2 Samuel 19
19
Joab Scolds David
1People told Joab what had happened, “Look, the king is crying and mourning for Absalom.” 2So the joy of victory turned to sadness for everyone. It was a very sad day because the people heard, “The king is mourning for his son.”
3The people came into the city quietly as if they were the ones who had been defeated in battle. 4The king had covered his face and was crying loudly, “O my son Absalom, O Absalom, my son, my son!”
5Joab came into the king’s palace and said to the king, “You are humiliating every one of your officers! Look, they saved your life today and the lives of your sons and daughters and your wives and slave women. 6It seems that you love those who hate you, and you hate those who love you! Today you have made it clear to your officers and men that they mean nothing to you. It appears as if you would have been perfectly happy if Absalom had lived and the rest of us had been killed today! 7Now get up and go encourage your officers. I swear by the Lord, if you don’t go out and do that right now, not one man will be with you tonight. And that will be worse for you than all the trouble you have had since you were a child.”
8So the king went to the city gate.#19:8 city gate This was where the public meetings were held. The news spread that the king was at the gate, so all the people came to see him, except for the Israelites who had run away to their homes.
David Is King Again
9The tribes of Israel began discussing what to do next. They said, “King David saved us from the Philistines and our other enemies. David left the country because he was running away from Absalom. 10We anointed Absalom to be the king, but he was killed in battle. So we should bring David back to be the king again.”
11King David sent a message to Zadok and Abiathar the priests. David said, “Speak to the leaders of Judah and tell them, ‘Why are you the last tribe to bring King David back home? See, all the Israelites are talking about bringing the king back home. 12You are my brothers, my family, so why are you the last tribe to bring the king back?’ 13Also tell Amasa, ‘You are part of my family. I swear that I will make you captain of the army in Joab’s place.’”
14David touched the hearts of the people of Judah, and they all agreed as one. The people of Judah sent a message to the king, saying, “You and all your officers come back!”
15King David came to the Jordan River. The people of Judah came to Gilgal to meet the king and take him across the Jordan River.
Shimei Asks David to Forgive Him
16Shimei son of Gera, from the tribe of Benjamin, lived in Bahurim. Shimei rushed down to meet King David, with the rest of the people of Judah. 17About 1000 people from the tribe of Benjamin came with Shimei. Ziba the servant from Saul’s family also came. Ziba brought his 15 sons and 20 servants with him. All these people hurried to the Jordan River to meet King David.
18The people went across the Jordan River to help bring the king’s family back to Judah. They did whatever the king wanted. While the king was crossing the river, Shimei son of Gera came to meet him. He bowed down to the ground in front of the king. 19Shimei said to the king, “My lord, don’t think about the wrong things I did. My lord and king, don’t remember the bad things I did when you left Jerusalem. 20I know that I sinned. That is why today I am the first person from Joseph’s family#19:20 Joseph’s family This probably means the Israelites who followed Absalom. Many times the name Ephraim (a son of Joseph) is used for all the tribes in northern Israel. to come down and meet you, my lord and king.”
21Abishai son of Zeruiah said, “Let’s kill him for all the bad things he said about the Lord’s chosen king.#19:21 chosen king Literally, “anointed one.””
22David said, “What should I do with you, sons of Zeruiah? Are you trying to cause me trouble? No one will be put to death in Israel today! Today I know that I am king over Israel.”
23Then the king said to Shimei, “You will not die.” The king made a promise to Shimei that he himself would not kill Shimei.#19:23 David did not kill Shimei. But a few years later, David’s son Solomon ordered Shimei to be put to death. See 1 Kings 2:44-46.
Mephibosheth Goes to See David
24Saul’s grandson,#19:24 grandson Literally, “son.” Mephibosheth, came down to meet King David. Mephibosheth had not cared for his feet, trimmed his mustache, or washed his clothes since the day the king left Jerusalem. 25When he met the king at Jerusalem, the king said, “Mephibosheth, why didn’t you go with me when I ran away from Jerusalem?”
26Mephibosheth answered, “My lord and king, my servant tricked me. I am crippled so I said to my servant, Ziba, ‘Go saddle a donkey for me so that I can go with the king.’ 27But my servant tricked me and said bad things about me. My lord and king, you are like an angel from God. Do whatever you think is right. 28You could have killed all my grandfather’s#19:28 grandfather’s Literally, “father’s.” family, but you did not do that. Instead, you included me among the people who eat at your own table. So I don’t have a right to complain to the king about anything.”
29The king said to Mephibosheth, “Don’t say anything more about your problems. This is what I have decided: You and Ziba will divide the land.”
30Mephibosheth said to the king, “My lord and king, it is enough that you have come home in peace. Let Ziba have the land.”
David Asks Barzillai to Come With Him
31Barzillai of Gilead came down from Rogelim to cross the Jordan River with King David and send him on his way home. 32Barzillai was a very old man, 80 years old. He had given the king food and other things when David was staying at Mahanaim. Barzillai could do this because he was a very rich man. 33David said to Barzillai, “Come across the river with me. I will take care of you if you will live in Jerusalem with me.”
34But Barzillai said to the king, “Do you know how old I am? Do you think I can go with you to Jerusalem? 35I am 80 years old! I am too old to tell what is bad or good. I cannot taste what I eat or drink or hear the voices of men and women singers. Why should you want to be bothered with me? 36I don’t need any of the things that you want to give me. I will cross the Jordan River with you. 37Then please let me go back so that I can die in my own town and be buried in the grave of my father and mother. But here is Kimham; take him back with you as a servant, my lord and king. Do whatever you want with him.”
38The king answered, “Kimham will go back with me. I will be kind to him for you. I will do anything for you.”
David Goes Back Home
39The king kissed Barzillai and blessed him. Barzillai went back home, and the king and all the people went across the river.
40The king crossed the Jordan River to Gilgal. Kimham went with him. All the people of Judah and half the people of Israel led David across the river.
Israelites Argue With the People of Judah
41All the Israelites came to the king and said to him, “Why did our brothers, the people of Judah, steal you away? Why did they bring you and your family back across the Jordan River with your men?”
42All the people of Judah answered the Israelites, “We did it because the king is our close relative. Why are you angry with us about this? We have not eaten food at the king’s expense. The king did not give us any gifts.”
43The Israelites answered, “We have ten shares in David,#19:43 ten shares in David Judah and Benjamin were two of the tribes that later became the kingdom of Judah after the kingdom split. The other ten tribes were in the kingdom of Israel. so we have more right to David than you do. Why did you ignore us? We were the first ones to talk about bringing our king back.”
But the people of Judah replied with words that were even louder and angrier than those of the Israelites.
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2 Samuel 19: ERV
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© 1987, 2004 Bible League International
II Samuel 19
19
1And Joab was told, “Behold, the king is weeping and #2 Sam. 19:4mourning for Absalom.” 2So the victory that day was turned into #Jer. 14:2mourning for all the people. For the people heard it said that day, “The king is grieved for his son.” 3And the people stole back #Esth. 4:3into the city that day, as people who are ashamed steal away when they flee in battle. 4But the king #2 Sam. 17:24, 27; 19:32covered his face, and the king cried out with a loud voice, #2 Sam. 15:30“O my son Absalom! O Absalom, my son, my son!”
5Then #2 Sam. 18:33Joab came into the house to the king, and said, “Today you have disgraced all your servants who today have saved your life, the lives of your sons and daughters, the lives of your wives and the lives of your concubines, 6in that you love your enemies and hate your friends. For you have declared today that you regard neither princes nor servants; for today I perceive that if Absalom had lived and all of us had died today, then it would have pleased you well. 7Now therefore, arise, go out and speak comfort to your servants. For I swear by the Lord, if you do not go out, not one will stay with you this night. And that will be worse for you than all the evil that has befallen you from your youth until now.” 8Then the king arose and sat in the #2 Sam. 18:14gate. And they told all the people, saying, “There is the king, sitting in the gate.” So all the people came before the king.
For everyone of Israel had #2 Sam. 15:2; 18:24fled to his tent.
David Returns to Jerusalem
9Now all the people were in a dispute throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, “The king saved us from the hand of our #2 Sam. 18:17enemies, he delivered us from the hand of the #2 Sam. 8:1–14Philistines, and now he has #2 Sam. 3:18fled from the land because of Absalom. 10But Absalom, whom we anointed over us, has died in battle. Now therefore, why do you say nothing about bringing back the king?”
11So King David sent to #2 Sam. 15:14Zadok and Abiathar the priests, saying, “Speak to the elders of Judah, saying, ‘Why are you the last to bring the king back to his house, since the words of all Israel have come to the king, to his very house? 12You are my brethren, you are #2 Sam. 15:24my bone and my flesh. Why then are you the last to bring back the king?’ 13#2 Sam. 5:1; 1 Chr. 11:1And say to Amasa, ‘Are you not my bone and my flesh? #2 Sam. 17:25; 1 Chr. 2:17God do so to me, and more also, if you are not commander of the army before me continually in place of Joab.’ ” 14So he swayed the hearts of all the men of Judah, #Ruth 1:17just as the heart of one man, so that they sent this word to the king: “Return, you and all your servants!”
15Then the king returned and came to the Jordan. And Judah came to #Judg. 20:1Gilgal, to go to meet the king, to escort the king #Josh. 5:9; 1 Sam. 11:14, 15across the Jordan. 16And #2 Sam. 17:22Shimei the son of Gera, a Benjamite, who was from Bahurim, hurried and came down with the men of Judah to meet King David. 17There were a thousand men of #2 Sam. 16:5; 1 Kin. 2:8Benjamin with him, and #2 Sam. 3:19; 1 Kin. 12:21Ziba the servant of the house of Saul, and his fifteen sons and his twenty servants with him; and they went over the Jordan before the king. 18Then a ferryboat went across to carry over the king’s household, and to do what he thought good.
David’s Mercy to Shimei
Now Shimei the son of Gera fell down before the king when he had crossed the Jordan. 19Then he said to the king, #2 Sam. 9:2, 10; 16:1, 2“Do not let my lord impute iniquity to me, or remember what #1 Sam. 22:15wrong your servant did on the day that my lord the king left Jerusalem, that the king should #2 Sam. 16:5, 6take it to heart. 20For I, your servant, know that I have sinned. Therefore here I am, the first to come today of all #2 Sam. 13:33the house of Joseph to go down to meet my lord the king.”
21But Abishai the son of Zeruiah answered and said, “Shall not Shimei be put to death for this, #Judg. 1:22; 1 Kin. 11:28because he #(Ex. 22:28)cursed the Lord’s anointed?”
22And David said, #(1 Sam. 26:9)“What have I to do with you, you sons of Zeruiah, that you should be adversaries to me today? #2 Sam. 3:39; 16:10Shall any man be put to death today in Israel? For do I not know that today I am king over Israel?” 23Therefore #1 Sam. 11:13the king said to Shimei, “You shall not die.” And the king swore to him.
David and Mephibosheth Meet
24Now #1 Kin. 2:8, 9, 37, 46Mephibosheth the son of Saul came down to meet the king. And he had not cared for his feet, nor trimmed his mustache, nor washed his clothes, from the day the king departed until the day he returned in peace. 25So it was, when he had come to Jerusalem to meet the king, that the king said to him, #2 Sam. 9:6; 21:7“Why did you not go with me, Mephibosheth?”
26And he answered, “My lord, O king, my servant deceived me. For your servant said, ‘I will saddle a donkey for myself, that I may ride on it and go to the king,’ because your servant is lame. 27And #2 Sam. 16:17he has slandered your servant to my lord the king, #2 Sam. 16:3, 4but my lord the king is like the angel of God. Therefore do what is good in your eyes. 28For all my father’s house were but dead men before my lord the king. #2 Sam. 14:17, 20Yet you set your servant among those who eat at your own table. Therefore what right have I still to cry out anymore to the king?”
29So the king said to him, “Why do you speak anymore of your matters? I have said, ‘You and Ziba divide the land.’ ”
30Then Mephibosheth said to the king, “Rather, let him take it all, inasmuch as my lord the king has come back in peace to his own house.”
David’s Kindness to Barzillai
31And #2 Sam. 9:7–13Barzillai the Gileadite came down from Rogelim and went across the Jordan with the king, to escort him across the Jordan. 32Now Barzillai was a very aged man, eighty years old. And #2 Sam. 17:27–29; 1 Kin. 2:7he had provided the king with supplies while he stayed at Mahanaim, for he was a very rich man. 33And the king said to Barzillai, “Come across with me, and I will provide for you while you are with me in Jerusalem.”
34But Barzillai said to the king, “How long have I to live, that I should go up with the king to Jerusalem? 35I am today #2 Sam. 17:27–29eighty years old. Can I discern between the good and bad? Can your servant taste what I eat or what I drink? Can I hear any longer the voice of singing men and singing women? Why then should your servant be a further burden to my lord the king? 36Your servant will go a little way across the Jordan with the king. And why should the king repay me with such a reward? 37Please let your servant turn back again, that I may die in my own city, near the grave of my father and mother. But here is your servant #Ps. 90:10Chimham; let him cross over with my lord the king, and do for him what seems good to you.”
38And the king answered, “Chimham shall cross over with me, and I will do for him what seems good to you. Now whatever you request of me, I will do for you.” 39Then all the people went over the Jordan. And when the king had crossed over, the king #2 Sam. 19:40; Jer. 41:17kissed Barzillai and blessed him, and he returned to his own place.
The Quarrel About the King
40Now the king went on to Gilgal, and Chimham went on with him. And all the people of Judah escorted the king, and also half the people of Israel. 41Just then all the men of Israel came to the king, and said to the king, “Why have our brethren, the men of Judah, stolen you away and #Gen. 31:55; Ruth 1:14; 2 Sam. 14:33brought the king, his household, and all David’s men with him across the Jordan?”
42So all the men of Judah answered the men of Israel, “Because the king is #2 Sam. 19:15a close relative of ours. Why then are you angry over this matter? Have we ever eaten at the king’s expense? Or has he given us any gift?”
43And the men of Israel answered the men of Judah, and said, #2 Sam. 19:12“We have ten shares in the king; therefore we also have more right to David than you. Why then do you despise us—were we not the first to advise bringing back our king?”
Yet #1 Kin. 11:30, 31the words of the men of Judah were fiercer than the words of the men of Israel.
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The Holy Bible, New King James Version, Copyright © 1982 Thomas Nelson. All rights reserved.