The Bible, Douay-Rheims Part 185

7:15. But my mercy I will not take away from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I removed from before my face.

7:16. And thy house shall be faithful, and thy kingdom for ever before thy face, and thy throne shall be firm for ever.

7:17. According to all these words and according to all this vision so did Nathan speak to David.

7:18. And David went in, and sat before the Lord, and said: Who am I, O Lord G.o.d, and what is my house, that thou hast brought me thus far?

7:19. Bur yet this hath seemed little in thy sight, O Lord G.o.d, unless thou didst also speak of the house of thy servant for a long time to come: for this is the law of Adam, O Lord G.o.d:

7:20. And what can David say more unto thee? for thou knowest thy servant, O Lord G.o.d:

7:21. For thy word's sake, and according to thy own heart thou has done all these great things, so that thou wouldst make it known to thy servant.

7:22. Therefore thou art magnified, O Lord G.o.d, because there is none like to thee, neither is there any G.o.d besides thee, in all the things that we have heard with our ears.

7:23. And what nation is there upon earth, as thy people Israel, whom G.o.d went to redeem for a people to himself, and to make him a name, and to do for them great and terrible things, upon the earth, before the face of thy people, whom thou redeemedst to thyself out of Egypt, from the nations and their G.o.ds.

7:24. For thou hast confirmed to thyself thy people Israel to be an everlasting people: and thou, O Lord G.o.d, art become their G.o.d.

7:25. And now, O Lord G.o.d, raise up for ever the word that thou hast spoken, concerning thy servant and concerning his house: and do as thou hast spoken,

7:26. That thy name may be magnified for ever, and it may be said: The Lord of hosts is G.o.d over Israel. And the house of thy servant David shall be established before the Lord.

7:27. Because thou, O Lord of hosts, G.o.d of Israel, hast revealed to the ear of thy servant, saying: I will build thee a house: therefore hath thy servant found in his heart to pray this prayer to thee.

7:28. And now, O Lord G.o.d, thou art G.o.d, and thy words shall be true: for thou hast spoken to thy servant these good things.

7:29. And now begin, and bless the house of thy servant, that it may endure for ever before thee: because thou, O Lord G.o.d, hast spoken it, and with thy blessing let the house of thy servant be blessed for ever.

2 Kings Chapter 8

David's victories, and his chief officers.

8:1. And it came to pa.s.s after this that David defeated the Philistines, and brought them down, and David took the bridle of tribute out of the hand of the Philistines,

8:2. And he defeated Moab, and measured them with a line, casting them down to the earth: and he measured with two lines, one to put to death, and one to save alive: and Moab was made to serve David under tribute.

8:3. David defeated also Adarezer the son of Rohob king of Soba, when he went to extend his dominion over the river Euphrates.

8:4. And David took from him a thousand and seven hundred hors.e.m.e.n, and twenty thousand footmen, and houghed all the chariot horses: and only reserved of them for one hundred chariots.

8:5. And the Syrians of Damascus came to succour Adarezer the king of Soba: and David slew of the Syrians two and twenty thousand men.

8:6. And David put garrisons in Syria of Damascus: and Syria served David under tribute, and the Lord preserved David in all his enterprises, whithersoever he went.

8:7. And David took the arms of gold, which the servants of Adarezer wore and brought them to Jerusalem.

8:8. And out of Bete, and out of Beroth, cities of Adarezer, king David took and exceeding great quant.i.ty of bra.s.s.

8:9. And Thou the king of Emath heard that David had defeated all the forces of Adarezer.

8:10. And Thou sent Joram his son to king David, to salute him, and to congratulate with him, and to return him thanks: because he had fought against Adarezer, and had defeated him. For Thou was an enemy to Adarezer, and in his hand were vessels of gold, and vessels of silver, and vessels of bra.s.s:

8:11. And king David dedicated them to the Lord, together with the silver and gold that he had dedicated of all the nations, which he had subdued:

8:12. Of Syria, and of Moab, and of the children Ammon, and of the Philistines, and of Amalec, and of the spoils of Adarezer the son of Rohob king of Soba.

8:13. David also made himself a name, when he returned after taking Syria in the valley of the saltpits, killing eighteen thousand:

8:14. And he put guards in Edom, and placed there a garrison: and all Edom was made to serve David: and the Lord preserved David in all enterprises he went about.

8:15. And David reigned over all Israel: and David did judgment and justice to all his people.

8:16. And Joab the son Sarvia was over the army: and Josaphat the son of Ahilud was recorder:

Recorder... Or chancellor.

8:17. And Sadoc the son of Achitob, and Achimelech the son of Abiathar, were the priests: and Saraias was the scribe:

Scribe... Or secretary.

8:18. And Banaias the son of Joiada was over the Cerethi and Phelethi: and the sons of David were the princes.

The Cerethi and Phelethi... The king's guards.-Ibid. Princes...

Literally priests. (Cohen) So called, by a t.i.tle of honour, and not from exercising the priestly functions.

2 Kings Chapter 9

David's kindness to Miphiboseth for the sake of his father Jonathan.

9:1. And David said: Is there any one, think you, left of the house of Saul, that I may shew kindness to him for Jonathan's sake?

9:2. Now there was of the house of Saul, a servant named Siba: and when the king had called him to him, he said to him: Art thou Siba? And he answered: I am Siba thy servant.

9:3. And the king said: Is there any one left of the house of Saul, that I may shew the mercy of G.o.d unto Him? And Siba said to the king: There is a son of Jonathan left, who is lame of his feet.

9:4. Where is he? said he. And Siba said to the king: Behold he is in the house of Machir the son of Ammiel in Lodabar.

9:5. Then King David sent, and brought him out of the house of Machir the son of Ammiel of Lodabar.

9:6. And when Miphiboseth the son of Jonathan the son of Saul was come to David, he fell on his face and worshipped. And David said: Miphiboseth? And he answered: Behold thy servant.

9:7. And David said to him: Fear not, for I will surely shew thee mercy for Jonathan thy father's sake, and I will restore the lands of Saul the father, and thou shalt eat bread at my table always.

9:8. He bowed down to him, and said: Who am I thy servant, that thou shouldst look upon such a dead dog as I am?

9:9. Then the King called Siba the servant of Saul, and said to him: All that belonged to Saul, and all his house, I have given to thy master's son.