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.
The servantsof Absalomdidto Amnonjustas Absalomhad commanded.Then allthe king'ssonsaroseand eachmountedhis muleand fled.
When he cutthe hair of his head(and it was at the endof every yearthat he cut[it], for it was heavyon him so he cutit), he weighedthe hairof his headat 200shekelsby the king'sweight.
Now whenAhithophelsawthat his counselwas not followed,he saddled[his] donkeyand aroseand wentto his home,to his city,and sethis housein order,and strangledhimself; thus he diedand was buriedin the graveof his father.
When a certainmansaw[it], he toldJoaband said,"Behold,I sawAbsalomhangingin an oak."
Then Joabsaid,"I will not wastetimeherewith you." So he tookthreespearsin his handand thrustthem through the heartof Absalomwhile he was yetalivein the midstof the oak.
For the battletherewas spreadoverthe wholecountryside,and the forestdevouredmorepeoplethat daythanthe sworddevoured.
"Is it not calamityto the unjustAnd disasterto those who workiniquity?
He who curseshis fatheror his mother,His lampwill goout in timeof darkness.
The eyethat mocksa fatherAnd scornsa mother,The ravensof the valleywill pickit out, And the youngeagleswill eatit.
"The one who fleesfrom the terrorWill fallinto the pit,And the one who climbsup out of the pitWill be caughtin the snare;For I shall bringupon her, [even] upon Moab,The yearof their punishment,"declaresthe LORD.
And he threwthe pieces of silverinto the temple sanctuaryand departed;and he went awayand hangedhimself.
"For Mosessaid,HONORYOUR FATHERAND YOUR MOTHER;and, 'HE WHO SPEAKS EVILOF FATHERORMOTHER,IS TO BE PUTTO DEATH';
Christredeemedus from the curseof the Law,having becomea cursefor us-- for it is written,"CURSEDIS EVERYONEWHO HANGSON A TREE"--
his corpseshall not hangall nighton the tree,but you shall surelyburyhim on the sameday(for he who is hangedis accursedof God),so that you do not defileyour landwhichthe LORDyour Godgivesyou as an inheritance.
Cursedis he who dishonorshis fatheror mother.'And allthe peopleshall say,'Amen.'
Cursedis he who lieswith his father'swife,becausehe has uncoveredhis father'sskirt.'And allthe peopleshall say,'Amen.'
