Amnon ravisheth Tamar. for she was a virgin; and 1 Amnon thought it hard for him to do any thing to her.

3 Bu. Amnon had a friend, whose name was Jonadab, the son of Shimeah, c David's brother: and Jonadab was a very subtle man. 4 And he said unto him, Why art thou, being the king's son, 2 lean 3 from day to day? wilt thou not tell me? And Amnon said unto him, I love Tamar, my brother Absalom's sister.

1 it was marvellous, or, hidden in the eyes of Amnon. c 1Sa. 16.9, Sbammah.

2 thin.

3 morning by morn ing.

d Ge. 18.6.

or, paste.

5 And Jonadab said unto him, Lay thee down on thy bed, and make thyself sick and when thy father cometh to see thee, say unto him, e Ge.39.12. I pray thee, let my sister Tamar come, and give me meat, and dress the meat in my sight, that I may see it, and eat it at her hand.

6

humble me, Ge.34.2.

it ought

not so to

be done.

20.17. g Ge.34.7.

Absalom killeth Amnon.

greater than the love wherewita he had loved her. And Amnon said unto her, Arise, be gone.

16 And she said unto him, There 18 no cause: this evil in sending me away is greater than the other that thou didst unto me. But he would not hearken unto her.

17 Then he called his servant that ministered unto him, and said, Put now this woman out from me, and bolt the door after her.

18 And she had a garment of divers colours i upon her: fork with such robes were the king's daughters that were virgins apparelled. Then his servant brought her out, and bolted the door after her.

19 And Tamar put ashes / on her head, and rent her garment of divers colours that was on her, and laid her hand m on her head, and

Ju.19.23.

Pr.5.22,23,

h De.22.25.

7 Then David sent home to Tamar, saying, Go now to thy bro-with great ther Amnon's house, and dress him hatred meat. greatly.

i Ge.37.3. Ju.5.30.

20 And Absalom her brother said unto her, Hath 8 Ammon thy brother been with thee? but hold now thy peace, my sister: he is thy brother; 9 regard not this thing. So Tamar remained 10 desolate in her brother Absalom's house.

21 But when king David heard of all these things, he was very wroth. 22 And Absalom spake unto his brother Amnon neither n good nor bad for Absalom hated o Amnon because he had forced his sister

1 ch. 1.2.

Jos.7.6.
Job 2.12.

31.24.

o Le. 19. 17, 18. Ge.38.12,13,

9 And she took a pan, and poured them out before him; but he refused to eat. And Amnon said, Have out all men from me. And m Jer.2.37. they went out every man from him. 8 Aminon. 10 And Amnon said unto Tamar, 9 set not Bring the meat into the chamber, thine heart. that I may eat of thine hand. And 10 and desoTamar took the cakes which she late. had made, and brought them into n Ge.24.50. the chamber to Amnon her brother. 11 And when she had brought them unto him to eat, he e took hold of her, and said unto her, Come lie with me, my sister. 12 And she answered him, Nay, my brother, do not & force me; forr Ju. 19.6,9, no such thing ought to be done in Israel: ƒ do not thou this folly.g 13 And I, whither shall I cause my shame to go? and as for thee, thou shalt be as one of the fools in Israel. Now therefore, I pray thee, speak unto the king; for he will 11 or,will you not withhold me from thee.

14 Howbeit he would not hearken unto her voice: but, being stronger

1Sa,25,4,36.

9 Pr.26.24,26.

22. Ru.3.7. 1Sa.25.36. Es. 1.10, Ps. 104, 15. Ec.9.7.

10.19.

not, since

I have,

Jos. 1.9.

than she, forced h her, and lay 12 sons of

with her.

15 Then Amnon hated her

valour.

exceedingly; so that the hatred s Pr.29.12. wherewith he hated her was

23 ¶ And it came to pass, after two full years, that Absalom hadpsheepshearers in Baal-hazor, which is beside Ephraim: and Absalom invited all the king's sons.

24 And Absalom came to the king, and said, Behold now, thy servant hath sheep-shearers; let the king, beseech thee, and his servants, go with thy servant.

25 And the king said to Absalom, Nay, my son, let us not all now go, lest we be chargeable unto thee. And he pressed him howbeit he would not go, but blessed him. 26 Then said Absalom, If not, 1 pray thee, let my brother Amnon go with us. And the king said unto him, Why should he go with thee? 27 But q Absalom pressed him that he let Amnon and all the king's sons go with him.

28 Now Absalom had command ed his servants, saying, Mark yo now when Amnon's heart is merryr with wine, and when I say unto you, Smite Amnon; then kill him; fear not: 11 have not I commanded you? be courageous, and be 12 valiant.

29 And the servants of Absalom did unto Amnon as Absalom ha

Absalom fieth to Talmai.

13 rode.

The widow's parable.

spake to the king, she fell e on her face to the ground, and did obeisance, and said, 1 Help, O king.

w ver.3. 14 mouth.

15 or, settled. x ch.19.19. y ver.38. 16 according

32 And Jonadab w the son of Shi- to the word' meah, David's brother, answered of thy serand said, Let not my lord suppose vant. that they have slain all the young 17 with a men the king's sons; for Amnon great weep only is dead: for by the 14 appoint-ing greatly. ment of Absalom this hath been 15 determined from the day that he forced his sister Tamar.

33 Now therefore let not my lord the king take x the thing to his heart, to think that all the king's sons are dead: for Amnon only is dead.

z ch.3.3.

18

or, Ammihur.

19 was con

a ch.14.23.

sumed. Ps.84.2. b Ge.37.35.

38.12.

5 And the king said unto her, What aileth thee? And she answered, Id am indeed a widow woman, and mine husband is dead.

6 And thy handmaid had two sons, field, and there was 2 none to part and they two strove together in the them, but the one smote the other, and slew him.

7 And, behold, the whole family is risen against thine handmaid, and they said, Deliver e him that smote his brother, that we may kill him, for the life of his brother whom he slew; and we will destroy the heir also and so they shall quench my coal which is left, and shall not leave to my husband neither name nor remainder upon the 3 earth.

8 And the king said unto the woman, Go to thy house, and I will give charge concerning thee.

9 And the woman of Tekoah said unto the king, My lord, O king, the

young man that kept the watch lifted up his eyes and looked, and, behold, there came much people by the way of the hill side behind him.

35 And Jonadab said unto the king, Behold, the king's sons come: 16 as thy servant said, so it is.

36 And it came to pass, as soon as be had made an end of speaking, that, behold, the king's sons came, and lifted up their voice, and wept: and the king also and all his servants wept 17 very sore. 37 But Absalom fled, and went to Talmai, z the son of 18 Ammihud, king of Geshur. And David mourned for his son every day. 38 So Absalom fled, and went to Geshur,a and was there three years. 39 And the soul of king David

a ch.13.39. b 2Ch.11.6.

c 1Sa.20.41.

Save.

d ch.12.1.&c. 2 no deliverer between.

e De, 19.12.

g

face of the

earth. Ge.27.13.

19 longed to go forth unto Absa-h Nu.35.19.

Lom: for he was comforted b concerning Amnon, seeing he was dead. CHAPTER XIV.

Absalom by Joab is brought into the king's presence.

i 1Sa. 14.45. Jer.4.2.

k ch.13.37,38. 1 Job 34.15. Ps. 90.3, 10. He.9.27.

ther's house: and the king g and his throne be guiltless.

10 And the king said, Whosoever saith aught unto thee, bring him to ine, and he shall not touch thee any more.

11 Then said she, I pray thee, let the king remember the LORD thy God, 4 that thou wouldest not suffer

the revengers of h blood to destroy any more, lest they destroy my son. And he said, As i the LORD liveth, there shall not one hair of thy son fall to the earth.

12 Then the woman said, Let thine handmaid, I pray thee, speak one word unto my lord the king. And he said, Say on.

13 And the woman said, Wherefore then hast thou thought such a thing against the people of God? for the king doth speak this thing as one which is faulty, in that the king doth not fetch home again his banished.k

Now

perceived that the king's heart

was toward a Absalom.

2 And Joab sent to Tekoah, b and fetched thence a wise woman, and said unto her, I pray thee, feign thyself to be a mourner, and put on

Absalom's return.

6 for rest.

7 hear.

ver.3.

8 blessed.

9

or, thy.

17 Then thine handmaid said, The word of my lord the king shall now p ch. 19.27. be 6 comfortable: for as an angel p of God, so is my lord the king to 7 discern good and bad: therefore the LORD thy God will be with thee. 18 Then the king answered and said unto the woman, Hide not from me, I pray thee,the thing that I shall ask thee. And the woman said, Let my lord the king now speak. 19 And the king said, Is not the hand of Joab with thee in all this? And the woman answered and said, As thy soul liveth, my lord the king, none can turn to the right hand or to the left from aught that my lord the king hath spoken: for thy servant Joab, he bade me, and he q put all these words in the mouth of thine handmaid:

20 To fetch about this form of speech hath thy servant Joab done this thing: and my lord is wise, according to the wisdom of an angel of God, to know all things that are in the earth.

21 And the king said unto Joab, Behold now, I have done this thing: go therefore, bring the young man Absalom again.

r ch. 13.37.

$ Ge.43.3. Ex. 10.28.

10

And as Absalom there was not a beau tiful man in all Israel to praise greatly.

t Is. 1.6.

u ch.18. 18.

v ver.24.

11

my place.

22 And Joab fell to the ground on his face, and bowed himself, and 8 thanked the king: aud Joab said, To-day thy servant knoweth that Í have found grace in thy sight, my w Ju. 15.4,5. .ord, O king, in that the king hath fulfilled the request of 9 his servant. 23 So Joab arose, and went to Geshur, r and brought Absalom to Jerusalem.

21 And the king said, Let him turn to his own house, and let him not see my face.s So Absalom returned to his own house, and saw not the king's face.

25 10 But in all Israel there was none to be so much praised as Absalom for his beauty: from the sole of his foot even to the crown of his head there was no blemish in him. 26 And when he polled his head, (for it was at every year's end that he polled it because the hair was heavy on him, therefore he polled it :) he weighed the hair of his head at two hundred shekels after the king's weight.

x Ge.45.15.

Lu. 15.20.

(CHAP. 15.)

a ch.12.11.

b 1KI, 1.5.

1 to come.

or, none

will hear thee from the king downward,

c Pr.30.11,17.

d Ju.9.29.

e Ro.16.18.

27 And u unto Absalom there were ƒ Jer.9.3,5. born three sons, and one daughter, whose name was Tamar: she was g 1Sa. 16.2. a woman of a fair countenance.

28 So Absalom dwelt two full h ch.13.38. years in Jerusalem, and saw not v the king's face.

Meeting of Davra and Asalom. 29 Therefore Absalom sent f Joab, to have sent him to the king, but he would not come to him: and when he sent again the second time, he would not come.

30 Therefore he said unto his servants, See, Joab's field is near 11 mine, and he hath barley there; go and set it on fire.w And AbsaTom's servants set the field on fire. 31 Then Joab arose, and came to Absalom unto his house, and said unto him, Wherefore have thy servants set my field on fire?

32 And Absalom answered Joab, Behold, I sent unto thee, saying, Come hither, that I may send thee to the king, to say, Wherefore am I come from Geshur? it had been good for me to have been there still : now therefore let me see the king's face; and if there be any iniquity in me, let him kill me.

33 So Joab came to the king, and told him: and when he had called for Absalom, he came to the king, and bowed himself on his face to the ground before the king: and the king a kissed Absalom. CHAPTER XV. Absalom, by fair speeches and cour tesies, stealeth the hearts of Israel.

AND a it came to pass after this, that Absalom prepared b him chariots and horses, and fifty mien to run before him.

2 And Absalom rose up early, and stood beside the way of the gate: and it was so, that when any man that had a controversy 1 came to the king for judgment, then Absa lom called unto him, and said. Of what city art thou? And he said Thy servant is of one of the tribes of Israel.

3 And Absalom said unto him, See, thy matters are good and right; but 2 there is no man deputed of the king c to hear thee.

4 Absalom said moreover, Ohd that I were made judge in the land, that every man which hath any suit or cause might come unto me, and I would do him justice!

5 And it was so, that when any man came nigh to him to do him obeisance, he put forth his hand, and took him, and kissed him.

6 And on this manner did Absalom to all Israel that came to the king for judgment. So e Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel.

7 And it came to pass after forty years, that Absalom said unto the king, I pray thee, let me go and pay f my vow, which I have vowed unto the LORD, in Hebron.

8 For thy servant vowed a vow while I abode at Geshur h in Syris

Absalom's conspiracy. aying, If the LORD shall bring me again indeed to Jerusalem, then I will serve the LORD.

9 And the king said unto him, Go in peace. So he arose, and went to Hebron.

10 But Absalom sent spies throughout all the tribes of Israel, m Jos. 15.51. saying, As soon as ye hear then Ps.3.1,2. sound of the trumpet, then ye shall say, Absalom reigneth i in Hebron.

thung.

ver.6.

Ju.9.3.

11 And with Absalom went two p ch. 19.9. hundred men out of Jerusalem, that 3 thrust. were called; and they went in their 4 choose. Simplicity, and they knew not any s at his feet. 12 And Absalom sent for Ahitho-9 ch. 12.11. hel the Gilonite, David's counsel16.21,22, lor, from his city,even from Giloh,mr ch.8.18. while he offered sacrifices. And the s ch.18.2. tonspiracy was strong; for the peo-6 wander in plen increased continually with going. Absalom.

t 1Sa.23.13.

Ahithophet's counsel cursed. pass over. And Ittai the Gittite passed over, and all his men, and all the little ones that were with him.

23 And all the country wept v with a loud voice, and all the people passed over: the king also himself passed over the brook 7 Kidron, and all the people passed over, toward the way of the wilderness.w

24 T And lo, Zadok also, and all the Levites were with him, bearing x the ark of the covenant of God and they set down the ark of God; and Abiathar went up, until

all the people had done passing out

of the city.

25 And the king said unto Zadok, Carry back the ark of God into the city; if I shall find favour in the eyes of the LORD, he y will bring me again, and show me both it, and his habitation;

26 But if he thus say, I have no

to David, saying, Theo hearts of the men of Israel are after Absalom. 14 And David said unto all his servants that were with him at Jerusalem, Arise, and let us flee; p for we shall not else escape from Absalom: make speed to depart, lest he overtake us suddenly, and 3 bring evil upon us, and smite the city with the edge of the sword.

15 And the king's servants said unto the king, Behold, thy servants are ready to do whatsoever my lord the king shall 4 appoint.

Pr. 17.17. 18.24. Mat.8.19,

16 And the king went forth, and all his household 5 after him.' And x Nu.4.15. the king left ten women, which were y Ps.43.3,4. concubines, g to keep the house.

17 And the king went forth, and all the people after him, and tarried in a place that was far off.

63.1,2. Is.38.22.

z ch.22.20.

Nu. 14.8.
IKI. 10.9.

18 And all his servants passed on beside him; and all the Chereth-a 1Sa.3.18. tes, and all the Pelethites, and b 18a.9.9. all the Gittites, six hundred mene ch.17.16. which came after him from Gath, 8 going up, passed on before the king.

and weeping.

d ch.19.4. Es.6.12.

e Is.20.2,4.

19 Then said the king to Ittai s the Gittite, Wherefore goest thou also with us? return to thy place, and abide with the king: for thou art a stranger, and also an exile. 20 Whereas thou camest but yes- f Jer. 14.3,4. terday, should I this day make theeg Ps. 126.6. go up and down with us? Seeing ver.12. got whither I may, return thou, ch. 16.23. and take back thy brethren: mercy and truth be with thee. 21 And Ittai answered the king, Jos. 16.2. and said, u As the LORD liveth, and my lord the king liveth, surely in m ch.1.2. what place my lord the king shall n ch. 19.35. be, whether in dcash or life, even o ch.16.19. there also will thy servant be.

22 And David said to Ittai, Go and

17.14,23. k Job 5.13.

pch. 17.5,14.

I, let a him do to me as seemeth good unto him.

27 The king said also unto Zadok the priest, Art not thou a seer? b return into the city in peace, and your two sons with you, Ahimaaz thy son, and Jonathan the son of Abiathar.

28 See, I will tarry in the plain of the wilderness, c until there come word from you to certify me.

29 Zadok therefore and Abiathar carried the ark of God again to Jerusalem: and they tarried there. 30 And David went up by the ascent of mount Olivet, 8 and wept as he went up, and had his head d covered, and he went barefoot: e and all the people that was with him covered ƒ every man his head, and they went up, weeping, g as they went up.

31 And one told David, saying, Ahithophel h is among the conspirators with Absalom. And David said, O LORD, I pray thee, turn i the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness.k 32 And it came to pass, that when David was come to the top of the mount, where he worshipped God, behold, Hushai the Archite / came to meet him with m his coat rent,

and earth upon his head:

33 Unto whom David said, If thou passest on with me, then thou shalt be a burden n unto me:

34 But if thou return to the city, and say unto Absalom, Io will be thy servant, O king; as I have been thy father's servant hitherto, so will I now also be thy servant: then mayest thou for me p defeat the counsel or Ahithophel.

35 And hast thou not there with thee Zadok and Abiathar the