2 SHAMU’AL
𐤁 𐤔𐤌𐤅𐤀𐤋
2 SAMUEL
CHAPTER 1
1 And it came to be after the death of Sha'ul, when Dau'yad was returned from the slaughter of the Amalaq'ya, and Dau'yad had stayed two days in Tsaqa'lag,
2 And it came to be on the third day, that behold, a man came out of the camp from Sha'ul, with his clothes torn, and earth on his head: and so it was, when he came to Dau'yad, that he fell to the earth, and did obeisance.
3 And Dau'yad said to him, "Where do you come from?" And he said to him, "I have escaped out of the camp of Yashar'AL."
4 And Dau'yad said to him, "How did it go? Please tell me." And he answered: "The people have fled from the battle, and many of the people also have fallen and are dead, and Sha'ul and Yahu'nathan his son are dead also."
5 And Dau'yad said to the young man who told him, "How do you know that Sha'ul and Yahu'nathan his son are dead?"
6 And the young man who told him said, "As I happened to meet on Mount Gal'ba, behold, Sha'ul was leaning on his spear, and behold, the chariots and the horsemen followed hard after him.
7 When he looked behind him, he saw me, and called to me. I answered, 'Here I am.'
8 And he said to me, 'Who are you?' I answered him, 'I am an Amalaq'ya.'
9 And he said to me, 'Please stand beside me, and kill me; for anguish has taken hold of me, because my being is yet whole in me.'
10 So I stood beside him, and killed him, because I was sure that he could not khaYah (live) after that he had fallen. I took the crown that was on his head, and the bracelet that was on his arm, and have brought them here to my sovereign."
11 Then Dau'yad took hold on his garments and tore them, and also all the men who were with him.
12 And they mourned, and wept, and fasted until evening, for Sha'ul, and for Yahu'nathan his son, and for the people of 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH), and for the house of Yashar'AL, because they were fallen by the sword.
13 And Dau'yad said to the young man who told him, "Where are you from?" And he answered, "I am son of a foreigner, an Amalaq'ya."
14 And Dau'yad said to him, "How were you not afraid to put forth your hand to destroy the anointed of 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH)?"
15 And Dau'yad called one of the young men, and said, "Go near, and fall on him." And he struck him, so that he died.
16 And Dau'yad said to him, "Your blood be on your head, for your mouth has witnessed against you, saying, 'I have slain the anointed of 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH).'"
17 And Dau'yad lamented with this lamentation over Sha'ul and over Yahu'nathan his son:
18 and he commanded them to teach the children of Yahudah “Bow”: behold, it is written in the book of Yashar):
19 "Your esteem, Yashar'AL, is slain on your high places! How the mighty have fallen!
20 Do not tell it in Gath. Do not publish it in the streets of Ash’qalun (Ash’qaloon), lest the daughters of the Palash'tha'ym rejoice, lest the daughters of the uncircumcised exalt.
21 You mountains of Gal'ba, let there be no dew nor rain on you, neither fields of offerings: For there the shield of the mighty was vilely cast away, the shield of Sha'ul was not anointed with oil.
22 From the blood of the slain, from the fat of the mighty, Yahu'nathan's bow didn't turn back. Sha'ul's sword did not return empty.
23 Sha'ul and Yahu'nathan were lovely and pleasant in their kha’ya’Yah’m (lives). In their death, they were not divided. They were swifter than eagles. They were stronger than lions.
24 You daughters of Yashar'AL, weep over Sha'ul, who clothed you in crimson scarlet delicately, who put ornaments of gold on your garments.
25 How are the mighty fallen in the midst of the battle! Yahu'nathan is slain on your high places.
26 I am distressed for you, my brother Yahu'nathan. You have been very pleasant to me. Your love to me was wonderful, passing the love of women.
27 How are the mighty fallen, and the weapons of war perished!"
CHAPTER 2
1 And it came to be after this, that Dau'yad inquired of 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH), saying, "Shall I go up into any of the cities of Yahudah?" And 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH) said to him, "Go up." Dau'yad said, "Where shall I go up?" And He said, "To Kha'brun (Kha’broon).”
2 So Dau'yad went up there, and his two wives also, Akh'ya'nam the Yazara'AL’yth*, and Ab'yaga'yal the widow of Nabal the Karmal'ya.
*This is another place where the translators took out the AL letter, but will be restored in this version
3 And Dau'yad brought up his men who were with him, every man with his household. And they abided in the cities of Kha'brun.
4 And the men of Yahudah came, and there they anointed Dau'yad king over the house of Yahudah. And they told Dau'yad, saying, "The men of Yaba'yash* Gal'ad were those who buried Sha'ul."
*This is another place where the translators took out the yad letter, compare to Shupat’ym/Judges 21
5 And Dau'yad sent messengers to the men of Yaba'yash Gal'ad, and said to them, "Barak are you by 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH), that you have shown this kindness to your sovereign, even to Sha'ul, and have buried him.
6 Now may 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH) show loving kindness and truth to you. And I also will reward you for this kindness, because you have done this matter.
7 Now therefore let your hands be strong, and be valiant, for Sha'ul your sovereign is dead, and also the house of Yahudah has anointed me king over them."
8 Now Ab'nar son of Nar, captain of Sha'ul's army, had taken Ayash Bashath son of Sha'ul, and brought him over to Makhana'ym,
9 and he made him king over Gal'ad, and over the Ashur’ya, and over Yazara'AL, and over Apara’ym, and over Ban'yaman, and over all Yashar'AL.
10 Ayash Bashath, Sha'ul's son, was forty years old when he began to reign over Yashar'AL, and he reigned two years. But the house of Yahudah followed Dau'yad.
11 And the time that Dau'yad was king in Kha'brun over the house of Yahudah was seven years and six months.
12 And Ab'nar son of Nar, and the servants of Ayash Bashath son of Sha'ul, went out from Makhana'ym to Gaba'un’ah.
13 And YAHU'AB son of Tsaru'Yah, and the servants of Dau'yad, went out, and met them by the pool of Gaba'un, and they sat down, the one on the one side of the pool, and the other on the other side of the pool.
14 And Ab'nar said to YAHU'AB, "Please let the young men arise and play before us!" And YAHU'AB said, "Let them arise!"
15 Then they arose and went over by number: twelve for Ban'yaman, and for Ayash Bashath son of Sha'ul, and twelve of the servants of Dau'yad.
16 And they caught everyone his fellow by the head, and [thrust] his sword in his rival’s side, so they fell down together: therefore that place was called Khal'qath Ha'Tsar'ym (The Field of Rocks), which is in Gaba'un.
17 And the battle was very severe that day: and Ab'nar was beaten, and the men of Yashar'AL, before the servants of Dau'yad.
18 And the three sons of Tsaru'Yah were there, YAHU'AB, and Ab'yasha'ya, and Ashah'AL: and Ashah'AL was as light of foot, as one of the gazelles that fielded.
19 And Ashah'AL pursued after Ab'nar, and in going he did not turn to the right hand nor to the left from following Ab'nar.
20 Then Ab'nar looked behind him, and said, "Is it you, Ashah'AL?" And he answered, "It is I."
21 And Ab'nar said to him, "Turn aside to your right hand or to your left, and grab one of the young men, and take his armor." But Ashah'AL would not turn aside from following him.
22 And Ab'nar said again to Ashah'AL, "Turn aside from following me. Why should I strike you to the ground? How then should I hold up my face to YAHU'AB your brother?"
23 However he refused to turn aside. Therefore Ab'nar with the back end of the spear struck him in the body, so that the spear came out behind him, and he fell down there, and died in the same place. And it came to be, that as many as came to the place where Ashah'AL fell down and died stood still.
24 But YAHU'AB and Ab'yasha'ya pursued after Ab'nar: and the sun went down when they were come to the hill of Amah that lies before Gayakh by the way of the wilderness of Gaba'un.
25 And the children of Ban'yaman gathered themselves together after Ab'nar, and became one band, and stood on the top of a hill.
26 Then Ab'nar called to YAHU'AB, and said, "Shall the sword devour forever? Do you not know that it will be bitterness in the latter end? How long shall it be then, before you ask the people to return from following their brothers?"
27 And YAHU'AB said, "As ALUAH Abides, if you had not spoken, surely then in the rising the people would have gone away, and not each followed his brother."
28 So YAHU'AB blew in ram’s horn, and all the people stood still, and pursued after Yashar'AL no more, neither fought they any more.
29 And Ab'nar and his men went all that night through the desert and they passed over the Yardan, and went through all Ha'Bath'run (Ha'Bath'roon), and came to Makhana'ym.
30 And YAHU'AB returned from following Ab'nar: and when he had gathered all the people together, there lacked of Dau'yad's servants nineteen men and Ashah'AL.
31 But the servants of Dau'yad had struck of Ban'yaman, and of Ab'nar's men: three hundred and sixty men died.
32 And they took up Ashah'AL, and buried him in the tomb of his father, which was in Bayath Lakham. And YAHU'AB and his men went all night, and the day broke on them at Kha'brun.
CHAPTER 3
1 Now there was long war between the house of Sha'ul and the house of Dau'yad: and Dau'yad grew stronger and stronger, but the house of Sha'ul grew weaker and weaker.
2 To Dau'yad were sons born in Kha'brun: and his firstborn was Am'nun (Am’noon), of Akh'ya'nam the Yazara'AL’yth,
3 and his second, Kal'ab, of Ab'yaga'yal the widow of Nabal the Karmal'ya; and the third, AB'shalum son of Makah the daughter of Thalama'ya king of Gashur,
4 and the fourth, Adan'Yah son of Khag’yth, and the fifth, Shapata’Yah son of Ab’yatal,
5 and the sixth, Yatharam to Agalah, Dau'yad's wife. These were born to Dau'yad in Kha'brun.
6 And it came to be, while there was war between the house of Sha'ul and the house of Dau'yad, that Ab'nar made himself strong in the house of Sha'ul.
7 Now Sha'ul had a concubine, whose name was Ratsa'pah, the daughter of A’Yah: and said to Ab'nar, "Why have you gone in to my father's concubine?"
8 Then was Ab'nar very angry for the words of Ayash Bashath, and said, "Am I a dog's head that belongs to Yahudah? Today I show kindness to the house of Sha'ul your father, to his brothers, and to his friends, and have not found you into the hand of Dau'yad, and yet you charge me this day with a fault concerning this woman!
9 ALUAH do so to Ab'nar, and more also, if, as 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH) has sworn to Dau'yad, I don't do even so to him,
10 to transfer the kingdom from the house of Sha'ul, and to put up the throne of Dau'yad over Yashar'AL and over Yahudah, from Dan even to Ba'ar Shaba."
11 And he could not answer Ab'nar another word, because he feared him.
12 And Ab'nar sent messengers to Dau'yad on his behalf, saying, "Whose is the land?" and saying, "Make your alliance with me, and behold, my hand shall be with you, to bring all Yashar'AL around to you."
13 And he said, "Good, I will make a Bar’yath (covenant) with you, but one matter I require of you. That is, you shall not see my face, unless you first bring Mayakal, Sha'ul's daughter, when you come to see my face."
14 And Dau'yad sent messengers to Ayash Bashath, Sha'ul's son, saying, “Give me my wife Mayakal, whom I pledged to be married to me for one hundred foreskins of the Palash'tha'ym."
15 And Ayash Bashath sent, and took her from her husband, even from Palat’ya’AL son of Layash.
16 And her husband went with her, weeping as he went, and followed her to Bakhar'ym. Then Ab'nar said to him, "Go! Return!" and he returned.
17 And Ab'nar had communication with the elders of Yashar'AL, saying, "In times past, you sought for Dau'yad to be king over you.
18 Now then do it, for 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH) has spoken of Dau'yad, saying, 'By the hand of My servant Dau'yad, I will save my people Yashar'AL out of the hand of the Palash'tha'ym, and out of the hand of all their enemies.'"
19 And Ab'nar also spoke in the ears of Ban'yama’yan*: and Ab'nar went also to speak in the ears of Dau'yad in Kha'brun all that good in the eyes of Yashar'AL, and to the whole house of Ban'yaman*.
*Here, the Masoretic uses two different variations of his name within the same verse
20 So Ab'nar came to Dau'yad to Kha'brun, and twenty men with him. And Dau'yad made Ab'nar and the men who were with him a feast.
21 And Ab'nar said to Dau'yad, "I will arise and go, and will gather all Yashar'AL to my sovereign the king, that they may make a Bar’yath (covenant) with you, and that you may reign over all that your being desires." Dau'yad sent Ab'nar away; and he went in shalum (peace).
22 Behold, the servants of Dau'yad and YAHU'AB came from a raid and brought in a great spoil with them: but Ab'nar was not with Dau'yad in Kha'brun, for he had sent him away, and he was gone in shalum (peace).
23 When YAHU'AB and all the army who was with him had come, they told YAHU'AB, saying, Ab'nar son of Nar came to the king, and he has sent him away, and he is gone in shalum (peace).
24 Then YAHU'AB came to the king, and said, "What have you done? Behold, Ab'nar came to you. Why is it that you have sent him away, and he is walking, gone?
25 You know Ab'nar son of Nar, that he came to deceive you, and to know your going out and your coming in, and to know all that you do."
26 When YAHU'AB had come out from Dau'yad, he sent messengers after Ab'nar, and they brought him back from the well of Ha'Sarah; but Dau'yad did not know it.
27 When Ab'nar was returned to Kha'brun, YAHU'AB took him aside into the midst of the gate to speak with him quietly, and struck him there in the body, so that he died, for the blood of Ashah'AL his brother.
28 Afterward, when Dau'yad heard it, he said, "I and my kingdom are guiltless before 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH) forever of the blood of Ab'nar son of Nar.
29 Let it fall on the head of YAHU'AB, and on all his father's house. Let there not fail from the house of YAHU'AB one who has an issue, or who is a leper, or who leans on a staff, or who falls by the sword, or who lacks bread."
30 So YAHU'AB and Ab'yasha'ya his brother killed Ab'nar, because he had killed their brother Ashah'AL at Gaba'un in the battle.
31 And Dau'yad said to YAHU'AB, and to all the people who were with him, Tear your clothes, and clothe yourselves with sackcloth, and mourn before Ab'nar. And Sovereign Dau'yad followed the coffin.
32 And they buried Ab'nar in Kha'brun: and the king lifted up his voice, and wept at the grave of Ab'nar, and all the people wept.
33 And the king lamented for Ab'nar, and said, "Should Ab'nar die as a fool dies?
34 Your hands were not bound, nor your feet put into fetters. As a man falls before the children of iniquity, so you fell." And all the people wept again over him.
35 And All the people came to cause Dau'yad to eat bread while it was yet day, but Dau'yad swore, saying, "ALUAH do so to me, and more also, if I taste bread, or anything else, until the sun goes down."
36 And all the people took notice of it, and it pleased them, as whatever the king did pleased all the people.
37 So all the people and all Yashar'AL understood that day that it was not of the king to kill Ab'nar son of Nar.
38 And the king said to his servants, "Don't you know that there a prince and a great man has fallen this day in Yashar'AL?
39 And I am this day weak, though anointed king, and these men the sons of Tsaru'Yah are too harsh for me. May 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH) reward the evildoer according to his evilness.”
CHAPTER 4
1 And when son of Sha'ul heard that Ab'nar was dead in Kha'brun, his hands became feeble, and all Yashar'AL were troubled.
2 And son of Sha’ul had two men who were captains of troops: The name of one was Banah (Buh’nah), and the name of the second Rakab, sons of Ramun (Ramoon) the Ba'ar'tha'ya, of the children of Ban'yaman: For Baar’uth also is reckoned to Ban'yaman:
3 and the Baar'tha'ym fled to Gath’yamah, and have been there as foreigners there until this day.
4 Now Yahu'nathan, Sha'ul's son, had a son who was lame of his feet. He was five years old when the news came of Sha'ul and Yahu'nathan out of Yazara'AL, and his nurse took him up, and fled: And it came to be, as she made haste to flee, that he fell, and became lame. And his name was Map'ya Bashath.
5 And the sons of Ramun the Ba'ar'tha'ya, Rakab and Banah, went, and came about the heat of the day to the house of Ayash Bashath, as he took his rest at noon.
6 And they came there into the midst of the house, as though they would have fetched wheat, and they struck him in the body: and Rakab and Banah his brother escaped.
7 Now when they came into the house, as he lay on his bed in his bedroom, they struck him, and killed him, and beheaded him, and took his head, and went by the way of the desert all night.
8 And they brought the head of Ayash Bashath to Dau'yad to Kha'brun, and said to the king, "Behold, the head of Ayash Bashath, son of Sha'ul, your enemy, who sought your being! And 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH) has avenged my sovereign the king this day of Sha'ul, and of his seed."
9 And Dau'yad answered Rakab and Banah his brother, the sons of Ramun the Ba'ar'tha'ya, and said to them, "As 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH) Abides, who has redeemed my being out of all adversity,
10 when someone told me, 'Behold, Sha'ul is dead,' thinking to have brought good news, I took hold of him, and killed him in Tsaqa'lag, which was the reward I gave him for his news.
11 How much more, when wicked men have slain a righteous man in his own house on his bed, shall I not now require his blood of your hand, and take you away from the earth?"
12 And Dau'yad commanded his young men, and they killed them, and cut off their hands and their feet, and hanged them up beside the pool in Kha'brun. But they took the head of Ayash Bashath, and buried it in the grave of Ab'nar in Kha'brun.
CHAPTER 5
1 Then came all the tribes of Yashar'AL to Dau'yad to Kha'brun, and spoke, saying, "Behold, we are your bone and your flesh.
2 Also, formerly, again before, when Sha'ul was king over us, it was you who led out and brought them in Yashar'AL. 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH) said to you, 'You shall be shepherd of My people Yashar'AL, and you shall be prince over Yashar'AL.'"
3 So all the elders of Yashar'AL came to the king to Kha'brun, and king Dau'yad made a Bar’yath (covenant) with them in Kha'brun before 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH), and they anointed Dau'yad king over Yashar'AL.
4 Dau'yad was thirty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned forty years.
5 In Kha'brun he reigned over Yahudah seven years and six months, and in Yaru'shalam he reigned thirty-three years over all Yashar'AL and Yahudah.
6 And the king and his men went to Yaru'shalam against the Yabas'ya*, the inhabitants of the land, who spoke to Dau'yad, saying, "Unless you take away the blind and the lame, you shall not come in here,” thinking, "Dau'yad cannot come in here."
*The oo letter is also taken out here in the Masoretic
7 Nevertheless Dau'yad took the stronghold of Tsa’yun (Tsa’yoon), the same is the city of Dau'yad.
8 And Dau'yad said on that day, "Whoever strikes the Yabas'ya, let him get up to the watercourse, and strike the lame and the blind, who are hated by Dau'yad's being." Therefore they say, "The blind and the lame cannot come into the house."
9 And Dau'yad dwelled in the stronghold, and called it the city of Dau'yad. And Dau'yad built around from Malu’a and inward.
10 And Dau'yad grew greater and greater, for 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH), The ALUAH of hosts, was with him.
11 Now Kha'yaram king of Tsar sent messengers to Dau'yad, and cedar trees, and carpenters, and masons, and they built Dau'yad a house.
12 And Dau'yad perceived that 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH) had established him king over Yashar'AL, and that He had exalted His kingdom for his people Yashar'AL's sake.
13 And Dau'yad took him more concubines and wives out of Yaru'shalam, after he was come from Kha'brun, and there were yet sons and daughters born to Dau'yad.
14 And these are the names of those who were born to him in Yaru'shalam: Shamua, and Shu’bab, and Nathan, and Shalamah,
15 and Ya'bakhar, and AL'yashua, and Napag, and Yapa’ya,
16 and AL’ya’shama, and AL’yada, and AL’ya’palat.
17 When the Palash'tha'ym heard that they had anointed Dau'yad king over Yashar'AL, all the Palash'tha'ym went up to seek Dau'yad, and Dau'yad heard of it, and went down to the stronghold.
18 Now the Palash'tha'ym had come and spread themselves in the valley of Rapa'ym.
19 And Dau'yad inquired of 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH), saying, "Shall I go up against the Palash'tha'ym? Will You give them into my hand?" 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH) said to Dau'yad, "Go up, for giving, I will give the Palash'tha'ym into your hand."
20 And Dau'yad came to Ba’al Parats'ym, and Dau'yad struck them there, and he said, "𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH) has broken my enemies before me, like the breach of waters." Therefore he called the name of that place Ba’al Parats'ym.
21 And they left their images there, and Dau'yad and his men took them away.
22 And the Palash'tha'ym came up yet again, and spread themselves in the valley of Rapa'ym.
23 When Dau'yad inquired of 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH), He said, "You shall not go up. Circle around behind them, and attack them over against the mulberry trees.
24 And it shall be, when you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the mulberry trees, that then you shall stir yourself up, for then 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH) has gone out before you to strike the army of the Palash'tha'ym."
25 And Dau'yad did so, as 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH) commanded him, and struck the Palash'tha'ym from Gaba until you come to Gazar.
CHAPTER 6
1 Now Dau'yad again gathered together all the chosen men of Yashar'AL, thirty thousand.
2 And Dau'yad arose, and went with all the people who were with him, from ba’al’ya Yahudah, to bring up from there the Ark of ALUAH, which is called by the Name, even The Name of 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH) of hosts who sits above the karub’ym.
3 And they placed The Ark of ALUAH on a new wagon, and brought it out of the house of Ab'ya'nadab that was in the hill: and Aza (Uh’za) and Akh'yu, sons of Ab'ya'nadab, drove the new wagon.
4 And they brought it out of the house of Ab'ya'nadab, which was in the hill, with The Ark of ALUAH: and Akh'yu went before the Ark.
5 And Dau'yad and all the house of Yashar'AL played before 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH) with all kinds of fir wood, and with harps, and with stringed instruments, and with tambourines, and with sistrums, and with cymbals.
6 When they came to the threshing floor of Nacon, Aza put forth to the Ark of ALUAH, and took hold of it, for the cattle stumbled.
7 And the anger of 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH) was kindled against Aza, and ALUAH struck him there for his error, and there he died by the Ark of ALUAH.
8 And Dau'yad was displeased, because 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH) had broken forth on Aza, and he called that place Parats Aza, to this day.
9 And Dau'yad was afraid of 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH) that day, and he said, "How shall The Ark of 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH) come to me?"
10 So Dau'yad would not move The Ark of 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH) to be with him in the city of Dau'yad, but Dau'yad carried it aside into the house of Abad-Adum* the Gath'ya.
*Note the Masoretic difference in verses below
11 And the Ark of 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH) remained in the house of Abad-Adam the Gath'ya three months: and 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH) Barak Abad-Adam, and all his house.
12 And it was reported sovereign Dau'yad, saying, "𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH) has Barak the house of Abad-Adam, and all that pertains to him, because of The Ark of ALUAH." And Dau'yad went and brought up The Ark of ALUAH from the house of Abad-Adam into the city of Dau'yad with joy.
13 And it was so, that when those who bore the Ark of 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH) had gone six paces, he slaughtered an ox and a fattened calf.
14 And Dau'yad danced before 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH) with all his might, and Dau'yad was clothed in a linen garment.
15 So Dau'yad and all the house of Yashar'AL brought up The Ark of 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH) with shouting, and with the sound of the ram’s horn.
16 And it was so, as The Ark of 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH) came into the city of Dau'yad, that Mayakal the daughter of Sha'ul looked out at the window, and saw sovereign Dau'yad leaping and dancing before 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH), and she despised him in her heart.
17 And they brought in The Ark of 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH), and put it in its place, in the midst of the tent that Dau'yad had pitched for it, and Dau'yad offered burnt offerings and shalam’ym (peace offerings) before 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH).
18And when Dau'yad had made an end of offering the burnt offering and the shalam’ym (peace offerings), he Barak the people in the name of 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH) of hosts.
19 And he dealt among all the people, even among the whole multitude of Yashar'AL, both to men and women, to everyone one cake of bread, one portion, and one cake of raisins. So all the people departed everyone to his house.
20 Then Dau'yad returned to Barak his household. And Mayakal the daughter of Sha'ul came out to meet Dau'yad, and said, "How esteemed the king of Yashar'AL was today, who uncovered himself today in the eyes of the handmaids of his servants, as one of the vain fellows shamelessly uncovers himself!"
21 And Dau'yad said to Mayakal, "It was before 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH), who chose me above your father, and above all his house, to appoint me prince over the people of 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH), over Yashar'AL. Therefore will I celebrate before 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH).
22 And I will be yet more despised than this, and will be humbled in my own sight. But of the handmaids of whom you have spoken, by them I am esteemed.”
23 And Mayakal the daughter of Sha'ul had no child to the day of her death.
CHAPTER 7
1 And it came to be, when the king abided in his house, and 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH) had given him rest from all his enemies all around,
2 that the king said to Nathan the nab’ya (prophet), "See now, I dwell in a house of cedar, but The Ark of ALUAH abides within curtains."
3And Nathan said to the king, "Go, do all that is in your heart; for 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH) is with you."
4 And it came to be the same night, that the word of 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH) came to Nathan, saying,
5 "Go and tell my servant Dau'yad, 'Thus says 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH), "Shall you build Me a house for Me to abide in?
6 For I have not abided in a House since the day that I brought up the children of Yashar'AL out of Ma’tsara’ym, even to this day, but have moved around in a Tent and in a tabernacle.
7 In all where I have walked with all the children of Yashar'AL, did I say a word to any of the tribes of Yashar'AL, whom I commanded to be shepherd of My people Yashar'AL, saying, 'Why have you not built Me a house of cedar?'"'
8 Now therefore you shall tell My servant Dau'yad this, 'Thus says 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH) of hosts, "I took you from the sheep pen, from following the sheep, that you should be prince over My people, over Yashar'AL.
9 And I have been with you wherever you went, and have cut off all your enemies from before you. And I will make you a great name, like the name of the great ones who are in the earth.
10 And I will appoint a place for my people Yashar'AL, and will plant them, that they may dwell in their own place, and be moved no more, neither shall the children of wickedness afflict them any more, as at the first,
11 and as from the day that I commanded judges to be over My people Yashar'AL. I will cause you to rest from all your enemies. Moreover 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH) declares to you that 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH) will make you a House.
12 When your days are fulfilled, and you shall sleep with your fathers, I will put up your seed after you, who shall proceed from your inward parts, and I will establish his kingdom.
13 He shall build a house for My Name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.
14 I will be his father, and he shall be my son. If he commits iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men, and with the stripes of the children of men,
15 but My loving kindness shall not depart from him, as I took it from Sha'ul, whom I put away before you.
16 And your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before you, your throne shall be established forever.”
17 According to all these words, and according to all this vision, so Nathan spoke to Dau'yad.
18 Then Dau'yad the king went in, and sat before 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH) and he said, "Who am I, O Sovereign 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH), and what is my house, that You have brought me thus far?
19 And this was yet small in Your eyes, O Sovereign 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH), but You have spoken also of Your servant's House for a great while to come, and this after the way of men, O Sovereign 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH)!
20 And what more can Dau'yad say to You? For You know Your servant, O Sovereign 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH).
21 For Your word's sake, and according to Your own heart, You have worked all this greatness, to make Your servant know it.
22 Therefore You are great, O 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH) ALUAH! For there is none like You, neither is there any ALUAH besides You, according to all that we have heard with our ears.
23 What one nation in the earth is like your people, even like Yashar'AL, whom ALUAH went to redeem to Himself for a people, and to make Him a name, and to do great reverences for Yourself, for your land, before Your people, whom You redeem to Yourself from Ma’tsara’ym, the nations, and their mighty ones?
24 And You established for Yourself Your people Yashar'AL to be a people to You forever, and You, O 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH), became their ALUAH.
25 And now, O 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH) ALUAH, the word that You have spoken concerning Your servant, and concerning his house, confirm it forever, and do as You have spoken.
26 And let Your Name be exalted forever, saying, '𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH) of hosts is ALUAH over Yashar'AL, and the house of your servant Dau'yad shall be established before You.'
27 For you, O 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH) of hosts, the ALUAH of Yashar'AL, have revealed to Your servant, saying, 'I will build you a house.' Therefore Your servant has found in his heart to pray this prayer to You.
28 “And now, O Sovereign 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH), You Are ALUAH, and Your Words are truth, and You have promised this goodness to Your servant.
29 And now let it please you and Barak the house of Your servant, that it may continue forever before You, for You, O Sovereign 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH), have spoken it. Let the house of Your servant be Barak forever with Your Barak.”
CHAPTER 8
1 And after this it came to be that Dau'yad struck the Palash'tha'ym, and subdued them: and Dau'yad took the bridle of the mother city out of the hand of the Palash'tha'ym.
2 And he struck Mu'ab, and measured them with the line, making them to lie down on the ground, and he measured two lines to put to death, and one full line to keep living. And Mu'ab became servants to Dau'yad, and brought tribute.
3 And Dau'yad struck also Hadad'azar son of Rakhab, king of Tsu'bah (Tsoo’bah), as he went to recover his rule at the River.
4 And Dau'yad took from him one thousand and seven hundred horsemen, and twenty thousand footmen: and Dau'yad hamstrung all the chariot horses, but reserved of them for one hundred chariots.
5 And when Aram of Damashaq came to help Hadad'azar king of Tsu'bah, Dau'yad struck in Aram two and twenty thousand men.
6 Then Dau'yad put garrisons in Aram of Damashaq, and Aram became servants to Dau'yad, and brought tribute. And 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH) gave victory to Dau'yad wherever he went.
7 And Dau'yad took the shields of gold that were on the servants of Hadad'azar, and brought them to Yaru'shalam.
8 And from Batakh and from Baratha’ya, cities of Hadad'azar, king Dau'yad took exceeding much bronze.
9 When Tha'ya (Thuh’ya) king of Khamath heard that Dau'yad had struck all the army of Hadad'azar,
10 then Tha'ya sent Yuram his son to king Dau'yad, to greet him, and to Barak him, because he had fought against Hadad'azar and struck him: for Hadad'azar had wars with Tha'ya. He brought vessels of silver, and vessels of gold, and vessels of bronze:
11 Also these did king Dau'yad Make Apart to 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH), with the silver and gold that he Made Apart of all the nations which he subdued,
12 from Aram, and from Mu'ab, and from sons of Amun (Uh’moon), and from Palash'tha'ym, and from Amalaq, and from [the] spoil of Hadad'azar, son of Rakhab, king of Tsu'bah.
13 And Dau'yad made a name when he returned from smiting Aram in the Valley of Salt, even eighteen thousand men.
14 And he put garrisons in Adum, throughout all Adum put he garrisons, and all the Adum became servants to Dau'yad. And 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH) rescued Dau'yad in all where he walked.
15 And Dau'yad reigned over all Yashar'AL, and Dau'yad executed right ruling and righteousness to all his people.
16 And YAHU'AB son of Tsaru'Yah was over the army, and Yahu'shapat son of Akh'ya'lud (Akh’ya’lood) was recorder,
17 and Tsaduq son of Akh'ya'tub (Akh’ya’toob), and Akh'ya'malak son of Ab'yathar, ka’ahn’ym (priest), and Shara’Yah was scribe,
18 and Ban'Yahu son of Yahu'yada, and the Karath'ya and the Palath'ya, and sons of Dau'yad were ka’ahn’ym (priests).
CHAPTER 9
1 And Dau'yad said, "Is there yet any who is left of the house of Sha'ul, that I may show him kindness for Yahu'nathan's sake?"
2 There was of the house of Sha'ul a servant whose name was Tsa'yaba, and they called him to Dau'yad, and the king said to him, "Are you Tsa'yaba?" And he said, "Your servant."
3 And the king said, "Is there not yet any of the house of Sha'ul, that I may show the kindness of ALUAH to him?" And Tsa'yaba said to the king, "Yahu'nathan has yet a son, who is lame of his feet."
4 And the king said to him, "Where is he?" And Tsa'yaba said to the king, "Behold, he is in the house of Maka'yar son of Am'ya'AL, in Lu Dabar."
5 Then king Dau'yad sent, and fetched him out of the house of Maka'yar son of Am'ya'AL, from Lu Dabar.
6 And Map'ya Bashath, son of Yahu'nathan, son of Sha'ul, came to Dau'yad, and fell on his face, and did obeisance. And Dau'yad said, "Map'ya Bashath." And he answered, "Behold, your servant!"
7 And Dau'yad said to him, "Do not be afraid of him, for I will surely show you kindness for Yahu'nathan your father's sake, and will restore to you all the land of Sha'ul your father. You shall eat bread at my table continually."
8 And he did obeisance, and said, "What is your servant, that you should look on such a dead dog as I am?"
9 Then the king called to Tsa'yaba, Sha'ul's servant, and said to him, "All that pertained to Sha'ul and to all his house have I given to your sovereign’s son.
10 And you shall till the land for him, you, and your sons, and your servants. And you shall bring in, that your sovereign’s son may have bread to eat: But Map'ya Bashath your master's son shall eat bread always at my table." Now Tsa'yaba had fifteen sons and twenty servants.
11 Then Tsa'yaba said to the king, "According to all that my sovereign the king commands his servant, so your shall servant do." So Map'ya Bashath ate at the king's table, like one of the king's sons.
12 And Map'ya Bashath had a young son, whose name was Mayaka. All that abided in the house of Tsa'yaba were servants to Map'ya Bashath.
13 So Map'ya Bashath abided in Yaru'shalam, for he ate continually at the king's table. And he was lame [in] two of his feet.
CHAPTER 10
1 And it came to be after this, that the king of the children of Amun died, and Khanun (Kha’noon) his son reigned in his place.
2 And Dau'yad said, "I will show kindness to Khanun son of Nakhash, as his father showed kindness to me." So Dau'yad sent by his servants to comfort him concerning his father. And Dau'yad's servants came into the land of the children of Amun.
3 But the princes of the children of Amun said to Khanun their sovereign, "Do you think that Dau'yad esteems your father, in that he has sent comforters to you? Has not Dau'yad sent his servants to you to search the city, and to spy it out, and to overthrow it?"
4 So Khanun took Dau'yad's servants, and shaved off the one half of their beards, and cut off their garments in the middle, even to their buttocks, and sent them away.
5 And they informed Dau'yad, he sent to meet them, for the men were greatly ashamed. And the king said, "Wait at Yarakhu* until your beards have grown, and then return."
*Here, the extra yad is not added for Jericho (compare Yahusha 6)
6 When the children of Amun saw that they were an abhorrence to Dau'yad, the children of Amun sent and hired Aram of Bayath Rakhab, and Aram of Tsu'bah, twenty thousand footmen, and the king of Makah with one thousand men, and the men of Tub (Toob) twelve thousand men.
7 When Dau'yad heard of it, he sent YAHU'AB, and all the army of the mighty men.
8 And the children of Amun came out, and put the battle in array at the entrance of the gate: And Aram of Tsu'bah and of Rakhab, and the men of Tub (Toob) and Makah, were by themselves in the field.
9 Now when YAHU'AB saw that the battle was placed against him before and behind, he chose of all the choice men of Yashar'AL, and put them in array against Aram:
10 And the rest of the people he committed into the hand of Ab'sha'ya* his brother, and he put them in array against the children of Amun.
*Note The Masoretic difference here
11 And he said, "If Aram is too strong for me, then you shall help me, but if the children of Amun are too strong for you, then I will come and help you.
12 Be courageous, and let us be strong for our people, and for the cities of our ALUAH, and 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH) do the good in His eyes.”
13 So YAHU'AB and the people who were with him drew near to the battle against Aram: and they fled before him.
14 When the children of Amun saw that Aram had fled, they also fled before Ab'yasha'ya, and entered into the city. Then YAHU'AB returned from the children of Amun, and came to Yaru'shalam.
15 And Aram saw that they were defeated by Yashar'AL, they gathered themselves together.
16 And Hadad'azar sent and brought out Aram who were beyond the River: And they came to Kha'yalam, and Shu'bakh (Shoo’bakh) the captain of the army of Hadad'azar at their head.
17 And it was reported to Dau'yad, and he gathered all Yashar'AL together, and passed over the Yardan, and came to Kha'yalam. And Aram placed themselves in array against Dau'yad, and fought with him.
18 And Aram fled before Yashar'AL, and Dau'yad killed of Aram seven hundred chariots and forty thousand horsemen, and struck Shu'bakh the captain of their army, so that he died there.
19 And all the kings who were servants to Hadad'azar saw that they were defeated before Yashar'AL, they made shalam (peace) with Yashar'AL and served them. So Aram feared to help the children of Amun any more.
CHAPTER 11
1 And it came to be, at the return of the year, at the time when kings depart, that Dau'yad sent YAHU'AB, and his servants with him, and all Yashar'AL, and they destroyed the children of Amun, and besieged Rabah. But Dau'yad stayed at Yaru'shalam.
2 And it came to be at evening, that Dau'yad arose from off his bed, and walked on the roof of the king's house: And from the roof he saw a woman bathing, and the woman was very beautiful to look on.
3 And Dau'yad sent and he inquired after the woman. And it was said, "Is this not Bath Shaba, the daughter of AL'ya'am, the wife of Aura'Yah the Khath'ya?"
4 And Dau'yad sent messengers, and took her, and she came in to him, and he lay with her, for she was cleansed from her uncleanness. And she returned to her house.
5 And the woman conceived, and she sent and told Dau'yad, and said, "I am with child."
6 And Dau'yad sent to YAHU'AB: "Send me Aura'Yah the Khath'ya." And YAHU'AB sent Aura'Yah to Dau'yad.
7 When Aura'Yah was come to him, and Dau'yad asked of shalum (peace), and shalum (peace) of YAHU’AB, and shalum (peace) of the people of the war.
8 And Dau'yad said to Aura'Yah, "Go down to your house, and wash your feet." And Aura'Yah departed out of the king's house, and a gift from the king was sent after him.
9 But Aura'Yah slept at the door of the king's house with all the servants of his sovereign, and did not go down to his house.
10 When they had told Dau'yad, saying, "Aura'Yah did not go down to his house," Dau'yad said to Aura'Yah, "Have you not come from a journey? Why did you not go down to your house?"
11 And Aura'Yah said to Dau'yad, "The Ark, Yashar'AL, and Yahudah, are staying in tents, and my sovereign YAHU'AB, and the servants of my sovereign, are encamped in the open field. Shall I then go into my house to eat and to drink, and to lie with my wife? As you abide, and as your being abides, I will not do this word!”
12 And Dau'yad said to Aura'Yah, "Stay here today also, and tomorrow I will let you depart." So Aura'Yah stayed in Yaru'shalam that day, and the next day.
13 When Dau'yad had called him, he ate and drink before him, and he made him drunk. At evening, he went out to lie on his bed with the servants of his sovereign, but did not go down to his house.
14 And it came to be in the rising, that Dau'yad wrote a letter to YAHU'AB, and sent it by the hand of Aura'Yah.
15 And he wrote in the letter, saying, "Send Aura'Yah to the forefront of the hottest battle, and retreat from him, that he may be struck, and die."
16 And it came to be, when YAHU'AB kept watch on the city, that he assigned Aura'Yah to the place where he knew that strong men were.
17 And the men of the city went out, and fought with YAHU'AB. And some of the people fell, even of the servants of Dau'yad, and Aura'Yah the Khath'ya died also.
18 Then YAHU'AB sent and told Dau'yad all the words concerning the war,
19 and he commanded the messenger, saying, "When you have finished telling all the words concerning the war to the king,
20 And it shall be that, if the king's wrath arise, and he asks you, 'Why did you go so near to the city to fight? Did you not know that they would shoot from the wall?
21 who struck Ab'ya'malak son of Yara'bashath? Did a woman not cast an upper millstone on him from the wall, so that he died at Tha'bats? Why did you go so near the wall?' then you shall say, 'Your servant Aura'Yah the Khath'ya is dead also.'"
22 So the messenger went, and came and showed Dau'yad all that YAHU'AB had sent him for.
23 And the messenger said to Dau'yad: "The men prevailed against us, and came out to us into the field, and we were on them even to the entrance of the gate.
24 And the archers shot at your servants from off the wall, and some of the king's servants are dead, and your servant Aura'Yah the Khath'ya is dead also."
25 Then Dau'yad said to the messenger, "Thus you shall tell YAHU'AB, ‘Let not this word displease you, for the sword devours one as well as another. Make your battle stronger against the city, and overthrow it.' And encourage him."
26 And when the wife of Aura'Yah heard that Aura'Yah her husband was dead, she made lamentation for her husband.
27 And when the mourning was past, Dau'yad sent and took her home to his house, and she became his wife, and bore him a son. But the matter that Dau'yad had done was evil in the eyes of 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH).
CHAPTER 12
1 Then 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH) sent Nathan to Dau'yad. And he came to him, and said to him, "There were two men in one city: one rich, and one poor.
2 For the rich had exceedingly many flocks and herds,
3 but the poor had nothing, except one little ewe lamb, which he had bought and raised. And it grew up together with him, and with his children. And it ate of his own food, drank of his own cup, and lay in his bosom, and was to him like a daughter.
4 And a traveler came to the rich, and he spared to take of his own flock and of his own herd, to dress for the wayfaring man who had come to him, but took the poor man's lamb, and dressed it for the man who had come to him."
5 And Dau'yad's anger was greatly kindled against the man, and he said to Nathan, "As 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH) Abides, the man who has done this is worthy to die!
6 And he shall restore the lamb fourfold, because he did this, the matter, and because he had no compassion!”
7 And Nathan said to Dau'yad, "You are the man. This is what 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH), The ALUAH Of Yashar'AL, says: 'I anointed you king over Yashar'AL, and I rescued you out of the hand of Sha'ul.
8 And I gave you your sovereign’s house, and your sovereign’s wives into your bosom, and gave you the house of Yashar'AL and of Yahudah, and if that would have been too little, and I would have added to you like them and like them.
9 Why have you despised the Word of 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH), to do that which is evil in His sight? You have struck Aura'Yah the Khath'ya with the sword, and have taken his wife to be your wife, and have slain him with the sword of the children of Amun.
10 Now therefore the sword will never depart from your house, because you have despised Me, and have taken the wife of Aura'Yah the Khath'ya to be your wife.'
11 "This is what 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH) says: 'Behold, I will raise up evil against you out of your own house, and I will take your wives before your eyes, and give them to your neighbor, and he will lie with your wives in the sight of this sun.
12 For you did it in secret, but I will do this Word before all Yashar'AL, and before the sun.'"
13 And Dau'yad said to Nathan, "I have transgressed against 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH)." And Nathan said to Dau'yad, "𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH) also has put away your transgression. You will not die.
14 However, because by this deed you have given great occasion to the enemies of 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH) to blaspheme, the child also who is born to you shall surely die."
15 And Nathan departed to his house. And 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH) struck the child that Aura'Yah's wife bore to Dau'yad, and it was very sick.
16 And Dau'yad therefore begged ALUAH for the child, and Dau'yad fasted, and went in, and lay all night on the earth.
17 And the elders of his house arose, beside him, to raise him up from the earth: but he would not, neither did he eat bread with them.
18 And it came to be on the seventh day, that the child died. And the servants of Dau'yad feared to tell him that the child was dead, for they said: "Behold, while the child was yet living, we spoke to him, and he did not listen by our voice. How will he then harm himself, if we tell him that the child is dead?"
19 But when Dau'yad saw that his servants were whispering together, Dau'yad perceived that the child was dead, and Dau'yad said to his servants, "Is the child dead?" And they said, "He is dead."
20 Then Dau'yad arose from the earth, and washed, and anointed himself, and changed his garments, and he came into the house of 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH), and worshiped: Then he came to his own house, and when he required, they placed bread before him, and he ate.
21 Then his servants said to him, "What is this that you have done? You fasted and wept for the child while he was living, but when the child was dead, you rose up and ate bread."
22 And he said, "While the child was yet living, I fasted and wept, for I said, 'Who knows whether 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH) will not be favorful to me, that the child may abide?’
23 But now he is dead, why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he will not return to me."
24 And Dau'yad comforted Bath Shaba his wife, and went in to her, and lay with her. And she bore a son, and he called his name Shalamah. And 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH) loved him,
25 and he sent by the hand of Nathan the nab’ya (prophet), and he named him Yad'yad'Yah, because of 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH).
26 Now YAHU'AB fought against Rabah of the children of Amun, and took the royal city.
27 And YAHU'AB sent messengers to Dau'yad, and said, "I have fought against Rabah. Indeed, I have taken the city of waters.
28 Now therefore gather the rest of the people together, and encamp against the city, and take it, lest I take the city, and it be called after my name."
29 And Dau'yad gathered all the people together, and went to Rabah, and fought against it, and took it.
30 And he took the crown of their king from off his head, and its weight was a talent of gold, and precious stones, and it was placed on Dau'yad's head. And he brought forth the spoil of the city, great abundance.
31 And he brought forth the people who were therein, and put them under saws, and under iron picks, and under axes of iron, and made them pass through the brick kiln: and he did so to all the cities of the children of Amun. And Dau'yad and all the people returned to Yaru'shalam.
CHAPTER 13
1 And it came to be after this, that AB'shalum son of Dau'yad had a beautiful sister, whose name was Thamar, and Am'nun son of Dau'yad loved her.
2 And Am'nun was so troubled that he fell sick because of his sister Thamar, for she was a virgin, and it was difficult in his eyes for Am'nun to do anything to her.
3 But Am'nun had a friend, whose name was Yahu'nadab, son of Shama'ah, Dau'yad's brother, and Yahu'nadab was a very subtle man.
4 And he said to him, "Why, son of the king, are you so sad from day to day? Will you not tell me?" And Am'nun said to him, "I love Thamar, my brother AB'shalum's sister."
5 And Yahu'nadab said to him, "Lay down on your bed, and pretend to be sick. When your father comes to see you, tell him, 'Please let my sister Thamar come and give me bread to eat, and dress the food in my sight, that I may see it, and eat it from her hand.'"
6 So Am'nun lay down and faked being sick. When the king came to see him, Am'nun said to the king, "Please let my sister Thamar come, and make me a couple of cakes in my sight, that I may eat from her hand."
7 Then Dau'yad sent home to Thamar, saying, "Go now to your brother Am'nun's house, and prepare food for him."
8 So Thamar went to her brother Am'nun's house, and he laid down. She took dough, and kneaded it, and made cakes in his sight, and baked the cakes.
9 And she took the pan, and poured them out before him, but he refused to eat. And Am'nun said, "Have all men leave me." And all men went out from him.
10 And Am'nun said to Thamar, "Bring the food into the room, that I may eat from your hand." And Thamar took the cakes which she had made, and brought them into the room to Am'nun her brother.
11 When she had brought them near to him to eat, he took hold of her, and said to her, "Come, lie with me, my sister!"
12 And she answered him, "No, my brother, do not force me! For surely, is not to be done in Yashar'AL. You do not commit this folly.
13 And I, where would I carry my shame? And as for you, you will be as one of the fools in Yashar'AL. Now therefore, please speak to the king, for he will not withhold me from you."
14 However he would not listen to her voice, but being stronger than she, he forced her, and lay with her.
15 Then Am'nun hated her with exceeding great hatred, for the hatred with which he hated her was greater than the love with which he had loved her. And Am'nun said to her, "Arise, be gone!"
16 And she said to him, "Not so, because this great wrong in sending me away is worse than the other that you did to me!" But he would not listen to her.
17 Then he called his servant who served him, and said, "Put now this woman out from me, and bolt the door after her."
18 And she had a long-sleeved garment on her, for with such robes were the king's daughters who were virgins dressed. Then his servant brought her out, and bolted the door after her.
19 And Thamar put ashes on her head, and tore her long-sleeved garment that was on her, and she laid her hand on her head, and went her way, crying aloud as she went.
20 And AB'shalum her brother said to her, "Has Am'nun your brother been with you? But now keep silent, my sister. He is your brother. Do not take this word to heart." So Thamar remained desolate in her brother AB'shalum's house.
21 But when king Dau'yad heard of all these words, he was very angry.
22 And AB'shalum spoke to Am'nun neither good nor bad, for AB'shalum hated Am'nun, because he had forced his sister Thamar.
23 And it came to be after two full years, that AB'shalum had sheepshearers in Ba’al Kha’tsur, which is beside Apara’ym: and AB'shalum invited all the king's sons.
24 And AB'shalum came to the king, and said, "See now, your servant has sheepshearers. Please let the king and his servants go with your servant."
25 And the king said to AB'shalum, "No, my son, let us not all go, lest we be burdensome to you." And he pressed him, however he would not go, but Barak him.
26 Then AB'shalum said, "If not, please let my brother Am'nun go with us." And the king said to him, "Why should he go with you?"
27 But AB'shalum pressed him, and he let Am'nun and all the king's sons go with him.
28 And AB'shalum commanded his servants, saying, "Mark now, when Am'nun's heart is merry with wine, and when I tell you, 'Strike Am'nun,' then kill him. Do not be afraid. Have I not commanded you? Be courageous and valiant!"
29 And the servants of AB'shalum did to Am'nun as AB'shalum had commanded. Then all the king's sons arose, and every man mounted on his mule, and fled.
30 And it came to be, while they were in the way, that the news came to Dau'yad, saying, "AB'shalum has slain all the king's sons, and there is not one of them left!"
31 Then the king arose, and tore his garments, and lay on the earth, and all his servants stood by with their clothes torn.
32 And Yahu'nadab, son of Shama'ah, Dau'yad's brother, answered, "Do not let my sovereign suppose that they have killed all the young men the king's sons, for Am'nun only is dead, for by the appointment of AB'shalum this has been determined from the day that he forced his sister Thamar.
33 Now therefore do not let my sovereign the king take the word to his heart, to think that all the king's sons are dead, for Am'nun only is dead."
34 But AB'shalum fled. The young man who kept the watch lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold, many people were coming by way of the hillside behind him.
35 And Yahu'nadab said to the king, "Behold, the king's sons are coming! It is as your servant said."
36 And it came to be, as soon as he had finished speaking, that behold, the king's sons came, and lifted up their voice, and wept. And the king also and all his servants wept bitterly.
37 But AB'shalum fled, and went to Thalama'ya son of Am'Yahud, king of Gashur. And he mourned for his son every day.
38 So AB'shalum fled, and went to Gashur, and was there three years.
39 And Sovereign Dau'yad longed to go forth to AB'shalum: for he was comforted concerning Am'nun, since he was dead.
CHAPTER 14
1 Now YAHU'AB son of Tsaru'Yah perceived that the king's heart was toward AB'shalum.
2 And YAHU'AB sent to Thaqua, and fetched there a discerned woman, and said to her, "Please act like a mourner, and put on mourning clothing, and do not anoint yourself with oil, but be as a woman who has mourned a long time for the dead.
3 And go in to the king, and speak like this to him." So YAHU'AB put the words in her mouth.
4 When the woman of Thaqua spoke to the king, she fell on her face to the ground, and did obeisance, and said, "Help, O king!"
5 And the king said to her, "What ails you?" And she answered, "Truly I am a widow, and my husband, he is dead.
6 And your handmaid had two sons, and they both fought together in the field, and there was no one to part them, but the one struck the other, and killed him.
7 Behold, the whole family has risen against your handmaid, and they say, ‘Give him who struck his brother, that we may kill him for the being of his brother whom he killed, and so destroy the heir also.' Thus they would quench my coal which is left, and would leave to my husband neither name nor remainder on the surface of the earth."
8 And the king said to the woman, "Go to your house, and I will give a command concerning you."
9 And the woman of Thaqua said to the king, "My sovereign, O king, the iniquity be on me, and on my father's house, and the king and his throne be guiltless."
10 And the king said, "Whoever speaks to you, bring him to me, and he shall not touch you any more."
11 Then she said, "Please let the king remember 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH) Your ALUAH, that the avenger of blood destroy not any more, lest they destroy my son." And he said, "As 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH) Abides, not one hair of your son shall fall to the earth."
12 Then the woman said, "Please let your handmaid speak a word to my sovereign the king." And he said, "Speak.”
13 And the woman said, "Why then have you devised such as this against the people of ALUAH? For in speaking this, the word, the king is as one who is guilty, in that the king does not bring home again his banished one.
14 For we must die, and are as water split on the ground, which cannot be gathered up again: neither does ALUAH take away a being, but devises means, that He who is banished not be an outcast from Him.
15 Now therefore seeing that I have come to speak this word to my sovereign the king, it is because the people have made me afraid: and your handmaid said, 'I will now speak to the king, it may be that the king will perform the request of his servant.'
16 For the king will hear, to rescue his servant out of the hand of the man who would destroy me and my son together out of the inheritance of ALUAH.
17 Then your handmaid said, 'Please let the word of my sovereign the king bring rest, for as a messenger of ALUAH, so is my sovereign the king to discern good and bad. May 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH) Your ALUAH be with you.'"
18 Then the king answered the woman, "Please do not hide a word from me that I ask you." And the woman said, "Let my sovereign the king now speak."
19 And the king said, "Is the hand of YAHU'AB with you in all this?" And the woman answered, "As your being abides, my sovereign the king, no one can turn to the right hand or to the left from all that my sovereign the king has spoken. For your servant YAHU'AB, he urged me, and he put all these words in the mouth of your handmaid,
20 to turn around the face of the matter has your servant YAHU'AB done this word. And my sovereign is discerned, according to the discernment of a messenger of ALUAH, to know all matters that are in the earth."
21 And the king said to YAHU'AB, "Behold now, I have done this, the word. Go therefore, bring the young man AB'shalum back."
22 And YAHU'AB fell to the ground on his face, and did obeisance, and he Barak the king. And YAHU'AB said, "Today your servant knows that I have found favor in your sight, my sovereign, king, in that the king has performed the request of his servant."
23 So YAHU'AB arose and went to Gashur, and brought AB'shalum to Yaru'shalam.
24 And the king said, "Let him return to his own house, but let him not see my face." So AB'shalum returned to his own house, and did not see the king's face.
25 Now in all Yashar'AL there was none to be so much praised as AB'shalum for his beauty: from the sole of his foot even to the crown of his head there was no blemish in him.
26 When he cut the hair of his head, now it was at every year's end that he cut it: because it was heavy on him, therefore he cut it, he weighed the hair of his head at two hundred shaqal'ym, with a stone of the king.
27 To AB'shalum there were born three sons, and one daughter, and name was Thamar: she was a woman of a beautiful face.
28 And AB'shalum abided two full years in Yaru'shalam; and he did not see the king's face.
29 Then AB'shalum sent for YAHU'AB, to send him to the king, but he would not come to him: and he sent again a second time, but he would not come to.
30 Therefore he said to his servants, "Behold, YAHU'AB's field is near mine, and he has barley there. Go and place it on fire." AB'shalum's servants placed the field on fire.
31 Then YAHU'AB arose, and came to AB'shalum to his house, and said to him, "Why have your servants placed my field on fire?"
32And AB'shalum answered YAHU'AB, "Behold, I sent to you, saying, 'Come here, that I may send you to the king, to say, "Why have I come from Gashur? It would be better for me to be there still. Now therefore let me see the king's face, and if there is iniquity in me, let him kill me.”
33 So YAHU'AB came to the king, and told him, and when he had called for AB'shalum, he came to the king, and bowed himself on his face to the ground before the king: And the king kissed AB'shalum.
CHAPTER 15
1 And it came to be after this, that AB'shalum prepared him a chariot and horses, and fifty men to run before him.
2 And AB'shalum rose up early, and stood beside the way of the gate. And it was so, that when any man had a suit which should come to the king for judgment, then AB'shalum called to him, and said, "What city are you from?" And he said, "Your servant is of one of the tribes of Yashar'AL."
3 And AB'shalum said to him, "Behold, your matters are good and right, but there is no man deputized by the king to hear you."
4 And AB'shalum said moreover, "Oh that I were made judge in the land, that every man who has any suit or cause might come to me, and I would do him right ruling!”
5 And it was so, that when any man came near to do him obeisance, he put forth his hand, and took hold of him, and kissed him.
6 And AB'shalum did this manner to all Yashar'AL who came to the king for judgment. So AB'shalum stole the hearts of the men of Yashar'AL.
7 And it came to be at the end of forty years, that AB'shalum said to the king, "Please let me go and pay my vow, which I have vowed to 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH), in Kha'brun.
8 For your servant vowed a vow while I stayed at Gashur in Aram, saying, 'If 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH) shall indeed bring me again to Yaru'shalam, then I will serve 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH).'"
9 And the king said to him, "Go in shalum (peace).” So he arose, and went to Kha'brun.
10 But AB'shalum sent spies throughout all the tribes of Yashar'AL, saying, "As soon as you hear the sound of the ram’s horn, then you shall say, 'AB'shalum is king in Kha'brun!'"
11And two hundred men went with AB'shalum out of Yaru'shalam, who were invited, and went in their simplicity, and they did not know any matter.
12 And AB'shalum sent for Akh'ya'thapal the Gayalan’ya*, Dau'yad's counselor, from his city, even from Galah, while he offered offerings. And the conspiracy grew strong, for the people increased continually with AB'shalum.
*Note the Masoretic difference on 2 Shamu’AL 23:34
13And a messenger came to Dau'yad, saying, "The hearts of the men of Yashar'AL are after AB'shalum."
14 And Dau'yad said to all his servants who were with him at Yaru'shalam, "Arise, and let us flee, for else none of us shall escape from AB'shalum. Make speed to depart, lest he overtake us quickly, and bring down evil on us, and strike the city with the edge of the sword."
15 And the king's servants said to the king, "Behold, your servants will as all whatever my sovereign the king chooses."
16 And the king went forth, and all his household after him. And the king left ten women, who were concubines, to keep the house.
17 And the king went forth, and all the people after him, and they stayed in a house far off.
18 And all his servants passed on beside him, and all the Karath'ya, and all the Palath'ya, and all the Gath'ym, six hundred men who came after him from Gath, passed on before the king.
19 Then the king said to Atha'ya the Gath'ya, "Why do you also go with us? Return, and stay with the king, for you are a foreigner, and also an exile. Return to your own place.
20 Whereas you came but yesterday, should I this day make you go up and down with us, since I go where I may? Return, and take back your brothers. Kindness and truth be with you."
21 And Atha'ya answered the king, and said, "As 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH) Abides, and as my sovereign the king abides, surely in what place my sovereign the king shall is, whether for death or for khaYah (life), even there also will your servant be."
22 And Dau'yad said to Atha'ya, "Go and pass over." Atha'ya the Gath'ya passed over, and all his men, and all the little ones who were with him.
23And all the country wept with a loud voice, and all the people passed over: the king also himself passed over the brook Qadar'un (Qadar’oon), and all the people passed over, toward the way of the wilderness.
24 Behold, Tsaduq also came, and all the Lu’ym with him, bearing The Ark of the Bar’yath (covenant) of ALUAH, and they placed down the Ark of ALUAH, and Ab'yathar went up, until all the people finished passing out of the city.
25 And the king said to Tsaduq, "Carry back The Ark of ALUAH into the city. If I find favor in the eyes of 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH), He will bring me again, and show me and His habitation,
26 but if He say thus, 'I have no delight in you,’ behold, here am I. Let Him do to me as what is good in His eyes.”
27 And the king said also to Tsaduq the ka’ahn (priest), "Are you not the seer? Return to the city in shalum (peace), and your two sons with you, and Akh'ya'mats your son, and Yahu'nathan son of Ab'yathar.
28 Behold, I will stay at the fords of the wilderness, until word comes from you to inform me."
29 And Tsaduq therefore and Ab'yathar carried The Ark of ALUAH again to Yaru'shalam, and they stayed there.
30 And Dau'yad went up by the ascent of the Olives, and wept as he went up, and he had his head covered, and went barefoot: and all the people who were with him covered every man his head, and they went up, weeping as they went up.
31 And Dau'yad was told, saying, "Akh'ya'thapal is among the conspirators with AB'shalum." And Dau'yad said, "𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH), please turn the counsel of Akh'ya'thapal into foolishness."
32 And it came to be that when Dau'yad had come to the top, where ALUAH was worshiped, behold, Khusha'ya the Araka'ya came to meet him with his coat torn, and earth on his head.
33 And Dau'yad said to him, "If you pass on with me, then you will be a burden to me,
34 but if you return to the city, and tell AB'shalum, 'I will be your servant, O king. As I have been your father's servant in time past, so will I now be your servant, then will you defeat for me the counsel of Akh'ya'thapal.'
35 And do you not have Tsaduq and Ab'yathar the ka’ahn’ym (priests) there with you? Therefore it shall be, that whatever word you shall hear out of the king's house, you shall tell it to Tsaduq and Ab'yathar the ka’ahn’ym (priests).
36 Behold, they have there with them their two sons, Akh'ya'mats, Tsaduq's son, and Yahu'nathan, Ab'yathar's son, and by them you shall send to me every word that you shall hear."
37 So Khusha'ya, friend of Dau'yad, came into the city, and AB'shalum came into Yaru'shalam.
CHAPTER 16
1 When Dau'yad was a little past the top, behold, Tsa'yaba the servant of Map'ya Bashath met him, and a pair of donkeys saddled, and on them two hundred [loaves] of bread, and one hundred clusters of raisins, and one hundred summer fruits, and a skin of wine.
2 And the king said to Tsa'yaba, What do you mean by these? Tsa'yaba said, The donkeys are for the king's household to ride on, and the bread and summer fruit for the young men to eat, and the wine, that such as are faint in the wilderness may drink.
3 And the king said, "Where is your master's son?" And Tsa'yaba said to the king, "Behold, he is staying in Yaru'shalam, for he said, 'Today the house of Yashar'AL will restore me the kingdom of my father.'"
4 Then the king said to Tsa'yaba, "Behold, all that pertains to Map'ya Bashath is yours." And Tsa'yaba said, "I do obeisance. Let me find favor in your sight, my sovereign, O king."
5 When king Dau'yad came to Bakhar'ym, behold, a man of the family of the house of Sha'ul came out, whose name was Shama'ya, son of Gara. He came out, cursing as he came.
6 And he cast stones at Dau'yad, and at all the servants of king Dau'yad, and all the people and all the mighty men were on his right hand and on his left.
7 And Shama'ya said when he cursed, "Be gone, be gone, you man of blood and wickedness!
8 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH) has returned on you all the blood of the house of Sha'ul, in whose place you have reigned! 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH) has giventhe kingdom into the hand of AB'shalum your son! Behold, you are caught in your evil, because you are a man of blood!"
9 Then Ab'yasha'ya son of Tsaru'Yah said to the king, "Why should this dead dog curse my sovereign the king? Please let me go over and take off his head."
10 And the king said, "What have I to do with you, you sons of Tsaru'Yah? Because he curses, and because 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH) has said to him, 'Curse Dau'yad,’ who then shall say, 'Why have you done so?'"
11 And Dau'yad said to Ab'yasha'ya, and to all his servants, "Behold, my son, who came forth from my inward parts, seeks my being. How much more this Ban Ha’Yama'yan'ya, now? Leave him alone, and let him curse, for 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH) has uttered him.
12 And it may be that 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH) will look on my affliction, and that 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH) will repay me good for the cursing of me today."
13 So Dau'yad and his men went by the way, and Shama'ya went along on the hillside opposite him, and cursed as he went, threw stones at him, and threw dust.
14 And the king, and all the people who were with him, came weary, and he refreshed himself there.
15And AB'shalum, and all the people, the men of Yashar'AL, came to Yaru'shalam, and Akh'ya'thapal with him.
16 And it came to be, when Khusha'ya the Araka'ya, Dau'yad's friend, had come to AB'shalum, that Khusha'ya said to AB'shalum, "Long khaYah (live) the king! Long khaYah (live) the king!"
17 And AB'shalum said to Khusha'ya, "Is this your kindness to your friend? Why did you not go with your friend?"
18 And Khusha'ya said to AB'shalum, "No, but whoever 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH), and this people, and all the men of Yashar'AL have chosen, his will I be, and with him I will stay.
19 Again, whom should I serve? Should I not serve for the face of his son? As I have served to the face of your father, so will I be in your face.”
20 Then AB'shalum said to Akh'ya'thapal, "Give your counsel what we shall do."
21 And Akh'ya'thapal said to AB'shalum, "Go in to your father's concubines, that he has left to keep the house. Then all Yashar'AL will hear that you are abhorred by your father. Then the hands of all who are with you will be strong."
22 So they spread AB'shalum a tent on the top of the house, and AB'shalum went in to his father's concubines in the sight of all Yashar'AL.
23 And the counsel of Akh'ya'thapal, which he gave in those days, was as if a man inquired at the oracle of ALUAH: So was all the counsel of Akh'ya'thapal both with Dau'yad and with AB'shalum.
CHAPTER 17
1 Moreover Akh'ya'thapal said to AB'shalum, "Let me now choose twelve thousand men, and I will arise and pursue after Dau'yad tonight.
2 And I will come on him while he is weary and exhausted, and will make him afraid. All the people who are with him shall flee. And I will strike the king only,
3 and I will bring back all the people to you. The man whom you seek is as if all returned. All the people shall be in shalum (peace).”
4 And the saying pleased AB'shalum in the eyes, and all the elders of Yashar'AL.
5 Then AB'shalum said, "Now call Khusha'ya the Araka'ya also, and let us hear he also says."
6 When Khusha'ya was come to AB'shalum, AB'shalum spoke to him, saying, "Akh'ya'thapal has spoken according to this word. Shall we do what he says? If not, you speak.”
7 And Khusha'ya said to AB'shalum, "The counsel that Akh'ya'thapal has given this time is not good."
8 And Khusha'ya said moreover, "You know your father and his men, that they are mighty men, and they are fierce in their minds, like a bear robbed of her cubs in the field. And your father is a man of war, and will not lodge with the people.
9 Behold, he is now hidden in one of the pits, or in one of the places. And it will be, when some of them have fallen at the first, that whoever hears it will say, 'There is a slaughter among the people who follow AB'shalum!'
10 Even he who is valiant, whose heart is as the heart of a lion, will utterly melt, for all Yashar'AL knows that your father is a mighty man, and those who are with him are valiant men.
11 But I counsel that all Yashar'AL be gathered together to you, from Dan even to Ba'ar Shaba, as the sand that is by the sea for multitude, and that you go to battle in your own person.
12 So shall we come on him in one of the places where he shall be found there, and fall on him as the dew falls on the ground, and of him and of all the men who are with him we will not leave even one.
13 Moreover, if he be gone into a city, then shall all Yashar'AL bring ropes to that city, and we will draw it into the river, until there is not one small stone found there."
14 And AB'shalum and all the men of Yashar'AL said, "The counsel of Khusha'ya the Araka'ya is better than the counsel of Akh'ya'thapal." For 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH) had ordained to break the good counsel of Akh'ya'thapal, to the intent that 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH) might bring evil on AB'shalum.
15 Then Khusha'ya said to Tsaduq and to Ab'yathar the ka’ahn’ym (priests), "Akh'ya'thapal counseled AB'shalum and the elders of Yashar'AL that way, and I have counseled this way.
16 Now therefore send quickly and tell Dau'yad, saying, 'Do not lodge this night at the fords of the wilderness, but by all means pass over, lest the king be swallowed up, and all the people who are with him.'"
17 Now Yahu'nathan and Akh'ya'mats remained in Ayan Ragal, and a female servant used to go and inform them, and they went and informed king Dau'yad. For they might not be seen to come into the city.
18 But a boy saw them, and told AB'shalum. Then they both went away quickly, and came to the house of a man in Bakhar'ym, who had a well in his court, and they went down there.
19 And the woman took and spread the covering over the well's mouth, and spread out bruised grain on it, and nothing was known.
20 And AB'shalum's servants came to the woman to the house, and they said, "Where are Akh'ya'mats and Yahu'nathan?" And the woman said to them, "They have gone over the brook of water." When they had sought and could not find them, they returned to Yaru'shalam.
21 And it came to be, after they departed, that they came up out of the well, and went and told king Dau'yad. And they said to Dau'yad, "Arise and pass quickly over the water, for thus has Akh'ya'thapal counseled against you."
22 Then Dau'yad arose, and all the people who were with him, and they passed over the Yardan. By the rising light there lacked not one of them who had not gone over the Yardan.
23 When Akh'ya'thapal saw that his counsel was not followed, he saddled his donkey and arose, and went home to his city, and put his house in order, and hanged himself. And he died, and was buried in the tomb of his father.
24 Then Dau'yad came to Makhana'ym. And AB'shalum passed over the Yardan, he and all the men of Yashar'AL with him.
25 And AB'shalum put Amasha over the army instead of YAHU'AB. Now Amasha was son of a man, whose name was Yathara the Yashar'AL’ya, who went in to Ab'yaga'yal the daughter of Nakhash, sister to Tsaru'Yah, YAHU'AB's mother.
26 And Yashar'AL and AB'shalum encamped in the land of Gal'ad.
27 And it came to be, when Dau'yad was come to Makhana'ym, that Shab’ya son of Nakhash of Rabah of the children of Amun, and Maka'yar son of Am'ya'AL from La-Dabar, and Barzal'ya the Gal'ad’ya of Ragal'ym,
28 brought beds, and basins, and earthen vessels, and wheat, and barley, and meal, and parched grain, and beans, and lentils, and parched grain,
29 and honey, and curds, and sheep, and cheese of the herd, for Dau'yad, and for the people who were with him, to eat: for they said, "The people are hungry and weary and thirsty in the wilderness."
CHAPTER 18
1 And Dau'yad attended the people who were with him, and placed captains of thousands and captains of hundreds over them.
2 And Dau'yad sent forth the people, the third part under the hand of YAHU'AB, and the third part under the hand of Ab'yasha'ya son of Tsaru'Yah, YAHU'AB's brother, and the third part under the hand of Atha'ya the Gath'ya. And the king said to the people, "I will surely go forth with you myself also."
3 But the people said, "You shall not go forth, for if we flee away, they will not place heart toward us, neither if half of us die, will they place heart toward us. But now like ten thousand [of us]. Therefore now it is better that you help us from the city."
4 And the king said to them, "I will do what is good in your eyes.” And the king stood beside the gate, and all the people went out by hundreds and by thousands.
5 And the king commanded YAHU'AB and Ab'yasha'ya and Atha'ya, saying, "Deal gently for my sake with the young man, even with AB'shalum." And all the people heard when the king commanded all the captains concerning AB'shalum.
6 So the people went out into the field against Yashar'AL: And the battle was in the forest of Apara’ym.
7 And the people of Yashar'AL were struck there before the servants of Dau'yad, and there was a great slaughter there that day of twenty thousand.
8 For the battle was there spread over the surface of all the country, and the forest devoured more people that day than the sword devoured.
9 And when AB'shalum met before the face of the servants of Dau'yad, AB'shalum was riding on his mule, and the mule went under the thick boughs of a great oak, and his head caught hold of the oak, and he was taken up between the sky and earth, and the mule that was under him went on.
10 And a certain man saw it, and told YAHU'AB, and said, "Behold, I saw AB'shalum hanging in an oak."
11 And YAHU'AB said to the man who told him, "Behold, you saw it, and why did you not strike him there to the ground? I would have given you ten silver and a belt.”
12 And the man said to YAHU'AB, "Though I should receive a thousand pieces of silver in my hand, I still would not put forth my hand against the king's son, for in our hearing the king commanded you and Ab'yasha'ya and Atha'ya, saying, 'Beware that none touch the youth AB'shalum.'
13 Or if I had dealt falsely against my being, against his being, and there is no matter hidden from the king, then you yourself would have placed yourself against me."
14 Then YAHU'AB said, “Thus I will not linger with you.” And he took three darts in his hand, and thrust them through the heart of AB'shalum, while he was yet living in the midst of the oak.
15 And ten young men who bore armor of YAHU'AB armor surrounded and struck AB'shalum, and killed him.
16 And YAHU'AB blew the ram’s horn, and the people returned from pursuing after Yashar'AL, for YAHU'AB held back the people.
17 And they took AB'shalum, and cast him into the great pit in the forest, and placed over him a very great heap of stones. Then all Yashar'AL fled everyone to his tent.
18 Now AB'shalum in his khaYah (life) had taken and reared up for himself the pillar, which is in the king's valley, for he said, "I have no son to keep my name in memory." And he called the pillar after his own name, and it is called Hand of AB'shalum, to this day.
19 Then Akh'ya'mats son of Tsaduq said, "Let me now run, and bear the king news, how Hand of 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH) has avenged Him of His enemies."
20 And YAHU'AB said to him, "You shall not be the bearer of news this day, but you shall bear news another day. But today you shall bear no news, because the king's son is dead."
21 Then YAHU'AB said to the Kush'ya, "Go tell the king what you have seen!" And the Kush'ya bowed himself to YAHU'AB, and ran.
22 Then Akh'ya'mats son of Tsaduq said yet again to YAHU'AB, "But come what may, please let me also run after the Kush'ya." And YAHU'AB said, "Why do you want to run, my son, since that you will have no reward for the news?"
23 "But come what may," he said, "I will run." He said to him, "Run!" Then Akh'ya'mats ran by the way of the Plain, and outran the Kush'ya.
24 Now Dau'yad sat between the two gates: and the watchman went up to the roof of the gate to the wall, and lifted up his eyes, and looked and, behold, a man running alone.
25 And the watchman cried, and told the king. And the king said, "If he is alone, there is news in his mouth." And he came closer and closer.
26 And the watchman saw another man running, and the watchman called to the porter and said, "Behold, a man running alone!" And the king said, "He also brings news."
27 And the watchman said, "I think the running of the first one is like the running of Akh'ya'mats son of Tsaduq." And the king said, "He is a good man and comes with good news."
28 And Akh'ya'mats called and said to the king, "All is well." And he bowed himself before the king with his face to the earth and said, "Baruk Be 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH) Your ALUAH, who has given up the men who lifted up their hand against my sovereign the king!"
29 And the king said, "Is it well with the young man AB'shalum?" And Akh'ya'mats answered, "When YAHU'AB sent the king's servant, even me your servant, I saw a great tumult, but I do not know what it was."
30 And the king said, "Turn aside and stand here." And he turned aside and stood still.
31 Behold, the Kush'ya came. And the Kush'ya said, "News for my sovereign the king, for 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH) has avenged you this day of all those who rose up against you."
32 And the king said to the Kush'ya, "Is it well with the young man AB'shalum?" And the Kush'ya answered, "May the enemies of my sovereign the king, and all who rise up against you to do you harm, be as that young man is."
33 And the king was much moved, and went up to the room over the gate, and wept. As he went, he said, "My son AB'shalum! My son, my son AB'shalum! If only I was dead, given your place, AB'shalum! My son, my son!"
CHAPTER 19
1 And it was told YAHU'AB, "Behold, the king weeps and mourns for AB'shalum."
2 So the saving that day was turned into mourning to all the people, for the people heard it said that day, "The king grieves for his son."
3 And the people snuck into the city that day, as people who are ashamed steal away when they flee in battle.
4 And the king covered his face, and the king cried with a loud voice, "My son AB'shalum, AB'shalum, my son, my son!"
5 And YAHU'AB came into the house to the king, and said, "You have shamed this day the faces of all your servants, who this day have saved your being, and the being of your sons and of your daughters, and the being of your wives, and the being of your concubines,
6 in that you love those who hate you, and hate those who love you. For you have declared this day, that princes and servants are nothing to you. For today I perceive that if AB'shalum had dwelled, and all we had died this day, then it would have pleased you well.
7 Now therefore arise, go out, and speak to comfort your servants, for I swear by 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH), if you do not go out, not a man will stay with you this night. And that is worse to you than all the evil that has happened to you from your youth until now."
8 Then the king arose and sat in the gate. And they told to all the people, saying, "Behold, the king sits in the gate." And all the people came before the king. Now Yashar'AL had fled every man to his tent.
9 And all the people were at strife in all the tribes of Yashar'AL, saying, "The king rescued us out of the hand of our enemies, and he saved us out of the hand of the Palash'tha'ym, and now he has fled out of the land from AB'shalum.
10 And AB'shalum, whom we anointed over us, is dead in battle. Now therefore why do you not speak a word of bringing the king back?"
11 And King Dau'yad sent to Tsaduq and to Ab'yathar the ka’ahn’ym (priests), saying, "Speak to the elders of Yahudah, saying, 'Why are you the last to bring the king back to his house? Since the speech of all Yashar'AL has come to the king, to return him to his house.
12 You are my brothers, you are my bone and my flesh. Why then are you the last to bring back the king?'
13 And say to Amasha, 'Are you not my bone and my flesh? ALUAH do so to me, and more also, if you are not captain of the army before me continually in the room of YAHU'AB.'"
14 And he bowed the heart of all the men of Yahudah, even as one man, so that they sent to the king, saying, "Return, you and all your servants."
15 So the king returned, and came to the Yardan. And Yahudah came to Gal'gal, to go to meet the king, to bring the king over the Yardan.
16 And Shama'ya son of Gara, the Ban Ha’Yama’yan’ya, who was of Bakhar'ym, hurried and came down with the men of Yahudah to meet king Dau'yad.
17 And there were a thousand men of Ban'yaman with him, and Tsa'yaba the servant of the house of Sha'ul, and his fifteen sons and his twenty servants with him, and they went through the Yardan to the face of the king.
18 And a ford went to bring over the king's household, and to do what was good in his eyes. And Shama'ya son of Gara fell down before the king, when he was come over the Yardan.
19 And he said to the king, “Let not my sovereign impute iniquity to me, neither do you remember that which your servant did perversely the day that my sovereign the king went out of Yaru'shalam, that the king should take it to his heart.
20 For your servant knows that I have transgressed. Therefore behold, I have come this day the first of all the house of Yahu'sap to go down to meet my sovereign the king."
21 But Ab'yasha'ya son of Tsaru'Yah answered, "Shall Shama'ya not be put to death for this, because he cursed the anointed of 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH)?"
22 And Dau'yad said, "What have I to do with you, you sons of Tsaru'Yah, that you should this day be adversaries to me? Shall there any man be put to death this day in Yashar'AL? For don't I know that I am this day king over Yashar'AL?"
23 And the king said to Shama'ya, "You shall not die." And the king swore to him.
24 And Map'ya Bashath son of Sha'ul came down to meet the king, and he had neither groomed his feet, nor trimmed his beard, nor washed his clothes, from the day the king departed until the day he came home in shalum (peace).
25 And it came to be, when he came to Yaru'shalam to meet the king, that the king said to him, "Why did you not go with me, Map'ya Bashath?"
26 And he answered, "My sovereign, O king, my servant deceived me. For your servant said, I will saddle me a donkey, that I may ride thereon, and go with the king, because your servant is lame.
27 And he slandered your servant to my sovereign the king, but my sovereign the king is as a messenger of ALUAH. Do therefore what is good in your eyes.
28 For all my father's house were but dead men before my sovereign the king, yet you set your servant among those who ate at your own table. What right therefore have I yet that I should cry any more to the king?"
29 And the king said to him, "Why do you speak any more of your matters? I say, you and Tsa'yaba divide the land."
30 And Map'ya Bashath said to the king, “Indeed, let him take all, because my sovereign the king has come in shalum (peace) to his own house."
31 And Barzal'ya the Gal'ad’ya came down from Ragal'ym, and he went over the Yardan with the king, to conduct him over the Yardan.
32 Now Barzal'ya was a very aged man, even eighty years old: and he had provided the king with sustenance while he lay at Makhana'ym, for he was a very great man.
33 And the king said to Barzal'ya, "Come over with me, and I will sustain you with me in Yaru'shalam."
34 And Barzal'ya said to the king, "How many are the days of the years of my khaYah (life), that I should go up with the king to Yaru'shalam?
35 I am today eighty years old. Can I discern between good and bad? Can your servant taste what I eat or what I drink? Can I hear any more the voice of singing men and singing women? Why then should your servant be yet a burden to my sovereign the king?
36 Your servant would but just go over the Yardan with the king. Why should the king repay me with such a reward?
37 Please let your servant turn back again, that I may die in my own city, by the grave of my father and my mother. But behold, your servant Kama'ahm, let him go over with my sovereign the king, and do to him what is good in your eyes.”
38 And the king answered, "Kama'ahm shall go over with me, and I will do to him what is good in your eyes. Whatever you require of me, that I will do for you."
39 And all the people went over the Yardan, and the king went over. Then the king kissed Barzal'ya, and Barak him, and he returned to his own place.
40 So the king went over to Gal'gal, and Kama'ahm went over with him. And all the people of Yahudah brought the king over, and also half the people of Yashar'AL.
41 Behold, all the men of Yashar'AL came to the king, and said to the king, "Why have our brothers the men of Yahudah stolen you away, and brought the king, and his household, over the Yardan, and all Dau'yad's men with him?"
42 And all the men of Yahudah answered the men of Yashar'AL, "Because the king is close to us. Why then are you angry about this matter? Have we eaten at all at the king's cost? Or has he given us any gift?"
43 And the men of Yashar'AL answered the men of Yahudah and said, "We have ten parts in the king, and we have also more claim to Dau'yad than you. Why then did you despise us, that our advice should not be first had in bringing back our king?" But the words of the men of Yahudah were fiercer than the words of the men of Yashar'AL.
CHAPTER 20
1 And there came to be there a man of wickedness, whose name was Shaba, son of Bakar'ya, a man of Yama’yan’ya: And he sounded the ram’s horn and said, "We have no portion in Dau'yad, neither have we inheritance in son of Yasha'ya. Every man to his tents, Yashar'AL!"
2 So all the men of Yashar'AL went up from following Dau'yad, and followed Shaba son of Bakar'ya, but the men of Yahudah joined with their king, from the Yardan even to Yaru'shalam.
3 And Dau'yad came to his house at Yaru'shalam, and the king took the ten women his concubines, whom he had left to keep the house, and put them in guarded house, and provided them with sustenance, but did not go in to them. So they were shut up to the day of their death, living in widowhood.
4 Then the king said to Amasha, "Call me the men of Yahudah together within three days, and be standing here."
5 So Amasha went to assemble Yahudah, but he stayed longer than the appointed time which he had appointed him.
6 And Dau'yad said to Ab'yasha'ya, "Now Shaba son of Bakar'ya will do us more harm than did AB'shalum. Take your sovereign's servants, and pursue after him, lest he get himself fortified cities, and escape out of our sight."
7 And there went out after him YAHU'AB's men, and the Karath'ya and the Palath'ya, and all the mighty men, and they went out of Yaru'shalam, to pursue after Shaba son of Bakar'ya.
8 When they were at the great stone which is in Gaba'un, Amasha came to meet them. And YAHU'AB was clothed in his apparel of war that he had put on, and on it was a belt with a sword fastened on his waist in its sheath, and as he went forth, it fell out.
9 And YAHU'AB said to Amasha, "Is it well with you, my brother?" And YAHU'AB took Amasha by the beard with his right hand to kiss him.
10 But Amasha took no heed to the sword that was in YAHU'AB's hand. So he struck him with it in the body, and shed out his inward parts to the ground, and did not strike him again, and he died. And YAHU'AB and Ab'yasha'ya his brother pursued after Shaba son of Bakar'ya.
11 And there stood by him one of YAHU'AB's young men, and said, "He who favors YAHU'AB, and he who is for Dau'yad, let him follow YAHU'AB!"
12 And Amasha lay rolling in his blood in the midst of the highway. And when the man saw that all the people stood still, he carried Amasha out of the highway into the field, and cast a garment over him, when he saw that everyone who came by him stood still.
13 And when he was removed out of the highway, all the people went on after YAHU'AB, to pursue after Shaba son of Bakar'ya.
14 And he went through all the tribes of Yashar'AL to Abal'ah, and to Bayath Makah, and all the Bar’ym: and they were gathered together, and went also after him.
15 And they came and besieged him in Abal'ah of Bayath Makah, and they cast up a mound against the city, and it stood against the rampart, and all the people who were with YAHU'AB battered the wall, to throw it down.
16 Then a discerned woman cried out of the city, "Hear, hear! Please say to YAHU'AB, 'Come near here, that I may speak with you.'"
17 And he came near to her, and the woman said, "Are you YAHU'AB?" And he answered, "I am." Then she said to him, "Hear the words of your handmaid." And he answered, "I do listen.”
18 Then she spoke, saying, "They often spoke in old times, 'They shall surely ask counsel in Abal,’ and so they settled it.
19 I am among those who are shalam’ya (peaceable) and trustworthy in Yashar'AL. You seek to destroy a city and a mother in Yashar'AL. Why will you swallow up the inheritance of 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH)?"
20 And YAHU'AB answered, "Far be it, far be it from me, that I should swallow up or destroy.
21 And the matter is not so. But a man of the mountain of Apara’ym, Shaba son of Bakar'ya by name, has lifted up his hand against the king, even against Dau'yad. Give him only, and I will depart from the city." And the woman said to YAHU'AB, "Behold, his head shall be thrown to you over the wall."
22 Then the woman went to all the people in her discernment. And they cut off the head of Shaba son of Bakar'ya, and threw it out to YAHU'AB. And he sounded the ram’s horn, and they were dispersed from the city, every man to his tent. And YAHU'AB returned to Yaru'shalam to the king.
23 Now YAHU'AB was over all the army of Yashar'AL, and Ban'Yahu son of Yahu'yada was over the Karath'ya and over the Palath'ya,
24 and Adaram was over the men subject to forced labor, and Yahu'shapat son of Akh'ya'lud was the recorder,
25 and Shua was scribe, and Tsaduq and Ab'yathar were ka’ahn’ym (priests),
26 and also Ayara (Uh’yara) the Yara’ya was ka’ahn (priest) to Dau'yad.
CHAPTER 21
1 And there was a famine in the days of Dau'yad three years, year after year, and Dau'yad sought the face of 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH). And 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH) said, “Because of Sha'ul, and for his bloody house, because he put to death the Gaba'an'ym."
2 And the king called the Gaba'an'ym, and said to them, now the Gaba'an'ym were not of the children of Yashar'AL, but of the remnant of the Amar’ya, and the children of Yashar'AL had sworn to them: and Sha'ul sought to kill them in his zeal for the children of Yashar'AL and Yahudah,
3 and Dau'yad said to the Gaba'an'ym, "What shall I do for you? And with what shall I make atonement, that you may Barak the inheritance of 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH)?"
4 And the Gaba'an'ym said to him, "It is no matter of silver or gold between us and Sha'ul, or his house, neither is it for us to put any man to death in Yashar'AL." And he said, "Whatever you say, that will I do for you."
5 And they said to the king, "The man who consumed us, and who devised against us, that we should be destroyed from remaining in any of the borders of Yashar'AL,
6 let seven men of his sons be given to us, and we will hang them up to 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH) in Gaba'tha of Sha'ul, the chosen of 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH)." And the king said, "I will give them."
7 But the king spared Map'ya Bashath, son of Yahu'nathan son of Sha'ul, because of 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH)'s oath that was between them, between Dau'yad and Yahu'nathan son of Sha'ul.
8 But the king took the two sons of Ratsa'pah daughter of A'Yah, whom she bore to Sha'ul, Arman'ya and Map'ya Bashath, and five sons of Mayakal daughter of Sha'ul, whom she bore to Adar'ya'AL son of Barzal'ya the Makhal’tha’ya.
9 And he gave them into the hands of the Gaba'an'ym, and they hanged them in the mountain before 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH), and all seven of them fell together. And they were put to death in the days of harvest, in the firsts, at the beginning of barley harvest.
10 And Ratsa'pah daughter of A'Yah took sackcloth, and spread it for her on the rock, from the beginning of harvest until water was poured on them from the sky. And she allowed neither the birds of the sky to rest on them by day, nor the animals of the field by night.
11 And it was informed Dau'yad what Ratsa'pah daughter of A'Yah, the concubine of Sha'ul, had done.
12 And Dau'yad went and took the bones of Sha'ul and the bones of Yahu'nathan his son from the men of Yaba'yash Gal'ad, who had stolen them from the street of Bayath Shan, where the Palash'tha'ym had hanged them, in the day that the Palash'tha'ym killed Sha'ul in Gal'ba,
13 and he brought up from there the bones of Sha'ul and the bones of Yahu'nathan his son: and they gathered the bones of those who were hanged.
14 And they buried the bones of Sha'ul and Yahu'nathan his son in the country of Ban'yaman in Tsala, in the tomb of Qayash his father: and they performed all that the king commanded. And after that ALUAH answered for the land.
15 And the Palash'tha'ym had war again with Yashar'AL, and Dau'yad went down, and his servants with him, and fought against the Palash'tha'ym. And Dau'yad grew faint,
16 and Ya’shabu Banab, who was of the sons of the giant, the weight of whose spear was three hundred shaqal of bronze in weight, he armed with a new, thought to have slain Dau'yad.
17 But Ab'yasha'ya son of Tsaru'Yah helped him, and struck the Palash’tha’ya, and killed him. Then the men of Dau'yad swore to him, saying, "You shall go no more out with us to battle, that you quench not the lamp of Yashar'AL."
18 And it came to pass after this, that there was again war with the Palash'tha'ym in Gub (Goob): Then Sabak'ya the Kha'shath'ya killed Sap, who was offsprings of a giant.
19 And there was again war with the Palash'tha'ym at Gub, and AL'khanan son of Yar’ya Arga’ym the Bayath Lakham’ya killed Gal'yath the Gath'ya, the staff of whose spear was like a weaver's beam.
20 And there was again war at Gath, where there was a man of great stature, who had on every hand six fingers, and on every foot six toes, four and twenty in number, and he also was born from the giant.
21 And when he defied Yashar'AL, Yahu'nathan son of Shama'ya, brother of Dau'yad, killed him.
22 These four were born to the giant in Gath, and they fell by the hand of Dau'yad, and by the hand of his servants.
CHAPTER 22
1 And Dau'yad spoke to 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH) the words of this song in the day that 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH) rescued him out of the hand of all his enemies, and out of the hand of Sha'ul:
2and he said, "𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH) Is My Rock, My fortress, And My Rescuer,
3 ALUAH, My rock, in Him I will take refuge, My shield, and the horn of My rescuing, My high tower, and My refuge. My Savior, You save me from violence.
4 I will call on 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH), who is worthy to be praised: So shall I be saved from my enemies.
5 For the waves of death surrounded me. The floods of wickedness made me afraid.
6 The cords of Sha'ul were around me. The snares of death caught me.
7 In my distress I called on 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH), and to My ALUAH I cried out. And He heard my voice out of his Hayakal. And my cry into his ears.
8 Then the earth shook and trembled. The foundations of the shama'ym quaked and were shaken, because He was angry.
9 Smoke went up out of His nostrils. Fire out of His mouth devoured. Coals were kindled by it.
10 And He bowed the shama'ym also and came down. Thick darkness was under His feet.
11 And He rode on a karub and flew, and He was seen on the wings of the wind.
12 And He made darkness pavilions around Himself: gathering of waters, and thick clouds of the skies.
13 At the brightness before Him, coals of fire were kindled.
14 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH) thundered from shama'ym. And The Most High uttered His voice.
15 And He sent out arrows, and scattered them, lightning, and confused them.
16 Then the channels of the sea appeared. The foundations of the world were laid bare by the rebuke of 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH), at the blast of the breath of His nostrils.
17 He sent from on high and He took me. He drew me out of many waters.
18 He rescued me from my strong enemy, from those who hated me, for they were too mighty for me.
19 They came on me in the day of my calamity, but 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH) was my support.
20 He also brought me out into a large place. He saved me, because he delighted in me.
21 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH) rewarded me according to my righteousness. He rewarded me according to the cleanness of my hands.
22 For I have kept the ways of 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH), and have not wickedly departed from My ALUAH.
23 For all His ordinances were before me. As for His statutes, I did not depart from them.
24 I was also complete toward Him. I kept myself from my iniquity.
25 Therefore 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH) has rewarded me according to my righteousness, according to my cleanness to His Eyes.
26 With the kind You will show Yourself kind. With a complete warrior You will show Yourself complete.
27 With the pure You will show Yourself pure. With the crooked You will show Yourself shrewd.
28 You will save the afflicted people, but Your eyes are on the haughty, that You may bring them down.
29 For You are my lamp, O 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH). And 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH) will light up my darkness.
30 For by You, I run against a troop. By my ALUAH, I leap over a wall.
31 As for AL, His Way is complete. The Word of 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH) is proven. He is a shield to all those who take refuge in Him.
32 For who is AL, besides 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH)? Who Is A Rock, Besides Our ALUAH?
33 THE AL is my strong fortress. He makes my way complete.
34 He makes his feet like hinds and places me on my high places.
35 He teaches my hands to war, so that my arms bend a bow of bronze.
36 And You have also given me the shield of Your rescuing. Your gentleness has made me great.
37 You have enlarged my steps under me. My feet have not slipped.
38 I have pursued my enemies and destroyed them. I did not turn again until they were consumed.
39 And I have consumed and struck them through, so that they cannot arise. And they have fallen under my feet.
40 For you have armed me with strength for the battle. You have subdued under me those who rose up against me.
41 And You have also made my enemies turn their backs to me, that I might cut off those who hate me.
42 They looked, but there was none to save, even to 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH), but He did not answer them.
43 Then I beat them as small as the dust of the earth. I crushed them as the mire of the streets, and spread them abroad.
44 You also have rescued me from the strivings of my people. You have kept me to be the head of the nations. A people whom I have not known will serve me.
45 Sons of the foreigners will submit themselves to me. As soon as they hear of me, they will obey me.
46 Sons of the foreigners will fade away, and will come trembling out of their close places.
47𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH) Abides! And Baruk Be My Rock! Exalted Be ALUAH, The Rock Of My Rescue!
48 THE AL who executes vengeance for me, who brings down peoples under me,
49 who brings me away from my enemies. And You lift me up above those who rise up against me. You rescue me from the violent man.
50Therefore I will give thanks to You, O 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH), among the nations. And I will sing praises to Your Name.
51 He gives great rescue to His king, and shows loving kindness to His anointed, to Dau'yad and to his seed, forevermore."
CHAPTER 23
1 Now these are the last words of Dau'yad. Dau'yad son of Yasha'ya says, the man who was raised on high says, the anointed of the ALUAH of Ya'aqab, the sweet singer of Yashar'AL:
2 "THE RUKH OF 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH) spoke by me, and His word was on my tongue.
3 The ALUAH OF Yashar'AL said, The Rock of Yashar'AL spoke to me, 'One who rules over men righteously, who rules in the fear of ALUAH,
4 shall be as the light of the rising, when the sun rises, a rising without clouds, when the tender grass springs out of the earth, through clear shining after rain.'
5 Although my house is not so with AL, yet He has made with me an everlasting Bar’yath (covenant), ordered in all, and sure, for it is all my rescue, and all desire, although He does not make it grow.
6 But all of the worthless shall be as thorns to be thrust away, because they cannot be taken with the hand,
7 But the man who touches them must be armed with iron and the staff of a spear. They shall be utterly burned with fire in their place."
8 These are the names of the mighty men whom Dau'yad had: Yashab Ba’Shabath a Tha’khakam’na’ya, chief of the captains, the same was Ada'yanu the Atsan’ya, against eight hundred slain at one time.
9 And after him was AL'azar son of Dadu son of an Akh’kha’ya, one of the three mighty men with Dau'yad, when they defied the Palash'tha'ym who were there gathered together to battle, and the men of Yashar'AL were gone away.
10 He arose, and struck the Palash'tha'ym until his hand was weary, and his hand froze to the sword, and 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH) worked a great rescue that day, and the people returned after him only to take spoil.
11And after him was Shama son of Aga, a Harara’ya. And the Palash'tha'ym were gathered together into a troop, where there was a plot of ground full of lentils, and the people fled from the Palash'tha'ym.
12 But he stood in the midst of the plot, and defended it, and killed the Palash'tha'ym, and 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH) worked a great rescue.
13 And three of the thirty chief men went down, and came to Dau'yad in the harvest time to the cave of Adalam, and the troop of the Palash'tha'ym was encamped in the valley of Rapa'ym.
14 And Dau'yad was then in the stronghold, and the garrison of the Palash'tha'ym was then in Bayath Lakham.
15 And Dau'yad longed and said, "Oh that one would give me water to drink of the well of Bayath Lakham, which is by the gate!"
16 And the three mighty men broke through the army of the Palash'tha'ym, and drew water out of the well of Bayath Lakham, that was by the gate, and took it, and brought it to Dau'yad: but he would not drink of it, but poured it out to 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH).
17 And he said, "Be it far from me, O 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH), that I should do this! Is it not the blood of the men who went in jeopardy of their beings?" Therefore he would not drink it. The three mighty men did these.
18 And Ab'yasha'ya, brother of YAHU'AB, son of Tsaru'Yah, was chief of the three. And he lifted up his spear against three hundred and killed them, and had a name among the three.
19 Was he not most esteemed of the three? Therefore he was made their captain: however he did not come to the three.
20 And Ban'Yahu son of Yahu'yada, son of a valiant man from Qabats’AL, who had done mighty deeds, he killed the two lion-like men of Mu'ab: he went down also and killed a lion in the midst of a pit in time of snow.
21 And he killed a Matsara’ya, a spectacular man: and the Matsara’ya had a spear in his hand, but he went down to him with a staff, and plucked the spear out of the hand of the Ma’tsara’yma, and killed him with his own spear.
22 These did Ban'Yahu son of Yahu'yada, and had a name among the three mighty men.
23 He was more esteemed than the thirty, but he did not come to the three. And Dau'yad placed him over his guard.
24 Ashah'AL the brother of YAHU'AB was in the thirty, AL'khanan son of Dadu of Bayath Lakham,
25 Shamah the Kharad’ya, AL’yaqa the Kharad’ya,
26 Kha’lats the Palat’ya, Ayara son of Aqash the Thaqua’ya,
27 Ab’ya’azar the Ana’thath’ya, Maban’ya the Kha'shath'ya,
28 Tsal’mun (Tsal’moon) the Akh’kha’ya, Ma’ahr’ya the Natap’tha’ya,
29 Khalab son of Banah the Natap’tha’ya, Atha'ya son of Rayab’ya of Gaba'tha of the children of Ban'yaman,
30 Ban'Yahu a Parathan’ya, Had’ya from brooks of Gash.
31 Ab’ya Al’bun (Uhl’boon) the Arba’tha’ya, Aza’muth the Barakh’am’ya,
32 AL’ya’khaba the Shal’ban’ya, sons of Yashan, Yahu'nathan,
33 Shamah the Harara’ya, Akh’yam son of Sharar the Arara’ya,
34 AL’ya’palat son of Akh’sab’ya, son of the Makath’ya, AL'ya'am son of Akh'ya'thapal the Galan’ya*,
*Note the Masoretic difference from 2 Shamu’AL 15:12
35 Kha’tsar’u the Karmal'ya, Par’ya the Arba’ya,
36 Yag’AL son of Nathan of Tsu'bah, Ban’ya the Gad’ya,
37 Tsalaq the Aman’ya, Nakhar’ya the Ba’ar'tha'ya, armor bearers to YAHU'AB son of Tsaru'Yah,
38 Ayara the Yathara’ya, Garab the Yathara’ya,
39 Aura'Yah the Khath'ya: All thirty and seven.
CHAPTER 24
1 Again the anger of 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH) was kindled against Yashar'AL, and He moved Dau'yad against them, saying, "Go, number Yashar'AL and Yahudah."
2 And the king said to YAHU'AB the captain of the army, who was with him, "Now go back and forth through all the tribes of Yashar'AL, from Dan even to Ba'ar Shaba, and number the people, that I may know the sum of the people."
3 And YAHU'AB said to the king, "Now may 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH) Your ALUAH add to the people, however many they may be, one hundred times, and may the eyes of my sovereign the king see it. But why does my sovereign the king delight in this word?”
4 Notwithstanding, the king's word prevailed against YAHU'AB, and against the captains of the army. And YAHU'AB and the captains of the army went of the face of the king, to number the people of Yashar'AL.
5 And they passed over the Yardan, and encamped in Aru’ar, on the right side of the city that is in the middle of the valley of Gad, and to Yazar:
6 then they came to Gal'ad, and to the land of Tha’khath’ym Kha’dash’ya, and they came to Danah Yan, and around to Tsa’yadun (Tsa’ya’doon),
7 and came to the stronghold of Tsar, and to all the cities of the Khu'ya, and of the Kanan'ya, and they went out to the south of Yahudah: Ba'ar Shaba.
8 So when they had gone back and forth through all the land, they came to Yaru'shalam at the end of nine months and twenty days.
9 And YAHU'AB gave up the sum of the numbering of the people to the king: and there were in Yashar'AL eight hundred thousand valiant men who drew the sword, and the men of Yahudah were five hundred thousand men.
10 And the heart of Dau'yad struck him after that he had numbered the people. And Dau'yad said to 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH), "I have transgressed greatly in that which I have done. But now, 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH), put away, I beg you, the iniquity of your servant, for I have done very foolishly."
11 When Dau'yad rose up in the rising, the word of 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH) came to the nab’ya (prophet) Gad, Dau'yad's seer, saying,
12"Go and speak to Dau'yad, 'Thus says 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH), "I offer you three. Choose one of them, that I may do to you.”
13 So Gad came to Dau'yad, and told him, and said to him, "Shall seven years of famine come to you in your land? Or will you flee three months before your foes while they pursue you? Or shall there be three days' pestilence in your land? Now answer, and consider what answer I shall return to Him who sent me."
14 And Dau'yad said to Gad, "I am in distress. Let us fall now into the hand of 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH), for His compassions are great. But let me not fall into the hand of man."
15 So 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH) sent a pestilence on Yashar'AL from the rising even to the appointed time, and there died of the people from Dan even to Ba'ar Shaba seventy thousand men.
16 When the messenger stretched out his hand toward Yaru'shalam to destroy it, 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH) relented of the disaster, and said to the messenger who destroyed the people, "It is enough. Now stay your hand." And the messenger of 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH) was by the threshing floor of Ha’Arunah the Yabas’ya.
17 And Dau'yad spoke to 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH) when he saw the messenger who struck the people, and said, "Behold, I have transgressed, and I have done perversely, but these sheep, what have they done? Please, let Your hand be against me, and against my father's house."
18 And Gad came that day to Dau'yad, and said to him, "Go up, build an altar to 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH) on the threshing floor of Arunah the Yabas’ya.”
19 And Dau'yad went up according to the saying of Gad, as 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH) commanded.
20 And Arunah looked and saw the king and his servants coming on toward him. Then Arunah went out, and bowed himself before the king with his face to the ground.
21 And Arunah said, "Why has my sovereign the king come to his servant?" And Dau'yad said, "To buy your threshing floor, to build an altar to 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH), that the plague may be stopped from afflicting the people."
22 And Arunah said to Dau'yad, "Let my sovereign the king take and offer up what is good in his eyes. Behold, the cattle for the burnt offering, and the threshing instruments and the yokes of the oxen for the wood:
23 All these, the king, does Arunah give to the king." Arunah said to the king, "May 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH) Your ALUAH accept you."
24 And the king said to Arunah, "No, but I will most certainly buy it from you for a price. I will not offer burnt offerings to 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH) My ALUAH without cost.” So Dau'yad bought the threshing floor and the oxen for fifty shaqal'ym of silver.
25 And Dau'yad built an altar to 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH) there, and offered burnt offerings and shalam’ym (peace) offerings. So 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH) was entreated for the land, and the plague was held back from Yashar'AL.