Allthe peoplewere quarrelingthroughout allthe tribesof Israel,saying,"The kingdeliveredus from the handof our enemiesand savedus from the handof the Philistines,but nowhe has fledout of the landfrom Absalom.
Davidsaidto allhis servantswhowere with him at Jerusalem,"Ariseand let us flee,for [otherwise] noneof us will escapefrom Absalom.Goin haste,orhe will overtakeus quicklyand bringdowncalamityon us and strikethe citywith the edgeof the sword."
They tookAbsalomand casthim into a deeppitin the forestand erectedoverhim a verygreatheapof stones.And allIsraelfled,eachto his tent.
"However, Absalom,whomwe anointedoverus, has diedin battle.Nowthen, whyare you silentabout bringingthe kingback?"
Now the kingwenton to Gilgal,and Chimhamwenton with him; and allthe peopleof Judahand alsohalfthe peopleof Israelaccompaniedthe king.
"You have also deliveredme from the contentionsof my people;You have keptme as headof the nations;A peoplewhom I have not knownserveme.
So Davidcameto Baal-perazimand defeatedthem there;and he said,"The LORDhas brokenthroughmy enemiesbeforeme like the breakthroughof waters."Thereforehe namedthat placeBaal-perazim.
You have deliveredme from the contentionsof the people;You have placedme as headof the nations;A peoplewhom I have not knownserveme.
"I saidto them, 'Whoeverhas any gold,let them tearit off.'So they gave[it] to me, and I threwit into the fire,and out camethiscalf."
Thus Davidprevailedoverthe Philistinewith a slingand a stone,and he struckthe Philistineand killedhim; but therewas noswordin David'shand.
Saulthen said,"Thusyou shall sayto David,'The kingdoes not desireany dowryexcepta hundredforeskinsof the Philistines,to takevengeanceon the king'senemies.'"Now Saulplannedto make Davidfallby the handof the Philistines.
"For he tookhis lifein his handand struckthe Philistine,and the LORDbroughtabouta greatdeliverancefor allIsrael;you saw[it] and rejoiced.Whythen will you sinagainst innocentbloodby puttingDavidto deathwithouta cause?"
