Ziba Brings Provisions
1 When David was a little past the summit [of the Mount of Olives], behold, Ziba, the servant of (a)Mephibosheth, met him with a team of saddled donkeys, and on them were two hundred loaves of bread, a hundred clusters of raisins, a hundred summer fruits, and a (b)jug of wine.
1 And when David was a little past the top of the hill, behold, Ziba the servant of Mephibosheth met him, with a couple of asses saddled, and upon them two hundred loaves of bread, and an hundred bunches of raisins, and an hundred of summer fruits, and a bottle of wine.
1 Now when David had passed (A)a little beyond the summit, behold, (B)Ziba the servant of Mephibosheth met him (C)with a couple of saddled donkeys, and on them were two hundred loaves of bread, a hundred clusters of raisins, a hundred summer fruits, and a jug of wine.
1 When David had gone a little beyond the summit,(a) Ziba, Mephibosheth’s servant,(A) was right there to meet him. He had a pair of saddled donkeys loaded with 200 loaves of bread, 100 clusters of raisins, 100 bunches of summer fruit, and a skin of wine.
1 Now just as David happened to have passed the summit of the Mount of Olives, suddenly Mephibosheth's servant Ziba met him, accompanied by a couple of saddled donkeys loaded with 200 loaves of bread, 100 clusters of raisins, 100 pieces of summer fruit, and a skin of wine!
2 The king said to Ziba, “Why do you have these?” Ziba said, “The donkeys are for the king’s household (family) to ride on, the bread and summer fruit for the young men to eat, and the wine is for anyone to drink who becomes weary in the wilderness.”
2 And the king said unto Ziba, What meanest thou by these? And Ziba said, The asses be 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 be faint in the wilderness may drink.
2 The king said to Ziba, “Why do you have these?” And Ziba said, “(D)The donkeys are for the king’s household to ride, and the bread and summer fruit for the young men to eat, and the wine, (E)for whoever is faint in the wilderness to drink.”
2 The king said to Ziba, “Why do you have these?”Ziba answered, “The donkeys are for the king’s household to ride, the bread and summer fruit are for the young men to eat, and the wine is for those to drink who become exhausted in the desert.”
2 The king asked Ziba, "What are those for?" Ziba replied, "The donkeys are for the king's household to ride, the bread and summer fruit are for your young men to eat, and the wine is for whoever wants to drink if they get weary in the wilderness."
3 Then the king said, “And where is your (c)master’s son [Mephibosheth]?” Ziba said to the king, “Behold, he remains in Jerusalem, for he said, ‘Today the house of Israel will give me back the kingdom of my (d)father.’”
3 And the king said, And where is thy master's son? And Ziba said unto the king, Behold, he abideth at Jerusalem: for he said, To day shall the house of Israel restore me the kingdom of my father.
3 Then the king said, “And where is (F)your master’s son?” And (G)Ziba said to the king, “Behold, he is staying in Jerusalem, for he said, ‘Today the house of Israel will restore the kingdom of my father to me.’”
3 “Where is your master’s grandson?” the king asked.“Why, he’s staying in Jerusalem,” Ziba replied to the king, “for he said, ‘Today, the house of Israel will restore my grandfather’s kingdom to me.’”
3 Then the king asked, "Where is your master's son?" "He's staying in Jerusalem!" Ziba answered the king. "He's saying "The nation of Israel will restore my father's kingdom to me today!'"
4 Then the king said to Ziba, “(e)Behold, everything that belonged to Mephibosheth is [now] yours.” Ziba said, “I bow down [in honor and gratitude]; let me find favor in your sight, O my lord the king.”
4 Then said the king to Ziba, Behold, thine are all that pertained unto Mephibosheth. And Ziba said, I humbly beseech thee that I may find grace in thy sight, my lord, O king.
4 So the king said to Ziba, “Behold, all that belongs to Mephibosheth is yours.” And Ziba said, “I prostrate myself; let me find favor in your sight, O my lord, the king!”
4 The king said to Ziba, “All that belongs to Mephibosheth is now yours!”(B)“I bow before you,” Ziba said. “May you look favorably on me, my lord the king!”
4 So the king told Ziba, "Pay attention! Everything that belongs to Mephibosheth is now yours!" In response Ziba said, "I'm submitting to you. Let me find favor in your sight, your majesty the king!"
Shimei Curses David
5 When King David came to Bahurim, a man named Shimei, the son of Gera, came out from there. He was of the family of Saul’s household and he was cursing continually as he came out.
5 And when king David came to Bahurim, behold, thence came out a man of the family of the house of Saul, whose name was Shimei, the son of Gera: he came forth, and cursed still as he came.
5 When King David came to (H)Bahurim, behold, there came out from there a man of the family of the house of Saul (I)whose name was Shimei, the son of Gera; he came out (J)cursing continually as he came.
5 When King David got to Bahurim, a man belonging to the family of the house of Saul was just coming out. His name was Shimei son of Gera,(C) and he was yelling curses as he approached.
5 Later on, as King David approached Bahurim, Gera's son Shimei, who was related to the family of Saul's household, went out to meet David, cursing continually as he approached.
6 He threw stones at David and at all the (f)servants of King David; yet all the people and all the warriors remained on his right and on his left.
6 And he cast stones at David, and at all the servants of king David: and all the people and all the mighty men were on his right hand and on his left.
6 He threw stones at David and at all the servants of King David; and all the people and all the mighty men were at his right hand and at his left.
6 He threw stones at David and at all the royal(b) servants, the people and the warriors on David’s right and left.
6 He threw rocks at David and all of David's staff who were accompanying him, while all the rest of the entourage, including all of David's security detail, were close by him.
7 This is what Shimei said as he cursed: “Get out, get out, you man of bloodshed, you worthless and useless man!
7 And thus said Shimei when he cursed, Come out, come out, thou bloody man, and thou man of Belial:
7 Thus Shimei said when he cursed, “Get out, get out, (K)you man of bloodshed, and worthless fellow!
7 Shimei said as he cursed: “Get out, get out, you worthless murderer!
7 "Get out of here! Get out!" Shimei yelled as he cursed. "You murderer! You who think you're above the law!
8 The Lord has returned upon you all the bloodshed of the house of Saul, in whose place you have reigned; and the Lord has given the kingdom into the hands of Absalom your son. And behold, you are caught in your own evil, for you are a man of bloodshed!”
8 The LORD hath returned upon thee all the blood of the house of Saul, in whose stead thou hast reigned; and the LORD hath delivered the kingdom into the hand of Absalom thy son: and, behold, thou art taken in thy mischief, because thou art a bloody man.
8 (L)The Lord has returned upon you all (M)the bloodshed of the house of Saul, in whose place you have reigned; and the Lord has given the kingdom into the hand of your son Absalom. And behold, you are taken in your own evil, for you are a man of bloodshed!”
8 The Lord has paid you back for all the blood of the house of Saul in whose place you became king, and the Lord has handed the kingdom over to your son Absalom. Look, you are in trouble because you’re a murderer!”
8 The LORD has repaid you personally for murdering the entire dynasty of Saul, whose place you've taken to reign! And the LORD has given the kingdom into your son Absalom's control. Now look! Your own evil has caught up with you, because you're guilty of murder!"
9 Then Abishai [David’s nephew], the son of Zeruiah, said to the king, “Why should this dead dog (despicable person) curse my lord the king? Let me go over and take off his head.”
9 Then said Abishai the son of Zeruiah unto the king, Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? let me go over, I pray thee, and take off his head.
9 Then (N)Abishai the son of Zeruiah said to the king, “Why should (O)this dead dog (P)curse my lord the king? Let me go over now and (a)cut off his head.”
9 Then Abishai son of Zeruiah said to the king, “Why should this dead dog(D) curse my lord the king?(E) Let me go over and cut his head off!”
9 At this point, Zeruiah's son Abishai asked the king, "Why should this dead dog be cursing your majesty the king? May I have permission to go over and cut off his head?"
10 But the king said, “(g)What business is this of yours, O sons of Zeruiah? If Shimei is cursing because the Lord said to him, ‘Curse David,’ then who should say, ‘Why have you done so?’”
10 And the king said, What have I to do with you, ye sons of Zeruiah? so let him curse, because the LORD hath said unto him, Curse David. Who shall then say, Wherefore hast thou done so?
10 But the king said, “(Q)What have I to do with you, O sons of Zeruiah? (R)If he curses, and if the Lord has told him, ‘Curse David,’ (S)then who shall say, ‘Why have you done so?’”
10 The king replied, “Sons of Zeruiah, do we agree on anything?(F) He curses(G) me this way because the Lord(c) told him, ‘Curse David!’ Therefore, who can say, ‘Why did you do that?’”
10 But the king responded, "What do I have in common with you sons of Zeruiah? If he continues to curse and if the LORD has told him, "Curse David!' then who are you to be demanding to know "Why have you done this?'"
11 Then David said to Abishai and to all his servants, “Look, my son [Absalom] who came from my own body, is seeking my life; how much more [reason] now [does] this Benjamite [have to curse me]? Let him alone and let him curse, for [it could be that] the Lord has told him [to do it].
11 And David said to Abishai, and to all his servants, Behold, my son, which came forth of my bowels, seeketh my life: how much more now may this Benjamite do it? let him alone, and let him curse; for the LORD hath bidden him.
11 Then David said to Abishai and to all his servants, “Behold, (T)my son who came out from (b)me seeks my life; how much more now this Benjamite? Let him alone and let him curse, (U)for the Lord has told him.
11 Then David said to Abishai and all his servants, “Look, my own son, my own flesh and blood,(d) intends to take my life(H)—how much more now this Benjaminite! Leave him alone and let him curse me; the Lord has told him to.
11 So David ordered Abishai and all of his staff: "Look! My own son wants to kill me! How much more now is this descendant of Benjamin? Leave him alone and let him go on cursing, because the LORD has ordered him to do this.
12 Perhaps the Lord will look on the wrong done to me [by Shimei, if he is acting on his own]; and [in that case perhaps] the Lord will this day return good to me in place of his cursing.”
12 It may be that the LORD will look on mine affliction, and that the LORD will requite me good for his cursing this day.
12 Perhaps the Lord will look on my affliction and (c)(V)return good to me instead of his cursing this day.”
12 Perhaps the Lord will see my affliction(e) and restore goodness to me instead of Shimei’s curses today.”
12 Perhaps the LORD will take note of my troubles and return good to me instead of curses today!"
13 So David and his men went on the road; and Shimei went along on the hillside close beside David and cursed as he went and threw stones and dust at him.
13 And as David and his men went by the way, Shimei went along on the hill's side over against him, and cursed as he went, and threw stones at him, and cast dust.
13 So David and his men went on the way; and Shimei went along on the hillside parallel with him and as he went he cursed and cast stones and threw dust at him.
13 So David and his men proceeded along the road as Shimei was going along the ridge of the hill opposite him. As Shimei went, he cursed David, and threw stones and dirt at him.
13 So David and his entourage went on their way, and Shimei walked along the hillside with him, cursing, throwing rocks, and tossing dirt at David as they went along.
14 The king and all the people who were with him arrived [at the Jordan River] weary, and he refreshed himself there.
14 And the king, and all the people that were with him, came weary, and refreshed themselves there.
14 The king and all the people who were with him arrived weary and he refreshed himself there.
14 Eventually, the king and his entourage arrived exhausted at their destination, and David refreshed himself there.
Hushai Comes To Absalom
15 Then Absalom and all the people, the men of Israel, entered Jerusalem, and Ahithophel with him.
15 And Absalom, and all the people the men of Israel, came to Jerusalem, and Ahithophel with him.
15 (W)Then Absalom and all the people, the men of Israel, entered Jerusalem, and Ahithophel with him.
15 Now Absalom and all the Israelites came to Jerusalem. Ahithophel was also with him.
15 Right about then, Absalom and his entourage from the people of Israel entered Jerusalem, accompanied by Ahithophel.
16 Now it happened when Hushai the Archite, David’s friend, came to Absalom, Hushai said to him, “Long live the king! Long live the king!”
16 And it came to pass, when Hushai the Archite, David's friend, was come unto Absalom, that Hushai said unto Absalom, God save the king, God save the king.
16 Now it came about when (X)Hushai the Archite, David’s friend, came to Absalom, that (Y)Hushai said to Absalom, “(Z)Long live the king! Long live the king!”
16 When David’s friend Hushai the Archite came to Absalom, Hushai said to Absalom, “Long live the king! Long live the king!”(I)
16 When David's friend Hushai the Archite approached Absalom, Hushai greeted Absalom, "Long live the king! Long live the king!"
17 Absalom said to Hushai, “Is this your loyalty to your friend? Why did you not go with your friend?”
17 And Absalom said to Hushai, Is this thy kindness to thy friend? why wentest thou not with thy friend?
17 Absalom said to Hushai, “Is this your (d)loyalty to your friend? (AA)Why did you not go with your friend?”
17 “Is this your loyalty to your friend?” Absalom asked Hushai. “Why didn’t you go with your friend?”
17 But Absalom asked Hushai, "So this is how you demonstrate your loyalty to your closest friends? Why didn't you leave with your friend?"
18 Hushai said to Absalom, “No! For whomever the Lord and this people and all the men of Israel have chosen [as king], I will be his, and I will remain with him.
18 And Hushai said unto Absalom, Nay; but whom the LORD, and this people, and all the men of Israel, choose, his will I be, and with him will I abide.
18 Then Hushai said to Absalom, “No! For whom the Lord, this people, and all the men of Israel have chosen, his I will be, and with him I will remain.
18 “Not at all,” Hushai answered Absalom. “I am on the side of the one that the Lord, the people, and all the men of Israel have chosen. I will stay with him.
18 Hushai replied, "No! On the contrary, whomever the LORD, this group, and all the men of Israel choose is where I'll be, and I'll remain with him!
19 Besides, whom should I serve? Should I not serve in the presence of David’s son? As I have served in your father’s presence, so I shall serve in your presence.”
19 And again, whom should I serve? should I not serve in the presence of his son? as I have served in thy father's presence, so will I be in thy presence.
19 Besides, (AB)whom should I serve? Should I not serve in the presence of his son? As I have served in your father’s presence, so I will be in your presence.”
19 Furthermore, whom will I serve if not his son? As I served in your father’s presence, I will also serve in yours.”(J)
19 Besides, who else should I be serving? Why not the son? The same way I served your father, I'll serve you."
Ahithophel's Advice
20 Then Absalom said to Ahithophel, “Give me your advice. What should we do?”
20 Then said Absalom to Ahithophel, Give counsel among you what we shall do.
20 Then Absalom said to Ahithophel, “Give your advice. What shall we do?”
20 Then Absalom said to Ahithophel, “Give me your advice. What should we do?”
20 So Absalom asked Ahithophel, "What's your advice? What should we do?"
21 Ahithophel said to Absalom, “Go in to your father’s (h)concubines, whom he has left behind to take care of the house; then all Israel will hear that you have made yourself odious to your father. Then the hands of all who are with you will be strengthened [by your boldness and audacity].”
21 And Ahithophel said unto Absalom, Go in unto thy father's concubines, which he hath left to keep the house; and all Israel shall hear that thou art abhorred of thy father: then shall the hands of all that are with thee be strong.
21 Ahithophel said to Absalom, “(AC)Go in to your father’s concubines, whom he has left to keep the house; then all Israel will hear that you have made yourself odious to your father. The hands of all who are with you will also be strengthened.”
21 Ahithophel replied to Absalom, “Sleep with your father’s concubines he left to take care of the palace.(K) When all Israel hears that you have become repulsive to your father, everyone with you will be encouraged.”
21 Ahithophel responded, "Go inside and have sex with your father's mistresses, whom he left to keep the palace in order. Then everyone in Israel will hear how your father has come to hate you and everyone who has joined you will be emboldened to act."
22 So they pitched a tent for Absalom on the roof [of the king’s palace], and (i)Absalom went in to his father’s concubines in the sight of all Israel.(A)
22 So they spread Absalom a tent upon the top of the house; and Absalom went in unto his father's concubines in the sight of all Israel.
22 So they pitched a tent for Absalom on the roof, (AD)and Absalom went in to his father’s concubines (AE)in the sight of all Israel.
22 So they pitched a tent for Absalom on the roof, and he slept with his father’s concubines in the sight of all Israel.(L)
22 So they erected a tent for Absalom on the palace roof and Absalom went in and had sex with his father's mistresses right in front of all Israel.
23 The advice of Ahithophel, which he gave in those days, was as if a man had consulted the word of God; that is how all Ahithophel’s counsel was regarded by both David and Absalom.
23 And the counsel of Ahithophel, which he counselled in those days, was as if a man had inquired at the oracle of God: so was all the counsel of Ahithophel both with David and with Absalom.