Study Desk

Then David said to Abishai and all his servants, "See, my own son wants to kill me. How much more now may this Benjamite? Let him alone and let him speak against me, for the Lord has told him.

So they set up a tent for Absalom on the roof. And Absalom went in to his father's women so that the eyes of all Israel could see.

The words that Ahithophel spoke in those days were as if one had asked for the Word of God. Both David and Absalom thought of Ahithophel's words in this way.

Even the one who has strength of heart like the heart of a lion will be afraid. For all Israel knows that your father is a powerful man, and that those who are with him are men with strength of heart.

Now Jonathan and Ahimaaz were staying at Enrogel. And a woman servant would go and tell them, and they would go and tell King David. For they could not be seen coming into the city.

When they had left, Ahimaaz and Jonathan came up out of the well and went and told King David. They said to David, "Be quick to get ready and cross over the water. For Ahithophel has told them to come against you."

honey, sour milk, sheep, and cheese from the cattle, for David and his men to eat. For they said, "The people are hungry and tired and thirsty in the desert."

But the people said, "You should not go out. For if we run, they will not care about us. If half of us die, they will not care about us. But you are worth 10,000 of us. So it is better that you send us help from the city."

The man said to Joab, "Even for a thousand pieces of silver in my hand, I would not go against the king's son. For we heard the king tell you and Abishai and Ittai, ‘Keep the young man Absalom safe for me.'

Then Joab sounded the horn, and all the people returned from going after Israel, for Joab stopped them.

While Absalom was alive, he had set up stones in his honor in the King's Valley. For he said, "I have no son to let my name be remembered." So he called the stones after his own name. And they are there to have Absalom be remembered to this day.

Zadok's son Ahimaaz said to Joab, "Whatever happens, let me run after the Cushite." Joab said, "Why would you run, my son? You would receive no reward for going."

Then the Cushite came and said, "Let my lord the king receive good news. For the Lord has saved you today from all those who came against you."

Then Joab was told, "See, the king is crying. He is filled with sorrow for Absalom."

So the happiness of winning the battle that day was changed to sorrow for all the people. For they heard that day, "The king is filled with sorrow for his son."

But you love those who hate you, and hate those who love you. You have shown today that rulers and servants are nothing to you. For today I see that if Absalom were alive and all of us were dead, you would be pleased.

So now get up and go out and speak in kindness to your servants. I swear by the Lord that if you do not, for sure not a man will stay with you this night. And this will be worse for you than all the bad things that have happened to you since you were young."

Then King David sent word to Zadok and Abiathar the religious leaders, saying, "Speak to the leaders of Judah. Say to them, ‘Why are you the last to bring the king back to his house? I have heard from all Israel for me to return to my house.

For your servant knows that I have sinned. So I have come today. I am the first of all the family of Joseph to come down to meet my lord the king."

But Zeruiah's son Abishai answered, "Should not Shimei be put to death for this? He spoke against the Lord's chosen one."