So the kingaroseand satin the gate.When they toldallthe people,saying,"Behold,the kingis sittingin the gate,"then allthe peoplecamebeforethe king.Now Israelhad fled,eachto his tent.
Absalomused to riseearlyand standbesidethe wayto the gate;and when anymanhada suitto cometo the kingfor judgment,Absalomwould callto him and say,"From whatcityare you?" And he would say,"Your servantis from oneof the tribesof Israel."
They tookAbsalomand casthim into a deeppitin the forestand erectedoverhim a verygreatheapof stones.And allIsraelfled,eachto his tent.
Now Davidwas sittingbetweenthe twogates;and the watchmanwentup to the roofof the gateby the wall,and raisedhis eyesand looked,and behold,a manrunningby himself.
Then the kingsaidto them, "Whateverseemsbestto you I will do."So the kingstoodbesidethe gate,and allthe peoplewentout by hundredsand thousands.
So the peoplewentby stealthinto the citythat day,as peoplewho are humiliatedstealawaywhen they fleein battle.
Then a crypassedthroughoutthe armyclose to sunset,saying,"Everymanto his cityand everymanto his country."
Judahwas defeatedby Israel,and they fledeachto his tent.
Then Joramcrossedoverto Zair,and allhis chariotswith him. And he aroseby nightand struckthe Edomiteswho had surroundedhim and the captainsof the chariots;but [his] armyfledto their tents.
So the Philistinesfoughtand Israelwas defeated,and everymanfledto his tent;and the slaughterwas verygreat,for there fellof Israelthirtythousandfootsoldiers.
