2 Samuel (2 Kings) 18
Commentary from 7 fathers
And David numbered the people with him, and set over them captains of thousands and captains of hundreds.
ΚΑΙ ἐπεσκέψατο Δαυὶδ τὸν λαὸν τὸν μετ’ αὐτοῦ καὶ κατέστησεν ἐπ’ αὐτῶν χιλιάρχους καὶ ἑκατοντάρχους.
И҆ соглѧ́да даві́дъ всѣ́хъ люді́й сꙋ́щихъ съ ни́мъ, и҆ поста́ви над̾ ни́ми тысѧщенача́льники и҆ со́тники.
And David sent away the people, the third part under the hand of Joab, and the third part under the hand of Abessa the son of Saruia, the brother of Joab, and the third part under the hand of Ethi the Gittite. And David said to the people, I also will surely go out with you.
καὶ ἀπέστειλε Δαυὶδ τὸν λαόν, τὸ τρίτον ἐν χειρὶ ᾿Ιωὰβ καὶ τὸ τρίτον ἐν χειρὶ ᾿Αβεσσὰ υἱοῦ Σαρουΐας ἀδελφοῦ ᾿Ιωὰβ καὶ τὸ τρίτον ἐν χειρὶ ᾿Εθὶ τοῦ Γεθθαίου. καὶ εἶπε Δαυὶδ πρὸς τὸν λαόν· ἐξελθὼν ἐξελεύσομαι καί γε ἐγὼ μεθ’ ὑμῶν.
И҆ посла̀ даві́дъ тре́тїю ча́сть люді́й под̾ рꙋко́ю і҆ѡа́влею и҆ тре́тїю ча́сть под̾ рꙋко́ю а҆ве́ссы сы́на сарꙋ́ина бра́та і҆ѡа́влѧ, и҆ тре́тїю ча́сть под̾ рꙋко́ю є҆ѳѳе́а геѳѳе́ина, и҆ речѐ даві́дъ къ лю́демъ: ше́дъ и҆зы́дꙋ и҆ а҆́зъ съ ва́ми.
And they said, Thou shalt not go out: for if we should indeed flee, they will not care for us; and if half of us should die, they will not mind us; for thou [art] as ten thousand of us: and now [it is] well that thou shalt be to us an aid to help us in the city.
καὶ εἶπαν· οὐκ ἐξελεύσῃ, ὅτι ἐὰν φυγῇ φύγωμεν, οὐ θήσουσιν ἐφ’ ἡμᾶς καρδίαν, καὶ ἐὰν ἀποθάνωμεν τὸ ἥμισυ ἡμῶν, οὐ θήσουσιν ἐφ’ ἡμᾶς καρδίαν, ὅτι σὺ ὡς ἡμεῖς δέκα χιλιάδες· καὶ νῦν ἀγαθὸν ὅτι ἔσῃ ἡμῖν ἐν τῇ πόλει βοήθεια τοῦ βοηθεῖν.
И҆ рѣ́ша: не и҆зы́ди, ꙗ҆́кѡ а҆́ще бѣ́гствомъ побѣ́гнемъ, не положа́тъ на на́съ се́рдца: и҆ а҆́ще ᲂу҆́мремъ по́лъ на́съ, не положа́тъ на на́съ се́рдца, поне́же ты̀ а҆́ки мы̀ де́сѧть ты́сѧщъ: и҆ нн҃ѣ лꙋ́чше, ꙗ҆́кѡ ѡ҆ста́неши во гра́дѣ на по́мощь на́мъ.
And the king said to them, Whatsoever shall seem good in your eyes I will do. And the king stood by the side of the gate, and all the people went out by hundreds and by thousands.
καὶ εἶπε πρὸς αὐτοὺς ὁ βασιλεύς· ὃ ἐὰν ἀρέσῃ ἐν ὀφθαλμοῖς ὑμῶν, ποιήσω. καὶ ἔστη ὁ βασιλεὺς ἀνὰ χεῖρα τῆς πύλης, καὶ πᾶς ὁ λαὸς ἐξεπορεύετο εἰς ἑκατοντάδας καὶ εἰς χιλιάδας.
И҆ речѐ и҆̀мъ ца́рь: є҆́же ᲂу҆го́дно пред̾ ѻ҆чи́ма ва́шима, сотворю̀. И҆ ста̀ ца́рь при вратѣ́хъ: и҆ всѝ лю́дїе и҆схожда́хꙋ ста́ми и҆ ты́сѧщами.
And the king commanded Joab and Abessa and Ethi, saying, Spare for my sake the young man Abessalom. And all the people heard the king charging all the commanders concerning Abessalom.
καὶ ἐνετείλατο ὁ βασιλεὺς τῷ ᾿Ιωὰβ καὶ τῷ ᾿Αβεσσὰ καὶ τῷ ᾿Εθὶ λέγων· φείσασθέ μοι τοῦ παιδαρίου τοῦ ᾿Αβεσσαλώμ· καὶ πᾶς ὁ λαὸς ἤκουσεν ἐντελλομένου τοῦ βασιλέως πᾶσι τοῖς ἄρχουσιν ὑπὲρ ᾿Αβεσσαλώμ,
И҆ заповѣ́да ца́рь і҆ѡа́вꙋ и҆ а҆ве́ссѣ и҆ є҆ѳѳе́еви, глаго́лѧ: пощади́те мѝ ѻ҆́трока а҆вессалѡ́ма. И҆ всѝ лю́дїе слы́шаша заповѣ́дающа царѧ̀ всѣ̑мъ кнѧзє́мъ ѡ҆ а҆вессалѡ́мѣ.
And the people of Israel fell down there before the servants of David, and there was a great slaughter in that day, [even] twenty thousand men.
καὶ ἔπταισεν ἐκεῖ ὁ λαὸς ᾿Ισραὴλ ἐνώπιον τῶν παίδων Δαυίδ, καὶ ἐγένετο ἡ θραῦσις μεγάλη ἐν τῇ ἡμέρᾳ ἐκείνῃ, εἴκοσι χιλιάδες ἀνδρῶν.
И҆ падо́ша та́мѡ лю́дїе і҆и҃лєвы пред̾ ѻ҆́трѡки даві́довыми, и҆ бы́сть сокрꙋше́нїе вели́ко въ то́й де́нь, ꙗ҆́кѡ два́десѧть ты́сѧщъ мꙋже́й.
And the battle there was scattered over the face of all the land: and the wood consumed more of the people than the sword consumed among the people in that day.
καὶ ἐγένετο ἐκεῖ ὁ πόλεμος διεσπαρμένος ἐπὶ πρόσωπον πάσης τῆς γῆς, καὶ ἐπλεόνασεν ὁ δρυμὸς τοῦ καταφαγεῖν ἐκ τοῦ λαοῦ ὑπὲρ οὓς κατέφαγεν ἐν τῷ λαῷ ἡ μάχαιρα τῇ ἡμέρᾳ ἐκείνῃ.
И҆ бы́сть та́мѡ бра́нь разсы́пана по лицꙋ̀ всеѧ̀ землѝ: и҆ ᲂу҆мно́жи дꙋбра́ва поѧда́ти люді́й, па́че не́же и҆̀хъ поѧдѐ ме́чь въ то́й де́нь.
And Abessalom went to meet the servants of David: and Abessalom was mounted on his mule, and the mule came under the thick boughs of a great oak; and his head was entangled in the oak, and he was suspended between heaven and earth; and the mule passed on from under him.
καὶ συνήντησεν ᾿Αβεσσαλὼμ ἐνώπιον τῶν παίδων Δαυίδ, καὶ ᾿Αβεσσαλὼμ ἦν ἐπιβεβηκὼς ἐπὶ τοῦ ἡμιόνου αὐτοῦ, καὶ εἰσῆλθεν ὁ ἡμίονος ὑπὸ τὸ δάσος τῆς δρυὸς τῆς μεγάλης, καὶ περιεπλάκη ἡ κεφαλὴ αὐτοῦ ἐν τῇ δρυΐ, καὶ ἐκρεμάσθη ἀνὰ μέσον τοῦ οὐρανοῦ καὶ ἀνὰ μέσον τῆς γῆς, καὶ ὁ ἡμίονος ὑποκάτω αὐτοῦ παρῆλθε.
И҆ набѣжа̀ а҆вессалѡ́мъ на ѻ҆́троки даві́дѡвы: а҆вессалѡ́мъ же бѣ̀ сѣдѧ́й на мскѣ̀ свое́мъ, и҆ вбѣжа̀ (съ ни́мъ) ме́скъ въ ча́щꙋ дꙋ́ба вели́кагѡ, и҆ ѡ҆бви́шасѧ власы̀ главы̀ є҆гѡ̀ на дꙋ́бѣ, и҆ пови́сѣ междꙋ̀ не́бомъ и҆ земле́ю, ме́скъ же под̾ ни́мъ про́йде.
When Absalom was cruelly attacking his father David, the speed of his mule caused him to collide with a thick oak tree, and the branches wound round his neck so that he was suspended high in the air. This was a prefiguration of the Lord’s betrayer. Just as Judas ended his life in the knot of a noose, so also David’s persecutor breathed his last through the pressure on his throat.
Exposition of the Psalms 3.1
And a man saw it, and reported to Joab, and said, Behold, I saw Abessalom hanging in an oak.
καὶ εἶδεν ἀνὴρ εἷς καὶ ἀνήγγειλε τῷ ᾿Ιωὰβ καὶ εἶπεν· ἰδοὺ ἑώρακα τὸν ᾿Αβεσσαλὼμ κρεμάμενον ἐν τῇ δρυΐ.
И҆ ви́дѣ мꙋ́жъ є҆ди́нъ и҆ возвѣстѝ і҆ѡа́вꙋ, и҆ речѐ: сѐ, ви́дѣхъ ви́сѧща а҆вессалѡ́ма на дꙋ́бѣ.
And Joab said to the man who reported it to him, And, behold, thou didst see him: why didst thou not smite him there to the ground? and I would have given thee ten [pieces] of silver, and a girdle.
καὶ εἶπεν ᾿Ιωὰβ τῷ ἀνδρὶ τῷ ἀναγγέλλοντι αὐτῷ· καὶ ἰδοὺ ἑώρακας· τί ὅτι οὐκ ἐπάταξας αὐτὸν ἐκεῖ εἰς τὴν γῆν; καὶ ἐγὼ ἂν ἐδεδώκειν σοι δέκα ἀργυρίου καὶ παραζώνην μίαν.
И҆ речѐ і҆ѡа́въ мꙋ́жꙋ возвѣсти́вшемꙋ є҆мꙋ̀: а҆́ще ви́дѣлъ є҆сѝ, почто̀ не ᲂу҆би́лъ є҆сѝ є҆го̀ та́мѡ на зе́млю; и҆ а҆́зъ да́лъ бы́хъ тебѣ̀ пѧтьдесѧ́тъ сі̑кль сребра̀ и҆ по́ѧсъ є҆ди́нъ.
And the man said to Joab, Were I even to receive a thousand shekels of silver, I would not lift my hand against the king’s son; for in our ears the king charged thee and Abessa and Ethi, saying, Take care of the young man Abessalom for me,
εἶπε δὲ ὁ ἀνὴρ πρὸς ᾿Ιωάβ· καὶ ἐγώ εἰμι ἵστημι ἐπὶ τὰς χεῖράς μου χιλίους σίκλους ἀργυρίου, οὐ μὴ ἐπιβάλω τὴν χεῖρά μου ἐπὶ τὸν υἱὸν τοῦ βασιλέως, ὅτι ἐν τοῖς ὠσὶν ἡμῶν ἐνετείλατο ὁ βασιλεύς σοι καὶ τῷ ᾿Αβεσσὰ καὶ τῷ ᾿Εθθὶ λέγων· φυλάξατέ μοι τὸ παιδάριον τὸν ᾿Αβεσσαλὼμ
И҆ речѐ мꙋ́жъ і҆ѡа́вꙋ: а҆́ще ты̀ вложи́ши въ рꙋ́цѣ моѝ и҆ ты́сѧщꙋ сі̑кль сребра̀, то̀ не возложꙋ̀ рꙋкѝ моеѧ̀ на сы́на царе́ва, ꙗ҆́кѡ при ᲂу҆шеса́хъ на́шихъ заповѣ́да ца́рь тебѣ̀ и҆ а҆ве́ссѣ и҆ є҆ѳѳе́еви, глаго́лѧ: соблюди́те мѝ ѻ҆троча̀ а҆вессалѡ́ма,
so as to do no harm to his life: and nothing of the matter will be concealed from the king, and thou wilt set thyself against me.
μὴ ποιῆσαι ἐν τῇ ψυχῇ αὐτοῦ ἄδικον· καὶ πᾶς ὁ λόγος οὐ λήσεται ἀπὸ τοῦ βασιλέως, καὶ σὺ στήσῃ ἐξεναντίας.
не сотвори́ти дꙋшѝ є҆гѡ̀ непра́вды: и҆ всѧ́ко сло́во не ᲂу҆таи́тсѧ пред̾ царе́мъ, ты́ же стои́ши сопроти́внѡ.
And Joab said, I will begin this; I will not thus remain with thee. And Joab took three darts in his hand, and thrust them into the heart of Abessalom, while he was yet alive in the heart of the oak.
καὶ εἶπεν ὁ ᾿Ιωάβ· τοῦτο ἐγὼ ἄρξομαι· οὐχ οὕτως μενῶ ἐνώπιόν σου. καὶ ἔλαβεν ᾿Ιωὰβ τρία βέλη ἐν τῇ χειρὶ αὐτοῦ καὶ ἐνέπηξεν αὐτὰ ἐν τῇ καρδίᾳ ᾿Αβεσσαλὼμ ἔτι αὐτοῦ ζῶντος ἐν τῇ καρδίᾳ τῆς δρυός.
И҆ речѐ і҆ѡа́въ: сїѐ а҆́зъ начнꙋ̀, не та́кѡ пребꙋ́дꙋ пред̾ тобо́ю. И҆ взѧ̀ і҆ѡа́въ трѝ стрѣлы̑ въ рꙋ́цѣ своѝ, и҆ вонзѐ ѧ҆̀ въ се́рдце а҆вессалѡ́мꙋ. И҆ є҆щѐ є҆мꙋ̀ жи́вꙋ сꙋ́щꙋ на дꙋ́бѣ,
It is becoming, therefore, that you also should be obedient to your bishop and contradict him in nothing, for it is a fearful thing to contradict any such person. For no one does [by such conduct] deceive him that is visible but does [in reality] seek to mock him that is invisible, who, however, cannot be mocked by anyone. And every such act has respect not to people but to God. For God says to Samuel, “They have not mocked you, but me.” And Moses declares, “For their murmuring is not against us but against the Lord God.” … Absalom, again, who had slain his brother, became suspended on a tree, and had his evil-designing heart thrust through with darts. In like manner was Abeddadan beheaded for the same reason. Uzziah, when he presumed to oppose the priests and the priesthood, was smitten with leprosy. Saul also was dishonored, because he did not wait for Samuel the high priest. It is necessary for you, therefore, also to reverence your superiors.
Letter to the Magnesians 3
And ten young men that bore Joab’s armour compassed Abessalom, and smote him and slew him.
καὶ ἐκύκλωσαν δέκα παιδάρια αἴροντα τὰ σκεύη ᾿Ιωὰβ καὶ ἐπάταξαν τὸν ᾿Αβεσσαλὼμ καὶ ἐθανάτωσαν αὐτόν.
и҆ ѡ҆бстꙋпи́ша де́сѧть ѻ҆́трѡкъ носѧ́щїи ѻ҆рꙋ́жїе і҆ѡа́вле, и҆ порази́ша а҆вессалѡ́ма, и҆ ᲂу҆мертви́ша є҆го̀.
And Joab blew the trumpet, and the people returned from pursuing Israel, for Joab spared the people.
καὶ ἐσάλπισεν ᾿Ιωὰβ ἐν κερατίνῃ, καὶ ἀπέστρεψεν ὁ λαὸς τοῦ μὴ διώκειν ὀπίσω ᾿Ισραήλ, ὅτι ἐφείδετο ᾿Ιωὰβ τοῦ λαοῦ.
И҆ вострꙋбѝ і҆ѡа́въ трꙋбо́ю ро́жаною, и҆ возврати́шасѧ лю́дїе не гна́ти в̾слѣ́дъ і҆и҃лѧ, ꙗ҆́кѡ щадѧ́ше і҆ѡа́въ люді́й.
And he took Abessalom, and cast him into a great cavern in the wood, into a deep pit, and set up over him a very great heap of stones: and all Israel fled every man to his tent.
καὶ ἔλαβε τὸν ᾿Αβεσσαλὼμ καὶ ἔρριψεν αὐτὸν εἰς χάσμα μέγα ἐν τῷ δρυμῷ εἰς τὸν βόθυνον τὸν μέγαν καὶ ἐστήλωσεν ἐπ’ αὐτὸν σωρὸν λίθων μέγαν σφόδρα. καὶ πᾶς ᾿Ισραὴλ ἔφυγεν ἀνὴρ εἰς τὸ σκήνωμα αὐτοῦ.
И҆ взѧ̀ і҆ѡа́въ а҆вессалѡ́ма, и҆ вве́рже є҆го̀ въ про́пасть вели́кꙋ въ дꙋбра́вѣ, и҆ складѐ над̾ ни́мъ кꙋ́пꙋ ка́менїѧ вели́кꙋ ѕѣлѡ̀. И҆ всѝ і҆и҃льтѧне бѣжа́ша кі́йждо въ селє́нїѧ своѧ̑.
And what shall I say of Peter who at the sixth hour went up upon the house-top, and there learnt the mystery of the baptism of the Gentiles. But the homicide Absalom had reared for himself a pillar in the King's dale, and then, after his death, he was cast into a great pit. So then the saints ascend unto the Lord, the wicked descend to crime; the saints are on the mountains, the wicked in the valleys; For God is the God of the hills, not of the plains.
Letter 28.2
But they, as we have sometimes said before in other places, do not charge themselves with what they do to us; while, on the other hand, they charge us with what they do to themselves. For which of our party is there who would desire, I do not say that one of them should perish but should even lose any of his possessions? But if the house of David could not earn peace on any other terms except that Absalom his son should have been slain in the war which he was waging against his father, although he had most carefully given strict injunctions to his followers that they should use their utmost endeavors to preserve him alive and safe, that his paternal affection might be able to pardon him on his repentance, what remained for him except to weep for the son that he had lost and to console himself in his sorrow by reflecting on the acquisition of peace for his kingdom?
The Correction of the Donatists 8.32
Now Abessalom while yet alive had taken and set up for himself the pillar near which he was taken, and set it up so as to have the pillar in the king’s dale; for he said he had no son to keep his name in remembrance: and he called the pillar, Abessalom’s hand, until this day.
καὶ ᾿Αβεσσαλὼμ ἔτι ζῶν ἔλαβε καὶ ἔστησεν ἑαυτῷ τὴν στήλην, ἐν ᾗ ἐλήφθη, καὶ ἐστήλωσεν αὐτὴν λαβεῖν τὴν στήλην τὴν ἐν τῇ κοιλάδι τοῦ βασιλέως, ὅτι εἶπεν· οὐκ ἔστιν αὐτῷ υἱὸς ἕνεκα τοῦ ἀναμνῆσαι τὸ ὄνομα αὐτοῦ· καὶ ἐκάλεσε τὴν στήλην Χεὶρ ᾿Αβεσσαλὼμ ἕως τῆς ἡμέρας ταύτης.
А҆вессалѡ́мъ же є҆щѐ жи́въ сы́й, взѧ̀ и҆ поста́ви себѣ̀ сто́лпъ во ю҆до́ли ца́рстѣй, рече́ бо, ꙗ҆́кѡ нѣ́сть мѝ сы́на на па́мѧть и҆́мене моегѡ̀: и҆ наречѐ сто́лпъ и҆́менемъ свои́мъ и҆ наречѐ є҆го̀ рꙋка̀ а҆вессалѡ́млѧ, да́же до дне́шнѧгѡ днѐ.
And Achimaas the son of Sadoc said, Let me run now and carry glad tidings to the king, for the Lord has delivered him from the hand of his enemies.
καὶ ᾿Αχιμάας υἱὸς Σαδὼκ εἶπε· δράμω δὴ καὶ εὐαγγελιῶ τῷ βασιλεῖ, ὅτι ἔκρινε Κύριος ἐκ χειρὸς τῶν ἐχθρῶν αὐτοῦ.
И҆ а҆хїмаа́съ сы́нъ садѡ́ковъ речѐ ко і҆ѡа́вꙋ: потекꙋ̀ нн҃ѣ и҆ возвѣщꙋ̀ царю̀, ꙗ҆́кѡ сꙋдѝ є҆мꙋ̀ гдⷭ҇ь ѿ рꙋкѝ врагѡ́въ є҆гѡ̀.
And Joab said to him, Thou [shalt] not [be] a messenger of glad tidings this day; thou shalt bear them another day; but on this day thou shalt bear no tidings, because the king’s son is dead.
καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ ᾿Ιωάβ· οὐκ ἀνὴρ εὐαγγελίας σὺ ἐν τῇ ἡμέρᾳ ταύτῃ καὶ εὐαγγελιῇ ἐν ἡμέρᾳ ἄλλῃ, ἐν δὲ τῇ ἡμέρᾳ ταύτῃ οὐκ εὐαγγελιῇ, οὗ εἵνεκεν ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ βασιλέως ἀπέθανε.
И҆ речѐ є҆мꙋ̀ і҆ѡа́въ: нѣ́си мꙋ́жъ ты̀ возвѣща́ѧй бла́го дне́сь, но возвѣсти́ши въ де́нь дрꙋгі́й: въ дне́шнїй же де́нь не добро̀ возвѣще́нїе, поне́же сы́нъ царе́въ ᲂу҆́мре.
And Joab said to Chusi, Go, report to the king all that thou hast seen. And Chusi did obeisance to Joab, and went out.
καὶ εἶπεν ᾿Ιωὰβ τῷ Χουσί· βαδίσας ἀνάγγειλον τῷ βασιλεῖ ὅσα εἶδες· καὶ προσεκύνησε Χουσὶ τῷ ᾿Ιωὰβ καὶ ἐξῆλθε.
И҆ речѐ і҆ѡа́въ хꙋсі́ю: ше́дъ повѣ́ждь царю̀ є҆ли̑ка ви́дѣлъ є҆сѝ. И҆ поклони́сѧ хꙋсі́й і҆ѡа́вꙋ и҆ ѿи́де.
And Achimaas the son of Sadoc said again to Joab, Nay, let me also run after Chusi. And Joab said, Why wouldest thou thus run, my son? attend, thou hast no tidings for profit if thou go.
καὶ προσέθετο ἔτι ᾿Αχιμάας υἱὸς Σαδὼκ καὶ εἶπε πρὸς ᾿Ιωάβ· καὶ ἔστω ὅτι δράμω καί γε ἐγὼ ὀπίσω τοῦ Χουσί. καὶ εἶπεν ᾿Ιωάβ· ἱνατί σὺ τοῦτο τρέχεις, υἱέ μου; δεῦρο, οὐκ ἔστι σοι εὐαγγέλια εἰς ὠφέλειαν πορευομένῳ.
И҆ приложѝ є҆щѐ а҆хїмаа́съ сы́нъ садѡ́ковъ и҆ речѐ ко і҆ѡа́вꙋ: что̀ бꙋ́детъ, а҆́ще и҆ а҆́зъ текꙋ̀ в̾слѣ́дъ хꙋсі́а; И҆ речѐ і҆ѡа́въ: почто̀ ты̀ хо́щеши тещѝ, сы́не мо́й; грѧдѝ, нѣ́сть тебѣ̀ возвѣще́нїе въ по́льзꙋ и҆дꙋ́щемꙋ.
And he said, Why should I not run? and Joab said to him, Run. And Achimaas ran along the way of Kechar, and outran Chusi.
καὶ εἶπε· τί γὰρ ἐὰν δράμω; καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ ᾿Ιωάβ· δράμε. καὶ ἔδραμεν ᾿Αχιμάας τὴν ὁδὸν τὴν τοῦ Κεχὰρ καὶ ὑπερέβη τὸν Χουσί.
И҆ речѐ а҆хїмаа́съ: что́ бо а҆́ще потекꙋ̀; И҆ речѐ є҆мꙋ̀ і҆ѡа́въ: тецы̀. И҆ бѣжа́ше а҆хїмаа́съ пꙋте́мъ ра́внымъ и҆ предварѝ хꙋсі́а.
And David was sitting between the two gates: and the watchman went up on the top of the gate of the wall, and lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold a man running alone before him.
καὶ Δαυὶδ ἐκάθητο ἀνὰ μέσον τῶν δύο πυλῶν. καὶ ἐπορεύθη ὁ σκοπὸς εἰς τὸ δῶμα τῆς πύλης πρὸς τὸ τεῖχος καὶ ἐπῇρε τοὺς ὀφθαλμοὺς αὐτοῦ καὶ εἶδε καὶ ἰδοὺ ἀνὴρ τρέχων μόνος ἐνώπιον αὐτοῦ
Даві́дъ же сѣдѧ́ше посредѣ̀ двою̀ вра́тъ. И҆ и҆зы́де стра́жъ на кро́въ вра́тъ ко стѣнѣ̀, и҆ воздви́же ѻ҆́чи своѝ, и҆ ви́дѣ, и҆ сѐ, мꙋ́жъ текі́й є҆ди́нъ пред̾ ни́мъ.
And the watchman cried out, and reported to the king. And the king said, If he be alone, [there are] good tidings in his mouth. And the man came and drew near.
καὶ ἀνεβόησεν ὁ σκοπὸς καὶ ἀπήγγειλε τῷ βασιλεῖ. καὶ εἶπεν ὁ βασιλεύς· εἰ μόνος ἐστίν, εὐαγγελία ἐν τῷ στόματι αὐτοῦ. καὶ ἐπορεύετο πορευόμενος καὶ ἐγγίζων.
И҆ возопѝ стра́жъ и҆ сказа̀ царе́ви. И҆ речѐ ца́рь: а҆́ще є҆ди́нъ є҆́сть, бла́го возвѣще́нїе во ᲂу҆стѣ́хъ є҆гѡ̀. И҆ и҆дѧ́ше и҆ды́й и҆ приближа́ѧсѧ.
And the watchman saw another man running: and the watchman cried at the gate, and said, And look, another man running alone. And the king said, He also brings glad tidings.
καὶ εἶδεν ὁ σκοπὸς ἄνδρα ἕτερον τρέχοντα, καὶ ἐβόησεν ὁ σκοπὸς πρὸς τῇ πύλῃ καὶ εἶπε· καὶ ἰδοὺ ἀνὴρ ἕτερος τρέχων μόνος. καὶ εἶπεν ὁ βασιλεύς· καί γε οὗτος εὐαγγελιζόμενος.
И҆ ви́дѣ стра́жъ мꙋ́жа дрꙋга́го текꙋ́ща, и҆ возопѝ къ две́ремъ и҆ речѐ: сѐ, мꙋ́жъ и҆ дрꙋгі́й текꙋ́щь є҆ди́нъ. И҆ речѐ ца́рь: и҆ то́й є҆́сть бла́го возвѣща́ѧй.
And the watchman said, I see the running of the first as the running of Achimaas the son of Sadoc. And the king said, He [is] a good man, and will come to [report] glad tidings.
καὶ εἶπεν ὁ σκοπός· ἐγὼ ὁρῷ τὸν δρόμον τοῦ πρώτου ὡς δρόμον ᾿Αχιμάας υἱοῦ Σαδώκ. καὶ εἶπεν ὁ βασιλεύς· ἀνὴρ ἀγαθὸς οὗτος καί γε εἰς εὐαγγελίαν ἀγαθὴν ἐλεύσεται.
И҆ речѐ стра́жъ: а҆́зъ ви́ждꙋ тече́нїе пе́рвагѡ, ꙗ҆́кѡ тече́нїе а҆хїмаа́са сы́на садѡ́кова. И҆ речѐ ца́рь: мꙋ́жъ бла́гъ се́й, и҆ возвѣ́стїе благо́е прїи́детъ.
And Achimaas cried out and said to the king, Peace. And he did obeisance to the king with his face to the ground, and said, Blessed [be] the Lord thy God, who has delivered up the men that lifted up their hands against my lord the king.
καὶ ἐβόησεν ᾿Αχιμάας καὶ εἶπε πρὸς τὸν βασιλέα· εἰρήνη· καὶ προσεκύνησε τῷ βασιλεῖ ἐπὶ πρόσωπον αὐτοῦ ἐπὶ τὴν γῆν καὶ εἶπεν· εὐλογητὸς Κύριος ὁ Θεός σου, ὃς ἀπέκλεισε τοὺς ἄνδρας τοὺς ἐπαραμένους τὴν χεῖρα αὐτῶν ἐν τῷ κυρίῳ μου τῷ βασιλεῖ.
И҆ возопѝ а҆хїмаа́съ и҆ речѐ ко царю̀: ми́ръ. И҆ поклони́сѧ царю̀ лице́мъ свои́мъ на зе́млю и҆ речѐ: блгⷭ҇ве́нъ гдⷭ҇ь бг҃ъ тво́й, и҆́же затворѝ мꙋже́й воздви́гшихъ рꙋ́ки своѧ̑ на господи́на моего̀ царѧ̀.
And the king said, [Is] the young man Abessalom safe? and Achimaas said, I saw a great multitude [at the time] of Joab’s sending the king’s servant and thy servant, and I knew not what was there.
καὶ εἶπεν ὁ βασιλεύς· εἰρήνη τῷ παιδαρίῳ τῷ ᾿Αβεσσαλώμ; καὶ εἶπεν ᾿Αχιμάας· εἶδον τὸ πλῆθος τὸ μέγα τοῦ ἀποστεῖλαι τὸν δοῦλον τοῦ βασιλέως ᾿Ιωὰβ καὶ τὸν δοῦλόν σου, καὶ οὐκ ἔγνων τί ἐκεῖ.
И҆ речѐ ца́рь: ми́ръ ли ѻ҆́трочищꙋ а҆вессалѡ́мꙋ; И҆ речѐ а҆хїмаа́съ: ви́дѣхъ мно́жество вели́ко веселѧ́щеесѧ, є҆гда̀ ѿпꙋща́ше ра́бъ царе́въ і҆ѡа́въ раба̀ твоего̀, и҆ не разꙋмѣ́хъ что̀ та́мѡ.
And the king said, Turn aside, stand still here. And he turned aside, and stood.
καὶ εἶπεν ὁ βασιλεύς· ἐπίστρεψον, στηλώθητι ὧδε· καὶ ἐπεστράφη καὶ ἔστη.
И҆ речѐ ца́рь: возврати́сѧ, и҆ ста́ни здѣ̀. И҆ ше́дъ ста̀ созадѝ.
And, behold, Chusi came up, and said to the king, Let my lord the king hear glad tidings, for the Lord has avenged thee this day upon all them that rose up against thee.
καὶ ἰδοὺ ὁ Χουσὶ παρεγένετο καὶ εἶπε τῷ βασιλεῖ· εὐαγγελισθήτω ὁ κύριός μου ὁ βασιλεύς, ὅτι ἔκρινέ σοι Κύριος σήμερον ἐκ χειρὸς πάντων τῶν ἐπεγειρομένων ἐπὶ σέ.
И҆ сѐ, хꙋсі́й в̾слѣ́дъ є҆гѡ̀ прїи́де и҆ речѐ царю̀: возвѣща́етсѧ бла́го господи́нꙋ моемꙋ̀ царю̀, ꙗ҆́кѡ сꙋдѝ тебѣ̀ гдⷭ҇ь дне́сь ѿ рꙋкѝ всѣ́хъ востаю́щихъ на тѧ̀.
When his rebellious son chased him from his kingdom, the Lord soon delivered David. Not only did the Lord deliver him, but [he] delivered him more fully than the one delivered wished. This was that God might show that the injustice is more grievous to himself than to those who suffer it. He who avenges beyond the wish of him who is being avenged, what else does he want understood than that he himself is being avenged in him for whom he is doing the avenging? Thus, when, for his attempted patricide, David’s son being hanged on a cross not made by human hands, the Scripture says that the punishment, divinely brought on him, was thus announced: “I bring good tidings, my lord, the king: for the Lord has judged on your behalf this day from the hand of all that have risen up against you.”You see how the Scriptures prove by divine witnesses that God judges not only by deeds and by examples, as I have already said, but does so today by the very name and terms of judgment.
The Governance of God 2.3-4
And the king said to Chusi, Is it well with the young man Abessalom? and Chusi said, Let the enemies of my lord the king, and all whosoever have risen up against him for evil, be as that young man.
καὶ εἶπεν ὁ βασιλεὺς πρὸς τὸν Χουσί· εἰ εἰρήνη τῷ παιδαρίῳ τῷ ᾿Αβεσσαλώμ; καὶ εἶπεν ὁ Χουσί· γένοιντο ὡς τὸ παιδάριον οἱ ἐχθροὶ τοῦ κυρίου μου τοῦ βασιλέως καὶ πάντες, ὅσοι ἐπανέστησαν ἐπ’ αὐτὸν εἰς κακά.
И҆ речѐ ца́рь къ хꙋсі́ю: ми́ръ ли ѻ҆́трочищꙋ а҆вессалѡ́мꙋ; И҆ речѐ хꙋсі́й: да бꙋ́дꙋтъ, ꙗ҆́коже ѻ҆́трочищь, вразѝ господи́на моегѡ̀ царѧ̀, и҆ всѝ є҆ли́цы воста́ша на́нь ѕло́бою.
And the king was troubled, and went to the chamber over the gate, and wept: and thus he said as he went, My son Abessalom, my son, my son Abessalom; would God I had died for thee, [even] I [had died] for thee, Abessalom, my son, my son!
καὶ ἐταράχθη ὁ βασιλεὺς καὶ ἀνέβη εἰς τὸ ὑπερῷον τῆς πύλης καὶ ἔκλαυσε· καὶ οὕτως εἶπεν ἐν τῷ πορεύεσθαι αὐτόν· υἱέ μου ᾿Αβεσσαλώμ, υἱέ μου, υἱέ μου ᾿Αβεσσαλώμ, τίς δῴη τὸν θάνατόν μου ἀντὶ σοῦ; ἐγὼ ἀντὶ σοῦ, ᾿Αβεσσαλώμ, υἱέ μου υἱέ μου.
И҆ смѧте́сѧ ца́рь, и҆ взы́де на го́рницꙋ ꙗ҆́же на вратѣ́хъ, и҆ пла́касѧ: и҆ та́кѡ глаго́лаше, є҆гда̀ пла́каше: сы́не мо́й, а҆вессалѡ́ме, сы́не мо́й, сы́не мо́й, а҆вессалѡ́ме: кто̀ да́стъ сме́рть мнѣ̀ вмѣ́стѡ тебє̀; а҆́зъ вмѣ́стѡ тебє̀, а҆вессалѡ́ме, сы́не мо́й, сы́не мо́й, сы́не мо́й а҆вессалѡ́ме.
But that same David, that the difference of his actions may not perhaps disturb those who cling to the words of Scripture; that same David, I say, who had not wept for the innocent infant, wept for the parricide when dead. For at the last, when he was wailing and mourning, he said, "O my son Absalom, my son Absalom! Who will grant me to die for thee!" But not only is Absalom the parricide wept over, Amnon is wept over; not only is the incestuous wept over, but is even avenged; the one by the scorn of the kingdom, the other by the exile of his brothers. The wicked is wept over, not the innocent. What is the cause? What is the reason? There is no little deliberation with the prudent and confirmation of results with the wise; for there is great consistency of prudence in so great a difference of actions, but the belief is one. He wept for those who were dead, but did not think that he ought to weep for the dead infant, for he thought that they were lost to him, but hoped that the latter would rise again.
On the Decease of His Brother Satyrus, Book 2.28
So great is the concern and sympathy of a good pastor. For David was deeply moved at their falling, as when one’s own children are killed. And on this ground he begged that the wrath might come upon himself. And in the beginning of the slaughter he would have done this, unless he had seen it advancing and expected that it would come to himself. When therefore he saw that this did not happen, but that the calamity was raging among them, he no longer forbore but was touched more than for Amnon his firstborn. For then he did not ask for death, but now he begs to fall in preference to the others. Such ought a ruler to be and to grieve rather at the calamities of others than his own. Some such thing he suffered in his son’s case likewise, that you might see that he did not love his son more than his subjects. The youth was promiscuous and mistreated his father, yet still the father said, “Would that I might have died for you!” What do you say, you blessed one, you who are meekest of all men? Your son was set upon killing you and surrounded you with unnumbered ills. And when he had been removed, and the trophy was raised, do you then pray to be slain? Yes, he says, for it is not for me that the army has been victorious, but I am warred against more violently than before, and my insides are now more torn than before.
Homilies on Romans 29
When King David had endured this affliction from his wicked and treacherous son, he had not only tolerated his uncontrolled passion but even lamented his death. He was not held ensnared by a carnal jealousy, since it was not the outrages inflicted on him, but rather the sins of his son that troubled him. For he had forbidden that his son be killed if he were conquered in order that opportunity for repentance might be reserved for him after he was vanquished. Since this was impossible, he did not grieve because of his bereavement in the death of his son but because he realized into what punishments such a wickedly adulterous and murderous soul was precipitated.
Christian Instruction 3.21.30
Now what are we to do, seeing how many, with the help of the Lord, find the way of peace through your instrumentality? Surely we neither can nor ought to hold them back from this impulse toward unity, through fear that some, utterly hard and cruel to themselves, may destroy themselves by their own will, not ours. Indeed, we should pray that all who carry the standard of Christ against Christ and boast of the gospel against the gospel may forsake their wrong way and rejoice with us in the unity of Christ. But since God, by an inscrutable yet just disposition of his will, has predestined some of them to the ultimate penalty, undoubtedly it is better for some of them to perish in their own fires, while an incomparably greater number are rescued and won over from that deadly schism and separation, than that all should equally burn in the eternal fires of hell as a punishment for their accursed dissension. The church mourns their loss as holy David mourned the loss of his rebellious son about whose safety he had given orders with anxious love. He grieved over his son’s death, with tearful utterance, although it was the penalty of a wicked impiety; but as his proud and wicked spirit departed to its own place, the people of God that had been divided by his tyranny recognized their king, and the completeness of their reunion consoled the grief of the father for the loss of his son.
Letter 204
But, as we have said elsewhere on occasion, these heretics refuse to take the blame for what they do to us and they lay the blame on us for what they do to themselves. Who of us would wish them to lose anything, much less that they be lost themselves? If the house of David could win peace in no other way than through the death of Absalom, David's son, in the war which he was carrying on against his father—although the latter had instructed his followers with great care to keep him safe and sound as far as it was possible for them to do so, that he might repent and receive pardon from his father's love—what was left for him but to weep for the son that he had lost and find comfort for his grief in the peace thus gained for his kingdom? In the same manner, then, our Catholic mother acts when others who are not her sons make war on her—because it is a fact that this little branch in Africa has been broken off from the great tree which embraces the whole world in the spreading of its branches—and although she is in labor with them in charity, that they may return to the root without which they cannot have true life, still, if she rescues so many others by losing some, especially when these fall by self-destruction, not by the fortune of war as Absalom did, she solaces the grief of her maternal heart and heals it by the deliverance of such numbers of people.
Letter 185.32
And all the people went out into the wood against Israel; and the battle was in the wood of Ephraim.
καὶ ἐξῆλθε πᾶς ὁ λαὸς εἰς τὸν δρυμὸν ἐξεναντίας ᾿Ισραήλ, καὶ ἐγένετο ὁ πόλεμος ἐν τῷ δρυμῷ ᾿Εφραίμ.
И҆ и҆зыдо́ша всѝ лю́дїе въ дꙋбра́вꙋ сопроти́въ і҆и҃лю: и҆ бы́сть бра́нь въ дꙋбра́вѣ є҆фре́мли.