Then the archers shot at your servants from the wall and some of the king’s soldiers ¹  died. Your servant Uriah the Hittite is also dead.”

Then Absalom went to the king and said, “My shearers have begun their work. ¹  Let the king and his servants go with me.”

The king’s servants replied to the king, “We will do whatever our lord the king decides.” ¹ 

Now there was a servant from Saul’s house named Ziba, so he was summoned to David. The king asked him, “Are you Ziba?” He replied, “At your service.” ¹ 

When David saw that his servants were whispering to one another, he ¹  realized that the child was dead. So David asked his servants, “Is the child dead?” They replied, “Yes, he’s dead.”

But you will be able to counter the advice of Ahithophel if you go back to the city and say to Absalom, ‘I will be your servant, O king! Previously I was your father’s servant, and now I will be your servant.’

He replied, “My lord the king, my servant deceived me! I ¹  said, ‘Let me get my donkey saddled so that I can ride on it and go with the king,’ for I ²  am lame.

Then Abner son of Ner and the servants of Ish-bosheth son of Saul went out from Mahanaim to Gibeon.

But David’s soldiers had slaughtered the Benjaminites and Abner’s men – in all, 360 men had died!

What more can David say to you? You have given your servant special recognition, ¹  O Lord God!

For the sake of your promise and according to your purpose ¹  you have done this great thing in order to reveal it to your servant. ² 

David took the golden shields that belonged to Hadadezer’s servants and brought them to Jerusalem. ¹ 

Then Mephibosheth ¹  bowed and said, “Of what importance am I, your servant, that you show regard for a dead dog like me?” ² 

Now Mephibosheth had a young son whose name was Mica. All the members of Ziba’s household were Mephibosheth’s servants.

Then the king stood up and tore his garments and lay down on the ground. All his servants were standing there with torn garments as well.

Jonadab said to the king, “Look! The king’s sons have come! It’s just as I said!”

These four were the descendants of Rapha who lived in Gath; they were killed ¹  by David and his soldiers. ² 

for you, O Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, have told ¹  your servant, ‘I will build you a dynastic house.’ ²  That is why your servant has had the courage ³  to pray this prayer to you.

Now be willing to bless your servant’s dynasty ¹  so that it may stand permanently before you, for you, O sovereign Lord, have spoken. By your blessing may your servant’s dynasty be blessed on into the future!” ² 

You will cultivate ¹  the land for him – you and your sons and your servants. You will bring its produce ²  and it will be ³  food for your master’s grandson to eat. ⁴  But Mephibosheth, your master’s grandson, will be a regular guest at my table.” (Now Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants.)