2Sam.15.13

Someone came to David with the report, "The whole country has taken up with Absalom!"

2Sam.15.13

A messenger came and told David, "The hearts of the men of Israel are with Absalom."

2Sam.15.13

Now a messenger came to David, saying, "The hearts of the men of Israel are with Absalom."

2Sam.15.13

A messenger soon arrived in Jerusalem to tell King David, "All Israel has joined Absalom in a conspiracy against you!"

2Sam.15.14

"Up and out of here!" called David to all his servants who were with him in Jerusalem. "We've got to run for our lives or none of us will escape Absalom! Hurry, he's about to pull the city down around our ears and slaughter us all!"

2Sam.15.14

Then David said to all his officials who were with him in Jerusalem, "Come! We must flee, or none of us will escape from Absalom. We must leave immediately, or he will move quickly to overtake us and bring ruin upon us and put the city to the sword."

2Sam.15.14

So David said to all his servants who were with him at Jerusalem, "Arise, and let us flee, or we shall not escape from Absalom. Make haste to depart, lest he overtake us suddenly and bring disaster upon us, and strike the city with the edge of the sword."

2Sam.15.14

"Then we must flee at once, or it will be too late!" David urged his men. "Hurry! If we get out of the city before he arrives, both we and the city of Jerusalem will be spared from disaster."

2Sam.15.15

The king's servants said, "Whatever our master, the king, says, we'll do; we're with you all the way!"

2Sam.15.15

The king's officials answered him, "Your servants are ready to do whatever our lord the king chooses."

2Sam.15.15

And the king's servants said to the king, "We are your servants, ready to do whatever my lord the king commands."

2Sam.15.15

"We are with you," his advisers replied. "Do what you think is best."

2Sam.15.16

So the king and his entire household escaped on foot. The king left ten concubines behind to tend to the palace.

2Sam.15.16

The king set out, with his entire household following him; but he left ten concubines to take care of the palace.

2Sam.15.16

Then the king went out with all his household after him. But the king left ten women, concubines, to keep the house.

2Sam.15.16

So the king and his household set out at once. He left no one behind except ten of his concubines to keep the palace in order.

2Sam.15.17

And so they left, step by step by step, and then paused at the last house

2Sam.15.17

So the king set out, with all the people following him, and they halted at a place some distance away.

2Sam.15.17

And the king went out with all the people after him, and stopped at the outskirts.

2Sam.15.17

The king and his people set out on foot, and they paused at the edge of the city

2Sam.15.18

as the whole army passed by him--all the Kerethites, all the Pelethites, and the six hundred Gittites who had marched with him from Gath, went past.

2Sam.15.18

All his men marched past him, along with all the Kerethites and Pelethites; and all the six hundred Gittites who had accompanied him from Gath marched before the king.

2Sam.15.18

Then all his servants passed before him; and all the Cherethites, all the Pelethites, and all the Gittites, six hundred men who had followed him from Gath, passed before the king.

2Sam.15.18

to let David's troops move past to lead the way. There were six hundred Gittites who had come with David from Gath, along with the king's bodyguard.

2Sam.15.19

The king called out to Ittai the Gittite, "What are you doing here? Go back with King Absalom. You're a stranger here and freshly uprooted from your own country.

2Sam.15.19

The king said to Ittai the Gittite, "Why should you come along with us? Go back and stay with King Absalom. You are a foreigner, an exile from your homeland.

2Sam.15.19

Then the king said to Ittai the Gittite, "Why are you also going with us? Return and remain with the king. For you are a foreigner and also an exile from your own place.

2Sam.15.19

Then the king turned to Ittai, the captain of the Gittites, and asked, "Why are you coming with us? Go on back with your men to King Absalom, for you are a guest in Israel, a foreigner in exile.

2Sam.15.20

You arrived only yesterday, and am I going to let you take your chances with us as I live on the road like a gypsy? Go back, and take your family with you. And God's grace and truth go with you!"

2Sam.15.20

You came only yesterday. And today shall I make you wander about with us, when I do not know where I am going? Go back, and take your countrymen. May kindness and faithfulness be with you."

2Sam.15.20

In fact, you came only yesterday. Should I make you wander up and down with us today, since I go I know not where? Return, and take your brethren back. Mercy and truth be with you."

2Sam.15.20

You arrived only yesterday, and now should I force you to wander with us? I don't even know where we will go. Go on back and take your troops with you, and may the LORD show you his unfailing love and faithfulness. "

2Sam.15.21

But Ittai answered, "As GOD lives and my master the king lives, where my master is, that's where I'll be--whether it means life or death."

2Sam.15.21

But Ittai replied to the king, "As surely as the LORD lives, and as my lord the king lives, wherever my lord the king may be, whether it means life or death, there will your servant be."

2Sam.15.21

But Ittai answered the king and said, "As the LORD lives, and as my lord the king lives, surely in whatever place my lord the king shall be, whether in death or life, even there also your servant will be."

2Sam.15.21

But Ittai said to the king, "I vow by the LORD and by your own life that I will go wherever you go, no matter what happens--whether it means life or death."

2Sam.15.22

"All right," said David, "go ahead." And they went on, Ittai the Gittite with all his men and all the children he had with him.

2Sam.15.22

David said to Ittai, "Go ahead, march on." So Ittai the Gittite marched on with all his men and the families that were with him.

2Sam.15.22

So David said to Ittai, "Go, and cross over." Then Ittai the Gittite and all his men and all the little ones who were with him crossed over.

2Sam.15.22

David replied, "All right, come with us." So Ittai and his six hundred men and their families went along.

2Sam.15.23

The whole country was weeping in loud lament as all the people passed by. As the king crossed the Brook Kidron, the army headed for the road to the wilderness.

2Sam.15.23

The whole countryside wept aloud as all the people passed by. The king also crossed the Kidron Valley, and all the people moved on toward the desert.

2Sam.15.23

And all the country wept with a loud voice, and all the people crossed over. The king himself also crossed over the Brook Kidron, and all the people crossed over toward the way of the wilderness.

2Sam.15.23

There was deep sadness throughout the land as the king and his followers passed by. They crossed the Kidron Valley and then went out toward the wilderness.

2Sam.15.24

Zadok was also there, the Levites with him, carrying GOD's Chest of the Covenant. They set the Chest of God down, Abiathar standing by, until all the people had evacuated the city.

2Sam.15.24

Zadok was there, too, and all the Levites who were with him were carrying the ark of the covenant of God. They set down the ark of God, and Abiathar offered sacrifices until all the people had finished leaving the city.

2Sam.15.24

There was Zadok also, and all the Levites 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 finished crossing over from the city.

2Sam.15.24

Abiathar and Zadok and the Levites took the Ark of the Covenant of God and set it down beside the road. Then they offered sacrifices there until everyone had passed by.

2Sam.15.25

Then the king ordered Zadok, "Take the Chest back to the city. If I get back in GOD's good graces, he'll bring me back and show me where the Chest has been set down.

2Sam.15.25

Then the king said to Zadok, "Take the ark of God back into the city. If I find favor in the LORD's eyes, he will bring me back and let me see it and his dwelling place again.

2Sam.15.25

Then the king said to Zadok, "Carry the ark of God back into the city. If I find favor in the eyes of the LORD, He will bring me back and show me both it and His dwelling place.

2Sam.15.25

David instructed Zadok to take the Ark of God back into the city. "If the LORD sees fit," David said, "he will bring me back to see the Ark and the Tabernacle again.

2Sam.15.26

But if he says, "I'm not pleased with you'--well, he can then do with me whatever he pleases."

2Sam.15.26

But if he says, 'I am not pleased with you,' then I am ready; let him do to me whatever seems good to him."

2Sam.15.26

But if He says thus: "I have no delight in you,' here I am, let Him do to me as seems good to Him."

2Sam.15.26

But if he is through with me, then let him do what seems best to him."

2Sam.15.27

The king directed Zadok the priest, "Here's the plan: Return to the city peacefully, with Ahimaaz your son and Jonathan, Abiathar's son, with you.

2Sam.15.27

The king also said to Zadok the priest, "Aren't you a seer? Go back to the city in peace, with your son Ahimaaz and Jonathan son of Abiathar. You and Abiathar take your two sons with you.

2Sam.15.27

The king also said to Zadok the priest, "Are you not a seer? Return to the city in peace, and your two sons with you, Ahimaaz your son, and Jonathan the son of Abiathar.

2Sam.15.27

Then the king told Zadok the priest, "Look, here is my plan. You and Abiathar should return quietly to the city with your son Ahimaaz and Abiathar's son Jonathan.

2Sam.15.28

I'll wait at a spot in the wilderness across the river, until I get word from you telling us what's up."

2Sam.15.28

I will wait at the fords in the desert until word comes from you to inform me."

2Sam.15.28

See, I will wait in the plains of the wilderness until word comes from you to inform me."

2Sam.15.28

I will stop at the shallows of the Jordan River and wait there for a message from you. Let me know what happens in Jerusalem before I disappear into the wilderness."

2Sam.15.29

So Zadok and Abiathar took the Chest of God back to Jerusalem and placed it there,

2Sam.15.29

So Zadok and Abiathar took the ark of God back to Jerusalem and stayed there.

2Sam.15.29

Therefore Zadok and Abiathar carried the ark of God back to Jerusalem. And they remained there.

2Sam.15.29

So Zadok and Abiathar took the Ark of God back to the city and stayed there.

2Sam.15.30

while David went up the Mount of Olives weeping, head covered but barefooted, and the whole army was with him, heads covered and weeping as they ascended.

2Sam.15.30

But David continued up the Mount of Olives, weeping as he went; his head was covered and he was barefoot. All the people with him covered their heads too and were weeping as they went up.

2Sam.15.30

So David 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. And all the people who were with him covered their heads and went up, weeping as they went up.

2Sam.15.30

David walked up the road that led to the Mount of Olives, weeping as he went. His head was covered and his feet were bare as a sign of mourning. And the people who were with him covered their heads and wept as they climbed the mountain.

2Sam.15.31

David was told, "Ahithophel has joined the conspirators with Absalom." He prayed, "Oh, GOD-turn Ahithophel's counsel to foolishness."

2Sam.15.31

Now David had been told, "Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom." So David prayed, "O LORD, turn Ahithophel's counsel into foolishness."

2Sam.15.31

Then someone told David, saying, "Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom." And David said, "O LORD, I pray, turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness!"

2Sam.15.31

When someone told David that his adviser Ahithophel was now backing Absalom, David prayed, "O LORD, let Ahithophel give Absalom foolish advice!"

2Sam.15.32

As David approached the top of the hill where God was worshiped, Hushai the Arkite, clothes ripped to shreds and dirt on his head, was there waiting for him.

2Sam.15.32

When David arrived at the summit, where people used to worship God, Hushai the Arkite was there to meet him, his robe torn and dust on his head.

2Sam.15.32

Now it happened when David had come to the top of the mountain, where he worshiped God--there was Hushai the Archite coming to meet him with his robe torn and dust on his head.

2Sam.15.32

As they reached the spot at the top of the Mount of Olives where people worshiped God, David found Hushai the Arkite waiting for him. Hushai had torn his clothing and put dirt on his head as a sign of mourning.

2Sam.15.33

David said, "If you come with me, you'll be just one more piece of luggage.

2Sam.15.33

David said to him, "If you go with me, you will be a burden to me.

2Sam.15.33

David said to him, "If you go on with me, then you will become a burden to me.

2Sam.15.33

But David told him, "If you go with me, you will only be a burden.

2Sam.15.34

Go back to the city and say to Absalom, "I'm ready to be your servant, O King; I used to be your father's servant, now I'm your servant.' Do that and you'll be able to confuse Ahithophel's counsel for me.

2Sam.15.34

But if you return to the city and say to Absalom, 'I will be your servant, O king; I was your father's servant in the past, but now I will be your servant,' then you can help me by frustrating Ahithophel's advice.

2Sam.15.34

But if you return to the city, and say to Absalom, "I will be your servant, O king; as I was your father's servant previously, so I will now also be your servant,' then you may defeat the counsel of Ahithophel for me.

2Sam.15.34

Return to Jerusalem and tell Absalom, `I will now be your adviser, just as I was your father's adviser in the past.' Then you can frustrate and counter Ahithophel's advice.

2Sam.15.35

The priests Zadok and Abiathar are already there; whatever information you pick up in the palace, tell them.

2Sam.15.35

Won't the priests Zadok and Abiathar be there with you? Tell them anything you hear in the king's palace.

2Sam.15.35

And do you not have Zadok and Abiathar the priests with you there? Therefore it will be that whatever you hear from the king's house, you shall tell to Zadok and Abiathar the priests.

2Sam.15.35

Zadok and Abiathar, the priests, are there. Tell them the plans that are being made to capture me,

2Sam.15.36

Their two sons--Zadok's son Ahimaaz and Abiathar's son Jonathan--are there with them--anything you pick up can be sent to me by them."

2Sam.15.36

Their two sons, Ahimaaz son of Zadok and Jonathan son of Abiathar, are there with them. Send them to me with anything you hear."

2Sam.15.36

Indeed they have there with them their two sons, Ahimaaz, Zadok's son, and Jonathan, Abiathar's son; and by them you shall send me everything you hear."

2Sam.15.36

and they will send their sons Ahimaaz and Jonathan to find me and tell me what is going on."

2Sam.15.37

Hushai, David's friend, arrived at the same time Absalom was entering Jerusalem.

2Sam.15.37

So David's friend Hushai arrived at Jerusalem as Absalom was entering the city.

2Sam.15.37

So Hushai, David's friend, went into the city. And Absalom came into Jerusalem.

2Sam.15.37

So David's friend Hushai returned to Jerusalem, getting there just as Absalom arrived.

2Sam.16.1

Shortly after David passed the crest of the hill, Mephibosheth's steward Ziba met him with a string of pack animals, saddled and loaded with a hundred loaves of bread, a hundred raisin cakes, a hundred baskets of fresh fruit, and a skin of wine.

2Sam.16.1

When David had gone a short distance beyond the summit, there was Ziba, the steward of Mephibosheth, waiting to meet him. He had a string of donkeys saddled and loaded with two hundred loaves of bread, a hundred cakes of raisins, a hundred cakes of figs and a skin of wine.

2Sam.16.1

When David was a little past the top of the mountain, there was Ziba the servant of Mephibosheth, who met him with a couple of saddled donkeys, and on them two hundred loaves of bread, one hundred clusters of raisins, one hundred summer fruits, and a skin of wine.

2Sam.16.1

David was just past the top of the hill when Ziba, the servant of Mephibosheth, caught up with him. He was leading two donkeys loaded with two hundred loaves of bread, one hundred clusters of raisins, one hundred bunches of summer fruit, and a skin of wine.

2Sam.16.2

The king said to Ziba, "What's all this?The donkeys," said Ziba, "are for the king's household to ride, the bread and fruit are for the servants to eat, and the wine is for drinking, especially for those overcome by fatigue in the wilderness."

2Sam.16.2

The king asked Ziba, "Why have you brought these?" Ziba answered, "The donkeys are for the king's household to ride on, the bread and fruit are for the men to eat, and the wine is to refresh those who become exhausted in the desert."

2Sam.16.2

And the king said to Ziba, "What do you mean to do with these?" So Ziba said, "The donkeys are for the king's household to ride on, the bread and summer fruit for the young men to eat, and the wine for those who are faint in the wilderness to drink."

2Sam.16.2

"What are these for?" the king asked Ziba. And Ziba replied, "The donkeys are for your people to ride on, and the bread and summer fruit are for the young men to eat. The wine is to be taken with you into the wilderness for those who become faint."

2Sam.16.3

The king said, "And where is your master's grandson?He stayed in Jerusalem," said Ziba. "He said, "This is the day Israel is going to restore my grandfather's kingdom to me.'"

2Sam.16.3

The king then asked, "Where is your master's grandson?" Ziba said to him, "He is staying in Jerusalem, because he thinks, 'Today the house of Israel will give me back my grandfather's kingdom.'"

2Sam.16.3

Then the king said, "And where is your master's son?" And Ziba said to the king, "Indeed he is staying in Jerusalem, for he said, "Today the house of Israel will restore the kingdom of my father to me."'

2Sam.16.3

"And where is Mephibosheth?" the king asked him. "He stayed in Jerusalem," Ziba replied. "He said, `Today I will get back the kingdom of my grandfather Saul.'"

2Sam.16.4

"Everything that belonged to Mephibosheth," said the king, "is now yours." Ziba said, "How can I ever thank you? I'll be forever in your debt, my master and king; may you always look on me with such kindness!"

2Sam.16.4

Then the king said to Ziba, "All that belonged to Mephibosheth is now yours.I humbly bow," Ziba said. "May I find favor in your eyes, my lord the king."

2Sam.16.4

So the king said to Ziba, "Here, all that belongs to Mephibosheth is yours." And Ziba said, "I humbly bow before you, that I may find favor in your sight, my lord, O king!"

2Sam.16.4

"In that case," the king told Ziba, "I give you everything Mephibosheth owns.Thank you, sir," Ziba replied. "I will always do whatever you want me to do."

2Sam.16.5

When the king got to Bahurim, a man appeared who had connections with Saul's family. His name was Shimei son of Gera. As he followed along he shouted insults

2Sam.16.5

As King David approached Bahurim, a man from the same clan as Saul's family came out from there. His name was Shimei son of Gera, and he cursed as he came out.

2Sam.16.5

Now when King David came to Bahurim, there was a man from the family of the house of Saul, whose name was Shimei the son of Gera, coming from there. He came out, cursing continuously as he came.

2Sam.16.5

As David and his party passed Bahurim, a man came out of the village cursing them. It was Shimei son of Gera, a member of Saul's family.

2Sam.16.6

and threw rocks right and left at David and his company, servants and soldiers alike.

2Sam.16.6

He pelted David and all the king's officials with stones, though all the troops and the special guard were on David's right and left.

2Sam.16.6

And he threw stones at David and at all the servants of King David. And all the people and all the mighty men were on his right hand and on his left.

2Sam.16.6

He threw stones at the king and the king's officers and all the mighty warriors who surrounded them.

2Sam.16.7

To the accompaniment of curses he shouted, "Get lost, get lost, you butcher, you hellhound!

2Sam.16.7

As he cursed, Shimei said, "Get out, get out, you man of blood, you scoundrel!

2Sam.16.7

Also Shimei said thus when he cursed: "Come out! Come out! You bloodthirsty man, you rogue!

2Sam.16.7

"Get out of here, you murderer, you scoundrel!" he shouted at David.

2Sam.16.8

GOD has paid you back for all your dirty work in the family of Saul and for stealing his kingdom. GOD has given the kingdom to your son Absalom. Look at you now--ruined! And good riddance, you pathetic old man!"

2Sam.16.8

The LORD has repaid you for all the blood you shed in the household of Saul, in whose place you have reigned. The LORD has handed the kingdom over to your son Absalom. You have come to ruin because you are a man of blood!"

2Sam.16.8

The LORD has brought upon you all the blood of the house of Saul, in whose place you have reigned; and the LORD has delivered the kingdom into the hand of Absalom your son. So now you are caught in your own evil, because you are a bloodthirsty man!"

2Sam.16.8

"The LORD is paying you back for murdering Saul and his family. You stole his throne, and now the LORD has given it to your son Absalom. At last you will taste some of your own medicine, you murderer!"

2Sam.16.9

Abishai son of Zeruiah said, "This mangy dog can't insult my master the king this way--let me go over and cut off his head!"

2Sam.16.9

Then Abishai son of Zeruiah said to the king, "Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? Let me go over and cut off his head."

2Sam.16.9

Then Abishai the son of Zeruiah said to the king, "Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? Please, let me go over and take off his head!"

2Sam.16.9

"Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king?" Abishai son of Zeruiah demanded. "Let me go over and cut off his head!"

2Sam.16.10

But the king said, "Why are you sons of Zeruiah always interfering and getting in the way? If he's cursing, it's because GOD told him, "Curse David.' So who dares raise questions?"

2Sam.16.10

But the king said, "What do you and I have in common, you sons of Zeruiah? If he is cursing because the LORD said to him, 'Curse David,' who can ask, 'Why do you do this?'"

2Sam.16.10

But the king said, "What have I to do with you, you sons of Zeruiah? So let him curse, because the LORD has said to him, "Curse David.' Who then shall say, "Why have you done so?"'

2Sam.16.10

"No!" the king said. "What am I going to do with you sons of Zeruiah! If the LORD has told him to curse me, who am I to stop him?"

2Sam.16.11

"Besides," continued David to Abishai and the rest of his servants, "my own son, my flesh and bone, is right now trying to kill me; compared to that this Benjaminite is small potatoes. Don't bother with him; let him curse; he's preaching GOD's word to me.

2Sam.16.11

David then said to Abishai and all his officials, "My son, who is of my own flesh, is trying to take my life. How much more, then, this Benjamite! Leave him alone; let him curse, for the LORD has told him to.

2Sam.16.11

And David said to Abishai and all his servants, "See how my son who came from my own body seeks my life. How much more now may this Benjamite? Let him alone, and let him curse; for so the LORD has ordered him.

2Sam.16.11

Then David said to Abishai and the other officers, "My own son is trying to kill me. Shouldn't this relative of Saul have even more reason to do so? Leave him alone and let him curse, for the LORD has told him to do it.

2Sam.16.12

And who knows, maybe GOD will see the trouble I'm in today and exchange the curses for something good."

2Sam.16.12

It may be that the LORD will see my distress and repay me with good for the cursing I am receiving today."

2Sam.16.12

It may be that the LORD will look on my affliction, and that the LORD will repay me with good for his cursing this day."

2Sam.16.12

And perhaps the LORD will see that I am being wronged and will bless me because of these curses."

2Sam.16.13

David and his men went on down the road, while Shimei followed along on the ridge of the hill alongside, cursing, throwing stones down on them, and kicking up dirt.

2Sam.16.13

So David and his men continued along the road while Shimei was going along the hillside opposite him, cursing as he went and throwing stones at him and showering him with dirt.

2Sam.16.13

And as David and his men went along the road, Shimei went along the hillside opposite him and cursed as he went, threw stones at him and kicked up dust.

2Sam.16.13

So David and his men continued on, and Shimei kept pace with them on a nearby hillside, cursing as he went and throwing stones at David and tossing dust into the air.

2Sam.16.14

By the time they reached the Jordan River, David and all the men of the company were exhausted. There they rested and were revived.

2Sam.16.14

The king and all the people with him arrived at their destination exhausted. And there he refreshed himself.

2Sam.16.14

Now the king and all the people who were with him became weary; so they refreshed themselves there.

2Sam.16.14

The king and all who were with him grew weary along the way, so they rested when they reached the Jordan River.