今日讀經

押沙龍暗中籠絡人心

¹此後，押沙龍為自己預備車馬，又派五十人在他前頭奔走。Some time later, Absalom provided for himself a chariot with horses and fifty men to run ahead of him.

²押沙龍常常早晨起來，站在城門的道旁，凡有爭訟要去求王判斷的，押沙龍就叫他過來，問他說：「你是哪一城的人？」回答說：「僕人是以色列某支派的人。」He would get up early and stand beside the road leading to the city gate. Whenever anyone had a grievance to bring before the king for a decision, Absalom would call out and ask, “What city are you from?” And if he replied, “Your servant is from one of the tribes of Israel,”

³押沙龍對他說：「你的事有情有理，無奈王沒有委人聽你伸訴。」Absalom would say, “Look, your claims are good and right, but the king has no deputy to hear you.”

⁴押沙龍又說：「恨不得我作國中的士師！凡有爭訟求審判的到我這裡來，我必秉公判斷。」And he would add, “If only someone would appoint me judge in the land, then everyone with a grievance or dispute could come to me, and I would give him justice.”

⁵若有人近前來要拜押沙龍，押沙龍就伸手拉住他，與他親嘴。Also, when anyone approached to bow down to him, Absalom would reach out his hand, take hold of him, and kiss him.

⁶以色列人中，凡去見王求判斷的，押沙龍都是如此待他們。這樣，押沙龍暗中得了以色列人的心。Absalom did this to all the Israelites who came to the king for justice. In this way he stole the hearts of the men of Israel.

押沙龍在希伯崙叛變

⁷滿了四十年（有作四年的），押沙龍對王說：「求你准我往希伯崙去，還我向耶和華所許的願。After four years had passed, Absalom said to the king, “Please let me go to Hebron to fulfill a vow I have made to the LORD.

⁸因為僕人住在亞蘭的基述，曾許願說：『耶和華若使我再回耶路撒冷，我必事奉他。』」For your servant made a vow while dwelling in Geshur of Aram, saying: ‘If indeed the LORD brings me back to Jerusalem, I will worship the LORD in Hebron.’”

⁹王說：「你平平安安地去吧！」押沙龍就起身，往希伯崙去了。“Go in peace,” said the king. So Absalom got up and went to Hebron.

¹⁰押沙龍打發探子走遍以色列各支派，說：「你們一聽見角聲就說：『押沙龍在希伯崙作王了！』」Then Absalom sent spies throughout the tribes of Israel with this message: “When you hear the sound of the horn, you are to say, ‘Absalom reigns in Hebron!’”

¹¹押沙龍在耶路撒冷請了二百人與他同去，都是誠誠實實去的，並不知道其中的真情。Two hundred men from Jerusalem accompanied Absalom. They had been invited as guests and they went along innocently, for they knew nothing about the matter.

¹²押沙龍獻祭的時候，打發人去將大衛的謀士、基羅人亞希多弗從他本城請了來。於是叛逆的勢派甚大；因為隨從押沙龍的人民，日漸增多。While Absalom was offering the sacrifices, he sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David’s counselor, to come from his hometown of Giloh. So the conspiracy gained strength, and Absalom’s following kept increasing.

大衛逃離耶路撒冷

¹³有人報告大衛說：「以色列人的心都歸向押沙龍了！」Then a messenger came to David and reported, “The hearts of the men of Israel are with Absalom.”

¹⁴大衛就對耶路撒冷跟隨他的臣僕說：「我們要起來逃走，不然都不能躲避押沙龍了；要速速地去，恐怕他忽然來到，加害於我們，用刀殺盡合城的人。」And David said to all the servants with him in Jerusalem, “Arise and let us flee, or we will not escape from Absalom! We must leave quickly, or he will soon overtake us, heap disaster on us, and put the city to the sword.”

¹⁵王的臣僕對王說：「我主我王所定的，僕人都願遵行。」The king’s servants replied, “Whatever our lord the king decides, we are your servants.”

¹⁶於是王帶著全家的人出去了，但留下十個妃嬪看守宮殿。Then the king set out, and his entire household followed him. But he left behind ten concubines to take care of the palace.

¹⁷王出去，眾民都跟隨他，到伯墨哈，就住下了。So the king set out with all the people following him. He stopped at the last house,

¹⁸王的臣僕都在他面前過去。基利提人、比利提人，就是從迦特跟隨王來的六百人，也都在他面前過去。and all his servants marched past him—all the Cherethites and Pelethites, and six hundred Gittites who had followed him from Gath.

¹⁹王對迦特人以太說：「你是外邦逃來的人，為甚麼與我們同去呢？你可以回去與新王同住，或者回你本地去吧！Then the king said to Ittai the Gittite, “Why should you also go with us? Go back and stay with the new king, since you are both a foreigner and an exile from your homeland.

²⁰你來的日子不多，我今日怎好叫你與我們一同飄流、沒有一定的住處呢？你不如帶你的弟兄回去吧！願耶和華用慈愛誠實待你。」In fact, you arrived only yesterday; should I make you wander around with us today while I do not know where I am going? Go back and take your brothers with you. May the LORD show you loving devotion and faithfulness.”

²¹以太對王說：「我指著永生的耶和華起誓，又敢在王面前起誓：無論生死，王在哪裡，僕人也必在那裡。」But Ittai answered the king, “As surely as the LORD lives, and as my lord the king lives, wherever my lord the king may be, whether it means life or death, there will your servant be!”

²²大衛對以太說：「你前去過河吧！」於是迦特人以太帶著跟隨他的人和所有的婦人孩子，就都過去了。“March on then,” said David to Ittai. So Ittai the Gittite marched past with all his men and all the little ones who were with him.

²³本地的人都放聲大哭。眾民盡都過去，王也過了汲淪溪；眾民往曠野去了。Everyone in the countryside was weeping loudly as all the people passed by. And as the king crossed the Kidron Valley, all the people also passed toward the way of the wilderness.

約櫃抬回城

²⁴撒督和抬　神約櫃的利未人也一同來了，將　神的約櫃放下。亞比亞他上來，等著眾民從城裡出來過去。Zadok was also there, and all the Levites with him were carrying the ark of the covenant of God. And they set down the ark of God, and Abiathar offered sacrifices until all the people had passed out of the city.

²⁵王對撒督說：「你將　神的約櫃抬回城去。我若在耶和華眼前蒙恩，他必使我回來，再見約櫃和他的居所。Then the king said to Zadok, “Return the ark of God to the city. If I find favor in the eyes of the LORD, He will bring me back and let me see both it and His dwelling place again.

²⁶倘若他說：『我不喜悅你』，看哪，我在這裡，願他憑自己的意旨待我！」But if He should say, ‘I do not delight in you,’ then here I am; let Him do to me whatever seems good to Him.”

²⁷王又對祭司撒督說：「你不是先見嗎？你可以安然回城；你兒子亞希瑪斯和亞比亞他的兒子約拿單都可以與你同去。The king also said to Zadok the priest, “Are you not a seer? Return to the city in peace—you with your son Ahimaaz, and Abiathar with his son Jonathan.

²⁸我在曠野的渡口那裡等你們報信給我。」See, I will wait at the fords of the wilderness until word comes from you to inform me.”

²⁹於是撒督和亞比亞他將　神的約櫃抬回耶路撒冷，他們就住在那裡。So Zadok and Abiathar returned the ark of God to Jerusalem and stayed there.

大衛哭著上橄欖山

³⁰大衛蒙頭赤腳上橄欖山，一面上一面哭。跟隨他的人也都蒙頭哭著上去；But David continued up the Mount of Olives, weeping as he went up. His head was covered, and he was walking barefoot. And all the people with him covered their heads and went up, weeping as they went.

³¹有人告訴大衛說：「亞希多弗也在叛黨之中，隨從押沙龍。」大衛禱告說：「耶和華啊，求你使亞希多弗的計謀變為愚拙！」Now someone told David: “Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom.” So David pleaded, “O LORD, please turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness!”

³²大衛到了山頂、敬拜　神的地方，見亞基人戶篩，衣服撕裂，頭蒙灰塵來迎接他。When David came to the summit, where he used to worship God, Hushai the Archite was there to meet him with his robe torn and dust on his head.

³³大衛對他說：「你若與我同去，必累贅我；David said to him, “If you go on with me, you will be a burden to me.

³⁴你若回城去，對押沙龍說：『王啊，我願作你的僕人；我向來作你父親的僕人，現在我也照樣作你的僕人。』這樣，你就可以為我破壞亞希多弗的計謀。But you can thwart the counsel of Ahithophel for me if you return to the city and say to Absalom: ‘I will be your servant, my king; in the past I was your father’s servant, but now I will be your servant.’

³⁵祭司撒督和亞比亞他豈不都在那裡嗎？你在王宮裡聽見甚麼，就要告訴祭司撒督和亞比亞他。Will not Zadok and Abiathar the priests be there with you? Report to them everything you hear from the king’s palace.

³⁶撒督的兒子亞希瑪斯，亞比亞他的兒子約拿單，也都在那裡。凡你們所聽見的可以託這二人來報告我。」Indeed, their two sons, Ahimaaz son of Zadok and Jonathan son of Abiathar, are there with them. Send them to me with everything you hear.”

³⁷於是，大衛的朋友戶篩進了城；押沙龍也進了耶路撒冷。So David’s friend Hushai arrived in Jerusalem just as Absalom was entering the city.

逃難路上：洗巴與示每

¹大衛剛過山頂，見米非波設的僕人洗巴拉著備好了的兩匹驢，驢上馱著二百麵餅，一百葡萄餅，一百個夏天的果餅，一皮袋酒來迎接他。When David had gone a little beyond the summit, Ziba the servant of Mephibosheth was there to meet him. He had a pair of saddled donkeys loaded with two hundred loaves of bread, a hundred clusters of raisins, a hundred summer fruits, and a skin of wine.

²王問洗巴說：「你帶這些來是甚麼意思呢？」洗巴說：「驢是給王的家眷騎的；麵餅和夏天的果餅是給少年人吃的；酒是給在曠野疲乏人喝的。」“Why do you have these?” asked the king. Ziba replied, “The donkeys are for the king’s household to ride, the bread and summer fruit are for the young men to eat, and the wine is to refresh those who become exhausted in the wilderness.”

³王問說：「你主人的兒子在哪裡呢？」洗巴回答王說：「他仍在耶路撒冷，因他說：『以色列人今日必將我父的國歸還我。』」“Where is your master’s grandson?” asked the king. And Ziba answered, “Indeed, he is staying in Jerusalem, for he has said, ‘Today, the house of Israel will restore to me the kingdom of my grandfather.’”

⁴王對洗巴說：「凡屬米非波設的都歸你了。」洗巴說：「我叩拜我主我王，願我在你眼前蒙恩。」So the king said to Ziba, “All that belongs to Mephibosheth is now yours!” “I humbly bow before you,” said Ziba. “May I find favor in your eyes, my lord the king!”

⁵大衛王到了巴戶琳，見有一個人出來，是掃羅族基拉的兒子，名叫示每。他一面走一面咒罵，As King David approached Bahurim, a man from the family of the house of Saul was just coming out. His name was Shimei son of Gera, and as he approached, he kept yelling out curses.

⁶又拿石頭砍大衛王和王的臣僕；眾民和勇士都在王的左右。He threw stones at David and at all the servants of the king, though the troops and all the mighty men were on David’s right and left.

⁷示每咒罵說：「你這流人血的壞人哪，去吧去吧！And as he yelled curses, Shimei said, “Get out, get out, you worthless man of bloodshed!

⁸你流掃羅全家的血，接續他作王；耶和華把這罪歸在你身上，將這國交給你兒子押沙龍。現在你自取其禍，因為你是流人血的人。」The LORD has paid you back for all the blood of the house of Saul, in whose place you have reigned, and the LORD has delivered the kingdom into the hand of your son Absalom. See, you have come to ruin because you are a man of bloodshed!”

⁹洗魯雅的兒子亞比篩對王說：「這死狗豈可咒罵我主我王呢？求你容我過去，割下他的頭來。」Then Abishai son of Zeruiah said to the king, “Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? Let me go over and cut off his head!”

¹⁰王說：「洗魯雅的兒子，我與你們有何關涉呢？他咒罵是因耶和華吩咐他說：『你要咒罵大衛。』如此，誰敢說你為甚麼這樣行呢？」But the king replied, “What have I to do with you, O sons of Zeruiah? If he curses me because the LORD told him, ‘Curse David,’ who can ask, ‘Why did you do this?’”

¹¹大衛又對亞比篩和眾臣僕說：「我親生的兒子尚且尋索我的性命，何況這便雅憫人呢？由他咒罵吧！因為這是耶和華吩咐他的。Then David said to Abishai and to all his servants, “Behold, my own son, my own flesh and blood, seeks my life. How much more, then, this Benjamite! Leave him alone and let him curse me, for the LORD has told him so.

¹²或者耶和華見我遭難，為我今日被這人咒罵，就施恩與我。」Perhaps the LORD will see my affliction and repay me with good for the cursing I receive today.”

¹³於是大衛和跟隨他的人往前行走。示每在大衛對面山坡，一面行走一面咒罵，又拿石頭砍他，拿土揚他。So David and his men proceeded along the road as Shimei went along the ridge of the hill opposite him. As Shimei went, he yelled curses, threw stones, and flung dust at David.

¹⁴王和跟隨他的眾人疲疲乏乏地到了一個地方，就在那裡歇息歇息。Finally, the king and all the people with him arrived, exhausted. And there he refreshed himself.

戶篩假意歸順押沙龍

¹⁵押沙龍和以色列眾人來到耶路撒冷；亞希多弗也與他同來。Then Absalom and all the men of Israel came to Jerusalem, and Ahithophel was with him.

¹⁶大衛的朋友亞基人戶篩去見押沙龍，對他說：「願王萬歲！願王萬歲！」And David’s friend Hushai the Archite went to Absalom and said to him, “Long live the king! Long live the king!”

¹⁷押沙龍問戶篩說：「這是你恩待朋友嗎？為甚麼不與你的朋友同去呢？」“Is this the loyalty you show your friend?” Absalom replied. “Why did you not go with your friend?”

¹⁸戶篩對押沙龍說：「不然，耶和華和這民，並以色列眾人所揀選的，我必歸順他，與他同住。“Not at all,” Hushai answered. “For the one chosen by the LORD, by this people, and by all the men of Israel—his I will be, and with him I will remain.

¹⁹再者，我當服事誰呢？豈不是前王的兒子嗎？我怎樣服事你父親，也必照樣服事你。」Furthermore, whom should I serve if not his son? As I served in your father’s presence, so also I will serve in yours.”

²⁰押沙龍對亞希多弗說：「你們出個主意，我們怎樣行才好？」Then Absalom said to Ahithophel, “Give me counsel. What should we do?”

²¹亞希多弗對押沙龍說：「你父所留下看守宮殿的妃嬪，你可以與她們親近。以色列眾人聽見你父親憎惡你，凡歸順你人的手就更堅強。」Ahithophel replied, “Sleep with your father’s concubines, whom he has left to take care of the palace. When all Israel hears that you have become a stench to your father, then the hands of all who are with you will be strengthened.”

²²於是人為押沙龍在宮殿的平頂上支搭帳棚；押沙龍在以色列眾人眼前，與他父的妃嬪親近。So they pitched a tent for Absalom on the roof, and he slept with his father’s concubines in the sight of all Israel.

²³那時亞希多弗所出的主意好像人問　神的話一樣；他昔日給大衛，今日給押沙龍所出的主意，都是這樣。Now in those days the advice of Ahithophel was like the consultation of the word of God. Such was the regard that both David and Absalom had for Ahithophel’s advice.

亞希多弗與戶篩的計謀

¹亞希多弗又對押沙龍說：「求你准我挑選一萬二千人，今夜我就起身追趕大衛，Furthermore, Ahithophel said to Absalom, “Let me choose twelve thousand men and set out tonight in pursuit of David.

²趁他疲乏手軟，我忽然追上他，使他驚惶；跟隨他的民必都逃跑，我就單殺王一人，I will attack him while he is weak and weary; I will throw him into a panic, and all the people with him will flee; I will strike down only the king

³使眾民都歸順你。你所尋找的人既然死了，眾民就如已經歸順你；這樣，也都平安無事了。」and bring all the people back to you as a bride returning to her husband. You seek the life of only one man; then all the people will be at peace.”

⁴押沙龍和以色列的長老都以這話為美。This proposal seemed good to Absalom and all the elders of Israel.

⁵押沙龍說：「要召亞基人戶篩來，我們也要聽他怎樣說。」Then Absalom said, “Summon Hushai the Archite as well, and let us hear what he too has to say.”

⁶戶篩到了押沙龍面前，押沙龍向他說：「亞希多弗是如此如此說的，我們照著他的話行可以不可以？若不可，你就說吧！」So Hushai came to Absalom, who told him, “Ahithophel has spoken this proposal. Should we carry it out? If not, what do you say?”

⁷戶篩對押沙龍說：「亞希多弗這次所定的謀不善。」Hushai replied, “This time the advice of Ahithophel is not sound.”

⁸戶篩又說：「你知道，你父親和跟隨他的人都是勇士，現在他們心裡惱怒，如同田野丟崽子的母熊一般，而且你父親是個戰士，必不和民一同住宿。He continued, “You know your father and his men. They are mighty men, and as fierce as a wild bear robbed of her cubs. Moreover, your father is a man of war who will not spend the night with the troops.

⁹他現今或藏在坑中或在別處，若有人首先被殺，凡聽見的必說：『跟隨押沙龍的民被殺了。』Surely by now he is hiding in a cave or some other location. If some of your troops fall first, whoever hears of it will say, ‘There has been a slaughter among the troops who follow Absalom.’

¹⁰雖有人膽大如獅子，他的心也必消化；因為以色列人都知道你父親是英雄，跟隨他的人也都是勇士。Then even the most valiant soldier with the heart of a lion will melt with fear, because all Israel knows that your father is a mighty man who has valiant men with him.

¹¹依我之計，不如將以色列眾人─從但直到別是巴，如同海邊的沙那樣多─聚集到你這裡來，你也親自率領他們出戰。Instead, I advise that all Israel from Dan to Beersheba—a multitude like the sand on the seashore—be gathered to you, and that you yourself lead them into battle.

¹²這樣，我們在何處遇見他，就下到他那裡，如同露水下在地上一般，連他帶跟隨他的人，一個也不留下。Then we will attack David wherever we find him, and we will descend on him like dew on the ground. And of all the men with him, not even one will remain.

¹³他若進了哪一座城，以色列眾人必帶繩子去，將那城拉到河裡，甚至連一塊小石頭都不剩下。」If he retreats to a city, all Israel will bring ropes to that city, and we will drag it down to the valley until not even a pebble can be found there.”

¹⁴押沙龍和以色列眾人說：「亞基人戶篩的計謀比亞希多弗的計謀更好！」這是因耶和華定意破壞亞希多弗的良謀，為要降禍與押沙龍。Then Absalom and all the men of Israel said, “The advice of Hushai the Archite is better than that of Ahithophel.” For the LORD had purposed to thwart the good counsel of Ahithophel in order to bring disaster on Absalom.

冒險送信給大衛

¹⁵戶篩對祭司撒督和亞比亞他說：「亞希多弗為押沙龍和以色列的長老所定的計謀是如此如此，我所定的計謀是如此如此。So Hushai told Zadok and Abiathar, the priests, “This is what Ahithophel has advised Absalom and the elders of Israel, and this is what I have advised.

¹⁶現在你們要急速打發人去，告訴大衛說：『今夜不可住在曠野的渡口，務要過河，免得王和跟隨他的人都被吞滅。』」Now send quickly and tell David, ‘Do not spend the night at the fords of the wilderness, but be sure to cross over. Otherwise the king and all the people with him will be swallowed up.’”

¹⁷那時，約拿單和亞希瑪斯在隱‧羅結那裡等候，不敢進城，恐怕被人看見。有一個使女出來，將這話告訴他們，他們就去報信給大衛王。Now Jonathan and Ahimaaz were staying at En-rogel, where a servant girl would come and pass along information to them. They in turn would go and inform King David, for they dared not be seen entering the city.

¹⁸然而有一個童子看見他們，就去告訴押沙龍。他們急忙跑到巴戶琳某人的家裡；那人院中有一口井，他們就下到井裡。But a young man did see them and told Absalom. So the two left quickly and came to the house of a man in Bahurim. He had a well in his courtyard, and they climbed down into it.

¹⁹那家的婦人用蓋蓋上井口，又在上頭鋪上碎麥，事就沒有洩漏。Then the man’s wife took a covering, spread it over the mouth of the well, and scattered grain over it so nobody would know a thing.

²⁰押沙龍的僕人來到那家，問婦人說：「亞希瑪斯和約拿單在哪裡？」婦人說：「他們過了河了。」僕人找他們，找不著，就回耶路撒冷去了。When Absalom’s servants came to the woman at the house, they asked, “Where are Ahimaaz and Jonathan?” “They have crossed over the brook,” she replied. The men searched but did not find them, so they returned to Jerusalem.

²¹他們走後，二人從井裡上來，去告訴大衛王說：「亞希多弗如此如此定計害你，你們務要起來，快快過河。」After the men had gone, Ahimaaz and Jonathan climbed up out of the well and went to inform King David, saying, “Get up and cross over the river at once, for Ahithophel has given this advice against you.”

²²於是大衛和跟隨他的人都起來，過約旦河。到了天亮，無一人不過約旦河的。So David and all the people with him got up and crossed the Jordan. By daybreak, there was no one left who had not crossed the Jordan.

亞希多弗自縊，大衛到瑪哈念

²³亞希多弗見不依從他的計謀，就備上驢，歸回本城；到了家，留下遺言，便吊死了，葬在他父親的墳墓裡。When Ahithophel saw that his advice had not been followed, he saddled his donkey and set out for his house in his hometown. He put his affairs in order and hanged himself. So he died and was buried in his father’s tomb.

²⁴大衛到了瑪哈念，押沙龍和跟隨他的以色列人也都過了約旦河。Then David went to Mahanaim, and Absalom crossed the Jordan with all the men of Israel.

²⁵押沙龍立亞瑪撒作元帥，代替約押。亞瑪撒是以實瑪利人（又作以色列人）以特拉的兒子。以特拉曾與拿轄的女兒亞比該親近；這亞比該與約押的母親洗魯雅是姊妹。Absalom had appointed Amasa over the army in place of Joab. Amasa was the son of a man named Ithra, the Ishmaelite who had married Abigail, the daughter of Nahash and sister of Zeruiah the mother of Joab.

²⁶押沙龍和以色列人都安營在基列地。So the Israelites and Absalom camped in the land of Gilead.

²⁷大衛到了瑪哈念，亞捫族的拉巴人拿轄的兒子朔比，羅‧底巴人亞‧米利的兒子瑪吉，基列的羅基琳人巴西萊，When David came to Mahanaim, he was met by Shobi son of Nahash from Rabbah of the Ammonites, Machir son of Ammiel from Lo-debar, and Barzillai the Gileadite from Rogelim.

²⁸帶著被、褥、盆、碗、瓦器、小麥、大麥、麥麵、炒穀、豆子、紅豆、炒豆、They brought beds, basins, and earthen vessels, as well as wheat, barley, flour, roasted grain, beans, lentils,

²⁹蜂蜜、奶油、綿羊、奶餅，供給大衛和跟隨他的人吃；他們說：「民在曠野，必飢渴困乏了。」honey, curds, sheep, and cheese from the herd for David and his people to eat. For they said, “The people have become hungry, exhausted, and thirsty in the wilderness.”

大衛囑咐寬待押沙龍

¹大衛數點跟隨他的人，立千夫長、百夫長率領他們。Then David reviewed his troops and appointed over them commanders of thousands and of hundreds.

²大衛打發軍兵出戰，分為三隊：一隊在約押手下，一隊在洗魯雅的兒子、約押兄弟亞比篩手下，一隊在迦特人以太手下。大衛對軍兵說：「我必與你們一同出戰。」He sent out the troops, a third under Joab, a third under Joab’s brother Abishai son of Zeruiah, and a third under Ittai the Gittite. And the king said to the troops, “I will surely march out with you as well.”

³軍兵卻說：「你不可出戰。若是我們逃跑，敵人必不介意；我們陣亡一半，敵人也不介意。因為你一人強似我們萬人，你不如在城裡預備幫助我們。」But the people pleaded, “You must not go out! For if we have to flee, they will not care about us. Even if half of us die, they will not care. But you are worth ten thousand of us. It is better now if you support us from the city.”

⁴王向他們說：「你們以為怎樣好，我就怎樣行。」於是王站在城門旁，軍兵或百或千地挨次出去了。“I will do whatever seems best to you,” the king replied. So he stood beside the gate, while all the troops marched out by hundreds and by thousands.

⁵王囑咐約押、亞比篩、以太說：「你們要為我的緣故寬待那少年人押沙龍。」王為押沙龍囑咐眾將的話，兵都聽見了。Now the king had commanded Joab, Abishai, and Ittai, “Treat the young man Absalom gently for my sake.” And all the people heard the king’s orders to each of the commanders regarding Absalom.

⁶兵就出到田野迎著以色列人，在以法蓮樹林裡交戰。So David’s army marched into the field to engage Israel, and the battle took place in the forest of Ephraim.

⁷以色列人敗在大衛的僕人面前；那日陣亡的甚多，共有二萬人。There the people of Israel were defeated by David’s servants, and the slaughter was great that day—twenty thousand men.

⁸因為在那裡四面打仗，死於樹林的比死於刀劍的更多。The battle spread over the whole countryside, and that day the forest devoured more people than the sword.

押沙龍之死

⁹押沙龍偶然遇見大衛的僕人。押沙龍騎著騾子，從大橡樹密枝底下經過，他的頭髮被樹枝繞住，就懸掛起來，所騎的騾子便離他去了。Now Absalom was riding on his mule when he met the servants of David, and as the mule went under the thick branches of a large oak, Absalom’s head was caught fast in the tree. The mule under him kept going, so that he was suspended in midair.

¹⁰有個人看見，就告訴約押說：「我看見押沙龍掛在橡樹上了。」When one of the men saw this, he told Joab, “I just saw Absalom hanging in an oak tree!”

¹¹約押對報信的人說：「你既看見他，為甚麼不將他打死落在地上呢？你若打死他，我就賞你十舍客勒銀子，一條帶子。」“You just saw him!” Joab exclaimed. “Why did you not strike him to the ground right there? I would have given you ten shekels of silver and a warrior’s belt!”

¹²那人對約押說：「我就是得你一千舍客勒銀子，我也不敢伸手害王的兒子；因為我們聽見王囑咐你和亞比篩並以太說：『你們要謹慎，不可害那少年人押沙龍。』The man replied, “Even if a thousand shekels of silver were weighed out into my hands, I would not raise my hand against the son of the king. For we heard the king command you and Abishai and Ittai, ‘Protect the young man Absalom for my sake.’

¹³我若妄為害了他的性命，就是你自己也必與我為敵（原來，無論何事都瞞不過王。）」If I had jeopardized my own life—and nothing is hidden from the king—you would have abandoned me.”

¹⁴約押說：「我不能與你留連。」約押手拿三杆短槍，趁押沙龍在橡樹上還活著，就刺透他的心。But Joab declared, “I am not going to wait like this with you!” And he took three spears in his hand and thrust them through the heart of Absalom while he was still alive in the oak tree.

¹⁵給約押拿兵器的十個少年人圍繞押沙龍，將他殺死。And ten young men who carried Joab’s armor surrounded Absalom, struck him, and killed him.

¹⁶約押吹角，攔阻眾人，他們就回來，不再追趕以色列人。Then Joab blew the ram’s horn, and the troops broke off their pursuit of Israel because Joab had restrained them.

¹⁷他們將押沙龍丟在林中一個大坑裡，上頭堆起一大堆石頭。以色列眾人都逃跑，各回各家去了。They took Absalom, cast him into a large pit in the forest, and piled a huge mound of stones over him. Meanwhile, all the Israelites fled, each to his home.

¹⁸押沙龍活著的時候，在王谷立了一根石柱，因他說：「我沒有兒子為我留名。」他就以自己的名稱那石柱叫押沙龍柱，直到今日。During his lifetime, Absalom had set up for himself a pillar in the King’s Valley, for he had said, “I have no son to preserve the memory of my name.” So he gave the pillar his name, and to this day it is called Absalom’s Monument.

報信與大衛的哀哭

¹⁹撒督的兒子亞希瑪斯說：「容我跑去，將耶和華向仇敵給王報仇的信息報與王知。」Then Ahimaaz son of Zadok said, “Please let me run and tell the king the good news that the LORD has avenged him of his enemies.”

²⁰約押對他說：「你今日不可去報信，改日可以報信；因為今日王的兒子死了，所以你不可去報信。」But Joab replied, “You are not the man to take good news today. You may do it another day, but you must not do so today, because the king’s son is dead.”

²¹約押對古示人說：「你去將你所看見的告訴王。」古示人在約押面前下拜，就跑去了。So Joab said to a Cushite, “Go, tell the king what you have seen.” The Cushite bowed to Joab and took off running.

²²撒督的兒子亞希瑪斯又對約押說：「無論怎樣，求你容我隨著古示人跑去。」約押說：「我兒，你報這信息，既不得賞賜，何必要跑去呢？」Ahimaaz son of Zadok, however, persisted and said to Joab, “No matter what, please let me also run behind the Cushite!” “My son,” Joab replied, “why do you want to run, since you will not receive a reward?”

²³他又說：「無論怎樣，我要跑去。」約押說：「你跑去吧！」亞希瑪斯就從平原往前跑，跑過古示人去了。“No matter what, I want to run!” he replied. “Then run!” Joab told him. So Ahimaaz ran by way of the plain and outran the Cushite.

²⁴大衛正坐在城甕裡。守望的人上城門樓的頂上，舉目觀看，見有一個人獨自跑來。Now David was sitting between the two gates when the watchman went up to the roof of the gateway by the wall, looked out, and saw a man running alone.

²⁵守望的人就大聲告訴王。王說：「他若獨自來，必是報口信的。」那人跑得漸漸近了。So he called out and told the king. “If he is alone,” the king replied, “he bears good news.” As the first runner drew near,

²⁶守望的人又見一人跑來，就對守城門的人說：「又有一人獨自跑來。」王說：「這也必是報信的。」the watchman saw another man running, and he called out to the gatekeeper, “Look! Another man is running alone!” “This one also brings good news,” said the king.

²⁷守望的人說：「我看前頭人的跑法，好像撒督的兒子亞希瑪斯的跑法一樣。」王說：「他是個好人，必是報好信息。」The watchman said, “The first man appears to me to be running like Ahimaaz son of Zadok.” “This is a good man,” said the king. “He comes with good news.”

²⁸亞希瑪斯向王呼叫說：「平安了！」就在王面前臉伏於地叩拜，說：「耶和華─你的　神是應當稱頌的，因他已將那舉手攻擊我主我王的人交給王了。」Then Ahimaaz called out to the king, “All is well!” And he bowed facedown before the king. He continued, “Blessed be the LORD your God! He has delivered up the men who raised their hands against my lord the king.”

²⁹王問說：「少年人押沙龍平安不平安？」亞希瑪斯回答說：「約押打發王的僕人，那時僕人聽見眾民大聲喧嘩，卻不知道是甚麼事。」The king asked, “Is the young man Absalom all right?” And Ahimaaz replied, “When Joab sent the king’s servant and your servant, I saw a great tumult, but I do not know what it was.”

³⁰王說：「你退去，站在旁邊。」他就退去，站在旁邊。“Move aside,” said the king, “and stand here.” So he stepped aside.

³¹古示人也來到，說：「有信息報給我主我王！耶和華今日向一切興起攻擊你的人給你報仇了。」Just then the Cushite came and said, “May my lord the king hear the good news: Today the LORD has avenged you of all who rose up against you!”

³²王問古示人說：「少年人押沙龍平安不平安？」古示人回答說：「願我主我王的仇敵，和一切興起要殺害你的人，都與那少年人一樣。」The king asked the Cushite, “Is the young man Absalom all right?” And the Cushite replied, “May the enemies of my lord the king and all who rise up against you to harm you be like that young man.”

³³王就心裡傷慟，上城門樓去哀哭，一面走一面說：「我兒押沙龍啊！我兒，我兒押沙龍啊！我恨不得替你死，押沙龍啊，我兒！我兒！」The king was shaken and went up to the chamber over the gate and wept. And as he walked, he cried out, “O my son Absalom! My son, my son Absalom! If only I had died instead of you, O Absalom, my son, my son!”

約押勸王

¹有人告訴約押說：「王為押沙龍哭泣悲哀。」Then it was reported to Joab, “The king is weeping and mourning over Absalom.”

²眾民聽說王為他兒子憂愁，他們得勝的歡樂卻變成悲哀。And that day’s victory was turned into mourning for all the people, because on that day they were told, “The king is grieving over his son.”

³那日眾民暗暗地進城，就如敗陣逃跑、慚愧的民一般。So they returned to the city quietly that day, as people steal away in humiliation after fleeing a battle.

⁴王蒙著臉，大聲哭號說：「我兒押沙龍啊！押沙龍，我兒，我兒啊！」But the king covered his face and cried out at the top of his voice, “O my son Absalom! O Absalom, my son, my son!”

⁵約押進去見王，說：「你今日使你一切僕人臉面慚愧了！他們今日救了你的性命和你兒女妻妾的性命，Then Joab went into the house and said to the king, “Today you have disgraced all your servants who have saved your life and the lives of your sons and daughters, of your wives, and of your concubines.

⁶你卻愛那恨你的人，恨那愛你的人。你今日明明地不以將帥、僕人為念。我今日看明，若押沙龍活著，我們都死亡，你就喜悅了。You love those who hate you and hate those who love you! For you have made it clear today that the commanders and soldiers mean nothing to you. I know today that if Absalom were alive and all of us were dead, it would have pleased you!

⁷現在你當出去，安慰你僕人的心。我指著耶和華起誓：你若不出去，今夜必無一人與你同在一處；這禍患就比你從幼年到如今所遭的更甚！」Now therefore get up! Go out and speak comfort to your servants, for I swear by the LORD that if you do not go out, not a man will remain with you tonight. This will be worse for you than all the adversity that has befallen you from your youth until now!”

⁸於是王起來，坐在城門口。眾民聽說王坐在城門口，就都到王面前。以色列人已經逃跑，各回各家去了。So the king got up and sat in the gate, and all the people were told: “Behold, the king is sitting in the gate.” So they all came before the king. Meanwhile, the Israelites had fled, each man to his home.

太初有道

¹太初有道，道與　神同在，道就是　神。In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

²這道太初與　神同在。He was with God in the beginning.

³萬物是藉著他造的；凡被造的，沒有一樣不是藉著他造的。Through Him all things were made, and without Him nothing was made that has been made.

⁴生命在他裡頭，這生命就是人的光。In Him was life, and that life was the light of men.

⁵光照在黑暗裡，黑暗卻不接受光。The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

約翰為光作見證

⁶有一個人，是從　神那裡差來的，名叫約翰。There came a man who was sent from God. His name was John.

⁷這人來，為要作見證，就是為光作見證，叫眾人因他可以信。He came as a witness to testify about the Light, so that through him everyone might believe.

⁸他不是那光，乃是要為光作見證。He himself was not the Light, but he came to testify about the Light.

真光來到世界

⁹那光是真光，照亮一切生在世上的人。The true Light, who gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.

¹⁰他在世界，世界也是藉著他造的，世界卻不認識他。He was in the world, and though the world was made through Him, the world did not recognize Him.

¹¹他到自己的地方來，自己的人倒不接待他。He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him.

¹²凡接待他的，就是信他名的人，他就賜他們權柄作　神的兒女。But to all who did receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God—

¹³這等人不是從血氣生的，不是從情慾生的，也不是從人意生的，乃是從　神生的。children born not of blood, nor of the desire or will of man, but born of God.

道成了肉身

¹⁴道成了肉身，住在我們中間，充充滿滿地有恩典有真理。我們也見過他的榮光，正是父獨生子的榮光。The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

¹⁵約翰為他作見證，喊著說：「這就是我曾說：『那在我以後來的，反成了在我以前的，因他本來在我以前。』」John testified concerning Him. He cried out, saying, “This is He of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me has surpassed me because He was before me.’”

恩典和真理由耶穌基督而來

¹⁶從他豐滿的恩典裡，我們都領受了，而且恩上加恩。From His fullness we have all received grace upon grace.

¹⁷律法本是藉著摩西傳的；恩典和真理都是由耶穌基督來的。For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

¹⁸從來沒有人看見　神，只有在父懷裡的獨生子將他表明出來。No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is Himself God and is at the Father’s side, has made Him known.