Now the watchmanwas standingon the towerin Jezreeland he sawthe companyof Jehuas he came,and said,"I seea company."And Joramsaid,"Takea horsemanand sendhim to meetthem and let him say,'Is it peace?'"
Now Absalomhad fled.And the youngmanwho was the watchmanraisedhis eyesand looked,and behold,manypeoplewere comingfrom the roadbehindhim by the sideof the mountain.
Now Davidwas sittingbetweenthe twogates;and the watchmanwentup to the roofof the gateby the wall,and raisedhis eyesand looked,and behold,a manrunningby himself.
So he said,"You knowthat the kingdomwas mine and that allIsraelexpectedme to be king;however, the kingdomhas turnedaboutand becomemy brother's,for it was his from the LORD.
They tooktherefore twochariotswith horses,and the kingsentafterthe armyof the Arameans,saying,"Goand see."
Now Jehucameout to the servantsof his master,and one saidto him, "Is all well?Whydid thismadfellowcometo you?" And he saidto them, "You know[very well] the manand his talk."
Then Jehurodein a chariotand wentto Jezreel,for Joramwas lyingthere.Ahaziahkingof Judahhad comedownto seeJoram.
So a horsemanwentto meethim and said,"Thussaysthe king,'Is it peace?'"And Jehusaid,"Whathave you to do with peace?Turnbehindme." And the watchmanreported,"The messengercameto them, but he did not return."
Then he sentout a secondhorseman,who cameto them and said,"Thussaysthe king,'Is it peace?'"And Jehuanswered,"Whathave you to do with peace?Turnbehindme."
His watchmenare blind,Allof them knownothing.Allof them are mutedogsunableto bark,Dreamerslyingdown,who loveto slumber;
On your walls,O Jerusalem,I have appointedwatchmen;Alldayand allnightthey will neverkeepsilent.You who remindthe LORD,take norestfor yourselves;
So Samueldidwhatthe LORDsaid,and cameto Bethlehem.And the eldersof the citycametremblingto meethim and said,"Do you comein peace?"
Then Davidlefthis baggagein the careof the baggagekeeper,and ranto the battlelineand enteredin order to greethis brothers.
