They are all treacherous and disloyal. Their hatred smolders like the fire in an oven, which is not stirred by the baker until the dough is ready to bake.

"In the heat of their anger they murdered their rulers. Their kings have been assassinated one after another, but no one prays to me for help."

That same night Saul sent some men to watch David's house and kill him the next morning. Michal, David's wife, warned him, "If you don't get away tonight, tomorrow you will be dead."

Then she took the household idol, laid it on the bed, put a pillow made of goats' hair at its head, and put a cover over it.

But Saul sent them back to see David for themselves. He ordered them, "Carry him here in his bed, and I will kill him."

and instructed his servants: "Notice when Amnon has had too much to drink, and then when I give the order, kill him. Don't be afraid. I will take the responsibility myself. Be brave and don't hesitate!"

So the servants followed Absalom's instructions and killed Amnon. All the rest of David's sons mounted their mules and fled.

They hide themselves in the villages, waiting to murder innocent people. They spy on their helpless victims;

they wait in their hiding place like lions. They lie in wait for the poor; they catch them in their traps and drag them away.

Wicked people cannot sleep unless they have done something wrong. They lie awake unless they have hurt someone.

How terrible it will be for those who lie awake and plan evil! When morning comes, as soon as they have the chance, they do the evil they planned.