Sheba's revolt
A troublemaker named Sheba son of Bichri, a Benjamite, happened to be there. He blew a trumpet and shouted, We've got no share in David and no inheritance in the son of Jesse! Every man back to his tent, Israel! So all the men of Israel deserted David and followed Sheba son of Bichri. But the men of Judah stuck with their king all the way from the Jordan to Jerusalem. When David returned to his palace in Jerusalem, he took the ten concubines he had left to look after the palace and placed them in a guarded house. He provided for them but never slept with them again. They lived in seclusion as widows until the day they died. Then the king told Amasa, Call the men of Judah together within three days, and make sure you're back here yourself. Amasa went to summon Judah, but he took longer than the deadline David had given him. So David said to Abishai, Sheba son of Bichri is going to cause us more trouble than Absalom did. Take my men and chase him before he reaches fortified cities and slips away from us. Joab's men went out under Abishai, along with the Kerethites, Pelethites and all the elite troops. They left Jerusalem to pursue Sheba son of Bichri. When they reached the great stone at Gibeon, Amasa came to meet them. Joab was wearing his military tunic, and over it was a belt with a sword in its sheath at his waist. As he stepped forward, the sword slipped free. Joab said to Amasa, How are you, brother? Then he took Amasa by the beard with his right hand as though to kiss him. Amasa didn't notice the sword in Joab's other hand. Joab drove it into his stomach, spilling his intestines onto the ground. He didn't need to strike again; Amasa died. Then Joab and his brother Abishai continued after Sheba son of Bichri. One of Joab's men stood beside Amasa and called out, Whoever is for Joab and whoever is for David, follow Joab! Amasa lay in his blood in the middle of the road. When the man saw everyone stopping to stare, he dragged Amasa off the road into a field and threw a cloth over him. Once Amasa was moved off the road, everyone continued after Joab in pursuit of Sheba son of Bichri.
And there happened to be a man of wickedness there whose name was Sheba son of Bikri, a Benjamite. And he blew a trumpet: We've got no share in David, and we've got no inheritance in the son of Jesse. Every man to his tents, Israel. So every man of Israel went up from following David and followed Sheba son of Bikri. But the men of Judah stuck to their king, from the Jordan right to Jerusalem. And David came to his house at Jerusalem. And the king took the ten women he'd left to keep the house and put them in a house under guard and fed them, but didn't go in to them. So they were shut up right to the day of their death, living as widows. Then the king said to Amasa: Gather me the men of Judah within three days, and be here yourself. So Amasa went to gather the men of Judah. But he stayed longer than the set time he'd been given. And David said to Abishai: Now Sheba son of Bikri will do us more harm than Absalom did. Take your lord's servants and chase after him, or he'll get himself fortified towns and get away from us. And Joab's men went out after him, and the Kerethites and the Pelethites and all the mighty men. And they went out of Jerusalem to chase after Sheba son of Bikri. When they were at the great stone in Gibeon, Amasa went in front of them. And Joab's coat that he wore was strapped on him, and on it a belt with a sword fastened on his waist in its sheath. And as he went on, it fell out. And Joab said to Amasa: Are you well, my brother? And Joab took Amasa by the beard with his right hand to kiss him. But Amasa didn't take notice of the sword that was in Joab's hand. So he struck him with it under the fifth rib and spilt his insides out on the ground, and didn't strike him again. And he died. So Joab and Abishai his brother chased after Sheba son of Bikri. And one of Joab's men stood by him: Whoever is for Joab and whoever is for David, let him follow Joab. And Amasa lay rolling in blood in the middle of the highway. And when the man saw all the people stood still, he moved Amasa out of the highway into the field and threw a cloth on him, when he saw everyone who came by him stood still. When he was moved out of the highway, all the people went on after Joab, to chase after Sheba son of Bikri.
And there happened to be there a man of Belial, whose name was Sheba, the son of Bichri, a Benjamite: and he blew a trumpet, and said, We have no part in David, neither have we inheritance in the son of Jesse: every man to his tents, O Israel. So every man of Israel went up from after David, and followed Sheba the son of Bichri: but the men of Judah clave unto their king, from Jordan even to Jerusalem. And David came to his house at Jerusalem; and the king took the ten women his concubines, whom he had left to keep the house, and put them in ward, and fed them, but went not in unto them. So they were shut up unto the day of their death, living in widowhood. Then said the king to Amasa, Assemble me the men of Judah within three days, and be thou here present. So Amasa went to assemble the men of Judah: but he tarried longer than the set time which he had appointed him. And David said to Abishai, Now shall Sheba the son of Bichri do us more harm than did Absalom: take thou thy lord’s servants, and pursue after him, lest he get him fenced cities, and escape us. And there went out after him Joab’s men, and the Cherethites, and the Pelethites, and all the mighty men: and they went out of Jerusalem, to pursue after Sheba the son of Bichri. When they were at the great stone which is in Gibeon, Amasa went before them. And Joab’s garment that he had put on was girded unto him, and upon it a girdle with a sword fastened upon his loins in the sheath thereof; and as he went forth it fell out. And Joab said to Amasa, Art thou in health, my brother? And Joab took Amasa by the beard with the right hand to kiss him. But Amasa took no heed to the sword that was in Joab’s hand: so he smote him therewith in the fifth rib, and shed out his bowels to the ground, and struck him not again; and he died. So Joab and Abishai his brother pursued after Sheba the son of Bichri. And one of Joab’s men stood by him, and said, He that favoureth Joab, and he that is for David, let him go after Joab. And Amasa wallowed in blood in the midst of the highway. And when the man saw that all the people stood still, he removed Amasa out of the highway into the field, and cast a cloth upon him, when he saw that every one that came by him stood still. When he was removed out of the highway, all the people went on after Joab, to pursue after Sheba the son of Bichri.
A troublemaker named Sheba son of Bichri, a Benjamite, happened to be there. He blew a trumpet and shouted, We've got no share in David and no inheritance in the son of Jesse! Every man back to his tent, Israel!
And there happened to be a man of wickedness there whose name was Sheba son of Bikri, a Benjamite. And he blew a trumpet: We've got no share in David, and we've got no inheritance in the son of Jesse. Every man to his tents, Israel.
And there happened to be there a man of Belial, whose name was Sheba, the son of Bichri, a Benjamite: and he blew a trumpet, and said, We have no part in David, neither have we inheritance in the son of Jesse: every man to his tents, O Israel.
So all the men of Israel deserted David and followed Sheba son of Bichri. But the men of Judah stuck with their king all the way from the Jordan to Jerusalem.
So every man of Israel went up from following David and followed Sheba son of Bikri. But the men of Judah stuck to their king, from the Jordan right to Jerusalem.
So every man of Israel went up from after David, and followed Sheba the son of Bichri: but the men of Judah clave unto their king, from Jordan even to Jerusalem.
When David returned to his palace in Jerusalem, he took the ten concubines he had left to look after the palace and placed them in a guarded house. He provided for them but never slept with them again. They lived in seclusion as widows until the day they died.
And David came to his house at Jerusalem. And the king took the ten women he'd left to keep the house and put them in a house under guard and fed them, but didn't go in to them. So they were shut up right to the day of their death, living as widows.
And David came to his house at Jerusalem; and the king took the ten women his concubines, whom he had left to keep the house, and put them in ward, and fed them, but went not in unto them. So they were shut up unto the day of their death, living in widowhood.
Then the king told Amasa, Call the men of Judah together within three days, and make sure you're back here yourself.
Then the king said to Amasa: Gather me the men of Judah within three days, and be here yourself.
Then said the king to Amasa, Assemble me the men of Judah within three days, and be thou here present.
Amasa went to summon Judah, but he took longer than the deadline David had given him.
So Amasa went to gather the men of Judah. But he stayed longer than the set time he'd been given.
So Amasa went to assemble the men of Judah: but he tarried longer than the set time which he had appointed him.
So David said to Abishai, Sheba son of Bichri is going to cause us more trouble than Absalom did. Take my men and chase him before he reaches fortified cities and slips away from us.
And David said to Abishai: Now Sheba son of Bikri will do us more harm than Absalom did. Take your lord's servants and chase after him, or he'll get himself fortified towns and get away from us.
And David said to Abishai, Now shall Sheba the son of Bichri do us more harm than did Absalom: take thou thy lord’s servants, and pursue after him, lest he get him fenced cities, and escape us.
Joab's men went out under Abishai, along with the Kerethites, Pelethites and all the elite troops. They left Jerusalem to pursue Sheba son of Bichri.
And Joab's men went out after him, and the Kerethites and the Pelethites and all the mighty men. And they went out of Jerusalem to chase after Sheba son of Bikri.
And there went out after him Joab’s men, and the Cherethites, and the Pelethites, and all the mighty men: and they went out of Jerusalem, to pursue after Sheba the son of Bichri.
When they reached the great stone at Gibeon, Amasa came to meet them. Joab was wearing his military tunic, and over it was a belt with a sword in its sheath at his waist. As he stepped forward, the sword slipped free.
When they were at the great stone in Gibeon, Amasa went in front of them. And Joab's coat that he wore was strapped on him, and on it a belt with a sword fastened on his waist in its sheath. And as he went on, it fell out.
When they were at the great stone which is in Gibeon, Amasa went before them. And Joab’s garment that he had put on was girded unto him, and upon it a girdle with a sword fastened upon his loins in the sheath thereof; and as he went forth it fell out.
Joab said to Amasa, How are you, brother? Then he took Amasa by the beard with his right hand as though to kiss him.
And Joab said to Amasa: Are you well, my brother? And Joab took Amasa by the beard with his right hand to kiss him.
And Joab said to Amasa, Art thou in health, my brother? And Joab took Amasa by the beard with the right hand to kiss him.
Amasa didn't notice the sword in Joab's other hand. Joab drove it into his stomach, spilling his intestines onto the ground. He didn't need to strike again; Amasa died. Then Joab and his brother Abishai continued after Sheba son of Bichri.
But Amasa didn't take notice of the sword that was in Joab's hand. So he struck him with it under the fifth rib and spilt his insides out on the ground, and didn't strike him again. And he died. So Joab and Abishai his brother chased after Sheba son of Bikri.
But Amasa took no heed to the sword that was in Joab’s hand: so he smote him therewith in the fifth rib, and shed out his bowels to the ground, and struck him not again; and he died. So Joab and Abishai his brother pursued after Sheba the son of Bichri.
One of Joab's men stood beside Amasa and called out, Whoever is for Joab and whoever is for David, follow Joab!
And one of Joab's men stood by him: Whoever is for Joab and whoever is for David, let him follow Joab.
And one of Joab’s men stood by him, and said, He that favoureth Joab, and he that is for David, let him go after Joab.
Amasa lay in his blood in the middle of the road. When the man saw everyone stopping to stare, he dragged Amasa off the road into a field and threw a cloth over him.
And Amasa lay rolling in blood in the middle of the highway. And when the man saw all the people stood still, he moved Amasa out of the highway into the field and threw a cloth on him, when he saw everyone who came by him stood still.
And Amasa wallowed in blood in the midst of the highway. And when the man saw that all the people stood still, he removed Amasa out of the highway into the field, and cast a cloth upon him, when he saw that every one that came by him stood still.
Once Amasa was moved off the road, everyone continued after Joab in pursuit of Sheba son of Bichri.
When he was moved out of the highway, all the people went on after Joab, to chase after Sheba son of Bikri.
When he was removed out of the highway, all the people went on after Joab, to pursue after Sheba the son of Bichri.
The wise woman of Abel
Sheba passed through all Israel's tribes to Abel Beth Maacah and the region of the Berites, who gathered and followed him. Joab's forces came and besieged Sheba in Abel Beth Maacah. They built a siege ramp against the outer wall and began battering the wall to bring it down. Then a wise woman called out from inside the city, Listen! Listen! Tell Joab to come over here so I can speak to him. Joab approached her, and the woman asked, Are you Joab? He said, I am. She said, Listen to what your servant has to say. He answered, I'm listening. She said, In the old days people used to say, If you want an answer, ask at Abel. That's how disputes were settled. I represent the peaceful and faithful people of Israel. You're trying to destroy a city that is like a mother in Israel. Why would you swallow up the Lord's inheritance? Joab answered: Absolutely not. I'm not here to swallow up or destroy this city. That's not what this is about. A man from the hill country of Ephraim named Sheba son of Bichri has rebelled against King David. Hand over that one man, and I'll withdraw from the city. The woman told Joab, His head will be thrown to you over the wall. Then the woman went to all the people with her wise advice. They cut off Sheba son of Bichri's head and threw it out to Joab. Joab blew the trumpet, and his men dispersed from the city and went home. Joab returned to the king in Jerusalem.
And he went through all the tribes of Israel to Abel and to Beth Maakah and all the Berites. And they were gathered together and went after him too. And they came and laid siege to him in Abel of Beth Maakah, and threw up a mound against the town. And it stood against the wall. And all the people with Joab were battering the wall to throw it down. Then a wise woman called out of the town: Listen, listen. Say to Joab, please: Come here, so I can speak with you. And when he'd come near her, the woman said: Are you Joab? And he answered: I am. Then she said to him: Listen to the words of your servant. And he answered: I'm listening. Then she spoke: They used to say in the old days: They'll definitely ask advice at Abel. And that's how they settled things. I'm one of the peaceful and faithful in Israel. You look to wreck a town and a mother in Israel. Why do you swallow up the inheritance of the Lord? And Joab answered: Far be it from me, far be it from me, that I should swallow up or wreck. That isn't how it is. But a man of Mount Ephraim, Sheba son of Bikri by name, has lifted up his hand against the king, against David. Hand over him only, and I'll go away from the town. And the woman said to Joab: Look — his head will be thrown to you over the wall. Then the woman went to all the people in her wisdom. And they cut off the head of Sheba son of Bikri and threw it out to Joab. And he blew a trumpet, and they went off from the town, every man to his tent. And Joab came back to Jerusalem to the king.
And he went through all the tribes of Israel unto Abel, and to Bethmaachah, and all the Berites: and they were gathered together, and went also after him. And they came and besieged him in Abel of Bethmaachah, and they cast up a bank against the city, and it stood in the trench: and all the people that were with Joab battered the wall, to throw it down. Then cried a wise woman out of the city, Hear, hear; say, I pray you, unto Joab, Come near hither, that I may speak with thee. And when he was come near unto her, the woman said, Art thou Joab? And he answered, I am he. Then she said unto him, Hear the words of thine handmaid. And he answered, I do hear. Then she spake, saying, They were wont to speak in old time, saying, They shall surely ask counsel at Abel: and so they ended the matter. I am one of them that are peaceable and faithful in Israel: thou seekest to destroy a city and a mother in Israel: why wilt thou swallow up the inheritance of the LORD? And Joab answered and said, Far be it, far be it from me, that I should swallow up or destroy. The matter is not so: but a man of mount Ephraim, Sheba the son of Bichri by name, hath lifted up his hand against the king, even against David: deliver him only, and I will depart from the city. And the woman said unto Joab, Behold, his head shall be thrown to thee over the wall. Then the woman went unto all the people in her wisdom. And they cut off the head of Sheba the son of Bichri, and cast it out to Joab. And he blew a trumpet, and they retired from the city, every man to his tent. And Joab returned to Jerusalem unto the king.
Sheba passed through all Israel's tribes to Abel Beth Maacah and the region of the Berites, who gathered and followed him.
And he went through all the tribes of Israel to Abel and to Beth Maakah and all the Berites. And they were gathered together and went after him too.
And he went through all the tribes of Israel unto Abel, and to Bethmaachah, and all the Berites: and they were gathered together, and went also after him.
Joab's forces came and besieged Sheba in Abel Beth Maacah. They built a siege ramp against the outer wall and began battering the wall to bring it down.
And they came and laid siege to him in Abel of Beth Maakah, and threw up a mound against the town. And it stood against the wall. And all the people with Joab were battering the wall to throw it down.
And they came and besieged him in Abel of Bethmaachah, and they cast up a bank against the city, and it stood in the trench: and all the people that were with Joab battered the wall, to throw it down.
Then a wise woman called out from inside the city, Listen! Listen! Tell Joab to come over here so I can speak to him.
Then a wise woman called out of the town: Listen, listen. Say to Joab, please: Come here, so I can speak with you.
Then cried a wise woman out of the city, Hear, hear; say, I pray you, unto Joab, Come near hither, that I may speak with thee.
Joab approached her, and the woman asked, Are you Joab? He said, I am. She said, Listen to what your servant has to say. He answered, I'm listening.
And when he'd come near her, the woman said: Are you Joab? And he answered: I am. Then she said to him: Listen to the words of your servant. And he answered: I'm listening.
And when he was come near unto her, the woman said, Art thou Joab? And he answered, I am he. Then she said unto him, Hear the words of thine handmaid. And he answered, I do hear.
She said, In the old days people used to say, If you want an answer, ask at Abel. That's how disputes were settled.
Then she spoke: They used to say in the old days: They'll definitely ask advice at Abel. And that's how they settled things.
Then she spake, saying, They were wont to speak in old time, saying, They shall surely ask counsel at Abel: and so they ended the matter.
I represent the peaceful and faithful people of Israel. You're trying to destroy a city that is like a mother in Israel. Why would you swallow up the Lord's inheritance?
I'm one of the peaceful and faithful in Israel. You look to wreck a town and a mother in Israel. Why do you swallow up the inheritance of the Lord?
I am one of them that are peaceable and faithful in Israel: thou seekest to destroy a city and a mother in Israel: why wilt thou swallow up the inheritance of the LORD?
Joab answered: Absolutely not. I'm not here to swallow up or destroy this city.
And Joab answered: Far be it from me, far be it from me, that I should swallow up or wreck.
And Joab answered and said, Far be it, far be it from me, that I should swallow up or destroy.
That's not what this is about. A man from the hill country of Ephraim named Sheba son of Bichri has rebelled against King David. Hand over that one man, and I'll withdraw from the city. The woman told Joab, His head will be thrown to you over the wall.
That isn't how it is. But a man of Mount Ephraim, Sheba son of Bikri by name, has lifted up his hand against the king, against David. Hand over him only, and I'll go away from the town. And the woman said to Joab: Look — his head will be thrown to you over the wall.
The matter is not so: but a man of mount Ephraim, Sheba the son of Bichri by name, hath lifted up his hand against the king, even against David: deliver him only, and I will depart from the city. And the woman said unto Joab, Behold, his head shall be thrown to thee over the wall.
Then the woman went to all the people with her wise advice. They cut off Sheba son of Bichri's head and threw it out to Joab. Joab blew the trumpet, and his men dispersed from the city and went home. Joab returned to the king in Jerusalem.
Then the woman went to all the people in her wisdom. And they cut off the head of Sheba son of Bikri and threw it out to Joab. And he blew a trumpet, and they went off from the town, every man to his tent. And Joab came back to Jerusalem to the king.
Then the woman went unto all the people in her wisdom. And they cut off the head of Sheba the son of Bichri, and cast it out to Joab. And he blew a trumpet, and they retired from the city, every man to his tent. And Joab returned to Jerusalem unto the king.
David's officers
Joab remained commander of Israel's whole army. Benaiah son of Jehoiada commanded the Kerethites and Pelethites. Adoram was in charge of forced labour, and Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud was the royal recorder. Sheva was secretary, and Zadok and Abiathar were priests. Ira the Jairite also served as one of David's chief ministers.
Now Joab was over all the army of Israel. And Benaiah son of Jehoiada was over the Kerethites and over the Pelethites. And Adoram was over the forced labour. And Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud was recorder. And Sheva was scribe. And Zadok and Abiathar were the priests. And Ira the Jairite was a chief ruler about David too.
Now Joab was over all the host of Israel: and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and over the Pelethites: And Adoram was over the tribute: and Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was recorder: And Sheva was scribe: and Zadok and Abiathar were the priests: And Ira also the Jairite was a chief ruler about David.
Joab remained commander of Israel's whole army. Benaiah son of Jehoiada commanded the Kerethites and Pelethites.
Now Joab was over all the army of Israel. And Benaiah son of Jehoiada was over the Kerethites and over the Pelethites.
Now Joab was over all the host of Israel: and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and over the Pelethites:
Adoram was in charge of forced labour, and Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud was the royal recorder.
And Adoram was over the forced labour. And Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud was recorder.
And Adoram was over the tribute: and Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was recorder:
Sheva was secretary, and Zadok and Abiathar were priests.
And Sheva was scribe. And Zadok and Abiathar were the priests.
And Sheva was scribe: and Zadok and Abiathar were the priests:
Ira the Jairite also served as one of David's chief ministers.
And Ira the Jairite was a chief ruler about David too.
And Ira also the Jairite was a chief ruler about David.