2 Samuel

Chapter 18

Phonetic (Hebrew): vayּipeqo֣d dּavi֔d 'et-ha'a֖m 'ashshe֣r 'itּ֑o vayּa֣shsem 'aleyhe֔m shsare֥y 'alapi֖ym veshsare֥y me'ֽot׃

Edified Edition (EDE)David mustered the men who were with him and appointed over them commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds.

וַיִּפְקֹ֣ד דָּוִ֔ד אֶת־הָעָ֖ם אֲשֶׁ֣ר אִתּ֑וֹ וַיָּ֣שֶׂם עֲלֵיהֶ֔ם שָׂרֵ֥י אֲלָפִ֖ים וְשָׂרֵ֥י מֵאֽוֹת׃

Phonetic (Hebrew): vayeshshalּa֨ch dּavi֜d 'et-ha'a֗m hashshּelishshi֤yt bּeyad-yo'ab֙ ve֠hashshּelishshiyt bּeya֨d 'abiyshsha֤y bּen-tzeruyah֙ 'achi֣y yo'a֔b veha֨shshּelishshi֔t bּeya֖d 'itּa֣y hagּitּi֑y s vayּo֤'mer hamּe֨leke֙ 'el-ha'a֔m yatzo֥ 'etze֛ gּam-'ani֖y 'imּakeֽm׃

Edified Edition (EDE)David sent out his troops, a third under the command of Joab, a third under Joab’s brother Abishai son of Zeruiah, and a third under Ittai the Gittite. The king told the troops, 'I myself will surely march out with you.'

וַיְשַׁלַּ֨ח דָּוִ֜ד אֶת־הָעָ֗ם הַשְּׁלִשִׁ֤ית בְּיַד־יוֹאָב֙ וְ֠הַשְּׁלִשִׁית בְּיַ֨ד אֲבִישַׁ֤י בֶּן־צְרוּיָה֙ אֲחִ֣י יוֹאָ֔ב וְהַ֨שְּׁלִשִׁ֔ת בְּיַ֖ד אִתַּ֣י הַגִּתִּ֑י ס וַיֹּ֤אמֶר הַמֶּ֨לֶךְ֙ אֶל־הָעָ֔ם יָצֹ֥א אֵצֵ֛א גַּם־אֲנִ֖י עִמָּכֶֽם׃

Phonetic (Hebrew): vayּo֨'mer ha'a֜m lo֣ tetze֗ kּiy֩ 'im-no֨s nan֜us lo'-yashsi֧ymu 'ele֣ynu le֗b ve'im-yamu֤tu chetzeye֨nu֙ loֽ'-yashsi֤ymu 'ele֨ynu֙ le֔b kּiֽy-'atּa֥h kamo֖nu 'ashsara֣h 'alapi֑ym ve'atּa֣h t֔ob kּiy-tiֽheyeh-lּa֥nu me'i֖yr l'zyr la'ezֽor׃s

Edified Edition (EDE)But the men said, 'You must not go out; if we are forced to flee, they won't care about us. Even if half of us die, they won't care; but you are worth ten thousand of us. It would be better now for you to give us support from the city.'

וַיֹּ֨אמֶר הָעָ֜ם לֹ֣א תֵצֵ֗א כִּי֩ אִם־נֹ֨ס נָנ֜וּס לֹא־יָשִׂ֧ימוּ אֵלֵ֣ינוּ לֵ֗ב וְאִם־יָמֻ֤תוּ חֶצְיֵ֨נוּ֙ לֹֽא־יָשִׂ֤ימוּ אֵלֵ֨ינוּ֙ לֵ֔ב כִּֽי־עַתָּ֥ה כָמֹ֖נוּ עֲשָׂרָ֣ה אֲלָפִ֑ים וְעַתָּ֣ה ט֔וֹב כִּי־תִֽהְיֶה־לָּ֥נוּ מֵעִ֖יר לעזיר לַעְזֽוֹר׃ס

Phonetic (Hebrew): vayּo֤'mer 'aleyhem֙ hamּe֔leke 'ashsher-yiyta֥b bּe'eyneyke֖m 'e'eshse֑h vayּa'amo֤d hamּe֨leke֙ 'el-ya֣d hashshּa֔'ar vekal-ha'am֙ yaֽtze'֔u leme'֖ot vela'alapiֽym׃

Edified Edition (EDE)The king answered, 'I will do whatever seems best to you.' So the king stood beside the gate while all his men marched out in units of hundreds and of thousands.

וַיֹּ֤אמֶר אֲלֵיהֶם֙ הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ אֲשֶׁר־יִיטַ֥ב בְּעֵינֵיכֶ֖ם אֶעֱשֶׂ֑ה וַיַּעֲמֹ֤ד הַמֶּ֨לֶךְ֙ אֶל־יַ֣ד הַשַּׁ֔עַר וְכָל־הָעָם֙ יָֽצְא֔וּ לְמֵא֖וֹת וְלַאֲלָפִֽים׃

Phonetic (Hebrew): vayetza֣v hamּe֡leke 'et-y֠o'ab ve'et-'abiyshsha֤y ve'et-'itּay֙ le'mo֔r le'at-li֖y lanּa֣'ar le'abeshshal֑om vekal-ha'a֣m shshame'֗u bּetzauo֥t hamּe֛leke 'et-kּal-hashsּari֖ym 'al-dּeba֥r 'abeshshalֽom׃

Edified Edition (EDE)The king commanded Joab, Abishai and Ittai, 'Be gentle with the young man Absalom for my sake.' And all the troops heard the king giving orders concerning Absalom to each of the commanders.

וַיְצַ֣ו הַמֶּ֡לֶךְ אֶת־י֠וֹאָב וְאֶת־אֲבִישַׁ֤י וְאֶת־אִתַּי֙ לֵאמֹ֔ר לְאַט־לִ֖י לַנַּ֣עַר לְאַבְשָׁל֑וֹם וְכָל־הָעָ֣ם שָׁמְע֗וּ בְּצַוֺּ֥ת הַמֶּ֛לֶךְ אֶת־כָּל־הַשָּׂרִ֖ים עַל־דְּבַ֥ר אַבְשָׁלֽוֹם׃

Phonetic (Hebrew): vayּetze֥ ha'a֛m hashsּade֖h liqera֣'t yishsera'e֑l vatּehi֥y hamּilechama֖h bּeya֥'ar 'eperaֽyim׃

Edified Edition (EDE)David’s army marched out of the city to fight Israel, and the battle took place in the forest of Ephraim.

וַיֵּצֵ֥א הָעָ֛ם הַשָּׂדֶ֖ה לִקְרַ֣את יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל וַתְּהִ֥י הַמִּלְחָמָ֖ה בְּיַ֥עַר אֶפְרָֽיִם׃

Phonetic (Hebrew): vayּinּa֤gepu shsham֙ 'a֣m yishsera'e֔l lipene֖y 'abede֣y davi֑d vatּehiy-shsha֞m hamּagּepa֧h gedola֛h bּayּ֥om hah֖u 'eshseri֥ym 'aֽlep׃

Edified Edition (EDE)There Israel’s troops were defeated by David’s men, and the casualties that day were great, twenty thousand men.

וַיִּנָּ֤גְפוּ שָׁם֙ עַ֣ם יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל לִפְנֵ֖י עַבְדֵ֣י דָוִ֑ד וַתְּהִי־שָׁ֞ם הַמַּגֵּפָ֧ה גְדוֹלָ֛ה בַּיּ֥וֹם הַה֖וּא עֶשְׂרִ֥ים אָֽלֶף׃

Phonetic (Hebrew): vatּehiy-shsha֧m hamּilechama֛h nptzyt napo֖tzet 'al-pּene֣y kal-ha'a֑retz vayּe֤reb hayּa֨'ar֙ le'eko֣l bּa'a֔m me'ashshe֥r 'akela֛h hache֖reb bּayּ֥om hahֽu'׃

Edified Edition (EDE)The battle spread out over the whole countryside, and the forest swallowed up more men that day than the sword.

וַתְּהִי־שָׁ֧ם הַמִּלְחָמָ֛ה נפצית נָפֹ֖צֶת עַל־פְּנֵ֣י כָל־הָאָ֑רֶץ וַיֶּ֤רֶב הַיַּ֨עַר֙ לֶאֱכֹ֣ל בָּעָ֔ם מֵאֲשֶׁ֥ר אָכְלָ֛ה הַחֶ֖רֶב בַּיּ֥וֹם הַהֽוּא׃

Phonetic (Hebrew): vayּiqּare'֙ 'abeshshal֔om lipene֖y 'abede֣y davi֑d ve'abeshshal֞om roke֣b 'al-hapּe֗red vayּabo֣ hapּe֡red tּa֣chat shsobeke֩ ha'ela֨h hagּedola֜h vayּecheza֧q ro'shsh֣o ba'ela֗h vayּutּan֙ bּe֤yn hashshּama֨yim֙ ube֣yn ha'a֔retz vehapּe֥red 'ashsher-tּachetּa֖yv 'abaֽr׃

Edified Edition (EDE)Now Absalom happened to meet David’s men. He was riding his mule, and as the mule went under the thick branches of a large oak, Absalom’s hair got caught in the tree. He was left hanging in midair, while the mule he was riding kept on going.

וַיִּקָּרֵא֙ אַבְשָׁל֔וֹם לִפְנֵ֖י עַבְדֵ֣י דָוִ֑ד וְאַבְשָׁל֞וֹם רֹכֵ֣ב עַל־הַפֶּ֗רֶד וַיָּבֹ֣א הַפֶּ֡רֶד תַּ֣חַת שׂוֹבֶךְ֩ הָאֵלָ֨ה הַגְּדוֹלָ֜ה וַיֶּחֱזַ֧ק רֹאשׁ֣וֹ בָאֵלָ֗ה וַיֻּתַּן֙ בֵּ֤ין הַשָּׁמַ֨יִם֙ וּבֵ֣ין הָאָ֔רֶץ וְהַפֶּ֥רֶד אֲשֶׁר־תַּחְתָּ֖יו עָבָֽר׃

Phonetic (Hebrew): vayּare'֙ 'i֣yshsh 'echa֔d vayּagּe֖d leyo'a֑b vayּo֗'mer hinּeh֙ ra'i֣ytiy 'et-'abeshshalo֔m tּal֖uy bּa'elaֽh׃

Edified Edition (EDE)When one of the men saw this, he told Joab, 'I just saw Absalom hanging in an oak tree.'

וַיַּרְא֙ אִ֣ישׁ אֶחָ֔ד וַיַּגֵּ֖ד לְיוֹאָ֑ב וַיֹּ֗אמֶר הִנֵּה֙ רָאִ֣יתִי אֶת־אַבְשָׁלֹ֔ם תָּל֖וּי בָּאֵלָֽה׃

Phonetic (Hebrew): vayּo֣'mer yo'a֗b la'iyshsh֙ hamּagּi֣yd l֔o vehinּe֣h ra'i֔yta umadּ֛u'a loֽ'-hikּiyt֥o shsha֖m 'a֑retzah ve'ala֗y la֤tet leka֙ 'ashsa֣rah ke֔sep vachagora֖h 'echaֽt׃

Edified Edition (EDE)Joab said to the man who had told him, 'What! You saw him? Why didn't you strike him to the ground right there? Then I would have had to give you ten shekels of silver and a warrior’s belt.'

וַיֹּ֣אמֶר יוֹאָ֗ב לָאִישׁ֙ הַמַּגִּ֣יד ל֔וֹ וְהִנֵּ֣ה רָאִ֔יתָ וּמַדּ֛וּעַ לֹֽא־הִכִּית֥וֹ שָׁ֖ם אָ֑רְצָה וְעָלַ֗י לָ֤תֶת לְךָ֙ עֲשָׂ֣רָה כֶ֔סֶף וַחֲגֹרָ֖ה אֶחָֽת׃

Phonetic (Hebrew): vayּo֤'mer ha'iyshsh֙ 'el-yo'a֔b vl vel֨u 'anoki֜y shshoqe֤l 'al-kּapּay֙ 'e֣lep kּe֔sep loֽ'-'eshshela֥ch yadi֖y 'el-bּen-hamּe֑leke kּi֣y be'azene֜ynu tziua֣h hamּe֗leke 'o֠teka ve'et-'abiyshsha֤y ve'et-'itּay֙ le'mo֔r shshimeru-mi֕y bּanּa֖'ar bּe'abeshshalֽom׃

Edified Edition (EDE)But the man replied, 'Even if a thousand shekels were weighed out into my hands, I would not lift a finger against the king’s son. In our hearing the king commanded you and Abishai and Ittai, "Protect the young man Absalom for my sake."'

וַיֹּ֤אמֶר הָאִישׁ֙ אֶל־יוֹאָ֔ב ולא וְל֨וּא אָנֹכִ֜י שֹׁקֵ֤ל עַל־כַּפַּי֙ אֶ֣לֶף כֶּ֔סֶף לֹֽא־אֶשְׁלַ֥ח יָדִ֖י אֶל־בֶּן־הַמֶּ֑לֶךְ כִּ֣י בְאָזְנֵ֜ינוּ צִוָּ֣ה הַמֶּ֗לֶךְ אֹ֠תְךָ וְאֶת־אֲבִישַׁ֤י וְאֶת־אִתַּי֙ לֵאמֹ֔ר שִׁמְרוּ־מִ֕י בַּנַּ֖עַר בְּאַבְשָׁלֽוֹם׃

Phonetic (Hebrew): ֽo-'ashsi֤ytiy bnpshv benapeshshiy֙ shshe֔qer vekal-dּaba֖r lo'-yikּache֣d min-hamּe֑leke ve'atּa֖h tּiteyatzּe֥b minּeֽged׃

Edified Edition (EDE)'And if I had put my life in jeopardy, and nothing is hidden from the king, you would have kept your distance from me.'

אֽוֹ־עָשִׂ֤יתִי בנפשו בְנַפְשִׁי֙ שֶׁ֔קֶר וְכָל־דָּבָ֖ר לֹא־יִכָּחֵ֣ד מִן־הַמֶּ֑לֶךְ וְאַתָּ֖ה תִּתְיַצֵּ֥ב מִנֶּֽגֶד׃

Phonetic (Hebrew): vayּo֣'mer yo'a֔b lo'-ke֖n 'ochi֣ylah lepane֑yka vayּiqּach֩ shsheloshsha֨h shshebati֜ym bּekapּ֗o vayּiteqa'em֙ bּele֣b 'abeshshal֔om 'ode֥nּu cha֖y bּele֥b ha'elaֽh׃

Edified Edition (EDE)Joab said, 'I'm not going to wait like this for you!' So he took three javelins in his hand and plunged them into Absalom’s heart while Absalom was still alive in the oak tree.

וַיֹּ֣אמֶר יוֹאָ֔ב לֹא־כֵ֖ן אֹחִ֣ילָה לְפָנֶ֑יךָ וַיִּקַּח֩ שְׁלֹשָׁ֨ה שְׁבָטִ֜ים בְּכַפּ֗וֹ וַיִּתְקָעֵם֙ בְּלֵ֣ב אַבְשָׁל֔וֹם עוֹדֶ֥נּוּ חַ֖י בְּלֵ֥ב הָאֵלָֽה׃

Phonetic (Hebrew): vayּaso֨bּu֙ 'ashsara֣h ne'ari֔ym noshse'e֖y kּele֣y yo'a֑b vayּakּ֥u 'et-'abeshshal֖om vayemiytuֽhu׃

Edified Edition (EDE)And ten young men, who were Joab’s armour-bearers, surrounded Absalom, struck him and killed him.

וַיָּסֹ֨בּוּ֙ עֲשָׂרָ֣ה נְעָרִ֔ים נֹשְׂאֵ֖י כְּלֵ֣י יוֹאָ֑ב וַיַּכּ֥וּ אֶת־אַבְשָׁל֖וֹם וַיְמִיתֻֽהוּ׃

Phonetic (Hebrew): vayּiteqa֤ yo'ab֙ bּashshּopa֔r vayּa֣shshab ha'a֔m miredo֖p 'achare֣y yishsera'e֑l kּiֽy-chashsa֥ke yo'a֖b 'et-ha'aֽm׃

Edified Edition (EDE)Then Joab blew the trumpet, and the troops stopped pursuing Israel, for Joab halted them.

וַיִּתְקַ֤ע יוֹאָב֙ בַּשֹּׁפָ֔ר וַיָּ֣שָׁב הָעָ֔ם מִרְדֹ֖ף אַחֲרֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל כִּֽי־חָשַׂ֥ךְ יוֹאָ֖ב אֶת־הָעָֽם׃

Phonetic (Hebrew): vayּiqech֣u 'et-'abeshshal֗om vayּashsheli֨yku 'ot֤o bayּa֨'ar֙ 'el-hapּa֣chat hagּad֔ol vayּatzּi֧bu 'ala֛yv gּal-'abani֖ym gּad֣ol me'o֑d vekal-yishsera'e֔l na֖su 'i֥yshsh l'hlv le'ohalaֽyv׃s

Edified Edition (EDE)They took Absalom, threw him into a big pit in the forest and piled a large heap of rocks over him. Meanwhile, all the Israelites fled to their homes.

וַיִּקְח֣וּ אֶת־אַבְשָׁל֗וֹם וַיַּשְׁלִ֨יכוּ אֹת֤וֹ בַיַּ֨עַר֙ אֶל־הַפַּ֣חַת הַגָּד֔וֹל וַיַּצִּ֧בוּ עָלָ֛יו גַּל־אֲבָנִ֖ים גָּד֣וֹל מְאֹ֑ד וְכָל־יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל נָ֖סוּ אִ֥ישׁ לאהלו לְאֹהָלָֽיו׃ס

Phonetic (Hebrew): ve'abeshshalo֣m laqa֗ch vayּatzּeb-l֤o bchyv bechayּayv֙ 'et-matzּe֨bet֙ 'ashshe֣r bּe'eֽmeq-hamּe֔leke kּi֤y 'amar֙ 'eֽyn-li֣y be֔n bּa'ab֖ur hazekּi֣yr shshemi֑y vayּiqera֤ lamּatzּe֨bet֙ 'al-shshem֔o vayּiqּa֤re lahּ֙ ya֣d 'abeshshalo֔m 'a֖d hayּ֥om hazּeֽh׃s

Edified Edition (EDE)During his lifetime Absalom had taken a pillar and erected it in the King’s Valley as a monument to himself, for he thought, 'I have no son to carry on my name.' He named the pillar after himself, and it is called Absalom’s Monument to this day.

וְאַבְשָׁלֹ֣ם לָקַ֗ח וַיַּצֶּב־ל֤וֹ בחיו בְחַיָּיו֙ אֶת־מַצֶּ֨בֶת֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר בְּעֵֽמֶק־הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ כִּ֤י אָמַר֙ אֵֽין־לִ֣י בֵ֔ן בַּעֲב֖וּר הַזְכִּ֣יר שְׁמִ֑י וַיִּקְרָ֤א לַמַּצֶּ֨בֶת֙ עַל־שְׁמ֔וֹ וַיִּקָּ֤רֵא לָהּ֙ יַ֣ד אַבְשָׁלֹ֔ם עַ֖ד הַיּ֥וֹם הַזֶּֽה׃ס

Phonetic (Hebrew): va'achiyma֤'atz bּen-tzadoq֙ 'ama֔r 'ar֣utzah nּa֔ va'abashsּera֖h 'et-hamּe֑leke kּiy-shshepat֥o yehva֖h miyּa֥d 'oyebaֽyv׃

Edified Edition (EDE)Now Ahimaaz son of Zadok said, 'Let me run and take the news to the king that the LORD has vindicated him by delivering him from the hand of his enemies.'

וַאֲחִימַ֤עַץ בֶּן־צָדוֹק֙ אָמַ֔ר אָר֣וּצָה נָּ֔א וַאֲבַשְּׂרָ֖ה אֶת־הַמֶּ֑לֶךְ כִּי־שְׁפָט֥וֹ יְהוָ֖ה מִיַּ֥ד אֹיְבָֽיו׃

Phonetic (Hebrew): vayּo֧'mer l֣o yo'a֗b lo'֩ 'i֨yshsh bּeshsora֤h 'atּah֙ hayּ֣om hazּe֔h ubishsּaretּa֖ bּey֣om 'ache֑r vehayּ֤om hazּeh֙ lo֣ tebashsּe֔r kּiֽy-'l 'al-kּe֥n bּen-hamּe֖leke meֽt׃

Edified Edition (EDE)'You are not the one to take the news today,' Joab told him. 'You may take the news another time, but you must not do so today, because the king’s son is dead.'

וַיֹּ֧אמֶר ל֣וֹ יוֹאָ֗ב לֹא֩ אִ֨ישׁ בְּשֹׂרָ֤ה אַתָּה֙ הַיּ֣וֹם הַזֶּ֔ה וּבִשַּׂרְתָּ֖ בְּי֣וֹם אַחֵ֑ר וְהַיּ֤וֹם הַזֶּה֙ לֹ֣א תְבַשֵּׂ֔ר כִּֽי־על עַל־כֵּ֥ן בֶּן־הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ מֵֽת׃

Phonetic (Hebrew): vayּo֤'mer yo'ab֙ lakּushshi֔y le֛ke hagּe֥d lamּe֖leke 'ashshe֣r ra'i֑ytah vayּishshetּa֧chu kushshi֛y leyo'a֖b vayּaroֽtz׃

Edified Edition (EDE)Then Joab said to a Cushite, 'Go, tell the king what you have seen.' The Cushite bowed down before Joab and ran off.

וַיֹּ֤אמֶר יוֹאָב֙ לַכּוּשִׁ֔י לֵ֛ךְ הַגֵּ֥ד לַמֶּ֖לֶךְ אֲשֶׁ֣ר רָאִ֑יתָה וַיִּשְׁתַּ֧חוּ כוּשִׁ֛י לְיוֹאָ֖ב וַיָּרֹֽץ׃

Phonetic (Hebrew): vayּo֨sep '֜od 'achiyma֤'atz bּen-tzadoq֙ vayּo֣'mer 'el-yo'a֔b vi֣yhiy ma֔h 'aruֽtzah-nּa֥ gam-'a֖niy 'achare֣y hakּushshi֑y vayּo֣'mer yo'a֗b laֽmּah-zּe֞h 'atּa֥h ratz֙ bּeni֔y uleka֖h 'eyn-bּeshsora֥h motzeֽ't׃

Edified Edition (EDE)Ahimaaz son of Zadok again said to Joab, 'Come what may, please let me run behind the Cushite.' But Joab replied, 'My son, why do you want to go? You don't have any news that will bring you a reward.'

וַיֹּ֨סֶף ע֜וֹד אֲחִימַ֤עַץ בֶּן־צָדוֹק֙ וַיֹּ֣אמֶר אֶל־יוֹאָ֔ב וִ֣יהִי מָ֔ה אָרֻֽצָה־נָּ֥א גַם־אָ֖נִי אַחֲרֵ֣י הַכּוּשִׁ֑י וַיֹּ֣אמֶר יוֹאָ֗ב לָֽמָּה־זֶּ֞ה אַתָּ֥ה רָץ֙ בְּנִ֔י וּלְכָ֖ה אֵין־בְּשׂוֹרָ֥ה מֹצֵֽאת׃

Phonetic (Hebrew): viyhiy-ma֣h 'ar֔utz vayּo֥'mer l֖o r֑utz vayּa֤ratz 'achiyma֨'atz֙ dּe֣reke hakּikּa֔r vaֽyּa'abo֖r 'et-hakּushshiֽy׃

Edified Edition (EDE)He said, 'Come what may, I want to run.' So Joab said, 'Run!' Then Ahimaaz ran by way of the plain and outran the Cushite.

וִיהִי־מָ֣ה אָר֔וּץ וַיֹּ֥אמֶר ל֖וֹ ר֑וּץ וַיָּ֤רָץ אֲחִימַ֨עַץ֙ דֶּ֣רֶךְ הַכִּכָּ֔ר וַֽיַּעֲבֹ֖ר אֶת־הַכּוּשִֽׁי׃

Phonetic (Hebrew): vedavi֥d yoshshe֖b bּeyn-shshene֣y hashshּe'ari֑ym vayּe֨leke hatzּope֜h 'el-gּa֤g hashshּa֨'ar֙ 'el-ha֣choma֔h vayּishsּa֤ 'et-'eynayv֙ vayּa֔re vehinּeh-'i֖yshsh ra֥tz lebadּֽo׃

Edified Edition (EDE)While David was sitting between the inner and outer gates, the watchman went up to the roof of the gateway by the wall. As he looked out, he saw a man running alone.

וְדָוִ֥ד יוֹשֵׁ֖ב בֵּין־שְׁנֵ֣י הַשְּׁעָרִ֑ים וַיֵּ֨לֶךְ הַצֹּפֶ֜ה אֶל־גַּ֤ג הַשַּׁ֨עַר֙ אֶל־הַ֣חוֹמָ֔ה וַיִּשָּׂ֤א אֶת־עֵינָיו֙ וַיַּ֔רְא וְהִנֵּה־אִ֖ישׁ רָ֥ץ לְבַדּֽוֹ׃

Phonetic (Hebrew): vayּiqera֤ hatzּopeh֙ vayּagּe֣d lamּe֔leke vayּo֣'mer hamּe֔leke 'im-lebadּ֖o bּeshsora֣h bּepi֑yv vayּe֥leke hal֖oke veqareֽb׃

Edified Edition (EDE)The watchman called out to the king and reported it. The king said, 'If he is alone, he must have good news.' And the runner came closer and closer.

וַיִּקְרָ֤א הַצֹּפֶה֙ וַיַּגֵּ֣ד לַמֶּ֔לֶךְ וַיֹּ֣אמֶר הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ אִם־לְבַדּ֖וֹ בְּשׂוֹרָ֣ה בְּפִ֑יו וַיֵּ֥לֶךְ הָל֖וֹךְ וְקָרֵֽב׃

Phonetic (Hebrew): vayּa֣re hatzּopeh֮ 'iyshsh-'ache֣r ratz֒ vayּiqera֤ hatzּopeh֙ 'el-hashshּo'e֔r vayּo֕'mer hinּeh-'i֖yshsh ra֣tz lebadּ֑o vayּo֥'mer hamּe֖leke gּam-ze֥h mebashsּeֽr׃

Edified Edition (EDE)Then the watchman saw another man running, and he called down to the gatekeeper, 'Look, another man running alone!' The king said, 'He must be bringing good news, too.'

וַיַּ֣רְא הַצֹּפֶה֮ אִישׁ־אַחֵ֣ר רָץ֒ וַיִּקְרָ֤א הַצֹּפֶה֙ אֶל־הַשֹּׁעֵ֔ר וַיֹּ֕אמֶר הִנֵּה־אִ֖ישׁ רָ֣ץ לְבַדּ֑וֹ וַיֹּ֥אמֶר הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ גַּם־זֶ֥ה מְבַשֵּֽׂר׃

Phonetic (Hebrew): vayּo֨'mer֙ hatzּope֔h 'ani֤y ro'eh֙ 'et-merutza֣t hari'shsh֔on kּimerutza֖t 'achiyma֣'atz bּen-tzad֑oq vayּo֤'mer hamּe֨leke֙ 'iֽyshsh-t֣ob ze֔h ve'el-bּeshsora֥h toba֖h yabֽo'׃

Edified Edition (EDE)The watchman said, 'It seems to me that the first one runs like Ahimaaz son of Zadok.' 'He’s a good man,' the king said. 'He comes with good news.'

וַיֹּ֨אמֶר֙ הַצֹּפֶ֔ה אֲנִ֤י רֹאֶה֙ אֶת־מְרוּצַ֣ת הָרִאשׁ֔וֹן כִּמְרֻצַ֖ת אֲחִימַ֣עַץ בֶּן־צָד֑וֹק וַיֹּ֤אמֶר הַמֶּ֨לֶךְ֙ אִֽישׁ־ט֣וֹב זֶ֔ה וְאֶל־בְּשׂוֹרָ֥ה טוֹבָ֖ה יָבֽוֹא׃

Phonetic (Hebrew): vayּiqera֣ 'achiyma֗'atz vayּo֤'mer 'el-hamּe֨leke֙ shshal֔om vayּishshetּa֧chu lamּe֛leke le'apּa֖yv 'a֑retzah s vayּo֗'mer bּaruke֙ yehva֣h 'elohe֔yka 'ashshe֤r sigּar֙ 'et-ha֣'anashshi֔ym 'ashsher-nashse'֥u 'et-yada֖m bּaֽ'doni֥y hamּeֽleke׃

Edified Edition (EDE)Then Ahimaaz called out to the king, 'All is well!' He bowed down before the king with his face to the ground and said, 'Praise be to the LORD your God! He has delivered up those who lifted their hands against my lord the king.'

וַיִּקְרָ֣א אֲחִימַ֗עַץ וַיֹּ֤אמֶר אֶל־הַמֶּ֨לֶךְ֙ שָׁל֔וֹם וַיִּשְׁתַּ֧חוּ לַמֶּ֛לֶךְ לְאַפָּ֖יו אָ֑רְצָה ס וַיֹּ֗אמֶר בָּרוּךְ֙ יְהוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ אֲשֶׁ֤ר סִגַּר֙ אֶת־הָ֣אֲנָשִׁ֔ים אֲשֶׁר־נָשְׂא֥וּ אֶת־יָדָ֖ם בַּֽאדֹנִ֥י הַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃

Phonetic (Hebrew): vayּo֣'mer hamּe֔leke shshal֥om lanּa֖'ar le'abeshshal֑om vayּo֣'mer 'achiyma֡'atz ra'iytiy֩ heham֨on hagּad֜ol li֠shshelocha 'et-'e֨bed hamּe֤leke yo'ab֙ ve'et-'abedּe֔ka velo֥ yada֖'etּiy maֽh׃

Edified Edition (EDE)The king asked, 'Is the young man Absalom safe?' Ahimaaz answered, 'I saw a great confusion just as Joab was about to send the king’s servant and me, your servant, but I don't know what it was.'

וַיֹּ֣אמֶר הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ שָׁל֥וֹם לַנַּ֖עַר לְאַבְשָׁל֑וֹם וַיֹּ֣אמֶר אֲחִימַ֡עַץ רָאִיתִי֩ הֶהָמ֨וֹן הַגָּד֜וֹל לִ֠שְׁלֹחַ אֶת־עֶ֨בֶד הַמֶּ֤לֶךְ יוֹאָב֙ וְאֶת־עַבְדֶּ֔ךָ וְלֹ֥א יָדַ֖עְתִּי מָֽה׃

Phonetic (Hebrew): vayּo֣'mer hamּe֔leke so֖b hiteyatzּe֣b kּo֑h vayּisּo֖b vaֽyּa'amoֽd׃

Edified Edition (EDE)The king said, 'Step aside and wait here.' So he stepped aside and stood there.

וַיֹּ֣אמֶר הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ סֹ֖ב הִתְיַצֵּ֣ב כֹּ֑ה וַיִּסֹּ֖ב וַֽיַּעֲמֹֽד׃

Phonetic (Hebrew): vehinּe֥h hakּushshi֖y bּa֑ vayּo֣'mer hakּushshi֗y yitebּashsּer֙ 'adoni֣y hamּe֔leke kּiֽy-shshepateka֤ yehvah֙ hayּ֔om miyּa֖d kּal-haqּami֥ym 'aleֽyka׃s

Edified Edition (EDE)Then the Cushite arrived and said, 'My lord the king, hear the good news! the LORD has vindicated you today by delivering you from the hand of all who rose up against you.'

וְהִנֵּ֥ה הַכּוּשִׁ֖י בָּ֑א וַיֹּ֣אמֶר הַכּוּשִׁ֗י יִתְבַּשֵּׂר֙ אֲדֹנִ֣י הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ כִּֽי־שְׁפָטְךָ֤ יְהוָה֙ הַיּ֔וֹם מִיַּ֖ד כָּל־הַקָּמִ֥ים עָלֶֽיךָ׃ס

Phonetic (Hebrew): vayּo֤'mer hamּe֨leke֙ 'el-hakּushshi֔y hashshal֥om lanּa֖'ar le'abeshshal֑om vayּo֣'mer hakּushshi֗y yihey֤u kanּa֨'ar֙ 'oֽyebey֙ 'adoni֣y hamּe֔leke veko֛l 'ashsher-qa֥mu 'ale֖yka lera'aֽh׃s

Edified Edition (EDE)The king asked the Cushite, 'Is the young man Absalom safe?' The Cushite replied, 'May the enemies of my lord the king and all who rise up to harm you be like that young man.'

וַיֹּ֤אמֶר הַמֶּ֨לֶךְ֙ אֶל־הַכּוּשִׁ֔י הֲשָׁל֥וֹם לַנַּ֖עַר לְאַבְשָׁל֑וֹם וַיֹּ֣אמֶר הַכּוּשִׁ֗י יִהְי֤וּ כַנַּ֨עַר֙ אֹֽיְבֵי֙ אֲדֹנִ֣י הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ וְכֹ֛ל אֲשֶׁר־קָ֥מוּ עָלֶ֖יךָ לְרָעָֽה׃ס