September 16, 2019

2 SAMUEL 18:25 – 19:7

18:25 And the watchman called out and told the king. And the king said, If he is alone, there is news in his mouth. And he continued coming and drew near.
18:26 Then the watchman saw another man running; and the watchman called out to the gatekeeper and said, Here comes a man running alone. And the king said, This one also brings news.
18:27 And the watchman said, I think the running of the first one is like the running of Ahimaaz the son of Zadok. And the king said, He is a good man and comes with good news.
18:28 And Ahimaaz called out and said to the king, All is well; and he bowed down to the king on his face to the ground. And he said, Blessed be Jehovah your God, who has delivered up the men who have lifted up their hand against my lord the king.
18:29 And the king said, Is all well with the young man Absalom? And Ahimaaz said, When Joab sent the king’s servant and me your servant, I saw a great commotion, but I do not know what it was.
18:30 And the king said, Turn aside, and stand here. And he turned aside and stood there.
18:31 Just then the Cushite came; and the Cushite said, Good news for my lord the king, for today Jehovah has avenged you of all who have risen up against you.
18:32 And the king said to the Cushite, Is all well with the young man Absalom? And the Cushite said, May the enemies of my lord the king and all those who rise up against you to harm you be like that young man!
18:33 And the king was badly shaken, and he went up to the chamber over the gate and wept. And as he went, he spoke thus, O my son Absalom! My son, my son Absalom! If only I had died instead of you! O Absalom, my son, my son!
19:1 And Joab was told: The king now weeps and mourns for Absalom.
19:2 And the victory that day was turned to mourning for all the people, for the people heard it said that day that the king was grieved concerning his son.
19:3 And the people stole into the city that day as shamed people steal away when they flee in battle.
19:4 And the king covered his face and cried with a loud voice, O my son Absalom! O Absalom, my son, my son!
19:5 Then Joab came to the king at his house and said, Today you have shamed the faces of all your servants, who saved your life today and the lives of your sons and daughters and the lives of your wives and the lives of your concubines,
19:6 In that you love those who hate you and hate those who love you; for you have made it clear today that princes and servants are nothing to you. But I realize today that if Absalom had lived and we all had died today, then it would have been fine in your sight.
19:7 Now therefore rise up; go forth and comfort the hearts of your servants. For I swear by Jehovah that if you do not go forth, not a man will remain with you tonight; and that will be worse for you than all the evil that has come upon you from your youth until now.