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18:1 Igitur considerato David populo suo, constituit super eos tribunos et centuriones,
* Footnotes
*H And David, having reviewed his people, appointed over them captains of thousands and of hundreds,
Ver. 1. Hundreds. Josephus only allows David 4000 men. But his army seems to have been pretty numerous, since he divides it into three parts, and appoints three head commanders, with officers of a thousand, &c. under them. See v. 4. C. — He designed to lead them to battle himself, if the people had not dissuaded him. Salien.
Καὶ ἐπεσκέψατο Δαυὶδ τὸν λαὸν τὸν μετʼ αὐτοῦ, καὶ κατέστησεν ἐπʼ αὐτῶν χιλιάρχους καὶ ἑκατοντάρχους.
וַ/יִּפְקֹ֣ד דָּוִ֔ד אֶת הָ/עָ֖ם אֲשֶׁ֣ר אִתּ֑/וֹ וַ/יָּ֣שֶׂם עֲלֵי/הֶ֔ם שָׂרֵ֥י אֲלָפִ֖ים וְ/שָׂרֵ֥י מֵאֽוֹת
18:2 et dedit populi tertiam partem sub manu Joab, et tertiam partem sub manu Abisai filii Sarviae fratris Joab, et tertiam partem sub manu Ethai, qui erat de Geth. Dixitque rex ad populum : Egrediar et ego vobiscum.
And sent forth a third part of the people under the hand of Joab, and a third part under the hand of Abisai the son of Sarvia Joab's brother, and a third part under the hand of Ethai, who was of Geth: and the king said to the people: I also will go forth with you.
Καὶ ἀπέστειλε Δαυὶδ τὸν λαὸν τὸ τρίτον ἐν χειρὶ Ἰωὰβ, καὶ τὸ τρίτον ἐν χειρὶ Ἀβεσσὰ υἱοῦ Σαρουίας ἀδελφοῦ Ἰωὰβ, καὶ τὸ τρίτον ἐν χειρὶ Ἐθὶ τοῦ Γεθαίου· καὶ εἶπε Δαυὶδ πρὸς τὸν λαὸν, ἐξελθὼν ἐξελεύσομαι καί γε ἐγὼ μεθʼ ὑμῶν.
וַ/יְשַׁלַּ֨ח דָּוִ֜ד אֶת הָ/עָ֗ם הַ/שְּׁלִשִׁ֤ית בְּ/יַד יוֹאָב֙ וְ֠/הַ/שְּׁלִשִׁית בְּ/יַ֨ד אֲבִישַׁ֤י בֶּן צְרוּיָה֙ אֲחִ֣י יוֹאָ֔ב וְ/הַ֨/שְּׁלִשִׁ֔ת בְּ/יַ֖ד אִתַּ֣י הַ/גִּתִּ֑י וַ/יֹּ֤אמֶר הַ/מֶּ֨לֶךְ֙ אֶל הָ/עָ֔ם יָצֹ֥א אֵצֵ֛א גַּם אֲנִ֖י עִמָּ/כֶֽם
18:3 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.
*H And the people answered: Thou shalt not go forth: for if we flee away, they will not much mind us: or if half of us should fall, they will not greatly care: for thou alone art accounted for ten thousand: it is better therefore that thou shouldst be in the city to succour us.
Ver. 3. Ten thousand, "like us." Heb. C. — Succour us, "by praying for us." (Chal.) or by sending reinforcements, where they may be necessary. M. — David was persuaded "to reserve himself (like Otho) for the interest of the state, at a distance from the danger of battle." Tacit. An. ii.
Καὶ εἶπαν, οὐκ ἐξελεύσῃ, ὅτι ἐὰν φυγῇ φύγωμεν, οὐ θήσουσιν ἐφʼ ἡμᾶς καρδίαν· καὶ ἐὰν ἀποθάνωμεν τὸ ἥμισυ ἡμῶν, οὐ θήσουσιν ἐφʼ ἡμᾶς καρδίαν, ὅτι σὺ ὡς ἡμεῖς δέκα χιλιάδες· καὶ νῦν ἀγαθὸν, ὅτι ἔσῃ ἡμῖν ἐν τῇ πόλει βοήθεια τοῦ βοηθεῖν.
וַ/יֹּ֨אמֶר הָ/עָ֜ם לֹ֣א תֵצֵ֗א כִּי֩ אִם נֹ֨ס נָנ֜וּס לֹא יָשִׂ֧ימוּ אֵלֵ֣י/נוּ לֵ֗ב וְ/אִם יָמֻ֤תוּ חֶצְיֵ֨/נוּ֙ לֹֽא יָשִׂ֤ימוּ אֵלֵ֨י/נוּ֙ לֵ֔ב כִּֽי עַתָּ֥ה כָמֹ֖/נוּ עֲשָׂרָ֣ה אֲלָפִ֑ים וְ/עַתָּ֣ה ט֔וֹב כִּי תִֽהְיֶה לָּ֥/נוּ מֵ/עִ֖יר ל/עזיר לַ/עְזֽוֹר
18:4 Ad quos rex ait : Quod vobis videtur rectum, hoc faciam. Stetit ergo rex juxta portam : egrediebaturque populus per turmas suas centeni et milleni.
And the king said to them: What seemeth good to you, that will I do. And the king stood by the gate: and all the people went forth by their troops, by hundreds and by thousands.
Καὶ εἶπε πρὸς αὐτοὺς ὁ βασιλεὺς, ὃ ἐὰν ἀρέσῃ ἐν ὀφθαλμοῖς ὑμῶν, ποιήσω· καὶ ἔστη ὁ βασιλεὺς ἀνὰ χεῖρα τῆς πύλης· καὶ πᾶς ὁ λαὸς ἐξεπορεύετο εἰς ἑκατοντάδας καὶ εἰς χιλιάδας.
וַ/יֹּ֤אמֶר אֲלֵי/הֶם֙ הַ/מֶּ֔לֶךְ אֲשֶׁר יִיטַ֥ב בְּ/עֵינֵי/כֶ֖ם אֶעֱשֶׂ֑ה וַ/יַּעֲמֹ֤ד הַ/מֶּ֨לֶךְ֙ אֶל יַ֣ד הַ/שַּׁ֔עַר וְ/כָל הָ/עָם֙ יָֽצְא֔וּ לְ/מֵא֖וֹת וְ/לַ/אֲלָפִֽים
18:5 Et praecepit rex Joab, et Abisai, et Ethai, dicens : Servate mihi puerum Absalom. Et omnis populus audiebat praecipientem regem cunctis principibus pro Absalom.
*H And the king commanded Joab, and Abisai, and Ethai, saying: Save me the boy Absalom. And all the people heard the king giving charge to all the princes concerning Absalom.
Ver. 5. Save me: do not hurt, v. 12. S. Aug. (Doct. iii. 23.) concludes, that David wished to allow his son time for repentance. M. — He seems to have been sure of victory. Abul.
Καὶ ἐνετείλατο ὁ βασιλεὺς τῷ Ἰωὰβ καὶ τῷ Ἀβεσσὰ καὶ τῷ Ἐθὶ, λέγων, φείσασθέ μου τοῦ παιδαρίου τοῦ Ἀβεσσαλώμ· καὶ πᾶς ὁ λαὸς ἤκουσεν ἐντελλομένου τοῦ βασιλέως πᾶσι τοῖς ἄρχουσιν ὑπὲρ Ἀβεσσαλώμ.
וַ/יְצַ֣ו הַ/מֶּ֡לֶךְ אֶת י֠וֹאָב וְ/אֶת אֲבִישַׁ֤י וְ/אֶת אִתַּי֙ לֵ/אמֹ֔ר לְ/אַט לִ֖/י לַ/נַּ֣עַר לְ/אַבְשָׁל֑וֹם וְ/כָל הָ/עָ֣ם שָׁמְע֗וּ בְּ/צַוֺּ֥ת הַ/מֶּ֛לֶךְ אֶת כָּל הַ/שָּׂרִ֖ים עַל דְּבַ֥ר אַבְשָׁלֽוֹם
18:6 Itaque egressus est populus in campum contra Israel, et factum est praelium in saltu Ephraim.
*H So the people went out into the field against Israel, and the battle was fought in the forest of Ephraim.
Ver. 6. Ephraim, where the men of that tribe had formerly signalized themselves. Judg. vii. and viii. and xii. C.
Καὶ ἐξῆλθε πᾶς ὁ λαὸς εἰς τὸν δρυμὸν ἐξεναντίας Ἰσραήλ· καὶ ἐγένετο ὁ πόλεμος ἐν τῷ δρυμῷ Ἐφραίμ.
וַ/יֵּצֵ֥א הָ/עָ֛ם הַ/שָּׂדֶ֖ה לִ/קְרַ֣את יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל וַ/תְּהִ֥י הַ/מִּלְחָמָ֖ה בְּ/יַ֥עַר אֶפְרָֽיִם
18:7 Et caesus est ibi populus Israel ab exercitu David, factaque est plaga magna in die illa, viginti millium.
And the people of Israel were defeated there by David's army, and a great slaughter was made that day of twenty thousand men.
Καὶ ἔπταισεν ἐκεῖ ὁ λαὸς Ἰσραὴλ ἐνώπιον τῶν παίδων Δαυὶδ, καὶ ἐγένετο ἡ θραῦσις μεγάλη ἐν τῇ ἡμέρᾳ ἐκείνῃ, εἴκοσι χιλιάδες ἀνδρῶν.
וַ/יִּנָּ֤גְפוּ שָׁם֙ עַ֣ם יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל לִ/פְנֵ֖י עַבְדֵ֣י דָוִ֑ד וַ/תְּהִי שָׁ֞ם הַ/מַּגֵּפָ֧ה גְדוֹלָ֛ה בַּ/יּ֥וֹם הַ/ה֖וּא עֶשְׂרִ֥ים אָֽלֶף
18:8 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.
*H And the battle there was scattered over the face of all the country, and there were many more of the people whom the forest consumed, than whom the sword devoured that day.
Ver. 8. Country; people fighting in great numbers. But the army of Absalom was soon dispersed. H. — Consumed, viz. by pits and precipices: (Ch.) "wild beasts." Syr. &c. Many also died of their wounds, and were slain in the wood; (C.) so that not less, probably, than 50,000 perished on this fatal day. H.
Καὶ ἐγένετο ἐκεῖ ὁ πόλεμος διεσπαρμένος ἐπὶ πρόσωπον πάσης τῆς γῆς· καὶ ἐπλεόνασεν ὁ δρυμὸς τοῦ καταφαγεῖν ἐκ τοῦ λαοῦ, ὑπὲρ οὓς κατέφαγεν ἐν τῷ λαῷ ἡ μάχαιρα τῇ ἡμέρᾳ ἐκαίνῃ.
וַ/תְּהִי שָׁ֧ם הַ/מִּלְחָמָ֛ה נפצית נָפֹ֖צֶת עַל פְּנֵ֣י כָל הָ/אָ֑רֶץ וַ/יֶּ֤רֶב הַ/יַּ֨עַר֙ לֶ/אֱכֹ֣ל בָּ/עָ֔ם מֵ/אֲשֶׁ֥ר אָכְלָ֛ה הַ/חֶ֖רֶב בַּ/יּ֥וֹם הַ/הֽוּא
18:9 Accidit autem ut occurreret Absalom servis David, sedens mulo : cumque ingressus fuisset mulus subter condensam quercum et magnam, adhaesit caput ejus quercui : et illo suspenso inter caelum et terram, mulus cui insederat, pertransivit.
*H And it happened that Absalom met the servants of David, riding on a mule: and as the mule went under a thick and large oak, his head stuck in the oak: and while he hung between the heaven and the earth, the mule on which he rode passed on.
Ver. 9. Oak, between the branches, which hindered him from escaping. C. — His beautiful curls got also entangled. M.
Καὶ συνήντησεν Ἀβεσσαλὼμ ἐνώπιον τῶν παίδων Δαυίδ· καὶ Ἀβεσσαλὼμ ἦν ἐπιβεβηκὼς ἐπὶ τοῦ ἡμιόνου αὐτοῦ, καὶ εἰσῆλθεν ὁ ἡμίονος ὑπὸ τὸ δάσος τῆς δρυὸς τῆς μεγάλης, καὶ περιεπλάκη ἡ κεφαλὴ αὐτοῦ ἐν τῇ δρυῒ, καὶ ἐκρεμάσθη ἀναμέσον τοῦ οὐρανοῦ καὶ ἀναμέσον τῆς γῆς, καὶ ὁ ἡμίονος ὑποκάτω αὐτοῦ παρῆλθε.
וַ/יִּקָּרֵא֙ אַבְשָׁל֔וֹם לִ/פְנֵ֖י עַבְדֵ֣י דָוִ֑ד וְ/אַבְשָׁל֞וֹם רֹכֵ֣ב עַל הַ/פֶּ֗רֶד וַ/יָּבֹ֣א הַ/פֶּ֡רֶד תַּ֣חַת שׂוֹבֶךְ֩ הָ/אֵלָ֨ה הַ/גְּדוֹלָ֜ה וַ/יֶּחֱזַ֧ק רֹאשׁ֣/וֹ בָ/אֵלָ֗ה וַ/יֻּתַּן֙ בֵּ֤ין הַ/שָּׁמַ֨יִם֙ וּ/בֵ֣ין הָ/אָ֔רֶץ וְ/הַ/פֶּ֥רֶד אֲשֶׁר תַּחְתָּ֖י/ו עָבָֽר
18:10 Vidit autem hoc quispiam, et nuntiavit Joab, dicens : Vidi Absalom pendere de quercu.
And one saw this and told Joab, saying: I saw Absalom hanging upon an oak.
Καὶ εἶδεν ἀνὴρ εἷς, καὶ ἀνήγγειλε τῷ Ἰωὰβ, καὶ εἶπεν, ἰδοὺ ἑώρακα τὸν Ἀβεσσαλὼμ κρεμάμενον ἐν τῇ δρυΐ.
וַ/יַּרְא֙ אִ֣ישׁ אֶחָ֔ד וַ/יַּגֵּ֖ד לְ/יוֹאָ֑ב וַ/יֹּ֗אמֶר הִנֵּה֙ רָאִ֣יתִי אֶת אַבְשָׁלֹ֔ם תָּל֖וּי בָּ/אֵלָֽה
18:11 Et ait Joab viro qui nuntiaverat ei : Si vidisti, quare non confodisti eum cum terra, et ego dedissem tibi decem argenti siclos, et unum balteum ?
*H And Joab said to the man that told him: If thou sawest him, why didst thou not stab him to the ground, and I would have given thee ten sicles of silver, and a belt?
Ver. 11. Silver, somewhat above a guinea: sicles are not expressed in Heb. H. — Belt, the richest part of armour. Jonathan and Ajax made presents of their belts to David and Hector. 1 K. xviii. 4. Iliad H. See Job xiii. 18. The Romans wore very splendid belts. Balteus et notis fulserunt cingula bullis. Claud. Proserp. ii.
Καὶ εἶπεν Ἰωὰβ τῷ ἀνδρὶ τῇ ἀναγγέλλοντι αὐτῷ, καὶ ἰδοὺ ἑώρακας· τί ὅτι οὐκ ἐπάταξας αὐτὸν ἐκεῖ εἰς τὴν γῆν; καὶ ἐγὼ ἂν δεδώκειν σοι δέκα ἀργυρίου καὶ παραζώνην μίαν.
וַ/יֹּ֣אמֶר יוֹאָ֗ב לָ/אִישׁ֙ הַ/מַּגִּ֣יד ל֔/וֹ וְ/הִנֵּ֣ה רָאִ֔יתָ וּ/מַדּ֛וּעַ לֹֽא הִכִּית֥/וֹ שָׁ֖ם אָ֑רְצָ/ה וְ/עָלַ֗/י לָ֤/תֶת לְ/ךָ֙ עֲשָׂ֣רָה כֶ֔סֶף וַ/חֲגֹרָ֖ה אֶחָֽת
18:12 Qui dixit ad Joab : 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.
*H And he said to Joab: If thou wouldst have paid down in my hands a thousand pieces of silver, I would not lay my hands upon the king's son for in our hearing the king charged thee, and Abisai, and Ethai, saying: Save me the boy Absalom.
Ver. 12. Save. Prot. "beware that none touch the young man."
Εἶπε δὲ ὁ ἀνὴρ πρὸς Ἰωὰβ, καὶ ἐγώ εἰμι ἵστημι ἐπὶ τὰς χεῖράς μου χιλίους σίκλους ἀργυρίου, οὐ μὴ ἐπιβάλω τὴν χεῖρά μου ἐπὶ τὸν υἱὸν τοῦ βασιλέως· ὅτι ἐν τοῖς ὠσὶν ἡμῶν ἐνετείλατο ὁ βασιλεύς σοι καὶ τῷ Ἀβεσσὰ καὶ τῷ Ἐθὶ, λέγων, φυλάξατέ μοι τὸ παιδάριον τὸν Ἀβεσσαλὼμ,
וַ/יֹּ֤אמֶר הָ/אִישׁ֙ אֶל יוֹאָ֔ב ו/לא וְ/ל֨וּא אָנֹכִ֜י שֹׁקֵ֤ל עַל כַּפַּ/י֙ אֶ֣לֶף כֶּ֔סֶף לֹֽא אֶשְׁלַ֥ח יָדִ֖/י אֶל בֶּן הַ/מֶּ֑לֶךְ כִּ֣י בְ/אָזְנֵ֜י/נוּ צִוָּ֣ה הַ/מֶּ֗לֶךְ אֹ֠תְ/ךָ וְ/אֶת אֲבִישַׁ֤י וְ/אֶת אִתַּי֙ לֵ/אמֹ֔ר שִׁמְרוּ מִ֕י בַּ/נַּ֖עַר בְּ/אַבְשָׁלֽוֹם
18:13 Sed etsi fecissem contra animam meam audacter, nequaquam hoc regem latere potuisset, et tu stares ex adverso ?
*H Yea and if I should have acted boldly against my own life, this could not have been hid from the king, and wouldst thou have stood by me?
Ver. 13. My own. Some copies of the Heb. and Sept. read, "his;" others, my, &c. The soldier would have acted against his conscience, and exposed his life to danger, if he had transgressed the king's order. H. — By me? or, omitting the mark of interrogation, "Thou wouldst have declared thyself against me." C.
μὴ ποιῆσαι ἐν τῇ ψυχῇ αὐτοῦ ἄδικον· καὶ πᾶς ὁ λόγος οὐ λήσεται ἀπὸ τοῦ βασιλέως, καὶ σὺ στήσῃ ἐξεναντίας.
אֽוֹ עָשִׂ֤יתִי ב/נפש/ו בְ/נַפְשִׁ/י֙ שֶׁ֔קֶר וְ/כָל דָּבָ֖ר לֹא יִכָּחֵ֣ד מִן הַ/מֶּ֑לֶךְ וְ/אַתָּ֖ה תִּתְיַצֵּ֥ב מִ/נֶּֽגֶד
18:14 Et ait Joab : 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,
*H And Joab said: Not as thou wilt, but I will set upon him in thy sight. So he took three lances in his hand, and thrust them into the heart of Absalom: and whilst he yet panted for life, sticking on the oak,
Ver. 14. Sight. Heb. "I will not tarry thus with thee." I will not stand to refute these reasons, nor imitate thy example. H.
Καὶ εἶπεν Ἰωὰβ, τοῦτο ἐγὼ ἄρξομαι, οὐχ οὕτως μενῶ ἐνώπιόν σου· καὶ ἔλαβεν Ἰωὰβ τρία βέλη ἐν τῇ χειρὶ αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἐνέπηξεν αὐτὰ ἐν τῇ καρδίᾳ Ἀβεσσαλὼμ, ἔτι αὐτοῦ ζῶντος ἐν τῇ καρδίᾳ τῆς δρυός.
וַ/יֹּ֣אמֶר יוֹאָ֔ב לֹא כֵ֖ן אֹחִ֣ילָה לְ/פָנֶ֑י/ךָ וַ/יִּקַּח֩ שְׁלֹשָׁ֨ה שְׁבָטִ֜ים בְּ/כַפּ֗/וֹ וַ/יִּתְקָעֵ/ם֙ בְּ/לֵ֣ב אַבְשָׁל֔וֹם עוֹדֶ֥/נּוּ חַ֖י בְּ/לֵ֥ב הָ/אֵלָֽה
18:15 cucurrerunt decem juvenes armigeri Joab, et percutientes interfecerunt eum.
*H Ten young men, armourbearers of Joab, ran up, and striking him slew him.
Ver. 15. Ten. Naharai alone is specified. C. xxiii. 37. Why he had ten does not appear. C. — Slew him, inflicting many wounds on him; though Joab had already done sufficient. H. — These men abused his corpse, as if to revenge the insult offered to David's ten wives. Salien. — It is asked whether Joab did wrong? He consulted the public welfare, rather than the parental affection of the king for a son, whom the law condemned to die for rebellion, incest, and murder. Lev. xviii. 29. C. xiii. 28. But still he was not a proper judge to inflict this death in cold blood; and thus to render the salvation of Absalom's soul more desperate. David would, however, have done well to have punished this son, as incorrigible and dangerous to the state. H.
Καὶ ἐκύκλωσαν δέκα παιδάρια αἴροντα τὰ σκεύη Ἰωὰβ, καὶ ἐπάταξαν τὸν Ἀβεσσαλὼμ, καὶ ἐθανάτωσαν αὐτόν.
וַ/יָּסֹ֨בּוּ֙ עֲשָׂרָ֣ה נְעָרִ֔ים נֹשְׂאֵ֖י כְּלֵ֣י יוֹאָ֑ב וַ/יַּכּ֥וּ אֶת אַבְשָׁל֖וֹם וַ/יְמִיתֻֽ/הוּ
18:16 Cecinit autem Joab buccina, et retinuit populum, ne persequeretur fugientem Israel, volens parcere multitudini.
And Joab sounded the trumpet, and kept back the people from pursuing after Israel in their flight, being willing to spare the multitude.
Καὶ ἐσάλπισεν Ἰωὰβ ἐν κερατίνῃ, καὶ ἀπέστρεψεν ὁ λαὸς τοῦ μὴ διώκειν ὀπίσω Ἰσραὴλ, ὅτι ἐφείδετο Ἰωὰβ τοῦ λαοῦ.
וַ/יִּתְקַ֤ע יוֹאָב֙ בַּ/שֹּׁפָ֔ר וַ/יָּ֣שָׁב הָ/עָ֔ם מִ/רְדֹ֖ף אַחֲרֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל כִּֽי חָשַׂ֥ךְ יוֹאָ֖ב אֶת הָ/עָֽם
18:17 Et tulerunt Absalom, et projecerunt eum in saltu, in foveam grandem, et comportaverunt super eum acervum lapidum magnum nimis : omnis autem Israel fugit in tabernacula sua.
*H And they took Absalom, and cast him into a great pit in the forest, and they laid an exceeding great heap of stones upon him: but all Israel fled to their own dwellings.
Ver. 17. Him. Thus was the law executed upon Absalom. Deut. xxi. 18. S. Jerom. M. — History scarcely affords a more detestable character; and his punishment was no less terrible than instructive. He was a figure of the Jews persecuting Jesus Christ, while he gave his blood for the redemption of these his enemies, and prayed for them. As they continued obdurate, they were held up as objects of horror both to heaven and to all nations, like Absalom suspended on the tree, and rejected by heaven and earth. C.
Καὶ ἔλαβε τὸν Ἀβεσσαλὼμ, καὶ ἔῤῥιψεν αὐτὸν εἰς χάσμα μέγα ἐν τῷ δρυμῷ εἰς τὸν βόθυνον τὸν μέγαν, καὶ ἐστήλωσεν ἐπʼ αὐτὸν σωρὸν λίθων μέγαν σφόδρα· καὶ πᾶς Ἰσραὴλ ἔφυγεν ἀνὴρ εἰς τὸ σκήνωμα αὐτοῦ.
וַ/יִּקְח֣וּ אֶת אַבְשָׁל֗וֹם וַ/יַּשְׁלִ֨יכוּ אֹת֤/וֹ בַ/יַּ֨עַר֙ אֶל הַ/פַּ֣חַת הַ/גָּד֔וֹל וַ/יַּצִּ֧בוּ עָלָ֛י/ו גַּל אֲבָנִ֖ים גָּד֣וֹל מְאֹ֑ד וְ/כָל יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל נָ֖סוּ אִ֥ישׁ ל/אהל/ו לְ/אֹהָלָֽי/ו
18:18 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.
*H Now Absalom had reared up for himself, in his lifetime, a pillar, which is in the king's valley: for he said: I have no son, and this shall be the monument of my name. And he called the pillar by his own name, and it is called the hand of Absalom, to this day.
Ver. 18. No son. The sons mentioned above, C. xiv. 27, were dead when this pillar was erected; unless we suppose he raised this pillar before they were born: (Ch). or meant this pillar to perpetuate his memory, when they should be no more. Joseph. vii. 9. — This author says that it was a pillar of marble; so that it is different from that which Doubdan (15) mentions, observing , that all who pass throw a stone at it. Thus was his vanity chastised! — Hand, work. So Martial (viii. 51.) says of a vial! Mentoris hæc manus est an, Polyclete, tua? M. — The same word is translated, triumphal arch. 1 K. xv. 12. G.
Καὶ Ἀβεσσαλὼμ ἔτι ζῶν ἔλαβε καὶ ἔστησεν ἑαυτῷ τὴν στήλην ἐν ᾗ ἐλήφθη, καὶ ἐστήλωσεν αὐτὴν λαβεῖν τὴν στήλην τὴν ἐν τῇ βασιλέως, ὅτι εἶπεν, ὅτι οὐκ ἔστιν αὐτῷ υἱὸς ἕνεκν τοῦ ἀναμνῆσαι τὸ ὄνομα αὐτοῦ· καὶ ἐκάλεσε τὴν στήλην, Χεὶρ Ἀβεσσαλὼμ, ἕως τῆς ἡμέρας ταύτης.
וְ/אַבְשָׁלֹ֣ם לָקַ֗ח וַ/יַּצֶּב ל֤/וֹ ב/חי/ו בְ/חַיָּי/ו֙ אֶת מַצֶּ֨בֶת֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר בְּ/עֵֽמֶק הַ/מֶּ֔לֶךְ כִּ֤י אָמַר֙ אֵֽין לִ֣/י בֵ֔ן בַּ/עֲב֖וּר הַזְכִּ֣יר שְׁמִ֑/י וַ/יִּקְרָ֤א לַ/מַּצֶּ֨בֶת֙ עַל שְׁמ֔/וֹ וַ/יִּקָּ֤רֵא לָ/הּ֙ יַ֣ד אַבְשָׁלֹ֔ם עַ֖ד הַ/יּ֥וֹם הַ/זֶּֽה
18:19 Achimaas autem filius Sadoc, ait : Curram, et nuntiabo regi quia judicium fecerit ei Dominus de manu inimicorum ejus.
And Achimaas the son of Sadoc said: I will run and tell the king, that the Lord hath done judgment for him from the hand of his enemies.
Καὶ Ἀχιμάας υἱὸς Σαδὼκ εἶπε, δράμω δὴ καὶ εὐαγγελιῶ τῷ βασιλεῖ, ὅτι ἔκρινε Κύριος ἐκ χειρὸς τῶν ἐχθρῶν αὐτοῦ.
וַ/אֲחִימַ֤עַץ בֶּן צָדוֹק֙ אָמַ֔ר אָר֣וּצָה נָּ֔א וַ/אֲבַשְּׂרָ֖ה אֶת הַ/מֶּ֑לֶךְ כִּי שְׁפָט֥/וֹ יְהוָ֖ה מִ/יַּ֥ד אֹיְבָֽי/ו
18:20 Ad quem Joab dixit : Non eris nuntius in hac die, sed nuntiabis in alia : hodie nolo te nuntiare : filius enim regis est mortuus.
And Joab said to him: Thou shalt not be the messenger this day, but shalt bear tidings another day: this day I will not have thee bear tidings, because the king's son is dead.
Καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ Ἰωὰβ, οὐκ ἀνὴρ εὐαγγελίας σὺ ἐν τῇ ἡμέρᾳ ταύτῃ, καὶ εὐαγγελιῇ ἐν ἡμέρᾳ ἄλλῃ· ἐν δὲ τῇ ἡμέρᾳ ταύτῃ οὐκ εὐαγγελιῇ, οὗ εἵνεκεν ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ βασιλέως ἀπέθανε.
וַ/יֹּ֧אמֶר ל֣/וֹ יוֹאָ֗ב לֹא֩ אִ֨ישׁ בְּשֹׂרָ֤ה אַתָּה֙ הַ/יּ֣וֹם הַ/זֶּ֔ה וּ/בִשַּׂרְתָּ֖ בְּ/י֣וֹם אַחֵ֑ר וְ/הַ/יּ֤וֹם הַ/זֶּה֙ לֹ֣א תְבַשֵּׂ֔ר כִּֽי על עַל כֵּ֥ן בֶּן הַ/מֶּ֖לֶךְ מֵֽת
18:21 Et ait Joab Chusi : Vade, et nuntia regi quae vidisti. Adoravit Chusi Joab, et cucurrit.
*H And Joab said to Chusai: Go, and tell the king what thou hast seen. Chusai bowed down to Joab, and ran.
Ver. 21. Chusi: perhaps, of Ethiopian extraction. Grot.
Καὶ εἶπεν Ἰωὰβ τῷ Χουσὶ, Βαδίσας ἀνάγγειλον τῷ βασιλεῖ ὅσα εἶδες· καὶ προσεκύνησε Χουσεὶ τῷ Ἰωὰβ, καὶ ἐξῆλθε.
וַ/יֹּ֤אמֶר יוֹאָב֙ לַ/כּוּשִׁ֔י לֵ֛ךְ הַגֵּ֥ד לַ/מֶּ֖לֶךְ אֲשֶׁ֣ר רָאִ֑יתָה וַ/יִּשְׁתַּ֧חוּ כוּשִׁ֛י לְ/יוֹאָ֖ב וַ/יָּרֹֽץ
18:22 Rursus autem Achimaas filius Sadoc dixit ad Joab : Quid impedit si etiam ego curram post Chusi ? Dixitque ei Joab : Quid vis currere, fili mi ? non eris boni nuntii bajulus.
*H Then Achimaas the son of Sadoc said to Joab again: Why might not I also run after Chusai? And Joab said to him: Why wilt thou run, my son? thou wilt not be the bearer of good tidings.
Ver. 22. Tidings. People of reputation did not wish to perform this office. 3 K. ii. 42. Heb. "these tidings will bring thee nothing;" or, "do not suit thee." C. — Prot. "seeing thou hast no tidings ready?" H.
Καὶ προσέθετο ἕτι Ἀχιμάας υἱὸς Σαδὼκ, καὶ εἶπε πρὸς Ἰωὰβ, καὶ ἔστω, ὅτι δράμω καί γε ἐγὼ ὀπίσω τοῦ Χουσί· καὶ εἶπεν Ἰωὰβ, ἱνατί σὺ τοῦτο τρέχεις, υἱέ μου; δεῦρο, οὐκ ἔστι σοι εὐαγγέλια εἰς ὠφέλειαν πορευομένῳ.
וַ/יֹּ֨סֶף ע֜וֹד אֲחִימַ֤עַץ בֶּן צָדוֹק֙ וַ/יֹּ֣אמֶר אֶל יוֹאָ֔ב וִ֣/יהִי מָ֔ה אָרֻֽצָה נָּ֥א גַם אָ֖נִי אַחֲרֵ֣י הַ/כּוּשִׁ֑י וַ/יֹּ֣אמֶר יוֹאָ֗ב לָֽ/מָּה זֶּ֞ה אַתָּ֥ה רָץ֙ בְּנִ֔/י וּ/לְ/כָ֖ה אֵין בְּשׂוֹרָ֥ה מֹצֵֽאת
18:23 Qui respondit : Quid enim si cucurrero ? Et ait ei : Curre. Currens ergo Achimaas per viam compendii, transivit Chusi.
He answered: But what if I run? And he said to him: Run. Then Achimaas running by a nearer way passed Chusai.
Καὶ εἶπε, τί γὰρ ἐὰν δράμω; καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ Ἰωὰβ, δράμε· καὶ ἔδραμεν Ἀχιμάας τὴν ὁδὸν τὴν τοῦ Κεχὰρ, καὶ ὑπερέβη τὸν Χουσί.
וִ/יהִי מָ֣ה אָר֔וּץ וַ/יֹּ֥אמֶר ל֖/וֹ ר֑וּץ וַ/יָּ֤רָץ אֲחִימַ֨עַץ֙ דֶּ֣רֶךְ הַ/כִּכָּ֔ר וַֽ/יַּעֲבֹ֖ר אֶת הַ/כּוּשִֽׁי
18:24 David autem sedebat inter duas portas : speculator vero, qui erat in fastigio portae super murum, elevans oculos, vidit hominem currentem solum.
*H And David sat between the two gates: and the watchman that was on the top of the gate upon the wall, lifting up his eyes, saw a man running alone.
Ver. 24. Two gates, one leading into the town, the other into the country. In the middle was a chamber for public meetings, and another above. Job xxix. 7. On the roof a guard was stationed on this occasion.
Καὶ Δαυὶδ ἐκάθητο ἀναμέσον τῶν δύο πυλῶν· καὶ ἐπορεύθη ὁ σκοπὸς εἰς τὸ δῶμα τῆς πύλης πρὸς τὸ τεῖχος, καὶ ἐπῇρε τοὺς ὀφθαλμοὺς αὐτοῦ, καὶ εἶδε. καὶ ἰδοὺ ἀνὴρ τρέχων μόνος ἐνώπιον αὐτοῦ.
וְ/דָוִ֥ד יוֹשֵׁ֖ב בֵּין שְׁנֵ֣י הַ/שְּׁעָרִ֑ים וַ/יֵּ֨לֶךְ הַ/צֹּפֶ֜ה אֶל גַּ֤ג הַ/שַּׁ֨עַר֙ אֶל הַ֣/חוֹמָ֔ה וַ/יִּשָּׂ֤א אֶת עֵינָי/ו֙ וַ/יַּ֔רְא וְ/הִנֵּה אִ֖ישׁ רָ֥ץ לְ/בַדּֽ/וֹ
18:25 Et exclamans indicavit regi : dixitque rex : Si solus est, bonus est nuntius in ore ejus. Properante autem illo, et accedente propius,
*H And crying out he told the king: and the king said: If he be alone, there are good tidings in his mouth. And as he was coming apace, and drawing nearer,
Ver. 25. Mouth. If the army had been routed, all would have been in confusion. C. — Now they are employed in plundering the vanquished. M.
Καὶ ἀνεβόησεν ὁ σκοπὸς καὶ ἀπήγγειλε τῷ βασιλεῖ· καὶ εἶπεν ὁ βασιλεὺς, εἰ μόνος ἐστὶν, εὐαγγέλια ἐν τῷ στόματι αὐτοῦ· καὶ ἐπορεύετο πορευόμενος καὶ ἐγγίζων.
וַ/יִּקְרָ֤א הַ/צֹּפֶה֙ וַ/יַּגֵּ֣ד לַ/מֶּ֔לֶךְ וַ/יֹּ֣אמֶר הַ/מֶּ֔לֶךְ אִם לְ/בַדּ֖/וֹ בְּשׂוֹרָ֣ה בְּ/פִ֑י/ו וַ/יֵּ֥לֶךְ הָל֖וֹךְ וְ/קָרֵֽב
18:26 vidit speculator hominem alterum currentem, et vociferans in culmine, ait : Apparet mihi alter homo currens solus. Dixitque rex : Et iste bonus est nuntius.
The watchman saw another man running, and crying aloud from above, he said: I see another man running alone. And the king said: He also is a good messenger.
Καὶ εἶδεν ὁ σκοπὸς ἄνδρα ἕτερον τρέχοντα· καὶ ἐβόησεν ὁ σκοπὸς πρὸς τῇ πύλῃ, καὶ εἶπε, καὶ ἰδοὺ ἀνὴρ ἕτερος τρέχων μόνος· καὶ εἶπεν ὁ βασιλεὺς, καί γε οὗτος εὐαγγελιζόμενος.
וַ/יַּ֣רְא הַ/צֹּפֶה֮ אִישׁ אַחֵ֣ר רָץ֒ וַ/יִּקְרָ֤א הַ/צֹּפֶה֙ אֶל הַ/שֹּׁעֵ֔ר וַ/יֹּ֕אמֶר הִנֵּה אִ֖ישׁ רָ֣ץ לְ/בַדּ֑/וֹ וַ/יֹּ֥אמֶר הַ/מֶּ֖לֶךְ גַּם זֶ֥ה מְבַשֵּֽׂר
18:27 Speculator autem : Contemplor, ait, cursum prioris, quasi cursum Achimaas filii Sadoc. Et ait rex : Vir bonus est, et nuntium portans bonum venit.
And the watchman said: The running of the foremost seemeth to me like the running of Achimaas the son of Sadoc. And the king said: He is a good man: and cometh with good news.
Καὶ εἶπεν ὁ σκοπός, ἐγὼ ὁρῶ τὸν δρόμον τοῦ πρώτου ὡς δρόμον Ἀχιμάας υἱοῦ Σαδώκ· καὶ εἶπεν ὁ βασιλεὺς, ἀνὴρ ἀγαθὸς οὗτος, καί γε εἰς εὐαγγελίαν ἀγαθὴν ἐλεύσεται.
וַ/יֹּ֨אמֶר֙ הַ/צֹּפֶ֔ה אֲנִ֤י רֹאֶה֙ אֶת מְרוּצַ֣ת הָ/רִאשׁ֔וֹן כִּ/מְרֻצַ֖ת אֲחִימַ֣עַץ בֶּן צָד֑וֹק וַ/יֹּ֤אמֶר הַ/מֶּ֨לֶךְ֙ אִֽישׁ ט֣וֹב זֶ֔ה וְ/אֶל בְּשׂוֹרָ֥ה טוֹבָ֖ה יָבֽוֹא
18:28 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.
*H And Achimaas crying out, said to the king: God save thee, O king. And falling down before the king with his face to the ground, he said: Blessed be the Lord thy God, who hath shut up the men that have lifted up their hands against the lord my king.
Ver. 28. Shut up; frustrated the attempts of the enemy, and consigned many to the grave. H.
Καὶ ἐβόησεν Ἀχιμάας, καὶ εἶπε πρὸς τὸν βασιλέα, εἰρήνη· καὶ προσεκύνησε τῷ βασιλεῖ ἐπὶ πρόσωπον αὐτοῦ ἐπὶ τὴν γῆν, καὶ εἶπεν, εὐλογητὸς Κύριος ὁ Θεός σου, ὃς ἀπέκλεισε τοὺς ἄνδρας τοὺς ἐπαραμένους τὴν χεῖρα αὐτῶν ἐν τῷ κυρίῳ μου τῷ βασιλεῖ.
וַ/יִּקְרָ֣א אֲחִימַ֗עַץ וַ/יֹּ֤אמֶר אֶל הַ/מֶּ֨לֶךְ֙ שָׁל֔וֹם וַ/יִּשְׁתַּ֧חוּ לַ/מֶּ֛לֶךְ לְ/אַפָּ֖י/ו אָ֑רְצָ/ה וַ/יֹּ֗אמֶר בָּרוּךְ֙ יְהוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֔י/ךָ אֲשֶׁ֤ר סִגַּר֙ אֶת הָ֣/אֲנָשִׁ֔ים אֲשֶׁר נָשְׂא֥וּ אֶת יָדָ֖/ם בַּֽ/אדֹנִ֥/י הַ/מֶּֽלֶךְ
18:29 Et ait rex : Estne pax puero Absalom ? Dixitque Achimaas : Vidi tumultum magnum cum mitteret Joab servus tuus, o rex, me servum tuum : nescio aliud.
*H And the king said: Is the young man Absalom safe? And Achimaas said: I saw a great tumult, O king, when thy servant Joab sent me thy servant: I know nothing else.
Ver. 29. Else. This was false. v. 20. C. — But he wished not to communicate the bad news; for which reason he had got first to the king. H.
Καὶ εἶπεν ὁ βασιλεὺς, εἰρήνη τῷ παιδαρίῳ τῷ Ἀβεσσαλώμ; καὶ εἶπεν Ἀχιμάας, εἶδον τὸ πλῆθος τὸ μέγα τοῦ ἀποστεῖλαι τὸν δοῦλον τοῦ βασιλέως Ἰωὰβ καὶ τὸν δοῦλόν σου, καὶ οὐκ ἔγνων τί ἐκεῖ.
וַ/יֹּ֣אמֶר הַ/מֶּ֔לֶךְ שָׁל֥וֹם לַ/נַּ֖עַר לְ/אַבְשָׁל֑וֹם וַ/יֹּ֣אמֶר אֲחִימַ֡עַץ רָאִיתִי֩ הֶ/הָמ֨וֹן הַ/גָּד֜וֹל לִ֠/שְׁלֹחַ אֶת עֶ֨בֶד הַ/מֶּ֤לֶךְ יוֹאָב֙ וְ/אֶת עַבְדֶּ֔/ךָ וְ/לֹ֥א יָדַ֖עְתִּי מָֽה
18:30 Ad quem rex : Transi, ait, et sta hic. Cumque ille transisset, et staret,
And the king said to him: Pass, and stand here.
Καὶ εἶπεν ὁ βασιλεὺς, ἐπίστρεψον, στηλώθητι ὧδε· καὶ ἐπεστράφη, καὶ ἔστη.
וַ/יֹּ֣אמֶר הַ/מֶּ֔לֶךְ סֹ֖ב הִתְיַצֵּ֣ב כֹּ֑ה וַ/יִּסֹּ֖ב וַֽ/יַּעֲמֹֽד
18:31 apparuit Chusi : et veniens ait : Bonum apporto nuntium, domine mi rex : judicavit enim pro te Dominus hodie de manu omnium qui surrexerunt contra te.
And when he had passed, and stood still, Chusai appeared and coming up he said: I bring good tidings, my lord, the king, for the Lord hath judged for thee this day from the hand of all that have risen up against thee.
Καὶ ἰδοὺ ὁ Χουσὶ παρεγένετο, καὶ εἶπε τῷ βασιλεῖ, εὐαγγελισθήτω ὁ κύριός μου ὁ βασιλεὺς, ὅτι ἔκρινέ σοι Κύριος σήμερον ἐκ χειρὸς πάντων τῶν ἐπεγειρομένων ἐπὶ σέ.
וְ/הִנֵּ֥ה הַ/כּוּשִׁ֖י בָּ֑א וַ/יֹּ֣אמֶר הַ/כּוּשִׁ֗י יִתְבַּשֵּׂר֙ אֲדֹנִ֣/י הַ/מֶּ֔לֶךְ כִּֽי שְׁפָטְ/ךָ֤ יְהוָה֙ הַ/יּ֔וֹם מִ/יַּ֖ד כָּל הַ/קָּמִ֥ים עָלֶֽי/ךָ
18:32 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.
*H And the king said to Chusai: Is the young man Absalom safe? And Chusai answering him, said: Let the enemies of my lord, the king, and all that rise against him unto evil, be as the young man is.
Ver. 32. Is. This was as much as to tell plainly that he was dead, (M.) or at least, a prisoner. But David understood him right. H.
Καὶ εἶπεν ὁ βασιλεὺς πρὸς τὸν Χουσὶ, εἰ εἰρήνη τῷ παιδαρίῳ τῷ Ἀβεσσαλώμ; καὶ εἶπεν ὁ Χουσὶ, γένοιντο ὡς τὸ παιδάριον οἱ ἐχθροὶ τοῦ κυρίου μου τοῦ βασιλέως, καὶ πάντες ὅσοι ἐπανέστησαν ἐπʼ αὐτὸν εἰς κακά.
וַ/יֹּ֤אמֶר הַ/מֶּ֨לֶךְ֙ אֶל הַ/כּוּשִׁ֔י הֲ/שָׁל֥וֹם לַ/נַּ֖עַר לְ/אַבְשָׁל֑וֹם וַ/יֹּ֣אמֶר הַ/כּוּשִׁ֗י יִהְי֤וּ כַ/נַּ֨עַר֙ אֹֽיְבֵי֙ אֲדֹנִ֣/י הַ/מֶּ֔לֶךְ וְ/כֹ֛ל אֲשֶׁר קָ֥מוּ עָלֶ֖י/ךָ לְ/רָעָֽה
18:33 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 ?
*H The king therefore being much moved, went up to the high chamber over the gate, and wept. And as he went he spoke in this manner: My son Absalom, Absalom my son: would to God that I might die for thee, Absalom my son, my son Absalom.
Ver. 33. Wept, in private. M. — Would. David lamented the death of Absalom, because of the wretched state in which he died; and therefore would have been glad to have saved his life, even by dying for him. In this he was a figure of Christ weeping, praying, and dying for his rebellious children, and even for them that crucified him. Ch. S. Amb. (de Ob. Valent.) Theod. q. 35. — David had presently ceased to weep for the son of Bethsabee, because he had reason to hope that he was saved. C.
19_1 Καὶ ἐταράχθη ὁ βασιλεὺς, καὶ ἀνέβη εἰς τὸ ὑπερῷον τῆς πύλης, καὶ ἔκλαυσε· καὶ οὕτως εἶπεν ἐν τῷ πορεύεσθαι αὐτὸν, υἱέ μου Ἀβεσσαλὼμ, υἱέ μου, υἱέ μου Ἀβεσαλώμ· τίς δῴη τὸν θάνατόν μου ἀντὶ σοῦ; ἐγὼ ἀντὶ σοῦ Ἀβεσσαλὼμ, υἱέ μου, υἱέ μου.
19_1 וַ/יִּרְגַּ֣ז הַ/מֶּ֗לֶךְ וַ/יַּ֛עַל עַל עֲלִיַּ֥ת הַ/שַּׁ֖עַר וַ/יֵּ֑בְךְּ וְ/כֹ֣ה אָמַ֣ר בְּ/לֶכְתּ֗/וֹ בְּנִ֤/י אַבְשָׁלוֹם֙ בְּנִ֣/י בְנִ֣/י אַבְשָׁל֔וֹם מִֽי יִתֵּ֤ן מוּתִ/י֙ אֲנִ֣י תַחְתֶּ֔י/ךָ אַבְשָׁל֖וֹם בְּנִ֥/י בְנִֽ/י