2 Samuel 19

DOUAI-RHEIMS	NEW JERUSALEM
1 And it was told Joab, that the king wept and mourned for his son:	1 The king shuddered. He went up to the room over the gate and burst into tears; and, as he wept, hekept saying, 'Oh, my son Absalom! My son! My son Absalom! If only I had died instead of you! Oh, Absalom myson, my son!'
2 And the victory that day was turned into mourning unto all the people: for the people heard say that day: The king grieveth for his son.	2 Word was brought to Joab, 'The king is weeping and mourning for Absalom.'
3 And the people shunned the going into the city that day as a people would do that hath turned their backs, and fled away from the battle.	3 And for the entire army that day, victory was turned to mourning, the troops having learnt that the kingwas grieving for his son.
4 And the king covered his head, and cried with a loud voice: O my son Absalom, O Absalom my son, O my son.	4 And that day the troops came furtively back into town, like troops creeping shamefacedly away whendeserting in battle.
5 Then Joab going into the house to the king, said: Thou hast shamed this day the faces of all thy servants, that have saved thy life, and the lives of thy sons, and of thy daughters, and the lives of thy wives, and the lives of thy concubines.	5 The king had covered his face and kept crying aloud, 'My son Absalom! Oh, Absalom my son, myson!'
6 Thou lovest them that hate thee, and thou hatest them that love thee: and thou hast shewn this day that thou carest not for thy nobles, nor for thy servants: and I now plainly perceive that if Absalom had lived, and all we had been slain, then it would have pleased thee.	6 Joab went inside to the king and said, 'Today you have made al your servants feel ashamed-today,when they have saved your life, the lives of your sons and daughters, the lives of your wives and the lives ofyour concubines!-because you love those who hate you and hate those who love you.
7 Now therefore arise, and go out, and speak to the satisfaction of thy servants: for I swear to thee by the Lord, that if thou wilt not go forth, there will not tarry with thee so much as one this night: and that will be worse to thee, than all the evils that have befallen thee from thy youth until now.	7 Today you have made it plain that commanders and soldiers mean nothing to you -- for today I cansee that you would be content if we were all dead, provided that Absalom was alive!
8 Then the king arose and sat in the gate: and it was told to all the people that the king sat in the gate: and all the people came before the king, but Israel fled to their own dwellings.	8 Now get up, come out and reassure your soldiers; for if you do not come out, I swear by Yahweh, notone man wil stay with you tonight; and this will be a worse misfortune for you than anything that has happenedto you from your youth until now!'
9 And all the people were at strife in all the tribes of Israel, saying: The king delivered us out of the hand of our enemies, and he saved us out of the hand of the Philistines: and now he is fled out of the land for Absalom.	9 The king got up and took his seat at the gate. An announcement was made to the whole army: 'Theking is sitting at the gate.' And the whole army assembled in front of the king.
10 But Absalom, whom we anointed over us, is dead in the battle: how long are you silent, and bring not back the king?	10 Israel had fled, dispersing to their homes. Throughout the tribes of Israel al was dissension and people began saying, 'The king, having freed us from the clutches of our enemies, having saved us from theclutches of the Philistines, has himself had to flee the country to escape from Absalom;
11 And king David sent to Sadoc, and Abiathar the priests, saying: Speak to the ancients of Juda, saying: Why are you the last to bring the king back to his house? (For the talk of all Israel was come to the king in his house.)	11 and now Absalom, whom we had anointed to reign over us, has died in battle. Why does no onesuggest that the king should be brought back?'What was being said throughout Israel reached the king.
12 You are my brethren, you are my bone, and my flesh, why are you the last to bring back the king?	12 King David then sent word to the priests Zadok and Abiathar, 'Say to the elders of Judah, "Whyshould you be the last to bring the king home?
13 And say ye to Amasa: Art not thou my bone, and my flesh? So do God to me and add more, if thou be not the chief captain of the army before me always in the place of Joab.	13 You are my brothers, you are my own flesh and bone: why should you be the last to bring the kingback?"
14 And be inclined the heart of all the men of Juda, as it were of one man: and they sent to the king, saying: Return thou, and all thy servants.	14 And say to Amasa, "Are you not my own flesh and bone? May God bring unnameable il s on me andworse il s, too, if you do not become my permanent army commander instead of Joab!" '
15 And the king returned and came as far as the Jordan, and all Juda came as far as Galgal to meet the king, and to bring him over the Jordan.	15 Thus he rallied the hearts of the men of Judah to a man and, as a result, they sent word to the king,'Come back, you and al who serve you.'
16 And Semei the son of Gera the son of Jemini of Bahurim, made haste and went down with the men of Juda to meet king David,	16 So the king started home and reached the Jordan. Judah, coming to meet the king to escort himacross the Jordan, had arrived at Gilgal.
17 With a thousand men of Benjamin, and Siba the servant of the house of Saul: and his fifteen sons, and twenty servants were with him: and going over the Jordan,	17 Shimei son of Gera, the Benjaminite of Bahurim, hurried down with the men of Judah to meet KingDavid.
18 They passed the fords before the king, that they might help over the king's household, and do according to his commandment. And Semei the son of Gera falling down before the king, when he was come over the Jordan,	18 With him were a thousand men from Benjamin. Ziba, servant of the House of Saul, with his fifteensons and twenty servants, arrived at the Jordan before the king
19 Said to him: Impute not to me, my lord, the iniquity, nor remember the injuries of thy servant on the day that thou, my lord, the king, wentest out of Jerusalem, nor lay it up in thy heart, O king.	19 and worked manful y ferrying the king's family across and doing whatever he required. While the kingwas crossing the Jordan, Shimei son of Gera fel at the king's feet
20 For I thy servant acknowledge my sin: and therefore I am come this day the first of all the house of Joseph, and am come down to meet my lord the king.	20 and said to the king, 'I hope my lord does not regard me as guilty of a crime! Forget about the wrongyour servant did on the day my lord the king left Jerusalem. Let my lord not hold my guilt against me.
21 But Abisai the son of Sarvia answering, said: Shall Semei for these words not be put to death, because he cursed the Lord's anointed?	21 For your servant is aware of having sinned, and that is why I have come today -- the first member ofthe whole House of Joseph to come down to meet my lord the king.'
22 And David said: What have I to do with you, ye sons of Sarvia? why are you a satan this day to me? shall there any man be killed this day in Israel? do not I know that this day I am made king over Israel?	22 At this, Abishai son of Zeruiah spoke up and said, 'Does Shimei not deserve death for having cursedYahweh's anointed?'
23 And the king said to Semei: Thou shalt not die. And he swore unto him.	23 To which David replied, 'What concern is my business to you, sons of Zeruiah, that you shouldoppose my wishes today? Could anyone be put to death in Israel today? Today I know for sure that I am king ofIsrael?'
24 And Miphiboseth the son of Saul came down to meet the king, and he had neither washed his feet, nor trimmed his beard: nor washed his garments from the day that the king went out, until the day of his return in peace.	24 'Your life is spared,' the king said. And the king gave him his oath.
25 And when he met the king at Jerusalem, the king said to him: Why camest thou not with me, Miphiboseth?	25 Meribbaal son of Saul also went down to meet the king. He had not cared for his feet or hands, hehad not trimmed his moustache or washed his clothes from the day of the king's departure til the day of hispeaceful return.
26 And he answering, said: My lord, O king, my servant despised me: for I thy servant spoke to him to saddle me an ass, that I might get on and go with the king: for I thy servant am lame.	26 When he arrived from Jerusalem to greet the king, the king asked him, 'Why did you not come withme, Meribbaal?'
27 Moreover he hath also accused me thy servant to thee, my lord the king: but thou my lord the king art as an angel of God, do what pleaseth thee.	27 'My lord king,' he replied, 'my retainer deceived me. Your servant said to him, "Saddle the donkey forme to ride, so that I can go with the king," your servant being lame.
28 For all of my father's house were no better than worthy of death before my lord the king; and thou hast set me thy servant among the guests of thy table: what just complaint therefore have I? or what right to cry any more to the king?	28 He has slandered your servant to my lord the king. My lord the king, however, is like the Angel ofGod, so do as you think right.
29 Then the king said to him: Why speakest thou any more? what I have said is determined: thou and Siba divide the possessions.	29 My father's entire family deserved no better than death from my lord the king, and yet you admittedyour servant to the ranks of those who eat at your table. What right have I to make any further appeal to theking?'
30 And Miphiboseth answered the king: Yea, let him take all, for as much as my lord the king is returned peaceably into his house.	30 The king said, 'You need say no more. I rule that you and Ziba divide the property between you.'
31 Berzellai also the Galaadite coming down from Rogelim, brought the king over the Jordan, being ready also to wait on him beyond the river.	31 'Let him take it al ,' Meribbaal said to the king, 'since my lord the king has come back home in peace!'
32 Now Berzellai the Galaadite was of a great age, that is to say, fourscore years old, and he provided the king with sustenance when he abode in the camp: for he was a man exceeding rich.	32 Barzillai the Gileadite had come down from Rogelim and accompanied the king towards the Jordan,intending to take leave of him at the Jordan.
33 And the king said to Berzellai: Come with me that thou mayest rest secure with me in Jerusalem.	33 Barzillai was a man of great age; he was eighty years old. He had kept the king in provisions duringhis stay at Mahanaim, being a very wealthy man.
34 And Berzellai said to the king: How many are the days of the years of my life, that I should go up with the king to Jerusalem?	34 'Come with me', the king said to Barzil ai, 'and I will provide for you at my side in Jerusalem.'
35 I am this day fourscore years old, are my senses quick to discern sweet and bitter? or can meat or drink delight thy servant? or can I hear any more the voice of singing men and singing women? why should thy servant be a burden to my lord, the king?	35 Barzillai replied to the king, 'How many years have I left to live, for me to go up to Jerusalem with theking?
36 I thy servant will go on a little way from the Jordan with thee: I need not this recompense.	36 I am now eighty years old; can I tel the good from the bad? Has your servant any taste for his foodand drink? Can I stil hear the voices of men and women singers? Why should your servant be a further burdento my lord the king?
37 But I beseech thee let thy servant return, and die in my own city, and be buried by the sepulchre of my father, and of my mother. But there is thy servant Chamaam, let him go with thee, my lord, the king, and do to him whatsoever seemeth good to thee.	37 Your servant will go a little way across the Jordan with the king; but why should the king reward meso generously for that?
38 Then the king said to him: Let Chamaam go over with me, and I will do for him whatsoever shall please thee, and all that thou shalt ask of me, thou shalt obtain.	38 Please allow your servant to go home again, so that I can die in my own town near the grave of myfather and mother. But here is your servant Chimham; let him go with my lord the king; treat him as you thinkright.'
39 And when all the people and the king had passed over the Jordan, the king kissed Berzellai, and blessed him: and he returned to his own place.	39 The king said, 'Let Chimham come along with me then; I shall do whatever you wish for him, andanything you request I shal do for your sake.'
40 So the king went on to Galgal, and Chamaam with him. Now all the people of Juda had brought the king over, and only half of the people of Israel were there.	40 The people then al crossed the Jordan, and the king, having crossed, kissed Barzil ai and blessedhim, and the latter went home.
41 Therefore all the men of Israel running together to the king, said to him: Why have our brethren the men of Juda stolen thee away, and have brought the king and his household over the Jordan, and all the men of David with him?	41 The king went on to Gilgal and Chimham went with him. Al the people of Judah accompanied theking, and also half the people of Israel.
42 And all the men of Juda answered the men of Israel: Because the king is nearer to me: why art thou angry for this matter? have we eaten any thing of the king's, or have any gifts been given us?	42 Al the men of Israel then came to the king. 'Why', they asked the king, 'have our brothers, the men ofJudah, carried you off and brought the king and his family across the Jordan, and al David's men with him?'
43 And the men of Israel answered the men of Juda, and said: I have ten parts in the king more than thou, and David belongeth to me more than to thee: why hast thou done me a wrong, and why was it not told me first, that I might bring back my king? And the men of Juda answered more harshly than the men of Israel.	43 Al the men of Judah retorted to the men of Israel, 'Because the king is more closely related to us.Why do you take offence at this? Have we been eating at the king's expense? Have we taken any position forourselves?'
	44 The men of Israel replied to the men of Judah, 'We have ten shares in the king and, what is more, weare your elder brothers, so why have you slighted us? Were we not the first to suggest bringing back our king?'The men of Judah's words were even more intemperate than those of the men of Israel.