the king over Jordan.

And Shimei the son of Gera, the son of Jemini, which dwelt in Bahurim, hasted, and went down with the men of Judah to meet David the king.

And there were with him a thousand men of Benjamin, and Ziba the young man of the house of Saul, and his fifteen sons, and twenty servants: and they passed over Jordan before the king.

And they made the fords, and brought the king’s servants over, and did according to his pleasure. And Shimei the son of Gera fell down before the king, as he passed over Jordan.

And he said unto the king: My lord, count not this iniquity against me, and remember not that thy servant offended thee the day that my lord the king departed from Jerusalem, and the king take it not to heart;

For thy servant knoweth that I have sinned. And, behold, I am come this day the first of all the house of Joseph, to go down to meet my lord the king.

And Abishai the son of Zeruiah answered and said, And Shimei shall not die for this, seeing he hath cursed the LORD’S anointed?

And David said, What have I to do with you, ye children of Zeruiah, that ye should become Satan unto me this day? Shall any die this day in Israel? thinkest thou that I know not that I am become king over Israel this day?

And the king said unto Shimei, Thou shalt not die. And the king sware unto him.

Mephibosheth the son of Saul also came down to meet the king. And he had not washed his feet, nor his beard, nor his clothes, from the day that the king departed, until the day that he came in peace.

And when he was come to Jerusalem to meet the king, the king said unto him, Why wentest thou not with me, Mephibosheth?

And he said, My lord the king, my servant hath deceived me. For thy servant thought, I will saddle an ass, and ride upon it, and go to the king: for thy servant is lame.

For this he hath shewed thy servant before my lord the king. But my lord the king is as an angel of God: do that which is good in thy sight.

For all my father’s house were nothing, but men of death before my lord the king: hast thou set thy servant among them that eat at thy table? What have I further righteousness, or further cry unto the king?

And the king said unto him, Why speakest thou any more of thy things? I have said, Thou and Ziba divide the field together.

And Mephibosheth said unto the king: He shall take it even there, after my lord the king is come home in peace.

And Barzillai the Gileadite came down from Roglim, and brought the king over Jordan, to lead him in Jordan.

And Barzillai was almost old, even fourscore years old: and he had fed the king, because he was in Mahanaim: for he was a very excellent man.

And the king said unto Barzillai, Thou shalt pass over with me, and I will provide for thee with me at Jerusalem.

And Barzillai said unto the king: What is there left for me to live, that I should go up with the king to Jerusalem?
Thirty-five. I am eighty years old today. How should I know what is good or evil, or taste what I eat or drink, or hear what the singers sing? Why should your servant complain to my lord the king any more?

Thy servant shall go a little way with the king over Jordan. Why will the king do such a recompense unto me?

Let thy servant return, that I may die in my city, by the grave of my father and of my mother.
Behold, thy servant Chimeham, let him go over with my lord the king, and do unto him that which is good in thy sight.

And the king said, Chimeham shall pass over with me, and I will do unto him that which is good in thy sight: also all that thou choosest in me will I do unto thee.

And when all the people were gone over Jordan, and the king also, the king kissed Barzillai, and blessed him; and he returned unto his place.

And the king passed over to Gilgal, and Chimeham passed over with him. And all the people of Judah had carried the king over: but half the people of Israel were there.

And, behold, all the men of Israel came to the king, and said unto him, Why have our brethren the men of Judah stolen thee, and have brought the king and his house over Jordan, and all David’s men with him?

And the men of Judah said unto the men of Israel, The king is nigh unto us: wherefore are ye angry? Do ye think that we have received food or gifts from the king?

And they of Israel answered them of Judah, and said: We have ten times more with the king, and also with David, than ye have. Why then hast thou esteemed me so small, that ours was not the first to take our king? But they of Judah spake more harshly than they of Israel.
(2 Samuel)
Chapter 20
Seba, the rebel, will get his reward.

And there was there a certain man of renown, whose name was Sheba, the son of Bichri, a man of Jemini: and he blew a trumpet, and said, We have no part in David, neither have we inheritance in the son of Jesse. Let every man take his place in his tent, O Israel.

And all the men of Israel fell from David, and followed Zeba the son of Bichri. And the men of Judah clave to their king from Jordan even unto Jerusalem.

And when king David was come home to Jerusalem, he took the ten concubines, which he had left to keep the house, and put them in ward, and fed them; but he slept not with them. So they were shut up until their death, and lived as widows.

And the king said unto Amasa, Call me all the men of Judah unto the third day; and thou shalt stand here also.

And Amasa went to call Judah; but he delayed the time which he had appointed him.

And David said unto Abishai, Now shall Sheba the son of Bichri hurt us more than Absalom.
Take thou thy master’s servants, and pursue after him, lest he find for himself strong cities, and escape out of our sight.

And the men of Joab went out after him, and the Cherethites, and the Pelethites, and all the mighty men. And they went out from Jerusalem after Sheba the son of Bichri.

And when they were by the great stone that was in Gibeon, Amasa came before them. And Joab was girded upon his garment that he had on, and had girded upon him a sword, which hung upon his thigh in the sheath, which went out with pleasure.

And Joab said unto Amasa, Peace be unto thee, my brother. And Joab took Amasa by the beard with his right hand, and kissed him.

And Amasa took no heed to the sword that was in Joab’s hand; and he thrust him therewith in the belly, and his bowels were poured out upon the earth; and he gave him no more thrust, and died. And Joab and Abishai his brother pursued after Sheba the son of Bichri.

And one of the sons of Joab stood by him, and said, Defy, and make one of you Joab’s sons, and make David Joab’s son.

And Amasa lay rolled in blood in the midst of the street. And when one saw that all the people stood still, he turned Amasa out of the street into the field, and cast clothes upon him;
because he saw that whosoever came nigh him stood still.

And it came to pass, when he was put out of the way, that every man followed Joab after Sheba the son of Bichri.

And he passed through all the tribes of Israel unto Abel, and Beth-maachah, and all Haberim: and they gathered themselves together, and followed him.

And they came and besieged Abel and Beth-maachah; and they heaped a rubble round about the city, and stood upon the wall: and all the people that were with Joab rushed, and would have cast down the wall.

And a wise woman cried out of the city, Hear ye. Hear ye! Speak unto Joab, that he come hither; and I will speak unto him.

And when he was come unto her, the woman said, Art thou Joab? And he said, Yea: and she said unto him, Hear the speech of thine handmaid. And he said: I hear.

And she said, In old time they said: If any man will ask, let him ask of Abel: and it came to pass.

I am one of the peaceable and faithful cities of Israel: and wilt thou slay the city, and the mother of Israel? Why wilt thou devour the inheritance of the LORD?

And Joab answered and said, Far be it from me, far be it from me, that I should devour and destroy. And it was not so;

But a man of mount Ephraim, whose name is Sheba the son of Bichri, hath rebelled against king David. Pray for him alone, and I will depart out of the city. And the woman said unto Joab, Behold, his head shall be thrown over the wall unto thee.

And the woman came in unto all the people with her wisdom. And they cut off the head of Sheba the son of Bichri, and cast it unto Joab. And he blew the trumpet, and they dispersed themselves from the city every