David's adultery.

Uriah flats.

ed into the city. So Joab returned from the children of Araraon, and tame to Jerusalem.

15 ^ And when the Syrians saw that they were smitten before Israel, they gathered themselves together.

18 And Hadarezer sent, and brought out the Syrians that ivere beyond the river: and they came £o Helam; and Shobach the captain of the host of Hadarezer went before them.

17 And when it was told David, he gatheiedall Israel together, and passed over Jordan, and came to Helam. And the Syrians set themselves in array against David, and fought with him.

18 And the Syrians fled before Israel; and David (lew the men of seven hundred chariots of the Syrians, and forty thousand horsemen, and smote Shobach the captain of their host:, who died there.

19 And when all the kings that ivere servants to Hadarezer saw that they were smitten before Israel, they made peace with Israel, and served them. So the Syrians feared to help the children of Ammon any more.

CHAP. XI. I Joab besiegeth Kabbah. 2 David committeth adultery with hath-fhcba. 6 Jjjriah i<stain. 26 David taketh Bathflieba to -wise.

Al^D, it came to pass, after the year was expired, at the time when kings go forth to battle, that David sent Joab, and his servants with him, and all Israel) and they destroyed the children pf AmmoD, ana besieged Rabbali. But David tarried still at Jerusalem.

j fl And it came to pass in an eveningtide, that David arose from off his bed, and walked upon the roof of the king's house: and from the roof he saw a woman washing herself; and the woman nvas very beautiful to look upou.

3 Ana David sent and enquired after the woman. And one said, Is not this Bath-slieba the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?

4. And David sent messengers, and took her; and (lie fame in unto him, and he lay with her; for she was purified from her uncleannesi: and she returned unto her house.

5 And the woman conceived, and sent and told David, and said, I am with child.

6 fl And David sent to Joab, faying, 6end me Uriah the Hittite. And Joab sent Uriah to David.

7 And when Uriah wascome unto him, David demanded of him how Joab did, and how the people did» and how the ■war prospered.

8 And David said to Uriah, Go down to thy house, and wash thy feet. And Uriah departed out of the king's house, and there followed him a mels of meal from-tthe king.

9 But Uriah slept at the door of the? king's house with all the servants of hit lord, and went not down to his house.

ioAnd whentheyhad told David, laying, Uriah went not down unto his house, David said unto Uriah, Camest thou not from thy journey f why then didst thou not go down unto thine house?

11 And Uriah said unto David, The ark, and Israel, and Judah, abide in tents; and my lord Joab, and the servants of my lord are encamped in the open fields; shall I then go into mine house, -to eat and to drink, and to lie with my wife? as thou livest, and a/thy soul liv-> eth, I will not do this thing.

iz And David said to Uriah, Tarry here to day also, and to morrow I will let thee depart. So Uriah abode in Jerusalem that day, and the morrow.

1 j And when David had called him, he did eat and drink before him; and he made him drunk: and at even he went out to lie on his bed with the servants of his lord, but went not down to his house.

i+And it came to pas's in the morning, that David wrote a letter to Joab, and sent it by the hand of Uriah.

15 And he wrote in the letter, saying. Set ye Uriah in the forefront of the hottest battle, and retire ye from him, that he may be smitten, and die.

16 And it came to pass, when Joab observed the city, that he assigned Uriah unto a place where he knew that valiant men tvere.

17 Aud the men of the city went out, and fought with Joab: and there feXXfome of the people of the servants of David; and Uriah the Hittite died also.

18 Then Joab sent and told David all the things concerning the war;

19 And charged the messenger, faying, When thou halt made an end of telling the matters of the war unto the king,'

20 And if so be that the king's wrath arise, and he say unto thee, Wherefore approached ye so nigh unto the city when ye did fight? knew ye not that they would shoot from the wail?

21 Who smote Abimelech the son of Jerubbesheth? did not a woman cast a piece of a milstone upon him from the wall, that he died in Theb'ez? why went ye nigh the wall? then say thou, Thy servant Uriah the Hittite is dead also.

22 So the messenger went, and came,

ana

and (hewed David all that Joab had sent him for.

i] And the messenger said unto David, Surely the men prevailed against us, and came out unto us into the held, and we were upon them even unto the entering of the gate.

1+ And the shooters (hot from off the wall upon thy servants; and _/»/»* of the king's servants be dead, and thy servant Uriah the Hittite is dead also.

i5Then David said unto themessenger, Thus malt thou lay unto Joab, Let not this thing displease thee, for the sword devoureth one as well as another: make thybattlemorestrongagainlt the city ,and overthrow it; and encourage thou him.

aS *& And when the wife of Uriah beard that Uriah her husband was dead, she mourned for her husband.

a 7 And when the mourning was past, David sent and fetched her to his house, an d /be became his wise, and bare him a son. But the thing that David had done cLiipleased the Lord.

CHAP. XII. I Nathan s f arable. 7 David eonfefeth

Ait yin, and it pardoned. 2+ Salomon it

b-irn. 26 Rabbah it taken.

AND the Lord sent Nathan unto David. And he came unto him and said unto him, There were two men in one city, the- one rich and the other poor.

a The rich man had exceeding many flocks and herds:

3 But the poor man had nothing save one little ewe lamb, which he had bought and nourilhed up: and it grew up together with him, and with his children j it did eat of his own meat, and drank of his own cup, and lay in his bosom, and was unto him as a daughter.

4 And there came a traveller unto the rich man, and he spared to take of his own flock and of his own herd to dress fox the wayfaring man that was come unto him. but took theppor man's lamb, and dressed it for the man that was come to him.

5 And David's anger was greatly kindled against the man; and he said to Nathan, At the Lor D liveth, the man that hath done this thing (hall surely die:

6 And he (hall restore the lamb fourfold, because he did this thing, and because he had no pity.

7 «JJ And Nathan said to David, Thou art the man. Thus faith the Lo R D God of Israel; I anointed thee king over Israel, and I delivered thee out of the banes of Saul;

8 And I gave thee thy master's house, and thy malter's wives into thy bosom, and gave thee the house of Israel, and of Judab: and if that had been too little, I would moreover have given unto thee such and such tilings.

9 Wherefore halt thou desoised the commandment of the Lord, to do evil in his fight > thou hast killed Uriah the Hittite with the sword, and hast taken his wife to be thy wife, and hast (lain him with the sword of the children of Amman.

10 Now therefore the sword shall never , depart from thine house; because thou hast despised me, and hast taken the wise of Uriah the Hittite to be thy wife.

11 Thus faith the Lor D, Behold, I will raise up evil against thee out of thine own house, and I will take thy wives before thine eyes, and give them unto thy neighbour, and he (hall lie with thy wives in the sight of this fun.

11 For thou didst // secretly: but I will do this thing before all Israel, and before the sun.

1 3 And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the Lord. And Nathan said unto David, The Lord also hath put away thy sin: thou (halt not die.

14 Howbeit because by this deed thou hast given great occasion to the enemies of the Lo R D to blaspheme, the child also that it born unto thee shall surely die.

15 And Nathan departed unto his house. And the Lord struck the child that Uriah's wife bare unto David, and it was very sick.

16 David therefore besought God for the child; and David fasted, and went in, and lay all night upon the earth.

17 And the elders of his house arose, and went to him, to rails him up from the earth: but he would not, neither did he eat bread with them.

18 And it came to pass on the seventh day,thatthe childdied. And theservants of David feared to tell him that the child was dead: for they said, Behold, while the child was yet alive, we spake unto him, and he would not hearken unto our voice: how will he then vex himself, if we tell him that the child is dead?

19 But when David saw that his servants whispered, David perceived that the child was dead: therefore David said unto his servants, Is the child dead? and they said, He is dead.

20 Then David arose from the earth and Warned, and anointed himself, ana changed his apparel, and came into the house of the Lord, and worshipped) Solomon born.

then he came to, his own house; and when he required, they set bread before him, and he did eat.

Ii Then said his servants unto him, What thing is this that thou halt done? thou didst fast and weep for the child ivh'ile it teas alive; but when the child was dead, thou didst rife and eat bread.

22 And he said, While the child was yet alive, I fasted and wept: for I said, Who can tell whether God will be gracious to me, that the child may live?

23 But now heis dead, wherefore should Ifast? can I bring him back again? Isliall go to him, but he shall not return to me.

24 ^[ AndDavid comforted Bath-sheba his wife, and went in unto her, and lay ivith her: and she bare a son, and he called his name Solomon: and the Lord loved him.

25 And he sent by the hand os Nathan the prophet; and he called his name Jedidiah, because of the Lord.

26 C And Joab fought against Rabbah or the children of Ammon, and took the royal city.

27 And Joab sent messengers to David, and said, I have fought against Rabbah, and have taken the city of waters.

28 Now therefore gather the reft of the people together, and encamp against the city, and take it; lest I take the City, and it be called after my name.

29 And David gathered all the people together, and went to Rabbah, and fought against it, and took it.

30 And he took their king's crown from off his head; the weight whereof •was a talent of gold, with the precious stones: and it was set on David's head. And he brought forth the spoil of the city in great abundance.

31 And he brought forth the people that tvere therein, and put them under saws, and under harrows of iron, and under axes of iron, and made them pass through the brickkiln: and thus did he unto all the cities of the children of Ammon. So David and all the people returned unto Jerusalem.

C H A P. XII r. 1 Amnon loving Tamar, rairifhcth her. 1 j He hateth her, and turneth her away. %$ Absalom killeth Amnon, 37 andfieeth.

AND it came to pass after this, that Absalom the son os David had a fair £ster whose name <was Tamar, and Amnon the son of David loved her.

2 And Amnon was so vexed, that he fell sick for'his sister Tamar; for she tutu a virgin; and Amnon thought it hard for him to do any thing to her.

3 But Amnon had a friend whose name wa/'Jonadab, the son of Shimeah, David's brother: and Jonadab <was a very subtil man.

+ And he said unto him, Why art thou, being the king's son, lean front day to day f wilt thou not tell me. And Amnon laid unto him, I love Tamar, my brother Absalom's filter.

5 A nd Jonadab said unto him, Lay tlieo down on thy bed, and make thyself lick: and when thy father cometh to see thee, say unto him, I pray thee, let my sister Tamar come, and give me meat, and dress the meat in my fight, that I may fee it, aiid eat it at her hand.

6 So Amnon lay down, and made himself sick. And when the king was come to fee him, Amnon (aid unto the king-, I pray thee, let Tamar my filler come, and make me a couple of cakes in my sight, that I may eat at her hand.

7 Then David sent home to Tamar, saying, Go now to thy brother Amnon's house, and dress him meat.

8 So Tamar went to her brother Amnon's house; and he was laid down. And she took flour, and kneaded it, and made cakes in his sight, and did bake the cakes.

9 And she took a pan, and poured them out before him; but he refused to eat. And Amnon said, Have out all men from me. And they went out every man from him.

10 And Amnon saiduntoTamar, Bring the meat into the chamber, that I may eat of thi ne hand. And Tamar took the cakes which flie had made, and brought them into the chamber.to Amnon her brother.

11 And when she had broughtMfm unto him to eat, he took hold of her, and said unto her, Come, lie with me my sister.

12 And (he answered him, Nay, my brother, do not force me; for no such thing ought to be done in Israel: do not thou this folly.

13 And I, whither shall I cause my shame to go ? and as forthee, thou shalt be as one of the fools in Israel. Now therefore, I pray thee, speak unto the king; for he will not withhold me from thee.

14. Howbeit he would not hearken unto her voice; but being stronger than she, forced her, and lay with her.

15 •[ Then Amnon hated her exceedingly; so that the hatred wherewith he hated her ixas greater than the love wherewith he had loved her. And Amnon said unto her, Arise, be gone.

16 And flie said unto him, There is no cause; this evil in lending me away is

greater

Ahsahm hlleth Amnon, Chap

greater thaa 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 laid, Put now this -jooman out from me, and bolt the door after her.

iS And she had a garment of divers colour? upon her: for with such robes were the king's daughters that were virgin 5 apparelled. Then hisservant brought her out, and bolted the door after her.

19 Then Tamar put ashes on her head, «nd rent her garment of divers colours that ivas on her, and bid her hand on her head, and went on crying.

20 And Absalom her brother said unto her, Hath Amnon thy brother been with tbee? but hold now thy peace, my sister: be is thy brother; regard not this thing. So Tamar remained desolate in her brother Absalom's house.

*i Bnt when king David heard of al! these things, he was very wroth.

2i And Absalom spake unto his brother Amnon neither good nor bad: for Absalom hated Amnon, because he had forced his sister Tamar.

2 j fl And it came to pass after two full years, that Absalom had stieepfliearers in Baal-hazor, which ;'/ beside Ephraim: and Absalom invited all the king's sons.

2+ And Absalom came to the king, and said, Behold now, thy servant hath ikeepihearers j let the king, I 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, I pray thee, let my brother Amnon go with us. And the king said unto him, Why mould ite go with thee?

27 But Absalom pressed him, that he let Amnon and all the king's sons go with him.

28 Now Absalom had commanded his servants, faying, Mark ye now when Aranon'i heart is merry with wine, and when I fay untoyou, Smite Amnon ; then kill him, feur not; have not I commanded vou .' be courageous and be vali<».:it.

29 And the servants of Absalom did unto Amnon 33 Absalom had commanded. Then all the king's sons arose, and every man gat him up upon his mule, and fled.

30 And it came to pass, while they were in the way, that tidings came to I>avid, faying, Absalom hath slain all

. xiv. end fleets: to Gejhur.

the king's sons, and there is not one of them left.

31 Then the king arose, and tare his garments, and lay on the earth;,and all his servants stooil by with their clothes rent.

32 And Jonadab, the son of Shimeah David's brother, answered and said, Let not my lord suppose that they have stain all the young men the king's ions; for Amnon only is dead: for by the appointment of Absalom this hath been determined from the day that he forced his sister Tamar.

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

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

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

36 And it came to pass, as soon as he had made an end of speaking, that, behold, the king's sons came, and lifted up their voice and wept: and the kirg also and all his servants wept very fore.

37 fl But Absalom tied, and went to Talmai, the son of Ammihud, king of Geshur. And David mourned for his son every day.

3S So Abialom fled, and went to Geshur, and was there three years.

39 And the soul o/king David longed to go forth unto Absalom: for he was comforted concerning Amnon, feeing he was dead.

CHAP. XIV. 15'(tab,suborning a ividfitv o/Tcloah to incline the kings heart to fetch home Ab. saiom, Ii bringeth him to Jerusalem.

NOW Joab the son of Zeruiah perceived that the king's heart was toward Absalom.

1 And Joab sent toTekoah, and fetched thence a wise woman, and said unto her, I pray thee, feign' thyself to be a mourner, and put on now mourning apparel, and anoint not thyself with oil, but be as a woman that had a long time mourned for the dead:

3 And come to the king, and speak on this manner unto him. So Joab put the words in her mouth.

4 And when the woman of Tekoah spake to the king, she fell on hei face to the ground, and did obeisance, aud said, Help/O king.;

-•**■ 5 And •i he widow of Teloah.

Absalom"J return.

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

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

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

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

9 And the woman of Tekoah said unto the king, My lord, O king, the iniquity be on me, and on my father's house: and the king and his throne be guiltless.

10 And the king said, Whosoever faith light unto thee, bring him to me, and he sliall not touch thee any more.

Ii Then said flie, I pray thee, let the king remember the Lord thy God, that thou wouldest not suffer the revengers of blood to destroy any more, lest they de. firoy my son. And he said, At the Lord liveth, there (hall not one hair of thy son fall to the earth.

ii 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.

i+ For we must needs die, and are as •water spilt on the ground, which cannot . be gathered up again; neither doth Godrespect any person: yet doth he devise means, that his banished be not expelled from him.

15 Now therefore that I am come to '{peak of this thing unto my lord the

lung, it it because the people have made me afraid: and thy handmaid said, I will now speak unto the king; it may be that the king will perform the request of his handmaid.

16 For the king will hear, to deliver bis handmaid out of the hand of the man that wouU destroy me and my son together out of the inheritance of God.

17 Then thine handmaid said, The word of my lord the king (hall now be comfortable: for as an angel of God, so it my lord the king to 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 (hall a(k thee. And the woman laid, Let my lord the iking now speak.

19 And the king said, Is not the hand of Joab with thee in all this? And the woman answered and said, At thy soul liveth, my lord the king, none can turn to the right hand or to the left from ought that my lord the king hath spoken: for thy (ervant Joab, he bade me, and he 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 wife, according to the wisdom of an angel of God, to know all things that are in the earth,

*itjAndthekingsaiduntoJoab,Behold now, I havedone this thing: go therefore, bring the young man Absalom again.

22 And Joab sell to the ground on his face, and bowed himself, and thanked the king: and Joab. said, To day thy servant knoweth that I have found grace in thy sight, my lord, O king, in that the king hath fulfilled the request of his servant.

23 So Joab arose and went to Gefliur, and brought Absalom to Jerusalem.'

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

15 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 hini.

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. ,

27 And unto Absalom there were born three sons, and one daughter, whole name wat Tamar: flie was a woman of a fair countenance.

28 So Absalom dwelt two full years in Jerusalem, and iaw not the king's face,

29Therefore Absalom lentforjoabjto 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 {aid unto his servants,