今日读经

押沙龙暗中笼络人心

¹此后，押沙龙为自己预备车马，又派五十人在他前头奔走。Some time later, Absalom provided for himself a chariot with horses and fifty men to run ahead of him.

²押沙龙常常早晨起来，站在城门的道旁，凡有争讼要去求王判断的，押沙龙就叫他过来，问他说：“你是哪一城的人？”回答说：“仆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押沙龙对他说：“你的事有情有理，无奈王没有委人听你伸诉。”Absalom would say, “Look, your claims are good and right, but the king has no deputy to hear you.”

⁴押沙龙又说：“恨不得我作国中的士师！凡有争讼求审判的到我这里来，我必秉公判断。”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若有人近前来要拜押沙龙，押沙龙就伸手拉住他，与他亲嘴。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，凡去见王求判断的，押沙龙都是如此待他们。这样，押沙龙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.

押沙龙在希伯仑叛变

⁷满了四十年（有作四年的），押沙龙对王说：“求你准我往希伯仑去，还我向耶和华所许的愿。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因为仆人住在亚兰的基述，曾许愿说：‘耶和华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王说：“你平平安安地去吧！”押沙龙就起身，往希伯仑去了。“Go in peace,” said the king. So Absalom got up and went to Hebron.

¹⁰押沙龙打发探子走遍以色列各支派，说：“你们一听见角声就说：‘押沙龙在希伯仑作王了！’”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押沙龙在耶路撒冷请了二百人与他同去，都是诚诚实实去的，并不知道其中的真情。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押沙龙献祭的时候，打发人去将大卫的谋士、基罗人亚希多弗从他本城请了来。于是叛逆的势派甚大；因为随从押沙龙的人民，日渐增多。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.

大卫逃离耶路撒冷

¹³有人报告大卫说：“以色列人的心都归向押沙龙了！”Then a messenger came to David and reported, “The hearts of the men of Israel are with Absalom.”

¹⁴大卫就对耶路撒冷跟随他的臣仆说：“我们要起来逃走，不然都不能躲避押沙龙了；要速速地去，恐怕他忽然来到，加害于我们，用刀杀尽合城的人。”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王的臣仆对王说：“我主我王所定的，仆人都愿遵行。”The king’s servants replied, “Whatever our lord the king decides, we are your servants.”

¹⁶于是王带着全家的人出去了，但留下十个妃嫔看守宫殿。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，众民都跟随他，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王的臣仆都在他面前过去。基利提人、比利提人，就是从迦特跟随王来的六百人，也都在他面前过去。and all his servants marched past him—all the Cherethites and Pelethites, and six hundred Gittites who had followed him from Gath.

¹⁹王对迦特人以太说：“你是外邦逃来的人，为什么与我们同去呢？你可以回去与新王同住，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你来的日子不多，我今日怎好叫你与我们一同飘流、没有一定的住处呢？你不如带你的弟兄回去吧！愿耶和华用慈爱诚实待你。”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以太对王说：“我指着永生的耶和华起誓，又敢在王面前起誓：无论生死，王在哪里，仆人也必在那里。”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大卫对以太说：“你前去过河吧！”于是迦特人以太带着跟随他的人和所有的妇人孩子，就都过去了。“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本地的人都放声大哭。众民尽都过去，王也过了汲沦溪；众民往旷野去了。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.

约柜抬回城

²⁴撒督和抬　神约柜的利未人也一同来了，将　神的约柜放下。亚比亚他上来，等着众民从城里出来过去。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王对撒督说：“你将　神的约柜抬回城去。我若在耶和华眼前蒙恩，他必使我回来，再见约柜和他的居所。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倘若他说：‘我不喜悦你’，看哪，我在这里，愿他凭自己的意旨待我！”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王又对祭司撒督说：“你不是先见吗？你可以安然回城；你儿子亚希玛斯和亚比亚他的儿子约拿单都可以与你同去。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我在旷野的渡口那里等你们报信给我。”See, I will wait at the fords of the wilderness until word comes from you to inform me.”

²⁹于是撒督和亚比亚他将　神的约柜抬回耶路撒冷，他们就住在那里。So Zadok and Abiathar returned the ark of God to Jerusalem and stayed there.

大卫哭着上橄榄山

³⁰大卫蒙头赤脚上橄榄山，一面上一面哭。跟随他的人也都蒙头哭着上去；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有人告诉大卫说：“亚希多弗也在叛党之中，随从押沙龙。”大卫祷告说：“耶和华啊，求你使亚希多弗的计谋变为愚拙！”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大卫到了山顶、敬拜　神的地方，见亚基人户筛，衣服撕裂，头蒙灰尘来迎接他。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大卫对他说：“你若与我同去，必累赘我；David said to him, “If you go on with me, you will be a burden to me.

³⁴你若回城去，对押沙龙说：‘王啊，我愿作你的仆人；我向来作你父亲的仆人，现在我也照样作你的仆人。’这样，你就可以为我破坏亚希多弗的计谋。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祭司撒督和亚比亚他岂不都在那里吗？你在王宫里听见什么，就要告诉祭司撒督和亚比亚他。Will not Zadok and Abiathar the priests be there with you? Report to them everything you hear from the king’s palace.

³⁶撒督的儿子亚希玛斯，亚比亚他的儿子约拿单，也都在那里。凡你们所听见的可以托这二人来报告我。”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于是，大卫的朋友户筛进了城；押沙龙也进了耶路撒冷。So David’s friend Hushai arrived in Jerusalem just as Absalom was entering the city.

逃难路上：洗巴与示每

¹大卫刚过山顶，见米非波设的仆人洗巴拉着备好了的两匹驴，驴上驮着二百面饼，一百葡萄饼，一百个夏天的果饼，一皮袋酒来迎接他。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王问洗巴说：“你带这些来是什么意思呢？”洗巴说：“驴是给王的家眷骑的；面饼和夏天的果饼是给少年人吃的；酒是给在旷野疲乏人喝的。”“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王问说：“你主人的儿子在哪里呢？”洗巴回答王说：“他仍在耶路撒冷，因他说：‘以色列人今日必将我父的国归还我。’”“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王对洗巴说：“凡属米非波设的都归你了。”洗巴说：“我叩拜我主我王，愿我在你眼前蒙恩。”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大卫王到了巴户琳，见有一个人出来，是扫罗族基拉的儿子，名叫示每。他一面走一面咒骂，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又拿石头砍大卫王和王的臣仆；众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示每咒骂说：“你这流人血的坏人哪，去吧去吧！And as he yelled curses, Shimei said, “Get out, get out, you worthless man of bloodshed!

⁸你流扫罗全家的血，接续他作王；耶和华把这罪归在你身上，将这国交给你儿子押沙龙。现在你自取其祸，因为你是流人血的人。”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洗鲁雅的儿子亚比筛对王说：“这死狗岂可咒骂我主我王呢？求你容我过去，割下他的头来。”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王说：“洗鲁雅的儿子，我与你们有何关涉呢？他咒骂是因耶和华吩咐他说：‘你要咒骂大卫。’如此，谁敢说你为什么这样行呢？”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大卫又对亚比筛和众臣仆说：“我亲生的儿子尚且寻索我的性命，何况这便雅悯人呢？由他咒骂吧！因为这是耶和华吩咐他的。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或者耶和华见我遭难，为我今日被这人咒骂，就施恩与我。”Perhaps the LORD will see my affliction and repay me with good for the cursing I receive today.”

¹³于是大卫和跟随他的人往前行走。示每在大卫对面山坡，一面行走一面咒骂，又拿石头砍他，拿土扬他。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王和跟随他的众人疲疲乏乏地到了一个地方，就在那里歇息歇息。Finally, the king and all the people with him arrived, exhausted. And there he refreshed himself.

户筛假意归顺押沙龙

¹⁵押沙龙和以色列众人来到耶路撒冷；亚希多弗也与他同来。Then Absalom and all the men of Israel came to Jerusalem, and Ahithophel was with him.

¹⁶大卫的朋友亚基人户筛去见押沙龙，对他说：“愿王万岁！愿王万岁！”And David’s friend Hushai the Archite went to Absalom and said to him, “Long live the king! Long live the king!”

¹⁷押沙龙问户筛说：“这是你恩待朋友吗？为什么不与你的朋友同去呢？”“Is this the loyalty you show your friend?” Absalom replied. “Why did you not go with your friend?”

¹⁸户筛对押沙龙说：“不然，耶和华和这民，并以色列众人所拣选的，我必归顺他，与他同住。“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，我当服事谁呢？岂不是前王的儿子吗？我怎样服事你父亲，也必照样服事你。”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押沙龙对亚希多弗说：“你们出个主意，我们怎样行才好？”Then Absalom said to Ahithophel, “Give me counsel. What should we do?”

²¹亚希多弗对押沙龙说：“你父所留下看守宫殿的妃嫔，你可以与她们亲近。以色列众人听见你父亲憎恶你，凡归顺你人的手就更坚强。”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于是人为押沙龙在宫殿的平顶上支搭帐棚；押沙龙在以色列众人眼前，与他父的妃嫔亲近。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那时亚希多弗所出的主意好像人问　神的话一样；他昔日给大卫，今日给押沙龙所出的主意，都是这样。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.

亚希多弗与户筛的计谋

¹亚希多弗又对押沙龙说：“求你准我挑选一万二千人，今夜我就起身追赶大卫，Furthermore, Ahithophel said to Absalom, “Let me choose twelve thousand men and set out tonight in pursuit of David.

²趁他疲乏手软，我忽然追上他，使他惊惶；跟随他的民必都逃跑，我就单杀王一人，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使众民都归顺你。你所寻找的人既然死了，众民就如已经归顺你；这样，也都平安无事了。”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押沙龙和以色列的长老都以这话为美。This proposal seemed good to Absalom and all the elders of Israel.

⁵押沙龙说：“要召亚基人户筛来，我们也要听他怎样说。”Then Absalom said, “Summon Hushai the Archite as well, and let us hear what he too has to say.”

⁶户筛到了押沙龙面前，押沙龙向他说：“亚希多弗是如此如此说的，我们照着他的话行可以不可以？若不可，你就说吧！”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户筛对押沙龙说：“亚希多弗这次所定的谋不善。”Hushai replied, “This time the advice of Ahithophel is not sound.”

⁸户筛又说：“你知道，你父亲和跟随他的人都是勇士，现在他们心里恼怒，如同田野丢崽子的母熊一般，而且你父亲是个战士，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他现今或藏在坑中或在别处，若有人首先被杀，凡听见的必说：‘跟随押沙龙的民被杀了。’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虽有人胆大如狮子，他的心也必消化；因为以色列人都知道你父亲是英雄，跟随他的人也都是勇士。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依我之计，不如将以色列众人—从但直到别是巴，如同海边的沙那样多—聚集到你这里来，你也亲自率领他们出战。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这样，我们在何处遇见他，就下到他那里，如同露水下在地上一般，连他带跟随他的人，一个也不留下。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他若进了哪一座城，以色列众人必带绳子去，将那城拉到河里，甚至连一块小石头都不剩下。”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押沙龙和以色列众人说：“亚基人户筛的计谋比亚希多弗的计谋更好！”这是因耶和华定意破坏亚希多弗的良谋，为要降祸与押沙龙。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.

冒险送信给大卫

¹⁵户筛对祭司撒督和亚比亚他说：“亚希多弗为押沙龙和以色列的长老所定的计谋是如此如此，我所定的计谋是如此如此。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现在你们要急速打发人去，告诉大卫说：‘今夜不可住在旷野的渡口，务要过河，免得王和跟随他的人都被吞灭。’”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那时，约拿单和亚希玛斯在隐·罗结那里等候，不敢进城，恐怕被人看见。有一个使女出来，将这话告诉他们，他们就去报信给大卫王。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然而有一个童子看见他们，就去告诉押沙龙。他们急忙跑到巴户琳某人的家里；那人院中有一口井，他们就下到井里。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那家的妇人用盖盖上井口，又在上头铺上碎麦，事就没有泄漏。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押沙龙的仆人来到那家，问妇人说：“亚希玛斯和约拿单在哪里？”妇人说：“他们过了河了。”仆人找他们，找不着，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他们走后，二人从井里上来，去告诉大卫王说：“亚希多弗如此如此定计害你，你们务要起来，快快过河。”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于是大卫和跟随他的人都起来，过约旦河。到了天亮，无一人不过约旦河的。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.

亚希多弗自缢，大卫到玛哈念

²³亚希多弗见不依从他的计谋，就备上驴，归回本城；到了家，留下遗言，便吊死了，葬在他父亲的坟墓里。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大卫到了玛哈念，押沙龙和跟随他的以色列人也都过了约旦河。Then David went to Mahanaim, and Absalom crossed the Jordan with all the men of Israel.

²⁵押沙龙立亚玛撒作元帅，代替约押。亚玛撒是以实玛利人（又作以色列人）以特拉的儿子。以特拉曾与拿辖的女儿亚比该亲近；这亚比该与约押的母亲洗鲁雅是姊妹。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押沙龙和以色列人都安营在基列地。So the Israelites and Absalom camped in the land of Gilead.

²⁷大卫到了玛哈念，亚扪族的拉巴人拿辖的儿子朔比，罗·底巴人亚·米利的儿子玛吉，基列的罗基琳人巴西莱，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带着被、褥、盆、碗、瓦器、小麦、大麦、麦面、炒谷、豆子、红豆、炒豆、They brought beds, basins, and earthen vessels, as well as wheat, barley, flour, roasted grain, beans, lentils,

²⁹蜂蜜、奶油、绵羊、奶饼，供给大卫和跟随他的人吃；他们说：“民在旷野，必饥渴困乏了。”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.”

大卫嘱咐宽待押沙龙

¹大卫数点跟随他的人，立千夫长、百夫长率领他们。Then David reviewed his troops and appointed over them commanders of thousands and of hundreds.

²大卫打发军兵出战，分为三队：一队在约押手下，一队在洗鲁雅的儿子、约押兄弟亚比筛手下，一队在迦特人以太手下。大卫对军兵说：“我必与你们一同出战。”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军兵却说：“你不可出战。若是我们逃跑，敌人必不介意；我们阵亡一半，敌人也不介意。因为你一人强似我们万人，你不如在城里预备帮助我们。”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王向他们说：“你们以为怎样好，我就怎样行。”于是王站在城门旁，军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王嘱咐约押、亚比筛、以太说：“你们要为我的缘故宽待那少年人押沙龙。”王为押沙龙嘱咐众将的话，兵都听见了。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兵就出到田野迎着以色列人，在以法莲树林里交战。So David’s army marched into the field to engage Israel, and the battle took place in the forest of Ephraim.

⁷以色列人败在大卫的仆人面前；那日阵亡的甚多，共有二万人。There the people of Israel were defeated by David’s servants, and the slaughter was great that day—twenty thousand men.

⁸因为在那里四面打仗，死于树林的比死于刀剑的更多。The battle spread over the whole countryside, and that day the forest devoured more people than the sword.

押沙龙之死

⁹押沙龙偶然遇见大卫的仆人。押沙龙骑着骡子，从大橡树密枝底下经过，他的头发被树枝绕住，就悬挂起来，所骑的骡子便离他去了。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有个人看见，就告诉约押说：“我看见押沙龙挂在橡树上了。”When one of the men saw this, he told Joab, “I just saw Absalom hanging in an oak tree!”

¹¹约押对报信的人说：“你既看见他，为什么不将他打死落在地上呢？你若打死他，我就赏你十舍客勒银子，一条带子。”“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那人对约押说：“我就是得你一千舍客勒银子，我也不敢伸手害王的儿子；因为我们听见王嘱咐你和亚比筛并以太说：‘你们要谨慎，不可害那少年人押沙龙。’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我若妄为害了他的性命，就是你自己也必与我为敌（原来，无论何事都瞒不过王。）”If I had jeopardized my own life—and nothing is hidden from the king—you would have abandoned me.”

¹⁴约押说：“我不能与你留连。”约押手拿三杆短枪，趁押沙龙在橡树上还活着，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给约押拿兵器的十个少年人围绕押沙龙，将他杀死。And ten young men who carried Joab’s armor surrounded Absalom, struck him, and killed him.

¹⁶约押吹角，拦阻众人，他们就回来，不再追赶以色列人。Then Joab blew the ram’s horn, and the troops broke off their pursuit of Israel because Joab had restrained them.

¹⁷他们将押沙龙丢在林中一个大坑里，上头堆起一大堆石头。以色列众人都逃跑，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押沙龙活着的时候，在王谷立了一根石柱，因他说：“我没有儿子为我留名。”他就以自己的名称那石柱叫押沙龙柱，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.

报信与大卫的哀哭

¹⁹撒督的儿子亚希玛斯说：“容我跑去，将耶和华向仇敌给王报仇的信息报与王知。”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约押对他说：“你今日不可去报信，改日可以报信；因为今日王的儿子死了，所以你不可去报信。”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约押对古示人说：“你去将你所看见的告诉王。”古示人在约押面前下拜，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撒督的儿子亚希玛斯又对约押说：“无论怎样，求你容我随着古示人跑去。”约押说：“我儿，你报这信息，既不得赏赐，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他又说：“无论怎样，我要跑去。”约押说：“你跑去吧！”亚希玛斯就从平原往前跑，跑过古示人去了。“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大卫正坐在城瓮里。守望的人上城门楼的顶上，举目观看，见有一个人独自跑来。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守望的人就大声告诉王。王说：“他若独自来，必是报口信的。”那人跑得渐渐近了。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守望的人又见一人跑来，就对守城门的人说：“又有一人独自跑来。”王说：“这也必是报信的。”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守望的人说：“我看前头人的跑法，好像撒督的儿子亚希玛斯的跑法一样。”王说：“他是个好人，必是报好信息。”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亚希玛斯向王呼叫说：“平安了！”就在王面前脸伏于地叩拜，说：“耶和华—你的　神是应当称颂的，因他已将那举手攻击我主我王的人交给王了。”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王问说：“少年人押沙龙平安不平安？”亚希玛斯回答说：“约押打发王的仆人，那时仆人听见众民大声喧哗，却不知道是什么事。”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王说：“你退去，站在旁边。”他就退去，站在旁边。“Move aside,” said the king, “and stand here.” So he stepped aside.

³¹古示人也来到，说：“有信息报给我主我王！耶和华今日向一切兴起攻击你的人给你报仇了。”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王问古示人说：“少年人押沙龙平安不平安？”古示人回答说：“愿我主我王的仇敌，和一切兴起要杀害你的人，都与那少年人一样。”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王就心里伤恸，上城门楼去哀哭，一面走一面说：“我儿押沙龙啊！我儿，我儿押沙龙啊！我恨不得替你死，押沙龙啊，我儿！我儿！”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!”

约押劝王

¹有人告诉约押说：“王为押沙龙哭泣悲哀。”Then it was reported to Joab, “The king is weeping and mourning over Absalom.”

²众民听说王为他儿子忧愁，他们得胜的欢乐却变成悲哀。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那日众民暗暗地进城，就如败阵逃跑、惭愧的民一般。So they returned to the city quietly that day, as people steal away in humiliation after fleeing a battle.

⁴王蒙着脸，大声哭号说：“我儿押沙龙啊！押沙龙，我儿，我儿啊！”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约押进去见王，说：“你今日使你一切仆人脸面惭愧了！他们今日救了你的性命和你儿女妻妾的性命，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你却爱那恨你的人，恨那爱你的人。你今日明明地不以将帅、仆人为念。我今日看明，若押沙龙活着，我们都死亡，你就喜悦了。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现在你当出去，安慰你仆人的心。我指着耶和华起誓：你若不出去，今夜必无一人与你同在一处；这祸患就比你从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于是王起来，坐在城门口。众民听说王坐在城门口，就都到王面前。以色列人已经逃跑，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，道与　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这道太初与　神同在。He was with God in the beginning.

³万物是借着他造的；凡被造的，没有一样不是借着他造的。Through Him all things were made, and without Him nothing was made that has been made.

⁴生命在他里头，这生命就是人的光。In Him was life, and that life was the light of men.

⁵光照在黑暗里，黑暗却不接受光。The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

约翰为光作见证

⁶有一个人，是从　神那里差来的，名叫约翰。There came a man who was sent from God. His name was John.

⁷这人来，为要作见证，就是为光作见证，叫众人因他可以信。He came as a witness to testify about the Light, so that through him everyone might believe.

⁸他不是那光，乃是要为光作见证。He himself was not the Light, but he came to testify about the Light.

真光来到世界

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，世界也是借着他造的，世界却不认识他。He was in the world, and though the world was made through Him, the world did not recognize Him.

¹¹他到自己的地方来，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，他就赐他们权柄作　神的儿女。But to all who did receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God—

¹³这等人不是从血气生的，不是从情欲生的，也不是从人意生的，乃是从　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，住在我们中间，充充满满地有恩典有真理。我们也见过他的荣光，正是父独生子的荣光。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约翰为他作见证，喊着说：“这就是我曾说：‘那在我以后来的，反成了在我以前的，因他本来在我以前。’”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.’”

恩典和真理由耶稣基督而来

¹⁶从他丰满的恩典里，我们都领受了，而且恩上加恩。From His fullness we have all received grace upon grace.

¹⁷律法本是借着摩西传的；恩典和真理都是由耶稣基督来的。For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

¹⁸从来没有人看见　神，只有在父怀里的独生子将他表明出来。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.