Biblia Sacra: VETUS TESTAMENTUM

2 In die autem tertia apparuit homo veniens de castris Saul veste conscissa, et pulvere conspersus caput: et ut venit ad David, cecidit super faciem suam, et adoravit.

2 But on the third day there appeared a man coming from Saul’s camp, with his garment torn, and his head sprinkled with dust; and when he came to David, he fell upon his face and did obeisance.

3 Dixitque ad eum David: Unde venis? Qui ait ad eum: De castris Israel fugi.

3 And David said to him: From where do you come? He said to him: From the camp of Israel I have fled.

4 Et dixit ad eum David: Quod est verbum quod factum est? indica mihi. Qui ait: Fugit populus ex praelio, et multi corruentes e populo mortui sunt: sed et Saul et Ionathas filius eius interierunt.

4 And David said to him: What is the word that has happened? indicate to me. He said: The people have fled from the battle, and many, falling from among the people, have died: but Saul also, and Jonathan his son, have perished.

5 Dixitque David ad adolescentem, qui nuntiabat ei: Unde scis quia mortuus est Saul, et Ionathas filius eius?

5 And David said to the adolescent, who was announcing to him: Whence do you know that Saul is dead, and Jonathan his son?

6 Et ait adolescens, qui nuntiabat ei: Casu veni in montem Gelboe, et Saul incumbebat super hastam suam: porro currus et equites appropinquabant ei,

6 And the youth, who was announcing to him, said: By chance I came upon Mount Gelboe, and Saul was leaning upon his spear; moreover, the chariots and the horsemen were approaching him,

7 et conversus post tergum suum, vidensque me vocavit. Cui cum respondissem: Adsum:

7 and turning back, and seeing me, he called. To whom, when I had answered: Here I am:

8 dixit mihi: Quisnam es tu? Et aio ad eum: Amalecites ego sum.

8 he said to me: Who then are you? And I said to him: I am an Amalekite.

9 Et locutus est mihi: Sta super me, et interfice me: quoniam tenent me angustiae, et adhuc tota anima mea in me est.

9 And he spoke to me: Stand over me, and slay me: for anguish holds me, and yet my whole soul is still in me.

10 Stansque super eum, occidi illum: sciebam enim quod vivere non poterat post ruinam: et tuli diadema quod erat in capite eius, et armillam de brachio illius, et attuli ad te dominum meum huc.

10 And standing over him, I killed him: for I knew that he could not live after the fall: and I took the diadem which was on his head, and the armlet from his arm, and I have brought them here to you, my lord.

11 Apprehendens autem David vestimenta sua scidit, omnesque viri, qui erant cum eo,

11 But David, seizing his garments, tore them, and all the men who were with him,

12 et planxerunt, et fleverunt, et ieiunaverunt usque ad vesperam super Saul, et super Ionathan filium eius, et super populum Domini, et super domum Israel, eo quod corruissent gladio.

12 and they lamented, and they wept, and they fasted until evening over Saul, and over Jonathan his son, and over the people of the Lord, and over the house of Israel, because they had fallen by the sword.

13 Dixitque David ad iuvenem qui nuntiaverat ei: Unde es tu? Qui respondit: Filius hominis advenae Amalecitae ego sum.

13 And David said to the youth who had announced it to him: Whence are you? Who answered: I am the son of an Amalekite sojourner.

14 Et ait ad eum David: Quare non timuisti mittere manum tuam ut occideres christum Domini?

14 And David said to him: Why did you not fear to stretch out your hand to kill the anointed of the Lord?

15 Vocansque David unum de pueris suis, ait: Accedens irrue in eum. Qui percussit illum, et mortuus est.

15 And David, calling one of his servants, said: Approach, fall upon him. He struck him, and he died.

16 Et ait ad eum David: Sanguis tuus super caput tuum: os enim tuum locutum est adversum te, dicens: Ego interfeci christum Domini.

16 And David said to him: Your blood be upon your head; for your mouth has spoken against you, saying: I killed the Lord’s anointed.

17 Planxit autem David planctum huiuscemodi super Saul, et super Ionathan filium eius,

17 And David chanted a lament of this sort over Saul, and over Jonathan his son,

18 (et praecepit ut docerent filios Iuda arcum, sicut scriptum est in libro iustorum), et ait:

18 (and he commanded that they teach the sons of Judah the bow, as it is written in the book of the Just), and he said:

Considera Israel, pro his qui mortui sunt, super excelsa tua vulnerati,

Consider, Israel, for those who have died, wounded upon your high places,

19 inclyti, Israel, super montes tuos interfecti sunt: quomodo ceciderunt fortes?

19 Illustrious ones, Israel, upon your mountains have been slain: how have the mighty fallen?

20 Nolite annuntiare in Geth, neque annuntietis in compitis Ascalonis: ne forte laetentur filiae Philisthiim, ne exultent filiae incircumcisorum.

20 Do not announce in Geth, nor proclaim in the crossroads of Ascalon: lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice, lest the daughters of the uncircumcised exult.

21 Montes Gelboe, nec ros, nec pluvia veniant super vos, neque sint agri primitiarum: quia ibi abiectus est clypeus fortium, clypeus Saul, quasi non esset unctus oleo.

21 Mountains of Gilboa, let neither dew nor rain come upon you, nor let there be fields of firstfruits: for there the shield of the mighty was cast away, the shield of Saul, as though it had not been anointed with oil.

22 A sanguine interfectorum, ab adipe fortium, sagitta Ionathae numquam rediit retrorsum, et gladius Saul non est reversus inanis.

22 From the blood of the slain, from the fat of the mighty, the arrow of Jonathan never returned backward, and the sword of Saul did not return empty.

23 Saul et Ionathas amabiles, et decori in vita sua, in morte quoque non sunt divisi: aquilis velociores, leonibus fortiores.

23 Saul and Jonathan, amiable and decorous in their life, even in death they were not divided: swifter than eagles, stronger than lions.

24 Filiae Israel super Saul flete, qui vestiebat vos coccino in deliciis, qui praebebat ornamenta aurea cultui vestro.

24 Daughters of Israel, weep over Saul, who clothed you in scarlet in delights, who provided golden ornaments for your attire.

25 Quomodo ceciderunt fortes in praelio? Ionathas in excelsis tuis occisus est?

25 How have the mighty fallen in battle? Jonathan has been slain upon your high places?

26 Doleo super te frater mi Ionatha decore nimis, et amabilis super amorem mulierum. Sicut mater unicum amat filium suum, ita ego te diligebam.

26 I grieve over you, my brother Jonathan, exceedingly in splendor, and amiable beyond the love of women. Just as a mother loves her only son, so I cherished you.

27 Quomodo ceciderunt robusti, et perierunt arma bellica?

27 How have the mighty fallen, and the weapons of war perished?

[2]

1 Igitur post haec consuluit David Dominum, dicens: Num ascendam in unam de civitatibus Iuda? Et ait Dominus ad eum: Ascende. Dixitque David: Quo ascendam?

1 Therefore after these things David consulted the Lord, saying: Shall I go up into one of the cities of Judah? And the Lord said to him: Go up. And David said: To where shall I go up?

Et respondit ei: In Hebron.

And he responded to him: In Hebron.

2 Ascendit ergo David, et duae uxores eius, Achinoam Iezraelites, et Abigail uxor Nabal Carmeli:

2 So David ascended, and his two wives, Ahinoam the Jezreelite, and Abigail, the wife of Nabal the Carmelite:

3 sed et viros, qui erant cum eo, duxit David singulos cum domo sua: et manserunt in oppidis Hebron.

3 but David also led the men who were with him, each with his own household: and they remained in the towns of Hebron.

4 Veneruntque viri Iuda, et unxerunt ibi David, ut regnaret super domum Iuda.

4 And the men of Judah came, and there they anointed David, to reign over the house of Judah.

Et nuntiatum est David, quod viri Iabes Galaad sepelissent Saul.

And it was announced to David that the men of Jabesh-Gilead had buried Saul.

5 Misit ergo David nuntios ad viros Iabes Galaad, dixitque ad eos: Benedicti vos Domino, qui fecistis misericordiam hanc cum domino vestro Saul, et sepelistis eum.

5 Therefore David sent messengers to the men of Jabesh Gilead, and said to them: Blessed are you by the Lord, who have done this mercy with your lord Saul, and have buried him.

6 Et nunc retribuet vobis quidem Dominus misericordiam et veritatem: sed et ego reddam gratiam, eo quod fecistis verbum istud.

6 And now the Lord indeed will repay to you mercy and truth: but I also will render grace, because you have done this word.

7 Confortentur manus vestrae, et estote filii fortitudinis: licet enim mortuus sit dominus vester Saul, tamen me unxit domus Iuda in regem sibi.

7 Let your hands be strengthened, and be sons of fortitude: for although your lord Saul has died, nevertheless the house of Judah has anointed me as king for themselves.

8 Abner autem filius Ner princeps exercitus Saul, tulit Isboseth filium Saul, et circumduxit eum per castra,

8 But Abner, however, the son of Ner, the commander of Saul’s army, took Ish-bosheth, the son of Saul, and led him around through the camp,

9 regemque constituit super Galaad, et super Gessuri, et super Iezrael, et super Ephraim, et super Beniamin, et super Israel universum.

9 and he appointed him king over Gilead, and over Geshur, and over Jezreel, and over Ephraim, and over Benjamin, and over all Israel.

10 Quadraginta annorum erat Isboseth filius Saul cum regnare coepisset super Israel, et duobus annis regnavit: sola autem domus Iuda sequebatur David.

10 Isbosheth, son of Saul, was forty years old when he began to reign over Israel, and he reigned for 2 years; but only the house of Judah was following David.

11 Et fuit numerus dierum, quos commoratus est David, imperans in Hebron super domum Iuda, septem annorum, et sex mensium.

11 And the number of the days that David tarried, ruling in Hebron over the house of Judah, was seven years and six months.

12 Egressusque est Abner filius Ner, et pueri Isboseth filii Saul, de castris in Gabaon.

12 And Abner son of Ner, and the young men of Ish-bosheth son of Saul, went out from the camp to Gabaon.

13 Porro Ioab filius Sarviae, et pueri David egressi sunt, et occurrerunt eis iuxta piscinam Gabaon. Et cum in unum convenissent, e regione sederunt: hi ex una parte piscinae, et illi ex altera.

13 Furthermore Joab, son of Zeruiah, and the young men of David went out, and met them near the pool of Gibeon. And when they had come together as one, they sat down over against them: these on one side of the pool, and those on the other.

14 Dixitque Abner ad Ioab: Surgant pueri et ludant coram nobis. Et respondit Ioab: Surgant.

14 And Abner said to Joab: Let the young men arise and play before us. And Joab responded: Let them arise.

15 Surrexerunt ergo, et transierunt numero duodecim de Beniamin, ex parte Isboseth filii Saul, et duodecim de pueris David.

15 They rose up, therefore, and crossed over, twelve in number from Benjamin, on the side of Ish-bosheth the son of Saul, and twelve from the youths of David.

16 Apprehensoque unusquisque capite comparis sui, defixit gladium in latus contrarii, et ceciderunt simul: vocatumque est nomen loci illius: Ager robustorum, in Gabaon.

16 And each, having apprehended the head of his counterpart, drove his sword into the side of his adversary, and they fell together: and the name of that place was called: the Field of the Robust, in Gibeon.

17 Et ortum est bellum durum satis in die illa: fugatusque est Abner, et viri Israel a pueris David.

17 And a battle very hard arose on that day; and Abner and the men of Israel were routed by the youths of David.

18 Erant autem ibi tres filii Sarviae, Ioab, et Abisai, et Asael: porro Asael cursor velocissimus fuit, quasi unus de capreis quae morantur in silvis.

18 There were, moreover, there three sons of Sarvia, Joab, and Abisai, and Asael: moreover Asael was a most swift runner, like one of the roe-deer that dwell in the forests.

19 Persequebatur autem Asael Abner, et non declinavit ad dextram neque ad sinistram omittens persequi Abner.

19 But Asahel pursued Abner, and he did not turn aside to the right nor to the left from pursuing Abner.

20 Respexit itaque Abner post tergum suum, et ait: Tune es Asael? Qui respondit: Ego sum.

20 Therefore Abner looked back behind him, and said: Are you Asael? He answered: I am.

21 Dixitque ei Abner: Vade ad dexteram, sive ad sinistram et apprehende unum de adolescentibus, et tolle tibi spolia eius. Noluit autem Asael omittere quin urgeret eum.

21 And Abner said to him: Go to the right, or to the left, and apprehend one of the youths, and take for yourself his spoils. But Asael did not wish to omit pressing him.

22 Rursumque locutus est Abner ad Asael: Recede, noli me sequi, ne compellar confodere te in terram, et levare non potero faciem meam ad Ioab fratrem tuum.

22 And Abner spoke again to Asael: Recede, do not follow me, lest I be compelled to transfix you to the ground, and I shall not be able to lift my face to Joab your brother.

23 Qui audire contempsit, et noluit declinare: percussit ergo eum Abner aversa hasta in inguine, et transfodit, et mortuus est in eodem loco: omnesque qui transibant per locum illum, in quo ceciderat Asael, et mortuus erat, subsistebant.

23 He scorned to listen, and was unwilling to turn aside: therefore Abner struck him with the butt of the spear in the groin, and pierced him through, and he died in the same place: and all who were passing through that place, in which Asael had fallen and had died, stood still.

24 Persequentibus autem Ioab, et Abisai fugientem Abner, sol occubuit: et venerunt usque ad collem aquaeductus, qui est ex adverso vallis itineris deserti in Gabaon.

24 But as Joab and Abishai were pursuing Abner as he fled, the sun set: and they came up to the hill of the aqueduct, which is opposite the valley of the way of the desert in Gibeon.

25 Congregatique sunt filii Beniamin ad Abner: et conglobati in unum cuneum, steterunt in summitate tumuli unius.

25 And the sons of Benjamin were congregated to Abner: and, massed into one wedge, they stood on the summit of a single mound.

26 Et exclamavit Abner ad Ioab, et ait: Num usque ad internecionem tuus mucro desaeviet? an ignoras quod periculosa sit desperatio? Usquequo non dicis populo ut omittat persequi fratres suos?

26 And Abner cried out to Ioab and said: Will your blade rage on even to internecine destruction? or do you not know that desperation is perilous? How long will you not tell the people to desist from pursuing their brothers?

27 Et ait Ioab: Vivit Dominus, si locutus fuisses, mane recessisset populus persequens fratrem suum.

27 And Joab said: As the Lord lives, if you had spoken, by morning the people would have receded from pursuing their brother.

28 Insonuit ergo Ioab buccina, et stetit omnis exercitus, nec persecuti sunt ultra Israel, neque iniere certamen.

28 So Joab sounded the trumpet, and all the army stood still; they pursued Israel no further, nor did they join battle.

29 Abner autem et viri eius abierunt per campestria, tota nocte illa: et transierunt Iordanem, et lustrata omni Beth-horon, venerunt ad castra.

29 But Abner and his men went through the plains all that night; and they crossed the Jordan, and, having traversed all Beth-horon, they came to the camp.

30 Porro Ioab reversus, omisso Abner, congregavit omnem populum: et defuerunt de pueris David decem et novem viri, excepto Asaele.

30 Then Joab, returning, Abner having been let go, gathered all the people; and there were missing of the young men of David 19 men, except Asahel.

31 Servi autem David percusserunt de Beniamin, et de viris qui erant cum Abner, trecentos sexaginta, qui et mortui sunt.

31 But the servants of David struck down from Benjamin, and from the men who were with Abner, three hundred and sixty, who also died.

32 Tuleruntque Asael, et sepelierunt eum in sepulchro patris sui in Bethlehem: et ambulaverunt tota nocte Ioab et viri qui erant cum eo, et in ipso crepusculo pervenerunt in Hebron.

32 And they took up Asael, and buried him in the sepulcher of his father in Bethlehem: and Joab and the men who were with him walked the whole night, and at the very daybreak they arrived in Hebron.

[3]

1 Facta est ergo longa concertatio inter domum Saul, et inter domum David: David proficiscens, et semper seipso robustior, domus autem Saul decrescens quotidie.

1 Therefore there was a long contest between the house of Saul and the house of David: David advancing, and ever more robust in himself, but the house of Saul diminishing day by day.

2 Natique sunt filii David in Hebron: fuitque primogenitus eius Amnon, de Achinoam Iezraelitide.

2 And sons were born to David in Hebron: and his firstborn was Amnon, of Ahinoam the Jezreelitess.

3 Et post eum Cheleab, de Abigail uxore Nabal Carmeli: porro tertius Absalom, filius Maacha filiae Tholmai regis Gessur.

3 And after him Cheleab, from Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite: moreover the third, Absalom, the son of Maacha, the daughter of Tholmai, king of Gessur.

4 Quartus autem Adonias, filius Haggith: et quintus Saphathia, filius Abital.

4 And the fourth, Adonijah, son of Haggith: and the fifth, Shephatiah, son of Abital.

5 Sextus quoque Iethraam, de Egla uxore David: hi nati sunt David in Hebron.

5 The sixth also Iethraam, by Eglah, the wife of David: these were born to David in Hebron.

6 Cum ergo esset praelium inter domum Saul et domum David, Abner filius Ner regebat domum Saul.

6 Now, when there was war between the house of Saul and the house of David, Abner son of Ner was ruling the house of Saul.

7 Fuerat autem Sauli concubina nomine Respha, filia Aia. Dixitque Isboseth ad Abner:

7 Now Saul had had a concubine named Respha, daughter of Aia. And Isboseth said to Abner:

8 Quare ingressus es ad concubinam patris mei? Qui iratus nimis propter verba Isboseth, ait: Numquid caput canis ego sum adversum Iudam hodie, qui fecerim misericordiam super domum Saul patris tui, et super fratres et proximos eius, et non tradidi te in manus David, et tu requisisti in me quod argueres pro muliere hodie?

8 Why have you gone in to my father’s concubine? And he, very angry on account of the words of Isboseth, said: Am I a dog’s head against Judah today—I who have shown mercy to the house of Saul your father, and to his brothers and his near ones, and have not delivered you into the hands of David—and do you today seek a charge against me on account of a woman?

9 Haec faciat Deus Abner, et haec addat ei, nisi quomodo iuravit Dominus David, sic faciam cum eo,

9 May God do these things to Abner, and add these to him, unless just as the Lord has sworn to David, so will I do with him,

10 ut transferatur regnum de domo Saul, et elevetur thronus David super Israel, et super Iudam, a Dan usque Bersabee.

10 that the kingdom be transferred from the house of Saul, and the throne of David be elevated over Israel and over Judah, from Dan as far as Beersheba.

11 Et non potuit respondere ei quidquam, quia metuebat illum.

11 And he was not able to answer him anything, because he feared him.

12 Misit ergo Abner nuntios ad David pro se dicentes: Cuius est terra? et ut loquerentur: Fac mecum amicitias, et erit manus mea tecum, et reducam ad te universum Israel.

12 Therefore Abner sent envoys to David on his own behalf, saying: Whose is the land? and that they should speak: Make a friendship with me, and my hand shall be with you, and I will bring back to you all Israel.

13 Qui ait: Optime: ego faciam tecum amicitias: sed unam rem peto a te, dicens: Non videbis faciem meam antequam adduxeris Michol filiam Saul: et sic venies, et videbis me.

13 Who said: Very well: I will make friendship with you: but one thing I ask from you, saying: You shall not see my face before you have brought Michol, the daughter of Saul: and thus you shall come, and you shall see me.

14 Misit autem David nuntios ad Isboseth filium Saul, dicens: Redde uxorem meam Michol, quam despondi mihi centum praeputiis Philisthiim.

14 But David sent messengers to Ish-bosheth, the son of Saul, saying: Return my wife Michal, whom I betrothed to myself with a hundred foreskins of the Philistines.

15 Misit ergo Isboseth, et tulit eam a viro suo Phaltiel, filio Lais.

15 Therefore Isboseth sent, and took her from her husband Phaltiel, the son of Lais.

16 Sequebaturque eam vir suus, plorans usque Bahurim: et dixit ad eum Abner: Vade, et revertere. Qui reversus est.

16 And her husband was following her, weeping as far as Bahurim: and Abner said to him: Go, and return. And he returned.

17 Sermonem quoque intulit Abner ad seniores Israel, dicens: Tam heri quam nudiustertius quaerebatis David ut regnaret super vos.

17 Abner also brought a discourse to the elders of Israel, saying: Both yesterday and the day before yesterday you were seeking David to reign over you.

18 Nunc ergo facite: quoniam Dominus locutus est ad David, dicens: In manu servi mei David salvabo populum meum Israel de manu Philisthiim, et omnium inimicorum eius.

18 Now therefore act: since the Lord has spoken to David, saying: By the hand of my servant David I will save my people Israel from the hand of the Philistines, and from all his enemies.

19 Locutus est autem Abner etiam ad Beniamin. Et abiit ut loqueretur ad David in Hebron omnia quae placuerant Israeli et universo Beniamin.

19 Now Abner also spoke to Benjamin. And he went to speak to David at Hebron about all that had pleased Israel and the whole of Benjamin.

20 Venitque ad David in Hebron cum viginti viris: et fecit David Abner, et viris eius qui venerant cum eo, convivium.

20 And he came to David in Hebron with twenty men; and David made a banquet for Abner, and for his men who had come with him.

21 Et dixit Abner ad David: Surgam, ut congregem ad te dominum meum regem omnem Israel, et ineam tecum foedus, et imperes omnibus, sicut desiderat anima tua.

21 And Abner said to David: I will arise, that I may gather to you, my lord the king, all Israel, and I will enter into a covenant with you, and you may rule over all, as your soul desires.

Cum ergo deduxisset David Abner, et ille isset in pace,

When therefore David had conducted Abner out, and he had gone in peace,

22 statim pueri David et Ioab venerunt, caesis latronibus, cum praeda magna nimis: Abner autem non erat cum David in Hebron, quia iam dimiserat eum, et profectus fuerat in pace.

22 immediately the servants of David and Joab came, the brigands having been cut down, with booty exceedingly great; but Abner was not with David in Hebron, because he had already dismissed him, and he had set out in peace.

23 Et Ioab, et omnis exercitus, qui erat cum eo, postea venerunt: nuntiatum est itaque Ioab a narrantibus: Venit Abner filius Ner ad regem, et dimisit eum, et abiit in pace.

23 And Joab, and the whole army, who was with him, afterward came: therefore it was announced to Joab by the reporters: "Abner, son of Ner, has come to the king, and he has dismissed him, and he has gone away in peace."

24 Et ingressus est Ioab ad regem, et ait: Quid fecisti? Ecce venit Abner ad te: quare dimisisti eum, et abiit et recessit?

24 And Joab went in to the king and said: What have you done? Behold, Abner has come to you: why did you dismiss him, and he went away and withdrew?

25 Ignoras Abner filium Ner, quoniam ad hoc venit ad te ut deciperet te, et sciret exitum tuum, et introitum tuum, et nosset omnia quae agis?

25 Do you not know Abner, the son of Ner, that for this he came to you, to deceive you, and to know your going-out and your coming-in, and to know all that you do?

26 Egressus itaque Ioab a David, misit nuntios post Abner, et reduxit eum a cisterna Sira, ignorante David.

26 So Joab, having gone out from David, sent messengers after Abner, and brought him back from the cistern of Sirah, David being unaware.

27 Cumque rediisset Abner in Hebron, seorsum adduxit eum Ioab ad medium portae, ut loqueretur ei, in dolo: et percussit illum ibi in inguine, et mortuus est in ultionem sanguinis Asael fratris eius.

27 And when Abner had returned to Hebron, Joab led him apart into the middle of the gate, to speak with him, by deceit; and he struck him there in the groin, and he died in retribution for the blood of Asahel his brother.

28 Quod cum audisset David rem iam gestam, ait: Mundus ego sum, et regnum meum apud Dominum usque in sempiternum a sanguine Abner filii Ner,

28 When David had heard the matter now done, he said: I am clean, and my kingdom, before the Lord unto everlasting, from the blood of Abner son of Ner,

29 et veniat super caput Ioab, et super omnem domum patris eius: nec deficiat de domo Ioab fluxum seminis sustinens, et leprosus, et tenens fusum, et cadens gladio, et indigens pane.

29 and let it come upon the head of Joab, and upon all the house of his father: let there not fail from the house of Joab one suffering a flux of seed, and a leprous man, and one holding the distaff, and one falling by the sword, and indigent of bread.

30 Igitur Ioab et Abisai frater eius interfecerunt Abner, eo quod occidisset Asael fratrem eorum in Gabaon in praelio.

30 Therefore Joab and Abishai his brother killed Abner, because he had killed Asahel their brother at Gibeon in battle.

31 Dixit autem David ad Ioab, et ad omnem populum, qui erat cum eo: Scindite vestimenta vestra, et accingimini saccis, et plangite ante exequias Abner: porro rex David sequebatur feretrum.

31 But David said to Joab, and to all the people who were with him: Rend your garments, and gird yourselves with sackcloth, and wail before the obsequies of Abner: moreover King David was following the bier.

32 Cumque sepelissent Abner in Hebron, levavit rex David vocem suam, et flevit super tumulum Abner: flevit autem et omnis populus.

32 And when they had buried Abner in Hebron, King David lifted up his voice and wept over the tomb of Abner; and all the people wept as well.

33 Plangensque rex et lugens Abner, ait: Nequaquam ut mori solent ignavi, mortuus est Abner.

33 And the king, lamenting and mourning Abner, said: By no means as cowards are wont to die has Abner died.

34 Manus tuae ligatae non sunt, et pedes tui non sunt compedibus aggravati: sed sicut solent cadere coram filiis iniquitatis, sic corruisti.

34 Your hands were not bound, and your feet were not weighed down with fetters: but as they are wont to fall before the sons of iniquity, so you fell.

Congeminansque omnis populus flevit super eum.

And all the people, redoubling their lament, wept over him.

35 Cumque venisset universa multitudo cibum capere cum David, clara adhuc die iuravit David, dicens: Haec faciat mihi Deus, et haec addat, si ante occasum solis gustavero panem vel aliud quidquam.

35 And when the whole multitude came to take food with David, while the day was still bright David swore, saying: May God do this to me, and add this, if before the sun's setting I taste bread or anything else.

36 Omnisque populus audivit, et placuerunt eis cuncta quae fecit rex in conspectu totius populi.

36 And all the people heard, and everything that the king did in the sight of the whole people pleased them.

37 Et cognovit omne vulgus et universus Israel in die illa, quoniam non actum fuisset a rege ut occideretur Abner filius Ner.

37 And all the common people and all Israel understood on that day that it had not been done by the king that Abner, son of Ner, be killed.

38 Dixit quoque rex ad servos suos: Num ignoratis quoniam princeps et maximus cecidit hodie in Israel?

38 The king also said to his servants: Do you not know that a prince and a great man has fallen today in Israel?

39 Ego autem adhuc delicatus, et unctus rex: porro viri isti filii Sarviae duri sunt mihi: retribuat Dominus facienti malum iuxta malitiam suam.

39 But I am still delicate, and an anointed king: moreover these men, the sons of Sarvia, are hard for me: may the Lord repay the one doing evil according to his malice.

[4]

1 Audivit autem Isboseth filius Saul quod cecidisset Abner in Hebron: et dissolutae sunt manus eius, omnisque Israel perturbatus est.

1 But Isboseth, the son of Saul, heard that Abner had fallen in Hebron; and his hands were loosened, and all Israel was perturbed.

2 Duo autem viri principes latronum erant filio Saul, nomen uni Baana, et nomen alteri Rechab, filii Remmon Berothitae de filiis Beniamin: siquidem et Beroth reputata est in Beniamin.

2 Now two men, chiefs of brigands, were for the son of Saul: the name of the one was Baana, and the name of the other Rechab, sons of Remmon the Berothite, of the sons of Benjamin; since indeed Beroth also is reputed among Benjamin.

3 Et fugerunt Berothitae in Gethaim, fueruntque ibi advenae usque ad tempus illud.

3 And the Beerothites fled to Gethaim, and they were sojourners there up to that time.

4 Erat autem Ionathae filio Saul filius debilis pedibus: quinquennis enim fuit, quando venit nuntius de Saul et Ionatha ex Iezrahel. Tollens itaque eum nutrix sua, fugit: cumque festinaret ut fugeret, cecidit, et claudus effectus est: habuitque vocabulum Miphiboseth.

4 Now there was a son of Jonathan, son of Saul, lame in his feet: for he was five years old when the message came concerning Saul and Jonathan from Jezreel. So his nurse, taking him up, fled; and as she hastened to flee, he fell and was made lame; and he had the name Mephibosheth.

5 Venientes igitur filii Remmon Berothitae, Rechab et Baana, ingressi sunt fervente die domum Isboseth: qui dormiebat super stratum suum meridie. Et ostiaria domus purgans triticum, obdormivit.

5 Therefore the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, Rechab and Baanah, came and entered the house of Ish-bosheth in the heat of the day: who was sleeping upon his bed at midday. And the doorkeeper of the house, cleansing the wheat, fell asleep.

6 Ingressi sunt autem domum latenter assumentes spicas tritici, et percusserunt eum in inguine Rechab et Baana frater eius, et fugerunt.

6 But they entered the house covertly, taking ears of wheat; and Rechab and Baana, his brother, struck him in the groin, and fled.

7 Cum autem ingressi fuissent domum, ille dormiebat super lectum suum in conclavi, et percutientes interfecerunt eum: sublatoque capite eius, abierunt per viam deserti tota nocte.

7 But when they had entered the house, he was sleeping upon his bed in the bedchamber, and, striking him, they killed him; and, his head having been taken away, they went by the way of the desert the whole night.

8 Et attulerunt caput Isboseth ad David in Hebron: dixeruntque ad regem: Ecce caput Isboseth filii Saul inimici tui, qui quaerebat animam tuam: et dedit Dominus domino meo regi ultionem hodie de Saul, et de semine eius.

8 And they brought the head of Isboseth to David in Hebron; and they said to the king: Behold the head of Isboseth, son of Saul, your enemy, who was seeking your soul; and the Lord has given to my lord the king vengeance today from Saul and from his seed.

9 Respondens autem David Rechab, et Baana fratri eius, filiis Remmon Berothitae, dixit ad eos: Vivit Dominus, qui eruit animam meam de omni angustia,

9 But David, answering Rechab and Baana his brother, the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, said to them: As the Lord lives, who has delivered my soul from every anguish,

10 quoniam eum, qui annuntiaverat mihi, et dixerat: Mortuus est Saul: qui putabat se prospera nuntiare, tenui, et occidi eum in Siceleg, cui oportebat mercedem dare pro nuntio.

10 because the one who had announced to me and had said: ‘Saul is dead’: who thought he was announcing prosperous news, I seized and killed in Ziklag, to whom it was fitting to give a reward for the announcement.

11 Quanto magis nunc cum homines impii interfecerunt virum innoxium in domo sua, super lectum suum, non quaeram sanguinem eius de manu vestra, et auferam vos de terra?

11 How much more now, when impious men have slain an innocent man in his own house, upon his bed, shall I not require his blood at your hand, and remove you from the earth?

12 Praecepit itaque David pueris suis, et interfecerunt eos: praecidentesque manus et pedes eorum, suspenderunt eos super piscinam in Hebron: caput autem Isboseth tulerunt, et sepelierunt in sepulchro Abner in Hebron.

12 Therefore David commanded his servants, and they killed them: and, cutting off their hands and their feet, they hung them over the pool in Hebron: but the head of Ish-bosheth they took, and buried it in the sepulchre of Abner in Hebron.

[5]

1 Et venerunt universae tribus Israel ad David in Hebron, dicentes: Ecce nos, os tuum et caro tua sumus.

1 And all the tribes of Israel came to David in Hebron, saying: Behold, we are your bone and your flesh.

2 Sed et heri et nudiustertius cum esset Saul rex super nos, tu eras educens et reducens Israel: dixit autem Dominus ad te: Tu pasces populum meum Israel, et tu eris dux super Israel.

2 But also yesterday and the day before yesterday, when Saul was king over us, you were the one leading out and bringing back Israel; moreover the Lord said to you: You shall shepherd my people Israel, and you shall be leader over Israel.

3 Venerunt quoque et seniores Israel ad regem in Hebron, et percussit cum eis rex David foedus in Hebron coram Domino: unxeruntque David in regem super Israel.

3 There also came the elders of Israel to the king in Hebron, and King David struck a covenant with them in Hebron before the Lord: and they anointed David as king over Israel.

4 Filius triginta annorum erat David, cum regnare coepisset, et quadraginta annis regnavit.

4 David was thirty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned for forty years.

5 In Hebron regnavit super Iudam septem annis et sex mensibus: in Ierusalem autem regnavit triginta tribus annis super omnem Israel et Iudam.

5 In Hebron he reigned over Judah for seven years and six months: but in Jerusalem he reigned thirty-three years over all Israel and Judah.

6 Et abiit rex, et omnes viri qui erant cum eo, in Ierusalem, ad Iebusaeum habitatorem terrae: dictumque est David ab eis: Non ingredieris huc, nisi abstuleris caecos et claudos dicentes: Non ingredietur David huc.

6 And the king went, and all the men who were with him, to Jerusalem, to the Jebusite, the inhabitant of the land; and it was said to David by them: You shall not enter here, unless you remove the blind and the lame, saying: David shall not enter here.

7 Cepit autem David arcem Sion, haec est civitas David.

7 But David seized the citadel of Zion; this is the City of David.

8 Proposuerat enim David in die illa praemium, qui percussisset Iebusaeum, et tetigisset domatum fistulas, et abstulisset caecos et claudos odientes animam David. Idcirco dicitur in proverbio: Caecus et claudus non intrabunt in templum.

8 For David had on that day proposed a reward for whoever should strike the Jebusite, and should touch the pipes of the houses, and should carry off the blind and the lame, who hate the soul of David. Therefore it is said in a proverb: The blind and the lame shall not enter the temple.

9 Habitavit autem David in arce, et vocavit eam, Civitatem David: et aedificavit per gyrum a Mello et intrinsecus.

9 And David dwelt in the citadel, and he called it the City of David: and he built in circuit from the Millo and inward.

10 Et ingrediebatur proficiens atque succrescens, et Dominus Deus exercituum erat cum eo.

10 And he went on, progressing and increasing, and the Lord God of hosts was with him.

11 Misit quoque Hiram rex Tyri nuntios ad David, et ligna cedrina, et artifices lignorum, artificesque lapidum ad parietes: et aedificaverunt domum David.

11 Hiram, king of Tyre, also sent messengers to David, and cedar wood, and artificers of wood, and artificers of stone for the walls: and they built the house of David.

12 Et cognovit David quoniam confirmasset eum Dominus regem super Israel, et quoniam exaltasset regnum eius super populum suum Israel.

12 And David knew that the Lord had confirmed him as king over Israel, and that He had exalted his kingdom over His people Israel.

13 Accepit ergo David adhuc concubinas et uxores de Ierusalem, postquam venerat de Hebron: natique sunt David et alii filii et filiae:

13 So David took yet more concubines and wives from Jerusalem, after he had come from Hebron: and other sons and daughters were born to David:

14 et haec nomina eorum, qui nati sunt ei in Ierusalem: Samua, et Sobab, et Nathan, et Salomon,

14 and these are the names of those who were born to him in Jerusalem: Shammua, and Shobab, and Nathan, and Solomon,

15 et Iebahar, et Elisua, et Nepheg,

15 and Iebahar, and Elisua, and Nepheg,

16 et Iaphia, et Elisama, et Elioda, et Eliphaleth.

16 and Japhia, and Elishama, and Eliada, and Eliphelet.

17 Audierunt ergo Philisthiim quod unxissent David in regem super Israel: et ascenderunt universi ut quaererent David: quod cum audisset David, descendit in praesidium.

17 Therefore the Philistines heard that they had anointed David as king over Israel: and all went up to seek David: which when David had heard, he went down into the stronghold.

18 Philisthiim autem venientes diffusi sunt in valle Raphaim.

18 But the Philistines, coming, spread out in the Valley of Rephaim.

19 Et consuluit David Dominum, dicens: Si ascendam ad Philisthiim? et si dabis eos in manu mea? Et dixit Dominus ad David: Ascende, quia tradens dabo Philisthiim in manu tua.

19 And David consulted the Lord, saying: Shall I go up against the Philistines? and will you give them into my hand? And the Lord said to David: Go up, for surely I will deliver the Philistines into your hand.

20 Venit ergo David in Baal Pharasim: et percussit eos ibi, et dixit: Divisit Dominus inimicos meos coram me, sicut dividuntur aquae. Propterea vocatum est nomen loci illius, Baal Pharasim.

20 Therefore David came to Baal Pharasim: and he struck them there, and said: The Lord divided my enemies before me, just as waters are divided. For this reason the name of that place was called Baal Pharasim.

21 Et reliquerunt ibi sculptilia sua, quae tulit David, et viri eius.

21 And they left there their graven images, which David and his men took.

22 Et addiderunt adhuc Philisthiim ut ascenderent, et diffusi sunt in valle Raphaim.

22 And the Philistines added yet again to go up, and were spread out in the valley of Rephaim.

23 Consuluit autem David Dominum: Si ascendam contra Philisthaeos, et tradas eos in manus meas? Qui respondit: Non ascendas contra eos, sed gyra post tergum eorum, et venies ad eos ex adverso pyrorum.

23 But David consulted the Lord: Shall I go up against the Philistines, and will you deliver them into my hands? Who answered: Do not go up against them, but circle around behind them, and you will come at them opposite the pear-trees.

24 Et cum audieris sonitum gradientis in cacumine pyrorum, tunc inibis praelium: quia tunc egredietur Dominus ante faciem tuam, ut percutiat castra Philisthiim.

24 And when you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the pear trees, then you shall enter the battle: because then the Lord will go out before your face, to strike the camp of the Philistines.

25 Fecit itaque David sicut praeceperat ei Dominus, et percussit Philisthiim de Gabaa, usque dum venias Gezer.

25 Therefore David did as the Lord had commanded him, and smote the Philistines from Geba as far as Gezer.

[6]

1 Congregavit autem rursum David omnes electos ex Israel triginta millia.

1 But David again congregated all the elect from Israel, thirty thousand.

2 Surrexitque David, et abiit, et universus populus qui erat cum eo de viris Iuda, ut adducerent arcam Dei, super quam invocatum est nomen Domini exercituum, sedentis in cherubim super eam.

2 And David arose and went, and all the people who were with him, from the men of Judah, to bring up the Ark of God, upon which the name of the Lord of Hosts is invoked, who sits upon the cherubim over it.

3 Et imposuerunt arcam Dei super plaustrum novum: tuleruntque eam de domo Abinadab, qui erat in Gabaa: Oza autem et Ahio filii Abinadab, minabant plaustrum novum.

3 And they placed the ark of God upon a new cart: and they carried it from the house of Abinadab, who was in Gibeah: but Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, were driving the new cart.

4 Cumque tulissent eam de domo Abinadab, qui erat in Gabaa, custodiens arcam Dei Ahio praecedebat arcam.

4 And when they had carried it from the house of Abinadab, who was in Gibeah, Ahio, keeping watch over the ark of God, went before the ark.

5 David autem et omnis Israel ludebant coram Domino in omnibus lignis fabrefactis, et citharis et lyris et tympanis et sistris et cymbalis.

5 But David and all Israel were playing before the Lord with all kinds of crafted wooden instruments, and with citharas and lyres and timbrels and sistra and cymbals.

6 Postquam autem venerunt ad aream Nachon, extendit Oza manum ad arcam Dei, et tenuit eam: quoniam calcitrabant boves, et declinaverunt eam.

6 But after they had come to the threshing-floor of Nachon, Uzzah extended his hand to the ark of God and took hold of it, because the oxen were kicking and made it swerve.

7 Iratusque est indignatione Dominus contra Ozam, et percussit eum super temeritate: qui mortuus est ibi iuxta arcam Dei.

7 And the Lord was angered with indignation against Oza, and struck him on account of his temerity: who died there beside the ark of God.

8 Contristatus est autem David, eo quod percussisset Dominus Ozam, et vocatum est nomen loci illius: Percussio Ozae, usque in diem hanc.

8 But David was grieved because the Lord had struck Oza, and the name of that place was called: The Striking of Oza, unto this day.

9 Et extimuit David Dominum in die illa, dicens: Quomodo ingredietur ad me arca Domini?

9 And David feared the Lord on that day, saying: How shall the ark of the Lord come to me?

10 Et noluit divertere ad se arcam Domini in civitatem David: sed divertit eam in domum Obededom Gethaei.

10 And he was unwilling to bring the ark of the Lord to himself into the City of David: but he diverted it into the house of Obed-edom the Gittite.

11 Et habitavit arca Domini in domo Obededom Gethaei tribus mensibus: et benedixit Dominus Obededom, et omnem domum eius.

11 And the Ark of the Lord dwelt in the house of Obed-edom the Gittite for three months; and the Lord blessed Obed-edom, and his whole household.

12 Nuntiatumque est regi David quod benedixisset Dominus Obededom, et omnia eius, propter arcam Dei. Abiit ergo David, et adduxit arcam Dei de domo Obededom in civitatem David cum gaudio: et erant cum David septem chori, et victima vituli.

12 And it was announced to King David that the Lord had blessed Obededom, and all that was his, because of the ark of God. Therefore David went and brought the ark of God from the house of Obededom into the city of David with joy: and with David there were seven choirs, and the victim of a bull-calf.

13 Cumque transcendissent qui portabant arcam Domini sex passus, immolabat bovem et arietem,

13 And when those who were carrying the ark of the Lord had gone over six paces, he immolated an ox and a ram,

14 et David saltabat totis viribus ante Dominum: porro David erat accinctus ephod lineo.

14 and David was dancing with all his might before the Lord: moreover David was girded with a linen ephod.

15 Et David et omnis domus Israel ducebant arcam testamenti Domini, in iubilo, et in clangore buccinae.

15 And David and all the house of Israel were bringing the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord, with jubilation and with the clangor of the trumpet.

16 Cumque intrasset arca Domini in civitatem David, Michol filia Saul prospiciens per fenestram, vidit regem David subsilientem, atque saltantem coram Domino: et despexit eum in corde suo.

16 And when the ark of the Lord had entered the City of David, Michol, daughter of Saul, looking out through the window, saw King David leaping up and dancing before the Lord: and she despised him in her heart.

17 Et introduxerunt arcam Domini, et imposuerunt eam in loco suo in medio tabernaculi, quod tetenderat ei David: et obtulit David holocausta et pacifica coram Domino.

17 And they introduced the Ark of the Lord, and placed it in its place in the midst of the tabernacle which David had pitched for it: and David offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the Lord.

18 Cumque complesset offerens holocausta et pacifica, benedixit populo in nomine Domini exercituum.

18 And when he had completed offering holocausts and peace-offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the Lord of hosts.

19 Et partitus est universae multitudini Israel tam viro quam mulieri singulis collyridam panis unam, et assaturam bubulae carnis unam, et similam frixam oleo: et abiit omnis populus, unusquisque in domum suam.

19 And he distributed to the whole multitude of Israel, both to man and to woman, to each one a single collyrid of bread, and one portion of roasted beef, and semolina fried in oil: and all the people went away, each one to his own house.

20 Reversusque est David ut benediceret domui suae: et egressa Michol filia Saul in occursum David, ait: Quam gloriosus fuit hodie rex Israel discooperiens se ante ancillas servorum suorum, et nudatus est, quasi si nudetur unus de scurris.

20 And David returned to bless his household: and Michol, the daughter of Saul, going out to meet David, said: How glorious was today the king of Israel, uncovering himself before the handmaids of his servants, and he was laid bare, as if one of the jesters were laid bare.

21 Dixitque David ad Michol: Ante Dominum, qui elegit me potius quam patrem tuum, et quam omnem domum eius, et praecepit mihi ut essem dux super populum Domini in Israel,

21 And David said to Michol: Before the Lord, who elected me rather than your father, and than all his house, and commanded me that I should be leader over the people of the Lord in Israel,

22 et Iudam, et vilior fiam plus quam factus sum: et ero humilis in oculis meis: et cum ancillis, de quibus locuta es, gloriosior apparebo.

22 and I will play, and I shall become viler than I have become: and I will be humble in my own eyes: and with the maidservants of whom you have spoken, I shall appear more glorious.

23 Igitur Michol filiae Saul non est natus filius usque in diem mortis suae.

23 Therefore Michol, the daughter of Saul, had no son until the day of her death.

[7]

1 Factum est autem cum sedisset rex in domo sua, et Dominus dedisset ei requiem undique ab universis inimicis suis,

1 Now it came to pass, when the king was sitting in his house, and the Lord had given him repose on every side from all his enemies,

2 dixit ad Nathan prophetam: Videsne quod ego habitem in domo cedrina, et arca Dei posita sit in medio pellium?

2 he said to Nathan the prophet: Do you see that I dwell in a house of cedar, and that the ark of God is set in the midst of skins?

3 Dixitque Nathan ad regem: Omne quod est in corde tuo, vade, fac: quia Dominus tecum est.

3 And Nathan said to the king: Everything that is in your heart, go, do: because the Lord is with you.

4 Factum est autem in illa nocte: et ecce sermo Domini ad Nathan, dicens:

4 But it came to pass in that night: and behold, the word of the Lord came to Nathan, saying:

5 Vade, et loquere ad servum meum David: Haec dicit Dominus: Numquid tu aedificabis mihi domum ad habitandum?

5 Go, and speak to my servant David: Thus says the Lord: Will you build me a house to dwell in?

6 Neque enim habitavi in domo ex die illa, qua eduxi filios Israel de terra Aegypti, usque in diem hanc: sed ambulabam in tabernaculo, et in tentorio.

6 For I have not dwelt in a house from that day when I brought out the sons of Israel from the land of Egypt, until this day: but I have been walking in a tabernacle and in a tent.

7 Per cuncta loca, quae transivi cum omnibus filiis Israel, numquid loquens locutus sum ad unam de tribubus Israel, cui praecepi ut pasceret populum meum Israel, dicens: Quare non aedificastis mihi domum cedrinam?

7 In all the places which I passed through with all the sons of Israel, did I ever speak to one of the tribes of Israel, whom I commanded to shepherd my people Israel, saying: Why have you not built me a house of cedar?

8 Et nunc haec dices servo meo David: Haec dicit Dominus exercituum: Ego tuli te de pascuis sequentem greges, ut esses dux super populum meum Israel:

8 And now you shall say these things to my servant David: Thus says the Lord of hosts: I took you from the pastures, following the flocks, that you might be leader over my people Israel:

9 et fui tecum in omnibus ubicumque ambulasti, et interfeci universos inimicos tuos a facie tua: fecique tibi nomen grande, iuxta nomen magnorum qui sunt in terra.

9 and I was with you in all things wherever you walked, and I cut off all your enemies from before your face: and I made for you a great name, according to the name of the great ones who are in the earth.

10 Et ponam locum populo meo Israel, et plantabo eum, et habitabit sub eo, et non turbabitur amplius: nec addent filii iniquitatis ut affligant eum sicut prius,

10 And I will set a place for my people Israel, and I will plant them, and they will dwell therein, and they will not be troubled any more: nor will the sons of iniquity continue to afflict them as before,

11 ex die qua constitui iudices super populum meum Israel: et requiem dabo tibi ab omnibus inimicis tuis: praedicitque tibi Dominus, quod domum faciat tibi Dominus.

11 from the day on which I appointed judges over my people Israel: and I will give you rest from all your enemies: and the Lord foretells to you, that the Lord will make you a house.

12 Cumque completi fuerint dies tui, et dormieris cum patribus tuis, suscitabo semen tuum post te, quod egredietur de utero tuo, et firmabo regnum eius.

12 And when your days have been completed, and you sleep with your fathers, I will raise up your seed after you, which shall come forth from your own body, and I will confirm his kingdom.

13 Ipse aedificabit domum nomini meo, et stabiliam thronum regni eius usque in sempiternum.

13 He himself will build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom unto everlasting.

14 Ego ero ei in patrem, et ipse erit mihi in filium: qui si inique aliquid gesserit, arguam eum in virga virorum, et in plagis filiorum hominum.

14 I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son: if he should commit iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men, and with the stripes of the sons of men.

15 Misericordiam autem meam non auferam ab eo, sicut abstuli a Saul, quem amovi a facie mea.

15 But my mercy I will not take away from him, as I took it away from Saul, whom I removed from before my face.

16 Et fidelis erit domus tua, et regnum tuum usque in aeternum ante faciem tuam, et thronus tuus erit firmus iugiter.

16 And your house shall be faithful, and your kingdom unto eternity before your face, and your throne shall be firm continually.

17 Secundum omnia verba haec, et iuxta universam visionem istam, sic locutus est Nathan ad David.

17 According to all these words, and according to this whole vision, so Nathan spoke to David.

18 Ingressus est autem rex David, et sedit coram Domino, et dixit: Quis ego sum, Domine Deus, et quae domus mea, quia adduxisti me hucusque?

18 And King David entered and sat before the Lord, and said: Who am I, O Lord God, and what is my house, that you have brought me thus far?

19 Sed et hoc parum visum est in conspectu tuo Domine Deus, nisi loquereris etiam de domo servi tui in longinquum: ista est enim lex Adam, Domine Deus.

19 But even this seemed little in your sight, Lord God, unless you would also speak concerning the house of your servant into the distant future: for this is the law of Adam, Lord God.

20 Quid ergo addere poterit adhuc David, ut loquatur ad te? tu enim scis servum tuum, Domine Deus.

20 What then can David add any further, that he might speak to you? For you know your servant, Lord God.

21 Propter verbum tuum, et secundum cor tuum, fecisti omnia magnalia haec, ita ut notum faceres servo tuo.

21 For your word’s sake, and according to your heart, you have done all these great things, so that you might make them known to your servant.

22 Idcirco magnificatus es, Domine Deus, quia non est similis tui, neque est Deus extra te, in omnibus quae audivimus auribus nostris.

22 Therefore you have been magnified, Lord God, because there is none similar to you, nor is there a God besides you, in all that we have heard with our ears.

23 Quae est autem, ut populus tuus Israel, gens in terra, propter quam ivit Deus, ut redimeret eam sibi in populum, et poneret sibi nomen, faceretque eis magnalia, et horribilia super terram, a facie populi tui, quem redemisti tibi ex Aegypto, gentem, et deum eius.

23 But what is there like your people Israel, a nation on the earth, for which God went to redeem it for himself into a people, and to set a name for himself, and to do for them great and terrible things upon the earth, from before the face of your people, whom you redeemed for yourself out of Egypt, a nation, and its god.

24 Firmasti enim tibi populum tuum Israel in populum sempiternum: et tu Domine Deus factus es eis in Deum.

24 For you have established for yourself your people Israel as a sempiternal people: and you, O Lord God, have become God to them.

25 Nunc ergo Domine Deus, verbum, quod locutus es super servum tuum, et super domum eius, suscita in sempiternum: et fac sicut locutus es,

25 Now therefore, O Lord God, the word which you have spoken over your servant and over his house, establish for the sempiternal; and do as you have spoken,

26 ut magnificetur nomen tuum usque in sempiternum, atque dicatur: Dominus exercituum, Deus super Israel. Et domus servi tui David erit stabilita coram Domino,

26 that your name may be magnified unto everlasting, and it may be said: The Lord of hosts, God over Israel. And the house of your servant David will be established before the Lord,

27 quia tu Domine exercituum Deus Israel revelasti aurem servi tui, dicens: Domum aedificabo tibi: propterea invenit servus tuus cor suum ut oraret te oratione hac.

27 because you, O Lord of hosts, God of Israel, have revealed to the ear of your servant, saying: I will build a house for you: therefore your servant has found his heart to pray to you with this prayer.

28 Nunc ergo Domine Deus, tu es Deus, et verba tua erunt vera: locutus es enim ad servum tuum bona haec.

28 Now therefore, Lord God, you are God, and your words will be true: for you have spoken these good things to your servant.

29 Incipe ergo, et benedic domui servi tui, ut sit in sempiternum coram te: quia tu Domine Deus locutus es, et benedictione tua benedicetur domus servi tui in sempiternum.

29 Begin therefore, and bless the house of your servant, that it may be forever before you: because you, O Lord God, have spoken, and by your blessing the house of your servant will be blessed forever.

[8]

1 Factum est autem post haec, percussit David Philisthiim, et humiliavit eos, et tulit David frenum tributi de manu Philisthiim.

1 And it came to pass after these things, David struck the Philistines and humbled them, and David took the bridle of tribute from the hand of the Philistines.

2 Et percussit Moab, et mensus est eos funiculo, coaequans terrae: mensus est autem duos funiculos, unum ad occidendum, et unum ad vivificandum: factusque est Moab David serviens sub tributo.

2 And he struck Moab, and measured them with a cord, leveling to the ground: moreover he measured two cords, one for killing, and one for vivifying: and Moab became serving to David under tribute.

3 Et percussit David Adarezer filium Rohob regem Soba, quando profectus est ut dominaretur super flumen Euphraten.

3 And David struck Adarezer, son of Rohob, king of Soba, when he set out to dominate over the river Euphrates.

4 Et captis David ex parte eius mille septingentis equitibus, et viginti millibus peditum, subnervavit omnes iugales curruum: dereliquit autem ex eis centum currus.

4 And when David had captured from him 1,700 horsemen and 20,000 foot soldiers, he hamstrung all the yoke-horses of the chariots: however, he left from them 100 chariots.

5 Venit quoque Syria Damasci, ut praesidium ferret Adarezer regi Soba: et percussit David de Syria viginti duo millia virorum.

5 Also Syria of Damascus came, to bring a garrison to Adarezer, king of Soba: and David smote of Syria twenty-two thousand men.

6 Et posuit David praesidium in Syria Damasci: factaque est Syria David serviens sub tributo: servavitque Dominus David in omnibus ad quaecumque profectus est.

6 And David placed a garrison in Syria of Damascus; and Syria became David’s servant under tribute; and the Lord preserved David in all things, wherever he went forth.

7 Et tulit David arma aurea, quae habebant servi Adarezer, et detulit ea in Ierusalem.

7 And David took the golden arms which the servants of Adarezer had, and he carried them to Jerusalem.

8 Et de Bete et de Beroth, civitatibus Adarezer, tulit rex David aes multum nimis.

8 And from Bete and from Beroth, cities of Adarezer, King David took exceedingly much bronze.

9 Audivit autem Thou rex Emath, quod percussisset David omne robur Adarezer,

9 But Thou, king of Emath, heard that David had struck down all the might of Adarezer,

10 et misit Thou Ioram filium suum ad regem David, ut salutaret eum congratulans, et gratias ageret: eo quod expugnasset Adarezer, et percussisset eum. Hostis quippe erat Thou Adarezer, et in manu eius erant vasa aurea, et vasa argentea, et vasa aerea:

10 and Thou sent Ioram his son to King David, to greet him with congratulation, and to give thanks: because he had subdued Adarezer, and had struck him down. For Thou was an enemy to Adarezer, and in his hand were vessels of gold, and vessels of silver, and vessels of bronze:

11 quae et ipsa sanctificavit rex David Domino cum argento et auro, quae sanctificaverat de universis gentibus quas subegerat,

11 which King David also himself sanctified to the Lord, together with the silver and the gold which he had sanctified from all the nations that he had subjugated,

12 de Syria, et Moab, et filiis Ammon, et Philisthiim, et Amalec, et de manubiis Adarezer filii Rohob regis Soba.

12 from Syria, and Moab, and the sons of Ammon, and the Philistines, and Amalek, and from the spoils of Hadadezer, son of Rehob, king of Zobah.

13 Fecit quoque sibi David nomen cum revereteretur capta Syria in valle Salinarum, caesis decem et octo millibus:

13 David also made a name for himself when he was returning, Syria having been captured, in the Valley of Salt, with eighteen thousand cut down:

14 et posuit in Idumaea custodes, statuitque praesidium: et facta est universa Idumaea serviens David, et servavit Dominus David in omnis ad quaecumque profectus est.

14 and he placed in Idumaea guards, and he established a garrison: and the whole Idumaea became serving David, and the Lord saved David in all things to which he went forth.

15 Et regnavit David super omnem Israel: faciebat quoque David iudicium et iustitiam omni populo suo.

15 And David reigned over all Israel: David also executed judgment and justice for all his people.

16 Ioab autem filius Sarviae erat super exercitum: porro Iosaphat filius Ahilud erat a commentariis:

16 But Joab, the son of Zeruiah, was over the army; moreover Jehoshaphat, the son of Ahilud, was the recorder:

17 et Sadoc filius Achitob, et Achimelech filius Abiathar, erant sacerdotes: et Saraias, scriba:

17 and Zadok son of Ahitub, and Ahimelech son of Abiathar, were priests: and Seraiah, scribe:

18 Banaias autem filius Ioiadae super Cerethi et Phelethi: filii autem David sacerdotes erant.

18 But Benaiah, the son of Jehoiada, was over the Cherethites and the Pelethites: moreover the sons of David were priests.

[9]

1 Et dixit David: Putasne est aliquis qui remanserit de domo Saul, ut faciam cum eo misericordiam propter Ionathan?

1 And David said: Do you think there is anyone who has remained of the house of Saul, that I may show mercy to him on account of Jonathan?

2 Erat autem de domo Saul, servus nomine Siba: quem cum vocasset rex ad se, dixit ei: Tune es Siba? Et ille respondit: Ego sum servus tuus.

2 Now there was from the house of Saul a servant by name Ziba; and when the king had called him to himself, he said to him: Are you Ziba? And he replied: I am your servant.

3 Et ait rex: Numquid superest aliquis de domo Saul, ut faciam cum eo misericordiam Dei? Dixitque Siba regi: Superest filius Ionathae, debilis pedibus.

3 And the king said: Is there anyone left of the house of Saul, that I may show him the mercy of God? And Ziba said to the king: There remains a son of Jonathan, lame in his feet.

4 Ubi, inquit, est? Et Siba ad regem: Ecce, ait, in domo est Machir filii Ammiel, in Lodabar.

4 Where, he says, is he? And Siba to the king: Behold, he says, he is in the house of Machir, the son of Ammiel, in Lodabar.

5 Misit ergo rex David, et tulit eum de domo Machir filii Ammiel, de Lodabar.

5 Therefore King David sent, and took him from the house of Machir son of Ammiel, from Lodabar.

6 Cum autem venisset Miphiboseth filius Ionathae filii Saul ad David, corruit in faciem suam, et adoravit. Dixitque David: Miphiboseth? Qui respondit: Adsum servus tuus.

6 But when Miphiboseth, son of Jonathan, son of Saul, had come to David, he fell upon his face and did obeisance. And David said: Miphiboseth? He replied: I am here, your servant.

7 Et ait ei David: Ne timeas, quia faciens faciam in te misericordiam propter Ionathan patrem tuum, et restituam tibi omnes agros Saul patris tui, et tu comedes panem in mensa mea semper.

7 And David said to him: Do not be afraid, for I will surely do mercy to you for the sake of Jonathan your father, and I will restore to you all the fields of Saul your father, and you shall eat bread at my table always.

8 Qui adorans eum, dixit: Quis ego sum servus tuus, quoniam respexisti super canem mortum similem mei?

8 Who, adoring him, said: Who am I, your servant, that you have looked upon a dead dog like me?

9 Vocavit itaque rex Sibam puerum Saul, et dixit ei: Omnia quaecumque fuerunt Saul, et universam domum eius, dedi filio domini tui.

9 Therefore the king called Ziba, the servant of Saul, and said to him: All things whatsoever belonged to Saul, and all his house, I have given to the son of your lord.

10 Operare igitur ei terram tu, et filii tui, et servi tui: et inferes filio domini tui cibos ut alatur: Miphiboseth autem filius domini tui comedet semper panem super mensam meam. Erant autem Sibae quindecim filii, et viginti servi.

10 Therefore you, and your sons, and your servants shall work the land for him; and you shall bring to your lord’s son the foods so that he may be nourished; but Miphiboseth, your lord’s son, shall always eat bread at my table. Now Siba had fifteen sons and twenty servants.

11 Dixitque Siba ad regem: Sicut iussisti domine mi rex servo tuo, sic faciet servus tuus: et Miphiboseth comedet super mensam meam, quasi unus de filiis regis.

11 And Siba said to the king: As you have commanded, my lord the king, your servant, so will your servant do: and Miphiboseth shall eat at my table, as if one of the king’s sons.

12 Habebat autem Miphiboseth filium parvulum nomine Micha: omnis vero cognatio domus Sibae serviebat Miphiboseth.

12 Now Miphiboseth had a little son named Micha: and all the kindred of the house of Siba served Miphiboseth.

13 Porro Miphiboseth habitabat in Ierusalem: quia de mensa regis iugiter vescebatur: et erat claudus utroque pede.

13 Moreover Miphiboseth was dwelling in Jerusalem: because he was continually eating from the king’s table: and he was lame in both feet.

[10]

1 Factum est autem post haec, ut moreretur rex filiorum Ammon, et regnavit Hanon filius eius pro eo.

1 And it came to pass after these things, that the king of the sons of Ammon died, and Hanon his son reigned in his stead.

2 Dixitque David: Faciam misericordiam cum Hanon filio Naas, sicut fecit pater eius mecum misericordiam. Misit ergo David, consolans eum per servos suos super patris interitu. Cum autem venissent servi David in terram filiorum Ammon,

2 And David said: I will show mercy to Hanon son of Naas, just as his father showed mercy to me. Therefore David sent, consoling him through his servants, on account of his father’s demise. But when the servants of David had come into the land of the sons of Ammon,

3 dixerunt principes filiorum Ammon ad Hanon dominum suum: Putas quod propter honorem patris tui miserit David ad te consolatores, et non ideo ut investigaret, et exploraret civitatem, et everteret eam, misit David servos suos ad te?

3 the princes of the sons of Ammon said to Hanon their lord: Do you think that David has sent comforters to you on account of the honor of your father, and is it not for this reason—that he might investigate and explore the city, and overthrow it—that David has sent his servants to you?

4 Tulit itaque Hanon servus David, rasitque dimidiam partem barbae eorum et praescidit vestes eorum medias usque ad nates, et dimisit eos.

4 Therefore Hanon took David’s servants, and shaved off half of their beards and cut their garments in the middle up to the buttocks, and dismissed them.

5 Quod cum nuntiatum esset David, misit in occursum eorum: erant enim viri confusi turpiter valde, et mandavit eis David: Manete in Iericho, donec crescat barba vestra, et tunc revertimini.

5 When this had been reported to David, he sent to meet them; for the men were very shamefully confounded, and David commanded them: Remain in Jericho until your beards grow, and then return.

6 Videntes autem filii Ammon quod iniuriam fecissent David, miserunt, et conduxerunt mercede Syrum Rohob, et Syrum Soba, viginti millia peditum, et a rege Maacha mille viros, et ab Istob duodecim millia virorum.

6 But when the sons of Ammon saw that they had done an injury to David, they sent and hired for pay the Syrians of Rehob and the Syrians of Zobah, twenty thousand foot soldiers, and from the king of Maacah one thousand men, and from Istob twelve thousand men.

7 Quod cum audisset David, misit Ioab et omnem exercitum bellatorum.

7 When David had heard this, he sent Joab and all the army of warriors.

8 Egressi sunt ergo filii Ammon, et direxerunt aciem ante ipsum introitum portae: Syrus autem Soba, et Rohob, et Istob, et Maacha, seorsum erant in campo.

8 Therefore the sons of Ammon went out, and drew up the battle-line before the very entrance of the gate: but the Syrians of Soba, and of Rohob, and of Istob, and of Maacha were apart in the field.

9 Videns igitur Ioab quod praeparatum esset adversum se praelium, et ex adverso et post tergum, elegit ex omnibus electis Israel, et instruxit aciem contra Syrum:

9 Therefore, seeing that battle had been prepared against him, both to the front and to the rear, Joab selected from all the chosen men of Israel, and arrayed the battle-line against the Syrian:

10 reliquam autem partem populi tradidit Abisai fratri suo, qui direxit aciem adversus filios Ammon.

10 but the remaining part of the people he handed over to Abishai his brother, who directed the battle-line against the sons of Ammon.

11 Et ait Ioab: Si praevaluerint adversum me Syri, eris mihi in adiutorium: si autem filii Ammon praevaluerint adversum te, auxiliabor te.

11 And Joab said: If the Syrians prevail against me, you shall be to me for aid; but if the sons of Ammon prevail against you, I will aid you.

12 Esto vir fortis, et pugnemus pro populo nostro, et civitate Dei nostri: Dominus autem faciet quod bonum est in conspectu suo.

12 Be a valiant man, and let us fight for our people and the city of our God; but the Lord will do what is good in his sight.

13 Iniit itaque Ioab, et populus qui erat cum eo, certamen contra Syros: qui statim fugerunt a facie eius.

13 And so Joab, and the people who were with him, entered into battle against the Syrians: who immediately fled from before his face.

14 Filii autem Ammon videntes quia fugissent Syri, fugerunt et ipsi a facie Abisai, et ingressi sunt civitatem: reversusque est Ioab a filiis Ammon, et venit Ierusalem.

14 But the sons of Ammon, seeing that the Syrians had fled, they too fled from before Abishai, and entered the city: and Joab returned from the sons of Ammon, and came to Jerusalem.

15 Videntes igitur Syri quoniam corruissent coram Israel, congregati sunt pariter.

15 Therefore the Syrians, seeing that they had fallen before Israel, were congregated together.

16 Misitque Adarezer, et eduxit Syros, qui erant trans fluvium, et adduxit eorum exercitum: Sobach autem, magister militiae Adarezer, erat princeps eorum.

16 And Adarezer sent, and led out the Syrians who were beyond the river, and he brought their army; but Sobach, the magister militiae of Adarezer, was their chief.

17 Quod cum nuntiatum esset David, contraxit omnem Israelem, et transivit Iordanem, venitque in Helam: et direxerunt aciem Syri ex adverso David, et pugnaverunt contra eum.

17 When this had been announced to David, he drew together all Israel, and crossed the Jordan, and came to Helam; and the Syrians directed their battle-line opposite David, and fought against him.

18 Fugeruntque Syri a facie Israel, et occidit David de Syris septingentos currus, et quadraginta millia equitum: et Sobach principem militiae percussit: qui statim mortuus est.

18 And the Syrians fled from before the face of Israel, and David struck down among the Syrians 700 chariots, and 40,000 horsemen: and he struck Sobach, the commander of the militia: who immediately died.

19 Videntes autem universi reges, qui erant in praesidio Adarezer, se victos esse ab Israel, expaverunt et fugerunt quinquaginta et octo millia coram Israel. Et fecerunt pacem cum Israel: et servierunt eis, timueruntque Syri auxilium praebere ultra filiis Ammon.

19 But when all the kings who were under the protection of Adarezer saw that they had been conquered by Israel, they were terrified, and fifty-eight thousand fled before Israel. And they made peace with Israel, and served them; and the Syrians were afraid to provide help any further to the sons of Ammon.

[11]

1 Factum est autem, vertente anno, eo tempore quo solent reges ad bella procedere, misit David Ioab, et servos suos cum eo, et universum Israel, et vastaverunt filios Ammon, et obsederunt Kabba: David autem remansit in Ierusalem.

1 And it came to pass, as the year was turning, at the time when kings are accustomed to go out to wars, David sent Joab, and his servants with him, and all Israel; and they laid waste the sons of Ammon, and besieged Kabba; but David remained in Jerusalem.

2 Dum haec agerentur, accidit ut surgeret David de strato suo post meridiem, et deambularet in solario domus regiae: viditque mulierem se lavantem, ex adverso super solarium suum: erat autem mulier pulchra valde.

2 While these things were being done, it befell that David arose from his couch after midday, and walked about in the solarium of the royal house: and he saw a woman washing herself, opposite, upon her own solarium: now the woman was very beautiful.

3 Misit ergo rex, et requisivit quae esset mulier. Nuntiatumque est ei quod ipsa esset Bethsabee filia Eliam, uxor Uriae Hethaei.

3 Therefore the king sent and inquired who the woman was. And it was announced to him that she was Bathsheba, daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite.

4 Missis itaque David nuntiis, tulit eam: quae cum ingressa esset ad illum, dormivit cum ea: statimque sanctificata est ab immunditia sua:

4 Therefore, David, having sent messengers, took her: and when she had entered to him, he slept with her: and immediately she was purified from her uncleanness:

5 et reversa est domum suam concepto foetu. Mittensque nuntiavit David, et ait: Concepi.

5 and she returned to her house, having conceived a fetus. And sending, she announced to David, and said: I have conceived.

6 Misit autem David ad Ioab, dicens: Mitte ad me Uriam Hethaeum. Misitque Ioab Uriam ad David.

6 Then David sent to Joab, saying: Send Uriah the Hittite to me. And Joab sent Uriah to David.

7 Et venit Urias ad David. Quaesivitque David quam recte ageret Ioab, et populus, et quomodo administraretur bellum.

7 And Uriah came to David. And David inquired how rightly Joab was faring, and the people, and how the war was being conducted.

8 Et dixit David ad Uriam: Vade in domum tuam, et lava pedes tuos. Et egressus est Urias de domo regis, secutusque est eum cibus regius.

8 And David said to Uriah: Go to your house, and wash your feet. And Uriah went out from the king’s house, and royal food followed him.

9 Dormivit autem Urias ante portam domus regiae cum aliis servis suis domini sui, et non descendit ad domum suam.

9 But Uriah slept before the gate of the royal house with the other servants of his lord, and he did not go down to his own house.

10 Nuntiatumque est David a dicentibus: Non ivit Urias in domum suam. Et ait David ad Uriam: Numquid non de via venisti? quare non descendisti in domum tuam?

10 And it was announced to David by those saying: Uriah did not go into his house. And David said to Uriah: Have you not come from a journey? why did you not descend into your house?

11 Et ait Urias ad David: Arca Dei et Israel et Iuda habitant in papilionibus, et dominus meus Ioab, et servi domini mei super faciem terrae manent: et ego ingrediar domum meam, ut comedam et bibam, et dormiam cum uxore mea? Per salutem tuam, et per salutem animae tuae, non faciam rem hanc.

11 And Uriah said to David: The Ark of God and Israel and Judah dwell in pavilions, and my lord Joab, and the servants of my lord remain upon the face of the earth; and shall I go into my house, to eat and to drink, and to sleep with my wife? By your life, and by the life of your soul, I will not do this thing.

12 Ait ergo David ad Uriam: Mane hic etiam hodie, et cras dimittam te. Mansit Urias in Ierusalem in die illa et altera:

12 Therefore David said to Uriah: Stay here even today, and tomorrow I will dismiss you. Uriah remained in Jerusalem on that day and the next:

13 et vocavit eum David ut comederet coram se et biberet, et inebriavit eum: qui egressus vespere, dormivit in strato suo cum servis domini sui, et in domum suam non descendit.

13 and David called him to eat before him and to drink, and he inebriated him; and he, going out in the evening, slept on his own bed with the servants of his lord, and he did not go down to his own house.

14 Factum est ergo mane, et scripsit David epistolam ad Ioab: misitque per manum Uriae,

14 Therefore it came to pass in the morning, that David wrote a letter to Joab: and he sent it by the hand of Uriah,

15 scribens in epistola: Ponite Uriam ex adverso belli, ubi fortissimum est praelium: et derelinquite eum, ut percussus intereat.

15 writing in the epistle: Place Uriah opposite the war, where the battle is strongest; and abandon him, so that, struck down, he may perish.

16 Igitur cum Ioab obsideret urbem, posuit Uriam in loco ubi sciebat viros esse fortissimos.

16 Therefore, when Joab was besieging the city, he placed Uriah in the place where he knew the men were very strong.

17 Egressique viri de civitate, bellebant adversum Ioab, et ceciderunt de populo servorum David, et mortuus est etiam Urias Hethaeus.

17 And the men went out from the city; they were waging war against Joab, and some of the people, the servants of David, fell, and Uriah the Hittite also died.

18 Misit itaque Ioab, et nuntiavit David omnia verba praelii:

18 Therefore Joab sent, and reported to David all the words of the battle:

19 praecepitque nuntio, dicens: Cum compleveris universos sermones belli ad regem,

19 and he instructed the messenger, saying: When you have completed all the words of the battle to the king,

20 si eum videris indignari, et dixerit: Quare accessistis ad murum, ut praeliaremini? an ignorabatis quod multa desuper ex muro tela mittantur?

20 if you see him becoming indignant, and he says: Why did you approach the wall, to engage in battle? Did you not know that many missiles are hurled down from the wall?

21 Quis percussit Abimelech filium Ierobaal? nonne mulier misit super eum fragmen molae de muro, et interfecit eum in Thebes? quare iuxta murum accessistis?

21 Who struck Abimelech, the son of Jerubbaal? Did not a woman cast upon him a fragment of a millstone from the wall, and kill him at Thebes? Why did you approach close to the wall?

dices: Etiam servus tuus Urias Hethaeus occubuit.

you will say: Even your servant Uriah the Hittite has fallen.

22 Abiit ergo nuntius, et venit, et narravit David omnia quae ei praeceperat Ioab.

22 Therefore the messenger went, and came, and narrated to David all that Ioab had instructed him.

23 Et dixit nuntius ad David: Praevaluerunt adversum nos viri, et egressi sunt ad nos in agrum: nos autem facto impetu persecuti eos sumus usque ad portam civitatis.

23 And the messenger said to David: The men prevailed against us, and they came out against us into the field: but we, having made an onset, pursued them up to the gate of the city.

24 Et direxerunt iacula sagittarii ad servos tuos ex muro desuper: mortuique sunt de servis regis, quin etiam servus tuus Urias Hethaeus mortuus est.

24 And the archers directed missiles at your servants from the wall from above: and of the king’s servants there died, nay even your servant Uriah the Hittite is dead.

25 Et dixit David ad nuntium: Haec dices Ioab: Non te frangat ista res: varius enim eventus est belli, nunc hunc, et nunc illum consumit gladius: conforta bellatores tuos adversus urbem, ut destruas eam, et exhortare eos.

25 And David said to the messenger: This you shall say to Joab: Do not let this matter dishearten you: for the event of war is various; now the sword consumes this one, and now that one: strengthen your warriors against the city, that you may destroy it, and exhort them.

26 Audivit auter uxor Uriae, quod mortuus esset Urias vir suus, et planxit eum.

26 But the wife of Uriah heard that Uriah, her husband, was dead, and she mourned him.

27 Transacto autem luctu, misit David, et introduxit eam in domum suam, et facta est ei uxor, peperitque ei filium: et displicuit verbum hoc, quod fecerat David, coram Domino.

27 But when the mourning was over, David sent and brought her into his house, and she became his wife, and she bore him a son: and this thing, which David had done, displeased before the Lord.

[12]

1 Misit ergo Dominus Nathan ad David: qui cum venisset ad eum, dixit ei: Duo viri erant in civitate una, unus dives, et alter pauper.

1 Therefore the Lord sent Nathan to David; and when he had come to him, he said to him: Two men were in one city, one rich, and the other poor.

2 Dives habebat oves, et boves plurimos valde.

2 The rich man had sheep and oxen, very many indeed.

3 Pauper autem nihil habebat omnino, praeter ovem unam parvulam, quam emerat et nutrierat, et quae creverat apud eum cum filiis eius simul, de pane illius comedens, et de calice eius bibens, et in sinu illius dormiens: eratque illi sicut filia.

3 But the poor man had absolutely nothing, except one little ewe-lamb, which he had bought and nurtured, and which had grown up with him together with his sons, eating of his bread, and drinking from his chalice, and sleeping in his bosom: and it was to him like a daughter.

4 Cum autem peregrinus quidam venisset ad divitem, parcens ille sumere de ovibus et de bobus suis, ut exhiberet convivium peregrino illi qui venerat ad se, tulit ovem viri pauperis, et praeparavit cibos homini qui venerat ad se.

4 Now when a certain pilgrim had come to the rich man, he, sparing to take from his own sheep and oxen, in order to set forth a banquet for that pilgrim who had come to him, took the poor man’s ewe, and prepared food for the man who had come to him.

5 Iratus autem indignatione David adversus hominem illum nimis, dixit ad Nathan: Vivit Dominus, quoniam filius mortis est vir qui fecit hoc.

5 But David, angered with indignation exceedingly against that man, said to Nathan: The Lord lives, for the man who has done this is a son of death.

6 Ovem reddet in quadruplum, eo quod fecerit verbum istud, et non pepercerit.

6 He shall restore the sheep in quadruple, because he has done this thing, and has not spared.

7 Dixit autem Nathan ad David: Tu es ille vir. Haec dicit Dominus Deus Israel: Ego unxi te in regem super Israel, et ego erui te de manu Saul,

7 But Nathan said to David: You are that man. Thus says the Lord God of Israel: I anointed you king over Israel, and I delivered you from the hand of Saul,

8 et dedi tibi domum domini tui, et uxores domini tui in sinu tuo, dedique tibi domum Israel et Iuda: et si parva sunt ista, adiciam tibi multo maiora.

8 and I gave to you the house of your lord, and the wives of your lord into your bosom, and I gave to you the house of Israel and Judah: and if these are small, I will add to you much greater.

9 Quare ergo contempsisti verbum Domini, ut faceres malum in conspectu meo? Uriam Hethaeum percussisti gladio, et uxorem illius accepisti in uxorem tibi, et interfecisti eum gladio filiorum Ammon.

9 Why then have you despised the word of the Lord, so as to do evil in my sight? Uriah the Hittite you struck with the sword, and his wife you took to yourself as wife, and you killed him with the sword of the sons of Ammon.

10 Quam ob rem non recedet gladius de domo tua usque in sempiternum, eo quod despexeris me, et tuleris uxorem Uriae Hethaei, ut esset uxor tua.

10 Therefore the sword will not depart from your house forever, because you have despised me, and have taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite, that she might be your wife.

11 Itaque haec dicit Dominus: Ecce ego suscitabo super te malum de domo tua, et tollam uxores tuas in oculis tuis, et dabo proximo tuo, et dormiet cum uxoribus tuis in oculis solis huius.

11 Therefore thus says the Lord: Behold, I will raise up against you evil from your own house, and I will take your wives before your eyes, and I will give them to your neighbor, and he will sleep with your wives in the sight of this sun.

12 Tu enim fecisti abscondite: ego autem faciam verbum istud in conspectu omnis Israel, et in conspectu solis

12 For you indeed did it secretly; but I will do this thing in the sight of all Israel, and in the sight of the sun

13 Et dixit David ad Nathan: Peccavi Domino. Dixitque Nathan ad David: Dominus quoque transtulit peccatum tuum: non morieris.

13 And David said to Nathan: I have sinned against the Lord. And Nathan said to David: The Lord also has taken away your sin; you will not die.

14 Verumtamen, quoniam blasphemare fecisti inimicos Domini, propter verbum hoc, filius, qui natus est tibi, morte morietur.

14 Nevertheless, since you have made the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme, on account of this word, the son who has been born to you shall die by death.

15 Et reversus est Nathan in domum suam.

15 And Nathan returned to his house.

Percussit quoque Dominus parvulum, quem pepererat uxor Uriae David, et desperatus est.

The Lord also struck the little child whom the wife of Uriah had borne to David, and he became desperately ill.

16 Deprecatusque est David Dominum pro parvulo: et ieiunavit David ieiunio, et ingressus seorsum, iacuit super terram.

16 And David supplicated the Lord on behalf of the little child: and David fasted with a fast, and, having entered apart, he lay upon the ground.

17 Venerunt autem seniores domus eius, cogentes eum ut surgeret de terra. Qui noluit, nec comedit cum eis cibum.

17 But the elders of his household came, compelling him to rise from the ground. He was unwilling, nor did he eat food with them.

18 Accidit autem die septima ut moreretur infans: timueruntque servi David nuntiare ei quod mortuus esset parvulus: dixerunt enim: Ecce cum parvulus adhuc viveret, loquebamur ad eum, et non audiebat vocem nostram: quanto magis si dixerimus: Mortuus est puer, se affliget?

18 But it happened on the seventh day that the infant died; and the servants of David were afraid to announce to him that the little one was dead; for they said: Behold, while the little one was still living, we were speaking to him, and he was not hearing our voice: how much more if we should say, The boy is dead, will he afflict himself?

19 Cum ergo David vidisset servos suos mussitantes, intellexit quod mortuus esset infantulus: dixitque ad servos suos: Num mortuus est puer? Qui responderunt ei: Mortuus est.

19 When therefore David had seen his servants whispering, he understood that the little infant was dead: and he said to his servants: Is the boy dead? They answered him: He is dead.

20 Surrexit ergo David de terra: et lotus unctusque est: cumque mutasset vestem, ingressus est domum Domini: et adoravit, et venit in domum suam, petivitque ut ponerent ei panem, et comedit.

20 Therefore David arose from the ground: and, having washed and been anointed: and when he had changed his garment, he entered the house of the Lord: and he worshiped, and came into his own house, and requested that they set bread for him, and he ate.

21 Dixerunt autem ei servi sui: Quis est sermo, quem fecisti? propter infantem, cum adhuc viveret, ieiunasti et flebas: mortuo autem puero, surrexisti, et comedisti panem.

21 But his servants said to him: What is this thing that you have done? For the infant, while he was still living, you fasted and were weeping; but when the boy was dead, you rose and ate bread.

22 Qui ait: Propter infantem, dum adhuc viveret, ieiunavi et flevi: dicebam enim: Quis scit si forte donet eum mihi Dominus, et vivat infans?

22 Who said: On account of the infant, while he was still living, I fasted and wept: for I said: Who knows whether perhaps the Lord may grant him to me, and the infant live?

23 Nunc autem quia mortuus est, quare ieiunem? Numquid potero revocare eum amplius? Ego vadam magis ad eum: ille vero non revertetur ad me.

23 Now, however, because he is dead, why should I fast? Can I possibly call him back any more? I shall go rather to him; but he will not return to me.

24 Et consolatus est David Bethsabee uxorem suam, ingressusque ad eam, dormivit cum ea: quae genuit filium, et vocavit nomen eius Salomon, et Dominus dilexit eum.

24 And David consoled Bathsheba his wife, and having gone in to her, he slept with her: who bore a son, and he called his name Solomon, and the Lord loved him.

25 Misitque in manu Nathan prophetae, et vocavit nomen eius, Amabilis Domino, eo quod diligeret eum Dominus.

25 And he sent by the hand of Nathan the prophet, and he called his name Beloved of the Lord, because the Lord loved him.

26 Igitur pugnabat Ioab contra Rabbath filiorum Ammon, et expugnabat urbem regiam.

26 Therefore Joab was fighting against Rabbah of the sons of Ammon, and he was storming the royal city.

27 Misitque Ioab nuntios ad David, dicens: Dimicavi adversum Rabbath, et capienda est Urbs aquarum.

27 And Joab sent messengers to David, saying: I have fought against Rabbath, and the City of waters is to be taken.

28 Nunc igitur congrega reliquam partem populi, et obside civitatem, et cape eam: ne, cum a me vastata fuerit urbs, nomini meo ascribatur victoria.

28 Now therefore congregate the remaining part of the people, and besiege the city, and capture it: lest, when the city has been laid waste by me, the victory be ascribed to my name.

29 Congregavit itaque David omnem populum, et profectus est adversum Rabbath: cumque dimicasset, cepit eam.

29 Therefore David gathered all the people, and set out against Rabbath: and when he had fought, he took it.

30 Et tulit diadema regis eorum de capite eius, pondo auri talentum, habens gemmas pretiosissimas, et impositum est super caput David. Sed et praedam civitatis asportavit multam valde:

30 And he took the diadem of their king from his head, a talent weight of gold, having most precious gems, and it was set upon the head of David. But he also carried off the booty of the city, very much indeed:

31 populum quoque eius adducens serravit, et circumegit super eos ferrata carpenta: divisitque cultris, et traduxit in typo laterum: sic fecit universis civitatibus filiorum Ammon: et reversus est David, et omnis exercitus in Ierusalem.

31 bringing in their people also, he sawed them, and he drove iron-bound carts around over them; and he cut them up with knives, and he led them through the brick-kiln: thus he did to all the cities of the sons of Ammon: and David returned, and all the army, to Jerusalem.

[13]

1 Factum est autem post haec, ut Absalom filii David sororem speciosissimam, vocabulo Thamar, adamaret Amnon filius David,

1 And it came to pass after these things, that Amnon, son of David, was enamored of the most beautiful sister of Absalom, son of David, by name Tamar,

2 et deperiret eam valde, ita ut propter amorem eius aegrotaret: quia cum esset virgo, difficile ei videbatur ut quippiam inhoneste ageret cum ea.

2 and he pined away for her greatly, so that on account of his love he fell ill: because, since she was a virgin, it seemed difficult to him to do anything dishonorably with her.

3 Erat autem Amnon amicus, nomine Ionadab, filius Semmaa fratris David, vir prudens valde.

3 Now Amnon had a friend, named Jonadab, the son of Shimea, David’s brother, a very prudent man.

4 Qui dixit ad eum: Quare sic attenuaris macie, fili regis, per singulos dies? cur non indicas mihi? Dixitque ei Amnon: Thamar sororem fratris mei Absalom amo.

4 Who said to him: Why are you thus attenuated with leanness, son of the king, day by day? why do you not indicate it to me? And Amnon said to him: I love Thamar, the sister of my brother Absalom.

5 Cui respondit Ionadab: Cuba super lectum tuum, et languorem simula: cumque venerit pater tuus ut visitet te, dic ei: Veniat, oro, Thamar soror mea, ut det mihi cibum, et faciat pulmentum, ut comedam de manu eius.

5 Ionadab answered him: Lie upon your bed, and simulate languor; and when your father comes to visit you, say to him: Let, I pray, Thamar my sister come, that she may give me food, and make a pottage, that I may eat from her hand.

6 Accubuit itaque Amnon, et quasi aegrotare coepit: cumque venisset rex ad visitandum eum, ait Amnon ad regem: Veniat, obsecro, Thamar soror mea, ut faciat in oculis meis duas sorbitiunculas, et cibum capiam de manu eius.

6 And so Amnon reclined and began, as it were, to be sick; and when the king had come to visit him, Amnon said to the king: Let Tamar my sister come, I beseech, that she may make before my eyes two little broths, and that I may take food from her hand.

7 Misit ergo David ad Thamar domum, dicens: Veni in domum Amnon fratris tui, et fac ei pulmentum.

7 Therefore David sent to Thamar at home, saying: Come into the house of Amnon your brother, and prepare him some pottage.

8 Venitque Thamar in domum Amnon fratris sui: ille autem iacebat: quae tollens farinam commiscuit: et liquefaciens, in oculis eius coxit sorbitiunculas.

8 And Thamar came into the house of Amnon her brother: but he was lying: and she, taking up flour, commixed it: and, liquefying it, in his sight she cooked little broths.

9 Tollensque quod coxerat, effudit, et posuit coram eo, et noluit comedere: dixitque Amnon: Eicite universos a me. Cumque eiecissent omnes,

9 And taking what she had cooked, she poured it out and set it before him, and he did not want to eat: and Amnon said: Cast out everyone from me. And when they had cast out all,

10 dixit Amnon ad Thamar: Infer cibum in conclave, ut vescar de manu tua. Tulit ergo Thamar sorbitiunculas quas fecerat, et intulit ad Amnon fratrem suum in conclave.

10 Amnon said to Thamar: Bring the food into the chamber, that I may eat from your hand. Therefore Thamar took the little soups which she had made, and brought them in to Amnon her brother in the chamber.

11 Cumque obtulisset ei cibum, apprehendit eam et ait: Veni, cuba mecum soror mea.

11 And when she had offered him food, he apprehended her and said: Come, lie with me, my sister.

12 Quae respondit ei: Noli frater mi, noli opprimere me, neque enim hoc fas est in Israel: noli facere stultitiam hanc.

12 She answered him: Do not, my brother, do not oppress me; for this is not lawful in Israel: do not commit this folly.

13 Ego enim ferre non potero opprobrium meum, et tu eris quasi unus de insipientibus in Israel: quin potius loquere ad regem, et non negabit me tibi.

13 For I, indeed, shall not be able to bear my opprobrium, and you will be as one of the fools in Israel; rather, speak to the king, and he will not deny me to you.

14 Noluit autem acquiescere precibus eius, sed praevalens viribus oppressit eam, et cubavit cum ea.

14 But he was unwilling to acquiesce to her entreaties; rather, prevailing by force, he overpowered her and lay with her.

15 Et exosam eam habuit Amnon odio magno nimis: ita ut maius esset odium, quo oderat eam, amore quo ante dilexerat. Dixitque ei Amnon: Surge, et vade.

15 And Amnon had her in very great hatred, exceedingly: so that the hatred with which he hated her was greater than the love with which he had loved her before. And Amnon said to her: Arise, and go.

16 Quae respondit ei: Maius est hoc malum, quod nunc agis adversum me, quam quod ante fecisti, expellens me. Et noluit audire eam:

16 She responded to him: Greater is this evil which you now do against me than that which you did before, by expelling me. And he was unwilling to listen to her:

17 sed vocato puero, qui ministrabat ei, dixit: Eice hanc a me foras, et claude ostium post eam.

17 but, having called the boy who was ministering to him, he said: Expel this woman from me, outside, and shut the door after her.

18 Quae induta erat talari tunica: huiuscemodi enim filiae regis virgines vestibus utebantur. Eiecit itaque eam minister illius foras: clausitque fores post eam.

18 who was clothed in an ankle-length tunic: for the king’s daughters, virgins, used to wear garments of this kind. Therefore his servant cast her out: and he shut the doors after her.

19 Quae aspergens cinerem capiti suo, scissa talari tunica, impositisque manibus super caput suum, ibat ingrediens, et clamans.

19 She, sprinkling ashes upon her head, her ankle-length tunic torn, and with her hands placed upon her head, went on, going and crying out.

20 Dixit autem ei Absalom frater eius: Numquid Amnon frater tuus concubuit tecum? sed nunc soror tace, frater tuus est: neque affligas cor tuum pro hac re. Mansit itaque Thamar contabescens in domo Absalom fratris sui.

20 But Absalom her brother said to her: Has Amnon your brother lain with you? but now, sister, be silent; he is your brother: neither afflict your heart over this matter. And so Tamar remained, wasting away, in the house of Absalom her brother.

21 Cum autem audisset rex David verba haec, contristatus est valde, et noluit constristare spiritum Amnon filii sui, quoniam diligebat eum, quia primogenitus erat ei.

21 But when King David had heard these words, he was very much saddened, and he did not wish to sadden the spirit of Amnon his son, because he loved him, for he was his firstborn.

22 Porro non est locutus Absalom ad Amnon nec malum nec bonum: oderat enim Absalom Amnon, eo quod violasset Thamar sororem suam.

22 Moreover Absalom did not speak to Amnon either evil or good: for Absalom hated Amnon, because he had violated Thamar his sister.

23 Factum est autem post tempus biennii, ut tonderentur oves Absalom in Baalhasor, quae est iuxta Ephraim: et vocavit Absalom omnes filios regis,

23 Now it came to pass after the time of a biennium, that the sheep of Absalom were being shorn in Baalhasor, which is next to Ephraim: and Absalom called all the sons of the king,

24 venitque ad regem, et ait ad eum: Ecce tondentur oves servi tui: veniat, oro, rex cum servis suis ad servum suum.

24 and he came to the king, and said to him: Behold, the sheep of your servant are being shorn: let the king, I pray, come with his servants to his servant.

25 Dixitque rex ad Absalom: Noli fili mi, noli rogare ut veniamus omnes, et gravemus te. Cum autem cogeret eum, et noluisset ire, benedixit ei.

25 And the king said to Absalom: Do not, my son, do not ask that we should all come and burden you. But when he pressed him, and he would not go, he blessed him.

26 Et ait Absalom: Si non vis venire, veniat, obsecro, nobiscum saltem Amnon frater meus. Dixitque ad eum rex: Non est necesse ut vadat tecum.

26 And Absalom said: If you do not wish to come, let Amnon, my brother, at least come with us, I beseech. And the king said to him: It is not necessary that he go with you.

27 Coegit itaque Absalom eum, et dimisit cum eo Amnon et universos filios regis.

27 Therefore Absalom pressed him, and he sent Amnon and all the king’s sons with him.

Feceratque Absalom convivium quasi convivium regis.

And Absalom had made a banquet like the banquet of the king.

28 Praeceperat autem Absalom pueris suis, dicens: Observate cum temulentus fuerit Amnon vino, et dixero vobis: Percutite eum, et interficite, nolite timere: ego enim sum qui praecipio vobis: roboramini, et estote viri fortes.

28 But Absalom had instructed his servants, saying: Observe when Amnon has become drunk with wine, and when I shall have said to you, 'Strike him, and kill him,' do not be afraid: for I am the one who commands you: be strengthened, and be valiant men.

29 Fecerunt ergo pueri Absalom adversum Amnon, sicut praeceperat eis Absalom. Surgentesque omnes filii regis ascenderunt singuli mulas suas, et fugerunt.

29 Therefore Absalom’s servants acted against Amnon, just as Absalom had commanded them. And all the sons of the king rose up and mounted each his mule, and fled.

30 Cumque adhuc pergerent in itinere, fama pervenit ad David, dicens: Percussit Absalom omnes filios regis, et non remansit ex eis saltem unus.

30 And while they were still proceeding on the way, a report reached David, saying: Absalom has struck all the sons of the king, and not even one of them remained.

31 Surrexit itaque rex, et scidit vestimenta sua: et cecidit super terram, et omnes servi illius, qui assistebant ei, sciderunt vestimenta sua.

31 So the king arose, and tore his garments; and he fell upon the ground, and all his servants, who were standing by him, tore their garments.

32 Respondens autem Ionadab filius Semmaa fratris David, dixit: Ne aestimet dominus meus rex, quod omnes pueri filii regis occisi sint: Amnon solus mortuus est, quoniam in ore Absalom erat positus ex die qua oppressit Thamar sororem eius.

32 But Jonadab, the son of Shimeah, David’s brother, answering, said: Let not my lord the king suppose that all the youths, the sons of the king, have been slain: Amnon alone is dead, for he had been set upon by Absalom from the day when he forced Tamar, his sister.

33 Nunc ergo ne ponat dominus meus rex super cor suum verbum istud, dicens: Omnes filii regis occisi sunt: quoniam Amnon solus mortuus est.

33 Now therefore let not my lord the king lay this word upon his heart, saying: All the sons of the king have been slain: for Amnon alone is dead.

34 Fugit autem Absalom.

34 But Absalom fled.

Et elevavit puer speculator oculos suos, et aspexit: et ecce populus multus veniebat per iter devium ex latere montis.

And the boy lookout lifted up his eyes and looked; and behold, a great crowd was coming by a side path from the side of the mountain.

35 Dixit autem Ionadab ad regem: Ecce filii regis adsunt: iuxta verbum servi tui sic factum est.

35 But Jonadab said to the king: Behold, the sons of the king are here: according to the word of your servant, so it has been done.

36 Cumque cessasset loqui, apparuerunt et filii regis: et intrantes levaverunt vocem suam, et fleverunt: sed et rex et omnes servi eius fleverunt ploratu magno nimis.

36 And when he had ceased to speak, the sons of the king also appeared; and entering, they lifted up their voice and wept; but both the king and all his servants wept with a lamentation exceedingly great.

37 Porro Absalom fugiens, abiit ad Tholomai filium Ammiud regem Gessur. Luxit ergo David filium suum cunctis diebus.

37 Moreover Absalom, fleeing, went to Talmai, son of Ammihud, king of Geshur. Therefore David mourned his son all the days.

38 Absalom autem cum fugisset, et venisset in Gessur, fuit ibi tribus annis.

38 But Absalom, when he had fled and had come to Geshur, was there for three years.

Cessavitque rex David persequi Absalom, eo quod consolatus esset super Amnon interitu.

And King David ceased to pursue Absalom, because he had been consoled over Amnon’s death.

[14]

1 Intelligens autem Ioab filius Sarviae, quod cor regis versum esset ad Absalom,

1 But Joab, son of Zeruiah, understanding that the heart of the king was turned toward Absalom,

2 misit Thecuam, et tulit inde mulierem sapientem: dixitque ad eam: Lugere te simula, et induere veste lugubri, et ne ungaris oleo, ut sis quasi mulier iam plurimo tempore lugens mortuum:

2 he sent to Tekoa, and took from there a wise woman; and he said to her: Pretend to mourn, and put on mourning attire, and do not anoint yourself with oil, so that you may be as a woman already for a very long time mourning the dead:

3 et ingredieris ad regem, et loqueris ad eum sermones huiuscemodi. Posuit autem Ioab verba in ore eius.

3 and you shall go in to the king, and you shall speak to him words of this kind. But Joab put the words into her mouth.

4 Itaque cum ingressa fuisset mulier Thecuitis ad regem, cecidit coram eo super terram, et adoravit, et dixit: Serva me rex.

4 And so, when the woman of Tekoa had entered to the king, she fell before him upon the ground, and adored, and said: Save me, O king.

5 Et ait ad eam rex: Quid causae habes? Quae respondit: Heu, mulier vidua ego sum: mortuus est enim vir meus.

5 And the king said to her: What cause have you? She answered: Alas, I am a widow woman: for my husband is dead.

6 Et ancillae tuae erant duo filii: qui rixati sunt adversum se in agro, nullusque erat qui eos prohibere posset: et percussit alter alterum, et interfecit eum.

6 And your handmaid had two sons: who quarreled against each other in the field, and there was no one who could restrain them: and the one struck the other and killed him.

7 Et ecce consurgens universa cognatio adversum ancillam tuam, dicit: Trade eum, qui percussit fratrem suum, ut occidamus eum pro anima fratris sui, quem interfecit, et deleamus haeredem: et quaerunt extinguere scintillam meam, quae relicta est, ut non supersit viro meo nomen, et reliquiae super terram.

7 And behold, the whole kindred rising up against your handmaid says: Hand over him who struck his brother, that we may kill him for the life of his brother whom he killed, and let us obliterate the heir: and they seek to extinguish my spark which is left, so that there may not remain to my husband a name, and a remnant upon the earth.

8 Et ait rex ad mulierem: Vade in domum tuam, et ego iubebo pro te.

8 And the king said to the woman: Go to your house, and I will command on your behalf.

9 Dixitque mulier Thecuitis ad regem: In me, domine mi rex, sit iniquitas, et in domum patris mei: rex autem et thronus eius sit innocens.

9 And the Tekoite woman said to the king: On me, my lord the king, be the iniquity, and on the house of my father: but let the king and his throne be innocent.

10 Et ait rex: Qui contradixerit tibi, adduc eum ad me, et ultra non addet ut tangat te.

10 And the king said: Whoever contradicts you, bring him to me, and he will no longer presume to touch you.

11 Quae ait: Recordetur rex Domini Dei sui, ut non multiplicentur proximi sanguinis ad ulciscendum, et nequaquam interficiant filium meum. Qui ait: Vivit Dominus, quia non cadet de capillis filii tui super terram.

11 She said: Let the king recall the Lord his God, that the near-of-blood for avenging be not multiplied, and by no means let them slay my son. And he said: As the Lord lives, there shall not fall to the ground a hair of your son’s head.

12 Dixit ergo mulier: Loquatur ancilla tua ad dominum meum regem verbum. Et ait: Loquere.

12 Therefore the woman said: Let your handmaid speak a word to my lord the king. And he said: Speak.

13 Dixitque mulier: Quare cogitasti huiuscemodi rem contra populum Dei, et locutus est rex verbum istud, ut peccet, et non reducat eiectum suum?

13 And the woman said: Why have you thought of such a thing against the people of God, and has the king spoken this word, that he should sin, and not bring back his banished one?

14 Omnes morimur, et quasi aquae dilabimur in terram, quae non revertuntur: nec vult Deus perire animam, sed retractat cogitans ne penitus pereat qui abiectus est.

14 We all die, and, like waters, we slip away into the earth, which do not return: nor does God will a soul to perish, but he reconsiders, thinking, so that the one cast off may not utterly perish.

15 Nunc igitur veni, ut loquar ad dominum meum regem verbum hoc, praesente populo. Et dixit ancilla tua: Loquar ad regem, si quomodo faciat rex verbum ancillae suae.

15 Now therefore I have come, to speak this word to my lord the king, with the people present. And your handmaid said: I will speak to the king, if somehow the king may do the word of his handmaid.

16 Et audivit rex, ut liberaret ancillam suam de manu omnium, qui volebant de haereditate Dei delere me, et filium meum simul.

16 And the king heard, so that he might free his handmaid from the hand of all who were wanting to blot me out from the heritage of God, and my son as well.

17 Dicat ergo ancilla tua, ut fiat verbum domini mei regis sicut sacrificium. Sicut enim angelus Dei, sic est dominus meus rex, ut nec benedictione, nec maledictione moveatur: unde et Dominus Deus tuus est tecum.

17 Let, therefore, your handmaid speak, that the word of my lord the king may be as a sacrifice. For like an angel of God, so is my lord the king, so that he is moved neither by benediction nor by malediction: whence also the Lord your God is with you.

18 Et respondens rex, dixit ad mulierem: Ne abscondas a me verbum, quod te interrogo. Dixitque ei mulier: Loquere domine mi rex.

18 And responding, the king said to the woman: Do not hide from me the word which I ask you. And the woman said to him: Speak, my lord king.

19 Et ait rex: Numquid manus Ioab tecum est in omnibus istis? Respondit mulier, et ait: Per salutem animae tuae, domine mi rex, nec ad sinistram, nec ad dexteram est ex omnibus his quae locutus est dominus meus rex: servus enim tuus Ioab, ipse praecepit mihi, et ipse posuit in os ancillae tuae omnia verba haec.

19 And the king said: Is the hand of Joab with you in all this? The woman answered and said: By the life of your soul, my lord the king, there is neither to the left nor to the right in all this that my lord the king has spoken; for your servant Joab, he it is who instructed me, and he himself put into the mouth of your handmaid all these words.

20 Ut verterem figuram sermonis huius, servus tuus Ioab praecepit istud: tu autem, domine mi rex, sapiens es, sicut habet sapientiam angelus Dei, ut intelligas omnia super terram.

20 To turn the appearance of this discourse, your servant Joab commanded this: but you, my lord the king, are wise, as an angel of God has wisdom, so that you may understand all things upon the earth.

21 Et ait rex ad Ioab: Ecce placatus feci verbum tuum: vade ergo, et revoca puerum Absalom.

21 And the king said to Joab: Behold, appeased, I have done your word: go therefore, and recall the youth Absalom.

22 Cadensque Ioab super faciem suam in terram, adoravit, et benedixit regi: et dixit Ioab: Hodie intellexit sevus tuus, quia inveni gratiam in oculis tuis, domine mi rex: fecisti enim sermonem servi tui.

22 And Joab, falling upon his face to the ground, did obeisance and blessed the king; and Joab said: Today your servant has understood that I have found favor in your eyes, my lord the king; for you have carried out the word of your servant.

23 Surrexit ergo Ioab et abiit in Gessur, et adduxit Absalom in Ierusalem.

23 So Joab arose and went to Geshur, and brought Absalom to Jerusalem.

24 Dixit autem rex: Revertatur in domum suam, et faciem meam non videat. Reversus est itaque Absalom in domum suam, et faciem regis non vidit.

24 But the king said: Let him return to his house, and let him not see my face. So Absalom returned to his house, and he did not see the king’s face.

25 Porro sicut Absalom, vir non erat pulcher in omni Israel, et decorus nimis: a vestigio pedis usque ad verticem non erat in eo ulla macula.

25 Moreover, as for Absalom, there was not a man handsome in all Israel, and exceedingly comely: from the sole of the foot to the crown there was in him no blemish.

26 Et quando tondebat capillum (semel autem in anno tondebatur, quia gravabat eum caesaries) ponderabat capillos capitis sui ducentis siclis, pondere publico.

26 And when he sheared his hair (moreover once in the year it was shorn, because his long hair burdened him), he would weigh the hair of his head at 200 shekels, by the public weight.

27 Nati sunt autem Absalom filii tres: et filia una nomine Thamar, elegantis formae.

27 Now there were born to Absalom three sons: and one daughter by the name Thamar, of elegant form.

28 Mansitque Absalom in Ierusalem duobus annis, et faciem regis non vidit.

28 And Absalom remained in Jerusalem for two years, and he did not see the face of the king.

29 Misit itaque ad Ioab, ut mitteret eum ad regem: qui noluit venire ad eum. Cumque secundo misisset, et ille noluisset venire ad eum,

29 He therefore sent to Joab, that he might send him to the king; but he was unwilling to come to him. And when he had sent a second time, and he was unwilling to come to him,

30 dixit servis suis: Scitis agrum Ioab iuxta agrum meum, habentem messem hordei: ite igitur, et succendite eum igni. Succenderunt ergo servi Absalom segetem igni. Et venientes servi Ioab, scissis vestibus suis, dixerunt: Succenderunt servi Absalom partem agri igni.

30 he said to his servants: You know Joab’s field next to my field, having a harvest of barley; go then, and set it on fire. So Absalom’s servants set the standing crop on fire. And Joab’s servants, coming with their garments torn, said: Absalom’s servants have set a part of the field on fire.

31 Surrexitque Ioab, et venit ad Absalom in domum eius, et dixit: Quare succenderunt servi tui segetem meam igni?

31 And Joab arose and came to Absalom into his house, and said: Why have your servants set my grainfield on fire?

32 Et respondit Absalom ad Ioab: Misi ad te obsecrans ut venires ad me, et mitterem te ad regem, et diceres ei: Quare veni ad Gessur? melius mihi erat ibi esse: obsecro ergo ut videam faciem regis: quod si memor est iniquitatis meae, interficiat me.

32 And Absalom answered Ioab: I sent to you, beseeching that you would come to me, and that I might send you to the king, and you would say to him: Why did I come to Gessur? It was better for me to be there: I beseech therefore that I may see the face of the king; but if he is mindful of my iniquity, let him put me to death.

33 Ingressus itaque Ioab ad regem, nuntiavit ei omnia: vocatusque est Absalom, et intravit ad regem, et adoravit super faciem terrae coram eo: osculatusque est rex Absalom.

33 Thus Joab, having entered to the king, announced to him everything: and Absalom was called, and he went in to the king, and he adored, upon his face to the ground before him: and the king kissed Absalom.

[15]

1 Igitur post haec fecit sibi Absalom currus, et equites, et quinquaginta viros, qui praecederent eum.

1 Therefore after these things Absalom made for himself chariots, and horsemen, and fifty men, who would precede him.

2 Et mane consurgens Absalom, stabat iuxta introitum portae, et omnem virum, qui habebat negotium ut veniret ad regis iudicium, vocabat Absalom ad se, et dicebat: De qua civitate es tu? Qui respondens aiebat: Ex una tribu Israel ego sum servus tuus.

2 And rising early in the morning, Absalom would stand beside the entrance of the gate, and every man who had a case to come to the king’s judgment Absalom would call to himself, and he would say: From what city are you? He, answering, would say: From one of the tribes of Israel I am your servant.

3 Respondebatque ei Absalom: Videntur mihi sermones tui boni et iusti. Sed non est qui te audiat constitutus a rege. Dicebatque Absalom:

3 And Absalom would answer him: Your words seem to me good and just. But there is no one appointed by the king to hear you. And Absalom would say:

4 Quis me constituat iudicem super terram, ut ad me veniant omnes qui habent negotium, et iuste iudicem?

4 Who would constitute me judge over the land, that all who have a case might come to me, and I would judge justly?

5 Sed et cum accederet ad eum homo ut salutaret illum, extendebat manum suam, et apprehendens, osculabatur eum.

5 But also, when a man would approach him to greet him, he would extend his hand, and, taking hold, he would kiss him.

6 Faciebatque hoc omni Israel venienti ad iudicium, ut audiretur a rege, et sollicitabat corda virorum Israel.

6 And he would do this to all Israel coming for judgment, in order that he might be heard by the king, and he was soliciting the hearts of the men of Israel.

7 Post quadraginta autem annos, dixit Absalom ad regem David: Vadam, et reddam vota mea quae vovi Domino in Hebron.

7 But after forty years, Absalom said to King David: I will go and pay my vows which I vowed to the Lord in Hebron.

8 Vovens enim vovit servus tuus, cum esset in Gessur Syriae, dicens: Si reduxerit me Dominus in Ierusalem, sacrificabo Domino.

8 For your servant vowed a vow, when he was in Geshur of Syria, saying: If the Lord brings me back to Jerusalem, I will sacrifice to the Lord.

9 Dixitque ei rex David: Vade in pace. Et surrexit, et abiit in Hebron.

9 And King David said to him: Go in peace. And he rose and went to Hebron.

10 Misit autem Absalom exploratores in universas tribus Israel, dicens: Statim ut audieritis clangorem buccinae, dicite: Regnavit Absalom in Hebron.

10 But Absalom sent spies into all the tribes of Israel, saying: As soon as you hear the clangor of the trumpet, say: Absalom is king in Hebron.

11 Porro cum Absalom ierunt ducenti viri de Ierusalem vocati, euntes simplici corde, et causam penitus ignorantes.

11 Moreover with Absalom there went two hundred men from Jerusalem, summoned, going with a simple heart, and thoroughly ignorant of the cause.

12 Accersivit quoque Absalom Achitophel Gilonitem consiliarium David, de civitate sua Gilo. Cumque immolaret victimas, facta est coniuratio valida, populusque concurrens augebatur cum Absalom.

12 Absalom also summoned Ahithophel the Gilonite, counselor of David, from his city Gilo. And while he was sacrificing victims, the conspiracy became strong, and the people, flocking together, kept increasing with Absalom.

13 Venit igitur nuntius ad David, dicens: Toto corde universus Israel sequitur Absalom.

13 Therefore a messenger came to David, saying: The whole of Israel follows Absalom with all their heart.

14 Et ait David servis suis qui erant cum eo in Ierusalem: Surgite, fugiamus: neque enim erit nobis effugium a facie Absalom: festinate egredi, ne forte veniens occupet nos, et impellat super nos ruinam, et percutiat civitatem in ore gladii.

14 And David said to his servants who were with him in Jerusalem: Arise, let us flee: for there will not be for us escape from the face of Absalom: make haste to go out, lest perhaps, coming, he overtake us, and drive upon us ruin, and strike the city with the edge of the sword.

15 Dixeruntque servi regis ad eum: Omnia quaecumque praeceperit dominus noster rex, libenter exequemur servi tui.

15 And the king’s servants said to him: Whatever our lord the king shall command, we your servants will gladly carry out.

16 Egressus est ergo rex, et universa domus eius pedibus suis: et dereliquit rex decem mulieres concubinas ad custodiendam domum.

16 So the king went out, and all his household on foot: and the king left ten women, concubines, to guard the house.

17 Egressusque rex et omnis Israel pedibus suis, stetit procul a domo:

17 And the king went out, and all Israel on foot, and stood at a distance from the house:

18 et universi servi eius ambulabant iuxta eum, et legiones Cerethi, et Phelethi, et omnes Gethaei, pugnatores validi, sexcenti viri, qui secuti eum fuerant de Geth pedites, praecedebant regem.

18 and all his servants were walking beside him, and the legions of the Cherethites and the Pelethites, and all the Gittites, mighty combatants, six hundred men, who had followed him from Gath on foot, were going before the king.

19 Dixit autem rex ad Ethai Gethaeum: Cur venis nobiscum? revertere, et habita cum rege, quia peregrinus es, et egressus es de loco tuo.

19 But the king said to Ethai the Gethaean: Why do you come with us? Return, and dwell with the king, for you are a foreigner, and you have gone out from your own place.

20 Heri venisti, et hodie compelleris nobiscum egredi? Ego autem vadam quo iturus sum: revertere, et reduc tecum fratres tuos, et Dominus faciet tecum misericordiam, et veritatem, quia ostendisti gratiam et fidem.

20 Yesterday you came, and today are you compelled to go out with us? But I will go where I am going: return, and lead back with you your brothers, and the Lord will deal with you mercy and truth, because you have shown grace and faith.

21 Et respondit Ethai regi dicens: Vivit Dominus, et vivit dominus meus rex: Quoniam in quocumque loco fueris domine mi rex, sive in morte, sive in vita, ibi erit servus tuus.

21 And Ethai answered the king, saying: As the Lord lives, and as my lord the king lives: For in whatever place you shall be, my lord the king, whether in death or in life, there will your servant be.

22 Et ait David Ethai: Veni, et transi. Et transivit Ethai Gethaeus, et omnes viri qui cum eo erant, et reliqua multitudo.

22 And David said to Ethai: Come, and cross over. And Ethai the Gittite crossed over, and all the men who were with him, and the remaining multitude.

23 Omnesque flebant voce magna, et universus populus transibat: rex quoque transgrediebatur torrentem Cedron, et cunctus populus incedebat contra viam, quae respicit ad desertum.

23 And all were weeping with a great voice, and the whole people were crossing over: the king also was crossing the torrent Cedron, and all the people were marching toward the way that faces the desert.

24 Venit autem et Sadoc sacerdos, et universi Levitae cum eo portantes arcam foederis Dei: et deposuerunt arcam Dei: et ascendit Abiathar, donec expletus esset omnis populus, qui egressus fuerat de civitate.

24 But there came also Sadoc the priest, and all the Levites with him, carrying the ark of the covenant of God; and they set down the ark of God; and Abiathar ascended, until all the people who had gone out from the city were completed.

25 Et dixit rex ad Sadoc: Reporta arcam Dei in urbem: si invenero gratiam in oculis Domini, reducet me, et ostendet mihi eam, et tabernaculum suum.

25 And the king said to Zadok: Carry back the ark of God into the city: if I find grace in the eyes of the Lord, he will bring me back, and he will show me it, and his tabernacle.

26 Si autem dixerit mihi: Non places: praesto sum, faciat quod bonum est coram se.

26 But if he shall say to me: You do not please: I stand ready; let him do what is good before himself.

27 Et dixit rex ad Sadoc sacerdotem: O videns, revertere in civitatem in pace: et Achimaas filius tuus, et Ionathas filius Abiathar, duo filii vestri, sint vobiscum.

27 And the king said to Sadoc the priest: O seer, return to the city in peace: and Achimaas your son, and Jonathan the son of Abiathar, your two sons, let them be with you.

28 Ecce ego abscondar in campestribus deserti, donec veniat sermo a vobis indicans mihi.

28 Behold, I will hide in the plains of the desert, until there comes a word from you indicating to me.

29 Reportaverunt ergo Sadoc et Abiathar arcam Dei in Ierusalem: et manserunt ibi.

29 Therefore Zadok and Abiathar brought back the ark of God to Jerusalem, and they remained there.

30 Porro David ascendebat clivum Olivarum, scandens et flens, nudis pedibus incedens, et operto capite, sed et omnis populus, qui erat cum eo, operto capite, ascendebat plorans.

30 Moreover David was ascending the slope of the Mount of Olives, climbing and weeping, going with bare feet, and with his head covered; and likewise all the people who were with him, with head covered, were ascending weeping.

31 Nuntiatum est autem David quod et Achitophel esset in coniuratione cum Absalom, dixitque David: Infatua, quaeso, Domine, consilium Achitophel.

31 But it was announced to David that Ahithophel also was in the conspiracy with Absalom, and David said: Infatuate, I pray, O Lord, the counsel of Ahithophel.

32 Cumque ascenderet David summitatem montis, in quo adoraturus erat Dominum, ecce occurrit ei Chusai Arachites, scissa veste, et terra pleno capite.

32 And as David was ascending the summit of the mountain, where he was about to adore the Lord, behold, Hushai the Archite met him, with his garment torn, and with his head full of earth.

33 Et dixit ei David: Si veneris mecum, eris mihi oneri:

33 And David said to him: If you come with me, you will be a burden to me:

34 si autem in civitatem revertaris, et dixeris Absalom: Servus tuus sum, rex: sicut fui servus patris tui, sic ero servus tuus: dissipabis consilium Achitophel.

34 but if you return to the city, and you say to Absalom: I am your servant, O king: just as I was the servant of your father, so I will be your servant: you will dissipate the counsel of Achitophel.

35 Habes autem tecum Sadoc et Abiathar sacerdotes: et omne verbum quodcumque audieris de domo regis, indicabis Sadoc et Abiathar sacerdotibus.

35 Moreover, you have with you Sadoc and Abiathar, priests: and every word whatsoever you shall hear from the house of the king, you shall report to Sadoc and Abiathar, the priests.

36 Sunt autem cum eis duo filii eorum Achimaas filius Sadoc, et Ionathas filius Abiathar: et mittetis per eos ad me omne verbum quod audieritis.

36 But with them are their two sons, Ahimaaz the son of Zadok, and Jonathan the son of Abiathar: and you shall send through them to me every word that you hear.

37 Veniente ergo Chusai amico David in civitatem, Absalom quoque ingressus est Ierusalem.

37 So when Hushai, David’s friend, came into the city, Absalom also entered Jerusalem.

[16]

1 Cumque David transisset paululum montis verticem, apparuit Siba puer Miphiboseth in occursum eius, cum duobus asinis, qui onerati erant ducentis panibus, et centum alligaturis uvae passae, et centum massis palatharum, et utre vini.

1 And when David had passed a little beyond the summit of the mountain, Ziba, the servant of Mephibosheth, appeared to meet him, with two asses, which were laden with two hundred loaves of bread, and a hundred bundles of raisins, and a hundred fig-cakes, and a skin of wine.

2 Et dixit rex Sibae: Quid sibi volunt haec? Responditque Siba: Asini, domesticis regis ut sedeant: panes et palathae ad vescendum pueris tuis: vinum autem ut bibat si quis defecerit in deserto.

2 And the king said to Ziba: What do these mean for themselves? And Ziba answered: The donkeys, for the king’s domestics to sit upon; the breads and cakes for your boys to eat; and the wine, moreover, that whoever has fainted in the desert may drink.

3 Et ait rex: Ubi est filius domini tui? Responditque Siba regi: Remansit in Ierusalem, dicens: Hodie restituet mihi domus Israel regnum patris mei.

3 And the king said: Where is the son of your lord? And Siba answered the king: He has remained in Jerusalem, saying: Today the house of Israel will restore to me the kingdom of my father.

4 Et ait rex Sibae: Tua sint omnia quae fuerunt Miphiboseth. Dixitque Siba: Oro ut inveniam gratiam coram te, domine mi rex.

4 And the king said to Siba: Let all that was Miphiboseth’s be yours. And Siba said: I pray that I may find grace before you, my lord the king.

5 Venit ergo rex David usque Bahurim: et ecce egrediebatur inde vir de cognatione domus Saul, nomine Semei, filius Gera, procedebatque egrediens, et maledicebat,

5 Therefore king David came as far as Bahurim: and behold, there was coming out from there a man of the cognation of the house of Saul, by name Shimei, son of Gera, and he was advancing as he came out, and was cursing,

6 mittebatque lapides contra David, et contra universos servos regis David: omnis autem populus, et universi bellatores a dextro et a sinistro latere regis incedebant.

6 and he was throwing stones against David, and against all the servants of King David: moreover all the people and all the warriors were marching on the right and on the left side of the king.

7 Ita autem loquebatur Semei cum malediceret regi: Egredere, egredere vir sanguinum, et vir Belial.

7 Thus, however, Shimei was speaking while he cursed the king: Go out, go out, man of bloodshed, and man of Belial.

8 Reddidit tibi Dominus universum sanguinem domus Saul: quoniam invasisti regnum pro eo, et dedit Dominus regnum in manu Absalom filii tui, et ecce premunt te mala tua, quoniam vir sanguinum es.

8 The Lord has returned to you all the blood of the house of Saul: because you usurped the kingdom in his stead, and the Lord has given the kingdom into the hand of Absalom your son, and behold your evils press upon you, for you are a man of blood.

9 Dixit autem Abisai filius Sarviae regi: Quare maledicit canis hic mortuus domino meo regi? vadam, et amputabo caput eius.

9 But Abishai, son of Zeruiah, said to the king: Why does this dead dog curse my lord the king? I will go and amputate his head.

10 Et ait rex: Quid mihi et vobis est filii Sarviae? dimittite eum, ut maledicat: Dominus enim praecepit ei ut malediceret David: et quis est qui audeat dicere, quare sic fecerit?

10 And the king said: What is it to me and to you, sons of Zeruiah? Let him alone, that he may curse; for the Lord has commanded him to curse David; and who is there who would dare to say, Why has he done so?

11 Et ait rex Abisai, et universis servis suis: Ecce filius meus, qui egressus est de utero meo, quaerit animam meam: quanto magis nunc filius Iemini? Dimittite eum ut maledicat iuxta praeceptum Domini:

11 And the king said to Abishai, and to all his servants: Behold, my son, who has come forth from my womb, seeks my life: how much more now the son of Jemini? Let him alone, that he may curse according to the precept of the Lord:

12 si forte respiciat Dominus afflictionem meam, et reddat mihi Dominus bonum pro maledictione hac hodierna.

12 perhaps the Lord will look upon my affliction, and the Lord will repay me with good for this malediction today.

13 Ambulabat itaque David et socii eius per viam cum eo. Semei autem per iugum montis ex latere, contra illum gradiebatur, maledicens, et mittens lapides adversum eum, terramque spargens.

13 And so David and his associates were walking along the way with him. But Shimei, along the ridge of the mountain at the side, opposite him, was going, cursing, and throwing stones against him, and scattering earth.

14 Venit itaque rex, et universus populus cum eo lassus, et refocillati sunt ibi.

14 Thus the king came, and all the people with him, weary, and they were refreshed there.

15 Absalom autem et omnis populus eius ingressi sunt Ierusalem, sed et Achitophel cum eo.

15 But Absalom and all his people entered Jerusalem, and Ahithophel also was with him.

16 Cum autem venisset Chusai Arachites amicus David ad Absalom, locutus est ad eum: Salve rex, salve rex.

16 But when Hushai the Archite, the friend of David, came to Absalom, he spoke to him: Hail, king, hail, king.

17 Ad quem Absalom: Haec est, inquit, gratia tua ad amicum tuum? quare non ivisti cum amico tuo?

17 To whom Absalom: “Is this, he said, your favor toward your friend? Why did you not go with your friend?”

18 Responditque Chusai ad Absalom: Nequaquam: quia illius ero, quem elegit Dominus, et omnis hic populus, et universus Israel, et cum eo manebo.

18 And Chusai answered Absalom: By no means: for I will be his, whom the Lord has chosen, and all this people, and all Israel, and with him I will remain.

19 Sed ut et hoc inferam, cui ego serviturus sum? nonne filio regis? Sicut parui patri tuo, ita parebo et tibi.

19 But to add this too, whom am I going to serve? Is it not the son of the king? Just as I obeyed your father, so I will obey you also.

20 Dixit autem Absalom ad Achitophel: Inite consilium quid agere debeamus.

20 But Absalom said to Achitophel: Enter into counsel what we ought to do.

21 Et ait Achitophel ad Absalom: Ingredere ad concubinas patris tui, quas dimisit ad custodiendam domum: ut cum audierit omnis Israel quod foedaveris patrem tuum, roborentur tecum manus eorum.

21 And Ahithophel said to Absalom: Go in to your father’s concubines, whom he has dismissed to guard the house, so that, when all Israel hears that you have defiled your father, their hands with you may be strengthened.

22 Tetenderunt ergo Absalom tabernaculum in solario, ingressusque est ad concubinas patris sui coram universo Israel.

22 Therefore they pitched for Absalom a tent on the rooftop, and he went in to his father’s concubines before all Israel.

23 Consilium autem Achitophel, quod dabat in diebus illis, quasi si quis consuleret Deum: sic erat omne consilium Achitophel, et cum esset cum David, et cum esset cum Absalom.

23 But the counsel of Ahithophel, which he gave in those days, was as if someone consulted God: so was all the counsel of Ahithophel, both when he was with David and when he was with Absalom.

[17]

1 Dixit ergo Achitophel ad Absalom: Eligam mihi duodecim millia virorum, et consurgens persequar David hac nocte.

1 Therefore Ahithophel said to Absalom: I will choose for myself twelve thousand men, and, rising up, I will pursue David this night.

2 Et irruens super eum (quippe qui lassus est, et solutis manibus) percutiam eum: cumque fugerit omnis populus qui cum eo est, percutiam regem desolatum.

2 And rushing upon him (since he is weary, and slack-handed), I will strike him; and when all the people who are with him have fled, I will strike the king left desolate.

3 Et reducam universum populum, quomodo unus homo reverti solet: unum enim virum tu quaeris: et omnis populus erit in pace.

3 And I will bring back the whole people, as one man is accustomed to return: for it is one man you seek; and all the people will be in peace.

4 Placuitque sermo eius Absalom, et cunctis maioribus natu Israel.

4 And his speech pleased Absalom, and all the elders of Israel.

5 Ait autem Absalom: Vocate Chusai Arachiten, et audiamus quid etiam ipse dicat.

5 But Absalom said: Call Hushai the Archite, and let us hear what he also says.

6 Cumque venisset Chusai ad Absalom, ait Absalom ad eum: Huiuscemodi sermonem locutus est Achitophel: facere debemus an non? quod das consilium?

6 And when Chusai had come to Absalom, Absalom said to him: Achitophel has spoken a discourse of this kind: ought we to do it or not? What counsel do you give?

7 Et dixit Chusai ad Absalom: Non est bonum consilium, quod dedit Achitophel hac vice.

7 And Chusai said to Absalom: The counsel that Achitophel has given this time is not good.

8 Et rursum intulit Chusai: Tu nosti patrem tuum, et viros qui cum eo sunt, esse fortissimos et amaro animo, veluti si ursa raptis catulis in saltu saeviat: sed et pater tuus vir bellator est, nec morabitur cum populo.

8 And Hushai added again: You know your father, and the men who are with him, to be most valiant and bitter in spirit, just as if a she-bear, her cubs snatched, were raging in the forest; but your father also is a man bellator, and he will not tarry with the people.

9 Forsitan nunc latitat in foveis, aut in uno, quo voluerit, loco: et cum ceciderit unus quilibet in principio, audiet quicumque audierit, et dicet: Facta est plaga in populo qui sequebatur Absalom.

9 Perhaps now he is lurking in pits, or in a single place, wherever he has wished; and when anyone whatsoever falls at the beginning, whoever hears will hear and will say: A blow has been dealt among the people who were following Absalom.

10 Et fortissimus quisque, cuius cor est quasi leonis, pavore solvetur: scit enim omnis populus Israel fortem esse patrem tuum, et robustos omnes qui cum eo sunt.

10 And every most valiant man, whose heart is as a lion’s, will be dissolved with terror: for all the people of Israel know your father to be strong, and all who are with him to be robust.

11 Sed hoc mihi videtur rectum esse consilium. Congregetur ad te universus Israel, a Dan usque Bersabee, quasi arena maris innumerabilis: et tu eris in medio eorum.

11 But this seems to me to be the right counsel. Let all Israel be congregated to you, from Dan even to Beersheba, like the sand of the sea, innumerable: and you will be in the midst of them.

12 Et irruemus super eum in quocumque loco inventus fuerit: et operiemus eum, sicut cadere solet ros super terram: et non relinquemus de viris, qui cum eo sunt, ne unum quidem.

12 And we shall rush upon him in whatever place he shall be found: and we shall cover him, just as the dew is wont to fall upon the earth: and we will not leave of the men who are with him, not even one.

13 Quod si urbem aliquam fuerit ingressus, circumdavit omnis Israel civitati illi funes, et trahemus eam in torrentem, ut non reperiatur ne calculus quidem ex ea.

13 But if he has entered any city, all Israel will surround that city with ropes, and we will drag it into the torrent, so that not even a pebble may be found from it.

14 Dixitque Absalom, et omnes viri Israel: Melius est consilium Chusai Arachitae, consilio Achitophel: Domini autem nutu dissipatum est consilium Achitophel utile, ut induceret Dominus super Absalom malum.

14 And Absalom, and all the men of Israel, said: The counsel of Hushai the Archite is better than the counsel of Ahithophel: but by the Lord’s nod the useful counsel of Ahithophel was dissipated, so that the Lord might bring evil upon Absalom.

15 Et ait Chusai Sadoc et Abiathar sacerdotibus: Hoc et hoc modo consilium dedit Achitophel Absalom, et senioribus Israel: et ego tale et tale dedi consilium.

15 And Hushai said to Zadok and Abiathar the priests: In such and such a manner Ahithophel gave counsel to Absalom, and to the elders of Israel: and I gave counsel of such and such a kind.

16 Nunc ergo mittite cito, et nuntiate David dicentes: Ne moreris nocte hac in campestribus deserti, sed absque dilatione transgredere: ne forte absorbeatur rex, et omnis populus qui cum eo est.

16 Now therefore send quickly, and announce to David, saying: Do not linger this night in the plains of the wilderness, but without delay cross over, lest perhaps the king be swallowed up, and all the people who are with him.

17 Ionathas autem et Achimaas stabant iuxta fontem Rogel: abiit ancilla et nuntiavit eis: et illi profecti sunt, ut referrent ad regem David nuntium: non enim poterant videri, aut introire civitatem.

17 But Jonathan and Ahimaaz were standing near the spring of Rogel: a maidservant went and announced it to them: and they set out, to carry back the message to King David: for they could not be seen, nor enter the city.

18 Vidit autem eos quidam puer, et indicavit Absalom: illi vero concito gradu ingressi sunt domum cuiusdam viri in Bahurim, qui habebat puteum in vestibulo suo, et descenderunt in eum.

18 But a certain boy saw them, and informed Absalom: but they, at a hurried pace, entered the house of a certain man in Bahurim, who had a well in his vestibule, and they descended into it.

19 Tulit autem mulier, et expandit velamen super os putei, quasi siccans ptisanas: et sic latuit res.

19 But the woman took and spread a veil over the mouth of the well, as if drying ptisane (barley groats); and thus the matter was hidden.

20 Cumque venissent servi Absalom in domum, ad mulierem dixerunt: Ubi est Achimaas et Ionathas? Et respondit eis mulier: Transierunt festinanter, gustata paululum aqua. At hi qui quaerebant, cum non reperissent, reversi sunt in Ierusalem.

20 And when the servants of Absalom had come into the house, they said to the woman: Where are Achimaas and Ionathas? And the woman answered them: They passed on hastily, after tasting a little water. But those who were seeking, when they did not find them, returned to Jerusalem.

21 Cumque abiissent, ascenderunt illi de puteo, et pergentes nuntiaverunt regi David, et dixerunt: Surgite, et transite cito fluvium: quoniam huiuscemodi dedit consilium contra vos Achitophel.

21 And when they had departed, they ascended from the well, and proceeding they announced to King David, and said: Arise, and cross the river quickly; for Achitophel has given such a counsel against you.

22 Surrexit ergo David, et omnis populus qui cum eo erat, et transierunt Iordanem, donec dilucesceret: et ne unus quidem residuus fuit, qui non transisset fluvium.

22 Therefore David arose, and all the people who were with him, and they crossed the Jordan, until it dawned: and not even one was left remaining who had not crossed the river.

23 Porro Achitophel videns quod non fuisset factum consilium suum, stravit asinum suum, surrexitque, et abiit in domum suam et in civitatem suam: et disposita domo sua, suspendio interiit, et sepultus est in sepulchro patris sui.

23 Moreover Achitophel, seeing that his counsel had not been carried out, saddled his donkey, and rose and went to his house and to his city; and, his household set in order, he perished by hanging, and was buried in the sepulcher of his father.

24 David autem venit in castra, et Absalom transivit Iordanem, ipse et omnes viri Israel cum eo.

24 But David came into the camp, and Absalom crossed the Jordan, he himself and all the men of Israel with him.

25 Amasam vero constituit Absalom pro Ioab super exercitum: Amasa autem erat filius viri, qui vocabatur Ietra de Iezraeli, qui ingressus est ad Abigail, filiam Naas, sororem Sarviae, quae fuit mater Ioab.

25 But Absalom appointed Amasa in place of Joab over the army: now Amasa was the son of a man who was called Ithra the Jezreelite, who had gone in to Abigail, the daughter of Nahash, the sister of Zeruiah, who was the mother of Joab.

26 Et castrametatus est Israel cum Absalom in terra Galaad.

26 And Israel encamped with Absalom in the land of Gilead.

27 Cumque venisset David in castra, Sobi filius Naas de Rabbath filiorum Ammon, et Machir filius Ammihel de Lodabar, et Berzellai Galaadites de Rogelim,

27 And when David had come into the camp, Shobi son of Nahash from Rabbah of the sons of Ammon, and Machir son of Ammiel from Lo-debar, and Barzillai the Gileadite from Rogelim,

28 obtulerunt ei stratoria, et tapetia, et vasa fictilia, frumentum, et hordeum, et farinam, et polentam, et fabam, et lentem, et frixum cicer,

28 they offered to him bedding, and tapestries, and earthenware vessels, wheat, and barley, and flour, and polenta, and beans, and lentils, and parched chickpeas,

29 et mel, et butyrum, oves, et pingues vitulos; dederuntque David, et populo qui cum eo erat, ad vescendum: suspicati enim sunt populum fame et siti fatigari in deserto.

29 and honey, and butter, sheep, and fat calves; and they gave to David, and to the people who were with him, for eating: for they suspected that the people were being fatigued by hunger and thirst in the desert.

[18]

1 Igitur considerato David populo suo, constituit super eos tribunos et centuriones,

1 Therefore, David, his people having been reviewed, appointed over them tribunes and centurions,

2 et dedit populi tertiam partem sub manu Ioab, et tertiam partem sub manu Abisai filii Sarviae fratris Ioab, et tertiam partem sub manu Ethai, qui erat de Geth. Dixitque rex ad populum: Egrediar et ego vobiscum:

2 and he gave a third part of the people under the hand of Joab, and a third part under the hand of Abishai, son of Sarvia, brother of Joab, and a third part under the hand of Ethai, who was from Geth. And the king said to the people: I too will go out with you:

3 et respondit populus: Non exibis: sive enim fugerimus, non magnopere ad eos de nobis pertinebit: sive media pars ceciderit e nobis, non satis curabunt: quia tu unus pro decem millibus computaris: melius est igitur ut sis nobis in urbe praesidio.

3 and the people responded: You shall not go out: for whether we flee, it will not greatly pertain to them concerning us: or whether half of us falls, they will not care enough: for you alone are computed as 10,000: it is better therefore that you be for us in the city for a safeguard.

4 Ad quos rex ait: Quod vobis videtur rectum, hoc faciam. Stetit ergo rex iuxta portam: egrediebaturque populus per turmas suas centeni, et milleni.

4 To whom the king said: What seems right to you, this I will do. Therefore the king stood next to the gate; and the people were going out by their troops, by hundreds and by thousands.

5 Et praecepit rex Ioab, et Abisai, et Ethai, dicens: Servate mihi puerum Absalom. Et omnis populus audiebat praecipientem regem cunctis principibus pro Absalom.

5 And the king commanded Joab, and Abishai, and Ittai, saying: Spare the young man Absalom for me. And all the people heard the king charging all the commanders concerning Absalom.

6 Itaque egressus est populus in campum contra Israel, et factum est praelium in saltu Ephraim.

6 So the people went out into the field against Israel, and the battle took place in the forest of Ephraim.

7 Et caesus est ibi populus Israel ab exercitu David, factaque est plaga magna in die illa, viginti millium.

7 And the people of Israel were struck down there by the army of David, and a great slaughter took place on that day, of twenty thousand.

8 Fuit autem ibi praelium dispersum super faciem omnis terrae, et multo plures erant quos saltus consumpserat de populo, quam hi quos voraverat gladius in die illa.

8 But there the battle was dispersed over the face of all the land, and the forest had consumed many more of the people than those whom the sword had devoured on that day.

9 Accidit autem ut occurreret Absalom servis David, sedens mulo: cumque ingressus fuisset mulus subter condensam quercum et magnam, adhaesit caput eius quercui: et illo suspenso inter caelum et terram, mulus, cui insederat, pertransivit.

9 And it happened that Absalom met the servants of David, sitting on a mule: and when the mule had gone under a dense and great oak, his head stuck fast in the oak: and he, suspended between heaven and earth, the mule which he was riding passed on.

10 Vidit autem hoc quispiam, et nuntiavit Ioab, dicens: Vidi Absalom pendere et quercu.

10 But someone saw this, and announced to Joab, saying: I saw Absalom hanging from the oak.

11 Et ait Ioab viro, qui nuntiaverat ei: Si vidisti, quare non confodisti eum cum terra, et ego dedissem tibi decem argenti siclos, et unum balteum?

11 And Joab said to the man who had reported to him: If you saw, why did you not stab him through to the ground? and I would have given you ten shekels of silver, and one baldric.

12 Qui dixit ad Ioab: Si appenderes in manibus meis mille argenteos, nequaquam mitterem manum meam in filium regis: audientibus enim nobis praecepit rex tibi, et Abisai, et Ethai, dicens: Custodite mihi puerum Absalom.

12 He said to Joab: If you were to weigh out into my hands a thousand pieces of silver, by no means would I put my hand against the king’s son: for in our hearing the king commanded you, and Abishai, and Ittai, saying: Guard for me the boy Absalom.

13 Sed et si fecissem contra animam meam audacter, nequaquam hoc regem latere potuisset, et tu stares ex adverso?

13 But even if I had acted boldly against my own soul, by no means could this have been hidden from the king, and would you have stood in opposition against me?

14 Et ait Ioab: Non sicut tu vis, sed aggrediar eum coram te. Tulit ergo tres lanceas in manu sua, et infixit eas in corde Absalom: cumque adhuc palpitaret haerens in quercu,

14 And Joab said: Not as you wish, but I will attack him before you. Therefore he took three lances in his hand, and infixed them in the heart of Absalom; and while he was still palpitating, clinging in the oak,

15 cucurrerunt decem iuvenes armigeri Ioab, et percutientes interfecerunt eum.

15 ten youths, Joab’s armor‑bearers, ran, and, striking him, killed him.

16 Cecinit autem Ioab buccina, et retinuit populum, ne persequeretur fugientem Israel, volens parcere multitudini.

16 Moreover Joab sounded the trumpet, and held back the people, so that they would not pursue Israel in flight, wishing to spare the multitude.

17 Et tulerunt Absalom, et proiecerunt eum in saltu, in foveam grandem, et comportaverunt super eum acervum lapidum magnum nimis: omnis autem Israel fugit in tabernacula sua.

17 And they took Absalom, and cast him in the forest, into a great pit, and carried together over him a heap of stones exceedingly great; moreover all Israel fled to their tents.

18 Porro Absalom erexerat sibi, cum adhuc viveret, titulum qui est in Valle regis: dixerat enim: Non habeo filium, et hoc erit monimentum nominis mei. Vocavitque titulum nomine suo, et appellatur Manus Absalom, usque ad hanc diem.

18 Moreover Absalom had set up for himself, while he was still living, the monument which is in the Valley of the King: for he had said: I do not have a son, and this will be the monument of my name. And he called the monument by his own name, and it is called the Hand of Absalom, unto this day.

19 Achimaas autem filius Sadoc, ait: Curram, et nuntiabo regi, quia iudicium fecerit ei Dominus de manu inimicorum eius.

19 But Ahimaaz, the son of Zadok, said: I will run, and I will announce to the king, because the Lord has executed judgment for him from the hand of his enemies.

20 Ad quem Ioab dixit: Non eris nuntius in hac die, sed nuntiabis in alia: hodie nolo te nuntiare, filius enim regis est mortuus.

20 To whom Joab said: You will not be a messenger on this day, but you will bring news on another; today I do not want you to bring news, for the king’s son is dead.

21 Et ait Ioab Chusi: Vade, et nuntia regi quae vidisti. Adoravit Chusi Ioab, et cucurrit.

21 And Joab said to Chusi: Go, and announce to the king what you have seen. Chusi bowed to Joab, and ran.

22 Rursus autem Achimaas filius Sadoc dixit ad Ioab: Quid impedit si etiam ego curram post Chusi? Dixitque ei Ioab: Quid vis currere fili mi? non eris boni nuntii baiulus.

22 Again, however, Achimaas son of Sadoc said to Ioab: What hinders if I also run after Chusi? And Ioab said to him: Why do you wish to run, my son? you will not be the bearer of good news.

23 Qui respondit: Quid enim si cucurrero? Et ait ei: Curre. Currens ergo Achimaas per viam compendii, transivit Chusi.

23 He answered: What then if I run? And he said to him: Run. Therefore Achimaas, running by the way of the shortcut, passed Chusi.

24 David autem sedebat inter duas portas: speculator vero, qui erat in fastigio portae super murum, elevans oculos, vidit hominem currentem solum.

24 But David was sitting between the two gates; and the lookout, who was on the summit of the gate upon the wall, lifting his eyes, saw a man running alone.

25 Et exclamans indicavit regi: dixitque rex: Si solus est, bonus est nuntius in ore eius. Properante autem illo, et accedente propius,

25 And exclaiming, he indicated to the king: and the king said: If he is alone, good is the message in his mouth. But as he was hastening, and approaching nearer,

26 vidit speculator hominem alterum currentem, et vociferans in culmine, ait: Apparet mihi alter homo currens solus. Dixitque rex: Et iste bonus est nuntius.

26 the lookout saw another man running, and vociferating from the top, he said: It appears to me another man is running alone. And the king said: And this one is a good messenger.

27 Speculator autem: Contemplor, ait, cursum prioris, quasi cursum Achimaas filii Sadoc. Et ait rex: Vir bonus est: et nuntium portans bonum, venit.

27 But the watchman: I observe, he said, the course of the first, as if the course of Achimaas, son of Sadoc. And the king said: He is a good man: and, bearing a good message, he comes.

28 Clamans autem Achimaas, dixit ad regem: Salve rex. Et adorans regem coram eo pronus in terram, ait: Benedictus Dominus Deus tuus, qui conclusit homines qui levaverunt manus suas contra dominum meum regem.

28 But Ahimaaz, crying out, said to the king: Hail, O king. And worshiping the king before him, prone upon the ground, he said: Blessed be the Lord your God, who has delivered up the men who lifted their hands against my lord the king.

29 Et ait rex: Estne pax puero Absalom? Dixitque Achimaas: Vidi tumultum magnum, cum mitteret Ioab servus tuus, o rex, me servum tuum: nescio aliud.

29 And the king said: Is it peace for the youth Absalom? And Achimaas said: I saw a great tumult, when Joab, your servant, O king, sent me, your servant: I know nothing else.

30 Ad quem rex: Transi, ait, et sta hic. Cumque ille transisset, et staret,

30 To whom the king: Pass on, he said, and stand here. And when he had passed over, and was standing,

31 apparuit Chusi: et veniens ait: Bonum apporto nuntium, domine mi rex: iudicavit enim pro te Dominus hodie de manu omnium qui surrexerunt contra te.

31 Chusi appeared: and coming he said: I bring good news, my lord the king: for the Lord has judged for you today from the hand of all who rose up against you.

32 Dixit autem rex ad Chusi: Estne pax puero Absalom? Cui respondens Chusi: Fiant, inquit, sicut puer, inimici domini mei regis, et universi qui consurgunt adversus eum in malum.

32 But the king said to Chusi: Is there peace for the boy Absalom? And Chusi, answering, said: May the enemies of my lord the king, and all who rise up against him for evil, be like that boy.

33 Contristatus itaque rex, ascendit coenaculum portae, et flevit. Et sic loquebatur, vadens: Fili mi Absalom, Absalom fili mi: quis mihi tribuat ut ego moriar pro te, Absalom fili mi, fili mi Absalom?

33 Therefore the king, saddened, went up to the upper room of the gate, and wept. And thus he was speaking, going: My son Absalom, Absalom my son: who will grant to me that I might die for you, Absalom my son, my son Absalom?

[19]

1 Nuntiatum est autem Ioab quod rex fleret et lugeret filium suum:

1 Now it was announced to Joab that the king was weeping and mourning his son:

2 et versa est victoria in luctum in die illa omni populo: audivit enim populus in die illa dici: Dolet rex super filio suo.

2 and the victory was turned into mourning on that day for all the people: for the people heard it said on that day: The king grieves over his son.

3 Et declinavit populus in die illa ingredi civitatem, quomodo declinare solet populus versus et fugiens de praelio.

3 And the people turned aside that day to enter the city, as the people are wont to turn aside, ashamed and fleeing from the battle.

4 Porro rex operuit caput suum, et clamabat voce magna: Fili mi Absalom, Absalom fili mi, fili mi.

4 Moreover the king covered his head, and cried with a loud voice: My son Absalom, Absalom my son, my son.

5 Ingressus ergo Ioab ad regem in domum, dixit: Confudisti hodie vultus omnium servorum tuorum, qui salvam fecerunt animam tuam, et animam filiorum tuorum, et filiarum tuarum, et animam uxorum tuarum, et animam concubinarum tuarum.

5 Therefore Joab, having entered to the king into the house, said: You have confounded today the faces of all your servants, who have saved your life, and the life of your sons and your daughters, and the life of your wives, and the life of your concubines.

6 Diligis odientes te, et odio habes diligentes te: et ostendisti hodie quia non curas de ducibus tuis, et de servis tuis: et vere cognovi modo, quia si Absalom viveret, et omnes nos occubuissemus, tunc placeret tibi.

6 You love those hating you, and you hold in hatred those loving you: and you have shown today that you do not care about your commanders, and about your servants: and truly I have now come to know, that if Absalom were alive, and we all had fallen, then it would please you.

7 Nunc igitur surge, et procede, et alloquens satisfac servis tuis: iuro enim tibi per Dominum, quod si non exieris, ne unus quidem remansurus sit tecum nocte hac: et peius erit hoc tibi, quam omnia mala quae venerunt super te ab adolescentia tua usque in praesens.

7 Now therefore arise, and proceed, and by addressing satisfy your servants: for I swear to you by the Lord, that if you do not go out, not even one will remain with you this night: and this will be worse for you than all the evils which have come upon you from your adolescence up to the present.

8 Surrexit ergo rex et sedit in porta: et omni populo nuntiatum est quod rex sederet in porta: venitque universa multitudo coram rege.

8 Therefore the king arose and sat in the gate: and it was announced to all the people that the king was sitting in the gate: and the whole multitude came before the king.

Israel autem fugit in tabernacula sua.

But Israel fled to their tabernacles.

9 Omnis quoque populus certabat in cunctis tribubus Israel, dicens: Rex liberavit nos de manu inimicorum nostrorum, ipse salvavit nos de manu Philisthinorum: et nunc fugit de terra propter Absalom.

9 And all the people also were contending in all the tribes of Israel, saying: The king liberated us from the hand of our enemies, he himself saved us from the hand of the Philistines; and now he has fled from the land because of Absalom.

10 Absalom autem, quem unximus super nos, mortuus est in bello: usquequo siletis, et non reducitis regem?

10 But Absalom, whom we anointed over us, has died in battle: how long do you keep silent, and do you not bring back the king?

11 Rex vero David misit ad Sadoc et Abiathar sacerdotes, dicens: Loquimini ad maiores natu Iuda, dicentes: Cur venitis novissimi ad reducendum regem in domum suam? (Sermo autem omnis Israel pervenerat ad regem in domo eius.)

11 But King David sent to Sadoc and Abiathar the priests, saying: Speak to the elders of Judah, saying: Why are you the last to bring the king back to his house? (Now the word of all Israel had come to the king in his house.)

12 Fratres mei vos, os meum, et caro mea vos, quare novissimi reducitis regem?

12 You are my brothers, you are my bone and my flesh; why are you the last to bring back the king?

13 Et Amasae dicite: Nonne os meum, et caro mea es? Haec faciat mihi Deus, et haec addat, si non magister militiae fueris coram me omni tempore pro Ioab.

13 And say to Amasa: Are you not my bone and my flesh? Thus may God do to me, and thus add, if you will not be master of the soldiery before me at all times in place of Joab.

14 Et inclinavit cor omnium virorum Iuda, quasi viri unius: miseruntque ad regem, dicentes: Revertere tu, et omnes servi tui.

14 And he inclined the heart of all the men of Judah, as of one man; and they sent to the king, saying: Return, you, and all your servants.

15 Et reversus est rex: et venit usque ad Iordanem, et omnis Iuda venit usque in Galgalam ut occurreret regi, et traduceret eum Iordanem.

15 And the king returned; and he came as far as the Jordan, and all Judah came as far as Gilgal to meet the king, and to conduct him across the Jordan.

16 Festinavit autem Semei filius Gera filii Iemini de Bahurim, et descendit cum viris Iuda in occursum regis David

16 But Shimei, son of Gera, of Benjamin, from Bahurim, hastened, and went down with the men of Judah to meet King David

17 cum mille viris de Beniamin, et Siba puer de domo Saul: et quindecim filii eius, ac viginti servi erant cum eo: et irrumpentes Iordanem, ante regem

17 with a thousand men of Benjamin, and Ziba, the servant of the house of Saul: and his fifteen sons, and twenty servants were with him: and, rushing into the Jordan, before the king

18 transierunt vada, ut traducerent domum regis, et facerent iuxta iussionem eius: Semei autem filius Gera prostratus coram rege, cum iam transisset Iordanem,

18 they passed the fords, so that they might bring across the house of the king, and do according to his injunction: moreover Shimei, son of Gera, prostrate before the king, when he had now crossed the Jordan,

19 dixit ad eum: Ne reputes mihi domine mi iniquitatem, neque memineris iniuriarum servi tui in die qua egressus es domine mi rex de Ierusalem, neque ponas rex in corde tuo.

19 he said to him: Do not reckon to me, my lord, iniquity, nor remember the injuries of your servant on the day when you, my lord the king, went out from Jerusalem, nor set it, O king, in your heart.

20 Agnosco enim servus tuus peccatum meum: et idcirco hodie primus veni de omni domo Ioseph, descendique de omni domo Ioseph, descendique in occursum domini mei regis.

20 For I, your servant, acknowledge my sin: and therefore today I have come first from all the house of Joseph, and I have come down from all the house of Joseph, and I have come down to meet my lord the king.

21 Respondens vero Abisai filius Sarviae, dixit: Numquid pro his verbis non occidetur Semei, quia maledixit christo Domini?

21 But Abishai son of Zeruiah, answering, said: Should not Shimei be put to death for these words, because he cursed the Lord’s anointed?

22 Et ait David: Quid mihi et vobis, filii Sarviae? cur efficimini mihi hodie in satan? Ergone hodie interficietur vir in Israel?

22 And David said: What [is] to me and to you, sons of Zeruiah? why do you become to me today a satan—an adversary? Is a man to be put to death today in Israel?

an ignoro hodie me factum regem super Israel?

Do I not know today that I have been made king over Israel?

23 Et ait rex Semei: Non morieris. Iuravitque ei.

23 And the king said to Shimei: You shall not die. And he swore to him.

24 Miphiboseth quoque filius Saul descendit in occursum regis, illotis pedibus, et intonsa barba: vestesque suas non laverat a die qua egressus fuerat rex, usque ad diem reversionis eius in pace.

24 Miphibosheth also, the son of Saul, went down to meet the king, with unwashed feet and an unshorn beard; and he had not washed his garments from the day on which the king had gone out until the day of his return in peace.

25 Cumque Ierusalem occurrisset regi, dixit ei rex: Quare non venisti mecum Miphiboseth?

25 And when he had come to Jerusalem to meet the king, the king said to him: Why did you not come with me, Miphiboseth?

26 Et respondens ait: Domine mi rex, servus meus contempsit me: dixique ei ego famulus tuus ut sterneret mihi asinum, et ascendens abirem cum rege: claudus enim sum servus tuus.

26 And answering he said: My lord the king, my servant has contemned me: and I, your servant, said to him that he should saddle the ass for me, and, mounting, I would go with the king: for your servant is lame.

27 Insuper et accusavit me servum tuum ad te dominum meum regem: tu autem domine mi rex, sicut angelus Dei es: fac quod placitum est tibi.

27 Moreover, he has also accused me, your servant, to you, my lord the king: but you, my lord the king, are like an angel of God: do what is pleasing to you.

28 Neque enim fuit domus patris mei, nisi morti obnoxia domino meo regi: tu autem posuisti me servum tuum inter convivas mensae tuae: quid ergo habeo iustae querelae? aut quid possum ultra vociferari ad regem?

28 For neither was the house of my father anything but liable to death to my lord the king; but you have set me, your servant, among the guests of your table: what then do I have for a just complaint? or what more can I cry out to the king?

29 Ait ergo ei rex: Quid ultra loqueris? fixum est quod locutus sum: tu et Siba dividite possessiones.

29 Therefore the king said to him: Why do you speak further? What I have spoken is fixed: you and Siba divide the possessions.

30 Responditque Miphiboseth regi: Etiam cuncta accipiat, postquam reversus est dominus meus rex pacifice in domum suam.

30 And Miphiboseth answered the king: Indeed, let him take everything, since my lord the king has returned in peace to his own house.

31 Berzellai quoque Galaadites, descendens de Rogelim, traduxit regem Iordanem, paratus etiam ultra fluvium prosequi eum.

31 Barzillai also, the Gileadite, coming down from Rogelim, led the king across the Jordan, ready even to escort him beyond the river.

32 Erat autem Berzellai Galaadites senex valde, id est, octogenarius, et ipse praebuit alimenta regi, cum moraretur in castris: fuit quippe vir dives nimis.

32 Now Berzellai the Gileadite was very old, that is, an octogenarian, and he himself provided provisions to the king, while he was staying in the camp: for he was indeed a man exceedingly rich.

33 Dixit itaque rex ad Berzellai: Veni mecum, ut requiescas securus mecum in Ierusalem.

33 Thus the king said to Berzellai: Come with me, that you may rest secure with me in Jerusalem.

34 Et ait Berzellai ad regem: Quot sunt dies annorum vitae meae, ut ascendam cum rege in Ierusalem?

34 And Berzellai said to the king: How many are the days of the years of my life, that I should ascend with the king to Jerusalem?

35 Octogenarius sum hodie: numquid vigent sensus mei ad discernendum suave, aut amarum? aut delectare potest servum tuum cibus et potus? vel audire possum ultra vocem cantorum, atque cantatricum?

35 I am an octogenarian today: are my senses vigorous to discern the sweet or the bitter? Or can food and drink delight your servant? Or am I able any longer to hear the voice of singers and songstresses?

quare servus tuus sit oneri domino meo regi?

why should your servant be a burden to my lord the king?

36 Paululum procedam famulus tuus ab Iordane tecum: non indigeo hac vicissitudine,

36 I, your servant, will go a little way from the Jordan with you: I do not need this recompense,

37 sed obsecro ut revertar servus tuus, et moriar in civitate mea, et sepeliar iuxta sepulchrum patris mei et matris meae. Est autem servus tuus Chamaam, ipse vadat tecum, domine mi rex, et fac ei quidquid tibi bonum videtur.

37 but I beseech, let your servant return, and let me die in my city, and be buried beside the sepulcher of my father and my mother. Moreover, your servant Chamaam—let him go with you, my lord king, and do for him whatever seems good to you.

38 Dixit itaque ei rex: Mecum transeat Chamaam, et ego faciam ei quidquid tibi placuerit, et omne quod petieris a me, impetrabis.

38 Therefore the king said to him: Let Chamaam pass over with me, and I will do for him whatever shall please you, and everything that you ask of me, you shall obtain.

39 Cumque transisset universus populus et rex Iordanem, osculatus est rex Berzellai, et benedixit ei: et ille reversus est in locum suum.

39 And when all the people and the king had crossed the Jordan, the king kissed Berzellai and blessed him; and he returned to his own place.

40 Transivit ergo rex in Galgalam, et Chamaam cum eo. Omnis autem populus Iuda traduxerat regem, et media tantum pars adfuerat de populo Israel.

40 Therefore the king crossed over to Gilgal, and Chimham with him. Now all the people of Judah had conducted the king across, and only half the people of Israel had been present.

41 Itaque omnes viri Israel concurrentes ad regem dixerunt ei: Quare te furati sunt fratres nostri viri Iuda, et traduxerunt regem et domum eius Iordanem, omnesque viros David cum eo?

41 Therefore all the men of Israel, converging upon the king, said to him: Why have our brothers, the men of Judah, stolen you away, and led the king and his house across the Jordan, and all the men of David with him?

42 Et respondit omnis vir Iuda ad viros Israel: Quia mihi propior est rex: cur irasceris super hac re? numquid comedimus aliquid ex rege, aut munera nobis data sunt?

42 And every man of Judah answered to the men of Israel: Because the king is nearer to me: why are you angered over this matter? did we eat anything from the king, or were gifts given to us?

43 Et respondit vir Israel ad viros Iuda, et ait: Decem partibus maior ego sum apud regem, magisque ad me pertinet David quam ad te: cur fecisti mihi iniuriam, et non mihi nuntiatum est priori, ut reducerem regem meum? Durius autem responderunt viri Iuda viris Israel.

43 And the man of Israel answered the men of Judah, and said: I have ten parts in the king, and David pertains more to me than to you: why have you done me an injury, and was it not announced to me first, that I might bring back my king? But the men of Judah answered the men of Israel more harshly.

[20]

1 Accidit quoque ut ibi esset vir Belial, nomine Seba, filius Bochri, vir Iemineus: et cecinit buccina, et ait: Non est nobis pars in David, neque haereditas in filio Isai: revertere in tabernacula tua Israel.

1 It also happened that there was there a man of Belial, named Seba, the son of Bochri, a Benjaminite; and he sounded the trumpet, and said: “We have no part in David, nor inheritance in the son of Jesse: return to your tabernacles, Israel.”

2 Et separatus est omnis Israel a David, secutusque est Seba filium Bochri: viri autem Iuda adhaeserunt regi suo a Iordane usque Ierusalem.

2 And all Israel was separated from David and followed Seba, the son of Bichri; but the men of Judah adhered to their king from the Jordan to Jerusalem.

3 Cumque venisset rex in domum suam in Ierusalem, tulit decem mulieres concubinas, quas dereliquerat ad custodiendam domum, et tradidit eas in custodiam, alimenta eis praebens: et non est ingressus ad eas, sed erant clausae usque in diem mortis suae in viduitate viventes.

3 And when the king had come into his house in Jerusalem, he took ten women, concubines, whom he had left behind for guarding the house, and handed them over into custody, providing them sustenance: and he did not go in to them, but they were shut up until the day of their death, living in widowhood.

4 Dixit autem rex Amasae: Convoca mihi omnes viros Iuda in diem tertium, et tu adesto praesens.

4 But the king said to Amasa: Convoke for me all the men of Judah for the third day, and you be present in person.

5 Abiit ergo Amasa, ut convocaret Iudam, et moratus est extra placitum quod ei constituerat rex.

5 Therefore Amasa went, to convoke Judah, and he delayed beyond the appointed time which the king had set for him.

6 Ait autem David ad Abisai: Nunc magis afflicturus est nos Seba filius Bochri quam Absalom: tolle igitur servos domini tui, et persequere eum, ne forte inveniat civitates munitas, et effugiat nos.

6 And David said to Abishai: Now Sheba son of Bichri will afflict us more than Absalom; take therefore the servants of your lord, and pursue him, lest perhaps he find fortified cities and escape us.

7 Egressi sunt ergo cum eo viri Ioab, Cerethi quoque et Phelethi: et omnes robusti exierunt de Ierusalem ad persequendum Seba filium Bochri.

7 Therefore the men of Joab went out with him, the Cherethites also and the Pelethites: and all the robust men went out from Jerusalem to pursue Sheba son of Bichri.

8 Cumque illi essent iuxta lapidem grandem, qui est in Gabaon, Amasa veniens occurrit eis. Porro Ioab vestitus erat tunica stricta ad mensuram habitus sui, et desuper accinctus gladio dependente usque ad ilia, in vagina, qui fabricatus levi motu egredi poterat, et percutere.

8 And when they were near the great stone which is in Gibeon, Amasa, coming, met them. But Joab was clothed with a tunic tight to the measure of his figure, and over it girded with a sword hanging down to the loins, in a sheath, which was fabricated so that by a light motion it could go out and strike.

9 Dixit itaque Ioab ad Amasam: Salve mi frater. Et tenuit manu dextera mentum Amasae, quasi osculans eum.

9 Joab therefore said to Amasa: "Hail, my brother." And he took Amasa’s chin with his right hand, as if kissing him.

10 Porro Amasa non observavit gladium, quem habebat Ioab, qui percussit eum in latere, et effudit intestina eius in terram, nec secundum vulnus apposuit, et mortuus est. Ioab autem, et Abisai frater eius, persecuti sunt Seba filium Bochri.

10 Moreover Amasa did not observe the sword which Joab had, who struck him in the side and poured out his intestines on the earth; and he did not add a second wound, and he died. But Joab and Abishai his brother pursued Sheba son of Bichri.

11 Interea quidam viri, cum stetissent iuxta cadaver Amasae, de sociis Ioab, dixerunt: Ecce qui esse voluit pro Ioab comes David.

11 Meanwhile certain men, when they had stood beside the corpse of Amasa, from among the associates of Ioab, said: Behold the one who wished to be, in place of Ioab, the companion of David.

12 Amasa autem conspersus sanguine, iacebat in media via. Vidit hoc quidam vir quod subsisteret omnis populus ad videndum eum, et amovit Amasam de via in agrum, operuitque eum vestimento, ne subsisterent transeuntes propter eum.

12 But Amasa, spattered with blood, was lying in the middle of the road. A certain man saw this—that all the people were halting to look at him—and he removed Amasa from the road into a field, and covered him with a vestment, so that those passing by would not stop on his account.

13 Amoto ergo illo de via, transibat omnis vir sequens Ioab ad persequendum Seba filium Bochri.

13 Therefore, with him removed from the road, every man was passing on, following Joab, to pursue Sheba son of Bichri.

14 Porro ille transierat per omnes tribus Israel in Abelam, et Bethmaacha: omnesque viri electi congregati fuerant ad eum.

14 Moreover, he had passed through all the tribes of Israel to Abel and Beth-maacah; and all the chosen men had been gathered to him.

15 Venerunt itaque et oppugnabant eum in Abela, et in Bethmaacha, et circumdederunt munitionibus civitatem, et obsessa est urbs: omnis autem turba, quae erat cum Ioab, moliebatur destruere muros.

15 They therefore came and were assaulting him in Abela and in Bethmaacha, and they surrounded the city with fortifications, and the city was besieged: moreover, the whole crowd that was with Ioab was laboring to destroy the walls.

16 Et exclamavit mulier sapiens de civitate: Audite, audite: dicite Ioab: Appropinqua huc, et loquar tecum.

16 And a wise woman cried out from the city: Hear, hear: say to Joab: Approach here, and I will speak with you.

17 Qui cum accessisset ad eam, ait illi: Tu es Ioab? Et ille respondit: Ego. Ad quem sic locuta est: Audi sermones ancillae tuae.

17 When he had approached her, she said to him: Are you Joab? And he replied: I am. Then she spoke thus to him: Hear the words of your handmaid.

Qui respondit: Audio.

He responded: I hear.

18 Rursumque illa: Sermo, inquit, dicebatur in veteri proverbio: Qui interrogant, interrogent in Abela: et sic perficiebant.

18 And again she: A saying, she said, used to be said in an old proverb: Those who ask, let them ask in Abel; and thus they used to bring it to completion.

19 Nonne ego sum quae respondeo veritatem in Israel, et tu quaeris subvertere civitatem et evertere matrem in Israel? Quare praecipitas haereditatem Domini?

19 Am I not she who answers truth in Israel, and you seek to subvert a city and to overturn a mother in Israel? Why do you precipitate—cast headlong—the inheritance of the Lord?

20 Respondensque Ioab, ait: Absit, absit hoc a me: non praecipito, neque demolior.

20 And Joab, answering, said: Far be it, far be it from me: I do not precipitate, nor demolish.

21 Non sic se habet res, sed homo de monte Ephraim Seba, filius Bochri cognomine, levavit manum suam contra regem David: tradite illum solum, et recedemus a civitate. Et ait mulier ad Ioab: Ecce caput eius mittetur ad te per murum.

21 The matter does not so stand, but a man from the hill-country of Ephraim, Sheba, son of Bichri by surname, has lifted his hand against King David: hand over him alone, and we will withdraw from the city. And the woman said to Joab: Behold, his head will be sent to you over the wall.

22 Ingressa est ergo ad omnem populum, et locuta est eis sapienter: qui abscissum caput Seba filii Bochri proiecerunt ad Ioab. Et ille cecinit tuba, et recesserunt ab urbe, unusquisque in tabernacula sua: Ioab autem reversus est Ierusalem ad regem.

22 Therefore she went in to all the people, and spoke to them wisely; and they threw the severed head of Sheba, son of Bichri, to Joab. And he blew the trumpet, and they withdrew from the city, each to his tent; but Joab returned to Jerusalem to the king.

23 Fuit ergo Ioab super omnem exercitum Israel: Banaias autem filius Ioiadae super Cerethaeos et Phelethaeos.

23 Therefore Joab was over all the army of Israel: but Benaiah, the son of Jehoiada, was over the Cherethites and the Pelethites.

24 Aduram vero super tributa: porro Iosaphat filius Ahilud, a commentariis.

24 Aduram indeed over the tributes: moreover Josaphat son of Ahilud, in charge of the records.

25 Siva autem, scriba: Sadoc vero et Abiathar, sacerdotes.

25 Siva however, scribe: indeed Sadoc and Abiathar, priests.

26 Ira autem Iairites erat sacerdos David.

26 But Ira the Jairite was David's priest.

[21]

1 Facta est quoque fames in diebus David tribus annis iugiter: et consuluit David oraculum Domini. Dixitque Dominus: Proper Saul, et domum eius sanguinum, quia occidit Gabaonitas.

1 There was also a famine in the days of David, for three years continually: and David consulted the oracle of the Lord. And the Lord said: Because of Saul, and his house of bloodshed, because he killed the Gibeonites.

2 Vocatis ergo Gabaonitis rex, dixit ad eos (porro Gabaonitae non erant de filiis Israel, sed reliquiae Amorrhaeorum: filii quippe Israel iuraverunt eis, et voluit Saul percutere eos zelo, quasi pro filiis Israel et Iuda),

2 Therefore, the king, having called the Gibeonites, said to them (now the Gibeonites were not of the sons of Israel, but remnants of the Amorites: for indeed the sons of Israel swore an oath to them, and Saul wished to strike them down with zeal, as if for the sons of Israel and Judah),

3 dixit ergo David ad Gabaonitas: Quid faciam vobis? et quod erit vestri piaculum, ut benedicatis haereditati Domini?

3 So David said to the Gibeonites: What shall I do for you? And what will be your expiation, that you may bless the inheritance of the Lord?

4 Dixeruntque ei Gabaonitae: Non est nobis super argento et auro quaestio, sed contra Saul, et contra domum eius: neque volumus ut interficiatur homo de Israel. Ad quos rex ait: Quid ergo vultis ut faciam vobis?

4 And the Gibeonites said to him: It is not for us a question over silver and gold, but against Saul and against his house; nor do we wish that a man of Israel be put to death. To whom the king said: What then do you wish that I should do for you?

5 Qui dixerunt regi: Virum, qui attrivit nos et oppressit inique, ita delere debemus, ut ne unus quidem residuus sit de stirpe eius in cunctis finibus Israel.

5 Who said to the king: The man who ground us down and oppressed us iniquitously, we must so destroy, that not even one be left remaining of his lineage in all the borders of Israel.

6 Dentur nobis septem viri de filiis eius, ut crucifigamus eos Domino in Gabaa Saul, quondam electi Domini. Et ait rex: Ego dabo.

6 Let seven men from his sons be given to us, that we may crucify them for the Lord in Gibeah of Saul, formerly the Lord’s elect. And the king said: I will give.

7 Pepercitque rex Miphiboseth filio Ionathae filii Saul, propter iusiurandum Domini, quod fuerat inter David et inter Ionathan filium Saul.

7 And the king spared Miphiboseth, the son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, because of the oath of the Lord, which had been between David and Jonathan, the son of Saul.

8 Tulit itaque rex duos filios Respha filiae Aia, quos peperit Sauli, Armoni, et Miphiboseth: et quinque filios Michol filiae Saul, quos genuerat Hadrieli filio Berzellai, qui fuit de Molathi,

8 Therefore the king took the two sons of Respha, daughter of Aia, whom she bore to Saul, Armoni and Miphiboseth; and the five sons of Michol, daughter of Saul, whom she had borne to Hadriel, son of Berzellai, who was of Molathi,

9 et dedit eos in manus Gabaonitarum: qui crucifixerunt eos in monte coram Domino: et ceciderunt hi septem simul occisi in diebus messis primis, incipiente messione hordei.

9 and he gave them into the hands of the Gibeonites: who crucified them on the mountain before the Lord: and these seven fell together, slain, in the first days of the harvest, the barley-harvest beginning.

10 Tollens autem Respha filia Aia cilicium, substravit sibi supra petram ab initio messis, donec stillaret aqua super eos de caelo: et non dimisit aves lacerare eos per diem, neque bestias per noctem.

10 But Respha, daughter of Aia, taking a cilice, spread it for herself upon the rock from the beginning of harvest, until water dripped upon them from heaven: and she did not permit the birds to lacerate them by day, nor the beasts by night.

11 Et nuntiata sunt David quae fecerat Respha, filia Aia, concubina Saul.

11 And the things which Respha, daughter of Aia, concubine of Saul, had done were announced to David.

12 Et abiit David, et tulit ossa Saul, et ossa Ionathae filii eius, a viris Iabes Galaad, qui furati fuerant ea de platea Bethsan, in qua suspenderant eos Philisthiim cum interfecissent Saul in Gelboe:

12 And David went and took the bones of Saul, and the bones of Jonathan his son, from the men of Jabesh-gilead, who had stolen them from the square of Beth-shan, where the Philistines had suspended them, when they had killed Saul on Gilboa:

13 et asportavit inde ossa Saul, et ossa Ionathae filii eius: et colligentes ossa eorum qui affixi fuerant,

13 and he carried away from there the bones of Saul, and the bones of Jonathan his son; and, gathering the bones of those who had been hanged,

14 sepelierunt ea cum ossibus Saul et Ionathae filii eius in terra Beniamin, in latere, in sepulchro Cis patris eius: feceruntque omnia, quae praeceperat rex, et repropitiatus est Deus terrae post haec.

14 they buried them with the bones of Saul and Jonathan his son in the land of Benjamin, on the side, in the sepulchre of Cis his father: and they did all that the king had commanded, and God was repropitiated to the land after these things.

15 Factum est autem rursum praelium Philisthinorum adversum Israel, et descendit David, et servi eius cum eo, et pugnabant contra Philisthiim. Deficiente autem David,

15 Now it happened again that there was a battle of the Philistines against Israel, and David went down, and his servants with him, and they were fighting against the Philistines. But as David was failing,

16 Iesbibenob, qui fuit de genere Arapha, cuius ferrum hastae trecentas uncias appendebat, et accinctus erat ense novo, nisus est percutere David.

16 Ishbi-benob, who was of the race of Rapha, the iron of whose spear weighed three hundred ounces, and he was girded with a new sword, endeavored to strike David.

17 Praesidioque ei fuit Abisai filius Sarviae et percussum Philisthaeum interfecit. Tunc iuraverunt viri David, dicentes: Iam non egredieris nobiscum in bellum, ne extinguas lucernam Israel.

17 And Abishai son of Zeruiah was a protection to him and struck the Philistine and killed him. Then the men of David swore, saying: You shall no longer go out with us into war, lest you extinguish the lamp of Israel.

18 Secundum quoque bellum fuit in Gob contra Philisthaeos: tunc percussit Sobochai et Husati, Saph de stirpe Arapha de genere gigantum.

18 A second battle also was in Gob against the Philistines: then Sobochai the Hushathite struck down Saph, of the stock of Arapha, of the race of the giants.

19 Tertium quoque fuit bellum in Gob contra Philisthaeos, in quo percussit Adeodatus filius Saltus polymitarius Bethlehemites Goliath Gethaeum, cuius hastile hastae erat quasi liciatorium texentium.

19 There was also a third war in Gob against the Philistines, in which Adeodatus son of Saltus, a weaver, a Bethlehemite, struck down Goliath the Gittite, whose spear-shaft was like a weavers’ beam.

20 Quartum bellum fuit in Geth: in quo vir fuit excelsus, qui senos in manibus pedibusque habebat digitos, id est, viginti quatuor, et erat de origine Arapha.

20 The fourth war was in Gath: in which there was a man of great stature, who had six fingers on each hand and on each foot—that is, 24—and he was of the lineage of Arapha.

21 Et blasphemavit Israel: percussit autem eum Ionathan filius Samaa fratris David.

21 And he blasphemed Israel; but Jonathan, the son of Samaa, the brother of David, struck him down.

22 Hi quatuor nati sunt de Arapha in Geth, et ceciderunt in manu David et servorum eius.

22 These four were born of Arapha in Geth, and they fell by the hand of David and his servants.

[22]

1 Locutus est autem David Domino verba carminis huius in die qua liberavit eum Dominus de manu omnium inimicorum suorum, et de manu Saul,

1 And David spoke to the Lord the words of this song on the day when the Lord delivered him from the hand of all his enemies, and from the hand of Saul,

2 et ait:

2 and he said:

Dominus petra mea, et robur meum, et salvator meus.

The Lord is my rock, and my strength, and my Savior.

3 Deus fortis meus sperabo in eum: scutum meum, et cornu salutis meae: elevator meus, et refugium meum: salvator meus, de iniquitate liberabis me.

3 My mighty God, I will hope in him: my shield, and the horn of my salvation: my Lifter-up, and my refuge: my savior, from iniquity you will liberate me.

4 Laudabilem invocabo Dominum: et ab inimicis meis salvus ero.

4 I will invoke the laudable Lord: and from my enemies I shall be safe.

5 Quia circumdederunt me contritiones mortis: torrentes Belial terruerunt me.

5 Because the pangs of death encompassed me: the torrents of Belial terrified me.

6 Funes inferni circumdederunt me: praevenerunt me laquei mortis.

6 The cords of hell surrounded me: the snares of death came before me.

7 In tribulatione mea invocabo Dominum, et ad Deum meum clamabo: et exaudiet de templo suo vocem meam, et clamor meus venit ad aures eius.

7 In my tribulation I will invoke the Lord, and to my God I will cry out: and he will hearken from his temple to my voice, and my cry came to his ears.

8 Commota est et contremuit terra: fundamenta montium concussa sunt, et conquassata, quoniam iratus est eis.

8 The earth was moved and trembled: the foundations of the mountains were shaken, and thoroughly shaken, because he was angry with them.

9 Ascendit fumus de naribus eius, et ignis de ore eius vorabit: carbones succensi sunt ab eo.

9 Smoke went up from his nostrils, and fire from his mouth will devour; coals were kindled by him.

10 Inclinavit caelos, et descendit: et caligo sub pedibus eius.

10 He inclined the heavens, and descended: and gloom beneath his feet.

11 Et ascendit super cherubim: et volavit, et lapsus est super pennas venti.

11 And he ascended upon the cherubim: and he flew, and glided upon the wings of the wind.

12 Posuit tenebras in circuitu suo latibulum, cribrans aquas de nubibus caelorum.

12 He placed darkness as a hiding-place in his circuit, sifting waters from the clouds of the heavens.

13 Prae fulgore in conspectu eius, succensi sunt carbones ignis.

13 Before the brightness of his presence, the coals of fire were kindled.

14 Tonabit de caelo Dominus: et excelsus dabit vocem suam.

14 The Lord will thunder from heaven: and the Most High will give forth his voice.

15 Misit sagittas et dissipavit eos: fulgur, et consumpsit eos.

15 He sent arrows and dissipated them: lightning, and he consumed them.

16 Et apparuerunt effusiones maris, et revelata sunt fundamenta orbis ab increpatione Domini, ab inspiratione spiritus furoris eius.

16 And the channels of the sea appeared, and the foundations of the world were revealed at the rebuke of the Lord, at the blast of the breath of his fury.

17 Misit de excelso, et assumpsit me: et extraxit me de aquis multis.

17 He sent from on high, and took me up; and drew me out of many waters.

18 Liberavit me ab inimico meo potentissimo, et ab his qui oderant me: quoniam robustiores me erant.

18 He liberated me from my most potent enemy, and from those who hated me: for they were stronger than I.

19 Praevenit me in die afflictionis meae, et factus est Dominus firmamentum meum.

19 He came before me on the day of my affliction, and the Lord became my support.

20 Et eduxit me in latitudinem: liberavit me, quia complacui ei.

20 And he led me out into a broad place: he liberated me, because I was pleasing to him.

21 Retribuet mihi Dominus secundum iustitiam meam: et secundum munditiam manuum mearum reddet mihi.

21 The Lord will retribute to me according to my justice: and according to the cleanness of my hands he will render to me.

22 Quia custodivi vias Domini, et non egi impie a Deo meo.

22 For I have kept the ways of the Lord, and I have not impiously departed from my God.

23 Omnia enim iudicia eius in conspectu meo: et praecepta eius non amovi a me.

23 For all his judgments are before me: and his precepts I have not removed from me.

24 Et ero perfectus cum eo: et custodiam me ab iniquitate mea.

24 And I will be perfect with him: and I will keep myself from my iniquity.

25 Et restituet mihi Dominus secundum iustitiam meam: et secundum munditiam manuum mearum in conspectu oculorum suorum.

25 And the Lord will restore to me according to my justice: and according to the cleanness of my hands in the sight of his eyes.

26 Cum sancto sanctus eris: et cum robusto perfectus.

26 With the holy you will be holy: and with the robust you will be perfect.

27 Cum electo electus eris: et cum perverso perverteris.

27 With the elect you will be elect: and with the perverse you will be perverted.

28 Et populum pauperem salvum facies: oculisque tuis excelsos humiliabis.

28 And you will make safe a poor people: and with your eyes you will humble the exalted.

29 Quia tu lucerna mea, Domine: et tu, Domine, illuminabis tenebras meas.

29 Because you are my lamp, Lord: and you, Lord, will illuminate my darknesses.

30 In te enim curram accinctus: in Deo meo transiliam murum.

30 For in you indeed I will run, girded: in my God I will leap over a wall.

31 Deus, immaculata via eius, eloquium Domini igne examinatum: scutum est omnium sperantium in se.

31 God, immaculate is his way, the utterance of the Lord assayed by fire: he is a shield of all who hope in him.

32 Quis est Deus praeter Dominum: et quis fortis praeter Deum nostrum?

32 Who is God besides the Lord: and who is strong besides our God?

33 Deus qui accinxit me fortitudine, et complanavit perfectam viam meam.

33 God who girded me with fortitude, and made level my perfect way.

34 Coaequans pedes meos cervis, et super excelsa mea statuens me;

34 Equaling my feet with hinds, and setting me upon my high places;

35 docens manus meas ad praelium, et componens quasi arcum aereum brachia mea.

35 teaching my hands for battle, and shaping my arms like a bow of bronze.

36 Dedisti mihi clypeum salutis tuae, et mansuetudo tua multiplicavit me.

36 You have given to me the shield of your salvation, and your mansuetude has multiplied me.

37 Dilatabis gressus meos subtus me: et non deficient tali mei.

37 You will enlarge my steps under me: and my ankles will not fail.

38 Persequar inimicos meos, et conteram: et non convertar donec consumam eos.

38 I will pursue my enemies, and I will crush them: and I will not turn back until I consume them.

39 Consumam eos et confringam, ut non consurgant: cadent sub pedibus meis.

39 I will consume them and crush them, so that they do not rise: they will fall beneath my feet.

40 Accinxisti me fortitudine ad praelium: incurvasti resistentes mihi subtus me.

40 You girded me with fortitude for battle: you bowed down those resisting me beneath me.

41 Inimicos meos dedisti mihi dorsum: odientes me, et disperdam eos.

41 You have given my enemies the back: those hating me, and I will destroy them.

42 Clamabunt, et non erit qui salvet, ad Dominum, et non exaudiet eos.

42 They will cry out, and there will not be one who saves, to the Lord, and he will not hearken to them.

43 Delebo eos ut pulverem terrae: quasi lutum platearum comminuam eos atque confringam.

43 I will blot them out like the dust of the earth: like the mire of the streets I will crush them and break them in pieces.

44 Salvabis me a contradictionibus populi mei: custodies me in caput gentium: populus, quem ignoro, serviet mihi.

44 You will save me from the contradictions of my people: you will keep me as the head of the nations: a people whom I do not know will serve me.

45 Filii alieni resistent mihi, auditu auris obedient mihi.

45 Alien sons will resist me, at the hearing of the ear they will be obedient to me.

46 Filii alieni defluxerunt, et contrahentur in angustiis suis.

46 Alien sons have melted away, and will shrink back into their straits.

47 Vivit Dominus, et benedictus Deus meus: et exaltabitur Deus fortis salutis meae.

47 The Lord lives, and blessed is my God: and the strong God of my salvation will be exalted.

48 Deus qui das vindictas mihi, et deicis populos sub me.

48 God who grants me vindications, and casts down peoples beneath me.

49 Qui educis me ab inimicis meis, et a resistentibus mihi elevas me: a viro iniquo liberabis me.

49 You who lead me out from my enemies, and from those resisting me you elevate me: from a man of iniquity you will liberate me.

50 Propterea confitebor tibi Domine in gentibus: et nomini tuo cantabo:

50 Therefore I will confess to you, O Lord, among the nations: and I will sing to your name:

51 magnificans salutes regis sui, et faciens misericordiam christo suo David, et semini eius in sempiternum.

51 magnifying the salvations of his king, and doing mercy to his Christ, to David, and to his seed unto eternity.

[23]

1 Haec autem sunt verba David novissima. Dixit David filius Isai: Dixit vir, cui constitutum est de christo Dei Iacob, egregius psaltes Israel:

1 Now these are the very last words of David. David the son of Jesse said: The man said, to whom it was appointed—the christ of the God of Jacob, the distinguished psalmist of Israel:

2 Spiritus Domini locutus est per me, et sermo eius per linguam meam.

2 The Spirit of the Lord spoke through me, and his word through my tongue.

3 Dixit Deus Israel mihi, locutus est fortis Israel, dominator hominum, iustus dominator in timore Dei.

3 The God of Israel said to me, the Mighty One of Israel has spoken, a ruler of men, a just ruler in the fear of God.

4 Sicut lux aurorae, oriente sole, mane absque nubibus rutilat, et sicut pluviis germinat herba de terra.

4 Like the light of aurora, with the sun rising, a morning without clouds glows ruddy, and as by rains the grass from the earth germinates.

5 Nec tanta est domus mea apud Deum, ut pactum aeternum iniret mecum, firmum in omnibus atque munitum. Cuncta enim salus mea, et omnis voluntas: nec est quidquam ex ea quod non germinet.

5 Nor is my house so great with God, that he should enter with me into an eternal pact, firm in all things and fortified. For all my salvation and all my will: nor is there anything from it that does not germinate.

6 Praevaricatores autem quasi spinae evellentur universi: quae non tolluntur manibus.

6 But the transgressors, however, will all be uprooted like thorns: which are not taken up by hands.

7 Et si quis tangere voluerit eas, armabitur ferro et ligno lanceato, igneque succensae comburentur, usque ad nihilum.

7 And if anyone should wish to touch them, he will be armed with iron and a wooden lance, and, set ablaze by fire, they will be burned down to nothing.

font size=2>8 Haec nomina fortium David. Sedens in cathedra sapientissimus princeps inter tres, ipse est quasi tenerrimus ligni vermiculus, qui octingentos interfecit impetu uno.

font size=2>8 These are the names of David’s men of fortitude. Sitting in the cathedra, the most sapient princeps among the three, he himself is as though a most tender little woodworm, who slew 800 in one impetus.

9 Post hunc, Eleazar filius patrui eius Ahohites inter tres fortes, qui erant cum David quando exprobraverunt Philisthiim, et congregati sunt illuc in praelium.

9 After him, Eleazar, son of his paternal uncle, the Ahohite, among the three mighty men, who were with David when they exprobrated the Philistines, and they were gathered there for battle.

10 Cumque ascendissent viri Israel, ipse stetit et percussit Philisthaeos donec deficeret manus eius, et obrigesceret cum gladio: fecitque Dominus salutem magnam in die illa: et populus, qui fugerat, reversus est ad caesorum spolia detrahenda.

10 And when the men of Israel had ascended, he himself stood and struck the Philistines until his hand failed, and grew rigid with the sword: and the Lord made a great salvation on that day: and the people, who had fled, returned to strip the spoils of the slain.

11 Et post hunc, Semma filius Age de Arari. Et congregati sunt Philisthiim in statione: erat quippe ibi ager lente plenus. Cumque fugisset populus a facie Philisthiim,

11 And after him, Semma, the son of Age, from Arari. And the Philistines were gathered in a station: for there was there a field full of lentils. And when the people had fled from before the Philistines,

12 stetit ille in medio agri, et tuitus est eum, percussitque Philisthaeos: et fecit Dominus salutem magnam.

12 he stood in the middle of the field, and defended it, and struck the Philistines; and the Lord made a great salvation.

13 Necnon et ante descenderant tres qui erant principes inter triginta, et venerant tempore messis ad David in speluncam Odollam: castra autem Philisthinorum erant posita in Valle gigantum.

13 And likewise before, three who were chiefs among the thirty had gone down, and had come at the time of harvest to David in the cave of Adullam: but the camp of the Philistines had been set in the Valley of the Giants.

14 Et David erat in praesidio: porro statio Philisthinorum tunc erat in Bethlehem.

14 And David was in the stronghold: moreover the station of the Philistines was then in Bethlehem.

15 Desideravit ergo David, et ait: O si quis mihi daret potum aquae de cisterna quae est in Bethlehem iuxta portam!

15 Therefore David desired, and said: O that someone would give me a drink of water from the cistern which is in Bethlehem next to the gate!

16 Irruperunt ergo tres fortes castra Philisthinorum, et hauserunt aquam de cisterna Bethlehem, quae erat iuxta portam, et attulerunt ad David: at ille noluit bibere, sed libavit eam Domino,

16 And so the three mighty men broke through the camp of the Philistines, and drew water from the cistern of Bethlehem, which was by the gate, and brought it to David: but he was unwilling to drink, but poured it out as a libation to the Lord,

17 dicens: Propitius sit mihi Dominus, ne faciam hoc: num sanguinem hominum istorum, qui profecti sunt, et animarum periculum bibam? Noluit ergo bibere. Haec fecerunt tres robustissimi.

17 saying: May the Lord be propitious to me, that I should not do this: am I to drink the blood of these men who went forth, and the peril of their souls? Therefore he was unwilling to drink. These things the three most robust did.

18 Abisai quoque frater Ioab filius Sarviae, princeps erat de tribus: ipse est qui levavit hastam suam contra trecentos, quos interfecit, nominatus in tribus,

18 Abishai also, the brother of Joab, the son of Zeruiah, was chief of the Three: he it is who lifted up his spear against three hundred, whom he slew, named among the Three,

19 et inter tres nobilior, eratque eorum princeps, sed usque ad tres primos non pervenerat.

19 and among the three he was more noble, and he was their prince, but he had not attained up to the first three.

20 Et Banaias filius Ioiadae viri fortissimi, magnorum operum, de Cabseel. Ipse percussit duos leones Moab, et ipse descendit, et percussit leonem in media cisterna in diebus nivis.

20 And Banaias, son of Ioiadae, a most valiant man, of great deeds, from Cabseel. He struck down two lions of Moab, and he himself went down and struck a lion in the midst of a cistern in the days of snow.

21 Ipse quoque interfecit virum Aegyptium, virum dignum spectaculo, habentem in manu hastam: itaque cum descendisset ad eum in virga, vi extorsit hastam de manu Aegyptii, et interfecit eum hasta sua.

21 He too killed an Egyptian man, a man worthy of spectacle, having a spear in his hand: and so, when he had gone down to him with a staff, by force he wrenched the spear from the Egyptian’s hand, and killed him with his spear.

22 Haec fecit Banaias filius Ioiadae.

22 These things Benaiah the son of Jehoiada did.

23 Et ipse nominatus inter tres robustos, qui erant inter triginta nobiliores: verumtamen usque ad tres non pervenerat: fecitque eum sibi David auricularium, a secreto.

23 And he himself was named among the three mighty men, who were more noble among the thirty; nevertheless he had not attained to the three; and David made him his auricular attendant, of the privy council.

24 Asael frater Ioab inter triginta, Elehanan filius patrui eius de Bethlehem,

24 Asael, brother of Joab, among the thirty; Elehanan, son of his paternal uncle, from Bethlehem,

25 Semma de Harodi, Elica de Harodi,

25 Semma of Harod, Elica of Harod,

26 Heles de Phalti, Hira filius Acces de Thecua,

26 Heles from Phalti, Hira son of Acces from Thecua,

27 Abiezer de Anathoth, Mobonnai de Husati,

27 Abiezer of Anathoth, Mobonnai of Husath,

28 Selmon Ahohites, Maharai Netophathites,

28 Selmon the Ahohite, Maharai the Netophathite,

29 Heled filius Baana, et ipse Netophathites, Ithai filius Ribai de Gabaath filiorum Beniamin,

29 Heled son of Baana, and he himself a Netophathite; Ithai son of Ribai of Gabaath of the sons of Benjamin,

30 Banaia Pharathonites, Heddai de torrente Gaas,

30 Benaiah the Pharathonite, Heddai from the torrent of Gaas,

31 Abialbon Arbathites, Azmaveth de Beromi,

31 Abialbon the Arbathite, Azmaveth of Berom,

32 Eliaba de Salaboni. Filii Iassen, Ionathan,

32 Eliahba of Shaalbon. The sons of Jashen, Jonathan,

33 Semma de Orori, Aiam filius Sarar Arorites,

33 Semma from Orori, Aiam, son of Sarar, the Arorite,

34 Eliphelet filius Aasbai filii Machati, Eliam filius Achitophel Gelonites,

34 Eliphelet, son of Ahasbai, the Maachathite, Eliam, son of Ahithophel, the Gilonite,

35 Hesrai de Carmelo, Pharai de Arbi,

35 Hesrai of Carmel, Pharai of Arbi,

36 Igaal filius Nathan de Soba, Bonni de Gadi,

36 Igaal son of Nathan from Soba, Bonni of Gad,

37 Selec de Ammoni, Naharai Berothites armiger Ioab filii Sarviae,

37 Selec the Ammonite, Naharai the Berothite, armor-bearer of Joab son of Sarvia,

38 Ira Iethrites, Gareb et ipse Iethrites,

38 Ira the Ithrite, Gareb, also an Ithrite,

39 Urias Hethaeus. Omnes triginta septem.

39 Uriah the Hittite. All thirty-seven.

[24]

1 Et addidit furor Domini irasci contra Israel, commovitque David in eis dicentem: Vade, numera Israel et Iudam.

1 And the fury of the Lord again was enraged against Israel, and he moved David among them, saying: Go, number Israel and Judah.

2 Dixitque rex ad Ioab principem exercitus sui: Perambula omnes tribus Israel a Dan usque Bersabee, et numerate populum, ut sciam numerum eius.

2 And the king said to Joab, the commander of his army: Traverse all the tribes of Israel from Dan as far as Beersheba, and number the people, that I may know its number.

3 Dixitque Ioab regi: Adaugeat Dominus Deus tuus ad populum tuum, quantus nunc est, iterumque centuplicet in conspectu domini mei regis: sed quid sibi dominus meus rex vult in re huiuscemodi?

3 And Joab said to the king: May the Lord your God add to your people, however many they are now, and again centuplicate them in the sight of my lord the king; but what does my lord the king want with a matter of this sort?

4 Obtinuit autem sermo regis verba Ioab, et principum exercitus: egressusque est Ioab, et princeps militum a facie regis, ut numerarent populum Israel.

4 But the word of the king prevailed over the words of Joab and the chiefs of the army: and Joab went out, and the chief of the soldiers, from before the king, to number the people of Israel.

5 Cumque pertransissent Iordanem, venerunt in Aroer ad dexteram urbis, quae est in valle Gad:

5 And when they had passed over the Jordan, they came to Aroer, at the right of the city, which is in the valley of Gad:

6 et per Iazer transierunt in Galaad, et in terram inferiorem Hodsi, et venerunt in Dan silvestria. Circumeuntesque iuxta Sidonem,

6 and through Jazer they passed into Gilead, and into the lower land of Hodsi, and they came into woodland Dan. And going around near Sidon,

7 transierunt prope moenia Tyri, et omnem terram Hevaei et Chananaei, veneruntque ad meridiem Iuda in Bersabee:

7 they passed near the walls of Tyre, and all the land of the Hivite and the Canaanite, and they came to the south of Judah, to Beersheba:

8 et lustrata universa terra, affuerunt post novem menses et viginti dies in Ierusalem.

8 and, the whole land having been traversed, they arrived after nine months and twenty days in Jerusalem.

9 Dedit ergo Ioab numerum descriptionis populi regi, et inventa sunt de Israel octingenta millia virorum fortium, qui educerent gladium: et de Iuda quingenta millia pugnatorum.

9 Therefore Joab gave to the king the number of the description of the people, and there were found of Israel 800,000 men of valor, who drew the sword; and of Judah 500,000 combatants.

10 Percussit autem cor David eum, postquam numeratus est populus: et dixit David ad Dominum: Peccavi valde in hoc facto: sed precor, Domine, ut transferas iniquitatem servi tui, quia stulte egi nimis.

10 But David’s heart struck him after the people had been counted; and David said to the Lord: I have sinned greatly in this deed; but I pray, Lord, that you remove the iniquity of your servant, for I have acted very foolishly.

11 Surrexit itaque David mane, et sermo Domini factus est ad Gad prophetam et videntem David, dicens:

11 Therefore David rose in the morning, and the word of the Lord was made to Gad, the prophet and seer of David, saying:

12 Vade, et loquere ad David: Haec dicit Dominus: Trium tibi datur optio, elige unum quod volueris ex his, ut faciam tibi.

12 Go, and speak to David: Thus says the Lord: An option of three is given to you; choose one of these which you will, that I may do it to you.

13 Cumque venisset Gad ad David, nuntiavit ei, dicens: Aut septem annis veniet tibi fames in terra tua: aut tribus mensibus fugies adversarios tuos, et ille te persequentur: aut certe tribus diebus erit pestilentia in terra tua. Nunc ergo delibera, et vide quem respondeam ei, qui me misit, sermonem.

13 And when Gad had come to David, he announced to him, saying: Either for seven years famine shall come to you in your land; or for three months you shall flee your adversaries, and they will persecute you; or else for three days there shall be pestilence in your land. Now therefore deliberate, and see what word I shall answer to him who sent me.

14 Dixit autem David ad Gad: Coarctor nimis: sed melius est ut incidam in manus Domini (multae enim misericordiae eius sunt) quam in manus hominum.

14 But David said to Gad: I am greatly constrained; but it is better that I fall into the hands of the Lord (for many are his mercies) than into the hands of men.

15 Immisitque Dominus pestilentiam in Israel, de mane usque ad tempus constitutum, et mortui sunt ex populo a Dan usque ad Bersabee septuaginta millia virorum.

15 And the Lord sent a pestilence into Israel, from morning up to the appointed time, and there died from among the people from Dan as far as Bersabee seventy thousand men.

16 Cumque extendisset manum suam angelus Domini super Ierusalem ut disperderet eam, misertus est Dominus super afflictione, et ait angelo percutienti populum: Sufficit: nunc contine manum tuam.

16 And when the angel of the Lord had stretched out his hand over Jerusalem to destroy it, the Lord, having had pity upon the affliction, said to the angel striking the people: It is enough: now restrain your hand.

Erat autem angelus Domini iuxta aream Areuna Iebusaei.

Now the angel of the Lord was beside the threshing floor of Areuna the Jebusite.

17 Dixitque David ad Dominum cum vidisset angelum caedentem populum: Ego sum qui peccavi, ego inique egi: isti qui oves sunt, quid fecerunt? Vertatur, obsecro, manus tua contra me, et contra domum patris mei.

17 And David said to the Lord when he had seen the angel smiting the people: I am the one who has sinned, I, I have acted iniquitously: these, who are sheep, what have they done? Let your hand, I beseech, be turned against me, and against the house of my father.

18 Venit autem Gad ad David in die illa, et dixit ei: Ascende, et constitue altare Domino in area Areuna Iebusaei.

18 And Gad came to David on that day, and said to him: Go up, and set up an altar to the Lord on the threshing-floor of Araunah the Jebusite.

19 Et ascendit David iuxta sermonem Gad, quem praeceperat ei Dominus.

19 And David ascended according to the word of Gad, which the Lord had commanded him.

20 Conspiciensque Areuna, animadverti regem et servos eius transire ad se:

20 And Areuna, beholding, took notice that the king and his servants were passing over to him:

21 et egressus adoravit regem prono vultu in terram, et ait: Quid causae est ut veniat dominus meus rex ad servum suum? Cui David ait: Ut emam a te aream, et aedificem altare Domino, et cesset interfectio quae grassatur in populo.

21 and coming out he adored the king with his face prone to the ground, and said: What is the cause that my lord the king comes to his servant? To whom David said: That I may buy from you the threshing-floor, and build an altar to the Lord, and the slaughter which is raging among the people may cease.

22 Et ait Areuna ad David: Accipiat, et offerat dominus meus rex, sicut placet ei: habes boves in holocaustum, et plaustrum, et iuga boum in usum lignorum.

22 And Areuna said to David: Let my lord the king take and offer, as it pleases him: you have oxen for a holocaust, and the cart, and the yokes of the oxen for use as wood.

23 Omnia dedit Areuna rex regi: dixitque Areuna ad regem: Dominus Deus tuus suscipiat votum tuum.

23 Areuna the king gave all to the king; and Areuna said to the king: May the Lord your God receive your vow.

24 Cui respondens rex, ait: Nequaquam ut vis, sed emam pretio a te, et non offeram Domino Deo meo holocausta gratuita. Emit ergo David aream, et boves, argenti siclis quinquaginta:

24 To whom answering, the king said: Not at all as you wish, but I will buy from you for a price, and I will not offer to the Lord my God holocausts gratis. Therefore David bought the threshing-floor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver:

25 et aedificavit ibi David altare Domino, et obtulit holocausta et pacifica: et propitiatus est Dominus terrae, et cohibita est plaga ab Israel.

25 and there David built an altar to the Lord, and offered holocausts and peace-offerings: and the Lord was propitiated for the land, and the plague was restrained from Israel.