2 Samuel 20

2 Samuel 20:1 Now a wicked man, a Benjaminite named Sheba son of Bichri, happened to be there. He blew the ram’s horn and shouted: We have no portion in David, no inheritance in Jesse’s son. Each man to his tent, Israel!

2 Samuel 20:2 So all the men of Israel deserted David and followed Sheba son of Bichri, but the men of Judah from the Jordan all the way to Jerusalem remained loyal to their king.

2 Samuel 20:3 When David came to his palace in Jerusalem, he took the ten concubines he had left to take care of the palace and placed them under guard. He provided for them, but he was not intimate with them. They were confined until the day of their death, living as widows.

2 Samuel 20:4 The king said to Amasa, “Summon the men of Judah to me within three days and be here yourself.”

2 Samuel 20:5 Amasa went to summon Judah, but he took longer than the time allotted him.

2 Samuel 20:6 So David said to Abishai, “Sheba son of Bichri will do more harm to us than Absalom. Take your lord’s soldiers and pursue him, or he will find fortified cities and elude us.”

2 Samuel 20:7 So Joab’s men, the Cherethites, the Pelethites, and all the warriors marched out under Abishai’s command; they left Jerusalem to pursue Sheba son of Bichri.

2 Samuel 20:8 They were at the great stone in Gibeon when Amasa joined them. Joab was wearing his uniform and over it was a belt around his waist with a sword in its sheath. As he approached, the sword fell out.

2 Samuel 20:9 Joab asked Amasa, “Are you well, my brother?” Then with his right hand Joab grabbed Amasa by the beard to kiss him.

2 Samuel 20:10 Amasa was not on guard against the sword in Joab’s hand, and Joab struck him in the stomach with it and spilled his intestines out on the ground. Joab did not stab him again, and Amasa died. Joab and his brother Abishai pursued Sheba son of Bichri.

2 Samuel 20:11 One of Joab’s boys had stood over Amasa saying, “Whoever favors Joab and whoever is for David, follow Joab!”

2 Samuel 20:12 Now Amasa had been writhing in his blood in the middle of the highway, and the man had seen that all the people stopped. So he moved Amasa from the highway to the field and threw a garment over him because he realized that all those who encountered Amasa were stopping.

2 Samuel 20:13 When he was removed from the highway, all the men passed by and followed Joab to pursue Sheba son of Bichri.

2 Samuel 20:14 Sheba passed through all the tribes of Israel to Abel of Beth-maacah. All the Berites came together and followed him.

2 Samuel 20:15 Joab’s people came and besieged Sheba in Abel of Beth-maacah. They built a siege ramp against the outer wall of the city. While all the people with Joab were putting an end to the wall to make it collapse,

2 Samuel 20:16 a wise woman called out from the city, “Listen! Listen! Please tell Joab to come here and let me speak with him.”

2 Samuel 20:17 When he had come near her, the woman asked, “Are you Joab?” “I am,” he replied. “Listen to the words of your servant,” she said to him. He answered, “I’m listening.”

2 Samuel 20:18 She said, “In the past they used to say, ‘Seek counsel in Abel,’ and that’s how they settled disputes.

2 Samuel 20:19 I am one of the peaceful and faithful in Israel, but you’re trying to destroy a city that is like a mother in Israel. Why would you devour Yahveh’s inheritance?”

2 Samuel 20:20 Joab protested: “Never! I would never devour or put an end to it!

2 Samuel 20:21 That is not the case. There is a man named Sheba son of Bichri, from the hill country of Ephraim, who has rebelled against King David. Deliver this one man, and I will withdraw from the city.” The woman replied to Joab, “Watch! His head will be thrown over the wall to you.”

2 Samuel 20:22 The woman went to all the people with her wise counsel, and they cut off the head of Sheba son of Bichri and threw it to Joab. So he blew the ram’s horn, and they dispersed from the city, each to his own tent. Joab returned to the king in Jerusalem.

2 Samuel 20:23 Joab commanded the whole army of Israel; Benaiah son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and Pelethites;

2 Samuel 20:24 Adoram was over forced labor; Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud was court historian;

2 Samuel 20:25 Sheva was court secretary; Zadok and Abiathar were priests;

2 Samuel 20:26 and in addition, Ira the Jairite was David’s priest.

links:

Enduring Word Bible Commentary 2 Samuel Chapter 20

The 2 SAMUEL shelf in Jeff’s library

2 Samuel 19

2 Samuel 19:1 It was reported to Joab, “The king is weeping. He’s mourning over Absalom.”

2 Samuel 19:2 That day’s victory was turned into mourning for all the people because on that day the people heard, “The king is grieving over his son.”

2 Samuel 19:3 So they returned to the city quietly that day like people come in when they are humiliated after fleeing in battle.

2 Samuel 19:4 But the king covered his face and cried loudly, “My son Absalom! Absalom, my son, my son!”

2 Samuel 19:5 Then Joab went into the house to the king and said, “Today you have shamed all your soldiers– those who saved your throat as well as the throats of your sons, the throats of your wives, and the throats of your concubines–

2 Samuel 19:6 by loving your enemies and hating those who love you! Today you have made it clear that the commanders and soldiers mean nothing to you. In fact, today I know that if Absalom were alive and all of us were dead, it would be fine with you!

2 Samuel 19:7 “Now get up! Go out and speak to the heart of your soldiers, for I swear by Yahveh that if you don’t go out, not a man will remain with you tonight. This will be worse for you than all the trouble that has come to you from your youth until now!”

2 Samuel 19:8a So the king got up and sat in the city gate, and all the people were told: “Look, the king is sitting in the city gate.”

2 Samuel 19:8b Then they all came into the king’s presence. Meanwhile, each Israelite had fled to his tent.

2 Samuel 19:9 People throughout all the tribes of Israel were arguing among themselves, saying, “The king rescued us from the grasp of our enemies, and he saved us from the grasp of the Philistines, but now he has fled from the land because of Absalom.

2 Samuel 19:10 But Absalom, the man we anointed over us, has died in battle. So why do you say nothing about restoring the king?”

2 Samuel 19:11 King David sent word to the priests Zadok and Abiathar: “Say to the elders of Judah, ‘Why should you be the last to restore the king to his palace? The talk of all Israel has reached the king at his house.

2 Samuel 19:12 You are my brothers, my flesh and blood. So why should you be the last to restore the king? ‘

2 Samuel 19:13 And tell Amasa, ‘Aren’t you my flesh and blood? May God punish me and do so severely if you don’t become commander of my army from now on instead of Joab! ‘”

2 Samuel 19:14 So he won over all the men of Judah, and they unanimously sent word to the king: “Come back, you and all your servants.”

2 Samuel 19:15 Then the king returned. When he arrived at the Jordan, Judah came to Gilgal to meet the king and escort him across the Jordan.

2 Samuel 19:16 Shimei son of Gera, the Benjaminite from Bahurim, hurried down with the men of Judah to meet King David.

2 Samuel 19:17 There were a thousand men from Benjamin with him. Ziba, a boy from the house of Saul, with his fifteen sons and twenty servants also rushed down to the Jordan ahead of the king.

2 Samuel 19:18 They forded the Jordan to bring the king’s household across and do whatever the king desired. When Shimei son of Gera crossed the Jordan, he fell facedown before the king

2 Samuel 19:19 and said to him, “My lord, don’t hold me guilty, and don’t remember your servant’s wrongdoing on the day my lord the king left Jerusalem. May the king not take it to heart.

2 Samuel 19:20 For your servant knows that I have sinned. But look! Today I am the first one of the entire house of Joseph to come down to meet my lord the king.”

2 Samuel 19:21 Abishai son of Zeruiah asked, “Shouldn’t Shimei be put to death for this, because he cursed Yahveh’s anointed?”

2 Samuel 19:22 David answered, “Sons of Zeruiah, do we agree on anything? Have you become my adversary today? Should any man be killed in Israel today? Am I not aware that today I’m king over Israel?”

2 Samuel 19:23 So the king said to Shimei, “You will not die.” Then the king gave him his oath.

2 Samuel 19:24 Mephibosheth, Saul’s grandson, also went down to meet the king. He had not taken care of his feet, trimmed his mustache, or washed his clothes from the day the king left until the day he returned safely.

2 Samuel 19:25 When he came from Jerusalem to meet the king, the king asked him, “Mephibosheth, why didn’t you come with me?”

2 Samuel 19:26 “My lord the king,” he replied, “my servant Ziba betrayed me. Actually your servant said: ‘I’ll saddle the donkey for myself so that I may ride it and go with the king’– for your servant is lame.

2 Samuel 19:27 Ziba slandered your servant to my lord the king. But my lord the king is like the angel of God, so do whatever you think best.

2 Samuel 19:28 For my grandfather’s entire family deserves death from my lord the king, but you set your servant among those who eat at your table. So what further right do I have to keep on making appeals to the king?”

2 Samuel 19:29 The king said to him, “Why keep on speaking about these matters of yours? I hereby declare: you and Ziba are to divide the land.”

2 Samuel 19:30 Mephibosheth said to the king, “Instead, since my lord the king has come to his palace safely, let Ziba take it all!”

2 Samuel 19:31 Barzillai the Gileadite had come down from Rogelim and accompanied the king to the Jordan River to see him off at the Jordan.

2 Samuel 19:32 Barzillai was a very old man– eighty years old– and since he was a very wealthy man, he had provided for the needs of the king while he stayed in Mahanaim.

2 Samuel 19:33 The king said to Barzillai, “Cross over with me, and I’ll provide for you at my side in Jerusalem.”

2 Samuel 19:34 Barzillai replied to the king, “How many years of my life are left that I should go up to Jerusalem with the king?

2 Samuel 19:35 I’m now eighty years old. Can I discern what is pleasant and what is not? Can your servant taste what he eats or drinks? Can I still hear the voice of male and female singers? Why should your servant be an added burden to my lord the king?

2 Samuel 19:36 Since your servant is only going with the king a little way across the Jordan, why should the king repay me with such a reward?

2 Samuel 19:37 Please let your servant return so that I may die in my own city near the tomb of my father and mother. But here is your servant Chimham: let him cross over with my lord the king. Do for him what seems good to you.”

2 Samuel 19:38 The king replied, “Chimham will cross over with me, and I will do for him what seems good to you, and whatever you desire from me I will do for you.”

2 Samuel 19:39 So all the people crossed the Jordan, and then the king crossed. The king kissed Barzillai and blessed him, and Barzillai returned to his home.

2 Samuel 19:40 The king went on to Gilgal, and Chimham went with him. All the people of Judah and half of Israel’s escorted the king.

2 Samuel 19:41 Suddenly, all the men of Israel came to the king. They asked him, “Why did our brothers, the men of Judah, take you away secretly and transport the king and his household across the Jordan, along with all of David’s men?”

2 Samuel 19:42 All the men of Judah responded to the men of Israel, “Because the king is our relative. Why does this make you angry? Have we ever eaten anything of the king’s or been honored at all?”

2 Samuel 19:43 The men of Israel answered the men of Judah: “We have ten shares in the king, so we have a greater claim to David than you. Why then do you despise us? Weren’t we the first to speak of restoring our king?” But the words of the men of Judah were harsher than those of the men of Israel.

links:

Maranatha Daily Devotional – Friday, September 27, 2019
the ravages of time

The 2 SAMUEL shelf in Jeff’s library

2 Samuel 18

2 Samuel 18:1 David reviewed his people and appointed commanders of thousands and of hundreds over them.

2 Samuel 18:2 He then sent out the troops, a third under Joab, a third under Joab’s brother Abishai son of Zeruiah, and a third under Ittai of Gath. The king said to the troops, “I must also march out with you.”

2 Samuel 18:3 “You must not go!” the people pleaded. “If we have to flee, they will not take us to heart. Even if half of us die, they will not take us to heart because you are worth ten thousand of us. Therefore, it is better if you support us from the city.”

2 Samuel 18:4 “I will do whatever you think is best,” the king replied to them. So he stood beside the city gate while all the people marched out by hundreds and thousands.

2 Samuel 18:5 The king commanded Joab, Abishai, and Ittai, “Treat the boy Absalom gently for my sake.” All the people heard the king’s orders to all the commanders about Absalom.

2 Samuel 18:6 Then David’s forces marched into the field to engage Israel in battle, which took place in the forest of Ephraim.

2 Samuel 18:7 Israel’s army was defeated by David’s soldiers, and the slaughter there was vast that day– twenty thousand dead.

2 Samuel 18:8 The battle spread over the entire area, and that day the forest claimed more people than the sword.

2 Samuel 18:9 Absalom was riding on his mule when he happened to meet David’s soldiers. When the mule went under the tangled branches of a large oak tree, Absalom’s head was caught fast in the tree. The mule under him kept going, so he was suspended between the sky[1] and the ground.

2 Samuel 18:10 One of the men saw him and informed Joab. He said, “I just saw Absalom hanging in an oak tree!”

2 Samuel 18:11 “You just saw him!” Joab exclaimed. “Why didn’t you strike him to the ground right there? I would have given you ten silver pieces and a belt!”

2 Samuel 18:12 The man replied to Joab, “Even if I had the weight of a thousand pieces of silver in my hand, I would not raise my hand against the king’s son. For we heard the king command you, Abishai, and Ittai, ‘Protect the boy Absalom for me.’

2 Samuel 18:13 If I had risked my own throat– and nothing is hidden from the king– you would have abandoned me.”

2 Samuel 18:14 Joab said, “I’m not going to waste time with you!” He then took three spears in his hand and thrust them into Absalom’s heart. While Absalom was still alive in heart of the oak tree,

2 Samuel 18:15 ten boys who were Joab’s armor-bearers surrounded Absalom, struck him, and killed him.

2 Samuel 18:16 Joab blew the ram’s horn, and the people broke off their pursuit of Israel because Joab restrained them.

2 Samuel 18:17 They took Absalom, threw him into a large pit in the forest, and raised up a huge mound of stones over him. And all Israel fled, each to his tent.

2 Samuel 18:18 When he was alive, Absalom had taken a pillar and raised it up for himself in the King’s Valley, since he thought, “I have no son to preserve the memory of my name.” So he named the pillar after himself. It is still called Absalom’s Monument today.

2 Samuel 18:19 Ahimaaz son of Zadok said, “Please let me run and tell the king the good news that Yahveh has vindicated him by freeing him from his enemies.”

2 Samuel 18:20 Joab replied to him, “You are not the man to take good news today. You may do it another day, but today you aren’t taking good news, because the king’s son is dead.”

2 Samuel 18:21 Joab then said to a Cushite, “Go tell the king what you have seen.” The Cushite bowed to Joab and took off running.

2 Samuel 18:22 However, Ahimaaz son of Zadok persisted and said to Joab, “No matter what, please let me also run behind the Cushite!” Joab replied, “My son, why do you want to run since you won’t get a reward?”

2 Samuel 18:23 “No matter what, I want to run!” “Then run!” Joab said to him. So Ahimaaz ran by way of the plain and outran the Cushite.

2 Samuel 18:24 David was sitting between the city gates when the watchman went up to the roof of the city gate and over to the wall. The watchman looked out and saw a man running alone.

2 Samuel 18:25 He called out and told the king. The king said, “If he’s alone, he bears good news.” As the first runner came closer,

2 Samuel 18:26 the watchman saw another man running. He called out to the gatekeeper, “Look! Another man is running alone!” “This one is also bringing good news,” said the king.

2 Samuel 18:27 The watchman said, “The way the first man runs looks to me like the way Ahimaaz son of Zadok runs.” “This is a good man; he comes with good news,” the king commented.

2 Samuel 18:28 Ahimaaz called out to the king, “All is well,” and paid homage to the king with his face to the ground. He continued, “Blessed be Yahveh your God! He delivered up the men who rebelled against my lord the king.”

2 Samuel 18:29 The king asked, “Is the boy Absalom all right?” Ahimaaz replied, “When Joab sent the king’s servant and your servant, I saw a big disturbance, but I don’t know what it was.”

2 Samuel 18:30 The king said, “Move aside and stand here.” So he stood to one side.

2 Samuel 18:31 Just then the Cushite came and said, “May my lord the king hear the good news: Yahveh has vindicated you today by freeing you from all who rise against you!”

2 Samuel 18:32 The king asked the Cushite, “Is the boy Absalom all right?” The Cushite replied, “I wish that the enemies of my lord the king, along with all who rise up against you with evil intent, would become like that young man.”

2 Samuel 18:33 The king was deeply moved and went up to the chamber above the city gate and wept. As he walked, he cried, “My son Absalom! My son, my son Absalom! If only I had died instead of you, Absalom, my son, my son!”

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[1] שָׁמַיִם = sky. 2 Samuel 18:9; 21:10; 22:8, 10, 14.

links:

a costly deliverance
Maranatha Daily Devotional – Thursday, September 28, 2023
Maranatha Daily Devotional – Wednesday, September 29, 2021

The 2 SAMUEL shelf in Jeff’s library

2 Samuel 17

+2 Samuel 17:1 Ahithophel said to Absalom, “Let me choose twelve thousand men, and I will set out in pursuit of David tonight.

2 Samuel 17:2 I will attack him while he is weary and discouraged, throw him into a panic, and all the people with him will scatter. I will strike down only the king

2 Samuel 17:3 and bring all the people back to you. When everyone returns except the man you’re looking for, all the people will be at peace.”

2 Samuel 17:4 This proposal seemed right to Absalom and all the elders of Israel.

2 Samuel 17:5 Then Absalom said, “Summon Hushai the Archite also. Let’s hear what he has to say as well.”

2 Samuel 17:6 So Hushai came to Absalom, and Absalom told him: “Ahithophel offered this proposal. Should we carry out his proposal? If not, what do you say?”

2 Samuel 17:7 Hushai replied to Absalom, “The advice Ahithophel has given this time is not good.”

2 Samuel 17:8 Hushai continued, “You know your father and his men. They are warriors and have bitter throats like a wild bear robbed of her cubs. Your father is an experienced soldier who won’t spend the night with the people.

2 Samuel 17:9 He’s probably already hiding in one of the caves or some other place. If some of our people fall first, someone is sure to hear and say, ‘There’s been a slaughter among the people who follow Absalom.’

2 Samuel 17:10 Then, even a brave man with the heart of a lion will lose heart because all Israel knows that your father and the valiant men with him are warriors.

2 Samuel 17:11 Instead, I advise that all Israel from Dan to Beer-sheba– as numerous as the sand by the sea– be gathered to you and that you personally go into battle.

2 Samuel 17:12 Then we will attack David wherever we find him, and we will descend on him like dew on the ground. Not even one will be left– neither he nor any of the men with him.

2 Samuel 17:13 If he gathers to some city, all Israel will bring ropes to that city, and we will drag its stones into the valley until not even a pebble can be found there.”

2 Samuel 17:14 Since Yahveh had decreed that Ahithophel’s good advice be undermined in order to bring about Absalom’s ruin, Absalom and all the men of Israel said, “The advice of Hushai the Archite is better than Ahithophel’s advice.”

2 Samuel 17:15 Hushai then told the priests Zadok and Abiathar, “This is what Ahithophel advised Absalom and the elders of Israel, and this is what I advised.

2 Samuel 17:16 Now send someone quickly and tell David, ‘Don’t spend the night at the wilderness ford, but be sure to cross over the Jordan, or the king and all the people with him will be devoured.'”

2 Samuel 17:17 Jonathan and Ahimaaz were staying at En-rogel, where a servant girl would come and pass along information to them. They in turn would go and inform King David, because they dared not be seen entering the city.

2 Samuel 17:18 However, a boy did see them and informed Absalom. So the two left quickly and came to the house of a man in Bahurim. He had a well in his courtyard, and they climbed down into it.

2 Samuel 17:19 Then his wife took the cover, placed it over the mouth of the well, and scattered grain on it so nobody would know anything.

2 Samuel 17:20 Absalom’s servants came to the woman at the house and asked, “Where are Ahimaaz and Jonathan?” “They passed by toward the water,” the woman replied to them. The men searched but did not find them, so they returned to Jerusalem.

2 Samuel 17:21 After they had gone, Ahimaaz and Jonathan climbed out of the well and went and informed King David. They told him, “Get up and immediately ford the river, for Ahithophel has given this advice against you.”

2 Samuel 17:22 So David and all the people with him got up and crossed the Jordan. By daybreak, there was no one who had not crossed the Jordan.

2 Samuel 17:23 When Ahithophel realized that his advice had not been followed, he saddled his donkey and set out for his house in his hometown. He set his house in order and hanged himself. So he died and was buried in his father’s tomb.

2 Samuel 17:24 David had arrived at Mahanaim by the time Absalom crossed the Jordan with all the men of Israel.

2 Samuel 17:25 Now Absalom had appointed Amasa over the army in Joab’s place. Amasa was the son of a man named Ithra the Israelite; Ithra had married Abigail daughter of Nahash. Abigail was a sister to Zeruiah, Joab’s mother.

2 Samuel 17:26 And Israel and Absalom camped in the land of Gilead.

2 Samuel 17:27 When David came to Mahanaim, Shobi son of Nahash from Rabbah of the Ammonites, Machir son of Ammiel from Lo-debar, and Barzillai the Gileadite from Rogelim

2 Samuel 17:28 brought beds, basins, and pottery items. They also brought wheat, barley, flour, roasted grain, beans, lentils,

2 Samuel 17:29 honey, curds, sheep, goats, and cheese from the herd for David and the people with him to eat. They had reasoned, “The people must be hungry, exhausted, and thirsty in the wilderness.”

links:

a costly deliverance
ending it all
two counselors

The 2 SAMUEL shelf in Jeff’s library

2 Samuel 15

2 Samuel 15:1 It happened after this, Absalom got himself a chariot, horses, and fifty men to run before him.

2 Samuel 15:2 He would get up early and stand beside the road leading to the city gate. Whenever anyone had a grievance to bring before the king for settlement, Absalom called out to him and asked, “What city are you from?” If he replied, “Your servant is from one of the tribes of Israel,”

2 Samuel 15:3 Absalom said to him, “Look, your claims are good and right, but the king does not have anyone to listen to you.”

2 Samuel 15:4 He added, “If only someone would appoint me judge in the land. Then anyone who had a grievance or dispute could come to me, and I would make sure he received justice.”

2 Samuel 15:5 When a person approached to pay homage to him, Absalom reached out his hand, took hold of him, and kissed him.

2 Samuel 15:6 Absalom did this to all the Israelites who came to the king for a settlement. So, Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel.

2 Samuel 15:7 When four years had passed, Absalom said to the king, “Please let me go to Hebron to fulfill a vow I made to the Lord.

2 Samuel 15:8 For your servant made a vow when I lived in Geshur of Aram, saying: If Yahveh really brings me back to Jerusalem, I will worship Yahveh in Hebron.”

2 Samuel 15:9 “Go in peace,” the king said to him. So, he went to Hebron.

2 Samuel 15:10 Then Absalom sent agents throughout the tribes of Israel with this message: “When you hear the sound of the ram’s horn, you are to say, ‘Absalom has become king in Hebron! ‘”

2 Samuel 15:11 Two hundred men from Jerusalem went with Absalom. They had been invited and were going innocently, because they did not know the whole situation.

2 Samuel 15:12 While he was offering the sacrifices, Absalom sent for David’s adviser Ahithophel the Gilonite, from his city of Giloh. So, the conspiracy grew strong, and the people supporting Absalom continued to increase.

2 Samuel 15:13 Then an messenger came to David and reported, “The hearts of the men of Israel are with Absalom.”

2 Samuel 15:14 David said to all the servants with him in Jerusalem, “Get up. We must flee, or we will not escape from Absalom! Leave quickly, or he will overtake us quickly, heap disaster on us, and strike the city with the edge of the sword.”

2 Samuel 15:15 The king’s servants said to the king, “Whatever my lord the king decides, we are your servants.”

2 Samuel 15:16 Then the king set out, and his entire household followed him. But he left behind ten concubines to take care of the palace.

2 Samuel 15:17 So the king set out, and all the people followed him. They stopped at the last house

2 Samuel 15:18 while all his servants marched past him. Then all the Cherethites, the Pelethites, and those from Gath — six hundred men who came with him from there — marched past the king.

2 Samuel 15:19 The king said to Ittai of Gath, “Why are you also going with us? Go back and stay with the new king since you’re both a foreigner and an exile from your homeland.

2 Samuel 15:20 Besides, you only arrived yesterday; should I make you wander around with us today while I go wherever I can? Go back and take your brothers with you. May Yahveh show you kindness and faithfulness.”

2 Samuel 15:21 But in response, Ittai vowed to the king, “As Yahveh lives and as my lord the king lives, wherever my lord the king is, whether it means life or death, your servant will be there!”

2 Samuel 15:22 “March on,” David replied to Ittai. So Ittai of Gath marched past with all his men and the dependents who were with him.

2 Samuel 15:23 Everyone in the countryside was weeping loudly while all the people were marching out of the city. As the king was crossing the Kidron Valley, all the people were marching past on the road that leads to the wilderness.

2 Samuel 15:24 Zadok was also there, and all the Levites with him were carrying the ark of the covenant of God. They set the ark of God down, and Abiathar offered sacrifices until the people had finished marching past.

2 Samuel 15:25 Then the king instructed Zadok, “Return the ark of God to the city. If I find favor with Yahveh, he will bring me back and allow me to see both it and its dwelling place.

2 Samuel 15:26 However, if he should say, ‘I do not delight in you,’ then here I am — he can do with me whatever pleases him.”

2 Samuel 15:27 The king also said to the priest Zadok, “Look, return to the city in peace and your two sons with you: your son Ahimaaz and Abiathar’s son Jonathan.

2 Samuel 15:28 Remember, I’ll wait at the fords of the wilderness until word comes from you to inform me.”

2 Samuel 15:29 So Zadok and Abiathar returned the ark of God to Jerusalem and stayed there.

2 Samuel 15:30 David was climbing the slope of the Mount of Olives, weeping as he ascended. His head was covered, and he was walking barefoot. All the people with him covered their heads and went up, weeping as they ascended.

2 Samuel 15:31 Then someone reported to David: “Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom.” “Yahveh,” David pleaded, “please turn the advice of Ahithophel into foolishness!”

2 Samuel 15:32 When David came to the summit where he used to worship God, Hushai the Archite was there to meet him with his robe torn and dust on his head.

2 Samuel 15:33 David said to him, “If you go away with me, you’ll be a burden to me,

2 Samuel 15:34 but if you return to the city and tell Absalom, ‘I will be your servant, Your Majesty! Previously, I was your father’s servant, but now I will be your servant,’ then you can counteract Ahithophel’s advice for me.

2 Samuel 15:35 Won’t the priests Zadok and Abiathar be there with you? Report everything you hear from the palace to the priests Zadok and Abiathar.

2 Samuel 15:36 Take note: their two sons are there with them– Zadok’s son Ahimaaz and Abiathar’s son Jonathan. Send them to tell me everything you hear.”

2 Samuel 15:37 So Hushai, David’s personal adviser, entered Jerusalem just as Absalom was entering the city.

links:

kissing conspiracy
Maranatha Daily Devotional – Thursday, September 26, 2019
Maranatha Daily Devotional – Wednesday, September 27, 2023
seeing the devil
the best and the worst
transition

The 2 SAMUEL shelf in Jeff’s library