his wife, he went in unto her, and slept with her.
And she bare a son, and called his name Solomon. And the LORD loved him.

And he put him under the hand of Nathan the prophet, who called his name Jedidiah, because of the LORD.

And Joab fought against Rabbah of the children of Ammon, and took the king’s city.

And he sent messengers unto David, saying, I have fought against Rabbah, and have gained the city of waters.

Now therefore take ye the remnant of the people, and besiege the city, and take it, lest I take it, and I have the name thereof.

So David took all the people together, and went and fought against Rabbah, and took them.

And they took the crown of their king from off his head, which weighed a talent of gold, and precious stones, and was set upon David’s head: and he brought forth out of the city much spoil.

And he brought out the people that were within, and put them under saws of iron, and under prongs of iron, and under wedges of iron, and burned them in brickkilns. So did he to all the cities of the children of Ammon. Then David and all the people returned to Jerusalem.
(2 Samuel)
Chapter 13
The incestuous Amnon is murdered by Absalom’s servants.

And it came to pass after this, that Absalom the son of David had a fair sister, whose name was Tamar: and Amnon the son of David loved her.

And Amnon feigned himself sick because of Tamar his sister. For she was a virgin, and it seemed hard unto Amnon that he should do her any hurt.

And Amnon had a friend, whose name was Jonadab, the son of Simea David’s brother: and the same Jonadab was a very wise man.

And he said unto him, Why growest thou lean, O king’s son, from day to day? wilt thou not tell me? And Amnon said unto him, I have loved Tamar my brother Absalom’s sister.

And Jonadab said unto him, Lie thee down upon thy bed, and make thee sick. And it shall come to pass, when thy father is come to look upon thee, that thou shalt say unto him, Let my sister Tamar come, that she may suck me, and make a meal before me, that I may watch, and eat of her hand.

So Amnon lay down, and was sick. And when the king came to see him, Amnon said unto the king: Let my sister Thamar come, that she may make a vegetable or two before me, and I may eat of her hand.

And David sent to Tamar to the house, saying, Go to the house of Amnon thy brother, and make him meat.

And Tamar went to the house of Amnon her brother; and he lay in bed. And she took a dough, and kneaded it, and soothed it before his eyes, and cooked him a vegetable.

And she took the dish, and poured it out before him: but he refused to eat. And Amnon said, Let every man go out from me. And every man went out from him.

And Amnon said unto Tamar, Bring the meat into the chamber, that I may eat of thine hand.
And Tamar took the meat which she had made, and brought it into the chamber unto Amnon her brother.

And when she had brought it to him to eat, he took hold of her, and said unto her, Come hither, my sister, sleep with me.

And she said unto him, Not, my brother, weaken me not, for so one is not in Israel; do not such foolishness.

Where will I go with my shame? And thou shalt be like the fools of Israel. But speak unto the king, and he shall not deny me thee.

But he would not obey her, and overpowered her, and weakened her, and slept with her.

And Amnon was exceeding sorry for her, because the hatred was greater than the love was before. And Amnon said unto her, Arise, and be lifted up.

And she said unto him, This evil is greater than the other which thou hast done unto me, to
cast me out. But he hearkened not unto her voice, 17. But called unto his lad that was his servant, and said, Drive this one out from me, and shut the door after her.

And she had on a coat of many colours: for the king’s daughters wore such coats, because they were virgins. And when his servant had driven her out, and shut the door behind her, 19. And Thamar cast ashes upon her head, and rent the coat of many colours that she had on, and put her hand upon her head, and went and cried.

And Absalom her brother said unto her: Hath thy brother Amnon been with thee? Now therefore, my sister, hold thy peace; it is thy brother, and take not the matter so much to heart. So Thamar abode alone in Absalom her brother’s house.

And when king David heard all these things, he was very wroth. But Absalom spake not unto Amnon, neither evil nor good.

And Absalom was grieved with Amnon, because he had weakened Tamar his sister.

And Absalom had shearers in Baal-hazor, which is under Ephraim, about two years: and Absalom invited all the king’s sons.

And he came to the king, and said, Behold, thy servant hath shearers: let the king and his servants go with his servant.

And the king said unto Absalom, Not so, my son, let us not all go, lest we trouble thee. And when he had urged him, yet he would not go, but blessed him.

And Absalom said, Shall not my brother Amnon go with us? And the king said unto him, Why should he go with thee?

And Absalom constrained him, that he should leave Amnon and all the king’s sons with him.

And Absalom commanded his sons, saying, Behold, when Amnon is well pleased with the wine, and I say unto you, Smite Amnon, and slay him, that ye fear not: for I have commanded you; be of good cheer, and be fresh.

So the sons of Absalom did unto Amnon as Absalom commanded them. And all the king’s sons arose, and every man sat upon his mouth, and fled.

And while they were yet in the way, the rumour came before David, that Absalom had slain all the king’s sons, that there was not one of them left.

And the king arose, and rent his clothes, and lay upon the ground; and all his servants that sat about him rent their clothes.

And Jonadab the son of Simea David’s brother answered and said, My lord think not that all the lads the king’s children are dead; but Amnon is dead to all. For Absalom hath kept it with him from the day that he weakened Tamar his sister.

Now therefore, my lord the king, take not this to heart, that all the king’s children are dead; but Amnon only is dead.

And Absalom fled. And the lad that was in the way lifted up his eyes, and looked, and, behold, a great multitude came one after another by the way of the side of the mountain.

And Jonadab said unto the king, Behold, the king’s children are come: as thy servant hath said, so it is come to pass.

And when he had spoken, behold, the king’s sons came and lifted up their voice, and wept.
And the king and all his servants wept very sore.

And Absalom fled, and went unto Talmai the son of Ammihud king of Geshur. And he mourned for his son all the days of his life.

And Absalom fled, and went to Geshur, and was there three years.

And king David ceased from going out against Absalom: for he was comforted because of Amnon, because he was dead.
(2 Samuel)
Chapter 14
Absalom finds mercy through the intercession of the woman of Thekoa.

And Joab the son of Zeruiah perceived that the king’s heart was against Absalom.

And he sent to Thekoa, and fetched thence a wise woman, and said unto her, Bear sorrow, and put on garments of sorrow, and anoint thee not with oil; but be thou as a woman that hath
borne sorrow a long time for a dead man.

And thou shalt go in unto the king, and speak unto him thus and thus. And Joab gave her charge what she should speak.

And when the woman of Thekoa would have spoken unto the king, she fell upon her face to the earth, and worshipped, saying, Help me, O king.

And the king said unto her, What is the matter with thee? She said: I am a widow, a woman that mourneth, and my husband is dead;

And thy handmaid had two sons, which quarreled together in the field: and there being no saviour, one smote the other, and slew him.

And, behold, all the friends of thy handmaid rise up, and say, Deliver him that smote his brother, that we may kill him for the soul of his brother whom he slew, and destroy the heir also: and we will quench my spark that is left, that there shall not be left to my husband a name, nor any thing upon the earth.

And the king said unto the woman, Go home, and I will command for thee.

And the woman of Thekoa said unto the king: My lord the king, the iniquity is upon me, and upon my father’s house: but let the king and his throne be blameless.

And the king said, Whosoever shall speak against thee, bring him unto me, and he shall touch thee no more.

And she said, The king remember the LORD thy God, that the avenger of blood be not multiplied to destroy, and that he destroy not my son. And he said, As