a messengercameto Joband said,"The oxenwere plowingand the donkeysfeedingbesidethem,
Then a messengercameto David,saying,"The heartsof the menof Israelare with Absalom."
Now on the daywhen his sonsand his daughterswere eatingand drinkingwinein their oldestbrother'shouse,
and the Sabeansattackedand tookthem. They also slewthe servantswith the edgeof the sword,and I alonehave escapedto tellyou."
"Can you bindthe wildoxin a furrowwith ropes,Orwill he harrowthe valleysafteryou?
One courierrunsto meetanother,And one messengerto meetanother,To tellthe kingof BabylonThat his cityhas been capturedfrom end[to end];
Then the one who broughtthe newsreplied,"Israelhas fledbeforethe Philistinesand there has alsobeena greatslaughteramong the people,and your twosonsalso,Hophniand Phinehas,are dead,and the arkof Godhas been taken."