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 now choose 12,000 men & I will [get up] & pursue after David this night. And I will come upon him while he is [tired] & weak & will make him afraid & all the people with him shall 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, Absalom 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. Hushai said, 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,] that [whoever] hears it will say, There is a slaughter [of] the people [who] follow Absalom.

The hearts of [those who] are valiant, whose heart is [like] the heart of a lion, shall [totally] melt. For all Israel knows that your father 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 & there shall not be left, so much as 1 of him & all his men with him there.

[Additionally,] 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,] [until we find David.]

Absalom & all the men of Israel said, The [advice] of Hushai, the Archite, is better than [Ahithophel’s.] For the Lord [God] had [planned] to defeat [Ahithophel’s 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, now quickly send & tell David, saying, [Don’t camp & spend]this night 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, where] they went down [into 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 of water. And when they [looked] & couldn’t find them, they returned to Jerusalem. It [happened,] that 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. By [dawn,] there [wasn’t] 1 of them [who hadn’t] gone over [the] Jordan [River.]

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

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

So, Absalom & Israel pched [tents] in the land of Gilead. It [happened,] when David [came] to Mahanaim, that 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 [who] were 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] & upon them: 200 loaves of bread, 100 bunches of raisins, 100 summer fruit & a bottle of wine.

And King [David] said to Ziba, What [do these mean?] And Ziba said, The [mules] are for the king’s household to ride on & 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? And Ziba said to the king, He [stays in] Jerusalem. For 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 & [saw] a man came out, [from] the family of [Saul’s] house, [named] Shimei, [Gera’s] son. [Shimei] came [forward] & cursed [David] as he came & he [threw] stones at David & all his servants. And all the people & all the mighty men were 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 has [repaid] you for all the blood [shed] 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, you [son] of Zeruiah? So, let him curse, because the Lord has said to him, Curse David. Who shall say, [For what reason] have you done [this?]

And David said to Abishai & to 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.

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

And Absalom said to 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 be his & 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.

And 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 hands 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.

And [Ahithophel’s counsel] in those days, was [like someone who inquires] at the oracle 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]

It [happened] after this, that 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?] And he said, [I’m] from one of the tribes of Israel.

And Absalom said to him, [I] see, 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 any [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 put [out] his hand, took him & kissed 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.

It [happened] 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 Jerusalem, 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 [rules] in Hebron.

And 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.

And David [told] all his servants there with him [in] Jerusalem, 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.

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

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

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. And 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.

And 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.

[Look,] 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.

And 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.

[Look,] here I am, let [God] do to me as [seems] good to Him. King [David] also [asked] Zadok, the priest, 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.

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

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

[David saw] Hushai, the Archite, [who] came to meet him with his coat [torn] & [dirt] upon his head [Genesis 37:34 And Jacob [tore] his clothes & put sackcloth [around his waist] & mourned for his son many days.] David said to him, If you [go] on 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.

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

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. And Joab sent to Tekoah to [bring from there] a wise woman & [he] said to her, I pray [that] you [pretend you are] a mourner & put on [mourner’s clothing] now.

[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.]

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

And [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. [See,] 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 [that] is left & leave my husband [without someone to carry on his] name nor [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 avenge 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.] Then, 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 brought back home his banished [son] again.

For we must die & are [like] spilt water on the ground that [can’t] be [picked up] again. [But] God [doesn’t favor] any person, [but plans a way so 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. For the king will [listen] & deliver [me,] his handmaid & my son [from] the hand of the man [who] would destroy [both] me & my son [from] the inheritance of God.

Then, [I,] your handmaid 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, I pray [that] you [don’t] hide from me the thing I shall ask you. The woman said, Let my lord, the king, now speak. And 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 your handmaid’s mouth, to [bring] about this [conversation.] [That’s why] Joab, your servant, has done this.

My lord is wise, according to the wisdom of an angel of God, to know all things that [that happen on] the earth. And King [David] said to Joab, I have now done this, therefore go & bring the young man, Absalom, again.

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

So, Joab arose & went to Geshur & brought Absalom [back] to Jerusalem. And King [David] said, Let him [return] to 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.

And 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.

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

And 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 brother. And 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? And Ammon said to him, I love Tamar, my brother, Absalom’s sister.

And 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. And Ammon said, [Send] out all the men from me & [they left.]

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

When she brought them [for] him to eat, [Ammon] took hold of her & 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 now [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 [with which] he had loved her. Ammon said to her, Arise & [go away.]

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

Then, [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 [took] her out & bolted the door after her. Tamar put ashes on her head & tore her [robe] of [many] colors that was on her. [Tamar] laid her hand on her head & [continued] on, 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. [Try not to think of] this thing.

Tamar remained [like a widow] in her brother Absalom's house. But when king David heard all of these things, he was very [angry.] And Absalom [didn’t speak either] good nor bad to his brother, Ammon, because he hated Ammon, [for forcing] his sister, Tamar.

It [happened] after 2 full years, that Absalom had sheep shearers in Baal Hazor, which is [next to] Ephraim & Absalom invited all the king’s sons. And Absalom came to king [David] & said, [Look,] now, [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. And 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 fearful.] Haven’t I commanded you? Be courageous & valiant.

[Absalom’s] servants [did] to Ammon, as Absalom had commanded. Then, all the king’s sons arose & [each] man 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.

Then, King [David] arose & [tore] his [clothes] & lay on the [ground.] [Genesis 37:34 And Jacob [tore]his clothes & put on sackcloth [around his waist] & mourned for his son many days.]

And all his servants stood by with their clothes [torn.] And Jonadab, the son of Shimeah, David’s brother, answered & said, [Don’t] let my lord, 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, now 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 [road] of the hill side, behind him. And Jonadab said to king [David, Look,] the king’s sons [are coming] as [I,] your servant said & so it is.

And it [happened,] as soon as he [finished] speaking, [he saw] the king’s sons [coming] & they lifted up their voices & wept. The king also [wept, as did] all his servants. But Absalom fled & went to Talmi, [Ammihud’s] son, king of Geshur.

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