{1:1} Factum est autem, postquam mortuus est Saul, ut David reverteretur a cæde Amalec, et maneret in Siceleg duos dies.
{1:1} Now it happened that, after Saul died, David returned from the slaughter of Amalek, and he remained for two days at Ziklag.
{1:2} In die autem tertia apparuit homo veniens de castris Saul veste conscissa, et pulvere conspersus caput. Et ut venit ad David, cecidit super faciem suam, et adoravit.
{1:2} Then, on the third day, a man appeared, arriving from the camp of Saul, with his garments torn and dust sprinkled on his head. And when he came to David, he fell on his face, and he reverenced.
{1:3} Dixitque ad eum David: Unde venis? Qui ait ad eum: De castris Israel fugi.
{1:3} And David said to him, “Where have you come from?” And he said to him, “I have fled from the camp of Israel.”
{1:4} Et dixit ad eum David: Quod est verbum quod factum est? Indica mihi. Qui ait: Fugit populus ex prælio, et multi corruentes e populo mortui sunt: sed et Saul et Ionathas filius eius interierunt.
{1:4} And David said to him: “What is the word that has happened? Reveal it to me.” And he said: “The people have fled from the battle, and many of the people have fallen and died. Moreover, Saul and his son Jonathan have passed away.”
{1:5} Dixitque David ad adolescentem, qui nunciabat ei: Unde scis quia mortuus est Saul, et Ionathas filius eius?
{1:5} And David said to the youth who was reporting to him, “How do you know that Saul and his son Jonathan have died?”
{1:6} Et ait adolescens, qui nunciabat ei: Casu veni in montem Gelboe, et Saul incumbebat super hastam suam: porro currus et equites appropinquabant ei,
{1:6} And the youth, who was reporting it to him, said: “I arrived by chance on mount Gilboa. And Saul was lying upon his spear. Then the chariots and horsemen drew near to him.
{1:7} et conversus post tergum suum, vidensque me vocavit. Cui cum respondissem: Adsum:
{1:7} And turning behind his back and seeing me, he called to me. And when I had responded, “I am here,”
{1:8} dixit mihi: Quisnam es tu? Et aio ad eum: Amalecites ego sum.
{1:8} he said to me, “Who are you?” And I said to him, “I am an Amalekite.”
{1:9} Et locutus est mihi: Sta super me, et interfice me: quoniam tenent me angustiæ, et adhuc tota anima mea in me est.
{1:9} And he said to me: “Stand over me, and kill me. For anguish has taken hold of me, and still my whole life is in me.”
{1:10} Stansque super eum, occidi illum: sciebam enim quod vivere non poterat post ruinam: et tuli diadema quod erat in capite eius, et armillam de brachio illius, et attuli ad te dominum meum huc.
{1:10} And standing over him, I killed him. For I knew that he was not able to live after the fall. And I took the diadem that was on his head, and the bracelet from his arm, and I have brought them here to you, my lord.”
{1:11} Apprehendens autem David vestimenta sua scidit, omnesque viri, qui erant cum eo,
{1:11} Then David, taking hold of his garments, tore them, with all the men who were with him.
{1:12} et planxerunt, et fleverunt, et ieiunaverunt usque ad vesperam super Saul, et super Ionathan filium eius, et super populum Domini, et super domum Israel, eo quod corruissent gladio.
{1:12} And they mourned, and wept, and fasted until evening, over Saul and over his son Jonathan, and over the people of the Lord and over the house of Israel, because they had fallen by the sword.
{1:13} Dixitque David ad iuvenem qui nunciaverat ei: Unde es tu? Qui respondit: Filius hominis advenæ Amalecitæ ego sum.
{1:13} And David said to the youth who had reported it to him, “Where are you from?” And he responded, “I am the son of a man who is a new arrival from the Amalekites.”
{1:14} Et ait ad eum David: Quare non timuisti mittere manum tuam ut occideres Christum Domini?
{1:14} And David said to him, “Why were you not afraid to put forth your hand, so that you would kill the Christ of the Lord?”
~ The term Christ means anointed. However, it is better to translate the Latin Christum as Christ than as anointed, first, because it is closer to the Latin; second, because Saul, and David, and Solomon were each foreshadowings of Jesus the Christ; third, because using the term anointed would obscure the connection between these passages and Jesus Christ.
{1:15} Vocansque David unum de pueris suis, ait: Accedens irrue in eum. Qui percussit illum, et mortuus est.
{1:15} And calling one of his servants, David said, “Draw near and rush against him” And he struck him, and he died.
{1:16} Et ait ad eum David: Sanguis tuus super caput tuum: os enim tuum locutum est adversum te, dicens: Ego interfeci Christum Domini.
{1:16} And David said to him: “Your blood is upon your own head. For your own mouth has spoken against you, saying: ‘I have killed the Christ of the Lord.’ ”
{1:17} Planxit autem David planctum huiuscemodi super Saul, et super Ionathan filium eius,
{1:17} Then David mourned a lamentation over Saul and over his son Jonathan, in this way.
{1:18} (et præcepit ut docerent filios Iuda arcum, sicut scriptum est in Libro Iustorum.) Et ait: Considera Israel pro his, qui mortui sunt super excelsa tua vulnerati.
{1:18} (And he instructed that they should teach the sons of Judah the bow, just as it is written in the Book of the Just.) And he said: “Consider, O Israel, on behalf of those who are dead, wounded upon your heights:
{1:19} Inclyti, Israel, super montes tuos interfecti sunt: quo modo ceciderunt fortes?
{1:19} The illustrious of Israel have been killed upon your mountains. How could the valiant have fallen?
{1:20} Nolite annunciare in Geth, neque annuncietis in compitis Ascalonis: ne forte lætentur filiæ Philisthiim, ne exultent filiæ incircumcisorum.
{1:20} Do not choose to announce it in Gath, and do not announce it in the crossroads of Ashkelon. Otherwise, the daughters of the Philistines may rejoice; otherwise, the daughters of the uncircumcised may exult.
{1:21} Montes Gelboe, nec ros, nec pluvia veniant super vos, neque sint agri primitiarum: quia ibi abiectus est clypeus fortium, clypeus Saul, quasi non esset unctus oleo.
{1:21} O mountains of Gilboa, let neither dew, nor rain fall over you, and may these not be the fields of the first-fruits. For in that place, the shield of the valiant was cast away, the shield of Saul, as if he had not been anointed with oil.
{1:22} A sanguine interfectorum, ab adipe fortium, sagitta Ionathæ numquam rediit retrorsum, et gladius Saul non est reversus inanis.
{1:22} From the blood of the slain, from the fat of the strong, the arrow of Jonathan never turned back, and the sword of Saul did not return empty.
{1:23} Saul et Ionathas amabiles, et decori in vita sua, in morte quoque non sunt divisi: aquilis velociores, leonibus fortiores.
{1:23} Saul and Jonathan, worthy to be loved, and stately in their life: even in death they were not divided. They were swifter than eagles, stronger than lions.
{1:24} Filiæ Israel super Saul flete, qui vestiebat vos coccino in deliciis, qui præbebat ornamenta aurea cultui vestro.
{1:24} O daughters of Israel, weep over Saul, who clothed you with scarlet finery, who offered ornaments of gold for your adornment.
{1:25} Quo modo ceciderunt fortes in prælio? Ionathas in excelsis tuis occisus est?
{1:25} How could the valiant have fallen in battle? How could Jonathan have been slain on the heights?
{1:26} Doleo super te frater mi Ionatha decore nimis, et amabilis super amorem mulierum. Sicut mater unicum amat filium suum, ita ego te diligebam.
{1:26} I grieve over you, my brother Jonathan: exceedingly stately, and worthy to be loved above the love of women. As a mother loves her only son, so also did I love you.
{1:27} Quo modo ceciderunt robusti, et perierunt arma bellica?
{1:27} How could the robust have fallen, and the weapons of war have perished?”
{2:1} Igitur post hæc consuluit David Dominum, dicens: Num ascendam in unam de civitatibus Iuda? Et ait Dominus ad eum: Ascende. Dixitque David: Quo ascendam? Et respondit ei: In Hebron.
{2:1} And so, after these things, David consulted the Lord, saying, “Shall I ascend to one of the cities of Judah?” And the Lord said to him, “Ascend.” And David said, “To where shall I ascend?” And he responded to him, “To Hebron.”
{2:2} Ascendit ergo David, et duæ uxores eius, Achinoam Iezraelites, et Abigail uxor Nabal Carmeli:
{2:2} Therefore, David ascended with his two wives, Ahinoam, the Jezreelite, and Abigail, the wife of Nabal of Carmel.
{2:3} sed et viros, qui erant cum eo, duxit David singulos cum domo sua: et manserunt in oppidis Hebron.
{2:3} And as for the men who were with him, David led forth each man with his household. And they stayed in the towns of Hebron.
{2:4} Veneruntque viri Iuda, et unxerunt ibi David, ut regnaret super domum Iuda. Et nunciatum est David, quod viri Iabes Galaad sepelissent Saul.
{2:4} And the men of Judah went and anointed David there, so that he would reign over the house of Judah. And it was reported to David that the men of Jabesh Gilead had buried Saul.
{2:5} Misit ergo David nuncios ad viros Iabes Galaad, dixitque ad eos: Benedicti vos Domino, qui fecistis misericordiam hanc cum domino vestro Saul, et sepelistis eum.
{2:5} Therefore, David sent messengers to the men of Jabesh Gilead, and he said to them: “Blessed are you to the Lord, who has accomplished this mercy with your lord Saul, so that you would bury him.
{2:6} Et nunc retribuet vobis quidem Dominus misericordiam et veritatem: sed et ego reddam gratiam, eo quod fecistis verbum istud.
{2:6} And now, certainly, the Lord will repay to you mercy and truth. But I also will act with favor, because you have accomplished this word.
{2:7} Confortentur manus vestræ, et estote filii fortitudinis: licet enim mortuus sit dominus vester Saul, tamen me unxit domus Iuda in regem sibi.
{2:7} Let your hands be strengthened, and be sons of fortitude. For even though your lord Saul has died, still the house of Judah has anointed me as king over them.”
{2:8} Abner autem filius Ner princeps exercitus Saul tulit Isboseth filium Saul, et circumduxit eum per castra,
{2:8} Then Abner, the son of Ner, the leader of the army of Saul, took Ishbosheth, the son of Saul, and he led him around, throughout the camp.
{2:9} regemque constituit super Galaad, et super Gessuri, et super Iezrael, et super Ephraim, et super Beniamin, et super Israel universum.
{2:9} And he appointed him as king over Gilead, and over Geshuri, and over Jezreel, and over Ephraim, and over Benjamin, and over all of Israel.
{2:10} Quadraginta annorum erat Isboseth filius Saul cum regnare cœpisset super Israel, et duobus annis regnavit: sola autem domus Iuda sequebatur David.
{2:10} Ishbosheth, the son of Saul, was forty years old when he had begun to rule over Israel. And he reigned for two years. For only the house of Judah followed David.
{2:11} Et fuit numerus dierum, quos commoratus est David, imperans in Hebron super domum Iuda, septem annorum, et sex mensium.
{2:11} And the number of the days, during which David was staying and ruling in Hebron over the house of Judah, was seven years and six months.
{2:12} Egressusque est Abner filius Ner, et pueri Isboseth filii Saul de castris in Gabaon.
{2:12} And Abner, the son of Ner, and the youths of Ishbosheth, the son of Saul, went out from the camp to Gibeon.
{2:13} Porro Ioab filius Sarviæ, et pueri David egressi sunt, et occurrerunt eis iuxta piscinam Gabaon. Et cum in unum convenissent, e regione sederunt: hi ex una parte piscinæ, et illi ex altera.
{2:13} Therefore, Joab, the son of Zeruiah, and the youths of David, went out and met them beside the pool of Gibeon. And when they had convened together, they sat down opposite one another: these on one side of the pool, and those on the other side.
{2:14} Dixitque Abner ad Ioab: Surgant pueri, et ludant coram nobis. Et respondit Ioab: Surgant.
{2:14} And Abner said to Joab, “Let the youths rise up and play before us.” And Joab answered, “Let them rise up.”
{2:15} Surrexerunt ergo, et transierunt numero duodecim de Beniamin, ex parte Isboseth filii Saul, et duodecim de pueris David.
{2:15} Therefore, they rose up and crossed over, twelve in number of Benjamin, from the side of Ishbosheth, the son of Saul, and twelve of the youths of David.
{2:16} Apprehensoque unusquisque capite comparis sui, defixit gladium in latus contrarii, et ceciderunt simul: vocatumque est nomen loci illius: Ager robustorum, in Gabaon.
{2:16} And each one, taking hold of his peer by the head, fixed a sword into the side of his adversary, and they fell down together. And the name of that place was called: The Field of the Valiant in Gibeon.
{2:17} Et ortum est bellum durum satis in die illa: fugatusque est Abner, et viri Israel a pueris David.
{2:17} And a very harsh war rose up on that day. And Abner, with the men of Israel, was put to flight by the youths of David.
{2:18} Erant autem ibi tres filii Sarviæ, Ioab, et Abisai, et Asael: porro Asael cursor velocissimus fuit, quasi unus de capreis, quæ morantur in silvis.
{2:18} Now the three sons of Zeruiah were in that place: Joab, and Abishai, and Asahel. And Asahel was a very swift runner, like one of the deer that lives in the forest.
{2:19} Persequebatur autem Asael Abner, et non declinavit ad dextram neque ad sinistram omittens persequi Abner.
{2:19} And Asahel pursued Abner, and he did not turn aside to the right, nor to the left, to cease in the pursuit of Abner.
{2:20} Respexit itaque Abner post tergum suum, et ait: Tu ne es Asael? Qui respondit: Ego sum.
{2:20} And so, Abner looked behind his back, and he said, “Are you not Asahel?” And he responded, “I am.”
{2:21} Dixitque ei Abner: Vade ad dexteram, sive ad sinistram, et apprehende unum de adolescentibus, et tolle tibi spolia eius. Noluit autem Asael omittere quin urgeret eum.
{2:21} And Abner said to him, “Go to the right, or to the left, and apprehend one of the youths, and take his spoils for yourself.” But Asahel was not willing to cease from pursuing him closely.
{2:22} Rursumque locutus est Abner ad Asael: recede, noli me sequi, ne compellar confodere te in terram, et levare non potero faciem meam ad Ioab fratrem tuum.
{2:22} And again, Abner said to Asahel: “Withdraw, and do not choose to follow me. Otherwise, I will be compelled to stab you to the ground, and I will not be able to lift up my face before your brother, Joab.”
{2:23} Qui audire contempsit, et noluit declinare: percussit ergo eum Abner aversa hasta in inguine, et transfodit, et mortuus est in eodem loco: omnesque qui transibant per locum illum, in quo ceciderat Asael, et mortuus erat, subsistebant.
{2:23} But he disdained to heed him, and he was not willing to turn aside. Therefore, turning, Abner struck him with his spear in the groin, and he pierced him through, and he died in the same place. And all those who would pass by the place, in which Asahel had fallen and died, would stand still.
{2:24} Persequentibus autem Ioab, et Abisai fugientem Abner, sol occubuit: et venerunt usque ad Collem aquæductus, qui est ex adverso vallis itineris deserti in Gabaon.
{2:24} Now while Joab and Abishai were pursuing Abner as he fled, the sun set. And they went as far as the Hill of the Aqueduct, which is opposite the valley on the way of the desert in Gibeon.
{2:25} Congregatique sunt filii Beniamin ad Abner: et conglobati in unum cuneum, steterunt in summitate tumuli unius.
{2:25} And the sons of Benjamin gathered themselves to Abner. And being joined in one battle line, they stood at the summit of a hill.
{2:26} Et exclamavit Abner ad Ioab, et ait: Num usque ad internecionem tuus mucro desæviet? An ignoras quod periculosa sit desperatio? Usquequo non dicis populo ut omittat persequi fratres suos?
{2:26} And Abner cried out to Joab, and he said: “Will your sword rage unto utter destruction? Are you ignorant that it is perilous to act in desperation? How long will you not tell the people to cease from the pursuit of their brothers?”
{2:27} Et ait Ioab: Vivit Dominus, si locutus fuisses mane, recessisset populus persequens fratrem suum.
{2:27} And Joab said: “As the Lord lives, if you had spoken in the morning, the people would have withdrawn from pursuing their brothers.”
{2:28} Insonuit ergo Ioab buccina, et stetit omnis exercitus, nec persecuti sunt ultra Israel, neque iniere certamen.
{2:28} Therefore, Joab sounded the trumpet, and the entire army stood still, and they did not pursue after Israel any more, and they did not engage in conflict.
{2:29} Abner autem et viri eius abierunt per campestria, tota nocte illa: et transierunt Iordanem, et lustrata omni Beth horon, venerunt ad castra.
{2:29} Then Abner and his men went away, all that night, through the plains. And they crossed the Jordan, and having roamed throughout all of Beth-horon, they arrived in the camp.
{2:30} Porro Ioab reversus, omisso Abner, congregavit omnem populum: et defuerunt de pueris David decem et novem viri, excepto Asaele.
{2:30} But Joab, returning after he had released Abner, gathered together all the people. And of David’s youths, they were missing nineteen men, aside from Asahel.
{2:31} Servi autem David percusserunt de Beniamin, et de viris, qui erant cum Abner trecentos sexaginta, qui et mortui sunt.
{2:31} But of Benjamin and of the men who were with Abner, the servants of David had struck three hundred and sixty, who also died.
{2:32} Tuleruntque Asael, et sepelierunt eum in sepulchro patris sui in Bethlehem: et ambulaverunt tota nocte Ioab et viri qui erant cum eo, et in ipso crepusculo pervenerunt in Hebron.
{2:32} And they took Asahel, and they buried him in the sepulcher of his father at Bethlehem. And Joab, and the men who were with him, walked throughout the night, and they arrived in Hebron at the very break of day.
{3:1} Facta est ergo longa concertatio inter domum Saul, et inter domum David: David proficiscens, et semper seipso robustior, domus autem Saul decrescens quotidie.
{3:1} Then a long struggle occurred between the house of Saul and the house of David, with David prospering and growing ever stronger, but the house of Saul decreasing daily.
{3:2} Natique sunt filii David in Hebron: fuitque primogenitus eius Amnon de Achinoam Iezraelitide.
{3:2} And sons were born to David in Hebron. And his firstborn son was Amnon, from Ahinoam the Jezreelite.
{3:3} Et post eum Cheleab de Abigail uxore Nabal Carmeli: porro tertius Absalom filius Maacha filiæ Tholmai regis Gessur.
{3:3} And after him, there was Chileab, from Abigail, the wife of Nabal of Carmel. Then the third was Absalom, the son of Maacah, the daughter of Talmai, the king of Geshur.
{3:4} Quartus autem Adonias, filius Haggith: et quintus Saphathia, filius Abital.
{3:4} Then the fourth was Adonijah, the son of Haggith. And the fifth was Shephatiah, the son of Abital.
{3:5} Sextus quoque Iethraam de Egla uxore David. Hi nati sunt David in Hebron.
{3:5} Also, the sixth was Ithream, from Eglah, the wife of David. These were born to David at Hebron.
{3:6} Cum ergo esset prælium inter domum Saul et domum David, Abner filius Ner regebat domum Saul.
{3:6} Then, while there was a battle between the house of Saul and the house of David, Abner, the son of Ner, was reigning over the house of Saul.
{3:7} Fuerat autem Sauli concubina nomine Respha, filia Aia. Dixitque Isboseth ad Abner:
{3:7} Now Saul had a concubine named Rizpah, the daughter of Aiah. And Ishbosheth said to Abner,
{3:8} Quare ingressus es ad concubinam patris mei? Qui iratus nimis propter verba Isboseth, ait: Numquid caput canis ego sum adversum Iudam hodie, qui fecerim misericordiam super domum Saul patris tui, et super fratres et proximos eius, et non tradidi te in manus David, et tu requisisti in me quod argueres pro muliere hodie?
{3:8} “Why did you enter to the concubine of my father?” But he, being exceedingly angry at the words of Ishbosheth, said: “Am I the head of a dog against Judah this day? I have shown mercy to the house of Saul, your father, and to his brothers and friends. And I have not delivered you into the hands of David. And yet today you have sought me, so that you might rebuke me over a woman?
{3:9} Hæc faciat Deus Abner, et hæc addat ei, nisi quomodo iuravit Dominus David, sic faciam cum eo,
{3:9} May God do these things to Abner, and may he add these other things, if, in the same way that the Lord swore to David, I do not do so with him:
{3:10} ut transferatur regnum de domo Saul, et elevetur thronus David super Israel, et super Iudam, a Dan usque Bersabee.
{3:10} that the kingdom be transferred from the house of Saul, and that the throne of David be elevated over Israel and over Judah, from Dan to Beersheba.”
{3:11} Et non potuit respondere ei quidquam, quia metuebat illum.
{3:11} And he was not able to respond anything to him, because he was in fear of him.
{3:12} Misit ergo Abner nuncios ad David pro se dicentes: Cuius est terra? et ut loquerentur: Fac mecum amicitias, et erit manus mea tecum, et reducam ad te universum Israel.
{3:12} Therefore, Abner sent messengers to David for himself, saying, “Whose is the land?” and so that they would say, “Make a friendship with me, and my hand will be with you, and I will lead back all of Israel to you.”
{3:13} Qui ait: Optime: Ego faciam tecum amicitias: sed unam rem peto a te, dicens: Non videbis faciem meam antequam adduxeris Michol filiam Saul: et sic venies, et videbis me.
{3:13} And he said: “It is best. I will make a friendship with you. But one thing I ask of you, saying: You shall not see my face before you bring Michal, the daughter of Saul. And in this way, you shall come, and see me.”
{3:14} Misit autem David nuncios ad Isboseth filium Saul, dicens: Redde uxorem meam Michol, quam despondi mihi centum præputiis Philisthiim.
{3:14} Then David sent messengers to Ishbosheth, the son of Saul, saying, “Restore my wife Michal, whom I espoused to myself for one hundred foreskins of the Philistines.”
{3:15} Misit ergo Isboseth, et tulit eam a viro suo Phaltiel, filio Lais.
{3:15} Therefore, Ishbosheth sent and took her from her husband Paltiel, the son of Laish.
{3:16} Sequebaturque eam vir suus, plorans usque Bahurim: et dixit ad eum Abner: Vade, et revertere. Qui reversus est.
{3:16} And her husband was following her, weeping, as far as Bahurim. And Abner said to him, “Go and return.” And he returned.
{3:17} Sermonem quoque intulit Abner ad seniores Israel, dicens: Tam heri quam nudiustertius quærebatis David ut regnaret super vos.
{3:17} Likewise, Abner sent word to the elders of Israel, saying: “As much yesterday as the day before, you were seeking David, so that he might reign over you.
{3:18} Nunc ergo facite: quoniam Dominus locutus est ad David, dicens: In manu servi mei David salvabo populum meum Israel de manu Philisthiim, et omnium inimicorum eius.
{3:18} Therefore, accomplish it now. For the Lord has spoken to David, saying: ‘By the hand of my servant David, I will save my people Israel from the hand of the Philistines and of all their enemies.’ ”
{3:19} Locutus est autem Abner etiam ad Beniamin. Et abiit ut loqueretur ad David in Hebron omnia quæ placuerant Israeli, et universo Beniamin.
{3:19} Then Abner also spoke to Benjamin. And he went away, so that he might speak to David in Hebron all that would be pleasing to Israel and to all of Benjamin.
{3:20} Venitque ad David in Hebron cum viginti viris: et fecit David Abner, et viris eius qui venerant cum eo, convivium.
{3:20} And he went to David in Hebron with twenty men. And David made a feast for Abner, and for his men who had arrived with him.
{3:21} Et dixit Abner ad David: Surgam, ut congregem ad te dominum meum regem omnem Israel, et ineam tecum fœdus, et imperes omnibus, sicut desiderat anima tua. Cum ergo deduxisset David Abner, et ille isset in pace,
{3:21} And Abner said to David, “I will rise up, so that I may gather all of Israel to you, my lord the king, and so that I may enter into a pact with you, and so that you may reign over all, just as your soul desires.” Then, when David had led Abner away, and he had departed in peace,
{3:22} statim pueri David, et Ioab venerunt, cæsis latronibus, cum præda magna nimis: Abner autem non erat cum David in Hebron, quia iam dimiserat eum, et profectus fuerat in pace.
{3:22} immediately the servants of David and of Joab arrived, after having slain robbers, with exceedingly great spoils. But Abner was not with David in Hebron. For by then he had sent him away, and he had set out in peace.
{3:23} Et Ioab, et omnis exercitus, qui erat cum eo, postea venerunt: nunciatum est itaque Ioab a narrantibus: Venit Abner filius Ner ad regem, et dimisit eum, et abiit in pace.
{3:23} And Joab, and the entire army that was with him, had arrived afterward. And so, it was reported to Joab, explaining that Abner, the son of Ner, went to the king, and he dismissed him, and he went away in peace.
{3:24} Et ingressus est Ioab ad regem, et ait: Quid fecisti? Ecce venit Abner ad te: quare dimisisti eum, et abiit et recessit?
{3:24} And Joab entered to the king, and he said: “What have you done? Behold, Abner came to you. Why did you dismiss him, so that he has gone and departed?
{3:25} Ignoras Abner filium Ner, quoniam ad hoc venit ad te ut deciperet te, et sciret exitum tuum, et introitum tuum, et nosset omnia quæ agis?
{3:25} Do you not know, about Abner, the son of Ner, that he came to you for this, so that he might deceive you, and might know of your departure and your return, and so that he might know all that you do?”
{3:26} Egressus itaque Ioab a David, misit nuncios post Abner, et reduxit eum a cisterna Sira, ignorante David.
{3:26} And so, Joab, going out from David, sent messengers after Abner, and he brought him back from the cistern of Sirah, without David knowing.
{3:27} Cumque rediisset Abner in Hebron, seorsum adduxit eum Ioab ad medium portæ, ut loqueretur ei, in dolo: et percussit illum ibi in inguine, et mortuus est in ultionem sanguinis Asael fratris eius.
{3:27} And when Abner had returned to Hebron, Joab took him alone to the middle of the gate, so that he might speak to him, but with deceit. And there, he stabbed him in the groin, and he died, in revenge for the blood of Asahel, his brother.
{3:28} Quod cum audisset David rem iam gestam, ait: Mundus ego sum, et regnum meum apud Dominum usque in sempiternum a sanguine Abner filii Ner,
{3:28} And when David had heard of it, now that the matter was done, he said: “I and my kingdom are clean before the Lord, even forever, of the blood of Abner, the son of Ner.
{3:29} et veniat super caput Ioab, et super omnem domum patris eius: nec deficiat de domo Ioab fluxum seminis sustinens, et leprosus, et tenens fusum, et cadens gladio, et indigens pane.
{3:29} And may it fall upon the head of Joab, and upon the entire house of his father. And may there not fail to be, in the house of Joab, one who suffers from a flow of seed, or one who is leprous, or one who is effeminate, or one who falls by the sword, or one who is in need of bread.”
~ The phrase ‘tenens fusum’ literally means holding the spindle (for spinning thread). The expression uses work commonly done by women to refer to men who are effeminate.
{3:30} Igitur Ioab et Abisai frater eius interfecerunt Abner, eo quod occidisset Asael fratrem eorum in Gabaon in prælio.
{3:30} And so, Joab and his brother Abishai killed Abner, because he had killed their brother Asahel at Gibeon, during the battle.
{3:31} Dixit autem David ad Ioab, et ad omnem populum, qui erat cum eo: Scindite vestimenta vestra, et accingimini saccis, et plangite ante exequias Abner. Porro rex David sequebatur feretrum.
{3:31} Then David said to Joab, and to all the people who were with him, “Tear your garments, and gird yourselves with sackcloth, and mourn before the funeral procession of Abner.” Moreover, king David himself was following the casket.
{3:32} Cumque sepelissent Abner in Hebron, levavit rex David vocem suam, et flevit super tumulum Abner: flevit autem et omnis populus.
{3:32} And when they had buried Abner in Hebron, king David lifted up his voice, and he wept over the burial mound of Abner. And all the people also wept.
{3:33} Plangensque rex et lugens Abner, ait: Nequaquam ut mori solent ignavi, mortuus est Abner.
{3:33} And the king, mourning and lamenting Abner, said: “By no means has Abner died the way that cowards usually die.
{3:34} Manus tuæ ligatæ non sunt, et pedes tui non sunt compedibus aggravati: sed sicut solent cadere coram filiis iniquitatis, sic corruisti. Congeminansque omnis populus flevit super eum.
{3:34} Your hands are not bound, and your feet are not weighed down with fetters. But just as men often fall before the sons of iniquity, so you have fallen.” And while repeating this, all the people wept over him.
{3:35} Cumque venisset universa multitudo cibum capere cum David, clara adhuc die iuravit David, dicens: Hæc faciat mihi Deus, et hæc addat, si ante occasum solis gustavero panem vel aliud quidquam.
{3:35} And when the entire multitude had arrived to take food with David, while it was still broad daylight, David swore, saying, “May God do these things to me, and may he add these other things, if I taste bread or anything else before the sun sets.”
{3:36} Omnisque populus audivit, et placuerunt eis cuncta quæ fecit rex in conspectu totius populi.
{3:36} And all the people heard it, and everything that the king did in the sight of the entire people was pleasing to them.
{3:37} Et cognovit omne vulgus, et universus Israel in die illa quoniam non actum fuisset a rege ut occideretur Abner filius Ner.
{3:37} And every common person, and all of Israel, realized on that day that the killing of Abner, the son of Ner, had not been done by the king.
{3:38} Dixit quoque rex ad servos suos: Num ignoratis quoniam princeps et maximus cecidit hodie in Israel?
{3:38} The king also said to his servants: “Could you be ignorant that a leader and a very great man has fallen today in Israel?
{3:39} Ego autem adhuc delicatus, et unctus rex: porro viri isti filii Sarviæ duri sunt mihi: retribuat Dominus facienti malum iuxta malitiam suam.
{3:39} But I am still tender, and yet anointed king. And these men of the sons of Zeruiah are too harsh for me. May the Lord repay whoever does evil in accord with his malice.”
{4:1} Audivit autem Isboseth filius Saul quod cecidisset Abner in Hebron: et dissolutæ sunt manus eius, omnisque Israel perturbatus est.
{4:1} Then Ishbosheth, the son of Saul, heard that Abner had fallen in Hebron. And his hands were weakened, and all of Israel was troubled.
{4:2} Duo autem viri principes latronum erant filio Saul, nomen uni Baana, et nomen alteri Rechab, filii Remmon Berothitæ de filiis Beniamin: siquidem et Beroth reputata est in Beniamin.
{4:2} Now the son of Saul had two men, leaders among robbers. The name of the one was Baanah, and the name of the other was Rechab, sons of Rimmon, a Beerothite from the sons of Benjamin. For indeed, Beeroth, too, was reputed with Benjamin.
{4:3} Et fugerunt Berothitæ in Gethaim, fueruntque ibi advenæ usque ad tempus illud.
{4:3} And the Beerothites had fled into Gittaim. And they were strangers there, until that time.
{4:4} Erat autem Ionathæ filio Saul filius debilis pedibus: quinquennis enim fuit, quando venit nuncius de Saul et Ionatha ex Iezrahel. Tollens itaque eum nutrix sua, fugit: cumque festinaret ut fugeret, cecidit, et claudus effectus est: habuitque vocabulum Miphiboseth.
{4:4} Now Jonathan, the son of Saul, had a son with disabled feet. For he was five years old when the report about Saul and Jonathan arrived from Jezreel. And so, his nurse, taking him up, fled. And while she was hurrying, so that she might flee, he fell and was made lame. And he was called Mephibosheth.
{4:5} Venientes igitur filii Remmon Berothitæ, Rechab et Baana, ingressi sunt fervente die domum Isboseth: qui dormiebat super stratum suum meridie. Et ostiaria domus purgans triticum, obdormivit.
{4:5} And so, the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, Rechab and Baanah, arrived and entered the house of Ishbosheth, in the heat of the day. And he was sleeping on his bed at midday. And the doorkeeper of the house, who was cleaning the wheat, fell fast asleep.
{4:6} Ingressi sunt autem domum latenter assumentes spicas tritici, et percusserunt eum in inguine Rechab et Baana frater eius, et fugerunt.
{4:6} Then they entered the house secretly, taking the ears of grain. And Rechab and his brother Baanah stabbed him in the groin, and they fled away.
{4:7} Cum autem ingressi fuissent domum, ille dormiebat super lectum suum in conclavi, et percutientes interfecerunt eum: sublatoque capite eius, abierunt per viam deserti tota nocte,
{4:7} For when they had entered the house, he was sleeping on his bed in a closed room. And striking him, they killed him. And taking his head, they departed by the way of the desert, walking throughout the night.
{4:8} et attulerunt caput Isboseth ad David in Hebron: dixeruntque ad regem: Ecce caput Isboseth filii Saul inimici tui, qui quærebat animam tuam: et dedit Dominus domino meo regi ultionem hodie de Saul, et de semine eius.
{4:8} And they brought the head of Ishbosheth to David in Hebron. And they said to the king: “Behold, the head of Ishbosheth, the son of Saul, your enemy, who was seeking your life. And so, the Lord has avenged my lord the king, this day, from Saul and from his offspring.”
{4:9} Respondens autem David Rechab, et Baana fratri eius, filiis Remmon Berothitæ, dixit ad eos: Vivit Dominus, qui eruit animam meam de omni angustia,
{4:9} But David, responding to Rechab and his brother Baanah, the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, said to them: “As the Lord lives who has rescued my soul from all distress,
{4:10} quoniam eum, qui annunciaverat mihi, et dixerat: Mortuus est Saul: qui putabat se prospera nunciare, tenui, et occidi eum in Siceleg, cui oportebat mercedem dare pro nuncio.
{4:10} the one who reported to me and said, ‘Saul is dead,’ who was thinking that he announced good news, I apprehended. And at Ziklag I killed him who ought to have been given a reward for the news.
{4:11} Quanto magis nunc cum homines impii interfecerunt virum innoxium in domo sua, super lectum suum, non quæram sanguinem eius de manu vestra, et auferam vos de terra?
{4:11} How much more so now, when impious men have put to death an innocent man in his own house, upon his bed, shall I not require his blood from your hand, and take you away from the earth?”
{4:12} Præcepit itaque David pueris suis, et interfecerunt eos: præcidentesque manus et pedes eorum, suspenderunt eos super piscinam in Hebron: caput autem Isboseth tulerunt, et sepelierunt in sepulchro Abner in Hebron.
{4:12} And so, David commanded his servants, and they put them to death. And cutting off their hands and feet, they suspended them up over the pool in Hebron. But the head of Ishbosheth they took and buried in the sepulcher of Abner at Hebron.
{5:1} Et venerunt universæ tribus Israel ad David in Hebron, dicentes: Ecce nos, os tuum, et caro tua sumus.
{5:1} And all the tribes of Israel went to David in Hebron, saying: “Behold, we are your bone and your flesh.
{5:2} Sed et heri et nudiustertius cum esset Saul rex super nos, tu eras educens et reducens Israel: dixit autem Dominus ad te: Tu pasces populum meum Israel, et tu eris dux super Israel.
{5:2} Moreover, yesterday and the day before, when Saul was king over us, you were the one leading out and leading back Israel. Then the Lord said to you, ‘You shall pasture my people Israel, and you shall be the leader over Israel.’ ”
{5:3} Venerunt quoque et seniores Israel ad regem in Hebron, et percussit cum eis rex David fœdus in Hebron coram Domino: unxeruntque David in regem super Israel.
{5:3} Also, the elders of Israel went to the king at Hebron, and king David struck a pact with them at Hebron in the sight of the Lord. And they anointed David as king over Israel.
{5:4} Filius triginta annorum erat David, cum regnare cœpisset, et quadraginta annis regnavit.
{5:4} David was a son of thirty years, when he had begun to reign, and he reigned for forty years.
{5:5} In Hebron regnavit super Iudam septem annis et sex mensibus: in Ierusalem autem regnavit triginta tribus annis super omnem Israel et Iudam.
{5:5} In Hebron, he reigned over Judah for seven years and six months. Then in Jerusalem, he reigned for thirty-three years over all of Israel and Judah.
{5:6} Et abiit rex, et omnes viri qui erant cum eo, in Ierusalem, ad Iebusæum habitatorem terræ: dictumque est David ab eis: Non ingredieris huc, nisi abstuleris cæcos et claudos dicentes: Non ingredietur David huc.
{5:6} And the king, and all the men who were with him, went away to Jerusalem, to the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land. And it was said to David by them, “You shall not enter here, unless you will take away the blind and the lame, who say, ‘David shall not enter here.’ ”
{5:7} Cepit autem David arcem Sion, hæc est civitas David.
{5:7} But David seized the stronghold of Zion; the same is the city of David.
{5:8} Proposuerat enim David in die illa præmium, qui percussisset Iebusæum, et tetigisset domatum fistulas, et abstulisset cæcos et claudos odientes animam David. Idcirco dicitur in proverbio: Cæcus et claudus non intrabunt in templum.
{5:8} For David had proposed, on that day, a reward to him who had struck the Jebusites and who had reached to the gutters of the rooftops, and who had taken away the blind and the lame that hated the soul of David. Therefore, it is said in the proverb, “The blind and the lame shall not enter into the temple.”
{5:9} Habitavit autem David in arce, et vocavit eam, Civitatem David: et ædificavit per gyrum a Mello et intrinsecus.
{5:9} Then David lived in the stronghold, and he called it: the City of David. And he built it up on all sides, from Millo and inward.
{5:10} Et ingrediebatur proficiens atque succrescens, et Dominus Deus exercituum erat cum eo.
{5:10} And he advanced, prospering and increasing, and the Lord, the God of hosts, was with him.
{5:11} Misit quoque Hiram rex Tyri nuncios ad David, et ligna cedrina, et artifices lignorum, artificesque lapidum ad parietes: et ædificaverunt domum David.
{5:11} Also, Hiram, the king of Tyre, sent messengers to David, with cedar wood, and with builders of wood and builders of stone, in order to make walls. And they built a house for David.
{5:12} Et cognovit David quoniam confirmasset eum Dominus regem super Israel, et quoniam exaltasset regnum eius super populum suum Israel.
{5:12} And David knew that the Lord had confirmed him as king over Israel, and that he had exalted his kingdom over his people Israel.
{5:13} Accepit ergo David adhuc concubinas et uxores de Ierusalem, postquam venerat de Hebron: natique sunt David et alii filii et filiæ:
{5:13} Then David took more concubines and wives from Jerusalem, after he had arrived from Hebron. And other sons as well as daughters were born to David.
{5:14} et hæc nomina eorum, qui nati sunt ei in Ierusalem, Samua, et Sobab, et Nathan, et Salomon,
{5:14} And these are the names of those who were born to him in Jerusalem: Shammua, and Shobab, and Nathan, and Solomon,
{5:15} et Iebahar, et Elisua, et Nepheg,
{5:15} and Ibhar, and Elishua, and Nepheg,
{5:16} et Iaphia, et Elisama, et Elioda, et Eliphaleth.
{5:16} and Japhia, and Elishama, and Eliada, and Elipheleth.
{5:17} Audierunt ergo Philisthiim quod unxissent David in regem super Israel: et ascenderunt universi ut quærerent David: quod cum audisset David, descendit in præsidium.
{5:17} Then the Philistines heard that they had anointed David as king over Israel. And they all ascended, so that they might seek David. And when David had heard of it, he descended to a stronghold.
{5:18} Philisthiim autem venientes diffusi sunt in Valle Raphaim.
{5:18} Now the Philistines, arriving, spread themselves out in the Valley of Rephaim.
{5:19} Et consuluit David Dominum, dicens: Si ascendam ad Philisthiim? Et si dabis eos in manu mea? Et dixit Dominus ad David: Ascende, quia tradens dabo Philisthiim in manu tua.
{5:19} And David consulted the Lord, saying: “Shall I ascend to the Philistines? And will you give them into my hand?” And the Lord said to David: “Ascend. For I will certainly give the Philistines into your hand.”
{5:20} Venit ergo David in Baal Pharasim. Et percussit eos ibi, et dixit: Divisit Dominus inimicos meos coram me, sicut dividuntur aquæ. Propterea vocatum est nomen loci illius, Baal Pharasim.
{5:20} Therefore, David went to Baal-perazim. And he struck them there. And he said, “The Lord has divided my enemies before me, just as the waters are divided.” Because of this, the name of that place was called Baal-perazim.
{5:21} Et reliquerunt ibi sculptilia sua: quæ tulit David, et viri eius.
{5:21} And in that place they left behind their graven images, which David and his men took away.
{5:22} Et addiderunt adhuc Philisthiim ut ascenderent, et diffusi sunt in Valle Raphaim.
{5:22} And the Philistines continued still, so that they ascended and spread themselves out in the Valley of Rephaim.
{5:23} Consuluit autem David Dominum: Si ascendam contra Philisthæos, et tradas eos in manus meas? Qui respondit: Non ascendas contra eos, sed gyra post tergum eorum, et venies ad eos ex adverso pyrorum.
{5:23} Then David consulted the Lord, “Shall I ascend against the Philistines, and will you deliver them into my hands?” And he responded: “You shall not ascend against them; instead, circle behind their back. And you shall come to them from the side opposite the balsam trees.
{5:24} Et cum audieris sonitum gradientis in cacumine pyrorum, tunc inibis prælium: quia tunc egredietur Dominus ante faciem tuam, ut percutiat castra Philisthiim.
{5:24} And when you hear the sound of something going forth from the tops of the balsam trees, then you shall begin the battle. For then the Lord will go forth, before your face, so that he may strike the army of the Philistines.”
{5:25} Fecit itaque David sicut præceperat ei Dominus, et percussit Philisthiim de Gabaa, usque dum venias Gezer.
{5:25} And so, David did just as the Lord had instructed him. And he struck down the Philistines, from Gibeon until you arrive at Gezer.
{6:1} Congregavit autem rursum David omnes electos ex Israel triginta millia.
{6:1} Then David again gathered together all the elect men of Israel, thirty thousand.
{6:2} Surrexitque David, et abiit, et universus populus, qui erat cum eo de viris Iuda, ut adducerent arcam Dei, super quam invocatum est nomen Domini exercituum, sedentis in cherubim super eam.
{6:2} And David arose and went away, with the entire people who were with him from the men of Judah, so that they might lead back the ark of God, over which is invoked the name of the Lord of hosts, who sits upon the cherubim above it.
{6:3} Et imposuerunt arcam Dei super plaustrum novum: tuleruntque eam de domo Abinadab, qui erat in Gabaa: Oza autem, et Ahio filii Abinadab, minabant plaustrum novum.
{6:3} And they placed the ark of God on a new cart. And they took it from the house of Abinadab, who was in Gibeon. And Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, drove the new cart.
{6:4} Cumque tulissent eam de domo Abinadab, qui erat in Gabaa, custodiens arcam Dei Ahio præcedebat arcam.
{6:4} And when they had taken it from the house of Abinadab, who was in Gibeon, Ahio preceded the ark as the keeper of the ark of God.
{6:5} David autem, et omnis Israel ludebant coram Domino in omnibus lignis fabrefactis, et citharis et lyris et tympanis et sistris et cymbalis.
{6:5} But David and all of Israel played before the Lord on every kind of musical instrument made of wood, and on harps, and lyres, and timbrels, and bells, and cymbals.
{6:6} Postquam autem venerunt ad Aream Nachon, extendit Oza manum ad arcam Dei, et tenuit eam: quoniam calcitrabant boves, et declinaverunt eam.
{6:6} And after they had arrived at the threshing floor of Nacon, Uzzah extended his hand to the ark of God, and he touched it, because the oxen were kicking and had caused it to tip.
{6:7} Iratusque est indignatione Dominus contra Ozam, et percussit eum super temeritate: qui mortuus est ibi iuxta arcam Dei.
{6:7} And the indignation of the Lord was enraged against Uzzah. And he struck him for his temerity. And there he died, beside the ark of God.
{6:8} Contristatus est autem David, eo quod percussisset Dominus Ozam, et vocatum est nomen loci illius: Percussio Ozæ usque in diem hanc.
{6:8} Then David was saddened because the Lord had struck Uzzah. And the name of that place was called: the Striking of Uzzah, even to this day.
{6:9} Et extimuit David Dominum in die illa, dicens: Quo modo ingredietur ad me arca Domini?
{6:9} And David was very fearful of the Lord on that day, saying, “How shall the ark of the Lord be brought to me?”
{6:10} Et noluit divertere ad se arcam Domini in civitatem David: sed divertit eam in domum Obededom Gethæi.
{6:10} And he was not willing to send the ark of the Lord to himself in the city of David. Instead, he sent it into the house of Obededom, the Gittite.
{6:11} Et habitavit arca Domini in domo Obededom Gethæi tribus mensibus: et benedixit Dominus Obededom, et omnem domum eius.
{6:11} And the ark of the Lord dwelt in the house of Obededom the Gittite, for three months. And the Lord blessed Obededom, and all his household.
{6:12} Nunciatumque est regi David quod benedixisset Dominus Obededom, et omnia eius propter arcam Dei. Abiit ergo David, et adduxit arcam Dei de domo Obededom in civitatem David cum gaudio: et erant cum David septem chori, et victima vituli.
{6:12} And it was reported to king David that the Lord had blessed Obededom, and all that was his, because of the ark of God. Therefore, David went and brought the ark of God, from the house of Obededom, into the city of David with joy. And there were with David seven choirs, and calves for victims.
{6:13} Cumque transcendissent qui portabant arcam Domini sex passus, immolabat bovem et arietem,
{6:13} And when those who were carrying the ark of the Lord had traveled six steps, he immolated an ox and a ram.
{6:14} et David saltabat totis viribus ante Dominum. Porro David erat accinctus ephod lineo.
{6:14} And David danced with all his ability before the Lord. And David was girded with the linen ephod.
{6:15} Et David, et omnis domus Israel ducebant arcam testamenti Domini, in iubilo, et in clangore buccinæ.
{6:15} And David, and all the house of Israel, were leading the ark of the testament of the Lord, with jubilation and the sound of the trumpet.
{6:16} Cumque intrasset arca Domini in civitatem David, Michol filia Saul prospiciens per fenestram, vidit regem David subsilientem, atque saltantem coram Domino: et despexit eum in corde suo.
{6:16} And when the ark of the Lord had entered into the city of David, Michal, the daughter of Saul, looking out through a window, saw king David leaping and dancing before the Lord. And she despised him in her heart.
{6:17} Et introduxerunt arcam Domini, et imposuerunt eam in loco suo in medio tabernaculi, quod tetenderat ei David: et obtulit David holocausta, et pacifica coram Domino.
{6:17} And they led in the ark of the Lord. And they set it in its place in the middle of the tabernacle, which David had pitched for it. And David offered holocausts and peace offerings in the sight of the Lord.
{6:18} Cumque complesset offerens holocausta et pacifica, benedixit populo in nomine Domini exercituum.
{6:18} And when he had completed offering holocausts and peace offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the Lord of hosts.
{6:19} Et partitus est universæ multitudini Israel tam viro quam mulieri singulis collyridam panis unam, et assaturam bubulæ carnis unam, et similam frixam oleo: et abiit omnis populus, unusquisque in domum suam.
{6:19} And he distributed to the entire multitude of Israel, as much to men as to women, to each one: one loaf of bread, and one piece of roasted beef, and fine wheat flour fried with oil. And all the people went away, each one to his own house.
{6:20} Reversusque est David ut benediceret domui suæ: et egressa Michol filia Saul in occursum David, ait: Quam gloriosus fuit hodie rex Israel discooperiens se ante ancillas servorum suorum, et nudatus est, quasi si nudetur unus de scurris.
{6:20} And David returned, so that he might bless his own house. And Michal, the daughter of Saul, going out to meet David, said: “How glorious was the king of Israel today, uncovering himself before the handmaids of his servants, and being unclothed, as if one of the performers were unclothed.”
~ David was not naked when he danced, but was wearing less clothing, wearing above the waist the linen ephod, and wearing some type of garment below the waist (perhaps the type of short pants worn also by priests and Levites under their robes), so that he could move about more freely when dancing.
{6:21} Dixitque David ad Michol: Ante Dominum, qui elegit me potius quam patrem tuum, et quam omnem domum eius, et præcepit mihi ut essem dux super populum Domini in Israel,
{6:21} And David said to Michal: “Before the Lord, who chose me rather than your father, and rather than his entire house, and who commanded me, that I should be the leader over the people of the Lord in Israel,
{6:22} et ludam, et vilior fiam plus quam factus sum: et ero humilis in oculis meis: et cum ancillis, de quibus locuta es, gloriosior apparebo.
{6:22} I will both play and demean myself, more so than I have done. And I will be little in my own eyes. And with the handmaids, about whom you are speaking, I will appear more glorious.”
{6:23} Igitur Michol filiæ Saul non est natus filius usque in diem mortis suæ.
{6:23} And so, there was no child born to Michal, the daughter of Saul, even to the day of her death.
{7:1} Factum est autem cum sedisset rex in domo sua, et Dominus dedisset ei requiem undique ab universis inimicis suis,
{7:1} Now it happened that, when the king had settled in his house, and the Lord had given him rest on every side from all his enemies,
{7:2} dixit ad Nathan prophetam: Videsne quod ego habitem in domo cedrina, et arca Dei posita sit in medio pellium?
{7:2} he said to the prophet Nathan, “Do you not see that I live in a house of cedar, and that the ark of God has been placed in the midst of tent skins?”
{7:3} Dixitque Nathan ad regem: Omne quod est in corde tuo, vade fac: quia Dominus tecum est.
{7:3} And Nathan said to the king: “Go, do all that is in your heart. For the Lord is with you.”
{7:4} Factum est autem in illa nocte: et ecce sermo Domini ad Nathan, dicens:
{7:4} But it happened in that night, behold, the word of the Lord came to Nathan, saying:
{7:5} Vade, et loquere ad servum meum David: Hæc dicit Dominus: Numquid tu ædificabis mihi domum ad habitandum?
{7:5} “Go, and say to my servant David: ‘Thus says the Lord: Should you build a house for me as a dwelling place?
{7:6} Neque enim habitavi in domo ex die illa, qua eduxi filios Israel de Terra Ægypti, usque in diem hanc: sed ambulabam in tabernaculo, et in tentorio,
{7:6} For I have not lived in a house from the day that I led the sons of Israel away from the land of Egypt, even to this day. Instead, I have walked in a tabernacle, and in a tent.
{7:7} per cuncta loca, quæ transivi cum omnibus filiis Israel, numquid loquens locutus sum ad unam de tribubus Israel, cui præcepi ut pasceret populum meum Israel, dicens: Quare non ædificastis mihi domum cedrinam?
{7:7} And in all the places that I have crossed through, with all the sons of Israel, did I ever speak a word to anyone from the tribes of Israel, whom I instructed to pasture my people Israel, saying: Why have you not built me a house of cedar?’
{7:8} Et nunc hæc dices servo meo David: Hæc dicit Dominus exercituum: Ego tuli te de pascuis sequentem greges, ut esses dux super populum meum Israel:
{7:8} And now, so shall you speak to my servant David: ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts: I took you from the pastures, from following the sheep, so that you would be the leader over my people Israel.
{7:9} et fui tecum in omnibus ubicumque ambulasti, et interfeci universos inimicos tuos a facie tua: fecique tibi nomen grande, iuxta nomen magnorum, qui sunt in terra.
{7:9} And I have been with you everywhere that you walked. And I have slain all your enemies before your face. And I have made you a great name, beside the name of the great ones who are upon the earth.
{7:10} Et ponam locum populo meo Israel, et plantabo eum, et habitabit sub eo, et non turbabitur amplius: nec addent filii iniquitatis ut affligant eum sicut prius,
{7:10} And I will appoint a place for my people Israel, and I will plant them, and they shall live there, and they shall no longer be disturbed. Neither shall the sons of iniquity continue to afflict them as before,
{7:11} ex die qua constitui iudices super populum meum Israel: et requiem dabo tibi ab omnibus inimicis tuis. Prædicitque tibi Dominus, quod domum faciat tibi Dominus.
{7:11} from the day when I appointed judges over my people Israel. And I will give rest to you from all your enemies. And the Lord foretells to you that the Lord himself will make a house for you.
{7:12} Cumque completi fuerint dies tui, et dormieris cum patribus tuis, suscitabo semen tuum post te, quod egredietur de utero tuo, et firmabo regnum eius.
{7:12} And when your days will have been fulfilled, and you will sleep with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, who will go forth from your loins, and I will make firm his kingdom.
{7:13} Ipse ædificabit domum nomini meo, et stabiliam thronum regni eius usque in sempiternum.
{7:13} He himself shall build a house to my name. And I will establish the throne of his kingdom, even forever.
{7:14} Ego ero ei in patrem, et ipse erit mihi in filium: qui si inique aliquid gesserit, arguam eum in virga virorum, et in plagis filiorum hominum.
{7:14} I will be a father to him, and he shall be a son to me. And if he will commit any iniquity, I will correct him with the rod of men and with the wounds of the sons of men.
{7:15} Misericordiam autem meam non auferam ab eo, sicut abstuli a Saul, quem amovi a facie mea.
{7:15} But my mercy I will not take away from him, as I took it away from Saul, whom I removed from before my face.
{7:16} Et fidelis erit domus tua, et regnum tuum usque in æternum ante faciem tuam, et thronus tuus erit firmus iugiter.
{7:16} And your house shall be faithful, and your kingdom shall be before your face, for eternity, and your throne shall be secure continuously.’ ”
{7:17} Secundum omnia verba hæc, et iuxta universam visionem istam, sic locutus est Nathan ad David.
{7:17} According to all these words, and according to this entire vision, so did Nathan speak to David.
{7:18} Ingressus est autem rex David, et sedit coram Domino, et dixit: Quis ego sum Domine Deus, et quæ domus mea, quia adduxisti me hucusque?
{7:18} Then king David entered and sat before the Lord, and he said: “Who am I, O Lord God, and what is my house, that you would bring me to this point?
{7:19} Sed et hoc parum visum est in conspectu tuo Domine Deus, nisi loquereris etiam de domo servi tui in longinquum: ista est enim lex Adam, Domine Deus.
{7:19} Moreover, this has seemed little in your sight, O Lord God, unless you also will speak about the house of your servant for a long time. For this is the law of Adam, O Lord God.
{7:20} Quid ergo addere poterit adhuc David, ut loquatur ad te? Tu enim scis servum tuum Domine Deus.
{7:20} Therefore, what more will David be able to say to you? For you know your servant, O Lord God.
{7:21} Propter verbum tuum, et secundum cor tuum fecisti omnia magnalia hæc, ita ut notum faceres servo tuo.
{7:21} Because of your word, and according to your own heart, you have done all these great deeds, so that you would make it known to your servant.
{7:22} Idcirco magnificatus es Domine Deus, quia non est similis tui, neque est Deus extra te, in omnibus quæ audivimus auribus nostris.
{7:22} For this reason, you are magnified, O Lord God. For there is no one like you. And there is no God except you, in all the things that we have heard with our own ears.
{7:23} Quæ est autem, ut populus tuus Israel, gens in terra, propter quam ivit Deus, ut redimeret eam sibi in populum, et poneret sibi nomen, faceretque eis magnalia, et horribilia super terram, a facie populi tui, quem redemisti tibi ex Ægypto, gentem, et deum eius.
{7:23} But what nation is there upon the earth like your people Israel, because of whom God went forth, so that he might redeem a people for himself, and establish a name for himself, and accomplish for them great and terrible things upon the earth, before the face of your people, whom you redeemed for yourself away Egypt, the nations and their gods.
{7:24} Firmasti enim tibi populum tuum Israel in populum sempiternum: et tu Domine Deus factus es eis in Deum.
{7:24} For you have secured your people Israel for yourself, as an everlasting people. And you, O Lord God, have become their God.
{7:25} Nunc ergo Domine Deus verbum, quod locutus es super servum tuum, et super domum eius, suscita in sempiternum: et fac sicut locutus es,
{7:25} Now therefore, O Lord God, raise up forever the word that you have spoken over your servant and over his house. And do just as you have said,
{7:26} ut magnificetur nomen tuum usque in sempiternum, atque dicatur: Dominus exercituum, Deus super Israel. Et domus servi tui David erit stabilita coram Domino,
{7:26} so that your name may be magnified even forever, and so that it may be said: ‘The Lord of hosts is the God over Israel.’ And the house of your servant David will be established in the sight of the Lord.
{7:27} quia tu Domine exercituum Deus Israel revelasti aurem servi tui, dicens: Domum ædificabo tibi: propterea invenit servus tuus cor suum ut oraret te oratione hac.
{7:27} For you, O Lord of hosts, God of Israel, have revealed to the ear of your servant, saying, ‘I will build a house for you.’ Because of this, your servant has found it in his heart to pray this prayer to you.
{7:28} Nunc ergo Domine Deus, tu es Deus, et verba tua erunt vera: locutus es enim ad servum tuum bona hæc.
{7:28} Now therefore, O Lord God, you are God, and your words shall be true. For you have spoken to your servant these good things.
{7:29} Incipe ergo, et benedic domui servi tui, ut sit in sempiternum coram te: quia tu Domine Deus locutus es, et benedictione tua benedicetur domus servi tui in sempiternum.
{7:29} Therefore, begin, and bless the house of your servant, so that it may be forever before you. For you, O Lord God, have spoken. And so, let the house of your servant be blessed with your blessing forever.”
{8:1} Factum est autem post hæc percussit David Philisthiim, et humiliavit eos, et tulit David frenum tributi de manu Philisthiim.
{8:1} Now after these things, it happened that David struck the Philistines, and he humbled them. And David took the bridle of tribute from the hand of the Philistines.
{8:2} Et percussit Moab, et mensus est eos funiculo, coæquans terræ: mensus est autem duos funiculos, unum ad occidendum, et unum ad vivificandum: factusque est Moab David serviens sub tributo.
{8:2} And he struck Moab, and he measured them with a line, leveling them to the ground. Now he measured with two lines, one to kill, and one to keep alive. And Moab was made to serve David under tribute.
{8:3} Et percussit David Adarezer filium Rohob regem Soba, quando profectus est ut dominaretur super flumen Euphraten.
{8:3} And David struck Hadadezer, the son of Rehob, the king of Zobah, when he set out to rule over the river Euphrates.
{8:4} Et captis David ex parte eius mille septingentis equitibus, et viginti millibus peditum, subnervavit omnes iugales curruum: dereliquit autem ex eis centum currus.
{8:4} And from his troops, David seized one thousand seven hundred horsemen and twenty thousand foot soldiers. And he cut the sinew of the leg in all the chariot horses. But he left aside enough of them for one hundred chariots.
{8:5} Venit quoque Syria Damasci, ut præsidium ferret Adarezer regi Soba: et percussit David de Syria viginti duo millia virorum.
{8:5} And the Syrians of Damascus arrived, so that they might bring reinforcements to Hadadezer, the king of Zobah. And David struck down twenty-two thousand men of the Syrians.
{8:6} Et posuit David præsidium in Syria Damasci: factaque est Syria David serviens sub tributo: servavitque Dominus David in omnibus ad quæcumque profectus est.
{8:6} And David positioned a garrison in Syria of Damascus. And Syria served David under tribute. And the Lord assisted David in all things whatsoever that he set out to accomplish.
{8:7} Et tulit David arma aurea, quæ habebant servi Adarezer, et detulit ea in Ierusalem.
{8:7} And David took the armbands of gold, which the servants of Hadadezer had, and he brought them to Jerusalem.
{8:8} Et de Bete, et de Beroth, civitatibus Adarezer tulit rex David æs multum nimis.
{8:8} And from Betah and Beeroth, cities of Hadadezer, king David took an exceedingly great amount of brass.
{8:9} Audivit autem Thou rex Emath, quod percussisset David omne robur Adarezer,
{8:9} Then Toi, the king of Hamath, heard that David had struck down the entire strength of Hadadezer.
{8:10} et misit Thou Ioram filium suum ad regem David, ut salutaret eum congratulans, et gratias ageret: eo quod expugnasset Adarezer, et percussisset eum. Hostis quippe erat Thou Adarezer, et in manu eius erant vasa aurea, et vasa argentea, et vasa ærea:
{8:10} And so, Toi sent his son Joram to king David, so that he might greet him with congratulations, and give thanks, because he had fought against Hadadezer and had struck him down. For indeed, Toi was the enemy of Hadadezer. And in his hand were vessels of gold, and vessels of silver, and vessels of brass.
{8:11} quæ et ipsa sanctificavit rex David Domino cum argento et auro, quæ sanctificaverat de universis gentibus, quas subegerat,
{8:11} And king David also sanctified these things to the Lord, with the silver and gold that he had sanctified from all the peoples whom he had subdued:
{8:12} de Syria, et Moab, et filiis Ammon, et Philisthiim, et Amalec, et de manubiis Adarezer filii Rohob regis Soba.
{8:12} from Syria, and Moab, and the sons Ammon, and the Philistines, and Amalek, and from the best spoils of Hadadezer, the son of Rehob, the king of Zobah.
{8:13} Fecit quoque sibi David nomen cum revereteretur capta Syria in Valle Salinarum, cæsis decem et octo millibus:
{8:13} David also made a name for himself when he returned from seizing Syria, in the Valley of the Salt Pits, having cut down eighteen thousand.
{8:14} et posuit in Idumæa custodes, statuitque præsidium: et facta est universa Idumæa serviens David. Et servavit Dominus David in omnibus ad quæcumque profectus est.
{8:14} And he positioned guards in Edom, and he stationed a garrison. And all of Edom was made to serve David. And the Lord assisted David in all things whatsoever that he set out to accomplish.
{8:15} Et regnavit David super omnem Israel: faciebat quoque David iudicium et iustitiam omni populo suo.
{8:15} And David reigned over all of Israel. And David accomplished judgment and justice with all his people.
{8:16} Ioab autem filius Sarviæ erat super exercitum: porro Iosaphat filius Ahilud erat a commentariis:
{8:16} Now Joab, the son Zeruiah, was over the army. And Jehoshaphat, the son of Ahilud, was the keeper of records.
{8:17} et Sadoc filius Achitob, et Achimelech filius Abiathar, erant sacerdotes: et Saraias, scriba:
{8:17} And Zadok, the son of Ahitub, and Ahimelech, the son of Abiathar, were the priests. And Seraiah was the scribe.
{8:18} Banaias autem filius Ioiadæ super Cerethi et Phelethi: filii autem David sacerdotes erant.
{8:18} And Benaiah, the son of Jehoiada, was over the Cherethites and Pelethites. But the sons of David were priests.
{9:1} Et dixit David: Putasne est aliquis qui remanserit de domo Saul, ut faciam cum eo misericordiam propter Ionathan?
{9:1} And David said, “Do you think that there could be anyone left from the house of Saul, so that I might show mercy to him because of Jonathan?”
{9:2} Erat autem de domo Saul, servus nomine Siba: quem cum vocasset rex ad se, dixit ei: Tu ne es Siba? Et ille respondit: Ego sum servus tuus.
{9:2} Now there was, from the house of Saul, a servant named Ziba. And when the king had called him to himself, he said to him, “Are you not Ziba?” And he responded, “I am your servant.”
{9:3} Et ait rex: Numquid superest aliquis de domo Saul, ut faciam cum eo misericordiam Dei? Dixitque Siba regi: Superest filius Ionathæ, debilis pedibus.
{9:3} And the king said, “Could there be anyone alive from the house of Saul, so that I may show the mercy of God to him?” And Ziba said to the king, “There is left alive a son of Jonathan, with disabled feet.”
{9:4} Ubi, inquit, est? Et Siba ad regem: Ecce, ait, in domo est Machir filii Ammiel in Lodabar.
{9:4} “Where is he?” he said. And Ziba said to the king, “Behold, he is in the house of Machir, the son of Ammiel, in Lodebar.”
{9:5} Misit ergo rex David, et tulit eum de domo Machir filii Ammiel de Lodabar.
{9:5} Therefore, king David sent and brought him from the house of Machir, the son of Ammiel, from Lodebar.
{9:6} Cum autem venisset Miphiboseth filius Ionathæ filii Saul ad David, corruit in faciem suam, et adoravit. Dixitque David: Miphiboseth? Qui respondit: Adsum servus tuus.
{9:6} And when Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, had come to David, he fell upon his face, and he reverenced. And David said, “Mephibosheth?” And he responded, “Your servant is here.”
{9:7} Et ait ei David: Ne timeas, quia faciens faciam in te misericordiam propter Ionathan patrem tuum, et restituam tibi omnes agros Saul patris tui, et tu comedes panem in mensa mea semper.
{9:7} And David said to him: “Do not be afraid. For I will certainly show mercy to you because of your father Jonathan. And I will restore to you all the fields of your father Saul. And you shall eat bread at my table always.”
{9:8} Qui adorans eum, dixit: Quis ego sum servus tuus, quoniam respexisti super canem mortuum similem mei?
{9:8} And reverencing him, he said, “Who am I, your servant, that you should look with favor upon a dead dog like me?”
{9:9} Vocavit itaque rex Sibam puerum Saul, et dixit ei: Omnia quæcumque fuerunt Saul, et universam domum eius, dedi filio domini tui.
{9:9} And so, the king called Ziba, the servant of Saul, and he said to him: “Everything whatsoever that belonged to Saul, and his entire house, I have given to the son of your lord.
{9:10} Operare igitur ei terram tu, et filii tui, et servi tui: et inferes filio domini tui cibos ut alatur: Miphiboseth autem filius domini tui comedet semper panem super mensam meam. Erant autem Sibæ quindecim filii, et viginti servi.
{9:10} And so, work the land for him, you and your sons and your servants. And you shall bring in food for the son of your lord, for nourishment. And Mephibosheth, the son of your lord, shall always eat bread at my table.” Now Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants.
{9:11} Dixitque Siba ad regem: Sicut iussisti domine mi rex servo tuo, sic faciet servus tuus: et Miphiboseth comedet super mensam meam, quasi unus de filiis regis.
{9:11} And Ziba said to the king: “Just as my lord has ordered your servant, so will your servant do. And Mephibosheth shall eat at my table, like one of the sons of the king.”
{9:12} Habebat autem Miphiboseth filium parvulum nomine Micha: omnis vero cognatio domus Sibæ serviebat Miphiboseth.
{9:12} Now Mephibosheth had a young son whose name was Mica. Truly, all the kindred of the house of Ziba served Mephibosheth.
{9:13} Porro Miphiboseth habitabat in Ierusalem: quia de mensa regis iugiter vescebatur: et erat claudus utroque pede.
{9:13} But Mephibosheth lived in Jerusalem. For he was fed always from the table of the king. And he was lame in both feet.
{10:1} Factum est autem post hæc, ut moreretur rex filiorum Ammon, et regnavit Hanon filius eius pro eo.
{10:1} Now after these things, it happened that the king of the sons of Ammon died, and his son Hanun reigned after him.
{10:2} Dixitque David: Faciam misericordiam cum Hanon filio Naas, sicut fecit pater eius mecum misericordiam. Misit ergo David, consolans eum per servos suos super patris interitu. Cum autem venissent servi David in terram filiorum Ammon,
{10:2} And David said, “I will show mercy to Hanun, the son of Nahash, just as his father showed mercy to me.” Therefore, David sent consolation to him, by his servants, over the passing of his father. But when the servants of David had arrived in the land of the sons of Ammon,
{10:3} dixerunt principes filiorum Ammon ad Hanon dominum suum: Putas quod propter honorem patris tui miserit David ad te consolatores, et non ideo ut investigaret, et exploraret civitatem, et everteret eam, misit David servos suos ad te?
{10:3} the leaders of the sons of Ammon said to Hanun, their lord: “Do you think it was because of the honor of your father that David sent consolers to you? And did not David send his servants to you, so that he might investigate and explore the city, and so that he might overthrow it?”
{10:4} Tulit itaque Hanon servos David, rasitque dimidiam partem barbæ eorum, et præscidit vestes eorum medias usque ad nates, et dimisit eos.
{10:4} And so, Hanun took the servants of David, and he shaved off one half part of their beards, and he cut their garments at the middle, as far as the buttocks, and he sent them away.
{10:5} Quod cum nunciatum esset David, misit in occursum eorum: erant enim viri confusi turpiter valde, et mandavit eis David: Manete in Iericho, donec crescat barba vestra, et tunc revertimini.
{10:5} And when this had been reported to David, he sent to meet them. And the men were greatly disturbed by shame. And David commanded them, “Remain in Jericho, until your beards grow, and then return.”
{10:6} Videntes autem filii Ammon quod iniuriam fecissent David, miserunt, et conduxerunt mercede Syrum Rohob, et Syrum Soba, viginti millia peditum, et a rege Maacha mille viros, et ab Istob duodecim millia virorum.
{10:6} Now the sons of Ammon, seeing that they had done an injury to David, sent for, and paid wages to, the Syrians of Rehob, and the Syrians of Zobah, twenty thousand foot soldiers, and from the king of Maacah, one thousand men, and from Tob, twelve thousand men.
{10:7} Quod cum audisset David, misit Ioab et omnem exercitum bellatorum.
{10:7} And when David had heard this, he sent Joab and the entire army of warriors.
{10:8} Egressi sunt ergo filii Ammon, et direxerunt aciem ante ipsum introitum portæ: Syrus autem Soba, et Rohob, et Istob, et Maacha seorsum erant in campo.
{10:8} Then the sons of Ammon went forth, and they positioned their battle line before the very entrance of the gates. But the Syrians of Zobah, and of Rehob, and of Tob, and of Maacah, were by themselves in the field.
{10:9} Videns igitur Ioab quod præparatum esset adversum se prælium, et ex adverso et post tergum, elegit ex omnibus electis Israel, et instruxit aciem contra Syrum:
{10:9} And so, seeing that the battle had been prepared against him, both facing him and behind, Joab chose some from all of the elect men of Israel, and he set up a battle line opposite the Syrians.
{10:10} reliquam autem partem populi tradidit Abisai fratri suo, qui direxit aciem adversus filios Ammon.
{10:10} But the remaining part of the people he delivered to his brother Abishai, who formed a battle line against the sons of Ammon.
{10:11} Et ait Ioab: Si prævaluerint adversum me Syri, eris mihi in adiutorium: si autem filii Ammon prævaluerint adversum te, auxiliabor tibi.
{10:11} And Joab said: “If the Syrians prevail against me, then you shall assist me. But if the sons of Ammon prevail against you, then I will assist you.
{10:12} Esto vir fortis, et pugnemus pro populo nostro, et civitate Dei nostri: Dominus autem faciet quod bonum est in conspectu suo.
{10:12} Be valiant men. And let us fight on behalf of our people and the city of our God. Then the Lord will do what is good in his own sight.”
{10:13} Iniit itaque Ioab et populus qui erat cum eo, certamen contra Syros: qui statim fugerunt a facie eius.
{10:13} And so, Joab, and the people who were with him, undertook the conflict against the Syrians, who immediately fled before their face.
{10:14} Filii autem Ammon videntes quia fugissent Syri, fugerunt et ipsi a facie Abisai, et ingressi sunt civitatem: reversusque est Ioab a filiis Ammon, et venit Ierusalem.
{10:14} Then, seeing that the Syrians had fled, the sons of Ammon themselves also fled from the face of Abishai, and they entered into the city. And Joab returned from the sons of Ammon, and he went to Jerusalem.
{10:15} Videntes igitur Syri quoniam corruissent coram Israel, congregati sunt pariter.
{10:15} And so, the Syrians, seeing that they had fallen before Israel, gathered themselves together.
{10:16} Misitque Adarezer, et eduxit Syros, qui erant trans fluvium, et adduxit eorum exercitum: Sobach autem, magister militiæ Adarezer, erat princeps eorum.
{10:16} And Hadadezer sent and brought the Syrians who were beyond the river, and he led in their army. And Shobach, the rule of the military of Hadadezer, was their leader.
{10:17} Quod cum nunciatum esset David, contraxit omnem Israelem, et transivit Iordanem, venitque in Helam: et direxerunt aciem Syri ex adverso David, et pugnaverunt contra eum.
{10:17} And when this had been reported to David, he drew together all of Israel. And he crossed over the Jordan, and he went to Helam. And the Syrians formed a battle line opposite David, and they fought against him.
{10:18} Fugeruntque Syri a facie Israel, et occidit David de Syris septingentos currus, et quadraginta millia equitum: et Sobach principem militiæ percussit: qui statim mortuus est.
{10:18} And the Syrians fled before the face of Israel. And David killed, among the Syrians, the men of seven hundred chariots, and forty thousand horsemen. And he struck down Shobach, the leader of the military, who immediately died.
{10:19} Videntes autem universi reges, qui erant in præsidio Adarezer, se victos esse ab Israel, expaverunt et fugerunt quinquaginta et octo millia coram Israel. Et fecerunt pacem cum Israel: et servierunt eis, timueruntque Syri auxilium præbere ultra filiis Ammon.
{10:19} Then all the kings who were in the reinforcements of Hadadezer, seeing themselves to be defeated by Israel, were very afraid and they fled: fifty-eight thousand men before Israel. And they made peace with Israel, and they served them. And the Syrians were afraid to offer assistance to the sons of Ammon anymore.
{11:1} Factum est autem, vertente anno, eo tempore quo solent reges ad bella procedere, misit David Ioab, et servos suos cum eo, et universum Israel, et vastaverunt filios Ammon, et obsederunt Rabba: David autem remansit in Ierusalem.
{11:1} Now it happened that, at the turn of the year, in the time when kings usually go forth to war, David sent Joab, and his servants with him, and all of Israel, and they laid waste to the sons of Ammon, and they besieged Rabbah. But David remained in Jerusalem.
~ The Jewish sacred calendar begins in the spring, so this passage is asserting that spring is the time when kings usually went to war.
{11:2} Dum hæc agerentur, accidit ut surgeret David de strato suo post meridiem, et deambularet in solario domus regiæ: viditque mulierem se lavantem, ex adverso super solarium suum: erat autem mulier pulchra valde.
{11:2} While these things were taking place, David happened to arise from his bed after midday, and he walked upon the terrace of the king’s house. And he saw, across from his terrace, a woman washing herself. And the woman was very beautiful.
{11:3} Misit ergo rex, et requisivit quæ esset mulier. Nunciatumque est ei quod ipsa esset Bethsabee filia Eliam, uxor Uriæ Hethæi.
{11:3} Therefore, the king sent and inquired who the woman might be. And it was reported to him that she was Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah, the Hittite.
{11:4} Missis itaque David nunciis, tulit eam. Quæ cum ingressa esset ad illum, dormivit cum ea: statimque sanctificata est ab immunditia sua:
{11:4} And so, David sent messengers, and he took her. And when she had entered to him, he slept with her. And presently, she was purified from her uncleanness.
~ The expression “purified from her uncleanness” means that her monthly cycle ceased because she was pregnant.
{11:5} et reversa est domum suam concepto fœtu. Mittensque nunciavit David, et ait: Concepi.
{11:5} And she returned to her house, having conceived an unborn child. And sending, she informed David, and she said, “I have conceived.”
{11:6} Misit autem David ad Ioab, dicens: Mitte ad me Uriam Hethæum. Misitque Ioab Uriam ad David.
{11:6} Then David sent to Joab, saying, “Send me Uriah, the Hittite.” And Joab sent Uriah to David.
~ David intended to murder Uriah in this way, so he is guilty of an actual mortal sin. But Joab did not carry out the full instruction of David: though he positioned Uriah in a place where the enemy soldiers were strongest, he did not fall back and abandon Uriah. So David was guilty of murder, but not Joab.
{11:7} Et venit Urias ad David. Quæsivitque David quam recte ageret Ioab, et populus, et quomodo administraretur bellum.
{11:7} And Uriah went to David. And David inquired whether Joab was doing well, and about the people, and how the war was being conducted.
{11:8} Et dixit David ad Uriam: Vade in domum tuam, et lava pedes tuos. Et egressus est Urias de domo regis, secutusque est eum cibus regius.
{11:8} And David said to Uriah, “Go into your house, and wash your feet.” And Uriah departed from the house of the king. And a meal from the king followed after him.
{11:9} Dormivit autem Urias ante portam domus regiæ cum aliis servis domini sui, et non descendit ad domum suam.
{11:9} But Uriah slept before the gate of the king’s house, with the other servants of his lord, and he did not go down to his own house.
{11:10} Nunciatumque est David a dicentibus: Non ivit Urias in domum suam. Et ait David ad Uriam: Numquid non de via venisti? Quare non descendisti in domum tuam?
{11:10} And it was reported to David by some, saying, “Uriah did not go into his house.” And David said to Uriah: “Did you not arrive from a journey? Why did you not go down to your house?”
{11:11} Et ait Urias ad David: Arca Dei et Israel et Iuda habitant in papilionibus, et dominus meus Ioab, et servi domini mei super faciem terræ manent: et ego ingrediar domum meam, ut comedam et bibam, et dormiam cum uxore mea? Per salutem tuam, et per salutem animæ tuæ non faciam rem hanc.
{11:11} And Uriah said to David: “The ark of God, and Israel and Judah, dwell in tents, and my lord Joab, and the servants of my lord, stay upon the face of the earth. And should I then go into my own house, so that I may eat and drink, and sleep with my wife? By your welfare and by the welfare of your soul, I will not do this thing.”
{11:12} Ait ergo David ad Uriam: Mane hic etiam hodie, et cras dimittam te. Mansit Urias in Ierusalem in die illa et altera:
{11:12} Therefore, David said to Uriah, “Even so, remain here today, and tomorrow I will send you away.” So Uriah remained in Jerusalem, on that day and the next.
{11:13} et vocavit eum David ut comederet coram se et biberet, et inebriavit eum: qui egressus vespere, dormivit in strato suo cum servis domini sui, et in domum suam non descendit.
{11:13} And David called him, so that he might eat and drink before him, and he made him inebriated. And departing in the evening, he slept on his bedding, with the servants of his lord, and he did not go down to his own house.
{11:14} Factum est ergo mane, et scripsit David epistolam ad Ioab: misitque per manum Uriæ,
{11:14} Therefore, when morning arrived, David wrote a letter to Joab. And he sent it by the hand of Uriah,
{11:15} scribens in epistola: Ponite Uriam ex adverso belli, ubi fortissimum est prælium: et derelinquite eum, ut percussus intereat.
{11:15} writing in the letter: “Place Uriah opposite the warfare, where the battle is the strongest, and then abandon him, so that, having been wounded, he may die.”
{11:16} Igitur cum Ioab obsideret urbem, posuit Uriam in loco ubi sciebat viros esse fortissimos.
{11:16} And so, when Joab was besieging the city, he positioned Uriah in the place where he knew the strongest men to be.
{11:17} Egressique viri de civitate, bellabant adversum Ioab, et ceciderunt de populo servorum David, et mortuus est etiam Urias Hethæus.
{11:17} And the men, departing from the city, made war against Joab. And some of the people among the servants of David fell, and Uriah the Hittite also died.
{11:18} Misit itaque Ioab, et nunciavit David omnia verba prælii:
{11:18} And so, Joab sent and reported to David every word about the battle.
{11:19} præcepitque nuncio, dicens: Cum compleveris universos sermones belli ad regem,
{11:19} And he instructed the messenger, saying: “When you have completed all the words about the war to the king,
{11:20} si eum videris indignari, et dixerit: Quare accessistis ad murum, ut præliaremini? An ignorabatis quod multa desuper ex muro tela mittantur?
{11:20} if you see him to be angry, and if he says: ‘Why did you draw near to the wall in order to fight? Are you ignorant that many darts are thrown from above the wall?
{11:21} Quis percussit Abimelech filium Ierobaal? Nonne mulier misit super eum fragmen molæ de muro, et interfecit eum in Thebes? Quare iuxta murum accessistis? dices: Etiam servus tuus Urias Hethæus occubuit.
{11:21} Who struck down Abimelech, the son of Jerubbaal? Did not a woman throw a fragment of a millstone upon him from the wall, and so kill him at Thebez? Why did you approach beside the wall?’ then you shall say: ‘Your servant Uriah, the Hittite, also lies dead.’ ”
{11:22} Abiit ergo nuncius, et venit, et narravit David omnia quæ ei præceperat Ioab.
{11:22} Therefore, the messenger departed. And he went and described to David all that Joab had instructed him.
{11:23} Et dixit nuncius ad David: Prævaluerunt adversum nos viri, et egressi sunt ad nos in agrum: nos autem facto impetu persecuti eos sumus usque ad portam civitatis.
{11:23} And the messenger said to David: “The men prevailed against us, and they went out to us in the field. Then we pursued them, making an assault, even to the gate of the city.
{11:24} Et direxerunt iacula sagittarii ad servos tuos ex muro desuper: mortuique sunt de servis regis, quin etiam servus tuus Urias Hethæus mortuus est.
{11:24} And the archers directed their arrows at your servants from the wall above. And some of the king’s servants died, and then also your servant Uriah the Hittite died.”
{11:25} Et dixit David ad nuncium: Hæc dices Ioab: Non te frangat ista res: varius enim eventus est belli, nunc hunc, et nunc illum consumit gladius: conforta bellatores tuos adversus urbem, ut destruas eam, et exhortare eos.
{11:25} And David said to the messenger: “You shall say these things to Joab: ‘Do not let this matter dishearten you. For varied are the events of war. Now this one, and now that one, is consumed by the sword. Encourage your warriors against the city and exhort them, so that you may destroy it.’ ”
{11:26} Audivit autem uxor Uriæ, quod mortuus esset Urias vir suus, et planxit eum.
{11:26} Then the wife of Uriah heard that her husband Uriah had died, and she mourned for him.
{11:27} Transacto autem luctu misit David, et introduxit eam in domum suam, et facta est ei uxor, peperitque ei filium: et displicuit verbum hoc, quod fecerat David, coram Domino.
{11:27} But when the lamentation was completed, David sent and brought her into his house, and she became his wife, and she bore a son to him. And this word, which David had done, was displeasing in the sight of the Lord.
{12:1} Misit ergo Dominus Nathan ad David: qui cum venisset ad eum, dixit ei: Duo viri erant in civitate una, unus dives, et alter pauper.
{12:1} Then the Lord sent Nathan to David. And when he had come to him, he said to him: “Two men were in one city: one wealthy, and the other poor.
{12:2} Dives habebat oves, et boves plurimos valde.
{12:2} The wealthy man had very many sheep and oxen.
{12:3} Pauper autem nihil habebat omnino, præter ovem unam parvulam, quam emerat et nutrierat, et quæ creverat apud eum cum filiis eius simul, de pane illius comedens, et de calice eius bibens, et in sinu illius dormiens: eratque illi sicut filia.
{12:3} But the poor man had nothing at all, except one little sheep, which he had bought and nourished. And she had grown up before him, together with his children, eating from his bread, and drinking from his cup, and sleeping in his bosom. And she was like a daughter to him.
{12:4} Cum autem peregrinus quidam venisset ad divitem, parcens ille sumere de ovibus et de bobus suis, ut exhiberet convivium peregrino illi, qui venerat ad se, tulit ovem viri pauperis, et præparavit cibos homini qui venerat ad se.
{12:4} But when a certain traveler had come to the wealthy man, neglecting to take from his own sheep and oxen, so that he might present a feast for that traveler, who had come to him, he took the sheep of the poor man, and he prepared a meal for the man who had come to him.”
{12:5} Iratus autem indignatione David adversus hominem illum nimis, dixit ad Nathan: Vivit Dominus, quoniam filius mortis est vir qui fecit hoc.
{12:5} Then David’s indignation was enraged exceedingly against that man, and he said to Nathan: “As the Lord lives, the man who has done this is a son of death.
{12:6} Ovem reddet in quadruplum, eo quod fecerit verbum istud, et non pepercerit.
{12:6} He shall restore the sheep fourfold, because he did this word, and he did not take pity.”
{12:7} Dixit autem Nathan ad David: Tu es ille vir. Hæc dicit Dominus Deus Israel: Ego unxi te in regem super Israel, et ego erui te de manu Saul,
{12:7} But Nathan said to David: “You are that man. Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel: ‘I anointed you as king over Israel, and I rescued you from the hand of Saul.
{12:8} et dedi tibi domum domini tui, et uxores domini tui in sinu tuo, dedique tibi domum Israel et Iuda: et si parva sunt ista, adiiciam tibi multo maiora.
{12:8} And I gave the house of your lord to you, and the wives of your lord into your bosom. And I gave the house of Israel and of Judah to you. And as if these things were small, I shall add much greater things to you.
{12:9} Quare ergo contempsisti verbum Domini, ut faceres malum in conspectu meo? Uriam Hethæum percussisti gladio, et uxorem illius accepisti in uxorem tibi, et interfecisti eum gladio filiorum Ammon.
{12:9} Therefore, why have you despised the word of the Lord, so that you did evil in my sight? You have struck down Uriah the Hittite with the sword. And you have taken his wife as a wife for yourself. And you have put him to death with the sword of the sons of Ammon.
~ So David is accused of three sins: murder of Uriah, adultery with Bathsheba, and deception, in that he killed Uriah by making it seem as if he died in battle.
{12:10} Quam ob rem non recedet gladius de domo tua usque in sempiternum, eo quod despexeris me, et tuleris uxorem Uriæ Hethæi, ut esset uxor tua.
{12:10} For this reason, the sword shall not withdraw from your house, even perpetually, because you have despised me, and you have taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite, so that she may be your wife.’
{12:11} Itaque hæc dicit Dominus: Ecce, ego suscitabo super te malum de domo tua, et tollam uxores tuas in oculis tuis, et dabo proximo tuo, et dormiet cum uxoribus tuis in oculis Solis huius.
{12:11} And so, thus says the Lord: ‘Behold, I will raise up over you an evil from your own house. And I will take your wives away before your eyes, and I will give them to your neighbor. And he will sleep with your wives in the sight of this sun.
{12:12} Tu enim fecisti abscondite: ego autem faciam verbum istud in conspectu omnis Israel, et in conspectu Solis.
{12:12} For you acted secretly. But I will do this word in the sight of all of Israel, and in the sight of the sun.’ ”
{12:13} Et dixit David ad Nathan: Peccavi Domino. Dixitque Nathan ad David: Dominus quoque transtulit peccatum tuum: non morieris.
{12:13} And David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.” And Nathan said to David: “The Lord has also taken away your sin. You shall not die.
{12:14} Verumtamen, quoniam blasphemare fecisti inimicos Domini, propter verbum hoc, filius, qui natus est tibi, morte morietur.
{12:14} Yet truly, because you have given occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme, because of this word, the son who was born to you: dying he shall die.”
~ Or: ‘he shall certainly die’.
{12:15} Et reversus est Nathan in domum suam. Percussit quoque Dominus parvulum, quem pepererat uxor Uriæ David, et desperatus est.
{12:15} And Nathan returned to his own house. And the Lord struck the little one, whom the wife of Uriah had borne to David, and he was despaired of.
{12:16} Deprecatusque est David Dominum pro parvulo: et ieiunavit David ieiunio, et ingressus seorsum, iacuit super terram.
{12:16} And David begged the Lord on behalf of the little one. And David fasted strictly, and entering alone, he lay upon the ground.
~ The repetition of the term ‘ieiunavit … ieiunio’ has the effect of intensifying its meaning. So, he fasted strictly.
{12:17} Venerunt autem seniores domus eius, cogentes eum ut surgeret de terra: qui noluit, nec comedit cum eis cibum.
{12:17} Then the elders of his house came, urging him to rise up from the ground. And he was not willing, nor would he eat a meal with them.
{12:18} Accidit autem die septima ut moreretur infans: timueruntque servi David nunciare ei quod mortuus esset parvulus. Dixerunt enim: Ecce cum parvulus adhuc viveret, loquebamur ad eum, et non audiebat vocem nostram: quanto magis si dixerimus, mortuus est puer, se affliget?
{12:18} Then, on the seventh day, it happened that the infant died. And the servants of David were afraid to report to him that the little one had died. For they said: “Behold, when the child was still alive, we were speaking to him, but he would not listen to our voice. How much more will he afflict himself, if we tell him that the boy is dead?”
{12:19} Cum ergo David vidisset servos suos mussitantes, intellexit quod mortuus esset infantulus: dixitque ad servos suos: Num mortuus est puer? Qui responderunt ei: Mortuus est.
{12:19} But when David had seen his servants whispering, he realized that the infant had died. And he said to his servants, “Is the child dead?” And they responded to him, “He is dead.”
{12:20} Surrexit ergo David de terra: et lotus unctusque est: cumque mutasset vestem, ingressus est domum Domini: et adoravit, et venit in domum suam, petivitque ut ponerent ei panem, et comedit.
{12:20} Therefore, David rose up from the ground. And he washed and anointed himself. And when he had changed his clothing, he entered the house of the Lord, and he worshiped. Then he went to his own house, and he asked them to place bread before him, and he ate.
{12:21} Dixerunt autem ei servi sui: Quis est sermo, quem fecisti? Propter infantem, cum adhuc viveret, ieiunasti et flebas: mortuo autem puero, surrexisti, et comedisti panem.
{12:21} But his servants said to him: “What is this word that you have done? You fasted and were weeping, on behalf of the infant, while he was still alive. But when the boy was dead, you arose and ate bread.”
{12:22} Qui ait: Propter infantem, dum adhuc viveret, ieiunavi et flevi: dicebam enim: Quis scit si forte donet eum mihi Dominus, et vivat infans?
{12:22} And he said: “While he was yet alive, I fasted and wept on behalf of the infant. For I said: Who knows if the Lord may perhaps give him to me, and let the infant live?
{12:23} Nunc autem quia mortuus est, quare ieiunem? Numquid potero revocare eum amplius? Ego vadam magis ad eum: ille vero non revertetur ad me.
{12:23} But now that he is dead, why should I fast? Would I be able to bring him back anymore? Instead, I will go to him. Yet truly, he will not return to me.”
~ David is certainly in Heaven, since he was forgiven his sin toward Bathsheba and Uriah, and since he was chosen as a foreshadowing of Christ himself. And Sacred Scripture tells us, through David, that this infant who died unbaptized is also in Heaven. Therefore, unbaptized infants go to Heaven, not to limbo or Hell.
{12:24} Et consolatus est David Bethsabee uxorem suam, ingressusque ad eam, dormivit cum ea: quæ genuit filium, et vocavit nomen eius Salomon, et Dominus dilexit eum.
{12:24} And David consoled his wife Bathsheba. And entering to her, he slept with her. And she bore a son, and he called his name Solomon, and the Lord loved him.
{12:25} Misitque in manu Nathan prophetæ, et vocavit nomen eius, Amabilis Domino, eo quod diligeret eum Dominus.
{12:25} And he sent, by the hand of Nathan the prophet, and he called his name, Beloved of the Lord, because the Lord loved him.
{12:26} Igitur pugnabat Ioab contra Rabbath filiorum Ammon, et expugnabat urbem regiam.
{12:26} And then Joab fought against Rabbah of the sons of Ammon, and he fought outside the royal city.
{12:27} Misitque Ioab nuncios ad David, dicens: Dimicavi adversum Rabbath, et capienda est Urbs Aquarum.
{12:27} And Joab sent messengers to David, saying: “I have struggled against Rabbah, and so the City of Waters will soon be seized.
{12:28} Nunc igitur congrega reliquam partem populi, et obside civitatem, et cape eam: ne, cum a me vastata fuerit urbs, nomini meo ascribatur victoria.
{12:28} Now therefore, gather the remaining portion of the people together, and besiege the city and take it. Otherwise, when the city will have been laid waste by me, the victory will be ascribed to my name.”
{12:29} Congregavit itaque David omnem populum, et profectus est adversum Rabbath: cumque dimicasset, cepit eam.
{12:29} And so David gathered together all the people, and he set out against Rabbah. And after he had fought, he seized it.
{12:30} Et tulit diadema regis eorum de capite eius, pondo auri talentum, habens gemmas pretiosissimas, et impositum est super caput David. Sed et prædam civitatis asportavit multam valde:
{12:30} And he took the crown of their king from his head. The weight of it was a talent of gold, having the most precious gems. And it was placed upon the head of David. Moreover, he carried away the spoils of the city, which were very many.
{12:31} populum quoque eius adducens serravit, et circumegit super eos ferrata carpenta: divisitque cultris, et traduxit in typo laterum: sic fecit universis civitatibus filiorum Ammon: et reversus est David, et omnis exercitus in Ierusalem.
{12:31} Also, bringing forth its people, he sawed them, and he drove over them with iron wagons, and he divided them with knives, and he dragged them through brick kilns. So he did to all the citizens of the sons of Ammon. And David returned, with the entire army, to Jerusalem.
{13:1} Factum est autem post hæc, ut Absalom filii David sororem speciosissimam, vocabulo Thamar, adamaret Amnon filius David,
{13:1} Now after these things, it happened that Amnon, the son of David, was in love with the very beautiful sister of Absalom, the son of David, and she was called Tamar.
{13:2} et deperiret eam valde, ita ut propter amorem eius ægrotaret: quia cum esset virgo, difficile ei videbatur ut quippiam inhoneste ageret cum ea.
{13:2} And he pined for her exceedingly, so much so that, out of love for her, he became ill. For, since she was a virgin, it seemed a difficulty to him that he would do anything dishonest with her.
{13:3} Erat autem Amnon amicus, nomine Ionadab filius Semmaa fratris David, vir prudens valde.
{13:3} Now Amnon had a friend named Jonadab, the son of Shimeah, the brother of David: a very prudent man.
{13:4} Qui dixit ad eum: Quare sic attenuaris macie fili regis per singulos dies? Cur non indicas mihi? Dixitque ei Amnon: Thamar sororem fratris mei Absalom amo.
{13:4} And he said to him: “Why are you becoming so thin from day to day, O son of the king? Why won’t you tell me?” And Amnon said to him, “I am in love with Tamar, the sister of my brother Absalom.”
{13:5} Cui respondit Ionadab: Cuba super lectum tuum, et languorem simula: cumque venerit pater tuus ut visitet te, dic ei: Veniat, oro, Thamar soror mea, ut det mihi cibum, et faciat pulmentum, ut comedam de manu eius.
{13:5} And Jonadab said to him: “Lie down upon your bed, and feign sickness. And when your father will come to visit you, say to him: ‘I ask you to let my sister Tamar come to me, so that she may give me food, and may make a small meal, so that I may eat it from her hand.’ ”
{13:6} Accubuit itaque Amnon, et quasi ægrotare cœpit: cumque venisset rex ad visitandum eum, ait Amnon ad regem: Veniat, obsecro, Thamar soror mea, ut faciat in oculis meis duas sorbitiunculas, et cibum capiam de manu eius.
{13:6} And so, Amnon lay down, and he began to act as if he were ill. And when the king had come to visit him, Amnon said to the king, “I beg you to let my sister Tamar come to me, and make in my sight two little portions of food, so that I take it from her hand.”
{13:7} Misit ergo David ad Thamar domum, dicens: Veni in domum Amnon fratris tui, et fac ei pulmentum.
{13:7} Therefore, David sent home to Tamar, saying, “Come to the house of your brother Amnon, and make a small meal for him.”
{13:8} Venitque Thamar in domum Amnon fratris sui: ille autem iacebat: quæ tollens farinam commiscuit: et liquefaciens, in oculis eius coxit sorbitiunculas.
{13:8} And Tamar went into the house of her brother Amnon. But he was lying down. And taking flour, she mixed it. And dissolving it in his sight, she cooked little portions of food.
{13:9} Tollensque quod coxerat, effudit, et posuit coram eo, et noluit comedere: dixitque Amnon: Eiicite universos a me. Cumque eiecissent omnes,
{13:9} And taking what she had cooked, she poured it out, and she set it before him. But he refused to eat. And Amnon said, “Send everyone away from me.” And when they had sent everyone away,
{13:10} dixit Amnon ad Thamar: Infer cibum in conclave, ut vescar de manu tua. Tulit ergo Thamar sorbitiunculas, quas fecerat, et intulit ad Amnon fratrem suum in conclave.
{13:10} Amnon said to Tamar, “Bring the food into the bedroom, so that I may eat from your hand.” Therefore, Tamar took the little portions of food that she had made, and she brought them to her brother Amnon in the bedroom.
{13:11} Cumque obtulisset ei cibum, apprehendit eam, et ait: Veni, cuba mecum soror mea.
{13:11} And when she had presented the food to him, he took hold of her, and he said, “Come lie with me, my sister.”
{13:12} Quæ respondit ei: Noli frater mi, noli opprimere me, neque enim hoc fas est in Israel: noli facere stultitiam hanc.
{13:12} She answered him: “Do not do so, my brother! Do not force me. For no such thing must be done in Israel. Do not choose to do this senseless act.
{13:13} Ego enim ferre non potero opprobrium meum, et tu eris quasi unus de insipientibus in Israel: quin potius loquere ad regem, et non negabit me tibi.
{13:13} For I will not be able to bear my shame. And you will be like one of the foolish in Israel. For it is better to speak to the king, and he will not deny me to you.”
{13:14} Noluit autem acquiescere precibus eius, sed prævalens viribus oppressit eam, et cubavit cum ea.
{13:14} But he was not willing to agree to her petition. Instead, prevailing by strength, he forced her, and he lay with her.
{13:15} Et exosam eam habuit Amnon odio magno nimis: ita ut maius esset odium, quo oderat eam, amore quo ante dilexerat. Dixitque ei Amnon: Surge, et vade.
{13:15} And Amnon held hatred for her with an exceedingly great hatred, so much so that the hatred with which he hated her was greater than the love with which he had loved her before. And Amnon said to her, “Rise up, and go away.”
{13:16} Quæ respondit ei: Maius est hoc malum, quod nunc agis adversum me, quam quod ante fecisti, expellens me. Et noluit audire eam:
{13:16} And she answered him, “This evil is greater, which you are now doing against me in driving me away, than what you did before.” But he was not willing to listen to her.
{13:17} sed vocato puero, qui ministrabat ei, dixit: Eiice hanc a me foras, et claude ostium post eam.
{13:17} Instead, calling the servants who were ministering to him, he said, “Cast this woman out from me, and close the door behind her.”
{13:18} Quæ induta erat talari tunica: huiuscemodi enim filiæ regis virgines vestibus utebantur. Eiecit itaque eam minister illius foras: clausitque fores post eam.
{13:18} Now she was clothed with an ankle-length robe. For the virgin daughters of the king made use of this kind of garment. And so, his servant cast her out, and he closed the door behind her.
{13:19} Quæ aspergens cinerem capiti suo, scissa talari tunica, impositisque manibus super caput suum, ibat ingrediens, et clamans.
{13:19} And she sprinkled ashes upon her head, and she tore her ankle-length robe. And placing her hands upon her head, she went forth, walking and crying out.
{13:20} Dixit autem ei Absalom frater suus: Numquid Amnon frater tuus concubuit tecum? Sed nunc soror tace, frater tuus est: neque affligas cor tuum pro hac re. Mansit itaque Thamar contabescens in domo Absalom fratris sui.
{13:20} Then her brother Absalom said to her: “Has your brother Amnon lain with you? But now, sister, be quiet. For he is your brother. And you should not afflict your heart because of this matter.” And so, Tamar remained, wasting away in the house of her brother Absalom.
{13:21} Cum autem audisset rex David verba hæc, contristatus est valde, et noluit constristare spiritum Amnon filii sui, quoniam diligebat eum, quia primogenitus erat ei.
{13:21} And when king David had heard about these things, he was deeply grieved. But he was not willing to afflict the spirit of his son Amnon. For he loved him, since he was his firstborn.
{13:22} Porro non est locutus Absalom ad Amnon nec malum, nec bonum: oderat enim Absalom Amnon, eo quod violasset Thamar sororem suam.
{13:22} Yet Absalom did not speak to Amnon, neither good nor evil. For Absalom hated Amnon because he had violated his sister Tamar.
{13:23} Factum est autem post tempus biennii, ut tonderentur oves Absalom in Baalhasor, quæ est iuxta Ephraim: et vocavit Absalom omnes filios regis,
{13:23} Then, after the time of two years, it happened that the sheep of Absalom were being shorn in Baal-hazor, which is near Ephraim. And Absalom invited all the sons of the king.
{13:24} venitque ad regem, et ait ad eum: Ecce tondentur oves servi tui: veniat, oro, rex cum servis suis ad servum suum.
{13:24} And he went to the king, and he said to him: “Behold, the sheep of your servant are being shorn. I ask that the king, with his servants, may come to his servant.”
{13:25} Dixitque rex ad Absalom: Noli fili mi, noli rogare ut veniamus omnes, et gravemus te. Cum autem cogeret eum, et noluisset ire, benedixit ei.
{13:25} And the king said to Absalom: “Do not, my son, do not choose to ask that we may all come and be a burden to you.” Then, after he urged him, and he had refused to go, he blessed him.
{13:26} Et ait Absalom: Si non vis venire, veniat, obsecro, nobiscum saltem Amnon frater meus. Dixitque ad eum rex: Non est necesse ut vadat tecum.
{13:26} And Absalom said, “If you are not willing to come, I beg you, at least let my brother Amnon come with us.” And the king said to him, “It is not necessary that he go with you.”
{13:27} Coegit itaque Absalom eum, et dimisit cum eo Amnon et universos filios regis. Feceratque Absalom convivium quasi convivium regis.
{13:27} But Absalom pressed him, and so he sent with him Amnon and all the sons of the king. And Absalom made a feast, like the feast of a king.
{13:28} Præceperat autem Absalom pueris suis, dicens: Observate cum temulentus fuerit Amnon vino, et dixero vobis: Percutite eum, et interficite, nolite timere: ego enim sum qui præcipio vobis: roboramini, et estote viri fortes.
{13:28} Then Absalom commanded his servants, saying: “Observe when Amnon will have become drunk with wine. And when I say to you, ‘Strike and kill him!’ do not be afraid. For it is I who commands you. Be strong and valiant men.”
{13:29} Fecerunt ergo pueri Absalom adversum Amnon, sicut præceperat eis Absalom. Surgentesque omnes filii regis ascenderunt singuli mulas suas, et fugerunt.
{13:29} Therefore, the servants of Absalom acted against Amnon, just as Absalom had commanded them. And all the sons of the king rose up, and each one climbed upon his mule and fled.
{13:30} Cumque adhuc pergerent in itinere, fama pervenit ad David, dicens: Percussit Absalom omnes filios regis, et non remansit ex eis saltem unus.
{13:30} And while they were still traveling on the journey, a rumor reached David, saying, “Absalom has struck down all the sons of the king, and there is not one of them remaining.”
{13:31} Surrexit itaque rex, et scidit vestimenta sua: et cecidit super terram, et omnes servi illius, qui assistebant ei, sciderunt vestimenta sua.
{13:31} And so the king rose up, and he tore his garments, and he fell upon the ground. And all his servants, who were standing near him, tore their garments.
{13:32} Respondens autem Ionadab filius Semmaa fratris David, dixit: Ne æstimet dominus meus rex, quod omnes pueri filii regis occisi sint: Amnon solus mortuus est, quoniam in ore Absalom erat positus ex die qua oppressit Thamar sororem eius.
{13:32} But Jonadab, the son of Shimeah, David’s brother, responding, said: “My lord the king should not consider that all the sons of the king have been slain. Amnon alone is dead. For he was set against by the mouth of Absalom from the day that he raped his sister Tamar.
{13:33} Nunc ergo ne ponat dominus meus rex super cor suum verbum istud, dicens: Omnes filii regis occisi sunt: quoniam Amnon solus mortuus est.
{13:33} Now therefore, let not my lord the king set this word in his heart, saying, ‘All the sons of the king have been slain.’ For only Amnon is dead.”
{13:34} Fugit autem Absalom: et elevavit puer speculator oculos suos, et aspexit: et ecce populus multus veniebat per iter devium ex latere montis.
{13:34} Now Absalom fled. And the young man keeping watch, lifted up his eyes and gazed out. And behold, many people were arriving along a remote road at the side of the mountain.
~ The rumor arrived before the sons of the king because the latter took a more remote route, to avoid detection if anyone might want to kill them also.
{13:35} Dixit autem Ionadab ad regem: Ecce filii regis adsunt: iuxta verbum servi tui sic factum est.
{13:35} And Jonadab said to the king: “Behold, the sons of the king are here. In accord with the word of your servant, so it has happened.”
{13:36} Cumque cessasset loqui, apparuerunt et filii regis: et intrantes levaverunt vocem suam, et fleverunt: sed et rex et omnes servi eius fleverunt ploratu magno nimis.
{13:36} And when he had ceased speaking, the sons of the king also appeared. And entering, they lifted up their voice, and they wept. And the king also, and all his servants, wept with an exceedingly great weeping.
{13:37} Porro Absalom fugiens, abiit ad Tholomai filium Ammiud regem Gessur. Luxit ergo David filium suum cunctis diebus.
{13:37} But Absalom, fleeing, went to Talmai, the son of Ammihud, the king of Geshur. Then David mourned for his son every day.
{13:38} Absalom autem cum fugisset, et venisset in Gessur, fuit ibi tribus annis. Cessavitque rex David persequi Absalom, eo quod consolatus esset super Amnon interitu.
{13:38} Now after he had fled and had arrived in Geshur, Absalom was in that place for three years. And king David ceased to pursue Absalom, because he had been consoled over the passing of Amnon.
{14:1} Intelligens autem Ioab filius Sarviæ, quod cor regis versum esset ad Absalom,
{14:1} Now Joab, the son of Zeruiah, understood that the heart of the king had been turned toward Absalom,
{14:2} misit Thecuam, et tulit inde mulierem sapientem: dixitque ad eam: Lugere te simula, et induere veste lugubri, et ne ungaris oleo, ut sis quasi mulier iam plurimo tempore lugens mortuum:
{14:2} so he sent to Tekoa, and he brought from there a wise woman. And he said to her: “Feign that you are in mourning, and put on the clothing of one who mourns. And do not anoint yourself with oil, so that you may be like a woman who is still grieving for someone who died some time ago.
{14:3} et ingredieris ad regem, et loqueris ad eum sermones huiuscemodi. Posuit autem Ioab verba in ore eius.
{14:3} And you shall enter to the king, and you shall speak words to him in this manner.” Then Joab put the words in her mouth.
{14:4} Itaque cum ingressa fuisset mulier Thecuitis ad regem, cecidit coram eo super terram, et adoravit, et dixit: Serva me rex.
{14:4} And so, when the woman of Tekoa had entered to the king, she fell before him on the ground, and she reverenced, and she said, “Save me, O king.”
{14:5} Et ait ad eam rex: Quid causæ habes? Quæ respondit: Heu, mulier vidua ego sum: mortuus est enim vir meus.
{14:5} And the king said to her, “What problem do you have?” And she responded: “Alas, I am a woman who is a widow. For my husband has died.
{14:6} Et ancillæ tuæ erant duo filii: qui rixati sunt adversum se in agro, nullusque erat, qui eos prohibere posset: et percussit alter alterum, et interfecit eum.
{14:6} And your handmaid had two sons. And they quarreled against one another in the field. And there was no one there who would be able to stop them. And one struck the other, and killed him.
{14:7} Et ecce consurgens universa cognatio adversum ancillam tuam, dicit: Trade eum, qui percussit fratrem suum, ut occidamus eum pro anima fratris sui, quem interfecit, et deleamus heredem: et quærunt extinguere scintillam meam, quæ relicta est, ut non supersit viro meo nomen, et reliquiæ super terram.
{14:7} And behold, the whole family, rising up against your handmaid, said: ‘Deliver him who struck down his brother, so that we may kill him for the life of his brother, whom he killed, and so that we may do away with the heir.’ And they are seeking to extinguish my spark that is left, so that there may not survive a name for my husband, nor a remnant upon the earth.”
{14:8} Et ait rex ad mulierem: Vade in domum tuam, et ego iubebo pro te.
{14:8} And the king said to the woman, “Go to your own house, and I will make a decree on your behalf.”
{14:9} Dixitque mulier Thecuitis ad regem: In me, domine mi rex, sit iniquitas, et in domum patris mei: rex autem et thronus eius sit innocens.
{14:9} And the woman of Tekoa said to the king: “May the iniquity be upon me, my lord, and upon the house of my father. But may the king and his throne be innocent.”
{14:10} Et ait rex: Qui contradixerit tibi, adduc eum ad me, et ultra non addet ut tangat te.
{14:10} And the king said, “Whoever will contradict you, bring him to me, and he will never touch you again.”
{14:11} Quæ ait: Recordetur rex Domini Dei sui, ut non multiplicentur proximi sanguinis ad ulciscendum, et nequaquam interficiant filium meum. Qui ait: Vivit Dominus, quia non cadet de capillis filii tui super terram.
{14:11} And she said, “Let the king remember the Lord his God, so that close blood relatives may not be multiplied in order to take revenge, and so that they may by no means kill my son.” And he said, “As the Lord lives, not one hair from your son shall fall to the ground.”
{14:12} Dixit ergo mulier: Loquatur ancilla tua ad dominum meum regem verbum. Et ait: Loquere.
{14:12} Then the woman said, “Let your handmaid speak a word to my lord the king.” And he said, “Speak.”
{14:13} Dixitque mulier: Quare cogitasti huiuscemodi rem contra populum Dei, et locutus est rex verbum istud, ut peccet, et non reducat eiectum suum?
{14:13} And the woman said: “Why have you thought such a thing against the people of God, and why has the king spoken this word, so that he sins and does not lead back the one whom he rejected?
{14:14} Omnes morimur, et quasi aquæ dilabimur in terram, quæ non revertuntur: nec vult Deus perire animam, sed retractat cogitans ne penitus pereat qui abiectus est.
{14:14} We are all dying, and we are all like waters that flow into the ground and do not return. God does not will to lose a soul. Instead, he renews his efforts, thinking that what has been rejected might not perish altogether.
{14:15} Nunc igitur veni, ut loquar ad dominum meum regem verbum hoc, præsente populo. Et dixit ancilla tua: Loquar ad regem, si quo modo faciat rex verbum ancillæ suæ.
{14:15} Therefore, now I have come to speak this word to my lord the king, in the presence of the people. And your handmaid said: I will speak to the king, for perhaps there may be some way for the king to accomplish the word of his handmaid.
{14:16} Et audivit rex, ut liberaret ancillam suam de manu omnium, qui volebant de hereditate Dei delere me, et filium meum simul.
{14:16} And the king listened, and he freed his handmaid from the hand of all who were willing to take away me and my son together, from the inheritance of God.
{14:17} Dicat ergo ancilla tua, ut fiat verbum domini mei regis sicut sacrificium. Sicut enim Angelus Dei, sic est dominus meus rex, ut nec benedictione, nec maledictione moveatur: unde et Dominus Deus tuus est tecum.
{14:17} Therefore, let your handmaid speak, so that the word of my lord the king may be like a sacrifice. For even like an Angel of God, so is my lord the king, so that he is moved by neither a blessing, nor a curse. Then too, the Lord your God is with you.”
{14:18} Et respondens rex, dixit ad mulierem: Ne abscondas a me verbum, quod te interrogo. Dixitque ei mulier: Loquere domine mi rex.
{14:18} And in response, the king said to the woman, “You shall not conceal from me a word of what I ask you.” And the woman said to him, “Speak, my lord the king.”
{14:19} Et ait rex: Numquid manus Ioab tecum est in omnibus istis? Respondit mulier, et ait: Per salutem animæ tuæ, domine mi rex, nec ad sinistram, nec ad dexteram est ex omnibus his, quæ locutus est dominus meus rex: servus enim tuus Ioab, ipse præcepit mihi, et ipse posuit in os ancillæ tuæ omnia verba hæc,
{14:19} And the king said, “Is not the hand of Joab with you in all this?” And the woman answered and said: “By the welfare of your soul, my lord the king, it is neither to the left, nor to the right, in all these things that my lord the king has spoken. For your servant Joab himself instructed me, and he himself placed all these words in the mouth of your handmaid.
{14:20} ut verterem figuram sermonis huius, servus tuus Ioab præcepit istud: tu autem domine mi rex, sapiens es, sicut habet sapientiam Angelus Dei, ut intelligas omnia super terram.
{14:20} Thus did I turn to this figure of speech, because your servant Joab instructed it. But you, my lord the king, are wise, just as an Angel of God has wisdom, so that you understand all that is upon the earth.”
{14:21} Et ait rex ad Ioab: Ecce placatus feci verbum tuum: vade ergo, et revoca puerum Absalom.
{14:21} And the king said to Joab: “Behold, your word has succeeded in appeasing me. Therefore, go and call back the boy Absalom.”
{14:22} Cadensque Ioab super faciem suam in terram, adoravit, et benedixit regi: et dixit Ioab: Hodie intellexit sevus tuus, quia inveni gratiam in oculis tuis, domine mi rex: fecisti enim sermonem servi tui.
{14:22} And falling to the ground upon his face, Joab reverenced, and he blessed the king. And Joab said: “Today your servant has understood that I have found grace in your sight, my lord the king. For you have accomplished the word of your servant.”
{14:23} Surrexit ergo Ioab et abiit in Gessur, et adduxit Absalom in Ierusalem.
{14:23} Then Joab rose up, and he went away to Geshur. And he brought Absalom into Jerusalem.
{14:24} Dixit autem rex: Revertatur in domum suam, et faciem meam non videat. Reversus est itaque Absalom in domum suam, et faciem regis non vidit.
{14:24} But the king said, “Let him return to his own house, but let him not see my face.” And so, Absalom returned to his own house, but he did not see the face of the king.
{14:25} Porro sicut Absalom, vir non erat pulcher in omni Israel, et decorus nimis: a vestigio pedis usque ad verticem non erat in eo ulla macula.
{14:25} Now in all of Israel, there was no man so handsome, and so very stately as Absalom. From the sole of the foot to the top of the head, there was no blemish in him.
{14:26} Et quando tondebat capillum (semel autem in anno tondebatur, quia gravabat eum cæsaries) ponderabat capillos capitis sui ducentis siclis, pondere publico.
{14:26} And when he shaved off his hair, for he shaved it off once a year, because his long hair was burdensome to him, he weighed the hair of his head at two hundred shekels, by the public weights.
{14:27} Nati sunt autem Absalom filii tres: et filia una nomine Thamar, elegantis formæ.
{14:27} Then three sons were born to Absalom, and one daughter, of elegant form, whose name was Tamar.
{14:28} Mansitque Absalom in Ierusalem duobus annis, et faciem regis non vidit.
{14:28} And Absalom remained for two years in Jerusalem, and he did not see the face of the king.
{14:29} Misit itaque ad Ioab, ut mitteret eum ad regem: qui noluit venire ad eum. Cumque secundo misisset, et ille noluisset venire ad eum,
{14:29} And so, he sent to Joab, so that he might send him to the king. But he refused to come to him. And when he had sent a second time, and he had refused to come to him,
{14:30} dixit servis suis: Scitis agrum Ioab iuxta agrum meum, habentem messem hordei: ite igitur, et succendite eum igni. Succenderunt ergo servi Absalom segetem igni. Et venientes servi Ioab, scissis vestibus suis, dixerunt: Succenderunt servi Absalom partem agri igni.
{14:30} he said to his servants: “You know that the field of Joab, the one that is near my field, has a harvest of barley. Therefore, go and set it on fire.” And so, the servants of Absalom set fire to the grain field. And the servants of Joab, arriving with their garments torn, said, “The servants of Absalom have set fire to part of the field!”
{14:31} Surrexitque Ioab, et venit ad Absalom in domum eius, et dixit: Quare succenderunt servi tui segetem meam igni?
{14:31} And Joab rose up, and he went to Absalom at his house, and he said, “Why have your servants set fire to my grain field?”
{14:32} Et respondit Absalom ad Ioab: Misi ad te obsecrans ut venires ad me, et mitterem te ad regem, et diceres ei: Quare veni de Gessur? Melius mihi erat ibi esse: obsecro ergo ut videam faciem regis: quod si memor est iniquitatis meæ, interficiat me.
{14:32} And Absalom responded to Joab: “I sent to you, begging that you might come to me, and that I might send you to the king, and that you might say to him: ‘Why was I brought from Geshur? It would have been better for me to be there.’ I beg you, therefore, that I may see the face of the king. And if he is mindful of my iniquity, let him put me to death.”
{14:33} Ingressus itaque Ioab ad regem, nunciavit ei omnia: vocatusque est Absalom, et intravit ad regem, et adoravit super faciem terræ coram eo: osculatusque est rex Absalom.
{14:33} And so, Joab, entering to the king, reported everything to him. And Absalom was summoned. And he entered to the king, and he reverenced on the face of the earth. And the king kissed Absalom.
{15:1} Igitur post hæc fecit sibi Absalom currus, et equites, et quinquaginta viros, qui præcederent eum.
{15:1} Then, after these things, Absalom obtained for himself chariots, and horsemen, and fifty men who went before him.
{15:2} Et mane consurgens Absalom, stabat iuxta introitum portæ, et omnem virum, qui habebat negotium ut veniret ad regis iudicium, vocabat Absalom ad se, et dicebat: De qua civitate es tu? Qui respondens aiebat: Ex una tribu Israel ego sum servus tuus.
{15:2} And rising up in the morning, Absalom was standing beside the entrance of the gate. And when there was any man who had a dispute that might go before the king’s judgment, Absalom would call him to him, and would say, “Which city are you from?” And responding, he would say, “I am your servant, from a certain tribe of Israel.”
{15:3} Respondebatque ei Absalom: Videntur mihi sermones tui boni et iusti. Sed non est qui te audiat constitutus a rege. Dicebatque Absalom:
{15:3} And Absalom would answer him: “Your words seem good and just to me. But there is no one appointed by the king to hear you.” And Absalom would say:
{15:4} Quis me constituat iudicem super terram, ut ad me veniant omnes, qui habent negotium, et iuste iudicem?
{15:4} “Who may appoint me judge over the land, so that all those who have a dispute might come to me, and I might judge justly.”
{15:5} Sed et cum accederet ad eum homo ut salutaret illum, extendebat manum suam, et apprehendens, osculabatur eum.
{15:5} Then too, when a man would draw near to him, so that he might greet him, he would extend his hand, and taking hold of him, he would kiss him.
{15:6} Faciebatque hoc omni Israel venienti ad iudicium, ut audiretur a rege, et solicitabat corda virorum Israel.
{15:6} And he was doing this to all those of Israel arriving for judgment to be heard by the king. And he solicited the hearts of the men of Israel.
{15:7} Post quadraginta autem annos, dixit Absalom ad regem David: Vadam, et reddam vota mea quæ vovi Domino in Hebron.
{15:7} Then, after forty years, Absalom said to king David: “I should go and pay my vows, which I have vowed to the Lord at Hebron.
{15:8} Vovens enim vovit servus tuus, cum esset in Gessur Syriæ, dicens: Si reduxerit me Dominus in Ierusalem, sacrificabo Domino.
{15:8} For your servant made a vow, when he was in Geshur of Syria, saying: If the Lord will lead me back to Jerusalem, I will sacrifice to the Lord.”
{15:9} Dixitque ei rex David: Vade in pace. Et surrexit, et abiit in Hebron.
{15:9} And king David said to him, “Go in peace.” And he rose up and went away to Hebron.
{15:10} Misit autem Absalom exploratores in universas tribus Israel, dicens: Statim ut audieritis clangorem buccinæ, dicite: Regnavit Absalom in Hebron.
{15:10} They