2 Samuel 15
1
After this a it happened that Absalom b provided himself with chariots and horses, and fifty men to run before him.
2
Now Absalom would rise early and stand beside the way to the gate. So it was, whenever anyone who had a c lawsuit came to the king for a decision, that Absalom would call to him and say, "What city are you from?" And he would say, "Your servant is from such and such a tribe of Israel."
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Then Absalom would say to him, "Look, your case is good and right; but there is no deputy of the king to hear you."
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Moreover Absalom would say, d "Oh, that I were made judge in the land, and everyone who has any suit or cause would come to me; then I would give him justice."
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And so it was, whenever anyone came near to bow down to him, that he would put out his hand and take him and e kiss him.
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In this manner Absalom acted toward all Israel who came to the king for judgment. f So Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel.
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Now it came to pass g after forty years that Absalom said to the king, "Please, let me go to h Hebron and pay the vow which I made to the LORD.
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i "For your servant j took a vow k while I dwelt at Geshur in Syria, saying, 'If the LORD indeed brings me back to Jerusalem, then I will serve the LORD.' "
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And the king said to him, "Go in peace." So he arose and went to Hebron.
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Then Absalom sent spies throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, "As soon as you hear the sound of the trumpet, then you shall say, 'Absalom l reigns in Hebron!' "
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And with Absalom went two hundred men m invited from Jerusalem, and they n went along innocently and did not know anything.
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Then Absalom sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, o David's counselor, from his city - from p Giloh - while he offered sacrifices. And the conspiracy grew strong, for the people with Absalom q continually increased in number.
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Now a messenger came to David, saying, r "The hearts of the men of Israel are with Absalom."
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So David said to all his servants who were with him at Jerusalem, "Arise, and let us s flee, or we shall not escape from Absalom. Make haste to depart, lest he overtake us suddenly and bring disaster upon us, and strike the city with the edge of the sword."
15
And the king's servants said to the king, "We are your servants, ready to do whatever my lord the king commands."
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Then t the king went out with all his household after him. But the king left u ten women, concubines, to keep the house.
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And the king went out with all the people after him, and stopped at the outskirts.
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Then all his servants passed before him; v and all the Cherethites, all the Pelethites, and all the Gittites, w six hundred men who had followed him from Gath, passed before the king.
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Then the king said to x Ittai the Gittite, "Why are you also going with us? Return and remain with the king. For you are a foreigner and also an exile from your own place.
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"In fact, you came only yesterday. Should I make you wander up and down with us today, since I go y I know not where? Return, and take your brethren back. Mercy and truth be with you."
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But Ittai answered the king and said, z "As the LORD lives, and as my lord the king lives, surely in whatever place my lord the king shall be, whether in death or life, even there also your servant will be."
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So David said to Ittai, "Go, and cross over." Then Ittai the Gittite and all his men and all the little ones who were with him crossed over.
23
And all the country wept with a loud voice, and all the people crossed over. The king himself also crossed over the Brook Kidron, and all the people crossed over toward the way of the a wilderness.
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There was b Zadok also, and all the Levites with him, bearing the c ark of the covenant of God. And they set down the ark of God, and d Abiathar went up until all the people had finished crossing over from the city.
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Then the king said to Zadok, "Carry the ark of God back into the city. If I find favor in the eyes of the LORD, He e will bring me back and show me both it and f His dwelling place.
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"But if He says thus: 'I have no g delight in you,' here I am, h let Him do to me as seems good to Him."
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The king also said to Zadok the priest, "Are you not a i seer? Return to the city in peace, and j your two sons with you, Ahimaaz your son, and Jonathan the son of Abiathar.
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"See, k I will wait in the plains of the wilderness until word comes from you to inform me."
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Therefore Zadok and Abiathar carried the ark of God back to Jerusalem. And they remained there.
30
So David went up by the Ascent of the Mount of Olives, and wept as he went up; and he l had his head covered and went m barefoot. And all the people who were with him n covered their heads and went up, o weeping as they went up.
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Then someone told David, saying, p "Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom." And David said, "O LORD, I pray, q turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness!"
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Now it happened when David had come to the top of the mountain, where he worshiped God - there was Hushai the r Archite coming to meet him s with his robe torn and dust on his head.
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David said to him, "If you go on with me, then you will become t a burden to me.
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"But if you return to the city, and say to Absalom, u 'I will be your servant, O king; as I was your father's servant previously, so I will now also be your servant,' then you may defeat the counsel of Ahithophel for me.
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"And do you not have Zadok and Abiathar the priests with you there? Therefore it will be that whatever you hear from the king's house, you shall tell to v Zadok and Abiathar the priests.
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"Indeed they have there w with them their two sons, Ahimaaz, Zadok's son, and Jonathan, Abiathar's son; and by them you shall send me everything you hear."
37
So Hushai, x David's friend, went into the city. y And Absalom came into Jerusalem.
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Cross References
Genesis 33:4
But Esau ran to meet him, and embraced him, and fell on his neck and kissed him, and they wept.
Genesis 45:15
Moreover he kissed all his brothers and wept over them, and after that his brothers talked with him.
Luke 15:20
And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him.
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Cross References
2 Samuel 12:11
Thus says the LORD: 'Behold, I will raise up adversity against you from your own house; and I will take your wives before your eyes and give them to your neighbor, and he shall lie with your wives in the sight of this sun.
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Cross References
1 Kings 1:5
Then Adonijah the son of Haggith exalted himself, saying, "I will be king"; and he prepared for himself chariots and horsemen, and fifty men to run before him.
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Cross References
Deuteronomy 19:17
Then both men in the controversy shall stand before the LORD, before the priests and the judges who serve in those days.
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Cross References
Judges 9:29
"If only this people were under my authority! Then I would remove Abimelech." So he said to Abimelech, "Increase your army and come out!"
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Cross References
2 Samuel 14:33
So Joab went to the king and told him. And when he had called for Absalom, he came to the king and bowed himself on his face to the ground before the king. Then the king kissed Absalom.
2 Samuel 20:9
Then Joab said to Amasa, " Are you in health, my brother?" And Joab took Amasa by the beard with his right hand to kiss him.
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Cross References
Romans 16:18
For those who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple.
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Cross References
Deuteronomy 23:21
When you make a vow to the LORD your God, you shall not delay to pay it; for the LORD your God will surely require it of you, and it would be sin to you.
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Cross References
2 Samuel 3:2
Sons were born to David in Hebron: His firstborn was Amnon by Ahinoam the Jezreelitess.
2 Samuel 3:3
His second, Chileab, by Abigail the widow of Nabal the Carmelite; the third, Absalom the son of Maacah, the daughter of Talmai, king of Geshur.
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Cross References
1 Samuel 16:2
And Samuel said, "How can I go? If Saul hears it, he will kill me." But the LORD said, "Take a heifer with you, and say, 'I have come to sacrifice to the LORD.
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Cross References
Genesis 28:20
Then Jacob made a vow, saying, "If God will be with me, and keep me in this way that I am going, and give me bread to eat and clothing to put on.
Genesis 28:21
So that I come back to my father's house in peace, then the LORD shall be my God.
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Cross References
2 Samuel 13:38
So Absalom fled and went to Geshur, and was there three years.
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Cross References
1 Kings 1:34
"There let Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet anoint him king over Israel; and blow the horn, and say, ' Long live King Solomon!'
2 Kings 9:13
Then each man hastened to take his garment and put it under him on the top of the steps; and they blew trumpets, saying, "Jehu is king!
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Cross References
1 Samuel 16:3
"Then invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what you shall do; you shall anoint for Me the one I name to you."
1 Samuel 16:5
And he said, "Peaceably; I have come to sacrifice to the LORD. Sanctify yourselves, and come with me to the sacrifice." Then he consecrated Jesse and his sons, and invited them to the sacrifice.
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Cross References
Genesis 20:5
"Did he not say to me, 'She is my sister'? And she, even she herself said, 'He is my brother.' In the integrity of my heart and innocence of my hands I have done this."
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Cross References
2 Samuel 16:15
Meanwhile Absalom and all the people, the men of Israel, came to Jerusalem; and Ahithophel was with him.
1 Chronicles 27:33
Ahithophel was the king's counselor, and Hushai the Archite was the king's companion.
Psalms 41:9
Even my own familiar friend in whom I trusted, Who ate my bread, Has lifted up his heel against me.
Psalms 55:12 - 14
For it is not an enemy who reproaches me; Then I could bear it. Nor is it one who hates me who has exalted himself against me; Then I could hide from him.
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Cross References
Joshua 15:51
Goshen, Holon, and Giloh: eleven cities with their villages.
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Cross References
Psalms 3:1
LORD, how they have increased who trouble me! Many are they who rise up against me.
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Cross References
Judges 9:3
And his mother's brothers spoke all these words concerning him in the hearing of all the men of Shechem; and their heart was inclined to follow Abimelech, for they said, "He is our brother.
2 Samuel 15:6
In this manner Absalom acted toward all Israel who came to the king for judgment. So Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel.
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Cross References
2 Samuel 12:11
Thus says the LORD: 'Behold, I will raise up adversity against you from your own house; and I will take your wives before your eyes and give them to your neighbor, and he shall lie with your wives in the sight of this sun.
Psalms 3:1
LORD, how they have increased who trouble me! Many are they who rise up against me.
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Cross References
Psalms 3:1
LORD, how they have increased who trouble me! Many are they who rise up against me.
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Cross References
2 Samuel 12:11
Thus says the LORD: 'Behold, I will raise up adversity against you from your own house; and I will take your wives before your eyes and give them to your neighbor, and he shall lie with your wives in the sight of this sun.
2 Samuel 16:21
And Ahithophel said to Absalom, "Go in to your father's concubines, whom he has left to keep the house; and all Israel will hear that you are abhorred by your father. Then the hands of all who are with you will be strong.
2 Samuel 16:22
So they pitched a tent for Absalom on the top of the house, and Absalom went in to his father's concubines in the sight of all Israel.
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Cross References
2 Samuel 8:18
Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over both the Cherethites and the Pelethites; and David's sons were chief ministers.
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Cross References
1 Samuel 23:13
So David and his men, about six hundred, arose and departed from Keilah and went wherever they could go. Then it was told Saul that David had escaped from Keilah; so he halted the expedition.
1 Samuel 25:13
Then David said to his men, "Every man gird on his sword." So every man girded on his sword, and David also girded on his sword. And about four hundred men went with David, and two hundred stayed with the supplies.
1 Samuel 30:1
Now it happened, when David and his men came to Ziklag, on the third day, that the Amalekites had invaded the South and Ziklag, attacked Ziklag and burned it with fire.
1 Samuel 30:9
So David went, he and the six hundred men who were with him, and came to the Brook Besor, where those stayed who were left behind.
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Cross References
2 Samuel 18:2
Then David sent out one third of the people under the hand of Joab, one third under the hand of Abishai the son of Zeruiah, Joab's brother, and one third under the hand of Ittai the Gittite. And the king said to the people, "I also will surely go out with you myself.
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Cross References
1 Samuel 23:13
So David and his men, about six hundred, arose and departed from Keilah and went wherever they could go. Then it was told Saul that David had escaped from Keilah; so he halted the expedition.
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Cross References
Ruth 1:16
But Ruth said: "Entreat me not to leave you, Or to turn back from following after you; For wherever you go, I will go; And wherever you lodge, I will lodge; Your people shall be my people, And your God, my God.
Ruth 1:17
Where you die, I will die, And there will I be buried. The LORD do so to me, and more also, If anything but death parts you and me.
Proverbs 17:17
A friend loves at all times, And a brother is born for adversity.
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Cross References
2 Samuel 15:28
"See, I will wait in the plains of the wilderness until word comes from you to inform me."
2 Samuel 16:2
And the king said to Ziba, "What do you mean to do with these?" So Ziba said, "The donkeys are for the king's household to ride on, the bread and summer fruit for the young men to eat, and the wine for those who are faint in the wilderness to drink.
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Cross References
2 Samuel 8:17
Zadok the son of Ahitub and Ahimelech the son of Abiathar were the priests; Seraiah was the scribe.
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Cross References
Numbers 4:15
And when Aaron and his sons have finished covering the sanctuary and all the furnishings of the sanctuary, when the camp is set to go, then the sons of Kohath shall come to carry them; but they shall not touch any holy thing, lest they die. These are the things in the tabernacle of meeting which the sons of Kohath are to carry.
1 Samuel 4:4
So the people sent to Shiloh, that they might bring from there the ark of the covenant of the LORD of hosts, who dwells between the cherubim. And the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were there with the ark of the covenant of God.
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Cross References
1 Samuel 22:20
Now one of the sons of Ahimelech the son of Ahitub, named Abiathar, escaped and fled after David.
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Cross References
Psalms 43:3
Oh, send out Your light and Your truth! Let them lead me; Let them bring me to Your holy hill And to Your tabernacle.
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Cross References
Exodus 15:13
You in Your mercy have led forth The people whom You have redeemed; You have guided them in Your strength To Your holy habitation.
Jeremiah 25:30
Therefore prophesy against them all these words, and say to them: 'The LORD will roar from on high, And utter His voice from His holy habitation; He will roar mightily against His fold. He will give a shout, as those who tread the grapes, Against all the inhabitants of the earth.
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Cross References
Numbers 14:8
"If the LORD delights in us, then He will bring us into this land and give it to us, 'a land which flows with milk and honey.'
2 Samuel 22:20
He also brought me out into a broad place; He delivered me because He delighted in me.
1 Kings 10:9
"Blessed be the LORD your God, who delighted in you, setting you on the throne of Israel! Because the LORD has loved Israel forever, therefore He made you king, to do justice and righteousness."
2 Chronicles 9:8
"Blessed be the LORD your God, who delighted in you, setting you on His throne to be king for the LORD your God! Because your God has loved Israel, to establish them forever, therefore He made you king over them, to do justice and righteousness."
Isaiah 62:4
You shall no longer be termed Forsaken, Nor shall your land any more be termed Desolate; But you shall be called Hephzibah, and your land Beulah; For the LORD delights in you, And your land shall be married.
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Cross References
1 Samuel 3:18
Then Samuel told him everything, and hid nothing from him. And he said, "It is the LORD. Let Him do what seems good to Him.
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Cross References
1 Samuel 9:6 - 9
And he said to him, "Look now, there is in this city a man of God, and he is an honorable man; all that he says surely comes to pass. So let us go there; perhaps he can show us the way that we should go.
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Cross References
2 Samuel 17:17 - 20
Now Jonathan and Ahimaaz stayed at En Rogel, for they dared not be seen coming into the city; so a female servant would come and tell them, and they would go and tell King David.
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Cross References
Joshua 5:10
Now the children of Israel camped in Gilgal, and kept the Passover on the fourteenth day of the month at twilight on the plains of Jericho.
2 Samuel 17:16
"Now therefore, send quickly and tell David, saying, 'Do not spend this night in the plains of the wilderness, but speedily cross over, lest the king and all the people who are with him be swallowed up.'"
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Cross References
2 Samuel 19:4
But the king covered his face, and the king cried out with a loud voice, "O my son Absalom! O Absalom, my son, my son!
Esther 6:12
Afterward Mordecai went back to the king's gate. But Haman hurried to his house, mourning and with his head covered.
Ezekiel 24:17
"Sigh in silence, make no mourning for the dead; bind your turban on your head, and put your sandals on your feet; do not cover your lips, and do not eat man's bread of sorrow."
Ezekiel 24:23
Your turbans shall be on your heads and your sandals on your feet; you shall neither mourn nor weep, but you shall pine away in your iniquities and mourn with one another.
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Cross References
Isaiah 20:2 - 4
At the same time the LORD spoke by Isaiah the son of Amoz, saying, "Go, and remove the sackcloth from your body, and take your sandals off your feet." And he did so, walking naked and barefoot.
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Cross References
Jeremiah 14:3
Their nobles have sent their lads for water; They went to the cisterns and found no water. They returned with their vessels empty; They were ashamed and confounded And covered their heads.
Jeremiah 14:4
Because the ground is parched, For there was no rain in the land, The plowmen were ashamed; They covered their heads.
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Cross References
Psalms 126:6
He who continually goes forth weeping, Bearing seed for sowing, Shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, Bringing his sheaves with him.
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Cross References
Psalms 3:1
LORD, how they have increased who trouble me! Many are they who rise up against me.
Psalms 3:2
Many are they who say of me, " There is no help for him in God." Selah
Psalms 55:12
For it is not an enemy who reproaches me; Then I could bear it. Nor is it one who hates me who has exalted himself against me; Then I could hide from him.
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Cross References
2 Samuel 16:23
Now the advice of Ahithophel, which he gave in those days, was as if one had inquired at the oracle of God. So was all the advice of Ahithophel both with David and with Absalom.
2 Samuel 17:14
So Absalom and all the men of Israel said, "The advice of Hushai the Archite is better than the advice of Ahithophel." For the LORD had purposed to defeat the good advice of Ahithophel, to the intent that the LORD might bring disaster on Absalom.
2 Samuel 17:23
Now when Ahithophel saw that his advice was not followed, he saddled a donkey, and arose and went home to his house, to his city. Then he put his household in order, and hanged himself, and died; and he was buried in his father's tomb.
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Cross References
Joshua 16:2
Then went out from Bethel to Luz, passed along to the border of the Archites at Ataroth.
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Cross References
2 Samuel 1:2
On the third day, behold, it happened that a man came from Saul's camp with his clothes torn and dust on his head. So it was, when he came to David, that he fell to the ground and prostrated himself.
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Cross References
2 Samuel 19:35
I am today eighty years old. Can I discern between the good and bad? Can your servant taste what I eat or what I drink? Can I hear any longer the voice of singing men and singing women? Why then should your servant be a further burden to my lord the king?
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Cross References
2 Samuel 16:19
"Furthermore, whom should I serve? Should I not serve in the presence of his son? As I have served in your father's presence, so will I be in your presence."
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Cross References
2 Samuel 17:15
Then Hushai said to Zadok and Abiathar the priests, "Thus and so Ahithophel advised Absalom and the elders of Israel, and thus and so I have advised.
2 Samuel 17:16
"Now therefore, send quickly and tell David, saying, 'Do not spend this night in the plains of the wilderness, but speedily cross over, lest the king and all the people who are with him be swallowed up.'"
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Cross References
2 Samuel 15:27
The king also said to Zadok the priest, " Are you not a seer? Return to the city in peace, and your two sons with you, Ahimaaz your son, and Jonathan the son of Abiathar.
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Cross References
2 Samuel 16:16
And so it was, when Hushai the Archite, David's friend, came to Absalom, that Hushai said to Absalom, " Long live the king! Long live the king!
1 Chronicles 27:33
Ahithophel was the king's counselor, and Hushai the Archite was the king's companion.
New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.