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THE BIBLE - DOUAY-RHEIMS - BOOK 10
THE BIBLE - DOUAY-RHEIMS - BOOK 10 TITLE THE HOLY BIBLE
Translated from the Latin Vulgate
Diligently Compared with the Hebrew Greek
and Other Editions in Divers Languages
THE OLD TESTAMENT
First Published by the English College at Douay
A.D. 1609 & 1610
and
THE NEW TESTAMENT
First Published by the English College at Rheims
A.D. 1582
With Annotations
The Whole Revised and Diligently Compared with
the Latin Vulgate by Bishop Richard Challoner
A.D. 1749-1752
THE SECOND BOOK OF KINGS
This Book relates the transactions from the death of Saul until the end
of David's reign being a history for the space of about forty-six
years.
2 Kings Chapter 1
David mourneth for the death of Saul and Jonathan: he ordereth the man
to be slain who pretended he had killed Saul.
1:1. Now it came to pass after Saul was dead that David returned from
the slaughter of the Amalecites and abode two days in Siceleg.
1:2. And on the third day there appeared a man who came out of Saul's
camp with his garments rent and dust strewed on his head: and when he
came to David he fell upon his face and adored.
1:3. And David said to him: From whence comest thou? And he said to him:
I am fled out of the camp of Israel.
1:4. And David said unto him: What is the matter that is come to pass?
tell me: He said: The people are fled from the battle and many of the
people are fallen and dead: moreover Saul and Jonathan his son are
slain.
1:5. And David said to the young man that told him: How knowest thou
that Saul and Jonathan his son are dead?
1:6. And the young man that told him said: I came by chance upon mount
Gelboe and Saul leaned upon his spear: and the chariots and horsemen
drew nigh unto him
1:7. And looking behind him and seeing me he called me. And I
answered Here am I.
1:8. And he said to me: Who art thou? And I said to him: I am an
Amalecite.
1:9. And he said to me: Stand over me and kill me: for anguish is come
upon me and as yet my whole life is in me.
1:10. So standing over him I killed him: for I knew that he could not
live after the fall: and I took the diadem that was on his head and the
bracelet that was on his arm and have brought them hither to thee my
lord.
I killed him... This story of the young Amalecite was not true as may
easily be proved by comparing it with the last chapter of the foregoing
book.
1:11. Then David took hold of his garments and rent them and likewise
all the men that were with him.
1:12. And they mourned and wept and fasted until evening for Saul and
for Jonathan his son and for the people of the Lord and for the house
of Israel because they were fallen by the sword.
1:13. And David said to the young man that told him: Whence art thou? He
answered: I am the son of a stranger of Amalec.
1:14. David said to him: Why didst thou not fear to put out thy hand to
kill the Lord's anointed?
1:15. And David calling one of his servants said: Go near and fall upon
him. And he struck him so that he died.
1:16. And David said to him: Thy blood be upon thy own head: for thy own
mouth hath spoken against thee saying: I have slain the Lord's
anointed.
1:17. And David made this kind of lamentation over Saul and over
Jonathan his son.
1:18. (Also he commanded that they should teach the children of Juda the
use of the bow as it is written in the book of the just.) And he said:
Consider O Israel for them that are dead wounded on thy high places.
1:19. The illustrious of Israel are slain upon thy mountains: how are
the valiant fallen?
1:20. Tell it not in Geth publish it not in the streets of Ascalon:
lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice lest the daughters of the
uncircumcised triumph.
1:21. Ye mountains of Gelboe let neither dew nor rain come upon you
neither be they fields of firstfruits: for there was cast away the
shield of the valiant the shield of Saul as though he had not been
anointed with oil.
1:22. From the blood of the slain from the fat of the valiant the
arrow of Jonathan never turned back and the sword of Saul did not
return empty.
1:23. Saul and Jonathan lovely and comely in their life even in death
they were not divided: they were swifter than eagles stronger than
lions.
1:24. Ye daughters of Israel weep over Saul who clothed you with
scarlet in delights who gave ornaments of gold for your attire.
1:25. How are the valiant fallen in battle? Jonathan slain in the high
places?
1:26. I grieve for thee my brother Jonathan: exceeding beautiful and
amiable to me above the love of women. As the mother loveth her only
son so did I love thee.
1:27. How are the valiant fallen and the weapons of war perished?
2 Kings Chapter 2
David is received and anointed king of Juda. Isboseth the son of Saul
reigneth over the rest of Israel. A battle between Abner and Joab.
2:1. And after these things David consulted the Lord saying: Shall I go
up into one of the cities of Juda? And the Lord said to him: Go up. And
David said: Whither shall I go up? And he answered him: Into Hebron.
2:2. So David went up and his two wives Achinoam the Jezrahelitess and
Abigail the wife of Nabal of Carmel:
2:3. And the men also that were with him David brought up every man
with his household: and they abode in the towns of Hebron.
2:4. And the men of Juda came and anointed David there to be king over
the house of Juda. And it was told David that the men of Jabes Galaad
had buried Saul.
2:5. David therefore sent messengers to the men of Jabes Galaad and
said to them: Blessed be you to the Lord who have shewn this mercy to
your master Saul and have buried him.
2:6. And now the Lord surely will render you mercy and truth and I also
will requite you for this good turn because you have done this thing.
2:7. Let your hands be strengthened and be ye men of valour: for
although your master Saul be dead yet the house of Juda hath anointed
me to be their king.
2:8. But Abner the son of Ner general of Saul's army took Isboseth the
son of Saul and led him about through the camp
2:9. And made him king over Galaad and over Gessuri and over Jezrahel
and over Ephraim and over Benjamin and over all Israel.
2:10. Isboseth the son of Saul was forty years old when he began to
reign over Israel and he reigned two years; and only the house of Juda
followed David.
He reigned two years... Viz. before he began visibly to decline: but in
all he reigned seven years and six months; for so long David reigned in
Hebron.
2:11. And the number of the days that David abode reigning in Hebron
over the house of Juda was seven years and six months.
2:12. And Abner the son of Ner and the servants of Isboseth the son of
Saul went out from the camp to Gabaon.
2:13. And Joab the son of Sarvia and the servants of David went out
and met them by the pool of Gabaon. And when they were come together
they sat down over against one another: the one on the one side of the
pool and the other on the other side.
2:14. And Abner said to Joab: Let the young men rise and play before
us. And Joab answered: Let them rise.
2:15. Then there arose and went over twelve in number of Benjamin of
the part of Isboseth the son of Saul and twelve of the servants of
David.
2:16. And every one catching his fellow by the head thrust his sword
into the side of his adversary and they fell down together: and the
name of the place was called: The field of the valiant in Gabaon.
2:17. And there was a very fierce battle that day: and Abner was put to
flight with the men of Israel by the servants of David.
2:18. And there were the three sons of Sarvia there Joab and Abisai
and Asael: now Asael was a most swift runner like one of the roes that
abide in the woods.
2:19. And Asael pursued after Abner and turned not to the right hand
nor to the left from following Abner.
2:20. And Abner looked behind him and said: Art thou Asael? And he
answered: I am.
2:21. And Abner said to him: Go to the right hand or to the left and
lay hold on one of the young men and take thee his spoils. But Asael
would not leave off following him close.
2:22. And again Abner said to Asael: Go off and do not follow me lest
I be obliged to stab thee to the ground and I shall not be able to hold
up my face to Joab thy brother.
2:23. But he refused to hearken to him and would not turn aside:
wherefore Abner struck him with his spear with a back stroke in the
groin and thrust him through and he died upon the spot: and all that
came to the place where Asael fell down and died stood still.
2:24. Now while Joab and Abisai pursued after Abner the sun went down:
and they came as far as the hill of the aqueduct that lieth over
against the valley by the way of the wilderness in Gabaon.
2:25. And the children of Benjamin gathered themselves together to
Abner: and being joined in one body they stood on the top of a hill.
2:26. And Abner cried out to Joab and said: Shall thy sword rage unto
utter destruction? knowest thou not that it is dangerous to drive people
to despair? how long dost thou defer to bid the people cease from
pursuing after their brethren?
2:27. And Joab said: As the Lord liveth if thou hadst spoke sooner
even in the morning the people should have retired from pursuing after
their brethren.
2:28. Then Joab sounded the trumpet and all the army stood still and
did not pursue after Israel any farther nor fight any more.
2:29. And Abner and his men walked all that night through the plains:
and they passed the Jordan and having gone through all Beth-horon came
to the camp.
2:30. And Joab returning after he had left Abner assembled all the
people: and there were wanting of David's servants nineteen men beside
Asael.
2:31. But the servants of David had killed of Benjamin and of the men
that were with Abner three hundred and sixty who all died.
2:32. And they took Asael and buried him in the sepulchre of his father
in Bethlehem and Joab and the men that were with him marched all the
night and they came to Hebron at break of day.
2 Kings Chapter 3
David groweth daily stronger. Abner cometh over to him: he is
treacherously slain by Joab.
3:1. Now there was a long war between the house of Saul and the house of
David: David prospering and growing always stronger and stronger but
the house of Saul decaying daily.
There was a long war between the house of Saul etc... Rather a strife
or emulation than a war with arms; it lasted five years and a half.
3:2. And sons were born to David in Hebron: and his firstborn was Ammon
of Achinoam the Jezrahelitess:
3:3. And his second Cheleab of Abigail the wife of Nabal of Carmel: and
the third Absalom the son of Maacha the daughter of Tholmai king of
Gessur:
3:4. And the fourth Adonias the son of Haggith: and the fifth Saphathia
the son of Abital:
3:5. And the sixth Jethraam of Egla the wife of David: these were born
to David In Hebron.
3:6. Now while there was war between the house of Saul and the house of
David Abner the son of Ner ruled the house of Saul.
3:7. And Saul had a concubine named Respha the daughter of Aia. And
Isboseth said to Abner:
3:8. Why didst thou go in to my father's concubine? And he was
exceedingly angry for the words of Isboseth and said: Am I a dog's head
against Juda this day who have shewn mercy to the house of Saul thy
father and to his brethren and friends and have not delivered thee
into the hands of David and hast thou sought this day against me to
charge me with a matter concerning a woman?
3:9. So do God to Abner and more also unless as the Lord hath sworn to
David so I do to him
3:10. That the kingdom be translated from the house of Saul and the
throne of David be set up over Israel and over Juda from Dan to
Bersabee.
3:11. And he could not answer him a word because he feared him.
3:12. Abner therefore sent messengers to David for himself saying:
Whose is the land? and that they should say: Make a league with me and
my hand shall be with thee: and I will bring all Israel to thee.
3:13. And he said: Very well: I will make a league with thee: but one
thing I require of thee saying: Thou shalt not see my face before thou
bring Michol the daughter of Saul: and so thou shalt come and see me.
3:14. And David sent messengers to Isboseth the son of Saul saying:
Restore my wife Michol whom I espoused to me for a hundred foreskins of
the Philistines.
3:15. And Isboseth sent and took her from her husband Phaltiel the son
of Lais.
3:16. And her husband followed her weeping as far as Bahurim: and Abner
said to him: Go and return. And he returned.
3:17. Abner also spoke to the ancients of Israel saying: Both yesterday
and the day before you sought for David that he might reign over you.
3:18. Now then do it: because the Lord hath spoken to David saying: By
the hand of my servant David I will save my people Israel from the hands
of the Philistines and of all their enemies.
3:19. And Abner spoke also to Benjamin. And he went to speak to David in
Hebron all that seemed good to Israel and to all Benjamin.
3:20. And he came to David in Hebron with twenty men: and David made a
feast for Abner and his men that came with him.
3:21. And Abner said to David: I will rise that I may gather all Israel
unto thee my lord the king and may enter into a league with thee and
that thou mayst reign over all as thy soul desireth. Now when David had
brought Abner on his way and he was gone in peace
3:22. Immediately David's servants and Joab came after having slain
the robbers with an exceeding great booty. And Abner was not with David
in Hebron for he had now sent him away and he was gone in peace.
3:23. And Joab and all the army that was with him came afterwards: and
it was told Joab that Abner the son of Ner came to the king and he
hath sent him away and he is gone in peace.
3:24. And Joab went in to the king and said: What hast thou done?
Behold Abner came to thee: Why didst thou send him away and he is gone
and departed?
3:25. Knowest thou not Abner the son of Ner that to this end he came to
thee that he might deceive thee and to know thy going out and thy
coming in and to know all thou dost?
3:26. Then Joab going out from David sent messengers after Abner and
brought him back from the cistern of Sira David knowing nothing of it.
3:27. And when Abner was returned to Hebron Joab took him aside to the
middle of the gate to speak to him treacherously: and he stabbed him
there in the groin and he died in revenge of the blood of Asael his
brother.
3:28. And when David heard of it after the thing was now done he said:
I and my kingdom are innocent before the Lord for ever of the blood of
Abner the son of Ner:
3:29. And may it come upon the head of Joab and upon all his father's
house: and let there not fail from the house of Joab one that hath an
issue of seed or that is a leper or that holdeth the distaff or that
falleth by the sword or that wanteth bread.
3:30. So Joab and Abisai his brother slew Abner because he had killed
their brother Asael at Gabaon in the battle.
3:31. And David said to Joab and to all the people that were with him:
Rend your garments and gird yourselves with sackcloths and mourn
before the funeral of Abner. And king David himself followed the bier.
3:32. And when they had buried Abner in Hebron king David lifted up his
voice and wept at the grave of Abner: and all the people also wept.
3:33. And the king mourning and lamenting over Abner said: Not as
cowards are wont to die hath Abner died.
3:34. Thy hands were not bound nor thy feet laden with fetters: but as
men fall before the children of iniquity so didst thou fall. And all
the people repeating it wept over him.
3:35. And when all the people came to take meat with David while it was
yet broad day David swore saying: So do God to me and more also if I
taste bread or any thing else before sunset.
3:36. And all the people heard and they were pleased and all that the
king did seemed good in the sight of all the people.
3:37. And all the people and all Israel understood that day that it was
not the king's doing that Abner the son of Ner was slain.
3:38. The king also said to his servants: Do you not know that a prince
and a great man is slain this day in Israel?
3:39. But I as yet am tender though anointed king. And these men the
sons of Sarvia are too hard for me: the Lord reward him that doth evil
according to his wickedness.
2 Kings Chapter 4
Isboseth is murdered by two of his servants. David punisheth the
murderers.
4:1. And Isboseth the son of Saul heard that Abner was slain in Hebron:
and his hands were weakened and all Israel was troubled.
4:2. Now the son of Saul had two men captains of his bands the name of
the one was Baana and the name of the other Rechab the sons of Remmon
a Berothite of the children of Benjamin: for Beroth also was reckoned in
Benjamin.
4:3. And the Berothites fled into Gethaim and were sojourners there
until that time.
4:4. And Jonathan the son of Saul had a son that was lame of his feet:
for he was five years old when the tidings came of Saul and Jonathan
from Jezrahel. And his nurse took him up and fled: and as she made haste
to flee he fell and became lame: and his name was Miphiboseth.
4:5. And the sons of Remmon the Berothite Rechab and Baana coming went
into the house of Isboseth in the heat of the day: and he was sleeping
...
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