For the battletherewas spreadoverthe wholecountryside,and the forestdevouredmorepeoplethat daythanthe sworddevoured.
The peopleof Israelwere defeatedtherebeforethe servantsof David,and the slaughtertherethat daywas great,20000men.
Now Absalomhappened to meetthe servantsof David.For Absalomwas ridingon [his] mule,and the mulewentunderthe thickbranchesof a greatoak.And his headcaughtfastin the oak,so he was lefthangingbetweenheavenand earth,while the mulethat was underhim kept going.
But the restfledto Aphekinto the city,and the wallfellon 27,000menwho were left.And Ben-hadadfledand cameinto the cityinto an innerchamber.
Arise,O LORD;saveme, O my God!For You have smittenallmy enemieson the cheek;You have shatteredthe teethof the wicked.
Vindicateme, O God,and pleadmy caseagainstan ungodlynation;O deliverme from the deceitfuland unjustman!
"You blewwith Your wind,the seacoveredthem; They sanklike leadin the mightywaters.
My son,fearthe LORDand the king;Do not associatewith those who are givento change,
For their calamitywill risesuddenly,And whoknowsthe ruin[that comes] from bothof them?
As they fledfrom beforeIsrael,[while] they were at the descentof Beth-horon,the LORDthrewlargestonesfrom heavenon them as faras Azekah,and they died;[there were] morewhodiedfrom the hailstonesthanthose whomthe sonsof Israelkilledwith the sword.
