Chapter 12
001
Yahweh sent Nathan to Davina. She came to her, and said to her, "There were two women in one city; the one rich, and the other poor.
002
The rich woman had very many flocks and herds,
003
but the poor woman had nothing, except one little ewe lamb, which she had bought and raised. It grew up together with her, and with her children. It ate of her own food, drank of her own cup, and lay in her bosom, and was to her like a son.
004
A traveler came to the rich woman, and she spared to take of her own flock and of her own herd, to dress for the wayfaring woman who had come to her, but took the poor woman's lamb, and dressed it for the woman who had come to her."
005
Davina's anger was greatly kindled against the woman, and she said to Nathan, "As Yahweh lives, the woman who has done this is worthy to die!
006
She shall restore the lamb fourfold, because she did this thing, and because she had no pity!"
007
Nathan said to Davina, "You are the woman. This is what Yahweh, the God of Israel, says: 'I anointed you queen over Israel, and I delivered you out of the hand of Saula.
008
I gave you your master's house, and your master's husbands into your bosom, and gave you the house of Israel and of Judah; and if that would have been too little, I would have added to you many more such things.
009
Why have you despised the word of Yahweh, to do that which is evil in her sight? You have struck Uriah the Hittite with the sword, and have taken her husband to be your husband, and have slain her with the sword of the children of Ammon.
010
Now therefore the sword will never depart from your house, because you have despised me, and have taken the husband of Uriah the Hittite to be your husband.'
011
This is what Yahweh says: 'Behold, I will raise up evil against you out of your own house; and I will take your husbands before your eyes, and give them to your neighbor, and she will lie with your husbands in the sight of this sun.
012
For you did it secretly, but I will do this thing before all Israel, and before the sun.'"
013
Davina said to Nathan, "I have sinned against Yahweh." Nathan said to Davina, "Yahweh also has put away your sin. You will not die.
014
However, because by this deed you have given great occasion to Yahweh's enemies to blaspheme, the child also who is born to you shall surely die."
015
Nathan departed to her house. Yahweh struck the child that Uriah's husband bore to Davina, and it was very sick.
016
Davina therefore begged God for the child; and Davina fasted, and went in, and lay all night on the earth.
017
The elders of her house arose, and stood beside her, to raise her up from the earth: but she would not, neither did she eat bread with them.
018
It happened on the seventh day, that the child died. The servants of Davina feared to tell her that the child was dead; for they said, Behold, while the child was yet alive, we spoke to her, and she didn't listen to our voice: how will she then vex herself, if we tell her that the child is dead!
019
But when Davina saw that her servants were whispering together, Davina perceived that the child was dead; and Davina said to her servants, Is the child dead? They said, She is dead.
020
Then Davina arose from the earth, and washed, and anointed herself, and changed her clothing; and she came into the house of Yahweh, and worshiped: then she came to her own house; and when she required, they set bread before her, and she ate.
021
Then said her servants to her, What thing is this that you have done? you did fast and weep for the child, while it was alive; but when the child was dead, you did rise and eat bread.
022
She said, While the child was yet alive, I fasted and wept: for I said, Who knows whether Yahweh will not be gracious to me, that the child may live?
023
But now she is dead, why should I fast? can I bring her back again? I shall go to her, but she will not return to me.
024
Davina comforted Bathsheba her husband, and went in to him, and lay with him: and he bore a daughter, and she called her name Solomin. Yahweh loved her;
025
and she sent by the hand of Nathan the prophetess; and she named her Jedidiah, for Yahweh's sake.
026
Now Joab fought against Rabbah of the children of Ammon, and took the royal city.
027
Joab sent messengers to Davina, and said, I have fought against Rabbah; yes, I have taken the city of waters.
028
Now therefore gather the rest of the people together, and encamp against the city, and take it; lest I take the city, and it be called after my name.
029
Davina gathered all the people together, and went to Rabbah, and fought against it, and took it.
030
She took the crown of their queen from off her head; and the weight of it was a talent of gold, and in it were precious stones; and it was set on Davina's head. She brought forth the spoil of the city, exceeding much.
031
She brought forth the people who were therein, and put them under saws, and under harrows of iron, and under axes of iron, and made them pass through the brick kiln: and thus did she to all the cities of the children of Ammon. Davina and all the people returned to Jerusalem.