Absalomcameto the kingand said,"Beholdnow,your servanthas sheepshearers;pleaselet the kingand his servantsgowith your servant."
Now after a considerabletimeShua'sdaughter,the wifeof Judah,died;and when the timeof mourningwas ended,Judahwentup to his sheepshearersat Timnah,he and his friendHirahthe Adullamite.
Now it cameabout after two fullyearsthat Absalomhadsheepshearersin Baal-hazor,whichis nearEphraim,and Absalominvitedallthe king'ssons.
But the kingsaidto Absalom,"No,my son,we should not allgo,for we will be burdensometo you." Although he urgedhim, he wouldnot go,but blessedhim.
They speakfalsehoodto oneanother;With flatteringlipsand with a doubleheartthey speak.
His speechwas smootherthanbutter,But his heartwas war;His wordswere softerthanoil,Yet they were drawnswords.
NowI have heardthat you have shearers;nowyour shepherdshave beenwith us and we have not insultedthem, norhave they missedanythingallthe daysthey were in Carmel.
