The people ¹  who did not die were struck with sores; the city’s cry for help went all the way up to heaven.

But David’s soldiers had slaughtered the Benjaminites and Abner’s men – in all, 360 men had died!

They also attacked the tents of the herdsmen in charge of the livestock. ¹  They carried off many sheep and camels and then returned to Jerusalem. ² 

People ¹  have opened their mouths against me, they have struck my cheek in scorn; ²  they unite ³  together against me.

Then they struck the men who were at the door of the house, from the youngest to the oldest, ¹  with blindness. The men outside ²  wore themselves out trying to find the door.

and the Sabeans ¹  swooped down ²  and carried them all away, and they killed ³  the servants with the sword! ⁴  And I – only I alone ⁵  – escaped to tell you!”

The Israelites plundered all the goods of these cities and the cattle, but they totally destroyed all the people ¹  and allowed no one who breathed to live.

Now these are the kings of the land whom the Israelites defeated and drove from their land ¹  on the east side of the Jordan, ²  from the Arnon Valley to Mount Hermon, including all the eastern Arabah:

Absalom instructed his servants, “Look! When Amnon is drunk ¹  and I say to you, ‘Strike Amnon down,’ kill him then and there. Don’t fear! Is it not I who have given you these instructions? Be strong and courageous!” ² 

While this one was still speaking another messenger arrived and said, “The Chaldeans ¹  formed three bands and made a raid ²  on the camels and carried them all away, and they killed the servants with the sword! ³  And I – only I alone – escaped to tell you!”