for the Beerothites fled to Gittaim and have remained there as resident foreigners until the present time.)

Nathan told David all these words that were revealed to him.

Go to the king and speak to him in the following fashion.” Then Joab told her what to say.

Perhaps the Lord will notice my affliction and this day grant me good in place of his curse.”

But Joab said to him, “You will not be a bearer of good news today. You will bear good news some other day, but not today, for the king’s son is dead.”

Now may the Lord show you true kindness! I also will reward you, because you have done this deed.

Then the king said to his servants, “Do you not realize that a great leader has fallen this day in Israel?

David was angry because the Lord attacked Uzzah; so he called that place Perez Uzzah, which remains its name to this very day.

I have not lived in a house from the time I brought the Israelites up from Egypt to the present day. Instead, I was traveling with them and living in a tent.

Because he committed this cold-hearted crime, he must pay for the lamb four times over!”

Although you have acted in secret, I will do this thing before all Israel, and in broad daylight.’”

Nonetheless, because you have treated the Lord with such contempt in this matter, the son who has been born to you will certainly die.”

The woman said, “Why have you devised something like this against God’s people? When the king speaks in this fashion, he makes himself guilty, for the king has not brought back the one he has banished.

Then the king said to Joab, “All right! I will do this thing! Go and bring back the young man Absalom!

Absalom acted this way toward everyone in Israel who came to the king for justice. In this way Absalom won the loyalty of the citizens of Israel.

Hushai replied to Absalom, “No, I will be loyal to the one whom the Lord, these people, and all the men of Israel have chosen.

So David sent messengers to the people of Jabesh Gilead and told them, “May you be blessed by the Lord because you have shown this kindness to your lord Saul by burying him.

David said to the messenger, “Tell Joab, ‘Don’t let this thing upset you. There is no way to anticipate whom the sword will cut down. Press the battle against the city and conquer it.’ Encourage him with these words.”

His servants said to him, “What is this that you have done? While the child was still alive, you fasted and wept. Once the child was dead you got up and ate food!”

Her brother Absalom said to her, “Was Amnon your brother with you? Now be quiet, my sister. He is your brother. Don’t take it so seriously!” Tamar, devastated, lived in the house of her brother Absalom.