You have been very kind to me, your servant. You have been very kind to save me. But I can’t run all the way to the mountains. What if I am too slow and something happens? I will be killed!
Joab bowed with his face on the ground. He blessed King David, and said, “Today I know that you are pleased with me. I know because you have done what I asked.”
Then the king saw Queen Esther standing in the court. When he saw her, he was very pleased. He held out to her the gold scepter {\cf2\super [19]} that was in his hand. So Esther went in to the room and went near the king. Then she touched the end of the king’s gold scepter.
Joshua said, “Lord my Master! You brought our people across the Jordan River. Why did you bring us this far and then allow the Amorite people to destroy us? We should have been satisfied and stayed on the other side of the Jordan River!
But David answered, “Your father knows very well that I am your friend. Your father said to himself, ‘Jonathan must not know about it. If he knows, he will tell David.’ But as sure as you and the Lord are alive, I am very close to death!”