Absalom's Conspiracy

2 Samuel 15

Abessalom quietly wins the loyalty of Israel at the city gate and then has himself proclaimed king at Chebron, forcing David to flee Jerusalem on foot with his household and loyal men, while sending the priests and the ark back to the city and placing his friend Chusi as a secret informant among the conspirators.

About these editions

The Septuagint (LXX) in Greek, with Charles Thomson’s 1808 and Sir Lancelot Brenton’s 1851 English translations, set beside the King James Version and the Jewish Masoretic text (JPS 1917) where they align, so you can compare the Greek and the Hebrew. All public domain; choose which to show with the controls above.

Thomson 1808Septuagint

Brenton 1851Septuagint

Greek · BrentonSeptuagint

KJV 1769Masoretic

JPS 1917Masoretic

ThomsonAND after this, Abessalom procured for himself chariots, and horses, and fifty men to run before him.

BrentonAnd it came to pass after this that Abessalom prepared for himself chariots and horses, and fifty men to run before him.

GreekΚαὶ ἐγένετο μετὰ ταῦτα καὶ ἐποίησεν ἑαυτῷ Ἀβεσσαλὼμ ἅρματα, καὶ ἵππους, καὶ πεντήκοντα ἄνδρας παρατρέχειν ἔμπροσθεν αὐτοῦ.

KJVAnd it came to pass after this, that Absalom prepared him chariots and horses, and fifty men to run before him.

JPSAnd it came to pass after this, that Absalom prepared him a chariot and horses, and fifty men to run before him.

ThomsonAnd Abessalom rose early in the morning, and took his stand at the place where the road turned off to the gate. And when any man who had a controversy came to the king for judgment, Abessalom called to him, and said, Of what city art thou? And when he said, Thy servant is of such a one of the tribes of Israel,

BrentonAnd Abessalom rose early, and stood by the side of the way of the gate: and it came to pass that every man who had a cause, came to the king for judgment, and Abessalom cried to him, and said to him, Of what city art thou? And he said, Thy servant is of one of the tribes of Israel.

GreekΚαὶ ὤρθρισεν Ἀβεσσαλὼμ, καὶ ἔστη ἀνὰ χεῖρα τῆς ὁδοῦ τῆς πύλης· καὶ ἐγένετο πᾶς ἀνὴρ ᾧ ἐγένετο κρίσις, ἦλθε πρὸς τὸν βασιλέα εἰς κρίσιν, καὶ ἐβόησε πρὸς αὐτὸν Ἀβεσσαλὼμ, καὶ ἔλεγεν αὐτῷ, ἐκ ποίας πόλεως σὺ εἶ; καὶ εἶπεν, ἐκ μιᾶς φυλῶν Ἰσραὴλ ὁ δοῦλός σου.

KJVAnd Absalom rose up early, and stood beside the way of the gate: and it was so, that when any man that had a controversy came to the king for judgment, then Absalom called unto him, and said, Of what city art thou? And he said, Thy servant is of one of the tribes of Israel.

JPSAnd Absalom used to rise up early, and stand 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 Absalom called unto him, and said: ‘Of what city art thou?’ And he said: ‘Thy servant is of one of the tribes of Israel.’

ThomsonAbessalom said to him, Behold thy cause is good, and easily determined, but there is none appointed by the king to hear thee.

BrentonAnd Abessalom said to him, See, thy affairs are right and clear, yet thou hast no one appointed of the king to hear thee.

GreekΚαὶ εἶπε πρὸς αὐτὸν ὁ Ἀβεσσαλὼμ, ἰδοὺ οἱ λόγοι σου ἀγαθοὶ καὶ εὔκολοι, καὶ ὁ ἀκούων οὐκ ἔστι σοι παρὰ τοῦ βασιλέως.

KJVAnd Absalom said unto him, See, thy matters are good and right; but there is no man deputed of the king to hear thee.

JPSAnd Absalom said unto him: ‘See, thy matters are good and right; but there is no man deputed of the king to hear thee.’

ThomsonThen would Abessalom say, O that they would make me a judge in the land! In that case if any man had a defense to make, or a suit to prosecute, and would come to me, I would do him justice.

BrentonAnd Abessalom said, O that one would make me a judge in the land; then every man who had a dispute or a cause would come to me, and I would judge him!

GreekΚαὶ εἶπεν Ἀβεσσαλὼμ, τίς με καταστήσει κριτὴν ἐν τῇ γῇ, καὶ ἐπʼ ἐμὲ ἐλεύσεται πᾶς ἀνὴρ ᾧ ἐὰν ᾖ ἀντιλογία καὶ κρίσις, καὶ δικαιώσω αὐτόν;

KJVAbsalom said moreover, Oh that I were made judge in the land, that every man which hath any suit or cause might come unto me, and I would do him justice!

JPSAbsalom said moreover: ‘Oh that I were made judge in the land, that every man who hath any suit or cause might come unto me, and I would do him justice! ’

ThomsonAnd when any man came to make obeisance to him, he stretched forth his hand, and took him, and kissed him.

BrentonAnd it came to pass when a man came near to do him obeisance, that he stretched out his hand, and took hold of him, and kissed him.

GreekΚαὶ ἐγένετο ἐν τῷ ἐγγίζειν ἄνδρα τοῦ προσκυνῆσαι αὐτῷ, καὶ ἐξέτεινε τὴν χεῖρα αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἐπελαμβάνετο αὐτοῦ, καὶ κατεφίλησεν αὐτόν.

KJVAnd it was so, that when any man came nigh to him to do him obeisance, he put forth his hand, and took him, and kissed him.

JPSAnd it was so, that when any man came nigh to prostrate himself before him, he put forth his hand, and took hold of him, and kissed him.

ThomsonIn this manner Abessalom acted to all Israel who were coming to the king for judgment, so that Abessalom won the hearts of the men of Israel.

BrentonAnd Abessalom did after this manner to all Israel that came to the king for judgment; and Abessalom gained the hearts of the men of Israel.

GreekΚαὶ ἐποίησεν Ἀβεσσαλὼμ κατὰ τὸ ῥῆμα τοῦτο παντὶ Ἰσραὴλ τοῖς παραγινομένοις εἰς κρίσιν πρὸς τὸν βασιλέα, καὶ ἰδιοποιεῖτο Ἀβεσσαλὼμ τὴν καρδίαν ἀνδρῶν Ἰσραήλ.

KJVAnd on this manner did Absalom to all Israel that came to the king for judgment: so Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel.

JPSAnd on this manner did Absalom to all Israel that came to the king for judgment; so Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel.

ThomsonAnd at the end of forty years Abessalom said to his father, Let me I pray thee go and pay my vows at Chebron, which I vowed to the Lord. For when I dwelt at Gedsur, in Syria,

BrentonAnd it came to pass after forty years, that Abessalom said to his father, I will go now, and pay my vows, which I vowed to the Lord in Chebron.

GreekΚαὶ ἐγένετο ἀπὸ τέλους τεσσαράκοντα ἐτῶν, καὶ εἶπεν Ἀβεσσαλὼμ πρὸς τὸν πατέρα αὐτοῦ, πορεύσομαι δὴ, καὶ ἀποτίσω τὰς εὐχάς μου, ἃς ηὐξάμην τῷ Κυρίῳ ἐν Χεβρών·

KJVAnd it came to pass after forty years, that Absalom said unto the king, I pray thee, let me go and pay my vow, which I have vowed unto the LORD, in Hebron.

JPSAnd it came to pass at the end of forty years, that Absalom said unto the king: ‘I pray thee, let me go and pay my vow, which I have vowed unto the LORD, in Hebron.

Thomsonthy servant vowed a vow, saying, If the Lord will bring me back to Jerusalem, I will serve the Lord.

BrentonFor thy servant vowed a vow when I dwelt at Gedsur in Syria, saying, If the Lord should indeed restore me to Jerusalem, then will I serve the Lord.

GreekὍτι εὐχὴν ηὔξατο ὁ δοῦλός σου ἐν τῷ οἰκεῖν με ἐν Γεδσοὺρ ἐν Συρίᾳ, λέγων, ἐὰν ἐπιστρέφων ἐπιστρέψῃ με Κύριος εἰς Ἰερουσαλὴμ, καὶ λατρεύσω τῷ Κυρίῳ.

KJVFor thy servant vowed a vow while I abode at Geshur in Syria, saying, If the LORD shall bring me again indeed to Jerusalem, then I will serve the LORD.

JPSFor thy servant vowed a vow while I abode at Geshur in Aram, saying: If the LORD shall indeed bring me back to Jerusalem, then I will serve the LORD.’

ThomsonAnd the king said to him, Go in peace. So he arose and went to Chebron.

BrentonAnd the king said to him, Go in peace. And he arose and went to Chebron.

GreekΚαὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ ὁ βασιλεὺς, Βάδιζε εἰς εἰρήνην· καὶ ἀναστὰς ἐπορεύθη εἰς Χεβρών.

KJVAnd the king said unto him, Go in peace. So he arose, and went to Hebron.

JPSAnd the king said unto him: ‘Go in peace.’ So he arose, and went to Hebron.

ThomsonNow Abessalom had sent spies through all the tribes of Israel, saying, When you hear the sound of the trumpet, then say, Abessalom is king in Chebron.

BrentonAnd Abessalom sent spies throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, When ye hear the sound of the trumpet, then shall ye say, Abessalom is become king in Chebron.

GreekΚαὶ ἀπέστειλεν Ἀβεσσαλὼμ κατασκόπους ἐν πάσαις φυλαῖς Ἰσραὴλ, λέγων, ἐν τῷ ἀκοῦσαι ὑμᾶς τὴν φωνὴν τῆς κερατίνης, καὶ ἐρεῖτε, βεβασίλευκε βασιλεὺς Ἀβεσσαλὼμ ἐν Χεβρών.

KJVBut Absalom sent spies throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, As soon as ye hear the sound of the trumpet, then ye shall say, Absalom reigneth in Hebron.

JPSBut Absalom sent spies throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying: ‘As soon as ye hear the sound of the horn, then ye shall say: Absalom is king in Hebron.’

ThomsonAnd there went with Abessalom two hundred chosen men out of Jerusalem. They indeed went in their simplicity, for they knew nothing.

BrentonAnd there went with Abessalom two hundred chosen men from Jerusalem; and they went in their simplicity, and knew not anything.

GreekΚαὶ μετὰ Ἀβεσσαλὼμ ἐπορεύθησαν διακόσιοι ἄνδρες ἐξ Ἰερουσαλὴμ κλητοί· καὶ πορευόμενοι τῇ ἁπλότητι αὐτῶν, καὶ οὐκ ἔγνωσαν πᾶν ῥῆμα.

KJVAnd with Absalom went two hundred men out of Jerusalem, that were called; and they went in their simplicity, and they knew not any thing.

JPSAnd with Absalom went two hundred men out of Jerusalem, that were invited, and went in their simplicity; and they knew not any thing.

ThomsonAnd Abessalom sent for Achitophel, the Thekonite, the counsellor of David, from his own city, namely, from Gola, while he was sacrificing. So the conspiracy became strong, and the people who came, and they were many, were with Abessalom.

BrentonAnd Abessalom sent to Achitophel the Theconite, the counsellor of David, from his city, from Gola, where he was sacrificing: and there was a strong conspiracy; and the people with Abessalom were increasingly numerous.

GreekΚαὶ ἀπέστειλεν Ἀβεσσαλὼμ τῷ Ἀχειτόφελ τῷ Θεκωνεὶ, σύμβουλον Δαυὶδ, ἐκ τῆς πόλεως αὐτοῦ εἰς Γωλὰ, ἐν τῷ θυσιάζειν αὐτόν· καὶ ἐγένετο σύντριμμα ἰσχυρόν· καὶ ὁ λαὸς ὁ πορευόμενος καὶ πολὺς μετὰ Ἀβεσσαλώμ.

KJVAnd Absalom sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David’s counsellor, from his city, even from Giloh, while he offered sacrifices. And the conspiracy was strong; for the people increased continually with Absalom.

JPSAnd Absalom sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David’s counsellor, from his city, even from Giloh, while he offered the sacrifices. And the conspiracy was strong; for the people increased continually with Absalom.

ThomsonAnd there came a message to David, saying, The heart of the men of Israel is gone after Abessalom.

BrentonAnd there came a messenger to David, saying, The heart of the men of Israel is gone after Abessalom.

GreekΚαὶ παρεγένετο ἀπαγγέλων πρὸς Δαυὶδ, λέγων, ἐγενήθη ἡ καρδία ἀνδρῶν Ἰσραὴλ ὀπίσω Ἀβεσσαλώμ.

KJVAnd there came a messenger to David, saying, The hearts of the men of Israel are after Absalom.

JPSAnd there came a messenger to David, saying: ‘The hearts of the men of Israel are after Absalom.’

ThomsonUpon this David said to all his servants who were with him at Jerusalem, Arise and let us flee, for there is no safety for us on account of Abessalom. Make haste to depart, lest he overtake us suddenly, and throw the blame on us, when he shall smite the city with the edge of the sword.

BrentonAnd David said to all his servants who were with him in Jerusalem, Rise, and let us flee, for we have no refuge from Abessalom: make haste and go, lest he overtake us speedily, and bring evil upon us, and smite the city with the edge of the sword.

GreekΚαὶ εἶπε Δαυὶδ πᾶσι τοῖς παισὶν αὐτοῦ τοῖς μετʼ αὐτοῦ τοῖς ἐν Ἰερουσαλὴμ, ἀνάστητε καὶ φύγωμεν, ὅτι οὐκ ἔστιν ἡμῖν σωτηρία ἀπὸ προσώπου Ἀβεσσαλώμ· ταχύνατε τοῦ πορευθῆναι, ἵνα μὴ ταχύνῃ καὶ καταλάβῃ ἡμᾶς, καὶ ἐξώσῃ ἐφʼ ἡμᾶς τὴν κακίαν, καὶ πατάξῃ τὴν πόλιν ἐν στόματι μαχαίρης.

KJVAnd David said unto all his servants that were with him at Jerusalem, Arise, and let us flee; for we shall not else escape from Absalom: make speed to depart, lest he overtake us suddenly, and bring evil upon us, and smite the city with the edge of the sword.

JPSAnd David said unto all his servants that were with him at Jerusalem: ‘Arise, and let us flee; for else none of us shall escape from Absalom; make speed to depart, lest he overtake us quickly, and bring down evil upon us, and smite the city with the edge of the sword.’

ThomsonAnd the king’s servants said to the king, Whatever our lord the king chooseth, behold we thy servants are ready to do.

BrentonAnd the king's servants said to the king, In all things which our lord the king chooses, behold we are thy servants.

GreekΚαὶ εἶπον οἱ παῖδες τοῦ βασιλέως πρὸς τὸν βασιλέα, κατὰ πάντα ὅσα αἱρεῖται ὁ κύριος ἡμῶν ὁ βασιλεὺς, ἰδοὺ οἱ παῖδές σου.

KJVAnd the king’s servants said unto the king, Behold, thy servants are ready to do whatsoever my lord the king shall appoint.

JPSAnd the king’s servants said unto the king: ‘Behold, thy servants are ready to do whatsoever my lord the king shall choose.’

ThomsonSo the king and all his household, set out on foot, and the king left ten of his concubines to keep the house.

BrentonAnd the king and all his house went out on foot: and the king left ten women of his concubines to keep the house.

GreekΚαὶ ἐξῆλθεν ὁ βασιλεὺς καὶ πᾶς ὁ οἶκος αὐτοῦ τοῖς ποσὶν αὐτῶν· καὶ ἀφῆκεν ὁ βασιλεὺς δέκα γυναῖκας τῶν παλλακῶν αὐτοῦ φυλάσσειν τὸν οἶκον.

KJVAnd the king went forth, and all his household after him. And the king left ten women, which were concubines, to keep the house.

JPSAnd the king went forth, and all his household after him. And the king left ten women, that were concubines, to keep the house.

ThomsonAnd when the king, with all his servants, on foot, had gone out, they halted at the farthest house, and all his servants passed on by him, namely, all the Chelethites, and all the Phelethites, and they halted near the olive yard, in the wilderness.

BrentonAnd the king and all his servants went out on foot; and abode in a distant house.

GreekΚαὶ ἐξῆλθεν ὁ βασιλεὺς καὶ πάντες οἱ παῖδες αὐτοῦ πεζῇ, καὶ ἔστησαν ἐν οἴκῳ τῷ μακράν.

KJVAnd the king went forth, and all the people after him, and tarried in a place that was far off.

JPSAnd the king went forth, and all the people after him; and they tarried in Beth-merhak.

ThomsonAnd all the people passed by near him. Now all that were around him—all the nobles, and all the warriors, were six hundred men, and while these stood by him, all the Chelethites, and all the Phelethites, and all the Gethites—the six hundred men who had come on foot from Geth, marched on before the king.

BrentonAnd all his servants passed on by his side, and every Chelethite, and every Phelethite, and they stood by the olive tree in the wilderness: and all the people marched near him, and all his court, and all the men of might, and all the men of war, six hundred: and they were present at his side: and every Chelethite, and every Phelethite, and all the six hundred Gittites that came on foot out of Geth, and they went on before the king.

GreekΚαὶ πάντες οἱ παῖδες αὐτοῦ ἀνὰ χεῖρα αὐτοῦ παρῆγον, καὶ πᾶς Χελεθὶ καὶ πᾶς ὁ Φελεθὶ, καὶ ἔστησαν ἐπὶ τῆς ἐλαίας ἐν τῇ ἐρήμῳ· καὶ πᾶς ὁ λαὸς παρεπορεύετο ἐχόμενος αὐτοῦ, καὶ πάντες οἱ περὶ αὐτὸν, καὶ πάντες οἱ ἁδροὶ, καὶ πάντες οἱ μαχηταὶ ἑξακόσιοι ἄνδρες· καὶ παρῆσαν ἐπὶ χεῖρα αὐτοῦ· καὶ πᾶς ὁ Χελεθι, καὶ πᾶς ὁ Φελεθὶ, καὶ πάντες οἱ Γεθαῖοι οἱ ἑξακόσιοι ἄνδρες οἱ ἐλθόντες τοῖς ποσὶν αὐτῶν ἐκ Γὲθ, καὶ πορευόμενοι ἐπὶ πρόσωπον τοῦ βασιλέως.

KJVAnd all his servants passed on beside him; and all the Cherethites, and all the Pelethites, and all the Gittites, six hundred men which came after him from Gath, passed on before the king.

JPSAnd all his servants passed on beside him; and all the Cherethites, and all the Pelethites, and all the Gittites, six hundred men that came after him from Gath, passed on before the king.

ThomsonAnd the king said to Ethi, the Gethite, Why shouldst thou go with us? Return and dwell with the king; for thou art a stranger, and hast come as an exile from thy own place.

BrentonAnd the king said to Ethi the Gittite, Why dost thou also go with us? return, and dwell with the king, for thou art a stranger, and thou hast come forth as a sojourner out of thy place.

GreekΚαὶ εἶπεν ὁ βασιλεὺς πρὸς Ἐθὶ τὸν Γεθαῖον, ἱνατί πορεύῃ καὶ σὺ μεθʼ ἡμῶν; ἐπίστρεφε, καὶ οἴκει μετὰ τοῦ βασιλέως, ὅτι ξένος εἶ σὺ, καὶ ὅτι μετῴκηκας σὺ ἐκ τοῦ τόπου σου.

KJVThen said the king to Ittai the Gittite, Wherefore goest thou also with us? return to thy place, and abide with the king: for thou art a stranger, and also an exile.

JPSThen said the king to Ittai the Gittite: ‘Wherefore goest thou also with us? return, and abide with the king; for thou art a foreigner, and also an exile from thine own place.

ThomsonAs thou art come but yesterday, shall I to-day cause thee to move with us, and change thy abode? As for me, I will go where I can; but return thou and take back thy brethren with thee; and the Lord will deal mercifully and truly with thee.

BrentonWhereas thou camest yesterday, shall I to-day cause thee to travel with us, and shalt thou thus change thy place? thou didst come forth yesterday, and to-day shall I set thee in motion to go along with us? I indeed will go whithersoever I may go: return then, and cause thy brethren to return with thee, and may the Lord deal mercifully and truly with thee.

GreekΕἰ ἐχθὲς παραγέγονας, καὶ σήμερον κινήσω σε μεθʼ ἡμῶν; καί γε μεταναστήσεις τὸν τόπον σου· χθὲς ἡ ἐξέλευσίς σου, καὶ σήμερον μετακινήσω σε μεθʼ ἡμῶν τοῦ πορευθῆναι; καὶ ἐγὼ πορεύσομαι οὗ ἐὰν ἐγὼ πορευθῶ· ἐπιστρέφου καὶ ἐπίστρεψον τοὺς ἀδελφούς σου μετὰ σοῦ, καὶ Κύριος ποιήσει μετὰ σοῦ ἔλεος καὶ ἀλήθειαν.

KJVWhereas thou camest but yesterday, should I this day make thee go up and down with us? seeing I go whither I may, return thou, and take back thy brethren: mercy and truth be with thee.

JPSWhereas thou camest but yesterday, should I this day make thee go up and down with us, seeing I go whither I may? return thou, and take back thy brethren with thee in kindness and truth.’

ThomsonAnd Ethi answered the king, and said, As the Lord liveth, and as my lord the king liveth, whithersoever my lord goeth, whether to death or to life, there shall thy servant be.

BrentonAnd Ethi answered the king and said, As the Lord lives and as my lord the king lives, in the place wheresoever my lord shall be, whether it be for death or life, there shall thy servant be.

GreekΚαὶ ἀπεκρίθη Ἐθὶ τῷ βασιλεῖ, καὶ εἶπε, ζῇ Κύριος καὶ ζῇ ὁ κύριός μου ὁ βασιλεὺς, ὅτι εἰς τὸν τόπον οὗ ἐὰν ᾖ ὁ κύριός μου, καὶ ἐὰν εἰς θάνατον καὶ ἐὰν εἰς ζωὴν, ὅτι ἐκεῖ ἔσται ὁ δοῦλός σου.

KJVAnd Ittai answered the king, and said, As the LORD liveth, and as my lord the king liveth, surely in what place my lord the king shall be, whether in death or life, even there also will thy servant be.

JPSAnd Ittai answered the king, and said: ‘As the LORD liveth, and as my lord the king liveth, surely in what place my lord the king shall be, whether for death or for life, even there also will thy servant be.’

ThomsonWhereupon the king said to Ethi, Come and march with me. So Ethi, the Gethite, marched on with the king, and all his servants, and all the multitude who were with him.

BrentonAnd the king said to Ethi, Come and pass over with me. So Ethi the Gittite and the king passed over, and all his servants, and all the multitude with him.

GreekΚαὶ εἶπεν ὁ βασιλεὺς πρὸς Ἐθὶ, δεῦρο, καὶ διάβαινε μετʼ ἐμοῦ· καὶ παρῆλθεν Ἐθὶ ὁ Γεθαῖος καὶ ὁ βασιλεὺς, καὶ πάντες οἱ παῖδες αὐτοῦ καὶ πᾶς ὁ ὄχλος ὁ μετʼ αὐτοῦ.

KJVAnd David said to Ittai, Go and pass over. And Ittai the Gittite passed over, and all his men, and all the little ones that were with him.

JPSAnd David said to Ittai: ‘Go and pass over.’ And Ittai the Gittite passed over, and all his men, and all the little ones that were with him.

ThomsonAnd all the country wept with a loud voice, while all the people were crossing the brook Kedron. And when the king had crossed the brook Kedron, all the people, and the king, continued their march by the way to the wilderness.

BrentonAnd all the country wept with a loud voice. And all the people passed by over the brook of Kedron; and the king crossed the brook Kedron: and all the people and the king passed on toward the way of the wilderness.

GreekΚαὶ πᾶσα ἡ γῆ ἔκλαιε φωνῇ μεγάλῃ· καὶ πᾶς ὁ λαὸς παρεπορεύοντο ἐν τῷ χειμάῤῥῳ τῶν Κέδρων· καὶ ὁ βασιλεὺς διέβη τὸν χειμάῤῥουν Κέδρων· καὶ πᾶς ὁ λαὸς καὶ ὁ βασιλεὺς παρεπορεύοντο ἐπὶ πρόσωπον ὁδοῦ τὴν ἔρημον.

KJVAnd all the country wept with a loud voice, and all the people passed over: the king also himself passed over the brook Kidron, and all the people passed over, toward the way of the wilderness.

JPSAnd all the country wept with a loud voice, as all the people passed over; and as the king passed over the brook Kidron, all the people passed over, toward the way of the wilderness.

ThomsonNow behold Sadok, and all the Levites, were with him, carrying the ark of the covenant of the Lord from Baithar. And they set down the ark of God, and Abiathar went up, until all the people had done coming out of the city.

BrentonAnd behold also Sadoc, and all the Levites were with him, bearing the ark of the covenant of the Lord from Bæthar: and they set down the ark of God; and Abiathar went up, until all the people had passed out of the city.

GreekΚαὶ ἰδοὺ καί γε Σαδὼκ καὶ πάντες οἱ Λευῖται μετʼ αὐτοῦ, αἴροντες τὴν κιβωτὸν διαθήκης Κυρίου ἀπὸ Βαιθάρ· καὶ ἔστησαν τὴν κιβωτὸν τοῦ Θεοῦ· καὶ ἀνέβη Ἀβιάθαρ ἕως ἐπαύσατο πᾶς ὁ λαὸς παρελθεῖν ἐκ τῆς πόλεως.

KJVAnd lo Zadok also, and all the Levites were with him, bearing the ark of the covenant of God: and they set down the ark of God; and Abiathar went up, until all the people had done passing out of the city.

JPSAnd, lo, Zadok also came, and all the Levites with him, bearing the ark of the covenant of God; and they set down the ark of God—but Abiathar went up—until all the people had done passing out of the city.

ThomsonThen the king said to Sadok, Carry back the ark of God into the city. If I find favour in the sight of the Lord, He will bring me back, and shew me it and its comeliness.

BrentonAnd the king said to Sadoc, Carry back the ark of God into the city: if I should find favour in the eyes of the Lord, then will he bring me back, and he will shew me it and its beauty.

GreekΚαὶ εἶπεν ὁ βασιλεὺς πρὸς τὸν Σαδὼκ, ἀπόστρεψον τὴν κιβωτὸν τοῦ Θεοῦ εἰς τὴν πόλιν· ἐὰν εὕρω χάριν ἐν ὀφθαλμοῖς Κυρίου, καὶ ἐπιστρέψει με, καὶ δείξει μοι αὐτὴν καὶ τὴν εὐπρέπειαν αὐτῆς.

KJVAnd the king said unto Zadok, Carry back the ark of God into the city: if I shall find favour in the eyes of the LORD, he will bring me again, and shew me both it, and his habitation:

JPSAnd the king said unto Zadok: ‘Carry back the ark of God into the city; if I shall find favour in the eyes of the LORD, He will bring me back, and show me both it, and His habitation;

ThomsonBut if He should say, I have no pleasure in thee, behold here am I. Let Him do to me as seemeth good in His sight.

BrentonBut if he should say thus, I have no pleasure in thee; behold, here I am, let him do to me according to that which is good in his eyes.

GreekΚαὶ ἐὰν εἴπῃ οὕτως, οὐκ ἠθέληκα ἐν σοί· ἰδοὺ ἐγώ εἰμι, ποιείτω μοι κατὰ τὸ ἀγαθὸν ἐν ὀφθαλμοῖς αὐτοῦ.

KJVBut if he thus say, I have no delight in thee; behold, here am I, let him do to me as seemeth good unto him.

JPSbut if He say thus: I have no delight in thee; behold, here am I, let Him do to me as seemeth good unto Him.’

ThomsonThen the king said to Sadok, the priest, See! thou returnest to the city in peace; and Achimaas, thy son, and Jonathan, the son of Abiathar—your two sons are with you.

BrentonAnd the king said to Sadoc the priest, Behold, thou shalt return to the city in peace, and Achimaas thy son, and Jonathan the son of Abiathar, your two sons with you.

GreekΚαὶ εἶπεν ὁ βασιλεὺς τῷ Σαδὼκ τῷ ἱερεῖ, ἴδετε, σὺ ἐπιστρέφεις εἰς τὴν πόλιν ἐν εἰρήνῃ, καὶ Ἀχιμάας ὁ υἱός σου, καὶ Ἰωνάθαν ὁ υἱὸς Ἀβιάθαρ οἱ δύο υἱοὶ ὑμῶν μεθʼ ὑμῶν.

KJVThe king said also unto Zadok the priest, Art not thou a seer? return into the city in peace, and your two sons with you, Ahimaaz thy son, and Jonathan the son of Abiathar.

JPSThe king said also unto Zadok the priest: ‘Seest thou? return into the city in peace, and your two sons with you, Ahimaaz thy son, and Jonathan the son of Abiathar.

ThomsonSee! I will encamp at Araboth of the wilderness, until a message come from you to give me intelligence.

BrentonBehold, I continue in arms in Araboth of the desert, until there come tidings from you to report to me.

GreekἼδετε, ἐγώ εἰμι στρατεύομαι ἐν Ἀραβὼθ τῆς ἐρήμου, ἕως τοῦ ἐλθεῖν ῥῆμα παρʼ ὑμῶν τοῦ ἀπαγγεῖλαί μοι.

KJVSee, I will tarry in the plain of the wilderness, until there come word from you to certify me.

JPSSee, I will tarry in the plains of the wilderness, until there come word from you to announce unto me.’

ThomsonSo Sadok and Abiathar carried back the ark of God to Jerusalem, and it abode there.

BrentonSo Sadoc and Abiathar brought back the ark of the Lord to Jerusalem, and it continued there.

GreekΚαὶ ἀπέστρεψε Σαδὼκ καὶ Ἀβιάθαρ τὴν κιβωτὸν τοῦ Θεοῦ εἰς Ἰερουσαλὴμ, καὶ ἐκάθισεν ἐκεῖ.

KJVZadok therefore and Abiathar carried the ark of God again to Jerusalem: and they tarried there.

JPSZadok therefore and Abiathar carried the ark of God back to Jerusalem; and they abode there.

ThomsonAnd David went up by the ascent of the olive orchards, weeping as he went up, and having his head covered, and walking barefoot. And all the people who were with him covered, every one, his head, and went up weeping as they went.

BrentonAnd David went up by the ascent of the mount of Olives, ascending and weeping, and had his head covered, and went barefooted: and all the people that were with him covered every man his head; and they went up, ascending and weeping.

GreekΚαὶ Δαυὶδ ἀνέβαινεν ἐν τῇ ἀναβάσει τῶν ἐλαιῶν ἀναβαίνων καὶ κλαίων, καὶ τὴν κεφαλὴν ἐπικεκαλυμμένος, καὶ αὐτὸς ἐπορεύετο ἀνυπόδετος· καὶ πὰς ὁ λαὸς ὁ μετʼ αὐτοῦ ἐπεκάλυψεν ἀνὴρ τὴν κεφαλὴν αὐτοῦ· καὶ ἀνέβαινον ἀναβαίνοντες καὶ κλαίοντες.

KJVAnd David went up by the ascent of mount Olivet, and wept as he went up, and had his head covered, and he went barefoot: and all the people that was with him covered every man his head, and they went up, weeping as they went up.

JPSAnd David went up by the ascent of the mount of Olives, and wept as he went up; and he had his head covered, and went barefoot; and all the people that were with him covered every man his head, and they went up, weeping as they went up.

ThomsonAnd when it was told David that Achitophel was among the conspirators with Abessalom, David said, Confound, I beseech Thee, O Lord my God, the counsel of Achitophel.

BrentonAnd it was reported to David, saying, Achitophel also is among the conspirators with Abessalom. And David said, O Lord my God, disconcert, I pray thee, the counsel of Achitophel.

GreekΚαὶ ἀνηγγέλη Δαυὶδ, λέγοντες, καὶ Ἀχιτόφελ ἐν τοῖς συστρεφομένοις μετὰ Ἀβεσσαλώμ· καὶ εἶπε Δαυὶδ, διασκέδασον δὴ τὴν βουλὴν Ἀχιτόφελ, Κύριε ὁ Θεός μου.

KJVAnd one told David, saying, Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom. And David said, O LORD, I pray thee, turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness.

JPSAnd one told David, saying: ‘Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom.’ And David said: ‘O LORD, I pray Thee, turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness.’

ThomsonAnd David continued his march till he came to Ros, where he worshipped God. And behold Chousi, an old companion of David, met him there, with his clothes rent, and earth on his head.

BrentonAnd David came as far as Ros, where he worshipped God: and behold, Chusi the chief friend of David came out to meet him, having rent his garment, and earth was upon his head.

GreekΚαὶ ἦν Δαυὶδ ἐρχόμενος ἕως τοῦ Ῥὼς, οὗ προσεκύνησεν ἐκεῖ τῷ Θεῷ· καὶ ἰδοὺ εἰς ἀπαντὴν αὐτῷ Χουσὶ ὁ ἀρχιεταῖρος Δαυίδ διεῤῥηχὼς τὸν χιτῶνα αὐτοῦ, καὶ γῆ ἐπὶ τῆς κεφαλῆς αὐτοῦ.

KJVAnd it came to pass, that when David was come to the top of the mount, where he worshipped God, behold, Hushai the Archite came to meet him with his coat rent, and earth upon his head:

JPSAnd it came to pass, that when David was come to the top of the ascent, where God was wont to be worshipped, behold, Hushai the Archite came to meet him with his coat rent, and earth upon his head.

ThomsonAnd David said to him, If thou go with me, thou wilt be a burden to me:

BrentonAnd David said to him, If thou shouldest go over with me, then wilt thou be a burden to me;

GreekΚαὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ Δαυὶδ ἐὰν μὲν διαβῇς μετʼ ἐμοῦ, καὶ ἔσῃ ἐπʼ ἐμὲ εἰς βάσταγμα·

KJVUnto whom David said, If thou passest on with me, then thou shalt be a burden unto me:

JPSAnd David said unto him: ‘If thou passest on with me, then thou wilt be a burden unto Me;

Thomsonbut if thou return to the city, and wilt say to Abessalom, Thy brothers are gone, and the king thy father is gone, and hath left me behind, now therefore, I am thy servant, O king, Let me live, I have been thy father’s servant hitherto, but now I am thy servant: thou mayst baffle for me the counsel of Achitophel.

Brentonbut if thou shall return to the city, and shalt say to Abessalom, Thy brethren are passed over, and the king thy father is passed over after me: and now I am thy servant, O king, suffer me to live: at one time even of late I was the servant of thy father, and now I am thy humble servant—so shalt thou disconcert for me the counsel of Achitophel.

Greekκαὶ ἐὰν ἐπιστρέψῃς ἐπὶ τὴν πόλιν, καὶ ἐρεῖς τῷ Ἀβεσσαλὼμ, διεληλύθασιν οἱ ἀδελφοί σου, καὶ ὁ βασιλεὺς κατόπισθέ μου διελήλυθεν ὁ πατήρ σου· καὶ νῦν παῖς σού εἰμὶ, βασιλεῦ, ἔασόν με ζῆσαι· παῖς τοῦ πατρὸς σου ἤμην τότε καὶ ἀρτίως, καὶ νῦν ἐγὼ δοῦλος σός· καὶ διασκεδάσεις μοι τὴν βουλὴς Ἀχιτόφελ.

KJVBut if thou return to the city, and say unto Absalom, I will be thy servant, O king; as I have been thy father’s servant hitherto, so will I now also be thy servant: then mayest thou for me defeat the counsel of Ahithophel.

JPSbut if thou return to the city, and say unto Absalom: I will be thy servant, O king; as I have been thy father’s servant in time past, so will I now be thy servant; then wilt thou defeat for me the counsel of Ahithophel.

ThomsonAnd behold there are there with thee, Sadok and Abiathar, the priests, so that whatever thou mayst hear from the king’s household thou wilt tell to Sadok and Abiathar, the priests.

BrentonAnd, behold, there are there with thee Sadoc and Abiathar the priests; and it shall be that every word that thou shalt hear of the house of the king, thou shalt report it to Sadoc and Abiathar the priests.

GreekΚαὶ ἰδοὺ ἐκεῖ μετὰ σοῦ Σαδὼκ καὶ Ἀβιάθαρ οἱ ἱερεῖς· καὶ ἔσται πὰν ῥῆμα ὁ ἐὰν ἀκούσῃς ἐξ οἴκου τοῦ βασιλέως, καὶ ἀπαγγελεῖς τῷ Σαδὼκ καὶ τῷ Ἀβιάθαρ τοῖς ἱερεῦσιν.

KJVAnd hast thou not there with thee Zadok and Abiathar the priests? therefore it shall be, that what thing soever thou shalt hear out of the king’s house, thou shalt tell it to Zadok and Abiathar the priests.

JPSAnd hast thou not there with thee Zadok and Abiathar the priests? therefore it shall be, that what thing soever thou shalt hear out of the king’s house, thou shalt tell it to Zadok and Abiathar the priests.

ThomsonAnd behold they have there with them their two sons Achimaas, son of Sadok, and Jonathan, son of Abiathar, so that by them you can send to me everything you may hear.

BrentonBehold, there are there with them their two sons, Achimaas the son of Sadoc, and Jonathan the son of Abiathar; and by them ye shall report to me every word which ye shall hear.

GreekἸδοὺ ἐκεῖ μετʼ αὐτῶν δύο υἱοὶ αὐτῶν, Ἀχιμάας υἱὸς τῷ Σαδὼκ, καὶ Ἰωνάθαν υἱὸς τῷ Ἀβιάθαρ· καὶ ἀποστελεῖτε ἐν χειρὶ αὐτῶν πρὸς μὲ πὰν ῥῆμα ὃ ἐὰν ἀκούσητε.

KJVBehold, they have there with them their two sons, Ahimaaz Zadok’s son, and Jonathan Abiathar’s son; and by them ye shall send unto me every thing that ye can hear.

JPSBehold, they have there with them their two sons, Ahimaaz Zadok’s son, and Jonathan Abiathar’s son; and by them ye shall send unto me every thing that ye shall hear.’

ThomsonAccordingly, Chousi, David’s companion, came to the city, just as Abessalom was entering Jerusalem.

BrentonSo Chusi the friend of David went into the city, and Abessalom was lately gone into Jerusalem.

GreekΚαὶ εἰσῆλθε Χουσὶ ὁ ἐταῖρος Δαυὶδ εἰς τὴν πόλιν, καὶ Ἀβεσσαλὼμ ἄρτι εἰσεπορεύετο εἰς Ἰερουσαλήμ.

KJVSo Hushai David’s friend came into the city, and Absalom came into Jerusalem.

JPSSo Hushai David’s friend came into the city; and Absalom was at the point of coming into Jerusalem.