1 - 4 ), and subsequently was accepted by the remaining tribes after the murder of Ish-Bosheth, one of Saul's surviving sons ( 5:1-5 ). 25 and Sheva was secretary; and xZadok and Abiathar were priests; 3 and I will bring all the people back to you as a bride comes home to her husband. 37 Please let your servant return, that I may die in my own city near the grave of my father and my mother. 19 Then Ahimaaz the son of Zadok said, [d] 2 Samuel 15:36 “Let me run and carry news to the king that [e] 2 Samuel 18:31 the Lord has delivered him from the hand of his enemies.” 20 And Joab said to him, “You are not to carry news today. In 2 Samuel 7:12-16 there follows a more precise definition of the way in which the Lord would build a house for His servant David: "When thy days shall become full, and thou shalt lie with thy fathers, I will set up thy seed after thee, who shall come from thy body, and establish his kingdom. They said to David, f“Arise, and go quickly over the water, for thus and so has Ahithophel counseled against you.” 26 And Israel and Absalom encamped in the land of Gilead. 18 And the three sons of Zeruiah were there, Joab, Abishai, and Asahel. 28 brought beds, basins, and earthen vessels, wheat, barley, flour, parched grain, beans and lentils,7 18:1 Then David mustered the men who were with him and set over them commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds. But a man of sthe hill country of Ephraim, called Sheba the son of Bichri, has lifted up his hand against King David. w You have spoken also of your servant’s house for a great while to come, and this is instruction for mankind, O Lord G od! A female servant was to go and tell them, and they were to go and tell King David, for they were not to be seen entering the city. 25 The watchman called out and told the king. If half of us die, they will not care about us. 2 Samuel 18 David and Ziba 16 When David had passed a little beyond p the summit , q Ziba the servant of Mephibosheth met him , with a couple of donkeys saddled , bearing two hundred loaves of bread , r a hundred bunches of raisins , a hundred of summer fruits , and a skin of wine . ... 2 a He said, b “The L ord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, Library. 15:30, 32 the summit, # See ch. Let him go over with my lord the king, and do for him whatever seems good to you.” What shall we do?” 26 The watchman saw another man running. 2 Samuel 11 English Standard Version (ESV) David and Bathsheba. 16Then Joab blew the trumpet, and the troops came back from pursuing Israel, for Joab restrained them. 2Sa 18:2 And David sent out the army, one third under the command of Joab, one third under the command of Abishai the son of Zeruiah, Joab’s brother, and one third under the command of Ittai the Gittite. rI will strike down only the king, 7 And there went out after him Joab’s men and the jCherethites and the Pelethites, and all the mighty men. 16 Then a wise woman called from the city, “Listen! 11 Joab said to the man who told him, “What, you saw him! 9 Behold, even now he has hidden himself in one of the pits or in some other place. 2 And on the third day, behold, a man came from Saul's camp, with his clothes torn and dirt on his head. But David remained at Jerusalem. And the king took gthe ten concubines whom he had left to care for the house and put them in a house under guard and provided for them, but did not go in to them. And he blew the trumpet and said. 16 When David had passed a little beyond pthe summit, qZiba the servant of Mephibosheth met him, with a couple of donkeys saddled, bearing two hundred loaves of bread, ra hundred bunches of raisins, a hundred of summer fruits, and a skin of wine. Now Asahel was q as swift of foot as a wild gazelle . 17 And he came near her, and the woman said, “Are you Joab?” He answered, “I am.” Then she said to him, “Listen to the words of your servant.” And he answered, “I am listening.” 39 Then all the people went over the Jordan, and the king went over. 2 And David sent out the army, one third under the command of Joab, one third under the command of Abishai the son of Zeruiah, Joab’s brother, and one third under the command of sIttai the Gittite. 27 When David came to Mahanaim, mShobi the son of Nahash from nRabbah of the Ammonites, and oMachir the son of Ammiel from Lo-debar, and pBarzillai the Gileadite from Rogelim, 41 Then all the men of Israel came to the king and said to the king, “Why have our brothers the men of Judah stolen you away and zbrought the king and his household over the Jordan, and all David’s men with him?” 13On the other hand, if I had dealt treacherously against his lifeb (and there is nothing hidden from the king), then you yourself would have stood aloof.” 13 If he withdraws into a city, then all Israel will bring ropes to that city, and we shall drag it into the valley, until not even a pebble is to be found there.” lSo Joab struck him with it min the stomach and spilled his entrails to the ground without striking a second blow, and he died. 3 And the people stole into the city that day as people steal in who are ashamed when they flee in battle. 14Joab said, “I will not waste time like this with you.” And he took three javelins in his hand and thrust them into the heart of Absalom while he was still alive in the oak. 27 pHe has slandered your servant to my lord the king. 15 And ten young men, Joab’s armor-bearers, surrounded Absalom and struck him and killed him. 24Now David was sitting between the two gates, and the watchman went up to the roof of the gate by the wall, and when he lifted up his eyes and looked, he saw a man running alone. Why should the king repay me with such a reward? But my lord the king is qlike the angel of God; do therefore what seems good to you. 8 After this David defeated the Philistines and subdued them, and David took () Metheg-ammah out of the hand of the Philistines. 2 Samuel depicts David as a true (though imperfect) representative of the ideal theocratic king. 17And they took Absalom and threw him into a great pit in the forest and raised over him a very great heap of stones. And as he went, he said, “O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! 22 Then Ahimaaz the son of Zadok said again to Joab, “Come what may, let me also run after the Cushite.” And Joab said, “Why will you run, my son, seeing that you will have no reward for the news?” 21 Then Joab said to the Cushite, “Go, tell the king what you have seen.” The Cushite bowed before Joab, and ran. 23 “Come what may,” he said, “I will run.” So he said to him, “Run.” Then Ahimaaz ran by the way of fthe plain, and outran the Cushite. So they were shut up until the day of their death, living as if in widowhood. 31 Now sBarzillai the Gileadite had come down from Rogelim, and he went on with the king to the Jordan, to escort him over the Jordan. Why then should your servant be wan added burden to my lord the king? 10 But Absalom, whom we anointed over us, is dead in battle. He had neither taken care of his feet nor trimmed his beard nor washed his clothes, from the day the king departed until the day he came back in safety. But the men of Judah followed their king steadfastly from the Jordan to Jerusalem. 33d And the king was deeply moved and went up to the chamber over the gate and wept. Amasa was the son of a man named Ithra the Ishmaelite,6 who had married Abigal the daughter of lNahash, sister of Zeruiah, Joab’s mother. 11Joab said to the man who told him, “What, you saw him! 30 And the king said, “Turn aside and stand here.” So he turned aside and stood still. 20 And Joab said to him, “You are not to carry news today. 12But the man said to Joab, “Even if I felt in my hand the weight of a thousand pieces of silver, I would not reach out my hand against the king’s son, for in our hearing the king commanded you and Abishai and Ittai, ‘For my sake protect the young man Absalom.’ Absalom's Conspiracy - After this Absalom got himself a chariot and horses, and fifty men to run before him. Why will you qswallow up rthe heritage of the Lord?” 18 And the p three sons of Zeruiah were there, Joab, Abishai, and Asahel. Why then should you be the last to bring back the king?’ So both of them went away quickly and came to the house of a man at Bahurim, who had a well in his courtyard. 18:34 Hamath heard that David had defeated the whole army of Hadadezer, 10 Toi sent his son Joram to King David, to ask about his health and to bless him because he had fought against Hadadezer and defeated him, for Hadadezer had often been at war with Toi. 30 And Mephibosheth said to the king, “Oh, let him take it all, since my lord the king has come safely home.”. 26 and yIra the Jairite was also David’s priest. 6 because you love those who hate you and hate those who love you. 18Now Absalom in his lifetime had taken and set up for himself the pillar that is in the King’s Valley, for he said, “I have no son to keep my name in remembrance.” He called the pillar after his own name, and it is called Absalom’s monumentc to this day. And the watchman called to the gate and said, “See, another man running alone!” The king said, “He also brings news.” And all Israel fled every one to his own home. 5And the king ordered Joab and Abishai and Ittai, “Deal gently for my sake with the young man Absalom.” And all the people heard when the king gave orders to all the commanders about Absalom. 15 And all the men who were with Joab came and besieged him in nAbel of Beth-maacah. Have we eaten at all at the king’s expense? 14 And Sheba passed through all the tribes of Israel to nAbel of nBeth-maacah,2 and all othe Bichrites3 assembled and followed him in. For if we flee, they will not care about us. By daybreak not one was left who had not crossed the Jordan. Psalm 18:2; 2 Samuel 22:2. But you are worth ten thousand of us. 8The battle spread over the face of all the country, and the forest devoured more people that day than the sword. 22 So they pitched a tent for Absalom non the roof. 40 The king went on to Gilgal, and Chimham went on with him. 15 So the king came back to the Jordan, and Judah came to Gilgal to meet the king and to bring the king over the Jordan. And they cut off the head of Sheba the son of Bichri and threw it out to Joab. 1 Moreover, Ahithophel said to Absalom, “Let me choose twelve thousand men, and I will arise and pursue David tonight. 11 And David said to Abishai and to all his servants, “Behold, emy own son seeks my life; how much more now may this Benjaminite! 11 And King David sent this message to xZadok and Abiathar the priests: “Say to the elders of Judah, ‘Why should you be the last to bring the king back to his house, when the word of all Israel has come to the king?1 7 And Shimei said as he xcursed, “Get out, get out, you man of blood, you worthless man! Can I discern what is pleasant and what is not? 21Then Joab said to the Cushite, “Go, tell the king what you have seen.” The Cushite bowed before Joab, and ran. 19 I am one of those who are peaceable and faithful in Israel. If half of us die, they will not care about us. 7 And the men of Israel were defeated there by the servants of David, and the loss there was great on that day, twenty thousand men. 2 Samuel 2:18English Standard Version (ESV) 18 And the three sons of Zeruiah were there, Joab, Abishai, and Asahel. 24 Then David came to jMahanaim. 1Then David mustered the men who were with him and set over them commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds. For if we flee, they will not care about us. 9 Then Abishai the son of Zeruiah said to the king, “Why should this adead dog bcurse my lord the king? 3 tBut the men said, “You shall not go out. 19 and said to the king, f“Let not my lord hold me guilty or remember how your servant gdid wrong on the day my lord the king left Jerusalem. 24 Now David gwas sitting between the two gates, and hthe watchman went up to the roof of the gate by the wall, and when he lifted up his eyes and looked, he saw a man running alone. 4 Then the king said to hAmasa, “Call the men of Judah together to me within three days, and be here yourself.” 16:14; [Deut. 25:18] weary and discouraged and throw him into a panic, and all the people who are with him will flee. Should it not be his son? What further right have I, then, to cry to the king?” 14 And he swayed the heart of all the men of Judah cas one man, so that they sent word to the king, “Return, both you and all your servants.” 13 And say to Amasa, z‘Are you not my bone and my flesh? 8 Hushai said, “You know that your father and his men are mighty men, and that they are enraged,2 tlike a bear robbed of her cubs in the field. 9:2-13 Ziba the servant of Mephibosheth met him, with a couple of donkeys saddled, bearing two hundred loaves of bread, # [1 Sam. 28 Then Ahimaaz cried out to the king, “All is well.” And he bowed before the king with his face to the earth and said, k“Blessed be the Lord your God, who has delivered up the men who raised their hand against my lord the king.” 25The watchman called out and told the king. 20 Now there happened to be there da worthless man, whose name was Sheba, the son of Bichri, a Benjaminite. And the watchman called to the gate and said, “See, another man running alone!” The king said, “He also brings news.” Were we not the first to speak of bringing back our king?” cBut the words of the men of Judah were fiercer than the words of the men of Israel. 12:20; Ruth 3:3] Do not anoint yourself with oil, but behave like a woman who has been mourning many days for the dead. 25:18] a hundred bunches of raisins, a hundred of summer fruits, and a skin of wine. Therefore it is better that you send us help from the city.” 2 Samuel 21:22 These four were descended from the giants in Gath, and they fell by the hand of David and by the hand of his servants. 18 Now Absalom in his lifetime had taken and set up for himself athe pillar that is in bthe King’s Valley, for he said, c“I have no son to keep my name in remembrance.” He called the pillar after his own name, and it is called Absalom’s monument3 to this day. 27 The watchman said, “I think the running of the first is ilike the running of Ahimaaz the son of Zadok.” And the king said, j“He is a good man and comes with good news.”. jWhy did you not go with your friend?” Leave him alone, and let him curse, for the Lord has told him to. 5 And the king ordered Joab and Abishai and Ittai, “Deal gently for my sake with the young man Absalom.” uAnd all the people heard when the king gave orders to all the commanders about Absalom. Why then did you not strike him there to the ground? And the king said, “If he is alone, there is news in his mouth.” And he drew nearer and nearer. 20 Then Abner looked behind him and said , “ Is it you , Asahel ? 23 lAnd the king said to Shimei, “You shall not die.” And the king gave him his oath. 3But the men said, “You shall not go out. 8 The battle spread over the face of all the country, and the forest devoured more people that day than the sword. And when he came to David, he fell to the ground and paid homage. 20 When Absalom’s servants came to the woman at the house, they said, “Where are Ahimaaz and Jonathan?” And the woman said to them, “They have gone over the brook5 of water.” And when they had sought and could not find them, they returned to Jerusalem. Therefore it is better that you send us help from the city.” 2 So the victory that day was turned into mourning for all the people, for the people heard that day, “The king is grieving for his son.” 18 Then King David went in and sat before the L ord and said, v “Who am I, O Lord G od, and what is my house, that you have brought me thus far? 15 After this Absalom got himself a chariot and horses, and fifty men to run … 3 And David came to his house at Jerusalem. 1 When David had passed a little beyond # ch. Now Asahel was as swift of foot as a wild gazelle. 12 It may be that the Lord will look on the wrong done to me,1 and that the Lord will repay me with good for his cursing today.” 21 Ahithophel said to Absalom, “Go in to lyour father’s concubines, whom he has left to keep the house, and all Israel will hear that you have made yourself a stench to your father, and mthe hands of all who are with you will be strengthened.” 31 And behold, the Cushite came, and the Cushite said, “Good news for my lord the king! But here is your servant xChimham. Now Israel had tfled every man to his own home. 22Then Ahimaaz the son of Zadok said again to Joab, “Come what may, let me also run after the Cushite.” And Joab said, “Why will you run, my son, seeing that you will have no reward for the news?” Keil and Delitzsch Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament. 19 And Asahel pursued Abner, and as he went, he turned neither to the right hand nor to the left from following Abner. 26The watchman saw another man running. 4 The king pcovered his face, and the king cried with a loud voice, q“O my son Absalom, O Absalom, my son, my son!” 2 Samuel 18 Absalom Killed. 10 But Amasa did not observe the sword that was in Joab’s hand. Let me go over and take off his head.” 15 yThen Hushai said to Zadok and Abiathar the priests, “Thus and so did Ahithophel counsel Absalom and the elders of Israel, and thus and so have I counseled. # [ch. Listen! 17 Now bJonathan and Ahimaaz were waiting at cEn-rogel. 12 And Amasa lay wallowing in his blood in the highway. Absalom was riding on his mule, and the mule went under the thick branches of a great oak,1 wand his head caught fast in the oak, and he was suspended between heaven and earth, while the mule that was under him went on.