Doig's Biblical Chronology  . Exact Dating of the Exodus and Birth and Crucifixion of Jesus

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Index to Josephus

Antiquities of the Jews - Book VII

CONTAINING THE INTERVAL OF FORTY YEARS
FROM THE DEATH OF SAUL TO THE DEATH OF DAVID

CHAPTER 1

HOW DAVID REIGNED OVER ONE TRIBE AT HEBRON WHILE THE SON OF SAUL REIGNED OVER THE REST OF THE MULTITUDE; AND HOW, IN THE CIVIL WAR WHICH THEN AROSE ASAHEL AND ABNER WERE SLAIN

1. THIS fight proved to be on the same day whereon David was come back to Ziklag, after he had overcome the
Amalekites. Now when he had been already two days at Ziklag, there came to him the man who slew Saul, which
was the third day after the fight. He had escaped out of the battle which the Israelites had with the Philistines, and
had his clothes rent, and ashes upon his head. And when he made his obeisance to David, he inquired of him
whence he came. He replied, from the battle of the Israelites; and he informed him that the end of it was
unfortunate, many ten thousands of the Israelites having been cut off, and Saul, together with his sons, slain. He
also said that he could well give him this information, because he was present at the victory gained over the
Hebrews, and was with the king when he fled. Nor did he deny that he had himself slain the king, when he was
ready to be taken by the enemy, and he himself exhorted him to do it, because, when he was fallen on his sword, his
great wounds had made him so weak that he was not able to kill himself. He also produced demonstrations that the
king was slain, which were the golden bracelets that had been on the king's arms, and his crown, which he had
taken away from Saul's dead body, and had brought them to him. So David having no longer any room to call in
question the truth of what he said, but seeing most evident marks that Saul was dead, he rent his garments, and
continued all that day with his companions in weeping and lamentation. This grief was augmented by the
consideration of Jonathan; the son of Saul, who had been his most faithful friend, and the occasion of his own
deliverance. He also demonstrated himself to have such great virtue, and such great kindness for Saul, as not only
to take his death to heart, though he had been frequently in danger of losing his life by his means, but to punish him
that slew him; for when David had said to him that he was become his own accuser, as the very man who had slain
the king, and when he had understood that he was the son of an Amalekite, he commanded him to be slain. He also
committed to writing some lamentations and funeral commendations of Saul and Jonathan, which have continued to
my own age.

2. Now when David had paid these honors to the king, he left off his mourning, and inquired of God by the prophet
which of the cities of the tribe of Judah he would bestow upon him to dwell in; who answered that he bestowed upon
him Hebron. So he left Ziklag, and came to Hebron, and took with him his wives, who were in number two, and his
armed men; whereupon all the people of the forementioned tribe came to him, and ordained him their king. But
when he heard that the inhabitants of Jabesh-gilead had buried Saul and his sons [honorably], he sent to them and
commended them, and took what they had done kindly, and promised to make them amends for their care of those
that were dead; and at the same time he informed them that the tribe of Judah had chosen him for their king.

3. But as soon as Abner, the son of Ner, who was general of Saul's army, and a very active man, and good-natured,
knew that the king, and Jonathan, and his two other sons, were fallen in the battle, he made haste into the camp;
and taking away with him the remaining son of Saul, whose name was Ishbosheth, he passed over to the land
beyond Jordan, and ordained him the king of the whole multitude, excepting the tribe of Judah; and made his royal
seat in a place called in our own language Mahanaim, but in the language of the Grecians, The Camps; from whence
Abner made haste with a select body of soldiers, to fight with such of the tribe of Judah as were disposed to it, for
he was angry that this tribe had set up David for their king. But Joab, whose father was Suri, and his mother
Zeruiah, David's sister, who was general of David's army, met him, according to David's appointment. He had with
him his brethren, Abistiai and Asahel, as also all David's armed men. Now when he met Abner at a certain fountain,
in the city of Gibeon, he prepared to fight. And when Abner said to him, that he had a mind to know which of them
had the more valiant soldiers, it was agreed between them that twelve soldiers of each side should fight together.
So those that were chosen out by both the generals for this fight came between the two armies, and throwing their
lances one against the other, they drew their swords, and catching one another by the head, they held one another
fast, and ran each other's swords into their sides and groins, until they all, as it were by mutual agreement, perished
together. When these were fallen down dead, the rest of the army came to a sore battle, and Abner's men were
beaten; and when they were beaten, Joab did not leave off pursuing them, but he pressed upon them, and excited
the soldiers to follow them close, and not to grow weary of killing them. His brethren also pursued them with great
alacrity, especially the younger, Asahel, who was the most eminent of them. He was very famous for his swiftness
of foot, for he could not only be too hard for men, but is reported to have overrun a horse, when they had a race
together. This Asahel ran violently after Abner, and would not turn in the least out of the straight way, either to the
one side or to the other. Hereupon Abner turned back, and attempted artfully to avoid his violence. Sometimes he
bade him leave off the pursuit, and take the armor of one of his soldiers; and sometimes, when he could not
persuade him so to do, he exhorted him to restrain himself, and not to pursue him any longer, lest he should force
him to kill him, and he should then not be able to look his brother in the face: but when Asahel would not admit of
any persuasions, but still continued to pursue him, Abner smote him with his spear, as he held it in his flight, and
that by a back-stroke, and gave him a deadly wound, so that he died immediately; but those that were with him
pursuing Abner, when they came to the place where Asahel lay, they stood round about the dead body, and left off
the pursuit of the enemy. However, both Joab (1) himself, and his brother Abishai, ran past the dead corpse, and
making their anger at the death of Asahel an occasion of greater zeal against Abner, they went on with incredible
haste and alacrity, and pursued Abner to a certain place called Ammah: it was about sun-set. Then did Joab ascend
a certain hill, as he stood at that place, having the tribe of Benjamin with him, whence he took a view of them, and
of Abner also. Hereupon Abner cried aloud, and said that it was not fit that they should irritate men of the same
nation to fight so bitterly one against another; that as for Asahel his brother, he was himself in the wrong, when he
would not be advised by him not to pursue him any farther, which was the occasion of his wounding and death. So
Joab consented to what he said, and accepted these his words as an excuse [about Asahel], and called the soldiers
back with the sound of the trumpet, as a signal for their retreat, and thereby put a stop to any further pursuit. After
which Joab pitched his camp there that night; but Abner marched all that night, and passed over the river Jordan,
and came to Ishbosheth, Saul's son, to Mahanaim. On the next day Joab counted the dead men, and took care of all
their funerals. Now there were slain of Abner's soldiers about three hundred and sixty; but of those of David
nineteen, and Asahel, whose body Joab and Abishai carried to Bethlehem; and when they had buried him in the
sepulcher of their fathers, they came to David to Hebron. From this time therefore there began an intestine war,
which lasted a great while, in which the followers of David grew stronger in the dangers they underwent, and the
servants and subjects of Saul's sons did almost every day become weaker.

4. About this time David was become the father of six sons, born of as many mothers. The eldest was by Ahinoam,
and he was called Arenon; the second was Daniel, by his wife Abigail; the name of the third was Absalom, by
Maacah, the daughter of Talmai, king of Geshur; the fourth he named Adonijah, by his wife Haggith; the fifth was
Shephatiah, by Abital; the sixth he called Ithream, by Eglah. Now while this intestine war went on, and the subjects
of the two kings came frequently to action and to fighting, it was Abner, the general of the host of Saul's son, who,
by his prudence, and the great interest he had among the multitude, made them all continue with Ishbosheth; and
indeed it was a considerable time that they continued of his party; but afterwards Abner was blamed, and an
accusation was laid against him, that he went in unto Saul's concubine: her name was Rispah, the daughter of Aiah.
So when he was complained of by Ishbosheth, he was very uneasy and angry at it, because he had not justice done
him by Ishbosheth, to whom he had shown the greatest kindness; whereupon he threatened to transfer the kingdom
to David, and demonstrate that he did not rule over the people beyond Jordan by his own abilities and wisdom, but
by his warlike conduct and fidelity in leading his army. So he sent ambassadors to Hebron to David, and desired
that he would give him security upon oath that he would esteem him his companion and his friend, upon condition
that he should persuade the people to leave Saul's son, and choose him king of the whole country; and when David
had made that league with Abner, for he was pleased with his message to him, he desired that he would give this as
the first mark of performance of the present league, that he might have his wife Michal restored to him, as her
whom he had purchased with great hazards, and with those six hundred heads of the Philistines which he had
brought to Saul her father. So Abner took Michal from Phaltiel, who was then her husband, and sent her to David,
Ishbosheth himself affording him his assistance, for David had written to him that of right he ought to have this his
wife restored to him. Abner also called together the elders of the multitude, the commanders and captains of
thousands, and spake thus to them: That he had formerly dissuaded them from their own resolution, when they
were ready to forsake Ishbosheth, and to join themselves to David; that, however, he now gave them leave so to
do, if they had a mind to it, for they knew that God had appointed David to be king of all the Hebrews by Samuel
the prophet; and had foretold that he should punish the Philistines, and overcome them, and bring them under. Now
when the elders and rulers heard this, and understood that Abner was come over to those sentiments about the
public affairs which they were of before, they changed their measures, and came in to David. When these men had
agreed to Abner's proposal, he called together the tribe of Benjamin, for all of that tribe were the guards of
Ishbosheth's body, and he spake to them to the same purpose. And when he saw that they did not in the least
oppose what he said, but resigned themselves up to his opinion, he took about twenty of his friends and came to
David, in order to receive himself security upon oath from him; for we may justly esteem those things to be firmer
which every one of us do by ourselves, than those which we do by another. He also gave him an account of what he
had said to the rulers, and to the whole tribe of Benjamin; and when David had received him in a courteous manner,
and had treated him with great hospitality for many days, Abner, when he was dismissed, desired him to bring the
multitude with him, that he might deliver up the government to him, when David himself was present, and a
spectator of what was done.

5. When David had sent Abner away, Joab, the of his army, came immediately to Hebron; he had understood that
Abner had been with David, and had parted with him a little before under leagues and agreements that the
government should be delivered up to David, he feared lest David should place Abner, who had assisted him to gain
the kingdom, in the first rank of dignity, especially since he was a shrewd man in other respects, in understanding
affairs, and in managing them artfully, as proper seasons should require, and that he should himself be put lower,
and be deprived of the command of the army; so he took a knavish and a wicked course. In the first place, he
endeavored to calumniate Abner to the king, exhorting him to have a care of him, and not to give attention to what
he had engaged to do for him, because all he did tended to confirm the government to Saul's son; that he came to
him deceitfully and with guile, and was gone away in hopes of gaining his purpose by this management: but when he
could not thus persuade David, nor saw him at all exasperated, he betook himself to a project bolder than the
former: - he determined to kill Abner; and in order thereto, he sent some messengers after him, to whom he gave in
charge, that when they should overtake him they should recall him in David's name, and tell him that he had
somewhat to say to him about his affairs, which he had not remembered to speak of when he was with him. Now
when Abner heard what the messengers said, (for they overtook him in a certain place called Besira, which was
distant from Hebron twenty furlongs,) he suspected none of the mischief which was befalling him, and came back.
Hereupon Joab met him in the gate, and received him in the kindest manner, as if he were Abner's most benevolent
acquaintance and friend; for such as undertake the vilest actions, in order to prevent the suspicion of any private
mischief intended, do frequently make the greatest pretenses to what really good men sincerely do. So he took him
aside from his own followers, as if he would speak with him in private, and brought him into a void place of the gate,
having himself nobody with him but his brother Abishai; then he drew his sword, and smote him in the groin; upon
which Abner died by this treachery of Joab, which, as he said himself, was in the way of punishment for his brother
Asahel, whom Abner smote and slew as he was pursuing after him in the battle of Hebron, but as the truth was, out
of his fear of losing his command of the army, and his dignity with the king, and lest he should be deprived of those
advantages, and Abner should obtain the first rank in David's court. By these examples any one may learn how
many and how great instances of wickedness men will venture upon for the sake of getting money and authority,
and that they may not fail of either of them; for as when they are desirous of obtaining the same, they acquire them
by ten thousand evil practices; so when they are afraid of losing them, they get them confirmed to them by
practices much worse than the former, as if no other calamity so terrible could befall them as the failure of
acquiring so exalted an authority; and when they have acquired it, and by long custom found the sweetness of it, the
losing it again: and since this last would be the heaviest of all afflictions they all of them contrive and venture upon
the most difficult actions, out of the fear of losing the same. But let it suffice that I have made these short
reflections upon that subject.

6. When David heard that Abner was slain, it grieved his soul; and he called all men to witness, with stretching out
his hands to God, and crying out that he was not a partaker in the murder of Abner, and that his death was not
procured by his command or approbation. He also wished the heaviest curses might light upon him that slew him
and upon his whole house; and he devoted those that had assisted him in this murder to the same penalties on its
account; for he took care not to appear to have had any hand in this murder, contrary to the assurances he had
given and the oaths he had taken to Abner. However, he commanded all the people to weep and lament this man,
and to honor his dead body with the usual solemnities; that is, by rending their garments, and putting on sackcloth,
and that things should be the habit in which they should go before the bier; after which he followed it himself, with
the elders and those that were rulers, lamenting Abner, and by his tears demonstrating his good-will to him while he
was alive, and his sorrow for him now he was dead, and that he was not taken off with his consent. So he buried him
at Hebron in a magnificent manner, and indited funeral elegies for him; he also stood first over the monument
weeping, and caused others to do the same; nay, so deeply did the death of Abner disorder him, that his
companions could by no means force him to take any food, but he affirmed with an oath that he would taste nothing
till the sun was set. This procedure gained him the good-will of the multitude; for such as had an affection for Abner
were mightily satisfied with the respect he paid him when he was dead, and the observation of that faith he had
plighted to him, which was shown in his vouchsafing him all the usual ceremonies, as if he had been his kinsman and
his friend, and not suffering him to be neglected and injured with a dishonorable burial, as if he had been his enemy;
insomuch that the entire nation rejoiced at the king's gentleness and mildness of disposition, every one being ready
to suppose that the king would have taken the same care of them in the like circumstances, which they saw be
showed in the burial of the dead body of Abner. And indeed David principally intended to gain a good reputation,
and therefore he took care to do what was proper in this case, whence none had any suspicion that he was the
author of Abner's death. He also said this to the multitude, that he was greatly troubled at the death of so good a
man; and that the affairs of the Hebrews had suffered great detriment by being deprived of him, who was of so
great abilities to preserve them by his excellent advice, and by the strength of his hands in war. But he added, that
"God, who hath a regard to all men's actions, will not suffer this man [Joab] to go off unrevenged; but know ye, that
I am not able to do any thing to these sons of Zeruiah, Joab and Abishai, who have more power than I have; but
God will requite their insolent attempts upon their own heads." And this was the fatal conclusion of the life of
Abner.

1. WHEN Ishbosheth, the son of Saul, had heard of the death of Abner, he took it to heart to be deprived of a man
that was of his kindred, and had indeed given him the kingdom, but was greatly afflicted, and Abner's death very
much troubled him; nor did he himself outlive any long time, but was treacherously set upon by the sons of Rimmon,
(Baanah and Rechab were their names,) and was slain by them; for these being of a family of the Benjamites, and
of the first rank among them, thought that if they should slay Ishbosheth, they should obtain large presents from
David, and be made commanders by him, or, however, should have some other trust committed to them. So when
they once found him alone, and asleep at noon, in an upper room, when none of his guards were there, and when the
woman that kept the door was not watching, but was fallen asleep also, partly on account of the labor she had
undergone, and partly on account of the heat of the day, these men went into the room in which Ishbosheth, Saul's
son, lay asleep, and slew him; they also cut off his head, and took their journey all that night, and the next day, as
supposing themselves flying away from those they had injured, to one that would accept of this action as a favor,
and would afford them security. So they came to Hebron, and showed David the head of Ishbosheth, and presented
themselves to him as his well-wishers, and such as had killed one that was his enemy and antagonist. Yet David did
not relish what they had done as they expected, but said to them, "You vile wretches, you shall immediately receive
the punishment you deserve. Did not you know what vengeance I executed on him that murdered Saul, and brought
me his crown of gold, and this while he who made this slaughter did it as a favor to him, that he might not be caught
by his enemies? Or do you imagine that I am altered in my disposition, and suppose that I am not the same man I
then was, but am pleased with men that are wicked doers, and esteem your vile actions, when you are become
murderers of your master, as grateful to me, when you have slain a righteous man upon his bed, who never did evil
to any body, and treated you with great good-will and respect? Wherefore you shall suffer the punishment due on
his account, and the vengeance I ought to inflict upon you for killing Ishbosheth, and for supposing that I should
take his death kindly at your hands; for you could not lay a greater blot on my honor, than by making such a
supposal." When David had said this, he tormented them with all sorts of torments, and then put them to death; and
he bestowed all accustomed rites on the burial of the head of Ishbosheth, and laid it in the grave of Abner.

2. When these things were brought to this conclusion, all the principal men of the Hebrew people came to David to
Hebron, with the heads of thousands, and other rulers, and delivered themselves up to him, putting him in mind of
the good-will they had borne to him in Saul's lifetime, and the respect they then had not ceased to pay him when he
was captain of a thousand, as also that he was chosen of God by Samuel the prophet, he and his sons; (2) and
declaring besides, how God had given him power to save the land of the Hebrews, and to overcome the Philistines.
Whereupon he received kindly this their alacrity on his account; and exhorted them to continue in it, for that they
should have no reason to repent of being thus disposed to him. So when he had feasted them, and treated them
kindly, he sent them out to bring all the people to him; upon which came to him about six thousand and eight
hundred armed men of the tribe of Judah, who bare shields and spears for their weapons, for these had [till now]
continued with Saul's son, when the rest of the tribe of Judah had ordained David for their king. There came also
seven thousand and one hundred out of the tribe of Simeon. Out of the tribe of Levi came four thousand and seven
hundred, having Jehoiada for their leader. After these came Zadok the high priest, with twenty-two captains of his
kindred. Out of the tribe of Benjamin the armed men were four thousand; but the rest of the tribe continued, still
expecting that some one of the house of Saul should reign over them. Those of the tribe of Ephraim were twenty
thousand and eight hundred, and these mighty men of valor, and eminent for their strength. Out of the half tribe of
Manasseh came eighteen thousand, of the most potent men. Out of the tribe of Issachar came two hundred, who
foreknew what was to come hereafter, (3) but of armed men twenty thousand. Of the tribe of Zebulon fifty thousand
chosen men. This was the only tribe that came universally in to David, and all these had the same weapons with the
tribe of Gad. Out of the tribe of Naphtali the eminent men and rulers were one thousand, whose weapons were
shields and spears, and the tribe itself followed after, being (in a manner) innumerable [thirty-seven thousand]. Out
of the tribe of Dan there were of chosen men twenty-seven thousand and six hundred. Out of the tribe of Asher
were forty thousand. Out of the two tribes that were beyond Jordan, and the rest of the tribe of Manasseh, such as
used shields, and spears, and head-pieces, and swords, were a hundred and twenty thousand. The rest of the tribes
also made use of swords. This multitude came together to Hebron to David, with a great quantity of corn, and wine,
and all other sorts of food, and established David in his kingdom with one consent. And when the people had
rejoiced for three days in Hebron, David and all the people removed and came to Jerusalem.

1. NOW the Jebusites, who were the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and were by extraction Canaanites, shut their gates,
and placed the blind, and the lame, and all their maimed persons, upon the wall, in way of derision of the king, and
said that the very lame themselves would hinder his entrance into it. This they did out of contempt of his power, and
as depending on the strength of their walls. David was hereby enraged, and began the siege of Jerusalem, and
employed his utmost diligence and alacrity therein, as intending by the taking of this place to demonstrate his
power, and to intimidate all others that might be of the like [evil] disposition towards him. So he took the lower city
by force, but the citadel held out still; (4) whence it was that the king, knowing that the proposal of dignities and
rewards would encourage the soldiers to greater actions, promised that he who should first go over the ditches that
were beneath the citadel, and should ascend to the citadel itself and take it, should have the command of the entire
people conferred upon him. So they all were ambitious to ascend, and thought no pains too great in order to ascend
thither, out of their desire of the chief command. However, Joab, the son of Zeruiah, prevented the rest; and as
soon as he was got up to the citadel, cried out to the king, and claimed the chief command.

2. When David had cast the Jebusites out of the citadel, he also rebuilt Jerusalem, and named it The City of David,
and abode there all the time of his reign; but for the time that he reigned over the tribe of Judah only in Hebron, it
was seven years and six months. Now when he had chosen Jerusalem to be his royal city, his affairs did more and
more prosper, by the providence of God, who took care that they should improve and be augmented. Hiram also,
the king of the Tyrians, sent ambassadors to him, and made a league of mutual friendship and assistance with him.
He also sent him presents, cedar-trees, and mechanics, and men skillful in building and architecture, that they
might build him a royal palace at Jerusalem. Now David made buildings round about the lower city: he also joined
the citadel to it, and made it one body; and when he had encompassed all with walls, he appointed Joab to take care
of them. It was David, therefore, who first cast the Jebusites out of Jerusalem, and called it by his own name, The
City of David: for under our forefather Abraham it was called (Salem, or) Solyma; (5) but after that time, some say
that Homer mentions it by that name of Solyma, [for he named the temple Solyma, according to the Hebrew
language, which denotes security.] Now the whole time from the warfare under Joshua our general against the
Canaanites, and from that war in which he overcame them, and distributed the land among the Hebrews, (nor could
the Israelites ever cast the Canaanites out of Jerusalem until this time, when David took it by siege,) this whole
time was five hundred and fifteen years.

3. I shall now make mention of Araunah, who was a wealthy man among the Jebusites, but was not slain by David in
the siege of Jerusalem, because of the good-will he bore to the Hebrews, and a particular benignity and affection
which he had to the king himself; which I shall take a more seasonable opportunity to speak of a little afterwards.
Now David married other wives over and above those which he had before: he had also concubines. The sons whom
he had were in number eleven, whose names were Amnon, Emnos, Eban, Nathan, Solomon, Jeban, Elien, Phalna,
Ennaphen, Jenae, Eliphale; and a daughter, Tamar. Nine of these were born of legitimate wives, but the two
last-named of concubines; and Tamar had the same mother with Absalom.

1. WHEN the Philistines understood that David was made king of the Hebrews, they made war against him at
Jerusalem; and when they had seized upon that valley which is called The Valley of the Giants, and is a place not far
from the city, they pitched their camp therein; but the king of the Jews, who never permitted himself to do any thing
without prophecy, (6) and the command of God and without depending on him as a security for the time to come,
bade the high priest to foretell to him what was the will of God, and what would be the event of this battle. And when
he foretold that he should gain the victory and the dominion, he led out his army against the Philistines; and when
the battle was joined, he came himself behind, and fell upon the enemy on the sudden, and slew some of them, and
put the rest to flight. And let no one suppose that it was a small army of the Philistines that came against the
Hebrews, as guessing so from the suddenness of their defeat, and from their having performed no great action, or
that was worth recording, from the slowness of their march, and want of courage; but let him know that all Syria and
Phoenicia, with many other nations besides them, and those warlike nations also, came to their assistance, and had
a share in this war, which thing was the only cause why, when they had been so often conquered, and had lost so
many ten thousands of their men, they still came upon the Hebrews with greater armies; nay, indeed, when they
had so often failed of their purpose in these battles, they came upon David with an army three times as numerous
as before, and pitched their camp on the same spot of ground as before. The king of Israel therefore inquired of
God again concerning the event of the battle; and the high priest prophesied to him, that he should keep his army in
the groves, called the Groves of Weeping, which were not far from the enemy's camp, and that he should not move,
nor begin to fight, till the trees of the grove should be in motion without the wind's blowing; but as soon as these
trees moved, and the time foretold to him by God was come, he should, without delay, go out to gain what was an
already prepared and evident victory; for the several ranks of the enemy's army did not sustain him, but retreated
at the first onset, whom he closely followed, and slew them as he went along, and pursued them to the city Gaza
(which is the limit of their country): after this he spoiled their camp, in which he found great riches; and he
destroyed their gods.

2. When this had proved the event of the battle, David thought it proper, upon a consultation with the elders, and
rulers, and captains of thousands, to send for those that were in the flower of their age out of all his countrymen,
and out of the whole land, and withal for the priests and the Levites, in order to their going to Kirjathjearim, to
bring up the ark of God out of that city, and to carry it to Jerusalem, and there to keep it, and offer before it those
sacrifices and those other honors with which God used to be well-pleased; for had they done thus in the reign of
Saul, they had not undergone any great misfortunes at all. So when the whole body of the people were come
together, as they had resolved to do, the king came to the ark, which the priest brought out of the house of
Aminadab, and laid it upon a new cart, and permitted their brethren and their children to draw it, together with the
oxen. Before it went the king, and the whole multitude of the people with him, singing hymns to God, and making
use of all sorts of songs usual among them, with variety of the sounds of musical instruments, and with dancing and
singing of psalms, as also with the sounds of trumpets and of cymbals, and so brought the ark to Jerusalem. But as
they were come to the threshing-floor of Chidon, a place so called, Uzzah was slain by the anger of God; for as the
oxen shook the ark, he stretched out his hand, and would needs take hold of it. Now, because he was not a priest
(7) and yet touched the ark, God struck him dead. Hereupon both the king and the people were displeased at the
death of Uzzah; and the place where he died is still called the Breach of Uzzah unto this day. So David was afraid;
and supposing that if he received the ark to himself into the city, he might suffer in the like manner as Uzzah had
suffered, who, upon his bare putting out his hand to the ark, died in the manner already mentioned, he did not
receive it to himself into the city, but he took it aside unto a certain place belonging to a righteous man, whose
name was Obededom, who was by his family a Levite, and deposited the ark with him; and it remained there three
entire months. This augmented the house of Obededom, and conferred many blessings upon it. And when the king
heard what had befallen Obededom, how he was become, of a poor man in a low estate, exceeding happy, and the
object of envy to all those that saw or inquired after his house, he took courage, and, hoping that he should meet
with no misfortune thereby, he transferred the ark to his own house; the priests carrying it, while seven companies
of singers, who were set in that order by the king, went before it, and while he himself played upon the harp, and
joined in the music, insomuch, that when his wife Michel, the daughter of Saul, who was our first king, saw him so
doing, she laughed at him. But when they had brought in the ark, they placed it under the tabernacle which David
had pitched for it, and he offered costly sacrifices and peace-offerings, and treated the whole multitude, and dealt
both to the women, and the men, and the infants a loaf of bread and a cake, and another cake baked in a pan, with
the portion of the sacrifice. So when he had thus feasted the people, he sent them away, and he himself returned to
his own house.

3. But when Michal his wife, the daughter of Saul, came and stood by him, she wished him all other happiness, and
entreated that whatsoever he should further desire, to the utmost possibility, might be given him by God, and that
he might be favorable to him; yet did she blame him, that so great a king as he was should dance after an unseemly
manner, and in his dancing, uncover himself among the servants and the handmaidens. But he replied, that he was
not ashamed to do what was acceptable to God, who had preferred him before her father, and before all others; that
he would play frequently, and dance, without any regard to what the handmaidens and she herself thought of it. So
this Michal, who was David's wife, had no children; however, when she was afterward married to him to whom Saul
her father had given her, (for at this time David had taken her away from him, and had her himself,) she bare five
children. But concerning those matters I shall discourse in a proper place.

4. Now when the king saw that his affairs grew better almost every day, by the will of God, he thought he should
offend him, if, while he himself continued in houses made of cedar, such as were of a great height, and had the most
curious works of architecture in them, he should overlook the ark while it was laid in a tabernacle, and was desirous
to build a temple to God, as Moses had predicted such a temple should be built. (8) And when he had discoursed
with Nathan the prophet about these things, and had been encouraged by him to do whatsoever he had a mind to do,
as having God with him, and his helper in all things, he was thereupon the more ready to set about that building. But
God appeared to Nathan that very night, and commanded him to say to David, (9) that he took his purpose and his
desires kindly, since nobody had before now taken it into their head to build him a temple, although upon his having
such a notion he would not permit him to build him that temple, because he had made many wars, and was defiled
with the slaughter of his enemies; that, however, after his death, in his old age, and when he had lived a long life,
there should be a temple built by a son of his, who should take the kingdom after him, and should be called
Solomon, whom he promised to provide for, as a father provides for his son, by preserving the kingdom for his son's
posterity, and delivering it to them; but that he would still punish him, if he sinned, with diseases and barrenness of
land. When David understood this from the prophet, and was overjoyful at this knowledge of the sure continuance
of the dominion to his posterity, and that his house should be splendid, and very famous, he came to the ark, and
fell down on his face, and began to adore God, and to return thanks to him for all his benefits, as well for those that
he had already bestowed upon him in raising him from a low state, and from the employment of a shepherd, to so
great dignity of dominion and glory; as for those also which he had promised to his posterity; and besides, for that
providence which he had exercised over the Hebrews in procuring them the liberty they enjoyed. And when he had
said thus, and had sung a hymn of praise to God, he went his way.

1. A LITLLE while after this, he considered that he ought to make war against the Philistines, and not to see any
idleness or laziness permitted in his management, that so it might prove, as God had foretold to him, that when he
had overthrown his enemies, he should leave his posterity to reign in peace afterward: so he called together his
army again, and when he had charged them to be ready and prepared for war, and when he thought that all things in
his army were in a good state, he removed from Jerusalem, and came against the Philistines; and when he had
overcome them in battle, and had cut off a great part of their country, and adjoined it to the country of the Hebrews,
he transferred the war to the Moabites; and when he had overcome two parts of their army in battle, he took the
remaining part captive, and imposed tribute upon them, to be paid annually. He then made war against Iadadezer,
the son of Rehob, king of Sophene; (10) and when he had joined battle with him at 'the river Euphrates, he
destroyed twenty thousand of his footmen, and about seven thousand of his horsemen. He also took a thousand of
his chariots, and destroyed the greatest part of them, and ordered that no more than one hundred should be kept.
(11)

2. Now when Hadad, king of Damascus and of Syria, heard that David fought against Hadadezer, who was his
friend, he came to his assistance with a powerful army, in hopes to rescue him; and when he had joined battle with
David at the river Euphrates, he failed of his purpose, and lost in the battle a great number of his soldiers; for there
were slain of the army of Hadad twenty thousand, and all the rest fled. Nicelens also [of Damascus] makes mention
of this king in the fourth book of his histories; where he speaks thus: "A great while after these things had
happened, there was one of that country whose name was Hadad, who was become very potent; he reigned over
Damascus, and, the other parts of Syria, excepting Phoenicia. He made war against David, the king of Judea, and
tried his fortune in many battles, and particularly in the last battle at Euphrates, wherein he was beaten. He seemed
to have been the most excellent of all their kings in strength and manhood," Nay, besides this, he says of his
posterity, that "they succeeded one another in his kingdom, and in his name;" where he thus speaks: "When
Hadad was dead, his posterity reigned for ten generations, each of his successors receiving from his father that his
dominion, and this his name; as did the Ptolemies in Egypt. But the third was the most powerful of them all, and was
willing to avenge the defeat his forefather had received; so he made an expedition against the Jews, and laid waste
the city which is now called Samaria." Nor did he err from the truth; for this is that Hadad who made the expedition
against Samaria, in the reign of Ahab, king of Israel, concerning whom we shall speak in due place hereafter.

3. Now when David had made an expedition against Damascus, and the other parts of Syria, and had brought it all
into subjection, and had placed garrisons in the country, and appointed that they should pay tribute, he returned
home. He also dedicated to God at Jerusalem the golden quivers, the entire armor which the guards of Hadad used
to wear; which Shishak, the king of Egypt, took away when he fought with David's grandson, Rehoboam, with a
great deal of other wealth which he carried out of Jerusalem. However, these things will come to be explained in
their proper places hereafter. Now as for the king of the Hebrews, he was assisted by God, who gave him great
success in his wars, and he made all expedition against the best cities of Hadadezer, Betah and Machen; so he took
them by force, and laid them waste. Therein was found a very great quantity of gold and silver, besides that sort of
brass which is said to be more valuable than gold; of which brass Solomon made that large vessel which was called
The [Brazen] Sea, and those most curious lavers, when he built the temple for God.

4. But when the king of Hamath was informed of the ill success of Hadadezer, and had heard of the ruin of his army,
he was afraid on his own account, and resolved to make a league of friendship and fidelity with David before he
should come against him; so he sent to him his son Joram, and professed that he owed him thanks for fighting
against Hadadezer, who was his enemy, and made a league with him of mutual assistance and friendship. He also
sent him presents, vessels of ancient workmanship, both of gold, of silver, and of brass. So when David had made
this league of mutual assistance with Toi, (for that was the name of the king of Hamath,) and had received the
presents he sent him, he dismissed his son with that respect which was due on both sides; but then David brought
those presents that were sent by him, as also the rest of the gold and silver which he had taken of the cities whom
he had conquered, and dedicated them to God. Nor did God give victory and success to him only when he went to
the battle himself, and led his own army, but he gave victory to Abishai, the brother of Joab, general of his forces,
over the Idumeans, (12) and by him to David, when he sent him with an army into Idumea: for Abishai destroyed
eighteen thousand of them in the battle; whereupon the king [of Israel] placed garrisons through all Idumea, and
received the tribute of the country, and of every head among them. Now David was in his nature just, and made his
determination with regard to truth. He had for the general of his whole army Joab; and he made Jehoshaphat, the
son of Ahilud, recorder. He also appointed Zadok, of the family of Phinehas, to be high priest, together with
Abiathar, for he was his friend. He also made Seisan the scribe, and committed the command over the guards of his
body to Benaiah; the son of Jehoiada. His elder sons were near his body, and had the care of it also.

5. He also called to mind the covenants and the oaths he had made with Jonathan, the son of Saul, and the
friendship and affection Jonathan had for him; for besides all the rest of his excellent qualities with which he was
endowed, he was also exceeding mindful of such as had at other times bestowed benefits upon him. He therefore
gave order that inquiry should be made, whether any of Jonathan's lineage were living, to whom he might make
return of that familiar acquaintance which Jonathan had had with him, and for which he was still debtor. And when
one of Saul's freed men was brought to him, who was acquainted with those of his family that were still living, he
asked him whether he could tell him of any one belonging to Jonathan that was now alive, and capable of a requital
of the benefits which he had received from Jonathan. And he said, that a son of his was remaining, whose name was
Mephibosheth, but that he was lame of his feet; for that when his nurse heard that the father and grandfather of the
child were fallen in the battle, she snatched him up, and fled away, and let him fall from her shoulders, and his feet
were lamed. So when he had learned where and by whom he was brought up, he sent messengers to Machir, to the
city of Lodebar, for with him was the son of Jonathan brought up, and sent for him to come to him. So when
Mephibosheth came to the king, he fell on his face and worshipped him; but David encouraged him, bade him be of
good cheer, and expect better times. So he gave him his father's house, and all the estate which his grandfather
Saul was in possession of, and bade him come and diet with him at his own table, and never to be absent one day
from that table. And when the youth had worshipped him on account of his words and gifts given to him, he called
for Ziba, and told him that he had given the youth his father's house, and all Saul's estate. He also ordered that
Ziba should cultivate his land, and take care of it, and bring him the profits of all to Jerusalem. Accordingly, David
brought him to his table every day, and bestowed upon the youth, Ziba and his sons, who were in number fifteen,
and his servants, who were in number twenty. When the king had made these appointments, and Ziba had
worshipped him, and promised to do all that he had bidden him, he went his way; so that this son of Jonathan dwelt
at Jerusalem, and dieted at the king's table, and had the same care that a son could claim taken of him. He also had
himself a son, whom he named Micha.

1. THIS were the honors that such as were left of Saul's and Jonathan's lineage received from David. About this
time died Nahash, the king of the Ammonites, who was a friend of David's; and when his son had succeeded his
father in the kingdom, David sent ambassadors to him to comfort him; and exhorted him to take his father's death
patiently, and to expect that he would continue the same kindness to himself which he had shown to his father. But
the princes of the Ammonites took this message in evil part, and not as David's kind dispositions gave reason to
take it; and they excited the king to resent it; and said that David had sent men to spy out the country, and what
strength it had, under the pretense of humanity and kindness. They further advised him to have a care, and not to
give heed to David's words, lest he should be deluded by him, and so fall into an inconsolable calamity. Accordingly
Nahash's [son], the king of the Ammonites, thought these princes spake what was more probable than the truth
would admit, and so abused the ambassadors after a very harsh manner; for he shaved the one half of their beards,
and cut off one half of their garments, and sent his answer, not in words, but in deeds. When the king of Israel saw
this, he had indignation at it, and showed openly that he would not overlook this injurious and contumelious
treatment, but would make war with the Ammonites, and would avenge this wicked treatment of his ambassadors on
their king. So that king's intimate friends and commanders, understanding that they had violated their league, and
were liable to be punished for the same, made preparations for war; they also sent a thousand talents to the Syrian
king of Mesopotamia, and endeavored to prevail with him to assist them for that pay, and Shobach. Now these
kings had twenty thousand footmen. They also hired the king of the country called Maacah, and a fourth king, by
name Ishtob; which last had twelve thousand armed men.

2. But David was under no consternation at this confederacy, nor at the forces of the Ammonites; and putting his
trust in God, because he was going to war in a just cause, on account of the injurious treatment he had met with, he
immediately sent Joab, the captain of his host, against them, and gave him the flower of his army, who pitched his
camp by Rabbah, the metropolis of the Ammonites; whereupon the enemy came out, and set themselves in array,
not all of them together, but in two bodies; for the auxiliaries were set in array in the plain by themselves, but the
army of the Ammonites at the gates over against the Hebrews. When Joab saw this, he opposed one stratagem
against another, and chose out the most hardy part of his men, and set them in opposition to the king of Syria, and
the kings that were with him, and gave the other part to his brother Abishai, and bid him set them in opposition to
the Ammonites; and said to him, that in case he should see that the Syrians distressed him, and were too hard for
him, he should order his troops to turn about and assist him; and he said that he himself would do the same to him,
if he saw him in the like distress from the Ammonites. So he sent his brother before, and encouraged him to do
every thing courageously and with alacrity, which would teach them to be afraid of disgrace, and to fight manfully;
and so he dismissed him to fight with the Ammonites, while he fell upon the Syrians. And though they made a strong
opposition for a while, Joab slew many of them, but compelled the rest to betake themselves to flight; which, when
the Ammonites saw, and were withal afraid of Abishai and his army, they staid no longer, but imitated their
auxiliaries, and fled to the city. So Joab, when he had thus overcome the enemy, returned with great joy to
Jerusalem to the king.

3. This defeat did not still induce the Ammonites to be quiet, nor to own those that were superior to them to be so,
and be still, but they sent to Chalaman, the king of the Syrians, beyond Euphrates, and hired him for an auxiliary.
He had Shobach for the captain of his host, with eighty thousand footmen, and ten thousand horsemen. Now when
the king of the Hebrews understood that the Ammonites had again gathered so great an army together, he
determined to make war with them no longer by his generals, but he passed over the river Jordan himself with all
his army; and when he met them he joined battle with them, and overcame them, and slew forty thousand of their
footmen, and seven thousand of their horsemen. He also wounded Shobach, the general of Chalaman's forces, who
died of that stroke; but the people of Mesopotamia, upon such a conclusion of the battle, delivered themselves up
to David, and sent him presents, who at winter time returned to Jerusalem. But at the beginning of the spring he
sent Joab, the captain of his host, to fight against the Ammonites, who overran all their country, and laid it waste,
and shut them up in their metropolis Rabbah, and besieged them therein.

1. BUT David fell now into a very grievous sin, though he were otherwise naturally a righteous and a religious man,
and one that firmly observed the laws of our fathers; for when late in an evening he took a view round him from the
roof of his royal palace, where he used to walk at that hour, he saw a woman washing herself in her own house: she
was one of extraordinary beauty, and therein surpassed all other women; her name was Bathsheba. So he was
overcome by that woman's beauty, and was not able to restrain his desires, but sent for her, and lay with her.
Hereupon she conceived with child, and sent to the king, that he should contrive some way for concealing her sin
(for, according to the laws of their fathers, she who had been guilty of adultery ought to be put to death). So the
king sent for Joab's armor-bearer from the siege, who was the woman's husband, and his name was Uriah. And
when he was come, the king inquired of him about the army, and about the siege; and when he had made answer
that all their affairs went according to their wishes, the king took some portions of meat from his supper, and gave
them to him, and bade him go home to his wife, and take his rest with her. Uriah did not do so, but slept near the
king with the rest of his armor-bearers. When the king was informed of this, he asked him why he did not go home
to his house, and to his wife, after so long an absence; which is the natural custom of all men, when they come from
a long journey. He replied, that it was not right, while his fellow soldiers, and the general of the army, slept upon the
ground, in the camp, and in an enemy's country, that he should go and take his rest, and solace himself with his
wife. So when he had thus replied, the king ordered him to stay there that night, that he might dismiss him the next
day to the general. So the king invited Uriah to supper, and after a cunning and dexterous manlier plied him with
drink at supper, till he was thereby disordered; yet did he nevertheless sleep at the king's gates without any
inclination to go to his wife. Upon this the king was very angry at him; and wrote to Joab, and commanded him to
punish Uriah, for he told him that he had offended him; and he suggested to him the manner in which he would have
him punished, that it might not be discovered that he was himself the author of this his punishment; for he charged
him to set him over against that part of the enemy's army where the attack would be most hazardous, and where he
might be deserted, and be in the greatest jeopardy, for he bade him order his fellow soldiers to retire out of the
fight. When he had written thus to him, and sealed the letter with his own seal, he gave it to Uriah to carry to Joab.
When Joab had received it, and upon reading it understood the king's purpose, he set Uriah in that place where he
knew the enemy would be most troublesome to them; and gave him for his partners some of the best soldiers in the
army; and said that he would also come to their assistance with the whole army, that if possible they might break
down some part of the wall, and enter the city. And he desired him to be glad of the opportunity of exposing himself
to such great pains, and not to be displeased at it, since he was a valiant soldier, and had a great reputation for his
valor, both with the king and with his countrymen. And when Uriah undertook the work he was set upon with
alacrity, he gave private orders to those who were to be his companions, that when they saw the enemy make a
sally, they should leave him. When, therefore, the Hebrews made an attack upon the city, the Ammonites were
afraid that the enemy might prevent them, and get up into the city, and this at the very place whither Uriah was
ordered; so they exposed their best soldiers to be in the forefront, and opened their gates suddenly, and fell upon
the enemy with great vehemence, and ran violently upon them. When those that were with Uriah saw this, they all
retreated backward, as Joab had directed them beforehand; but Uriah, as ashamed to run away and leave his post,
sustained the enemy, and receiving the violence of their onset, he slew many of them; but being encompassed
round, and caught in the midst of them, he was slain, and some other of his companions were slain with him.

2. When this was done, Joab sent messengers to the king, and ordered them to tell him that he did what he could to
take the city soon; but that, as they made an assault on the wall, they had been forced to retire with great loss; and
bade them, if they saw the king was angry at it, to add this, that Uriah was slain also. When the king had heard this
of the messengers, he took it heinously, and said that they did wrong when they assaulted the wall, whereas they
ought, by undermining and other stratagems of war, to endeavor the taking of rite city, especially when they had
before their eyes the example of Abimelech, the son of Gideon, who would needs take the tower in Thebes by force,
and was killed by a large stone thrown at him by an old woman; and although he was a man of great prowess, he
died ignominiously by the dangerous manner of his assault: that they should remember this accident, and not come
near the enemy's wall, for that the best method of making war with success was to call to mind the accidents of
former wars, and what good or bad success had attended them in the like dangerous cases, that so they might
imitate the one, and avoid the other. But when the king was in this disposition, the messenger told him that Uriah
was slain also; whereupon he was pacified. So he bade the messenger go back to Joab and tell him that this
misfortune is no other than what is common among mankind, and that such is the nature, and such the accidents of
war, insomuch that sometimes the enemy will have success therein, and sometimes others; but that he ordered him
to go on still in his care about the siege, that no ill accident might befall him in it hereafter; that they should raise
bulwarks and use machines in besieging the city; and when they have gotten it, to overturn its very foundations,
and to destroy all those that are in it. Accordingly the messenger carried the king's message with which he was
charged, and made haste to Joab. But Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah, when she was informed of the death of her
husband, mourned for his death many days; and when her mourning was over, and the tears which she shed for
Uriah were dried up, the king took her to wife presently; and a son was born to him by her.

3. With this marriage God was not well pleased, but was thereupon angry at David; and he appeared to Nathan the
prophet in his sleep, and complained of the king. Now Nathan was a fair and prudent man; and considering that
kings, when they fall into a passion, are guided more by that passion than they are by justice, he resolved to
conceal the threatenings that proceeded from God, and made a good-natured discourse to him, and this after the.
manner following: - He desired that the king would give him his opinion in the following case: - There were," said
he, "two men inhabiting the same city, the one of them was rich, and [the other poor]. The rich man had a great
many flocks of cattle, of sheep, and of kine; but the poor man had but one ewe lamb. This he brought up with his
children, and let her eat her food with them; and he had the same natural affection for her which any one might
have for a daughter. Now upon the coming of a stranger to the rich man, he would not vouchsafe to kill any of his
own flocks, and thence feast his friend; but he sent for the poor man's lamb, and took her away from him, and made
her ready for food, and thence feasted the stranger." This discourse troubled the king exceedingly; and he
denounced to Nathan, that "this man was a wicked man who could dare to do such a thing; and that it was but just
that he should restore the lamb fourfold, and be punished with death for it also." Upon this Nathan immediately
said that he was himself the man who ought to suffer those punishments, and that by his own sentence; and that it
was he who had perpetrated this 'great and horrid crime. He also revealed to him, and laid before him, the anger of
God against him, who had made him king over the army of the Hebrews, and lord of all the nations, and those many
and great nations round about him; who had formerly delivered him out of the hands of Saul, and had given him
such wives as he had justly and legally married; and now this God was despised by him, and affronted by his
impiety, when he had married, and now had, another man's wife; and by exposing her husband to the enemy, had
really slain him; 'that God would inflict punishments upon him on account of those instances of wickedness; that his
own wives should be forced by one of his sons; and that he should be treacherously supplanted by the same son;
and that although he had perpetrated his wickedness secretly, yet should that punishment which he was to undergo
be inflicted publicly upon him; "that, moreover," said he, "the child which was born to thee of her shall soon die."
When the king was troubled at these messages, and sufficiently confounded, and said with tears and sorrow that he
had sinned, (for he was without controversy a pious man, and guilty of no sin at all in his whole life, excepting those
in the matter of Uriah,) God had compassion on him, and was reconciled to him, and promised that he would
preserve to him both his life and his kingdom; for he said that, seeing he repented of the things he had done, he was
no longer displeased with him. So Nathan, when he had delivered this prophecy to the king, returned home.

4. However, God sent a dangerous distemper upon the child that was born to David of the wife of Uriah, at which
the king was troubled, and did not take any food for seven days, although his servants almost forced him to take it;
but he clothed himself in a black garment, and fell down, and lay upon the ground in sackcloth, entrusting God for
the recovery of the child, for he vehemently loved the child's mother; but when, on the seventh day, the child was
dead, the king's servants durst not tell him of it, as supposing that when he knew it, he would still less admit of food,
and other care of himself, by reason of his grief at the death of his son, since when the child was only sick, he so
greatly afflicted himself, and grieved for him: but when the king perceived that his servants were in disorder, and
seemed to be affected, as those who are very desirous to conceal something, he understood that the child was dead;
and when he had called one of his servants to him, and discovered that so it was, he arose up and washed himself,
and took a white garment, and came into the tabernacle of God. He also commanded them to set supper before him,
and thereby greatly surprised his kindred and servants, while he did nothing of this when the child was sick, but did
it all when he was dead. Whereupon having first begged leave to ask him a question, they besought him to tell them
the reason of this his conduct; he then called them unskillful people, and instructed them how he had hopes of the
recovery of the child while it was alive, and accordingly did all that was proper for him to do, as thinking by such
means to render God propitious to him; but that when the child was dead, there was no longer any occasion for
grief, which was then to no purpose. When he had said this, they commended the king's wisdom and understanding.
He then went in unto Bathsheba his wife, and she conceived and bare a son; and by the command of Nathan the
prophet called his name Solomon.

5. But Joab sorely distressed the Ammonites in the siege, by cutting off their waters, and depriving them of other
means of subsistence, till they were in the greatest want of meat and drink, for they depended only on one small
well of water, and this they durst not drink of too freely, lest the fountain should entirely fail them. So he wrote to
the king, and informed him thereof; and persuaded him to come himself to take the city, that he might have the
honor of the victory. Upon this letter of Joab's, the king accepted of his good-will and fidelity, and took with him his
army, and came to the destruction of Rabbah; and when he had taken it by force, he gave it to his soldiers to
plunder it; but he himself took the king of the Ammonites' crown, whose weight was a talent of gold; (13) and it had
in its middle a precious stone called a sardonyx; which crown David ever after wore on his own head. He also found
many other vessels in the city, and those both splendid and of great price; but as for the men, he tormented them,
(14) and then destroyed them; and when he had taken the other cities of the Ammonites by force, he treated them
after the same manner.

1. WHEN the king was returned to Jerusalem, a sad misfortune befell his house, on the occasion following: He had
a daughter, who was yet a virgin, and very handsome, insomuch that she surpassed all the most beautiful women;
her name was Tamar; she had the same mother with Absalom. Now Amnon, David's eldest son, fell in love with her,
and being not able to obtain his desires, on account of her virginity, and the custody she was under, was so much
out of order, nay, his grief so eat up his body, that he grew lean, and his color was changed. Now there was one
Jenadab, a kinsman and friend of his, who discovered this his passion, for he was an extraordinary wise man, and of
great sagacity of mind. When, therefore, he saw that every morning Amnon was not in body as he ought to be, he
came to him, and desired him to tell him what was the cause of it: however, he said that he guessed that it arose
from the passion of love. Amnon confessed his passion, that he was in love with a sister of his, who had the same
father with himself. So Jenadab suggested to him by what method and contrivance he might obtain his desires; for
he persuaded him to pretend sickness, and bade him, when his father should come to him, to beg of him that his
sister might come and minister to him; for if that were done, he should be better, and should quickly recover from
his distemper. So Amnon lay down on his bed, and pretended to be sick, as Jonadab had suggested. When his
father came, and inquired how he did, he begged of him to send his sister to him. Accordingly, he presently ordered
her to be brought to him; and when she was come, Amnon bade her make cakes for him, and fry them in a pan, and
do it all with her own hands, because he should take them better from her hand [than from any one's else]. So she
kneaded the flour in the sight of her brother, and made him cakes, and baked them in a pan, and brought them to
him; but at that time he would not taste them, but gave order to his servants to send all that were there out of his
chamber, because he had a mind to repose himself, free from tumult and disturbance. As soon as what he had
commanded was done, he desired his sister to bring his supper to him into the inner parlor; which, when the damsel
had done, he took hold of her, and endeavored to persuade her to lie with him. Whereupon the damsel cried out,
and said, "Nay, brother, do not force me, nor be so wicked as to transgress the laws, and bring upon thyself the
utmost confusion. Curb this thy unrighteous and impure lust, from which our house will get nothing but reproach and
disgrace." She also advised him to speak to his father about this affair; for he would permit him [to marry her].
This she said, as desirous to avoid her brother's violent passion at present. But he would not yield to her; but,
inflamed with love and blinded with the vehemency of his passion, he forced his sister: but as soon as Amnon had
satisfied his lust, he hated her immediately, and giving her reproachful words, bade her rise up and be gone. And
when she said that this was a more injurious treatment than the former, if, now he had forced her, he would not let
her stay with him till the evening, but bid her go away in the day-time, and while it was light, that she might meet
with people that would be witnesses of her shame, - he commanded his servant to turn her out of his house.
Whereupon she was sorely grieved at the injury and violence that had been offered to her, and rent her loose coat,
(for the virgins of old time wore such loose coats tied at the hands, and let down to the ankles, that the inner coats
might not be seen,) and sprinkled ashes on her head; and went up the middle of the city, crying out and lamenting
for the violence that had been offered her. Now Absalom, her brother, happened to meet her, and asked her what
sad thing had befallen her, that she was in that plight; and when she had told him what injury had been offered her,
he comforted her, and desired her to be quiet, and take all patiently, and not to esteem her being corrupted by her
brother as an injury. So she yielded to his advice, and left off her crying out, and discovering the force offered her
to the multitude; and she continued as a widow with her brother Absalom a long time.

2. When David his father knew this, he was grieved at the actions of Amnon; but because he had an extraordinary
affection for him, for he was his eldest son, he was compelled not to afflict him; but Absalom watched for a fit
opportunity of revenging this crime upon him, for he thoroughly hated him. Now the second year after this wicked
affair about his sister was over, and Absalom was about to go to shear his own sheep at Baalhazor, which is a city in
the portion of Ephraim, he besought his father, as well as his brethren, to come and feast with him: but when David
excused himself, as not being willing to be burdensome to him, Absalom desired he would however send his
brethren; whom he did send accordingly. Then Absalom charged his own servants, that when they should see
Amnon disordered and drowsy with wine, and he should give them a signal, they should fear nobody, but kill him.

3. When they had done as they were commanded, the rest of his brethren were astonished and disturbed, and were
afraid for themselves, so they immediately got on horseback, and rode away to their father; but somebody there
was who prevented them, and told their father they were all slain by Absalom; whereupon he was overcome with
sorrow, as for so many of his sons that were destroyed at once, and that by their brother also; and by this
consideration, that it was their brother that appeared to have slain them, he aggravated his sorrow for them. So he
neither inquired what was the cause of this slaughter, nor staid to hear any thing else, which yet it was but
reasonable to have done, when so very great, and by that greatness so incredible, a misfortune was related to him:
he rent his clothes and threw himself upon the ground, and there lay lamenting the loss of all his sons, both those
who, as he was informed, were slain, and of him who slew them. But Jonadab, the son of his brother Shemeah,
entreated him not to indulge his sorrow so far, for as to the rest of his sons he did not believe that they were slain,
for he found no cause for such a suspicion; but he said it might deserve inquiry as to Amnon, for it was not unlikely
that Absalom might venture to kill him on account of the injury he had offered to Tamar. In the mean time, a great
noise of horses, and a tumult of some people that were coming, turned their attention to them; they were the king's
sons, who were fled away from the feast. So their father met them as they were in their grief, and he himself
grieved with them; but it was more than he expected to see those his sons again, whom he had a little before heard
to have perished. However, their were tears on both sides; they lamenting their brother who was killed, and the
king lamenting his son, who was killed also; but Absalom fled to Geshur, to his grandfather by his mother's side,
who was king of that country, and he remained with him three whole years.

4. Now David had a design to send to Absalom, not that he should come to be punished, but that he might be with
him, for the effects of his anger were abated by length of time. It was Joab, the captain of his host, that chiefly
persuaded him so to do; for he suborned an ordinary woman, that was stricken in age, to go to the king in mourning
apparel, who said thus to him: - That two of her sons, in a coarse way, had some difference between them, and that
in the progress of that difference they came to an open quarrel, and that one was smitten by the other, and was
dead; and she desired him to interpose in this case, and to do her the favor to save this her son from her kindred,
who were very zealous to have him that had slain his brother put to death, that so she might not be further deprived
of the hopes she had of being taken care of in her old age by him; and that if he would hinder this slaughter of her
son by those that wished for it, he would do her a great favor, because the kindred would not be restrained from
their purpose by any thing else than by the fear of him. And when the king had given his consent to what the woman
had begged of him, she made this reply to him: - "I owe thee thanks for thy benignity to me in pitying my old age,
and preventing the loss of my only remaining child; but in order to assure me of this thy kindness, be first
reconciled to thine own son, and cease to be angry with him; for how shall I persuade myself that thou hast really
bestowed this favor upon me, while thou thyself continuest after the like manner in thy wrath to thine own son? for
it is a foolish thing to add willfully another to thy dead son, while the death of the other was brought about without
thy consent." And now the king perceived that this pretended story was a subornation derived from Joab, and was
of his contrivance; and when, upon inquiry of the old woman, he understood it to be so in reality, he called for Joab,
and told him he had obtained what he requested according to his own mind; and he bid him bring Absalom back, for
he was not now displeased, but had already ceased to be angry with him. So Joab bowed himself down to the king,
and took his words kindly, and went immediately to Geshur, and took Absalom with him, and came to Jerusalem.

5. However, the king sent a message to his son beforehand, as he was coming, and commanded him to retire to his
own house, for he was not yet in such a disposition as to think fit at present to see him. Accordingly, upon the
father's command, he avoided coming into his presence, and contented himself with the respects paid him by his
own family only. Now his beauty was not impaired, either by the grief he had been under, or by the want of such
care as was proper to be taken of a king's son, for he still surpassed and excelled all men in the tallness of his
body, and was more eminent [in a fine appearance] than those that dieted the most luxuriously; and indeed such
was the thickness of the hair of his head, that it was with difficulty that he was polled every eighth day; and his hair
weighed two hundred shekels (15) which are five pounds. However, he dwelt in Jerusalem two years, and became
the father of three sons, and one daughter; which daughter was of very great beauty, and which Rehoboam, the son
of Solomon, took to wife afterward, and had by her a son named Abijah. But Absalom sent to Joab, and desired him
to pacify his father entirely towards him; and to beseech him to give him leave to come to him to see him, and
speak with him. But when Joab neglected so to do, he sent some of his own servants, and set fire to the field
adjoining to him; which, when Joab understood, he came to Absalom, and accused him of what he had done; and
asked him the reason why he did so. To which Absalom replied, that "I have found out this stratagem that might
bring thee to us, while thou hast taken no care to perform the injunction I laid upon thee, which was this, to
reconcile my father to me; and I really beg it of thee, now thou art here, to pacify my father as to me, since I
esteem my coming hither to be more grievous than my banishment, while my father's wrath against me continues."
Hereby Joab was persuaded, and pitied the distress that Absalom was in, and became an intercessor with the king
for him. And when he had discoursed with his father, he soon brought him to that amicable disposition towards
Absalom, that he presently sent for him to come to him; and when he had cast himself down upon the ground, and
had begged for the forgiveness of his offenses, the king raised him up, and promised him to forget what he had
formerly done.

1. NOW Absalom, upon this his success with the king, procured to himself a great many horses, and many chariots,
and that in a little time also. He had moreover fifty armor-bearers that were about him; and he came early every
day to the king's palace, and spake what was agreeable to such as came for justice and lost their causes, as if that
happened for want of good counselors about the king, or perhaps because the judges mistook in that unjust
sentence they gave; whereby he gained the good-will of them all. He told them, that had he but such authority
committed to him, he would distribute justice to them in a most equitable manner. When he had made himself so
popular among the multitude, he thought he had already the good-will of the people secured to him; but when four
years (16) had passed since his father's reconciliation to him, he came to him, and besought him to give him leave
to go to Hebron, and pay a sacrifice to God, because he vowed it to him when he fled out of the country. So when
David had granted his request, he went thither, and great multitudes came running together to him, for he had sent
to a great number so to do.

2. Among them came Ahithophel the Gilonite, a counsellor of David's, and two hundred men out of Jerusalem itself,
who knew not his intentions, but were sent for as to a sacrifice. So he was appointed king by all of them, which he
obtained by this stratagem. As soon as this news was brought to David, and he was informed of what he did not
expect from his son, he was aftrighted at this his impious and bold undertaking, and wondered that he was so far
from remembering how his offense had been so lately forgiven him, that he undertook much worse and more wicked
enterprises; first, to deprive him of that kingdom which was given him of God; and secondly, to take away his own
father's life. He therefore resolved to fly to the parts beyond Jordan: so he called his most intimate friends
together, and communicated to them all that he had heard of his son's madness. He committed himself to God, to
judge between them about all their actions; and left the care of his royal palace to his ten concubines, and went
away from Jerusalem, being willingly accompanied by the rest of the multitude, who went hastily away with him, and
particularly by those six hundred armed men, who had been with him from his first flight in the days of Saul. But he
persuaded Abiathar and Zadok, the high priests, who had determined to go away with him, as also all the Levites,
who were with the ark, to stay behind, as hoping that God would deliver him without its removal; but he charged
them to let him know privately how all things went on; and he had their sons, Ahimmaz the son of Zadok, and
Jonathan the son of Abiathar, for faithful ministers in all things; but Ittai the Gitrite went out with him whether
David would let him or not, for he would .have persuaded him to stay, and on that account he appeared the more
friendly to him. But as he was ascending the Mount of Olives barefooted, and all his company were in tears, it was
told him that Ahithophel was with Absalom, and was of his side. This hearing augmented his grief; and he besought
God earnestly to alienate the mind of Absalom from Ahithophel, for he was afraid that he should persuade him to
follow his pernicious counsel, for he was a prudent man, and very sharp in seeing what was advantageous. When
David was gotten upon the top of the mountain, he took a view of the city; and prayed to God with abundance of
tears, as having already lost his kingdom; and here it was that a faithful friend of his, whose name was Hushai, met
him. When David saw him with his clothes rent, and having ashes all over his head, and in lamentation for the great
change of affairs, he comforted him, and exhorted him to leave off grieving; nay, at length he besought him to go
back to Absalom, and appear as one of his party, and to fish out the secretest counsels of his mind, and to
contradict the counsels of Ahithophel, for that he could not do him so much good by being with him as he might by
being with Absalom. So he was prevailed on by David, and left him, and came to Jerusalem, whither Absalom
himself came also a little while afterward.

3. When David was gone a little farther, there met him Ziba, the servant of Mephibosheth, (whom he had sent to
take care of the possessions which had been given him, as the son of Jonathan, the son of Saul,) with a couple of
asses, loaden with provisions, and desired him to take as much of them as he and his followers stood in need of.
And when the king asked him where he had left Mephibosheth, he said he had left him in Jerusalem, expecting to
be chosen king in the present confusions, in remembrance of the benefits Saul had conferred upon them. At this the
king had great indignation, and gave to Ziba all that he had formerly bestowed on Mephibosheth; for he determined
that it was much fitter that he should have them than the other; at which Ziba greatly rejoiced.

4. When David was at Bahurim, a place so called, there came out a kinsman of Saul's, whose name was Shimei, and
threw stones at him, and gave him reproachful words; and as his friends stood about the king and protected him, he
persevered still more in his reproaches, and called him a bloody man, and the author of all sorts of mischief. He
bade him also go out of the land as ,an impure and accursed wretch; and he thanked God for depriving him of his
kingdom, and causing him to be punished for what injuries he had done to his master [Saul], and this by the means
of his own son. Now when they were all provoked against him, and angry at bin;, and particularly Abishai, who had
a mind to kill Shimei, David restrained his anger. "Let us not," said he, "bring upon ourselves another fresh
misfortune to those we have already, for truly I have not the least regard nor concern for this dog that raves at me:
I submit myself to God, by whose permission this man treats me in such a wild manner; nor is it any wonder that I
am obliged to undergo these abuses from him, while I experience the like from an impious son of my own; but
perhaps God will have some commiseration upon us; if it be his will we shall overcome them." So he went on his
way without troubling himself with Shimei, who ran along the other side of the mountain, and threw out his abusive
language plentifully. But when David was come to Jordan, he allowed those that were with him to refresh
themselves; for they were weary.

5. But when Absalom, and Ahithophel his counselor, were come to Jerusalem, with all the people, David's friend,
Hushai, came to them; and when he had worshipped Absalom, he withal wished that his kingdom might last a long
time, and continue for all ages. But when Absalom said to him, "How comes this, that he who was so intimate a
friend of my father's, and appeared faithful to him in all things, is not with him now, but hath left him, and is come
over to me?" Hushai's answer was very pertinent and prudent; for he said, "We ought to follow God and the
multitude of the people; while these, therefore, my lord and master, are with thee, it is fit that I should follow them,
for thou hast received the kingdom from God. I will therefore, if thou believest me to be thy friend, show the same
fidelity and kindness to thee, which thou knowest I have shown to thy father; nor is there any reason to be in the
least dissatisfied with the present state of affairs, for the kingdom is not transferred into another, but remains still
in the same family, by the son's receiving it after his father." This speech persuaded Absalom, who before
suspected Hushai. And now he called Ahithophel, and consulted with him what he ought to do: he persuaded him to
go in unto his father's concubines; for he said that "by this action the people would believe that thy difference with
thy father is irreconcilable, and will thence fight with great alacrity against thy father, for hitherto they are afraid of
taking up open enmity against him, out of an expectation that you will be reconciled again." Accordingly, Absalom
was prevailed on by this advice, and commanded his servants to pitch him a tent upon the top of the royal palace, in
the sight of the multitude; and he went in and lay with his father's concubines. Now this came to pass according to
the prediction of Nathan, when he prophesied and signified to him that his son would rise up in rebellion against
him.

6. And when Absalom had done what he was advised to by Ahithophel, he desired his advice, in the second place,
about the war against his father. Now Ahithophel only asked him to let him have ten thousand chosen men, and he
promised he would slay his father, and bring the soldiers back again in safety; and he said that then the kingdom
would be firm to him when David was dead [but not otherwise]. Absalom was pleased with this advice, and called for
Hushai, David's friend (for so did he style him); and informing him of the opinion of Ahithophel, he asked, further,
what was his opinion concerning that matter. Now he was sensible that if Ahithophel's counsel were followed, David
would be in danger of being seized on, and slain; so he attempted to introduce a contrary opinion, and said, Thou art
not unacquainted, O king, with the valor of thy father, and of those that are now with him; that he hath made many
wars, and hath always come off with victory, though probably he now abides in the camp, for he is very skiliful in
stratagems, and in foreseeing the deceitful tricks of his enemies; yet will he leave his own soldiers in the evening,
and will either hide himself in some valley, or will place an ambush at some rock; so that when our army joins battle
with him, his soldiers will retire for a little while, but will come upon us again, as encouraged by the king's being
near them; and in the mean time your father will show himself suddenly in the time of the battle, and will infuse
courage into his own people when they are in danger, but bring consternation to thine. Consider, therefore, my
advice, and reason upon it, and if thou canst not but acknowledge it to be the best, reject the opinion of Ahithophel.
Send to the entire country of the Hebrews, and order them to come and fight with thy father; and do thou thyself
take the army, and be thine own general in this war, and do not trust its management to another; then expect to
conquer him with ease, when thou overtakest him openly with his few partisans, but hast thyself many ten
thousands, who will be desirous to demonstrate to thee their diligence and alacrity. And if thy father shall shut
himself up in some city, and bear a siege, we will overthrow that city with machines of war, and by undermining it."
When Hushai had said this, he obtained his point against Ahithophel, for his opinion was preferred by Absalom
before the other's: however, it was no other than God (17) who made the counsel of Hushai appear best to the mind
of Absalom.

7. So Hushai made haste to the high priests, Zadok and Abiathar, and told them the opinion of Ahithophel, and his
own, and that the resolution was taken to follow this latter advice. He therefore bade them send to David, and tell
him of it, and to inform him of the counsels that had been taken; and to desire him further to pass quickly over
Jordan, lest his son should change his mind, and make haste to pursue him, and so prevent him, and seize upon him
before he be in safety. Now the high priests had their sons concealed in a proper place out of the city, that they
might carry news to David of what was transacted. Accordingly, they sent a maid-servant, whom they could trust, to
them, to carry the news of Absalom's counsels, and ordered them to signify the same to David with all speed. So
they made no excuse nor delay, but taking along with them their fathers' injunctions, because pious and faithful
ministers, and judging that quickness and suddenness was the best mark of faithful service, they made haste to
meet with David. But certain horsemen saw them when they were two furlongs from the city, and informed Absalom
of them, who immediately sent some to take them; but when the sons of the high priest perceived this, they went
out of the road, and betook themselves to a certain village; that village was called Bahurim; there they desired a
certain woman to hide them, and afford them security. Accordingly she let the young men down by a rope into a
well, and laid fleeces of wool over them; and when those that pursued them came to her, and asked her whether she
saw them, she did not deny that she had seen them, for that they staid with her some time, but she said they then
went their ways; and she foretold that, however, if they would follow them directly, they would catch them; but when
after a long pursuit they could not catch them, they came back again; and when the woman saw those men were
returned, and that there was no longer any fear of the young men's being caught by them, she drew them up by the
rope, and bade them go on their journey accordingly, they used great diligence in the prosecution of that journey,
and came to David, and informed him accurately of all the counsels of Absalom. So he commanded those that were
with him to pass over Jordan while it was night, and not to delay at all on that account.

8. But Ahithophel, on rejection of his advice, got upon his ass, and rode away to his own country, Gilon; and, calling
his family together, he told them distinctly what advice he had given Absalom; and since he had not been persuaded
by it, he said he would evidently perish, and this in no long time, and that David would overcome him, and return to
his kingdom again; so he said it was better that he should take his own life away with freedom and magnanimity,
than expose himself to be punished by David, in opposition to whom he had acted entirely for Absalom. When he
had discoursed thus to them, he went into the inmost room of his house, and hanged himself; and thus was the death
of Ahithophel, who was self-condemned; and when his relations had taken him down from the halter, they took care
of his funeral. Now, as for David, he passed over Jordan, as we have said already, and came to Mahanaim, every
fine and very strong city; and all the chief men of the country received him with great pleasure, both out of the
shame they had that he should be forced to flee away [from Jerusalem], and out of the respect they bare him while
he was in his former prosperity. These were Barzillai the Gileadite, and Siphar the ruler among the Ammonites, and
Machir the principal man of Gilead; and these furnished him with plentiful provisions for himself and his followers,
insomuch that they wanted no beds nor blankets for them, nor loaves of bread, nor wine; nay, they brought them a
great many cattle for slaughter, and afforded them what furniture they wanted for their refreshment when they
were weary, and for food, with plenty of other necessaries.

1. AND this was the state of David and his followers: but Absalom got together a vast army of the Hebrews to
oppose his father, and passed therewith over the river Jordan, and sat down not far off Mahanaim, in the country of
Gilead. He appointed Amasa to be captain of all his host, instead of Joab his kinsman: his father was Ithra and his
mother Abigail: now she and Zeruiah, the mother of Joab, were David's sisters. But when David had numbered his
followers, and found them to be about four thousand, he resolved not to tarry till Absalom attacked him, but set
over his men captains of thousands, and captains of hundreds, and divided his army into three parts; the one part
he committed to Joab, the next to Abishai, Joab's brother, and the third to Ittai, David's companion and friend, but
one that came from the city Gath; and when he was desirous of fighting himself among them, his friends would not
let him: and this refusal of theirs was founded upon very wise reasons: "For," said they, "if we be conquered when
he is with us, we have lost all good hopes of recovering ourselves; but if we should be beaten in one part of our
army, the other parts may retire to him, and may thereby prepare a greater force, while the enemy will naturally
suppose that he hath another army with him." So David was pleased with this their advice, and resolved himself to
tarry at Mahanaim; and as he sent his friends and commanders to the battle, he desired them to show all possible
alacrity and fidelity, and to bear in mind what advantages they had received from him, which, though they had not
been very great, yet had they not been quite inconsiderable; and he begged of them to spare the young man
Absalom, lest some mischief should befall himself, if he should be killed; and thus did he send out his army to the
battle, and wished them victory therein.

2. Then did Joab put his army in battle-array over against the enemy in the Great Plain, where he had a wood
behind him. Absalom also brought his army into the field to oppose him. Upon the joining of the battle, both sides
showed great actions with their hands and their boldness; the one side exposing themselves to the greatest hazards,
and using their utmost alacrity, that David might recover his kingdom; and the other being no way deficient, either
in doing or suffering, that Absalom might not be deprived of that kingdom, and be brought to punishment by his
father for his impudent attempt against him. Those also that were the most numerous were solicitous that they
might not be conquered by those few that were with Joab, and with the other commanders, because that would be
the greater disgrace to them; while David's soldiers strove greatly to overcome so many ten thousands as the
enemy had with them. Now David's men were conquerors, as superior in strength and skill in war; so they followed
the others as they fled away through the forests and valleys; some they took prisoners, and many they slew, and
more in the flight than in the battle for there fell about twenty thousand that day. But all David's men ran violently
upon Absalom, for he was easily known by his beauty and tallness. He was himself also afraid lest his enemies
should seize on him, so he got upon the king's mule, and fled; but as he was carried with violence, and noise, and a
great motion, as being himself light, he entangled his hair greatly in the large boughs of a knotty tree that spread a
great way, and there he hung, after a surprising manner; and as for the beast, it went on farther, and that swiftly, as
if his master had been still upon his back; but he, hanging in the air upon the boughs, was taken by his enemies.
Now when one of David's soldiers saw this, he informed Joab of it; and when the general said, that if he had shot at
and killed Absalom, he would have given him fifty shekels, - he replied, "I would not have killed my master's son if
thou wouldst have given me a thousand shekels, especially when he desired that the young man might be spared in
the hearing of us all." But Joab bade him show him where it was that he saw Absalom hang; whereupon he shot him
to the heart, and slew him, and Joab's armor-bearers stood round the tree, and pulled down his dead body, and cast
it into a great chasm that was out of sight, and laid a heap of stones upon him, till the cavity was filled up, and had
both the appearance and the bigness of a grave. Then Joab sounded a retreat, and recalled his own soldiers from
pursuing the enemy's army, in order to spare their countrymen.

3. Now Absalom had erected for himself a marble pillar in the king's dale, two furlongs distant from Jerusalem,
which he named Absalom's Hand, saying, that if his children were killed, his name would remain by that pillar; for
he had three sons and one daughter, named Tamar, as we said before, who when she was married to David's
grandson, Rehoboam, bare a son, Abijah by name, who succeeded his father in the kingdom; but of these we shall
speak in a part of our history which will be more proper. After the death of Absalom, they returned every one to
their own homes respectively.

4. But now Ahimaaz, the son of Zadok the high priest, went to Joab, and desired he would permit him to go and tell
David of this victory, and to bring him the good news that God had afforded his assistance and his providence to
him. However, he did not grant his request, but said to him, "Wilt thou, who hast always been the messenger of
good news, now go and acquaint the king that his son is dead?" So he desired him to desist. He then called Cushi,
and committed the business to him, that he should tell the king what he had seen. But when Ahimaaz again desired
him to let him go as a messenger, and assured him that he would only relate what concerned the victory, but not
concerning the death of Absalom, he gave him leave to go to David. Now he took a nearer road than the former did,
for nobody knew it but himself, and he came before Cushi. Now as David was sitting between the gates, (18) and
waiting to see when somebody would come to him from the battle, and tell him how it went, one of the watchmen saw
Ahimaaz running, and before be could discern who he was, be told David that he saw somebody coming to him, who
said he was a good messenger. A little while after, he informed him that another messenger followed him;
whereupon the king said that he also was a good messenger: but when the watchman saw Ahimaaz, and that he was
already very near, he gave the king notice that it was the son of Zadok the high priest who came running. So David
was very glad, and said he was a messenger of good tidings, and brought him some such news from the battle as be
desired to hear.

5. While the king was saying thus, Ahimaaz appeared, and worshipped the king. And when the king inquired of him
about the battle, he said he brought him the good news of victory and dominion. And when he inquired what he had
to say concerning his son, he said that he came away on the sudden as soon as the enemy was defeated, but that he
heard a great noise of those that pursued Absalom, and that he could learn no more, because of the haste be made
when Joab sent him to inform him of the victory. But when Cushi was come, and had worshipped him, and informed
him of the victory, he asked him about his son, who replied, "May the like misfortune befall thine enemies as hath
befallen Absalom." That word did not permit either himself or his soldiers to rejoice for the victory, though it was a
very great one; but David went up to the highest part of the city, (19) and wept for his son, and beat his breast,
tearing [the hair of] his head, tormenting himself all manner of ways, and crying out, "O my son! I wish that I had
died myself, and ended my days with thee!" for he was of a tender natural affection, and had extraordinary
compassion for this son in particular. But when the army and Joab heard that the king mourned for his son, they
were ashamed to enter the city in the habit of conquerors, but they all came in as cast down, and in tears, as if they
had been beaten. Now while the king covered himself, and grievously lamented his son, Joab went in to him, and
comforted him, and said, "O my lord the king, thou art not aware that thou layest a blot on thyself by what thou now
doest; for thou seemest to hate those that love thee, and undergo dangers for thee nay, to hate thyself and thy
family, and to love those that are thy bitter enemies, and to desire the company of those that are no more, and who
have been justly slain; for had Absalom gotten the victory, and firmly settled himself in the kingdom, there had
been none of us left alive, but all of us, beginning with thyself and thy children, had miserably perished, while our
enemies had not wept for his, but rejoiced over us, and punished even those that pitied us in our misfortunes; and
thou art not ashamed to do this in the case of one that has been thy bitter enemy, who, while he was thine own son
hath proved so wicked to thee. Leave off, therefore, thy unreasonable grief, and come abroad and be seen of thy
soldiers, and return them thanks for the alacrity they showed in the fight; for I myself will this day persuade the
people to leave thee, and to give the kingdom to another, if thou continuest to do thus; and then I shall make thee
to grieve bitterly and in earnest." Upon Joab's speaking thus to him, he made the king leave off his sorrow, and
brought him to the consideration of his affairs. So David changed his habit, and exposed himself in a manner fit to
be seen by the multitude, and sat at the gates; whereupon all the people heard of it, and ran together to him, and
saluted him. And this was the present state of David's affairs.

1. NOW those Hebrews that had been With Absalom, and had retired out of the battle, when they were all returned
home, sent messengers to every city to put them in mind of what benefits David had bestowed upon them, and of
that liberty which he had procured them, by delivering them from many and great wars. But they complained, that
whereas they had ejected him out of his kingdom, and committed it to another governor, which other governor,
whom they had set up, was already dead, they did not now beseech David to leave off his anger at them, and to
become friends with them, and, as he used to do, to resume the care of their affairs, and take the kingdom again.
This was often told to David. And, this notwithstanding, David sent to Zadok and Abiathar the high priests, that
they should speak to the rulers of the tribe of Judah after the manner following: That it would be a reproach upon
them to permit the other tribes to choose David for their king before their tribe, "and this," said he, "while you are
akin to him, and of the same common blood." He commanded them also to say the same to Amasa the captain of
their forces, That whereas he was his sister's son, he had not persuaded the multitude to restore the kingdom to
David; that he might expect from him not only a reconciliation, for that was already granted, but that supreme
command of the army also which Absalom had bestowed upon him. Accordingly the high priests, when they had
discoursed with the rulers of the tribe, and said what the king had ordered them, persuaded Amasa to undertake
the care of his affairs. So he persuaded that tribe to send immediately ambassadors to him, to beseech him to
return to his own kingdom. The same did all the Israelites, at the like persuasion of Amasa.

2. When the ambassadors came to him, he came to Jerusalem; and the tribe of Judah was the first that came to
meet the king at the river Jordan. And Shimei, the son of Gera, came with a thousand men, which he brought with
him out of the tribe of Benjamin; and Ziba, the freed-man of Saul, with his sons, fifteen in number, and with his
twenty servants. All these, as well as the tribe of Judah, laid a bridge [of boats] over the river, that the king, and
those that were with him, might with ease pass over it. Now as soon as he was come to Jordan, the tribe of Judah
saluted him. Shimei also came upon the bridge, and took hold of his feet, and prayed him to forgive him what he had
offended, and not to be too bitter against him, nor to think fit to make him the first example of severity under his
new authority; but to consider that he had repented of his failure of duty, and had taken care to come first of all to
him. While he was thus entreating the king, and moving him to compassion, Abishai, Joab's brother, said, "And
shall not this man die for this, that he hath cursed that king whom God hath appointed to reign over us?" But David
turned himself to him, and said, "Will you never leave off, ye sons of Zeruiah? Do not you, I pray, raise new
troubles and seditions among us, now the former are over; for I would not have you ignorant that I this day begin
my reign, and therefore swear to remit to all offenders their punishments, and not to animadvert on any one that
has sinned. Be thou, therefore," said he, "O Shimei, of good courage, and do not at all fear being put to death." So
he worshipped him, and went on before him.

3. Mephibosheth also, Saul's grandson, met David, clothed in a sordid garment, and having his hair thick and
neglected; for after David was fled away, he was in such grief that he had not polled his head, nor had he washed
his clothes, as dooming himself to undergo such hardships upon occasion of the change-of the king's affairs. Now he
had been unjustly calumniated to the king by Ziba, his steward. When he had saluted the king, and worshipped him,
the king began to ask him why he did not go out of Jerusalem with him, and accompany him during his flight. He
replied, that this piece of injustice was owing to Ziba; because, when he was ordered to get things ready for his
going out with him, he took no care of it, but regarded him no more than if he had been a slave; "and, indeed, had I
had my feet sound and strong, I had not deserted thee, for I could then have made use of them in my flight: but this
is not all the injury that Ziba has done me, as to my duty to thee, my lord and master, but he hath calumniated me
besides, and told lies about me of his own invention; but I know thy mind will not admit of such calumnies, but is
righteously disposed, and a lover of truth, which it is also the will of God should prevail. For when thou wast in the
greatest danger of suffering by my grandfather, and when, on that account, our whole family might justly have been
destroyed, thou wast moderate and merciful, and didst then especially forget all those injuries, when, if thou hadst
remembered them, thou hadst the power of punishing us for them; but thou hast judged me to be thy friend, and
hast set me every day at thine own table; nor have I wanted any thing which one of thine own kinsmen, of greatest
esteem with thee, could have expected." When he had said this, David resolved neither to punish Mephibosheth,
nor to condemn Ziba, as having belied his master; but said to him, that as he had [before] granted all his estate to
Ziba, because he did not come along with him, so he [now] promised to forgive him, and ordered that the one half of
his estate should be restored to him. (20) Whereupon Mephibosheth said, "Nay, let Ziba take all; it suffices me
that thou hast recovered thy kingdom."

4. But David desired Barzillai the Gileadite, that great and good man, and one that had made a plentiful provision
for him at Mahanaim, and had conducted him as far as Jordan, to accompany him to Jerusalem, for he promised to
treat him in his old age with all manner of respect - to take care of him, and provide for him. But Barzillai was so
desirous to live at home, that he entreated him to excuse him from attendance on him; and said that his age was too
great to enjoy the pleasures [of a court,] since he was fourscore years old, and was therefore making provision for
his death and burial: so he desired him to gratify him in this request, and dismiss him; for he had no relish of his
meat, or his drink, by reason of his age; and that his ears were too much shut up to hear the sound of pipes, or the
melody of other musical instruments, such as all those that live with kings delight in. When he entreated for this so
earnestly, the king said, "I dismiss thee, but thou shalt grant me thy son Chimham, and upon him I will bestow all
sorts of good things." So Barzillai left his son with him, and worshipped the king, and wished him a prosperous
conclusion of all his affairs according to his own mind, and then returned home; but David came to Gilgal, having
about him half the people [of Israel], and the [whole] tribe of Judah.

5. Now the principal men of the country came to Gilgal to him with a great multitude, and complained of the tribe of
Judah, that they had come to him in a private manner; whereas they ought all conjointly, and with one and the same
intention, to have given him the meeting. But the rulers of the tribe of Judah desired them not to be displeased, if
they had been prevented by them; for, said they, "We are David's kinsmen, and on that account we the rather took
care of him, and loved him, and. so came first to him;" yet had they not, by their early coming, received any gifts
from him, which might give them who came last any uneasiness. When the rulers of the tribe of Judah had said this,
the rulers of the other tribes were not quiet, but said further, "O brethren, we cannot but wonder at you when you
call the king your kinsman alone, whereas he that hath received from God the power over all of us in common ought
to be esteemed a kinsman to us all; for which reason the whole people have eleven parts in him, and you but one
part (21) we are also elder than you; wherefore you have not done justly in coming to the king in this private and
concealed manner."

6. While these rulers were thus disputing one with another,. a certain wicked man, who took a pleasure in seditious
practices, (his name was Sheba, the son of Bichri, of the tribe of Benjamin,) stood up in the midst of the multitude,
and cried aloud, and spake thus to them: "We have no part in David, nor inheritance in the son of Jesse." And
when he had used those words, he blew with a trumpet, and declared war against the king; and they all left David,
and followed him; the tribe of Judah alone staid with him, and settled him in his royal palace at Jerusalem. But as
for his concubines, with whom Absalom his son had accompanied, truly he removed them to another house, and
ordered those that had the care of them to make a plentiful provision for them, but he came not near them any
more. He also appointed Amass for the captain of his forces, and gave him the same high office which Joab before
had; and he commanded him to gather together, out of the tribe of Judah, as great an army as he could, and come
to him within three days, that he might deliver to him his entire army, and might send him to fight against [Sheba]
the son of Bichri. Now while Amass was gone out, and made some delay in gathering the army together, and so was
not yet returned, on the third day the king said to Joab, "It is not fit we should make any delay in this affair of
Sheba, lest he get a numerous army about him, and be the occasion of greater mischief, and hurt our affairs more
than did Absalom himself; do not thou therefore wait any longer, but take such forces as thou hast at hand, and that
[old] body of six hundred men, and thy brother Abishai, with thee, and pursue after our enemy, and endeavor to
fight him wheresoever thou canst overtake him. Make haste to prevent him, lest he seize upon some fenced cities,
and cause us great labor and pains before we take him."

7. So Joab resolved to make no delay, but taking with him his brother, and those six hundred men, and giving
orders that the rest of the army which was at Jerusalem should follow him, he marched with great speed against
Sheba; and when he was come to Gibeon, which is a village forty furlongs distant from Jerusalem, Amasa brought a
great army with him, and met Joab. Now Joab was girded with a sword, and his breastplate on; and when Amasa
came near him to salute him, he took particular care that his sword should fall out, as it were, of its own accord: so
he took it up from the ground, and while he approached Amasa, who was then near him, as though he would kiss
him, he took hold of Amasa's beard with his other hand, and he smote him in his belly when he did not foresee it,
and slew him. This impious and altogether profane action Joab did to a good young man, and his kinsman, and one
that had done him no injury, and this out of jealousy that he would obtain the chief command of the army, and be in
equal dignity with himself about the king; and for the same cause it was that he killed Abner. But as to that former
wicked action, the death of his brother Asahel, which he seemed to revenge, afforded him a decent pretense, and
made that crime a pardonable one; but in this murder of Amasa there was no such covering for it. Now when Joab
had killed this general, he pursued after Sheba, having left a man with the dead body, who was ordered to proclaim
aloud to the army, that Amasa was justly slain, and deservedly punished. "But," said he, "if you be for the king,
follow Joab his general, and Abishai, Joab's brother:" but because the body lay on the road, and all the multitude
came running to it, and, as is usual with the multitude, stood wondering a great while at it, he that guarded it
removed it thence, and carried it to a certain place that was very remote from the road, and there laid it, and
covered it with his garment. When this was done, all the people followed Joab. Now as he pursued Sheba through
all the country of Israel, one told him that he was in a strong city, called Abelbeth-maachah. Hereupon Joab went
thither, and set about it with his army, and cast up a bank round it, and ordered his soldiers to undermine the walls,
and to overthrow them; and since the people in the city did not admit him, he was greatly displeased at them.

8. Now there was a woman of small account, and yet both wise and intelligent, who seeing her native city lying at
the last extremity, ascended upon the wall, and, by means of the armed men, called for Joab; and when he came to
her, she began