Thenthe kingwentoffto his palaceand spentthe nightfasting,and noentertainmentwas broughtbeforehim; and his sleepfledfrom him.
Then Mephibosheththe sonof Saulcamedownto meetthe king;and he had neithercaredfor his feet,nortrimmedhis mustache,norwashedhis clothes,from the daythe kingdeparteduntilthe dayhe came[home] in peace.
It cameabout when Ahabheardthesewords,that he torehis clothesand puton sackclothand fasted,and he layin sackclothand wentabout despondently.
During that nightthe kingcouldnot sleepso he gavean orderto bringthe bookof records,the chronicles,and they were readbeforethe king.
"They singto the timbreland harpAnd rejoiceat the soundof the flute.
Upon the willowsin the midstof it We hungour harps.
You have heldmy eyelids[open]; I am so troubledthat I cannotspeak.
Also,I collectedfor myself silverand goldand the treasureof kingsand provinces.I providedfor myself male and female singersand the pleasuresof men--manyconcubines.
They have silencedme in the pitAnd have placeda stoneon me.
I did not eatany tastyfood,nordid meator wineentermy mouth,nordid I useany ointmentat all untilthe entirethreeweekswere completed.
Now in the secondyearof the reignof Nebuchadnezzar,Nebuchadnezzarhaddreams;and his spiritwas troubledand his sleeplefthim.
Thenthe kingaroseat dawn,at the breakof day,and wentin hasteto the lions'den.
"And the soundof harpistsand musiciansand flute-playersand trumpeterswill not be heardin you anylonger;and nocraftsmanof anycraftwill be foundin you any longer;and the soundof a millwill not be heardin you any longer;
