II Samuel
2 Samuel 1 : David Learns of Saul’s Death
(1 Samuel 31:1-6; 1 Chronicles 10:1-6)
1Now it came to pass after the death of Saul, when David was returned from the slaughter of the Amalekites, and David had stayed 2 days in Ziklag; 2It came even to pass on the third day, that, behold, a man came out of the camp from Saul with his clothes rent, and earth on his head: and so it was, when he came to David, that he fell to the earth, and did obeisance.
Slaughter נָכָה nâkâh, naw-kaw’; to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively):—beat, cast forth, clap, give (wounds), 501 times in 460 verses
Amalek = “dweller in a valley”; son of Eliphaz by his concubine Timnah, grandson of Esau, and progenitor of a tribe of people in southern Canaan 39 times in 37 verses
Ziklag = “winding”; a town in the south of Judah, later allotted to Simeon; noted for its having been the city of David given to him by king Achish of Gath and his residence when he was joined by many of his mighty warriors and when he received word of the death of Saul 15 times in 12 verses
Obeisance שָׁחָה shâchâh, shaw-khaw’; to depress, i.e. prostrate (especially reflexive, in homage to royalty or God):—bow (self) down, crouch, fall down (flat), 172 times in 166 verses
3And David said to him, From where come you? And he said to him, Out of the camp of Israel am I escaped. 4And David said to him, How went the matter? I pray you, tell me. And he answered, That the people are fled from the battle, and many of the people also are fallen and dead; and Saul and Jonathan his son are dead also. 5And David said to the young man that told him, How know you that Saul and Jonathan his son be dead? 6And the young man that told him said, As I happened by chance on mount Gilboa, behold, Saul leaned on his spear; and, see, the chariots and horsemen followed hard after him. 7And when he looked behind him, he saw me, and called to me. And I answered, Here am I. 8And he said to me, Who are you? And I answered him, I am an Amalekite. 9He said to me again, Stand, I pray you, on me, and slay me: for anguish is come on me, because my life is yet whole in me. 10So I stood on him, and slew him, because I was sure that he could not live after that he was fallen: and I took the crown that was on his head, and the bracelet that was on his arm, and have brought them here to my lord.
Gilboa = “swollen heap”; “bubbling fountain” a mountain-ridge at the southeastern end of the plain of Jezreel, site of the death of Saul and Jonathan גִּלְבֹּעַ Gilbôaʻ, ghil-bo’-ah; from H1530 and H1158; fountain of ebullition (outburst, boiling) Gilboa, a mountain of Palestine:—Gilboa. H1533 matches the Hebrew גִּלְבֹּעַ (Gilboa`), which occurs 8 times in 8 verses
Horsemen בַּעַל baʻal, bah’-al; from H1166; a master; hence, a husband, or (figuratively) owner (often used with another noun in modifications of this latter sense):— archer, babbler, bird, captain, chief man, confederate, have to do, dreamer, those to whom it is due, furious, those that are given to it, great, hairy, he that hath it, have, horseman, husband, lord, man, married, master, person, sworn, they of.
Arm, Forearm זְרוֹעַ zᵉrôwaʻ, zer-o’-ah; or (shortened) זְרֹעַ zᵉrôaʻ; and (feminine) זְרוֹעָה zᵉrôwʻâh; or זְרֹעָה zᵉrôʻâh; from H2232; the arm (as stretched out), or (of animals) the foreleg; figuratively, force:—arm, help, mighty, power, shoulder, strength. 91 times in 84 verses
11Then David took hold on his clothes, and rent them; and likewise all the men that were with him: 12And they mourned, and wept, and fasted until even, for Saul, and for Jonathan his son, and for the people of the LORD, and for the house of Israel; because they were fallen by the sword. 13And David said to the young man that told him, From where are you? And he answered, I am the son of a stranger, an Amalekite. 14And David said to him, How were you not afraid to stretch forth your hand to destroy the LORD’s anointed? 15And David called one of the young men, and said, Go near, and fall on him. And he smote him that he died. 16And David said to him, Your blood be on your head; for your mouth has testified against you, saying, I have slain the LORD’s anointed.
Fasted צוּם tsûwm, tsoom; a primitive root; to cover over (the mouth), i.e. to fast:—× at all, fast. 21 times in 17 verses
David’s Song for Saul and Jonathan
17And David lamented with this lamentation over Saul and over Jonathan his son: 18(Also he bade them teach the children of Judah the use of the bow: behold, it is written in the book of Jasher.)
Lamentation קִינָה qîynâh, kee-naw’; from H6969; a dirge (as accompanied by beating the breasts or on instruments):—lamentation. 18 times in 16 verses
19The beauty of Israel is slain on your high places: how are the mighty fallen!
20Tell it not in Gath, publish it not in the streets of Askelon; lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice, lest the daughters of the uncircumcised triumph.
Gath = “winepress”; one of the five royal or chief cities of the Philistines and the native city of Goliath 33 times in 31 verses
Askelon or Ashkelon = “the fire of infamy: I shall be weighed” a maritime city of the Philistines, southwest of Jerusalem אַשְׁקְלוֹן ʼAshqᵉlôwn, ash-kel-one’; probably from H8254 in the sense of weighing-place (i.e. mart);
Triumph עָלַז ʻâlaz, aw-laz’; a primitive root; to jump for joy, i.e. exult:—be joyful, rejoice, triumph. 16 times in 16 verses
21You mountains of Gilboa, let there be no dew, neither let there be rain, on you, nor fields of offerings: for there the shield of the mighty is vilely cast away, the shield of Saul, as though he had not been anointed with oil.
Anointed מָשִׁיחַ mâshîyach, maw-shee’-akh; from H4886; anointed; usually a consecrated person (as a king, priest, or saint); 39 times in 38 verses
Oil שֶׁמֶן shemen, sheh’-men; from H8080; grease, especially liquid (as from the olive, often perfumed); figuratively, richness:—anointing, × fat (things), × fruitful, oil(-ed), ointment, olive, pine. 193 times in 176 verses (dew of heaven)
22From the blood of the slain, from the fat of the mighty, the bow of Jonathan turned not back, and the sword of Saul returned not empty.
23Saul and Jonathan were lovely and pleasant in their lives, and in their death they were not divided: they were swifter than eagles, they were stronger than lions.
Divided פָּרַד pârad, paw-rad’; a primitive root; to break through, i.e. spread or separate (oneself):—disperse, divide, be out of joint, part, scatter (abroad), separate (self), sever self, stretch, sunder. 26 times in 26 verses
Swift קָלַל qâlal, kaw-lal’; a primitive root; to be (causatively, make) light, literally (swift, small, sharp, etc.) or figuratively (easy, trifling, vile, etc.): 83 times in 79 verses
Eagles נֶשֶׁר nesher, neh’-sher; from an unused root meaning to lacerate; the eagle (or other large bird of prey):—eagle. 26 times in 26 verses
Lion אֲרִי ʼărîy, ar-ee’; or (prolonged) אַרְיֵה ʼaryêh; from H717 (in the sense of violence); a lion:—(young) lion, pierce (from the margin). 80 times in 72 verses (79x)
24You daughters of Israel, weep over Saul, who clothed you in scarlet, with other delights, who put on ornaments of gold on your apparel.
Scarlet שָׁנִי shânîy, shaw-nee’; of uncertain derivation; crimson, properly, the insect or its color, also stuff dyed with it:—crimson, scarlet (thread).
scarlet, crimson properly, the insect ‘coccus ilicis’, the dried body of the female yielding colouring matter from which is made the dye used for cloth to colour it scarlet or crimson 42 times in 42 verses
Delights עֵדֶן ʻêden, ay’-den 4 times in 4 verses
Apparel לְבוּשׁ lᵉbûwsh, leb-oosh’; or לְבֻשׁ lᵉbush; from H3847; a garment (literally or figuratively); by implication (euphemistically) a wife:—apparel, clothed with, clothing, garment, raiment, vestment, vesture.
High Places בָּמָה bâmâh, bam-maw’; from an unused root (meaning to be high); an elevation:—height, high place, wave. H1116 Hebrew בָּמָה (bamah), which occurs 102 times in 92 verses
25How are the mighty fallen in the middle of the battle! O Jonathan, you were slain in your high places.
26I am distressed for you, my brother Jonathan: very pleasant have you been to me: your love to me was wonderful, passing the love of women.
27How are the mighty fallen, and the weapons of war perished!
2 SAMUEL 2 : David Anointed King of Judah
1And it came to pass after this, that David inquired of the LORD, saying, Shall I go up into any of the cities of Judah? And the LORD said to him, Go up. And David said, Where shall I go up? And he said, To Hebron. 2So David went up thither, and his two wives also, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail Nabal’s wife the Carmelite. 3And his men that were with him did David bring up, every man with his household: and they dwelled in the cities of Hebron. 4And the men of Judah came, and there they anointed David king over the house of Judah. And they told David, saying, That the men of Jabeshgilead were they that buried Saul. 5And David sent messengers to the men of Jabeshgilead, and said to them, Blessed be you of the LORD, that you have showed this kindness to your lord, even to Saul, and have buried him. 6And now the LORD show kindness and truth to you: and I also will requite you this kindness, because you have done this thing. 7Therefore now let your hands be strengthened, and be you valiant: for your master Saul is dead, and also the house of Judah have anointed me king over them.
Abner = “my father is a lamp”; Saul’s cousin and army captain, treacherously slain by Joab; אַבְנֵר ʼAbnêr, ab-nare’; or (fully) אֲבִינֵר ʼĂbîynêr ; from H1 and H5216; father of light (i.e. enlightening); Abner, an Israelite:—Abner. 63 times in 53 verses
Ner = “lamp” son of Jehiel, father of Kish, and grandfather of king Saul 16 times in 16 verses
Captain שַׂר sar, sar; from H8323; a head person (of any rank or class):—captain (that had rule), chief (captain), general, governor, keeper, lord,(-task-)master, prince(-ipal), ruler, steward. 421 times in 368 verses
Ishbosheth = “man of shame”; surviving son of Saul, king of Israel for 7 years while David was king over Judah; succeeded by David who united the kingdom
Mahanaim = “two camps” a place east of the Jordan, named from Jacob’s encounter with angels a Levitical city in Gad
Ish-Bosheth Made King of Israel
8But Abner the son of Ner, captain of Saul’s host, took Ishbosheth the son of Saul, and brought him over to Mahanaim; 9And made him king over Gilead, and over the Ashurites, and over Jezreel, and over Ephraim, and over Benjamin, and over all Israel. 10Ishbosheth Saul’s son was 40 years old when he began to reign over Israel, and reigned 2 years. But the house of Judah followed David. 11And the time that David was king in Hebron over the house of Judah was 7 years and 6 months.
Gilead = “rocky region” a mountainous region bounded on the west by the Jordan, on the north by Bashan, on the east by the Arabian plateau, and on the south by Moab and Ammon; sometimes called ‘Mount Gilead’ or the ‘land of Gilead’ or just ‘Gilead’. Divided into north and south Gilead 134 times in 123 verses (Gilead 101x)
Civil War between Abner and Joab
(Judges 20:18-23; 2 Chronicles 13:4-19; Matthew 13:33-33; Luke 13:20-21)
12And Abner the son of Ner, and the servants of Ishbosheth the son of Saul, went out from Mahanaim to Gibeon. 13And Joab the son of Zeruiah, and the servants of David, went out, and met together by the pool of Gibeon: and they sat down, the one on the one side of the pool, and the other on the other side of the pool.14And Abner said to Joab, Let the young men now arise, and play before us. And Joab said, Let them arise. 15Then there arose and went over by number twelve of Benjamin, which pertained to Ishbosheth the son of Saul, and twelve of the servants of David. 16And they caught every one his fellow by the head, and thrust his sword in his fellow’s side; so they fell down together: why that place was called Helkathhazzurim, which is in Gibeon. 17And there was a very sore battle that day; and Abner was beaten, and the men of Israel, before the servants of David.
Joab = “Jehovah is father”; son of David’s sister Zeruiah and general of David’s army; a Judaite descendant of Kenaz
Zeruiah = “balsam” sister of David and mother of the 3 leading heroes of David’s army – Abishai, Joab, and Asahel 26 times in 25 verses
Pool בְּרֵכָה bᵉrêkâh, ber-ay-kaw’; from H1288; a reservoir (at which camels kneel as a resting-place):—(fish-) pool. 17 times in 15 verses
Gibeon = “hill city”; a Levitical city of Benjamin, modern ‘el-Jib’, which lies 5 miles or 8 km from Jerusalem 37 times in 35 verses; great town of Hivities
Play שָׂחַק sâchaq, saw-khak’; a primitive root; to laugh (in pleasure or detraction); by implication, to play:—deride, have in derision, laugh, make merry, mock(-er), play, rejoice, (laugh to) scorn, be in (make) sport. 36 times in 36 verses
Helkath-hazzurim = “field of swords”; a place near the pool of Gibeon where Ishbosheth’s men were killed by David’s men under Joab חֶלְקַת הַצֻּרִים Chelqath hats-Tsurîym, khel-kath’ hatstsoo-reem’; from H2520and the plural of H6697, with the article inserted; smoothness of the rocks; Chelkath Hats-tsurim, a place in Palestine
18And there were three sons of Zeruiah there, Joab, and Abishai, and Asahel: and Asahel was as light of foot as a wild roe.
Asahel = “God-made”; nephew of David, son of David’s sister Zeruiah, and brother of Joab and Abishai; swift of foot he was killed by Abner when he pursued him in battle and caught him; a Levite in the reign of king Jehoshaphat of Judah who went through the kingdom giving instruction in the law; a Levite in the reign of king Hezekiah of Judah in charge of the tithes and dedicated things in the temple; a priest, father of Jonathan, in the time of Ezra עֲשָׂהאֵל ʻĂsâhʼêl, as-aw-ale’; from H6213 and H410; God has made; Asahel, the name of four Israelites:—Asahel. 18 times in 17 verses
Wild שָׂדֶה sâdeh, saw-deh’; or שָׂדַי sâday; from an unused root meaning to spread out; a field (as flat):—country, field, ground, land, soil, × wild. 333 times in 309 verses
19And Asahel pursued after Abner; and in going he turned not to the right hand nor to the left from following Abner.20Then Abner looked behind him, and said, Are you Asahel? And he answered, I am. 21And Abner said to him, Turn you aside to your right hand or to your left, and lay you hold on one of the young men, and take you his armor. But Asahel would not turn aside from following of him. 22And Abner said again to Asahel, Turn you aside from following me: why should I smite you to the ground? how then should I hold up my face to Joab your brother?23However, he refused to turn aside: why Abner with the hinder end of the spear smote him under the fifth rib, that the spear came out behind him; and he fell down there, and died in the same place: and it came to pass, that as many as came to the place where Asahel fell down and died stood still.
Refused מָאֵן mâʼên, maw-ane’; a primitive root; to refuse:—refuse, × utterly. s 41 times in 39 verses
Hinder End אַחַר ʼachar, akh-ar’; from H309; properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses):—after (that, -ward), again, at, away from, back (from, -side), behind, beside, by, follow (after, -ing), forasmuch, from, hereafter, hinder end, 709 times in 664 verses
Spear חֲנִית chănîyth, khan-eeth’; from H2583; a lance (for thrusting, like pitching a tent):—javelin, spear. 47 times in 40 verses
Fifth Rib חֹמֶשׁ chômesh, kho’-mesh; from an unused root probably meaning, to be stout; the abdomen (as obese):—fifth (rib). 4 times in 4 verses
24Joab also and Abishai pursued after Abner: and the sun went down when they were come to the hill of Ammah, that lies before Giah by the way of the wilderness of Gibeon. 25And the children of Benjamin gathered themselves together after Abner, and became one troop, and stood on the top of an hill. 26Then Abner called to Joab, and said, Shall the sword devour for ever? know you not that it will be bitterness in the latter end? how long shall it be then, ere you bid the people return from following their brothers? 27And Joab said, As God lives, unless you had spoken, surely then in the morning the people had gone up every one from following his brother. 28So Joab blew a trumpet, and all the people stood still, and pursued after Israel no more, neither fought they any more. 29And Abner and his men walked all that night through the plain, and passed over Jordan, and went through all Bithron, and they came to Mahanaim.
Abishai = “my father is Jesse” or “my father is a gift”; grandson of Jesse, nephew of David via his sister Zeruiah, brother of Joab
Ammah = “a cubit” a hill near Gibeon אַמָּה ʼAmmâh, am-maw’; the same as H520; Ammah, a hill in Palestine:—Ammah.
אַמָּה ʼammâh, am-maw’; prolonged from H517; properly, a mother (i.e. unit of measure, or the fore-arm (below the elbow), i.e. a cubit; also a door-base (as a bond of the entrance):—cubit, + hundred (by exchange for H3967), measure, post. cubit – a measure of distance (the forearm), roughly 18 in (.5m). There are several cubits used in the OT, the cubit of a man or common cubit (Dt 3.11), the legal cubit or cubit of the sanctuary (Eze 40.5) plus others. See a Bible Dictionary for a complete treatment.
Giah = “to break forth” גִּיחַ Gîyach, ghee’-akh; from H1518; a fountain; a place near Gibeon in Benjamin
Troop אֲגֻדָּה ʼăguddâh, ag-ood-daw’; feminine passive participle of an unused root (meaning to bind); a band, bundle, knot, or arch:—bunch, burden, troop. band, binding, cords, bands, thongs (metaphorical of slavery), bunch of hyssop, band of men, troops, vault (of the heavens), firmament (binding earth to the heavens) 4 times in 4 verses
Bithron = “division” or “cleft” or “ravine”; a territory or district in the Jordan valley east of the Jordan
Mahanaim = “two camps” a place east of the Jordan, named from Jacob’s encounter with angels a Levitical city in Gad
30And Joab returned from following Abner: and when he had gathered all the people together, there lacked of David’s servants 19 men and Asahel. 31But the servants of David had smitten of Benjamin, and of Abner’s men, so that 360 men died.32And they took up Asahel, and buried him in the sepulcher of his father, which was in Bethlehem. And Joab and his men went all night, and they came to Hebron at break of day.
2 SAMUEL 3 : The House of David Strengthened
1Now there was long war between the house of Saul and the house of David: but David waxed stronger and stronger, and the house of Saul waxed weaker and weaker.
2And to David were sons born in Hebron: and his firstborn was Amnon, of Ahinoam the Jezreelitess; 3And his second, Chileab, of Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite; and the third, Absalom the son of Maacah the daughter of Talmai king of Geshur; 4And the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith; and the fifth, Shephatiah the son of Abital; 5And the sixth, Ithream, by Eglah David’s wife. These were born to David in Hebron.
Amnon = “faithful” oldest son of David, rapist of Tamar, slain by Absalom a son of Shimon (of Caleb’s clan)
Ahinoam = “my brother is delight” wife of Saul, daughter of Ahimaaz; wife of David, mother of Amnon, a Jezreelitess
Chileab = “like his father”; the 2nd son of David, by Abigail
Abigail = “my father is joy”; wife of Nabal, then of David; sister of David אֲבִיגַיִל ʼĂbîygayil, ab-ee-gah’-yil; H26 אֲבִיגַיִל (‘Abiygayil),
which occurs 17 times in 17 versesNabhal or Nabal = “fool” a man of Carmel who spurned David’s messengers, then died of shock when he realised it might cause his death; his case was pleaded by his wife Abigail who became David’s wife after his death 22 times in 18 verses
Absalom or Abishalom = “my father is peace”; father-in-law of Rehoboam; third son of David, killer of first-born son Amnon, also leader of revolt against his father – David 111 times in 92 verses
Maachah = “oppression” H4601 מַעֲכָה (Ma`akah), which occurs 23 times in 23 verses
Talmai = “furrowed”; “ridged” one of the 3 sons of the giant Anak who were slain by the men of Judah; son of Ammihud, king of Geshur, later king of Geshur himself, and father of Maacah, the mother of Absalom and wife of David
Geshur or Geshurites = “proud beholder” גְּשׁוּר Gᵉshûwr, ghesh-oor’; from an unused root (meaning to join); bridge; 9 times in 9 verses
Adonijah = “my lord is Jehovah”; fourth son of David and Solomon’s rival for the throne; Levite sent by Jehoshaphat to teach the Law; a chief of the people who co-operated with Nehemiah 26 times in 26 verses
Ithream = “profit of the people”; a son of David by his wife Eglah; the 6th son and born in Hebron
Eglah = “a heifer”; a wife of David and mother of Ithream
Abner Joins David
6And it came to pass, while there was war between the house of Saul and the house of David, that Abner made himself strong for the house of Saul. 7And Saul had a concubine, whose name was Rizpah, the daughter of Aiah: and Ishbosheth said to Abner, Why have you gone in to my father’s concubine? 8Then was Abner very wroth for the words of Ishbosheth, and said, Am I a dog’s head, which against Judah do show kindness this day to the house of Saul your father, to his brothers, and to his friends, and have not delivered you into the hand of David, that you charge me to day with a fault concerning this woman? 9So do God to Abner, and more also, except, as the LORD has sworn to David, even so I do to him; 10To translate the kingdom from the house of Saul, and to set up the throne of David over Israel and over Judah, from Dan even to Beersheba. 11And he could not answer Abner a word again, because he feared him.
concubine, paramour פִּילֶגֶשׁ pîylegesh, pee-leh’-ghesh; 37 times in 35 verses
Rizpah = “pavement”, “a baking stone” a concubine of king Saul and mother of Armoni and Mephibosheth
Aiah or Ajah = “falcon”; a Horite, son of Zibeon; father of Rizpah, Saul’s concubine אַיָּה ʼAyâh, ah-yaw’; the same as H344; Ajah, the name of two Israelites:—Aiah, Ajah.
אַיָּה ʼayâh, ah-yaw’; perhaps from H337; the screamer, i.e. a hawk:—kite, vulture. hawk, falcon, kite
אִי ʼîy, ee; short from H188; alas!:—woe.
Dog כֶּלֶב keleb, keh’-leb; from an unused root means. to yelp, or else to attack; a dog; hence (by euphemism) a male prostitute:—dog.
Translate עָבַר ʻâbar, aw-bar’; a primitive root; to cross over; to pass over or by or through, alienate, bring, carry, do away, take, take away, transgress; to pass over, cross, cross over, pass over, march over, overflow, go over , to pass beyond, to pass through, traverse, passers-through (participle) 567 times in 493 verses
Kingdom מַמְלָכָה mamlâkâh, mam-law-kaw’; from H4427; dominion, i.e. (abstractly) the estate (rule) or (concretely) the country (realm): 117 times in 113 verses
Throne כִּסֵּא kiççêʼ, kis-say’; or כִּסֵּה kiççêh; from H3680; properly, covered, i.e. a throne (as canopied):—seat, stool, throne. 135 times in 124 verses (throne 127x)
Beer-sheba = “well of the sevenfold oath”; a city at the south edge of Israel
12And Abner sent messengers to David on his behalf, saying, Whose is the land? saying also, Make your league with me, and, behold, my hand shall be with you, to bring about all Israel to you. 13And he said, Well; I will make a league with you: but one thing I require of you, that is, You shall not see my face, except you first bring Michal Saul’s daughter, when you come to see my face. 14And David sent messengers to Ishbosheth Saul’s son, saying, Deliver me my wife Michal, which I espoused to me for an 100 foreskins of the Philistines. 15And Ishbosheth sent, and took her from her husband, even from Phaltiel the son of Laish. 16And her husband went with her along weeping behind her to Bahurim. Then said Abner to him, Go, return. And he returned.
Deliver נָתַן nâthan, naw-than’; a primitive root; to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.): 2,009 times in 1,816 verses
Michal = “who is like God” daughter of king Saul, sister of Jonathan, wife of king David, and mother of five; given to David as wife for the bride price of 100 Philistine foreskins; while still married to David, her father gave her in marriage to another, Phaltiel; at the death of Saul, David forced her to return; מִיכָל Mîykâl, me-kawl’; apparently the same as H4323; revulet; Mikal, Saul’s daughter:—Michal. Lexicon : “a little well of water” 18 times in 17 verse
Foreskin עׇרְלָה ʻorlâh, or-law’; feminine of H6189; the prepuce:—foreskin, uncircumcised; foreskin of tree; the fruit of the first 3 years, which according to Leviticus 19:23 is unclean;
23‘When you enter the land and plant all kinds of trees for food, then you shall count their fruit as forbidden. Three years it shall be forbidden to you; it shall not be eaten. 24‘But in the fourth year all its fruit shall be holy, an offering of praise to the LORD. 25‘In the fifth year you are to eat of its fruit, that its yield may increase for you; I am the LORD your God.
Paltiel or Phaltiel = “God delivers”; son of Azzan and prince of the tribe of Issachar appointed as one of the 12 to apportion the land of Canaan; son of Laish of Gallim to whom Saul gave Michal in marriage after his mad jealousy had driven David forth as an outlaw
Laish = “lion”; father of Phaltiel, the man to whom king Saul gave his daughter Michal in marriage even though she was already married to David
Go הָלַךְ hâlak, haw-lak’; akin to H3212; a primitive root; to walk go (217x),
Return שׁוּב shûwb, shoob; a primitive root; to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point); 1,117 times in 952 verses
Bahurim = “young men’s village”; a town in Benjamin between Jerusalem and Jericho beyond the Mount of Olives on the way to Jericho
17And Abner had communication with the elders of Israel, saying, You sought for David in times past to be king over you: 18Now then do it: for the LORD has spoken of David, saying, By the hand of my servant David I will save my people Israel out of the hand of the Philistines, and out of the hand of all their enemies. 19And Abner also spoke in the ears of Benjamin: and Abner went also to speak in the ears of David in Hebron all that seemed good to Israel, and that seemed good to the whole house of Benjamin.
20So Abner came to David to Hebron, and 20 men with him. And David made Abner and the men that were with him a feast. 21And Abner said to David, I will arise and go, and will gather all Israel to my lord the king, that they may make a league with you, and that you may reign over all that your heart desires. And David sent Abner away; and he went in peace.
Feast מִשְׁתֶּה mishteh, mish-teh’; from H8354; drink, by implication, drinking (the act); also (by implication) a banquet or (generally) feast:—banquet, drank, drink, feast((-ed), -ing). 46 times in 43 verses
Gather קָבַץ qâbats, kaw-bats’; a primitive root; to grasp, i.e. collect:—assemble (selves), gather (bring) (together, selves together, up), heap, resort, × surely, take up. 136 times in 121 verses (Gather 127x)
Joab Murders Abner
22And, behold, the servants of David and Joab came from pursuing a troop, and brought in a great spoil with them: but Abner was not with David in Hebron; for he had sent him away, and he was gone in peace. 23When Joab and all the host that was with him were come, they told Joab, saying, Abner the son of Ner came to the king, and he has sent him away, and he is gone in peace. 24Then Joab came to the king, and said, What have you done? behold, Abner came to you; why is it that you have sent him away, and he is quite gone? 25You know Abner the son of Ner, that he came to deceive you, and to know your going out and your coming in, and to know all that you do.
Deceive פָּתָה pâthâh, paw-thaw’; a primitive root; to open, i.e. be (causatively, make) roomy; usually figuratively (in a mental or moral sense) to be (causatively, make) simple or (in a sinister way) delude:—allure, deceive, enlarge, entice, flatter, persuade, silly (one). to be spacious, be open, be wide 28 times in 26 verses
26And when Joab was come out from David, he sent messengers after Abner, which brought him again from the well of Sirah: but David knew it not. 27And when Abner was returned to Hebron, Joab took him aside in the gate to speak with him quietly, and smote him there under the fifth rib, that he died, for the blood of Asahel his brother.28And afterward when David heard it, he said, I and my kingdom are guiltless before the LORD for ever from the blood of Abner the son of Ner: 29Let it rest on the head of Joab, and on all his father’s house; and let there not fail from the house of Joab one that has an issue, or that is a leper, or that leans on a staff, or that falls on the sword, or that lacks bread. 30So Joab, and Abishai his brother slew Abner, because he had slain their brother Asahel at Gibeon in the battle.
Well בּוֹר bôwr, bore; from H952 (in the sense of H877); a pit hole (especially one used as a cistern or a prison):—cistern, dungeon, fountain, pit, well. 69 times in 64 verses
Sirah = “the turning” a well or cistern; apparently on the road north from Hebron “withdrawing”
Aside נָטָה nâṭâh, naw-taw’; a primitive root; to stretch or spread out; by implication, to bend away (including moral deflection); used in a great variety of application (as follows): s 216 times in 207 verses
Gate שַׁעַר shaʻar, shah’-ar; from H8176 in its original sense; an opening, i.e. door or gate:—city, door, gate, port (× -er). 371 times in 302 verses
Guiltless נָקִי nâqîy, naw-kee’; or נָקִיא nâqîyʼ; (Joel 4:19; Jonah 1:14), from H5352; innocent:—blameless, clean, clear, exempted, free, guiltless, innocent, quit. 44 times in 42 verses
Issue זוּב zûwb, zoob; a primitive root; to flow freely (as water), i.e. (specifically) to have a (sexual) flux; figuratively, to waste away; also to overflow:—flow, gush out, have a (running) issue, pine away, run.
Leper צָרַע tsâraʻ, tsaw-rah’; a primitive root; to scourge, i.e. (intransitive and figurative) to be stricken with leprosy:—leper, leprous. 20 times in 18 verses 42 times in 41 verses
Lack חָסֵר châçêr, khaw-sare’; from H2637; lacking; hence, without:—destitute, fail, lack, have need, void, want. 19 times in 19 verses
David Mourns for Abner
31And David said to Joab, and to all the people that were with him, Rend your clothes, and gird you with sackcloth, and mourn before Abner. And king David himself followed the bier. 32And they buried Abner in Hebron: and the king lifted up his voice, and wept at the grave of Abner; and all the people wept.
Gird חָגַר châgar, khaw-gar’; a primitive root; to gird on (as a belt, armor, etc.):—be able to put on, be afraid, appointed, gird, restrain, × on every side. 43 times in 40 verses
Bier מִטָּה miṭṭâh, mit-taw’; from H5186; a bed (as extended) for sleeping or eating; by analogy, a sofa, litter or bier:—bed(-chamber), bier. 29 times in 29 verses
Sackcloth שַׂק saq, sak; from H8264; properly, a mesh (as allowing a liquid to run through), i.e. coarse loose cloth or sacking (used in mourning and for bagging); hence, a bag (for grain, etc.):—sack(-cloth, -clothes). 48 times in 46 verses
33And the king lamented over Abner, and said, Died Abner as a fool dies?
34Your hands were not bound, nor your feet put into fetters: as a man falls before wicked men, so fell you. And all the people wept again over him.
Fetters נְחֹשֶׁת nᵉchôsheth, nekh-o’-sheth; for H5154; copper, hence, something made of that metal, i.e. coin, a fetter; figuratively, base (as compared with gold or silver):—brasen, brass, chain, copper, fetter (of brass), filthiness, steel. 141 times in 119 verses
Wicked עֶוֶל ʻevel, eh’-vel; or עָוֶל ʻâvel; and (feminine) עַוְלָה ʻavlâh; or עוֹלָה ʻôwlâh; or עֹלָה ʻôlâh; from H5765; (moral) evil:—iniquity, perverseness, unjust(-ly), unrighteousness(-ly); wicked(-ness).
35And when all the people came to cause David to eat meat while it was yet day, David swore, saying, So do God to me, and more also, if I taste bread, or ought else, till the sun be down. 36And all the people took notice of it, and it pleased them: as whatever the king did pleased all the people. 37For all the people and all Israel understood that day that it was not of the king to slay Abner the son of Ner. 38And the king said to his servants, Know you not that there is a prince and a great man fallen this day in Israel? 39And I am this day weak, though anointed king; and these men the sons of Zeruiah be too hard for me: the LORD shall reward the doer of evil according to his wickedness.
Weak רַךְ rak, rak; from H7401; tender (literally or figuratively); by implication, weak:—faint(-hearted), soft, tender ((-hearted), one), weak. 16 times in 16 verses
2 SAMUEL 4 : The Murder of Ishbosheth
1And when Saul’s son heard that Abner was dead in Hebron, his hands were feeble, and all the Israelites were troubled. 2And Saul’s son had two men that were captains of bands: the name of the one was Baanah, and the name of the other Rechab, the sons of Rimmon a Beerothite, of the children of Benjamin: (for Beeroth also was reckoned to Benjamin. 3And the Beerothites fled to Gittaim, and were sojourners there until this day.)
Baana or Baanah = “in affliction”; a Benjamite, son Rimmon, who with his brother Rechab murdered Ish-bosheth. For this, killed by David, mutilated bodies hung up over the pool at Hebron; a Netophathite, father of Heleb or Heled, one of David’s mighty warriors; the head of a family of exiles returning with Zerubbabel; a chief of the people 9 times in 9 verses
Rechab = “rider”; “horseman” father of Jehonadab in the time of king Jehu of the northern kingdom of Israel; father of Malchijah, a leader of the district of Beth Haccerem and repairer of the wall of Jerusalem in the time of Nehemiah; one of the 2 captains whom Ishbosheth took into his service and who conspired to murder him
Beerothite – “wells”
Gittaim = “two winepresses”; a place in Judah, site unknown
4And Jonathan, Saul’s son, had a son that was lame of his feet. He was five years old when the tidings came of Saul and Jonathan out of Jezreel, and his nurse took him up, and fled: and it came to pass, as she made haste to flee, that he fell, and became lame. And his name was Mephibosheth.
Tidings שְׁמוּעָה shᵉmûwʻâh, shem-oo-aw’; feminine passive participle of H8074; something heard, i.e. an announcement:—bruit, doctrine, fame, mentioned, news, report, rumor, tidings. 27 times in 24 verses, instruction, teaching, doctrine
Nurse אָמַן ʼâman, aw-man’; a primitive root; (Isaiah 30:21; interchangeable with H541, to go to the right hand) 108 times in 102 verses
Mephibosheth = “exterminating the idol”; grandson of Saul and son of Rizpah the daughter of Aiah, Saul’s concubine; he and his brother Armoni were among the 7 victims surrendered by David to the Gibeonites to avert a famine
5And the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, Rechab and Baanah, went, and came about the heat of the day to the house of Ishbosheth, who lay on a bed at noon. 6And they came thither into the middle of the house, as though they would have fetched wheat; and they smote him under the fifth rib: and Rechab and Baanah his brother escaped.
Escaped מָלַט mâlaṭ, maw-lat’; a primitive root; properly, to be smooth,
7For when they came into the house, he lay on his bed in his bedchamber, and they smote him, and slew him, and beheaded him, and took his head, and got them away through the plain all night. 8And they brought the head of Ishbosheth to David to Hebron, and said to the king, Behold the head of Ishbosheth the son of Saul your enemy, which sought your life; and the LORD has avenged my lord the king this day of Saul, and of his seed.
Bedchamber חֶדֶר cheder, kheh’-der; from H2314; an apartment (usually literal):—((bed) inner) chamber, innermost(-ward) part, parlour, south, × within.
David Kills the Murderers
9And David answered Rechab and Baanah his brother, the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, and said to them, As the LORD lives, who has redeemed my soul out of all adversity, 10When one told me, saying, Behold, Saul is dead, thinking to have brought good tidings, I took hold of him, and slew him in Ziklag, who thought that I would have given him a reward for his tidings: 11How much more, when wicked men have slain a righteous person in his own house on his bed? shall I not therefore now require his blood of your hand, and take you away from the earth? 12And David commanded his young men, and they slew them, and cut off their hands and their feet, and hanged them up over the pool in Hebron. But they took the head of Ishbosheth, and buried it in the sepulcher of Abner in Hebron.
Wicked רָשָׁע râshâʻ, raw-shaw’; from H7561; morally wrong; concretely, an (actively) bad person:— condemned, guilty, ungodly, wicked (man), that did wrong.
Slain הָרַג hârag, haw-rag’; a primitive root; to smite with deadly intent:—destroy, out of hand, kill, murder(-er), put to (death), make (slaughter), slay(-er), × surely. 167 times in 158 verses
Hanged תָּלָה tâlâh, taw-law’; a primitive root; to suspend (especially to gibbet):—hang (up). 28 times in 27 verses
Sepulcher קֶבֶר qeber, keh’-ber; or (feminine) קִבְרָה qibrâh; from H6912; a sepulchre:—burying place, grave, sepulchre. 67 times in 62 verses
2 SAMUEL 5 : David Anointed King over Israel
1Then came all the tribes of Israel to David to Hebron, and spoke, saying, Behold, we are your bone and your flesh. 2Also in time past, when Saul was king over us, you were he that led out and brought in Israel: and the LORD said to you, You shall feed my people Israel, and you shall be a captain over Israel. 3So all the elders of Israel came to the king to Hebron; and king David made a league with them in Hebron before the LORD: and they anointed David king over Israel. 4David was 30 years old when he began to reign, and he reigned 40 years. 5In Hebron he reigned over Judah 7 years and 6 months: and in Jerusalem he reigned 33 years over all Israel and Judah.
Bone עֶצֶם ʻetsem, eh’tsem; from H6105; a bone (as strong); by extension, the body; figuratively, the substance, i.e. (as pronoun) selfsame:—body, bone, × life, (self-) same, strength, × very. 126 times in 108 verses
Flesh בָּשָׂר bâsâr, baw-sawr’; from H1319; flesh (from its freshness); by extension, body, person; also (by euphemistically) the pudenda of a man:—body, (fat, lean) flesh(-ed), kin, (man-) kind, nakedness, self, skin. 269 times in 241 verses
Feed רָעָה râʻâh, raw-aw’; a primitive root; to tend a flock; i.e. pasture it; intransitively, to graze (literally or figuratively); generally to rule; by extension, to associate with (as a friend) 173 times in 144 verses
Captain נָגִיד nâgîyd, naw-gheed’; or נָגִד nâgid; from H5046; a commander (as occupying the front), civil, military or religious; generally (abstractly, plural), honorable themes:—captain, chief, excellent thing, (chief) governor, leader, noble, prince, (chief) ruler. 44 times in 44 verses
David Conquers Jerusalem
6And the king and his men went to Jerusalem to the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land: which spoke to David, saying, Except you take away the blind and the lame, you shall not come in here: thinking, David cannot come in here. 7Nevertheless David took the strong hold of Zion: the same is the city of David. 8And David said on that day, Whoever gets up to the gutter, and smites the Jebusites, and the lame and the blind that are hated of David’s soul, he shall be chief and captain. Why they said, The blind and the lame shall not come into the house.9So David dwelled in the fort, and called it the city of David. And David built round about from Millo and inward. 10And David went on, and grew great, and the LORD God of hosts was with him.
Strong Hold מָצוּד mâtsûwd, maw-tsood’; or (feminine) מְצוּדָה mᵉtsûwdâh; or מְצֻדָה mᵉtsudâh; for H4685; a net, or (abstractly) capture; also a fastness:—castle, defense, fort(-ress), (strong) hold, be hunted, net, snare, strong place. 22 times in 22 verses
Zion = “parched place”; another name for Jerusalem especially in the prophetic books צִיּוֹן Tsîyôwn, tsee-yone’; the same (regularly) as H6725; Tsijon (as a permanent capital), a mountain of Jerusalem:—Zion. 154 times in 154 verses
צִיּוּן tsîyûwn, tsee-yoon’; from the same as H6723 in the sense of conspicuousness (compare H5329); a monumental or guiding pillar:—sign, title, waymark.
H6723 צִיָּה tsîyâh, tsee-yaw’; from an unused root meaning to parch; aridity; concretely, a desert:—barren, drought, dry (land, place), solitary place, wilderness. 16 times in 16 verses
H5329 to excel, be bright, be preeminent, be perpetual, be overseer, be enduring נָצַח nâtsach, naw-tsakh’; a primitive root; also as denominative from H5331properly, to glitter from afar, 65 times in 65 verses
Gutter צִנּוּר tsinnûwr, tsin-noor’; from an unused root perhaps meaning to be hollow; a culvert:—gutter, water-spout. pipe, spout, conduit, water conduit
Jebusites יְבוּסִי Yᵉbûwçîy, yeb-oo-see’; a place trodden down, as a threshing floor, an ancient name of Jeruaslem, used in the teime of the Canaanites 41 times in 39 verses
Blind עִוֵּר ʻivvêr, iv-vare’; intensive from H5786; blind (literally or figuratively):—blind (men, people). Metaphorically used of men who walk in the darkness of ignorance 26 times in 23 verses
Hated שָׂנֵא sânêʼ, saw-nay’; a primitive root; to hate (personally):—enemy, foe, (be) hate(-ful, -r), odious, × utterly. 146 times in 139 verses
Fort מָצוּד mâtsûwd, maw-tsood’; or (feminine) מְצוּדָה mᵉtsûwdâh; or מְצֻדָה mᵉtsudâh; for H4685; a net, or (abstractly) capture; also a fastness:—castle, defense, fort(-ress), (strong) hold, be hunted, net, snare, strong place.
Built בָּנָה bânâh, baw-naw’; a primitive root; to build (literally and figuratively):—(begin to) build(-er), obtain children, make, repair, set (up), × surely. to build, rebuild, establish, cause to continue 376 times in 345 verses
Millo = “rampart” or “mound”; a place near Shechem; site unknown; a part of the fortifications of Jerusalem; מִלּוֹא millôwʼ, mil-lo’; or מִלֹּא mil-lôʼ; (2 Kings 12:20), from H4390; a rampart (as filled in), i.e. the citadel:
11And Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, and cedar trees, and carpenters, and masons: and they built David an house.
Hiram, Huram = “noble”, “free born” ; the king of Tyre who sent workmen and materials to Jerusalem to build both the palace for David and the temple for Solomon; the chief architect and engineer of Solomon’s temple sent by King Hiram to Solomon
Tyre or Tyrus = “a rock”; the Phoenician city on the Mediterranean coast Hebrew צֹר (Tsor), which occurs 42 times in 39 verses
Cedar אֶרֶז ʼerez, eh-rez’; from H729; a cedar tree (from the tenacity of its roots):—cedar (tree). 73 times in 69 verses
Carpenters חָרָשׁ chârâsh, khaw-rawsh’; from H2790; a fabricator or any material:—artificer, (+) carpenter, craftsman, engraver, maker, mason, skilful, (+) smith, worker, workman, such as wrought. craftsman, artisan, engraver, graver, artificer 33 times in 32 verses
חָרַשׁ chârash, khaw-rash’; a primitive root; to scratch, i.e. (by implication) to engrave, plough; hence (from the use of tools) to fabricate (of any material); 74 times in 66 verses
Masons קִיר qîyr, keer; or קִר qir; (Isaiah 22:5), or (feminine) קִירָה qîyrâh; from H6979; a wall (as built in a trench); wall, side, wall (of house or chamber); the sides (of the altar) 74 times in 64 verses
Built אֶבֶן ʼeben, eh’-ben; from the root of H1129 through the meaning to build; a stone:— carbuncle, mason, plummet, (chalk-, hail-, head-, sling-) stone(-ny), (divers) weight(-s). 272 times in 239 verses
David’s Family Grows
12And David perceived that the LORD had established him king over Israel, and that he had exalted his kingdom for his people Israel’s sake. 13And David took him more concubines and wives out of Jerusalem, after he was come from Hebron: and there were yet sons and daughters born to David. 14And these be the names of those that were born to him in Jerusalem; Shammuah, and Shobab, and Nathan, and Solomon, 15Ibhar also, and Elishua, and Nepheg, and Japhia, 16And Elishama, and Eliada, and Eliphalet.
Shammua = “renowned”; son of Zaccur and the spy from the tribe of Reuben; son of David by his wife Bathsheba; a Levite, son of Galal and father of Abda who lived in Jerusalem after the return from exile in the time of Nehemiah; also ‘Shemaiah’; a priest, head of the family of Bilgah in the time of Joiakim after the return from exile
Shobab = “rebellious”; “falling away” son of David by Bathsheba; Judaite, son of Caleb by his wife Azubah and grandson of Hezron
Nathan = “giver”; a son of David by Bathsheba; the eminent prophet in the time of David and Solomon; a man of Zobah, father of one of David’s mighty warriors; father of Azariah who was over the officers of Solomon son of Attai and father of Zabad of the tribe of Judah; brother of Joel of the tribe of Judah; one of the head men who returned from Babylon with Ezra; a man with a foreign wife in the time of Ezra; head of a family of Israel who shall mourn when they look on Him whom they pierced 42 times in 39 verses
Solomon = “peace” son of David by Bathsheba and 3rd king of Israel; author of Proverbs and Song of Songs
Ibhar = “Jehovah chooses”
Elishua = “my God is wealth” or “God is salvation”
Nepheg = “sprout”
Japhia = “shining”
Elishama = “my God has heard”; an Ephraimite chief in the wilderness; a son of David; Jehoiakim’s secretary; a priest who taught the law; a man of Judah אֱלִישָׁמָע ʼĔlîyshâmâʻ, el-ee-shaw-maw’; 17 times in 17 verses
Eliadah or Eliada = “God knows”
Elpalet or Eliphalet or Eliphelet = “God is deliverance”; David’s youngest son;one of David’s mighty warriors;a Benjamite descendant of Jonathan;a leader of the clan of Adonikam;one of the line of Hashum 9 times in 9 verses
David Defeats the Philistines
17But when the Philistines heard that they had anointed David king over Israel, all the Philistines came up to seek David; and David heard of it, and went down to the hold. 18The Philistines also came and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim. 19And David inquired of the LORD, saying, Shall I go up to the Philistines? will you deliver them into my hand? And the LORD said to David, Go up: for I will doubtless deliver the Philistines into your hand. 20And David came to Baalperazim, and David smote them there, and said, The LORD has broken forth on my enemies before me, as the breach of waters. Therefore he called the name of that place Baalperazim. 21And there they left their images, and David and his men burned them.
Spread נָטַשׁ nâṭash, naw-tash’; a primitive root; properly, to pound, i.e. smite; by implication (as if beating out, and thus expanding) to disperse; to leave, permit, forsake, cast off or away, reject, suffer, join, spread out or abroad, be loosed, cease, abandon, quit, hang loose, cast down, make a raid, lie fallow, let fall, forgo, draw 40 times in 39 verses
Rephaim רָפָא râphâʼ, raw-faw’; or רָפָה râphâh; from H7495 in the sense of invigorating; a giant:—giant, Rapha, Rephaim(-s). See also H1051. 25 times in 24 verses (giant 17x)
רָפָא râphâʼ, raw-faw’; or רָפָה râphâh; a primitive root; properly, to mend (by stitching), i.e. (figuratively) to cure: 67 times in 62 verses
Baal-perazim = “lord of the breaks”; the site of a victory of David over the Philistines, and of a great destruction of their images; also called ‘Mount Perazim’; בַּעַל פְּרָצִים Baʻal Pᵉrâtsîym, bah’-al per-aw-tseem’; from H1167 and the plural of H6556; possessor of breaches;
פֶּרֶץ perets, peh’-rets; from H6555; a break (literally or figuratively):—breach, breaking forth (in), × forth, gap. 19 times in 18 verses
Images עָצָב ʻâtsâb, aw-tsawb’; from H6087; an (idolatrous) image:—idol, image. 17 times in 17 verses
עָצַב ʻâtsab, aw-tsab’; a primitive root; properly, to carve, i.e. fabricate or fashion; hence (in a bad sense) to worry, pain or anger:—displease, grieve, hurt, make, be sorry, vex, worship, wrest. 17 times in 17 verse
Burned נָשָׂא nâsâʼ, naw-saw’; or נָסָה nâçâh; (Psalm 4:6 [7]), a primitive root; to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative 654 times in 611 verses
22And the Philistines came up yet again, and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim. 23And when David inquired of the LORD, he said, You shall not go up; but fetch a compass behind them, and come on them over against the mulberry trees. 24And let it be, when you hear the sound of a going in the tops of the mulberry trees, that then you shall bestir yourself: for then shall the LORD go out before you, to smite the host of the Philistines. 25And David did so, as the LORD had commanded him; and smote the Philistines from Geba until you come to Gazer.
Mulberry balsam tree – a shrub which drips sap when it is cut בָּכָא bâkâʼ, baw-kaw’; the same as H1056; the weeping tree (some gum-distilling tree, perhaps the balsam):—mulberry tree.
Gaba or Geba or Gibeah = “hill” a city in Benjamin, modern ‘Jeba’, which stands on the top of a steep terraced hill, six miles or ten kilometres north east of Jerusalem and three miles or five kilometres from Gibeah, on the edge of the Wadi Suweinit looking northward to the opposite village of ancient Michmash, modern ‘Mukhmas’ גֶּבַע Gebaʻ, gheh’-bah; from the same as H1375, a hillock; Geba, a place in Palestine:—Gaba, Geba, Gibeah. 19 times in 19 verse
Gazer or Gezer = “portion”
2 SAMUEL 6 : David Fetches the Ark
1Again, David gathered together all the chosen men of Israel, thirty thousand. 2And David arose, and went with all the people that were with him from Baale of Judah, to bring up from there the ark of God, whose name is called by the name of the LORD of hosts that dwells between the cherubim. 3And they set the ark of God on a new cart, and brought it out of the house of Abinadab that was in Gibeah: and Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, drove the new cart. 4And they brought it out of the house of Abinadab which was at Gibeah, accompanying the ark of God: and Ahio went before the ark.
Baale-Judah = “the lords of Judah”; a place in Judah named for the Baalim, also known as Kirjath-jearim, Kirjath-baal; modern Kuriet el Enab
Cherubims כְּרוּב kᵉrûwb, ker-oob’; of uncertain derivation; a cherub or imaginary figure:—cherub, (plural) cherubims. 91 times in 66 verses
Cart עֲגָלָה ʻăgâlâh, ag-aw-law’; from the same as H5696; something revolving, i.e. a wheeled vehicle:—cart, chariot, wagon 25 times in 20 verses
Abinadab = “my father is noble” or “my father is willing”
Uzza or Uzzah = “strength”; a man slain by Jehovah for touching the sacred ark; a Benjamite of the sons of Ehud; ancestor of a family of temple slaves who returned from exile with Zerubbabel; a Merarite Levite; the garden where kings Manasseh and Amon of Judah were buried
Ahio = “brotherly” or “fraternal”; son of Abinadab who sheltered the ark; a Benjamite; another Benjamite of Saul’s ancestry
Uzzah and the Ark
5And David and all the house of Israel played before the LORD on all manner of instruments made of fir wood, even on harps, and on psalteries, and on tambourines, and on cornets, and on cymbals.
Instruments בְּרוֹשׁ bᵉrôwsh, ber-osh’; of uncertain derivation; a cypress (?) tree; hence, a lance or a musical instrument (as made of that wood):—fir (tree). cypress, fir, juniper, pine; a noble tree (lit.); of stateliness (fig.); material for temple Lexicon : the crypress, a tall tree, and fruit bearing
Harp כִּנּוֹר kinnôwr, kin-nore’; from a unused root meaning to twang; a harp:—harp.
Psaltries נֶבֶל nebel, neh’-bel; or נֵבֶל nêbel; from H5034; a skin-bag for liquids (from collapsing when empty); hence, a vase (as similar in shape when full); also a lyre (as having a body of like form):—bottle, pitcher, psaltery, vessel, viol. a skin-bag, jar, pitcher; skin-bottle, skin; harp, lute, guitar, musical instrument 38 times in 37 verses
Timbrel תֹּף tôph, tofe; from H8608 contracted; a tambourine:—tabret, timbrel. 17 times in 16 verses;
Cornet מְנַעְנַע mᵉnaʻnaʻ, men-ah-ah’; from H5128; a sistrum (so called from its rattling sound):—cornet. a kind of rattle
Cymbals צְלָצַל tsᵉlâtsal, tsel-aw-tsal’; from H6750 reduplicated; a clatter, i.e. (abstractly) whirring (of wings); (concretely) a cricket; also a harpoon (as rattling),a cymbal (as clanging):—cymbal, locust, shadowing, spear.
6And when they came to Nachon’s threshing floor, Uzzah put forth his hand to the ark of God, and took hold of it; for the oxen shook it. 7And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Uzzah; and God smote him there for his error; and there he died by the ark of God. 8And David was displeased, because the LORD had made a breach on Uzzah: and he called the name of the place Perezuzzah to this day. 9And David was afraid of the LORD that day, and said, How shall the ark of the LORD come to me? 10So David would not remove the ark of the LORD to him into the city of David: but David carried it aside into the house of Obededom the Gittite. 11And the ark of the LORD continued in the house of Obededom the Gittite three months: and the LORD blessed Obededom, and all his household.
Nachon = “prepared”; the owner of the threshing floor which the ark was passing on the trip to Jerusalem when it started to fall off the cart, Uzzah steadied it, and God smote him dead for touching it נָכוֹן Nâkôwn, naw-kone’; from H3559; prepared; Nakon, probably an Israelite:—Nachon.
Threshingfloor גֹּרֶן gôren, go’-ren; from an unused root meaning to smooth; a threshing-floor (as made even); by analogy, any open area:—(barn, corn, threshing-) floor, (threshing-, void) place. 36 times in 36 verses; leveled smoothed; an open place before the gates of the cities; used of a floor on which corn is trodden out.
Oxen שָׁמַט shâmaṭ, shaw-mat’; a primitive root; to fling down; incipiently to jostle; figuratively, to let alone, desist, remit:—discontinue, overthrow, release, let rest, shake, stumble, throw down. to release, let drop or loose or rest or fall
Perez-uzza = “breach of Uzza”; the place where Uzzah was slain by God for touching the Ark; located close to Jerusalem
The Ark Brought to Jerusalem
(1 Chronicles 15:1-14; Philippians 1:1-2; Colossians 1:1-2)
12And it was told king David, saying, The LORD has blessed the house of Obededom, and all that pertains to him, because of the ark of God. So David went and brought up the ark of God from the house of Obededom into the city of David with gladness. 13And it was so, that when they that bore the ark of the LORD had gone six paces, he sacrificed oxen and fatted calves. 14And David danced before the LORD with all his might; and David was girded with a linen ephod. 15So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the LORD with shouting, and with the sound of the trumpet.
Obed-edom = “servant of Edom”; a Levite and a Gittite who kept the ark after Uzzah was slain by God for touching the ark while it was being taken to Jerusalem; a Merarite Levite and a singer and gatekeeper; the family descended from him
Gittite = “belonging to Gath”; lexicon: a kind of musical instrument, or as used in the the vintage with the songs of the wine-dressers and press-treaders
Paces = צַעַד tsaʻad, tsah’-ad; from H6804; a pace or regular step:—pace, step. 14 times in 14 verses
Sacrificed זָבַח zâbach, zaw-bakh’; a primitive root; to slaughter an animal (usually in sacrifice):—kill, offer, (do) sacrifice, slay. 134 times in 127 verses
Fatlings מְרִיא mᵉrîyʼ, mer-ee’; from H4754 in the sense of grossness, through the idea of domineering (compare H4756); stall-fed; often (as noun) a beeve:—fat (fed) beast (cattle, -ling).
Danced כָּרַר kârar, kaw-rar’; a primitive root; to dance (i.e. whirl):—dance(-ing).
Girded to gird, gird on, gird oneself, put on a belt
Linen בַּד bad, bad; perhaps from H909 (in the sense of divided fibres); flaxen thread or yarn; hence, a linen garment:—linen. 23 times in 19 verses
בָּדַד bâdad, baw-dad’; a primitive root; to divide, i.e. (reflexively) be solitary:—alone. ; to withdraw, be separate, be isolated; (Qal) an army straggler (part.); of Ephraim (metaph.) H906
Ephod ;priestly garment, shoulder-cape or mantle, outer garment; worn by an ordinary priest and made of white stuff; worn by the high priest – more costly, woven of gold, blue, purple, scarlet, and linen threads provided with shoulder-pieces and a breast piece of like material, ornamented with gems and gold אֵפוֹד ʼêphôwd, ay-fode’; rarely אֵפֹד ʼêphôd; probably of foreign derivation a girdle; specifically the ephod or highpriest’s shoulder-piece; also generally, an image:—ephod. 49 times in 39 verse
Might עֹז ʻôz, oze; or (fully) עוֹז ʻôwz; from H5810; strength in various applications (force, security, majesty, praise):—boldness, loud, might, power, strength, strong. 93 times in 92 verses
Shouting תְּרוּעָה tᵉrûwʻâh, ter-oo-aw’; from H7321; clamor, i.e. acclamation of joy or a battle-cry; especially clangor of trumpets, as an alarum:—alarm, blow(-ing) (of, the) (trumpets), joy, jubile, loud noise, rejoicing, shout(-ing), (high, joyful) sound(-ing). alarm, signal, sound of tempest, shout, shout or blast of war or alarm or joy s 36 times in 33 verses
רוּעַ rûwaʻ, roo-ah’; a primitive root; to mar (especially by breaking); figuratively, to split the ears (with sound), i.e. shout (for alarm or joy):—blow an alarm, cry (alarm, aloud, out), destroy, make a joyful noise, smart, shout (for joy), sound an alarm, triumph. 46 times in 42 verses
Trumpet שׁוֹפָר shôwphâr, sho-far’; or שֹׁפָר shôphâr; from H8231 in the original sense of incising; a cornet (as giving a clear sound) or curved horn:—cornet, trumpet. 72 times in 63 verses
window (piercing of the wall); חַלּוֹן challôwn, khal-lone’; a window (perforated)—window. 31 times in 27 verses
Leaping פָּזַז pâzaz, paw-zaz’; a primitive root (identical with H6338); to solidify (as if by refining); also to spring (as if separating the limbs):—leap, be made strong. to bound, be agile, be supple
Michal’s Contempt for David
16And as the ark of the LORD came into the city of David, Michal Saul’s daughter looked through a window, and saw king David leaping and dancing before the LORD; and she despised him in her heart.
17And they brought in the ark of the LORD, and set it in his place, in the middle of the tabernacle that David had pitched for it: and David offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the LORD. 18And as soon as David had made an end of offering burnt offerings and peace offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the LORD of hosts. 19And he dealt among all the people, even among the whole multitude of Israel, as well to the women as men, to every one a cake of bread, and a good piece of flesh, and a flagon of wine. So all the people departed every one to his house.
Tabernacle tent; nomad’s tent, and thus symbolic of wilderness life, transience dwelling, home, habitation; the sacred tent of Jehovah (the tabernacle) אֹהֶל ʼôhel, o’-hel; from H166; a tent (as clearly conspicuous from a distance):—covering, (dwelling) (place), home, tabernacle, tent. 345 times in 314 verses
Burnt עֹלָה ʻôlâh, o-law’; or עוֹלָה ʻôwlâh; feminine active participle of H5927; a step or (collectively, stairs, as ascending); usually a holocaust (as going up in smoke):—ascent, burnt offering (sacrifice), go up to., what is laid on the altar 289 times in 262 verses
Cake חַלָּה challâh, khal-law’; from H2490; a cake (as usually punctured):—cake.
חָלַל châlal, khaw-lal’; a primitive root (compare H2470); also denominative (from H2485) properly, to bore, i.e. (by implication) to wound, to dissolve; to profane, defile, pollute, desecrate, begin s 141 times in 131 verses
Flagon אֲשִׁישָׁה ʼăshîyshâh, ash-ee-shaw’; feminine of H808; something closely pressed together, i.e. a cake of raisins or other comfits:—flagon. raisin-cake, used in sacrificial feasts consistently translated in AV as “flagon of wine”
Good Piece אֶשְׁפָּר ʼeshpâr, esh-pawr’; of uncertain derivation; a measured portion:—good piece (of flesh). piece of meat, measured portion, date-cake (meaning and significance obscure)
Uncovered גָּלָה gâlâh, gaw-law’; a primitive root; to denude (especially in a disgraceful sense); by implication, to exile (captives being usually stripped); figuratively, to reveal: to uncover, remove 190 times in 168 verses
20Then David returned to bless his household. And Michal the daughter of Saul came out to meet David, and said, How glorious was the king of Israel to day, who uncovered himself to day in the eyes of the handmaids of his servants, as one of the vain fellows shamelessly uncovers himself!
Glorious כָּבַד kâbad, kaw-bad’; or כָּבֵד kâbêd; a primitive root; to be heavy, i.e. in a bad sense (burdensome, severe, dull) or in a good sense (numerous, rich, honorable); causatively, to make weighty (in the same two senses): to be heavy, be weighty, be grievous, be hard, be rich, be honourable, be glorious, be burdensome, be honoured 121 times in 109 verses
Vain רֵיק rêyq, rake; or (shorter) רֵק rêq; from H7324; empty; figuratively, worthless:—emptied(-ty), vain (fellow, man). 14 times in 14 verses
רוּק rûwq, rook; a primitive root; to pour out (literally or figuratively), i.e. empty: 19 times in 19 verses
21And David said to Michal, It was before the LORD, which chose me before your father, and before all his house, to appoint me ruler over the people of the LORD, over Israel: therefore will I play before the LORD. 22And I will yet be more vile than thus, and will be base in my own sight: and of the maidservants which you have spoken of, of them shall I be had in honor. 23Therefore Michal the daughter of Saul had no child to the day of her death.
Vile קָלַל qâlal, kaw-lal’; a primitive root; to be (causatively, make) light, literally (swift, small, sharp, etc.) or figuratively (easy, trifling, vile, etc.): 83 times in 79 verses to be slight, be swift, be trifling, be of little account, be light
Base שָׁפָל shâphâl, shaw-fawl’; from H8213; depressed, literally or figuratively:—base(-st), humble, low(-er, -ly). 19 times in 18 verses
2 SAMUEL 7 : David Plans a Temple
1And it came to pass, when the king sat in his house, and the LORD had given him rest round about from all his enemies; 2That the king said to Nathan the prophet, See now, I dwell in an house of cedar, but the ark of God dwells within curtains. 3And Nathan said to the king, Go, do all that is in your heart; for the LORD is with you.
Sat יָשַׁב yâshab, yaw-shab’; a primitive root; properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry: 1,089 times in 980 verses
Curtains יְרִיעָה yᵉrîyʻâh, yer-ee-aw’; from H3415; a hanging (as tremulous):—curtain. 54 times in 32 verses
God’s Covenant with David
4And it came to pass that night, that the word of the LORD came to Nathan, saying, 5Go and tell my servant David, Thus said the LORD, Shall you build me an house for me to dwell in? 6Whereas I have not dwelled in any house since the time that I brought up the children of Israel out of Egypt, even to this day, but have walked in a tent and in a tabernacle. 7In all the places wherein I have walked with all the children of Israel spoke I a word with any of the tribes of Israel, whom I commanded to feed my people Israel, saying, Why build you not me an house of cedar?
Tabernacle מִשְׁכָּן mishkân, mish-kawn’; from H7931; a residence (including a shepherd’s hut, the lair of animals, figuratively, the grave; also the Temple); specifically, the Tabernacle (properly, its wooden walls):—dwelleth, dwelling (place), habitation, tabernacle, tent. 139 times in 129 verses
8Now therefore so shall you say to my servant David, Thus said the LORD of hosts, I took you from the sheepcote, from following the sheep, to be ruler over my people, over Israel:
Sheepcoat נָוֶה nâveh, naw-veh’; or (feminine) נָוָה nâvâh; from H5115; (adjectively) at home; hence (by implication of satisfaction) lovely; also (noun) a home, of God (temple), men (residence), flocks (pasture), or wild animals (den): 36 times in 35 verses
Sheep צֹאן tsôʼn, tsone; or צאוֹן tsʼôwn; (Psalm 144:13), from an unused root meaning to migrate; a collective name for a flock (of sheep or goats); also figuratively (of men):—274 times in 247
Ruler נָגִיד nâgîyd, naw-gheed’; or נָגִד nâgid; from H5046; a commander (as occupying the front), civil, military or religious; generally (abstractly, plural), honorable themes:leader, ruler, captain, prince— 44 times in 44 verses
9And I was with you wherever you went, and have cut off all your enemies out of your sight, and have made you a great name, like to the name of the great men that are in the earth. 10Moreover I will appoint a place for my people Israel, and will plant them, that they may dwell in a place of their own, and move no more; neither shall the children of wickedness afflict them any more, as beforetime, 11And as since the time that I commanded judges to be over my people Israel, and have caused you to rest from all your enemies. Also the LORD tells you that he will make you an house. 12And when your days be fulfilled, and you shall sleep with your fathers, I will set up your seed after you, which shall proceed out of your bowels, and I will establish his kingdom. 13He shall build an house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom for ever. 14I will be his father, and he shall be my son. If he commit iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men, and with the stripes of the children of men: 15But my mercy shall not depart away from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away before you. 16And your house and your kingdom shall be established for ever before you: your throne shall be established for ever. 17According to all these words, and according to all this vision, so did Nathan speak to David.
Beforetime רִאשׁוֹן riʼshôwn, ree-shone’; or רִאשֹׁן riʼshôn; from H7221; first, in place, time or rank (as adjective or noun)
Plant נָטַע nâṭaʻ, naw-tah’; a primitive root; properly, to strike in, i.e. fix; specifically, to plant (literally or figuratively):—fastened, plant(-er).
Judges שָׁפַט shâphaṭ, shaw-fat’; a primitive root; to judge, i.e. pronounce sentence (for or against); by implication, to vindicate or punish; by extenssion, to govern; passively, to litigate (literally or figuratively): 203 times in 182 verses
Fulfilled מָלֵא mâlêʼ, maw-lay’; or מָלָא mâlâʼ; (Esther 7:5), a primitive root; to fill or (intransitively) be full of, in a wide application (literally and figuratively):— 249 times in 240 verses
Seed זֶרַע zeraʻ, zeh’-rah; from H2232; seed; figuratively, fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity:—× carnally, child, fruitful, seed(-time), sowing-time. ie winter 229 times in 205 verses
Bowels מֵעֶה mêʻeh, may-aw’; from an unused root probably meaning to be soft; used only in plural the intestines, or (collectively) the abdomen, figuratively, sympathy; by implication, a vest; by extension the stomach, the uterus (or of men, the seat of generation), the heart (figuratively)
Name שֵׁם shêm, shame; a primitive word [perhaps rather from H7760 through the idea of definite and conspicuous position; compare H8064]; an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character 864 times in 771 verses
Throne כִּסֵּא kiççêʼ, kis-say’; or כִּסֵּה kiççêh; from H3680; properly, covered, i.e. a throne (as canopied):—seat, stool, throne.
Rod שֵׁבֶט shêbeṭ, shay’-bet; from an unused root probably meaning to branch off; a scion, i.e. (literally) a stick (for punishing, writing, fighting, ruling, walking, etc.) or (figuratively) a clan: 190 times in 178 verses
Stripes נֶגַע negaʻ, neh’-gah; from H5060; a blow (figuratively, infliction); also (by implication) a spot (concretely, a leprous person or dress):—plague, sore, stricken, stripe, stroke, wound. 78 times in 62 verses
Mercy חֶסֶד cheçed, kheh’-sed; from H2616; kindness; by implication (towards God) piety; rarely (by opposition) reproof, or (subjectively) beauty:
Ear אֹזֶן ʼôzen, o’-zen; from H238; broadness. i.e. (concrete) the ear (from its form in man):— advertise, audience, displease, ear, hearing, show. ear, as part of the body; ear, as organ of hearing; (subjective) to uncover the ear to reveal; the receiver of divine revelation 187 times in 179 verses
Redeem פָּדָה pâdâh, paw-daw’; a primitive root; to sever, i.e. ransom; generally to release, preserve: 59 times in 48 verses Lexicon: The firstborn of an ass shall be redeemed with a sheep (Ex 34:20)
gods אֱלֹהִים ʼĕlôhîym, el-o-heem’; plural of H433; gods in the ordinary sense; 2,606 times in 2,249 verses
David’s Prayer of Thanksgiving
18Then went king David in, and sat before the LORD, and he said, Who am I, O Lord GOD? and what is my house, that you have brought me till now? 19And this was yet a small thing in your sight, O Lord GOD; but you have spoken also of your servant’s house for a great while to come. And is this the manner of man, O Lord GOD? 20And what can David say more to you? for you, Lord GOD, know your servant.21For your word’s sake, and according to your own heart, have you done all these great things, to make your servant know them. 22Why you are great, O LORD God: for there is none like you, neither is there any God beside you, according to all that we have heard with our ears.23And what one nation in the earth is like your people, even like Israel, whom God went to redeem for a people to himself, and to make him a name, and to do for you great things and terrible, for your land, before your people, which you redeemed to you from Egypt, from the nations and their gods? 24For you have confirmed to yourself your people Israel to be a people to you for ever: and you, LORD, are become their God. 25And now, O LORD God, the word that you have spoken concerning your servant, and concerning his house, establish it for ever, and do as you have said. 26And let your name be magnified for ever, saying, The LORD of hosts is the God over Israel: and let the house of your servant David be established before you. 27For you, O LORD of hosts, God of Israel, have revealed to your servant, saying, I will build you an house: therefore has your servant found in his heart to pray this prayer to you. 28And now, O Lord GOD, you are that God, and your words be true, and you have promised this goodness to your servant: 29Therefore now let it please you to bless the house of your servant, that it may continue for ever before you: for you, O Lord GOD, have spoken it: and with your blessing let the house of your servant be blessed for ever.
2 SAMUEL 8 : David’s Triumphs
(1 Chronicles 18:1-13; Psalm 60:1-12)
1And after this it came to pass that David smote the Philistines, and subdued them: and David took Methegammah out of the hand of the Philistines.
Subdued כָּנַע kânaʻ, kaw-nah’; a primitive root; properly, to bend the knee; hence, to humiliate, vanquish:—bring down (low), into subjection, under, humble (self),
Methegammah “mother city” ” bridle of the mother city (ie control or authority of)” מֶתֶג הָאַמָּה Metheg hâ-ʼAmmâh, meh’-theg haw-am-maw’; from H4964 and H520 with the art. interposed; bit of the metropolis; Metheg-ha-Ammah, an epithet of Gath:—Metheg-ammah.
מֶתֶג metheg, meh-theg; from an unused root meaning to curb; a bit:—bit, bridle. 4 times in 4 verses
אַמָּה ʼammâh, am-maw’; prolonged from H517; properly, a mother (i.e. unit of measure, or the fore-arm (below the elbow), i.e. a cubit; also a door-base (as a bond of the entrance): (beginning, head, foundation of a thing)(it is the mother of the arm) 245 times in 132 verses
2And he smote Moab, and measured them with a line, casting them down to the ground; even with two lines measured he to put to death, and with one full line to keep alive. And so the Moabites became David’s servants, and brought gifts.
Measured מָדַד mâdad, maw-dad’; a primitive root; properly, to stretch; by implication, to measure (as if by stretching a line); figuratively, to be extended:—measure, mete, stretch self. 51 times in 49 verses
Line חֶבֶל chebel, kheh’-bel; or חֵבֶל chêbel; from H2254; a rope (as twisted), especially a measuring line; by implication, a district or inheritance (as measured); or a noose (as of cords); figuratively, a company (as if tied together); a throe (especially of parturition); also ruin: a cord, rope, territory, band, company Lexicon : pains, pangs H2256 matches the Hebrew חֵבֶל (chebel), which occurs 60 times in 58 verses
חָבַל châbal, khaw-bal’; a primitive root; to wind tightly (as a rope), i.e. to bind; specifically, by a pledge; figuratively, to pervert, destroy; also to writhe in pain (especially of parturition)
Gifts מִנְחָה minchâh, min-khaw’; from an unused root meaning to apportion, i.e. bestow; a donation; euphemistically, tribute; specifically a sacrificial offering (usually bloodless and voluntary): 211 times in 194 verses
Casting them down שָׁכַב shâkab, shaw-kab’; a primitive root; to lie down (for rest, sexual connection, decease or any other purpose) 213 times in 194 verses
3David smote also Hadadezer, the son of Rehob, king of Zobah, as he went to recover his border at the river Euphrates. 4And David took from him a 1000 chariots, and 700 hundred horsemen, and 20,000 footmen: and David hamstrung all the chariot horses, but reserved of them for an 100 chariots. 5And when the Syrians of Damascus came to succor Hadadezer king of Zobah, David slew of the Syrians 22,000 men. 6Then David put garrisons in Syria of Damascus: and the Syrians became servants to David, and brought gifts. And the LORD preserved David wherever he went. 7And David took the shields of gold that were on the servants of Hadadezer, and brought them to Jerusalem. 8And from Betah, and from Berothai, cities of Hadadezer, king David took exceeding much brass.
Hadadezer = “Hadad is help”; son of Rehob, a king of Syria-Zobah defeated by David’s army
Rehob = “broad place”
Zoba or Zobah = “station”; the name of a portion of Syria which formed a separate kingdom in the times of Saul, David, and Solomon; located northeast of Damascus
Recover שׁוּב shûwb, shoob; a primitive root; to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point); generally to retreat; often adverbial, again 1,117 times in 952 verses
Hamstrung, Houghed עָקַר ʻâqar, aw-kar’; a primitive root; to pluck up (especially by the roots); specifically, to hamstring; figuratively, to exterminate:—dig down, hough, pluck up, root up.
Footman אִישׁ ʼîysh, eesh; contracted for H582 (or perhaps rather from an unused root meaning to be extant); a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation): 1,639 times in 1,432 verses
Reserved יָתַר yâthar, yaw-thar’; a primitive root; to jut over or exceed; by implication, to excel; (intransitively) to remain or be left; causatively to leave, cause to abound, preserve: 107 times in 101 verses to be left over, remain, remain over, leave (Qal) remainder (participle)
Damascus = “silent is the sackcloth weaver” an ancient trading city, capital of Syria, located in the plain east of Hermon, דַּמֶּשֶׂק Dammeseq, dam-meh’-sek; 45 times in 40 verses; 117.90 nmi from Jerusalm, 218.35 km, 135.68 miles
Succour עָזַר ʻâzar, aw-zar’; a primitive root; to surround, i.e. protect or aid:—help, succour 82 times in 77 verse
Hadadezer = “Hadad is help”; son of Rehob, a king of Syria-Zobah defeated by David’s army
Zoba or Zobah = “station”; the name of a portion of Syria which formed a separate kingdom in the times of Saul, David, and Solomon; located northeast of Damascus
Garrisons נְצִיב nᵉtsîyb, nets-eeb’; or נְצִב nᵉtsib; from H5324; something stationary, i.e. a prefect, a military post, a statue:—garrison, officer, pillar. set over, something placed, pillar, prefect, garrison, post
Shields שֶׁלֶט sheleṭ, sheh’-let; from H7980; probably a shield (as controlling, i.e. protecting the person):—shield.
Jerusalem = “teaching of peace”; יְרוּשָׁלִַ͏ם Yᵉrûwshâlaim, yer-oo-shaw-lah’-im; rarely יְרוּשָׁלַיִם Yᵉrûwshâlayim; a dual (in allusion to its two main hills (the true pointing, at least of the former reading, seems to be that of H3390)); the chief city of Palestine and capital of the united kingdom and the nation of Judah after the split; 643 times in 600 verses
Betah = “security”; the capital of Zobah during the reign of Hadadezer
Berothah or Berothai = “cypress grove”; a place near Hamath; a city belonging to Hadadezer
Brass נְחֹשֶׁת nᵉchôsheth, nekh-o’-sheth; for H5154; copper, hence, something made of that metal, i.e. coin, a fetter; figuratively, base (as compared with gold or silver):—brasen, brass, chain, copper, fetter (of brass), filthiness, steel. 141 times in 119 verses
9When Toi king of Hamath heard that David had smitten all the host of Hadadezer, 10Then Toi sent Joram his son to king David, to salute him, and to bless him, because he had fought against Hadadezer, and smitten him: for Hadadezer had wars with Toi. And Joram brought with him vessels of silver, and vessels of gold, and vessels of brass: 11Which also king David did dedicate to the LORD, with the silver and gold that he had dedicated of all nations which he subdued; 12Of Syria, and of Moab, and of the children of Ammon, and of the Philistines, and of Amalek, and of the spoil of Hadadezer, son of Rehob, king of Zobah.
Toi or Tou = “wander”; king of Hamath in the time of David; error
תָּעָה tâʻâh, taw-aw’; a primitive root; to vacillate, i.e. reel or stray (literally or figuratively); also causative of both:—(cause to) go astray, deceive, dissemble, (cause to, make to) err, pant, seduce, (make to) stagger, (cause to) wander, be out of the way. err (17x),
Hamath = “fortress”; the principle city of upper Syria in the valley of the Orontes 37 times in 35 verses
Joram = “Jehovah is exalted”; son of king Jehoshaphat of Judah and himself king of Judah for 8 years; his wife was the wicked Athaliah who was probably the instigator for his returning the nation of Judah to the worship of Baal; son of king Ahab of the northern kingdom of Israel and king of Israel himself for 12 years; he was murdered by Jehu on the plot of land for which his father had murdered Naboth thus fulfilling the prophecy of Elijah to the very letter; a Levite in the time of David and an ancestor of Shelomith; son of Toi, king of Hamath 20 times in 16 verse
Salute שָׁאַל shâʼal, shaw-al’; or שָׁאֵל shâʼêl; a primitive root; to inquire; by implication, to request; by extension, to demand: 173 times in 157 verses
Vessels כְּלִי kᵉlîy, kel-ee’; from H3615; something prepared, i.e. any apparatus (as an implement, utensil, dress, vessel or weapon): 325 times in 276 verses
Silver כֶּסֶף keçeph, keh’-sef; from H3700; silver (from its pale color); by implication, money:—money, price, silver(-ling). 403 times in 343 verses
Gold זָהָב zâhâb, zaw-hawb’; from an unused root meaning to shimmer; gold, figuratively, something gold-colored (i.e. yellow), as oil, a clear sky:—gold(-en), fair weather. 389 times in 336 verses
Brass נְחֹשֶׁת nᵉchôsheth, nekh-o’-sheth; for H5154; copper, hence, something made of that metal, i.e. coin, a fetter; figuratively, base (as compared with gold or silver):—brasen, brass, chain, copper, fetter (of brass), filthiness, steel. 141 times in 119 verses
13And David got him a name when he returned from smiting of the Syrians in the valley of salt, being eighteen thousand men. 14And he put garrisons in Edom; throughout all Edom put he garrisons, and all they of Edom became David’s servants. And the LORD preserved David wherever he went.
Valley גַּיְא gayʼ, gah’-ee; or (shortened) גַּי gay; probably (by transmutation) from the same root as H1466 (abbreviated); a gorge (from its lofty sides; hence, narrow, but not a gully or winter-torrent):—valley. valley, a steep valley, narrow gorge 60 times in 54 verses
גֵּוָה gêvâh, gay-vaw’; the same as H1465; exaltation; (figuratively) arrogance:—lifting up, pride.
Salt מֶלַח melach, meh’-lakh; from H4414; properly, powder, i.e. (specifically) salt (as easily pulverized and dissolved):—salt(-pit). 28 times in 26 verses
מָלַח mâlach, maw-lakh’; a primitive root; also as denominative from H4417properly, to rub to pieces or pulverize; intransitively, to disappear as dust; also to salt whether internally (to season with salt) or externally (to rub with salt)
David’s Officers
15And David reigned over all Israel; and David executed judgment and justice to all his people. 16And Joab the son of Zeruiah was over the host; and Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was recorder; 17And Zadok the son of Ahitub, and Ahimelech the son of Abiathar, were the priests; and Seraiah was the scribe; 18And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over both the Cherethites and the Pelethites; and David’s sons were chief rulers.
Zeruiah = “balsam”; sister of David and mother of the 3 leading heroes of David’s army – Abishai, Joab, and Asahel צְרוּיָה Tsᵉrûwyâh, tser-oo-yaw’; feminine passive participle from the same as H6875; wounded; Tserujah, an Israelitess:—Zeruiah. 26 times in 25 verses
צְרִי tsᵉrîy, tser-ee’; or צֳרִי tsŏrîy; from an unused root meaning to crack (as by pressure), hence, to leak; distillation, i.e. balsam:—balm. a kind of balsam, balm, salve;as merchandise;as medicine the balsam distilling from a tree or fruit growing in Gilead, used for the healing of wounds
Jehoshaphat = “Jehovah has judged” symbolical name of a valley near Jerusalem which is the place of ultimate judgment; maybe the deep ravine which separates Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives through which the Kidron flowed 84 times in 75 verses
Ahilud = “child’s brother”; father of Jehoshaphat, David’s recorder;; father of Baana, an officer of Solomon; אֲחִילוּד ʼĂchîylûwd, akh-ee-lood’; from H251 and H3205; brother of one born; Achilud, an Israelite:—Ahilud.
Recorder זָכַר zâkar, zaw-kar’; a primitive root; also as denominative from H2145 properly, to mark (so as to be recognized), i.e. to remember; by implication, to mention; to be male: to remember, recall, call to mind 236 times in 223 verses
Zadok = “righteous”; the high priest, son of Ahitub of the house of Eleazar the son of Aaron, and 11th in descent from Aaron; joined David after Saul’s death and supported him against Absalom and Adonijah; anointed Solomon as king; צָדוֹק Tsâdôwq, tsaw-doke’; from H6663; just; Tsadok, the name of eight or nine Israelites:—Zadok. 53 times in 50 verses
Ahitub = “my brother is good (goodness)”;a grandson of Eli; the father of Zadok the priest אֲחִיטוּב ʼĂchîyṭûwb, akh-ee-toob’; from H251 and H2898; brother of goodness; Achitub, the name of several priests:—Ahitub.
Ahimelech = “my brother is king” or “brother of Melek”; a priest murdered by Doeg at Saul’s command, for supposedly assisting David; a Hittite warrior under David אֲחִימֶלֶךְ ʼĂchîymelek, akh-ee-meh’-lek; from H251 and H4428; brother of (the) king; Achimelek, the name of an Israelite and of a Hittite:—Ahimelech. 17 times in 16 verses
Abiathar = “my father is great”; priest, son of Ahitub (Ahimelech), faithful to David, but later rebelled with Adonijah; אֶבְיָתָר ʼEbyâthâr, ab-yaw-thawr’; contracted from H1 and H3498; father of abundance (i.e. liberal); Ebjathar, an Israelite:—Abiathar. s 30 times in 28 verses
Priests כֹּהֵן kôhên, ko-hane’; active participle of H3547; literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman): 750 times in 653 verses priest, principal officer or chief ruler
Seraiah = “Jehovah is ruler”;”Soldier of Jehovah” the scribe or secretary of David; son of Azariah, father of Jehozadak, and the chief priest in the reign of king Zedekiah of Judah and at the time of the capture of Jerusalem; son of Tanhumeth the Netophathite and one of the men who went to Gedaliah, the governor over Judah appointed by Nebuchadnezzar, and gave their oath to serve the king of Babylon 20 times in 18 verses
Scribe סָפַר çâphar, saw-far’; a primitive root; properly, to score with a mark as a tally or record, i.e. (by implication) to inscribe, and also to enumerate; intensively, to recount, i.e. celebrate: 161 times in 154 verses
Benaiah = “Jehovah has built” or “Yahweh has built up”; one of David’s mighty warriors, son of Jehoiada the chief priest, a Levite, set by David over his bodyguard, later having remained faithful to Solomon during Adonijah’s attempt on the crown, was raised into the place of Joab as commander-in-chief of the army; the Pirathonite, an Ephraimite, one of David’s thirty mighty warriors, and the captain of the eleventh monthly course; a Simeonite, a prince of the families of Simeon; a Levite in the time of David who played with a psaltery on Alamoth; a priest in the time of David, appointed to blow the trumpet before the ark; a Levite of the sons of Asaph; a Levite in the time of Hezekiah; Four Israelites in the time of Ezra who had taken strange wives; the father of Pelatiah
Cherethites = “executioners”; a group of foreign mercenary soldiers serving as a bodyguard for king David; also executioners; either Cretans or proto-Philistines (in general)
Pelethites = “couriers”; a collective name for the guardsmen of David; probably descendants of an unknown person, perhaps Philistine mercenaries;
Peleth = “swiftness”; a Reubenite, father of On who rebelled with Dathan and Abiram in the days of the wilderness wanderings; son of Jonathan and a descendant of Jerahmeel of Judah
2 SAMUEL 9 :David and Mephibosheth
1And David said, Is there yet any that is left of the house of Saul, that I may show him kindness for Jonathan’s sake? 2And there was of the house of Saul a servant whose name was Ziba. And when they had called him to David, the king said to him, Are you Ziba? And he said, Your servant is he. 3And the king said, Is there not yet any of the house of Saul, that I may show the kindness of God to him? And Ziba said to the king, Jonathan has yet a son, which is lame on his feet. 4And the king said to him, Where is he? And Ziba said to the king, Behold, he is in the house of Machir, the son of Ammiel, in Lodebar. 5Then king David sent, and fetched him out of the house of Machir, the son of Ammiel, from Lodebar. 6Now when Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, was come to David, he fell on his face, and did reverence. And David said, Mephibosheth. And he answered, Behold your servant! 7And David said to him, Fear not: for I will surely show you kindness for Jonathan your father’s sake, and will restore you all the land of Saul your father; and you shall eat bread at my table continually. 8And he bowed himself, and said, What is your servant, that you should look on such a dead dog as I am?
Ziba = “statue”; “a plant” a servant of Saul whom David made steward of Jonathan’s son Mephibosheth
Machir = “sold”; eldest son of Manasseh by an Aramite or Syrian concubine and progenitor of a large family; son of Ammiel, a powerful chief of one of the Transjordanic tribes who rendered essential services to Saul and to David מָכִיר Mâkîyr, maw-keer’; from H4376; salesman; 22 times in 20 verses
מָכַר mâkar, maw-kar’; a primitive root; to sell, literally (as merchandise, a daughter in marriage, into slavery), or figuratively (to surrender):—× at all, sell (away, -er, self). 80 times in 74 verses
Ammiel = “my kinsman is God”; the spy from the tribe of Dan who perished in the plague for his evil report; father of Machir of Lo-debar; father of Bathsheba; also ‘Eliam’; the 6th son of Obed-edom and doorkeeper of the temple; עַמִּיאֵל ʻAmmîyʼêl, am-mee-ale’; from H5971 and H410; people of God; Ammiel, the name of three or four Israelites:—Ammiel.
Lo-debar = “not a pasture”; a town in Manasseh in Gilead east of the Jordan
9Then the king called to Ziba, Saul’s servant, and said to him, I have given to your master’s son all that pertained to Saul and to all his house. 10You therefore, and your sons, and your servants, shall till the land for him, and you shall bring in the fruits, that your master’s son may have food to eat: but Mephibosheth your master’s son shall eat bread always at my table. Now Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants. 11Then said Ziba to the king, According to all that my lord the king has commanded his servant, so shall your servant do. As for Mephibosheth, said the king, he shall eat at my table, as one of the king’s sons. 12And Mephibosheth had a young son, whose name was Micha. And all that dwelled in the house of Ziba were servants to Mephibosheth. 13So Mephibosheth dwelled in Jerusalem: for he did eat continually at the king’s table; and was lame on both his feet.
Mephibosheth = “exterminating the idol”; grandson of Saul and son of Rizpah the daughter of Aiah, Saul’s concubine; he and his brother Armoni were among the 7 victims surrendered by David to the Gibeonites to avert a famine; מְפִיבֹשֶׁת Mᵉphîybôsheth, mef-ee-bo’-sheth; or מְפִבֹשֶׁת Mᵉphibôsheth; probably from H6284 and H1322; dispeller of shame (i.e. of Baal); Mephibosheth, the name of two Israelites:—Mephibosheth. 15 times in 13 verses
Table שֻׁלְחָן shulchân, shool-khawn’; from H7971; a table (as spread out); by implication, a meal:—table. H7979 matches the Hebrew שֻׁלְחָן (shulchan) which occurs 70 times in 62 verses
Kindness חֶסֶד cheçed, kheh’-sed; from H2616; kindness; by implication (towards God) piety; rarely (by opposition) reproof, or (subjectively) beauty:—favour, good deed(-liness, -ness), kindly, (loving-) kindness, merciful (kindness), mercy, pity, reproach, wicked thing. 248 times in 241 verses
Continually תָּמִיד tâmîyd, taw-meed’; from an unused root meaning to stretch; properly, continuance (as indefinite extension); but used only (attributively as adjective) constant (or adverbially, constantly) s 104 times in 103 verses
Bowed שָׁחָה shâchâh, shaw-khaw’; a primitive root; to depress, i.e. prostrate (especially reflexive, in homage to royalty or God):—bow (self) down, crouch, fall down (flat), humbly beseech, do (make) obeisance, do reverence, make to stoop, worship. 172 times in 166 verses
Master אָדוֹן ʼâdôwn, aw-done’; or (shortened) אָדֹן ʼâdôn; from an unused root (meaning to rule); sovereign, i.e. controller (human or divine):—lord, master, owner. Compare also names beginning with ‘Adoni-‘. 335 times in 287 verses
Bread לֶחֶם lechem, lekh’-em; from H3898; See also H1036 food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it):—(shew-) bread, × eat, food, fruit, loaf, meat, victuals. 297 times in 277 verses
2 SAMUEL 10 : David’s Messengers Disgraced
1And it came to pass after this, that the king of the children of Ammon died, and Hanun his son reigned in his stead. 2Then said David, I will show kindness to Hanun the son of Nahash, as his father showed kindness to me. And David sent to comfort him by the hand of his servants for his father. And David’s servants came into the land of the children of Ammon. 3And the princes of the children of Ammon said to Hanun their lord, Think you that David does honor your father, that he has sent comforters to you? has not David rather sent his servants to you, to search the city, and to spy it out, and to overthrow it? 4Why Hanun took David’s servants, and shaved off the one half of their beards, and cut off their garments in the middle, even to their buttocks, and sent them away. 5When they told it to David, he sent to meet them, because the men were greatly ashamed: and the king said, Tarry at Jericho until your beards be grown, and then return.
Ammon = “tribal”; a people dwelling in Transjordan descended from Lot through Ben-ammi; עַמּוֹן ʻAmmôwn, am-mone’; from H5971; tribal, i.e. inbred; Ammon, a son of Lot; also his posterity and their country:—Ammon, Ammonites. 105 times in 98 verses
Hanun = “gracious”; son of Nahash and king of Ammon who dishonoured David’s ambassadors and lost the subsequent war with David; a man who, with the people of Zanoah, repaired the ravine gate in the wall of Jerusalem; the 6th son of Zalaph, who also assisted in the repair of the wall of Jerusalem, apparently on the east side
Nahash = “serpent”; a king of the Ammonites during the time of king Saul; the father of Abigail, the mother of Amasa, the commander of Absalom’s army נָחָשׁ Nâchâsh, naw-khawsh’; the same as H5175; 9 times in 8 verses
Overthrow הָפַךְ hâphak, haw-fak’; a primitive root; to turn about or over; by implication, to change, overturn, return, pervert 94 times in 92 verse
Shaved off גָּלַח gâlach, gaw-lakh’; a primitive root; properly, to be bald, i.e. (causatively) to shave; figuratively to lay waste:—poll, shave (off). to be naked 23 times in 18 verse shave (17x),
Beards זָקָן zâqân, zaw-kawn’; from H2204; the beard (as indicating age):—beard. 19 times in 18 verses
Buttocks שֵׁתָה shêthâh, shay-thaw’; from H7896; the seat (of the person):—buttock.
Jericho “city of the moon” יְרִיחוֹ Yᵉrîychôw, yer-ee-kho’; or יְרֵחוֹ Yᵉrêchôw; or variation (1 Kings 16:34) יְרִיחֹה Yᵉrîychôh; perhaps from H3394; its month; or else from H7306; fragrant; Jericho or Jerecho, a place in Palestine:—Jericho. 57 times in 53 verses
יָרֵחַ yârêach, yaw-ray’-akh; from the same as H3391; the moon:—moon. Yrechow. s 26 times in 26 verses
6And when the children of Ammon saw that they stank before David, the children of Ammon sent and hired the Syrians of Bethrehob and the Syrians of Zoba, twenty thousand footmen, and of king Maacah a thousand men, and of Ishtob twelve thousand men. 7And when David heard of it, he sent Joab, and all the host of the mighty men. 8And the children of Ammon came out, and put the battle in array at the entering in of the gate: and the Syrians of Zoba, and of Rehob, and Ishtob, and Maacah, were by themselves in the field.
Stank בָּאַשׁ bâʼash, baw-ash’; a primitive root; to smell bad; figuratively, to be offensive morally:—(make to) be abhorred (had in abomination, loathsome, odious), (cause a, make to) stink(-ing savour), × utterly. 17 times in 16 verses
Beth-rehob = “house of the street”; a place in Dan on road to Hamath
Maachah = “oppression”; a twon and region at the foot of Hermon, near Geshur father of Achish, king of Gath at the beginning of Solomon’s reign; father of Hanan, one of David’s mighty warriors; a Simeonite, father of Shephatiah, prince of his tribe in the reign of David; son of Nahor by concubine Reumah 23 times in 23 verses
Ishtob = “man of Tob”; a region beyond Jordan, north or northeast of Gilead
Array עָרַךְ ʻârak, aw-rak’; a primitive root; to set in a row, i.e. arrange, put in order (in a very wide variety of applications): 78 times in 71 verses
Syrians Aram or Arameans = “exalted”; Aram or Syria the nation; the Syrian or Aramean people; אֲרָם ʼĂrâm, arawm’; from the same as H759; the highland; Aram or Syria, and its inhabitants; also the name of the son of Shem, a grandson of Nahor, and of an Israelite:—Aram, Mesopotamia, Syria, Syrians. 132 times in 117 verses
Field שָׂדֶה sâdeh, saw-deh’; or שָׂדַי sâday; from an unused root meaning to spread out; a field (as flat):—country, field, ground, land, soil, × wild. 333 times in 309 verses
Play ק châzaq, khaw-zak’; a primitive root; to fasten upon; hence, to seize, be strong (figuratively, courageous, causatively strengthen, cure, help, repair, fortify), obstinate; to bind, restrain, conquer: 290 times in 266 verses
David Defeats Ammon and Syria
9When Joab saw that the front of the battle was against him before and behind, he chose of all the choice men of Israel, and put them in array against the Syrians: 10And the rest of the people he delivered into the hand of Abishai his brother, that he might put them in array against the children of Ammon. 11And he said, If the Syrians be too strong for me, then you shall help me: but if the children of Ammon be too strong for you, then I will come and help you. 12Be of good courage, and let us play the men for our people, and for the cities of our God: and the LORD do that which seems him good. 13And Joab drew near, and the people that were with him, to the battle against the Syrians: and they fled before him. 14And when the children of Ammon saw that the Syrians were fled, then fled they also before Abishai, and entered into the city. So Joab returned from the children of Ammon, and came to Jerusalem.
15And when the Syrians saw that they were smitten before Israel, they gathered themselves together. 16And Hadarezer sent, and brought out the Syrians that were beyond the river: and they came to Helam; and Shobach the captain of the host of Hadarezer went before them.17And when it was told David, he gathered all Israel together, and passed over Jordan, and came to Helam. And the Syrians set themselves in array against David, and fought with him. 18And the Syrians fled before Israel; and David slew the men of seven hundred chariots of the Syrians, and forty thousand horsemen, and smote Shobach the captain of their host, who died there. 19And when all the kings that were servants to Hadarezer saw that they were smitten before Israel, they made peace with Israel, and served them. So the Syrians feared to help the children of Ammon any more.
Hadarezer = “Hadad is help”; the king of Syria defeated by David’s army
River “stream” נָהָר nâhâr, naw-hawr’; from H5102; a stream (including the sea; expectation the Nile, Euphrates, etc.); figuratively, prosperity:—flood, river. 120 times in 109 verses
Helam = “stronghold”; a place east of the Jordan, west of the Euphrates, in Gilead, at which the Syrians under Hadarezer were defeated by David
Shobach = “expansion”; general of king Hadarezer of the Syrians of Zoba in the time of David; שׁוֹבָךְ Shôwbâk, sho-bawk’;
שׂוֹבֶךְ sôwbek, so’-bek; for H5441; a thicket, i.e. interlaced branches:—thick boughs. network (of boughs)
Helam = “stronghold” ; a place east of the Jordan, west of the Euphrates, in Gilead, at which the Syrians under Hadarezer were defeated by David
Horsemen פָּרָשׁ pârâsh, paw-rawsh’; from H6567; (compare H5483) a steed (as stretched out to a vehicle, not single nor for mounting ); also (by implication) a driver (in a chariot), i.e. (collectively) cavalry:—horseman. 57 times in 54 verses
thousand אֶלֶף ʼeleph, eh’-lef; prop, the same as H504; hence (the ox’s head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand:—thousand. 505 times in 391 verses
2 SAMUEL 11 : David and Bathsheba
1And it came to pass, after the year was expired, at the time when kings go forth to battle, that David sent Joab, and his servants with him, and all Israel; and they destroyed the children of Ammon, and besieged Rabbah. But David tarried still at Jerusalem.
2And it came to pass in an evening, that David arose from off his bed, and walked on the roof of the king’s house: and from the roof he saw a woman washing herself; and the woman was very beautiful to look on. 3And David sent and inquired after the woman. And one said, Is not this Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite? 4And David sent messengers, and took her; and she came in to him, and he lay with her; for she was purified from her uncleanness: and she returned to her house. 5And the woman conceived, and sent and told David, and said, I am with child.
Eveningtide עֶרֶב ʻereb, eh’-reb; from H6150; dusk:— day, even(-ing, tide), night. 136 times in 129 verses
Bed מִשְׁכָּב mishkâb, mish-kawb’; from H7901; a bed (figuratively, a bier); abstractly, sleep; by euphemism, carnal intercourse:—bed(-chamber), couch, lieth (lying) with. 46 times in 44 verses
Roof גָּג gâg, gawg; probably by reduplication from H1342; a roof; by analogy, the top of an altar:—roof (of the house), (house) top (of the house). H1406 matches the Hebrew גָּג (gag), which occurs 30 times in 27 verses
Washing רָחַץ râchats, raw-khats’; a primitive root; to lave (the whole or a part of a thing):—bathe (self), wash (self). 72 times in 71 verses
Enquired דָּרַשׁ dârash, daw-rash’; a primitive root; properly, to tread or frequent; usually to follow (for pursuit or search); by implication, to seek or ask; specifically to worship: 164 times in 152 verses
Bath-sheba = “daughter of an oath”; the wife of Uriah whom David had murdered, having had adulterous relations with her; subsequently wife of David and mother of Solomon, Shimea, Shobab, and Nathan; בַּת־שֶׁבַע Bath-Shebaʻ, bath-sheh’-bah; from H1323 and H7651 (in the sense of H7650); daughter of an oath; Bath-Sheba, the mother of Solomon:—Bath-sheba 11 times in 11 verses
Eliam = “God of the people” or “God is kinsman”; Bathsheba’s father; a Gilonite warrior of David
Uriah or Urijah = “Jehovah (Yahweh) is my light (flame)”; Hittite husband of Bathsheba; a priest who built king Ahaz’ heathen altar; a priest who rebuilt Jerusalem’s wall; a prophet slain by Jehoiakim; אוּרִיָּה ʼÛwrîyâh, oo-ree-yaw’; or (prolonged) אוּרִיָּהוּ ʼÛwrîyâhûw ; from H217 and H3050; flame of Jah; Urijah, the name of one Hittite and five Israelites:—Uriah, Urijah; 39 times in 33 verses
אוּר ʼûwr, oor; from H215; flame; hence (in the plural) the East (as being the region of light):—fire, light. See also H224. H217 matches the Hebrew אוּר (‘uwr), which occurs 6 times in 6 verses
Hittite = “descendant of Heth”; the nation descended from Heth, the 2nd son of Canaan; once inhabitants of central Anatolia (modern Turkey), later in north Lebanon
He lay שָׁכַב shâkab, shaw-kab’; a primitive root; to lie down (for rest, sexual connection, decease or any other purpose): 213 times in 194 verses
Purified קָדַשׁ qâdash, kaw-dash’; a primitive root; to be (causatively, make, pronounce or observe as) clean (ceremonially or morally): 173 times in 153 verses
Uncleanness טֻמְאָה ṭumʼâh, toom-aw’; from H2930; religious impurity:—filthiness, unclean(-ness). 37 times in 31 verses
טָמֵא ṭâmêʼ, taw-may’; a primitive root; to be foul, especially in a ceremial or moral sense (contaminated):
Conceived הָרָה hârâh, haw-raw’; a primitive root; to be (or become) pregnant, conceive (literally or figuratively):—been, be with child, conceive, progenitor. 43 times in 42 verses
With Child הָרֶה hâreh, haw-reh’; or הָרִי hârîy; (Hosea 14:1), from H2029; pregnant:—(be, woman) with child, conceive, × great. s 16 times in 16 verses
6And David sent to Joab, saying, Send me Uriah the Hittite. And Joab sent Uriah to David. 7And when Uriah was come to him, David demanded of him how Joab did, and how the people did, and how the war prospered. 8And David said to Uriah, Go down to your house, and wash your feet. And Uriah departed out of the king’s house, and there followed him a mess of meat from the king. 9But Uriah slept at the door of the king’s house with all the servants of his lord, and went not down to his house. 10And when they had told David, saying, Uriah went not down to his house, David said to Uriah, Came you not from your journey? why then did you not go down to your house? 11And Uriah said to David, The ark, and Israel, and Judah, abide in tents; and my lord Joab, and the servants of my lord, are encamped in the open fields; shall I then go into my house, to eat and to drink, and to lie with my wife? as you live, and as your soul lives, I will not do this thing.12And David said to Uriah, Tarry here to day also, and to morrow I will let you depart. So Uriah stayed in Jerusalem that day, and the morrow. 13And when David had called him, he did eat and drink before him; and he made him drunk: and at even he went out to lie on his bed with the servants of his lord, but went not down to his house.
Mess מַשְׂאֵת masʼêth, mas-ayth’; from H5375; properly, (abstractly) a raising (as of the hands in prayer), or rising (of flame); figuratively, an utterance; concretely, a beacon (as raised); a present (as taken), mess, or tribute; figuratively, a reproach (as a burden): uprising, utterance, burden, portion, uplifting 15 times in 14 verses
David Arranges Uriah’s Death
14And it came to pass in the morning, that David wrote a letter to Joab, and sent it by the hand of Uriah. 15And he wrote in the letter, saying, Set you Uriah in the forefront of the hottest battle, and retire you from him, that he may be smitten, and die. 16And it came to pass, when Joab observed the city, that he assigned Uriah to a place where he knew that valiant men were. 17And the men of the city went out, and fought with Joab: and there fell some of the people of the servants of David; and Uriah the Hittite died also. 18Then Joab sent and told David all the things concerning the war; 19And charged the messenger, saying, When you have made an end of telling the matters of the war to the king, 20And if so be that the king’s wrath arise, and he say to you, Why approached you so near to the city when you did fight? knew you not that they would shoot from the wall? 21Who smote Abimelech the son of Jerubbesheth? did not a woman cast a piece of a millstone on him from the wall, that he died in Thebez? why went you near the wall? then say you, Your servant Uriah the Hittite is dead also.
Forefront פָּנִים pânîym, paw-neem’; plural (but always as singular) of an unused noun פָּנֶה pâneh; from H6437); the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposition (before, etc.): Face 2,109 times in 1,890 verses
Hottest חָזָק châzâq, khaw-zawk’; from H2388; strong (usu. in a bad sense, hard, bold, violent):—harder, hottest, impudent, loud, mighty, sore, stiff(-hearted), strong(-er).
Jerubbesheth = “shame will contend”; a variant name of Jerubbaal (the other name of Gideon [3378]) substituting the word ‘shame’ for the name of the pagan god ‘Baal’
Abimelech = “Melek is father” or “my father is king”; king of Gerar in Abraham’s time; king of Gath in David’s time; maybe title of Philistine kings; son of Gideon by a concubine 67 times in 62 verses
Millstone רֶכֶב rekeb, reh’-keb; from H7392; a vehicle; by implication, a team; by extension, cavalry; by analogy a rider, i.e. the upper millstone:—chariot, (upper) millstone, multitude (from the margin), wagon. 120 times in 104 verses
Thebez = “conspicuous”; a town near Shechem תֵּבֵץ Têbêts, tay-bates’; from the same as H948; whiteness; Tebets, a place in Palestine:—Thebez.
22So the messenger went, and came and showed David all that Joab had sent him for. 23And the messenger said to David, Surely the men prevailed against us, and came out to us into the field, and we were on them even to the entering of the gate. 24And the shooters shot from off the wall on your servants; and some of the king’s servants be dead, and your servant Uriah the Hittite is dead also. 25Then David said to the messenger, Thus shall you say to Joab, Let not this thing displease you, for the sword devours one as well as another: make your battle more strong against the city, and overthrow it: and encourage you him.
Shooters יָרָה yârâh, yaw-raw’; or (2 Chronicles 26:15) יָרָא yârâʼ; a primitive root; properly, to flow as water (i.e. to rain); transitively, to lay or throw (especially an arrow, i.e. to shoot); figuratively, to point out (as if by aiming the finger), to teach:—(+) archer, cast, direct, inform, instruct, lay, shew, shoot, teach(-er,-ing), through. 84 times in 75 verses
Wall חוֹמָה chôwmâh, kho-maw’; feminine active participle of an unused root apparently meaning to join; a wall of protection:—wall, walled. 133 times in 123 verses
David Marries Bathsheba
26And when the wife of Uriah heard that Uriah her husband was dead, she mourned for her husband. 27And when the mourning was past, David sent and fetched her to his house, and she became his wife, and bore him a son. But the thing that David had done displeased the LORD.
2 SAMUEL 12 : Nathan Rebukes David
1And the LORD sent Nathan to David. And he came to him, and said to him, There were two men in one city; the one rich, and the other poor.
2The rich man had exceeding many flocks and herds:
3But the poor man had nothing, save one little ewe lamb, which he had bought and nourished up: and it grew up together with him, and with his children; it did eat of his own meat, and drank of his own cup, and lay in his bosom, and was to him as a daughter.
Ewe Lamb כִּבְשָׂה kibsâh, kib-saw’; or כַּבְשָׂה kabsâh; feminine of H3532; a ewe:—(ewe) lamb.
כֶּבֶשׂ kebes, keh-bes’; from an unused root meaning to dominate; a ram (just old enough to butt):—lamb, sheep. 107 times in 100 verses
Nourished חָיָה châyâh, khaw-yaw’; a primitive root (compare H2331, H2421); to live, whether literally or figuratively; causatively, to revive 271 times in 235 verses
Meat פַּת path, path; from H6626; a bit:—meat, morsel, piece. 15 times in 15 verses
Drank שָׁתָה shâthâh, shaw-thaw’; a primitive root; to imbibe (literally or figuratively):— 217 times in 193 verses
Grew Up גָּדַל gâdal, gaw-dal’; a primitive root; properly, to twist (compare H1434), i.e. to be (causatively make) large (in various senses, as in body, mind, estate or honor, also in pride): 119 times in 112 verses
Cup כּוֹס kôwç, koce; from an unused root meaning to hold together; a cup (as a container), often figuratively, a lot (as if a potion); also some unclean bird, probably an owl (perhaps from the cup-like cavity of its eye): a kind of owl (an unclean bird) 34 times in 29 verses
כִּיס kîyç, keece; a form for H3563; a cup; also a bag for money or weights:—bag, cup, purse.
Bosom חֵיק chêyq, khake; or חֵק chêq; and חוֹק chôwq; from an unused root, apparently meaning to inclose; the bosom (literally or figuratively):—bosom, bottom, lap, midst, within. 39 times in 34 verses
4And there came a travelers to the rich man, and he spared to take of his own flock and of his own herd, to dress for the wayfaring man that was come to him; but took the poor man’s lamb, and dressed it for the man that was come to him.
Travelers הֵלֶךְ hêlek, hay’-lek; from H1980; properly, a journey, i.e. (by implication) a wayfarer; also a flowing:—× dropped, traveller.
Rich עָשִׁיר ʻâshîyr, aw-sheer’; from H6238; rich, whether literal or figurative (noble):—rich (man). 23 times in 23 verses
Dress עָשָׂה ʻâsâh, aw-saw’; a primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application: 2,638 times in 2,286 verses
Wayfaring אָרַח ʼârach, aw-rakh’; a primitive root; to travel:—go, wayfaring (man).
Flock צֹאן tsôʼn, tsone; or צאוֹן tsʼôwn; (Psalm 144:13), from an unused root meaning to migrate; a collective name for a flock (of sheep or goats); also figuratively (of men):
5And David’s anger was greatly kindled against the man; and he said to Nathan, As the LORD lives, the man that has done this thing shall surely die: 6And he shall restore the lamb fourfold, because he did this thing, and because he had no pity.
Restore שָׁלַם shâlam, shaw-lam’; a primitive root; to be safe (in mind, body or estate); figuratively, to be (causatively, make) completed; by implication, to be friendly; by extension, to reciprocate (in various applications): 116 times in 107 verses
7And Nathan said to David, You are the man. Thus said the LORD God of Israel, I anointed you king over Israel, and I delivered you out of the hand of Saul; 8And I gave you your master’s house, and your master’s wives into your bosom, and gave you the house of Israel and of Judah; and if that had been too little, I would moreover have given to you such and such things. 9Why have you despised the commandment of the LORD, to do evil in his sight? you have killed Uriah the Hittite with the sword, and have taken his wife to be your wife, and have slain him with the sword of the children of Ammon. 10Now therefore the sword shall never depart from your house; because you have despised me, and have taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your wife. 11Thus said the LORD, Behold, I will raise up evil against you out of your own house, and I will take your wives before your eyes, and give them to your neighbor, and he shall lie with your wives in the sight of this sun. 12For you did it secretly: but I will do this thing before all Israel, and before the sun.
David’s Loss and Repentance
13And David said to Nathan, I have sinned against the LORD. And Nathan said to David, The LORD also has put away your sin; you shall not die. 14However,, because by this deed you have given great occasion to the enemies of the LORD to blaspheme, the child also that is born to you shall surely die. 15And Nathan departed to his house. And the LORD struck the child that Uriah’s wife bore to David, and it was very sick. 16David therefore sought God for the child; and David fasted, and went in, and lay all night on the earth. 17And the elders of his house arose, and went to him, to raise him up from the earth: but he would not, neither did he eat bread with them. 18And it came to pass on the seventh day, that the child died. And the servants of David feared to tell him that the child was dead: for they said, Behold, while the child was yet alive, we spoke to him, and he would not listen to our voice: how will he then vex himself, if we tell him that the child is dead? 19But when David saw that his servants whispered, David perceived that the child was dead: therefore David said to his servants, Is the child dead? And they said, He is dead. 20Then David arose from the earth, and washed, and anointed himself, and changed his apparel, and came into the house of the LORD, and worshipped: then he came to his own house; and when he required, they set bread before him, and he did eat.
Sin חַטָּאָה chaṭṭâʼâh, khat-taw-aw’; or חַטָּאת chaṭṭâʼth; from H2398; an offence (sometimes habitual sinfulness), and its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, or expiation; also (concretely) an offender 296 times in 272 verses
חָטָא châṭâʼ, khaw-taw’; a primitive root; properly, to miss; hence (figuratively and generally) to sin; by inference, to forfeit, lack, expiate, repent, (causatively) lead astray, condemn: to sin, miss, miss the way, go wrong, incur guilt, forfeit, purify from uncleanness 238 times in 220 verses
Fasted צוּם tsûwm, tsoom; a primitive root; to cover over (the mouth), i.e. to fast:—× at all, fast. 21 times in 17 verses
Night לוּן lûwn, loon; or לִין lîyn; a primitive root; to stop (usually over night); by implication, to stay permanently; hence (in a bad sense) to be obstinate (especially in words, to complain): 88 times in 79 verses
Rabbath = “great”; the capital city of the Ammonites located east of the Jordan; a town in Judah; site uncertain
21Then said his servants to him, What thing is this that you have done? you did fast and weep for the child, while it was alive; but when the child was dead, you did rise and eat bread. 22And he said, While the child was yet alive, I fasted and wept: for I said, Who can tell whether GOD will be gracious to me, that the child may live? 23But now he is dead, why should I fast? can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me.
Solomon’s Birth
24And David comforted Bathsheba his wife, and went in to her, and lay with her: and she bore a son, and he called his name Solomon: and the LORD loved him. 25And he sent by the hand of Nathan the prophet; and he called his name Jedidiah, because of the LORD.
David Captures Rabbah
26And Joab fought against Rabbah of the children of Ammon, and took the royal city. 27And Joab sent messengers to David, and said, I have fought against Rabbah, and have taken the city of waters. 28Now therefore gather the rest of the people together, and encamp against the city, and take it: lest I take the city, and it be called after my name. 29And David gathered all the people together, and went to Rabbah, and fought against it, and took it. 30And he took their king’s crown from off his head, the weight whereof was a talent of gold with the precious stones: and it was set on David’s head. And he brought forth the spoil of the city in great abundance. 31And he brought forth the people that were therein, and put them under saws, and under harrows of iron, and under axes of iron, and made them pass through the brick-kiln: and thus did he to all the cities of the children of Ammon. So David and all the people returned to Jerusalem.
Waters מַיִם mayim, mah’-yim; dual of a primitive noun (but used in a singular sense); water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen:— piss, wasting, water(-ing, (-course, -flood, -spring)).
Crown עֲטָרָה ʻăṭârâh, at-aw-raw’; from H5849; a crown:—crown. 23 times in 23 verses
Weight מִשְׁקָל mishqâl, mish-kawl’; from H8254; weight (numerically estimated); hence, weighing (the act):—(full) weight. 49 times in 42 verses
Talent כִּכָּר kikkâr, kik-kawr’; from H3769; a circle, i.e. (by implication) a circumjacent tract or region, especially the Ghor or valley of the Jordan; also a (round) loaf; also a talent (or large [round] coin):—loaf, morsel, piece, plain, talent. 68 times in 55 verses
Spoil שָׁלָל shâlâl, shaw-lawl’; from H7997; booty:—prey, spoil. 73 times in 64 verses
שָׁלַל shâlal, shaw-lal’; a primitive root; to drop or strip; by implication, to plunder:—16 times in 12 verses
Abundance רָבָה râbâh, raw-baw’; a primitive root; to increase (in whatever respect): be or become great, be or become many, be or become much, be or become numerous 227 times in 211 verses
Saws מְגֵרָה mᵉgêrâh, meg-ay-raw’; from H1641; a saw:—axe, saw. גָּרַר gârar, gaw-rar’; a primitive root; to drag off roughly; by implication, to bring up the cud (i.e. ruminate); by analogy, to saw:
Harrows חָרִיץ chârîyts, khaw-reets’; or חֲרִץ chărits; from H2782; (compare H2742) properly, incisure or (passively) incised; hence, a threshing-sledge (with sharp teeth); also a slice (as cut):
Axes מַגְזֵרָה magzêrâh, mag-zay-raw’; from H1504; a cutting implement, i.e. a blade:—axe. גָּזַר gâzar, gaw-zar’; a primitive root; to cut down or off; (figuratively) to destroy, divide, exclude, or decide
Pass מַלְבֵּן malbên, mal-bane’; from H3835 (denominative); a brickkiln:—brickkiln.
Iron בַּרְזֶל barzel, bar-zel’; perhaps from the root of H1269; iron (as cutting); by extension, an iron implement:—(ax) head, iron. 76 times in 70 verses H1270
2 SAMUEL 13 : Amnon and Tamar
1And it came to pass after this, that Absalom the son of David had a fair sister, whose name was Tamar; and Amnon the son of David loved her. 2And Amnon was so vexed, that he fell sick for his sister Tamar; for she was a virgin; and Amnon thought it hard for him to do anything to her. 3But Amnon had a friend, whose name was Jonadab, the son of Shimeah David’s brother: and Jonadab was a very subtle man. 4And he said to him, Why are you, being the king’s son, lean from day to day? will you not tell me? And Amnon said to him, I love Tamar, my brother Absalom’s sister. 5And Jonadab said to him, Lay you down on your bed, and make yourself sick: and when your father comes to see you, say to him, I pray you, let my sister Tamar come, and give me meat, and dress the meat in my sight, that I may see it, and eat it at her hand. 6So Amnon lay down, and made himself sick: and when the king was come to see him, Amnon said to the king, I pray you, let Tamar my sister come, and make me a couple of cakes in my sight, that I may eat at her hand.
Fair יָפֶה yâpheh, yaw-feh’; from H3302; beautiful (literally or figuratively):— beautiful, beauty, comely, fair(-est, one), goodly, pleasant, well. 41 times in 38 verses
Tamar = “palm-tree”; widow of Er, the son of Judah; fiancee of Shelah, another son of Judah; wife of Judah and mother of Pharez and Zerah; daughter of David by Maacah, sister of Absalom, and rape victim of Amnon her half brother, another son of David; daughter of Absalom; a place on the southern border of Gad
Sister אָחוֹת ʼâchôwth, aw-khoth’; irregular feminine of H251; a sister (used very widely [like H251 number H250, corrected to H251], literally and figuratively):—(an-) other, sister, together. 114 times in 104 verses
Virgin בְּתוּלָה bᵉthûwlâh, beth-oo-law’; feminine passive participle of an unused root meaning to separate; a virgin (from her privacy); sometimes (by continuation) a bride; also (figuratively) a city or state:—maid, virgin. 50 times in 50 verses
Vexed יָצַר yâtsar, yaw-tsar’; a primitive root; to press (intransitive), i.e. be narrow; figuratively, be in distress:—be distressed, be narrow, be straitened (in straits), be vexed. to bind, be distressed, be in distress, be cramped, be narrow, be scant, be in straits, make narrow, cause distress, beseige 9 times in 9 verses
Jonadab or Jehonadab = “Jehovah is willing”; a son of Rechab, chief of the Rechabites, in the time of Jehu and Ahab; a nephew of David יוֹנָדָב Yôwnâdâb, yo-naw-dawb’; a form of H3082; Jonadab, the name of an Israelite and of a Rechabite:—Jonadab.
Subtil חָכָם châkâm, khaw-kawm’; from H2449; wise, (i.e. intelligent, skillful or artful):—cunning (man), subtle, (un-), wise((hearted), man). 137 times in 133 verses
Cakes לָבִיבָה lâbîybâh, law-bee-baw’; or rather לְבִבָה lᵉbibâh; from H3823 in its original sense of fatness (or perhaps of folding); a cake (either as fried or turned):—cake
Flour בָּצֵק bâtsêq, baw-tsake’; from H1216; dough (as swelling by fermentation):—dough, flour. H1217
Knead לוּשׁ lûwsh, loosh; a primitive root; to knead:—knead.
Bake בָּשַׁל bâshal, baw-shal’; a primitive root; properly, to boil up; hence, to be done in cooking; figuratively to ripen:—bake, boil, bring forth, roast, seethe, sod (be sodden).
7Then David sent home to Tamar, saying, Go now to your brother Amnon’s house, and dress him meat. 8So Tamar went to her brother Amnon’s house; and he was laid down. And she took flour, and kneaded it, and made cakes in his sight, and did bake the cakes. 9And she took a pan, and poured them out before him; but he refused to eat. And Amnon said, Have out all men from me. And they went out every man from him. 10And Amnon said to Tamar, Bring the meat into the chamber, that I may eat of your hand. And Tamar took the cakes which she had made, and brought them into the chamber to Amnon her brother. 11And when she had brought them to him to eat, he took hold of her, and said to her, Come lie with me, my sister. 12And she answered him, No, my brother, do not force me; for no such thing ought to be done in Israel: do not you this folly. 13And I, where shall I cause my shame to go? and as for you, you shall be as one of the fools in Israel. Now therefore, I pray you, speak to the king; for he will not withhold me from you. 14However, he would not listen to her voice: but, being stronger than she, forced her, and lay with her.
Pan מַשְׂרֵת masrêth, mas-rayth’; apparently from an unused root meaning to perforate, i.e. hollow out; a pan:—pan. to shine; sparkle
Poured יָצַק yâtsaq, yaw-tsak’; a primitive root; properly, to pour out (transitive or intransitive); by implication, to melt or cast as metal; by extension, to place firmly, to stiffen or grow hard:—cast, cleave fast, be (as) firm, grow, be hard, lay out, molten, overflow, pour (out), run out, set down, stedfast. 53 times in 51 verses
Refuse מָאֵן mâʼên, maw-ane’; a primitive root; to refuse:—refuse, × utterly. 41 times in 39 verses
Chamber חֶדֶר cheder, kheh’-der; from H2314; an apartment (usually literal):—((bed) inner) chamber, innermost(-ward) part, parlour, south, × within. 38 times in 33 verses
Force עָנָה ʻânâh, aw-naw’; a primitive root (possibly rather identical with H6030through the idea of looking down or browbeating); to depress literally or figuratively, transitive or intransitive (in various applications, as follows): 84 times in 80 verses
Folly נְבָלָה nᵉbâlâh, neb-aw-law’; feminine of H5036; foolishness, i.e. (morally) wickedness; concretely, a crime; by extension, punishment:—folly, vile, villany. senselessness 13 times in 13 verses
נָבָל nâbâl, naw-bawl’; from H5034; stupid; wicked (especially impious):—fool(-ish, -ish man, -ish woman), vile person. 18 times in 18 verses
15Then Amnon hated her exceedingly; so that the hatred with which he hated her was greater than the love with which he had loved her. And Amnon said to her, Arise, be gone. 16And she said to him, There is no cause: this evil in sending me away is greater than the other that you did to me. But he would not listen to her. 17Then he called his servant that ministered to him, and said, Put now this woman out from me, and bolt the door after her.
Hated שִׂנְאָה sinʼâh, sin-aw’; from H8130; hate:— exceedingly, hate(-ful, -red). 16 times in 16 verses
שָׂנֵא sânêʼ, saw-nay’; a primitive root; to hate (personally):—enemy, foe, (be) hate(-ful, -r), odious, × utterly. 146 times in 139 verses
Bolt נָעַל nâʻal, naw-al’; a primitive root; also denominative from H5275 properly, to fasten up, i.e. with a bar or cord; hence, to sandal, i.e. furnish with slippers:—bolt, inclose, lock, shoe, shut up.
נַעַל naʻal, nah’-al; or (feminine) נַעֲלָה naʻălâh; from H5274; properly, a sandal tongue; by extension a sandal or slipper (sometimes as a symbol of occupancy, a refusal to marry, or of something valueless):—dryshod, (pair of) shoe((-latchet), -s). 22 times in 22 verses
Door, Gate דֶּלֶת deleth, deh’-leth; from H1802; something swinging, i.e. the valve of a door:—door (two-leaved), gate, leaf, lid. (Psalm 141:3). 88 times in 78 verses (doors 69x)
דָּלָה dâlâh, daw-law’; a primitive root (compare H1809); properly, to dangle, i.e. to let down a bucket (for drawing out water); figuratively, to deliver:—draw (out), to hang down
18And she had a garment of divers colors on her: for with such robes were the king’s daughters that were virgins appareled. Then his servant brought her out, and bolted the door after her.
Garment כְּתֹנֶת kᵉthôneth, keth-o’-neth; or כֻּתֹּנֶת kuttôneth; from an unused root meaning to cover (compare H3802); a shirt:—coat, garment, robe. 29 times in 26 verse
Divers פַּס paç, pas; from H6461; properly, the palm (of the hand) or sole (of the foot) (compare H6447); by implication (plural) a long and sleeved tunic (perhaps simply a wide one; from the original sense of the root, i.e. of many breadths):—(divers) colours. Extremity
Robe מְעִיל mᵉʻîyl, meh-eel’; from H4603 in the sense of covering; a robe (i.e. upper and outer garment):—cloke, coat, mantle, robe.
19And Tamar put ashes on her head, and rent her garment of divers colors that was on her, and laid her hand on her head, and went on crying.
Ashes אֵפֶר ʼêpher, ay’-fer; from an unused root meaning to bestrew; ashes:—ashes. 22 times in 22 verses
Rent קָרַע qâraʻ, kaw-rah’; a primitive root; to rend, literally or figuratively (revile, paint the eyes, as if enlarging them):
Crying זָעַק zâʻaq, zaw-ak’; a primitive root; to shriek (from anguish or danger); by analogy, (as a herald) to announce or convene publicly:—assemble, call (together), (make a) cry (out), come with such a company, gather (together), cause to be proclaimed. 73 times in 73 verses
20And Absalom her brother said to her, Has Amnon your brother been with you? but hold now your peace, my sister: he is your brother; regard not this thing. So Tamar remained desolate in her brother Absalom’s house. 21But when king David heard of all these things, he was very wroth. 22And Absalom spoke to his brother Amnon neither good nor bad: for Absalom hated Amnon, because he had forced his sister Tamar.
Absalom’s Revenge on Amnon
23And it came to pass after 2 full years, that Absalom had sheep shearers in Baalhazor, which is beside Ephraim: and Absalom invited all the king’s sons.
Sheepshearers גָּזַז gazâz, gaw-zaz’; a primitive root (akin to H1468); to cut off; specifically to shear a flock or shave the hair; figuratively to destroy an enemy:—cut off (down), poll, shave, (sheep-) shear(-er). 15 times in 15 verses
Baal-hazor = “lord of the village”; a town on the border between Ephraim and Benjamin, apparent location of a sheep farm of Absalom and location of Amnon’s murder בַּעַל חָצוֹר Baʻal Châtsôwr, bah’-al khaw-tsore’; from H1167 and a modification of H2691; possessor of a village
אֶפְרַיִם ʼEphrayim, ef-rah’-yim; dual of masculine form of H672; double fruit; Ephrajim, a son of Joseph; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory:—Ephraim, Ephraimites. s 180 times in 164 verses
24And Absalom came to the king, and said, Behold now, your servant has sheep shearers; let the king, I beseech you, and his servants go with your servant. 25And the king said to Absalom, No, my son, let us not all now go, lest we be chargeable to you. And he pressed him: however, he would not go, but blessed him. 26Then said Absalom, If not, I pray you, let my brother Amnon go with us. And the king said to him, Why should he go with you? 27But Absalom pressed him, that he let Amnon and all the king’s sons go with him.
Chargeable כָּבַד kâbad, kaw-bad’; or כָּבֵד kâbêd; a primitive root; to be heavy, i.e. in a bad sense (burdensome, severe, dull) or in a good sense (numerous, rich, honorable); causatively, to make weighty (in the same two senses): 121 times in 109 verses
Courageous חָזַק châzaq, khaw-zak’; a primitive root; to fasten upon; hence, to seize, be strong (figuratively, courageous, causatively strengthen, cure, help, repair, fortify), obstinate; to bind, restrain, conquer: 290 times in 266 verses
Valiant בֵּן bên, bane; from H1129; a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition, etc., (like father or brother), etc.): 4,906 times in 3,654 verses
Mule פֶּרֶד pered, peh’-red; from H6504; a mule (perhaps from his lonely habits):—mule. 15 times in 13 verses
28Now Absalom had commanded his servants, saying, Mark you now when Amnon’s heart is merry with wine, and when I say to you, Smite Amnon; then kill him, fear not: have not I commanded you? be courageous, and be valiant. 29And the servants of Absalom did to Amnon as Absalom had commanded. Then all the king’s sons arose, and every man got him up on his mule, and fled.
30And it came to pass, while they were in the way, that tidings came to David, saying, Absalom has slain all the king’s sons, and there is not one of them left. 31Then the king arose, and tare his garments, and lay on the earth; and all his servants stood by with their clothes rent.32And Jonadab, the son of Shimeah David’s brother, answered and said, Let not my lord suppose that they have slain all the young men the king’s sons; for Amnon only is dead: for by the appointment of Absalom this has been determined from the day that he forced his sister Tamar. 33Now therefore let not my lord the king take the thing to his heart, to think that all the king’s sons are dead: for Amnon only is dead.
Shimeah = “fame”
Watch צָפָה tsâphâh, tsaw-faw’; a primitive root; properly, to lean forward, i.e. to peer into the distance; by implication, to observe, await: 37 times in 35 verses to look out or about, spy, keep watch, observe, watch
Absalom Flees to Geshur
34But Absalom fled. And the young man that kept the watch lifted up his eyes, and looked, and, behold, there came much people by the way of the hill side behind him. 35And Jonadab said to the king, Behold, the king’s sons come: as your servant said, so it is. 36And it came to pass, as soon as he had made an end of speaking, that, behold, the king’s sons came, and lifted up their voice and wept: and the king also and all his servants wept very sore.
37But Absalom fled, and went to Talmai, the son of Ammihud, king of Geshur. And David mourned for his son every day. 38So Absalom fled, and went to Geshur, and was there three years. 39And the soul of king David longed to go forth to Absalom: for he was comforted concerning Amnon, seeing he was dead.
2 SAMUEL 14 : Absalom’s Return to Jerusalem
1Now Joab the son of Zeruiah perceived that the king’s heart was toward Absalom. 2And Joab sent to Tekoah, and fetched there a wise woman, and said to her, I pray you, feign yourself to be a mourner, and put on now mourning apparel, and anoint not yourself with oil, but be as a woman that had a long time mourned for the dead: 3And come to the king, and speak on this manner to him. So Joab put the words in her mouth.
4And when the woman of Tekoah spoke to the king, she fell on her face to the ground, and did obeisance, and said, Help, O king. 5And the king said to her, What ails you? And she answered, I am indeed a widow woman, and my husband is dead. 6And your handmaid had two sons, and they two strove together in the field, and there was none to part them, but the one smote the other, and slew him. 7And, behold, the whole family is risen against your handmaid, and they said, Deliver him that smote his brother, that we may kill him, for the life of his brother whom he slew; and we will destroy the heir also: and so they shall quench my coal which is left, and shall not leave to my husband neither name nor remainder on the earth.
Widow אַלְמָנָה ʼalmânâh, al-maw-naw’; feminine of H488; a widow; also a desolate place:—desolate house (palace), widow. 55 times in 54 verses
Tekoite = see Tekoa “trumpet blast”
Coal גֶּחֶל gechel, geh’-khel; or (feminine) גַּחֶלֶת gacheleth; from an unused root meaning to glow or kindle; an ember:—(burning) coal. 18 times in 18 verses coals (17x),
Remainder שְׁאֵרִית shᵉʼêrîyth, sheh-ay-reeth’; from H7604; a remainder or residual (surviving, final) portion:—that had escaped, be left, posterity, remain(-der), remnant, residue, rest. 66 times in 66 verses
שָׁאַר shâʼar, shaw-ar’; a primitive root; properly, to swell up, i.e. be (causatively, make) redundant:—leave, (be) left, let, remain, remnant, reserve, the rest. 133 times in 123 verses
Throne כִּסֵּא kiççêʼ, kis-say’; or כִּסֵּה kiççêh; from H3680; properly, covered, i.e. a throne (as canopied):—seat, stool, throne. 135 times in 124 verses throne (127x),
כָּסָה kâçâh, kaw-saw’; a primitive root; properly, to plump, i.e. fill up hollows; by implication, to cover (for clothing or secrecy): 152 times in 149 verses
8And the king said to the woman, Go to your house, and I will give charge concerning you. 9And the woman of Tekoah said to the king, My lord, O king, the iniquity be on me, and on my father’s house: and the king and his throne be guiltless. 10And the king said, Whoever said ought to you, bring him to me, and he shall not touch you any more. 11Then said she, I pray you, let the king remember the LORD your God, that you would not suffer the revengers of blood to destroy any more, lest they destroy my son. And he said, As the LORD lives, there shall not one hair of your son fall to the earth.
Revengers גָּאַל gâʼal, gaw-al’; a primitive root, to redeem (according to the Oriental law of kinship), i.e. to be the next of kin (and as such to buy back a relative’s property, marry his widow, etc.) 104 times in 84 verses
12Then the woman said, Let your handmaid, I pray you, speak one word to my lord the king. And he said, Say on. 13And the woman said, Why then have you thought such a thing against the people of God? for the king does speak this thing as one which is faulty, in that the king does not fetch home again his banished. 14For we must needs die, and are as water spilt on the ground, which cannot be gathered up again; neither does God respect any person: yet does he devise means, that his banished be not expelled from him. 15Now therefore that I am come to speak of this thing to my lord the king, it is because the people have made me afraid: and your handmaid said, I will now speak to the king; it may be that the king will perform the request of his handmaid. 16For the king will hear, to deliver his handmaid out of the hand of the man that would destroy me and my son together out of the inheritance of God. 17Then your handmaid said, The word of my lord the king shall now be comfortable: for as an angel of God, so is my lord the king to discern good and bad: therefore the LORD your God will be with you.
Banished נָדַח nâdach, naw-dakh’; a primitive root; to push off; used in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively (to expel, mislead, strike, inflict, etc.): 52 times in 51 verse
Spilt נָגַר nâgar, naw-gar’; a primitive root; to flow; figuratively, to stretch out;
Inheritance נַחֲלָה nachălâh, nakh-al-aw’; from H5157 (in its usual sense); properly, something inherited, i.e. (abstractly) occupancy, or (concretely) an heirloom; generally an estate, patrimony or portion 222 times in 191 verses
Discern שָׁמַע shâmaʻ, shaw-mah’; a primitive root; to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.): 1,161 times in 1,072 verses—
18Then the king answered and said to the woman, Hide not from me, I pray you, the thing that I shall ask you. And the woman said, Let my lord the king now speak. 19And the king said, Is not the hand of Joab with you in all this? And the woman answered and said, As your soul lives, my lord the king, none can turn to the right hand or to the left from ought that my lord the king has spoken: for your servant Joab, he bade me, and he put all these words in the mouth of your handmaid: 20To fetch about this form of speech has your servant Joab done this thing: and my lord is wise, according to the wisdom of an angel of God, to know all things that are in the earth.
21And the king said to Joab, Behold now, I have done this thing: go therefore, bring the young man Absalom again. 22And Joab fell to the ground on his face, and bowed himself, and thanked the king: and Joab said, To day your servant knows that I have found grace in your sight, my lord, O king, in that the king has fulfilled the request of his servant. 23So Joab arose and went to Geshur, and brought Absalom to Jerusalem. 24And the king said, Let him turn to his own house, and let him not see my face. So Absalom returned to his own house, and saw not the king’s face.
25But in all Israel there was none to be so much praised as Absalom for his beauty: from the sole of his foot even to the crown of his head there was no blemish in him. 26And when he polled his head, (for it was at every year’s end that he polled it: because the hair was heavy on him, therefore he polled it:) he weighed the hair of his head at 200 shekels after the king’s weight. 27And to Absalom there were born three sons, and one daughter, whose name was Tamar: she was a woman of a fair countenance.
Polled גָּלַח gâlach, gaw-lakh’; a primitive root; properly, to be bald, i.e. (causatively) to shave; figuratively to lay waste:—poll, shave (off). 23 times in 18 verses shave (17x),
Absalom Reconciled to David
28So Absalom dwelled two full years in Jerusalem, and saw not the king’s face. 29Therefore Absalom sent for Joab, to have sent him to the king; but he would not come to him: and when he sent again the second time, he would not come. 30Therefore he said to his servants, See, Joab’s field is near mine, and he has barley there; go and set it on fire. And Absalom’s servants set the field on fire. 31Then Joab arose, and came to Absalom to his house, and said to him, Why have your servants set my field on fire? 32And Absalom answered Joab, Behold, I sent to you, saying, Come here, that I may send you to the king, to say, Why am I come from Geshur? it had been good for me to have been there still: now therefore let me see the king’s face; and if there be any iniquity in me, let him kill me. 33So Joab came to the king, and told him: and when he had called for Absalom, he came to the king, and bowed himself on his face to the ground before the king: and the king kissed Absalom.
Barley שְׂעֹרָה sᵉʻôrâh, seh-o-raw’; or שְׂעוֹרָה sᵉʻôwrâh (feminine meaning the plant); and (masculine meaning the grain); also שְׂעֹר sᵉʻôr; or שְׂעוֹר sᵉʻôwr; from H8175 in the sense of roughness; barley (as villose):—barley.
2 SAMUEL 15 : Absalom’s Conspiracy
1And it came to pass after this, that Absalom prepared him chariots and horses, and fifty men to run before him. 2And Absalom rose up early, and stood beside the way of the gate: and it was so, that when any man that had a controversy came to the king for judgment, then Absalom called to him, and said, Of what city are you? And he said, Your servant is of one of the tribes of Israel. 3And Absalom said to him, See, your matters are good and right; but there is no man deputed of the king to hear you. 4Absalom said moreover, Oh that I were made judge in the land, that every man which has any suit or cause might come to me, and I would do him justice! 5And it was so, that when any man came near to him to do him obeisance, he put forth his hand, and took him, and kissed him. 6And on this manner did Absalom to all Israel that came to the king for judgment: so Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel.
Gate שַׁעַר shaʻar, shah’-ar; from H8176 in its original sense; an opening, i.e. door or gate:—city, door, gate, port (× -er). 371 times in 302 verses
Controversy רִיב rîyb, reeb; or רִב rib; from H7378; a contest (personal or legal):— adversary, cause, chiding, contend(-tion), controversy, multitude (from the margin), pleading, strife, strive(-ing), suit. 62 times in 61 verses
Judgement מִשְׁפָּט mishpâṭ, mish-pawt’; from H8199; properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant’s) divine law, individual or collective), including the act, the place, the suit, the crime, and the penalty; abstractly, justice, including a participant’s right or privilege (statutory or customary), or even a style: 421 times in 406 verses
Tribes שֵׁבֶט shêbeṭ, shay’-bet; from an unused root probably meaning to branch off; a scion, i.e. (literally) a stick (for punishing, writing, fighting, ruling, walking, etc.) or (figuratively) a clan:—× correction, dart, rod, sceptre, staff, tribe. 190 times in 178 verses
King 2,523 times in 1,922
Bow שָׁחָה shâchâh, shaw-khaw’; a primitive root; to depress, i.e. prostrate (especially reflexive, in homage to royalty or God): 172 times in 166 verses
7And it came to pass after 40 years, that Absalom said to the king, I pray you, let me go and pay my vow, which I have vowed to the LORD, in Hebron. 8For your servant vowed a vow while I stayed at Geshur in Syria, saying, If the LORD shall bring me again indeed to Jerusalem, then I will serve the LORD. 9And the king said to him, Go in peace. So he arose, and went to Hebron. 10But Absalom sent spies throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, As soon as you hear the sound of the trumpet, then you shall say, Absalom reigns in Hebron.11And with Absalom went 200 men out of Jerusalem, that were called; and they went in their simplicity, and they knew not any thing.12And Absalom sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David’s counselor, from his city, even from Giloh, while he offered sacrifices. And the conspiracy was strong; for the people increased continually with Absalom.
David Flees Jerusalem
13And there came a messenger to David, saying, The hearts of the men of Israel are after Absalom. 14And David said to all his servants that were with him at Jerusalem, Arise, and let us flee; for we shall not else escape from Absalom: make speed to depart, lest he overtake us suddenly, and bring evil on us, and smite the city with the edge of the sword. 15And the king’s servants said to the king, Behold, your servants are ready to do whatever my lord the king shall appoint. 16And the king went forth, and all his household after him. And the king left ten women, which were concubines, to keep the house. 17And the king went forth, and all the people after him, and tarried in a place that was far off. 18And all his servants passed on beside him; and all the Cherethites, and all the Pelethites, and all the Gittites, 600 men which came after him from Gath, passed on before the king.
Cherethites = “executioners”; a group of foreign mercenary soldiers serving as a bodyguard for king David; also executioners; either Cretans or proto-Philistines (in general)
Pelethites = “couriers” a collective name for the guardsmen of David; probably descendants of an unknown person, perhaps Philistine mercenaries
Gittite = “belonging to Gath”
19Then said the king to Ittai the Gittite, Why go you also with us? return to your place, and abide with the king: for you are a stranger, and also an exile. 20Whereas you came but yesterday, should I this day make you go up and down with us? seeing I go where I may, return you, and take back your brothers: mercy and truth be with you. 21And Ittai answered the king, and said, As the LORD lives, and as my lord the king lives, surely in what place my lord the king shall be, whether in death or life, even there also will your servant be. 22And David said to Ittai, Go and pass over. And Ittai the Gittite passed over, and all his men, and all the little ones that were with him. 23And all the country wept with a loud voice, and all the people passed over: the king also himself passed over the brook Kidron, and all the people passed over, toward the way of the wilderness.
Abide יָשַׁב yâshab, yaw-shab’; a primitive root; properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry:— 1,089 times in 980 verses
Stranger נׇכְרִי nokrîy, nok-ree’; from H5235 (second form); strange, in a variety of degrees and applications (foreign, non-relative, adulterous, different, wonderful):—alien, foreigner, outlandish, strange(-r, woman).
Exile גָּלָה gâlâh, gaw-law’; a primitive root; to denude (especially in a disgraceful sense); by implication, to exile (captives being usually stripped); figuratively, to reveal:— 190 times in 168 verses Lexicon : to be naked
Ittai or Ithai = “with me”
Little ones טַף ṭaph, taf; from H2952 (perhaps referring to the tripping gait of children); a family (mostly used collectively in the singular):—(little) children (ones), families.
Kidron = “dark”; a stream east of Jerusalem H6939 matches the Hebrew קִדְרוֹן (Qidrown), which occurs 11 times in 10 verses (**nordik backwards)
24And see Zadok also, and all the Levites were with him, bearing the ark of the covenant of God: and they set down the ark of God; and Abiathar went up, until all the people had done passing out of the city. 25And the king said to Zadok, Carry back the ark of God into the city: if I shall find favor in the eyes of the LORD, he will bring me again, and show me both it, and his habitation: 26But if he thus say, I have no delight in you; behold, here am I, let him do to me as seems good to him. 27The king said also to Zadok the priest, Are not you a seer? return into the city in peace, and your two sons with you, Ahimaaz your son, and Jonathan the son of Abiathar. 28See, I will tarry in the plain of the wilderness, until there come word from you to certify me. 29Zadok therefore and Abiathar carried the ark of God again to Jerusalem: and they tarried there.
Set down יָצַק yâtsaq, yaw-tsak’; a primitive root; properly, to pour out (transitive or intransitive); by implication, to melt or cast as metal; by extension, to place firmly, to stiffen or grow hard: 53 times in 51 verses
Abiathar = “my father is great”; priest, son of Ahitub (Ahimelech), faithful to David, but later rebelled with Adonijah 30 times in 28 verses
Favour חֵן chên khane; from H2603; graciousness, i.e. subjective (kindness, favor) or objective (beauty):—favour, grace(-ious), pleasant, precious, (well-) favoured. 69 times in 67 verses
Habitation ה nâveh, naw-veh’; or (feminine) נָוָה nâvâh; from H5115; (adjectively) at home; hence (by implication of satisfaction) lovely; also (noun) a home, of God (temple), men (residence), flocks (pasture), or wild animals (den): 36 times in 35 verses
Ahimaaz = “my brother is anger (wrath)”; father-in-law of Saul; Zadok’s son who aided David during Absalom’s rebellion; a supply officer of Solomon 15 times in 15 verses
Tarry מָהַהּ mâhahh, maw-hah’; apparently a denominative from H4100; properly, to question or hesitate, i.e. (by implication) to be reluctant:—delay, linger, stay selves, tarry. 9 in 9
Plain עֲרָבָה ʻărâbâh, ar-aw-baw’; from H6150 (in the sense of sterility); a desert; especially (with the article prefix) the (generally) sterile valley of the Jordan and its continuation to the Red Sea:—Arabah, champaign, desert, evening, heaven, plain, wilderness. See also H1026. desert plain, steppe, desert, wilderness
Certify ד nâgad, naw-gad’; a primitive root; properly, to front, i.e. stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to manifest; figuratively, to announce (always by word of mouth to one present); specifically, to expose, predict, explain, praise:—370 times in 344 verses
David Weeps at Mount Olivet
30And David went up by the ascent of mount Olivet, and wept as he went up, and had his head covered, and he went barefoot: and all the people that was with him covered every man his head, and they went up, weeping as they went up. 31And one told David, saying, Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom. And David said, O LORD, I pray you, turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness.
Ascent מַעֲלֶה maʻăleh, mah-al-eh’; from H5927; an elevation, i.e. (concretely) acclivity or platform; abstractly (the relation or state) a rise or (figuratively) priority:— 18 times in 18
Barefoot יָחֵף yâchêph, yaw-khafe’; from an unused root meaning to take off the shoes; unsandalled:—barefoot, being unshod.
Olivet זַיִת zayith, zay’-yith; probably from an unused root (akin to H2099); an olive (as yielding illuminating oil), the tree, the branch or the berry:—olive (tree, -yard), Olivet. mountain facing Jerusalem on the east side 38 times in 36 verses
Covered חָפָה châphâh, khaw-faw’; a primitive root (compare H2644, H2653); to cover; by implication, to veil, to encase, protect:—ceil, cover, overlay. 12 in 12
Ahithophel = “my brother is foolish (folly)” אֲחִיתֹפֶל ʼĂchîythôphel, akh-ee-tho’-fel; from H251 and H8602; brother of folly; Achithophel, an Israelite:—Ahithophel. ; a counsellor of David, grandfather of Bathsheba (cf 2Sa 11:3, 23:34), who joined Absalom in revolt against David, and committed suicide when Absalom did not heed his counsel 20 times in 17 verses
Conspiritors קָשַׁר qâshar, kaw-shar’; a primitive root; to tie, physically (gird, confine, compact) or mentally (in love, league):—bind (up), (make a) conspire(-acy, -ator), join together, knit, stronger, work (treason). 44 times in 44 verses
32And it came to pass, that when David was come to the top of the mount, where he worshipped God, behold, Hushai the Archite came to meet him with his coat rent, and earth on his head: 33To whom David said, If you pass on with me, then you shall be a burden to me: 34But if you return to the city, and say to Absalom, I will be your servant, O king; as I have been your father’s servant till now, so will I now also be your servant: then may you for me defeat the counsel of Ahithophel. 35And have you not there with you Zadok and Abiathar the priests? therefore it shall be, that what thing soever you shall hear out of the king’s house, you shall tell it to Zadok and Abiathar the priests.36Behold, they have there with them their two sons, Ahimaaz Zadok’s son, and Jonathan Abiathar’s son; and by them you shall send to me every thing that you can hear. 37So Hushai David’s friend came into the city, and Absalom came into Jerusalem.
826 m (2,710 ft)
The Mount of Olives or Mount Olivet (Hebrew: הַר הַזֵּיתִים, Har ha-Zeitim; Arabic: جبل الزيتون, الطور, Jabal al-Zaytun, Al-Tur) is a mountain ridge east of and adjacent to Jerusalem’s Old City.[1] It is named for the olive groves that once covered its slopes. The southern part of the Mount was the Silwan necropolis, attributed to the ancient Judean kingdom.[2] The Mount has been used as a Jewish cemetery for over 3,000 years and holds approximately 150,000 graves, making it central in the tradition of Jewish cemeteries.[3] Several key events in the life of Jesus, as related in the Gospels, took place on the Mount of Olives, and in the Acts of the Apostles it is described as the place from which Jesus ascended to heaven.
The Mount of Olives is first mentioned in connection with David‘s flight from Absalom (II Samuel 15:30): “And David went up by the ascent of the Mount of Olives, and wept as he went up.” The ascent was probably east of the City of David, near the village of Silwan.[1] The sacred character of the mount is alluded to in the Ezekiel (11:23): “And the glory of the Lord went up from the midst of the city, and stood upon the mountain which is on the east side of the city.”[1]
The biblical designation Mount of Corruption, or in Hebrew Har HaMashchit (I Kings 11:7–8), derives from the idol worship there, begun by King Solomon building altars to the gods of his Moabite and Ammonite wives on the southern peak, “on the mountain which is before (east of) Jerusalem” (1 Kings 11:7), just outside the limits of the holy city. This site was known for idol worship throughout the First Temple period, until king of Judah, Josiah, finally destroyed “the high places that were before Jerusalem, to the right of Har HaMashchit…”(II Kings 23:13)
An apocalyptic prophecy in the Book of Zechariah states that YHWH will stand on the Mount of Olives and the mountain will split in two, with one half shifting north and one half shifting south (Zechariah 14:4). According to the Masoretic Text, people will flee through this newly formed valley to a place called Azal (Zechariah 14:5). The Septuagint (LXX) has a different reading of Zechariah 14:5 stating that a valley will be blocked up as it was blocked up during the earthquake during King Uzziah‘s reign. Jewish historian Flavius Josephus mentions in Antiquities of the Jews that the valley in the area of the King’s Gardens was blocked up by landslide rubble during Uzziah’s earthquake.[23] Israeli geologists Wachs and Levitte identified the remnant of a large landslide on the Mount of Olives directly adjacent to this area.[24] Based on geographic and linguistic evidence, Charles Simon Clermont-Ganneau, a 19th-century linguist and archeologist in Palestine, theorized that the valley directly adjacent to this landslide is Azal.[25] This evidence accords with the LXX reading of Zechariah 14:5 which states that the valley will be blocked up as far as Azal. The valley he identified (which is now known as Wady Yasul in Arabic, and Nahal Etzel in Hebrew) lies south of both Jerusalem and the Mount of Olives.
Many Jews have wanted to be buried on the Mount of Olives since antiquity, based on the Jewish tradition (from the Biblical verse Zechariah 14:4) that when the Messiah comes, the resurrection of the dead will begin there.[26][unreliable source?] There are an estimated 150,000 graves on the Mount, including tombs traditionally associated with Zechariah and Absalom. On the upper slope, the traditional Tomb of the Prophets Haggai, Zechariah and Malachi is situated. Notable rabbis buried on the mount include Chaim ibn Attar and others from the 15th-century to present.
The Mount of Olives is frequently mentioned in the New Testament (Matthew 21:1; 26:30, etc.) as part of the route from Jerusalem to Bethany and the place where Jesus stood when he wept over Jerusalem (an event known as Flevit super illam in Latin).
Jesus is said to have spent time on the mount, teaching and prophesying to his disciples (Matthew 24–25), including the Olivet discourse, returning after each day to rest (Luke 21:37, and John 8:1 in the additional section of John’s Gospel known as the Pericope Adulterae), and also coming there on the night of his betrayal (Matthew 26:39). At the foot of the Mount of Olives lies the Garden of Gethsemane. The New Testament tells how Jesus and his disciples sang together – “When they had sung the hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives” Gospel of Matthew 26:30. Jesus ascended to heaven from the Mount of Olives according to Acts 1:9–12.
2 SAMUEL 16 : David and Ziba
1And when David was a little past the top of the hill, behold, Ziba the servant of Mephibosheth met him, with a couple of asses saddled, and on them 200 loaves of bread, and an 100 bunches of raisins, and an 100 of summer fruits, and a bottle of wine. 2And the king said to Ziba, What mean you by these? And Ziba said, The asses be for the king’s household to ride on; and the bread and summer fruit for the young men to eat; and the wine, that such as be faint in the wilderness may drink. 3And the king said, And where is your master’s son? And Ziba said to the king, Behold, he stays at Jerusalem: for he said, To day shall the house of Israel restore me the kingdom of my father. 4Then said the king to Ziba, Behold, your are all that pertained to Mephibosheth. And Ziba said, I humbly beseech you that I may find grace in your sight, my lord, O king.
Ziba = “statue” a servant of Saul whom David made steward of Jonathan’s son Mephibosheth צִיבָא Tsîybâʼ, tsee-baw’; from the same as H6678; station; Lexicon: A plant 16x in 13v
Mephibosheth = “exterminating the idol”; grandson of Saul and son of Rizpah the daughter of Aiah, Saul’s concubine; he and his brother Armoni were among the 7 victims surrendered by David to the Gibeonites to avert a famine; son of Jonathan and grandson of Saul מְפִיבֹשֶׁת Mᵉphîybôsheth, mef-ee-bo’-sheth; or מְפִבֹשֶׁת Mᵉphibôsheth; probably from H6284 and H1322; dispeller of shame (i.e. of Baal); 15 times in 13 verses
Couple, Pair, Team, Yoke צֶמֶד tsemed, tseh’-med; a yoke or team (i.e. pair); hence, an acre (i.e. day’s task for a yoke of cattle to plough)—acre, couple, × together, two (donkeys), yoke (of oxen). H6776 matches the Hebrew צֶמֶד (tsemed), which occurs 15 times in 15 verses
Ass חֲמוֹר chămôwr, kham-ore’; or (shortened) חֲמֹר chămôr; from H2560; a male ass (from its dun red):—(he) ass. 96x in 93v
Saddled חָבַשׁ châbash, khaw-bash’; a primitive root; to wrap firmly (especially a turban, compress, or saddle); figuratively, to stop, to rule:—bind (up), gird about, govern, healer, put, saddle, wrap about. 33 times in 30 verses
Raisins צַמּוּק tsammûwq, tsam-mook’; from H6784; a cake of dried grapes:—bunch (cluster) of raisins. 4 in 4
Shimei Curses David
5And when king David came to Bahurim, behold, there came out a man of the family of the house of Saul, whose name was Shimei, the son of Gera: he came forth, and cursed still as he came. 6And he cast stones at David, and at all the servants of king David: and all the people and all the mighty men were on his right hand and on his left. 7And thus said Shimei when he cursed, Come out, come out, you bloody man, and you man of Belial: 8The LORD has returned on you all the blood of the house of Saul, in whose stead you have reigned; and the LORD has delivered the kingdom into the hand of Absalom your son: and, behold, you are taken in your mischief, because you are a bloody man.
Bahurim = “young men’s village”; a town in Benjamin between Jerusalem and Jericho beyond the Mount of Olives on the way to Jericho
Shimei or Shimhi or Shimi or Shimea = “renowned” name of 20 israelites שִׁמְעִי Shimʻîy, shim-ee’; from H8088; famous; 43 times in 39 verses
Gera = “a grain”; a son of Benjamin; a son of Bela and grandson of Benjamin; any member of the Gera family of the Benjamite tribe גֵּרָא Gêrâʼ, gay-raw’; perhaps from H1626; a grain; Gera, the name of six Israelites:—Gera. 9 in 9
Cast סָקַל çâqal, saw-kal’; a primitive root; properly, to be weighty; but used only in the sense of lapidation or its contrary (as if a delapidation)
Mighty גִּבּוֹר gibbôwr, ghib-bore’; or גִּבֹּר gibbôr; (shortened) intensive from the same as H1397; powerful; by implication, warrior, tyrant 158 times in 152 verses
Come out יָצָא yâtsâʼ, yaw-tsaw’; a primitive root; to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim.: 1,076 times in 992 verses
Belial בְּלִיַּעַל bᵉlîyaʻal, bel-e-yah’-al; from H1097 and H3276;(often in connection with H376, H802, H1121, etc.) without profit, worthlessness; by extension, destruction, wickedness: 27 in 26
9Then said Abishai the son of Zeruiah to the king, Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? let me go over, I pray you, and take off his head. 10And the king said, What have I to do with you, you sons of Zeruiah? so let him curse, because the LORD has said to him, Curse David. Who shall then say, Why have you done so? 11And David said to Abishai, and to all his servants, Behold, my son, which came forth of my bowels, seeks my life: how much more now may this Benjamite do it? let him alone, and let him curse; for the LORD has bidden him.12It may be that the LORD will look on my affliction, and that the LORD will requite me good for his cursing this day. 13And as David and his men went by the way, Shimei went along on the hill’s side over against him, and cursed as he went, and threw stones at him, and cast dust.14And the king, and all the people that were with him, came weary, and refreshed themselves there.
Abishai = “my father is Jesse” or “my father is a gift”; grandson of Jesse, nephew of David via his sister Zeruiah, brother of Joab
Zeruiah = “balsam”; sister of David and mother of the 3 leading heroes of David’s army – Abishai, Joab, and Asahel צְרוּיָה Tsᵉrûwyâh, tser-oo-yaw’; feminine passive participle from the same as H6875; wounded; 26 in 25
Benjamite – “a son of the right hand” 18 in 18
Curse ל qâlal, kaw-lal’; a primitive root; to be (causatively, make) light, literally (swift, small, sharp, etc.) or figuratively (easy, trifling, vile, etc.) to be slight, be swift, be trifling, be of little account, be light 83 times in 79 verses
Requite שׁוּב shûwb, shoob; a primitive root; to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point); generally to retreat; often adverbial, again: 1,117 times in 952 verses
The Counsel of Ahithophel and Hushai
15And Absalom, and all the people the men of Israel, came to Jerusalem, and Ahithophel with him. 16And it came to pass, when Hushai the Archite, David’s friend, was come to Absalom, that Hushai said to Absalom, God save the king, God save the king. 17And Absalom said to Hushai, Is this your kindness to your friend? why went you not with your friend? 18And Hushai said to Absalom, No; but whom the LORD, and this people, and all the men of Israel, choose, his will I be, and with him will I abide. 19And again, whom should I serve? should I not serve in the presence of his son? as I have served in your father’s presence, so will I be in your presence.
20Then said Absalom to Ahithophel, Give counsel among you what we shall do. 21And Ahithophel said to Absalom, Go in to your father’s concubines, which he has left to keep the house; and all Israel shall hear that you are abhorred of your father: then shall the hands of all that are with you be strong. 22So they spread Absalom a tent on the top of the house; and Absalom went in to his father’s concubines in the sight of all Israel. 23And the counsel of Ahithophel, which he counceled in those days, was as if a man had inquired at the oracle of God: so was all the counsel of Ahithophel both with David and with Absalom.
Spread נָטָה nâṭâh, naw-taw’; a primitive root; to stretch or spread out; by implication, to bend away (including moral deflection); used in a great variety of application (as follows) 216 times in 207 verses
2 SAMUEL 17 : Hushai Counters Ahithophel’s Advice
1Moreover Ahithophel said to Absalom, Let me now choose out 12,000 men, and I will arise and pursue after David this night:2And I will come on 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: 3And I will bring back all the people to you: the man whom you seek is as if all returned: so all the people shall be in peace. 4And the saying pleased Absalom well, and all the elders of Israel.
Ahithophel = “my brother is foolish (folly)”; a counsellor of David, grandfather of Bathsheba (cf 2Sa 11:3, 23:34), who joined Absalom in revolt against David, and committed suicide when Absalom did not heed his counsel
Absalom or Abishalom = “my father is peace” אֲבִישָׁלוֹם ʼĂbîyshâlôwm, ab-ee-shaw-lome’; or (shortened) אַבְשָׁלוֹם ʼAbshâlôwm ; from H1 and H7965; father of peace (i.e. friendly); 111 times in 92 verses
5Then said Absalom, Call now Hushai the Archite also, and let us hear likewise what he said. 6And when Hushai was come to Absalom, Absalom spoke to him, saying, Ahithophel has spoken after this manner: shall we do after his saying? if not; speak you. 7And Hushai said to Absalom, The counsel that Ahithophel has given is not good at this time.
Hushai = “hasting”
Archite or Archi = “lengthy”; inhabitants of the town or region to be sought on the borders of the tribe of Ephraim
8For, said Hushai, you know your 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 your father is a man of war, and will not lodge with the people.
Bear דֹּב dôb, dobe; or (fully) דּוֹב dôwb; from H1680; the bear (as slow):—bear.
Whelps (Dan a lion’s whelp)
9Behold, 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 whoever hears it will say, There is a slaughter among the people that follow Absalom. 10And he also that is valiant, whose heart is as the heart of a lion, shall utterly melt: for all Israel knows that your father is a mighty man, and they which be with him are valiant men.
Chaffed מַר mar, mar; or (feminine) מָרָה mârâh; from H4843; bitter (literally or figuratively); also (as noun) bitterness, or (adverbially) bitterly:— angry, bitter(-ly, -ness), chafed, discontented, × great, heavy. 38 times in 35 verses
מָרַר mârar, maw-rar’; a primitive root; properly, to trickle (see H4752); but used only as a denominative from H4751; to be (causatively, make) bitter (literally or figuratively):—(be, be in, deal, have, make) bitter(-ly, -ness), be moved with choler, (be, have sorely, it) grieved(-eth), provoke, vex. 17 times in 15 verses
Field שָׂדֶה sâdeh, saw-deh’; or שָׂדַי sâday; from an unused root meaning to spread out; a field (as flat):—country, field, ground, land, soil, × wild. 333 times in 309 verses
Robbed שַׁכּוּל shakkûwl, shak-kool’; or שַׁכֻּל shakkul; from H7921; bereaved:—barren, bereaved (robbed) of children (whelps).
שָׁכֹל shâkôl, shaw-kole’; a primitive root; properly, to miscarry, i.e. suffer abortion; by analogy, to bereave (literally or figuratively):—bereave (of children), barren, cast calf (fruit, young), be (make) childless, deprive, destroy, × expect, lose children, miscarry, rob of children, spoil.
Lodge לוּן lûwn, loon; or לִין lîyn; a primitive root; to stop (usually over night); by implication, to stay permanently; hence (in a bad sense) to be obstinate (especially in words, to complain):—abide (all night), continue, dwell, endure, grudge, be left, lie all night, (cause to) lodge (all night, in, -ing, this night), (make to) murmur, remain, tarry (all night, that night). 88 times in 79 verses
Pit פַּחַת pachath, pakh’-ath; probably from an unused root apparently meaning to dig; a pit, especially for catching animals:—hole, pit, snare. 10 in 8
Slaughter מַגֵּפָה maggêphâh, mag-gay-faw’; from H5062; a pestilence; by analogy, defeat:—(× be) plague(-d), slaughter, stroke. 26 times in 25 verses
Valiant son, grandson, child, member of a group, son, male child, grandson, children (pl. – male and female), youth, young men (pl.), young (of animals), sons (as characterisation, i.e. sons of injustice [for un- righteous men] or sons of God [for angels], people (of a nation) (pl.), of lifeless things, i.e. sparks, stars, arrows (fig.), a member of a guild, order, class בֵּן bên, bane; from H1129; a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition, etc., (like father or brother), etc.): H1121 matches the Hebrew בֵּן (ben), which occurs 4,906 times in 3,654 verses 4096 Cern
11Therefore I counsel that all Israel be generally gathered to you, from Dan even to Beersheba, as the sand that is by the sea for multitude; and that you go to battle in your own person. 12So shall we come on him in some place where he shall be found, and we will light on him as the dew falls on the ground: and of him and of all the men that are with him there shall not be left so much as one. 13Moreover, 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.14And 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 on Absalom.
Sand חוֹל chôwl, khole; from H2342; sand (as round or whirling particles):—sand. 23 in 23
Ropes חֶבֶל chebel, kheh’-bel; or חֵבֶל chêbel; from H2254; a rope (as twisted), especially a measuring line; by implication, a district or inheritance (as measured); or a noose (as of cords); figuratively, a company (as if tied together); a throe (especially of parturition); also ruin: band, coast, company, cord, country, destruction, line, lot, pain, pang, portion, region, rope, snare, sorrow, tackling. 60 times in 58 verses
Small Stone צְרוֹר tsᵉrôwr, tser-ore’; or (shorter) צְרֹר tsᵉrôr; from H6887; a parcel (as packed up); also a kernel or particle (as if a package):—bag, × bendeth, bundle, least grain, small stone.
Hushai’s Warning Saves David
15Then said Hushai to Zadok and to Abiathar the priests, Thus and thus did Ahithophel counsel Absalom and the elders of Israel; and thus and thus have I counceled. 16Now 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. 17Now 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. 18Nevertheless 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; where they went down.
Zadok = “righteous”; the high priest, son of Ahitub of the house of Eleazar the son of Aaron, and 11th in descent from Aaron; joined David after Saul’s death and supported him against Absalom and Adonijah; anointed Solomon as king 53 times in 50 verses
Abiathar = “my father is great”; priest, son of Ahitub (Ahimelech), faithful to David, but later rebelled with Adonijah
Plains עֲרָבָה ʻărâbâh, ar-aw-baw’; from H6150 (in the sense of sterility); a desert; especially (with the article prefix) the (generally) sterile valley of the Jordan and its continuation to the Red Sea: 61 times in 57 verses
Speedily עָבַר ʻâbar, aw-bar’; a primitive root; to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in copulation): 567 times in 493 verses
Swallowed up בָּלַע bâlaʻ, baw-lah’; a primitive root; to make away with (specifically by swallowing); generally, to destroy: 49 times in 48 verses
En-rogel = “fount of the fuller” a place near Jerusalem on the border between Judah and Benjamin and from which the permanent source of the pool of Siloam comes עֵין רֹגֵל ʻÊyn Rôgêl, ane ro-gale’; from H5869 and the active participle of H7270; fountain of a traveller; En-Rogel, a place near Jerusalem:—En-rogel. 4 in 4
עַיִן ʻayin, ah’-yin; probably a primitive word; an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape):—affliction, outward appearance, before, think best, colour, conceit, be content, countenance, displease, 888 times in 830 verses
Ahimaaz = “my brother is anger (wrath)”; father-in-law of Saul; Zadok’s son who aided David during Absalom’s rebellion
Wench שִׁפְחָה shiphchâh, shif-khaw’; feminine from an unused root meaning to spread out (as a family; see H4940); a female slave (as a member of the household):— maid, maid-servant, slavegirl 63 times in 58 verses
Lad נַעַר naʻar, nah’-ar; from H5287; (concretely) a boy (as active), from the age of infancy to adolescence; by implication, a servant; also (by interch. of sex), a girl (of similar latitude in age): 238 times in 221 verses
Bahurim = “young men’s village”; a town in Benjamin between Jerusalem and Jericho beyond the Mount of Olives on the way to Jericho
Well בְּאֵר bᵉʼêr, be-ayr’; from H874; a pit; especially a well:—pit, well.
Court חָצֵר châtsêr, khaw-tsare’; (masculine and feminine); from H2690 in its original sense; a yard (as inclosed by a fence); also a hamlet (as similarly surrounded with walls): 189 times in 163 verses
19And the woman took and spread a covering over the well’s mouth, and spread ground corn thereon; and the thing was not known. 20And when Absalom’s servants came to the woman to the house, they said, Where is Ahimaaz and Jonathan? And the woman said to them, They be gone over the brook of water. And when they had sought and could not find them, they returned to Jerusalem.
Well בְּאֵר bᵉʼêr, be-ayr’; from H874; a pit; especially a well:—pit, well. 37 times in 33 verses
Spread פָּרַשׂ pâras, paw-ras’; a primitive root; to break apart, disperse, etc.:—break, chop in pieces, lay open, scatter, spread (abroad, forth, selves, out), stretch (forth, out). 67 times in 66 verses
Mouth פָּנִים pânîym, paw-neem’; plural (but always as singular) of an unused noun פָּנֶה pâneh; from H6437); the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposition (before, etc.):— “face of God” 2,109 times in 1,890 verses
Covering מָסָךְ mâçâk, maw-sawk’; from H5526; a cover, i.e. veil:—covering, curtain, hanging. 25 times in 25 verses hanging (17x),
Corn רִיפָה rîyphâh, ree-faw’; or רִפָה riphâh; from H7322; (only plural), grits (as pounded):—ground corn, wheat.
21And it came to pass, after they were departed, that they came up out of the well, and went and told king David, and said to David, Arise, and pass quickly over the water: for thus has Ahithophel counceled against you. 22Then 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.
Pass Quickly מְהֵרָה mᵉhêrâh, meh-hay-raw’; feminine of H4118; properly, a hurry; hence (adverbially) promptly:—hastily, quickly, shortly, soon, make (with) speed(-ily), swiftly. 20 times in 20 verses
People עַם ʻam, am; from H6004; a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock:—folk, men, nation, people. 1,863 times in 1,654 verses
Jordan = “descender”; the river of Palestine running from the roots of Anti-Lebanon to the Dead Sea a distance of approx 200 miles (320 km) 182 times in 164 verses
Morning בֹּקֶר bôqer, bo’-ker; from H1239; properly, dawn (as the break of day); generally, morning:—(+) day, early, morning, morrow. 205 times in 189 verses
Light אוֹר ʼôwr, ore; from H215; illumination or (concrete) luminary (in every sense, including lightning, happiness, etc.):—bright, clear, day, light (-ning), morning, sun. 123 times in 112 verses
23And when Ahithophel saw that his counsel was not followed, he saddled his ass, and arose, and got him home to his house, to his city, and put his household in order, and hanged himself, and died, and was buried in the sepulcher of his father.
Followed עָשָׂה ʻâsâh, aw-saw’; a primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application:— 2,638 times in 2,286 verses
Hanged חָנַק chânaq, khaw-nak’; a primitive root (compare H2596); to be narrow; by implication, to throttle, or (reflexively) to choke oneself to death (by a rope):—hang self, strangle.
Sepulchre קֶבֶר qeber, keh’-ber; or (feminine) קִבְרָה qibrâh; from H6912; a sepulchre:—burying place, grave, sepulchre. 67 times in 62 verses
24Then David came to Mahanaim. And Absalom passed over Jordan, he and all the men of Israel with him. 25And 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. 26So Israel and Absalom pitched in the land of Gilead.
Mahanaim = “two camps”; a place east of the Jordan, named from Jacob’s encounter with angels; a Levitical city in Gad
Amasa = “burden”; son of Ithra or Jether by Abigail the sister of David and general of the army of Absalom; son of Hadlai and a prince of Ephraim in the reign of king Ahaz עֲמָשָׂא ʻĂmâsâʼ, am-aw-saw’; from H6006; burden; Amasa, the name of two Israelites:—Amasa. H6021 matches the Hebrew עֲמָשָׂא (`Amasa’), which occurs 16 times in 12 verses
עָמַס ʻâmaç, aw-mas’; or עָמַשׂ ʻâmas; a primitive root; to load, i.e. impose a burden (or figuratively, infliction):—be borne, (heavy) burden (self), lade, load, put. H6006 matches the Hebrew עָמַס (`amac),which occurs 9 times in 9 verses
Ithra = “abundance”; father of Amasa, the commander of Absalom’s army; also ‘Jether’; Lexicon: a cord, a rope, something hanging over, redundant
Abigail = “my father is joy” wife of Nabal, then of David; sister of David; אֲבִיגַיִל ʼĂbîygayil, ab-ee-gah’-yil; or shorter אֲבִיגַל ʼĂbîygal; from H1 and H1524; father (i.e. source) of joy; Abigail or Abigal, the name of two Israelitesses:—Abigal. H26 matches the Hebrew אֲבִיגַיִל (‘Abiygayil), which occurs 17 times in 17 verses
Nahash = “serpent” ; a king of the Ammonites during the time of king Saul; the father of Abigail, the mother of Amasa, the commander of Absalom’s army נָחָשׁ Nâchâsh, naw-khawsh’; 9 times in 8 verses
נָחָשׁ nâchâsh, naw-khawsh’; from H5172; a snake (from its hiss):—serpent. 31 times in 28 verses
Sister אָחוֹת ʼâchôwth, aw-khoth’; irregular feminine of H251; a sister (used very widely [like H251 number H250, corrected to H251], literally and figuratively):—(an-) other, sister, together. 114 times in 104 verses
Mother אֵם ʼêm, ame; a primitive word; a mother (as the bond of the family); in a wide sense (both literally and figuratively [like father]):—dam, mother, × parting. 220 times in 202 verses
Gilead = “rocky region”; a mountainous region bounded on the west by the Jordan, on the north by Bashan, on the east by the Arabian plateau, and on the south by Moab and Ammon; sometimes called ‘Mount Gilead’ or the ‘land of Gilead’ or just ‘Gilead’. Divided into north and south Gilead
27And 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,
Shobi = “glorious”; son of Nahash of Rabbah of the children of Ammon; supported David during Absalom’s rebellion שֹׁבִי Shôbîy, sho-bee’; from H7617; captor; Shobi, an Ammonite:—Shobi.
Rabbath = “great”; the capital city of the Ammonites located east of the Jordan; a town in Judah; site uncertain; Lexicon Capital City
Machir = “sold”; eldest son of Manasseh by an Aramite or Syrian concubine and progenitor of a large family; son of Ammiel, a powerful chief of one of the Transjordanic tribes who rendered essential services to Saul and to David מָכִיר Mâkîyr, maw-keer’; from H4376; salesman;
Ammiel = “my kinsman is God”; the spy from the tribe of Dan who perished in the plague for his evil report
Lo-debar = “not a pasture”; a town in Manasseh in Gilead east of the Jordan
לֹא lôʼ, lo; or לוֹא lôwʼ; or לֹה lôh; (Deuteronomy 3:11), a primitive particle; + not (the simple or abstract negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles: 76 times in 73 verses
דֹּבֶר dôber, do’-ber; from H1696 (in its original sense); a pasture (from its arrangement of the flock):—fold, manner. H1270 matches the Hebrew בַּרְזֶל (barzel), which occurs 76 times in 70 verses
Barzillai = “my iron”; a Gileadite leader who helped David defeat Absalom’s rebellion; a priest, son-in-law to Barzillai the Gileadite; an Israelite from Mahalath whose son Adriel married Michal, Saul’s daughter
בַּרְזֶל barzel, bar-zel’; perhaps from the root of H1269; iron (as cutting); by extension, an iron implement:—(ax) head, iron.
Rogelim = “place of fullers”; a place in the highlands east of the Jordan רֹגְלִים Rôgᵉlîym, ro-gel-eem’; plural of active participle of H7270; fullers (as tramping the cloth in washing); Rogelim, a place East of the Jordan:—Rogelim.
רָגַל râgal, raw-gal’; a primitive root; also as denominative from H7272 to walk along; but only in specifically, applications, to reconnoiter, to be a tale-bearer (i.e. slander); to lead about:—backbite, search, slander, (e-) spy (out), teach to go, view. to go on foot, spy out, foot it, go about, walk along, move the feet, “to tread”
28Brought beds, and basins, and earthen vessels, and wheat, and barley, and flour, and parched corn, and beans, and lentils, and parched vegetables,
Beds מִשְׁכָּב mishkâb, mish-kawb’; from H7901; a bed (figuratively, a bier); abstractly, sleep; by euphemism, carnal intercourse:—bed(-chamber), couch, lieth (lying) with. 46 times in 44 verses
Basons סַף çaph, saf; from H5605, in its original sense of containing; a vestibule (as a limit); also a dish (for holding blood or wine):—bason, bowl, cup, door (post), gate, post, threshold. 32 times in 28 verses
Wheat 30 in 30
Barley שְׂעֹרָה sᵉʻôrâh, seh-o-raw’; or שְׂעוֹרָה sᵉʻôwrâh (feminine meaning the plant); and (masculine meaning the grain); also שְׂעֹר sᵉʻôr; or שְׂעוֹר sᵉʻôwr; from H8175 in the sense of roughness; barley (as villose):—barley. 34 times in 32 verses
Flour קֶמַח qemach, keh’-makh; from an unused root probably meaning to grind; flour:—flour, meal. 14 times in 14 verses
Parched Corn קָלִי qâlîy, kaw-lee’; or קָלִיא qâlîyʼ; from H7033; roasted ears of grain:—parched corn.
Beans פּוֹל pôwl, pole; from an unused root meaning to be thick; a bean (as plump):—beans.
Lentil 4 in 4
Pulse זֵרֹעַ zêrôaʻ, zay-ro’-ah; or זֵרָעֹן zêrâʻôn; from H2232; something sown (only in the plural), i.e. a vegetable (as food):—pulse.
29And honey, and butter, and sheep, and cheese of cows, 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.
Honey דְּבַשׁ dᵉbash, deb-ash’; from an unused root meaning to be gummy; honey (from its stickiness); by analogy, syrup:—honey(-comb). Lex: kneaded mass H1706 matches the Hebrew דְּבַשׁ (dĕbash), which occurs 54 times in 54 verses
Butter חֶמְאָה chemʼâh, khem-aw’; or (shortened) חֵמָה chêmâh; from the same root as H2346; curdled milk or cheese:—butter.
Sheep צֹאן tsôʼn, tsone; or צאוֹן tsʼôwn; (Psalm 144:13), from an unused root meaning to migrate; a collective name for a flock (of sheep or goats); also figuratively (of men):—(small) cattle, flock (+ -s), lamb (+ -s), sheep(-cote, -fold, -shearer, -herds). 274 times in 247 verses
Cheese שָׁפָה shâphâh, shaw-faw’; from H8192 in the sense of clarifying; a cheese (as strained from the whey):—cheese.
Kine בָּקָר bâqâr, baw-kawr’; from H1239; a beeve or an animal of the ox family of either gender (as used for plowing); collectively, a herd:—beeve, bull (+ -ock), +calf, + cow, great (cattle), + heifer, herd, kine, ox. 182 times in 172 verses
Hunger רָעֵב râʻêb, raw-abe’; from H7456; hungry (more or less intensely):—hunger bitten, hungry. 22 times in 22 verses
Thirsty צָמֵא tsâmêʼ, tsaw-may’; from H6770; thirsty (literally or figuratively):—(that) thirst(-eth, -y). 9 in 9
Wilderness מִדְבָּר midbâr, mid-bawr’; from H1696 in the sense of driving; a pasture (i.e. open field, whither cattle are driven); by implication, a desert; also speech (including its organs):—desert, south, speech, wilderness. 271 times in 257 verses
2 SAMUEL 18 : Absalom Killed
1And David numbered the people that were with him, and set captains of thousands, and captains of hundreds over them. 2And David sent forth a third part of the people under the hand of Joab, and a third part under the hand of Abishai the son of Zeruiah, Joab’s brother, and a third part under the hand of Ittai the Gittite. And the king said to the people, I will surely go forth with you myself also. 3But the people answered, You shall not go forth: for if we flee away, they will not care for us; neither if half of us die, will they care for us: but now you are worth ten thousand of us: therefore now it is better that you succor us out of the city. 4And the king said to them, What seems you best I will do. And the king stood by the gate side, and all the people came out by hundreds and by thousands. 5And the king commanded Joab and Abishai and Ittai, saying, Deal gently for my sake with the young man, even with Absalom. And all the people heard when the king gave all the captains charge concerning Absalom.
Numbered פָּקַד pâqad, paw-kad’; a primitive root; to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc.:— 305 times in 270 verses to attend to, muster, number, reckon, visit, punish, appoint, look after, care for
Set שׂוּם sûwm, soom; or שִׂים sîym; a primitive root; to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically): 585 times in 550 verses
Captains שַׂר sar, sar; from H8323; a head person (of any rank or class):—captain (that had rule), chief (captain), general, governor, keeper, lord,(-task-)master, prince(-ipal), ruler, steward. prince, ruler, leader, chief, chieftain, official, captain 421 times in 368 verses
Third Part שְׁלִישִׁי shᵉlîyshîy, shel-ee-shee’; ordinal from H7969; third; feminine a third (part); by extension, a third (day, year or time); specifically, a third-story cell):—third (part, rank, time), three (years old). 108 times in 94 verses
Abishai = “my father is Jesse” or “my father is a gift”; grandson of Jesse, nephew of David via his sister Zeruiah, brother of Joab
Ittai or Ithai = “with me” a Gittite commander from Gath in David’s army; one of David’s 30 mighty warriors, a Benjamite
Go Forth to go out, come out, exit, go forth יָצָא yâtsâʼ, yaw-tsaw’; a primitive root; to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim.: 1,076 times in 992 verses
Answered אָמַר ʼâmar, aw-mar’; a primitive root; to say (used with great latitude): 5,308 times in 4,338 verses
Flee נוּס nûwç, noos; a primitive root; to flit, i.e. vanish away (subside, escape; causatively, chase, impel, deliver):— 161 times in 143 verses
Succour עָזַר ʻâzar, aw-zar’; a primitive root; to surround, i.e. protect or aid:—help, succour. 82 times in 77 verses
Best יָטַב yâṭab, yaw-tab’; a primitive root; to be (causative) make well, literally (sound, beautiful) or figuratively (happy, successful, right): 110 times in 102 verses to be good, be pleasing, be well, be glad
Stood עָמַד ʻâmad, aw-mad’; a primitive root; to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive): 521 times in 495 verses to stand, remain, endure, take one’s stand
Side יָד yâd, yawd; a primitive word; a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from 3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great variety of applications, both literally and figuratively, both proximate and remote [as follows]: 1,615 times in 1,447 verses
hand;hand (of man);strength, power (fig.);side (of land), part, portion (metaph.) (fig.);(various special, technical senses);sign, monument;part, fractional part, share;time, repetition;axle-trees, axle;stays, support (for laver); tenons (in tabernacle);a phallus, a hand (meaning unsure);wrists
Deal Gently אַט ʼaṭ, at; from an unused root perhaps meaning to move softly; (as a noun) a necromancer (from their soft incantations), (as an adverb) gently:—charmer, gently, secret, softly.
Heard שָׁמַע shâmaʻ, shaw-mah’; a primitive root; to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.): 1,161 times in 1,072 verses
6So the people went out into the field against Israel: and the battle was in the wood of Ephraim; 7Where the people of Israel were slain before the servants of David, and there was there a great slaughter that day of twenty thousand men. 8For the battle was there scattered over the face of all the country: and the wood devoured more people that day than the sword devoured.
The Wood יַעַר yaʻar, yah’-ar; from an unused root probably meaning to thicken with verdure; a copse of bushes; hence, a forest; hence, honey in the comb (as hived in trees):—(honey-) comb, forest, wood. thicket, Lexicon : redundancy of honey H3293 matches the Hebrew יַעַר (ya`ar),
which occurs 58 times in 58 versesScattered פּוּץ pûwts, poots; a primitive root; to dash in pieces, literally or figuratively (especially to disperse): 69 times in 66 verses
Devoured אָכַל ʼâkal, aw-kal’; a primitive root; to eat (literally or figuratively):— 810 times in 701 verses
9And Absalom met the servants of David. And Absalom rode on a mule, and the mule went under the thick boughs of a great oak, and his head caught hold of the oak, and he was taken up between the heaven and the earth; and the mule that was under him went away. 10And a certain man saw it, and told Joab, and said, Behold, I saw Absalom hanged in an oak.
Rode רָכַב râkab, raw-kab’; a primitive root; to ride (on an animal or in a vehicle); causatively, to place upon (for riding or generally), to despatch: 78 times in 75 verses
Mule פֶּרֶד pered, peh’-red; from H6504; a mule (perhaps from his lonely habits):—mule. 15 times in 13 verses
Under the thick boughs שׂוֹבֶךְ sôwbek, so’-bek; for H5441; a thicket, i.e. interlaced branches:—thick boughs.
Oak אֵלָה ʼêlâh, ay-law’; feminine of H352; an oak or other strong tree:—elm, oak, teil-tree. terebinth, terebinth tree; valley where David killed Goliath
Caught Hold חָזַק châzaq, khaw-zak’; a primitive root; to fasten upon; hence, to seize, be strong (figuratively, courageous, causatively strengthen, cure, help, repair, fortify), obstinate; to bind, restrain, conquer: 290 times in 266 verses
Taken up נָתַן nâthan, naw-than’; a primitive root; to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.): 2,009 times in 1,816 verses
Heavens שָׁמַיִם shâmayim, shaw-mah’-yim; dual of an unused singular שָׁמֶה shâmeh; from an unused root meaning to be lofty; the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies revolve): 420 times in 395 verses
Hanged תָּלָה tâlâh, taw-law’; a primitive root; to suspend (especially to gibbet):—hang (up). 28 in 27
Girdle חֲגוֹר chăgôwr, khag-ore’; or חֲגֹר chăgôr; and (feminine) חֲגוֹרָה chăgôwrâh; or חֲגֹרָה chăgôrâh; from H2296; a belt (for the waist):—apron, armour, gird(-le).
11And Joab said to the man that told him, And, behold, you saw him, and why did you not smite him there to the ground? and I would have given you ten shekels of silver, and a girdle.12And the man said to Joab, Though I should receive a thousand shekels of silver in my hand, yet would I not put forth my hand against the king’s son: for in our hearing the king charged you and Abishai and Ittai, saying, Beware that none touch the young man Absalom.13Otherwise I should have worked falsehood against my own life: for there is no matter hid from the king, and you yourself would have set yourself against me. 14Then said Joab, I may not tarry thus with you. And he took three darts in his hand, and thrust them through the heart of Absalom, while he was yet alive in the middle of the oak. 15And ten young men that bore Joab’s armor compassed about and smote Absalom, and slew him.
Darts שֵׁבֶט shêbeṭ, shay’-bet; from an unused root probably meaning to branch off; a scion, i.e. (literally) a stick (for punishing, writing, fighting, ruling, walking, etc.) or (figuratively) a clan:—× correction, dart, rod, sceptre, staff, tribe. 190 times in 178 verses
Hand כַּף kaph, kaf; from H3721; the hollow hand or palm (so of the paw of an animal, of the sole, and even of the bowl of a dish or sling, the handle of a bolt, the leaves of a palm-tree); figuratively, power:— 192 times in 180 verses palm, hand, sole, palm of the hand, hollow or flat of the hand; hollow, objects, bending objects, bent objects;of thigh-joint; pan, vessel (as hollow); hand-shaped branches or fronds (of palm trees)
Thrust תָּקַע tâqaʻ, taw-kah’; a primitive root; to clatter, i.e. slap (the hands together), clang (an instrument); by analogy, to drive (a nail or tent-pin, a dart, etc.); by implication, to become bondsman by handclasping): to blow, clap, strike, sound, thrust, give a blow, blast 69 times in 62 verses
16And Joab blew the trumpet, and the people returned from pursuing after Israel: for Joab held back the people. 17And they took Absalom, and cast him into a great pit in the wood, and laid a very great heap of stones on him: and all Israel fled every one to his tent. 18Now Absalom in his lifetime had taken and reared up for himself a pillar, which is in the king’s dale: for he said, I have no son to keep my name in remembrance: and he called the pillar after his own name: and it is called to this day, Absalom’s place.
Dale עֵמֶק ʻêmeq, ay’-mek; from H6009; a vale (i.e. broad depression):—dale, vale, valley (often used as a part of proper names). See also H1025. 69 times in 64 verses
Remembrance זָכַר zâkar, zaw-kar’; a primitive root; also as denominative from H2145 properly, to mark (so as to be recognized), i.e. to remember; 236 times in 223 verses
David Mourns for Absalom
19Then said Ahimaaz the son of Zadok, Let me now run, and bear the king tidings, how that the LORD has avenged him of his enemies.20And Joab said to him, You shall not bear tidings this day, but you shall bear tidings another day: but this day you shall bear no tidings, because the king’s son is dead. 21Then said Joab to Cushi, Go tell the king what you have seen. And Cushi bowed himself to Joab, and ran.22Then said Ahimaaz the son of Zadok yet again to Joab, But howsoever, let me, I pray you, also run after Cushi. And Joab said, Why will you run, my son, seeing that you have no tidings ready? 23But howsoever, said he, let me run. And he said to him, Run. Then Ahimaaz ran by the way of the plain, and overran Cushi.
Run רוּץ rûwts, roots; a primitive root; to run (for whatever reason, especially to rush):—break down, divide speedily, footman, guard, bring hastily, (make) run (away, through), post. 105 times in 92 verses
Cushi or Ethiopian = see Cushan “their blackness”; one of the descendants of Cush the grandson of Noah through Ham and a member of that nation or people כּוּשִׁי Kûwshîy, koo-shee’; patronymically from H3568; a Cushite, or descendant of Cush: 23 times in 19 verses
Plain כִּכָּר kikkâr, kik-kawr’; from H3769; a circle, i.e. (by implication) a circumjacent tract or region, especially the Ghor or valley of the Jordan; also a (round) loaf; also a talent (or large [round] coin):—loaf, morsel, piece, plain, talent. 68 times in 55 verses
24And David sat between the two gates: and the watchman went up to the roof over the gate to the wall, and lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold a man running alone. 25And the watchman cried, and told the king. And the king said, If he be alone, there is tidings in his mouth. And he came apace, and drew near. 26And the watchman saw another man running: and the watchman called to the porter, and said, Behold another man running alone. And the king said, He also brings tidings. 27And the watchman said, Me thinks the running of the foremost is like the running of Ahimaaz the son of Zadok. And the king said, He is a good man, and comes with good tidings.
Sat יָשַׁב yâshab, yaw-shab’; a primitive root; properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry: 1,089 times in 980 verses
Watchman צָפָה tsâphâh, tsaw-faw’; a primitive root; properly, to lean forward, i.e. to peer into the distance; by implication, to observe, await:—behold, espy, look up (well), wait for, (keep the) watch(-man). to look out or about, spy, keep watch, observe, watch 37 times in 35 verses
Gag גָּג gâg, gawg; probably by reduplication from H1342; a roof; by analogy, the top of an altar:—roof (of the house), (house) top (of the house). 30 times in 27 verses
Apace הָלַךְ hâlak, haw-lak’; akin to H3212; a primitive root; to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively): 500 times in 468 verses
Porter שׁוֹעֵר shôwʻêr, sho-are’; or שֹׁעֵר shôʻêr active participle of H8176 (as denominative from H8179); a janitor:—doorkeeper, porter. 37 times in 37 verses
Chamber עֲלִיָּה ʻălîyâh, al-ee-yaw’; feminine from H5927; something lofty, i.e. a stair-way; also a second-story room (or even one on the roof); figuratively, the sky:—ascent, (upper) chamber, going up, loft, parlour.
Weep בָּכָה bâkâh, baw-kaw’; a primitive root; to weep; generally to bemoan:—× at all, bewail, complain, make lamentation, 114 times in 100 verses
28And Ahimaaz called, and said to the king, All is well. And he fell down to the earth on his face before the king, and said, Blessed be the LORD your God, which has delivered up the men that lifted up their hand against my lord the king. 29And the king said, Is the young man Absalom safe? And Ahimaaz answered, When Joab sent the king’s servant, and me your servant, I saw a great tumult, but I knew not what it was. 30And the king said to him, Turn aside, and stand here. And he turned aside, and stood still.
31And, behold, Cushi came; and Cushi said, Tidings, my lord the king: for the LORD has avenged you this day of all them that rose up against you. 32And the king said to Cushi, Is the young man Absalom safe? And Cushi answered, The enemies of my lord the king, and all that rise against you to do you hurt, be as that young man is. 33And the king was much moved, and went up to the chamber over the gate, and wept: and as he went, thus he said, O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! would God I had died for you, O Absalom, my son, my son!
2 SAMUEL 19 : Joab Reproves David
1And it was told Joab, Behold, the king weeps and mourns for Absalom. 2And the victory that day was turned into mourning to all the people: for the people heard say that day how the king was grieved for his son. 3And the people got them by stealth that day into the city, as people being ashamed steal away when they flee in battle. 4But the king covered his face, and the king cried with a loud voice, O my son Absalom, O Absalom, my son, my son! 5And Joab came into the house to the king, and said, You have shamed this day the faces of all your servants, which this day have saved your life, and the lives of your sons and of your daughters, and the lives of your wives, and the lives of your concubines; 6In that you love your enemies, and hate your friends. For you have declared this day, that you regard neither princes nor servants: for this day I perceive, that if Absalom had lived, and all we had died this day, then it had pleased you well. 7Now therefore arise, go forth, and speak comfortably to your servants: for I swear by the LORD, if you go not forth, there will not tarry one with you this night: and that will be worse to you than all the evil that befell you from your youth until now.
Stealth גָּנַב gânab, gaw-nab’; a primitive root; to thieve (literally or figuratively); by implication, to deceive:—carry away, × indeed, secretly bring, steal (away), get by stealth. 39 times in 36 verses
Ashamed כָּלַם kâlam, kaw-lawm’; a primitive root; properly, to wound; but only figuratively, to taunt or insult:—be (make) ashamed, blush, be confounded, be put to confusion, hurt, reproach, (do, put to) shame 38 times in 38 verses .
Covered לָאַט lâʼaṭ, law-at’; a primitive root; to muffle:—cover.
Elders זָקֵן zâqên, zaw-kane’; from H2204; old:—aged, ancient (man), elder(-est), old (man, men and…women), senator. 178 times in 171 verses
David Restored as King
8Then the king arose, and sat in the gate. And they told to all the people, saying, Behold, the king does sit in the gate. And all the people came before the king: for Israel had fled every man to his tent. 9And all the people were at strife throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, The king saved us out of the hand of our enemies, and he delivered us out of the hand of the Philistines; and now he is fled out of the land for Absalom. 10And Absalom, whom we anointed over us, is dead in battle. Now therefore why speak you not a word of bringing the king back?
11And king David sent to Zadok and to Abiathar the priests, saying, Speak to the elders of Judah, saying, Why are you the last to bring the king back to his house? seeing the speech of all Israel is come to the king, even to his house. 12You are my brothers, you are my bones and my flesh: why then are you the last to bring back the king? 13And say you to Amasa, Are you not of my bone, and of my flesh? God do so to me, and more also, if you be not captain of the host before me continually in the room of Joab. 14And he bowed the heart of all the men of Judah, even as the heart of one man; so that they sent this word to the king, Return you, and all your servants.
Amasa = “burden”; son of Ithra or Jether by Abigail the sister of David and general of the army of Absalom’ son of Hadlai and a prince of Ephraim in the reign of king Ahaz 16 times in 12 verses
Bone עֶצֶם ʻetsem, eh’tsem; from H6105; a bone (as strong); by extension, the body; figuratively, the substance, i.e. (as pronoun) selfsame: 126 times in 108 verses
Room תַּחַת tachath, takh’-ath; from the same as H8430; the bottom (as depressed); under, beneath; at the foot
David Returns to Jerusalem
15So the king returned, and came to Jordan. And Judah came to Gilgal, to go to meet the king, to conduct the king over Jordan. 16And Shimei the son of Gera, a Benjamite, which was of Bahurim, hurried and came down with the men of Judah to meet king David.17And there were a 1000 men of Benjamin with him, and Ziba the servant of the house of Saul, and his 15 sons and his 20 servants with him; and they went over Jordan before the king.
Gilgal = “a wheel, rolling”; the first site of an Israelite camp west of the Jordan, east of Jericho, here Samuel was judge, and Saul was made king; later used for illicit worship; dwelling place of prophets in northern Israel about four miles (7 km) from Shiloh and Bethel; a region conquered by Joshua, site unsure גִּלְגָּל Gilgâl, ghil-gawl’; 41 times in 39 verses
Shimei Pardoned
18And there went over a ferry boat to carry over the king’s household, and to do what he thought good. And Shimei the son of Gera fell down before the king, as he was come over Jordan; 19And said to the king, Let not my lord impute iniquity to me, neither do you remember that which your servant did perversely the day that my lord the king went out of Jerusalem, that the king should take it to his heart. 20For your servant does know that I have sinned: therefore, behold, I am come the first this day of all the house of Joseph to go down to meet my lord the king. 21But Abishai the son of Zeruiah answered and said, Shall not Shimei be put to death for this, because he cursed the LORD’s anointed? 22And David said, What have I to do with you, you sons of Zeruiah, that you should this day be adversaries to me? shall there any man be put to death this day in Israel? for do not I know that I am this day king over Israel? 23Therefore the king said to Shimei, You shall not die. And the king swore to him.
Ferry Boat עֲבָרָה ʻăbârâh, ab-aw-raw’; from H5674; a crossing-place:—ferry, plain (from the margin).
Mephibosheth Excused
24And Mephibosheth the son of Saul came down to meet the king, and had neither dressed his feet, nor trimmed his beard, nor washed his clothes, from the day the king departed until the day he came again in peace. 25And it came to pass, when he was come to Jerusalem to meet the king, that the king said to him, Why went not you with me, Mephibosheth? 26And he answered, My lord, O king, my servant deceived me: for your servant said, I will saddle me an ass, that I may ride thereon, and go to the king; because your servant is lame. 27And he has slandered your servant to my lord the king; but my lord the king is as an angel of God: do therefore what is good in your eyes. 28For all of my father’s house were but dead men before my lord the king: yet did you set your servant among them that did eat at your own table. What right therefore have I yet to cry any more to the king? 29And the king said to him, Why speak you any more of your matters? I have said, You and Ziba divide the land. 30And Mephibosheth said to the king, Yes, let him take all, for as much as my lord the king is come again in peace to his own house.
Dressed , Trimmmed עָשָׂה ʻâsâh, aw-saw’; a primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application: labour 2,638 times in 2,286 verses
Meet קִרְאָה qirʼâh, keer-aw’; from H7122; an encountering, accidental, friendly or hostile (also adverbially, opposite): s 121 times in 117 verses
קָרָא qârâʼ, kaw-raw’; a primitive root; to encounter, whether accidentally or in a hostile manner 16 in 16
Beard שָׂפָם sâphâm, saw-fawm’; from H8193; the beard (as a lip-piece):—beard, (upper) lip.
Clothes בֶּגֶד beged, behg’-ed; from H898; a covering, i.e. clothing; also treachery or pillage:—apparel, cloth(-es, ing), garment, lap, rag, raiment, robe, × very (treacherously), vesture, wardrobe. 217 times in 190 verses
Washed כָּבַס kâbaç, kaw-bas’; a primitive root; to trample; hence, to wash (properly, by stamping with the feet), whether literal (including the fulling process) or figurative:—fuller, wash(-ing). 51 times in 48 verses
Divide חָלַק châlaq, khaw-lak’; a primitive root; to be smooth (figuratively); by implication (as smooth stones were used for lots) to apportion or separate 65 times in 64 verses
Rogelim = “place of fullers” רֹגְלִים Rôgᵉlîym, ro-gel-eem’; plural of active participle of H7270; fullers (as tramping the cloth in washing); Rogelim, a place East of the Jordan:—Rogelim.
David’s Kindness to Barzillai
31And Barzillai the Gileadite came down from Rogelim, and went over Jordan with the king, to conduct him over Jordan. 32Now Barzillai was a very aged man, even 80 years old: and he had provided the king of sustenance while he lay at Mahanaim; for he was a very great man.
Sustenance כּוּל kûwl, kool; a primitive root; properly, to keep in; hence, to measure; figuratively, to maintain (in various senses): 37 times in 36 verses
33And the king said to Barzillai, Come you over with me, and I will feed you with me in Jerusalem. 34And Barzillai said to the king, How long have I to live, that I should go up with the king to Jerusalem? 35I am this day fourscore years old: and can I discern between good and evil? can your servant taste what I eat or what I drink? can I hear any more the voice of singing men and singing women? why then should your servant be yet a burden to my lord the king? 36Your servant will go a little way over Jordan with the king: and why should the king recompense it me with such a reward? 37Let your servant, I pray you, turn back again, that I may die in my own city, and be buried by the grave of my father and of my mother. But behold your servant Chimham; let him go over with my lord the king; and do to him what shall seem good to you. 38And the king answered, Chimham shall go over with me, and I will do to him that which shall seem good to you: and whatever you shall require of me, that will I do for you. 39And all the people went over Jordan. And when the king was come over, the king kissed Barzillai, and blessed him; and he returned to his own place. 40Then the king went on to Gilgal, and Chimham went on with him: and all the people of Judah conducted the king, and also half the people of Israel.
Drink שָׁתָה shâthâh, shaw-thaw’; a primitive root; to imbibe (literally or figuratively):—×assuredly, banquet, × certainly, drink(-er, -ing), drunk (× -ard), surely. (Intensive proposition of H8248.) 217 times in 193 verses
Singing שִׁיר shîyr, sheer; or (the original form) שׁוּר shûwr; (1 Samuel 18:6), a primitive root (rather identical with H7788 through the idea of strolling minstrelsy); to sing:—behold (by mistake for H7789), sing(-er, -ing man, -ing woman). 87 times in 79 verses
Massa = “burden” 66 times in 60 verses
Chimham = “their longing”; a follower and probably a son of Barzillai the Gileadite who returned from beyond Jordan with David; apparently David bestowed on him a possession in Bethlehem on which in later times an inn was standing כִּמְהָם Kimhâm, kim-hawm’; from H3642; pining; Kimham, an Israelite:—Chimham.
Contention over the King
41And, behold, all the men of Israel came to the king, and said to the king, Why have our brothers the men of Judah stolen you away, and have brought the king, and his household, and all David’s men with him, over Jordan? 42And all the men of Judah answered the men of Israel, Because the king is near of kin to us: why then be you angry for this matter? have we eaten at all of the king’s cost? or has he given us any gift? 43And the men of Israel answered the men of Judah, and said, We have ten parts in the king, and we have also more right in David than you: why then did you despise us, that our advice should not be first had in bringing back our king? And the words of the men of Judah were fiercer than the words of the men of Israel.
2 SAMUEL 20 : Sheba’s Rebellion
1And 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. 2So every man of Israel went up from after David, and followed Sheba the son of Bichri: but the men of Judah joined to their king, from Jordan even to Jerusalem. 3And 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 to them. So they were shut up to the day of their death, living in widowhood.
4Then said the king to Amasa, Assemble me the men of Judah within three days, and be you here present. 5So Amasa went to assemble the men of Judah: but he tarried longer than the set time which he had appointed him. 6And David said to Abishai, Now shall Sheba the son of Bichri do us more harm than did Absalom: take you your lord’s servants, and pursue after him, lest he get him fenced cities, and escape us. 7And 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. 8When 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 to him, and on it a girdle with a sword fastened on his loins in the sheath thereof; and as he went forth it fell out. 9And Joab said to Amasa, Are you in health, my brother? And Joab took Amasa by the beard with the right hand to kiss him.
Amasa Slain
10But 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. 11And one of Joab’s men stood by him, and said, He that favors Joab, and he that is for David, let him go after Joab. 12And Amasa wallowed in blood in the middle 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 on him, when he saw that every one that came by him stood still.
Wallowed גָּלַל gâlal, gaw-lal’; a primitive root; to roll (literally or figuratively):—commit, remove, roll (away, down, together), run down, seek occasion, trust, wallow. 18 times in 18 verses
Highway מְסִלָּה mᵉçillâh, mes-il-law’; from H5549; a thoroughfare (as turnpiked), literally or figuratively; specifically a viaduct, a staircase:—causeway, course, highway, path, terrace. 27 times in 26 verses
Blood דָּם dâm, dawm; from H1826 (compare H119); blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice of the grape; figuratively (especially in the plural) bloodshed (i.e. drops of blood): 361 times in 295 verses
The Rebellion Stopped
13When he was removed out of the highway, all the people went on after Joab, to pursue after Sheba the son of Bichri. 14And he went through all the tribes of Israel to Abel, and to Bethmaachah, and all the Berites: and they were gathered together, and went also after him. 15And 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. 16Then cried a wise woman out of the city, Hear, hear; say, I pray you, to Joab, Come near here, that I may speak with you.
Abel ;city in northern Israel near Bethmaachah; the place where the ark rested in the field of Joshua at Bethshemesh
Beth-maachah = “house of pressure”; a place in the northern kingdom
Berites = “my well: of the well”; a tribe who are named with Abel and Beth-maachah, and who were therefore doubtless situated in the north of Palestine
Gathered Together קָהַל qâhal, ‘kaw-hal’; a primitive root; to convoke:—assemble (selves) (together), gather (selves) (together). 47 times in 39 verses
Trench חֵיל chêyl, khale; or (shortened) חֵל chêl; a collateral form of H2428; an army; also (by analogy,) an intrenchment:—army, bulwark, host, + poor, rampart, trench, wall. rampart, fortress, wall
Battererd שָׁחַת shâchath, shaw-khath’; a primitive root; to decay, i.e. (causatively) ruin (literally or figuratively):—batter, cast off, corrupt(-er, thing), destroy(-er, -uction), lose, mar, perish, spill, spoiler, × utterly, waste(-r)., 147 in 136
Wise חָכָם châkâm, khaw-kawm’; from H2449; wise, (i.e. intelligent, skillful or artful):—cunning (man), subtle, (un-), wise((hearted), man). 137 times in 133 verses
17And when he was come near to her, the woman said, Are you Joab? And he answered, I am he. Then she said to him, Hear the words of your handmaid. And he answered, I do hear. 18Then she spoke, saying, They were wont to speak in old time, saying, They shall surely ask counsel at Abel: and so they ended the matter. 19I am one of them that are peaceable and faithful in Israel: you seek to destroy a city and a mother in Israel: why will you swallow up the inheritance of the LORD?20And Joab answered and said, Far be it, far be it from me, that I should swallow up or destroy. 21The matter is not so: but a man of mount Ephraim, Sheba the son of Bichri by name, has lifted up his hand against the king, even against David: deliver him only, and I will depart from the city. And the woman said to Joab, Behold, his head shall be thrown to you over the wall. 22Then the woman went to 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 to the king.
23Now Joab was over all the host of Israel: and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and over the Pelethites: 24And Adoram was over the tribute: and Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was recorder: 25And Sheva was scribe: and Zadok and Abiathar were the priests: 26And Ira also the Jairite was a chief ruler about David.
Adoram = “my lord is exalted”
Tribute מַס maç, mas; or מִס miç; from H4549; properly, a burden (as causing to faint), i.e. a tax in the form of forced labor:—discomfited, levy, task(-master), tribute(-tary). gang or body of forced labourers, task-workers, labour band or gang, forced service, task-work, serfdom, tributary, tribute, levy, taskmasters, discomfited 23 times in 22 verses
Jehoshaphat = “Jehovah has judged” 84 times in 75 verses
Ahilud = “child’s brother”; father of Jehoshaphat, David’s recorder
Recordr זָכַר zâkar, zaw-kar’; a primitive root; also as denominative from H2145 properly, to mark (so as to be recognized), i.e. to remember; by implication, to mention; to be male: 236 times in 223 verses
Sheva = “Jehovah contends”
Scribe סָפַר çâphar, saw-far’; a primitive root; properly, to score with a mark as a tally or record, i.e. (by implication) to inscribe, and also to enumerate; intensively, to recount, i.e. celebrate:
Ira = “watchful of a city”; the Jairite, one of David’s great officers; one of David’s mighty warriors
עוּר ʻûwr, oor; a primitive root (rather identical with through the idea of opening the eyes); to wake (literally or figuratively): 81 times in 65 verses
2 SAMUEL 21 : David Avenges the Gibeonites
1Then there was a famine in the days of David three years, year after year; and David inquired of the LORD. And the LORD answered, It is for Saul, and for his bloody house, because he slew the Gibeonites. 2And the king called the Gibeonites, and said to them; (now the Gibeonites were not of the children of Israel, but of the remnant of the Amorites; and the children of Israel had sworn to them: and Saul sought to slay them in his zeal to the children of Israel and Judah.) 3Why David said to the Gibeonites, What shall I do for you? and with which shall I make the atonement, that you may bless the inheritance of the LORD? 4And the Gibeonites said to him, We will have no silver nor gold of Saul, nor of his house; neither for us shall you kill any man in Israel. And he said, What you shall say, that will I do for you. 5And they answered the king, The man that consumed us, and that devised against us that we should be destroyed from remaining in any of the coasts of Israel, 6Let seven men of his sons be delivered to us, and we will hang them up to the LORD in Gibeah of Saul, whom the LORD did choose. And the king said, I will give them.
7But the king spared Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan the son of Saul, because of the LORD’s oath that was between them, between David and Jonathan the son of Saul. 8But the king took the two sons of Rizpah the daughter of Aiah, whom she bore to Saul, Armoni and Mephibosheth; and the five sons of Michal the daughter of Saul, whom she brought up for Adriel the son of Barzillai the Meholathite: 9And he delivered them into the hands of the Gibeonites, and they hanged them in the hill before the LORD: and they fell all seven together, and were put to death in the days of harvest, in the first days, in the beginning of barley harvest.
10And Rizpah the daughter of Aiah took sackcloth, and spread it for her on the rock, from the beginning of harvest until water dropped on them out of heaven, and suffered neither the birds of the air to rest on them by day, nor the beasts of the field by night. 11And it was told David what Rizpah the daughter of Aiah, the concubine of Saul, had done. 12And David went and took the bones of Saul and the bones of Jonathan his son from the men of Jabeshgilead, which had stolen them from the street of Bethshan, where the Philistines had hanged them, when the Philistines had slain Saul in Gilboa: 13And he brought up from there the bones of Saul and the bones of Jonathan his son; and they gathered the bones of them that were hanged. 14And the bones of Saul and Jonathan his son buried they in the country of Benjamin in Zelah, in the sepulcher of Kish his father: and they performed all that the king commanded. And after that God was entreated for the land.
Rizpah = “pavement”; a concubine of king Saul and mother of Armoni and Mephibosheth; baking stone
Aiah or Ajah = “falcon”; a Horite, son of Zibeon; father of Rizpah, Saul’s concubine hawk, falcon, kite
Jabesh = “dry”
Beth-shean or Beth-Shan = “house of ease”; a place in Manasseh, west of the Jordan
Gilboa = “swollen heap”; a mountain-ridge at the southeastern end of the plain of Jezreel, site of the death of Saul and Jonathan
Zelah = “a rib”
Four Battles against the Philistines
15Moreover the Philistines had yet war again with Israel; and David went down, and his servants with him, and fought against the Philistines: and David waxed faint. 16And Ishbibenob, which was of the sons of the giant, the weight of whose spear weighed 300 shekels of brass in weight, he being girded with a new sword, thought to have slain David. 17But Abishai the son of Zeruiah succored him, and smote the Philistine, and killed him. Then the men of David swore to him, saying, You shall go no more out with us to battle, that you quench not the light of Israel.
Ishbi-benob = “his dwelling is in Nob”; son of Rapha, one of the nation of Philistine giants who attacked David in battle and was slain by Abishai יִשְׁבּוֹ בְּנֹב Yishbôw bᵉ-Nôb, yish-bo’beh-nobe; from H3427 and H5011, with a pronominal suffix and a preposition interposed; his dwelling (is) in Nob; Jishbo-be-Nob, a Philistine:—Ishbi-benob (from the margin).
New חָדָשׁ châdâsh, khaw-dawsh’; from H2318; new:—fresh, new thing. 53 times in 48 verses
18And it came to pass after this, that there was again a battle with the Philistines at Gob: then Sibbechai the Hushathite slew Saph, which was of the sons of the giant. 19And there was again a battle in Gob with the Philistines, where Elhanan the son of Jaareoregim, a Bethlehemite, slew the brother of Goliath the Gittite, the staff of whose spear was like a weaver’s beam. 20And there was yet a battle in Gath, where was a man of great stature, that had on every hand 6 fingers, and on every foot 6 toes, 24 in number; and he also was born to the giant. 21And when he defied Israel, Jonathan the son of Shimeah the brother of David slew him. 22These four were born to the giant in Gath, and fell by the hand of David, and by the hand of his servants.
Gob = “cistern”; a place which was the scene of two encounters between David’s warriors and the Philistines (also ‘”Gezer’)
Sibbecai or Sibbechai = “weaver”; one of David’s guard and 8th captain for the 8th month of 24,000 men of the king’s army; a Judaite, descendant of Zerah and called the ‘Hushathite’
Hushathite = “inhabitant of Hushah”; an inhabitant of Hushah or a descendant of Hushah; the designation given to two of David’s mighty warriors
Saph = “tall”; one of the sons of the Philistine giant slain by Sibbechai the Hushathite
Elhanan = “God has been gracious”
Jaare-oregim = “forests of weaver”; a man of Bethlehem, father of Elhanan the giant slayer and one of David’s mighty warriors; also called ‘Jair’
Beam מָנוֹר mânôwr, maw-nore’; from H5214; a yoke (properly, for plowing), i.e. the frame of a loom:—beam.
Gath = “winepress”; one of the five royal or chief cities of the Philistines and the native city of Goliath
Defied חָרַף châraph, khaw-raf’; a primitive root; also denominative (from H2779) to pull off, i.e. (by implication) to expose (as by stripping); specifically, to betroth (as if a surrender); figuratively, to carp at, i.e. defame; to spend the winter: to reproach, taunt, blaspheme, defy, jeopardise, rail, upbraid 41 times in 40 verses
Shimea = “fame”
2 SAMUEL 22 : David’s Song of Deliverance
1And David spoke to the LORD the words of this song in the day that the LORD had delivered him out of the hand of all his enemies, and out of the hand of Saul: 2And he said, The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; 3The God of my rock; in him will I trust: he is my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge, my savior; you save me from violence. 4I will call on the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from my enemies. 5When the waves of death compassed me, the floods of ungodly men made me afraid; 6The sorrows of hell compassed me about; the snares of death prevented me; 7In my distress I called on the LORD, and cried to my God: and he did hear my voice out of his temple, and my cry did enter into his ears. 8Then the earth shook and trembled; the foundations of heaven moved and shook, because he was wroth. 9There went up a smoke out of his nostrils, and fire out of his mouth devoured: coals were kindled by it.
Rock צוּר tsûwr, tsoor; or צֻר tsur; from H6696; properly, a cliff (or sharp rock, as compressed); generally, a rock or boulder; figuratively, a refuge; also an edge (as precipitous): 78 in 74
High Tower מִשְׂגָּב misgâb, mis-gawb’; from H7682; properly, a cliff (or other lofty or inaccessible place); abstractly, altitude; figuratively, a refuge; Misgab, a place in Moab:—defence, high fort (tower), refuge, Misgab. 17 times in 16 verses
10He bowed the heavens also, and came down; and darkness was under his feet. 11And he rode on a cherub, and did fly: and he was seen on the wings of the wind. 12And he made darkness pavilions round about him, dark waters, and thick clouds of the skies. 13Through the brightness before him were coals of fire kindled. 14The LORD thundered from heaven, and the most High uttered his voice. 15And he sent out arrows, and scattered them; lightning, and discomfited them. 16And the channels of the sea appeared, the foundations of the world were discovered, at the rebuking of the LORD, at the blast of the breath of his nostrils. 17He sent from above, he took me; he drew me out of many waters; 18He delivered me from my strong enemy, and from them that hated me: for they were too strong for me. 19They prevented me in the day of my calamity: but the LORD was my stay. 20He brought me forth also into a large place: he delivered me, because he delighted in me. 21The LORD rewarded me according to my righteousness: according to the cleanness of my hands has he recompensed me. 22For I have kept the ways of the LORD, and have not wickedly departed from my God. 23For all his judgments were before me: and as for his statutes, I did not depart from them. 24I was also upright before him, and have kept myself from my iniquity. 25Therefore the LORD has recompensed me according to my righteousness; according to my cleanness in his eye sight. 26With the merciful you will show yourself merciful, and with the upright man you will show yourself upright. 27With the pure you will show yourself pure; and with the fraudulent you will show yourself unsavory.
28And the afflicted people you will save: but your eyes are on the haughty, that you may bring them down. 29For you are my lamp, O LORD: and the LORD will lighten my darkness. 30For by you I have run through a troop: by my God have I leaped over a wall. 31As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all them that trust in him. 32For who is God, save the LORD? and who is a rock, save our God? 33God is my strength and power: and he makes my way perfect. 34He makes my feet like hinds’ feet: and sets me on my high places. 35He teaches my hands to war; so that a bow of steel is broken by my arms. 36You have also given me the shield of your salvation: and your gentleness has made me great. 37You have enlarged my steps under me; so that my feet did not slip. 38I have pursued my enemies, and destroyed them; and turned not again until I had consumed them. 39And I have consumed them, and wounded them, that they could not arise: yes, they are fallen under my feet. 40For you have girded me with strength to battle: them that rose up against me have you subdued under me.
41You have also given me the necks of my enemies, that I might destroy them that hate me. 42They looked, but there was none to save; even to the LORD, but he answered them not. 43Then did I beat them as small as the dust of the earth, I did stamp them as the mire of the street, and did spread them abroad. 44You also have delivered me from the strivings of my people, you have kept me to be head of the heathen: a people which I knew not shall serve me. 45Strangers shall submit themselves to me: as soon as they hear, they shall be obedient to me. 46Strangers shall fade away, and they shall be afraid out of their close places. 47The LORD lives; and blessed be my rock; and exalted be the God of the rock of my salvation. 48It is God that avenges me, and that brings down the people under me. 49And that brings me forth from my enemies: you also have lifted me up on high above them that rose up against me: you have delivered me from the violent man. 50Therefore I will give thanks to you, O LORD, among the heathen, and I will sing praises to your name. 51He is the tower of salvation for his king: and shows mercy to his anointed, to David, and to his seed for ever more.
Salvation יְשׁוּעָה yᵉshûwʻâh, yesh-oo’-aw; feminine passive participle of H3467; something saved, i.e. (abstractly) deliverance; hence, aid, victory, prosperity:—deliverance, health, help(-ing), salvation, save, saving (health), welfare. 78 times in 77 verses
2 SAMUEL 23 : David’s Last Song
1Now these be the last words of David. David the son of Jesse said, and the man who was raised up on high, the anointed of the God of Jacob, and the sweet psalmist of Israel, said, 2The Spirit of the LORD spoke by me, and his word was in my tongue. 3The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spoke to me, He that rules over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God. 4And he shall be as the light of the morning, when the sun rises, even a morning without clouds; as the tender grass springing out of the earth by clear shining after rain. 5Although my house be not so with God; yet he has made with me an everlasting covenant, ordered in all things, and sure: for this is all my salvation, and all my desire, although he make it not to grow. 6But the sons of Belial shall be all of them as thorns thrust away, because they cannot be taken with hands: 7But the man that shall touch them must be fenced with iron and the staff of a spear; and they shall be utterly burned with fire in the same place.
David’s Mighty Men
(1 Chronicles 11:10-19; 1 Chronicles 11:20-47)
8These be the names of the mighty men whom David had: The Tachmonite that sat in the seat, chief among the captains; the same was Adino the Eznite: he lift up his spear against 800, whom he slew at one time. 9And after him was Eleazar the son of Dodo the Ahohite, one of the three mighty men with David, when they defied the Philistines that were there gathered together to battle, and the men of Israel were gone away: 10He arose, and smote the Philistines until his hand was weary, and his hand stuck to the sword: and the LORD worked a great victory that day; and the people returned after him only to spoil.
Tachmonite = “thou will make me wise”; descriptive designation of Josheb-basshebeth, one of David’s mighty warriors
Adino = “his ornament” עֲדִינוֹ ʻădîynôw, ad-ee-no’; probably from H5719 in the original sense of slender (i.e. a spear); his spear:—Adino.
Dodo = “his beloved”
Ahohite = “brother of rest”
11And after him was Shammah the son of Agee the Hararite. And the Philistines were gathered together into a troop, where was a piece of ground full of lentils: and the people fled from the Philistines. 12But he stood in the middle of the ground, and defended it, and slew the Philistines: and the LORD worked a great victory.
Shammah = “astonishment”; son of Reuel, grandson of Esau, and a chief of Edom
Agee = “I shall increase”
Hararite = “mountain dweller”
Harvest קָצִיר qâtsîyr, kaw-tseer’; from H7114; severed, i.e. harvest (as reaped), the crop, the time, the reaper, or figuratively; also a limb (of a tree, or simply foliage):—bough, branch, harvest (man). 54 times in 49 verses
13And 33 chief went down, and came to David in the harvest time to the cave of Adullam: and the troop of the Philistines pitched in the valley of Rephaim. 14And David was then in an hold, and the garrison of the Philistines was then in Bethlehem. 15And David longed, and said, Oh that one would give me drink of the water of the well of Bethlehem, which is by the gate! 16And the 3 mighty men broke through the host of the Philistines, and drew water out of the well of Bethlehem, that was by the gate, and took it, and brought it to David: nevertheless he would not drink thereof, but poured it out to the LORD. 17And he said, Be it far from me, O LORD, that I should do this: is not this the blood of the men that went in jeopardy of their lives? therefore he would not drink it. These things did these three mighty men.
Adullam = “justice of the people”; a town of the Canaanites allotted to Judah and lying in the lowlands; site of the cave where David hid
Garrison מַצָּב matstsâb, mats-tsawb’; from H5324; a fixed spot; figuratively, an office, a military post:—garrison, station, place where…stood.
18And Abishai, the brother of Joab, the son of Zeruiah, was chief among three. And he lifted up his spear against 300, and slew them, and had the name among three. 19Was he not most honorable of three? therefore he was their captain: however, he attained not to the first three.
20And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, the son of a valiant man, of Kabzeel, who had done many acts, he slew two lion like men of Moab: he went down also and slew a lion in the middle of a pit in time of snow: 21And he slew an Egyptian, a goodly man: and the Egyptian had a spear in his hand; but he went down to him with a staff, and plucked the spear out of the Egyptian’s hand, and slew him with his own spear.22These things did Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and had the name among three mighty men. 23He was more honorable than the thirty, but he attained not to the first three. And David set him over his guard.
24Asahel the brother of Joab was one of the thirty; Elhanan the son of Dodo of Bethlehem, 25Shammah the Harodite, Elika the Harodite,26Helez the Paltite, Ira the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite, 27Abiezer the Anethothite, Mebunnai the Hushathite, 28Zalmon the Ahohite, Maharai the Netophathite, 29Heleb the son of Baanah, a Netophathite, Ittai the son of Ribai out of Gibeah of the children of Benjamin, 30Benaiah the Pirathonite, Hiddai of the brooks of Gaash, 31Abialbon the Arbathite, Azmaveth the Barhumite, 32Eliahba the Shaalbonite, of the sons of Jashen, Jonathan, 33Shammah the Hararite, Ahiam the son of Sharar the Hararite, 34Eliphelet the son of Ahasbai, the son of the Maachathite, Eliam the son of Ahithophel the Gilonite, 35Hezrai the Carmelite, Paarai the Arbite, 36Igal the son of Nathan of Zobah, Bani the Gadite, 37Zelek the Ammonite, Nahari the Beerothite, armor bearer to Joab the son of Zeruiah, 38Ira an Ithrite, Gareb an Ithrite, 39Uriah the Hittite: 37 in all.
2 SAMUEL 24 : David’s Census
1And again the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel, and he moved David against them to say, Go, number Israel and Judah. 2For the king said to Joab the captain of the host, which was with him, Go now through all the tribes of Israel, from Dan even to Beersheba, and number you the people, that I may know the number of the people. 3And Joab said to the king, Now the LORD your God add to the people, how many soever they be, an hundred times, and that the eyes of my lord the king may see it: but why does my lord the king delight in this thing? 4Notwithstanding the king’s word prevailed against Joab, and against the captains of the host. And Joab and the captains of the host went out from the presence of the king, to number the people of Israel.
Anger : Nose, Face אַף ʼaph, af; from H599; properly, the nose or nostril; hence, the face, and occasionally a person; also (from the rapid breathing in passion) ire: 276 times in 269 verses
Kindled חָרָה chârâh, khaw-raw’; a primitive root (compare H2787); to glow or grow warm; figuratively (usually) to blaze up, of anger, zeal, jealousy: 90 times in 87
Number מָנָה mânâh, maw-naw’; a primitive root; properly, to weigh out; by implication, to allot or constitute officially; also to enumerate or enroll:—appoint, count, number, prepare, set, tell. 28 times in 27 Lex : to be divided
Judah = “praised” 818 times in 754
Delight חָפֵץ châphêts, khaw-fates’; a primitive root; properly, to incline to; by implication (literally but rarely) to bend; figuratively, to be pleased with, desire:—× any at all, (have, take) delight, desire, favour, like, move, be (well) pleased, have pleasure, will, would. 75x in 71
5And they passed over Jordan, and pitched in Aroer, on the right side of the city that lies in the middle of the river of Gad, and toward Jazer:
Passed Over עָבַר ʻâbar, aw-bar’; a primitive root; to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in copulation): 567 times in 493 verses to pass over or by or through, alienate, bring, carry, do away, take, take away, transgress
Pitched חָנָה chânâh, khaw-naw’; a primitive root (compare H2603); properly, to incline; by implication, to decline (of the slanting rays of evening); specifically, to pitch a tent; generally to encamp (for abode or siege): 143 times in 135
Aroer = “ruins”; a city on the north bank of the river Arnon, the southern point of the territory of Sihon the king of the Amorites and later of Reuben; modern ‘Arair’; a city in Ammon near the Jabbok belonging to Gad; a town in southern Judah 16 times in 16 verses
Right Side יָמִין yâmîyn, yaw-meen’; from H3231; the right hand or side (leg, eye) of a person or other object (as the stronger and more dexterous); locally, the south:— left-handed, right (hand, side), south. 139 times in 133 verses
River נַחַל nachal, nakh’-al; or (feminine) נַחְלָה nachlâh; (Psalm 124:4), or נַחֲלָה nachălâh; (Ezekiel 47:19; Ezekiel 48:28), from H5157 in its original sense; a stream, especially a winter torrent; (by implication) a (narrow) valley (in which a brook runs); also a shaft (of a mine):—brook, flood, river, stream, valley. 141 times in 123 verses
Jazer or Jaazer = “helped”
6Then they came to Gilead, and to the land of Tahtimhodshi; and they came to Danjaan, and about to Zidon, 7And came to the strong hold of Tyre, and to all the cities of the Hivites, and of the Canaanites: and they went out to the south of Judah, even to Beersheba. 8So when they had gone through all the land, they came to Jerusalem at the end of 9 months and 20 days. 9And Joab gave up the sum of the number of the people to the king: and there were in Israel 800,000 valiant men that drew the sword; and the men of Judah were 500,000 men.
Tahtim-hodshi = “lowest-moon”; a place near Gilead on the east of the Jordan
תַּחְתִּי tachtîy, takh-tee’; from H8478; lowermost; as noun (feminine plural) the depths (figuratively, a pit, the womb):—low (parts, -er, -er parts, -est), nether (part). 19 times in 19 verses
תַּחַת tachath, takh’-ath; from the same as H8430; the bottom (as depressed); the under part, beneath, instead of, as, for, for the sake of, flat, unto, where, whereas, under, beneath, at the foot of (idiom)
חֹדֶשׁ chôdesh, kho’-desh; from H2318; the new moon; by implication, a month:—month(-ly), new moon. 276 times in 224 verses
Dan-jaan = “purposeful judgment”; a place in Palestine, site unknown and existence perhaps doubtful; דָּן יַעַן Dân Yaʻan, dawn yah’-an; from H1835 and (apparently) H3282; judge of purpose; Dan-Jaan, a place in Palestine:—Dan-jaan.
Sidon = “hunting” ancient Phoenician city, on Mediterranean coast north of Tyre 22 times in 22 verses
Stronghold מִבְצָר mibtsâr, mib-tsawr’; also (in plural) feminine (Daniel 11:l5) מִבְצָרָה mibtsârâh; from H1219; a fortification, castle, or fortified city; figuratively, a defender:—(de-, most) fenced, fortress, (most) strong (hold). 37 times in 37 verses
Canaanites 73 times in 71 verses
Judgment for David’s Sin
10And David’s heart smote him after that he had numbered the people. And David said to the LORD, I have sinned greatly in that I have done: and now, I beseech you, O LORD, take away the iniquity of your servant; for I have done very foolishly. 11For when David was up in the morning, the word of the LORD came to the prophet Gad, David’s seer, saying, 12Go and say to David, Thus said the LORD, I offer you three things; choose you one of them, that I may do it to you. 13So Gad came to David, and told him, and said to him, Shall 7 years of famine come to you in your land? or will you flee 3 months before your enemies, while they pursue you? or that there be 3 days’ pestilence in your land? now advise, and see what answer I shall return to him that sent me. 14And David said to Gad, I am in a great strait: let us fall now into the hand of the LORD; for his mercies are great: and let me not fall into the hand of man.
Famine רָעָב râʻâb, raw-awb’; from H7456; hunger (more or less extensive):—dearth, famine, famished, hunger. 101 times in 88 verses
Pestilence דֶּבֶר deber, deh’-ber; from H1696 (in the sense of destroying); a pestilence:—murrain, pestilence, plague. 49 times in 48 verses
Straight צָרַר tsârar, tsaw-rar’; a primitive root; to cramp, literally or figuratively, transitive or intransitive:—adversary, 58 times in 56 verses
Pestilence Sent
15So the LORD sent a pestilence on Israel from the morning even to the time appointed: and there died of the people from Dan even to Beersheba 70,000 men. 16And when the angel stretched out his hand on Jerusalem to destroy it, the LORD repented him of the evil, and said to the angel that destroyed the people, It is enough: stay now your hand. And the angel of the LORD was by the threshing place of Araunah the Jebusite. 17And David spoke to the LORD when he saw the angel that smote the people, and said, See, I have sinned, and I have done wickedly: but these sheep, what have they done? let your hand, I pray you, be against me, and against my father’s house.
Mercies רַחַם racham, rakh’-am; from H7355; compassion (in the plural); by extension, the womb (as cherishing the fetus); by implication, a maiden:—bowels, compassion, damsel, tender love, (great, tender) mercy, pity, womb. 44 times in 44 verses Lex: womb, a girl, woman
Threshingplace גֹּרֶן gôren, go’-ren; from an unused root meaning to smooth; a threshing-floor (as made even); by analogy, any open area:—(barn, corn, threshing-) floor, (threshing-, void) place. 36 times in 36 verses
Araunah = “I shall shout for joy”; = “make ye to shine (2 Sam. 24:16)”; = “joyful shouting of Jah (2 Sam. 24:18)”; a Jebusite who sold David the site for an altar
David Builds an Altar
18And Gad came that day to David, and said to him, Go up, raise an altar to the LORD in the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite. 19And David, according to the saying of Gad, went up as the LORD commanded. 20And Araunah looked, and saw the king and his servants coming on toward him: and Araunah went out, and bowed himself before the king on his face on the ground. 21And Araunah said, Why is my lord the king come to his servant? And David said, To buy the threshing floor of you, to build an altar to the LORD, that the plague may be stayed from the people. 22And Araunah said to David, Let my lord the king take and offer up what seems good to him: behold, here be oxen for burnt sacrifice, and threshing instruments and other instruments of the oxen for wood. 23All these things did Araunah, as a king, give to the king. And Araunah said to the king, The LORD your God accept you. 24And the king said to Araunah, No; but I will surely buy it of you at a price: neither will I offer burnt offerings to the LORD my God of that which does cost me nothing. So David bought the threshing floor and the oxen for 50 shekels of silver. 25And David built there an altar to the LORD, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings. So the LORD was entreated for the land, and the plague was stayed from Israel.
Gad = “troop”; seventh son of Jacob by Zilpah, Leah’s handmaid, and full brother of Asher.; the tribe descended from Gad; a prophet during the time of David; appears to have joined David when in the hold; reappears in connection with the punishment for taking a census; also assisted in the arrangements for the musical service of the “house of God” 70 times in 67 verses
Buy קָנָה qânâh, kaw-naw’; a primitive root; to erect, i.e. create; by extension, to procure, especially by purchase (causatively, sell); by implication to own:—attain, buy(-er), teach to keep cattle, get, provoke to jealousy, possess(-or), purchase, recover, redeem, × surely, × verily. 84 times in 76 verses to get, acquire, create, buy, possess
Threshing Instruments מוֹרַג môwrag, mo-rag’; or מֹרַג môrag; from an unused root meaning to triturate; a threshing sledge:—threshing instrument. Lexicon : for rubbing out corn on a threshingfloor. It consists of 3 or 4 wooden cylinders armed with stones or iron, and joined together as a sledge. it is drown by cattle over the corn, to separate the grains from the ear
Shekel שֶׁקֶל sheqel, sheh’-kel; from H8254; probably a weight; used as a commercial standard:—shekel. 88 times in 54 verses gold – 1/10000 of a talent and equal to 220 grains; silver – 1/3000 of a talent and equal to 132 grains; copper – 1/1500 of a talent and equal to 528 grains