,000 \w soldiers|strong="H5971"\w*.   
\p
\v 10  \w David|strong="H1732"\w* \w felt|strong="H5608"\w* \w guilty|strong="H5771"\w* \w after|strong="H3588"\w* \w he|strong="H3588"\w* \w had|strong="H3068"\w* \w numbered|strong="H5608"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w army|strong="H5971"\w*. \w David|strong="H1732"\w* \w said|strong="H3651"\w* \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*, “\w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w have|strong="H3068"\w* \w sinned|strong="H2398"\w* \w greatly|strong="H3966"\w* \w by|strong="H5674"\w* \w doing|strong="H6213"\w* \w this|strong="H3651"\w*! \w Now|strong="H6258"\w*, \w O|strong="H3068"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*, \w please|strong="H4994"\w* \w remove|strong="H5674"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w guilt|strong="H5771"\w* \w of|strong="H3068"\w* \w your|strong="H3068"\w* \w servant|strong="H5650"\w*, \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w have|strong="H3068"\w* \w acted|strong="H6213"\w* \w very|strong="H3966"\w* \w foolishly|strong="H5528"\w*.”   
\p
\v 11  \w When|strong="H1961"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w* \w got|strong="H6965"\w* \w up|strong="H6965"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* next \w morning|strong="H1242"\w*, \w the|strong="H3068"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w had|strong="H3068"\w* already \w spoken|strong="H1697"\w* \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w Gad|strong="H1410"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* \w prophet|strong="H5030"\w*, \w David|strong="H1732"\w*’s \w seer|strong="H2374"\w*:  
\v 12 “\w Go|strong="H1980"\w*, \w tell|strong="H1696"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w*, ‘\w This|strong="H6213"\w* \w is|strong="H3068"\w* \w what|strong="H6213"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w says|strong="H3541"\w*: \w I|strong="H3541"\w* \w am|strong="H3068"\w* \w offering|strong="H3068"\w* \w you|strong="H5921"\w* \w three|strong="H7969"\w* \w forms|strong="H5190"\w* \w of|strong="H3068"\w* judgment. Pick \w one|strong="H6213"\w* \w of|strong="H3068"\w* \w them|strong="H1992"\w* \w and|strong="H1980"\w* \w I|strong="H3541"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w carry|strong="H6213"\w* \w it|strong="H5921"\w* \w out|strong="H5921"\w* \w against|strong="H5921"\w* \w you|strong="H5921"\w*.’”   
\p
\v 13  \w Gad|strong="H1410"\w* \w went|strong="H1732"\w* \w to|strong="H7725"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w* \w and|strong="H7971"\w* \w told|strong="H5046"\w* \w him|strong="H6440"\w*, “\w Shall|strong="H3117"\w* \w seven|strong="H7651"\w* \w years|strong="H8141"\w* \w of|strong="H3117"\w* \w famine|strong="H7458"\w* \w come|strong="H1961"\w* \w upon|strong="H6440"\w* \w your|strong="H6440"\w* \w land|strong="H6440"\w*? \w Or|strong="H3117"\w* \w shall|strong="H3117"\w* \w you|strong="H6440"\w* \w flee|strong="H5127"\w* \w for|strong="H6440"\w* \w three|strong="H7969"\w* \w months|strong="H2320"\w* \w from|strong="H7725"\w* \w your|strong="H6440"\w* \w enemy|strong="H6862"\w* \w with|strong="H1697"\w* \w him|strong="H6440"\w* \w in|strong="H8141"\w* hot \w pursuit|strong="H7291"\w*? \w Or|strong="H3117"\w* \w shall|strong="H3117"\w* \w there|strong="H1961"\w* \w be|strong="H1961"\w* \w three|strong="H7969"\w* \w days|strong="H3117"\w* \w of|strong="H3117"\w* \w plague|strong="H1698"\w* \w in|strong="H8141"\w* \w your|strong="H6440"\w* \w land|strong="H6440"\w*? \w Now|strong="H6258"\w* \w decide|strong="H7200"\w* \w what|strong="H4100"\w* \w I|strong="H3117"\w* \w should|strong="H4100"\w* \w tell|strong="H5046"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w one|strong="H1931"\w* \w who|strong="H1931"\w* \w sent|strong="H7971"\w* \w me|strong="H6440"\w*.”  
\v 14  \w David|strong="H1732"\w* said \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w Gad|strong="H1410"\w*, “\w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w am|strong="H3068"\w* \w very|strong="H3966"\w* \w upset|strong="H6862"\w*! \w I|strong="H3588"\w* prefer \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w we|strong="H3068"\w* \w be|strong="H3027"\w* \w attacked|strong="H5307"\w* \w by|strong="H3027"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*, \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w his|strong="H3068"\w* \w mercy|strong="H7356"\w* \w is|strong="H3068"\w* \w great|strong="H7227"\w*; \w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w do|strong="H3068"\w* \w not|strong="H3588"\w* want \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w be|strong="H3027"\w* \w attacked|strong="H5307"\w* \w by|strong="H3027"\w* \w men|strong="H7227"\w*!”   
\p
\v 15  \w So|strong="H4480"\w* \w the|strong="H5414"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w sent|strong="H5414"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w plague|strong="H1698"\w* \w through|strong="H4480"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \w from|strong="H4480"\w* \w the|strong="H5414"\w* \w morning|strong="H1242"\w* \w until|strong="H5704"\w* \w the|strong="H5414"\w* completion \w of|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H5414"\w* \w appointed|strong="H4150"\w* \w time|strong="H6256"\w*. \w Seventy|strong="H7657"\w* thousand \w men|strong="H5971"\w* \w died|strong="H4191"\w* \w from|strong="H4480"\w* \w Dan|strong="H1835"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* Beer Sheba.  
\v 16  \w When|strong="H1961"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* \w angel|strong="H4397"\w* \w extended|strong="H7971"\w* \w his|strong="H3068"\w* \w hand|strong="H3027"\w* \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w destroy|strong="H7843"\w* \w Jerusalem|strong="H3389"\w*, \w the|strong="H3068"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w relented|strong="H5162"\w* \w from|strong="H3027"\w* \w his|strong="H3068"\w* \w judgment|strong="H3027"\w*. \w He|strong="H3068"\w* told \w the|strong="H3068"\w* \w angel|strong="H4397"\w* \w who|strong="H5971"\w* \w was|strong="H3068"\w* killing \w the|strong="H3068"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w*, “\w That|strong="H5971"\w*’s \w enough|strong="H7227"\w*! Stop \w now|strong="H6258"\w*!” (\w Now|strong="H6258"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*’s \w angel|strong="H4397"\w* \w was|strong="H3068"\w* \w near|strong="H5973"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* \w threshing|strong="H1637"\w* \w floor|strong="H1637"\w* \w of|strong="H3068"\w* Araunah \w the|strong="H3068"\w* \w Jebusite|strong="H2983"\w*.)   
\p
\v 17  \w When|strong="H1961"\w* \w he|strong="H6213"\w* \w saw|strong="H7200"\w* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* \w angel|strong="H4397"\w* \w who|strong="H5971"\w* \w was|strong="H3068"\w* destroying \w the|strong="H7200"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w*, \w David|strong="H1732"\w* said \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*, “\w Look|strong="H7200"\w*, \w it|strong="H6213"\w* \w is|strong="H3068"\w* \w I|strong="H2009"\w* \w who|strong="H5971"\w* \w have|strong="H1961"\w* \w sinned|strong="H2398"\w* \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w done|strong="H6213"\w* \w this|strong="H6213"\w* \w evil|strong="H6213"\w* \w thing|strong="H4100"\w*! \w As|strong="H1961"\w* \w for|strong="H6213"\w* \w these|strong="H6213"\w* \w sheep|strong="H6629"\w* – \w what|strong="H4100"\w* \w have|strong="H1961"\w* \w they|strong="H3068"\w* \w done|strong="H6213"\w*? \w Attack|strong="H5221"\w* \w me|strong="H4994"\w* \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w my|strong="H3068"\w* \w family|strong="H1004"\w*.”   
\s1 David Acquires a Threshing Floor and Constructs an Altar There  
\p
\v 18  \w So|strong="H5927"\w* \w Gad|strong="H1410"\w* \w went|strong="H5927"\w* \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w* \w that|strong="H3117"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w* \w and|strong="H6965"\w* told \w him|strong="H1931"\w*, “\w Go|strong="H5927"\w* \w up|strong="H5927"\w* \w and|strong="H6965"\w* \w build|strong="H6965"\w* \w an|strong="H6965"\w* \w altar|strong="H4196"\w* \w for|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w on|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* \w threshing|strong="H1637"\w* \w floor|strong="H1637"\w* \w of|strong="H3068"\w* Araunah \w the|strong="H3068"\w* \w Jebusite|strong="H2983"\w*.”  
\v 19  \w So|strong="H5927"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w* \w went|strong="H5927"\w* \w up|strong="H5927"\w* \w as|strong="H1697"\w* \w Gad|strong="H1410"\w* \w instructed|strong="H6680"\w* \w him|strong="H6680"\w* \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w do|strong="H3068"\w*, according \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*’s \w instructions|strong="H1697"\w*.   
\p
\v 20  \w When|strong="H7200"\w* Araunah \w looked|strong="H7200"\w* \w out|strong="H3318"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w saw|strong="H7200"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w his|strong="H5921"\w* \w servants|strong="H5650"\w* \w approaching|strong="H5674"\w* \w him|strong="H5921"\w*, \w he|strong="H5921"\w* \w went|strong="H3318"\w* \w out|strong="H3318"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w bowed|strong="H7812"\w* \w to|strong="H3318"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w with|strong="H5921"\w* \w his|strong="H5921"\w* \w face|strong="H7200"\w* \w to|strong="H3318"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* ground.  
\v 21  Araunah said, “\w Why|strong="H4069"\w* \w has|strong="H3068"\w* \w my|strong="H3068"\w* \w lord|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w come|strong="H5971"\w* \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w his|strong="H3068"\w* \w servant|strong="H5650"\w*?” \w David|strong="H1732"\w* replied, “\w To|strong="H3068"\w* \w buy|strong="H7069"\w* \w from|strong="H5921"\w* \w you|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w threshing|strong="H1637"\w* \w floor|strong="H1637"\w* \w so|strong="H5921"\w* \w I|strong="H5921"\w* \w can|strong="H5650"\w* \w build|strong="H1129"\w* \w an|strong="H1129"\w* \w altar|strong="H4196"\w* \w for|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*, \w so|strong="H5921"\w* \w that|strong="H5971"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w plague|strong="H4046"\w* \w may|strong="H3068"\w* \w be|strong="H3068"\w* removed \w from|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w*.”  
\v 22  Araunah told \w David|strong="H1732"\w*, “\w My|strong="H7200"\w* lord \w the|strong="H7200"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w may|strong="H4428"\w* \w take|strong="H3947"\w* \w whatever|strong="H2896"\w* \w he|strong="H1732"\w* wishes \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w offer|strong="H5927"\w* \w it|strong="H7200"\w*. \w Look|strong="H7200"\w*! Here \w are|strong="H5869"\w* \w oxen|strong="H1241"\w* \w for|strong="H6086"\w* \w burnt|strong="H5930"\w* \w offerings|strong="H5930"\w*, \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w threshing|strong="H4173"\w* \w sledges|strong="H4173"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* harnesses \w for|strong="H6086"\w* \w wood|strong="H6086"\w*.  
\v 23  \w I|strong="H5414"\w*, \w the|strong="H3605"\w* servant \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w my|strong="H5414"\w* \w lord|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*, \w give|strong="H5414"\w* \w it|strong="H5414"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*!” Araunah \w also|strong="H3068"\w* told \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*, “\w May|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w your|strong="H3068"\w* \w God|strong="H3068"\w* \w show|strong="H5414"\w* \w you|strong="H5414"\w* \w favor|strong="H7521"\w*!”  
\v 24  \w But|strong="H3588"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* said \w to|strong="H3068"\w* Araunah, “\w No|strong="H3808"\w*, \w I|strong="H3588"\w* insist \w on|strong="H3068"\w* \w buying|strong="H7069"\w* \w it|strong="H3588"\w* \w from|strong="H5927"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w*! \w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w offer|strong="H5927"\w* \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w my|strong="H3068"\w* \w God|strong="H3068"\w* \w burnt|strong="H5930"\w* \w sacrifices|strong="H5930"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w cost|strong="H4242"\w* \w me|strong="H2600"\w* \w nothing|strong="H3808"\w*.”  
\p \w So|strong="H5927"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w* \w bought|strong="H7069"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w threshing|strong="H1637"\w* \w floor|strong="H1637"\w* \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w oxen|strong="H1241"\w* \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w fifty|strong="H2572"\w* \w pieces|strong="H8255"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w silver|strong="H3701"\w*.  
\v 25  \w Then|strong="H5927"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w* \w built|strong="H1129"\w* \w an|strong="H1129"\w* \w altar|strong="H4196"\w* \w for|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w there|strong="H8033"\w* \w and|strong="H3478"\w* \w offered|strong="H5927"\w* \w burnt|strong="H5930"\w* \w sacrifices|strong="H5930"\w* \w and|strong="H3478"\w* \w peace|strong="H8002"\w* \w offerings|strong="H8002"\w*. \w And|strong="H3478"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* accepted \w prayers|strong="H6279"\w* \w for|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* land, \w and|strong="H3478"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w plague|strong="H4046"\w* \w was|strong="H3068"\w* removed \w from|strong="H5921"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w*.   