2 Samuel 17:1-29 Hushi’s Advice to Undermine Absalom

 

Hushi’s Advice to Undermine Absalom

2 Samuel 17:1-29       The Book of 2 Samuel [in Smaller Chunks]

[Also] Ahithophel said to Absalom, Let me choose 12,000 men & I [will go] & pursue after David this night. I will come upon him while he is [tired] & weak & will make him afraid & all the people with him will flee.

I will [kill] only the king & bring back all the people to you. The man you seek [king David is all but ] returned [to you,] so all the people shall be [at] peace. This pleased Absalom & all the elders of Israel.

Then Absalon said, Call Hushai, the Archite, now & let us also hear what he says. When Hushai [came] to Absalom, Absalom [said,] Ahithophel has [said this]. Shall we do [what he said]? If not, [tell me].

Hushai said to Absalom, The [advice] Ahithophel has given isn’t good at this time. [He continued saying,] You know your father & his men [are] mighty men & [are enraged like] a bear robbed of her [cubs] in the field.

Your father is a man of war & won’t [camp] with the people. He is now [hidden] in some pit or other place & it will [happen,] when some of [your men are] overthrown, at [the beginning, so those who] hear it will say, There is a slaughter [of] the people who follow Absalom.

The hearts of [those who] are valiant with the heart of a lion shall [surely] melt. For all Israel knows your fathers is a mighty man & those with him are valiant men. Therefore, I [suggest] that all Israel from Dan to BeerSheba [is] gathered to you, [like] the sand of [seashore in number, so] you go to battle [in] person.

So, we can come upon him [where he is hidden] & we will [fall] upon him [like] the dew falls to the ground & he & all his men with him there [will be destroyed] & not 1 [of them will be] left.

[Also,] if he has [gone] into a city, then all Israel shall bring ropes to that city & we [drag] it to the river until not 1 small stone is [left unturned & we find him] there.

Absalom & all the men of Israel said the [advice] of Hushai was better than [Ahithophel’s]. For the Lord [God] had [planned] to defeat [Ahithophel’s] good [advice, in order that] the Lord might bring [harm] upon Absalom.

Then, Hushai said to Zadok & to Abiathar, the priests, [This is Ahithophel’s advice to] Absalom & the elders of Israel & [this is my advice]. Therefore, send quickly & tell David, Don’t [camp tonight] in the plains of the wilderness, but speedily [cross] over; lest the king & all the people with him [are overpowered].

Now, Jonathan & Ahimaaz stayed by Enrogel; for they [dared] not be seen [coming] into the city & a [woman] went & told them & they went & told king David.

[Still] a lad saw them & told Absalom, but they both [got] away quickly & came to a man’s house in Bahurim, that had a well in his court [yard] & [they went down in it].

The woman took & spread a covering over the well’s mouth & spread ground corn [on it,] so [that it] wasn’t known. When Absalom’s servants came to the woman [at] the house & they said, Where [are] Ahimaaz & Jonathan?

The woman said to them, They [have] gone over the brook [with] water [in it]. When they [looked] & couldn’t find them, they returned to Jerusalem. After they departed, they came up out of the well.

[They] went & told king David & said, Arise & [cross] quickly over the water, [since] Ahithophel has [given advice] against you. David & all the people with him arose & [crossed] over [the] Jordan.

When Ahithophel saw his [advice] wasn’t followed, he saddled his [mule] & arose & [went] home to his house & city & put his household in order & [hung] himself. [He] died & was buried in the [tomb] of his father.

Then, David came to Mahanaim. Absalom with all [his] men of Israel [crossed] over Jordan. Absalom made Amasa [the] captain of the [army] instead of Joab. Amasa was [Ithra’s] son, an Israelite [who married] Abigail, the daughter of Nahash & [was the] sister of Zeruiah, [that was] Joab’s mother.

So, Absalom & Israel [camped] in the land of Gilead. When David [came] to Mahanaim, Shobi, the son of Nahash [from] Rabbah, of the children [people] of Ammon; Machir, [Ammiel’s] son, [from] Lodebar & Barzillai, the Gileadite, [from] Rogelim,

Brought beds, basins & [clay containers] & wheat, barley, flour, [dried corn,] beans, lentils & [dried grain,] honey, butter, sheep, [ cheese [from cow’s milk], for David & the people with him to eat. For they said, The people [are] hungry, [tired] & thirsty in the wilderness.

2 Samuel 16:1-23 Ziba Brings David Food for Him & Those Who Flee

 

Ziba Brings David Food for Him & Those Who Flee

2 Samuel 16:1-23       The Book of 2 Samuel [in Smaller Chunks]

When David was a little past the top of the hill, Ziba, [Mephibosheth’s] servant, met him with a couple of saddled [mules] with 200 loaves of bread, 100 bunches of raisins, 100 summer fruit & a bottle of wine, with him.

King [David] said to Ziba, What [do these mean]? Ziba said, the [mules] are for the king’s household to ride upon & the bread & summer fruit are for the young men to eat & the wine [is for anyone] to drink [who is] faint in the wilderness.

The king [asked,] Where is your master’s son? Ziba said to the king, He [stays in] Jerusalem & he said, Today, the house of Israel shall restore [to me] the kingdom of my father.

Then, king [David] said to Ziba, [Look,] yours are all [who pertain] to Mephibosheth. Ziba said, I humbly [ask] you that I may find grace in your sight, my lord, O king.

When king David came to Bahurim, out came a man from the family of [Saul’s] house [named] Shimei, [Gera’s] son. [Shimei] came [forward] & cursed [David] as he [threw] stones at [him] & his servants & all the people & the mighty men on his right hand & on his left.

Shimei said [this] when he cursed, Come out, come out, you blood [thirsty] man, you man of the [wicked]. The Lord [repaid] you for all the blood of the house of Saul & [you] have [ruled] in his [place] & the Lord has delivered the kingdom into the hand of Absalom, your son.

[Look, now] you are [caught] in your own mischief, because you are a blood [thirsty] man. Then Abishai, [Zeruiah’s] son, said to the king, Why should this dead dog curse my lord, the king?

I pray [that] you let me go over & take off his head. King [David] said, What [does this] have to do with you, [son] of Zeruiah? So, let him curse, because the Lord has said to him, Curse David. Who shall say, Why have you done [this]?

David said to Abishai & all his servants, [See,] my son [who] came [from my own body] seeks my life. How much more [can] the Benjamite do [to me]? Let him alone & let him curse; for the Lord has [told] him [to do so].

It may be that the Lord will look upon my [troubles] & will [repay] me good for his cursing this day. As David & his men went by the [road,] Shimei went along on the hillside [next] to him, cursing & [throwing rocks & dirt] as he went.

The king & all the people with him, [became tired] & refreshed themselves there. Absalom, Ahitohophel & all the men of Israel came to Jerusalem. When Hushai, the Archite, David’s friend, [came] to Absalom, Hushai said to Absalom, God save the king. [Long live the king].

Absalom said, Hushai, Is this your kindness to your friend? Why didn’t you [go] with your friend? Hushai said, [No, whomever] the Lord, this people & the men of Israel choose, I will [do] his will & I will [stay] with him.

Again, whom shall I serve? Shouldn’t I serve in the presence of [David’s] son? As I have served in your father’s presence, so will I [serve] in your presence. Then, Absalom said to Ahithophel, [Discuss] among [yourselves & give advice as to] what we shall do.

Ahithophel said to Absalom, Go in [& be intimate with] your father’s [mistresses,] he has left to [take care of] the house & all Israel shall hear that you are [hated by] your father.

Then the hand of all [who] are with; you shall be strong. So they spread Absalom’s tent upon the top of the house & Absalom [was intimate with] his father’s [mistresses] in the sight of all Israel.

Ahithophel’s counsel in those days, was [like someone who inquires] of God. So, all Ahithophel’s [advice] was both with David & with Absalom.

2 Samuel 15:1-37 Absalom’s Conspiracy Against King David, his Father

 

Absalom’s Conspiracy Against King David, his Father

2 Samuel 15:1-37       The Book of 2 Samuel [in Smaller Chunks]

After this, Absalom prepared chariots, horses & 50 men to run [in front of] him. Absalom arose early & stood beside the gate [road]. When any man had a [dispute] & came to the king for judgment, then, Absalom called to him & said, What city [are you from?] He said, [I’m] from one of the tribes of Israel.

Absalom said to him, Your matters are good & right, but the king doesn’t [have a man appointed] to hear you. [If] I were made [the] judge in the land, every man who has a [dispute] or cause might come to me & I would [provide] justice for him!

It was when any man came close to [bow] to [Absalom,] he would [take him] & kiss him. Absalom [did this] to all [of] Israel [who] came to the king for judgment. So, Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel.

After 40 years, Absalom said to king [David,] I pray that you let me go & pay my vow to the Lord in Hebron. For [I,] your servant, vowed while I [lived] at Geshur in Syria, saying, If the Lord [brings] me [back] again to Jerusalim, then I will serve the Lord. King [David] said, Go in peace.

So, [Absalom] arose & went to Hebron with 200 men called out of Jerusalem & they went out [calmly] & they didn’t know anything. But Absalom sent spies throughout the tribes of Israel, saying, As soon as you hear the trumpet sound, then say, Absalom reigns in Hebron.

Absalom sent for Ahithophel, the Gilonite, David’s counselor, from Giloh, his city, while he offered sacrifices. The conspiracy was strong & the people [joining] Absalom increased continually. A messenger came to David, saying, The hearts of the men of Israel are [with] Absalom.

David [told] all his servants there with him, Arise & let us flee [or] we shall not escape from Absalom. [Hurry & leave,] lest he [overtakes] us suddenly & [harms] us & [captures] the city with the edge of the sword.

King [David’s] servants said, [Look,] your servants are ready to do [whatever] you [ask]. King [David] went [out] & his household after him & he left 10 [mistresses,] to [take care of] the house.

King [David] & all his people [waited] in a place far [away]. All his servants & all the Cherethites, Pelethites, Gittites & 600 men [from] Gath, [went on in front of the] king. The king said to Ittai, the Gittite, [Why] do you go with us?

Return to [your] place & [stay] with the king: for you are a [foreigner] & also an exile. [Since you just came] yesterday, should I make you go up & down [the hills] with us?

Seeing [that] I go [wherever I decide to go, return & take your brethren back. [May] mercy & truth be with you. Ittai answered the king & said, As the Lord [lives] & my lord, the king [lives, I,] your servant will be in [whatever] place the king shall be, whether in life or death.

David said to Ittai, Go & [cross] over & Ittai & all his men & the little ones with him, [crossed] over. All the country wept [loudly ] & all the people & the king [crossed] over the Brook Kidron & went toward the [road] of the wilderness.

Zadok & also all the Levites [who] were with him, [carrying] the Ark of the Covenant of God. They [put] down the Ark of God & Abiathar went up until all the people of the city had [finished crossing] over.

King [David] said to Zadok, Carry back the Ark of God into the city. If I find favor in the sight of the Lord, He will bring me [back] again & show me both [the Ark] & His habitation. But if [the Lord says,] I have no delight in you, here I am.

Let [God] do to me as [seems] good to Him. King [David] also [asked] Zadok, Aren’t you a [prophet]? Return into the city in peace with [these] 2 sons: Ahimaaz, your son & Jonathan, the son of Abiathar.

See, I will [wait] in the plain of the wilderness, until word [comes] from you to [inform] me. Therefore, Zadok & Abiathar carried the Ark of God [back] again to Jerusalem & they [waited] there.

David went barefoot up the [side] of Mount Olivet [while crying] with his head covered [a sign of mourning]. Every man had his head covered as they went up [while crying].

[Someone] told David, Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom. David said, I pray the Lord [turns] the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness. It [happened] when David came to the top of the [mountain,] he worshiped God.

[David saw] Hushai, the Archite, [who] came to meet him with his coat [torn] & [dirt] upon his head [signs of mourning]. David said to him, If you [go] with me, you shall be a burden to me.

But if you return to the city & say to Absalom, I will be your servant, O king, as I have been your father’s servant [until now,] so I will [also] be your servant. Then you [might] help me defeat the counsel of Ahithophel.

Haven’t you been there with Zadok & Abiathar, the priests? Therefore, [whatever] you hear [from] the king’s house, you shall tell it to Zadok & Abiathar, the priests.

They have their 2 sons with them there: Ahimaaz, [Zadok’s] son & Jonathan, [Abiathar’s] son. By them you shall send to me everything you hear. So, Hushai, David’s friend [went] into the city & Absalom came into Jerusalem [as well].

2 Samuel 14:1-33 Joab Asks a Woman to Go to King David & Pretend She Was Mourning

 

Joab Asks a Woman to Go to King David & Pretend She Was Mourning

2 Samuel 14:1-33       The Book of 2 Samuel [in Smaller Chunks]

Now, Joab, [Zeruiah’s] son, [realized] that king [David’s] heart was [concerned about] Absalom. Joab sent to Tekoah to bring a wise woman & he said to her, I pray that you [pretend] you are a mourner & put on mourner’s [clothing].

Don't anoint yourself with oil, but be [like] a woman who has mourned a long time for the dead & come to the king & speak to him [about this]. Joab [told her what to say].

When the woman [from] Tekoah [spoke] to the king, she fell & [bowed facing the ground] & said, Help [me,] O king. King [David] said, What [troubles] you? She answered, I am indeed a widow & [my] husband is dead.

[I,] your handmaid, had 2 sons & they [fought] together in a field & there was [no one] to [pull] them [apart,] but one [struck & killed] the other. The whole family [has] risen against [me,] your handmaid.

They said, Deliver [the one who killed] his brother, [so] we may [put him to death] for [taking] his [brother’s] life & we will destroy the heir.

So, they will [put out] my [remaining] coal, [my only family that] is left & leave my husband [without someone to carry on his] name [to have descendants of his] upon the earth.

King [David] said to the woman, Go to your house & I will give [a ruling about] you. The woman said to king [David,] My lord, O king, the [guilt should] be on me & my father’s house & the king & his throne [will] be [free of guilt].

The king said, Bring to me [whoever] says [anything against] you & he won’t [bother you anymore]. Then, she said, I pray that you, let the king remember the Lord your God, [so] you don’t [allow those who revenge the ] blood [of those murdered] to destroy anymore, lest they destroy my son.

[King David] said, As the Lord lives, not 1 hair of your son shall fall to the [ground]. The woman said, I pray that you let [me] your handmaid, speak [a] word to my lord, the king. [David] said, [Continue] on.

[She] said, [Why] have you thought such a thing against the people of God? For you said this thing, [like someone who is guilty, since] you haven’t [had your son] brought back home again & he’s banished.

For we must die & are [like] spilt water on the ground [that] can’t be [recovered] again. [But] God [doesn’t take away life,] but [plans] a way [that the person] banished, isn’t [separated from God].

That’s [why] I have come to speak [about] this to my lord, the king, because the people have made me afraid. [So, I,] your handmaid said, I will go now & speak to the king.

It may be that he [might do] his handmaid’s request, [listen] & deliver me & my son [from] the hand of the man [who] would destroy [both] me & my son [from] the inheritance of God.

Then, [I] said, The king is like an angel of God, to [decide between] good & bad & [maybe] the word of, my lord, the king, [might be agreeable]. Therefore, the Lord your God will be with you.

The king answered the women & said, Don’t hide from me the thing I shall ask you. The woman said, Let my lord, the king, now speak. King [David] said, Isn’t the hand of Joab with you in all [of] this?

[She] answered, As your soul lives, my lord, the king, [no one] can turn to the right hand or the left [from what] you [have said] for your servant, Joab [begged] me & put all these words into [my,] your handmaid’s mouth, to bring about this [conversation]. [That’s why] Joab has done this.

My lord is wise, according to the wisdom of [God’s angels]. [The king knows everything that happens] in the earth. King [David] said to Joab, Now that I have done this, therefore go & bring the young man, Absalom, again.

Joab fell & bowed facing the ground & thanked the king. Joab said, Today, [I,] your servant [know] that I have found grace in your sight. O king, in that you have fulfilled [my,] your [servant’s] request.

So, Joab arose & went to Geshur & brought Absalom [back] to Jerusalem. King [David] said, Let him [stay] in his own house & not see my face. So, Absalom returned to his own house & didn’t see the king’s face.

There wasn’t [anyone] in all [of] Israel [who was as] praised for his beauty as Absalom. There was no blemish in him from the sole of his foot to the [top] of his head.

When [they cut Absalom’s hair] (for it was [cut] at every year’s end, because [his] hair was so heavy [for] him) & [his] hair weighed 200 shekels, [according] to the king’s weight; [www.answers.com said it weighed 5 pounds].

Absalom had 3 sons & a daughter born to him & he named her Tamar & she was beautiful. So, Absalom lived 2 full years in Jerusalem [without seeing] the king’s face.

Therefore, Absalom sent for Joab [in order to send] him to the king, but [Joab] wouldn’t come to him. When [Absalom] sent for [Joab] a 2nd time, he wouldn’t come.

[Absalom] said to his servants, See, Joab’s field is near mine & he has barley there. Go & set it on fire & [they did so]. Then, Joab arose & went to Absalom’s house & said to him, [Why did] your servants set my field on fire?

Absalom answered Joab, [Look,] I sent to you, saying, Come [here,] so I [can] send you to the king, to say, [Why have] I come from Geshur? It would’ve been [better] for me to be there still.

Therefore, let me now see the king’s face & if there’s any [guilt] in me, let him kill me. So, Joab [went] to the king & told him & when he called for Absalom, he came & bowed facing the ground [in front of] the king & the king kissed Absalom.

2 Samuel 13:1-39 Ammon Takes Advantage of Tamar, His Half-Sister

 

Ammon Takes Advantage of Tamar, His Half-Sister

2 Samuel 13:1-39       The Book of 2 Samuel [in Smaller Chunks]

It [happened] after this, David’s son, Absalom, had a [pretty] sister whose name was Tamar & Ammon [David’s other] son loved her. Ammon was so [distressed,] that he [was lovesick] for his sister, Tamar, for she was [an innocent maiden].

Ammon thought it [would be difficult] for him to do anything to her. Ammon had a friend [named] Jonadab, the son of Shimeah, David’s [older] brother. Jonadab was a very [clever & crafty] man.

[Jonadab asked Ammon,] Why are you, [the king’s son becoming thinner] day [after] day? Won’t you tell me? Ammon said to him, I love Tamar, my brother, Absalom’s sister.

Jonadab said to him, Lay down on your bed & [pretend to be] sick & when your father [David] comes to see you, say to him, I pray [that] you let my sister, Tamar, come & give me [food & prepare the food] in my sight, [so] I may see it & eat it [from] her hand.

So, Ammon lay down & made himself sick & when the king [came] to see him, Ammon said to king [David,] I pray [that] you let Tamar, my sister, come & make me a couple of cakes in my sight, [so] I may eat it [from] her hand.

Then, David sent [word] to Tamar [at] home, saying, Go now to [your] brother, Ammon’s house & [prepare food] for him. So, Tamar went to her brother, Ammon’s house & he was [lying] down.

She took flour & kneaded it & made cakes in his sight & baked the cakes. She took [the] pan & poured them out [in front of] him, but he refused to eat. Ammon said, [Send] out all the men from me & [they left].

Ammon said to Tamar, Bring me the [food] into the [bedroom, so] I may eat [it from] your hand. Tamar took the cakes she had made into the [bedroom] to Ammon, her [half] brother.

When she brought them [for] him to eat, [Ammon] said, Come lie [intimately] with me, my sister. She said, [No,] my brother. Don’t force me; for [for nothing like this should] be done in Israel. Don’t do this [foolish thing].

You shall be [like] one of the fools in Israel, [but where would] I go in all my shame? Therefore, I pray that you [ask] the king; for he won’t withhold me from you. [But Ammon] wouldn’t [listen] to her.

[Since he was] stronger than she [was, he] forced her & lay with her [intimately]. Then, Ammon hated [Tamar, so much] that his hatred for her was [even] greater than the love he [had] for her. Ammon said to her, Arise & [go away].

She said to [Ammon,] There’s no cause [for this.] For this evil in sending me away is [worse] than the other [evil] you did to me. But he wouldn’t [listen] to her.

[Ammon] called his servant [who counseled] him & said, Now, [take] this woman out from me & bolt the door after her. [Tamar] had a [robe of many] colors on her [that the king’s innocent maiden] daughters [wore].

Then his servant bolted the door after her. Tamar put ashes on her head & tore her [robe] of [many] colors [signs of mourning]. [Tamar] laid her hand on her head & [continued] on [while] crying.

Absalom, her brother, [asked] her, [Has] Ammon, your brother, been with you [intimately]? But hold your peace [for] now, my sister, [since] he’s your brother. Don’t [afflict your heart & try not to think of it].

Tamar remained [like a widow] in her brother Absalom's house. When king David heard all of this, he was very [angry]. Absalom didn’t speak either good or bad to his brother, Ammon, because he hated Ammon, [for forcing] his sister, Tamar.

After 2 full years, Absalom had sheep shearers in Baal Hazor [near] Ephraim & Absalom invited all the king’s sons. Absalom came to king [David] & said, [Look, I,] your servant have sheep shearers.

I [beg] you to let the king & his servants go with [me,] your servant. The king said, [No,] my son. Let’s not all go now, lest we [are a burden] to you. [Absalom urged king David, & although] he wouldn’t go, [he] blessed [Absalom].

Then, Absalom said, [If you’re not going,] I pray that you let my brother, Ammon, go with us. King [David asked,] Why should he go with you? But Absalom [urged] him & he let Ammon & all the king’s sons go with him.

Now, Absalom had commanded his servants, saying, [Wait until] Ammon’s heart is merry with wine & when I say to you, [Strike down,] Ammon; then kill him & don’t [be] afraid. Haven’t I commanded you? Be courageous & valiant.

Absalom’s servants [did so] to Ammon, as Absalom had commanded. Then all the king’s sons arose & [each] got on his mule & fled. It [happened] while they were [on] the [road,] that the [news] came to David, saying, Absalom has killed all the king’s sons & not 1 of them is left.

King [David] arose & [tore] his [clothes] & lay on the [ground] [signs of mourning] & all his servants stood by with their clothes [torn]. Jonadab, the son of Shimeah, David’s brother, answered & said, My lord, don’t suppose that they’ve [killed] all your young sons, for only Ammon is dead.

For [this has been done] at Absalom’s command & [has been planned] from the day [Ammon] forced his sister, Tamar. Therefore, don’t let the lord, my king, take this thing to heart, to think all the king’s sons are dead, for only Ammon is dead.

Absalom fled & the young man [who] kept watch [looked up] & saw many people [coming] by the hillside road behind him. Jonadab said to king [David, Look,] the king’s sons [are coming] as [I,] your servant said & so it is.

As soon as he [finished] speaking, [he saw] the king’s sons [coming] & wept & the king also [wept, as did] all his servants. Absalom fled & went to Talmi, [Ammihud’s] son, king of Geshur.

David mourned for his son every day. [When] Absalom fled to Geshur, he was there [for] 3 years. The soul of king David longed to go to Absalom: for he was comforted [about] Ammon [after his death].