1599 Geneva Bible (GNV)
The Geneva Bible: A Cornerstone of English Protestantism A Testament to Reform The 1599 Geneva Bible... Read More
18 Then David gathered the soldiers who were with them and divided them into units of a thousand and a hundred. He appointed leaders over each unit. 2 He divided his army into three groups. A third of them were commanded by Joab, a third by Abishai (Zeruiah’s son, Joab’s brother), and the final third by Ittai the Gittite.
David (to his soldiers): I will go out to fight with you.
Soldiers: 3 No, you should remain in Mahanaim. If we flee, the people here will not be concerned about us; or if half of us die, they will not care. But they care about you. You’re worth 10,000 of us. It’s better that you stay here and help us from the city.
David: 4 All right. I’ll do what you think is best.
David is torn between his duties as king and his duties as father. When his own son attempts to overthrow him, he is forced to flee his kingdom and is subjected to ridicule and contempt. Absalom sleeps with all the royal concubines, a deadly insult, and it looks as though David will be overthrown just as Saul was before him. Even now with Absalom leading an outright rebellion, dishonoring his father, and seeking his death, David seeks to spare his son.
So David stood beside the gate while his soldiers marched out to fight against Absalom, organized into fighting units by the hundreds and by the thousands. 5 Then David instructed his generals Joab, Abishai, and Ittai.
David: For my sake, be merciful to the young man Absalom.
Now everyone had heard about David’s instructions to the commanders concerning Absalom.
6 Then the army went out to fight against Israel, and the battle was fought in the wooded areas of Ephraim. 7 David’s forces won a great victory against Absalom’s men, and 20,000 men were killed in the battle that day. 8 The battle spread all across the landscape, and more of his opponents were lost to the forest than to the sword.
David takes the fight into a forested area rather than staying out in the open field. Since his army is more experienced in fighting in such terrain, there is an opportunity for a smaller force to defeat a larger one. Absalom’s men (and Absalom himself, as illustrated in the following verses) die as a result of not knowing how to fight in the forest and avoid its pitfalls.
9 Absalom himself encountered David’s forces, and as he was riding away on his mule, the animal took him into the thick overhanging branches of a huge oak tree. There his hair was caught, and he dangled between the sky and earth as his mule fled from underneath him. 10 A soldier saw this and told Joab.
Soldier: I saw Absalom hanging in an oak tree, helpless.
Joab: 11 You saw Absalom? Then why didn’t you kill him while he was hanging there? I would have given you 10 pieces of silver and a belt!
Soldier: 12 If you put 1,000 pieces of silver into my hand, I wouldn’t raise it against the king’s son. We all heard the king say to you generals, “For my sake, protect young Absalom.” 13 If I had taken his life despite that, you would stand back and watch as they strung me up. Nothing is hidden from the king.
Joab: 14 I can’t stand here talking to you all day.
Joab took three spears, and finding Absalom still dangling by his hair inside the oak, he thrust them into his heart. 15 Ten young men, Joab’s armor bearers, surrounded Absalom then and struck him until he was dead.
16 Then Joab sounded the trumpet and pulled back the soldiers from their pursuit of the army of Israel, because Joab knew no good would come of further fighting. 17 They took Absalom’s body and threw it in a deep hole in the forest, and then they stacked stones high over it. Meanwhile the remaining Israelites loyal to Absalom fled to their homes.
18 Before his death, Absalom had erected a monument to himself in the King’s Valley, since he had no son to keep his memory alive. He named the monument after himself, and Absalom’s Monument still stands in the King’s Valley.
19 After Absalom’s death, Ahimaaz, Zadok’s son, spoke to Joab.
Ahimaaz: Let me hurry to the king with the good news that the Eternal One has given him victory over his enemies.
Joab: 20 You’re not going to carry news today. Maybe some other day, but not today, for today the news that matters most is that the king’s son is dead.
21 (to the Cushite) Go and tell the king what you have seen.
The Cushite bowed in obedience to Joab, then he began running to bring the news to David.
Ahimaaz: 22 Whatever happens, I want to run after the Cushite.
Joab: Why would you want to follow, even though you have nothing to gain?
Ahimaaz: 23 Regardless of what happens, I am going to run.
Joab: OK, then. Run.
Ahimaaz ran, and going by way of the plain, he outran the Cushite.
24 Now David sat waiting between the gates. A guard went up to the roof of the gates by the wall, and he saw a man running toward them. 25 He shouted to alert the king, and David responded.
David: If he is alone, he comes with good news.
As the messenger drew near, 26 the guard saw a second man running.
Guard (to the gatekeeper): Another man is running by himself.
David: Then he also has good news.
Guard: 27 From the way he runs, I’d say the first one is Ahimaaz, Zadok’s son.
David: He is a good man, and he comes bearing good news.
28 And as Ahimaaz approached, he shouted to the king.
Ahimaaz: All is well!
He dropped to honor the king, his face to the ground.
Ahimaaz: Praise the Eternal One, your True God, who has given us victory over those who raised their hands against you, my lord and king.
David: 29 But how is my son Absalom?
Ahimaaz: When Joab sent me, your servant, there was still an uproar; but I don’t know what was happening.
David: 30 Make way for this next messenger. Move over here.
Ahimaaz turned aside, keeping still and quiet. 31 So the Cushite arrived and greeted the king.
Cushite: I have good news, my lord and king! The Eternal has today taken your side and delivered you from all those who rose up against you!
David: 32 But what about young Absalom?
Cushite: May all your enemies and all those who wish the king harm be as that young man is now!
33 Then the king was stricken with grief. He went to a chamber over the gateway and wept as he went.
David: O my son Absalom! My son, my son Absalom! If only I had died instead of you, Absalom, my son, my son!
18 And David inspecteth the people who [are] with him, and setteth over them heads of thousands and heads of hundreds, 2 and David sendeth the third of the people by the hand of Joab, and the third by the hand of Abishai, son of Zeruiah, brother of Joab, and the third by the hand of Ittai the Gittit...
Read More
18 Therefore David, when he had beheld his people, ordained chieftains of thousands, and (chieftains) of hundreds upon them. 2 And he gave the third part of the people under the hand of Joab; and the third part under the hand of Abishai, the son of Zeruiah, the brother of Joab; and the third part un...
Read More
18 David counted the people who were with him, and set captains of thousands and captains of hundreds over them. 2 David sent the people out, a third part under the hand of Joab, and a third part under the hand of Abishai the son of Zeruiah, Joab’s brother, and a third part under the hand of Ittai ...
Read More
Absalom’s Demise18 Then David mustered the people who were with him and set commanders of thousands and captains of hundreds over them. 2 Then David sent out the troops, one third under the command of Joab, one third under the command of Joab’s brother Abishai son of Zeruiah, and one third under th...
Read More
The Defeat and Death of Absalom18 Then David mustered the men who were with him, and set over them commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds. 2 And David sent forth the army, one third under the command of Jo′ab, one third under the command of Abi′shai the son of Zeru′iah, Jo′ab’s brother,...
Read More
The Defeat and Death of Absalom18 Then David mustered the men who were with him, and set over them commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds. 2 And David sent forth the army, one third under the command of Jo′ab, one third under the command of Abi′shai the son of Zeru′iah, Jo′ab’s brother,...
Read More
The Defeat and Death of Absalom18 Then David mustered the men who were with him, and set over them commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds. 2 And David divided the army into three groups:[a] one third under the command of Joab, one third under the command of Abishai son of Zeruiah, Joab’...
Read More
The Defeat and Death of Absalom18 Then David mustered the men who were with him, and set over them commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds. 2 And David divided the army into three groups:[a] one-third under the command of Joab, one-third under the command of Abishai son of Zeruiah, Joab’...
Read More
The Defeat and Death of Absalom18 Then David mustered the men who were with him, and set over them commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds. 2 And David divided the army into three groups:[a] one-third under the command of Joab, one-third under the command of Abishai son of Zeruiah, Joab’...
Read More
The Defeat and Death of Absalom18 Then David mustered the men who were with him and set over them commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds.(A)2 And David sent forth the army: one third under the command of Joab; one third under the command of Abishai son of Zeruiah, Joab’s brother; and one...
Read More
Absalom’s Defeat and Death18 David now mustered the men who were with him and appointed generals and captains[a] to lead them. 2 He sent the troops out in three groups, placing one group under Joab, one under Joab’s brother Abishai son of Zeruiah, and one under Ittai, the man from Gath. The king tol...
Read More
Absalom’s Death18 Then David numbered the people who were with him. He set over them leaders of thousands and of hundreds. 2 And he sent the people out. One third of them was under the rule of Joab. One third was under the rule of Zeruiah’s son Abishai, Joab’s brother. And one third was under the r...
Read More
Absalom’s Defeat and Death18 And David [a]numbered the people who were with him, and (A)set captains of thousands and captains of hundreds over them. 2 Then David sent out one third of the people under the hand of Joab, (B)one third under the hand of Abishai the son of Zeruiah, Joab’s brother, and ...
Read More
18 David mustered the men who were with him and appointed over them commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds. 2 David sent out his troops, a third under the command of Joab, a third under Joab’s brother Abishai son of Zeruiah, and a third under Ittai the Gittite. The king told the troops,...
Read More
18 David mustered the men who were with him and appointed over them commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds. 2 David sent out his troops,(A) a third under the command of Joab, a third under Joab’s brother Abishai(B) son of Zeruiah, and a third under Ittai(C) the Gittite. The king told the...
Read More
18 David brought together the men with him. He appointed commanders of thousands over some of them. He appointed commanders of hundreds over the others. 2 Then David sent out his troops in military groups. One group was under the command of Joab. Another was under Joab’s brother Abishai, the son of...
Read More
The Death of Absalom18 David assembled the army that was with him. He appointed leaders of thousands and leaders of hundreds. 2 David then sent out the army—a third under the leadership of Joab, a third under the leadership of Joab’s brother Abishai son of Zeruiah, and a third under the leadership ...
Read More
18 David counted his men and placed over them commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds. 2 He sent the troops out in three groups. Joab commanded one-third of the men. Joab’s brother Abishai son of Zeruiah commanded another third. And Ittai from Gath commanded the last third. King David sa...
Read More
The Geneva Bible: A Cornerstone of English Protestantism A Testament to Reform The 1599 Geneva Bible... Read More
The 21st Century King James Version (KJ21): A Modern Approach to a Classic Text A Balancing Act The ... Read More
The American Standard Version (ASV): A Cornerstone of Modern English Bibles A Product of Scholarly R... Read More
The Amplified Bible (AMP): A Rich and Comprehensive Translation The Amplified Bible (AMP) stands out... Read More
The Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC): A Timeless Treasure The Amplified Bible, Classic Editio... Read More
The Authorized (King James) Version (AKJV): A Timeless Classic The Authorized King James Version (AK... Read More
The BRG Bible: A Colorful Approach to Scripture A Unique Visual Experience The BRG Bible, an acronym... Read More
The Christian Standard Bible (CSB): A Balance of Accuracy and Readability The Christian Standard Bib... Read More
The Common English Bible (CEB): A Translation for Everyone The Common English Bible (CEB) is a conte... Read More
The Complete Jewish Bible (CJB): A Jewish Perspective on Scripture The Complete Jewish Bible (CJB) i... Read More
The Contemporary English Version (CEV): A Bible for Everyone The Contemporary English Version (CEV),... Read More
The Darby Translation: A Literal Approach to Scripture The Darby Translation, often referred to as t... Read More
The Disciples' Literal New Testament (DLNT): A Window into the Apostolic Mind The Disciples’ Literal... Read More
The Douay-Rheims 1899 American Edition (DRA): A Cornerstone of English Catholicism The Douay-Rheims ... Read More
The Easy-to-Read Version (ERV): A Bible for Everyone The Easy-to-Read Version (ERV) is a modern Engl... Read More
The English Standard Version (ESV): A Modern Classic The English Standard Version (ESV) is a contemp... Read More
The English Standard Version Anglicised (ESVUK): A British Accent on Scripture The English Standard ... Read More
The Evangelical Heritage Version (EHV): A Lutheran Perspective The Evangelical Heritage Version (EHV... Read More
The Expanded Bible (EXB): A Study Bible in Text Form The Expanded Bible (EXB) is a unique translatio... Read More
GOD'S WORD Translation (GW): A Modern Approach to Scripture The GOD'S WORD Translation (GW) is a con... Read More
The Good News Translation (GNT): A Bible for Everyone The Good News Translation (GNT), formerly know... Read More
The Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB): A Balance of Accuracy and Readability The Holman Christi... Read More
The International Children's Bible (ICB): A Gateway to Faith The International Children's Bible (ICB... Read More
The International Standard Version (ISV): A Modern Approach to Scripture The International Standard ... Read More
The J.B. Phillips New Testament: A Modern Classic The J.B. Phillips New Testament, often referred to... Read More
The Jubilee Bible 2000 (JUB): A Unique Approach to Translation The Jubilee Bible 2000 (JUB) is a dis... Read More
The King James Version (KJV): A Timeless Classic The King James Version (KJV), also known as the Aut... Read More
The Lexham English Bible (LEB): A Transparent Approach to Translation The Lexham English Bible (LEB)... Read More
The Living Bible (TLB): A Paraphrase for Modern Readers The Living Bible (TLB) is a unique rendering... Read More
The Modern English Version (MEV): A Contemporary Take on Tradition The Modern English Version (MEV) ... Read More
The Mounce Reverse Interlinear New Testament: A Bridge to the Greek The Mounce Reverse Interlinear N... Read More
The Names of God Bible (NOG): A Unique Approach to Scripture The Names of God Bible (NOG) is a disti... Read More
The New American Bible, Revised Edition (NABRE): A Cornerstone of English Catholicism The New Americ... Read More
The New American Standard Bible (NASB): A Cornerstone of Literal Translations The New American Stand... Read More
The New American Standard Bible 1995 (NASB1995): A Refined Classic The New American Standard Bible 1... Read More
The New Catholic Bible (NCB): A Modern Translation for a New Generation The New Catholic Bible (NCB)... Read More
The New Century Version (NCV): A Bible for Everyone The New Century Version (NCV) is an English tran... Read More
The New English Translation (NET): A Transparent Approach to Scripture The New English Translation (... Read More
The New International Reader's Version (NIRV): A Bible for Everyone The New International Reader's V... Read More
The New International Version - UK (NIVUK): A British Accent on Scripture The New International Vers... Read More
The New International Version (NIV): A Modern Classic The New International Version (NIV) is one of ... Read More
The New King James Version (NKJV): A Modern Update of a Classic The New King James Version (NKJV) is... Read More
The New Life Version (NLV): A Bible for All The New Life Version (NLV) is a unique English translati... Read More
The New Living Translation (NLT): A Modern Approach to Scripture The New Living Translation (NLT) is... Read More
The New Matthew Bible (NMB): A Reformation Revival The New Matthew Bible (NMB) is a unique project t... Read More
The New Revised Standard Version (NRSV): A Modern Classic The New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) is... Read More
The New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE): A Cornerstone of Modern Catholicism The ... Read More
The New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised (NRSVA): A British Accent on Scripture The New Revised ... Read More
The New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised Catholic Edition (NRSVACE): A Bridge Between Tradition ... Read More
The New Testament for Everyone (NTE): A Fresh Perspective The New Testament for Everyone (NTE) is a ... Read More
The Orthodox Jewish Bible (OJB): A Unique Perspective The Orthodox Jewish Bible (OJB) is a distincti... Read More
The Revised Geneva Translation (RGT): A Return to the Roots The Revised Geneva Translation (RGT) is ... Read More
The Revised Standard Version (RSV): A Cornerstone of Modern English Bibles The Revised Standard Vers... Read More
The Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (RSVCE): A Cornerstone of English Catholicism The Revi... Read More
The Message (MSG): A Contemporary Paraphrase The Message, often abbreviated as MSG, is a contemporar... Read More
The Voice: A Fresh Perspective on Scripture The Voice is a contemporary English translation of the B... Read More
The Tree of Life Version (TLV): A Messianic Jewish Perspective The Tree of Life Version (TLV) is a u... Read More
The World English Bible (WEB): A Modern Update on a Classic The World English Bible (WEB) is a conte... Read More
The Worldwide English (WE) New Testament: A Modern Take on a Classic The Worldwide English (WE) New ... Read More
The Wycliffe Bible: A Cornerstone of English Scripture A Revolutionary Translation The Wycliffe Bibl... Read More
Young's Literal Translation (YLT): A Literal Approach to Scripture Young's Literal Translation (YLT)... Read More
Deuteronomy 18 - "And if you say in your heart, 'How shall we know the word which the LORD has not s... Read More
John 14:26 - "But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teac... Read More
(Enlarge) (PDF for Print) (Freely Distributed) Map of the Origin of Nations and Races that were dis... Read More
The Journeys of Abraham (Enlarge) (PDF for Print) - Map of Abraham's Journey with Trade Routes(Free... Read More
(Enlarge) (PDF for Print) (Freely Distributed)Map of the Route of the Hebrews from Egypt This map s... Read More
Mark 6:52 - For they considered not the miracle of the loaves: for their heart was hardened. God did... Read More
also see:The Encampment of the Children of IsraelThe Children of Israel on the March THE OUTER COURT... Read More
2 Chronicles 36:23 - Thus saith Cyrus king of Persia, All the kingdoms of the earth hath the LORD Go... Read More
All Bible Maps - Complete and growing list of Bible History Online Bible Maps. Old Testament Maps T... Read More
Ancient Manners and Customs, Daily Life, Cultures, Bible Lands NINEVEH was the famous capital of an... Read More
Distances From Jerusalem to: Bethany - 2 milesBethlehem - 6 milesBethphage - 1 mileCaesarea - 57 m... Read More
Dagon was the god of the Philistines. This image shows that the idol was represented in the combina... Read More
Map of Israel in the Time of Jesus (Enlarge) (PDF for Print) (Freely Distributed) Map of First Cent... Read More
The Table of Shewbread (Ex 25:23-30) It was also called the Table of the Presence. Now we will pas... Read More
see also:The PriestThe Consecration of the PriestsThe Priestly Garments The Priestly Garments 'The ... Read More
Introduction to the Book of Daniel in the Bible Daniel 6:15-16 - Then these men assembled unto the k... Read More
The Golden Lampstand was hammered from one piece of gold. Exod 25:31-40 "You shall also make a lam... Read More
The Golden Altar of Incense (Ex 30:1-10) The Golden Altar of Incense was 2 cubits tall.It was 1 cub... Read More
Ancient Tax Collector Illustration of a Tax Collector collecting taxes Tax collectors were very des... Read More
also see: Blood Atonement and The Priests The Five Levitical Offerings The Sacrifices The sacrificia... Read More
Genesis 10:32 - These are the families of the sons of Noah, after their generations, in their nation... Read More
Illustration of Jesus Reading from the Book of Isaiah This sketch contains a colored illustration o... Read More
"But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth s... Read More
also see: The Encampment of the Children of IsraelThe Children of Israel on the March The brazen a... Read More
Unearth the rich tapestry of biblical history with our extensive collection of over 1000 meticulously curated Bible Maps and Images. Enhance your understanding of scripture and embark on a journey through the lands and events of the Bible.
Start Your Journey Today!