Berean Standard Bible

2 Samuel 18

1Then Davidדָּוִ֔דda.VidH1732אֶת־'et-H853reviewedוַיִּפְקֹ֣דvai.yif.KodH6485his troopsהָעָ֖םha.'AmH5971אֲשֶׁ֣ר'a.SherH834אִתּ֑וֹ'i.ToH854and appointedוַיָּ֣שֶׂםvai.Ya.semH7760over themעֲלֵיהֶ֔ם'a.lei.HemH5921commandersשָׂרֵ֥יsa.ReiH8269of thousandsאֲלָפִ֖ים'a.la.FimH505and of hundredsוְשָׂרֵ֥י מֵאֽוֹת׃ve.sa.Rei me.'otH3967 H8269.

2Heדָּוִ֜דda.VidH1732אֶת־'et-H853sent outוַיְשַׁלַּ֨חvay.sha.LachH7971the troopsהָעָ֗םha.'AmH5971,a thirdהַשְּׁלִשִׁ֤ית בְּיַד־ha.she.li.Shit be.yad-H7992 H3027under Joabיוֹאָב֙yo.'AvH3097,a thirdוְ֠הַשְּׁלִשִׁית בְּיַ֨דVe.ha.she.li.shit be.YadH7992 H3027under Joab’sיוֹאָ֔בyo.'AvH3097brotherאֲחִ֣י'a.ChiH251Abishaiאֲבִישַׁ֤י'a.vi.ShaiH52sonבֶּן־ben-H1121of Zeruiahצְרוּיָה֙tze.ru.YahH6870,and a thirdוְהַ֨שְּׁלִשִׁ֔ת בְּיַ֖דve.Ha.she.li.Shit be.YadH7992 H3027under Ittaiאִתַּ֣י'i.TaiH863the Gittiteהַגִּתִּ֑י סha.gi.TiH1663.And the kingהַמֶּ֙לֶךְ֙ha.Me.lekhH4428saidוַיֹּ֤אמֶרvai.Yo.merH559toאֶל־'el-H413the troopsהָעָ֔םha.'AmH5971, “Iאֲנִ֖י'a.NiH589will surely march outH3318with youעִמָּכֶֽם׃'i.ma.KhemH5973as wellגַּם־gam-H1571.”

3But the peopleהָעָ֜םha.'AmH5971pleadedוַיֹּ֨אמֶרvai.Yo.merH559, “You must notלֹ֣אlo'H3808go outתֵצֵ֗אte.Tze'H3318!Forכִּי֩kiH3588ifאִם־'im-H518we have to fleeH5127,they will not careלֹא־ יָשִׂ֧ימוּ לֵ֗בlo'- ya.Si.mu LevH3808 H7760 H3820about usאֵלֵ֣ינוּ'e.Lei.nuH413.Even ifוְאִם־ve.'im-H518half of usחֶצְיֵ֙נוּ֙chetz.Ye.nuH2677dieיָמֻ֤תוּya.Mu.tuH4191,they will notלֹֽא־lo'-H3808careיָשִׂ֤ימוּ לֵ֔בya.Si.mu LevH7760 H3820אֵלֵ֙ינוּ֙'e.Lei.nuH413.Butכִּֽי־ki-H3588עַתָּ֥ה'a.TahH6258you areworthכָמֹ֖נוּkha.Mo.nuH3644tenעֲשָׂרָ֣ה'a.sa.RahH6235thousand of usאֲלָפִ֑ים'a.la.FimH505.It is betterט֔וֹבTovH2896nowוְעַתָּ֣הve.'a.TahH6258ifכִּי־ki-H3588youתִֽהְיֶה־tih.yeh-H1961supportלַעְזֽוֹר׃ סla'.zirH5826usfrom the cityמֵעִ֖ירme.'IrH5892.”

4“I will doאֶעֱשֶׂ֑ה'e.'e.SehH6213whateverאֲשֶׁר־'a.Sher-H834seems bestיִיטַ֥בyi.TavH3190to youבְּעֵינֵיכֶ֖םbe.'ei.nei.KhemH5869,”the kingהַמֶּ֔לֶךְha.Me.lekhH4428repliedוַיֹּ֤אמֶרvai.Yo.merH559אֲלֵיהֶם֙'a.lei.HemH413.So heהַמֶּ֙לֶךְ֙ha.Me.lekhH4428stoodוַיַּעֲמֹ֤דvai.ya.'a.ModH5975besideאֶל־ יַ֣ד'el- yadH413 H3027the gateהַשַּׁ֔עַרha.Sha.'arH8179,while allוְכָל־ve.kholH3605the troopsהָעָם֙ha.'AmH5971marched outיָֽצְא֔וּya.tze.'UH3318by hundredsלְמֵא֖וֹתle.me.'otH3967and by thousandsוְלַאֲלָפִֽים׃ve.la.'a.la.FimH505.

5Now the kingהַמֶּ֡לֶךְha.Me.lekhH4428אֶת־'et-H853had commandedוַיְצַ֣וvay.TzavH6680Joabי֠וֹאָבyo.'oH3097וְאֶת־ve.'EtH853,Abishaiאֲבִישַׁ֤י'a.vi.ShaiH52וְאֶת־ve.'EtH853,and Ittaiאִתַּי֙ לֵאמֹ֔ר'i.Tai le.MorH863 H559, “Treat the young manלַנַּ֣עַרla.Na.'arH5288Absalomלְאַבְשָׁל֑וֹםle.'av.sha.LomH53gentlyלְאַט־le.'at-H328for my sake.”And allוְכָל־ve.kholH3605the peopleהָעָ֣םha.'AmH5971heardשָׁמְע֗וּsha.me.'UH8085the king’sהַמֶּ֛לֶךְha.Me.lekhH4428אֶת־'et-H853ordersבְּצַוֹּ֥תbe.tza.VotH6680to eachכָּל־kol-H3605of the commandersהַשָּׂרִ֖יםha.sa.RimH8269regardingעַל־ דְּבַ֥ר'al- de.VarH5921 H1697Absalomאַבְשָׁלֽוֹם׃'av.sha.LomH53.

6So David’s armyהָעָ֛םha.'AmH5971marchedוַיֵּצֵ֥אvai.ye.Tze'H3318into the fieldהַשָּׂדֶ֖הha.sa.DehH7704to engageלִקְרַ֣אתlik.RatH7122Israelיִשְׂרָאֵ֑לYis.ra.'ElH3478,and the battleהַמִּלְחָמָ֖הha.mil.cha.MahH4421took placeוַתְּהִ֥יva.te.HiH1961in the forestבְּיַ֥עַרbe.Ya.'arH3293of Ephraimאֶפְרָֽיִם׃'ef.Ra.yimH669.

7Thereשָׁם֙shamH8033the peopleעַ֣ם'amH5971of Israelיִשְׂרָאֵ֔לYis.ra.'ElH3478were defeatedוַיִּנָּ֤גְפוּvai.yi.Na.ge.fuH5062byלִפְנֵ֖יlif.NeiH6440David’sדָוִ֑דda.VidH1732servantsעַבְדֵ֣י'av.DeiH5650,and the slaughterהַמַּגֵּפָ֧הha.ma.ge.FahH4046wasוַתְּהִי־ שָׁ֞םva.te.hi- shamH1961 H8033greatגְדוֹלָ֛הge.do.LahH1419thatהַה֖וּאha.Hu'H1931dayבַּיּ֥וֹםbai.YomH3117—twentyעֶשְׂרִ֥ים'es.RimH6242thousandאָֽלֶף׃'A.lefH505men.

8וַתְּהִי־va.te.hi-H1961שָׁ֧םshamH8033The battleהַמִּלְחָמָ֛הha.mil.cha.MahH4421spreadנָפֹ֖צֶתna.fo.tzeitH6327overעַל־ פְּנֵ֣י'al- pe.NeiH5921 H6440the wholeכָל־khol-H3605countrysideהָאָ֑רֶץha.'A.retzH776,and thatהַהֽוּא׃ha.Hu'H1931dayבַּיּ֥וֹםbai.YomH3117the forestהַיַּ֙עַר֙hai.Ya.'arH3293devouredלֶאֱכֹ֣לle.'e.KholH398moreוַיֶּ֤רֶבvai.Ye.revH7235peopleבָּעָ֔םba.'AmH5971thanמֵאֲשֶׁ֥ר אָכְלָ֛הme.'a.Sher 'a.khe.LahH834 H398the swordהַחֶ֖רֶבha.Che.revH2719.

9Now Absalomאַבְשָׁל֔וֹם לִפְנֵ֖י'av.sha.Lom lif.NeiH53 H6440was ridingרֹכֵ֣בro.KhevH7392onעַל־'al-H5921his muleהַפֶּ֗רֶדha.Pe.redH6505when heוְאַבְשָׁל֞וֹםve.'av.sha.LomH53metוַיִּקָּרֵא֙vai.yi.ka.Re'H7122the servantsעַבְדֵ֣י'av.DeiH5650of Davidדָוִ֑דda.VidH1732,and as the muleהַפֶּ֡רֶדha.Pe.redH6505wentוַיָּבֹ֣אvai.ya.Vo'H935underתַּ֣חַתTa.chatH8478the thick branchesשׂוֹבֶךְ֩soeKhH7730of a largeהַגְּדוֹלָ֜הha.ge.do.LahH1419oakהָאֵלָ֨הha.'e.LahH424,Absalom’s headרֹאשׁ֣וֹro.ShoH7218was caught fastוַיֶּחֱזַ֧קvai.ye.che.ZakH2388in the treeבָאֵלָ֗הva.'e.LahH424.The muleוְהַפֶּ֥רֶדve.ha.Pe.redH6505אֲשֶׁר־'a.Sher-H834under himתַּחְתָּ֖יוtach.TavH8478kept goingעָבָֽר׃'a.VarH5674,so that he was suspendedוַיֻּתַּן֙vai.yu.TanH5414in midairהַשָּׁמַ֙יִם֙ הָאָ֔רֶץha.sha.Ma.yim ha.'A.retzH996 H8064 H776.

10When oneאֶחָ֔ד'e.ChadH259of the menאִ֣ישׁ'ishH376saw thisוַיַּרְא֙vai.yaR'H7200,he toldוַיַּגֵּ֖דvai.ya.GedH5046Joabלְיוֹאָ֑בle.yo.'AvH3097וַיֹּ֗אמֶרvai.Yo.merH559, “I justהִנֵּה֙hi.NehH2009sawרָאִ֣יתִיra.'I.tiH7200אֶת־'et-H853Absalomאַבְשָׁלֹ֔ם'av.sha.LomH53hangingתָּל֖וּיta.LuiH8518in an oak treeבָּאֵלָֽה׃ba.'e.LahH424!”

11“You justוְהִנֵּ֣הve.hi.NehH2009saw himרָאִ֔יתָra.'I.taH7200!”Joabיוֹאָ֗בyo.'AvH3097לָאִישׁ֙la.'IshH376הַמַּגִּ֣ידha.ma.GidH5046exclaimedוַיֹּ֣אמֶרvai.Yo.merH559. “Whyוּמַדּ֛וּעַu.ma.Du.a'H4069did you notלֹֽא־lo'-H3808strike himהִכִּית֥וֹhi.ki.ToH5221to the groundאָ֑רְצָה וְעָלַ֗י'A.re.tzah ve.'a.LaiH776 H5921right thereשָׁ֖םshamH8033?I would have givenלָ֤תֶתLa.tetH5414youtenעֲשָׂ֣רָה'a.Sa.rahH6235shekelsof silverכֶ֔סֶףKhe.sefH3701and aאֶחָֽת׃'e.ChatH259warrior’s beltוַחֲגֹרָ֖הva.cha.go.RahH2290!”

12The manהָאִישׁ֙ha.'IshH376repliedוַיֹּ֤אמֶרvai.Yo.merH559אֶל־'el-H413יוֹאָ֔בyo.'AvH3097, “Even ifוְל֨וּאve.lo'H3863אָנֹכִ֜י'a.no.KhiH595a thousandאֶ֣לֶף'E.lefH505shekelsof silverכֶּ֔סֶףKe.sefH3701were weighed outשֹׁקֵ֤לsho.KelH8254intoעַל־'al-H5921my handsכַּפַּי֙ka.PaiH3709,I would notלֹֽא־lo'-H3808raiseאֶשְׁלַ֥ח'esh.LachH7971my handיָדִ֖יya.DiH3027againstאֶל־'el-H413the sonבֶּן־ben-H1121of the kingהַמֶּ֑לֶךְha.Me.lekhH4428.Forכִּ֣יkiH3588we heardבְאָזְנֵ֜ינוּve.'a.ze.Nei.nuH241the kingהַמֶּ֗לֶךְha.Me.lekhH4428אֹ֠תְךָ'O.te.khaH853וְאֶת־ve.'EtH853command youצִוָּ֣הtzi.VahH6680and Abishaiאֲבִישַׁ֤י'a.vi.ShaiH52וְאֶת־ve.'EtH853and Ittaiאִתַּי֙ לֵאמֹ֔ר'i.Tai le.MorH863 H559, ‘Protectשִׁמְרוּ־shim.ru-H8104the young manבַּנַּ֖עַרba.Na.'arH5288Absalomבְּאַבְשָׁלֽוֹם׃be.'av.sha.LomH53for my sakeמִ֕יmiH4310.’

13Ifאֽוֹ־'o-H176I had jeopardizedעָשִׂ֤יתִי שֶׁ֔קֶר וְכָל־ דָּבָ֖ר'a.Si.ti She.ker ve.khol da.VarH6213 H8267 H3605 H1697my own lifeבְנַפְשִׁי֙ve.naf.shiH5315—and nothingלֹא־lo'-H3808is hiddenיִכָּחֵ֣דyi.ka.ChedH3582fromמִן־min-H4480the kingהַמֶּ֑לֶךְha.Me.lekhH4428—youוְאַתָּ֖הve.'a.TahH859would have abandonedתִּתְיַצֵּ֥בtit.ya.TzevH3320meמִנֶּֽגֶד׃mi.Ne.gedH5048.”

14But Joabיוֹאָ֔בyo.'AvH3097declaredוַיֹּ֣אמֶרvai.Yo.merH559, “I am notלֹא־lo'-H3808going to waitאֹחִ֣ילָה'o.Chi.lahH3176like thisכֵ֖ןkhenH3651with youלְפָנֶ֑יךָle.fa.Nei.khaH6440!”And he tookוַיִּקַּח֩vai.yi.KachH3947threeשְׁלֹשָׁ֨הshe.lo.ShahH7969spearsשְׁבָטִ֜יםshe.va.TimH7626in his handבְּכַפּ֗וֹbe.kha.PoH3709and thrust themוַיִּתְקָעֵם֙vai.yit.ka.'EmH8628through the heartבְּלֵ֣בbe.LevH3820of Absalomאַבְשָׁל֔וֹם'av.sha.LomH53while he was stillעוֹדֶ֥נּוּo.De.nuH5750aliveחַ֖י בְּלֵ֥בchai be.LevH2416 H3820in the oak treeהָאֵלָֽה׃ha.'e.LahH424.

15And tenעֲשָׂרָ֣ה'a.sa.RahH6235young menנְעָרִ֔יםne.'a.RimH5288who carriedנֹשְׂאֵ֖יno.se.'EiH5375Joab’sיוֹאָ֑בyo.'AvH3097armorכְּלֵ֣יke.LeiH3627surroundedוַיָּסֹ֙בּוּ֙vai.ya.So.buH5437Absalomאַבְשָׁל֖וֹם'av.sha.LomH53,struckוַיַּכּ֥וּvai.ya.KuH5221himאֶת־'et-H853,and killed himוַיְמִיתֻֽהוּ׃vay.mi.Tu.huH4191.

16Then Joabיוֹאָב֙yo.'AvH3097blewוַיִּתְקַ֤עvai.yit.Ka'H8628the ram’s hornבַּשֹּׁפָ֔רba.sho.FarH7782,and the troopsהָעָ֔םha.'AmH5971broke offוַיָּ֣שָׁבvai.Ya.shoH7725their pursuitמִרְדֹ֖ף אַחֲרֵ֣יmir.Dof 'a.cha.ReiH7291 H310of Israelיִשְׂרָאֵ֑לYis.ra.'ElH3478becauseכִּֽי־ki-H3588Joabיוֹאָ֖בyo.'AvH3097אֶת־'et-H853had restrained themחָשַׂ֥ךְ הָעָֽם׃cha.Sakh ha.'AmH2820 H5971.

17They tookוַיִּקְח֣וּvai.yik.ChuH3947אֶת־'et-H853Absalomאַבְשָׁל֗וֹם'av.sha.LomH53,castוַיַּשְׁלִ֨יכוּvai.yash.Li.khuH7993himאֹת֤וֹ'o.ToH853intoאֶל־'el-H413a largeהַגָּד֔וֹלha.ga.DolH1419pitהַפַּ֣חַתha.Pa.chatH6354in the forestבַיַּ֙עַר֙vai.Ya.'arH3293,and piledוַיַּצִּ֧בוּvai.ya.Tzi.vuH5324a hugeגָּד֣וֹל מְאֹ֑דga.Dol me.'OdH1419 H3966moundגַּל־gal-H1530of stonesאֲבָנִ֖ים'a.va.NimH68over himעָלָ֛יו'a.LavH5921.Meanwhile, allוְכָל־ve.kholH3605the Israelitesיִשְׂרָאֵ֔לYis.ra.'ElH3478fledנָ֖סוּNa.suH5127,eachאִ֥ישׁ'ishH376to his homeלְאֹהָלָֽיו׃ סle.'o.he.loH168.

18During his lifetimeבְחַיָּיו֙ve.cha.yavH2416אֶת־'et-H853,Absalomוְאַבְשָׁלֹ֣ם לָקַ֗חve.'av.sha.Lom la.KachH53 H3947had set upוַיַּצֶּב־vai.ya.tzev-H5324for himselfa pillarמַצֶּ֙בֶת֙ma.Tze.vetH4678אֲשֶׁ֣ר'a.SherH834in the King’sהַמֶּ֔לֶךְha.Me.lekhH4428Valleyבְּעֵֽמֶק־be.'e.mek-H6010,forכִּ֤יkiH3588he had saidאָמַר֙'a.MarH559, “I have noאֵֽין־'ein-H369sonבֵ֔ןVenH1121toבַּעֲב֖וּרba.'a.VurH5668preserve the memoryהַזְכִּ֣ירhaz.KirH2142of my nameשְׁמִ֑יshe.MiH8034.”So he gaveוַיִּקְרָ֤אvai.yik.Ra'H7121the pillarלַמַּצֶּ֙בֶת֙ עַל־la.ma.Tze.vet 'al-H4678 H5921his nameשְׁמ֔וֹshe.MoH8034,and toעַ֖ד'adH5704thisהַזֶּֽה׃ סha.ZehH2088dayהַיּ֥וֹםhai.YomH3117it is calledוַיִּקָּ֤רֵאvai.yi.Ka.re'H7121Absalom’sאַבְשָׁלֹ֔ם'av.sha.LomH53Monumentיַ֣דyadH3027.

David Mourns for Absalom

19Then Ahimaazוַאֲחִימַ֤עַץva.'a.chi.Ma.'atzH290sonבֶּן־ben-H1121of Zadokצָדוֹק֙tza.dOkH6659saidאָמַ֔ר'a.MarH559, “Pleaseנָּ֔אNa'H4994let me runאָר֣וּצָה'a.Ru.tzahH7323and tell the kingהַמֶּ֑לֶךְha.Me.lekhH4428the good newsוַאֲבַשְּׂרָ֖הva.'a.va.se.RahH1319אֶת־'et-H853thatכִּי־ki-H3588the LORDיְהוָ֖הYah.wehH3068has avenged himשְׁפָט֥וֹshe.fa.ToH8199ofמִיַּ֥דmi.YadH3027his enemiesאֹיְבָֽיו׃'o.ye.VavH341.”

20But Joabיוֹאָ֗בyo.'AvH3097repliedוַיֹּ֧אמֶרvai.Yo.merH559, “Youאַתָּה֙'a.TahH859are notלֹא֩lo'H3808the manאִ֨ישׁ'ishH376to take good newsבְּשֹׂרָ֤הbe.so.RahH1309todayהַיּ֣וֹם הַזֶּ֔הhai.Yom ha.ZehH3117 H2088.You may doוּבִשַּׂרְתָּ֖u.vi.sar.TaH1319it anotherאַחֵ֑ר'a.CherH312dayבְּי֣וֹםbe.YomH3117,but you must notלֹ֣אlo'H3808do soתְבַשֵּׂ֔רte.va.SerH1319todayוְהַיּ֤וֹם הַזֶּה֙ve.hai.Yom ha.ZehH3117 H2088,becauseכִּֽי־ עַל־כֵּ֥ןki- al-kenH3588 H5921the king’sהַמֶּ֖לֶךְha.Me.lekhH4428sonבֶּן־ben-H1121is deadמֵֽת׃MetH4191.”

21So Joabיוֹאָב֙yo.'AvH3097saidוַיֹּ֤אמֶרvai.Yo.merH559to a Cushiteלַכּוּשִׁ֔יla.ku.ShiH3569, “Goלֵ֛ךְlekhH1980,tellהַגֵּ֥דha.GedH5046the kingלַמֶּ֖לֶךְla.Me.lekhH4428whatאֲשֶׁ֣ר'a.SherH834you have seenרָאִ֑יתָהra.'I.tahH7200.”The Cushiteכוּשִׁ֛יkhu.ShiH3569bowedוַיִּשְׁתַּ֧חוּvai.yish.Ta.chuH7812to Joabלְיוֹאָ֖בle.yo.'AvH3097and took off runningוַיָּרֹֽץ׃vai.ya.RotzH7323.

22Ahimaazאֲחִימַ֤עַץ'a.chi.Ma.'atzH290sonבֶּן־ben-H1121of Zadokצָדוֹק֙tza.dOkH6659,however, persistedוַיֹּ֨סֶף ע֜וֹדvai.Yo.sef odH3254 H5750and saidוַיֹּ֣אמֶרvai.Yo.merH559toאֶל־'el-H413Joabיוֹאָ֔ב וִ֣יהִיyo.'Av Vi.hiH3097 H1961, “No matter whatמָ֔הMahH4100,pleaseנָּ֥אna'H4994let meאָ֖נִי'A.niH589alsoגַם־gam-H1571runאָרֻֽצָה־'a.ru.tzah-H7323behindאַחֲרֵ֣י'a.cha.ReiH310the Cushiteהַכּוּשִׁ֑יha.ku.ShiH3569!” “My sonבְּנִ֔יbe.NiH1121,”Joabיוֹאָ֗בyo.'AvH3097repliedוַיֹּ֣אמֶרvai.Yo.merH559, “whyלָֽמָּה־ זֶּ֞הla.mah- zehH4100 H2088do youאַתָּ֥ה'a.TahH859want to runרָץ֙ratzH7323, since you willnotאֵין־'ein-H369receiveמֹצֵֽאת׃mo.TzetH4672a rewardבְּשׂוֹרָ֥הbe.so.RahH1309?”

23“No matter whatמָ֣הmahH4100,I want to runאָר֔וּץ'a.RutzH7323!”he repliedוִיהִי־vi.hi-H1961. “Then runר֑וּץRutzH7323!”Joab toldוַיֹּ֥אמֶרvai.Yo.merH559him.So Ahimaazאֲחִימַ֙עַץ֙'a.chi.Ma.'atzH290ranוַיָּ֤רָץvai.Ya.rotzH7323by wayדֶּ֣רֶךְDe.rekhH1870of the plainהַכִּכָּ֔רha.ki.KarH3603and outranוַֽיַּעֲבֹ֖רvai.ya.'a.VorH5674אֶת־'et-H853the Cushiteהַכּוּשִֽׁי׃ha.ku.ShiH3569.

24Now Davidוְדָוִ֥דve.da.VidH1732was sittingיוֹשֵׁ֖בyo.ShevH3427betweenבֵּין־bein-H996the twoשְׁנֵ֣יshe.NeiH8147gatesהַשְּׁעָרִ֑יםha.she.'a.RimH8179when the watchmanהַצֹּפֶ֜הha.tzo.PehH6822went upוַיֵּ֨לֶךְvai.Ye.lekhH1980toאֶל־'el-H413the roofגַּ֤גgagH1406of the gatewayהַשַּׁ֙עַר֙ha.Sha.'arH8179byאֶל־'el-H413the wallהַ֣חוֹמָ֔הha.cho.MahH2346,looked outוַיִּשָּׂ֤אvai.yi.Sa'H5375אֶת־'et-H853עֵינָיו֙'ei.NavH5869,and sawוַיַּ֔רְא וְהִנֵּה־vai.Yar' ve.hi.neh-H7200 H2009a manאִ֖ישׁ'ishH376running aloneרָ֥ץ לְבַדּֽוֹ׃ratz le.va.DoH7323 H905.

25Soהַצֹּפֶה֙ha.tzo.PehH6822hecalled outוַיִּקְרָ֤אvai.yik.Ra'H7121and toldוַיַּגֵּ֣דvai.ya.GedH5046the kingלַמֶּ֔לֶךְla.Me.lekhH4428. “If he is aloneאִם־ לְבַדּ֖וֹ'im- le.va.DoH518 H905,”the kingהַמֶּ֔לֶךְha.Me.lekhH4428repliedוַיֹּ֣אמֶרvai.Yo.merH559, “he bearsבְּפִ֑יוbe.FivH6310good newsבְּשׂוֹרָ֣הbe.so.RahH1309.”As the first runner drewH1980nearוְקָרֵֽב׃ve.ka.RevH7131,

26the watchmanהַצֹּפֶה֮ha.tzo.PehH6822sawוַיַּ֣רְאvai.Yar'H7200anotherאַחֵ֣ר'a.CherH312manאִישׁ־'ish-H376runningרָץ֒ratzH7323,and he called outוַיִּקְרָ֤א הַצֹּפֶה֙vai.yik.Ra' ha.tzo.PehH7121 H6822toאֶל־'el-H413the gatekeeperהַשֹּׁעֵ֔רha.sho.'ErH7778וַיֹּ֕אמֶרvai.Yo.merH559, “Lookהִנֵּה־hi.neh-H2009!Another manאִ֖ישׁ'ishH376is running aloneרָ֣ץ לְבַדּ֑וֹratz le.va.DoH7323 H905!” “Thisזֶ֥הzehH2088onealsoגַּם־gam-H1571brings good newsמְבַשֵּֽׂר׃me.va.SerH1319,”saidוַיֹּ֥אמֶרvai.Yo.merH559the kingהַמֶּ֖לֶךְha.Me.lekhH4428.

27The watchmanהַצֹּפֶ֔הha.tzo.PehH6822saidוַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙vai.Yo.merH559, “The first manהָרִאשׁ֔וֹןha.ri.ShonH7223appearsרֹאֶה֙ro.'EhH7200אֶת־'et-H853to meאֲנִ֤י'a.NiH589to be runningמְרוּצַ֣תme.ru.TzatH4794like Ahimaazאֲחִימַ֣עַץ'a.chi.Ma.'atzH290sonבֶּן־ben-H1121of Zadokצָד֑וֹקtza.DokH6659כִּמְרֻצַ֖תkim.ru.TzatH4794.” “Thisזֶ֔הZehH2088is a goodט֣וֹבTovH2896manאִֽישׁ־'ish-H376,”saidוַיֹּ֤אמֶרvai.Yo.merH559the kingהַמֶּ֙לֶךְ֙ha.Me.lekhH4428. “He comesיָבֽוֹא׃ya.Vo'H935withוְאֶל־ve.'el-H413goodטוֹבָ֖הto.VahH2896newsבְּשׂוֹרָ֥הbe.so.RahH1309.”

28Then Ahimaazאֲחִימַ֗עַץ'a.chi.Ma.'atzH290called outוַיִּקְרָ֣אvai.yik.Ra'H7121וַיֹּ֤אמֶרvai.Yo.merH559toאֶל־'el-H413the kingהַמֶּ֙לֶךְ֙ha.Me.lekhH4428, “All is wellשָׁל֔וֹםsha.LomH7965!”And he bowedוַיִּשְׁתַּ֧חוּvai.yish.Ta.chuH7812facedownלְאַפָּ֖יו אָ֑רְצָה סle.'a.Pav 'A.re.tzahH639 H776before the kingלַמֶּ֛לֶךְla.Me.lekhH4428.He continuedוַיֹּ֗אמֶרvai.Yo.merH559, “Blessedבָּרוּךְ֙ba.ruKhH1288bethe LORDיְהוָ֣הYah.wehH3068your Godאֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ'e.lo.Hei.khaH430אֲשֶׁ֤ר'a.SherH834!He has delivered upסִגַּר֙si.GarH5462אֶת־'et-H853the menהָ֣אֲנָשִׁ֔יםha.'a.na.ShimH582whoאֲשֶׁר־'a.Sher-H834raisedנָשְׂא֥וּna.se.'UH5375אֶת־'et-H853their handsיָדָ֖םya.DamH3027against my lordבַּֽאדֹנִ֥יba.do.NiH113the kingהַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃ha.Me.lekhH4428.”

29The kingהַמֶּ֔לֶךְha.Me.lekhH4428askedוַיֹּ֣אמֶרvai.Yo.merH559, “Is the young manלַנַּ֖עַרla.Na.'arH5288Absalomלְאַבְשָׁל֑וֹםle.'av.sha.LomH53all rightשָׁל֥וֹםsha.LomH7965?”And Ahimaazאֲחִימַ֡עַץ'a.chi.Ma.'atzH290repliedוַיֹּ֣אמֶרvai.Yo.merH559, “When Joabיוֹאָב֙yo.'AvH3097אֶת־'et-H853sentלִ֠שְׁלֹחַLish.lo.achH7971וְאֶת־ve.'EtH853the king’sהַמֶּ֤לֶךְha.Me.lekhH4428servantעֶ֨בֶד'E.vedH5650and your servantעַבְדֶּ֔ךָ'av.De.khaH5650,I sawרָאִיתִי֩ra.'i.TiH7200a greatהַגָּד֜וֹלha.ga.DolH1419tumultהֶהָמ֨וֹןhe.ha.MonH1995,but I do notוְלֹ֥אve.Lo'H3808knowיָדַ֖עְתִּיya.Da'.tiH3045what it wasמָֽה׃MahH4100.”

30“Move asideסֹ֖בsoH5437,”saidוַיֹּ֣אמֶרvai.Yo.merH559the kingהַמֶּ֔לֶךְha.Me.lekhH4428, “and standהִתְיַצֵּ֣בhit.ya.TzevH3320hereכֹּ֑הKohH3541.”So he steppedוַֽיַּעֲמֹֽד׃Vai.ya.'a.ModH5975asideוַיִּסֹּ֖בvai.yi.SoH5437.

31Just thenוְהִנֵּ֥הve.hi.NehH2009the Cushiteהַכּוּשִׁ֖יha.ku.ShiH3569cameבָּ֑אBa'H935and saidוַיֹּ֣אמֶר הַכּוּשִׁ֗יvai.Yo.mer ha.ku.ShiH559 H3569, “May my lordאֲדֹנִ֣י'a.do.NiH113the kingהַמֶּ֔לֶךְ כִּֽי־ha.Me.lekh ki-H4428 H3588hear the good newsיִתְבַּשֵּׂר֙yit.ba.SerH1319:Todayהַיּ֔וֹםhai.YomH3117the LORDיְהוָה֙Yah.wehH3068has avenged youשְׁפָטְךָ֤she.fa.te.KhaH8199ofמִיַּ֖דmi.YadH3027allכָּל־kol-H3605who rose upהַקָּמִ֥יםha.ka.MimH6965against youעָלֶֽיךָ׃ ס'a.Lei.khaH5921!”

32The kingהַמֶּ֙לֶךְ֙ אֶל־ha.Me.lekh 'el-H4428 H413askedוַיֹּ֤אמֶרvai.Yo.merH559the Cushiteהַכּוּשִׁ֔יha.ku.ShiH3569, “Is the young manלַנַּ֖עַרla.Na.'arH5288Absalomלְאַבְשָׁל֑וֹםle.'av.sha.LomH53all rightהֲשָׁל֥וֹםha.sha.LomH7965?”And the Cushiteהַכּוּשִׁ֗יha.ku.ShiH3569repliedוַיֹּ֣אמֶרvai.Yo.merH559, “May the enemiesאֹֽיְבֵי֙'o.ye.VeiH341of my lordאֲדֹנִ֣י'a.do.NiH113the kingהַמֶּ֔לֶךְha.Me.lekhH4428and allוְכֹ֛לve.KholH3605whoאֲשֶׁר־'a.Sher-H834rise upקָ֥מוּKa.muH6965against youעָלֶ֖יךָ'a.Lei.khaH5921to harm youלְרָעָֽה׃ סle.ra.'AhH7451beיִהְי֤וּyih.YuH1961like that young manכַנַּ֙עַר֙kha.Na.'arH5288.”

33The kingהַמֶּ֗לֶךְha.Me.lekhH4428was shakenוַיִּרְגַּ֣זvai.yir.GazH7264and went upוַיַּ֛עַלvai.Ya.'alH5927to the chamberעֲלִיַּ֥ת'a.li.YatH5944overעַל־'al-H5921the gateהַשַּׁ֖עַרha.Sha.'arH8179and weptוַיֵּ֑בְךְּvai.Ye.vekH1058.And asוְכֹ֣ה׀ve.KhohH3541he walkedבְּלֶכְתּ֗וֹbe.lekh.ToH1980,he cried outאָמַ֣ר'a.MarH559, “O my sonבְּנִ֤יbe.NiH1121Absalomאַבְשָׁלוֹם֙'av.sha.lOmH53!My sonבְּנִ֣יbe.NiH1121,my sonבְנִ֣יve.NiH1121Absalomאַבְשָׁל֔וֹם'av.sha.LomH53!If onlyמִֽי־ יִתֵּ֤ןmi- yi.TenH4310 H5414Iאֲנִ֣י'a.NiH589had diedמוּתִי֙mu.TiH4191instead of youתַחְתֶּ֔יךָtach.Tei.khaH8478,O Absalomאַבְשָׁל֖וֹם'av.sha.LomH53,my sonבְּנִ֥יbe.NiH1121,my sonבְנִֽי׃ve.NiH1121!”

David Mourns for Absalom

Commentaries on 2 Samuel 18