round upon his face, adored, and
blessed the king: and Joab said: This day thy servant hath understood,
that I have found grace in thy sight, my lord, O king: for thou hast
fulfilled the request of thy servant.

Blessed... That is, and gave thanks to the king.

14:23. Then Joab arose and went to Gessur, and brought Absalom to
Jerusalem.

14:24. But the king said: Let him return into his house, and let him not
see my face. So Absalom returned into his house, and saw not the king's
face.

14:25. But in all Israel there was not a man so comely, and so
exceedingly beautiful as Absalom: from the sole of the foot to the crown
of his head there was no blemish in him.

14:26. And when he polled his hair (now he was polled once a year,
because his hair was burdensome to him) he weighed the hair of his head
at two hundred sicles, according to the common weight.

14:27. And there were born to Absalom three sons: and one daughter,
whose name was Thamar, and she was very beautiful.

14:28. And Absalom dwelt two years in Jerusalem, and saw not the king's
face.

14:29. He sent therefore to Joab, to send him to the king: but he would
not come to him. And when he had sent the second time, and he would not
come to him,

14:30. He said to his servants: You know the field of Joab near my
field, that hath a crop of barley: go now and set it on fire. So the
servants of Absalom set the corn on fire. And Joab's servants coming
with their garments rent, said: The servants of Absalom have set part of
the field on fire.

14:31. Then Joab arose, and came to Absalom to his house, and said: Why
have thy servants set my corn on fire?

14:32. And Absalom answered Joab: I sent to thee beseeching thee to come
to me, that I might send thee to the king, to say to him: Wherefore am I
come from Gessur? it had been better for me to be there: I beseech thee
therefore that I may see the face of the king: and if he be mindful of
my iniquity, let him kill me.

14:33. So Joab going in to the king, told him all: and Absalom was
called for, and, he went in to the king: and prostrated himself on the
ground before him: and the king kissed Absalom.

2 Kings Chapter 15

Absalom's policy and conspiracy. David is obliged to flee.

15:1. Now after these things Absalom made himself chariots, and
horsemen, and fifty men to run before him.

15:2. And Absalom rising up early stood by the entrance of the gate, and
when any man had business to come to the