1 And it came to pass after this, that Absalom prepared him chariots and horses, and fifty men to run before him.
1 Now it came about after this that (A)Absalom provided for himself a chariot and horses and fifty men as runners before him.
1 Sometime later, Absalom acquired a chariot equipped with horses and recruited 50 men to accompany him.
1 After this, Absalom provided for himself a chariot and horses, and fifty men as runners before him.
2 And 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.
2 Absalom used to rise early and (B)stand beside the way to the gate; and when any man had a suit to come to the king for judgment, Absalom would call to him and say, “From what city are you?” And he would say, “Your servant is from one of the tribes of Israel.”
2 He would get up early and stand beside the road leading to the city gate.(B) Whenever anyone had a grievance to bring before the king for settlement, Absalom called out to him and asked, “What city are you from?” If he replied, “Your servant is from one of the tribes of Israel,”
2 Then he would get up early, stand near the passageway to the palace gate, and when anyone arrived to file a legal complaint for a hearing before the king, Absalom would call to him and ask, "You're from what city?" If he replied, "Your servant is from one of Israel's tribes,"
2 He would get up early and stand beside the road to the gate [of the city, where court was held]; and when any man who had a dispute came to the king for judgment, Absalom would call to him, “From what city are you?” And he would say, “Your servant is from one of the tribes of Israel.”
3 And Absalom said unto him, See, thy matters are good and right; but there is no man deputed of the king to hear thee.
3 Then Absalom would say to him, “See, (C)your (a)claims are good and right, but no man listens to you on the part of the king.”
3 Absalom said to him, “Look, your claims are good and right, but the king does not have anyone to listen to you.”
3 Absalom would respond, "Look, your claims are valid and defensible, but nobody will listen to you on behalf of the king.
3 Then Absalom would say to him, “See, your claims are good and right, but there is no man appointed as the king’s agent to listen to you.”
4 Absalom 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!
4 Moreover, Absalom would say, “(D)Oh that one would appoint me judge in the land, then every man who has any suit or cause could come to me and I would give him justice.”
4 He added, “If only someone would appoint me judge in the land. Then anyone who had a grievance or dispute could come to me, and I would make sure he received justice.”
4 Who will appoint me to be a judge in the land? When anyone arrived to file a legal complaint or other cause, he could approach me for justice and I would settle it!"
4 Moreover Absalom would say, “Oh, that I were appointed judge in the land! Then every man who had a dispute could come to me and I would get justice for him.”
5 And 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.
5 And when a man came near to prostrate himself before him, he would put out his hand and take hold of him and (E)kiss him.
5 When a person approached to bow down to him, Absalom reached out his hand, took hold of him, and kissed him.
5 Furthermore, if a man approached him to bow down in front of him, he would put out his hand, grab him, and embrace him.
5 And whenever a man approached to bow down before him, he would put out his hand, take hold of him, and kiss him.
6 And 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.
6 In this manner Absalom dealt with all Israel who came to the king for judgment; (F)so Absalom stole away the hearts of the men of Israel.
6 Absalom did this to all the Israelites who came to the king for a settlement. So Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel.
6 By doing all of this to anyone who came to the king for a hearing, Absalom stole the loyalty of the men of Israel.
6 This is how Absalom dealt with everyone in Israel who came to the king for judgment. So Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel.
7 And 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.
7 Now it came about at the end of (b)forty years that Absalom said to the king, “Please let me go and pay my vow which I have vowed to the Lord, in (G)Hebron.
7 When four(a) years had passed, Absalom said to the king, “Please let me go to Hebron to fulfill a vow I made to the Lord.
7 And so it was that forty years after Israel had demanded a king, Absalom asked the king, "Please let me go to Hebron so I can pay my vow that I made to the LORD,
8 For 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.
8 For your servant (H)vowed a vow while I was living at Geshur in Aram, saying, ‘(I)If the Lord shall indeed bring me back to Jerusalem, then I will serve the Lord.’”
8 For your servant made a vow when I lived in Geshur of Aram,(C) saying: If the Lord really brings me back to Jerusalem, I will worship the Lord in Hebron.”(b)(D)
8 because when I was living at Geshur in Aram, your servant made this solemn promise: "If the LORD ever brings me back to Jerusalem, then I will serve the LORD.'"
8 For your servant made a vow while I lived at Geshur in Aram (Syria), ‘If the Lord will in fact bring me back to Jerusalem, then I will serve the Lord [by offering a sacrifice of thanksgiving].’”
9 And the king said unto him, Go in peace. So he arose, and went to Hebron.
9 The king said to him, “Go in peace.” So he arose and went to Hebron.
9 The king replied to him, "Go in peace!" So Absalom got up and left for Hebron.
9 And [David] the king said to him, “Go in peace.” So he arose and went to Hebron.
10 But 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.
10 But Absalom sent spies throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, “As soon as you hear the sound of the trumpet, then you shall say, ‘(J)Absalom is king in Hebron.’”
10 Then Absalom sent messengers throughout the tribes of Israel with this message: “When you hear the sound of the ram’s horn, you are to say, ‘Absalom has become king in Hebron!’”(F)
10 But Absalom sent agents throughout all of the tribes of Israel, telling them, "When you hear the sound of the battle trumpet, you're to announce that Absalom is king in Hebron."
10 But Absalom sent spies throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, “As soon as you hear the sound of the trumpet, you shall say, ‘Absalom is king in Hebron.’”
11 And with Absalom went two hundred men out of Jerusalem, that were called; and they went in their simplicity, and they knew not any thing.
11 Then two hundred men went with Absalom from Jerusalem, (K)who were invited and (L)went (c)innocently, and they did not know anything.
11 Two hundred men from Jerusalem went with Absalom. They had been invited and were going innocently, for they knew nothing about the whole matter.
11 Meanwhile, 200 men left Jerusalem with Absalom. They had been invited to go along, but were innocent, not knowing anything about what was happening.
11 Then two hundred men from Jerusalem who were invited [as guests to his sacrificial feast] went with Absalom. They went innocently and knew nothing [about his plan against David].
12 And Absalom sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David's counseller, from his city, even from Giloh, while he offered sacrifices. And the conspiracy was strong; for the people increased continually with Absalom.
12 And Absalom sent for (M)Ahithophel the Gilonite, David’s counselor, from his city (N)Giloh, while he was offering the sacrifices. And the conspiracy was strong, for (O)the people increased continually with Absalom.
12 While he was offering the sacrifices, Absalom sent for David’s adviser Ahithophel the Gilonite,(G) from his city of Giloh. So the conspiracy grew strong, and the people supporting Absalom continued to increase.
12 Absalom also sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David's counselor, to come from his home town of Giloh while Absalom was presenting the sacrificial offerings. And so the conspiracy widened, because the common people increasingly sided with Absalom.
13 And there came a messenger to David, saying, The hearts of the men of Israel are after Absalom.
13 Then a messenger came to David, saying, “(P)The hearts of the men of Israel are (d)with Absalom.”
13 Then an informer came to David and reported, “The hearts of the men of Israel are with Absalom.”
13 Then a messenger arrived to inform David, "The loyalties of the men of Israel have shifted to Absalom."
13 Then a messenger came to David, saying, “The hearts of the men of Israel are with Absalom.”
14 And 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.
14 David said to all his servants who were with him at Jerusalem, “(Q)Arise and let us flee, for otherwise none of us will escape from Absalom. Go in haste, or he will overtake us quickly and bring down calamity on us and strike the city with the edge of the sword.”
14 David said to all the servants with him in Jerusalem, “Get up. We have to flee, or we will not escape from Absalom!(H) Leave quickly, or he will soon overtake us, heap disaster on us, and strike the city with the edge of the sword.”
14 So David told all of his staff who were with him in Jerusalem, "Let's get up and get out of here! Otherwise, none of us will escape from Absalom. Hurry, or he'll overtake us quickly, bring disaster on all of us, and execute the inhabitants of the city!"
15 And the king's servants said unto the king, Behold, thy servants are ready to do whatsoever my lord the king shall appoint.
15 Then the king’s servants said to the king, “Behold, your servants are ready to do whatever my lord the king chooses.”
15 The king’s servants said to him, “Whatever my lord the king decides, we are your servants.”
15 "Look!" the king's staff replied. "Your servants will do whatever the king chooses."
15 The king’s servants said to him, “Listen, your servants are ready to do whatever my lord the king decides.”
16 And the king went forth, and all his household after him. And the king left ten women, which were concubines, to keep the house.
16 So the king went out and all his household (e)with him. But (R)the king left ten concubines to keep the house.
16 Then the king set out, and his entire household followed him. But he left behind 10 concubines to take care of the palace.
16 So the king left, taking his entire household with him except for ten mistresses, who were to keep the palace in order.
17 And the king went forth, and all the people after him, and tarried in a place that was far off.
17 So the king set out, and all the people followed him. They stopped at the last house
17 The king left, along with all of his people with him, and they paused at the last house.
17 The king left, and all the people with him, and they stopped at the last house.
18 And 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.
18 Now all his servants passed on beside him, (S)all the Cherethites, all the Pelethites and all the Gittites, (T)six hundred men who had come (g)with him from Gath, passed on before the king.
18 while all his servants marched past him. Then all the Cherethites, the Pelethites, and the Gittites—600 men who came with him from Gath(I)—marched past the king.
18 All of his staff were going on ahead of him that is, all of the special forces and mercenaries, all of the Gittites, and 600 men who had come to serve him from Gath, went on ahead of the king.
19 Then 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.
19 Then the king said to (U)Ittai the Gittite, “Why will you also go with us? Return and remain with the king, for you are a foreigner and also an exile; return to your own place.
19 The king said to Ittai the Gittite,(J) “Why are you also going with us? Go back and stay with the new king since you’re both a foreigner and an exile from your homeland.
19 Then the king suggested to Ittai the Gittite, "Why should you have to go with us? Return and stay with the new king, since you're a foreigner and exile. Stay where you want to stay.
19 Then the king said to Ittai the Gittite, “Why should you go with us, too? Go back and stay with the king [of your own country], for you are a foreigner and an exile as well; return to your own place.
20 Whereas 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.
20 You came only yesterday, and shall I today make you wander with us, while (V)I go where I will? Return and take back your brothers; (W)mercy and (h)truth be with you.”
20 Besides, you only arrived yesterday; should I make you wander around with us today while I go wherever I can? Go back and take your brothers with you. May the Lord show you kindness and faithfulness.”
20 It seems only yesterday that you arrived, so should I make you wander around with us while I go wherever I can? Go back, and take your brothers with you. May gracious love and truth accompany you!"
20 You came only yesterday, so should I make you wander with us today while I go where I will? Return and take your brothers back with you also. May lovingkindness and faithfulness be with you.”
21 And 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.
21 But Ittai answered the king and said, “As the Lord lives, and as my lord the king lives, surely (X)wherever my lord the king may be, whether for death or for life, there also your servant will be.”
21 But in response, Ittai vowed to the king, “As the Lord lives and as my lord the king lives, wherever my lord the king is, whether it means life or death, your servant will be there!”
21 "As the LORD lives," Ittai answered in reply, "and as your majesty the king lives, wherever your majesty my king may be whether living or dying that's where your servant will be!"
21 But Ittai answered the king, “As the Lord lives, and as my lord the king lives, most certainly wherever my lord the king may be, whether for death or life, there will your servant be also.”
22 And 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.
22 Therefore David said to Ittai, “Go and pass over.” So Ittai the Gittite passed over with all his men and all the little ones who were with him.
22 “March on,” David replied to Ittai. So Ittai the Gittite marched past with all his men and the children who were with him.
22 So David replied, "Come along, then!" So Ittai the Gittite went along also, accompanied by all of his men and all of his little ones.
22 So David said to Ittai, “Go on and cross over [the Brook Kidron].” So Ittai the Gittite crossed over with all his men and all the little ones who were with him.
23 And 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.
23 While all the country was weeping with a loud voice, all the people passed over. The king also passed over (Y)the brook Kidron, and all the people passed over toward (Z)the way of the wilderness.
23 Everyone in the countryside was weeping loudly while all the people were marching past. As the king was crossing the Kidron Valley, all the people were marching past on the road that leads to the desert.
23 With all of the people in the territory crying loudly, everybody passed over the Kidron brook, along with the king. Then everyone headed out toward the road that leads to the wilderness.
23 While all the country was weeping with a loud voice, all the people crossed over. The king also crossed the Brook Kidron, and all the people went on toward the way of the wilderness [that lies between Jerusalem and the Jordan River].
24 And 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.
24 Now behold, (AA)Zadok also came, and all the Levites with him (AB)carrying the ark of the covenant of God. And they set down the ark of God, and (AC)Abiathar came up until all the people had finished passing from the city.
24 Zadok was also there, and all the Levites with him were carrying the ark of the covenant of God. They set the ark of God down, and Abiathar offered sacrifices(c) until the people had finished marching past.(K)
24 Meanwhile, Zadok showed up also, along with all of the descendants of Levi with him, carrying the Ark of the Covenant of God. They set down the Ark of God and Abiathar approached while all the people finished abandoning the city.
24 Now Zadok also came, and all the Levites with him carrying the ark of the covenant of God. And they set down the ark of God, and Abiathar [the priest] came up [and officiated] until all the people had finished passing from the city.
25 And 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:
25 The king said to Zadok, “Return the ark of God to the city. If I find favor in the sight of the Lord, then (AD)He will bring me back again and show me both it and (AE)His habitation.
25 Then the king instructed Zadok, “Return the ark of God to the city.(L) If I find favor in the Lord’s eyes, He will bring me back and allow me to see both it and its dwelling place.(M)
25 The king told Zadok, "Take the Ark of God back to the city. If I'm shown favor in the LORD's sight, then he'll bring me back again and show me both it and the place where it rests.
25 Then the king told Zadok, “Take the ark of God back to [its rightful place in] the city [of Jerusalem, the capital]. If I find favor in the Lord’s sight, He will bring me back again and let me see both it and His dwelling place (habitation).
26 But if he thus say, I have no delight in thee; behold, here am I, let him do to me as seemeth good unto him.
26 But if He should say thus, ‘(AF)I have no delight in you,’ behold, here I am, (AG)let Him do to me as seems good (i)to Him.”
26 However, if He should say, ‘I do not delight in you,’ then here I am—He can do with me whatever pleases Him.”(d)(N)
26 But if he should say something like "I'm not pleased with you,' well then, here I am let him do to me whatever seems right to him."
26 But if He should say, ‘I have no delight in you,’ then here I am; let Him do to me what seems good to Him.”
27 The 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.
27 The king said also to Zadok the priest, “Are you not (AH)a seer? Return to the city in peace and your (AI)two sons with you, your son Ahimaaz and Jonathan the son of Abiathar.
27 The king also said to Zadok the priest,(O) “Look,(e) return to the city in peace and your two sons with you: your son Ahimaaz and Abiathar’s son Jonathan.
27 The king also asked Zadok the priest, "Aren't you a seer, too? Go back to the city in comfort, along with your son Ahimaaz and Abiathar's son Jonathan.
27 The king also said to Zadok the priest, “Are you not a seer? Return to the city in peace [you and Abiathar], and your two sons with you, your son Ahimaaz and Jonathan the son of Abiathar.
28 See, I will tarry in the plain of the wilderness, until there come word from you to certify me.
28 See, I am going to wait (AJ)at the fords of the wilderness until word comes from you to inform me.”
28 Remember, I’ll wait at the fords of the wilderness until word comes from you to inform me.”
28 Look! I'll camp at the wilderness fords until you send word to inform me."
29 Zadok therefore and Abiathar carried the ark of God again to Jerusalem: and they tarried there.
29 Therefore Zadok and Abiathar returned the ark of God to Jerusalem and remained there.
29 So Zadok and Abiathar returned the ark of God to Jerusalem and stayed there.
29 So Zadok and Abiathar returned the Ark of God to Jerusalem and remained there.
29 So Zadok and Abiathar brought the ark of God back to Jerusalem, and they stayed there.
30 And 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.
30 And David went up the ascent of the Mount of Olives, and wept as he went, and (AK)his head was covered and he walked (AL)barefoot. Then all the people who were with him each covered his head and went up weeping as they went.
30 David was climbing the slope of the Mount of Olives, weeping as he ascended. His head was covered, and he was walking barefoot.(P) Each of the people with him covered their heads and went up, weeping as they ascended.
30 David then left, going up the Mount of Olives, crying as he went, with his head covered and his feet bare. All of the people who were with him covered their own heads and climbed up the Mount of Olives, crying as they went along.
30 And David went up the ascent of the Mount of Olives, weeping as he went, with his head covered and walking barefoot [in despair]. And all the people who were with him covered their heads and went up, weeping as they went.
31 And 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.
31 Now someone told David, saying, “(AM)Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom.” And David said, “O Lord, I pray, (AN)make the counsel of Ahithophel foolishness.”
31 Then someone reported to David: “Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom.”“Lord,” David pleaded, “please turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness!”(Q)
31 Just then, someone told David, "Ahithophel is one of Absalom's conspirators!" So David prayed, "LORD, please turn Ahithophel's counsel into foolishness."
31 David was told, “Ahithophel [your counselor] is among the conspirators with Absalom.” David said, “O Lord, I pray You, turn Ahithophel’s counsel into foolishness.”
32 And 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:
32 It happened as David was coming to the summit, where God was worshiped, that behold, Hushai the (AO)Archite met him with his (j)coat torn and (k)dust on his head.
32 When David came to the summit where he used to worship God, Hushai the Archite(R) was there to meet him with his robe torn and dust on his head.
32 Just as David was coming to the top of the Mount of Olives where God was being worshipped, there was Hushai the Archite to meet him, with his coat ripped and dust all over his head!
32 It happened when David came to the summit [of the Mount of Olives], where he worshiped God, behold, Hushai the Archite came to meet him with his tunic torn and dust on his head [as if in mourning].
33 Unto whom David said, If thou passest on with me, then thou shalt be a burden unto me:
33 David said to him, “If you go away with me, you’ll be a burden to me,
33 David greeted him, "If you come along with me, you'll be a burden to me.
33 David said to him, “If you go on with me, you will be a burden to me.
34 But 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.
34 But if you return to the city, and (AQ)say to Absalom, ‘I will be your servant, O king; as I have been your father’s servant in time past, so I will now be your servant,’ then you can thwart the counsel of Ahithophel for me.
34 but if you return to the city and tell Absalom, ‘I will be your servant, my king! Previously, I was your father’s servant, but now I will be your servant,’ then you can counteract Ahithophel’s counsel for me.
34 So go back to the city and tell Absalom, "I'll be your servant, your majesty! Just as I served your father in the past, I can be your servant now.' That way you can manipulate Ahithophel's advice to my benefit.
34 But if you return to the city, and say to Absalom, ‘I will be your servant, O king; as I have been your father’s servant in the past, so I will be your servant now;’ then you can thwart (make useless) the advice of Ahithophel for me.
35 And 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.
35 Are not Zadok and Abiathar the priests with you there? So it shall be that (AR)whatever you hear from the king’s house, you shall report to Zadok and Abiathar the priests.
35 Won’t Zadok and Abiathar the priests be there with you? Report everything you hear from the king’s palace to Zadok and Abiathar the priests.
35 Won't Zadok and Abiathar the priests be there with you? So whatever you hear from the king's palace, you're to report to Zadok and Abiathar the priests.
35 Are not Zadok and Abiathar the priests with you there? So it shall be that every word you hear from the king’s palace, you shall report it to them.
36 Behold, 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.
36 Behold (AS)their two sons are with them there, Ahimaaz, Zadok’s son and Jonathan, Abiathar’s son; and (AT)by them you shall send me everything that you hear.”
36 Take note: their two sons, Zadok’s son Ahimaaz and Abiathar’s son Jonathan, are there with them. Send me everything you hear through them.”
36 Their two sons Zadok's son Ahimaaz and Abiathar's son Jonathan are with them there. You'll be sending me everything that you hear through them."
36 Their two sons are there with them, Ahimaaz, Zadok’s son and Jonathan, Abiathar’s son; and by them you shall send to me everything that you hear.”
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