Before David’s men marched out to…fight against Israel…in the forest of Ephraim,1 The king gave this order to Joab, Abishai, and Ittai: “For my sake deal gently with the young man Absalom.” Now the entire army was listening when the king gave all the leaders this order concerning Absalom.2 Absalom and the army of Israel were defeated. Twenty thousand died; the forest consumed more soldiers than the sword devoured that day.3 Absalom’s head was caught in the branches of a tree as his mule ran off without him.
One of David’s warriors reported this to Joab. What! You saw this? Joab responded incredulously. Why didn’t you strike him down right on the spot? I would have given you ten pieces of silver and a commemorative belt!4 The warrior responded that he wouldn’t disobey the King’s order for a thousand pieces of silver. Perhaps Abishai or Ittai would have obeyed David’s order. But Joab was the one who risked everything to bring Absalom back from exile. There was never any guarantee that David would respond good-naturedly to Joab’s lying actress. It was Joab’s barley that Absalom burned. And it was Joab who put everything on the line again to get Absalom back in David’s favor, from where Absalom won the loyalty of the citizens of Israel5 and rebelled against his father. Joab had had enough (2 Samuel 18:14b-16 NET).
He took three spears in his hand and thrust them into the middle of Absalom while he was still alive in the middle of the oak tree. Then ten soldiers who were Joab’s armor bearers struck Absalom and finished him off. Then Joab blew the trumpet and the army turned back from chasing Israel, for Joab had called for the army to halt.
I can’t tell if Absalom, retreating on his mule, outran his royal bodyguard or if all fifty men had already died or deserted him. But Absalom was alone and helpless when he faced Joab. Later, when David was exhausted in battle with the Philistines and Ishbi-Benob would have killed him, Abishai the son of Zeruiah came to David’s aid, striking the Philistine down and killing him.6 Abishai’s loyalty was unwavering despite the fact that David publicly rebuked him on two occasions for his desire to kill Shimei.7 Ever since David killed Goliath in single combat he inspired loyalty and even love8 in other fighting men, beginning with Saul’s son Jonathan. And considering Jonathan’s bravery in battle9 it seems almost providential that Goliath was left alive for David to fight and win a reputation.10
Two runners brought news of the victory of David’s warriors over Israel. David’s first concern was for Absalom, How is the young man Absalom?11 The first runner didn’t know. The second replied, “May the enemies of my lord the king and all who have plotted against you be like that young man!” The king then became very upset. He went up to the upper room over the gate and wept. As he went he said, “My son, Absalom! My son, my son, Absalom! If only I could have died in your place! Absalom, my son, my son!”12
So the victory of that day was turned to mourning as far as all the people were concerned. For the people heard on that day, “The king is grieved over his son.” That day the people stole away to go to the city the way people who are embarrassed steal away in fleeing from battle.13
Joab complained to David, Today you have embarrassed all your servants who have saved your life this day, as well as the lives of your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your concubines. You seem to love your enemies and hate your friends!14 This wasn’t quite accurate. David loved a son who became his enemy. He was still quite lethal to most of his enemies. But I can’t help but wonder what impact this story of the man after God’s own heart had on one twelve-year-old boy, the true son of David who would build a house for the Lord’s name.15 Is this where he understood his Father’s will (Matthew 5:43-45 NET)?
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor’ and ‘hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemy and pray for those who persecute you [Table], so that you may be like your Father in heaven, since he causes the sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous [Table].”
Is this where He understood that He, unlike David, could die in our place?
Though I called the Old Testament a mnemonic device for the Lord Jesus, I’m not sure how I feel about it. Yes, before He was born as Jesus I believe He placed these cues in Scripture for Himself. I’m not sure that they triggered actual (electrical or chemical) memories so much as the faith to accept that He was the One who spoke to Moses, I tell you the solemn truth, before Abraham came into existence, I am!16 Could God implant actual memories into the boy Jesus? Yes. Would that be cheating? I don’t know.
When David returned to Jerusalem he took the ten concubines he had left to care for the palace and placed them under confinement (mišmereṯ, משמרת). Though he provided for their needs, he did not have sexual relations with them. They remained in confinement (ṣārar, צררות) until the day they died, living out the rest of their lives as widows.17 Translating these two different Hebrew words as confinement (See Addendum below) carries a kind of objective truth, but misses the nuance.
King Saul had eighty-five priests and their families killed when he found out that Ahimelech, one of the priests, gave David bread to eat and Goliath’s sword. Abiathar, Ahimelech’s son, escaped to tell David, who said, Stay with me. Don’t be afraid!…You are secure (mišmereṯ, משמרת) with me.18 This same Hebrew word was used for the protection lavished on the perfect19 Passover lamb, You must care (mišmereṯ, למשמרת) for it until the fourteenth day of this month...20 It was also used of the food prepared on Friday and kept (mišmereṯ, למשמרת) until morning21 for eating on the Sabbath. So the first confinement of David’s concubines was protection from execution, whether for treason or adultery, the more customary penalty for cohabiting with kings.
I am terribly troubled (ṣārar, צר)! Saul replied to Samuel’s question, Why have you disturbed me by bringing me up? The specific trouble Saul mentioned was that the Philistines are fighting against me and God has turned away from me.22 I grieve (ṣārar, צר) over you, my brother Jonathan!23 David lamented after his friend’s death in battle against the Philistines. So the second confinement is cognizant of the women’s distress, neither married nor free to be married.
I began the discussion of David’s sin with a defensive invitation to imagine David as a contemporary political figure rather than a religious icon in a religious story. I was a bit embarrassed about God’s forgiveness in this context. But now, after studying “David’s personal karma from the hand of Jesus,” and witnessing David’s faithfulness throughout, I am no longer embarrassed. God will prevail for forgiving David if judged by me.24 Have I made that case for the reader?
That’s another matter entirely. The gulf between reading about someone knowing God and knowing God oneself might be unbridgeable. The best advice I received from J.I. Packer in his book Knowing God was to put his book down and pick up the Bible instead. And I pass that advice on to any readers of this blog. Stop reading this silly blog and begin to write your own. Mine is full of the idiosyncrasies of my personal struggle with sin and ignorance and unbelief.
I’ll keep writing because I’ll keep studying to know God. Writing keeps me honest about what I know and what I don’t know, what I think, what I believe. And I need this record to help me remember where I’ve been. The discipline of writing for a reader keeps me somewhat focused, more than my wandering mind apart from that discipline. Only God knows what vanity prompts me to make this diary public.
Addendum: May 31, 2021
Both מִשְׁמֶ֙רֶת֙ and צְרֻר֛וֹת are no longer translated confinement in the NET:
|
Masoretic Text |
Septuagint | ||
| 2 Samuel 20:3 (Tanakh) | 2 Samuel 20:3 (NET) | 2 Reigns 20:3 (NETS) |
2 Kings 20:3 (English Elpenor) |
| And David came to his house at Jerusalem; and the king took the ten women his concubines, whom he had left to keep the house, and put them in ward (מִשְׁמֶ֙רֶת֙), and provided them with sustenance, but went not in unto them. So they were shut up (צְרֻר֛וֹת) unto the day of their death, in widowhood, with their husband alive. | Then David went to his palace in Jerusalem. The king took the 10 concubines he had left to care for the palace and placed them under confinement (mišmereṯ, משמרת). Though he provided for their needs, he did not sleep with them. They remained under restriction (ṣārar, צררות) until the day they died, living out the rest of their lives as widows. | And Dauid entered into his house in Ierousalem, and the king took the ten women, his concubines, whom he left to keep the house, and gave them over into a house under guard (φυλακῆς) and supported them but did not go in to them. And they were shut up (συνεχόμεναι) until the day of their death, living as widows. | And David went into his house at Jerusalem: and the king took the ten women his concubines, whom he had left to keep the house, and he put them in a place of custody (φυλακῆς), and maintained them, and went not in to them; and they were kept (συνεχόμεναι) living as widows, till the day of their death. |
The other occurrences cited are worth comparing in the Greek:
|
Masoretic Text |
Septuagint | ||
| 1 Samuel 22:23 (Tanakh) | 1 Samuel 22:23 (NET) | 1 Reigns 22:23 (NETS) |
1 Kings 22:23 (English Elpenor) |
| Abide thou with me, fear not; for he that seeketh my life seeketh thy life; for with me thou shalt be in safeguard (מִשְׁמֶ֥רֶת).’ | Stay with me. Don’t be afraid. Whoever seeks my life is seeking your life as well. You are secure (mišmereṯ, משמרת) with me.” | Stay with me; do not be afraid; for where I shall seek a place for my life, I shall also seek one for your life, for you are safe (πεφύλαξαι) with me. | Dwell with me; fear not, for wherever I shall seek a place [of safety] for my life, I will also seek a place for thy life, for thou art safely guarded (πεφύλαξαι) [while] with me. |
|
Masoretic Text |
Septuagint | ||
| Exodus 12:6 (Tanakh) | Exodus 12:6 (NET) | Exodus 12:6 (NETS) |
Exodus 12:6 (English Elpenor) |
| and ye shall keep (לְמִשְׁמֶ֔רֶת) it unto the fourteenth day of the same month; and the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it at dusk. | You must care (mišmereṯ, למשמרת) for it until the fourteenth day of this month, and then the whole community of Israel will kill it around sundown. | And it shall be kept (διατετηρημένον) for you until the fourteenth of this month, and all the multitude of the congregation of the sons of Israel shall slay it towards evening. | And it shall be kept (διατετηρημένον) by you till the fourteenth of this month, and all the multitude of the congregation of the children of Israel shall kill it toward evening. |
|
Masoretic Text |
Septuagint | ||
| Exodus 16:23 (Tanakh) | Exodus 16:23 (NET) | Exodus 16:23 (NETS) |
Exodus 16:23 (English Elpenor) |
| And he said unto them: ‘This is that which HaShem hath spoken: To-morrow is a solemn rest, a holy sabbath unto HaShem. Bake that which ye will bake, and seethe that which ye will seethe; and all that remaineth over lay up for you to be kept (לְמִשְׁמֶ֖רֶת) until the morning.’ | He said to them, “This is what the Lord has said: ‘Tomorrow is a time of cessation from work, a holy Sabbath to the Lord. Whatever you want to bake, bake today; whatever you want to boil, boil today; whatever is left put aside for yourselves to be kept (mišmereṯ, למשמרת) until morning.’” | And Moyses said to them, “This is the word that the Lord spoke: Tomorrow is Sabbata, a rest holy to the Lord. Whatever you bake, bake, and whatever you boil, boil. And all the excess, leave it in storage (ἀποθήκην) until the morning.” | And Moses said to them, Is not this the word which the Lord spoke? Tomorrow [is] the sabbath, a holy rest to the Lord: bake that ye will bake, and seethe that ye will seethe, and all that is over leave to be laid by (ἀποθήκην) for the morrow. |
|
Masoretic Text |
Septuagint | ||
| 1 Samuel 28:15 (Tanakh) | 1 Samuel 28:15 (NET) | 1 Reigns 28:15 (NETS) |
1 Kings 28:15 (English Elpenor) |
| And Samuel said to Saul: ‘Why hast thou disquieted me, to bring me up?’ And Saul answered: ‘I am sore distressed (צַר); for the Philistines make war against me, and G-d is departed from me, and answereth me no more, neither by prophets, nor by dreams; therefore I have called thee, that thou mayest make known unto me what I shall do.’ | Samuel said to Saul, “Why have you disturbed me by bringing me up?” Saul replied, “I am terribly troubled (ṣārar, צר)! The Philistines are fighting against me and God has turned away from me. He does not answer me anymore—not by the prophets nor by dreams. So I have called on you to tell me what I should do.” | And Samouel said, “Why did you disturb me that I ascend?” And Saoul said, “I am greatly distressed (θλίβομαι), and the allophyles are warring against me, and God has turned away from me and no longer heeds me, either by the hand of prophets or by dreams, and now I have summoned you to tell me what I shall do.” | And Samuel said, Why hast thou troubled me, that I should come up? And Saul said, I am greatly distressed (θλίβομαι), and the Philistines war against me, and God has departed from me, and no longer hearkens to me either by the hand of the prophets or by dreams: and now I have called thee to tell me what I shall do. |
|
Masoretic Text |
Septuagint | ||
| 2 Samuel 1:26 (Tanakh) | 2 Samuel 1:26 (NET) | 2 Reigns 1:26 (NETS) |
2 Kings 1:26 (English Elpenor) |
| I am distressed (צַר) for thee, my brother Jonathan; very pleasant hast thou been unto me; wonderful was thy love to me, passing the love of women. | I grieve (ṣārar, צר) over you, my brother Jonathan. You were very dear to me. Your love was more special to me than the love of women. | I grieve (ἀλγῶ) for you, my brother Ionathan; you were made very beautiful to me; your love to me was wonderful, beyond women’s love. | I am grieved (ἀλγῶ) for thee, my brother Jonathan; thou wast very lovely to me; thy love to me was wonderful beyond the love of women. |
Tables comparing 2 Samuel 18:6; 18:5; 18:8; 18:11; 18:14; 18:15; 18:16; 21:17; 18:29; 18:32; 18:33 (19:1); 19:2 (19:3); 19:3 (19:4); 19:5 (19:6); 19:6 (19:7); 20:3; 1 Samuel 22:23; Exodus 12:6 and 2 Samuel 1:26 in the Tanakh, KJV and NET, and tables comparing the Greek of 2 Samuel (Reigns, Kings) 18:6; 18:5; 18:8; 18:11; 18:14; 18:15; 18:16; 21:17; 18:29; 18:32; 18:33 (19:1); 19:2 (19:3); 19:3 (19:4); 19:5 (19:6); 19:6 (19:7); 20:3; 1 Samuel (Reigns, Kings) 22:23; Exodus 12:6 and 2 Samuel (Reigns, Kings) 1:26 in the Septuagint (BLB and Elpenor) follow.
| 2 Samuel 18:6 (KJV) | ||
| So the people went out into the field against Israel; and the battle was in the forest of Ephraim. | So the people went out into the field against Israel: and the battle was in the wood of Ephraim; | Then the army marched out to the field to fight against Israel. The battle took place in the forest of Ephraim. |
| καὶ ἐξῆλθεν πᾶς ὁ λαὸς εἰς τὸν δρυμὸν ἐξ ἐναντίας Ισραηλ καὶ ἐγένετο ὁ πόλεμος ἐν τῷ δρυμῷ Εφραιμ | καὶ ἐξῆλθε πᾶς ὁ λαὸς εἰς τὸν δρυμὸν ἐξεναντίας ᾿Ισραήλ, καὶ ἐγένετο ὁ πόλεμος ἐν τῷ δρυμῷ ᾿Εφραίμ |
| And all the people went out into the forest opposite Israel, and the battle took place in the forest of Ephraim. | And all the people went out into the wood against Israel; and the battle was in the wood of Ephraim. |
| 2 Samuel 18:5 (KJV) | ||
| And the king commanded Joab and Abishai and Ittai, saying: ‘Deal gently for my sake with the young man, even with Absalom.’ And all the people heard when the king gave all the captains charge concerning Absalom. | And the king commanded Joab and Abishai and Ittai, saying, Deal gently for my sake with the young man, even with Absalom. And all the people heard when the king gave all the captains charge concerning Absalom. | The king gave this order to Joab, Abishai, and Ittai: “For my sake deal gently with the young man Absalom.” Now the entire army was listening when the king gave all the leaders this order concerning Absalom. |
| καὶ ἐνετείλατο ὁ βασιλεὺς τῷ Ιωαβ καὶ τῷ Αβεσσα καὶ τῷ Εθθι λέγων φείσασθέ μοι τοῦ παιδαρίου τοῦ Αβεσσαλωμ καὶ πᾶς ὁ λαὸς ἤκουσεν ἐντελλομένου τοῦ βασιλέως πᾶσιν τοῗς ἄρχουσιν ὑπὲρ Αβεσσαλωμ | καὶ ἐνετείλατο ὁ βασιλεὺς τῷ ᾿Ιωὰβ καὶ τῷ ᾿Αβεσσὰ καὶ τῷ ᾿Εθὶ λέγων· φείσασθέ μοι τοῦ παιδαρίου τοῦ ᾿Αβεσσαλώμ· καὶ πᾶς ὁ λαὸς ἤκουσεν ἐντελλομένου τοῦ βασιλέως πᾶσι τοῖς ἄρχουσιν ὑπὲρ ᾿Αβεσσαλώμ |
| And the king commanded Ioab and Abessa and Eththi, saying, “Spare for my sake the lad Abessalom.” And all the people heard when the king commanded all the commanders concerning Abessalom. | And the king commanded Joab and Abessa and Ethi, saying, Spare for my sake the young man Abessalom. And all the people heard the king charging all the commanders concerning Abessalom. |
| 2 Samuel 18:8 (KJV) | ||
| For the battle was there spread over the face of all the country; and the forest devoured more people that day than the sword devoured. | For the battle was there scattered over the face of all the country: and the wood devoured more people that day than the sword devoured. | The battle there was spread out over the whole area, and the forest consumed more soldiers than the sword devoured that day. |
| καὶ ἐγένετο ἐκεῗ ὁ πόλεμος διεσπαρμένος ἐπὶ πρόσωπον πάσης τῆς γῆς καὶ ἐπλεόνασεν ὁ δρυμὸς τοῦ καταφαγεῗν ἐκ τοῦ λαοῦ ὑπὲρ οὓς κατέφαγεν ἐν τῷ λαῷ ἡ μάχαιρα ἐν τῇ ἡμέρᾳ ἐκείνῃ | καὶ ἐγένετο ἐκεῖ ὁ πόλεμος διεσπαρμένος ἐπὶ πρόσωπον πάσης τῆς γῆς, καὶ ἐπλεόνασεν ὁ δρυμὸς τοῦ καταφαγεῖν ἐκ τοῦ λαοῦ ὑπὲρ οὓς κατέφαγεν ἐν τῷ λαῷ ἡ μάχαιρα τῇ ἡμέρᾳ ἐκείνῃ |
| And the battle took place there, spread about over the face of the country, and the forest exceeded in devouring of the people more than those whom the dagger devoured among the people in that day, | And the battle there was scattered over the face of all the land: and the wood consumed more of the people than the sword consumed among the people in that day. |
| 2 Samuel 18:11 (KJV) | ||
| And Joab said unto the man that told him: ‘And, behold, thou sawest it, and why didst thou not smite him there to the ground? and I would have had to give thee ten pieces of silver, and a girdle.’ | And Joab said unto the man that told him, And, behold, thou sawest him, and why didst thou not smite him there to the ground? and I would have given thee ten shekels of silver, and a girdle. | Joab replied to the man who was telling him this, “What! You saw this? Why didn’t you strike him down right on the spot? I would have given you 10 pieces of silver and a commemorative belt!” |
| καὶ εἶπεν Ιωαβ τῷ ἀνδρὶ τῷ ἀπαγγέλλοντι καὶ ἰδοὺ ἑόρακας τί ὅτι οὐκ ἐπάταξας αὐτὸν εἰς τὴν γῆν καὶ ἐγὼ ἂν δεδώκειν σοι δέκα ἀργυρίου καὶ παραζώνην μίαν | καὶ εἶπεν ᾿Ιωὰβ τῷ ἀνδρὶ τῷ ἀναγγέλλοντι αὐτῷ· καὶ ἰδοὺ ἑώρακας· τί ὅτι οὐκ ἐπάταξας αὐτὸν ἐκεῖ εἰς τὴν γῆν; καὶ ἐγὼ ἂν ἐδεδώκειν σοι δέκα ἀργυρίου καὶ παραζώνην μίαν |
| And Ioab said to the man who told, “And behold, you have seen! Why is is that you did not strike him to the ground? And I would have given you ten pieces of silver and one belt.” | And Joab said to the man who reported it to him, And, behold, thou didst see him: why didst thou not smite him there to the ground? and I would have given thee ten [pieces] of silver, and a girdle. |
| 2 Samuel 18:14 (KJV) | ||
| Then said Joab: ‘I may not tarry thus with thee.’ And he took three darts in his hand, and thrust them through the heart of Absalom, while he was yet alive in the midst of the terebinth. | Then said Joab, I may not tarry thus with thee. And he took three darts in his hand, and thrust them through the heart of Absalom, while he was yet alive in the midst of the oak. | Joab replied, “I will not wait around like this for you!” He took three spears in his hand and thrust them into the middle of Absalom while he was still alive in the middle of the oak tree. |
| καὶ εἶπεν Ιωαβ τοῦτο ἐγὼ ἄρξομαι οὐχ οὕτως μενῶ ἐνώπιόν σου καὶ ἔλαβεν Ιωαβ τρία βέλη ἐν τῇ χειρὶ αὐτοῦ καὶ ἐνέπηξεν αὐτὰ ἐν τῇ καρδίᾳ Αβεσσαλωμ ἔτι αὐτοῦ ζῶντος ἐν τῇ καρδίᾳ τῆς δρυὸς | καὶ εἶπεν ὁ ᾿Ιωάβ· τοῦτο ἐγὼ ἄρξομαι· οὐχ οὕτως μενῶ ἐνώπιόν σου. καὶ ἔλαβεν ᾿Ιωὰβ τρία βέλη ἐν τῇ χειρὶ αὐτοῦ καὶ ἐνέπηξεν αὐτὰ ἐν τῇ καρδίᾳ ᾿Αβεσσαλὼμ ἔτι αὐτοῦ ζῶντος ἐν τῇ καρδίᾳ τῆς δρυός |
| And Ioab said, “I will begin this; I will not wait thus in your sight.” And Ioab took three spears in his hand and planted them in the heart of Abessalom, while he was still alive in the heart of the oak. | And Joab said, I will begin this; I will not thus remain with thee. And Joab took three darts in his hand, and thrust them into the heart of Abessalom, while he was yet alive in the heart of the oak. |
| 2 Samuel 18:15 (KJV) | ||
| And ten young men that bore Joab’s armour compassed about and smote Absalom, and slew him. | And ten young men that bare Joab’s armour compassed about and smote Absalom, and slew him. | Then 10 soldiers who were Joab’s armor-bearers struck Absalom and finished him off. |
| καὶ ἐκύκλωσαν δέκα παιδάρια αἴροντα τὰ σκεύη Ιωαβ καὶ ἐπάταξαν τὸν Αβεσσαλωμ καὶ ἐθανάτωσαν αὐτόν | καὶ ἐκύκλωσαν δέκα παιδάρια αἴροντα τὰ σκεύη ᾿Ιωὰβ καὶ ἐπάταξαν τὸν ᾿Αβεσσαλὼμ καὶ ἐθανάτωσαν αὐτόν |
| And ten lads bearing the weapons of Ioab surrounded and struck Abessalom and put him to death. | And ten young men that bore Joab’s armour compassed Abessalom, and smote him and slew him. |
| 2 Samuel 18:16 (KJV) | ||
| And Joab blew the horn, and the people returned from pursuing after Israel; for Joab held back the people. | And Joab blew the trumpet, and the people returned from pursuing after Israel: for Joab held back the people. | Then Joab blew the trumpet and the army turned back from chasing Israel, for Joab had called for the army to halt. |
| καὶ ἐσάλπισεν Ιωαβ ἐν κερατίνῃ καὶ ἀπέστρεψεν ὁ λαὸς τοῦ μὴ διώκειν ὀπίσω Ισραηλ ὅτι ἐφείδετο Ιωαβ τοῦ λαοῦ | καὶ ἐσάλπισεν ᾿Ιωὰβ ἐν κερατίνῃ, καὶ ἀπέστρεψεν ὁ λαὸς τοῦ μὴ διώκειν ὀπίσω ᾿Ισραήλ, ὅτι ἐφείδετο ᾿Ιωὰβ τοῦ λαοῦ |
| And Ioab trumpeted with a horn, and the people turned back in order not to pursue after Israel, for Ioab was sparing the people. | And Joab blew the trumpet, and the people returned from pursuing Israel, for Joab spared the people. |
| 2 Samuel 21:17 (KJV) | ||
| But Abishai the son of Zeruiah succoured him, and smote the Philistine, and killed him. Then the men of David swore unto him, saying: ‘Thou shalt go no more out with us to battle, that thou quench not the lamp of Israel.’ | But Abishai the son of Zeruiah succoured him, and smote the Philistine, and killed him. Then the men of David sware unto him, saying, Thou shalt go no more out with us to battle, that thou quench not the light of Israel. | But Abishai the son of Zeruiah came to David’s aid, striking the Philistine down and killing him. Then David’s men took an oath saying, “You will not go out to battle with us again! You must not extinguish the lamp of Israel!” |
| καὶ ἐβοήθησεν αὐτῷ Αβεσσα υἱὸς Σαρουιας καὶ ἐπάταξεν τὸν ἀλλόφυλον καὶ ἐθανάτωσεν αὐτόν τότε ὤμοσαν οἱ ἄνδρες Δαυιδ λέγοντες οὐκ ἐξελεύσῃ ἔτι μεθ᾽ ἡμῶν εἰς πόλεμον καὶ οὐ μὴ σβέσῃς τὸν λύχνον Ισραηλ | καὶ ἐβοήθησεν αὐτῷ ᾿Αβεσσὰ υἱὸς Σαρουΐας καὶ ἐπάταξε τὸν ἀλλόφυλον καὶ ἐθανάτωσεν αὐτόν. τότε ὤμοσαν οἱ ἄνδρες Δαυὶδ λέγοντες· οὐκ ἐξελεύσῃ ἔτι μεθ’ ἡμῶν εἰς πόλεμον καὶ οὐ μὴ σβέσῃς τὸν λύχνον ᾿Ισραήλ |
| But Abessa son of Sarouia came to his aid and struck the allophyle and put him to death. The the men of Dauid swore, saying, “You shall no longer go out with us to battle, and you shall not quench the lamp of Israel.” | And Abessa the son of Saruia helped him and smote the Philistine, and slew him. Then the men of David swore, saying, Thou shalt not any longer go out with us to battle, and thou shalt not quench the lamp of Israel. |
| 2 Samuel 18:29 (KJV) | ||
| And the king said: ‘Is it well with the young man Absalom?’ And Ahimaaz answered: ‘When Joab sent the king’s servant, and me thy servant, I saw a great tumult, but I knew not what it was.’ | And the king said, Is the young man Absalom safe? And Ahimaaz answered, When Joab sent the king’s servant, and me thy servant, I saw a great tumult, but I knew not what it was. | The king replied, “How is the young man Absalom?” Ahimaaz replied, “I saw a great deal of confusion when Joab was sending the king’s servant and me, your servant, but I don’t know what it was all about.” |
| καὶ εἶπεν ὁ βασιλεύς εἰρήνη τῷ παιδαρίῳ τῷ Αβεσσαλωμ καὶ εἶπεν Αχιμαας εἶδον τὸ πλῆθος τὸ μέγα τοῦ ἀποστεῗλαι τὸν δοῦλον τοῦ βασιλέως Ιωαβ καὶ τὸν δοῦλόν σου καὶ οὐκ ἔγνων τί ἐκεῗ | καὶ εἶπεν ὁ βασιλεύς· εἰρήνη τῷ παιδαρίῳ τῷ ᾿Αβεσσαλώμ; καὶ εἶπεν ᾿Αχιμάας· εἶδον τὸ πλῆθος τὸ μέγα τοῦ ἀποστεῖλαι τὸν δοῦλον τοῦ βασιλέως ᾿Ιωὰβ καὶ τὸν δοῦλόν σου, καὶ οὐκ ἔγνων τί ἐκεῖ |
| And the king said, “Is there peace for the lad Abesalom?” And Achimaas said, “I saw the great multitude, so that Ioab sent of the slave of the king, even your slave, but I knew not what was there.” | And the king said, [Is] the young man Abessalom safe? and Achimaas said, I saw a great multitude [at the time] of Joab’s sending the king’s servant and thy servant, and I knew not what was there. |
| 2 Samuel 18:32 (KJV) | ||
| And the king said unto the Cushite: ‘Is it well with the young man Absalom?’ And the Cushite answered: ‘The enemies of my lord the king and all that rise up against thee to do thee hurt, be as that young man is.’ | And the king said unto Cushi, Is the young man Absalom safe? And Cushi answered, The enemies of my lord the king, and all that rise against thee to do thee hurt, be as that young man is. | And the king said unto Cushi, Is the young man Absalom safe? And Cushi answered, The enemies of my lord the king, and all that rise against thee to do thee hurt, be as that young man is. |
| καὶ εἶπεν ὁ βασιλεὺς πρὸς τὸν Χουσι εἰ εἰρήνη τῷ παιδαρίῳ τῷ Αβεσσαλωμ καὶ εἶπεν ὁ Χουσι γένοιντο ὡς τὸ παιδάριον οἱ ἐχθροὶ τοῦ κυρίου μου τοῦ βασιλέως καὶ πάντες ὅσοι ἐπανέστησαν ἐπ᾽ αὐτὸν εἰς κακά | καὶ εἶπεν ὁ βασιλεὺς πρὸς τὸν Χουσί· εἰ εἰρήνη τῷ παιδαρίῳ τῷ ᾿Αβεσσαλώμ; καὶ εἶπεν ὁ Χουσί· γένοιντο ὡς τὸ παιδάριον οἱ ἐχθροὶ τοῦ κυρίου μου τοῦ βασιλέως καὶ πάντες, ὅσοι ἐπανέστησαν ἐπ’ αὐτὸν εἰς κακά |
| And the king said to Chousi, “Is there peace for the lad Abessalom?” And Chousi said, “May the enemies of my lord the king, and all who rose up against him for evil, be like the lad.” | And the king said to Chusi, Is it well with the young man Abessalom? and Chusi said, Let the enemies of my lord the king, and all whosoever have risen up against him for evil, be as that young man. |
| 2 Samuel 18:33 (KJV) | ||
| And the king was much moved, and went up to the chamber over the gate, and wept; and as he went, thus he said: ‘O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! would I had died for thee, O Absalom, my son, my son!’ | And the king was much moved, and went up to the chamber over the gate, and wept: and as he went, thus he said, O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! would God I had died for thee, O Absalom, my son, my son! | The king then became very upset. He went up to the upper room over the gate and wept. As he went he said, “My son, Absalom! My son, my son, Absalom! If only I could have died in your place! Absalom, my son, my son!” |
| καὶ ἐταράχθη ὁ βασιλεὺς καὶ ἀνέβη εἰς τὸ ὑπερῷον τῆς πύλης καὶ ἔκλαυσεν καὶ οὕτως εἶπεν ἐν τῷ πορεύεσθαι αὐτόν υἱέ μου Αβεσσαλωμ υἱέ μου υἱέ μου Αβεσσαλωμ τίς δῴη τὸν θάνατόν μου ἀντὶ σοῦ ἐγὼ ἀντὶ σοῦ Αβεσσαλωμ υἱέ μου υἱέ μου | καὶ ἐταράχθη ὁ βασιλεὺς καὶ ἀνέβη εἰς τὸ ὑπερῷον τῆς πύλης καὶ ἔκλαυσε· καὶ οὕτως εἶπεν ἐν τῷ πορεύεσθαι αὐτόν· υἱέ μου ᾿Αβεσσαλώμ, υἱέ μου, υἱέ μου ᾿Αβεσσαλώμ, τίς δῴη τὸν θάνατόν μου ἀντὶ σοῦ; ἐγὼ ἀντὶ σοῦ, ᾿Αβεσσαλώμ, υἱέ μου υἱέ μου |
| And the king was troubled and went up to the upper chamber of the gate and wept, and thus he said, as he went, “O my son Abessalom, my son, my son Abessalom! Who would give my death instead of you, I instead of you? O Abessalom, my son, my son!” | And the king was troubled, and went to the chamber over the gate, and wept: and thus he said as he went, My son Abessalom, my son, my son Abessalom; would God I had died for thee, [even] I [had died] for thee, Abessalom, my son, my son! |
| 2 Samuel 19:2 (KJV) | ||
| And the victory that day was turned into mourning unto all the people; for the people heard say that day: ‘The king grieveth for his son.’ | And the victory that day was turned into mourning unto all the people: for the people heard say that day how the king was grieved for his son. | So the victory of that day was turned to mourning as far as all the people were concerned. For the people heard on that day, “The king is grieved over his son.” |
| 2 Samuel 19:2 (Septuagint BLB) | |
| καὶ ἐγένετο ἡ σωτηρία ἐν τῇ ἡμέρᾳ ἐκείνῃ εἰς πένθος παντὶ τῷ λαῷ ὅτι ἤκουσεν ὁ λαὸς ἐν τῇ ἡμέρᾳ ἐκείνῃ λέγων ὅτι λυπεῗται ὁ βασιλεὺς ἐπὶ τῷ υἱῷ αὐτοῦ | καὶ ἐγένετο ἡ σωτηρία ἐν τῇ ἡμέρᾳ ἐκείνῃ εἰς πένθος παντὶ τῷ λαῷ, ὅτι ἤκουσεν ὁ λαὸς ἐν τῇ ἡμέρᾳ ἐκείνῃ λέγων, ὅτι λυπεῖται ὁ βασιλεὺς ἐπὶ τῷ υἱῷ αὐτοῦ |
| And the deliverence in that day turned into mourning for all the people, for the people heard in that day, saying, “The king is grieving for his son.” | And the victory was turned that day into mourning to all the people, for the people heard say that day, The king grieves after his son. |
| 2 Samuel 19:3 (KJV) | ||
| And the people got them by stealth that day into the city, as people that are ashamed steal away when they flee in battle. | And the people gat them by stealth that day into the city, as people being ashamed steal away when they flee in battle. | That day the people stole away to go to the city the way people who are embarrassed steal away in fleeing from battle. |
| καὶ διεκλέπτετο ὁ λαὸς ἐν τῇ ἡμέρᾳ ἐκείνῃ τοῦ εἰσελθεῗν εἰς τὴν πόλιν καθὼς διακλέπτεται ὁ λαὸς οἱ αἰσχυνόμενοι ἐν τῷ αὐτοὺς φεύγειν ἐν τῷ πολέμῳ | καὶ διεκλέπτετο ὁ λαὸς ἐν τῇ ἡμέρᾳ ἐκείνῃ τοῦ εἰσελθεῖν εἰς τὴν πόλιν, καθὼς διακλέπτεται ὁ λαὸς οἱ αἰσχυνόμενοι ἐν τῷ αὐτοὺς φεύγειν ἐν τῷ πολέμῳ |
| And the people kept stealing away in that day to enter into the city, as people steal away who are ashamed when they flee in battle. | And the people stole away that day to go into the city, as people steal away when they are ashamed as they flee in the battle. |
| 2 Samuel 19:5 (KJV) | ||
| And Joab came into the house to the king, and said: ‘Thou hast shamed this day the faces of all thy servants, who this day have saved thy life, and the lives of thy sons and of thy daughters, and the lives of thy wives, and the lives of thy concubines; | And Joab came into the house to the king, and said, Thou hast shamed this day the faces of all thy servants, which this day have saved thy life, and the lives of thy sons and of thy daughters, and the lives of thy wives, and the lives of thy concubines; | So Joab visited the king at his home. He said, “Today you have embarrassed all your servants who have saved your life this day, as well as the lives of your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your concubines. |
| καὶ εἰσῆλθεν Ιωαβ πρὸς τὸν βασιλέα εἰς τὸν οἶκον καὶ εἶπεν κατῄσχυνας σήμερον τὸ πρόσωπον πάντων τῶν δούλων σου τῶν ἐξαιρουμένων σε σήμερον καὶ τὴν ψυχὴν τῶν υἱῶν σου καὶ τῶν θυγατέρων σου καὶ τὴν ψυχὴν τῶν γυναικῶν σου καὶ τῶν παλλακῶν σου | καὶ εἰσῆλθεν ᾿Ιωὰβ πρὸς τὸν βασιλέα εἰς τὸν οἶκον καὶ εἶπε· κατῄσχυνας σήμερον τὰ πρόσωπα πάντων τῶν δούλων σου τῶν ἐξαιρουμένων σε σήμερον καὶ τὴν ψυχὴν τῶν υἱῶν σου καὶ τῶν θυγατέρων σου καὶ τὴν ψυχὴν τῶν γυναικῶν σου καὶ τῶν παλλακῶν σου |
| And Ioab went in to the king into the house and said, “Today you covered with shame the face of all your slaves who delivered you today, and the life of your sons and your daughters and the life of your wives and your concubines, | And Joab went in to the king, into the house, and said, Thou hast this day shamed the faces of all thy servants that have delivered thee this day, and [have saved] the lives of thy sons and of thy daughters, and the lives of thy wives, and of thy concubines, |
| 2 Samuel 19:6 (KJV) | ||
| in that thou lovest them that hate thee, and hatest them that love thee. For thou hast declared this day, that princes and servants are nought unto thee; for this day I perceive, that if Absalom had lived, and all we had died this day, then it had pleased thee well. | In that thou lovest thine enemies, and hatest thy friends. For thou hast declared this day, that thou regardest neither princes nor servants: for this day I perceive, that if Absalom had lived, and all we had died this day, then it had pleased thee well. | You seem to love your enemies and hate your friends! For you have as much as declared today that leaders and servants don’t matter to you. I realize now that if Absalom were alive and all of us were dead today, it would be all right with you. |
| τοῦ ἀγαπᾶν τοὺς μισοῦντάς σε καὶ μισεῗν τοὺς ἀγαπῶντάς σε καὶ ἀνήγγειλας σήμερον ὅτι οὔκ εἰσιν οἱ ἄρχοντές σου οὐδὲ παῗδες ὅτι ἔγνωκα σήμερον ὅτι εἰ Αβεσσαλωμ ἔζη πάντες ἡμεῗς σήμερον νεκροί ὅτι τότε τὸ εὐθὲς ἦν ἐν ὀφθαλμοῗς σου | τοῦ ἀγαπᾶν τοὺς μισοῦντάς σε καὶ μισεῖν τοὺς ἀγαπῶντάς σε καὶ ἀνήγγειλας σήμερον ὅτι οὐκ εἰσὶν οἱ ἄρχοντές σου, οὐδὲ παῖδες· ὅτι ἔγνωκα σήμερον ὅτι εἰ ᾿Αβεσσαλὼμ ἔζη, πάντες ἡμεῖς σήμερον νεκροί, ὅτι τότε τὸ εὐθὲς ἦν ἐν ὀφθαλμοῖς σου |
| to love those who hate you and to hate those who love you. And you proclaimed today that neither your commanders nor servants exist, for I have perceived today that if Abessalom were alive, all of us would be dead today, then it would have been the right thing in your sight. | forasmuch as thou lovest them that hate thee, and hatest them that love thee; and thou hast this day declared, that thy princes and thy servants are nothing [in thy sight]: for I know this day, that if Abessalom were alive, [and] all of us dead to-day, then it would have been right in thy sight. |
| 2 Samuel 20:3 (Tanakh) | 2 Samuel 20:3 (KJV) | |
| And David came to his house at Jerusalem; and the king took the ten women his concubines, whom he had left to keep the house, and put them in ward, and provided them with sustenance, but went not in unto them. So they were shut up unto the day of their death, in widowhood, with their husband alive. | And David came to his house at Jerusalem; and the king took the ten women his concubines, whom he had left to keep the house, and put them in ward, and fed them, but went not in unto them. So they were shut up unto the day of their death, living in widowhood. | Then David went to his palace in Jerusalem. The king took the 10 concubines he had left to care for the palace and placed them under confinement. Though he provided for their needs, he did not sleep with them. They remained under restriction until the day they died, living out the rest of their lives as widows. |
| καὶ εἰσῆλθεν Δαυιδ εἰς τὸν οἶκον αὐτοῦ εἰς Ιερουσαλημ καὶ ἔλαβεν ὁ βασιλεὺς τὰς δέκα γυναῗκας τὰς παλλακὰς αὐτοῦ ἃς ἀφῆκεν φυλάσσειν τὸν οἶκον καὶ ἔδωκεν αὐτὰς ἐν οἴκῳ φυλακῆς καὶ διέθρεψεν αὐτὰς καὶ πρὸς αὐτὰς οὐκ εἰσῆλθεν καὶ ἦσαν συνεχόμεναι ἕως ἡμέρας θανάτου αὐτῶν χῆραι ζῶσαι | καὶ εἰσῆλθε Δαυὶδ εἰς οἶκον αὐτοῦ εἰς ῾Ιερουσαλήμ, καὶ ἔλαβεν ὁ βασιλεὺς τὰς δέκα γυναῖκας τὰς παλλακὰς αὐτοῦ, ἃς ἀφῆκε φυλάσσειν τὸν οἶκον, καὶ ἔδωκεν αὐτὰς ἐν οἴκῳ φυλακῆς καὶ διέθρεψεν αὐτὰς καὶ πρὸς αὐτὰς οὐκ εἰσῆλθε, καὶ ἦσαν συνεχόμεναι ἕως θανάτου αὐτῶν, χῆραι ζῶσαι |
| And Dauid entered into his house in Ierousalem, and the king took the ten women, his concubines, whom he left to keep the house, and gave them over into a house under guard and supported them but did not go in to them. And they were shut up until the day of their death, living as widows. | And David went into his house at Jerusalem: and the king took the ten women his concubines, whom he had left to keep the house, and he put them in a place of custody, and maintained them, and went not in to them; and they were kept living as widows, till the day of their death. |
| 1 Samuel 22:23 (KJV) | ||
| Abide thou with me, fear not; for he that seeketh my life seeketh thy life; for with me thou shalt be in safeguard.’ | Abide thou with me, fear not: for he that seeketh my life seeketh thy life: but with me thou shalt be in safeguard. | Stay with me. Don’t be afraid. Whoever seeks my life is seeking your life as well. You are secure with me.” |
| κάθου μετ᾽ ἐμοῦ μὴ φοβοῦ ὅτι οὗ ἐὰν ζητῶ τῇ ψυχῇ μου τόπον ζητήσω καὶ τῇ ψυχῇ σου ὅτι πεφύλαξαι σὺ παρ᾽ ἐμοί | κάθου μετ᾿ ἐμοῦ, μὴ φοβοῦ, ὅτι οὗ ἐὰν ζητῶ τῇ ψυχῇ μου τόπον, ζητήσω καὶ τῇ ψυχῇ σου, ὅτι πεφύλαξαι σὺ παρ᾿ ἐμοί |
| Stay with me; do not be afraid; for where I shall seek a place for my life, I shall also seek one for your life, for you are safe with me. | Dwell with me; fear not, for wherever I shall seek a place [of safety] for my life, I will also seek a place for thy life, for thou art safely guarded [while] with me. |
| Exodus 12:6 (KJV) | ||
| and ye shall keep it unto the fourteenth day of the same month; and the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it at dusk. | And ye shall keep it up until the fourteenth day of the same month: and the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it in the evening. | You must care for it until the fourteenth day of this month, and then the whole community of Israel will kill it around sundown. |
| καὶ ἔσται ὑμῗν διατετηρημένον ἕως τῆς τεσσαρεσκαιδεκάτης τοῦ μηνὸς τούτου καὶ σφάξουσιν αὐτὸ πᾶν τὸ πλῆθος συναγωγῆς υἱῶν Ισραηλ πρὸς ἑσπέραν | καὶ ἔσται ὑμῖν διατετηρημένον ἕως τῆς τεσσαρεσκαιδεκάτης τοῦ μηνὸς τούτου, καὶ σφάξουσιν αὐτὸ πᾶν τὸ πλῆθος συναγωγῆς υἱῶν ᾿Ισραὴλ πρὸς ἑσπέραν |
| And it shall be kept for you until the fourteenth of this month, and all the multitude of the congregation of the sons of Israel shall slay it towards evening. | And it shall be kept by you till the fourteenth of this month, and all the multitude of the congregation of the children of Israel shall kill it toward evening. |
| 2 Samuel 1:26 (KJV) | ||
| I am distressed for thee, my brother Jonathan; very pleasant hast thou been unto me; wonderful was thy love to me, passing the love of women. | I am distressed for thee, my brother Jonathan: very pleasant hast thou been unto me: thy love to me was wonderful, passing the love of women. | I grieve over you, my brother Jonathan. You were very dear to me. Your love was more special to me than the love of women. |
| ἀλγῶ ἐπὶ σοί ἄδελφέ μου Ιωναθαν ὡραιώθης μοι σφόδρα ἐθαυμαστώθη ἡ ἀγάπησίς σου ἐμοὶ ὑπὲρ ἀγάπησιν γυναικῶν | ἀλγῶ ἐπὶ σοί, ἀδελφέ μου ᾿Ιωνάθαν· ὡραιώθης μοι σφόδρα, ἐθαυμαστώθη ἡ ἀγάπησίς σου ἐμοὶ ὑπὲρ ἀγάπησιν γυναικῶν |
| I grieve for you, my brother Ionathan; you were made very beautiful to me; your love to me was wonderful, beyond women’s love. | I am grieved for thee, my brother Jonathan; thou wast very lovely to me; thy love to me was wonderful beyond the love of women. |
1 2 Samuel 18:6 (NET)
2 2 Samuel 18:5 (NET)
3 2 Samuel 18:8b (NET)
4 2 Samuel 18:11 (NET)
6 2 Samuel 21:17 (NET)
11 2 Samuel 18:29 (NET)
12 2 Samuel 18:32, 33 (NET)
13 2 Samuel 19:2, 3 (NET)
14 2 Samuel 19:5, 6a (NET)
17 2 Samuel 20:3 (NET)
18 1 Samuel 22:23 (NET)
20 Exodus 12:6 (NET)
23 2 Samuel 1:26 (NET)
24 Romans 3:4 (NET)
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