2 Kings 19
19
1And it was told Joab, that the king wept and mourned for his son.
2And the victory that day was turned into mourning unto all the people. For the people heard say that day: The king grieveth for his son.
3And the people shunned the going into the city that day as a people would do that hath turned their backs, and fled away from the battle.
4And the king covered his head, and cried with a loud voice: O my son Absalom, O Absalom my son, O my son.
5Then Joab going into the house to the king said: Thou hast shamed this day the faces of all thy servants, that have saved thy life, and the lives of thy sons, and of thy daughters, and the lives of thy wives, and the lives of thy concubines.
6Thou lovest them that hate thee, and thou hatest them that love thee. And thou hast shewn this day that thou carest not for thy nobles, nor for thy servants. And I now plainly perceive that if Absalom had lived, and all we had been slain, then it would have pleased thee.
7Now therefore arise, and go out, and speak to the satisfaction of thy servants: for I swear to thee by the Lord, that if thou wilt not go forth there will not tarry with thee so much as one this night. And that will be worse to thee, than all the evils that have befallen thee from thy youth until now.
8Then the king arose and sat in the gate: and it was told to all the people that the king sat in the gate. And all the people came before the king but Israel fled to their own dwellings.
9And all the people were at strife in all the tribes of Israel, saying: The king delivered us out of the hand of our enemies, and he saved us out of the hand of the Philistines; and now he is fled out of the land for Absalom.
10But Absalom, whom we anointed over us, is dead in the battle. How long are you silent, and bring not back the king?
11And king David sent to Sadoc and Abiathar, the priests, saying: Speak to the ancients of Juda, saying: Why are you the last to bring the king back to his house? (For the talk of all Israel was come to the king in his house.)
12You are my brethren: you are my bone, and my flesh: Why are you the last to bring back the king?
13And say ye to Amasa: Art not thou my bone, and my flesh? So do God to me and add more, if thou be not the chief captain of the army before me always in the place of Joab.
14And be inclined the heart of all the men of Juda, as it were of one man. And they sent to the king, saying: Return thou, and all thy servants.
15And the king returned and came as far as the Jordan and all Juda came as far as Galgal to meet the king, and to bring him over the Jordan.
16And Semei the son of Gera the son of Jemini of Bahurim made haste and went down with the men of Juda to meet king David,
17With a thousand men of Benjamin, and Siba the servant of the house of Saul. And his fifteen sons, and twenty servants were with him. And going over the Jordan,
18They passed the fords before the king, that they might help over the king's household, and do according to his commandment. And Semei the son of Gera falling down before the king, when he was come over the Jordan,
19Said to him: Impute not to me, my lord, the iniquity, nor remember the injuries of thy servant on the day that thou, my lord, the king, wentest out of Jerusalem, nor lay it up in thy heart, O king.
20For I thy servant acknowledge my sin: and therefore I am come this day the first of all the house of Joseph, and am come down to meet my lord the king.
21But Abisai the son of Sarvia answering said: Shall Semei for these words not be put to death, because he cursed the Lord's anointed?
22And David said: What have I to do with you, ye sons of Sarvia? Why are you a satan this day to me? Shall there any man be killed this day in Israel? Do not I know that this day I am made king over Israel?
23And the king said to Semei: Thou shalt not die. And he swore unto him.
24And Miphiboseth the son of Saul came down to meet the king and he had neither washed his feet, nor trimmed his beard, nor washed his garments from the day that the king went out, until the day of his return in peace.
25And when he met the king at Jerusalem, the king said to him: Why camest thou not with me, Miphiboseth?
26And he answering said: My lord, O king, my servant despised me. For I thy servant spoke to him to saddle me an ass, that I might get on and go with the king: for I thy servant am lame.
27Moreover he hath also accused me thy servant to thee, my lord the king: but thou my lord the king, art as an angel of God. Do what pleaseth thee.
28For all of my father's house were no better than worthy of death before my lord the king; and thou hast set me thy servant among the guests of thy table. What just complaint therefore have I? Or what right to cry any more to the king?
29Then the king said to him: Why speakest thou any more? what I have said is determined: thou and Siba divide the possessions.
30And Miphiboseth answered the king: Yea, let him take all; forasmuch as my lord the king is returned peaceably into his house.
31Berzellai also the Galaadite, coming down from Rogelim, brought the king over the Jordan, being ready also to wait on him beyond the river.
32Now Berzellai the Galaadite was of a great age, that is to say, fourscore years old: and he provided the king with sustenance when he abode in the camp; for he was a man exceeding rich.
33And the king said to Berzellai: Come with me that thou mayest rest secure with me in Jerusalem.
34And Berzellai said to the king: How many are the days of the years of my life that I should go up with the king to Jerusalem?
35I am this day fourscore years old. Are my senses quick to discern sweet and bitter? Or can meat or drink delight thy servant? Or can I hear any more the voice of singing men and singing women? Why should thy servant be a burden to my lord, the king?
36I thy servant will go on a little way from the Jordan with thee. I need not this recompense.
37But I beseech thee let thy servant return, and die in my own city, and be buried by the sepulchre of my father, and of my mother. But there is thy servant Chamaam, let him go with thee, my lord the king, and do to him whatsoever seemeth good to thee.
38Then the king said to him: Let Chamaam go over with me, and I will do for him whatsoever shall please thee; and all that thou shalt ask of me, thou shalt obtain.
39And when all the people and the king had passed over the Jordan, the king kissed Berzellai, and blessed him. And he returned to his own place.
40So the king went on to Galgal, and Chamaam with him. Now all the people of Juda had brought the king over, and only half of the people of Israel were there.
41Therefore all the men of Israel running together to the king, said to him: Why have our brethren the men of Juda stolen thee away, and have brought the king and his household over the Jordan, and all the men of David with him?
42And all the men of Juda answered the men of Israel: Because the king is nearer to me. Why art thou angry for this matter? Have we eaten any thing of the king's, or have any gifts been given us?
43And the men of Israel answered the men of Juda, and said: I have ten parts in the king more than thou; and David belongeth to me more than to thee. Why hast thou done me a wrong, and why was it not told me first, that I might bring back my king? And the men of Juda answered more harshly than the men of Israel.
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2 Kings 19: DRC1752
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An historical text maintained by the British and Foreign Bible Society.
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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