1Now Joab the son of Zeruiah perceived that the king’s heart was towards Absalom.
2Now Joab the son of Zeruiah perceived that the king’s heart was towards Absalom.
3Now Joab the son of Zeruiah perceived that the king’s heart was towards Absalom.
4Now Joab the son of Zeruiah perceived that the king’s heart was towards Absalom.
5Joab sent to Tekoa and brought a wise woman from there, and said to her, “Please act like a mourner, and put on mourning clothing, please, and don’t anoint yourself with oil; but be as a woman who has mourned a long time for the dead.
6Joab sent to Tekoa and brought a wise woman from there, and said to her, “Please act like a mourner, and put on mourning clothing, please, and don’t anoint yourself with oil; but be as a woman who has mourned a long time for the dead.
7Joab sent to Tekoa and brought a wise woman from there, and said to her, “Please act like a mourner, and put on mourning clothing, please, and don’t anoint yourself with oil; but be as a woman who has mourned a long time for the dead.
8Joab sent to Tekoa and brought a wise woman from there, and said to her, “Please act like a mourner, and put on mourning clothing, please, and don’t anoint yourself with oil; but be as a woman who has mourned a long time for the dead.
9Go in to the king and speak like this to him.” So Joab put the words in her mouth.
10Go in to the king and speak like this to him.” So Joab put the words in her mouth.
11Go in to the king and speak like this to him.” So Joab put the words in her mouth.
12Go in to the king and speak like this to him.” So Joab put the words in her mouth.
13When the woman of Tekoa spoke to the king, she fell on her face to the ground, showed respect, and said, “Help, O king!”
14When the woman of Tekoa spoke to the king, she fell on her face to the ground, showed respect, and said, “Help, O king!”
15When the woman of Tekoa spoke to the king, she fell on her face to the ground, showed respect, and said, “Help, O king!”
16When the woman of Tekoa spoke to the king, she fell on her face to the ground, showed respect, and said, “Help, O king!”
17The king said to her, “What ails you?”
18The king said to her, “What ails you?”
19The king said to her, “What ails you?”
20The king said to her, “What ails you?”
21Your servant had two sons; and they both fought together in the field, and there was no one to part them, but the one struck the other and killed him.
22Your servant had two sons; and they both fought together in the field, and there was no one to part them, but the one struck the other and killed him.
23Your servant had two sons; and they both fought together in the field, and there was no one to part them, but the one struck the other and killed him.
24Your servant had two sons; and they both fought together in the field, and there was no one to part them, but the one struck the other and killed him.
25Behold, the whole family has risen against your servant, and they say, ‘Deliver him who struck his brother, that we may kill him for the life of his brother whom he killed, and so destroy the heir also.’ Thus they would quench my coal which is left, and would leave to my husband neither name nor remainder on the surface of the earth.”
26Behold, the whole family has risen against your servant, and they say, ‘Deliver him who struck his brother, that we may kill him for the life of his brother whom he killed, and so destroy the heir also.’ Thus they would quench my coal which is left, and would leave to my husband neither name nor remainder on the surface of the earth.”
27Behold, the whole family has risen against your servant, and they say, ‘Deliver him who struck his brother, that we may kill him for the life of his brother whom he killed, and so destroy the heir also.’ Thus they would quench my coal which is left, and would leave to my husband neither name nor remainder on the surface of the earth.”
28Behold, the whole family has risen against your servant, and they say, ‘Deliver him who struck his brother, that we may kill him for the life of his brother whom he killed, and so destroy the heir also.’ Thus they would quench my coal which is left, and would leave to my husband neither name nor remainder on the surface of the earth.”
29The king said to the woman, “Go to your house, and I will give a command concerning you.”
30The king said to the woman, “Go to your house, and I will give a command concerning you.”
31The king said to the woman, “Go to your house, and I will give a command concerning you.”
32The king said to the woman, “Go to your house, and I will give a command concerning you.”
33The woman of Tekoa said to the king, “My lord, O king, may the iniquity be on me, and on my father’s house; and may the king and his throne be guiltless.”
34The woman of Tekoa said to the king, “My lord, O king, may the iniquity be on me, and on my father’s house; and may the king and his throne be guiltless.”
35The woman of Tekoa said to the king, “My lord, O king, may the iniquity be on me, and on my father’s house; and may the king and his throne be guiltless.”
36The woman of Tekoa said to the king, “My lord, O king, may the iniquity be on me, and on my father’s house; and may the king and his throne be guiltless.”
37The king said, “Whoever says anything to you, bring him to me, and he will not bother you any more.”
38The king said, “Whoever says anything to you, bring him to me, and he will not bother you any more.”
39The king said, “Whoever says anything to you, bring him to me, and he will not bother you any more.”
40The king said, “Whoever says anything to you, bring him to me, and he will not bother you any more.”
41Then she said, “Please let the king remember the LORD your God, that the avenger of blood destroy not any more, lest they destroy my son.”
42Then she said, “Please let the king remember the LORD your God, that the avenger of blood destroy not any more, lest they destroy my son.”
43Then she said, “Please let the king remember the LORD your God, that the avenger of blood destroy not any more, lest they destroy my son.”
44Then she said, “Please let the king remember the LORD your God, that the avenger of blood destroy not any more, lest they destroy my son.”
45Then the woman said, “Please let your servant speak a word to my lord the king.”
46Then the woman said, “Please let your servant speak a word to my lord the king.”
47Then the woman said, “Please let your servant speak a word to my lord the king.”
48Then the woman said, “Please let your servant speak a word to my lord the king.”
49The woman said, “Why then have you devised such a thing against the people of God? For in speaking this word the king is as one who is guilty, in that the king does not bring home again his banished one.
50The woman said, “Why then have you devised such a thing against the people of God? For in speaking this word the king is as one who is guilty, in that the king does not bring home again his banished one.
51The woman said, “Why then have you devised such a thing against the people of God? For in speaking this word the king is as one who is guilty, in that the king does not bring home again his banished one.
52The woman said, “Why then have you devised such a thing against the people of God? For in speaking this word the king is as one who is guilty, in that the king does not bring home again his banished one.
53For we must die, and are like water spilled on the ground, which can’t be gathered up again; neither does God take away life, but devises means, that he who is banished not be an outcast from him.
54For we must die, and are like water spilled on the ground, which can’t be gathered up again; neither does God take away life, but devises means, that he who is banished not be an outcast from him.
55For we must die, and are like water spilled on the ground, which can’t be gathered up again; neither does God take away life, but devises means, that he who is banished not be an outcast from him.
56For we must die, and are like water spilled on the ground, which can’t be gathered up again; neither does God take away life, but devises means, that he who is banished not be an outcast from him.
57Now therefore, seeing that I have come to speak this word to my lord the king, it is because the people have made me afraid. Your servant said, ‘I will now speak to the king; it may be that the king will perform the request of his servant.’
58Now therefore, seeing that I have come to speak this word to my lord the king, it is because the people have made me afraid. Your servant said, ‘I will now speak to the king; it may be that the king will perform the request of his servant.’
59Now therefore, seeing that I have come to speak this word to my lord the king, it is because the people have made me afraid. Your servant said, ‘I will now speak to the king; it may be that the king will perform the request of his servant.’
60Now therefore, seeing that I have come to speak this word to my lord the king, it is because the people have made me afraid. Your servant said, ‘I will now speak to the king; it may be that the king will perform the request of his servant.’
61For the king will hear, to deliver his servant out of the hand of the man who would destroy me and my son together out of the inheritance of God.
62For the king will hear, to deliver his servant out of the hand of the man who would destroy me and my son together out of the inheritance of God.
63For the king will hear, to deliver his servant out of the hand of the man who would destroy me and my son together out of the inheritance of God.
64For the king will hear, to deliver his servant out of the hand of the man who would destroy me and my son together out of the inheritance of God.
65Then your servant said, ‘Please let the word of my lord the king bring rest; for as an angel of God, so is my lord the king to discern good and bad. May the LORD, your God, be with you.’”
66Then your servant said, ‘Please let the word of my lord the king bring rest; for as an angel of God, so is my lord the king to discern good and bad. May the LORD, your God, be with you.’”
67Then your servant said, ‘Please let the word of my lord the king bring rest; for as an angel of God, so is my lord the king to discern good and bad. May the LORD, your God, be with you.’”
68Then your servant said, ‘Please let the word of my lord the king bring rest; for as an angel of God, so is my lord the king to discern good and bad. May the LORD, your God, be with you.’”
69Then the king answered the woman, “Please don’t hide anything from me that I ask you.”
70Then the king answered the woman, “Please don’t hide anything from me that I ask you.”
71Then the king answered the woman, “Please don’t hide anything from me that I ask you.”
72Then the king answered the woman, “Please don’t hide anything from me that I ask you.”
73The king said, “Is the hand of Joab with you in all this?”
74The king said, “Is the hand of Joab with you in all this?”
75The king said, “Is the hand of Joab with you in all this?”
76The king said, “Is the hand of Joab with you in all this?”
77Your servant Joab has done this thing to change the face of the matter. My lord is wise, according to the wisdom of an angel of God, to know all things that are in the earth.”
78Your servant Joab has done this thing to change the face of the matter. My lord is wise, according to the wisdom of an angel of God, to know all things that are in the earth.”
79Your servant Joab has done this thing to change the face of the matter. My lord is wise, according to the wisdom of an angel of God, to know all things that are in the earth.”
80Your servant Joab has done this thing to change the face of the matter. My lord is wise, according to the wisdom of an angel of God, to know all things that are in the earth.”
81The king said to Joab, “Behold now, I have granted this thing. Go therefore, and bring the young man Absalom back.”
82The king said to Joab, “Behold now, I have granted this thing. Go therefore, and bring the young man Absalom back.”
83The king said to Joab, “Behold now, I have granted this thing. Go therefore, and bring the young man Absalom back.”
84The king said to Joab, “Behold now, I have granted this thing. Go therefore, and bring the young man Absalom back.”
85Joab fell to the ground on his face, showed respect, and blessed the king. Joab said, “Today your servant knows that I have found favour in your sight, my lord, O king, in that the king has performed the request of his servant.”
86Joab fell to the ground on his face, showed respect, and blessed the king. Joab said, “Today your servant knows that I have found favour in your sight, my lord, O king, in that the king has performed the request of his servant.”
87Joab fell to the ground on his face, showed respect, and blessed the king. Joab said, “Today your servant knows that I have found favour in your sight, my lord, O king, in that the king has performed the request of his servant.”
88Joab fell to the ground on his face, showed respect, and blessed the king. Joab said, “Today your servant knows that I have found favour in your sight, my lord, O king, in that the king has performed the request of his servant.”
89So Joab arose and went to Geshur, and brought Absalom to Jerusalem.
90So Joab arose and went to Geshur, and brought Absalom to Jerusalem.
91So Joab arose and went to Geshur, and brought Absalom to Jerusalem.
92So Joab arose and went to Geshur, and brought Absalom to Jerusalem.
93The king said, “Let him return to his own house, but let him not see my face.” So Absalom returned to his own house, and didn’t see the king’s face.
94The king said, “Let him return to his own house, but let him not see my face.” So Absalom returned to his own house, and didn’t see the king’s face.
95The king said, “Let him return to his own house, but let him not see my face.” So Absalom returned to his own house, and didn’t see the king’s face.
96The king said, “Let him return to his own house, but let him not see my face.” So Absalom returned to his own house, and didn’t see the king’s face.
97Now in all Israel there was no one 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 defect in him.
98Now in all Israel there was no one 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 defect in him.
99Now in all Israel there was no one 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 defect in him.
100Now in all Israel there was no one 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 defect in him.
101When he cut the hair of his head (now it was at every year’s end that he cut it; because it was heavy on him, therefore he cut it), he weighed the hair of his head at two hundred shekels,14:26 A shekel is about 10 grams or about 0.35 ounces, so 200 shekels is about 2 kilograms or about 4.4 pounds. after the king’s weight.
102When he cut the hair of his head (now it was at every year’s end that he cut it; because it was heavy on him, therefore he cut it), he weighed the hair of his head at two hundred shekels,14:26 A shekel is about 10 grams or about 0.35 ounces, so 200 shekels is about 2 kilograms or about 4.4 pounds. after the king’s weight.
103When he cut the hair of his head (now it was at every year’s end that he cut it; because it was heavy on him, therefore he cut it), he weighed the hair of his head at two hundred shekels,14:26 A shekel is about 10 grams or about 0.35 ounces, so 200 shekels is about 2 kilograms or about 4.4 pounds. after the king’s weight.
104When he cut the hair of his head (now it was at every year’s end that he cut it; because it was heavy on him, therefore he cut it), he weighed the hair of his head at two hundred shekels,14:26 A shekel is about 10 grams or about 0.35 ounces, so 200 shekels is about 2 kilograms or about 4.4 pounds. after the king’s weight.
105Three sons were born to Absalom, and one daughter, whose name was Tamar. She was a woman with a beautiful face.
106Three sons were born to Absalom, and one daughter, whose name was Tamar. She was a woman with a beautiful face.
107Three sons were born to Absalom, and one daughter, whose name was Tamar. She was a woman with a beautiful face.
108Three sons were born to Absalom, and one daughter, whose name was Tamar. She was a woman with a beautiful face.
109Absalom lived two full years in Jerusalem, and he didn’t see the king’s face.
110Absalom lived two full years in Jerusalem, and he didn’t see the king’s face.
111Absalom lived two full years in Jerusalem, and he didn’t see the king’s face.
112Absalom lived two full years in Jerusalem, and he didn’t see the king’s face.
113Then Absalom sent for Joab, to send him to the king, but he would not come to him. Then he sent again a second time, but he would not come.
114Then Absalom sent for Joab, to send him to the king, but he would not come to him. Then he sent again a second time, but he would not come.
115Then Absalom sent for Joab, to send him to the king, but he would not come to him. Then he sent again a second time, but he would not come.
116Then Absalom sent for Joab, to send him to the king, but he would not come to him. Then he sent again a second time, but he would not come.
117Therefore he said to his servants, “Behold, Joab’s field is near mine, and he has barley there. Go and set it on fire.” So Absalom’s servants set the field on fire.
118Therefore he said to his servants, “Behold, Joab’s field is near mine, and he has barley there. Go and set it on fire.” So Absalom’s servants set the field on fire.
119Therefore he said to his servants, “Behold, Joab’s field is near mine, and he has barley there. Go and set it on fire.” So Absalom’s servants set the field on fire.
120Therefore he said to his servants, “Behold, Joab’s field is near mine, and he has barley there. Go and set it on fire.” So Absalom’s servants set the field on fire.
121Then Joab arose and came to Absalom to his house, and said to him, “Why have your servants set my field on fire?”
122Then Joab arose and came to Absalom to his house, and said to him, “Why have your servants set my field on fire?”
123Then Joab arose and came to Absalom to his house, and said to him, “Why have your servants set my field on fire?”
124Then Joab arose and came to Absalom to his house, and said to him, “Why have your servants set my field on fire?”
125Absalom answered Joab, “Behold, I sent to you, saying, ‘Come here, that I may send you to the king, to say, “Why have I come from Geshur? It would be better for me to be there still. Now therefore, let me see the king’s face; and if there is iniquity in me, let him kill me.”’”
126Absalom answered Joab, “Behold, I sent to you, saying, ‘Come here, that I may send you to the king, to say, “Why have I come from Geshur? It would be better for me to be there still. Now therefore, let me see the king’s face; and if there is iniquity in me, let him kill me.”’”
127Absalom answered Joab, “Behold, I sent to you, saying, ‘Come here, that I may send you to the king, to say, “Why have I come from Geshur? It would be better for me to be there still. Now therefore, let me see the king’s face; and if there is iniquity in me, let him kill me.”’”
128Absalom answered Joab, “Behold, I sent to you, saying, ‘Come here, that I may send you to the king, to say, “Why have I come from Geshur? It would be better for me to be there still. Now therefore, let me see the king’s face; and if there is iniquity in me, let him kill me.”’”
129So 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 kissed Absalom.
130So 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 kissed Absalom.
131So 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 kissed Absalom.
132So 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 kissed Absalom.