FLAVIUS JOSEPHUS, JEWISH ANTIQUITIES<br>Book 7

The forty-year reign of King David

Chapter 1 David rules in Hebron. Asahel and Abner die in civil war
Chapter 2 With Ishbosheth gone, David becomes the undisputed king
Chapter 3 David takes Jerusalem from Jebusites; makes it his capital
Chapter 4 David retakes Ark from Philistines; plans to build a Temple
Chapter 5 Victorious David shows mercy toward the house of Saul
Chapter 6 Successful conclusion to the war against the Ammanites
Chapter 7 David sins with Batsheba; Uriah's murder condemned by Nathan
Chapter 8 For raping Tamar, Absalom kills Amnon; he is banished for a time
Chapter 9 Absalom's rebellion against David, urged on by Ahithophel
Chapter 10 Joab catches up with Absalom, and kills him, to David's sorrow
Chapter 11 David's clemency toward Shimei and Sibas. Amasa is killed by Joab
Chapter 12 Famine averted, when vengeance is satisfied; David's prosperity
Chapter 13 The pride of David's census brings divine anger on the people
Chapter 14 David's preparations for the Temple. Solomon named as successor
Chapter 15 David's parting advice to his son, Solomon

Chapter 1
[001-045]
David rules in Hebron. Asahel and Abner die in civil war

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¹ Συνέβη δὲ ταύτην γενέσθαι τὴν‎ μάχην καθ᾽ ἣν ἡμέραν καὶ ΔαυίδηςDavid τοὺς ἈμαληκίταςAmalekites νικήσας εἰς ΣίκελλανSikella ὑπέστρεψεν . ἤδη δὲ αὐτοῦ‎ δύο ἡμέρας ἔχοντος ἐν τῇ ΣικέλλαSikella τῇ τρίτῃ παραγίνεται διασωθεὶς ἐκ τῆς μάχης τῆς πρὸς ΠαλαιστίνουςPhilistines ὁ τὸν ΣαοῦλονSaul ἀνελὼν τήν τε ἐσθῆτα περιερρηγμένος καὶ τὴν‎ κεφαλὴν τέφρᾳ περιχεάμενος .
¹ This fight proved to be on the same day whereon David was come back to Ziklag, after he had overcome the Amalekites. Now when he had been already two days at Ziklag, there came to him the man who slew Saul, which was the third day after the fight. He had escaped out of the battle which the Israelites had with the Philistines, and had his clothes rent, and ashes upon his head.	¹ This battle was on the same day that David returned to Sikella, victorious over the Amalekites. When he had been two days at Sikella, the man who had killed Saul came to him on the third day after the battle with the Philistines, fleeing to him with his clothes torn and with ashes on his head.
¹ Barach

² καὶ προσκυνήσας αὐτὸν πυνθανομένῳ , πόθεν ἥκοι τοιοῦτος , ἀπὸ τῆς τῶν ἸσραηλιτῶνIsrael, Israelites μάχης ἔλεγε · γενέσθαι δ᾽ ἀτυχὲς αὐτῆς τὸ τέλος ἐδήλου πολλῶν μὲν ἀναιρεθεισῶν τοῖς ἙβραίοιςHebrews μυριάδων , πεσόντος δὲ καὶ τοῦ βασιλέως αὐτῶν ΣαούλουSaul μετὰ τῶν τέκνων ·
² And when he made his obeisance to David, he inquired of him whence he came. He replied, from the battle of the Israelites; and he informed him that the end of it was unfortunate, many ten thousands of the Israelites having been cut off, and Saul, together with his sons, slain.	² When he knelt to him and was asked where he came from, he said : "From Israel's battlefield ," and he told him how it had turned out badly, with thousands of the Hebrews killed including king Saul and his sons.
² Barach

³ ταῦτα δὲ σημαίνειν ἔφασκεν αὐτὸς παρατυχὼν τῇ τροπῇ τῶν ἙβραίωνHebrews καὶ τῷ βασιλεῖ πεφευγότι παρών , ὃν καὶ κτεῖναι μέλλοντα ὑπὸ τῶν πολεμίων λαμβάνεσθαι παρακληθεὶς αὐτὸς ὡμολόγει · τῇ ῥομφαίᾳ γὰρ αὐτὸν ἐπιπεσόντα διὰ τὴν‎ τῶν τραυμάτων ὑπερβολὴν αὑτὸν ἀσθενῆσαι κατεργάσασθαι .
³ He also said that he could well give him this information, because he was present at the victory gained over the Hebrews, and was with the king when he fled. Nor did he deny that he had himself slain the king, when he was ready to be taken by the enemy, and he himself exhorted him to do it, because, when he was fallen on his sword, his great wounds had made him so weak that he was not able to kill himself.	³ He said he could tell him the news, as he had been present when the Hebrews were beaten and was with the king when he fled, nor did he deny that he had killed him, who had implored him to do so as he was about to be taken by the enemy. Although Saul had fallen on his sword, his wounds had made him so weak that he could not end his own life.
³ Barach

⁴ καὶ σύμβολα τῆς ἀναιρέσεως ἐπεδείκνυεν τόν τε περὶ τοῖς βραχίοσι χρυσὸν τοῦ βασιλέως καὶ τὸν στέφανον , ἃ περιδύσας τὸν ΣαούλουSaul νεκρὸν κομίσειεν αὐτῷ . ΔαυίδηςDavid δὲ μηκέτ᾽ ἀπιστεῖνto disbelieve, distrust ἔχων ἀλλ᾽ ἐναργῆvisible τεκμήρια τοῦ ΣαούλουSaul θανάτου βλέπων καταρρηγνύει μὲν τὴν‎ ἐσθῆτα , κλαίων δὲ καὶ ὀδυρόμενος μετὰ τῶν ἑταίρων ὅλην διεκαρτέρησε τὴν‎ ἡμέραν .
⁴ He also produced demonstrations that the king was slain, which were the golden bracelets that had been on the king’s arms, and his crown, which he had taken away from Saul’s dead body, and had brought them to him. So David having no longer any room to call in question the truth of what he said, but seeing most evident marks that Saul was dead, he rent his garments, and continued all that day with his companions in weeping and lamentation.	⁴ As proofs that the king was killed, he produced the golden bracelet that had been on the king's arm and his crown, that he had taken from Saul's corpse and brought to him. As there was no longer any reason to disbelieve him in light of these clear signs of Saul's death, David rent his clothing and spent all that day in tears and grief with his companions.
⁴ Barach

⁵ ποιεῖ δ᾽ αὐτῷ τὴν‎ λύπην χαλεπωτέραν ὁ ΣαούλουSaul παῖς ἸωνάθηςJonathan πιστότατός τε ὢν Φίλος αὐτῷ καὶ σωτηρίας αἴτιος γεγενημένος . τοσαύτην δ᾽ ἐπεδείξατο τὴν‎ ἀρετὴν καὶ τὴν‎ πρὸς τὸν ΣαοῦλονSaul εὔνοιαν , ὡς μὴ μόνον ἐπὶ τεθνηκότι χαλεπῶς ἐνεγκεῖν πολλάκις ὑπ᾽ αὐτοῦ‎ κινδυνεύσας ἀφαιρεθῆναι τὸν βίον , ἀλλὰ καὶ τὸν ἀποκτείναντα κολάσαι .
⁵ This grief was augmented by the consideration of Jonathan; the son of Saul, who had been his most faithful friend, and the occasion of his own deliverance. He also demonstrated himself to have such great virtue, and such great kindness for Saul, as not only to take his death to heart, though he had been frequently in danger of losing his life by his means, but to punish him that slew him;	⁵ His grief was increased by the thought of Jonathan, Saul's son, who had been his most faithful friend and who had saved his life. He showed his virtue and his goodwill toward Saul, by not only taking his death so hard, though his own life had often been threatened by him, but also by punishing the man who killed him.
⁵ Barach

⁶ φήσας γὰρ πρὸς αὐτὸν , ὡς αὐτὸς γένοιτο κατήγορος ἀνελὼν τὸν βασιλέα , καὶ μαθών , ὡς εἴη πατρὸς ἈμαληκίτουAlmalekite γένος , ἐκέλευσεν αὐτὸν ἀπολέσθαι . Ἔγραψε δὲ καὶ θρήνους καὶ ἐπιταφίους ἐπαίνους ΣαούλουSaul καὶ ἸωνάθουJonathan , οἳ καὶ μέχρις ἐμοῦ διαμένουσιν .
⁶ for when David had said to him that he was become his own accuser, as the very man who had slain the king, and when he had understood that he was the son of an Amalekite, he commanded him to be slain. He also committed to writing some lamentations and funeral commendations of Saul and Jonathan, which have continued to my own age.	⁶ David told him that he was his own accuser, in saying he had killed the king, and learning that he was the son of an Amalekite, he ordered him killed. He also wrote some dirges and poems of praise for Saul and Jonathan, which have lasted to my own time.
⁶ Barach

⁷ Ἐπεὶ δὲ τούτοις ἐξετίμησε τὸν βασιλέα παυσάμενος τοῦ πένθους ἤρετο τὸν θεὸν διὰ τοῦ προφήτου , τίνα δίδωσιν αὐτῷ κατοικῆσαι πόλιν τῆς ἸούδαJudas καλουμένης φυλῆς . φήσαντος δ᾽ αὐτοῦ‎ διδόναι ΓιβρῶναHebron καταλιπὼν τὴν‎ ΣίκελλανSikella εἰς ἐκείνην παραγίνεται τάς τε γυναῖκας ἐπαγόμενος τὰς αὑτοῦ , δύο δὲ ἦσαν , καὶ τοὺς ὁπλίταςarmed warrior τοὺς σὺν αὐτῷ .
⁷ Now when David had paid these honors to the king, he left off his mourning, and inquired of God by the prophet which of the cities of the tribe of Judah he would bestow upon him to dwell in; who answered that he bestowed upon him Hebron. So he left Ziklag, and came to Hebron, and took with him his wives, who were in number two, and his armed men;	⁷ After honouring the king in this way, he ceased mourning and through the prophet asked God which city of the tribe of Judas he would grant him to dwell in. When he replied, Hebron, he left Sikella and came to Hebron taking his two wives with him and his warriors.
⁷ Barach

⁸ συνελθὼν δὲ πρὸς αὐτὸν πᾶς ὁ τῆς φυλῆς τῆς προειρημένης λαὸς ἀποδείκνυσιν αὐτὸν βασιλέα . ἀκούσας δ᾽ ὅτι τὸν ΣαοῦλονSaul καὶ τοὺς υἱοὺς αὐτοῦ‎ θάψειαν οἱ ἐν ἸαβησῷJabesh τῆς ΓαλααδίτιδοςGilead κατοικοῦντες , ἔπεμψε πρὸς αὐτοὺς ἐπαινῶν καὶ ἀποδεχόμενος αὐτῶν τὸ ἔργον , καὶ χάριτας ἀποδώσειν ἀντὶ τῆς πρὸς τοὺς τεθνηκότας σπουδῆς ὑπισχνούμενος , ἅμα δὲ καὶ δηλῶν ὡς ἡ ἸούδαJudas φυλὴ κεχειροτόνηκεν αὐτὸν βασιλέα .
⁸ whereupon all the people of the forementioned tribe came to him, and ordained him their king. But when he heard that the inhabitants of Jabesh Gilead had buried Saul and his sons [honorably], he sent to them and commended them, and took what they had done kindly, and promised to make them amends for their care of those that were dead; and at the same time he informed them that the tribe of Judah had chosen him for their king.	⁸ Then all the people of that tribe came to him and ordained him as their king. When he heard that the people of Jabes-Galadene had buried Saul and his sons, he sent to them and praised them and approved their action, promising to reward them for their care of the dead. At the same time he told them that the tribe of Judas had chosen him as their king.
⁸ Barach

⁹ Ὁ δὲ τοῦ ΣαούλουSaul μὲν ἀρχιστράτηγος ἈβεννῆροςAbner ΝήρουNer, Neros δὲ παῖς ἀνὴρ δραστήριος καὶ ἀγαθὸς τὴν‎ φύσιν , ὡς ἔγνω πεσόντα τὸν βασιλέα καὶ τὸν ἸωνάθηνJonathan καὶ τοὺς δύο τοὺς ἄλλους αὐτοῦ‎ παῖδας , ἐπειχθεὶς εἰς τὴν‎ παρεμβολὴν καὶ τὸν περιλειπόμενον ἐξαρπάσας υἱὸν αὐτοῦ‎ , ἸέβοσθοςIshbosheth δ᾽ ἐκαλεῖτο , διαβιβάζει πρὸς τοὺς πέραν τοῦ ἸορδάνουJordan καὶ παντὸς ἀποδείκνυσι τοῦ πλήθους βασιλέα πάρεξ τῆς ἸούδαJudas φυλῆς .
⁹ But as soon as Abner, the son of Ner, who was general of Saul’s army, and a very active man, and good-natured, knew that the king, and Jonathan, and his two other sons, were fallen in the battle, he made haste into the camp; and taking away with him the remaining son of Saul, whose name was Ishbosheth, he passed over to the land beyond Jordan, and ordained him the king of the whole multitude, excepting the tribe of Judah;	⁹ As soon as Abner, son of Ner, who was general of Saul's army and a very active and good man, knew that the king and Jonathan and his two other sons had fallen in the battle, he hurried to the camp and, taking with him Ishbosheth, Saul's remaining son, he crossed over to the land beyond the Jordan and proclaimed him king of the whole people, except the tribe of Judas.
⁹ Barach

¹⁰ βασίλειον δ᾽ ἐποίησεν αὐτῷ τὴν‎ κατὰ μὲν τὴν‎ ἐπιχώριον γλῶτταν ΜάναλινMahanaim , κατὰ δὲ τὴν‎ ἙλλήνωνGreeks Παρεμβολὰς λεγομένην · ὥρμησε δ᾽ ἐκεῖθεν ἈβεννῆροςAbner μετὰ στρατιᾶς ἐπιλέκτου συμβαλεῖν τοῖς ἐκ τῆς ἸούδαJudas φυλῆς προαιρούμενος · ὤργιστο γὰρ αὐτοῖς βασιλέα τὸν ΔαυίδηνDavid κεχειροτονηκόσιν .
¹⁰ and made his royal seat in a place called in our own language Mahanaim, but in the language of the Grecians, The Camps; from whence Abner made haste with a select body of soldiers, to fight with such of the tribe of Judah as were disposed to it, for he was angry that this tribe had set up David for their king.	¹⁰ He made his royal seat in a place called Mahanaim in our tongue, but in the language of the Greeks, The Camps. Abner hurried from there with an elite corps of soldiers, to fight any of the tribe of Judas who were so inclined, angry that this tribe had set up David as their king.
¹⁰ Barach

¹¹ ἀπήντησε δ᾽ αὐτῷ πεμφθεὶς ὑπὸ ΔαυίδουDavid ΣαρουίαςZeruias μὲν παῖς , πατρὸς δὲ ΣουρίSuri , ἐκ δὲ τῆς ἀδελφῆς τῆς ἐκείνου γεγονὼς αὐτῷ ἸώαβοςJoarib ἀρχιστράτηγος ὢν αὐτοῦ‎ , μετὰ καὶ τῶν ἀδελφῶν ἈβεσσαίουAbishai καὶ ἈσαήλουAsahel καὶ πάντων τῶν ΔαυίδουDavid ὁπλιτῶν . Καὶ περιτυχὼν ἐπί τινος κρηνίδος ἐν ΓαβαῶGabaon πόλει παρατάσσεται πρὸς μάχην .
¹¹ But Joab, whose father was Suri, and his mother Zeruiah, David’s sister, who was general of David’s army, met him, according to David’s appointment. He had with him his brethren, Abistiai and Asahel, as also all David’s armed men. Now when he met Abner at a certain fountain, in the city of Gibeon, he prepared to fight.	¹¹ But the general of the army, Joab, the son of Suri and of David's sister Zeruias, marched against him at David's command, along with his brothers, Abishai and Asahel, and all David's warriors. Finding him at a fountain in the city of Gabaon, he prepared for battle.
¹¹ Barach

¹² τοῦ δ᾽ ἈβεννήρουAbner φήσαντος πρὸς αὐτὸν βούλεσθαι μαθεῖν , πότερος αὐτῶν ἀνδρειοτέρους στρατιώτας ἔχει , συντίθεται παρ᾽ ἀμφοτέρων δυοκαίδεκα μαχησομένους συμβαλεῖν . προελθόντες τοίνυν εἰς τὸ μεταξὺ τῶν παρατάξεων οἱ πρὸς τὴν‎ μάχην ὑφ᾽ ἑκατέρων τῶν στρατηγῶν ἐξειλεγμένοι καὶ τὰς αἰχμὰς ἐπ᾽ ἀλλήλους ἀφέντες σπῶνται τὰς μαχαίρας καὶ τῶν κεφαλῶν ἐλλαμβανόμενοι κατέχοντες αὑτοὺς ἔπαιον εἰς τὰς πλευρὰς καὶ τὰς λαγόνας ἀλλήλους ταῖς ῥομφαίαις , ἕως οὗ πάντες ὥσπερ ἐκ συνθήματος ἀπώλοντο .
¹² And when Abner said to him, that he had a mind to know which of them had the more valiant soldiers, it was agreed between them that twelve soldiers of each side should fight together. So those that were chosen out by both the generals for this fight came between the two armies, and throwing their lances one against the other, they drew their swords, and catching one another by the head, they held one another fast, and ran each other’s swords into their sides and groins, until they all, as it were by mutual agreement, perished together.	¹² When Abner said he wished to see which of them had the braver soldiers, it was agreed that twelve of each side should fight each other. Those chosen by both generals for this fight came in between the two armies and after hurling their lances they drew their swords and catching each other by the head, they held tight and stabbed each other in the side and groin, until, as if by mutual agreement, all died together.
¹² Barach

¹³ πεσόντων δὲ τούτων συνέρρηξε καὶ ἡ λοιπὴ στρατιά , καὶ καρτερᾶς τῆς μάχης γενομένης ἡττήθησαν οἱ τοῦ ἈβεννήρουAbner · καὶ τραπέντας οὐκ ἀνίει διώκων ἸώαβοςJoarib , ἀλλ᾽ αὐτός τε ἐπέκειτο παρακελευόμενος τοὺς ὁπλίταςarmed warrior ἐκ ποδὸς ἕπεσθαι καὶ μὴ κάμνειν ἀναιροῦνταςto take up; to dedicate ,
¹³ When these were fallen down dead, the rest of the army came to a sore battle, and Abner’s men were beaten; and when they were beaten, Joab did not leave off pursuing them, but he pressed upon them, and excited the soldiers to follow them close, and not to grow weary of killing them.	¹³ When these had fallen, the rest of the army came to a fierce battle and Abner's side was defeated, and after their rout Joab did not give up the pursuit, but pressed them hard, urging his soldiers to follow them closely and not to give up killing them.
¹³ Barach

¹⁴ οἵ τε ἀδελφοὶ προθύμως ἠγωνίσαντο , καὶ διαφανέστερος τῶν ἄλλων μάλιστα ὁ νεώτερος ἈσάηλοςAsahel , ὃς ἐπὶ ποδῶν ὠκύτητι κλέος εἶχεν · οὐ γὰρ ἀνθρώπους ἐνίκα μόνον , ἀλλὰ καὶ ἵππῳ καταστάντα εἰς ἅμιλλαν λέγουσι παραδραμεῖν , καὶ τὸν ἈβεννῆρονAbner ἐδίωκεν ὑπὸ ῥύμης καὶ τῆς ἐπ᾽ ὀρθὸν φορᾶς εἰς οὐδέτερον ἐγκλιθεὶς τῶν μερῶν .
¹⁴ His brethren also pursued them with great alacrity, especially the younger, Asahel, who was the most eminent of them. He was very famous for his swiftness of foot, for he could not only be too hard for men, but is reported to have overrun a horse, when they had a race together. This Asahel ran violently after Abner, and would not turn in the least out of the straight way, either to the one side or to the other.	¹⁴ His brothers also fought hard, most especially the younger, Asahel, famous for his speed of foot, in which he not only outran others, but also is reported to have overtaken a horse, when they raced together. He ran hard after Abner, deviating neither to one side or the other.
¹⁴ Barach

¹⁵ ἐπιστραφέντος δὲ τοῦ ἈβεννήρουAbner καὶ κατασοφίζεσθαι τὴν‎ ὁρμὴν αὐτοῦ‎ πειρωμένου καὶ ποτὲ μὲν εἰπόντος ἑνὸς τῶν αὐτοῦ‎ στρατιωτῶν ἀφέμενος τῆς διώξεως ἀφελέσθαι τὴν‎ πανοπλίαν , πάλιν δ᾽ ὡς οὐκ ἔπειθεto persuade τοῦτο ποιεῖν κατασχεῖν αὑτὸν καὶ μὴ διώκειν παραινοῦντος , μὴ κτείνας αὐτὸν ἀπολέσῃ τὴν‎ πρὸς τὸν ἀδελφὸν αὐτοῦ‎ παρρησίαν , οὐ προσιέμενον [δὲ ] τοὺς λόγους , ἀλλ᾽ ἐπιμείναντα τὴν‎ δίωξιν φεύγων ὡς εἶχε τὸ δόρυ πλήξας εἰς τοὐπίσω καιρίως παραχρῆμ᾽ ἀπέκτεινεν .
¹⁵ Hereupon Abner turned back, and attempted artfully to avoid his violence. Sometimes he bade him leave off the pursuit, and take the armor of one of his soldiers; and sometimes, when he could not persuade him so to do, he exhorted him to restrain himself, and not to pursue him any longer, lest he should force him to kill him, and he should then not be able to look his brother in the face: but when Asahel would not admit of any persuasions, but still continued to pursue him, Abner smote him with his spear, as he held it in his flight, and that by a back-stroke, and gave him a deadly wound, so that he died immediately;	¹⁵ But Abner turned around and skilfully parried his attack. At one point he told him to give up the chase and take the armour of one of his soldiers, and when he could not persuade him, he urged him to stop following him, or he would be forced to kill him and then would not be able to look his brother in the face. When he ignored these words and still continued his pursuit, Abner struck him by a back-stroke with his spear, killing him at once.
¹⁵ Barach

¹⁶ οἱ δὲ μετ᾽ αὐτοῦ‎ διώκοντες τὸν ἈβεννῆρονAbner ὡς ἦλθον ἐπὶ τὸν τόπον , οὗ κεῖσθαι συνέβαινε τὸν ἈσάηλονAsahel , περιστάντες τὸν νεκρὸν οὐκέτι τοὺς πολεμίους ἐδίωκον · ὁ δὲ ἸώαβοςJoarib αὐτὸς καὶ ὁ ἀδελφὸς αὐτοῦ‎ ἈβεσσαῖοςAbishai παραδραμόντες τὸ πτῶμα καὶ τῆς πλείονος ἐπὶ τὸν ἈβεννῆρονAbner σπουδῆς αἰτίαν τὴν‎ ὑπὲρ τοῦ τετελευτηκότος ὀργὴν λαβόντες , ἀπίστῳ τάχει καὶ προθυμίᾳ χρώμενοι μέχρι τόπου τινός , ὌμματονAmmah καλοῦσιν , ἐδίωξαν τὸν ἈβεννῆρονAbner ἤδη περὶ δυσμὰς ὄντος ἡλίου .
¹⁶ but those that were with him pursuing Abner, when they came to the place where Asahel lay, they stood round about the dead body, and left off the pursuit of the enemy. However, both Joab himself, and his brother Abishai, ran past the dead corpse, and making their anger at the death of Asahel an occasion of greater zeal against Abner, they went on with incredible haste and alacrity, and pursued Abner to a certain place called Ammah: it was about sun-set.	¹⁶ Those who pursued Abner with him, on coming to the place where Asahel lay, stood around his corpse and left off pursuing the enemy. But Joab and his brother Abishai ran past his body and more enraged at Abner because of his death, pursued him with incredible speed and passion to a place called Ammah, about sunset.
¹⁶ Barach

¹⁷ ἀναβὰς δ᾽ ἐπί τινα βουνόν , ὅς ἐστιν ἐν ἐκείνῳ τῷ τόπῳ μετὰ τῆς ΒενιαμίτιδοςBenjamin φυλῆς , αὐτούς τε κατεσκέπτετο καὶ τὸν ἈβεννῆρονAbner . τούτου δὲ ἀνακεκραγότος καὶ φήσαντος , μὴ δεῖν ἄνδρας ὁμοφύλους εἰς ἔριδα καὶ μάχην παροξύνειν , ἁμαρτεῖν δὲ καὶ τὸν ἀδελφὸν αὐτοῦ‎ ἈσάηλονAsahel , ὃς παραινοῦντος μὴ διώκειν οὐκ ἐπείσθη καὶ διὰ τοῦτο βληθεὶς ἀπέθανε , συμφρονήσας καὶ παράκλησιν ἡγησάμενος τούτους τοὺς λόγους ὁ ἸώαβοςJoarib ἀνακαλεῖ τῇ σάλπιγγι σημάνας τοὺς στρατιώτας καὶ τῆς ἐπὶ πολὺ διώξεως ἐπισχών .
¹⁷ Then did Joab ascend a certain hill, as he stood at that place, having the tribe of Benjamin with him, whence he took a view of them, and of Abner also. Hereupon Abner cried aloud, and said that it was not fit that they should irritate men of the same nation to fight so bitterly one against another; that as for Asahel his brother, he was himself in the wrong, when he would not be advised by him not to pursue him any farther, which was the occasion of his wounding and death. So Joab consented to what he said, and accepted these his words as an excuse [about Asahel], and called the soldiers back with the sound of the trumpet, as a signal for their retreat, and thereby put a stop to any further pursuit.	¹⁷ He ascended a hill and stood where he could see the tribe of Benjamin and Abner too. Abner shouted that it was not right to make men of the same nation fight each other so bitterly. Also, his brother Asahel had himself to blame, for not heeding his advice to pursue him no farther, which had led to his wounding and death. So Joab agreed to what he said and accepted these words and recalled the soldiers with the sound of the trumpet, and put a stop to any further pursuit.
¹⁷ Barach

¹⁸ καὶ οὗτος μὲν ἐπ᾽ ἐκείνου καταστρατοπεδεύεται τοῦ τόπου τὴν‎ νύκτα ταύτην , ἈβεννῆροςAbner δὲ δι᾽ ὅλης αὐτῆς ὁδεύσας καὶ περαιωσάμενος τὸν ἸόρδανονJordan ποταμὸν ἀφικνεῖται πρὸς τὸν τοῦ ΣαούλουSaul παῖδα εἰς τὰς Παρεμβολὰς ἸέβωσθονIshbosheth . τῇ δ᾽ ἐχομένῃ τοὺς νεκροὺς ὁ ἸώαβοςJoarib ἐξαριθμήσας ἅπαντας ἐκήδευσεν .
¹⁸ After which Joab pitched his camp there that night; but Abner marched all that night, and passed over the river Jordan, and came to Ishbosheth, Saul’s son, to Mahanaim. On the next day Joab counted the dead men, and took care of all their funerals.	¹⁸ Joab encamped there that night, but Abner marched all night and crossed the river Jordan and came to Ishbosheth, Saul's son, to Mahanaim. Next day, Joab counted the dead and arranged all the funerals.
¹⁸ Barach

¹⁹ ἔπεσον δὲ τῶν μὲν ἈβεννήρουAbner στρατιωτῶν ὡς τριακόσιοι καὶ ἑξήκοντα , τῶν δὲ ΔαυίδουDavid δέκα πρὸς τοῖς ἐννέα καὶ ἈσάηλοςAsahel , οὗ τὸ σῶμα κομίσαντες ἐκεῖθεν ἸώαβοςJoarib καὶ ἈβεσσαῖοςAbishai εἰς ΒηθλεέμηνBethlehem καὶ θάψαντες ἐν τῷ πατρῴῳ μνήματι πρὸς ΔαυίδηνDavid εἰς ΓιβρῶναHebron παρεγένοντο .
¹⁹ Now there were slain of Abner’s soldiers about three hundred and sixty; but of those of David nineteen, and Asahel, whose body Joab and Abishai carried to Bethlehem; and when they had buried him in the sepulcher of their fathers, they came to David to Hebron.	¹⁹ About three hundred and sixty of Abner's soldiers were killed, but nineteen of David's along with Asahel, whose body Joab and Abishai brought to Bethlehem. When they had buried him in the burial vault of their fathers, they came to David in Hebron.
¹⁹ Barach

²⁰ ἤρξατο μὲν οὖν ἐξ ἐκείνου τοῦ χρόνου τοῖς ἙβραίοιςHebrews ἐμφύλιοςkinsfolk πόλεμος καὶ διέμεινεν ἄχρι πολλοῦ , τῶν μὲν μετὰ ΔαυίδουDavid κρειττόνων ἀεὶ γινομένων καὶ πλεῖον ἐν τοῖς κινδύνοις φερομένων , τοῦ δὲ ΣαούλουSaul παιδὸς καὶ τῶν ὑπηκόων αὐτοῦ‎ κατὰ πᾶσαν σχεδὸν ἡμέραν ἐλαττουμένων .
²⁰ From this time therefore there began an intestine war, which lasted a great while, in which the followers of David grew stronger in the dangers they underwent, and the servants and subjects of Saul’s sons did almost every day become weaker.	²⁰ This was the beginning of the Hebrews' civil war, which lasted a long time, during which the followers of David grew stronger by the dangers they endured while almost every day the servants and subjects of Saul's sons grew weaker.
²⁰ Barach

²¹ Ἐγένοντο δὲ κατὰ τοῦτον τὸν καιρὸν καὶ παῖδες ΔαυίδῃDavid τὸν ἀριθμὸν ἓξ [ἐκ γυναικῶν τοσούτων], ὧν ὁ μὲν πρεσβύτατος ἐκ μητρὸς ἈχίναςAhinoam γενόμενος ἈμνὼνAmnon, Arenon ἐκλήθη , ὁ δὲ δεύτερος ἐκ γυναικὸς ἈβιγαίαςAbigail ΔανίηλοςDaniēl , τῷ τρίτῳ δ᾽ ἐκ τῆς ΘολομαίουTalmai θυγατρὸς ΜαχάμηςMaacah φύντι τοῦ ΓεσσιρῶνGeshur βασιλέως ἈψάλωμοςTalmai, Apsalomos ὄνομα , τὸν δὲ τέταρτον ἈδωνίανAdonijah ἐκ γυναικὸς ἈήθηςHaggith προσηγόρευσεto call, name , τὸν πέμπτον δὲ ΣαφατίανShephatias τῆς ἈβιτάληςAbital καὶ τὸν ἕκτον ΓεθερσὰνIthream τῆς ΓαλαὰδGilead ἐπωνόμασε .
²¹ About this time David was become the father of six sons, born of as many mothers. The eldest was by Ahinoam, and he was called Ammon; the second was Daniel, by his wife Abigail; the name of the third was Absalom, by Maacah, the daughter of Talmai, king of Geshur; the fourth he named Adonijah, by his wife Haggith; the fifth was Shephatiah, by Abital; the sixth he called Ithream, by Eglah.	²¹ By this time David had fathered six sons, born of as many mothers. The eldest was by Ahinoam and was named Arenon; the second was Daniel, by his wife Abigail; the name of the third was Absalom, by Maacah, the daughter of Talmai, king of Geshur; the fourth he named Adonijah, by his wife Haggith; the fifth was Shephatias, by Abital; the sixth he named Ithream, by Eglah.
²¹ Barach

²² τοῦ δ᾽ ἐμφυλίουkinsfolk πολέμου συνεστῶτος καὶ συμπιπτόντων εἰς ἔργα καὶ μάχην πυκνῶς μεθ᾽ ἑκατέρου τῶν βασιλέων , ἈβεννῆροςAbner ὁ τοῦ ΣαούλουSaul παιδὸς ἀρχιστράτηγος συνετὸς ὢν καὶ σφόδρα εὔνουν ἔχων τὸ πλῆθος πάντας συμμεῖναι [τῷ ἸεβόσθῳIshbosheth ] παρεσκεύασε · καὶ διέμειναν ἱκανὸν χρόνον τὰ ἐκείνου φρονοῦντες .
²² Now while this intestine war went on, and the subjects of the two kings came frequently to action and to fighting, it was Abner, the general of the host of Saul’s son, who, by his prudence, and the great interest he had among the multitude, made them all continue with Ishbosheth; and indeed it was a considerable time that they continued of his party;	²² While this civil war went on and the subjects of the two kings were often engaged in battle, it was Abner, general of the army of Saul's son, who, by his prudence and great influence among the people, got them to stay with Ishbosheth, and for a long time they stayed on his side.
²² Barach

²³ ὕστερον δ᾽ ἐν ἐγκλήματι γενόμενος ἈβεννῆροςAbner καὶ λαβὼν αἰτίαν ὡς συνέλθοι τῇ ΣαούλουSaul παλλακῇ ῬαισφᾶRispah μὲν τοὔνομα ΣιβάτουAiah, Sibatou δὲ θυγατρί , καὶ καταμεμφθεὶς ὑπὸ ἸεβώσθουIshbosheth περιαλγήσας καὶ θυμωθείς , ὡς οὐ δικαίων τῶν παρ᾽ αὐτοῦ‎ τυγχάνοι πάσῃ‎ προνοίᾳ περὶ αὐτὸν χρώμενος , ἠπείλησε μὲν τὴν‎ βασιλείαν εἰς ΔαυίδηνDavid περιστήσειν , ἐπιδείξειν δὲ ὡς οὐχὶ διὰ τὴν‎ ἰδίαν ῬώμηνRome καὶ σύνεσιν ἄρχοι τῶν πέραν ἸορδάνουJordan , διὰ δὲ τὴν‎ αὐτοῦ‎ στρατηγίαν τε καὶ πίστιν .
²³ but afterwards Abner was blamed, and an accusation was laid against him, that he went in unto Saul’s concubine: her name was Rispah, the daughter of Aiah. So when he was complained of by Ishbosheth, he was very uneasy and angry at it, because he had not justice done him by Ishbosheth, to whom he had shown the greatest kindness; whereupon he threatened to transfer the kingdom to David, and demonstrate that he did not rule over the people beyond Jordan by his own abilities and wisdom, but by his warlike conduct and fidelity in leading his army.	²³ Later on, Abner was blamed and faulted for having intercourse with Saul's concubine, Rispah, the daughter of Aiah. When Ishbosheth faulted him for this, he was indignant and angry, that one of whom he had taken such care was unfair to him. He threatened to hand the kingdom to David and so prove that it was not by his own power and wisdom that Ishbosheth ruled the people beyond the Jordan, but by his generalship and fidelity.
²³ Barach

²⁴ καὶ πέμψας εἰς ΓιβρῶναHebron παρὰ ΔαυίδηνDavid λαβεῖν ὅρκους τε καὶ πίστεις ἠξίου , ἦ μὴν ἕξειν αὐτὸν ἑταῖρον καὶ φίλον ἀναπείσαντα τὸν λαὸν τοῦ ΣαούλουSaul μὲν ἀποστῆναι παιδός , αὐτὸν δὲ ἀποδείξαντα πάσης τῆς χώρας βασιλέα .
²⁴ So he sent ambassadors to Hebron to David, and desired that he would give him security upon oath that he would esteem him his companion and his friend, upon condition that he should persuade the people to leave Saul’s son, and choose him king of the whole country;	²⁴ He sent envoys to David in Hebron, asking for his guarantee on oath to treat him as his ally and friend, if he persuaded the people to leave Saul's son and elect him as king of the whole region.
²⁴ Barach

²⁵ τοῦ δὲ ΔαυίδουDavid ποιησαμένου τὰς ὁμολογίας , ἥσθη γὰρ ἐφ᾽ οἷς ἈβεννῆροςAbner διεπρεσβεύσατο πρὸς αὐτόν , καὶ πρῶτον τεκμήριον παρασχεῖν τῶν συνθηκῶν ἀξιώσαντος ἀνασώσαντα πρὸς αὐτὸν [ ΜελχάληνMichal ] τὴν‎ γυναῖκα μεγάλοις ὠνηθεῖσαν ὑπ᾽ αὐτοῦ‎ κινδύνοις καὶ ΠαλαιστίνωνPhilistines κεφαλαῖς ἑξακοσίαις , ἃς ὑπὲρ αὐτῆς ἐκόμισε τῷ πατρὶ ΣαούλῳSaul ,
²⁵ and when David had made that league with Abner, for he was pleased with his message to him, he desired that he would give this as the first mark of performance of the present league, that he might have his wife Michal restored to him, as her whom he had purchased with great hazards, and with those six hundred heads of the Philistines which he had brought to Saul her father.	²⁵ When, pleased with the message Abner had sent him, David agreed to this, he asked as the first sign of their agreement that his wife Michal be returned to him, for he had purchased her at great risk, with those six hundred heads of the Philistines which he brought to her father, Saul.
²⁵ Barach

²⁶ πέμπει μὲν αὐτῷ τὴν‎ ΜελχάληνMichal ἀποσπάσας ὈφελτίουPhaltiel τοῦ τότε συνοικοῦντος αὐτῇ , πρὸς τοῦτο καὶ ἸεβώσθουIshbosheth συμπράξαντος · ἐγεγράφει γὰρ αὐτῷ ΔαυίδηςDavid τὴν‎ γυναῖκα δικαίως ἀπολαβεῖν · συγκαλέσας δὲ τοὺς γεγηρακότας τοῦ πλήθους καὶ ταξιάρχους καὶ χιλιάρχους λόγους ἐποιήσατο πρὸς αὐτούς ,
²⁶ So Abner took Michal from Phaltiel, who was then her husband, and sent her to David, Ishbosheth himself affording him his assistance, for David had written to him that of right he ought to have this his wife restored to him. Abner also called together the elders of the multitude, the commanders and captains of thousands, and spake thus to them:	²⁶ So Abner took Michal from Phaltiel, who was then her husband and sent her to David, with the consent of Ishbosheth, for David had written to him that by right he should get his wife back. Abner also gathered the elders of the people, the officers and officers of thousands and told them
²⁶ Barach

²⁷ ὡς ἔχοντας ἑτοίμως ἀποστῆναι μὲν ἸεβώσθουIshbosheth ΔαυίδῃDavid δὲ προσθέσθαι ταύτης ἀποστρέψειε τῆς ὁρμῆς , νῦν μέντοι γε ἐπιτρέποι χωρεῖν ᾗ βούλονται · καὶ γὰρ εἰδέναι τὸν θεὸν διὰ ΣαμουήλουSamuel τοῦ προφήτου ΔαυίδηνDavid χειροτονήσαντα πάντων ἙβραίωνHebrews βασιλέα , προειπεῖν δ᾽ ὅτι ΠαλαιστίνουςPhilistines ἐκεῖνος αὐτὸς τιμωρήσεται καὶ ποιήσει κρατήσας ὑποχειρίους .
²⁷ That he had formerly dissuaded them from their own resolution, when they were ready to forsake Ishbosheth, and to join themselves to David; that, however, he now gave them leave so to do, if they had a mind to it, for they knew that God had appointed David to be king of all the Hebrews by Samuel the prophet; and had foretold that he should punish the Philistines, and overcome them, and bring them under.	²⁷ that he had formerly argued against it, when they were ready to forsake Ishbosheth and join with David, but now they could do so if they wished, for they knew how God had chosen David as king of all the Hebrews through Samuel the prophet, foretelling that he would punish the Philistines and overcome them and bring them down.
²⁷ Barach

²⁸ ταῦτ᾽ ἀκούσαντες οἱ πρεσβύτεροι καὶ ἡγεμόνες , ὡς τὴν‎ ἈβεννήρουAbner γνώμην ᾗ πρότερον εἶχον αὐτοὶ περὶ τῶν πραγμάτων σύμφωνον προσέλαβον , τὰ ΔαυίδουDavid φρονεῖν μετεβάλοντο .
²⁸ Now when the elders and rulers heard this, and understood that Abner was come over to those sentiments about the public affairs which they were of before, they changed their measures, and came in to David.	²⁸ When the elders and officers heard this and saw how Abner had come over to their own earlier opinions about the public affairs, they changed their policy and joined in with David.
²⁸ Barach

²⁹ πεισθέντων δὲ τούτων ἈβεννῆροςAbner συγκαλεῖ τὴν‎ ΒενιαμιτῶνBenjamites φυλήν , οἱ γὰρ ἐκ ταύτης ἅπαντες ἸεβώσθουIshbosheth σωματοφύλακες ἦσαν , καὶ ταὐτὰ πρὸς αὐτοὺς διαλεχθείς , ἐπειδὴ μὴ ἀντικρούοντας ἑώρα , προστιθεμένους δ᾽ οἷς ἐβούλετο , παραλαβὼν ὡς εἴκοσι τῶν ἑταίρων ἧκε πρὸς ΔαυίδηνDavid τοὺς ὅρκους παρ᾽ αὐτοῦ‎ ληψόμενος αὐτός , πιστότερα γὰρ τῶν δι᾽ ἄλλου πραττομένωνto do ὅσα δι᾽ αὑτῶν ἕκαστοι ποιοῦμεν εἶναι δοκεῖ , καὶ προσέτι τοὺς γενομένους αὐτῷ λόγους πρός τε τοὺς ἡγεμόνας καὶ πρὸς τὴν‎ φυλὴν ἅπασαν σημανῶν .
²⁹ When these men had agreed to Abner’s proposal, he called together the tribe of Benjamin, for all of that tribe were the guards of Ishbosheth’s body, and he spake to them to the same purpose. And when he saw that they did not in the least oppose what he said, but resigned themselves up to his opinion, he took about twenty of his friends and came to David, in order to receive himself security upon oath from him; for we may justly esteem those things to be firmer which every one of us do by ourselves, than those which we do by another. He also gave him an account of what he had said to the rulers, and to the whole tribe of Benjamin;	²⁹ When these had agreed to Abner's proposal, he called together the tribe of Benjamin, for all of that tribe were Ishbosheth's bodyguards, and he spoke to them to the same purpose. Seeing that they did not in the least oppose what he said, but came over to his opinion, he took about twenty of his friends and came to David, in order to personally receive assurance upon oath from him, for we may rightly reckon those things to be firmer which each of us do by ourselves than those which we do by another. He also gave him an account of what he had said to the officers and the whole tribe.
²⁹ Barach

³⁰ ὑποδεξαμένουto welcome; to show δ᾽ αὐτὸν φιλοφρόνως καὶ λαμπρᾷ καὶ πολυτελεῖ τραπέζῃ ξενίσαντος ἐπὶ πολλὰς ἡμέρας , ἠξίωσεν ἀφεθεὶς ἀγαγεῖν τὸ πλῆθος , ἵνα παρόντι καὶ βλεπομένῳ παραδῶσι τὴν‎ ἀρχήν .
³⁰ and when David had received him in a courteous manner, and had treated him with great hospitality for many days, Abner, when he was dismissed, desired him to permit him to bring the multitude with him, that he might deliver up the government to him, when David himself was present, and a spectator of what was done.	³⁰ David received him courteously and treated him with great hospitality for many days. When he was dismissed, Abner wanted to bring the people with him, for them to hand over the leadership to him with David himself present to see it done.
³⁰ Barach

³¹ Ἐκπέμψαντος δὲ τοῦ ΔαυίδουDavid τὸν ἈβεννῆρονAbner οὐδὲ ὀλίγον διαλιπὼν εἰς ΓιβρῶναHebron ἧκεν ἸώαβοςJoarib ὁ ἀρχιστράτηγος αὐτοῦ‎ , καὶ μαθών , ὡς εἴη παρὼν πρὸς αὐτὸν ἈβεννῆροςAbner καὶ μικρὸν ἔμπροσθεν ἀπηλλαγμένος ἐπὶ συνθήκαις καὶ ὁμολογίαις τῆς ἡγεμονίας , δείσας μὴ τὸν μὲν ἐν τιμῇ καὶ τῇ πρώτῃ ποιήσεται τάξει συνεργόν τε τῆς βασιλείας ἐσόμενον καὶ τἆλλα δεινὸν ὄντα συνιδεῖν πράγματα καὶ τοὺς καιροὺς ὑποδραμεῖν , αὐτὸς δ᾽ ἐλαττωθείη καὶ τῆς στρατηγίας ἀφεθείη , κακοῦργον καὶ πονηρὰν ὁδὸν ἄπεισι .
³¹ When David had sent Abner away, Joab, the general of his army, came immediately to Hebron; and when he had understood that Abner had been with David, and had parted with him a little before under leagues and agreements that the government should be delivered up to David, he feared lest David should place Abner, who had assisted him to gain the kingdom, in the first rank of dignity, especially since he was a shrewd man in other respects, in understanding affairs, and in managing them artfully, as proper seasons should require, and that he should himself be put lower, and be deprived of the command of the army; so he took a knavish and a wicked course.	³¹ When David had sent Abner away, Joab, the leader of his army, came immediately to Hebron. He knew that Abner had been with David and had parted from him a little earlier with promises and agreements that the leadership would pass over to David, and feared that David would give the highest dignity to Abner, for helping him to gain the kingdom, especially since he was in other respects shrewd at understanding affairs and managing them skilfully, as occasion required, and that he himself should be ranked lower and be deprived of the command of the army, so he followed a sly and wicked course.
³¹ Barach

³² [καὶ ] πρῶτον μὲν ἐπιχειρεῖ διαβαλεῖν αὐτὸν πρὸς τὸν βασιλέα φυλάττεσθαι παραινῶν καὶ μὴ προσέχειν οἷς ἈβεννῆροςAbner συντίθεται · πάντα γὰρ ποιεῖν αὐτὸν ἐπὶ τῷ βεβαιώσασθαι τῷ ΣαούλουSaul παιδὶ τὴν‎ ἡγεμονίαν · ἐπὶ δὲ ἀπάτῃ καὶ δόλῳ πρὸς αὐτὸν ἐλθόντα μεθ᾽ ἧς ἐβούλετο νῦν ἐλπίδος καὶ οἰκονομίας τῶν κατασκευαζομένων ἀπελθεῖν .
³² In the first place, he endeavored to calumniate Abner to the king, exhorting him to have a care of him, and not to give attention to what he had engaged to do for him, because all he did tended to confirm the government to Saul’s son; that he came to him deceitfully and with guile, and was gone away in hopes of gaining his purpose by this management:	³² First he tried to calumniate him to the king, urging him to be suspicious of him and not to heed what he had engaged to do for him, because of all he did to establish the leadership to Saul's son; that he had come to him deceitfully and with guile and had left hoping to gain his purpose by this procedure.
³² Barach

³³ ὡς δ᾽ οὐκ ἔπειθεto persuade τὸν ΔαυίδηνDavid τούτοις οὐδὲ παροξυνόμενον ἑώρα , τρέπεται ταύτης τολμηροτέραν ὁδὸν καὶ κρίνας ἈβεννῆρονAbner ἀποκτεῖναι πέμπει τοὺς ἐπιδιώξοντας , οἷς καταλαβοῦσι προσέταξεν αὐτὸν καλεῖν ἐκ τοῦ ΔαυίδουDavid ὀνόματος , ὡς ἔχοντος αὐτοῦ‎ τινα περὶ τῶν πραγμάτων πρὸς αὐτὸν ἃ μὴ διεμνημόνευσε παρόντος εἰπεῖν .
³³ but when he could not thus persuade David, nor saw him at all exasperated, he betook himself to a project bolder than the former:—he determined to kill Abner; and in order thereto, he sent some messengers after him, to whom he gave in charge, that when they should overtake him they should recall him in David’s name, and tell him that he had somewhat to say to him about his affairs, which he had not remembered to speak of when he was with him.	³³ When he could not persuade David of this, nor get him at all exasperated, he embarked on an even bolder project : he decided to kill Abner, and in order to do this, sent some messengers after him, with orders that when they overtook him they should recall him in David's name and tell him he had something to say to him about his affairs, which he had not remembered to speak of when he was with him.
³³ Barach

³⁴ ἈβεννῆροςAbner δ᾽ ὡς ἤκουσε τὰ παρὰ τῶν ἀγγέλων , κατέλαβον αὐτὸν ἐν τόπῳ τινὶ ΒησηρᾶBesira καλουμένῳ ἀπέχοντι τῆς ΓιβρῶνοςHebron σταδίους εἴκοσι , μηδὲν ὑπιδόμενος τῶν συμβησομένων ὑπέστρεψεν . ἀπαντήσας δ᾽ αὐτῷ πρὸς τῇ πύλῃ ἸώαβοςJoarib καὶ δεξιωσάμενος ὡς μάλιστ᾽ εὔνους καὶ Φίλος , ὑποκρίνονται γὰρ ἱκανῶς πολλάκις εἰς τὸ ἀνύποπτον τῆς ἐπιβουλῆς τὰ τῶν ἀληθῶς ἀγαθῶν οἱ πράγμασιν ἐγχειροῦντες ἀτόποις ,
³⁴ Now when Abner heard what the messengers said, (for they overtook him in a certain place called Besira, which was distant from Hebron twenty furlongs,) he suspected none of the mischief which was befalling him, and came back. Hereupon Joab met him in the gate, and received him in the kindest manner, as if he were Abner’s most benevolent acquaintance and friend; for such as undertake the vilest actions, in order to prevent the suspicion of any private mischief intended, do frequently make the greatest pretenses to what really good men sincerely do.	³⁴ When Abner heard what the messengers said, ( for they overtook him in a certain place called Besira, twenty furlongs from Hebron, ) he suspected none of the harm which awaited him and returned. Joab met him in the gate and received him in the kindest manner, as if he were Abner's most benevolent acquaintance and friend, for such as undertake the vilest actions, in order to prevent the suspicion that any secret harm is intended, often make the greatest imitation of what really good men sincerely do.
³⁴ Barach

³⁵ ἀποσπᾷ μὲν τῶν οἰκείων αὐτὸν ὡς ἐν ἀπορρήτῳforbidden διαλεξόμενος , παραγαγὼν δὲ εἰς τὸ ἐρημότερον τῆς πύλης μόνος αὐτὸς ὢν σὺν ἈβεσσαίῳAbishai τῷ ἀδελφῷ σπασάμενος τὴν‎ μάχαιραν ὑπὸ τὴν‎ λαγόνα παίει .
³⁵ So he took him aside from his own followers, as if he would speak with him in private, and brought him into a void place of the gate, having himself nobody with him but his brother Abishai; then he drew his sword, and smote him in the groin;	³⁵ So he took him aside from his own followers, as though to speak with him in private, and brought him into a quiet place at the gate, accompanied by no one but his brother Abishai; then he drew his sword and struck him in the groin.
³⁵ Barach

³⁶ καὶ τελευτᾷ μὲν ἈβεννῆροςAbner τοῦτον ἐνεδρευθεὶς τὸν τρόπον ὑπὸ ἸωάβουJoab , ὡς μὲν αὐτὸς ἔλεγε τιμωρήσαντος ἈσαήλῳAsahel τῷ ἀδελφῷ , ὃν διώκοντα λαβὼν ἈβεννῆροςAbner ἀπέκτεινεν ἐν τῇ πρὸς ΓιβρῶνιHebron μάχῃ , ὡς δὲ τἀληθὲς εἶχε δείσαντος περὶ τῆς στρατηγίας καὶ τῆς παρὰ τῷ βασιλεῖ τιμῆς , μὴ τούτων μὲν αὐτὸς ἀφαιρεθείη , λάβοι δὲ παρὰ ΔαυίδουDavid τὴν‎ πρώτην τάξιν ἈβεννῆροςAbner .
³⁶ upon which Abner died by this treachery of Joab, which, as he said himself, was in the way of punishment for his brother Asahel, whom Abner smote and slew as he was pursuing after him in the battle of Hebron, but as the truth was, out of his fear of losing his command of the army, and his dignity with the king, and lest he should be deprived of those advantages, and Abner should obtain the first rank in David’s court.	³⁶ Abner died by this treachery of Joab, who explained it as by way of punishment for his brother Asahel, whom Abner had struck and killed as he was pursuing after him in the battle of Hebron, but in truth it was from his fear of losing the command of the army and his dignity with the king, and to avoid being deprived of those advantages, and lest Abner should obtain the highest rank in David's court.
³⁶ Barach

³⁷ ἐκ τούτων ἄν τις κατανοήσειεν , ὅσα καὶ πηλίκα τολμῶσιν ἄνθρωποι πλεονεξίας ἕνεκα καὶ ἀρχῆς καὶ τοῦ μηδενὶ τούτων παραχωρῆσαι · κτήσασθαι γὰρ αὐτὰ ποθοῦντες διὰ μυρίων κακῶν λαμβάνουσι , καὶ δείσαντες ἀποβαλεῖνto throw off πολλῷ χείροσι τὸ βέβαιον αὑτοῖς τῆς παραμονῆς περιποιοῦσιν ,
³⁷ By these examples any one may learn how many and how great instances of wickedness men will venture upon for the sake of getting money and authority, and that they may not fail of either of them; for as when they are desirous of obtaining the same, they acquire them by ten thousand evil practices; so when they are afraid of losing them, they get them confirmed to them by practices much worse than the former,	³⁷ By these examples one may learn how many and how great evils men will venture upon for the sake of gaining money and authority and to avoid failure in either of them, for as when they are eager to gain these, they acquire them by ten thousand evil practices,
³⁷ Barach

³⁸ ὡς οὐχ ὁμοίουlike, similar δεινοῦ τυγχάνοντος πορίσασθαι τηλικοῦτον μέγεθος ἐξουσίας , καὶ συνήθη τοῖς ἀπ᾽ αὐτῆς ἀγαθοῖς γενόμενον ἔπειτ᾽ αὐτὴν ἀπολέσαι , τούτου δὲ ὑπερβολὴν ἔχοντος συμφορᾶς . Καὶ διὰ τοῦτο χαλεπώτερα μηχανῶνται καὶ τολμῶσιν ἐν φόβῳ ἔργα πάντες τοῦτ᾽ ἀποβαλεῖνto throw off γενόμενοι . ἀλλὰ περὶ μὲν τούτων ἐν βραχέσιν ἀρκεῖ δεδηλῶσθαι .
³⁸ as if no other calamity so terrible could befall them as the failure of acquiring so exalted an authority; and when they have acquired it, and by long custom found the sweetness of it, the losing it again: and since this last would be the heaviest of all afflictions they all of them contrive and venture upon the most difficult actions, out of the fear of losing the same. But let it suffice that I have made these short reflections upon that subject.	³⁸ so when they are afraid of losing them, they hold on to them by practices much worse than the former, as if no worse disaster could happen to them than failure to gain so exalted an authority; or when they have acquired it and by long habit enjoyed the sweetness of it, to lose it again. Since the latter would be the heaviest of all sufferings, all of them plan and risk the most difficult actions, for fear of losing the same. But let it suffice that I have made these short reflections upon that subject.
³⁸ Barach

³⁹ ΔαυίδηςDavid δ᾽ ἀκούσας ἀνῃρημένον τὸν ἈβεννῆρονAbner ἤλγησε μὲν τὴν‎ ψυχήν , ἐμαρτύρατο δὲ πάντας ἀνατείνων εἰς τὸν θεὸν τὴν‎ δεξιὰν καὶ βοῶν , ὡς οὔτε κοινωνὸς εἴη τῆς ἈβεννήρουAbner σφαγῆς , οὔτε κατ᾽ ἐντολὴν καὶ βούλησιν ἰδίαν ἀποθάνοι . ἀρὰς δὲ κατὰ τοῦ πεφονευκότος αὐτὸν δεινὰς ἐτίθετο καὶ τὸν οἶκον ὅλον αὐτοῦ‎ καὶ τοὺς συμπράξαντας ὑπευθύνους ἐποιεῖτο ταῖς ὑπὲρ τοῦ τετελευτηκότος ποιναῖς ·
³⁹ When David heard that Abner was slain, it grieved his soul; and he called all men to witness, with stretching out his hands to God, and crying out that he was not a partaker in the murder of Abner, and that his death was not procured by his command or approbation. He also wished the heaviest curses might light upon him that slew him and upon his whole house; and he devoted those that had assisted him in this murder to the same penalties on its account;	³⁹ When David heard that Abner was killed, it grieved his soul, and he called all people to witness, stretching out his hands to God and crying out that he was not a partaker in the murder of Abner and that his death was not by his command or approval. He also wished the heaviest curses to come upon the one who killed him and upon his whole house, and he prayed the same penalties on those who had helped him in this murder.
³⁹ Barach

⁴⁰ ἔμελε γὰρ αὐτῷ μὴ δόξαι παρὰ τὰς πίστεις καὶ τοὺς ὅρκους οὓς ἔδωκεν ἈβεννήρῳAbner τοῦτο εἰργάσθαι . προσέταξε μέντοι γε παντὶ τῷ λαῷ κρέας καὶ πενθεῖν τὸν ἄνδρα καὶ τοῖς νομιζομένοις τιμᾶν αὐτοῦ‎ τὸ σῶμα περιρρηξαμένῳ μὲν τὰς ἐσθῆτας ἐνδύντι δὲ σάκκους , ταῦτα δὲ ποιεῖν προάγοντας τὴν‎ κλίνην .
⁴⁰ for he took care not to appear to have had any hand in this murder, contrary to the assurances he had given and the oaths he had taken to Abner. However, he commanded all the people to weep and lament this man, and to honor his dead body with the usual solemnities; that is, by rending their garments, and putting on sackcloth, and that things should be the habit in which they should go before the bier;	⁴⁰ He took care not to appear to have had any hand in this death, contrary to the assurances he had given and the oaths he had taken to Abner. On the contrary, he ordered all the people to weep and lament this man and to honour his corpse with the usual solemnities; that is, by rending their clothing and putting on sackcloth and that this should be their dress as they walked before the bier.
⁴⁰ Barach

⁴¹ αὐτὸς δ᾽ ἐφείπετο μετὰ τῶν γεγηρακότων καὶ τῶν ἐν ἡγεμονίαις ὄντων κοπτόμενός τε καὶ τοῖς δακρύοις ἐνδεικνύμενος τό τε εὔνουν τὸ πρὸς [τὸν ] ζῶντα καὶ τὴν‎ ἐπὶ τεθνηκότι λύπην , καὶ ὅτι μὴ κατὰ τὴν‎ αὐτοῦ‎ γνώμην ἀνῄρηταιto take up .
⁴¹ after which he followed it himself, with the elders and those that were rulers, lamenting Abner, and by his tears demonstrating his good-will to him while he was alive, and his sorrow for him now he was dead, and that he was not taken off with his consent.	⁴¹ Then he followed it himself, with the elders and the officers, lamenting Abner and by his tears showing his goodwill toward him while he was alive and his sorrow for him now he was dead, and that he was not removed by his consent. So he buried him magnificently at Hebron and published funeral elegies for him.
⁴¹ Barach

⁴² θάψας δ᾽ αὐτὸν ἐν ΓιβρῶνιHebron μεγαλοπρεπῶς καὶ ἐπιταφίους τε συγγραψάμενος θρήνους αὐτὸς ἐπὶ τοῦ τάφου στὰς πρῶτος ἀνεκλαύσατο καὶ παρέδωκε τοῖς ἄλλοις . οὕτως δ᾽ αὐτὸν ὁ ἈβεννήρουAbner συνέσχε θάνατος , ὡς μηδὲ τροφὴν ἀναγκαζόντων αὐτὸν τῶν ἑταίρων λαβεῖν , ἀλλ᾽ ὤμοσε γεύσεσθαι μηδενὸς ἄχρι ἡλίου δυσμῶν .
⁴² So he buried him at Hebron in a magnificent manner, and indited funeral elegies for him; he also stood first over the monument weeping, and caused others to do the same; nay, so deeply did the death of Abner disorder him, that his companions could by no means force him to take any food, but he affirmed with an oath that he would taste nothing till the sun was set.	⁴² He also stood first over the monument, weeping, and caused others to do the same; indeed so deeply did the death of Abner affect him, that there was no way his companions could force him to take any food, but he declared on oath that he would taste nothing until the sun was set.
⁴² Barach

⁴³ ταῦτ᾽ εὔνοιαν αὐτῷ παρὰ τοῦ πλήθους ἐγέννησεν · οἵ τε γὰρ πρὸς τὸν ἈβεννῆρονAbner φιλοστόργως διακείμενοι σφόδρ᾽ αὐτοῦ‎ τὴν‎ πρὸς αὐτὸν τιμὴν ἀποθανόντα καὶ φυλακὴν τῆς πίστεως ἠγάπησαν , ὅτι πάντων αὐτὸν ἀξιώσειεν τῶν νομιζομένων ὡς συγγενῆ καὶ φίλον , ἀλλ᾽ οὐχ ὡς ἐχθρὸν γενόμενον ὑβρίσειεν ἀκόσμῳ ταφῇ καὶ ἠμελημένῃ · τό τε ἄλλο πᾶν ὡς ἐπὶ χρηστῷ καὶ ἡμέρῳ τὴν‎ φύσιν ἔχαιρε , τὴν‎ αὐτὴν ἑκάστου λογιζομένου πρόνοιαν εἰς αὑτὸν τοῦ βασιλέως ἐν τοῖς ὁμοίοις τυγχάνοντα τὸν ἈβεννήρουAbner νεκρὸν ἑώρα .
⁴³ This procedure gained him the good-will of the multitude; for such as had an affection for Abner were mightily satisfied with the respect he paid him when he was dead, and the observation of that faith he had plighted to him, which was shown in his vouchsafing him all the usual ceremonies, as if he had been his kinsman and his friend, and not suffering him to be neglected and injured with a dishonorable burial, as if he had been his enemy; insomuch that the entire nation rejoiced at the king’s gentleness and mildness of disposition, every one being ready to suppose that the king would have taken the same care of them in the like circumstances, which they saw be showed in the burial of the dead body of Abner.	⁴³ This gained him the goodwill of the people, for those who had an affection for Abner were very satisfied with the respect he paid him when he was dead and the keeping of the fidelity he had promised him, which was shown in his giving him all the usual ceremonies, as if he had been his kinsman and his friend and not letting him be neglected and insulted with a dishonourable burial, as if he had been his enemy. So the whole nation was pleased by the king's gentleness and mildness of disposition, each being ready to suppose that the king would have taken the same care of them in similar circumstances, which they saw him showing in the burial of Abner's dead body.
⁴³ Barach

⁴⁴ πρὸς τούτοις οὖν μάλιστα ΔαυίδηνDavid γλίχεσθαι δόξης ἀγαθῆς ποιούμενον πρόνοιαν ὡς εἰκὸς ἣν οὐθεὶς ὑπενόησεν ὑπ᾽ αὐτοῦ‎ φονευθῆναι τὸν ἈβεννῆρονAbner · ἔλεξε δὲ καὶ πρὸς τὸ πλῆθος , ὡς αὐτῷ μὲν οὐχ ἡ τυχοῦσα λύπη γένοιτ᾽ ἀνδρὸς ἀγαθοῦ τετελευτηκότος , οὐ μικρὰ δὲ τοῖς ἙβραίωνHebrews πράγμασι βλάβη στερηθέντων αὐτοῦ‎ καὶ συνέχειν αὐτὰ καὶ σώζειν βουλαῖς τε ἀρίσταις καὶ ῬώμῃRome χειρῶν ἐν τοῖς πολεμικοῖς ἔργοις δυναμένου .
⁴⁴ And indeed David principally intended to gain a good reputation, and therefore he took care to do what was proper in this case, whence none had any suspicion that he was the author of Abner’s death. He also said this to the multitude, that he was greatly troubled at the death of so good a man; and that the affairs of the Hebrews had suffered great detriment by being deprived of him, who was of so great abilities to preserve them by his excellent advice, and by the strength of his hands in war.	⁴⁴ David valued his good name and therefore was careful to act prudently in this case, which is why no one suspected him of causing Abner's death. He told the people how greatly troubled he was at the death of so good a man, and that the affairs of the Hebrews had suffered a heavy loss by being deprived of one so gifted at saving them by his excellent advice and by the strength of his arms in war.
⁴⁴ Barach

⁴⁵ " ἀλλὰ θεὸς μέν , εἶπεν , ᾧ μέλει πάντων , οὐκ ἐάσει τοῦτον ἡμῖν ἀνεκδίκητον · ἐγὼ δ᾽ ἐπίστασθε , ὡς οὐδὲν ἸώαβονJoab καὶ ἈβεσσαῖονAbishai τοὺς ΣαρουίαςZeruias παῖδας ποιεῖν ἱκανός εἰμι πλέον ἐμοῦ δυναμένους , ἀλλ᾽ ἀποδώσει τὴν‎ ὑπὲρ τῶν τετολμημένων αὐτοῖς ἀμοιβὴν τὸ θεῖον . Καὶ ἈβεννῆροςAbner μὲν εἰς τοιοῦτο κατέστρεψε τέλος τὸν βίον .
⁴⁵ But he added, that “God, who hath a regard to all men’s actions, will not suffer this man [Joab] to go off unrevenged; but know ye, that I am not able to do any thing to these sons of Zeruiah, Joab and Abishai, who have more power than I have; but God will requite their insolent attempts upon their own heads.” And this was the fatal conclusion of the life of Abner.	⁴⁵ He added, "God, who sees all people's actions, will not allow this man to go unrevenged, but please realize that I am unable to do anything to these sons of Zeruias, Joab and Abishai, who are more powerful than myself. But God will repay their insolent actions upon their own heads." Such was the fateful end of Abner's life.
⁴⁵ Barach

Chapter 2
[046-060]
With Ishbosheth gone,
David becomes the undisputed king

☜ ☞

⁴⁶ ἀκούσας δὲ τὴν‎ τελευτὴν αὐτοῦ‎ ὁ ΣαούλουSaul παῖς ἸέβωσθοςIshbosheth οὐ πρᾴως ἤνεγκεν ἀνδρὸς ἐστερημένος συγγενοῦς καὶ τὴν‎ βασιλείαν αὐτῷ παρασχόντος , ἀλλ᾽ ὑπερεπάθησε καὶ λίαν αὐτὸν ὠδύνησεν ὁ ἈβεννήρουAbner θάνατος . ἐπεβίω δ᾽ οὐδ᾽ αὐτὸς πολὺν χρόνον , ἀλλ᾽ ὑπὸ τῶν ἘρέμμωνοςErremon υἱῶν ΒανάBaanah , ἑτέρῳ δὲ ΘαηνὸςThaenas ὄνομα ἦν , ἐπιβουλευθεὶς ἀπέθανεν .
⁴⁶ When Ishbosheth, the son of Saul, had heard of the death of Abner, he took it to heart to be deprived of a man that was of his kindred, and had indeed given him the kingdom, but was greatly afflicted, and Abner’s death very much troubled him; nor did he himself outlive any long time, but was treacherously set upon by the sons of Rimmon, (Baanah and Rechab were their names,) and was slain by them;	⁴⁶ When Ishbosheth, Saul's son, heard of his death, he took it hard to be bereft of a man who was both his relative and had won him the kingship, and was greatly afflicted and grieved by Abner's death. He did not survive him for long, but was treacherously attacked and killed by the sons of Erremon, Baanah and Thaenas.
⁴⁶ Barach

⁴⁷ οὗτοι γὰρ ὄντες τὸ μὲν γένος ΒενιαμῖταιBenjamite τοῦ δὲ πρώτου τάγματος , λογισάμενοι δ᾽ ὡς ἂν ἀποκτείνωσι τὸν ἸέβωσθονIshbosheth μεγάλων παρὰ ΔαυίδουDavid τεύξονται δωρεῶν καὶ στρατηγίας ἤ τινος ἄλλης πίστεως τὸ ἔργον αὐτοῖς ἔσται‎ παρ᾽ αὐτῷ αἴτιον ,
⁴⁷ for these being of a family of the Benjamites, and of the first rank among them, thought that if they should slay Ishbosheth, they should obtain large presents from David, and be made commanders by him, or, however, should have some other trust committed to them.	⁴⁷ These, from a Benjamite family of the highest rank, thought that for killing Ishbosheth they would be richly rewarded by David and be made officers by him, or win some other mark of his esteem.
⁴⁷ Barach

⁴⁸ μόνον εὑρόντες μεσημβρίζοντα καὶ κοιμώμενον τὸν ἸέβωσθονIshbosheth καὶ μήτε τοὺς φύλακας παρόντας μήτε τὴν‎ θυρωρὸν ἐγρηγορυῖαν , ἀλλὰ καὶ αὐτὴν ὑπό τε τοῦ κόπου καὶ τῆς ἐργασίαςwork, labour ἣν μετεχειρίζετο καὶ τοῦ καύματος εἰς ὕπνον καταπεσοῦσαν , παρελθόντες εἰς τὸ δωμάτιον , ἐν ᾧ συνέβαινε κατακεκοιμῆσθαι τὸν ΣαούλουSaul παῖδα , κτείνουσιν αὐτόν .
⁴⁸ So when they once found him alone, and asleep at noon, in an upper room, when none of his guards were there, and when the woman that kept the door was not watching, but was fallen asleep also, partly on account of the labor she had undergone, and partly on account of the heat of the day, these men went into the room in which Ishbosheth, Saul’s son, lay asleep, and slew him;	⁴⁸ Finding Ishbosheth alone and asleep at noon, in an upper room, with none of his guards present and the woman at the door asleep, tired with the work she had been about and with the heat of the day, these went into the room where Saul's son lay asleep and killed him.
⁴⁸ Barach

⁴⁹ καὶ τὴν‎ κεφαλὴν ἀποτεμόντες καὶ δι᾽ ὅλης νυκτὸς καὶ ἡμέρας ποιησάμενοι τὴν‎ πορείαν , ὡς ἂν φεύγοντες ἐκ τῶν ἠδικημένων πρὸς τὸν ληψόμενόν τε τὴν‎ χάριν καὶ παρέξοντα τὴν‎ ἀσφάλειαν , εἰς ΓιβρῶναHebron παρεγένοντο · καὶ τὴν‎ κεφαλὴν ἐπιδείξαντες τῷ ΔαυίδῃDavid τὴν‎ ἸεβώσθουIshbosheth συνίστων αὑτοὺς ὡς εὔνους καὶ τὸν ἐχθρὸν αὐτοῦ‎ καὶ τῆς βασιλείας ἀνταγωνιστὴν ἀνῃρηκότας .
⁴⁹ they also cut off his head, and took their journey all that night, and the next day, as supposing themselves flying away from those they had injured, to one that would accept of this action as a favor, and would afford them security. So they came to Hebron, and showed David the head of Ishbosheth, and presented themselves to him as his well-wishers, and such as had killed one that was his enemy and antagonist.	⁴⁹ They cut off his head and travelled a whole night and a day, thinking they were escaping from those they had wronged, to one who would accept it as a favour and would give them security, and so reached Hebron. As they showed David the head of Ishbosheth, they presented themselves as his well-wishers, who had killed his enemy and his rival for the kingdom.
⁴⁹ Barach

⁵⁰ ὁ δ᾽ οὐχ ὡς ἤλπιζον οὕτως αὐτῶν προσεδέξατο τὸ ἔργον , ἀλλ᾽ εἰπών , " ὦ κάκιστοι καὶ παραχρῆμα δίκην ὑφέξοντες , οὐκ ἔγνωτε πῶς ἐγὼ τὸν ΣαούλουSaul φονέα καὶ τὸν κομίσαντά μοι τὸν χρυσοῦν αὐτοῦ‎ στέφανον ἠμυνάμην , καὶ ταῦτα ἐκείνῳ χαριζόμενον τὴν‎ ἀναίρεσιν , ἵνα μὴ συλλάβωσιν αὐτὸν οἱ πολέμιοι ;
⁵⁰ Yet David did not relish what they had done as they expected, but said to them, “You vile wretches, you shall immediately receive the punishment you deserve. Did not you know what vengeance I executed on him that murdered Saul, and brought me his crown of gold, and this while he who made this slaughter did it as a favor to him, that he might not be caught by his enemies?	⁵⁰ But David did not welcome their deed as they expected, but said, "You wretches, you shall get justice without delay. Did you not know how I took revenge on Saul's murderer, who brought me his golden crown, though his killer was doing him a favour, to stop his enemies from taking him prisoner ?
⁵⁰ Barach

⁵¹ ἦ μεταβεβλῆσθαί με καὶ μηκέτ᾽ εἶναι τὸν αὐτὸν ὑπωπτεύσατε , ὡς χαίρειν κακούργοις ἀνδράσι καὶ χάριτας ἡγήσασθαιto go before, lead τὰς κυριοκτόνους ὑμῶν πράξεις , ἀνῃρηκότων ἐπὶ τῆς αὑτοῦ κοίτης ἄνδρα δίκαιον καὶ μηδένα μηδὲν κακὸν εἰργασμένον , ὑμᾶς δὲ καὶ διὰ πολλῆς εὐνοίας καὶ τιμῆς ἐσχηκότα ;
⁵¹ Or do you imagine that I am altered in my disposition, and suppose that I am not the same man I then was, but am pleased with men that are wicked doers, and esteem your vile actions, when you are become murderers of your master, as grateful to me, when you have slain a righteous man upon his bed, who never did evil to any body, and treated you with great good-will and respect?	⁵¹ Or do you think I have changed and am not the man I was, but would be glad of evildoing by men and reckon your villainy in murderering your master as a benefit to me? You have killed a just man in his bed, who never did evil to anyone and treated you with much kindness and respect.
⁵¹ Barach

⁵² διὸ δώσετε ποινὴν μὲν αὐτῷ κολασθέντες , δίκην δ᾽ ἐμοὶ τοῦ νομίσαντας ἡδέως ἕξειν με τὴν‎ ἸεβώσθουIshbosheth τελευτὴν τοῦτον ἀνελεῖν · οὐ γὰρ ἐδύνασθε μᾶλλον ἀδικῆσαι τὴν‎ ἐμὴν δόξαν ἢ τοῦθ᾽ ὑπολαβόντες . ταῦτ᾽ εἰπὼν πᾶσαν αἰκίαν αὐτοὺς αἰκισάμενος διεχρήσατο καὶ τὴν‎ ἸεβώσθουIshbosheth κεφαλὴν ἐν τῷ ἈβεννήρουAbner τάφῳ πάντων ἀξιώσαςto think worthy ἐκήδευσε .
⁵² Wherefore you shall suffer the punishment due on his account, and the vengeance I ought to inflict upon you for killing Ishbosheth, and for supposing that I should take his death kindly at your hands; for you could not lay a greater blot on my honor, than by making such a supposal.” When David had said this, he tormented them with all sorts of torments, and then put them to death; and he bestowed all accustomed rites on the burial of the head of Ishbosheth, and laid it in the grave of Abner.	⁵² You shall suffer the due penalty I must inflict on you for killing Ishbosheth and thinking I would be glad at his death, for you could not stain my honour more than by such a notion." Saying this, he had them tortured in many ways and then executed; but he used all the rites of honour when burying the head of Ishbosheth, and laid it in the grave of Abner.
⁵² Barach

⁵³ Τούτων δὲ τοιοῦτον λαβόντων τέλος ἧκον ἅπαντες οἱ τοῦ λαοῦ τῶν ἙβραίωνHebrews πρῶτοι πρὸς ΔαυίδηνDavid εἰς ΓιβρῶναHebron οἵ τε χιλίαρχοι καὶ ἡγεμόνες αὐτῶν , καὶ παρεδίδοσαν αὑτοὺς τήν τε εὔνοιαν , ἣν ἔτι καὶ ΣαούλουSaul ζῶντος εἶχον πρὸς αὐτόν , ὑπομιμνήσκοντες καὶ τὴν‎ τιμήν , ἣν γενόμενον τότε χιλίαρχον τιμῶντες οὐ διέλιπον , ὅτι τε βασιλεὺς ὑπὸ τοῦ θεοῦ διὰ ΣαμουήλουSamuel τοῦ προφήτου χειροτονηθείη καὶ παῖδες αὐτοῦ‎ καὶ ὡς τὴν‎ ἙβραίωνHebrews χώραν αὐτῷ σῶσαι καταγωνισαμένῳ ΠαλαιστίνουςPhilistines δέδωκεν ὁ θεὸς ἐμφανίζοντες .
⁵³ When these things were brought to this conclusion, all the principal men of the Hebrew people came to David to Hebron, with the heads of thousands, and other rulers, and delivered themselves up to him, putting him in mind of the good-will they had borne to him in Saul’s lifetime, and the respect they then had not ceased to pay him when he was captain of a thousand, as also that he was chosen of God by Samuel the prophet, he and his sons; and declaring besides, how God had given him power to save the land of the Hebrews, and to overcome the Philistines.	⁵³ When these matters were duly concluded, all the leaders of the Hebrew people came to David to Hebron, with the heads of thousands and other officers and yielded to him, reminding him of the goodwill they had shown him in Saul's lifetime and the respect they then had not ceased to show him when he was leader of a thousand, and that he, with his sons, was chosen by God through the prophet Samuel. They also declared that God had given him power to save the land of the Hebrews and to overcome the Philistines.
⁵³ Barach

⁵⁴ ὁ δὲ ταύτης τε ἀποδέχεται τῆς προθυμίας αὐτοὺς καὶ παρακαλέσας διαμένειν , οὐ γὰρ ἔσεσθαι μετάνοιαν αὐτοῖς ἐκ τοῦ τοιούτου , καὶ κατευωχήσας καὶ φιλοφρονησάμενος ἔπεμψε τὸν λαὸν παρ᾽ αὐτὸν ἄξοντας ἅπαντα .
⁵⁴ Whereupon he received kindly this their alacrity on his account; and exhorted them to continue in it, for that they should have no reason to repent of being thus disposed to him. So when he had feasted them, and treated them kindly, he sent them out to bring all the people to him;	⁵⁴ He was gratified by their commitment and urged them to continue so, for they would have no reason to regret it. When he had feasted them and treated them kindly, he sent them to bring all the people to him.
⁵⁴ Barach

⁵⁵ καὶ συνῆλθον ἐκ μὲν τῆς ἸούδαJudas φυλῆς ὁπλιτῶν ὡς ὀκτακόσιοι καὶ ἑξακισχίλιοι φοροῦντες ὅπλα θυρεὸν καὶ σιρομάστην · οὗτοι δὲ τῷ ΣαούλουSaul παιδὶ παρέμενον · τούτων γὰρ χωρὶς ἡ ἸούδαJudas φυλὴ τὸν ΔαυίδηνDavid ἀπέδειξε βασιλέα .
⁵⁵ upon which there came to him about six thousand and eight hundred armed men of the tribe of Judah, who bare shields and spears for their weapons, for these had [till now] continued with Saul’s son, when the rest of the tribe of Judah had ordained David for their king.	⁵⁵ Then about six thousand eight hundred warriors of the tribe of Judas, armed with shields and spears, came to him, who had continued with Saul's son, when the rest of the tribe of Judas had chosen David as their king.
⁵⁵ Barach

⁵⁶ ἐκ δὲ τῆς ΣυμεωνίδοςTribe of Simon φυλῆς ἑπτακισχίλιοι καὶ ἑκατόν . ἐκ δὲ τῆς ΛηουίτιδοςLevite tribe τετρακισχίλιοι καὶ ἑπτακόσιοι ἔχοντες ἄρχοντα ἸώδαμονJodas · μετὰ τούτοις ἦν ὁ ἀρχιερεὺς ΣάδωκοςSadok σὺν εἴκοσι δύο συγγενέσιν ἡγεμόσιν . ἐκ δὲ τῆς ΒενιαμίτιδοςBenjamin φυλῆς ὁπλῖταιheavy-armed τετρακισχίλιοι · ἡ γὰρ φυλὴ περιέμενεν ἔτι τῶν τοῦ γένους ΣαούλουSaul τινὰ βασιλεύσειν προσδοκῶσα .
⁵⁶ There came also seven thousand and one hundred out of the tribe of Simeon. Out of the tribe of Levi came four thousand and seven hundred, having Jehoiada for their leader. After these came Zadok the high priest, with twenty-two captains of his kindred. Out of the tribe of Benjamin the armed men were four thousand; but the rest of the tribe continued, still expecting that some one of the house of Saul should reign over them.	⁵⁶ From the tribe of Simon there came seven thousand, one hundred; and from the tribe of Levi came four thousand, seven hundred, led by Jodas. After these came Sadok the high priest, with twenty-two officers related to him. From the tribe of Benjamin came four thousand warriors, while the rest of the tribe continued to hope that someone of the house of Saul would reign over them.
⁵⁶ Barach

⁵⁷ ἐκ δὲ τῆς ἘφραίμουEphron φυλῆς δισμύριοι καὶ ὀκτακόσιοι τῶν δυνατωτάτων καὶ κατ᾽ ἰσχὺν διαφερόντων . ἐκ δὲ τῆς ΜανασσήτιδοςManasses φυλῆς τοῦ ἡμίσους μύριοι ὀκτακισχίλιοι [τῶν δυνατωτάτων ] . ἐκ δὲ τῆς ἸσαχάρουIssachar φυλῆς διακόσιοι μὲν οἱ προγινώσκοντες τὰ μέλλοντα , ὁπλῖταιheavy-armed δὲ δισμύριοι .
⁵⁷ Those of the tribe of Ephraim were twenty thousand and eight hundred, and these mighty men of valor, and eminent for their strength. Out of the halftribe of Manasseh came eighteen thousand, of the most potent men. Out of the tribe of Issachar came two hundred, who foreknew what was to come hereafter, but of armed men twenty thousand.	⁵⁷ From the tribe of Ephraim came twenty thousand, eight hundred mighty men of unusual strength. From the half tribe of Manasses came eighteen thousand mighty men. From the tribe of Issachar came two hundred who could predict the future, and twenty thousand warriors.
⁵⁷ Barach

⁵⁸ ἐκ δὲ τῆς ΖαβουλωνίτιδοςZebulon φυλῆς ὁπλιτῶν ἐπιλέκτων πέντε μυριάδες · αὕτη γὰρ ἡ φυλὴ μόνη πᾶσα πρὸς ΔαυίδηνDavid συνῆλθεν · οὗτοι πάντες τὸν αὐτὸν ὁπλισμὸν εἶχον τοῖς τῆς ΓάδουGad φυλῆς . ἐκ δὲ τῆς ΝεφθαλίδοςNaphtali φυλῆς ἐπίσημοι καὶ ἡγεμόνες χίλιοι ὅπλοις χρώμενοι θυρεῷ καὶ δόρατι , ἠκολούθει δὲ φυλὴ ἀναρίθμητος οὖσα .
⁵⁸ Of the tribe of Zebulon fifty thousand chosen men. This was the only tribe that came universally in to David, and all these had the same weapons with the tribe of Gad. Out of the tribe of Naphtali the eminent men and rulers were one thousand, whose weapons were shields and spears, and the tribe itself followed after, being (in a manner) innumerable [thirty-seven thousand].	⁵⁸ From the tribe of Zebulon fifty thousand elite warriors. This was the only tribe to totally rally to David and all these had the same weapons as the tribe of Gad. From the tribe of Naphtali came a thousand eminent people and officers, whose weapons were shields and spears and the tribe itself followed after, being uncounted.
⁵⁸ Barach

⁵⁹ ἐκ δὲ τῆς ΔανίτιδοςDan φυλῆς ἐκλεκτοὶ δισμύριοι ἑπτακισχίλιοι ἑξακόσιοι . ἐκ δὲ τῆς ἈσήρουAsher φυλῆς μυριάδες τέσσαρες . ἐκ δὲ τῶν δύο φυλῶν τῶν πέραν τοῦ ἸορδάνουJordan καὶ τοῦ λοιποῦ τῆς ΜανασσήτιδοςManasses φυλῆς ὡπλισμένων θυρεὸν καὶ δόρυ καὶ περικεφαλαίαν καὶ ῥομφαίαν μυριάδες δώδεκα · καὶ αἱ λοιπαὶ φυλαὶ ῥομφαίαις ἐχρῶντο .
⁵⁹ Out of the tribe of Dan there were of chosen men twenty-seven thousand and six hundred. Out of the tribe of Asher were forty thousand. Out of the two tribes that were beyond Jordan, and the rest of the tribe of Manasseh, such as used shields, and spears, and head-pieces, and swords, were a hundred and twenty thousand. The rest of the tribes also made use of swords.	⁵⁹ From the tribe of Dan came twenty-seven thousand six hundred who were chosen; and forty thousand from the tribe of Asher. From the two tribes beyond the Jordan and the rest of the tribe of Manasses came a hundred and twenty thousand. These used shields and spears and head-pieces and swords, while the rest of the tribes used swords only.
⁵⁹ Barach

⁶⁰ τοῦτο δὴ πᾶν τὸ πλῆθος εἰς ΓιβρῶναHebron πρὸς ΔαυίδηνDavid συνῆλθε μετὰ πολλῆς παρασκευῆς σιτίων καὶ οἴνου καὶ τῶν πρὸς τροφὴν πάντων καὶ μιᾷ γνώμῃ βασιλεύειν τὸν ΔαυίδηνDavid ἐκύρωσαν . ἐπὶ δὲ τρεῖς ἡμέρας ἑορτάσαντος τοῦ λαοῦ καὶ κατευωχηθέντος ἐν ΓιβρῶνιHebron , ὁ ΔαυίδηςDavid μετὰ πάντων ἐκεῖθεν ἄρας ἧκεν εἰς ἹεροσόλυμαJerusalem .
⁶⁰ This multitude came together to Hebron to David, with a great quantity of corn, and wine, and all other sorts of food, and established David in his kingdom with one consent. And when the people had rejoiced for three days in Hebron, David and all the people removed and came to Jerusalem.	⁶⁰ These thronged together to Hebron to David, with a large amount of corn and wine and all sorts of other food and established David in his kingdom by common consent. When they had celebrated for three days in Hebron, David and all the people moved and came to Jerusalem.
⁶⁰ Barach

Chapter 3
[061-070]
David takes Jerusalem from the Jebusites,
to make it his capital

☜ ☞

⁶¹ Τῶν δὲ κατοικούντων τὴν‎ πόλιν ἸεβουσαίωνJebusites , γένος δ᾽ εἰσὶν οὗτοι ΧαναναίωνCanaanites , ἀποκλεισάντων αὐτῷ τὰς πύλας καὶ τοὺς πεπηρωμένουςto lame, mutilate τὰς ὄψεις καὶ τὰς βάσεις καὶ πᾶν τὸ λελωβημένον στησάντων ἐπὶ χλεύῃ τοῦ βασιλέως ἐπὶ τοῦ τείχους καὶ λεγόντων κωλύσειν αὐτὸν εἰσελθεῖν τοὺς ἀναπήρους , ταῦτα δ᾽ ἔπραττον καταφρονοῦντες τῇ τῶν τειχῶν ὀχυρότητι , ὀργισθεὶς πολιορκεῖν ἤρξατο τὰ ἹεροσόλυμαJerusalem .
⁶¹ Now the Jebusites, who were the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and were by extraction Canaanites, shut their gates, and placed the blind, and the lame, and all their maimed persons, upon the wall, in way of derision of the king, and said that the very lame themselves would hinder his entrance into it. This they did out of contempt of his power, and as depending on the strength of their walls. David was hereby enraged, and began the siege of Jerusalem, and employed his utmost diligence and alacrity therein,	⁶¹ The Jebusite inhabitants, of the Canaanite race, shut their gates and placed the blind and the lame and all their maimed people upon the wall, by way of derision of the king, claiming that even the lame could stop him from gaining entrance. Thereby they mocked his power and showed their confidence in the strength of their walls, so that David, enraged. began to besiege Jerusalem.
⁶¹ Barach

⁶² καὶ πολλῇ σπουδῇ καὶ προθυμίᾳ χρησάμενος ὡς διὰ τοῦ ταύτην ἑλεῖν εὐθὺς ἐμφανίζων τὴν‎ ἰσχὺν καὶ καταπληξόμενος εἴ τινες ἄρα καὶ ἄλλοι τὸν αὐτὸν ἐκείνοις τρόπον διέκειντο πρὸς αὐτόν , λαμβάνει κατὰ κράτος τὴν‎ κάτω πόλιν .
⁶² as intending by the taking of this place to demonstrate his power, and to intimidate all others that might be of the like [evil] disposition towards him. So he took the lower city by force,	⁶² He did so with utmost commitment, intending by capturing this place to demonstrate his power and intimidate any others who might be similarly disposed toward him, and took the lower city by storm.
⁶² Barach

⁶³ ἔτι δὲ τῆς ἄκρας λειπομένης ἔγνω τιμῆς ὑποσχέσει καὶ γερῶν ὁ βασιλεὺς προθυμοτέρους ἐπὶ τὰ ἔργα τοὺς στρατιώτας παρασκευάσαι , καὶ τῷ διὰ τῶν ὑποκειμένων φαράγγων ἐπὶ τὴν‎ ἄκραν ἀναβάντι καὶ ταύτην ἑλόντι στρατηγίαν ἅπαντος τοῦ λαοῦ δώσειν ἐπηγγείλατο .
⁶³ but the citadel held out still; whence it was that the king, knowing that the proposal of dignities and rewards would encourage the soldiers to greater actions, promised that he who should first go over the ditches that were beneath the citadel, and should ascend to the citadel itself and take it, should have the command of the entire people conferred upon him.	⁶³ The citadel still held out, so the king, knowing that the promise of dignities and rewards would encourage his soldiers to greater actions, announced that the first man to cross the gorge and go up to the citadel and take it, would become general of the entire people.
⁶³ Barach

⁶⁴ πάντων δὲ φιλοτιμουμένων ἀναβῆναι καὶ μηδένα πόνον ὀκνούντων ὑφίστασθαι δι᾽ ἐπιθυμίαν τῆς στρατηγίας , ὁ ΣαρουίαςZeruias παῖς ἸώαβοςJoarib ἔφθη τοὺς ἄλλους , καὶ ἀναβὰς ἐβόησε πρὸς τὸν βασιλέα τὴν‎ στρατηγίαν ἀπαιτῶν .
⁶⁴ So they all were ambitious to ascend, and thought no pains too great in order to ascend thither, out of their desire of the chief command. However, Joab, the son of Zeruiah, prevented the rest; and as soon as he was got up to the citadel, cried out to the king, and claimed the chief command.	⁶⁴ In their eagerness for command they all wanted to go up and thought no pains too great to do so. Joab, son of Zeruias, got ahead of the rest, and as soon as he reached the citadel he shouted to the king and claimed the chief command.
⁶⁴ Barach

⁶⁵ ἐκβαλὼν δὲ τοὺς ἸεβουσαίουςJebusites ἐκ τῆς ἄκρας καὶ αὐτὸς ἀνοικοδομήσας τὰ ἹεροσόλυμαJerusalem πόλιν αὐτὴν ΔαυίδουDavid προσηγόρευσεto call, name , καὶ τὸν ἅπαντα χρόνον ἐν αὐτῇ διέτριβε βασιλεύων . ὁ δὲ χρόνος ὃν τῆς ἸούδαJudas φυλῆς ἦρξε μόνης ἐν ΓιβρῶνιHebron ἐγένετο ἔτη ἑπτὰ καὶ μῆνες ἕξ . ἀποδείξας δὲ βασίλειον τὰ ἹεροσόλυμαJerusalem λαμπροτέροις αἰεὶ καὶ μᾶλλον ἐχρῆτο τοῖς πράγμασι τοῦ θεοῦ προνοουμένου κρείττω ποιεῖν αὐτὰ καὶ λαμβάνειν ἐπίδοσιν .
⁶⁵ When David had cast the Jebusites out of the citadel, he also rebuilt Jerusalem, and named it The City of David, and abode there all the time of his reign; but for the time that he reigned over the tribe of Judah only in Hebron, it was seven years and six months. Now when he had chosen Jerusalem to be his royal city, his affairs did more and more prosper, by the providence of God, who took care that they should improve and be augmented.	⁶⁵ When David had expelled the Jebusites from the citadel he rebuilt Jerusalem and named it the City of David and stayed there throughout his reign, except for the seven years and six months that he reigned in Hebron over the tribe of Judas alone. Assigning Jerusalem as his royal city, his affairs prospered more and more, by the providence of God, who gave them improvement and increase.
⁶⁵ Barach

⁶⁶ πέμψας δὲ πρὸς αὐτὸν καὶ ἹέρωμοςHiram ὁ ΤυρίωνTyrians βασιλεὺς φιλίαν καὶ συμμαχίαν συνέθετο · ἔπεμψε δ᾽ αὐτῷ καὶ δωρεὰς ξύλα κέδρινα καὶ τεχνίτας ἄνδρας τέκτονας καὶ οἰκοδόμους , οἳ κατεσκεύασαν βασίλειον ἐν ἹεροσολύμοιςJerusalem . ΔαυίδηςDavid δὲ τήν τε ἄνω πόλιν παραλαβὼν καὶ τὴν‎ ἄκραν συνάψας αὐτῇ ἐποίησεν ἓν σῶμα , καὶ περιτειχίσας ἐπιμελητὴνgovernor, manager τῶν τειχῶν κατέστησεν ἸώαβονJoab .
⁶⁶ Hiram also, the king of the Tyrians, sent ambassadors to him, and made a league of mutual friendship and assistance with him. He also sent him presents, cedar-trees, and mechanics, and men skillful in building and architecture, that they might build him a royal palace at Jerusalem. Now David made buildings round about the lower city: he also joined the citadel to it, and made it one body; and when he had encompassed all with walls, he appointed Joab to take care of them.	⁶⁶ Hiram the king of the Tyrians sent envoys to him and made with him a treaty of friendship and alliance, and sent him gifts, cedar-trees and mechanics and men skilled in building and architecture, to build him a royal palace in Jerusalem. Now David took the upper city and joined the citadel to it and made it one entity, surrounding it with a wall, and appointed Joab to take care of them.
⁶⁶ Barach

⁶⁷ πρῶτος οὖν ΔαυίδηςDavid τοὺς ἸεβουσαίουςJebusites ἐξ ἹεροσολύμωνJerusalem ἐκβαλὼν ἀφ᾽ ἑαυτοῦ προσηγόρευσεto call, name τὴν‎ πόλιν · ἐπὶ γὰρ ἉβράμουAbraham τοῦ προγόνου ἡμῶν ΣόλυμαSolymean ἐκαλεῖτο , μετὰ ταῦτα δὲ αὐτήν φασί τινες , ὅτι καὶ ὍμηροςHomer ταῦτ᾽ ὠνόμασεν ἹεροσόλυμαJerusalem · τὸ γὰρ ἱεροῦ κατὰ τὴν‎ ἙβραίωνHebrews γλῶτταν ὠνόμασε τὰ ΣόλυμαSolymean ὅ ἐστιν ἀσφάλεια .
⁶⁷ It was David, therefore, who first cast the Jebusites out of Jerusalem, and called it by his own name, The City of David: for under our forefather Abraham it was called [Salem, or] Solyma; but after that time, some say that Homer mentions it by that name of Solyma, (for he named the temple Solyma, according to the Hebrew language, which denotes security.)	⁶⁷ David, therefore, was the first to expel the Jebusites from Jerusalem and called it by his own name, The City of David. For under our forefather Abraham it was called Solyma, but some say it was after that time, since Homer mentions it by that name of Solyma, calling the temple Solyma, which in the Hebrew language, means security.
⁶⁷ Barach

⁶⁸ ἦν δὲ πᾶς ὁ χρόνος ἀπὸ τῆς ἸησοῦJesus, Joshua τοῦ στρατηγοῦ ἐπὶ ΧαναναίουςCanaanites στρατείας καὶ τοῦ πολέμου , καθ᾽ ὃν κρατήσας αὐτῶν κατένειμε ταύτην τοῖς ἙβραίοιςHebrews καὶ οὐκέτι τοὺς ΧαναναίουςCanaanites ἐκβαλεῖν ἐξ ἹεροσολύμωνJerusalem ἐδυνήθησαν οἱ ἸσραηλῖταιIsraelites , μέχρις ὁ ΔαυίδηςDavid αὐτοὺς ἐξεπολιόρκησεν , ἔτη πεντακόσια καὶ δέκα καὶ πέντε .
⁶⁸ Now the whole time from the warfare under Joshua our general against the Canaanites, and from that war in which he overcame them, and distributed the land among the Hebrews, (nor could the Israelites ever cast the Canaanites out of Jerusalem until this time, when David took it by siege,) this whole time was five hundred and fifteen years.	⁶⁸ The whole period from the war campaign against the Canaanites under general Joshua when he defeated them and distributed the land among the Hebrews, for the Israelites could never expel the Canaanites from Jerusalem until David took it by siege, was five hundred and fifteen years.
⁶⁸ Barach

⁶⁹ Ποιήσομαι δὲ καὶ μνήμην ὈρόναAraunah πλουσίου μὲν ἀνδρὸς τῶν ἸεβουσαίωνJebusites , οὐκ ἀναιρεθέντος δὲ ἐν τῇ ἹεροσολύμωνJerusalem πολιορκίᾳ ὑπὸ ΔαυίδουDavid διὰ τὴν‎ πρὸς τοὺς ἙβραίουςHebrews εὔνοιαν αὐτοῦ‎ καί τινα καὶ χάριν καὶ σπουδὴν πρὸς αὐτὸν γενομένην τὸν βασιλέα , ἣν μικρὸν ὕστερον εὐκαιρότερον σημανῶ .
⁶⁹ I shall now make mention of Araunah, who was a wealthy man among the Jebusites, but was not slain by David in the siege of Jerusalem, because of the good-will he bore to the Hebrews, and a particular benignity and affection which he had to the king himself; which I shall take a more seasonable opportunity to speak of a little afterwards.	⁶⁹ I shall now recall the memory of Araunah, a wealthy man among the Jebusites who was not killed by David in the siege of Jerusalem, because of his goodwill to the Hebrews and his special care and graciousness to himself, of which I shall speak a little later at a suitable time.
⁶⁹ Barach

⁷⁰ ἔγημε δὲ καὶ ἄλλας γυναῖκας πρὸς ταῖς οὔσαις αὐτῷ ΔαυίδηςDavid καὶ παλλακὰς ἔσχεν . ἐποιήσατο δὲ καὶ παῖδας ἐννέα τὸν ἀριθμόν , οὓς προσηγόρευσεν ἈμασέAmase , ἈμνουAmnon , ΣεβάνSebas , ΝάθανNathan , ΣολομῶναSolomon , ἸεβαρῆJebar , ἘλιήνElien , ΦαλναγέηνPhalnagen , ΝαφήνNaphes , ἸεναέJenae , ἘλιφαλέEliphale , ἔτι δὲ καὶ θυγατέρα ΘαμάρανTamar . τούτων οἱ μὲν ἐννέα ἐξ εὐγενίδων ἦσαν γεγονότες , οὓς δὲ τελευταίους εἰρήκαμεν δύο ἐκ τῶν παλλακίδων . ΘαμάραTamar δὲ ὁμομήτριος ἈψαλώμῳAbsalom ἦν .
⁷⁰ Now David married other wives over and above those which he had before: he had also concubines. The sons whom he had were in number eleven, whose names were Amnon, Emnos, Eban, Nathan, Solomon, Jeban, Elien, Phalna, Ennaphen, Jenae, Eliphale; and a daughter, Tamar. Nine of these were born of legitimate wives, but the two last-named of concubines; and Tamar had the same mother with Absalom.	⁷⁰ Now David married other wives along with his former ones and also had concubines. He had eleven sons, whose names were Amases, Amnon, Sebas, Nathan, Solomon, Jebar, Elien, Phalnagen, Naphes, Jenae, Eliphale, and a daughter, Tamar. Nine of these were born of legitimate wives, but the two last-named of concubines, and Tamar had the same mother as Absalom.
⁷⁰ Barach

Chapter 4
[071-095]
David recaptures the Ark from the Philistines.
He makes plans to build a Temple

☜ ☞

⁷¹ Γνόντες δ᾽ οἱ ΠαλαιστῖνοιPhilistines τὸν ΔαυίδηνDavid βασιλέα ὑπὸ τῶν ἙβραίωνHebrews ἀποδεδειγμένον στρατεύουσιν ἐπ᾽ αὐτὸν εἰς ἹεροσόλυμαJerusalem · καὶ καταλαβόμενοι τὴν‎ κοιλάδα τῶν Γιγάντων καλουμένην , τόπος δέ ἐστιν οὐ πόρρω τῆς πόλεως , ἐν αὐτῇ στρατοπεδεύονται .
⁷¹ When the Philistines understood that David was made king of the Hebrews, they made war against him at Jerusalem; and when they had seized upon that valley which is called The Valley of the Giants, and is a place not far from the city, they pitched their camp therein;	⁷¹ When the Philistines learned that David had been made king of the Hebrews, they made war against him in Jerusalem, and when they had captured the so-called Valley of the Giants a place not far from the city, they encamped there.
⁷¹ Barach

⁷² ὁ δὲ τῶν ἸουδαίωνJews βασιλεύς , οὐδὲν γὰρ ἄνευ προφητείας καὶ τοῦ κελεῦσαι τὸν θεὸν καὶ περὶ τῶν ἐσομένωνto be λαβεῖν ἐγγυητὴν ἐκεῖνον ἑαυτῷ ποιεῖν ἐπέτρεπεν , ἐκέλευσε τὸν ἀρχιερέα τί δοκεῖ τῷ θεῷ καὶ ποδαπὸν ἔσται‎ τὸ τέλος τῆς μάχης προλέγειν αὐτῷ .
⁷² but the king of the Jews, who never permitted himself to do any thing without prophecy, and the command of God and without depending on him as a security for the time to come, bade the high priest to foretell to him what was the will of God, and what would be the event of this battle.	⁷² The king of the Jews, who never permitted himself to do anything without prophecy and God's command, depending on him as a security for the future, bade the high priest to foretell the will of God to him and what would be the outcome of this battle.
⁷² Barach

⁷³ προφητεύσαντος δὲ νίκην καὶ κράτος ἐξάγει τὴν‎ δύναμιν ἐπὶ τοὺς ΠαλαιστίνουςPhilistines · καὶ γενομένης συμβολῆς αὐτὸς κατόπιν αἰφνιδίως ἐπιπεσὼν τοῖς πολεμίοις τοὺς μὲν αὐτῶν ἀπέκτεινε , τοὺς δὲ εἰς φυγὴν ἐτρέψατο .
⁷³ And when he foretold that he should gain the victory and the dominion, he led out his army against the Philistines; and when the battle was joined, he came himself behind, and fell upon the enemy on the sudden, and slew some of them, and put the rest to flight.	⁷³ When he foretold that he would win and come to rule, he led out his army against the Philistines, and suddenly coming up from the rear during the battle, he attacked the enemy and killed some and put the rest to flight.
⁷³ Barach

⁷⁴ ὑπολάβῃ δὲ μηδεὶς ὀλίγην τὴν‎ τῶν ΠαλαιστίνωνPhilistines στρατιὰν ἐλθεῖν ἐπὶ τοὺς ἙβραίουςHebrews τῷ τάχει τῆς ἥττης καὶ τῷ μηδὲν ἔργον ἐπιδείξασθαι γενναῖον μηδὲ μαρτυρίας ἄξιον στοχαζόμενος αὐτῶν τὴν‎ βραδυτῆτα καὶ τὴν‎ ἀγέννειαν , ἀλλὰ γινωσκέτω ΣυρίανSyria τε ἅπασαν καὶ ΦοινίκηνPhoenicia καὶ πρὸς τούτοις ἄλλα ἔθνη πολλὰ καὶ μάχιμα συστρατεῦσαι αὐτοῖς καὶ τοῦ πολέμου κοινωνῆσαι ,
⁷⁴ And let no one suppose that it was a small army of the Philistines that came against the Hebrews, as guessing so from the suddenness of their defeat, and from their having performed no great action, or that was worth recording, from the slowness of their march, and want of courage; but let him know that all Syria and Phoenicia, with many other nations besides them, and those warlike nations also, came to their assistance, and had a share in this war,	⁷⁴ Let no one suppose that it was a small army of Philistines that came against the Hebrews, drawing that conclusion from the swiftness of their defeat and that they made no great resistance; that they were slow to march and lacking in courage; let him know rather, that all Syria and Phoenicia, with many other warlike nations came to their help and took part in this war,
⁷⁴ Barach

⁷⁵ ὃ καὶ μόνον ἦν αἴτιον τοσαυτάκιςso great, so large, so many αὐτοῖς νικωμένοις καὶ πολλὰς ἀποβαλοῦσι μυριάδας μετὰ μείζονος ἐπιέναι τοῖς ἙβραίοιςHebrews δυνάμεως . ἀμέλει καὶ ταύταις πταίσαντες ταῖς μάχαις τριπλάσιος στρατὸς ἐπῆλθε τῷ ΔαυίδῃDavid καὶ εἰς ταὐτὸ χωρίον ἐστρατοπεδεύσατο .
⁷⁵ which thing was the only cause why, when they had been so often conquered, and had lost so many ten thousands of their men, they still came upon the Hebrews with greater armies; nay, indeed, when they had so often failed of their purpose in these battles, they came upon David with an army three times as numerous as before, and pitched their camp on the same spot of ground as before.	⁷⁵ which was the sole reason why, after being so often defeated and losing so many thousands of their men, they attacked the Hebrews with still greater armies. Despite their losses they attacked David with an army three times as numerous as before and encamped on the same piece of ground.
⁷⁵ Barach

⁷⁶ πάλιν δὲ τοῦ βασιλέως τῶν ἸσραηλιτῶνIsrael, Israelites ἐρομένου τὸν θεὸν περὶ τῆς περὶ τὴν‎ μάχην ἐξόδου , προφητεύει ὁ ἀρχιερεὺς ἐν τοῖς ἄλσεσι τοῖς καλουμένοις Κλαυθμῶσι κατέχειν τὴν‎ στρατιὰν οὐκ ἄπωθεν τοῦ τῶν πολεμίων στρατοπέδου , κινεῖν δ᾽ αὐτὸν μὴ πρότερον μηδ᾽ ἄρχεσθαι τῆς μάχης .
⁷⁶ The king of Israel therefore inquired of God again concerning the event of the battle; and the high priest prophesied to him, that he should keep his army in the groves, called the Groves of Weeping, which were not far from the enemy’s camp, and that he should not move, nor begin to fight, till the trees of the grove should be in motion without the wind’s blowing;	⁷⁶ So the king of the Israelites asked God again about the outcome of the battle, and the high priest told him in prophecy to post his army in the so-called Groves of Weeping, not far from the enemy's camp and not to move or begin to fight until the trees of the grove moved without the wind's blowing.
⁷⁶ Barach

⁷⁷ πρὶν ἢ τὰ ἄλση σαλεύεσθαι μὴ πνέοντος ἀνέμου . ὡς δ᾽ ἐσαλεύθη τὰ ἄλση καὶ ὃν αὐτῷ καιρὸν προεῖπεν ὁ θεὸς παρῆν , οὐδὲν ἐπισχὼν ἐφ᾽ ἑτοίμην ἤδη καὶ φανερὰν ἐξῆλθε τὴν‎ νίκην · οὐ γὰρ ὑπέμειναν αὐτὸν αἱ τῶν πολεμίων φάλαγγες , ἀλλ᾽ εὐθὺς ἀπὸ τῆς πρώτης συμβολῆς τραπέντας ἐνέκειτο κτείνων · καὶ διώκει μὲν αὐτοὺς ἄχρι πόλεως ΓαζάρωνGadara , ἡ δ᾽ ἐστὶν ὅροςlimit, appointment αὐτῶν τῆς χώρας , διαρπάζει δ᾽ αὐτῶν τὴν‎ παρεμβολὴν καὶ πολὺν εὑρὼν ἐν αὐτῇ πλοῦτον καὶ τοὺς θεοὺς αὐτῶν διέφθειρε .
⁷⁷ but as soon as these trees moved, and the time foretold to him by God was come, he should, without delay, go out to gain what was an already prepared and evident victory; for the several ranks of the enemy’s army did not sustain him, but retreated at the first onset, whom he closely followed, and slew them as he went along, and pursued them to the city Gaza (which is the limit of their country): after this he spoiled their camp, in which he found great riches; and he destroyed their gods.	⁷⁷ Once these trees moved and the time God foretold to him arrived, he should go out unhesitatingly and gain a manifest victory, for the various ranks of the enemy's army would not hold but retreat at the first onset. He attacked and killed them and pursued them to the city of Gaza at the border of their region and ransacked their camp where he found great wealth, and destroyed their gods.
⁷⁷ Barach

⁷⁸ Τοιαύτης δ᾽ ἀποβάσης καὶ ταύτης τῆς μάχης ἔδοξε ΔαυίδῃDavid συμβουλευσαμένῳ μετὰ τῶν γερόντων καὶ ἡγεμόνων καὶ χιλιάρχων μεταπέμψασθαι τῶν ὁμοφύλωνof the same race ἐξ ἁπάσης τῆς χώρας πρὸς αὑτὸν τοὺς ἐν ἀκμῇ τῆς ἡλικίας , ἔπειτα τοὺς ἱερεῖς καὶ ΛηουίταςLevites [καὶ ] πορευθέντας εἰς ΚαριαθιάριμαKariathjearim μετακομίσαι τὴν‎ τοῦ θεοῦ κιβωτὸν ἐξ αὐτῆς εἰς ἹεροσόλυμαJerusalem καὶ θρησκεύειν ἐν αὐτῇ λοιπὸν ἔχοντας αὐτὴν θυσίαις καὶ ταῖς ἄλλαις τιμαῖς , αἷς χαίρει τὸ θεῖον ·
⁷⁸ When this had proved the event of the battle, David thought it proper, upon a consultation with the elders, and rulers, and captains of thousands, to send for those that were in the flower of their age out of all his countrymen, and out of the whole land, and withal for the priests and the Levites, in order to their going to Kirjathjearim, to bring up the ark of God out of that city, and to carry it to Jerusalem, and there to keep it, and offer before it those sacrifices and those other honors with which God used to be well-pleased;	⁷⁸ On this outcome of the battle, after consulting the elders and officers and officers of thousands, David decided to send for those who were in the flower of their age among all his countrymen and from the whole land and for the priests and Levites, to go to Kariathjearim and bring up the ark of God from that city to Jerusalem and to keep it there and offer before it the sacrifices and other honours which the divinity used to accept.
⁷⁸ Barach

⁷⁹ εἰ γὰρ ἔτι ΣαούλουSaul βασιλεύοντος τοῦτ᾽ ἔπραξαν , οὐκ ἂν δεινὸν οὐδὲν ἔπαθον . συνελθόντος οὖν τοῦ λαοῦ παντός , καθὼς ἐβουλεύσαντο , παραγίνεται ὁ βασιλεὺς ἐπὶ τὴν‎ κιβωτόν , ἣν βαστάξαντες ἐκ τῆς ἈμιναδάβουAbinadab οἰκίας οἱ ἱερεῖς καὶ ἐπιθέντες ἐφ᾽ ἅμαξαν καινὴν ἕλκειν ἀδελφοῖς τε καὶ παισὶν ἐπέτρεψαν μετὰ τῶν βοῶν .
⁷⁹ for had they done thus in the reign of Saul, they had not undergone any great misfortunes at all. So when the whole body of the people were come together, as they had resolved to do, the king came to the ark, which the priest brought out of the house of Aminadab, and laid it upon a new cart, and permitted their brethren and their children to draw it, together with the oxen.	⁷⁹ This they had done in the reign of Saul, when they had suffered no great misfortune. When, as they had resolved, all the people had assembled, the king came to the ark, which the priest brought from the house of Aminadab and laid it upon a new cart and let their brothers and their children pull it along with the oxen.
⁷⁹ Barach

⁸⁰ προῆγε δ᾽ ὁ βασιλεὺς καὶ πᾶν σὺν αὐτῷ τὸ πλῆθος ὑμνοῦντες τὸν θεὸν καὶ ᾄδοντες πᾶν εἶδος μέλους ἐπιχώριον σύν τε ἤχῳ ποικίλῳ κρουσμάτων τε καὶ ὀρχήσεων καὶ ψαλμῶν ἔτι δὲ σάλπιγγος καὶ κυμβάλων κατάγοντες τὴν‎ κιβωτὸν εἰς ἹεροσόλυμαJerusalem .
⁸⁰ Before it went the king, and the whole multitude of the people with him, singing hymns to God, and making use of all sorts of songs usual among them, with variety of the sounds of musical instruments, and with dancing and singing of psalms, as also with the sounds of trumpets and of cymbals, and so brought the ark to Jerusalem.	⁸⁰ Before it went the king and the whole people, singing hymns to God with all their usual songs and a variety of musical instruments and dancing and psalm-singing and the sounds of trumpets and of cymbals; and so they brought the ark to Jerusalem.
⁸⁰ Barach

⁸¹ ὡς δ᾽ ἄχρι τῆς ΧειδῶνοςChidon ἅλωνος τόπου τινὸς οὕτω καλουμένου προῆλθον , τελευτᾷ ὈζᾶςUzzah κατ᾽ ὀργὴν τοῦ θεοῦ · τῶν βοῶν γὰρ ἐπινευσάντων τὴν‎ κιβωτὸν ἐκτείναντα τὴν‎ χεῖρα καὶ κατασχεῖν ἐθελήσαντα , ὅτι μὴ ὢν ἱερεὺς ἥψατο ταύτης , ἀποθανεῖν ἐποίησε .
⁸¹ But as they were come to the threshing-floor of Chidon, a place so called, Uzzah was slain by the anger of God; for as the oxen shook the ark, he stretched out his hand, and would needs take hold of it. Now, because he was not a priest and yet touched the ark, God struck him dead.	⁸¹ But when they reached the place called Chidon's threshing-floor, Uzzah was killed by the wrath of God, for as the oxen shook the ark, he stretched out his hand and wanted to take hold of it, but because he touched the ark without being a priest, God struck him dead.
⁸¹ Barach

⁸² καὶ ὁ μὲν βασιλεὺς καὶ ὁ λαὸς ἐδυσφόρησαν ἐπὶ τῷ θανάτῳ τοῦ Ὀζᾶ , ὁ δὲ τόπος ἐν ᾧ ἐτελεύτησεν Ὀζᾶ διακοπὴ καλεῖται . δείσας δ᾽ ὁ ΔαυίδηςDavid καὶ λογισάμενος , μὴ ταὐτὸ πάθῃ τῷ Ὀζᾶ δεξάμενος τὴν‎ κιβωτὸν παρ᾽ αὑτὸν ἐν τῇ πόλει , ἐκείνου διότι μόνον ἐξέτεινε τὴν‎ χεῖρα πρὸς αὐτὴν οὕτως ἀποθανόντος ,
⁸² Hereupon both the king and the people were displeased at the death of Uzzah; and the place where he died is still called the Breach of Uzzah unto this day. So David was afraid; and supposing that if he received the ark to himself into the city, he might suffer in the like manner as Uzzah had suffered, who, upon his bare putting out his hand to the ark, died in the manner already mentioned,	⁸² The king and the people alike were grieved at the death of Uzzah, and the place where he died is still called the Destruction of Uzzah. David was afraid, thinking that if he personally took the ark into the city, he might suffer as Uzzah had, who died like that merely for putting his hand to the ark.
⁸² Barach

⁸³ οὐκ εἰσδέχεται μὲν αὐτὴν πρὸς αὑτὸν εἰς τὴν‎ πόλιν , ἀλλ᾽ ἐκνεύσας εἴς τι χωρίον ἀνδρὸς δικαίου , ὨβαδάρουObadar ἄνομα ΛηουίτουLevite τὸ γένος , παρ᾽ αὐτῷ τὴν‎ κιβωτὸν τίθησιν · ἔμεινε δ᾽ ἐπὶ τρεῖς ὅλους μῆνας αὐτόθι καὶ τὸν οἶκον τὸν ὨβαδάρουObadar ηὔξησέ τε καὶ πολλῶν αὐτῷ μετέδωκεν ἀγαθῶν .
⁸³ he did not receive it to himself into the city, but he took it aside unto a certain place belonging to a righteous man, whose name was Obededom, who was by his family a Levite, and deposited the ark with him; and it remained there three entire months. This augmented the house of Obededom, and conferred many blessings upon it.	⁸³ So he did not himself receive it into the city, but took it aside to a certain place belonging to a righteous man named Obadar, a Levite by family, and deposited the ark with him where it remained for three whole months. This caused the house of Obadar to grow and conferred many blessings upon it.
⁸³ Barach

⁸⁴ ἀκούσας δὲ ὁ βασιλεὺς ὅτι ταῦτα συμβέβηκεν ὨβαδάρῳObadar καὶ ἐκ πενίας καὶ ταπεινότητος ἀθρόως εὐδαίμων καὶ ζηλωτὸς γέγονε παρὰ πᾶσι τοῖς ὁρῶσι καὶ πυνθανομένοις τὴν‎ οἰκίαν αὐτοῦ‎ , θαρσήσας ὡς οὐδενὸς κακοῦ πειρασόμενος τὴν‎ κιβωτὸν πρὸς αὑτὸν μετακομίζει ,
⁸⁴ And when the king heard what had befallen Obededom, how he was become, of a poor man in a low estate, exceeding happy, and the object of envy to all those that saw or inquired after his house, he took courage, and, hoping that he should meet with no misfortune thereby, he transferred the ark to his own house;	⁸⁴ When the king heard what had happened to Obadar, how from being a poor man of lowly estate, he had prospered and become the object of envy to all who looked at his house, he took courage, and, hoping to meet with no misfortune thereby, transferred the ark to his own house.
⁸⁴ Barach

⁸⁵ τῶν μὲν ἱερέων βασταζόντων αὐτήν , ἑπτὰ δὲ χορῶν οὓς διεκόσμησεν ὁ βασιλεὺς προαγόντων , αὐτοῦ‎ δ᾽ ἐν κινύραι παίζοντος καὶ κροτοῦντος , ὥστε καὶ τὴν‎ γυναῖκα ΜιχάληνMichal ΣαούλουSaul δὲ θυγατέρα τοῦ πρώτου βασιλέως ἰδοῦσαν αὐτὸν τοῦτο ποιοῦντα χλευάσαι .
⁸⁵ the priests carrying it, while seven companies of singers, who were set in that order by the king, went before it, and while he himself played upon the harp, and joined in the music, insomuch, that when his wife Michel, the daughter of Saul, who was our first king, saw him so doing, she laughed at him.	⁸⁵ The priests carried it, while seven companies of singers, arranged by the king, went before it and he himself played on the harp and joined in the music, so that when his wife Michal, the daughter of Saul, our first king, saw him doing so, she laughed at him.
⁸⁵ Barach

⁸⁶ εἰσκομίσαντες δὲ τὴν‎ κιβωτὸν τιθέασιν ὑπὸ τὴν‎ σκηνήν , ἣν ΔαυίδηςDavid ἔπηξεν αὐτῇ , καὶ θυσίας τελείας καὶ εἰρηνικὰς ἀνήνεγκε , καὶ τὸν ὄχλον εἱστίασε πάντα καὶ γυναιξὶ καὶ ἀνδράσι καὶ νηπίοις διαδοὺς κολλυρίδα ἄρτου καὶ ἐσχαρίτην καὶ λάγανον τηγανιστὸν καὶ μερίδα θύματος . Καὶ τὸν μὲν λαὸν οὕτως κατευωχήσας ἀπέπεμψεν , αὐτὸς δ᾽ εἰς τὸν οἶκον [τὸν ] αὑτοῦ παραγίνεται .
⁸⁶ But when they had brought in the ark, they placed it under the tabernacle which David had pitched for it, and he offered costly sacrifices and peace-offerings, and treated the whole multitude, and dealt both to the women, and the men, and the infants a loaf of bread and a cake, and another cake baked in a pan, with the portion of the sacrifice. So when he had thus feasted the people, he sent them away, and he himself returned to his own house.	⁸⁶ When they had brought it in they placed it under the tent David had pitched for it and he offered perfect sacrifices and peace-offerings and treated the whole people and presented to both women and men and children a loaf of bread and a cake and another sweetmeat, with the portion of the sacrifice. When he had so feasted the people, he sent them away and returned to his own house.
⁸⁶ Barach

⁸⁷ Παραστᾶσα δὲ αὐτῷ ΜιχάληMichal ἡ γυνὴ ΣαούλουSaul δὲ θυγάτηρ τά τε ἄλλα αὐτῷ κατηύχετο καὶ παρὰ τοῦ θεοῦ γενέσθαι ᾔτει πάνθ᾽ ὅσα παρασχεῖν αὐτῷ δυνατὸν εὐμενεῖ τυγχάνοντι , καὶ δὴ κατεμέμψατο , ὡς ἀκοσμήσειεν ὀρχούμενος ὁ τηλικοῦτος βασιλεὺς καὶ γυμνούμενος ὑπὸ τῆς ὀρχήσεως καὶ [ἐν δούλοις καὶ ἐν ] θεραπαινίσιν .
⁸⁷ But when Michal his wife, the daughter of Saul, came and stood by him, she wished him all other happiness, and entreated that whatsoever he should further desire, to the utmost possibility, might be given him by God, and that he might be favorable to him; yet did she blame him, that so great a king as he was should dance after an unseemly manner, and in his dancing, uncover himself among the servants and the handmaidens.	⁸⁷ Michal his wife, the daughter of Saul, came and stood beside him and wished him all prosperity and prayed that anything whatever he might desire would be given him by God's favour. And still she blamed him, that such a great king should dance so inelegantly and uncover himself among the servants and the serving girls.
⁸⁷ Barach

⁸⁸ ὁ δ᾽ οὐκ αἰδεῖσθαι ταῦτα ποιήσας εἰς τὸ τῷ θεῷ κεχαρισμένον ἔφασκεν , ὃς αὐτὸν καὶ τοῦ πατρὸς αὐτῆς καὶ τῶν ἄλλων ἁπάντων προετίμησε , παίζειν τε καὶ πολλάκις χορεῦσαι μηδένα τοῦ δόξαι ταῖς θεραπαινίσιν αἰσχρὸν καὶ αὐτῇ τὸ γινόμενον ποιησάμενος λόγον .
⁸⁸ But he replied, that he was not ashamed to do what was acceptable to God, who had preferred him before her father, and before all others; that he would play frequently, and dance, without any regard to what the handmaidens and she herself thought of it.	⁸⁸ He replied that he was not ashamed to do what was acceptable to God, who had favoured him above her father and above all others, and that he would often play and dance, no matter what the serving girls and she herself thought of it.
⁸⁸ Barach

⁸⁹ ἡ ΜιχάληMichal αὕτη ΔαυίδῃDavid μὲν συνοικοῦσα παῖδας οὐκ ἐποιήσατο , γαμηθεῖσα δὲ ὕστερον ᾧ παρέδωκεν αὐτὴν ὁ πατὴρ ΣαοῦλοςSaul , τότε δὲ ἀποσπάσας αὐτὸς εἶχε , πέντε παῖδας ἔτεκε . Καὶ περὶ μὲν τούτων κατὰ χώραν δηλώσομεν .
⁸⁹ So this Michal had no children; however, when she was afterward married to him to whom Saul her father had given her, (for at this time David had taken her away from him, and had her himself,) she bare five children. But concerning those matters I shall discourse in a proper place.	⁸⁹ David's wife Michal had no children with him, but when she was later married to the man to whom Saul her father gave her, ( from whom she separated when David took her, ) she bore five children. But I shall treat of them in a suitable place.
⁸⁹ Barach

⁹⁰ Ὁρῶν δ᾽ ὁ βασιλεὺς κατὰ πᾶσαν αὐτῷ τὰ πράγματα σχεδὸν ἡμέραν ἀμείνω γινόμενα ἐκ τῆς τοῦ θεοῦ βουλήσεως ἐνόμιζεν ἐξαμαρτάνειν αὑτὸν , εἰ μένων αὐτὸς ἐν οἴκοις ἐκ κέδρου πεποιημένοις ὑψηλοῖς τε καὶ καλλίστην τὴν‎ ἄλλην κατασκευὴν ἔχουσι περιορᾷ τὴν‎ κιβωτὸν ἐν σκηνῇ κειμένην ·
⁹⁰ Now when the king saw that his affairs grew better almost every day, by the will of God, he thought he should offend him, if, while he himself continued in houses made of cedar, such as were of a great height, and had the most curious works of architecture in them, he should overlook the ark while it was laid in a tabernacle,	⁹⁰ When the king saw his affairs improving almost every day, by God's will he thought it would be an offence while he lived in a lofty house of cedar, adorned with the finest works of art, if he were to let the ark go on being housed in a tent.
⁹⁰ Barach

⁹¹ ἐβούλετο δὲ τῷ θεῷ κατασκευάσαι ναόν , ὡς ΜωυσῆςMoses εἶπε , καὶ περὶ τούτων ΝάθᾳNathan τῷ προφήτῃ διαλεχθείς , ἐπεὶ ποιεῖν ὅτιπερ ὥρμηται προσέταξεν αὐτὸν ὡς τοῦ θεοῦ πρὸς ἅπαντ᾽ αὐτῷ συνεργοῦ παρόντος , εἶχεν ἤδη περὶ τὴν‎ τοῦ ναοῦ κατασκευὴν προθυμότερον .
⁹¹ and was desirous to build a temple to God, as Moses had predicted such a temple should be built. And when he had discoursed with Nathan the prophet about these things, and had been encouraged by him to do whatsoever he had a mind to do, as having God with him, and his helper in all things, he was thereupon the more ready to set about that building.	⁹¹ So he wished to build for God a temple just as Moses had predicted and after speaking of it with the prophet Nathan and being instructed by him to do as he desired, for God would help him in all things, he was keen to set about building the temple.
⁹¹ Barach

⁹² τοῦ θεοῦ δὲ κατ᾽ ἐκείνην τὴν‎ νύκτα τῷ ΝάθᾳNathan φανέντος καὶ φράσαι κελεύσαντος τῷ ΔαυίδῃDavid , ὡς τὴν‎ μὲν προαίρεσιν αὐτοῦ‎ καὶ τὴν‎ ἐπιθυμίαν ἀποδέχεται , μηδενὸς μὲν πρότερον εἰς νοῦν βαλομένου ναὸν αὐτῷ κατασκευάσαι . τούτου δὲ ταύτην τὴν‎ διάνοιαν λαβόντος · οὐκ ἐπιτρέπειν δὲ πολλοὺς πολέμους ἠγωνισμένῳ καὶ φόνῳ τῶν ἐχθρῶν μεμιασμένῳ ποιῆσαι ναὸν αὐτῷ .
⁹² But God appeared to Nathan that very night, and commanded him to say to David, that he took his purpose and his desires kindly, since nobody had before now taken it into their head to build him a temple, although upon his having such a notion he would not permit him to build him that temple, because he had made many wars, and was defiled with the slaughter of his enemies;	⁹² But that very night God appeared to Nathan and told him to tell David that he appreciated his purpose and his desires, since no one before had thought of building him a temple, but that as he had many times gone to war and was defiled by slaughtering his enemies he would not let him build a temple for him.
⁹² Barach

⁹³ μετὰ μέντοι γε τὸν θάνατον αὐτοῦ‎ γηράσαντος καὶ μακρὸν ἀνύσαντος βίον γενήσεσθαι τὸν ναὸν ὑπὸ τοῦ παιδὸς τοῦ μετ᾽ αὐτὸν τὴν‎ βασιλείαν παραληψομένου κληθησομένου δὲ ΣολομῶνοςSolomon , οὗ προστήσεσθαι καὶ προνοήσειν ὡς πατὴρ υἱοῦ κατεπηγγέλλετο , τὴν‎ μὲν βασιλείαν τέκνων ἐγγόνοις φυλάξων καὶ παραδώσων , αὐτὸν δὲ τιμωρήσων , ἂν ἁμαρτὼν τύχῃ , νόσῳ καὶ γῆς ἀφορίᾳ .
⁹³ that, however, after his death, in his old age, and when he had lived a long life, there should be a temple built by a son of his, who should take the kingdom after him, and should be called Solomon, whom he promised to provide for, as a father provides for his son, by preserving the kingdom for his son’s posterity, and delivering it to them; but that he would still punish him, if he sinned, with diseases and barrenness of land.	⁹³ After his death however, after living a long life, a temple would be built by one of his sons, his successor as king, who would be called Solomon; and God promised to provide for him, as a father provides for his son, by preserving the kingdom for his son's descendants and giving it to them, though he would still punish him if he sinned, with diseases and barrenness of the soil.
⁹³ Barach

⁹⁴ μαθὼν ταῦτα παρὰ τοῦ προφήτου ΔαυίδηςDavid καὶ περιχαρὴς γενόμενος ἐπὶ τῷ τοῖς ἐγγόνοις αὐτοῦ‎ τὴν‎ ἀρχὴν διαμένουσαν ἐγνωκέναι βεβαίως καὶ τὸν οἶκον αὐτοῦ‎ λαμπρὸν ἐσόμενον καὶ περιβόητον πρὸς τὴν‎ κιβωτὸν παραγίνεται ,
⁹⁴ When David understood this from the prophet, and was overjoyful at this knowledge of the sure continuance of the dominion to his posterity, and that his house should be splendid, and very famous, he came to the ark,	⁹⁴ When David heard this from the prophet and was overjoyed to learn of the sure continuation of his descendants as rulers, and that his house should be splendid and very famous, he came to the ark
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⁹⁵ καὶ πεσὼν ἐπὶ πρόσωπον ἤρξατο προσκυνεῖν καὶ περὶ πάντων εὐχαριστεῖν τῷ θεῷ , ὧν τε αὐτῷ παρέσχηκεν ἤδη ἐκ ταπεινοῦ καὶ ποιμένος εἰς τηλικοῦτο μέγεθος ἡγεμονίας τε καὶ δόξης ἀναγαγών , ὧν τε τοῖς ἐγγόνοις αὐτοῦ‎ καθυπέσχετο , τῆς προνοίας , ἣν ἙβραίωνHebrews καὶ τῆς τούτων ἐλευθερίας ἐποιήσατο . ταῦτ᾽ εἰπὼν καὶ τὸν θεὸν ὑμνήσας ἀπαλλάσσεται .
⁹⁵ and fell down on his face, and began to adore God, and to return thanks to him for all his benefits, as well for those that he had already bestowed upon him in raising him from a low state, and from the employment of a shepherd, to so great dignity of dominion and glory; as for those also which he had promised to his posterity; and besides, for that providence which he had exercised over the Hebrews in procuring them the liberty they enjoyed. And when he had said thus, and had sung a hymn of praise to God, he went his way.	⁹⁵ and falling down on his face he began to adore God and thank him for all the benefits he had given to him in raising him from his lowly state as a shepherd to such high dominion and glory, and for all he had promised to his descendants, and for his providence toward the Hebrews in gaining them the freedom they enjoyed. After saying this and singing a hymn to God, he went away.
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Chapter 5
[096-116]
David's victories.
His mercy toward the house of Saul

☜ ☞

⁹⁶ διαλιπὼν δὲ ὀλίγον χρόνον ἔγνω δεῖν ἐπὶ τοὺς ΠαλαιστίνουςPhilistines ἐκστρατεύειν , καὶ μηδὲν ἀργὸν μηδὲ ῥᾴθυμον ἐν τοῖς πράγμασιν ὁρᾶν γινόμενον , ἵν᾽ ὡς τὸ θεῖον αὐτῷ προεῖπε καταστρεψάμενος τοὺς πολεμίους ἐν εἰρήνῃ τὸ λοιπὸν τοὺς ἐκγόνους αὐτοῦ‎ βασιλεύοντας καταλείποι .
⁹⁶ A little while after this, he considered that he ought to make war against the Philistines, and not to see any idleness or laziness permitted in his management, that so it might prove, as God had foretold to him, that when he had overthrown his enemies, he should leave his posterity to reign in peace afterward:	⁹⁶ A little later, he thought he should make war against the Philistines and not be idle or neglectful in order that, as God had foretold to him, he might destroy his enemies and should leave his descendants to reign in peace afterward.
⁹⁶ Barach

⁹⁷ καὶ συγκαλέσας πάλιν τὴν‎ στρατιὰν καὶ παραγγείλας αὐτῇ πρὸς πόλεμον ἑτοίμῃ καὶ παρεσκευασμένῃ τυγχάνειν , ὅτ᾽when ἔδοξεν αὐτῷ καλῶς ἔχειν τὰ παρ᾽ αὐτῆς ἄρας ἐκ τῶν ἹεροσολύμωνJerusalem ἐπὶ τοὺς ΠαλαιστίνουςPhilistines ἧκε .
⁹⁷ so he called together his army again, and when he had charged them to be ready and prepared for war, and when he thought that all things in his army were in a good state, he removed from Jerusalem, and came against the Philistines;	⁹⁷ He reassembled his army and got them ready for war and when he thought that all was in order he left Jerusalem and advanced on the Philistines.
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⁹⁸ κρατήσας δ᾽ αὐτῶν τῇ μάχῃ καὶ πολλὴν τῆς χώρας ἀποτεμόμενος καὶ προσορίσας τῇ τῶν ἙβραίωνHebrews ἐπὶ τοὺς ΜωαβίταςMoabites τὸν πόλεμον μετήγαγε , καὶ τὰ μὲν δύο μέρη τῆς στρατιᾶς αὐτῶν τῇ μάχῃ νικήσας διέφθειρε , τὸ δὲ λειπόμενον αἰχμάλωτον ἔλαβε .
⁹⁸ and when he had overcome them in battle, and had cut off a great part of their country, and adjoined it to the country of the Hebrews, he transferred the war to the Moabites; and when he had overcome two parts of their army in battle, he took the remaining part captive, and imposed tribute upon them, to be paid annually.	⁹⁸ When he had defeated them in battle and annexed most of their region to that of the Hebrews, he turned the war on the Moabites, and after defeating two parts of their army he took the remaining part prisoner.
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⁹⁹ φόρους δὲ αὐτοῖς ἐπιτάξας κατ᾽ ἔτος τελεῖν ἐπὶ ἈρτάζαρονAratazar τὸν ἈραοῦAraos μὲν υἱὸν βασιλέα δὲ τῆς ΣωφηνῆςSophene ἐστράτευσε , καὶ συμβαλὼν αὐτῷ παρὰ τὸν ΕὐφράτηνEuphrates ποταμὸν τῶν μὲν πεζῶν αὐτοῦ‎ διέφθειρεν ὡσεὶ δισμυρίους , τῶν δ᾽ ἱπποτῶν ὡς πεντακισχιλίους . ἔλαβε δὲ καὶ αὐτοῦ‎ ἅρματα χίλια , καὶ τὰ πλείω μὲν αὐτῶν ἠφάνισεν , ἑκατὸν δὲ μόνα προσέταξεν αὑτῷ φυλαχθῆναι .
⁹⁹ He then made war against Iadadezer, the son of Rehob, king of Sophene; and when he had joined battle with him at ‘the river Euphrates, he destroyed twenty thousand of his footmen, and about seven thousand of his horsemen. He also took a thousand of his chariots, and destroyed the greatest part of them, and ordered that no more than one hundred should be kept.	⁹⁹ He imposed a yearly tribute on them and went to war against Artazar, son of Araos, king of Sophene, and having fought him at the river Euphrates, destroyed twenty thousand of his infantry and about seven thousand of his cavalry. He also took a thousand of his chariots and destroyed most of them and ordered that no more than one hundred should be kept. .
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¹⁰⁰ ἀκούσας δὲ ὁ ΔαμασκοῦDamascus καὶ ΣύρωνSyrian βασιλεὺς ἌδαδοςHadad , ὅτι πολεμεῖ ΔαυίδηςDavid τὸν ἈρτάζαρονAratazar , Φίλος ὢν αὐτῷ μετὰ δυνάμεως ἧκεν ἰσχυρᾶς συμμαχήσων · ἀπήλλαξε δ᾽ ὡς προσεδόκα συμβαλὼν πρὸς τῷ ΕὐφράτῃEuphrates ποταμῷ , πταίσας δὲ τῇ μάχῃ πολλοὺς ἀπέβαλε τῶν στρατιωτῶν · ἔπεσον γὰρ ὑπὸ τῶν ἙβραίωνHebrews ἀναιρούμενοι τῆς ἈδάδουHadad δυνάμεως δισμύριοι , οἱ δὲ λοιποὶ πάντες ἔφυγον .
¹⁰⁰ Now when Hadad, king of Damascus and of Syria, heard that David fought against Hadadezer, who was his friend, he came to his assistance with a powerful army, in hopes to rescue him; and when he had joined battle with David at the river Euphrates, he failed of his purpose, and lost in the battle a great number of his soldiers; for there were slain of the army of Hadad twenty thousand, and all the rest fled.	¹⁰⁰ When Hadad, king of Damascus and of Syria, heard that David fought against Hadadezer, who was his friend, hoping to rescue him he came to him with a powerful army, and when he had fought David at the river Euphrates, he was defeated and in the battle lost many of his soldiers, for of Hadad's army twenty thousand were killed and all the rest fled.
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¹⁰¹ μέμνηται δὲ τούτου τοῦ βασιλέως καὶ ΝικόλαοςNicolaus ἐν τῇ τετάρτῃ τῶν ἱστοριῶν αὐτοῦ‎ λέγων οὕτως · " μετὰ δὲ ταῦτα πολλῷ χρόνῳ ὕστερον τῶν ἐγχωρίων τις ἌδαδοςHadad ὄνομα πλεῖον ἰσχύσας ΔαμασκοῦDamascus τε καὶ τῆς ἄλλης ΣυρίαςSyria ἔξω ΦοινίκηςPhoenicia ἐβασίλευσε . πόλεμον δ᾽ ἐξενέγκας πρὸς ΔαυίδηνDavid τὸν βασιλέα τῆς ἸουδαίαςJudea καὶ πολλαῖς μάχαις κριθείς , ὑστάτῃ δὲ παρὰ τὸν ΕὐφράτηνEuphrates , ἐν ᾗ ἡττᾶτο ,
¹⁰¹ Nicelens also [of Damascus] makes mention of this king in the fourth book of his histories; where he speaks thus: “A great while after these things had happened, there was one of that country whose name was Hadad, who was become very potent; he reigned over Damascus, and, the other parts of Syria, excepting Phoenicia. He made war against David, the king of Judea, and tried his fortune in many battles, and particularly in the last battle at Euphrates, wherein he was beaten. He seemed to have been the most excellent of all their kings in strength and manhood,”	¹⁰¹ Nicolaus also mentions this king in the fourth book of his histories where he says : "Long after this a man of that region named Hadad became very powerful and reigned over Damascus and the rest of Syria, except Phoenicia. He made war on David the king of Judea and risked many battles and particularly the last one at the Euphrates, where he was defeated.
¹⁰¹ Barach

¹⁰² ἄριστος ἔδοξεν εἶναι βασιλέων ῬώμῃRome καὶ ἀνδρείᾳ . πρὸς τούτοις δὲ καὶ περὶ τῶν ἀπογόνων αὐτοῦ‎ φησιν , ὡς μετὰ τὴν‎ ἐκείνου τελευτὴν ἐξεδέχοντο παρ᾽ ἀλλήλων καὶ τὴν‎ βασιλείαν καὶ τὸ ὄνομα , λέγων οὕτως · " τελευτήσαντος δὲ ἐκείνου ἀπόγονοι ἐπὶ δέκα γενεὰς ἐβασίλευον ἑκάστου παρὰ τοῦ πατρὸς ἅμα καὶ τὴν‎ ἀρχὴν καὶ τοὔνομα [τούτου ] ἐκδεχομένου , ὥσπερ οἱ ΠτολεμαῖοιPtolemies ἐν ΑἰγύπτῳEgypt .
¹⁰² Nay, besides this, he says of his posterity, that “they succeeded one another in his kingdom, and in his name;” where he thus speaks: “When Hadad was dead, his posterity reigned for ten generations, each of his successors receiving from his father that his dominion, and this his name; as did the Ptolemies in Egypt.	¹⁰² He was judged to be the most excellent of all their kings in strength and manhood ," Then he says that his descendants succeeded each other to his kingship and his name. He adds "When Hadad was dead, his descendants reigned for ten generations, each of his successor inheriting his father's his rule and name as did the Ptolemies in Egypt.
¹⁰² Barach

¹⁰³ μέγιστον δὲ ἁπάντων δυνηθεὶς ὁ τρίτος ἀναμαχέσασθαι βουλόμενος τὴν‎ τοῦ προπάτορος ἧτταν στρατεύσας ἐπὶ τοὺς ἸουδαίουςJews ἐπόρθησε τὴν‎ νῦν ΣαμαρεῖτινSamaritan (female) καλουμένην γῆν . οὐ διήμαρτε δὲ τῆς ἀληθείας · οὗτος γάρ ἐστιν ἌδαδοςHadad ὁ στρατευσάμενος ἐπὶ ΣαμάρειανSamaria ἈχάβουAchab βασιλεύοντος τῶν ἸσραηλιτῶνIsrael, Israelites , περὶ οὗ κατὰ χώραν ἐροῦμεν .
¹⁰³ But the third was the most powerful of them all, and was willing to avenge the defeat his forefather had received; so he made an expedition against the Jews, and laid waste the city which is now called Samaria.” Nor did he err from the truth; for this is that Hadad who made the expedition against Samaria, in the reign of Ahab, king of Israel, concerning whom we shall speak in due place hereafter.	¹⁰³ But the third was the most powerful of them all and wanted to avenge the defeat of his forefather so he attacked the Jews and ravaged the city which is now called Samaria." This is no mistake, for he is the Hadad who made the expedition against Samaria, in the reign of Achab, king of Israel, of whom we shall speak in due place.
¹⁰³ Barach

¹⁰⁴ ΔαυίδηςDavid δὲ στρατευσάμενος ἐπὶ ΔαμασκὸνDamascus καὶ τὴν‎ ἄλλην ΣυρίανSyria πᾶσαν αὐτὴν ὑπήκοον ἐποιήσατο , καὶ φρουρὰς ἐν τῇ χώρᾳ καταστήσας καὶ φόρους αὐτοῖς τελεῖν ὁρίσας ὑπέστρεψε · καὶ τάς τε χρυσᾶς φαρέτρας καὶ τὰς πανοπλίας , ἃς οἱ τοῦ ἈδάδουHadad σωματοφύλακες ἐφόρουν ,
¹⁰⁴ Now when David had made an expedition against Damascus, and the other parts of Syria, and had brought it all into subjection, and had placed garrisons in the country, and appointed that they should pay tribute, he returned home. He also dedicated to God at Jerusalem the golden quivers, the entire armor which the guards of Hadad used to wear;	¹⁰⁴ After attacking Damascus and the other parts of Syria and conquering it all and setting garrisons in the region and making them pay tax, David returned home. He dedicated to God in Jerusalem the golden quivers and all the armour worn by Hadad's bodyguards,
¹⁰⁴ Barach

¹⁰⁵ Ἀνέθηκε τῷ θεῷ εἰς ἹεροσόλυμαJerusalem , ἃς ὕστερον ὁ τῶν ΑἰγυπτίωνEgyptians βασιλεὺς ΣούσακοςShishak στρατεύσας ἐπὶ τὸν υἱωνὸν αὐτοῦ‎ ῬοβόαμονReehoboam ἔλαβε καὶ πολὺν ἄλλον ἐκ τῶν ἹεροσολύμωνJerusalem ἐξεφόρησε πλοῦτον · ταῦτα μὲν ὅταν ἔλθωμεν ἐπὶ τὸν οἰκεῖον αὐτῶν τόπον δηλώσομεν . ὁ δὲ τῶν ἙβραίωνHebrews βασιλεὺς τοῦ θεοῦ συμπνέοντος αὐτῷ καὶ τοὺς πολέμους συγκατορθοῦντος καὶ ταῖς καλλίσταις τῶν ἈνδραζάρουHadadezer πόλεων ἐπεστράτευσε ΒατταίᾳBetah καὶ ΜάχωνιMachen, καὶ λαβὼν αὐτὰς κατὰ κράτος διήρπασε .
¹⁰⁵ which Shishak, the king of Egypt, took away when he fought with David’s grandson, Rehoboam, with a great deal of other wealth which he carried out of Jerusalem. However, these things will come to be explained in their proper places hereafter. Now as for the king of the Hebrews, he was assisted by God, who gave him great success in his wars, and he made an expedition against the best cities of Hadadezer, Betah and Machen; so he took them by force, and laid them waste.	¹⁰⁵ which was later taken away by Shishak, the king of Egypt, when he fought David's grandson, Rehoboam, along with other wealth which he took from Jerusalem, as will be explained in its proper place later. The king of the Hebrews was helped by God, who gave him great success in his wars and his expedition against the finest cities of Hadadezer, Betah and Machen, which he stormed and laid waste.
¹⁰⁵ Barach

¹⁰⁶ χρυσὸς δ᾽ ἐν αὐταῖς εὑρέθη πάμπολυς καὶ ἄργυρος ἔτι δὲ καὶ χαλκός , ὃν τοῦ χρυσοῦ κρείττον᾽ ἔλεγον , ἐξ οὗ καὶ ΣολόμωνSolomon τὸ μέγα σκεῦος θάλασσαν δὲ καλούμενον ἐποίησε καὶ τοὺς καλλίστους ἐκείνους λουτῆρας , ὅτε τῷ θεῷ τὸν ναὸν κατεσκεύασεν .
¹⁰⁶ Therein was found a very great quantity of gold and silver, besides that sort of brass which is said to be more valuable than gold; of which brass Solomon made that large vessel which was called The [Brazen] Sea, and those most curious lavers, when he built the temple for God.	¹⁰⁶ He found there much gold and silver and the brass said to be more valuable than gold, of which Solomon made that large vessel called The Sea and the intricate lavers, when he built the temple for God.
¹⁰⁶ Barach

¹⁰⁷ ὡς δὲ ὁ τῆς ἈμάθηςHamath βασιλεὺς τὰ περὶ τὸν ἈνδράζαρονHadadezer ἐπύθετοto ask, inquire καὶ τὴν‎ δύναμιν αὐτοῦ‎ διεφθαρμένην ἤκουσε , δείσας περὶ αὑτῷ καὶ τὸν ΔαυίδηνDavid πρὶν ἐπ᾽ αὐτὸν ἔλθοιto come/go φιλίᾳ καὶ πίστει γνοὺς ἐνδήσασθαι , πέμπει πρὸς αὐτὸν ἈδώραμονAdoram υἱὸν αὐτοῦ‎ καὶ περὶ τοῦ τὸν ἈνδράζαρονHadadezer ἐχθρὸν ὄντ᾽ αὐτῷ πολεμῆσαι χάριν ἔχειν ὁμολογῶν , καὶ συμμαχίαν πρὸς αὐτὸν καὶ φιλίαν ποιούμενος .
¹⁰⁷ But when the king of Hamath was informed of the ill success of Hadadezer, and had heard of the ruin of his army, he was afraid on his own account, and resolved to make a league of friendship and fidelity with David before he should come against him; so he sent to him his son Joram, and professed that he owed him thanks for fighting against Hadadezer, who was his enemy, and made a league with him of mutual assistance and friendship.	¹⁰⁷ When the king of Hamath learned of Hadadezer's failure and heard of the ruin of his army, he was afraid for himself and resolved to bind himself in friendship and loyalty to David lest he should come against him, so he sent to him his son Joram to express his thanks to him for fighting against his enemy Hadadezer, and made a treaty of alliance and friendship with him.
¹⁰⁷ Barach

¹⁰⁸ ἔπεμψε δ᾽ αὐτῷ καὶ δῶρα σκεύη τῆς ἀρχαίας κατασκευῆς χρύσεα καὶ ἀργύρεα καὶ χάλκεα . ΔαυίδηςDavid δὲ ποιησάμενος τὴν‎ συμμαχίαν πρὸς τὸν ΘαῖνονThainon , τοῦτο γὰρ ἦν ὄνομα τῷ βασιλεῖ τῆς ἈμάθηςHamath , καὶ τὰ δῶρα δεξάμενος ἀπέλυσεν αὐτοῦ‎ τὸν υἱὸν μετὰ τιμῆς τῆς πρεπούσης ἑκατέροις . τὰ δὲ πεμφθέντα ὑπ᾽ αὐτοῦ‎ καὶ τὸν ἄλλον χρυσὸν καὶ ἄργυρον , ὃν ἐκ τῶν πόλεων εἰλήφει καὶ τῶν κεχειρωμένων ἐθνῶν , φέρων ἀνατίθησι τῷ θεῷ .
¹⁰⁸ He also sent him presents, vessels of ancient workmanship, both of gold, of silver, and of brass. So when David had made this league of mutual assistance with Toi, (for that was the name of the king of Hamath,) and had received the presents he sent him, he dismissed his son with that respect which was due on both sides; but then David brought those presents that were sent by him, as also the rest of the gold and silver which he had taken of the cities whom he had conquered, and dedicated them to God.	¹⁰⁸ He also sent him gifts, vessels of ancient workmanship, of gold, silver and brass. After David had made this alliance with Thainos, which was the name of the king of Hamath, and had received the gifts he sent him, he dismissed his son with expressions of mutual respect. Then he brought the gifts the other had sent and the rest of the gold and silver he had taken from the cities he had conquered and dedicated them to God.
¹⁰⁸ Barach

¹⁰⁹ οὐκ αὐτῷ δὲ πολεμοῦντι μόνον καὶ τῆς στρατιᾶς ἡγουμένῳ τὸ νικᾶν καὶ κατορθοῦν παρεῖχεν ὁ θεός , ἀλλὰ καὶ πέμψαντος αὐτοῦ‎ μετὰ δυνάμεως εἰς τὴν‎ ἸδουμαίανIdumaea ἈβεσσαῖονAbishai τὸν ἸωάβουJoab τοῦ ἀρχιστρατήγου ἀδελφὸν δι᾽ ἐκείνου τὴν‎ τῶν ἸδουμαίωνIdumaea νίκην ἔδωκε · μυρίους γὰρ αὐτῶν καὶ ὀκτακισχιλίους ἈβεσσαῖοςAbishai διέφθειρε τῇ μάχῃ . Καὶ τὴν‎ ἸδουμαίανIdumaea ἅπασαν φρουραῖς διαλαβόντες ὁ βασιλεὺς φόρους ὑπέρ τε τῆς χώρας καὶ τῆς ἑκάστου κεφαλῆς παρ᾽ αὐτῶν ἐδέχετο .
¹⁰⁹ Nor did God give victory and success to him only when he went to the battle himself, and led his own army, but he gave victory to Abishai, the brother of Joab, general of his forces, over the Idumeans, and by him to David, when he sent him with an army into Idumea: for Abishai destroyed eighteen thousand of them in the battle; whereupon the king [of Israel] placed garrisons through all Idumea, and received the tribute of the country, and of every head among them.	¹⁰⁹ Not only did God give him victory and success when he went personally to battle at the head of his army, but also gave him victory over the Idumaeans through Abishai, the brother of his chief general, Joab, when he sent him with an army into Idumaea. For Abishai destroyed eighteen thousand of them in the battle, and the king placed garrisons through all Idumaea and gathered tax from the region and from every head among them.
¹⁰⁹ Barach

¹¹⁰ ἦν δὲ καὶ δίκαιος τὴν‎ φύσιν καὶ τὰς κρίσεις πρὸς τὴν‎ ἀλήθειαν ἀφορῶν ἐποιεῖτο . στρατηγὸν δὲ ἁπάσης εἶχε τῆς στρατιᾶς τὸν ἸώαβονJoab · ἐπὶ δὲ τῶν ὑπομνημάτων ἸωσάφατονJosaphat υἱὸν ἈχίλουAchilus κατέστησεν · ἀπέδειξε δ᾽ ἐκ τῆς ΦινεέσουPhineas οἰκίας τὸν ΣάδωκονSadok ἀρχιερέα μετ᾽ ἈβιαθάρουAbiathar , Φίλος γὰρ ἦν αὐτῷ · γραμματέα δὲ ΣισὰνSisan ἐποίησε · ΒαναίᾳBanaios δὲ τῷ ἸωάδουJodas τὴν‎ τῶν σωματοφυλάκωνbodyguard ἀρχὴν παραδίδωσιν · οἱ δὲ πρεσβύτεροι παῖδες αὐτοῦ‎ περὶ τὸ σῶμα καὶ τὴν‎ τούτου φυλακὴν ἦσαν .
¹¹⁰ Now David was in his nature just, and made his determination with regard to truth. He had for the general of his whole army Joab; and he made Jehoshaphat, the son of Ahilud, recorder. He also appointed Zadok, of the family of Phinehas, to be high priest, together with Abiathar, for he was his friend. He also made Seisan the scribe, and committed the command over the guards of his body to Benaiah; the son of Jehoiada. His elder sons were near his body, and had the care of it also.	¹¹⁰ He was just by nature and made his decisions in truth. He had Joab as general of his whole army, and he appointed Josaphat, son of Achilos, as recorder. He also appointed Sadok, of the family of Phinehas, as high priest, along with Abiathar, for he was his friend and made Sisan the scribe and gave the command of his bodyguards to Banaias, the son of Jodas. His elder sons were also around him for his protection.
¹¹⁰ Barach

¹¹¹ ἐμνήσθη δὲ καὶ τῶν πρὸς ἸωνάθηνJonathan τὸν ΣαούλουSaul παῖδα συνθηκῶν καὶ ὅρκων καὶ τῆς ἐκείνου πρὸς αὐτὸν φιλίας τε καὶ σπουδῆς · πρὸς γὰρ τοῖς ἄλλοις ἅπασιν ἀγαθοῖς οἷς εἶχεν ἔτι καὶ μνημονικώτατος τῶν εὖ ποιησάντων παρὰ τὸν ἄλλον χρόνον ὑπῆρχε .
¹¹¹ He also called to mind the covenants and the oaths he had made with Jonathan, the son of Saul, and the friendship and affection Jonathan had for him; for besides all the rest of his excellent qualities with which he was endowed, he was also exceeding mindful of such as had at other times bestowed benefits upon him.	¹¹¹ He recalled the covenants and oaths he had made with Saul's son Jonathan and the friendship and affection he had shown him, for along with his other good qualities he was very mindful of those who had done him good at other times.
¹¹¹ Barach

¹¹² προσέταξεν οὖν ἀναζητεῖν εἴ τις ἐκ τοῦ γένους αὐτοῦ‎ σώζεται , ᾧ τὰς ἀμοιβὰς ἃς ὤφειλεν ἸωνάθῃJonathan τῆς ἑταιρίας ἀποδώσει · ἀχθέντος οὖν τινος ἠλευθερωμένου μὲν ὑπὸ ΣαούλουSaul δυναμένου δὲ γινώσκειν τοὺς ἐκ τοῦ γένους αὐτοῦ‎ περιόντας , ἀνέκρινεν εἴ τινα ἔχοι λέγειν τῶν ἸωνάθῃJonathan προσηκόντων ζῶντα καὶ κομίσασθαι τὰς τῶν εὐεργεσιῶν χάριτας δυνάμενον , ὧν καὶ αὐτὸς Ἔτυχε παρὰ ἸωνάθουJonathan .
¹¹² He therefore gave order that inquiry should be made, whether any of Jonathan’s lineage were living, to whom he might make return of that familiar acquaintance which Jonathan had had with him, and for which he was still debtor. And when one of Saul’s freed men was brought to him, who was acquainted with those of his family that were still living, he asked him whether he could tell him of any one belonging to Jonathan that was now alive, and capable of a requital of the benefits which he had received from Jonathan.	¹¹² So he had an inquiry made to see if any of his lineage were living, to whom he could repay Jonathan's friendship toward him, for which he was still in his debt. When one of Saul's freedmen was brought to him, who knew the surviving members of his family he asked if he could tell him of any of Jonathan's family were still alive who could be repaid for the benefits he had received from Jonathan.
¹¹² Barach

¹¹³ φήσαντος δ᾽ υἱὸν αὐτοῦ‎ περιλείπεσθαι ΜεμφίβοσθονMemphibosthos ὄνομα πεπηρωμένον τὰς βάσεις , τῆς γὰρ τροφοῦ μετὰ τὸ προσαγγελθῆναι τὸν πατέρα τοῦ παιδίου καὶ τὸν πάππον ἐν τῇ μάχῃ πεσόντας ἁρπασαμένης καὶ φευγούσης , ἀπὸ τῶν ὤμων αὐτὸ κατενεχθῆναι καὶ βλαβῆναι τὰς βάσεις , μαθὼν ὅπου καὶ παρὰ τίνι τρέφεται πέμψας πρὸς τὸν ΜάχειρονMachir εἰς ΛάβαθαLodebar πόλιν , παρὰ τούτῳ γὰρ ὁ ἸωνάθουJonathan παῖς ἐτρέφετο , Μεταπέμπεται πρὸς αὑτόν .
¹¹³ And he said, that a son of his was remaining, whose name was Mephibosheth, but that he was lame of his feet; for that when his nurse heard that the father and grandfather of the child were fallen in the battle, she snatched him up, and fled away, and let him fall from her shoulders, and his feet were lamed. So when he had learned where and by whom he was brought up, he sent messengers to Machir, to the city of Lodebar, for with him was the son of Jonathan brought up, and sent for him to come to him.	¹¹³ When he said that a son called Memphibosthos remained, but that he was made lame because when his nurse heard that the child's father and grandfather had fallen in the battle, she snatched him up and fled but let him fall from her shoulders and his feet were lamed. Once he learned where and by whom the boy had been brought up, he sent messengers to Machir in the city of Lodebar, with whom Jonathan's son had been reared and sent for him to come to him.
¹¹³ Barach

¹¹⁴ ἐλθὼν δ᾽ ὁ ΜεμφίβοσθοςMemphibosthos πρὸς τὸν βασιλέα πεσὼν ἐπὶ πρόσωπον προσεκύνησεν αὐτόν . ὁ δὲ ΔαυίδηςDavid θαρρεῖν τε προυτρέπετο καὶ τὰ βελτίω προσδοκᾶν · δίδωσι δ᾽ αὐτῷ καὶ τὸν πατρῷον οἶκον καὶ πᾶσαν τὴν‎ οὐσίαν , ἣν ὁ πάππος αὐτοῦ‎ ΣαοῦλοςSaul ἐκτήσατο , σύσσιτόν τε καὶ ὁμοτράπεζον ἐκέλευσεν εἶναι καὶ μηδεμίαν ἡμέραν ἀπολείπεσθαι τῆς σὺν αὐτῷ διαίτης .
¹¹⁴ So when Mephibosheth came to the king, he fell on his face and worshipped him; but David encouraged him, and bade him be of good cheer, and expect better times. So he gave him his father’s house, and all the estate which his grandfather Saul was in possession of, and bade him come and diet with him at his own table, and never to be absent one day from that table.	¹¹⁴ When Memphibosthos came to the king, he fell prostrate and worshipped him, but David encouraged him and told him to take heart and to look forward to better times. So he gave him his father's house and all the estate owned by his grandfather Saul and invited him to dine with him at his own table and not to be absent from it a single day.
¹¹⁴ Barach

¹¹⁵ τοῦ δὲ παιδὸς προσκυνήσαντος ἐπί τε τοῖς λόγοις καὶ ταῖς δωρεαῖς , καλέσας τὸν ΣιβὰνSibas τὸν πατρῷον οἶκον ἔλεγε δεδωρῆσθαι τῷ παιδὶ καὶ πᾶσαν τὴν‎ ΣαούλουSaul κτῆσιν , αὐτόν τε ἐκέλευσεν ἐργαζόμενον αὐτοῦ‎ τὴν‎ γῆν καὶ προνοούμενον ἁπάντων τὴν‎ πρόσοδον εἰς ἹεροσόλυμαJerusalem κομίζειν , ἄγειν τε αὐτὸν καθ᾽ ἑκάστην ἡμέραν ἐπὶ τὴν‎ αὐτοῦ‎ τράπεζαν αὐτὸν ΣιβὰνSibas καὶ τοὺς υἱοὺς αὐτοῦ‎ , ἦσαν δ᾽ οὗτοι πεντεκαίδεκα , καὶ τοὺς οἰκέτας αὐτοῦ‎ τὸν ἀριθμὸν ὄντας εἴκοσι τῷ παιδὶ χαρίζεται ΜεμφιβόσθῳMemphibosthos .
¹¹⁵ And when the youth had worshipped him on account of his words and gifts given to him, he called for Ziba, and told him that he had given the youth his father’s house, and all Saul’s estate. He also ordered that Ziba should cultivate his land, and take care of it, and bring him the profits of all to Jerusalem. Accordingly, David brought him to his table every day, and bestowed upon the youth, Ziba and his sons, who were in number fifteen, and his servants, who were in number twenty.	¹¹⁵ When the youth had bowed down in homage at his words and the gifts given to him, he called for Sibas and told him he had given the youth his father's house and all of Saul's estate. He sent Sibas to cultivate his land for him and to bring all the profits of it to him in Jerusalem. So David had him at his table every day and gave Sibas and his fifteen sons, along with twenty servants, to the boy Memphibosthos.
¹¹⁵ Barach

¹¹⁶ ταῦτα διαταξαμένου τοῦ βασιλέως ὁ μὲν ΣιβὰςSibas προσκυνήσας καὶ πάντα ποιήσειν εἰπὼν ἀνεχώρησεν , ὁ δὲ ἸωνάθουJonathan παῖς ἐν ἹεροσολύμοιςJerusalem κατῴκει συνεστιώμενος τῷ βασιλεῖ καὶ πάσης ὡς υἱὸς αὐτοῦ‎ θεραπείας τυγχάνων · ἐγένετο δ᾽ αὐτῷ καὶ παῖς , ὃν ΜίχανονMichanos προσηγόρευσεto call, name .
¹¹⁶ When the king had made these appointments, and Ziba had worshipped him, and promised to do all that he had bidden him, he went his way; so that this son of Jonathan dwelt at Jerusalem, and dieted at the king’s table, and had the same care that a son could claim taken of him. He also had himself a son, whom he named Micha.	¹¹⁶ When the king had made these arrangements and Sibas had worshipped him and promised to do as he was told, he left; and this son of Jonathan lived in Jerusalem and dined at the king's table and was cared for like a son. He himself also had a son, whom he named Michanos.
¹¹⁶ Barach

Chapter 6
[117-129]
Successful conclusion to the Ammanite War

☜ ☞

¹¹⁷ Καὶ οἱ μὲν περιλειφθέντες ἐκ τοῦ ΣαούλουSaul γένους καὶ ἸωνάθουJonathan τούτων ἔτυχον παρὰ ΔαυίδουDavid τῶν τιμῶν . τελευτήσαντος δὲ κατ᾽ ἐκεῖνον τὸν χρόνον τοῦ τῶν ἈμμανιτῶνAmmanites βασιλέως ΝαάσουNaases , Φίλος δ᾽ ἦν οὗτος αὐτῷ , καὶ διαδεξαμένου τὴν‎ βασιλείαν ἈννὼνHanun τοῦ παιδός , πέμψας ΔαυίδηςDavid πρὸς αὐτὸν παρεμυθήσατο πρᾴως τε φέρειν ἐπὶ τῷ θανάτῳ τοῦ πατρὸς παραινῶν καὶ τὴν‎ αὐτὴν φιλίαν διαμενεῖν , ἣ πρὸς ἐκεῖνον ἦν , τούτῳ προσδοκᾶν .
¹¹⁷ This were the honors that such as were left of Saul’s and Jonathan’s lineage received from David. About this time died Nahash, the king of the Ammonites, who was a friend of David’s; and when his son had succeeded his father in the kingdom, David sent ambassadors to him to comfort him; and exhorted him to take his father’s death patiently, and to expect that he would continue the same kindness to himself which he had shown to his father.	¹¹⁷ The remnants of Saul's and Jonathan's line received these honours from David. About this time the king of the Ammanites, Naases, died who had been David's friend, and when his son succeeded to his father's kingdom, David sent envoys to comfort him, urging him to accept his father's death with patience and saying he would continue to show him the same friendship he had shown to his father.
¹¹⁷ Barach

¹¹⁸ οἱ δὲ τῶν ἈμμανιτῶνAmmanites ἄρχοντες κακοήθως ἀλλ᾽ οὐ κατὰ τὸν ΔαυίδουDavid τρόπον ταῦτ᾽ ἐδέξαντο , καὶ παρώτρυναν τὸν βασιλέα λέγοντες κατασκόπους πεπομφέναι τῆς χώρας ΔαυίδηνDavid καὶ τῆς αὑτῶν δυνάμεως ἐπὶ προφάσει φιλανθρωπίας , φυλάττεσθαί τε συνεβούλευον καὶ μὴ προσέχειν τοῖς λόγοις αὐτοῦ‎ , μὴ καὶ σφαλεὶς ἀπαρηγορήτῳ συμφορᾷ περιπέσῃ .
¹¹⁸ But the princes of the Ammonites took this message in evil part, and not as David’s kind dispositions gave reason to take it; and they excited the king to resent it; and said that David had sent men to spy out the country, and what strength it had, under the pretense of humanity and kindness. They further advised him to have a care, and not to give heed to David’s words, lest he should be deluded by him, and so fall into an inconsolable calamity.	¹¹⁸ The princes of the Ammanites resented this message and misrepresented David's intent, and misled the king, saying that David had sent men to spy out the region and its strength, under the pretext of kindness and further advised him to be careful and not to heed his words or be tricked by him into terrible disaster.
¹¹⁸ Barach

¹¹⁹ ταῦτ᾽ οὖν δόξας πιθανώτερα λέγειν τοὺς ἄρχοντας ἢ τἀληθὲς εἶχεν ὁ τῶν ἈμμανιτῶνAmmanites βασιλεὺς ἈννὼνHanun τοὺς παρὰ τοῦ ΔαυίδουDavid πεμφθέντας πρέσβεις χαλεπῶς περιύβρισε · ξυρήσας γὰρ αὐτῶν τὰ ἡμίση τῶν γενείων καὶ τὰ ἡμίση τῶν ἱματίων περιτεμὼν ἔργοις ἀπέλυσε κομίζοντας οὐ λόγοις τὰς ἀποκρίσεις .
¹¹⁹ Accordingly Nahash’s [son], the king of the Ammonites, thought these princes spake what was more probable than the truth would admit, and so abused the ambassadors after a very harsh manner; for he shaved the one half of their beards, and cut off one half of their garments, and sent his answer, not in words, but in deeds.	¹¹⁹ Then, the king of the Ammanites, thought that what they said was probably true and so mistreated the envoys by shaving off half of their beards and cutting off a half of their clothing and so sent his answer not in words, but in deeds.
¹¹⁹ Barach

¹²⁰ ἰδὼν δὲ ταῦθ᾽ ὁ τῶν ἸσραηλιτῶνIsrael, Israelites βασιλεὺς ἠγανάκτησε καὶ δῆλος ἦν οὐ περιοψόμενος τὴν‎ ὕβριν καὶ τὸν προπηλακισμόν , ἀλλὰ πολεμήσων τοῖς ἈμμανίταιςAmmanites καὶ τιμωρίαν αὐτῶν τῆς παρανομίας τῆς πρὸς τοὺς πρεσβευτὰς εἰσπραξόμενος τὸν βασιλέα .
¹²⁰ When the king of Israel saw this, he had indignation at it, and showed openly that he would not overlook this injurious and contumelious treatment, but would make war with the Ammonites, and would avenge this wicked treatment of his ambassadors on their king.	¹²⁰ On seeing it, the king of Israel was angry and publicly stated that he would not condone such shameful treatment; but would make war on the Ammanites and take revenge on their king for so abusing his envoys.
¹²⁰ Barach

¹²¹ συνέντες δὲ οἵ τε ἀναγκαῖοι καὶ οἱ ἡγεμόνες , ὅτι παρεσπονδήκασι καὶ δίκην ὑπὲρ τούτων ὀφείλουσι , προπαρασκευάζονται εἰς τὸν πόλεμον · καὶ πέμψαντες πρὸς ΣύρονSyrian τὸν τῶν ΜεσοποταμιτῶνMesopotamians βασιλέα χίλια τάλαντα σύμμαχον αὐτὸν ἐπὶ τούτῳ γενέσθαι τῷ μισθῷ παρεκάλεσαν καὶ ΣουβάνSouba · ἦσαν δὲ τοῖς βασιλεῦσι τούτοις πεζοῦ δύο μυριάδες . προσεμισθώσαντο δὲ καὶ τὸν ἐκ τῆς ΜιχᾶςMicah καλουμένης χώρας βασιλέα καὶ τέταρτον ἼστοβονIshtob ὄνομα , καὶ τούτους ἔχοντας μυρίους καὶ δισχιλίους ὁπλίταςarmed warrior .
¹²¹ So that king’s intimate friends and commanders, understanding that they had violated their league, and were liable to be punished for the same, made preparations for war; they also sent a thousand talents to the Syrian king of Mesopotamia, and endeavored to prevail with him to assist them for that pay, and Shobach. Now these kings had twenty thousand footmen. They also hired the king of the country called Maacah, and a fourth king, by name Ishtob; which last had twelve thousand armed men.	¹²¹ His friends and officers, realizing that they had violated their alliance and were liable to be punished for it, prepared for war. They also sent a thousand talents to the Syrian king of Mesopotamia as the price to get him as an ally, and also invited Souba. These kings had twenty thousand infantry; and they also enlisted the king of the region called Micah and a fourth king, named Ishtob, who had twelve thousand warriors.
¹²¹ Barach

¹²² Οὐ κατεπλάγη δὲ τὴν‎ συμμαχίαν καὶ τὴν‎ τῶν ἈμμανιτῶνAmmanites δύναμιν ὁ ΔαυίδηςDavid , τῷ δὲ θεῷ πεποιθὼς καὶ τῷ δικαίως αὐτοῖς ἀνθ᾽ ὧν ὑβρίσθη πολεμεῖν μέλλειν , ἸώαβονJoab τὸν ἀρχιστράτηγον δοὺς αὐτῷ τῆς στρατιᾶς τὸ ἀκμαιότατον ἐξ αὐτῆς ἔπεμψεν ἐπ᾽ αὐτούς .
¹²² But David was under no consternation at this confederacy, nor at the forces of the Ammonites; and putting his trust in God, because he was going to war in a just cause, on account of the injurious treatment he had met with, he immediately sent Joab, the captain of his host, against them, and gave him the flower of his army,	¹²² David was not alarmed by this alliance, or by the forces of the Ammanites, but trusted in God because he was going to war in a just cause in response to the abuse done to him, and immediately sent his commander-in-chief Joab against them with the flower of his army.
¹²² Barach

¹²³ ὁ δὲ πρὸς τῇ μητροπόλει τῶν ἈμμανιτῶνAmmanites ἈραβαθᾶRabbah κατεστρατοπεδεύσατο . τῶν δὲ πολεμίων ἐξελθόντων καὶ παραταξαμένων οὐχ ὁμοῦ διχῇ δέ , τὸ μὲν γὰρ ἐπικουρικὸν ἐν τῷ πεδίῳ καθ᾽ αὑτὸ ἐτάχθη , τὸ δὲ τῶν ἈμμανιτῶνAmmanites στράτευμα πρὸς ταῖς πύλαις ἀντικρὺ τῶν ἙβραίωνHebrews , ἰδὼν τοῦτο ἸώαβοςJoarib ἀντιμηχανᾶται ·
¹²³ who pitched his camp by Rabbah, the metropolis of the Ammonites; whereupon the enemy came out, and set themselves in array, not all of them together, but in two bodies; for the auxiliaries were set in array in the plain by themselves, but the army of the Ammonites at the gates over against the Hebrews.	¹²³ They encamped by Rabbah, the metropolis of the Ammanites and the enemy came out and arranged their ranks not in one group but in two, for the allies were arrayed together in the plain but the army of the Ammanites at the gates opposite the Hebrews. And seeing this, Joab planned a counter move.
¹²³ Barach

¹²⁴ καὶ τοὺς μὲν ἀνδρειοτάτους ἐπιλεξάμενος ἀντιπαρατάσσεται τῷ ΣύρῳSyrian καὶ τοῖς μετ᾽ αὐτοῦ‎ βασιλεῦσι , τὸ δ᾽ ἄλλο παραδοὺς ἈβεσσαίῳAbishai τῷ ἀδελφῷ τοῖς ἈμμανίταιςAmmanites ἐκέλευσεν ἀντιπαρατάξασθαι , εἰπὼν ἂν τοὺς ΣύρουςSyrians ἴδῃ βιαζομένους αὐτὸν καὶ πλέον δυναμένους μεταγαγόντα τὴν‎ φάλαγγα βοηθεῖν αὐτῷ , τὸ δ᾽ αὐτὸ τοῦτο ποιήσειν καὶ αὐτός , ἂν ὑπὸ τῶν ἈμμανιτῶνAmmanites αὐτὸν καταπονούμενον θεάσηται .
¹²⁴ When Joab saw this, he opposed one stratagem against another, and chose out the most hardy part of his men, and set them in opposition to the king of Syria, and the kings that were with him, and gave the other part to his brother Abishai, and bid him set them in opposition to the Ammonites; and said to him, that in case he should see that the Syrians distressed him, and were too hard for him, he should order his troops to turn about and assist him; and he said that he himself would do the same to him, if he saw him in the like distress from the Ammonites.	¹²⁴ He chose the bravest of his men to face the king of Syria and the kings with him and gave the rest to his brother Abishai with orders to set them facing the Ammanites. He told him that if he should see the Syrians pressing him hard and defeating him, to order his troops to wheel around and help him, and he said that he himself would do the same for him, if he saw him hard pressed by the Ammanites.
¹²⁴ Barach

¹²⁵ προτρεψάμενος οὖν τὸν ἀδελφὸν καὶ παρακαλέσας εὐψύχως καὶ μετὰ προθυμίας ἀνδράσιν αἰσχύνην φοβουμένοις πρεπούσης ἀγωνίσασθαι τὸν μὲν ἀπέλυσε τοῖς ἈμμανίταιςAmmanites μαχησόμενον , αὐτὸς δὲ τοῖς ΣύροιςSyrians συνέβαλε .
¹²⁵ So he sent his brother before, and encouraged him to do every thing courageously and with alacrity, which would teach them to be afraid of disgrace, and to fight manfully; and so he dismissed him to fight with the Ammonites, while he fell upon the Syrians.	¹²⁵ So he sent his brother ahead urging him to act everything bravely and with commitment, to avoid disgrace and fight manfully, and so sent him off to fight the Ammanites, while he attacked the Syrians.
¹²⁵ Barach

¹²⁶ καὶ πρὸς ὀλίγον ἀντισχόντων αὐτῶν καρτερῶς πολλοὺς μὲν αὐτῶν ἀπέκτεινεν ἸώαβοςJoarib , ἅπαντας δ᾽ ἠνάγκασεν εἰς φυγὴν τραπῆναι . τοῦτο ἰδόντες οἱ ἈμμανῖταιAmmanites καὶ δείσαντες τὸν ἈβεσσαῖονAbishai καὶ τὴν‎ μετ᾽ αὐτοῦ‎ στρατιὰν οὐκ ἔμειναν , ἀλλὰ μιμησάμενοι τοὺς συμμάχους εἰς τὴν‎ πόλιν ἔφυγον . κρατήσας οὖν τῶν πολεμίων ἸώαβοςJoarib εἰς ἹεροσόλυμαJerusalem πρὸς τὸν βασιλέα λαμπρῶς ὑπέστρεψε .
¹²⁶ And though they made a strong opposition for a while, Joab slew many of them, but compelled the rest to betake themselves to flight; which, when the Ammonites saw, and were withal afraid of Abishai and his army, they staid no longer, but imitated their auxiliaries, and fled to the city. So Joab, when he had thus overcome the enemy, returned with great joy to Jerusalem to the king.	¹²⁶ For a while they put up strong opposition but then Joab killed many of them and put the rest to flight. On seeing this and also being afraid of Abishai and his army, the Ammanites waited no longer but fled like their allies to the city. After so defeating the enemy, Joab returned in splendour to Jerusalem to the king.
¹²⁶ Barach

¹²⁷ Τοῦτο τὸ πταῖσμα τοὺς ἈμμανίταςAmmanites οὐκ ἔπεισεν ἠρεμεῖν οὐδὲ μαθόντας τοὺς κρείττονας ἡσυχίαν ἄγειν , ἀλλὰ πέμψαντες πρὸς ΧαλαμὰνChalaman τὸν τῶν πέραν ΕὐφράτουEuphrates ΣύρωνSyrian βασιλέα μισθοῦνται τοῦτον ἐπὶ συμμαχίᾳ , ἔχοντα μὲν ἀρχιστράτηγον Σέβεκονshobach , πεζῶν δὲ μυριάδας ὀκτὼ καὶ ἱππέων μυρίους .
¹²⁷ This defeat did not still induce the Ammonites to be quiet, nor to own those that were superior to them to be so, and be still, but they sent to Chalaman, the king of the Syrians, beyond Euphrates, and hired him for an auxiliary. He had Shobach for the captain of his host, with eighty thousand footmen, and ten thousand horsemen.	¹²⁷ This defeat did not still induce the Ammanites to keep the peace or to accept their [enemies as ] superiors, but they sent to Chalaman, the king of the Syrians beyond the Euphrates, and hired him for an ally. He had Shobach for the officer of his army, with eighty thousand infantry and ten thousand cavalry.
¹²⁷ Barach

¹²⁸ γνοὺς δ᾽ ὁ τῶν ἙβραίωνHebrews βασιλεὺς πάλιν ἐπ᾽ αὐτὸν τοὺς ἈμμανίταςAmmanites τοσαύτην δύναμιν συνηθροικότας οὐκέτι διὰ στρατηγῶν αὐτοῖς πολεμεῖν ἔκρινεν , ἀλλ᾽ αὐτὸς σὺν ἁπάσῃ τῇ δυνάμει διαβὰς τὸν ἸόρδανονJordan ποταμὸν καὶ ὑπαντήσας αὐτοῖς συνάψας εἰς μάχην ἐνίκησε · καὶ ἀναιρεῖ μὲν αὐτῶν πεζῶν μὲν εἰς τέσσαρας μυριάδας ἱππέων δὲ εἰς ἑπτακισχιλίους , ἔτρωσε δὲ καὶ τὸν στρατηγὸν τοῦ ΧαλαμᾶChalaman Σέβεκονshobach , ὃς ἐκ τῆς πληγῆς ἀπέθανεν .
¹²⁸ Now when the king of the Hebrews understood that the Ammonites had again gathered so great an army together, he determined to make war with them no longer by his generals, but he passed over the river Jordan himself with all his army; and when he met them he joined battle with them, and overcame them, and slew forty thousand of their footmen, and seven thousand of their horsemen. He also wounded Shobach, the general of Chalaman’s forces, who died of that stroke;	¹²⁸ When the king of the Hebrews learned that the Ammanites had again gathered such a large army he decided to make war with them no longer by his generals, but he crossed the river Jordan himself with all his army, and when he met them he fought them and overcame them and killed forty thousand of their infantry and seven thousand of their cavalry and also wounded Shobach, the general of Chalaman's forces, who died of that blow.
¹²⁸ Barach

¹²⁹ οἱ δὲ ΜεσοποταμῖταιMesopotamia τοιούτου γενομένου τοῦ τέλους τῆς μάχης αὑτοὺς ΔαυίδῃDavid παρέδοσαν καὶ δῶρα ἔπεμψαν αὐτῷ . Καὶ ὁ μὲν ὥρᾳ χειμῶνος ἀνέστρεψεν εἰς ἹεροσόλυμαJerusalem , ἀρχομένουto rule, reign δὲ τοῦ ἔαρος ἔπεμψε τὸν ἀρχιστράτηγον ἸώαβονJoab πολεμήσοντα τοῖς ἈμμανίταιςAmmanites . ὁ δὲ τήν τε γῆν αὐτῶν ἅπασαν ἐπερχόμενος διέφθειρε καὶ αὐτοὺς εἰς τὴν‎ μητρόπολιν συγκλείσας ἈραβαθὰRabbah ἐπολιόρκει .
¹²⁹ but the people of Mesopotamia, upon such a conclusion of the battle, delivered themselves up to David, and sent him presents, who at winter time returned to Jerusalem. But at the beginning of the spring he sent Joab, the captain of his host, to fight against the Ammonites, who overran all their country, and laid it waste, and shut them up in their metropolis Rabbah, and besieged them therein.	¹²⁹ Seeing how the battle ended, the people of Mesopotamia surrendered to David and sent him gifts, and he returned to Jerusalem for the winter. But at the beginning of the spring he sent his general Joab to fight the Ammanites, and he overran and ravaged all their region and shut them up in their metropolis Rabbah and besieged them there.
¹²⁹ Barach

Chapter 7
[130-161]
David's Adultery.
Uriah's Murder condemned by Nathan

☜ ☞

¹³⁰ συνέπεσε δὲ καὶ ΔαυίδῃDavid πταῖσμα δεινὸν ὄντι φύσει δικαίῳ καὶ θεοσεβεῖ καὶ τοὺς πατρίους νόμους ἰσχυρῶς φυλάσσοντι · θεασάμενος γὰρ δείλης ὀψίας ἀπὸ τοῦ στέγους τῶν βασιλείων , ἐν ᾧ περιπατεῖν κατ᾽ ἐκεῖνο τῆς ὥρας ἦν ἔθος , γυναῖκα λουομένην ἐν τῇ αὑτῆς οἰκίᾳ ψυχρῷ ὕδατι καλλίστην τὸ εἶδος καὶ πασῶν διαφέρουσαν , ὄνομα αὐτῇ ἦν ΒεεθσαβήBathsheba, ἡττᾶται τοῦ κάλλους τῆς γυναικός · καὶ τῆς ἐπιθυμίας κατασχεῖν οὐ δυνάμενος αὐτῇ συνέρχεται .
¹³⁰ But David fell now into a very grievous sin, though he were otherwise naturally a righteous and a religious man, and one that firmly observed the laws of our fathers; for when late in an evening he took a view round him from the roof of his royal palace, where he used to walk at that hour, he saw a woman washing herself in her own house: she was one of extraordinary beauty, and therein surpassed all other women; her name was Bathsheba. So he was overcome by that woman’s beauty, and was not able to restrain his desires, but sent for her, and lay with her.	¹³⁰ But David fell into a grievous fault, though by nature he was a just and godly man who kept firmly to the ancestral laws. Late one evening as he was looking out from the roof of his palace where he used to walk at that hour, he saw a woman of supreme and unsurpassed beauty washing herself in her own house. Her name was Bathsheba and captivated by her beauty and unable to restrain his desire, he made love with her.
¹³⁰ Barach

¹³¹ γενομένης δ᾽ ἐγκύου τῆς γυναικὸς καὶ πεμψάσης πρὸς τὸν βασιλέα , ὅπως τῷ ἁμαρτήματι σκέψηταί τινα τοῦ λαθεῖν ὁδόν , ἀποθανεῖν γὰρ αὐτὴν κατὰ τοὺς πατρίους καθήκει νόμους μεμοιχευμένην , μετακαλεῖται τὸν ἸωάβουJoab μὲν ὁπλοφόρον ἐκ τῆς πολιορκίας ἄνδρα δὲ τῆς γυναικὸς ΟὐρίανUrias ὄνομα , καὶ παραγενόμενον περὶ τε τῆς στρατιᾶς καὶ τῆς πολιορκίας ἀνέκρινε .
¹³¹ Hereupon she conceived with child, and sent to the king, that he should contrive some way for concealing her sin (for, according to the laws of their fathers, she who had been guilty of adultery ought to be put to death). So the king sent for Joab’s armor-bearer from the siege, who was the woman’s husband, and his name was Uriah. And when he was come, the king inquired of him about the army, and about the siege;	¹³¹ The woman became pregnant so she sent to the king to plan some way of hiding the sin, for according to their ancestral laws, an adulteress should be put to death. So he sent to recall the woman's husband, Urias, Joab's armour-bearer, and when he arrived, inquired about the army and the siege.
¹³¹ Barach

¹³² λέγοντος δὲ πάντα κατὰ νοῦν αὐτοῖς κεχωρηκέναι τὰ πράγματα βαστάσας ἐκ τοῦ δείπνου μέρη προσδίδωσιν αὐτῷ , καὶ κελεύει πρὸς τὴν‎ γυναῖκα ἀπελθόντα ἀναπαύσασθαι σὺν αὐτῇ . ὁ δὲ ΟὐρίαςUrias τοῦτο μὲν οὐκ ἐποίησε , παρεκοιμήθη δὲ τῷ βασιλεῖ σὺν τοῖς ἄλλοις ὁπλοφόροις .
¹³² and when he had made answer that all their affairs went according to their wishes, the king took some portions of meat from his supper, and gave them to him, and bade him go home to his wife, and take his rest with her. Uriah did not do so, but slept near the king with the rest of his armor-bearers.	¹³² When he replied that it was going according to plan, the king offered him a part of his supper and told him go home to his wife and relax with her. Urias did not do so, but slept near the king, along with the rest of the armed men.
¹³² Barach

¹³³ ὡς δὲ γνοὺς τοῦθ᾽ ὁ βασιλεὺς ἀνέκρινεν αὐτόν , ὅτι μὴ πρὸς [αὑτὸν εἰς ] τὴν‎ οἰκίαν ἔλθοιto come/go μηδὲ πρὸς τὴν‎ γυναῖκα διὰ τοσούτου χρόνου πάντων ἀνθρώπων ταύτην δυσμενῶς τὴν‎ φύσιν ὅταν ἔλθωσιν ἐξ ἀποδημίαςan absence, journey , οὐκ εἶναι δίκαιον ἔφη τῶν συστρατιωτῶν αὐτοῦ‎ καὶ τοῦ στρατηγοῦ χαμαὶ κοιμωμένων ἐν παρεμβολῇ καὶ τῇ τῶν πολεμίων χώρᾳ μετὰ γυναικὸς αὐτὸν ἀναπαύεσθαι καὶ τρυφᾶν .
¹³³ When the king was informed of this, he asked him why he did not go home to his house, and to his wife, after so long an absence; which is the natural custom of all men, when they come from a long journey. He replied, that it was not right, while his fellow soldiers, and the general of the army, slept upon the ground, in the camp, and in an enemy’s country, that he should go and take his rest, and solace himself with his wife.	¹³³ When the king learned of this, he asked him why he did not go home to his house and his wife after such a long absence, as people naturally do when they come back from being away. The man replied that it was not right for him to rest and take comfort with his wife, while his fellow soldiers and the general slept on the ground, camped in enemy territory.
¹³³ Barach

¹³⁴ ταῦτ᾽ εἰπόντα μεῖναι τὴν‎ ἡμέραν ἐκείνην ἐκέλευσεν αὐτόθι ὡς εἰς τὴν‎ ἐπιοῦσανthe next day ἀπολύσων αὐτὸν πρὸς τὸν ἀρχιστράτηγον . κληθεὶς δ᾽ ἐπὶ δεῖπνον ὑπὸ τοῦ βασιλέως ΟὐρίαςUrias καὶ μέχρι μέθης προελθὼν ἐν τῷ πότῳ δεξιουμένου τοῦ βασιλέως αὐτὸν ἐπίτηδεςdesignedly, deceitfully ταῖς προπόσεσιν , οὐδὲν ἧττον πάλιν πρὸ τῶν τοῦ βασιλέως θυρῶν ἐκοιμήθη μηδεμίαν λαβὼν τῆς γυναικὸς ἐπιθυμίαν .
¹³⁴ So when he had thus replied, the king ordered him to stay there that night, that he might dismiss him the next day to the general. So the king invited Uriah to supper, and after a cunning and dexterous manlier plied him with drink at supper, till he was thereby disordered; yet did he nevertheless sleep at the king’s gates without any inclination to go to his wife.	¹³⁴ When he said this, the king told him to stay there that night and he would send him to the general the following day. Inviting Urias to supper, the king slyly and deliberately plied him with drink until he was drunk, but still he slept at the king's gates without any inclination to go to his wife.
¹³⁴ Barach

¹³⁵ ἐπὶ τούτοις δὲ δυσανασχετήσας ὁ βασιλεὺς Ἔγραψε τῷ ἸωάβῳJoab κολάσαι προστάττων τὸν ΟὐρίανUrias , ἁμαρτεῖν γὰρ αὐτὸν ἐδήλου , καὶ τὸν τρόπον τῆς τιμωρίας ἵνα μὴ γένηται φανερὸς αὐτὸς τοῦτο βουληθεὶς ὑπέθετο ·
¹³⁵ Upon this the king was very angry at him; and wrote to Joab, and commanded him to punish Uriah, for he told him that he had offended him; and he suggested to him the manner in which he would have him punished, that it might not be discovered that he was himself the author of this his punishment;	¹³⁵ Infuriated by this, the king wrote to Joab telling him to punish Urias, claiming he had offended him, but suggesting a form of punishment that would not point to himself as the author.
¹³⁵ Barach

¹³⁶ κατὰ γὰρ τὸ δυσμαχώτατον αὐτὸν ἐκέλευσε μέρος τῶν πολεμίων τάξαι καὶ καθ᾽ ὃ κινδυνεύσει μαχόμενος ἀπολειφθεὶς μόνος · [τοὺς γὰρ ] συμπαραστάτας ἀναχωρῆσαι ἐκ τῆς μάχης γινομένης ἐκέλευσε . ταῦτα γράψας καὶ σημηνάμενος τῇ αὑτοῦ σφραγῖδι τὴν‎ ἐπιστολὴν ἔδωκεν ΟὐρίᾳUrias κομίσαι πρὸς ἸώαβονJoab .
¹³⁶ for he charged him to set him over against that part of the enemy’s army where the attack would be most hazardous, and where he might be deserted, and be in the greatest jeopardy, for he bade him order his fellow soldiers to retire out of the fight. When he had written thus to him, and sealed the letter with his own seal, he gave it to Uriah to carry to Joab.	¹³⁶ He told him to set him opposite the part of the enemy's line that was hardest to attack and to leave him there in danger, ordering his fellow soldiers to retire from the battle. After writing this to him and sealing the letter with his own seal, he gave it to Urias to take to Joab.
¹³⁶ Barach

¹³⁷ δεξάμενος δὲ ἸώαβοςJoarib τὰ γράμματα καὶ τὴν‎ τοῦ βασιλέως προαίρεσιν ἀναγνούς , καθ᾽ ὃν ᾔδει τόπον τοὺς πολεμίους χαλεποὺς αὐτῷ γενομένους , κατὰ τοῦτον ἔστησε τὸν ΟὐρίανUrias δοὺς αὐτῷ τινας τῶν ἀρίστων τῆς στρατιᾶς · αὐτὸς δ᾽ ἁπάσῃ τῇ δυνάμει προσεπιβοηθήσειν ἔφησεν , εἰ δυνηθεῖεν ἀνατρέψαντές τι τοῦ τείχους εἰσελθεῖν εἰς τὴν‎ πόλιν .
¹³⁷ When Joab had received it, and upon reading it understood the king’s purpose, he set Uriah in that place where he knew the enemy would be most troublesome to them; and gave him for his partners some of the best soldiers in the army; and said that he would also come to their assistance with the whole army, that if possible they might break down some part of the wall, and enter the city.	¹³⁷ When Joab received the letter he saw the king's meaning and set Urias with some of the best soldiers in the army just where he knew the enemy would be toughest, saying that if they could break down part of the wall and enter the city, he would reinforce them with the whole army.
¹³⁷ Barach

¹³⁸ ὄντα δ᾽ αὐτὸν γενναῖον στρατιώτην καὶ δόξαν ἔχοντα παρά τε τῷ βασιλεῖ καὶ πᾶσι τοῖς ὁμοφύλοις ἐπ᾽ ἀνδρείᾳ χαίρειν τοῖς μεγάλοις πόνοις ἀλλὰ μὴ προσαγανακτεῖν ἠξίου . τοῦ δ᾽ ΟὐρίαUrias προθύμως ὑποστάντος τὸ ἔργον , τοῖς μετ᾽ αὐτοῦ‎ παρατασσομένοις ἰδίᾳ καταλιπεῖν ὅταν ἐξορμήσαντας ἴδωσι τοὺς πολεμίους ἐδήλωσε .
¹³⁸ And he desired him to be glad of the opportunity of exposing himself to such great pains, and not to be displeased at it, since he was a valiant soldier, and had a great reputation for his valor, both with the king and with his countrymen. And when Uriah undertook the work he was set upon with alacrity, he gave private orders to those who were to be his companions, that when they saw the enemy make a sally, they should leave him.	¹³⁸ Being a valiant soldier esteemed both by the king and by his countrymen, he was glad of the chance to prove his bravery by such great efforts and was not upset by it. When Urias willingly undertook the task ahead, his companions were privately ordered to leave him when they saw the enemy make a charge.
¹³⁸ Barach

¹³⁹ προσβαλόντων οὖν τῇ πόλει τῶν ἙβραίωνHebrews δείσαντες οἱ ἈμμανῖταιAmmanites , μὴ κατ᾽ ἐκεῖνον τὸν τόπον , καθ᾽ ὃν ΟὐρίανUrias συνέβαινε τετάχθαι , φθάσαντες ἀναβῶσιν οἱ πολέμιοι , προστησάμενοι τοὺς ἀνδρειοτάτους αὐτῶν καὶ τὴν‎ πύλην ἀνοίξαντες αἰφνιδίως καὶ μετὰ ῥύμης καὶ δρόμου πολλοῦ τοῖς ἐχθροῖς ἐπεξῆλθον .
¹³⁹ When, therefore, the Hebrews made an attack upon the city, the Ammonites were afraid that the enemy might prevent them, and get up into the city, and this at the very place whither Uriah was ordered; so they exposed their best soldiers to be in the forefront, and opened their gates suddenly, and fell upon the enemy with great vehemence, and ran violently upon them.	¹³⁹ When the Hebrews attacked the city, the Ammanites feared that the enemy might outflank them and get into the city just where Urias was stationed, so setting their best soldiers in front they opened the gates suddenly and attacked, running at the enemy in force.
¹³⁹ Barach

¹⁴⁰ ἰδόντες δὲ αὐτοὺς οἱ σὺν τῷ ΟὐρίᾳUrias πάντες ἀνεχώρησαν ὀπίσω , καθὼς ἸώαβοςJoarib αὐτοῖς προεῖπεν · αἰσχυνθεὶς δ᾽ ΟὐρίαςUrias φυγεῖν καὶ τὴν‎ τάξιν καταλιπεῖν ὑπέμεινε τοὺς πολεμίους · καὶ τὴν‎ ὁρμὴν αὐτῶν ἐκδεξάμενος ἀναιρεῖ μὲν οὐκ ὀλίγους , κυκλωθεὶς δὲ καὶ ληφθεὶς ἐν μέσῳ ἅμα δ᾽ αὐτῷ τινες καὶ ἄλλοι τελευτᾷ συγκαταπεσόντων ἑτέρων .
¹⁴⁰ When those that were with Uriah saw this, they all retreated backward, as Joab had directed them beforehand; but Uriah, as ashamed to run away and leave his post, sustained the enemy, and receiving the violence of their onset, he slew many of them; but being encompassed round, and caught in the midst of them, he was slain, and some other of his companions were slain with him.	¹⁴⁰ When Uriah's companions saw this, they all retreated as Joab had directed them, but Urias, ashamed to run off and leave his post, stayed facing the enemy. He withstood the violence of their charge and killed many of them, but being surrounded and caught in the middle of them, he was killed and some of the others fell alongside him.
¹⁴⁰ Barach

¹⁴¹ Τούτων οὕτως γενομένων ἔπεμψεν ἀγγέλους ἸώαβοςJoarib πρὸς τὸν βασιλέα λέγειν ἐντειλάμενος αὐτοῖς , ὡς σπουδάσειε μὲν ταχέως ἑλεῖν τὴν‎ πόλιν , προσβαλὼν δὲ τῷ τείχει καὶ πολλοὺς ἀπολέσας ἀναχωρῆσαι βιασθείη · προστιθέναι δὲ τούτοις ἂν ὀργιζόμενον ἐπ᾽ αὐτοῖς βλέπωσι καὶ τὸν ΟὐρίαUrias θάνατον .
¹⁴¹ When this was done, Joab sent messengers to the king, and ordered them to tell him that he did what he could to take the city soon; but that, as they made an assault on the wall, they had been forced to retire with great loss; and bade them, if they saw the king was angry at it, to add this, that Uriah was slain also.	¹⁴¹ After this had happened Joab sent messengers to the king to tell him he had done all he could to capture the city quickly, but that they had been forced to retire with great losses as they assaulted the wall. He said that if they saw the king getting angry with this, to report the death of Urias.
¹⁴¹ Barach

¹⁴² τοῦ δὲ βασιλέως ἀκούσαντος παρὰ τῶν ἀγγέλων ταῦτα καὶ δυσφοροῦντος φάσκοντος ἁμαρτεῖν αὐτοὺς τῷ τείχει προσβαλόντας , δέον ὑπονόμοις καὶ μηχανήμασιν ἑλεῖν πειρᾶσθαι τὴν‎ πόλιν , καὶ ταῦτ᾽ ἔχοντας παράδειγμα τὸν ΓεδεῶνοςGideon υἱὸν ἈβιμέλεχονAbimelech , ὃς ἐπεὶ τὸν ἐν ΘήβαιςThebai πύργον ἑλεῖν ἐβούλετο βίᾳ , βληθεὶς ὑπὸ πρεσβύτιδος πέτρῳ κατέπεσε καὶ ἀνδρειότατος ὢν διὰ τὸ δυσχερὲς τῆς ἐπιβολῆς αἰσχρῶς ἀπέθανεν ·
¹⁴² When the king had heard this of the messengers, he took it heinously, and said that they did wrong when they assaulted the wall, whereas they ought, by undermining and other stratagems of war, to endeavor the taking of the city, especially when they had before their eyes the example of Abimelech, the son of Gideon, who would needs take the tower in Thebes by force, and was killed by a large stone thrown at him by an old woman; and although he was a man of great prowess, he died ignominiously by the dangerous manner of his assault:	¹⁴² When the king heard this from the messengers, he took it badly and said it was wrong to attack the wall, and they should have tried capturing the city by undermining and other means. Surely they knew how Abimelech, son of Gideon, had tried storming the tower in Thebai and was killed by a large stone thrown at him by an old woman, and though he was a man of great prowess, he died ignominiously because of his inept attack.
¹⁴² Barach

¹⁴³ οὗ μνημονεύοντας ἔδει μὴ προσιέναι τῷ τείχει τῶν πολεμίων · ἄριστον γὰρ ἁπάντων τῶν ἐν πολέμῳ πραχθέντων καὶ καλῶς καὶ ὡς ἑτέρως ἐνίοις αὐτοῖς κινδύνοις μνήμην ἔχειν , ὡς τὰ μὲν μιμεῖσθαι τὰ δὲ φυλάττεσθαι .
¹⁴³ that they should remember this accident, and not come near the enemy’s wall, for that the best method of making war with success was to call to mind the accidents of former wars, and what good or bad success had attended them in the like dangerous cases, that so they might imitate the one, and avoid the other.	¹⁴³ They should have remembered this and not come near the enemy's wall, for the best method of success in war was to recall the actions of former wars and how things turned out in similar dangerous situations, so as to imitate the one and avoid the other.
¹⁴³ Barach

¹⁴⁴ ἐπεὶ δὲ οὕτως ἔχοντι καὶ τὸν ΟὐρίαUrias θάνατον ἐδήλωσεν ὁ ἄγγελος , παύεται μὲν τῆς ὀργῆς , ἸωάβῳJoab δ᾽ ἐκέλευσεν ἀπελθόντα λέγειν ἀνθρώπινον εἶναι τὸ συμβεβηκὸς καὶ τὰ τοῦ πολέμου φύσιν ἔχειν τοιαύτην , ὥστε ποτὲ μὲν τοῖς ἐναντίοις εὖ πράττειν συμβαίνειν κατ᾽ αὐτόν , ποτὲ δὲ τοῖς ἑτέροις ·
¹⁴⁴ But when the king was in this disposition, the messenger told him that Uriah was slain also; whereupon he was pacified. So he bade the messenger go back to Joab and tell him that this misfortune is no other than what is common among mankind, and that such is the nature, and such the accidents of war, insomuch that sometimes the enemy will have success therein, and sometimes others;	¹⁴⁴ When he was in this vein, the messenger told him of Uriah's death, then his rage ceased and he sent him back to Joab to say that such misfortune often happens to people and that it is the nature of war that one side now succeeds and then the other.
¹⁴⁴ Barach

¹⁴⁵ τοῦ λοιποῦ μέντοι γε προνοεῖν τῆς πολιορκίας , ὅπως μηδὲν ἔτι πταίσωσι κατ᾽ αὐτήν , ἀλλὰ χώμασι καὶ μηχαναῖς ἐκπολιορκήσαντας καὶ παραστησαμένους τὴν‎ μὲν πόλιν κατασκάψαι , ἅπαντας δ᾽ ἀπολέσαι τοὺς ἐν αὐτῇ . Καὶ ὁ μὲν ἄγγελος τὰ ὑπὸ τοῦ βασιλέως ἐντεταλμένα κομίζων πρὸς ἸώαβονJoab ἠπείγετο .
¹⁴⁵ but that he ordered him to go on still in his care about the siege, that no ill accident might befall him in it hereafter; that they should raise bulwarks and use machines in besieging the city; and when they have gotten it, to overturn its very foundations, and to destroy all those that are in it. Accordingly the messenger carried the king’s message with which he was charged, and made haste to Joab.	¹⁴⁵ He should take care with the siege, so as to suffer no further losses in it, but raise bulwarks and use siege machines, and once the city was captured, to destroy its foundations and kill everyone in it; and the messenger hurried to bring the king's instructions back to Joab.
¹⁴⁵ Barach

¹⁴⁶ ἡ δὲ τοῦ ΟὐρίαUrias γυνὴ ΒεεθσαβὴBathsheba τὸν θάνατον τἀνδρὸς πυθομένη ἐπὶ συχνὰς αὐτὸν ἡμέρας ἐπένθησεν , παυσαμένην δὲ τῆς λύπης καὶ τῶν ἐπ᾽ ΟὐρίᾳUrias δακρύων ὁ βασιλεὺς εὐθὺς ἄγεται γυναῖκα , καὶ παῖς ἄρρην ἐξ αὐτῆς γίνεται αὐτῷ .
¹⁴⁶ But Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah, when she was informed of the death of her husband, mourned for his death many days; and when her mourning was over, and the tears which she shed for Uriah were dried up, the king took her to wife presently; and a son was born to him by her.	¹⁴⁶ When Bathsheba, the wife of Urias, learned of the death of her husband, she mourned him for many days, but as soon as her mourning and tears for Urias had ceased, the king took her as wife, and she bore him a son.
¹⁴⁶ Barach

¹⁴⁷ Τοῦτον οὐχ ἡδέως ἐπεῖδεν ὁ θεὸς τὸν γάμον , ἀλλὰ δι᾽ ὀργῆς ἔχων τὸν ΔαυίδηνDavid τῷ προφήτῃ ΝάθᾳNathan φανεὶς κατὰ τοὺς ὕπνους ἐμέμφετο τὸν βασιλέα . ὁ δὲ ΝάθαςNathan ἀστεῖος καὶ συνετὸς ὢν ἀνήρ , λογισάμενος ὡς οἱ βασιλεῖς ὅταν εἰς ὀργὴν ἐμπέσωσι ταύτῃ πλέον ἢ τῷ δικαίῳ νέμουσι , τὰς μὲν παρὰ τοῦ θεοῦ γεγενημένας ἀπειλὰς ἡσυχάζειν ἔκρινεν , ἄλλους δὲ λόγους χρηστοὺς πρὸς αὐτὸν διεξῆλθε ,
¹⁴⁷ With this marriage God was not well pleased, but was thereupon angry at David; and he appeared to Nathan the prophet in his sleep, and complained of the king. Now Nathan was a fair and prudent man; and considering that kings, when they fall into a passion, are guided more by that passion than they are by justice, he resolved to conceal the threatenings that proceeded from God, and made a good-natured discourse to him, and this after the manner following:—	¹⁴⁷ This marriage was not pleasing to God, who was angry with David and appeared to Nathan the prophet in his sleep complaining of the king. Now Nathan was a shrewd and prudent man, and considering how kings, when they fall into a rage, are guided more by it than by justice, he decided to be quiet about his message from God and had a pleasant talk with him as follows.
¹⁴⁷ Barach

¹⁴⁸ καὶ δὴ τοιοῦτόν τινα τρόπον περὶ οὗ καὶ τί φρονεῖ ποιῆσαι σαφὲς αὐτῷ παρεκάλει · " δύο γάρ , ἔφησεν , ἄνδρες τὴν‎ αὐτὴν κατῴκουν πόλιν , ὧν ὁ μὲν πλούσιος ἦν καὶ πολλὰς εἶχεν ἀγέλας ὑποζυγίων τε καὶ θρεμμάτων καὶ βοῶν , τῷ πένητι δ᾽ ἀμνὰς ὑπῆρχε μία .
¹⁴⁸ He desired that the king would give him his opinion in the following case:—“There were,” said he, “two men inhabiting the same city, the one of them was rich, and [the other poor]. The rich man had a great many flocks of cattle, of sheep, and of kine; but the poor man had but one ewe lamb.	¹⁴⁸ He asked his opinion about a particular case, saying: "Two men lived in the same city, one of them rich, with many flocks of livestock, sheep and cows, but the poor man had only one ewe lamb.
¹⁴⁸ Barach

¹⁴⁹ ταύτην μετὰ τῶν τέκνων αὐτοῦ‎ ἀνέτρεφε συνδιαιρούμενος αὐτῇ τὰ σιτία καὶ φιλοστοργίᾳ πρὸς αὐτὴν χρώμενος ᾗ τις ἂν χρήσαιτο καὶ πρὸς θυγατέρα . ξένου δ᾽ ἐπελθόντος τῷ πλουσίῳ τῶν μὲν ἰδίων οὐδὲν ἠξίωσεν ἐκεῖνος βοσκημάτων καταθύσας εὐωχῆσαι τὸν φίλον , πέμψας δὲ τὴν‎ ἀμνάδα τοῦ πένητος ἀπέσπασε ,
¹⁴⁹ This he brought up with his children, and let her eat her food with them; and he had the same natural affection for her which any one might have for a daughter. Now upon the coming of a stranger to the rich man, he would not vouchsafe to kill any of his own flocks, and thence feast his friend; but he sent for the poor man’s lamb, and took her away from him, and made her ready for food, and thence feasted the stranger.”	¹⁴⁹ This he brought up with his children, letting her take her food with them, and he loved her as one might love a daughter. When a visitor came to the rich man, he would not let any of his own flocks be killed for to give a feast for his friend, but sent and took the poor man's lamb and had her prepared as a feast for the stranger."
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¹⁵⁰ καὶ ταύτην παρασκευάσας εἱστίασε τὸν ξένον . σφόδρα ἐλύπησεν ὁ λόγος οὗτος τὸν βασιλέα καὶ πονηρὸν πρὸς τὸν ΝάθανNathan τὸν ἄνθρωπον ἐκεῖνον , ὃς δὴ τοῦτο τὸ ἔργον ἐτόλμησεν , ἀπεφήνατο καὶ τετραπλὴν ἀποτῖσαιto repay τὴν‎ ἀμνάδα δίκαιον εἶναι καὶ πρὸς τούτῳ θανάτῳ κολασθῆναι . ΝάθαςNathan δ᾽ ὑποτυχὼν αὐτὸν ἔλεγεν ἐκεῖνον εἶναι τὸν ἄξιον ταῦτα παθεῖν ὑφ᾽ ἑαυτοῦ κεκριμένον τολμήσαντα μέγα καὶ δεινὸν ἔργον .
¹⁵⁰ This discourse troubled the king exceedingly; and he denounced to Nathan, that “this man was a wicked man who could dare to do such a thing; and that it was but just that he should restore the lamb fourfold, and be punished with death for it also.” Upon this Nathan immediately said that he was himself the man who ought to suffer those punishments, and that by his own sentence; and that it was he who had perpetrated this ‘great and horrid crime.’	¹⁵⁰ The story greatly troubled the king, who said to Nathan, "It was a crime to do such a thing, and that justice demanded that the lamb be restored fourfold and the man be punished with death." Nathan said that according to his own sentence, he himself was the man who should suffer, for it was he who had done this great and terrible crime.
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¹⁵¹ ἀνεκάλυπτε δ᾽ αὐτῷ καὶ παρεγύμνου τὴν‎ ὀργὴν τοῦ θεοῦ ποιήσαντος μὲν αὐτὸν βασιλέα πάσης τῆς ἙβραίωνHebrews δυνάμεως καὶ τῶν ἐν κύκλῳ πάντων ἐθνῶν πολλῶν καὶ μεγάλων κύριον , ῥυσαμένου δ᾽ ἔτι πρὸ τούτων ἐκ τῶν ΣαούλουSaul χειρῶν , δόντος δ᾽ αὐτῷ καὶ γυναῖκας ἃς δικαίως καὶ νομίμως ἠγάγετο , καταφρονηθέντος δ᾽ ὑπ᾽ αὐτοῦ‎ καὶ ἀσεβηθέντος , ὃς ἀλλοτρίαν τε γήμας ἔχει γυναῖκα καὶ τὸν ἄνδρα αὐτῆς ἀποκτείνειεν ἐκδοὺς τοῖς πολεμίοις ·
¹⁵¹ He also revealed to him, and laid before him, the anger of God against him, who had made him king over the army of the Hebrews, and lord of all the nations, and those many and great nations round about him; who had formerly delivered him out of the hands of Saul, and had given him such wives as he had justly and legally married; and now this God was despised by him, and affronted by his impiety, when he had married, and now had, another man’s wife; and by exposing her husband to the enemy, had really slain him;	¹⁵¹ He revealed and laid before him the wrath of God, who had made him king of the Hebrew people and master of the many great surrounding nations, and who had earlier saved him from the hands of Saul and given him the wives he had properly and legally married. He had scorned and affronted God by his impiety of marrying and keeping another man's wife, and killing her husband by exposing him to the enemy.
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¹⁵² δώσειν οὖν αὐτὸν ἀντὶ τούτων δίκας τῷ θεῷ καὶ βιασθήσεσθαι μὲν αὐτοῦ‎ τὰς γυναῖκας ὑφ᾽ ἑνὸς τῶν παίδων , ἐπιβουλευθήσεσθαι δὲ καὶ αὐτὸν ὑπ᾽ ἐκείνου , καὶ τὸ ἁμάρτημα τοῦτο κρύφα δράσαντα φανερὰν τὴν‎ ἐπ᾽ αὐτῷ δίκην ὑφέξειν · τεθνήξεσθαι δὲ καὶ τὸν παῖδά σοι παραχρῆμα τὸν ἐξ αὐτῆς γεγενημένον .
¹⁵² that God would inflict punishments upon him on account of those instances of wickedness; that his own wives should be forced by one of his sons; and that he should be treacherously supplanted by the same son; and that although he had perpetrated his wickedness secretly, yet should that punishment which he was to undergo be inflicted publicly upon him; “that, moreover,” said he, “the child which was born to thee of her shall soon die.”	¹⁵² But God would punish him for this: his own wives would be violated by one of his sons, and the same son would treacherously supplant him, and though he had done the evil in secret, his punishment would be in public. "And the child she bore you shall soon die!"
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¹⁵³ ταραχθέντος δ᾽ ἐπὶ τούτοις τοῦ βασιλέως καὶ συσχεθέντος ἱκανῶς καὶ μετὰ δακρύων καὶ λύπης ἀσεβῆσαι λέγοντος , ἦν γὰρ ὁμολογουμένως θεοσεβὴς καὶ μηδὲν ἁμαρτὼν ὅλως περὶ τὸν βίον ἢ τὰ περὶ τὴν‎ ΟὐρίαUrias γυναῖκα , ᾤκτειρεν ὁ θεὸς καὶ διαλλάττεται φυλάξειν αὐτῷ καὶ τὴν‎ ζωὴν καὶ τὴν‎ βασιλείαν ἐπαγγειλάμενος · μετανοοῦντι γὰρ περὶ τῶν γεγενημένων οὐκέτι χαλεπῶς ἔχειν ἔφασκε . Καὶ ΝάθαςNathan μὲν ταῦτα τῷ βασιλεῖ προφητεύσας οἴκαδε ἐπανῆλθε .
¹⁵³ When the king was troubled at these messages, and sufficiently confounded, and said with tears and sorrow that he had sinned, (for he was without controversy a pious man, and guilty of no sin at all in his whole life, excepting those in the matter of Uriah,) God had compassion on him, and was reconciled to him, and promised that he would preserve to him both his life and his kingdom; for he said that, seeing he repented of the things he had done, he was no longer displeased with him. So Nathan, when he had delivered this prophecy to the king, returned home.	¹⁵³ The king was shaken and upset by this, and with tears of sorrow he said that he had sinned, for he was truly a pious man and guilty of no sin in his whole life, except in the matter of Urias. God took pity on him and was reconciled to him, promising to spare both his life and his kingdom and said that, seeing how he repented of what he had done, he was no longer angry with him. So Nathan delivered this prophecy to the king and returned home.
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¹⁵⁴ Τῷ δ᾽ ἐκ τῆς ΟὐρίαUrias γυναικὸς γενομένῳ παιδὶ ΔαυίδῃDavid νόσον ἐνσκήπτει χαλεπὴν τὸ θεῖον , ἐφ᾽ ᾗ δυσφορῶν ὁ βασιλεὺς τροφὴν μὲν ἐφ᾽ ἡμέρας ἑπτὰ καίτοι γε ἀναγκαζόντων τῶν οἰκείων οὐ προσηνέγκατο , μέλαιναν δὲ περιθέμενος ἐσθῆτα πεσὼν ἐπὶ σάκκου κατὰ γῆς ἔκειτο τὸν θεὸν ἱκετεύων ὑπὲρ τῆς τοῦ παιδὸς σωτηρίας · σφόδρα γὰρ ἔστεργεν αὐτοῦ‎ τὴν‎ μητέρα .
¹⁵⁴ However, God sent a dangerous distemper upon the child that was born to David of the wife of Uriah, at which the king was troubled, and did not take any food for seven days, although his servants almost forced him to take it; but he clothed himself in a black garment, and fell down, and lay upon the ground in sackcloth, entrusting God for the recovery of the child, for he vehemently loved the child’s mother;	¹⁵⁴ The divinity then made the child born to David of the wife of Urias severely ill, which so troubled the king that he did not eat for seven days, despite the urgings of his servants to take some food, and he dressed in black and lay on the ground in sackcloth, begging God for the child's recovery, for he loved his mother greatly.
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¹⁵⁵ τῇ δ᾽ ἑβδόμῃ τῶν ἡμερῶν τελευτήσαντος τοῦ παιδὸς οὐκ ἐτόλμων τῷ βασιλεῖ τοῦτο μηνύειν οἱ θεράποντες λογιζόμενοι , μὴ γνοὺς ἔτι μᾶλλον ἀπόσχηται καὶ τροφῆς καὶ τῆς ἄλλης ἐπιμελείας ὡς ἂν ἐπὶ ποθεινοῦ τέκνου τετελευτηκότος , ὅτε καὶ νοσοῦντος οὕτως ὑπὸ τῆς λύπης ἑαυτὸν ἐκάκου .
¹⁵⁵ but when, on the seventh day, the child was dead, the king’s servants durst not tell him of it, as supposing that when he knew it, he would still less admit of food, and other care of himself, by reason of his grief at the death of his son, since when the child was only sick, he so greatly afflicted himself, and grieved for him:	¹⁵⁵ When on the seventh day the child died, the king's servants dared not tell him, thinking that when he learned of it he would be even less willing to eat and would neglect himself in mourning the death of his son, since he had been so wretched with grief when the child was only sick.
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¹⁵⁶ ταραττομένων δ᾽ αἰσθόμενος τῶν οἰκετῶν ὁ βασιλεὺς καὶ ταῦτα πασχόντων , ἃ μάλιστα συγκρύψαι τι θέλουσι συμβαίνει , συνεὶς ὅτι τέθνηκεν ὁ παῖς προσφωνήσας ἕνα τῶν οἰκετῶν καὶ μαθὼν τἀληθὲς ἀνίσταται καὶ λουσάμενος καὶ λαβὼν ἐσθῆτα λευκὴν εἰς τὴν‎ σκηνὴν τοῦ θεοῦ παραγίνεται ,
¹⁵⁶ but when the king perceived that his servants were in disorder, and seemed to be affected, as those who are very desirous to conceal something, he understood that the child was dead; and when he had called one of his servants to him, and discovered that so it was, he arose up and washed himself, and took a white garment, and came into the tabernacle of God.	¹⁵⁶ When he noticed his servants so shaken and behaving as though trying to conceal something, the king learned that the child had died, and having called one of his servants and finding that it was true, he got up and washed himself and put on a white robe and came into the Tent of God.
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¹⁵⁷ καὶ κελεύσας δεῖπνον αὑτῷ παραθεῖναι πολλὴν ἐπὶ τῷ παραλόγῳ τοῖς τε συγγενέσι καὶ τοῖς οἰκέταις ἔκπληξιν παρεῖχεν , ὅτι μηδὲν τούτων ἐπὶ νοσοῦντι τῷ παιδὶ ποιήσας πάνθ᾽ ὁμοῦ τετελευτηκότος ἔπραττε . τήν τε αἰτίαν , δεηθέντες ἐπιτρέψαι πρῶτον αὐτοῖς πυθέσθαι , παρεκάλουν [εἰπεῖν ] τῶν γεγενημένων .
¹⁵⁷ He also commanded them to set supper before him, and thereby greatly surprised his kindred and servants, while he did nothing of this when the child was sick, but did it all when he was dead. Whereupon having first begged leave to ask him a question, they besought him to tell them the reason of this his conduct; he then called them unskillful people,	¹⁵⁷ He ordered his supper to be brought, which greatly surprised his relatives and servants as he had not done so when the child was sick but now did so when he was dead. So asking his permission to ask a question, they asked for an explanation.
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¹⁵⁸ ὁ δὲ ἀμαθεῖς εἰπὼν αὐτοὺς ἐδίδασκεν , ὡς ἔτι μὲν ζῶντος τοῦ παιδὸς ἔχων ἐλπίδα σωτηρίας αὐτοῦ‎ δεόντως πάντ᾽ ἐποίει τὸν θεὸν ἡγούμενος τούτοις εὐμενῆ καταστήσειν , ἀποθανόντος δ᾽ οὐκέτι χρείαν εἶναι λύπης ματαίας . ταῦτ᾽ εἰπόντος ἐπῄνεσαν τὴν‎ σοφίαν καὶ τὴν‎ διάνοιαν τοῦ βασιλέως . συνελθὼν δὲ τῇ γυναικὶ ΒεεθσαβῇBathsheba ἔγκυον αὐτὴν ἐποίησε , καὶ γεννησαμένης ἄρρεν παιδίον ΣολόμωναSolomon τοῦτον προσηγόρευσεν , οὕτως Νάθα τοῦ προφήτου κελεύσαντος .
¹⁵⁸ and instructed them how he had hopes of the recovery of the child while it was alive, and accordingly did all that was proper for him to do, as thinking by such means to render God propitious to him; but that when the child was dead, there was no longer any occasion for grief, which was then to no purpose. When he had said this, they commended the king’s wisdom and understanding. He then went in unto Bathsheba his wife, and she conceived and bare a son; and by the command of Nathan the prophet called his name Solomon.	¹⁵⁸ Calling them dunces he said that while the child was alive he hoped for his recovery and so did all he ought to do, thinking to win God's favour by this, but that once the child was dead there was no longer need for useless grief. As he said this, they praised the king's wisdom and understanding. He then had intercourse with his wife Bathsheba and she conceived and bore a son, and at the orders of the prophet Nathan called him Solomon.
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¹⁵⁹ ἸώαβοςJoarib δὲ τῇ πολιορκίᾳ τοὺς ἈμμανίταςAmmanites ἰσχυρῶς ἐκάκου τῶν τε ὑδάτων αὐτοὺς ἀποτεμνόμενος καὶ τῆς τῶν ἄλλων εὐπορίας , ὡς πάνυ ταλαιπωρεῖν ἐνδείᾳ ποτοῦdrink καὶ τροφῆς . ἐξ ὀλίγου γὰρ φρέατος ἤρτηντο καὶ ταμείας ὡς μὴ τελέως αὐτοὺς ἐπιλιπεῖν τὴν‎ πηγὴν δαψιλέστερον χρωμένους .
¹⁵⁹ But Joab sorely distressed the Ammonites in the siege, by cutting off their waters, and depriving them of other means of subsistence, till they were in the greatest want of meat and drink, for they depended only on one small well of water, and this they durst not drink of too freely, lest the fountain should entirely fail them.	¹⁵⁹ In the siege, Joab hit the Ammanites badly by cutting off their water-supply and other supplies, until they were utterly deprived of food and drink, for they depended on just one small well and this they had to use sparingly in case the spring should fail them entirely.
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¹⁶⁰ γράφει δὴ τῷ βασιλεῖ ταῦτα δηλῶν καὶ παρακαλῶν αὐτὸν ἐπὶ τὴν‎ αἵρεσιν τῆς πόλεως ἐλθεῖν , ἵνα τὴν‎ νίκην αὐτὸς ἐπιγραφῇ . ταῦτα ἸωάβουJoab γράψαντος ἀποδεξάμενος αὐτὸν τῆς εὐνοίας καὶ τῆς πίστεως ὁ βασιλεὺς παραλαβὼν τὴν‎ σὺν αὐτῷ δύναμιν ἧκεν ἐπὶ τὴν‎ τῆς ῬαβαθᾶςRabbah πόρθησιν , καὶ κατὰ κράτος ἑλὼν διαρπάσαι τοῖς στρατιώταις ἐφῆκεν .
¹⁶⁰ So he wrote to the king, and informed him thereof; and persuaded him to come himself to take the city, that he might have the honor of the victory. Upon this letter of Joab’s, the king accepted of his good-will and fidelity, and took with him his army, and came to the destruction of Rabbah; and when he had taken it by force, he gave it to his soldiers to plunder it;	¹⁶⁰ So he wrote to the king to point this out, urging him to come himself to capture the city and have the victory ascribed to him. The king welcomed the goodwill and fidelity of Joab's letter and brought his army to finish off Rabbah, and after storming it, let his soldiers loot it.
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¹⁶¹ αὐτὸς δὲ τὸν τοῦ βασιλέως τῶν ἈμμανιτῶνAmmanites λαμβάνει στέφανον ἕλκοντα χρυσοῦ τάλαντον καὶ πολυτελῆ λίθον ἔχοντα ἐν μέσῳ σαρδόνυχος · ἐφόρει δ᾽ αὐτὸν ἐπὶ τῆς κεφαλῆς διαπαντὸς ΔαυίδηςDavid . πολλὰ δὲ καὶ ἄλλα σκῦλα λαμπρὰ καὶ πολύτιμα εὗρεν ἐν τῇ πόλει · τοὺς δ᾽ ἄνδρας αἰκισάμενος διέφθειρε . ταὐτὰ δὲ καὶ τὰς ἄλλας τῶν ἈμμανιτῶνAmmanites πόλεις διέθηκεν ἑλὼν αὐτὰς κατὰ κράτος .
¹⁶¹ but he himself took the king of the Ammonites’ crown, whose weight was a talent of gold; and it had in its middle a precious stone called a sardonyx; which crown David ever after wore on his own head. He also found many other vessels in the city, and those both splendid and of great price; but as for the men, he tormented them, and then destroyed them; and when he had taken the other cities of the Ammonites by force, he treated them after the same manner.	¹⁶¹ He himself took the king of the Ammanites' crown, weighing a talent of gold, set in the middle with a jewel called a sardonyx, and from then on David wore this crown on his own head. In the city he also found many other splendid vessels of great value, but he tortured and killed the men, and did the same to the other cities of the Ammanites that he captured.
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Chapter 8
[162-193]
Absalom kills his half-brother Amnon for raping Tamar.
He is banished, then recalled by David

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¹⁶² Ἀναστρέψαντος δὲ εἰς ἹεροσόλυμαJerusalem τοῦ βασιλέως πταῖσμα αὐτοῦ‎ τὴν‎ οἰκίαν ἐξ αἰτίας τοιαύτης καταλαμβάνει · θυγάτηρ γὰρ ἦν αὐτῷ παρθένος μὲν ἔτι τὸ δὲ κάλλος εὐπρεπής , ὡς ἁπάσας ὑπερβάλλειν τὰς εὐμορφοτάτας γυναῖκας , ΘήμαρTamar ὄνομα , τῆς δ᾽ αὐτῆς ἈψαλώμῳAbsalom μητρὸς κεκοινωνηκυῖα .
¹⁶² When the king was returned to Jerusalem, a sad misfortune befell his house, on the occasion following: He had a daughter, who was yet a virgin, and very handsome, insomuch that she surpassed all the most beautiful women; her name was Tamar; she had the same mother with Absalom.	¹⁶² When the king had returned to Jerusalem, the following misfortune befell his family. He had a virgin daughter who excelled all other women in beauty, named Tamar and born of the same mother as Absalom.
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¹⁶³ ταύτης ὁ πρεσβύτατος τῶν ΔαυίδουDavid παίδων ἈμνὼνAmnon, Arenon ἐρασθείς , ὡς οὔτε διὰ τὴν‎ παρθενίαν αὐτῆς οὔτε διὰ τὴν‎ φυλακὴν τυχεῖν τῆς ἐπιθυμίας ἐδύνατο χαλεπῶς διέκειτο , καὶ τό τε σῶμα τῆς ὀδύνης αὐτὸν κατεσθιούσης κατισχναίνετο καὶ τὴν‎ χρόαν μετέβαλλε .
¹⁶³ Now Amnon, David’s eldest son, fell in love with her, and being not able to obtain his desires, on account of her virginity, and the custody she was under, was so much out of order, nay, his grief so eat up his body, that he grew lean, and his color was changed.	¹⁶³ David's eldest son, Amnon, fell in love with her but was unable to fulfill his desires as her virginity was well guarded, he was so distracted and devoured by grief that he grew thin and his complexion changed.
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¹⁶⁴ δῆλος δὲ γίνεται ταῦτα πάσχων ἸωνάθῃJonathan τινὶ συγγενεῖ καὶ φίλῳ · συνετὸς δ᾽ ἦν οὗτος ἐν τοῖς μάλιστα καὶ τὴν‎ διάνοιαν ὀξύς . ὁρῶν οὖν καθ᾽ ἑκάστην πρωίαν τὸν ἈμνῶναAmnon μὴ κατὰ φύσιν ἔχοντα τῷ σώματι προσελθὼν ἠρώτα φράσαι τὴν‎ αἰτίαν αὐτῷ , εἰκάζειν μέντοι γε οὕτως ἔλεγεν ἐξ ἐρωτικῆς αὐτὸν ἔχειν ἐπιθυμίας .
¹⁶⁴ Now there was one Jenadab, a kinsman and friend of his, who discovered this his passion, for he was an extraordinary wise man, and of great sagacity of mind. When, therefore, he saw that every morning Amnon was not in body as he ought to be, he came to him, and desired him to tell him what was the cause of it: however, he said that he guessed that it arose from the passion of love.	¹⁶⁴ Jenadab his kinsman and friend learned of his passion, for he was a clever man with a very sharp mind. When he saw how Amnon was not in his proper form each morning he came and invited him to explain to him the reason, saying that he guessed it arose from the passion of love.
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¹⁶⁵ τοῦ δὲ ἈμνῶνοςAmnon ὁμολογήσαντος τὸ πάθος ὅτι τῆς ἀδελφῆς ἐρᾷ τυγχανούσης ὁμοπατρίας , ὁδὸν αὐτῷ καὶ μηχανὴν εἰς τὸ περιγενέσθαι τῶν εὐκταίων ὑπέθετο · νόσον γὰρ ὑποκρίνασθαι παρῄνεσεν , ἐλθόντα δὲ πρὸς αὐτὸν τὸν πατέρα πέμψαι τὴν‎ ἀδελφὴν αὐτῷ διακονησομένην ἐκέλευσε παρακαλέσαι · ῥᾴω γὰρ ἔσεσθαι καὶ ταχέως ἀπαλλαγήσεσθαι τῆς νόσου τούτου γενομένου .
¹⁶⁵ Amnon confessed his passion, that he was in love with a sister of his, who had the same father with himself. So Jenadab suggested to him by what method and contrivance he might obtain his desires; for he persuaded him to pretend sickness, and bade him, when his father should come to him, to beg of him that his sister might come and minister to him; for if that were done, he should be better, and should quickly recover from his distemper.	¹⁶⁵ When Amnon confessed his passion, how he was in love with his half-sister, who shared the same father as himself, he suggested to him a practical method by which to obtain his desires. He persuaded him to pretend sickness and that when his father came to visit him, to ask that his sister should come and take care of him, pleading that this would quickly make him recover from his sickness.
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¹⁶⁶ πεσὼν οὖν ὁ ἈμνὼνAmnon, Arenon ἐπὶ τὴν‎ κλίνην νοσεῖν προσεποιήσατο κατὰ τὰς ἸωνάθουJonathan ὑποθήκαςprecept . παραγενομένου δὲ τοῦ πατρὸς καὶ σκεπτομένου πῶς ἔχοι , τὴν‎ ἀδελφὴν ἐδεῖτο πέμψαι πρὸς αὐτόν · ὁ δ᾽ εὐθὺς ἐκέλευσεν ἀχθῆναι . ἡκούσῃ δὲ προσέταξεν ἄρτους αὐτῷ ποιῆσαι τηγανιστοὺς αὐτουργῷ γενομένῃ · προσοίσεσθαι γὰρ ἥδιον ἐκ τῶν ἐκείνης χειρῶν .
¹⁶⁶ So Amnon lay down on his bed, and pretended to be sick, as Jonadab had suggested. When his father came, and inquired how he did, he begged of him to send his sister to him. Accordingly, he presently ordered her to be brought to him; and when she was come, Amnon bade her make cakes for him, and fry them in a pan,	¹⁶⁶ Following Jonadab's suggestion Amnon fell into bed and pretended to be sick, and when his father came and inquired how he was, he asked him to send his sister to him. Immediately he ordered her to be brought to him, and when she came Amnon asked her to make cakes for him and fry them in a pan, doing it all with her own hands, because he would prefer to take them directly from herself.
¹⁶⁶ Barach

¹⁶⁷ ἡ δ᾽ ἐμβλέποντος τἀδελφοῦ φυράσασα τὸ ἄλευρον καὶ πλάσασα κολλυρίδας καὶ τηγανίσασα προσήνεγκεν αὐτῷ · ὁ δὲ τότε μὲν οὐκ ἐγεύσατο , προσέταξε δὲ τοῖς οἰκέταις παραιτήσασθαι πάντας πρὸ τοῦ δωματίου · βούλεσθαι γὰρ ἀναπαύσασθαι θορύβου καὶ ταραχῆς ἀπηλλαγμένος .
¹⁶⁷ and do it all with her own hands, because he should take them better from her hand [than from any one’s else]. So she kneaded the flour in the sight of her brother, and made him cakes, and baked them in a pan, and brought them to him; but at that time he would not taste them, but gave order to his servants to send all that were there out of his chamber, because he had a mind to repose himself, free from tumult and disturbance.	¹⁶⁷ So she kneaded the dough in her brother's sight and made him cakes and baked them in a pan and brought them to him, but he would not taste them then but ordered his servants to expel everyone from his chamber, as because he wanted to rest without noise and disturbance.
¹⁶⁷ Barach

¹⁶⁸ ὡς δὲ τὸ κελευσθὲν ἐγένετο , τὴν‎ ἀδελφὴν ἠξίωσεν εἰς τὸν ἐνδοτέρωinner τὸ δεῖπνον οἶκον αὐτῷ παρενεγκεῖν · ποιησάσης δὲ τοῦτο τῆς κόρης λαβόμενος αὐτῆς συνελθεῖν αὐτῷ πείθειν ἐπειρᾶτο . ἀνακραγοῦσα δ᾽ ἡ παῖς " ἀλλὰ μὴ σύ γε τοῦτο βιάσῃ με μηδὲ ἀσεβήσῃς , εἶπεν , ἀδελφέ , τοὺς νόμους παραβὰς καὶ δεινῇ περιβαλὼν σαυτὸν αἰσχύνῃ · παῦσαι δ᾽ οὕτως ἀδίκου καὶ μιαρᾶς ἐπιθυμίας , ἐξ ἧς ὀνείδη καὶ κακοδοξίαν
¹⁶⁸ As soon as what he had commanded was done, he desired his sister to bring his supper to him into the inner parlor; which, when the damsel had done, he took hold of her, and endeavored to persuade her to lie with him. Whereupon the damsel cried out, and said, “Nay, brother, do not force me, nor be so wicked as to transgress the laws, and bring upon thyself the utmost confusion. Curb this thy unrighteous and impure lust, from which our house will get nothing but reproach and disgrace.”	¹⁶⁸ When his orders were carried out, he asked his sister to bring him his supper into the inner room and when the girl did this, he took hold of her and tried to persuade her to lie with him. The girl cried out and said, "Do not force me, brother, or be so wicked as to break the laws and involve yourself in the utmost shame. Curb your wicked, impure lust which will bring our house nothing but reproach and disgrace."
¹⁶⁸ Barach

¹⁶⁹ ὁ οἶκος ἡμῶν κερδανεῖ . συνεβούλευέ τε περὶ τούτου διαλεχθῆναι τῷ πατρί · συγχωρήσειν γὰρ ἐκεῖνον . ταῦτα δ᾽ ἔλεγε βουλομένη τὴν‎ ὁρμὴν αὐτοῦ‎ τῆς ὀρέξεως πρὸς τὸ παρὸν διαφυγεῖν . ὁ δ᾽ οὐ πείθεται , τῷ δὲ ἔρωτιlove καιόμενος καὶ τοῖς τοῦ πάθους κέντροις μυωπιζόμενος βιάζεται τὴν‎ ἀδελφήν .
¹⁶⁹ She also advised him to speak to his father about this affair; for he would permit him [to marry her]. This she said, as desirous to avoid her brother’s violent passion at present. But he would not yield to her; but, inflamed with love and blinded with the vehemency of his passion, he forced his sister:	¹⁶⁹ She advised him to speak to his father about the matter, for he would permit him [to marry ] . This she said, wishing to deflect her brother's violent passion at that moment but he would not yield and, inflamed with lust and blinded with the force of passion, raped his sister.
¹⁶⁹ Barach

¹⁷⁰ μῖσος δ᾽ εὐθέως μετὰ τὴν‎ κορείαν εἰσέρχεται τὸν ἈμνῶναAmnon καὶ προσλοιδορησάμενος ἐκέλευσεν ἀναστᾶσαν ἀπιέναι . τῆς δὲ χείρω τὴν‎ ὕβριν καὶ διὰ τοῦτο ἀποκαλούσης , εἰ βιασάμενος αὐτὸς μηδ᾽ ἄχρι νυκτὸς ἐπιτρέπει μεῖναι παραχρῆμα δ᾽ ἀπαλλάττεσθαι κελεύει ἐν ἡμέρᾳ καὶ φωτί , ἵνα καὶ μάρτυσι τῆς αἰσχύνης περιπέσοι , προσέταξεν αὐτὴν ἐκβαλεῖν τῷ οἰκέτῃ .
¹⁷⁰ but as soon as Amnon had satisfied his lust, he hated her immediately, and giving her reproachful words, bade her rise up and be gone. And when she said that this was a more injurious treatment than the former, if, now he had forced her, he would not let her stay with him till the evening, but bid her go away in the daytime, and while it was light, that she might meet with people that would be witnesses of her shame,—he commanded his servant to turn her out of his house.	¹⁷⁰ As soon as Amnon had satisfied his lust, he immediately hated her and speaking shameful words to her, bade her get up and be gone. She said it would be an even worse insult than his former behaviour, if, now he had raped her, he did not let her stay with him until evening but made her leave in broad day-light, when she might meet people who would witness her shame; but he ordered his servant to turn her out of his house.
¹⁷⁰ Barach

¹⁷¹ ἡ δὲ περιαλγὴς ἐπὶ τῇ ὕβρει καὶ τῇ βίᾳ γενομένη περιρρήξασα τὸν χιτωνίσκον , ἐφόρουν γὰρ αἱ τῶν ἀρχαίων παρθένοι χειριδωτοὺς ἄχρι τῶν σφυρῶν πρὸς τὸ μὴ βλέπεσθαι χιτῶνας , καὶ σποδὸν καταχεαμένη τῆς κεφαλῆς ἀπῄει διὰ τῆς πόλεως μέσης βοῶσα καὶ ὀδυρομένη τὴν‎ βίαν .
¹⁷¹ Whereupon she was sorely grieved at the injury and violence that had been offered to her, and rent her loose coat, (for the virgins of old time wore such loose coats tied at the hands, and let down to the ankles, that the inner coats might not be seen,) and sprinkled ashes on her head; and went up the middle of the city, crying out and lamenting for the violence that had been offered her.	¹⁷¹ Outraged at the violent wrong done to her, she rent her outer tunic, for in former times the virgins wore outer tunics reaching to the wrists and down to the ankles, that the inner tunic might not be seen, and sprinkled ashes on her head, and went up the middle of the city, crying out and grieving for the violence that had been done to her.
¹⁷¹ Barach

¹⁷² περιτυχὼν δ᾽ αὐτῇ ὁ ἀδελφὸς ἈψάλωμοςTalmai, Apsalomos ἀνέκρινε , τίνος αὐτῇ δεινοῦ συμβάντος οὕτως ἔχει , κατειπούσης δ᾽ αὐτῆς πρὸς αὐτὸν τὴν‎ ὕβριν ἡσυχάζειν καὶ μετρίως φέρειν παρηγόρει καὶ μὴ νομίζειν ὑβρίσθαι φθαρεῖσαν ὑπ᾽ ἀδελφοῦ . πεισθεῖσα οὖν παύεται τῆς βοῆς καὶ τοῦ πρὸς πολλοὺς τὴν‎ βίαν ἐκφέρειν , καὶ πολὺν χρόνον χηρεύουσα παρὰ ἈψαλώμῳAbsalom τῷ ἀδελφῷ διεκαρτέρησε .
¹⁷² Now Absalom, her brother, happened to meet her, and asked her what sad thing had befallen her, that she was in that plight; and when she had told him what injury had been offered her, he comforted her, and desired her to be quiet, and take all patiently, and not to esteem her being corrupted by her brother as an injury. So she yielded to his advice, and left off her crying out, and discovering the force offered her to the multitude; and she continued as a widow with her brother Absalom a long time.	¹⁷² Her brother Absalom met her and asked her what terrible thing had happened to her to put her into such a state, and when she told him of the insult he consoled her and advised her to be quiet and take it patiently and not to reckon being seduced by her brother as an insult. On his advice she ceased crying out and telling people of the rape and she lived with her brother Absalom for a long time as a widow.
¹⁷² Barach

¹⁷³ Γνοὺς δὲ τοῦθ᾽ ὁ πατὴρ ΔαυίδηςDavid τοῖς μὲν πεπραγμένοις ἤχθετο , φιλῶν δὲ τὸν ἈμνῶναAmnon σφόδρα , πρεσβύτατος γὰρ ἦν αὐτῷ υἱός , μὴ λυπεῖν αὐτὸν ἠναγκάζετο . ὁ δὲ ἈψάλωμοςTalmai, Apsalomos ἐμίσει χαλεπῶς αὐτὸν καὶ λανθάνων καιρὸν εἰς ἄμυναν αὐτοῦ‎ τῆς ἁμαρτίας ἐπιτήδειον παρεφύλαττεν .
¹⁷³ When David his father knew this, he was grieved at the actions of Amnon; but because he had an extraordinary affection for him, for he was his eldest son, he was compelled not to afflict him; but Absalom watched for a fit opportunity of revenging this crime upon him, for he thoroughly hated him.	¹⁷³ When David his father learned of this, he was grieved by what Amnon had done but because of his extraordinary affection for him as his eldest son, he could not punish him. Absalom however hated him and watched for a suitable opportunity to avenge the crime.
¹⁷³ Barach

¹⁷⁴ ἔτος δ᾽ ἤδη τοῖς περὶ τὴν‎ ἀδελφὴν αὐτοῦ‎ πταίσμασιν διεληλύθει δεύτερον , καὶ μέλλων ἐπὶ τὴν‎ τῶν ἰδίων κουρὰν ἐξιέναι θρεμμάτων εἰς ΒελσεφώνBaalhazor , πόλις δ᾽ ἐστὶν αὕτη τῆς ἘφράμουEphraim κληρουχίας , παρακαλεῖ τὸν πατέρα σὺν καὶ τοῖς ἀδελφοῖς ἐλθεῖν πρὸς αὐτὸν ἐφ᾽ ἑστίασιν .
¹⁷⁴ Now the second year after this wicked affair about his sister was over, and Absalom was about to go to shear his own sheep at Baalhazor, which is a city in the portion of Ephraim, he besought his father, as well as his brethren, to come and feast with him:	¹⁷⁴ The second year after the scandal about his sister, when Absalom was going to shear his sheep at Baalhazor, a city in the district of Ephraim, he asked his father and brothers to come and feast with him.
¹⁷⁴ Barach

¹⁷⁵ παραιτησαμένου δ᾽ ὡς μὴ βαρὺς αὐτῷ γένοιτο , τοὺς ἀδελφοὺς ἀποστεῖλαι παρεκάλεσε . πέμψαντος δὲ τοῖς ἰδίοις ἐκέλευσεν ὁπηνίκ᾽ ἂν ἴδωσι τὸν ἈμνῶναAmnon μέθῃ παρειμένον καὶ κάρῳ , νεύσαντος αὐτοῦ‎ φονεύσωσι μηδένα φοβηθέντες .
¹⁷⁵ but when David excused himself, as not being willing to be burdensome to him, Absalom desired he would however send his brethren; whom he did send accordingly. Then Absalom charged his own servants, that when they should see Amnon disordered and drowsy with wine, and he should give them a signal, they should fear nobody, but kill him.	¹⁷⁵ He [David] excused himself, not wanting to burden him, but he asked him to send his brothers anyway, so he sent them. Then he told his servants that when they noticed Amnon drunk and drowsy with wine and he gave them a signal, they should kill him, fearing no one.
¹⁷⁵ Barach

¹⁷⁶ ὡς δ᾽ ἐποίησαν τὸ προσταχθὲν ἔκπληξιςconsternation καὶ ταραχὴ τοὺς ἀδελφοὺς λαμβάνει , καὶ δείσαντες τοῖς αὑτῶν ἐμπηδήσαντες ἵπποις ἐφέροντο πρὸς τὸν πατέρα . φθάσας δέ τις αὐτοὺς ἅπαντας ὑπὸ ἈψαλώμουAbsalom πεφονεῦσθαι τῷ πατρὶ προσήγγειλεν .
¹⁷⁶ When they had done as they were commanded, the rest of his brethren were astonished and disturbed, and were afraid for themselves, so they immediately got on horseback, and rode away to their father; but somebody there was who prevented them, and told their father they were all slain by Absalom;	¹⁷⁶ When they had done as ordered, the rest of his brothers were shocked and anxious and feared for themselves, and immediately got on horseback and rode off to their father, but someone went ahead of them and told their father that Absalom had killed them all.
¹⁷⁶ Barach

¹⁷⁷ ὁ δ᾽ ὡς ἐπὶ παισὶν ὁμοῦ τοσούτοις ἀπολωλόσι καὶ τοῦθ᾽ ὑπ᾽ ἀδελφοῦ τῆς λύπης κἀπὶ τῷ κτεῖναι [δυναμένης ] δοκοῦντι γινομένης πικρότερον , συναρπαγεὶς ὑπὸ τοῦ πάθους οὔτε τὴν‎ αἰτίαν ἀνέκρινεν οὔτ᾽ ἄλλο τι μαθεῖν οἷον εἰκὸς τηλικούτου προσηγγελμένου κακοῦ καὶ δι᾽ ὑπερβολὴν ἀπιστίαν ἔχοντος περιέμεινεν , ἀλλὰ καταρρηξάμενος τὴν‎ ἐσθῆτα καὶ ῥίψας ἑαυτὸν ἐπὶ τὴν‎ γῆν ἔκειτο πενθῶν τοὺς υἱοὺς ἅπαντας καὶ τοὺς ἀποθανεῖν δεδηλωμένους καὶ τὸν ἀνῃρηκότα .
¹⁷⁷ whereupon he was overcome with sorrow, as for so many of his sons that were destroyed at once, and that by their brother also; and by this consideration, that it was their brother that appeared to have slain them, he aggravated his sorrow for them. So he neither inquired what was the cause of this slaughter, nor staid to hear any thing else, which yet it was but reasonable to have done, when so very great, and by that greatness so incredible, a misfortune was related to him: he rent his clothes and threw himself upon the ground, and there lay lamenting the loss of all his sons, both those who, as he was informed, were slain, and of him who slew them.	¹⁷⁷ He was overwhelmed with sorrow that so many of his sons were killed at once, by their own brother, and the thought that it was their own brother who seemed to have killed them, aggravated his sorrow. He neither asked about the reason for this slaughter, nor stayed to hear anything else, which he should have done on being told of such a great, incredible misfortune. He rent his clothes and threw himself on the ground and lay there, weeping for the loss of all his sons, both those whom he had been told were killed and the one who had killed them.
¹⁷⁷ Barach

¹⁷⁸ ὁ δὲ ΣαμᾶSamah τοῦ ἀδελφοῦ αὐτοῦ‎ παῖς ἸωνάθηςJonathan ἀνεῖναί τι τῆς λύπης παρεκάλει καὶ περὶ μὲν τῶν ἄλλων μὴ πιστεύειν ὡς τεθνᾶσιν , οὐδὲ γὰρ αἰτίαν εὑρίσκειν ὑπολαμβάνειν , περὶ δ᾽ ἈμνῶνοςAmnon ἐξετάζειν ἔφη δεῖν · εἰκὸς γὰρ διὰ τὴν‎ ΘημάρηςTamar ὕβριν ἀποτολμῆσαι τὸν ἈψάλωμονAbsalom τὴν‎ ἀναίρεσιν τὴν‎ ἐκείνου .
¹⁷⁸ But Jonadab, the son of his brother Shemeah, entreated him not to indulge his sorrow so far, for as to the rest of his sons he did not believe that they were slain, for he found no cause for such a suspicion; but he said it might deserve inquiry as to Amnon, for it was not unlikely that Absalom might venture to kill him on account of the injury he had offered to Tamar.	¹⁷⁸ But Jonathes, the son of his brother Samah, implored him not to moderate his sorrow, as he did not believe that the rest of his sons had been killed, for he could find no reason for it; he should just inquire about Amnon, since Absalom might well dare to kill him for the wrong he had done to Tamar.
¹⁷⁸ Barach

¹⁷⁹ μεταξὺ δὲ κτύπος ἵππων καὶ θόρυβος προσιόντων τινῶν αὐτοὺς ἐπέστρεψεν · ἦσαν δ᾽ οἱ τοῦ βασιλέως παῖδες οἱ διαδράντες ἀπὸ τῆς ἑστιάσεως . ὑπαντᾷ δ᾽ αὐτοῖς ὁ πατὴρ θρηνοῦσι λυπούμενος καὶ παρ᾽ ἐλπίδας ὁρῶν οὓς ἀκηκόει μικρὸν ἔμπροσθεν ἀπολωλότας .
¹⁷⁹ In the mean time, a great noise of horses, and a tumult of some people that were coming, turned their attention to them; they were the king’s sons, who were fled away from the feast. So their father met them as they were in their grief, and he himself grieved with them; but it was more than he expected to see those his sons again, whom he had a little before heard to have perished.	¹⁷⁹ Meanwhile their attention was drawn by the noise of horses and the sound of people arriving. It was the king's sons, who had fled from the feast. Their father met them as they were weeping and he himself grieved with them, though it was more than he expected to see those his sons again, whom a little earlier he had heard had died.
¹⁷⁹ Barach

¹⁸⁰ ἦν δὲ παρὰ πάντων δάκρυα καὶ στόνος , τῶν μὲν ὡς ἐπ᾽ ἀδελφῷ τετελευτηκότι , τοῦ δὲ βασιλέως ὡς ἐπὶ παιδὶ κατεσφαγμένῳ . φεύγει δ᾽ ἈψάλωμοςTalmai, Apsalomos εἰς ΓεσσούρανGeshur πρὸς τὸν πάππον τὸν πρὸς μητρὸς δυναστεύοντα τῆς ἐκεῖ χώρας , καὶ τρισὶν ὅλοις ἔτεσι παρ᾽ αὐτῷ καταμένει .
¹⁸⁰ However, their were tears on both sides; they lamenting their brother who was killed, and the king lamenting his son, who was killed also; but Absalom fled to Geshur, to his grandfather by his mother’s side, who was king of that country, and he remained with him three whole years.	¹⁸⁰ So there were tears on all sides, as they grieved for their brother who was killed and the king lamented the loss of his son. Absalom fled to Geshur, to the king of that region, his grandfather by his mother's side, and remained with him three whole years.
¹⁸⁰ Barach

¹⁸¹ Τοῦ δὲ ΔαυίδουDavid προαίρεσιν ἔχοντος ἐπὶ τὸν υἱὸν ἈψάλωμονAbsalom πέμπειν , οὐκ ἐπὶ τιμωρίᾳ κατελευσόμενον , ἀλλ᾽ ὅπως εἴη σὺν αὐτῷ , καὶ γὰρ τὰ τῆς ὀργῆς ὑπὸ τοῦ χρόνου λελωφήκει , πρὸς τοῦτο μᾶλλον αὐτὸν ἸώαβοςJoarib ὁ ἀρχιστράτηγος παρώρμησε ·
¹⁸¹ Now David had a design to send to Absalom, not that he should come to be punished, but that he might be with him, for the effects of his anger were abated by length of time. It was Joab, the captain of his host, that chiefly persuaded him so to do;	¹⁸¹ David wanted to send for Absalom, not to punish him but to be with him, since the effects of his anger abated with the passing of time. It was Joab, his army general, who mainly persuaded him to do so.
¹⁸¹ Barach

¹⁸² γύναιον γάρ τι τὴν‎ ἡλικίαν ἤδη προβεβηκὸς ἐποίησεν αὐτῷ προσελθεῖν ἐν σχήματι πενθίμῳ , ὡς παίδων ἐπὶ τῆς ἀγροικίας αὐτῇ διενεχθέντων καὶ πρὸς φιλονεικίαν τραπέντων οὐδενὸς τοῦ καταπαῦσαι δυναμένου παραφανέντος ἔλεγεν ὑπὸ θατέρου τὸν ἕτερον πληγέντα ἀποθανεῖν ·
¹⁸² for he suborned an ordinary woman, that was stricken in age, to go to the king in mourning apparel, who said thus to him:—That two of her sons, in a coarse way, had some difference between them, and that in the progress of that difference they came to an open quarrel, and that one was smitten by the other, and was dead;	¹⁸² He bribed an old woman to go to the king in mourning apparel, and tell him that two of her sons had a bitter quarrel, in the course of which they began to fight, and that one was struck by the other and died.
¹⁸² Barach

¹⁸³ ἠξίου τε τῶν συγγενῶν ἐπὶ τὸν ἀνῃρηκότα ὡρμηκότων καὶ ζητούντων αὐτὸν ἀνελεῖν , χαρίσασθαι τὴν‎ σωτηρίαν αὐτῇ τοῦ παιδὸς καὶ μὴ τὰς ἐπιλοίπους τῆς γηρωκομίας ἐλπίδας προσαφαιρεθῆναι · τοῦτο δ᾽ αὐτῇ κωλύσαντα τοὺς βουλομένους ἀποκτεῖναι τὸν υἱὸν αὐτῆς παρέξειν · οὐ γὰρ ἐφέξειν ἐκείνους ἄλλῳ τινὶ τῆς σπουδῆς ἢ τῷ παρ᾽ αὐτοῦ‎ φόβῳ .
¹⁸³ and she desired him to interpose in this case, and to do her the favor to save this her son from her kindred, who were very zealous to have him that had slain his brother put to death, that so she might not be further deprived of the hopes she had of being taken care of in her old age by him; and that if he would hinder this slaughter of her son by those that wished for it, he would do her a great favor, because the kindred would not be restrained from their purpose by any thing else than by the fear of him.	¹⁸³ She asked him to intervene in the case to save her son from her relatives who wanted to have the killer of his brother put to death. In this way she would not be further robbed of her hopes of being care for by him in her old age. If he could prevent her son being killed by those who wished to, he would do her a great favour, since nothing but the fear of him could restrain the relatives from their purpose.
¹⁸³ Barach

¹⁸⁴ τοῦ δὲ συγκαταινέσαντος οἷς τὸ γύναιον ἱκέτευσενto approach as a suppliant , ὑπολαβὸν πάλιν πρὸς τὸν βασιλέα " χάρις μέν , εἶπεν , ἤδη σου τῇ χρηστότητι κατοικτείραντός μου τὸ γῆρας καὶ τὴν‎ παρὰ μικρὸν ἀπαιδίαν , ἀλλ᾽ ἵνα βέβαια τὰ παρὰ τῆς σῆς μοι ᾖ φιλανθρωπίας , τῷ σαυτοῦ παιδὶ πρῶτον καταλλάγηθι καὶ τὴν‎ πρὸς αὐτὸν ὀργὴν ἄφες ·
¹⁸⁴ And when the king had given his consent to what the woman had begged of him, she made this reply to him:—“I owe thee thanks for thy benignity to me in pitying my old age, and preventing the loss of my only remaining child; but in order to assure me of this thy kindness, be first reconciled to thine own son, and cease to be angry with him;	¹⁸⁴ When the king granted the woman's request she replied : "I owe you thanks for your kindness to me in pitying my old age that I might not be left childless, but to confirm your kindness to me, first be reconciled to your own son and cease from your anger at him.
¹⁸⁴ Barach

¹⁸⁵ πῶς γὰρ ἂν πεισθείην ἐμοί σε ταύτην [ ἀληθῶς ] δεδωκέναι τὴν‎ χάριν αὐτοῦ‎ σοῦ μέχρι νῦν ἐφ᾽ ὁμοίοις ἀπεχθανομένου τῷ παιδί ; τελέως δ᾽ ἀνόητον εἶναι προς
¹⁸⁵ for how shall I persuade myself that thou hast really bestowed this favor upon me, while thou thyself continuest after the like manner in thy wrath to thine own son? for it is a foolish thing to add willfully another to thy dead son, while the death of the other was brought about without thy consent.”	¹⁸⁵ For how shall I believe that you have really granted me this favour if you yourself continue your anger toward your own son? For it is foolish to willfully add another death to that of your son, his death was against your wishes."
¹⁸⁵ Barach

¹⁸⁶ θεῖναι τῷ παρὰ γνώμην ἀποθανόντι υἱῷ ἄλλον ἑκουσίως . συνίησι δὲ ὁ βασιλεὺς ὑπόβλητον οὖσαν τὴν‎ σκῆψιν ἐξ ἸωάβουJoab καὶ τῆς τούτου σπουδῆς · καὶ ἐπειδὴ παρὰ τῆς πρεσβύτιδος πυθόμενος οὕτως ἔχονto have, hold τἀληθὲς ἔμαθε , προσκαλεσάμενος τὸν ἸώαβονJoab ἐπιτυχεῖν τε τοῦ προκειμένου κατὰ νοῦν ἔφασκε καὶ τὸν ἈψάλωμονAbsalom ἄγειν ἐκέλευεν · οὐ γὰρ ἔτι χαλεπῶς ἔχειν πρὸς αὐτόν , ἀλλ᾽ ἤδη τὴν‎ ὀργὴν καὶ τὸν θυμὸν ἀφεικέναι .
¹⁸⁶ And now the king perceived that this pretended story was a subornation derived from Joab, and was of his contrivance; and when, upon inquiry of the old woman, he understood it to be so in reality, he called for Joab, and told him he had obtained what he requested according to his own mind; and he bid him bring Absalom back, for he was not now displeased, but had already ceased to be angry with him.	¹⁸⁶ The king grasped that this pretended story was a ruse planned by Joab and when asked the old woman and learned that it was so, he called for Joab and told him he had obtained his request, with which he agreed, and told him to bring Absalom back, for he was no longer upset and had already ceased to be angry with him.
¹⁸⁶ Barach

¹⁸⁷ ὁ δὲ προσκυνήσας τὸν βασιλέα καὶ τοὺς λόγους ἀσπασάμενος ἐξώρμησεν εἰς τὴν‎ ΓεσσούρανGeshur παραυτίκα καὶ τὸν ἈψάλωμονAbsalom παραλαβὼν ἧκεν εἰς ἹεροσόλυμαJerusalem .
¹⁸⁷ So Joab bowed himself down to the king, and took his words kindly, and went immediately to Geshur, and took Absalom with him, and came to Jerusalem.	¹⁸⁷ He bowed down to the king and was glad at his words and immediately went to Geshur and brought back Absalom to Jerusalem.
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¹⁸⁸ Προέπεμψε δὲ ὁ βασιλεὺς πρόσθεν πρὸς τὸν υἱόν , ἤκουσε γὰρ παραγενόμενον , καὶ πρὸς ἑαυτὸν ἐκέλευσε χωρεῖν · οὔπω γὰρ οὕτως ἔχειν ὥστ᾽ εὐθὺς ἰδεῖν κατελθόντα . Καὶ ὁ μὲν τοῦτο τοῦ πατρὸς κελεύσαντος ἐξέκλινε τὴν‎ ὄψιν αὐτοῦ‎ καὶ διετέλει τῆς παρὰ τῶν οἰκείων θεραπείας τυγχάνων .
¹⁸⁸ However, the king sent a message to his son beforehand, as he was coming, and commanded him to retire to his own house, for he was not yet in such a disposition as to think fit at present to see him. Accordingly, upon the father’s command, he avoided coming into his presence, and contented himself with the respects paid him by his own family only.	¹⁸⁸ As he was coming, the king sent a message ahead to his son telling him to go to his own house, for he was not yet ready to see him. So at the father's command, he stayed away from his presence and was satisfied with just the respects paid him by his own family.
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¹⁸⁹ οὐκ ἐπιβέβλαπτο δ᾽ εἰς τὸ κάλλος ὑπό τε τῆς λύπης καὶ τοῦ μὴ τυγχάνειν τῆς προσηκούσης ἐπιμελείας υἱῷ βασιλέως , ἀλλ᾽ ἔτι γὰρ ἐξεῖχε καὶ διέπρεπε πᾶν τῷ τε εἴδει καὶ τῷ μεγέθει τοῦ σώματος καὶ τοὺς ἐν πολλῇ τρυφῇ διαιτωμένους ὑπερέβαλλε . τοσοῦτον μέντοι γε ἦν τὸ βάθος τῆς κόμης , ὡς μόλις αὐτὴν ἡμέραις ἀποκείρειν ὀκτὼ σταθμὸν ἕλκουσαν σίκλους διακοσίους · οὗτοι δ᾽ εἰσὶ πέντε μναῖ .
¹⁸⁹ Now his beauty was not impaired, either by the grief he had been under, or by the want of such care as was proper to be taken of a king’s son, for he still surpassed and excelled all men in the tallness of his body, and was more eminent [in a fine appearance] than those that dieted the most luxuriously; and indeed such was the thickness of the hair of his head, that it was with difficulty that he was polled every eighth day; and his hair weighed two hundred shekels which are five pounds.	¹⁸⁹ His beauty was unimpaired, either by the grief he had endured, or by the lack of the usual care shown to a king's son, for he still excelled all others in height and surpassed those who dined the most luxuriously, and so abundant was the hair of his head, that it had to be cut every eighth day, with difficulty, and the hair weighed two hundred shekels, or five pounds.
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¹⁹⁰ διέτριψε μέντοι γε ἐν ἹεροσολύμοιςJerusalem ἔτη δύο τριῶν μὲν ἀρρένων πατὴρ γενόμενος μιᾶς δὲ θυγατρὸς τὴν‎ μορφὴν ἀρίστηςbest, most valiant , ἣν ὁ ΣολόμωνοςSolomon υἱὸς ῬοβόαμοςRoboam ὕστερον λαμβάνει , καὶ γίνεται παιδίον ἐξ αὐτῆς ἈβίαςAbias ὄνομα .
¹⁹⁰ However, he dwelt in Jerusalem two years, and became the father of three sons, and one daughter; which daughter was of very great beauty, and which Rehoboam, the son of Solomon, took to wife afterward, and had by her a son named Abijah.	¹⁹⁰ He lived two years in Jerusalem and fathered three sons and one daughter; this daughter was very beautiful and Rehoboam, son of Solomon, later took her as his wife and by her had a son named Abias.
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¹⁹¹ πέμψας δ᾽ αὐτὸς ἈψάλωμοςTalmai, Apsalomos πρὸς ἸώαβονJoab ἐδεῖτ᾽ αὐτοῦ‎ τελέως καταπραῦναι τὸν πατέρα καὶ δεηθῆναι , ὅπως αὐτῷ συγχωρήσῃ πρὸς αὐτὸν ἐλθόντι θεάσασθαί τε καὶ προσειπεῖν . καταμελήσαντος δὲ ἸωάβουJoab τῶν ἰδίων τινὰς ἀποστείλας τὴν‎ ὁμοροῦσαν αὐτῷ χώραν ἐπυρπόλησεν . ὁ δὲ τὸ πραχθὲν μαθὼν ἧκε πρὸς τὸν ἈψάλωμονAbsalom ἐγκαλῶν τε αὐτῷ καὶ τὴν‎ αἰτίαν πυνθανόμενος .
¹⁹¹ But Absalom sent to Joab, and desired him to pacify his father entirely towards him; and to beseech him to give him leave to come to him to see him, and speak with him. But when Joab neglected so to do, he sent some of his own servants, and set fire to the field adjoining to him; which, when Joab understood, he came to Absalom, and accused him of what he had done; and asked him the reason why he did so.	¹⁹¹ Absalom sent to Joab, asking him to pacify his father toward him, and to beg his permission to come and see him and speak with him. When Joab neglected to do so, he sent some of his own servants and set fire to the field adjoining his property, and when Joab learned of this, he came to accuse Absalom of what he had done, and asking him the reason for it.
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¹⁹² ὁ δέ " στρατήγημα τοῦτ᾽ , εἶπεν , εὗρον ἀγαγεῖν σε πρὸς ἡμᾶς δυνάμενον ἀμελοῦντα τῶν ἐντολῶν , ἃς ἵνα μοι τὸν πατέρα διαλλάξῃς ἐποιούμην . Καὶ δὴ δέομαί σου παρόντος ἡμερῶσαί μοι τὸν γεγεννηκότα · ὡς ἔγωγε δεινοτέραν τῆς φυγῆς κρίνω τὴν‎ κάθοδον ἔτι τοῦ πατρὸς ἐν ὀργῇ
¹⁹² To which Absalom replied, that “I have found out this stratagem that might bring thee to us, while thou hast taken no care to perform the injunction I laid upon thee, which was this, to reconcile my father to me; and I really beg it of thee, now thou art here, to pacify my father as to me, since I esteem my coming hither to be more grievous than my banishment, while my father’s wrath against me continues.”	¹⁹² "I have contrived this" he replied, "to bring you to us, since you did not bother with my instruction to reconcile my father to me. And now that you are here, I implore you to pacify my father toward me, since I feel that being here is worse than my banishment, as long as my father's anger against me continues."
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¹⁹³ μένοντος . πεισθεὶς δ᾽ ὁ ἸώαβοςJoarib καὶ τὴν‎ ἀνάγκην αὐτοῦ‎ κατοικτείρας ἐμεσίτευσε πρὸς τὸν βασιλέα καὶ διαλεχθεὶς περὶ τοῦ παιδὸς οὕτως αὐτὸν ἡδέως διατίθησιν , ὡς εὐθέως καλέσαι πρὸς αὑτόν . τοῦ δὲ ῥίψαντος αὑτὸν ἐπὶ τοὔδαφος καὶ συγγνώμην αἰτουμένου τῶν ἡμαρτημένων ἀνίστησί τε καὶ τῶν γεγονότων ἀμνηστίαν ἐπαγγέλλεται .
¹⁹³ Hereby Joab was persuaded, and pitied the distress that Absalom was in, and became an intercessor with the king for him. And when he had discoursed with his father, he soon brought him to that amicable disposition towards Absalom, that he presently sent for him to come to him; and when he had cast himself down upon the ground, and had begged for the forgiveness of his offenses, the king raised him up, and promised him to forget what he had formerly done.	¹⁹³ Joab was persuaded by this and pitied Absalom's distress and became his intercessor with the king. Speaking to his father, he soon reconciled him to Absalom, and at once he sent for him, and when he threw himself down on the ground and begged forgiveness for his faults, the king raised him up and promised to forget what he had done in the past.
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Chapter 9
[194-231]
Absalom & Ahithophel's rebellion against David

☜ ☞

¹⁹⁴ Ὁ δὲ ἈψάλωμοςTalmai, Apsalomos τοιούτων αὐτῷ τῶν παρὰ τοῦ πατρὸς ἀποβάντων πολλοὺς μὲν ἵππους ἐν ὀλίγῳ πάνυ χρόνῳ πολλὰ δ᾽ ἅρματα ἐκέκτητο , καὶ ὁπλοφόροι περὶ αὐτὸν ἦσαν πεντήκοντα ·
¹⁹⁴ Now Absalom, upon this his success with the king, procured to himself a great many horses, and many chariots, and that in a little time also. He had moreover fifty armor-bearers that were about him;	¹⁹⁴ After this success with his father the king, Absalom soon got himself many horses and chariots and had a bodyguard of fifty warriors.
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¹⁹⁵ καθ᾽ ἑκάστην δ᾽ ἡμέραν ὄρθριος πρὸς τὰ βασίλεια παρεγίνετο καὶ τοῖς ἐπὶ τὰς κρίσεις ἥκουσι καὶ ἐλαττουμένοις πρὸς ἡδονὴν ὁμιλῶν , ὡς παρὰ τὸ μὴ συμβούλους ἀγαθοὺς εἶναι τῷ πατρὶ τάχ᾽ αὐτῷ καὶ ἀδίκως ἐπταικότων τῶν περὶ τὴν‎ κρίσιν , εὔνοιαν αὑτῷ παρὰ πάντων κατεσκεύαζε λέγων , ὡς αὐτὸς ἂν εἰ ταύτην εἶχε τὴν‎ ἐξουσίαν πολλὴν αὐτοῖς ἐβράβευσεν εὐνομίαν .
¹⁹⁵ and he came early every day to the king’s palace, and spake what was agreeable to such as came for justice and lost their causes, as if that happened for want of good counselors about the king, or perhaps because the judges mistook in that unjust sentence they gave; whereby he gained the good-will of them all. He told them, that had he but such authority committed to him, he would distribute justice to them in a most equitable manner.	¹⁹⁵ Every day he came early to the king's palace and spoke agreeably to those who came for justice and had lost their cases, saying it had happened for the lack of good counsellors around the king, or that perhaps the judges were mistaken in the unjust sentence they gave, and won favour with them all by saying that if only the authority was in his hands, he would reward them handsomely.
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¹⁹⁶ τούτοις δημαγωγῶν τὸ πλῆθος ὡς βεβαίαν ἤδη τὴν‎ παρὰ τῶν ὄχλων εὔνοιαν ἐνόμιζε , μετὰ δὲ τὴν‎ τοῦ πατρὸς αὐτοῦ‎ καταλλαγὴν τεσσάρων ἐτῶν ἤδη διεληλυθότων , ἐδεῖτο προσελθὼν εἰς ΓιβρῶναHebron συγχωρῆσαι πορευθέντι θυσίαν ἀποδοῦναι τῷ θεῷ · φεύγοντα γὰρ αὐτὸν εὔξασθαι . τοῦ δὲ ΔαυίδουDavid τὴν‎ ἀξίωσινto think worthy ἐφέντος πορεύεται , καὶ πολὺς ἐπισυνέρρευσεν ὄχλος ἐπὶ πολλοὺς αὐτοῦ‎ διαπέμψαντος .
¹⁹⁶ When he had made himself so popular among the multitude, he thought he had already the good-will of the people secured to him; but when four years had passed since his father’s reconciliation to him, he came to him, and besought him to give him leave to go to Hebron, and pay a sacrifice to God, because he vowed it to him when he fled out of the country. So when David had granted his request, he went thither, and great multitudes came running together to him, for he had sent to a great number so to do.	¹⁹⁶ Rousing them in this way he courted popularity and judged that he had already secured the people's goodwill. Then, four years after being reconciled with his father, he asked his permission to go to Hebron and pay to God the sacrifice he had vowed to him during his flight. When David allowed it, he went there and large crowds soon gathered to him, for he had sent out word to many.
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¹⁹⁷ παρῆν δὲ καὶ ὁ ΔαυίδουDavid σύμβουλος ὁ ΓελμωναῖοςGilonite ἈχιτόφελοςAhithophel καὶ διακόσιοί τινες ἐξ αὐτῶν ἹεροσολύμωνJerusalem οὐκ εἰδότες μὲν τὴν‎ ἐπιχείρησινan attempt, attack , ὡς δ᾽ ἐπὶ θυσίαν μετεσταλμένοι · καὶ βασιλεὺς ὑπὸ πάντων ἀποδείκνυται τοῦτο γενέσθαι στρατηγήσας .
¹⁹⁷ Among them came Ahithophel the Gilonite, a counsellor of David’s, and two hundred men out of Jerusalem itself, who knew not his intentions, but were sent for as to a sacrifice. So he was appointed king by all of them, which he obtained by this stratagem.	¹⁹⁷ Among them came David's counsellor, Ahithophel the Gilonite, and two hundred men from Jerusalem itself, unaware of the plot, who were sent for as though invited to a sacrifice, and he was chosen as king by them all, as he had planned.
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¹⁹⁸ ὡς δ᾽ ἀπηγγέλη ταῦτα ΔαυίδῃDavid καὶ παρ᾽ ἐλπίδας αὐτῷ τὰ παρὰ τοῦ παιδὸς ἠκούσθη , δείσας ἅμα καὶ τῆς ἀσεβείας καὶ τῆς τόλμης αὐτὸν θαυμάσας , ὅτι μηδὲ τῆς ἐπὶ τοῖς ἡμαρτημένοις συγγνώμης ἐμνημόνευσεν , ἀλλ᾽ ἐκείνων πολὺ χείροσι καὶ παρανομωτέροις ἐπεβάλετο βασιλείᾳ πρῶτον μὲν ὑπὸ θεοῦ οὐ δεδομένῃ , δεύτερον δὲ ἐπ᾽ ἀφαιρέσει τοῦ γεγεννηκότος , ἔγνω φεύγειν εἰς τὰ πέραν τοῦ ἸορδάνουJordan .
¹⁹⁸ As soon as this news was brought to David, and he was informed of what he did not expect from his son, he was affrighted at this his impious and bold undertaking, and wondered that he was so far from remembering how his offense had been so lately forgiven him, that he undertook much worse and more wicked enterprises; first, to deprive him of that kingdom which was given him of God; and secondly, to take away his own father’s life. He therefore resolved to fly to the parts beyond Jordan:	¹⁹⁸ When this was reported to David and he heard the strange news about his son, he was alarmed at his impiety and audacity and amazed that, instead of remembering how his offence had been so lately pardoned, he was now involved in crimes that were much worse : first, to claim a kingship not given him by God, and then to take his own father's life; so he resolved to escape to the land across the Jordan.
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¹⁹⁹ καὶ συγκαλέσας τῶν φίλων τοὺς ἐπιτηδειοτάτους καὶ περὶ τῆς τοῦ παιδὸς ἀπονοίας κοινολογησάμενος αὐτοῖς καὶ περὶ πάντων ἐπιτρέψας κριτῇ τῷ θεῷ , καταλιπὼν τὰ βασίλεια φυλάσσειν δέκα παλλακίσινconcubine ἀπῆρεν ἐκ τῶν ἹεροσολύμωνJerusalem , τοῦ τε ἄλλου πλήθους αὐτῷ συνεξορμήσαντος καὶ τῶν ἑξακοσίων ὁπλιτῶν , οἳ καὶ τῆς πρώτης φυγῆς ἐκοινώνουν , ὅτ᾽when ἔζη ΣαοῦλοςSaul .
¹⁹⁹ so he called his most intimate friends together, and communicated to them all that he had heard of his son’s madness. He committed himself to God, to judge between them about all their actions; and left the care of his royal palace to his ten concubines, and went away from Jerusalem, being willingly accompanied by the rest of the multitude, who went hastily away with him, and particularly by those six hundred armed men, who had been with him from his first flight in the days of Saul.	¹⁹⁹ He called together his closest friends and openly told them of his son's rashness, and leaving God to judge between them regarding everything, he put his ten concubines in charge of his royal palace and left Jerusalem, with the rest of his people leaving with him, including the six hundred warriors who had been with him from his former flight in the days of Saul.
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²⁰⁰ τὸν δὲ ἈβιάθαρονAbiathar καὶ ΣάδωκονSadok τοὺς ἀρχιερεῖς συναπαίρειν διεγνωκότας καὶ ΛευίταςLevites ἅπαντας μετὰ τῆς κιβωτοῦ μένειν ἔπεισεν , ὡς τοῦ θεοῦ καὶ μὴ μετακομιζομένης αὐτῆς ῥυσομένου .
²⁰⁰ But he persuaded Abiathar and Zadok, the high priests, who had determined to go away with him, as also all the Levites, who were with the ark, to stay behind, as hoping that God would deliver him without its removal;	²⁰⁰ He persuaded the high priests Abiathar and Sadok, who wanted to leave with him, and all the Levites guarding the ark, to stay behind, hoping that God would save him without removing it.
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²⁰¹ ἐνετείλατο δ᾽ ἕκαστα τῶν γινομένων λάθρα διαγγέλλειν αὐτῷ · πιστοὺς δ᾽ ἔσχε πρὸς πάντα διακόνους παῖδας ἈχίμανονAhimmaz μὲν ΣαδώκουSadok ἸωνάθηνJonathan δὲ ἈβιαθάρουAbiathar . Ἔθις δ᾽ ὁ ΓιτταῖοςGittite συνεξώρμησεν αὐτῷ βιασάμενος τὴν‎ ΔαυίδουDavid βούλησιν , μένειν γὰρ αὐτὸν ἀνέπειθε , καὶ διὰ τοῦτο μᾶλλον εὔνους αὐτῷ κατεφάνη .
²⁰¹ but he charged them to let him know privately how all things went on; and he had their sons, Ahimmaz the son of Zadok, and Jonathan the son of Abiathar, for faithful ministers in all things; but Ittai the Gitrite went out with him whether David would let him or not, for he would have persuaded him to stay, and on that account he appeared the more friendly to him.	²⁰¹ He directed them to secretly let him know how things proceeded, and had their sons, Ahimmaz the son of Sadok and Jonathan the son of Abiathar, to help him in all things. Ittai the Gittite went with him too, against David wishes, for he tried to persuade him to stay behind, and seemed more friendly to him on account of it.
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²⁰² ἀναβαίνοντος δ᾽ αὐτοῦ‎ διὰ τοῦ ἘλαιῶνοςOlivet ὄρους γυμνοῖς τοῖς ποσὶ καὶ πάντων σὺν αὐτῷ δακρυόντων , ἀγγέλλεται καὶ ὁ ἈχιτόφελοςAhithophel συνὼν τῷ ἈψαλώμῳAbsalom καὶ τὰ τούτου φρονῶν . ἐπέτεινε δ᾽ αὐτῷ τὸ λυπηρὸν τοῦτ᾽ ἀκουσθέν , καὶ τὸν θεὸν ἐπεκαλεῖτο δεόμενος ἀπαλλοτριῶσαι τὴν‎ ἈψαλώμουAbsalom διάνοιαν πρὸς τὸν ἈχιτόφελονAhithophel . ἐδεδίει γάρ , μὴ τἀναντία συμβουλεύων πείσειεν αὐτὸν ἀνὴρ ὢν φρενήρης καὶ συνιδεῖν τὸ λυσιτελὲς ὀξύτατος .
²⁰² But as he was ascending the Mount of Olives barefooted, and all his company were in tears, it was told him that Ahithophel was with Absalom, and was of his side. This hearing augmented his grief; and he besought God earnestly to alienate the mind of Absalom from Ahithophel, for he was afraid that he should persuade him to follow his pernicious counsel, for he was a prudent man, and very sharp in seeing what was advantageous.	²⁰² As he was ascending the Mount of Olives in bare feet, and all his company were in tears, he was told that Ahithophel was with Absalom as a supporter. This news increased his grief, and he begged God to alienate the Absalom's mind from Ahithophel, for he was afraid he would influence him with his advice, for he was a shrewd man, very sharp at seeing his own advantage.
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²⁰³ γενόμενος δ᾽ ἐπὶ τῆς κορυφῆς τοῦ ὄρους ἀπεσκόπει τὴν‎ πόλιν καὶ μετὰ πολλῶν δακρύων ὡς ἂν βασιλείας ἐκπεσὼν ηὔχετο τῷ θεῷ · συνήντησε δ᾽ αὐτῷ Φίλος ἀνὴρ καὶ βέβαιος ΧουσὶςHushai ὄνομα .
²⁰³ When David was gotten upon the top of the mountain, he took a view of the city; and prayed to God with abundance of tears, as having already lost his kingdom; and here it was that a faithful friend of his, whose name was Hushai, met him.	²⁰³ When he got to the top of the mountain, he looked back at the city and, having lost his kingdom, prayed to God with many tears, and here his faithful friend named Hushai, met him.
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²⁰⁴ τοῦτον ὁρῶν τὴν‎ ἐσθῆτα κατερρηγμένον καὶ τὴν‎ κεφαλὴν σποδοῦ πλήρη καὶ θρηνοῦντα τὴν‎ μεταβολὴν παρηγορεῖ καὶ παύσασθαι τῆς λύπης παρακαλεῖ καὶ τέλος ἱκέτευσενto approach as a suppliant ἀπελθόντα πρὸς ἈψάλωμονAbsalom ὡς τὰ ἐκείνου φρονοῦντα τά τε ἀπόρρητα τῆς διανοίας αὐτοῦ‎ κατανοεῖν καὶ ταῖς ἈχιτοφέλουAhithophel συμβουλίαις ἀντιπράσσειν · οὐ γὰρ τοσοῦτον ὠφελήσειν αὐτῷ συνερχόμενον , ὅσον παρ᾽ ἐκείνῳ γενόμενον . Καὶ ὁ μὲν πεισθεὶς τῷ ΔαυίδῃDavid , καταλιπὼν αὐτὸν ἧκεν εἰς ἹεροσόλυμαJerusalem · ἀφικνεῖται δ᾽ εἰς αὐτὰ μετ᾽ οὐ πολὺ καὶ ἈψάλωμοςTalmai, Apsalomos .
²⁰⁴ When David saw him with his clothes rent, and having ashes all over his head, and in lamentation for the great change of affairs, he comforted him, and exhorted him to leave off grieving; nay, at length he besought him to go back to Absalom, and appear as one of his party, and to fish out the secretest counsels of his mind, and to contradict the counsels of Ahithophel, for that he could not do him so much good by being with him as he might by being with Absalom. So he was prevailed on by David, and left him, and came to Jerusalem, whither Absalom himself came also a little while afterward.	²⁰⁴ When he saw him with his clothes rent and with ashes all over his head and in mourning for the upheaval in his affairs, he comforted him and urged him to stop grieving. Then he implored him to go back to Absalom and appear to support him and find out his inmost plans, and make objections to Ahithophel's advice, for he could not do him as much good by being with him as he could by being with Absalom. So, persuaded by David, he left him and came to Jerusalem, where Absalom himself also arrived a little later.
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²⁰⁵ ὀλίγον δὲ τῷ ΔαυίδῃDavid προελθόντι ΣιβᾶςSibas ὁ τοῦ ΜεμφιβόσθουMemphibosthos δοῦλος συνήντησεν , ὃν προνοησόμενον ἀπεστάλκει τῶν κτήσεων ἃς δεδώρητο τῷ ἸωνάθουJonathan τοῦ ΣαούλουSaul παιδὸς υἱῷ , μετὰ ζεύγους ὄνων καταπεφορτισμένων τοῖς ἐπιτηδείοις , ἐξ ὧν ἐκέλευσε λαμβάνειν ὧν αὐτός τε καὶ οἱ σὺν αὐτῷ δέοιντο .
²⁰⁵ When David was gone a little farther, there met him Ziba, the servant of Mephibosheth, (whom he had sent to take care of the possessions which had been given him, as the son of Jonathan, the son of Saul,) with a couple of asses, loaden with provisions, and desired him to take as much of them as he and his followers stood in need of.	²⁰⁵ When David went on a little farther, he met Sibas, the servant of Memphibosthos, whom he had sent to take care of the gifts he had given him, as the son of Saul's son Jonathan. The man had a couple of donkeys loaded with provisions, and told him take as much of them as he and his followers needed.
²⁰⁵ Barach

²⁰⁶ πυνθανομένου δέ , ποῦ καταλέλοιπε τὸν ΜεμφίβοσθονMemphibosthos , ἐν ἹεροσολύμοιςJerusalem ἔλεγε προσδοκῶντα χειροτονηθήσεσθαι βασιλέα διὰ τὴν‎ ὑπάρχουσαν ταραχὴν εἰς μνήμην ὧν εὐηργέτησεν αὐτοὺς ΣαοῦλοςSaul . ἀγανακτήσαςto be aroused, indignant δ᾽ ἐπὶ τούτῳ πάνθ᾽ ὅσα τῷ ΜεμφιβόσθῳMemphibosthos παρεχώρησε ΣιβᾷSibas χαρίζεται πολὺ γὰρ δικαιότερον αὐτὸν ἐκείνου ταῦτ᾽ ἔχειν ἐπέγνωκε · καὶ ὁ μὲν ΣιβᾶςSibas περιχαρὴς ἦν .
²⁰⁶ And when the king asked him where he had left Mephibosheth, he said he had left him in Jerusalem, expecting to be chosen king in the present confusions, in remembrance of the benefits Saul had conferred upon them. At this the king had great indignation, and gave to Ziba all that he had formerly bestowed on Mephibosheth; for he determined that it was much fitter that he should have them than the other; at which Ziba greatly rejoiced.	²⁰⁶ When the king asked him where he had left Memphibosthos, he said he was in Jerusalem, expecting to be chosen king in the present upheaval, in remembrance of the benefits Saul had brought them. The king was angry with this and handed over to Sibas all that he had formerly given Memphibosthos, considering him more suited to have them than the other, and Sibas was delighted.
²⁰⁶ Barach

²⁰⁷ ΔαυίδῃDavid δὲ γενομένῳ κατὰ ΧώρανονChoranon, Bahurim τόπον οὕτως καλούμενον ἐπέρχεται τοῦ ΣαούλουSaul συγγενὴς ΣαμούιςShimei μὲν ὄνομα υἱὸς δὲ ΓηρᾶGēra , καὶ λίθοις τε ἔβαλλεν αὐτὸν καὶ ἐκακηγόρει . περιστάντων δὲ τῶν φίλων καὶ σκεπόντων ἔτι μᾶλλον ὁ ΣαμούιςShimei βλασφημῶν διετέλει , μιαιφόνον καὶ πολλῶν ἀρχηγὸν κακῶν ἀποκαλῶν .
²⁰⁷ When David was at Bahurim, a place so called, there came out a kinsman of Saul’s, whose name was Shimei, and threw stones at him, and gave him reproachful words; and as his friends stood about the king and protected him, he persevered still more in his reproaches, and called him a bloody man, and the author of all sorts of mischief.	²⁰⁷ When David was at a place called Bahurim, Shimei, son of Gera, a kinsman of Saul’s, came out and threw stones at him and abused him, and as his friends stood about to protect the king, Shimei continued his insults, calling him a murderer who had caused much harm.
²⁰⁷ Barach

²⁰⁸ ἐκέλευε δὲ καὶ τῆς γῆς ὡς ἐναγῆ καὶ ἐπάρατον ἐξιέναι , καὶ τῷ θεῷ χάριν ὡμολόγει τῆς βασιλείας αὐτὸν ἀφελομένῳ καὶ διὰ παιδὸς ἰδίου τὴν‎ ὑπὲρ ὧν ἥμαρτεν εἰς τὸν αὑτοῦ δεσπότην δίκην αὐτὸν εἰσπραξαμένῳ . πάντων δ᾽ ἐπ᾽ αὐτὸν ἠρεθισμένων ὑπ᾽ ὀργῆς καὶ μάλιστα ἈβεσσαίουAbishai διαχρήσασθαι βουλομένου τὸν ΣαμούινShimei ΔαυίδηςDavid αὐτὸν τῆς ὀργῆς ἐπέσχε ,
²⁰⁸ He bade him also go out of the land as an impure and accursed wretch; and he thanked God for depriving him of his kingdom, and causing him to be punished for what injuries he had done to his master [Saul], and this by the means of his own son. Now when they were all provoked against him, and angry at him, and particularly Abishai, who had a mind to kill Shimei, David restrained his anger.	²⁰⁸ He ordered him to leave the land, being impure and accursed, and thanked God for depriving him of his kingdom and causing him to be punished through his own son for the wrongs he had done to his own master. When all were provoked and angry with him and particularly Abishai, who wanted to kill Shimei, David restrained his anger.
²⁰⁸ Barach

²⁰⁹ " μὴ τοῖς παροῦσι κακοῖς ἑτέραν προσεξεργασώμεθα , φησί , καινοτέραν ἀφορμήν · οὐ γὰρ δὴ τοῦ προσλυσσῶντός μοι τούτου κυνὸς αἰδώς τις ἢ φροντὶς ὑπέρχεται , τῷ θεῷ δὲ εἴκω , δι᾽ ὃν οὗτος ἐφ᾽ ἡμᾶς ἀπενοήθη . θαυμαστὸν δ᾽ οὐδὲν ὑπὸ τούτου με ταῦτα πάσχειν , ὅπου γε καὶ παιδὸς ἀσεβοῦς πεπείραμαι . ἀλλ᾽ ἔσται‎ τις οἶκτος ἡμῖν ἐκ θεοῦ καὶ κρατήσομεν τῶν ἐχθρῶν τούτου
²⁰⁹ “Let us not,” said he, “bring upon ourselves another fresh misfortune to those we have already, for truly I have not the least regard nor concern for this dog that raves at me: I submit myself to God, by whose permission this man treats me in such a wild manner; nor is it any wonder that I am obliged to undergo these abuses from him, while I experience the like from an impious son of my own; but perhaps God will have some commiseration upon us; if it be his will we shall overcome them.”	²⁰⁹ He said, "Let us not bring another misfortune on ourselves on top of those we have already, for I am not in the least ashamed or concerned that this dog raves at me. I submit to God, who allows this man to treat us so wildly. No wonder that I have to bear this from him, when I am opposed by my own impious son. God may show pity upon us, and it is his will we overcome our enemy."
²⁰⁹ Barach

²¹⁰ θελήσαντος . ἤνυεν οὖν τὴν‎ ὁδὸν οὐ φροντίζων τοῦ ΣαμούιShimei παρὰ τὸ ἕτερον μέρος τοῦ ὄρους διατρέχοντος καὶ πολλὰ κακηγοροῦντος · παραγενόμενος δ᾽ ἐπὶ τὸν ἸόρδανονJordan ἀνελάμβανε τοὺς ἰδίους ἐνταῦθα κεκοπωμένους .
²¹⁰ So he went on his way without troubling himself with Shimei, who ran along the other side of the mountain, and threw out his abusive language plentifully. But when David was come to Jordan, he allowed those that were with him to refresh themselves; for they were weary.	²¹⁰ So he continued his journey without troubling further with Shimei, who ran along the other side of the mountain, cursing him freely. Reaching the Jordan, David let his companions take their ease, for they were tired.
²¹⁰ Barach

²¹¹ ἈψαλώμουAbsalom δὲ καὶ ἈχιτοφέλουAhithophel τοῦ συμβούλου παραγενομένων εἰς ἹεροσόλυμαJerusalem σὺν ἅπαντι τῷ λαῷ , καὶ ὁ ΔαυίδουDavid Φίλος ἧκε πρὸς αὐτοὺς καὶ προσκυνήσας αὐτὸν συνηύχετο τὴν‎ βασιλείαν εἰς αἰῶνα καὶ τὸν πάντα παραμεῖναι χρόνον . φήσαντος δ᾽ ἐκείνου πρὸς αὐτόν , τί δήποτε Φίλος ἐν τοῖς μάλιστα τοῦ πατρὸς αὐτοῦ‎ γεγενημένος καὶ πρὸς ἅπαντα πιστὸς εἶναι δόξας οὐ σὺν αὐτῷ νῦν ἐστιν , ἀλλὰ καταλιπὼν ἐκεῖνον μεταβαίη πρὸς αὐτόν , δεξιῶς ἀποκρίνεται καὶ σωφρόνως ·
²¹¹ But when Absalom, and Ahithophel his counselor, were come to Jerusalem, with all the people, David’s friend, Hushai, came to them; and when he had worshipped Absalom, he withal wished that his kingdom might last a long time, and continue for all ages. But when Absalom said to him, “How comes this, that he who was so intimate a friend of my father’s, and appeared faithful to him in all things, is not with him now, but hath left him, and is come over to me?” Hushai’s answer was very pertinent and prudent;	²¹¹ When Absalom and his counsellor Ahithophel, came to Jerusalem, with all the people, David's friend Hushai came to them, and after bowing to Absalom, prayed that his reign would last a long time and continue for all ages. When he asked him, "How comes it, that so close a friend of my father, who seemed faithful to him in all things, is not with him now, but has left him and come over to me?" he answered aptly and prudently,
²¹¹ Barach

²¹² εἶπε γὰρ ἕπεσθαι δεῖν αὐτὸν τῷ θεῷ καὶ τῷ παντὶ πλήθει . τούτων οὖν μετὰ σοῦ , ὦ δέσποτα , γεγενημένων εἰκότως ἕπομαι κἀγώ · τὴν‎ γὰρ βασιλείαν ἔλαβες παρὰ τοῦ θεοῦ . τὴν‎ αὐτὴν μέντοι γε πίστιν καὶ εὔνοιαν ἐνδείξομαι πιστευόμενος εἶναι Φίλος , ἣν οἶσθά με τῷ πατρί σου παρεσχημένον . ἀγανακτεῖν δ᾽ οὐδὲν προσῆκε τοῖς παροῦσιν · οὐ γὰρ εἰς ἄλλην οἰκίαν ἡ βασιλεία μεταβέβηκε ,
²¹² for he said, “We ought to follow God and the multitude of the people; while these, therefore, my lord and master, are with thee, it is fit that I should follow them, for thou hast received the kingdom from God. I will therefore, if thou believest me to be thy friend, show the same fidelity and kindness to thee, which thou knowest I have shown to thy father; nor is there any reason to be in the least dissatisfied with the present state of affairs, for the kingdom is not transferred into another, but remains still in the same family, by the son’s receiving it after his father.”	²¹² "My lord and master, we should follow God and the majority of the people. While these are with you, I ought to follow too, for you have received the kingdom from God. Therefore, if you trust me to be your friend, I will show you the same fidelity and friendship which you know I gave your father. There is no reason to be annoyed with the present situation, for the kingship has not moved, but remains in the same family when the son has received it after his father."
²¹² Barach

²¹³ μεμένηκε δ᾽ ἐπὶ τῆς αὐτῆς υἱοῦ παραλαβόντος . ταῦτα λέγων ἔπειθεν · ὕποπτον γὰρ αὐτὸν εἶχε . Καὶ καλέσας τὸν ἈχιτόφελονAhithophel συνεβουλεύετο αὐτῷ τί δεῖ ποιεῖν · ὁ δὲ παρῄνεσε ταῖς τοῦ πατρὸς αὐτὸν παλλακαῖς συνελθεῖν · ἐκ τούτου γὰρ εἴσεσθαι τὸν λαὸν ἔλεγε πιστεύσαντα , ὡς ἀδιάλλακτά σοι τὰ πρὸς αὐτόν ἐστι , καὶ μετὰ πολλῆς συστρατεύσεσθαι προθυμίας ἐπὶ τὸν πατέρα · μέχρι δεῦρο γὰρ φανερὰν ἔχθραν ἀναλαμβάνειν δεδιέναι προσδοκῶντας ὑμᾶς ὁμονοήσειν .
²¹³ This speech persuaded Absalom, who before suspected Hushai. And now he called Ahithophel, and consulted with him what he ought to do: he persuaded him to go in unto his father’s concubines; for he said that “by this action the people would believe that thy difference with thy father is irreconcilable, and will thence fight with great alacrity against thy father, for hitherto they are afraid of taking up open enmity against him, out of an expectation that you will be reconciled again.”	²¹³ Though he had felt suspicious of him, this persuaded him. Then he called Ahithophel to consult him on what to do next. He advised him to have intercourse with his father's concubines, saying, "This action will let the people see that your difference with your father is irreconcilable and that therefore you will fight your father with full commitment, for up to now they are afraid to openly break with him, while they expect that you will again be reconciled."
²¹³ Barach

²¹⁴ πεισθεὶς δὲ τῇ συμβουλίᾳ κελεύει σκηνὴν αὑτῷ πῆξαι τοὺς οἰκέτας ἐπὶ τοῦ βασιλείου τοῦ πλήθους ὁρῶντος , καὶ παρελθὼν συνέρχεται ταῖς τοῦ πατρὸς παλλακαῖς . ταῦτα δ᾽ ἐγένετο κατὰ τὴν‎ Νάθα προφητείαν , ἣν τῷ ΔαυίδῃDavid σημαίνων τὴν‎ ἐκ τοῦ παιδὸς ἐσομένην ἐπίθεσιν προεφήτευσε .
²¹⁴ Accordingly, Absalom was prevailed on by this advice, and commanded his servants to pitch him a tent upon the top of the royal palace, in the sight of the multitude; and he went in and lay with his father’s concubines. Now this came to pass according to the prediction of Nathan, when he prophesied and signified to him that his son would rise up in rebellion against him.	²¹⁴ Persuaded by this advice he ordered his servants to pitch him a tent on the roof of the royal palace, in full view of the crowd, and he went in to lie with his father's concubines. This fulfilled Nathan's prophecy, who predicted to David that his son would rise up against him.
²¹⁴ Barach

²¹⁵ Ποιήσας δ᾽ ἈψάλωμοςTalmai, Apsalomos τὰ παραινεθέντα αὐτῷ ὑπὸ τοῦ ἈχιτοφέλουAhithophel δεύτερον αὐτὸν ἠξίου συμβουλεύειν περὶ τοῦ πολέμου τοῦ πρὸς τὸν πατέρα . μυρίους δ᾽ αὐτὸν ἐπιλέκτους αἰτήσαντος ἐκείνου καὶ τόν τε πατέρα κτενεῖν αὐτοῦ‎ καὶ τοὺς σὺν αὐτῷ ζωοὺς ἀνάξειν ὑποσχομένουto undergo; to promise καὶ βεβαίαν τότε τὴν‎ βασιλείαν ἔσεσθαι φήσαντος ΔαυίδουDavid μηκέτι ζῶντος ,
²¹⁵ And when Absalom had done what he was advised to by Ahithophel, he desired his advice, in the second place, about the war against his father. Now Ahithophel only asked him to let him have ten thousand chosen men, and he promised he would slay his father, and bring the soldiers back again in safety; and he said that then the kingdom would be firm to him when David was dead [but not otherwise].	²¹⁵ When Absalom had done what Ahithophel advised, he next asked his advice about the war against his father. He asked for only ten thousand elite troops and promised to kill his father and to bring his soldiers back alive. He said that the kingdom would then be firmly his, once David was no longer alive.
²¹⁵ Barach

²¹⁶ ἀρεσθεὶς τῇ γνώμῃ μετακαλεῖται καὶ τὸν ΧουσὶνHushai τὸν ΔαυίδουDavid ἀρχίφιλον · οὕτως γὰρ αὐτὸν ἐκεῖνος ἐκάλει · καὶ τὴν‎ ἈχιτοφέλουAhithophel γνώμην αὐτῷ δηλώσας , τί καὶ αὐτῷ δοκεῖ περὶ αὐτῆς ἐπυνθάνετο . συνιδὼν δ᾽ , ὅτι γενομένων ὧν ἈχιτόφελοςAhithophel συνεβούλευσε κινδυνεύσει ΔαυίδηςDavid συλληφθεὶςto seize, arrest, collect ἀποθανεῖν , γνώμην εἰσφέρειν ἐναντίανopposite, against ἐπειρᾶτο ·
²¹⁶ Absalom was pleased with this advice, and called for Hushai, David’s friend (for so did he style him); and informing him of the opinion of Ahithophel, he asked, further, what was his opinion concerning that matter. Now he was sensible that if Ahithophel’s counsel were followed, David would be in danger of being seized on, and slain; so he attempted to introduce a contrary opinion, and said,	²¹⁶ Pleased with this advice, Absalom called for Hushai, calling him "arch-friend of David" and telling him Ahithophel's view, and then asking for his opinion on the matter. Now this man knew that if he followed Ahithophel's advice, David could be captured and killed, so he tried to introduce a contrary opinion.
²¹⁶ Barach

²¹⁷ " οὐ γὰρ ἀγνοεῖς εἶπεν , ὦ βασιλεῦ , τὴν‎ τοῦ πατρὸς καὶ τὴν‎ τῶν συνόντων αὐτῷ ἀνδρείαν , ὅτι καὶ πολλοὺς πολέμους πεπολέμηκε καὶ πάντοτε κρατῶν τῶν ἐχθρῶν ἀπήλλακται . νῦν δὲ εἰκὸς αὐτὸν ἐπὶ στρατοπέδου μένειν · στρατηγῆσαι γὰρ ἱκανώτατος καὶ προιδεῖν ἀπάτην ἐπερχομένων πολεμίων ·
²¹⁷ “Thou art not unacquainted, O king, with the valor of thy father, and of those that are now with him; that he hath made many wars, and hath always come off with victory, though probably he now abides in the camp, for he is very skillful in stratagems, and in foreseeing the deceitful tricks of his enemies;	²¹⁷ He said, "You are not unaware, my king, of the bravery of your father and his companions, how he has fought many wars and always defeated his enemies. Probably he is now keeping within the camp, for he is skilled in strategy and in foreseeing the ruses of an oncoming enemy.
²¹⁷ Barach

²¹⁸ ἀλλὰ κατὰ τὴν‎ ἑσπέραν ἀπολιπὼν τοὺς ἰδίους ἢ εἴς τινα τῶν αὐλώνων ἑαυτὸν ἀποκρύψει ἢ πρὸς πέτρᾳ τινὶ λοχήσει · συμβαλόντων δὲ τῶν ἡμετέρων οἱ μὲν ἐκείνου πρὸς μικρὸν ὑποχωρήσουσιν , αὐτοὶ δὲ θαρσήσαντες ὡς τοῦ βασιλέως αὐτοῖς ἐγγὺς ὄντος ἀντιστήσονται , καὶ μεταξὺ τούτων μαχομένων ὁ πατὴρ ἐπιφανεὶς ἐξαίφνης τοῖς μὲν εὐψυχίαν πρὸς τοὺς κινδύνους παρασκευάσει τοὺς δὲ σοὺς καταπλήξεται .
²¹⁸ yet will he leave his own soldiers in the evening, and will either hide himself in some valley, or will place an ambush at some rock; so that when our army joins battle with him, his soldiers will retire for a little while, but will come upon us again, as encouraged by the king’s being near them; and in the mean time your father will show himself suddenly in the time of the battle, and will infuse courage into his own people when they are in danger, but bring consternation to thine.	²¹⁸ But at evening he will leave his men and either hide himself in some valley, or set an ambush at some rock, so that when our army attacks him, his soldiers will retire a little way, but will come back at us again, encouraged by the king's being near them. Then in the heat of battle your father will suddenly show himself and inspire his own people when they are in danger, but will startle yours.
²¹⁸ Barach

²¹⁹ παράθου δὴ τοίνυν καὶ τὴν‎ ἐμὴν συμβουλίαν τῷ λογισμῷ καὶ ταῦτ᾽ ἐπιγνοὺς ἄρισταbest τὴν‎ μὲν ἈχιτοφέλουAhithophel γνώμην παραίτησαι , πέμψας δ᾽ εἰς πᾶσαν τὴν‎ χώραν τῶν ἙβραίωνHebrews παράγγειλον αὐτοῖς τὴν‎ ἐπὶ τὸν πατέρα σου στρατείαν , καὶ παραλαβὼν αὐτὸς τὴν‎ δύναμιν τοῦ πολέμου γίνου στρατηγὸς καὶ μὴ πιστεύσῃς τοῦτον ἑτέρῳ .
²¹⁹ Consider, therefore, my advice, and reason upon it, and if thou canst not but acknowledge it to be the best, reject the opinion of Ahithophel. Send to the entire country of the Hebrews, and order them to come and fight with thy father; and do thou thyself take the army, and be thine own general in this war, and do not trust its management to another;	²¹⁹ So consider my advice and think about it, and if you think it best, set aside Ahithophel's opinion. Send to the whole land of the Hebrews and order them to come to this campaign against your father. You should lead the army and be your own general in this war and not entrust it to another.
²¹⁹ Barach

²²⁰ νικήσειν γὰρ προσδόκα ῥᾳδίως αὐτόν , ἂν ἐν φανερῷ καταλάβῃς ὄντα μετ᾽ ὀλίγων αὐτὸς πολλὰς ἔχων μυριάδας βουλομένων τὴν‎ περὶ σὲ σπουδὴν ἐπιδείξασθαι καὶ προθυμίαν . ἂν δ᾽ ὁ πατὴρ αὑτὸν εἰς πολιορκίαν περικλείσῃ , μηχανήμασι καὶ
²²⁰ then expect to conquer him with ease, when thou overtakest him openly with his few partisans, but hast thyself many ten thousands, who will be desirous to demonstrate to thee their diligence and alacrity. And if thy father shall shut himself up in some city, and bear a siege, we will overthrow that city with machines of war, and by undermining it.”	²²⁰ You can expect to beat him easily, if you catch him in the open with his few partisans, while you have many thousands, who will be eager to demonstrate to you their diligence and loyalty. And if your father shuts himself up to withstand a siege, we will destroy that city by undermining it with machines."
²²⁰ Barach

²²¹ ὀρύγμασιν ὑπονόμοις καθαιρήσομεν ἐκείνην τὴν‎ πόλιν . ταῦτ᾽ εἰπὼν εὐδοκίμησε μᾶλλον ἈχιτοφέλουAhithophel · τῆς γὰρ ἐκείνου γνώμης ἡ τούτου προεκρίθη παρ᾽ ἈψαλώμουAbsalom . θεὸς μέντοι γε ἦν ὁ τούτου τῇ διανοίᾳ τὴν‎ τοῦ ΧουσὶHushai συμβουλίαν συστήσας ἀμείνω εἶναι δοκεῖν .
²²¹ When Hushai had said this, he obtained his point against Ahithophel, for his opinion was preferred by Absalom before the other’s: however, it was no other than God who made the counsel of Hushai appear best to the mind of Absalom.	²²¹ With this, he gained his point against Ahithophel, for Absalom preferred his opinion to the other's. But it was God who made Hushai's counsel appear best to his mind.
²²¹ Barach

²²² σπεύσας δὲ πρὸς τοὺς ἀρχιερέας ΣάδωκονSadok καὶ ἈβιάθαρονAbiathar καὶ τήν τε ἈχιτοφέλουAhithophel γνώμην ἐξειπὼν αὐτοῖς καὶ τὴν‎ ἑαυτοῦ καὶ ὅτι δέδοκται τὰ ὑπ᾽ αὐτοῦ‎ παραινεθέντα πράττειν , ἐκέλευσε μηνύειν πέμψαντας ΔαυίδῃDavid καὶ φανερὰ ποιεῖν τὰ συμβεβουλευμένα καὶ προσπαρακελεύσασθαι ταχέως διαβῆναι τὸν ἸόρδανονJordan , μὴ μεταγνοὺς ὁ παῖς αὐτοῦ‎ διώκειν ὁρμήσῃ καὶ πρὶν ἐν ἀσφαλείᾳ γένηται φθάσας καταλάβῃ .
²²² So Hushai made haste to the high priests, Zadok and Abiathar, and told them the opinion of Ahithophel, and his own, and that the resolution was taken to follow this latter advice. He therefore bade them send to David, and tell him of it, and to inform him of the counsels that had been taken; and to desire him further to pass quickly over Jordan, lest his son should change his mind, and make haste to pursue him, and so prevent him, and seize upon him before he be in safety.	²²² He hurried to the high priests, Sadok and Abiathar, and told them Ahithophel's opinion and his own, and that it was his advice they had resolved to follow. He bade them send to David, therefore, to tell him what had been discussed and to urge him to quickly cross over the Jordan in case his son should change his mind and hurry after him and seize him before he got to safety.
²²² Barach

²²³ οἱ δὲ ἀρχιερεῖς ἐξεπίτηδες τοὺς υἱοὺς ἔξω τῆς πόλεως κεκρυμμένους εἶχον , ὅπως διακομίσωσι πρὸς τὸν ΔαυίδηνDavid τὰ πραττόμενα · πέμψαντες οὖν πιστὴν θεραπαινίδα πρὸς αὐτοὺς φέρουσαν τὰ βεβουλευμένα ὑπὸ τοῦ ἈψαλώμουAbsalom προσέταξαν μετὰ σπουδῆς ταῦτα ΔαυίδῃDavid σημαίνειν .
²²³ Now the high priests had their sons concealed in a proper place out of the city, that they might carry news to David of what was transacted. Accordingly, they sent a maid-servant, whom they could trust, to them, to carry the news of Absalom’s counsels, and ordered them to signify the same to David with all speed.	²²³ The high priests had deliberately kept their sons hidden outside the city, to bring news to David of whatever was done. They sent them a trusted handmaid, to bring the news about Absalom's advice and to pass it on to David with all speed.
²²³ Barach

²²⁴ οἱ δ᾽ οὐδὲν εἰς ἀναβολὰς καὶ μέλλησιν ὑπερέθεντο , λαβόντες δὲ τὰς τῶν πατέρων ἐντολὰς εὐσεβεῖς ἅμα καὶ πιστοὶ γίνονται διάκονοι · καὶ τῆς ὑπηρεσίας τὸ τάχος καὶ τὴν‎ ὀξύτητα κρίναντες ἄρισταbest εἶναι ἠπείγοντο συμβαλεῖν ΔαυίδῃDavid .
²²⁴ So they made no excuse nor delay, but taking along with them their fathers’ injunctions, because pious and faithful ministers, and judging that quickness and suddenness was the best mark of faithful service, they made haste to meet with David.	²²⁴ Without hesitancy or delay they obeyed their fathers' orders as faithful servants, and judging that speed was the best sign of loyalty, hurried to meet David.
²²⁴ Barach

²²⁵ γενομένους δ᾽ αὐτοὺς ἀπὸ σταδίων τῆς πόλεως δύο θεῶνταί τινες ἱππεῖς καὶ διαβάλλουσι πρὸς τὸν ἈψάλωμονAbsalom · ὁ δ᾽ εὐθὺς ἔπεμψε τοὺς συλληψομένους . νοήσαντες δὲ τοῦτο οἱ τῶν ἀρχιερέων παῖδες ἐκτραπέντες τῆς ὁδοῦ παραχρῆμα εἰς κώμην τινὰ τῶν ἹεροσολύμωνJerusalem οὐκ ἄπωθεν αὑτοὺς ἔδωκαν , ΒοκχόρηςBahurim ἦν ὄνομα τῇ πόλει , καὶ γυναικὸς ἐδεήθησάν τινος κρύψαι καὶ παρασχεῖν αὐτοῖς τὴν‎ ἀσφάλειαν .
²²⁵ But certain horsemen saw them when they were two furlongs from the city, and informed Absalom of them, who immediately sent some to take them; but when the sons of the high priest perceived this, they went out of the road, and betook themselves to a certain village; that village was called Bahurim; there they desired a certain woman to hide them, and afford them security.	²²⁵ As they were two furlongs from the city some cavalry saw them and told Absalom about them, and immediately he sent men to capture them. When the sons of the high priest saw this, they left the road and went to a village called Bahurim, where they asked a woman to hide them and give them refuge.
²²⁵ Barach

²²⁶ ἡ δὲ καθιμήσασα τοὺς νεανίσκους εἰς φρέαρ καὶ πλάκας ἄνωθεν ἐρίων ἐρίων ἐπιβαλοῦσα , ὡς ἧκον οἱ διώκοντες αὐτοὺς καὶ περὶ αὐτῶν ἀνέκριναν εἰ θεάσαιτο , ἰδεῖν οὐκ ἠρνήσατο , πιόντας γὰρ παρ᾽ αὐτῇ πάλιν ἀπελθεῖν , εἰ μέντοι γε συντόνως διώξουσι καταλήψεσθαι προύλεγεν . ὡς δ᾽ ἐπὶ πολὺ διώξαντες οὐ κατέλαβον , ἀνέστρεψαν εἰς τοὐπίσω .
²²⁶ Accordingly she let the young men down by a rope into a well, and laid fleeces of wool over them; and when those that pursued them came to her, and asked her whether she saw them, she did not deny that she had seen them, for that they staid with her some time, but she said they then went their ways; and she foretold that, however, if they would follow them directly, they would catch them; but when after a long pursuit they could not catch them, they came back again;	²²⁶ She let the young men down by a rope into a well and laid sheeps' fleeces over them, and when their pursuers came to ask if she had seen them, she did not deny it, as they had stayed with her for some time, but then had gone away. She predicted that if they pursued them immediately they would catch them, but when after a long pursuit they could not catch them, they turned back for home.
²²⁶ Barach

²²⁷ θεασαμένη δ᾽ αὐτοὺς ἀναζεύξαντας ἡ γυνὴ καὶ μηδένα φόβον τοῖς νεανίσκοις ἀπ᾽ αὐτῶν ἔτι συλλήψεως εἶναι , ἀνιμήσασα τὴν‎ προκειμένην ὁδὸν ἀνύειν παρεκελεύσατο · καὶ πολλῇ σπουδῇ καὶ τάχει χρησάμενοι περὶ τὴν‎ ὁδοιπορίαν ἧκον πρὸς ΔαυίδηνDavid καὶ πάντ᾽ ἀκριβῶς ἐδήλωσαν τὰ παρ᾽ ἈψαλώμουAbsalom βεβουλευμένα . ὁ δὲ διαβῆναι τὸν ἸόρδανονJordan τοὺς μεθ᾽ ἑαυτοῦ προσέταξεν ἤδη νυκτὸς οὔσης καὶ μηδὲν ὀκνεῖν δι᾽ αὐτήν .
²²⁷ and when the woman saw those men were returned, and that there was no longer any fear of the young men’s being caught by them, she drew them up by the rope, and bade them go on their journey accordingly, they used great diligence in the prosecution of that journey, and came to David, and informed him accurately of all the counsels of Absalom. So he commanded those that were with him to pass over Jordan while it was night, and not to delay at all on that account.	²²⁷ When the woman saw them going away and that there was no longer any fear of their catching the young men, she drew them up by the rope and sent them on their way. They hurried quickly and came to David and told him in detail of all Absalom's plans. So he told his companions to cross the Jordan during the night and make no delay about it.
²²⁷ Barach

²²⁸ ἈχιτόφελοςAhithophel δὲ τῆς γνώμης αὐτοῦ‎ παρευδοκιμηθείσης ἐπιβὰς τοῦ κτήνους ἐξώρμησεν εἰς ΓελμὼνGilon τὴν‎ πατρίδα · καὶ συγκαλέσας τοὺς οἰκείους ἅπαντας ἃ συνεβούλευσεν ἈψαλώμῳAbsalom ταῦτ᾽ αὐτοῖς διεξῆλθε , καὶ ὡς οὐ πεισθεὶς φανερός ἐστιν οὐκ εἰς μακρὰν ἀπολούμενος · ΔαυίδηνDavid δὲ κρατήσειν ἔλεγεν [καὶ ] ἐπανήξειν ἐπὶ τὴν‎ βασιλείαν .
²²⁸ But Ahithophel, on rejection of his advice, got upon his ass, and rode away to his own country, Gilon; and, calling his family together, he told them distinctly what advice he had given Absalom; and since he had not been persuaded by it, he said he would evidently perish, and this in no long time, and that David would overcome him, and return to his kingdom again;	²²⁸ But after his advice was rejected, Ahithophel got upon his donkey and rode away to his own region, Gilon, and, calling his family together, he told them the advice he had given Absalom, and that since he had not taken it, he was sure to die and very soon, for David would defeat him and return to his kingdom.
²²⁸ Barach

²²⁹ ἄμεινον οὖν ἔφησεν εἶναι τοῦ ζῆν αὑτὸν ἐξαγαγεῖν ἐλευθέρως καὶ μεγαλοφρόνως ἢ παρασχεῖν αὑτὸν εἰς κόλασιν ΔαυίδῃDavid , καθ᾽ οὗ πάντα συνέπραττεν ἈψαλώμῳAbsalom . ταῦτα διαλεχθεὶς καὶ παρελθὼν εἰς τὸ μυχαίτατον τῆς οἰκίας ἀνήρτησεν ἑαυτόν . Καὶ τὸν μὲν ἈχιτόφελονAhithophel τοιούτου θανάτου δικαστὴν αὑτῷ γενόμενον καθελόντες ἐκ τῆς ἀγχόνης ἐκήδευσαν οἱ προσήκοντες .
²²⁹ so he said it was better that he should take his own life away with freedom and magnanimity, than expose himself to be punished by David, in opposition to whom he had acted entirely for Absalom. When he had discoursed thus to them, he went into the inmost room of his house, and hanged himself; and thus was the death of Ahithophel, who was self-condemned; and when his relations had taken him down from the halter, they took care of his funeral.	²²⁹ So he said it was better for him to take his own life with freedom and courage than to allow himself to be punished by David, against whom he had done everything on Absalom's behalf. After saying this, he went into the inmost room of his house and hanged himself. Such was the death of Ahithophel, who was his own executioner, and when his relatives had taken him down from the rope, they buried him.
²²⁹ Barach

²³⁰ ὁ δὲ ΔαυίδηςDavid διαβὰς τὸν ἸόρδανονJordan , καθὼς προειρήκαμεν , εἰς Παρεμβολὰς καλλίστην καὶ ὀχυρωτάτην πόλιν παραγίνεται · δέχονται δὲ αὐτὸν ἀσμενέστατα πάντες οἱ πρῶτοι τῆς χώρας κατά τε αἰδῶ τῆς τότε φυγῆς καὶ κατὰ τιμὴν τῆς προτέρας εὐπραγίας . ἦσαν δὲ οὗτοι ΒερζελαῖοςBarzillai ὁ ΓαλαδίτηςGaladite καὶ ΣειφὰρSiphar ὁ τῆς ἈμμανίτιδοςAmmanitis δυνάστῃς καὶ ΜάχειροςMachir ὁ τῆς ΓαλαδίτιδοςGaladitis χώρας πρῶτος .
²³⁰ Now, as for David, he passed over Jordan, as we have said already, and came to Mahanaim, a very fine and very strong city; and all the chief men of the country received him with great pleasure, both out of the shame they had that he should be forced to flee away (from Jerusalem), and out of the respect they bare him while he was in his former prosperity. These were Barzillai the Gileadite, and Siphar the ruler among the Ammonites, and Machir the principal man of Gilead;	²³⁰ David, as we have said, crossed over the Jordan, and came to The Camps, a very fine and strong city. Ashamed that had been forced to flee, all the leaders of the region who had respected him in his former prosperity, received him with pleasure. These were Barzillai the Galadite, Siphar the ruler of Ammanitis, and Machir the chief of the region of Galaditis.
²³⁰ Barach

²³¹ οὗτοι πᾶσαν αὐτῷ καὶ τοῖς ἐκείνου τῶν ἐπιτηδείωνuseful, necessary ἐκτένειαν παρέσχον , ὡς μήτε κλίνας ἐπιλιπεῖν ἐστρωμένας μήτε ἄρτους καὶ οἶνον , ἀλλὰ καὶ θυμάτων ἀφθονίανfree from envy χορηγῆσαι καὶ τῶν εἰς ἀνάπαυσιν ἤδη κεκοπωμένοις καὶ τροφὴν χρησίμων εὐπορίαν διαρκῆ παρασχεῖν .
²³¹ and these furnished him with plentiful provisions for himself and his followers, insomuch that they wanted no beds nor blankets for them, nor loaves of bread, nor wine; nay, they brought them a great many cattle for slaughter, and afforded them what furniture they wanted for their refreshment when they were weary, and for food, with plenty of other necessaries.	²³¹ These furnished all the necessary provisions for him and his followers, so that there was no shortage of beds or blankets, bread or wine, and they brought them plenty of meat and provided all that was required to refresh tired and hungry men.
²³¹ Barach

Chapter 10
[232-257]
Joab catches up with Absalom,
and kills him, to David's sorrow

☜ ☞

²³² Καὶ οἱ μὲν ἐν τούτοις ἦσαν · ἈψάλωμοςTalmai, Apsalomos δ᾽ ἀθροίσας μεγάλην στρατιὰν τῶν ἙβραίωνHebrews ἐπὶ τὸν πατέρα καὶ διαβὰς τὸν ἸόρδανονJordan ποταμὸν οὐ πόρρω κατέζευξε τῶν Παρεμβολῶν ἐν τῇ ΓαλαδιτῶνGaladnes χώρᾳ , καταστήσας στρατηγὸν πάσης τῆς δυνάμεως ἈμασᾶνAmasa εἰς τὴν‎ ἸωάβουJoab τάξιν τοῦ συγγενοῦς αὐτοῦ‎ · πατρὸς μὲν γὰρ ἦν ἸεθράουJethra μητρὸς δὲ ἈβιγαίαςAbigail , αὕτη δὲ καὶ ΣουρίαSarouia ἡ ἸωάβουJoab μήτηρ ἀδελφαὶ ἦσαν ΔαυίδουDavid .
²³² And this was the state of David and his followers: but Absalom got together a vast army of the Hebrews to oppose his father, and passed therewith over the river Jordan, and sat down not far off Mahanaim, in the country of Gilead. He appointed Amasa to be captain of all his host, instead of Joab his kinsman: his father was Ithra and his mother Abigail: now she and Zeruiah, the mother of Joab, were David’s sisters.	²³² Such was the situation when Absalom gathered a large army of the Hebrews to oppose his father and with it crossed the river Jordan, halting not far from Mahanaim, in the region of the Galadnes. He gave Amasa command of the entire army, in place of his kinsman Joab. This man's father was Jethra and his mother was Abigail, and she and Joab's mother, Sarouia, were David's sisters.
²³² Barach

²³³ ὡς δ᾽ ἐξαριθμήσας τοὺς σὺν αὐτῷ ΔαυίδηςDavid περὶ τετρακισχιλίους εὗρεν ὄντας , οὐκ ἔγνω μένειν , πότ᾽ ἐπ᾽ αὐτὸν ἈψάλωμοςTalmai, Apsalomos ἔλθῃ , προσθεὶς δὲ τοῖς οὖσι χιλιάρχους καὶ ἑκατοντάρχους καὶ διελὼν εἰς τρία μέρη τὸ μὲν τῷ στρατηγῷ παρέδωκεν ἸωάβῳJoab , τὸ δὲ τῷ ἀδελφῷ αὐτοῦ‎ ἈβεσσαίῳAbishai , τὴν‎ δὲ τρίτην μοῖραν ἐνεχείρισεν ἘσθαίῳIttai συνήθει μὲν ὄντι καὶ φίλῳ ἐκ δὲ τῆς ΓιττῶνGitta πόλεως ὑπάρχοντι .
²³³ But when David had numbered his followers, and found them to be about four thousand, he resolved not to tarry till Absalom attacked him, but set over his men captains of thousands, and captains of hundreds, and divided his army into three parts; the one part he committed to Joab, the next to Abishai, Joab’s brother, and the third to Ittai, David’s companion and friend, but one that came from the city Gath;	²³³ When David counted his followers and found them to be about four thousand, he decided not to wait for Absalom to attack him, but appointed officers of thousands and officers of hundreds and divided his army into three sections; one section he entrusted to Joab, one to Joab's brother Abishai, and the third to Ittai, his companion and friend, who came from the city of Gitta.
²³³ Barach

²³⁴ βουλόμενον δὲ συνεκστρατεύειν αὐτὸν οὐκ εἴασαν οἱ φίλοι γνώμῃ κατασχόντες σοφωτάτῃ · νικηθέντες μὲν γὰρ σὺν αὐτῷ πᾶσαν ἀποβαλεῖνto throw off ἐλπίδα χρηστὴν ἔφασκονto say, affirm , ἂν δὲ ἡττηθέντες ἑνὶ μέρει τῆς δυνάμεως τῷ λοιπῷ πρὸς αὐτὸν φύγωσιν ἀμείνονα παρασκευάσειν αὐτὸν ἰσχύν · ὑπονοήσειν δὲ καὶ τοὺς πολεμίους εἰκός ἐστιν ἄλλο μετ᾽ αὐτοῦ‎ στράτευμα εἶναι .
²³⁴ and when he was desirous of fighting himself among them, his friends would not let him: and this refusal of theirs was founded upon very wise reasons: “For,” said they, “if we be conquered when he is with us, we have lost all good hopes of recovering ourselves; but if we should be beaten in one part of our army, the other parts may retire to him, and may thereby prepare a greater force, while the enemy will naturally suppose that he hath another army with him.”	²³⁴ He wished to go out to battle in person alongside them, but his friends would not let him, for a very good reason. If they suffered defeat along with him, all realistic hope would be lost, but if they were defeated in one part of the army, the other parts could retreat to him and he could inspire them with new vigour and the enemy would suppose that he had another army with him.
²³⁴ Barach

²³⁵ πεισθεὶς δὲ τῇ συμβουλίᾳ ταύτῃ μένειν μὲν αὐτὸς ἐν ταῖς ΠαρεμβολαῖςMahanaim ἔκρινεν , ἐκπέμπων δὲ τοὺς φίλους καὶ τοὺς στρατηγοὺς ἐπὶ τὸν πόλεμον παρεκάλει προθυμίαν ἐναποδείξασθαι καὶ πίστιν καὶ μνήμην , εἴ τινος τῶν μετρίως δυσμενῶς παρ᾽ αὐτοῦ‎ ἔτυχον · φείσασθαι δὲ καὶ τοῦ παιδὸς ἈψαλώμουAbsalom κρατήσαντας ἠντιβόλει , μὴ κακὸν αὑτὸν ἐργάσηταί τι τελευτήσαντος αὐτοῦ‎ . Καὶ ὁ μὲν νίκην αὐτοῖς ἐπευξάμενος ἐκπέμπει τὴν‎ στρατιάν .
²³⁵ So David was pleased with this their advice, and resolved himself to tarry at Mahanaim; and as he sent his friends and commanders to the battle, he desired them to show all possible alacrity and fidelity, and to bear in mind what advantages they had received from him, which, though they had not been very great, yet had they not been quite inconsiderable; and he begged of them to spare the young man Absalom, lest some mischief should befall himself, if he should be killed; and thus did he send out his army to the battle, and wished them victory therein.	²³⁵ Persuaded by this advice he decided to stay at Mahanaim and sent his friends and officers to the battle, urging them to show vigour and fidelity and to remember the benefits they had received from him. He implored them in their victory to spare his son Absalom, as it would grieve him if he were killed. Then, praying for victory, he sent out his army.
²³⁵ Barach

²³⁶ ἸωάβουJoab δὲ παρατάξαντος τὴν‎ δύναμιν ἀντικρὺ τῶν πολεμίων ἐν πεδίῳ μεγάλῳ ἐξόπισθεν περιβεβλημένῳ δρυμὸν ἀντεξάγει τὴν‎ στρατιὰν καὶ ἈψάλωμοςTalmai, Apsalomos . Καὶ συμβολῆς γενομένης ἔργα μεγάλα χειρῶν τε καὶ τόλμης παρ᾽ ἀμφοτέρων ἐπεδείκνυτο , τῶν μὲν ὑπὲρ τοῦ τὴν‎ βασιλείαν ἀπολαβεῖν ΔαυίδηνDavid παρακινδυνευόντων καὶ πάσῃ‎ προθυμίᾳ χρωμένων , τῶν δ᾽ ἵνα μὴ ταύτην ἈψάλωμοςTalmai, Apsalomos ἀφαιρεθῇ καὶ δῷ τῷ πατρὶ δίκας κολασθεὶς ἀνθ᾽ ὧν ἐτόλμησεν οὐδὲν ὀκνούντων οὔτε ποιεῖν οὔτε πάσχειν ,
²³⁶ Then did Joab put his army in battle-array over against the enemy in the Great Plain, where he had a wood behind him. Absalom also brought his army into the field to oppose him. Upon the joining of the battle, both sides showed great actions with their hands and their boldness; the one side exposing themselves to the greatest hazards, and using their utmost alacrity, that David might recover his kingdom; and the other being no way deficient, either in doing or suffering, that Absalom might not be deprived of that kingdom, and be brought to punishment by his father for his impudent attempt against him.	²³⁶ Then Joab drew up his force opposite the enemy in a large plain, with a wood behind him, and Absalom led out his army against him. During the battle, great deeds of strength and daring were done on both sides; the one side scorning danger and trying its utmost to recover the kingship for David, and the other risking all in their zeal to prevent its being taken from Absalom and his being punished by his father for what he had ventured against him.
²³⁶ Barach

²³⁷ ἔτι δὲ τῶν μὲν πλειόνων ἵνα μὴ κρατηθῶσιν ὑπὸ τῶν σὺν ἸωάβῳJoab καὶ τοῖς σὺν αὐτῷ στρατηγοῖς ὄντων ὀλίγων , αἰσχύνην γὰρ αὐτοῖς τοῦτο εἶναι μεγίστην , τῶν δὲ ΔαυίδουDavid στρατιωτῶν ἵνα τοσούτων μυριάδων κρατήσωσι φιλοτιμουμένων , ἔρις ἐγένετο καρτερά , καὶ νικῶσιν οἱ ΔαυίδουDavid ῬώμῃRome τε προύχοντες καὶ τῇ τῶν πολεμικῶν ἐπιστήμῃ .
²³⁷ Those also that were the most numerous were solicitous that they might not be conquered by those few that were with Joab, and with the other commanders, because that would be the greater disgrace to them; while David’s soldiers strove greatly to overcome so many ten thousands as the enemy had with them. Now David’s men were conquerors, as superior in strength and skill in war;	²³⁷ The larger force did not want the disgrace of being defeated by Joab and his few officers, while David's soldiers strove for the honour of overcoming the many cohorts of the enemy. After a hard struggle David's men were victorious, due to their greater energy and skill in war.
²³⁷ Barach

²³⁸ φεύγοντας δὲ διὰ δρυμῶν καὶ φαράγγων ἑπόμενοι τοὺς μὲν ἐλάμβανον πολλοὺς δὲ ἀνῄρουν , ὡς φεύγοντας πεσεῖν πλείονας ἢ μαχομένους · ἔπεσον γὰρ ὡς δισμύριοι ἐπ᾽ ἐκείνης τῆς ἡμέρας . οἱ δὲ τοῦ ΔαυίδουDavid πάντες ὥρμησαν ἐπὶ τὸν ἈψάλωμονAbsalom · φανερὸς γὰρ αὐτοῖς ὑπό τε τοῦ κάλλους καὶ τοῦ μεγέθους ἐγένετο .
²³⁸ so they followed the others as they fled away through the forests and valleys; some they took prisoners, and many they slew, and more in the flight than in the battle for there fell about twenty thousand that day. But all David’s men ran violently upon Absalom, for he was easily known by his beauty and tallness.	²³⁸ They pursued those who fled through the forests and ravines, taking some as prisoners but killing many, so that more died in the flight than in the battle, and about twenty thousand fell that day. Then all David's men went after Absalom, who was recognizable by his beauty and size.
²³⁸ Barach

²³⁹ δείσας δέ , μὴ καταλάβωσιν αὐτὸν οἱ πολέμιοι , ἐπιβὰς τῆς ἡμιόνου τῆς βασιλικῆς ἔφευγε · φερόμενος δὲ μετὰ ῥύμης καὶ ὑπὸ τοῦ σάλου καὶ τῆς κινήσεως κοῦφος ὤν , ἐμπλακείσης αὐτῷ τῆς κόμης τραχεῖ δένδρῳ μεγάλοις ἐπὶ πολὺ κλάδοις ἐκτεταμένῳ παραδόξως ἀνακρεμνᾶται . Καὶ τὸ μὲν κτῆνος ὑπ᾽ ὀξύτητος ὡς ἐπικείμενον τὸν δεσπότην ἔτι φέρον ἐχώρειto make room, withdraw προσωτέρω , ὁ δ᾽ ἐκ τῶν κλάδων αἰωρούμενος ἐκρατεῖτο τοῖς πολεμίοις .
²³⁹ He was himself also afraid lest his enemies should seize on him, so he got upon the king’s mule, and fled; but as he was carried with violence, and noise, and a great motion, as being himself light, he entangled his hair greatly in the large boughs of a knotty tree that spread a great way, and there he hung, after a surprising manner; and as for the beast, it went on farther, and that swiftly, as if his master had been still upon his back; but he, hanging in the air upon the boughs, was taken by his enemies.	²³⁹ Afraid of being captured by his enemies, he mounted the royal mule and fled. But as he was carried along at full speed and dizzy with the noise and the motion, his hair became entangled in the branches of a rugged, wide-spreading tree, and he hung there oddly suspended. His swift mount kept going as if still ridden by his master, but hanging from the branches he was taken by the enemy.
²³⁹ Barach

²⁴⁰ τοῦτό τις ἰδὼν τῶν ΔαυίδουDavid στρατιωτῶν ἐδήλωσεν ἸωάβῳJoab , καὶ πεντήκοντα σίκλους ἂν αὐτῷ δεδωκέναι τοῦ στρατηγοῦ φήσαντος , εἰ βαλὼν ἀπέκτεινε τὸν ἈψάλωμονAbsalom , " οὐδ᾽ εἰ χιλίους , εἶπεν , ἔμελλές μοι παρέξειν , τοῦτ᾽ ἂν διέθηκά μου τὸν τοῦ δεσπότου παῖδα , καὶ ταῦτ᾽ ἐκείνου πάντων ἡμῶν ἀκουόντων φείσασθαι τοῦ νεανίσκου δεηθέντος.
²⁴⁰ Now when one of David’s soldiers saw this, he informed Joab of it; and when the general said, that if he had shot at and killed Absalom, he would have given him fifty shekels,—he replied, “I would not have killed my master’s son if thou wouldst have given me a thousand shekels, especially when he desired that the young man might be spared in the hearing of us all.”	²⁴⁰ When one of David's soldiers saw this, he told Joab, and when the general said that he would give him fifty shekels if he had struck and killed Absalom, he replied, "Not if you gave me a thousand would I kill my master's son, especially since we all heard him ask that the young man be spared."
²⁴⁰ Barach

²⁴¹ ὁ δὲ κελεύσας αὐτῷ δεῖξαι ποῦ κρεμάμενον ἴδοι τὸν ἈψάλωμονAbsalom τοξεύσαςto shoot (an arrow) κατὰ τῆς καρδίας ἀπέκτεινεν · οἱ δὲ τὰ τοῦ ἸωάβουJoab κομίζοντες ὅπλα περιστάντες ἐν κύκλῳ τὸ δένδρον κατασπῶσι τὸν νεκρόν ·
²⁴¹ But Joab bade him show him where it was that he saw Absalom hang; whereupon he shot him to the heart, and slew him, and Joab’s armor-bearers stood round the tree, and pulled down his dead body,	²⁴¹ But he ordered him to show where he had seen Absalom hanging; and then shot an arrow through his heart and killed him; and Joab's armour-bearers came around the tree and took down the corpse.
²⁴¹ Barach

²⁴² καὶ τὸν μὲν εἰς χάσμα βαθὺ καὶ ἀχανὲς ῥίψαντες ἐπιβάλλουσιν αὐτῷ λίθους , ὥστε ἀναπληρωθῆναι καὶ τὸ σχῆμα τάφου καὶ μέγεθος λαβεῖν , σημήνας δὲ ἀνακλητικὸν ὁ ἸώαβοςJoarib ἐπέσχε τοῦ διώκειν τοὺς οἰκείους στρατιώτας τὴν‎ τῶν πολεμίων δύναμιν φειδόμενος τῶν ὁμοφύλωνof the same race .
²⁴² and cast it into a great chasm that was out of sight, and laid a heap of stones upon him, till the cavity was filled up, and had both the appearance and the bigness of a grave. Then Joab sounded a retreat, and recalled his own soldiers from pursuing the enemy’s army, in order to spare their countrymen.	²⁴² They threw it into a large pit and filled it up with stones until it had the shape and size of a grave. Then Joab sounded the retreat and recalled his soldiers from pursuing the enemy forces, in order to spare their countrymen.
²⁴² Barach

²⁴³ Ἔστησε δ᾽ ἈψάλωμοςTalmai, Apsalomos ἐν τῇ κοιλάδι τῇ βασιλικῇ στήλην λίθου μαρμαρίνου δύο σταδίους ἀπέχουσαν ἹεροσολύμωνJerusalem , ἣν προσηγόρευσεν ἰδίαν χεῖρα λέγων , ὡς καὶ τῶν τέκνων αὐτοῦ‎ διαφθαρέντων ἐν τῇ στήλῃ μενεῖ τὸ ὄνομα · τέκνα γὰρ ἦν αὐτῷ τρία μὲν ἄρρενα , θυγάτηρ δὲ μία ΘωμάραThomar τοὔνομα , ὡς προειρήκαμεν .
²⁴³ Now Absalom had erected for himself a marble pillar in the king’s dale, two furlongs distant from Jerusalem, which he named Absalom’s Hand, saying, that if his children were killed, his name would remain by that pillar; for he had three sons and one daughter, named Tamar, as we said before,	²⁴³ Absalom had erected for himself a marble pillar in the Valley of Kings, two furlongs from Jerusalem, which he named Absalom's Hand, saying that even if his children were killed, his name would remain on that pillar; for as we said before, he had three sons and one daughter named Thomar.
²⁴³ Barach

²⁴⁴ συνοικησάσης δ᾽ αὐτῆς τῷ ΣολόμωνοςSolomon υἱῷ ῬοβοάμῳRoboam γίνεται παῖς ὁ διαδεξάμενος τὴν‎ βασιλείαν ἈβίαςAbias . Καὶ περὶ μὲν τούτων ἐν ὑστέροις οἰκειότερον τῇ ἱστορίᾳ δηλώσομεν . μετὰ δὲ τὴν‎ ἈψαλώμουAbsalom τελευτὴν ὁ μὲν λαὸς εἰς τὰ οἰκεῖα διεσπάρη .
²⁴⁴ who when she was married to David’s grandson, Rehoboam, bare a son, Abijah by name, who succeeded his father in the kingdom; but of these we shall speak in a part of our history which will be more proper. After the death of Absalom, they returned every one to their own homes respectively.	²⁴⁴ When she was married to Solomon's son, Roboam, she bore a son named Abias, who succeeded to the kingdom, but of these we shall speak later, in a more suitable part of our history. After the death of Absalom, the people dispersed to their own homes.
²⁴⁴ Barach

²⁴⁵ ἈχιμᾶςAhimas δὲ ὁ ΣαδώκουSadok τοῦ ἀρχιερέως υἱὸς ἸωάβῳJoab προσελθὼν ἐδεῖτο αὐτοῦ‎ τὴν‎ νίκην ἐπιτρέψαι πορευθέντι ΔαυίδῃDavid μηνῦσαι , καὶ ὅτι τῆς παρὰ τοῦ θεοῦ βοηθείας Ἔτυχε καὶ προνοίας εὐαγγελίσασθαι .
²⁴⁵ But now Ahimaaz, the son of Zadok the high priest, went to Joab, and desired he would permit him to go and tell David of this victory, and to bring him the good news that God had afforded his assistance and his providence to him.	²⁴⁵ Then Ahimas, son of the high priest Sadok, went to Joab to ask permission to go and tell David of this victory and announce the good news that God had shown his help and providence.
²⁴⁵ Barach

²⁴⁶ καὶ τὸν μέν , οὐ προσήκειν εἰπὼν αὐτῷ καλῶν ἄγγελον ἀεὶ γεγενημένον νῦν ἀπιέναι δηλώσοντα θάνατον τῷ βασιλεῖ τοῦ παιδὸς αὐτοῦ‎ , μένειν ἠξίου , καλέσας δὲ τὸν ΧουσὶνHushai ἐκείνῳ προσέταξε τὸ ἔργον , ἵν᾽ ὅπερ αὐτὸς εἶδε τοῦτο μηνύσειε τῷ βασιλεῖ .
²⁴⁶ However, he did not grant his request, but said to him, “Wilt thou, who hast always been the messenger of good news, now go and acquaint the king that his son is dead?” So he desired him to desist. He then called Cushi, and committed the business to him, that he should tell the king what he had seen.	²⁴⁶ But he refused, saying that it was not fitting for one who had always been the messenger of good news to go now and tell the king that his son was dead, so he bade him stay and called Chousi and told him to tell the king what he had seen.
²⁴⁶ Barach

²⁴⁷ τοῦ δ᾽ ἈχιμᾶAhimas πάλιν δεηθέντος αὐτῷ τὴν‎ ἀγγελίαν ἐφεῖναι , περὶ μόνης γὰρ αὐτὴν ποιήσεσθαι τῆς νίκης ἡσυχάσειν δὲ περὶ τῆς ἈψαλώμουAbsalom τελευτῆς , ἐπέτρεψεν αὐτῷ τὴν‎ πρὸς τὸν ΔαυίδηνDavid ἄφιξιν . Καὶ τὴν‎ ἐπιτομωτέραν ἐκβαλὼν τῶν ὁδῶν , καὶ γὰρ μόνος αὐτὴν ἐγίνωσκε , τὸν ΧουσὶνHushai φθάνει .
²⁴⁷ But when Ahimaaz again desired him to let him go as a messenger, and assured him that he would only relate what concerned the victory, but not concerning the death of Absalom, he gave him leave to go to David. Now he took a nearer road than the former did, for nobody knew it but himself, and he came before Cushi.	²⁴⁷ When Ahimas again asked to be allowed to bring the message and said that he would tell only about the victory and be silent about Absalom's death, he let him make the journey to David; and by taking a shorter road which he alone knew, he arrived before Chousi.
²⁴⁷ Barach

²⁴⁸ καθεζομένῳ δὲ ΔαυίδῃDavid μεταξὺ τῶν πυλῶν καὶ περιμένοντι , πότ᾽ αὐτῷ τις ἐλθὼν ἀπὸ τῆς μάχης ἀγγείλῃ τὰ κατ᾽ αὐτήν , τῶν σκοπῶν τις ἰδὼν τὸν ἈχιμᾶνAhimas τρέχοντα καὶ μήπω τίς ἐστι γνωρίσαι δυνάμενος εἶπε πρὸς τὸν ΔαυίδηνDavid βλέπειν τινὰ παραγινόμενον πρὸς αὐτόν .
²⁴⁸ Now as David was sitting between the gates, and waiting to see when somebody would come to him from the battle, and tell him how it went, one of the watchmen saw Ahimaaz running, and before he could discern who he was, he told David that he saw somebody coming to him,	²⁴⁸ Now as David sat between the gates, waiting for somebody to come to him from the battle and report about it, one of the watchmen saw Ahimaaz running and still unable to know who it was, told David that someone was coming to him.
²⁴⁸ Barach

²⁴⁹ τοῦ δ᾽ ἄγγελον εἶναι φήσαντος ἀγαθῶν , μετ᾽ ὀλίγον ἕπεσθαίto follow, obey τινα καὶ ἕτερον ἐδήλωσεν αὐτῷ . κἀκεῖνον δὲ ἄγγελον εἰπόντος , ἰδὼν τὸν ἈχιμᾶνAhimas ὁ σκοπὸς ἤδη ἐγγὺς γεγενημένον τὸν ΣαδώκουSadok παῖδα τοῦ ἀρχιερέως προστρέχειν ἐσήμαινεν . ὁ δὲ ΔαυίδηςDavid περιχαρὴς γενόμενος ἀγαθῶν ἄγγελον τοῦτον ἔφησεν εἶναι καί τι τῶν εὐκταίων αὐτῷ φέρειν ἀπὸ τῆς μάχης .
²⁴⁹ who said he was a good messenger. A little while after, he informed him that another messenger followed him; whereupon the king said that he also was a good messenger: but when the watchman saw Ahimaaz, and that he was already very near, he gave the king notice that it was the son of Zadok the high priest who came running. So David was very glad, and said he was a messenger of good tidings, and brought him some such news from the battle as he desired to hear.	²⁴⁹ As he was saying that it was a messenger of good news, he told him that another was following shortly after, and the king said that he also was a messenger. Ahimas was very near when the watchman recognized him and notified the king that the runner was the son of Sadok the high priest. David was very glad and said that the messenger was bringing back good news from the battle.
²⁴⁹ Barach

²⁵⁰ Καὶ μεταξὺ ταῦτα λέγοντος τοῦ βασιλέως φανεὶς ὁ ἈχιμᾶςAhimas προσκυνεῖ τὸν βασιλέα , καὶ πυθομένῳ περὶ τῆς μάχης νίκην εὐαγγελίζεται καὶ κράτος . ἐρομένῳ δ᾽ εἴ τι καὶ περὶ τοῦ παιδὸς ἔχοι λέγειν αὐτὸς μὲν ἔφασκεν εὐθὺς ὁρμῆσαι πρὸς αὐτὸν τῆς τροπῆς τῶν πολεμίων γενομένης , ἀκοῦσαι δὲ μεγάλης φωνῆς διωκόντων τὸν ἈψάλωμονAbsalom καὶ πλεῖον τούτου μηδὲν δεδυνῆσθαι μαθεῖν διὰ τὸ πεμφθέντα ὑπὸ ἸωάβουJoab δηλῶσαι τὴν‎ νίκην ἐπείγεσθαι .
²⁵⁰ While the king was saying thus, Ahimaaz appeared, and worshipped the king. And when the king inquired of him about the battle, he said he brought him the good news of victory and dominion. And when he inquired what he had to say concerning his son, he said that he came away on the sudden as soon as the enemy was defeated, but that he heard a great noise of those that pursued Absalom, and that he could learn no more, because of the haste he made when Joab sent him to inform him of the victory.	²⁵⁰ As the king was saying this, Ahimaaz appeared and bowed before the king and being asked about the battle, he announced the good news of decisive victory. When he inquired what news he had about his son, he said that he had left immediately after the enemy was defeated, but that he heard a great shout from the men pursuing Absalom but that he could learn no more, as he was sent by Joab to report the victory.
²⁵⁰ Barach

²⁵¹ παραγενομένου δὲ τοῦ ΧουσὶHushai καὶ προσκυνήσαντος καὶ τὴν‎ νίκην σημήναντος , περὶ τοῦ παιδὸς αὐτὸν ἀνέκρινεν . ὁ δ᾽ " ἐχθροῖς , εἶπε ,
²⁵¹ But when Cushi was come, and had worshipped him, and informed him of the victory, he asked him about his son, who replied, “May the like misfortune befall thine enemies as hath befallen Absalom.”	²⁵¹ Then when Chousi arrived and had bowed before him and told him of the victory, he asked him about his son. He replied, "May your enemies suffer the same fate as Absalom."
²⁵¹ Barach

²⁵² τοῖς σοῖς οἷα συμβέβηκεν ἈψαλώμῳAbsalom γένοιτο . Οὗτος ὁ λόγος οὐδὲ τὴν‎ ἐπὶ τῇ νίκῃ χαρὰν εἴασεν οὔτ᾽ αὐτῷ μεῖναι μεγίστην οὖσαν οὔτε τοῖς στρατιώταις · αὐτὸς μὲν γὰρ ἀναβὰς ἐπὶ τὸ ὑψηλότατον τῆς πόλεως ἀπεκλαίετο τὸν υἱὸν τυπτόμενος τὰ στέρνα καὶ τὴν‎ κεφαλὴν σπαραττόμενος καὶ παντοίως αὑτὸν αἰκιζόμενος καὶ " τέκνον , ἐκβοῶν , εἴθε μοι τὸν θάνατον ἐπελθεῖν ἐγένετο καὶ ἅμα σοι τελευτῆσαι " · φύσει γὰρ ὢν φιλόστοργος πρὸς ἐκεῖνον μᾶλλον συμπαθῶς εἶχεν .
²⁵² That word did not permit either himself or his soldiers to rejoice for the victory, though it was a very great one; but David went up to the highest part of the city, and wept for his son, and beat his breast, tearing [the hair of] his head, tormenting himself all manner of ways, and crying out, “O my son! I wish that I had died myself, and ended my days with thee!” for he was of a tender natural affection, and had extraordinary compassion for this son in particular.	²⁵² This news robbed him and his men of all joy at the victory, great though it was. David went up to the highest part of the city, and wept for his son, beating his breast, tearing at his head and hurting himself in many ways, as he cried out, "O my son! I wish that I myself had died and ended up with you!" for he was tender-hearted and exceptionally fond of him.
²⁵² Barach

²⁵³ ἡ στρατιὰ δὲ καὶ ἸώαβοςJoarib ἀκούσαντες , ὅτι πενθεῖ τὸν υἱὸν οὕτως ὁ βασιλεύς , ᾐσχύνθησαν μετὰ τοῦ τῶν νενικηκότων σχήματοςdeportment εἰσελθεῖν εἰς τὴν‎ πόλιν , κατηφεῖς δὲ καὶ δεδακρυμένοι πάντες ὡς ἀφ᾽ ἥττης παρῆλθον .
²⁵³ But when the army and Joab heard that the king mourned for his son, they were ashamed to enter the city in the habit of conquerors, but they all came in as cast down, and in tears, as if they had been beaten.	²⁵³ When the army and Joab heard how the king mourned for his son, they were ashamed to enter the city in the style of conquerors, but all appeared with downcast heads and in tears, as if in defeat.
²⁵³ Barach

²⁵⁴ κατακαλυψαμένου δὲ τοῦ βασιλέως καὶ στένοντος τὸν υἱὸν εἴσεισι πρὸς αὐτὸν ἸώαβοςJoarib καὶ παρηγορῶν " ὦ δέσποτα , φησί , λανθάνεις διαβάλλων σαυτὸν οἷς ποιεῖς , ὅτι τοὺς μὲν ἀγαπῶντάς σε καὶ περὶ σοῦ κινδυνεύοντας καὶ σαυτὸν καὶ τὴν‎ σὴν γενεὰν δοκεῖς μισεῖν , στέργειν δὲ τοὺς ἐχθροτάτους καὶ ποθεῖν οὐκέτ᾽ ὄντας , οἳ δίκῃ τεθνήκασιν ·
²⁵⁴ Now while the king covered himself, and grievously lamented his son, Joab went in to him, and comforted him, and said, “O my lord the king, thou art not aware that thou layest a blot on thyself by what thou now doest; for thou now seemest to hate those that love thee, and undergo dangers for thee nay, to hate thyself and thy family, and to love those that are thy bitter enemies, and to desire the company of those that are no more, and who have been justly slain;	²⁵⁴ While the king hid himself and groaned about his son, Joab went in to console him. "My lord," he said, "don't you see how you harm yourself by what you are doing? You seem to hate those who love you and have risked danger on your behalf; and even to hate yourself and your family and to love those most opposed to you and to desire the company of those who are no longer alive but have justly been killed.
²⁵⁴ Barach

²⁵⁵ εἰ γὰρ ἈψάλωμοςTalmai, Apsalomos ἐκράτησε καὶ τὴν‎ βασιλείαν βεβαίως κατέσχεν , οὐδενὸς ἂν ἡμῶν ὑπελείφθη λείψανον , ἀλλὰ πάντες ἂν ἀπὸ σοῦ καὶ τῶν σῶν ἀρξάμενοι τέκνων ἀπωλώλειμεν οἰκτρῶς , οὐ κλαιόντων ἡμᾶς τῶν πολεμίων ἀλλὰ καὶ χαιρόντων καὶ τοὺς ἐλεοῦντας ἐπὶ τοῖς κακοῖς κολαζόντων . σὺ δ᾽ οὐκ αἰσχύνῃ ταῦτα ποιῶν ἐπὶ μᾶλλον ἐχθρῷ , ὅτι σὸς υἱὸς ὢν ἀσεβὴς οὕτως ἐγένετο .
²⁵⁵ for had Absalom gotten the victory, and firmly settled himself in the kingdom, there had been none of us left alive, but all of us, beginning with thyself and thy children, had miserably perished, while our enemies had not wept for us, but rejoiced over us, and punished even those that pitied us in our misfortunes; and thou art not ashamed to do this in the case of one that has been thy bitter enemy, who, while he was thine own son hath proved so wicked to thee.	²⁵⁵ If Absalom were victorious and had won firm hold of the kingdom, none of us would be left alive, but all, beginning with yourself and your children, would have died miserably, and our enemies would have not wept but been glad about us, and punished even those who pitied our troubles. Are you not ashamed to act like this about your bitter enemy, one who though he was your own son, did such wrong?
²⁵⁵ Barach

²⁵⁶ παυσάμενος οὖν τῆς ἀδίκου λύπης προελθὼν ὄφθητι τοῖς σαυτοῦ στρατιώταις καὶ τῆς νίκης αὐτοῖς καὶ τῆς περὶ τοὺς ἀγῶνας προθυμίας εὐχαρίστησον . ὡς ἐγὼ τήμερον , ἂν ἐπιμένῃς τοῖς ἄρτι πραττομένοις , ἀναπείσας ἀποστῆναί σου τὸν λαὸν καὶ τὴν‎ βασιλείαν ἑτέρῳ παραδοῦναι , τότε σοι πικρότερον
²⁵⁶ Leave off, therefore, thy unreasonable grief, and come abroad and be seen of thy soldiers, and return them thanks for the alacrity they showed in the fight; for I myself will this day persuade the people to leave thee, and to give the kingdom to another, if thou continuest to do thus; and then I shall make thee to grieve bitterly and in earnest.”	²⁵⁶ So give up your misplaced grieving, and come out and be seen by your soldiers and thank them for their commitment in the fight. For if you continue as you are, I myself will persuade the people today to abandon you and hand over the kingdom to another, and then I shall do something to really cause you bitter grief."
²⁵⁶ Barach

²⁵⁷ καὶ ἀληθὲς ποιήσω τὸ πένθος . ταῦτ᾽ εἰπὼν ἸώαβοςJoarib ἀπέστρεψεν ἀπὸ τῆς λύπης καὶ ἤγαγεν εἰς τὸν περὶ τῶν πραγμάτων λογισμὸν τὸν βασιλέα · μετασχηματίσας γὰρ ἑαυτὸν ΔαυίδηςDavid καὶ ποιήσας ἐπιτήδειον εἰς τὴν‎ τοῦ πλήθους θέαν πρὸς ταῖς πύλαις ἐκάθισεν , ὡς ἅπαντα τὸν λαὸν ἀκούσαντα συνδραμεῖν πρὸς αὐτὸν καὶ κατασπάσασθαι . Καὶ ταῦτα μὲν τοῦτον ἔσχε τὸν τρόπον .
²⁵⁷ Upon Joab’s speaking thus to him, he made the king leave off his sorrow, and brought him to the consideration of his affairs. So David changed his habit, and exposed himself in a manner fit to be seen by the multitude, and sat at the gates; whereupon all the people heard of it, and ran together to him, and saluted him. And this was the present state of David’s affairs.	²⁵⁷ By these words Joab made the king leave aside his sorrow and made him aware of the state of affairs. So David changed his clothing and showed himself properly to the people and sat at the gates until all the people heard of it and ran together to greet him; and that was how matters stood.
²⁵⁷ Barach

Chapter 11
[258-293]
David's clemency toward Shimei and Sibas.
His faithful officer, Amasa, is killed by Joab

☜ ☞

²⁵⁸ Οἱ δ᾽ ἐκ τῆς μάχης ἀναχωρήσαντες τῶν ἙβραίωνHebrews τῶν μετ᾽ ἈψαλώμουAbsalom γενόμενοι παρ᾽ αὑτοῖς ἕκαστοι διεπέμποντο κατὰ πόλεις ὑπομιμνήσκοντες αὑτοὺς ὧν εὐηργέτησε ΔαυίδηςDavid καὶ τῆς ἐλευθερίας , ἣν ἐκ πολλῶν καὶ μεγάλων ῥυσάμενος αὐτοὺς πολέμων παρέσχε ,
²⁵⁸ Now those Hebrews that had been with Absalom, and had retired out of the battle, when they were all returned home, sent messengers to every city to put them in mind of what benefits David had bestowed upon them, and of that liberty which he had procured them, by delivering them from many and great wars.	²⁵⁸ After the Hebrews of Absalom's party had retreated from the battle and returned home, they sent messengers to every city to remind them of the benefits David had given them and the freedom he won for them through many great wars,
²⁵⁸ Barach

²⁵⁹ μεμφόμενοι δ᾽ ὅτι τῆς βασιλείας αὐτὸν ἐκβαλόντες ἄλλῳ ταύτην ἐνεχείρισαν καὶ νῦν τεθνηκότος τοῦ κατασταθέντος ὑπ᾽ αὐτῶν ἡγεμόνος οὐ παρακαλοῦσι ΔαυίδηνDavid παύσασθαι μὲν τῆς ὀργῆς , εὐνοικῶς δὲ πρὸς αὐτοὺς ἔχειν , τῶν δὲ πραγμάτων καθὼς ἤδη καὶ πρότερον ποιεῖσθαι πρόνοιαν τὴν‎ βασιλείαν ἀπολαβόντα .
²⁵⁹ But they complained, that whereas they had ejected him out of his kingdom, and committed it to another governor, which other governor, whom they had set up, was already dead, they did not now beseech David to leave off his anger at them, and to become friends with them, and, as he used to do, to resume the care of their affairs, and take the kingdom again.	²⁵⁹ and they blamed themselves for expelling him from his realm and giving it to another. Since the one they had given it to was now dead, should they not beg David to set aside his anger and become friends with them, and resume charge of their affairs and take the kingdom again?
²⁵⁹ Barach

²⁶⁰ ταῦτα μὲν οὖν συνεχέστερον ἀπηγγέλλετο ΔαυίδῃDavid · κἀκεῖνος οὐδὲν ἧττον ἔπεμψε πρὸς ΣάδωκονSadok καὶ ἈβιάθαρονAbiathar τοὺς ἀρχιερέας , ἵνα τοῖς ἄρχουσι τῆς ἸούδαJudas φυλῆς διαλεχθῶσιν , ὡς αἰσχρὸν αὐτοῖς ἄλλας φυλὰς πρὸ ἐκείνης ΔαυίδηνDavid χειροτονῆσαι βασιλέα , καὶ ταῦθ᾽ ὑμῶν συγγενῶν ὄντων καὶ κοινὸν αἷμα πρὸς αὐτὸν κεκληρωμένων .
²⁶⁰ This was often told to David. And, this notwithstanding, David sent to Zadok and Abiathar the high priests, that they should speak to the rulers of the tribe of Judah after the manner following: That it would be a reproach upon them to permit the other tribes to choose David for their king before their tribe, “and this,” said he, “while you are akin to him, and of the same common blood.”	²⁶⁰ Reports of this kind were regularly brought to David, but he sent to Sadok and Abiathar the high priests, to tell the officers of the tribe of Judas what a reproach upon them it would be if the other tribes chose David as king before they did, "although you are of the same flesh and blood with him."
²⁶⁰ Barach

²⁶¹ τὰ δ᾽ αὐτὰ καὶ ἈμασᾷAmasa τῷ στρατηγῷ προσέταξεν αὐτοὺς λέγειν , ὅτι τῆς ἀδελφῆς υἱὸς ὢν αὐτοῦ‎ μὴ πείθει τὸ πλῆθος ΔαυίδῃDavid τὴν‎ βασιλείαν ἀποδοῦναι · προσδοκᾶν δὲ παρ᾽ αὐτοῦ‎ μὴ διαλλαγὴν μόνον , τοῦτο γὰρ ἤδη γέγονεν , ἀλλὰ καὶ τὴν‎ παντὸς τοῦ λαοῦ στρατηγίαν , ἣν αὐτῷ καὶ ἈψάλωμοςTalmai, Apsalomos παρέσχε .
²⁶¹ He commanded them also to say the same to Amasa the captain of their forces, That whereas he was his sister’s son, he had not persuaded the multitude to restore the kingdom to David; that he might expect from him not only a reconciliation, for that was already granted, but that supreme command of the army also which Absalom had bestowed upon him.	²⁶¹ He bade them to tell general Amasa, his sister's son, that whereas he had not persuaded the people to restore the kingdom to David, he could expect from him not only a reconciliation, for this was already there, but also the command of all the army, as was already given to him by Absalom.
²⁶¹ Barach

²⁶² καὶ οἱ μὲν ἀρχιερεῖς ἃ μὲν τοῖς τῆς φυλῆς ἄρχουσι διειλέχθησαν ἃ δὲ τὸν ἈμασὰνAmasa ἔπεισαν τὰ παρὰ τοῦ βασιλέως πρὸς αὐτὸν εἰπόντες ἐγχειρεῖν ταῖς ὑπὲρ αὐτοῦ‎ φροντίσι . Καὶ πείθει γε τὴν‎ φυλὴν παραχρῆμα πέμψαι πρὸς ΔαυίδηνDavid πρέσβεις παρακαλοῦντας εἰς τὴν‎ ἰδίαν αὐτὸν ἐπανελθεῖν βασιλείαν . τὸ δ᾽ αὐτὸ καὶ πάντες ἐποίουν οἱ ἸσραηλῖταιIsraelites προτρεψαμένου τοῦ ἈμασᾶAmasa .
²⁶² Accordingly the high priests, when they had discoursed with the rulers of the tribe, and said what the king had ordered them, persuaded Amasa to undertake the care of his affairs. So he persuaded that tribe to send immediately ambassadors to him, to beseech him to return to his own kingdom. The same did all the Israelites, at the like persuasion of Amasa.	²⁶² When they had told the officers of the tribe what the king had ordered the high priests persuaded Amasa to take on the duties proposed by him. In turn, he persuaded that tribe to immediately send envoys to David, imploring him to return to his kingdom; and at Amasa's persuasion, all the Israelites did the same thing.
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²⁶³ Τῶν δὲ πρέσβεων ἀφικομένων πρὸς αὐτὸν εἰς ἹεροσόλυμαJerusalem παρεγένετο . πάντας δὲ τοὺς ἄλλους ἔφθασεν ἡ ἸούδαJudas φυλὴ πρὸς τὸν ἸόρδανονJordan ποταμὸν ἀπαντῆσαι τῷ βασιλεῖ καὶ ὁ ΓήραGera παῖς ΣαμούιςShimei μετὰ χιλίων ἀνδρῶν , οὓς ἐκ τῆς ΒενιαμίδοςBenjamin φυλῆς ἐπήγετο , καὶ ΣιβᾶςSibas δὲ ὁ ἀπελεύθερος ΣαούλουSaul καὶ οἱ παῖδες αὐτοῦ‎ πεντεκαίδεκα τὸν ἀριθμὸν ὄντες μετὰ οἰκετῶν εἴκοσιν .
²⁶³ When the ambassadors came to him, he came to Jerusalem; and the tribe of Judah was the first that came to meet the king at the river Jordan. And Shimei, the son of Gera, came with a thousand men, which he brought with him out of the tribe of Benjamin; and Ziba, the freed-man of Saul, with his sons, fifteen in number, and with his twenty servants.	²⁶³ When the envoys came to him, David went to Jerusalem, and Judas was the first of the tribes to come to meet the king at the river Jordan. And Shimei, son of Gera, came with a thousand men whom he brought from the tribe of Benjamin, and Saul's freedman Sibas and his fifteen sons and his twenty servants.
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²⁶⁴ οὗτοι σὺν τῇ ἸούδαJudas φυλῇ τὸν ποταμὸν ἐγεφύρωσαν , ἵνα ῥᾷστα διαβῇ μετὰ τῶν ἰδίων ὁ βασιλεύς . ὡς δὲ ἧκεν ἐπὶ τὸν ἸόρδανονJordan ἠσπάσατο μὲν αὐτὸν ἡ ἸούδαJudas φυλή , προσπεσὼν δ᾽ ἀναβάντι ἐπὶ τὴν‎ γέφυραν ΣαμούιςShimei καὶ κατασχὼν αὐτοῦ‎ τοὺς πόδας ἐδεῖτο συγγνῶναι περὶ τῶν εἰς αὐτὸν ἡμαρτημένων καὶ μὴ γενέσθαι πικρὸν αὐτῷ μηδὲ τοῦτο πρῶτον ἡγήσασθαιto go before, lead τὴν‎ τιμωρίαν ἐν ἐξουσίᾳ γενόμενον , λογίσασθαι δ᾽ ὅτι καὶ μετανοήσας ἐφ᾽ οἷς ἐσφάλη πρῶτος ἐλθεῖν πρὸς αὐτὸν ἔσπευσε .
²⁶⁴ All these, as well as the tribe of Judah, laid a bridge [of boats] over the river, that the king, and those that were with him, might with ease pass over it. Now as soon as he was come to Jordan, the tribe of Judah saluted him. Shimei also came upon the bridge, and took hold of his feet, and prayed him to forgive him what he had offended, and not to be too bitter against him, nor to think fit to make him the first example of severity under his new authority; but to consider that he had repented of his failure of duty, and had taken care to come first of all to him.	²⁶⁴ All these, as well as the tribe of Judas, laid a ford over the river, that the king and his companions might easily pass over. When he arrived at the Jordan, the tribe of Judas greeted him. Shimei also came to the crossing and took hold of his feet imploring pardon for his faults and not to be too harsh with him or make of him a first example of severity after coming to power, but rather to consider how he had repented of his errors and hastened to be the first to meet him.
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²⁶⁵ ταῦτα δ᾽ ἀντιβολοῦντος αὐτοῦ‎ καὶ οἰκτιζομένου ἈβεσσαῖοςAbishai ὁ ἸωάβουJoab ἀδελφός , " διὰ τοῦτο οὖν , εἶπεν , οὐ τεθνήξῃ βλασφημήσας τὸν ὑπὸ τοῦ θεοῦ κατασταθέντα βασιλεύειν ; ΔαυίδηςDavid δ᾽ ἐπιστραφεὶς πρὸς αὐτόν , " οὐ παύσεσθ᾽ , εἶπεν , ὦ ΣαρουίαςZeruias παῖδες ; μὴ κινήσητε πάλιν ἡμῖν καινὰς ἐπὶ ταῖς πρώταις ταραχὰς καὶ στάσεις ·
²⁶⁵ While he was thus entreating the king, and moving him to compassion, Abishai, Joab’s brother, said, “And shall not this man die for this, that he hath cursed that king whom God hath appointed to reign over us?” But David turned himself to him, and said, “Will you never leave off, ye sons of Zeruiah? Do not you, I pray, raise new troubles and seditions among us, now the former are over;	²⁶⁵ While he was so begging and imploring for mercy, Abishai, Joab's brother, said, "Should you not die because you cursed the king whom God has appointed to reign over us?" But David turned to him and said, "Will you not give up, you children of Sarouia? Do not stir up new troubles and rebellions among us, now that the past is past.
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²⁶⁶ οὐ γὰρ ἀγνοεῖν ὑμᾶς προσῆκεν , ὅτι σήμερον ἄρχομαι τῆς βασιλείας . διὸ πᾶσιν ἀφιέναι τὰς κολάσεις τοῖς ἀσεβήσασιν ὄμνυμι καὶ μηδενὶ τῶν ἁμαρτόντων ἐπεξελθεῖν . σύ τε , εἶπεν , ὦ ΣαμούιShimei , θάρρει καὶ δείσῃς μηδὲν ὡς τεθνηξόμενος . ὁ δὲ προσκυνήσας αὐτὸν προῆγεν .
²⁶⁶ for I would not have you ignorant that I this day begin my reign, and therefore swear to remit to all offenders their punishments, and not to animadvert on any one that has sinned. Be thou, therefore,” said he, “O Shimei, of good courage, and do not at all fear being put to death.” So he worshipped him, and went on before him.	²⁶⁶ For you should not be unaware that this day my reign begins and therefore I swear an amnesty to all rebels and not to prosecute anyone for their offences. And you, Shimei, take heart and have no fear of being put to death." So he reverenced him and went ahead of him.
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²⁶⁷ Ἀπήντησε δ᾽ αὐτῷ καὶ ὁ ΣαούλουSaul υἱωνὸς ΜεμφίβοσθοςMemphibosthos ῥυπαράν τε τὴν‎ ἐσθῆτα περικείμενος καὶ τὴν‎ κόμην βαθεῖαν καὶ κατημελημένην ἔχων · μετὰ γὰρ τὴν‎ ΔαυίδουDavid φυγὴν οὔτε ἀπεκείρατο λυπούμενος οὔτ᾽ ἐκάθηρε τὴν‎ ἐσθῆτα κατακρίνας αὑτοῦ συμφορὰν ταύτην ἐπὶ τῇ τοῦ βασιλέως μεταβολῇ · διεβέβλητο δὲ καὶ ὑπὸ τοῦ ἐπιτρόπου ΣιβᾶSibas πρὸς αὐτὸν ἀδίκως .
²⁶⁷ Mephibosheth also, Saul’s grandson, met David, clothed in a sordid garment, and having his hair thick and neglected; for after David was fled away, he was in such grief that he had not polled his head, nor had he washed his clothes, as dooming himself to undergo such hardships upon occasion of the change-of the king’s affairs. Now he had been unjustly calumniated to the king by Ziba, his steward.	²⁶⁷ Another who met him was Memphibosthos, Saul's grandson, wearing a soiled garment and with his hair thick and neglected, for after David's flight he was so grieved that he had neither cut his hair nor washed his clothes, but condemned himself to such hardships because of the change of the king's affairs, and he had been unjustly calumniated to the king by Sibas, his steward.
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²⁶⁸ ἀσπασαμένου δὲ αὐτοῦ‎ καὶ προσκυνήσαντος ἤρξατο πυνθάνεσθαι , τί δήποτ᾽ οὐ συνεξῆλθεν αὐτῷ καὶ κοινωνὸς ἦν τῆς φυγῆς ; ὁ δ᾽ ἀδίκημα τοῦτ᾽ ἔλεγεν εἶναι ΣιβᾶSibas · κελευσθεὶς γὰρ παρασκευάσαι τὰ πρὸς τὴν‎ ἔξοδον οὐκ ἐφρόντισεν , ἀλλ᾽ ὥσπερ ἀνδραπόδου τινὸς οὕτως παρήκουσεν .
²⁶⁸ When he had saluted the king, and worshipped him, the king began to ask him why he did not go out of Jerusalem with him, and accompany him during his flight. He replied, that this piece of injustice was owing to Ziba; because, when he was ordered to get things ready for his going out with him, he took no care of it, but regarded him no more than if he had been a slave;	²⁶⁸ When he had greeted the king and worshipped him, the king asked him why he did not leave Jerusalem with him and accompany him during his flight. He replied that it was due to Sibas, who when he was ordered to get things ready to depart with him, paid no heed but had scorned him as if he were a mere slave.
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²⁶⁹ εἰ μέντοι γε τὰς βάσεις εἶχον ἐρρωμένας , οὐκ ἂν ἀπελείφθην σου χρῆσθαι πρὸς τὴν‎ φυγὴν ταύταις δυνάμενος . οὐ τοῦτο δὲ μόνον ἠδίκησέ μου τὴν‎ πρὸς σέ , δέσποτα , εὐσέβειαν , ἀλλὰ καὶ προσδιέβαλε καὶ κατεψεύσατο κακουργῶν . ἀλλ᾽ οἶδα γάρ , ὅτι τούτων οὐδὲν ἡ σὴ διάνοια προσίεται δικαία τε οὖσα καὶ τὴν‎ ἀλήθειαν ἐνισχύειν βουλομένη καὶ τὸ θεῖον ἀγαπῶσα ·
²⁶⁹ “and, indeed, had I had my feet sound and strong, I had not deserted thee, for I could then have made use of them in my flight: but this is not all the injury that Ziba has done me, as to my duty to thee, my lord and master, but he hath calumniated me besides, and told lies about me of his own invention; but I know thy mind will not admit of such calumnies, but is righteously disposed, and a lover of truth,	²⁶⁹ "For if my feet were sound and strong, and I could have used them to flee I would not have deserted you. And this was not the only harm Sibas did to me, regarding my duty to you, my lord and master, for he maliciously slandered and calumniated me. But I know that you will not believe such calumnies, but are disposed to justice and love the truth, which God's will intends to prevail.
²⁶⁹ Barach

²⁷⁰ μείζονα γὰρ κινδυνεύσας παθεῖν ὑπὸ τοῦ πάππου τοὐμοῦ καὶ τῆς ὅλης ἡμῶν γενεᾶς ὀφειλούσης εἰς ἐκεῖνα ἀπολωλέναι , σύ τε μέτριος καὶ χρηστὸς ἐγένου τότε μάλιστα πάντων ἐκείνων λήθην ποιησάμενος , ὅτ᾽when ἐξουσίαν τῆς ὑπὲρ αὐτῶν τιμωρίας εἶχεν ἡ μνήμη . φίλον δὲ σὸνyou, yours ἔκρινας ἐμὲ καὶ ἐπὶ τῆς τραπέζης εἶχες ὁσημέραι , καὶ οὐδὲν ἀπέλειπον τῶν συγγενῶν τοῦ
²⁷⁰ which it is also the will of God should prevail. For when thou wast in the greatest danger of suffering by my grandfather, and when, on that account, our whole family might justly have been destroyed, thou wast moderate and merciful, and didst then especially forget all those injuries, when, if thou hadst remembered them, thou hadst the power of punishing us for them; but thou hast judged me to be thy friend, and hast set me every day at thine own table; nor have I wanted any thing which one of thine own kinsmen, of greatest esteem with thee, could have expected.”	²⁷⁰ For though my grandfather put you in grave danger and our whole family was due for destruction on that account, you were moderate and merciful and forgetting all those things, which, if you had borne them in mind, would have had us punished. Instead, you deemed me your friend and set me every day at your own table, no less honoured than your nearest relatives."
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²⁷¹ μάλιστα τιμωμένου . ταῦτ᾽ εἰπόντος οὔτε τὸν ΜεμφίβοσθονMemphibosthos ἔγνω κολάζειν οὔθ᾽ ὡς καταψευσαμένου τοῦ ΣιβᾶSibas πρὸς αὐτὸν καταδικάζειν , ἀλλ᾽ ὑπὲρ μὲν τοῦ [μὴ μετὰ ] ΣιβᾶSibas ἐλθεῖν ἐκείνῳ πάντα χαρίσασθαι φήσας αὐτῷ συγγινώσκειν ὑπέσχετο τὰ ἡμίση τῆς οὐσίας αὐτῷ κελεύσας ἀποδοθῆναι . ὁ δὲ ΜεμφίβοσθοςMemphibosthos " πάντ᾽ ἐχέτω μέν , εἶπε , ΣιβάςSibas , ἐμοὶ δ᾽ ἀπόχρηto be enough, suffice τὸ σὲ τὴν‎ βασιλείαν ἀπολαβεῖν ."
²⁷¹ When he had said this, David resolved neither to punish Mephibosheth, nor to condemn Ziba, as having belied his master; but said to him, that as he had [before] granted all his estate to Ziba, because he did not come along with him, so he [now] promised to forgive him, and ordered that the one half of his estate should be restored to him. Whereupon Mephibosheth said, “Nay, let Ziba take all; it suffices me that thou hast recovered thy kingdom.”	²⁷¹ At these words David resolved neither to punish Memphibosthos nor to condemn Sibas for having lied about his master. He said that as he had not left along with Sibas, he had given all his estate to the latter, but he promised to forgive him and ordered a half of his estate to be restored to him. Memphibosthos said, "Let Sibas have it all! It is enough for me that you have recovered your kingdom."
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²⁷² ΒεέρζελονBarzillai δὲ τὸν ΓαλαδίτηνGaladite ἄνδρα μέγαν καὶ καλὸν καὶ πολλὰ παρεσχημένον ἐν ταῖς ΠαρεμβολαῖςMahanaim αὐτῷ ΔαυίδηςDavid προπέμψαντα μέχρι τοῦ ἸορδάνουJordan παρεκάλει συνελθεῖν ἕως τῶν ἹεροσολύμωνJerusalem · γηρωκομήσειν γὰρ αὐτὸν ἐν πάσῃ‎ τιμῇ καὶ ὡς πατρὸς ἐπιμεληθήσεσθαι καὶ προνοήσειν ἐπηγγέλλετο .
²⁷² But David desired Barzillai the Gileadite, that great and good man, and one that had made a plentiful provision for him at Mahanaim, and had conducted him as far as Jordan, to accompany him to Jerusalem, for he promised to treat him in his old age with all manner of respect—to take care of him, and provide for him.	²⁷² David wanted Barzillai the Galadite, a great and good man who had provided plentifully for him at Mahanaim and guided him as far as the Jordan, to accompany him to Jerusalem, promising to treat him in his old age with all respect, and care and provide for him.
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²⁷³ ὁ δὲ πόθῳ τῶν οἴκοι παρῃτεῖτο τὴν‎ μετ᾽ αὐτοῦ‎ διατριβήν · καὶ τὸ γῆρας λέγων τοιοῦτον αὐτῷ τυγχάνειν , ὥστε μὴ ἀπολαύειν τῶν ἡδέων εἰς ὀγδοήκοντα ἔτη προβεβηκότος , ἀλλ᾽ ὥστε καταλύσεως ἤδη καὶ ταφῆς προνοεῖν , ἐπὶ ταύτην ἠξίου βουλόμενον αὐτῷ χαρίζεσθαι τὰ κατ᾽ ἐπιθυμίαν αὐτὸν ἀπολῦσαι ·
²⁷³ But Barzillai was so desirous to live at home, that he entreated him to excuse him from attendance on him; and said that his age was too great to enjoy the pleasures [of a court,] since he was fourscore years old, and was therefore making provision for his death and burial: so he desired him to gratify him in this request, and dismiss him;	²⁷³ But Barzillai was so keen to live at home that he begged to be excused from attending on him, and said that he was too old enjoy pleasures, as he was eighty years old and was preparing for his death and burial.
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²⁷⁴ οὔτε γὰρ τροφῆς οὔτε ποτοῦdrink συνιέναι διὰ τὸν χρόνον , ἀποκεκλεῖσθαι δ᾽ αὐτῷ καὶ τὰς ἀκοὰς ἤδη πρὸς αὐλῶν ἤχους καὶ μέλη τῶν ἄλλων ὀργάνων , ὅσα παρὰ βασιλεῦσι τέρπει τοὺς συνδιαιτωμένους . οὕτως δὲ λιπαρῶς δεομένου , " σὲ μέν , εἶπεν , ἀπολύω , τὸν δ᾽ υἱὸν ἈχίμανονAhimmaz ἄφες μοι · πάντων γὰρ αὐτῷ μετὰ
²⁷⁴ for he had no relish of his meat, or his drink, by reason of his age; and that his ears were too much shut up to hear the sound of pipes, or the melody of other musical instruments, such as all those that live with kings delight in. When he entreated for this so earnestly, the king said, “I dismiss thee, but thou shalt grant me thy son Chimham, and upon him I will bestow all sorts of good things.”	²⁷⁴ So he made this request and asked him to release him, for he had no relish in his food or drink, because of his age, as he was too deaf to hear the sound of pipes, or the melody of other musical instruments, the delight of those who live with kings. To this request the king said, "I do release you, but grant me your son Chimham and I will bestow all sorts of good things upon him."
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²⁷⁵ δώσω τῶν ἀγαθῶν. Καὶ ΒεέρζελοςBarzillai μὲν καταλιπὼν τὸν υἱὸν καὶ προσκυνήσας τὸν βασιλέα καὶ πάντων ἐπευξάμενος αὐτῷ τέλος ὧν ἔχει κατὰ ψυχὴν οἴκαδ᾽ ὑπέστρεψε . παραγίνεται δ᾽ εἰς ΓάλγαλαGalgala ΔαυίδηςDavid τοῦ λαοῦ παντὸς ἤδη τὸ ἥμισυ περὶ αὑτὸν ἔχων καὶ τὴν‎ ἸούδαJudas φυλήν.
²⁷⁵ So Barzillai left his son with him, and worshipped the king, and wished him a prosperous conclusion of all his affairs according to his own mind, and then returned home; but David came to Gilgal, having about him half the people [of Israel], and the [whole] tribe of Judah.	²⁷⁵ So Barzillai left his son with him and bowed before the king and wished him his hearts desire, and returned home. Then David came to Galgala, accompanied by half the people and the tribe of Judas.
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²⁷⁶ Ἀφικνοῦνταιto arrive at, reach δ᾽ εἰς ΓάλγαλαGalgala πρὸς αὐτὸν οἱ πάσης φυλῆς πρῶτοι μετὰ πολλοῦ πλήθους καὶ τὴν‎ ἸούδαJudas φυλὴν κατεμέμφοντο λάθρα πρὸς αὐτὸν ἐλθοῦσαν , ὡς δεῖν ὁμοῦ πάντας μιᾷ γνώμῃ ποιεῖσθαι τὴν‎ ἀπάντησιν . οἱ δ᾽ ἄρχοντες τῆς ἸούδαJudas φυλῆς μὴ δυσχεραίνειν αὐτοὺς ἠξίουν προληφθέντας · καὶ γὰρ συγγενεῖς ὄντες αὐτοῦ‎ καὶ διὰ τοῦτο μᾶλλον προνοούμενοι καὶ στέργοντες φθάσαι , οὐ μέντοι γε διὰ τὸ προελθεῖν δῶρα λαβεῖν αὐτούς , ἵν᾽ ἔχωσιν ἐπὶ τούτῳ δυσφορεῖν ὕστεροι πρὸς αὐτὸν ἐλθόντες .
²⁷⁶ Now the principal men of the country came to Gilgal to him with a great multitude, and complained of the tribe of Judah, that they had come to him in a private manner; whereas they ought all conjointly, and with one and the same intention, to have given him the meeting. But the rulers of the tribe of Judah desired them not to be displeased, if they had been prevented by them; for, said they, “We are David’s kinsmen, and on that account we the rather took care of him, and loved him, and so came first to him;” yet had they not, by their early coming, received any gifts from him, which might give them who came last any uneasiness.	²⁷⁶ The leaders of each tribe came to Galgala to him with a large crowd and complained that the tribe of Judas had come to him secretly, whereas they ought all to have met him together, with the same intention. But the leaders of the tribe of Judas implored them not to take offence at them for anticipating them; for, they said, "We are David's relatives, and we cared for him and loved him all the more, and so came to him first." They also said that they had not, by coming early, received any gifts from him, that should cause any uneasiness to those who came later.
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²⁷⁷ ταῦτα τῶν τῆς ἸούδαJudas φυλῆς ἡγεμόνων εἰπόντων οἱ τῶν ἄλλων ἄρχοντες οὐχ ἡσύχασαν , ἀλλ᾽ " ἡμεῖς μέν , ἔφασανto affirm, say , ὦ ἀδελφοί , θαυμάζομεν ὑμᾶς αὑτῶν ἀποκαλοῦντας μόνων συγγενῆ τὸν βασιλέα · ὁ γὰρ τὴν‎ ἁπάντων ἐξουσίαν παρὰ τοῦ θεοῦ λαβὼν πάντων ἡμῶν εἶναι συγγενὴς κρίνεται . Καὶ διὰ τοῦθ᾽ ὁ μὲν λαὸς ἕνδεκα μοίρας ἔχει , μίαν δ᾽ ὑμεῖς , καὶ πρεσβύτεροι ἐσμέν , καὶ οὐκ ἐποιήσατε δίκαια λεληθότως ἐλθόντες πρὸς τὸν βασιλέα ."
²⁷⁷ When the rulers of the tribe of Judah had said this, the rulers of the other tribes were not quiet, but said further, “O brethren, we cannot but wonder at you when you call the king your kinsman alone, whereas he that hath received from God the power over all of us in common ought to be esteemed a kinsman to us all; for which reason the whole people have eleven parts in him, and you but one part we are also elder than you; wherefore you have not done justly in coming to the king in this private and concealed manner.”	²⁷⁷ Though the leaders of the tribe of Judas said this, the officers of the other tribes were not appeased, but went on, "Brothers, we are surprised that you claim the king as your kinsman, whereas he who has received from God power over all of us should be reckoned a kinsman to us all, so that the whole people have eleven shares in him and you only one share. We are also older than you, so it was not right for you to come to the king privately and secretly."
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²⁷⁸ Τοιαῦτα τῶν ἡγεμόνων πρὸς ἀλλήλους διαλεχθέντων ἀνήρ τις πονηρὸς καὶ στάσει χαίρων , ὄνομα ΣαβαῖοςSabas υἱὸς δὲ ΒοχορίουBochorius τῆς ΒενιαμίτιδοςBenjamin φυλῆς , στὰς ἐν μέσῳ πρὸς τὸ πλῆθος μέγα βοήσας εἶπεν · " οὔτ᾽ ἔχει τις ἡμῶν παρὰ ΔαυίδουDavid μοίρας οὔτε κλῆρον
²⁷⁸ While these rulers were thus disputing one with another, a certain wicked man, who took a pleasure in seditious practices, (his name was Sheba, the son of Bichri, of the tribe of Benjamin,) stood up in the midst of the multitude, and cried aloud, and spake thus to them: “We have no part in David, nor inheritance in the son of Jesse.”	²⁷⁸ While the leaders disputed about this, Sabaios, son of Bochorius, of the tribe of Benjamin, a rogue who took a pleasure in rebellious actions, stood up among the people and said in a loud voice, "We have no share in David, nor any inheritance in the son of Jesse."
²⁷⁸ Barach

²⁷⁹ παρὰ τῷ ἸεσσαίουJesse παιδί . Καὶ μετὰ τοὺς λόγους σαλπίσας κέρατι σημαίνει πόλεμον πρὸς τὸν βασιλέα , καὶ πάντες ἠκολούθησαν ἐκείνῳ ΔαυίδηνDavid καταλιπόντες · μόνη δ᾽ αὐτῷ παρέμεινεν ἡ ἸούδαJudas φυλὴ καὶ κατέστησεν αὐτὸν εἰς τὸ ἐν ἹεροσολύμοιςJerusalem βασίλειον . Καὶ τὰς μὲν παλλακάς , αἷς ὁ υἱὸς αὐτοῦ‎ συνῆλθεν ἈψάλωμοςTalmai, Apsalomos , εἰς ἄλλην μετήγαγεν οἰκίαν πάντα προστάξας αὐταῖς χορηγεῖν τὰ ἐπιτήδεια τοὺς ἐπιμελομένους , αὐτὸς δ᾽ οὐκέτ᾽ ἐπλησίαζεν αὐταῖς .
²⁷⁹ And when he had used those words, he blew with a trumpet, and declared war against the king; and they all left David, and followed him; the tribe of Judah alone staid with him, and settled him in his royal palace at Jerusalem. But as for his concubines, with whom Absalom his son had accompanied, truly he removed them to another house, and ordered those that had the care of them to make a plentiful provision for them, but he came not near them any more.	²⁷⁹ After those words, he blew a trumpet and declared war on the king, so that all followed him, abandoning David; only the tribe of Judas stood by him and brought him back to his royal palace in Jerusalem. Then he moved his concubines, with whom Absalom his son had lain, to another house, telling their attendants to make plentiful provision for them, but he never went near them again.
²⁷⁹ Barach

²⁸⁰ ἀποδείκνυσι δὲ καὶ τὸν ἈμασὰνAmasa στρατηγὸν καὶ τὴν‎ τάξιν αὐτῷ ἐφ᾽ ἧς ἸώαβοςJoarib ἦν δίδωσιν ἐκέλευσέ τε στρατιὰν ὅσην δύναται συναγαγόντ᾽ ἐκ τῆς ἸούδαJudas φυλῆς μεθ᾽ ἡμέρας τρεῖς ὡς αὐτὸν ἐλθεῖν , ἵνα παραδοὺς αὐτῷ πᾶσαν τὴν‎ δύναμιν ἐκπέμψῃ πολεμήσοντα τὸν υἱὸν τοῦ ΒοχορίουBochorius .
²⁸⁰ He also appointed Amass for the captain of his forces, and gave him the same high office which Joab before had; and he commanded him to gather together, out of the tribe of Judah, as great an army as he could, and come to him within three days, that he might deliver to him his entire army, and might send him to fight against [Sheba] the son of Bichri.	²⁸⁰ He appointed Amasa as commander of his forces and gave him the high office that Joab had held before, and told him to gather as large an army as possible from the tribe of Judas, and to come to him in three days, when he would hand over his entire army to him and send him to fight against the son of Bochorius.
²⁸⁰ Barach

²⁸¹ ἐξελθόντος δὲ τοῦ ἈμασᾶAmasa καὶ περὶ τὴν‎ ἄθροισιν τῆς στρατιᾶς βραδύνοντος , ὡς οὐκ ἐπανῄει τῇ τρίτῃ τῶν ἡμερῶν ὁ βασιλεὺς πρὸς τὸν ἸώαβονJoab ἔλεγεν οὐκ εἶναι σύμφορον ἀνοχὴν τῷ ΣαβαίῳSabaios διδόναι , μὴ γενόμενος ἐν πλείονι παρασκευῇ μειζόνων κακῶν καὶ πραγμάτων αἴτιος , ἢ ἈψάλωμοςTalmai, Apsalomos αὐτοῖς κατέστη , γένηται .
²⁸¹ Now while Amass was gone out, and made some delay in gathering the army together, and so was not yet returned, on the third day the king said to Joab, “It is not fit we should make any delay in this affair of Sheba, lest he get a numerous army about him, and be the occasion of greater mischief, and hurt our affairs more than did Absalom himself;	²⁸¹ While Amasa had left, but delayed in gathering the army and had not yet returned, on the third day the king said to Joab, "It is not right to delay our attack on Sabaios, in case he gathers a greater force and causes more harm and damage to our affairs than even Absalom.
²⁸¹ Barach

²⁸² μὴ περίμενε τοίνυν μηδένα , ἀλλὰ τὴν‎ οὖσαν παραλαβὼν δύναμιν καὶ τοὺς ἑξακοσίους μετὰ ἈβεσσαίουAbishai τοῦ Ἀδελφοῦ σου δίωκε τὸν πολέμιον . Καὶ ὅπου ποτ᾽ ἂν αὐτὸν καταλάβῃς ὄντα πειράθητι συμβαλεῖν · σπούδασον δ᾽ αὐτὸν φθάσαι , μὴ πόλεις ὀχυρὰς καταλαβόμενος ἀγῶνας ἡμῖν καὶ πολλοὺς ἱδρῶτας παρασκευάσῃ ."
²⁸² do not thou therefore wait any longer, but take such forces as thou hast at hand, and that [old] body of six hundred men, and thy brother Abishai, with thee, and pursue after our enemy, and endeavor to fight him wheresoever thou canst overtake him. Make haste to prevent him, lest he seize upon some fenced cities, and cause us great labor and pains before we take him.”	²⁸² So do not wait any longer, but take with you such forces as you have at hand and the troop of six hundred men and with your brother Abishai pursue the enemy, and try to engage him wherever you catch him. Hurry to prevent him from seizing some fortified cities and so causing us much toil and effort."
²⁸² Barach

²⁸³ ἸώαβοςJoarib δ᾽ οὐκέτι μέλλειν ἔκρινεν , ἀλλὰ τόν τε ἀδελφὸν καὶ τοὺς ἑξακοσίους παραλαβὼν καὶ ὅση λοιπὴ δύναμις ἦν ἐν τοῖς ἹεροσολύμοιςJerusalem ἕπεσθαι κελεύσας ἐξώρμησεν ἐπὶ τὸν ΣαβαῖονSabaios . ἤδη δ᾽ ἐν ΓαβαώνGibeon , κώμη δ᾽ ἐστὶν αὕτη σταδίους ἀπέχουσα τεσσαράκοντα τῶν ἹεροσολύμωνJerusalem , γεγενημένος πολλὴν ἈμασᾶAmasa δύναμιν ἀγαγόντος ἀπήντησεν αὐτῷ διεζωσμένος μάχαιραν καὶ θώρακα ἐνδεδυμένος ὁ ἸώαβοςJoarib ·
²⁸³ So Joab resolved to make no delay, but taking with him his brother, and those six hundred men, and giving orders that the rest of the army which was at Jerusalem should follow him, he marched with great speed against Sheba; and when he was come to Gibeon, which is a village forty furlongs distant from Jerusalem, Amasa brought a great army with him, and met Joab. Now Joab was girded with a sword, and his breastplate on;	²⁸³ Joab determined to wait no longer, but took his brother and the six hundred men and ordered the rest of the army in Jerusalem to follow him, and quickly marched against Sabaios, and when he reached Gabaon, a village forty furlongs from Jerusalem, Amasa brought a large army and met Joab. Now Joab was girded with a sword and had his breastplate on, and when Amasa came near him to greet him, he arranged that his sword should fall out, as though by accident.
²⁸³ Barach

²⁸⁴ προσιόντος δὲ ἀσπάσασθαι τοῦ ἈμασᾶAmasa φιλοτεχνεῖ τὴν‎ μάχαιραν αὐτομάτως ἐκ τῆς θήκης ἐκπεσεῖν , βαστάσας δ᾽ αὐτὴν ἀπὸ τῆς γῆς καὶ τῇ ἑτέρᾳ τὸν ἈμασᾶνAmasa ἐγγὺς γενόμενον ὡς καταφιλήσων τοῦ γενείου λαβόμενος οὐ προιδόμενον εἰς τὴν‎ γαστέρα πλήξας ἀπέκτεινεν , ἀσεβὲς ἔργον διαπραξάμενος καὶ παντελῶς ἀνόσιονprofane , ἀγαθὸν νεανίαν καὶ συγγενῆ καὶ μηδὲν ἀδικήσαντα ζηλοτυπήσας τῆς στρατηγίας καὶ τῆς παρὰ τῷ βασιλεῖ πρὸς αὐτὸν ἰσοτιμίας .
²⁸⁴ and when Amasa came near him to salute him, he took particular care that his sword should fall out, as it were, of its own accord: so he took it up from the ground, and while he approached Amasa, who was then near him, as though he would kiss him, he took hold of Amasa’s beard with his other hand, and he smote him in his belly when he did not foresee it, and slew him. This impious and altogether profane action Joab did to a good young man, and his kinsman, and one that had done him no injury, and this out of jealousy that he would obtain the chief command of the army, and be in equal dignity with himself about the king;	²⁸⁴ When Amasa approached as though to kiss him, he took up his sword and gripped Amasa's beard with his other hand and unexpectedly struck him in his belly and killed him. Joab did this impious, outrageous thing to a good young man, his own kinsman who had done him no harm, simply from a jealous fear that he would get the chief command of the army and enjoy equal status to himself with the king.
²⁸⁴ Barach

²⁸⁵ διὰ ταύτην γὰρ τὴν‎ αἰτίαν καὶ τὸν ἈβενῆρονAbner ἐφόνευσεν . ἀλλ᾽ ἐκεῖνο μὲν αὐτοῦ‎ τὸ παρανόμημα πρόφασις εὐπρεπὴς συγγνωστὸν ἐδόκει ποιεῖν , ὁ ἀδελφὸς ἈσάηλοςAsahel ἐκδεδικῆσθαι νομιζόμενος , τοῦ δ᾽ ἈμασᾶAmasa φόνου οὐδὲν τοιοῦτον ἔσχε παρακάλυμμα .
²⁸⁵ and for the same cause it was that he killed Abner. But as to that former wicked action, the death of his brother Asahel, which he seemed to revenge, afforded him a decent pretense, and made that crime a pardonable one; but in this murder of Amasa there was no such covering for it.	²⁸⁵ For the same reason he killed Abner. But the death of his brother Asahel which it was meant to avenge gave a decent pretext for the earlier killing and made it pardonable, while there was no such excuse for this murder of Amasa.
²⁸⁵ Barach

²⁸⁶ ἀποκτείνας δὲ τὸν συστράτηγον ἐδίωκε τὸν ΣαβαῖονSabaios καταλιπὼν ἕνα πρὸς τῷ νεκρῷ βοᾶν ἐντειλάμενος πρὸς τὴν‎ στρατιάν , ὅτι τέθνηκεν ἈμασᾶςAmasa δικαίως καὶ μετ᾽ αἰτίας κολαζούσης · εἰ δὲ φρονεῖτε τὰ τοῦ βασιλέως , ἕπεσθε τῷ στρατηγῷ αὐτοῦ‎ ἸωάβῳJoab καὶ
²⁸⁶ Now when Joab had killed this general, he pursued after Sheba, having left a man with the dead body, who was ordered to proclaim aloud to the army, that Amasa was justly slain, and deservedly punished. “But,” said he, “if you be for the king, follow Joab his general, and Abishai, Joab’s brother:”	²⁸⁶ When Joab had killed his fellow-general, he pursued Sabaios, leaving a man beside the corpse with orders to proclaim aloud to the army that Amasa had been justly and deservedly punished, and to say, "if you are for the king, follow his general, Joab, and Abishai his brother!"
²⁸⁶ Barach

²⁸⁷ ἈβεσσαίῳAbishai τῷ τούτου ἀδελφῷ . κειμένου δὲ τοῦ σώματος ἐπὶ τῆς ὁδοῦ καὶ παντὸς τοῦ πλήθους ἐπ᾽ αὐτῷ συρρέοντος καὶ οἷον ὄχλος φιλεῖ ἐθαύμαζον ἠλέουν προιστάμενοι · βαστάσας δ᾽ ἐκεῖθεν ὁ φύλαξ καὶ κομίσας εἴς τι χωρίον ἀπωτάτω τῆς ὁδοῦ τίθησιν αὐτόθι καὶ καλύπτει ἱματίῳ . τούτου γενομένου πᾶς ὁ λαὸς ἠκολούθησε τῷ ἸωάβῳJoab .
²⁸⁷ but because the body lay on the road, and all the multitude came running to it, and, as is usual with the multitude, stood wondering a great while at it, he that guarded it removed it thence, and carried it to a certain place that was very remote from the road, and there laid it, and covered it with his garment. When this was done, all the people followed Joab.	²⁸⁷ But as the body lay on the road and all the people came running to it, and, as is usual with crowds, stood gazing at it, the guard moved it and brought it to a place remote from the road, where he laid it and covered it with a garment. After this all the people followed Joab.
²⁸⁷ Barach

²⁸⁸ διώξαντι δ᾽ αὐτῷ διὰ πάσης τῆς ἸσραηλιτῶνIsrael, Israelites χώρας τὸν ΣαβαῖονSabaios δηλοῖ τις ἐν ὀχυρᾷ πόλει τυγχάνειν ἈβελωχέᾳAbelbeth-Maachah λεγομένῃ . παραγενόμενος δ᾽ ἐκεῖ καὶ τῇ στρατιᾷ περικαθίσας τὴν‎ πόλιν καὶ χαράκωμα περὶ αὐτὴν πηξάμενος ὑπορύσσειν ἐκέλευσε τοῖς στρατιώταις τὰ τείχη καὶ καταβάλλειν αὐτά · μὴ δεξαμένων γὰρ αὐτὸν τῶν ἐν τῇ πόλει χαλεπῶς πρὸς αὐτοὺς διετέθη .
²⁸⁸ Now as he pursued Sheba through all the country of Israel, one told him that he was in a strong city, called Abelbeth-maachah. Hereupon Joab went thither, and set about it with his army, and cast up a bank round it, and ordered his soldiers to undermine the walls, and to overthrow them; and since the people in the city did not admit him, he was greatly displeased at them.	²⁸⁸ Now as he pursued Sabaios through all the region of Israel, someone said he was in a stronghold called Abelbeth-maachah. Joab went there and laid siege to it with his army and threw up a bank around it, ordering his soldiers to undermine the walls and throw them down, for the people in the city did not let him in and he was highly angry with them.
²⁸⁸ Barach

²⁸⁹ Γύναιον δέ τι σῶφρον καὶ συνετὸν ἐν ἐσχάτοις ἤδη τὴν‎ πατρίδα κειμένην θεασάμενον ἀναβὰν ἐπὶ τὸ τεῖχος προσκαλεῖται διὰ τῶν ὁπλιτῶν τὸν ἸώαβονJoab . προσελθόντος δ᾽ ἤρξατο λέγειν , ὡς ὁ θεὸς τοὺς βασιλεῖς καὶ τοὺς στρατηγοὺς ἀποδείξειεν , ἵνα τοὺς πολεμίους τοὺς ἙβραίωνHebrews ἐξαιρῶσι καὶ παρέχωσιν αὐτοῖς εἰρήνην ἀπ᾽ αὐτῶν · σὺ δὲ σπουδάζεις μητρόπολιν ἸσραηλιτῶνIsrael, Israelites καταβαλεῖν
²⁸⁹ Now there was a woman of small account, and yet both wise and intelligent, who seeing her native city lying at the last extremity, ascended upon the wall, and, by means of the armed men, called for Joab; and when he came to her, she began to say, That “God ordained kings and generals of armies, that they might cut off the enemies of the Hebrews, and introduce a universal peace among them; but thou art endeavoring to overthrow and depopulate a metropolis of the Israelites, which hath been guilty of no offense.”	²⁸⁹ There was a small, wise and intelligent woman, who seeing her native town in dire straits, ascended the wall and summoned Joab through his soldiers. When he came to her, she started by saying that God appointed kings and generals of armies to destroy the enemies of the Hebrews and win them peace from them, "but here you are, trying to sack and destroy a major city of the Israelites, which has done no wrong."
²⁸⁹ Barach

²⁹⁰ καὶ πορθῆσαι μηδὲν ἐξαμαρτοῦσαν . ὁ δὲ ἵλεων μὲν εὔχεται τὸν θεὸν αὐτῷ διαμένειν , αὐτὸς δ᾽ οὕτως ἔχειν εἶπεν , ὡς μηδένα τοῦ λαοῦ φονεῦσαι , οὐχ ὅτι πόλιν ἐξελεῖν βούλεσθαι τηλικαύτην · λαβὼν μέντοι παρ᾽ αὐτῶν τὸν ἀντάραντα τῷ βασιλεῖ πρὸς τιμωρίαν ΣαβαῖονSabaios υἱὸν δὲ ΒοχορίουBochorius παύσεσθαι τῆς πολιορκίας καὶ τὴν‎ στρατιὰν ἀπάξειν .
²⁹⁰ But he replied, “God continue to be merciful unto me: I am disposed to avoid killing any one of the people, much less would I destroy such a city as this; and if they will deliver me up Sheba, the son of Bichri, who hath rebelled against the king, I will leave off the siege, and withdraw the army from the place.”	²⁹⁰ Then he prayed for the continued mercy of God, and said he wanted to avoid killing any of the people, much less to destroy such a city as this, and if they handed over Sabaios, son of Bochorius, who has rebelled against the king, he would give up the siege and withdraw the army.
²⁹⁰ Barach

²⁹¹ ὡς δ᾽ ἤκουσεν ἡ γυνὴ τὰ παρὰ τοῦ ἸωάβουJoab μικρὸν ἐπισχεῖν δεηθεῖσα , τὴν‎ γὰρ κεφαλὴν εὐθέως αὐτῷ ῥιφήσεσθαι τὴν‎ τοῦ πολεμίου , καταβαίνει πρὸς τοὺς πολίτας καὶ " βούλεσθ᾽ , εἰποῦσα , κακοὶ κακῶς ἀπολέσθαι μετὰ τέκνων καὶ γυναικῶν ὑπὲρ ἀνθρώπου πονηροῦ καὶ μηδὲ τίς ἐστι γνωριζομένου καὶ τοῦτον ἔχειν ἀντὶ ΔαυίδουDavid τοῦ τοσαῦτ᾽ εὐεργετήσαντος ὑμᾶς βασιλέα καὶ πρὸς δύναμιν
²⁹¹ Now as soon as the woman heard what Joab said, she desired him to intermit the siege for a little while, for that he should have the head of his enemy thrown out to him presently. So she went down to the citizens, and said to them, “Will you be so wicked as to perish miserably, with your children and wives, for the sake of a vile fellow, and one whom nobody knows who he is? And will you have him for your king instead of David, who hath been so great a benefactor to you, and oppose your city alone to such a mighty and strong army?”	²⁹¹ On hearing Joab's words the woman bade him to wait a while and the head of his enemy would instantly be thrown out to him. Then she went down to the citizens and said, "Do you want to be wicked and die ignobly, along with your children and wives, for the sake of a worthless fellow whom no one knows? Do you want him for your king instead of David, who has done you good in so many ways, and set your city alone against such a mighty army?"
²⁹¹ Barach

²⁹² τοσαύτην καὶ τηλικαύτην ἀνταίρειν μίαν πόλιν ; πείθει τὴν‎ κεφαλὴν ἀποτεμόντας τοῦ ΣαβαίουSabaios ῥῖψαι ταύτην εἰς τὸ τοῦ ἸωάβουJoab στράτευμα . τούτου γενομένου σημήνας ἀνακλητικὸν ὁ τοῦ βασιλέως στρατηγὸς ἔλυσε τὴν‎ πολιορκίαν καὶ παραγενόμενος εἰς ἹεροσόλυμαJerusalem παντὸς ἀποδείκνυται πάλιν τοῦ λαοῦ στρατηγός .
²⁹² So she prevailed with them, and they cut off the head of Sheba, and threw it into Joab’s army. When this was done, the king’s general sounded a retreat, and raised the siege. And when he was come to Jerusalem, he was again appointed to be general of all the people.	²⁹² So she persuaded them and they cut off the head of Sabaios and threw it to Joab's army. When this was done, the king's general sounded a retreat and raised the siege, and when he arrived in Jerusalem, he was again appointed general of the whole people.
²⁹² Barach

²⁹³ καθίστησι δὲ καὶ ΒαναῖονBanaion ὁ βασιλεὺς ἐπὶ τῶν σωματοφυλάκωνbodyguard καὶ τῶν ἑξακοσίων , ἈδώραμονAdoram δ᾽ ἐποίησεν ἐπὶ τῶν φόρων καὶ ἸωσάφατονJosaphat υἱὸν ἈχίλουAchilus ἐπὶ τῶν ὑπομνημάτων , ΣουσὰνSousa δὲ γραμματέα , ΣάδωκονSadok δὲ καὶ ἈβιάθαρονAbiathar ἀπέφηνεν ἱερεῖς .
²⁹³ The king also constituted Benaiah captain of the guards, and of the six hundred men. He also set Adoram over the tribute, and Sabathes and Achilaus over the records. He made Sheva the scribe, and appointed Zadok and Abiathar the high priests.	²⁹³ The king also set Benaiah over the bodyguards and the six hundred men. He set Adoram over the tax and Josaphat the son of Achilos over the records. He also appointed Sousa as scribe and Sadok and Abiathar as high priests.
²⁹³ Barach

Chapter 12
[294-317]
Famine averted, when the Gabaonites' vengeance is satisfied.
David's great prosperity

☜ ☞

²⁹⁴ μετὰ δὲ ταῦτα τῆς χώρας λιμῷ φθειρομένης ἱκέτευε ΔαυίδηςDavid τὸν θεὸν ἐλεῆσαι τὸν λαὸν καὶ τὴν‎ αἰτίαν αὐτῷ καὶ τὴν‎ ἴασιν φανερὰν ποιῆσαι τῆς νόσου . τῶν δὲ προφητῶν εἰπόντων βούλεσθαι τὸν θεὸν ἐκδικίας τυχεῖν τοὺς ΓαβαωνίταςGibeonite , οὓς ΣαοῦλοςSaul ὁ βασιλεὺς ἀποκτείνας ἠσέβησεν ἐξαπατήσας καὶ τοὺς ὅρκους αὐτοῖς , οὓς ὁ στρατηγὸς ἸησοῦςJesus, Joshua ὤμοσε καὶ ἡ γερουσία , μὴ φυλάξας ·
²⁹⁴ After this, when the country was greatly afflicted with a famine, David besought God to have mercy on the people, and to discover to him what was the cause of it, and how a remedy might be found for that distemper. And when the prophets answered, that God would have the Gibeonites avenged whom Saul the king was so wicked as to betray to slaughter, and had not observed the oath which Joshua the general and the senate had sworn to them:	²⁹⁴ Then when the region was afflicted by famine, David begged God to have mercy on the people and to show him the reason for the affliction, and its remedy. The prophets replied that God wanted the Gabaonites avenged, whom king Saul had so wickedly slaughtered, treacherously violating the oath which general Joshua and the elders had sworn to them.
²⁹⁴ Barach

²⁹⁵ ἐὰν τοίνυν δίκην ἣν αὐτοὶ θέλουσιν οἱ ΓαβαωνῖταιGibeonite λαβεῖν ὑπὲρ τῶν ἀνῃρημένων ταύτην αὐτοῖς παράσχῃ , διαλλαγήσεσθαι καὶ τὸν ὄχλον ἀπαλλάξειν τῶν κακῶν ἐπηγγέλλετο .
²⁹⁵ If, therefore, said God, the king would permit such vengeance to be taken for those that were slain as the Gibeonites should desire, he promised that he would be reconciled to them, and free the multitude from their miseries.	²⁹⁵ If he would allow the Gabaonites to take whatever vengeance they wished for those who had been killed, He promised to be reconciled to them and free the people from their affliction.
²⁹⁵ Barach

²⁹⁶ ὡς οὖν ταῦτα παρὰ τῶν προφητῶν ἔμαθεν ἐπιζητεῖν τὸν θεόνGod , Μεταπέμπεται τοὺς ΓαβαωνίταςGibeonite καὶ τίνος βούλονται τυχεῖν ἐπηρώτα . τῶν δ᾽ ἐκ τοῦ γένους τοῦ ΣαούλουSaul παραλαβεῖν ἑπτὰ παῖδας ἀξιωσάντωνto think worthy πρὸς τιμωρίαν , ὁ βασιλεὺς ἀναζητήσας παρέδωκεν αὐτοῖς ἸεβόσθουMemphibosthos φεισάμενος τοῦ ἸωνάθουJonathan παιδός .
²⁹⁶ As soon therefore as the king understood that this it was which God sought, he sent for the Gibeonites, and asked them what it was they should have; and when they desired to have seven sons of Saul delivered to them to be punished, he delivered them up, but spared Mephibosheth the son of Jonathan.	²⁹⁶ When he learned from the prophets that this was God's desire, he sent for the Gabaonites and asked them what satisfaction they desired, and when they asked to have seven sons of Saul handed over to them for punishment, he handed them over, but spared Memphibosthos the son of Jonathan.
²⁹⁶ Barach

²⁹⁷ παραλαβόντες δ᾽ οἱ ΓαβαωνῖταιGibeonite τοὺς ἄνδρας ὡς ἐβούλοντο ἐκόλασαν . ἤρξατο δ᾽ ὕειν παραχρῆμα ὁ θεὸς καὶ τὴν‎ γῆν πρὸς γονὴν καρπῶν ἀνακαλεῖν ἀπολύσας τοῦ πρότερον αὐχμοῦ · καὶ πάλιν εὐθήνησεν ἡ τῶν ἙβραίωνHebrews χώρα .
²⁹⁷ So when the Gibeonites had received the men, they punished them as they pleased; upon which God began to send rain, and to recover the earth to bring forth its fruits as usual, and to free it from the foregoing drought, so that the country of the Hebrews flourished again.	²⁹⁷ When the Gabaonites received the men they punished them as they pleased, and at once God began to send rain and to restore the earth to its usual fruitfulness and freed it from the drought, and the land of the Hebrews flourished again.
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²⁹⁸ στρατεύεται δὲ μετ᾽ οὐ πολὺν χρόνον ὁ βασιλεὺς ἐπὶ ΠαλαιστίνουςPhilistines , καὶ συνάψας μάχην αὐτοῖς καὶ τρεψάμενος ἐμονώθη διώκων καὶ γενόμενος ἔκλυτος ὤφθη ὑπό τινος τῶν πολεμίων ἌκμονοςAchmon μὲν τοὔνομα ἈράφουAraph δὲ παιδός ·
²⁹⁸ A little afterward the king made war against the Philistines; and when he had joined battle with them, and put them to flight, he was left alone, as he was in pursuit of them;	²⁹⁸ A little later the king made war on the Philistines, and after doing battle with them and putting them to flight, during the pursuit he was left alone, and when tired he was was seen by one of the enemy, named Achmon, son of Araph.
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²⁹⁹ οὗτος ἦν μὲν καὶ ἀπόγονος τῶν Γιγάντων , ἔχων δὲ καὶ ξυστόν , οὗ τὴν‎ λαβὴν συνέλκειν σταθμὸν σίκλους τριακοσίους , καὶ θώρακα ἁλυσιδωτὸν καὶ ῥομφαίαν ὥρμησεν ἐπιστραφεὶς ὡς ἀποκτενῶν τὸν τῶν πολεμίων βασιλέα · παρεῖτο γὰρ ὑπὸ τοῦ κόπου . ἐπιφανεὶς δ᾽ ἐξαίφνης ἈβεσσαῖοςAbishai ὁ ἸωάβουJoab ἀδελφὸς τὸν βασιλέα μὲν ὑπερήσπισε περιβὰς κείμενον , ἀπέκτεινε δὲ τὸν πολέμιον .
²⁹⁹ and when he was quite tired down, he was seen by one of the enemy, his name was Achmon, the son of Araph, he was one of the sons of the giants. He had a spear, the handle of which weighed three hundred shekels, and a breastplate of chain-work, and a sword. He turned back, and ran violently to slay [David] their enemy’s king, for he was quite tired out with labor; but Abishai, Joab’s brother, appeared on the sudden, and protected the king with his shield, as he lay down, and slew the enemy.	²⁹⁹ This man was a descendant of the giants and had a spear whose handle weighed three hundred shekels and a breastplate of chain-work and a sword. He turned around and violently rushed to kill the enemy king, who was worn out with exertion. But Abishai, Joab's brother, suddenly appeared and protected the king with his shield by standing over him, and killed the enemy.
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³⁰⁰ ἤνεγκε δ᾽ ἐπὶ τῷ παρ᾽ ὀλίγον κινδυνεῦσαι τὸν βασιλέα χαλεπῶς τὸ πλῆθος · καὶ οἱ ἡγεμόνες ὥρκωσαν αὐτὸν μηκέτι εἰς μάχην ἀπαντῆσαι σὺν αὐτοῖς , μὴ δι᾽ ἀνδρείαν καὶ προθυμίαν παθών τι τῶν δεινῶν στερήσῃ τὸν λαὸν τῶν δι᾽ αὐτὸν ἀγαθῶν , ὅσα τε ἤδη παρέσχηκε καὶ ὅσων ἔτι μεθέξουσι πολὺν βιώσαντος χρόνον .
³⁰⁰ Now the multitude were very uneasy at these dangers of the king, and that he was very near to be slain; and the rulers made him swear that he would no more go out with them to battle, lest he should come to some great misfortune by his courage and boldness, and thereby deprive the people of the benefits they now enjoyed by his means, and of those that they might hereafter enjoy by his living a long time among them.	³⁰⁰ The people took badly how close the king had come to being killed, and the officers made him swear to no longer go out with them to battle, in case through his courage and audacity he should suffer injury, thereby depriving the people of the benefits he now brought them and those they would later enjoy if he lived among them for a long time.
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³⁰¹ Συνελθόντων δὲ τῶν ΠαλαιστίνωνPhilistines εἰς ΓάζαραGazara πόλιν ἀκούσας ὁ βασιλεὺς ἔπεμψεν ἐπ᾽ αὐτοὺς στρατιάν . ἠρίστευσε δὲ τότε καὶ σφόδρ᾽ ηὐδοκίμησε ΣαβρήχηςSabreches ὁ ΧετταῖοςHittite εἷς τῶν περὶ ΔαυίδηνDavid ἀνδρειοτάτων · ἀπέκτεινε γὰρ πολλοὺς τῶν αὐχούντων προγόνους τοὺς Γίγαντας καὶ μέγα ἐπ᾽ ἀνδρείᾳ φρονούντων , αἴτιός τε τῆς νίκης τοῖς ἙβραίοιςHebrews ἐγένετο .
³⁰¹ When the king heard that the Philistines were gathered together at the city Gazara, he sent an army against them, when Sibbechai the Hittite, one of David’s most courageous men, behaved himself so as to deserve great commendation, for he slew many of those that bragged they were the posterity of the giants, and vaunted themselves highly on that account, and thereby was the occasion of victory to the Hebrews.	³⁰¹ When the king heard that the Philistines had gathered at the city of Gazara, he sent an army against them. On that occasion one of David's bravest men, Sabreches the Hittite, acted in a praiseworthy fashion by killing many of those who claimed to be descended from the giants and boasted much of their bravery; and so he brought victory to the Hebrews.
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³⁰² καὶ μετ᾽ ἐκείνην τὴν‎ ἧτταν πάλιν ἐπολέμησαν οἱ ΠαλαιστῖνοιPhilistines · καὶ στρατιὰν ἐπ᾽ αὐτοὺς ΔαυίδουDavid πέμψαντος ἠρίστευσεν ἘφὰνEphan ὁ συγγενὴς αὐτοῦ‎ · μονομαχήσας γὰρ τῷ πάντων ἀνδρειοτάτῳ ΠαλαιστίνωνPhilistines ἀπέκτεινεν αὐτὸν καὶ τοὺς ἄλλους εἰς φυγὴν ἔτρεψε , πολλοί τε αὐτῶν ἀπέθανον μαχόμενοι .
³⁰² After which defeat, the Philistines made war again; and when David had sent an army against them, Nephan his kinsman fought in a single combat with the stoutest of all the Philistines, and slew him, and put the rest to flight. Many of them also were slain in the fight.	³⁰² After this defeat, the Philistines again made war, and when David sent an army against them, Ephan his kinsman fought the bravest of all the Philistines in single combat and killed him and put the rest to flight, and many of them were killed in the battle.
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³⁰³ Διαλιπόντες δ᾽ ὀλίγον χρόνον ἐστρατοπεδεύσαντο πρὸς τῇ πόλει τῶν ὅρωνto see τῆς ἙβραίωνHebrews χώρας οὐκ ἄπωθεν . ἦν δ᾽ αὐτοῖς ἀνὴρ τὸ μὲν ὕψος ἓξ πηχῶν , δακτύλους δ᾽ ἐν ἑκατέρῳ τῶν βάσεων καὶ τῶν χειρῶν ἑνὶ περισσοτέρους εἶχε τῶν κατὰ φύσιν .
³⁰³ Now a little while after this, the Philistines pitched their camp at a city which lay not far off the bounds of the country of the Hebrews. They had a man who was six cubits tall, and had on each of his feet and hands one more toe and finger than men naturally have.	³⁰³ Soon afterward they encamped at a city not far from the border of the Hebrews' land. They had a man who was six feet tall and had on each of his feet and hands an extra toe and finger beyond the normal.
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³⁰⁴ ἐκ τῆς οὖν πεμφθείσης ἐπ᾽ αὐτοὺς ὑπὸ ΔαυίδουDavid στρατιᾶς τούτῳ μονομαχήσας ἸωνάθηςJonathan ὁ ΣουμᾶSouma υἱὸς ἀνεῖλέ τε αὐτὸν καὶ τῆς ὅλης νίκης ῥοπὴ γενόμενος δόξαν ἀριστείας ἀπηνέγκατο · καὶ γὰρ οὗτος ὁ ΠαλαιστῖνοςPhilistine ηὔχει τῶν Γιγάντων ἀπόγονος εἶναι . μετὰ δὲ ταύτην τὴν‎ μάχην οὐκέτι τοῖς ἸσραηλίταιςIsraelite ἐπολέμησαν .
³⁰⁴ Now the person who was sent against them by David out of his army was Jonathan, the son of Shimea, who fought this man in a single combat, and slew him; and as he was the person who gave the turn to the battle, he gained the greatest reputation for courage therein. This man also vaunted himself to be of the sons of the giants. But after this fight the Philistines made war no more against the Israelites.	³⁰⁴ One of the soldiers David sent against them, Jonathan, son of Souma, fought this man and killed him, and as he was the one who turned the tide of battle, he won first prize for bravery. This Philistine boasted of being descended from the giants, but after this fight they no longer made war on the Israelites.
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³⁰⁵ Ἀπηλλαγμένος δ᾽ ἤδη πολέμων ὁ ΔαυίδηςDavid καὶ κινδύνων καὶ βαθείας ἀπολαύων τὸ λοιπὸν εἰρήνης ᾠδὰς εἰς τὸν θεὸν καὶ ὕμνους συνετάξατο μέτρου ποικίλου · τοὺς μὲν γὰρ τριμέτρους , τοὺς δὲ πενταμέτρους ἐποίησεν . ὄργανά τε κατασκευάσας ἐδίδαξε πρὸς αὐτὰ τοὺς ΛηουίταςLevites ὑμνεῖν τὸν θεὸν κατά τε τὴν‎ τῶν καλουμένων σαββάτων ἡμέραν καὶ κατὰ τὰς ἄλλας ἑορτάς .
³⁰⁵ And now David being freed from wars and dangers, and enjoying for the future a profound peace, composed songs and hymns to God of several sorts of metre; some of those which he made were trimeters, and some were pentameters. He also made instruments of music, and taught the Levites to sing hymns to God, both on that called the sabbath day, and on other festivals.	³⁰⁵ Now free from wars and dangers and enjoying peace, David composed for God songs and hymns of several sorts of metre; some in trimeters and some in pentameters. He also made musical instruments and taught the Levites to sing hymns to God on what is called the sabbath day and on other festivals.
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³⁰⁶ ἡ δὲ τῶν ὀργάνων ἐστὶν ἰδέα τοιαύτη τις τὸν τρόπον · ἡ μὲν κινύρα δέκα χορδαῖς ἐξημμένη τύπτεται πλήκτρῳ , ἡ δὲ νάβλα δώδεκα φθόγγους ἔχουσα τοῖς δακτύλοις κρούεται , κύμβαλά τε ἦν πλατέα καὶ μεγάλα χάλκεα . Καὶ περὶ μὲν τούτων ἐπὶ τοσοῦτον ἡμῖν , ὥστε μὴ τελέως ἀγνοεῖν τὴν‎ τῶν προειρημένων ὀργάνων φύσιν , ἀρκείσθω λελέχθαι .
³⁰⁶ Now the construction of the instruments was thus: The viol was an instrument of ten strings, it was played upon with a bow; the psaltery had twelve musical notes, and was played upon by the fingers; the cymbals were broad and large instruments, and were made of brass. And so much shall suffice to be spoken by us about these instruments, that the readers may not be wholly unacquainted with their nature.	³⁰⁶ The shape of the instruments was roughly as follows: The kinera was an instrument of ten strings, struck by a plectrum; the nabla which had twelve notes, was plucked by the fingers; the cymbala were wide, large plates of brass. This is enough for us to say about these instruments, so that our readers may not be fully ignorant of their nature.
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³⁰⁷ Τῷ δὲ βασιλεῖ πάντες ἦσαν οἱ περὶ αὐτὸν ἀνδρεῖοι · τούτων δ᾽ οἱ διασημότατοι καὶ λαμπροὶ τὰς πράξεις ὀκτὼ καὶ τριάκοντα , ὧν πέντε μόνων διηγήσομαι τὰ ἔργα · φανερὰς γὰρ καὶ τὰς τῶν ἄλλων ἀρετὰς ἀρκέσουσιν οὗτοι ποιῆσαι · δυνατοὶ γὰρ ἦσαν οὗτοι καὶ χώραν ὑπάγεσθαι καὶ μεγάλων ἐθνῶν κρατῆσαι .
³⁰⁷ Now all the men that were about David were men of courage. Those that were most illustrious and famous of them for their actions were thirty-eight; of five of whom I will only relate the performances, for these will suffice to make manifest the virtues of the others also; for these were powerful enough to subdue countries, and conquer great nations.	³⁰⁷ All the king's companions were men of courage, but thirty-eight of them were outstanding and for the splendour of their deeds. Of these I will tell of the exploits of only five, enough to illustrate the virtues of the others, who were powerful enough to subdue countries and conquer great nations.
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³⁰⁸ πρῶτος μὲν οὖν ἼσεβοςIsebos υἱὸς ἈχεμαίουAchmaios , ὃς πολλάκις εἰς τὴν‎ παράταξιν ἐμπηδῶν τῶν πολεμίων οὐ πρὶν ἀνεπαύετο μαχόμενος πρὶν ἐνακοσίους αὐτῶν καταβαλεῖν . μετ᾽ αὐτὸν ἦν ἘλεάζαροςEleazar υἱὸς ΔωδείουDodeios , ὃς ἦν μετὰ τοῦ βασιλέως ἐν ἘρασαμῷArasam ·
³⁰⁸ First, therefore, was Jessai, the son of Achimaas, who frequently leaped upon the troops of the enemy, and did not leave off fighting till he overthrew nine hundred of them. After him was Eleazar, the son of Dodo, who was with the king at Arasam.	³⁰⁸ First among them was Isebos, son of Achemaios, who made repeated onslaughts on the troops of the enemy and did not cease fighting until he had felled nine hundred of them. Then came Eleazar, son of Dodeios, who was with the king in Arasam.
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³⁰⁹ οὗτός ποτε τῶν ἸσραηλιτῶνIsrael, Israelites καταπλαγέντων τὸ πλῆθος τῶν ΠαλαιστίνωνPhilistines καὶ φευγόντων μόνος ἔμεινε καὶ συμπεσὼν τοῖς πολεμίοις ἀπέκτεινεν αὐτῶν πολλούς , ὡς ὑπὸ τοῦ αἵματος προσκολληθῆναι τὴν‎ ῥομφαίαν αὐτοῦ‎ τῇ δεξιᾷ καὶ τοὺς ἸσραηλίταςIsraelites ἰδόντας τετραμμένους ὑπ᾽ αὐτοῦ‎ τοὺς ΠαλαιστίνουςPhilistines καταβάντας διώκειν καὶ θαυμαστὴν καὶ διαβόητον τότε νίκην ἄρασθαι , τοῦ μὲν ἘλεαζάρουEleazar κτείνοντος ἑπομένουto follow, obey δὲ τοῦ πλήθους καὶ σκυλεύοντος τοὺς ἀνῃρημένους .
³⁰⁹ This man, when once the Israelites were under a consternation at the multitude of the Philistines, and were running away, stood alone, and fell upon the enemy, and slew many of them, till his sword clung to his hand by the blood he had shed, and till the Israelites, seeing the Philistines retire by his means, came down from the mountains and pursued them, and at that time won a surprising and a famous victory, while Eleazar slew the men, and the multitude followed and spoiled their dead bodies. The third was Sheba, the son of Ilus.	³⁰⁹ This man, once when the Israelites were running away, distraught at the number of the Philistines, held his ground alone and attacked the enemy and killed so many of them that his sword stuck to his hand by the blood he had shed and the Israelites, seeing the Philistines routed by him, came down from the heights and pursued them and thereby won a surprising and famous victory, with Eleazar dealing out death and the rest following to despoil the slain.
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³¹⁰ τρίτος δὲ ἦν ἨλοῦElos μὲν υἱὸς ΣαβαίαςSabaias δὲ ὄνομα . Καὶ οὗτος ἐν τοῖς πρὸς ΠαλαιστίνουςPhilistines ἀγῶσιν εἰς τόπον σιαγόνα λεγόμενον αὐτῶν παραταξαμένων , ὡς οἱ ἙβραῖοιHebrews πάλιν τὴν‎ δύναμιν φοβηθέντες οὐχ ὑπέμειναν , ὑπέστη μόνος ὡς στράτευμα καὶ τάξις , καὶ τοὺς μὲν αὐτῶν κατέβαλε τοὺς δ᾽ οὐ καρτερήσαντας αὐτοῦ‎ τὴν‎ ἰσχὺν καὶ τὴν‎ βίαν ἀλλ᾽ εἰς φυγὴν ἀποστραφέντας ἐδίωκε .
³¹⁰ Now this man, when, in the wars against the Philistines, they pitched their camp at a place called Lehi, and when the Hebrews were again afraid of their army, and did not stay, he stood still alone, as an army and a body of men; and some of them he overthrew, and some who were not able to abide his strength and force he pursued.	³¹⁰ The third was Sabaias, son of Elos. In a battle against the Philistines, who were camped at Siagon [Jaw-bone ] , when the Hebrews were again afraid of their force and did not hold their ground, this man stood there alone, like an army in battle-line, and killed some and pursued the others, who were unable to withstand his powerful attack.
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³¹¹ ταῦτα μὲν ἔργα χειρῶν καὶ μάχης οἱ τρεῖς ἐπεδείξαντο . καθ᾽ ὃν δὲ καιρὸν ἐν ἹεροσολύμοιςJerusalem ὄντος τοῦ βασιλέως ἐπῆλθεν ἡ τῶν ΠαλαιστίνωνPhilistines δύναμις πολεμῆσαι , ΔαυίδηςDavid μὲν ἐπὶ τὴν‎ ἀκρόπολιν ἀνῆλθεν , ὡς προειρήκαμεν , πευσόμενος τοῦ θεοῦ περὶ τοῦ πολέμου ,
³¹¹ These are the works of the hands, and of fighting, which these three performed. Now at the time when the king was once at Jerusalem, and the army of the Philistines came upon him to fight him, David went up to the top of the citadel, as we have already said, to inquire of God concerning the battle,	³¹¹ These are the great warlike exploits performed by these three. Once when the king was in Jerusalem and the Philistine army was at war with him, David went up to the top of the citadel, as already said, to inquire of God about the battle,
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³¹² τῆς δὲ τῶν ἐχθρῶν παρεμβολῆς ἐν τῇ κοιλάδι κειμένης , ἣ μέχρι ΒηθλεέμηςBethlehem πόλεως διατείνει σταδίους ἹεροσολύμωνJerusalem ἀπεχούσης εἴκοσιν , ὁ ΔαυίδηςDavid τοῖς ἑταίροις " καλὸν ὕδωρ , εἶπεν , ἔχομεν ἐν τῇ πατρίδι μου · καὶ μάλιστα τὸ ἐν τῷ λάκκῳ τῷ πρὸς τῇ πύλῃ θαυμάζων , εἴ τις ἐξ αὐτοῦ‎ πιεῖν αὐτῷ κομίσειε μᾶλλον ἐθελήσειν ἢ εἰ πολλὰ χρήματα διδοῖ .
³¹² while the enemy’s camp lay in the valley that extends to the city Bethlehem, which is twenty furlongs distant from Jerusalem. Now David said to his companions, “We have excellent water in my own city, especially that which is in the pit near the gate,” wondering if any one would bring him some of it to drink; but he said that he would rather have it than a great deal of money.	³¹² while the enemy lay camped in the valley extending toward the city of Bethlehem, twenty furlongs from Jerusalem. He said to his companions, "We have good water in my native town, especially in the cistern near the gate ," and wondered if anyone would bring him some of it to drink. He said that he would rather have it than a great sum of money.
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³¹³ ταῦτ᾽ ἀκούσαντες οἱ τρεῖς ἄνδρες οὗτοι παραχρῆμα ἐκδραμόντες καὶ διὰ μέσου τοῦ τῶν πολεμίων ὁρμήσαντεςto set in motion στρατοπέδου ἧκον εἰς ΒηθλεέμηνBethlehem , καὶ τοῦ ὕδατος ἀρυσάμενοι πάλιν διὰ τῆς παρεμβολῆς ὑπέστρεψαν πρὸς τὸν βασιλέα , ὡς τοὺς ΠαλαιστίνουςPhilistines καταπλαγέντας αὐτῶν τὸ θράσος καὶ τὴν‎ εὐψυχίαν ἠρεμῆσαι [καὶ μηδὲν ἐπ᾽ αὐτοὺς τολμῆσαι ] καταφρονήσαντας τῆς ὀλιγότητος .
³¹³ When these three men heard what he said, they ran away immediately, and burst through the midst of their enemy’s camp, and came to Bethlehem; and when they had drawn the water, they returned again through the enemy’s camp to the king, insomuch that the Philistines were so surprised at their boldness and alacrity, that they were quiet, and did nothing against them, as if they despised their small number.	³¹³ When these three men heard him say it, they instantly ran off and burst through the midst of their enemy's camp and came to Bethlehem, and when they had drawn the water, returned again through the enemy's camp to the king, and the Philistines were so surprised at their audacity and zeal that they stayed quiet and did nothing to them, as if scorning their small number.
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³¹⁴ κομισθέντος δὲ τοῦ ὕδατος οὐκ ἔπιεν ὁ βασιλεὺς κινδύνῳ καὶ αἵματι φήσας ἀνθρώπων αὐτὸ κεκομίσθαι καὶ διὰ τοῦτο μὴ προσήκειν αὐτῷ πιεῖν , ἔσπεισε δὲ ἀπ᾽ αὐτοῦ‎ τῷ θεῷ καὶ περὶ τῆς σωτηρίας τῶν ἀνδρῶν εὐχαρίστησεν αὐτῷ . μετὰ τούτους ἦν ὁ ἸωάβουJoab ἀδελφὸς ἈβεσσαῖοςAbishai ·
³¹⁴ But when the water was brought to the king, he would not drink it, saying, that it was brought by the danger and the blood of men, and that it was not proper on that account to drink it. But he poured it out to God, and gave him thanks for the salvation of the men.	³¹⁴ When the water was brought to the king, he would not drink it, saying that it had been brought at the cost of danger and human blood and that therefore it was not right to drink it, but he poured it out to God and gave him thanks for sparing the men. Next to these was Abishai, Joab's brother, for in one day he killed six hundred.
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³¹⁵ καὶ γὰρ οὗτος μιᾷ ἡμέρᾳ τῶν πολεμίων ἑξακοσίους ἀπέκτεινε . πέμπτος ΝαβαῖοςNabaiah, Benaiah ὁ ἱερεὺς τῷ γένει · προκληθεὶς γὰρ ὑπ᾽ ἀδελφῶν διασήμων ἐν τῇ ΜωαβίτιδιMoab area χώρᾳ κατ᾽ ἀρετὴν ἐκράτησεν αὐτῶν . Καὶ πάλιν αὐτὸν ἀνδρὸς ΑἰγυπτίουEgyptian τὸ γένος θαυμαστοῦ τὸ μέγεθος προκαλεσαμένου , γυμνὸς ὡπλισμένον τῷ δόρατι τῷ ἐκείνου βαλὼν ἀπέκτεινε · περιελόμενος γὰρ αὐτοῦ‎ τὸν ἄκοντα καὶ ζῶντα ἔτι καὶ μαχόμενον σκυλεύσας τοῖς ἰδίοις αὐτὸν ὅπλοις διεχρήσατο .
³¹⁵ Next to these was Abishai, Joab’s brother; for he in one day slew six hundred. The fifth of these was Benaiah, by lineage a priest; for being challenged by [two] eminent men in the country of Moab, he overcame them by his valor. Moreover, there was a man, by nation an Egyptian, who was of a vast bulk, and challenged him, yet did he, when he was unarmed, kill him with his own spear, which he threw at him; for he caught him by force, and took away his weapons while he was alive and fighting, and slew him with his own weapons.	³¹⁵ The fifth was Benaiah, of priestly lineage, who was challenged by famous brothers in the region of Moab, and overcame them by his bravery. On another occasion, a native Egyptian of vast bulk challenged him, and though he was unarmed, he struck him with his own spear and killed him, for he took the other's spear by force, and while he was alive and fighting, stripped off his armour and killed him with his own weapons.
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³¹⁶ προσαριθμήσειε δὲ ἄν τις αὐτοῦ‎ καὶ τοῦτο ταῖς προειρημέναις πράξεσιν ἢ ὡς πρῶτον αὐτῶν κατ᾽ εὐψυχίαν ἢ ὡς ὅμοιον · νίφοντος γὰρ τοῦ θεοῦ λέων εἴς τινα λάκκον ὀλισθὼν ἐνέπεσε · στενοῦ δ᾽ ὄντος τοῦ στομίου δῆλον ἦν ἀφανὲς ἐσόμενον ἐμφραγέντος αὐτοῦ‎ τῇ χιόνι · πόρον οὖν οὐδένα βλέπων ἐξόδου καὶ σωτηρίας ἐβρυχᾶτο .
³¹⁶ One may also add this to the forementioned actions of the same man, either as the principal of them in alacrity, or as resembling the rest. When God sent a snow, there was a lion who slipped and fell into a certain pit, and because the pit’s mouth was narrow it was evident he would perish, being enclosed with the snow; so when he saw no way to get out and save himself, he roared.	³¹⁶ To his exploits we may add another, as the most impressive of them, or at least equal to the rest. Once when God sent a snowfall, a lion slipped and fell into a cistern and as its entrance was so narrow the beast would clearly die, blocked in by the snow, it saw no way to get out and save itself, and roared.
³¹⁶ Barach

³¹⁷ τοῦ δὲ θηρὸς ἀκούσας ὁ ΝαβαῖοςNabaiah, Benaiah , ὥδευε γὰρ τότε , καὶ πρὸς τὴν‎ βοὴν ἐλθών , καταβὰς εἰς τὸ στόμιον πλήξας αὐτὸν μαχόμενον τῷ μετὰ χεῖρας ξύλῳ παραχρῆμα ἀπέκτεινε . Καὶ οἱ λοιποὶ δὲ τοιοῦτοι τὰς ἀρετὰς ὑπῆρχον .
³¹⁷ When Benaiah heard the wild beast, he went towards him, and coming at the noise he made, he went down into the mouth of the pit and smote him, as he struggled, with a stake that lay there, and immediately slew him. The other thirty-three were like these in valor also.	³¹⁷ Benaiah, passing by, heard the wild beast, and going toward the noise he went down into the mouth of the cistern and struck the struggling lion with the staff in his hand and immediately killed it. The rest of them also were just as brave.
³¹⁷ Barach

Chapter 13
[318-334]
The pride of David's census brings divine anger on the people

☜ ☞

³¹⁸ Ὁ δὲ βασιλεὺς ΔαυίδηςDavid βουλόμενος γνῶναι πόσαι μυριάδες εἰσὶ τοῦ λαοῦ , τῶν ΜωυσέοςMoses ἐντολῶν ἐκλαθόμενος , ὃς προεῖπεν ἐὰν ἐξαριθμηθῇ τὸ πλῆθος ὑπὲρ ἑκάστης κεφαλῆς αὐτοῦ‎ τῷ θεῷ τελεῖν ἡμίσικλον , προσέταξεν ἸωάβῳJoab τῷ στρατηγῷ πορευθέντι πάντα τὸν ὄχλον ἐξαριθμῆσαι .
³¹⁸ Now king David was desirous to know how many ten thousands there were of the people, but forgot the commands of Moses, who told them beforehand, that if the multitude were numbered, they should pay half a shekel to God for every head. Accordingly the king commanded Joab, the captain of his host, to go and number the whole multitude;	³¹⁸ King David wished to know how many thousands of the people there were, but forgot the commands of Moses, who foretold that if the people were counted they should pay half a shekel to God for every head. The king ordered Joab, his commander, to go and count the whole population;
³¹⁸ Barach

³¹⁹ τοῦ δ᾽ οὐκ ἀναγκαῖον εἶναι φήσαντος τοῦτο ποιεῖν οὐκ ἐπείσθη , προσέταξε δὲ μηδὲν μελλήσαντα βαδίζειν ἐπὶ τὴν‎ ἐξαρίθμησιν τῶν ἙβραίωνHebrews . ἸώαβοςJoarib δὲ τοὺς ἄρχοντας τῶν φυλῶν παραλαβὼν καὶ γραμματεῖς , ἐπιὼν τὴν‎ τῶν ἸσραηλιτῶνIsrael, Israelites χώραν καὶ τὸ πλῆθος ὅσον ἐστὶ κατανοήσας ὑπέστρεψεν εἰς ἹεροσόλυμαJerusalem πρὸς τὸν βασιλέα μετὰ μῆνας ἐννέα καὶ ἡμέρας εἴκοσι καὶ τὸν ἀριθμὸν ἀπέδωκε τῷ βασιλεῖ τοῦ λαοῦ χωρὶς τῆς ΒενιαμίτιδοςBenjamin φυλῆς ·
³¹⁹ but when he said there was no necessity for such a numeration, he was not persuaded [to countermand it], but he enjoined him to make no delay, but to go about the numbering of the Hebrews immediately. So Joab took with him the heads of the tribes, and the scribes, and went over the country of the Israelites, and took notice how numerous the multitude were, and returned to Jerusalem to the king, after nine months and twenty days; and he gave in to the king the number of the people, without the tribe of Benjamin, for he had not yet numbered that tribe,	³¹⁹ and when he replied that there was no need for such a census, he ignored him and said to proceed to count the Hebrews without delay. So Joab took the heads of the tribes and the scribes and went around the Israelite region, noting the number of the people, and after nine months and twenty days returned to Jerusalem to the king. He reported to the king the number of the people, apart from the tribe of Benjamin, for he had not yet counted that tribe, nor the tribe of Levi, for the king repented of having sinned against God.
³¹⁹ Barach

³²⁰ ἐξαριθμῆσαι γὰρ αὐτὴν οὐκ ἔφθασεν ἀλλ᾽ οὐδὲ τὴν‎ ΛευιτῶνLevi φυλήν · μετενόησε γὰρ ὁ βασιλεὺς ὧν εἰς τὸν θεὸν ἥμαρτεν . ἦν δὲ τῶν ἄλλων ἸσραηλιτῶνIsrael, Israelites ἀριθμὸς ἐνενήκοντα μυριάδες ὅπλα βαστάζειν καὶ στρατεύεσθαι δυναμένων , ἡ δὲ ἸούδαJudas φυλὴ καθ᾽ ἑαυτὴν τεσσαράκοντα μυριάδες ἦσαν .
³²⁰ no more than the tribe of Levi, for the king repented of his having sinned against God. Now the number of the rest of the Israelites was nine hundred thousand men, who were able to bear arms and go to war; but the tribe of Judah, by itself, was four hundred thousand men.	³²⁰ The number of the rest of the Israelites was nine hundred thousand men capable of bearing arms and going to war, but the tribe of Judas, by itself, was four hundred thousand.
³²⁰ Barach

³²¹ Τῶν δὲ προφητῶν δηλωσάντων τῷ ΔαυίδῃDavid , ὅτι δι᾽ ὀργῆς ἐστιν ὁ θεὸς αὐτῷ , ἱκετεύειν ἤρξατο καὶ παρακαλεῖν εὐμενῆ γενέσθαι καὶ συγγινώσκειν ἡμαρτηκότι . ΓάδονGad δὲ τὸν προφήτην ἔπεμψεν ὁ θεὸς πρὸς αὐτὸν τρεῖς αἱρέσεις κομίζοντα , ὅπως ἐκλέξηται τούτων ἣν ἂν δοκιμάσῃ · πότερον θέλει λιμὸν γενέσθαι κατὰ τὴν‎ χώραν ἐπὶ ἔτη ἑπτά , ἢ τρεῖς μῆνας πολεμήσας ὑπὸ τῶν ἐχθρῶν ἡττηθῆναι , ἢ λοιμὸν ἐνσκῆψαι καὶ νόσον ἐπὶ τρεῖς ἡμέρας τοῖς ἙβραίοιςHebrews .
³²¹ Now when the prophets had signified to David that God was angry at him, he began to entreat him, and to desire he would be merciful to him, and forgive him his sin. But God sent Nathan the prophet to him, to propose to him the election of three things, that he might choose which he liked best: Whether he would have a famine come upon the country for seven years, or would have a war, and be subdued three months by his enemies? or, whether God should send a pestilence and a distemper upon the Hebrews for three days?	³²¹ When the prophets pointed out to David that God was angry with him, he began to implore him to be merciful to him and forgive his sin. But God sent him Nathan the prophet, to propose to him the choice of three things, to select which of them he liked best : To have famine come upon the region for seven years; or endure a war, and be subdued three months by his enemies; or, for God to send a plague and illness upon the Hebrews for three days.
³²¹ Barach

³²² ὁ δ᾽ εἰς ἀμήχανον ἐκλογὴν μεγάλων κακῶν ἐμπεσὼν ἐλυπεῖτο καὶ σφόδρ᾽ ἦν συγκεχυμένος . τοῦ δὲ προφήτου τοῦτο δεῖν ἐξ ἀνάγκης γενέσθαι φήσαντος καὶ κελεύοντος ἀποκρίνασθαι ταχέως , ἵνα ἀναγγείλῃ τὴν‎ αἵρεσιν αὐτοῦ‎ τῷ θεῷ , λογισάμενος ὁ βασιλεύς , ὡς εἰ λιμὸν αἰτήσει , δόξει τοῦτο πεποιηκέναι τοῖς ἄλλοις αὐτῷ μὲν ἀφόβως , ὅτι πολὺν αὐτὸς ἐγκεκλεισμένον ἔχοι σῖτον , ἐκείνοις δὲ βλαβερῶς ·
³²² But as he was fallen to a fatal choice of great miseries, he was in trouble, and sorely confounded; and when the prophet had said that he must of necessity make his choice, and had ordered him to answer quickly, that he might declare what he had chosen to God, the king reasoned with himself, that in case he should ask for famine, he would appear to do it for others, and without danger to himself, since he had a great deal of corn hoarded up, but to the harm of others;	³²² Confused by such a choice among great woes, he was troubled and when the prophet said that he must make his choice and answer quickly, and declare to God what he had chosen, the king reflected that if he asked for famine, he would seem to do it to others at no risk to himself, since he had plenty of corn in store, and the harm would come to others.
³²² Barach

³²³ κἂν γένηται τοὺς τρεῖς μῆνας νικωμένους αὐτούς , ὅτι τοὺς ἀνδρειοτάτους ἔχων περὶ αὑτὸν καὶ φρούρια καὶ διὰ τοῦτο μηδὲν φοβούμενος εἵλετο τὸν πόλεμον , ᾐτήσατο πάθος κοινὸν καὶ βασιλεῦσι καὶ τοῖς ἀρχομένοιςto rule, reign , ἐν ᾧ τὸ δέος ἶσον ἁπάντων γίνεται , προσειπὼν ὅτι πολὺ κρεῖττον εἰς τὰς τοῦ θεοῦ χεῖρας ἐμπεσεῖν ἢ τὰς τῶν πολεμίων .
³²³ that in case he should choose to be overcome [by his enemies] for three months, he would appear to have chosen war, because he had valiant men about him, and strong holds, and that therefore he feared nothing therefrom: so he chose that affliction which is common to kings and to their subjects, and in which the fear was equal on all sides; and said this beforehand, that it was much better to fall into the hands of God, than into those of his enemies.	³²³ If he chose three months of defeat, he would seem to have evaded the war, as he had brave men and strongholds around him and need fear no harm, so he chose the misfortune which is common to kings and their subjects, where the fear is equal for all, saying first that it was much better to fall into the hands of God than into the hands of his enemies.
³²³ Barach

³²⁴ Ταῦτ᾽ ἀκούσας ὁ προφήτης ἀπήγγειλε τῷ θεῷ · ὁ δὲ τὸν λοιμὸν καὶ τὴν‎ φθορὰν ἔπεμψε τοῖς ἙβραίοιςHebrews . ἀπέθνησκον δ᾽ οὐ μονοτρόπως οὐδ᾽ ὥστε ῥᾴδιον κατανοῆσαι γενέσθαι τὴν‎ νόσον , ἀλλὰ τὸ μὲν κακὸν ἓν ἦν , μυρίαις δ᾽ αὐτοὺς αἰτίαις καὶ προφάσεσιν οὐδ᾽ ἐπινοῆσαι δυναμένους ἀνήρπαζεν .
³²⁴ When the prophet had heard this, he declared it to God; who thereupon sent a pestilence and a mortality upon the Hebrews; nor did they die after one and the same manner, nor so that it was easy to know what the distemper was. Now the miserable disease was one indeed, but it carried them off by ten thousand causes and occasions, which those that were afflicted could not understand;	³²⁴ Heard this, the prophet declared it to God, who then sent a pestilence and plague upon the Hebrews. But not all of them died in the same manner, nor was it easy to know what sickness it was.
³²⁴ Barach

³²⁵ ἄλλος γὰρ ἐπ᾽ ἄλλῳ διεφθείρετο , καὶ λανθάνον ἐπερχόμενον τὸ δεινὸν ὀξεῖαν τὴν‎ τελευτὴν ἐπέφερεν , τῶν μὲν αἰφνιδίως μετ᾽ ἀλγημάτων σφοδρῶν καὶ πικρᾶς ὀδύνης τὴν‎ ψυχὴν ἀφιέντων , ἐνίωνsome δὲ καὶ μαραινομένων τοῖς παθήμασι καὶ μηδ᾽ εἰς κηδείαν ὑπολειπομένωνto leave for , ἀλλ᾽ ἐν αὐτῷ τῷ κάμνειν εἰς τὸ παντελὲς δαπανωμένων ·
³²⁵ for one died upon the neck of another, and the terrible malady seized them before they were aware, and brought them to their end suddenly, some giving up the ghost immediately with very great pains and bitter grief, and some were worn away by their distempers, and had nothing remaining to be buried, but as soon as ever they fell were entirely macerated;	³²⁵ The same terrible disease carried them off in a myriad mysterious ways, for one died in the embrace of another and the terrible malady suddenly seized them and brought them to their end, some quickly giving up the ghost with great pain and bitter grief and others wasting away with sicknesses and leaving nothing behind to be buried, being entirely emaciated.
³²⁵ Barach

³²⁶ οἱ δ᾽ αἰφνίδιον σκότους αὐτοῖς τὰς ὄψεις ὑποδραμόντος περιπνιγεῖς ἀπῴμωζον , ἔνιοι δὲ τῶν οἰκείων τινὰ κηδεύοντες ἐναπέθνησκον ἀτελέσι ταῖς ταφαῖς . ἀπώλοντο δ᾽ ἀρξαμένηςto be first ἕωθεν τῆς λοιμικῆς νόσου φθείρειν αὐτοὺς ἕως ὥρας ἀρίστου μυριάδες ἑπτά .
³²⁶ some were choked, and greatly lamented their case, as being also stricken with a sudden darkness; some there were who, as they were burying a relation, fell down dead, without finishing the rites of the funeral. Now there perished of this disease, which began with the morning, and lasted till the hour of dinner, seventy thousand.	³²⁶ Some, stricken with sudden darkness, suffocated as they gasped; others fell down dead as they were burying a relative, without finishing the rites of the funeral. Seventy thousand died of this disease, which began in the morning and lasted until the hour of supper.
³²⁶ Barach

³²⁷ ἐξέτεινε δὲ ὁ ἄγγελος τὴν‎ χεῖρα καὶ ἐπὶ τὰ ἹεροσόλυμαJerusalem τὸ δεινὸν κἀκεῖσε πέμπων . ὁ δὲ βασιλεὺς σάκκον ἐνδεδυμένος ἔκειτο κατὰ τῆς γῆς ἱκετεύων τὸν θεὸν καὶ δεόμενος ἤδη λωφῆσαι καὶ τοῖς ἀπολωλόσιν ἀρκεσθέντα παύσασθαι · ἀναβλέψας δ᾽ εἰς τὸν ἀέρα ὁ βασιλεὺς καὶ θεασάμενος τὸν ἄγγελον δι᾽ αὐτοῦ‎ φερόμενον ἐπὶ τὰ ἹεροσόλυμαJerusalem καὶ μάχαιραν ἐσπασμένον εἶπε πρὸς τὸν θεόνGod ,
³²⁷ Nay, the angel stretched out his hand over Jerusalem, as sending this terrible judgment upon it. But David had put on sackcloth, and lay upon the ground, entreating God, and begging that the distemper might now cease, and that he would be satisfied with those that had already perished. And when the king looked up into the air, and saw the angel carried along thereby into Jerusalem, with his sword drawn,	³²⁷ The angel stretched out his hand over Jerusalem too, and it suffered greatly. The king wore sackcloth and lay upon the ground, entreating God and imploring that the sickness would finally cease and he be satisfied with those who had already died. Looking up into the air, the king saw the angel carried through it into Jerusalem, with his sword drawn, and said to God that
³²⁷ Barach

³²⁸ ὡς αὐτὸς εἴη κολασθῆναι δίκαιος ὁ ποιμήν , τὰ δὲ ποίμνια σώζεσθαι μηδὲν ἁμαρτόντα , καὶ ἠντιβόλει τὴν‎ ὀργὴν εἰς αὐτὸν καὶ τὴν‎ γενεὰν αὐτοῦ‎ πᾶσαν ἀποσκήπτειν , φείδεσθαι δὲ τοῦ λαοῦ .
³²⁸ he said to God, that he might justly be punished, who was their shepherd, but that the sheep ought to be preserved, as not having sinned at all; and he implored God that he would send his wrath upon him, and upon all his family, but spare the people.	³²⁸ in justice it was he, their shepherd, who should be punished, but that the sheep who had not sinned should be saved, and he begged God to vent his anger upon him and his family, but to spare the people.
³²⁸ Barach

³²⁹ κατακούσας δὲ ὁ θεὸς τῆς ἱκεσίας ἔπαυσε τὸν λοιμόν , καὶ πέμψας ΓάδονGad τὸν προφήτην ἐκέλευσεν αὐτὸν ἀναβῆναι παραχρῆμα εἰς τὴν‎ ἅλω τοῦ ἸεβουσαίουJebuseus ὈροννᾶOronas καὶ οἰκοδομήσαντα βωμὸν ἐκεῖ τῷ θεῷ θυσίαν ἐπιτελέσαι . ΔαυίδηςDavid δ᾽ ἀκούσας οὐκ ἠμέλησεν , ἀλλ᾽ εὐθὺς ἔσπευσεν ἐπὶ τὸν παρηγγελμένον αὐτῷ τόπον .
³²⁹ When God heard his supplication, he caused the pestilence to cease, and sent Gad the prophet to him, and commanded him to go up immediately to the thrashing-floor of Araunah the Jebusite, and build an altar there to God, and offer sacrifices. When David heard that, he did not neglect his duty, but made haste to the place appointed him.	³²⁹ When God heard his prayer, he made the plague cease and sent the prophet Gad to him telling him to immediately go up to the threshing-floor of Oronas the Jebusite and build there an altar to God and offer sacrifices. When David heard it, he did not delay, but hurried to the place indicated.
³²⁹ Barach

³³⁰ ὈροννᾶςOronas δὲ τὸν σῖτον ἀλοῶν ἐπεὶ τὸν βασιλέα προσιόντα καὶ τοὺς παῖδας αὐτοῦ‎ πάντας ἐθεάσατο , προσέδραμεν αὐτῷ καὶ προσεκύνησεν . ἦν δὲ τὸ μὲν γένος ἸεβουσαῖοςJebusite , Φίλος δ᾽ ἐν τοῖς μάλιστα ΔαυίδουDavid · καὶ διὰ τοῦτ᾽ αὐτὸν οὐδὲν εἰργάσατο δεινόν , ὅτε τὴν‎ πόλιν κατεστρέψατο , ὡς μικρὸν ἔμπροσθεν ἐδηλώσαμεν .
³³⁰ Now Araunah was thrashing wheat; and when he saw the king and all his servants coming to him, he ran before, and came to him and worshipped him: he was by his lineage a Jebusite, but a particular friend of David’s; and for that cause it was that, when he overthrew the city, he did him no harm, as we informed the reader a little before.	³³⁰ Oronas was threshing wheat, and when he saw the king and all his servants coming he ran out and came to him and bowed before him. By his lineage he was a Jebusite, but was a particular friend of David's, and for that reason he did not harm him when he destroyed the city, as we told the reader a little earlier.
³³⁰ Barach

³³¹ τοῦ δὲ ὈροννᾶOronas πυθομένου τί παρείη πρὸς τὸν δοῦλον ὁ δεσπότης , εἶπεν ὠνήσασθαι παρ᾽ αὐτοῦ‎ τὴν‎ ἅλω , ὅπως βωμὸν ἐν αὐτῇ κατασκευάσῃ τῷ θεῷ καὶ ποιήσῃ θυσίαν . ὁ δὲ καὶ τὴν‎ ἅλω εἶπε καὶ τὰ ἄροτρα καὶ τοὺς βόας εἰς ὁλοκαύτωσιν χαρίζεσθαι καὶ τὸν θεὸν ἡδέως εὔχεσθαι τὴν‎ θυσίαν προσέσθαι .
³³¹ Now Araunah inquired, “Wherefore is my lord come to his servant?” He answered, to buy of him the thrashing-floor, that he might therein build an altar to God, and offer a sacrifice. He replied, that he freely gave him both the thrashing-floor and the ploughs and the oxen for a burnt-offering; and he besought God graciously to accept his sacrifice.	³³¹ To Oronas' inquiry, "Why is my lord come to his servant?" he answered, "To buy the threshing-floor from him, and in it build an altar to God and offer sacrifice." He replied that he would give him the threshing-floor for free, along with the plows and the oxen for a holocaust, and he begged God to accept his sacrifice graciously.
³³¹ Barach

³³² ὁ δὲ βασιλεὺς ἀγαπᾶν μὲν αὐτὸν τῆς ἁπλότητος καὶ τῆς μεγαλοψυχίας ἔλεγε καὶ δέχεσθαι τὴν‎ χάριν , τιμὴν δ᾽ αὐτὸν ἠξίου λαμβάνειν πάντων · οὐ γὰρ εἶναι δίκαιον προῖκα θυσίαν ἐπιτελεῖν . τοῦ δὲ ὈροννᾶOronas φήσαντος ποιεῖν ὅ τι βούλεται πεντήκοντα σίκλων ὠνεῖται παρ᾽ αὐτοῦ‎ τὴν‎ ἅλω .
³³² But the king made answer, that he took his generosity and magnanimity loudly, and accepted his good-will, but he desired him to take the price of them all, for that it was not just to offer a sacrifice that cost nothing. And when Araunah said he would do as he pleased, he bought the thrashing-floor of him for fifty shekels.	³³² The king admired his generosity and magnanimity and accepted his kindness, but wanted him to accept the price of them all, for it was not right to offer a sacrifice that cost nothing. Oronas said that the king could do as he pleased, so he bought the threshing-floor from him for fifty shekels.
³³² Barach

³³³ καὶ οἰκοδομήσας τὸν βωμὸν ἱερούργησε καὶ ὡλοκαύτωσε καὶ θυσίας ἐπήνεγκεν εἰρηνικάς . καταπραύνεται δὲ τούτοις τὸ θεῖον καὶ πάλιν εὐμενὲς γίνεται . συνέβη δ᾽ εἰς ἐκεῖνον ἀγαγεῖν τὸν τόπον ἍβραμονAbram τὸν υἱὸν αὐτοῦ‎ ἼσακονIsaac ὥστε ὁλοκαυτῶσαι , καὶ μέλλοντος ἀποσφάττεσθαι τοῦ παιδὸς κριὸν ἐξαίφνης ἀναφανῆναι παρεστῶτα τῷ βωμῷ , ὃν καὶ κατέθυσεν ἍβραμοςAbraham ἀντὶ τοῦ παιδός , ὡς προειρήκαμεν .
³³³ And when he had built an altar, he performed divine service, and brought a burnt-offering, and offered peace-offerings also. With these God was pacified, and became gracious to them again. Now it happened that Abraham came and offered his son Isaac for a burnt-offering at that very place; and when the youth was ready to have his throat cut, a ram appeared on a sudden, standing by the altar, which Abraham sacrificed in the stead of his son, as we have before related.	³³³ When he had built an altar, he offered divine service and a holocaust and peace-offerings. With these God was pacified and was gracious to them again. It was to this very place that Abraham had come to offer his son Isaac as a holocaust, and when the youth was about to have his throat cut, a ram suddenly appeared beside the altar, which Abraham sacrificed in place of his son, as we said earlier.
³³³ Barach

³³⁴ ὁρῶν δ᾽ ὁ βασιλεὺς ΔαυίδηςDavid τῆς εὐχῆς αὐτοῦ‎ τὸν θεὸν ἐπήκοον γεγενημένον καὶ τὴν‎ θυσίαν ἡδέως προσδεξάμενον ἔκρινε τὸν τόπον ἐκεῖνον ὅλον βωμὸν προσαγορεῦσαι τοῦ λαοῦ παντὸς καὶ οἰκοδομῆσαι ναὸν τῷ θεῷ . Καὶ ταύτην εὐστόχως ἀφῆκενto send forth εἰς τὸ γενησόμενον τὴν‎ φωνήν · ὁ γὰρ θεὸς τὸν προφήτην ἀποστείλας πρὸς αὐτὸν ἐκεῖ ναὸν ἔλεγεν οἰκοδομήσειν αὐτοῦ‎ τὸν υἱὸν τὸν μέλλοντα μετ᾽ αὐτὸν τὴν‎ βασιλείαν διαδέχεσθαι .
³³⁴ Now when king David saw that God had heard his prayer, and had graciously accepted of his sacrifice, he resolved to call that entire place The Altar of all the People, and to build a temple to God there; which words he uttered very appositely to what was to be done afterward; for God sent the prophet to him, and told him that there should his son build him an altar, that son who was to take the kingdom after him.	³³⁴ When king David saw that God had heard his prayer and graciously accepted his sacrifice, he decided to call the whole place The Altar of all the People and to build there a temple to God, words that foretold what was to happen later when God sent the prophet to tell him that his son should build him an altar there, the son who was to succeed him on the throne.
³³⁴ Barach

Chapter 14
[335-382]
David's preparations for the Temple.
He appoints Solomon as successor

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³³⁵ μετὰ δὴ ταύτην τὴν‎ προφητείαν ἐκέλευσεν ὁ βασιλεὺς τοὺς παροίκους ἐξαριθμηθῆναι καὶ εὑρέθησαν εἰς ὀκτὼ μυριάδας καὶ δέκα . ἐκ τούτων ἀπέδειξε λατόμους μὲν τοὺς ὀκτακισμυρίους , τὸ δ᾽ ἄλλο πλῆθος παραφέρειν τοὺς λίθους , τρισχιλίους δὲ καὶ πεντακοσίους τοῖς ἐργαζομένοις ἐξ αὐτῶν ἐπέστησεν . ἡτοίμασε δὲ καὶ πολὺν σίδηρον καὶ χαλκὸν εἰς τὰ ἔργα καὶ ξύλα κέδρινα πολλὰ καὶ παμμεγεθέστατα , ΤυρίωνTyrians αὐτῷ ταῦτα πεμπόντων καὶ ΣιδωνίωνSidonians · ἐπεστάλκει γὰρ αὐτοῖς τὴν‎ τῶν ξύλων χορηγίαν .
³³⁵ After the delivery of this prophecy, the king commanded the strangers to be numbered; and they were found to be one hundred and eighty thousand; of these he appointed fourscore thousand to be hewers of stone, and the rest of the multitude to carry the stones, and of them he set over the workmen three thousand and five hundred. He also prepared a great quantity of iron and brass for the work, with many (and those exceeding large) cedar trees; the Tyrians and Sidonians sending them to him, for he had sent to them for a supply of those trees.	³³⁵ After this prophecy, the king ordered that the aliens be counted, and they turned out to be one hundred and eighty thousand, eighty thousand of whom he appointed as hewers of stone and set the rest of the people to carry the stones, putting three thousand five hundred in charge of the workmen. He also prepared a large amount of iron and brass for the work, and many large cedar trees that the Tyrians and Sidonians sent them to him when he had ordered a supply of timber.
³³⁵ Barach

³³⁶ πρός τε τοὺς φίλους ἔλεγε ταῦτα παρασκευάζεσθαι νῦν , ἵνα τῷ μέλλοντι παιδὶ βασιλεύειν μετ᾽ αὐτὸν ἑτοίμην τὴν‎ ὕλην τῆς οἰκοδομίας καταλείπῃ καὶ μὴ τότε συμπορίζῃ νέος ὢν καὶ τῶν τοιούτων ἄπειρος διὰ τὴν‎ ἡλικίαν , ἀλλ᾽ ἔχων παρακειμένην ἐπιτελῇ τὸ ἔργον .
³³⁶ And he told his friends that these things were now prepared, that he might leave materials ready for the building of the temple to his son, who was to reign after him, and that he might not have them to seek then, when he was very young, and by reason of his age unskillful in such matters, but might have them lying by him, and so might the more readily complete the work.	³³⁶ He told his friends that these things were prepared in order to leave the materials for the building of the temple ready for his son who would reign after him, so that he would not have to search for them while still an unskilled youth but would have them ready to hand and so be the more able to complete the work.
³³⁶ Barach

³³⁷ Καλέσας δὲ τὸν παῖδα ΣολόμωναSolomon κατασκευάσαι τῷ θεῷ ναὸν αὐτὸν ἐκέλευε διαδεξάμενον τὴν‎ βασιλείαν λέγων , ὡς αὐτὸν βουλόμενον κωλύσειεν ὁ θεὸς αἵματι καὶ πολέμοις πεφυραμένον , προείποι δ᾽ ὅτι ΣολόμωνSolomon οἰκοδομήσει αὐτῷ παῖς νεώτατος καὶ τοῦτο κληθησόμενος τοὔνομα , οὗ προνοήσειν μὲν αὐτὸς ὡς πατὴρ ἐπηγγέλλετο , τὴν‎ δ᾽ ἙβραίωνHebrews χώραν εὐδαίμονα καταστήσειν ἐπ᾽ αὐτοῦ‎ τοῖς τε ἄλλοις ἀγαθοῖς καὶ δὴ καὶ τῷ μεγίστῳ πάντων εἰρήνῃ καὶ πολέμων ἀπαλλαγῇ καὶ στάσεων ἐμφυλίων .
³³⁷ So David called his son Solomon, and charged him, when he had received the kingdom, to build a temple to God, and said, “I was willing to build God a temple myself, but he prohibited me, because I was polluted with blood and wars; but he hath foretold that Solomon, my youngest son, should build him a temple, and should be called by that name; over whom he hath promised to take the like care as a father takes over his son; and that he would make the country of the Hebrews happy under him, and that, not only in other respects, but by giving it peace and freedom from wars, and from internal seditions, which are the greatest of all blessings.	³³⁷ Then he called his son Solomon and told him to build a temple for God once he had succeeded to the kingship, saying how he himself had wanted to do so, but that God stopped him because he was polluted by bloodshed and war. He had foretold that his youngest son Solomon would build him a temple and be called by this name, and he had promised to care for him like a father for his son, and to make the land of the Hebrews prosper under him by, among other things, giving it the greatest of all blessings : peace and freedom from wars and from internal revolts.
³³⁷ Barach

³³⁸ σὺ τοίνυν ἐπεὶ καὶ πρὸ τῆς γενέσεως ἀπεδείχθης βασιλεὺς ὑπὸ τοῦ θεοῦ πειρῶ τά τε ἄλλα γίνεσθαι τῆς τούτου προνοίας ἄξιος εὐσεβὴς ὢν καὶ δίκαιος καὶ ἀνδρεῖος , καὶ τὰς ἐντολὰς αὐτοῦ‎ καὶ τοὺς νόμους οὓς διὰ ΜωυσέοςMoses ἔδωκεν ἡμῖν φύλαττε καὶ τοῖς ἄλλοις μὴ παραβαίνειν ἐπίτρεπε .
³³⁸ Since, therefore,” says he, “thou wast ordained king by God himself before thou wast born, endeavor to render thyself worthy of this his providence, as in other instances, so particularly in being religious, and righteous, and courageous. Keep thou also his commands and his laws, which he hath given us by Moses, and do not permit others to break them.	³³⁸ "Since you were ordained king by God himself before you were born, try to be fully worthy of his guidance, particularly by being religious and righteous and brave. Keep his commands and his laws, which he has given us by Moses, and do not permit others to break them.
³³⁸ Barach

³³⁹ τὸν δὲ ναόν , ὃν ὑπὸ σοῦ βασιλεύοντος εἵλετο αὑτῷ γενέσθαι , σπούδασον ἀποδοῦναι τῷ θεῷ μὴ καταπλαγεὶς τὸ μέγεθος τοῦ ἔργου μηδ᾽ ἀποδειλιάσας πρὸς αὐτό · πάντα γάρ σοι πρὸ τῆς ἐμαυτοῦ τελευτῆς ἕτοιμα ποιήσω .
³³⁹ Be zealous also to dedicate to God a temple, which he hath chosen to be built under thy reign; nor be thou affrighted by the vastness of the work, nor set about it timorously, for I will make all things ready before I die:	³³⁹ Hurry and make for God the temple he has chosen to be built under your reign, and do not recoil from the sheer size of the task, nor be timid about it, for I will have everything ready for you before I die.
³³⁹ Barach

³⁴⁰ γίνωσκε χρυσοῦ μὲν ἤδη τάλαντα συνειλεγμένα μύρια , δέκα δ᾽ ἀργύρου μυριάδας ταλάντων , χαλκόν τε καὶ σίδηρον ἀριθμοῦ πλείονα συντέθεικα καὶ ξύλων δὲ καὶ λίθων ὕλην ἄφθονον , ἔχεις δὲ καὶ λατόμων πολλὰς μυριάδας καὶ τεκτόνων · ἂν δέ τι τούτοις προσδέῃ , σὺ προσθήσεις .
³⁴⁰ and take notice, that there are already ten thousand talents of gold, and a hundred thousand talents of silver collected together. I have also laid together brass and iron without number, and an immense quantity of timber and of stones. Moreover, thou hast many ten thousand stone-cutters and carpenters; and if thou shalt want any thing further, do thou add somewhat of thine own. Wherefore, if thou performest this work, thou wilt be acceptable to God, and have him for thy patron.”	³⁴⁰ Note that ten thousand talents of gold and a hundred thousand talents of silver have already been collected, and I have also laid up a vast amount of brass and iron and timber and stone. You also have many thousands of stone-cutters and carpenters, and if you need anything further, add it yourself.
³⁴⁰ Barach

³⁴¹ γίνου τοίνυν ἄριστος τὸν θεὸν ἔχων προστάτην . προσπαρεκελεύσατο δὲ καὶ τοὺς ἄρχοντας τοῦ λαοῦ τῆς οἰκοδομίας συλλαβέσθαι τῷ παιδὶ καὶ πάντων ἀδεεῖςwithout fear ὄντας τῶν κακῶν περὶ τὴν‎ τοῦ θεοῦ θρησκείαν ἀσχολεῖν · καρπώσεσθαι γὰρ αὐτοὺς ἀντὶ τούτων εἰρήνην καὶ εὐνομίαν , οἷς ἀμείβεταιto change, exchange τοὺς εὐσεβεῖς καὶ δικαίους ὁ θεὸς ἀνθρώπους .
³⁴¹ David also further exhorted the rulers of the people to assist his son in this building, and to attend to the divine service, when they should be free from all their misfortunes, for that they by this means should enjoy, instead of them, peace and a happy settlement, with which blessings God rewards such men as are religious and righteous.	³⁴¹ Do this great work, and you will have God as your protector." He also urged the officers of the people to help his son in this building and to devote themselves to the worship of God, as a reward for which they would enjoy peace and order, by which God rewards those who are devout and righteous.
³⁴¹ Barach

³⁴² οἰκοδομηθέντος δὲ τοῦ ναοῦ τὴν‎ κιβωτὸν αὐτὸν ἀποθέσθαι προσέταξε καὶ τὰ ἅγια σκεύη πρὸ πολλοῦ ναὸν ὀφείλοντα ἔχειν , εἰ τῶν ἐντολῶν τοῦ θεοῦ μὴ παρήκουσαν ἡμῶν οἱ πατέρες ἐντειλαμένου μετὰ τὸ τὴν‎ γῆν ταύτην κατασχεῖν οἰκοδομῆσαι ναὸν αὐτῷ . ταῦτα μὲν πρὸς τοὺς ἡγεμόνας ὁ ΔαυίδηςDavid καὶ τὸν υἱὸν αὐτοῦ‎ διελέχθη .
³⁴² He also gave orders, that when the temple should be once built, they should put the ark therein, with the holy vessels; and he assured them that they ought to have had a temple long ago, if their fathers had not been negligent of God’s commands, who had given it in charge, that when they had got the possession of this land, they should build him a temple. Thus did David discourse to the governors, and to his son.	³⁴² He further ordered that once the temple was built, they should put in it the ark with the holy vessels, which would long ago have had a temple if the ancestors had not ignored God's commands that they should build him a temple when they had taken possession of the land. This was David's speech to the officers and his son.
³⁴² Barach

³⁴³ πρεσβύτερος δὲ ὢν ἤδη καὶ τοῦ σώματος αὐτῷ ψυχομένου διὰ τὸν χρόνον δύσριγος ὑπῆρχεν , ὡς μηδ᾽ ὑπὸ τῆς ἐπιβολῆς ἐκ πολλῶν ἱματίων γινομένης ἀναθερμαίνεσθαι . συνελθόντων δὲ τῶν ἰατρῶν καὶ συμβουλευσάντων , ὅπως ἐξ ἁπάσης τῆς χώρας εὐειδὴς ἐπιλεχθεῖσα παρθένος συγκαθεύδῃ τῷ βασιλεῖ , τοῦτο γὰρ αὐτῷ πρὸς τὸ ῥῖγος ἔσεσθαι βοήθημα θαλπούσης αὐτὸν τῆς κόρης ,
³⁴³ David was now in years, and his body, by length of time, was become cold, and benumbed, insomuch that he could get no heat by covering himself with many clothes; and when the physicians came together, they agreed to this advice, that a beautiful virgin, chosen out of the whole country, should sleep by the king’s side, and that this damsel would communicate heat to him, and be a remedy against his numbness.	³⁴³ David was now an old man and because of his age, his body had become cold and numb, so that even by covering himself with many clothes he could not get warm. When the physicians came together, they advised that a beautiful girl be chosen from the whole region, to sleep with the king, so that the girl would nurse him and relieve his numbness.
³⁴³ Barach

³⁴⁴ εὑρίσκετ᾽ ἐν πόλει γυνὴ μία πασῶν τὸ εἶδος ἀρίστη γυναικῶν ἈβισάκηἈβισάκη τοὔνομα , ἣ συγκοιμωμένη μόνον τῷ βασιλεῖ συνεθέρμαινεν αὐτόν · ὑπὸ γὰρ γήρως ἦν πρὸς τἀφροδίσια καὶ γυναικὸς ὁμιλίαν ἀσθενής . Καὶ περὶ μὲν ταύτης τῆς παρθένου μετ᾽ ὀλίγον δηλώσομεν .
³⁴⁴ Now there was found in the city one woman, of a superior beauty to all other women, (her name was Abishag,) who, sleeping with the king, did no more than communicate warmth to him, for he was so old that he could not know her as a husband knows his wife. But of this woman we shall speak more presently.	³⁴⁴ In the city they found a woman named Abishag, of a beauty surpassing all others, who kept the king warm merely by sleeping with him, for due to his age and weakness he was beyond sexual intercourse with a woman. We shall say more about this girl later.
³⁴⁴ Barach

³⁴⁵ Ὁ δὲ τέταρτος υἱὸς ΔαυίδουDavid νεανίας εὐειδὴς καὶ μέγας , ἐκ γυναικὸς αὐτῷ ΑἰγίσθηςHaggith γεγονὼς ἈδωνίαςAdonijah δὲ προσαγορευόμενος , ἐμφερὴς ὢν ἈψαλώμῳAbsalom τήν τε διάνοιαν αὐτὸς ὡς βασιλεύσων ἐπῆρτο καὶ πρὸς τοὺς φίλους ἔλεγεν , ὡς τὴν‎ ἀρχὴν αὐτὸν δεῖ παραλαβεῖν · κατεσκεύασε δὲ ἅρματα πολλὰ καὶ ἵππους καὶ πεντήκοντα ἄνδρας τοὺς προδρόμους .
³⁴⁵ Now the fourth son of David was a beautiful young man, and tall, born to him of Haggith his wife. He was named Adonijah, and was in his disposition like to Absalom; and exalted himself as hoping to be king, and told his friends that he ought to take the government upon him. He also prepared many chariots and horses, and fifty men to run before him.	³⁴⁵ David's fourth son was a beautiful, tall young man, born to him by his wife Haggith. He was named Adonijah and in a similar in spirit to Absalom he aspired to be king and telling his friends that he was going to take over the leadership, he provided himself with many chariots and horses and fifty men to run before him.
³⁴⁵ Barach

³⁴⁶ ταῦθ᾽ ὁρῶν ὁ πατὴρ οὐκ ἐπέπληττεν οὐδ᾽ ἐπεῖχεν αὐτὸν τῆς προαιρέσεως οὐδὲ μέχρι τοῦ πυθέσθαι διὰ τί ταῦτα πράττειto do προήχθη . συνεργοὺς δ᾽ εἶχεν ἈδωνίαςAdonijah τὸν στρατηγὸν ἸώαβονJoab καὶ τὸν ἀρχιερέα ἈβιάθαρονAbiathar , μόνοι δ᾽ ἀντέπραττον ὁ ἀρχιερεὺς ΣάδωκοςSadok καὶ ὁ προφήτης ΝάθαςNathan καὶ ΒαναίαςBenaiah ὁ ἐπὶ τῶν σωματοφυλάκωνbodyguard καὶ ΣιμούειςShimei ὁ ΔαυίδουDavid Φίλος καὶ πάντες οἱ ἀνδρειότατοι .
³⁴⁶ When his father saw this, he did not reprove him, nor restrain him from his purpose, nor did he go so far as to ask wherefore he did so. Now Adonijah had for his assistants Joab the captain of the army, and Abiathar the high priest; and the only persons that opposed him were Zadok the high priest, and the prophet Nathan, and Benaiah, who was captain of the guards, and Shimei, David’s friend, with all the other most mighty men.	³⁴⁶ When his father saw this, he neither reproached nor restrained him from his purpose, and did not even go so far as to ask why he did these things. Now Adonijah had as his accomplices Joab the general and Abiathar the high priest, and his only opponents were the high priest Sadok and the prophet Nathan and Benaiah, head of the bodyguards and Shimei, David's friend, and all the other bravest men.
³⁴⁶ Barach

³⁴⁷ τοῦ δὲ ἈδωνίαAdonijah παρασκευασαμένου δεῖπνον ἔξω τῆς πόλεως παρὰ τὴν‎ πηγὴν τὴν‎ ἐν τῷ βασιλικῷ παραδείσῳ καὶ πάντας καλέσαντος τοὺς ἀδελφοὺς χωρὶς ΣολόμωνοςSolomon , παραλαβόντος δὲ καὶ τὸν στρατηγὸν ἸώαβονJoab καὶ ἈβιάθαρονAbiathar καὶ τοὺς ἄρχοντας τῆς ἸούδαJudas φυλῆς , οὔτε δὲ ΣάδωκονSadok τὸν ἀρχιερέα καὶ ΝάθανNathan τὸν προφήτην καὶ τὸν ἐπὶ τῶν σωματοφυλάκωνbodyguard ΒαναίανBanaiah καὶ πάντας τοὺς ἐκ τῆς ἐναντίας αἱρέσεως καλέσαντος ἐπὶ τὴν‎ ἑστίασιν ,
³⁴⁷ Now Adonijah had prepared a supper out of the city, near the fountain that was in the king’s paradise, and had invited all his brethren except Solomon, and had taken with him Joab the captain of the army, and: Abiathar, and the rulers of the tribe of Judah, but had not invited to this feast either Zadok the high priest, or Nathan the prophet, or Benaiah the captain of the guards, nor any of those of the contrary party.	³⁴⁷ Adonijah held a supper outside the city, near the fountain in the royal garden, inviting all his brothers except Solomon and he brought along general Joab, and Abiathar and the officers of the tribe of Judas, but he had not invited to this feast either Sadok the high priest, or Nathan the prophet, or Benaiah the chief of the bodyguards, nor any of the opposing party.
³⁴⁷ Barach

³⁴⁸ τοῦτο πρὸς τὴν‎ ΣολόμωνοςSolomon κατεμήνυσε μητέρα ΒερσάβηνBathsheba ΝάθαςNathan ὁ προφήτης , ὡς ἈδωνίαςAdonijah βασιλεῦσαι βούλεται , συνεβούλευέ τε σώζειν αὑτὴν καὶ τὸν παῖδα ΣολόμωναSolomon , εἴπερ ἈδωνίαςAdonijah τὴν‎ ἀρχὴν ἤδη παραλάβοι , καὶ περὶ τούτου πυθέσθαι τοῦ βασιλέως .
³⁴⁸ This matter was told by Nathan the prophet to Bathsheba, Solomon’s mother, that Adonijah was king, and that David knew nothing of it; and he advised her to save herself and her son Solomon, and to go by herself to David, and say to him, that he had indeed sworn that Solomon should reign after him, but that in the mean time Adonijah had already taken the kingdom.	³⁴⁸ The prophet Nathan reported this to Solomon's mother, Bathsheba, how Adonijah was acting as king and that David knew nothing of it, and he advised her to save herself and her son Solomon by going alone to David and telling him that, although he had sworn the royal succession to Solomon, Adonijah had in fact taken it over.
³⁴⁸ Barach

³⁴⁹ ταῦτα δὲ τῷ βασιλεῖ διαλεγομένης ὁ προφήτης εἰσελεύσεσθαι καὶ αὐτὸς ἔφησε καὶ τοῖς λόγοις αὐτῆς ἐπιμαρτυρήσειν . ἡ δὲ ΒερσάβηBathsheba πεισθεῖσα τῷ ΝάθᾳNathan πάρεισι πρὸς τὸν βασιλέα , καὶ προσκυνήσασα καὶ λόγον
³⁴⁹ He said that he, the prophet himself, would come after her, and when she had spoken thus to the king, would confirm what she had said. Accordingly Bathsheba agreed with Nathan, and went in to the king and worshipped him, and when she had desired leave to speak with him,	³⁴⁹ While she was telling this to the king, the prophet himself would come in and confirm her words. Persuaded by Nathan, Bathsheba went in to the king and bowed to him and asked his permission to speak.
³⁴⁹ Barach

³⁵⁰ αἰτησαμένη πάντ᾽ αὐτῷ [καθὼς ] ὁ προφήτης ὑπέθετο διεξέρχεται τό τε δεῖπνον τὸ ἈδωνίαAdonijah καὶ τοὺς ὑπ᾽ αὐτοῦ‎ κεκλημένους ἈβιάθαρονAbiathar τὸν ἀρχιερέα καὶ ἸώαβονJoab τὸν ἄρχοντα καὶ τοὺς υἱοὺς αὐτοῦ‎ χωρὶς ΣολόμωνοςSolomon καὶ τῶν ἀναγκαίων αὐτοῦ‎ φίλων μηνύσασα · ἔλεγέ τε πάντα τὸν λαὸν ἀφορᾶν , τίνα χειροτονήσει βασιλέα , παρεκάλει τε κατὰ νοῦν ἔχειν , ὡς μετὰ τὴν‎ ἀπαλλαγὴν αὐτοῦ‎ βασιλεύσας αὐτήν τε καὶ ΣολόμωναSolomon τὸν υἱὸν αὐτῆς ἀναιρήσει .
³⁵⁰ she told him all things in the manner that Nathan had suggested to her; and related what a supper Adonijah had made, and who they were whom he had invited; Abiathar the high priest, and Joab the general, and David’s sons, excepting Solomon and his intimate friends. She also said that all the people had their eyes upon him, to know whom he would choose for their king. She desired him also to consider how, after his departure, Adonijah, if he were king, would slay her and her son Solomon.	³⁵⁰ She told him everything as the prophet had suggested, including the supper Adonijah had held and the ones he had invited: Abiathar the priest and general Joab and all the king's sons except Solomon and his closest friends. She also said that all the people were looking to him, to know whom he would choose as king, and urged him to realize that if Adonijah were king after his departure, he would kill her and her son Solomon.
³⁵⁰ Barach

³⁵¹ Διαλεγομένης δὲ ἔτι τῆς γυναικὸς ἤγγειλαν οἱ τοῦ δωματίου προεστῶτες , ὅτι βούλεται ΝάθαςNathan ἰδεῖν αὐτόν . τοῦ δὲ βασιλέως ἐκδέξασθαι κελεύσαντος εἰσελθών , εἰ τήμερον ἀποδείξειε τὸν ἈδωνίανAdonijah βασιλέα καὶ παραδοίη τὴν‎ ἀρχὴν ἐπυνθάνετο ·
³⁵¹ Now, as Bathsheba was speaking, the keeper of the king’s chambers told him that Nathan desired to see him. And when the king had commanded that he should be admitted, he came in, and asked him whether he had ordained Adonijah to be king, and delivered the government to him, or not;	³⁵¹ As she was speaking, the king's chamberlain announced that Nathan wished to see him. When the king had him admitted, he asked him if he had appointed Adonijah as king that day and given him the leadership,
³⁵¹ Barach

³⁵² λαμπρὸν γὰρ αὐτὸν ποιήσαντα δεῖπνον κεκληκέναι τοὺς υἱοὺς αὐτοῦ‎ πάντας χωρὶς ΣολόμωνοςSolomon καὶ τὸν στρατηγὸν ἸώαβονJoab , οἳ μετὰ κρότου καὶ παιδιᾶς εὐωχούμενοι πολλῆς αἰώνιον αὐτῷ συνεύχονται τὴν‎ ἡγεμονίαν · ἐκάλεσε δὲ οὔτε ἐμὲ οὔτε τὸν ἀρχιερέα ΣάδωκονSadok οὔτε ΒαναίανBanaiah τὸν ἐπὶ τῶν σωματοφυλάκωνbodyguard · δίκαιον δ᾽ εἶναι ταῦτα γινώσκειν ἅπαντας ,
³⁵² for that he had made a splendid supper, and invited all his sons, except Solomon; as also that he had invited Joab, the captain of his host, [and Abiathar the high priest,] who are feasting with applauses, and many joyful sounds of instruments, and wish that his kingdom may last for ever; but he hath not invited me, nor Zadok the high priest, nor Benaiah the captain of the guards; and it is but fit that all should know whether this be done by thy approbation or not.	³⁵² for he had made a splendid supper and invited all his sons except Solomon, and had also invited Joab the general, and that they were feasting with applause and joyful sounds of instruments and wishing his kingship to last for ever. "But he did not invite me, nor Sadok the high priest, nor Benaiah the chief of the bodyguards, and it is only right that all should know whether or not this is done by your approval."
³⁵² Barach

³⁵³ εἰ κατὰ τὴν‎ σὴν γνώμην ἐγένετο . ταῦτα τοῦ Νάθα φήσαντος ὁ βασιλεὺς ἐκέλευσε καλέσαι τὴν‎ ΒερσάβηνBathsheba πρὸς αὑτόν · ἐκπεπηδήκει γὰρ ἐκ τοῦ δωματίου τοῦ προφήτου παραγενομένου . τῆς δὲ γυναικὸς ἐλθούσης , " ὄμνυμί σοι , φησί , τὸν μέγιστον θεόνGod , ἦ μὴν τὸν υἱόν σου ΣολόμωναSolomon βασιλεύσειν , ὡς καὶ πρότερον ὤμοσα , καὶ τοῦτον ἐπὶ τοὐμοῦ καθιεῖσθαι θρόνου · καὶ τοῦτο ἔσται‎ τήμερον .
³⁵³ When Nathan had said thus, the king commanded that they should call Bathsheba to him, for she had gone out of the room when the prophet came. And when Bathsheba was come, David said, “I swear by Almighty God, that thy son Solomon shall certainly he king, as I formerly swore; and that he shall sit upon my throne, and that this very day also.”	³⁵³ When Nathan had said this, the king ordered them to call Bathsheba to him, for she had left the room when the prophet came. When Bathsheba arrived David said, "I swear by Almighty God that certainly your son Solomon shall be king, as I swore in the past, and that he shall sit upon my throne this very day!"
³⁵³ Barach

³⁵⁴ προσκυνησάσης δ᾽ αὐτὸν τῆς γυναικὸς καὶ μακρὸν εὐξαμένης αὐτῷ βίον ΣάδωκονSadok Μεταπέμπεται τὸν ἀρχιερέα καὶ ΒαναίανBanaiah τὸν ἐπὶ τῶν σωματοφυλάκωνbodyguard , καὶ παραγενομένοις κελεύει παρα
³⁵⁴ So Bathsheba worshipped him, and wished him a long life; and the king sent for Zadok the high priest, and Benaiah the captain of the guards; and when they were come, he ordered them to take with them Nathan the prophet, and all the armed men about the palace,	³⁵⁴ So Bathsheba worshipped him and wished him long life, and the king sent for Sadok the high priest and Benaiah the head of his bodyguard. When they came, he told them to take with them Nathan the prophet and all the warriors about the palace
³⁵⁴ Barach

³⁵⁵ λαβεῖν ΝάθανNathan τὸν προφήτην καὶ τοὺς περὶ τὴν‎ αὐλὴν ὁπλίταςarmed warrior καὶ ἀναβιβάσαντας τὸν υἱὸν αὐτοῦ‎ ΣολόμωναSolomon ἐπὶ τὴν‎ βασιλικὴν ἡμίονον ἔξω τῆς πόλεως ἀγαγεῖν ἐπὶ πηγὴν τὴν‎ λεγομένην ΓειὼνGihon καὶ περιχρίσαντας τὸ ἅγιον ἔλαιον ἀποδεῖξαι βασιλέα · τοῦτο δὲ ποιῆσαι προσέταξε ΣάδωκονSadok τὸν ἀρχιερέα καὶ ΝάθανNathan τὸν προφήτην .
³⁵⁵ and to set his son Solomon upon the king’s mule, and to carry him out of the city to the fountain called Gihon, and to anoint him there with the holy oil, and to make him king. This he charged Zadok the high priest, and Nathan the prophet, to do,	³⁵⁵ and to set his son Solomon upon the king's mule and to take him from the city to the fountain called Gihon and there anoint him with the holy oil and make him king.
³⁵⁵ Barach

³⁵⁶ ἀκολουθοῦντάς τε προσέταξε διὰ μέσης τῆς πόλεως τοῖς κέρασιν ἐπισαλπίζοντας βοᾶν εἰς αἰῶνα ΣολόμωναSolomon τὸν βασιλέα καθίσαι ἐπὶ τοῦ βασιλικοῦ θρόνου , ἵνα γνῷ πᾶς ὁ λαὸς ἀποδεδειγμένον αὐτὸν ὑπὸ τοῦ πατρὸς βασιλέα , ΣολόμωνιSolomon δ᾽ ἐντετάλθαι περὶ τῆς ἀρχῆς , ἵνα εὐσεβῶς καὶ δικαίως προστῇ τοῦ τε ἙβραίωνHebrews ἔθνους παντὸς καὶ τῆς ἸούδαJudas φυλῆς .
³⁵⁶ and commanded them to follow Solomon through the midst of the city, and to sound the trumpets, and wish aloud that Solomon the king may sit upon the royal throne for ever, that so all the people may know that he is ordained king by his father. He also gave Solomon a charge concerning his government, to rule the whole nation of the Hebrews, and particularly the tribe of Judah, religiously and righteously.	³⁵⁶ This command he gave to Sadok the high priest and Nathan the prophet, directing them to follow Solomon through the city and to sound the trumpets and pray aloud that Solomon the king would sit upon the royal throne for ever, so that all the people should know that he was ordained king by his father. He also instructed Solomon about his government, to rule the whole Hebrew nation and particularly the tribe of Judas, religiously and justly.
³⁵⁶ Barach

³⁵⁷ ΒαναίαBanaiah δὲ εὐξαμένου τὸν θεὸν ΣολόμωνιSolomon εὐμενῆ γενέσθαι μηδὲ μικρὸν Διαλιπόντες ἀναβιβάζουσιν ἐπὶ τὴν‎ ἡμίονον τὸν ΣολόμωναSolomon , καὶ προαγαγόντες ἔξω τῆς πόλεως ἐπὶ τὴν‎ πηγὴν καὶ τῷ ἐλαίου χρίσαντες εἰσήγαγον εἰς τὴν‎ πόλιν ἐπευφημοῦντες καὶ τὴν‎ βασιλείαν αὐτῷ γενέσθαι πολυχρόνιον εὐχόμενοι ,
³⁵⁷ And when Benaiah had prayed to God to be favorable to Solomon, without any delay they set Solomon upon the mule, and brought him out of the city to the fountain, and anointed him with oil, and brought him into the city again, with acclamations and wishes that his kingdom might continue a long time:	³⁵⁷ When Benaiah had prayed for God's favour on Solomon, they quickly set upon the mule and brought him from of the city to the fountain, and anointed him with oil and brought him back into the city, with acclamations and prayers that his kingdom might continue a long time.
³⁵⁷ Barach

³⁵⁸ καὶ παραγαγόντες εἰς τὸν οἶκον τὸν βασιλικὸν καθίζουσιν αὐτὸν ἐπὶ τοῦ θρόνου , καὶ πᾶς ὁ λαὸς ἐπ᾽ εὐωχίαν εὐθὺς ἐτράπη καὶ ἑορτὴν χορεύων καὶ αὐλοῖς τερπόμενος , ὡς ὑπὸ τοῦ πλήθους τῶν ὀργάνων ἅπασαν περιηχεῖσθαι τὴν‎ γῆν καὶ τὸν ἀέρα .
³⁵⁸ and when they had introduced him into the king’s house, they set him upon the throne; whereupon all the people betook themselves to make merry, and to celebrate a festival, dancing and delighting themselves with musical pipes, till both the earth and the air echoed with the multitude of the instruments of music.	³⁵⁸ Then they had led him into the king's house and set him on the throne, and all the people set to merrymaking and celebrating a festival, with dancing and joyous piping, until the sound of their instruments echoed through all the earth and sky.
³⁵⁸ Barach

³⁵⁹ ὡς δ᾽ ᾔσθοντο τῆς βοῆς ἈδωνίαςAdonijah τε καὶ οἱ παρόντες ἐπὶ τὸ δεῖπνον ἐταράχθησαν , ὅ τε στρατηγὸς ἸώαβοςJoarib ἔλεγεν οὐκ ἀρέσκεσθαι τοῖς ἤχοις οὐδὲ τῇ σάλπιγγι . παρακειμένου δὲ τοῦ δείπνου καὶ μηδενὸς γευομένου πάντων δ᾽ ἐπ᾽ ἐννοίας ὑπαρχόντων , εἰστρέχει πρὸς αὐτοὺς ὁ τοῦ ἀρχιερέως ἈβιαθάρουAbiathar παῖς ἸωνάθηςJonathan .
³⁵⁹ Now when Adonijah and his guests perceived this noise, they were in disorder; and Joab the captain of the host said he was not pleased with these echoes, and the sound of these trumpets. And when supper was set before them, nobody tasted of it, but they were all very thoughtful what would be the matter. Then Jonathan, the son of Abiathar the high priest, came running to them;	³⁵⁹ When Adonijah and his guests heard this noise, they were troubled, and general Joab said he did not like these echoes and the sound of the trumpets. When supper was set before them, no one would taste it, and they were all wondering what was afoot when Jonathan, the son of Abiathar the high priest, came running to them,
³⁵⁹ Barach

³⁶⁰ τοῦ δ᾽ ἈδωνίαAdonijah θεασαμένου τὸν νεανίαν ἡδέως καὶ προσειπόντος ἀγαθῶν ἄγγελον , ἐδήλου πάντ᾽ αὐτοῖς τὰ περὶ τὸν ΣολόμωναSolomon καὶ τὴν‎ ΔαυίδουDavid τοῦ βασιλέως γνώμην · ἀναπηδήσαντες δ᾽ ἐκ τοῦ συμποσίου ὅ τε ἈδωνίαςAdonijah καὶ οἱ κεκλημένοι πάντες ἔφυγον πρὸς ἑαυτοὺς ἕκαστοι .
³⁶⁰ and when Adonijah saw the young man gladly, and said to him that he was a good messenger, he declared to them the whole matter about Solomon, and the determination of king David: hereupon both Adonijah and all the guests rose hastily from the feast, and every one fled to their own homes.	³⁶⁰ Adonijah was pleased to see the young man, saying he was a messenger of good, but he told them all about Solomon and the decision of king David. Therefore Adonijah and all the guests rose quickly from the feast and they all fled to their own homes.
³⁶⁰ Barach

³⁶¹ φοβηθεὶς δ᾽ ἈδωνίαςAdonijah τὸν βασιλέα περὶ τῶν γεγονότων ἱκέτης γίνεται τοῦ θεοῦ καὶ τῶν τοῦ θυσιαστηρίου κεράτων ἃ δὴ προεῖχεν ἐλλαβόμενος δηλοῦται τοῦτο ΣολόμωνιSolomon πεποιηκὼς καὶ πίστεις ἀξιῶν παρ᾽ αὐτοῦ‎ λαβεῖν , ὥστε μὴ μνησικακῆσαι μηδ᾽ ἐργάσασθαι δεινὸν αὐτὸν μηδέν .
³⁶¹ Adonijah also, as afraid of the king for what he had done, became a supplicant to God, and took hold of the horns of the altar, which were prominent. It was also told Solomon that he had so done; and that he desired to receive assurances from him that he would not remember the injury he had done, and not inflict any severe punishment for it.	³⁶¹ Now afraid of the king for what he had done, Adonijah took refuge in God and laid hold of the prominent horns of the altar. Solomon learned that he had done so and that he was asking for his assurances not to remember the harm he had done and not to severely punish him for it.
³⁶¹ Barach

³⁶² ὁ δὲ ἡμέρως πάνυ καὶ σωφρόνως τῆς μὲν τότε ἁμαρτίας αὐτὸν ἀφῆκενto send forth ἀθῷον , εἰπὼν δέ , εἰ ληφθείη τι πάλιν καινοποιῶν , ἑαυτῷ αἴτιον τῆς τιμωρίας ἔσεσθαι , πέμψας ἀνίστησιν αὐτὸν ἀπὸ τῆς ἱκεσίας · ἐλθόντα δὲ καὶ προσκυνήσαντα εἰς τὴν‎ ἰδίαν οἰκίαν ἀπελθεῖν ἐκέλευσε μηδὲν ὑφορώμενον καὶ τοῦ λοιποῦ παρέχειν αὑτὸν ἀγαθὸν ὡς αὐτῷ τοῦτο συμφέρον ἠξίου .
³⁶² Solomon answered very mildly and prudently, that he forgave him this his offense; but said withal, that if he were found out in any attempt for new innovations, that he would be the author of his own punishment. So he sent to him, and raised him up from the place of his supplication. And when he was come to the king, and had worshipped him, the king bid him go away to his own house, and have no suspicion of any harm; and desired him to show himself a worthy man, as what would tend to his own advantage.	³⁶² He replied very mildly and prudently that he forgave him his offence, but said that if he were caught attempting any revolt, he would bring punishment upon himself. So he sent to him and raised him up from the place of his prayer. When he came to the king and had worshipped him, the king told him to go away to his own house and not fear any harm, asking him to show himself a worthy man for his own good.
³⁶² Barach

³⁶³ βουλόμενος δὲ ΔαυίδηςDavid ἐπὶ παντὸς τοῦ λαοῦ ἀποδεῖξαι τὸν υἱὸν βασιλέα συγκαλεῖ τοὺς ἄρχοντας εἰς ἹεροσόλυμαJerusalem καὶ τοὺς ἱερεῖς καὶ τοὺς ΛηουίταςLevites . ἐξαριθμήσας δὲ τούτους πρῶτον εὑρίσκει τῶν ἀπὸ τριάκοντα ἐτῶν ἕως πεντήκοντα τρισμυρίους ὀκτακισχιλίους .
³⁶³ But David, being desirous of ordaining his son king of all the people, called together their rulers to Jerusalem, with the priests and the Levites; and having first numbered the Levites, he found them to be thirty-eight thousand, from thirty years old to fifty;	³⁶³ Eager to install his son as king of the whole people, David called together their officers to Jerusalem, with the priests and the Levites, and having first numbered the Levites, he found them to be thirty-eight thousand, from thirty years old to fifty.
³⁶³ Barach

³⁶⁴ ἐξ ὧν ἀπέδειξεν ἐπιμελητὰς μὲν τῆς οἰκοδομίας τοῦ ναοῦ δισμυρίους τετρακισχιλίους , κριτὰς δὲ τοῦ λαοῦ καὶ γραμματεῖς τούτων ἑξακισχιλίους , πυλωροὺς δὲ τετρακισχιλίους καὶ τοσούτους ὑμνῳδοὺς τοῦ θεοῦ ᾄδοντας τοῖς ὀργάνοις οἷς ΔαυίδηςDavid κατεσκεύασε , καθὼς προειρήκαμεν .
³⁶⁴ out of which he appointed twenty-three thousand to take care of the building of the temple, and out of the same, six thousand to be judges of the people and scribes, four thousand for porters to the house of God, and as many for singers, to sing to the instruments which David had prepared, as we have said already.	³⁶⁴ From these he appointed twenty-three thousand to take care of the building of the temple and six thousand of them as judges of the people and scribes, four thousand as porters to the house of God and the same number as singers, to sing along with the instruments which David had prepared, as already said.
³⁶⁴ Barach

³⁶⁵ διεμέρισε δ᾽ αὐτοὺς καὶ κατὰ πατριὰς καὶ χωρίσας ἐκ τῆς φυλῆς τοὺς ἱερεῖς εὗρε τούτων εἴκοσι τέσσαρας πατριάς , ἐκ μὲν τῆς ἘλεαζάρουEleazar οἰκίας ἑκκαίδεκα , ἐκ δὲ τῆς ἸθαμάρουIthamar ὀκτώ , διέταξέ τε μίαν πατριὰν διακονεῖσθαι τῷ θεῷ ἐπὶ ἡμέρας ὀκτὼ ἀπὸ σαββάτου ἐπὶ σάββατον .
³⁶⁵ He divided them also into courses: and when he had separated the priests from them, he found of these priests twenty-four courses, sixteen of the house of Eleazar, and eight of that of Ithamar; and he ordained that one course should minister to God eight days, from Sabbath to Sabbath.	³⁶⁵ He divided them into groups : and when he had singled out the priests he took twenty-four groups of these priests, sixteen of the house of Eleazar and eight of that of Ithamar, and he ordained that one group should minister to God every eight days, from sabbath to sabbath.
³⁶⁵ Barach

³⁶⁶ καὶ οὕτως αἱ πατριαὶ πᾶσαι διεκληρώσαντο ΔαυίδουDavid παρόντος καὶ ΣαδώκουSadok καὶ ἈβιαθάρουAbiathar τῶν ἀρχιερέων καὶ πάντων τῶν ἀρχόντων · καὶ ἡ πρώτη μὲν ἀναβᾶσα πατριὰ ἐγράφη πρώτη , ἡ δὲ δευτέρα ἀκολούθως ἄχρι τῶν εἴκοσι τεσσάρων · καὶ διέμεινεν οὗτος ὁ μερισμὸς ἄχρι τῆς σήμερον ἡμέρας .
³⁶⁶ And thus were the courses distributed by lot, in the presence of David, and Zadok and Abiathar the high priests, and of all the rulers; and that course which came up first was written down as the first, and accordingly the second, and so on to the twenty-fourth; and this partition hath remained to this day.	³⁶⁶ So the groups were distributed by lot, in the presence of David and Sadok and Abiathar the high priests and all the officers, and the group which came up first was written down as the first, then the second and so on to the twenty-fourth; a division that has remained to this day.
³⁶⁶ Barach

³⁶⁷ ἐποίησε δὲ καὶ τῆς ΛηουίτιδοςLevite tribe φυλῆς εἴκοσι μέρη καὶ τέσσαρα καὶ κληρωσαμένων κατὰ τὸν αὐτὸν ἀνέβησαν τρόπον ταῖς τῶν ἱερέων ἐφημερίσιν ἐπὶ ἡμέρας ὀκτώ . τοὺς δ᾽ ἀπογόνους τοὺς ΜωυσέοςMoses ἐτίμησεν · ἐποίησε γὰρ αὐτοὺς φύλακας τῶν θησαυρῶν τοῦ θεοῦ καὶ τῶν ἀναθημάτων , ἃ συνέβη τοὺς βασιλεῖς ἀναθεῖναι · διέταξε δὲ πᾶσι τοῖς ἐκ τῆς ΛηουίτιδοςLevite tribe φυλῆς καὶ τοῖς ἱερεῦσι δουλεύειν κατὰ νύκτα καὶ ἡμέραν τῷ θεῷ , καθὼς αὐτοῖς ἐπέστειλε ΜωυσῆςMoses .
³⁶⁷ He also made twenty-four parts of the tribe of Levi; and when they cast lots, they came up in the same manner for their courses of eight days. He also honored the posterity of Moses, and made them the keepers of the treasures of God, and of the donations which the kings dedicated. He also ordained that all the tribe of Levi, as well as the priests, should serve God night and day, as Moses had enjoined them.	³⁶⁷ He also made twenty-four divisions of the tribe of Levi, and when they cast lots they too were assigned their rota of eight days in the same way. He also honoured the descendants of Moses and appointed them keepers of the treasury of God and of the donations dedicated by the kings. He also ordained that all the tribe of Levi, as well as the priests, should serve God night and day, as Moses had ordered them.
³⁶⁷ Barach

³⁶⁸ μετὰ ταῦτα διεμέρισε τὴν‎ στρατιὰν εἰς δώδεκα μοίρας σὺν ἡγεμόσι καὶ ἑκατοντάρχοις καὶ ταξιάρχαις . εἶχεν δ᾽ ἑκάστη τῶν μοιρῶν δισμυρίους καὶ τετρακισχιλίους , ὧν ἐκέλευσε προσεδρεύειν κατὰ τριάκονθ᾽ ἡμέρας ἀπὸ τῆς πρώτης ἕως τῆς ὑστάτης ΣολόμωνιSolomon τῷ βασιλεῖ σὺν τοῖς χιλιάρχοις καὶ ἑκατοντάρχοις .
³⁶⁸ After this he parted the entire army into twelve parts, with their leaders [and captains of hundreds] and commanders. Now every part had twenty-four thousand, which were ordered to wait on Solomon, by thirty days at a time, from the first day till the last, with the captains of thousands and captains of hundreds.	³⁶⁸ After this he divided the entire army into twelve divisions, with their generals and officers of hundreds and lower officers. Now every division had twenty-four thousand and was ordered to wait on Solomon for periods of thirty days at a time, from the first day to the last, under the officers of thousands and of hundreds.
³⁶⁸ Barach

³⁶⁹ κατέστησε δὲ καὶ ἄρχοντα ἑκάστης μοίρας ὃν ἀγαθὸν ᾔδει καὶ δίκαιον , ἐπιτρόπους τε τῶν θησαυρῶν καὶ κωμῶν καὶ ἀγρῶν ἄλλους καὶ κτηνῶν , ὧν οὐκ ἀναγκαῖον μνησθῆναι τῶν ὀνομάτων .
³⁶⁹ He also set rulers over every part, such as he knew to be good and righteous men. He set others also to take charge of the treasures, and of the villages, and of the fields, and of the beasts, whose names I do not think it necessary to mention.	³⁶⁹ He set over each division officers whom he knew to be good and righteous men and set others, whose names I do not think it necessary to mention, in charge of the treasury and the villages and the fields and the animals.
³⁶⁹ Barach

³⁷⁰ ὡς δ᾽ ἕκαστα τούτων κατὰ τὸν προειρημένον διέταξε τρόπον , εἰς ἐκκλησίαν συγκαλέσας τοὺς ἄρχοντας τῶν ἙβραίωνHebrews καὶ τοὺς φυλάρχους καὶ τοὺς ἡγεμόνας τῶν διαιρέσεων καὶ τοὺς ἐπὶ πάσης πράξεως ἢ κτήσεως τοῦ βασιλέως τεταγμένους , στὰς ἐφ᾽ ὑψηλοτάτου βήματος ὁ βασιλεὺς ἔλεξε πρὸς τὸ πλῆθος ·
³⁷⁰ When David had ordered all these officers after the manner before mentioned, he called the rulers of the Hebrews, and their heads of tribes, and the officers over the several divisions, and those that were appointed over every work, and every possession; and standing upon a high pulpit, he said to the multitude as follows:	³⁷⁰ When David had ordered all these matters as stated, he assembled the officers of the Hebrews and their heads of tribes and the heads of the various divisions and those in charge of every work and every property and standing on a high platform he addressed them as follows :
³⁷⁰ Barach

³⁷¹ " ἀδελφοὶ καὶ ὁμοεθνεῖς , γινώσκειν ὑμᾶς βούλομαι , ὅτι ναὸν οἰκοδομῆσαι τῷ θεῷ διανοηθεὶς χρυσόν τε πολὺν παρεσκευασάμην καὶ ἀργύρου ταλάντων μυριάδας δέκα , ὁ δὲ θεὸς ἐκώλυσέ με διὰ τοῦ προφήτου Νάθα διά τε τοὺς ὑπὲρ ὑμῶν πολέμους καὶ τῷ φόνῳ τῶν ἐχθρῶν μεμιάνθαι τὴν‎ δεξιάν , τὸν δὲ υἱὸν ἐκέλευσε τὸν διαδεξόμενον τὴν‎ βασιλείαν κατασκευάσαι τὸν ναὸν αὐτῷ .
³⁷¹ “My brethren and my people, I would have you know that I intended to build a house for God, and prepared a large quantity of gold, and a hundred thousand talents of silver; but God prohibited me by the prophet Nathan, because of the wars I had on your account, and because my right hand was polluted with the slaughter of our enemies; but he commanded that my son, who was to succeed me in the kingdom, should build a temple for him.	³⁷¹ "My brothers and my people, I want you to know that I intended to build a house for God and have prepared a large amount of gold and a hundred thousand talents of silver, but through the prophet Nathan God prohibited me, because of the wars I had on your behalf and my right hand was polluted with the slaughter of our enemies, but he ordered my son, who would succeed me as king, to build a temple for him.
³⁷¹ Barach

³⁷² νῦν οὖν ἐπεὶ καὶ τῷ προγόνῳ ἡμῶν ἸακώβῳJacob, James δυοκαίδεκα παίδων γενομένων ἴστε τὸν ἸούδανJudas ἀποδειχθέντα βασιλέα , καὶ ἐμὲ τῶν ἀδελφῶν ἓξ ὄντων προκριθέντα καὶ τὴν‎ ἡγεμονίαν λαβόντα παρὰ τοῦ θεοῦ καὶ μηδένα τούτων δυσχεράναντα , οὕτως ἀξιῶ κἀγὼ τοὺς ἐμαυτοῦ παῖδας μὴ στασιάζειν πρὸς ἀλλήλους ΣολόμωνοςSolomon τὴν‎ βασιλείαν παρειληφότος , ἀλλ᾽ ἐπισταμένους ὡς ὁ θεὸς αὐτὸν ἐξελέξατο φέρειν ἡδέως αὐτὸν δεσπότην .
³⁷² Now therefore, since you know that of the twelve sons whom Jacob our forefather had Judah was appointed to be king, and that I was preferred before my six brethren, and received the government from God, and that none of them were uneasy at it, so do I also desire that my sons be not seditious one against another, now Solomon has received the kingdom, but to bear him cheerfully for their lord, as knowing that God hath chosen him;	³⁷² Therefore, since you know that of the twelve sons of our forefather Jacob, Judas was appointed as king and that I was preferred before my six brothers and received the leadership from God and that none of them quarrelled over it, so I now wish that my sons not be rebellious against each other, now that Solomon has received the kingship, but to cheerfully accept him as their master, knowing that God has chosen him.
³⁷² Barach

³⁷³ οὐ δεινὸν γὰρ θεοῦ θέλοντος οὐδ᾽ ἀλλοτρίῳ κρατοῦντι δουλεύειν , χαίρειν δ᾽ ἐπ᾽ ἀδελφῷ ταύτης τυχόντι τῆς τιμῆς προσῆκεν ὡς κοινωνοῦντας αὐτῆς . εὔχομαι δὴ τὰς ὑποσχέσεις τοῦ θεοῦ παρελθεῖν εἰς τέλος καὶ τὴν‎ εὐδαιμονίαν ταύτην ἀνὰ πᾶσαν τὴν‎ χώραν σπαρῆναι καὶ τὸν ἅπαντα ταύτῃ παραμεῖναι χρόνον , ἣν αὐτὸς ἐπηγγείλατο παρέξειν ἐπὶ ΣολόμωνοςSolomon βασιλέως .
³⁷³ for it is not a grievous thing to obey even a foreigner as a ruler, if it be God’s will, but it is fit to rejoice when a brother hath obtained that dignity, since the rest partake of it with him.	³⁷³ If it is not too much to obey even a foreigner as a ruler, if it be God's will, how right it is to rejoice when a brother gains that dignity, since the rest share in it with him. Now I pray that God's promises may be fulfilled, and that the prosperity he has promised to bestow upon king Solomon and over all the region, may continue in it for all time to come.
³⁷³ Barach

³⁷⁴ ἔσται‎ δὲ ταῦτα βέβαια καὶ καλὸν ἕξει πέρας , ἂν εὐσεβῆ καὶ δίκαιον αὑτὸν καὶ φύλακα τῶν πατρίων παρέχῃς νόμων , ὦ τέκνον · εἰ δὲ μή , τὰ χείρω προσδοκάτω ταῦτα παραβαίνων ."
³⁷⁴ And I pray that the promises of God may be fulfilled; and that this happiness which he hath promised to bestow upon king Solomon, over all the country, may continue therein for all time to come. And these promises O son, will be firm, and come to a happy end, if thou showest thyself to be a religious and a righteous man, and an observer of the laws of thy country; but if not, expect adversity upon thy disobedience to them.”	³⁷⁴ These promises my son, will be firm and prosper if you prove to be a devout and righteous man and keep the ancestral laws, but if not, you may expect adversity for disobeying them."
³⁷⁴ Barach

³⁷⁵ Ὁ μὲν οὖν βασιλεὺς τούτους ποιησάμενος τοὺς λόγους ἐπαύσατο , τήν τε διαγραφὴν καὶ διάταξιν τῆς οἰκοδομίας τοῦ ναοῦ πάντων ὁρώντων ἔδωκε ΣολόμωνιSolomon θεμελίων καὶ οἴκων [καὶ ] ὑπερῴων , ὅσοι τε τὸ πλῆθος καὶ πηλίκοι τὸ ὕψος καὶ εὖρος γένοιντο , ὅσα τε σκεύη χρυσᾶ καὶ ἀργυρᾶ τούτων τὸν σταθμὸν ὥρισε .
³⁷⁵ Now when the king had said this, he left off; but gave the description and pattern of the building of the temple in the sight of them all to Solomon: of the foundations and of the chambers, inferior and superior; how many they were to be, and how large in height and in breadth; as also he determined the weight of the golden and silver vessels:	³⁷⁵ After saying this, the king paused, and then he gave to Solomon in the sight of them all an exact description of the building of the temple : the foundations and the chambers, lower and upper; how many they were to be and their height and width, and he decided the weight of the golden and silver vessels.
³⁷⁵ Barach

³⁷⁶ προσπαρώρμησε δὲ καὶ λόγοις αὐτόν τε πάσῃ‎ χρήσασθαι προθυμίᾳ περὶ τὸ ἔργον καὶ τοὺς ἄρχοντας καὶ τὴν‎ ΛηουιτῶνLevites φυλὴν συναγωνίσασθαι διά τε τὴν‎ ἡλικίαν καὶ διὰ τὸ τὸν θεὸν ἐκεῖνον ἑλέσθαι καὶ τῆς οἰκοδομίας τοῦ ναοῦ καὶ τῆς βασιλείας προστάτην .
³⁷⁶ moreover, he earnestly excited them with his words to use the utmost alacrity about the work; he exhorted the rulers also, and particularly the tribe of Levi, to assist him, both because of his youth, and because God had chosen him to take care of the building of the temple, and of the government of the kingdom.	³⁷⁶ Earnestly he urged them to commit heartily to the work and urged the officers and particularly the tribe of Levi, to help him, both because of his youth and because God had chosen him to take care of the building of the temple and of governing the kingdom.
³⁷⁶ Barach

³⁷⁷ εὐμαρῆ δ᾽ αὐτοῖς καὶ οὐ σφόδρα ἐπίπονον τὴν‎ οἰκοδομίαν ἀπέφαινεν αὐτοῦ‎ μὲν πολλὰ τάλαντα χρυσοῦ πλείω δ᾽ ἀργύρου καὶ ξύλα καὶ τεκτόνων πλῆθος καὶ λατόμων ἤδη παρεσκευασμένου σμαράγδου τε καὶ πάσης ἰδέας λίθου πολυτελοῦς ·
³⁷⁷ He also declared to them that the work would be easy, and not very laborious to them, because he had prepared for it many talents of gold, and more of silver, with timber, and a great many carpenters and stone-cutters, and a large quantity of emeralds, and all sorts of precious stones;	³⁷⁷ He assured them that the work would be easy and not too laborious for them, since he had prepared for it many talents of gold and still more of silver, with timber and many carpenters and stone-cutters and a large amount of emeralds and all sorts of precious stones,
³⁷⁷ Barach

³⁷⁸ καὶ νῦν δ᾽ ἔτι τῆς ἰδίας ἀπαρχὴν διακονίας ἄλλα τρισχίλια τάλαντα χρυσοῦ καθαροῦ παρέξειν ἔλεγεν εἰς τὸ ἄδυτον καὶ εἰς τὸ ἅρμα τοῦ θεοῦ τοὺς ΧερουβεῖςCherubim , οὓς ἐφεστάναι δεήσει τὴν‎ κιβωτὸν καλύπτοντας . σιωπήσαντος δὲ τοῦ ΔαυίδουDavid πολλὴ καὶ τῶν ἀρχόντων καὶ τῶν ἱερέων καὶ τῆς ΛηουίτιδοςLevite tribe φυλῆς προθυμία συμβαλλομένων καὶ ποιουμένων ἐπαγγελίας λαμπρὰς καὶ μεγαλοπρεπεῖς ἐγένετο ·
³⁷⁸ and he said, that even now he would give of the proper goods of his own dominion two hundred talents, and three hundred other talents of pure gold, for the most holy place, and for the chariot of God, the cherubim, which are to stand over and cover the ark. Now when David had done speaking, there appeared great alacrity among the rulers, and the priests, and the Levites, who now contributed and made great and splendid promises for a future contribution;	³⁷⁸ and he said that even now he would give two hundred talents from his own goods and three hundred other talents of pure gold, for the most holy place and for the chariot of God, the cherubim, which were to stand over and cover the ark. When David had finished speaking, a great commitment was seen among the officers and the priests and the Levites, who now contributed and made lavish promises of future contribution.
³⁷⁸ Barach

³⁷⁹ χρυσοῦ μὲν γὰρ ὑπέστησαν εἰσοίσειν τάλαντα πεντακισχίλια καὶ στατῆρας μυρίους , ἀργυρίου δὲ μύρια τάλαντα , καὶ σιδήρου μυριάδας ταλάντων πολλάς · καὶ εἴ τινι λίθος ἦν πολυτελὴςcostly, valuable ἐκόμισε καὶ παρέδωκεν εἰς τοὺς θησαυρούς , ὧν ἐπετρόπευενadministrator ὁ ΜωυσέοςMoses ἔκγονος ἼαλοςJachiel .
³⁷⁹ for they undertook to bring of gold five thousand talents, and ten thousand drams, and of silver ten thousand talents, and many ten thousand talents of iron; and if any one had a precious stone he brought it, and bequeathed it to be put among the treasures; of which Jachiel, one of the posterity of Moses, had the care.	³⁷⁹ They undertook to bring five thousand talents and ten thousand drachmas of gold, and ten thousand talents of silver and many times ten thousand talents of iron, and if anyone had a precious stone he brought it and bequeathed it to be put among the treasures, in charge of which was Jachiel, one of the descendants of Moses.
³⁷⁹ Barach

³⁸⁰ Ἐπὶ τούτοις ἥσθη τε ὁ λαὸς ἅπας καὶ ΔαυίδηςDavid τὴν‎ σπουδὴν καὶ τὴν‎ φιλοτιμίαν τῶν ἀρχόντων καὶ ἱερέων καὶ τῶν ἄλλων ἁπάντων ὁρῶν τὸν θεὸν εὐλογεῖν ἤρξατο μεγάλῃ βοῇ πατέρα τε καὶ γένεσιν τῶν ὅλων ἀποκαλῶν καὶ δημιουργὸν ἀνθρωπίνων καὶ θείων , οἷς αὑτὸν ἐκόσμησε , προστάτην τε καὶ κηδεμόνα γένους τῶν ἙβραίωνHebrews καὶ τῆς τούτων εὐδαιμονίας ἧς τε αὐτῷ βασιλείας ἔδωκεν .
³⁸⁰ Upon this occasion all the people rejoiced, as in particular did David, when he saw the zeal and forward ambition of the rulers, and the priests, and of all the rest; and he began to bless God with a loud voice, calling him the Father and Parent of the universe, and the Author of human and divine things, with which he had adorned Solomon, the patron and guardian of the Hebrew nation, and of its happiness, and of that kingdom which he hath given his son.	³⁸⁰ All the people rejoiced at this, and David in particular, when he saw the zeal and ambition of the officers and priests and all the others, and he began to bless God aloud, calling him the Father and Parent of the universe and the Author of things human and divine, with which he had adorned Solomon, the patron and guardian of the Hebrew nation and its prosperity and of the kingdom which he has given his son.
³⁸⁰ Barach

³⁸¹ ἐπὶ τούτοις εὐξάμενος τῷ τε παντὶ λαῷ τὰ ἀγαθὰ καὶ τῷ παιδὶ ΣολόμωνιSolomon διάνοιαν ὑγιῆ καὶ δικαίαν καὶ πᾶσι τοῖς τῆς ἀρετῆς μέρεσιν ἐρρωμένην ἐκέλευσε καὶ τὸ πλῆθος εὐλογεῖν τὸν θεόνGod . Καὶ οἱ μὲν πεσόντες ἐπὶ τὴν‎ γῆν προσεκύνησαν , εὐχαρίστησαν δὲ καὶ ΔαυίδῃDavid περὶ πάντων ὧν αὐτοῦ‎ τὴν‎ βασιλείαν παραλαβόντος ἀπέλαυσαν .
³⁸¹ Besides this, he prayed for happiness to all the people; and to Solomon his son, a sound and a righteous mind, and confirmed in all sorts of virtue; and then he commanded the multitude to bless God; upon which they all fell down upon the ground and worshipped him. They also gave thanks to David, on account of all the blessings which they had received ever since he had taken the kingdom.	³⁸¹ He prayed for prosperity for the whole people, and for his son Solomon a sound and a righteous mind firm in all sorts of virtue, and then he told the people to bless God. At this they all fell upon the ground and worshipped him and gave thanks to David for all the blessings they had received since he had become king.
³⁸¹ Barach

³⁸² τῇ δ᾽ ἐπιούσῃ θυσίας τῷ θεῷ παρέστησαν μόσχους χιλίους καὶ κριοὺς τοσούτους καὶ χιλίους ἀμνούς , οὓς ὡλοκαύτωσαν · ἔθυσαν δὲ καὶ τὰς εἰρηνικὰς θυσίας πολλὰς μυριάδας ἱερείων κατασφάξαντες . Καὶ δι᾽ ὅλης τῆς ἡμέρας ἑώρτασεν ὁ βασιλεὺς σὺν παντὶ τῷ λαῷ , καὶ ΣολόμωναSolomon δεύτερον ἔχρισαν τῷ ἐλαίου καὶ ἀπέδειξαν αὐτὸν βασιλέα καὶ ΣάδωκονSadok ἀρχιερέα τῆς πληθύος ἁπάσης . εἴς τε τὸ βασίλειον ἀγαγόντες ΣολόμωναSolomon καὶ καθίσαντες αὐτὸν ἐπὶ θρόνου τοῦ πατρῴου ἀπ᾽ ἐκείνης τῆς ἡμέρας ὑπήκουον αὐτῷ .
³⁸² On the next day he presented sacrifices to God, a thousand bullocks, and as many lambs, which they offered for burnt-offerings. They also offered peace-offerings, and slew many ten thousand sacrifices; and the king feasted all day, together with all the people; and they anointed Solomon a second time with the oil, and appointed him to be king, and Zadok to be the high priest of the whole multitude. And when they had brought Solomon to the royal palace, and had set him upon his father’s throne, they were obedient to him from that day.	³⁸² The following day, he offered sacrifices to God, a thousand bullocks and as many lambs, as holocausts. They also offered peace-offerings and slaughtered many thousands of sacrifices, and the king feasted all day with all the people, and they anointed Solomon with oil a second time and appointed him as king and Sadok as the high priest of the whole throng. Then they brought Solomon to the royal palace and set him upon his father's throne, and obeyed him from that day onward.
³⁸² Barach

Chapter 15
[383-394]
David's parting advice to his son Solomon

☜ ☞

³⁸³ Μετ᾽ ὀλίγον δὲ χρόνον ὁ ΔαυίδηςDavid καταπεσὼν εἰς νόσον ὑπὸ γήρως καὶ συνειδὼς ὅτι μέλλει τελευτᾶν καλέσας τὸν υἱὸν ΣολόμωναSolomon διελέχθη πρὸς αὐτὸν τοιάδε · " ἐγὼ μέν , ὦ τέκνον , εἰς τὸ χρεὼν ἤδη καὶ πατέρας τοὺς ἐμοὺς ἀπαλλάσσομαι κοινὴν ὁδὸν ἁπάντων τῶν τε νῦν ὄντων καὶ τῶν ἐσομένωνto be πορευόμενος , ἐξ ἧς οὐκέτι οἷόν τε ἐπανελθόντα γνῶναι , τί κατὰ τὸν βίον πράττεται .
³⁸³ A little afterward David also fell into a distemper, by reason of his age; and perceiving that he was near to death, he called his son Solomon, and discoursed to him thus: “I am now, O my son, going to my grave, and to my fathers, which is the common way which all men that now are, or shall be hereafter, must go; from which way it is no longer possible to return, and to know any thing that is done in this world.	³⁸³ Soon David was ill of old age, and knowing that he was near death, called his son Solomon and said to him, "My son, I am now going to my destiny and to my fathers, which is the common journey to be made by all who are, or shall ever be, and from this journey there is no possible return to learn what goes on among the living.
³⁸³ Barach

³⁸⁴ διὸ ζῶν ἔτι καὶ πρὸς αὐτῷ γεγονὼς τῷ τελευτᾶν παραινῶ σοι ταῦθ᾽ ἃ καὶ πρότερον ἔφθην συμβουλεύσας , δικαίῳ μὲν εἶναι πρὸς τοὺς ἀρχομένους , εὐσεβεῖ δὲ πρὸς τὸν τὴν‎ βασιλείαν δεδωκότα θεόνGod , φυλάττειν δ᾽ αὐτοῦ‎ τὰς ἐντολὰς καὶ τοὺς νόμους , οὓς αὐτὸς διὰ ΜωυσέοςMoses κατέπεμψεν ἡμῖν , καὶ μήτε χάριτι μήτε θωπείᾳ μήτ᾽ ἐπιθυμίᾳ μήτε ἄλλῳ πάθει προστιθέμενον τούτων ἀμελῆσαι ·
³⁸⁴ On which account I exhort thee, while I am still alive, though already very near to death, in the same manner as I have formerly said in my advice to thee, to be righteous towards thy subjects, and religious towards God, that hath given thee thy kingdom; to observe his commands and his laws, which he hath sent us by Moses; and neither do thou out of favor nor flattery allow any lust or other passion to weigh with thee to disregard them;	³⁸⁴ So, though near to death, while I am still alive I urge you, as I have done in the past, to be righteous toward your subjects and devoted to God who has given you the kingdom. Keep his commands and laws, which he has sent us by Moses, and do not let favour or flattery or lust or any other passion cause you to disregard them.
³⁸⁴ Barach

³⁸⁵ τὴν‎ γὰρ τοῦ θείου πρὸς σαυτὸν εὔνοιαν ἀπολεῖς παραβάς τι τῶν νομίμων καὶ πρὸς ἅπαντ᾽ αὐτοῦ‎ τὴν‎ ἀγαθὴν ἀποστρέψεις πρόνοιαν · τοιοῦτον δὲ σεαυτὸν παρέχων , ὁποῖονof what sort εἶναί τε δεῖ κἀγὼ δὲ παρακαλῶ , καθέξεις ἡμῶν τὴν‎ βασιλείαν τῷ γένει καὶ οἶκος ἄλλος ἙβραίωνHebrews οὐκ ἂν δεσπόσειεν , ἀλλ᾽ ἡμεῖς αὐτοὶ διὰ τοῦ παντὸς αἰῶνος .
³⁸⁵ for if thou transgressest his laws, thou wilt lose the favor of God, and thou wilt turn away his providence from thee in all things; but if thou behave thyself so as it behooves thee, and as I exhort thee, thou wilt preserve our kingdom to our family, and no other house will bear rule over the Hebrews but we ourselves for all ages.	³⁸⁵ If you transgress his laws, you will lose God's favour and turn aside his providence from you in all things. But if you behave yourself according to your duty and as I urge you, you will preserve the kingship within our family and no other house but ours will rule over the Hebrews for all ages.
³⁸⁵ Barach

³⁸⁶ μέμνησο δὲ καὶ τῆς ἸωάβουJoab τοῦ στρατηγοῦ παρανομίας ἀποκτείναντος διὰ ζηλοτυπίαν δύο στρατηγοὺς δικαίους καὶ ἀγαθούς , ἈβεννῆρόνAbner τε τὸν ΝήρουNer, Neros παῖδα καὶ τὸν ἈμασὰνAmasa υἱὸν ἸέθραJethra · ὧν ὅπως ἄν σοι δόξῃ τὸν θάνατον ἐκδίκησον , ἐπεὶ καὶ κρείττων ἐμοῦ καὶ δυνατώτερος ὁ ἸώαβοςJoarib ὢν μέχρι νῦν τὴν‎ δίκην διέφυγε .
³⁸⁶ Be thou also mindful of the transgressions of Joab, the captain of the host, who hath slain two generals out of envy, and those righteous and good men, Abner the son of Ner, and Amasa the son of Jether; whose death do thou avenge as shall seem good to thee, since Joab hath been too hard for me, and more potent than myself, and so hath escaped punishment hitherto.	³⁸⁶ Remember also the faults of general Joab, who from envy killed the generals Abner, son of Ner, and Amasa, son of Jethra, who were righteous and good men. Avenge their death as you think best since Joab has bested me and been stronger than I and has eluded justice up to now.
³⁸⁶ Barach

³⁸⁷ παρατίθεμαι δέ σοι καὶ τοὺς ΒερζέλουBarzillai τοῦ ΓαλαδίτουGaladite παῖδας , οὓς ἐν τιμῇ πάσῃ‎ καὶ προνοίᾳ τοῦτ᾽ ἐμοὶ χαριζόμενος ἕξεις · οὐ προκατάρχομεν γὰρ εὐποιίας , ἀλλ᾽ ἀμοιβὴν ὧν ὁ πατὴρ αὐτῶν παρὰ τὴν‎ φυγὴν ὑπῆρξέ μοι χρεολυτοῦμεν .
³⁸⁷ I also commit to thee the son of Barzillai the Gileadite, whom, in order to gratify me, thou shalt have in great honor, and take great care of; for we have not done good to him first, but we only repay that debt which we owe to his father for what he did to me in my flight.	³⁸⁷ I also entrust to you the children of Barzillai the Galadite, whom, if you want to please me, you shall highly honour and take care of, because we did no good for him up to now, but we should repay the debt we owe his father for helping me during my flight.
³⁸⁷ Barach

³⁸⁸ καὶ τὸν ΓήραGera δὲ υἱὸν ΣουμούινShimei τὸν ἐκ τῆς ΒενιαμίτιδοςBenjamin φυλῆς , ὃς πολλὰ βλασφημήσας με παρὰ τὴν‎ φυγήν , ὅτ᾽when εἰς Παρεμβολὰς ἐπορευόμην , ἀπήντησεν ἐπὶ τὸν ἸόρδανονJordan καὶ πίστεις ἔλαβεν ὡς μηδὲν αὐτὸν παθεῖν τότε , νῦν ἐπιζητήσας αἰτίαν εὔλογον ἄμυνε ."
³⁸⁸ There is also Shimei the son of Gera, of the tribe of Benjamin, who, after he had cast many reproaches upon me, when, in my flight, I was going to Mahanaim, met me at Jordan, and received assurances that he should then suffer nothing. Do thou now seek out for some just occasion, and punish him.”	³⁸⁸ And Shimei the son of Gera, of the tribe of Benjamin, who, after hurling many insults at me during my flight, as I was going to The Camps, met me at the Jordan and was assured of being unharmed at that time… now seek out some good reason to punish him."
³⁸⁸ Barach

³⁸⁹ Ταῦτα παραινέσας τῷ παιδὶ περὶ τε τῶν ὅλων πραγμάτων καὶ [περὶ ] τῶν φίλων καὶ οὓς ᾔδει τιμωρίας ἀξίους γεγενημένους ἀπέθανεν , ἔτη μὲν βιώσας ἑβδομήκοντα , βασιλεύσας δὲ ἑπτὰ μὲν ἐν ΧεβρῶνιHebron τῆς ἸούδαJudas φυλῆς καὶ μῆνας ἕξ , ἐν ἹεροσολύμοιςJerusalem δὲ ἁπάσης τῆς χώρας τρία καὶ τριάκοντα .
³⁸⁹ When David had given these admonitions to his son about public affairs, and about his friends, and about those whom he knew to deserve punishment, he died, having lived seventy years, and reigned seven years and six months in Hebron over the tribe of Judah, and thirty-three years in Jerusalem over all the country.	³⁸⁹ When David had admonished his son about everything and about his friends and those who should be punished, he died, having lived seventy years and reigned for seven years and six months in Hebron over the tribe of Judas, and thirty-three years in Jerusalem over the whole country.
³⁸⁹ Barach

³⁹⁰ οὕτως ἀρίστῳ ἀνδρὶ γεγενημένῳ καὶ πᾶσαν ἀρετὴν ἔχοντι καὶ τοσούτων ἐθνῶν σωτηρίαν ἐγκεχειρισμένῳ βασιλεῖ ἔδει προσεπαινέσαι καὶ τό τε τῆς δυνάμεως αὐτοῦ‎ εὐσθενὲς καὶ τὸ τῆς σωφροσύνης συνετόν · ἀνδρεῖος γὰρ ἦν , ὡς οὐκ ἄλλος τις , ἐν δὲ τοῖς ὑπὲρ τῶν ὑπηκόων ἀγῶσν πρῶτος ἐπὶ τοὺς κινδύνους ὥρμα , τῷ πονεῖν καὶ μάχεσθαι παρακελευόμενος τοὺς στρατιώτας ἐπὶ τὰς παρατάξεις ἀλλ᾽ οὐχὶ τῷ προστάττειν ὡς δεσπότης ,
³⁹⁰ This man was of an excellent character, and was endowed with all virtues that were desirable in a king, and in one that had the preservation of so many tribes committed to him; for he was a man of valor in a very extraordinary degree, and went readily and first of all into dangers, when he was to fight for his subjects, as exciting the soldiers to action by his own labors, and fighting for them, and not by commanding them in a despotic way.	³⁹⁰ He was a man of excellent character, with every virtue needed in a king entrusted with the safety of so many tribes, for he was extraordinarily brave and when fighting for his subjects was prepared to go first into all dangers, spurring the soldiers to action by his own example on their behalf and not by ordering them like a despot.
³⁹⁰ Barach

³⁹¹ νοῆσαί τε καὶ συνιδεῖν καὶ περὶ τῶν μελλόντων καὶ τῆς τῶν ἐνεστηκότων οἰκονομίας ἱκανώτατος , σώφρων ἐπιεικὴς χρηστὸς πρὸς τοὺς ἐν συμφοραῖς ὑπάρχοντας δίκαιος Φιλάνθρωπος , ἃ μόνοις δικαιότατα βασιλεῦσιν εἶναι προσῆκε , μηδὲν ὅλως παρὰ τοσοῦτο μέγεθος ἐξουσίας ἁμαρτὼν ἢ τὸ περὶ τὴν‎ ΟὐρίαUrias γυναῖκα . κατέλιπε δὲ καὶ πλοῦτον ὅσον οὐκ ἄλλος βασιλεὺς οὔθ᾽ ἙβραίωνHebrews οὔτ᾽ ἄλλων ἐθνῶν .
³⁹¹ He was also of very great abilities in understanding, and apprehension of present and future circumstances, when he was to manage any affairs. He was prudent and moderate, and kind to such as were under any calamities; he was righteous and humane, which are good qualities, peculiarly fit for kings; nor was he guilty of any offense in the exercise of so great an authority, but in the business of the wife of Uriah. He also left behind him greater wealth than any other king, either of the Hebrews or, of other nations, ever did.	³⁹¹ With a great understanding and grasp of things present and future in the management of affairs, he was prudent, moderate and kind to those in any trouble, righteous and humane, qualities found only in the best of kings. Neither did he commit any wrong in exercising his authority, except regarding the wife of Urias. He left behind him greater wealth than any other king, either of the Hebrews or of other nations.
³⁹¹ Barach

³⁹² Ἔθαψε δὲ αὐτὸν ὁ παῖς ΣολόμωνSolomon ἐν ἹεροσολύμοιςJerusalem διαπρεπῶς τοῖς τε ἄλλοις οἷς περὶ κηδείαν νομίζεται βασιλικὴν ἅπασι καὶ δὴ καὶ πλοῦτον αὐτῷ πολὺν καὶ ἄφθονον συνεκήδευσεν , ὧν τὴν‎ ὑπερβολὴν τεκμήραιτ᾽ ἄν τις ῥᾳδίως ἐκ τοῦ λεχθησομένου ·
³⁹² He was buried by his son Solomon, in Jerusalem, with great magnificence, and with all the other funeral pomp which kings used to be buried with; moreover, he had great and immense wealth buried with him, the vastness of which may be easily conjectured at by what I shall now say;	³⁹² His son Solomon buried him in Jerusalem, with great pomp and all the funeral honours usually given to kings. Great, immense wealth was buried with him, whose size can be guessed from what I will now say.
³⁹² Barach

³⁹³ μετὰ γὰρ χρόνον ἐτῶν χιλίων καὶ τριακοσίων ὙρκανὸςHyrcanus ὁ ἀρχιερεὺς πολιορκούμενος ὑπ᾽ ἈντιόχουAntiochus τοῦ ΕὐσεβοῦςEusebius, Pious ἐπικληθέντος υἱοῦ δὲ ΔημητρίουDemeter, Demetrius , βουλόμενος χρήματ᾽ αὐτῷ δοῦναι ὑπὲρ τοῦ λῦσαι τὴν‎ πολιορκίαν καὶ τὴν‎ στρατιὰν ἀπαγαγεῖν καὶ ἀλλαχόθεν οὐκ εὐπορῶν , ἀνοίξας ἕνα οἶκον τῶν ἐν τῷ ΔαυίδουDavid μνήματι καὶ βαστάσας τρισχίλια τάλαντα μέρος ἔδωκεν ἈντιόχῳAntiochus καὶ διέλυσεν οὕτως τὴν‎ πολιορκίαν , καθὼς καὶ ἐν ἄλλοις δεδηλώκαμεν .
³⁹³ for a thousand and three hundred years afterward Hyrcanus the high priest, when he was besieged by Antiochus, that was called the Pious, the son of Demetrius, and was desirous of giving him money to get him to raise the siege and draw off his army, and having no other method of compassing the money, opened one room of David’s sepulcher, and took out three thousand talents, and gave part of that sum to Antiochus; and by this means caused the siege to be raised, as we have informed the reader elsewhere.	³⁹³ A thousand, three hundred years later Hyrcanus the high priest, when besieged by Antiochus the Pious, son of Demetrius and needing to give him money to get him to raise the siege and withdraw his army and having no other way to get the money, opened a room of David's burial vault and took out three thousand talents and gave part of that sum to Antiochus, and so caused the siege to be raised, as we have said elsewhere.
³⁹³ Barach

³⁹⁴ μετὰ δὲ τοῦτο ἐτῶν πολλῶν διαγενομένων πάλιν ὁ βασιλεὺς ἩρώδηςHerod ἕτερον ἀνοίξας οἶκον ἀνείλετο χρήματα πολλά . ταῖς μέντοι γε θήκαις τῶν βασιλέων οὐδεὶς αὐτῶν ἐπέτυχεν · ἦσαν γὰρ ὑπὸ τὴν‎ γῆν μηχανικῶς κεκηδευμέναι πρὸς τὸ μὴ φανεραὶ εἶναι τοῖς εἰς τὸ μνῆμα εἰσιοῦσιν . ἀλλὰ περὶ μὲν τούτων ἡμῖν τοσοῦτον ἀπόχρηto be enough, suffice δεδηλῶσθαι .
³⁹⁴ Nay, after him, and that many years, Herod the king opened another room, and took away a great deal of money, and yet neither of them came at the coffins of the kings themselves, for their bodies were buried under the earth so artfully, that they did not appear to even those that entered into their monuments. But so much shall suffice us to have said concerning these matters.	³⁹⁴ Many years later, king Herod opened another room and took away a large amount of money. Yet neither of them came upon the coffins of the kings themselves, for they were so artfully buried under the earth that they were not seen even by those who entered into their tombs. But that is enough to say about these matters.
³⁹⁴ Barach

FLAVIUS JOSEPHUSJEWISH ANTIQUITIESBook 7

The forty-year reign of King David

Chapter 1 [001-045] David rules in Hebron. Asahel and Abner die in civil war

Chapter 2 [046-060] With Ishbosheth gone, David becomes the undisputed king

Chapter 3 [061-070] David takes Jerusalem from the Jebusites, to make it his capital

Chapter 4 [071-095] David recaptures the Ark from the Philistines. He makes plans to build a Temple

Chapter 5 [096-116] David's victories. His mercy toward the house of Saul

Chapter 6 [117-129] Successful conclusion to the Ammanite War

Chapter 7 [130-161] David's Adultery. Uriah's Murder condemned by Nathan

Chapter 8 [162-193] Absalom kills his half-brother Amnon for raping Tamar. He is banished, then recalled by David

Chapter 9 [194-231] Absalom & Ahithophel's rebellion against David

Chapter 10 [232-257] Joab catches up with Absalom, and kills him, to David's sorrow

Chapter 11 [258-293] David's clemency toward Shimei and Sibas. His faithful officer, Amasa, is killed by Joab

Chapter 12 [294-317] Famine averted, when the Gabaonites' vengeance is satisfied. David's great prosperity

Chapter 13 [318-334] The pride of David's census brings divine anger on the people

Chapter 14 [335-382] David's preparations for the Temple. He appoints Solomon as successor

Chapter 15 [383-394] David's parting advice to his son Solomon

FLAVIUS JOSEPHUS
JEWISH ANTIQUITIES
Book 7