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. 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.
205. Ὀλίγον δὲ τῷ Δαυίδῃ προελθόντι Σιβᾶς ὁ τοῦ Μεμφιβόσθου δοῦλος συνήντησεν, ὃν προνοησόμενον ἀπεστάλκει τῶν κτήσεων ἃς δεδώρητο τῷ Ἰωνάθου τοῦ Σαούλου παιδὸς υἱῷ, μετὰ ζεύγους ὄνων καταπεφορτισμένων τοῖς ἐπιτηδείοις, ἐξ ὧν ἐκέλευσε λαμβάνειν ὧν αὐτός τε καὶ οἱ σὺν αὐτῷ δέοιντο. πυνθανομένου δέ, ποῦ καταλέλοιπε τὸν Μεμφίβοσθον, ἐν Ἱεροσολύμοις ἔλεγε προσδοκῶντα χειροτονηθήσεσθαι βασιλέα διὰ τὴν ὑπάρχουσαν ταραχὴν εἰς μνήμην ὧν εὐηργέτησεν αὐτοὺς Σαοῦλος. ἀγανακτήσας δʼ ἐπὶ τούτῳ πάνθʼ ὅσα τῷ Μεμφιβόσθῳ παρεχώρησε Σιβᾷ χαρίζεται πολὺ γὰρ δικαιότερον αὐτὸν ἐκείνου ταῦτʼ ἔχειν ἐπέγνωκε· καὶ ὁ μὲν Σιβᾶς περιχαρὴς ἦν.
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. 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 bin;, and particularly Abishai, who had a mind to kill Shimei, David restrained his anger. “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.” 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.
207. Δαυίδῃ δὲ γενομένῳ κατὰ Χώρανον τόπον οὕτως καλούμενον ἐπέρχεται τοῦ Σαούλου συγγενὴς Σαμούις μὲν ὄνομα υἱὸς δὲ Γηρᾶ, καὶ λίθοις τε ἔβαλλεν αὐτὸν καὶ ἐκακηγόρει. περιστάντων δὲ τῶν φίλων καὶ σκεπόντων ἔτι μᾶλλον ὁ Σαμούις βλασφημῶν διετέλει, μιαιφόνον καὶ πολλῶν ἀρχηγὸν κακῶν ἀποκαλῶν. 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 δʼ ἐπʼ αὐτὸν ἠρεθισμένων ὑπʼ ὀργῆς καὶ μάλιστα Ἀβεσσαίου διαχρήσασθαι βουλομένου τὸν Σαμούιν Δαυίδης αὐτὸν τῆς ὀργῆς ἐπέσχε, 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, διʼ ὃν οὗτος ἐφʼ ἡμᾶς ἀπενοήθη. θαυμαστὸν δʼ οὐδὲν ὑπὸ τούτου με ταῦτα πάσχειν, ὅπου γε καὶ παιδὸς ἀσεβοῦς πεπείραμαι. ἀλλʼ ἔσται τις οἶκτος ἡμῖν ἐκ θεοῦ καὶ κρατήσομεν τῶν ἐχθρῶν τούτου θελήσαντος. ἤνυεν οὖν τὴν ὁδὸν οὐ φροντίζων τοῦ Σαμούι παρὰ τὸ ἕτερον μέρος τοῦ ὄρους διατρέχοντος καὶ πολλὰ κακηγοροῦντος· παραγενόμενος δʼ ἐπὶ τὸν Ἰόρδανον ἀνελάμβανε τοὺς ἰδίους ἐνταῦθα κεκοπωμένους.
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; 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.” 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.” 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.
211. Ἀψαλώμου δὲ καὶ Ἀχιτοφέλου τοῦ συμβούλου παραγενομένων εἰς Ἱεροσόλυμα σὺν ἅπαντι τῷ λαῷ, καὶ ὁ Δαυίδου φίλος ἧκε πρὸς αὐτοὺς καὶ προσκυνήσας αὐτὸν συνηύχετο τὴν βασιλείαν εἰς αἰῶνα καὶ τὸν πάντα παραμεῖναι χρόνον. φήσαντος δʼ 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· 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 δʼ οὐδὲν προσῆκε τοῖς παροῦσιν· οὐ γὰρ εἰς ἄλλην οἰκίαν ἡ βασιλεία μεταβέβηκε, μεμένηκε δʼ ἐπὶ τῆς αὐτῆς υἱοῦ παραλαβόντος. ταῦτα λέγων ἔπειθεν· ὕποπτον γὰρ αὐτὸν εἶχε. καὶ καλέσας τὸν Ἀχιτόφελον 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. πεισθεὶς δὲ τῇ συμβουλίᾳ κελεύει σκηνὴν αὑτῷ πῆξαι τοὺς οἰκέτας ἐπὶ τοῦ βασιλείου τοῦ πλήθους ὁρῶντος, καὶ παρελθὼν συνέρχεται ταῖς τοῦ πατρὸς παλλακαῖς. ταῦτα δʼ ἐγένετο κατὰ τὴν Νάθα προφητείαν, ἣν τῷ Δαυίδῃ σημαίνων τὴν ἐκ τοῦ παιδὸς ἐσομένην ἐπίθεσιν προεφήτευσε.
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]. 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, “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 skiliful in stratagems, and in foreseeing the deceitful tricks of his enemies; 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. 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; 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.” 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.
215. Ποιήσας δʼ Ἀψάλωμος τὰ παραινεθέντα αὐτῷ ὑπὸ τοῦ Ἀχιτοφέλου δεύτερον αὐτὸν ἠξίου συμβουλεύειν περὶ τοῦ πολέμου τοῦ πρὸς τὸν πατέρα. μυρίους δʼ αὐτὸν ἐπιλέκτους αἰτήσαντος ἐκείνου καὶ τόν τε πατέρα κτενεῖν αὐτοῦ καὶ τοὺς σὺν αὐτῷ ζωοὺς ἀνάξειν ὑποσχομένου καὶ βεβαίαν τότε τὴν βασιλείαν ἔσεσθαι φήσαντος Δαυίδου μηκέτι ζῶντος, ἀρεσθεὶς τῇ γνώμῃ μετακαλεῖται καὶ τὸν Χουσὶν τὸν Δαυίδου ἀρχίφιλον· οὕτως γὰρ αὐτὸν ἐκεῖνος ἐκάλει· καὶ τὴν Ἀχιτοφέλου γνώμην αὐτῷ δηλώσας, τί καὶ αὐτῷ δοκεῖ περὶ αὐτῆς ἐπυνθάνετο. συνιδὼν δʼ, ὅτι γενομένων ὧν Ἀχιτόφελος συνεβούλευσε κινδυνεύσει Δαυίδης συλληφθεὶς ἀποθανεῖν, γνώμην εἰσφέρειν ἐναντίαν ἐπειρᾶτο· 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 προϊδεῖν ἀπάτην ἐπερχομένων πολεμίων· 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. παράθου δὴ τοίνυν καὶ τὴν ἐμὴν συμβουλίαν τῷ λογισμῷ καὶ ταῦτʼ ἐπιγνοὺς ἄριστα τὴν μὲν Ἀχιτοφέλου γνώμην παραίτησαι, πέμψας δʼ εἰς πᾶσαν τὴν χώραν τῶν Ἑβραίων παράγγειλον αὐτοῖς τὴν ἐπὶ τὸν πατέρα σου στρατείαν, καὶ παραλαβὼν αὐτὸς τὴν δύναμιν τοῦ πολέμου γίνου στρατηγὸς καὶ μὴ πιστεύσῃς τοῦτον ἑτέρῳ. νικήσειν γὰρ προσδόκα ῥᾳδίως αὐτόν, ἂν ἐν φανερῷ καταλάβῃς ὄντα μετʼ ὀλίγων αὐτὸς πολλὰς ἔχων μυριάδας βουλομένων τὴν περὶ σὲ σπουδὴν ἐπιδείξασθαι καὶ προθυμίαν. ἂν δʼ ὁ πατὴρ αὑτὸν εἰς πολιορκίαν περικλείσῃ, μηχανήμασι καὶ ὀρύγμασιν ὑπονόμοις καθαιρήσομεν ἐκείνην τὴν πόλιν. ταῦτʼ εἰπὼν εὐδοκίμησε μᾶλλον Ἀχιτοφέλου· τῆς γὰρ ἐκείνου γνώμης ἡ τούτου προεκρίθη παρʼ Ἀψαλώμου. θεὸς μέντοι γε ἦν ὁ τούτου τῇ διανοίᾳ τὴν τοῦ Χουσὶ συμβουλίαν συστήσας ἀμείνω εἶναι δοκεῖν.
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. 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. 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. 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. 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; 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.
222. Σπεύσας δὲ πρὸς τοὺς ἀρχιερέας Σάδωκον καὶ Ἀβιάθαρον καὶ τήν τε Ἀχιτοφέλου γνώμην ἐξειπὼν αὐτοῖς καὶ τὴν ἑαυτοῦ καὶ ὅτι δέδοκται τὰ ὑπʼ αὐτοῦ παραινεθέντα πράττειν, ἐκέλευσε μηνύειν πέμψαντας Δαυίδῃ καὶ φανερὰ ποιεῖν τὰ συμβεβουλευμένα καὶ προσπαρακελεύσασθαι ταχέως διαβῆναι τὸν Ἰόρδανον, μὴ μεταγνοὺς ὁ παῖς αὐτοῦ διώκειν ὁρμήσῃ καὶ πρὶν ἐν ἀσφαλείᾳ γένηται φθάσας καταλάβῃ. οἱ δὲ ἀρχιερεῖς ἐξεπίτηδες τοὺς υἱοὺς ἔξω τῆς πόλεως κεκρυμμένους εἶχον, ὅπως διακομίσωσι πρὸς τὸν Δαυίδην τὰ πραττόμενα· πέμψαντες οὖν πιστὴν θεραπαινίδα πρὸς αὐτοὺς φέρουσαν τὰ βεβουλευμένα ὑπὸ τοῦ Ἀψαλώμου προσέταξαν μετὰ σπουδῆς ταῦτα Δαυίδῃ σημαίνειν. οἱ δʼ 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 ἄριστα εἶναι ἠπείγοντο συμβαλεῖν Δαυίδῃ. γενομένους δʼ αὐτοὺς ἀπὸ σταδίων τῆς πόλεως δύο θεῶνταί τινες ἱππεῖς καὶ διαβάλλουσι πρὸς τὸν Ἀψάλωμον· ὁ δʼ εὐθὺς ἔπεμψε τοὺς συλληψομένους. νοήσαντες δὲ τοῦτο οἱ τῶν ἀρχιερέων παῖδες ἐκτραπέντες τῆς ὁδοῦ παραχρῆμα εἰς κώμην τινὰ τῶν Ἱεροσολύμων οὐκ ἄπωθεν αὑτοὺς ἔδωκαν, Βοκχόρης ἦν ὄνομα τῇ πόλει, καὶ γυναικὸς ἐδεήθησάν τινος κρύψαι καὶ παρασχεῖν αὐτοῖς τὴν ἀσφάλειαν. 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 παρʼ αὐτῇ πάλιν ἀπελθεῖν, εἰ μέντοι γε συντόνως διώξουσι καταλήψεσθαι προύλεγεν. ὡς δʼ ἐπὶ πολὺ διώξαντες οὐ κατέλαβον, ἀνέστρεψαν εἰς τοὐπίσω. θεασαμένη δʼ αὐτοὺς ἀναζεύξαντας ἡ γυνὴ καὶ μηδένα φόβον τοῖς νεανίσκοις ἀπʼ αὐτῶν ἔτι συλλήψεως εἶναι, ἀνιμήσασα τὴν προκειμένην ὁδὸν ἀνύειν παρεκελεύσατο· καὶ πολλῇ σπουδῇ καὶ τάχει χρησάμενοι περὶ τὴν ὁδοιπορίαν ἧκον πρὸς Δαυίδην καὶ πάντʼ ἀκριβῶς ἐδήλωσαν τὰ παρʼ Ἀψαλώμου βεβουλευμένα. ὁ δὲ διαβῆναι τὸν Ἰόρδανον τοὺς μεθʼ ἑαυτοῦ προσέταξεν ἤδη νυκτὸς οὔσης καὶ μηδὲν ὀκνεῖν διʼ αὐτήν.
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; 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. Now, as for David, he passed over Jordan, as we have said already, and came to Mahanaim, every 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; 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.
228. Ἀχιτόφελος δὲ τῆς γνώμης αὐτοῦ παρευδοκιμηθείσης ἐπιβὰς τοῦ κτήνους ἐξώρμησεν εἰς Γελμὼν τὴν πατρίδα· καὶ συγκαλέσας τοὺς οἰκείους ἅπαντας ἃ συνεβούλευσεν Ἀψαλώμῳ ταῦτʼ αὐτοῖς διεξῆλθε, καὶ ὡς οὐ πεισθεὶς φανερός ἐστιν οὐκ εἰς μακρὰν ἀπολούμενος· Δαυίδην δὲ κρατήσειν ἔλεγεν [καὶ] ἐπανήξειν ἐπὶ τὴν βασιλείαν. ἄμεινον οὖν ἔφησεν εἶναι τοῦ ζῆν αὑτὸν ἐξαγαγεῖν ἐλευθέρως καὶ μεγαλοφρόνως ἢ παρασχεῖν αὑτὸν εἰς κόλασιν Δαυίδῃ, καθʼ οὗ πάντα συνέπραττεν Ἀψαλώμῳ. ταῦτα διαλεχθεὶς καὶ παρελθὼν εἰς τὸ μυχαίτατον τῆς οἰκίας ἀνήρτησεν ἑαυτόν. καὶ τὸν μὲν Ἀχιτόφελον τοιούτου θανάτου δικαστὴν αὑτῷ γενόμενον καθελόντες ἐκ τῆς ἀγχόνης ἐκήδευσαν οἱ προσήκοντες. ὁ δὲ Δαυίδης διαβὰς τὸν Ἰόρδανον, 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 Βερζελαῖος ὁ Γαλαδίτης καὶ Σειφὰρ ὁ τῆς Ἀμμανίτιδος δυνάστῃς καὶ Μάχειρος ὁ τῆς Γαλαδίτιδος χώρας πρῶτος. οὗτοι πᾶσαν αὐτῷ καὶ τοῖς ἐκείνου τῶν ἐπιτηδείων ἐκτένειαν παρέσχον, ὡς μήτε κλίνας ἐπιλιπεῖν ἐστρωμένας μήτε ἄρτους καὶ οἶνον, ἀλλὰ καὶ θυμάτων ἀφθονίαν χορηγῆσαι καὶ τῶν εἰς ἀνάπαυσιν ἤδη κεκοπωμένοις καὶ τροφὴν χρησίμων εὐπορίαν διαρκῆ παρασχεῖν.
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. 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; 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.” 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.
232. Καὶ οἱ μὲν ἐν τούτοις ἦσαν· Ἀψάλωμος δʼ ἀθροίσας μεγάλην στρατιὰν τῶν Ἑβραίων ἐπὶ τὸν πατέρα καὶ διαβὰς τὸν Ἰόρδανον ποταμὸν οὐ πόρρω κατέζευξε τῶν Παρεμβολῶν ἐν τῇ Γαλαδιτῶν χώρᾳ, καταστήσας στρατηγὸν πάσης τῆς δυνάμεως Ἀμασᾶν εἰς τὴν Ἰωάβου τάξιν τοῦ συγγενοῦς αὐτοῦ· πατρὸς μὲν γὰρ ἦν Ἰεθράου μητρὸς δὲ Ἀβιγαίας, αὕτη δὲ καὶ Σουρία ἡ Ἰωάβου μήτηρ ἀδελφαὶ ἦσαν Δαυίδου. ὡς δʼ ἐξαριθμήσας τοὺς σὺν αὐτῷ Δαυίδης περὶ τετρακισχιλίους εὗρεν ὄντας, οὐκ ἔγνω μένειν, πότʼ ἐπʼ αὐτὸν Ἀψάλωμος ἔλθῃ, προσθεὶς δὲ τοῖς οὖσι χιλιάρχους καὶ ἑκατοντάρχους καὶ διελὼν εἰς τρία μέρη τὸ μὲν τῷ στρατηγῷ παρέδωκεν Ἰωάβῳ, τὸ δὲ τῷ ἀδελφῷ αὐτοῦ Ἀβεσσαίῳ, τὴν δὲ τρίτην μοῖραν ἐνεχείρισεν Ἐσθαίῳ συνήθει μὲν ὄντι καὶ φίλῳ ἐκ δὲ τῆς Γιττῶν πόλεως ὑπάρχοντι. βουλόμενον δὲ συνεκστρατεύειν αὐτὸν οὐκ εἴασαν οἱ φίλοι γνώμῃ κατασχόντες σοφωτάτῃ· νικηθέντες μὲν γὰρ σὺν αὐτῷ πᾶσαν ἀποβαλεῖν ἐλπίδα χρηστὴν ἔφασκον, ἂν δὲ ἡττηθέντες ἑνὶ μέρει τῆς δυνάμεως τῷ λοιπῷ πρὸς αὐτὸν φύγωσιν ἀμείνονα παρασκευάσειν αὐτὸν ἰσχύν· ὑπονοήσειν δὲ καὶ τοὺς πολεμίους εἰκός ἐστιν ἄλλο μετʼ αὐτοῦ στράτευμα εἶναι. πεισθεὶς δὲ τῇ συμβουλίᾳ ταύτῃ μένειν μὲν αὐτὸς ἐν ταῖς Παρεμβολαῖς ἔκρινεν, ἐκπέμπων δὲ τοὺς φίλους καὶ τοὺς στρατηγοὺς ἐπὶ τὸν πόλεμον παρεκάλει προθυμίαν ἐναποδείξασθαι καὶ πίστιν καὶ μνήμην, εἴ τινος τῶν μετρίως ἐχόντων παρʼ αὐτοῦ ἔτυχον· φείσασθαι δὲ καὶ τοῦ παιδὸς Ἀψαλώμου κρατήσαντας ἠντιβόλει, μὴ κακὸν αὑτὸν ἐργάσηταί τι τελευτήσαντος αὐτοῦ. καὶ ὁ μὲν νίκην αὐτοῖς ἐπευξάμενος ἐκπέμπει τὴν στρατιάν.
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. 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; 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. 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. 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.” 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, 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.
236. Ἰωάβου δὲ παρατάξαντος τὴν δύναμιν ἀντικρὺ τῶν πολεμίων ἐν πεδίῳ μεγάλῳ ἐξόπισθεν περιβεβλημένῳ δρυμὸν ἀντεξάγει τὴν στρατιὰν καὶ Ἀψάλωμος. καὶ συμβολῆς γενομένης ἔργα μεγάλα χειρῶν τε καὶ τόλμης παρʼ ἀμφοτέρων ἐπεδείκνυτο, τῶν μὲν ὑπὲρ τοῦ τὴν βασιλείαν ἀπολαβεῖν Δαυίδην παρακινδυνευόντων καὶ πάσῃ προθυμίᾳ χρωμένων, τῶν δʼ ἵνα μὴ ταύτην Ἀψάλωμος ἀφαιρεθῇ καὶ δῷ τῷ πατρὶ δίκας κολασθεὶς ἀνθʼ ὧν ἐτόλμησεν οὐδὲν ὀκνούντων οὔτε ποιεῖν οὔτε πάσχειν, ἔτι δὲ τῶν μὲν πλειόνων ἵνα μὴ κρατηθῶσιν ὑπὸ τῶν σὺν Ἰωάβῳ καὶ τοῖς σὺν αὐτῷ στρατηγοῖς ὄντων ὀλίγων, αἰσχύνην γὰρ αὐτοῖς τοῦτο εἶναι μεγίστην, τῶν δὲ Δαυίδου στρατιωτῶν ἵνα τοσούτων μυριάδων κρατήσωσι φιλοτιμουμένων, ἔρις ἐγένετο καρτερά, καὶ νικῶσιν οἱ Δαυίδου ῥώμῃ τε προύχοντες καὶ τῇ τῶν πολεμικῶν ἐπιστήμῃ. φεύγοντας δὲ διὰ δρυμῶν καὶ φαράγγων ἑπόμενοι τοὺς μὲν ἐλάμβανον πολλοὺς δὲ ἀνῄρουν, ὡς φεύγοντας πεσεῖν πλείονας ἢ μαχομένους· ἔπεσον γὰρ ὡς δισμύριοι ἐπʼ ἐκείνης τῆς ἡμέρας. οἱ δὲ τοῦ Δαυίδου πάντες ὥρμησαν ἐπὶ τὸν Ἀψάλωμον· φανερὸς γὰρ αὐτοῖς ὑπό τε τοῦ κάλλους καὶ τοῦ μεγέθους ἐγένετο. 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 ὑπʼ ὀξύτητος ὡς ἐπικείμενον τὸν δεσπότην ἔτι φέρον ἐχώρει προσωτέρω, ὁ δʼ ἐκ τῶν κλάδων αἰωρούμενος ἐκρατεῖτο τοῖς πολεμίοις. τοῦτό τις ἰδὼν τῶν Δαυίδου στρατιωτῶν ἐδήλωσεν Ἰωάβῳ, καὶ πεντήκοντα σίκλους ἂν αὐτῷ δεδωκέναι τοῦ στρατηγοῦ φήσαντος, εἰ βαλὼν ἀπέκτεινε τὸν Ἀψάλωμον, οὐδʼ εἰ χιλίους, εἶπεν, ἔμελλές μοι παρέξειν, τοῦτʼ ἂν διέθηκά μου τὸν τοῦ δεσπότου παῖδα, καὶ ταῦτʼ ἐκείνου πάντων ἡμῶν ἀκουόντων φείσασθαι τοῦ νεανίσκου δεηθέντος. ὁ δὲ κελεύσας αὐτῷ δεῖξαι ποῦ κρεμάμενον ἴδοι τὸν Ἀψάλωμον τοξεύσας κατὰ τῆς καρδίας ἀπέκτεινεν· οἱ δὲ τὰ τοῦ Ἰωάβου κομίζοντες ὅπλα περιστάντες ἐν κύκλῳ τὸ δένδρον κατασπῶσι τὸν νεκρόν· 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 Ἰώαβος ἐπέσχε τοῦ διώκειν τοὺς οἰκείους στρατιώτας τὴν τῶν πολεμίων δύναμιν φειδόμενος τῶν ὁμοφύλων.
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, 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.
243. Ἔστησε δʼ Ἀψάλωμος ἐν τῇ κοιλάδι τῇ βασιλικῇ στήλην λίθου μαρμαρίνου δύο σταδίους ἀπέχουσαν Ἱεροσολύμων, 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 Θωμάρα τοὔνομα, ὡς προειρήκαμεν. συνοικησάσης δʼ αὐτῆς τῷ Σολόμωνος υἱῷ Ῥοβοάμῳ γίνεται παῖς ὁ διαδεξάμενος τὴν βασιλείαν Ἀβίας. καὶ περὶ μὲν τούτων ἐν ὑστέροις οἰκειότερον τῇ ἱστορίᾳ δηλώσομεν. μετὰ δὲ τὴν Ἀψαλώμου τελευτὴν ὁ μὲν λαὸς εἰς τὰ οἰκεῖα διεσπάρη.
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. 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. 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. 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 be could discern who he was, be told David that he saw somebody coming to him, 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 be desired to hear.
245. Ἀχιμᾶς δὲ ὁ Σαδώκου τοῦ ἀρχιερέως υἱὸς Ἰωάβῳ προσελθὼν ἐδεῖτο αὐτοῦ τὴν νίκην ἐπιτρέψαι πορευθέντι Δαυίδῃ μηνῦσαι, καὶ ὅτι τῆς παρὰ τοῦ θεοῦ βοηθείας ἔτυχε καὶ προνοίας εὐαγγελίσασθαι. 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 Χουσὶν ἐκείνῳ προσέταξε τὸ ἔργον, ἵνʼ ὅπερ αὐτὸς εἶδε τοῦτο μηνύσειε τῷ βασιλεῖ. τοῦ δʼ Ἀχιμᾶ πάλιν δεηθέντος αὐτῷ τὴν ἀγγελίαν ἐφεῖναι, περὶ μόνης γὰρ αὐτὴν ποιήσεσθαι τῆς νίκης ἡσυχάσειν δὲ περὶ τῆς Ἀψαλώμου τελευτῆς, ἐπέτρεψεν αὐτῷ τὴν πρὸς τὸν Δαυίδην ἄφιξιν. καὶ τὴν ἐπιτομωτέραν ἐκβαλὼν τῶν ὁδῶν, καὶ γὰρ μόνος αὐτὴν ἐγίνωσκε, τὸν Χουσὶν φθάνει. καθεζομένῳ δὲ Δαυίδῃ μεταξὺ τῶν πυλῶν καὶ περιμένοντι, πότʼ αὐτῷ τις ἐλθὼν ἀπὸ τῆς μάχης ἀγγείλῃ τὰ κατʼ αὐτήν, τῶν σκοπῶν τις ἰδὼν τὸν Ἀχιμᾶν τρέχοντα καὶ μήπω τίς ἐστι γνωρίσαι δυνάμενος εἶπε πρὸς τὸν Δαυίδην βλέπειν τινὰ παραγινόμενον πρὸς αὐτόν. τοῦ δʼ ἄγγελον εἶναι φήσαντος ἀγαθῶν, μετʼ ὀλίγον ἕπεσθαί τινα καὶ ἕτερον ἐδήλωσεν αὐτῷ. κἀκεῖνον δὲ ἄγγελον εἰπόντος, ἰδὼν τὸν Ἀχιμᾶν ὁ σκοπὸς ἤδη ἐγγὺς γεγενημένον τὸν Σαδώκου παῖδα τοῦ ἀρχιερέως προστρέχειν ἐσήμαινεν. ὁ δὲ Δαυίδης περιχαρὴς γενόμενος ἀγαθῶν ἄγγελον τοῦτον ἔφησεν εἶναι καί τι τῶν εὐκταίων αὐτῷ φέρειν ἀπὸ τῆς μάχης.
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 be made when Joab sent him to inform him of the victory. 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.” 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. 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. 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 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; 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 his, 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. 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.” 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.
250. Καὶ μεταξὺ ταῦτα λέγοντος τοῦ βασιλέως φανεὶς ὁ Ἀχιμᾶς προσκυνεῖ τὸν βασιλέα, καὶ πυθομένῳ περὶ τῆς μάχης νίκην εὐαγγελίζεται καὶ κράτος. ἐρομένῳ δʼ 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 Ἀψάλωμον καὶ πλεῖον τούτου μηδὲν δεδυνῆσθαι μαθεῖν διὰ τὸ πεμφθέντα ὑπὸ Ἰωάβου δηλῶσαι τὴν νίκην ἐπείγεσθαι. παραγενομένου δὲ τοῦ Χουσὶ καὶ προσκυνήσαντος καὶ τὴν νίκην σημήναντος, περὶ τοῦ παιδὸς αὐτὸν ἀνέκρινεν. ὁ δʼ ἐχθροῖς, εἶπε, τοῖς σοῖς οἷα συμβέβηκεν Ἀψαλώμῳ γένοιτο. οὗτος ὁ λόγος οὐδὲ τὴν ἐπὶ τῇ νίκῃ χαρὰν εἴασεν οὔτʼ 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. ἡ στρατιὰ δὲ καὶ Ἰώαβος ἀκούσαντες, ὅτι πενθεῖ τὸν υἱὸν οὕτως ὁ βασιλεύς, ᾐσχύνθησαν μετὰ τοῦ τῶν νενικηκότων σχήματος εἰσελθεῖν εἰς τὴν πόλιν, κατηφεῖς δὲ καὶ δεδακρυμένοι πάντες ὡς ἀφʼ ἥττης παρῆλθον. κατακαλυψαμένου δὲ τοῦ βασιλέως καὶ στένοντος τὸν υἱὸν εἴσεισι πρὸς αὐτὸν Ἰώαβος 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 οὐκέτʼ ὄντας, οἳ δίκῃ τεθνήκασιν· εἰ γὰρ Ἀψάλωμος 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 δʼ οὐκ αἰσχύνῃ ταῦτα ποιῶν ἐπὶ μᾶλλον ἐχθρῷ, ὅτι σὸς υἱὸς ὢν ἀσεβὴς οὕτως ἐγένετο. 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 καὶ ἀληθὲς ποιήσω τὸ πένθος. ταῦτʼ εἰπὼν Ἰώαβος ἀπέστρεψεν ἀπὸ τῆς λύπης καὶ ἤγαγεν εἰς τὸν περὶ τῶν πραγμάτων λογισμὸν τὸν βασιλέα· μετασχηματίσας γὰρ ἑαυτὸν Δαυίδης 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.
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. 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. 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.” 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. 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.
258. Οἱ δʼ ἐκ τῆς μάχης ἀναχωρήσαντες τῶν Ἑβραίων τῶν μετʼ Ἀψαλώμου γενόμενοι παρʼ αὑτοῖς ἕκαστοι διεπέμποντο κατὰ πόλεις ὑπομιμνήσκοντες αὑτοὺς ὧν εὐηργέτησε Δαυίδης καὶ τῆς ἐλευθερίας, ἣν ἐκ πολλῶν καὶ μεγάλων ῥυσάμενος αὐτοὺς πολέμων παρέσχε, μεμφόμενοι δʼ ὅτι τῆς βασιλείας αὐτὸν ἐκβαλόντες ἄλλῳ ταύτην ἐνεχείρισαν καὶ νῦν τεθνηκότος τοῦ κατασταθέντος ὑπʼ αὐτῶν ἡγεμόνος οὐ παρακαλοῦσι Δαυίδην παύσασθαι μὲν τῆς ὀργῆς, εὐνοϊκῶς δὲ πρὸς αὐτοὺς ἔχειν, τῶν δὲ πραγμάτων καθὼς ἤδη καὶ πρότερον ποιεῖσθαι πρόνοιαν τὴν βασιλείαν ἀπολαβόντα. ταῦτα μὲν οὖν συνεχέστερον ἀπηγγέλλετο Δαυίδῃ· κἀκεῖνος οὐδὲν ἧττον ἔπεμψε πρὸς Σάδωκον καὶ Ἀβιάθαρον τοὺς ἀρχιερέας, ἵνα τοῖς ἄρχουσι τῆς Ἰούδα φυλῆς διαλεχθῶσιν, ὡς αἰσχρὸν αὐτοῖς ἄλλας φυλὰς πρὸ ἐκείνης Δαυίδην χειροτονῆσαι βασιλέα, καὶ ταῦθʼ ὑμῶν συγγενῶν ὄντων καὶ κοινὸν αἷμα πρὸς αὐτὸν κεκληρωμένων. τὰ δʼ αὐτὰ καὶ Ἀμασᾷ τῷ στρατηγῷ προσέταξεν αὐτοὺς λέγειν, ὅτι τῆς ἀδελφῆς υἱὸς ὢν αὐτοῦ μὴ πείθει τὸ πλῆθος Δαυίδῃ τὴν βασιλείαν ἀποδοῦναι· προσδοκᾶν δὲ παρʼ αὐτοῦ μὴ διαλλαγὴν μόνον, τοῦτο γὰρ ἤδη γέγονεν, ἀλλὰ καὶ τὴν παντὸς τοῦ λαοῦ στρατηγίαν, ἣν αὐτῷ καὶ Ἀψάλωμος παρέσχε. καὶ οἱ μὲν ἀρχιερεῖς ἃ μὲν τοῖς τῆς φυλῆς ἄρχουσι διειλέχθησαν ἃ δὲ τὸν Ἀμασὰν ἔπεισαν τὰ παρὰ τοῦ βασιλέως πρὸς αὐτὸν εἰπόντες ἐγχειρεῖν ταῖς ὑπὲρ αὐτοῦ φροντίσι. καὶ πείθει γε τὴν φυλὴν παραχρῆμα πέμψαι πρὸς Δαυίδην πρέσβεις παρακαλοῦντας εἰς τὴν ἰδίαν αὐτὸν ἐπανελθεῖν βασιλείαν. τὸ δʼ αὐτὸ καὶ πάντες ἐποίουν οἱ Ἰσραηλῖται προτρεψαμένου τοῦ Ἀμασᾶ.
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. 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. 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; 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.
263. Τῶν δὲ πρέσβεων ἀφικομένων πρὸς αὐτὸν εἰς Ἱεροσόλυμα παρεγένετο. πάντας δὲ τοὺς ἄλλους ἔφθασεν ἡ Ἰούδα φυλὴ πρὸς τὸν Ἰόρδανον ποταμὸν ἀπαντῆσαι τῷ βασιλεῖ καὶ ὁ Γήρα παῖς Σαμούις μετὰ χιλίων ἀνδρῶν, οὓς ἐκ τῆς Βενιαμίδος φυλῆς ἐπήγετο, καὶ Σιβᾶς δὲ ὁ ἀπελεύθερος Σαούλου καὶ οἱ παῖδες αὐτοῦ πεντεκαίδεκα τὸν ἀριθμὸν ὄντες μετὰ οἰκετῶν εἴκοσιν. οὗτοι σὺν τῇ Ἰούδα φυλῇ τὸν ποταμὸν ἐγεφύρωσαν, ἵνα ῥᾷστα διαβῇ μετὰ τῶν ἰδίων ὁ βασιλεύς. ὡς δὲ ἧκεν ἐπὶ τὸν Ἰόρδανον ἠσπάσατο μὲν αὐτὸν ἡ Ἰούδα φυλή, προσπεσὼν δʼ ἀναβάντι ἐπὶ τὴν γέφυραν Σαμούις καὶ κατασχὼν αὐτοῦ τοὺς πόδας ἐδεῖτο συγγνῶναι περὶ τῶν εἰς αὐτὸν ἡμαρτημένων καὶ μὴ γενέσθαι πικρὸν αὐτῷ μηδὲ τοῦτο πρῶτον ἡγήσασθαι τὴν τιμωρίαν ἐν ἐξουσίᾳ γενόμενον, λογίσασθαι δʼ ὅτι καὶ μετανοήσας ἐφʼ οἷς ἐσφάλη πρῶτος ἐλθεῖν πρὸς αὐτὸν ἔσπευσε. ταῦτα δʼ ἀντιβολοῦντος αὐτοῦ καὶ οἰκτιζομένου Ἀβεσσαῖος ὁ Ἰωάβου ἀδελφός, διὰ τοῦτο οὖν, εἶπεν, οὐ τεθνήξῃ βλασφημήσας τὸν ὑπὸ τοῦ θεοῦ κατασταθέντα βασιλεύειν; Δαυίδης δʼ ἐπιστραφεὶς πρὸς αὐτόν, οὐ παύσεσθʼ, εἶπεν, ὦ Σαρουίας παῖδες; μὴ κινήσητε πάλιν ἡμῖν καινὰς ἐπὶ ταῖς πρώταις ταραχὰς καὶ στάσεις· 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 Σαμούι, θάρρει καὶ δείσῃς μηδὲν ὡς τεθνηξόμενος. ὁ δὲ προσκυνήσας αὐτὸν προῆγεν.
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. 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; “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, 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.” 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.”
267. Ἀπήντησε δʼ αὐτῷ καὶ ὁ Σαούλου υἱωνὸς Μεμφίβοσθος ῥυπαράν τε τὴν ἐσθῆτα περικείμενος καὶ τὴν κόμην βαθεῖαν καὶ κατημελημένην ἔχων· μετὰ γὰρ τὴν Δαυίδου φυγὴν οὔτε ἀπεκείρατο λυπούμενος οὔτʼ ἐκάθηρε τὴν ἐσθῆτα κατακρίνας αὑτοῦ συμφορὰν ταύτην ἐπὶ τῇ τοῦ βασιλέως μεταβολῇ· διεβέβλητο δὲ καὶ ὑπὸ τοῦ ἐπιτρόπου Σιβᾶ πρὸς αὐτὸν ἀδίκως. ἀσπασαμένου δὲ αὐτοῦ καὶ προσκυνήσαντος ἤρξατο πυνθάνεσθαι, τί δήποτʼ οὐ συνεξῆλθεν αὐτῷ καὶ κοινωνὸς ἦν τῆς φυγῆς; ὁ δʼ ἀδίκημα τοῦτʼ ἔλεγεν εἶναι Σιβᾶ· κελευσθεὶς γὰρ παρασκευάσαι τὰ πρὸς τὴν ἔξοδον οὐκ ἐφρόντισεν, ἀλλʼ ὥσπερ ἀνδραπόδου τινὸς οὕτως παρήκουσεν. 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. ἀλλʼ οἶδα γάρ, ὅτι τούτων οὐδὲν ἡ σὴ διάνοια προσίεται δικαία τε οὖσα καὶ τὴν ἀλήθειαν ἐνισχύειν βουλομένη καὶ τὸ θεῖον ἀγαπῶσα· 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, ὅτʼ ἐξουσίαν τῆς ὑπὲρ αὐτῶν τιμωρίας εἶχεν ἡ μνήμη. φίλον δὲ σὸν ἔκρινας ἐμὲ καὶ ἐπὶ τῆς τραπέζης εἶχες ὁσημέραι, καὶ οὐδὲν ἀπέλειπον τῶν συγγενῶν τοῦ μάλιστα τιμωμένου. ταῦτʼ εἰπόντος οὔτε τὸν Μεμφίβοσθον ἔγνω κολάζειν οὔθʼ ὡς καταψευσαμένου τοῦ Σιβᾶ πρὸς αὐτὸν καταδικάζειν, ἀλλʼ ὑπὲρ μὲν τοῦ [μὴ μετὰ] Σιβᾶ ἐλθεῖν ἐκείνῳ πάντα χαρίσασθαι φήσας αὐτῷ συγγινώσκειν ὑπέσχετο τὰ ἡμίση τῆς οὐσίας αὐτῷ κελεύσας ἀποδοθῆναι. ὁ δὲ Μεμφίβοσθος πάντʼ ἐχέτω μέν, εἶπε, Σιβάς, ἐμοὶ δʼ ἀπόχρη τὸ σὲ τὴν βασιλείαν ἀπολαβεῖν.