Two counsels
Ahithophel also said to Absalom, Let me choose twelve thousand men and set out after David tonight. I'll come on him while he's exhausted and discouraged. I'll throw him into a panic, everyone with him will run, and I'll strike down only the king. Then I'll bring all the people back to you. Once the man you're after is gone, everyone else can return in peace. The plan sounded good to Absalom and all Israel's elders. But Absalom said, Call Hushai the Arkite as well. Let's hear what he has to say. When Hushai arrived, Absalom said, Ahithophel has given us this advice. Should we follow it? If not, tell us what you think. Hushai replied, Ahithophel's advice isn't good this time. You know your father and his men. They're experienced fighters, and right now they're furious, like a bear robbed of her cubs. Your father is a seasoned warrior; he won't spend the night with the troops. He'll already be hidden in some cave or another place. If some of your men fall in the first attack, word will spread that Absalom's forces have taken a hiding. Then even the bravest man, whose heart is like a lion's, will lose his nerve. Everyone in Israel knows your father is a mighty warrior and that the men with him are brave. My advice is this: gather all Israel to you, from Dan to Beersheba, as countless as the sand by the sea, and you yourself lead them into battle. Then we'll find David wherever he's hiding and come down on him like dew covering the ground. Not one of him or the men with him will be left. If he retreats into a city, all Israel will bring ropes to it and drag the place into the valley until not so much as a pebble is left. Absalom and all the men of Israel said, Hushai the Arkite's advice is better than Ahithophel's. The Lord had determined to frustrate Ahithophel's good advice so that disaster would come on Absalom.
What's more, Ahithophel said to Absalom: Let me choose out twelve thousand men now, and I'll get up and chase David tonight. And I'll come on him while he's worn out and weak-handed, and will make him afraid. And all the people with him will run, and I'll strike only the king. And I'll bring all the people back to you. The man you look for is like all coming back. So all the people will be in peace. And the saying pleased Absalom well, and all the elders of Israel. Then Absalom said: Call Hushai the Arkite now too, and let's hear what he says as well. And when Hushai had come to Absalom, Absalom spoke to him: Ahithophel has spoken like this. Should we do what he says? If not, you speak. And Hushai said to Absalom: The counsel Ahithophel has given isn't good this time. Because, said Hushai, you know your father and his men, that they're mighty men and they're bitter in soul, like a bear robbed of her cubs in the field. And your father is a man of war and won't stay the night with the people. Look — he's hidden now in some pit or in some other place. And when some of them fall at the start, whoever hears it will say: There's a killing among the people who follow Absalom. And even the brave one, whose heart is like the heart of a lion, will completely melt. Because all Israel knows your father is a mighty man, and the ones with him are brave men. So I counsel that all Israel be gathered to you, from Dan right to Beersheba, as many as the sand by the sea. And that you go to battle in your own person. So we'll come on him in some place where he'll be found, and we'll fall on him like the dew falls on the ground. And of him and of all the men with him there won't be one left. What's more, if he's got into a town, then all Israel will bring ropes to that town, and we'll drag it into the river till there isn't one small stone found there. And Absalom and all the men of Israel said: The counsel of Hushai the Arkite is better than the counsel of Ahithophel. Because the Lord had settled to bring the good counsel of Ahithophel to nothing, so the Lord could bring trouble on Absalom.
Moreover Ahithophel said unto Absalom, Let me now choose out twelve thousand men, and I will arise and pursue after David this night: And I will come upon him while he is weary and weak handed, and will make him afraid: and all the people that are with him shall flee; and I will smite the king only: And I will bring back all the people unto thee: the man whom thou seekest is as if all returned: so all the people shall be in peace. And the saying pleased Absalom well, and all the elders of Israel. Then said Absalom, Call now Hushai the Archite also, and let us hear likewise what he saith. And when Hushai was come to Absalom, Absalom spake unto him, saying, Ahithophel hath spoken after this manner: shall we do after his saying? if not; speak thou. And Hushai said unto Absalom, The counsel that Ahithophel hath given is not good at this time. For, said Hushai, thou knowest thy father and his men, that they be mighty men, and they be chafed in their minds, as a bear robbed of her whelps in the field: and thy father is a man of war, and will not lodge with the people. Behold, he is hid now in some pit, or in some other place: and it will come to pass, when some of them be overthrown at the first, that whosoever heareth it will say, There is a slaughter among the people that follow Absalom. And he also that is valiant, whose heart is as the heart of a lion, shall utterly melt: for all Israel knoweth that thy father is a mighty man, and they which be with him are valiant men. Therefore I counsel that all Israel be generally gathered unto thee, from Dan even to Beersheba, as the sand that is by the sea for multitude; and that thou go to battle in thine own person. So shall we come upon him in some place where he shall be found, and we will light upon him as the dew falleth on the ground: and of him and of all the men that are with him there shall not be left so much as one. Moreover, if he be gotten into a city, then shall all Israel bring ropes to that city, and we will draw it into the river, until there be not one small stone found there. And Absalom and all the men of Israel said, The counsel of Hushai the Archite is better than the counsel of Ahithophel. For the LORD had appointed to defeat the good counsel of Ahithophel, to the intent that the LORD might bring evil upon Absalom.
Ahithophel also said to Absalom, Let me choose twelve thousand men and set out after David tonight.
What's more, Ahithophel said to Absalom: Let me choose out twelve thousand men now, and I'll get up and chase David tonight.
Moreover Ahithophel said unto Absalom, Let me now choose out twelve thousand men, and I will arise and pursue after David this night:
I'll come on him while he's exhausted and discouraged. I'll throw him into a panic, everyone with him will run, and I'll strike down only the king.
And I'll come on him while he's worn out and weak-handed, and will make him afraid. And all the people with him will run, and I'll strike only the king.
And I will come upon him while he is weary and weak handed, and will make him afraid: and all the people that are with him shall flee; and I will smite the king only:
Then I'll bring all the people back to you. Once the man you're after is gone, everyone else can return in peace.
And I'll bring all the people back to you. The man you look for is like all coming back. So all the people will be in peace.
And I will bring back all the people unto thee: the man whom thou seekest is as if all returned: so all the people shall be in peace.
The plan sounded good to Absalom and all Israel's elders.
And the saying pleased Absalom well, and all the elders of Israel.
And the saying pleased Absalom well, and all the elders of Israel.
But Absalom said, Call Hushai the Arkite as well. Let's hear what he has to say.
Then Absalom said: Call Hushai the Arkite now too, and let's hear what he says as well.
Then said Absalom, Call now Hushai the Archite also, and let us hear likewise what he saith.
When Hushai arrived, Absalom said, Ahithophel has given us this advice. Should we follow it? If not, tell us what you think.
And when Hushai had come to Absalom, Absalom spoke to him: Ahithophel has spoken like this. Should we do what he says? If not, you speak.
And when Hushai was come to Absalom, Absalom spake unto him, saying, Ahithophel hath spoken after this manner: shall we do after his saying? if not; speak thou.
Hushai replied, Ahithophel's advice isn't good this time.
And Hushai said to Absalom: The counsel Ahithophel has given isn't good this time.
And Hushai said unto Absalom, The counsel that Ahithophel hath given is not good at this time.
You know your father and his men. They're experienced fighters, and right now they're furious, like a bear robbed of her cubs. Your father is a seasoned warrior; he won't spend the night with the troops.
Because, said Hushai, you know your father and his men, that they're mighty men and they're bitter in soul, like a bear robbed of her cubs in the field. And your father is a man of war and won't stay the night with the people.
For, said Hushai, thou knowest thy father and his men, that they be mighty men, and they be chafed in their minds, as a bear robbed of her whelps in the field: and thy father is a man of war, and will not lodge with the people.
He'll already be hidden in some cave or another place. If some of your men fall in the first attack, word will spread that Absalom's forces have taken a hiding.
Look — he's hidden now in some pit or in some other place. And when some of them fall at the start, whoever hears it will say: There's a killing among the people who follow Absalom.
Behold, he is hid now in some pit, or in some other place: and it will come to pass, when some of them be overthrown at the first, that whosoever heareth it will say, There is a slaughter among the people that follow Absalom.
Then even the bravest man, whose heart is like a lion's, will lose his nerve. Everyone in Israel knows your father is a mighty warrior and that the men with him are brave.
And even the brave one, whose heart is like the heart of a lion, will completely melt. Because all Israel knows your father is a mighty man, and the ones with him are brave men.
And he also that is valiant, whose heart is as the heart of a lion, shall utterly melt: for all Israel knoweth that thy father is a mighty man, and they which be with him are valiant men.
My advice is this: gather all Israel to you, from Dan to Beersheba, as countless as the sand by the sea, and you yourself lead them into battle.
So I counsel that all Israel be gathered to you, from Dan right to Beersheba, as many as the sand by the sea. And that you go to battle in your own person.
Therefore I counsel that all Israel be generally gathered unto thee, from Dan even to Beersheba, as the sand that is by the sea for multitude; and that thou go to battle in thine own person.
Then we'll find David wherever he's hiding and come down on him like dew covering the ground. Not one of him or the men with him will be left.
So we'll come on him in some place where he'll be found, and we'll fall on him like the dew falls on the ground. And of him and of all the men with him there won't be one left.
So shall we come upon him in some place where he shall be found, and we will light upon him as the dew falleth on the ground: and of him and of all the men that are with him there shall not be left so much as one.
If he retreats into a city, all Israel will bring ropes to it and drag the place into the valley until not so much as a pebble is left.
What's more, if he's got into a town, then all Israel will bring ropes to that town, and we'll drag it into the river till there isn't one small stone found there.
Moreover, if he be gotten into a city, then shall all Israel bring ropes to that city, and we will draw it into the river, until there be not one small stone found there.
Absalom and all the men of Israel said, Hushai the Arkite's advice is better than Ahithophel's. The Lord had determined to frustrate Ahithophel's good advice so that disaster would come on Absalom.
And Absalom and all the men of Israel said: The counsel of Hushai the Arkite is better than the counsel of Ahithophel. Because the Lord had settled to bring the good counsel of Ahithophel to nothing, so the Lord could bring trouble on Absalom.
And Absalom and all the men of Israel said, The counsel of Hushai the Archite is better than the counsel of Ahithophel. For the LORD had appointed to defeat the good counsel of Ahithophel, to the intent that the LORD might bring evil upon Absalom.
The warning gets through
Hushai then told the priests Zadok and Abiathar, This is what Ahithophel advised Absalom and Israel's elders, and this is what I advised instead. Send word to David immediately: Don't spend the night at the wilderness crossings. Cross over without delay, or the king and everyone with him may be wiped out. Jonathan and Ahimaaz were waiting at En Rogel because they couldn't risk being seen entering the city. A servant girl would carry messages to them, and they would pass them on to King David. But a young man spotted them and told Absalom. The two hurried away to a man's house at Bahurim. There was a well in his courtyard, and they climbed down into it. The man's wife spread a covering over the mouth of the well and scattered grain over it, so nobody could tell what was there. Absalom's men came to the woman and asked, Where are Ahimaaz and Jonathan? She answered, They crossed the stream. The men searched, found nothing and returned to Jerusalem. After they left, Jonathan and Ahimaaz climbed out of the well and went to warn King David. They said, Get moving and cross the river quickly. Ahithophel has advised a plan against you. So David and everyone with him got up and crossed the Jordan. By daybreak not one person remained on the other side. When Ahithophel saw that his advice had not been followed, he saddled his donkey, went home to his town, put his household affairs in order, then hanged himself. He died and was buried in his father's tomb. David reached Mahanaim, while Absalom crossed the Jordan with all the men of Israel. Absalom appointed Amasa commander of the army in Joab's place. Amasa was the son of Ithra the Israelite, who had slept with Abigail daughter of Nahash, the sister of Joab's mother Zeruiah. Absalom and the Israelites camped in the land of Gilead. When David arrived at Mahanaim, Shobi son of Nahash from Rabbah of the Ammonites, Makir son of Ammiel from Lo Debar, and Barzillai the Gileadite from Rogelim came to him. They brought bedding, bowls, pottery, wheat, barley, flour, roasted grain, beans, lentils and other roasted grain, along with honey, curds, sheep and cheese from cows for David and the people with him to eat. They said, The people are hungry, exhausted and thirsty from travelling through the wilderness.
Then Hushai said to Zadok and to Abiathar the priests: Ahithophel counselled Absalom and the elders of Israel like this, and I've counselled like this. So now send quickly and tell David: Don't stay the night in the plains of the wilderness, but go over quickly, or the king will be swallowed up, and all the people with him. Now Jonathan and Ahimaaz stayed by En Rogel. Because they couldn't be seen coming into the town. And a servant girl went and told them, and they went and told King David. But a boy saw them and told Absalom. But they both went away quickly and came to a man's house in Bahurim, who had a well in his court. And they went down there. And the woman took and spread a covering over the mouth of the well and spread ground grain on it. And the thing wasn't known. And when Absalom's servants came to the woman at the house, they said: Where are Ahimaaz and Jonathan? And the woman said to them: They've gone over the brook of water. And when they'd looked and couldn't find them, they came back to Jerusalem. And after they'd gone, they came up out of the well and went and told King David: Get up and go over the water quickly. Because Ahithophel has counselled like this against you. Then David got up, and all the people with him, and they went over the Jordan. By the morning light there wasn't one of them left who hadn't gone over the Jordan. And when Ahithophel saw his counsel wasn't followed, he saddled his donkey and got up and went home to his town, and put his household in order and hanged himself and died. And he was buried in the grave of his father. Then David came to Mahanaim. And Absalom went over the Jordan, he and all the men of Israel with him. And Absalom made Amasa captain of the army instead of Joab. And this Amasa was the son of a man whose name was Ithra, an Israelite, who went in to Abigail daughter of Nahash, sister of Zeruiah, Joab's mother. So Israel and Absalom camped in the land of Gilead. And when David had come to Mahanaim, Shobi son of Nahash of Rabbah of the sons of Ammon, and Makir son of Ammiel of Lo Debar, and Barzillai the Gileadite of Rogelim, brought beds and basins and earthen vessels and wheat and barley and flour and roasted grain and beans and lentils and roasted pulse, and honey and butter and sheep and cheese of cows, for David and for the people with him to eat. Because they said: The people are hungry and worn out and thirsty in the wilderness.
Then said Hushai unto Zadok and to Abiathar the priests, Thus and thus did Ahithophel counsel Absalom and the elders of Israel; and thus and thus have I counselled. Now therefore send quickly, and tell David, saying, Lodge not this night in the plains of the wilderness, but speedily pass over; lest the king be swallowed up, and all the people that are with him. Now Jonathan and Ahimaaz stayed by Enrogel; for they might not be seen to come into the city: and a wench went and told them; and they went and told king David. Nevertheless a lad saw them, and told Absalom: but they went both of them away quickly, and came to a man’s house in Bahurim, which had a well in his court; whither they went down. And the woman took and spread a covering over the well’s mouth, and spread ground corn thereon; and the thing was not known. And when Absalom’s servants came to the woman to the house, they said, Where is Ahimaaz and Jonathan? And the woman said unto them, They be gone over the brook of water. And when they had sought and could not find them, they returned to Jerusalem. And it came to pass, after they were departed, that they came up out of the well, and went and told king David, and said unto David, Arise, and pass quickly over the water: for thus hath Ahithophel counselled against you. Then David arose, and all the people that were with him, and they passed over Jordan: by the morning light there lacked not one of them that was not gone over Jordan. And when Ahithophel saw that his counsel was not followed, he saddled his ass, and arose, and gat him home to his house, to his city, and put his household in order, and hanged himself, and died, and was buried in the sepulchre of his father. Then David came to Mahanaim. And Absalom passed over Jordan, he and all the men of Israel with him. And Absalom made Amasa captain of the host instead of Joab: which Amasa was a man’s son, whose name was Ithra an Israelite, that went in to Abigail the daughter of Nahash, sister to Zeruiah Joab’s mother. So Israel and Absalom pitched in the land of Gilead. And it came to pass, when David was come to Mahanaim, that Shobi the son of Nahash of Rabbah of the children of Ammon, and Machir the son of Ammiel of Lodebar, and Barzillai the Gileadite of Rogelim, Brought beds, and basons, and earthen vessels, and wheat, and barley, and flour, and parched corn, and beans, and lentiles, and parched pulse, And honey, and butter, and sheep, and cheese of kine, for David, and for the people that were with him, to eat: for they said, The people is hungry, and weary, and thirsty, in the wilderness.
Hushai then told the priests Zadok and Abiathar, This is what Ahithophel advised Absalom and Israel's elders, and this is what I advised instead.
Then Hushai said to Zadok and to Abiathar the priests: Ahithophel counselled Absalom and the elders of Israel like this, and I've counselled like this.
Then said Hushai unto Zadok and to Abiathar the priests, Thus and thus did Ahithophel counsel Absalom and the elders of Israel; and thus and thus have I counselled.
Send word to David immediately: Don't spend the night at the wilderness crossings. Cross over without delay, or the king and everyone with him may be wiped out.
So now send quickly and tell David: Don't stay the night in the plains of the wilderness, but go over quickly, or the king will be swallowed up, and all the people with him.
Now therefore send quickly, and tell David, saying, Lodge not this night in the plains of the wilderness, but speedily pass over; lest the king be swallowed up, and all the people that are with him.
Jonathan and Ahimaaz were waiting at En Rogel because they couldn't risk being seen entering the city. A servant girl would carry messages to them, and they would pass them on to King David.
Now Jonathan and Ahimaaz stayed by En Rogel. Because they couldn't be seen coming into the town. And a servant girl went and told them, and they went and told King David.
Now Jonathan and Ahimaaz stayed by Enrogel; for they might not be seen to come into the city: and a wench went and told them; and they went and told king David.
But a young man spotted them and told Absalom. The two hurried away to a man's house at Bahurim. There was a well in his courtyard, and they climbed down into it.
But a boy saw them and told Absalom. But they both went away quickly and came to a man's house in Bahurim, who had a well in his court. And they went down there.
Nevertheless a lad saw them, and told Absalom: but they went both of them away quickly, and came to a man’s house in Bahurim, which had a well in his court; whither they went down.
The man's wife spread a covering over the mouth of the well and scattered grain over it, so nobody could tell what was there.
And the woman took and spread a covering over the mouth of the well and spread ground grain on it. And the thing wasn't known.
And the woman took and spread a covering over the well’s mouth, and spread ground corn thereon; and the thing was not known.
Absalom's men came to the woman and asked, Where are Ahimaaz and Jonathan? She answered, They crossed the stream. The men searched, found nothing and returned to Jerusalem.
And when Absalom's servants came to the woman at the house, they said: Where are Ahimaaz and Jonathan? And the woman said to them: They've gone over the brook of water. And when they'd looked and couldn't find them, they came back to Jerusalem.
And when Absalom’s servants came to the woman to the house, they said, Where is Ahimaaz and Jonathan? And the woman said unto them, They be gone over the brook of water. And when they had sought and could not find them, they returned to Jerusalem.
After they left, Jonathan and Ahimaaz climbed out of the well and went to warn King David. They said, Get moving and cross the river quickly. Ahithophel has advised a plan against you.
And after they'd gone, they came up out of the well and went and told King David: Get up and go over the water quickly. Because Ahithophel has counselled like this against you.
And it came to pass, after they were departed, that they came up out of the well, and went and told king David, and said unto David, Arise, and pass quickly over the water: for thus hath Ahithophel counselled against you.
So David and everyone with him got up and crossed the Jordan. By daybreak not one person remained on the other side.
Then David got up, and all the people with him, and they went over the Jordan. By the morning light there wasn't one of them left who hadn't gone over the Jordan.
Then David arose, and all the people that were with him, and they passed over Jordan: by the morning light there lacked not one of them that was not gone over Jordan.
When Ahithophel saw that his advice had not been followed, he saddled his donkey, went home to his town, put his household affairs in order, then hanged himself. He died and was buried in his father's tomb.
And when Ahithophel saw his counsel wasn't followed, he saddled his donkey and got up and went home to his town, and put his household in order and hanged himself and died. And he was buried in the grave of his father.
And when Ahithophel saw that his counsel was not followed, he saddled his ass, and arose, and gat him home to his house, to his city, and put his household in order, and hanged himself, and died, and was buried in the sepulchre of his father.
David reached Mahanaim, while Absalom crossed the Jordan with all the men of Israel.
Then David came to Mahanaim. And Absalom went over the Jordan, he and all the men of Israel with him.
Then David came to Mahanaim. And Absalom passed over Jordan, he and all the men of Israel with him.
Absalom appointed Amasa commander of the army in Joab's place. Amasa was the son of Ithra the Israelite, who had slept with Abigail daughter of Nahash, the sister of Joab's mother Zeruiah.
And Absalom made Amasa captain of the army instead of Joab. And this Amasa was the son of a man whose name was Ithra, an Israelite, who went in to Abigail daughter of Nahash, sister of Zeruiah, Joab's mother.
And Absalom made Amasa captain of the host instead of Joab: which Amasa was a man’s son, whose name was Ithra an Israelite, that went in to Abigail the daughter of Nahash, sister to Zeruiah Joab’s mother.
Absalom and the Israelites camped in the land of Gilead.
So Israel and Absalom camped in the land of Gilead.
So Israel and Absalom pitched in the land of Gilead.
When David arrived at Mahanaim, Shobi son of Nahash from Rabbah of the Ammonites, Makir son of Ammiel from Lo Debar, and Barzillai the Gileadite from Rogelim came to him.
And when David had come to Mahanaim, Shobi son of Nahash of Rabbah of the sons of Ammon, and Makir son of Ammiel of Lo Debar, and Barzillai the Gileadite of Rogelim,
And it came to pass, when David was come to Mahanaim, that Shobi the son of Nahash of Rabbah of the children of Ammon, and Machir the son of Ammiel of Lodebar, and Barzillai the Gileadite of Rogelim,
They brought bedding, bowls, pottery, wheat, barley, flour, roasted grain, beans, lentils and other roasted grain,
brought beds and basins and earthen vessels and wheat and barley and flour and roasted grain and beans and lentils and roasted pulse,
Brought beds, and basons, and earthen vessels, and wheat, and barley, and flour, and parched corn, and beans, and lentiles, and parched pulse,
along with honey, curds, sheep and cheese from cows for David and the people with him to eat. They said, The people are hungry, exhausted and thirsty from travelling through the wilderness.
and honey and butter and sheep and cheese of cows, for David and for the people with him to eat. Because they said: The people are hungry and worn out and thirsty in the wilderness.
And honey, and butter, and sheep, and cheese of kine, for David, and for the people that were with him, to eat: for they said, The people is hungry, and weary, and thirsty, in the wilderness.