2 Samuel 15

Geneva Bible

1After this, Absalom prepared him charets and horses, and fiftie men to runne before him.

2And Absalom rose vp early, and stoode hard by the entring in of the gate: and euery man that had any matter, and came to the King for iudgement, him did Absalom call vnto him, and sayde, Of what citie art thou? And he answered, Thy seruant is of one of the tribes of Israel.

3Then Absalom said vnto him, See, thy matters are good and righteous, but there is no man deputed of the King to heare thee.

4Absalom sayd moreouer, Oh that I were made Iudge in the lande, that euery man which hath any matter of controuersie, might come to me, that I might do him iustice.

5And when any man came neere to him, and did him obeisance, he put forth his hand, and tooke him, and kissed him.

6And on this maner did Absalom to al Israel, that came to the King for iudgement: so Absalom stale the hearts of the men of Israel.

7And after fourtie yeeres, Absalom sayd vnto the King, I pray thee, let me go to Hebron, and render my vowe which I haue vowed vnto the Lord.

8For thy seruant vowed a vowe when I remayned at Geshur, in Aram, saying, If the Lord shall bring me againe in deede to Ierusalem, I will serue the Lord.

9And the King sayd vnto him, Go in peace. So he arose, and went to Hebron.

10Then Absalom sent spyes throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, When yee heare the sound of the trumpet, Ye shall say, Absalom reigneth in Hebron.

11And with Absalom went two hundreth men out of Ierusalem, that were called: and they went in their simplicitie, knowing nothing.

12Also Absalom sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite Dauids counseller, from his citie Giloh, while he offred sacrifices: and the treason was great: for the people encreased still with Absalom.

13Then came a messenger to Dauid, saying, The hearts of the men of Israel are turned after Absalom.

14Then Dauid sayd vnto all his seruants that were with him at Ierusalem, Vp, and let vs flee: for we shall not escape from Absalom: make speede to depart, lest he come suddenly and take vs, and bring euill vpon vs, and smite the citie with the edge of the sworde.

15And the Kings seruants sayd vnto him, Behold, thy seruants are ready to do according to all that my lord the King shall appoynt.

16So the King departed and all his houshold after him, and the King left ten concubines to keepe the house.

17And the King went forth and all the people after him, and taried in a place farre off.

18And all his seruants went about him, and all the Cherethites and all the Pelethites and all the Gittites, euen sixe hudreth men which were come after him from Gath, went before the King.

19Then sayde the King to Ittai the Gittite, Wherefore commest thou also with vs? Returne aud abide with the King, for thou art a stranger: depart thou therefore to thy place.

20Thou camest yesterday, and should I cause thee to wander to day and go with vs? I will goe whither I can: therefore returne thou and cary againe thy brethren: mercy and trueth be with thee.

21And Ittai answered the King, and sayde, As the Lord liueth, and as my lord the King liueth, in what place my lord the King shalbe, whether in death or life, euen there surely will thy seruant bee.

22Then Dauid sayd to Ittai, Come, and go forward. And Ittai the Gittite went, and all his men, and all the children that were with him.

23And all the countrey wept with a loude voyce, and all the people went forward, but the King passed ouer the brooke Kidron: and all the people went ouer toward the way of ye wildernes.

24And lo, Zadok also was there, and all the Leuites with him, bearing the Arke of the couenant of God: and they set downe the Arke of God, and Abiathar went vp vntill the people were all come out of the citie.

25Then the King said vnto Zadok, Carie the Arke of God againe into the citie: if I shall finde fauour in the eyes of the Lord, he will bring me againe, and shewe me both it, and the Tabernacle thereof.

26But if he thus say, I haue no delite in thee, behold, here am I, let him doe to me as seemeth good in his eyes.

27The King sayde againe vnto Zadok the Priest, Art not thou a Seer? returne into the citie in peace, and your two sonnes with you: to wit, Ahimaaz thy sonne, and Ionathan the sonne of Abiathar.

28Behold, I wil tarie in the fieldes of the wildernesse, vntill there come some worde from you to be tolde me.

29Zadok therefore and Abiathar caried the Arke of God againe to Ierusalem, and they taried there.

30And Dauid went vp the mount of oliues and wept as he went vp, and had his head couered, and went barefooted: and al the people that was with him, had euery man his head couered, and as they went vp, they wept.

31Then one tolde Dauid, saying, Ahithophel is one of them that haue cospired with Absalom: and Dauid sayde, O Lord, I pray thee, turne the counsell of Ahithophel into foolishnesse.

32Then Dauid came to the toppe of the mount where he worshipped God: and beholde, Hushai the Archite came against him with his coate torne, and hauing earth vpon his head.

33Vnto whom Dauid sayd, If thou goe with me, thou shalt be a burthen vnto me.

34But if thou returne to the citie, and say vnto Absalom, I wil be thy seruant, O King, (as I haue bene in time past thy fathers seruant, so will I now be thy seruant) then thou mayest bring me the counsell of Ahithophel to nought.

35And hast thou not there with thee Zadok and Abiathar the Priests? therefore what so euer thou shalt heare out of the Kings house, thou shalt shew to Zadok and Abiathar the Priests.

36Beholde, there are with them their two sonnes: Ahimaaz Zadoks sonne, and Ionathan Abiathars sonne: by them also shall ye send me euery thing that ye can heare.

37So Hushai Dauids friend went into the citie: and Absalom came into Ierusalem.

Reina-Valera 1909

1ACONTECIÓ después de esto, que Absalom se hizo de carros y caballos, y cincuenta hombres que corriesen delante de él.

2Y levantábase Absalom de mañana, y poníase á un lado del camino de la puerta; y á cualquiera que tenía pleito y venía al rey á juicio, Absalom le llamaba á sí, y decíale: ¿De qué ciudad eres? Y él respondía: Tu siervo es de una de las tribus de Israel.

3Entonces Absalom le decía: Mira, tus palabras son buenas y justas: mas no tienes quien te oiga por el rey.

4Y decía Absalom: ¡Quién me pusiera por juez en la tierra, para que viniesen á mí todos los que tienen pleito ó negocio, que yo les haría justicia!

5Y acontecía que, cuando alguno se llegaba para inclinarse á él, él extendía la mano, y lo tomaba, y lo besaba.

6Y de esta manera hacía con todo Israel que venía al rey á juicio: y así robaba Absalom el corazón de los de Israel.

7Y al cabo de cuarenta años aconteció que Absalom dijo al rey: Yo te ruego me permitas que vaya á Hebrón, á pagar mi voto que he prometido á Jehová:

8Porque tu siervo hizo voto cuando estaba en Gessur en Siria, diciendo: Si Jehová me volviere á Jerusalem, yo serviré á Jehová.

9Y el rey le dijo: Ve en paz. Y él se levantó, y se fué á Hebrón.

10Empero envió Absalom espías por todas las tribus de Israel, diciendo: Cuando oyereis el sonido de la trompeta, diréis: Absalom reina en Hebrón.

11Y fueron con Absalom doscientos hombres de Jerusalem por él convidados, los cuales iban en su sencillez, sin saber nada.

12También envió Absalom por Achitophel Gilonita, del consejo de David, á Gilo su ciudad, mientras hacía sus sacrificios. Y la conjuración vino á ser grande, pues se iba aumentando el pueblo con Absalom.

13Y vino el aviso á David, diciendo: El corazón de todo Israel va tras Absalom.

14Entonces David dijo á todos sus siervos que estaban con él en Jerusalem: Levantaos y huyamos, porque no podremos escapar delante de Absalom; daos priesa á partir, no sea que apresurándose él nos alcance, y arroje el mal sobre nosotros, y hiera la ciudad á filo de espada.

15Y los siervos del rey dijeron al rey: He aquí, tus siervos están prestos á todo lo que nuestro señor el rey eligiere.

16El rey entonces salió, con toda su familia en pos de él. Y dejó el rey diez mujeres concubinas para que guardasen la casa.

17Salió pues el rey con todo el pueblo que le seguía, y paráronse en un lugar distante.

18Y todos sus siervos pasaban á su lado, con todos los Ceretheos y Peletheos; y todos los Getheos, seiscientos hombres que habían venido á pie desde Gath, iban delante del rey.

19Y dijo el rey á Ittai Getheo: ¿Para qué vienes tú también con nosotros? vuélvete y quédate con el rey; porque tú eres extranjero, y desterrado también de tu lugar.

20¿Ayer viniste, y téngote de hacer hoy que mudes lugar para ir con nosotros? Yo voy como voy: tú vuélvete, y haz volver á tus hermanos; en ti haya misericordia y verdad.

21Y respondió Ittai al rey, diciendo: Vive Dios, y vive mi señor el rey, que, ó para muerte ó para vida, donde mi señor el rey estuviere, allí estará también tu siervo.

22Entonces David dijo á Ittai: Ven pues, y pasa. Y pasó Ittai Getheo, y todos sus hombres, y toda su familia.

23Y todo el país lloró en alta voz; pasó luego toda la gente el torrente de Cedrón; asimismo pasó el rey, y todo el pueblo pasó, al camino que va al desierto.

24Y he aquí, también iba Sadoc, y con él todos los Levitas que llevaban el arca del pacto de Dios; y asentaron el arca del pacto de Dios. Y subió Abiathar después que hubo acabado de salir de la ciudad todo el pueblo.

25Pero dijo el rey á Sadoc: Vuelve el arca de Dios á la ciudad; que si yo hallare gracia en los ojos de Jehová, él me volverá, y me hará ver á ella y á su tabernáculo:

26Y si dijere: No me agradas: aquí estoy, haga de mí lo que bien le pareciere.

27Dijo aún el rey á Sadoc sacerdote: ¿No eres tú el vidente? Vuélvete en paz á la ciudad; y con vosotros vuestros dos hijos, tu hijo Ahimaas, y Jonathán hijo de Abiathar.

28Mirad, yo me detendré en los campos del desierto, hasta que venga respuesta de vosotros que me dé aviso.

29Entonces Sadoc y Abiathar volvieron el arca de Dios á Jerusalem; y estuviéronse allá.

30Y David subió la cuesta de las olivas; y subióla llorando, llevando la cabeza cubierta, y los pies descalzos. También todo el pueblo que tenía consigo cubrió cada uno su cabeza, y subieron llorando así como subían.

31Y dieron aviso á David, diciendo: Achitophel está entre los que conspiraron con Absalom. Entonces dijo David: Entontece ahora, oh Jehová, el consejo de Achitophel.

32Y como David llegó á la cumbre del monte para adorar allí á Dios, he aquí Husai Arachîta que le salió al encuentro, trayendo rota su ropa, y tierra sobre su cabeza.

33Y díjole David: Si pasares conmigo, serme has de carga;

34Mas si volvieres á la ciudad, y dijeres á Absalom: Rey, yo seré tu siervo; como hasta aquí he sido siervo de tu padre, así seré ahora siervo tuyo, entonces tú me disiparás el consejo de Achitophel.

35¿No estarán allí contigo Sadoc y Abiathar sacerdotes? Por tanto, todo lo que oyeres en la casa del rey, darás aviso de ello á Sadoc y á Abiathar sacerdotes.

36Y he aquí que están con ellos sus dos hijos, Ahimaas el de Sadoc, y Jonathán el de Abiathar: por mano de ellos me enviaréis aviso de todo lo que oyereis.

37Así se vino Husai amigo de David á la ciudad; y Absalom entró en Jerusalem.

King James Version

1And it came to pass after this, that Absalom prepared him chariots and horses, and fifty men to run before him.

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

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

4Absalom said moreover, Oh 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!

5And 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.

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

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

8For thy servant vowed a vow while I abode at Geshur in Syria, saying, If the LORD shall bring me again indeed to Jerusalem, then I will serve the LORD.

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

10But Absalom sent spies throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, As soon as ye hear the sound of the trumpet, then ye shall say, Absalom reigneth in Hebron.

11And with Absalom went two hundred men out of Jerusalem, that were called; and they went in their simplicity, and they knew not any thing.

12And Absalom sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David’s counsellor, from his city, even from Giloh, while he offered sacrifices. And the conspiracy was strong; for the people increased continually with Absalom.

13And there came a messenger to David, saying, The hearts of the men of Israel are after Absalom.

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

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

16And the king went forth, and all his household after him. And the king left ten women, which were concubines, to keep the house.

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

18And all his servants passed on beside him; and all the Cherethites, and all the Pelethites, and all the Gittites, six hundred men which came after him from Gath, passed on before the king.

19Then said the king to Ittai 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.

20Whereas thou camest but yesterday, should I this day make thee go up and down with us? seeing I go whither I may, return thou, and take back thy brethren: mercy and truth be with thee.

21And Ittai answered the king, and said, As the LORD liveth, and as my lord the king liveth, surely in what place my lord the king shall be, whether in death or life, even there also will thy servant be.

22And David said to Ittai, Go and pass over. And Ittai the Gittite passed over, and all his men, and all the little ones that were with him.

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

24And lo Zadok also, and all the Levites were with him, bearing 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.

25And 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 will bring me again, and shew me both it, and his habitation:

26But if he thus say, I have no delight in thee; behold, here am I, let him do to me as seemeth good unto him.

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

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

29Zadok therefore and Abiathar carried the ark of God again to Jerusalem: and they tarried there.

30And David went up by the ascent of mount Olivet, and wept as he went up, and had his head covered, and he went barefoot: and all the people that was with him covered every man his head, and they went up, weeping as they went up.

31And one told David, saying, Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom. And David said, O LORD, I pray thee, turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness.

32And 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 his coat rent, and earth upon his head:

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

34But if thou return to the city, and say unto Absalom, I 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 defeat the counsel of Ahithophel.

35And hast thou not there with thee Zadok and Abiathar the priests? therefore it shall be, that what thing soever thou shalt hear out of the king’s house, thou shalt tell it to Zadok and Abiathar the priests.

36Behold, they have there with them their two sons, Ahimaaz Zadok’s son, and Jonathan Abiathar’s son; and by them ye shall send unto me every thing that ye can hear.

37So Hushai David’s friend came into the city, and Absalom came into Jerusalem.

World English Bible

1After this, Absalom prepared a chariot and horses for himself, and fifty men to run before him.

2Absalom rose up early, and stood beside the way of the gate. When any man had a suit which should come to the king for judgment, then Absalom called to him, and said, “What city are you from?” He said, “Your servant is of one of the tribes of Israel.”

3Absalom said to him, “Behold, your matters are good and right; but there is no man deputized by the king to hear you.”

4Absalom said moreover, “Oh that I were made judge in the land, that every man who has any suit or cause might come to me, and I would do him justice!”

5It was so, that when any man came near to bow down to him, he stretched out his hand, took hold of him, and kissed him.

6Absalom did this sort of thing to all Israel who came to the king for judgment. So Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel.

7At the end of forty years, Absalom said to the king, “Please let me go and pay my vow, which I have vowed to the LORD, in Hebron.

8For your servant vowed a vow while I stayed at Geshur in Syria, saying, ‘If the LORD shall indeed bring me again to Jerusalem, then I will serve the LORD.’”

9The king said to him, “Go in peace.” So he arose and went to Hebron.

10But Absalom sent spies throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, “As soon as you hear the sound of the trumpet, then you shall say, ‘Absalom is king in Hebron!’”

11Two hundred men went with Absalom out of Jerusalem, who were invited, and went in their simplicity; and they didn’t know anything.

12Absalom sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David’s counselor, from his city, even from Giloh, while he was offering the sacrifices. The conspiracy was strong, for the people increased continually with Absalom.

13A messenger came to David, saying, “The hearts of the men of Israel are after Absalom.”

14David said to all his servants who were with him at Jerusalem, “Arise! Let’s flee, or else none of us will escape from Absalom. Hurry to depart, lest he overtake us quickly and bring down evil on us, and strike the city with the edge of the sword.”

15The king’s servants said to the king, “Behold, your servants are ready to do whatever my lord the king chooses.”

16The king went out, and all his household after him. The king left ten women, who were concubines, to keep the house.

17The king went out, and all the people after him; and they stayed in Beth Merhak.

18All his servants passed on beside him; and all the Cherethites, and all the Pelethites, and all the Gittites, six hundred men who came after him from Gath, passed on before the king.

19Then the king said to Ittai the Gittite, “Why do you also go with us? Return, and stay with the king; for you are a foreigner and also an exile. Return to your own place.

20Whereas you came but yesterday, should I today make you go up and down with us, since I go where I may? Return, and take back your brothers. Mercy and truth be with you.”

21Ittai answered the king and said, “As the LORD lives, and as my lord the king lives, surely in what place my lord the king is, whether for death or for life, your servant will be there also.”

22David said to Ittai, “Go and pass over.” Ittai the Gittite passed over, and all his men, and all the little ones who were with him.

23All the country wept with a loud voice, and all the people passed over. The king also himself passed over the brook Kidron, and all the people passed over toward the way of the wilderness.

24Behold, Zadok also came, and all the Levites with him, bearing the ark of the covenant of God; and they set down God’s ark; and Abiathar went up until all the people finished passing out of the city.

25The king said to Zadok, “Carry God’s ark back into the city. If I find favor in the LORD’s eyes, he will bring me again, and show me both it and his habitation;

26but if he says, ‘I have no delight in you,’ behold, here I am. Let him do to me as seems good to him.”

27The king said also to Zadok the priest, “Aren’t you a seer? Return into the city in peace, and your two sons with you, Ahimaaz your son and Jonathan the son of Abiathar.

28Behold, I will stay at the fords of the wilderness until word comes from you to inform me.”

29Zadok therefore and Abiathar carried God’s ark to Jerusalem again; and they stayed there.

30David went up by the ascent of the Mount of Olives, and wept as he went up; and he had his head covered and went barefoot. All the people who were with him each covered his head, and they went up, weeping as they went up.

31Someone told David, saying, “Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom.” David said, “LORD, please turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness.”

32When David had come to the top, where God was worshiped, behold, Hushai the Archite came to meet him with his tunic torn and earth on his head.

33David said to him, “If you pass on with me, then you will be a burden to me;

34but if you return to the city, and tell Absalom, ‘I will be your servant, O king. As I have been your father’s servant in time past, so I will now be your servant; then you will defeat for me the counsel of Ahithophel.’

35Don’t you have Zadok and Abiathar the priests there with you? Therefore whatever you hear out of the king’s house, tell it to Zadok and Abiathar the priests.

36Behold, they have there with them their two sons, Ahimaaz, Zadok’s son, and Jonathan, Abiathar’s son. Send to me everything that you shall hear by them.”

37So Hushai, David’s friend, came into the city; and Absalom came into Jerusalem.